Objective To screen and verify the genes that play key role in the occurrence and development of esophageal cancer by u-sing bioinformatics and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR)methods to find new markers for diagnosis of esophageal cancer(ESCA).Methods Using the TCGA database and Wayne plot analysis,the cross genes between the differentially expressed genes of ESCA and the genes which have the most significant impacts on disease-free survival(DFS)rate in esophageal cancer patients were preliminarily identified.Following conducting protein-protein interaction(PPI)network analysis on the overlapping genes,GO and KEGG functional analysis was performed to screen the potential key genes as the diagnostic markers of esophageal cancer.qRT-PCR was used to quantitatively analyze the expression of mRNA of the key gene in peripheral blood.Statistical analysis was con-ducted based on the clinico-pathological characteristics of the patients to determine its potential value as a new diagnostic marker for e-sophageal cancer.Results After overlapping of differentially expressed genes of ESCA and disease-free survival genes in the TCGA database,39 upregulated genes and 20 downregulated genes were found to be differentially expressed,all of which affected disease-free survival rate.After conducting PPI network analysis,15 upregulated genes with core interactions were identified,and the downregulat-ed genes did not form any interaction network.Further enrichment analysis of these 15 core interacting genes through GO and KEGG,revealed that fibronectin 1(FN1)may be a potential biomarker for ESCA diagnosis.The qRT-PCR results showed that compared with the healthy control group,the mRNA expression level of FN1 in the peripheral blood of esophageal cancer patients was significantly ele-vated.After analyzing the clinical characteristics of patients,it was found that the patients with poor differentiation and high clinico-pathological staging had significantly increased peripheral blood FN1 mRNA levels.The model with FN1 mRNA expression levels can distinguish esophageal cancer patients from healthy individuals.Conclusion FN1 mRNA may be a potential non-invasive diagnostic biomarker for esophageal cancer.

Objective To monitor the susceptibility of clinical isolates to antimicrobial agents in tertiary hospitals in major regions of China in 2022.Methods Clinical isolates from 58 hospitals in China were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using a unified protocol based on disc diffusion method or automated testing systems.Results were interpreted using the 2022 Clinical &Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)breakpoints.Results A total of 318 013 clinical isolates were collected from January 1,2022 to December 31,2022,of which 29.5％were gram-positive and 70.5％were gram-negative.The prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains in Staphylococcus aureus,Staphylococcus epidermidis and other coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species(excluding Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Staphylococcus schleiferi)was 28.3％,76.7％and 77.9％,respectively.Overall,94.0％of MRSA strains were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 90.8％of MRSE strains were susceptible to rifampicin.No vancomycin-resistant strains were found.Enterococcus faecalis showed significantly lower resistance rates to most antimicrobial agents tested than Enterococcus faecium.A few vancomycin-resistant strains were identified in both E.faecalis and E.faecium.The prevalence of penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae was 94.2％in the isolates from children and 95.7％in the isolates from adults.The resistance rate to carbapenems was lower than 13.1％in most Enterobacterales species except for Klebsiella,21.7％-23.1％of which were resistant to carbapenems.Most Enterobacterales isolates were highly susceptible to tigecycline,colistin and polymyxin B,with resistance rates ranging from 0.1％to 13.3％.The prevalence of meropenem-resistant strains decreased from 23.5％in 2019 to 18.0％in 2022 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and decreased from 79.0％in 2019 to 72.5％in 2022 in Acinetobacter baumannii.Conclusions The resistance of clinical isolates to the commonly used antimicrobial agents is still increasing in tertiary hospitals.However,the prevalence of important carbapenem-resistant organisms such as carbapenem-resistant K.pneumoniae,P.aeruginosa,and A.baumannii showed a downward trend in recent years.This finding suggests that the strategy of combining antimicrobial resistance surveillance with multidisciplinary concerted action works well in curbing the spread of resistant bacteria.

