Objective: To characterize perioperative dynamic changes in immune-cell phenotypes and inflammatory cytokines in patients undergoing CPB (cardiopulmonary bypass) cardiac surgery, and to explore their associations with postoperative outcomes. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 120 adult patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery under CPB at West China Hospital from May 2022 to March 2023 were enrolled. Perioperative immune-cell phenotypes and concentrations of 40 inflammation-related cytokines were measured. The primary outcomes were the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score at 24 h after surgery and ΔSOFA (the peak SOFA score within 48 h after surgery minus the preoperative SOFA score). Secondary outcomes included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), acute kidney injury (AKI), respiratory failure, severe liver injury, and infection. Results: The mean age of enrolled patients was 57±10 years. Of these, 52% (62/120) were male and 90% (108/120) underwent valve surgery. During the rewarming to the end of CPB, neutrophil counts rapidly increased (7.39×10 /L vs preoperative 3.07×10 /L, P<0.001), with significant upregulation of CD11b (7.30×10 /L vs preoperative 3.05×10 /L, P<0.001) and CD54 (7.15×10 /L vs preoperative 2.99×10 /L, P<0.001). Lymphocyte counts increased at the end of CPB (1.75×10 /L vs preoperative 1.12×10 /L, P<0.001) but decreased significantly at 24 h after surgery (0.59×10 /L vs preoperative 1.12×10 /L, P<0.001). Plasma analysis showed that multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines increased during CPB and remained elevated up to 24 h after surgery; five chemokines and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 peaked at the end of CPB. The SOFA score increased from 1 (1, 2) preoperatively to 7 (5, 10) at 24 h after surgery, with a ΔSOFA of 6 (4, 8). Within 30 days after surgery, 48 patients (40.0%) developed AKI, 17 (14.2%) developed infection, 4 (3.3%) developed severe liver injury, 3 (2.5%) developed respiratory failure, and 3 (2.5%) experienced MACE. During the 2-year follow-up, 8 patients (6.7%) experienced MACE and 5 (4.2%) died. Conclusion: Multi-organ dysfunction is common after cardiac surgery under CPB (median ΔSOFA, 6), accompanied by perioperative activation of multiple immune-cell subsets and upregulation of pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and chemotactic mediators. This study provides data-driven evidence and research clues for further investigation of the associations between CPB-related immune perturbations and postoperative organ dysfunction and clinical outcomes.

This study was aimed at identifying the pathogenic bacteria responsible for the death of a young tiger at the Fujian Meihua Mountain South China Tiger Breeding Research Institute.Tissue samples from the lungs,liver,and intestines of the deceased tiger were collected,and the bacteria were cultured inasterile environment.The bacterial strains were characterized according to their morphological and molecular biological properties,including assessment of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance genes,mouse lethality tests,and antibiotic susceptibility evaluations.A predominant bacterial strain isolated from the liver of the deceased tiger was identified as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli(ETEC)strain Tiger22513F.Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that the Tiger22513F strain exhibited close genetic similarity to the reference strain ETEC(MF919609.1),with 99.9%nucleotide similarity,and resided on the same evolutionary branch.The Tiger22513F strain contained 11 antibiotic resistance genes(tetA,sul1,sul3,cmlA,floR,blaTEM,blaSHV,blaCMY-2,qnrA,qnrS,and qnrD)along with five virulence genes(VT1,fyuA,tsh,iucD,and ST).Mouse lethality tests indicated significant pathogenicity toward mice,affecting primarily the lungs,liver,and intestines.Antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated that this strain exhibited resistance to various classes of beta-lactam antibiotics,as well as quinolones and aminoglycosides.This investigation successfully isolated a multi-drug resistant enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain with pronounced pathogenicity from the liver of a deceased tiger;thus providing valuable scientific insights for clinical diagnosis,as well as prevention and control measures,against ETEC infections in South China tigers.

