OBJECTIVE To explore the potential mechanisms of astragalin （AG） in allevating ulcerative colitis （UC） in mice through modulation of the intestinal flora. METHODS Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal group （CON group）， model group [dextran sodium sulfate （DSS） group]， 5-aminosalicylic acid group （5-ASA group）， AG low-dose group and high-dose group （AGL and AGH groups）， with 8 mice in each group. The mice UC model was established by drinking 3% DSS solution continuously for 7 days in all groups except the CON group. After that， 3% DSS solution was replaced by water， and the mice of each drug group were gavaged with the corresponding drug solution. Mice in the CON and DSS groups were gavaged with an equal volume of normal saline， once a day， for 7 days. After the last gavage， the body weight change index， disease activity index （DAI） score， colon length and spleen index， and levels of inflammatory factors （tumor necrosis factor-α， interleukin-1β， interleukin-6） were compared among the mice in each group； pathological changes in colonic tissues of the mice were observed in each group， and the pathological score and the percentage of goblet cells were compared； mRNA expressions of barrier-related factors [occludin and ZO-1] and inflammation-related factors [silencing information regulatory factor 1 （SIRT1）， c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK） and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK）] were detected in each group of mice； the changes in the intestinal flora of mice in each group were analyzed and the contents of intestinal metabolites short-chain fatty acids （SCFAs） was determined. Using DSS and AG-treated fecal bacterial liquid as an intervention， the mechanism of anti-UC effect of AG was further verified by a fecal microbiota transplant experiment. RESULTS Compared with the CON group， the intestinal mucosal structure of mice in the DSS group was severely damaged， with obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells collapsing the wall； their body weight change index， colon length， the percentage of goblet cells， mRNA expressions of occludin， ZO-1 and SIRT1， Chao1 and Shannon indexes， and contents of acetic acid and butyric acid were significantly reduced， shortened or down-regulated （P＜0.05）； however， DAI score， spleen index， levels of inflammatory factors， pathological score， as well as mRNA expressions of p38 MAPK and JNK， were all significantly increased or up-regulated （P＜0.05）. Compared with the DSS group， colon tissue lesions of AG mice in all dose groups showed different degrees of improvement， and the above quantitative indexes were generally regressed （P＜0.05）， and the intervention effect of AG-treated fecal bacterial fluid was basically the same as that of AG. CONCLUSIONS AG can improve relevant symptoms in UC mice and reduce their inflammatory response and colonic histopathological changes. The above effects may be related to regulating the diversity of intestinal flora in mice， increasing the contents of butyric acid and propionic acid， and promoting the repair of the colonic mucosal barrier， thus regulating the expressions of genes related to the SIRT1/p38 MAPK inflammatory pathway.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and risk factors of death during hospitalization in patients with community-acquired pneumonia(CAP)complicated with diabetes mellitus(DM).Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 566 patients with CAP hospitalized in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from January 2018 to January 2022.The patients were divided into simple CAP group(n=478)and CAP combined with diabetes(CAP+DM)group(n=88)according to whether they had diabetes,and then CAP+DM group(n=88)was divided into survival group(n=69)and death group(n =19)according to whether the patients died during hospitalization.The clinical data and laboratory test indicators of patients in different groups were compared.Cox regression analysis was used to screen the risk factors of death during hospitalization in the CAP+DM group.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted to evaluate the predictive value of independent risk factors on hospitalization death.Results Compared with the simple CAP group,the CAP+DM group had significant differences in age,concomitant hypertension,coronary heart disease,CURB-65 score,neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio(NLR),C-reactive protein(CRP),procalcitonin(PCT),albumin(ALB),prealbumin(PA),glucose(GLU),serum potassium(K),calcium(Ca),phosphorus(P),magnesium(Mg),lactic acid(Lac),non-invasive ventilation time,ICU occupancy rate and mortality rate(P<0.05);Compared with the survival group,there were statistically significant differences in CURB-65 score,NLR,CRP,PCT,GIU,ALB,PA,serum iron(Fe),Ca,non-invasive ventilation time,and ICU admission rate among the death group patients(P<0.05).Cox regression analysis showed that the increase of NLR level and the decrease in PA level were the risk factors for in-hospital death in patients with CAP complicated with diabetes(P<0.05).When the PA cutoff value was 91 mg/L,the AUC,sensitivity,and specificity for predicting in-hospital death of CAP patients with diabetes were 0.849,84.2%and 81.2%,respectively.Conclusion Patients with CAP combined with diabetes are more serious and have worse prognosis than those with CAP alone.PA has a good predictive value for the prognosis of these patients.Early detection and active intervention should be carried out to reduce the in-hospital mortality of patients.

