Objective To evaluate the effect of donor gender on short-term survival rate of lung transplant recipients. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 1 066 lung transplant recipients. The log-rank test was used to evaluate the differences in short-term fatality among different donor gender groups and donor-recipient gender combination groups. Multivariate Cox regression, propensity score (PS) regression, and propensity score matching (PSM) were employed to control for confounding factors and further assess the differences in fatality. Subgroup analyses were also performed based on donor gender. Results Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed no statistically significant differences in fatality at 30 days, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years postoperatively between male and female donor groups (all P>0.05). After PS regression and PSM, univariate Cox regression analysis indicated that recipients from female donors had a higher fatality at 2 years postoperatively compared to those from male donors, with hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 1.29 (1.01-1.65) and 1.36 (1.03-1.80) respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis also revealed no statistically significant differences in fatality at various follow-up time points among different donor-recipient gender combination groups (all P>0.05). Subgroup analyses based on donor sex showed no statistically significant differences in fatality among recipients of different gender within either male or female donor groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions Female donors may reduce the short-term postoperative survival rate of lung transplant recipients, but this negative impact is not sustainable in the long term. At present, there is no evidence to support the inclusion of sex as a factor in lung allocation rules.

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*

Thrombus is a major factor leading to cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Although fibrinolytic anti-thrombotic drugs have been widely used in clinical practice, they are still limited by narrow therapeutic windows, short half-lives, susceptibility to inactivation, and abnormal bleeding caused by non-targeting. Therefore, it is crucial to effectively deliver thrombolytic agents to the site of thrombus with minimal adverse effects. Based on the long blood circulation and excellent drug-loading properties of human serum albumin (HSA), we employed genetic engineering techniques to insert a functional peptide (P-selectin binding peptide, PBP) which can target the thrombus site to the N-terminus of HSA. The fusion protein was expressed using Pichia pastoris and purified by Ni-chelating affinity chromatography. After being loaded with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), the fusion protein formed homogeneous and stable nanoparticles (named as PBP-HSA@Au) with a diameter of 17.7 ± 1.0 nm and a zeta potential of -11.3 ± 0.2 mV. Cytotoxicity and hemolysis tests demonstrated the superb biocompatibility of PBP-HSA@Au. Platelet-targeting experiments confirmed the thrombus-targeting ability conferred by the introduction of PBP into PBP-HSA@Au. Upon near-infrared ray (NIR) irradiation, PBP-HSA@Au rapidly converted light energy into heat, thereby disrupting fibrinogen and exhibiting outstanding thrombolytic efficacy. The designed HSA fusion protein delivery system provides a precise, rapid, and drug-free treatment strategy for thrombus therapy. This system is characterized by its simple design, high biocompatibility, and strong clinical applicability. All animal experiments involved in this study were carried out under the protocols approved by the Animal Experiment Ethics Committee of Jiangnan University [JN. No20230915S0301015(423)].

BACKGROUND:Autoimmune regulator gene(Aire)and Wnt signaling pathway play an important role in the maintenance and differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cell pluripotency.However,whether the Wnt signal and Aire are involved in the differentiation of embryonic stem cells to thymic epithelial progenitor cells remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship of the Wnt signaling pathway and Aire with the differentiation of embryonic stem cells. METHODS:A two-step differentiation method was used to induce mouse embryonic stem cells to differentiate into endoderm and then into thymic epithelial progenitor cells.Mouse embryonic stem cells were infected with Aire shRNA lentivirus,and monoclonal stable strains were screened by puromycin.Mouse embryonic stem cells were collected on days 0,3 and 10 of the directed induction of differentiation after the induced differentiation by the two-step differentiation method.Cellular immunofluorescence,flow cytometry,western blot assay,and real-time qPCR were used to detect the expression changes of related genes and proteins. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Immunofluorescence staining showed positive expression of SSEA1 and OCT4 on day 0 of targeted induction of differentiation.(2)Immunofluorescence staining showed double-positive expression of SOX17 and FOXA2 on day 3 of targeted induction of differentiation.(3)Flow cytometry results showed positive expression of EPCAM1,K5 and K8 on day 10 of targeted induction of differentiation.(4)Compared with undifferentiated mouse embryonic stem cells,the expressions of Wnt7a,β-catenin,and Gsk-3β proteins were elevated,and the expression level of Aire protein was decreased in induced differentiated thymic epithelial progenitor cells.(5)Compared with undifferentiated mouse embryonic stem cells,the expressions of Wnt7a,β-catenin,Gsk-3β and Aire mRNA were elevated in thymic epithelial progenitor cells.(6)Compared with normal cultured mouse embryonic stem cells and their ultimately differentiated thymic epithelial progenitor cells,the expression levels of Wnt7a,β-catenin and Gsk-3β proteins were reduced in mouse embryonic stem cells with knockdown of Aire genes and their final differentiated thymic epithelial progenitor cells.In conclusion,the Wnt signaling pathway and Aire are jointly involved in the process of targeted induction of differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into mouse thymic epithelial progenitor cells.

