1.Isolation and Identification of Staphylococcus xylosus in Nude Mice with Squamous Skin Scurfs
Zhihao KONG ; Xiaofeng WEI ; Lingzhi YU ; Liping FENG ; Qi ZHU ; Guojun SHI ; Chen WANG
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(3):368-375
Objective To isolate pathogenic bacteria from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs, and perform bacterial identification, traceability analysis, and pathogenicity studies to provide a new approach for the diagnosis of pathogens in nude mice with squamous skin scurfs. MethodsSkin swab samples were collected from a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs for nucleic acid testing, bacterial isolation and culture, biochemical identification, 16S rDNA gene amplification and sequencing, and whole genome sequencing to construct a phylogenetic tree. Fifteen BALB/c nude mice were randomized into a saline-treated control group, a high-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁸ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension, and a low-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁷ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension. Pathogenicity was assessed by animal infection experiments and observation of histopathological changes in skin tissue using HE staining. Results The nucleic acid test for Corynebacterium bovis was negative, excluding infection by this organism. The pathogen isolated on mannitol salt agar and blood agar, combined with Gram staining, suggested a Gram-positive Staphylococcus species. The isolated strain was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and a fully automated microbial identification system as Staphylococcus xylosus. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on whole genome sequencing showed that the strain was most closely related to an isolate from leafy vegetables in South Korea (GenBank GCA_00207825.1). In the high-concentration group, squamous skin scurfs appeared on the head, neck, and back of nude mice on the 17th day post-infection, while in the low concentration group, similar symptoms appeared on the 20th day post-infection and gradually spread to other areas. The scaling symptoms were transient, lasting for 7 days in the high-concentration group and 3 days in the low-concentration group, after which the skin returned to normal. The infection rate was 33.33% in both the high- and low-concentration groups. No significant pathological changes were observed in the skin tissues of infected mice compared to the control group, indicating marked individual differences in the pathogenicity of the strain in nude mice. Conclusion A strain of Staphylococcus xylosus was isolated from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs. The strain is an opportunistic pathogen that causes transient squamous skin scurfs without significant histopathological changes, and there are individual differences in the sensitivity of nude mice to this strain. These findings can provide valuable data for pathogen identification in immunodeficient or gene knockout mice.
2.Isolation and Identification of Staphylococcus xylosus in Nude Mice with Squamous Skin Scurfs
Zhihao KONG ; Xiaofeng WEI ; Lingzhi YU ; Liping FENG ; Qi ZHU ; Guojun SHI ; Chen WANG
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(3):368-375
Objective To isolate pathogenic bacteria from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs, and perform bacterial identification, traceability analysis, and pathogenicity studies to provide a new approach for the diagnosis of pathogens in nude mice with squamous skin scurfs. MethodsSkin swab samples were collected from a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs for nucleic acid testing, bacterial isolation and culture, biochemical identification, 16S rDNA gene amplification and sequencing, and whole genome sequencing to construct a phylogenetic tree. Fifteen BALB/c nude mice were randomized into a saline-treated control group, a high-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁸ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension, and a low-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁷ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension. Pathogenicity was assessed by animal infection experiments and observation of histopathological changes in skin tissue using HE staining. Results The nucleic acid test for Corynebacterium bovis was negative, excluding infection by this organism. The pathogen isolated on mannitol salt agar and blood agar, combined with Gram staining, suggested a Gram-positive Staphylococcus species. The isolated strain was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and a fully automated microbial identification system as Staphylococcus xylosus. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on whole genome sequencing showed that the strain was most closely related to an isolate from leafy vegetables in South Korea (GenBank GCA_00207825.1). In the high-concentration group, squamous skin scurfs appeared on the head, neck, and back of nude mice on the 17th day post-infection, while in the low concentration group, similar symptoms appeared on the 20th day post-infection and gradually spread to other areas. The scaling symptoms were transient, lasting for 7 days in the high-concentration group and 3 days in the low-concentration group, after which the skin returned to normal. The infection rate was 33.33% in both the high- and low-concentration groups. No significant pathological changes were observed in the skin tissues of infected mice compared to the control group, indicating marked individual differences in the pathogenicity of the strain in nude mice. Conclusion A strain of Staphylococcus xylosus was isolated from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs. The strain is an opportunistic pathogen that causes transient squamous skin scurfs without significant histopathological changes, and there are individual differences in the sensitivity of nude mice to this strain. These findings can provide valuable data for pathogen identification in immunodeficient or gene knockout mice.
3.Psychological experiences of young end stage renal disease patients awaiting kidney transplantation: A qualitative study.
