OBJECTIVE: Observational studies have found associations between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's dementia (AD) and vascular dementia (VD); however, these findings are inconsistent. It remains unclear whether these associations are causal. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis by systematically searching for observational studies on the association between IBD and dementia. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis based on summary genome-wide association studies (GWASs) was performed. Genetic correlation and Bayesian co-localization analyses were used to provide robust genetic evidence. RESULTS: Ten observational studies involving 80,565,688 participants were included in this meta-analysis. IBD was significantly associated with dementia (risk ratio [ RR] =1.36, 95% CI = 1.04-1.78; I ² = 84.8%) and VD ( RR = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.18-5.70; only one study), but not with AD ( RR = 2.00, 95% CI = 0.96-4.13; I ² = 99.8%). MR analyses did not supported significant causal associations of IBD with dementia (dementia: odds ratio [ OR] = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.98-1.03; AD: OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.95-1.01; VD: OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.97-1.07). In addition, genetic correlation and co-localization analyses did not reveal any genetic associations between IBD and dementia. CONCLUSION Our study did not provide genetic evidence for a causal association between IBD and dementia risk. The increased risk of dementia observed in observational studies may be attributed to unobserved confounding factors or detection bias.
Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/complications* ; Dementia/etiology* ; Observational Studies as Topic ; Genome-Wide Association Study

Hydroxyectoine, a vital compatible solute, is widely utilized in cosmetics, food, pharmaceutical industries, and biologics. However, the current microbial fermentation methods for hydroxyectoine production face challenges including insufficient precursor supply and low yields. Therefore, developing engineering microbial strains capable of efficiently synthesizing hydroxyectoine is of great significance. In this study, we first constructed a high-yield ectoine-producing strain ECT04 by multi-copy integration of the ectoine synthesis genes ectABC into the pseudogene loci of Escherichia coli MG1655(DE3), achieving an ectoine titer of 6.03 g/L. Subsequently, we employed plasmids with varying copy numbers to express ectD from Chromohalobacter salexigens to enable the conversion for hydroxyectoine production. We further investigated the effects of promoter, co-substrate ɑ-ketoglutarate, Fe²⁺ concentration, and dissolved oxygen on hydroxyectoine synthesis. Through fed-batch fermentation in a 7-L bioreactor, we significantly enhanced the hydroxyectoine production efficiency, attaining a final titer of 8.58 g/L and a productivity of 0.24 g/(L·h). This work successfully achieved the de novo synthesis of hydroxyectoine in E. coli, laying a foundation for the efficient bioproduction of this compound.
Escherichia coli/genetics* ; Fermentation ; Amino Acids, Diamino/biosynthesis* ; Bioreactors/microbiology* ; Metabolic Engineering/methods* ; Chromohalobacter/genetics* ; Plasmids/genetics*

Objective To systematically explore the characteristics of speech,language functioning and adaptation in children with intellectual and developmental disabilities(IDD)based on framework of International Classification of Function-ing,Disability and Health(ICF),to construct an integrated system that merges curricula and rehabilitation based on an analysis of the content and functional goals within language-related curriculum standards for Peizhi(spe-cial education for children with IDD)schools.Methods Using the bio-psycho-social model of the ICF,the characteristics of speech and communication disorders in children with IDD were systematically analyzed across the three dimensions of body functions and structures,ac-tivities and participation,and environmental factors.A content analysis was conducted on the three core curricu-lum standards for Peizhi schools issued by the Ministry of Education of China,extracting and summarizing the goals and core content related to linguistic ability development,which were then mapped and coded using the ICF classification system.Guided by