ObjectiveTo investigate the whole genomic characteristics and phylogenetic relationships of clinical isolates of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) in diarrhea outpatients in Pudong New Area, Shanghai. MethodsBased on the diarrheal disease surveillance network in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, whole-genome sequencing was performed on a total of 55 EAEC strains isolated from fecal samples of the diarrhea outpatients from January 2015 to December 2019. The genome analyses based on raw sequencing data encompassed genome size, coding genes, dispersed repeat sequences, genomic islands, and protein coding regions, and pan-genome analyses were conducted simultaneously. Contigs sequences assays were performed to analyze molecular characteristics including serotypes, antibiotic resistance genes, and virulence factors. The phylogenetic clusters and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were identified, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. ResultsEAEC exhibited an open pan-genome. The predominant serotype of EAEC in diarrhea outpatients in Pudong New Area was O130:H27, and the carriage rate of β-lactam resistance genes was the highest (67.27%, 37/55). A total of 29 virulence factors and 106 virulence genes were identified, phylogenic group B1 was the predominant group, and clonal group CC31 was the dominant clonal group. The strain distribution was highly heterogeneous. ConclusionThe genomic characteristics of EAEC displayed significant strain polymorphism. It is necessary to develop effective strategies for differential diagnosis and improve detection capabilities for infection with EAEC of different serotypes and genotypes.

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic performance of 64Cu-prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-Q compared with 18F-FDG in patients with advanced prostate cancer and to analyze the radiation dosimetry of 64Cu-PSMA-Q. Methods:This study was an open-label, single-arm, self-controlled diagnostic evaluation trial. A total of 29 patients (age 58-87 years) with pathologically confirmed advanced prostate cancer in the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from September 2023 to December 2023 were included. All patients underwent both 64Cu-PSMA-Q PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT examinations. McNemar test was used to compare the detection rates of 64Cu-PSMA-Q PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT for primary lesions, lymph node metastases, and bone metastases. Mann-Whitney U test was applied to compare differences in SUV max and tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) between 64Cu-PSMA-Q PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT. Radiation dosimetry of 64Cu-PSMA-Q PET/CT imaging was performed using OLINDA/EXM 2.1 (adult male model) in 9 patients. Results:Primary lesions were detected in 21 patients. 64Cu-PSMA-Q PET/CT demonstrated a detection rate of 95.2%(20/21) for primary lesions, which was significantly higher than that of 18F-FDG PET/CT (66.7%(14/21); χ2=6.00, P=0.031). Detection rates of lymph node metastases were 65.5%(19/29) for 64Cu-PSMA-Q and 55.2%(16/29) for 18F-FDG, with no significant difference ( χ2=3.00, P=0.250). Similarly, detection rates of bone metastases were 72.4%(21/29) for 64Cu-PSMA-Q and 65.5%(19/29) for 18F-FDG respectively ( χ2=2.00, P=0.500). TBRs on 64Cu-PSMA-Q PET/CT were significantly higher than those on 18F-FDG PET/CT across primary lesions (8.3(2.2, 13.3) vs 2.3(1.0, 5.5); Z=7.16, P=0.002), regional lymph node metastases (4.9(1.4, 8.3) vs 1.7(0.9, 4.0), Z=189.34, P=0.001), and bone metastases (18.7(4.5, 26.9) vs 5.1(2.1, 9.7); Z=24.83, P=0.003). No significant difference in TBR was observed for distant lymph node metastases ( Z=1.49, P=0.135) or benign lesions ( Z=0.91, P=0.558). The whole-body effective dose of 64Cu-PSMA-Q was (28.200±1.590)μSv/MBq among the 9 patients analyzed, with no adverse events related to the tracer observed. Conclusion:64Cu-PSMA-Q is a promising novel PET imaging agent with potential clinical utility for diagnosing prostate cancer and supporting clinical decision-making.

