Gut microbial communities are likely remodeled in tandem with accumulated physiological decline during aging, yet there is limited understanding of gut microbiome variation in advanced age. Here, we performed a metagenomics-based enterotype analysis in a geographically homogeneous cohort of 367 enrolled Chinese individuals between the ages of 60 and 94 years, with the goal of characterizing the gut microbiome of elderly individuals and identifying factors linked to enterotype variations. In addition to two adult-like enterotypes dominated by Bacteroides (ET-Bacteroides) and Prevotella (ET-Prevotella), we identified a novel enterotype dominated by Escherichia (ET-Escherichia), whose prevalence increased in advanced age. Our data demonstrated that age explained more of the variance in the gut microbiome than previously identified factors such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or diet. We characterized the distinct taxonomic and functional profiles of ET-Escherichia, and found the strongest cohesion and highest robustness of the microbial co-occurrence network in this enterotype, as well as the lowest species diversity. In addition, we carried out a series of correlation analyses and co-abundance network analyses, which showed that several factors were likely linked to the overabundance of Escherichia members, including advanced age, vegetable intake, and fruit intake. Overall, our data revealed an enterotype variation characterized by Escherichia enrichment in the elderly population. Considering the different age distribution of each enterotype, these findings provide new insights into the changes that occur in the gut microbiome with age and highlight the importance of microbiome-based stratification of elderly individuals.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Bacteroides ; China ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/microbiology* ; Escherichia coli/classification* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics* ; Metagenomics ; East Asian People

Objective:To prepare pullulan-spermine (PS)-poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) conjugated with CD3 antibody, and to investigate their effects on T cell proliferation and cytokine secretion.Methods:Purulan polysaccharide was sperminized to synthesize PS, hydrophobically modified, and then grafted with PLGA to synthesize PS-PLGA. Infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectrum were used to characterize the structure of PS-PLGA. PS-PLGA NPs were prepared by ultrasonic dialysis method and then coupled with CD3 antibody to prepare PS-PLGA-CD3 NPs. The morphological features of PS-PLGA-CD3 NPs were observed by the transmission electron microscope. The particle sizes, Zeta potential and dispersive coefficient of the NPs were measured using the dynamic laser particle size analyzer. The amount of coupled CD3 antibody on the surface of the NPs was determined using quantitative fluorescence analysis method. The effects of 1, 10, 50, 100, and 200 μg/ml PS-PLGA-CD3 NPs on T-cell proliferation were determined using cell counting kit-8 method. The effects of 1, 10, 50, 100, 200 μg/ml PS-PLGA-CD3 NPs on secretion of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and tumor necrosis factor-β (TNF-β) by T cell were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Comparisons were made using independent sample t-test or one-factor analysis of variance. Results:Pullulan and PS showed strong absorption at 2 939 cm ?1, and PS had a weaker absorption peak at 3 384 cm ?1 than pullulan. The proton peaks of spermine appeared at chemical shifts of 1.25 to 1.50, 1.63, and 2.25 to 2.75. The characteristic peaks of PLGA appeared at chemical shifts of 1.50, 3.40, and 4.80 to 5.30. Compared to pullulan, the characteristic peaks of both PS and PLGA appeared in the corresponding intervals for PS-PLGA. The morphology of PS-PLGA-CD3 NPs with spermine substitution at 9.7% was all regular and circular, with a mean particle size of (173.3±24.5) nm, a Zeta potential of (?12.78±3.68) mV, the dispersive coefficient of 0.254±0.101, and the CD3 antibody mass fraction of (52.1±9.4) μg/mg. The differences in cell survival were statistically significant for PS-PLGA-CD3 NPs and PS-PLGA NPs, respectively, after co-incubation with T cell after 24, 48, and 72 h at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 μg/ml, respectively (all P<0.05). The results of the three concentration comparisons after 24 h of co-incubation were [(129.8±23.1)% vs (95.5±8.9)%, (137.5±22.7)% vs (95.1±15.8)%, and (142.3±25.6)% vs (93.2±9.2)%]; and the results after 48 h were [(145.9±23.7)% vs (95.8±10.6)%, (149.3±23.5)% vs (94.9±16.3)%, and (161.2±26.9)% vs (91.5±8.3)%]; and the results after 72 h were [(147.6±20.1)% vs (95.9±17.8)%, (152.4±22.3)% vs (92.7±16.5)%, and (167.7±25.4)% vs (90.8±17.4)%]. The differences in the levels of IFN-γ, IL-2 and TNF-β were statistically significant (all P<0.05 or 0.01) at 50, 100 and 200 μg/ml concentrations for PS-PLGA-CD3 NPs and PS-PLGA NPs, respectively. For IFN-γ, the results of the comparison of the three concentrations were [(35.7±3.1) ng/ml vs (16.4±6.9) ng/ml, (67.3±5.2) ng/ml vs (19.6±2.8) ng/ml, and (79.0±4.2) ng/ml vs (19.3±2.3) ng/ml]; and for IL-2, the results were [(43.5±8.2) ng/ml vs (12.6±1.9) ng/ml, (53.5±7.8) ng/ml vs (15.8±3.3) ng/ml, and (64.0±8.2) ng/ml vs (17.4±3.8) ng/ml]; and for TNF-β, the results were [(108.4±18.9) pg/ml vs (40.8±1.3) pg/ml, (152.3±28.3) pg/ml vs (56.4±3.7) pg/ml and (185.0±33.6) pg/ml vs (81.6±10.2) pg/ml]. Conclusions:PS-PLGA-CD3 NPs are successfully prepared, which have the function of effectively promoting T cell proliferation and cytokine sectetion.

