ObjectiveTo explore the microbiological characteristics of Staphylococcus epidermidis with hemolytic phenotype （SEHP）. MethodsHemolytic phenotype was detected using the three-point inoculation method， involving a total of 5 strains of SEHP and 5 strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis with non-hemolytic phenotype （SENHP） . Bacterial species were identified using the Microflex LT MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer， and a phylogenetic tree was constructed through 16S rRNA sequence alignment. Growth curves were monitored through the microcultivation assay. Biofilm formation ability was assessed by microplate crystal violet staining. Red blood cell toxicity was detected using the microplate method. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of SEHP and SENHP against commonly used antibiotics was performed using a VITEK 2 GP639 test kit. Antagonistic effects of SEHP and SENHP against Staphylococcus aureus and Corynebacterium striatum were evaluated by the Oxford cup inhibition assay. ResultsCompared with SENHP， SEHP exhibited a marked decrease in growth rate during the late logarithmic phase， accompanied by significant hemolytic toxicity. Additionally， it showed lower resistance rates to levofloxacin and moxifloxacin， and could antagonize Staphylococcus aureus and Corynebacterium striatum. ConclusionThe microbiological characteristics of SEHP differ from those of SENHP in that SEHP demonstrates antagonistic effects against S. aureus and C. striatum.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) serves as a treasure trove of ancient knowledge, holding a crucial position in the medical field. However, the exploration of TCM's extensive information has been hindered by challenges related to data standardization, completeness, and accuracy, primarily due to the decentralized distribution of TCM resources. To address these issues, we developed a platform for TCM knowledge discovery (TCMKD, https://cbcb.cdutcm.edu.cn/TCMKD/). Seven types of data, including syndromes, formulas, Chinese patent drugs (CPDs), Chinese medicinal materials (CMMs), ingredients, targets, and diseases, were manually proofread and consolidated within TCMKD. To strengthen the integration of TCM with modern medicine, TCMKD employs analytical methods such as TCM data mining, enrichment analysis, and network localization and separation. These tools help elucidate the molecular-level commonalities between TCM and contemporary scientific insights. In addition to its analytical capabilities, a quick question and answer (Q&A) system is also embedded within TCMKD to query the database efficiently, thereby improving the interactivity of the platform. The platform also provides a TCM text annotation tool, offering a simple and efficient method for TCM text mining. Overall, TCMKD not only has the potential to become a pivotal repository for TCM, delving into the pharmacological foundations of TCM treatments, but its flexible embedded tools and algorithms can also be applied to the study of other traditional medical systems, extending beyond just TCM.

Objective To establish a chronic rejection (CR) model of mouse heart transplantation and analyze its characteristics. Methods Allogeneic BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice were used as donor and recipient for heart transplantation, and intraperitoneal injection of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4-immunoglobulin (CTLA4-Ig) was given 1 and 2 days after surgery. Graft survival time, donor specific antibody (DSA) level, graft pathology and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed. Results In allogeneic transplantation model, graft survival time was prolonged after CTLA4-Ig treatment [(28.2±4.1) d vs. (7.0±0.7) d, P < 0.01]. The level of serum DSA-IgG increased at 2, 3 and 4 weeks after surgery, while the level of DSA-IgM remained unchanged. Myocardial cell injury, inflammatory cell infiltration, interstitial fibrosis and C4d deposition in capillaries were aggravated 3 weeks after operation and worsened 4 weeks after operation. The infiltrated immune cells were mainly macrophages, T cells and plasma cells. Conclusions Mouse allogeneic heart transplantation combined with CTLA4-Ig successfully establishes a CR model, which provides a basis for subsequent studies on the pathogenesis and intervention of CR.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differential efficacy and safety profiles of oral mucosa (OM) grafts compared with acellular dermal matrix (ADM) grafts in the surgical management of long-segment urethral strictures. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 27 patients who underwent graft urethroplasty for long-segment urethral strictures in Peking University First Hospital, spanning from May 2010 to September 2023. The patient cohort comprised 14 individuals who received OM grafts and 13 who underwent ADM grafts. The participants were stratified into two groups based on the type of grafts material utilized during surgery. The demographic and clinical baseline characteristics included an average age of (43.3±14.0) years in the OM group and (54.2±15.9) years in the ADM group. The mean body mass index (BMI) for the respective groups were (24.7±4.3) kg/m² for OM and (25.4±4.8) kg/m² for ADM. Etiological differences were noted, with idiopathic causes predominantly in the OM cohort and lichen sclerosus in the ADM cohort. RESULTS: The surgical interventions were successfully executed for all the patients. The median stricture length was 4.5 (2.5, 9.0) cm for the OM group and 5.0 (2.0, 14.0) cm for the ADM group (P=0.555). The median operative duration was 160 (71, 221) min for the OM group and 134 (112, 274) min for the ADM group (P=0.065). The catheterization durations was 1.5 (1.0, 6.0) months for the OM group and 3.0 (1.0, 3.0) months for the ADM group. The median postoperative follow-up duration was 12.5 (1.0, 170.0) months for the OM group and 59.0 (3.0, 142.0) months for the ADM group. The surgical success rates were 50.00% in the OM group and 53.85% in the ADM group. No statistically significant differences were observed in postoperative quality of life (QoL) or international prostate symptom score (IPSS) at the final follow-up. The stricture-free survival rates did not differ significantly (HR=0.875, 95%CI: 0.507-1.511, P=0.6). In terms of safety, three patients in the OM group experienced sexual dysfunction, and two had oral complications, whereas the ADM group had one case of postoperative infection. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that ADM grafts are comparable to OM grafts in terms of efficacy and safety for the treatment of long-segment urethral strictures, including complex cases attributed to lichen sclerosus. However, given the small sample size of this study, the above conclusions may have certain limitations. Larger cohort studies will be needed in the future to further validate these findings.
Humans ; Urethral Stricture/surgery* ; Acellular Dermis ; Mouth Mucosa/transplantation* ; Retrospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Skin Transplantation/methods* ; Aged

