Effect of ozone sterilization on controlling leaf mildew and gray mold tomato disease in a glasshouse and its influence on other growth parameters.

BACKGROUND: In order to explore the effect of ozone sterilization treatment on tomato disease control and increase fruit setting rate, this study took 906 pink fruit tomato as test material, used a small ozone generator to carry out ozone treatment single-factor test, and then selected orthogonal table to guide the ozone treatment combination. The effects of different ozone treatment concentration, ozone treatment duration and ozone treatment times on the growth, disease and fruit setting rate of potted tomato were analyzed. RESULTS: Different ozone treatment had effects on leaf mildew, gray mold and fruit setting rate of tomato. The influence degree of three factors on leaf mildew, gray mold and fruit setting rate was from large to small, a > b > c, a > c > b, b > a > c. A quadratic regression model was established with the control effect of tomato leaf mildew, gray mold and fruit setting rate as response values, and the optimal parameter combination was determined: The ozone treatment concentration was 0.0465 g kg-1, the ozone treatment time was 30 min, and the ozone treatment times were twice a week. In this case, the control efficiency of tomato leaf mildew was 95.02%, the control effect of gray mold was 99.49%, and the fruit setting rate was 76.5%. The test parameters were accurate and reliable. CONCLUSION: The ozone sterilization method proposed in this article is safe and green, and can provide theoretical support for the recovery and reconstruction of tomato disease in a glasshouse. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

New insights into the function of lipid droplet-related proteins and lipid metabolism of salt-stimulated porcine biceps femoris: label-free quantitative phosphoproteomics, morphometry and bioinformatics.

BACKGROUND: Lipid droplets (LDs) are important multifunctional organelles responsible for lipid metabolism of postmortem muscle. However, the dynamics in their building blocks (cores and layers) and phosphorylation of lipid droplet-related proteins (LDRPs) regulating meat lipolysis remain unknown at salt-stimulated conditions. RESULTS: LDRPs extracted from cured porcine biceps femoris (1% and 3% salt) were subjected to label-free quantitative phosphoproteomic analysis and LDs morphological validation. Results indicated that 3% salt curing significantly decreased triglyceride (TG) content with increase in glycerol and decrease in LDs fluorescence compared to 1% salt curing. Comparative phosphoproteomics showed that there were significant changes in phosphorylation at 386 sites on 174 LDRPs between assayed groups (P < 0.05). These differential proteins were mainly involved in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Curing of 3% salt induced more site-specific phosphorylation of perilipin 1 (PLIN1, at Ser81) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL, at Ser399) than 1%, whereas the phosphorylation (at Ser600) of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) was up-regulated. Ultrastructure imaging showed that LDs were mostly associated with mitochondria, and the average diameter of LDs decreased from 2.34 µm (1% salt) to 1.73 µm (3% salt). CONCLUSION: Phosphoproteomics unraveled salt-stimulated LDRPs phosphorylation of cured porcine meat provoked intensified lipolysis. Curing of 3% salt allowed an enhanced lipolysis than 1% by up-regulating the phosphorylation sites of LDRPs and recruited lipases. The visible splitting of LDs, together with sarcoplasmic disorganization, supported the lipolysis robustness following 3% salt curing. The finding provides optimization ideas for high-quality production of cured meat products. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Single-Cell Transcriptome Sequencing Reveals Molecular Expression Differences and Marker Genes in Testes during the Sexual Maturation of Mongolian Horses.

This study aimed to investigate differences in testicular tissue morphology, gene expression, and marker genes between sexually immature (1-year-old) and sexually mature (10-year-old) Mongolian horses. The purposes of our research were to provide insights into the reproductive physiology of male Mongolian horses and to identify potential markers for sexual maturity. The methods we applied included the transcriptomic profiling of testicular cells using single-cell sequencing techniques. Our results revealed significant differences in tissue morphology and gene expression patterns between the two age groups. Specifically, 25 cell clusters and 10 cell types were identified, including spermatogonial and somatic cells. Differential gene expression analysis highlighted distinct patterns related to cellular infrastructure in sexually immature horses and spermatogenesis in sexually mature horses. Marker genes specific to each stage were also identified, including APOA1, AMH, TAC3, INHA, SPARC, and SOX9 for the sexually immature stage, and PRM1, PRM2, LOC100051500, PRSS37, HMGB4, and H1-9 for the sexually mature stage. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of testicular development and spermatogenesis in Mongolian horses and have potential applications in equine reproductive biology and breeding programs. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying sexual maturity in Mongolian horses.