Objective To explore the clinical application of ultrasound-guided transabdominal villus and amniocentesis in the prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia,and to find a suitable method for the prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia in Qinzhou.Methods A total of 531 high-risk pregnant women with severe or intermediate thalassemia during single pregnancy who were treated in the Department of Medical Genetics and Prenatal Diagnosis,Qinzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital from March 2021 to April 2022 were selected for the study.According to different sampling methods,they were divided into control group(amniocentesis,n=415)and study group(transabdominal villus puncture,n=116).The success rate,complication rate of the two groups were compared.Results The success rate of puncture in the control group was 100％,2 cases were aborted within 2 weeks after surgery,17 cases were diagnosed with severe alpha-thalassemia,10 cases with severe β-thalassemia and 64 cases with intermediate thalassemia,48 cases with moderate and severe thalassemia induced labor.The success rate of puncture in the research group was 100％,10 cases were diagnosed with severe alpha-thalassemia,4 cases with severe β-thalassemia and 17 cases with intermediate thalassemia,and 26 cases with moderate severe thalassemia were induced labor.There was no significant difference in puncture success rate and abortion rate between the two methods(P>0.05).Conclusion Both methods are safe and effective.Transabdominal villus sampling can detect fetal thalassemia in early pregnancy,and it is worth promoting and applying in clinical practice.

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between genetic polymorphism of heat shock proteins 70 (HSP70) and susceptibility to occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL). Methods A total of 229 ONIHL workers were selected as the case group and 229 healthy workers with similar age, years of noise exposure, and noise exposure levels were selected as the control group using the case-control study method. Occupational health examinations were conducted on both groups, and peripheral blood of individuals was collected for DNA extraction. The genotypes of three single nucleotide polymorphisms of the HSP70 were detected using the MassArray system. Results The allele frequency distribution of HSP70 rs2227956, rs1043618, and rs1061581 in the control group was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (all P>0.05). The genotype and allele frequency distribution of rs2227956 was significantly different between the two groups (all P<0.05), while no significant difference was found for rs1043618 and rs1061581 (all P>0.05). After adjusting for age, years of noise exposure, individual noise exposure level, smoking, and drinking, individuals with AG and AG+GG genotypes of rs2227956 had a higher risk of ONIHL than those with AA genotype (all P<0.05). The risk of ONIHL was higher in individuals with G allele of rs2227956 than in those with A allele (P<0.05). No correlation was found between rs1043618 and rs1061581 polymorphisms and the risk of ONIHL (all P>0.05). Conclusion The rs2227956 polymorphism of the HSP70 gene is correlated with susceptibility to ONIHL in noise-exposed workers, and the G allele is a risk factor for ONIHL in this population.

BACKGROUND:In recent years,the demand for in vitro maturation of immature oocytes has increased.Oocyte maturation is affected by many factors,among which the selection of medium is particularly important,and there is currently no unified plan. OBJECTIVE:To compare the in vitro maturation of germinal vesicle stage oocytes with different maturation media and to investigate its effects on oocyte quality and developmental potential. METHODS:Germinal vesicle oocytes were matured in G-1TM PLUS medium,CZB medium and M16 medium,and mature oocytes in vivo were used as control group to compare in vitro fertilization and early embryo development among various groups.The immunofluorescence method was used to evaluate mitochondrial function in mature oocytes of each group.Calcium oscillation was detected by confocal microscopy real-time imaging system. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no significant difference in the first polar body ejection rate among the three groups(P>0.05).(2)The rate of in vitro fertilization was higher in the G-1TM PLUS group(52.86±11.24)%than that in the M16 group(37.76±6.70)%and the CZB group(30.62±5.51)%.The blastocyst rate was lower in the CZB group(36.23±6.63)%than that in the control group(78.16±4.17)%,G-1TM PLUS group(55.75±7.63)%and M16 group(53.36±6.33)%.(3)Compared with the control group,the length-to-width ratio of the spindle in the CZB group increased(P<0.005).(4)The mitochondrial function of the CZB group was worse than that of the control group,G-1TM PLUS group and M16 group,and abnormal mitochondrial agglutination occurred in the CZB group.(5)The frequency of calcium oscillations in the CZB and M16 groups was significantly higher than that in the G1 and control groups.In conclusion,during in vitro maturation of mouse oocytes,in vitro maturation rate was not significantly different among G-1TM PLUS,CZB and M16 media,but the G-1TM PLUS medium had a higher rate of fertilization and blastocyst formation.

