Gut microbial communities are likely remodeled in tandem with accumulated physiological decline during aging, yet there is limited understanding of gut microbiome variation in advanced age. Here, we performed a metagenomics-based enterotype analysis in a geographically homogeneous cohort of 367 enrolled Chinese individuals between the ages of 60 and 94 years, with the goal of characterizing the gut microbiome of elderly individuals and identifying factors linked to enterotype variations. In addition to two adult-like enterotypes dominated by Bacteroides (ET-Bacteroides) and Prevotella (ET-Prevotella), we identified a novel enterotype dominated by Escherichia (ET-Escherichia), whose prevalence increased in advanced age. Our data demonstrated that age explained more of the variance in the gut microbiome than previously identified factors such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or diet. We characterized the distinct taxonomic and functional profiles of ET-Escherichia, and found the strongest cohesion and highest robustness of the microbial co-occurrence network in this enterotype, as well as the lowest species diversity. In addition, we carried out a series of correlation analyses and co-abundance network analyses, which showed that several factors were likely linked to the overabundance of Escherichia members, including advanced age, vegetable intake, and fruit intake. Overall, our data revealed an enterotype variation characterized by Escherichia enrichment in the elderly population. Considering the different age distribution of each enterotype, these findings provide new insights into the changes that occur in the gut microbiome with age and highlight the importance of microbiome-based stratification of elderly individuals.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Bacteroides ; China ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/microbiology* ; Escherichia coli/classification* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics* ; Metagenomics ; East Asian People

Objective This project aimed to study the Miao medicine helleborus thibetanus franchon,including investigating its anti-inflammatory activity in collagen-induced arthritis CIA rats and its mechanism of VEGF/VEGFR2/P38 MAPK pathway regulation.Methods Sixty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups:normal;model;positive drug;and low,medium,high dose groups,with 10 rats in each group.Bovine type Ⅱ collagen solution was injected into the tail of rats to construct the rheumatoid arthritis model,and the positive drug group was given MTX2.0 mg/(kg·d)by gavage once every other day.The three groups of helleborus thibetanus franchon low,medium,and high dose were gavaged with helleborus thibetanus franchon ethanol extract at 0.25,0.5 and 1 g/(kg·d)once a day.The normal and model groups were given an equivalent volume of NaCl solution,with continuous administration lasting for 28 days.During treatment,the general condition of the rats was observed,body weight changes recorded,and foot thickness measured.After treatment and euthanasia,the rats'hind limbs were removed for Micro-CT to detect bone destruction;hematoxylin and eosin staining for pathological investigattion of the synovial membrane;immunohistochemistry to observe neovascularization in the synovium;quantitative reverse-transcription PCR to detect mRNA levels of VEGF-A,VEGFR2,TNF-α in the synovial tissue;and Western Blot to detect the expression of VEGF,VEGFR2,p-P38,p-AKT.The analyses were used to explore the potential mechanisms of action of the Miao medicine helleborus thibetanus franchon in treating rheumatoid arthritis.Results Compared with the normal group,the model group showed significant weight loss(P＜0.01),increased foot swelling(P＜0.01),visible proliferative synovial tissue with inflammatory cell infiltration,erosive lesions on bone surfaces,increased neovascularization in the synovium,and significant bone destruction in Micro-CT,with reduced bone percentage,trabecular thickness,and bone density.The levels of VEGF-A,VEGFR2,TNF-α mRNA and VEGF-A,VEGFR2,p-P38,p-AKT proteins were significantly elevated(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the helleborus thibetanus franchon ethanol extract-treated groups showed improvements in these conditions in a dose-dependent manner,with the high-dose group receiving the best effect.There was a significant increase in the rats'body weight(P＜0.05);reduction in foot swelling(P＜0.05);amelioration of synovial and erosive bone lesions;reduction in neovascularization in the synovium;and significantly lower levels of VEGF-A,VEGFR2,and TNF-α mRNA,and VEGF-A,VEGFR2,p-P38,and p-AKT protein(P＜0.01).Conclusions The Miao medicine plant helleborus thibetanus franchon may alleviate joint inflammatory damage in CIA rats by modulating the VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling pathway,thereby exerting therapeutic effects on rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective:To design a virtual simulation tutorial system for bone traction nursing of the lower limbs, and to investigate its application effect.Methods:Based on clinical cases, a 3D model was established for the fractured lower limb using the virtual simulation technique. The design of the model considered the position and mechanical relationship between bone traction and fracture ends, as well as the assessment and intervention of the condition after bone traction, and such factors were taken as the core elements of simulation design. Virtual experiments were conducted for the four scenarios of pre-hospital first aid, triage in the hospital, bone traction operation, and postoperative nursing. Such experiments were conducted among junior nursing undergraduates, and examination results and student satisfaction survey were used to evaluate the application effect of the experiments.Results:The teaching software consisted of four training modules, i.e., theoretical knowledge learning of fractures, preparation before bone traction operation, methods and principles of bone traction operation, and observation of conditions after bone traction. The final score of experiments was (90.99±0.58) points among the students, and the degree of satisfaction with the experimental system and the teaching model was 87.85% (441/502) and 63.35% (318/502), respectively.Conclusions:The virtual simulation experiments for bone traction nursing of the lower limbs are scientific, professional, and interesting and have a relatively high degree of satisfaction among students, and therefore, they can be applied in the education of nursing students and the continuing education of nurses.

Sarcopenia causes significant changes inskeletal muscle mass and function in the elderly, and leads to an increased incidence of related diseases, which has affected the quality of life in the elderly.The causes and mechanisms of sarcopenia are closely related to genetic and innate factors, endocrine disorders, reduced number of muscle fibers, nutritional deficiency, inflammation, immune dysfunction and other factors.This paper systematically describes the progress of studying the effects of intestinal microecology on sarcopenia, so as to provide potential targets for the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia.

