[Analysis of epidemiological characteristics of respiratory pathogens in children with influenza-like illnesses in a children's hospital in Beijing from 2022 to 2023].

To investigate the status and epidemiological characteristics of respiratory pathogens infections in children with influenza-like illnesses (ILI) in Beijing Children's Hospital from 2022 to 2023. A dual amplification technique was used to detect nucleic acids of seven common respiratory pathogens, including influenza A virus (Flu A), influenza B virus (Flu B), mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), adenovirus (ADV), and Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP), in outpatient and inpatient children (aged 0-18 years) with influenza-like symptoms who sought medical care at Beijing Children's Hospital, from January 2022 to March 2023. A total of 43 663 children were included in the study, of which 27 903 tested positive for respiratory pathogens with a total detection rate of 63.91%. Flu A had the highest detection rate of 69.93% (27 332/39 084), followed by MP about 13.22% (380/2 875). The total detection rate of RSV, PIV and ADV was 7.69% (131/1 704). Flu B had a detection rate of 0.16% (64/39 084). No CP was detected in this study. A total of 7 cases of dual infections were detected, with a detection rate of 0.41% (7/1 704). The Chi-square test was used to analyze the differences in detection rates of pathogens among different genders, age groups, and different seasons. Among the seven pathogens, only Flu A had statistically significant differences in gender (χ2=16.712, P<0.001). The detection rates of Flu A and MP showed an increasing trend with age (both P trend<0.001), while the detection rates of RSV and PIV showed a decreasing trend with age (both P trend<0.001). Flu A had its epidemic peak in winter and spring, with detection rates of 61.30% (3 907/6 374) and 77.47% (23 207/29 958) respectively; MP and PIV had higher detection rates in autumn (25.14% and 7.64% respectively); RSV showed a relatively higher detection rate in winter (8.69%); Flu B and ADV had lower detection rates throughout the study period (0.16% and 1.17% respectively). In conclusion, children with ILI in 2022-2023 were mainly infected with a single respiratory pathogen, and occasionally dual pathogen infections were observed. Among them, the detection rate of Flu A was the highest, and only Flu A showed a gender difference in detection rate. As the age of the children patients increased, the detection rate of Flu A and MP showed an increasing trend, while RSV and PIV showed a decreasing trend. The prevalence of Flu A, Flu B, MP, PIV, and RSV were seasonal.

[Analysis of the efficacy and safety of low-dose aspirin in preventing renal artery stenosis in kidney transplantation].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of aspirin as a prophylactic for transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS). Methods: From January 2017 to November 2019, clinical data of 307 patients who had undergone renal transplant in Zhengzhou University People's Hospital were collected. Patients were divided into two groups: the treatment group (124 recipients who had taken oral aspirin 100 mg/d after transplant) and the control group (183 recipients who had not taken aspirin after transplant). The general data, incidence of initially diagnosed and confirmed TRAS, type of renal artery anastomosis vessels, duration of stenosis, location of stenosis, and complications were compared between the two groups. The treatment group was further divided into two subgroups, the early group (92 recipients) and the delayed group (32 recipients), according to the time of starting aspirin after operation. Subgroup analysis was performed. Results: Among all 307 patients included, there were 241 males and 66 females, aged 19-64 years. There were no statistical difference between the treatment and control groups in terms of gender, age, comorbidities, number of arterial vessels, type of graft, and acute rejection all P>0.05. Among 46 initially diagnosed TRAS patients, 13 (10.5%) and 33 (18.0%) cases were in the treatment and control group respectively, with no statistically significant difference in stenosis rate (P>0.05). The number of confirmed TRAS patients was 1 (0.8%) and 24 (13.1%) in the treatment and control group respectively, with statistically significant difference in stenosis rate (P<0.001). The proportion of patients with bleeding disorders in the treatment group was slightly higher than that in the control group (13.7% vs 8.7%), and the proportion of infarct diseases was slightly lower than that in the control group (1.6% vs 4.9%). But there was no significant difference in aspirin-related complications between the two groups (P>0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that there was no significant difference in initially diagnosed and confirmed TRAS and aspirin-related complications between the early group and the delayed group (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Oral low-dose aspirin after kidney transplantation can effectively reduce the incidence of TRAS, without increasing the risk of aspirin-related complications.