BACKGROUND:The occurrence and development of various ophthalmic diseases are closely related to excessive oxidative stress,and the inhibition of oxidative stress response may produce preventive and therapeutic effects. OBJECTIVE:To explore the role of Pax6 gene expression on hydrogen peroxide-induced aging of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BM-MSCs). METHODS:Resuscitated BM-MSCs,Pax6/BM-MSCs,and shPax6/BM-MSCs were treated with hydrogen peroxide for 24 hours,and then β-galactosidase staining was performed.The proliferation index Ki67 expression and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry.The expression of senescence-associated molecules(Wnt7a,p21,and p53)was detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After hydrogen peroxide treatment,the cells of the three groups showed senescence phenotype and β-galactosidase staining was positive.Compared with BM-MSCs group,the expression of positive cells in Pax6/BM-MSCs group was less and that in the shPax6/BM-MSCs group was more,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).(2)The results of flow cytometry showed that compared with BM-MSCs group,the positive expression of Ki67 in the Pax6/BM-MSCs group increased and the level of apoptosis decreased,while the positive expression of Ki67 decreased and the level of apoptosis increased in the shPax6/BM-MSCs group;the difference was significantly different(P<0.05).(3)RT-PCR showed that compared with the BM-MSCs group,the expression of Wnt7a,p53,and p21 decreased in the Pax6/BM-MSCs group,while the expression of Wnt7a,p53,and p21 increased in the shPax6/BM-MSCs group;the difference was significantly different(P<0.05).(4)These findings indicate that overexpression of Pax6 can antagonize the aging progression of BM-MSCs induced by hydrogen peroxide,which may be related to Wnt signaling pathway.

Microorganisms can form biofilms, complex, heterogeneous, multicellular communities that adhere to surfaces. Biofilm formation on the surface of structures in water will accelerate structures’ corrosion, seriously affect their service efficiency and life, and significantly impact the growth of animals, plants, and human life. Hence, clarifying the mechanism of biofilm formation contributes to developing new strategies to control biofilm formation on surface and then reduce infections, biofouling, and contaminations. Biofilm-targeting strategies include the regulation of established biofilms or the modulation of single-cell attachment. In most studies, physicochemical mechanism is frequently applied to explain the initial bacterial adhesion phenomena but rarely to explain other stages of biofilm formation. This review presents a five-step comprehensive description of the physicochemical process from film formation to biofilm maturation: (1) period of film formation; (2) period of bacterial adhesion; (3) period of extracellular-polymeric-substances (EPSs) membrane formation; (4) period of regulating biofilm by quorum sensing (QS); (5) period of biofilm maturation. We first clarify how the film formed by compound molecules affects the surface’s physicochemical properties and initial adhesion, summarizing many factors that affect bacterial adhesion. We then review the types of EPSs and signal molecules secreted by bacteria after irreversible adhesion, as well as their role and QS mechanism in biofilm maturation. Finally, we discuss how bacteria or microcolonies separate from the mature biofilm by physicochemical action and summarize the morphology and adhesion characterization methods after the biofilm matures. This review redefines the role of physicochemical in the whole process of biofilm formation and provides a theoretical basis for the prevention, removal, and utilization of biofilm and other related research fields.

