Microalgae possess high photosynthetic efficiency, robust adaptability, and substantial biomass, serving as excellent biological resources for large-scale cultivation. Malic enzyme (ME), a ubiquitous metabolic enzyme in living organisms, catalyzes the decarboxylation of malate to produce pyruvate, CO₂, and NAD(P)H, playing a role in multiple metabolic pathways including energy metabolism, photosynthesis, respiration, and biosynthesis. In this study, we identified the Scenedesmus quadricauda malic enzyme gene (SqME) and its biological functions, aiming to provide excellent target genes for the genetic improvement of higher plants. Based on the RNA-seq data from S. quadricauda under the biofilm cultivation mode with high CO₂ and light energy transfer efficiency and small water use, a highly expressed gene (SqME) functionally annotated as ME was cloned. The physicochemical properties of the SqME-encoded protein were systematically analyzed by bioinformatics tools. The subcellular localization of SqME was determined via transient transformation in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. The biological functions of SqME were identified via genetic transformation in Nicotiana tabacum, and the potential of SqME in the genetic improvement of higher plants was evaluated. The ORF of SqME was 1 770 bp, encoding 590 amino acid residues, and the encoded protein was located in chloroplasts. SqME was a NADP-ME, with the typical structural characteristics of ME. The ME activity in the transgenic N. tabacum plant was 1.8 folds of that in the wild-type control. Heterologous expression of SqME increased the content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll by 20.9%, 26.9%, and 25.2%, respectively, compared with the control. The transgenic tobacco leaves showed an increase of 54.0% in the fluorescence parameter NPQ and a decrease of 30.1% in Fo compared with the control. Moreover, the biomass, total lipids, and soluble sugars in the transgenic tobacco leaves enhanced by 20.5%, 25.7%, and 9.5%, respectively. On the contrary, the starch and protein content in the transgenic tobacco leaves decreased by 22.4% and 12.2%, respectively. Collectively, the SqME-encoded protein exhibited a strong enzymatic activity. Heterologous expressing of SqME could significantly enhance photosynthetic protection, photosynthesis, and biomass accumulation in the host. Additionally, SqME can facilitate carbon metabolism remodeling in the host, driving more carbon flux towards lipid synthesis. Therefore, SqME can be applied in the genetic improvement of higher plants for enhancing photosynthetic carbon fixation and lipid accumulation. These findings provide scientific references for mining of functional genes from S. quadricauda and application of these genes in the genetic engineering of higher plants.
Nicotiana/genetics* ; Photosynthesis/physiology* ; Malate Dehydrogenase/biosynthesis* ; Plant Leaves/genetics* ; Scenedesmus/enzymology* ; Carbon Cycle/genetics* ; Lipid Metabolism/genetics* ; Plants, Genetically Modified/metabolism*

Objective To investigate the correlation between preoperative N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptidogen(NT-proBNP)levels and early postoperative outcomes in elderly and critically ill pa-tients with hip fractures.Methods A total of 593 elderly and critically ill patients with hip fractures from January 2018 to April 2021 were selected,including 189 males and 404 females,aged≥65 years,BMI 12.0-35.5 kg/m2,ASA physical status Ⅱ-Ⅳ.General preoperative information,intraoperative and post-operative discharge outcomes of patients were retrospectively obtained by the electrical clinical medical record system or telephone follow-up.The receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curve of preoperative plas-ma NT-proBNP and postoperative 30-day death was plotted,and the corresponding optimal cut-off value was 1 765.0 pg/ml.According to NT-proBNP values,the patients were divided into two groups:low-ratio group(NT-proBNP≤1 765.0 pg/ml,group L,n = 463)and high-ratio group(NT-proBNP＞1 765.0 pg/ml,group H,n = 130).The correlation between different plasma concentrations of NT-proBNP before surgery and ICU length of stay,total length of stay,postoperative complications,and 30-day mortality rate were an-alyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results Compared with group L,age,preoperative comorbidities with coronary heart disease,arrhythmia,chronic heart failure,lung disease,and chronic kidney disease,as well as mortality within 30 days after surgery were significantly increased in group H(P＜0.05).The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that high preoperative plasma NT-proBNP concentration was positive correlation with postoperative ICU length of stay(OR = 1.215,95%CI 1.073-1.375,P = 0.020)and 30-day mortality rate(OR = 32.696,95%CI 7.158-149.338,P＜0.001).Conclusion High preoperative plasma NT-proBNP concentration is positive correlation with postoperative ICU hospitalization timeand 30-day mortality.

