ObjectiveTo investigate the whole genomic characteristics and phylogenetic relationships of clinical isolates of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) in diarrhea outpatients in Pudong New Area, Shanghai. MethodsBased on the diarrheal disease surveillance network in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, whole-genome sequencing was performed on a total of 55 EAEC strains isolated from fecal samples of the diarrhea outpatients from January 2015 to December 2019. The genome analyses based on raw sequencing data encompassed genome size, coding genes, dispersed repeat sequences, genomic islands, and protein coding regions, and pan-genome analyses were conducted simultaneously. Contigs sequences assays were performed to analyze molecular characteristics including serotypes, antibiotic resistance genes, and virulence factors. The phylogenetic clusters and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were identified, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. ResultsEAEC exhibited an open pan-genome. The predominant serotype of EAEC in diarrhea outpatients in Pudong New Area was O130:H27, and the carriage rate of β-lactam resistance genes was the highest (67.27%, 37/55). A total of 29 virulence factors and 106 virulence genes were identified, phylogenic group B1 was the predominant group, and clonal group CC31 was the dominant clonal group. The strain distribution was highly heterogeneous. ConclusionThe genomic characteristics of EAEC displayed significant strain polymorphism. It is necessary to develop effective strategies for differential diagnosis and improve detection capabilities for infection with EAEC of different serotypes and genotypes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the early effectiveness of transosseous suture fixation in treating recurrent acute patellar dislocation with patellar osteochondral fractures (OCFs). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 19 patients with recurrent acute patellar dislocation and patellar OCFs, who underwent transosseous suture fixation between January 2018 and December 2022 and were followed up 2 years. The cohort included 8 males and 11 females, aged 13-21 years (mean, 16.2 years). Patients experienced 2-5 times of patellar dislocation (mean, 3.2 times). The interval from the last dislocation to operation ranged from 3 to 15 days (mean, 9.6 days). Preoperative imaging revealed the intra-articular osteochondral fragments and medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) injury. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) score for pain, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score, the Lysholm score, and the Tegner score. Postoperative complications were recorded. During follow-up, the knee X-ray films, CT, and MRI were taken to evaluate fragment healing, displacement, and the morphology and tension of the MPFL reconstruction graft. RESULTS: All incisions healed primarily, and no complication occurred such as infection, joint stiffness, patellofemoral arthritis, or redislocation. Patients were followed up 24-60 months (mean, 43.5 months). At 12 months postoperatively and the last follow-up, significant improvements ( P<0.05) were observed in VAS, Lysholm, IKDC, HSS, and Tegner scores compared to preoperative values. Further improvements were observed at last follow-up compared with the 12 months postoperatively, and the differences were significant ( P<0.05). Imaging studies demonstrated satisfactory osteochondral fragment positioning with stable fixation. At last follow-up, all fragments had healed, and MPFL reconstruction grafts exhibited optimal morphology and tension. No joint adhesion or fragment displacement occurred. CONCLUSION For recurrent acute patellar dislocation with patellar OCFs, transosseous suture fixation proves to be both safe and effective, achieving satisfactory early effectiveness.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Patellar Dislocation/surgery* ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Patella/surgery* ; Suture Techniques ; Treatment Outcome ; Recurrence ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Fractures, Bone/surgery* ; Follow-Up Studies

