Objective: To analyze the influencing factors for anterior tibial artery atherosclerosis among patients with hyperuricemia, so as to provide insights into the prevention of anterior tibial artery atherosclerosis. Methods: Patients aged 18 years and older with hyperuricemia in Dazhou Integrated TCM & Western Medicine Hospital were enrolled as research subjects from 2020 to 2023. Demographic information and blood biochemistry indicators were collected through electronic medical records. Anterior tibial artery atherosclerosis was evaluated by color Doppler ultrasound. Factors affecting anterior tibial artery atherosclerosis among patients with hyperuricemia were analyzed by a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 1 105 patients with hyperuricemia were surveyed, including 862 males (78.01%) and 243 females (21.99%). There were 918 cases (83.08%) at the ages of 60 years and older, and 457 cases (41.36%) with a course of disease at 10 years and longer. The median level of blood uric acid was 480.79 (interquartile range, 98.28) μmol/L. There were 314 cases (28.42%) with anterior tibial artery atherosclerosis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that body mass index (≥24.0 kg/m2, OR=1.597, 95%CI: 1.185-2.151), long-term smoking history (yes, OR=1.709, 95%CI: 1.153-2.534), diabetes mellitus (yes, OR=1.517, 95%CI: 1.162-1.981), serum uric acid (≥480.79 μmol/L, OR=1.667, 95%CI: 1.131-2.457), serum creatinine (≥97 μmol/L, OR=1.685, 95%CI: 1.155-2.460), fasting blood glucose (≥6.1 mmol/L, OR=1.528, 95%CI: 1.106-2.112), fibrinogen (>4 g/L, OR=1.589, 95%CI: 1.091-2.315) and triglycerides (≥1.7 mmol/L, OR=1.879, 95%CI: 1.226-2.881) were influencing factors for anterior tibial artery atherosclerosis among patients with hyperuricemia. Conclusion Anterior tibial artery atherosclerosis among patients with hyperuricemia is associated with long-term smoking, diabetes mellitus, serum uric acid, serum creatinine, fasting blood glucose, fibrinogen and triglycerides high level.

Glaesserella parasuis is the causative agent of Gl?sser's disease in pigs.However,the pathogenic mechanisms underlying its virulence is not yet fully understood.The RuvB protein,a member of the AAA+superfamily,is implicated in various cellular processes,yet its specific role in the virulence of Glaesserella parasuis has not been fully characterized.In this study,we con-structed a RuvB gene deletion mutant,designated ΔRuvB,using the serotype 13 Glaesserella pa-rasuis strain ZJ1208 and a suicide plasmid-mediated natural transformation approach.To elucidate the functional role of the RuvB gene,we comprehensively evaluated the biological characteristics of the ΔRuvB strain through a series of assays,including growth kinetics,colony morphology,bac-terial staining,transmission electron microscopy(TEM),osmotic stress tolerance,high-tempera-ture tolerance,heat shock resistance,UV resistance,capsular polysaccharide quantification,serum bactericidal assays,and murine virulence experiments.Our findings revealed that the growth rate of ΔRuvB showed no significant difference compared to the parental strain.TEM revealed a notable increase in bacterial cell length;however,the number of outer membrane vesicles(OMVs)on the surface of ΔRuvB did not significantly increase.Notably,the ΔRuvB strain displayed a significant reduction in capsular polysaccharide production and serum resistance,as well as diminished toler-ance to UV radiation and high temperatures.Significant alterations were observed in its resistance to osmotic stress or oxidative stress.In the mouse toxicity challenge experiment,in com-parison with the parental strain ZJ1208,the mortality rate dropped by 20 percentage points,suggesting that the virulence of ΔRuvB has been weakened to some extent.Collectively,these results underscore the critical role of the RuvB gene in enhancing the environmental adaptability of Glaesserella parasuis.

