Microalgae possess high photosynthetic efficiency, robust adaptability, and substantial biomass, serving as excellent biological resources for large-scale cultivation. Malic enzyme (ME), a ubiquitous metabolic enzyme in living organisms, catalyzes the decarboxylation of malate to produce pyruvate, CO₂, and NAD(P)H, playing a role in multiple metabolic pathways including energy metabolism, photosynthesis, respiration, and biosynthesis. In this study, we identified the Scenedesmus quadricauda malic enzyme gene (SqME) and its biological functions, aiming to provide excellent target genes for the genetic improvement of higher plants. Based on the RNA-seq data from S. quadricauda under the biofilm cultivation mode with high CO₂ and light energy transfer efficiency and small water use, a highly expressed gene (SqME) functionally annotated as ME was cloned. The physicochemical properties of the SqME-encoded protein were systematically analyzed by bioinformatics tools. The subcellular localization of SqME was determined via transient transformation in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. The biological functions of SqME were identified via genetic transformation in Nicotiana tabacum, and the potential of SqME in the genetic improvement of higher plants was evaluated. The ORF of SqME was 1 770 bp, encoding 590 amino acid residues, and the encoded protein was located in chloroplasts. SqME was a NADP-ME, with the typical structural characteristics of ME. The ME activity in the transgenic N. tabacum plant was 1.8 folds of that in the wild-type control. Heterologous expression of SqME increased the content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll by 20.9%, 26.9%, and 25.2%, respectively, compared with the control. The transgenic tobacco leaves showed an increase of 54.0% in the fluorescence parameter NPQ and a decrease of 30.1% in Fo compared with the control. Moreover, the biomass, total lipids, and soluble sugars in the transgenic tobacco leaves enhanced by 20.5%, 25.7%, and 9.5%, respectively. On the contrary, the starch and protein content in the transgenic tobacco leaves decreased by 22.4% and 12.2%, respectively. Collectively, the SqME-encoded protein exhibited a strong enzymatic activity. Heterologous expressing of SqME could significantly enhance photosynthetic protection, photosynthesis, and biomass accumulation in the host. Additionally, SqME can facilitate carbon metabolism remodeling in the host, driving more carbon flux towards lipid synthesis. Therefore, SqME can be applied in the genetic improvement of higher plants for enhancing photosynthetic carbon fixation and lipid accumulation. These findings provide scientific references for mining of functional genes from S. quadricauda and application of these genes in the genetic engineering of higher plants.
Nicotiana/genetics* ; Photosynthesis/physiology* ; Malate Dehydrogenase/biosynthesis* ; Plant Leaves/genetics* ; Scenedesmus/enzymology* ; Carbon Cycle/genetics* ; Lipid Metabolism/genetics* ; Plants, Genetically Modified/metabolism*

Background::Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is commonly diagnosed in women of child-bearing age, but whether pregnancy influences the prognosis of DTC remains controversial. This study aimed to summarize existing evidence regarding the association of pregnancy with recurrence risk in patients previously treated for DTC.Methods::We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Scopus based on the prespecified protocol registered at PROSPERO (CRD42022367896). After study selection, two researchers independently extracted data from the included studies. For quantitative data synthesis, we used random-effects meta-analysis models to pool the proportion of recurrence (for pregnant women only) and odds ratio (OR; comparing the risk of recurrence between the pregnancy group and the nonpregnancy group), respectively. Then we conducted subgroup analyses to explore whether risk of recurrence differed by response to therapy status or duration of follow-up time. We also assessed quality of the included studies.Results::A total of ten studies were included. The sample size ranged from 8 to 235, with participants’ age at pregnancy or delivery ranging from 28 to 35 years. The follow-up time varied from 0.1 to 36.0 years. The pooled proportion of recurrence in all pregnant patients was 0.13 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.06-0.25; I2: 0.58). Among six included studies reporting response to therapy status before pregnancy, we observed a trend for increasingly higher risk of recurrence from excellent, indeterminate, and biochemically incomplete to structurally incomplete response to therapy ( Ptrend <0.05). The pooled risk of recurrence in the pregnancy group showed no evidence of a significant difference from that in the nonpregnancy group (OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.45-1.23; I2: 0). The difference in follow-up time (below/above five years) was not associated with either the proportion of recurrence in all pregnant patients ( P >0.05) or the OR of recurrence in studies with a comparison group ( P >0.05). Two included studies that focused on patients with distant metastasis also did not show a significant difference in disease recurrence between pregnancy and nonpregnancy groups (OR: 0.51 [95% CI: 0.14-1.87; I2: 59%]). Conclusion::In general, pregnancy appears to have a minimal association with the disease recurrence of DTC with initial treatment. Clinicians should pay more attention to progression of DTC among pregnant women with biochemical and/or structural persistence.Registration::PROSPERO, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/; No. CRD42022367896.