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the causal associations between autoimmune diseases and aplastic anemia (AA) using Mendelian randomization analysis. METHODS: Publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) data were utilized to obtain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with autoimmune diseases and AA for analysis. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was employed as the primary analytical approach, with MR Egger, Weighted Mode, Weighted Median, and Simple Mode methods serving as complementary analyses. Heterogeneity and pleiotropy analyses were conducted using designated functions, and the robustness of Mendelian randomization results was assessed using leave-one-out analysis. RESULTS: The two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis using the IVW method revealed significant positive causal associations of rheumatoid arthritis (OR=1.094, 95% CI: 1.023-1.170, P=0.009, adjusted P=0.042), systemic lupus erythematosus (OR=1.111, 95% CI: 1.021-1.208, P=0.015, adjusted P=0.036), Hashimoto thyroiditis (OR=1.206, 95% CI: 1.049-1.387, P=0.009, adjusted P=0.029), and Sicca syndrome (OR=1.173, 95% CI: 1.054-1.306, P=0.004, adjusted P=0.035) with AA, which was supported by the results from the Weighted Median method. Sensitivity analyses indicated no evidence of pleiotropy or heterogeneity, and leave-one-out analysis confirmed the robustness of the causal relationships. No direct evidence was found linking Graves' disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, or primary sclerosing cholangitis with AA (P>0.05, adjusted P>0.05), indicating a lack of causal association. Reverse Mendelian randomization results and multiple corrections indicated that AA was not an influencing factor for autoimmune diseases (adjusted P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our findings support at the genetic level that rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Hashimoto thyroiditis, and Sicca syndrome are risk factors for AA, and confirm a causal association of the these 4 autoimmune diseases with an increased risk of AA.
Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Anemia, Aplastic/genetics* ; Autoimmune Diseases/complications* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/genetics* ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/genetics* ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the ameliorative effect of Juanbi Tongluo Oral Liquid on sciatic neuronal apoptosis in Type 2 diabetic model mice.METHODS The Type 2 diabetes mouse model was established by feeding with high-fat and high-sugar diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ).The mice were treated with metformin(200 mg·kg-1·d-1),low dose(3.9 g·kg-1·d-1)and high dose(7.8 g·kg-1·d-1)Juanbi Tongluo Oral Liquid for 35 days.The latency of response to thermal stimu-lation was detected by hot plate,and the values of blood glucose insulin and glycosylated hemoglobin were determined.Biochemical kits were used to detect the expression of serum total cholesterol(T-CHO),triglyceride(TG),high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)and oxidation product malondialdehyde(MDA).The expression of tumor cytokine α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6 and IL-10 in serum of mice were detected by ELISA method;the injury of sciatic nerve of model mice was detected by HE staining;the apoptosis of sciatic nerve was detected by TUNEL method;and the expression of neurofilament protein NF-L,apoptosis(cleaved Caspase-3,Caspase-3)and oxidative stress(Nrf2,HO-1)signal pathway proteins in sciatic nerve of model mice were detected by Western blot method.RESULTS High-dose Juanbi Tongluo Oral Liquid shortened the latent period of heat pain response in model mice(P<0.01);downregulated fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin(P<0.01),and upregulated fasting plasma insulin in model mice(P<0.01);downregulated serum T-CHO,TG,and LDL-C levels(P<0.01),upregulated HDL-C levels(P<0.01);downregulated serum pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 levels(P<0.05),upregulated the anti-inflammatory cyto-kine IL-10 level(P<0.01);inhibited sciatic nerve structural damage and apoptosis(P<0.05);downregulated the ratio of cleaved Caspase-3 to Caspase-3 in the apoptosis pathway(P<0.01);upregulated the expression of neurofilament proteins NF-L and NF-H in sciatic nerve tissue(P<0.05,P<0.01);and upregulated the expression of antioxidant stress proteins Nrf2 and HO-1(P<0.01).CONCLUSION Juanbi Tongluo Oral Liquid can improve sciatic neuronal apoptosis of Type 2 diabetic mice,which may be related to its effect on improving oxidative stress and inflammatory stress.

Reducing the mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus(HBV)is crucial for achieving HBV elimination.Launched in July 2015 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing,China,the"Zero Hepatitis B Mother-to-Child Transmission Project"(Shield Project)is a public welfare initiative integrating scientific prevention and applied research and aims to perform standardized management of pregnant women with hepatitis B using the mobile application of"Shield Project",in order to further reduce or eliminate the mother-to-child transmission of HBV.At present,the Shield Project has expanded nationwide,offering detailed implementation strategies,successful practices,and reliable data to support the global effort to eliminate the mother-to-child transmission of HBV.This article introduces the implementation strategies and outcomes of the Shield Project in four representative cases,in order to provide strong evidence for further understanding and preventing the mother-to-child transmission of HBV.

Regular and adequate use of broad-spectrum sunscreen has been proven to offer significant protection against acute Ultraviolet-induced photodamage, photoaging, immunosuppression, and the development of skin tumors. However, concerns regarding the safety and standardized use of sunscreens persist, including potential allergenicity and irritability of certain organic sunscreens, the impact of systemic absorption on the endocrine system, the effect on vitamin D synthesis and absorption, and environmental implications. Special caution is advised when using small molecule organic sunscreens and nanoparticle inorganic sunscreens, especially for infants, pregnant women, and areas with damaged skin.

Regular and adequate use of broad-spectrum sunscreen has been proven to offer significant protection against acute Ultraviolet-induced photodamage, photoaging, immunosuppression, and the development of skin tumors. However, concerns regarding the safety and standardized use of sunscreens persist, including potential allergenicity and irritability of certain organic sunscreens, the impact of systemic absorption on the endocrine system, the effect on vitamin D synthesis and absorption, and environmental implications. Special caution is advised when using small molecule organic sunscreens and nanoparticle inorganic sunscreens, especially for infants, pregnant women, and areas with damaged skin.

