Background The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is a vast area with a wide array of ecological environments, resulting in considerable regional variations in air pollution characteristics. Current research is limited by a scarcity of systematic, region-wide studies and risk assessments. Objective To assess the health risks associated with inhalation exposure to nine heavy metal and metalloid elements in atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) for the population of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Methods From the 10th to the 16th of each month throughout 2023, atmospheric PM_2.5 samples were collected at designated monitoring sites in 12 leagues (cities) across the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to analyze the characteristics and trends in concentration. The health risk assessment model developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency was employed to evaluate both the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with the heavy metal elements beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), hydrargyrum (Hg), plumbum (Pb), manganese (Mn), and nickel (Ni) and the metalloid elements stibium (Sb) and arsenic (As). Results In 2023, a total of 1206 valid PM_2.5 samples were analyzed from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The annual average PM_2.5 concentrations in Inner Mongolia, as well as in the cities of Ordos, Wuhai, and the Alxa League, all exceeded the national limit of 35 μg·m⁻³. The PM_2.5 concentrations across the leagues (cities) exhibited a clear seasonal variation, peaking in winter, followed by spring, and reaching a minimum in summer and autumn. The median PM_2.5 concentration in Ordos throughout the year was higher than that in the other leagues (cities) of the region. Concerning health risks, the non-carcinogenic risks associated with the 9 elements detected in each league (city) were all below 1, indicating acceptable levels. However, the non-carcinogenic risk values for Mn, Cr, and As were relatively high; specifically, Ordos City displayed the highest non-carcinogenic risk values for Mn (7.74×10⁻¹) and Cr (2.97×10⁻²), while Chifeng City recorded the highest value for As (2.34×10⁻³). The carcinogenic risk values for As, Cd, Cr, and Ni fell within the range of 1×10⁻⁹ to 1×10⁻⁵, representing an acceptable level. The health risks varied with age, and the elderly residents faced the highest non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks. Conclusion While the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks from heavy metals and metalloids within atmospheric PM_2.5 in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region are generally within acceptable limits, the potential risks that Mn, As, and Cr pose to the health of elderly people warrants particular attention, and Ordos and Chifeng cities exhibit notably higher health risks among other areas. It is recommended that regular, long-term monitoring be conducted, taking into account the specific conditions at monitoring sites across each league (city), and that targeted air quality management strategies be implemented to protect public health.

This study aims to explore the mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Decoction(BHD) in promoting angiogenesis after oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R) of mouse brain microvascular endothelial cell line(brain-derived Endothelial cells.3, bEnd.3) based on the caveolin-1(Cav1)/Yes-associated protein 1(YAP1)/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) signaling pathway. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was used to analyze the blood components of BHD. The cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) method was used to detect the optimal intervention concentration of drug-containing serum of BHD after OGD/R injury of bEnd.3. The lentiviral transfection method was used to construct a Cav1 silent stable strain, and Western blot and polymerase chain reaction(PCR) methods were used to verify the silencing efficiency. The control bEnd.3 cells were divided into a normal group(sh-NC control group), an OGD/R model + blank serum group(sh-NC OGD/R group), and an OGD/R model + drug-containing serum group(sh-NC BHD group). Cav1 silent cells were divided into an OGD/R model + blank serum group(sh-Cav1 OGD/R group) and an OGD/R model + drug-containing serum group(sh-Cav1 BHD group). The cell survival rate was detected by the CCK-8 method. The cell migration ability was detected by a cell migration assay. The lumen formation ability was detected by an angiogenesis assay. The apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry, and the expression of YAP1/HIF-1α signaling pathway-related proteins in each group was detected by Western blot. Finally, co-immunoprecipitation was used to verify the interaction between YAP1 and HIF-1α. The results showed astragaloside Ⅳ, formononetin, ferulic acid, and albiflorin in BHD can all enter the blood. The drug-containing serum of BHD at a mass fraction of 10% may be the optimal intervention concentration for OGD/R-induced injury of bEnd.3 cells. Compared with the sh-NC control group, the sh-NC OGD/R group showed significantly decreased cell survival