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a traumatic disease that has transient impairment of consciousness and memory function after an external force to the head with basically normal neurological function and neuroimaging examination results. At present, research on mTBI is insufficient, resulting from early diagnosed difficulty of mTBI patients (due to mild clinical manifestations) and not suitable traditional diagnosis and treatment evaluation methods. This article reviews the research progress in the pathogenesis, auxiliary examinations, treatment principles and related diseases of mTBI, aiming to provide new theoretical basis for diagnosis and treatment of mTBI.

Objective:To explore the characteristics and data related to the degradation and biocompatibility of the domestically procuded polyglycolic acid (PGA) nerve conduit.Methods:This study was conducted in the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, the Northern Theater General Hospital between January and August 2022. PGA nerve conduits were immersed in 15 ml normal saline for in vitro experiments of degradation. The experimental period was 12 weeks. The pH of the immersion solution were tested weekly and the rates of mass loss were calculated. The in vitro experiments for biocompatibility were conducted in both of the experimental group and the control group. In the experimental group, a DMEM solution containing 10% of fetal bovine serum was used as the extraction medium, and domestically produced PGA nerve conduit was immersed in the extraction medium in the control group. An extraction medium was firstly prepared for a controlled extraction time of 72 hours±2 hours at 37 ℃±1 ℃. The pH of both experimental and control groups were tested at 24, 48 and 72 hours. The 72-hour extracts of both experimental and control groups were used to prepare the single cell suspension. The single cell suspension containing the cultured RSC 96 were separately seeded into 96-well plates for Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, to observe the effect of PGA nerve conduits on the proliferation of RSC 96. Then RSC 96 were incubated for 24 hours with the extracts of both experimental and control groups. The effect of PGA nerve conduits on the migration of RSC 96 was observed with Transwell assay. Twenty-four adult male SD rats were used and divided into experimental group and control group, with 12 rats per group, for the in vivo study of degradation and biocompatibility. Rats in the experimental group were implanted with domestically produced PGA nerve conduits, and Neurotubes, a US made nerve conduit, were implanted in the rats of control group. The PGA nerve conduits were implanted in a bluntly prepared gap between the biceps femoris muscle and the gluteus maximus muscle of the right hind limb of rats for the in vivo degradative experient. The degradation and biocompatibility of the PGA nerve conduit were evaluated by means of gross observation, tests of blood routine, liver and kidney functions and histological examinations at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after implantation. SPSS 19.0 software was used for statistical analysis of the experimental data, and the results were expressed as Mean±SD. T test was used for inter-group comparison and Turkey method was used for intra-group and inter-group comparison. P<0.05 was used to determine whether the difference was statistically significant. Results:The rate of in vitro degradation was found at 1.470%±0.026% in week 4, and thereafter, a gradually accelerated degradation rate was observed and at a 32.180%±0.040% of degradation rate in week 12. The pH of the immersion solution decreased slowly in the first 2 weeks, with the pH at 6.200±0.061 in week 2. The pH then suddenly dropped to 3.930±0.118 in week 3, and then decreased slowly, with a pH 2.560±0.003 in week 12. Both MTT and Transwell experiments showed that the extract of PGA nerve conduits had no effect on the proliferation and migration of RSC 96, nor a significant difference existed in comparison with the corresponding control groups ( P>0.05). The experiments of in vivo degradation of PGA nerve conduits showed that the nerve conduits in both experimental and control groups had good support at week 2 after implantation. At weeks 4-12 after implantation, the nerve conduits in both groups gradually softened and collapsed, but the conduits were in one piece and not broken. The blood routine, liver and kidney functions showed no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups over the same period, and between each time point within the groups and the groups before implantation ( P>0.05). No obvious abnormal appearance of livers and kidneys was found in the rats sacrificed at each observation time point. Also, there was no obvious degeneration and necrosis of the muscle tissue around the conduits in the 2 groups, and no obvious inflammatory cells infiltration was found from the histological examinations. Morphology of the muscle tissue remained normal. Conclusion:Domestically produced PGA nerve conduit is fund good in both of biocompatibility and biodegradability. It is safe and reliable, and it provides a basis for the further experients in repair of nerve defects.

