Objective: To explore whether infected granulation tissue in tooth extraction sockets and maxillary sinus pus share a common microbial profile at the subspecies-strain level in patients with odontogenic maxillary sinusitis (OMS), providing evidence for infection origin tracing and precise antimicrobial therapy in OMS. Methods: This study was reviewed and approved by the institutional ethics committee. Nine consecutive OMS patients who underwent synchronous endoscopic sinus surgery and tooth extraction from October 2020 to August 2022 were prospectively enrolled. Under general anesthesia, paired specimens were collected from infected extraction-socket granulation tissue and maxillary sinus pus. Bacterial DNA was extracted, and the full-length 16S rRNA gene was sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were generated using the DADA2 algorithm and taxonomically annotated to the subspecies level against the Human Oral Microbiome Database. The detection rate of shared ASVs between the two sites and their relative abundance in sinus pus were compared. Functional profiles were predicted using Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States 2 (PICRUSt2). Results: Shared ASVs were identified in seven of the nine patients. Fusobacterium, Parvimonas, Porphyromonas, and Prevotella were the most prevalent genera. Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum were co-detected in multiple patients, with relative abundances exceeding 5% in sinus pus of several cases. Identical ASVs of F. nucleatum or Porphyromonas spp. were detected in six patients; the ASVs corresponding to F. nucleatum subsp. nucleatum and Porphyromonas endodontalis were significantly more abundant in sinus pus than in extraction-socket granulation tissue. PICRUSt2 functional profiling revealed that the proportion of socket-derived microbes in sinus pus was strongly correlated with 10 pathways, including ferroptosis, adipocytokine signaling, and apoptosis, et al. Except for biotin metabolism, the remaining pathways showed weak correlation with the proportion of extraction socket-derived ASVs in the extraction-socket granulation tissue and maxillary sinus pus. Removing F. nucleatum ASVs markedly attenuated these associations Conclusion At the subspecies-strain level, this study confirmed the presence of a shared microbial profile between infected extraction-socket granulation tissue and maxillary sinus pus in patients with odontogenic maxillary sinusitis. The co-detected subspecies-strains with high relative abundance in maxillary sinus pus included Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. nucleatum and Porphyromonas endodontalis, thus providing strain-level microbiological evidence for infection source tracing in OMS.

AIM:This study was performed to investigate the impact of neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs)on scar formation following urethral trauma.METHODS:(1)Clinical samples were derived from patients of Department of Urology,The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University,from June 2021 to December 2022.Levels of NETs in the blood and urine were compared between patients with urethral trauma(n=20)and those without urethral trauma(controls,n=20).The relationship between NETs and scar formation was analyzed.(2)Urethral fibroblasts were isolated from urethral scar tissues,and neutrophils were induced to produce NETs in vitro.The urethral fibroblasts were treated with normal saline,0.5 mg/L NETs,or 1.5 mg/L NETs to investigate the effects of NETs on activation and collagen syn-thesis of urethral fibroblasts.Additionally,a rabbit model of urethral trauma was established and the animals were dioided into four groups to explore the therapeutic potential of deoxyribonuclease I(DNase I)in preventing urethral scar forma-tion:control,operation + transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),operation + normal saline,and operation+DNase I.RESULTS:The level of NETs in urine increased after urethral trauma(P<0.05),but the level of NETs in blood did not change(P>0.05).In the animal models,the urethral scar became more severe as the level of NETs in the urine increased(P<0.05).At the cellular level,NETs promoted the viability,migration,and collagen synthesis of urethral fibroblasts(P<0.05)..Additionally,urethral injection of DNase I after trauma reduced the level of NETs and inhibited the formation of urethral scar tissue in the animal models(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Infiltration of NETs promotes activation of urethral fibroblasts and scar formation after urethral trauma.

