ObjectiveTo analyze the expression level of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 （TREM-1） in serum and ascites of patients with cirrhotic ascites， and to investigate its correlation with clinical features and inflammatory markers and its role in the diagnosis of infection and prognostic evaluation. MethodsA total of 110 patients with cirrhotic ascites who were hospitalized in The Fifth Hospital of Shijiazhuang from January 2019 to December 2020 were enrolled， and according to the presence or absence of intra-abdominal infection， they were divided into infection group with 72 patients and non-infection group with 38 patients. The patients with infection were further divided into improvement group with 38 patients and non-improvement group with 34 patients. Clinical data and laboratory markers were collected from all patients. Serum and ascites samples were collected， and ELISA was used to measure the level of TREM-1. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups； the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. A Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between indicators. A multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the influencing factors for the prognosis of patients with cirrhotic ascites and infection. The receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic efficacy of each indicator， and the Delong test was used for comparison of the area under the ROC curve （AUC）. ResultsThe level of TREM-1 in ascites was significantly positively correlated with that in serum （r=0.50， P<0.001）. Compared with the improvement group， the non-improvement group had a significantly higher level of TREM-1 in ascites （Z=-2.391， P=0.017） and serum （Z=-2.544， P=0.011）， and compared with the non-infection group， the infection group had a significantly higher level of TREM-1 in ascites （Z=-3.420， P<0.001）， while there was no significant difference in the level of TREM-1 in serum between the two groups （P>0.05）. The level of TREM-1 in serum and ascites were significantly positively correlated with C-reactive protein （CRP）， procalcitonin （PCT）， white blood cell count， and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio （r=0.288， 0.344， 0.530， 0.510， 0.534， 0.454， 0.330， and 0.404， all P<0.05）. The ROC curve analysis showed that when PCT， CRP， and serum or ascitic TREM-1 were used in combination for the diagnosis of cirrhotic ascites with infection， the AUCs were 0.715 and 0.740， respectively. The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that CRP （odds ratio ［OR］=1.019， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 1.001‍ ‍—‍ ‍1.038， P=0.043） and serum TREM-1 （OR=1.002， 95%CI： 1.000‍ ‍—‍ ‍1.003， P=0.016） were independent risk factors for the prognosis of patients with cirrhotic ascites and infection， and the combination of these two indicators had an AUC of 0.728 in predicting poor prognosis. ConclusionThe level of TREM-1 is closely associated with the severity of infection and prognosis in patients with cirrhotic ascites， and combined measurement of TREM-1 and CRP/PCT can improve the diagnostic accuracy of infection and provide support for prognostic evaluation.

