Aldehyde oxidase (AOX) is a molybdoenzyme that is primarily expressed in the liver and is involved in the metabolism of drugs and other xenobiotics. AOX-mediated metabolism can result in unexpected outcomes, such as the production of toxic metabolites and high metabolic clearance, which can lead to the clinical failure of novel therapeutic agents. Computational models can assist medicinal chemists in rapidly evaluating the AOX metabolic risk of compounds during the early phases of drug discovery and provide valuable clues for manipulating AOX-mediated metabolism liability. In this study, we developed a novel graph neural network called AOMP for predicting AOX-mediated metabolism. AOMP integrated the tasks of metabolic substrate/non-substrate classification and metabolic site prediction, while utilizing transfer learning from ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance data to enhance its performance on both tasks. AOMP significantly outperformed the benchmark methods in both cross-validation and external testing. Using AOMP, we systematically assessed the AOX-mediated metabolism of common fragments in kinase inhibitors and successfully identified four new scaffolds with AOX metabolism liability, which were validated through in vitro experiments. Furthermore, for the convenience of the community, we established the first online service for AOX metabolism prediction based on AOMP, which is freely available at https://aomp.alphama.com.cn.

BACKGROUND:With the rapid development of minimally invasive spinal surgery and enhanced recovery after surgery,endoscopic intervertebral fusion techniques have gradually emerged and been widely used in clinical practice in recent years. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the early clinical efficacy of uniaxial spinal endoscopic intervertebral fusion combined with posterior percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases. METHODS:135 patients with lumbar degenerative diseases treated by uniaxial spinal endoscopic intervertebral fusion combined with posterior percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in the Suining Central Hospital from October 2020 to December 2021 were enrolled in this study.There were 59 males and 76 females,aged 47-79 years.The lower limb and lumbar pain was evaluated by visual analog scale and lumbar function was assessed by Oswestry disability index before the operation,1 week,1,and 6 months after the operation,and at the end of follow-up.The overall pain recovery of patients was evaluated by the scoring criteria for low back pain surgery of Spine Group of Chinese Orthopedic Association and the lumbar physiological curvature and intervertebral fusion were evaluated on lumbar lateral X-ray preoperatively and at the end of follow-up. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The 135 patients were followed up for(17.8±3.0)months after surgery.There was 1 case of endplate injury,1 case of cerebrospinal fluid leakage,1 case of nerve root injury,1 case of intervertebral cage subsidence and displacement,1 case of chronic infection,and 1 case of pedicle screw rupture.The complication rate was 5.2%.(2)The lumbar visual analog scale score and Oswestry disability index significantly decreased in the waist and lower limbs at various time points postoperatively compared with those preoperatively in 135 patients(P<0.05).The scoring criteria for low back pain surgery of the Spine Group of the Chinese Orthopedic Association were significantly better at the last follow-up than that preoperatively in 135 patients(P<0.05).(3)At the last follow-up,there was no significant difference in physiological curvature of lumbar vertebra as compared with that preoperatively in 135 patients(P>0.05),with a fusion rate of 95.8%.(4)It is concluded that uniaxial spinal endoscopic intervertebral fusion combined with posterior percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases has shown satisfactory early clinical results and is a highly safe minimally invasive spinal surgery mode.

