Objective:To investigate the effects of propionic acid produced by Akkermansia muciniphila on the radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer and the underlying mechanism. Methods:Normal human colon mucosal epithelial cells (NCM460) were used to determine the appropriate concentration of propionic acid. Human colorectal cancer cells (HCT-8) were treated with A. muciniphila-conditioned medium or propionic acid, followed by exposure to 6 Gy γ-ray irradiation, and cell survival and proliferation were measured by clone formation assay and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, respectively. A mouse model of colorectal cancer was established using azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate. The mice were divided into control model group, irradiation group, and irradiation+ propionic acid group. Their body weight, colorectal length, tumor count, and tumor area were recorded. The radiosensitizing effect of propionic acid was assessed with HE staining, immunohistochemical staining, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mechanism was explored by using RT-PCR and flow cytometry. Results:CCK-8 assay showed that 1-mmol/L propionic acid had no significant effect on the proliferation of NCM460 cells ( P>0.05), which was used for subsequent experiments. Pretreated with A. muciniphila-conditioned medium or propionic acid, the survival and proliferation abilities of irradiated HCT cells were significantly decreased ( t=3.14-34.98, P<0.05). Compared with the irradiation group, the colorectal cancer mice in the irradiation+ propionic acid group showed a significantly longer colorectal length ( t=3.50, P<0.05) and a significantly smaller number of tumors ( t=3.48, P<0.05); the two groups had significantly smaller tumor areas than the control model group ( t=5.97, 7.30, P<0.05). HE staining and immunohistochemical staining showed that propionic acid restored colorectal structure, and decreased Ki67 expression in colorectal tissue ( t=14.50, 3.40, P<0.05). Propionic acid treatment significantly reduced the levels of the inflammatory factors interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, as compared with the mice receiving irradiation alone ( t=4.86, 5.06, P<0.05). Irradiation plus propionic acid treatment significantly increased p53 expression and significantly aggravated G 2/M phase block and cell apoptosis ( t=20.35, 13.05, P<0.05). Conclusions:The A. muciniphila metabolite propionic acid plays a sensitizing role in radiation therapy for colorectal cancer by promoting G 2/M phase block and apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells.

Objective:To investigate the effects of propionic acid produced by Akkermansia muciniphila on the radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer and the underlying mechanism. Methods:Normal human colon mucosal epithelial cells (NCM460) were used to determine the appropriate concentration of propionic acid. Human colorectal cancer cells (HCT-8) were treated with A. muciniphila-conditioned medium or propionic acid, followed by exposure to 6 Gy γ-ray irradiation, and cell survival and proliferation were measured by clone formation assay and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, respectively. A mouse model of colorectal cancer was established using azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate. The mice were divided into control model group, irradiation group, and irradiation+ propionic acid group. Their body weight, colorectal length, tumor count, and tumor area were recorded. The radiosensitizing effect of propionic acid was assessed with HE staining, immunohistochemical staining, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mechanism was explored by using RT-PCR and flow cytometry. Results:CCK-8 assay showed that 1-mmol/L propionic acid had no significant effect on the proliferation of NCM460 cells ( P>0.05), which was used for subsequent experiments. Pretreated with A. muciniphila-conditioned medium or propionic acid, the survival and proliferation abilities of irradiated HCT cells were significantly decreased ( t=3.14-34.98, P<0.05). Compared with the irradiation group, the colorectal cancer mice in the irradiation+ propionic acid group showed a significantly longer colorectal length ( t=3.50, P<0.05) and a significantly smaller number of tumors ( t=3.48, P<0.05); the two groups had significantly smaller tumor areas than the control model group ( t=5.97, 7.30, P<0.05). HE staining and immunohistochemical staining showed that propionic acid restored colorectal structure, and decreased Ki67 expression in colorectal tissue ( t=14.50, 3.40, P<0.05). Propionic acid treatment significantly reduced the levels of the inflammatory factors interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, as compared with the mice receiving irradiation alone ( t=4.86, 5.06, P<0.05). Irradiation plus propionic acid treatment significantly increased p53 expression and significantly aggravated G 2/M phase block and cell apoptosis ( t=20.35, 13.05, P<0.05). Conclusions:The A. muciniphila metabolite propionic acid plays a sensitizing role in radiation therapy for colorectal cancer by promoting G 2/M phase block and apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells.

