Objective:To optimize and compare method for hepatitis E virus (HEV) nucleic acid detection from pig liver, and provide technical references for HEV detection in animal viscera specimens.Methods:Three methods (PBS homogenization treatment, proteinase K treatment, chloroform extraction method) were used to pretreat and extract viral nucleic acid form pig liver, which was artificially contaminated with HEV fecal suspensions, and HEV RT-qPCR was used to compare the HEV recovery rate and inhibition rate. The optimized HEV method was applied to commercially available pig liver specimens, and HEV genotyping was performed on positive specimens.Results:The HEV recovery rate of PBS homogenization treatment, proteinase K treatment and chloroform extraction method was 9.88%, 0.19% and 17.28%, respectively. The recovery rate of proteinase K treatment was less than 1%, and it was discarded; t-test was performed to compare recovery rates of the other two methods, which showed statistically significant differences ( t=26.801, P<0.001), the chloroform extraction method had a higher recovery rate. The inhibition rates of the three methods were all less than 75%, within the range of the ISO/TS 15216-2∶2019 standard. Among 192 commercially available pig liver specimens, 17 specimens were detected positive for HEV RNA, with a nucleic acid positive rate of 8.85%; five specimens were successfully genotyped for HEV, all of which were genotype 4. Conclusions:The virus recovery effect was good when chloroform extraction method was used for pig liver pretreatment; moreover, this method could detect HEV RNA from commercially available pig livers, which indicate that it can be used for virus detection in food.

OBJECTIVE To observe the short-term efficacy and safety of venetoclax combined with homoharringtonine and cytarabine in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia （AML）. METHODS The data of 40 newly diagnosed AML patients admitted to our hospital from October 2022 to November 2023 were retrospectively collected and divided into observation group and control group according to treatment plan， with 20 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were given Daunorubicin hydrochloride for injection+Cytarabine for injection， and the patients in the observation group were given Venetoclax tablets+ Homoharringtonine injection+Cytarabine for injection. The patients in both groups were given relevant medicine， with 28 days as one cycle. The short-term efficacy， negative rate of minimal residual disease （MRD）， duration of granulocyte deficiency， duration of platelet （PLT） ＜20×109 L－1， transfusion volume of suspended red blood cells and platelet， and the occurrence of adverse drug reactions were evaluated in both groups after 1 cycle of induction chemotherapy. RESULTS The complete remission or complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery （CR/CRi） rate in the observation group was significantly higher than control group （P＜0.05）， and the negative rate of MRD in the observation group was also significantly higher than control group （P＜0.05）. However， in low-， medium- and high-risk patients， there was no statistical significance in CR/CRi rates between the two groups （P＞0.05）. There were no significant differences in the duration of agranulocytosis， the duration of PLT ＜20×109 L－1， the amount of suspended red blood cell transfusion， the amount of platelet transfusion， the incidence of hematologic toxicity and the incidence of non-hematologic toxicity between 2 groups （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Venetoclax combined with homoharringtonine and cytarabine show good short-term efficacy and safety in the treatment of AML.

Pathological dry skin is a disturbing and intractable healthcare burden,characterized by epithelial hy-perplasia and severe itch.Atopic dermatitis(AD)and psoriasis models with complications of dry skin have been studied using single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq).However,scRNA-seq analysis of the dry skin mouse model(acetone/ether/water(AEW)-treated model)is still lacking.Here,we used scRNA-seq and in situ hybridization to identify a novel proliferative basal cell(PBC)state that exclusively expresses transcription factor CUT-like homeobox 1(Cux1).Further in vitro study demonstrated that Cux1 is vital for keratinocyte proliferation by regulating a series of cyclin-dependent kinases(CDKs)and cyclins.Clinically,Cux1+PBCs were increased in patients with psoriasis,suggesting that Cux1+ PBCs play an important part in epidermal hyperplasia.This study presents a systematic knowledge of the tran-scriptomic changes in a chronic dry skin mouse model,as well as a potential therapeutic target against dry skin-related dermatoses.