BACKGROUND:Several studies have found that the total flavonoids of rhizome drynariae can promote neovascularization in the induced membrane,improve the biological properties of the induced membrane,and accelerate bone remodeling in the induced membrane,but the related molecular mechanisms still need to be further explored. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of total flavonoids of rhizome drynariae on bone remodeling in rat femoral Masquelet-induced membrane model by regulating H-type blood vessels. METHODS:Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were stratified by body mass and then randomly divided into blank group,model group and traditional Chinese medicine group,with 12 rats in each group.A 4-mm femoral bone defect model was established in all the rats.Bone defects in the model group and traditional Chinese medicine group were filled with polymethylmethacrylate bone cement.At 6 weeks after modeling,the tail bone of the rats was implanted in the blank group,as well as in the other two groups after removal of bone cement.The traditional Chinese medicine group was given 157.5 mg/kg per day of total flavonoids of rhizome drynariae at 3 days after bone implantation,while the model and blank groups were given the same amount of saline by gavage until the 8th week after bone implantation.Bone graft samples were taken for relevant testing at 8 weeks after implantation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:X-ray films showed that in the blank group,the fracture line in the defect area was clear,and only a small amount of bone callus formed;in the model group,the bone defect area still existed,where discontinuous cortical bone was visible;in the traditional Chinese medicine group,the defect area was filled with newborn bone tissues,the bone marrow cavity and part of the cortical bone formed,and the fracture line disappeared.Micro-CT scans showed that the amount of new bone in the defect area was low in the blank group,the number of bone trabeculae in the defect area was significantly increased in the model group,and a large amount of new bone tissue was filled in the bone defect area in the traditional Chinese medicine group.Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that in the blank group,only a small amount of new bone formed in the defect area and the quality of osteogenesis was poor;in the model group,there was more new bone tissue in the defect area,but some fibrous connective tissues were interspersed within the bone tissue;and in the traditional Chinese medicine group,a large amount of new bone formed in the defect area and the quality of osteogenesis was the best.CD31/Emcn immunofluorescence double-labeling staining results showed that the number of H-type blood vessels in the newborn bone tissue in the bone defect area of the blank group was sparse and sparsely distributed;compared with the blank group,there were more H-type blood vessels in the bone tissue in the bone defect area of the model group,and the blood vessels were distributed in relatively regular strips;the number of H-type blood vessels in the bone defect area of the traditional Chinese medicine group was the highest and the blood vessels were densely distributed.To conclude,the total flavonoids of rhizoma drynariae can upregulate the expression of H-type blood vessels to enhance the angiogenic-osteogenic effect,improve the osteogenic efficiency of the rat femoral Masquelet induced membrane model,and promote bone remodeling.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a drug-loaded composite microsphere that can simultaneously release the berberine (BBR) and naringin (NG) to repair infectious bone defects. METHODS: The NG was loaded on mesoporous microspheres (MBG) to obtain the drug-loaded microspheres (NG-MBG). Then the dual drug-loaded compound microspheres (NG-MBG@PDA-BBR) were obtained by wrapping NG-MBG with polydopamine (PDA) and modifying the coated PDA with BBR. The composite microspheres were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, specific surface area and pore volume analyzer, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; the drug loading rate and release of NG and BBR were measured; the colony number was counted and the bacterial inhibition rate was calculated after co-culture with Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli for 12 hours to observe the antibacterial effect; the biocompatibility was evaluated by live/dead cell fluorescence staining and cell counting kit 8 assay after co-culture with rat's BMSCs for 24 and 72 hours, respectively, and the osteogenic property was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and alizarin red staining after 7 and 14 days, respectively. RESULTS: NG-MBG@PDA-BBR and three control microspheres (MBG, MBG@PDA, and NG-MBG@PDA) were successfully constructed. Scanning electron microscopy showed that NG-MBG@PDA-BBR had a rough lamellar structure, while MBG had a smooth surface, and MBG@PDA and NG-MBG@PDA had a wrapped agglomeration structure. Specific surface area analysis showed that MBG had a mesoporous structure and had drug-loading potential. Low angle X-ray diffraction showed that NG was successfully loaded on MBG. The X-ray diffraction pattern contrast showed that all groups of microspheres were amorphous. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that NG and BBR peaks existed in NG-MBG@PDA-BBR. NG-MBG@PDA-BBR had good sustained drug release ability, and NG and BBR had early burst release and late sustained release. NG-MBG@PDA-BBR could inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and the antibacterial ability was significantly higher than that of MBG, MBG@PDA, and NG-MBG@PDA ( P<0.05). But there was a significant difference in biocompatibility at 72 hours among microspheres ( P<0.05). ALP and alizarin red staining showed that the ALP positive area and the number of calcium nodules in NG-MBG@PDA-BBR were significantly higher than those of MBG and NG-MBG ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between NG-MBG@PDA and NG-MBG@PDA ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION NG-MBG@PDA-BBR have sustained release effects on NG and BBR, indicating that it has ideal dual performance of osteogenesis and antibacterial property.
Rats ; Animals ; Osteogenesis ; Delayed-Action Preparations/pharmacology* ; Microspheres ; Berberine/pharmacology* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology* ; Escherichia coli

Objective:To analyze the clinical features and ultrasonographic features of Williams syndrome(WS) in children, and to explore the diagnostic value of ultrasonography in this disease.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 19 children with abnormal echocardiography at Hunan Children′s Hospital from January 2016 to December 2020, and the abnormal echocardiography was evaluated by WS phenotypic scoring method of American Academy of Pediatrics.Cardiological CT and genetic tests were performed, and the clinical data and ultrasound image characteristics were analyzed.Results:The WS score of 19 cases was more than six, which was highly suspicious clinically.In 19 cases, supra-aortic stenosis and pulmonary stenosis were the most common findings on echocardiography, accounting for 63.2%(12/19), among which three cases were complicated with aortic arch constriction and one case with mitral lobe deformity.There were 15.8%(3/19)children with supra-aortic stenosis associated with pulmonary artery velocity increase, and 10.5%(2/19)children with left and right pulmonary artery branch stenosis associated with aortic inner diameter narrowing.Other cardiac malformations were found in 42.1%(8/19) of the children.Chromosome 7 microdeletions accounted for 68.4%(13/19) in genetic examination, and no abnormalities were found in three cases(15.8%, 3/19). The genetic results of three cases were still under follow-up.Conclusion:Echocardiography can accurately and sensitively detect cardiac lesions in children with WS.Combined with WS score of American Academy of Pediatrics, the diagnosis rate of WS can be improved.

