Pilot fatigue survey: A study of the mutual influence among fatigue factors in the "work" dimension.

Background: Fatigue risk management for pilots has received increasing attention. The existing fatigue management systems have detailed descriptions of the factors and the mutual influences among the factors that affect the dimension of "sleep", which is one of the most important causes of fatigue. However, the analysis of the influencing factors of the "work" dimension of fatigue causes has not been very detailed or accurate, especially the exploration of the mutual influence among many fatigue-influencing factors in the "work" dimension. Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the mutual influence among fatigue-influencing factors related to the "work" dimension in the analysis of pilot fatigue causes. Methods: This study designed a questionnaire on the dimension of "work" in the causes of pilot fatigue and collected a total of 270 feedback data points from international flight pilots. Based on the questionnaires and data, descriptive statistical analysis, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were performed to explore the influencing factors and their mutual influences on the "work" dimension of pilot fatigue. Results: There is a strong, mutual influence relationship among the fatigue causes of long-haul flight pilots - working status, working conditions and working schedules - in the dimension of "work". The workload only has a strong correlation with the working schedule, and the interaction relationships with the working status or working conditions are weak. Conclusion: This study analyses the mutual influence among the influencing factors of the "work" dimension of pilot fatigue, and we expect to provide empirical data for pilot fatigue risk management and to help improve fatigue risk management systems.

Role and mechanism of NR1D1 in proliferation and migration of vascular adventitial fibroblasts / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the role and mechanism of nuclear receptor subfamily 1,group D,member 1(NR1D1)in the proliferation and migration of mouse adventitial fibroblasts(AFs). Methods Primary AFs isolated from C57BL/6J mice were cultured. Adenovirus carrying Nr1d1 gene was used to overexpress NR1D1 in AFs. The expression of β-catenin was restored by SKL2001. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen(Ki-67)immunofluorescence staining and CCK-8 staining were used to determine cell proliferation,and scratch test was used to determine cell migration. qPCR was used to determine the mRNA level of Nr1d1. Western blot was used to determine the protein levels of NR1D1 and β-catenin. To investigate the role of NR1D1 in intimal hyperplasia,20 male wild type C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into sham group,carotid artery endothelial injury,sham+SR9009(NR1D1 agonist)group and carotid artery endothelial injury+SR9009(n=5 in each group). They were treated with DMSO or SR9009(100 mg·kg-1·d-1)via intraperitoneal injection for 14 days after operation,respectively. The degree of carotid intimal hyperplasia was measured by HE staining 28 days after operation. Results NR1D1 overexpression significantly reduced the percentage of Ki-67-positive cells(P<0.01),total cell number(P<0.01)and slowed down the rate of wound-healing(P<0.01). NR1D1 overexpression significantly inhibited the expression of β-catenin(P<0.05). After the expression of β-catenin was restored by SKL2001,the inhibitory effects of NR1D1 overexpression on the proliferation and migration of AFs were abolished(P<0.01). Enhanced activity of NR1D1 significantly ameliorated intimal hyperplasia after carotid endothelial injury(P<0.01). Conclusion NR1D1 may inhibit the proliferation and migration of AFs via suppressing the expression of β-catenin.

