Objective To explore the value of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in assessing severity and predicting prognosis in children with severe hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD).Methods A total of 119 eligible children with severe HFMD admitted in the pediatric intensive care unit were enrolled in this retrospective study from March 2012 to March 2014.According to NT-proBNP level,children were divided into ≤ 500 pg/mL group (n =70) and ＞ 500 pg/mL group (n =49) ; whereas according to severity,children were divided into severe-type (n =74) and critical-type (n =45) ; and based on 28 days outcome in children with critical-type HFMD,children were divided into fatal group (n =27) and survival group (n =18).The chi-square test,two-sample t test,rank sum test Pearson or Spearman' s correlation,area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were used to analyze 119 children with severe hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD).Results Within 24 hours after admission,NT-proBNP ＞ 500 pg / mL group had higher rates of fever,abnormal breathing,abnormal heart rate,abnormal systolic blood pressure,capillary refill time ＞ 2 seconds and higher levels of laboratory biomarkers than NT-proBNP ≤ 500 pg/mL group (P ＜ 0.05) ; and during hospitalization,the rates of pulmonary edema,pulmonary hemorrhage and death also higher than NT-proBNP ≤ 500 pg/mL group (P ＜ 0.05).NT-proBNP,BS,WBC were higher in critical-type group than severe-type group (P =0.00),while the PCIS (pediatric critical illness score) was lower in critical-type group (x2 =14.70,P =0.00).NTproBNP was higher in fatal group than that in survival group (t =-2.60,P =0.01),PCIS was lower in fatal group (Z=2.70,P=0.01); and there were no statistically significant differences in BS and WBC between fatal and survival groups (BS:t =-0.60,P=0.55; WBC:t =-0.72,P=0.48).NT-proBNP,BS and WBC were negatively correlated with PCIS (r values were-0.58,-0.46,-0.56,P values were 0.00).The AUCs of NT-proBNP,BS,WBC and PCIS to determine the severity of severe HFMD children were 0.94,0.80,0.74,and 0.97,respectively; and to predict 28 days survival in criticaltype HFMD were 0.73,0.56,0.53,and 0.73,respectively.Conclusions Higher level of NT-proBNP could prompt cardiopulmonary involvement.NT-proBNP could reflect the severity of illness and served as a sensitive marker in predicting 28-day survival,being better than BS and WBC.

A 1 270 bp full-length cDNA fragment was obtained from the Schistosoma japonicum (Chinese strain) adult cDNA library after the '3' and 5' ends of the incomplete expression sequence tag (EST) of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase of Schistosoma japonicum (SjHGPRT) were amplified by the anchored PCR with 2 pairs of primer that were designed according to the published incomplete SjHGPRT EST and the sequence of multiclone sites of library λgt1 1 vector. Sequence analysis indicated that this fragment, with an identity of 82% to hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase ofSchistosoma mansoni (SmHGPRT), contained a complete open reading frame(ORF). The deduced amino acid sequence showed 83% identity to that of SmHGPRT. This fragment was cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pQE30, and subsequently sequenced and expressed in Escherichia coli. SDS-PAGE revealed that M of the recombinant protein was about 28 ku. Western-blot analysis showed that the recombinant protein was recognized by the polyclonal antisera from rabbits immunized with Schistosoma japonicum adult worm antigen. Mice vaccinated with recombinant protein revealed significant worm burden, liver eggs per gram (LEPG), fecal eggs per gram (FEPG) and intrauterine eggs of the female worms reduction percentage, compared with the controls. Taken together, the SjHGPRT full-length cDNA can be cloned and expressed in E. coli as a recombinant protein that elicited immunity against the challenge infection with Schistosoma japonicum, indicating its potential as a partia1 protection vaccine candidate.

