Molecular detection of Bartonella rochalimae and Hepatozoon canis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from China.

Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have been recognized as natural reservoirs for multiple pathogens and a source of infection for domestic animals, wildlife and humans. To date, no reports are available on the Bartonella rochalimae and Hepatozoon canis infection in red foxes from China. In 2018-2022, a total of 16 red foxes were sampled in two counties and a city in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in northwest China. Subsequently analyzed by DNA extraction amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the present study, based on nucleotide sequence and phylogenetic tree analyses, B. rochalimae and H. canis were molecularly identified in red foxes. Our findings provide the first molecular evidence of B. rochalimae and H. canis in red foxes from China.

Anaplasma bovis and Bartonella spp. in Libyan Jirds (Meriones libycus) from China.

ANAPLASMA BOVIS: (1), Bartonella krasnovii (3), and Bartonella sp. (17) were detected in 80 Libyan jirds (Meriones libycus) from China. These findings extend the known host and geographic ranges of these pathogens, with neither A. bovis nor B. krasnovii previously confirmed in Libyan jirds.

Detection of Sarcocystis albifronsi, Eimeria alpacae, and Cystoisospora felis in Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in northwestern China.

Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is widely distributed in various habitats in Asia and Europe, and it may harbor multiple pathogens. Currently, the information on protozoan infection in Eurasian lynx is scarce. In this study, we performed nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) analysis to detect intestinal protozoan infection in three dead Eurasian lynxes, in northwestern China. Three dead Eurasian lynxes, an adult female (#1), an adult male (#2), and a cub male (#3), were sampled in West Junggar Mountain, the northwestern region of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The intestine samples were analyzed using nPCR. We used primers targeting the cytochrome C oxidase subunit I gene (COI) for detection of Sarcocystis and Eimeria species and targeting the small subunit 18 S ribosomal RNA gene (18S rRNA) for detection of Cystoisospora species. The nPCR-positive products were sequenced, aligned, and phylogenetically analyzed. Three intestinal protozoa, Sarcocystis albifronsi, Eimeria alpacae, and Cystoisospora felis, were found in three Eurasian lynxes. The intestine sample of Eurasian lynx #2 was detected with S. albifronsi and E. alpacae. In addition, C. felis was only found in the intestine sample of Eurasian lynx #3. To the best of our knowledge, S. albifronsi and E. alpacae were detected in Eurasian lynx for the first time. In addition, C. felis was firstly found in Eurasian lynx in China. These findings extend our knowledge of the geographical distribution and host range of intestinal protozoa.

A dissipative particle dynamics simulation of controlled loading and responsive release of theranostic agents from reversible crosslinked triblock copolymer vesicles.

To control the transport stability and release efficiency of loaded theranostic drugs in triblock copolymer carriers, the reversible crosslinking ability is of great significance. A molecular level exploration of such a function is needed to extend existing stabilizing and responsive dissociation mechanisms of carriers. Here, dissipative particle dynamics simulations were used to first demonstrate the formation of triblock copolymer vesicular carriers. Chemical crosslinking was used to strengthen the structural stability of the vesicle shell to avoid drug leakage. Reversible decrosslinking along with dissociation of the vesicle and release of loaded drugs were then explored. The structural, energetic and dynamical properties of the system were discussed at the molecular level. The regulation mechanism of drug release patterns was revealed by systematically exploring the effect of intra and intermolecular repulsive interactions. The results indicate that the chemical crosslinking of copolymers enhanced the compactness of the vesicle shell with a strengthened microstructure, increased binding energy, and limited chain migration, thus achieving more stable delivery of drugs. In terms of drug release, we clarified how the pairwise interactions of beads in the solution system affect the responsive dissociation of the vesicle and associated release patterns (speed and amount) of drugs. More efficient delivery and smart release of theranostic drugs are achieved using such reversible crosslinked triblock copolymer vesicles.

Prognostic biomarkers for sepsis mortality based on the literature and LC-MS-based metabolomics of sepsis patients.

