Objective To isolate pathogenic bacteria from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs, and perform bacterial identification, traceability analysis, and pathogenicity studies to provide a new approach for the diagnosis of pathogens in nude mice with squamous skin scurfs. MethodsSkin swab samples were collected from a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs for nucleic acid testing, bacterial isolation and culture, biochemical identification, 16S rDNA gene amplification and sequencing, and whole genome sequencing to construct a phylogenetic tree. Fifteen BALB/c nude mice were randomized into a saline-treated control group, a high-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁸ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension, and a low-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁷ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension. Pathogenicity was assessed by animal infection experiments and observation of histopathological changes in skin tissue using HE staining. Results The nucleic acid test for Corynebacterium bovis was negative, excluding infection by this organism. The pathogen isolated on mannitol salt agar and blood agar, combined with Gram staining, suggested a Gram-positive Staphylococcus species. The isolated strain was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and a fully automated microbial identification system as Staphylococcus xylosus. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on whole genome sequencing showed that the strain was most closely related to an isolate from leafy vegetables in South Korea (GenBank GCA_00207825.1). In the high-concentration group, squamous skin scurfs appeared on the head, neck, and back of nude mice on the 17th day post-infection, while in the low concentration group, similar symptoms appeared on the 20th day post-infection and gradually spread to other areas. The scaling symptoms were transient, lasting for 7 days in the high-concentration group and 3 days in the low-concentration group, after which the skin returned to normal. The infection rate was 33.33% in both the high- and low-concentration groups. No significant pathological changes were observed in the skin tissues of infected mice compared to the control group, indicating marked individual differences in the pathogenicity of the strain in nude mice. Conclusion A strain of Staphylococcus xylosus was isolated from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs. The strain is an opportunistic pathogen that causes transient squamous skin scurfs without significant histopathological changes, and there are individual differences in the sensitivity of nude mice to this strain. These findings can provide valuable data for pathogen identification in immunodeficient or gene knockout mice.

Objective To isolate pathogenic bacteria from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs, and perform bacterial identification, traceability analysis, and pathogenicity studies to provide a new approach for the diagnosis of pathogens in nude mice with squamous skin scurfs. MethodsSkin swab samples were collected from a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs for nucleic acid testing, bacterial isolation and culture, biochemical identification, 16S rDNA gene amplification and sequencing, and whole genome sequencing to construct a phylogenetic tree. Fifteen BALB/c nude mice were randomized into a saline-treated control group, a high-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁸ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension, and a low-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁷ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension. Pathogenicity was assessed by animal infection experiments and observation of histopathological changes in skin tissue using HE staining. Results The nucleic acid test for Corynebacterium bovis was negative, excluding infection by this organism. The pathogen isolated on mannitol salt agar and blood agar, combined with Gram staining, suggested a Gram-positive Staphylococcus species. The isolated strain was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and a fully automated microbial identification system as Staphylococcus xylosus. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on whole genome sequencing showed that the strain was most closely related to an isolate from leafy vegetables in South Korea (GenBank GCA_00207825.1). In the high-concentration group, squamous skin scurfs appeared on the head, neck, and back of nude mice on the 17th day post-infection, while in the low concentration group, similar symptoms appeared on the 20th day post-infection and gradually spread to other areas. The scaling symptoms were transient, lasting for 7 days in the high-concentration group and 3 days in the low-concentration group, after which the skin returned to normal. The infection rate was 33.33% in both the high- and low-concentration groups. No significant pathological changes were observed in the skin tissues of infected mice compared to the control group, indicating marked individual differences in the pathogenicity of the strain in nude mice. Conclusion A strain of Staphylococcus xylosus was isolated from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs. The strain is an opportunistic pathogen that causes transient squamous skin scurfs without significant histopathological changes, and there are individual differences in the sensitivity of nude mice to this strain. These findings can provide valuable data for pathogen identification in immunodeficient or gene knockout mice.