A 1 270 bp full-length cDNA fragment was obtained from the Schistosoma japonicum (Chinese strain) adult cDNA library after the 3′ and 5′ ends of the incomplete expression sequence tag (EST) of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase of Schistosoma japonicum (SjHGPRT) were amplified by the anchored PCR with 2 pairs of primer that were designed according to the published incomplete SjHGPRT EST and the sequence of multiclone sites of library ?gt11 vector. Sequence analysis indicated that this fragment, with an identity of 82% to hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase of Schistosoma mansoni (SmHGPRT), contained a complete open reading frame(ORF). The deduced amino acid sequence showed 83% identity to that of SmHGPRT. This fragment was cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pQE30, and subsequently sequenced and expressed in Escherichia coli. SDS-PAGE revealed that M of the recombinant protein was about 28 ku. Western-blot analysis showed that the recombinant protein was recognized by the polyclonal antisera from rabbits immunized with Schistosoma japonicum adult worm antigen. Mice vaccinated with recombinant protein revealed significant worm burden, liver eggs per gram (LEPG), fecal eggs per gram (FEPG) and intrauterine eggs of the female worms reduction percentage, compared with the controls. Taken together, the SjHGPRT full-length cDNA can be cloned and expressed in E.coli as a recombinant protein that elicited immunity against the challenge infection with Schistosoma japonicum, indicating its potential as a partial protection vaccine candidate.

Objective:To explore the protective effects and related mechanism of tea saponin (TS) on intestinal inflammation due to Shigella infection. Methods:In vitro, the antibacterial activity of TS was detected by standard broth microdilution method. The absorbance at 600 nm of the bacterial liquid was detected by Microplate Reader under different concentrations of TS, and the growth curve was drawn. Bacterial count was obtained by plate colony counting. In vivo, 15 mice were divided into 3 groups ( n=5 each): control group, Sf301 group and TS group. Sterile water or TS was applied to mice in the Sf301 group and the TS group per gavage once a day for 8 days, and the mouse model of Shigella infection was established on day 3. The disease activity index (DAI) was used to evaluate the general condition of mice. The mice were sacrificed on day 8. Colon length was measured and colon tissues were stained with HE to analyze the pathological changes. The cecal contents and feces of mice were taken for plate counting and Shigella load was obtained. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of inflammatory factors. Results:(1) In vitro, the MIC of TS was 1 024 μg/ml. The plate counting and A600 of TS decreased in proportion to increasing concentrations (256, 512, 1 024 μg/ml) in comparison with the control group (all P<0.05). (2) In vivo, colon length was (7.70±0.24) cm in the control group and (7.35±0.41) cm in the TS group, which was significantly longer than that of the Sf301 group ([6.13±0.05] cm, P<0.05). Histopathological examination evidenced colonic epithelial cells shedding, decreased goblet cells, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the colon tissue of the Sf301 group. In the TS group, the colonic mucosa was intact without significant inflammatory cell infiltration. Bacterial load in cecal contents was significantly lower in the TS group than in the Sf301 group ( P<0.05). The level of tumor necrosis factor-α was significantly lower, and the level of interleukin-10 was significantly higher in the TS group than in the Sf301 group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:TS can effectively inhibit Shigella and alleviate Shigella infective enteritis by reducing Shigella load and inhibiting inflammation.

Objective To assess the early dental failure rate and medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw(MRONJ)incidence in patients treated with bisphosphonates(BPs),and provide evidence for evaluation of clinical risk.Methods Electronic databases,in-cluding Cochrane Library,Wiley Online Library,PubMed,CNKI and Wanfang Data were searched to collect clinical studies concerning early dental failure and medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients treated with bisphosphonates.The data were collected from inception until May 2022.The meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 15.Osoftware.Results A total of 13 clinical observational stud-ies involving 1261 implants,wherein 1182 implants were placed in patients who took bisphosphonate orally,and 79 implants were placed in patients treated with intravenous bisphosphonate.In patients who had orally administrated bisphosphonates,the pooled early dental fail-ure rate was 1.7％(95％CI:0.3％-3.9％),and the MRONJ incidence was 0.Among patients treated with intravenous bisphospho-nate,the pooled early dental failure rate was 0,and the MRONJ incidence was 5.6％.Conclusion The early dental failure rate and MRONJ incidence in patients who take bisphosphonates orally is as low as in a healthy population.On account of the relatively high risk of post-operative MRONJ in patients treated with intravenous bisphosphonates,clinical indications must be opted prudently.

