1.The Role of Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cells-mediated Muscle Regeneration in The Treatment of Age-related Sarcopenia
Wei-Xiu JI ; Jia-Lin LÜ ; Yi-Fan MA ; Yun-Gang ZHAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(8):2033-2050
Age-related sarcopenia is a progressive, systemic skeletal muscle disorder associated with aging. It is primarily characterized by a significant decline in muscle mass, strength, and physical function, rather than being an inevitable consequence of normal aging. Despite ongoing research, there is still no globally unified consensus among physicians regarding the diagnostic criteria and clinical indicators of this condition. Nonetheless, regardless of the diagnostic standards applied, the prevalence of age-related sarcopenia remains alarmingly high. With the global population aging at an accelerating rate, its incidence is expected to rise further, posing a significant public health challenge. Age-related sarcopenia not only markedly increases the risk of physical disability but also profoundly affects patients’ quality of life, independence, and overall survival. As such, the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies to mitigate its dual burden on both societal and individual health has become an urgent and critical priority. Skeletal muscle regeneration, a vital physiological process for maintaining muscle health, is significantly impaired in age-related sarcopenia and is considered one of its primary underlying causes. Skeletal muscle satellite cells (MSCs), also known as muscle stem cells, play a pivotal role in generating new muscle fibers and maintaining muscle mass and function. A decline in both the number and functionality of MSCs is closely linked to the onset and progression of sarcopenia. This dysfunction is driven by alterations in intrinsic MSC mechanisms—such as Notch, Wnt/β‑Catenin, and mTOR signaling pathways—as well as changes in transcription factors and epigenetic modifications. Additionally, the MSC microenvironment, including both the direct niche formed by skeletal muscle fibers and their secreted cytokines, and the indirect niche composed of extracellular matrix proteins and various cell types, undergoes age-related changes. Mitochondrial dysfunction and chronic inflammation further contribute to MSC impairment, ultimately leading to the development of sarcopenia. Currently, there are no approved pharmacological treatments for age-related sarcopenia. Nutritional intervention and exercise remain the cornerstone of therapeutic strategies. Adequate protein intake, coupled with sufficient energy provision, is fundamental to both the prevention and treatment of this condition. Adjuvant therapies, such as dietary supplements and caloric restriction, offer additional therapeutic potential. Exercise promotes muscle regeneration and ameliorates sarcopenia by acting on MSCs through various mechanisms, including mechanical stress, myokine secretion, distant cytokine signaling, immune modulation, and epigenetic regulation. When combined with a structured exercise regimen, adequate protein intake has been shown to be particularly effective in preventing age-related sarcopenia. However, traditional interventions may be inadequate for patients with limited mobility, poor overall health, or advanced sarcopenia. Emerging therapeutic strategies—such as miRNA mimics or inhibitors, gut microbiota transplantation, and stem cell therapy—present promising new directions for MSC-based interventions. This review comprehensively examines recent advances in MSC-mediated muscle regeneration in age-related sarcopenia and systematically discusses therapeutic strategies targeting MSC regulation to enhance muscle mass and strength. The goal is to provide a theoretical foundation and identify future research directions for the prevention and treatment of this increasingly prevalent condition.
2.Local overexpression of miR-429 sponge in subcutaneous white adipose tissue improves obesity and related metabolic disorders.
Liu YAO ; Wen-Jing XIU ; Chen-Ji YE ; Xin-Yu JIA ; Wen-Hui DONG ; Chun-Jiong WANG
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(3):441-448
Obesity is a worldwide health problem. An imbalance in energy metabolism is an important cause of obesity and related metabolic diseases. Our previous studies showed that inhibition of miR-429 increased the protein level of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in beige adipocytes; however, whether local inhibition of miR-429 in subcutaneous adipose tissue affects diet-induced obesity and related metabolic disorders remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of local overexpression of miR-429 sponge in subcutaneous adipose tissue on obesity and related metabolic disorders. The control adeno-associated virus (AAV) or AAV expressing the miR-429 sponge was injected into mouse inguinal white adipose tissue. Seven days later, the mice were fed a high-fat diet for 10 weeks to induce obesity. The effects of the miR-429 sponge on body weight, adipose tissue weight, plasma glucose and lipid levels, and hepatic lipid content were explored. The results showed that the overexpression of miR-429 sponge in subcutaneous white adipose tissue reduced body weight and fat mass, decreased fasting blood glucose and plasma cholesterol levels, improved glucose tolerance, and alleviated hepatic lipid deposition in mice. Mechanistic investigation showed that the inhibition of miR-429 significantly upregulated the expression of UCP1 in adipocytes and adipose tissue. These results suggest that local inhibition of miR-429 in subcutaneous white adipose tissue ameliorates obesity and related metabolic disorders potentially by upregulating UCP1, and miR-429 is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of obesity and related metabolic disorders.