Imaging measurement and analysis of related indexes of variation of femoral head rotation center / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To provide guidance for hip replacement by analyzing the variation of femoral head rotation center in different hip diseases.@*METHODS@#A total of 5 459 patients were collected from March 2016 to June 2021, who took positive and proportional plain films of both hips for various reasons. The relative position between the rotation center of the femoral head and the apex of the greater trochanter was measured. The positive variation is more than 2 mm above the top of the great trochanter, and the negative variation is more than 2 mm below the top of the great trochanter. A total of 831 patients with variation of femoral head rotation center were collected and were divided into 4 groups according to different diseases, and the variation was counted respectively. There were 15 cases in the normal group involving 10 cases of positive variation and 5 cases of negative variation. There were 145 cases of avascular necrosis of femoral head involving 25 cases of positive variation and 120 cases of negative variation. There were 346 cases of congenital hip dysplasia involving 225 cases of positive variation(including 25 cases of typeⅠ, 70 cases of type Ⅱ, 115 cases of type Ⅲ and 15 cases of type Ⅳ), and 121 cases of negative variation(including 50 cases of crowe typeⅠ, 60 cases of typeⅡ, 10 cases of type Ⅲ and 1 case of type Ⅳ). There were 325 cases of hip osteoarthritis group involving 45 cases of positive variation and 280 cases of negative variation.@*RESULTS@#There was significant difference in variation of femoral head rotation center among the four groups(P<0.05). There was significant difference in variation of femoral head rotation center among different types of congenital hip dysplasia(P<0.05). There were significant differences in cervical trunk angle and eccentricity among different variations of femoral head rotation center(P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The variation of femoral head rotation center is related to cervical trunk angle and eccentricity. The variation of femoral head rotation center is an important factor in hip diseases. The variation of femoral head rotation center is different in different hip diseases. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head and osteoarthritis of the hip were mostly negative variations. With the aggravation of congenital hip dysplasia, the variation of femoral head rotation center gradually changed from negative variation to positive variation.The variation of femoral head rotation center should be paid attention to in the preoperative planning of hip arthroplasty. It is of great significance to select the appropriate prosthesis and place the prosthesis accurately.

Cryo-EM structures for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis iron-loaded siderophore transporter IrtAB

The adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, IrtAB, plays a vital role in the replication and viability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), where its function is to import iron-loaded siderophores. Unusually, it adopts the canonical type IV exporter fold. Herein, we report the structure of unliganded Mtb IrtAB and its structure in complex with ATP, ADP, or ATP analogue (AMP-PNP) at resolutions ranging from 2.8 to 3.5 Å. The structure of IrtAB bound ATP-Mg2+ shows a "head-to-tail" dimer of nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs), a closed amphipathic cavity within the transmembrane domains (TMDs), and a metal ion liganded to three histidine residues of IrtA in the cavity. Cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) structures and ATP hydrolysis assays show that the NBD of IrtA has a higher affinity for nucleotides and increased ATPase activity compared with IrtB. Moreover, the metal ion located in the TM region of IrtA is critical for the stabilization of the conformation of IrtAB during the transport cycle. This study provides a structural basis to explain the ATP-driven conformational changes that occur in IrtAB.

Anti-herpes simplex virus effect of aristolochic acids in vitro and in vivo / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the inhibition effects and mechanisms of aristolochic acids(AAs)against herpes simplex virus(HSV)in vitro and in vivo. Methods The cytopathic effect(CPE), plaque assay, indirect immunofluorescence and others were used to explore the anti-HSV effects and mechanisms of aristolochic acid in Vero cells, and the in vivo anti-HSV activity of AAs was evaluated using HSV-1 infected BALB/c mouse model. Results The IC

Clinical assessment of moderate-dose glucocorticoid in the treatment of recurrence of primary nephrotic syndrome in children: a prospective randomized controlled trial / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the clinical effect and adverse drug reactions of different doses of glucocorticoid (GC) in the treatment of children with recurrence of steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS).@*METHODS@#A total of 67 children who were hospitalized and diagnosed with SSNS recurrence in the Department of Nephrology, Children's Hospital, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, from November 2017 to December 2019 were enrolled. They were randomly divided into a moderate-dose GC group (32 children) and a full-dose GC group (35 children). The two groups were compared in terms of urinary protein clearance, recurrence rate within 6 months, and incidence rate of GC-associated adverse reactions.@*RESULTS@#There was no significant difference in the urinary protein clearance rate between the moderate-dose GC and full-dose GC groups (91% vs 94%, P>0.05). There was also no significant difference in the recurrence rate within 6 months between the two groups (41% vs 36%, P>0.05). At 6 months of follow-up, compared with the full-dose GC group, the moderate-dose GC group had a significantly lower cumulative dose of prednisone [(87±18) mg/kg vs (98±16) mg/kg, P=0.039] and a significantly lower proportion of children with an abnormal increase in body weight (6% vs 33%, P=0.045). The logistic regression analysis showed that prednisone dose ≥10 mg/alternate day at enrollment was a risk factor for recurrence within 6 months in children with SSNS (P=0.018).@*CONCLUSIONS@#For children with SSNS recurrence, moderate-dose GC has similar effects to full-dose GC in the remission induction rate and the recurrence rate within 6 months, with a lower cumulative dose and fewer GC-associated adverse reactions within 6 months than full-dose GC.

