Objective: To explore the relative importance of different food attributes and levels in food decision making of school aged children, and to understand their meal preferences, so as to provide the evidence for formulating precise intervention strategies for dietary behaviours of school aged children. Methods: From May to June 2024, a total of 854 children aged 11 to 15 years old were selected from 2 middle schools (each school in urban and rural areas) in both Hubei Province and Anhui Province by stratified cluster random sampling method to conduct a D-optimal discrete choice experiment. The mixed Logit model was used to analyze children s preference for meal attributes and different levels, and to calculate the relative importance (RI) of attributes and willingness to pay (WTP) in meal choices. Results: The included five food attributes had statistical significance on meal choice of school aged children ( P <0.05). The relative importance of food attributes affecting the meal choices of school aged children in descending order were dining mode ( RI =31.26%), food varieties ( RI =30.56%), cooking method( RI =23.84%), taste( RI =8.06%) and price ( RI =6.27%). Among them, school aged children preferred home cooked meals ( β =0.74) (WTP=86.3 yuan),varied foods(grain/tubers+vegetables+fish, meat, eggs and beans) ( β =0.61) (WTP=71.9 yuan), fried/roasted cooking ( β =0.51) and spicy taste ( β =0.33).Price was negatively correlated with meal choices( β =-0.01) ( P <0.05). Based on residential area and body mass index (BMI), the stratified analysis showed that dining mode was highest in the relative importance for rural children with overweight and obese children ( RI =31.28%,34.17%), both of whom preferred home cooked meals ( β =0.76, 0.91), and meals containing fish, meat, eggs and beans with grain/tubers or grain/tubers and vegetables in terms of food choice (area: β =0.53, 0.53 ; BMI: β =0.55, 0.56) ( P <0.05). Conclusions School aged children have different preferences for different attributes of meals. The quality of school meals should be improved,the cost of buying healthy meals should be reduced,targeted family health education should be carried out,and healthy cooking methods should be advocated.

Objective: To investigate the precise detection methods for weak partial D type 15 and evaluate their implications for blood transfusion safety, along with the development of corresponding strategies. Methods: A combination of serological methods, including the microplate method, indirect antiglobulin tube method, and microcolumn gel card method, was employed to identify RhD-negative and RhD variant samples. RhD-negative samples were screened for the presence of RHD genes using whole-blood direct PCR amplification. Subsequently, RhD variant samples and RhD-negative samples containing RHD genes underwent full-coding-region sequencing of the RHD gene to confirm their genotypes. The genotyping results were further correlated with the serological test findings for comprehensive analysis. Results: Among 615 549 first-time healthy blood donors, 3 401 samples with an RhD-negative phenotype and 156 samples with RhD variant were identified. Of the 3 401 RhD-negative samples, 1 054 were found to harbor RHD genes. Gene sequencing analysis of the 156 RhD variants and the 1 054 serological negative samples revealed that 89 samples contained the RHD 15 (c. 845G>A) allele. Conclusion: The integration of serological testing methods and genotyping technologies for the precise determination of RhD blood type plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and compatibility of blood transfusions.

