Metabolites produced as intermediaries or end-products of microbial metabolism provide crucial signals for health and diseases, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). These metabolites include products of the bacterial metabolism of dietary substrates, modification of host molecules (such as bile acids [BAs], trimethylamine-N-oxide, and short-chain fatty acids), or products directly derived from bacteria. Recent studies have provided new insights into the association between MASLD and the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Furthermore, alterations in microbiota composition and metabolite profiles, notably altered BAs, have been described in studies investigating the association between MASLD and the risk of CKD. This narrative review discusses alterations of specific classes of metabolites, BAs, fructose, vitamin D, and microbiota composition that may be implicated in the link between MASLD and CKD.

Metabolites produced as intermediaries or end-products of microbial metabolism provide crucial signals for health and diseases, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). These metabolites include products of the bacterial metabolism of dietary substrates, modification of host molecules (such as bile acids [BAs], trimethylamine-N-oxide, and short-chain fatty acids), or products directly derived from bacteria. Recent studies have provided new insights into the association between MASLD and the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Furthermore, alterations in microbiota composition and metabolite profiles, notably altered BAs, have been described in studies investigating the association between MASLD and the risk of CKD. This narrative review discusses alterations of specific classes of metabolites, BAs, fructose, vitamin D, and microbiota composition that may be implicated in the link between MASLD and CKD.

Metabolites produced as intermediaries or end-products of microbial metabolism provide crucial signals for health and diseases, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). These metabolites include products of the bacterial metabolism of dietary substrates, modification of host molecules (such as bile acids [BAs], trimethylamine-N-oxide, and short-chain fatty acids), or products directly derived from bacteria. Recent studies have provided new insights into the association between MASLD and the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Furthermore, alterations in microbiota composition and metabolite profiles, notably altered BAs, have been described in studies investigating the association between MASLD and the risk of CKD. This narrative review discusses alterations of specific classes of metabolites, BAs, fructose, vitamin D, and microbiota composition that may be implicated in the link between MASLD and CKD.

Aim To investigate the effect of ellagic acid (EA) on cognitive function in APP/PS 1 double- transgenic mice, and to explore the regulatory mechanism of ellagic acid on the level of oxidative stress in the hippocampus of double-transgenic mice based on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/glycogen synthase kinase-3 (PI3K/AKT/GSK-3 β) signaling pathway. Methods Thirty-two SPF-grade 6-month-old APP/PS 1 double transgenic mice were randomly divided into four groups, namely, APP/PS 1 group, APP/PS1 + EA group, APP/PS1 + LY294002 group, APP/PS 1 + EA + LY294002 group, with eight mice in each group, and eight SPF-grade C57BL/6J wild type mice ( Wild type) were selected as the blank control group. The APP/PS 1 + EA group was given 50 mg · kg

Objective·To evaluate the changes in cognitive function in overweight and obese adolescents,and explore the association between cognitive function and fibroblast growth factor 21(FGF21).Methods·A total of 175 adolescents from a senior high school in Shanghai were divided into normal weight group(n=50),overweight group(n=50)and obese group(n=75)based on their body mass index(BMI).General information,anthropometric data and laboratory testing indicators of the adolescents were collected and compared.The cognitive function of the three groups of adolescents was assessed by using the accuracy(ACC)and reaction time of Flanker task and n-back task.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the serum FGF21 level of the three groups of adolescents.Partial correlation analysis and multiple linear regression model were used to evaluate the correlation between cognitive task performance and anthropometric data and laboratory testing indicators.Results·Compared with the normal weight group,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,and the levels of fasting plasma glucose,glycosylated hemoglobin and triacylglycerol in the obese group were higher(all P<0.05).Under congruent or incongruent stimulus conditions in the Flanker task,there was no significant difference in ACC between any two groups;compared with the normal weight and overweight groups,the reaction time of the adolescents in the obese group was prolonged(all P<0.05).In the n-back task,there were no significant differences in ACC between any two groups,while the obese group had longer reaction time in the 1-back and 2-back tasks compared to the normal weight and overweight groups(all P<0.05).Compared with the normal weight group,serum FGF21 levels of the adolescents in the obese group were higher(P=0.000).Partial correlation analysis showed that the reaction time of the adolescents in Flanker and n-back tasks was correlated with their BMI,body fat mass,waist circumference,waist-to-hip ratio and FGF21 level(all P<0.05).Multiple linear regression analysis further confirmed that BMI was associated with prolonged reaction time in cognitive-related behavioral tasks in the adolescents(all P<0.05),and FGF21 level was associated with ACC in the 2-back task(P=0.000)and reaction time in the incongruent stimulus condition(P=0.048).Conclusion·Overweight and obese adolescents have cognitive impairments,and BMI and serum FGF21 levels are associated with changes in their cognitive function.