Objective:To analyze the prognostic value of MET, Cyclin D1, and MET gene copy number (GCN) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods:This study included 61 patients with NSCLC who received treatment at the Enze Hospital, Taizhou Enze Medical Center (Group) between January 2018 and June 2019. The expression levels of MET and Cyclin D1 were determined using immunohistochemistry. MET GCN was evaluated using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Clinicopathological characteristics were compared among patients with different expression levels of these proteins. The Spearman correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between MET, Cyclin D1, and MET GCN. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze survival rates. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted to investigate the correlation between MET, Cyclin D1, and MET GCN and survival rates.Results:Thirty-six cases (59.02%) tested positive for MET, which was mainly expressed in the cytoplasm and membrane. Similarly, 36 cases (59.02%) were positive for Cyclin D1, which was mainly expressed in the cytoplasm. Patients with MET ( χ2 = 6.89, P = 0.009) and MET/Cyclin D1 ( χ2 = 4.05, P = 0.004) had a high proportion of poorly differentiated histology. Moreover, patients with MET GCN ≥ 3 had a relatively high proportion of lymph node metastasis ( χ2 = 8.11, P = 0.004) and TNM stages III-IV ( χ2 = 3.91, P = 0.048). Furthermore, patients with MET GCN ≥ 3/Cyclin D1 also had a high proportion of lymph node metastasis ( χ2 = 6.73, P = 0.009). MET was significantly associated with MET GCN ( r = 0.39, P = 0.002) and Cyclin D1 ( r = 0.39, P = 0.002), while MET GCN was significantly associated with Cyclin D1 ( r = 0.30, P = 0.017). The median survival time of patients with and without MET was 24.0 and 32.5 months, respectively, while the median survival time of patients with MET GCN ≥ 3 and < 3 was 11.0 and 30.5 months, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that TNM stages III-IV, positive expression of MET, and MET GCN ≥ 3 were significantly associated with a high risk of death. Conclusion:The positive expression of MET and MET GCN ≥ 3 may be adverse prognostic factors in patients with NSCLC. The activation of the MET/Cyclin D1 signaling pathway could potentially contribute to the development and progression of NSCLC.

The lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV) is a common lumbar vertebral variation characterized by unilateral or bilateral enlarged transverse processes. When the enlargement of the transverse processes alters the local biomechanics of LSTV, it may give rise to a series of clinical symptoms known as Bertolotti syndrome. The main manifestations include pain in the lumbosacral region, buttocks, outer side of the lower limbs, numbness, and symptoms related to the sciatic nerve. LSTV is often classified using the Castellvi classification. The presence of lumbosacralization and sacralization of vertebrae in LSTV makes it challenging to accurately locate and number LSTV. So various anatomical landmarks and spinal parameters have been proposed to assist in the localization and numbering of LSTV, but they all have a certain error rate. Even after the lumbar vertebrae is clearly numbered, there is often controversy over the baseline selection for preoperative spinal parameters. Currently, the horizontal level of S 1 is considered the optimal measurement baseline, but this conclusion needs further confirmation in a clinical context. The main basis for LSTV diagnosis is imaging signs, while the diagnosis of Bertolotti syndrome requires local injection of local anesthetics or corticosteroids into the pseudo-joint and the exclusion of other degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine. The treatment of Bertolotti syndrome includes conservative and surgical approaches. Common surgical procedures include fusion and decompression, both of which can achieve good short-term outcomes. However, due to the limited number of patients studied or a lack of direct comparisons, it is challenging to determine the superiority of these two methods in terms of medium to long-term effectiveness. This article provides a comprehensive review of the symptoms and causes of Bertolotti syndrome, preoperative localization and numbering of LSTV, baseline selection for preoperative spinal parameter measurements, and treatment methods.

