Genomic characterization and related functional genes of γ- poly glutamic acid producing Bacillus subtilis.

γ- poly glutamic acid (γ-PGA), a high molecular weight polymer, is synthesized by microorganisms and secreted into the extracellular space. Due to its excellent performance, γ-PGA has been widely used in various fields, including food, biomedical and environmental fields. In this study, we screened natto samples for two strains of Bacillus subtilis N3378-2at and N3378-3At that produce γ-PGA. We then identified the γ-PGA synthetase gene cluster (PgsB, PgsC, PgsA, YwtC and PgdS), glutamate racemase RacE, phage-derived γ-PGA hydrolase (PghB and PghC) and exo-γ-glutamyl peptidase (GGT) from the genome of these strains. Based on these γ-PGA-related protein sequences from isolated Bacillus subtilis and 181 B. subtilis obtained from GenBank, we carried out genotyping analysis and classified them into types 1-5. Since we found B. amyloliquefaciens LL3 can produce γ-PGA, we obtained the B. velezensis and B. amyloliquefaciens strains from GenBank and classified them into types 6 and 7 based on LL3. Finally, we constructed evolutionary trees for these protein sequences. This study analyzed the distribution of γ-PGA-related protein sequences in the genomes of B. subtilis, B. velezensis and B. amyloliquefaciens strains, then the evolutionary diversity of these protein sequences was analyzed, which provided novel information for the development and utilization of γ-PGA-producing strains.

Microvascular abnormalities induced by hand-transmitted vibration reflects in finger systolic blood pressure: a cross-sectional study in China.

OBJECTIVE: Local vibration can cause microcirculatory abnormalities such as blood stasis and symmetrical intermittent digital artery vasospasm. Finger SBP (FSBP) measurement is a potential way of assessing vascular components. This study aims to comprehensively investigate the relationship between the occurrence of the vibration-induced white finger (VWF) and changes in FSBP and then set the application value of FSBP measurements in the early diagnosis of VWF. METHODS: All samples were judgmental sampling from one factory. Totally 50 patients with VWF were the case group, while 50 without occupational hand-transmitted vibration exposure were the control group. FSBP measurements and epidemiological feature investigations were taken. RESULTS: There were significant reductions in FSBP level and %FSBP index at both 10 °C and 30 °C in fingers reported VWF (P < 0.05). The %FSBP abnormal rate of the index, ring and little finger in the VWF group was higher than the control (44.00% vs. 18.00%, 78.00% vs. 26.00%, 64.00% vs. 8.00%). The %FSBP of the ring and little finger had a relatively high application value (area under curve = 0.902, 0.737), while their standard regression coefficients were -0.23 and -0.412. The diagnostic cutoff value of the ring finger was 77.60%, while the sensitivity and specificity were 86.67%. CONCLUSION: FSBP measurements were proven helpful in monitoring and diagnosing VWF prospectively and proved to have great application value in our study. %FSBP of the ring finger was the appropriate diagnostic index in FSBP measurements, while its abnormal value could be set as 80.00%.

Research on accuracy of material identification based on photon counting spectral CT.

BACKGROUND: Photon counting spectral CT is a significant direction in the development of CT technology and material identification is an important application of spectral CT. However, spectrum estimation in photon counting spectral CT is highly complex and may affect quantification accuracy of material identification. OBJECTIVE: To address the problem of energy spectrum estimation in photon-counting spectral CT, this study investigates empirical material decomposition algorithms to achieve accurate quantitative decomposition of the effective atomic number. METHODS: The spectrum is first calibrated using the empirical dual-energy calibration (EDEC) method and the effective atomic number is then quantitatively estimated based on the EDEC method. The accuracy of estimating the effective atomic number of materials under different calibration conditions is investigated by designing different calibration phantoms, and accurate quantitation is achieved using suitable calibration settings. Last, the validity of this method is verified through simulations and experimental studies. RESULTS: The results demonstrate that the error in estimating the effective atomic number is reduced to within 4% for low and medium Z materials, thereby enabling accurate material identification. CONCLUSION: The empirical dual-energy correction method can solve the problem of energy spectrum estimation in photon counting spectral CT. Accurate effective atomic number estimation can be achieved with suitable calibration.

