1.Isolation and Identification of Staphylococcus xylosus in Nude Mice with Squamous Skin Scurfs
Zhihao KONG ; Xiaofeng WEI ; Lingzhi YU ; Liping FENG ; Qi ZHU ; Guojun SHI ; Chen WANG
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(3):368-375
Objective To isolate pathogenic bacteria from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs, and perform bacterial identification, traceability analysis, and pathogenicity studies to provide a new approach for the diagnosis of pathogens in nude mice with squamous skin scurfs. MethodsSkin swab samples were collected from a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs for nucleic acid testing, bacterial isolation and culture, biochemical identification, 16S rDNA gene amplification and sequencing, and whole genome sequencing to construct a phylogenetic tree. Fifteen BALB/c nude mice were randomized into a saline-treated control group, a high-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁸ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension, and a low-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁷ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension. Pathogenicity was assessed by animal infection experiments and observation of histopathological changes in skin tissue using HE staining. Results The nucleic acid test for Corynebacterium bovis was negative, excluding infection by this organism. The pathogen isolated on mannitol salt agar and blood agar, combined with Gram staining, suggested a Gram-positive Staphylococcus species. The isolated strain was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and a fully automated microbial identification system as Staphylococcus xylosus. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on whole genome sequencing showed that the strain was most closely related to an isolate from leafy vegetables in South Korea (GenBank GCA_00207825.1). In the high-concentration group, squamous skin scurfs appeared on the head, neck, and back of nude mice on the 17th day post-infection, while in the low concentration group, similar symptoms appeared on the 20th day post-infection and gradually spread to other areas. The scaling symptoms were transient, lasting for 7 days in the high-concentration group and 3 days in the low-concentration group, after which the skin returned to normal. The infection rate was 33.33% in both the high- and low-concentration groups. No significant pathological changes were observed in the skin tissues of infected mice compared to the control group, indicating marked individual differences in the pathogenicity of the strain in nude mice. Conclusion A strain of Staphylococcus xylosus was isolated from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs. The strain is an opportunistic pathogen that causes transient squamous skin scurfs without significant histopathological changes, and there are individual differences in the sensitivity of nude mice to this strain. These findings can provide valuable data for pathogen identification in immunodeficient or gene knockout mice.
2.Isolation and Identification of Staphylococcus xylosus in Nude Mice with Squamous Skin Scurfs
Zhihao KONG ; Xiaofeng WEI ; Lingzhi YU ; Liping FENG ; Qi ZHU ; Guojun SHI ; Chen WANG
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(3):368-375
Objective To isolate pathogenic bacteria from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs, and perform bacterial identification, traceability analysis, and pathogenicity studies to provide a new approach for the diagnosis of pathogens in nude mice with squamous skin scurfs. MethodsSkin swab samples were collected from a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs for nucleic acid testing, bacterial isolation and culture, biochemical identification, 16S rDNA gene amplification and sequencing, and whole genome sequencing to construct a phylogenetic tree. Fifteen BALB/c nude mice were randomized into a saline-treated control group, a high-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁸ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension, and a low-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁷ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension. Pathogenicity was assessed by animal infection experiments and observation of histopathological changes in skin tissue using HE staining. Results The nucleic acid test for Corynebacterium bovis was negative, excluding infection by this organism. The pathogen isolated on mannitol salt agar and blood agar, combined with Gram staining, suggested a Gram-positive Staphylococcus species. The isolated strain was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and a fully automated microbial identification system as Staphylococcus xylosus. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on whole genome sequencing showed that the strain was most closely related to an isolate from leafy vegetables in South Korea (GenBank GCA_00207825.1). In the high-concentration group, squamous skin scurfs appeared on the head, neck, and back of nude mice on the 17th day post-infection, while in the low concentration group, similar symptoms appeared on the 20th day post-infection and gradually spread to other areas. The scaling symptoms were transient, lasting for 7 days in the high-concentration group and 3 days in the low-concentration group, after which the skin returned to normal. The infection rate was 33.33% in both the high- and low-concentration groups. No significant pathological changes were observed in the skin tissues of infected mice compared to the control group, indicating marked individual differences in the pathogenicity of the strain in nude mice. Conclusion A strain of Staphylococcus xylosus was isolated from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs. The strain is an opportunistic pathogen that causes transient squamous skin scurfs without significant histopathological changes, and there are individual differences in the sensitivity of nude mice to this strain. These findings can provide valuable data for pathogen identification in immunodeficient or gene knockout mice.