The effects of bisphenol S exposure on the growth, physiological and biochemical indices, and ecdysteroid receptor gene expression in red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii.

The experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Bisphenol S (BPS) on growth, physiological and biochemical indices, and the expression of ecdysteroid receptor (ECR) of the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). The gene encoding ECR was isolated from red swamp crayfish by homologous cloning and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The ECR transcripts were 1757 bp long and encoded proteins of 576 amino acids. The quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that the ECR gene was expressed in various tissues under normal conditions, and the highest level was observed in the ovary and the lowest level was observed in the muscle (P < 0.05). Then, the experiment was designed with four different BPS concentrations (0, 1, 10, and 100 µg/L), BPS exposure for 14 days, three parallel groups, and a total of 240 red swamp crayfish. At 100 µg/L BPS, the survival rate, weight gain rate, and relative length rate were decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Malonaldehyde (MDA) content reached the highest level at 100 µg/L BPS. When BPS concentration was higher than 10 µg/L, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The expression levels of the ECR gene in ovary, intestinal, gill, and hepatopancreas tissues were significantly increased after BPS exposure (P < 0.05). The ECR gene expression in ovaries and Y-organs was significantly higher than other groups in 10 µg/L BPS (P < 0.05). The expressions of the tumor necrosis factor -α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) genes in the hepatopancreas gradually increased, and the highest expression was observed exposed in 100 µg/L BPS (P < 0.05). This research will provide novel insights into the health risk assessment of BPS in aquatic organisms.

Proteome and metabolomic profile of Mongolian horse follicular fluid during follicle development.

During follicular development, changes in the composition of the follicular fluid are synchronized with the development of oocytes. Our aim was to screen the key factors affecting oocyte maturation and optimize the in vitro culture protocol by understanding the changes of proteins and metabolites in follicular fluid. Follicles are divided into three groups according to their diameter (small follicle fluid (SFF): 10 mm < d < 20 mm; medium follicle fluid (MFF): 20 mm < d < 30 mm; large follicle fluid (LFF): 30 mm < d). Proteins and metabolites from the follicular fluid were analyzed by mass spectrometry. The results showed that: in LFF vs MFF, 20 differential abundant protein (DAP) and 88 differential abundant metabolites (DAM) were screened out; In SFF vs MFF, 3 DAPs and 65 DAMs were screened out; In MFF vs SFF, 24 DAPs and 35 DAMs were screened out. The analysis of differential proteins and metabolites showed that glycerophosphate hydrolysis decreased during follicular development, and proteins played a major role in metabolism and binding. In addition, DAMs and DAPs are co-enriched in the "linoleic acid metabolism" pathway. Combinatorial analysis reveals the dynamic profile of follicular fluid during follicular development and provides fundation for further exploring the function of follicular fluid in Mongolian horse.

Mechanisms insights into bisphenol S-induced oxidative stress, lipid metabolism disruption, and autophagy dysfunction in freshwater crayfish.