The aim of this paper was to investigate the serotypes,virulence factors and drug resist-ance of clinical isolates of Pasteurella rnultocida of porcine origin in recent years.Morphological screening and polymerase chain reaction(PCR)were used to isolate and identify 119 isolates from nasal swabs and lung tissue samples sent from swine farms in Zhejiang Province from 2010 to 2024.The isolates of Pasteurella multocida were subjected to capsular polysaccharide serotyping,lipopolysaccharide serotyping,virulence factor detection and drug resistance analysis by PCR and Kirby-Bauer disc agar diffusion method(K-B).The results showed that there were 64 strains(53.7％)of A-type,54 strains(45.3％)of D-type and 1 strain(0.9％)of F-type among the capsu-lar polysaccharide serotypes,and 10 strains(8.4％)of L1-type,20 strains(16.8％)of L3-type,86 strains(72.2％)of L6-type,and 3 strains(2.6％)of undetermined type among the lipopolysaccha-ride serotypes.The amplification results of 10 virulence genes showed that the detection rate of virulence genes hgbA,higbB and fimA was over 86.0％,the detection rate of toxA was 8.4％,while the virulence gene tbpA was not detected.There were also differences in the distribution vir-ulence genes in different capsular polysaccharide serotypes.Virulence factor pfhA was detected in type A and F but not in type D.The detection rate of adhesin gene tadD in serotype A(92.2％)was significantly higher than that of type D(9.3％),and,on the contrary,the detection rate of ad-hesin gene hsf-l in serotype D(90.7％)was significantly higher than that of type A(20.3％).Drug resistance analysis revealed that Pasteurella multocida showed high susceptibility to antimi-crobial drugs such as amoxicillin,ampicillin,cephalosporins,doxycycline,fosfenicol and ciprofloxa-cin,and showed strong resistance to antimicrobial drugs such as lincomycin,cotrimoxazole,genta-micin and amikacin,and there were 54 multi-drug resistant strains(78.3％).In summary,capsular polysaccharide serotypes were dominated by type A and D,lipopolysaccharide serotypes were dom-inated by L6,the distribution of some virulence genes varied greatly among different serotypes,and the proportion of multi-resistant strains was high,which provide reference for the prevention and control of this disease.

Glaesserella parasuis is the causative agent of Gl?sser's disease in pigs.However,the pathogenic mechanisms underlying its virulence is not yet fully understood.The RuvB protein,a member of the AAA+superfamily,is implicated in various cellular processes,yet its specific role in the virulence of Glaesserella parasuis has not been fully characterized.In this study,we con-structed a RuvB gene deletion mutant,designated ΔRuvB,using the serotype 13 Glaesserella pa-rasuis strain ZJ1208 and a suicide plasmid-mediated natural transformation approach.To elucidate the functional role of the RuvB gene,we comprehensively evaluated the biological characteristics of the ΔRuvB strain through a series of assays,including growth kinetics,colony morphology,bac-terial staining,transmission electron microscopy(TEM),osmotic stress tolerance,high-tempera-ture tolerance,heat shock resistance,UV resistance,capsular polysaccharide quantification,serum bactericidal assays,and murine virulence experiments.Our findings revealed that the growth rate of ΔRuvB showed no significant difference compared to the parental strain.TEM revealed a notable increase in bacterial cell length;however,the number of outer membrane vesicles(OMVs)on the surface of ΔRuvB did not significantly increase.Notably,the ΔRuvB strain displayed a significant reduction in capsular polysaccharide production and serum resistance,as well as diminished toler-ance to UV radiation and high temperatures.Significant alterations were observed in its resistance to osmotic stress or oxidative stress.In the mouse toxicity challenge experiment,in com-parison with the parental strain ZJ1208,the mortality rate dropped by 20 percentage points,suggesting that the virulence of ΔRuvB has been weakened to some extent.Collectively,these results underscore the critical role of the RuvB gene in enhancing the environmental adaptability of Glaesserella parasuis.