BACKGROUND: Delayed platelet engraftment is a common complication after umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT), and there is no standard therapy. Avatrombopag (AVA) is a second-generation thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist (TPO-RA) that has shown efficacy in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). However, few reports have focused on its efficacy in patients diagnosed with thrombocytopenia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study at the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China to evaluate the efficacy of AVA as a first-line TPO-RA in 65 patients after UCBT; these patients were compared with 118 historical controls. Response rates, platelet counts, megakaryocyte counts in bone marrow, bleeding events, adverse events and survival rates were evaluated in this study. Platelet reconstitution differences were compared between different medication groups. Multivariable analysis was used to explore the independent beneficial factors for platelet implantation. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients were given AVA within 30 days post-UCBT, and the treatment was continued for more than 7 days to promote platelet engraftment (AVA group); the other 13 patients were given AVA for secondary failure of platelet recovery (SFPR group). The median time to platelet engraftment was shorter in the AVA group than in the historical control group (32.5 days vs . 38.0 days, Z  = 2.095, P  = 0.036). Among the 52 patients in the AVA group, 46 achieved an overall response (OR) (88.5%), and the cumulative incidence of OR was 91.9%. Patients treated with AVA only had a greater 60-day cumulative incidence of platelet engraftment than patients treated with recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) only or rhTPO combined with AVA (95.2% vs . 84.5% vs . 80.6%, P  <0.001). Patients suffering from SFPR had a slightly better cumulative incidence of OR (100%, P  = 0.104). Patients who initiated AVA treatment within 14 days post-UCBT had a better 60-day cumulative incidence of platelet engraftment than did those who received AVA after 14 days post-UCBT (96.6% vs . 73.9%, P  = 0.003). CONCLUSION Compared with those in the historical control group, our results indicate that AVA could effectively promote platelet engraftment and recovery after UCBT, especially when used in the early period (≤14 days post-UCBT).
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Thrombocytopenia/etiology* ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Middle Aged ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Thiazoles/adverse effects* ; Platelet Count ; Receptors, Thrombopoietin/agonists* ; Child ; Thiophenes

Alzheimer's disease (AD), characterized by β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation and neuroinflammation, remains a formidable clinical challenge. Herein, we present an innovative nose-to-brain delivery platform utilizing lactoferrin (Lf)-functionalized lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) co-encapsulating α-mangostin (α-M) and β-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) siRNA (siB). This dual-modal therapeutic system synergistically combines the neuroprotective and microglia-reprogramming capabilities of α-M with the transcriptional silencing of BACE1 via siB, thereby simultaneously inhibiting Aβ production and enhancing its clearance. Fabricated via a microfluidic approach, the LNPs exhibited uniform particle size distribution, great encapsulation efficiency, and robust colloidal stability. Upon intranasal administration, Lf-functionalization enabled superior brain-targeting efficacy through receptor-mediated transcytosis. In vitro studies demonstrated that α-M reversed Aβ-induced low-density lipoprotein receptor downregulation, promoting microglial phagocytosis and autophagic degradation of Aβ, while siB effectively suppressed BACE1 expression, abrogating Aβ synthesis. In vivo investigations in APP/PS1 transgenic mice revealed remarkable cognitive recovery, substantial Aβ plaque reduction, and alleviation of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. This intricately designed LNP system, exploiting a non-invasive and efficient nose-to-brain delivery route, provides a biocompatible, synergistic, and transformative therapeutic strategy for the multifaceted management of AD.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) acts as a damage-associated molecular pattern to activate the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling in macrophages, promoting tissue inflammation. However, its role in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains unclear. Macrophage-specific Sting1 knockout mice were used to validate STING's pathological role in AMI. Cardiac and liver mtDNA were used to activate macrophages in co-culture systems with cardiomyocytes to assess fibrosis and hypertrophy. Panaxatriol saponin (PTS) was tested for its ability to block mtDNA-driven macrophage activation and subsequent cardiomyocyte damage. STING-PTS binding ability was analyzed. AMI rats received PTS to evaluate its effects on myocardial inflammation and ventricular remodeling. In vivo, macrophage-specific Sting1 knockout reduced myocardial inflammation and injury after AMI. In vitro, mtDNA-activated macrophages induced cardiomyocyte fibrosis and hypertrophy through STING signaling. PTS suppressed mtDNA-driven macrophage activation by directly binding STING, thereby blocking inflammatory cascades. In AMI rats, PTS treatment attenuated acute inflammation and reversed ventricular remodeling. These findings establish the mtDNA-STING axis in macrophages as a critical driver of post-AMI inflammation and identify pharmacological STING inhibition with PTS as a promising therapeutic strategy. The study bridges genetic validation with translational applications, highlighting macrophage STING as a novel target for ischemic heart disease management.