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic performance of 64Cu-prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-Q compared with 18F-FDG in patients with advanced prostate cancer and to analyze the radiation dosimetry of 64Cu-PSMA-Q. Methods:This study was an open-label, single-arm, self-controlled diagnostic evaluation trial. A total of 29 patients (age 58-87 years) with pathologically confirmed advanced prostate cancer in the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from September 2023 to December 2023 were included. All patients underwent both 64Cu-PSMA-Q PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT examinations. McNemar test was used to compare the detection rates of 64Cu-PSMA-Q PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT for primary lesions, lymph node metastases, and bone metastases. Mann-Whitney U test was applied to compare differences in SUV max and tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) between 64Cu-PSMA-Q PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT. Radiation dosimetry of 64Cu-PSMA-Q PET/CT imaging was performed using OLINDA/EXM 2.1 (adult male model) in 9 patients. Results:Primary lesions were detected in 21 patients. 64Cu-PSMA-Q PET/CT demonstrated a detection rate of 95.2%(20/21) for primary lesions, which was significantly higher than that of 18F-FDG PET/CT (66.7%(14/21); χ2=6.00, P=0.031). Detection rates of lymph node metastases were 65.5%(19/29) for 64Cu-PSMA-Q and 55.2%(16/29) for 18F-FDG, with no significant difference ( χ2=3.00, P=0.250). Similarly, detection rates of bone metastases were 72.4%(21/29) for 64Cu-PSMA-Q and 65.5%(19/29) for 18F-FDG respectively ( χ2=2.00, P=0.500). TBRs on 64Cu-PSMA-Q PET/CT were significantly higher than those on 18F-FDG PET/CT across primary lesions (8.3(2.2, 13.3) vs 2.3(1.0, 5.5); Z=7.16, P=0.002), regional lymph node metastases (4.9(1.4, 8.3) vs 1.7(0.9, 4.0), Z=189.34, P=0.001), and bone metastases (18.7(4.5, 26.9) vs 5.1(2.1, 9.7); Z=24.83, P=0.003). No significant difference in TBR was observed for distant lymph node metastases ( Z=1.49, P=0.135) or benign lesions ( Z=0.91, P=0.558). The whole-body effective dose of 64Cu-PSMA-Q was (28.200±1.590)μSv/MBq among the 9 patients analyzed, with no adverse events related to the tracer observed. Conclusion:64Cu-PSMA-Q is a promising novel PET imaging agent with potential clinical utility for diagnosing prostate cancer and supporting clinical decision-making.

Objective To analyze pathogenic microorganisms and related clinical features in patients with acute cholangitis.Methods The pathogenic microorganism culture results and related clinical data of 229 patients with acute cholangitis in People's Hospital of Haining from 2019 to 2022 were collected and analyzed.Results Among 229 patients,160(69.87%)patients were positive in bile culture,of which 58 patients were infected with multiple bacteria.A total of 227 strains of pathogenic bacteria were isolated from 160 positive bile specimens,of which 136(59.91%)strains were Gram-negative,79(34.80%)strains were Gram-positive and 12(5.29%)strains were fungi.Escherichia coli mixed with Enterococcus faecium was the most common infection(10/58,17.24%).The susceptibility rate of Gram-negative bacteria to amikacin and tigecycline was the highest,and Gram-positive bacteria were highly sensitive to linezolid,vancomycin and tigecycline.Previous biliary surgery history and cirrhosis were independent risk factors for biliary tract infection(P<0.05).Cirrhosis was an independent risk factor for co-infection(P<0.05).Conclusion The pathogenic microorganisms of acute cholangitis are complex in distribution and have some resistance to common antibiotics.Clinicians should pay close attention to patients with acute cholangitis who have a history of biliary tract surgery,cirrhosis and chronic renal insufficiency,and rationally select initial antibiotics.

