This study aimed to explore the interaction between the small molecule Lyb24 and PyrD, a key enzyme in the pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway of Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP), and the effect of Lyb24 on the catalytic activity of PyrD, thus to provide a theoretical basis for the development of novel antimicrobial agents. The pET-30a(+)-PyrD recombinant plasmid was constructed using Nde I/Xba I double digestion technology and was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) competent cells using the heat-shock method. The recombinant protein was induced at 16 ℃ with 0.3 mmol/L isopropyl β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). The recombinant PyrD protein was purified using nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) affinity chromatography to obtain a high-purity product. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments were conducted to detect the direct interaction between Lyb24 and PyrD protein, and a DCIP-based colorimetric assay was used to evaluate the effect of Lyb24 on the catalytic activity of PyrD. The pET-30a(+)-PyrD plasmid was successfully constructed, and the recombinant PyrD protein with a molecular weight of approximately 36 kD was expressed and purified to a concentration of 5.58 mg/mL. Lyb24 exhibited high-affinity direct binding to PyrD (KD = 8.83 × 10−5 mol/L) and exerted an uncompetitive inhibition effect on the catalytic activity of PyrD. This study demonstrates that Lyb24, a small-molecule compound, directly binds to PyrD and inhibits its enzymatic activity, providing crucial experimental evidence for developing PyrD-targeted antibacterial agents with value of clinical translation.

Objective:To investigate the expression of squamous cell heat shock protein 53(CRNN)in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC),and toevaluate its impact on the biological behavior of ESCC cells Eca9706.Methods:Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of CRNN protein in 93 ESCC tissues and 101 normal esophageal epithelial tissues adjacent to cancer,and the associations of CRNN expression levels with the clinical pathological characteristics and survival prognosis of ESCC patients were analyzed.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the predictive performance of CRNN expression level on ESCC.The Eca9706 cells were divided into control group and CRNN group(overexpression of CRNN).Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay was used to detect the proliferation activities of Eca9706 cells in two groups;Transwell chamber assay was used to detect the numbers of migration cells of Eca9706 cells in two groups;plate clone formation assay was used to assess the numbers of clone formation of Eca9706 cells in two groups;flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptotic rates of Eca9706 cells in two groups.Results:Compared with adjacent normal esophageal epithelial tissue,the expression intensity of CRNN protein in ESCC tissue was significantly decreased(x2=23.476,P＜0.001).The downregulation of CRNN protein expression in ESCC patients was associated with tumor location(x2=5.353,P=0.021)and histological grade(x2=4.434,P=0.035),but not with age(x2=0.102,P=0.750),gender(x2=0.050,P=0.822),tumor stage(x2=0.047,P=0.828)or lymph node metastasis(x2=0.553,P=0.457).Survival analysis showed that ESCC patients in high expression of CRNN protein group had better prognosis than those in low expression of CRNN protein group(P=0.013).Univariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed the associations between overall survival rate in ESCC patients and the expression level of CRNN protein[hazard ratio(HR)=0.198,95％confidence interval(CI):0.047-0.842,P=0.028]and tumor stage(HR=2.479,95％CI:1.247-4.929,P=0.010).Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that the expression level of CRNN protein(HR=0.213,95％CI:0.050-0.895,P=0.035)and tumor stage(HR=2.391,95％CI:1.198-4.772,P=0.013)were independent factors for the prognosis of ESCC.Compared with control group,the proliferation activity of cells in CRNN group was significantly decreased(P=0.004),the number of clone formation was decreased(P=0.002),the number of migration cells was decreased(P=0.002),and the apoptotic rate was significantly increased(P=0.006).Conclusion:Low expression level of CRNN protein suggests poor prognosis for the ESCC patients.Overexpression of CRNN may inhibit the proliferation,migration and invasion abilities of ESCC cells,and promote their apoptosis.