Objective:To study the predictive values of lung ultrasound (LUS) score and Downes score in selecting respiratory support strategies for newborns with dyspnea.Methods:From September 2021 to July 2022, newborns admitted to our hospital with dyspnea were selected and assigned into the non-invasive respiratory support (N) group, invasive respiratory support (I) group and control (C) group based on the respiratory support strategies on admission. LUS scores and Downes scores at 6, 24, and 48 h after birth were recorded. ROC curves were drawn to determine the predictive values of LUS and Downes scores for respiratory support strategies.Results:A total of 263 cases were enrolled, including 105 cases in N group, 56 cases in I group and 102 cases in C group. The differences of LUS and Downes scores between the three groups at the same timepoint were statistically significant with I group had the highest scores, N group second and C group lowest ( P<0.05). LUS and Downes scores within each group at different timepoints were significantly different ( P<0.05).In all three groups, LUS and Downes scores were decreased with longer duration of treatment. LUS score, Downes score and PaO 2/FiO 2 were positively correlated with each other ( P<0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of LUS score and Downes score predicting non-invasive respiratory support within 6 h after birth were 0.900 (95% CI 0.861-0.940, P<0.05) and 0.889 (95% CI 0.847-0.931, P<0.05), respectively, with the same cutoff of 2.5. The AUC of the combination of LUS and Downes scores predicting non-invasive respiratory support was 0.944 (95% CI 0.915-0.973, P<0.05). The AUC of LUS score and Downes score predicting invasive respiratory support were 0.979 (95% CI 0.963-0.995, P<0.05) and 0.831 (95% CI 0.760-0.902, P<0.05), respectively, with the same cutoff of 5.5. The AUC of the combination of LUS and Downes scores predicting invasive respiratory support was 0.985 (95% CI 0.972-0.998, P<0.05). Conclusions:Both LUS score and Downes score have certain predictive values for respiratory support strategies in newborns with dyspnea.

Objective:To investigate the protective effect of Xuebijing injection on acute lung injury (ALI) associated with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) by regulating the apoptosis of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN).Methods:Thirty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (Sham group), CPB model group (CPB group) and Xuebijing pretreatment group (XBJ group) according to the random number table method, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the CPB group and XBJ group undergoing CPB procedures for 60 minutes. Rats in the Sham group did not undergo CPB. Rats in the XBJ group received intraperitoneal injection of 4 mL/kg Xuebijing injection 2 hours before CPB. Rats in the Sham group and CPB group were injected with an equal amount of normal saline. 4 hours after CPB, arterial blood was collected for blood gas analysis to calculate respiratory index (RI), and lung tissue of rats was collected for determination of lung index (LI) and pulmonary water containing rate. PMN in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected and the activity of caspase-3 was detected. The apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry. The expressions of microRNA-142-3p (miR-142-3p) and FoxO1 mRNA were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The protein expression of FoxO1 was detected by Western blotting. In addition, HL-60 cells were divided into control oligonucleotide transfection group, miR-142-3p mimics transfection group, and miR-142-3p inhibitor transfection group. After 48 hours of transfection, the activity of miR-142-3p binding to FoxO1 was detected using dual luciferase reporter genes.Results:Compared with Sham group, RI, LI and pulmonary water containing rate were significantly increased in CPB group. The caspase-3 activity and apoptosis rate of PMN obtained from BALF were significantly decreased, the expression of miR-142-3p was decreased, and the expression of FoxO1 protein was increased. However, compared with CPB group, RI, LI and pulmonary water containing rate were significantly decreased in XBJ group [RI: 0.281±0.066 vs. 0.379±0.071, LI: 4.50±0.26 vs. 5.71±0.42, pulmonary water containing rate: (80.31±32.50)% vs. (84.59±3.41)%, all P < 0.01]. The caspase-3 activity and apoptosis rate of PMN obtained from BALF were significantly increased [caspase-3 activity: 0.350±0.021 vs. 0.210±0.014, apoptosis rate: (15.490±1.382)% vs. (8.700±0.701)%, both P < 0.01], the expression of miR-142-3p was significantly up-regulated (2 -ΔΔCt: 2.61±0.17 vs. 0.62±0.05, P < 0.01), and the protein expression of FoxO1 was decreased [FoxO1/GAPDH (relative expression level): 0.81±0.04 vs. 1.22±0.06, P < 0.01]. However, there was no statistically significant difference in FoxO1 mRNA expression among the three groups. The bioinformatics analysis results showed that miR-142-3p can bind to the FoxO1 3'untranslated region (3'UTR). In HL-60 cells, compared with control oligonucleotide transfection group, the transfection of miR-142-3p mimics could reduce the expression of FoxO1 protein [FoxO1/GAPDH (relative expression level): 0.48±0.06 vs. 1.00±0.05, P < 0.01], however, the transfection of miR-142-3p inhibitor increased the expression of FoxO1 protein [FoxO1/GAPDH (relative expression level): 1.37±0.21 vs. 1.00±0.05, P < 0.05]. But, transfection with miR-142-3p mimics or inhibitor had no effect on FoxO1 mRNA expression. The luciferase reporter gene showed that miR-142-3p could bind to the FoxO1 3'UTR to inhibit FoxO1 expression. Conclusion:Xuebijing injection may promote the apoptosis of pulmonary alveolar PMN through the miR-142-3p/FoxO1 axis, and play a role in the prevention and treatment of CPB-induced ALI.