This study investigated the therapeutic effects of a low-dose phage cocktail combined with antibiotics on burn wounds in-fected with multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Given the risk of sepsis caused by drug-resistant bacteria infection after burns and the limitations of antibiotic monotherapy,we constructed a mouse model of burns combined with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.A saline control group,phage cocktail monotherapy group,antibiotic monotherapy group,and combined treatment group were examined.The combined treatment group showed a synergistic effect on the 7th day after infection:this group of mice had a sig-nificantly lower pathogenic bacterial load in the skin and liver tissues than observed in the single drug treatment group,and showed the strongest bacterial clearance effect.Histopathological analysis indicated improved structural integrity of the skin tissue,as well as decreased infiltration of inflammatory cells,and no obvious tissue damage,in the combined treatment group.Detection of serum in-flammatory factors indicated that the levels of the pro-inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α significantly decreased,whereas the level of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 significantly increased.The combination of low-dose phage cocktail and antibiotics synergistically en-hanced antibacterial activity and ameliorated infection through a dual mechanism of direct removal of pathogens and regulation of the host immune response.Our findings provide an experimental basis for the optimal treatment of wounds infected with multidrug-resistant bacteria.

In order to investigate the effect of SIRT2 on tight junctions and endoplasmic reticulum stress in liver tissues of cold-treated mice,10 each of 5-week-old male C57BL/6 mice and SIRT2 knockout mice were selected and randomly divided into the wild-type room-temperature control group(WT Control),the wild-type cold-treated group(WT Cold),the SIRT2 knockout+room-temperature control group(KO Control)and SIRT2 knockout+cold treatment group(KO Cold).Mice in the room-temperature control group were kept at a temperature of(24+2)℃,and the cold-treatment group was placed in a(4+2)℃ artificial climate chamber for 3 h of random stimu-lation per day for 3 weeks.H&E staining,Masson staining,and transmission electron microscopy were employed to examine the microscopic and ultrastructural changes in mouse liver;AST and ALT concentrations in mouse serum were detected by biochemical analyzers;Western blot analysis was used to detect the expressions of tight junction-related proteins(Claudin1,Occludin),endo-plasmic reticulum stress-related proteins(GRP78,CHOP,XBP1,p-eIF2α,eIF2α),and pro-inflam-matory cytokines(TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6).The results showed that compared with WT Control,the liver lobular structure of WT Cold and KO Control mice was unclear,hepatic cord arrangement was disordered,cytoplasm was loose,white vacuoles appeared,a small amount of collagen deposi-tion and fibroplasia,mitochondria were slightly swollen in hepatocytes,and endoplasmic reticulum was unevenly distributed,while the serum concentrations of AST and ALT were increased(P＜0.050,P＜0.010),and the liver tissues showed decreased protein expression of Occludin and Clau-din1(P＜0.050,P＜0.010,P＜0.001),and increased protein expression of GRP78,CHOP,XBP1,p-eIF2α/eIF2α,TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β(P＜0.050,P＜0.010,P＜0.001);compared with the KO Control,KO Cold mice showed a large number of white vacuoles,a small number of balloon-like lesions,inflammatory cell infiltration,obvious collagen deposition and fibroplasia,mitochondrial swelling in hepatocytes,mitochondrial ridge reduction,endoplasmic reticulum thickening,and ser-um AST and ALT concentrations increased(P＜0.010),and in liver tissue,the protein expression of Occludin and Claudinl decreased(P＜0.010),while the protein expression of GRP78,CHOP,XBP1,p-eIF2α/eIF2α,TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β increased(P＜0.050,P＜0.010,P＜0.001).The re-sults showed that SIRT2 knockdown could aggravate the liver tissue tight junction damage caused by cold treatment,induce endoplasmic reticulum stress,and further promotes the inflammatory re-sponse.

The biofilm is a major pathogenic factor for many types of chronic infections,and Escherichia coli bio-film plays an important role in community-acquired infection and hospital-acquired infection and is one of common causes of urinary tract infection(UTI).The quorum sensing(QS)system of E.coli biofilm can mediate intercel-lular information exchange and thus regulate the whole community to adapt to the environmental changes,and the extracellular matrix-derived complex resistance mechanisms lead to a certain degree of bacterial resistance to anti-microbial drugs and resistance to immune system,which then makes it difficult for the conventional antimicrobial drugs to effectively eradicate the biofilm-associated infections.The article focuses on the formation of E.coli bio-film,drug resistance mechanisms and treatment aspects and summarizes the progress of research on the novel substitutive therapies against the E.coli biofilms that were developed in recent years,such as phytochemicals,nanomaterials,probiotics and phage therapy,so as to provide theoretical bases for the clinical treatment and the development of novel drug therapies against the E.coli biofilm.