Objective:To study the expression of stomatin-like protein 2(STOML2)in oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)tissue and the effects of STOML2 on the tumorigenicity of OSCC cells(OSCCCs)in vitro and in vivo,and the related mechanism.Methods:The protein expression of STOML2 in OSCC and adjacent tissues of 56 patients was detected.OSCCCs SCC-15 were divided into 2 groups.Stom12-siRNA plasmid was transfected into the cells of experimental group and Mock-siRNA plasmid was transfected into the cells of control group.The mRNA and protein expression of STOML2,CDK4 and P16 in the cells was detected by qPCR and Western blot respectively.The cell cycle of the cells was detected by flow cytometry,and the proliferation of the cells was detected by CCK8 asay.The tumorigenicity of the cells was detected by subcutaneous tumor model in nude mice.Results:The positive rate of STOML2 in OSCC and adjacent tissues was 92.86％(52/56)and 8.93％(5/56)respectively(P＜0.001).After siRNA transfection,STOML2 mRNA expression in SCC-15 cells of experimental group and control group was(0.43±0.09)and(1.23±0.19),STOML2 protein ex-pression was(0.52±0.11)and(0.94±0.17)respectively.CDK4 expression was(0.33±0.13)and(1.18±0.17),P16 expression was(0.93±0.12)and(0.29±0.03),respectively.In CCK8 assay the absorbance of SCC-15 cells in experimental group and control group was(1.11±0.24)and(2.19±0.28),in flow cytometry the percentage of cells in G2/M phase was 35.72％±5.33％and 18.65％±3.71％(P＜0.05),respectively.In vivo test showed that the volume(μm3)of subcutaneous transplanted tumor was 1 192.07 ±250.9 and 2 280.5±600.1,the weight(g)of mice was 0.65±0.30 and 1.62±0.40,respectively.Conclusion:STOML2 expression increases in OSCC,STOML2 affects the tumorigenic ability of OSCCCs in vitro and in vivo by regulating P16 related pathways.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the ratio of soluble hemoglobin scavenger receptor 163 protein(sCD163)/soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis(sTWEAK)in plasma and prognosis in patients with spontaneous acute cerebral hemorrhage(ACH).Methods From August 2020 to August 2022,90 patients with ACH admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery,Harison International Peace Hospital,Hengshui City were regarded as the research group.According to the Glasgow outcome scale,patients with ACH were separated into the poor prognosis group(n=38)and the good prognosis group(n=52).Another 45 healthy examinee who underwent physical examination were used as the control group.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was applied to detect plasma sCD163 and sTWEAK levels,and the sCD163/sTWEAK ratio was calculated.Pearson method was applied to analyze the correlation between plasma sCD163,sTWEAK levels,sCD163/sTWEAK ratio and clinical data.Logistic regression was applied to analyze influencing factors of poor prognosis in patients with ACH.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)was applied to analyze the predictive value of sCD163/sTWEAK ratio for poor prognosis of patients with ACH.Results The plasma levels of sCD163,sTWEAK and sCD163/sTWEAK ratio were obviously higher in the research group than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The plasma levels of sCD163,sTWEAK and sCD163/sTWEAK ratio were obviously lower in the good prognosis group than those in the poor prognosis group(P＜0.05).Hematoma volume,National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)scores,hypertension and subtentorial hemorrhage were lower in the good prognosis group than those in the poor prognosis group,and low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)was higher in the good prognosis group than that in the poor prognosis group(P＜0.05).Correlation analysis showed that plasma sCD163,and sTWEAK levels and the sCD163/sTWEAK ratio were positively correlated with bleeding site,hematoma volume,NIHSS score,white blood cell count,platelet count and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio(NLR)(P＜0.05).Results of Logistic regression analysis showed that sCD163,sTWEAK,sCD163/sTWEAK ratio,hematoma volume,bleeding site and NIHSS score were influencing factors for poor prognosis in patients with ACH(P＜0.05).Results of receiver operating characteristic showed that the AUC of sCD163/sTWEAK ratio in evaluating poor prognosis of patients with ACH was 0.850,and the sensitivity and specificity were 86.84%and 69.23%.Conclusion The sCD163/sTWEAK ratio has a high level in the plasma of patients with ACH,which is associated with poor prognosis and has important value in predicting the prognosis of patients with ACH.