3.Overview of epigenetic degraders based on PROTAC, molecular glue, and hydrophobic tagging technologies.
Xiaopeng PENG ; Zhihao HU ; Limei ZENG ; Meizhu ZHANG ; Congcong XU ; Benyan LU ; Chengpeng TAO ; Weiming CHEN ; Wen HOU ; Kui CHENG ; Huichang BI ; Wanyi PAN ; Jianjun CHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(2):533-578
Epigenetic pathways play a critical role in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of cancer. Over the past few decades, significant progress has been made in the development of targeted epigenetic modulators (e.g., inhibitors). However, epigenetic inhibitors have faced multiple challenges, including limited clinical efficacy, toxicities, lack of subtype selectivity, and drug resistance. As a result, the design of new epigenetic modulators (e.g., degraders) such as PROTACs, molecular glue, and hydrophobic tagging (HyT) degraders has garnered significant attention from both academia and pharmaceutical industry, and numerous epigenetic degraders have been discovered in the past decade. In this review, we aim to provide an in-depth illustration of new degrading strategies (2017-2023) targeting epigenetic proteins for cancer therapy, focusing on the rational design, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, clinical status, and crystal structure information of these degraders. Importantly, we also provide deep insights into the potential challenges and corresponding remedies of this approach to drug design and development. Overall, we hope this review will offer a better mechanistic understanding and serve as a useful guide for the development of emerging epigenetic-targeting degraders.
4.Peripheral blood eosinophil/neutrophil as an independent risk factor for recurrence after treatment in children with bronchial asthma
Qinying FENG ; Xiaoyu SONG ; Xinzhong ZHOU ; Zhihao CHEN
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;45(2):150-154
Objective To investigate the effect of eosinophil(EOS)/neutrophil(NER)in peripheral blood on asthma recurrence in children with bronchial asthma(BA)after treatment.Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted in the study.BA children admitted to the hospital from February 2020 to February 2022 were selected as the research objects.All children were treated regularly and their condition was under con-trol.After a follow-up of 6 months,the recurrence of the children was recorded.EOS/NER,interleukin(IL)-4 and IL-5 of children with and without relapse before treatment and at 1 week of treatment were compared.Lo-gistic regression analysis model was established to test the effect of EOS/NER on the recurrence of asthma in children with BA after treatment.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to analyze the predictive value of EOS/NER,IL-4 and IL-5 before treatment for the recurrence risk of BA children after treatment.Results A total of 128 children with BA were included.25 cases recurred after 6 months of follow-up,with a recurrence rate of 19.53%.EOS/NER,IL-4 and IL-5 of BA children after 1 week of treatment were lower than those before treatment(P<0.05).EOS/NER,IL-4 and IL-5 of recurrent children before treat-ment and 1 week after treatment were higher than those of non-recurrent children(P<0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in EOS/NER,IL-4,IL-5 levels between children of different genders,age groups,and treatment regimens before and after 1 week of treatment(P>0.05).Increased EOS/NER,in-creased level of IL-4 and increased level of IL-5 had effect on the recurrence of BA children after treatment and may be risk factors for recurrence(OR>1,P<0.05).The ROC curve showed that area under the curve of EOS/NER before treatment for predicting the recurrence was 0.810(95%CI:0.724-0.896,P<0.001)in BA patients after 6 months of treatment,with moderate predictive value.Conclusion EOS/NER before treat-ment in BA children may be an independent risk factor for recurrence after treatment,and has moderate pre-dictive value for recurrence risk.