the ICF's functioning-oriented principles,these curriculum goals were inte-grated with evidence-based rehabilitation strategies to construct a comprehensive curriculum and rehabilitation interventions that included assessment,goal setting,curriculum module design and intervention strategies.Results For the speech and language functioning in children with IDD,at the body functions level,impairments were identified in areas such as mental functions of language(b167)and articulation(b320);at the activities and partic-ipation level,limitations manifested as significant difficulties in communication(d3)and interpersonal interac-tions(d7);and environmental factors(e.g.,family support,e310;educational services,e585)impacted on func-tional performance and adaptation.Main curriculum standards of China related to language functioning for Pei-zhi schools addressed three domains respectively:body functions(Rehabilitation Training Curriculum Standard),communication skills[Living Language(Chinese)Curriculum Standard],and social participation and environ-ment(the Life Adaptation Curriculum Standard).Together,they constructed a standardized system for education-al curricula and rehabilitation interventions for children's speech and language functioning.Conclusion The speech therapy,the courses of Chinese language and adaptation are the complex and multidimensional processes.Based on the theoretical framework of the ICF's bio-psycho-social model,this study systematically in-tegrates China's Living Language(Chinese),Rehabilitation Training,and Life Adaptation curriculum standards to construct a speech rehabilitation program and a language ability curriculum oriented by the children's speech,lan-guage functioning and adaptation,which emphasizes a process beginning with functional assessment,grounded in real-life contexts,and actualized through interdisciplinary collaboration,to provide individualized,multimodal and evidence-based education,rehabilitation interventions and support for every child with special needs.By im-plementing the integrated rehabilitation interventions and language-related curriculum system,it enhances chil-dren's speech,language functioning and adaptation,promotes their functional communication,empowers their communication activities and social participation,and improves their social adaptation and overall development.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of hypoxia inducible factor-1 α/aquaporin-4(HIF-1α/AQP4)pathway in high altitude cerebral edema(HACE)after blood-brain barrier injury in rats.Methods Adult male SD rats(n=40)were randomly divided into two groups:control group(Ctrl,n=20)and high altitude cerebral edema group(HACE,n=20).The rats in the control group were reared in Xining(altitude 2261 m)for 4 days,and the rats in HACE group were reared in low-pressure simulation chamber(altitude 5000 m)for 4 days.Brain water content was measured by the method of dry and wet weight.The intracranial structure,morphology and signal changes of small animals were observed through T2 weighted image of 7.0 T MRI.The morphological changes of neurons and the apoptosis of nerve cells in the CA1 region of hippocampal tissue were observed by the staining of Nissl and TUNEL.Immunohistochemical staining was performed to observe the extravasation of immunoglobulin G(IgG).The expressions of HIF-1α,AQP4,matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9),claudin-5,occludin and zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)in the tissue of hippocampal were detected by the method of Western blotting and immunofluorescent staining.Results The brain water content increased significantly in the HACE group(P＜0.05).The neurons in CA1 region of hippocampal tissue were atrophic and deformed,the arrangement of neurons was disordered in the HACE group.The number of neurons decreased significantly,the apoptosis of nerve cells increased significantly,and the IgG exudates obviously in the CA1 region of hippocampal tissue in the HACE group.The expressions of HIF-1α,AQP4 and MMP-9 proteins increased significantly,while claudin-5,occludin and ZO-1 proteins decreased significantly in the CA1 region of hippocampal tissue,which detected by the method of Western blotting and immunofluorescent staining(P＜0.05).Conclusion Acute high-altitude hypoxia can induce to blood-brain barrier disruption through the HIF-1α/AQP4 pathway,resulting in high-altitude cerebral edema.