【Objective】 To analyze the genetic variation characteristics and clinical phenotypes of a family with primary microcephaly (MCPH) caused by RTTN gene variation, and to provide reference for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis. 【Methods】 Clinical data of the three patients (including 2 fetuses and 2-year-old proband,and one fetus with clinical diagnosis) and their parents were collected and analyzed. Two of the children and their parents were tested by trio whole exome sequencing (trio-WES), sanger sequencing validation sites, and the hazard of their compound heterozygous variants was predicted. Literature review was conducted through domestic and international databases to collect reported RTTN gene mutation cases. 【Results】 Three patients in this family had anomalies of the septum pellucidum, hypoplasia of the corpus callosum and other brain malformations during fetal period. The proband (G2) and fetus (G3) showed intrauterine growth retardation and MCPH in late pregnancy; besides, G2 was born with global developmental delay. Trio-WES detected a c.2101(exon16)C>T(p.Arg701Ter,1526) nonsense and a c.2863(exon22)G>A(p.Glu955Lys)missense in the RTTN gene of G2 and G3, which were inherited from their father and mother, forming a compound heterozygous variant. According to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) variant classification guidelines, two variants were likely to be pathogenic (LP) and uncertain significance (VUS). Among them, c.2863(exon22)G>A was a newly discovered missense, which was predicted by the software to be harmful to the gene product. 【Conclusions】 Complex heterozygous variations of RTTN gene (c.2101C>T and c.2863G>A) are the genetic cause of MCPH in this family. This report has enriched the variation spectrum of RTTN gene, provided guidance for prenatal diagnosis and reproduction of this family, as well as material and reference for further understanding of the diseases caused by this gene mutation.

Objective To monitor the antifungal resistance of clinical isolates of Candida spp.in the East China region.Methods MALDI-TOF MS or molecular methods were used to re-identify the strains collected from January 2018 to December 2022.Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using the broth microdilution method.The susceptibility test results were interpreted according to the breakpoints of 2022 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)documents M27 M44s-Ed3 and M57s-Ed4.Results A total of 3 026 strains of Candida were collected,65.33％of which were isolated from sterile body sites,mainly from blood(38.86％)and pleural effusion/ascites(10.21％).The predominant species of Candida were Candida albicans(44.51％),followed by Candida parapsilosis complex(19.46％),Candida tropicalis(13.98％),Candida glabrata(10.34％),and other Candida species(0.79％).Candida albicans showed overall high susceptibility rates to the 10 antifungal drugs tested(the lowest rate being 93.62％).Only 2.97％of the strains showed dose-dependent susceptibility(SDD)to fluconazole.Candida parapsilosis complex had a SDD rate of 2.61％and a resistance rate of 9.42％to fluconazole,and susceptibility rates above 90％to other drugs.Candida glabrata had a SDD rate of 92.01％and a resistance rate of 7.99％to fluconazole,resistance rates of 32.27％and 48.24％to posaconazole and voriconazole non-wild-type strains(NWT),respectively,and susceptibility rates above 90％to other drugs.Candida tropicalis had resistance rates of 29.55％and 26.24％to fluconazole and voriconazole,respectively,resistance rates of 76.60％and 21.99％to posaconazole and echinocandins non-wild-type strains(NWT),and a resistance rate of 2.36％to echinocandins.Conclusions The prevalence and species distribution of Candida spp.in the East China region are consistent with previous domestic and international reports.Candida glabrata exhibits certain degree of resistance to fluconazole,while Candida tropicalis demonstrates higher resistance to triazole drugs.Additionally,echinocandins resistance has emerged in Candida albicans,Candida glabrata,Candida tropicalis,and Candida parapsilosis.