Objective To investigate the application value of single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)linkage analysis based on next-generation sequencing(NGS)technology in preimplantation genetic testing(PGT)of families with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease(ARPKD).Methods A family with ARPKD was selected,where the female member had a pregnancy ultrasound revealing polycystic kidney in the fetus.Genetic testing showed compound heterozygous mutations of the polycystic kidney/polycystic liver disease 1 gene(PKHD1),c.10444C>T(paternal)and c.4303del(maternal),with the c.4303del mutation being reported for the first time.Targeting the coding region of the PKHD1 gene,335 high-density tightly linked SNP sites were selected in the upstream and downstream 2M regions using multiplex polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and NGS.The couple′s SNP risk haplotypes carrying gene mutations were constructed.After in vitro fertilization,blastocyst culture was performed.Trophoblastic cells obtained from the biopsy were subjected to whole-genome amplification,and NGS was used for linkage analysis and low-depth chromosomal aneuploidy screening of the embryos.Sanger sequencing was used to verify the results of embryo linkage analysis.Results Among the 6 biopsied embryos,4 were mutation-free and euploid,1 exhibited heterozygous for the mutation and mosaic while another unstable sequencing data,making it impossible to judge.One of the mutation-free and developmentally healthy euploid embryos was implanted into the maternal uterus,resulting in the full-term delivery of a healthy baby.Conclusion Application of NGS-based SNP linkage analysis in PGT can effectively blocking the vertical transmission of ARPKD within families,while avoiding abortion issues caused by aneuploid embryos.This study is also the first PGT report target-ing the PKHD1 gene c.4303del mutation.

Objective To prepare a nano drug(PFOB@Lip-MMC)with liposome as the carrier,liquid perfluorooc-tyl bromide(PFOB)as core and mitomycin C(MMC)loading on the liposome shell and study its inhibitory effect on the proliferation of human pterygium fibroblasts(HPFs).Methods The thin film dispersion-hydration ultrasonic method was used to prepare PFOB@Lip-MMC and detect its physical and chemical properties.Cell Counting Kit-8,Cam-PI cell viability staining and flow cytometry were employed to detect the impact of different concentrations of PFOB@Lip-MMC on the via-bility of HPFs.DiI fluorescence labeled PFOB@Lip-MMC was used to observe the permeability of the nano drug to HPFs under a laser confocal microscope.After establishing HPF inflammatory cell models,they were divided into the control group(with sterile phosphate-buffered saline solution added),PFOB@Lip group(with PFOB@Lip added),MMC group(with MMC added),PFOB@Lip-MMC group(with PFOB@Lip-MMC added)and normal group(with fresh culture medi-um added)according to the experimental requirements.After co-incubation for 24 h,flow cytometer was used to detect the apoptosis rate of inflammatory cells,and the gene expression levels of interleukin(IL)-1β,prostaglandin E2(PGE2),tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in cells were analyzed by PCR.Results The average particle size and Zeta potential of PFOB@Lip-MMC were(103.45±2.17)nm and(27.34±1.03)mV,respec-tively,and its entrapped efficiency and drug loading rate were(72.85±3.28)％and(34.27±2.04)％,respectively.The sustained-release MMC of drug-loaded nanospheres reached(78.34±2.92)％in vitro in a 24-hour ocular surface environ-ment.The biological safety of PFOB@Lip-MMC significantly improved compared to MMC.In terms of the DiI fluorescence labeled PFOB@Lip-MMC,after co-incubation with inflammatory HPFs for 2 h,DiI fluorescence labeling was diffusely dis-tributed in the cytoplasm of inflammatory HPFs.The apoptosis rate of inflammatory HPFs in the PFOB@Lip-MMC group[(77.23±4.93)％]was significantly higher than that in the MMC group[(51.62±3.28)％].The PCR examination results showed that the gene transcription levels of IL-1 β,PGE2,TNF-α and VEGF in other groups were significantly reduced com-pared to the control group and PFOB@Lip group,with the most significant decrease in the PFOB@Lip-MMC group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion In this study,a novel nano drug(PFOB@LIP-MMC)that inhibited the proliferation of HPFs was successfully synthesized,and its cytotoxicity was significantly reduced compared to the original drugs.It has good bio-compatibility and anti-inflammatory effects,providing a new treatment approach for reducing the recurrence rate after pte-rygium surgery.

