Echinocandin B (ECB) is a key precursor of the antifungal drug anidulafungin. It is a secondary metabolite of Aspergillus nidulans, and its titer in fermentation is significantly affected by the ECB synthesis pathway and cell morphology. In this study, the key genes related to the transcription activation, hydroxylation, and cell morphology during ECB biosynthesis were investigated to increase the fermentation titer of ECB and to change the cell morphology of Aspergillus nidulans to reduce the viscosity of the fermentation broth. The results indicated that after overexpression of ecdB and ecdK, the ECB titer increased by 25.8% and 23.7%, respectively, compared with that of the wild-type strain, reaching (2 030.5±99.2) mg/L and (1 996.4±151.4) mg/L. However, the deletion of fksA associated with cell wall synthesis resulted in damage to the cell wall, affecting strain growth and product synthesis. The engineered strain overexpressing ecdB was fermented in a 50-L bioreactor, in which the ECB titer reached 2 234.5 mg/L. The findings laid a research foundation for the subsequent metabolic engineering of this strain.
Fermentation ; Aspergillus nidulans/genetics* ; Echinocandins/genetics* ; Bioreactors/microbiology* ; Fungal Proteins/biosynthesis* ; Metabolic Engineering

ObjectiveTo identify the rate， population characteristics， and vaccination history of repeat infections among previously infected people in the current epidemic based on the rate of repeat infection and population characteristics of different mutant strains at different times in Pudong New Area of Shanghai， and to provide reference for the prevention and control strategies of novel coronavirus repeat infections. MethodsA total of 9 250 investigated subjects were randomly selected from the new cases of asymptomatic infection and confirmed cases reported by Pudong New Area from March to May 2022. The investigation mainly focused on demographic characteristics， nucleic acid or antigen test results， and symptoms after infection. The repeat infection rates among different populations were compared， and logistic regression was used to analyze the impact of gender， age， and vaccination status on repeat infections. ResultsThe survey sample of 9 250 people had a response rate of 81.85%. There were 4 043 males （53.40%） and 3 528 females （46.60%）， with a median age of 34 years old （P₂₅， P₇₅： 7， 61）. The overall vaccine uptake rate was 59.44% （4 500/7 571）. In December of 2022， there were 563 cases of repeat infection， with an infection rate of 7.44%. The lowest rate of repeat infection was seen in the 3‒ year-old group （2.86%） and the highest rate in the 30‒ year-old group （12.42%）， with significant differences between different age groups. The repeated infection rate for those who had completed their vaccinations was significantly lower （6.57%） compared to those who had not （7.11%）. The age groups of 3‒ years， 70‒79 years， as well as individuals who completed full vaccination and received booster shots were protective factors against repeat infections. ConclusionThe overall rate of reinfection among the infected in Shanghai during the spring of 2022 was low in the outbreak of the Omicron variant， and the rate of reinfection in the 3‒ year-old group was significantly lower than in other age groups. Completing the full course of vaccination significantly reduces the risk of reinfection. Although the reinfection rate is high in individuals who received booster shots， it remains a mitigating factor compared to those who do not receive the vaccine. It is recommended to continue monitoring reinfections in key populations and further strengthen immunization efforts.

