Natural arabinogalactan， an important polysaccharide， has a wide range of sources， a complex structure， various biological activities， and great application potential. Natural arabinogalactan is mainly rich in plants and microorganisms， and its structure varies due to different sources， including types Ⅰ， type Ⅱ， type Ⅱ-related types， and new configurations. Natural arabinogalactan has shown a variety of biological activities， such as anti-tumor， anti-oxidation， anti-coagulation， anti-aging， blood glucose-lowering， intestinal health-maintaining， anti-inflammatory， and immunomodulatory activities. In addition， natural arabinogalactan shows good biocompatibility and low toxicity， serving as a potential material in the biomedical field. Natural arabinogalactan has been designed as a carrier in the drug delivery system to effectively improve drug stability and targeting. Natural arabinogalactan is often added to skin care products to help delay skin aging and enhance skin barrier function because of their moisturizing and antioxidant properties. Additionally， natural arabinogalactan acts as a thickener， stabilizer， and emulsifier to improve the texture and taste while enhancing the nutritional value of food products. The review of latest research reports is helpful to further understand the relationship between the structure， biological activity， and functional application of natural arabinogalactan and provides an important reference for future research and development.

Objective:To investigate the effect of the transcription factor TBX1 on the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells and to explore potential molecular mechanisms.Methods:The mRNA and protein levels of TBX1 in colorectal cancer cell lines HCT116, RKO, SW480, HT29, and LOVO were detected by using reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. Colorectal cancer cell lines HCT116 and SW480 cells with low TBX1 expression were transfected with either a pcDNA3.1 plasmid containing TBX1 mimics (TBX1 overexpression group) or an empty pcDNA3.1 plasmid (the control group). LOVO cells with high TBX1 expression were transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting TBX1 including si-TBX1-8604A, si-TBX1-8604B, and a negative control siRNA (si-NC), which were treated as si-TBX1-8604A group, si-TBX1-8604B group, and si-NC group. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expressions of transcriptional level TBX1 and PARK2, and Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of TBX1, PARK2, and key factors in the MAPK and PI3K signaling pathways. Methyl Thiazolyl Tetrazolium (MTT) assay and cell colony formation assay were used to detect the cell proliferation. Combining literatures and the JASPAR database, 2 binding sites of TBX1 in the PARK2 promoter region were predicted. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay was employed to verify the binding sites of TBX1 to PARK2 in HCT116 and SW480 cells. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay was used to verify the targeting relationship between TBX1 and PARK2. The expression of TBX1 and PARK2 in colon cancer tissues was analyzed by using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database (September 2023).Results:High TBX1 expression in HCT116 and SW480 cells transfected with TBX1 mimics plasmid was confirmed by qRT-PCR and Western blot, while TBX1 expression was successfully knocked down in LOVO cells transfected with siRNA targeting TBX1. MTT assay indicated that the absorbance values for HCT116 cells in TBX1 overexpression group on d1, d3, d5, and d7 after inoculation, and for SW480 cells on d3, d5, and d7 after inoculation were lower than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.01). LOVO cells in the si-TBX1-8604A group and si-TBX1-8604B group exhibited higher absorbance values than the si-NC group on d1, d3, d5, and d7 after inoculation, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Cell colony formation assay revealed that after 14 d, the colony number of HCT116 cells [(387±9) vs. (843±13)] and SW480 cells [(413±9) vs. (931±15)] in TBX1 overexpression group was lower than that in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The colony number of LOVO cells in the si-TBX1-8604A group and si-TBX1-8604B group was (493±77) and (470±32), respectively, which was higher than that in the si-NC group (349±26), and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The protein relative expression levels of p-ERK and p-AKT S473 in HCT116 and SW480 cells in TBX1 overexpression group were lower than those in the control group, while protein relative expression levels of p-ERK and p-AKT S473 in LOVO cells in the si-TBX1-8604A group and si-TBX1-8604B group were higher than those in the si-NC group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The relative expression level of PARK2 mRNA in HCT116 and SW480 cells (all P < 0.01) and the protein level in the overexpression group were higher than those in the control group. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that the enrichment times of TBX1 binding to 2 sites of PARK2 intron in HCT116 and SW480 cells in TBX1 overexpression group were higher than that in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Dual luciferase reporter gene assay showed that the relative luciferase activity of HCT116 and SW480 cells co-transfected with pcDNA3.1 plasmid containing TBX1 mimics and pGL3 plasmid containing PARK2 mimics was higher than that of cells co-transfected with empty pcDNA3.1 and pGL3 plasmids, co-transfected with empty pcDNA3.1 plasmid and pGL3 plasmid containing PARK2 mimics, co-transfected with pcDNA3.1 plasmid containing TBX1 mimics and empty pGL3 plasmid, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Spearman analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between transcriptional level TBX1 and PARK2 in colon cancer tissues (288 cases) in TCGA database ( r = 0.226, P < 0.001); and the relative expression level of PARK2 mRNA in colon cancer tissues (383 cases) was lower than that in normal intestinal tissues (50 cases), and the difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.001). Conclusions:Elevated expression of transcriptional factor TBX1 inhibits the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells, potentially by activating the downstream target gene PARK2 and inhibiting the phosphorylation of ERK and AKT in the MAPK and PI3K signaling pathways, ultimately affecting the activation of these pathways.

