Objective To analyze the urban drinking water quality and its influencing factors in Anhui Province from 2014 to 2022, and to provide a scientific basis for water quality improvement and protection. Methods The data were collected, saved and monitored according to the Standard Test Method for Drinking Water (GB/T5750-2006) and evaluated according to the Hygienic Standard for Drinking Water (GB 5749-2006). Results A total of 20 941 samples were collected, and the overall qualified rate was 84.26%. The qualified rate of urban drinking water increased from 76.9% in 2014 to 93.3% in 2022, and the qualified rate of water quality was on the rise (χ²=544.43, P＜0.01). From 2014 to 2022, the qualified rate of water quality in dry season was higher than that in wet season (χ²=35.98, P<0.001), the qualified rate of surface water was higher than that of ground water (χ²=4440.8, P<0.001), and the qualified rate of peripheral tap water was higher than that of factory water (χ²=145.1, P<0.001). Among all kinds of disinfection methods, chlorination disinfection had the highest qualified rate (χ²=1483.8, P<0.001). The qualified rate of water quality increased with the increase of the scale of water plant. Among the inspected indicators, the main unqualified indicators were chlorine dioxide (7.72%), fluoride (7.41%), free residual chlorine (3.90%), and total bacterial count (2.13%). Conclusion The passing rate of urban drinking water quality in Anhui Province is on an upward trend, and the quality of urban drinking water has improved. However, it is still important to pay attention to the problem of excessive microorganism and fluoride in water, and the quality of drinking water varies from place to place.

Intraoperative cell salvage (IOCS) has been widely applied as an important blood conservation measure in surgical operations. However, there is currently a lack of clinical practice guidelines for the implementation of IOCS in patients with malignant tumors. This report aims to provide clinicians with recommendations on the use of IOCS in patients with malignant tumors based on the review and assessment of the existed evidence. Data were derived from databases such as PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library and Wanfang. The guideline development team formulated recommendations based on the quality of evidence, balance of benefits and harms, patient preferences, and health economic assessments. This study constructed seven major clinical questions. The main conclusions of this guideline are as follows: 1) Compared with no perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion (NPABT), perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion (PABT) leads to a more unfavorable prognosis in cancer patients (Recommended); 2) Compared with the transfusion of allogeneic blood or no transfusion, IOCS does not lead to a more unfavorable prognosis in cancer patients (Recommended); 3) The implementation of IOCS in cancer patients is economically feasible (Recommended); 4) Leukocyte depletion filters (LDF) should be used when implementing IOCS in cancer patients (Strongly Recommended); 5) Irradiation treatment of autologous blood to be reinfused can be used when implementing IOCS in cancer patients (Recommended); 6) A careful assessment of the condition of cancer patients (meeting indications and excluding contraindications) should be conducted before implementing IOCS (Strongly Recommended); 7) Informed consent from cancer patients should be obtained when implementing IOCS, with a thorough pre-assessment of the patient's condition and the likelihood of blood loss, adherence to standardized internally audited management procedures, meeting corresponding conditions, and obtaining corresponding qualifications (Recommended). In brief, current evidence indicates that IOCS can be implemented for some malignant tumor patients who need allogeneic blood transfusion after physician full evaluation, and LDF or irradiation should be used during the implementation process.