This study investigated the therapeutic effects of a low-dose phage cocktail combined with antibiotics on burn wounds in-fected with multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Given the risk of sepsis caused by drug-resistant bacteria infection after burns and the limitations of antibiotic monotherapy,we constructed a mouse model of burns combined with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.A saline control group,phage cocktail monotherapy group,antibiotic monotherapy group,and combined treatment group were examined.The combined treatment group showed a synergistic effect on the 7th day after infection:this group of mice had a sig-nificantly lower pathogenic bacterial load in the skin and liver tissues than observed in the single drug treatment group,and showed the strongest bacterial clearance effect.Histopathological analysis indicated improved structural integrity of the skin tissue,as well as decreased infiltration of inflammatory cells,and no obvious tissue damage,in the combined treatment group.Detection of serum in-flammatory factors indicated that the levels of the pro-inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α significantly decreased,whereas the level of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 significantly increased.The combination of low-dose phage cocktail and antibiotics synergistically en-hanced antibacterial activity and ameliorated infection through a dual mechanism of direct removal of pathogens and regulation of the host immune response.Our findings provide an experimental basis for the optimal treatment of wounds infected with multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Spectral computed tomography (CT) has triggered a technological revolution in radiodiagnosis while demonstrating its increasing application value in radiotherapy. Employing dual-energy techniques for material decomposition, spectral CT provides optimized solutions for several critical aspects of radiotherapy. Based on a review of the application situation of spectral CT in radiotherapy, this study delved into spectral CT′s significant advantages in image quality improvement, precise dose calculation, and comprehensive quantitative assessment. Furthermore, this study envisioned the development orientations and application prospects of spectral CT.

Objective To analyze the dynamic changes and influencing factors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis(TB)infection in grade-1 students in senior high school at the time of enrollment and one year after enrollment.Methods In 2022,TB screening was carried out among grade-2 students in 4 senior high schools in Binhai and Xiqing Districts of Tianjin.Basic information of students was collected,and TB infection detection results of grade-1 students in senior high school at the time of enrollment were collected retrospectively.Positive rate,strong positive rate and positive conversion rate from tuberculin skin test(TST)results of students were compared.Univariate and multiva-riate logistic regression models were used to analyze the relevant influencing factors for positive conversion of TST results.Results The overall positive rate of 1 839 students one year after enrollment was higher than that at the enrollment(46.82％vs 33.12％),while strong positive rate was lower(12.51％vs 13.00％),both with statisti-cally significant differences(both P＜0.001).One year after enrollment,64 out of 1 230 students who were origi-nally negative for TST in their first year of senior high school turned positive,with a positive conversion rate of 5.20％(95％CI:3.93％-6.48％).One year after enrollment,TST results showed that the average diameter of induration was 5(2,8)mm,diameter was 2(0,5)mm at the enrollment of the first year of senior high school,but the difference was not statistically significant(P=0.478).The difference range of average diameter of induration was±21 mm,39.70％of students being within±2 mm.Students with increased and decreased average diameter of induration accounted for 65.09％and 28.49％,respectively.Multivariate logistic regression analysis result showed that students in boarding school had a higher risk of positive conversion compared with non-boarding school students(OR=4.842,95％CI:2.794-8.392).Conclusion The screening of TB infection among grade-2 students in senior high school should be strengthened,with a focus on boarding school students.Early detection of tuberculosis patients and newly infected individuals can provide reference for implementing precise prevention and control.