Purpose To explore the expression of autoph-agy-related 7(ATG7)in breast cancer and its effect on the breast cancer development.Methods Immunohistochemistry(IHC)was used to detect ATG7 protein expression in breast cancer tissues and the relationship between ATG7 and clinico-pathological features was analyzed.ShRNA was used to interfere with the expression of ATG7 in breast cancer cell line MCF-7.Puromycin was used to screen for stably transfected cells and Western blot was used to detect transfection efficiency.The effect of ATG7 knockdown cells on proliferation ability was de-tected by CCK8 and clone formation experiments.The effect of ATG7 knockdown cells on tumorigenicity in vivo was detected by subcutaneous tumor formation experiment in nude mice.Results IHC showed that ATG7 expression in breast cancer tissues was mainly localized in cytoplasm,and its expression was significant-ly correlated with tumor size and Ki67 expression(P＜0.05).ATG7-shRNA significantly interfered with ATG7 expression in breast cancer cells MCF-7.CCK8 and clone formation experi-ments showed that ATG7 knockdown promoted the cell prolifera-tion compared with the control group.The experiment of subcu-taneous tumor formation in nude mice showed that the tumor for-mation ability of mice was significantly increased after ATG7 knockdown compared with the control group.Conclusion ATG7 may inhibit the proliferation capacity of breast cancer and could be a potential target for breast cancer therapy.

Cancer genomics has led to the discovery of numerous oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes that play critical roles in cancer development and progression.Oncogenes promote cell growth and proliferation,whereas tumor suppressor genes inhibit cell growth and division.The dysregulation of these genes can lead to the development of cancer.Recent studies have focused on non-coding RNAs(ncRNAs),including circular RNA(circRNA),long non-coding RNA(lncRNA),and microRNA(miRNA),as therapeutic targets for cancer.In this article,we discuss the oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes of ncRNAs associated with different types of cancer and their potential as therapeutic targets.Here,we highlight the mechanisms of action of these genes and their clinical applications in cancer treatment.Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development and identifying specific therapeutic targets are essential steps towards the development of effective cancer treatments.

Objective:To investigate the impact of lifestyle, apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene, and their interaction on the risk for cognitive frailty in the elderly population in China.Methods:The study participants were from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. The information about their lifestyles were collected by questionnaire survey, and a weighted lifestyle score was constructed based on β coefficients associated with specific lifestyles to assess the combined lifestyle. ApoE genotypes were assessed by rs429358 and rs7412 single nucleotide polymorphisms. Cognitive frailty was assessed based on cognitive function and physical frailty. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the association of lifestyle and ApoE gene with the risk for cognitive frailty and evaluate the multiplicative and additive interactions between lifestyle and ApoE gene. Results:A total of 5 676 elderly persons, with median age [ M ( Q1, Q3)] of 76 (68, 85) years, were included, in whom 615 had cognitive frailty. The analysis by Cox proportional hazards regression model indicated that moderate and high levels of dietary diversity could reduce the risk for cognitive frailty by 18% [hazard ratio ( HR)=0.82, 95% CI: 0.68-1.00] and 28% ( HR=0.72, 95% CI: 0.57-0.91), respectively; moderate and high levels of physical activity could reduce the risk by 31% ( HR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.56-0.85) and 23% ( HR=0.77, 95% CI: 0.64-0.93), respectively. Healthy lifestyle was associated with a 40% reduced risk for cognitive frailty ( HR=0.60, 95% CI: 0.46-0.78). ApoE ε4 allele was associated with a 26% increased risk for cognitive frailty ( HR=1.26, 95% CI: 1.02-1.56). No multiplicative or additive interactions were found between lifestyle and ApoE gene. Conclusions:Dietary diversity and regular physical activity have protective effects against cognitive frailty in elderly population. Healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk for cognitive frailty in elderly population regardless of ApoE ε4 allele carriage status.