Objective : To investigate the effect of platelet particles on the extent of intestinal inflammation and in⁃ testinal mucosal permeability in mice with dextran sodium sulfate induced colitis. Methods : The experiment was divided into four groups : normal control group ( n = 10 , drinking sterile distilled water + intraperitoneal injection of 0. 9% sodium chloride solution) , PMPs group ( n = 10 , drinking sterile distilled water + intraperitoneal injection of PMPs) , DSS model group ( n = 10 , drinking DSS solution + intraperitoneal injection of 0. 9% sodium chloride solution) , and experimental group ( n = 15 , drinking DSS solution + intraperitoneal injection of PMPs) . Peripheral blood⁃derived PMPs suspension was collected from inflammatory bowel disease ( IBD) patients. A colitis model was constructed in mice by allowing them to freely drink a 5% DSS solution for 1 week , followed by continuous intraperitoneal injection of PMPs for 7 days. Disease activity index (DAI) scores was recorded daily and the severity of intestinal inflammation with histopathological scores (HI) was assessed by HE staining of colon samples at the end of the experiment. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) , neutrophil elastase (NE) , citrullinated histone H3 (citH3) , and free DNA levels were measured in colon homogenate , observe intestinal mucosal structure by transmission electron microscopy , and intestinal permeability was tested using fluorescein isothiocyanate⁃dextran (FITC⁃D) . Results: Compared with the normal control group , the colonic mucosa of mice in the PMPs group showed edema , severe destruction of epithelial structure , extensive aggregation of inflammatory cells , and increased overall HI score (P < 0. 01) ; the levels of inflammatory factors such as IL⁃1β and TNF⁃α in colonic tissue homogenates of mice in the PMPs group increased (P < 0. 05) , and the expression of NETs increased (P < 0. 05) ; the plasma FITC⁃D level of mice in the PMPs group significantly increased (P < 0. 05) , and the permeability of intestinal mucosa increased. Compared with the DSS group , the experimental group mice had higher plasma FITC⁃D levels ( P < 0. 05 ) and more electron microscopic colonic epithelial damage. Conclusion PMPs induces NETs formation in mice , promotes colonic inflammation in mice , increases intestinal mucosal permeability and aggravates intestinal inflammation in mice with DSS colitis.

Objective:A comparison of method for the detection of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in oysters was performed to provide a technical reference for the detection of HEV in oysters.Methods:After pre-treatment of oyster digestive gland specimens artificially contaminated with HEV fecal suspensions by the proteinase K digestion with reference to the European Union ISO/TS 15216-2∶2019, HEV RNA was extracted by four nucleic acid extraction method and assayed by Real time RT-PCR to compare the HEV recoveries; artificially contaminated oyster digestive gland specimens were pretreated by proteinase K digestion, proteinase K digestion + PEG precipitation, and proteinase K digestion + PEG precipitation + chloroform extraction, respectively, and HEV RNA was extracted by the optimal nucleic acid extraction method, which was assayed by real time RT-PCR to compare the HEV recoveries and inhibition rates of the three pretreatment method. The optimal HEV assay was applied to commercially available oyster specimens.Results:The HEV recoveries of the four nucleic acid extraction methods were 1.37%, 2.50%, 4.24% and 7.56%, respectively, with statistically significant differences ( F=847.220, P<0.001); The HEV recoveries for each of the three pre-treatment method were 6.02%, 13.65% and 21.17%, respectively, with statistically significant differences ( F=16.800, P<0.001), and the proteinase K digestion + PEG precipitation + chloroform extraction method had the highest recovery; the inhibition rates of the three method were 13.38%, 20.98% and 8.66%, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( F=20.205, P<0.001), with the lowest inhibition rate for the proteinase K digestion + PEG precipitation + chloroform extraction method. One HEV RNA positive specimen was detected in 120 commercially available oyster specimens. Conclusions:In the HEV detection of oyster specimens, pre-treatment with proteinase K digestion + PEG precipitation + chloroform extraction can improve the recovery of HEV from oysters and is more suitable for pre-treatment of oyster specimens; different manufacturers′ viral nucleic acid extraction method have different HEV recoveries and should be compared and screened for superiority before carrying out the assay.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of early bronchoalveolar lavage on patients with aspiration pneumonia.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 55 patients with aspiration pneumonia who met inclusion criteria but not exclusion criteria in the Intensive Care Department of our hospital from January 2020 to April 2021. The patients were divided into the control group (32 cases) and the bronchoscopic lavage group (23 cases) according to whether they received bronchoscopic lavage within 24 h after aspiration. Basic information (sex, age, body mass index, chest X-ray score, oxidation index, temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, white blood cells, PCT, IL-6, CPR and APACHE Ⅱ score), etiology changes at the early stage (≤ 3 d) and later stage (4-7 d after admission), and changes in prognostic indexes (mechanical ventilation time, length of ICU stay, length of stay and mortality) were compared between the two groups. The clinical efficacy of early endoscopy lavage for aspiration pneumonia was evaluated.Results:The positive rate of early etiological culture was 85.2%, the bacterial positive rate was 72.9% and the fungal positive rate was 14.6%. Pseudomonas aeruginosa accounted for 20.8%, Klebsiella pneumoniae accounted for 14.6%, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus accounted for 12.5%, and there was no significant difference in the distribution between the bronchoscopic lavage group and the control group (all P>0.05). The positive rate of late etiological culture was 88.6%, the bacterial positive rate was 85.7% and the fungal positive rate was 2.9%. The positive rate of late bacterial culture was significantly decreased in the bronchoscopic lavage group ( P < 0.05), and the other results were not significantly different from the control group (all P>0.05). After early bronchoscopic lavage, the duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay and length of stay were significantly shortened, and the fifth day CPIS score was significantly decreased (all P< 0.05). Conclusions:Early endotracheal lavage can reduce mechanical ventilation time, length of ICU stay and length of stay of aspiration pneumonia, and reduce the positive rate of bacterial culture in the lung at the later stage, which needs to be further verified by a large randomized controlled study.