rate, cell migration rate, mesh number, node number, and lumen length, significantly increased cell apoptotic rate, significantly lowered phosphorylation level of YAP1 at S127 site, and significantly elevated nuclear displacement level of YAP1 and protein expression of HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2(VEGFR2). Compared with the same type of OGD/R group, the sh-NC BHD group and sh-Cav1 BHD group had significantly increased cell survival rate, cell migration rate, mesh number, node number, and lumen length, a significantly decreased cell apoptotic rate, a further decreased phosphorylation level of YAP1 at S127 site, and significantly increased nuclear displacement level of YAP1 and protein expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, and VEGFR2. Compared with the sh-NC OGD/R group, the sh-Cav1 OGD/R group exhibited significantly decreased cell survival rate, cell migration rate, mesh number, node number, and lumen length, a significantly increased cell apoptotic rate, a significantly increased phosphorylation level of YAP1 at S127 site, and significantly decreased nuclear displacement level of YAP1 and protein expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, and VEGFR2. Compared with the sh-NC BHD group, the sh-Cav1 BHD group showed significantly decreased cell survival rate, cell migration rate, mesh number, node number, and lumen length, a significantly increased cell apoptotic rate, a significantly increased phosphorylation level of YAP1 at the S127 site, and significantly decreased nuclear displacement level of YAP1 and protein expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, and VEGFR2. YAP1 protein was present in the protein complex precipitated by the HIF-1α antibody, and HIF-1α protein was also present in the protein complex precipitated by the YAP1 antibody. The results confirmed that the drug-containing serum of BHD can increase the activity of YAP1/HIF-1α pathway in bEnd.3 cells damaged by OGD/R through Cav1 and promote angiogenesis in vitro.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Animals ; Mice ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Glucose/metabolism* ; Caveolin 1/genetics* ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics* ; YAP-Signaling Proteins ; Oxygen/metabolism* ; Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/genetics* ; Neovascularization, Physiologic/drug effects* ; Cell Hypoxia/drug effects* ; Angiogenesis

Objective:To explore the relationship between serum osteopontin (OPN), annexin A2 (ANXA2) and recurrence after partial laryngectomy in patients with early-stage glottic laryngeal cancer (EGC).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted by collecting clinical data from EGC patients who underwent partial laryngectomy at Beijing Shijitan Hospital from June 2020 to May 2022. Serum levels of OPN and ANXA2 were measured at the time of admission. Clinical data during the perioperative period were also collected. The recurrence within 2 years after surgery was used as the endpoint event. Patients were divided into a recurrence group and a non-recurrence group based on the occurrence of recurrence. The data were compared between the groups, and Cox regression was used to analyze the correlation between recurrence after partial laryngectomy and key factors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and decision curve were used to evaluate the predictive value of serum OPN and ANXA2 for recurrence within 2 years after surgery.Results:Among 167 EGC patients, 42 patients experienced recurrence within 2 years after surgery (recurrence group), with a median recurrence time of 16.00 (13.75, 19.25) months, and a recurrence rate of 25.15%; 125 patients did experience recurrence within 2 years after surgery (non-recurrence group). Compared to the non-recurrence group, the proportions of poorly differentiated tumors and anterior commissure invasion in the recurrence group were higher, the serum levels of OPN, ANXA2 and testosterone were higher: 52.38% (22/42) vs. 20.80% (26/125), 52.38% (22/42) vs. 20.00% (25/125), (24.26 ± 4.64) μg/L vs. (18.83 ± 4.17) μg/L, (37.62 ± 6.15) μg/L vs. (31.24 ± 5.56) μg/L, (27.26 ± 5.31) nmol/L vs. (22.85 ± 4.62) nmol/L, with significant differences ( P<0.05). Cox regression analysis result showed that recurrence after partial laryngectomy in EGC patients was potentially related to tumor differentiation, anterior commissure invasion, and abnormal serum expression of OPN, ANXA2 and testosterone ( P<0.05). ROC curve analysis revealed that serum OPN and ANXA2 had an area under the curve of 0.80 and 0.79, respectively, showing predictive value, with optimal cutoff values of 21.40 and 34.72 μg/L. Decision curve analysis indicated that serum OPN and ANXA2 had predictive significance for recurrence after partial laryngectomy in EGC patients, and the combined use of pathological grade, anterior commissure invasion, and testosterone improved the net benefit. Conclusions:Recurrence after partial laryngectomy in EGC patients may be associated with elevated serum OPN and ANXA2 levels, which could increase the risk of postoperative recurrence. Early detection of serum OPN and ANXA2 could be valuable for predicting recurrence after surgery in EGC patients.

