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*

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis(PM),and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)isolates in Chinese children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information,laboratory data,and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country.Results Among the 160 children with PM,there were 103 males and 57 females.The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years,with 109 cases(68.1% )aged 3 months to under 3 years.SP strains were isolated from 95 cases(59.4% )in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases(35.6% )in blood cultures.The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87)and 27% (21/78),respectively.Fifty-five cases(34.4% )had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis,113 cases(70.6% )had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci,and 18 cases(11.3% )had underlying diseases.The most common clinical symptoms were fever(147 cases,91.9% ),followed by lethargy(98 cases,61.3% )and vomiting(61 cases,38.1% ).Sixty-nine cases(43.1% )experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization,with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication[43 cases(26.9% )],followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases(15.0% ),brain abscess in 23 cases(14.4% ),and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases(5.0% ).Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old,with rates of 91% (39/43)and 83% (20/24),respectively.SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin(100% ,75/75),linezolid(100% ,56/56),and meropenem(100% ,6/6).High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin(81% ,22/27),moxifloxacin(82% ,14/17),rifampicin(96% ,25/26),and chloramphenicol(91% ,21/23).However,low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin(16% ,11/68)and clindamycin(6% ,1/17),and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin(100% ,31/31).The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.2% (106/160),respectively,while 18 cases(11.3% )had adverse outcomes.Conclusions Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years.Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old.Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM,and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications.Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates.Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases.SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,meropenem,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,and chloramphenicol.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):131-138]

Selective dorsal neurotomy (SDN) is a surgical treatment for primary premature ejaculation (PE), but there is still no standard surgical procedure for selecting the branches of the dorsal penile nerves to be removed. We performed this study to explore the value of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) of the penile sensory-evoked potential (PSEP) for standard surgical procedures in SDN. One hundred and twenty primary PE patients undergoing SDN were selected as the PE group and 120 non-PE patients were selected as the normal group. The PSEP was monitored and compared between the two groups under both natural and general anesthesia (GA) states. In addition, patients in the PE group were randomly divided into the IONM group and the non-IONM group. During SDN surgery, PSEP parameters of the IONM group were recorded and analyzed. The differences in PE-related outcome measurements between the perioperative period and 3 months' postoperation were compared for the PE patients, and the differences in effectiveness and complications between the IONM group and the non-IONM group were compared. The results showed that the average latency of the PSEP in the PE group was shorter than that in the normal group under both natural and GA states (P < 0.001). Three months after surgery, the significant effective rates in the IONM and non-IONM groups were 63.6% and 34.0%, respectively (P < 0.01), and the difference in complications between the two groups was significant (P < 0.05). IONM might be useful in improving the short-term therapeutic effectiveness and reducing the complications of SDN.
Male ; Humans ; Premature Ejaculation/surgery* ; Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring/methods* ; Prospective Studies ; Neurosurgical Procedures/methods* ; Penis/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To explore the treatment experience of holmium laser enucleation of prostate (HoLEP) with preservation of longitudinal urethral mucosa at 12 o’clock for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with small-medium gland.Method:From October 2018 to April 2021, 256 patients diagnosed BPH with small-medium gland(prostate volume 30-60 ml)were retrospectively analyzed, including general information, way of operation, intraoperative parameters and follow-up data. From October 2018 to June 2020, 186 BPH patients underwent conventional HoLEP, which did not retain longitudinal urethral mucosa at 12 o’clock as a conventional operation group. From July 2020 to April 2021, 70 BPH patients underwent modified HoLEP, which retained longitudinal urethral mucosa at 12 o’clock as a modified operation group. There was no significant difference between the two groups( P>0.05) in term of the age[(70.5±4.4)years old vs.(68.5±3.2)years old], Q max[(7.5±2.8)ml/s vs.(7.5±2.1)ml/s], IPSS[(20.3±4.6)vs.(21.4±3.7)], QOL[(4.5±1.0)vs.(4.2±1.4)], postvoid residual volume[(126.9±29.36)ml vs.(132.2±32.3)ml], PSA[(1.5±1.3)ng/ml vs.(1.8±1.1)ng/ml] and prostate volume[(48.1±11.1)ml vs.