Objective To investigate the risk factors for bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD)in twin preterm infants with a gestational age of<34 weeks,and to provide a basis for early identification of BPD in twin preterm infants in clinical practice.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the twin preterm infants with a gestational age of<34 weeks who were admitted to 22 hospitals nationwide from January 2018 to December 2020.According to their conditions,they were divided into group A(both twins had BPD),group B(only one twin had BPD),and group C(neither twin had BPD).The risk factors for BPD in twin preterm infants were analyzed.Further analysis was conducted on group B to investigate the postnatal risk factors for BPD within twins.Results A total of 904 pairs of twins with a gestational age of<34 weeks were included in this study.The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with group C,birth weight discordance of>25%between the twins was an independent risk factor for BPD in one of the twins(OR=3.370,95%CI:1.500-7.568,P<0.05),and high gestational age at birth was a protective factor against BPD(P<0.05).The conditional logistic regression analysis of group B showed that small-for-gestational-age(SGA)birth was an independent risk factor for BPD in individual twins(OR=5.017,95%CI:1.040-24.190,P<0.05).Conclusions The development of BPD in twin preterm infants is associated with gestational age,birth weight discordance between the twins,and SGA birth.

This study aimed to identify the direct pharmacological targets of Jingfang Granules in treating infectious pneumonia via "target fishing" strategy. Moreover, the molecular mechanism of Jingfang Granules in treating infectious pneumonia was also investigated based on target-related pharmacological signaling pathways. First, the Jingfang Granules extract-bound magnetic nanoparticles were prepared, which were incubated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced mouse pneumonia tissue lysates. The captured proteins were analyzed by high-resolution mass spectrometry(HRMS), and the target groups with specific binding to the Jingfang Granules extract were screened out. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment analysis was used to identify the target protein-associated signaling pathways. On this basis, the LPS-induced mouse model of infectious pneumonia was established. The possible biological functions of target proteins were verified by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and immunohistochemical assay. A total of 186 Jingfang Granules-specific binding proteins were identified from lung tissues. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the target protein-associated signaling pathways mainly included Salmonella infection, vascular and pulmonary epithelial adherens junction, ribosomal viral replication, viral endocytosis, and fatty acid degradation. The target functions of Jingfang Granules were related to pulmonary inflammation and immunity, pulmonary energy metabolism, pulmonary microcirculation, and viral infection. Based on the in vivo inflammation model, Jingfang Granules significantly improved the alveolar structure of the LPS-induced mouse model of infectious pneumonia and down-regulated the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-6(IL-6). Meanwhile, Jingfang Gra-nules significantly up-regulated the expressions of key proteins of mitochondrial function COX Ⅳ and ATP, microcirculation-related proteins CD31 and Occludin, and proteins associated with viral infection DDX21 and DDX3. These results suggest that Jingfang Gra-nules can inhibit lung inflammation, improve lung energy metabolism and pulmonary microcirculation, resist virus infection, thus playing a protective role in the lung. This study systematically explains the molecular mechanism of Jingfang Granules in the treatment of respiratory inflammation from the perspective of target-signaling pathway-pharmacological efficacy, thereby providing key information for clinical rational use of Jingfang Granules and expanding potential pharmacological application.
Animals ; Mice ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Pneumonia ; Inflammation ; Anti-Infective Agents ; Biological Assay ; Disease Models, Animal ; Interleukin-6

Exosomes are nanoscale extracellular vesicles that are secreted by a variety of cells in the body. They carry particular miRNA, protein molecules, transcription factors, and other information molecules, and they play a role in the pathophysiological regulation of a number of diseases in the body. Exosomes can persist steadily in biological tissues and bodily fluids. Exosomes have quickly advanced in ophthalmology in recent years due to the extensive studies of exosomes in a variety of fields, such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, autoimmune uveitis, corneal disease, glaucoma, and other diseases. The number of people who are blind caused by diabetic retinopathy is rising as living standards rise. However, it is still unclear how diabetic retinopathy works. In recent years, many studies have found that exosomes play an important role in diabetic retinopathy. In this paper, the most recent developments in exosome studies as they relate to the pathogenesis and progression of diabetic retinopathy are reviewed.

