ObjectiveDonkey hide is the sole legally designated raw material for the preparation of the traditional Chinese medicine Ejiao. The quality stability of donkey hide during preservation directly determines the efficacy and safety of Ejiao. This study focuses on the dynamic succession of microbial communities during the preservation of donkey hides from different origins, aiming to clarify the correlation between microbial biodiversity difference and the degradation profiles of hide collagen and critical biochemical components, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for developing targeted preservation strategies based on microbial regulation. MethodsDonkey hides originating from four different regions were subjected to an accelerated microbial aging assay to simulate the spoilage process. The microbial community succession was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing. Microstructure changes and pore structure characteristics were assessed by scanning electron microscopy and mercury intrusion porosimetry, respectively. Additionally, the content of major components, including lipids, proteins, and sugars were determined by biochemical methods. ResultsAfter 96 h of aging, the collagen fiber structure in Africa donkey hides (ADH) exhibited significant degradation and collapse, followed by Xinjiang donkey hides (XDH). Instead, the microstructure of Dong’e black donkey hides (DDH) and Peru donkey hides (PDH) remained relatively intact. The porosities of DDH, XDH, PDH, and ADH increased from 27.9%, 15.7%, 30.3%, and 46.2% to 36.5%, 52.6%, 42.8%, and 57.7%, respectively, during the aging process, which suggested that the originally compact fiber structure was disrupted by microbial aging. Fourier transform infrared spectrometer analysis revealed the amide bands in XDH exhibited relatively weak intensity, and no collagen amide I band was observed in ADH. Meanwhile, the lipid and protein contents decreased in all four types of donkey hides, indicating that these components served as the primary nutrient sources for the growth of microorganism. Notably, the most severe collagen degradation was observed in XDH and ADH. A substantial increase was detected in the total soluble sugar in PDH aging solution and hydroxyproline in the ADH aging solution, respectively. These results indicated that donkey hides exhibit distinct patterns of structural degradation and nutrient utilization. Furthermore, the viable cells number of donkey hides increased sharply after 48 h of aging. Metagenomic analysis revealed that the relative abundance of Euryarchaeota in ADH, PDH and XDH declining from initial 93.19%, 97.73% and 30.08% to 0.79%, 1.43% and 0.02% after 96 h, respectively. Conversely, a significantly increase was observed in the abundance of Bacillota, with a marked increase in ADH, peaking at 92.75%. Additionally, the abundance of Pseudomonadota in PDH increased from 0.10% to 87.84%, suggesting that Bacillota and Pseudomonadota may be key factors exacerbating donkey hide spoilage. Unlike the other three types of donkey hides, the dominant bacterial phylum in DDH shifted from Pseudomonadota to Bacteroidota, characterized by a substantial abundance increase of Bacteroidota from 0.13% to 44.22%. ConclusionRegional variation in origin significantly influence the microbial aging of donkey hides, leading to distinct patterns of structural deterioration and differential nutrient utilization. Therefore, implementing origin-specific preservation strategies, through the precisely controlling environmental factors to suppress harmful phyla such as Bacillota and Pseudomonadota, is crucial for enhancing the storage quality of donkey hides.

Background: High-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) is a chromatin-binding protein involved in arthritis, ischemia, sepsis, atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative disorders, meningitis, and cancer. HMGB1 exhibits dual roles in cancer, acting as either a tumor suppressor or oncoprotein depending on context. Objective: This research aimed to elucidate HMGB1’s functional significance in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Methods: We overexpressed HMGB1 in cSCC cell lines using recombinant adenovirus and examined its effects on cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell migration. Results: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed elevated HMGB1 expression levels in cSCC tissue relative to normal epidermis. To assess the influence of HMGB1, we employed recombinant adenoviruses expressing HMGB1 to transduce SCC cell lines (SCC12 and SCC13). Enhanced HMGB1 expression significantly promoted cellular proliferation and colony formation capacity.Notably, HMGB1 overexpression elevated the levels of proliferation regulators, including P63, SOX2, CDK4 and CDK6. Furthermore, HMGB1 overexpression substantially enhanced tumor invasiveness, accompanied by upregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers. Mechanistically, overexpression of HMGB1 enhanced transforming growth factor-β signaling by increasing phosphorylation of SMAD2/3, the key mediators of EMT. Conclusion These data imply that HMGB1 acts as a tumor-promoting factor in cSCC.