To analyze the prevalence, genomic characteristics and clinical relevance of carbapenem-resistant bacteria in untreated hospital wastewater, and to provide a reference basis for in-hospital assessment of public health situation and prevention of cross-infection. In March 2023, untreated wastewater in the wastewater treatment station of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and wastewater in the U-shaped wastewater pipes of the hand-washing sinks in 26 wards were collected, centrifuged and diluted, and the drug-resistant bacteria were isolated by using LB solid plates containing meropenem (2 μg/ml) for species identification, drug sensitivity analysis, carbapenenase gene PCR detection and whole genome sequencing. The genome sequence was identified for drug resistance genes. Retrospective research was used, combining multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis, to compare their homology with clinical isolates of the same quarter. The results showed that 56 carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria were isolated from hospital wastewater, originating from 13 genera, of which 17 were isolated from the total hospital wastewater, with Aeromonas spp. as the most dominant genus (35.3%, 6/17), and 39 were isolated from the wastewater of 17 wards, with Pseudomonas spp. as the most dominant genus (30.8%, 12/39). All common wastewater isolates from our hospital were multidrug-resistant bacteria, with up to 100% resistant to some second-and third-generation cephalosporins. A total of 8 carbapenemase genes originated from wastewater isolates, including blaKPC, blaNDM, blaIMP, blaVIM, blaIND, blaOXA-58-like, blaOXA-48-like, and blaOXA-427-like. 39 wastewater isolates carried the carbapenemase genes, and the total wastewater of the hospital carried the highest isolation rate of blaKPC-2 bacteria (35.3%, 6/17) and the highest isolation rate of blaIMP-8 bacteria (31.8%, 7/22) were found in the wastewater from 26 wards. 14 wastewater isolates were found to carry both carbapenemase genes, with a total of 6 combinations. A new blaIMP-101 isoform was also identified for the first time. 4 wastewater isolates and 11 clinical isolates were screened for inclusion in the SNP analysis, in which only 15 SNPs differed between the two strains of ST11 Klebsiella pneumoniae of clinical and wastewater origin, which was highly homologous. In conclusion, the presence of multiple multi-drug resistant conditionally pathogenic bacteria in untreated hospital wastewater has the potential risk of spreading drug-resistant genes in the environment. The highly homologous Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from hospital wastewater and clinics indicates the close association between hospital wastewater and clinical infections. Hospitals need to strengthen the monitoring of drug-resistant bacteria and drug-resistant genes in the wastewater environment, to prevent the widespread dissemination of drug-resistant bacteria and drug-resistant genes in hospital wastewater and to prevent nosocomial infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria in wastewater.

To analyze the prevalence, genomic characteristics and clinical relevance of carbapenem-resistant bacteria in untreated hospital wastewater, and to provide a reference basis for in-hospital assessment of public health situation and prevention of cross-infection. In March 2023, untreated wastewater in the wastewater treatment station of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and wastewater in the U-shaped wastewater pipes of the hand-washing sinks in 26 wards were collected, centrifuged and diluted, and the drug-resistant bacteria were isolated by using LB solid plates containing meropenem (2 μg/ml) for species identification, drug sensitivity analysis, carbapenenase gene PCR detection and whole genome sequencing. The genome sequence was identified for drug resistance genes. Retrospective research was used, combining multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis, to compare their homology with clinical isolates of the same quarter. The results showed that 56 carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria were isolated from hospital wastewater, originating from 13 genera, of which 17 were isolated from the total hospital wastewater, with Aeromonas spp. as the most dominant genus (35.3%, 6/17), and 39 were isolated from the wastewater of 17 wards, with Pseudomonas spp. as the most dominant genus (30.8%, 12/39). All common wastewater isolates from our hospital were multidrug-resistant bacteria, with up to 100% resistant to some second-and third-generation cephalosporins. A total of 8 carbapenemase genes originated from wastewater isolates, including blaKPC, blaNDM, blaIMP, blaVIM, blaIND, blaOXA-58-like, blaOXA-48-like, and blaOXA-427-like. 39 wastewater isolates carried the carbapenemase genes, and the total wastewater of the hospital carried the highest isolation rate of blaKPC-2 bacteria (35.3%, 6/17) and the highest isolation rate of blaIMP-8 bacteria (31.8%, 7/22) were found in the wastewater from 26 wards. 