BACKGROUND:The increase in multi-drug resistant bacterial infections has become a major problem in modern healthcare due to the development of bacterial resistance to antibiotics and the development of new antibacterial alternative drug materials is of great importance. OBJECTIVE:To synthesize and perform a series of characterization of a CeO2 nanoenzyme to investigate its biocompatibility and antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli. METHODS:CeO2 nanoenzymes were synthesized using a hydrothermal method.The morphology,product composition,and chemical composition were analyzed using characterization methods such as X-ray diffraction,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,Fourier infrared analysis,Raman spectroscopy,scanning electron microscopy,and transmission electron microscopy.The peroxide-mimetic enzyme activity of CeO2 nanoenzymes was characterized using TMB color development assay.The toxic effect of CeO2 nanoenzymes at different concentrations(10,25,and 50 μg/mL)on mouse fibroblast L929 cells was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay.The antibacterial properties of CeO2 nanoenzymes against Escherichia coli under different conditions were evaluated using the plate coating method.Changes in intra-bacterial reactive oxygen species after treatment with different conditions were detected using a reactive oxygen species detection kit. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The morphology of the synthesized CeO2 nanoparticles was rod-shaped,with Ce3+ accounting for 29.87%of the total Ce3+/Ce4+ and an average grain size of 7.4 nm.In a slightly acidic environment containing TMB and pH=5.5,CeO2 nanoenzymes mixed with H2O2 showed excellent peroxidase activity,but did not show peroxidase simulated activity at pH=7.4.(2)There was no statistically significant difference in the toxic effects of CeO2 nanoparticles at various mass concentrations on mouse fibroblast L929 cells.(3)In a slightly acidic environment at pH 5.5,Escherichia coli was inhibited to a certain extent in the presence of CeO2 nanoenzyme alone at a concentration of 10 μg/mL,with a decrease in CFU results of about 0.5 log(P＜0.01);in a slightly acidic environment containing 50 μmol/L H2O2,CeO2 nanoenzyme showed excellent antibacterial effects against Escherichia coli,with a decrease in Escherichia coli CFU results of by about 1.5 log(P＜0.001).After CeO2 nanoenzymes interacted with Escherichia coli,the level of reactive oxygen species in Escherichia coli increased(P＜0.05);after CeO2 nanoenzymes interacted with Escherichia coli together with H2O2,the level of reactive oxygen species in Escherichia coli increased significantly(P＜0.001).(4)The results show that the CeO2 nanoenzymes have good biocompatibility,are inherently antibacterial,and can exhibit peroxidase activity in a slightly acidic environment containing low concentrations of H2O2,and generate reactive oxygen species to kill bacteria,thus showing excellent antibacterial effects.

BACKGROUND:Kinesio taping has been widely used as a means of sports protection,but its role as a means to correct abnormal biomechanical changes of the lower limbs during side-step cutting remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To analyze and compare the changes in lower limb kinematics and dynamics when the subjects complete the side-step cutting of the knee joint under the conditions of kinesio taping,placebo taping and blank control. METHODS:Thirty-nine male college students majoring in basketball were recruited as subjects.Each subject was tested with kinesio taping,placebo taping or no taping.The mechanical correction method was used to patch the dominant knee joint of each subject.The run-up speed of 4.5-5.5 m/s was selected to complete the 45° side-step cutting motion,and the kinematics and kinetics data were collected synchronously by the three-dimensional dynamic capture system and the force measuring platform.The kinematics and kinetics parameters at the moment of initial touchdown and peak ground reaction force were selected for data analysis.SPSS 27.0 software was used for statistical analysis of the test data. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Kinematic indexes:compared with no taping and placebo taping,the hip abduction and knee valgus angles at the initial touchdown moment were significantly decreased when kinesio taping was used(P<0.05);at the moment of peak lateral ground reaction force,the angles of hip abduction,knee valgus and ankle plantar flexion decreased significantly(P<0.05),and the knee flexion angle was significantly increased(P<0.05).Kinetic indexes:Compared with no taping,both kinesio taping and placebo taping significantly reduced hip abduction and external rotation torque,knee valgus and external rotation torque at the moment of initial touchdown(P<0.05),and significantly reduced peak vertical ground reaction force and peak horizontal backward ground reaction force(P<0.05);in addition,kinesio taping significantly reduced peak lateral ground reaction force compared with no taping and placebo taping(P<0.05).These results indicate that kinesio taping of the knee joint may improve some kinematic and kinetic indexes associated with lower limb injury risk factors during the completion of the side-step cutting in basketball specialized college students to some extent,and may have a positive effect on the prevention of injury during the side-step cutting.In addition,the trends in the effects of placebo taping and kinesio taping on the knee joint are more consistent in terms of changes in some indexes,suggesting that there may be a placebo effect on the mechanism of action of kinesio taping.

