Microbial communities such as those residing in the human gut are highly diverse and complex, and many with important implications for health and diseases. The effects and functions of these microbial communities are determined not only by their species compositions and diversities but also by the dynamic intra- and inter-cellular states at the transcriptional level. Powerful and scalable technologies capable of acquiring single-microbe-resolution RNA sequencing information in order to achieve a comprehensive understanding of complex microbial communities together with their hosts are therefore utterly needed. Here we report the development and utilization of a droplet-based smRNA-seq (single-microbe RNA sequencing) method capable of identifying large species varieties in human samples, which we name smRandom-seq2. Together with a triple-module computational pipeline designed for the bacteria and bacteriophage sequencing data by smRandom-seq2 in four human gut samples, we established a single-cell level bacterial transcriptional landscape of human gut microbiome, which included 29,742 single microbes and 329 unique species. Distinct adaptive response states among species in Prevotella and Roseburia genera and intrinsic adaptive strategy heterogeneity in Phascolarctobacterium succinatutens were uncovered. Additionally, we identified hundreds of novel host-phage transcriptional activity associations in the human gut microbiome. Our results indicated that smRandom-seq2 is a high-throughput and high-resolution smRNA-seq technique that is highly adaptable to complex microbial communities in real-world situations and promises new perspectives in the understanding of human microbiomes.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics* ; Bacteriophages/physiology* ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Sequence Analysis, RNA/methods* ; Bacteria/virology*

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.

ObjectiveTo investigate the menstrual conditions of women infected with COVID-19 in Shanghai and analyze the influencing factors. MethodsFrom December 2022 to March 2023， menstrual data from 281 women infected with COVID-19 in Shanghai were collected with a questionnaire survey， including usual menstrual characteristics， the most recent menstrual period post-infection， symptoms of infection， and medication usage. According to the crossover period between the menstrual period and the infection period of the respondents， the samples were divided into two groups for comparative analysis： those whose menstrual and infection periods overlapped （positive group） and those whose menstruation started after conversion to virus-negative （negative conversion group）. ResultsAmong the 281 respondents， 196 （65.8%） experienced menstrual changes. Among them， 145 （51.6%） had changes in menstrual volume， color and texture， and 109 （38.8%） had changes in menstrual duration or cycle. Decreased menstrual volume （22.1%）， darker color （23.49%）， thicker texture （21.0%）， increased blood clots （16.7%）， and prolonged duration （21.8%） were observed in both groups. The rate of changes in menstrual volume， color， and texture was higher in the positive group （56.8%， 69/110） than that in negative group （37.3%， 76/171） （P<0.05）. Regarding the menstrual cycle changes， the rate of early onset was higher in the positive group （14.5%） compared to the negative conversion group （3.5%）（P<0.05）， while the rate of delayed menstruation was higher in the negative conversion group （25.1%） than that in the positive group （5.5%） （P<0.05）. Correlation analysis showed a weak association between sore throat and menstrual changes （r=0.154， P<0.05）. ConclusionSome women infected with COVID-19 experience short-term changes in their menstrual conditions， characterized by reduced volume， darker color， thick texture， increased clots， and prolonged menstrual duration， reflecting a pathogenesis of blood stasis. Menstruation during the infection period tends to occur earlier， while delayed menstruation is more prevalent at post-conversion.