Child ; Humans ; COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Hospitals, Pediatric

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the current status of antibiotic use for very and extremely low birth weight (VLBW/ELBW) infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of Hunan Province. METHODS: The use of antibiotics was investigated in multiple level 3 NICUs of Hunan Province for VLBW and ELBW infants born between January, 2017 and December, 2017. RESULTS: The clinical data of 1 442 VLBW/ELBW infants were collected from 24 NICUs in 2017. The median antibiotic use duration was 17 days (range: 0-86 days), accounting for 53.0% of the total length of hospital stay. The highest duration of antibiotic use was up to 91.4% of the total length of hospital stay, with the lowest at 14.6%. In 16 out of 24 NICUs, the antibiotic use duration was accounted for more than 50.0% of the hospitalization days. There were 113 cases with positive bacterial culture grown in blood or cerebrospinal fluid, making the positive rate of overall bacterial culture as 7.84%. The positive rate of bacterial culture in different NICUs was significantly different from 0% to 14.9%. The common isolated bacterial pathogens Klebsiella pneumoniae was 29 cases (25.7%); Escherichia coli 12 cases (10.6%); Staphylococcus aureus 3 cases (2.7%). The most commonly used antibiotics were third-generation of cephalosporins, accounting for 41.00% of the total antibiotics, followed by penicillins, accounting for 32.10%, and followed by carbapenems, accounting for 13.15%. The proportion of antibiotic use time was negatively correlated with birth weight Z-score and the change in weight Z-score between birth and hospital discharge (r=-0.095, -0.151 respectively, P<0.01), positively correlated with death/withdrawal of care (r=0.196, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Antibiotics used for VLBW/ELBW infants in NICUs of Hunan Province are obviously prolonged in many NICUs. The proportion of routine use of third-generation of cephalosporins and carbapenems antibiotics is high among the NICUs.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Birth Weight ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective:To explore the effect of upregulating CXC-chemokine receptor 7 (CXCR7) in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) on angiogenesis after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Methods:EPCs were isolated and cultured from human umbilical cord blood and identified. Then, the EPCs were transfected with CXCR7 overexpression lentiviral vector, and the expression of CXCR7 was identified with real-time PCR and Western blotting. The tube-like structure formation and apoptosis of EPCs under oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) were detected with tube-like structure formation test and Annexin V/PI staining. Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model in rats was established, and the qualified model rats were randomly divided into three groups after 24 hours reperfusion: PBS group (n = 12) was injected with phosphate buffers through tail vein, control group (n = 12) was injected the EPCs infected with control lentiviral vector, and CXCR7 group (n = 12) was injected with EPCs infected with CXCR7 overexpression lentiviral vector. Neurological function scores were determined seven and 14 days after transplantation. The cerebral infarct volume was measured, the number of GFP-positive cells in the ischemic site and the density of capillary were observed. Results:The expression of CXCR7 in EPCs increased after transfection (P < 0.01). Overexpression of CXCR7 improved tube formation and reduced apoptosis of EPCs under ox-LDL (P < 0.05). Compared with PBS and control groups , neurological function improved in CXCR7 group, with less infarct volume, more GFP-positive cells and density of capillary (P < 0.05). Conclusion:Up-regulating CXCR7 can improve the survival and angiogenesis of EPCs, and improve the repair of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Musk,with unique and intense perfume,was a kind of deep brown precious medicinal material in traditional Chinese medicine. However,the immature musk in musk pot was white and stench. Given the fact that bacterial diversity generated odorous metabolites in animal hosts,in this study,musk samples at three different mature stages,including MJ( the end of June),MA( the end of August) and MO( the end of October) were harvested from three male forest musk deer,and then next-generation sequencing was used to intensively survey the bacterial communities in musk harvested at different mature stages. RESULTS: indicated that the average OTUs per sample at the end of June,August and October were 47 116. 00 ± 1 567. 24( SE),52 009. 00 ± 8 958. 75( SE) and50 004. 67±4 135. 57( SE),respectively. Feature of the musk 16 S rRNA gene showed a total of 418 genera belonging to 52 phyla were observed in all samples. The main microbiota was bacteria,which accounted for 98. 82%,99. 95% and 99. 58% in MJ,MA and MO,respectively. At phylum level,Firmicutes was the most abundant bacterial of MA( 32. 75%) and MO( 39. 19%). While,the major bacterial in MJ was Proteobacteria( 49. 14%). PICRUSt analysis revealed the functions of bacterial in MJ were mainly involved in secretion,while bacterial functions of MA and MO were mainly involved in amino acid or other substance metabolism,which was in accord with the musk secretion physiological process of forest musk deer. This is the first study involved in the bacterial diversity in musk of forest musk deer across the maturation process,while may provide a new insight into the musk generation mechanism.
Animals ; Deer/microbiology* ; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated ; Forests ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Male

OBJECTIVEShellfish are recognized as important vehicles of norovirus-associated gastroenteritis. The present study aimed to monitor norovirus contamination in oysters along the farm-to-fork continuum in Guangxi, a major oyster production area in Southwestern China.