Objective:To compare the effects of standard cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia(CBT-I Plus) in patients with chronic insomnia disorder comorbid anxiety or depressive symptoms.Methods:This prospective study included 148 patients with chronic insomnia disorder and anxiety/depression symptoms who were treated at the Sleep Disorder clinic of Shanghai Mental Health Center between July 2020 and August 2023. Participants (56 males, 92 females; aged 18-65 years, mean age 35.08±10.30 years) were randomly assigned in a 1∶2 ratio to the CBT-I group ( n=54) or CBT-I Plus group ( n=94). The CBT-I Plus group received additional treatments targeting anxiety and depressive symptoms. Treatment lasted 8 weeks, with assessment conducted at baseline, weeks 2, 4, and 8. Depression severity was measured using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD 17), anxiety severity with the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), and sleep quality with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Paired sample t-tests were used to evaluate within-group changes, repeated-measures ANOVA compared treatment effects between groups, and ANCOVA was employed to adjust for confounding variables. Results:Significant reductions in PSQI, HAMD 17, and HAMA scores were observed in both groups after treatment: CBT-I group: PSQI ((14.15±2.54) vs. (7.50±3.35), t=13.25), HAMD 17 ((14.70±4.09) vs. (7.40±4.61), t=9.33), and HAMA ((14.94±4.11) vs. (5.56±3.67), t=12.38) (all P<0.001).CBT-I Plus group: PSQI ((14.87±3.01) vs. (7.19±3.86), t=18.75), HAMD 17 ((16.84±3.91) vs. (6.84±4.79), t=17.42), and HAMA ((15.57±3.93) vs. (6.10±4.57), t=18.39) (all P<0.001). After adjusting for HAMD 17 scores and medication use, no statistically significant between-group differences were observed in changes in PSQI, HAMD 17, and HAMA scores ( P>0.05). A significant time-by-group interaction was found for the PSQI daytime dysfunction subscale ( F=4.87, P<0.01). Conclusion:Both CBT-I and CBT-I Plus improve sleep and emotional symptoms in patients with chronic insomnia disorder and comorbid anxiety/depression symptoms. However, CBT-I Plus has no significant advantages over standard CBT-I. Further studies are needed to refine the timing and content of interventions.

In order to investigate the effect of SIRT2 on tight junctions and endoplasmic reticulum stress in liver tissues of cold-treated mice,10 each of 5-week-old male C57BL/6 mice and SIRT2 knockout mice were selected and randomly divided into the wild-type room-temperature control group(WT Control),the wild-type cold-treated group(WT Cold),the SIRT2 knockout+room-temperature control group(KO Control)and SIRT2 knockout+cold treatment group(KO Cold).Mice in the room-temperature control group were kept at a temperature of(24+2)℃,and the cold-treatment group was placed in a(4+2)℃ artificial climate chamber for 3 h of random stimu-lation per day for 3 weeks.H&E staining,Masson staining,and transmission electron microscopy were employed to examine the microscopic and ultrastructural changes in mouse liver;AST and ALT concentrations in mouse serum were detected by biochemical analyzers;Western blot analysis was used to detect the expressions of tight junction-related proteins(Claudin1,Occludin),endo-plasmic reticulum stress-related proteins(GRP78,CHOP,XBP1,p-eIF2α,eIF2α),and pro-inflam-matory cytokines(TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6).The results showed that compared with WT Control,the liver lobular structure of WT Cold and KO Control mice was unclear,hepatic cord arrangement was disordered,cytoplasm was loose,white vacuoles appeared,a small amount of collagen deposi-tion and fibroplasia,mitochondria were slightly swollen in hepatocytes,and endoplasmic reticulum was unevenly distributed,while the serum concentrations of AST and ALT were increased(P＜0.050,P＜0.010),and the liver tissues showed decreased protein expression of Occludin and Clau-din1(P＜0.050,P＜0.010,P＜0.001),and increased protein expression of GRP78,CHOP,XBP1,p-eIF2α/eIF2α,TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β(P＜0.050,P＜0.010,P＜0.001);compared with the KO Control,KO Cold mice showed a large number of white vacuoles,a small number of balloon-like lesions,inflammatory cell infiltration,obvious collagen deposition and fibroplasia,mitochondrial swelling in hepatocytes,mitochondrial ridge reduction,endoplasmic reticulum thickening,and ser-um AST and ALT concentrations increased(P＜0.010),and in liver tissue,the protein expression of Occludin and Claudinl decreased(P＜0.010),while the protein expression of GRP78,CHOP,XBP1,p-eIF2α/eIF2α,TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β increased(P＜0.050,P＜0.010,P＜0.001).The re-sults showed that SIRT2 knockdown could aggravate the liver tissue tight junction damage caused by cold treatment,induce endoplasmic reticulum stress,and further promotes the inflammatory re-sponse.