The aim of this paper was to investigate the serotypes,virulence factors and drug resist-ance of clinical isolates of Pasteurella rnultocida of porcine origin in recent years.Morphological screening and polymerase chain reaction(PCR)were used to isolate and identify 119 isolates from nasal swabs and lung tissue samples sent from swine farms in Zhejiang Province from 2010 to 2024.The isolates of Pasteurella multocida were subjected to capsular polysaccharide serotyping,lipopolysaccharide serotyping,virulence factor detection and drug resistance analysis by PCR and Kirby-Bauer disc agar diffusion method(K-B).The results showed that there were 64 strains(53.7％)of A-type,54 strains(45.3％)of D-type and 1 strain(0.9％)of F-type among the capsu-lar polysaccharide serotypes,and 10 strains(8.4％)of L1-type,20 strains(16.8％)of L3-type,86 strains(72.2％)of L6-type,and 3 strains(2.6％)of undetermined type among the lipopolysaccha-ride serotypes.The amplification results of 10 virulence genes showed that the detection rate of virulence genes hgbA,higbB and fimA was over 86.0％,the detection rate of toxA was 8.4％,while the virulence gene tbpA was not detected.There were also differences in the distribution vir-ulence genes in different capsular polysaccharide serotypes.Virulence factor pfhA was detected in type A and F but not in type D.The detection rate of adhesin gene tadD in serotype A(92.2％)was significantly higher than that of type D(9.3％),and,on the contrary,the detection rate of ad-hesin gene hsf-l in serotype D(90.7％)was significantly higher than that of type A(20.3％).Drug resistance analysis revealed that Pasteurella multocida showed high susceptibility to antimi-crobial drugs such as amoxicillin,ampicillin,cephalosporins,doxycycline,fosfenicol and ciprofloxa-cin,and showed strong resistance to antimicrobial drugs such as lincomycin,cotrimoxazole,genta-micin and amikacin,and there were 54 multi-drug resistant strains(78.3％).In summary,capsular polysaccharide serotypes were dominated by type A and D,lipopolysaccharide serotypes were dom-inated by L6,the distribution of some virulence genes varied greatly among different serotypes,and the proportion of multi-resistant strains was high,which provide reference for the prevention and control of this disease.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have shown that human dental pulp stem cells have good osteogenic differentiation potential and are potential seed cells in bone tissue engineering,and the effect of recombinant human growth hormone on the proliferative osteogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells is still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of recombinant human growth hormone on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells. METHODS:Human dental pulp stem cells were isolated and cultured by tissue block culture method.After screening according to the drug concentration gradient,recombinant human growth hormone containing 10,100,250,500,1 000 μg/L was selected as the experimental group,and 0 μg/L without recombinant human growth hormone was selected as the control group.CCK-8 detection reagents were used on days 1,3,5,and 7 after the drug intervention to detect the proliferation of human dental pulp stem cells.Different concentrations(10,100,250,500,and 1 000 μg/L)of recombinant human growth hormone were added to the osteogenesis induction solution to intervene in human dental pulp stem cells.Alkaline phosphatase activity was detected by alkaline phosphatase staining and semi-quantitative analysis on day 7 of mineralization induction.The mRNA expression levels of osteogenic gene type I collagen,osteocalcin and Runt-related transcription factor 2 were detected by fluorescence quantitative RT-qPCR.Alizarin red staining was performed on day 14 of mineralization induction to detect osteogenic mineralized nodules. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)CCK-8 assay results showed that from the third day of intervention,the 100,250,500,1 000 μg/L recombinant human growth hormone group could promote the proliferation of human dental pulp stem cells compared with the control group(P<0.01).(2)The alkaline phosphatase activity of human dental pulp stem cells in the 100,250,and 500 μg/L recombinant human growth hormone group was significantly increased compared with the control group(P<0.01).The number of alizarin-stained mineralized nodules in human dental pulp stem cells in the 100,250 μg/L recombinant human growth hormone group was significantly increased compared with the control group(P<0.01).Compared with the control group,the mRNA expression of type I collagen and osteocalcin increased in the 250 μg/L recombinant human growth hormone group(P<0.05,P<0.01).mRNA expression of Runt-associated transcription factor 2 increased in the 100 and 250 μg/L recombinant human growth hormone groups(P<0.01).(3)According to the above results,recombinant human growth hormone at a concentration of 250 μg/L is a more suitable concentration to promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells.

Objective:To explore the value of color Doppler ultrasound scanner in screening peripheral artery atherosclerosis(AS)of undergraduates on campus.Methods:From June 2020 to June 2022,a total of 300 college student volunteers were selected from Sichuan University of Arts and Sciences and Dazhou Vocational and Technical College,and they were divided into peripheral AS group(59 cases)and healthy control group(241 cases)according to the occurrence of peripheral AS.The general data and blood flow parameters of the two groups were compared,and the risk factors of peripheral AS of undergraduates on campus were further analyzed.Results:The differences of the gender,hyperglycemia rate,hypertension rate,smoking history rate,triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC)and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)between the AS group and the healthy control group were not statistically significant(P>0.05).The differences of age,obesity rate,hyperlipidemia rate and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)between AS group and healthy control group were statistically significant(t=6.666,x2=4.256,5.292,t=4.515,P<0.05),respectively.The maximum blood flow velocity(Vmax)and minimum blood flow velocity(Vmin)of the AS group were lower than those of the healthy control group,with statistically significant differences(t=-3.753,-3.905,P<0.05).The resistance index(RI)of the AS group was higher than that of the healthy control group,with statistically significant differences(t=3.126,P<0.05).The dependent variable of the AS group was assigned a value of 1,and the healthy control group was assigned a value of 0.The factors with P<0.05 in univariate analysis were used as independent variables.The multiple factor binary logistic analysis showed that age and high LDL-C were risk factors for peripheral AS(OR=1.664,1.192,P<0.05),while high Vmax and high Vmin were protective factors for peripheral AS(OR=-0.102,-0.170,P<0.05),respectively.Conclusion:The higher the LDL-C level,the lower the Vmax and Vmin,are the higher risks of undergraduates who occur peripheral AS.The LDL-C and ultrasonic blood flow parameters(Vmax and Vmin)can be used to assist the diagnosis about whether occurs peripheral AS.