[Analysis on the infection source of the first local cluster epidemic caused by the VOC/Gamma variant of SARS-CoV-2 in China].

Objective: To investigate a SARS-CoV-2 epidemic reported in Rongcheng City, Weihai, Shandong Province. Methods: The SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid positive patients and their close contacts were investigated, and the whole genome sequencing and genetic evolution analysis of 9 variant viruses were carried out. An infection source investigation and analysis were carried out from two sources of home and abroad, and three aspects of human, material and environment. Results: A total of 15 asymptomatic infections were reported in this epidemic, including 13 cases as employees of workshop of aquatic products processing company, with an infection rate of 21.67% (13/60). Two cases were infected people's neighbors in the same village (conjugal relation). The first six positive persons were processing workers engaged in the first process of removing squid viscera in the workshop of the company. The nucleic acid Ct value of the first time were concentrated between 15 and 29, suggesting that the virus load was high, which was suspected to be caused by one-time homologous exposure. The whole genome sequence of 9 SARS-CoV-2 strains was highly homologous, belonging to VOC/Gamma (Lineage P.1.15). No highly homologous sequences were found from previous native and imported cases in China. It was highly homologous with the six virus sequences sampled from May 5 to 26, 2021 uploaded by Chile. The infection source investigation showed that the company had used the squid raw materials captured in the ocean near Chile and Argentina from May to June 2021 over the last 14 days. Many samples of raw materials, products and their outer packages in the inventory were tested positive for nucleic acid. Conclusion: This epidemic is the first local epidemic caused by the VOC/Gamma of SARS-CoV-2 in China. It is speculated that the VOC/Gamma, which was prevalent in South America from May to June 2021, could be imported into China through frozen squid.

Antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes of Streptococcus isolated from dairy cows with mastitis in China.

Streptococcus is a major mastitis-causing pathogen in dairy cows. To investigate the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance and virulence gene of Streptococcus in mastitic milk, a total of 735 mastitic raw milk samples from dairy cows in 11 provinces of China were collected and tested. Antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus isolates was determined by disc diffusion against 8 classes 29 antimicrobial agents, and Streptococcus resistant genes and virulence genes were determined by PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis. A total of 64 (8.71%) isolates of Streptococcus were isolated and identified using biochemical profiling, including 22 isolates of Streptococcus agalactiae, 13 isolates of Streptococcus dysgalactiae, and 29 isolates of Streptococcus uberis. Out of 64 resistant Streptococcus isolates, all isolates (100%) were resistant to 3 or more antimicrobials. The most frequency (n = 18, 28.12%) of the isolates were multi-resistant to 5-7 antimicrobials and the highest multi-resistant number was 29 (n = 1, 1.56%). Streptococcus isolates had the highest resistance rate to tetracycline (98.44%) and oxacillin (98.44%), followed by penicillin G (96.88%) and doxycycline (96.88%), and the lowest resistance was observed with respect to ciprofloxacin (1.56%). A total of 16 antimicrobials resistance genes with 25 combination patterns were detected in the isolates. The gene combination of Sul1/Sul2/Sul3 + gyrA/parC + cat1/cat2 was the most common pattern (12.5%). The correlation between resistant phenotypes and resistance genes in Streptococcs was 35.87%. A total of 7 virulence genes were detected and 59 (92.19%) isolates harbored at least one gene. Twenty-four classes of gene patterns were found in the isolates and the patterns of bca (9.38%) and cfb (9.38%) were the most prevalent form. In conclusion, the issue of drug resistance of Streptococcus is still a great concern in cattle health in China.

[Piperine inhibits the transformation of endothelial cells into fibroblasts].