Objective: To explore identification and resistance characteristics of CAMP-negativeStreptococcus agalactiae. Methods : Using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF MS) and the CAMP assay, 33 presumptive strains ofStreptococcus agalactiaewere identified. The CAMP-negative strains were further validated through 16S rDNA, while the CAMP factor encoding gene(cfb) was detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted using the microbroth dilution method, and the resistance rates of CAMP-negative and CAMP-positive strains were compared. Results : Based on MALDI-TOF MS identification, all 33 strains were classified asStreptococcus agalactiae. Among them, 7 strains tested negative for CAMP were subsequently confirmed asStreptococcus agalactiaethrough 16S rDNA. The qPCR results indicated that, only 1 strain showedcfbpresence. The CAMP-negative and CAMP-positive strains were sensitive to penicillin G, cefepime, cefotaxime, vancomycin, and linezolid. The resistance rates of the former to chloramphenicol and tetracycline(28.57%, 85.71%) were slightly higher than the latter(15.38%, 57.69%), while the resistance rates to moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, and erythromycin(14.29%, 14.29%, 42.86%) were slightly lower than the latter(34.62%, 34.62%, 57.69%), but was not significant. Conclusion Drug risistance of CAMP-negativeStreptococcus agalactiaeis the same as CAMP-positive strains, but traditional CAMP assay andcfb-targeted qPCR can result in missed detections. MALDI-TOF MS offers a quick, simple, and accurate identification method that merits wider adoption.

Objective : To investigate the antagonistic activity of Lactococcus garvieae SHAMU-LG6 against Staphy- lococcus . Methods : VITEK 2 GP identification card , Microflex LT MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer and 16S rDNA amplification sequencing were used to identify the strain species . The antagonistic activity of L. garvieae SHAMU- LG6 against different Staphylococcus was detected by Oxford cup method for bacterial inhibition ; the antimicrobial active components were preliminarily isolated and purified by adsorption on XAD16 nonionic macroporous resin , gradient ethanol elution and rotary evaporation drying. Results : L. garvieae SHAMU-LG6 exhibited potent antago- nistic effect against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus , methicillin-susceptible S. aureus , S. epidermidis , S. saprophyticus , S. lugdunensis , S. hominis , S. capitis and S. warneri , with inhibitory indices of 3 . 3 , 3 . 0 , 4. 3 , 2. 0 , 4. 0 , 3 . 5 , 3 . 8 , and 3 . 5 , respectively. The antimicrobial active components produced by L. garvieae SHAMU-LG6 were mainly present in 70% and 80% ethanol eluates . Conclusion L. garvieae SHAMU-LG6 ex- hibits a potent antagonistic effect on Staphylococcus , and the antimicrobial active components produced by it are ex- pected to be a lead compound for the development of novel antimicrobial agents .