Objective: To establish a metabonomics research technique based on the combination of

Isochrysis galbana is considered an ideal bait for functional foods and nutraceuticals of humans because of its high fucoxanthin(Fx)content.However,multi-omics analysis of the regula-tory networks for Fx biosynthesis in I.galbana has not been reported.In this study,we report a high-quality genome assembly of I.galbana LG007,which has a genome size of 92.73 Mb,with a contig N50 of 6.99 Mb and 14,900 protein-coding genes.Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the monophyly of Haptophyta,with I.galbana sister to Emiliania huxleyi and Chrysochromulina tobinii.Evolutionary analysis revealed an estimated divergence time between I.galbana and E.huxleyi of～133 million years ago.Gene family analysis indicated that lipid metabolism-related genes exhibited significant expansion,including IgPLMT,IgOAR1,and IgDEGS1.Metabolome analysis showed that the content of carotenoids in I.galbana cultured under green light for 7 days was higher than that under white light,and β-carotene was the main carotenoid,accounting for 79.09％of the total carotenoids.Comprehensive multi-omics analysis revealed that the content of β-carotene,antheraxanthin,zeaxanthin,and Fx was increased by green light induction,which was significantly correlated with the expression of IgMYB98,IgZDS,IgPDS,IgLHCX2,IgZEP,IgLCYb,and IgNSY.These findings contribute to the understanding of Fx biosynthesis and its regulation,pro-viding a valuable reference for food and pharmaceutical applications.

Objective:To analyze the sensitivity and specificity of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid testing in 20 348 close contacts of COVID-19 cases in different prevention and control stages in Guangzhou and to provide scientific evidence for optimizing epidemic response strategies.Methods:A total of 20 348 close contacts of COVID-19 cases in Guangzhou were traced between February 21 and September 22,2020. All the close contacts were tested for the nucleic acid of SARS-CoV-2. The sensitivity and specificity of nucleic acid testing and diagnosis in the different prevention and control stages were compared.Results:In 20 348 close contacts, 12 462 were males (61.24%), the median ( P 25, P 75) of age of them was 31.0 years (23.0,43.0), the median number ( P 25, P 75) of nucleic acid testing for them was 2.0 (1.0,3.0), and the median ( P 25, P 75) of their quarantine days was 12.0 (8.0,13.0) days, respectively. A total of 256 COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the close contacts after seven nucleic acid tests. In the 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd and 7 th nucleic acid testing, the sensitivity and specificity were 69.14% and 99.99% (177 cases confirmed), 89.84% and 99.99% (230 cases confirmed), 97.27% and 99.99% (249 cases confirmed), and 100.00% and 99.98%, respectively. In the three stages of COVID-19 prevention and control in China: domestic case stage, imported case stage, and imported case associated local epidemic stage, the sensitivity of the 1 st nucleic acid testing was 70.68%, 68.00% and 67.35%, and the specificity was 99.98%, 100.00% and 100.00%, respectively. Conclusions:The sensitivity of nucleic acid testing in the close contacts at the different stages were consistent with slight decrease, which might be related to the increased proportion of asymptomatic infections in the late stage of epidemic prevention and control with COVID-19 in Guangzhou. It is suggested to give three nucleic acid tests to improve the sensitivity and reduce false negative risk.