Objective To investigate the changing distribution and antibiotic resistance profiles of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus in hospitals across China from 2015 to 2021.Methods Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted for the clinical isolates of Staphylococcus according to the unified protocol of CHINET(China Antimicrobial Surveillance Network)using disk diffusion method and commercial automated systems.The CHINET antimicrobial resistance surveillance data from 2015 to 2021 were interpreted according to the 2021 CLSI breakpoints and analyzed using WHONET 5.6.Results During the period from 2015 to 2021,a total of 204,771 nonduplicate strains of Staphylococcus were isolated,including 136,731(66.8％)strains of Staphylococcus aureus and 68,040(33.2％)strains of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus(CNS).The proportions of S.aureus isolates and CNS isolates did not show significant change.S.aureus strains were mainly isolated from respiratory specimens(38.9±5.1)％,wound,pus and secretions(33.6±4.2)％,and blood(11.9±1.5)％.The CNS strains were predominantly isolated from blood(73.6±4.2)％,cerebrospinal fluid(12.1±2.5)％,and pleural effusion and ascites(8.4±2.1)％.S.aureus strains were mainly isolated from the patients in ICU(17.0±7.3)％,outpatient and emergency(11.6±1.7)％,and department of surgery(11.2±0.9)％,whereas CNS strains were primarily isolated from the patients in ICU(32.2±9.7)％,outpatient and emergency(12.8±4.7)％,and department of internal medicine(11.2±1.9)％.The prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains was 32.9％in S.aureus(MRSA)and 74.1％in CNS(MRCNS).Over the 7-year period,the prevalence of MRSA decreased from 42.1％to 29.2％,and the prevalence of MRCNS decreased from 82.1％to 68.2％.MRSA showed higher resistance rates to all the antimicrobial agents tested except trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole than methicillin-susceptible S.aureus(MSSA).Over the 7-year period,MRSA strains showed decreasing resistance rates to gentamicin,rifampicin,and levofloxacin,MRCNS showed decreasing resistance rates to gentamicin,erythromycin,rifampicin,and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole,but increasing resistance rate to levofloxacin.No vancomycin-resistant strains were detected.The prevalence of linezolid-resistant MRCNS increased from 0.2％to 2.3％over the 7-year period.Conclusions Staphylococcus remains the major pathogen among gram-positive bacteria.MRSA and MRCNS were still the principal antibiotic-resistant gram-positive bacteria.No S.aureus isolates were found resistant to vancomycin or linezolid,but linezolid-resistant strains have been detected in MRCNS isolates,which is an issue of concern.

Brain functional network changes over time along with the process of brain development, disease, and aging. However, most of the available measurements for evaluation of the difference (or similarity) between the individual brain functional networks are for charactering static networks, which do not work with the dynamic characteristics of the brain networks that typically involve a long-span and large-scale evolution over the time. The current study proposes an index for measuring the similarity of dynamic brain networks, named as dynamic network similarity (DNS). It measures the similarity by combining the "evolutional" and "structural" properties of the dynamic network. Four sets of simulated dynamic networks with different evolutional and structural properties (varying amplitude of changes, trend of changes, distribution of connectivity strength, range of connectivity strength) were generated to validate the performance of DNS. In addition, real world imaging datasets, acquired from 13 stroke patients who were treated by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), were used to further validate the proposed method and compared with the traditional similarity measurements that were developed for static network similarity. The results showed that DNS was significantly correlated with the varying amplitude of changes, trend of changes, distribution of connectivity strength and range of connectivity strength of the dynamic networks. DNS was able to appropriately measure the significant similarity of the dynamics of network changes over the time for the patients before and after the tDCS treatments. However, the traditional methods failed, which showed significantly differences between the data before and after the tDCS treatments. The experiment results demonstrate that DNS may robustly measure the similarity of evolutional and structural properties of dynamic networks. The new method appears to be superior to the traditional methods in that the new one is capable of assessing the temporal similarity of dynamic functional imaging data.
Aging/physiology* ; Brain/physiology* ; Brain Mapping ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Nerve Net/physiology* ; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation/methods*

