BACKGROUND: Whether adherence to a healthy lifestyle is associated with a lower risk of developing pneumonia and a better long-term prognosis remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate associations of individual and combined lifestyle factors (LFs) with the incidence risk and long-term prognosis of pneumonia hospitalization. METHODS: Using data from the China Kadoorie Biobank study, we used the multistate models to investigate the role of five high-risk LFs, including smoking, excessive alcohol drinking, unhealthy dietary habits, physical inactivity, and unhealthy body shape, alone or in combination in the transitions from a generally healthy state at baseline to pneumonia hospitalization or cardiovascular disease (CVD, regarded as a reference outcome), and subsequently to mortality. RESULTS: Most of the five high-risk LFs were associated with increased risks of transitions from baseline to pneumonia and from pneumonia to death, but with different risk estimates. The greater the number of high-risk LFs, the higher the risk of developing pneumonia and long-term mortality risk after pneumonia, with the strength of associations comparable to that of LFs and CVD. Compared to participants with 0-1 high-risk LF, the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for transitions from baseline to pneumonia and from pneumonia to death in those with five high-risk LFs were 1.43 (1.28-1.60) and 1.98 (1.61-2.42), respectively. Correspondingly, the respective HRs (95% CIs) for transitions from baseline to CVD and from CVD to death were 2.00 (1.89-2.11) and 1.44 (1.30-1.59), respectively. The risk estimates changed slightly when further adjusting for the presence of major chronic diseases. CONCLUSION In this Chinese population, unhealthy LFs were associated with an increased incidence and long-term mortality risk of pneumonia.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Life Style ; Pneumonia/etiology* ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors ; Smoking

Microalgae possess high photosynthetic efficiency, robust adaptability, and substantial biomass, serving as excellent biological resources for large-scale cultivation. Malic enzyme (ME), a ubiquitous metabolic enzyme in living organisms, catalyzes the decarboxylation of malate to produce pyruvate, CO₂, and NAD(P)H, playing a role in multiple metabolic pathways including energy metabolism, photosynthesis, respiration, and biosynthesis. In this study, we identified the Scenedesmus quadricauda malic enzyme gene (SqME) and its biological functions, aiming to provide excellent target genes for the genetic improvement of higher plants. Based on the RNA-seq data from S. quadricauda under the biofilm cultivation mode with high CO₂ and light energy transfer efficiency and small water use, a highly expressed gene (SqME) functionally annotated as ME was cloned. The physicochemical properties of the SqME-encoded protein were systematically analyzed by bioinformatics tools. The subcellular localization of SqME was determined via transient transformation in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. The biological functions of SqME were identified via genetic transformation in Nicotiana tabacum, and the potential of SqME in the genetic improvement of higher plants was evaluated. The ORF of SqME was 1 770 bp, encoding 590 amino acid residues, and the encoded protein was located in chloroplasts. SqME was a NADP-ME, with the typical structural characteristics of ME. The ME activity in the transgenic N. tabacum plant was 1.8 folds of that in the wild-type control. Heterologous expression of SqME increased the content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll by 20.9%, 26.9%, and 25.2%, respectively, compared with the control. The transgenic tobacco leaves showed an increase of 54.0% in the fluorescence parameter NPQ and a decrease of 30.1% in Fo compared with the control. Moreover, the biomass, total lipids, and soluble sugars in the transgenic tobacco leaves enhanced by 20.5%, 25.7%, and 9.5%, respectively. On the contrary, the starch and protein content in the transgenic tobacco leaves decreased by 22.4% and 12.2%, respectively. Collectively, the SqME-encoded protein exhibited a strong enzymatic activity. Heterologous expressing of SqME could significantly enhance photosynthetic protection, photosynthesis, and biomass accumulation in the host. Additionally, SqME can facilitate carbon metabolism remodeling in the host, driving more carbon flux towards lipid synthesis. Therefore, SqME can be applied in the genetic improvement of higher plants for enhancing photosynthetic carbon fixation and lipid accumulation. These findings provide scientific references for mining of functional genes from S. quadricauda and application of these genes in the genetic engineering of higher plants.
Nicotiana/genetics* ; Photosynthesis/physiology* ; Malate Dehydrogenase/biosynthesis* ; Plant Leaves/genetics* ; Scenedesmus/enzymology* ; Carbon Cycle/genetics* ; Lipid Metabolism/genetics* ; Plants, Genetically Modified/metabolism*

