Since the outbreak of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), viral strains have mutated and evolved. Vaccine research is the most direct and effective way to control COVID-19. According to different production mechanisms, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines included inactivated virus vaccine, live attenuated vaccine, mRNA vaccine, DNA vaccine, viral vector vaccine, virus-like particle vaccine and protein subunit vaccine. Among them, viral protein subunit vaccine has a wide application prospect due to its high safety and effectiveness. Viral nucleocapsid protein has high immunogenicity and low variability which could be a new direction for vaccine production. We summarized the current development of vaccine research by reviewing the current progress, vaccine safety and vaccine immune efficiency. It is hoped that the proposed possible development strategies could provide a reference for epidemic prevention work in future.
Humans ; SARS-CoV-2/genetics* ; COVID-19/prevention & control* ; Protein Subunits ; Vaccines, DNA ; Nucleocapsid Proteins

Rapid and accurate identification and effective non-drug intervention are the worldwide challenges in the field of depression. Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals contain rich quantitative markers of depression, but whole-brain EEG signals acquisition process is too complicated to be applied on a large-scale population. Based on the wearable frontal lobe EEG monitoring device developed by the authors' laboratory, this study discussed the application of wearable EEG signal in depression recognition and intervention. The technical principle of wearable EEG signals monitoring device and the commonly used wearable EEG devices were introduced. Key technologies for wearable EEG signals-based depression recognition and the existing technical limitations were reviewed and discussed. Finally, a closed-loop brain-computer music interface system for personalized depression intervention was proposed, and the technical challenges were further discussed. This review paper may contribute to the transformation of relevant theories and technologies from basic research to application, and further advance the process of depression screening and personalized intervention.
Humans ; Algorithms ; Depression/therapy* ; Music ; Music Therapy ; Electroencephalography ; Wearable Electronic Devices

