AIM: To evaluate the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in the iris and ciliary body of Wistar rats in the endotoxin-induced uveitis(EIU), and the effect of Xuebijing injection on its expression.METHODS:A total of 65 Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: Group A(normal saline, n=5), Group B(normal saline+endotoxin-injected, n=30), and Group C(Xuebijing+endotoxin-injected, n=30). The EIU model was induced in Wistar rats of the groups B and C by injecting LPS into the plantar surfaces of the hind feet, and normal saline(15 mL/kg)or Xuebijing(15 mL/kg)were intraperitoneally administered 30 min before LPS administration. The rats of the groups B and C were further divided into 6 subgroups after LPS injection, including 6, 12, 18, 24, 48, and 72 h subgroups, with 5 rats in each group. Furthermore, the intraocular inflammation of the rats was observed at each time above, the number of infiltrating cells in the aqueous humor was counted, and the pathological changes were observed in the iris and ciliary body of rats using hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining. TNF-α expression in iris and ciliary tissue at different postoperative time points was evaluated using immunohistochemistry.RESULTS: Clinical observations indicated no signs of uveitis in the group A, signs of uveitis were observed in the group B. Both iris symptoms and damage were significantly reduced in the group C compared to the group B(P<0.01). Cell counts in the aqueous humor revealed no inflammatory cells in the group A, while the number of aqueous humor cells in the group C was significantly reduced compared to Group B(P<0.01). HE staining revealed no cellular infiltration in the group A. In the group B, some cellular infiltration was observed in the eyes at 6 h post-LPS exposure. The number of infiltrating cells increased over time, peaked at 24 h, and gradually declined thereafter. In the group C, cell infiltration was not obvious at 6 h, few at 24 h, and nearly disappeared by 48 h. Immunohistochemical staining showed higher TNF-α expression in the ciliary body and iris in the group B than in the group A(P<0.01). Compared to the group C, TNF-α expression in the group B was significantly upregulated following LPS injection(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:TNF-α expression was elevated in EIU rats, and there was a positive correlation between its mean optical density ratio and inflammation degree. Moreover, Xuebijing injection could alleviate inflammation response through the reduction of TNF-α levels.

Objective To explore the occurrence and influencing factors of MODS in elderly pa-tients with SAH.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 187 elderly SAH patients admitted in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University from January 2021 to June 2024.According to the presence or absence of MODS,they were divided into MODS group(81 cases)and non-MODS group(106 cases).Their general clinical data were compared between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for MODS in elderly SHA patients.ROC curve analysis was applied to evaluate the predictive value of the major risk factors for MODS in the patients.Results The MODS group had significantly ad-vanced age,larger proportion of modified Fisher grades Ⅲ—Ⅳ,higher APACHE Ⅱ score,and in-creased FPG level than the non-MODS group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that APACHE Ⅱ score(OR=1.108,95％CI:1.070-1.148,P=0.000)and mo-dified Fisher grade(OR=1.143,95％CI:1.095-1.194,P=0.000)were independent risk factors for MODS in elderly SAH patients.ROC curve analysis suggested that the AUC value of APACHE Ⅱ score,modified Fisher grade and their combination in predicting the occurrence of MODS in elderly SAH patients was 0.809,0.737 and 0.880,respectively,with a sensitivity of 59.35％,88.93％and 84.02％,and a specificity of 88.73％,58.52％and 81.15％,respectively.The combined detection showed better predictive performance than the indicator alone(P＜0.01).Con-clusion The incidence of MODS is quite high in elderly patients with SAH.APACHE Ⅱ score and modified Fisher grade are the main risk factors affecting the occurrence of MODS.

Xanthii Fructus contains phenolic acids, terpenoids, thiazines, flavonoids, water-soluble glycosides and other chemical components, and the toxic components are mainly water-soluble glycosides. Xanthii Fructus and its chemical constituents have pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, immune regulation, anti-oxidation and anti-tumor. They can play an important role in the prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis by regulating immunity, inhibiting inflammatory response, anti-histamine and other pharmacological effects.

Objective To explore the occurrence and influencing factors of MODS in elderly pa-tients with SAH.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 187 elderly SAH patients admitted in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University from January 2021 to June 2024.According to the presence or absence of MODS,they were divided into MODS group(81 cases)and non-MODS group(106 cases).Their general clinical data were compared between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for MODS in elderly SHA patients.ROC curve analysis was applied to evaluate the predictive value of the major risk factors for MODS in the patients.Results The MODS group had significantly ad-vanced age,larger proportion of modified Fisher grades Ⅲ—Ⅳ,higher APACHE Ⅱ score,and in-creased FPG level than the non-MODS group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that APACHE Ⅱ score(OR=1.108,95％CI:1.070-1.148,P=0.000)and mo-dified Fisher grade(OR=1.143,95％CI:1.095-1.194,P=0.000)were independent risk factors for MODS in elderly SAH patients.ROC curve analysis suggested that the AUC value of APACHE Ⅱ score,modified Fisher grade and their combination in predicting the occurrence of MODS in elderly SAH patients was 0.809,0.737 and 0.880,respectively,with a sensitivity of 59.35％,88.93％and 84.02％,and a specificity of 88.73％,58.52％and 81.15％,respectively.The combined detection showed better predictive performance than the indicator alone(P＜0.01).Con-clusion The incidence of MODS is quite high in elderly patients with SAH.APACHE Ⅱ score and modified Fisher grade are the main risk factors affecting the occurrence of MODS.