(48.0±12.7)ml]. Both groups were treated with "trefoil" enucleation of prostate. The modified group was improved compared with the conventional group by retaining a 12 o’clock longitudinal urethra mucosa from the bladder neck to the apex of the prostate. The technical improvements were as follows: ①the left lobe of prostate was removed from at 5 o’clock at the verumontanum to 1 o’clock at the prostate apex along the gap between the hyperplasia gland and the surgical envelope; ②the right lobe was removed from 7 o’clock at the verumontanum to 11 o’clock at the apex; ③the urethra mucous membrane was cut vertically from 1 and 11 o’clock at the bladder neck to 1 and 11 o’clock at the apex respectively, and retaining the longitudinal mucous membrane between 11 and 1 o’clock (including 12 o’clock). Efficacy and postoperative complications of the two groups were compared. Results:The difference between the conventional group and the modified group in operation time[(36.5±10.4)min vs.(40.7±9.7)min], enucleated glandular weight[(35.5±12.2)g vs.(31.6±10.4)g], hemoglobin decline[(6.1±2.2)g/L vs.(5.6±2.5) g/L], postoperative hospitalization time [(1.2±0.2)d vs.(1.5±0.4)d]and catheter indwelling duration[(2.3±1.3)d vs.(2.0±1.0)d] were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). There were 252 patients for follow-up, including 183 cases in the conventional group and 69 cases in the modified group, and 4 cases were lost to follow-up. Mean time of follow-up was 8.4 months. In both groups, postoperative IPSS were 5.4±2.3 and 5.9±1.2 respectively, QOL1.5±0.3 and 2.0±1.0 respectively, Q max(24.3±9.2)ml/s and (22.5±11.3)ml/s respectively and postvoid residual volume (8.3±4.5)ml and (7.7±2.9)ml respectively, which were significantly different from that before the operation ( P<0.05). However, there was not significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05). The postoperative immediate urinary continence rate of the conventional group and modified group were 85.2% (156/183), 98.6% (68/69), respectively, and two groups had statistical differences ( P<0.05). Incidence of postoperative bladder neck contraction were 4.4% (8/183) and 0 respectively in the conventional and modified group, whose difference was significant( P<0.05). Conclusions:HoLEP with preservation of longitudinal urethral mucosa at 12 o'clock is the same effective as conventional operation in the treatment of BPH with small-medium gland, likewise it could significantly improve immediate urinary continence rate and reduce the incidence of bladder neck contraction.

Objective: To analyze the clinical epidemiological characteristics including composition of pathogens , clinical characteristics, and disease prognosis acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) in Chinese children. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical and laboratory data of 1 610 children <15 years of age with ABM in 33 tertiary hospitals in China from January 2019 to December 2020. Patients were divided into different groups according to age,<28 days group, 28 days to <3 months group, 3 months to <1 year group, 1-<5 years of age group, 5-<15 years of age group; etiology confirmed group and clinically diagnosed group according to etiology diagnosis. Non-numeric variables were analyzed with the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, while non-normal distrituction numeric variables were compared with nonparametric test. Results: Among 1 610 children with ABM, 955 were male and 650 were female (5 cases were not provided with gender information), and the age of onset was 1.5 (0.5, 5.5) months. There were 588 cases age from <28 days, 462 cases age from 28 days to <3 months, 302 cases age from 3 months to <1 year of age group, 156 cases in the 1-<5 years of age and 101 cases in the 5-<15 years of age. The detection rates were 38.8% (95/245) and 31.5% (70/222) of Escherichia coli and 27.8% (68/245) and 35.1% (78/222) of Streptococcus agalactiae in infants younger than 28 days of age and 28 days to 3 months of age; the detection rates of Streptococcus pneumonia, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus agalactiae were 34.3% (61/178), 14.0% (25/178) and 13.5% (24/178) in the 3 months of age to <1 year of age group; the dominant pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae and the detection rate were 67.9% (74/109) and 44.4% (16/36) in the 1-<5 years of age and 5-<15 years of age . There were 9.7% (19/195) strains of Escherichia coli producing ultra-broad-spectrum β-lactamases. The positive rates of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture and blood culture were 32.2% (515/1 598) and 25.0% (400/1 598), while 38.2% (126/330)and 25.3% (21/83) in CSF metagenomics next generation sequencing and Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen detection. There were 4.3% (32/790) cases of which CSF white blood cell counts were normal in etiology confirmed group. Among 1 610 children with ABM, main intracranial imaging complications were subdural effusion and (or) empyema in 349 cases (21.7%), hydrocephalus in 233 cases (14.5%), brain abscess in 178 cases (11.1%), and other cerebrovascular diseases, including encephalomalacia, cerebral infarction, and encephalatrophy, in 174 cases (10.8%). Among the 166 cases (10.3%) with unfavorable outcome, 32 cases (2.0%) died among whom 24 cases died before 1 year of age, and 37 cases (2.3%) had recurrence among whom 25 cases had recurrence within 3 weeks. The incidences of subdural effusion and (or) empyema, brain abscess and ependymitis in the etiology confirmed group were significantly higher than those in the clinically diagnosed group (26.2% (207/790) vs. 17.3% (142/820), 13.0% (103/790) vs. 9.1% (75/820), 4.6% (36/790) vs. 2.7% (22/820), χ²=18.71, 6.20, 4.07, all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the unfavorable outcomes, mortility, and recurrence between these 2 groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The onset age of ABM in children is usually within 1 year of age, especially <3 months. The common pathogens in infants <3 months of age are Escherichia coli and Streptococcus agalactiae, and the dominant pathogen in infant ≥3 months is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Subdural effusion and (or) empyema and hydrocephalus are common complications. ABM should not be excluded even if CSF white blood cell counts is within normal range. Standardized bacteriological examination should be paid more attention to increase the pathogenic detection rate. Non-culture CSF detection methods may facilitate the pathogenic diagnosis.