Animals
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MicroRNAs/physiology*
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Obesity/metabolism*
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Mice
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Adipose Tissue, White/metabolism*
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Metabolic Diseases
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Subcutaneous Fat/metabolism*
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Male
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Uncoupling Protein 1/metabolism*
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Diet, High-Fat
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
3.Hydrogen Sulfide Alleviates Lipid Peroxidation-Mediated Carbonyl Stress in Uranium-Intoxicated Kidney Cells via Nrf2/ARE Signaling.
Jia Lin LIU ; Min WANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Ji Fang ZHENG ; Xi Xiu JIANG ; Qiao Ni HU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(4):484-500
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of H 2S against lipid peroxidation-mediated carbonyl stress in the uranium-treated NRK-52E cells.
METHODS:
Cell viability was evaluated using CCK-8 assay. Apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry. Reagent kits were used to detect carbonyl stress markers malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and protein carbonylation. Aldehyde-protein adduct formation and alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase 2, aldo-keto reductase, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) expression were determined using western blotting or real-time PCR. Sulforaphane (SFP) was used to activate Nrf2. RNA interference was used to inhibit CBS expression.
RESULTS:
GYY4137 (an H 2S donor) pretreatment significantly reversed the uranium-induced increase in carbonyl stress markers and aldehyde-protein adducts. GYY4137 effectively restored the uranium-decreased Nrf2 expression, nuclear translocation, and ratio of nuclear to cytoplasmic Nrf2, accompanied by a reversal of the uranium-decreased expression of CBS and aldehyde-metabolizing enzymes. The application of CBS siRNA efficiently abrogated the SFP-enhanced effects on the expression of CBS, Nrf2 activation, nuclear translocation, and ratio of nuclear to cytoplasmic Nrf2 and concomitantly reversed the SFP-enhanced effects of the uranium-induced mRNA expression of aldehyde-metabolizing enzymes. Simultaneously, CBS siRNA reversed the SFP-mediated alleviation of the uranium-induced increase in reactive aldehyde levels, apoptosis rates, and uranium-induced cell viability.
CONCLUSION
H 2S induces Nrf2 activation and nuclear translocation, which modulates the expression of aldehyde-metabolizing enzymes and the CBS/H 2S axis. Simultaneously, the Nrf2-controlled CBS/H 2S axis may at least partially promote Nrf2 activation and nuclear translocation. These events form a cycle-regulating mode through which H 2S attenuates the carbonyl stress-mediated NRK-52E cytotoxicity triggered by uranium.
NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics*
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Animals
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Hydrogen Sulfide/pharmacology*
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Rats
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects*
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Cell Line
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Uranium/toxicity*
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Antioxidant Response Elements
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Kidney/metabolism*
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Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
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Cell Survival/drug effects*
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
4.Risk factors for bronchopulmonary dysplasia in twin preterm infants:a multicenter study
Yu-Wei FAN ; Yi-Jia ZHANG ; He-Mei WEN ; Hong YAN ; Wei SHEN ; Yue-Qin DING ; Yun-Feng LONG ; Zhi-Gang ZHANG ; Gui-Fang LI ; Hong JIANG ; Hong-Ping RAO ; Jian-Wu QIU ; Xian WEI ; Ya-Yu ZHANG ; Ji-Bin ZENG ; Chang-Liang ZHAO ; Wei-Peng XU ; Fan WANG ; Li YUAN ; Xiu-Fang YANG ; Wei LI ; Ni-Yang LIN ; Qian CHEN ; Chang-Shun XIA ; Xin-Qi ZHONG ; Qi-Liang CUI
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2024;26(6):611-618
Objective To investigate the risk factors for bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD)in twin preterm infants with a gestational age of<34 weeks,and to provide a basis for early identification of BPD in twin preterm infants in clinical practice.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the twin preterm infants with a gestational age of<34 weeks who were admitted to 22 hospitals nationwide from January 2018 to December 2020.According to their conditions,they were divided into group A(both twins had BPD),group B(only one twin had BPD),and group C(neither twin had BPD).The risk factors for BPD in twin preterm infants were analyzed.Further analysis was conducted on group B to investigate the postnatal risk factors for BPD within twins.Results A total of 904 pairs of twins with a gestational age of<34 weeks were included in this study.The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with group C,birth weight discordance of>25%between the twins was an independent risk factor for BPD in one of the twins(OR=3.370,95%CI:1.500-7.568,P<0.05),and high gestational age at birth was a protective factor against BPD(P<0.05).The conditional logistic regression analysis of group B showed that small-for-gestational-age(SGA)birth was an independent risk factor for BPD in individual twins(OR=5.017,95%CI:1.040-24.190,P<0.05).Conclusions The development of BPD in twin preterm infants is associated with gestational age,birth weight discordance between the twins,and SGA birth.
