This study was aimed at creating an engineered strain of Bacillus subtilis for efficient expression of biologically active type 2 toxin B(TcdB2)derived from a highly virulent strain of Clostridium difficile.The TcdB2 gene was cloned from ST1/RT027 strain genome DNA,incorporated into the PHT01 vector,and then transformed into B.subtilis strain WB800N for prokaryotic expression.Cell toxicity assays revealed that the recombinant TcdB2 exhibited cytotoxic effects in various cells.The engineered B.subtilis strain effectively expressed biologically active TcdB2,thus providing a basis for further exploration of the pathogenic mechanisms of highly virulent strains of C.difficile and establishing a foundation for potential vaccine can-didate targets.

Mytilus is one of bivalves with great economic and ecological values.The innate immune de-fense of Mytilus shows great significance in the study of marine biological immunology.Hemolymph is the main immune tissue for Mytilus.The Nanopore full-length transcriptome of Mytilus coruscus hemocytes,and the serum differential proteomics based on SDS-PAGE analysis were performed to identify key pro-teins involving in the immune response of Mytilus hemolymph in response of different bacteria and fungi stresses.A total of 44 proteins were identified in the serum induced by different microorganisms.Among them,26 proteins showed significant differential expression level in response to different microbial stres-ses,and their functions were involved in protein folding protection,cell autophagy and apoptosis regula-tion,reactive oxygen species production,energy metabolism regulation,cell detoxification,and immune regulation.The changes in expression levels of these proteins varied in response to different bacterial and fungal stresses,suggesting that Mytilus has different immune response strategies to different bacterial and fungal stresses.The results provide a new scientific basis for understanding the differential immune mech-anism of Mytilus innate immune system in response to different types of microbial invasion,as well as the screening of specific biomarker proteins for microbial infection,and provide ideas for the healthy develop-ment and disease prevention of shellfish aquaculture.

Objective:To prepare mesenchymal stem cells with antioxidant capacity (AO-MSC ) from human umbilical cords and evaluate its cell biological properties.Methods:In control group,mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were isolated by digesting human umbilical cord Wharton's Jelly tissues with 0.2％ collagenase Ⅱ,and the released cells were collected and cultured in an animal serum-free culture medium.In AO-MSC group,incompletely collagenase Ⅱ-digested tissue debris were allowed to adhere to flusk flat bottoms and the AO-MSC was harvested by adherent culture. The conventional digestion and culture method was used as control.MSC colony forming ability was evaluated by fibroblast colony forming assay (CFU-F).MSC proliferative capacity was evaluated by CCK-8 assay.The MSC surface markers were detected by using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining.The adipogenic and osteogenic capacity of MSC was evaluated by multi-differentiation in vitro,and the mRNA expression of genes that control adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR );Moreover,the mRNA expression of antioxidant substances such as SOD-1,GSH,GAT,and NQO1 in MSC was also evaluated by RT-qPCR.Results:The AO-MSC isolated by this strategy reached a confluence of 80％-90％ at around 18 days and grew in a swirling pattern.Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining assays showed that CD73,CD29,CD105,CD90 were highly expressed and CD31,CD45,HLA-DR were scarcely expressed in AO-MSC.AO-MSC exhibited stronger self-renewal and differentiation ability compared to MSC.However,the in vitro adipogenic-osteogenic capacity of MSC in the control group was stronger than that of AO-MSC.RT-qPCR assay showed that AO-MSC expressed higher mRNA levels of antioxidant substances compared to MSC.Conclusion:Human AO-MSC is successfully prepared from human umbilical cord without animal serum.