Objective To investigate and analyze the current status and challenges of infant and toddler nutritional services in urban and rural medical facilities in Sichuan Province.Methods In 2022,a questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data on infant and toddler nutritional services,including feeding guidance,physical growth assessment,and micronutrient deficiency screening,as well as information on personnel and tools in medical facilities throughout Sichuan Province.The provision of nutritional services was analyzed and the urban-rural disparities were assessed.Results A total of 2206 medical facilities(29.1%from urban areas and 70.9%from rural areas)were investigated.Only 35.8%of medical facilities provided all three types of nutritional services.Specifically,the overall service provision rates were high for feeding guidance(94.6%)and physical growth assessment(85.0%),but lower for micronutrient deficiency screening(37.4%).Rural facilities exhibited significantly lower rates than their urban counterparts for both physical growth assessment and micronutrient deficiency screening(P＜0.05).The provision rates of feeding guidance ranged from 70.6%to 93.2%,with responsive feeding guidance being the least implemented(70.6%),particularly in rural areas compared to urban areas(P＜0.05).Rates for physical growth assessment and micronutrient deficiency screening ranged from 75.3%to 81.8%and 23.6%to 30.8%,respectively,both showing lower rates in rural settings compared to urban ones(P＜0.05).Nutrition service providers were predominantly nurses(52.3%)and clinical practitioners(43.4%).The availability of dietary assessment tools ranged from 7.7%to 15.9%,significantly lower in rural areas compared to urban areas(P＜0.001),while physical measurement tools were widely available at rates of 94.6%to 98.5%.Conclusion At present,the infant and toddler nutritional service provisions of medical facilities in Sichuan Province are incomplete,particularly so in the implementation of feeding guidance,physical growth assessment,and micronutrient deficiency screening.There is a notable shortage of personnel and necessary tools,with rural areas facing more significant challenges.Enhancing the overall capacity of infant and toddler nutritional services in Sichuan Province is essential,with specific attention needed for rural healthcare settings.

Objective:To provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment of hepatic cystic echinococcosis by analyzing the clinical characteristics of these patients.Methods:Clinical data of 15 patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis hospitalized in the Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from April 22, 2019 to March 5, 2022 were collected. The general data, clinical manifestations, abdominal imaging results, treatment and outcome of the included patients were retrospectively analyzed.Results:The age of 15 patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis ranged from 39 to 78 years, with a median age of 51 years. Among the 15 patients, 12 were farmers, two were freelance workers, and one was unknown. Eleven patients presented with abdominal pain and fatigue, one patient presented with obstructive jaundice, and three patients whom were found by physical examination did not complain of obvious discomfort. Echinococcoid cysts were located at the right lobe of the liver in eight patients, at the left lobe of the liver in five patients, and with multiple lesions in the left and right lobes of the liver in two patients. Two patients received conservative therapy. All the 13 patients who received surgical treatment recovered without complications, such as biliary fistula and subphrenic infection. The clinical symptoms including abdominal pain and fatigue were relieved significantly after surgery. The hospital stay were four to 23 days. All patients were administrated with albendazole (400 mg once daily).Conclusions:Hepatic cystic echinococcosis is more common in the right lobe of the liver, with atypical clinical symptoms. Preoperative imaging diagnosis and postoperative pathological examination are necessary for diagnosis. Surgery is the most effective treatment at present, and albendazole should be taken regularly in all patients.

Objective:To analyse the pathogenic bacteria distribution and clinical characteristics of late-onset sepsis (LOS) among premature infants with gestational age less than 34 weeks in Henan Province.Methods:The clinical data of 6 590 premature infants admitted to 17 medical institutions in Henan Province from January 2019 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The gestational age of infants was less than 34 weeks and was admitted to the neonatal ward within 7 days after birth. SPSS 19.0 statistical software was used for data analysis.Results:Among 6 590 premature infants LOS developed in 751 cases (11.40%), of whom the diagnosis was confirmed in 276 cases (36.75%) and 475 cases (63.25%) were diagnosed clinically. The fatality rate related to LOS was 13.58%. There were significant differences in the incidence of LOS and infection-related mortality among infants with different gestational ages and body weights ( χ2=388.894 and 13.572, χ2=472.282 and 9.257, P<0.05 or <0.01). Among 276 children with confirmed LOS, 286 strains of pathogenic bacteria were isolated. Gram-negative bacteria were most prevalent (178 strains), accounting for 62.24% of all infections, followed by fungi (58 strains, 20.28%). Klebsiella pneumoniae was most frequently detected Gram-negative bacteria (117 strains, 40.91%), among which 32.48% (38/117) was carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. The proportion of diagnosed sepsis, the proportion of catheterization, and the infection-related mortality of infants with LOS in tertiary hospitals were all higher than those in secondary hospitals ( χ2=6.212, 5.313 and 4.435, all P<0.05). The proportion of exclusive breastfeeding in secondary hospitals was lower than that in tertiary hospitals ( χ2=19.216, P<0.05). The time of antibacterial drug use before infection in specialized hospitals was longer than that in general hospitals ( χ2=3.276, P<0.05). Conclusion:The incidence of LOS among preterm infants in Henan Province is high, which was mainly caused by Gram-negative bacteria. The clinical characteristics of LOS caused by different pathogens and in different health institutions are different, the prevention and control strategy should be developed accordingly to reduce the incidence LOS of preterm premature infants.

TSCI have dyskinesia and sensory disturbance that can cause various life-threaten complications. The patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI), seriously affecting the quality of life of patients. Based on the epidemiology of TSCI and domestic and foreign literatures as well as expert investigations, this expert consensus reviews the definition, injury classification, rehabilitation assessment, rehabilitation strategies and rehabilitation measures of TSCI so as to provide early standardized rehabilitation treatment methods for TSCI.