Bisphenol S (BPS) is widely used in plastic products, food packaging, electronic products, and other applications. In recent years, BPS emissions have increasingly impacted aquatic ecosystems. The effects of BPS exposure on aquatic animal health have been documented; however, our understanding of its toxicology remains limited. This study aimed to explore the mechanisms of lipid metabolism disorders, oxidative stress, and autophagy dysfunction induced in freshwater crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) by exposure to different concentrations of BPS (0 µg/L, 1 µg/L, 10 µg/L, and 100 µg/L) over 14 d. The results indicated that BPS exposure led to oxidative stress by inducing elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibiting the activity of antioxidant-related enzymes. Additionally, BPS exposure led to increased lipid content in the serum and hepatopancreas, which was associated with elevated lipid-related enzyme activity and increased expression of related genes. Furthermore, BPS exposure decreased levels of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylinositol (PI), disrupted glycerophospholipid (GPI) metabolism, and caused lipid deposition in the hepatopancreatic. These phenomena may have occurred because BPS exposure reduced the transport of fatty acids and led to hepatopancreatic lipid deposition by inhibiting the transport and synthesis of PC and PI in the hepatopancreas, thereby inhibiting the PI3K-AMPK pathway. In conclusion, BPS exposure induced oxidative stress, promoted lipid accumulation, and led to autophagy dysfunction in the hepatopancreas of freshwater crayfish. Collectively, our findings provide the first evidence that environmentally relevant levels of BPS exposure can induce hepatopancreatic lipid deposition through multiple pathways, raising concerns about the potential population-level harm of BPS and other bisphenol analogues.

Comparative Analysis of mRNA and lncRNA Expression Profiles in Testicular Tissue of Sexually Immature and Sexually Mature Mongolian Horses.

Testicular development and spermatogenesis are tightly regulated by both coding and non-coding genes, with mRNA and lncRNA playing crucial roles in post-transcriptional gene expression regulation. However, there are significant differences in regulatory mechanisms before and after sexual maturity. Nevertheless, the mRNAs and lncRNAs in the testes of Mongolian horses have not been systematically identified. In this study, we first identified the testicular tissues of sexually immature and sexually mature Mongolian horses at the tissue and protein levels, and comprehensively analyzed the expression profiles of mRNA and lncRNA in the testes of 1-year-old (12 months, n = 3) and 10-year-old (n = 3) Mongolian horses using RNA sequencing technology. Through gene expression analysis, we identified 16,582 mRNAs and 2128 unknown lncRNAs that are commonly expressed in both sexually immature and sexually mature Mongolian horses. Meanwhile, 9217 mRNAs (p < 0.05) and 2191 unknown lncRNAs (p < 0.05) were identified as differentially expressed between the two stages, which were further validated by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and analyzed using Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). The analysis results showed that genes in the sexually immature stage were mainly enriched in terms related to cellular infrastructure, while genes in the sexually mature stage were enriched in terms associated with hormones, metabolism, and spermatogenesis. In summary, the findings of this study provide valuable resources for a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying testicular development and spermatogenesis in Mongolian horses and offer new perspectives for future related research.

Exploring the mechanism of intestinal injury induced by Bisphenol S in freshwater crayfish (Procambarus clarkii): Molecular and biochemical approaches.

Bisphenol S (BPS) is extensively utilized in various industries such as plastic manufacturing, food packaging, and electronics. The release of BPS into aquatic environments has been observed to have negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Research has shown that exposure to BPS can have adverse effects on the health of aquatic animals. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress induced in freshwater crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) by exposure to BPS (0 µg/L, 1 µg/L, 10 µg/L, and 100 µg/L) for 14 days. The results showed that BPS exposure resulted in elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and severe intestinal histological damage. In addition, oxidative stress can occur in the body by inhibiting the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the expression of related genes. BPS exposure induced a significant increase in the relative mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (NF-κB and TNF-α) and key unfolded protein response (UPR) related genes (Bip, Ire1, and Xbp1). At the same time, BPS exposure also induced up-regulation of apoptosis genes (Cytc and Casp3), suggesting that UPR and Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathways may play a protective role in the process of apoptosis and oxidative stress. In conclusion, Our findings present the initial evidence that exposure to environmentally relevant levels of BPS can lead to intestinal injury through various pathways, highlighting concerns about the potential harm at a population level from BPS and other bisphenol analogs.

Bisphenol S exposed changes in intestinal microflora and metabolomics of freshwater crayfish, Procambarus clarkii.