14 wastewater isolates were found to carry both carbapenemase genes, with a total of 6 combinations. A new blaIMP-101 isoform was also identified for the first time. 4 wastewater isolates and 11 clinical isolates were screened for inclusion in the SNP analysis, in which only 15 SNPs differed between the two strains of ST11 Klebsiella pneumoniae of clinical and wastewater origin, which was highly homologous. In conclusion, the presence of multiple multi-drug resistant conditionally pathogenic bacteria in untreated hospital wastewater has the potential risk of spreading drug-resistant genes in the environment. The highly homologous Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from hospital wastewater and clinics indicates the close association between hospital wastewater and clinical infections. Hospitals need to strengthen the monitoring of drug-resistant bacteria and drug-resistant genes in the wastewater environment, to prevent the widespread dissemination of drug-resistant bacteria and drug-resistant genes in hospital wastewater and to prevent nosocomial infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria in wastewater.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with stiff-person syndrome (SPS) associated with glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, auxiliary examination results, treatment, and prognosis of patients with GAD antibody-related SPS treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2015 to July 2023.Results:A total of 33 patients were included, comprising 26 females (78.8%) and 7 males (21.2%), with an onset age of (42±12) years and a disease duration of 24.0 (10.5, 37.5) months. Two cases (6.1%) were diagnosed with tumors, including 1 case with invasive thymoma and 1 case with small cell lung cancer. The majority of patients (87.9%, 29/33) presented with stiffness of trunk and proximal limb muscles, 42.4% (14/33) of patients exhibited episodic spasm, and 54.5% (18/33) of patients were triggered by stimuli such as sound and light. Babinski or Chaddock reflexes were elicited in 33.3% (11/33) of patients. Some patients (36.4%, 16/33) had concurrent limbic encephalitis/epilepsy or cerebellar ataxia (referred to as complex SPS). The median cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white blood cell count was 2×10 6/L [quartile: 1×10 6/L, 6×10 6/L; range: (0-30)×10 6/L], with mild elevation in 28.0% (7/25) of patients. Multi-channel surface electromyography in 14 out of 21 cases (66.7%) suggested synchronous contraction of agonist and antagonist muscles in a relaxed state. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score during the acute phase was 4 (3, 4). All patients received treatment with benzodiazepines or baclofen. Thirty patients (90.9%, 30/33) received first-line immunotherapy, 3 patients (9.1%, 3/33) received second-line immunotherapy with rituximab, and 14 (42.4%, 14/33) received mycophenolate mofetil as long-term immunotherapy. The follow-up period was 16 (10, 42) months, with a median best mRS score of 2; 66.7% (22/33) of patients had a favorable functional prognosis (mRS score≤2), and the recurrence rate was 30.0% (9/30). At the last follow-up, the median mRS score was 2, and 53.3% (16/30) of patients had a favorable functional prognosis. Prognosis was not significantly correlated with gender, age, clinical type, or CSF white blood cell level (all P>0.05). Conclusions:SPS is one of the main clinical phenotypes of GAD antibody-related neuroimmune diseases, commonly observed in middle-aged women, and exhibits a chronic progressive course. Only a minority of patients have concomitant tumors. The diagnosis relies on typical symptoms, GAD antibody testing, and electromyography examination. The initial immune therapy yields good results, but the prognosis for recurrent patients is poor.

Objective:To explore the impact of intradialytic hypotension (IDH) on brain component volume, as well as its relationship with depression and cognitive function changes in maintenance hemodialysis patients.Method:It was a cross-sectional observational study. Clinical data of 119 patients under maintenance hemodialysis in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from July 2013 to July 2014 were collected, retrospectively. Patients were divided into IDH group and non-IDH group. 3.0T Magnetic resonance imaging examination of the head for all patients was completed and the results of volume analysis of each component of the brain were extracted. Cognitive function was assessed by the Chinese version of the simplified mental state examination scale (C-MMSE) and the Chinese version of the Montreal cognitive assessment scale (C-MoCA). Depressive status was assessed by the Hamilton depression scale 17 (HAMD_17) and living ability was assessed by the Alzheimer's disease collaborative study-daily living ability assessment questionnaire. In addition, the Philadelphia word learning test was used to measure memory, the Boston naming test to measure language, the connection test A and B to measure executive ability, and the Stroup test C to measure attention. The differences in brain component volume, cognitive function, emotion, and life ability between two groups of patients were compared, and the correlation between IDH and brain component volume was explored by regression analysis.Result:A total of 119 patients were included in this study, of whom 22 (18.5%) had hypotension during dialysis. The volumes of amygdala, cuneiform lobe, and posterior cingulate gyrus in IDH group were significantly smaller than those in the non-hypotension group [ (1.6±0.2) mm 3vs. (1.7±0.2) mm 3, t=2.674, P=0.009; (6.9±0.8) mm 3vs. (7.4±1.0) mm 