Dian LIU ; Huilan XU ; Zhihao ZHANG ; Liang WANG ; Jia LIU ; Xiao ZHU
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(5):888-896
OBJECTIVES:
End stage renal disease (ESRD) is a major disease that seriously threatens the health of young people, and kidney transplantation is an effective treatment method to improve its prognosis.Young ESRD patients at a critical stage of life development often face significant physical and psychological challenges while waiting for kidney transplantation. Their psychological state directly affects treatment compliance and transplantation outcomes.This study aims to explore the psychological experiences of young patients with end stage renal disease during the waiting period for kidney transplantation, and provide a reference for formulating relevant psychological intervention measures.
METHODS:
A descriptive qualitative research design was adopted. Using purposive sampling, 20 young ESRD patients awaiting for kidney transplantation at the Transplantation Center of Xiangya Third Hospital, Central South University, from June to August 2024, were recruited. Based on the socio-ecological systems theory, a semi-structured interview outline was developed, and directed content analysis was applied to analyze the interview data.
RESULTS:
According to the results of qualitative interviews, 3 themes and 9 sub-themes were summarized as follows: Microsystem (disease pain experience, anxiety during transplantation waiting period, cognitive differentiation and coping differences), mesosystem (imbalance of family roles and dependent guilt, physician-patient trust dynamics, ambivalence toward peer support), and macrosystem (decision-making powerlessness caused by information asymmetry, sociocultural stigma and public bias, institutional dependence and passive behavior).
CONCLUSIONS
Young ESRD patients experience complex psychological experiences during the waiting period for kidney transplantation. Healthcare providers should explore corresponding intervention measures based on patients' psychological status to improve their waiting period experience and promote both physical and mental health.
Humans
;
Kidney Transplantation/psychology*
;
Kidney Failure, Chronic/surgery*
;
Qualitative Research
;
Female
;
Male
;
Adult
;
Adaptation, Psychological
;
Waiting Lists
;
Young Adult
;
Adolescent
;
Anxiety/psychology*
4.Current Situation,Existing Problems and Solving Strategies of the Assessment of Medical Ethics and Styles in the Examination of Doctors' Qualification
Hua GUO ; Yu HAN ; Kai REN ; Zhihao ZHOU ; Mingjie ZI ; Yujiao SONG ; Min ZHU ; Lili XYU ; Yi LI ; Tingting WANG ; Linyong YU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(12):1292-1295
This paper discussed the current education status on medical ethics and styles and the assessment condition in the examination of doctors' qualification, as well as the existing problems and potential solutions by reviewing domestic and foreign literature and summarizing the practice experience. Traditionally, medical ethics and styles have always been integrated into clinical medical practice in China. However, under the modern medical education system, it is challenged to integrate traditional education on medical ethics and styles with the rules of modern medical knowledge. By summarizing the education and assessment status of medical ethics and styles in the examination of doctors' qualification, it is found that the current examination is relatively poor in the evaluation content, and the way of evaluation is not diverse, with lack of curriculum of medical humanities. The solutions suggested are enriching relevant examination content, introducing more and comprehensive evaluation method, and establishing more medical humanities-related courses.
5.Construction of digital intelligent minimally invasive research-oriented hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery discipline
Jian YANG ; Xiwen WU ; Wen ZHU ; Haoyu HU ; Nan XIANG ; Ning ZENG ; Zhihao LIU ; Xuequan FANG ; Chihua FANG
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2024;23(1):91-97
The emergence and evolution of digital intelligent technology has profoundly influenced the development of minimally invasive research-oriented hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery discipline. Over various periods, our team has always adhered to the principle of "being oriented by clinical issues and driven by clinical needs", continuously carried out innovative research across interdisciplinary boundaries, propelling the evolution of digital intelligent technology. Spanning over two decades, this journey includes the progression from digital virtual human, three-dimensional visualization, molecular fluorescence imaging, augmented reality and mixed reality, artificial intelligence, to the realm of human visualization meta-universe. This evolution facilitates the shift from two-dimensional empirical diagnoses of hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgical diseases to deep learning intelligent diagnostics, the transition from morphology-based tumor diagnoses to molecular imaging-based diagnostics, and from conventional empirical surgery to intelligent navigation surgery. The authors provide a comprehensive review of our developmental process and achievements within the realm of digital intelligent diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, with the aims to promote the development and application of digital intelligent medicine.