Objective:To explore the therapeutic characteristics of population with gout achieving treat-to-target (T2T) indicators through real-world research and evaluate their safety.Methods:A total of 3 287 patients diagnosed with gout by rheumatologists in 21 first-class tertiary hospitals in 10 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China from January 2015 to December 2021 were included in this polycentric cross-sectional study. The database included patients′ general information, disease characteristics, and clinical application of traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment measures. SPSS and Excel software were used for data analysis. Frequency analysis, cluster analysis, and factor analysis were used to summarize the characteristics and rules of treatment measures for patients with gout who achieved the target after treatment. The occurrence of adverse events (AE) was recorded during treatment.Results:After treatment, 691 visits (7%) achieved the serum urate (SUA) target, and the most frequent use of urate-lowering therapy (ULT) was febuxostat, followed by benzbromarone. The most common treatment options were following: GroupⅠ: traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoction-TCM external treatment-physical exercise-proprietary Chinese medicine; GroupⅡ: ferulic acid-nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); Group Ⅲ: allopurinol-sodium bicarbonate-benzbromarone; Group Ⅳ: glucocorticoid-colchicine; Group Ⅴ: febuxostat. A total of 5 898 visits (60%) chieved manifestations of joint pain VAS scores target, and the most frequently used drug to control joint symptoms was NSAIDs. The frequency of use of drugs to control joint symptoms were 2 118 times (usage rate reached 35.9%), while the frequency of ULT were 2 504 times (usage rate reached 42.5%), which was higher than the joint symptom control drug. The most common treatment options were following: Group Ⅰ: proprietary Chinese medicine-TCM decoction-TCM external treatment-physical exercise; Group Ⅱ: NSAIDs-colchicine hormones; Group Ⅲ: allopurinol, Group Ⅳ: benzbromarone; Group Ⅴ: febuxostat. A total of 59 adverse events occurred during treatment.Conclusion:The proportions of gout patients who reach target serum urate level & good control of joint symptoms are both very low, and ULT and anti-inflammatory prescription patterns are very different from international guidelines, so it is necessary to strengthen the standardized management of gout patients. At the same time, life intervention measures account for a certain proportion of the treatment plans for the T2T population, and further exploration is needed.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on intestinal microbiome and organism in patients with severe pneumonia during the convalescence period. METHODS: A prospective non-randomized controlled study was conducted. From December 2021 to May 2022, patients with severe pneumonia during the convalescence period who received FMT (FMT group) and patients with severe pneumonia during the convalescence period who did not receive FMT (non-FMT group) admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University were enrolled. The differences of clinical indicators, gastrointestinal function and fecal traits between the two groups were compared 1 day before and 10 days after enrollment. The 16S rDNA gene sequencing technology was used to analyze the changes of intestinal flora diversity and different species in patients with FMT before and after enrollment, and metabolic pathways were analyzed and predicted by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database (KEGG). Pearson correlation method was used to analyze the correlation between intestinal flora and clinical indicators in FMT group. RESULTS: The level of triacylglycerol (TG) in FMT group was significantly decreased at 10 days after enrollment compared with before enrollment [mmol/L: 0.94 (0.71, 1.40) vs. 1.47 (0.78, 1.86), P < 0.05]. The level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in non-FMT group was significantly decreased at 10 days after enrollment compared with before enrollment (mmol/L: 0.68±0.27 vs. 0.80±0.31, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in other clinical indexes, gastrointestinal function or fecal character scores between the two groups. Diversity analysis showed that the α diversity indexes of intestinal flora in FMT group at 10 days after enrollment were significantly higher than those in non-FMT group, and β diversity was also significantly different from that in non-FMT group. Differential species analysis showed that the relative abundance of Proteobacteria at the level of intestinal flora in FMT group at 10 days after enrollment was significantly lower than that in non-FMT group [8.554% (5.977%, 12.159%) vs. 19.285% (8.054%, 33.207%), P < 0.05], while the relative abundance of Fusobacteria was significantly higher than that in non-FMT group [6.801% (1.373%, 20.586%) vs. 0.003% (0%, 9.324%), P < 0.05], and the relative abundance of Butyricimonas, Fusobacterium and Bifidobacterium at the genus level of the intestinal flora was significantly higher than that in non-FMT group [Butyricimonas: 1.634% (0.813%, 2.387%) vs. 0% (0%, 0.061%), Fusobacterium: 6.801% (1.373%, 20.586%) vs. 0.002% (0%, 9.324%), Bifidobacterium: 0.037% (0%, 0.153%) vs. 0% (0%, 0%), all P < 0.05]. KEGG metabolic pathway analysis showed that the intestinal flora of FMT group was changed in bisphenol degradation, mineral absorption, phosphonate and phosphinate metabolism, cardiac muscle contraction, Parkinson disease and other metabolic pathways and diseases. Correlation analysis showed that Actinobacteria and prealbumin (PA) in intestinal flora of FMT group were significantly positively correlated (r = 0.53, P = 0.043), Bacteroidetes was positively correlated with blood urea nitrogen (BUN; r = 0.56, P = 0.029) and complement C3 (r = 0.57, P = 0.027), Firmicutes was positively correlated with BUN (r = 0.56, P = 0.029) and complement C3 (r = 0.57, P = 0.027), Fusobacteria was significantly positively correlated with immunoglobulin M (IgM; r = 0.71, P = 0.003), Proteobacteria was significantly positively correlated with procalcitonin (PCT; r = 0.63, P = 0.012) and complement C4 (r = 0.56, P = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS FMT can reduce TG level, reconstruct intestinal microecological structure, change body metabolism and function, and alleviate inflammatory response by reducing the relative abundance of harmful bacteria in patients with severe pneumonia during the convalescence period.
Humans ; Fecal Microbiota Transplantation ; Complement C3 ; Convalescence ; Prospective Studies ; Feces