Recent advances in the application of nanobody technology: a review / 生物工程学报

As a malleable and novel tool for antigen recognition and modulation, nanobodies have the advantages of small size, easiness of expression, screening and modification, as well as high affinity and stability. Nanobodies are capable of recognizing more cryptic antigenic epitopes that are difficult to be recognized by traditional antibodies, making them increasingly used in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases and assays. Nanobodies are also playing an irreplaceable role in the basic research. This review summarized the recent development of nanobodies and their derivatives in the detection of small molecules, pathogenic microorganisms and diagnosis of diseases, as well as in the fields of targeted therapies, cellular and molecular imaging. Broad prospects of nanobodies in the field of protein conformation studies were also reviewed.

Recommendations for postoperative radiotherapy in head & neck squamous cell carcinoma in the presence of flaps: A GORTEC internationally-reviewed HNCIG-endorsed consensus.

INTRODUCTION: Head and neck reconstructive surgery using a flap is increasingly common. Best practices and outcomes for postoperative radiotherapy (poRT) with flaps have not been specified. We aimed to provide consensus recommendations to assist clinical decision-making highlighting areas of uncertainty in the presence of flaps. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Radiation, medical, and surgical oncologists were assembled from GORTEC and internationally with the Head and Neck Cancer International Group (HNCIG). The consensus-building approach covered 59 topics across four domains: (1) identification of postoperative tissue changes on imaging for flap delineation, (2) understanding of tumor relapse risks and target volume definitions, (3) functional radiation-induced deterioration, (4) feasibility of flap avoidance. RESULTS: Across the 4 domains, international consensus (median score ≥ 7/9) was achieved only for functional deterioration (73.3%); other consensus rates were 55.6% for poRT avoidance of flap structures, 41.2% for flap definition and 11.1% for tumor spread patterns. Radiation-induced flap fibrosis or atrophy and their functional impact was well recognized while flap necrosis was not, suggesting dose-volume adaptation for the former. Flap avoidance was recommended to minimize bone flap osteoradionecrosis but not soft-tissue toxicity. The need for identification (CT planning, fiducials, accurate operative report) and targeting of the junction area at risk between native tissues and flap was well recognized. Experts variably considered flaps as prone to tumor dissemination or not. Discrepancies in rating of 11 items among international reviewing participants are shown. CONCLUSION: International GORTEC and HNCIG-endorsed recommendations were generated for the management of flaps in head and neck radiotherapy. Considerable knowledge gaps hinder further consensus, in particular with respect to tumor spread patterns.

The effect of metformin on lipid disorders as measured by nuclear magnetic metabolomics and metabolic flux analysis / 药学学报

Studies have found that metformin is not only the preferred drug for lowering blood sugar, but also shows lipid-lowering and weight-loss effects. The purpose of this study was to use a hyperlipidemia hamster model to investigate the lipid-lowering effect of metformin and its effect on important metabolic pathways in lipid metabolism disorders. Fifty golden hamsters were divided into a control group, a model group, metformin high- and low-dose groups, and a simvastatin group. A high-fat diet was fed for 1 week to create the model, and then drug was administered for 11 weeks with the high-fat diet. Serum was taken for measurement of blood lipid and blood glucose at 2, 6, and 9 weeks after administration, and at weeks 3, 5, and 9 feces and urine were collected for 1H NMR metabolomics tests. After 11 weeks of intravenous injection of [U-13C6] glucose, serum was collected for a 13C NMR metabolic flux test. The results showed that the administration of metformin can significantly reduce blood lipids and glucose levels and can significantly affect metabolic pathways such as sugar metabolism, lipid metabolism, ketone metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and intestinal flora metabolism. The results of the metabolic flux analysis showed that the high-fat diet reduced the metabolism of tricarboxylic acids by 37.48%. After administration of low and high doses of metformin the metabolism of tricarboxylic acid increased by 98.14% and 143.10%, respectively. After administration of simvastatin tricarboxylic acid metabolism increased by 33.18%. The results indicate that metformin has a significant effect on promoting energy metabolism. This study used a combination of metabolomics and metabolic flow to explore the effect of metformin on lipid metabolism disorders and quantifies changes in the key pathway of energy metabolism-the tricarboxylic acid cycle. This study provides useful information for the study of the efficacy and mechanism of metformin, as well as a practical technical method for the screening of lipid-lowering drugs based on a hamster model.

