Objective:To investigate the value of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), pediatric sequential organ failure assessment (pSOFA) and pediatric critical illness score (PCIS) in predicting mortality of pediatric sepsis in pediatric intensive care units (PICU) from Southwest China.Methods:This was a prospective multicenter observational study. A total of 447 children with sepsis admitted to 12 PICU in Southwest China from April 2022 to March 2023 were enrolled. Based on the prognosis, the patients were divided into survival group and non-survival group. The physiological parameters of SIRS, pSOFA and PCIS were recorded and scored within 24 h after PICU admission. The general clinical data and some laboratory results were recorded. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to compare the predictive value of SIRS, pSOFA and PCIS in mortality of pediatric sepsis.Results:Amongst 447 children with sepsis, 260 patients were male and 187 patients were female, aged 2.5 (0.8, 7.0) years, 405 patients were in the survival group and 42 patients were in the non-survival group. 418 patients (93.5%) met the criteria of SIRS, and 440 patients (98.4%) met the criteria of pSOFA≥2. There was no significant difference in the number of items meeting the SIRS criteria between the survival group and the non-survival group (3(2, 4) vs. 3(3, 4) points, Z=1.30, P=0.192). The pSOFA score of the non-survival group was significantly higher than that of the survival group (9(6, 12) vs. 4(3, 7) points, Z=6.56, P<0.001), and the PCIS score was significantly lower than that of the survival group (72(68, 81) vs. 82(76, 88) points, Z=5.90, P<0.001). The predictive value of pSOFA (AUC=0.82) and PCIS (AUC=0.78) for sepsis mortality was significantly higher than that of SIRS (AUC=0.56) ( Z=6.59, 4.23, both P<0.001). There was no significant difference between pSOFA and PCIS ( Z=1.35, P=0.176). Platelet count, procalcitonin, lactic acid, albumin, creatinine, total bilirubin, activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time and international normalized ratio were all able to predict mortality of sepsis to a certain degree (AUC=0.64, 0.68, 0.80, 0.64, 0.68, 0.60, 0.77, 0.75, 0.76, all P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared with SIRS, both pSOFA and PCIS had better predictive value in the mortality of pediatric sepsis in PICU.

Objective:To grasp the distribution of fine antigenic epitope profiles of nucleoprotein (NP) and glycoprotein (GP) fragments of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) and to clarify the value of dominant antigenic epitopes in laboratory testing of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF).Methods:In a minimal synthetic short peptide consisting of 8 amino acids was segmentally expressed by CCHFV YL04057 strain using a modified bio-peptide synthesis method from 2014 to 2021 in the laboratory of Xinjiang University, College of Life Sciences. Using CCHFV polyclonal antibody or monoclonal antibody 14B7 (IgM) or CCHFV-positive sheep serum as antibodies, the minimal antigenic epitopes (BCEs) with antigenic activity on NP and GP fragments were identified by immunoblotting, and the obtained BCEs with sequence polymorphism were spatially clustered with CCHFV from different regions using the neighbor-joining method to determine the combination mode of BCEs with geographical correlation of regional distribution, to explore its application in establishing serological diagnosis. A prokaryotic expression plasmid (pET-32a), an E. coli expression plasmid (pGEX-KG) and a prokaryotic expression plasmid with an incomplete glutathione (GST188) tag (pXXGST-ST-1) were used to construct and express six dominant antigenic epitopes of different peptide lengths on NP fragments, and an