Bisphenol S (BPS), a typical endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC), can cause hepatopancreas damage and intestinal flora disturbance. Comprehensive studies on the mechanisms of acute toxicity in crustaceans are lacking. In this study, 16S rRNA and liquid chromatography were used to investigate intestinal microbiota and metabolites of freshwater crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). In this study, freshwater crayfish were exposed to BPS (10 µg/L and 100 µg/L). The results showed a significant decrease in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities after exposure to BPS, which inhibited the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway and induced oxidative stress toxicity in freshwater crayfish. In addition, BPS exposure induced the structural changes of intestinal microbial in the freshwater crayfish, showing different patterns of effects. The number of potentially pathogenic bacteria increased, such as Citrobacter, Hafnia-Obesumbacterium, and RsaHf231. A total of 128 different metabolites were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. The inositol and leukotriene (LT) contents in the hepatopancreas of freshwater crayfish were significantly decreased after 10 µg/L BPS exposure, which in turn led to the accumulation of lipids causing hepatopancreas damage. In conclusion, when the concentration of BPS in the water environment exceeded 10 µg/L, the freshwater crayfish intestinal microbiota was dysbiosis and the hepatopancreas metabolism was disturbed.

Food from Equids-Commercial Fermented Mare's Milk (Koumiss) Products: Protective Effects against Alcohol Intoxication.

Fermented mare's milk (koumiss), a traditional Central Asian dairy product derived from fermented mare's milk, is renowned for its unique sour taste and texture. It has long been consumed by nomadic tribes for its nutritional and medicinal benefits. This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the protective effects of koumiss against alcohol-induced harm across behavioral, hematological, gastrointestinal, hepatic, and reproductive dimensions using a mouse model. Optimal intoxicating doses of alcohol and koumiss doses were determined, and their effects were explored through sleep tests and blood indicator measurements. Pretreatment with koumiss delayed inebriation, accelerated sobering, and reduced mortality in mice, mitigating alcohol's impact on blood ethanol levels and various physiological parameters. Histopathological and molecular analyses further confirmed koumiss's protective role against alcohol-induced damage in the liver, stomach, small intestine, and reproductive system. Transcriptomic studies on reproductive damage indicated that koumiss exerts its benefits by influencing mitochondrial and ribosomal functions and also shows promise in mitigating alcohol's effects on the reproductive system. In summary, koumiss emerges as a potential natural agent for protection against alcohol-induced harm, opening avenues for future research in this field.

Underlying formation mechanisms of ultrasound-assisted brined porcine meat: The role of physicochemical modification, myofiber fragmentation and histological organization.

Ultrasound treatment has been a good hurdle technique for meat curing processing, where both physical and chemical consequences can be involved towards final quality of obtained products. However, the specific correlation between ultrasound parameters and muscle fiber fragmentation and myofibrillar microstructural changes during curing deserve further evaluation. In present study, we comparatively studied the effect of ultrasound-assisted brining (UAB) and static brining (SB) on the muscle proteolysis events and microstructural/morphological variation of porcine meat as well as the physicochemical indices and histological characteristics. The results showed that UAB (20 kHz, 315 W for 1 h) could markedly enhance the muscle proteolysis with higher free-/peptide-bound alpha-amino-nitrogen (α-NH2-N) content (P < 0.05) than SB treatment and greatly improved the fragmentation of muscle fiber tissues of cured meat. Meanwhile, UAB processing favored more opening structures of myofibrillar proteins with more hydrophobic groups being exposed. The quantitative histological analysis revealed that, compared with SB treatment, UAB could significantly increase the gap between muscle fibers and the swelling of the perimysium (P < 0.01), proving an efficient curing process with better textural and water holding properties.