5.Research status of traditional Chinese medicine monomer,drug-to-drug groups and compound formula in the treatment of endometriosis
Bin YUE ; Yuan-Huan CHEN ; Quan-Sheng WU ; Xiao-Hua ZHANG ; Yuan CHENG ; Hao MEI ; Can-Can HUANG ; Zuo-Liang ZHANG ; Xiu-Jia JI
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(15):2283-2287
Interventions for endometriosis(EMs)include surgical excision of lesions and hormonal therapy,which usually have limited efficacy and adverse drug reactions.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has the multi-component and multi-target characteristics,which can help patients achieve good clinical benefits by intervening in different parts of the disease.In this paper,we briefly discuss the modern pharmacology of Sanlang and Curcuma longa,and deeply summarize the possible mechanisms of action of TCM monomer and classical compound extracts and their active ingredients through signal pathways in inflammation,immune system,angiogenesis,hormone regulation,etc.,so as to provide theoretical bases for the clinical use of TCM monomers,drug-to-drug groups and compounds in the treatment of EMs.
6.Effects of transcription factor SOX11 on the biological behavior of neuroblastoma cell and potential regulatory mechanism
Jing-Ru HUANG ; Yong LI ; Peng CHEN ; Ji-Xiu WEI ; Xia YANG ; Qiong-Qian XU ; Jia-Bo CHEN
Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research 2024;106(5):284-295
Purpose:
This study aimed to analyze the expression and prognosis of SRY-box transcription factor 11 (SOX11) in neuroblastoma (NB), as well as the biological function and potential regulatory mechanism of SOX11 in NB.
Methods:
Public RNA sequencing was used to detect the expression level of SOX11. The Kaplan-Meier curve and hazard ratios (HR) were used to determine the prognostic value of SOX11 in NB. Functional analyses were performed using CCK8, wound healing assay, and transwell invasion assay. Finally, the potential target genes of SOX11 were predicted by Harmonizonme (Ma'ayan Laboratory) and Cistrome Data Browser (Cistrome Project) database to explore the potential molecular mechanism of SOX11 in NB.
Results:
Compared with normal adrenal tissue, the expression of SOX11 in NB tissue was significantly upregulated. The Kaplan-Meier curve showed that high expression of SOX11 was associated with poor prognosis in children with NB (HR, 1.719; P = 0.049). SOX11 knockdown suppressed the migration capacity of SK-N-SH cells but did not affect proliferation and invasion capacity. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) may be a potential downstream target gene for the transcription factor SOX11 to play a role in NB.
Conclusion
The transcription factor SOX11 was significantly upregulated in NB. SOX11 knockdown suppressed the migration capacity of NB cell SK-N-SH. SOX11 may promote the progression of NB by targeting EZH2.
7.Investigation and clarification of traditional measuring units of Tibetan medicine.
Qi-En LI ; Di-Gao WAN ; Fa-Rong YUAN ; Cai-Jia SUONAN ; Dai-Ji QINGMEI ; Yang-Xiu-Cuo DUOJIE ; Zhuo-Ma GENGJI ; Cuo-Mao TABA ; Peng-Cuo DAWA ; Zhong BANMA ; Cai-Rang DUOJIE ; Qu-Pei DANZENG ; Ci-Ren NIMA ; Xiao GUO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(5):1393-1401
Quantity is the key factor to ensure the safety and effectiveness of medicines. It is very important to study and determine the traditional measuring units and their quantity values of Tibetan medicine. Based on the literature records of Tibetan medicine and combined with modern experimental verification and investigation research, this study determined the reference, name, and conversion rate of traditional measuring units of Tibetan medicine. Meanwhile, through large sample sampling and repeated quantification of refe-rence of basic units, its weight and volume were clarified. The modern SI volume and weight unit values corresponding to the traditional volume and weight units of Tibetan medicine were deduced, and the correctness, reliability, and practicability of these determination results were demonstrated. This study also put forward some specific suggestions and reference values for formulating the standards of measuring units of weight and volume of Tibetan medicine. It is of great significance in guiding the processing, production, and clinical treatment of Tibetan medicine, and promoting the standardization and standardized development of Tibetan medicine.