5.Nomogram for Predicting Invasive Breast Cancer with Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis
Mengying XU ; Jinrui LIU ; Jian LI ; Pan ZHANG ; Zhihao LI ; Zihan HONG ; Bing CHEN
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2024;32(2):150-156,161
Purpose To explore the predictive value of nomogram model for invasive breast cancer with axillary lymph node metastasis.Materials and Methods Retrospective analysis was made on 122 patients suspected to be breast cancer in the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from September 2020 to March 2022.According to whether there was axillary lymph node metastasis,all subjects were divided into 57 patients in the metastasis group and 65 patients in the non-metastasis group.All lesions were pathologically confirmed by surgery.The two groups received synthesis of magnetic resonance imaging(syMRI),dynamic contrast enhancement magnetic resonance imaging(DCE-MRI)and diffusion weighted imaging(DWI)scans.The syMRI parameters[including T1,T2,proton density(PD)],DCE-MRI time signal intensity curve,apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)value of breast lesions were measured.Compared the difference of parameters between the two groups,and screened the independent risk factors of invasive breast cancer with axillary lymph node metastasis.Results Logistic regression results showed that Ki-67(OR=2.971,95%CI 1.306-6.762,P=0.009),lesion size(OR=1.652,95%CI 1.067-2.556,P=0.024),ADCratio(OR=1.685,95%CI 1.014-2.801,P=0.044),T2ratio(OR=3.015,95%CI 1.433-6.340,P=0.003),PDratio(OR=2.782,95%CI 1.471-5.262,P=0.002)were independent risk factors for invasive breast cancer with axillary lymph node metastasis.The comparison of the five models showed that the Logistic regression model had the best performance,with the area under curve of 0.729(95%CI 0.621-0.789),the accuracy,specificity and sensitivity were 70.65%,62.79%and 77.55%,respectively.The accuracy of the nomogram model was tested,and C-index=0.844,the accuracy of the nomogram model established was good,cut-off risk was 0.468,and the cut-off score was 143.50,which means that when the total score exceeds 143.50,the risk of axillary lymph node metastasis would be higher than 46.8%.Conclusion Nomogram model has a good predictive ability for invasive breast cancer patients with axillary lymph node metastasis.
6.Exploration of Therapeutic Effect of Wujiwan on Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Rats Based on PPARγ Signaling Pathway and T-cell Immunoregulation
Shiyun GUO ; Yuxuan GUO ; Yi SUN ; Xiaoxin ZHU ; Yujie LI ; Ying CHEN ; Qing YANG ; Yajie WANG ; Qi LI ; Xiaogang WENG ; Zhihao DENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):237-245
ObjectiveThis study explores the efficacy and pharmacological mechanism of Wujiwan in rats with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from the perspectives of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) signaling pathway and T-cell immunity, providing reference for the treatment of IBD with traditional Chinese medicine. MethodThe study involved administering 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) enemas to 35 rats to induce acute IBD. After 24 hours, the animals were divided into the following groups: normal group, model group, Wujiwan treatment group, and positive drug control group. Each group received gastric gavage for 8 consecutive days before the rats were dissected to compare the disease activity index (DAI) of the rat colon tissue, the colon mucosal damage index (CMDI), and the spleen index. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the serum. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to determine the mRNA expression levels of T-bet (T-box expressed in T cells) and Gata3 (Gata-binding protein-3) in the colon tissue. Western blot analysis was conducted to detect the protein expression levels of PPARγ, T-bet, and nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65) in the rat colon. ResultThe rat model of IBD was successfully established. Compared with the model group, the Wujiwan treatment group showed reduced DAI, CMDI, and spleen index, decreased content of TNF-α in the serum(P<0.01), significantly increased content of IL-10(P<0.01), and elevated mRNA content of T-bet and Gata3(P<0.05) in the colon tissue. The expression of PPARγ protein was augmented(P<0.05), and the expression of T-bet and NF-κB p65 protein was decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionWujiwan activates or upregulates PPARγ expression in IBD rats to inhibit the generation of pro-inflammatory factors, participates in the inflammatory immune process, and alleviates inflammatory reactions. Its mechanism may involve regulating the NF-κB pathway through PPARγ, enhancing Th2 cell transcription expression, and reducing Th1 cell transcription.