Objective:To analyze the genetic characteristics of the VWF gene c.7332G＞A nonsense mutation and explore its molecular pathogenesis.Methods:Phenotypic diagnosis of the proband was performed using VWF:Ag,VWF:RCo,FⅧ:C and multimeric analysis.The probands were genotyped by NGS whole-exome sequencing,and the sequencing results were validated by sanger sequencing.The family members were genotyped by Sanger sequencing.The VWF gene c.7332G＞A nonsense mutant plasmid was constructed.After transfection,the function of VWF gene c.7332G＞A mutant plasmid was verified at cell level in vitro.The mRNA level was detected by qRT-PCR,and the expression level of protein was detected by Western blot,the function of multimerization was verified by the multimeric analysis.Results:VWF:Ag and VWF:RCo were all less than 3％in the proband,and the multimeric analysis showed multimer deficiency.The proband was diagnosed as type 3 VWD.The homozygous nonsense mutation of VWF gene c.7332G＞A was detected by gene sequencing.The VWF mRNA level of the mutant plasmid was decreased,and the VWF protein expression in the cell supernatant was decreased,the mutant protein was truncated and the function of VWF multimerization was impaired.Conclusion:A homozygous mutation in exon 43 of VWF gene,c.7332G＞A,was responsible for the probands type 3 VWD in the proband.The mutation caused a decrease in the relative level of VWF mRNA and protein,and impaired the function of VWF multimerization.

[Purpose]To analyze the compliance and its influencing factors of lung cancer screening using low-dose computed tomography(LDCT)among high-risk population in urban districts of Chongqing from 2013 to 2021.[Methods]The lung cancer screeing of Cancer Early Diagnosis and Treatment Project was conducted among permanent residents aged 40～69 years old from 14 urban districts of Chongqing selected by cluster sampling method from 2013 to 2021.The questionnaire survey was performed to assess the risk level of lung cancer,and individuals with high risk were advised to have LDCT examination.The compliance rate of LDCT examination among high-risk populations was calculated and compared using Chi-square test among residents with different de-mographic features;the influencing factors of compliance was analyzed with generalized linear mixed models.[Results]A total of 316 066 residents completed the risk assessment questionnaire survey,52 858 people were assessed as high-risk(17.17％).Among the high-risk population,20 398 completed LDCT screening,with an overall compliance rate of 38.59％.The generalized linear mixed model showed that male participants(OR=0.871,95％CI:0.823～0.922)and smokers(light smokers:OR=0.829,95％CI:0.775～0.886;heavy smokers:OR=0.842,95％CI:0.792～0.896)had lower compliance rates;while people with higher education level(OR=1.347,95％CI:1.265～1.435),occupational exposure to harmful substances(OR=1.400,95％CI:1.340～1.463),passive smoking for 20 years or more(OR=1.472,95％CI:1.376～1.576),infrequent physical exercise(OR=1.203,95％CI:1.152～1.256),family history of lung cancer(OR=2.312,95％CI:2.201～2.429),and those having media promotion by community staff(OR=1.365,95％CI:1.223～1.524),and trained community staff(OR=1.343,95％CI:1.227～1.470)had higher compliance rates.Comorbidities were also factors influencing compliance,and there was an increasing trend of compliance rate with the increase of comorbidity numbers(P＜0.001).[Conclusion]The compli-ance rate of LDCT examination for lung cancer screening in Chongqing needs to be improved,and more precise health education should be implemented for groups with different characteristics to improve the compliance among high-risk population.

