OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of moxibustion at different temperatures on cognitive function and blood glucose levels in patients with cognitive impairment associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: A total of 66 T2DM patients with cognitive impairment were randomly assigned to a high-temperature group (22 cases, 1 case dropped out, 1 case was eliminated), a medium-temperature group (22 cases, 2 cases were eliminated), and a low-temperature group (22 cases, 2 cases were eliminated). All groups received moxibustion at Baihui (GV20), Dazhui (GV14), and Shenting (GV24) based on their existing glycemic control treatment. Moxibustion temperatures were maintained at 44-46 ℃ (high-temperature group), 41-43 ℃ (medium-temperature group), and 38-40 ℃ (low-temperature group), respectively, for 20 min per session, every other day, 3 times a week for 3 months. The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) score, mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score, short-term memory (STM) accuracy and average reaction time, Rey-Osterrieth complex figure (ROCF) score, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were assessed before and after treatment. Clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, MMSE scores in all three groups were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). In the high-temperature group, the total MoCA score and the scores of visuospatial and executive function, memory and delayed recall, attention, naming, language, and abstraction were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05); the scores of ROCF copy, immediate recall, and delayed recall were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05); the HbA1c level was lower than that before treatment (P<0.05). In the medium-temperature group, the total MoCA score and the scores of memory and delayed recall, attention, and language were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). STM accuracy was higher than before treatment (P<0.05), and STM average reaction time was shorter than before treatment (P<0.05) in both the high-temperature and medium-temperature groups. After treatment, the total MoCA score and the scores of visuospatial and executive function, memory and delayed recall, attention, and language in the high-temperature group were higher than those in the medium- and low-temperature groups (P<0.05); MMSE score, STM accuracy, and ROCF immediate recall and delayed recall scores were higher than those in the medium- and low-temperature groups (P<0.05); STM average reaction time was shorter than that in the medium- and low-temperature groups (P<0.05); HbA1c level was lower than that in the low-temperature group (P<0.05). The total MoCA score, attention score, and MMSE score in the medium-temperature group were higher than those in the low-temperature group (P<0.05), and STM average reaction time was shorter than that in the low-temperature group (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in FPG within or between the three groups before and after treatment (P>0.05). The total effective rates were 75.0% (15/20) in the high-temperature group, 50.0% (10/20) in the medium-temperature group, and 15.0% (3/20) in the low-temperature group; the total effective rate in the high-temperature group was significantly higher than that in the low-temperature group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Moxibustion at different temperatures has a dose-effect relationship in treating cognitive impairment in T2DM patients. A temperature range of 44-46 ℃ is more effective in improving cognitive function and stabilizing average blood glucose levels over 2-3 months.
Humans ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy* ; Male ; Female ; Moxibustion ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Cognitive Dysfunction/psychology* ; Cognition ; Temperature ; Blood Glucose/metabolism* ; Adult ; Acupuncture Points

Microbial communities such as those residing in the human gut are highly diverse and complex, and many with important implications for health and diseases. The effects and functions of these microbial communities are determined not only by their species compositions and diversities but also by the dynamic intra- and inter-cellular states at the transcriptional level. Powerful and scalable technologies capable of acquiring single-microbe-resolution RNA sequencing information in order to achieve a comprehensive understanding of complex microbial communities together with their hosts are therefore utterly needed. Here we report the development and utilization of a droplet-based smRNA-seq (single-microbe RNA sequencing) method capable of identifying large species varieties in human samples, which we name smRandom-seq2. Together with a triple-module computational pipeline designed for the bacteria and bacteriophage sequencing data by smRandom-seq2 in four human gut samples, we established a single-cell level bacterial transcriptional landscape of human gut microbiome, which included 29,742 single microbes and 329 unique species. Distinct adaptive response states among species in Prevotella and Roseburia genera and intrinsic adaptive strategy heterogeneity in Phascolarctobacterium succinatutens were uncovered. Additionally, we identified hundreds of novel host-phage transcriptional activity associations in the human gut microbiome. Our results indicated that smRandom-seq2 is a high-throughput and high-resolution smRNA-seq technique that is highly adaptable to complex microbial communities in real-world situations and promises new perspectives in the understanding of human microbiomes.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics* ; Bacteriophages/physiology* ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Sequence Analysis, RNA/methods* ; Bacteria/virology*