OBJECTIVE: To explore decompression strategies for lateral lumbar spinal stenosis under unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) assistance. METHODS: A clinical data of 86 patients with lateral lumbar stenosis treated with UBE-assisted intervertebral decompression between September 2022 and December 2023 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 42 males and 44 females with an average age of 63.6 years (range, 45-79 years). The disease duration ranged from 6 to 14 months (mean, 8.5 months). Surgical levels included L _{2, 3} in 3 cases, L _{3, 4} in 26 cases, L _{4, 5} in 42 cases, and L ₅, S ₁ in 15 cases. According to Lee's grading system, there were 21 cases of grade 1, 37 cases of grade 2, and 28 cases of grade 3 for lumbar spinal stenosis. Based on the location of stenosis and clinical symptoms, the 33 cases underwent interlaminar approach, 7 cases underwent interlaminar approach with auxiliary third incision, 26 cases underwent contralateral inclinatory approach, and 20 cases underwent paraspinal approach; then, the corresponding decompression procedures were performed. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate lower back/leg pain before operation and at 1 and 3 months after operation, while Oswestry disability index (ODI) was used to evaluate spinal function. At 3 months after operation, the effectiveness was evaluated using the modified MacNab evaluation criteria. The spinal stenosis and decompression were evaluated based on Lee's grading system using lumbar MRI before operation and at 3 months after operation. RESULTS: All procedures were successfully completed with mean operation time of 95.1 minutes (range, 57-166 minutes). Dural tears occurred in 2 cases treated with interlaminar approach with auxiliary third incision. All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 3-10 months (mean, 5.9 months). The clinical symptoms of the patients relieved to varying degrees. The VAS scores and ODI of lower back and leg pain at 1 and 3 months after operation significantly improved compared to preoperative levels ( P<0.05), and the indicators at 3 months significantly improved than that at 1 month ( P<0.05). According to the modified MacNab evaluation criteria, the effectiveness at 3 months after operation was rated as excellent in 52 cases, good in 21 cases, and poor in 13 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 84.9%. No lumbar instability was detected on flexion-extension X-ray films during follow-up. The Lee's grading of lateral lumbar stenosis at 2 days after operation showed significant improvement compared to preoperative grading ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION For lateral lumbar spinal stenosis, UBE-assisted decompression of the spinal canal requires the selection of interlaminar approach, interlaminar approach with auxiliary third incision, contralateral inclinatory approach, and paraspinal approach based on preoperative imaging findings and clinical symptoms to achieve better effectiveness.
Humans ; Spinal Stenosis/diagnostic imaging* ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections in wild rodents in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, so as to provide insights into formulation of technical guidelines for monitoring of and the precise control strategy for S. japonicum infections in wild rodents during the elimination phase. Methods Two administrative villages where schistosomiasis was historically highly prevalent were selected each from Dongzhi County, Anhui Province, and Duchang County, Jiangxi Province as study villages. Wild rodents were captured from study villages with baited traps or cages at night in June and September, 2021. The number of rodents captured was recorded, and the rodent species was characterized based on morphologi-cal characteristics. Liver tissues were sampled from captured rodents for macroscopical observation of the presence of egg granu- lomas, and S. japonicum infection was detected simultaneously using liver tissue homogenate microscopy, examinations of mesenteric tissues for parasites, and modified Kato-Katz thick smear technique (Kato-Katz technique). A positive S. japonicum infection was defined as detection of S. japonicum eggs or adult worms by any of these methods. The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents were compared in different study villages and at different time periods, and the detection of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents was compared by different assays. Results The overall rate of wild ro- dent capture was 8.28% (237/2 861) in Dongzhi County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 9.24% (133/1 439) and 7.31% (104/1 422) in two study villages (χ² = 3.503, P = 0.061), and were 8.59% (121/1 409) and 7.99% (116/1 452) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.337, P = 0.561). The overall rate of wild rodent capture was 3.72% (77/2 072) in Duchang County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 6.91% (67/970) and 0.91% (10/1 102) in two study villages (χ² = 51.901, P < 0.001), and were 4.13% (39/945) and 3.37% (38/1 127) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.815, P = 0.365). Rattus norvegicus was the predominant rodent species captured in both counties, accounting for 70.04% (166/237) of all captured wild rodents in Dongzhi County and 88.31% (68/77) in Duchang County. No S. japonicum infection was detected in wild rodents captured in Duchang County. Nevertheless, the overall prevalence of S. japonicum infections was 51.05% (121/237) in wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, with prevalence rates of 50.38% (67/133) and 51.92% (54/104) in two study villages (χ² = 0.098, P = 0.755), and 54.31% (63/116) and 47.93% (58/121) in September and June, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.964, P = 0.326). Of 237 wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, there were 140 (59.07%) rodents with visible hepatic egg granulomas, 117 (49.47%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs by liver tissue homogenate microscopy, 34 (14.35%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with Kato-Katz technique; however, no adult S. japonicum worms were detected in mesenteric tissues. In addition, hepatic egg granulomas were found in all wild rodents tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with liver tissue homogenate microscopy. Conclusions The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents vary greatly in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, and the prevalence of S. japonicum infection is slightly higher in wild rodents captured in autumn than in summer. Liver tissue is recommended as the preferred sample for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents, and a combination of macroscopical observation of hepatic egg granulomas and liver tissue homogenate microscopy may be a standard method for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents.

