Comparison of axial length and anterior segment parameters of patients with myopia measured using 2 fourier-domain optical coherent biometry devices.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the agreement of ocular parameters of patients with myopia measured using Colombo intraocular lens (IOL) 2 and IOLMaster 700. METHODS: Eighty patients (male, 22; average age, 29.14 ± 7.36 years) with myopia (159 eyes) were included in this study in May 2023. The participants' axial length (AXL), central corneal thickness (CCT), lens thickness (LT), white-to-white distance (WTW), front flat (K1), steep (K2), mean (Km) corneal keratometry, astigmatism (Astig), J0 vector, and J45 vector were measured using the IOLMaster 700 and Colombo IOL 2. The measurements from both devices were compared using the generalized estimating equation, correlation analysis, and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: With the Colombo IOL 2, lower values for K2 and J0 (odds ratio [OR] = 0.587, p = 0.033; OR = 0.779, p < 0.0001, respectively), and larger values for WTW, Astig, and J45 (OR = 1.277, OR = 1.482, OR = 1.1, all p < 0.0001) were obtained. All ocular measurements by both instruments showed positive correlations, with AXL demonstrating the strongest correlation (r = 0.9996, p < 0.0001). The intraclass correlation coefficients for AXL and CCT measured by both instruments was 0.999 and 0.988 (both p < 0.0001), and Bland-Altman plot showed 95% limits of agreement (LoA) of -0.078 to 0.11 mm and - 9.989 to 13.486 µm, respectively. The maximum absolute 95% LoA for LT, WTW, K1, K2, and J0 were relatively high, achieving 0.829 mm, 0.717 mm, 0.983 D, 0.948 D, and 0.632 D, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In young patients with myopia, CCT and AXL measurements obtained with the Colombo IOL 2 and IOLMaster 700 were comparable. However, WTW, LT, corneal refractive power, and astigmatism values could not be used interchangeably in clinical practice.

Autostereoscopic 3D viewing can change the dimensions of the crystalline lens in myopes.

PURPOSE: Autostereoscopic displays have become increasingly common, but their impact on ocular dimensions remains unknown. We sought to identify changes in the crystalline lens dimensions induced by autostereoscopic three-dimensional (3D) viewing. METHODS: Forty young adults (age: 22.6 ± 2.0 years, male/female: 15/25) were consecutively enrolled and randomly divided into two groups (3D and two-dimensional [2D] viewing groups) to watch a 30-min movie clip displayed in 3D or 2D mode on a tablet computer. The lens thickness (LT), diameter, curvature, decentration and tilt were measured with anterior segment optical coherence tomography under both non-accommodating (static) and accommodating conditions. RESULTS: In the static condition, the LT decreased by 0.03 ± 0.03 mm (p < 0.001) and the anterior radius of curvature (ARC) increased by 0.49 ± 0.59 mm (p = 0.001) post-3D viewing. In contrast, following 2D viewing, the ARC decreased by 0.23 ± 0.25 mm (p = 0.001). Additionally, the increase in the steep ARC post-3D viewing was greater in high-myopic eyes than low to moderate myopic eyes (p = 0.04). When comparing the accommodative with the static (non-accommodative) condition, for 3D viewing the lens decentration decreased (-0.03 ± 0.05 mm, p = 0.02); while for 2D viewing, the posterior curvature radius (-0.14 ± 0.20 mm, p = 0.006) and diameter (-0.13 ± 0.20 mm, p = 0.01) decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Viewing with the autostereoscopic 3D tablet could temporally decrease the thickness and curvature of the lens under non-accommodating conditions. However, its long-term effect requires further exploration.

Hydroxyproline Concentration and Associated Factors of Preserved Small Incision Lenticule Extraction-Derived Corneal Stromal Lenticules.