This study explored the application of traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) in the WHO eastern Mediterranean region, revealing the progressive emphasis on T&CM and its uneven development in the region. The study identified herbal and indigenous traditional medicine as the most prevalent T&CM therapies in the area, but there are relatively few relevant policies and scientific studies, and national health insurance coverage for T&CM has been weak. In addition, China provides assistance in TCM services to some countries through medical teams and TCM centers, while India provides assistance to specific countries through academic exchanges and educational cooperation, promoting the construction and development of local T&CM. It is recommended to provide management experience to countries in the region to strengthen supervision, actively carry out scientific research cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, promote their expansion of health insurance coverage to promote the high-quality development of T&CM in the region.

Traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) in WHO Southeast Asian Region has a long history, rich variety, large scale, strong government support and relatively complete institutional construction. Among them, TCM is highly popular in Thailand and Indonesia and the legislation is relatively complete; there is a relative lack of legislation and policy in India, Nepal and Myanmar; development in Sri Lanka, East Timor, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives and Democratic People's Republic of Korea is still in its infancy. India, Japan, Republic of Korea and China have provided T&CM assistance to the WHO Southeast Asia Region through signing memorandums, financial support, teaching and research cooperation, preparation export, personnel training, medical service base construction, and special assistance in TCM, so as to promote the improvement of T&CM services and standardization in the region. At present, some countries lack T&CM development funds, scientific research data and effective information exchange. In the future, it is necessary to strengthen legislative supervision and cooperation in education and scientific research based on the national conditions and cultural backgrounds of various countries, and promote the better integration of T&CM into the global health system. The dissemination and development of TCM in the WHO Southeast Asia Region can learn from the experience of T&CM in India, Japan and the Republic of Korea in terms of organizational guarantee, standard establishment, cultural publicity and brand effect, pay attention to the exchange and integration with local culture, give full play to the advantages of TCM, and enhance the public's sense of trust, so as to enhance the overseas influence of TCM.

Objective To assess the clinical value of a novel surgical technique—Tubeless subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with percutaneous suspension technique via balance-shaped sternal elevation device in the resection of anterior mediastinal masses. Methods Patients who underwent tubeless subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery via balance-shaped sternal elevation device in anterior mediastinal masses process at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University from March to April 2025 were included, and their clinical data were analyzed. Results A total of 4 patients were included, with 2 males and 2 females, aged 58-75 years. The diameter of the tumor was 2.5-3.0 cm. The operation time was 60.0-150.0 min, intraoperative blood loss was 5-10 mL, pain score on the 3rd day after surgery was 0 points, and postoperative hospital stay was 2-3 days. All patients achieved complete resection of the masses and thymus without perioperative complications. Conclusion The tubeless subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with percutaneous suspension technique via balance-shaped sternal elevation device technique optimizes surgical visualization and instrument maneuverability while avoiding complications related to conventional anesthesia and tubing, thereby markedly enhancing the minimally invasive profile of anterior mediastinal masses resections. In addition to maintaining procedural safety, this approach effectively reduces postoperative pain and accelerates patient recovery, highlighting its potential for widespread clinical adoption.