Objective To examine the compliance of and factors affecting target attainment of serum trough concentration of norvancomycin in ICU patients,and the effects of different trough concentrations on clinical efficacy and renal impairment.Methods Adult patients admitted to the Department of Critical Care Medicine of Huangshan People's Hospital and receiving intravenous infusion of norvancomycin from January 2020 to December 2022 were included.The dosing regimens and steady-state trough concentrations of norvancomycin were analyzed.The clinical efficacy and renal impairment were compared between different trough concentration levels.The compliance of trough concentration in critically ill patients with different renal functions was examined.Logistic regression analysis was performed to profile the factors possibly affecting the trough concentration of norvancomycin.Results A total of 97 patients were included.The target serum trough concentration(10-20 mg/L)was reached in only 33.0％(32/97)of the critically ill patients.The serum trough concentration was below the target in 51.5％(50/97)of the patients,above the target in 15.5％of the patients.The clinical cure rate and incidence of renal impairment were significantly different among the three groups of patients with different trough concentrations(P＜0.05).The compliance with target serum trough concentration varied with different renal function tests(P＜0.05).Augmented renal clearance and normal renal function were associated with trough concentrations lower than the target.As renal dysfunction got worse,serum trough concentration was more probably higher than the target(P＜0.05).Univariate analysis showed that daily dose,age,gender,height,weight,body mass index(BMI),APACHE Ⅱ score,sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA)score,blood creatinine,urea nitrogen,procalcitonin,concomitant septic shock,and use of norepinephrine were significantly correlated with trough concentrations of norvancomycin(P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age,SOFA score,blood urea nitrogen,gender,and norepinephrine use were independent factors affecting the serum trough concentration of norvancomycin(P＜0.05).Conclusions The serum trough concentration of norvancomycin varied with renal function states in ICU patients.It is difficult to achieve the steady-state target trough concentration(10-20 mg/L).The clinical cure rate is lower when the trough concentration is lower than the target.As the trough concentration increases,the incidence of renal impairment increases.Age,SOFA score,urea nitrogen,gender,and norepinephrine use are independent factors affecting the serum trough concentrations of norvancomycin.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of sodium stibogluconate (SSG) and liposomal amphotericin (L-AmB) as well as their combination regimen in the treatment of Kala-azar (also known as visceral leishmaniasis) in China.Methods:Clinical data of patients with Kala-azar hospitalized in the First Hospital of Lanzhou University from January 2012 to December 2021 were collected, including patient demographic information, clinical characteristics of Kala-azar, previous treatment history, therapeutic drugs, clinical efficacy and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in the treatment. The clinical characteristics, efficacy and occurrence of ADRs related to SSG and L-AmB in patients treated with SSG (SSG group) and L-AmB or SSG+L-AmB (L-AmB or SSG+L-AmB group) were analyzed by descriptive statistics.Results:A total of 44 patients were included in the analysis, including 25 males and 19 females; 25 were children (56.8%) and 19 were adults (43.2%). Thirty-seven patients (84.1%) were treated with SSG (SSG group), which was used as an initial treatment in 32 patients and was used also in previous treatment in 5 patients. Seven patients (15.9%) were treated with L-AmB, including 2 with L-AmB monotherapy and 5 with SSG+L-AmB, and all of them have been treated with SSG before. Among the 32 patients used SSG as initial treatments in the SSG group, 29 (90.6%) were clinically cured. All the 5 patients, who had been treated before, were also clinically cured after prolonged treatments. Seven patients in the L-AmB or SSG+L-AmB group were treated with a low-dose and long-term L-AmB regimen, and all of them were cured without Kala-azar recurrence. The common ADRs of SSG were abnormal liver function and elevated pancreatic enzymes; the common ADRs of L-AmB were hypokalemia and mild elevation of serum creatinine.Conclusions:The efficacy of SSG in initial treatment of patients with Kala-azar is more than 90%, and it can still be used as the preferred drug to treat Kala-azar. The monitoring of liver function and pancreatic enzymes should be paid attention to during the treatment. For patients that have been treated before, especially those with multiple Kala-azar recurrences, L-AmB or SSG+L-AmB should be advised. Low dose and long-term administration of L-AmB can obtain better efficacy and reduce the risk of ADR, and electrolytes and renal function should be monitored during the treatment.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of sodium stibogluconate (SSG) and liposomal amphotericin (L-AmB) as well as their combination regimen in the treatment of Kala-azar (also known as visceral leishmaniasis) in China.Methods:Clinical data of patients with Kala-azar hospitalized in the First Hospital of Lanzhou University from January 2012 to December 2021 were collected, including patient demographic information, clinical characteristics of Kala-azar, previous treatment history, therapeutic drugs, clinical efficacy and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in the treatment. The clinical characteristics, efficacy and occurrence of ADRs related to SSG and L-AmB in patients treated with SSG (SSG group) and L-AmB or SSG+L-AmB (L-AmB or SSG+L-AmB group) were analyzed by descriptive statistics.Results:A total of 44 patients were included in the analysis, including 25 males and 19 females; 25 were children (56.8%) and 19 were adults (43.2%). Thirty-seven patients (84.1%) were treated with SSG (SSG group), which was used as an initial treatment in 32 patients and was used also in previous treatment in 5 patients. Seven patients (15.9%) were treated with L-AmB, including 2 with L-AmB monotherapy and 5 with SSG+L-AmB, and all of them have been treated with SSG before. Among the 32 patients used SSG as initial treatments in the SSG group, 29 (90.6%) were clinically cured. All the 5 patients, who had been treated before, were also clinically cured after prolonged treatments. Seven patients in the L-AmB or SSG+L-AmB group were treated with a low-dose and long-term L-AmB regimen, and all of them were cured without Kala-azar recurrence. The common ADRs of SSG were abnormal liver function and elevated pancreatic enzymes; the common ADRs of L-AmB were hypokalemia and mild elevation of serum creatinine.Conclusions:The efficacy of SSG in initial treatment of patients with Kala-azar is more than 90%, and it can still be used as the preferred drug to treat Kala-azar. The monitoring of liver function and pancreatic enzymes should be paid attention to during the treatment. For patients that have been treated before, especially those with multiple Kala-azar recurrences, L-AmB or SSG+L-AmB should be advised. Low dose and long-term administration of L-AmB can obtain better efficacy and reduce the risk of ADR, and electrolytes and renal function should be monitored during the treatment.