Medicine, Tibetan Traditional
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Reproducibility of Results
8.Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction attenuates fibrosis in endometriosis through regulating PTEN/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
Xiu-Jia JI ; Xiao-Hua ZHANG ; Can-Can HUANG ; Zuo-Liang ZHANG ; Hai-Yan MAO ; Bin YUE ; Bing-Yu LIU ; Quan-Sheng WU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(12):3207-3214
The present study aimed to investigate the protective role of Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction(SFZY) against endometriosis fibrosis in mice, and decipher the underlying mechanism through the phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten(PTEN)/protein kinase B(Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) pathway. Eighty-five BALB/c female mice were randomly assigned into a blank group, a model group, high-, medium, and low-dose SFZY(SFZY-H, SFZY-M, and SFZY-L, respectively) groups, and a gestrinone suspension(YT) group. The model of endometriosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of uterine fragments. The mice in different groups were administrated with corresponding groups by gavage 14 days after modeling, and the blank group and model group with equal volume of distilled water by gavage. The treatment lasted for 14 days. The body weight, paw withdrawal latency caused by heat stimuli, and total weight of dissected ectopic focus were compared between different groups. The pathological changes of the ectopic tissue were observed via hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and Masson staining. Real-time PCR was employed to measure the mRNA levels of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) and collagen type Ⅰ(collagen-Ⅰ) in the ectopic tissue. The protein levels of PTEN, Akt, mTOR, p-Akt, and p-mTOR in the ectopic tissue were determined by Western blot. Compared with the blank group, the modeling first decreased and then increased the body weight of mice, increased the total weight of ectopic focus, and shortened the paw withdrawal latency. Compared with the model group, SFZY and YT increased the body weight, prolonged the paw withdrawal latency, and decreased the weight of ectopic focus. Furthermore, the drug administration, especially SFZY-H and YT(P<0.01), recovered the pathological and reduced the area of collagen deposition. Compared with the blank group, the modeling up-regulated the mRNA levels of α-SMA and collagen-Ⅰ in the ectopic focus, and such up-regulation was attenuated after drug intervention, especially in the SFZY-H and YT groups(P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the modeling down-regulated the protein level of PTEN and up-regulated the protein levels of Akt, mTOR, p-Akt, and p-mTOR(P<0.01, P<0.001). Drug administration, especially SFZY-H and YT, restored such changes(P<0.01). SFZY may significantly attenuate the focal fibrosis in the mouse model of endometriosis by regulating the PTEN/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
Female
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Animals
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Mice
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Humans
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics*
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Choristoma
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Endometriosis/genetics*
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TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics*
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RNA, Messenger
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Signal Transduction
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Body Weight
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Mammals
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PTEN Phosphohydrolase/genetics*
9.Antimicrobial susceptibility of Gram-positive organisms:Results from China antimicrobial resistance surveillance trial(CARST)program,2021-2022
Yun LI ; Bo ZHENG ; Feng XUE ; Xiu-Zhen ZHANG ; Yun-Jian HU ; Yu-Fen JIN ; Jian-Hong ZHAO ; Shi-Yang PAN ; Wei GUO ; Feng ZHAO ; Yun-Song YU ; Xuan CAI ; Wen-En LIU ; De-Hua LIU ; Ying FEI ; Jia-Yun LIU ; Feng-Yan PEI ; Ling MENG ; Ping JI ; Jin TANG ; Kai XU ; Lei ZHU ; Cun-Wei CAO ; He-Ping XU ; Shan WANG ; Lan-Qing CUI ; Jia ZHANG ; Yao-Yao LIU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2023;39(23):3509-3524