Burnout and associative emotional status and coping style of healthcare workers in COVID-19 epidemic control: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of burnout, clinical anxiety, depression, and insomnia and to estimate the associations of adverse emotional status, coping style, and level of self-efficacy with burnout of healthcare workers in the Shenzhen Longgang District Frontline District Headquarters of COVID-19 epidemic control, China. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 173 staff completed the anonymous questionnaires of the Maslach Burnout Inventory, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale (GAD-7), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), General Self-efficacy Scale, and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire electronically (https://www.wjx.cn/) in June 2022. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to explore the associated factors of burnout in this study. Results: The prevalence of burnout in our participants (defined as high emotional exhaustion or high depersonalization) was 47.40%, and reduced personal accomplishment was 92.49%. The prevalence of clinically significant depression (the cutoff score of ≥15), anxiety (the cutoff score of ≥10), and insomnia (the cutoff score of ≥15) was 11.56, 19.08, and 19.08%, respectively. There was a degree of overlap between burnout and other measures of adverse mental status, most notably for anxiety (odds ratio, 27.049; 95% CI, 6.125-117.732; p < 0.001). Hierarchical logistic regression demonstrated that burnout was strongly associated with anxiety (OR = 23.889; 95% CI, 5.216-109.414; p < 0.001) and negative coping style (OR = 1.869; 95% CI, 1.278-2.921; p < 0.01) independently. Conclusion: Medical staff involved in COVID-19 epidemic control in the post-epidemic era were at high risk of burnout, and most of them were in low personal accomplishment. Reducing anxiety and improving coping style by medical management institutions from the system level may be effective in alleviating burnout in healthcare workers.

Genomic Characteristics and Molecular Epidemiology of Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Strains Carried by Wild Birds.

This study aimed to explore the relationship between wild birds and the transmission of multidrug-resistant strains. Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated from fresh feces of captured wild birds and assessed by the broth microdilution method and comparative genomics. Four Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates showed different resistance phenotypes; S90-2 and S141 were both resistant to ampicillin, cefuroxime, and cefazolin, while M911-1 and S130-1 were sensitive to most of the 14 antibiotics tested. S90-2 belongs to sequence type 629 (ST629), and its genome includes 30 resistance genes, including blaCTX-M-14 and blaSHV-11, while its plasmid pS90-2.3 (IncR) carries qacEdelta1, sul1, and aph(3')-Ib. S141 belongs to ST1662, and its genome includes a total of 27 resistance genes, including blaSHV-217. M911-1 is a new ST, carrying blaSHV-1 and fosA6, and its plasmid pM911-1.1 (novel) carries qnrS1, blaLAP-2, and tet(A). S130-1 belongs to ST3753, carrying blaSHV-11 and fosA6, and its plasmid pS130-1 [IncFIB(K)] carries only one resistance gene, tet(A). pM911-1.1 and pS90-2.3 do not have conjugative transfer ability, but their resistance gene fragments are derived from multiple homologous Enterobacteriaceae strain chromosomes or plasmids, and the formation of resistance gene fragments (multidrug resistance region) involves interactions between multiple mobile element genes, resulting in a complex and diverse resistance plasmid structure. The homologous plasmids related to pM911-1.1 and pS90-2.3 were mainly from isolated human-infecting bacteria in China, namely, K. pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. The multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates carried by wild birds in this study had drug resistance phenotypes conferred primarily by multidrug resistance plasmids that were closely related to human-infecting bacteria. IMPORTANCE Little is known about the pathogenic microorganisms carried by wild animals. This study found that the multidrug resistance phenotype of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates carried by wild birds was mainly attributed to multidrug resistance plasmids, and these multidrug resistance plasmids from wild birds were closely related to human-infecting bacteria. Wild bird habitats overlap to a great extent with human and livestock habitats, which further increases the potential for horizontal transfer of multidrug-resistant bacteria among humans, animals, and the environment. Therefore, wild birds, as potential transmission hosts of multidrug-resistant bacteria, should be given attention and monitored.

Characteristics of the multiple replicon plasmid IncX1-X1 in multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli from Malayan pangolin (Manis javanica).

