OBJECTIVES: To explore the mechanism of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei E6 for improving vinorelbine-induced immunosuppression in zebrafish. METHODS: The intestinal colonization of L. paracasei E6 labeled by fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) in zebrafish was observed under fluorescence microscope. In a zebrafish model of vinorelbine-induced immunosuppression, the immunomodulatory activity of L. paracasei E6 was assessed by analyzing macrophage and neutrophil counts in the caudal hematopoietic tissue (CHT), the number of T-lymphocyte, and the expressions of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). The contents of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in L. paracasei E6 fermentation supernatant and the metabolites of L. paracasei E6 in zebrafish were detected by LC-MS/MS-based targeted metabolomics. The immunomodulatory effects of the SCFAs including sodium acetate, sodium propionate and sodium butyrate were evaluated in the zebrafish model of immunosuppression. RESULTS: After inoculation, green fluorescence of FITC-labeled L. paracasei E6 was clearly observed in the intestinal ball, midgut and posterior gut regions of zebrafish. In the immunocompromised zebrafish model, L. paracasei E6 significantly alleviated the reduction of macrophage and neutrophil counts in the CHT, increased the fluorescence intensity of T-lymphocytes, and promoted the expressions of IL-12 and IFN-γ. Compared with MRS medium, L. paracasei E6 fermentation supernatant showed significantly higher levels of acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid, which were also detected in immunocompromised zebrafish following treatment with L. paracasei E6. Treatment of the zebrafish model with sodium acetate and sodium propionate significantly increased macrophage and neutrophil counts in the CHT and effectively inhibited vinorelbine-induced reduction of thymus T cells. CONCLUSIONS L. paracasei E6 can improve vinorelbine-induced immunosuppression in zebrafish through its SCFA metabolites acetic acid and propionic acid.
Animals ; Zebrafish/immunology* ; Acetic Acid/metabolism* ; Propionates/metabolism* ; Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum ZG03 (L. plantarum ZG03) for ameliorating oxidative stress in zebrafish. METHODS: We evaluated the growth pattern of L. plantarum ZG03, observed its morphology using field emission scanning electron microscopy, and assessed its safety and potential efficacy with whole-genome sequencing for genetic analysis. FITC-labeled ZG03 was used to observe its intestinal colonization in zebrafish. In a zebrafish model of 2% glucose-induced oxidative stress, the effect of ZG03 was evaluated by assessing the changes in neutrophils in the caudal hematopoietic tissue (CHT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based targeted metabolomics was used for analyzing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the zebrafish, and the antioxidant effects of the key metabolites (acetate, propionate, and caproate) were tested. RESULTS: On MRS agar, L. plantarum ZG03 formed circular, smooth, moist, and milky-white colonies with a rod-shaped cell morphology. Genomic analysis revealed abundant sugar metabolism gene clusters. After inoculation of FITC-labeled L. plantarum ZG03 in zebrafish, green fluorescence was clearly observed in the intestinal bulb, mid-intestine, and hind intestine. In zebrafish with glucose-induced oxidative stress, L. plantarum ZG03 significantly reduced ROS levels and the number of neutrophils in the CHT with increased SOD activity. L.plantarum ZG03 significantly increased the content of SCFAs including acetic acid, propionic acid, and caproic acid in zebrafish metabolites. In addition, sodium acetate, sodium propionate, and sodium caproate in the SCFAs significantly increased SOD activity in the zebrafish models. CONCLUSIONS L. plantarum ZG03 ameliorates oxidative stress in a glucose-induced zebrafish model through its metabolites, particularly the SCFAs including acetic acid, propionic acid and caproic acid.