O-acetyl-L-homoserine (OAH) is a promising platform compound for the production of L-methionine and other valuable compounds, while its low yield and low conversion rate limit the industrial application. To solve these problems, we constructed a strain for high OAH production with the previously constructed L-homoserine producer Escherichia coli HS33 as the chassis by systematic metabolic engineering. Firstly, PEP accumulation, pyruvate utilization, and OAH synthesis pathway (overexpressing aspB, aspA, and thrA^C1034T) were enhanced to obtain an initial strain accumulating 13.37 g/L OAH. Subsequently, the co-factor synthesis genes were integrated to supply reducing power and energy, which increased the yield to 15.79 g/L. The OAH yield of the engineered strain OAH28 was further increased to 17.49 g/L by strengthening the acetic acid reuse pathway, improving the supply of acetyl-CoA, and regulating the expression of MetX from different sources. Finally, in a 5 L fermenter, OAH28 achieved an OAH titer of 47.12 g/L, with a glucose conversion rate of 32% and productivity of 0.59 g/(L·h). The results lay a foundation for increasing the OAH production by metabolic engineering and give insights into the industrial production of OAH.
Metabolic Engineering/methods* ; Escherichia coli/genetics* ; Homoserine/biosynthesis* ; Fermentation

Concrete is widely used in building construction, civil engineering, roads, bridges, etc., but concrete cracking remains a major issue in the engineering industry. To develop an effective and feasible concrete repair technology, this study combined microbial and microencapsulation technologies to prepare a multi-layer compound microcapsule using the piercing method. The formulation and drying method of microcapsules were optimized by taking their embedding rate and mechanical properties as evaluation criteria. The calcium transcrystallization process of microcapsules and the crystal form of products were characterized and compared with the calcium transcrystallization process in free cells. Finally, the effects of microcapsule incorporation on mechanical properties, impermeability, and self-healing performance of concrete specimens were then tested. The results showed that the air-dried multi-layer compound microcapsules, formulated with 1.0% wet cells of Bacillus cereus, 1.5% calcium chloride, 3.0% sodium alginate, 5.0% nutrients, 6.0% glycerol, 0.6% chitosan, and 2.0% urea, achieved an embedding rate of 95.3%, a rupture force of 60.0 N and a hardness of 150.8 N. These microcapsules can transform from a solid state to a flowing colloidal state when the microorganisms inside undergo a calcium formation reaction. Both the microcapsules and free cells produced stable calcite crystal forms of calcium carbonate through the calcium conversion reaction, with the microcapsules producing more uniform-sized particles, which are more conducive to accumulation in cracks, thereby enhancing the stability of repair. When microcapsules were incorporated into the concrete specimen at a content of 0.45%, the flexural strength of the specimen increased by 17.3%, and the compressive strength increased by 12.3%. In the water impermeability test, specimens with microcapsules demonstrated better impermeability compensation for the cement concrete than those with free cells. The self-healing effect of cracks proved that multi-layer compound microcapsules could completely repair cracks up to 0.7 mm wide, and a repair rate of 95% for 0.8 mm wide cracks. In this study, a multi-layer compound microcapsule was developed to protect microorganisms in concrete and provide nutrients required for their growth, which provided a new idea for microbial induced calcium carbonate precipitation in concrete crack repair.
Construction Materials ; Capsules/chemistry* ; Bacillus cereus/metabolism* ; Alginates/chemistry*

Clostridium perfringens is a common Gram-positive anaerobic conditioned pathogen,widely existing in nature,which can cause diarrhea,gas gangrene,and other diseases.Antibiotics are used in the clinical treatment of Clostridium perfringens infection,but the bacteria will devel-op resistance through mutation,drug-resistant plasmid transmission,and other ways,so that Clos-tridium perfringens can survive under the environmental pressure of antibiotics.Therefore,it is very important to find and develop new preparations to replace antibiotics or as feed additives to target the removal of Clostridium perfringens from the body or to prevent infection.In this study,a virulent Clostridium perfringens phage vB_CPP_AT was isolated from sewage by double plate method.The morphology of the bacteriophage was observed by transmission electron microscope.The biological characteristics of the bacteriophage were analyzed by lytic spectrum,MOI,pH,and temperature tolerance.The results showed that the vB_CPP_AT belongs to the Podoviridae.It would grow explosively at 60 min with an optimal MOI of 0.1.The vB_CPP_AT only lyse Clos-tridium perfringens and the lytic rate was 40％(8/20).No cleavage reaction occurred with other bacteria tested.The phage had good thermal stability and acid-base tolerance.Genomic analysis re-vealed that the phage had double-stranded DNA with a total length of 16 790 bp,and 20 open read-ing frames.Genomic analysis of vBCPPAT showed that it was a new virulent phage of Clostridi-um perfringens.The results laid a foundation for the clinical treatment of Clostridium perfringens with phage.