Objective:To evaluate the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) signaling pathway in 17β estradiol-induced reduction of long-term cognitive impairment induced by multiple propofol anesthesia in developing rats.Methods:Eighty 7-day-old clean-grade healthy newborn Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes, weighing 11-17 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=20 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), propofol group (group P), 17β estradiol plus propofol group (EP group) and 17β estradiol plus propofol plus BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway blocker K252a group (K group). Propofol 80 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected every day for 5 days in P, EP and K groups.The equal volume of fat emulsion was given instead in group C. In EP and K groups, 17β estradiol 600 μg/kg was subcutaneously injected at 30 min before propofol injection.BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway blocker K252a 100 μg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in group K. Morris water maze test was performed on days 30-34 after birth to assess the cognitive function.The rats were sacrificed after the end of Morris water maze test, and the hippocampal tissues were removed for determination of the apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons (by flow cytometry), expression of BDNF, p-Trkb and cleaved caspase-3 (by Western blot and immunofluorescence), and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA (by real-time polymerase chain reaction) and for microscopic examination of the pathological changes in hippocampal CA1 region (with a light microscope). Bax mRNA/Bcl-2 mRNA ratio was calculated. Results:Compared with group C, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, the expression of BDNF and p-TrkB was down-regulated, the expression of cleaved caspase-3 was up-regulated, the apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons and Bax mRNA/Bcl-2 mRNA ratio were increased ( P<0.05), and the pathological changes in hippocampal CA1 region were accentuated in group P. Compared with group P, the escape latency was significantly shortened, the number of crossing the original platform was increased, the expression of BDNF and p-TrkB was up-regulated, the expression of cleaved caspase-3 was down-regulated, the apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons and Bax mRNA/Bcl-2 mRNA ratio were decreased( P<0.05), and the pathological changes in hippocampal CA1 region were attenuated in group EP.Compared with group EP, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, the expression of BDNF and p-TrkB was down-regulated, the expression of cleaved caspase-3 was up-regulated, the apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons and Bax mRNA/Bcl-2 mRNA ratio were increased( P<0.05), and the pathological changes in hippocampal CA1 region were accentuated in group K. Conclusions:BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway is involved in 17β estradiol-induced reduction of long-term cognitive impairment induced by multiple propofol anesthesia in developing rats.

Objective To establish and assess the utility of 99Tcm-sulfur colloid (SC) salivary imaging in the routine evaluation of pulmonary aspiration in adult patients with respiratory tract diseases.Methods Eight patients (7 men,1 woman; age range 68 to 80 years,mean age (76 ± 4) years) with respiratory tract disease and history of aspiration by clinical assessment were evaluated prospectively by 99Tcm-SC salivary imaging from April to July 2012.A dose of 74.0 MBq 99Tcm-SC was added to 20 ml saline,mixed well,and administered orally to patients.Dynamic imaging was acquired with posterior projection for 30 min at a rate of 30 s per frame.Two experienced physicians assessed all examination results and reached consensus for final diagnosis.Radioactivity detected at either the bronchi or within the lung fields was reported as positive for aspiration.This study was approved by the institutional review board of Hospital Ethical Committee,and the written informed consent was obtained from patients or their guardians.Results All patients were positive for aspiration by 99Tcm-SC salivary imaging (8/8).Aspiration into bilateral main bronchus was seen in 2 cases,right main bronchus and branch in 4 cases,and left main bronchus and branch in 2 cases.Aspirated tracer could be visualized as early as 3 min,latest at 24 min,and the median was 19 min.Conclusion 99Tcm-SC salivary imaging is useful for the detection of aspiration in adult patients with respiratory tract diseases.

The noninvasive measurement of liver stiffness (LS) was evaluated by transient elastography (FibroScan) and the possible influencing factors from the patients' clinical situations including age, gender, liver inflammation represented by alanine transaminase (ALT) and total billirubin (TBIL) level, HBV replication (HBV DNA loads), portal vein pressure (portal vessel diameter, PVD), splenic thickness (SPT) and body mass index (BMI) were analyzed in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). A total of 466 patients including 31 patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), and 435 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) among which 82 patients were diagnosed with liver cirrhosis (LC) by clinical manifestations and liver B-type ultrasonic inspection were enrolled at Tongji Hospital from April to December 2009. LS was measured by a FibroScan device (EchoSens, France). Simultaneously, ALT and TBIL levels, HBV DNA loads, PVD, SPT and BMI in all patients were also tested. Forty-one healthy volunteers served as controls. The values of LS were correlated positively with ages of CHB patients and significantly higher in males than in females. In patients with BMI>28 kg/m(2) (obesity) and abnormal levels of ALT and TBIL, LS values were significantly increased as compared with those having normal levels of ALT and TBIL. The patients with ACLF had the highest LS value. Furthermore, LS values in the patients with LC were significantly higher than those in patients without LC. It is concluded that noninvasive measurement of liver fibrosis by FibroScan provides an alternative method to evaluate liver fibrosis of patients with CHB. In order to properly illustrate the stiffness value taken by transient elastography, patients' gender should be taken into consideration and it is also suggested to avoid possible influencing factors including liver inflammation (high levels of ALT and TBIL) and obesity (high BMI).