Objective:To assess the value of combined chromosomal karyotyping and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and/or copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) for the prenatal diagnosis for women with advanced maternal ages, and to explore the challenges of prenatal genetic counseling brought by the types of fetal CNVs and uncertainty of related phenotypes.Methods:A retrospective analysis was carried out on 1 841 women with advanced maternal age who underwent interventional prenatal diagnosis at the Prenatal Diagnosis Center of Xiamen University Affiliated Women and Children′s Hospital from January 2017 to December 2020. Routine chromosomal karyotyping analysis and CMA/CNV-seq detection were carried out.Results:CMA/CNV-seq had detected pathogenic variants in 2 cases which had failed karyotyping analysis. Two hundred and twenty one fetal chromosomal abnormalities were detected by karyotyping analysis, among which 187 were detected by CMA/CNV-seq. CMA/CNV-seq analysis of 23 cases with balanced chromosome structural aberrations and 10 cases with low proportion mosaicisms (including a marker chromosome) had yielded a negative result. In addition, 26 cases (26/1 841, 1.4%) with pathogenic CNVs were discovered among those with a normal karyotype, of which 13 (50.0%) were recurrent CNVs associated with neurocognitive impairment, with 22q11.21 microdeletions and microduplications being the most common types (26.92%).Conclusion:The combination of karyotyping analysis and CMA/CNV-seq not only increased the rate of prenatal diagnosis, but also complemented with each other, which has facilitated genetic counseling and formulation of prenatal diagnosis strategy for the affected families.

Objective:To investigate the association between triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and all-cause mortality in elderly patients with hypertension and coronary artery disease.Methods:This was a retrospective cohort study, a total of 5 640 elderly inpatients (≥65 years) with hypertension and coronary artery disease who were admitted to the Department of Cardiology, Liberation Army General Hospital from August 2008 to July 2018 were enrolled in this study. The baseline clinical data of the patients were collected and the TyG index was calculated. Patients were divided into four groups according to their TyG index quartiles: TyG index<8.31 ( Q1 group, n=1 392), 8.31≤TyG index<8.67 ( Q2 group, n=1 417), 8.67≤TyG index<9.07 ( Q3 group, n=1 427), and TyG index≥9.07 ( Q4 group, n=1 404). All patients were followed up by obtaining outpatient/rehospitalization records or by telephone. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Log-rank test was used to compare the cumulative all-cause mortality among groups. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the risk of all-cause mortality in each group (the Q2 group with the lowest all-cause mortality was used as a reference), after adjusting for confounding factors, Restricted cubic spline analysis (RCS) was used to determine the association between TyG index and risk of all-cause mortality. Results:During a follow-up of 6.44 (4.70, 8.85) years, 1 037 all-cause deaths (18.39 %) were documented. The cumulative all-cause mortality in Q1- Q4 groups was 16.52%, 16.51%, 17.59% and 22.93%, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=26.49, P<0.01). In the Cox regression model, compared with Q2 group (reference), the HR (95% CI) for all-cause mortality was 1.06 (0.88-1.28) in the Q1 group, 1.23 (1.02-1.48) in the Q3 group and 1.48 (1.23-1.77) in the Q4 group, respectively ( P for trend<0.01). RCS curve analysis showed that when the TyG index was greater than 8.67, the risk of all-cause mortality increased with the TyG index, and there was a linear relationship between TyG index and all-cause mortality in this patient cohort (non-linearity P=0.31). Conclusion:The elevated TyG index is significantly associated with a higher risk for all-cause mortality in elderly hypertension and coronary artery disease patients.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP)-blood brain barrier (BBB) and dexmedetomidine-induced improvement in postoperative cognitive function in patients with mild hyperbilirubinemia.Methods:This was a prospective study. Ninety patients of both sexes with mild hyperbilirubinemia caused by choledocholithiasis, aged 55-69 yr, with body mass index of 22-28 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅱ or Ⅲ, with preoperative Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores≥20, scheduled for elective cholecystectomy, exploratory choledocholithotomy and T-tube drainage from December 2022 to August 2023 in the Third Central Hospital of Tianjin, were divided into 2 groups( n=45 each) using a random number table method: control group (C group) and dexmedetomindine group (D group). After induction of anesthesia, dexmedetomidine was intravenously infused at a loading dose of 0.5 μg/kg over 10 min, followed by an infusion of 0.6 μg·kg -1·h -1 until the end of operation in group D, and the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in group C. At 2 days before operation and 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after operation, the cognitive function was assessed using MMSE and Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and the serum BCRP concentration, concentrations of cognitive function serological indicators (serum S100β, β amyloid 42, malondialdehyde), and concentrations of BBB serological indicators (serum glial fibrillary acidic protein, thrombospondin 1, claudin 5) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results:Compared with group C, MMSE and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores were significantly increased, the incidence of cognitive impairment was decreased, the serum concentrations of S100β, β amyloid 42 and malondialdehyde were decreased, the serum concentrations of BCRP were increased, and the serum concentrations of glial fibrillary acidic protein, claudin-5 and thrombospondin 1 were decreased in group D ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which dexmedetomidine improves postoperative cognitive function may be related to up-regulating BCRP levels and improving BBB function in patients with mild hyperbilirubinemia.