PURPOSE: To evaluate changes of hydroxyproline concentration and its influencing factors of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE)-derived corneal stromal lenticules with different preservation methods. METHODS: A total of 390 corneal stromal lenticules of 195 patients were derived from SMILE surgeries. Thirty of the lenticules were classified as the fresh (control) group, and the rest were randomly and evenly divided and stored in anhydrous glycerol, silicone oil, Optisol, and cryopreservation for 1 day, 1 week, or 1 month. A hydroxyproline assay kit (ab222941, Abcam) was used to measure the hydroxyproline concentration in each preservation method. Concentrations of MMP-2, TIMP-2, TNFα, TGFß2, and reactive oxygen species were also evaluated. RESULTS: In the anhydrous glycerol group, the concentration of hydroxyproline decreased within 1 week (fresh: 1 dΔ = 0.229, P < 0.001*; 1 d - 1 wΔ = 0.055, P < 0.001*) while that in the silicone oil group remained stable in 1 week (1 d - 1 wΔ = -0.005, P = 0.929) and decreased significantly in 1 m (1 m - 1 wΔ = -0.041, P = 0.003*). The sequence of hydroxyproline concentration in the Optisol group was 1 m > 1 day > 1 week. Hydroxyproline concentration in the cryopreservation group decreased within 1 m. Hydroxyproline concentration was highest in the Optisol group and lowest in the anhydrous glycerol group under the same preservation time. Hydroxyproline concentration was negatively correlated with MMP-2 (r = -0.16, P = 0.421) and TIMP-2 (r = -0.56, P = 0.002*) while MMP-2 and TNFα (r = 0.17, P = 0.242), TIMP-2 and TGFß2 (r = 0.21, P = 0.207), and TNFα and reactive oxygen species (r = 0.52, P = 0.007*) were positively correlated. CONCLUSIONS: More collagen was retained in SMILE lenticules preserved in Optisol under the same preservation time. The mechanism of the changes of collagen in preserved SMILE-derived lenticules and oxidative stress requires additional investigation.

Clarithromycin attenuates airway epithelial-mesenchymal transition in ovalbumin-induced asthmatic mice through modulation of Kv1.3 channels and PI3K/Akt signaling.

Airway epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the important pathological feature of airway remodeling in asthma. While macrolides are not commonly used to treat asthma, they have been shown to have protective effects on the airways, in which mechanisms are not yet fully understood. This study aims to investigate the impact of clarithromycin on airway EMT in asthma and its potential mechanism. The results revealed an increase in Kv1.3 expression in the airways of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic mice, with symptoms and pathological changes being alleviated after treatment with the Kv1.3 inhibitor 5-(4-phenoxybutoxy)psoralen (PAP-1). Clarithromycin was found to attenuate airway epithelial-mesenchymal transition through the inhibition of Kv1.3 and PI3K/Akt signaling. Further experiments in vitro confirmed that PAP-1 could mitigate EMT by modulating the PI3K/Akt signaling in airway epithelial cells undergoing transformation into mesenchymal cells. These findings confirmed that clarithromycin might have a certain protective effect on asthma-related airway remodeling and represent a promising treatment strategy.

Precision medicine for severe asthma - Biological targeted therapy.

Severe asthma is a complex and heterogeneous chronic airway inflammatory disease. Current treatment strategies are increasingly focused on disease classification, facilitating the transition towards personalized medicine by integrating biomarkers and monoclonal antibodies for tailored therapeutic approaches. Several approved biological agents, including anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE), anti-interleukin (IL)-4, anti-IL-5, and anti-thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) monoclonal antibodies, have demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing asthma exacerbations, eosinophil counts, improving lung function, minimizing oral corticosteroid usage, and enhancing patients' quality of life. The utilization of these biological agents has brought about profound transformations in the management of severe asthma. This article provides a comprehensive review on biomarkers and biological agents for severe asthma while emphasizing the increasing importance of further research into its pathogenesis and novel treatment modalities.