Potential zoonotic pathogens may be transmitted from wildlife to humans through the illegal wild meat trade, which has become a pressing issue. However, research on the antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) of Malayan pangolin (Manis javanica) intestinal bacteria is limited. Here, multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli M172-1 (ST354) isolated from Malayan pangolin feces in 2019 was found to be resistant to 13 antibiotics. BGWAS analysis revealed 4 plasmids, namely, pM172-1.1, pM172-1.2, pM172-1.3, and pM172-1.4, in the isolate. The pM172-1.2, pM172-1.3, and pM172-1.4 plasmids carried ARGs, namely, IncHI2-HI2A, IncX1-X1, and IncX1, respectively. pM172-1.3 and pM172-1.4 contained intact IntI1 integrons (Is26/IntI1/arr2/cmlA5/blaOXA-10 /ant(3″)-IIA/dfrA14/Is26). Notably, pM172-1.3 resulted from the fusion of 2 pM172-1.4 copies and carried many more ARGs. In addition to pM172-1.3 from the same host, other drug-resistant bacteria (E. coli M159-1 (ST48), E. coli S171-1 (ST206), and Klebsiella pneumoniae S174-1 (ST2354)) in the same Malayan pangolin fecal samples also carried 3 plasmids with 100% gene coverage of pM172-1.4 and 99.98% identity. Therefore, ARGs in IncX1 might spread in the intestinal flora of Malayan pangolin and between species via the illegal food chain, posing a potential threat to public health and safety.

Frequency and distribution of H1N1 influenza A viruses with oseltamivir-resistant mutations worldwide before and after the 2009 pandemic.

H1N1 influenza has brought serious threats to people's health and a high socioeconomic burden to society. Oseltamivir, a kind of neuraminidase (NA) inhibitor, is the second-generation specific drug that is broadly used currently. However, H1N1 influenza viruses have exhibited oseltamivir resistance in the past decades, which might be a hidden danger. To understand the frequency and distribution laws of oseltamivir-resistant viruses, we conducted a thorough and deep analysis of the available NA protein sequences of H1N1 influenza viruses worldwide from 1918 to 2020. The differences and similarities before and after 2009 were also considered since the dominant viruses changed in this period. Results showed that 3.76% of H1N1 viruses harbored oseltamivir resistance currently. Among various significative mutations, H274Y had the highest frequency of 3.30%, while the frequencies of the other mutations were far below this whether before or after 2009. The oseltamivir resistance was mainly found in three hosts, humans, swine, and avian. Different mutation sites could exhibit different distributions in each host. Our results showed that the resistance level reached a peak during the 2007-2008 influenza season and then quickly decreased in 2009. The resistance also displayed a global distribution. The densely populated countries usually had a high resistance level. However, frequent significative mutations were also found in some small countries. Our findings indicated the necessity of monitoring oseltamivir resistance around the world. The study could provide a unique perspective toward the cognition of viruses and facilitate the future study of both pandemic and drug development.

Advances in the role of natural products in human gene expression.

Natural products (NPs), especially those from traditional herbal medicines, can evidently modulate human gene expression at multiple levels, leading to a wide diversity of bioactivities. Although numerous bio-functions of NPs for human body have been found, there is little understanding about how NPs achieve it, as less attention was drawn to the definite mechnism by which NPs regulate gene expression. Furthermore, based on the rapidly advancing knowledge of mechanisms for gene regulation in recent years, newly-understood mechanisms, such as post-transcriptional regulation, are found to be involved in NP-elicited bio-effects, providing a new perspective on understanding the role of NPs in gene expression. Therefore, in the current review, we summarize the function of NPs in gene expression from the perspectives of transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational regulation, which will reinforce the understanding of NP-induced effects in gene expression and facilitate the exploration of more NPs with potential therapeutic effects.

Multiple-Replicon Resistance Plasmids of Klebsiella Mediate Extensive Dissemination of Antimicrobial Genes.