BACKGROUND:Osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture is a common fracture secondary to osteoporosis.At present,there is no effective prediction index and method for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the predictive effect of the comprehensive index of lumbar vertebral body bone strength on osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. METHODS:233 patients with osteoporosis were divided into a fracture group and a non-fracture group according to whether a vertebral fracture occurred.The demography,body mass index,vertebral bone mineral density and other details were collected.Lateral X-ray films of the lumbar spine were photographed.The vertebral body width,vertebral body length,sacral slope,pelvic tilt,pelvic incidence,lumbar compressive strength index and the lumbar impact strength index were measured,calculated,and analyzed by univariate and multivariate,and the receiver operating characteristic curve was analyzed.The survival analysis was conducted according to the cut-off value. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)All patients were followed up for 2-4 years,with an average of 3.1 years.During the follow-up period,99 cases(38 cases of L1 vertebral body,61 cases of L2 vertebral body)had fractures(fracture group),and 134 cases(52 cases of L1 vertebral body,82 cases of L2 vertebral body)had no fractures(non-fracture group).Univariate analysis showed that there was no significant difference in age,sex,height,body mass,body mass index and fracture segment between the two groups(P>0.05).(2)Lumbar compressive strength index and lumbar impact strength index in the fracture group were lower than those in the non-fracture group(P<0.05).Pelvic incidence and pelvic tilt in the fracture group were higher than those in the non-fracture group(P<0.05).(3)Multivariate analysis showed that lumbar compressive strength index,lumbar impact strength index and pelvic tilt were risk factors for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures(P<0.05).(4)Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the cutoff values of vertebral bone mineral density,lumbar compressive strength index,lumbar impact strength index,pelvic tilt and pelvic incidence were 0.913 5 g/cm2,1.932,0.903,21.5° and 55°,respectively;areas under the curve were 0.630,0.800,0.911,0.633 and 0.568,respectively.(5)According to the survival analysis(with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture as the end point),the average survival time of the patients with lumbar impact strength index≥0.903 was significantly longer than that of the patients with lumbar impact strength index<0.903(P<0.05).(6)These findings conclude that the comprehensive index of lumbar vertebral body bone strength is more accurate than the bone mineral density of the vertebral body and spine-pelvis sagittal parameters in predicting osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures,which is helpful for early prevention and treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

BACKGROUND:Osteoporosis vertebral compression fracture is a common fracture secondary to osteoporosis,and there is currently a lack of effective predictive indicators and methods for osteoporosis vertebral compression fracture. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the predictive effects of paravertebral muscle degeneration,functional cross-sectional area,and percentage of fat infiltration on osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. METHODS:The 224 patients with osteoporosis diagnosed from January 2018 to June 2022 were included.They were followed up for more than 2 years.They were divided into fracture group and non-fracture group according to the presence and absence of vertebral fracture.The detailed information of demographics,body mass index,bone mineral density and so on were collected.The functional cross-sectional area and percentage of fat infiltration of bilateral Psoas major muscle and extensor dorsi(Erector spinae muscles muscle and multifidus muscle)at the level of lower endplate of L2 vertebral body were measured and calculated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)224 patients were ultimately included,of which 126 had fractures as the fracture group and 98 had no fractures as the non-fracture group.There was no statistically significant difference in age,gender,height,body mass,body mass index,and fracture segment between the two groups(P>0.05).(2)The bone mineral density of the fracture group was significantly lower than that of the non-fracture group(P<0.05).Functional cross-sectional areas of Psoas major muscle and extensor dorsi in the fracture group were significantly lower than those in the non-fracture group(P<0.05).The percentage of fat infiltration of the extensor dorsi in the fracture group was significantly higher than that in the non-fracture group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in percentage of fat infiltration of Psoas major muscle between the two groups(P>0.05).(3)Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the vertebral bone mineral density,percentage of fat infiltration of extensor dorsi,functional cross-sectional area of extensor dorsi and percentage of fat infiltration of Psoas major muscle were 0.903 g/cm2,35.426%,418.875 mm2,and 6.375%,respectively.The areas under curve were 0.634,0.755,0.876,and 0.585,respectively.(4)These findings indicate that paravertebral muscle degeneration is strongly associated with the occurrence of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.The functional cross-sectional area of extensor dorsi muscle can effectively predict the occurrence of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures,which is helpful for early prevention and treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

