MicroRNA-582-3p knockdown alleviates non-alcoholic steatohepatitis by altering the gut microbiota composition and moderating TMBIM1.

BACKGROUND: The gut dysbiosis correlates with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), involving the moderation of miRNAs. AIMS: This study was aimed to investigate the correlation between gut microbiota and miR-582-3p in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and to explore the possible regulation of miR-582-3p in the function of the activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). METHODS: GSE69670 and GSE14435 datasets were analyzed by GEO2R. Plasma and fecal samples were obtained from the subjects, non-steatosis (n = 35), simple steatosis (n = 35), and NASH (n = 35). The variations in intestinal microbiota in the non-steatosis and NASH groups were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. The expression of miR-582-3p among the groups was detected using RT-qPCR. Correlations between top-changed intestinal microbiota and miR-582-3p expression were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Target gene identification was performed by prediction and dual-luciferase reporter assay. The effect of miR-582-3p on the cell function of TGF-ß1-induced HSCs was assessed in vitro. RESULTS: miR-582-3p was the common differentially expressed miRNA between GSE69670 and GSE14435. miR-582-3p was upregulated in NASH patients' plasma, as well as in TGF-ß1-induced LX-2 cells. The non-steatosis and NASH groups showed significantly different intestinal microbiota distribution. miR-582-3p was positively correlated with specific microbiota populations. TMBIM1 was a target gene for miR-582-3p. Knockdown of miR-582-3p suppressed HSC proliferation and myofibroblast markers' expression but induced cell apoptosis, via TMBIM1. CONCLUSIONS: This present study suggests that miR-582-3p promotes the progression of NASH. Knockdown of miR-582-3p may alleviate NASH by altering the gut microbiota composition and moderating TMBIM1.

Mental health status among Chinese healthcare-associated infection control professionals during the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019: A national cross-sectional survey.

ABSTRACT: Recently, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic has greatly threatened global public health. The responsibility of healthcare-associated infection control professionals (ICPs) is to prevent and control the nosocomial infections. The mental health status of ICPs deserves more attention, however, the correlational research is still lacking. This study aims to investigate the incidence and risk factors of mental health status among ICPs in China during the outbreak of COVID-19.A national cross-sectional survey was performed. The online questionnaire was completed by 9228 ICPs from 3776 hospitals throughout China. Data collection tools were used, including demographics data questionnaire, the Chinese version of the 12-item general health questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the Chinese version of the psychological capital questionnaire (PCQ) for medical staff. Univariate and multivariable analyses were conducted.The total score of mental health of Chinese ICPs was 3.45 ±â€Š2.57. 5608 (60.77%) ICPs might have mental health problems. The psychological capital was in the upper-middle level with an average score of 3.72 ±â€Š0.38. An increased mental health problem risk was associated with the greater self-efficacy and working in the public hospital; a significantly lower risk was obtained by working in the second-class hospital rather than in the third-class hospitals. Besides, mental health problem risk of ICPs working in hospitals of the western economic region or northeast economic region was more significant than that in hospitals of the central economic region. However, a lower risk was caused by the unmarried than married, and working years in department ≤1 year contributed to the lower risk than that >20 years. Moreover, fewer working hours per week, higher values of hope, and optimism each were contributed to a lower risk.Chinese healthcare-associated ICPs were under different levels of mental health problems in fighting against COVID-19. More importantly, we should actively deal with the mental health problem of ICPs and help them get rid of psychological disorders.

Changes in antimicrobial use prevalence in China: results from five point prevalence studies.

OBJECTIVE: The abuse of antimicrobials is a serious concern in China. Several measures have been taken to improve the rational use of antimicrobials, including the establishment of a national surveillance network for antimicrobial use. This study describes the dynamic changes in antimicrobial use in China between 2001 and 2010, with the scope of identifying targets to improve the prescription of antimicrobials. METHODS: Five point prevalence surveys were performed in hospitals across mainland China in 2001, 2003, 2005, 2008, and 2010. All inpatients who were admitted for at least 24 hours were included in the study. Details regarding antimicrobial use by these patients and the collection of samples for bacterial culture from inpatients administered therapeutic antimicrobials were recorded. RESULTS: The surveys encompassed tertiary hospitals from all 31 provinces of mainland China. Antimicrobial use prevalence decreased from 54.79% in 2001 to 46.63% in 2010. While this decline was observed in most hospital departments, antimicrobial use remained stable or increased in others. Antimicrobial use prevalence was relatively high in the Pediatrics departments and general intensive care units, whereas it was lower in the Obstetrics (Neonatal group) departments in each survey. The proportion of patients administered a single antimicrobial increased from 60.78% in 2001 to 70.16% in 2010, while the proportion of administration of two or more antimicrobials declined. The bacterial culture rate increased from 25.22% in 2003 to 34.71% in 2010. Antimicrobial use prevalence (47.96% vs 46.16%), bacterial culture rate (36.40% vs 34.19%), and the proportion of administration of a single antimicrobial (71.41% vs 67.33%) were higher in teaching hospitals than in nonteaching hospitals in 2010. CONCLUSION: Although measures for enhancing the rational use of antimicrobials have been effective, further improvements are required. The findings from this study can promote such improvements.