Objective: To investigate the role of piperine on the transformation of endothelial cells into fibroblasts. Methods: Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs, 4-6 passage) were used for the main experiments. The transformation models of endothelial cells into fibroblasts were induced by transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) stimulation. HUVECs were divided into 6 groups: control group, TGF-ß group and 4 groups treated with various concentrations of piperine (1, 5, 10, 20 µmol/L). CKK-8 was used to detect cell proliferation. The CD31/α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression level was detected by fluorescent staining. The vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin)/vimentin expression was detected by immunofluorescence staining. RT-PCR was used detect the mRNA expressions of transformation markers. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of snail and twist. Results: TGF-ß increased HUVECs proliferation (P<0.05), which could be significantly inhibited by 10 and 20 µmol/L of piperine, but not by 1 and 5 µmol/L of piperine. Immunofluorescence results demonstrated that TGF-ß increased HUVECs transformation to fibroblasts as shown by downregulated expression of endothelial markers CD31, VE-cadherin, and upregulated expression of α-SMA and vimentin, again, these effects could be attenuated by 10 and 20 µmol/L piperine. The expression levels of collagen type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ were significantly higher in TGF-ß group than in control group (P<0.05), significantly lower in TGF-ß+10 µmol/L piperine group and TGF-ß+20 µmol/L piperine group than in TGF-ß group (P<0.05).In addition, RT-PCR results showed that TGF-ß increased mRNA expression of transformation markers (snail1, snail2, twist1, twist2), while 10 and 20 µmol/L of piperine could significantly downregulated the mRNA expressions of these markers. The protein expression levels of snail and twist were significantly higher in TGF-ß group than in control group (both P<0.05), which was significantly lower in TGF-ß+20 µmol/L piperine group than in TGF-ß group (both P<0.05). Conclusions: Piperine can inhibit the transformation of endothelial cells into fibroblasts. This effect might be viewed as one of the potential mechanisms of reduced myocardial fibrosis post piperine treatment.

[Efficacy comparison of three vascular recanalization in patients with acute vertebrobasilar occlusion].

Objectives: To investigate the therapeutic effects of intravenous thrombolysis, intra-artery thrombolysis, mechanical thrombectomy on patients with acute vertebrobasilar occlusion. Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical data of patients with acute vertebrobasilar occlusion, admitted to Huai'an First People's Hospital and Bingtuan Qishi Hospital from January 2014 to January 2016, was performed. According to different vascular recanalization, these patients were divided into intravenous thrombolysis group, intra-artery thrombolysis group and mechanical thrombectomy group. Clinical outcomes were compared among the three groups such as recanalization rates( modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction[mTICI]≥2b), changes of NIHSS scores after 24 hours(scores decreased at least 4 points or complete resolution of symptoms), symptomatic cerebral hemorrhage rate(European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study Ⅱ standard) and modified Rankin scale(mRS) score improvement 3 months after treatment. Results: Among patients from mechanical thrombectomy group, the recanalization rate was 87.5%(28/32), 22 patients(68.8%)got good outcome according to the significant decrease of NIHSS scores, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 3 patient (9.4%), the rate of good prognosis(mRS≤2) at 3 months was 50.0% (16/32). In patients from intravenous thrombolysis group, the rate of recanalization was 34.8% (16/46), 12 patients(26.1%)got apparent decrease of NIHSS scores, symptomatic cerebral hemorrhage occurred in 14 patients(30.4%), the rate of good clinical outcome(mRS ≤2) at 3 months was 17.4%(8/46). Among patients from intra-arterial thrombolysis group, the recanalization rate was 53.3%(16/30), 12 patients(40.0%) got good outcome according to the significant decrease in NIHSS score, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 6 patients(20.0%), the rate of good prognosis(mRS≤2) at 3 months was 26.7%(8/30). The rate of complete recanalization and NIHSS score improvement at 24 hours were significantly higher in the mechanical thrombectomy group than the intravenous or intra-arterial thrombolysis group(χ(2)=21.324, P<0.001; χ(2)=14.162, P=0.001). The good outcome(mRS≤2) at 3 months was more frequent in the mechanical thrombectomy group than the intravenous or intra-arterial thrombolysis group (χ(2)=9.799, P=0.007). The differences of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage rate among the three treatment groups were not statistically significant(χ(2)=5.035, P=0.081). Conclusion: As compared with the intravenous or intra-arterial thrombolysis, the mechanical thrombectomy has better efficiency and safety in the treatment of acute vertebrobasilar occlusion.