Objective:To explore the airway pathogen characteristics and examine the correlation between donor-derived pathogens and post-transplant outcomes in patients after lung transplantation (LT).Methods:Between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2019, retrospective review was conducted for clinical and microbiological data of 88 LT recipients.Airway pathogen percentage of different microorganisms and evolution of drug-resistance were examined.Drug-resistant pathogen positive group (n=71) and negative group (n=17) were assigned according to whether or not drug-resistant pathogens were detected.Survival analysis was conducted by Log-rank with 3-year follow-ups.Between April 11, 2020 and September 5, 2020, prospective study was conducted in 14LT recipients.The potential pathogenic bacteria from donor lungs were detected by metagenomic next generation sequencing and the impact of those bacteria was examined on 1-year post-transplantation outcome in 2020.Microbial diversity and richness were shown with Shannon index.The outcome variables included heart rate, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, immunoglobulin level and pulmonary spirometry.ANOVA and Pearson's correlation analysis were performed for elucidating the relationship between airway microbiota and post-LT outcomes.Results:From 2015 to 2019, 88 recipients were recruited and 992 strains of airway pathogens were isolated, including bacteria 796 strains and fungi 196 strains.Gram-negative bacteria (704 strains) accounted for 88.4% of all bacteria.The detection rates of Gram-positive bacteria, Klebsiella pneumonia (Kp), Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Candida increased in 2019 than that in 2015 (8.2% vs. 5.3%, 13.6% vs. 13.2%, 33.2% vs. 17.5%, 6.5% vs. 5.3%, 26.6% vs. 20.2%). Drug resistance rate of Kp to imipenem was 68.18% in 2019 and drug resistance rate of Ab to imipenem 98.44%.The 3-year survival rate was 46.3% and 35.3% in drug-resistance positive and negative groups and the difference was insignificant ( P=0.410). Fourteen recipients were enrolled in 2020.Potential pathogenic bacteria could be detected in all donor samples.Five recipients carried the same bacteria and two died during 1-year follow-up.Nine recipients did not carry the donor-derived pathogens and two died during 1-year follow-up.The diversity of donor/recipient-derived airway microbiota (Shannon index) showed no correlation with the outcomes of 1-year follow-up by Pearson's correlation test. Conclusions:Gram-negative bacteria predominated in airway pathogens of recipients post-LT.The drug resistance rate to imipenem remained high.The donor/recipient-derived pathogen isolates showed no correlation with immediate outcomes post-LT.

Zn²⁺ is required for the activity of many mitochondrial proteins, which regulate mitochondrial dynamics, apoptosis and mitophagy. However, it is not understood how the proper mitochondrial Zn²⁺ level is achieved to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis. Using Caenorhabditis elegans, we reveal here that a pair of mitochondrion-localized transporters controls the mitochondrial level of Zn²⁺. We demonstrate that SLC-30A9/ZnT9 is a mitochondrial Zn²⁺ exporter. Loss of SLC-30A9 leads to mitochondrial Zn²⁺ accumulation, which damages mitochondria, impairs animal development and shortens the life span. We further identify SLC-25A25/SCaMC-2 as an important regulator of mitochondrial Zn²⁺ import. Loss of SLC-25A25 suppresses the abnormal mitochondrial Zn²⁺ accumulation and defective mitochondrial structure and functions caused by loss of SLC-30A9. Moreover, we reveal that the endoplasmic reticulum contains the Zn²⁺ pool from which mitochondrial Zn²⁺ is imported. These findings establish the molecular basis for controlling the correct mitochondrial Zn²⁺ levels for normal mitochondrial structure and functions.
Animals ; Caenorhabditis elegans/metabolism* ; Cation Transport Proteins/genetics* ; Homeostasis ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Zinc/metabolism*