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a very important pathogen, especially for children.On a global scale, GAS is an important cause of morbidity and mortality.But the burden of disease caused by GAS is still unknown in China and also has not obtained enough attention.For this purpose, the expert consensus is comprehensively described in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of GAS diseases in children, covering related aspects of pneumology, infectiology, immunology, microbiology, cardiology, nephrology, critical care medicine and preventive medicine.Accordingly, the consensus document was intended to improve management strategies of GAS disease in Chinese children.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of pharmaceutical intervention after discharge on medication compliance and prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) in primary hospital.METHODS:One hundred and eighty patients with coronary artery disease selected from our hospital after PCI during Jan.2012 to May 2015 were divided into test group and control group according to whether the patients received pharmaceutical intervention after discharge,with 90 cases in each group.Control group received conventional pharmaceutical care and discharge education.Test group additionally received pharmaceutical intervention (pharmaceutical service files,telephone follow-up,patient education,etc.) after discharge.Medication compliance and occurrence of cardiovascular events were compared between 2 groups in 1 year after discharge.RESULTS:Within 1 year after discharge,the proportion of patients showing good compliance in test group was higher than control group,the proportion of patients showing partial and non compliance in test group were lower than control group;the inci dence of heart failure and repeated revascularization,hospitalization mortality and total mortality of test group were significantly lower than control group,with statistical significance (P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS:Pharmaceutical intervention after discharge can improve the medication compliance of coronary artery disease patients after PCI in primary hospital,reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular events and improve the clinical prognosis.

The patients aged ≥ 60 years account for 70％ of Chinese population with colorectal cancer.However,with the increase of age,the treatment methods such as surgery,radiotherapy,chemotherapy become inappropriate and impeding factors for the self-care of the elderly.Several clinical trials show that only a part of the elderly,who are in good health condition,can get the clinical benefits from these therapies.Therefore,this review focused on the comprehensive treatments for elderly patients with colorectal cancer,then reached the best individualized treatment,so as to improve the survival and quality of life.

Objective To evaluate the reliability and accuracy of the fully automated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) analy‐ser Monitor‐100 for determining ESR .Methods 146 outpatients and inpatinets were selected and detected ESR by the fully automa‐ted ESR analyser 1 h ,30 min and the Westergren method .Then these three kinds of method were compared and the repeatability test was performed .Results (1)The ESR values determined by the analyser 1 h ,analyser 30 min and Westergren method were 37 . 8 ± 34 .1 ,38 .1 ± 33 .7 ,36 .4 ± 32 .9 respectively ,there were no statistical significance between any two methods (P>0 .05) .(2)The detection rates of the positive results by the analyser 1 h ,analyser 30 min and Westergren method were 43 .2% ,44 .5% and 45 .2%respectively ,no statistical difference between them was found (P>0 .05) .(3)The Kapper values between the analyser 30 min with the analyser1h ,between the analyser 30 min with the Westergren method and between the analyzer 1h with the Westergren method were 0 .944 ,0 .875 and 0 .903 .4 respectively .(4)The CV values in the repeatability test were very lower and within the acceptable limits .Conclusion Compared with the Westergren method ,the fully automated ESR analyser Monitor‐100 has lower false positive rate and lower false negative rate ,moreover its consistency and repeatability are excellent ,it is convenient ,fast ,safe and should be largely promoted in clinic .

Objective To investigate the effects of Mandarin speech rate on Mandarin acceptable noise level test in normal hearing adults.Methods Using the national Putonghua proficiency test material to produce 0.8 times,1.0 times and 1.2 times speed rate of ANL test materials.ANL tests were measured for 58 normal hearing a-dults using different peed matetrials.For each case,the most comfortable loudness(MCL)and background noise lev-el(BNL)were found.The ANL was then computed by subtracting the mean BNL from MCL.ResuIts Statistic anal-ysis indicated that there were no significant differences of the ANL(P>0.05)among the differenct speed materials, there were no correlation between MCL-ANL (P>0.05),negatively correlation between BNL-ANL(P<0.05)a-mong the differenct speed materials.ConcIusion Mandarin speech speed does not effect ANL test,the more the in-dividual’s ability to accept the background noise,the smaller the value of ANL.

Objective To investigate the influence of pinealectomy(Px)and melatonin (MLT) supplementation on CD4~+CD25~+Treg cells development and Foxp3 expression in rat thymus. Methods One hundred and twenty clean-grade male SD rats were divided into five groups: normal control group, sham pinealectomized group, pinealectomized group, Px +7.5 mg/(kg·d) MLT group, Px +15 mg/(kg·d) MLT group, and the thymus were taken out at the 4th week and the 8th week;Flow cytometric analysis was used to analyse the number of double positive cells in the thymus and peripheral blood;Semiquantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were applied to analyse Foxp3 expression of rat thymus. Results There was no difference of the number of CD4~+CD25~+ Treg cells in rat thymus between Px and normal/sham group, and the number increased dependently on time and dose after MLT supplementation. In rat peripheral blood the double positive cells significantly increased in models of Px at the 4th week, and then backed to normal level after MLT supplementation. The results showed no significant changes in all groups at the 8th weeek;At the 4th weeks, Foxp3 expression increased in the thymus of Px rats compared to nomal/sham group, which returned to normal level after MLT supplementation. On the other hand, Foxp3 expression showed no significant difference in all groups at the 8th weeek.Conclusion Px made no difference between the development of CD4~+CD25~+Treg cells in rat thymus, but resulted in significant increase of thymic output and Foxp3 expression. All the effects disappeared at the 8th week. MLT supplementation could reverse the abnormity.