Objective To systematically explore the characteristics of speech,language functioning and adaptation in children with intellectual and developmental disabilities(IDD)based on framework of International Classification of Function-ing,Disability and Health(ICF),to construct an integrated system that merges curricula and rehabilitation based on an analysis of the content and functional goals within language-related curriculum standards for Peizhi(spe-cial education for children with IDD)schools.Methods Using the bio-psycho-social model of the ICF,the characteristics of speech and communication disorders in children with IDD were systematically analyzed across the three dimensions of body functions and structures,ac-tivities and participation,and environmental factors.A content analysis was conducted on the three core curricu-lum standards for Peizhi schools issued by the Ministry of Education of China,extracting and summarizing the goals and core content related to linguistic ability development,which were then mapped and coded using the ICF classification system.Guided by the ICF's functioning-oriented principles,these curriculum goals were inte-grated with evidence-based rehabilitation strategies to construct a comprehensive curriculum and rehabilitation interventions that included assessment,goal setting,curriculum module design and intervention strategies.Results For the speech and language functioning in children with IDD,at the body functions level,impairments were identified in areas such as mental functions of language(b167)and articulation(b320);at the activities and partic-ipation level,limitations manifested as significant difficulties in communication(d3)and interpersonal interac-tions(d7);and environmental factors(e.g.,family support,e310;educational services,e585)impacted on func-tional performance and adaptation.Main curriculum standards of China related to language functioning for Pei-zhi schools addressed three domains respectively:body functions(Rehabilitation Training Curriculum Standard),communication skills[Living Language(Chinese)Curriculum Standard],and social participation and environ-ment(the Life Adaptation Curriculum Standard).Together,they constructed a standardized system for education-al curricula and rehabilitation interventions for children's speech and language functioning.Conclusion The speech therapy,the courses of Chinese language and adaptation are the complex and multidimensional processes.Based on the theoretical framework of the ICF's bio-psycho-social model,this study systematically in-tegrates China's Living Language(Chinese),Rehabilitation Training,and Life Adaptation curriculum standards to construct a speech rehabilitation program and a language ability curriculum oriented by the children's speech,lan-guage functioning and adaptation,which emphasizes a process beginning with functional assessment,grounded in real-life contexts,and actualized through interdisciplinary collaboration,to provide individualized,multimodal and evidence-based education,rehabilitation interventions and support for every child with special needs.By im-plementing the integrated rehabilitation interventions and language-related curriculum system,it enhances chil-dren's speech,language functioning and adaptation,promotes their functional communication,empowers their communication activities and social participation,and improves their social adaptation and overall development.

OBJECTIVE To develop a questionnaire of the Knowledge-Attitude-Practice （KAP） for patients receiving oral anticoagulant therapy. METHODS Under the guidance of the theory of KAP， literature analysis and interview method were used to design the initial KAP questionnaire for patients treated with oral anticoagulants. Delphi method was adopted to consult the initial questionnaire and modify the questionnaire based on expert suggestions to form the final questionnaire. RESULTS Two rounds of consultation were conducted with 18 experts， and 18 questionnaires were sent out and recovered in each round， so the positive coefficient of experts was 100%. The expert authority coefficient was 0.94. The average importance scores for all dimensions， factors， and items of the questionnaire in both rounds were ≥4 points. The coefficient of variation was ≤0.25. The Kendall’s concordance coefficient for the overall questionnaire and the three dimensions of knowledge， attitude， and practice ranged from 0.09 to 0.34 （all P＜0.05）. Following the first round of expert consultation， four items were modified， two items were deleted， and five items were added； after the second round of expert consultation， ten items were modified. The final version of the questionnaire included three dimensions （knowledge， attitudes， and practice）， 17 questionnaire factors， and 40 items. CONCLUSIONS The questionnaire has high reliability and scientific validity with relatively concentrated expert opinions. It is suitable for assessing the knowledge， attitudes， and practice status of patients receiving oral anticoagulant therapy.