The noninvasive measurement of liver stiffness (LS) was evaluated by transient elastography (FibroScan) and the possible influencing factors from the patients' clinical situations including age,gender,liver inflammation represented by alanine transaminase (ALT) and total billirubin (TBIL) level,HBV replication (HBV DNA loads),portal vein pressure (portal vessel diameter,PVD),splenic thickness (SPT) and body mass index (BMI) were analyzed in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).A total of 466 patients including 31 patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF),and 435 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) among which 82 patients were diagnosed with liver cirrhosis (LC) by clinical manifestations and liver B-type ultrasonic inspection were enrolled at Tongji Hospital from April to December 2009.LS was measured by a FibroScan device (EchoSens,France).Simultaneously,ALT and TBIL levels,HBV DNA loads,PVD,SPT and BMI in all patients were also tested.Forty-one healthy volunteers served as controls.The values of LS were correlated positively with ages of CHB patients and significantly higher in males than in females.In patients with BMI＞28 kg/m2 (obesity) and abnormal levels of ALT and TBIL,LS values were significantly increased as compared with those having normal levels of ALT and TBIL.The patients with ACLF had the highest LS value.Furthermore,LS values in the patients with LC were significantly higher than those in patients without LC.It is concluded that noninvasive measurement of liver fibrosis by FibroScan provides an alternative method to evaluate liver fibrosis of patients with CHB.In order to properly illustrate the stiffness value taken by transient elastography,patients' gender should be taken into consideration and it is also suggested to avoid possible influencing factors including liver inflammation (high levels of ALT and TBIL) and obesity (high BMI).

Objective To establish and identify transgenic mice model that specifically express delta drosophila homolog-like 1 (DLK1) in liver for the functional study of DLK1 on liver differentiation,hepatopathy,and hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods The coding sequence of DLK1 cDNA was inserted downstream of mouse albumin gene enhancer/promoter to construct a liver-specific DLK1 expression recombinant vector.The DNA fragment of transgene digested from the recombinant vector by Pine I was transfected to Hepl-6 cells to verify the expression of DLK1 in vitro.Then the transgene fragment was microinjeeted into fertilized eggs of C57×CBA F1 mice and 20 transgenic founder mice were generated.The F1 mice of DLK1 transgenie founder mice were used to identify the expression of the transgene in liver and other tissues.Results RT-PCR and cellular immunofluorescence showed DLK1 expression when the transgene fragment was transfeeted into Hep1-6.For transgenic mice,RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry showed that DLK1 was specifically expressed in adult F1 mice liver.Conclusion Successfully established the liver-specific DLK1 expression transgenic mice model.

Objective　 To investigate the efficacy and security of the treatment for the with visual function in neovascular glaucoma with Ahmed glaucoma value(AGV ).Methods　Twenty-six cases (26 eyes) with visual function in neovascular glaucoma underwent AGV implantation. Results　After surgery，the follow-up periods lasted for 4 to 26 months (mean 8 months ),the visual acuity of 22 eyes (86.4%) was improved or remained the same，no case of the blindness was found. The mean intraocular pressure was between 0.8～2.8kPa in 17 eyes，and the Yate of control reaches to 65.4% , the postoperative complication included transicent hyphema, Early hypotony, obstruction of the tube tip and drop out of the plate.Conclusion　The AGV implantation treating those with visual function in neovascular glaucoma is an effective and safe method.