Experience and reflections based on the construction of hospital Clinical Research Unite: The case study of a specialized hospital in Shanghai / 中华医学科研管理杂志

Objective:To summarize the experiences in the construction of Clinical Research Unite (CRU) at a hospital level, provide reference for CRU construction in the Chinese hospitals.Methods:The CRU construction should take clinical research project management as working priority, strengthen clinical research team building, improve process management, as well as improve project performance and output.Results:During the CRU construction period, the number and level of clinical research projects have been improved in various disciplines. The sample database and disease specific data have been accumulated. The CRU mode helps the high-quality development of clinical researches in hospital.Conclusions:The way our hospital take in the construction of CRU was a good example, and it may truly improve the quality and capacity of clinical researches.

In-depth phenotyping of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in convalescent COVID-19 patients following a mild versus severe disease course

BackgroundCovid-19, the disease caused by infection with SARS-CoV-2, has developed to a pandemic causing more than 239, 000 deaths worldwide as of 6th May according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It presents with a highly variable disease course ranging from a large proportion of asymptomatic cases to severe respiratory failure in 17-29% of cases even in the absence of apparent comorbidities 1, 2. This implies a diverse host immune response to SARS-CoV-2. The immunological characteristics underlying these divergent disease courses, however, still remain elusive. While insights into abrogations of innate immunity begin to emerge, adaptive immune responses towards SARS-CoV-2 are poorly investigated, although they serve as immune signatures of protection and vaccine responses. We therefore set out to characterize immune signatures of convalescent COVID-19 patients stratified according to their disease severity. MethodsWe performed high-dimensional flow cytometric profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of convalescent COVID-19 patients who we stratified according to their disease severity by a physician-assisted questionnaire based assessment of COVID-19 symptoms. ResultsSurprisingly, we did not observe any difference in the relative proportions of any major immune cell type in convalescent patients presenting with different severity of COVID-19 disease except for a reduction in monocytes. The frequency of Tnaive T cells was significantly reduced in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, whereas other T cell differentiations states (TCM, TEM, TEMRA) remained relatively unaffected by COVID-19 severity as assessed approximately two weeks after infection. ConclusionsIn our COVID-19 patient cohort, which is characterized by absence of comorbidities and therapeutic interventions other than symptomatic antipyretics, the immunophenotype is similar irrespective of a highly variable disease severity. Convalescence is therefore associated with a rather uniform immune signature. Abrogations, which were previously identified in the innate and adaptive immune compartment of COVID-19 patients should be scrutinized for direct associations with a preconditioned immune system shaped and made vulnerable for SARS-CoV-2 by preexisting comorbidities.