Multiple-replicon resistance plasmids have become important carriers of resistance genes in Gram-negative bacteria, and the evolution of multiple-replicon plasmids is still not clear. Here, 56 isolates of Klebsiella isolated from different wild animals and environments between 2018 and 2020 were identified by phenotyping via the micro-broth dilution method and were sequenced and analyzed for bacterial genome-wide association study. Our results revealed that the isolates from non-human sources showed more extensive drug resistance and especially strong resistance to ampicillin (up to 80.36%). The isolates from Malayan pangolin were particularly highly resistant to cephalosporins, chloramphenicol, levofloxacin, and sulfamethoxazole. Genomic analysis showed that the resistance plasmids in these isolates carried many antibiotic resistance genes. Further analysis of 69 plasmids demonstrated that 28 plasmids were multiple-replicon plasmids, mainly carrying beta-lactamase genes such as bla CTX-M- 15, bla CTX-M- 14, bla CTX-M- 55, bla OXA- 1, and bla TEM- 1. The analysis of plasmids carried by different isolates showed that Klebsiella pneumoniae might be an important multiple-replicon plasmid host. Plasmid skeleton and structure analyses showed that a multiple-replicon plasmid was formed by the fusion of two or more single plasmids, conferring strong adaptability to the antibiotic environment and continuously increasing the ability of drug-resistant isolates to spread around the world. In conclusion, multiple-replicon plasmids are better able to carry resistance genes than non-multiple-replicon plasmids, which may be an important mechanism underlying bacterial responses to environments with high-antibiotic pressure. This phenomenon will be highly significant for exploring bacterial resistance gene transmission and diffusion mechanisms in the future.

Depressive, anxiety, and insomnia symptoms between population in quarantine and general population during the COVID-19 pandemic: a case-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic have caused mental and psychological problems on the general population, patients, and related workers. Our study is to determine the impact of mental and psychological symptoms among population in quarantine for 2 weeks during COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A case-controlled study design have conducted at department of psychiatry of Shenzhen Longgang Center for Chronic Disease Control in Shenzhen, China mainland from 7th April to 15th June 2020.1674 participants (aged 18 to 65 years) in quarantine for 2 weeks and 1743 age-sex matched controls living in Shenzhen were recruited between 7th April 2020 and 15th June 2020. The assessment of depressive, anxiety, and insomnia symptoms were determined by self-reported questionnaires PHQ-9, GAD-7, and ISI, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 1674 participants in quarantine for 2 weeks and 1743 age-sex matched controls (32.6 ± 9.3 years vs. 32.7 ± 10.7 years, 49.8% vs. 47.8% females) were recruited. Population in quarantine had higher score on PHQ-9 (6.1 ± 5.5 vs. 3.0 ± 3.7, p < 0.001), GAD-7 (4.2 ± 4.7 vs. 1.9 ± 3.7, p < 0·001), and ISI (5.5 ± 5.8 vs. 3.1 ± 5.0%, p < 0.001) compared to general population. Population in quarantine showed significantly higher risks of depression (OR: 4.55, 95% CI: 3.82-5.41), anxiety (OR: 2.92, 95% CI: 2.43-3.51), and insomnia (OR: 2.40, 95% CI: 2.02-2.89), when compared to the general population. Younger, more education, non-married and lower household income showed higher risks of mental health problems. CONCLUSIONS: Population in quarantine had a higher level of depressive, anxiety, and insomnia symptoms than controls. Specifically, they were at a higher risk prevalence of depression, anxiety, and insomnia, especially the severity of depression, when compared to controls. Younger, more education, non-married, and lower income population in quarantine were at higher risks of mental health problems. Mental health professionals should pay attention to the mental and psychological symptoms for population in quarantine.

Responses of the reproduction, population growth and metabolome of the marine rotifer Brachionus plicatilis to tributyl phosphate (TnBP).

The typical alkyl organophosphorus flame retardant tributyl phosphate (TnBP) can leak from common products into the marine environment, with potential negative effects on marine organisms. However, risk assessments for TnBP regarding zooplankton are lacking. In this study, a marine rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis, was used to analyze the effect of TnBP (0.1 µg/L, environmental concentration; 1 and 6 mg/L) on reproduction, population growth, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function and metabolomics. Mortality increased as the TnBP concentration rose; the 24-h LC50 value was 12.45 mg/L. All tested TnBP concentrations inhibited B. plicatilis population growth, with reproductive toxicity at the higher levels. Microstructural imaging showed ovary injury, the direct cause of reproductive toxicity. Despite elevated glutathione reductase activities, levels of reactive oxygen species and malonyldialdehyde increased under TnBP stress, indicating oxidative imbalance. TnBP induced mitochondrial malformation and activity suppression; the ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine alleviated this inhibition, suggesting an internal connection. Nontargeted metabolomics revealed 398 and 583 differentially expressed metabolites in the 0.1 µg/L and 6 mg/L treatments relative to control, respectively, which were enriched in the pathways such as biosynthesis of amino acids, purine metabolism, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis. According to metabolic pathway analysis, oxidative stress from purine degradation, mitochondrial dysfunction, disturbed lipid metabolism and elevated protein synthesis were jointly responsible for reproduction and population growth changes. This study echoes the results previously found in rotifer on trade-off among different life processes in response to environmental stress. Our systematic study uncovers the TnBP toxic mode of action.