Objective:To analyze the methylation characteristics of the lymphocyte-specific protein-tyrosine kinase (LCK) promoter region in the peripheral blood circulation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and its correlation with clinical indicators.Methods:Targeted methylation sequencing was used to compare the methylation levels of 7 CpG sites in the LCK promoter region in the peripheral blood of RA patients with healthy controls (HC) and osteoarthritis (OA) patients. Correlation analysis and ROC curve construction were performed with clinical information.Results:Non-parametric tests revealed that compared with HC [0.53(0.50, 0.57)] and OA patients [0.59(0.54, 0.62), H=47.17, P<0.001], RA patients [0.63(0.59, 0.68)] exhibited an overall increase in methylation levels. Simultaneously, when compared with the HC group [0.38(0.35, 0.41), 0.59(0.55, 0.63), 0.60(0.55, 0.64), 0.59(0.55, 0.63), 0.58(0.53, 0.62), 0.45(0.43, 0.49), 0.57(0.54, 0.61)], the RA group [0.46(0.42, 0.49), 0.70(0.65, 0.75), 0.70(0.66, 0.76), 0.70(0.65, 0.75), 0.69(0.64, 0.74), 0.55(0.51, 0.59), 0.68(0.63, 0.73)] showed a significant elevation in methylation levels at CpG sites cg05350315_60, cg05350315_80, cg05350315_95, cg05350315_101, cg05350315_104, cg05350315_128, and cg05350315_142, with statistically significant differences ( Z=-5.63, -5.89, -5.91, -5.89, -5.98, -5.95, -5.95, all P<0.001). Compared with the OA group [0.65(0.59, 0.69), 0.65(0.60, 0.69), 0.64(0.58, 0.68), 0.50(0.45, 0.54), 0.63(0.58, 0.67)], the RA group [0.70(0.66, 0.76), 0.70(0.65, 0.75), 0.69(0.64, 0.74), 0.55(0.51, 0.59), 0.68(0.63, 0.73)] exhibited a significant increase in methylation levels at CpG sites cg05350315_95, cg05350315_101, cg05350315_104, cg05350315_128, and cg05350315_142, with statistically significant differences ( Z=-3.56, -3.52, -3.60, -3.67, -3.62; P=0.036, 0.042, 0.031, 0.030, 0.030). Furthermore, Pearson correlation coefficient analysis revealed a positive correlation between the overall methylation level in this region and C-reactive protein (CRP) ( r=0.19, P=0.004) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( r=0.14, P=0.035). The overall methylation level of the LCK promoter region in the CRP (low) group [0.63 (0.58, 0.68)] was higher than that in the CRP (high) group [0.65(0.61, 0.70)], with statistically significant differences ( Z=2.60, P=0.009). Finally, by constru-cting a ROC curve, the discriminatory efficacy of peripheral blood LCK promoter region methylation levels for identifying RA patients, especially seronegative RA patients, from HC and OA groups was validated, with an AUC value of 0.78 (95% CI: 0.63, 0.93). Conclusion:This study provides insights into the methylation status and methylation haplotype patterns of the LCK promoter region in the peripheral blood of RA patients. The overall methylation level in this region is positively correlated with the level of inflammation and can be used to differentiate seronegative RA patients from the HC and OA patients.

This article reports a patient with typical Cushing syndrome′s manifestations and extremely low plasma cortisol level, indicating glucocorticoid hypersensitivity syndrome. After treatment with the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone, the patient′s Cushing symptoms were significantly relieved, and cortisol levels returned to normal. The aim of this report is to enhance clinical awareness among physicians regarding glucocorticoid hypersensitivity syndrome.

Objective To investigate the expression of miR-142-5p in oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)tis-sues and cell lines and its effects on oral squamous cell proliferation,migration,invasion and angiogenesis.Meth-ods Sixteen groups of oral tumour tissues and paraneoplastic tissues were collected,and qRT-PCR was applied to detect the expression of miR-142-5p in the tissues.The effects of miR-142-5p on cell proliferation,migration,and invasion were observed by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8),cloning,wound healing,Transwell,invasion assays,and the effect of miR-142-5p on angiogenesis was also detected by lumen formation assay.The expression of angiogene-sisrelated proteins vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGFA),vascular endothelial calreticulin(VE-cadherin),epithelial calreticulin(E-cadherin),matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2),and matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9)was detected by Western blot after overexpression of miR-142-5p.Results miR-142-5p was lowly ex-pressed in oral tumour tissues and cell lines.CCK-8 and clonogenic assays showed that miR-142-5p was inversely correlated with the proliferation of OSCC cells,wound healing and Transwell assays showed that miR-142-5p was inversely correlated with the migration of OSCC cells,and cell invasion assays showed that miR-142-5p was con-versely correlated with the invasion of OSCC cells.Analysis of lumen formation assay showed that overexpression of miR-142-5p reduced the tube length and nodes of HUVECs.Western blot assay showed that up-regulation of miR-142-5p inhibited the VEGFA,VE-cadherin,MMP2,MMP9 expression and promoted E-cadherin expression.Con-clusion Overexpression of miR-142-5p inhibites the proliferative,migratory and invasive effects of oral squamous carcinoma cells as well as angiogenesis,suggesting that miR-142-5p is a novel target for anti-tumour angiogenesis and against oral squamous carcinoma.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of Jianpiwenyang Gel(SSWYG)for treating chronic diarrhea and explore its therapeutic mechanism.Methods Eighty patients with chronic diarrhea of spleen and stomach weakness type were randomized into two groups for interventions with lifestyle adjustment and treatment with bifid triple viable capsules(control group,n=40)or naval application with SSWYG(treatment group,n=40)for one week,after which symptoms of chronic diarrhea were evaluated.The Chinese medicine system pharmacology analysis platform(TCMSP),GeneCards,NCBI,OMIM database and GEO database(GSE14841)were used to obtain the active ingredients and target proteins of SSWYG and chronic diarrhea-related targets.The key targets were obtained by topological analysis for Gene Ontology(GO)and KEGG analyses.The affinity and binding characteristics of SSWYG for specific targets were verified by molecular docking using AutoDock software.Results In both groups,gastrointestinal symptom rating scale(GSRS),Bristol Scale and TCM syndrome scores significantly improved after the treatments(P<0.05),and better effects were observed in the treatment group(P<0.05).Sixty-eight targets of SSWYG in treating chronic diarrhea were obtained,and 33 most probable ones were screened out by topological analysis.GO and KEGG analyses identified several chronic diarrhea-related pathways including the TNF and IL-17 pathways.Molecular docking study showed good affinity of the core components of SSWYG for the key targets CASP3,JNK,IL1B,IL6,and AKT1.JUN and CASP3 had the lowest binding energy and the highest stable binding energy with multiple major active ingredients of SSWYG.Conclusion SSWYG can significantly improve clinical symptoms of chronic diarrhea possibly by regulating the TNF and IL-17 as well as other pathways via CASP3 and JUN,suggesting a complex therapeutic mechanism of SSWYG involving multiple ingredients and targets and coordinated regulation of multiple pathways.