Objective:To introduce a surgical technique of " short distances and multi-segment" buried-guiding suture method and its effects in the surgery of early descent of prosthesis after augmentation mammaplasty.Methods:From August 2019 to January 2022, 15 cases of early descent of prosthesis after augmentation mammaplasty due to axillary approach breast augmentation for micromastia were admitted to the Plastic Surgery Department of Sichuan Provincial People′s Hospital, aged 23-35 years (27.3±3.6) and duration of dislocation from 16 to 35 days (23.8±5.8). There were 12 patients showed unilateral prosthesis drops and 3 patients showed bilateral prosthesis drops. " Short distances and multi-segment" buried-guiding suture method was used to solve the problem, i. e., 2-0 non-absorbable sutures were used to eliminate the lower pole of prosthetic cavity with " short distances and multi-segment" sutures. The distance from the nipple to the midline of the sternum, the distance from the sternotomy to the nipple, the distance from the nipple to the inframammary fold and the distance from the midclavicular point to the inframammary fold were measured bilaterally before and after surgery, and statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the efficacy of the " short distances and multi-segment" buried-guiding suture method for early descent of prosthesis after breast augmentation.Results:All incisions healed by first intention without complications such as hematoma, infection, or scar hyperplasia. 15 patients were followed up for 6-12 months (8.0±1.9). 14 patients were satisfied with the results after surgery, and 1 patient received satisfactory results after secondary surgery. The distance from nipple to inframammary fold was shortened by 0.8-1.4 cm after surgery (1.2±0.2), and the distance from mid-clavicle to inframammary fold was shortened by 1.0-1.6 cm (1.3±0.4), and the differences were statistically significant as compared with the values before surgery ( t=31.17, P<0.05; t=33.78, P<0.05). After surgery, the change in the distance from nipple to sternal was 0.1-0.3 cm (0.16±0.10), and the change in the distance from sternal notch to nipple was 0-0.2 cm (0.12±0.10), and the differences were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Conclusions:With the advantages of simple operation, little trauma and no additional incision, the " short distance and multi-stage" buried-guiding suture method in the surgery of early descent of prosthesis after augmentation mammaplasty is worthy of clinical application.

Objective To monitor the susceptibility of clinical isolates to antimicrobial agents in tertiary hospitals in major regions of China in 2022.Methods Clinical isolates from 58 hospitals in China were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using a unified protocol based on disc diffusion method or automated testing systems.Results were interpreted using the 2022 Clinical &Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)breakpoints.Results A total of 318 013 clinical isolates were collected from January 1,2022 to December 31,2022,of which 29.5％were gram-positive and 70.5％were gram-negative.The prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains in Staphylococcus aureus,Staphylococcus epidermidis and other coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species(excluding Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Staphylococcus schleiferi)was 28.3％,76.7％and 77.9％,respectively.Overall,94.0％of MRSA strains were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 90.8％of MRSE strains were susceptible to rifampicin.No vancomycin-resistant strains were found.Enterococcus faecalis showed significantly lower resistance rates to most antimicrobial agents tested than Enterococcus faecium.A few vancomycin-resistant strains were identified in both E.faecalis and E.faecium.The prevalence of penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae was 94.2％in the isolates from children and 95.7％in the isolates from adults.The resistance rate to carbapenems was lower than 13.1％in most Enterobacterales species except for Klebsiella,21.7％-23.1％of which were resistant to carbapenems.Most Enterobacterales isolates were highly susceptible to tigecycline,colistin and polymyxin B,with resistance rates ranging from 0.1％to 13.3％.The prevalence of meropenem-resistant strains decreased from 23.5％in 2019 to 18.0％in 2022 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and decreased from 79.0％in 2019 to 72.5％in 2022 in Acinetobacter baumannii.Conclusions The resistance of clinical isolates to the commonly used antimicrobial agents is still increasing in tertiary hospitals.However,the prevalence of important carbapenem-resistant organisms such as carbapenem-resistant K.pneumoniae,P.aeruginosa,and A.baumannii showed a downward trend in recent years.This finding suggests that the strategy of combining antimicrobial resistance surveillance with multidisciplinary concerted action works well in curbing the spread of resistant bacteria.

Objective To investigate the effect of self-made sickle-shaped small needle knife minimally invasive treatment on degree of pain and total cure rate in patients with stenosing tenosynovitis of flexor tendon of finger. Methods A total of 100 patients with stenosing tenosynovitis of flexor tendon of finger were selected and randomly divided into control group and observation group, with 50 cases in each group. The control group was treated with open surgery, while the observation group was treated with self-made sickle-shaped small needle knife minimally invasive treatment. The surgical indicators, degree of pain, inflammatory factors, incidence of complications, and total cure rate were compared between the two groups. Results The improvement of surgical indicators in the observation group was better than that in the control group; the score of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in both groups after surgery were lower than those before surgery, and the VAS scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group at the time points of immediately after surgery, 7 days after surgery, and 6 months after surgery; the serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in both groups decreased after surgery, and these indexes in the observation group were lower than the control group; the incidence of complications in the observation group was lower than that in the control group, and the total cure rate was higher than that in the control group; all the differences of indexes mentioned above were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion Self-made sickle-shaped small needle knife minimally invasive treatment shows a higher total cure rate in treating patients with stenosing tenosynovitis of flexor tendon of finger, which can alleviate the degree of pain and inflammatory response, reduce the incidence of complications, and accelerate postoperative recovery.