Objective To investigate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome types and elements in liver cirrhosis patients with dysplastic nodules (DN), and to provide a basis for exploring the connotation and pattern of TCM syndrome types of DN in liver cirrhosis. Methods A total of 138 patients who attended The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from March 2013 to January 2021 and were diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and DN were enrolled. General data such as age of onset and sex were collected, as well as the data on etiology, TCM syndrome types, and Child-Pugh class for liver function, and the distribution characteristics of TCM syndrome types and elements were summarized. The chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. Results The liver and the spleen were the main syndrome elements of disease location in liver cirrhosis patients with DN, accounting for 97.83% and 94.93%, respectively, followed by the kidney (23.91%); Qi deficiency and Qi stagnation were the main syndrome elements reflecting the nature of disease, accounting for 73.91% and 58.70%, respectively, followed by dampness (34.78%). The main TCM syndrome types included stagnation of liver Qi and spleen deficiency, damp-heat internal excess syndrome, blood stasis and toxin accumulation syndrome, and water-dampness retention syndrome, among which stagnation of liver Qi and spleen deficiency was more common and accounted for 58.70% ( P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in TCM syndrome types between the patients with different sexes, ages, and etiologies (all P > 0.05). There was a significant difference in Child-Pugh class between the liver cirrhosis DN patients with different TCM syndrome types ( χ 2 =34.320, P < 0.05), and Child-Pugh class A was more common in the patients with stagnation of liver Qi and spleen deficiency (59.8%), while Child-Pugh class C was more common in the patients with damp-heat internal excess syndrome (39.1%). Conclusion This article summarizes the distribution characteristics of common TCM syndrome types and elements of DN in liver cirrhosis, which provides a reference for the syndrome differentiation-based TCM treatment of DN in liver cirrhosis.

Objective: To explore the possible neuroprotective activities of Humulus japonicus extract against Parkinson's disease (PD) in a cellular model. Methods: PD was modeled in PC12 cells using 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). The cell activity, intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effects, and other related indicators and related signaling pathways were evaluated to elucidate the neuroprotective effects of Humulus japonicus extract. Results: Humulus japonicus extract exhibited anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effects in 6-OHDA-stimulated PC12 cells. It also reduced oxidative stress-induced ROS accumulation; upregulated antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione, catalase, heme oxidase-1, and 8-oxguanine glycosylase 1; promoted cell survival by decreasing BAX and increasing Bcl-2 and sirtuin 1 expression via the MAPK and/or Nrf2 signaling pathways. Conclusions: Humulus japonicus extract has antioxidative and anti-apoptotic effects and could be developed as a promising candidate for preventing and treating oxidative stress-related neurodegenerative diseases.

Glass ionomer cement (GIC) is widely used as a common filling material in dentistry but still exhibits problems with secondary caries and fractures. Thus, the antibacterial and anti-caries performance of GIC needs to be further improved. In recent years, natural antimicrobial components have become more desirable due to their good biological properties and low drug resistance. In this review, the natural antimicrobial ingredients in GIC modification are classified, reviewed and summarized according to the different sources of antimicrobial ingredients. In terms of animal origin, chitosan and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate exhibit antimicrobial properties without affecting the mechanical properties of materials; propolis and bioactive enzymes have good biocompatibility; in terms of plant origin, polyphenols help improve the antimicrobial and mechanical properties of the material; arginine has a good remineralization effect; and plant essential oils have a certain ion release effect. In terms of microbial origin, antibiotics greatly improve the antibacterial properties of materials; in addition, the combined application of natural antimicrobial ingredients also exhibited excellent performance. Despite these advantages, the optimal addition concentration and biocompatibility in vivo are questions that need to be further explored before clinical applications can be achieved.

Objective To investigate the influencing factors for non/low-response to hepatitis B vaccine in infants of HBsAg-positive mothers.Methods A total of 286 HBsAg-positive pregnant women and their infants were recruited from the Third People's Hospital of Taiyuan during July 2011 to January 2013.The infants were immunized with hepatitis B vaccine according to the 0-1-6 month vaccination schedule and followed up for 12 months.The serum HBV DNA level of mothers,neonates and infants were detected by electro chemilum inescence immunoassay kits and fluorescene quantiative polymerase chain rection.Results Among 286 infants,the rate of non/low-response to hepatitis B vaccine was 18.53％ (53/286).Non-conditional logistic regression analysis indicated that the mother's HBV DNA level ≥ 1 × 107 copies/ml (0R=2.592,95％CI:1.121-5.996) and natural birth (OR=1.932,95％CI:1.021-3.654) were the risk factors for non/low-response to hepatitis B vaccine,the risks were 2.592 times and 1.932 times higher compared with the infants whose mothers were HBV DNA negative and the infants whose mothers had cesarean delivery.There was no multiplicative or additive interaction between high HBV DNA load and natural birth (OR=1.055,95％CI:0.209-5.321),(RERI=1.617,95％CI:-4.038-7.272;AP=0.364,95％CI:-).527-1.225;SI=1.195,95％CI:0.270-13.135).After stratified analysis of mother's HBV DNA level,delivery mode of mothers was not associated with non/low-response of their infants.Conclusion The mother's load of HBV DNA ≥ 1 × 107 copies/ml might be the factor for non/low-response to hepatitis B vaccine in infants of HBsAg positive mothers.