Objective:To investigate the impact of postoperative complications on adverse outcomes following curative-intent resection for gallbladder cancer (GBC).Methods:The multi-center real-world study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 629 patients with GBC, who were admitted to 14 medical centers including The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from the national multicenter database of Biliary Surgery Group of Elite Group of Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery, from April 2020 to April 2024 were collected. There were 225 males and 404 females, aged (64±10)years. Patients underwent open curative-intent resection for GBC. Observation indicators: (1)surgery, postoperative complica-tions and adverse outcomes; (2) analysis of risk factors affecting postoperative adverse outcomes in patients and population attributable fraction (PAF). Missing data in predictor variables were addressed using multiple imputation with chained equations, while cases with missing outcome variables were addressed using the "multiple imputation then deletion (MID)" strategy. The severity of multicollinearity among independent variables was assessed using the variance inflation factor (VIF) test. Multivariable possion regression models with log link and robust error variance were construc-ted incorporating restricted cubic splines (3 knots) to address nonlinear relationships in continuous variables, calculating adjusted relative risk ( RR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval ( CI). Adjusted PAF was calculated for each imputed dataset using the AF package of R software, with subsequent pooling performed according to Rubin's rules. Results:(1) Surgery, postoperative complications and adverse outcomes. All 629 patients underwent curative-intent resection for GBC, of which 143 cases had postoperative complications, including 68 cases of intra-abdominal ascites, 39 cases of pulmonary infection, 21 cases of bile leakage, 12 cases of intra-abdominal hemorrhage, 11 cases of liver failure, 10 cases of pan-creatic fistula, 10 cases of wound infection, 10 cases of gastroparesis, 7 cases of cholangitis, 7 cases of sepsis. The same patient could have more than one kind of complication. Of 629 patients, there were 19 cases of postoperative 90-day death and 11 cases of missing data, 42 cases with post-operative 90-day reoperation and 7 cases with missing data, 44 cases with postoperative 90-day readmission and 3 cases with missing data, 155 cases with prolonged postoperative hospital stay and 3 cases with missing data. (2) Analysis of risk factors affecting the postoperative adverse outcomes in patients and PAF. Results of multivariate analysis showed that pulmonary infection and liver failure were independent risk factors for postoperative 90-day mortality ( RR=3.74, 12.15, 95% CI as 1.18-11.83, 1.98-74.48, P<0.05). Pulmonary infection demons-trated the highest PAF as 4.61% (95% CI as 3.94%-5.28%, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites, pulmonary infection, bile leakage, and intra-abdominal hemorrhage were independent risk factors for post-operative 90-day reoperation ( RR=4.80, 3.62, 3.46, 4.99, 95% CI as 2.49-9.26, 1.42-9.21, 1.34-8.92, 1.55-16.06, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites demonstrated the highest PAF as 8.65% (95% CI as 8.22%-9.08%, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites, bile leakage, and liver failure were independent risk factors for postoperative 90-day readmission ( RR=6.20, 3.33, 14.33, 95% CI as 3.21-11.95, 1.33-8.35, 3.72-55.28, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites demonstrated the highest PAF as 9.11% (95% CI as 8.85%-9.37%, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites, pulmonary infection, bile leakage, liver failure, and wound infection were independent risk factors for prolonged postoperative hospital stay ( RR=2.29, 2.21, 2.26, 2.14, 3.35, 95% CI as 1.63-3.23, 1.41-3.46, 1.32-3.86, 1.11-4.13, 1.70-6.60, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites demonstrated the highest PAF as 6.03% (95% CI as 5.71%-6.35%, P<0.05). Conclusion:Pulmonary infection is the most significant risk factor for postoperative 90-day mortality after curative-intent resection for GBC, while intra-abdominal ascites is the most significant risk factor for postoperative 90-day reoperation, postoperative 90-day readmission, and prolonged postoperative hospital stay.

