Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of omphalocele, and to assess the risk factors associated with adverse outcomes.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data of 224 patients diagnosed with omphalocele, who were hospitalized at Children′s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2013 to December 2022, were collected. Based on their discharge outcomes, the patients were classified into 2 groups: favorable outcomes and unfavorable outcomes. Chi-square test or continuity correction χ2 test or Fisher exact probability method, and Mann-Whitney U test were used for intergroup comparisons. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with adverse outcomes in omphalocele. Results:Among the 224 patients with omphalocele, 126 were male. A total of 208 patients (92.9%) had favorable outcomes, while 16 patients (7.1%) had unfavorable outcomes. In the unfavorable outcomes group, 14 patients had giant omphaloceles, while 100 patients had giant omphaloceles in the favorable outcomes group. The rates of herniation of more than two intra-abdominal organs in the hernial sac, congenital heart defects, patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonary hypertension, sepsis and infection of the hernial sac, were all higher in the unfavorable outcomes group compared to the favorable outcomes group (all P<0.05). Patients with unfavorable outcomes had longer mechanical ventilation time, duration of oxygen use, duration of parenteral nutrition, hospital stays, and higher rates of parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis compared to those with favorable outcomes (all P<0.01). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that pulmonary hypertension ( OR=9.39, 95% CI 1.20-73.32), sepsis ( OR=8.59, 95% CI 1.32-55.86), and congenital heart defects ( OR=6.55, 95% CI 1.11-38.73) were all independent risk factors for adverse outcomes in omphalocele (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Infants with omphalocele are prone to complications such as cardiovascular malformations, infections, and pulmonary hypertension. Adverse outcomes in omphalocele are associated with pulmonary hypertension, sepsis, and congenital heart defects.

Quantum dots are an emerging semiconductor nanocrystalline material with optical and electronic properties. Quantum dots in the environment are transmitted into human body mainly via digestive system. Quantum dots in the workplace are transmitted into human body via various pathways such as the respiratory tract and mucocutaneous surface. They cross the blood brain barrier to affect the nervous system, eventually leading to irreversible damage. Quantum dots have more complex biological toxicity than ordinary nanomaterials and metal ions, due to their core-shell structure and surface modifiers. The physicochemical properties of quantum dots, such as particle size, surface modification, and charge, greatly influence their neurotoxic effects. Quantum dots can induce oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, causing neuronal damage and functional impairment, thereby affecting learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity. Its mechanisms may be the modulation of signaling pathways such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal regulated kinase pathway. In the future, the neurotoxicity of different types of quantum dots should be systematically analyzed, and multi-omics methods should be used to elucidate the mechanism of quantum dots on neuronal damage to improve the safety of workers exposed to quantum dots.

Objective:The epidemiological and host animal pathogen data of leptospirosis in the population of Zhejiang Province in 2023 were analyzed, providing scientific basis for formulating prevention and control strategies of leptospirosis.Methods:The data of human leptospirosis in the population were collected from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention, and analyzed using descriptive epidemiological methods. The data on isolation, culture, and nucleic acid testing of Leptospira pathogens from mouse kidneys, frog kidneys, pig kidneys, and duck kidneys as well as duck serum antibody data were collected from Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention "Leptospirosis Surveillance Project of Zhejiang Province". The carrying and changing status of Leptospira epidemic microbiota in populations and host animals were analyzed. Results:In 2023, a total of 83 cases of leptospirosis were reported in Zhejiang Province, with a incidence rate of 0.126 2/ 100 000, aged (62.66 ± 11.31) years, including 68 males and 15 females. Leptospirosis cases were reported in 11 cities, mainly concentrated in the southern cities of