Adolescent ; Brain Abscess ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Escherichia coli ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Meningitis, Bacterial/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Streptococcus agalactiae ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; Subdural Effusion ; beta-Lactamases

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 21 patients diagnosed with BPH combined with mild urethra stenosis from January 2018 to December 2020. 12 patients underwent holmium laser enucleation of prostate (HoLEP). There were 3 cases of serious urethra stenosis requiring repeat surgical treatment after surgery, 9 cases of unobstructed voiding, 4 cases of reverse ejaculation and 2 cases of temporary urinary incontinence. 9 patients underwent laparoscopic simple prostatectomy (LSP) and all patients had unobstructed voiding. There were no cases of severe urethral stricture, temporary urinary incontinence and retrograde ejaculation in LSP group. LSP has reduced the risk of a repeat urethral surgery because of transurethral operation increasing the degree of urethra stenosis.

Objective:To investigate the factors affecting phenotypes in the patients of methylmalonic acidemia combined with homocysteinemia cblC type with MMACHC c. 609G>A homologous variant. Methods:A retrospective study on the clinical manifestations, complications, treatment, and outcome in 164patients of cblC type with MMACHC c. 609G>A homologous variant was conducted.The patients were diagnosed by biochemical and genetic analysisfrom January 1998 to December 2020. Results:Among the 164 patients, 2 cases were prenatally diagnosed and began treatment after birth. They are 3 and 12 years old with normal physical and mental development. Twenty-one cases were diagnosed by newborn screening. Among them, 15 cases had with normal development. They were treated fromthe age of two weeks at the asymptomatic period. Six cases began treatment aged 1 to 3 months after onset. Their development was delayed. One hundred and forty-one cases were clinically diagnosed. Their onset age ranges from a few minutes after birth to 6 years old. 110 cases had early-onset (78.0%). 31 cases had late-onset (22.0%). Five of them died. 24 patients lost to follow-up. Of the 141 clinically diagnosed patients, 130 (92.2%) with psychomotor retardation, 69 (48.9%) with epilepsy, 39 (27.7%) with anemia, 30 (21.3%) had visual impairment, 27 (19.1%) had hydrocephalus, 26 (18.4%) had feeding difficulties, 7 (5.0%) with liver damage, and 5 (3.5%) with metabolic syndrome. The frequency of hydrocephalus and seizures was significantly higher in the early-onset group. The urinary methylmalonic acid increased significantly in the patients with epilepsy. During the long-term follow-up, the level of plasma total homocysteine in the seizure-uncontrolled group was significantly higher than that in the seizure-controlled group, the difference had a statistical significance ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Most of the patients with MMACHC c. 609G>A homozygous variant had early-onset disease, with a high mortality and disability rate. If not treated in time, it will lead to neurological damage, resulting in epilepsy, mental retardation, hydrocephalus, and multiple organ damage. Pre-symptomatic diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent irreversible neurological damage. Neonatal screening and prenatal diagnosis are important to improve the outcome of the patients.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis on 288 patients (246 for final analysis) who underwent MSTS between 2005–2015. Data collected were demographics and peri/postoperative clinical and radiological features. Early and late radiological SF were defined as presentation before and after 3 months from index surgery, respectively. Univariate and multivariate models of competing risk regression analysis were designed to determine the risk factors for SF with death as a competing event. Results: We observed 14 SFs (5.7%) in 246 patients; 10 (4.1%) underwent revision surgery. Median survival was 13.4 months. The mean age was 58.8 years (range, 21–87 years); 48.4% were women. The median time to failure was 5 months (range, 1–60 months). Patients with SF were categorized into three groups: (1) SF when the primary implant was revised (n=5, 35.7%); (2) peri-construct progression of disease requiring extension (n=5, 35.7%); and (3) SFs that did not warrant revision (n=4, 28.5%). Four patients (28.5%) presented with early failure. SF commonly occurred at the implant-bone interface (9/14) and all patients had a spinal instability neoplastic score (SINS) >7. Thirteen patients (92.8%) who developed failure had fixation spanning junctional regions. Multivariate competing risk regression showed that preoperative Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score was a significant risk factor for implant failure (adjusted sub-hazard ratio, 7.