6.Establishment of a qPCR method to detect Staphylococcus xylosus and its application
Lingzhi YU ; Liping FENG ; Zhihao KONG ; Qi ZHU ; Xiaofeng WEI
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2024;32(1):73-79
Objective To establish and evaluate a method for rapid and sensitive S.xylosus detection using qPCR(real-time quantitative PCR).Methods A gehM gene fragment was selected as the target for S.xylosus.A set of specific primers was synthesized and a qPCR method was established to detect S.xylosus.A S.xylosus standard strain and other non-target strains were chosen for analysis.DNA of S.xylosus was diluted 10-fold to determine its sensitivity.Clinical samples were tested,and positive products were sequenced.The result were compared with those of bacterial culture.Results S.xylosus had a specific amplification curve,whereas other non-S.xylosus species did not,indicating that the primers were specific for S.xylosus.Sensitivity was 100 fg/μL DNA.Repeatability within and between groups was less than 3%.A total of 60 clinical samples were analyzed,of which five samples had a typical S curve.qPCR products were sequenced and BLAST searched.The similarity of the gene sequences was 99.63%,indicating that the sample was positive for the S.xylosus gehM gene with a positivity rate of 8.3%.However,the positivity rate of bacterial culture was 6.7%.The positivity rate of qPCR was slightly higher than that of the culture.Conclusions The established qPCR method is rapid with high sensitivity and specificity,and can be used to detect S.xylosus.
7.Study on the impact of long-term blood glucose fluctuations and blood glucose control on the occurrence of stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Zhihao HU ; Shuai ZHU ; Yuhua LI ; Anle LI ; Fang XIANG ; Hongjie YU ; Yiying ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Diabetes 2024;32(2):101-107
Objective Explore the impact of long-term blood glucose fluctuations and blood glucose control on the stroke incidence in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods An observa-tional cohort of patients with T2DM was established based on"Shanghai Community Chronic Disease Health Management Service Objects"on October 1st,2018.Follow-ups were conducted every three months,and fasting blood glucose(FBG)were tested at each visit.Basic epidemiological data were collected via the Shanghai Community Health Management Information Platform or survey questionnaires,and stroke incidents were gathered via the"Shanghai Cardio-Cerebrovascular Event Monitoring System".The first reported stroke incident within the observation period was considered.The observational deadline was December 31st,2021.Standard deviation of FBG was used to evaluate blood glucose fluctuation and FBG control rate was used to reflect blood glucose control status.Cox Proportional Hazards Model was utilized to analyze the impacts.Results The cumulative observation time was 91,826.1 person-years for the study,in which there were 1785 cases of stroke events observed,implying a cumulative incidence of 5.73%and incidence rate of 1943.9/100000 person-years.The mean number of follow-ups(10.29±3.07)per patient was recorded.The details of the stroke cases were as follows:transient ischemic attacks(n=111,6.22%),non-lacunar brain infarctions(n=754,42.24%),lacunar brain infarctions(n=798,44.71%),intracerebral hemorrhages(n=80,4.48%),non-intracerebral hemorrhages(n=8,0.45%),subarachnoid hemorrhages(n=12,0.67%),and unclassified strokes(n=22,1.23%).After excluding subjects with less than five follow-ups,the Cox Proportional Hazards Model suggested that increased standard deviation of FBG was an independent risk factor for the first stroke incident,and an increased blood glucose control rate was an independent protective factor.Both the standard deviation of FBG and the blood glucose control rate were not correlated with stroke recurrence.Conclusion Long-term blood glucose fluctuations and blood glucose control can predict the risk of a first stroke in patients with T2DM.The relationship between blood glucose fluctuations,blood glucose management,and stroke recurrence requires further studies.
8.Exploration of Therapeutic Effect of Wujiwan on Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Rats Based on PPARγ Signaling Pathway and T-cell Immunoregulation
Shiyun GUO ; Yuxuan GUO ; Yi SUN ; Xiaoxin ZHU ; Yujie LI ; Ying CHEN ; Qing YANG ; Yajie WANG ; Qi LI ; Xiaogang WENG ; Zhihao DENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):237-245
ObjectiveThis study explores the efficacy and pharmacological mechanism of Wujiwan in rats with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from the perspectives of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) signaling pathway and T-cell immunity, providing reference for the treatment of IBD with traditional Chinese medicine. MethodThe study involved administering 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) enemas to 35 rats to induce acute IBD. After 24 hours, the animals were divided into the following groups: normal group, model group, Wujiwan treatment group, and positive drug control group. Each group received gastric gavage for 8 consecutive days before the rats were dissected to compare the disease activity index (DAI) of the rat colon tissue, the colon mucosal damage index (CMDI), and the spleen index. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the serum. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to determine the mRNA expression levels of T-bet (T-box expressed in T cells) and Gata3 (Gata-binding protein-3) in the colon tissue. Western blot analysis was conducted to detect the protein expression levels of PPARγ, T-bet, and nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65) in the rat colon. ResultThe rat model of IBD was successfully established. Compared with the model group, the Wujiwan treatment group showed reduced DAI, CMDI, and spleen index, decreased content of TNF-α in the serum(P<0.01), significantly increased content of IL-10(P<0.01), and elevated mRNA content of T-bet and Gata3(P<0.05) in the colon tissue. The expression of PPARγ protein was augmented(P<0.05), and the expression of T-bet and NF-κB p65 protein was decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionWujiwan activates or upregulates PPARγ expression in IBD rats to inhibit the generation of pro-inflammatory factors, participates in the inflammatory immune process, and alleviates inflammatory reactions. Its mechanism may involve regulating the NF-κB pathway through PPARγ, enhancing Th2 cell transcription expression, and reducing Th1 cell transcription.
