Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the bacterial communities of biting midges and ticks collected from three sites in the Poyang Lake area,namely,Qunlu Practice Base,Peach Blossom Garden,and Huangtong Animal Husbandry,and whether vectors carry any bacterial pathogens that may cause diseases to humans,to provide scientific basis for prospective pathogen discovery and disease prevention and control. Methods Using a metataxonomics approach in concert with full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing and operational phylogenetic unit(OPU)analysis,we characterized the species-level microbial community structure of two important vector species,biting midges and ticks,including 33 arthropod samples comprising 3,885 individuals,collected around Poyang Lake. Results A total of 662 OPUs were classified in biting midges,including 195 known species and 373 potentially new species,and 618 OPUs were classified in ticks,including 217 known species and 326 potentially new species.Surprisingly,OPUs with potentially pathogenicity were detected in both arthropod vectors,with 66 known species of biting midges reported to carry potential pathogens,including Asaia lannensis and Rickettsia bellii,compared to 50 in ticks,such as Acinetobacter lwoffii and Staphylococcus sciuri.We found that Proteobacteria was the most dominant group in both midges and ticks.Furthermore,the outcomes demonstrated that the microbiota of midges and ticks tend to be governed by a few highly abundant bacteria.Pantoea sp7 was predominant in biting midges,while Coxiella sp1 was enriched in ticks.Meanwhile,Coxiella spp.,which may be essential for the survival of Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann,were detected in all tick samples.The identification of dominant species and pathogens of biting midges and ticks in this study serves to broaden our knowledge associated to microbes of arthropod vectors. Conclusion Biting midges and ticks carry large numbers of known and potentially novel bacteria,and carry a wide range of potentially pathogenic bacteria,which may pose a risk of infection to humans and animals.The microbial communities of midges and ticks tend to be dominated by a few highly abundant bacteria.

Tumors represent one of the primary threats to human life, with the dissemination of malignant tumors being a leading cause of mortality among cancer patients. Early diagnosis of tumors can reliably predict their progression, significantly reducing mortality rates. Tumor markers, including circulating tumor cells, exosomes, proteins, circulating tumor DNA, miRNAs and so on, generated during the tumor development process, have emerged as effective approach for early tumor diagnosis. Several methods are currently employed to detect tumor markers, such as polymerase chain reaction, Northern blotting, next-generation sequencing, flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. However, these methods often suffer from time-consuming process, high costs, low sensitivity, and the requirement for specialized personnel. Therefore, a new rapid, sensitive, and specific tumor detection method is urgently needed.The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) system, originating from the adaptive immune system of bacteria, has found extensive applications in gene editing and nucleic acid detection. Based on the structure and function of Cas proteins, the CRISPR/Cas system can be classified into two classes and six types. Class I systems consist of multiple Cas protein complexes, including types I, III, and IV, while Class II systems comprise single, multi-domain Cas proteins mediated by RNA, including types II (Cas9), V (Cas12), and VI (Cas13). Class II systems have been widely employed in the fields of biotechnology and nucleic acid diagnostics due to their efficient target binding and programmable RNA specificity. Currently, fluorescence method is the most common signal output technique in CRISPR/Cas-based biosensors. However, this method often requires the integration of signal amplification technologies to enhance sensitivity and involves expensive and complex fluorescence detectors. To enhance the detection performance of CRISPR/Cas-based biosensors, the integration of CRISPR/Cas with some alternative techniques can be considered. The CRISPR/Cas integrated electrochemical sensor (E-CRISPR) possesses advantages such as miniaturization, high sensitivity, high specificity, and fast response speed.E-CRISPR can convert the reactions between biomolecules and detecting components into electrical signals, rendering the detection signals more easily readable and reducing the impact of background values. Therefore,E-CRISPR enhances the accuracy of detection results. E-CRISPR has been applied in various fields, including medical and health, environmental monitoring, and food safety. Furthermore, E-CRISPR holds tremendous potential for advancing the detection levels of tumor markers.Among all types of Cas enzymes, the three most widely applied are Cas9, Cas12, and Cas13, along with their respective subtypes. In this work, we provided a brief overview of the principles and characteristics of Class II CRISPR/Cas single-effector proteins. This paper focused on the various detection technologies based on E-CRISPR technique, including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, voltammetry, photoelectrochemistry, and electrochemiluminescence. We also emphasized the applications of E-CRISPR in the field of tumor diagnosis, which mainly encompasses the detection of three typical tumor markers (ctDNA, miRNA, and proteins). Finally, we discussed the advantages and limitations of E-CRISPR, current challenges, and future development prospects. In summary, althoughE-CRISPR platform has made significant strides in tumor detection, certain challenges still need to be overcome for their widespread clinical application. Continuous optimization of the E-CRISPR platform holds the promise of achieving more accurate tumor subtyping diagnoses in clinical settings, which would be of significant importance for early patient diagnosis and prognosis assessment.