indirect Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was established. CCHF sheep serum identified by immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was used as a control, and the specificity, sensitivity and overall compliance of the recombinant proteins with different peptide lengths of antigenic epitopes with IFA assay results were statistically analyzed. Results:CCHFV, NP and GP fragments had a total of 30 antigenically active BCEs, among which the core intermediate fragment NP2 (aa 170 th-305 th), which had a concentration of antigenic epitopes in the NP fragment, has 6 BCEs, and the NP1 (aa 1 st-200 th) and NP3 (aa 286 th-482 nd) at both ends have 9 BCEs; the Gc (aa 1 st-558 th) and Gn (aa 533 th-708 th) fragments of the GP fragment have 14 BCEs and a long antigenic peptide (AP) containing 15 amino acids, and the amino acid sequence homology of the NP fragment BCEs was 97.1% and that of the GP fragment BCEs was 89.1%. There was a significant difference ( P=0.0281, P<0.05). Among the 9 BCEs with sequence polymorphism in the GP fragment, 6 combined BCEs from GnEc1, GnE2, GnE4, GcE3, GcE6 and GcAP-4 (Ap) could cluster 15 CCHFV strains from different regions of the world into 5 geographical taxa, AsiaⅠ, AsiaⅡ, AficaⅠ, AficaⅡ and Europe. The constructs expressing PET-32a-NP (full length), PGEX-KG-NP2 (aa 170 th-305 th), pGEX-KG-NP2-1 (aa 235 th-275 th), PGEX-KG-NP2-1-1 (aa 237 th-256 th), pXXGST-1-NP2-1-2 (aa 250 th-265 th) and PGEX KG-NP2-1-3 (aa 260 th-276 th), six recombinant proteins CCHFV NP rabbit polyclonal antiserum (pAb) Western Blotting reaction positive, 33 sheep sera tested by IFA XHF as a reference, the sensitivity of the assay established by indirect ELISA using the recombinant proteins constructed from two fragments of NP2 and NP2-1 as antigens. The sensitivity, specificity and overall compliance were the best, with 73.4% (11/15) and 66.7% (10/15) for sensitivity, 100% (18/18) and 94.4% (17/18) for specificity, and 87.9% (29/33) and 81.8% (27/33) for overall compliance. Conclusion:CCHFV NP and GP are distributed with a high number of BCEs with antigenic immunoreactivity, among which the dominant antigenic epitopes are of high value in the laboratory serological diagnosis of CCHF.

With the emergence of DNA nanotechnology in the 1980s, self-assembled DNA nanostructures have attracted considerable attention worldwide due to their inherent biocompatibility, unsurpassed programmability, and versatile functions. Especially promising nanostructures are tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (tFNAs), first proposed by Turberfield with the use of a one-step annealing approach. Benefiting from their various merits, such as simple synthesis, high reproducibility, structural stability, cellular internalization, tissue permeability, and editable functionality, tFNAs have been widely applied in the biomedical field as three-dimensional DNA nanomaterials. Surprisingly, tFNAs exhibit positive effects on cellular biological behaviors and tissue regeneration, which may be used to treat inflammatory and degenerative diseases. According to their intended application and carrying capacity, tFNAs could carry functional nucleic acids or therapeutic molecules through extended sequences, sticky-end hybridization, intercalation, and encapsulation based on the Watson and Crick principle. Additionally, dynamic tFNAs also have potential applications in controlled and targeted therapies. This review summarized the latest progress in pure/modified/dynamic tFNAs and demonstrated their regenerative medicine applications. These applications include promoting the regeneration of the bone, cartilage, nerve, skin, vasculature, or muscle and treating diseases such as bone defects, neurological disorders, joint-related inflammatory diseases, periodontitis, and immune diseases.