Objective:To investigate the application value of a new clinical probation log designed based on the subjective-objective-assessment-plan (SOAP) structured medical record.Methods:Quantitative and qualitative studies were conducted among 97 students in the autumn semester to evaluate the effect of the new clinical probation log based on the SOAP structured medical record on their academic performance and clinical thinking. SPSS 26.0 was used to perform the t-test and ANOVA. Results:The students using the new version had a significantly better score (96.29±1.38) than those using the old version (93.53±1.60) ( P<0.001), while the multivariate analysis showed that the students who first used the old version and then switched to the new version had a significantly better improvement in the score compared with those who first used the new version and then switched to the old version ( P<0.001). The qualitative interview showed that it was necessary to use handwritten internship log, and compared with the old version, the new version could better promote the ordered clinical thinking of students. The teacher comments could give feedbacks, and all the students interviewed thought that the new version held promise for clinical application. Conclusions:The clinical probation log based on the SOAP structured medical record can help to improve the effectiveness of probation and cultivate clinical thinking ability, and thus it holds promise for application in clinical probation teaching.

Biofilms are closely associated with the tough healing and dysfunctional inflammation of chronic wounds. Photothermal therapy (PTT) emerged as a suitable alternative which could destroy the structure of biofilms with local physical heat. However, the efficacy of PTT is limited because the excessive hyperthermia could damage surrounding tissues. Besides, the difficult reserve and delivery of photothermal agents makes PTT hard to eradicate biofilms as expectation. Herein, we present a GelMA-EGF/Gelatin-MPDA-LZM bilayer hydrogel dressing to perform lysozyme-enhanced PTT for biofilms eradication and a further acceleration to the repair of chronic wounds. Gelatin was used as inner layer hydrogel to reserve lysozyme (LZM) loaded mesoporous polydopamine (MPDA) (MPDA-LZM) nanoparticles, which could rapidly liquefy while temperature rising so as to achieve a bulk release of nanoparticles. MPDA-LZM nanoparticles serve as photothermal agents with antibacterial capability, could deeply penetrate and destroy biofilms. In addition, the outer layer hydrogel consisted of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) promoted wound healing and tissue regeneration. It displayed remarkable efficacy on alleviating infection and accelerating wound healing in vivo. Overall, the innovative therapeutic strategy we came up with has significant effect on biofilms eradication and shows promising application in promoting the repair of clinical chronic wounds.

