Objective:To study the clinical application and complications of umbilical arterial catheterization (UAC) in premature infants.Methods:From January 2021 to December 2022, premature infants with UAC successfully inserted in NICU of our hospital were enrolled. According to birth weight (BW), the infants were assigned into three groups: <1 000 g, 1 000~1 499 g and ≥1 500 g. The perinatal data, UAC usage, UAC-related complications and risk factors of UAC-related complications were retrospectively analyzed.Results:A total of 39 premature infants received UAC, with gestational age 29.3(27.3, 30.4) weeks and BW 1 100 (900, 1 310) g. The insertion length (IL) of UAC was calculated using the average value of two formulas: a, IL (cm) =4×BW (kg) +7; and b, IL(cm) =3×BW (kg)+9. The accuracy of tube end position was determined using chest/abdomen radiography. 30(76.9%) cases had accurate position, 6(15.4%) had higher position and 3(7.7%) had lower position. The proportion of appropriately positioned tube end in <1 000 g, 1 000~1 499 g and ≥1 500 g groups were 80.0%, 76.5% and 71.4%, respectively, without statistically significant differences ( P>0.05) .No significant differences existed among the three groups in UAC duration and UAC routinely removal rate ( P>0.05). 9 cases (23.1%) of UAC were removed for specific reasons, including 4 cases of arterial spasm, 2 cases of withdrawal of treatment, 1 case of tube end displacement, 1 case of abdominal distension and 1 case of death. 21 cases received 1 U/ml heparin (0.9%NaCl solution) 0.5~1 ml/h arterial infusion. 23.8% (5/21) had hypernatremia and the level of sodium became normal after reducing the concentration of NaCl solution. Arterial vasospasm occurred in 4 patients with skin color changes of one side of the lower extremities. After UAC removal, the skin color returned to normal. Conclusions:UAC is helpful and safe for preterm infants, however, its complications should be alerted to.

Sucrose synthase plays a crucial role in the plant sugar metabolism pathway by catalyzing the production of uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glucose, which serves as a bioactive glycosyl donor for various metabolic processes. In this study, a sucrose synthase gene named CtSus was cloned from Cistanche tubulosa, a traditional Chinese medicine known for its rich content of diverse glycosides, based on transcriptome analysis results. The open reading frame of CtSus was 2 418 bp long encoding 805 amino acids. Sequence analysis revealed conserved domains associated with the plant sucrose synthase family at both the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of CtSus protein. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that CtSus shares a close evolutionary relationship with sucrose synthases from other plants within the same order. Functional identification of CtSus was performed through whole-cell catalysis coupling with UGT71BD1, a characterized glycosyltransferase enzyme. The results showed that the introduction of CtSus significantly enhanced the conversion rate of glycosylation catalyzed by UGT71BD1. The soluble expression of CtSus in Escherichia coli was further achieved using the pCold^TM TF expression vector. In vitro enzymatic assay indicated the activity of CtSus to catalyze the formation of UDP-glucose in the presence of sucrose and UDP. Real-time quantitative-polymerase chain reaction results showed that the expression patterns of CtSus gene in different parts of C. tubulosa and the suspension cell cultures of C. tubulosa under drought stress correlated with the accumulation patterns observed for phenylethanol glycosides, respectively. Furthermore, key amino acids and their interactions between enzyme and substrate were explored based on protein structure prediction and molecular docking results. Overall, our findings identify a sucrose synthase CtSus responsible for the supply of the active glycosyl donor UDP-glucose during the biosynthesis of glycoside products in C. tubulosa and have also provided a gene element that can be utilized in engineering strain construction for glycoside products production.