The {332}<113> Twinning Behavior of a Ti-15Mo Medical Alloy during Cyclic Deformation and Its Effect on Microstructure and Performance.

In this study, the microstructural evolution of a Ti-15Mo medical alloy was investigated, when the in situ cyclic tensile strain had 2% amplitude and the tension-compression cyclic deformation had 1%, 2%, and 3% amplitude. The Vickers hardness and wear resistance of the alloy were also optimized due to the grain-refining effect after cyclic deformation and annealing. The twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) was considered the main deformation mechanism of the Ti-15Mo alloy during the tensile-compressive cycle deformation with suitable strain amplitude. The {332}<113> twins and boundaries were the main contributors to the grain refinement. The optimal microstructure, hardness, and wear resistance were obtained in the alloy deformed by tension-compression cyclic strain with a 3% strain amplitude. The wear resistance of the annealed alloy in Hank's solution was excellent in contrast to the original Ti-15Mo alloy due to its reasonable microstructure and hardness. It is clear that abundant twins were formed and retained in the coarse grains of the original alloy after cyclic deformation and annealing, which provided the expected refined grains and performance.

Exploration of the pathophysiology of high myopia via proteomic profiling of human corneal stromal lenticules.

This study aimed to investigate the underlying pathophysiology of high myopia by analyzing the proteome of human corneal stromal lenticule samples obtained through small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). A total of thirty-two patients who underwent SMILE were included in the study. Label-free quantitative proteomic analysis was performed on corneal stromal lenticule samples, equally representing high myopia (n = 10) and low myopia (n = 10) groups. The identified and profiled lenticule proteomes were analyzed using in silico tools to explore biological characteristics of differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). Additionally, LASSO regression and random forest model were employed to identify key proteins associated with the pathophysiology of high myopia. The DEPs were found to be closely linked to immune activation, extracellular matrix, and cell adhesion-related pathways according to gene ontology analysis. Specifically, decreased expression of COL1A1 and increased expression of CDH11 were associated with the pathogenesis of high myopia and validated by western blotting (n = 6) and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (n = 6). Overall, this study provides evidence that COL1A1 and CDH11 may contribute to the pathophysiology of high myopia based on comparative proteomic profiling of human corneal stromal lenticules obtained through SMILE.

Xingbei antitussive granules ameliorate cough hypersensitivity in post-infectious cough guinea pigs by regulating tryptase/PAR2/TRPV1 pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Xingbei antitussive granules (XB) is a classic Chinese Medicine prescription for treating post-infectious cough(PIC), based on the Sanao Decoction from Formularies of the Bureau of People's Welfare Pharmacies in the Song Dynasty and Jiegeng decoction from Essentials of the Golden Chamber in the Han Dynasty. However, the therapeutic effects and pharmacological mechanisms are still ambiguous. In the present study, we endeavored to elucidate these underlying mechanisms. AIMS OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to explore the potential impact and mechanism of XB on PIC, and provide a scientific basis for its clinical application. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cigarette smoking (CS) combined with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) nasal drops were administered to induce the PIC guinea pig with cough hypersensitivity status. Subsequently, the model guinea pigs were treated with XB and the cough frequency was observed by the capsaicin cough provocation test. The pathological changes of lung tissue were assessed by HE staining, and the levels of inflammatory mediators, mast cell degranulating substances, and neuropeptides were detected. The protein and mRNA expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1(TRPV1), proteinase-activated receptor2(PAR2), and protein kinase C (PKC) were measured by Immunohistochemical staining, Western blot, and RT-qPCR. Changes in the abundance and composition of respiratory bacterial microbiota were determined by 16S rRNA sequencing. RESULTS: After XB treatment, the model guinea pigs showed a dose-dependent decrease in cough frequency, along with a significant alleviation in inflammatory infiltration of lung tissue and a reduction in inflammatory mediators. In addition, XB high-dose treatment significantly decreased the levels of mast cell Tryptase as well as ß-hexosaminidase (ß-Hex) and downregulated the expression of TRPV1, PAR2, and p-PKC. Simultaneously, levels of neuropeptides like substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), neurokinin A (NKA), and nerve growth factor (NGF) were improved. Besides, XB also can modulate the structure of respiratory bacterial microbiota and restore homeostasis. CONCLUSION: XB treatment alleviates cough hypersensitivity and inflammatory responses, inhibits the degranulation of mast cells, and ameliorates neurogenic inflammation in PIC guinea pigs whose mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of Tryptase/PAR2/PKC/TRPV1 and the recovery of respiratory bacterial microbiota.