Objective:To explore the potential causal relationship between gut microbiota and teratozoospermia.Methods:We searched the database of Genome-Wide Association Study(GWAS)for gut microbiota-and teratozoospermia-related data.We used gut microbiota as an exposure factor,determined the instrumental variables according to the GWAS data on 18 340 participants released by the MiBioGen Alliance,and derived the outcome variables from the European data on teratozoospermia,with a sample size of 85 716,including 915 cases and 209 006 controls.Using inverse-variance weighting(IVW),MR-Egger regression and the weighted median estimator(WME),we performed two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis on the retrieved data,and estimated the causal relationship between gut microbiota and teratozoospermia based on the β value.Results:Two-sample MR analysis indicated that the class Erysipelotrichia,family Erysipelotrichaceae,family Streptococcaceae,genus Coprococcusl,genus Ruminococcaceae UCG009,genus Streptococcus,order Clostridialesm and order Erysipelotrichales were causally related with the increased risk,while the family Porphyromonadaceae with the decreased risk of teratozoospermia.Conclusion:The class Erysipelotrichia,family Erysipe-lotrichaceae,family Streptococcaceae,genus Coprococcusl,genus Ruminococcaceae UCG009,genus Streptococcus,order Clostridia-lesm and order Erysipelotrichales are one of the causes of teratozoospermia,related to the increased risk of the condition,while the family Porphyromonadaceae has a protective effect on sperm morphology,reducing the risk of teratozoospermia.

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2.1(PI-RADS v2.1)for clinically significant prostate cancer(CSPCa)in the peripheral zone(PZ),transitional zone(TZ)and multiple zones(MZs).Methods:We retrospectively studied the clinical data on 108 patients undergoing multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging(mpMRI)and transperineal prostate biopsy in our hospital from January 2021 to January 2023.Using PI-RADS v2.1,we ex-amined the MR images of the patients with suspected PCa,compared the PI-RADS v2.1 scores with the results of prostate biopsy,and analyzed the correlation of the PI-RADS v2.1 scores with CSPCa.We calculated the area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC),and described the diagnostic performance of PI-RADS v2.1 for CSPCa in the PZ,TZ and MZs.Results:Transperineal prostate puncture biopsy was successfully completed in all the patients,which revealed 66(61.11％)cases of CSPCa with Gleason score(GS)7-10.Suspected CSPCa was observed in 45(95.74％)of the 47 PZ lesions,8(47.06％)of the 17 TZ le-sions,and 40(90.91％)of the 44 MZ lesions.The PZ,TZ and MZ lesions diagnosed by PI-RADS v2.1 were significantly correlated with CSPCa(r=0.492,P＜0.001).The AUCs of PI-RADS v2.1 for PZ,TZ and MZs were 0.644,0.732 and 0.811,with specificities of 66.8％,57.6％and 62.1％,and sensitivities of 57.2％,78.4％and 93.2％,respectively.The negative predictive values were 46.5％,85.7％and 79.2％,and the positive predictive values 76.2％,43.4％and 84.8％,respectively.Conclusion:The PI-RADS v2.1 score has a high diagnostic value for CSPCa in the PZ,TZ and MZs,with the best performance for that in the MZs.

Further evidence is needed to explore the impact of high-altitude environments on the neurologic function of neonates.Non-invasive techniques such as cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy and amplitude-integrated electroencephalography can provide data on cerebral oxygenation and brain electrical activity.This study will conduct multiple cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy and amplitude-integrated electroencephalography monitoring sessions at various time points within the first 3 days postpartum for healthy full-term neonates at different altitudes.The obtained data on cerebral oxygenation and brain electrical activity will be compared between different altitudes,and corresponding reference ranges will be established.The study involves 6 participating centers in the Chinese High Altitude Neonatal Medicine Alliance,with altitude gradients divided into 4 categories:800 m,1 900 m,2 400 m,and 3 500 m,with an anticipated sample size of 170 neonates per altitude gradient.This multicenter prospective cohort study aims to provide evidence supporting the impact of high-altitude environments on early brain function and metabolism in neonates.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(4):403-409]

