The accumulation and spread of prion-like proteins is a key feature of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. In a process known as 'seeding', prion-like proteins such as amyloid beta, microtubule-associated protein tau, α-synuclein, silence superoxide dismutase 1, or transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 kDa, propagate their misfolded conformations by transforming their respective soluble monomers into fibrils. Cellular and molecular evidence of prion-like propagation in NDs, the clinical relevance of their 'seeding' capacities, and their levels of contribution towards disease progression have been intensively studied over recent years. This review unpacks the cyclic prion-like propagation in cells including factors of aggregate internalization, endo-lysosomal leaking, aggregate degradation, and secretion. Debates on the importance of the role of prion-like protein aggregates in NDs, whether causal or consequent, are also discussed. Applications lead to a greater understanding of ND pathogenesis and increased potential for therapeutic strategies.
Humans ; Prions ; Neurodegenerative Diseases/pathology* ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; Alzheimer Disease ; alpha-Synuclein ; tau Proteins ; Parkinson Disease

Objective:To report the results of national surveillance on the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical Gram-negative bacteria isolates from bloodstream infections in China in 2022.Methods:The clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacteria from blood cultures in member hospitals of national bloodstream infection Bacterial Resistant Investigation Collaborative System（BRICS）were collected during January 2022 to December 2022. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted by agar dilution or broth dilution methods recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute（CLSI）. WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 25.0 software were used to analyze the data.Results:During the study period，9 035 strains of Gram-negative bacteria were collected from 51 hospitals，of which 7 895（87.4%）were Enterobacteriaceae and 1 140（12.6%）were non-fermenting bacteria. The top 5 bacterial species were Escherichia coli（ n=4 510，49.9%）， Klebsiella pneumoniae（ n=2 340，25.9%）， Pseudomonas aeruginosa（ n=534，5.9%）， Acinetobacter baumannii complex（ n=405，4.5%）and Enterobacter cloacae（ n=327，3.6%）. The ESBLs-producing rates in Escherichia coli， Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus spp. were 47.1%（2 095/4 452），21.0%（427/2 033）and 41.1%（58/141），respectively. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli（CREC）and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae（CRKP）were 1.3%（58/4 510）and 13.1%（307/2 340）；62.1%（36/58）and 9.8%（30/307）of CREC and CRKP were resistant to ceftazidime/avibactam combination，respectively. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii（CRAB）complex was 59.5%（241/405），while less than 5% of Acinetobacter baumannii complex was resistant to tigecycline and polymyxin B. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa（CRPA）was 18.4%（98/534）. There were differences in the composition ratio of Gram-negative bacteria in bloodstream infections and the prevalence of main Gram-negative bacteria resistance among different regions，with statistically significant differences in the prevalence of CRKP and CRPA（ χ2=20.489 and 20.252， P<0.001）. The prevalence of CREC，CRKP，CRPA，CRAB，ESBLs-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were higher in provinicial hospitals than those in municipal hospitals（ χ2=11.953，81.183，10.404，5.915，12.415 and 6.459， P<0.01 or <0.05），while the prevalence of CRPA was higher in economically developed regions（per capita GDP ≥ 92 059 Yuan）than that in economically less-developed regions（per capita GDP <92 059 Yuan）（ χ2=6.240， P=0.012）. Conclusions:The proportion of Gram-negative bacteria in bloodstream infections shows an increasing trend，and Escherichia coli is ranked in the top，while the trend of CRKP decreases continuously with time. Decreasing trends are noted in ESBLs-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Low prevalence of carbapenem resistance in Escherichia coli and high prevalence in CRAB complex have been observed. The composition ratio and antibacterial spectrum of bloodstream infections in different regions of China are slightly different，and the proportion of main drug resistant bacteria in provincial hospitals is higher than those in municipal hospitals.

Objective To investigate the effects of different sterilization methods on the quality of Astragali Radix decoction pieces by comparing the properties,odor,fingerprint,sterilization effect,extract and active component contents of Astragali Radix decoction pieces,and to further optimize the best sterilization process parameters of Astragali Radix decoction pieces.Methods The effects of moist heat sterilization,irradiation sterilization and dry heat sterilization on the quality of Astragali Radix decoction pieces were compared,and the best sterilization method was selected.Based on this,taking the content of astragaloside IV,the content of isoflavone glucoside,the total content of the two and the sterilization rate as the assessment indicators,taking the sterilization temperature,sterilization time and material thickness as the assessment factors,on the basis of the single-factor test,the response surface method was used to optimize the optimal dry heat sterilization process of Astragali Radix decoction pieces.Results The dry heat sterilization method was selected to sterilize Astragali Radix decoction pieces.The best process for dry heat sterilization was as follows:the sterilization temperature of 113℃,sterilization time of 5.1 h,and the material thickness of 19 mm.Conclusion Considering the sterilization effect,the influence on the content of active ingredients,operability and cost,selecting dry heat sterilization is the best sterilization method for Astragali Radix decoction pieces,and the optimal sterilization process is stable and feasible,with good repeatability,which can provide scientific basis for its industrial production application.