Objective To investigate the Gram-positive coccus resistance in nationwide's tertiary hospitals and understand the trend of antimicrobial resistance.Methods All the clinical isolates were collected from 19 hospitals and the minimal inhibitory concentrations(MICs)were tested using agar/broth dilution method recommended.Results A total of 1 974 pathogenic Gram-positive coccus from 19 tertiary hospitals in 19 cities nationwide over the period from July 2021 to June 2022 were studied.Based on the MIC results,the prevalence of methicillin resistant Stapylococcus aureus(MRSA)and methicillin resistant Stapylococcus epidermidis(MRSE)were 36.4%and 79.9%respectively.No vancomycin insensitivity Staphylococcus was detected.Staphylococcus aureus were 100%susceptibility to linezolid and teicoplanin.Antibiotic resistance rate of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium to ampicillin were 3.1%and 92.9%.The detectation rate of vancomycin resistant Enterococcus(VRE)was 1.6%.Nonsusceptibility rate of Enterococcus faecalis to linezolid was 32.2%,two consecutive monitoring rises and nonsusceptibility rate of Enterococcus faecium(12.5%)was also significantly increased.The prevalence of penicillin non-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae(PNSSP)was 0.8%based on non-meningitis and parenteral administration criterion,decrease of nearly 30 percentage points from the previous surveillance.While for cases of oral penicillin,the rate was 71.8%,showing similar to last time.The results indicated that the number of strains with higher MIC value of penicillin(MIC ≥4 mg·L-1)decreased significantly.There were no significant differences of resistance rates of Stapylococcus aureus,Stapylococcus epidermidis,Enterococcus faecalis,Enterococcus faecium and Streptococcus pneumoniae among various groups such as different department,age,or specimen source.Conclusion VRE detection ratio stablized at a relatively low level.The number of Streptococcus pneumoniae with higher MIC value of penicillin decreased significantly compared with the previous monitoring.The increase of linezolidin-insensitive Enterococcus was noteworthy.
10.Antimicrobial susceptibility of Gram-negative organisms:Results from China antimicrobial resistance surveillance trial(CARST)program,2021-2022
Yun LI ; Bo ZHENG ; Feng XUE ; Xiu-Zhen ZHANG ; Yun-Jian HU ; Yu-Fen JIN ; Jian-Hong ZHAO ; Shi-Yang PAN ; Wei GUO ; Feng ZHAO ; Yun-Song YU ; Xuan CAI ; Wen-En LIU ; De-Hua LIU ; Ying FEI ; Jia-Yun LIU ; Feng-Yan PEI ; Ling MENG ; Ping JI ; Jin TANG ; Kai XU ; Lei ZHU ; Cun-Wei CAO ; He-Ping XU ; Shan WANG ; Lan-Qing CUI ; Jia ZHANG ; Yao-Yao LIU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2023;39(23):3525-3544
Objective To investigate the Gram-negative bacteria resistance in nationwide's tertiary hospitals and understand the trend of antimicrobial resistance.Method All the clinical isolates were collected from 19 hospitals and the minimal inhibitory concentrations(MICs)were tested using agar/broth dilution method recommended.Results A total of 4 066 pathogenic isolates from 19 tertiary hospitals in 19 cities nationwide over the period from July 2021 to June 2022 were studied.Based on the MIC results,Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae showed extended spectrum β-lactamase(ESBLs)phenotype rates of 55.0%and 21.0%,respectively,ESBLs phenotype rate of Klebsiella pneumoniae keep going down.The ratios of carbapenems resistance Klebsiella pneumoniae increased by 5 percentage points compared with the previous monitoring.Carbapenems,moxalactam,sitafloxacin,β-lactam combination agents,fosfomycin trometamol,and amikacin displayed desirable antibacterial activity against Enterbacterales,susceptibal rates were above 75%.In addition,tigacycline,omacycline,colistin and fluoxefin maintained good antibacterial activity against their respective effective bacteria/species,and the bacterial sensitivity rates by more than 80%.Resistance rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannnii to imipenem were 26.3%and 72.1%and multidrug-resistant(MDR)detection rates were 41.1%and 77.3%,extensively drug-resistant(XDR)were 12.0%and 71.8%,respectively.Comparison of drug resistance rates from different wards,ages and specimen sources indicated that the proportion of resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from intensive care unit(ICU)were significantly higher than non-ICU.Carbapenem resistance rates of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from ICU were more than 35%.Resistance rates of Haemophilus influenzae isolated in children to β-lactam,macrolide,clindamycin and ESBLs detection rate in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from children were more than those from adults and the old people,so bacterial resistance in children is an important problem in China.Conclusion ESBLs detection rate of Escherichia coli increased slightly after years of continuous decline.The proportion of carbapenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa was stable,but the resistance rate of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii to carbapenems was still increased,which should be paid more attention.

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