Objective To investigate the effect of dioscin on uric acid(UA)-induced oxidative stress injury of human renal tubular epithelial cells(HK-2)and its molecular mechanism.Methods HK-2 cells were cultured and divided into four groups:blank group(normal group),model group(uric acid-stimulation modeling),condition control group(UA+DMSO)and dioscin group(UA+dioscin).Oxidative stress injury model was induced by UA in HK-2 cells.Cells viability was detected by CCK-8.ROS level was detected by flow cytometry.Real-time PCR was used to detect the expressions of glycogen synthase kinase 3β(GSK3β),nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)and heme oxygenase 1(HO-1)at mRNA level,and Western Blot was used to detect the expressions of phosphorylated glycogen synthesis kinase 3β(p-GSK3β),GSK3β,Nrf2 and HO-1 at protein level.Results After stimulation by UA,HK-2 cells viability was obviously decreased,and ROS level was significantly increased(all P＜0.001).When treated with dioscin,HK-2 cells viability was obviously increased,and the ROS level of HK-2 cells was significantly decreased(all P＜0.001).The expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 decreased at the protein and mRNA levels after stimulation with UA.But the expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 significantly increased after treated with dioscin(all P＜0.001).Compared with the blank group,the p-GSK3β/GSK3β ratio in the model group decreased significantly at the protein level,but the p-GSK3β/GSK3β ratio increased after treated with dioscin(all P＜0.001).Conclusion Dioscin can alleviate UA-induced oxidative stress injury in HK-2 cells.The mechanism might be that dioscin can promote phosphorylation of GSK3β,and activate Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of hyperthermia on the apoptosis and the expression levels of cysteine-containing aspartate-specific protease-3 (Caspase-3) and phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT) in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells.Methods:A prospective study was conducted on 30 patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma who were treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October, 2021 to October, 2022. Three times of hyperthermia were performed with a time interval of 24 h. The tumor tissue samples were collected from 30 patients before and after hyperthermia and divided into before hyperthermia group (group A ) and after hyperthermia group (group B). Self-control study mode was adopted for comrparative analysis. The cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay. The expression levels of Caspase-3 and p-AKT in the tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. Positive cell ratio and immunohistochemistry (IHC) score were recorded. Comparison between two groups was performed by paired t-test. The correlation between the degree of apoptosis and the changes of Caspase-3 and p-AKT molecules was assessed by Pearson correlation analysis. Results:No evident adverse reactions were observed in 30 patients after hyperthermia. The apoptosis index of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells in group A was 2.37%±1.33%, and 4.27%±3.93% in group B ( P=0.006). In group A, the ratio of Caspase-3 positive cells in tumor tissues was 62.31%±19.49% and 80.79%±17.15% in group B ( P=0.001). The ratio of p-AKT positive cells in group A was 31.26%±19.30%, and 26.26%±15.86% in group B ( P=0.023). There was a positive correlation between the degree of apoptosis and the changes of Caspase-3 molecule ( r=0.544, P=0.002), but a negative correlation was noted between the degree of apoptosis and the changes of p-AKT molecule ( r=-0.434, P=0.017). Conclusion:Hyperthermia can promote the apoptosis of tumor cells in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, which may be related to Caspase-3 dependent apoptosis, and the inhibition of AKT phosphorylation is also involved in this process.