Multidrug-resistant Proteus mirabilis isolates carrying blaOXA-1 and blaNDM-1 from wildlife in China: increasing public health risk.

The emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR) in Proteus mirabilis clinical isolates is a growing public health concern and has serious implications for wildlife. What is the role of wildlife has been become one of the hot issues in disseminating antimicrobial resistance. Here, 54 P. mirabilis isolates from 12 different species were identified. Among them, 25 isolates were determined to be MDR by profile of antimicrobial susceptibility; 10 MDR P. mirabilis isolates were subjected to comparative genomic analysis by whole genome sequencing. Comprehensive analysis showed that chromosome of P. mirabilis isolates mainly carries multidrug-resistance complex elements harboring resistance to carbapenem genes blaOXA-1 , blaNDM-1 , and blaTEM-1 . Class I integron is the insertion hotspot of IS26; it can be inserted into type I integron at different sites, thus forming a variety of multiple drug resistance decision sites. At the same time, Tn21, Tn7, and SXT/R391 mobile elements cause widespread spread of these drug resistance genes. In conclusion, P. mirabilis isolates from wildlife showed higher resistance to commonly used clinic drugs comparing to those from human. Therefore, wild animals carrying MDR clinical isolates should be paid attention to by the public health.

CircRNAs in Lung-intestinal Axis Cancer.

The "exterior-interior relationship between the lung and the large intestine" is a basic theory in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which has been confirmed by mounting evidence, and the lung-intestinal axis can be seen as an extension of this theory. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a kind of conserved and structurally stable noncoding RNAs, which have been found to be differentially expressed and associated with the development of cancer in malignant tumors. Many studies have found that circRNAs play an important role in lung and intestinal cancers. This review focuses on circRNAs and reveals that there are common circRNAs that are both highly or poorly expressed in lung-intestinal axis cancers and most of them regulate the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cancer cells by sponging miRNAs. These results not only provide new evidence and research ideas for the "exterior-interior relationship between the lung and the large intestine", but also suggest that circRNAs can be new potential therapeutic targets for the future drug research of lung-intestinal axis diseases.

Distribution and evolution of H1N1 influenza A viruses with adamantanes-resistant mutations worldwide from 1918 to 2019.

H1N1 influenza is a kind of acute respiratory infectious disease that has a high socioeconomic and medical burden each year around the world. In the past decades, H1N1 influenza viruses have exhibited high resistance to adamantanes, which has become a serious issue. To understand the up-to-date distribution and evolution of H1N1 influenza viruses with adamantanes-resistant mutations, we conducted a deep analysis of 15875 M2 protein and 8351 MP nucleotides sequences. Results of the distribution analyses showed that 77.32% of H1N1 influenza viruses harbored-resistance mutations of which 73.52% were S31N, And the mutant variants mainly appeared in North America and Europe and H1N1 influenza viruses with S31N mutation became the circulating strains since 2009 all over the world. In addition, 80.65% of human H1N1 influenza viruses and 74.61% of swine H1N1 influenza viruses exhibited adamantanes resistance, while the frequency was only 1.86% in avian H1N1 influenza viruses. Studies from evolutionary analyses indicated that the avian-origin swine H1N1 influenza viruses replaced the classical human H1N1 influenza viruses and became the circulating strains after 2009; The interspecies transmission among avian, swine, and human strains over the past 20 years contributed to the 2009 swine influenza pandemic. Results of our study clearly clarify the historical drug resistance level of H1N1 influenza viruses around the world and demonstrated the evolution of adamantanes-resistant mutations in H1N1 influenza viruses. Our findings emphasize the necessity for monitoring the adamantanes susceptibility of H1N1 influenza viruses and draw attention to analyses of the evolution of drug-resistant H1N1 influenza variants.

