OBJECTIVE: CRISPR-Cas protects bacteria from exogenous DNA invasion and is associated with bacterial biofilm formation and pathogenicity. METHODS: We analyzed the type I-F CRISPR-Cas system of Legionella pneumophila WX48, including Cas1, Cas2-Cas3, Csy1, Csy2, Csy3, and Cas6f, along with downstream CRISPR arrays. We explored the effects of the CRISPR-Cas system on the in vitro growth, biofilm-forming ability, and pathogenicity of L. pneumophila through constructing gene deletion mutants. RESULTS: The type I-F CRISPR-Cas system did not affect the in vitro growth of wild-type or mutant strains. The biofilm formation and intracellular proliferation of the mutant strains were weaker than those of the wild type owing to the regulation of type IV pili and Dot/Icm type IV secretion systems. In particular, Cas6f deletion strongly inhibited these processes. CONCLUSION The type I-F CRISPR-Cas system may reduce biofilm formation and intracellular proliferation in L. pneumophila.
Legionella pneumophila/pathogenicity* ; CRISPR-Cas Systems ; Biofilms/growth & development* ; Phenotype ; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism* ; Gene Deletion

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and independent risk factors of severe disease in patients with anti-nuclear matrix protein (NXP) 2 antibody-positive juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted, including 219 anti-NXP2 antibody-positive JDM patients admitted to 23 children′s hospitals across China from July 2011 to July 2023. Patients were classified into severe and non-severe groups based on classification criteria for severe dermatomyositis. Demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, and laboratory parameters were compared between the 2 groups using independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, or χ2 test. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for severe disease. The receiver operating characteristic curve was employed to calculate optimal cut-off values. Results:Among the 219 patients, 108 were male and 111 were female, with an age at onset of 6.3 (3.5, 9.4) years. The severe group comprised 69 patients, and the non-severe group 150 patients. The severe group had significantly higher rates of fever, heliotrope rash, subcutaneous edema, periorbital edema, anti-Ro52 antibody positivity, as well as elevated levels of ferritin-to-albumin ratio (FAR), creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis identified anti-Ro52 antibody positivity ( OR=13.26, 95% CI 1.37-128.29) and elevated FAR ( OR=1.90, 95% CI 1.09-2.31) as independent risk factors for severe anti-NXP2 antibody-positive JDM (both P<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that a FAR cutoff value of 6.82 predicted severe disease with an area under the curve of 0.87 (95% CI 0.81-0.94, P<0.001), sensitivity of 0.85, and specificity of 0.70. All patients received glucocorticoid therapy, and the severe group received higher proportions of steroid pulse therapy, cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, intravenous immunoglobulin, biologics, and adjuvant treatments compared to the non-severe group (all P<0.05). In terms of outcomes, 2 patients (2.9%) in the severe group died (due to neurological involvement and intestinal perforation, respectively), while the remaining patients achieved complete clinical response or remission. All patients in the non-severe group achieved remission. Conclusions:The primary clinical features of anti-NXP2 antibody-positive JDM included fever, heliotrope rash, subcutaneous edema, periorbital edema, anti-Ro52 antibody positivity, and elevated levels of CK, AST, LDH, and FAR. Furthermore, anti-Ro52 antibody positivity and a FAR>6.82 were identified as independent risk factors.

Hypertensive nephropathy is one of the common chronic kidney diseases in China,the morbidity and mortality are increasing year by year,which seriously endangers the physical and mental health of patients.Traditional Chinese medicine believes that human is an organic whole,the five viscera and six organs are closely related in physiology and pathology,based on the theory of"holistic concept",the application of Chinese medicine in the treatment of hypertensive nephropathy can effectively improve kidney function and reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions.Therefore,based on the theory of"five viscera in one",this paper summarizes the etiology and pathogenesis of hypertensive nephropathy and the treatment of hypertensive nephropathy from the five aspects of liver,heart,spleen,lung and kidney,aiming to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of kidney disease by traditional Chinese medicine.