Objective:To investigate the value of implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) in the diagnosis and treatment of patients over 60 years old with unexplained syncope.Methods:This was a multi-center, prospective cohort study. Between June 2018 and April 2021, patients over the age of 60 with unexplained syncope at Beijing Hospital, Fuwai Hospital, Beijing Anzhen Hospital and Puren Hospital were enrolled. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on their decision to receive ICM implantation (implantation group and conventional follow-up group). The endpoint was the recurrence of syncope and cardiogenic syncope as determined by positive cardiac arrhythmia events recorded at the ICM or diagnosed during routine follow-up. Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis was used to compare the differences of cumulative diagnostic rate between the 2 groups. A multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of diagnosis of cardiogenic syncope in patients with unexplained syncope.Results:A total of 198 patients with unexplained syncope, aged (72.9±8.25) years, were followed for 558.0 (296.0,877.0) d, including 98 males (49.5%). There were 100 (50.5%) patients in the implantation group and 98 (49.5%) in the conventional follow-up group. Compared with conventional follow-up group, patients in the implantation group were older, more likely to have comorbidities, had a higher proportion of first degree atrioventricular block indicated by baseline electrocardiogram, and had a lower body mass index (all P<0.05). During the follow-up period, positive cardiac arrhythmia events were recorded in 58 (58.0%) patients in the ICM group. The diagnosis rate (42.0% (42/100) vs. 4.1% (4/98), P<0.001) and the intervention rate (37.0% (37/100) vs. 2.0% (2/98), P<0.001) of cardiogenic syncope in the implantation group were higher than those in the conventional follow-up group (all P<0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the cumulative diagnostic rate of cardiogenic syncope was significantly higher in the implantation group than in the traditional follow-up group ( HR=11.66, 95% CI 6.49-20.98, log-rank P<0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that ICM implantation, previous atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus or first degree atrioventricular block in baseline electrocardiogram were independent predictors for cardiogenic syncope (all P<0.05). Conclusions:ICM implantation improves the diagnosis and intervention rates in patients with unexplained syncope, and increases diagnostic efficiency in patients with unexplained syncope.

Objective:This study aims to discuss the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric appendicovesical fistula (AVF).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of a pediatric patient with AVF admitted to our hospital in March 2023. The patient was a 6-year and 11-month old male who was hospitalized on March 21, 2023, due to difficulty urinating accompanied by diarrhea for two weeks. Computed tomography (CT) revealed bladder stones. The preoperative diagnosis was bladder stones. Transurethral cystoscopic lithotripsy with laser was performed under general anesthesia. Two weeks postoperatively, the child presented with recurrent symptoms of frequent urination, urinary pain, and diarrhea. Urine routine examination indicated a urinary tract infection. Over a month of antibiotic treatment was ineffective, and symptoms such as pneumaturia and fecaluria emerged, with exacerbation of diarrhea, suggesting the possibility of a fistulous tract between the child's intestine and bladder. Further bladder ultrasonography with contrast showed microbubbles of contrast medium leaking from the right posterior bladder wall into the intestinal tract. Enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a small, sharp tube-like shadow at the upper edge of the right posterior bladder, with a strip-like, significantly enhanced shadow within the lumen. The preoperative diagnosis was revised to appendicovesical fistula. During cystoscopic examination, a papillary-like protrusion was identified on the right lateral wall of the bladder, with no evident orificium fistulae or foreign body discharge noted at the protrusion site. Consequently, robot-assisted laparoscopic partial cystectomy, appendectomy, and lysis of adhesions were performed.Results:The patient was administered antibiotic for a 10-day course of anti-infection and a urinary catheter was maintained for 13 days. The patient recovered entirely and had been discharged after the removal of the urinary catheter. At an 11-month follow-up, there were no reported specific discomforts.Conclusions:Pediatric AVF is rare, and bladder contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and MRI are preferred for initial diagnostic evaluation. The diagnosis can be confirmed by specific clinical presentations such as intermittent pneumaturia and fecaluria, diarrhea with bladder stones. Laparoscopic surgery or robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery could be a feasible treatment option.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a formidable disease due to its complex pathogenesis. Macrophages, as a major immune cell population in IBD, are crucial for gut homeostasis. However, it is still unveiled how macrophages modulate IBD. Here, we found that LIM domain only 7 (LMO7) was downregulated in pro-inflammatory macrophages, and that LMO7 directly degraded 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3) through K48-mediated ubiquitination in macrophages. As an enzyme that regulates glycolysis, PFKFB3 degradation led to the glycolytic process inhibition in macrophages, which in turn inhibited macrophage activation and ultimately attenuated murine colitis. Moreover, we demonstrated that PFKFB3 was required for histone demethylase Jumonji domain-containing protein 3 (JMJD3) expression, thereby inhibiting the protein level of trimethylation of histone H3 on lysine 27 (H3K27me3). Overall, our results indicated the LMO7/PFKFB3/JMJD3 axis is essential for modulating macrophage function and IBD pathogenesis. Targeting LMO7 or macrophage metabolism could potentially be an effective strategy for treating inflammatory diseases.