Objective:To explore the relationship between post-traumatic growth and stress perception as well as the chain-mediated roles of psychological resilience and navigating social support in patients with primary liver cancer(PLC), in order to provide theoretical ideas for the nursing and intervention of PLC patients.Methods:Convenience sampling was used to select PLC patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital, Third Affiliated Hospital, and Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from October 2023 to May 2024 as the research subjects. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, the Chinese Perceived Stress Scale, Perceived Social Support Scale, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale.Results:A total of 236 PLC patients were ultimately included, including 189 males and 47 females. Age distribution was as follows: 18-40 years years (7 cases), 41-60 years (128 cases), and ≥61 years (101 cases). Posttraumatic growth showed a significant negative correlation with perceived stress ( r=-0.512, P<0.01), while demonstrating positive correlations with psychological resilience and perceived social support ( r=0.605, 0.515, both P<0.01). Psychological resilience and perceived social support had mediating and chain mediating effects between perceived stress and posttraumatic growth, with mediating effects of -0.176 and -0.069, accounting for 29.24% and 11.46% of the total effect, respectively. The chain mediating effect value was 0.073, accounting for 12.13% of the total effect. Conclusions:The pathway of stress perception on post-traumatic growth in patients with PLC is indirect, and stress perception can contribute to the growth of post-traumatic growth in patients through psychological resilience, and navigating social support.

Objective:To explore the relationship between serum osteopontin (OPN), annexin A2 (ANXA2) and recurrence after partial laryngectomy in patients with early-stage glottic laryngeal cancer (EGC).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted by collecting clinical data from EGC patients who underwent partial laryngectomy at Beijing Shijitan Hospital from June 2020 to May 2022. Serum levels of OPN and ANXA2 were measured at the time of admission. Clinical data during the perioperative period were also collected. The recurrence within 2 years after surgery was used as the endpoint event. Patients were divided into a recurrence group and a non-recurrence group based on the occurrence of recurrence. The data were compared between the groups, and Cox regression was used to analyze the correlation between recurrence after partial laryngectomy and key factors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and decision curve were used to evaluate the predictive value of serum OPN and ANXA2 for recurrence within 2 years after surgery.Results:Among 167 EGC patients, 42 patients experienced recurrence within 2 years after surgery (recurrence group), with a median recurrence time of 16.00 (13.75, 19.25) months, and a recurrence rate of 25.15%; 125 patients did experience recurrence within 2 years after surgery (non-recurrence group). Compared to the non-recurrence group, the proportions of poorly differentiated tumors and anterior commissure invasion in the recurrence group were higher, the serum levels of OPN, ANXA2 and testosterone were higher: 52.38% (22/42) vs. 20.80% (26/125), 52.38% (22/42) vs. 20.00% (25/125), (24.26 ± 4.64) μg/L vs. (18.83 ± 4.17) μg/L, (37.62 ± 6.15) μg/L vs. (31.24 ± 5.56) μg/L, (27.26 ± 5.31) nmol/L vs. (22.85 ± 4.62) nmol/L, with significant differences ( P<0.05). Cox regression analysis result showed that recurrence after partial laryngectomy in EGC patients was potentially related to tumor differentiation, anterior commissure invasion, and abnormal serum expression of OPN, ANXA2 and testosterone ( P<0.05). ROC curve analysis revealed that serum OPN and ANXA2 had an area under the curve of 0.80 and 0.79, respectively, showing predictive value, with optimal cutoff values of 21.40 and 34.72 μg/L. Decision curve analysis indicated that serum OPN and ANXA2 had predictive significance for recurrence after partial laryngectomy in EGC patients, and the combined use of pathological grade, anterior commissure invasion, and testosterone improved the net benefit. Conclusions:Recurrence after partial laryngectomy in EGC patients may be associated with elevated serum OPN and ANXA2 levels, which could increase the risk of postoperative recurrence. Early detection of serum OPN and ANXA2 could be valuable for predicting recurrence after surgery in EGC patients.