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 explore the composition of gut microbiome, the characteristics of virulence factor genes and their relationship with liver metabolic inflammation in overweight or obese children.Methods:A case-control design was conducted. From the children who visited the West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University for medical or physical examinations between August 2021 and April 2022, a total of 23 obese children (obesity group), 8 overweight children (overweight group), and 22 healthy children (control group) were recruited. The body mass index of children was calculated after anthropometric measurements; metabolic inflammation indexes such as the levels of fasting blood glucose and hepatic function and renal function etc. were detected. The composition and abundance of gut microbiota in the feces of the children were detected by metagenomic sequencing technology and the Shannon index and Simpson index were calculated to assess the α diversity of virulence factor genes. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for pairwise comparison between groups. The Spearman′s rank correlation test was used for correlation analysis, and the Benjamini-Hochberg method was used to correct the P-value of multiple tests. Results:The obese group included 23 children aged 8.5 (6.3, 11.8) years, of whom 9 (39%) were male. The overweight group consisted of 8 children aged 9.2 (5.5, 12.3) years, of whom 4 were male. The control group comprised 22 children aged 5.3 (5.1, 5.4) years, of whom 10 (45%) were male. The obese group exhibited higher levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT), globulin, and uric acid compared to those of the control group (all P<0.05), with ALT also higher than that of the overweight group ( P<0.05). The levels of fasting blood glucose, γ-GT, globulin, and uric acid in the overweight group were all higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The abundance of Coprococcus A (0.76 (0.00, 3.11) vs. 0.00 (0.00, 0.00), false discovery rate ( FDR)<0.05) and Parasutterella (0.89 (0.08, 1.79) vs. 0.00 (0.00, 0.08), FDR<0.05) in the gut of children in the obese group were both higher than those of the control group. The number of virulence factor genes in the obese group was higher than those of the control group (941 (886, 977) vs. 890 (807, 920), P<0.05). The Simpson index and Shannon index of gut microbial virulence factor genes in the obese group were both higher than those of the control group (0.993 (0.992, 0.993) vs. 0.991(0.990, 0.991), (5.50 (5.46, 5.56) vs. 5.37 (5.30, 5.43), both P<0.01). The abundance of gut microbiota virulence factors genes all showed positive correlations with fasting blood glucose, ALT, γ-GT, and uric acid levels in children (all r>0.3, all FDR<0.05). The abundance of 17 gut microbial virulence factor genes were all positively associated with γ-GT levels (all r>0.3, all FDR<0.05). The virulence factor genes (LpxH, LpxB, LpxK) of lipopolysaccharide were all positively correlated with plasma γ-GT and globulin levels (all r>0.3, all FDR<0.05). Conclusions:Overweight or obese children exhibited elevated liver metabolic-inflammatory markers compared to their normal-weight counterparts. Notably, obese children demonstrated gut microbiota dysbiosis accompanied by enrichment of virulence factor genes, which may promote liver metabolic inflammation through pathways such as lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis.

Hearing loss is the most prevalent disabling disease. Cochlear implantation（CI） serves as the primary intervention for severe to profound hearing loss. This consensus systematically explores the value of genetic diagnosis in the pre-operative assessment and efficacy prognosis for CI. Drawing upon domestic and international research and clinical experience, it proposes an evidence-based medicine three-tiered prognostic classification system（Favorable, Marginal, Poor）. The consensus focuses on common hereditary non-syndromic hearing loss（such as that caused by mutations in genes like GJB2, SLC26A4, OTOF, LOXHD1） and syndromic hereditary hearing loss（such as Jervell & Lange-Nielsen syndrome and Waardenburg syndrome）, which are closely associated with congenital hearing loss, analyzing the impact of their pathological mechanisms on CI outcomes. The consensus provides recommendations based on multiple round of expert discussion and voting. It emphasizes that genetic diagnosis can optimize patient selection, predict prognosis, guide post-operative rehabilitation, offer stratified management strategies for patients with different genotypes, and advance the application of precision medicine in the field of CI.
Humans ; Cochlear Implantation ; Prognosis ; Hearing Loss/surgery* ; Consensus ; Connexin 26 ; Mutation ; Sulfate Transporters ; Connexins/genetics*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical characteristics and drug resistance profile of invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) enteritis in children in Chengdu, China, providing a reference for rational drug use and empirical treatment in clinical practice. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 130 children with invasive bacterial enteritis due to NTS identified by fecal bacterial culture and the results of drug sensitivity tests for NTS in Chengdu from January 2022 to December 2023. RESULTS: NTS infections were mainly observed from April to September (113 cases, 86.9%), with a peak in August (36 cases, 27.7%). Children aged <36 months accounted for 86.2% (112/130) of all cases, and the main symptoms were diarrhea (130 cases, 100%), fever (123 cases, 94.6%), and hematochezia (112 cases, 86.2%). The 130 NTS isolates exhibited a sensitivity rate of 64.6% to ceftriaxone and 63.8% to cefotaxime, and a sensitivity rate of >90.0% to piperacillin-tazobactam and nitrofurantoin (nitrofurans). The detection rate of multidrug-resistant strains was 48.5% (63/130), and the clinical efficacy of third-generation cephalosporins used in 38 patients (29.2%) was inconsistent with the results of drug sensitivity tests. CONCLUSIONS The peak of invasive NTS enteritis in children aged 0-6 years occurs in August in the Chengdu area, with a relatively high incidence rate in children aged <36 months. The situation of drug resistance is severe for NTS, and piperacillin-tazobactam may be an effective option for treating multidrug-resistant NTS infections in children, while nitrofuran antibiotics might be used to treat such infections.
Humans ; Infant ; Child, Preschool ; Enteritis/microbiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Salmonella Infections/microbiology* ; Female ; Child ; Salmonella/drug effects* ; Infant, Newborn ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use*

Objective To discuss the prediction value of the early efficacy of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy(HAIC)in treating stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods The clinical data of 81 patients with stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ HCC,who received at least 3 times of HAIC at the Nanchang Municipal Central Hospital of China from November 2021 to March 2024,were retrospectively analyzed.CT or MRI was used to compare patient's local tumor response after each treatment cycle.Based on modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors(mRECIST),the curative effects of patients after receiving the first,the second,and the last HAIC treatment were compared between each other.The prediction value of the early efficacy of HAIC in treating patients with stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ HCC was analyzed.Results In the 67 patients,the efficacy of the last time HAIC was equal or similar to that of the first time HAIC,and in the remaining 14 patients the efficacy of the last time HAIC was different from that of the first time HAIC,with an efficacy prediction rate of 82.72％.The efficacy of the last time HAIC was equal or similar to that of the second time HAIC in 71 patients,and in the remaining 10 patients the efficacy of the last time HAIC was different from that of the second time HAIC,with an efficacy prediction rate of 87.65％.Conclusion In treating stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ HCC with HAIC,the early efficacy can be used to predict the final efficacy after completion of the total treatment course.