Acetaminophen (APAP) is the primary cause of drug-induced acute liver failure. Ovarian tumor deubiquitinase 6A (OTUD6A), a recently discovered deubiquitinase of the OTU family, has been primarily studied in tumor contexts. However, its role in APAP-induced liver injury (AILI) remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the involvement of OTUD6A in the pathogenesis of AILI. Our findings demonstrated a substantial upregulation of OTUD6A in both the liver tissue and isolated hepatocytes of mice following APAP stimulation. OTUD6A knockout exacerbated APAP-induced inflammation, hepatocyte necrosis, and liver injury, whereas OTUD6A overexpression alleviated these pathologies. Mechanistically, OTUD6A directly interacted with the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and selectively removed K48-linked polyubiquitin chains from EZH2, enhancing its stability. This resulted in increased protein levels of EZH2 and H3K27me3, as well as reduced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and cell death in hepatocytes. Collectively, our research uncovers a novel role for OTUD6A in mitigating APAP-induced liver injury by promoting EZH2 stabilization.

Hydroxyectoine, a vital compatible solute, is widely utilized in cosmetics, food, pharmaceutical industries, and biologics. However, the current microbial fermentation methods for hydroxyectoine production face challenges including insufficient precursor supply and low yields. Therefore, developing engineering microbial strains capable of efficiently synthesizing hydroxyectoine is of great significance. In this study, we first constructed a high-yield ectoine-producing strain ECT04 by multi-copy integration of the ectoine synthesis genes ectABC into the pseudogene loci of Escherichia coli MG1655(DE3), achieving an ectoine titer of 6.03 g/L. Subsequently, we employed plasmids with varying copy numbers to express ectD from Chromohalobacter salexigens to enable the conversion for hydroxyectoine production. We further investigated the effects of promoter, co-substrate ɑ-ketoglutarate, Fe²⁺ concentration, and dissolved oxygen on hydroxyectoine synthesis. Through fed-batch fermentation in a 7-L bioreactor, we significantly enhanced the hydroxyectoine production efficiency, attaining a final titer of 8.58 g/L and a productivity of 0.24 g/(L·h). This work successfully achieved the de novo synthesis of hydroxyectoine in E. coli, laying a foundation for the efficient bioproduction of this compound.
Escherichia coli/genetics* ; Fermentation ; Amino Acids, Diamino/biosynthesis* ; Bioreactors/microbiology* ; Metabolic Engineering/methods* ; Chromohalobacter/genetics* ; Plasmids/genetics*

Objective: To understand the association between beverage and snack intake and insufficient serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] among primary and secondary school students, so as to provide a scientific basis for targeted intervention measures. Methods: From October to December 2021, a stratified random sampling method was used to select 2 477 primary and secondary school students aged 8 to 15 years old from 9 counties in Yunnan Province implemented the Nutrition Improvement Plan for Rural Compulsory Education Students. The intake of beverages and snacks was investigated using the Rural Student Nutrition Monitoring Questionnaire from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The snack intake intensity was calculated and classified into no intake, extremely low, low, medium, and high intensity. Serum 25(OH)D levels were measured in the laboratory, and levels <20 ng/mL were defined as insufficient. Chi square tests, LASSO regression, random forest and binary Logistic regression were used to analyze the association between 20 types of beverages and snacks and serum 25(OH)D insufficiency. Results: Insufficient serum 25(OH)D was detected in 564 boys (45.9%) and 855 girls (68.5%), with a total of 1 419 cases (57.3%). Binary Logistic regression results showed that extremely low intake intensity of carbonated beverages ( OR =1.51), plant protein beverages ( OR =1.61), and milk tea beverages ( OR =1.39) increased the risk of insufficient serum 25(OH)D, while protective factors were fruits and vegetables ( OR =0.77) and pure milk and yogurt ( OR =0.74) (all P <0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that extremely low intake intensity of carbonated beverages, milk containing beverages, tea beverages, fruit and vegetable juices, and plant protein beverages increased the risk of insufficient serum 25(OH)D in girls ( OR =2.22, 1.72, 1.67, 1.74, 1.92), and high intake intensity increased the risk of insufficient serum 25(OH)D in boys ( OR =1.73, 1.48, 1.52, 1.49, 1.97) (all P <0.05). Extremely low intake intensity of carbonated beverages, plant protein beverages, and milk tea beverages in junior high school students ( OR =1.92, 2.54, 1.68) and low intake intensity in primary school students ( OR =1.40, 1.33, 1.45) increased the risk of insufficient serum 25(OH)D (all P <0.05). Conclusions Frequent intake of beverages and highly processed snacks increases the risk of insufficient serum 25(OH)D in primary and secondary school students, while natural foods such as fruits, vegetables, pure milk and yogurt can reduce the risk. Girls and junior high school students are more susceptible to these effects.