Study on the biological properties of SMILE-derived corneal stromal lenticules after long-term cryopreservation in nutrient capsules.

PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term preservation effects of nutrient capsules on the physiological activity, collagen fiber structure and transmittance of corneal stromal lenticules derived from small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). METHODS: A new nutrient capsule was constructed for long-term preservation of SMILE-derived corneal stromal lenticules. The lenticules were randomly divided into 99% anhydrous glycerol, and hydrogel nutrient capsules. After preserving for 1 year at -80 °C, lenticules were compared with fresh lenticules. The optical transmittance, tissue morphology, ultrastructure, cells activity and immunogenicity of the lenticules was detected and compared between different groups. RESULTS: The rate of apoptotic cells was significantly higher in the glycerol group compared with the nutrient capsule group (P < 0.0001). More viable cells were present in the lenticules after nutrient capsule preservation compared to the glycerol group (P = 0.0003). The mean transmittance of the lenticules in the glycerol group (50 ± 18%) was significantly lower (P = 0.0008) compared to the control group (75 ± 11%), and the lenticules transmittance of the nutrient capsule group (64 ± 15%) after long-term preservation was not significantly different (P = 0.23) compared to the control group. The structure of HE staining showed that the collagen fibers in the nutrient capsule group were arranged in parallel and neatly, and a few cavitation vesicles were visible inside the tissue. There was no significant difference in the number of lenticular collagen fibers in the nutritional capsule group compared to the fresh lenticule group (P = 0.06). HLA-DR, HLA-ABC, CD45, CD25 and CD69 expression was low in all groups of lenticules after preservation. CONCLUSIONS: Nutrient capsules can preserve lenticules for a long time and maintain the transmission structure and cells activity of lenticules.

Assessment of Keratoconus Risk in Very Asymmetric Ectasia Using Corneal Tomographic and Biomechanical Parameters.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between corneal tomographic or biomechanical parameters and risk of keratoconus in very asymmetric ectasia (VAE). Methods: This retrospective case-control single-centre study included patients with VAE and normal controls. The VAE group had clinical ectasia in one eye and normal topography (VAE-NT) in the fellow eye; VAE-NT eyes were selected for analysis. The control group was selected from corneal refractive surgery candidates; the right eye was enrolled. Scheimpflug-based corneal tomography (Pentacam) and corneal biomechanical assessment (Corvis ST) were performed. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression were performed using Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate keratoconus-associated risk factors. A two-piecewise linear regression model was applied to examine the threshold effect of selected vital paragmeters on the risk of keratoconus according to a smoothing plot. Results: Threshold effect between tomographic integration and risk of keratoconus was observed. Discrepancy between the central corneal thickness and thinnest corneal thickness (discrepancy CCT vs TCT) greater than 5 µm, discrepancy between the apex corneal thickness and thinnest corneal thickness (discrepancy ACT vs TCT) greater than 3 µm, vector distance between CCT and TCT (distance CCT vs TCT) greater than 0.65 mm indicated a significant increased risk of keratoconus. Risk of keratoconus decreased when distance CCT vs TCT was less than 0.65 mm. Conclusion: Discrepancy CCT vs TCT, discrepancy ACT vs TCT, and distance CCT vs TCT can be used as indicators for risk assessment of early keratoconus.