Background::Limited information exists regarding the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on psoriasis patients. The objective of this study was to identify clinical factors associated with the prognosis of psoriasis following SARS-CoV-2 infection.Methods::A retrospective, multicenter study was conducted between March and May 2023. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related psoriasis outcomes. The study included 2371 psoriasis patients from 12 clinical centers, with 2049 of them having been infected with SARS-CoV-2.Results::Among the infected groups, lower exacerbation rates were observed in individuals treated with biologics compared to those receiving traditional systemic or nonsystemic treatments (22.3% [236/1058] vs. 39.8% [92/231] vs. 37.5% [140/373], P <0.001). Psoriasis progression with lesions (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 8.197, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 5.685–11.820, compared to no lesions), hypertension (adjusted OR = 1.582, 95% CI = 1.068–2.343), traditional systemic (adjusted OR = 1.887, 95% CI= 1.263–2.818), and nonsystemic treatment (adjusted OR= 1.602, 95% CI= 1.117–2.297) were found to be associated with exacerbation of psoriasis after SARS-CoV-2 infection, but not biologics (adjusted OR = 0.931, 95% CI = 0.680–1.274, compared to no treatment), according to multivariable logistic regression analysis. Conclusions::A reduced risk of psoriasis exacerbation after SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed with biologics compared to traditional systemic and nonsystemic treatments. Significant risk factors for exacerbation after infection were identified as existing psoriatic lesions and hypertension.

Objective To investigate the effect of glycine N-methyl transferase (GNMT)on intrauterine adhesion (IUA)fibrosis and its related mechanism.Methods In vivo experiment:A total of 36 healthy female SD rats (SPF grade,6～8 weeks old and weighing from 180～220 g)were subjected in this study.IUA model of SD rats and IUA model of GNMT overexpressed rats were established.RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence assay were applied to detect GNMT expression level in normal uterus and model group.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein levels of fibrosis-related molecules and the activation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway in each group.The number of endometrial glands in each group was observed by HE staining.Masson staining was used to analyze the severity of endometrial fibrosis in each group.In vitro experiment:transformed human endometrial stromal cells (THESCs)fibrotic phenotype model was constructed using TGF-β1,and THESCs stably transfected with GNMT overexpression lentvirus were treated with TGF-β1.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of fibrosis-related molecules.The expression of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway was detected by Western blotting.TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway was activated by TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway activator (SRI-011381),and the expression of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway and key molecular proteins of fibrosis phenotype was measured with Western blotting.Results In vivo experiment,the mRNA and protein expression levels of GNMT were significantly decreased in the IUA rats than the control rats (P<0.05).Overexpression of GNMT decreased the mRNA and protein levels of fibrosis related molecules,Collagen Ⅰ,Collagen Ⅲ and FN in the IUA rats (P<0.05),and decreased the phosphorylation levels of TGF-β1 and its downstream Smad3 protein (P<0.05).HE and Masson staining showed that overexpression of GNMT could increase the number of endometrial glands and reduce the severity of fibrosis in the IUA rats (P<0.05).In vitro experiments:overexpression of GNMT decreased the mRNA and protein levels of Collagen Ⅰ,Collagen Ⅲ and FN associated with fibrotic phenotype of THESCs (P<0.05),and reduced the phosphorylation level of Smad3 protein,downstream of TGF-β1 (P<0.05).After activation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway,the protein levels of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway and downstream fibrosis phenotype molecules,Collagen Ⅲ and FN,were significantly decreased in the LV-GNMT+SRI-011381 group.Conclusion Overexpression of GNMT can inhibit endometrial fibrosis by regulating TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway,thus achieving therapeutic effect on IUA.