Objective To explore the expression of serum fatty acid-binding protein 4(FABP4)and fibroblast growth factor 19(FGF19)in patients with β-thalassemia and their relationship with clinical prognosis.Methods A total of 112 cases ofβ-thalassemia patients diagnosed and treated in Qianjiang Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing University from January 2018 to August 2020 were selected as the case group,and 60 healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations during the same period were taken as the control group.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect levels of serum FABP4 and FGF19 expression.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze factors affecting the prognosis of patients with β-thalassemia.Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the prognostic value of FABP4 and FGF19 in patients with β-thalassemia.Results The serum FABP4 level(67.13±11.35 μg/L)in the case group was higher than that in the control group(22.01±4.16μg/L),while the serum FGF19 level(104.24±21.46 ng/L)was lower than that in the control group(218.01±36.79 ng/L),with significant differences(t=29.708,25.620,all P＜0.05).The serum FABP4 levels(54.20±12.63 μ g/L,66.83±10.5 μ g/L,79.72±11.05 μ g/L)in the mild group,intermediate group,and severe group were increased sequentially,while FGF19 levels(122.53±22.36 ng/L,103.16±20.37 ng/L,86.53±18.14 ng/L)were decreased sequentially,and the differences were significant(F=39.701,24.231,all P＜0.05).Compared to the survival group,serum FGF19 level(62.80±22.09 ng/L vs 110.16±20.69 ng/L),Hb and the proportion of heterozygous genotypes in the death group patients(β CD17/β N,β CD41-42/β N)was lower,while serum FABP4(116.69±12.30 ng/L vs 60.05±10.17 ng/L),ferritin and the proportion of cardiac enlargement were higher,with significant differences(t/x2=4.436～18.981,all P＜0.05).FGF19(OR=0.634,95％CI:0.451～0.891)was an independent protective factor for β-thalassemia patients(P＜0.001),and serum FABP4(OR=1.840,95％CI:1.193～2.838)was an independent risk factor for prognosis(P＜0.001).The area under the curve(95％CI)of serum FABP4 and FGF19 combination in prognosis evaluation for β-thalassemia patients was 0.897(0.853～0.951),which was greater than the single serum indicator detection of 0.842(0.801～0.879)and 0.814(0.762～0.858),with significant differences(Z=4.864,5.270,P=0.002,0.001).Conclusion The serum FABP4 expression is increased,but serum FGF19 expression is decreased in patients with β-thalassemia.The combination of serum FABP4 and FGF19 may have a high predictive value for the prognosis of patients with β-thalassemia.