9.A Review of Theoretical Research on Interpretation of Scientific Connotation of Compatibility of Traditional Chinese Medicine Compounds
Shiyun GUO ; Zhihao DENG ; Yan LI ; Yuxuan GUO ; Xiaoxin ZHU ; Yujie LI ; Ying CHEN ; Qing YANG ; Yi SUN ; Yajie WANG ; Qi LI ; Weiyan CAI ; Xiaogang WENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):338-344
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history of application in China and has consistently played a vital role in treating diseases and saving lives. TCM prescriptions (compounds) constitute the primary form of clinical TCM treatment and significantly differ from western medicine (chemicals) due to the diverse composition and chemical constituents of TCM (compounds). Nevertheless, the potential multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway action characteristics of TCM prescriptions also demonstrate their possible (complementary) therapeutic advantages when compared with single-component chemical drugs. Therefore, driven by the development of modern science and technology and the demands of the modernization and internationalization of TCM, modern theories regarding the complexity of TCM prescription effects have been continuously proposed: Different from the abstract language of traditional prescription theory, the modern TCM prescription theory is more inclined to illustrate the connotation of prescription compatibility concretely and vividly from an experimental and scientific perspective. In this paper, new theories on the complexity of TCM prescriptions proposed in recent years are summarized to provide research references and ideas for the greater role of TCM prescriptions and a better scientific understanding.
10.Association between hemoglobin variability and risk of all-cause death and cardiovascular death in peritoneal dialysis patients
Shuting HUANG ; Jun AI ; Zhihao HUO ; Lu ZHU ; Nirong GONG ; Xiaohong ZHONG ; Yaozhong KONG ; Dehui LIU ; Xianrui DOU ; Guangqing ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2024;40(8):611-618
Objective:To explore the relationship between hemoglobin variability (Hb-var) and risk of all-cause death and cardiovascular death in patients with peritoneal dialysis (PD), and to provide basis for reducing the risk of death in PD patients.Methods:It was a multicenter retrospective cohort study. The clinical data of regular PD patients from Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shunde Hospital of Southern Medical University, Foshan First People's Hospital and Ganzhou People's Hospital from July 1, 2008 to December 31, 2019 were collected. Hb-var was calculated based on hemoglobin at baseline before PD and in the first year after PD. The patients were divided into low Hb-var group, moderate Hb-var group and high Hb-var group according to the tertiles of first year Hb-var, and the differences of baseline clinical data among three groups were compared. Follow-up endpoints included death, transfer to hemodialysis, transfer to kidney transplantation, transfer to other centers, loss of follow-up, or on December 31, 2021. Cox regression analysis model was used to analyze the association of the first-year Hb-var with all-cause death and cardiovascular death. Fine-Gray competitive risk regression model was used to evaluate the impact of competitive events on mortality risk.Results:A total of 1 562 patients with PD were included in the study, aged (47.6±13.8) years old, with 821 males (52.6%) and baseline hemoglobin of 81 (69, 94) g/L. Hb-var in the first year of PD was 26.6 (16.7, 40.3) g/L. There were statistically significant differences in age, body mass index, serum albumin, hemoglobin, serum creatinine, serum calcium, serum phosphorus, intact parathyroid hormone and the proportion of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors among low Hb-var group (<20.0 g/L), moderate Hb-var group (20.0-35.5 g/L) and high Hb-var group (≥35.5 g/L, all P<0.05). The follow-up time was 33 (19, 51) months, and 208 patients (13.3%) died, among which 111 patients (53.4%) died of cardiovascular death. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the higher Hb-var in the first year, the lower the risk of all-cause death ( HR=0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.99, P=0.018) and cardiovascular death ( HR=0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.99, P=0.041) in PD patients. Compared with low Hb-var group, the risk of all-cause death ( HR=0.56, 95% CI 0.37-0.82, P=0.003) and cardiovascular death ( HR=0.54, 95% CI 0.31-0.95, P=0.032) was lowest in the high Hb-var group. The competitive risk regression model analysis showed that Hb-var in the first year was still negatively correlated with the risk of all-cause death ( HR=0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.99, P=0.041) and cardiovascular death ( HR=0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.99, P=0.039). Conclusion:High Hb-var in the first year is associated with low risk of all-cause death and cardiovascular death in PD patients with severe anemia at baseline.

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