Background/Aims: The shortage of donor liver hinders the development of liver transplantation. This study aimed to clarify the poor outcomes of functionally marginal liver grafts (FMLs) and provide evidence for the improvement of ischemia-free liver transplantation (IFLT) after FML transplantation. Methods: Propensity score matching was used to control for confounding factors. The outcomes of the control group and FML group were compared to demonstrate the negative impact of FMLs on liver transplantation patients. We compared the clinical improvements of the different surgical types. To elucidate the underlying mechanism, we conducted bioinformatic analysis based on transcriptome and single-cell profiles. Results: FMLs had a significantly greater hazard ratio (HR: 1.969, P=0.018) than did other marginal livers. A worse 90-day survival (Mortality: 12.3% vs. 5.0%, P=0.007) was observed in patients who underwent FML transplantation. Patients who received FMLs had a significant improvement in overall survival after IFLT (Mortality: 10.4% vs 31.3%, P=0.006). Pyroptosis and inflammation were inhibited in patients who underwent IFLT. The infiltration of natural killer cells was lower in liver grafts from these patients. Bulk transcriptome profiles revealed a positive relationship between IL-32 and Caspase 1 (R=0.73, P=0.01) and between IL-32 and Gasdermin D (R=0.84, P=0.0012). Conclusions FML is a more important negative prognostic parameter than other marginal liver parameters. IFLT might ameliorate liver injury in FMLs by inhibiting the infiltration of NK cells, consequently leading to the abortion of IL-32, which drives pyroptosis in monocytes and macrophages.

Humans ; Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 2/metabolism* ; Multiprotein Complexes/metabolism* ; Neural Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Rapamycin-Insensitive Companion of mTOR Protein/metabolism* ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism*

Objective: To study the development of grip strength and its relationship with body weight, height and body composition in preschool children. Methods: Data was collected from 900 children aged 3-6 years in 4 preschools in Beijing during Sept. to Oct. of 2020. A questionnaire survey (birth weight, dietary and exercise), height, weight, bioelectrical impedance analysis of body composition and dominant hand grip strength tests were conducted. Partial correlational analysis, multivariate linear regression were used for association between grip strength and body composition. Results: The grip strength gradually increased with age, from (5.2±1.7) to (9.3±2.5)kg in boys ( F=57.93, P <0.01), and from (4.3±1.6) to (7.9±2.5)kg in girls ( F=48.77, P <0.01). Grip strength in boys were significant higher than that of girls ( t=6.42, P <0.01). The grip strength increased with weight status in boys ( F=5.35, P <0.01), with highest in obese group, followed by overweight and normal weight group. After adjusted for height, weight and birth weight, as well as maternal education, food consumption during the past week, grip strength in boys was positively correlated with fat free mass, upper limb muscle mass ( r=0.11, 0.09, P <0.05), and negatively correlated with body fat mass ( r=-0.18, P <0.05). Grip strength in girls was negatively correlated with body fat mass, and positively correlated with fat free mass ( r= -0.09, 0.09, P <0.05). Grip strength varied significantly by age, fat free mass and upper muscle mass in boys ( F=66.75, P < 0.01), and by age and fat free mass in girls ( F=150.81, P <0.01). Conclusion The grip strength can partially reflect changes in fat free mass for boys and girls, it also reflect changes in upper limb muscle mass for boys. Increases in fat free mass helps grip strength improvement.

Objective To understand the epidemic characteristics of different virus types of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Zhaotong City, and provide guidance and recommendations for the prevention and control of HFMD, and to analyze seasonal characteristics of different virus types of HFMD in Zhaotong City. Methods The epidemiological characteristics of different virus types of HFMD in Zhaotong City from 2014 to 2017 were analyzed using the concentration and circular distribution methods. Results The main pathogens detected were EV71, Cox A16 and other enteroviruses, which were 216, 182, and 294, respectively, accounting for 57.45%, 73.44%, and 67.11%. M was 0.86, indicating that EV71 had strong seasonality. The Rayleigh test showed statistically significant differences (Z = 99.53, P <0.001). ā = 157 °, the peak day of onset was May 10, similar to untyped (May 16), the peak period was April 21-June 1, and the epidemic period was April 1-June 21. Conclusion According to the incubation period of hand-foot-mouth disease and the period of time during which the vaccine develops protective effects, vaccination of hand-foot-mouth disease vaccine at the peak period has a good guiding significance for the timeliness and pertinence of vaccination.