Characteristics and Epidemiology of Extended-Spectrum ß-Lactamase-Producing Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae From Red Kangaroo, China.

Due to its drug resistant nature, ß-lactamase represents a serious challenge for public health. Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) producing Klebsiella pneumoniae clones are increasingly reported worldwide. Little is known about the prevalence and biological characteristics of drug-resistant strains in zoos. During routine surveillance at the Zhengzhou Zoo of China, we found Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate in healthy Red Kangaroos (Macropus Rufus) with severe MDR. The Klebsiella pneumoniae were especially resistant to Cefuroxime Sodium (MIC, > 64 µg/mL), Ceftriaxone (MIC, >8 µg/mL) and Cefepime (MIC, >64 µg/mL), and belonged to ST290. Subsequently, whole genome sequencing (WGS) showed that the Chrome Chr-M297-1 harbored bla DHA-3, bla SHV-1, bla CTX-M-14, fosA5, dfrA3, sul3, etc., and pM297-1.1 [222,864 bp, IncFIB(K)], which carried nine antimicrobial genes including bla CTX-M-14, bla TEM-191, aph(3″)-Ib, aph(6)-Id and qnrS1, etc., and pM297-1.2 [225,763 bp, IncFII(K)] carried 22 antimicrobial genes including bla TEM-1, bla CTX-M-3, aph(3')-Ia, aac(3)-IIa, aac(6')-Ib-cr, aadA16, qnrB2, qnrS1, qacEΔ1, mphA, sul1, and dfrA27, etc. A traceability analysis then revealed that these two plasmids were highly similar to those recovered from human clinical samples in some southern cities in Sichuan Province, China (>99%), suggesting that these plasmids are spreading in China. Furthermore, two plasmids harboring conjugal transfer genes facilitated the transmission of antimicrobial genes by conjugation with E. coli J53. Our research shows that the transmission and adaptation of Klebsiella pneumoniae producing ESBLs is occurring in zoo environments, suggesting that zoos may be becoming important potential reservoirs for clinically important drug-resistant genes. It is therefore necessary to monitor the emergence and spread of drug-resistant gene strains in captive wild animals held in zoo environments.

The efficacy of mind-body (Baduanjin) exercise on self-reported sleep quality and quality of life in elderly subjects with sleep disturbances: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the efficacy of a 24-week Baduanjin exercise program on self-reported sleep quality and quality of life in community-dwelling elderly subjects with sleep disturbances. METHODS: Community-dwelling elderly men and women meeting criteria for sleep disturbances (i.e., Pittsburgh Sleep Quality of Index (PSQI) score ≥ 5) were recruited and randomized to a Baduanjin exercise intervention group or a control group. Participants in the intervention group completed five 45-min exercise sessions per week for 24 weeks, while those in control group were instructed to maintain their usual lifestyle behaviors. RESULTS: A total of 139 participants were enrolled and randomized. Sixty-two of 67 participants in the intervention group (response rate of 92.5%) and 57 of 72 participants (response rate of 79.6%) in the control group completed intervention and follow-up. The intervention group reported significant improvements in overall sleep quality after 24 weeks compared with those randomized to control (PSQI endpoint-to-baseline change = - 2.6 ± 4.0 vs. - 0.5 ± 4.2, time × group interaction p = 0.007). Intervention group participants had higher response rates at both week 12 (23.9% vs. 9.7%, p = 0.025) and week 24 (40.3% vs. 15.3%, p = 0.001) when compared with the control group. There was a trend that the intervention group had increased quality of life (The Short Form Health Survey [SF-36] endpoint=tobaseline change 6.3 ± 10.9 vs. 2.2 ± 10.9, time × group interaction p = 0.06) when compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Baduanjin exercise is an effective and feasible approach to improve self-reported sleep quality but less likely the quality of life in community-dwelling elderly men and women with sleep disturbances. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Effect of Baduanjin Exercise on the Elderly's Sleep; http://www.chictr.org.cn/listbycreater.aspx; ChiCTR1800014706, registered 1 January 2018.