Objective:To explore the mechanism of herb-partitioned moxibustion in relieving rat intestinal inflammation by focusing on the neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs)in Crohn disease(CD)development. Methods:Rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group,a herb-partitioned moxibustion group,and a mesalazine group.The CD rat model was prepared with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid except for rats in the normal group.Rats in the normal group and model group did not receive any treatment but had the same fixation as the other groups.Rats in the herb-partitioned moxibustion group received herb-partitioned moxibustion at Qihai(CV6)and bilateral Tianshu(ST25).Rats in the mesalazine group received intragastric administration of mesalazine enteric-coated tablets.The general situation of rats in each group was recorded,and the histopathological changes in the colon were observed and scored by hematoxylin-eosin staining.The serum concentrations of NETs DNA(NETs-DNA),neutrophil elastase(NE)-DNA,and myeloperoxidase(MPO)-DNA were detected by ABC enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and the citrullinated histone 3(citH3),MPO,and NE protein and mRNA expression levels in rat colon tissue were observed by immunofluorescence and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results:Compared with the normal group,the mucosal ulcer reached the muscularis,the epithelium was incomplete,the goblet cells decreased obviously with significant inflammatory cell infiltration in the colon;the colonic mucosa damage index(CMDI)score increased significantly(P<0.01);the serum NETs-DNA,NE-DNA,and MPO-DNA concentrations increased(P<0.05);the NE,citH3,and MPO protein and mRNA expression in the colonic tissue increased significantly in the model group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the mucosal epithelium in the herb-partitioned moxibustion group and the mesalazine group was repaired and the goblet cells increased with a few infiltrating inflammatory cells in the colon;the CMDI score decreased(P<0.01);the serum NETs-DNA,NE-DNA,and MPO-DNA concentrations decreased(P<0.05);the NE,citH3,and MPO protein and mRNA expression in the colonic tissue was down-regulated(P<0.01 or P<0.05). Conclusion:Herb-partitioned moxibustion reduced the serum NETs complex and inhibited the protein and mRNA expression of NETs complex in the colon tissue,which may be one mechanism of herb-partitioned moxibustion in relieving colon mucosal inflammation in CD.

