Objective To study the properties and antimicrobial activity of the novel self-assembled antimicrobial peptide(AMP)CR-16,and to provide experimental evidence for the treatment of bacterial infections.Methods CR-16 was designed and synthesized based on the structure of antimicrobial peptides Buforin Ⅱ and LfcinB.Dynamic light scattering(DLS),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),and X-ray diffraction(XRD)were used to characterize CR-16.Based on the results of critical micelle concentration(CMC),the self-assembled properties of CR-16 were investigated using atomic force microscopy(AFM)and circular dichroism(CD).The minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)was used to study the inhibitory effect of CR-16 while transmission electron microscopy(TEM)was adopted to observe the interactions between CR-16 and the outer membrane of bacteria.Results AMP CR-16 was prepared as self-assemblies,which were regularly spherical in shape and stable in activity.CR-16 could inhibit both the growth of Escherichia coli and,more importantly,the growth of NDM-1-producing carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli,promising good prospects in treating infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.Conclusion CR-16 can be self-assembled and deliver antibacterial effects against Escherichia coli.

Objective To enhance the photostability of colchicine(COL)for sustained-release COL pellets.Methods The degradation was investigated by studying the photochemical degradation kinetics of COL.The impact of such physical properties of the photostabilizers as the type,color,dosage,and position on the photostability of COL in sustained-release pellets was also evaluated.Results The contents of photochemical degradation products did not increase after 10 days of light exposure to sustained-release COL pellets with red iron oxide of 4％(w/w)as the protective layer.Conclusion The findings of this study indicate that use of iron oxide as a photostabilizer in sustained-release COL pellets can significantly reduce the photochemical degradation of COL in the pellets.

AIM:To explore the impact of histidine triad nucleotide-binding protein 2(HINT2)on atheroscle-rosis(AS),and to elucidate its underlying mechanisms.METHODS:Peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)were isolated from patients with chest pain and induced to differentiate into macrophages for assessing HINT2 expression.In vitro,RAW264.7 mouse macrophages were cultured to evaluate inflammatory cytokine levels and cell death in superna-tants.An apolipoprotein E gene knockout(apoE-/-)mouse model of AS was developed to analyze plaque formation,lipid metabolism and macrophage foaminess in the aortic root.Pyroptosis-related protein expression in cultured RAW264.7 cells and the aorta of apoE-/-mice was determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot.RESULTS:Significantly reduced HINT2 expression was observed in PBMCs from patients with acute coronary syndrome,which was negatively correlated with pro-inflammatory and positively correlated with anti-inflammatory serum factors,suggesting HINT2's potential role in mitigating AS-related inflammation.In vitro experiments demonstrated that HINT2 overexpression inhibited lipid accumu-lation and foam cell formation in macrophages induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein(ox-LDL).It also reduced se-cretion of inflammatory cytokines,including interleukin-6(IL-6),IL-1β,IL-18 and tumor necrosis factor-α,and de-creased cell death and pyroptosis-related protein expression.In vivo experiments in apoE-/-mice confirmed that HINT2 overexpression lessened plaque burden in the aortic root,reduced macrophage foaminess,and inhibited the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins such as nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),caspase-1,gasdermin D(GSDMD),IL-1β and IL-18.CONCLUSION:HINT2 potentially inhibits ox-LDL-induced macrophage pyroptosis,attenuates inflammatory responses in AS,and may slow the progression of this disease.

