Gut microbial communities are likely remodeled in tandem with accumulated physiological decline during aging, yet there is limited understanding of gut microbiome variation in advanced age. Here, we performed a metagenomics-based enterotype analysis in a geographically homogeneous cohort of 367 enrolled Chinese individuals between the ages of 60 and 94 years, with the goal of characterizing the gut microbiome of elderly individuals and identifying factors linked to enterotype variations. In addition to two adult-like enterotypes dominated by Bacteroides (ET-Bacteroides) and Prevotella (ET-Prevotella), we identified a novel enterotype dominated by Escherichia (ET-Escherichia), whose prevalence increased in advanced age. Our data demonstrated that age explained more of the variance in the gut microbiome than previously identified factors such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or diet. We characterized the distinct taxonomic and functional profiles of ET-Escherichia, and found the strongest cohesion and highest robustness of the microbial co-occurrence network in this enterotype, as well as the lowest species diversity. In addition, we carried out a series of correlation analyses and co-abundance network analyses, which showed that several factors were likely linked to the overabundance of Escherichia members, including advanced age, vegetable intake, and fruit intake. Overall, our data revealed an enterotype variation characterized by Escherichia enrichment in the elderly population. Considering the different age distribution of each enterotype, these findings provide new insights into the changes that occur in the gut microbiome with age and highlight the importance of microbiome-based stratification of elderly individuals.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Bacteroides ; China ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/microbiology* ; Escherichia coli/classification* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics* ; Metagenomics ; East Asian People

Hypertension and its associated cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and ischemic heart disease result in a high burden of disease and health losses, making it the most burdensome disease in the world and one of the important public health issues in China. Currently Chinese scholars have carried out a large number of studies on the prevalence of hypertension, including regional and national prevalence studies. However, long-term follow-up studies on incidence of hypertension are relatively few and mostly limited to specific ages and regions. This paper summarizes the prevalence, incidence and epidemiological trend of hypertension in Chinese adults. The hypertension prevalence increased from 5.1% in 1959 to 27.5% in 2018, and presents an overall trend of high in the north and low in the south. The hypertension incidence is at a high level (the cumulative incidence was 33.4% after 22 years-follow-up), but there are few researches on the trend of hypertension incidence in huge region.

Objective:To investigate the correlation of the emm genotypes and virulence genes with the isolation sites of Group A Streptococcus (GAS). Methods:It was a retrospective study.The specimens were collected from children with impetigo in Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University from 2006 to 2008 for GAS isolation and identification.A total of 24 GAS strains were isolated from 16 children with impetigo, among which 7 pairs of strains were isolated from the throat and skin of 7 children, and 1 pair of strains was isolated from the vulva and skin of one child, and the remaining 8 GAS strains were isolated from the skin pus samples of 8 children.Polymerase chain reaction was applied to detect the emm genotypes and 13 virulence genes ( speA, speB, speC, speF, speG, speH, speI, speJ, speK, speL, speM, smeZ and ssa). The correlation of the emm genotypes and virulence genes with the isolation sites of GAS strains was analyzed. Results:In this study, four emm genotypes were detected, including emm1.0 (15/24), emm12.0 (4/24), emm22.0 (2/24) and emm160.0 (1/24), and one subtype emm12.19 (2/24) was detected as well.The carrying rates of 13 virulence genes speA, speB, speC, speF, speG, speH, speI, speJ, speK, speL, speM, smeZ and ssa were 58.3%, 100%, 91.7%, 100%, 50.0%, 12.5%, 54.2%, 66.7%, 16.7%, 25.0%, 12.5%, 100% and 91.7%, respectively.All strains carried 5 to 11 virulence genes and they all carried speB, speF and smeZ.There were significant differences in the carrying rate of speA and speJ among the strains with different emm genotypes (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the distribution of virulence genes between skin isolates and pharyngeal isolates, including the 5 pairs of strains carrying the emm1.0 genotype (all P>0.05). Conclusions:The distribution of virulence gene of GAS in children with impetigo is significantly correlated with the emm genotype, rather than the isolation site.