Objective:To investigate the impact of postoperative complications on adverse outcomes following curative-intent resection for gallbladder cancer (GBC).Methods:The multi-center real-world study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 629 patients with GBC, who were admitted to 14 medical centers including The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from the national multicenter database of Biliary Surgery Group of Elite Group of Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery, from April 2020 to April 2024 were collected. There were 225 males and 404 females, aged (64±10)years. Patients underwent open curative-intent resection for GBC. Observation indicators: (1)surgery, postoperative complica-tions and adverse outcomes; (2) analysis of risk factors affecting postoperative adverse outcomes in patients and population attributable fraction (PAF). Missing data in predictor variables were addressed using multiple imputation with chained equations, while cases with missing outcome variables were addressed using the "multiple imputation then deletion (MID)" strategy. The severity of multicollinearity among independent variables was assessed using the variance inflation factor (VIF) test. Multivariable possion regression models with log link and robust error variance were construc-ted incorporating restricted cubic splines (3 knots) to address nonlinear relationships in continuous variables, calculating adjusted relative risk ( RR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval ( CI). Adjusted PAF was calculated for each imputed dataset using the AF package of R software, with subsequent pooling performed according to Rubin's rules. Results:(1) Surgery, postoperative complications and adverse outcomes. All 629 patients underwent curative-intent resection for GBC, of which 143 cases had postoperative complications, including 68 cases of intra-abdominal ascites, 39 cases of pulmonary infection, 21 cases of bile leakage, 12 cases of intra-abdominal hemorrhage, 11 cases of liver failure, 10 cases of pan-creatic fistula, 10 cases of wound infection, 10 cases of gastroparesis, 7 cases of cholangitis, 7 cases of sepsis. The same patient could have more than one kind of complication. Of 629 patients, there were 19 cases of postoperative 90-day death and 11 cases of missing data, 42 cases with post-operative 90-day reoperation and 7 cases with missing data, 44 cases with postoperative 90-day readmission and 3 cases with missing data, 155 cases with prolonged postoperative hospital stay and 3 cases with missing data. (2) Analysis of risk factors affecting the postoperative adverse outcomes in patients and PAF. Results of multivariate analysis showed that pulmonary infection and liver failure were independent risk factors for postoperative 90-day mortality ( RR=3.74, 12.15, 95% CI as 1.18-11.83, 1.98-74.48, P<0.05). Pulmonary infection demons-trated the highest PAF as 4.61% (95% CI as 3.94%-5.28%, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites, pulmonary infection, bile leakage, and intra-abdominal hemorrhage were independent risk factors for post-operative 90-day reoperation ( RR=4.80, 3.62, 3.46, 4.99, 95% CI as 2.49-9.26, 1.42-9.21, 1.34-8.92, 1.55-16.06, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites demonstrated the highest PAF as 8.65% (95% CI as 8.22%-9.08%, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites, bile leakage, and liver failure were independent risk factors for postoperative 90-day readmission ( RR=6.20, 3.33, 14.33, 95% CI as 3.21-11.95, 1.33-8.35, 3.72-55.28, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites demonstrated the highest PAF as 9.11% (95% CI as 8.85%-9.37%, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites, pulmonary infection, bile leakage, liver failure, and wound infection were independent risk factors for prolonged postoperative hospital stay ( RR=2.29, 2.21, 2.26, 2.14, 3.35, 95% CI as 1.63-3.23, 1.41-3.46, 1.32-3.86, 1.11-4.13, 1.70-6.60, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites demonstrated the highest PAF as 6.03% (95% CI as 5.71%-6.35%, P<0.05). Conclusion:Pulmonary infection is the most significant risk factor for postoperative 90-day mortality after curative-intent resection for GBC, while intra-abdominal ascites is the most significant risk factor for postoperative 90-day reoperation, postoperative 90-day readmission, and prolonged postoperative hospital stay.

Objective:To explore the relationship between post-traumatic growth and stress perception as well as the chain-mediated roles of psychological resilience and navigating social support in patients with primary liver cancer(PLC), in order to provide theoretical ideas for the nursing and intervention of PLC patients.Methods:Convenience sampling was used to select PLC patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital, Third Affiliated Hospital, and Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from October 2023 to May 2024 as the research subjects. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, the Chinese Perceived Stress Scale, Perceived Social Support Scale, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale.Results:A total of 236 PLC patients were ultimately included, including 189 males and 47 females. Age distribution was as follows: 18-40 years years (7 cases), 41-60 years (128 cases), and ≥61 years (101 cases). Posttraumatic growth showed a significant negative correlation with perceived stress ( r=-0.512, P<0.01), while demonstrating positive correlations with psychological resilience and perceived social support ( r=0.605, 0.515, both P<0.01). Psychological resilience and perceived social support had mediating and chain mediating effects between perceived stress and posttraumatic growth, with mediating effects of -0.176 and -0.069, accounting for 29.24% and 11.46% of the total effect, respectively. The chain mediating effect value was 0.073, accounting for 12.13% of the total effect. Conclusions:The pathway of stress perception on post-traumatic growth in patients with PLC is indirect, and stress perception can contribute to the growth of post-traumatic growth in patients through psychological resilience, and navigating social support.