Objective:To investigate the relationships of rs4658971 polymorphism of disrupted-in-schizophrinia-1 ( DISC1) gene with schizophrenia in children and adolescents and with the brain structure of such patients. Methods:(1) A total of 577 children and adolescents with schizophrenia were recruited from the Inpatient Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from October 2010 to December 2018, and 516 healthy children were selected as the control group.The rs4658971 polymorphism of DISC1 gene was detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The differences of DISC1 genotype and allele frequencies between schizophrenia patients and healthy children were compared by Chi-square test.(2)One hundred and eighteen patients with the first-episode schizophrenia whose illness duration was no more than 12 months and 101 healthy children and adolescents were detected by 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The craniocerebral structures of patients with different DISC1 genotypes were analyzed by covariance with age as the covariant. Results:(1) The rs4658971 genotype frequencies(TT 6.6% vs.5.2%, TC 37.4% vs.38.4%, CC 56.0% vs.56.4%, χ2=0.91, P=0.63) and allele frequencies(C 74.70% vs.75.58%, T 25.30% vs.24.42%, χ2=0.23, P=0.63) of DISC1 gene in children and adolescents with schizophrenia were not significantly different from those in the healthy children.(2) Compared with the control group, the transverse diameter of the third ventricle was significantly enlarged in children and adolescent with schizophrenia [(4.68±1.41) mm vs.(4.06±1.36) mm, F=8.534, P=0.004], while the distance between the anterior feet of the lateral ventricle, the width of the caudate nucleus head and the thickness of the hippocampus were significantly reduced [(30.69±2.51) mm vs.(32.02±2.41) mm, (8.17±1.01) mm vs.(9.22±1.14) mm, (8.93±0.97) mm vs.(9.93±1.14) mm], and the differences were statistically significant( F=15.435, 40.201, 44.650, all P<0.001). The covariance analysis (with age as the covariant) showed that there was significant difference in the width of the caudate nucleus head between patients with CC genotype and those with CT+ TT genotype[(8.73±0.85) mm vs.(7.39±0.61) mm, F=41.376, P<0.001]. Conclusions:There are multiple brain structural changes in children and adolescents with first-episode schizophrenia.T allele carriers of DISC1 gene rs4658971 locus may be related to the reduced width of the caudate nucleus head in patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Brain ; abnormalities ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Nerve Net ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Schizophrenia ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Schizophrenic Psychology

Objective To investigate the relationship between brain white matter volume (WMV) and cognitive function (CF) in childhood and adolescence-onset schizophrenia (CAOS).Methods Forty childhood and adolescence-onset first-episode schizophrenia patients (case group) and thirty-nine healthy volunteers (control group) were selected.All subjects underwent a 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) scans for data acquisition.The Chinese version of MATRICS consensus cognitive battery(MCCB) was used to assess the cognitive function.The psychiatric symptoms of schizophrenia were assessed with the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS).And t test was applied to compare whether there were differences in WMV,CF between the two groups.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze whether the differences were related with cognitive function and mental symptoms.Results Compared with healthy controls,the case group exhibited WMV deficits in the region of left frontal lobe (LFL) (MNI:x =-27,y =12,z =21),right side limbic lobe (RSLL) (MNI:x =18,y =-9,z =39) and left cingulate gyrus (LCG) (MNI:x =-21,y =-18,z=45) (P＜0.05).The WMV of LFL was negatively related with the total score (r=-0.344,P＜0.05) and the WMV of LCG was negatively related with the positive symptoms score (r=-0.326,P＜0.05) and total score (r=-0.348,P＜0.05) of the PANSS.Besides,compared with the controls,the patients showed significant increase in the scores of Trail Making Test (t =3.56,P＜ 0.01),while significant decrease in the scores of the HVLT-R and BVMT-R(t=-5.67,-8.66,P＜0.05).The WMV of RSLL was positively correlated with verbal fluency test in the case group (r=0.40,P＜0.05).Conclusion CAOS patients exist multiple reduced WMV and cognitive impairment,suggesting the importance of the WMV abnormalities in the pathophysiological mechanism of cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND: Both aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) rs671 polymorphism and lifestyle behaviors are involved in coronary artery disease (CAD), while the interaction between them is currently unknown. METHODS: A nested case-control study was conducted in 161 patients with CAD and 495 controls in dyslipidemia population in Yinzhou District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China, in August 2013. Anthropometric data and blood samples were collected, demographic characteristics and lifestyle behaviors information were obtained by a face-to-face interview, dietary intake was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire, and genomic DNA was genotyped. RESULTS: Carriers with increasing number of A alleles had an elevated CAD risk compared with G allele carriers (adjusted OR = 1.483, 95% CI = 1.114-1.974). Carriers of rs671 A/G and A/A genotypes had a higher CAD risk than carriers of G/G genotype (adjusted OR = 1.492, 95% CI = 1.036-2.148). Similarly, individuals with rs671 A/A genotype had a higher CAD risk than individuals with A/G and G/G genotypes (adjusted OR = 2.161, 95% CI = 1.139-4.101). We found a borderline additive interaction between regular fried food intake and A/A and A/G genotypes, and a significantly additive interaction between sedentary/light physical activity and A/A and A/G genotypes. CONCLUSIONS Individuals with A/A or A/G genotypes of rs671 have a higher CAD risk, if they lack physical activity and take fried food regularly, than individuals with G/G genotypes. These findings can help to provide a guide to targeted heart health management.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Alleles ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Coronary Artery Disease ; blood ; genetics ; Dyslipidemias ; blood ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Association Studies ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Life Style ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk Factors