Internal and external fixation combined with second stage perforator flap for the treatment of ankle fracture dislocation of Gustilo-Anderson types ⅢB and Ⅲ C / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To explore clinical effect of internal and external fixation combined with second-stage perforator fiap for the treatment of ankle fracture dislocation of Gustilo-Anderson types ⅢB and ⅢC.@*METHODS@#From May 2014 to July 2017, 20 patients with Gustilo-Anderson types ⅢB and ⅢC ankle fracture dislocation were treated with internal and external fixation combined with second-stage perforator fiap, including 14 males and 6 females, aged from 18 to 58 years old with an average of (39.0±9.7) years old;17 patients were type ⅢB and 3 patients were type ⅢC according to Gustilo-Anderson classification;4 patients were type A, 7 patients were type B, and 9 patients were type C according to AO classification. The size of wound ranged from 4 cm×3 cm to 20 cm×9 cm. Second-stage perforator flap, 11 patients were performed with posterior tibial artery perforator flap, 5 patients were performed with fibular artery perforator flap, 1 patient was performed with anterior ankle flap, and 3 patients were performed with posterior tibial artery perforator flap combined with fibular artery perforator flap. Postoperative wound healing, flap survival and fracture healing were observed, AOFAS score was used to evaluate at the latest follow up.@*RESULTS@#All limbs were preserved successfully without amputation. Nine patients occurred superficial infection without deep infection and osteomyelitis occurring. The flaps of 19 patients survived. All patients were followed up for 6 to 18 months with an average of (12.0±2.9) months. The flaps healed well without sinus tract, bone exposure and bone disunion occurring. Fracture healing time ranged from 4 to 10 months with an average of (6.6±1.7) months. PostoperativeAOFAS score was 76.7± 16.4, among which 4 patients got excellent result, 11 patients good, 3 patients fair, and 2 poor.@*CONCLUSION@#Internal and external fixation combined with second stage perforator fiap for the treatment of ankle fracture dislocation of Gustilo-Anderson types ⅢB and ⅢC could effectively close the wound, improve fracture healing and restore appearance and function of limbs to the maximum.

Bone morphogenetic proteins and inner ear development / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are the largest subfamily of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, and they play important roles in the development of numerous organs, including the inner ear. The inner ear is a relatively small organ but has a highly complex structure and is involved in both hearing and balance. Here, we discuss BMPs and BMP signaling pathways and then focus on the role of BMP signal pathway regulation in the development of the inner ear and the implications this has for the treatment of human hearing loss and balance dysfunction.

Different antibiotic resistance profile of clinical gram negative isolates from blood culture between adults and pediatric patients in Chongqing, 2015-2017 / 中国感染与化疗杂志

Objective To analyze the age difference of gram negative isolates(GNB)from blood culture and antibiotic resistance profile between children and adults. Methods Age difference of pathogen distribution of GNB isolated from blood culture during 2015-2017 were retrospectively analyzed. WHONET 5.6 and Graphpad Prism 6 were used to perform Chi-square test on the pathogen proportion and antibiotic resistance rate. Results A total of 20 145 bacterial strains were isolated in Chongqing from 2015 to 2017. The top three strains of GNB were E. coli(56.7％, 6 688/11 799), K. pneumoniae(19.6％, 2 308/11 799), and P. aeruginosa(4.4％, 522/11 799). The resistant rate of E. coli to carbapenems was less than 1％. The resistant rate of K. pneumoniae to carbapenems was about 5％, while the resistant rate of S. marcescens was approximately 9％, similar to E. cloacae. The overall resistance rates of E. coli from adult patients to most antiobiotic agents were significantly higher than those of children, but the overall resistance rate of K. pneumoniae from children was higher than those of adults. The drug resistance rate of A. baumannii was higher than P. aeruginosa. A. baumannii isolates from adult patients were highly resistant to all drugs tested and more resistant than those from pediatric patients. Conclusions Majority of GNB strains isolated from blood culture were E. coli and K. pneumoniae, for which carbapenems are still active. More attention should be paid to carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae from children and A. baumannii from adults. National surveillance of nosocomial bloodstream infection should be highly evaluated.