Nucleic Acids/chemistry* ; Regenerative Medicine ; Consensus ; Reproducibility of Results ; DNA/chemistry*

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of open reduction and internal fixation with K-wires for old Gartland Ⅲ supracondylar fracture in children.Methods A retrospective case series study was conducted on 49 children with old Gartland Ⅲ supracondylar humeral fracture admitted from June 2012 to January 2017.There were 35 boys and 14 girls,with average age of 6.1 years (range,3.4-11.5 years).The duration from initial trauma to operation ranged from 22 days to 60 days (mean,29.8 days).There were five cases of radial nerve injury,one case of median nerve injury,and one case of Volkmann ischemic contracture.All patients were surgically treated with open reduction and internal fixation with K-wires + plaster external fixation.Six patients with nerve injury underwent neurological exploration and release.Nerve partial fracture was seen in one patient during operation,and nerve repair was performed.The fracture healing and complications were observed.At the final follow up,Flynn's criteria was applied to evaluate the elbow joint function.The humerus length and transverse diameter of humeral condyle between the healthy limb and the suffered one were compared to evaluate the humerus growth.Results All patients were followed up for 6-24 months,with an average of 12.5 months.All fractures were healed,with no fracture redisplacement or bone nonunion occurred.The neurological symptoms of six patients with nerve injury disappeared after two months.One patient had superficial skin infection at the incision and recovered after treatment.Six patients (12％) developed cubitus varus deformity after operation.At the final follow-up,the clinical and radiographic outcomes were assessed via Flynn's criteria,and the results were excellent in 37 patients,good in five,fair in one,and poor in six patients,with an excellent and good rate of 86％.There were no significant differences in the humerus length [(189.3 ± 27.8) mm vs.(190.6 ± 28.8) mm] and transverse diameter of humeral condylar [(29.5 ± 3.5) mm vs.(29.7 ± 3.6) mm] (P ＞ 0.05) between the healthy limb and the suffered one,respectively.Conclusion For old Gartland type Ⅲ supracondylar humeral fracture in children,open reduction and internal fixation with K-wires + plaster external fixation can attain satisfactory function recovery of elbow joint and reduce the incidence of cubitus varus deformity,without negative influence on children's humerus growth or development.

Objective To explore the epidemic situation of animal plague in Junggar Basin natural plague foci.Methods Data on epidemics of plague and on population involved,as well as results on antibodies and pathogens,were analyzed.Samples on animals and vectors were collected from 18 counties in Junggar Basin plague natural foci between 2007 and 2016.Results The density of Rhombomys (R.) opimus was temporally fluctuant,from 2.1/hm2 to 22.6/hm2 respectively.However,the spatial distribution appeared asymmetrical,with the highest seen in Kelamayi and Wumuqimidong counties,as 14.2/hm2 and 13.0/hrn2 respectively.Rates of capture on nocturnal rodents were from 4.2％ to 10.1％,with the highest rate as 10.1％ in 2014.Meriones meridianus appeared the dominant species in the nocturnal community of rodents,which accounted for 81.9％.Regarding the spatial and temporal distributions,rates ofR.opimus with fleas appeared fluctuant,with an average rate as 90.7％ and the average total flea index was 10.44.In flea community of R.opimus,Xenopsylla (X.)skrjabini was found the dominant species,popular in distribution and accounted for 47.8％.The average rate of nocturnal rodents with flea was 20.2％,with total flea index as 1.20 and the dominant fleas were X.conformis conformis and Nosopsyllus laeviceps.A total of 13 species with 9 087 serum samples from rodents were detected as having Y.pestis antibody by IHA,with 617 positive samples.Of them,the positive rate of having R.opimus appeared the highest (9.4％),followed by D.sagitta (1.1％).Spatially,two clustered areas were found,with one in the eastern Junggar Basin from Changji to Mulei county,with the antibody positive rates ofR.opimus as 14.3％.The other one was in the central area of Junggar Basin,including Kelamayi,Shawan and Wusu counties,with the antibody positive rate as 13.6％.The prevalence of plague on R.opimus was fluctuant,with the lowest seen in 2008,with the average antibody positive rate of R.opimus as 1.0％ and the highest as 19.3％ in 2013.A total of 18 strains were isolated from 2007 to 2016.However,most of the strains were isolated from R.opimus and parasitic fleas,accounted for 8/9,in Kelamayi,Wulumuqi-midong and Jimusaer,respectively.Conclusions Complex ecosystem was seen in the Junggar Basin natural plague foci,with the multiple composition of species and different community structure of hosts and vectors,plus the flustering prevalence.Animal plague was seen in the whole region with succession of the plague nature foci.Passive transmission of plague between human beings and animals through close contacts was seen which was driven by economic benefits to some degree.