Objective:To establish a prediction model for symptomatic radiation pneumonitis (SRP) after radiotherapy for thoracic cancer based on a longitudinal cohort and dose interval variations.Methods:Clinical data of 587 patients who received thoracic radiotherapy in Department of Radiotherapy of Yunnan Cancer Hospital from July 2022 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The National Cancer Institute common terminology criteria for adverse events (CTCAE) version 5.0 was used to grade radiation pneumonitis, and clinical factors, traditional independent dosimetric characteristics and dose interval variation characteristics were collected. Features used to predict the occurrence of SRP were screened using genetic algorithms and analyzed the correlation between the selected features and SRP occurrence. Predictive models for SRP occurrence were established using the selected features and evaluated, and the optimal predictive model was visualized using a column chart.Results:The incidence of SRP was 35.94%. Five clinical factors, seven independent dosimetric features and six dose interval variation features were screened out by genetic algorithms to effectively predict the occurrence of SRP. The area under ROC curve (AUC) of clinical factors combined with traditional independent dosimetric factors and dose interval variation factors was 76%. The AUC of clinical factors combined with traditional independent dosimetric factors and that of clinical factors combined with dose interval variation factors was 69% and 67%, respectively. The addition of the characteristics of dose interval variation factors significantly improved the effectiveness of the prediction model.Conclusions:The supplement of the characteristics of dose interval variation factors can significantly improve the performance of the SRP prediction model for thoracic tumors after radiotherapy. The SRP prediction model based on dose interval variations can effectively predict the occurrence of SRP.

Pulmonary disease is one of the major threats to human health. However, the current clinical treatment drugs for lung diseases generally have problems such as low lung delivery efficiency, fast clearance rate and obvious toxic side effects. Recently, membrane biomimetic nanocarriers have attracted more and more attention. Due to their advantages of high targeting, long cycle time, good biocompatibility and strong immune escape ability, membrane biomimetic nanocarriers have become a major research hotspot in targeted therapy of lung diseases. In this review, we discuss the main preparation methods of membrane biomimetic nanoparticles, the characteristics of membrane biomimetic nanocarriers from different cell sources and their application in the targeted therapy of lung diseases. At the same time, according to the characteristics of different membranes, the shortcomings, current technical limitations and future prospects are discussed. This review is expected to provide references for the design of membrane biomimetic nanocarriers and their potential applications in the treatment of lung diseases.

Objective: We analyze the characteristics of Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection among diarrhea patients in Kunming from 2018 to 2020 and provide evidence for follow-up surveillance and prevention. Methods: A total of 388 fecal samples of diarrhea patients from four sentinel hospitals in Yunnan Province from 2018 to 2020 were collected. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the fecal toxin genes of C. difficile. The positive fecal samples isolated the bacteria, and isolates were identified by mass spectrometry. The genomic DNA of the strains was extracted for multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). The fecal toxin, strain isolation, and clinical patient characteristics, including co-infection with other pathogens, were analyzed. Results: Among the 388 fecal samples, 47 samples with positive reference genes of C. difficile were positive, with a total positive rate of 12.11%. There were 4 (8.51%) non-toxigenic and 43 (91.49%) toxigenic ones. A total of 18 strains C. difficile were isolated from 47 positive specimens, and the isolation rate of positive specimens was 38.30%. Among them, 14 strains were positive for tcdA, tcdB, tcdC, tcdR, and tcdE. All 18 strains of C. difficile were negative for binary toxins. The MLST results showed 10 sequence types (ST), including 5 strains of ST37, accounting for 27.78%; 2 strains of ST129, ST3, ST54, and ST2, respectively; and 1 strain of ST35, ST532, ST48, ST27, and ST39, respectively. Fecal toxin gene positive (tcdB+) results were statistically associated with the patient's age group and with or without fever before the visit; positive isolates were only statistically associated with the patient's age group. In addition, some C. difficile patients have co-infection with other diarrhea-related viruses. Conclusions: The infection of C. difficile in diarrhea patients in Kunming is mostly toxigenic strains, and the high diversity of strains was identified using the MLST method. Therefore, the surveillance and prevention of C. difficile should be strengthened.