Recombinant immunotoxin induces tumor intrinsic STING signaling against head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

The innate immune stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway is known to activate type I interferons (IFN-I) and participate in generating antitumor immunity. We previously produced hDT806, a recombinant diphtheria immunotoxin, and demonstrated its efficacy against head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, it's unknown whether the tumor-intrinsic STING plays a role in the anti-HNSCC effects of hDT806. In this study, we investigated the innate immune modulation of hDT806 on HNSCC. hDT806 significantly upregulated the level of STING and the ratio of p-TBK1/TBK1 in the HNSCC cells. Moreover, intratumoral hDT806 treatment increased the expression of STING-IFN-I signaling proteins including IFNA1, IFNB, CXCL10 and MX1, a marker of IFN-I receptor activity, in the HNSCC xenografts. Overexpression of STING mimicked the hDT806-induced upregulation of the STING-IFN-I signaling and induced apoptosis in the HNSCC cells. In the mouse xenograft models of HNSCC with STING overexpression, we observed a significant suppression of tumor growth and reduced tumor weight with increased apoptosis compared to their control xenograft counterparts without STING overexpression. Collectively, our data revealed that hDT806 may act as a stimulator of tumor-intrinsic STING-IFN-I signaling to inhibit tumor growth in HNSCC.

Exploring the Meaning in Life and the Influencing Factors among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis in Macau.

Introduction: The meaning in life (ML) is a significant predictor of the physical and mental health of patients with chronic diseases, and its construct is culturally specific.As a group between normal people and the patients with advanced cancer, patients with End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) who are undergoing hemodialysis (HD) are often outside of research focus on ML. Objectives: This study was to investigate the status of ML of patients on HD in Macau of China and to analyze the influence of social-demographic characteristics and disease-related factors on their ML. The study findings would inform the development of evidence-based interventions in nursing care for this patient population. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional survey design. Eligible participants were recruited by convenient sampling from the largest HD center in Macau in January 2020. The participants' social-demographic and disease-related characteristics were collected, and their ML status was assessed by the Meaning in Life Scale for Hemodialysis Patients (MLSHP). SPSS 22.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results: Questionnaires were distributed to 249 potential participants who were patients on HD, and 238 patients replied to the questionnaires effectively. The effective response rate was 95.58% (238/249). The average score of ML for the patients was 93.75 ± 10.00, which was 72% of the total score of 130 on the ML scale. Gender, religious belief, duration of dialysis treatment, and symptom-related distress had impacts on ML levels (p < .05), with religious belief being a particularly strong predictor (p < .001). Conclusion: The level of ML for patients on HD in Macau is relatively high. Different demographic or disease-related factors impact participants' ML, supporting or contradicting previous studies. While the study findings are meaningful under the local cultural contexts, they have implications for nurses in other places to develop evidence-based interventions for patients on HD.

Antitumor Efficacy of EGFR-Targeted Recombinant Immunotoxin in Human Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Over 90% of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) overexpresses the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). However, the EGFR-targeted monotherapy response rate only achieves 10-30% in HNSCC. Recombinant immunotoxin (RIT) often consists of an antibody targeting a tumor antigen and a toxin (e.g., diphtheria toxin [DT]) that kills cancer cells. We produced a humanized RIT, designated as hDT806, targeting overexpressed EGFR and investigated its effects in HNSCC. Distinct from the EGFR-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor erlotinib or antibody cetuximab, hDT806 effectively suppressed cell proliferation in the four HNSCC lines tested (JHU-011, -013, -022, and -029). In JHU-029 mouse xenograft models, hDT806 substantially reduced tumor growth. hDT806 decreased EGFR protein levels and disrupted the EGFR signaling downstream effectors, including MAPK/ERK1/2 and AKT, while increased proapoptotic proteins, such as p53, caspase-9, caspase-3, and the cleaved PAPR. The hDT806-induced apoptosis of HNSCC cells was corroborated by flow cytometric analysis. Furthermore, hDT806 resulted in a drastic inhibition in RNA polymerase II carboxy-terminal domain phosphorylation critical for transcription and a significant increase in the γH2A.X level, a DNA damage marker. Thus, the direct disruption of EGFR signaling, transcription inhibition, DNA damage, as well as apoptosis induced by hDT806 may contribute to its antitumor efficacy in HNSCC.