Objective: This article investigated the clinical characteristics and distribution of drug resistance mutation sites in HBV RT region of hepatitis B infected patients. Methods: Retrospective analysis was made on 1 948 patients with HBV infection, who had been tested for NAs resistance mutation and had a medical history of NAs in the Laboratory Department of the Fifth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital from January 2020 to December 2021. Basic clinical information and drug resistance related mutation information were recorded. Meanwhile, the serological index data of hepatitis B were collected. Drug resistance gene mutant group and non-mutated group were grouped according to whether the drug resistance genes had a mutation in HBV RT region, and the clinical characteristics and genotype distribution of the two groups were statistically analyzed. The pattern of drug resistance gene mutation, number of mutation sites, drug resistance type and mutation of NAs resistance-related sites were analyzed in 917 patients with drug resistance gene mutation in HBV RT region. χ² Inspection was used for counting data. Meanwhile, two independent samples t-test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used for measurement data. Results: Among the 1 948 patients with chronic HBV infection, 917 patients had drug resistance gene mutation in RT region (47.07%). The proportion of patients with acute hepatitis B and CHB in HBV RT resistance gene mutant group was lower than that in the non-mutated group, while the proportion of patients with HBV-related cirrhosis was higher than that in the non-mutated group, these differences were statistically significant. Compared with the non-mutated group in HBV RT region, the age, the positive rates of HBeAg and HBV DNA, and HBV DNA load of these patients were increased in drug resistance gene mutant group, these differences were statistically significant. Genotypes of patients in both groups were dominated by C, followed by B and D. The proportion of patients with genotype C in HBV RT drug resistance gene mutant group was higher than that of non-mutated group, the difference was statistically significant. There were 53 gene mutation patterns in 917 patients with drug resistance gene mutation in HBV RT region, and the main pattern was rtL180M+rtM204V+rtS202G (9.70%). The mutation sites were dominated by 3 (20.74%). There were 5 types of drug resistance, LAM+Ldt (21.25%) was the most. Among the 18 sites that were clearly associated with LAM, ADV, ETV and Ldt resistance in the HBV RT region, 14 sites were mutated, and the most common mutation sites were rtL180M, rtM204V, rtM204 and rtS202G. what's more, the proportion of patients with NAs drug resistance was LAM>Ldt>ETV>ADV. Conclusion: In order to prevent adverse consequences of this study such as disease recurrence or disease progression caused by HBV drug resistance, HBV infected patients, who have long-term use of NAs antiviral therapy, should monitor the level of HBV DNA and drug resistance genes in HBV RT region in order to optimize the treatment plan in time or guide individualized treatment.
Humans ; Hepatitis B virus/genetics* ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use* ; DNA, Viral/therapeutic use* ; Retrospective Studies ; Mutation ; Drug Resistance, Viral/genetics* ; Lamivudine/therapeutic use*

Objective: To analyze the difference in blood uric acid levels between patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and healthy women of childbearing age, and to investigate the correlation between body composition and blood uric acid levels. Methods: A total of 153 eligible childbearing age patients with PCOS treated at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from January 2018 to March 2022 were selected, and 153 healthy women with normal menstruation were selected as the control group. Fasting blood uric acid levels were measured by venous blood test, and body composition was measured by a body composition analyzer. Group comparisons were made to analyze the correlation between body composition and blood uric acid levels. Results: The incidence of hyperuricemia was higher in patients with PCOS than that in the control group [30.1% (46/153) vs 2.0% (3/153)], with a statistically significant difference (χ²=44.429, P<0.001). Blood uric acid level was also significantly higher in patients with PCOS than that in the control group [(371±98) vs (265±67) μmol/L; t=11.170, P<0.001]. Among PCOS patients, there were statistically significant differences in weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, percent body fat, lean body weight, fat mass/lean body weight, percent skeletal muscle, and visceral fat level between the hyperuricemia group and the normal blood uric acid group (all P<0.001), but no significant difference was observed in waist-hip ratio (P=0.348). The following body composition indicators: weight, BMI, waist-hip ratio, body fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, percent body fat, visceral fat level, lean body weight, and fat mass/lean body weight in all subjects, the PCOS patients and the control group, were positively correlated with blood uric acid levels (all P<0.01). The blood uric acid level in PCOS obese patients was higher than that in non-obese PCOS patients, and the difference was statistically significant [(425±83) vs (336±91) μmol/L; t=6.133, P<0.001]. The blood uric acid level in central obesity PCOS patients was also higher than that in non-central obesity PCOS patients [(385±95) vs (299±79) μmol/L], the difference was statistically significant (t=4.261, P<0.001). The blood uric acid level in normal-weight obese PCOS patients was higher than that in normal-weight non-obese PCOS patients [(333±73) vs (277±54) μmol/L], and the difference was statistically significant (t=2.848, P=0.006). Blood uric acid levels in normal-weight [(315±74) vs (255±67) μmol/L], overweight [(362±102) vs (276±57) μmol/L], and obese PCOS patients [(425±83) vs (303±74) μmol/L] were all higher than those in the corresponding control groups, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.001). Conclusions: PCOS patients have a higher incidence of hyperuricemia than healthy women of childbearing age. Blood uric acid levels are closely correlated with body composition indicators, such as weight, BMI, waist-hip ratio, body fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, percent body fat, and visceral fat level. Body composition analysis of women with PCOS could help identify potentially obese people more accurately and carry out individualized treatment, thereby reducing the risk of metabolic abnormalities.
Humans ; Female ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/complications* ; Uric Acid ; Hyperuricemia/complications* ; Insulin ; Body Composition/physiology* ; Obesity/complications* ; Body Mass Index