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2)-mediated microglial phagocytosis is an energy-intensive process that plays a crucial role in amyloid beta (Aβ) clearance in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Energy metabolic reprogramming (EMR) in microglia induced by TREM2 presents therapeutic targets for cognitive impairment in AD. Jiawei Xionggui Decoction (JWXG) has demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing energy supply, protecting microglia, and mitigating cognitive impairment in APP/PS1 mice. However, the mechanism by which JWXG enhances Aβ phagocytosis through TREM2-mediated EMR in microglia remains unclear. This study investigates how JWXG facilitates microglial phagocytosis and alleviates cognitive deficits in AD through TREM2-mediated EMR. Microglial phagocytosis was evaluated through immunofluorescence staining in vitro and in vivo. The EMR level of microglia was assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The TREM2/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) signaling pathway was analyzed using Western blotting in BV₂ cells. TREM2^-/- BV₂ cells were utilized for reverse validation experiments. The Aβ burden, neuropathological features, and cognitive ability in APP/PS1 mice were evaluated using ELISA kits, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and the Morris water maze (MWM) test. JWXG enhanced both the phagocytosis of EMR disorder-BV₂ cells (EMRD-BV₂) and increased EMR levels. Notably, these effects were significantly reversed in TREM2^-/- BV₂ cells. JWXG elevated TREM2 expression, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, and microglial phagocytosis in APP/PS1 mice. Additionally, JWXG reduced Aβ-burden, neuropathological lesions, and cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 mice. In conclusion, JWXG promoted TREM2-induced EMR and enhanced microglial phagocytosis, thereby reducing Aβ deposition, improving neuropathological lesions, and alleviating cognitive deficits.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Microglia/drug effects* ; Phagocytosis ; Cognitive Dysfunction/drug therapy* ; Metabolic Reprogramming ; Animals ; Mice ; Cell Line ; Receptors, Immunologic/metabolism* ; Membrane Glycoproteins/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism* ; Energy Metabolism

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between albumin （Alb） and recompensation by comparing recompensation rate between hepatitis B/C virus-related decompensated liver cirrhosis patients with different Alb levels， and to provide guidance for the identification and management of high-risk patients in clinical practice. MethodsRelated clinical data were collected from 734 patients with hepatitis B/C virus-related decompensated liver cirrhosis who attended The Third People’s Hospital of Kunming from January 1， 2016 to December 31， 2022， and they were divided into three groups based on the level of Alb. The linear regression analysis and chi-square test were used for trend tests. The Kaplan-Meier curve was plotted for the cumulative incidence rate of recompensation in the three groups， and the log-rank test was used for comparison between groups. A Cox proportional-hazards regression model analysis was used to investigate the association between Alb and recompensation in patients with hepatitis B/C virus-related decompensated liver cirrhosis. ResultsAmong the 734 patients with hepatitis B/C virus-related decompensated liver cirrhosis， 270 achieved recompensation， with a recompensation rate of 36.8%. All patients had a median Alb level of 29.90 （25.90 — 34.80） g/L on admission， and according to the level of Alb， they were divided into <25.9 g/L group with 177 patients， 25.9 — 34.8 g/L group with 377 patients， and >34.8 g/L group with 180 patients； 36 patients （20.3%） in the <25.9 g/L group， 138 （36.6%） in the 25.9 — 34.8 g/L group， and 96 （53.3%） in the >34.8 g/L group achieved recompensation， and the recompensation rate increased with the increase in Alb level （χ²=41.730， P<0.001）. After adjustment for all confounding factors， compared with the <25.9 g/L group， there was a significant increase in the incidence rate of recompensation in the 25.9 — 34.8 g/L group （hazard ratio ［HR］=1.842， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 1.274 — 2.663） and the >34.8 g/L group （HR=2.336， 95% CI： 1.575 — 3.463）. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that there was a significant difference in the cumulative incidence rate of recompensation between the three groups （χ²=41.632， P<0.001）. ConclusionAlb level is an influencing factor for recompensation in patients with hepatitis B/C virus-related decompensated liver cirrhosis， and the recompensation rate increases with the increase in Alb level.