Advanced Lipidomics in the Modern Meat Industry: Quality Traceability, Processing Requirement, and Health Concerns.

Over the latest decade, lipidomics has been extensively developed to give robust strength to the qualitative and quantitative information of lipid molecules derived from physiological animal tissues and edible muscle foods. The main lipidomics analytical platforms include mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), where MS-based approaches [e.g., "shotgun lipidomics," ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS)] have been widely used due to their good sensitivity, high availability, and accuracy in identification/quantification of basal lipid profiles in complex biological point of view. However, each method has limitations for lipid-species [e.g., fatty acids, triglycerides (TGs), and phospholipids (PLs)] analysis, and necessitating the extension of effective chemometric-resolved modeling and novel bioinformatic strategies toward molecular insights into alterations in the metabolic pathway. This review summarized the latest research advances regarding the application of advanced lipidomics in muscle origin and meat processing. We concisely highlighted and presented how the biosynthesis and decomposition of muscle-derived lipid molecules can be tailored by intrinsic characteristics during meat production (i.e., muscle type, breed, feeding, and freshness). Meanwhile, the consequences of some crucial hurdle techniques from both thermal/non-thermal perspectives were also discussed, as well as the role of salting/fermentation behaviors in postmortem lipid biotransformation. Finally, we proposed the inter-relationship between potential/putative lipid biomarkers in representative physiological muscles and processed meats, their metabolism accessibility, general nutritional uptake, and potency on human health.

Analysis of the Whole-Genome Sequences from an Equus Parent-Offspring Trio Provides Insight into the Genomic Incompatibilities in the Hybrid Mule.

Interspecific hybridization often shows negative effects on hybrids. However, only a few multicellular species, limited to a handful of plants and animals, have shown partial genetic mechanisms by which hybridization leads to low fitness in hybrids. Here, to explore the outcome of combining the two genomes of a horse and donkey, we analyzed the whole-genome sequences from an Equus parent-offspring trio using Illumina platforms. We generated 41.39× and 46.21× coverage sequences for the horse and mule, respectively. For the donkey, a 40.38× coverage sequence was generated and stored in our laboratory. Approximately 24.86 million alleles were discovered that varied from the reference genome. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were used as polymorphic markers for assigning alleles to their parental genomic inheritance. We identified 25,703 Mendelian inheritance error single nucleotide polymorphisms in the mule genome that were not inherited from the parents through Mendelian inheritance. A total of 555 de novo single nucleotide polymorphisms were also identified. The rate of de novo single nucleotide polymorphisms was 2.21 × 10-7 in the mule from the Equus parent-offspring trio. This rate is obviously higher than the natural mutation rate for Equus, which is also consistent with the previous hypothesis that interracial crosses may have a high mutation rate. The genes associated with these single nucleotide polymorphisms are mainly involved in immune processes, DNA repair, and cancer processes. The results of the analysis of three genomes from an Equus parent-offspring trio improved our knowledge of the consequences of the integration of parental genomes in mules.

Interactions between unfolding/disassembling behaviors, proteolytic subfragments and reversible aggregation of oxidized skeletal myosin isoforms at different salt contents.

Myosin filament plays a critical role in water-trapping and thermodynamic regulation during processing of brined muscle foods. The redox state and availability of proteolytic/antioxidant enzymes affected by salt may change the ion-binding capacity of myosin consequently contributing to swelling and rehydration. Thus, this study investigated the impact of different salt content (0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5% NaCl) and oxidation in vitro (10 mM H2O2/ascorbate-based hydroxyl radical (OH)-generating system) on the oxidative stability, solubility/dispersion capacity, chymotrypsin digestibility, aggregation site and the microrheological properties of isolated porcine myosin. The result showed that, brining at 2% salt exposed more sulfhydryl groups and inhibited the formation of disulfide bond, whereby smaller dispersed structure (diameter within 10-50 nm) and higher Ca2+-ATPase activity of the denatured myosin were observed. Accordingly, gel electrophoresis showed that myosin S1 and HMM subunits were highly oxidized and susceptible to reversible assembles. Despite enhanced hydrophobic interactions between swelled myosin at 3% salt content, ≥4% salt greatly promoted the exposure/polarization of tryptophan and cross-linking structures, mainly occurring at myosin S2 portion. The results of micro-rheology proved that oxidized myosin formed a tighter heat-set network following rehydration at high ion strength (≥4% salt), suggesting an increased inter-droplet resistance and macroscopic viscosity. This work is expected to give some useful insights into improved texture and functionality of engineered muscle foods.