Objective To investigate the effect of E1A gene on the radiosensitivity of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells and its possible mechanism. Methods The E1A gene was transfected into nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2R cells by adenovirus vector. The expression of E1A gene was detected by RT-PCR. Untransfected CNE-2R cells(PBS group)and CNE-2R cells transfected with empty vector Ad-β-gal(Ad-β-gal group)and E1A(Ad-E1A group)were given 0 Gy,2 Gy,4 Gy,6 Gy,8 Gy 6 MV X-ray irradiation. The changes in radiosensitivity of CNE-2R cells were determined by colony-forming assay. Flow cytometry was used to analyze cell apoptosis in each group. The expression of NF-κB, CK2α, Bcl-2, and cleaved caspase-3 was measured by Western blot. Results RT-PCR confirmed that the E1A gene was transfected into CNE-2R cells and stably expressed. The Ad-E1A group had a significantly lower plating efficiency than the PBS group and the Ad-β-gal group(P<0.05). The Ad-E1A group had significantly lower cell survival rate at 2 Gy irradiation than the PBS group and the Ad-β-gal group(0.217 vs. 0.602, P<0.05;0.217 vs. 0.585, P<0.05). The Ad-E1A group had a significantly higher α/β value than the PBS group and the Ad-β-gal group(24.680 vs. 5.268, P<0.05;24.680 vs. 5.132, P<0.05). Flow cytometry results showed that irradiation alone could promote the apoptosis of CNE-2R cells,when combined with E1A gene,the apoptosis rate was significantly increased(P<0.05). Western blot results showed that E1A gene down-regulated the expression of NF-κB/p65,CK2α,and Bcl-2 and up-regulated the expression of cleaved caspase-3. Conclusions E1A gene can enhance the radiosensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by inhibiting the expression of CK2 to block the NF-κB signaling pathway and promoting cell apoptosis.

Objective To investigate the effect of Tiopronin (TIP) on interleukin (IL)-2 immunotherapy of human leukemia KG-1 cells and its possible mechanism.Methods KG-1 ceils in logarithmic growth phase were randomly divided into KG-1 + IL-2 group and KG-1 + IL-2 + TIP group.Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTI) assay and colony formation assay were used to detect the sensitivity and proliferation of KG-1 cells.The changes of reactive nitric metabolites (RNM) were detected with nitrate reductase method.The production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-3 and interferon (IFN)-γ,was detected with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The expression of CD3ξ was detected with Western blot and real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results IL-2 and IL-2 + TIP could inhibit the growth of KG-1 cells.The inhibitory rate of KG-1 + IL-2 + TIP group was significantly higher than that of KG-1 + IL-2 group,and the sensitivity of KG-1 cells to IL-2 was 6.2 times higher.Both IL-2 and IL-2 + TIP group inhibited the colony formation of KG-1 cells.Compared to KG-1 + IL-2 group,KG-1 + IL-2 + TIP group inhibited the colony formation of KG-1 cells by 3.5 times.The RNM production of KG-1 + IL-2 group was (158.26 ± 3.82) μmol/ml,which was significantly higher than (45.18 ± 4.29) μ mol/ml of KG-1 + IL-2 + TIP group (P ＜ 0.05).The levels of TNF-β and IFN-γin KG-1 + IL-2 + TIP group were (253.28 ± 7.84) pg/ml and (181.25 ±6.41) pg/ml,which was significantly higher than (98.45 ±6.43) pg/ml and (68.74 ±8.26) pg/ml of KG-1 +IL-2 group (P＜0.05).The expression of CD3ξ in KG-1 +IL-2 +TIP group was significantly higher than that in KG-1 + IL-2 group.Conclusions Tiopronin can promote NK/T cell activity and increase the sensitivity of leukemia KG-1 cells to IL-2 by eliminating reactive nitrogen metabolites.