Objective To investigate the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profiles of common pathogens isolated from cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)in CHINET program from 2015 to 2021.Methods The bacterial strains isolated from CSF were identified in accordance with clinical microbiology practice standards.Antimicrobial susceptibility test was conducted using Kirby-Bauer method and automated systems per the unified CHINET protocol.Results A total of 14 014 bacterial strains were isolated from CSF samples from 2015 to 2021,including the strains isolated from inpatients(95.3％)and from outpatient and emergency care patients(4.7％).Overall,19.6％of the isolates were from children and 80.4％were from adults.Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 68.0％and 32.0％,respectively.Coagulase negative Staphylococcus accounted for 73.0％of the total Gram-positive bacterial isolates.The prevalence of MRSA was 38.2％in children and 45.6％in adults.The prevalence of MRCNS was 67.6％in adults and 69.5％in children.A small number of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium(2.2％)and linezolid-resistant Enterococcus faecalis(3.1％)were isolated from adult patients.The resistance rates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae to ceftriaxone were 52.2％and 76.4％in children,70.5％and 63.5％in adults.The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant E.coli and K.pneumoniae(CRKP)was 1.3％and 47.7％in children,6.4％and 47.9％in adults.The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(CRAB)and Pseudomonas aeruginosa(CRPA)was 74.0％and 37.1％in children,81.7％and 39.9％in adults.Conclusions The data derived from antimicrobial resistance surveillance are crucial for clinicians to make evidence-based decisions regarding antibiotic therapy.Attention should be paid to the Gram-negative bacteria,especially CRKP and CRAB in central nervous system(CNS)infections.Ongoing antimicrobial resistance surveillance is helpful for optimizing antibiotic use in CNS infections.

Objective To investigate the antimicrobial resistance of clinical isolates from elderly patients(≥65 years)in major medical institutions across China.Methods Bacterial strains were isolated from elderly patients in 52 hospitals participating in the CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program during the period from 2015 to 2021.Antimicrobial susceptibility test was carried out by disk diffusion method and automated systems according to the same CHINET protocol.The data were interpreted in accordance with the breakpoints recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)in 2021.Results A total of 514 715 nonduplicate clinical isolates were collected from elderly patients in 52 hospitals from January 1,2015 to December 31,2021.The number of isolates accounted for 34.3％of the total number of clinical isolates from all patients.Overall,21.8％of the 514 715 strains were gram-positive bacteria,and 78.2％were gram-negative bacteria.Majority(90.9％)of the strains were isolated from inpatients.About 42.9％of the strains were isolated from respiratory specimens,and 22.9％were isolated from urine.More than half(60.7％)of the strains were isolated from male patients,and 39.3％isolated from females.About 51.1％of the strains were isolated from patients aged 65-＜75 years.The prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains(MRSA)was 38.8％in 32 190 strains of Staphylococcus aureus.No vancomycin-or linezolid-resistant strains were found.The resistance rate of E.faecalis to most antibiotics was significantly lower than that of Enterococcus faecium,but a few vancomycin-resistant strains(0.2％,1.5％)and linezolid-resistant strains(3.4％,0.3％)were found in E.faecalis and E.faecium.The prevalence of penicillin-susceptible S.pneumoniae(PSSP),penicillin-intermediate S.pneumoniae(PISP),and penicillin-resistant S.pneumoniae(PRSP)was 94.3％,4.0％,and 1.7％in nonmeningitis S.pneumoniae isolates.The resistance rates of Klebsiella spp.(Klebsiella pneumoniae 93.2％)to imipenem and meropenem were 20.9％and 22.3％,respectively.Other Enterobacterales species were highly sensitive to carbapenem antibiotics.Only 1.7％-7.8％of other Enterobacterales strains were resistant to carbapenems.The resistance rates of Acinetobacter spp.(Acinetobacter baumannii 90.6％)to imipenem and meropenem were 68.4％and 70.6％respectively,while 28.5％and 24.3％of P.aeruginosa strains were resistant to imipenem and meropenem,respectively.Conclusions The number of clinical isolates from elderly patients is increasing year by year,especially in the 65-＜75 age group.Respiratory tract isolates were more prevalent in male elderly patients,and urinary tract isolates were more prevalent in female elderly patients.Klebsiella isolates were increasingly resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents,especially carbapenems.Antimicrobial resistance surveillance is helpful for accurate empirical antimicrobial therapy in elderly patients.