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 plasma levels of methylated DNA in the pregnant women with preeclampsia and its predictive value for the occurrence of preeclampsia.Methods A total of 82 pregnant women with preeclampsia admitted to the hospital from January to December 2022 were included as the obser-vation group,and another 82 healthy pregnant women were included as the control group.Total DNA was ex-tracted,and the relative expression levels of methylated single-intention homolog 2(SIM2),guanine nucleo-tide-binding protein(GNA12),and connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)genes in plasma were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR)after DNA bisulfite modification.The value of methyla-ted DNA in predicting preeclampsia was evaluated by correlation analysis and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The relative expression levels of methylated SIM2,GNA12 and CTGF in plasma in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05),and the relative expres-sion levels of methylated SIM2,GNA12 and CTGF in severe preeclampsia group was higher(P＜0.05).Corre-lation analysis showed that the relative expression levels of methylated SIM2,GNA12 and CTGF in plasma were significantly positively correlated with the occurrence of preeclampsia in pregnant women(P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis results showed that the relative expression levels of plasma methylation SIM2,GNA12,and CTGF,both individually and in combination,had good predictive efficacy in predicting preeclampsia in pregnant women,and the combined detection of the three had the highest predictive efficacy(area under the curve was 0.888,95％CI:0.827-0.949).Conclusion Compared with healthy pregnant women,the relative expression levels of methylated SIM2,GNA12 and CTGF in plasma are higher in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia,which are positively correlated with the occurrence of preeclampsia and the severity of the disease.The relative expression levels of methylated SIM2,GNA12 and CTGF are expected to be important predicting indicators for preeclampsia.

Objective To investigate the geographical distribution and seasonal fluctuations of visceral leishmaniasis vectors sandflies in Henan Province in 2023, so as to provide insights into the prevention and control of visceral leishmaniasis vectors. Methods A total of 23 counties (districts) were sampled from 18 cities of Henan Province from May to September, 2023 as sandfly surveillance sites, and sandflies were captured using human capture and light trapping methods. Following morphological identification, the changes in the sandfly density were calculated at different months and in different breeding habitats. Results A total of 406 light traps were set at sandfly surveillance sites in Henan Province from May to September, 2023, and a total of 3 137 female sandlies were captured, with an average density of 7.73 sandlies/(light·night). A total of 1 494 Phlebotomus chinensis sandflies were captured, including 1 222 female sandflies, with an average density of 3.01 sandflies/(light·night), and the highest density of P. chinensis was found in Gongyi City [17.00 sandflies/(light·night)]. A total of 5 544 sandflies were captured using the human capture method, including 230 P. chinensis, and the density of P. chinensis appeared a unimodal distribution, with a peak in early July [5.81 sandflies/(light·night)]. Among different breeding habitats, the highest P. chinensis density was detected in pigpens [4.50 sandflies/(light·night)]. Conclusions P. chinensis was predominantly distributed in hilly areas of northern and central-western Henan Province in 2023, and the sandfly density appeared a unimodal distribution. Intensified monitoring of visceral leishmaniasis vectors is recommended.