[Field investigation of standardized construction of intensive care unit in county-level public hospitals in Dizhou City, Guizhou Province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the standardized construction of critical care departments in different cities and counties of Guizhou province to promote the homogenization development of critical care medicine in Guizhou Province. METHODS: Using research methods such as field investigation and data collection, the public hospitals of 88 counties and urban areas in 9 prefectures and cities of Guizhou province were divided into five routes: southeast, northeast, northwest, southwest, and Guiyang. To design the survey form for the standardized construction of ICU, the e-form was sent to the director of ICU or his/her designated personnel by email or wechat 2-3 days in advance. Check the authenticity of data item by item on site, and leave the hospital after checking the receipt form. RESULTS: From April to July 2021, the survey and research data collection was completed for 146 public hospitals (excluding provincial hospitals) with intensive care departments in 88 counties and cities of 9 dizhou cities in Guizhou Province, including 24 Grade-III Level A hospitals. 122 Grade-II and above hospitals (including 8 Grade-III Level B hospitals, 11 Grade-III comprehensive hospitals, 97 Level-II A hospitals, 3 Level-II B hospitals, and 3 Level-II comprehensive hospitals). 146 public hospitals have a total of 80 983 beds and 104 017 open beds. The department of Critical Care has 2 035 beds. The ratio of actual beds in ICU to total beds in hospital was 2.51%. From 1999 to 2010, 18 (12.33%) established departments, and from 2011 to 2021, 128 (87.67%) established departments. The total area of the discipline is 113 355.48 m2, with an average bed area of 55.70 m2. There were 97 hospitals with 1.5-2.0 m bed spacing, accounting for 66.44%, and 49 hospitals with 2.1- > 2.5 m spacing, accounting for 33.56%. The number of negative pressure wards: 1 in each of 43 hospitals, accounting for 29.45%; 103 hospitals did not have, accounting for 70.55%. The number of single rooms: 288 in 140 hospitals, accounting for 95.89%; 6 hospitals did not have, accounting for 4.11%. Central oxygen supply: 138 hospitals have (94.52%); 8 hospitals did not have, accounting for 5.48%. Natural ventilation: in 129 hospitals with 88.36%; 17 hospitals did not have, accounting for 11.64%. Specialized ICU construction: 66 hospitals, accounting for 45.21%; none in 80 hospitals, accounting for 54.79%. There are 3 712 doctors and nurses in 146 public hospitals. The total number of doctors was 1 041, and the ratio of doctors to beds was 0.51:1. The total number of nurses was 2 675, and the ratio of nurses to beds was 1.31:1. CONCLUSIONS: All 88 counties and districts in 9 prefectures and cities of Guizhou province have established intensive care medicine departments. The standardization of the discipline construction has been significantly improved. Lack of talents is still an important factor restricting the rapid development of the discipline.

[A special type of blood pressure reduction: a case of carbon dioxide ejection syndrome].

Carbon dioxide (CO2) ejection syndrome is common after artificial pneumoperitoneum, and it often attracts the attention of anesthesiologists because of its rapid changes in vital signs. CO2 ejection syndrome is not uncommon in critically ill patients, and may occur after mechanical ventilation in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). There are few relevant reports about CO2 ejection syndrome, and a considerable number of clinicians have little understanding of the pathological changes. A case of AECOPD patient with CO2 ejection syndrome after endotracheal intubation was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University. After treatment, such as fluid expansion, vasoactive drugs and ventilator assistance, the patient's condition improved and was transferred out of the ICU. It is expected to provide some references by summarizing the diagnosis and treatment of this case and reviewing relevant literature reports.