Objective:To investigate the status of evidence-based nursing competence among clinical nurses in tertiary grade A hospitals of Anhui province, and analyze the influencing factors based on random forest model, so as to provide reference for improving the evidence-based nursing ability of clinical nurses and formulating intervention strategies.Methods:The convenience sampling method was used to select 543 clinical nurses from 4 tertiary grade A hospitals in Anhui Province from October to December 2022. The general data questionnaire, Evidence-based Nursing Competence Scale, Information Literacy Scale, and Nurse Innovation Ability Scale were used to investigate. The random forest model was used to evaluate the importance of the influencing factors. The Lasso regression analysis was used to complete the screening of the influencing factors. The influencing factors of the evidence-based nursing competence among clinical nurses were explored by multiple linear regression analysis.Results:A total of 543 valid questionnaires were retrieved. Among 543 clinical nurses, 55 males and 388 females, aged (32.34 ± 6.93) years old. Evidence-based nursing competence scored (45.49 ± 21.18) points, information literacy scored (73.50 ± 10.47) points, innovation ability scored (126.78 ± 21.99) points. The random forest model and Lasso regression analysis showed that the model achieved the best fit with 8 variables. In order of importance, the top 8 variables were information literacy (25.78%), innovation ability (22.37%), night shift per month (9.91%), educational background (9.19%), English proficiency (8.44%), professional title (6.71%), scientific research and innovation experience (5.17%), and professional attitude (4.50%). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that information literacy, innovation ability, and English proficiency were the influencing factors of evidence-based nursing competence among clinical nurses ( t=9.17, 7.31, 2.52, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The level of evidence-based nursing ability among clinical nurses in tertiary grade A hospitals of Anhui province needs to be improved. From the perspective of improving the information literacy among clinical nurses, nursing managers can increase the training of information retrieval ability and English ability, enhance their English literature reading skills, pay attention to the cultivation of nurses' innovation ability, stimulate the innovative consciousness and thinking among clinical nurses, formulate and implement targeted interventions, so as to gradually improve the level of evidence-based nursing ability among clinical nurses.

Gynecological cancer significantly affect the health of women.This review aimed to describe the global patterns and trends in the survival of patients with gynecological cancers.We searched PubMed,Embase,Web of Science,SinoMed,and SEER for survival analyses of cancer registration data of cervical,endometrial,and ovarian cancers published between 1980 and 2022.Globally,the highest 5-year observed survival rate for cervical cancer was 76.5%in Anshan,Liaoning,China(2008-2017).The 5-year observed survival rates of endometrial and ovarian cancers were higher in Finland(1995-1999,82.5%)and Singapore(1988-1992,62.0%).The 5-year relative survival rate of cervical cancer patients was higher in Haining,Zhejiang,China(2011-2014,85.8%).Korea ranked first at 89.0%and 64.5%for endometrial and ovarian cancers,respectively.Survival rates have improved for cervical,endometrial,and ovarian cancers.Patients aged≥75 years and those with advanced-stage disease had the worst 5-year survival rates.Survival rates were better for squamous cell carcinoma in cervical cancer,for endometrial carcinoma and mucinous adenocarcinoma in endometrial cancer,and for germ cell and sex-cord stromal tumors in ovarian cancer.Over the past four decades,the survival rates of gynecological cancers have increased globally,with notable increases in cervical and endometrial cancers.Survival rates are higher in developed countries,with a slow-growing trend.Future studies should focus on improving survival,especially in ovarian cancer patients.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of Jianpiwenyang Gel(SSWYG)for treating chronic diarrhea and explore its therapeutic mechanism.Methods Eighty patients with chronic diarrhea of spleen and stomach weakness type were randomized into two groups for interventions with lifestyle adjustment and treatment with bifid triple viable capsules(control group,n=40)or naval application with SSWYG(treatment group,n=40)for one week,after which symptoms of chronic diarrhea were evaluated.The Chinese medicine system pharmacology analysis platform(TCMSP),GeneCards,NCBI,OMIM database and GEO database(GSE14841)were used to obtain the active ingredients and target proteins of SSWYG and chronic diarrhea-related targets.The key targets were obtained by topological analysis for Gene Ontology(GO)and KEGG analyses.The affinity and binding characteristics of SSWYG for specific targets were verified by molecular docking using AutoDock software.Results In both groups,gastrointestinal symptom rating scale(GSRS),Bristol Scale and TCM syndrome scores significantly improved after the treatments(P<0.05),and better effects were observed in the treatment group(P<0.05).Sixty-eight targets of SSWYG in treating chronic diarrhea were obtained,and 33 most probable ones were screened out by topological analysis.GO and KEGG analyses identified several chronic diarrhea-related pathways including the TNF and IL-17 pathways.Molecular docking study showed good affinity of the core components of SSWYG for the key targets CASP3,JNK,IL1B,IL6,and AKT1.JUN and CASP3 had the lowest binding energy and the highest stable binding energy with multiple major active ingredients of SSWYG.Conclusion SSWYG can significantly improve clinical symptoms of chronic diarrhea possibly by regulating the TNF and IL-17 as well as other pathways via CASP3 and JUN,suggesting a complex therapeutic mechanism of SSWYG involving multiple ingredients and targets and coordinated regulation of multiple pathways.