Patients with congenital unilateral absence of the vas deferens (CUAVD) manifest diverse symptoms from normospermia to azoospermia. Treatment for CUAVD patients with obstructive azoospermia (OA) is complicated, and there is a lack of relevant reports. In this study, we describe the clinical features and evaluate the treatments and outcomes of CUAVD patients with OA. From December 2015 to December 2020, 33 patients were diagnosed as CUAVD with OA in Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai, China). Patient information, ultrasound findings, semen analysis, hormone profiles, and treatment information were collected, and the clinical outcomes were evaluated. Of 33 patients, 29 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Vasoepididymostomy (VE) or cross VE was performed in 12 patients, the patency rate was 41.7% (5/12), and natural pregnancy was achieved in one of the patients. The other 17 patients underwent testicular sperm extraction as the distal vas deferens (contralateral side) was obstructed. These findings showed that VE or cross VE remains an alternative treatment for CUAVD patients with OA, even with a relatively low rate of patency and natural pregnancy.
Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Vas Deferens/abnormalities* ; Azoospermia/surgery* ; Epididymis/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tertiary Care Centers ; China ; Semen

The canonical transient receptor potential channel(TRPC)proteins form Ca2+-permeable cation channels that are involved in various heart diseases.However,the roles of specific TRPC proteins in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion(I/R)injury remain poorly understood.We observed that TRPC1 and TRPC6 were highly expressed in the area at risk(AAR)in a coronary artery ligation induced I/R model.Trpc1-/-mice exhibited improved cardiac function,lower serum Troponin T and serum creatine kinase level,smaller infarct volume,less fibrotic scars,and fewer apoptotic cells after myocardial-I/R than wild-type or Trpc6-/-mice.Cardiomyocyte-specific knockdown of Trpc1 using adeno-associated virus 9 mitigated myocardial I/R injury.Furthermore,Trpc1 deficiency protected adult mouse ventricular myocytes(AMVMs)and HL-1 cells from death during hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R)injury.RNA-sequencing-based transcriptome analysis revealed differential expression of genes related to reactive oxygen species(ROS)generation in Trpc1-/-cardiomyocytes.Among these genes,oxoglutarate dehydrogenase-like(Ogdhl)was markedly downregulated.Moreover,Trpc1 deficiency impaired the calcineurin(CaN)/nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB)signaling pathway in AMVMs.Suppression of this pathway inhibited Ogdhl upregulation and ROS generation in HL-1 cells under H/R conditions.Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed NF-κB binding to the Ogdhl promoter.The cardioprotective effect of Trpc1 deficiency was canceled out by overexpression of NF-κB and Ogdhl in cardiomyocytes.In conclusion,our findings reveal that TRPC1 is upregulated in the AAR following myocardial I/R,leading to increased Ca2+influx into associated cardiomyocytes.Subsequently,this upregulates Ogdhl expression through the CaN/NF-κB signaling pathway,ultimately exacerbating ROS production and aggravating myocardial I/R injury.

Central nervous system (CNS) fungal infections are challenging and difficult to diagnose and treat. This article introduces the high risk factors, pathogen spectrum and laboratory indicators that cause CNS fungal infection. As patients with CNS fungal infections are often accompanied by immunodeficiency, it is especially necessary for clinical early detection, early prevention, and early diagnosis, and timely and effective implementation of optimized diagnosis and treatment programs to prevent further deterioration of the disease.
Central Nervous System ; Central Nervous System Fungal Infections/microbiology* ; Central Nervous System Infections ; Fungi ; Humans ; Risk Factors

Physalin B (PB), one of the major active steroidal constituents of Solanaceae Physalis plants, has a wide variety of biological activities. We found that PB significantly down-regulated β-amyloid (Aβ) secretion in N2a/APPsw cells. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In the current study, we investigated the changes in key enzymes involved in β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) metabolism and other APP metabolites by treating N2a/APPsw cells with PB at different concentrations. The results indicated that PB reduced Aβ secretion, which was caused by down-regulation of β-secretase (BACE1) expression, as indicated at both the protein and mRNA levels. Further research revealed that PB regulated BACE1 expression by inducing the activation of forkhead box O1 (FoxO1) and inhibiting the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). In addition, the effect of PB on BACE1 expression and Aβ secretion was reversed by treatment with FoxO1 siRNA and STAT3 antagonist S3I-201. In conclusion, these data demonstrated that PB can effectively down-regulate the expression of BACE1 to reduce Aβsecretion by activating the expression of FoxO1 and inhibiting the phosphorylation of STAT3.
Alzheimer Disease ; Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases/metabolism* ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism* ; Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases/metabolism* ; Down-Regulation ; Forkhead Box Protein O1/genetics* ; Humans ; Phosphorylation ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Secosteroids