Wenzhou City, Lishui City and Taizhou City(a total of 68 cases), accounting for 81.93% of the total number of cases. August to October were high incidence months for leptospirosis (a total of 70 cases), accounting for 84.34% of the total number cases. The male to female ratio of patients was 4.53 ∶ 1.00, and all were adults ≥20 years old, the middle and old people aged 45 - 79 years were the high-risk population (a total of 77 cases), accounting for 92.77% of the total number of cases. The patient's occupation was mainly farmers, with a total of 54 cases, accounting for 65.06% of the total number cases. The shortest time from onset to initial diagnosis for patients with leptospirosis was 0 day, and the longest was 13 days. The shortest time from initial diagnosis to confirmed diagnosis was 0 day, and the longest was 16 days. The 72.29% of the leptospirosis cases (60 cases) had a history of field labor or suspected contact with contaminated water within one month before the onset of the disease, and 18.07% of the leptospirosis cases (15 cases) had a history of contact with animals such as mice, frogs, pigs, cows, dogs, fish or ducks, or their excreta within one month before the onset of the disease. The average nucleic acid positive rate of host animals with leptospirosis was 5.92% (31/524) in mouse kidney, 6.74% (36/534) in frog kidney, and 0.66% (1/151) in pig kidney. The isolation and culture of leptospirosis from duck kidney, nucleic acid detection, and antibody detection in duck blood were all negative. The leptospirosis bacteria detected in human population were serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae (3 samples) and Hebdomadis (4 samples), and the bacteria group detected in host animals was serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae (3 samples). Conclusions:The outbreak of leptospirosis in Zhejiang Province mainly occurs in the summer and autumn, with the affected areas mainly concentrated in the southern region of Zhejiang Province. The affected population is mainly middle-aged and elderly males, and the population carrying Leptospira is still mainly composed of the serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae and the Hebdomadis, with the host animal being the serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae.

Objective:To investigate the changes of ROS/TXNIP/NLRP3 signaling pathway in pyroptosis of human embryonic trophoblast cells induced by high glucose.Methods:Human embryonic trophoblast cells were cultured in vitro to establish high glucose injury model, and they were randomly divided into control group, high glucose (HG) group and HG + ROS inhibitor N-acetyl-L-cysteine (HG + NAC) group. MTT assay was used to detect the cell survival rate. The level of ROS in each group was detected by dihydroethidine ROS fluorescence probe. Expression of TXNIP and NLRP3 mRNA was detected by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression levels of TXNIP, NLRP3, Caspase-1, interleukin (IL) -1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and GSDMD proteins. In addition, pyroptosis was detected by flow cytometry.Results:The optimal glucose concentration for high glucose-induced injury of human embryonic trophoblast cells was 30 mmol/L. Compared with the control group (96.27±3.10) %, the survival rate of human embryonic trophoblast cells in HG group (55.44±2.15) % was significantly lower ( P<0.05), while the fluorescence intensity (ROS level) of 7 'dichlorofluorescein (DCF), the expression levels of TXNIP and NLRP3 proteins, the number of pyroptosis, expression levels of Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β and TNF-α proteins were significantly higher ( P<0.05) ; Compared with HG group, the survival rate of human embryonic trophoblast cells in HG+NAC group (84.75±2.33) % was significantly higher ( P<0.05), the fluorescence intensity (ROS level) of DCF, the expression levels of TXNIP and NLRP3 proteins, the number of pyroptosis, and expression levels of Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β and TNF-α proteins were significantly lower ( P<0.05) . Conclusion:Inhibition of ROS level in human embryonic trophoblast cells induced by high glucose may promote cell proliferation and reduce the occurrence of pyroptosis by inhibiting TXNIP/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of Shengmaisan granules on myocardial fibrosis in chronic heart failure patients with Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome by cardiac magnetic resonance （CMR） imaging and serological indicators. MethodSixty-six chronic heart failure patients with Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome who visited the Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine， Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from October 2021 to January 2023 were selected. The patients were assigned into a control group （33 cases） and an observation group （33 cases） by the minimization random method. Both groups received standardized Western medicine treatment for heart failure. In addition， the control group was treated with placebo granules， and the observation group with Shengmaisan granules for a course of 6 months. The baseline data， clinical efficacy， TCM symptom scores， serological indicators ［high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）， soluble growth stimulation expressed gene 2 protein （sST2）， pro-collagen Ⅲ N-terminal peptide （PⅢNP）， interleukin （IL）-6， IL-11， transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）］， echocardiography ［Left atrial diameter （LAD）， left ventricular end systolic diameter （LVEDs）， left ventricular end diastolic diameter （LVEDd）］ and CMR indicators ［left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）， myocardial extracellular volume fraction （ECV）， and longitudinal relaxation time （T1）］ were compared between the two groups. ResultFinally， 31 patients in the control group and 30 patients in the observation group were included. There was no significant difference in baseline data or indicators between the two groups before treatment. Compared with those before treatment， the scores of TCM symptoms （shortness of breath， fatigue， palpitations， spontaneous or night sweats， thirst/dry throat， feverish feeling in palms and soles， and edema in lower limbs）， total score of TCM symptoms， ECV， T1， inflammation/fibrosis indicators （hs-CRP， sST2， PⅢNP， IL-6， IL-11， and TGF-β₁） in observation group decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the scores of TCM symptoms （except feverish feeling in palms and soles）， T1， and inflammation/fibrosis indicators in the control group decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. After treatment， the observation group had lower scores of TCM symptoms （except feverish feeling in palms and soles and edema in lower limbs）， ECV， T1， and inflammation/fibrosis indicators than the control group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. After treatment， the total response rate in the observation group was 93.33% （28/30）， which was higher than that （80.65%， 25/31） in the control group （Z=2.976， P<0.01）. There was no significant difference in adverse reactions between the two groups during treatment. ConclusionFor patients with chronic heart failure with Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome， Shengmaisan Granules can alleviate the TCM symptoms， reduce inflammation， and inhibit myocardial fibrosis by regulating the TGF-β₁/IL-11 signaling axis.

Objective:To summarize the preliminary experience of endoscopically assisted mid-cheek benign tumor resection using a single preauricular or transoral incision and to evaluate its indications, advantages, and disadvantages.Methods:Thirty-six patients with benign mid-cheek tumors were prospectively enrolled, including 11 males and 25 females, aged (37.2± 15.9) years and ranged from 11 to 65 years old. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: endoscope-assisted tumor dissections through a single preauricular incision (preauricular group, 19 cases) or transoral incision (transoral group, 17 cases). Their surgical approaches were introduced, and the tumor long-axis length, incision length, operative time, estimated intraoperative bleeding, postoperative drainage amount and time, aesthetic satisfaction, perioperative complications, and follow-up were recorded and analyzed.Results:The difference between the tumor long-axis lengths in the preauricular group [(2.2±0.9) cm] and the transoral group [(2.1± 0.7) cm] was not statistically significant ( t=0.46, P=0.687), and all surgical procedures were completed as planned. There was no significant difference in the incision size ( t=1.57, P=0.100) or operative time ( t=0.44, P=0.736). Compared with the preauricular group [(30.8±8.7) ml], transoral group [(23.6±8.9) ml] significantly reduced intraoperative blood loss ( t=2.97, P=0.006) and improved aesthetic pleasure ( t=3.44, P=0.015). Two cases of earlobe numbness and one case of temporary facial palsy were observed in the preauricular group; two cases of postoperative effusion were noted in the transoral group, and no signs of nerve injury were detected. No tumor recurrence was found during the 1-54-month of follow-up. Conclusions:Endoscopic-assisted preauricular or transoral incision for dissecting mid-cheek benign tumors provides excellent aesthetic and minimally invasive results, reducing complications and obtaining satisfactory aesthetic results.