Objective:To compare the differences of clinical characteristics of temporal lobe epilepsy with bilateral hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-bHS) with those of temporal lobe epilepsy with unilateral hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-uHS).Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed. Forty-eight patients with confirmed TLE-bHS enrolled in Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University from January 2013 to January 2022 were chosen, and 101 patients with confirmed TLE-uHS admitted to our hospital at the same time period were selected as controls. Clinical data such as onset age, disease course, past medical history, seizure frequency, anti-seizure medications, video EEG and neuropsychological test results, and outcomes were analyzed.Results:Compared with the TLE-uHS group, the TLE-bHS group had higher male proportion, elder onset age, shorter disease course, higher seizure frequency, more types of past and currently used anti-seizure medications, lower proportion of autonomic nerve with aura, higher proportion of no aura at onset, higher proportion of slow head background movement in video EEG, and lower memory quotient, verbal memory scores and non-verbal memory scores, with significant differences ( P<0.05); the differences in ratio of past medical history and ratio of distributions of regions with interictal epileptiform abnormalities between the 2 groups were statistically significant ( P<0.05): the TLE-bHS group had significantly higher proportion of previous intracranial infection/encephalitis and higher ratio of bilateral temporal epileptiform abnormalities than the TLE-uHS group, while the TLE-uHS group had significantly higher proportion of patients with febrile convulsion history and higher ratio of unilateral temporal epileptiform abnormalities ( P<0.05). Only 10 patients (20.8%) in the TLE-bHS group received non-drug therapy, including anterior temporal lobectomy in 3 patients (Engel grading I in postoperative follow-up for 2 years), neuroregulatory therapy in 4, and ketogenic diet in 4; of the 55 patients (54.5%) in the TLE-uHS group who underwent anterior temporal lobectomy, 48 patients (87.3%) had Engel grading I, 1 patient (1.8%) had grading II, 4 (7.3%) had grading III, and 2 (3.6%) had grading IV after 2 years of follow-up. Conclusion:Differences in onset age, disease course, past medical history, seizure frequency, anti-seizure medications, and video EEG and neuropsychological test results can help to discriminate patients with TLE-bHS or with TLE-uHS.

Objective:To observe and evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in China, and to explore the prognosis-related molecules in pancreatic cancer based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) of tumor tissues.Methods:From December 2018 to December 2020, patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer were recruited to accept albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment in the oncology departments of 24 hospitals in East China. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and treatment related adverse events, and the secondary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Adverse effects were graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 5.0 (CTCAE 5.0). NGS sequencing on the primary or metastatic tissue samples of pancreatic cancer obtained through surgical resection or biopsy was performed.Results:This study recruited 229 patients, including 70 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) and 159 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC). The disease control rate was 79.9% and the objective response rate is 36.3%.The common adverse effects during treatment were anaemia (159 cases), leucopenia (170 cases), neutropenia (169 cases), increased aminotransferases (110 cases), and thrombocytopenia (95 cases), and the incidence of grade 3-4 neutropenia is 12.2% (28/229). The median follow-up time was 21.2 months (95% CI: 18.5-23.1 months). The median PFS (mPFS) was 5.3 months (95% CI: 4.37-4.07 months) and the median OS (mOS) was 11.2 months (95% CI: 9.5-12.9 months). The mPFS of patients with LAPC was 7.4 months (95% CI: 6.6-11.2 months), and their mOS was 15.5 months (95% CI: 12.6-NA months). The mPFS of patients with mPC was 3.9 months (95% CI: 3.4-5.1 months), and their mOS was 9.3 months (95% CI: 8.0-10.8 months). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that clinical stage ( HR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.06-2.04), primary tumor site ( HR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.48-0.86), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) score ( HR=2.66, 95% CI: 1.53-4.65), and whether to combine radiotherapy ( HR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.42-1.00) were independent influencing factors for the PFS of these patients. The primary tumor site ( HR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.48-0.95), ECOG score ( HR=5.82, 95% CI: 3.14-10.82), and whether to combine radiotherapy ( HR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.35-0.96) were independent influencing factors of the OS of these patients. The most frequent gene mutations in these advanced stage pancreatic patients were KRAS (89.66%), TP53 (77.01%), CDKN2A (32.18%), and SMAD4 (21.84%) by NGS of tumor tissues from 87 pancreatic cancer patients with sufficient specimens. Further analysis revealed that mutations in CDKN2B, PTEN, FGF6, and RBBP8 genes were significantly associated with an increased risk of death ( P＜0.05). Conclusion:Albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment demonstrated feasible anti-tumor efficacy and manageable safety for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in China.