ω-transaminases are able to catalyze the reversible transfer of amino groups between diverse amino compounds (such as amino acids, alkyl amines, aromatic amines) and carbonyl compounds (such as aldehydes, ketones, ketoacids). ω-transaminases exhibit great application prospects in the field of chiral amine biosynthesis because of their desirable properties, such as wide range of substrates, high stereoselectivity, and mild catalytic conditions. It is therefore important for China to develop efficient, specific, and environment-friendly chiral amine production technologies with independent intellectual property rights, which is of great significance for the development of pharmaceutical, pesticide, and material industries. This review systematically summarizes the Chinese patents regarding ω-transaminase filed by Chinese institutions in the recent decade. The development of ω-transaminase resource, enzymatic property improvement by protein engineering, application in chiral amine synthesis, and development of production technologies are elaborated. This review will shed light on further basic and application studies of ω-transaminase.
Transaminases/genetics* ; Amino Acids ; China ; Aldehydes ; Amines

Sialyllactose is one of the most abundant sialylated oligosaccharides in human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which plays an important role in the healthy development of infants and young children. However, its efficient and cheap production technology is still lacking presently. This study developed a two-step process employing multiple-strains for the production of sialyllactose. In the first step, two engineered strains, E. coli JM109(DE3)/ pET28a-BT0453 and JM109(DE3)/pET28a-nanA, were constructed to synthesize the intermediate N-acetylneuraminic acid. When the ratio of the biomass of the two engineered strains was 1:1 and the reaction time was 32 hours, the maximum yield of N-acetylneuraminic acid was 20.4 g/L. In the second step, E. coli JM109(DE3)/ pET28a-neuA, JM109(DE3)/ pET28a-nst and Baker's yeast were added to the above fermentation broth to synthesize 3'-sialyllactose (3'-SL). Using optimal conditions including 200 mmol/L N-acetyl-glucosamine and lactose, 150 g/L Baker's yeast, 20 mmol/L Mg²⁺, the maximum yield of 3'-SL in the fermentation broth reached 55.04 g/L after 24 hours of fermentation and the conversion rate of the substrate N-acetyl-glucosamine was 43.47%. This research provides an alternative technical route for economical production of 3'-SL.
Child ; Humans ; Child, Preschool ; N-Acetylneuraminic Acid ; Escherichia coli/genetics* ; Lactose ; Fermentation ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; Oligosaccharides ; Glucosamine

Chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) has become the first-tier testing for chromosomal abnormalities and copy number variations (CNV). This review described the clinical validation of CMA, the development and updating of technical standards and guidelines and their diagnostic impacts. The main focuses were on the development and updating of expert consensus, practice resources, and a series of technical standards and guidelines through systematic review of case series with CMA application in the literature. Expert consensus and practice resource supported the use of CMA as the first-tier testing for detecting chromosomal abnormalities and CNV in developmental and intellectual disabilities, multiple congenital anomalies and autism. The standards and guidelines have been applied to pre- and postnatal testing for constitutional CNV and tumor testing for acquired CNV. CMA has significantly improved the diagnostic yields but still needs to overcome its technical limitations and face challenges of new technologies. Guiding and governing CMA through expert consensus, practice resource, standards and guidelines in the United States has provided effective and safe diagnostic services to patients and their families, reliable diagnosis on related genetic diseases for clinical database and basic research, and references for clinical translation of new technologies.
Child ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosomes ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Developmental Disabilities/genetics* ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability/genetics* ; Microarray Analysis ; United States