Clinical Significance and Expression of PD-1/PD-L1 and Treg Cells in JAK2 V617F Positive Myeloproliferative Neoplasms / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

@#【Objective】To investigate the expression and clinical significance of programmed death- 1（PD- 1），programmed death-ligand 1（PD-L1）and CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells（Treg）and CD4+/CD8+ ratios in JAK2V617F mutation positive myeloroliferative neoplasms patients（MPN）.【Methods】45 cases of JAK2 V617F positive MPN patients were selected including 17 cases of essential thrombocythemia（ET），13 cases of polycythemia vera（PV）and 15 cases of primary myelofibrosis（ET）. 30 cases of the newly diagnosed group and 15 cases of treatment group were from them. 15 cases of healthy volunteers were selected as control group. The ratio of mutant and wild type of JAK2 was detected by fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction（FQ-PCR）. The expression levels of p-JAK2，PD-1 and PD- L1 in pathological tissues of bone marrow were detected by immunohistochemistry. The changes of treg cells and lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of MPN patients and controls were detected by flow cytometry. 【Results】 The expression levels of p-JAK2，PD-1，PD-L1，and Treg in the newly diagnosed group were significantly higher than that of treatment group and control group（P<0.05），while the expression levels of CD4 +/CD8 + ratio were significantly lower than treatment group and control group（P<0.05）. JAK2 V617F mutation burden was positive correlation with PD-1 and PD- L1，and was negative correlation with CD4 +/CD8 + ，the correlation coefficients were r=0.593，P<0.01；r=0.723，P<0.01；r=-0.771，P<0.01，respectively.【Conclusion】p-JAK2，PD-1，PD-L1，Treg，CD4+/CD8+ and JAK2 V617F were involved in the pathogenesis of myeloroliferative neoplasms.

Progress in metabolomics research of diabetes / 药学学报

Diabetes is a metabolic disease with an extremely high incidence in China. In parallel with an increased incidence yearly, the population of diabetes is showing a trend towards younger age. Therefore, it is urgent to carry out research on diabetes in order to develop strategy for prevention. In recent years, metabolomics has made significant progress in the study of biomarkers, pathogenesis, early diagnosis and prognosis, and evaluation of drug efficacy in diabetes. However, limited by metabolomics technology and the complexity of diabetes research, metabolomics in the diabetes research remains challenging. We summarize the progress and prospect the future development of metabolomics in the diabetes research.

Comparison on local dengue fever outbreaks in public place in Shenzhen and Hong Kong in 2018 / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To compare epidemiology characteristics and control measures of dengue fever (DF) outbreaks in public places in Shenzhen and Hong Kong and integrate the advantages for better response to DF outbreaks. Methods Data of DF cases and mosquito vector surveillance in Shenzhen and Hong Kong were collected for descriptive epidemiological analysis and measures of mosquito control were compared. Results A total of 19DF cases were recorded in 13 d among six districts of Hong Kong, the male: female ratio was 1 ∶〗0.9. In Shenzhen, 20 cases were recorded in 33 d, the cases were distributed in three sub-districts, the Male: female ratio was 1 ∶〗0.82; Age difference between Shenzhen and Hong Kong was statistically significant (Z=-2.855, P=0.004). The time interval between date of onset and laboratory confirmation ranging from 5.5 to 8.5 d (median:7d) in Hong Kong, and ranged from 1.5 to 5.4 d (median:2 d) in Shenzhen, the difference was statistically significant (Z=-3.818, P<0.001). On the 4th day of the outbreak, Hong Kong declared 30 d closure for anti-mosquito operations with a range of 500 m, and monthly area ovitrap index (AOI) was used to monitor the territory-wide situation of Aedes albopictus. On the 2nd day of the outbreak, Shenzhen declared source closure for mosquito control with a range of 400 m and emergency vector surveillance was conducted, using Breteau Index (BI) and Human-baited double net trap(HDN) every 3 d. Conclusions The nature, scale, time and place of the two local DF outbreaks in Shenzhen and Hong Kong are similar. The prevention and control system is more sensitive and prompt, the ability of early detection is stronger, mosquito vector surveillance program is more comprehensive and the frequency is higher in Shenzhen. The epidemic information dissemination and risk communication with media is more active, mosquito management and control is more professional in Hong Kong.