Objective To explore the effect of lung protective ventilation strategy in artificial pneumothorax in full laparoscopic radical resection of esophageal cancer.Methods 88 patients were selected from January 2021 to March 2023 for the treatment of artificial pneumothorax with full laparoscopic radical resection of esophageal cancer.They were randomly divided into two groups.44 patients underwent conventional ventilation as the control group,and 44 patients underwent lung-protective ventilation strategy as the experimental group,and the different effects produced by the above different ventilation modes were analyzed.Results There were no significant differences in pH and partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PCO2)between the experimental group and the control group at the 10 min after endotracheal intubation(T1),1 h after single lung ventilation(T2),after surgery(T3),and 24 h after surgery(T4)(P＞0.05).The oxygenation index at the time points of T1,T2,T3 and T4,there were significant differences between the two groups(P＜0.05).The experimental group and the control group had significant differences in static lung compliance(Cs),plateau pressure(Pplat),and peak airway pressure(Ppeak)at the T1,T2,and T3 time points(P＜0.05).At T1,there were no significant differences in the levels of C-reaction protein(CRP),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-8(IL-8),and interleukin-6(IL-6)between the experimental group and the control group at the time points(P＞0.05).There were significant differences of the above indicators between the two groups at T2,T3,and T4 time points(P＜0.05);The incidence of pulmonary complications was 25.00％in the control group compared with 9.09％in the experimental group,there was a significant difference(P＜0.05).Conclusion Tidal volume(VT)6 mL/kg+100.00％inhaled oxygen concentration+positive end-expiratory pressure 5 cmH2O+recruitment lung protective ventilation strategy used in artificial pneumothorax for full laparoscopic radical resection of esophageal cancer can significantly reduce intraoperative airway pressure and inhibit inflammatory reaction and increase ventilation safety.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and adverse reactions of whole-lung low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) in patients with severe/critical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methods:Eight patients with severe/critical COVID-19 treated in the Jiangyin Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University from January to June 2023 who were treated with whole-lung LDRT after deteriorating or failing to improve post-medical treatment were enrolled in this single-arm phase I clinical trial. They received anterior-posterior penetrating radiation in a supine or prone position, with a total dose range from 0.5 to 1.5 Gy and a dose weight ratio of 1∶1. The oxygenation status, inflammatory markers, and imaging changes before and after radiotherapy were analyzed, and patients were followed up for acute radiation-induced adverse reactions.Results:One week after LDRT, the SaO 2/FiO 2 or PaO 2/FiO 2 indices increased in seven patients (87.5%), inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) decreased in seven patients (87.5%), and chest CT/chest radiographs revealed a significant reduction in the extent of pneumonia involvement in 5 patients (62.5%). No evident acute radiation-related adverse reactions were observed. Conclusions:Whole-lung LDRT with a dose range from 0.5 to 1.5 Gy can reduce inflammatory markers, improve clinical symptoms, and promote inflammatory absorption in patients with severe/critical COVID-19 who responded poorly to medical treatment while not inducing acute adverse reactions.

Objective:To observe the development of elevated body temperature during surgical correction under different general anesthesias in the pediatric patients with congenital ptosis.Methods:Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ pediatric patients with blepharoptosis of both sexes, aged 2-10 yr, undergoing elective surgery for blepharoptosis correction, were divided into total intravenous anesthesia group(TIVA group) and combined intravenous-inhalational anesthesia group(CIIA group) using a random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. Anesthesia was induced with intravenous propofol 1-2 mg/kg, cisatracurium 0.15-0.25 mg/kg and fentanyl 2-3 μg/kg in both groups, and then the patients were endotracheally intubated. Anesthesia was maintained with intravenous infusion of propofol 50-200 μg·kg -1·min -1 and remifentanil 0.2-0.05 μg·kg -1·min -1 in TIVA group and with intravenous infusion of propofol 25-75 μg·kg -1·min -1 and remifentanil 0.2-0.5 μg·kg -1·min -1 and inhalation of 1%-1.5% sevoflurane in CIIA group. After completion of anesthesia induction, the nasopharyngeal temperature was continuously monitored until the end of surgery, and the occurrence of elevation in intraoperative body temperature (≥37.5 ℃) was recorded. Results:The incidence of elevated body temperature was 20% and 40% in TIVA group and CIIA group, respectively. Body temperature ≥39.0 ℃ did not occur in two groups. There was no significant difference in the incidence of elevated body temperature and constituent ratio of degree of elevation in body temperature between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:When total intravenous anesthesia and combined intravenous-inhalational anesthesia are used in the surgery for blepharoptosis correction in the pediatric patients with congenital ptosis, concurrent mild hypothermia is a non-small probability event, but it is safe to evaluate it in terms of the occurrence of malignant hyperthermia.