Objective : To explore the molecular characteristics of four CAMP negativeStreptococcus agalactiae(S.agalactiae) in whole genome sequencing. Methods : The identification of suspicious bacterial strains was conducted using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF MS). For the strains confirmed asS.agalactiaethrough identification, further CAMP experiments were conducted. For CAMP negative strains, whole genome sequencing was performed using MGI DNBSEQ-T7 and MinION Flow Cell sequencing platforms. Subsequently, multi-locus sequence typing(MLST), virulence genes and resistance genes of the strains were compared and analyzed using various databases. Phoenix M50 fully automatic drug sensitivity analyzer was employed to determine the sensitivity of the bacterial strains to commonly used antibiotics. Results: Four CAMP-negativeS.agalactiaestrains were included. Whole-genome sequencing analysis revealed that all four CAMP-negativeS.agalactiaestrains belonged to the ST862 type. These strains harbored 22 virulence genes associated with capsular polysaccharides, β-hemolysin, and hyaluronidase, as well as seven resistance genes linked to macrolides, lincosamides, polypeptides, and aminoglycosides. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that CAMP-negativeS.agalactiaewas susceptible to penicillin G, cefepime, cefotaxime, and vancomycin. However, three strains exhibited resistance to erythromycin, and one strain demonstrated resistance to clindamycin. Conclusion Four CAMP negativeS.agalactiaeof the ST862 type possess multiple virulence and drug resistance genes, showing high resistance to erythromycin, warranting clinical attention.

Objective : To investigate the causes of false negative results in the detection of Streptococcus agalactiae using fluorescent quantitative PCR(qPCR) targeting the CAMP factor gene(cfb),and to perform a comprehensive analysis of the associated molecular mechanisms. Methods: A total of 76 vaginal secretion samples were evaluated using both qPCR based on cfb gene and bacterial culture methods. Four suspicious strains exhibiting negative qPCR results but positive culture findings were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF MS),latex agglutination antigen detection,and the CAMP test. Whole genome analysis was conducted utilizing the MGI DNBSEQ-T7 and Nanopore-PromethION 48 sequencing platforms. Phylogenetic and circular evolutionary trees were constructed using the 16S rRNA gene for strain verification. Multilocus sequence typing(MLST) was conducted,and cfb sequences were aligned and analyzed based on spliced sequences and original data. Specific primers targeting the cfb gene were designed for full-length amplification,followed by verification through agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: The four strains identified as suspicious were classified as S. agalactiae through MALDI-TOF MS,antigen detection,and 16S rRNA gene analysis,with MLST typing indicating ST-862. Phenotypic analysis revealed a negative CAMP test. Whole genome sequence alignment failed to detect the cfb gene or any homologous sequences,and molecular testing confirmed the absence of cfb gene PCR amplification products,thereby confirming its complete deletion. Conclusion This deletion is identified as the molecular mechanism responsible for the false negative qPCR detection of S. agalactiae when targeting this specific gene.It is recommended that the qPCR detection targeting a single cfb gene has limitation,and this may impact clinical diagnosis and treatment decisions. This limitation warrants carefulconsideration.

Surgical operation is the main treatment of oral and maxillofacial tumors.Dysphagia is a common postoperative complication.Swal-lowing disorder can not only lead to mis-aspiration,malnutrition,aspiration pneumonia and other serious consequences,but also may cause psychological problems and social communication barriers,affecting the quality of life of the patients.At present,there is no systematic evalua-tion and rehabilitation management plan for the problem of swallowing disorder after oral and maxillofacial tumor surgery in China.Combining the characteristics of postoperative swallowing disorder in patients with oral and maxillofacial tumors,summarizing the clinical experience of ex-perts in the field of tumor and rehabilitation,reviewing and summarizing relevant literature at home and abroad,and through joint discussion and modification,a group of national experts reached this consensus including the core contents of the screening of swallowing disorders,the phased assessment of prognosis and complications,and the implementation plan of comprehensive management such as nutrition management,respiratory management,swallowing function recovery,psychology and nursing during rehabilitation treatment,in order to improve the evalua-tion and rehabilitation of swallowing disorder after oral and maxillofacial tumor surgery in clinic.