Objective To observe the role of dried tangerine peel in Yigong Powder improves iron metabolism and promotes red blood cell generation in anemia of chronic disease (ACD).Methods With a two-by-two factorial design,the Yigong Powder was divided into dried tangerine peel and Chenpi absent Decoction. According to the random number table method,32 zymosan-induced generalized inflammation (ZIGI) mice were randomly divided into the model group,the dried tangerine peel group,the Chenpi absent Decoction group,and the Yigong Powder group. The dried tangerine peel group,Chenpi absent Decoction group and the Yigong Powder group were given dried tangerine peel(3.083 g/kg),Chenpi absent Decoction(12.33g/kg),and Yigong Powder(15.413g/kg)by gavage to the corresponding group of mice. The model group was given an equal amount of physiological saline by gavage,and treated continuously for 7 days. After the completion of administration,the body weight of each group of mice was recorded. The hemoglobin content of each group of mice was detected using a fully automatic cell counter,the serum iron content was detected using colorimetry,the serum ferritin content was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA),and the spleen index was calculated. The liver tissue inflammatory factors interleukin-1β (IL-1β),interleukin-6 (IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),interferon-γ (IFN-γ),interleukin-4 (IL-4),and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were detected using Luminex method. The mRNA expressions of liver tissue hepcidin gene (HAMP) and membrane iron transporter ( Fpn) were detected using real-time fluorescence PCR method. Results Dried tangerine peel and Chenpi absent Decoction both showed interactive effects in regulating hemoglobin,serum iron,serum ferritin content,improving spleen index,and regulating the mRNA expressions of HAMP,Fpn,as well as IL-1β and IFN-γ (P<0.05). Compared with the model group,dried tangerine peel significantly increased hemoglobin,serum iron content,and Fpn mRNA expression in ZIGI model mice,while decreasing ferritin content,spleen index,HAMP mRNA expression,and the levels of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,and IFN-γ (P<0.05). Chenpi absent Decoction significantly increased serum iron content and Fpn mRNA expression in ZIGI model mice,while reducing spleen index,ferritin content,HAMP mRNA expression,and the levels of IL-1β and IFN-γ、IL-4 (P<0.05). Conclusion The effects of dried tangerine peel on inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α) and Fpn may play a key role in the improvement effects of Yigong Powder on ACD and iron metabolism.

Objective : To investigate the current status of hearing loss in a fastener manufacturing enterprise, and to analyze its influencing factors, so as to provide insights into occupational disease prevention and control. Methods: The occupational health examination data of noise exposed workers and the workplace occupational disease hazard factors detection data in a fastener manufacturing enterprise in Jiaxing City in 2022 were collected through the Occupational Disease and Occupational Health Hazard Factors Detection System of China Disease Prevention and Control Information System, and factors affecting the development of high-frequency noise-induced hearing loss (HFNIHL) and speech-frequency noise-induced hearing loss (SFNIHL) were analyzed. Results: Totally 625 workers were investigated, with a median age of 44.00 (interquartile range, 13.00) years and a median length of service of 8.00 (interquartile range, 9.00) years, and including 519 men (83.04%) and 106 women (16.96%). There were 309 workers with single noise exposure (49.44%) and 316 workers with joint noise exposure (50.56%), and 518 workers exposed to noise with the normalized continuous A-weighted sound pressure level equivalent to a 40 h working week (LEX,40 h) that exceeded the national standard (82.88%). The detection rates of HFNIHL and SFNIHL were 49.12% and 35.04%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that males (OR=10.528, 95%CI: 5.271-21.025), length of service of 10 years and longer (OR=2.451, 95%CI: 1.599-3.759), LEX,40 h of >85 dB (A) (OR=2.227, 95%CI: 1.318-3.764) and joint noise exposure (OR=3.002, 95%CI: 2.080-4.334) were associated with an increased risk of HFNIHL, and male (OR=9.400, 95%CI: 4.211-20.985), LEX,40 h of >85 dB (A) (OR=2.305, 95%CI: 1.345-3.951), and joint noise exposure (OR=3.880, 95%CI: 2.677-5.623) were associated with an increased risk of SFNIHL. Conclusion Gender, length of service, noise intensity and exposure mode are factors affecting the risk of HFNIHL, while gender, noise intensity and exposure mode are factors affecting the risk of SFNIHL.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of arthroscopic limited incision of the articular capsule to repair the glenoid labrum in the treatment of borderline developmental dysplasia of the hip (BDDH) complicated with labral tear.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 18 patients with BDDH complicated with labral tear who had been admitted to Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Hospital Affiliated to Suzhou University from January 2016 to December 2019 (observation group). There were 12 males and 6 females with an age of (41.8 ± 8.5) years. Simultaneously, another 18 patients were selected as the control group whose hip development was normal but age and gender were matched with those in the observation group. There were 9 males and 9 females with an age of (43.5 ± 10.3) years. Both groups were treated by arthroscopic limited incision of the articular capsule to repair the glenoid labrum. The 2 groups were compared in terms of modified Harris hip score (MHHS), Hip Outcome Score Activities of Daily Living Subscale (HOS-ADL), and visual analogue scale (VAS).Results:There was no significant difference in the demographic data like age, gender ratio, body mass index, severity of labral tear or time from injury to operation between the 2 groups, indicating comparability between groups ( P>0.05). The observation and control groups were followed up for (38 ± 7) and (43 ± 6) months, respectively. For the observation and control groups, respectively, MHHS was (97.1 ± 3.3) points and (95.4 ± 4.2) points, HOS-ADL (92.6 ± 2.8) points and (91.4 ± 4.1) points, and VAS (0.6 ± 0.5) points and (1.0 ± 0.8) points, all showing no significant difference between groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:In the treatment of BDDH patients complicated with labral tear, simple arthroscopic limited incision of the articular capsule to repair the glenoid labrum can lead to the same good medium-term efficacy as it can in those with normal hip development.