Objective:To investigate the overlapping prevalence and risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) among rural adults in Shaanxi Province.Methods:From February 1 to October 31 in 2019, 12 villages in Shaanxi Province were randomly selected for household questionnaire survey through multistage stratified cluster sampling. A total of 2 423 subjects were enrolled, including 1 037 males and 1 386 females, with age of (45.3±16.9) years old. GERD was diagnosed according to the Montreal criteria, FD and IBS were diagnosed according to the Rome Ⅳ criteria. The overlapping prevalence of the three diseases were calculated. The risk factors for the overlapping of GERD, FD and IBS were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was used for statistical analysis.Results:Among the 2 423 subjects, 624 cases had GERD (302 cases), FD (377 cases) or IBS (167 cases), of which 30.77% (192/624) patients had overlap of ≥two diseases. The overlap rates of GERD and FD, GERD and IBS, FD and IBS, GERD, FD and IBS were 2.56% (62/2 423), 1.61% (39/2 423), 2.52% (61/2 423) and 1.24% (30/2 423), respectively. The results of Multivariate analysis showed that female and migraine without aura were positively correlated with the overlap of GERD and FD, FD and IBS, and GERD and IBS (odds ratio ( OR)=3.08, 2.68, 3.66, 7.37, 5.91 and 4.46, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.35 to 7.01, 1.35 to 5.30, 1.52 to 8.83, 3.97 to 13.69, 1.78 to 19.60 and 2.01 to 9.92; all P<0.05). Heavy drinking (alcohol intake≥50 g/d (male) or≥30 g/d (female)) was positively correlated with the overlap of FD and IBS, GERD and IBS, and GERD, FD and IBS ( OR=3.69, 4.20 and 4.91, 95% CI 1.19 to 11.48, 1.01 to 17.50 and 1.23 to 19.52; all P<0.05). Heavy smoking (smoking≥20 cigarettes per day) was positively correlated with the overlap of GERD and FD, FD and IBS, GERD and IBS, and GERD, FD and IBS ( OR=3.44, 6.25, 8.27 and 7.04, 95% CI 1.07 to 11.01, 1.60 to 24.44, 1.80 to 38.07 and 1.76 to 28.12; all P<0.05). The educational level of junior or senior high school and age≥60 years old were negatively correlated with the overlap of GERD and FD, FD and IBS, GERD and IBS, and GERD, FD and IBS ( OR=0.47, 0.29, 0.20, 0.05, 0.23, 0.10, 0.37 and 0.16, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.93, 0.09 to 0.95, 0.09 to 0.42, 0.01 to 0.19, 0.09 to 0.60, 0.02 to 0.65, 0.15 to 0.87 and 0.03 to 0.81; all P<0.05). Conclusions:The overlap of GERD, FD and IBS is common and affected by many factors. Female, age≥60 years old, heavy smoking, heavy drinking, low education level and history of migraine without aura are associated with multiple overlaps of GERD, FD and IBS.

The administration of nanoparticles (NPs) first faces the challenges of evading renal filtration and clearance of reticuloendothelial system (RES). After that, NPs infiltrate through the expanded endothelial space and penetrated the dense stroma of tumor microenvironment to tumor cells. As long as possible to prolong the time of NPs remaining in tumor tissue, NPs release active agent and induce pharmacological action. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the physical and chemical properties of NPs and the influence of various biological factors in tumor microenvironment, and discusses how to improve the final efficacy through adjusting the characteristics and structure of NPs. Perspectives and future directions are also provided.

Background: Previous studies showed controversial findings for correlation of periodontal disease and cognitive deficits. Methods: We searched systematically for studies pertaining to correlation of periodontal disease and cognitive deficits published between August 1980 and December 2019 on Web of Science and PubMed. We combined the data extracted from the included studies to determine the correlation between periodontal disease and cognitive deficits. Results: Our analysis indicated a higher risk of cognitive deficits in those with moderate to severe periodontal disease when compared to those with mild or no periodontal disease (odds ratio (OR) = 1.38 (95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.28-1.48). Subgroup analysis showed significant correlations in only case-control and cohort studies (case-control studies: OR = 1.49 (95% CI: 1.24-1.80); cohort studies: relative risk (RR) = 1.33 (95% CI: 1.22-1.45)). Subgroup analysis also indicated that moderate to severe periodontal disease was correlated to increased dementia and Alzheimer disease risks, whereas no significant correlation was found between periodontal disease and mild cognitive impairment (dementia: OR/RRs = 1.32 (95% CI: 1.22-1.44); Alzheimer disease: OR/RRs = 1.51 (95% CI: 1.20-1.90); Mild cognitive impairment: OR/RRs = 1.31 (95% CI: 0.89-1.94)). Furthermore, subgroup analysis showed significant correlations between cognitive deficits and tooth loss, periodontitis, whereas no significant correlation was found between deep periodontal pockets and cognitive deficits (tooth loss: OR/RRs = 1.57 (95% CI: 1.39- 1.77); periodontitis: OR/RRs = 1.43 (95% CI: 1.03-2.00); deep periodontal pockets: OR/RRs = 1.24 (95% CI: 0.77-2.00)). Conclusions: This review suggests a significant correlation between periodontal disease and cognitive deficits. Interventional studies for periodontal disease may be beneficial for patients with cognitive deficits