Objective:To explore the relationship between rumination and depression and suicide attempts, and the mediating effect of rumination between depression and suicide attempts in adolescents with depressive disorder.Methods:Clinical interviews and questionnaires were conducted on 331 adolescents aged 11-18 with depressive disorders.Depressive symptoms were assessed with patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Rumination was assessed with ruminative responses scale-10 (RRS-10), and Chinese version of the sociality module of MINI5.0 was used to assess suicide.SPSS 23.0 software was applied to descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, t-test, Spearman correlation analysis and hierarchical regression analysis, and the SPSS macro program PROCESS V 3.4 was used for Bootstrap mediating effect. Results:The incidence of suicide attempts in adolescents with depressive disorder was 53.78%, which was significantly higher in girls (59.48%) than that in boys (40.40%), and the difference was significant ( χ2=10.16, P<0.01). In contrast to the non-suicide attempt group, suicide attempt group had higher scores on PHQ-9((11.08±9.26) vs (14.43±7.49), t=-3.634, P<0.01), brooding ((10.76±3.89) vs (12.44±3.87), t=-3.926, P<0.01), reflection ((10.05±3.54) vs (11.20±3.33), t=-3.044, P<0.01) and rumination total score ((20.81±6.78) vs (23.64±6.42), t=-3.898, P<0.01). Regression analysis revealed that girl ( β=0.175, t=3.228, P=0.001), depressive symptoms ( β=0.168, t=3.082, P=0.002), rumination ( β=0.138, t=2.364, P=0.019) were risk factors for suicide attempts.Rumination played a complete mediating effect between depressive symptoms and suicide attempts (effect value=0.013, 95% CI=0.003-0.027). Depression symptoms significantly and positively predicted rumination ( P<0.01), and rumination significantly and positively predicted suicide attempts ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The incidence of suicide attempts was high in adolescents with depressive disorders.Depressive symptoms affect suicide attempts mainly through rumination.Clinicians should assess the rumination of adolescents with depressive disorders.In addition, clinicians should implement concurrent psychotherapy to adjust the cognitive response and reduce rumination, in order to improve the mental health and reduce suicide attempts.

Background::The calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-based immune maintenance regimen that is commonly used after renal transplantation has greatly improved early graft survival after transplantation; however, the long-term prognosis of grafts has not been significantly improved. The nephrotoxicity of CNI drugs is one of the main risk factors for the poor long-term prognosis of grafts. Sirolimus (SRL) has been employed as an immunosuppressant in clinical practice for over 20 years and has been found to have no nephrotoxic effects on grafts. Presently, the regimen and timing of SRL application after renal transplantation vary, and clinical data are scarce. Multicenter prospective randomized controlled studies are particularly rare. This study aims to investigate the effects of early conversion to a low-dose CNI combined with SRL on the long-term prognosis of renal transplantation.Methods::Patients who receive four weeks of a standard regimen with CNI + mycophenolic acid (MPA) + glucocorticoid after renal transplantation in multiple transplant centers across China will be included in this study. At week 5, after the operation, patients in the experimental group will receive an additional administration of SRL, a reduction in the CNI drug doses, withdrawal of MPA medication, and maintenance of glucocorticoids. In addition, patients in the control group will receive the maintained standard of care. The patients’ vital signs, routine blood tests, routine urine tests, blood biochemistry, serum creatinine, BK virus (BKV)/cytomegalovirus (CMV), and trough concentrations of CNI drugs and SRL at the baseline and weeks 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, and 104 after conversion will be recorded. Patient survival, graft survival, and estimated glomerular filtration rate will be calculated, and concomitant medications and adverse events will also be recorded.Conclusion::The study data will be utilized to evaluate the efficacy and safety of early conversion to low-dose CNIs combined with SRL in renal transplant patients.Trial registration::Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800017277.