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological and radiological features of benign fibro-osseous lesion (BFOL). Methods: Sixty-five cases of craniofacial BFOL, eight cases of peripheral ossifying fibroma (POF) and one case of low-grade central osteosarcoma diagnosed at Sichuan Provincial People′s Hospital between January 2010 and March 2019 were collected. The clinicopathologic features, hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and radiographic features were analyzed. MDM2 gene amplification was detected by FISH in difficult borderline cases. Results: This cohort of BFOLs included 50 cases of fibrous dysplasia (FD), 12 cases of ossifying fibroma (OF), and three cases of juvenile psammomatoid ossifying fibroma (JPOF). The average ages of patients with FD,OF and JPOF were 31.7, 39.2 and 26.0 years respectively. The male to female ratio was 1.0∶1.8.The average age of POF was 47.0 years, with male to female ratio of 1∶7. Patient of low-grade central osteosarcoma was a 48-year-old man. Twenty-seven cases of FD were located in the jaw, and 23 cases were in other craniofacial bones. Nine cases of OF were located in the jaw, and three cases were in the nasal cavity. Two cases of JPOF were in the nasal sinus, and one was in the jaw. All POF were located in the gingiva, and low-grade central osteosarcoma was located in the mandible. The imaging features of FD were luffa-like or ground-glass like signal shadows with poorly defined borders with expansion. OF had clear borders or sclerosing margins. Both JOF and low-grade central osteosarcoma were expansile intraosseously and with focally invasive nodular masses with ground-glass like signal shadows; and POF showed soft tissue mass with bone formation. Histological features of BFOLs showed mixed fibrous and irregular osteoid lesions. FD had no clear relationship with the host bone and no osteoblasts surrounded the bone trabeculae. Osteoblasts rimming was found in OF, and the boundaries of the host bone were clear. JPOF and low-grade central osteosarcoma infiltrated the host bone focally, and the latter showed mild cellular atypia. MDM2 amplification was detected in low-grade central osteosarcoma. Conclusions BFOLs are a group of fibro-osseous lesions with similar morphology in the head and neck and face, but their clinical features and prognosis are different; and their imaging and histological characteristics are also slightly different. Attentions should be given to the combination of clinical, imaging and pathologic features of BFOLs, especially the differential diagnosis between BFOLs and low-grade central osteosarcoma. Molecular detection could be used to assist the diagnosis in difficult cases.

【Objective】  To study the composition and function of tongue coating (TC) and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiota in participants with yellow-greasy tongue coating (YGTC), and to explore the representative metabolite markers and pathways in this group. 【Methods】  Subjects with YGTC or thin-white tongue coating (TWTC) were recruited from December 1, 2021 to October 30, 2022, and the TC and fecal samples were collected. Samples were subjected to both whole-genome shotgun (WGS), and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The α-diversity analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and Spearman correlation analysis were performed for two groups. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) analysis was used to analyze metabolomics and enrichment of metabolic pathways. 【Results】  The results revealed 20 YGTC participates and 19 TWTC participates. At the genus level, the dominant bacterial species of TC flora and intestinal flora in the two groups were roughly the same, but the relative kurtosis difference was marked, and the abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria in TC and fecal samples of YGTC subjects was higher. There were 9 down-regulated microorganisms in the TC samples, 26 down-regulated microorganisms, and 6 up-regulated microorganisms in YGTC subjects. The α-diversity analysis indicated that the Chao and abundance-based coverage estimator (ACE) indices of TC bacteria in the YGTC subjects showed a decreasing trend, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The α-diversity of fecal samples and the Chao and ACE indices decreased significantly (P < 0.05). PCA showed that the microflora structure of TC and fecal samples were significantly different between the two groups. Spearman correlation analysis showed that there was no correlation between TC and fecal microorganisms at phyla and genus levels in the same subjects (P > 0.05). The metabolomics results demonstrated that fumarate reductase, V/A ATPase, and phosphatidylethanolamine were increased, and glycerate-3p, UDP-glucose, and quinone oxidoreductase metabolites were decreased in YGTC TC samples. Inosine monophosphate (IMP), uridine monophosphate (UMP), and gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA) were increased in YGTC fecal samples, while the contents of ribo-5P, histidine, biotin,and cobalamin were decreased. Metabolic pathway analysis indicated that the abundance of the TC and fecal samples of the YGTC subjects was relatively low in various metabolic pathways, including amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, and energy metabolism. 【Conclusion】  Structural and functional changes in TC and GIT microbiota or metabolite markers could be potential biological bases of YGTC formation.