Animals ; Zebrafish/metabolism* ; Oxidative Stress ; Lactobacillus plantarum/metabolism* ; Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism* ; Probiotics ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*

Objective To analyze the characteristics of visceral leishmaniasis cases in Henan Province, so as to provide insights into formulation of the visceral leishmaniasis control srtrategy. Methods All epidemiological data of reported visceral leishmaniasis cases in Henan Province from 2021 to 2023 were retrieved from the National Notifiable Disease Report Information Management System of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the epidemiological features and diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis cases were descriptively analyzed. Results A total of 93 visceral leishmaniasis cases were reported in Henan Province from 2021 to 2023, with a male to female ratio of 2.58∶1, and including 2 imported cases from other provinces and 91 local cases. The number of visceral leishmaniasis cases peaked during the period between March and May, and between July and October. The reported visceral leishmaniasis cases had ages of 7 months to 74 years, with the largest number of cases found at ages of 0 to 9 years (26 cases, 27.96%), followed by at ages of 60 to 70 years (24 cases, 25.81%). Farmer (47 cases, 50.54%) and diaspora children (19 cases, 20.43%) were predominant occupations, and 91 local visceral leishmaniasis cases were found in 6 cities of Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Anyang, Hebi, Sanmenxia and Xuchang. The median duration from onset of visceral leishmaniasis to diagnosis was 20 days, and there were 25.81% (24/93) cases with 10 days and less duration from onset to diagnosis, 38.71% (36/93) cases receiving diagnosis at 11 to 30 days following onset, and 35.48% (33/93) cases receiving diagnosis for more than 30 days following onset. All cases were predominantly diagnosed in province- (60.00%) and city-level (28.89%) medical institutions. Conclusions The number of visceral leishmaniasis is on the rise in Henan Province, with a gradually expanding coverage. Intensified monitoring of visceral leishmaniasis cases, dogs, and vectors, dog management, sandflies control and improved individual protection are recommended to prevent the spread of visceral leishmaniasis.

Objective To retrospectively analyze of factors influencing early preterm birth(EPB)and late preterm birth(LPB)in pregnancy women with placenta previa complicated by placenta accreta spectrum disorders(PAS),and assess maternal and infant outcomes.Methods We included 590 cases of pregnancy women with placenta previa complicated by PAS who underwent cesarean sections at five hospitals in Wuhan and Xianning cities between January 2018 and June 2021.These patients were divided into three groups based on delivery gesta-tional age:EPB,LPB,and term birth(TB).A multiple logistic regression model was employed to analyze the risk factors associated with EPB and LPB.Additionally,differences in early maternal and infant outcomes among these groups were examined.Results Among 590 pregnancy women with placenta previa complicated by PAS,the proportions of EPB and LPB were 9.7%and 54.4%.The use of uterine contraction inhibitors prior to cesarean section,vaginal bleeding,and previous cesarean sections history were identified as risk factors for both EPB and LPB.The proportion of severe postpartum hemorrhage was comparable between the EPB group and the LPB group;however,the incidence of neonatal asphyxia,low birth weight infants,and the rate of newborns transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit(NICU)within 24 hours after cesarean delivery were significantly higher in the EPB group compared to the LPB group.Conclusions Placenta previa complicated by PAS predominantly leads to LPB.The history of prior cesarean sections,uterine contractions,and vaginal bleeding prior to cesarean section,are sig-nificantly associated with both EPB and LPB.During the perinatal period,efforts should be made to extend gesta-tional weeks under close monitoring to minimize the incidence of premature births and thereby improve early mater-nal and infant outcomes.