Eosinophil extracellular traps in asthma: implications for pathogenesis and therapy.

Asthma is a common, chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that affects millions of people worldwide and is associated with significant healthcare costs. Eosinophils, a type of immune cell, play a critical role in the development and progression of asthma. Eosinophil extracellular traps (EETs) are reticular structures composed of DNA, histones, and granulins that eosinophils form and release into the extracellular space as part of the innate immune response. EETs have a protective effect by limiting the migration of pathogens and antimicrobial activity to a controlled range. However, chronic inflammation can lead to the overproduction of EETs, which can trigger and exacerbate allergic asthma. In this review, we examine the role of EETs in asthma.

Corneal Biomechanical Properties Demonstrate Anisotropy and Correlate With Axial Length in Myopic Eyes.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the ex vivo and in vivo biomechanical characteristic of cornea in myopic eyes. Methods: Fifty-one corneal stromal lenticules were obtained from myopic eyes during the SMILE procedure and were tested by a biaxial tensile system within 24 hours postoperatively. The material properties of the lenticules were described using stress-strain curves and were compared among axial length (AL) <26 mm and AL ≥ 26 mm group. Pre-operative stress-strain index (SSI) parameters were used to evaluate the biomechanical properties of the cornea in vivo. Results: Compared with AL < 26 mm, the tangent modulus significantly decreased in horizontal and vertical directions when AL ≥ 26 mm (P < 0.05); SSI also significantly decreased when AL ≥ 26 mm (P < 0.05). Anisotropic parameter is positively correlated with AL (r = 0.307, P < 0.05). Compared with AL < 26 mm, anisotropic parameter significantly increased when AL ≥ 26 mm (P < 0.05). SSI was negatively correlated with AL (r = -0.380, P < 0.05) in the AL < 26 mm group but not in the AL ≥ 26 mm group (P > 0.05). Compared with 26 mm ≤ AL < 27 mm group, the tangent modulus significantly decreased in the horizontal direction (P < 0.05) but not in the vertical direction when 27 mm ≤ AL < 28 mm (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The biomechanical properties of cornea decreased with the increase of AL. Tangent modulus significantly decreased in the horizontal direction compared with vertical direction. AL should be taken into account during calculation of corneal biomechanical parameters in order to improve validity.

Genetic diversity, antibiotic resistance, and virulence characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus from raw milk over 10 years in Shanghai.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a major cause of foodborne infections and its persistence in raw milk is a multifaceted phenomenon that poses a considerable public health challenge. Our study investigated the prevalence, virulence genes, antibiotic resistance, and genetic characterization of S. aureus in raw milk in six Shanghai districts from 2013 to 2022. At 18 dairy farms, a total of 704 S. aureus strains were isolated from 1799 samples tested for drug sensitivity. The highest rates of antibiotic resistance were ampicillin (96.7 %), sulfamethoxazole (65 %), and erythromycin (21.6 %). Between 2018 and 2022, there was a significant decrease in the resistance rates of ceftiofur, ofloxacin, tilmicosin, erythromycin, clindamycin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, and sulfamethoxazole in comparison to the period from 2013 to 2017. There were 205 S. aureus strains chosen for whole genome sequencing (WGS), with no more than 2 strains of the same resistance phenotype from each farm per year. The prevalence of mecA-positive strains was 14.15 %, while other antibiotic resistance-associated genes were observed as follows: blaI (70.21 %), lnu(B) (5.85 %), lsa(E) (5.75 %), fexA (6.83 %), erm(C) (4.39 %), tet(L) (9.27 %), and dfrG (5.85 %). Isolates harboring the immune evasion cluster (IEC) genes (scn, chp, and sak) were predominantly categorized as sequence types (STs) 7, 188, 15, 59, and 398. The predominant cluster complexes were CC97, CC1, CC398, and CC1651. In 2017-2022, there was a transition in CC1 from the highly antibiotic-resistant ST9 strain that emerged between 2013 and 2018 to the low-resistant but highly virulent ST1 strain. Retrospective phylogenetic analysis elucidated the evolutionary history of the isolates and demonstrated that the human-animal host transition of S. aureus was linked to the genesis of MRSA CC398. The implementation of extended surveillance will aid in the development of innovative strategies to avoid the transmission of S. aureus along the dairy food chain and the occurrence of public health events.