Objective To explore the regulatory mechanism of Macelignan on oxidative stress-mediated neuronal injury in autophagy and apoptosis.Methods Murine hippocampal neuronal HT22 cells were treated with 2.5 mmol·L-1 glutamic acid(Glu)to establish an oxidative stress cell model.The cells were divided into normal group(normal cultured cells),model group(2.5 mmol·L-1 Glu)and experimental-L,-M,-H groups(2.5,5,10 μmol·L-1Macelignan treatment),inhibitor group(2.5 mmol·L-1 Glu+10 μmol·L-1 Macelignan+10 μmol·L-1 LY294002).Aoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry;the protein expression level of autophagy-related protein LC3B(LC3B),anti-SQSTM1/p62(p62),p21,B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)and Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax)was detected by Western blot.Results The apoptosis rates in the normal group,model group and experimental-L,-M,-H groups were(4.58±1.25)％,(8.75±0.55)％,(6.30±1.71)％,(5.97±2.27)％and(5.49±1.71)％.The difference between model group and normal group was statistically significant(P＜0.01).The difference between experimental-L,-M,-H groups and model group was statistically significant(all P＜0.01).The levels of LC3B in normal group,model group,experimental-L,experimental-M,experimental-H groups and inhibitor group were 0.28±0.02,0.74±0.02,1.02±0.04,0.70±0.03,0.26±0.02 and 0.21±0.01;p62 levels were 0.49±0.08,0.33±0.03,0.50±0.07,0.59±0.01,0.64±0.13 and 0.65±0.06;p21 levels were 0.87±0.02,1.18±0.03,0.98±0.03,0.88±0.03,0.72±0.06 and 0.81±0.02;Bcl-2/Bax levels were 1.74±0.23,1.11±0.10,1.38±0.05,1.66±0.26,1.58±0.29 and 1.53±0.09,respectively.The differences between model group and normal group,between model group and experimental-H group,between model group and inhibitor group,were also statistically significant(all P＜0.01).Conclusion Macelignan can reduce the damage of hippocampal neurons induced by glutamate acid by regulating the process of autophagy and apoptosis,and has obvious neuroprotective effect.

Objective:To observe and evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in China, and to explore the prognosis-related molecules in pancreatic cancer based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) of tumor tissues.Methods:From December 2018 to December 2020, patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer were recruited to accept albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment in the oncology departments of 24 hospitals in East China. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and treatment related adverse events, and the secondary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Adverse effects were graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 5.0 (CTCAE 5.0). NGS sequencing on the primary or metastatic tissue samples of pancreatic cancer obtained through surgical resection or biopsy was performed.Results:This study recruited 229 patients, including 70 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) and 159 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC). The disease control rate was 79.9% and the objective response rate is 36.3%.The common adverse effects during treatment were anaemia (159 cases), leucopenia (170 cases), neutropenia (169 cases), increased aminotransferases (110 cases), and thrombocytopenia (95 cases), and the incidence of grade 3-4 neutropenia is 12.2% (28/229). The median follow-up time was 21.2 months (95% CI: 18.5-23.1 months). The median PFS (mPFS) was 5.3 months (95% CI: 4.37-4.07 months) and the median OS (mOS) was 11.2 months (95% CI: 9.5-12.9 months). The mPFS of patients with LAPC was 7.4 months (95% CI: 6.6-11.2 months), and their mOS was 15.5 months (95% CI: 12.6-NA months). The mPFS of patients with mPC was 3.9 months (95% CI: 3.4-5.1 months), and their mOS was 9.3 months (95% CI: 8.0-10.8 months). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that clinical stage ( HR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.06-2.04), primary tumor site ( HR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.48-0.86), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) score ( HR=2.66, 95% CI: 1.53-4.65), and whether to combine radiotherapy ( HR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.42-1.00) were independent influencing factors for the PFS of these patients. The primary tumor site ( HR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.48-0.95), ECOG score ( HR=5.82, 95% CI: 3.14-10.82), and whether to combine radiotherapy ( HR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.35-0.96) were independent influencing factors of the OS of these patients. The most frequent gene mutations in these advanced stage pancreatic patients were KRAS (89.66%), TP53 (77.01%), CDKN2A (32.18%), and SMAD4 (21.84%) by NGS of tumor tissues from 87 pancreatic cancer patients with sufficient specimens. Further analysis revealed that mutations in CDKN2B, PTEN, FGF6, and RBBP8 genes were significantly associated with an increased risk of death ( P＜0.05). Conclusion:Albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment demonstrated feasible anti-tumor efficacy and manageable safety for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in China.