Objective To explore the risk factors for retinopathy in patients with metabolic syndrome.Methods A total of 120 patients with metabolic syndrome admitted to Nanyang Central Hospital from July 2021 to July 2023 were selected as the research subjects,and the patients were categorized into the retinopathy group(n=58)and the non-retinopathy group(n=62)according to the results of fundus examination.The clinical data of patients with metabolic syndrome in both groups were collected and compared.10 mL of blood was collected from the elbow vein of patients in both groups,and the hemoglobin level was measured using a fully automatic blood cell analyzer.The levels of total cholesterol(TC),triacylglycerol(TG),high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C),and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C)in the two groups were measured using an automatic biochemical analyzer.The glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c)level was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.The estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)was calculated using the chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration equation.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors for retinopathy in patients with metabolic syndrome.Results There were no statistically significant differences in smoking history,drinking history,usage rates of hypoglycemic drugs,lipid-lowering drugs and antihypertensive drugs,systolic blood pressure,cataract,TC,TG,HDL-C,LDL-C,and eGFR between the two groups(P＞0.05).The age,disease duration,insulin usage rate,diastolic blood pressure,HbA1c level,and anemia incidence of patients in the retinopathy group were significantly higher than those in the non-retinopathy group(P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that older age,longer disease duration,insulin injection,higher diastolic blood pressure,higher HbA1c level,and lower hemoglobin level were independent risk factors for retinopathy in patients with metabolic syndrome(P＜0.05).Conclusion Old age,long disease duration,insulin injection,high systolic blood pressure,high HbA1c level,and low hemoglobin level are independent risk factors for retinopathy in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Objective To investigate the risk factors and risk prediction model of retinal detachment in patients with myopia.Methods The clinical data of myopic patients treated in our hospital from January 2021 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.A total of 128 patients(128 eyes)with myopic retinal detachment who met the requirements were selected as the retinal detachment group,and 128 myopic patients(128 eyes)without retinal detachment were selected as the control group.The clinical data of patients in the two groups were collected and compared,including age,gender,di-opter,education level,affected side,whether to bear load or not,whether to vibrate or not,whether to have cataract or not,whether to have asthenopia or not,blood pressure,history of diabetes,history of ocular trauma,history of ophthal-mic surgery,and retinal thickness.Risk factors related to retinal detachment in myopia were determined through the multi-variate logistic regression analysis,and based on these factors,the risk prediction model was established.The receiver op-erating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of the model.Results The age,diopter,systolic blood pressure,cataract incidence,asthenopia incidence,ocular trauma and ophthalmic surgery rates of myopic patients in the retinal detachment group were significantly higher than those in the control group(all P＜0.05).The retinal thickness and choroidal thickness of myopic patients in the retinal detachment group were significantly smaller than those in the control group(both P＜0.05).The risk factors for retinal detachment in myopic patients were older age,higher diopter(absolute value),accompanied by ocular diseases or discomfort such as cataract,asthenopia and ocular trauma,thinner choroid,and thinner retina(all OR＞1,P＜0.05).The areas under the ROC curve(0.95CI)for predication of retinal de-tachment based on age,ocular disease or discomfort,diopter,choroidal thickness,and retinal thickness alone and their combination were 0.668(0.382-0.936),0.645,0.676(0.407-0.942),0.731(0.503-0.933),0.745(0.499-0.983),and 0.844(0.692-0.983),respectively.The area under the curve(0.844),sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy of the prediction model based on the combination of the five indicators were higher,indicating that this model had a better predic-tion effect.Conclusion The risk factors for retinal detachment in myopic patients are older age,higher diopter(abso-lute value),accompanied by ocular diseases or discomfort such as cataract,asthenopia and ocular trauma,thinner cho-roid,and thinner retina.The risk prediction model constructed based on these factors has a high evaluation effect.