Objective:To analyze the detective value of placental tissue resistin, human lipid carrier protein (LCN) and blood glucose and lipid metabolism in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) complicated with preeclampsia (PE) , providing guidance for the early treatment of GDM complicated with preeclampsia.Methods:96 pregnant women with GDM complicated with PE (GDM-PE group) admitted to Yantai Yantaishan Hospital from Jan. 2017 to Jan. 2020 were selected and retrospectively studied. According to the ratio of 2:1, the pure GDM pregnant women (GDM group) and 48 normal pregnant women (the control group) were selected. The placenta tissue resistin and LCN levels were determined by immunohistochemistry. Blood samples were collected to determine the glucose and lipid metabolism. The pregnancy outcomes of each group were compared and the relationship between resistin, LCN, glucose and lipid metabolism and GDM complicated with PE was analyzed.Results:Fasting blood-glucose (FBG) was (4.57±0.66) mmol/L in GDM group and (5.23±0.61) mmol/L in GMD-PE group. FINS (11.97±1.5) mIU/L, (15.12±3.52) mIU/L were higher than those of control group (4.11±0.23) mmol/L, (6.75±1.34) mIU/L ( P<0.05) . FBG, FINS, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in GDM-PE group were higher than those in GDM group. TC) (6.71±1.63) mmol/L, triglyceride, TG (6.59±0.87) mmol/L was higher than that of control group (5.87±0.73) mmol/L, (4.57±0.59) mmol/L and GDM group (6.02±1.55) mmol/L, (4.71±0.63) mmol/L ( P<0.05) . high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (1.21±0.34) was lower than that of control group (1.54±0.39) and GDM group (1.55±0.43) ( P<0.05) . The positive rates of resistin 85.42%, 60.42%, LCN 81.25%, 56.25% in GDM-PE group and GDM group were higher than those in control group 39.58%, 31.25% ( χ2=32.096, 4.167; 34.975, 6.095, both P<0.05) . The positive rates of resistin and LCN in GDM-PE group were higher than those in GDM group ( χ2=11.322, 11.257, both P<0.01) . The gestational age of delivery in GDM-PE group was (37.11±2.06) weeks earlier than that in GDM group (38.21±1.75) weeks and control group (38.36±1.42) weeks ( F=9.836, P<0.05) . The birth weight of neonates (2 905.45±356.79) g was lower than that of control group (3 321.52±366.46) g and GDM group (3 425.14±269.87) g ( F=46.606, P<0.05) . Postpartum blood loss (415.34±126.75) ml was significantly higher than that of GDM group (338.65±105.63) ml and control group (298.42±75.26) ml ( F=19.932, P<0.05) . The preterm birth rate of 20.83% was higher than that of the GDM group (8.33%) and the control group (4.17%) ( χ2=9.075, P<0.05) . The postpartum blood loss of the GDM group was higher than that of the control group ( t=-2.148, P<0.05) . The incidences of fetal distress, premature rupture of membranes, fetal growth restriction and postpartum hemorrhage in GDM-PE group were higher than those in control group ( χ2=4.571, 6.867, 5.941, 5.123, P<0.05) . The protein expressions of resistin and LCN in placenta of pregnant women with GDM-PE were positively correlated with FBG, FINS, TC and TG ( r=0.517, 0.463, 0.559, 0.521, 0.485, 0.497, 0.557, 0.571, P<0.05) . Was negatively correlated with HDL-C ( r=-0.317, -0.357, P<0.05) . Conclusions:The positive rate of resistin and LCN in the placenta tissue of pregnant women with GDM complicated with PE is higher than that of GDM and normal pregnant women, their disorder of glucose and lipid metabolism is more obvious, and the incidence of adverse maternal and infant outcomes is higher. It is speculated that resistin and LCN may synergistically affect the metabolism of glucose and lipids causing adverse pregnancy outcomes in GDM complicated with PE.