3ʹ-Hydroxy-4ʹ-methoxy-2-hydroxy-5-bromochalcone (hereinafter referred to as C13) is a novel chalcone derivative obtained in the process of structural modification of DHMMF, the antitumor active compound of Resina Draconis, in our laboratory. In this study, we investigated the effects of C13 on the proliferation and apoptosis of human gastric cancer HGC-27 and AGS cells and its potential mechanism of action. Firstly, through methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT), colony formation assay, and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining, we found that C13 inhibited the proliferation ability of human gastric cancer HGC-27 and AGS cells. Using flow cytometry and Western blot, it was found that C13 induced apoptosis in human gastric cancer HGC-27 and AGS cells, and up-regulated the protein level of cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase (cleaved-PARP). The results of RNA sequencing analysis showed that the Erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 4/phosphoinositide 3-kinases/AKT (ErbB4/PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway may be involved in anti-gastric cancer activity of C13. Finally, the results of immunoblotting assay showed that C13 treatment down-regulated the protein levels of ErbB4 and phospho-ErbB4, as well as down-regulated the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and AKT in human gastric cancer HGC-27 and AGS cells, which verified the results from RNA-seq analysis. In conclusion, C13 inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells, which may be related to the down-regulation of ErbB4/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. This study may provide a candidate drug for the treatment of gastric cancer.

Objective To investigate the current status of ethical sensitivity among oncology nurses and explore the influencing factors in 13 Grade IIIA hospitals in Foshan to provide guidance for formulating effective intervention measures.Methods From July to September 2023,a cluster convenience sampling method was used to select 574 oncology nurses from 13 Grade IIIA hospitals in Foshan City,Guangdong Province as the research subjects.A general data questionnaire,the Chinese version of the nurse moral sensitivity questionnaire(a revised moral sensitivity questionnaire,MSQ-R-CV),the caring behaviour inventory(CBI),and the Chinese version of emotional intelligence scale(Wong and Law emotional intelligence scale,WLEIS)were used for the cross-sectional study.Univariate and multivariate linear stepwise regression were used to analyse the influencing factors.Results A total of 574 questionnaires were collected,of which 524 were valid.The total scores of ethical sensitivity,caring behaviour,and emotional intelligence of oncology nurses were(44.57±7.63),(125.86±17.95)and(86.82±14.37),respectively.Results of multivariate linear stepwise regression showed that working years in oncology departments,whether participated in medical ethics and took narrative nursing training,the total score of caring behaviour and the total score of emotional intelligence were the influencing factors of oncology nurses'ethical sensitivity(all P<0.05),jointly explained 70.5%of the total variation of ethical sensitivity(F=94.253,P<0.001).Conclusion Oncology nurses in Foshan demonstrate a medium-level of ethical sensitivity.Nurses who have≤20 years of working experience,lacking the training in medical ethics and narrative nursing within the past three years,exhibiting a shortage of caring behaviour and possessing a low emotional intelligence are more likely to exhibit low ethical sensitivity.Nursing managers should prioritise the nurses in this category with appropriate measures to enhance their ethical sensitivity.