Objective Using healthy female reproductive-age rhesus macaques as the research subjects,we explored the correlation between menstrual cycle abnormalities and gut microbiota composition by using 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing.Methods Twenty-seven healthy female rhesus macaques were divided into regular menstrual and irregular menstrual groups.Fecal samples were collected at follicular phase(FP),ovulation phase(OP)and luteal phase(LP)of the two groups.The structure and diversity of bacterial flora in different physiological periods were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Results At the phylum level,Firmicutes,Bacteroidetes,and Proteobacteria dominated the sample flora in the follicular,luteal,and ovulatory phases of the rhesus macaques in both the regular and irregular groups,with a combined percentage of more than 98% .At the genus level,the genus Prevotella_9,Ruminococcaceae_UCG-002,Lactobacillus,Prevotella_2,Phascolarctobacterium,Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005,Streptococcus,Blautia,Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group,Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group were dominant.In the luteal phase the percentage of Firmicutes was higher in the regular group than in the irregular group,while the opposite was true for Bacteroidetes.Spirochaetes were higher in the regular group than in the irregular group at all 3 stages(P＜0.05).Conclusion There were some differences in intestinal microbial composition between the two groups of macaques with regular and irregular menstrual cycles,which provided some reference for the study of intestinal bacteria and ovulation disorders.

Objective:To investigate the effects of intra-articular injection of exosomes derived from dental pulp stem cells from hu-man exfoliated deciduous teeth(SHED-EXO)on subchondral bone homeostasis in rat temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis(TMJ OA)process.Methods:36 male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups(n=12):control(CON),sodium iodoacetate(MIA)-induced TMJ OA(MIA),and SHED-EXO injection into TMJ OA(SHED-EXO)groups.At 2 and 6 weeks post-treatment,Micro-CT,Double labeling,TRAP staining,and immunohistochemical staining were employed to detect osteoclasts and osteoblasts in the subchondral bone.Additionally,the mRNA expression levels of ADAMTs5,IL-1β,OCN and OPG/RANKL were analyzed by qRT-PCR.Results:The MIA group exhibited significant bone loss and an enlarged bone marrow cavity.In comparison with the CON group,BV/TV and Tb.Th were lower(P＜0.001),while BS/BV,Tb.Sp,and Tb.N were higher(P＜0.01).Additionally,the bone formation rate within 5 days was low-er than that of the control group(P＜0.001).When compared to the MIA group,the SHED-EXO group showed a significant increase in bone morphology and bone mass.BV/TV and Tb.Th were increased(P＜0.01),while BS/BV,Tb.Sp and Tb.N were decreased(P＜0.05).The bone formation rate was higher(P＜0.01).Compared with both the control and treatment groups,the MIA group exhibited a significant increase in the number of osteoclasts in the subchondral bone(P＜0.01),along with a notable decrease in H-type blood vessels and OCN-positive areas(P＜0.01).Conclusion:Intra-articular injection of SHED-EXO can reg-ulate condylar subchondral bone homeostasis in TMJ OA of rats by promoting osteogenesis and inhibiting osteoclasts.

Objective:To explore effects and mechanisms of medium and low doses X-ray irradiation on polarization type changes of tumor associated macrophages(TAMs).Methods:Mouse RAW264.7 macrophage line was cultured with supernatant of 4T1 tumor cell culture(4T1-TCS)of mouse breast cancer,and induced to M2 TAMs.On this basis,medium and low doses X-ray irra-diation was conducted,and NO was detected by Griess method,CD86 and CD206 were detected by flow cytometry.ELISA was use to detect cytokines IL-10 and IL-12p70,immunofluorescence was use to detect iNOS and Arg-1.Western blot was used to detect polariza-tion related pathway proteins,and whether medium and low doses of radiation could alter polarization type of TAMs was observed.Results:4T1-TCS induced TAM had decreasing NO secretion and increasing CD206 and Arg-1 expressions,iNOS expression was decreased;with low doses irradiation(0.075 Gy,0.5 Gy,1 Gy)of TCS-TAM,compared with non irradiation group,NO secretion,expressions of CD86,CD206,Arg-1 and iNOS showed no significant changes;medium doses(2 Gy,4 Gy,6 Gy)of irradiation on TCS-TAM resulted in increased secretion of NO,and flow cytometry results showed increased expressions of CD86,decreased CD206 expression;immunofluorescence results showed an increase in iNOS expression and a decrease in Arg-1 expression in cells;ELISA results showed an increase in secretion of IL-12p70 by cells and a decrease in secretion of IL-10.Western blot results showed that NOX2,ATMS1981*,IRF5 proteins expressions were increased.Conclusion:4T1-TCS can successfully induce macrophage RAW264.7 polarize into M2 phenotype,while low dose irradiation has no significant effect on polarization phenotype of TCS-TAM.Medium dose irradiation can induce TCS-TAM polarization into M1 phenotype that inhibits tumor growth,and reversal mechanism of polarization may be related to IRF5 pathway.