Objective:To explore the clinical and endoscopic features of patients with autoimmune gastritis (AIG) and to improve the accuracy of clinical diagnosis of AIG.Methods:From January 3, 2020 to November 25, 2021, the general information (gender, age), laboratory examination indicators and endoscopic findings of 179 AIG patients diagnosed at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. The laboratory examination indicators included hemoglobin, gastrin-17, pepsinogen (PG), anemia combination indicators (ferritin, vitamin B 12), thyroid function indicators (thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroglobulin antibody and thyroid peroxidase antibody), Helicobacter pylori, and anti-parietal cell antibody and anti-intrinsic factor antibody. Descriptive methods were used for statistical analysis. Results:Among the 179 AIG patients, there were 42 males (23.5%) and 137 females (76.5%), with an average age of (55.23±12.04) years old. The gastrin-17 level of AIG patients was 195.31 ng/L (143.64 ng/L, 273.61 ng/L), PG Ⅰ level and PG Ⅰ/PG Ⅱ ratio were 12.40 μg/L (7.65 μg/L, 19.40 μg/L) and 1.03 (0.66, 1.52), respectively. There were 15.3% (18/118) of the AIG patients with iron deficiency anemia, and 16.1% (19/118) with megaloblastic anemia. The positive rate of anti-parietal cell antibody was 71.8% (51/71), and the positive rate of anti-intrinsic factor antibody was 25.4% (18/71). The serum thyroid-stimulating hormone level increased in 27.3% (15/55) of the patients, and the positive rates of thyroglobulin antibody and thyroid peroxidase antibody were 31.6% (12/38) and 47.4% (18/38), respectively. The positive rate of Helicobacter pylori was 29.7% (38/128). The endoscopic appearance of AIG indicated reverse atrophy, characterized by obvious atrophy in gastric fundus and gastric body mucosa, however the atrophy of gastric antrum was not obvious. Under endoscopy yellow-white turbid mucus, which was difficult to be washed, was found in 67.0% (120/179) of the patients, and under endoscopy the residual gastric fundus glands could be seen in 19.6% (35/179) of the patients. Among 179 AIG patients, 7 cases (3.9%) of neuroendocrine tumor (NET), 7 cases (3.9%) of early gastric adenocarcinoma (including 1 case of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma), 1 case (0.6%) of adenoma, and 14 cases (7.8%) of hyperplastic polyps were found. Except for the case of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma undergoing surgery, the others were treated with endoscopic resection. Conclusions:When unexplained iron deficiency anemia, megaloblastic anemia, or reverse atrophy is found, AIG should be considered. AIG patients are at high risk for gastric cancer and NET, and should be closely followed up, and active treatment should be given before anemia and neurological symptoms appear.

Objective:To investigate the reasons for efficacy heterogeneity analysis of 3 patients with pantothenate kinase associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) from one family after deep brain stimulation (DBS).Methods:Three PKAN patients with the same PANK2 gene mutation from one family, admitted to and accepted bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN)-DBS in our hospital from May to August 2021, were selected. The clinical manifestations, including general condition, medical history, symptoms, and signs, of these 3 patients were collected; Burkefahn-Marsden Dystonia Movement Rating Scale (BFMDRS) scores and surface electromyography results were analyzed and compared before DBS and 2 weeks and 6 months after DBS. Results:The clinical phenotype of these 3 patients had obvious heterogeneity: patient 1 had the latest onset age and shortest duration, and the main manifestation included abnormal body activity and forced postures, without obvious body deformation; preoperative surface electromyography suggested that the involuntary muscle contractions intensity was the smallest, and involuntary movements characterized by alternating patterns of contractile discharge activity were the predominant. The patient 2 and patient 3 had early onset age and long course of disease with gradually aggravated disease, and manifested as lower limb claudication and involuntary limb torsion; patient 3 also had marked limb deformities; preoperative surface electromyography showed high intensity of involuntary muscle contraction and torsional spastic dystonia characterized by co-contractile firing activity. The BFMDRS scores and surface electromyography results of the 3 patients after DBS were significantly improved as compared with those before surgery, with obvious heterogeneity; the improvement rates of BFMDRS scores of patient 1, 2 and 3 were 88.1%, 60.5%, and 43.2%, and the improvement rates of surface electromyography were 82.36%, 63.79% and 72.25%, respectively,at 6 months after surgery as compared with those before surgery.Conclusion:PKAN exhibits complicated clinical heterogeneity, which is one of the reasons for efficacy heterogeneity for PKAN after DBS.