Objective To investigate the correlation between cumulative serum uric acid (cumUA) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV).Methods Among the workers who participated in the four health check-up of Kailuan Group from 2010 to 2017,subjects who completed one PWV test were selected.The subjects who met the selection criteria were 20 688,subjects who lacked the first three uric acid tests and sex data were excluded.The subjects who had ischemic stroke (excluding lacunar infarction),transient ischemic attack and myocardial infarction were excluded.Decreased subjects were excluded and the extreme value were also excluded,20 295 subjects eventually meet the inclusion criteria and were included for statistical analysis.Stepwise linear regression,multivariate logistic regression and natural spline function were used to analyze the relationship between cumUA and baPWV and the influence of cumUA on baPWV.Results Among 20 295 subjects,the incidence of baPWV ≥ 14 m/s (criteria for judging atherosclerosis) increased with the increase of cumUA.There was significant difference in the incidence of baPWV ≥ 14 m/s (53.07％,54.35％,56.42％,58.41％,61.91％) among different cumUA partition groups (β=0.11,P＜0.01).In stepwise linear regression analysis,after adjusting for other confounding factors,it was found that cumUA was positively correlated with baPWV.In multivariate logistic regression analysis,after adjusting for other confounding factors,the results showed that baPWV ≥aPWVm were all risk factors for the third,fourth and fifth subgroups of cumUA compared with the first subgroup,and the OR05％CI) was 1.35(1.13,1.62) (P=0.01),1.60(1.29,1.97) (P＜0.01) and 2.14(1.64,2.80) (P＜0.01),respectively.Natural spline analysis exhibited a similar J curve relationship between cumUA and increased baPWV.Conclusion CumUA is a risk factor for increased baPWV.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with tumor markers in benign and malignant ovarian tumors.Methods The clinical data of 100 patients with ovarian tumors treated in our hospital from May 2016 to May 2017 were analyzed retrospectively.The parameters of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for benign and malignant ovarian tumors were analyzed.The levels of tumor markers were measured and the ultrasound imaging was analyzed.Analysis of the detection rate of benign and malignant ovarian tumors by contrast-enhanced ultrasound alone or in combination with tumor markers.Results Compared with benign ovarian tumors,ovarian malignant tumors have the characteristics of uneven enhancement,early onset and peak time of contrast enhancement,and higher rate of enhancement (P ＜ 0.05);compared with benign ovarian tumors,serum CA125 and CA199 levels in patients with ovarian malignant tumors were higher,with significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).The detection rates of contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with tumor markers were higher than those of ultrasound or tumor markers alone,and were in accordance with pathological criteria.Conclusions The application of combined contrast-enhanced ultrasound and tumor markers in the diagnosis of ovarian benign and malignant tumors has a high detection rate,can significantly improve the accuracy of clinical detection,and provide a strong basis for treatment.

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum uric acid ( UA) level and brachial?ankle pulse wave velocity ( baPWV) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus ( SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN)??Methods A total of 110 hospitalized,out?patient and healthy examinees from January 2017 to September 2017 were selected from Kailuan General Hospital??They were divided into three groups:(1)Fifty?five healthy controls were examined at the same time,and those who had no history of hypertension, myocardial infarction and stroke were excluded by physical examination??(2)Thirty?four SLE patients without LN were diagnosed according to the SLE classification standard revised by the American Society of Rheumatology ( ACR) in 1997,excluding those with lupus nephritis??( 3) 21 SLE patients with LN were diagnosed according to the SLE classification standard revised by the American Society of Rheumatology (ACR) in 1997??Pearson correlation coefficient and multivariate linear regression model were used to analyze the related factors affecting baPWV??Results The level of baPWV and the proportion of baPWV (≥1400 cm／s) in SLE without LN group and SLE with LN group were higher than those in healthy control group (all P＜0??05)??In SLE without LN group, baPWV was positively correlated with age, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and total cholesterol ( CHOL) ( r＝ 0??623,0??528,0??402, P＜0??01 or P＜0??05), and negatively correlated with blood uric acid(UA) ( r＝－0??371,P＜0??05),but the correlation was not significant??The correlation between UA and baPWV disappeared after after correction of age,SBP,diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by partial correlation analysis??In SLE with LN group,baPWV was positively correlated with SBP, DBP and serum creatinine ( Cr) ( r＝0??815, 0??725, 0??464, P＜0??01 or P＜0??05)??Multivariate stepwise regression analysis showed that SBP was independently correlated with baPWV in SLE group ( t＝2??54,P＝0??026); UA in SLE group without LN was independently negatively correlated with baPWV(t＝－2??96,P＝0??042); UA(t＝4??24,P＝0??013) and SBP(t＝7??70,P＝0??002) were independently positively correlated with baPWV in SLE group with LN??Logistic regression analysis showed that SLE was a risk factor for baPWV (≥1 400 cm／s),and the OR (95% CI) was 4??31 ( 1??56－11??88),P＝0??005,and there was statistical significance after adjusting for age,SBP,DBP,body mass index ( BMI)??However,UA was not a risk factor for baPWV (≥1 400 cm／s) (P values were 0??163 and 0??519,respectively)??Conclusion The degree of arteriosclerosis in SLE patients is higher than that in normal subjects,and the level of UA in SLE patients may be related to baPWV??