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of Helicobacter pylori-immunoglobulin G (Hp-IgG) antibody combined with serum secretory protein Dikkopf-associated protein 1 (DKK1) and soluble B7 homolog 3 (sB7-H3) in early gastric cancer (EGC) . Methods:Forty-eight patients with EGC admitted to Nantong Haimen People's Hospital of Jiangsu Province from June 2020 to August 2023 were selected as the study objects (EGC group). Fifty patients with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) diagnosed in the same period were selected as CAG group, and 58 healthy subjects were selected as control group. Hp-IgG antibody was detected by colloidal gold method, and serum DKK1, sB7-H3 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The value of serum Hp-IgG antibody, DKK1 and sB7-H3 in differential diagnosis of CAG and EGC was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the consistency of differential diagnosis was evaluated by Kappa consistency test.Results:The positive rates of Hp-IgG antibody in the control group, CAG group, and EGC group were 36.21% (21/58), 72.00% (36/50), and 89.58% (43/48), respectively. The levels of DKK1 in the three groups were (13.78±3.35), (21.36±4.52), and (38.86±7.24) μg/L, respectively, and the levels of sB7-H3 were (7.63±1.59), (12.34±3.64), and (25.35±5.27) μg/L, respectively. There were statistically significant differences ( χ2=34.51, P<0.001; F=316.95, P<0.001; F=314.22, P<0.001). Compared with the control group, the positive rates of Hp-IgG antibody, DKK1 and sB7-H3 levels were all higher in the CAG group and EGC group (all P<0.05). Compared with the CAG group, the positive rates of Hp-IgG antibody, as well as the levels of DKK1 and sB7-H3 were all higher in the EGC group (all P<0.05). Among the CAG patients, 36 had positive Hp-IgG antibody and 14 had negative results. The levels of DKK1 were (22.18±4.84), (16.33±3.57) μg/L in the positive and negative patients, respectively, and the levels of sB7-H3 were (12.83±3.84), (9.33±2.32) μg/L, respectively. There were statistically significant differences ( t=4.10, P<0.001; t=3.18, P=0.003). There were 43 positive and 5 negative cases of Hp-IgG antibody in EGC patients, with serum DKK1 levels of (39.66±7.61) μg/L and (30.05±5.23) μg/L, and sB7-H3 levels of (26.18±5.62) μg/L and (16.24±4.25) μg/L, respectively, and there were statistically significant differences ( t=2.74, P=0.009; t=3.82, P<0.001). ROC curve showed that, the area under the curve (AUC) of Hp-IgG antibody for differential diagnosis of CAG and EGC was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.72-0.88), with a sensitivity of 72.00% and a specificity of 89.58%, while the DKK1 AUC for the differential diagnosis of CAG and EGC was 0.90 (95% CI: 0.82-0.95), and the optimal cutoff value was 28.32 μg/L, with a sensitivity of 70.00% and a specificity of 95.83%; sB7-H3 AUC for the differential diagnosis of CAG and EGC was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.78-0.92), and the optimal cutoff value was 16.44 μg/L, with a sensitivity of 70.00% and a specificity of 95.83%; the AUC of the three combined for the differential diagnosis of CAG and EGC was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.89-0.98), with a sensitivity of 90.00% and a specificity of 87.50%; and the combination of the three was superior to each of the Hp-IgG antibody, DKK1, and sB7-H3 alone for the differential diagnosis of CAG and EGC ( Z=3.62, P<0.001; Z=2.13, P=0.035; Z=2.69, P=0.016). The Kappa consistency test showed that the serum Hp-IgG antibody combined with DKK1 and sB7-H3 for the differential diagnosis of CAG and EGC was in better agreement with histopathological examination (Kappa=0.78) . Conclusion:Hp-IgG antibody positive rate, serum DKK1 and sB7-H3 levels of EGC patients are high, and the combination of the three tests is more effective in the differential diagnosis of CAG and EGC.