OBJECTIVES: The management of sepsis, a potentially lethal overreaction to infection, is limited by the lack of prognostic tools to guide its treatment. Our aim is to identify a novel metabolic biomarker panel for predicting sepsis mortality based on a literature review and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics. METHODS: In the literature, we found metabolomics biomarkers reported to predict sepsis mortality. We determined the classifications, reported frequency, and KEGG pathway enrichment of these markers. Using serum samples from 20 sepsis survivors and 20 non-survivors within 28 days after admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), we performed LC-MS-based metabolomics. Based on the literature review and metabolomics, a prognostic biomarker panel for sepsis was identified and its area under the curve (AUC) values was assessed. RESULTS: Kynurenate, caffeine, and lysoPC 22:4 were selected as a prognostic biomarker panel for sepsis. The panel had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.885 (95% CI, 0.694-1) evaluated by linear support vector machine (SVM) and 0.849 (0.699-1) by random forest (RF), which was higher than that of the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA). A combination of kynurenate, caffeine, and lysoPC 22:4 and SOFA provided the best discriminating performance, with AUCs of 0.961 (0.878-1) for SVM and 0.916 (0.774-1) for RF. CONCLUSIONS: The prognostic biomarker panel consisting of kynurenate, caffeine, and lysoPC 22:4 may aid in the identification of sepsis patients at a high risk of death, leading to personalized therapy in clinical practice that will improve sepsis survival.

Increased 28-day mortality due to fluid overload prior to continuous renal replacement in sepsis associated acute kidney injury.

Patients with sepsis are prone to fluid overload (FO) due to fluid resuscitation, irrespective of stage of acute kidney injury (AKI). The aim of our study was to analyze the association between FO at continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) initiation and 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis associated AKI (S-AKI). In this retrospective study, data for patient characteristics were collected and 28-day mortality were studied. We also analyze association of variables, including FO degrees with 28-day mortality. Earlier commencement of CRRT showed better outcome. Non-survivors had higher FO than survivor (9.17% vs. 5.20%; p = 0.016). Survival in patients with FO > 10% over 28 days was significantly worse compared to those with FO ≤ 10% (p = 0.006). Multivariate analysis showed, FO > 10% (95%CI [1.721, 17.195], p = 0.004) was significantly associated with increased 28-day mortality. In S-AKI requiring CRRT, FO > 10% at CRRT initiation was independently associated with 28-day mortality.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome emerging after surgical debridement in a patient with extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma (ENKL) is a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and lung involvement is extremely rare. The patients with pulmonary ENKL always presented unspecific symptoms of the respiratory system, such as cough with sputum and varying degrees of fever, while developing into acute respiratory distress (ARDS) was seldomly reported, especially promoted by the surgical procedure. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we describe a patient with nasal ENKL and most likely lung dissemination that was regarded as an infection at first. After nonresponse to a period of anti-infective therapy, this patient received surgical debridement. While the histopathology did not show the evidence of infection, but consistent with ENKL. The patient got refractory hypoxemia rapidly after surgery, with the LDH surging to a much higher level than before surgery. The ARDS was diagnosed, and he died on the 5th day after surgery. We postulate that ARDS was due to aggressive lymphoma proliferation promoted by the surgical procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary ENKL developing into ARDS was scarce, and was likely attributed to the aggressive tumor cell proliferation after surgery in this case.

Tigecycline-induced coagulopathy: a literature review.

Background Several adverse reactions to tigecycline, which is widely used in patients with severe infections, have been documented. Coagulopathy is a lesser known side effect of tigecycline. Aim of the review We summarize the characteristics, possible mechanisms, and treatment of tigecycline-induced coagulopathy. Method PubMed, Ovid, Embase, ISI Web of Knowledge, CNKI, and Wanfang were searched up to March 5, 2019. All articles concerning coagulopathy induced by tigecycline were included. The article types and languages were not limited. The retrieved articles were screened by two experienced clinicians by reading the titles, abstracts, and full texts. Results Ultimately, 17 articles were targeted, including 13 case reports and 4 retrospective observational studies. Tigecycline-induced coagulopathy usually manifests as the dose-dependent prolongation of prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time and a reduction in the fibrinogen level. Tigecycline and its metabolites may have multiple effects on coagulation, influencing the extrinsic or intrinsic pathway and even the common pathway. There is no specific treatment for tigecycline-induced coagulopathy, but it can be reversed by withdrawing tigecycline. Conclusion Tigecycline acts on the coagulation system in a dose-dependent manner, and the most severe adverse event is bleeding. Overdose and prolonged use should be avoided, suspected coagulopathy must be recognized in time, and tigecycline should be withdrawn to prevent severe adverse events. Also, drug clearance disorders can develop in patients with liver and/or renal dysfunction. For patients with severe hepatic or renal impairment, the maintenance dose should be reduced, and indicators of coagulation function should be closely monitored.

A New Model for Optimal Mechanical and Thermal Performance of Cement-Based Partition Wall.