[Understanding the risk factors for infectious diseases, their prevention, and control, among residents of Zhejiang Province].

Objective: To investigate the understanding of infectious diseases, their prevention, and control, and the factors influencing this literacy among urban and rural residents of Zhejiang Province. Methods: In November- December 2014, a multistage stratified cluster sampling questionnaire was administered at study sites in eight districts of Zhejiang province: Hangzhou city Gongshu district, Hangzhou city Chun'an county, Wenzhou city Cangnan county, Dongyang city, Jiaxing city Jiashan county, Zhoushan city Putuo district, Linhai city, Lishui city Jinyun county. The inclusion criteria were: 15-60 years old, living locally for more than six continuous months, and no mental illness. The exclusion criteria were: foreigner residing locally, resident of Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan, or unable to communicate through speech or writing. In this study, 4 091 questionnaires were distributed, and 4 020 valid questionnaires were returned(98.26%). Health literacy regarding infectious diseases was measured at five levels: knowledge, skills, behaviors, access to information, and understanding of the prevention of infectious diseases. A total score was calculated for each questionnaire, and a total score of ≥80 was deemed to indicate an understanding of the prevention of infectious diseases. A χ2 test was used to compare the levels of health literacy in different populations with single-factor analyses, and a multivariate unconditional logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors affecting infectious diseases prevention and treatment literacy levels. Results: Of the 4 020 respondents(aged(43.84 ± 10.28)years), 1 964 were male(48.86%)and 2 056 were female(51.14%). In the total surveyed population, 15.17%(n=610)understood the prevention of infectious diseases, 294 were male(14.97%)and 316 were female(15.37%)(χ2=2.48, P=0.115). When the participants in the different age groups were analyzed, 23.11%, 20.29%, 13.27%, and 11.04% of those aged 18- 29(n=116), 30- 39(n= 166), 40- 49(n=178), and ≥50 years(n=150), respectively, understood infectious disease prevention(χ2= 63.16, P<0.001). When the participants were analyzed according to education, 46.01%, 24.86%, 12.03%, 5.27%, or 2.39% of those educated at university(n=167), at high school/vocational school/college(n=175), at middle school(n=215), at elementary school(n=46), or who were illiterate/slightly literate(n=7), respectively, understood infectious disease prevention(χ2=436.67, P<0.001). Among the urban(n=336)and rural participants(n=274), 18.98% and 12.18% understood infectious disease prevention, respectively(χ2= 35.57, P<0.001), so the urban residents had better health literacy than rural residents(OR=1.28, 95% CI= 1.06- 1.54), and those aged 18- 29 or 30- 39 years had even better health literacy than the rural residents(OR=1.39, 95%CI=1.01-1.91). When the health literacy levels of migrant workers were compared with those of agency/institutional personnel, business people, unemployed, and retirees, the OR(95% CI)values were 2.52(1.82-3.49), 1.69(1.24-2.30), 2.99(1.65-5.39), and 2.43(1.59-3.72), respectively. When the illiterate/slightly literate were compared with those educated at university, high school/vocational school/secondary school, and junior high school, the OR(95%CI)values were 35.11(15.73-78.36), 13.31(6.11-28.99), and 5.37(2.48-11.62), respectively. Conclusion: Limited levels of health literacy are common among the residents of Zhejiang Province. Lower education level, older age, and rural residence were predictors of low health literacy in this study.

Biological markers in cord blood for prediction of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants.