Objective To compare the effects of two exercise intensities on metabolic syndrome(MS).Methods Forty-nine MS patients hospitalized in Taiyuan Central Hospital from December,2022 to January 2024 were selected and randomly divided into two groups:a standard group(n=24)and individual group(n=25).All patients underwent cardiopulmonary exercise test(CPET)before and after treatment,collecting major indexes including body parameter,body component,and metabolic indicator for prescribing exercise programs.The standard group was trained with exercise intensity prescribed on heart rate reserve,while the individual group received the exercise with intensity prescribed on ventilatory threshold.Both groups received equal energy consumption exercise intervention with the same exercise frequency for 12 weeks.Results The two groups demonstrated significant improvements in waist circumference(WC),body mass index(BMI),body fat related indexes,and systolic blood pressure after intervention(P<0.05).The individual group showed significant improvements inWC,BMI and body fat related indexes as compared to the standard group(P<0.05).Both groups showed significant improvements in peak oxygen uptake,(PeakVO2),peak load power(Peak WR),peak metabolic equivalent(PeakMets),and peak respiratory exchange ratio(Peak RER)after intervention(P<0.05).The individual group presented significant improvements in peak heart rate(HRpeak),peak oxygen pulse(Peak VO2/HR),and maximum voluntary ventilation(MVV)(P<0.05)after intervention.Before intervention,the standard group demonstrated significantly higher levels in PeakVO2 and Peak MET compared to the individual group(P<0.05),but after intervention the two groups showed no significant differences in the two indexes.After the intervention,the individual group demonstrated insignificant improvements in all indexes compared to the standard group(P>0.05).Conclusions Both exercise prescriptions based on CPET can effectively improve the health-related indicators of MS patients on condition of moderate exercise intensity.However,the program prescribed based on individualized ventilatory threshold shows superiority to the program prescribed based on maximum physiological value in improving these indicators.

Objective:To investigate the clinical manifestations, pathological, and gene mutation characteristics of ABCB4 gene variant-associated cholestatic liver disease in adults. Methods:Eight adult cases of ABCB4 gene variant-associated cholestatic liver disease who were hospitalized in the Department of Hepatology, Fifth Medical Center of the People's Liberation Army General Hospital from May 2010 to December 2022 were enrolled in this study. The clinical manifestations, pathological features, gene variant features, and prognostic conditions were analyzed. Patient gene testing and biological information analysis were performed using whole-exome next-generation sequencing. SPSS 19.0 software was used to conduct descriptive analysis. Results:Among the eight adult cases of the ABCB4 gene variant, there were three males and five females, with a median age of onset of 24 (20, 37) years. There were three cases with a compound heterozygous variant in ABCB4, and the clinical phenotypes included two cases of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 3 and one case of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy overlapping with low-phospholipid-associated cholelithiasis syndrome. There were five cases with a single heterozygous variant in ABCB4, and the clinical phenotypes included two cases of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy overlapping with drug-induced liver injury and three cases of low-phospholipid-associated cholelithiasis syndrome. Imaging of all eight cases showed liver fibrosis, and six cases already had cirrhosis. All patients underwent liver histopathological examination, which mainly showed cholestasis and portal fibrosis in eight cases, small bile duct hyperplasia in seven cases, copper deposition in three cases, and cirrhosis in five cases. ABCB4 screening revealed 11 different mutations, including eight new mutations. The pathogenicity assessment showed that c.2394+82C>T (intron) was a benign mutation, and the rest were deleterious mutations. Ursodeoxycholic acid was the treatment for all patients, with a follow-up time of 7.5 (0.5, 12.7) years. One case died of end-stage liver disease, two cases developed cholestatic cirrhosis, and five cases were in stable condition. Conclusion:The adult ABCB4 gene variant-associated cholestatic liver disease are mostly single heterozygous mutations, the clinical phenotypes are diverse and overlapping, the disease is more severe in those who carried non-functional mutations.