Objective:To discuss the expression of Rh family C glycoprotein(RHCG)in the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)tissue and its effect on the malignant biological behavior of ESCC cells,and to clarify the value of RHCG as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for the ESCC patients.Methods:A total of 143 ESCC tissue samples and 105 adjacent normal tissue samples were collected.Using immunohistochemical staining method,141 ESCC samples were divided into two groups:RHCG low expression group(immunohistochemistry score≤6)and RHCG high expression group(immunohistochemistry score>6).Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the RHCG protein expression in 143 ESCC tissues and 105 normal tissues,and the relationship between the clinicopathological characteristics of the ESCC patients was analyzed.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used to evaluate the value of RHCG in diagnosis and prognosis of the ESCC patients;univariate and multivariate COX regression analysis were used to determine the independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of the ESCC patients.Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis(GEPIA2)database was used to analyze the expression of RHCG mRNA in various tumor tissues.The ESCC TE-1 cells were cultured and transfected in to 6-well cell culture plates with different Lipofectamine2000∶RHCG ratios;the cells in RHCG transfection group were transfected with weights of 2.0,2.5,and 3.0 μg for 24 and 48 h,respectively,and the cells in NC group transfected with empty vector as control.Western blotting method was used to detect the RHCG protein expression level in the TE-1 cells in various groups after transfection at different concentrations and verify the optimal transfection conditions;cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay was used to detect the proliferation activities of the TE-1 cells;plate clone formation assay was used to detect the colony formation numbers of the TE-1 cells;Transwell chamber assay was used to detect the numbers of migrating TE-1 cells.Results:Compared with adjacent normal tissue,the RHCG gene expression level in various cancer tissues including ESCC,glioblastoma multiforme,and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma was significantly decreased(P<0.05).RHCG protein was mainly located on the cell membrane of normal esophageal squamous epithelial cells;the RHCG protein expression intensity in ESCC tissues was lower than that in adjacent normal esophageal tissue(χ2=109.373,P<0.001),and the patients in RHCG low expression group had poorer differentiation than those in RHCG high expression group(P=0.041).The area under the curve(AUC)value of RHCG for diagnosing ESCC was 0.86,with sensitivity and specificity of 95.1%and 75.0%,respectively;the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis results showed that compared with high RHCG expression group,the patients in low RHCG expression group had shorter survival time and poorer prognosis[harard ratio(HR)=0.269,95%confidence interval(CI):0.113-0.639,P=0.020];the COX regression analysis results showed that low RHCG expression could serve as an independent risk factor affecting the prognosis of ESCC[HR=4.569,95%CI=1.315-15.877,P=0.017)].The Western blotting results verified that the optimal transfection condition was 3.0 μg RHCG plasmid for 48 h,at which time RHCG overexpression was optimal and RHCG protein expression level was highest.The CCK-8 assay results showed that compared with control group,the proliferation activity in RHCG overexpression group was decreased on the 4th day after cell seeding(P<0.001).In the TE-1 cells,the colony formation number of the TE-1 cells in RHCG over-expression group was lower than that in control group(t=17.70,P<0.001).The Transwell chamber assay results showed that compared with control group,the number of migrating cells in RHCG over-expression group was decreased(t=23.74,P<0.001).Conclusion:RHCG expression is decreased in ESCC tissues and associated with poor prognosis in ESCC patients;overexpression of RHCG can inhibit the proliferation and migration of the TE-1 cells,providing a theoretical basis for RHCG as a novel diagnostic and prognostic marker and therapeutic target for ESCC.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of liraglutide against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MIRI)in rats and its relationship with pyroptosis.Methods Forty SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups:the sham operation group(Sham group),the MIRI model group(I/R group),the pyroptosis inhibitor group(Dis+I/R group),the liraglutide group(Lir+I/R group),and li-raglutide+pyroptosis inhibitor group(Lir+Dis+I/R group),with 8 rats in each group.Except for the Sham group,MIRI models were established in all other groups,followed by corresponding treatments.Myocardial infarct size was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC)staining.Superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity and malondialdehyde(MDA)level were detected using assay kits.Serum levels of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)and IL-1β were measured by ELISA.Protein expression of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD(ASC),caspase-1,and cleaved N-ter-minal gasdermin D(GSDMD-N)was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the I/R group,myo-cardial infarct size was reduced in the Lir+I/R and Dis+I/R groups(P＜0.05),with a further reduction in the Lir+Dis+I/R group compared to the Lir+I/R group(P＜0.05).SOD activity increased and MDA levels decreased in the Lir+I/R and Dis+I/R groups compared to the I/R group(P＜0.05),while SOD activity was further elevated in the Lir+Dis+I/R group compared to the Dis+I/R group and Lir+I/R group(P＜0.05).NLRP3 and IL-1β protein expression levels were reduced in the Lir+I/R and Dis+I/R groups compare to the I/R group(P＜0.05),and IL-1β expression level was further reduced in the Lir+Dis+I/R group com-pared to the Dis+I/R group and Lir+I/R group(P＜0.05).The protein expression levels of ASC and GSD-MD-N in the Lir+I/R group were lower than those in the I/R group(P＜0.05);the protein expression levels of ASC,caspase-1 and GSDMD-N in the Dis+I/R group were lower than those in the I/R group(P＜0.05).ASC expression level further reduced in the Lir+Dis+I/R group compared to both the Dis+I/R and Lir+I/R groups(P＜0.05).Conclusion Liraglutide exerts a protective effect in MIRI,potentially by inhibi-ting pyroptosis.