OBJECTIVE: The current study aims to determine the contents of biological markers in cord blood and to investigate their feasibility as the predictive indices of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in premature infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cord blood was collected from 134 premature infants that had birth weight < or = 1500 g and gestational age (GA) < or = 32 weeks at the time of birth. The contents of IL-6, IL-6R, Sgp130, and MMP-9 were determined. Infants' clinical data, as well as their mothers' placental pathological data were also collected. Infants with BPD constituted the BPD group, whereas those without BPD comprised the non-BPD (NBPD) group. Differences in the contents of the biological markers between the groups were analyzed to investigate the correlations of these markers with BPD, and then biological markers that can serve as the predictive factors of BPD were defined. RESULTS: GA was negatively correlated with BPD. IL-6, IL-6R, and Sgp130 in the BPD group was higher than those in the NBPD group, whereas MMP-9 in the BPD group was lower than that in the NBPD group. IL-6 was positively correlated with BPD and therefore had a predictive effect on BPD. Sgp130 had a collinear correlation with IL-6, which had a predictive effect on BPD as well. When GA was < 30 weeks and IL-6 was > 46.125 pg/ml, the sensitivity, specificity, and area under curve were 1, 0.59, and 0.849, respectively, indicating a good predictive effect on BPD. CONCLUSION: IL-6 and Sgp130 can serve as the independent predictive cytokines of BPD.

[Overview of the ten global conferences on health promotion and implications for future work].

Since 1986, the WHO has held ten global health promotion conferences covering various health promotion issues and sustainable development worldwide. These sessions have formed a series of consensus and actions that guide promoting health globally. This study analyzed the declarations, reports, and news materials from the ten conferences that studied health promotion action areas, focal topics, actor networks, partnership relationships, and other significant outcomes. It also explored how these conferences contributed to the construction and advancement of global health promotion consensus and actions. The first Global Conference on Health Promotion identified the concept of health promotion and five key action areas, laying the foundation for subsequent conferences and health promotion actions. Over the years, the ten conferences continuously expanded the essence of health promotion, developed partnership relationships, formulated public health promotion policies, and called for health promotion actions. This process culminated in the formation of global consensus and collective actions. The latter conferences have gained significant attention and influence. The conferences offer valuable insights for future global health promotion endeavors and provide global perspectives and pathways for the development of Healthy China.

[Outcomes and care practices of extremely preterm infants at 22-25 weeks' gestation age from the Chinese Neonatal Network].

Objective: To describe the current status and trends in the outcomes and care practices of extremely preterm infants at 22-25 weeks' gestation age from the Chinese Neonatal Network (CHNN) from 2019 to 2021. Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from the CHNN cohort of very preterm infants. All 963 extremely preterm infants with gestational age between 22-25 weeks who were admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICU) of the CHNN from 2019 to 2021 were included. Infants admitted after 24 hours of life or transferred to non-CHNN hospitals were excluded. Perinatal care practices, survival rates, incidences of major morbidities, and NICU treatments were described according to different gestational age groups and admission years. Comparison among gestational age groups was conducted using χ2 and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Trends by year were evaluated by Cochran-Armitage and Jonckheere-Terpstra tests for trend. Results: Of the 963 extremely preterm infants enrolled, 588 extremely preterm infants (61.1%) were male. The gestational age was 25.0 (24.4, 25.6) weeks, with 29 extremely preterm infants (3.0%), 88 extremely preterm infants (9.1%), 264 extremely preterm infants (27.4%), and 582 extremely preterm infants (60.4%) at 22, 23, 24, and 25 weeks of gestation age, respectively. The birth weight was 770 (680, 840) g. From 2019 to 2021, the number of extremely preterm infants increased each year (285, 312, and 366 extremely preterm infants, respectively). Antenatal steroids and magnesium sulfate were administered to 67.7% (615/908) and 51.1% (453/886) mothers of extremely preterm infants. In the delivery room, 20.8% (200/963) and 69.5% (669/963) extremely preterm infants received noninvasive positive end-expiratory pressure support and endotracheal intubation. Delayed cord clamping and cord milking were performed in 19.0% (149/784) and 30.4% (241/794) extremely preterm infants. From 2019 to 2021, there were significant increases in the usage of antenatal steroids, antenatal magnesium sulfate, and delivery room noninvasive positive-end expiratory pressure support (all P<0.05). Overall, 349 extremely preterm infants (36.2%) did not receive complete care, 392 extremely preterm infants (40.7%) received complete care and survived to discharge, and 222 extremely preterm infants (23.1%) received complete care but died in hospital. The survival rates for extremely preterm infants at 22, 23, 24 and 25 weeks of gestation age were 10.3% (3/29), 23.9% (21/88), 33.0% (87/264) and 48.3% (281/582), respectively. From 2019 to 2021, there were no statistically significant trends in complete care, survival, and mortality rates (all P>0.05). Only 11.5% (45/392) extremely preterm infants survived without major morbidities. Moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (67.3% (264/392)) and severe retinopathy of prematurity (61.5% (241/392)) were the most common morbidities among survivors. The incidences of severe intraventricular hemorrhage or periventricular leukomalacia, necrotizing enterocolitis, and sepsis were 15.3% (60/392), 5.9% (23/392) and 19.1% (75/392), respectively. Overall, 83.7% (328/392) survivors received invasive ventilation during hospitalization, with a duration of 22 (10, 42) days. The hospital stay for survivors was 97 (86, 116) days. Conclusions: With the increasing number of extremely preterm infants at 22-25 weeks' gestation admitted to CHNN NICU, the survival rate remained low, especially the rate of survival without major morbidities. Further quality improvement initiatives are needed to facilitate the implementation of evidence-based care practices.