Objective:To investigate the effect of curcumin on blood glucose levels in pregnant women at high risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus(GDM).Methods:One hundred and twenty-four pregnant women with high-risk factors for GDM were included in a cross-sectional study according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.After undergoing an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test,participants were divided into the GDM group(n=61)and the non-GDM group(n=63).Subsequently,a randomized controlled trial was performed to compare Fasting Plasma Glucose(FPG)levels between the control group(n=8)and the intervention group(n=8).Results:The cross-sectional study revealed that the GDM group had significantly higher rates of pre-pregnancy BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2,early pregnancy HbA1c≥5.7％,impaired fasting glucose or glucose tolerance,and lack of exercise compared to the non-GDM group(P＜0.05).FPG levels in the GDM group were significantly higher than those in the non-GDM group at all stages of pregnancy.Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that the impact of high-risk factors on FPG gradually diminished as pregnancy progressed.In the randomized controlled experiment,all cases in the control group developed GDM;one case in the curcumin intervention group did not,whose intervention time was the earliest and longest.Pearson correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between the duration of curcumin intervention and changes in FPG values,although the correlation was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).By the descriptive statistical analysis,within-group comparisons showed no significant differences in the median and percentiles of FPG values between the control group in late pregnancy and early pregnancy.However,the median and percentiles of FPG values were significantly lower post-intervention compared to curcumin pre-intervention.Between-group comparisons revealed that the mean FPG in the curcumin intervention group decreased significantly more than in the control group.These results suggested that curcumin might have a potential impact on FPG.No significant differences were observed in neonatal outcomes between the curcumin intervention and control groups.Conclusions:Pregnant women with high risk factors for GDM should be paid enough attention in clinical practice.All these results have demonstrated that curcumin has a positive regulatory effect on FPG in patients with GDM,which may provide a new adjunctive method for the treatment of GDM.

Objective To investigate the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profiles of common pathogens isolated from cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)in CHINET program from 2015 to 2021.Methods The bacterial strains isolated from CSF were identified in accordance with clinical microbiology practice standards.Antimicrobial susceptibility test was conducted using Kirby-Bauer method and automated systems per the unified CHINET protocol.Results A total of 14 014 bacterial strains were isolated from CSF samples from 2015 to 2021,including the strains isolated from inpatients(95.3％)and from outpatient and emergency care patients(4.7％).Overall,19.6％of the isolates were from children and 80.4％were from adults.Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 68.0％and 32.0％,respectively.Coagulase negative Staphylococcus accounted for 73.0％of the total Gram-positive bacterial isolates.The prevalence of MRSA was 38.2％in children and 45.6％in adults.The prevalence of MRCNS was 67.6％in adults and 69.5％in children.A small number of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium(2.2％)and linezolid-resistant Enterococcus faecalis(3.1％)were isolated from adult patients.The resistance rates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae to ceftriaxone were 52.2％and 76.4％in children,70.5％and 63.5％in adults.The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant E.coli and K.pneumoniae(CRKP)was 1.3％and 47.7％in children,6.4％and 47.9％in adults.The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(CRAB)and Pseudomonas aeruginosa(CRPA)was 74.0％and 37.1％in children,81.7％and 39.9％in adults.Conclusions The data derived from antimicrobial resistance surveillance are crucial for clinicians to make evidence-based decisions regarding antibiotic therapy.Attention should be paid to the Gram-negative bacteria,especially CRKP and CRAB in central nervous system(CNS)infections.Ongoing antimicrobial resistance surveillance is helpful for optimizing antibiotic use in CNS infections.