Objective:To investigate the optimal keV value of a novel dual-layer spectral detector CT virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) for displaying esophageal cancer lesions and to evaluate its diagnostic efficacy for preoperative T staging of esophageal cancer.Methods:The data of 50 patients with esophageal carcinoma in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School from October 2019 to August 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 42 males and 8 females, aged 49-78(65±7) years. All patients underwent novel dual-layer spectral detector CT chest enhanced scan before treatment, the conventional CT images and 40-200 keV VMI were reconstructed. One-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis H rank sum test were used to compare the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) among conventional CT images and 40-200 keV VMI.The 5-grade grading method were applied for subjective evaluation, and the Friedman test was used to compare the differences in the subjective evaluation of image quality in each group.Spearman test was used to analyze the correlation of images at different energy levels with SNR and CNR. Fisher exact test was used to compare the accuracy of conventional CT and optimal keV value images for preoperative diagnosis of T staging of esophageal cancer. Results:There were significant differences in SNR and CNR among conventional CT images and 40-200 keV VMI images ( P<0.001), and the SNR and CNR of 40 keV images were superior to those of conventional CT images and 70-200 keV VMI images ( P<0.05). The energy level of 40-200 keV VMI was negatively correlated with SNR and CNR (SNR: r=-1.000, P<0.001; CNR: r =-1.000, P<0.001). The overall difference in subjective image quality scores among conventional CT images and 40-200 keV VMI was statistically significant (χ 2=498.37, P<0.001), of which the subjective image quality of 40-60 keV VMI was superior to that of conventional CT images ( P<0.05). The accuracy of preoperative diagnosis of T-stage of esophageal cancer was 62.9% (22/35) for both 40 keV VMI and conventional CT images. Conclusion:The novel dual-layer spectral detector CT of 40 keV VMI has the best display of esophageal cancer, and the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis of T staging is similar to that of conventional CT.

Power supply plays a key role in ensuring animal robots to obtain effective stimulation. To extending the stimulating time, there is a need to apply photovoltaic cells and monitor their parameter variations, which can help operators to obtain the optimal stimulation strategy. In this paper, an online monitoring system of photovoltaic cells for animal robot stimulators was presented. It was composed of battery information sampling circuit, multi-channel neural signal generator, power module and human-computer interaction interface. When the signal generator was working, remote navigation control of animal robot could be achieved, and the battery voltage, current, temperature and electricity information was collected through the battery information sampling circuit and displayed on the human-computer interaction system in real time. If there was any abnormal status, alarm would be activated. The battery parameters were obtained by charging and discharging test. The battery life under different light intensity and the stimulation effect of neural signal generator were tested. Results showed that the sampling errors of battery voltage, current and electric quantity were less than 15 mV, 5 mA and 6 mAh, respectively. Compared with the system without photovoltaic cells, the battery life was extended by 148% at the light intensity of 78 320 lx, solving the battery life problem to some extent. When animal robot was stimulated with this system, left and right turns could be controlled to complete with the success rate more than 80%. It will help researchers to optimize animal robot control strategies through the parameters obtained in this system.
Animals ; Humans ; Robotics ; Electric Power Supplies ; Electricity ; User-Computer Interface