Objective To explore the effect of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Interleukin-12(IL-12) on immune response to hepatitis B vaccination in infants of HBsAg-positive mothers.Methods A total of 91 neonates whose mothers were HBsAg-positive were included and followed up for 12 months.HBV DNA and HBV serological markers in the peripheral blood of the neonates and infants were detected with fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR) and chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA),and the levels of IL-6 and IL-12 in the peripheral blood of the neonates and infants were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results The non-/hypo-response rate to hepatitis B vaccination was 35.16％ (32/91) in the 91 infants.In the neonatal period and infantile period,the level of IL-6 in non-/hypo-response group was lower than that in high-response group,while the level of IL-12 was higher than that in high-response group,and there was significant difference (P＜0.01).From the neonatal period to the infantile period,the level of IL-6 increased,while the level of IL-12 descended in both groups,and there was significant difference (P＜0.01).Furthermore,the level of anti-HBs of infants was positively correlated with the level of IL-6 (rs =0.70,0.79,P＜ 0.01),and was negatively correlated with the level of IL-12 (rs=-0.71,-0.72,P＜0.01) in the neonatal period and the infantile period.From the neonatal period to the infantile period,the increased level of IL-6 was positively associated with the level of anti-HBs (rs =-0.74,P＜0.01),while the decreased level of IL-12 was negatively associated with the level of anti-HBs (rs=-0.42,P＜0.01).The level of IL-6 was negatively correlated with the level of IL-12 in the neonatal period and the infantile period (rs=-0.68,-0.70,P＜0.01).Conclusions IL-6 might promote the immune response to hepatitis B vaccination in infants whose mothers were HBsAg-positive,while IL-12 might inhibit the immune response.IL-6 and IL-12 would affect the immune response to hepatitis B vaccination in infants of HBsAg-positive mothers at the same time.

Objective To explore the relationship between HBeAg in HBsAg positive mothers and CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + regulatory T cells (Treg) in newborns,as well as how they would influence the increasing risk on HBV intrauterine transmission.Methods We collected information on general demographic characteristics and delivery on 270 HBsAg positive mothers and their newborns from the Third People's Hospital of Taiyuan.Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR) and chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) were used to detect HBV DNA and HBV serological markers in peripheral blood from both mothers and neonates.The expression of Treg and other immune cells in peripheral blood of neonates were detected with flow cytometry (FCM).Results Maternal HBeAg positive rates were associated with an increased risk of intrauterine transmission (0R=4.08,95％ CI:1.89-8.82).Rates of T.reg in newborns born to HBsAg-positive mothers were higher than that of the negative group (Z=2.29,P=0.022).Each pair of the subjects was assigned to five different groups according to the HBeAg titers of mothers.Frequencies of both Treg and HBeAg in newboms and HBV DNA in mothers between the above said 5 groups showed similar trends of changing patterns and the differences between groups were statistically significant (x2=18.73,P＜0.001;x2=181.60,P＜0.001;x2=183.09,P＜0.001).Results from partial correlation analysis showed that after adjusting for neonatal HBeAg and maternal HBV DNA,mother's HBeAg titers were positively related to the percentage of Treg in their newboms (rs=0.19,P=0.039).In addition,the frequencies of Treg were negatively correlated with pDC and CD4 + T cell in their newborns (rs=-0.21,P=0.017;r,=-0.23,P=0.009).Conclusion HBeAg from HBsAg positive mothers might have inhibited the function of neonatal DC cells and T cells to reduce the immune response to HBV by up-regulating the proportion of Treg and finally increased the risk of HBV intrauterine transmission.