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influencing factors of low back pain and the relationship of the influence of bad working posture, weight load and frequency of load and the dose-response relationship among the occupational workers of key industries in China. METHODS: A total of 57 501 employees from 15 key industries in China were selected as research subjects using stratified cluster sampling method. The occurrence of low back pain in the past one year, as well as occupational factors such as job type, labor organization and work posture were investigated by using the Chinese version Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of low back pain in the occupational population of key industries in China was 16.4%(9 448/57 501). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of low back pain in females was higher than that in males(P<0.01). Married, obese, occasional and frequent smokers, and a history of lower back disease were associated with increased risk of low back pain(all P<0.05). The risk of low back pain was associated with older age, higher education level, and lower frequency of physical exercise(all P<0.01). The risk of low back pain was higher with longer working time, greater back curvature, and the high frequency of long standing and sitting position work, uncomfortable working posture, repeated operation per minute, and lifting>5 kg weight(all P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The influencing factors of low back pain in the occupational population of key industries in China include bad working posture, high frequency load, weight load and other individual factors. There is a dose-response relationship with low back posture load and frequency of load.

Objective:To investigate the incidence of hypothyroxinemia in very low birth weight infant (VLBWI) and its effect on early postnatal feeding and weight gain.Methods:This retrospective study analyzed 164 cases of VLBWIs admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Peking University First Hospital from January 2017 to December 2018. According to the gestational age, these VLBWIs were divided into <30 weeks group ( n=85) or ≥30 weeks group ( n=79), and the basic data and thyroid function were compared. According to the levels of serum tetraiodothyronine and free tetraiodothyronine at the first thyroid function test, the subjects were further assigned into normal thyroxine group and hypothyroxinemia group. The risk factors of hypothyroxinemia identified at the first detection were analyzed by single and multiple-facter analysis. The results of the second detection of thyroxine were also analyzed. On the basis of the first detection and receiving treatment or not, the <30 weeks and ≥30 weeks groups were divided into normal thyroxine, hypothyroxinemia treated and hypothyroxinemia untreated subgroups, and differences in the tolerance of early feeding and weight gain were compared between different groups. Two independent samples/paired t-test, rank sum test, Chi-square test and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Results:Out of the 164 VLBWIs with the gestational age of (29.7±2.0) weeks and birth weight of (1 210±210) g, 27 cases (16.5%) were extremely low birth weight infants. The age at their first detection was (10.7±3.1) d and the incidence of hypothyroxinemia was 45.1% (74/164), including 71 mild and three severe cases, with a higher incidence in the ≥30 weeks group comparing to the <30 weeks group [55.7%(44/79) vs 35.5%(30/85), χ 2= 6.883, P=0.009]. All the three severe cases were in the ≥30 weeks group. The gestational age ( OR=1.413, 95% CI:1.044-1.912, P=0.025) and male infant ( OR=2.082, 95% CI: 1.047-4.143, P=0.037) were the risk factors of hypothyroxinemia. At the second detection, the incidence of hypothyroxinemia in VLBWIs with normal thyroid function at their first test was 47.6% (39/82), which is higher in the ≥30 weeks group than in the <30 weeks group [64.5%(20/31) vs 37.3%(19/51), χ 2= 5.745, P=0.017]. Among the infants with hypothyroxinemia at the first detection, those untreated had a significantly higher incidence of hypothyroxinemia at the second detection than those treated [81.3%(26/32) vs 38.7%(12/31), χ 2= 11.905, P=0.001]. The incidence of abdominal distension within 21 days, feeding volume on day 7, 14, and 21, and neonatal weight gain within 7, 14, and 21 days were similar between normal thyroxine, hypothyroxinemia treated and hypothyroxinemia untreated subgroups within the ≥30 weeks or the <30 weeks groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:VLBWI is at high risk of hypothyroxinemia. Two times of postnatal thyroid function tests can help to detect the delayed hypothyroxinemia. Thyroxine level and receiving treatment or not may have no significant effect on the early postnatal feeding and weight gain.