Objective:Diabetic retinopathy (DR) has been reported as the leading cause of blindness among diabetic adults, which is closely related to poor quality of life and increased burden of disability. This study aimed to aggregate the optimally available evidence on modifiable risks of DR.Methods:Until June 2023, PubMed, Cochrane Library, CNKI, and Wanfang databases were used to retrieve Meta-analysis about various risk factors for DR, and Meta-analysis were analyzed and summarized. R 4.3.2 software was used for each Meta-analytic association to calculate the effect size, 95% CI, heterogeneity, small-study effects, excess significance bias, and 95% prediction intervals. The credibility of significant evidence was graded. Results:We captured 23 eligible papers (72 associations) covering a wide range of medication use, concomitant diseases, daily intervention, biomarkers, lifestyle, and physical measurement index. Among them, higher HbA1c variability ( RR=1.45, 95% CI: 1.26-1.66) and urine microalbumin positive ( OR=2.44, 95% CI: 1.99-2.97) were convincing (grade Ⅰ) evidence, and insulin use ( RR=3.48, 95% CI: 2.14-5.67) was highly suggestive (grade Ⅱ) evidence. Moreover, hypertension ( OR=2.03, 95% CI: 1.06-3.97), poor glycemic control ( OR=4.35, 95% CI: 1.47-12.85), positive macroalbuminuria ( OR=8.42, 95% CI: 3.52-20.15), long sleep duration ( OR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.37-3.05), vitamin D deficiency ( OR=2.02, 95% CI: 1.17-3.50), periodontitis ( OR=4.51, 95% CI: 1.76-11.55) were the main risk factors for DR. Intensive blood pressure intervention ( RR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.65-0.94), dietary control ( OR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.47-0.89) and moderate intensity physical activity ( RR=0.76, 95% CI: 0.59-0.97) yielded significant protective associations with DR. Conclusions:Intensive blood pressure glycemic control, and a healthy lifestyle pattern could reduce the risk of DR. This study provides the evidence to identify high-risk populations and recommends rational treatment options and healthy living interventions.

Objective To analyze and identify the volatile constituents in different parts(flowers,stems and leaves)of Huai chrysanthemumin,and to lay a theoretical foundation for the comprehensive utilization for it.Methods The volatile oil in different parts of Huai chrysanthemumin were extracted by hydrodistillation,respectively.Their constituents were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS).The compounds were identified by library search and literature screening.The relative percentage of each compound was obtained by the area normalization method.The differences in their chemical compositions were analyzed by Venn diagram,principal component analysis(PCA)and cluster heat map analysis.Results A total of 62 volatile chemical components were identified from different parts of Huai chrysanthemumin,including monoterpenes,sesquiterpenes,and their derivatives,as well as a small amount of aliphatic compounds.32,42 and 40 volatile components were detected from the flowers,stems and flowers,respectively.Furthermore 17 volatile components were shared by three parts,whereas 5,6 and 16 volatile components were unique to the flowers,stems and leaves,respectively.The results of stoichiometric analysis showed that both PCA and cluster heat map analysis could separate the flowers,stems and leaves,and their volatile components were different.Conclusion The types and contents of the volatile oil in the stems,leaves and flowers of Huai chrysanthemumin have certain variability,which provide a scientific basis for the further medicinal or industrial exploitation of different parts of Huai chrysanthemumin.

Objective:To prepare rabbit polyclonal antibodies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) N protein and use them as the detection antibodies to establish a N-ELISA-based method for rapid detection of neutralizing antibodies.Methods:A plasmid of pET30a-N for the expression of RSV N protein was constructed. After purification, the protein was immunized into New Zealand rabbits to prepare polyclonal antibodies, which were used as the detection antibodies. Positive serum samples were diluted and used to neutralize RSV (100 TCID 50/well). Hep-2 cells were inoculated and cultured, and then the cells were fixed with 80% acetone. ELISA was performed to detect RSV N protein in infected cells. When the absorbance value of a well was below the cut-off value, it was regarded as the positive well in the neutralization test. The highest dilution of a positive well serum was the neutralizing antibody titer. After optimizting the antibody dilution, detection time, cell density and the duration of neutralization, the method for neutralizing antibody detection was established based on N-ELISA. The established method was verified by analyzing the influences of different cell generations and edge effects, and calculating the accuracy, repeatability and precision. The correlation between the established method and microneutralization method was analyzed by detecting human RSV IgG-positive serum. Results:The plasmid pET30a-N was successfully constructed, and the expressed N protein showed high purity and good specificity. After the third immunization, the antibody titer in rabbit serum was 1∶51 200, and the antibodies could specifically bind to RSV. The prepared rabbit anti-RSV N polyclonal antibodies had a titer of 1∶51 200, and showed good specificity. The neutralizing antibodies could be detected on day 4 with the established method, and the duration of neutralization was shortened to 30 min. Cell generations and the position of wells in the 96-well plate (edge well and non-edge well) had no significant effect on the method, and the repeatability, precision and accuracy of the method were good. In the detection of 64 RSV IgG-positive human serum samples by the established method and microneutralization method, the correlation coefficient was 0.929 6, indicating a good positive correlation between the two methods.Conclusions:A N-ELISA-based method for rapid neutralizing antibody detection is successfully established, which can be used to evaluate the serum antibody level after RSV vaccination.