Glyceryl phenylbutyrate(GPB)serves as a long-term management medication for Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency(OTCD),effectively controlling hyperammonemia,but there is a lack of experience in using this medicine in China.This article retrospectively analyzes the case of a child diagnosed with OTCD at Shanghai Children's Medical Center,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine,including a review of related literature.After diagnosis,the patient was treated with GPB,followed by efficacy follow-up and pharmacological monitoring.The 6-year and 6-month-old male patient exhibited poor speech development,disobedience,temper tantrums,and aggressive behavior.Blood ammonia levels peaked at 327 μmol/L;urine organic acid analysis indicated elevated uracil levels;cranial MRI showed extensive abnormal signals in both cerebral hemispheres.Genetic testing revealed de novo mutation in the OTC gene(c.241T＞C,p.S81P).Blood ammonia levels were approximately 43,80,and 56 μmol/L at 1,2,and 3 months after starting GPB treatment,respectively.During treatment,blood ammonia was well-controlled without drug-related adverse effects.The patient showed improvement in developmental delays,obedience,temperament,and absence of aggressive behavior.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and treatment strategies of infective endocarditis caused by Bartonella vinsonii subsp.berkhoffii(Bvb).Methods Clinical diagnosis and treatment of a 25-year-old male patient with infective endocarditis caused by Bvb in China was reported,combined with literatures about three similar cases reported abroad were summarized and analyzed.Results All 4 patients were young and middle-aged males with a history of close contact with canines in the past one year.The main symptoms were chest pain,fa-tigue,and dyspnea,accompanied by cerebrovascular accidents and severe anemia,as well as the formation of heart valve vegetations and valve function impairment.Multiple blood cultures were negative,2 and 3 cases were con-firmed to be infected with Bvb through metagenomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS)of pathogenic microorga-nisms and polymerase chain reaction respectively.All patients underwent surgical treatment due to heart failure,and all survived after surgery and targeted anti-infective treatment.Conclusion This case report is the first case of Bvb infective endocarditis in China.Patient's diagnosis is confirmed by serum indirect immunofluorescence assay and mNGS,combination of surgery and anti-infective treatment has achieved ideal effect.

Objective:To explore the clinical value of a trinity strategy for the treatment of multiple orthopedic trauma.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 1 267 patients with multiple orthopedic trauma admitted to Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and the First Affiliated Hospital of Navy Medical University from June 2013 to May 2023, including 862 males and 405 females, aged 18-93 years [(55.2±19.8)years]. Associated injuries included hemorrhagic shock in 632 patients, traumatic wet lung in 274, cranial injuries in 135, abdominal and pelvic bleeding in 116, pneumothorax in 89, urinary injury in 13, and vesical rupture in 8. All the patients were treated with the trinity strategy and the treatment process was divided into the phases of first aid, remodeling, and rehabilitation. The first aid phase focused on stabilizing symptoms and saving lives; the remodeling phase centered on restoring the anatomical structure and alignment; the rehabilitation phase aimed for functional recovery through the integration of both Western and traditional Chinese medicine. The all-cause mortality within 30 days after surgery and fracture healing time were calculated; the excellent and good rates of Constant-Murley shoulder score, Mayo elbow score, Gartland-Werley wrist score, Harris hip score, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score and the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score at the last follow-up and the overall excellent and good rate of all joint function scores were measured. The short form health survey (SF-36) scores were collected preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively, including 8 aspects such as physical functioning, physical role, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional role, and mental health. The incidence of postoperative complications was recorded.Results:All the patients were followed up for 6-18 months [(10.2±4.2)months]. The mortality rate during the acute phase (within 30 days after surgery) was 2.37% with 12 deaths due to hemorrhagic shock, 10 due to traumatic brain injury, 6 due to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), and 2 due to pulmonary infection. The average fracture healing time averaged 3.8-18 months [(11.5±4.2)months], with 89.49% of the patients having bone union within 12 months after surgery, 8.93% having bone union within 18 months after surgery, and 1.58% undergoing reoperation. For the patients with internal fixation failure and nonunion, the average healing time was extended to (10.2±2.2)months and (13.7±3.3)months respectively. At the last follow-up, the excellent and good rates of Constant-Murley shoulder score, Mayo elbow score, Gartland-Werley wrist score, Harris hip score, HSS knee score, and AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score were 83.93%, 90.24%, 94.12%, 85.57%, 88.46%, and 92.31% respectively, with an overall excellent and good rate of 89.11%. At 6 months after surgery, the SF-36 scores of all the patients in the eight dimensions,including the physical functioning, physical role, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional role, and mental health were (74.4±8.6)points, (44.7±14.4)points, (77.4±10.9)points, (68.4±18.2)points, (72.5±16.0)points, (76.8±8.7)points, (49.9±17.6)points, and (72.8±17.9)points, significantly improved compared with those before operation [(63.4±12.7)points, (30.9±17.4)points, (56.4±18.0)points, (55.4±24.7)points, (53.5±21.0)points, (55.8±24.3)points, (36.9±24.0)points, (58.8±21.6)points] ( P<0.01). Complications of different degrees occurred in 214 patients (16.89%), including lung infections in 118 patients (9.31%), lower extremity deep vein thrombosis in 50(3.95%), pressure injuries in 26(2.05%), internal fixation failure in 12(0.95%), and nonunion in 8(0.63%). Conclusions:The trinity strategy provides whole-process management, personalized treatment, and overall rehabilitation for multiple orthopedic trauma. It can decrease mortality, shorten fracture healing time, improve joint function and quality of life, and reduce the incidence of complications.