Objective    To summarize the surgical strategy of reoperative aortic root replacement after prior aortic valve replacement (AVR), and analyze the early and mid-term outcomes. Methods    From April 2013 to January 2020, 75 patients with prior AVR underwent reoperative aortic root replacement in Fuwai Hospital. There were 54 males and 21 females with a mean age of 56.4±12.7 years. An emergent operation was performed in 14 patients and an elective operation in 61 patients. The indications were aortic root aneurysm in 38 patients, aortic dissection involving aortic root in 30 patients, root false aneurysm in 2 patients, prosthesis valve endocarditis with root abscess in 2 patients, and Behçet's disease with root destruction in 3 patients. The survival and freedom from aortic events during the follow-up were evaluated with the Kaplan-Meier survival curve and the log-rank test. Results    The operative procedures included prosthesis-sparing root replacement in 45 patients, Bentall procedure in 26 patients, and Cabrol procedure in 4 patients. Operative mortality was 1.3% (1/75). A composite of adverse events occurred in 5 patients, including operative death (n=1), stroke (n=1), and acute renal injury necessitating hemodialysis (n=3). The follow-up was available for all 74 survivors, with the mean follow-up time of 0.5-92.0 (30.3±25.0) months. Four late deaths occurred during the follow-up. The survival rate at 1 year, 3 years and 6 years was 97.2%, 91.4% and 84.4%, respectively. Aortic events developed in 2 patients. The rate of freedom from aortic events at 1 year, 3 years, and 6 years was 98.7%, 95.0% and 87.7%, respectively. There was no difference in rate of survival or freedom from aortic events between the elective patients and the emergent patients. Conclusion    Reoperative aortic root replacement after prior AVR can be performed to treat the root pathologies after AVR, with acceptable early and mid-term outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the clinical utility of 68Ga-labeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) PET/CT in the detection of primary and metastatic gastric signet-ring cell carcinoma (GSRCC) and compared the results with those of 18F-FDG PET/CT. Methods:A total of 21 patients (10 males, 11 females, average age 52 years) with primary and metastatic GSRCC who underwent 68Ga-FAPI and 18F-FDG PET/CT at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University from June 2020 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Pathological results of surgery and (or) biopsy were used as the " gold standard" for final diagnosis. In cases whose surgery or tissue biopsies were not available, clinical and radiographic follow-up results were used as the reference standards. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the SUV max of 18F-FDG and 68Ga-FAPI. McNemar χ2 test was used to compare the detection rate between 18F-FDG and 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT. Results:68Ga-FAPI PET/CT showed higher SUV max than 18F-FDG in primary tumors (5.3(2.4, 15.7) vs 2.4(1.8, 2.5); z=2.31, P=0.021), local recurrences (7.8(6.0, 8.9) vs 2.4(1.9, 3.4); z=2.20, P=0.028), lymph nodes metastases (7.7(4.5, 12.2) vs 2.4(1.9, 3.6); z=6.01, P<0.001) and bone/visceral metastases (6.7(5.3, 11.1) vs 2.4(2.0, 3.4); z=11.36, P<0.001). Regarding diagnostic accuracy, 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT showed higher sensitivities than 18F-FDG for primary tumors (7/9 vs 2/9; χ2=3.20, P=0.063) and local recurrences (7/7 vs 2/7; χ2=3.20, P=0.063). It also demonstrated higher lesion detection rates than 18F-FDG for suspicious lymph node metastases (86%(65/76) vs 32%(24/76); χ2=31.37, P<0.001) and bone/visceral metastases (99%(184/185) vs 39%(73/185); χ2=107.08, P<0.001). Conclusions:68Ga-FAPI PET/CT showed higher tumor uptake and lesion detection rate than 18F-FDG in the primary and metastatic GSRCC. 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT demonstrates good diagnostic performance for tumor detection, staging, and restaging of GSRCC, which is helpful to further guide clinical treatment strategy.

Objective:To develop a tetramer probe targeting fibroblast activation protein (FAP), named 1, 4, 7, 10-tetraazacyclododecane-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA)-4P(FAP inhibitor (FAPI)) 4, evaluate its biodistribution and PET image in FAP-positive-tumor bearing nude mice, and explore its feasibility as a novel radio-regent for treatment of FAP-positive tumor. Methods:FAP tetramer probe was constructed on the FAPI-46 motif with four mini-polyethylene glycol (PEG)(PEG 3) spacers between the four FAPI motifs, denoted as 4P(FAPI) 4. DOTA was used as the chelator for radiolabeling with 68Ga and 177Lu. The FAP binding characteristics were test by in vitro cell competitive binding experiment. Small-animal PET, in vivo biodistribution, and radionuclide targeting therapy were performed in HT-1080-FAP tumor bearing nude mice ( n=39). Independent-sample t test was performed to analyze tumor uptake data, and two-factor repeated measures analysis of variance was utilized to compare tumor volume data in radioactive isotope therapy. Results:Cell experiment showed that FAPI-tetramer and FAPI-monomer had similar half maximal inhibitory concentration values (3.29 and 2.15 nmol/L). 68Ga/ 177Lu radiolabeled FAPI-tetramer had better tumor uptake and retention than FAPI-monomer in small-animal PET and in vivo biodistribution experiment, with the tumor uptake for 177Lu-DOTA-4P(FAPI) 4 and 177Lu-FAPI-46 at 48 h of (18.72±1.32) vs (2.72±1.20) percentage activity of injection dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g) ( t=15.55, P<0.001). 177Lu-DOTA-4P(FAPI) 4 group showed best anti-tumor efficacy compared with 177Lu-FAPI-46 and control group in radionuclide targeting therapy. On the 2nd day after the start of treatment, the tumor volume in the tetramer treatment group was significantly smaller than that in the control group (mean difference 67.19 mm 3, P=0.049); on the 14th day after the start of treatment, the tumor volume in the tetramer treatment group was significantly smaller than that in the monomer treatment group (mean difference 414.33 mm 3, P=0.005). Conclusion:FAPI-tetramer can improve tumor uptake and retention ability compared with FAPI-46, and 177Lu-DOTA-4P(FAPI) 4 can be a promising radio-agent for FAP-positive tumor therapy.