One global disseminated 193 kb high-risk hybrid plasmid harboring tet(X4), mcr or blaNDM threatening public health.

In Shanghai, the prevalence of tet(X4) and tet(X4)-carrying plasmid from food-producing -animal Enterobacteriales has not been intensively investigated. Here, five tet(X4)-positive swine-origin E. coli strains were characterized among 652 food-producing-animal E. coli isolates in Shanghai during 2018-2021 using long-term surveillance among poultry, swine and cattle, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and tet(X4)-specific PCR. A combination of short- and long-read sequencing technologies demonstrated that the five strains with 4 STs carried a nearly identical 193 kb tet(X4)-bearing plasmid (p193k-tetX4) belonging to the same IncFIA(HI1)/IncHI1A/IncHIB plasmid family (p193k). Surprisingly, 34 of the 151 global tet(X4)-positive plasmids was the p193k members and exclusively pandemic in China. Other p193k members harboring many critically important ARGs (mcr or blaNDM) with particular genetic environment are widespread throughout human-animal-environmental sources, with 33.77 % human origin. Significantly, phylogenetic analysis of 203 p193k-tetX4 sequences revealed that human- and animal-origin plasmids clustered within the same phylogenetic subgroups. The largest lineage (173/203) comprised 161 E. coli, 6 Klebsiella, 3 Enterobacter, 2 Citrobacter, and 1 Leclercia spp. from animals (n = 143), humans (n = 18), and the environment (n = 9). Intriguingly, the earliest 2015 E. coli strain YA_GR3 from Malaysian river water and 2016 S. enterica Chinese clinical strain GX1006 in another lineage demonstrated that p193k-tetX4 have been widely spread from S. enterica or E. coli to other Enterobacterales. Furthermore, 180 E. coli p193k-tetX4 strains were widespread cross-sectorial transmission among food animals, pets, migratory birds, human and ecosystems. Our findings proved the extensive transmission of the high-risk p193k harboring crucial ARGs across multiple interfaces and species. Therefore, one-health-based systemic surveillance of these similar high-risk plasmids across numerous sources and bacterial species is extremely essential.

Corneal thickness measurements with the RTVue, Casia-2, and Pentacam devices in patients with mild-to-moderate keratoconus: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: To compare the characteristics of corneal thickness measurements among the RTVue, Casia-2, and Pentacam in patients with mild-to-moderate keratoconus. METHODS: We recruited 46 eyes of 46 patients diagnosed with mild-to-moderate keratoconus at our hospital between January and March 2022. The central corneal thickness (CCT) and thinnest corneal thickness (TCT) were measured using two optical coherence tomography (OCT) instruments (RTVue and Casia-2) and the more conventional Pentacam. Differences and correlations between the CCTs and TCTs, based on the device and influencing factors, were explored. RESULTS: The CCTs were highly consistent among the groups (p = 0.434) and correlated with one another (p < 0.001). The TCTs measured by OCTs were thinner than those measured by the Pentacam (p < 0.001); however, all three devices were highly correlated (p < 0.001). The thinnest point location measurements with RTVue and Casia-2 differed significantly from the measurements with the Pentacam. Bland-Altman plots demonstrated a significant agreement between Pentacam and OCTs in TCT measurement (p < 0.001); the 95% limits of agreement were - 3.1 µm to + 33.1 µm for Pentacam and RTVue and - 8.6 µm to + 36.5 µm for Pentacam and Casia-2. RTVue and Casia-2 showed no difference in corneal thickness (p = 0.633) and thinnest point location measurement (p > 0.05). Multivariate analysis identified that the TCT measurement difference between the RTVue and Pentacam was related to the difference between the CCT and TCT (b = 0.490, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.033 to 0.948, p = 0.036), whereas the difference between the Casia-2 and Pentacam was related to the anterior radius for curvature (A) grade (b = 3.9, 95% CI: 1.753 to 6.074, p = 0.001), corneal pachymetry at the thinnest (C) grade (b = - 7.875, 95% CI: - 11.404 to - 4.346, p < 0.001), and the difference between the CCT and TCT (b = 0.425, 95% CI: 0.1 to 0.751, p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: CCTs in patients with mild-to-moderate keratoconus were similar among all three devices, but the TCTs and the thinnest point locations were not. Furthermore, the TCT measurement differences between the OCT devices and the Pentacam were more pronounced in keratoconus cases with a steeper anterior surface, thicker TCTs, and a larger difference between the CCT and TCT. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Number: 2021118-1. Retrospectively registered: September 01, 2021.