Background Unhealthy lifestyles may constitute significant risk factors for dyslipidemia. However, limited studies focus on the association mentioned above among railway workers undertaking frequent shift work. Objective To understand the status of dyslipidemia and lifestyles among railway workers, and to investigate the association between the lifestyles of workers involved in different shift work schedules and dyslipidemia, aiming to provide a reference for the development of targeted intervention strategies against dyslipidemia in this occupational group. Methods The participants were selected from the in-service staff of a railway unit in 2021. A quota sampling approach was used to ensure the participation of at least 50% of employees from each department. Demographic and lifestyle information of the railway workers in 2021 was collected through self-administered questionnaires, while physiological and biochemical indicators were obtained through health examinations. Chi-square tests were employed to analyze the distribution of dyslipidemia among railway workers with different characteristics. Binary logistic regression was utilized to examine the associations between selected variables and dyslipidemia, and additive model was used to investigate the interaction between lifestyle and different shift work schedules on dyslipidemia. Results A total of 17392 railway workers were included in the study, and the total prevalence of dyslipidemia was 31.3%, with a higher prevalence reported among workers undertaking rotating night shifts (33.5%) and permanent night shifts (34.3%) than those with regular day work. The main adverse lifestyles among the railway workers were physical inactivity (59.6%), alcohol consumption (40.0%), and smoking (35.7%), and only 13.6% reported a healthy lifestyle. Furthermore, significant statistical differences in the prevalence of dyslipidemia were reported among workers with different lifestyles (P<0.01). After adjusting for confounding factors, smoking was a risk factor for dyslipidemia (OR=1.61, 95%CI: 1.48, 1.75), while highly active physical activity served as a protective factor against dyslipidemia (OR=0.79, 95%CI: 0.71, 0.88). In general, adopting a healthy lifestyle was associated with a decreased risk of dyslipidemia (OR=0.86, 95%CI: 0.77, 0.95). The stratified analyses based on different shift work schedules revealed a statistically significant association between smoking and dyslipidemia across various shift work occupational groups (P<0.001): regular day work, OR=1.62, 95%CI: 1.42, 1.84; rotating night shifts, OR=1.54, 95%CI: 1.35, 1.76; and permanent night shifts, OR=1.75, 95%CI: 1.40, 2.18. In regular day workers, highly active physical activity was associated with a reduced risk of dyslipidemia (OR=0.81, 95%CI: 0.69, 0.95). A similar association was observed among workers undertaking rotating night shifts (OR=0.78, 95%CI: 0.65, 0.94); furthermore, moderately active physical activity was also associated with a reduced risk of dyslipidemia in this occupational group (OR=0.85, 95%CI: 0.74, 0.97). There was no additive interaction between rotating night shifts and lifestyle with relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion due to interaction (AP), and synergy index (S) of 0.18 (95%CI: −0.04, 0.41), 0.15 (95%CI: −0.04, 0.33), and 3.19 (95%CI: 0.09~110.44), respectively. There was also no additive interaction between permanent night shifts and lifestyle, with RERI, AP and S of −0.03 (95%CI: −0.43~0.37), −0.02 (95%CI: −0.35~0.31) and 0.90 (95%CI: 0.18~4.46). Further stratification of populations according to shift work schedules and lifestyles revealed that those who worked rotating night shifts and reported unhealthy lifestyles were more likely to present dyslipidemia than those who undertook regular day work and had healthy lifestyles (OR=1.27, 95%CI: 1.09, 1.48). Conclusion Railway workers present less optimistic lipid health status, and unhealthy lifestyles are prevalent among them. Those engaged in night shift work report a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia. Among workers with different shift schedules, smoking and physical inactivity are identified as the primary risk factors for dyslipidemia, and particular attention should be paid to the lipid health status of rotating night shift workers with poor lifestyles.