AIM:To investigate the effect of ankyrin repeat domain 49(ANKRD49)on epithelial-mesenchy-mal transition(EMT)in NCI-H1299 cells,and to explore its mechanism.METHODS:The ANKRD49 was over-ex-pressed in NCI-H1299 cells.The morphological changes of ANKRD49-overpressing NCI-H1299 cells were observed under microscope.The mRNA and protein expression levels of EMT-related markers[E-cadherin,transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)]and EMT-related transcription factors(Snail1,Slug,Twist and ZEB1)were detected by RT-qPCR Western blot.Immunofluorescence staining was performed to observe the localiza-tion and expression of E-cadherin and vimentin in ANKRD49-overexpressing cells or control cells.Immunohistochemical method was performed to examine the levels of E-cadherin,α-SMA,Snail,Slug and ZEB1 in lung tissues of nude mice in-oculated with ANKRD49-overexpressing H1299 cells or control cells.RESULTS:Compared with the control group,the ANKRD49 overexpressing cells showed mesenchymal cell morphology(fusiform and less tight connections).RT-qPCR and Western blot results showed that the mRNA and protein levels of mesenchymal markers vimentin and α-SMA in ANKRD49 overexpressing cells were significantly higher than those in cells of control group,while the mRNA and protein levels of epithelial marker E-cadherin were lower than those in cells of control group.Compared with control group,the im-munofluorescence intensity of E-cadherin of H1299 cells decreased in after ANKRD49 overexpression,while that of vimen-tin increased significantly.Snail,Slug and ZEB1 expression were significantly elevated in ANKRD49 overexpressing cells compared with control group.The levels of E-cadherin in lung tissues of nude mice inoculated with ANKRD49-overexpressing H1299 cells declined,while the levels of α-SMA,Snail,Slug and ZEB1 increased compared with those in control mice.CONCLUSION:ANKRD49 promoted EMT of NCI-H1299 cells by increasing the expression of Snail1,Slug and ZEB1 and consequent downreguation of E-cadherin and upregulation of vimentin and α-SMA.

Objective:To explore the value of common nutritional indexes to assess the severity of elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods:The data of 94 elderly COPD patients who were hospitalized in the Department of Internal Medicine of Huangshan Shoukang Hospital from January 2018 to August 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the final outcome of the patients,the patients were divided into improvement group(n=83)and ICU group(n=11).The nutritional status and lung functions of patients were assessed.Data including forced expiratory volume in one second/prediction(FEV1/Pre)was collected.The correlation of levels of body mass index(BMI),albumin,prealbumin,retinol binding protein,lymphocyte count,and geriatric nutritional risk index with FEV1/Pre was analyzed.And the value of these indexes in predicting whether patients needed to be transferred to ICU or not was analyzed.Results:Among the 94 patients,60 were male and 34 were female.The age ranged from 50 to 92 years old,and the quartile was 78(72,83)years old.The correlation coefficients between FEV1/Pre and levels of BMI,albumin,prealbumin,retinol binding protein,lymphocyte count,and geriatric nutritional risk index were 0.535(P<0.001),0.726(P<0.001),0.351(P=0.001),0.498(P<0.001),0.572(P<0.001),and 0.940(P<0.001),respectively.The areas under the ROC curve predicted by levels of BMI,albumin,prealbumin,retinol binding protein,lymphocyte count,and geriatric nutritional risk index were 0.744(95%CI:0.544～0.944,P<0.001),0.834(95%CI:0.669～1.000,P<0.001),0.658(95%CI:0.468～0.823,P<0.001),0.602(95%CI:0.408～0.811,P<0.001),0.649(95%CI:0.428～0.856,P<0.001),and 0.875(95%CI:0.751～0.999,P<0.001),respectively.Conclusions:Levels of BMI,prealbumin,retinol binding protein,lymphocyte count,and geriatric nutritional risk index had certain correlation with the severity of COPD,which could be used to assess the severity of COPD.The elderly nutritional risk index showed the best prediction value.