The Ly-6 and uPAR (LU) domain-containing proteins represent a large family of cell-surface markers. In particular, mouse Ly-6A/Sca-1 is a widely used marker for various stem cells; however, its human ortholog is missing. In this study, based on a systematic survey and comparative genomic study of mouse and human LU domain-containing proteins, we identified a previously unannotated human gene encoding the candidate ortholog of mouse Ly-6A/Sca-1. This gene, hereby named LY6A, reversely overlaps with a lncRNA gene in the majority of exonic sequences. We found that LY6A is aberrantly expressed in pituitary tumors, but not in normal pituitary tissues, and may contribute to tumorigenesis. Similar to mouse Ly-6A/Sca-1, human LY6A is also upregulated by interferon, suggesting a conserved transcriptional regulatory mechanism between humans and mice. We cloned the full-length LY6A cDNA, whose encoded protein sequence, domain architecture, and exon-intron structures are all well conserved with mouse Ly-6A/Sca-1. Ectopic expression of the LY6A protein in cells demonstrates that it acts the same as mouse Ly-6A/Sca-1 in their processing and glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchoring to the cell membrane. Collectively, these studies unveil a novel human gene encoding a candidate biomarker and provide an interesting model gene for studying gene regulatory and evolutionary mechanisms.
Humans ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Pituitary Neoplasms/genetics* ; Biomarkers

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and infection regularity of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients undergoing tracheal intubation and to provide reference for the prevention and treatment of VAP infection in the future. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to collect the microbial data of airway secretion cultures from 72 patients with endotracheal intubation admitted to the emergency ward of Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital from May 2020 to February 2021, and the species of microorganisms and intubation time were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Among 72 patients with endotracheal intubation, males were more than females (58.33% vs. 41.67%); Patients over 60 years old accounted for 90.28%; pneumonia was the main primary disease, accounting for 58.33%. Pathogenic tests showed that: (1) 72 patients were infected with Acinetobacter baumannii (AB), Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) 48 hours after intubation, 51.39% (37/72), 27.78% (20/72), and 26.39% (19/72), respectively. The infection rate of AB was significantly higher than that of KP and PA. Within 48 hours of intubation, the infection rates of AB, KP, and PA were 20.83% (15/72), 13.89% (10/72), and 4.17% (3/72), respectively. Of the 42 patients with primary pneumonia, 61.90% (26/42) were infected with one or more of the three pathogenic bacteria AB, KP, and PA 48 hours after intubation, indicating a change in the etiology of the pathogenic bacteria, with the main pathogenic bacteria transitioning from other pathogenic bacteria to AB, KP, and PA. (2) AB, KP, and PA were prone to cause late onset VAP (i.e., intubation ≥ 5 days). Respectively, among VAP patients infected with AB, late onset VAP accounted for 59.46% (22/37). Among patients infected with KP, 75.00% (15/20) had late onset VAP. Among patients infected with PA, late onset VAP accounted for 94.74% (18/19), indicating a higher proportion of late onset VAP caused by PA and KP. (3) Infection was closely related to intubation time, and the pipeline can be replaced according to the peak period of infection. AB and KP infections peaked within 4 days after intubation, reaching 57.69% (30/52) and 50.00% (15/30), respectively. It is recommended to replace the tubes or undergo sensitive antimicrobial therapy around 3-4 days after starting the machine. The proportion of PA infection after 7 days of intubation was 72.73% (16/22), and it was considered to replace the pipeline after 7 days. (4) Most of the three pathogenic bacteria, AB, KP, and PA were carbapenem resistant pathogens with multiple drug resistance. Except for PA, the infection rate of carbapenem resistant bacteria (CRAB, CRKP) was significantly higher than that of non-carbapenem resistant bacteria (AB, KP), accounting for 86.54% (45/52) and 66.67% (20/30) of the corresponding infection cases, respectively, while CRPA only accounts for 18.18% (4/22). CONCLUSIONS The main differences in VAP infection caused by AB, KP, and PA pathogens are infection time, infection probability, and carbapenem resistance. Targeted prevention and treatment measures can be implemented for patients with intubation.
Female ; Male ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated ; Retrospective Studies ; China ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Acinetobacter baumannii ; Klebsiella pneumoniae