7.Characteristics of school injury among students aged 3 to 18 years in Yantian District
FENG Xiaoli ; LUO Shili ; LI Heng ; LI Zhihao ; HUANG Hongxuan ; CHEN Hanqing
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(12):1073-1077
Objective:
To analyze the characteristics of school injury among students aged 3 to 18 years in Yantian District of Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, so as to provide the reference for developing the strategies for prevention and control of school injury.
Methods:
Data of the students aged 3 to 18 years who were initially diagnosed as injury in sentinel hospitals and whose injuries occurred in nurseries, primary or middle schools in Yantian District in 2023, were collected from the Shenzhen Injury Surveillance System. The onset time, places, activities, characteristics and sites of injury were descriptively analyzed.
Results:
A total of 1 681 cases of school injuries among students aged 3 to 18 years were reported in Yantian District in 2023, including 1 182 boys and 499 girls, with a boy-to-girl ratio of 2.37∶1. There were 206 preschool children (12.25%), 856 primary school students (50.92%), 358 junior high school students (21.30%) and 261 high school students (15.53%). The peak months for school injuries were February to June, accounting for 49.97%; the peak time period was from 15: 00 to 18: 59, accounting for 44.68%. The main causes of injuries included falls (41.94%) and blunt injury (33.85%). The activities at the time of injury mainly included leisure activities (57.70%) and physical activities (21.83%). Contusion/abrasion was the main characteristics (49.20%). Mild injury was predominant, accounting for 74.60%, and there was no fatal case. The top three injury sites were the head and neck, upper limbs and lower limbs, accounting for 36.94%, 27.54%, and 24.33%, respectively. Boys had higher proportions of blunt injuries and contusion/abrasion (AR=4.8 and 4.0). The proportion of sports injuries, sprains/strains and lower limb injuries increased with grade (all P<0.05).
Conclusions
School injury among students predominantly occur in spring when having leisure or physical activities in Yantian District. The main causes of injuries are falls and blunt injury, with boys and primary school students being the high-risk groups.
8.Association of lifestyle and apolipoprotein E gene with risk for cognitive frailty in elderly population in China
Wenfang ZHONG ; Xiaomeng WANG ; Weiqi SONG ; Chuan LI ; Huan CHEN ; Ziting CHEN ; Yuebin LYU ; Zhihao LI ; Xiaoming SHI ; Chen MAO
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(1):41-47
Objective:To investigate the impact of lifestyle, apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene, and their interaction on the risk for cognitive frailty in the elderly population in China.Methods:The study participants were from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. The information about their lifestyles were collected by questionnaire survey, and a weighted lifestyle score was constructed based on β coefficients associated with specific lifestyles to assess the combined lifestyle. ApoE genotypes were assessed by rs429358 and rs7412 single nucleotide polymorphisms. Cognitive frailty was assessed based on cognitive function and physical frailty. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the association of lifestyle and ApoE gene with the risk for cognitive frailty and evaluate the multiplicative and additive interactions between lifestyle and ApoE gene. Results:A total of 5 676 elderly persons, with median age [ M ( Q1, Q3)] of 76 (68, 85) years, were included, in whom 615 had cognitive frailty. The analysis by Cox proportional hazards regression model indicated that moderate and high levels of dietary diversity could reduce the risk for cognitive frailty by 18% [hazard ratio ( HR)=0.82, 95% CI: 0.68-1.00] and 28% ( HR=0.72, 95% CI: 0.57-0.91), respectively; moderate and high levels of physical activity could reduce the risk by 31% ( HR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.56-0.85) and 23% ( HR=0.77, 95% CI: 0.64-0.93), respectively. Healthy lifestyle was associated with a 40% reduced risk for cognitive frailty ( HR=0.60, 95% CI: 0.46-0.78). ApoE ε4 allele was associated with a 26% increased risk for cognitive frailty ( HR=1.26, 95% CI: 1.02-1.56). No multiplicative or additive interactions were found between lifestyle and ApoE gene. Conclusions:Dietary diversity and regular physical activity have protective effects against cognitive frailty in elderly population. Healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk for cognitive frailty in elderly population regardless of ApoE ε4 allele carriage status.