The prefabricated cement-based partition wall has been widely used in assembled buildings because of its high manufacturing efficiency, high-quality surface, and simple and convenient construction process. In this paper, a general porous partition wall that is made from cement-based materials was proposed to meet the optimal mechanical and thermal performance during transportation, construction and its service life. The porosity of the proposed partition wall is formed by elliptic-cylinder-type cavities. The finite element method was used to investigate the mechanical and thermal behaviour, which shows that the proposed model has distinct advantages over the current partition wall that is used in the building industry. It is found that, by controlling the eccentricity of the elliptic-cylinder cavities, the proposed wall stiffness can be adjusted to respond to the imposed loads and to improve the thermal performance, which can be used for the optimum design. Finally, design guidance is provided to obtain the optimal mechanical and thermal performance. The proposed model could be used as a promising candidate for partition wall in the building industry.

Processing of calamine with modern analytical techniques: Processed with Huanglian Decoction () and Sanhuang Decoction ().

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pyrolysis characteristics of calcined and processed calamine, qualitatively and quantitatively compare the contents of related elements, morphology and functional groups of the pyrolysis products dried at different heating temperatures and explore the critical temperature and the optimal drying temperature for the process of calamine with Huanglian Decoction (HLD, ) and San Huang Decoction (SHD, ). METHODS: Pyrolysis products were prepared by programmable and constantly heating the calcined and processed calamine to or at different heating temperatures. Thermogravimetry (TG) was used to test their pyrolysis characteristics. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopeenergy dispersive spectrometer were used to determine their morphology, functional groups and element contents. Page model was used to investigate the constant drying kinetics of processed calamine. RESULTS: The adding of HLD or SHD to calcined calamine (CC) can slow its weight loss in drying pyrolysis process. The temperature ranges where HLD and SHD can affect its weight loss were 65-150 °C and 74-180 °C, respectively. The drying temperature was optimized as 90 °C. The drying kinetic for the processed calamine fits Page model shows good linearity. CONCLUSIONS: Conclusions: The critical temperature and the optimal drying temperature where HLD and SHD can affect the weight loss rate in the process of calamine were explored using the theories and methods of both biophysical chemistry and processing of Chinese materia medica. This work provides a good example for the study of the process of other Chinese medicines using modern analytical techniques.

[Effect of Esculentoside A on Expression of AQP2 and AQP4 Protein of Kidney in Water-Loaded Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the regulatory effect of Esculentoside A (EsA) on urination and the expression of AQP2 and AQP4 protein of kidney in water-loaded rats, and to discuss its mechanism of diuresis. METHODS: 50 male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups, including blank control group, hydrochlorothiazide group (0.4 mg/kg) and EsA high, middle and low dose groups (5.2, 2.6 and 1.3 mg/kg, respectively). After intraperitoneally injecting of different concentrations of EsA, urinary amount of model rats in continuous six hours was measured. Then the expression of AQP2 and AQP4 protein and mRNA of kidney were detected by immunohistochemistry method and Real-Time quantitative PCR. RESULTS: Compared with blank control group, the expression of AQP2 and AQP4 protein and mRNA of kidney were significantly reduced as well as the urinary amount was significantly increased in EsA high dose group (P < 0.05), while the expression of AQP2, AQP4 protein and mRNA of kidney as well as urinary amount had no obvious difference in EsA middle and low dose groups. CONCLUSION: 5.2 mg/kg of EsA can reduce the expression of AQP2 and AQP4 protein and mRNA of kidney and the reabsorption of water, which results in diuresis.

[Study on thermoanalysis-based calamina processing].

Thermogravimetry (TG), TG-MS, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM)-energy dispersive spectrometer(EDS) were adopted to investigate the pyrolysis characteristics of calamina. According to the findings of the qualitative and quantitative studies on the changes in the content of relevant elements, the whole shape, the functional groups, and the volatile components of calamina before and after being pyrolyzed, the 200-360, 580-750 degrees C were two sensitive temperature ranges related to the changes in effective component during calamina processing. Thermal weight loss was observed for ZnCO3, Zn(OH)2 and ZnCO3-2Zn(OH)2-H2O under 200-360 degrees C and for CaCO3 under 580-750 degrees C. The results of studies on chemical reaction kinetics showed good linear relations. This experiment integrated relevant methods and theories of physical chemistry and science of traditional Chinese medicine processing, and interpretes calamina processing techniques and mechanism, in order to provide a good example for modem studies on other traditional Chinese medicine processing.