Objective:To observe the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on intestinal injury in sepsis, and to investigate the effect on endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) apoptotic pathway.Methods:Sixty male SD rats were selected and divided into five groups according to the randomized numeric table method: the sham operation group (Sham group), the cecal ligation and puncture sepsis group (CLP group), the sepsis+EGCG low-dose group (postoperative intraperitoneal injection of EGCG 25 mg/kg, EL group), the sepsis+EGCG medium-dose group (postoperative intraperitoneal injection of EGCG 50 mg/kg, EM group), and sepsis+EGCG high-dose group (postoperative intraperitoneal injection of EGCG 75 mg/kg, EH group), each group with 12 rats. The rats in each group were executed 24 h after modeling and specimens were collected. Inflammatory factors in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pathological changes of ileum were observed under light microscope after hematoxylin eosin staining and evaluated according to the Chiu's score. The intestinal tissues were stained for tight junction protein-1 (CLDN1, Claudin-1), phosphorylated protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (p-PERK), protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), cysteinyl aspartate specific protein-12 (Caspase-12), and CCAAT enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (C/EBP-homologous protein antibody, CHOP) protein expression was detected by protein immunoblotting assay. The positive areas of Claudin-1, p-PERK, CHOP, and Caspase-12 in intestinal tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results:Compared with the Sham group, the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and the Chiu's score of rats in the CLP group were increased (all P<0.05). The ileal mucosal tissues showed reduced expression of Claudin-1, ERS apoptosis-associated protein p-PERK, CHOP, and Caspase-12 expression were increased (all P<0.05). Compared with the CLP group, the intestinal injury in rats was alleviated after the administration of low, medium and high dose EGCG intervention (all P<0.05). The serum inflammatory factor level, Chiu's score and the protein expression level and positive area of ERS apoptosis-related proteins, p-PERK, CHOP, and Caspase-12 in the small intestinal tissues of EL group were further reduced compared with that of the CLP group were further decreased, and EM group was further decreased than EL group, and EH group was further decreased than EM group (all P<0.05). The protein expression level and positive area of Claudin-1 in small intestinal tissues of EL group were further increased compared with that of CLP group (both P<0.05), and EM group was further increased compared with that of EL group and EH group was further increased compared with EM group (all P<0.05). Conclusions:EGCG may have a protective effect on intestinal injury in septic rats by inhibiting the activation of ERS-induced apoptotic pathway, and the efficacy of high-dose EGCG has a better effect.

Objective:To construct an index system for including ideological and political education elements and cases in the Health Assessment course, and to provide a reference for the evaluation of ideological and political teaching of the Health Assessment course.Methods:By using literature analysis, the nominal group method, and the Delphi expert consultation method, we determined indicators for ideological and political elements and case inclusion criteria for the undergraduate nursing course Health Assessment. The analytic hierarchy method was applied to quantify the items and determine the final weights of the indicators at each level.Results:The response rates of two rounds of expert consultation were both 100%. The authority coefficient of the experts was 0.880. For the second-round consultation on the system of ideological and political elements, the coefficient of variation was 0.078, and the Kendall's coefficient of concordance was 0.334. For the second-round consultation on the inclusion criteria for ideological and political cases, the coefficient of variation was 0.075, and the Kendall's coefficient of concordance was 0.312. Finally, we determined 6 first-level indicators and 30 second-level indicators for the ideological and political elements of the Health Assessment course, and 9 indicators for the inclusion of ideological and political cases for the Health Assessment course.Conclusions:The established index system for the ideological and political elements and cases of the Health Assessment course for nursing undergraduates is reasonable, scientific, and reliable, which can provide a reference for subsequent construction of the ideological and political teaching system for the Health Assessment course.