Objective:This study aims to compare the antiviral treatment similarities and differences in the population covered by the 2024 version of the World Health Organization's (WHO) hepatitis B prevention and treatment guidelines and the current Chinese hepatitis B prevention and treatment guidelines, so as to explore their impact on the indications for antiviral therapy in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).Methods:The information of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection who did not receive antiviral treatment was collected through the registration database of the China Clinical Research Platform for Hepatitis B Elimination. Descriptive statistics were conducted on the demographic, blood, biochemical, and virological levels of patients according to the treatment recommendations of the two versions of the guidelines. The Mann-Whitney U test and χ2 test were used to compare the differences and proportional distribution of the treatment populations covered by the two guidelines. The χ2 test was used to analyze the coverage rate of different antiviral treatment indications.Results:A total of 21,134 CHB patients without antiviral treatment were enrolled. 69.4% of patients met the 2024 versions of the WHO guidelines' recommendations. 85.0% of patients met the current Chinese hepatitis B prevention and treatment guidelines. The WHO guidelines for antiviral therapy indications were met in younger patients with higher levels of ALT, AST, and APRI scores, as well as greater proportion of patients with higher viral loads (P<0.001). The WHO guidelines recommended a cut-off value of APRI>0.5, which raised the proportion of patients on antiviral therapy from 6.6% to 30.9%. 45.7% of patients met the antiviral indications for HBV DNA >2000 IU/ml with abnormal transaminase (ALT>30 U/L for males and ALT>19 U/L for females). The reduced APRI diagnostic cut-off value and ALT treatment threshold had further increased the treatment coverage rate by 91.6% in patients with chronic HBV infection in line with the 2024 versions of WHO guidelines.Conclusion:The reduction of the APRI diagnostic cut-off value and the ALT treatment threshold, based on the current hepatitis B guidelines of China, will further improve the treatment coverage of CHB patients.

Objective:To document any effect of combining kinesiotaping (KT) with Monitored Rehab Systems biofeedback training (MRS training) on the recovery of knee function after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).Methods:Twenty-two patients after ACLR were randomly divided into an MRS group and a combined group, each of 11. In addition to conventional rehabilitation training, the MRS group had placebo taping in place during their MRS training, while the combined group had KT applied. Each training session lasted 45 minutes, with three sessions per week. Before the experiment and after 8 weeks of treatment, the affected foot support phase, impulse of each area of the affected foot′s sole, and lower limb reaction time were measured.Results:Significant improvement in the affected foot′s support phase and lower limb reaction time was documented in both groups, as well as in the average impulse percentage of the affected foot′s plantar forefoot area (F area), mid-foot area (MF area), and heel area (H area). All were significantly better in the combined group than in the MRS group, on average.Conclusion:Supplementing MRS biofeedback training with kinesiotaping can more effectively improve the knee joint functioning and postural control of patients after ACLR surgery. The combination is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of pharmacological inhibition of STING by C-176,a STING selective inhibitor,in experimental model of Parkinson's disease.METHODS The acute and sub-acute mice mod-els of Parkinson's disease(PD)were established by in-traperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-(2′-methylphenyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophine(MPTP).The selective STING inhibitor C-176 was administered by intraperitoneal injec-tion.The potential neuroprotective effects of C-176 were evaluated by behavioral test,tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)immunostaining,Nissl staining,Western blotting,qPCR and immunofluorescence.For in vitro study,the effects of C-176 on LPS/MPP+-induced inflammatory responses in BV2 microglial cells were determined by real time RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis.RESULTS Our study revealed that C-176 significantly inhibited STING signaling activation,ameliorated MPTP-induced dopami-nergic neurotoxicity,motor deficit and associated neuroin-flammation.Furthermore,pharmacological inhibition of STING in BV2 microglia treated with LPS/MPP+ exhibited decreased inflammatory responses.More importantly,C176 also reduced NLRP3 inflammasome activation both in vitro and in vivo.CONCLUSION The results of our study suggest that pharmacologic inhibition of STING protects against neuroinflammation that may act at least in part through suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome acti-vation and thus ameliorated dopaminergic neurodegener-ation.STING signaling may holds great promise for the development of new treatment strategy for PD as an effective therapeutic target.