Objective:To report the results of national surveillance on the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical Gram-positive bacteria isolates from bloodstream infections in China in 2022.Methods:The clinical isolates of Gram-positive bacteria from blood cultures in member hospitals of National Bloodstream Infection Bacterial Resistant Investigation Collaborative System（BRICS）were collected during January 2022 to December 2022. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted by agar dilution or broth dilution methods recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute（CLSI）. WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 25.0 software were used to analyze the data.Results:A total of 3 163 strains of Gram-positive pathogens were collected from 51 member units，and the top five bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus（ n=1 147，36.3%），coagulase-negative Staphylococci（ n=928，29.3%）， Enterococcus faecalis（ n=369，11.7%）， Enterococcus faecium（ n=296，9.4%）and alpha-hemolyticus Streptococci（ n=192，6.1%）. The detection rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus（MRSA）and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci（MRCNS）were 26.4%（303/1 147）and 66.7%（619/928），respectively. No glycopeptide and daptomycin-resistant Staphylococci were detected. The sensitivity rates of Staphylococcus aureus to cefpirome，rifampin，compound sulfamethoxazole，linezolid，minocycline and tigecycline were all >95.0%. Enterococcus faecium was more prevalent than Enterococcus faecalis. The resistance rates of Enterococcus faecium to vancomycin and teicoplanin were both 0.5%（2/369），and no vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium was detected. The detection rate of MRSA in southern China was significantly lower than that in other regions（ χ2=14.578， P=0.002），while the detection rate of MRCNS in northern China was significantly higher than that in other regions（ χ2=15.195， P=0.002）. The detection rates of MRSA and MRCNS in provincial hospitals were higher than those in municipal hospitals（ χ2=13.519 and 12.136， P<0.001）. The detection rates of MRSA and MRCNS in economically more advanced regions（per capita GDP≥92 059 Yuan in 2022）were higher than those in economically less advanced regions（per capita GDP<92 059 Yuan）（ χ2=9.969 and 7.606， P=0.002和0.006）. Conclusions:Among the Gram-positive pathogens causing bloodstream infections in China， Staphylococci is the most common while the MRSA incidence decreases continuously with time；the detection rate of Enterococcus faecium exceeds that of Enterococcus faecalis. The overall prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci is still at a low level. The composition ratio of Gram-positive pathogens and resistant profiles varies slightly across regions of China，with the prevalence of MRSA and MRCNS being more pronounced in provincial hospitals and areas with a per capita GDP≥92 059 yuan.

O'Donnell-Luria-Rodan(ODLURO)syndrome is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder caused by mutations in the KMT2E(lysine methyltransferase 2E)gene.The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University admitted a 12-year and 9-month-old male patient who presented with growth retardation,intellectual disability,and distinctive facial features.Peripheral blood was collected from the patient,and DNA was extracted for genetic testing.Chromosome karyotyping showed 46XY.Whole-exome sequencing and low-coverage massively parallel copy number variation sequencing(CNV-seq)revealed a 506 kb heterozygous deletion in the 7q22.3 region,which includes 6 genes,including KMT2E.The patient was diagnosed with ODLURO syndrome.Both the patient's parents and younger brother had normal clinical phenotypes and genetic test results,indicating that this deletion was a de novo mutation.The clinical and genetic characteristics of this case can help increase clinicians'awareness of ODLURO syndrome.

The extremely low bioavailability of oral paclitaxel (PTX) mainly due to the complicated gastrointestinal environment, the obstruction of intestinal mucus layer and epithelium barrier. Thus, it is of great significance to construct a coordinative delivery system which can overcome multiple intestinal physicochemical obstacles simultaneously. In this work, a high-density PEGylation-based glycocholic acid-decorated micelles (PTX@GNPs) was constructed by a novel polymer, 9-Fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-polyethylene glycocholic acid (Fmoc-PEG-GCA). The Fmoc motif in this polymer could encapsulate PTX via π‒π stacking to form the core of micelles, and the low molecular weight and non-long hydrophobic chain of Fmoc ensures the high-density of PEG. Based on this versatile and flexible carriers, PTX@GNPs possess mucus trapping escape ability due to the flexible PEG, and excellent intestine epithelium targeting attributed to the high affinity of GCA with apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter. The in vitro and in vivo results showed that this oral micelle could enhance oral bioavailability of PTX, and exhibited similar antitumor efficacy to Taxol injection via intravenous route. In addition, oral PTX@GNPs administered with lower dosage within shorter interval could increase in vivo retention time of PTX, which supposed to remodel immune microenvironment and enhance oral chemotherapy efficacy by synergistic effect.