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of norovirus (NoV) acute gastroenteritis (AGE) outbreaks caused by GII.17[P17] variant in China, 2022.Methods:Information and specimens of AGE outbreaks between January and December 2022 were collected. NoV RNA was detected in all specimens by real-time RT-PCR. The viral genome of the positive specimens were amplified, sequenced and analyzed.Results:Between January and December 2022, 360 AGE outbreaks were reported cumulatively, of which 266 outbreaks successfully obtained genotype results. GII.17 [P17] was one of the main genotypes and detected in 34 outbreaks (12.78%, 34/266), with the highest number of outbreaks detected in spring (6 outbreaks in March and 7 outbreaks in May), mainly in childcare facilities and primary schools (61.76%, 21/34). According to the result of NoV genotype analysis in different age groups, 14 strains of GII.17 [P17] in this study belonged to Cluster III b and SC III branch of Cluster III (Kawasaki308) in the capsid region and polymerase region, respectively, and both belonged to the same cluster as the variant strain (GZ41621 strain) that caused the NoV AGE outbreaks in China during the 2014/15 season. Compared to reference strains of Cluster I, Cluster II and Cluster III a, Cluster III b was provided with 22 amino acid mutations in VP1. The main amino acid changes in the subgroup of Cluster III b including the virus strains isolated in this study were at T294I and Q299R of antigen epitope A, an insertion mutation occurred at antigen epitope D, H353Q at the site I of the human histo-blood group antigen receptor binding site. The selection pressure analysis detected a large number of negative selection sites, indicating that negative selection plays an important role in the evolution of VP1 genes.Conclusions:GII.17 [P17] was one of the primary genotypes responsible for NoV diarrhea outbreaks in China in 2022. Phylogenetic analysis had revealed that it still belonged to the same cluster as the novel GII.17 [P17] variant (strain GZ41621) that caused NoV epidemics in China during the 2014/15 season, exhibiting minor amino acid variations at the potential epitope.

Objective:To increase secretory expression of SARS-CoV-2 S-EABR protein in 293T cell line by optimizing promoter, PolyA signals, signal peptide and terminal amino acids of intracellular sequences.Methods:First, four PCDNA3.1 (-) eukaryotic vector plasmids (Mb, MS, Ab, AS) containing different combinations of elements (promoter and PolyA signals) were constructed, and the S-EABR-1 target sequence optimized according to human codons was inserted. 293T-cells were transiently transfected. After 48 hours, cell culture supernatants and cell lysates were collected, and the expression level of S protein in supernatant was detected by Western blotting and ELISA. Then, the vector with the best expression element combination was selected, and the target sequences of S-EABR-1 and S-EABR-2 (4 amino acids-HSLP were added to the tail of S-EABR-1) were inserted to compare the expression level of S protein in the supernatant. Finally, based on the combination of the above elements with the best expression effect and the insertion of the target sequence, five vector plasmids (tPA, AZ, IFNα2, HSA, GLUC) were constructed to replace the original signal peptide of SARS-CoV-2 S protein, and the expression level of S protein in the supernatant was compared. At the same time, a computer was used to simulate the molecular docking of the SRP54 subunit and the signal peptide nucleic acid sequence, and the Docking Score was used as the docking evaluation criterion to predict the binding of the two.Results:In 293T cells, the Ab combination vector secreted the highest level of S-EABR, and the yield increased by 125% compared with Mb. Based on the Ab combination vector, the level of S-EABR-2 sequence expression and secretion of S-EABR increased by about 50% compared with S-EABR-1. After further replacement with the HSA signal peptide, the level of S-EABR expression and secretion increased by about 83% compared with the original signal peptide of the S protein. In addition, computer simulation result showed that the docking score between HSA and SRP54 subunit was the highest, at 1 505.861.Conclusions:The secretory expression of codon-optimized S-EABR in 293T cells can be further improved by optimizing eukaryotic expression elements (promoter, terminator and signal peptide) and intracellular sequences. The calculated simulated docking score of the affinity between the signal peptide and the SRP54 subunit is basically consistent with the secreted expression level of S-EABR also provides a design idea and screening strategy for subsequent screening of signal peptides to improve the secreted expression of the target gene.