Dynamic antimicrobial resistant patterns of Escherichia coli from healthy poultry and swine over 10 years in Chongming Island, Shanghai.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest threats to animal and public health. Here, we conducted a dynamic surveillance of Escherichia coli on Chongming Island in Shanghai during 2009-2021 to identify the characteristics and trends of Chongming's AMR pandemic. METHODS: Rectal (cloaca) swabs from four poultry and nine swine farms (Chongming Island, 2009-2021) were collected for E. coli strains acquisition. The micro-broth dilution method was used to test antimicrobial susceptibility of E. coli isolates against 10 antimicrobial classes including 15 antimicrobials. Utilizing generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) and co-occurrence analyses, we further explored the multiple-drug-resistance (MDR) combinations and dynamic patterns of E. coli over 10 years in two food animals. RESULTS: Total of 863 MDR isolates were found among 945 collected E. coli isolates, 337 from poultry and 608 from swine. Both isolates exhibited high resistant rates (> 70%) to tetracyclines, phenicols, sulfonamides, penicillins, and aminoglycosides (only in swine). The resistant rates of swine isolates to penicillins, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, phenicols, and polymyxins were significantly higher than those of poultry isolates, whereas resistance to fluoroquinolones was reversed. Resistance to polymyxins decreased similarly in swine (42.4% in 2009 to 0.0% in 2021) and poultry isolates (from 16.5% to 0.0%). However, resistance to other seven antimicrobial classes (excluding carbapenems and penicillins) declined dramatically in swine isolates, particularly fluoroquinolones (from 80.5% to 14.4%), and tendencies of resistance to the seven classes showed markedly divergent patterns in poultry isolates. Using Poisson GLMMs, the AMR carriage since 2016 was significantly lower than that of 2009 (odds ratio < 1), indicating a decline in the risk of MDR emergence. Furthermore, despite the highly diverse MDR profiles, co-occurrence analysis identified two prominent MDR clusters of penicillins-phenicols-fluoroquinolones in poultry and aminoglycosides-tetracyclines-sulfonamides-phenicols in swine. CONCLUSIONS: Our study uncovered vastly distinct AMR patterns and dynamic tendencies of poultry and swine E. coli isolates from Chongming. Meanwhile, Chongming's AMR status has ameliorated, as indicated by the decline in antimicrobials prevalence (particularly in swine), lower likelihood of MDR emergence and low carbapenem-, cephalosporin-, and polymyxin resistance. Importantly, this surveillance results are the vital basis for future policy development in Chongming and Shanghai.

Exploring the Photophysics of a Zn2+ Fluorescence Sensor and Its Sensing Mechanism.