Objective To detect the expression changes of interleukin-10(IL-10)and transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)during the development of deep vein thrombosis in mice,and to explore the application value of them in thrombus age estimation.Methods The mice in the experimental group were subjected to ligation of inferior vena cava.The mice were sacrificed by excessive anesthesia at 1 d,3 d,5 d,7 d,10 d,14 d and 21 d after ligation,respectively.The inferior vena cava segment with thrombosis was extracted below the ligation point.The mice in the control group were not ligated,and the inferior vena cava segment at the same position as the experimental group was extracted.The ex-pression changes of IL-10 and TGF-β1 were detected by immunohistochemistry(IHC),Western blot-ting and real-time qPCR.Results IHC results revealed that IL-10 was mainly expressed in monocytes in thrombosis and TGF-β1 was mainly expressed in monocytes and fibroblast-like cells in thrombosis.Western blotting and real-time qPCR showed that the relative expression levels of IL-10 and TGF-β1 in each experimental group were higher than those in the control group.The mRNA and protein levels of IL-10 reached the peak at 7 d and 10 d after ligation,respectively.The mRNA expression level at 7 d after ligation was 4.72±0.15 times that of the control group,and the protein expression level at 10 d after ligation was 7.15±0.28 times that of the control group.The mRNA and protein levels of TGF-β1 reached the peak at 10 d and 14 d after ligation,respectively.The mRNA expression level at 10 d after ligation was 2.58±0.14 times that of the control group,and the protein expression level at 14 d after ligation was 4.34±0.19 times that of the control group.Conclusion The expressions of IL-10 and TGF-β1 during the evolution of deep vein thrombosis present time-dependent sequential changes,and the expression levels of IL-10 and TGF-β1 can provide a reference basis for thrombus age estimation.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis(PM),and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)isolates in Chinese children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information,laboratory data,and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country.Results Among the 160 children with PM,there were 103 males and 57 females.The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years,with 109 cases(68.1% )aged 3 months to under 3 years.SP strains were isolated from 95 cases(59.4% )in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases(35.6% )in blood cultures.The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87)and 27% (21/78),respectively.Fifty-five cases(34.4% )had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis,113 cases(70.6% )had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci,and 18 cases(11.3% )had underlying diseases.The most common clinical symptoms were fever(147 cases,91.9% ),followed by lethargy(98 cases,61.3% )and vomiting(61 cases,38.1% ).Sixty-nine cases(43.1% )experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization,with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication[43 cases(26.9% )],followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases(15.0% ),brain abscess in 23 cases(14.4% ),and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases(5.0% ).Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old,with rates of 91% (39/43)and 83% (20/24),respectively.SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin(100% ,75/75),linezolid(100% ,56/56),and meropenem(100% ,6/6).High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin(81% ,22/27),moxifloxacin(82% ,14/17),rifampicin(96% ,25/26),and chloramphenicol(91% ,21/23).However,low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin(16% ,11/68)and clindamycin(6% ,1/17),and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin(100% ,31/31).The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.2% (106/160),respectively,while 18 cases(11.3% )had adverse outcomes.Conclusions Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years.Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old.Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM,and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications.Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates.Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases.SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,meropenem,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,and chloramphenicol.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):131-138]

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)has emerged as a promising therapeutic alternative for addressing aortic valve-related pathologies.However,the occurrence of rapid arrhythmias linked to TAVR procedures is progressively drawing scrutiny.Presently,pharmacologic interventions constitute the mainstay of managing atrial arrhythmias related to TAVR,while the potential of ablation as a viable treatment modality remains undefined.Notably,in cases where the arrhythmia's genesis is presumed to be intricately linked to the prosthetic valve,the practicality and safety of ablation procedures remain unverified.Our institution has successfully ventured into radiofrequency ablation for a distinctive patient presenting with this intricate condition,thereby tentatively affirming the efficacy and safety of catheter ablation administered on the surface of prosthetic valves.