Objective:To evaluate inflammation early in the infarct zone and its dynamic changes after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using 18F-FDG PET imaging, and analyze its relationship with left ventricular remodeling progression (LVRP). Methods:Sixteen Bama miniature pigs (4-6 months old, 8 females) were selected. AMI models were established by balloon occlusion of the left anterior descending artery. 18F-FDG PET imaging was performed before AMI and at days 1, 5, 8, and 14 post-AMI to evaluate the regional inflammation response. 18F-FDG SUV ratio (SUVR) and the percentage of uptake area of left ventricle (F-extent) in the infarct zone, and the SUVRs of the spleen and bone marrow, were measured. Echocardiography and 99Tc m-methoxyisobutylisonitrile(MIBI) SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) were performed at the above time points and on day 28 post-AMI to assess left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and myocardial perfusion defect extent. The degree of LVRP at day 28 post-AMI was defined as ΔLVESV(%)=(LVESV AMI 28 d-LVESV AMI 1 d)/LVESV AMI 1 d×100%. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test and Pearson correlation analysis. Results:Twelve pigs were successfully modeled and completed the study. Inflammation in the infarct zone persisted until day 14 post-AMI. The SUVR of the infarct zone pre-AMI and at days 1, 5, 8, and 14 post-AMI were 1.03±0.08, 3.49±1.06, 2.93±0.90, 2.38±0.76, and 1.63±0.62, respectively ( F=49.31, P<0.001). The F-extent values in the infarct zone pre-AMI and at days 1, 5, 8, and 14 post-AMI were 0, (40.08±12.46)%, (40.00±12.76)%, (31.08±12.82)%, and 16.50%(7.25%, 22.00%), respectively ( H=37.61, P=0.001). There were no significant differences in the SUVRs of bone marrow and spleen before and after AMI ( F values: 0.69 and 0.77, both P>0.05). At day 1 post-AMI, both SUVR and F-extent in the infarct zone were significantly correlated with LVRP ( r values: 0.82 and 0.70, P values: 0.001 and 0.035). Conclusions:18F-FDG PET imaging can be used to evaluate inflammation in the infarct area and its dynamic changes after AMI. Inflammation in the infarct area is severe at day 1, and then gradually decreases. The extent and severity of inflammation visible on 18F-FDG PET imaging 1 d after AMI are closely related to LVRP.

Objective:To design a virtual simulation tutorial system for bone traction nursing of the lower limbs, and to investigate its application effect.Methods:Based on clinical cases, a 3D model was established for the fractured lower limb using the virtual simulation technique. The design of the model considered the position and mechanical relationship between bone traction and fracture ends, as well as the assessment and intervention of the condition after bone traction, and such factors were taken as the core elements of simulation design. Virtual experiments were conducted for the four scenarios of pre-hospital first aid, triage in the hospital, bone traction operation, and postoperative nursing. Such experiments were conducted among junior nursing undergraduates, and examination results and student satisfaction survey were used to evaluate the application effect of the experiments.Results:The teaching software consisted of four training modules, i.e., theoretical knowledge learning of fractures, preparation before bone traction operation, methods and principles of bone traction operation, and observation of conditions after bone traction. The final score of experiments was (90.99±0.58) points among the students, and the degree of satisfaction with the experimental system and the teaching model was 87.85% (441/502) and 63.35% (318/502), respectively.Conclusions:The virtual simulation experiments for bone traction nursing of the lower limbs are scientific, professional, and interesting and have a relatively high degree of satisfaction among students, and therefore, they can be applied in the education of nursing students and the continuing education of nurses.

Objective:To develop an inquiry learning community centered on learning experience in the course of Nursing Clinical Comprehensive Experiment to verify the influence of this teaching mode on the learning gains and practical ability of nursing students. Methods:A total of 132 undergraduate nursing students form grade 3 in Chongqing Medical University were enrolled. The participants were randomly assigned to a learning community group ( n = 69) and a control group ( n = 63) using Minitab 14.0 software. The students in the learning community group adopted the inquiry learning community mode in accordance with the curriculum map for online self-learning, group discussion and skills practice, while the control group received the teacher-led teaching mode for offline theory teaching, operation teaching and skills practice. After the teaching intervention, both groups of students received the assessment questionnaire of learning gains and the comprehensive experimental ability evaluation. Chi-square test or paired t-test was performed using SPSS 23.0. Results:Compared with the control group, students in the learning community group reported that their sense of learning gain was enhanced ( P<0.001, Cohen d=0.97); sub-items showed that the effect size for the understanding of learning content ( P<0.001, Cohen d=1.22), the overall course situation ( P<0.001, Cohen d=0.90), the course activities ( P=0.000, Cohen d=0.83), and the information obtained ( P<0.001, Cohen d=1.16) was significantly different. The total score of practical ability of comprehensive experiment was significantly improved ( P = 0.005, Cohen d=0.51), in which the experimental situation displays ( P=0.002, Cohen d=0.55) and experimental effect ( P=0.006, Cohen d=0.49) were better than the control group. There was no significant difference in the performance of experimental preparation and case analysis between the two groups. Conclusion:Developing an inquiry learning community in nursing clinical comprehensive experiment can effectively enhance student' sense of learning gains and promote the improvement of clinical practical ability.