Transfer of Ser7 phosphorylated CENP-A from centromere to midbody during mitosis in MCF-7 cells.

Serine 7 of centromere protein A (CENP-A) is a very important mitosis-specific phosphorylation site. In this study, we demonstrate the subcellular distribution of Ser7 phosphorylated CENP-A during mitosis in MCF-7 cells. The Ser7 phosphorylation of CENP-A was observed beginning at prophase at centromeres. Upon progression of mitosis, the fluorescence signals emerged in the central region of the metaphase plate and were maintained until anaphase at centromeres. At late anaphase, the fluorescence signals moved to the midzone gradually and transferred from the centromere to the midbody completely at telophase. They were compacted into the centre of the midbody in a thin cylinder consisting of a sandglass-like "mitotic machine" with microtubules and condensed chromosome. We also found that Ser10 phosphorylated H3 and Thr11 phosphorylated H3 were co-localized at the midbody in two bell-like symmetrical bodies with Ser7 phosphorylated CENP-A during the terminal stage of cytokinesis. Midbody isolation and immunoblotting experiments also indicated that Ser7 phosphorylated CENP-A are components of the midbody. These findings suggest that Ser7 phosphorylated CENP-A acts as a chromosomal passenger protein and may play an important role in cytokinesis.

[Study of development of public health safety literacy scale in China].

Objective: To develop a suitable scale for assessing the public health safety literacy in residents in China. Methods: The initial scale of Chinese public health safety literacy was developed through theoretical conceptualization, item pooling, field verifying and item inclusion and exclusion. Then the initial scale was converted into an electronic questionnaire. A total of 2 809 residents from 4 provinces were randomly selected for field testing. Classical test theory (CTT) and item response theory (IRT) were used for item reduction. SPSS 23.0 was used for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and unidimensional testing. Package R 4.1.1 ltm and mirt were used for the analysis of the psychometric properties of items and generate the ICC, IIC and TIF. Results: The initial scale had 30 items (B1-B30), and the test took 9.8 s to complete one item averagely. According to the CTT, B2 was deleted due to coefficient of total correlation (CITC) <0.3 and the item-dimension correlation coefficient (IDCC) <0.4. B23 was deleted due to CITC<0.3, IDCC<0.4 and difficulty index (W) <0.2. B30 was deleted due to CITC<0.3 and W<0.2. The total Cronbach's α of the scale was 0.923 after deletion. EFA indicated that 14 items should be deleted due to lower factor loadings <0.7. EFA was conducted for remaining 13 items and 2 common factors were extracted, the factor loadings of all items were >0.7, the accumulated variance contribution of the 2 common factors was 63.361%, and the total Cronbach's α was 0.891, showing unidimensionality, IRT was used to test the remaining items. B14 and B20 were deleted due to discrimination coefficient (a) <0.3, difficulty threshold coefficient (b) ∉[-3,3], the small amount of information and the flat, crowded, non-monotonic ICC, and IIC. Finally, the Cronbach's α of the 11-itemed scale was 0.936 with TLI=0.97, CFI=0.99, and RMSEA=0.03. Conclusion: The final scale has good reliability, validity, discrimination, difficulty level and feasibility, and can be applied for the rapid assessment of public health safety literacy in China.

ß-Galactosidase with transgalactosylation activity from Lactobacillus fermentum K4.

The LacLM ß-galactosidase of Lactobacillus fermentum K4 is encoded by 2 consecutive genes, lacL (large subunit) and lacM (small subunit), that share 17 overlapping nucleotides. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that this enzyme was closely related to other Lactobacillus ß-galactosidases and provided significant insight into its common and distinct characteristics. We cloned both the lacL and lacM genes of L. fermentum K4 and heterologously expressed each in Escherichia coli, although the recombinant enzyme was only functional when both were expressed on the same plasmid. We evaluated the enzymatic properties of this species-specific LacLM ß-galactosidase and discovered that it acts as both a hydrolase, bioconverting lactose into glucose and galactose, and a transgalactosylase, generating prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS). The recombinant ß-galactosidase showed a broad pH optimum and stability around neutral pH. The optimal temperature and Michaelis constant (K(m)) for the substrates o-nitrophenyl-ß-D-galactopyranoside and lactose were, respectively, 40°C and 45 to 50°C and 1.31 mM and 27 mM. The enzyme activity was stimulated by some cations such as Na⁺, K⁺, and Mg²âº. In addition, activity was also enhanced by ethanol (15%, wt/vol). The transgalactosylation activity of L. fermentum K4 ß-galactosidase effectively and rapidly generated GOS, up to 37% of the total sugars from the reaction. Collectively, our results suggested that the ß-galactosidase from L. fermentum K4 could be exploited for the formation of GOS.

[Study on the development of public health and safety literacy assessment scale for university freshmen].

Objective: To develop a measurement scale for the public health and safety literacy of university freshmen. Methods: Item pooling was conducted through literature review and in-depth interview with public health experts, and a nominal group was organized to develop the initial items to form the questionnaire. A total of 250 freshmen were randomly selected to complete the questionnaire, and the assessment of psychometric properties were performed to carry out item reduction by using classical test theory and item response theory. Exploratory factor analysis method (EFA) was employed to calculate the item-factor loadings. The data collected from another 318 freshmen were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis method (CFA). Results: The scale contained 3 dimensions and 9 items with all content validity index ≥0.8. The difficulty coefficient of 9 items was 1.18-2.43. The discriminative validity analysis showed that the difficulty index was 0.41-0.78, and the discrimination index was 0.38-0.64. Each of the remaining items had a statistically significant difference in the score value between the top 27% and lowest 27% of respondents (t>3, P<0.05). The item's Cronbach's α was 0.72-0.77, corrected item-total correlation was 0.33-0.60 and the overall α of the scale was 0.77. EFA indicated all item-factor loading were higher than 0.680, and the accumulated variance contribution of the 3 factors was 62.484%. Results of CFA showed that the overall fitness index of the model reached the fitness standard except for the χ2 value. There was no statistical significance in the total score of the scale and the scores of each item among groups with different demographic characteristics (P>0.05). Conclusions: The newly developed public health safety literacy scale had a good reliability,validity,stability and item constancy.It can be used in measurement of the public health and safety literacy of university freshmen.

Long non-coding RNA DLX6-AS1 acts as an oncogene by targeting miR-613 in ovarian cancer.

Since this article has been suspected of research misconduct and the corresponding authors did not respond to our request to prove originality of data and figures, "Long non-coding RNA DLX6-AS1 acts as an oncogene by targeting miR-613 in ovarian cancer, by Q. You, H.-Y. Shi, C.-F. Gong, X.-Y. Tian, S. Li, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019;23 (15): 6429-6435-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201908_18524-PMID: 31378881" has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/18524.

[Efficacy of minimally invasive pulmonary surfactant administration in preterm infants with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome: a multicenter clinical trial].