Emergence of Genetic Diversity and Multi-Drug Resistant Campylobacter jejuni From Wild Birds in Beijing, China.

Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) is considered as an opportunistic zoonotic pathogen that may cause gastroenteritis in humans and other animals. Wild birds may be as potential vectors of C. jejuni around urban and suburban areas. Here, 520 samples were collected from 33 wild bird species in urban and suburban areas, Beijing. In total 57 C. jejuni were isolated from seven species. It was found that Nineteen (33.33%, 19/57) isolates were resistant to at least one of 11 antibiotics, especially streptomycin (36.84%) and four isolates resistant to all. Nineteen (33.33%, 19/57) isolates were multi-drug resistance. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis of the isolates showed that 36 different sequence types (STs) belonged to four Clonal complexes and unassigned. Twenty STs (55.56%) and six alleles among them were first detected. Virulence genes including flaA, cadF, and the cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) gene cluster, were detected in all isolates, but truncated cdt gene clusters only detected in the isolates from the crow, daurian jackdaw and silver pheasant. In conclusion, it was the first detection of C. jejuni involved truncated cdt gene clusters from the silver pheasant. These wild birds around urban and suburban areas may pose potential public health problems as reservoir vectors of C. jejuni.

Molecular Characterization of Entamoeba spp. in Wild Taihangshan Macaques (Macaca mulatta tcheliensis) in China.

BACKGROUND: Entamoeba spp. is one of the most common enteric parasites of humans and animals. PURPOSE: However, little information is available regarding prevalence and genotypes of Entamoeba spp. in wild Taihangshan macaques (Macaca mulatta tcheliensis). METHODS: In the present study, a total of 458 fecal samples from wild rhesus macaque in Taihangshan mountains area between September 2015 and November 2016, were collected and examined for the presence of six Entamoeba species by PCR amplification of the SSU rRNA gene. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of Entamoeba spp. infection was 89.96% (412/458). Four species of Entamoeba detected in our survey were E. chattoni (88.43%), E. hartmanni (79.91%), E. coil (69.87%) and E. dispar (58.30%), and among these, 398 (84.93%) were mixed infections. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that isolates were clustered into four known genotypes. CONCLUSION: The present study firstly provides important information about the prevalence and diversity of Entamoeba species infecting wild Taihangshan macaques in China. Enough attention should be paid to monitor the potential interspecies transmission in the region.

The evolution and molecular characteristics of H9N2 avian influenza viruses in Jiangxi of China.

To understand the evolution and molecular characteristics of Jiangxi H9N2 viruses, we isolated 17 viruses in 2011 and analyzed their characteristics. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that their hemagglutinin genes originate from JS/1/00-like sublineage, neuraminidase genes originate from BJ/94-like sublineage, PB1, PA, NP, and NS genes all come from SH/F/98-like sublineage, PB2 genes originate from ST/163/04-like sublineage, while M genes come from G1-like sublineage. Genotype analysis showed that our isolates were classified as genotype 57. Molecular analyses indicated that our strains contained specific sites characteristic of low-pathogenic viruses. The current study once again highlights the necessity for continued surveillance of novel H9N2 viruses.

Histone acetyl transferase TIP60 inhibits the replication of influenza a virus by activation the TBK1-IRF3 pathway.

Influenza A virus (IAV) is an important pathogen that poses a severe threat to the health of humans. Nucleoprotein (NP) of IAV plays crucial roles in the viral life cycle by interacting with various cellular factors. Histone Acetyl Transferase TIP60 is a key target of several viral proteins during infection, including HIV-1 Tat, HPV E6, HTLV-1 p30II and HCMV UL27 proteins. However, Whether the interaction between the IAV NP and TIP60, and the role of TIP60 in IAV life cycle are largely unknown. Here, we showed that IAV infection up-regulated TIP60 protein and RNA expression. Overexpression of TIP60 inhibited viral protein and RNA expression and reduced the progeny viral titer. Further study revealed that TIP60 inhibited viral replication through activation of TBK1-IRF3 signaling pathway. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the NP protein of IAV interacted with TIP60. Together, these results indicate that TIP60 play a repressor in IAV infection, and it may be a possible target for antiviral drugs.