Objective:To investigate the effect of genetic polymorphism of MTHFR C677T (rs1801133) on methotrexate (MTX) related toxicity in pediatric mature B-cell lymphoma patients. Methods:Fifty-eight intermediate and high risk patients under 18 years of age with mature B-cell lymphoma who received 5 g/m2 MTX (24 h intravenous infusion) in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from August 2014 to December 2021 were included,and their toxicity of high-dose MTX (HD-MTX) were monitored and analyzed. Results:Among the 58 pediatric patients,the number of CC,CT,and TT genotypes for MTHFR C677T was 33,19 and 6,respectively. A total of 101 courses of HD-MTX therapy were counted,of which plasma MTX level>0.2 μmol/L at 48 h post-MTX infusion were observed in 35 courses,≤0.2 μmol/L in 66 courses. Inter-group comparison showed that plasma MTX level>0.2 μmol/L at 48 h post-MTX infusion increased the risk of developing oral mucositis (P<0.05). Compared with wild-type (CC genotype),patients in the mutant group (CT+TT genotype) were more likely to develop myelosuppression,manifested as anemia,leucopenia,neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. However,plasma MTX level at 48 h was not associated with MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism. Conclusion:The risk of developing oral mucositis in children with mature B-cell lymphoma is associated with plasma MTX concentration. Polymorphism of MTHFR C677T gene is not related to plasma MTX concentration in children with mature B-cell lymphoma,but is related to grade Ⅲ to Ⅳ hematological toxicity.

This paper explored the chemical constituents of Boswellia carterii by column chromatography on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS column chromatography, and semi-preparative HPLC. The structures of the compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic data such as infrared radiation(IR), ultra violet(UV), mass spectrometry(MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR). Seven diterpenoids were isolated and purified from n-hexane of B. carterii. The isolates were identified as(1S,3E,7E,11R,12R)-11-hydroxy-1-isopropyl-4,8,12-trimethyl-15-oxabicyclo[10.2.1]pentadeca-3,7-dien-5-one(1),(1R,3S,4R,7E,11E)-4,8,12,15,15-pentamethyl-14-oxabicyclo[11.2.1]hexadeca-7,11-dien-4-ol(2), incensole(3),(-)-(R)-nephthenol(4), euphraticanoid F(5), dilospirane B(6), and dictyotin C(7). Among them, compounds 1 and 2 were new and their absolute configurations were determined by comparison of the calculated and experimental electronic circular dichroisms(ECDs). Compounds 6 and 7 were obtained from B. carterii for the first time.
Molecular Structure ; Boswellia/chemistry* ; Diterpenes/chemistry* ; Mass Spectrometry

Kaixin Powder is a classic prescription for invigorating Qi, nourishing the mind, and calming the mind. It has pharmacological effects of improving learning and memory ability, resisting oxidation, delaying aging, and promoting the differentiation and regeneration of nerve cells. It is mainly used in the modern clinical treatment of amnesia, depression, dementia, and other diseases. The present paper reviewed the research progress on the chemical composition and pharmacological action of Kaixin Powder, predicted and analyzed its quality markers(Q-markers) according to the concept of Chinese medicine Q-markers, including transmission and traceability, specificity, effectiveness, measurability, and compound compatibility environment. The results suggested that sibiricose A5, sibiricose A6, polygalaxanthone Ⅲ, 3',6-disinapoylsucrose, tenuifoliside A, ginsenoside Rg_1, ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rb_1, pachymic acid, β-asarone, and α-asarone could be used as Q-markers of Kaixin Powder. This study is expected to provide a scientific basis for establishing the quality control system and the whole process quality traceability system of Kaixin Powder compound preparations.
Ginsenosides ; Powders ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional