Evaluating tuberculosis knowledge and awareness of effective control practices among health care workers in primary- and secondary-level medical institutions in Beijing, China.

OBJECTIVE: Inadequate tuberculosis (TB) knowledge and awareness of proper TB control practices among health care workers (HCWs) may increase the risk of nosocomial TB transmission. This study aimed to assess HCWs' TB-related knowledge and control practices to guide the development of more effective targeted TB health education and training programs. METHODS: In January 2023 a cross-sectional survey was administered to 323 HCWs employed by five primary health care centers and three secondary comprehensive medical institutions in Beijing, China. Survey data were collected using a standard questionnaire. RESULTS: Analysis of survey responses revealed TB knowledge and practices awareness rates of 60.4% and 90.6%, respectively. The overall average awareness rate across all 19 TB knowledge- and practice-related questions was 70.0%. Intermediate- and senior-level HCW's average TB knowledge score was respectively 2.225 and 8.175 times higher than that of primary-level HCWs, while the average TB knowledge score of HCWs in secondary comprehensive medical institutions was 3.052 times higher than that of HCWs in primary health care centers. Higher average TB knowledge score correlated with higher-level professional titles and higher level work units, but higher average TB control practices score correlated with employment at primary health care center rather than secondary comprehensive medical institution. Notably, 13.6% of HCWs had not received TB training during the past three years, while 86.1% expressed willingness to undergo online TB training. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight inadequate TB knowledge and awareness of proper TB control practices among HCWs in primary health care centers and secondary comprehensive medical institutions in Beijing, underscoring the urgent need for targeted educational and training initiatives to improve TB awareness and control efforts.

Pre- and postoperative OCT features and surgical outcomes of advanced retinitis pigmentosa with macular hole: case series and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Macular hole (MH) is a rare complication of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and has an adverse impact on residual visual function. At present, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood and surgical experience is limited. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records and optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans in a cohort of eight eyes of seven RP patients with MH in order to report their OCT features and vitreoretinal surgical prognosis. RESULTS: This study includes four lamellar macular holes (LMHs) and four full-thickness macular holes (FTMHs). Pre-operative OCT revealed other macular abnormalities in all eyes, such as epiretinal membrane (ERM), cystoid macular edema (CME), lamellar hole-associated epiretinal proliferation (LHEP) and vitreoretinal traction. MH progression and subjective vision worsening were noted in one LMH eye during a seven-month follow-up. All holes closed after vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling. At final follow-up, one eye had improved vision and seven eyes remained stable compared to baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of MH in RP is accompanied by various imaging characteristics, such as ERM, CME and LHEP, suggesting a multifactorial pathogenesis. Considering poor vision in most RP patients with potentially progressive MH, surgery appears to be effective in maintaining or improving the central vision in a period of time. Thus, vitrectomy should be performed as soon as possible and flap-assisted techniques or episcleral surgeries are needed for some special cases.

Research on the role of exosomes secreted by immortalized adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells differentiated into pericytes in the repair of high glucose-induced retinal vascular endothelial cell damage.

Diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of vision impairment, is marked by microvascular complications in the retina, including pericyte loss, a key indicator of early-stage disease. This study explores the therapeutic potential of exosomes derived from immortalized adipose-mesenchymal stem cells differentiated into pericyte-like cells in restoring the function of mouse retinal microvascular endothelial cells damaged by high glucose conditions, thereby contributing to the understanding of early diabetic retinopathy intervention strategies. To induce immortalized adipose-mesenchymal stem cells differentiation into pericyte-like cells, the study employed pericyte growth supplement. And confirmed the success of cell differentiation through the detection of α-smooth muscle actin and neural/glial antigen 2 expression by Western blot and immunofluorescence. Exosomes were isolated from the culture supernatant of immortalized adipose-mesenchymal stem cells using ultracentrifugation and characterized through Western blot for exosomal markers (CD9, CD81, and TSG101), transmission electron microscopy, and nanoparticle tracking analysis. Their influence on mouse retinal microvascular endothelial cells under high glucose stress was assessed through various functional assays. Findings revealed that exosomes, especially those from pericyte-like immortalized adipose-mesenchymal stem cells, were efficiently internalized by retinal microvascular endothelial cells and effectively counteracted high glucose-induced apoptosis. These exosomes also mitigated the rise in reactive oxygen species levels and suppressed the migratory and angiogenic properties of retinal microvascular endothelial cells, as demonstrated by Transwell and tube formation assays, respectively. Furthermore, they preserved endothelial barrier function, reducing hyperglycemia-induced permeability. At the molecular level, qRT-PCR analysis showed that exosome treatment modulated the expression of critical genes involved in angiogenesis (VEGF-A, ANG2, MMP9), inflammation (IL-1ß, TNF-α), gap junction communication (CX43), and cytoskeletal regulation (ROCK1), with the most prominent effects seen with exosomes from pericyte-like immortalized adipose-mesenchymal stem cells. High glucose increased the expression of pro-angiogenic and pro-inflammatory markers, which were effectively normalized post-exosome treatment. In conclusion, this research highlights the reparative capacity of exosomes secreted by pericyte-like differentiated immortalized adipose-mesenchymal stem cells in reversing the detrimental effects of high glucose on retinal microvascular endothelial cells. By reducing apoptosis, oxidative stress, inflammation, and abnormal angiogenic behavior, these exosomes present a promising avenue for therapeutic intervention in early diabetic retinopathy. Future studies can focus on elucidating the precise molecular mechanisms and exploring their translational potential in vivo.

Analysis of care-seeking and diagnosis delay among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Beijing, China.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health challenge in China. Early detection and diagnosis of TB cases are crucial to interrupt disease transmission and prevent its progression. This study aims to describe the delay in seeking care and diagnosis among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and identify the influencing factors in two counties in Beijing. Methods: A retrospective analysis was carried out to investigate care-seeking and diagnosis delay in two counties in Beijing. Basic information of PTB patients from January 1 to December 31, 2021, was extracted from the Tuberculosis Information Management System of China (TBIMS), and all enrolled patients were interviewed via telephone using a standard questionnaire. Statistical description was performed using the median and interquartile range (IQR). Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression model were used to analyze the influencing factors. Results: 537 patients were enrolled. The median duration of care-seeking and diagnosis delay was 11 (IQR: 5-26) days and 8 (IQR: 0-18) days, with 41.71 and 35.20% of patients experiencing delays (>14 days). The study found that being asymptomatic (OR = 2.791, 95%CI: 1.710-4.555) before seeking medical care and not attending work during treatment (OR = 2.990, 95%CI: 1.419-6.298) were identified as risk factors for care-seeking delay. Patients who were tracked (OR = 2.632, 95%CI: 1.062-6.521) and diagnosed at tuberculosis control and prevention institutions (OR = 1.843, 95%CI: 1.061-3.202) had higher odds of diagnostic delays. 44.69% of patients presented a total delay (>28 days), with a median duration of 25 (IQR: 13-39) days. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that healthy examination (OR = 0.136, 95%CI: 0.043-0.425) was a protective factor for total delay. Conclusion: Public interventions are necessary to improve the efficiency of PTB patients detection and treatment in Beijing. Medical services should focus on the target population and improve access to medical care to further reduce delays for PTB patients.

PCIF1, the only methyltransferase of N6,2-O-dimethyladenosine.

N6-methyladenosine(m6A), is the most abundant post-transcriptional modification of mRNA in biology. When the first nucleotide after the m7G cap is adenosine, it is methylated at the N6 position to form N6,2-O-dimethyladenosine (m6Am). m6Am is a reversible modification located at the first transcribed nucleotide, which is present in about 30% of cellular mRNAs, thus m6Am can have a significant impact on gene expression in the transcriptome. Phosphorylated CTD interaction factor 1(PCIF1), the unique and specific methyltransferase of m6Am, has been shown to affect mRNA stability, transcription, and translation. Several studies have shown that PCIF1 is clearly associated with tumor, viral, and endocrine diseases. Moreover, PCIF1 may be related to the tumor microenvironment, immune cell typing, and programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1) drug resistance. Here, we summarize the mechanism of PCIF1 involvement in mRNA modifications, and outline m6Am modifications and diseases in which PCIF1 is involved. We also summarized the role of PCIF1 in immune and immune checkpoint blockade(ICB) treatment, and predicted the possibility of PCIF1 as a biomarker and therapeutic target.

Integrated metabolite profiling and transcriptome analysis reveal candidate genes involved in the formation of yellow Nelumbo nucifera.

As a worldwide major ornamental flower and a edible plant, lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is also used as medicine and tea beverage. Here, transcriptome and metabolites of yellow (MLQS) and white (YGB) lotus cultivars during five key flower coloration stages were profiled. 2014 differentially expressed genes were detected with 11 carotenoids in lotus were identified for the first time. Then, regulatory networks between and within functional modules was reconstructed, and the correlation between module-metabolites and gene-metabolites was conducted within 3 core modules. 18 candidate genes related to the formation of yellow flower were screened out and a gene regulatory model for the flower color difference between MLQS and YGB were speculated as follows: The substrate competition between F3'H and F3'5'H and substrate specificity of FLS, together with differential expression of CCD4a and CCD4b were contribute to the differences in flavonoids and carotenoids. Besides, UGT73C2, UGT91C1-2 and SGTase, and regulation of UGTs by transcription factors PLATZ, MADS, NAC031, and MYB308 may also play a role in the upstream regulation. The following verification results indicated that functional differences existed in the coding sequences of NnCCD4b and promoters of NnCCD4a of MLQS and YGB. In all, this study preliminarily reveals the mechanism of yellow flower coloration in lotus and provides new ideas for the study of complex ornamental characters of other plants.

Pancreatic Cancer Cell-Derived Exosomes Promote Lymphangiogenesis by Downregulating ABHD11-AS1 Expression.

Research on pancreatic cancer microbiomes has attracted attention in recent years. The current view is that enriched microbial communities in pancreatic cancer tissues may affect pancreatic cancer metastasis, including lymph node (LN) metastasis. Similar to carriers of genetic information between cells, such as DNA, mRNA, protein, and non-coding RNA, exosomes are of great importance in early LN metastasis in tumors, including pancreatic cancer. Our previous study showed that the long non-coding RNA ABHD11-AS1 was highly expressed in tissues of patients with pancreatic cancer, and was correlated with patient survival time. However, the role of ABHD11-AS1 in pancreatic cancer LN metastasis has rarely been studied. Hence, in this paper we confirmed that exosomes derived from pancreatic cancer cells could promote lymphangiogenesis in vitro and in vivo, and that the mechanism was related to the downregulation of ABHD11-AS1 expression in lymphatic endothelial cells, and to the enhancement of their ability to proliferate, migrate, and form tubes. These findings preliminarily show a new mechanism by which pancreatic cancer cells regulate peripheral lymphangiogenesis, providing a new therapeutic strategy for inhibiting LN metastasis in pancreatic cancer.

RNA-Binding Proteins and Alternative Splicing Genes Are Coregulated in Human Retinal Endothelial Cells Treated with High Glucose.

To explore the relevant RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and alternative splicing events (ASEs) in diabetic retinopathy (DR). We devised a comprehensive work to integrate analyses of the differentially expressed genes, including differential RBPs, and variable splicing characteristics related to DR in human retinal endothelial cells induced by low glucose and high glucose in dataset GSE117238. A total of 2320 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including 1228 upregulated genes and 1092 downregulated genes. Further analysis screened out 232 RBP genes, and 42 AS genes overlapped DEGs. We selected high expression and consistency six RBP genes (FUS, HNRNPA2B1, CANX, EIF1, CALR, and POLR2A) for coexpression analysis. Through analysis, we found eight RASGs (MDM2, GOLGA2P7, NFE2L1, KDM4A, FAM111A, CIRBP, IDH1, and MCM7) that could be regulated by RBP. The coexpression network was conducted to further elucidate the regulatory and interaction relationship between RBPs and AS. Apoptotic progress, protein phosphorylation, and NF-kappaB cascade revealed by the functional enrichment analysis of RASGs regulated by RBPs were closely related to diabetic retinopathy. Furthermore, the expression of differentially expressed RBPs was validated by qRT-PCR in mouse retinal microvascular endothelial cells and retinas from the streptozotocin mouse model. The results showed that Fus, Hnrnpa2b1, Canx, Calr, and Polr2a were remarkedly difference in high-glucose-treated retinal microvascular endothelial cells and Fus, Hnrnpa2b1, Canx, and Calr were remarkedly difference in retinas from streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice compared to control. The regulatory network between identified RBPs and RASGs suggests the presence of several signaling pathways possibly involved in the pathogenesis of DR. The verified RBPs should be further addressed by future studies investigating associations between RBPs and the downstream of AS, as they could serve as potential biomarkers and targets for DR.

Clinical Observations of Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation Combined with Sacral Nerve Root Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment of Male Chronic Pelvic Pain and Chronic Prostatitis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical efficacy of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation combines sacral nerve root magnetic stimulation in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome and chronic prostatitis. METHODS: 60 male patients diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain syndrome or chronic prostatitis were analyzed in this study. Patients in the experimental group were treated with percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (7 Hz) combined with sacral nerve root magnetic stimulation (5 Hz) whilst patients in the control group receiving treatment with only percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation. The National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index was used to evaluate prostatitis in the 2 groups before and at 4 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: All patients showed improvements in scores before and after treatment in the two groups (p < 0.05). Further comparison between the two groups showed that patients in the experimental experienced more significant improvements in each of the indicators compare that to the control group patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation combined with magnetic stimulation of the sacral nerve roots have benefits for patients, but the benefits are more excellent when used together than when used alone.

Nattokinase Crude Extract Inhibits Hepatocellular Carcinoma Growth in Mice.

Nattokinase (NK, E.C. 3.4.21.62) is a serine protease produced by Bacillus subtilis natto that shows promise for the treatment of thrombotic disease. In this study, we assessed the effects of NK on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a principal malignancy of the liver that causes morbidity and mortality worldwide. Crude extracts of NK (NCE) were isolated from fermentation medium by centrifugation and separated into three fractions (<10 K, 100~30 K and >30K). Orthotopic HCC mouse models were established and NCE was administered by oral gavage. H&E staining was performed to examine the pathology of HCC livers. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to evaluate FOXM1, CD31, CD44 and vimentin expression in the liver. Compared to PBS groups, NCE increased the survival rates of HCC-bearing mice to 31% and decreased ascites. Low-intensity ultrasound imaging showed that the hypoechoic mass area was lower in NCE-treated mice and that tumor growth significantly decreased. IHC staining showed that the expression of FOXM1 was inhibited by NCE treatment. Immunofluorescence results revealed lower levels of CD31, CD44 and vimentin in the NCE groups. Taken together, these data demonstrate that NCE from Bacillus subtilis natto improves survival and inhibits tumor growth in HCC mice.

Determination of the Deacetylation Degree of Chitooligosaccharides.

The methods for determination of chitosan content recommended in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and the European Pharmacopoeia are not applicable for evaluation of the extent of deacetylation (deacetylation degree, DD) in chitooligosaccharides (COS). This study explores two different methods for assessment of DD in COS having relatively high and low molecular weights: an acid-base titration with bromocresol green indicator and a first order derivative UV spectrophotometric method for assessment of DD in COS. The accuracy of both methods as a function of molecular weight was also investigated and compared to results obtained using ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Our study demonstrates two simple, fast, widely adaptable, highly precise, accurate, and inexpensive methods for the effective determination of DD in COS, which have the potential for widespread commercial applications in developing country.

In vitro inhibition of lipid accumulation induced by oleic acid and in vivo pharmacokinetics of chitosan microspheres (CTMS) and chitosan-capsaicin microspheres (CCMS).

Chitosan and capsaicin are compounds extracted from natural products and have been indicated to lower body weight and prevent fatty liver. However, their applications are limited by poor oral bioavailability, low compliance and some serious side effects. To solve these problems, we successfully prepared chitosan microspheres (CTMS) and chitosan-capsaicin microspheres (CCMS) in previous study. Therefore, in the present study, we evaluated the ability of CTMS and CCMS to eliminate lipid accumulation in hepatocytesand also characterized their pharmacokinetic parameters after administration. The results showed that the two microspheres could significantly reduce intracellular lipid accumulation and dose-dependently improve the triglyceride (TG) content in HepG2 cells. A pharmacokinetic study indicated that CTMS and CCMS were distributed in almost all of the measured tissues, especially liver and kidney, and that their absorption was better than those of chitosan and capsaicin. Simultaneously, the prolonged circulating half-lives, the lower clearance and higher plasma concentration of CTMS and CCMS showed that their bioavailability was effectively enhanced. All of the results indicated that the lipid accumulation inhibition of CTMS and CCMS was better than that of chitosan and capsaicin, and that these microspheres can be developed as preventive agents for fatty liver or obesity.

Formaldehyde impairs transepithelial sodium transport.

Unsaturated oxidative formaldehyde is a noxious aldehyde in cigarette smoke that causes edematous acute lung injury. However, the mechanistic effects of formaldehyde on lung fluid transport are still poorly understood. We examined how formaldehyde regulates human epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) in H441 and expressed in Xenopus oocytes and exposed mice in vivo. Our results showed that formaldehyde reduced mouse transalveolar fluid clearance in vivo. Formaldehyde caused a dose-dependent inhibition of amiloride-sensitive short-circuit Na+ currents in H441 monolayers and of αßγ-ENaC channel activity in oocytes. α-ENaC protein was reduced, whereas phosphorylation of the extracellular regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) increased significantly post exposure. Moreover, both α- and γ-ENaC transcripts were down-regulated. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was elevated significantly by formaldehyde in addition to markedly augmented membrane permeability of oocytes. These data suggest that formaldehyde contributes to edematous acute lung injury by reducing transalveolar Na+ transport, through decreased ENaC activity and enhanced membrane depolarization, and by elevating ROS production over long-term exposure.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D Enhances Alveolar Fluid Clearance by Upregulating the Expression of Epithelial Sodium Channels.

Vitamin D is implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma, acute lung injury, and other respiratory diseases. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D3), the hormonal form of vitamin D, has been shown to reduce vascular permeability and ameliorate lung edema. Therefore, we speculate that 1,25(OH)2D3 may regulate alveolar Na(+) transport via targeting epithelial Na(+) channels (ENaC), a crucial pathway for alveolar fluid clearance. In vivo total alveolar fluid clearance was 39.4 ± 3.8% in 1,25(OH)2D3-treated mice, significantly greater than vehicle-treated controls (24.7 ± 1.9 %, n = 10, p < 0.05). 1,25(OH)2D3 increased amiloride-sensitive short-circuit currents in H441 monolayers, and whole-cell patch-clamp data confirmed that ENaC currents in single H441 cell were enhanced in 1,25(OH)2D3-treated cells. Western blot showed that the expression of α-ENaC was significantly elevated in 1,25(OH)2D3-treated mouse lungs and 1,25(OH)2D3-treated H441 cells. These observations suggest that vitamin D augments transalveolar fluid clearance, and vitamin D therapy may potentially be used to ameliorate pulmonary edema.

Effects of chitosan and water-soluble chitosan micro- and nanoparticles in obese rats fed a high-fat diet.

PURPOSE: This study determined the effects of chitosan (CTS) and water-soluble chitosan (WSC) microparticles (MPs) and nanoparticles (NPs) in rats with high-fat diet-induced obesity. METHODS: THE RATS WERE RANDOMLY SEPARATED INTO EIGHT GROUPS: a normal diet group (the blank control), a high-fat emulsion group (the negative control), CTS and WSC control groups, CTS-MP and WSC-MP groups, and CTS-NP and WSC-NP groups. All groups (except the blank control group) were fed the high-fat diet for 4 weeks to establish the obesity model. Different samples were administered orally once daily to the treatment groups for 4 weeks. RESULTS: A significantly lower weight gain was observed in the WSC-MP and WSC-NP groups, as well as in the CTS-MP and CTS-NP groups, compared with rats given a normal diet and a high-fat diet (P < 0.05). The WSC-MP rats had the least weight gain among all the groups. The food intake in the eight groups had the same trend as weight gain. CTS and WSC MPs and NPs significantly reduced the final amounts of epididymal and perirenal white adipose tissue. Liver weight was reduced in the CTS-MP group compared to rats fed a high-fat diet. Serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly reduced in all treatment groups, with the WSC-MP and CTS-MP groups showing a more significant reduction than the other groups. Triacylglycerol levels were significantly reduced in the WSC-NP group compared to the high-fat group. The mortality rates of CTS-MP, CTS-NP, WSC-MP, and WSC-NP groups were 30%, 30%, 55%, and 65%, respectively. The median lethal dose for the WSC-MP and WSC-NP groups were 4080 mg/kg and 2370 mg/kg, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that CTS and WSC MPs and NPs have greater effects than commercially available CTS and WSC, and can be used as potential antiobesity agents.