Objective:To evaluate the left ventricular diastolic dyssynchrony (LVDD) and its influencing factors early after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using phase analysis of SPECT gated myocardial perfusion imaging (GMPI).Methods:Bama miniature swines ( n=16) were subjected to establish AMI models. GMPI was performed before and 1 d after AMI to obtain the extent of myocardial perfusion defect (Extent, %) and left ventricular systolic dyssynchrony (LVSD)/LVDD parameters, namely the phase histogram bandwidth (PBW) and phase standard deviation (PSD). Meanwhile, left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and the ratio of early to late peak mitral diastolic flow (E/A) were obtained by echocardiography. Independent-sample t test, paired t test and Pearson correlation analysis were used to analyze the data. Results:Sixteen AMI swines were successfully created. Compared to baseline, Extent, LVEDV and LVESV significantly increased on 1 d after AMI ( t values: -11.14, -4.55, -6.12, all P<0.001), while LVEF and E/A significantly decreased ( t values: 10.16, 2.18, P<0.001, P=0.046). GMPI showed that the LVDD parameters PBW and PSD increased significantly on 1 d after AMI when compared to those at baseline((142.25±72.06)° vs (33.06±8.98)°, (56.15±26.71)° vs (12.51±5.13)°; t values: -6.11, -6.60, both P<0.001). There were significant differences between LVSD parameters and LVDD parameters (PBW: (109.06±62.40)° vs (142.25±72.06)°, PSD: (44.40±25.61)° vs (56.15±26.71)°; t values: -2.73, -2.20, P values: 0.016, 0.044). LVDD parameters PBW, PSD were negatively correlated with E/A after AMI ( r values: -0.569, -0.566, P values: 0.021, 0.022), and positively correlated with the Extent ( r values: 0.717, 0.634, P values: 0.002, 0.008). The phase analysis of SPECT GMPI to evaluate LVDD showed good intra-observer and inter-observe reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC): 0.953-0.984, all P<0.001). Conclusions:LVDD occurs early on 1 d after AMI, and can reflect left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. The Extent is correlated with LVDD significantly. Phase analysis of SPECT GMPI is an accurate method to evaluate LVDD and left ventricular diastolic function.

Sarcopenia causes significant changes inskeletal muscle mass and function in the elderly, and leads to an increased incidence of related diseases, which has affected the quality of life in the elderly.The causes and mechanisms of sarcopenia are closely related to genetic and innate factors, endocrine disorders, reduced number of muscle fibers, nutritional deficiency, inflammation, immune dysfunction and other factors.This paper systematically describes the progress of studying the effects of intestinal microecology on sarcopenia, so as to provide potential targets for the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia.

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a very important pathogen, especially for children.On a global scale, GAS is an important cause of morbidity and mortality.But the burden of disease caused by GAS is still unknown in China and also has not obtained enough attention.For this purpose, the expert consensus is comprehensively described in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of GAS diseases in children, covering related aspects of pneumology, infectiology, immunology, microbiology, cardiology, nephrology, critical care medicine and preventive medicine.Accordingly, the consensus document was intended to improve management strategies of GAS disease in Chinese children.

The specific mechanisms linking chronic constipation and changes in the gut microbiota in the elderly remain unclear.This review analyzes the relationship between chronic constipation and the gut microbiota in the elderly and explores the mechanisms of the gut microbiota in the development of chronic constipation, aiming to provide new insights for novel treatments of chronic constipation in the elderly.