Objective:A recombinant adenoviral vector vaccine based on non-replicating human adenovirus type 5 (Ad5), encoding the conserved domain of respiratory syncytial virus G protein (RSV-G) was constructed. The immunogenicity and protective efficacy of this vaccine were subsequently evaluated in mice.Methods:The recombinant Ad5 vector plasmid (Ad5-Gbcc-Gacc) was constructed by inserted conserved domains of RSV A and RSV B. The recombinant adenovirus Ad5-Gbcc-Gacc was rescued in HEK293A cells. The genome of virus Ad5-Gbcc-Gacc was identified by multi-enzyme digestion, and the expression of Ad5-Gbcc-Gacc was verified by Western blot. Recombinant adenovirus was used to immunize BALB/c mice via intramuscular injection with signal dose, and then challenged with RSV Long strain at week 6. The levels of G specific IgG and antibody subtypes in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the level of neutralizing antibodies was determined by micro-neutralization assay. After challenge, the mice′s weight was recorded daily, the copies of RSV virus in the lung and nasal tissues were detected. Pathological changes in lung tissue were also examined.Results:Western blot and multi-enzyme digestion identification confirmed the successful rescue of the recombinant adenovirus. Ad5-Gbcc-Gacc elicit high titers of specific IgG, robust neutralizing antibodies, and a balanced Th1/Th2 immune response in mice. In comparison to unimmunized controls, mice immunized with Ad5-Gbcc-Gacc reduced the viral copies in both lung and nasal tissue, and exhibited only minimal pathological damage of lung tissue following RSV challenge. In conclusion, Ad5-Gbcc-Gacc induced robust immunogenicity and offers protective effects against RSV infection in murine models.Conclusions:Ad5-Gbcc-Gacc induce robust immunogenicity and can protect mice from RSV challenge, which lays a foundation for further development of RSV vaccine based on G protein.