Objective:To assess plasma microfibrillar associated protein 5(MFAP5) level in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS), and to explore its relationship with glucose and lipid metabolism as well as sex hormones.Methods:Fifty PCOS patients and 65 healthy female subjects were selected as PCOS group and control group, respectively. Clinical data and plasma MFAP5 levels between the two groups were compared.Results:The plasma MFAP5 level in PCOS group was significantly higher than that in control group( P<0.01), and the plasma MFAP5 level in PCOS overweight subgroup was higher than that in control subgroup( P<0.01). No difference was observed in plasma MFAP5 level between the two non-overweight subgroups( P>0.05). Correlation analysis showed that plasma MFAP5 level was positively correlated with waist circumference, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, fasting insulin, homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR), HbA 1C, testosterone, LH/FSH ratio, and leukocyte( P<0.05 or P<0.01). There was no significant correlation of MFAP5 with body weight, body mass index(BMI), hip circumference, waist hip ratio, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C), triglyceride, total cholesterol, and blood glucose( P>0.05). In PCOS group, plasma MFAP5 level was positively correlated with body weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, total cholesterol, and leukocyte( P<0.05 or P<0.01). There was no significant correlation of MFAP5 with waist hip ratio, HDL-C, triglyceride, blood glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, leukocyte, and sex hormones( P>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that MFAP5 was an independent risk factor for PCOS( P<0.05). Conclusion:Plasma MFAP5 level is increased in PCOS patients and is closely related to BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and total cholesterol. Plasma MFAP5 is an independent risk factor for PCOS, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS.

β-carotene has a wide range of application in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. For microbial production of β-carotene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the supply of geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) was firstly increased in S. cerevisiae BY4742 to obtain strain BY4742-T2 through over-expressing truncated 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (tHMGR), which is the major rate-limiting enzyme in the mevalonate (MVA) pathway, and GGPP synthase (GGPS), which is a key enzyme in the diterpenoid synthetic pathway. The β-carotene synthetic genes of Pantoea agglomerans and Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous were further integrated into strain BY4742-T2 for comparing β-carotene production. Over-expression of tHMGR and GGPS genes led to 26.0-fold increase of β-carotene production. In addition, genes from X. dendrorhous was more efficient than those from P. agglomerans for β-carotene production in S. cerevisiae. Strain BW02 was obtained which produced 1.56 mg/g (dry cell weight) β-carotene, which could be used further for constructing cell factories for β-carotene production.
Basidiomycota ; enzymology ; Farnesyltranstransferase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Metabolic Engineering ; Polyisoprenyl Phosphates ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; metabolism ; beta Carotene ; biosynthesis

Objective To evaluate the clinical effects of free fibula and flap grafts on the repair of all the first metatarsal bone at one stage.Methods There were 9 cases with the first metatarsal bone defect from Janurary 2003 to December 2009 that treated with free vascularized fibular bone and free vascularized flap at one stage.In which 6 cases reconstructed at the primary stage and 3 cases reconstructed at the second stage.Seven cases reconstructed by free vascularized fibular combined with ALTPF,two cases reconstructed by free vascularized fibular combined with TAPF.The free vascularized fibular and flap restored the first metatarsal bone and the soft tissue defects respectively.Vascular anastomosis was the artery of flap anastomosis with anterior tibial artery and the vein of the flap anastomosis with great saphenous vein,the peroneal artery and accompany vein anastomosis with artery and vein of the flap.Results The grafted tissues survived smoothly in 8 cases,vein crisis happened in I case and the ALTPF necrosis after blood vessels expedition.So the TAPF was changed to cover the soft defect and survived smoothly.Followiy-up were done from 6 to 36 months in 9 cases.There were no ulcer on flaps and no fracture again,the fibulas had been bone healing.Evaluated by Maryland standards,six cases were excellent,two cases were fine,one case was good.Conclusion The fibula combined flap grafts provide a relatively better alternative to repair the first metatarsal bone compound tissue defects at one stage.In addition,the procedure decreased frequency of operations and short the course of treatment.Sensory function reconstruction of fibula flaps should be given full attention.As fine function of the reconstructed foot,it is a effective method for reconstruction the burdened area of the foot.