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.63–30.07; p<0.0009). Conclusions The incidence of SF (5.7%) was low in patients undergoing MSTS although these patients did not undergo spinal fusion. Preoperative ambulators involved a 7 times higher risk of failure than non-ambulators. Preoperative SINS >7 and fixations spanning junctional regions were associated with SF. Majority of construct failures occurred at the implant-bone interface.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis on 288 patients (246 for final analysis) who underwent MSTS between 2005–2015. Data collected were demographics and peri/postoperative clinical and radiological features. Early and late radiological SF were defined as presentation before and after 3 months from index surgery, respectively. Univariate and multivariate models of competing risk regression analysis were designed to determine the risk factors for SF with death as a competing event. Results: We observed 14 SFs (5.7%) in 246 patients; 10 (4.1%) underwent revision surgery. Median survival was 13.4 months. The mean age was 58.8 years (range, 21–87 years); 48.4% were women. The median time to failure was 5 months (range, 1–60 months). Patients with SF were categorized into three groups: (1) SF when the primary implant was revised (n=5, 35.7%); (2) peri-construct progression of disease requiring extension (n=5, 35.7%); and (3) SFs that did not warrant revision (n=4, 28.5%). Four patients (28.5%) presented with early failure. SF commonly occurred at the implant-bone interface (9/14) and all patients had a spinal instability neoplastic score (SINS) >7. Thirteen patients (92.8%) who developed failure had fixation spanning junctional regions. Multivariate competing risk regression showed that preoperative Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score was a significant risk factor for implant failure (adjusted sub-hazard ratio, 7.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.63–30.07; p<0.0009). Conclusions The incidence of SF (5.7%) was low in patients undergoing MSTS although these patients did not undergo spinal fusion. Preoperative ambulators involved a 7 times higher risk of failure than non-ambulators. Preoperative SINS >7 and fixations spanning junctional regions were associated with SF. Majority of construct failures occurred at the implant-bone interface.

Objective:To explore management experience for post-adolescent postoperative urethral stricture of hypospadias in a single center.Methods:The clinical data of 71 cases of postoperative urethral stricture of post-adolescent hypospadias from January 2015 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The average age was 27.7(12-65) years. The mean duration of urethral stricture was 33.4(1-240) months. The number of prior surgeries was 2.5(1-9). There were 32 cases of ectopic urethral orifice, including 22 on penile, 8 on scrotum and 2 on perineum. There were 17 cases of urethral stricture with penile curvature, 11 with urethra-cutaneous fistula, 9 with urethral diverticulum, 11 with urethral calculus and 25 with urethral infection. Ten patients kept suprapubic tubes; 61 patients were able to urinate on their own, but suffered from dysuria and weak steam. The average maximum uroflow rate of 71 cases was 4.7(0-11.2) ml/s. The primary urethral reconstruction procedures were performed on 33 cases, included 11 penile or scrotal septum flap urethroplasty, 2 urethral diverticulum wall flap urethroplasty, 12 oral mucosal urethroplasty and 8 urethrotomy. Thirty-three cases underwent two-staged surgery. For patients with penile curvature greater than 30 degrees, the penis was straightened with a urethrotomy in first stage. Besides, the dorsal skin of penis or oral mucosal graft were transferred to the ventral side of the penis to the preset urethral plate. In second-stage, Denis Brown urethroplasty was performed on 23 patients, tubularized incised plate (Snodgrass) urethroplasty on 6, and oral mucosa inlay urethral plate (Snodgraft) urethroplasty on 4. In 5 cases, preplacing of oral mucosa was done in the second stage with a third-staged urethroplasty. Penile curvature was relieved by ventral scar resection with the folding the dorsal tunica albuginea of corpus cavernosum when necessary.Results:The mean follow-up time was 30.5(4-59) months. Sixty-one patients got satisfying postoperative urination, with an average maximum uroflow rate of 22.7 ml/s (15.8-37.2 ml/s). Restenosis occurred in 10 cases, and urethral fistula in 7 cases. Re-stricture patients underwent urethrotomy in 5 cases, augmented urethroplasty with flap in 4 cases, and urethroplasty with oral mucosal graft in 1 case. Among the 7 patients with urethral fistula, 5 were cured by one fistula repair, and 1 cured by second repair; the rest one was left untreated. 2 patients still had penile curvature after operation.Conclusions:It is difficult to manage post-adolescent postoperative urethral stricture of hypospadias, especially for patients with residual penile curvature greater than 30 degrees and lack of penile skin. Performing correction of the curvature and reconstruction of the urethral plate in first stage and Denis Brown urethroplasty or Snodgrass urethroplasty in second or third stage could achieve good results.