Objective:To establish a rapid quantitative PCR (qPCR) technique for Mycobacterium marinum skin infections, and to analyze its clinical diagnostic efficiency. Methods:DNA was extracted from Mycobacterium marinum colonies and serially diluted (10 -1 to 10 -8). Twelve pairs of previously reported primers and probes, as well as 6 pairs of newly designed primers and probes in this study, were used for qPCR amplification to identify the most sensitive primers and probes for the detection of Mycobacterium marinum. Skin lesion tissues were collected from 72 patients with confirmed Mycobacterium marinum infections (experimental group) and 68 with other mycobacterial infections (control group) at Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences in 2021. These skin tissues were subjected to qPCR amplification, interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA), acid-fast staining, and tissue culture to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy. Results:The newly designed primers and probes targeting the mycobacterial enhanced infection locus 2 (Mel2) demonstrated the highest sensitivity, with a detection limit of 0.86 copies/μl (cycle threshold value = 37) ; the qPCR amplification with the Mel2 primers/probes did not yield positive results when used for the detection of other mycobacteria (including Mycobacterium leprae and Staphylococcus spp) . Among the 72 patients in the experimental group, 44 were positive for qPCR with a sensitivity of 61.1% (95% CI: 49.6% - 71.5%), and 47 were positive for culture with a sensitivity of 65.2% (95% CI: 53.8% - 75.3%) ; all the 68 controls were negative for both qPCR and culture, with their specificities both being 100%. Among 65 patients subjected to IGRA, 31 were positive with a sensitivity of 47.7% (95% CI: 36.0% - 59.6%), while 16 out of 25 controls were negative for IGRA with a specificity of 64.0% (95% CI: 44.5% - 79.8%). Among 58 patients subjected to acid-fast staining, 37 were positive with a sensitivity of 63.8% (95% CI: 50.9% - 74.9%), and 52 out of 66 controls were negative for acid-fast staining with a specificity of 78.8% (95% CI: 67.5% - 86.9%). The combination of qPCR and culture resulted in a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 100% for the detection of Mycobacterium marinum. Conclusion:In this study, a highly sensitive qPCR assay was developed for the detection of Mycobacterium marinum, and its combination with culture could further improve the detection sensitivity.

Objective To explore the short-term efficacy of endovascular isolation treatment for type A aortic intramural hematoma(AIH)with pericardial effusion,and to discuss the endovascular isolation treatment strategy for type A AIH with pericardial effusion.Methods A total of 12 patients with type A AIH complicated by pericardial effusion,who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China between February 2018 and November 2021,were enrolled in this study.Before surgery,the intima of the ascending aorta was intact in all patients,but a rupture at the proximal intima of the aortic arch or the thoracic descending aorta was detected.All patients received endovascular isolation treatment.Among them,4 patients received endovascular isolation treatment within one week after the onset of disease,and 8 patients received selective operation after receiving conservative treatment for one week.The patients were followed up for one year.Results Among the patients who received endovascular isolation treatment within one week after the onset of disease,one patient recovered smoothly,two patients developed type A dissection within 3 months after surgery,and one died early after surgery.All the 8 patients,who received selective operation after receiving conservative treatment for one week,recovered smoothly.Conclusion For patients with type A AIH complicated by mild to moderate pericardial effusion,selective endovascular isolation treatment after receiving the conservative treatment to alleviate the ascending aortic hematoma can achieve ideal therapeutic effect.

Dynamic changes in gut dysbiosis and metabolomic dysregulation are associated with immune-complex glomerulonephritis(ICGN).However,an in-depth study on this topic is currently lacking.Herein,we report an ICGN model to address this gap.ICGN was induced via the intravenous injection of cationized bovine serum albumin(c-BSA)into Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats for two weeks,after which mycophenolate mofetil(MMF)and losartan were administered orally.Two and six weeks after ICGN establishment,fecal samples were collected and 16S ribosomal DNA(rDNA)sequencing and untargeted metabolomic were conducted.Fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT)was conducted to determine whether gut normali-zation caused by MMF and losartan contributed to their renal protective effects.A gradual decline in microbial diversity and richness was accompanied by a loss of renal function.Approximately 18 genera were found to have significantly different relative abundances between the early and later stages,and Marvinbryantia and Allobaculum were markedly upregulated in both stages.Untargeted metabolomics indicated that the tryptophan metabolism was enhanced in ICGN,characterized by the overproduction of indole and kynurenic acid,while the serotonin pathway was reduced.Administration of losartan and MMF ameliorated microbial dysbiosis and reduced the accumulation of indoxyl conjugates in feces.FMT using feces from animals administered MMF and losartan improved gut dysbiosis by decreasing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes(F/B)ratio but did not improve renal function.These findings indicate that ICGN induces serous gut dysbiosis,wherein an altered tryptophan metabolism may contribute to its pro-gression.MMF and losartan significantly reversed the gut microbial and metabolomic dysbiosis,which partially contributed to their renoprotective effects.