9.A Review of Theoretical Research on Interpretation of Scientific Connotation of Compatibility of Traditional Chinese Medicine Compounds
Shiyun GUO ; Zhihao DENG ; Yan LI ; Yuxuan GUO ; Xiaoxin ZHU ; Yujie LI ; Ying CHEN ; Qing YANG ; Yi SUN ; Yajie WANG ; Qi LI ; Weiyan CAI ; Xiaogang WENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):338-344
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history of application in China and has consistently played a vital role in treating diseases and saving lives. TCM prescriptions (compounds) constitute the primary form of clinical TCM treatment and significantly differ from western medicine (chemicals) due to the diverse composition and chemical constituents of TCM (compounds). Nevertheless, the potential multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway action characteristics of TCM prescriptions also demonstrate their possible (complementary) therapeutic advantages when compared with single-component chemical drugs. Therefore, driven by the development of modern science and technology and the demands of the modernization and internationalization of TCM, modern theories regarding the complexity of TCM prescription effects have been continuously proposed: Different from the abstract language of traditional prescription theory, the modern TCM prescription theory is more inclined to illustrate the connotation of prescription compatibility concretely and vividly from an experimental and scientific perspective. In this paper, new theories on the complexity of TCM prescriptions proposed in recent years are summarized to provide research references and ideas for the greater role of TCM prescriptions and a better scientific understanding.
10.Study based on the impact of the timeliness of the first elective operation start time on the operating room costs
Zhihao TAN ; Yiliang CAI ; Jinhuan FENG ; Qin LI ; Xiaozhen XU ; Shishen XU ; Yanfu HUANG ; Jiachen CHEN
Modern Hospital 2024;24(9):1407-1410
Objective To analyze the timeliness of the start time of the first elective operation in a hospital and observe its impact on the operating room cost.Methods Make statistics and analysis on the opening of the first operation in a hospital,record the on-time opening rate of the first operation,analyze the reasons for the delay in the opening time of the first operation,formulate corresponding intervention measures and set up a"management team to improve the efficiency of operating room use".The on-time rate of the first operation,operation,cost control and the satisfaction of surgeons and patients were compared before and after the operation.Results The overall punctuality rate of the first operation was 53.74%,among which the colorectal sur-gery department had the highest punctuality rate of 63.16%,while the minimally invasive surgery department had the lowest punctuality rate of 45.45%.The main reasons for the delay of first operation(35.29%),failed anesthesia(30.88%),and the termination of the operation(17.65%);compared with before implementation,higher overtime time of nurses,shorter opening time and expected time,decreased interval between operation(P<0.05),lower frequency of centralized delivery and unnecessa-ry consumables cost within 1 month after implementation(P<0.05),and higher satisfaction of patients and physicians after im-plementation(P<0.05).Conclusion By improving the first elective operation on time,can effectively reduce the cost of the operating room,shorten the nurse overtime time,at the same time improve the satisfaction of doctors and patients,and improve the management efficiency of the operating room,the first operation on time improved,interval time and unnecessary consumables costs are significantly reduced,optimize the use efficiency of the operating room resources.


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