Objective:To investigate the distribution law of TCM syndromes in DPN patients with different TCM syndromes and their correlation with neuroelectrophysiological indexes.Methods:The general data of 252 DPN patients in Nanchong Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from October 2021 to October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, and they were divided into 139 cases of primary deficiency syndrome group and 113 cases of excess in superficiality group according to TCM syndrome type. The distribution of TCM syndromes in DPN patients was observed, nerve electrophysiological indicators were detected, the differences of nerve electrophysiological indicators among patients with different TCM syndromes were compared, and the correlation between TCM syndromes distribution and nerve electrophysiological indicators in DPN patients was analyzed.Results:Among 139 patients of DPN with primary deficiency syndrome, there were 56 cases of qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, 44 cases of yin deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, 39 cases of liver and kidney deficiency syndrome; among 113 cases of excess in superficiality syndrome group, 42 cases of phlegm-dampness blocking collaterals syndrome, 37 cases of blood stasis blocking collaterals syndrome, and 34 cases of damp-heat blocking collaterals syndrome. There was no significant difference in the general data of patients with different TCM syndrome types ( P>0.05). The MCV and SCV of the median nerve, common peroneal nerve, and ulnar nerve in patients with primary deficiency syndrome group were lower than those in the excess in superficiality syndrome ( P<0.001), and the MCV and SCV of the median nerve, common peroneal nerve, and ulnar nerve in patients with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, yin deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, and liver and kidney deficiency syndrome sequentially decreased ( P<0.01); there was no statistical significance ( P>0.05) in MCV and SCV between the three types of patients in the excess in superficiality group. Point-biserial correlation analysis results showed that DPN patients with primary deficiency syndrome had significant correlation with MCV and SCV ( P<0.05), while DPN patients with excess in superficiality syndrome had no significant correlation with MCV and SCV ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome is the most common among DPN patients with primary deficiency syndrome. Compared with patients with excess in superficiality group syndrome, MCV and SCV of patients with primary deficiency syndrome are at a lower level, and the TCM syndrome types of DPN patients are closely related to nerve conduction velocity.

In modern society, people are increasingly exposed to chronic stress, leading to various mental disorders. However, the activities of brain regions, especially neural firing patterns related to specific behaviors, remain unclear. In this study, we introduce a novel approach, NeuroSync, which integrates open-field behavioral testing with electrophysiological recordings from emotion-related brain regions, specifically the central amygdala and the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, to explore the mechanisms of negative emotions induced by chronic stress in mice. By applying machine vision techniques, we quantified behaviors in the open field, and signal processing algorithms elucidated the neural underpinnings of the observed behaviors. Synchronizing behavioral and electrophysiological data revealed significant correlations between neural firing patterns and stress-related behaviors, providing insights into real-time brain activity underlying behavioral responses. This research combines deep learning and machine learning to synchronize high-resolution video and electrophysiological data, offering new insights into neural-behavioral dynamics under chronic stress conditions.
Animals ; Mice ; Male ; Emotions/physiology* ; Stress, Psychological/physiopathology* ; Action Potentials/physiology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Behavior, Animal/physiology* ; Machine Learning ; Amygdala/physiopathology* ; Neurons/physiology* ; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus/physiopathology* ; Brain/physiology*

Deactivation of the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) is important for the metabolic switching of cancer cell from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis. Studies examining PDC activity regulation have mainly focused on the phosphorylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1), leaving other post-translational modifications largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that the acetylation of Lys 488 of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex component X (PDHX) commonly occurs in hepatocellular carcinoma, disrupting PDC assembly and contributing to lactate-driven epigenetic control of gene expression. PDHX, an E3-binding protein in the PDC, is acetylated by the p300 at Lys 488, impeding the interaction between PDHX and dihydrolipoyl transacetylase (E2), thereby disrupting PDC assembly to inhibit its activation. PDC disruption results in the conversion of most glucose to lactate, contributing to the aerobic glycolysis and H3K56 lactylation-mediated gene expression, facilitating tumor progression. These findings highlight a previously unrecognized role of PDHX acetylation in regulating PDC assembly and activity, linking PDHX Lys 488 acetylation and histone lactylation during hepatocellular carcinoma progression and providing a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for further development.
Humans ; Acetylation ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics* ; Liver Neoplasms/genetics* ; Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Animals ; Mice ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Protein Processing, Post-Translational ; Histones/metabolism* ; Disease Progression