Objective To investigate the effects and its possible mechanisms of tiopronin (TIP) on interleukin-2 (IL-2) immunotherapy of human leukemia KG-1 cells transplanted in nude mice.Methods KG-1 cells (1 x 107/ml) in logarithmic growth phase were injected subcutaneously into the groin of the left hind leg of the 45 5-week-old nude mice.When the subcutaneous tumor diameter was about 8 mm,nude mice were randomly divided into three groups (n =15):Control group (intraperitoneal injection of phosphate buffer),IL-2 group (hypodermic injection of IL-2),IL-2 + TIP group (hypodermic injection of IL-2 and intraperitoneal injection of TIP).The therapeutic effect of TIP combined with IL-2 on human leukemia KG-1 cells transplanted in nude mice was observed.The number of nature killer (NK) cells in peripheral blood of nude mice was detected by flow cytometry.Nitrate reductase assay was used to detect reactive nitric metabolite (RNM) levels in peripheral blood of nude mice.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of tumor necrosis factor-β (TNF-β) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in peripheral blood of nude mice.Terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was used to analyze apoptosis.Results Both IL-2 and IL-2 + TIP could inhibit the growth of transplanted tumor.Compared with IL-2 group [(54.32 ± 4.32) ％],the tumor inhibition rate of IL-2 + TIP group was (90.15 ± 3.75)％,and its inhibition of tumor growth was more obvious (t =11.893,P ＜ 0.001).The tumor weights of Control group,IL-2 group and IL-2 + TIP group were (0.95 ± 0.05)g,(0.58 ± 0.03)g and (0.27 ± 0.07)g,and there was statistically significant difference among the three groups (F =52.716,P ＜ 0.001).Compared with IL-2 group,the tumor weight of IL-2 + TIP group was significantly reduced (P =0.008).The number of NK cells in IL-2 + TIP group was (0.658 ±0.157)/L,which was significantly higher than (0.452 ±0.124)/L of IL-2 group (P =0.021).The concentration of RNM in IL-2 + TIP group was (42.92 ± 4.68)μmol/ml,which was significantly lower than (163.38 ± 5.49)μmol/ml in IL-2 group (P =0.007).The concentrations of TNF-β and IFN-γin IL-2 + TIP group were (247.68 ± 8.24) pg/ml and (185.61 ±7.58) pg/ml,which were significantly higher than (97.48 ± 7.28)pg/ml (P =0.021) and (70.62 ± 8.47)pg/ml (P =0.015) in IL-2 group.The apoptotic rate of tumor cells in IL-2 + TIP group was (47.38±4.25)％,which was significantly higher than (21.41 ±2.79)％ in IL-2 group (P ＜0.001).Conclusion TIP can increase the sensitivity of leukemia cells to IL-2 immunothe-rapy by removing RNM,promoting NK cells activity and increasing NK cells-induced tumor cell apoptosis.

Objective: To understand the histopathological and ultrastructural pathology changes of great gerbils in the Junggar Basin to Yersinia pestis infection. Methods: Forty captured great gerbils from the Junggar Basin that tested negative for anti-F1 antibodies were infected. The Y. pestis strain 2504, isolated from a live great gerbil in the natural plague foci of the Junggar Basin in 2005 with a median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of <10 CFU/ml, was used in this study. Forty great gerbils were divided into seven infection groups and were subcutaneously infected with 7.4×10⁵, 7.4×10⁶, 7.4×10⁷, 7.4×10⁸, 7.4×10⁹, 7.4×10¹⁰, or 3.0×10¹¹ CFU/ml of 2504. One milliliter of physiological saline was injected in the noninfected group as a control. We collected the liver, spleen, heart, and lung from all animals for histopathologic and ultrastructural pathology examination. Results: Great gerbils in the 7.4×10⁸-3.0×10¹¹ CFU/ml groups did not survive and exhibited pathological changes and altered ultrastructural pathology. The liver tissue of infected great gerbils showed spotty necrosis and fatty degeneration, intranuclear canaliculi with increased hepatocytes, and uneven distribution of organelles. Additionally, reactive proliferation of lymphoid tissue in the spleen, blood sinusoid lacunae with neutrophil infiltration, and phagocytosed bacteria in phagocyte cells were observed. Myocardial fiber hypertrophy and interstitial indistinction, nuclear matrices decreased in cardiac myocytes, and loose arrangement of myogenic fibers in myocardial cells were also observed. Angiectasia, capillary congestion, and tissue necrosis were found in the lung. No significant difference in histopathological and ultrastructural pathology in the parenchymal organ was observed between the 7.4×10⁵-7.4×10⁷ CFU/ml groups and the 7.4×10⁸-3.0×10¹¹ CFU/ml groups, and no specific death caused by Y. pestis infection was apparent in the 7.4×10⁵-7.4×10⁷ CFU/ml groups. Conclusion Y. pestis infection altered tissue and ultrastructural pathology in the parenchyma apparatus of great gerbils. In particular, the liver and spleen appeared to be the primary site of Y. pestis infection in great gerbils.