Purpose::Vibrio vulnificus ( V. Vulnificus) infection is characterized by rapid onset, aggressive progression, and challenging treatment. Bacterial resistance poses a significant challenge for clinical anti-infection treatment and is thus the subject of research. Enhancing host infection tolerance represents a novel infection prevention strategy to improve patient survival. Our team initially identified cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) as an important target owing to its negative modulation of the body's infection tolerance. This study explored the superior effects of the CYP1A1 inhibitor bergamottin compared to antibiotic combination therapy on the survival of mice infected with multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus and the protection of their vital organs. Methods::An increasing concentration gradient method was used to induce multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus development. We established a lethal infection model in C57BL/6J male mice and evaluated the effect of bergamottin on mouse survival. A mild infection model was established in C57BL/6J male mice, and the serum levels of creatinine, urea nitrogen, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to evaluate the effect of bergamottin on liver and kidney function. The morphological changes induced in the presence of bergamottin in mouse organs were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining of liver and kidney tissues. The bacterial growth curve and organ load determination were used to evaluate whether bergamottin has a direct antibacterial effect on multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus. Quantification of inflammatory factors in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the expression levels of inflammatory factors in liver and kidney tissues by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed to evaluate the effect of bergamottin on inflammatory factor levels. Western blot analysis of IκBα, phosphorylated IκBα, p65, and phosphorylated p65 protein expression in liver and kidney tissues and in human hepatocellular carcinomas-2 and human kidney-2 cell lines was used to evaluate the effect of bergamottin on the nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathway. One-way ANOVA and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results::In mice infected with multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus, bergamottin prolonged survival ( p = 0.014), reduced the serum creatinine ( p = 0.002), urea nitrogen ( p = 0.030), aspartate aminotransferase ( p = 0.029), and alanine aminotransferase ( p = 0.003) levels, and protected the cellular morphology of liver and kidney tissues. Bergamottin inhibited interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression in serum (IL-1β: p = 0.010, IL-6: p = 0.029, TNF-α: p = 0.025) and inhibited the protein expression of the inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α in liver (IL-1β: p = 0.010, IL-6: p = 0.011, TNF-α: p = 0.037) and kidney (IL-1β: p = 0.016, IL-6: p = 0.011, TNF-α: p = 0.008) tissues. Bergamottin did not affect the proliferation of multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus or the bacterial load in the mouse peritoneal lavage fluid ( p = 0.225), liver ( p = 0.186), or kidney ( p = 0.637). Conclusion::Bergamottin enhances the tolerance of mice to multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus infection. This study can serve as a reference and guide the development of novel clinical treatment strategies for V. Vulnificus.

The aim of this study was to establish a laboratory research model for the desiccation tolerance of Coxiella bur-netii(C.burnetii),based on an axenic culture system.The conditions for osmotic pressure in the axenic culture system of C.burnetii were set via a gradient.Quantitative PCR was used to determine the C.burnetii genome equivalents during the culture cycle under different osmotic pressures,and the growth curves were recorded.In addition,the bacterial manifestations of C.burnetii obtained from eukaryotic cell cultures or cell-free cultures were analyzed with phase contrast microscopy and transmis-sion electron microscopy(TEM).The bacterial infection levels and vacuole forming units(VFU)were measured by infection of BGMK cells.C.burnetii showed as many as 7 days of adaptive survival in osmotic axenic medium under high osmotic condi-tions.The bacteria shrank by dehydration under extremely high osmotic pressure and appeared primarily as hypo-hydrated small cell variants(SCVs).The VFUs were significantly diminished 24 hours after infection,as compared with the parallel contrasts.The method for researching desiccation tolerance was thus successfully established.This method provides a basis for further investigation of the genetic mechanisms of the anti-desiccation properties of C.burnetii in the natural environment,through proteomics and other methods.