Humans ; Bacterial Toxins/genetics* ; Enterotoxins/genetics* ; Clostridioides difficile/genetics* ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Coinfection ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics* ; China/epidemiology* ; Clostridium Infections/epidemiology* ; Diarrhea/microbiology*

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between sleep arousal, ambulatory blood pressure and new-onset heart failure(NOHF)in elderly patients with obstructive sleep apnea(OSA).Methods:A total of 584 elderly patients with OSA who were diagnosed and treated in our hospital between March 2015 and March 2019 were prospectively and consecutively selected, with a mean age of(70.1±7.2)years.Polysomnography(PSG)results were obtained at baseline, and the arousal index(AI)was calculated.Based on the quartiles of AI, patients were divided into 4 groups: a low-level group(AI<18.4/h, 186 cases), a low-medium level group(18.4-29.1/h, 177 cases), a medium-high level group(29.2-41.2/h, 137 cases)and a high-level group(>41.2 /h, 84 cases). Participants were followed up for 18 months, the results of ambulatory blood pressure were recorded and compared, and the relationship between AI and the risk of NOHF was analyzed.Results:Compared with the low-level group, patients in the low-medium, medium-high, and high-level groups were older(70.1, 70.3, 73.3 vs.68.7 years, F=2.726, P=0.043)and had more smokers(43.8%, 49.6%, 54.8% vs.38.2%, χ2=8.809, P=0.032), a larger body mass index(26.3, 26.7, 27.6 vs.25.4 kg/m 2, F=2.731, P=0.042), a higher Epworth sleepiness scale score(7.83, 8.50, 9.91 vs.7.64, F=5.124, P=0.018), a higher apnea hypopnea index(23.5, 34.8, 52.7 vs.17.6, F=5.632, P=0.007), lower nocturnal oxygen saturation(80.2, 75.3, 72.1 vs.83.7 mmHg, F=4.811, P=0.024), and higher N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)levels(317.5, 337.5, 359.2 vs.267.5 pg/L, F=4.307, P=0.033). At the median follow-up(18 months, 14-24 months), the results of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring showed that 24-hour systolic blood pressure(24 h SBP)(147.3, 148.6, 156.2 vs.143.8 mmHg, F=5.4311, P=0.013), 24-hour diastolic blood pressure(24 h DBP)(80.1, 79.5, 83.7 vs.76.5 mmHg, F=5.679, P=0.011)in the low-medium, medium-high and high-level groups were higher than those in the low-level group.The results of survival analysis showed that there were 75(12.8%)cases of NOHF, mostly with preserved ejection fraction(47 cases)or mid-range ejection fraction heart failure(20 cases). The incidences of NOHF were 6.5%, 12.4%, 16.1% and 22.4%, respectively for the low level, low-medium, medium-high and high-level groups, and the risk of NOHF in the low-medium, medium-high and high-level groups was significantly higher than in the low level group(log-rank χ2=11.624, P=0.007). Variables with P<0.2 in the univariate analysis, age and sex were included in the multivariate Cox regression analysis.The results showed that age( HR=1.724, 95% CI: 1.216-3.135), diabetes( HR=1.514, 95% CI: 1.127-3.058), NT proBNP( HR=1.517, 95% CI: 1.232-2.366), nocturnal diastolic blood pressure( HR=2.004, 95% CI: 1.332-4.638), and middle-high AI level( HR=1.611, 95% CI: 1.204-2.967)and high AI level( HR=1.863, 95% CI: 1.272-3.538)were independent factors of NOHF in elderly OSA patients. Conclusions:Sleep arousal in elderly patients with OSA increases blood pressure levels and the risk of NOHF.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors for poor prognosis in sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) and establish a nomogram predictive model. METHODS: The clinical data of patients with SA-AKI admitted to the department of critical care medicine of Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University from January 2019 to September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including demographic information, worst values of blood cell counts and biochemical indicators within 24 hours of SA-AKI diagnosis, whether the patient received renal replacement therapy (RRT), mechanical ventilation, vasopressor therapy during hospitalization, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II), sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) within 24 hours of diagnosis, acute kidney injury (AKI) staging, total length of hospital stay, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and others. According to the 28-day outcome, the patients were divided into survival group and death group, and the indicators between the two groups were compared. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to screen for risk factors associated with mortality in SA-AKI patients. A nomogram predictive model for SA-AKI prognosis was constructed based on the identified risk factors. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) and calibration plots were generated to evaluate the predictive value of the nomogram model for SA-AKI prognosis. RESULTS: A total of 113 SA-AKI patients were included, with 67 in the survival group and 46 in the death group. The 28-day mortality among SA-AKI patients was 40.7%. The comparison between the two groups showed that there were statistically significant differences in age ≥ 65 years, AKI stage, mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, RRT, length of ICU stay, and laboratory indicators cystatin C (Cys C), fibrinogen (Fib), and FAR. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥ 65 years [odds ratio (OR) = 7.967, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 1.803-35.203, P = 0.006], cystatin C (OR = 7.202, 95%CI was 1.756-29.534, P = 0.006), FAR (OR = 2.444, 95%CI was 1.506-3.968, P < 0.001), and RRT (OR = 7.639, 95%CI was 1.391-41.951, P = 0.019) were independent risk factors for mortality in SA-AKI patients. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) for age ≥ 65 years, cystatin C, FAR, and RRT in predicting SA-AKI patient mortality were 0.713, 0.856, 0.911, and 0.701, respectively. A nomogram predictive model for SA-AKI patient prognosis was constructed based on age ≥ 65 years, cystatin C, FAR, and RRT, with an AUC of 0.967 (95%CI was 0.932-1.000) according to ROC curve analysis. The calibration plot indicated good consistency between predicted and actual probabilities. CONCLUSIONS Age ≥ 65 years, cystatin C, FAR, and RRT are independent risk factors for mortality in SA-AKI patients. The nomogram predictive model based on these four factors can accurately predict SA-AKI patient prognosis, helping physicians adjust treatment strategies in a timely manner and improve patient outcomes.
Humans ; Aged ; Cystatin C ; Retrospective Studies ; Intensive Care Units ; Sepsis/diagnosis* ; Acute Kidney Injury/therapy* ; Prognosis ; ROC Curve ; Fibrinogen

OBJECTIVE: Clinical characteristics and outcome in COVID-19 with brucellosis patients has not been well demonstrated, we tried to analyze clinical outcome in local and literature COVID-19 cases with brucellosis before and after recovery. METHODS: We retrospectively collected hospitalization data of comorbid patients and prospectively followed up after discharge in Heilongjiang Infectious Disease Hospital from January 15, 2020 to April 29, 2022. Demographics, epidemiological, clinical symptoms, radiological and laboratory data, treatment medicines and outcomes, and follow up were analyzed, and findings of a systematic review were demonstrated. RESULTS: A total of four COVID-19 with brucellosis patients were included. One patient had active brucellosis before covid and 3 patients had nonactive brucellosis before brucellosis. The median age was 54.5 years, and all were males (100.0%). Two cases (50.0%) were moderate, and one was mild and asymptomatic, respectively. Three cases (75.0%) had at least one comorbidity (brucellosis excluded). All 4 patients were found in COVID-19 nucleic acid screening. Case C and D had only headache and fever on admission, respectively. Four cases were treated with Traditional Chinese medicine, western medicines for three cases, no adverse reaction occurred during hospitalization. All patients were cured and discharged. Moreover, one case (25.0%) had still active brucellosis without re-positive COVID-19, and other three cases (75.0%) have no symptoms of discomfort except one case fell fatigue and anxious during the follow-up period after recovery. Conducting the literature review, two similar cases have been reported in two case reports, and were both recovered, whereas, no data of follow up after recovery. CONCLUSION These cases indicate that COVID-19 patients with brucellosis had favorable outcome before and after recovery. More clinical studies should be conducted to confirm our findings.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Brucellosis ; COVID-19 ; Retrospective Studies ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Treatment Outcome ; Case Reports as Topic

Objective:To examine the clinical effect of early administration of Shakubatracvalsartan following early percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)in patients diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction and acute heart failure.Methods:This study prospectively included 65 patients with acute myocardial infarction and acute heart failure who were admitted to the First People's Hospital of Shangqiu from June 2018 to October 2022.The patients were randomly divided into two groups: the control group(35 cases)and the observation group(30 cases).Both groups received early PCI treatment.After the operation, the control group received oral administration of Benazepril hydrochloride, while the observation group received oral administration of Shakubatracvalsartan