Objective: To observe the dynamics of antibody response in great gerbils infected with Yersinia pestis in experiment. Method: A total of 211 great gerbils were captured in the southern margin of plague natural focus of Junggar Basin of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in 2011. Among them, there were 167 great gerbils without infection of Y. pestis and 44 great gerbils infected by Y.pestis. Y.pestis No. 2504 was employed for this experimental strain, which was strong toxic strain with negativity in the reduction experiment of nitrate. 35 great gerbils without the infection of Y. pestis were divided randomly and averagely into 7 groups including 6 experimental groups and 1 control group. Great gerbils in the 1st to 6th experimental groups were exposed first with 1 × 10⁶-1 × 10¹¹ CFU/ml of bacterial fluid with 10 times of gradient dilution; groin areas of great gerbils in the control group were injected subcutaneously with physiological saline; and the amount of infection was all 1 ml. 17 great gerbils infected with Y. pestis and the first detection of F1-antibody titer in 1∶256-1∶4 096 were grouped according to F1-antibody titer: group 1∶4 096 (n=4), group 1∶2 048 (n=4), group 1∶1 024 (n=3), group 1∶512 (n=3) and group 1∶256 (n=3); and blood in caudal regions was collected in asepsis for the detection of F1-antibody, with a total of 5 times. 9 great gerbils which were selected from the remaining great gerbils infected with Y. pestis and detected F1-antibody negative 2 times were exposed 1×10⁶ CFU/ml of bacterial fluid for the second infection, with the amount of infection being 1 ml. Blood in caudal regions of great gerbils after the first and second infection were collected for the detection of plague F1-antibody on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 15th, 30th, 60th, 90th and 120th day after infection. Declined regression models for great gerbils' antibodies were established with unary linear regression equation; declined change diagrams for the antibodies were drawn to observe the declined F1-antibody after great gerbils were exposed to Y. pestis. Results: In great gerbils with the first infection of Y. pestis, antibodies were detected in the 1 × 10⁶-1 × 10⁸ CFU/ml of group on the 30th, 15th and 15th day, respectively; the positive rates of antibody were 1/4, 3/4 and 4/5, respectively; the group 1×10⁷ and 1× 10⁸ CFU/ml reached to the highest antibody titer with 1∶256 on the 120th day; antibodies were revealed in the group 1×10⁹, 1×10¹⁰ and 1×10¹¹ CFU/ml from the 5th to 7th day when the seroconversion of all antibodies was observed; group 1×10¹¹ CFU/ml reached to the highest antibody titer on the 120th day with 1∶4 096. In the great gerbils with the second exposure to Y.pestis, positive antibodies were detected on the 3rd day with the positive rate being 2/9; and the highest antibody titer with 1∶2 048 was noted on the 90th day. Unary linear regression equation of declined F1 antibody of great gerbils was y=0.045x- 0.321 (F=115.40, P< 0.001), and the shortest duration for F1-antibody titer declining from 1∶4 096 to 0 was 140 d and the longest duration 200 d. Conclusion Great gerbils infected with the high concentration of Y. pestis fluid show shorter duration in producing F1-antibody, the antibody positive rate is also higher, and the highest antibody titer can reach 1∶4 096. The great gerbils could hold the plague F1 antibodies for a long time which was about 140 to 200 days from the highest titer.