Sensor X is a turn-on sensor, which is applied in the fluorescence detection of Zn2+ ions. Its photophysical process is comprehensively investigated to clarify its weak fluorescence. With the aid of density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT), the potential energy surfaces (PES) of X on both ground and first excited states are studied. Excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (EPT) processes as well as molecule twisting motion are observed, which induces several minima on the excited-state PES. Transition states as well as rate constants for these dynamic processes are obtained to evaluate their occurrences. The twisting motion of the sensor is an ultrafast process, which is initiated by a specific EPT process and leads to a nonemissive twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) state. The fluorescence of the sensor is barely observable because of the easily attainable TICT state on the excited PES. This mechanism is trustworthy and intrinsically different from the previously proposed mechanism. After clarifying the photophysical process of the sensor, the Zn2+ sensing mechanism is uncovered. Also, the selectivity against Cd2+ and Hg2+ is fully discussed.

Long-term detection and spatiotemporal variation analysis of open-surface water bodies in the Yellow River Basin from 1986 to 2020.

Accurately investigating long-term information about open-surface water bodies can contribute to water resource protection and management. However, due to the limits of big-data calculations for remote sensing, there has been no specific study on the long-term changes in the water bodies in the Yellow River Basin. Thus, in this study, we developed a new combined extraction rule to build an entire annual-scale open-surface water body dataset for 1986-2020 with excellent effectiveness in eliminating the interference of shadows in the Yellow River Basin using all of the available Landsat images. For the first time, the spatial distribution, change trends, conversion processes, and the heterogeneity of the surface water bodies in the Yellow River Basin were analyzed comprehensively to the best of our knowledge. The extraction results had an overall accuracy of 99.70 % and a kappa coefficient of 0.90, which were validated using 34,073 verification points selected on high-resolution Google Earth images and random Landsat images. The total area of water bodies initially decreased (1986-2000) and then increased (2001-2020); however, only the size of the permanent water bodies increased in most areas, while the size of most of the seasonal water bodies decreased. In regions with human-made water bodies, the non-water areas were substantially converted to seasonal and permanent water bodies; however, in areas with natural water bodies, many permanent and seasonal water bodies were gradually converted to non-water areas. Thus, most of the increases in the water bodies occurred in the form of artificial lakes and reservoirs, while most of the decreases in the water body area occurred in natural wetlands and lakes. The areas of both the permanent and seasonal water bodies were positively correlated with precipitation, but only the area of the seasonal water bodies was negatively correlated with temperature.

Bioinformatics Analysis of Differential Gene and MicroRNA Expression in Lung Adenocarcinoma: Genetic Effects on Patient Prognosis, as Indicated by the TCGA Database.

Objective: To investigate the differential expression of genes and microRNAs (miRNAs) in patients with lung adenocarcinoma and the relationship between such changes and patient prognosis. Methods: We analyzed the expression levels of genes and miRNAs in lung adenocarcinoma tissues and adjacent normal tissues using The Cancer Genome Atlas database (TCGA). We analyzed the function of the differentially expressed genes and miRNAs in a co-expression network. Finally, we performed survival analysis of differential genes and miRNAs in the co-expression network using clinical data from the TCGA database. Results: We successfully identified 6064 differentially expressed genes: 5324 upregulated genes and 740 downregulated genes. And we identified 161 differentially expressed miRNAs: 126 upregulated miRNAs and 35 downregulated miRNAs. We identified several genes that were related to each other in the co-expression network. Further analysis revealed that the high expression levels of G6PC, APOB, F2, PAQR9, and PAQR9-AS1 genes were associated with poor prognosis. However, there was no significant correlation between the expression of hsa-mir-122 with regards to patient prognosis. Conclusions: Our data showed that hsa-mir-122 and a number of related genes may affect the prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma by regulating the cytoskeleton, thus promoting tumor angiogenesis and the metastasis of tumor cells. The high expression levels of some differentially expressed genes was associated with the low survival rate in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. However, the levels of hsa-mir-122 were not correlated with patient prognosis.