Objective To explore the correlation between depressive symptoms and frailty,in order to provide evidence for prevention and relief of depressive symptoms in elderly inpatients.Methods A cross-sectional survey and comprehensive geriatric assessment(CGA)were conducted with 248 eligible elderly inpatients from December 2015 to February 2017 in our hospital.Depressive symptoms were assessed by the 5-Item Geriatric Depression Scale(GDS-5),and frailty was identified by the frailty phenotype method.Results In all respondents,50 (20.2 ％)patients showed depressive symptoms,93(37.5 ％)patients had pre-frailty and 39 (15.7 ％)patients had frailty.Correlation analysis showed that frailty degree,low grip strength,slow gait speed,low physical activity,fatigue,and weakness were all positively correlated with depressive symptoms in elderly inpatients (r =0.441,0.315,0.426,0.316,0.395 and 0.151,respectively,P ＜ 0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that patients who had more severe frailty faced a much higher risk of developing depressive symptoms (OR=2.608,P＜0.05).Of the 5 indicators of frailty,slow gait speed and frailty also increased the risk of having depressive symptoms (OR =2.801 and 3.484,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Frailty degree,gait speed and fatigue are associated with increased risk of depression in the elderly.Depressive symptoms can be reduced in elderly inpatients with prevention and intervention of pre-frailty and frailty.

Objective:To test the validity and reliability of the Chinese Version Scale of Social Skill for Nursing(C-SSSN).Methods:The Japanese version SSSN was translated into Chinese according to Beaton's Translation Model.Totally 547 clinical nurses who met the criterion in a tertiary hospital in Yinchuan were selected for analyzing the items and investigating content validity,structure validity and internal consistency reliability.After 2 weeks,30 nurses were randomly selected for reassessment.Results:The content validity index (S-CVI) of C-SSSN was 0.87,the items content validities (I-CVI) varied from 0.86-1.00.Exploratory factor analysis was employed for extracting the 7 common factors and conformed 6 dimensions.The loads of items in the common factors were 0.43-0.88 correspondingly.The cumulative contribution rate was 60.38％.The Cronbach alpha coefficient of the scale was 0.89,the alpha coefficients of the 6 dimensions arranged 0.76-0.93.The retest reliabilities (r) were 0.83 for the total scale and 0.77-0.83 for the six dimensions.Conclusion:The Chinese Version Scale of Social Skill for Nursing has been proved to be reliable and valid which could be used to evaluate clinical nurses' social skill.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of different anesthetics and blood sampling methods on blood routine test results in experimental animals. METHODS: A total of 42 specific pathogen free( SPF) male Sprague Dawley( SD) rats and 59 SPF male Kunming( KM) mice were randomly divided into 4 groups( control group,ether group,chloral hydrate group and pentobarbital sodium group). Ether group animals were treated with ether inhalation anesthesia; animals in chloral hydrate group and pentobarbital sodium group were injected intraperitoneally with chloral hydrate or pentobarbital sodium. The control group received no anesthesia treatment. Blood samples were collected by different ways: orbital venous plexus,abdominal aorta or eyeball enucleation. White blood cell( WBC) count,red blood cell( RBC) count,platelet(PLT) count,hemoglobin(Hb) level and hematocrit(HCT) in blood samples were analyzed. RESULTS: The RBC count,Hb level and HCT of SD rats in pentobarbital sodium group were significantly lower than those in control group( P <0. 05). The HCT of SD rats in ether group was lower than that in control group( P < 0. 05). The WBC count of orbital venous plexus of KM mice was lower than that taken by eyeball enucleation in control group( P < 0. 05),but the WBC count of orbital venous plexus was higher than that taken by eyeball enucleation in chloral hydrate group( P < 0. 05). The RBC count,Hb level,HCT of KM mice in pentobarbital sodium group were significantly lower than those in control group(P < 0. 05). CONCLUSION: The anesthetic can affect the blood routine test results of experimental animals. Different blood sampling methods have effects on blood routine test results of KM mice.

Objective To establish assay methods for the determination of dissolution,content and related substances of vita-min K1 self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system(VK1-SNEDDS),and investigate the physico-chemical properties of the preparation. Methods The UV method was established to determine the dissolution of VK1-SNEDDS. The content and related substances were de-termined by HPLC. The appearance,self-emulsification time,micro-morphology,droplet size and zeta potential were also investigat-ed. Results The linearity range of established UV and HPLC methods was 0.85-20.4 and 2.16-216μg/ml,respectively,and all the recovery,precision,specificity and sensitivity met requirements. VK1-SNEDDS could disperse quickly after dilution. The transmission electron microscope(TEM)image of the optimized liquid SNEDDS showed that most of the emulsion droplets were of uniform size with no signs of coalescence. Droplet size of optimal formulation was revealed as 47.74 nm with polydispersibility index(PDI)of 0.248,and zeta potential was found to be-20.53 mV. Conclusion VK1-SNEDDS could form homogeneous and stable nanoemulsion when dilut-ed with aqueous phase and increase the dissolution of lipophilic drug. The methods are reliable,accurate and suitable for quality con-trol of VK1-SNEDDS.