3, t=2.187, P=0.031; (6.9±0.8) mm 3vs. (7.4±0.9) mm 3, t=2.252, P=0.024]. The differences of gray matter, white matter volume between the two groups showed a similar trend but did not reach statistical significance. And lacunar infarction and cerebral microbleeds were more common in IDH group. The daily living ability scores of the two groups were similar (65.51±11.52 vs. 65.71±11.53, Z=-0.456, P=0.648). The proportion of patients with cognitive abnormalities was higher in the IDH group, without statistical significance. The proportion of depression was similar. Univariate linear regression analysis showed that IDH was significantly negatively correlated with the volume of amygdala, cuneiform cortex, and posterior cingulate gyrus, which control emotions in the brain ( B=-0.117, 95% CI -0.203--0.030, P=0.009; B=-0.484, 95% CI -0.923--0.046, P=0.031; B=-0.485, 95% CI -0.911--0.058, P=0.026). After multivariate adjustment, decreased amygdala volume was still correlated with IDH ( B=-0.111, 95% CI -0.198--0.025, P=0.026). Conclusion:Recurrent IDH may lead to atrophy of various brain components, which may be one of the reasons for cognitive and emotional changes in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

Objective: To study the positive effect and mechanism of histone deacetylase Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) on the osteogenic capacity of inflammatory PDLSCs. Methods: PDLSCs were isolated and cultured from the healthy individuals and periodontitis patients , the expression of Sirt1 in two types of PDLSCs was observed;osteogenic induction of inflammatory PDLSCs was performed , concurrently Sirt1 agonist resveratrol was used to up⁃regulate the expression of Sirt1 , then the osteogenic differentiation was observed , the expressions of Runx2 , acetylated NF⁃κB , acetylated FoxO1 and FoxO1 were assessed by Western blot. Results : The protein expression of Sirt1 was suppressed in in flamed PDLSCs( P < 0. 01) ;resveratrol could up⁃regulate the expression of Sirt1 in inflamed PDLSCs;compared with the osteogenic induction group , the osteogenesis + resveratrol group increased the expression of BSP ( t =14. 045 ,P < 0. 01) , Runx2( t = 3. 349 ,P < 0. 01) , OCN( t = 7. 218 ,P < 0. 01) and Osx ( t = 4. 544 ,P < 0. 01) mRNA in inflamed PDLSCs , and enhanced ALP staining(P < 0. 01) ;expression of FoxO1( t = 8. 737 , P < 0. 01) and Runx2( t = 6. 152 , P < 0. 01) increased after osteogenesis of inflamed PDLSCs ; in the osteogenesis + resveratrol group , the expression of Sirt1 was up⁃regulated , and the expression of FoxO1( t = 5. 912 ,P < 0. 01) and Runx2( t =6. 277 ,P < 0. 01) further increased compared with the osteogenic induction group ,while the expression of acetylated NF⁃κB(F = 184. 033 ,P < 0. 01) and acetylated FoxO1(F = 301. 454 , P < 0. 01) was significantly lower than that of control group and osteogenic induction group. Conclusion The deacetylase Sirt1 could promote the osteogenic differentiation of inflammatory PDLSCs through deacetylating NF⁃κB and FoxO1 .

As a non-essential metal, cadmium (Cd) pollution poses severe threats to plant growth, environment, and human health. Phytoextraction using nursery stocks prior to their transplantation is a potential useful approach for bioremediation of Cd contaminated soil. A greenhouse pot experiment was performed to investigate the growth, Cd accumulation, profiles of transcriptome as well as root-associated microbiomes of Photinia frase in Cd-added soil, upon inoculation of two types of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Sieverdingia tortuosa and Funneliformis mosseae. Compared with the control, inoculation of F. mosseae increased Cd concentrations in root, stem and leaf by 57.2%, 44.1% and 71.1%, respectively, contributing to a total Cd content of 182 μg/plant. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that hundreds of genes involved in 'Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway', 'plant hormone signal transduction', 'biosynthesis of secondary metabolites' and 'glycolysis/gluconeogenesis' were enriched upon inoculation of F. mosseae. The relative abundance of Acidobacteria was increased upon inoculation of S. tortuosa, while Chloroflexi and Patescibacteria were increased upon inoculation of F. mosseae, and the abundance of Glomerales increased from 23.0% to above 70%. Correlation analysis indicated that ethylene-responsive transcription factor, alpha-aminoadipic semialdehyde synthase, isoamylase and agmatine deiminase related genes were negatively associated with the relative abundance of Glomerales operational taxonomic units (OTUs) upon inoculation of F. mosseae. In addition, plant cysteine oxidase, heat shock protein, cinnamoyl-CoA reductase and abscisic acid receptor related genes were positively associated with the relative abundance of Patescibacteria OTUs upon inoculation of F. mosseae. These finding suggested that AMF can enhance P. frase Cd uptake by modulating plant gene expression and altering the structure of the soil microbial community. This study provides a theoretical basis for better understanding the relationship between root-associated microbiomes and root transcriptomes of P. frase, from which a cost-effective and environment-friendly strategy for phytoextraction of Cd in Cd-polluted soil might be developed.
Cadmium ; Humans ; Microbiota ; Mycorrhizae ; Photinia ; Soil Pollutants ; Transcriptome