Objective: To explore the feasibility and safety of minimally invasive surfactant administration (MISA) in preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS). Methods: In this multicenter prospective randomized controlled trial, 92 preterm infants with gestation age ≤30 weeks and diagnosed with NRDS were enrolled in 8 level Ⅲ neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region from 1(st) July 2017 to 31(st) December 2018. They were randomly assigned to minimally invasive surfactant administration (MISA) group or endotracheal intubation surfactant administration (EISA) group according to random number generated by computer. Infants in both groups received calf pulmonary surfactant preparation at a dose of 70-100 mg/kg. The data of demography, perinatal situation, medication administration, complications, clinical outcomes in the two groups were compared with Chi-square test, Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test or Fisher's exact test. Results: Among the 92 preterm infants, 53 were males, 39 were females; 47 were in the MISA group (25 males), and 45 were in the EISA group (28 males). The gestational age and birth weight were (29.5±1.2) weeks and (1 271±242) g in all patients, (29.5±1.4) weeks and (1 285±256) g in the MISA group, and (29.6±0.9) weeks and (1 255±227) g in the EISA group. The duration of surfactant infusion and the length of whole procedure in the MISA group were significantly longer than that in the EISA group (60 (18, 270) s vs. 50 (30, 60) s, Z=3.009, P=0.003; 90 (60, 300) s vs. 60 (44, 270) s, Z=3.365, P=0.001). For the outcomes, the incidence of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) were lower in the MISA group than in the EISA group (36% (17/47) vs. 67% (30/45), χ(2)=8.556, P=0.003; 26% (12/47) vs. 47% (21/45), χ(2)=4.464, P=0.035). Conclusions: Minimally invasive surfactant administration is applicable in preterm infants ≤30 weeks gestational age with NRDS. Although the length of whole procedure is longer than route endotracheal administration, the benefit of decreasing the incidences of hsPDA and BPD outweighs this demerit.

Alfacalcidol increases cancellous bone in low turnover, fatty marrow sites in aged, orchidectomized rats.

The objectives of this study were to determine the responses of cancellous bone in the distal tibial metaphysis (DTM), a low turnover, fatty (yellow) marrow site, to sham-aged, orchidectomy (ORX) and alfacalcidol treatment in sham-aged and ORX rats. Eighteen-month-old male sham and ORX rats were treated with 0.1 and 0.2 microg/kg alfacalcidol 5 days/wk p.o. for 12 weeks, double fluorescent labeled, and the DTM were processed for bone histomorphometry analyses. The current study found the DTM in sham-aged male rats were resistant to age-related and ORX-induced cancellous bone loss and alfacalcidol-induced bone gain, findings that differ from that in the proximal tibial metaphysis (PTM) and lumbar vertebral body (LVB), two high turnover, red marrow bone sites. However, alfacalcidol treatment increased DTM bone mass in ORX rats where bone turnover was elevated by androgen deficiency. These results in concert with the previously positive findings in red marrow bone sites following alfacalcidol treatment suggest that alfacalcidol is more effective in increasing cancellous bone mass in the skeletal sites with higher bone turnover.

Long non-coding RNA DLX6-AS1 acts as an oncogene by targeting miR-613 in ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been extensively studied for their role in tumor progression. This work explored the role of lncRNA DLX6-AS1 in mediating the development of ovarian cancer (OC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: DLX6-AS1 expression was detected by Real Time-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) in OC tissues. Moreover, wound healing assay and transwell assay were performed to detect the effect of DLX6-AS1 on the metastasis of OC. Furthermore, the underlying mechanism of DLX6-AS1 in mediating the progression of OC was explored through the Dual-Luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay (RIP). RESULTS: DLX6-AS1 expression was higher in OC samples than that in the adjacent ones. Moreover, cell migration and invasion were suppressed after DLX6-AS1 knockdown in vitro. Conversely, cell migration and invasion were promoted by overexpressed DLX6-AS1. Moreover, the expression of microRNA-613 (miR-613) was upregulated via knockdown of DLX6-AS1, but was downregulated after overexpression of DLX6-AS1. Furthermore, the Luciferase reporter gene assay and RIP assay showed that miR-613 was a direct target of MIAT in DLX6-AS1 in OC tissues. CONCLUSIONS: DLX6-AS1 could enhance migration and invasion of OC cells via targeting miR-613, which might serve as a potential therapeutic target in OC.