Beta-amylases (BAMs), key enzymes in starch hydrolysis, play an important role in plant growth, development, and resistance to abiotic stress. To mine the saline-alkali tolerance-related BAM genes in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), we identified MsBAM genes in the whole genome. The physicochemical properties, phylogeny, gene structures, conserved motifs, secondary structures, promoter cis-acting elements, chromosome localization, and gene replication relationships of BAM gene family members were analyzed. RNA-seq and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were employed to analyze the expression patterns of BAM family members under saline-alkali stress. The results showed that 54 BAM genes were identified in the genome, which were classified into 8 subgroups according to the phylogenetic tree. The members of the same subgroup had similar gene structures except that those of subgroups 1 and 7 had large differences. Conserved motif analysis showed that all MsBAM proteins had a typical glycohydrolysis domain. The chromosome localization analysis showed that MsBAM gene family members were unevenly distributed on 27 chromosomes. The duplication of gene segments led to the increase in BAM gene number in alfalfa. The promoters of BAM genes contained a large number of elements in response to plant hormones and stress. Transcriptome data and qRT-PCR results showed that the expression levels of most MsBAM genes were up-regulated in response to saline-alkali stress. Under the saline-alkali stress, the expression levels of 28 genes, including MsBAM6, were up-regulated on days 1 and 7, and those of 5 genes, including MsBAM9, were up-regulated by over 2 folds. In addition, under salt-alkali stress, BAM activity and soluble sugar content were significantly increased. These results indicate that BAM genes play a key role in alfalfa in response to saline-alkali stress, laying a foundation for further research in this field.
Medicago sativa/physiology* ; beta-Amylase/metabolism* ; Phylogeny ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Stress, Physiological/genetics* ; Multigene Family ; Alkalies ; Plant Proteins/genetics*

Nasal drug delivery efficiency is highly dependent on the position in which the drug is deposited in the nasal cavity. However, no reliable method is currently available to assess its impact on delivery performance. In this study, a biomimetic nasal model based on three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology was developed for visualizing the deposition of drug powders in the nasal cavity. The results showed significant differences in cavity area and volume and powder distribution in the anterior part of the biomimetic nasal model of Chinese males and females. The nasal cavity model was modified with dimethicone and validated to be suitable for the deposition test. The experimental device produced the most satisfactory results with five spray times. Furthermore, particle sizes and spray angles were found to significantly affect the experimental device's performance and alter drug distribution, respectively. Additionally, mometasone furoate (MF) nasal spray (NS) distribution patterns were investigated in a goat nasal cavity model and three male goat noses, confirming the in vitro and in vivo correlation. In conclusion, the developed human nasal structure biomimetic device has the potential to be a valuable tool for assessing nasal drug delivery system deposition and distribution.

Objective:To investigate the application effect of problem-based learning (PBL) combined with scenario simulation in nursing teaching of needlestick injuries.Methods:A total of 123 undergraduates majoring in nursing were selected as research subjects from the classes of 2020 and 2021 in a medical university. The 60 undergraduates in the class of 2020 were established as control group and were given PBL teaching, and the 63 undergraduates in the class of 2021 were established as experimental group and were given PBL combined with scenario simulation. The two groups were compared in terms of theoretical score, skill examination score, and knowledge-attitude-practice (KAP) score of needlestick injury knowledge. SPSS 25.0 was used to perform the t-test, the chi-square test, and the rank sum test. Results:Compared with the control group, the experimental group had significantly higher scores of theoretical examination [(84.43±5.03) vs. (80.30±4.81), P<0.001] and skill examination [(88.40±4.26) vs. (83.55±5.84), P<0.001], as well as significantly higher scores of knowledge [(14.46±1.03) vs. (13.18±1.23), P<0.001], attitude [(52.59±3.09) vs. (48.05±3.06), P<0.001], and practice [(67.37±4.28) vs. (62.17±3.92), P<0.001] in KAP questionnaire. Conclusions:PBL combined with scenario simulation teaching can effectively improve the knowledge of protection against needlestick injuries and related skills in nursing students, enhance their awareness of needlestick injuries, and promote the protective behavior against needlestick injuries.

Humans ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Inflammation/genetics* ; Apolipoproteins E ; Apoptosis