Peptide‒drug conjugates (PDCs) are drug delivery systems consisting of a drug covalently coupled to a multifunctional peptide via a cleavable linker. As an emerging prodrug strategy, PDCs not only preserve the function and bioactivity of the peptides but also release the drugs responsively with the cleavable property of the linkers. Given the ability to significantly improve the circulation stability and targeting of drugs in vivo and reduce the toxic side effects of drugs, PDCs have already been extensively applied in drug delivery. Herein, we review the types and mechanisms of peptides, linkers and drugs used to construct PDCs, and summarize the clinical applications and challenges of PDC drugs.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and genetic variation of 2 children with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 8 (DEE8).Methods:Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed to determine the potential variants in the probands. Candidate variants identified by WES were validated by Sanger sequencing and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. X chromosome inactivation (XCI) detection was performed in the proband 1′s mother and proband 2 to detect the allelic expression difference of ARHGEF9. Results:Both of the cases showed global developmental delay. Proband 1 presented with delayed motor and speech development, intellectual disability, and seizures. Electroencephalography of proband 1 showed slow background activity, with spikes, spike and waves in bilateral frontal and midline regions during sleep. While proband 2 showed delay in acquisition of language, motor skills, and cognition, but no seizures. It was identified that proband 1 carried a novel maternally derived heterozygous splicing variant (c.925-2A>T) in ARHGEF9 by WES, which was verified in Sanger sequencing. The XCI in proband 1′s mother was observed, and the expression ratio of mutant ARHGEF9 and wild-type was 0∶100%. A novel exon 3-10 heterozygous deletion of ARHGEF9 was identified in proband 2, and this variant was not found in his unaffected parents. Conclusions:DEE8 disorders are relatively rare. Most of the patients have varying degrees of neurodevelopmental phenotype, but epilepsy is not a specific clinical manifestation. ARHGEF9 gene deletion and splicing variation may be the genetic cause of the 2 probands, and above findings have enriched the spectrum of variation and phenotype of DEE8.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological chatacteristics and genotypes of parechovirus A (PeV-A) from children with acute diarrhea in Beijing in 2021. Methods Fecal samples were randomly collected from outpatient children under 60 months with acute diarrhea in a sentinel hospital in Beijing from January to December of 2021. RNA was extracted and detected for PeV-A by real-time RT-PCR. Nested RT-PCR was performed to amplify the VP3/VP1 conjunction region. PeV-A genotypes were determined based on sequencing and NCBI BLAST. Group A rotavirus, norovirus, enteric adenovirus, astrovirus and sapovirus were also detected for co-infection analysis. Phylogenetic and statistical analyses were performed using bioinformatics and statistical software. Results Of the 198 stool samples, 11 were positive for PeV-A, with a detection rate of 5.56% (11/198). Among them, 2 cases were co-infected with enteric adenovirus. 81.82% (9/11) of PeV-A infected cases were under 24 months. The highest detection rate was observed in fall, which was 12.50% (7/56). 90.91%（10/11）of PeV-A infection occurred in summer and fall. Among the 11 PeV-A isolates, 9 were sequenced successfully, of which 7 belonged to PeV-A1B genotype and 2 belonged to PeV-A3 genotype. Conclusion PeV-A1B and PeV-A3 are identified in children with acute gastroenteritis in Beijing in 2021. Infants and young children under 2 years old are the high-risk population for PeV-A infection. Most infections occur in summer and fall.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of metagenomic next generation sequencing (mNGS) in the etiological diagnosis of patients with spinal infection, so as to provide reference for timely diagnosis and treatment.Methods:A total of 40 patients with suspected spinal infection admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases in Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from January 2020 to July 2022 were included. The results of tissue culture, histopathological examination and tissue mNGS detection were analyzed retrospectively. According to the clinical diagnose, the patients were divided into the spinal infection group (28 cases) and the non-spinal infection group (12 cases). The positive rate, sensitivity and specificity of mNGS and tissue culture in the pathogen detection of patients with spinal infection were compared. McNemar test was used for statistical analysis.Results:There were 23 males and 17 females in 40 patients. The positive rate of mNGS was higher than that of tissue culture (75.0%(30/40) vs 12.5%(5/40)), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=0.08, P<0.001). Based on clinical diagnostic criteria, the sensitivity of mNGS in the diagnosis of spinal infection was higher than that of tissue culture (82.1% vs 17.9%), with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=0.02, P<0.001), while the specificity compared to the tissue culture (33.3% vs 100.0%), the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Conclusions:mNGS has a high pathogen detection rate and sensitivity in the etiological diagnosis of patients with spinal infection, which could provide clinical guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with spinal infection.