Objective:To compare the effectiveness of awake prone positioning (APP) care combined with standardized nursing and standardized nursing care in the prevention of early postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in elderly patients with hip fracture.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 84 elderly patients with hip fracture Admitted to Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University from February 2021 to August 2021. There were 31 males and 53 females, aged 67-96 years [(82.3±6.3)years]. Fracture types were femoral neck fracture ( n=45) and intertrochanteric fracture ( n=39). Surgical procedures included closed reduction internal fixation ( n=39), hip hemiarthroplasty ( n=35), and total hip arthroplasty ( n=10). Among them, 42 patients received standardized nursing care and APP intervention (APP combined with standardized nursing care group), while the remaining 42 patients received standardized nursing care only (standardized nursing care group). The incidence rate of PPCs (including pneumonia, respiratory failure, pleural effusion, atelectasis and pulmonary edema) within 30 postoperative days, arterial oxygen pressure (PaO 2), arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO 2), arterial oxygen saturation (SaO 2) on the 4th postoperative day, difference in PaO 2 between the 4th postoperative day and emergency visit, clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS) on the 4th postoperative day, and number of adverse events related to APP were compared between the two groups. Results:All the patients were followed up for 30-90 days [(86.1±16.5)days]. The incidence rates of PPCs and type 1 postoperative respiratory failure in the APP combined with standardized nursing care group were 16.7% (7/42) and 4.8% (2/42), and were 35.7% (15/42) and 21.4% (9/42) in the standardized nursing care group (all P<0.05). The PaO 2 and SaO 2 on the 4th postoperative day, and difference in PaO 2 between the 4th postoperative day and emergency visit were (82.0±8.8)mmHg, 0.96±0.01, and 3.2 (-1.9, 8.0)mmHg in the APP combined with standardized nursing care group, and were (74.3±12.1)mmHg, 0.94±0.03, and -7.6 (-17.2, 1.1)mmHg in the standardized nursing care group (all P<0.01). The CPIS on the 4th postoperative day was 2.0 (1.0, 3.0)points in the APP combined with standardized nursing care group and 4.0 (1.0, 7.0)points in the standardized nursing care group ( P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in the incidence of pneumonia, type I respiratory failure, pleural effusion, atelectasis and pulmonary edema within 30 postoperative days, as well as PaCO 2 on the 4th postoperative day between the two groups (all P>0.05). None of the patients experienced adverse events related to APP. Conclusion:For elderly patients with hip fracture, compared with standardized nursing care, application of APP combined with standardized nursing care can significantly decrease the incidence rate of early PPCs, especially type I respiratory failure, and improve postoperative oxygenation.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for preoperative hypoxemia in geriatric patients with hip fracture.Methods:A case-control study was used to analyze the clinical data of 99 geriatric patients with hip fracture admitted to Zhongda Hospital affiliated to Southeast University between November 2020 and August 2021. There were 29 males and 70 females, aged 67-96 years [(82.6±6.2)years]. The patients were divided into hypoxemia group ( n=51) and non-hypoxemia group ( n=48) using partial arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO 2)<80 mmHg while breathing room air at emergency as the reference standard. The two groups were compared in terms of sex, age, fracture types, body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, pulmonary diseases diagnosed by preoperative chest CT [atelectasis, pleural effusion, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)], time from injury to visit, New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, Barthel index, KATZ index, modified Medicine Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, numeric rating scale (NRS), smoking, drinking, comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, Parkinson′s disease, Alzheimer′s disease, cerebral infarction, coronary atherosclerotic heart disease), body temperature, blood routine test at first examination (erythrocyte count, leukocyte count, C-reactive protein, hemoglobin), biochemistry (serum albumin, blood glucose, blood creatinine, blood urea nitrogen), electrolyte (serum potassium, serum sodium), and other related examinations [D-dimer, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), lactic acid]. Univariate analysis was performed to the correlation of those indicators with preoperative hypoxemia. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors for preoperative hypoxemia in geriatric patients with hip fracture. Results:Differences in sex, age, fracture types, BMI, pulmonary diseases diagnosed by preoperative chest CT, time from injury to visit, Barthel index, KATZ index, NRS, smoking, drinking, comorbidities, body temperature, first laboratory results of erythrocyte count, biochemistry, electrolyte and other related examinations were not statistically significant between the two groups (all P>0.05). The two groups showed statistical differences in ASA classification, NYHA classification, mMRC dyspnea scale, leukocyte count at first examination, C-reaction protein and hemoglobin (all P<0.05). Univariate analysis indicated that ASA classification, NYHA classification, mMRC dyspnea scale, leukocyte count at first examination and C-reaction protein were correlated with the occurrence of preoperative hypoxemia in geriatric patients with hip fracture (all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regressions analysis indicated that higher mMRC dyspnea scale ( OR=2.30, 95% CI 1.10-4.81, P<0.05), higher leukocyte count at first examination ( OR=1.24, 95% CI 1.05-1.45, P<0.05), higher level of C-reaction protein ( OR=1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03, P<0.05) and higher level of hemoglobin ( OR=1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.07, P<0.05) were significantly correlated with the occurrence of preoperative hypoxemia in geriatric patients with hip fracture. Conclusion:Higher mMRC dyspnea scale, higher leukocyte count, higher level of C-reaction protein and higher level of hemoglobin are independent risk factors for preoperative hypoxemia in geriatric patients with hip fracture.