Clinical value of blood lactate in predicting the prognosis of neonatal sepsis / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the clinical value of arterial blood lactate level in predicting the prognosis of neonatal sepsis.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 301 cases of neonatal sepsis were collected, which mainly included biochemical indicators such as blood lactate on admission, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin. ROC curves were plotted to evaluate the value of lactate level on admission in predicting the prognosis of neonatal sepsis.@*RESULTS@#The mortality rate was significantly higher for full-term infants in the severely-elevated lactate group than in the mildly-elevated lactate group and the normal lactate group (26.1% vs 3.1% and 0%; P<0.017). The poor prognosis group had a significantly increased lactate level on admission compared with the good prognosis group (6.5±5.1 mmol/L vs 3.6±1.7 mmol/L; P<0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of blood lactate level on admission (cutoff value: 6.15 mmol/L) were 0.545 and 0.919 respectively, in predicting the prognosis of neonatal sepsis.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Early blood lactate level can be used as a biochemical parameter to predict the prognosis of neonatal sepsis as it has a high specificity but a low sensitivity.

An insoluble polysaccharide from the sclerotium of Poria cocos improves hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice via modulation of gut microbiota / 中国天然药物

Metabolic syndrome characterized by obesity, hyperglycemia and liver steatosis is becoming prevalent all over the world. Herein, a water insoluble polysaccharide (WIP) was isolated and identified from the sclerotium of Poria cocos, a widely used Traditional Chinese Medicine. WIP was confirmed to be a (1-3)-β-D-glucan with an average Mw of 4.486 × 10 Da by NMR and SEC-RI-MALLS analyses. Furthermore, oral treatment with WIP from P. cocos significantly improved glucose and lipid metabolism and alleviated hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice. 16S DNA sequencing analysis of cecum content from WIP-treated mice indicated the increase of butyrate-producing bacteria Lachnospiracea, Clostridium. It was also observed that WIP treatment elevated the level of butyrate in gut, improved the gut mucosal integrity and activated the intestinal PPAR-γ pathway. Fecal transplantation experiments definitely confirmed the causative role of gut microbiota in mediating the benefits of WIP. It is the first report that the water insoluble polysaccharide from the sclerotium of P. cocos modulates gut microbiota to improve hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. Thereby, WIP from P. cocos, as a prebiotic, has the potential for the prevention or cure of metabolic diseases and may elucidate new mechanism for the efficacies of this traditional herbal medicine on the regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism.

[Preliminary study on molecular detection of polysaccharide from Amusium pleuronectes and its intervention to hepatic fibrosis in rats infected with Schistosoma japonicum].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the molecular characterization of polysaccharide purified from Amusium pleuronectes, so as to investigate its role of intervention to the formation of hepatic fibrosis caused by Schistosoma japonicum infection. METHODS: The crude polysaccharide from A. pleuronectes was extracted and further purified, and the molecular weight and monosaccharide composition were determined by the high pressure size exclusion chromatography and PMP pre-column derivatization method, respectively. A total of 50 female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into five groups：A (normal group), B (experimental group), C (polysaccharide group), D (praziquantel), and E (polysaccharide + praziquantel group). The mice in B, C, D, or E groups were attacked on the abdominal skin by using the cercariae of S. japonicum (30 ± 2 for each mouse) respectively. After 8 weeks, the mice in C, D, and E groups were administrated by polysaccharide and/or praziquantel, and the mice in B group were instead of saline. All the livers and sera were collected after 16 weeks. HE staining was employed for the livers, and serum IFN-γ and IL-13 were measured by using ELISA kits. RESULTS: The molecular weight of purified polysaccharide from A. pleuronectes was 11.7 kDa. Compared with A and B groups, the serum levels of IFN-γ in C, D, and E groups were significantly increased (F = 63.525, P < 0.01). However, the serum levels of IL-13 in C, D, and E groups were significantly decreased (F = 99.788, P < 0.01) compared with that in B group. HE staining showed that the egg nodules and hepatic fibrosis were observed in B, C, D, and E groups. The number of egg nodules and fibrosis degree in E group were milder than those in B group (χ2 = 7.875, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The polysaccharide from A. pleuronectes has an obvious effect in preventing hepatic fibrosis process induced by S. japonicum infection, particularly combining with the administration of praziquantel.