[Analysis of prognostic risk factors of bloodstream infection in intensive care unit patients].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the prognostic risk factors of bloodstream infection (BSI) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, furthermore, to provide a reliable evidence for early warning and treatment for the critical patients with BSI. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed. The clinical data of patients with blood culture-positive admitted to ICU of the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University from January 1 to September 30, 2019 were analyzed. The data including gender, age, proportion of basic diseases, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II), the duration of mechanical ventilation after being diagnosed with BSI, length of stay in ICU, aggressive operation and blood product infusion after BSI, proportion of using continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and continuous vasoactive agents for more than 72 hours after being diagnosed with BSI, and site of central venous catheterization were recorded. Meantime, the worst laboratory values within 72 hours after being diagnosed with BSI, information about pathogenic microorganism categories and distributions were collected and analyzed. The patients were divided into survival and death groups based on the the 28-day prognosis, and the differences of clinical data between the two groups were compared. Logistic regression analysis was used to select the independent prognostic risk factors of BSI. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-four patients with positive results of BSI were enrolled, and the 156 strains of bacteria were detected, including 75 Gram positive (G+) bacteria strains, 70 Gram negative (G-) bacteria strains and 11 fungi strains among those BSI patients. The top five pathogenic microorganisms were Coagulase negative staphylococcus (35.9%), Klebsiella pneumonia (12.8%), Acinetobacter baumannii (9.0%), Enterococci (9.0%), and Escherichia coli (8.3%). There were 45 strains (60.0%) of multidrug-resistant strains in G+ bacteria and 40 strains of multidrug-resistant strains (57.1%) in G- bacterial strains, but in fungi there was only 1 strain (9.1%). There were 81 cases in survival group and 73 cases in death group according to 28-day prognosis. We found that there were no significant differences between the comparators in age, lenth of stay in ICU, duration for mechanical ventilation after being diagnosed with BSI, percentage of BSI with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypertension, cardiovascular disease or chronic kidney dysfunction (all P > 0.05). In death group, the proportion of male was obviously lower than that of survival group [58.9% (43/73) vs. 75.3% (61/81), P < 0.05] and APACHE II score was significantly higher than that in survival group (27.1±7.0 vs. 19.5±6.7, P < 0.05). The mean arterial pressure (MAP) of death group on first 3 days of BSI was significantly lower than that of survival group [mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 72.8±13.6 vs. 79.7±12.9, P < 0.05), in the death group, the proportion of patients complicated with diabetes, cancer [28.8% (29/73) vs. 12.3% (10/81), 19.2% (14/73) vs. 7.4% (6/81)], post-BSI CRRT and blood transfusion [39.7% (29/73) vs. 16.0% (13/81), 64.4% (47/73) vs. 46.9% (38/81)], and continuous use of asoactie drugs for ≥ 72 hours [37.0% (27/73) vs. 12.3% (10/81)] were significantly higher than those in the survival group (all P < 0.05). In death group, platelet count (PLT) was significantly decreased than that of survival group [×109/L: 124.93±98.21 vs. 181.15±116.39,P < 0.05], aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level was significantly higher than that of survival group [U/L: 75.40 (38.50, 140.95) vs. 56.20 (29.20, 85.70), P < 0.05], the rest of the laboratory indexes had no statistically significant differences between the two groups (all P > 0.05). The results of Logistic regression analysis showed that the APACHE II score [odds ratio (OR) = 1.279, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 1.158 to 1.412, P < 0.001], CRRT after BSI (OR = 3.522, 95%CI was 1.013 to 12.245, P = 0.048) were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with BSI, and MAP is a protective factor for prognosis (OR = 0.961, 95%CI was 0.927 to 0.996, P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: In our ICU, G+ bacteria are still dominant in bloodstream infection, G- bacteria take the second place. Besides, APACHE II score and CRRT after being diagnosed with BSI are the independent prognostic risk factors.