Objective: To investigate the delayed effect of liver injury and metabolism of dimethylformamide (DMF) after high exposures in rats. Methods: A total of 12 rats were randomly divided into four groups and 3 rats were in each group. Rats in 1d DMF+2 d delayed group were dosed for 1 day and rested for 2 days, and sacrificed at the 4th day. Rats in 3 d DMF group were dosed for 3 days and sacrificed at the 4th day. Rats in 3 d DMF+3 d delayed group were dosed for 3 days and rested for 3 days, and sacrificed at the 7th day. Rats in control group were administrated with water for 3 days, sacrificed at the 7th day. The administrated dose was 1 000 mg/kg (body weight·d) DMF by oral. The daily observation and body weight were recorded during the study period. After the experiment, the blood biochemistry, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) , aspartate aminotransferase (AST) , lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) , alkaline phosphatase (ALP) , total bilirubin (TBIL) etc. were detected. Liver weight, kidney weight, liver/body ratio, kidney/body ratio and pathologic examination of liver and kidney were investigated. The concentrations of hemoglobin-adduct (NMHb) were detected. Results: During the period of 1~3 d, body weight growth rate of rats in each treated group had no significant difference with control rats. In the 4~6 th day of the period, rats in group 3 became thinner than before, and the body weight was negative growth (-4.22±3.29 g/d) and significant lower than that of control rats (10.33±3.21 g/d, F=30.07, P<0.05) . AST and LDH levels of 3 d DMF group were significant higher than control group (P<0.05) . Liver/body ratio in 3 d DMF+3 d delayed group were significant higher than control group (P<0.05) . The gross inspection showed 1 rat and 3 rats were observed liver injury in 3 d DMF group and 3 d DMF+3 d delayed group, respectively. Histopathological lesions of 1d DMF+2 d delayed group, 3 d DMF group and 3 d DMF+3 d delayed group were mainly spotty necrosis, focal necrosis and large necrosis of liver cells, respectively. Only NMHb level of control group was undetectable. NMHb levels in 3 d DMF+3 d delayed group were significantly higher than 3 d DMF group (F=135.46, P<0.05) . Conclusion The DMF-induced liver injury and DMF metabolism may be delayed after high DMF exposures in rats.

Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC) in mice exposed to paraquat (PQ) , and to explore the molecular mechanism. Methods: Four experimental groups were designed. Control group: 10 BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline) . PQ group: 10 BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally injected with PQ (100 mg/kg) . PQ+OPC group: 10 BALB/c mice were administered with OPC (100 mg/kg) for 1 h before PQ (100 mg/kg) expo-sure. OPC group: 10 BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally injected with OPC (100 mg/kg) . The peripheral blood samples or lung tissue samples were collected at the designed time points for measuring the levels of oxi-dative stress indicators, the related protein levels of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway and nuclear fac-tor erythroid related factor-2 (Nrf2) pathway. Results: Compared with the control group, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) , the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the PQ group were significantly induced, and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the PQ group was decreased in the peripheral blood. As com-pared with the PQ group, the level of ROS and the content of MDA in the PQ+OPC group were significantly re-duced, the activity SOD in the PQ+OPC group was increased in the peripheral blood; the level of ROS and the content of MDA were also reduced in lung tissues in the PQ+OPC group. Moreover, compared with the con-trol group, the phosphorylation of IκBα and the expression of NF-κB p65 were increased in lung tissues in the PQ group. The phosphorylation of IκBα and the expression of NF-κB p65 were decreased in lung tissues in the PQ+OPC group as compared with the PQ group. In addition, compared with the control group, the expressions of HO-1 and Nrf2 were increased in lung tissues in OPC group, and these were decreased in lung tissues in PQ groups. Furthermore, the expressions of HO-1 and Nrf2 were also increased in lung tissues in PQ+OPC as com-pared with the PQ group. Conclusion OPC could alleviate PQ-induced systemic toxicity in mice by regulating oxidative stress via NF-κB and Nrf2 pathway.