for a duration of 8 weeks.The study compared the total treatment efficiency and cardiac function parameters, such as left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD), and clear brain natriuretic peptide precursor(NT-proBNP)as well as myocardial injury markers(creatine kinase isoenzyme MB(CK-MB)and myoglobin(Myo))before and at 8 weeks of treatment between the two groups.Additionally, any adverse effects that occurred during the treatment period were also compared.Results:The total effective rate was 93.33%(28 cases)in the observation group and 71.43%(25 cases)in the control group.The observation group had a higher rate compared to the control group, and this difference was statistically significant( χ2=5.149, P<0.05).Both groups showed an increase in left ventricular ejection fraction, a decrease in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, and a decrease in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide.In the observation group, the left ventricular ejection fraction was(48.52±3.28)%, which was higher than the control group's(43.86±2.52)%, and the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was(46.70±2.88)mm and the N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide was(680.44±87.04)pg/L, which were lower than the control group's(50.46±3.47)mm and(1 715.94±115.41)pg/L, respectively.These differences were statistically significant( t=13.434, 5.287, 5.330, P<0.05 for all).The levels of creatine kinase-MB and myoglobin in both groups were significantly lower after treatment.Specifically, the observation group had levels of(31.42±5.76)U/L and(34.42±5.36)mg/L, which were lower than the levels in the control group of(38.44±4.94)U/L and(43.15±7.46)mg/L.These differences were statistically significant( t=5.287, 5.330, P<0.05 for all).The readmission rate was 10.00%(3 cases)in the observation group and 14.29%(5 cases)in the control group.The readmission rate of the observation group was lower than that of the control group, and the difference was not statistically significant( χ2=0.021, P>0.05). Conclusions:The early administration of Shakubatracvalsartan following early PCI has been shown to effectively enhance cardiac function in patients with acute myocardial infarction and acute heart failure.It also facilitates the repair of myocardial cells and improves the therapeutic outcomes after surgery.

Objective To evaluate the characteristics of exposure to micro- and nano-plastics （MPs） via food ingestion and inhalation among Chinese children including 6-7 years old school children in Pudong New Area of Shanghai. Methods Articles published until March 2021 were searched on PubMed， Web of Science， Scopus， China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI）， Wanfang and Weipu databases. The exposure levels of MPs by food ingestion and inhalation pathways were estimated by referring to the Chinese children food consumption and breathing rates data. The characteristics of children’s exposure to MPs in China were compared with that in the United States. In addition， the consumption of bottled water， tap water and salt intake among children aged 6-7 years was determined in a cohort of children and adolescents in Pudong New Area of Shanghai. The characteristics of exposure to MPs through food intake and inhalation among them were investigated. Results A total of 5 786 samples from 38 studies were retrieved. Annual intake of MPs among Chinese children was estimated to range from 159 400 to 204 637 MPs from food ingestion， depending on age and sex. When inhalation exposure is also considered， the annual MPs intake increased to 164 635 to 213 032 MPs， which were larger than the values in American persons. Ingestion of MPs posed the largest health risk to male Chinese adults. With the questionnaire survey data， the estimated annual total exposure amount through food intake alone is 116 272‒120 334 MPs for 6 to 7 years old school children in Pudong New Area. With addition of inhalation exposure， the annual total exposure amount is 121 300‒125 983 MPs， which is lower than the average exposure level in the whole country. The discrepancy could be mainly due to the different drinking habits between the local children and others. Overall， tap drinking water， seafood，bottled water， and air represented four substantial vectors of daily MPs exposure in Chinese children. Conclusion Ingestion and inhalation of MPs pose higher health risk to Chinese children in comparison to American children. The level of exposure to MPs among 6 to 7 years old school children in Pudong New Area of Shanghai is lower than that in the same age group of children across the whole country. The attempt to lower the MPs levels in drinking water and seafood would represent the most effective means to help reduce the MPs exposure risk to Chinese children.