Esophageal cancer is a malignant tumor of the digestive system that has a high incidence in China. The traditional treatment methods include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, but the long-term efficacy is not good and the side effects are obvious. As a traditional physical therapy, hyperthermia has no significant toxic and side effects. Studies have shown that hyperthermia can increase the sensitivity of esophageal cancer to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and its combined use in the treatment of esophageal cancer can prolong the survival and improve the quality of life. In addition, the innovation of materials and technologies brings new breakthroughs to tumor hyperthermia.

Objective:To investigate the effect of Mediterranean diet on blood glucose control and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods:As to December 2021, the PubMed, Cochrance Central Register of Controlled Trials and Cochrance Database, Cochranc Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang Medical Network system were searched for clinical randomized controlled trials(RCTs) of Mediterranean diet in patients with type 2 diabetes to conduct Meta-analysis The main observation index were cardiovascular risk factors, and the mean difference and its 95% confidence interval were used to estimate the effect size.Results:There were six RCTs, and 1181 patients met the inclusion criteria and entered the Meta-analysis. Compared with the control group, the intervention group can significantly reduce the level of systolic blood pressure ( MD=-1.20, 95% CI-2.21 to -0.19) and diastolic blood pressure ( MD=-4.17, 95% CI-7.12 to -1.22) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, but there were no significant difference in the level of TC ( MD=2.92, 95% CI-0.84 to-6.67), HDL ( MD=2.33, 95% CI-0.27 to -4.92) and LDL ( MD=-2.34, 95% CI-5.67 to -0.99) between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:The meta-analysis provided evidence the Mediterranean diet showed the beneficial improvements in blood pressure glycemic control, but the effect of Mediterranean diet on lipid profile was not significant, which needed further verification.

Objective:To analyze the risk factors for postoperative one-year mortality in elderly patients with femoral intertrochanteric fracture following multidisciplinary treatment (MDT) by intramedullary nailing.Methods:The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed of the 158 elderly patients with femoral intertrochanteric fracture who had undergone MDT by proximal femoral intramedullary nailing between January 2018 and August 2020 at Department of Orthopedics, Trauma Center, Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University. There were 41 males and 117 females with an average age of 82.5 years (from 65 to 95 years). By the modified Evans classification, there were 15 cases of type Ⅰ, 16 cases of type Ⅱ, 35 cases of type Ⅲ, 81 cases of type Ⅳ, and 11 cases of type Ⅴ. The one-year mortality was documented in the patients after surgery. To screen for risk factors, univariate analysis was conducted of gender, age, body mass index (BMI), modified Evans classification of fractures, time from injury to operation, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and comorbidities, as well as preoperative hemoglobin (Hb), serum albumin (ALB) and total lymphocyte count (TLC). The factors with P<0.05 were included in the multivariate logistic regression model analysis to determine the risk factors. Results:A total of 13 patients died within one year after surgery, yielding a mortality of 8.2% (13/158). Univariate analysis showed significant differences in age, body mass index, modified Evans classification of fractures, CCI and Hb between the surviving and dead patients ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age >85 years ( OR=0.122, 95% CI: 0.018 to 0.834, P=0.032), BMI>23.9 kg/m 2 ( OR=0.083, 95% CI: 0.013 to 0.510, P=0.007), CCI≥3 points ( OR=0.051, 95% CI: 0.090 to 0.275, P=0.001) and preoperative Hb<90 g/L ( OR=4.733, 95% CI: 1.036 to 21.624, P=0.045) were the independent risk factors for postoperative one-year mortality in the elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture following MDT by proximal femoral intramedullary nailing. Conclusions:After MDT by proximal femoral intramedullary nailing of femoral intertrochanteric fractures, the geriatric patients with an age >85 years, BMI>23.9 kg/m 2, CCI≥3 points and Hb<90 g/L are likely to die. Therefore, special care should be taken for them.