Objective To investigate the antimicrobial resistance of clinical isolates from elderly patients(≥65 years)in major medical institutions across China.Methods Bacterial strains were isolated from elderly patients in 52 hospitals participating in the CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program during the period from 2015 to 2021.Antimicrobial susceptibility test was carried out by disk diffusion method and automated systems according to the same CHINET protocol.The data were interpreted in accordance with the breakpoints recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)in 2021.Results A total of 514 715 nonduplicate clinical isolates were collected from elderly patients in 52 hospitals from January 1,2015 to December 31,2021.The number of isolates accounted for 34.3％of the total number of clinical isolates from all patients.Overall,21.8％of the 514 715 strains were gram-positive bacteria,and 78.2％were gram-negative bacteria.Majority(90.9％)of the strains were isolated from inpatients.About 42.9％of the strains were isolated from respiratory specimens,and 22.9％were isolated from urine.More than half(60.7％)of the strains were isolated from male patients,and 39.3％isolated from females.About 51.1％of the strains were isolated from patients aged 65-＜75 years.The prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains(MRSA)was 38.8％in 32 190 strains of Staphylococcus aureus.No vancomycin-or linezolid-resistant strains were found.The resistance rate of E.faecalis to most antibiotics was significantly lower than that of Enterococcus faecium,but a few vancomycin-resistant strains(0.2％,1.5％)and linezolid-resistant strains(3.4％,0.3％)were found in E.faecalis and E.faecium.The prevalence of penicillin-susceptible S.pneumoniae(PSSP),penicillin-intermediate S.pneumoniae(PISP),and penicillin-resistant S.pneumoniae(PRSP)was 94.3％,4.0％,and 1.7％in nonmeningitis S.pneumoniae isolates.The resistance rates of Klebsiella spp.(Klebsiella pneumoniae 93.2％)to imipenem and meropenem were 20.9％and 22.3％,respectively.Other Enterobacterales species were highly sensitive to carbapenem antibiotics.Only 1.7％-7.8％of other Enterobacterales strains were resistant to carbapenems.The resistance rates of Acinetobacter spp.(Acinetobacter baumannii 90.6％)to imipenem and meropenem were 68.4％and 70.6％respectively,while 28.5％and 24.3％of P.aeruginosa strains were resistant to imipenem and meropenem,respectively.Conclusions The number of clinical isolates from elderly patients is increasing year by year,especially in the 65-＜75 age group.Respiratory tract isolates were more prevalent in male elderly patients,and urinary tract isolates were more prevalent in female elderly patients.Klebsiella isolates were increasingly resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents,especially carbapenems.Antimicrobial resistance surveillance is helpful for accurate empirical antimicrobial therapy in elderly patients.

Objective:To investigate the effect of curcumin on blood glucose levels in pregnant women at high risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus(GDM).Methods:One hundred and twenty-four pregnant women with high-risk factors for GDM were included in a cross-sectional study according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.After undergoing an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test,participants were divided into the GDM group(n=61)and the non-GDM group(n=63).Subsequently,a randomized controlled trial was performed to compare Fasting Plasma Glucose(FPG)levels between the control group(n=8)and the intervention group(n=8).Results:The cross-sectional study revealed that the GDM group had significantly higher rates of pre-pregnancy BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2,early pregnancy HbA1c≥5.7％,impaired fasting glucose or glucose tolerance,and lack of exercise compared to the non-GDM group(P＜0.05).FPG levels in the GDM group were significantly higher than those in the non-GDM group at all stages of pregnancy.Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that the impact of high-risk factors on FPG gradually diminished as pregnancy progressed.In the randomized controlled experiment,all cases in the control group developed GDM;one case in the curcumin intervention group did not,whose intervention time was the earliest and longest.Pearson correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between the duration of curcumin intervention and changes in FPG values,although the correlation was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).By the descriptive statistical analysis,within-group comparisons showed no significant differences in the median and percentiles of FPG values between the control group in late pregnancy and early pregnancy.However,the median and percentiles of FPG values were significantly lower post-intervention compared to curcumin pre-intervention.Between-group comparisons revealed that the mean FPG in the curcumin intervention group decreased significantly more than in the control group.These results suggested that curcumin might have a potential impact on FPG.No significant differences were observed in neonatal outcomes between the curcumin intervention and control groups.Conclusions:Pregnant women with high risk factors for GDM should be paid enough attention in clinical practice.All these results have demonstrated that curcumin has a positive regulatory effect on FPG in patients with GDM,which may provide a new adjunctive method for the treatment of GDM.