METHODSOyster samples were collected monthly from farms, markets, and restaurants, from January to December 2016. Norovirus was detected and quantified by one-step reverse transcription-droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (RT-ddPCR).

RESULTSA total of 480 oyster samples were collected and tested for norovirus genogroups I and II. Norovirus was detected in 20.7% of samples, with genogroup II predominating. No significant difference was observed in norovirus prevalence among different sampling sites. The norovirus levels varied widely, with a geometric mean of 19,300 copies/g in digestive glands. Both norovirus prevalence and viral loads showed obvious seasonality, with a strong winter bias.

CONCLUSIONThis study provides a systematic analysis of norovirus contamination 'from the farm to the fork' in Guangxi. RT-ddPCR can be a useful tool for detection and quantification of low amounts of norovirus in the presence of inhibitors found particularly in foodstuffs. This approach will contribute to the development of strategies for controlling and reducing the risk of human illness resulting from shellfish consumption.

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of micro- dissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) in the treatment of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) in patients with the history of secondary testicular injury.

METHODSTotally, 121 NOA patients with the history of secondary testicular injury underwent micro-TESE in our hospital from September 2014 to December 2017. We analyzed the correlation of the sperm retrieval rate with the causes of testicular injury and compared the outcomes of the ICSI cycles with the sperm retrieved from the NOA males by micro-TESE (the micro-TESE group) and those with the sperm ejaculated from severe oligospermia patients (sperm concentration <1×10⁶/ml, the ejaculate group). Comparisons were also made between the two groups in the female age, two-pronucleus (2PN) fertilization rate, transferrable embryos on day 3 (D3), D3 high- quality embryos, D14 blood HCG positive rate, embryo implantation rate, and clinical pregnancy rate.

RESULTSTesticular sperm were successfully retrieved by micro-TESE in 86.0% of the patients (104/121), of whom 98.4% had the history of orchitis, 75.5% had been treated surgically for cryptorchidism, and 63.6% had received chemo- or radiotherapy. No statistically significant differences were observed between the micro-TESE and ejaculate groups in the 2PN fertilization rate (59.4% vs 69.3%, P > 0.05), D14 blood HCG positive rate (44.6% vs 57.9%, P > 0.05), embryo implantation rate (31.8 %% vs 32.6%, P > 0.05) and clinical pregnancy rate (41.5% vs 48.7%, P > 0.05). However, the rate D3 transferrable embryos was significantly lower in the micro-TESE than in the ejaculate group (40.5% vs 52.2%,P < 0.05), and so was that of D3 high-quality embryos (32.5% vs 42.1%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMicro-TESE can be applied as the first choice for NOA patients with the history of secondary testicular injury, but more effective strategies are to be explored for the improvement of ICSI outcomes with the sperm retrieved by micro- TESE.

[Objective]To investigate the effects of ghrelin on inflammatory signaling protein kinase B(Akt),nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)in alveolar macrophage(AM).[Methods]24 Male SD rats were randomly divided into Sham,CLP,CLP+ghrelin,and Sham+ghrelin groups. Cecal ligation and puncture(CLP)was used to induce sepsis. Ghrelin(20 nmol/kg)was administered by intraperitoneal injection at 3 h and 15 h post-operation. Histopathological changes of lungs were observed and scored.AM were extracted from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF). Interleukin-1β(IL-1β),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6)in BALF were detected by ELISA. IL-1β,TNF-α,and IL-6 mRNA in AM were detected by qPCR.NF-κB p65,IκBα,p-IκBα,Akt,p-Akt and iNOS in AM were detected by immunofluorescence(IF)and Western blotting.[Results]The histologic score(6.7±0.8),BALF IL-1β[(146±12)pg/mL]and IL-6[(182±10)pg/mL]from CLP+ghrelin group were respectively 35.4%,44.5% and 46.42% lower than those from CLP group[(10.3±0.7),(263±17)pg/mL,and(273±5)pg/mL],P<0.05.No significant difference was found in BALF TNF-α between CLP group and CLP+ghrelin group.The IL-1β,TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA in AM from CLP+ghrelin group were respectively 54.38%,53.6% and 46.42% lower than those from CLP group,P<0.05. The nuclear NF-κB p65 and cytoplasmic p-IκBα,p-Akt and iNOS from CLP+ghrelin group were respectively 32.58%,45.42%,27.6% and 48.33% lower than those from CLP group,P<0.05. There was no significant difference in all data between Sham group and Sham+ghrelin group.[Conclusion]Ghrelin can decrease the activity of inflammatory signaling proteins Akt,NF-κB and iNOS in AM,therefore restricts AM expressing pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β,TNF-α,and IL-6,thus alleviates sep-sis-induced acute lung injury(ALI).