AIM To investigate the effect of Fuzheng Hefu Zhiyang Formula(FZHFZY)on psoriasis-like skin lesions and immune regulation in mice.METHODS In the in vivo experiment,30 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the blank group,the model group,the dexamethasone group(1.5 g/kg of compound dexamethasone acetate cream),and the low-dose(2.5 g/kg)and high-dose(5 g/kg)FZHFZY groups,with six mice in each group.The experiment groups were treated with respective FZHFZY and dexamethasone,and the other groups were given normal saline for 10 consecutive days,during which psoriatic skin lesions were induced with imiquimod cream for 7 consecutive days.The mice had their area and severity of psoriasis assessed by PASI score;their histological changes of skin lesions.observed with Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining;their F4/80 ratio of skin lesions observed with immunohistochemical(IHC)staining;their protein expressions of P38,p-P38,Erk,p-Erk,P65 and p-P65 detected by Western blot;and their mRNA expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),IL-17,IL-23 and IL-1β detected by RT-qPCR.In the in vitro research,the cultured RAW264.7 cells were divided into the blank group,the LPS group,and the FZHFZY groups(1 200,600,300,150 μg/mL).The cells had their protein expressions of P38,p-P38,Erk,p-Erk,P65 and p-P65 detected with Western blot;and their mRNA expressions of IL-6,TNF-α,IL-23 and IL-8 detected by RT-qPCR.RESULTS The in vivo experiment showed that compared to the model group,the FZHFZY groups demonstrated decreased PASI score(P＜0.01);improved epidermal thickening and parakeratosis of skin lesions as revealed by HE staining result and increased expression of F4/80 in IHC staining sections;decreased protein expression ratios of p-P38/P38,p-ERK/Erk and p-P65/P65 in skin(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and reduced mRNA expressions of TNF-α,IL-17,IL-23 and IL-1β in the skin(P＜0.01).FZHFZY(0～2 400 μg/mL)showed no significant cytotoxicity towards RAW264.7 cells in vitro(P＞0.05).Compared to those of the LPS group,the cells exposed to FZHFZ at concentrations of 1 200 and 600 μg/mL demonstrated decreased protein expression ratios of p-P38/P38,p-ERK/Erk,and p-P65/P65(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and significantly decreased mRNA expressions of TNF-α,IL-17,IL-23 and IL-1β(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION FZHFZY alleviates imiquimod-induced psoriatic lesions in mice and suppresses inflammatory response in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells by inhibiting P38/Erk/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the regulatory effect of oral probiotics as adjuvant therapy on the imbalance of helper T cell 1(Th1)/helper T cell 2(Th2),intestinal flora and lung function in children with allergic asthma and its clinical efficacy.Methods A retrospective analysis was con-ducted in the clinical data of 122 children with allergic asthma.According to different treatment regi-mens,the children were divided into control group(n=60)and observation group(n=62).The control group received conventional treatment combined with budesonide,while the observation group received oral probiotics as adjunctive therapy in addition to the treatment in the control group.The asthma control effects[Childhood Asthma Control Test(C-ACT)score],intestinal flora(Escherichia co-li,Bifidobacterium,Lactobacillus),relevant lung function indicators[peak expiratory flow as a percentage of predicted value(PEF％pred),fractional exhaled nitric oxide(FeNO),forced expiratory volume in one second as a percentage of predicted value(FEV1％pred)],respiratory mechanics parameters[work of breathing(WOB),airway resistance(Raw),peak inspiratory pressure(PIP),dynamic lung compliance(Cdyn)],levels of sputum adhesion molecules[integrin α4β1,vascular cell ad-hesion molecule-1(VCAM-1),intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1)],levels of Th1/Th2 cytokine-related indicators[interleukin-4(IL-4),interferon--y(IFN-γ),the ratio of IFN-γ to IL-4(IFN-γ/IL-4),the ratio of Th1 to Th2(Th1/Th2)],symptom disappearance time,clinical effica-cy,and the incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results After treatment,the observation group demonstrated significantly higher C-ACT scores,overall clinical re-sponse rates,IFN-γ/IL-4 and Th1/Th2 ratios,along with elevated levels of Lactobacillus,Bifidobacterium,PEF％pred,FEV1％pred,Cdyn and IFN-γ compared to the control group(P＜0.05).Conversely,adverse reaction rates,and levels of Escherichia coli,FeNO,Raw,WOB,PIP,integrin α4β1,VCAM-1,ICAM-1 and IL-4 were significantly lower in the observation group(P＜0.05).Symptom resolution time was also shorter in the observation group(P＜0.05).The total Naranjo scale score was 3,indicating a"possible"causal relationship between adverse drug re-actions and probiotic use.Conclusion Oral probiotics as adjunctive therapy can effectively regulate Th1/Th2 imbalance induced by allergic asthma in children,improve clinical outcomes,pulmonary function,respiratory mechanics,intestinal microbiota composition,and sputum adhesion molecule levels.

With the establishment of bio-psycho-social medical model,both social and psychological factors play an important role in the occurrence,development and treatment of diseases.Hypertension is a common chronic multiple disease in China,and patients are often complicated with depression and other e-motional disorders.The interaction between hypertension and depression significantly increases the risk of poor prognosis.Current studies have shown a bidirectional promoting relationship between hypertension and depression,and they have some com-mon pathogenesis.However,the specific mechanism of their co-morbidity has not been fully elucidated.Renin-angiotensin sys-tem(RAS)plays an important role in the regulation of hyperten-sion and depression and other emotions.It is composed of two antagonistic pathways.The balance is maintained by angioten-sin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2).Therefore,this article reviews the relationship and mechanism of RAS in hypertension,depres-sion and comorbid states,in order to provide new treatment ide-as for hypertension and depression.

Hypertensive nephropathy is one of the common chronic kidney diseases in China,the morbidity and mortality are increasing year by year,which seriously endangers the physical and mental health of patients.Traditional Chinese medicine believes that human is an organic whole,the five viscera and six organs are closely related in physiology and pathology,based on the theory of"holistic concept",the application of Chinese medicine in the treatment of hypertensive nephropathy can effectively improve kidney function and reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions.Therefore,based on the theory of"five viscera in one",this paper summarizes the etiology and pathogenesis of hypertensive nephropathy and the treatment of hypertensive nephropathy from the five aspects of liver,heart,spleen,lung and kidney,aiming to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of kidney disease by traditional Chinese medicine.

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is crucial for regulating blood pressure and maintaining fluid balance, while clock genes are essential for sustaining biological rhythms and regulating metabolism. There exists a complex interplay between RAAS and clock genes that may significantly contribute to the development of various cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Although current literature has identified correlations between these two systems, the specific mechanisms of their interaction remain unclear. Moreover, the interaction patterns under different physiological and pathological conditions need further investigation. This review summarizes the synergistic roles of the RAAS and clock genes in cardiovascular diseases, explores their molecular mechanisms and pathophysiological connections, discusses the application of chronotherapy, and highlights potential future research directions, aiming to provide novel insights for the prevention and treatment of related diseases.
Humans ; Renin-Angiotensin System/genetics* ; Cardiovascular Diseases/genetics* ; CLOCK Proteins/physiology* ; Animals