Objective:To investigate the application value of single-port laparoscopic left lateral donor liver acquisition in pediatric living donor liver transplantation (PLDLT).Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinical data of the donor and recipient who were admitted to Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University for PLDLT in January 2020 were collected. The donor was a male, aged 28 years with body mass as 62 kg, height as 174 cm and body mass index (BMI) as 20.5 kg/m 2. The recipient was the daughter of the donor, aged 1 year with body mass as 9 kg, height as 75 cm and BMI as 16.0 kg/m 2. The donor underwent single-port laparoscopic left lateral donor liver acquisition. The recipient underwent living donor liver trans-plantation by the same operation team. Observation indicators: (1) intraoperative conditions; (2) postoperative conditions; (3) follow-up. Results:(1) Intraoperative conditions. The donor under-went single-port laparoscopic left lateral donor liver acquisition successfully, with the single-port access system being placed through a transumbilical incision. The operation time, the warm ischemia time of the donor liver and volume of intraoperative blood loss were 240 minutes, 3 minutes and 40 mL, respectively, of the donor. The weight of the donor liver was 233.6 g, and the corrected graft-to-recipient body weight ratio was 2.60%. The recipient underwent living donor liver transplantation successfully. (2) Postoperative conditions. The donor began to take liquid diet at postoperative day 1, and results of laboratory examination showed that the alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glutamyltransferase (GGT) and total bilirubin (TBil) of the donor was 239 U/L, 116 U/L, 53 U/L and 22.57 μmol/L. The donor began to take diet with high quality proteins at postoperative day 2, and to get for out-of-bed activities moderately. The donor′s peritoneal drainage fluid was light red at postoperative day 3, and no fluid accumulation was found in the operation area after abdominal B-ultrasound examination, so the peritoneal drainage tube was removed. The donor was discharged at postoperative day 4. The liver function of the recipient recovered to normal level 2 weeks after the operation. (3) Follow-up. The donor was followed up by outpatient examination 2 weeks after discharged, and results of laboratory examination showed that the ALT, AST, GGT and TBil was 44 U/L, 25 U/L, 53 U/L and 9.22 μmol/L, respectively. Neither the donor nor the recipient had complication ≥Ⅱ grade of the Clavien-Dino classification, such as biliary fistula and vascular complication during the 6 months after operation.Conclusion:Single-port laparoscopic left lateral donor liver acquisition can be used into the PLDLT.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of liver transplantation in children with Alagille syndrome (ALGS). Methods Clinical data of 12 children with ALGS were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Clinical characteristics of children with ALGS, pathological characteristics of liver tissues, characteristics of liver transplantation, postoperative complications and follow-up of children with ALGS were analyzed. Results JAG1 gene mutation and typical facial features was present in all 12 children. Jaundice was the most common initial symptom, which occurred at 7 (3, 40) d after birth. Upon liver transplantation, the Z scores of height and body weight were calculated as -2.14 (-3.11, -1.83) and -2.32 (-3.12, -1.12). Five children developed severe growth retardation and 4 children with severe malnutrition. Eight of 12 children were diagnosed with cardiovascular abnormalities. Pathological examination showed that the lobular structure of the diseased livers of 4 children was basically maintained, and 8 cases of nodular liver cirrhosis in different sizes including 1 case of single early moderately-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma. Three children were misdiagnosed with biliary atresia and underwent Kasai portoenterostomy. Eight children underwent living donor liver transplantation, three children underwent cadaveric donor liver transplantation (two cases of split liver transplantation and one case of cadaveric total liver transplantation), and one child underwent domino liver transplantation (donor liver was derived from a patient with maple syrup urine disease). during the follow-up of 30.0(24.5, 41.7) months, the survival rates of the children and liver grafts were both 100%. During postoperative follow-up, the Z scores of height and body weight were calculated as -1.24 (-2.11, 0.60) and -0.83 (-1.65, -0.43), indicating that the growth and development of the children were significantly improved after operation. Conclusions Liver transplantation is an efficacious treatment for children with ALGS complicated with decompensated cirrhosis, severe itching and poor quality of life. For children with ALGS complicated with cardiovascular abnormalities, explicit preoperative evaluation should be delivered, and consultation with pediatric cardiologists should be performed if necessary.

Objective:To review our experience in the use of "Full right-Full left" split liver transplantation in adult-to adult or adult-to adult-size child.Methods:The clinical data of liver donors to 4 recipients of full right-full left split liver transplantation performed at Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University from January to December 2019 were reviewed. The surgical methods of split liver transplantation, cold ischemia time, operation time, intraoperative blood transfusion, and postoperative complications and prognosis were analyzed.Results:The 4 recipients of complete right hepatic-left hepatic split liver transplantation included 3 adults and 1 heavy child (45 kg). Their ages ranged from 14 to 48 years, and body weight ranged from 45 to 61 kg. The end-stage liver disease model score were 21, 12, 41, and 30 points. The ratios of graft mass to recipient's body mass ranged from 0.85% to 1.35%. The cold ischemia time was 457-650 min, and the operation time was 460-575 min. Early liver function recovered smoothly in all the 4 patients after transplantation, and no small liver syndrome occurred. Patients were followed up to 6 months after operation. One patient developed anastomotic biliary leak, which was cured by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographic treatment. Another patient developed biliary stricture presenting with repeated biliary tract infection despite percutaneous transhepatic puncture biliary drainage. A third patient died six months from lung infection.Conclusion:In properly selected patients, using full right-full left hemiliver by split liver transplantation increased organ utilization and provided patients with increased treatment opportunities.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(V-V ECMO)in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)caused by Pneumocystis pneumonitis(PJP)after kidney transplantation(KT).Methods:Cal data of 9 KT recipients on V-V ECMO were retrospectively analyzed. Timing of V-V ECMO support, complications during treatment and V-V ECMO performance were summarized.Results:All 9 patients with confirmed PJP adopted V-V ECMO with oxygenation index of 25~92 prior to V-V ECMO and average time from admission to initiating V-V ECMO was 5.56(1~17)days. Except for one death from hemorrhagic shock due to abdominal hemorrhage, the remainders were successfully weaned. Another recipient died from sepsis after weaning and there were 7 survivors. V-V ECMO support time was 215.5 h among 8 successfully weaned recipients. Among 7 survivors, 1 had premorbid deterioration of graft function and no fatal complications occurred.Conclusions:V-V ECMO is an effective treatment for severe ARDS caused by P. pneumoniae post-KT. And its early application is recommended for reducing complications and improving patient prognosis.