Objective:To investigate the reasons for efficacy heterogeneity analysis of 3 patients with pantothenate kinase associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) from one family after deep brain stimulation (DBS).Methods:Three PKAN patients with the same PANK2 gene mutation from one family, admitted to and accepted bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN)-DBS in our hospital from May to August 2021, were selected. The clinical manifestations, including general condition, medical history, symptoms, and signs, of these 3 patients were collected; Burkefahn-Marsden Dystonia Movement Rating Scale (BFMDRS) scores and surface electromyography results were analyzed and compared before DBS and 2 weeks and 6 months after DBS. Results:The clinical phenotype of these 3 patients had obvious heterogeneity: patient 1 had the latest onset age and shortest duration, and the main manifestation included abnormal body activity and forced postures, without obvious body deformation; preoperative surface electromyography suggested that the involuntary muscle contractions intensity was the smallest, and involuntary movements characterized by alternating patterns of contractile discharge activity were the predominant. The patient 2 and patient 3 had early onset age and long course of disease with gradually aggravated disease, and manifested as lower limb claudication and involuntary limb torsion; patient 3 also had marked limb deformities; preoperative surface electromyography showed high intensity of involuntary muscle contraction and torsional spastic dystonia characterized by co-contractile firing activity. The BFMDRS scores and surface electromyography results of the 3 patients after DBS were significantly improved as compared with those before surgery, with obvious heterogeneity; the improvement rates of BFMDRS scores of patient 1, 2 and 3 were 88.1%, 60.5%, and 43.2%, and the improvement rates of surface electromyography were 82.36%, 63.79% and 72.25%, respectively,at 6 months after surgery as compared with those before surgery.Conclusion:PKAN exhibits complicated clinical heterogeneity, which is one of the reasons for efficacy heterogeneity for PKAN after DBS.

Objective:To explore the effects of endoscopic reprocessing on disinfection and its influential factors under the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Methods:A total of 450 endoscopes cleaned and disinfected according to Technical Specifications for Cleaning and Disinfection of Endoscopes from November 2019 to January 2020, and 450 endoscopes cleaned and disinfected according to The recommended procedure for cleaning and disinfection of gastrointestinal endoscopes during COVID-19 epidemic by Chinese Society of Digestive Endoscopology from February to April 2020 in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were enrolled in the control group and observation group respectively by random number method. Both the control group and the observation group contained 200 gastroscopes, 200 enteroscopes and 50 ultrasound endoscopes. ATP fluorescence detection method and pour plate technique were used to evaluate the disinfection effect of endoscopes. Single factor analysis and multiple logistic regression were used to analyze the risk factors for unqualified sterilization after endoscopic reprocessing. Results:The disinfection pass rates of gastroscopes, enteroscopes and ultrasound endoscopes in the observation group were not significantly different compared with those of the control group ( P>0.05). The sterilization pass rates and ATP test pass rates of gastroscopes, enteroscopes and ultrasound endoscopes in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that non-strict implementation of endoscopic reprocessing ( OR=7.96, 95% CI: 4.55-22.84, P<0.001), non-standard operation ( OR=2.26, 95% CI: 1.24-5.63, P<0.001), insufficient concentration of disinfectant ( OR=5.43, 95% CI: 2.52-9.02, P<0.001), insufficient concentration ratio of multi-enzyme solution ( OR=4.38, 95% CI: 1.95-8.61, P<0.001), non-timely cleaning ( OR=2.86, 95% CI: 1.33-6.42, P<0.001), incomplete cleaning ( OR=3.75, 95% CI: 1.61-7.49, P<0.001) and improper endoscopic preservation ( OR=2.12, 95% CI: 1.36-4.12, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for unqualified sterilization after endoscopic reprocessing. Conclusion:In COVID-19 pandemic, endoscope reprocessing can significantly improve the disinfection effect of endoscopes, worthy of further clinical promotion. The failure to strictly implement the reprocessing procedure is an important factor that may lead to unqualified sterilization.