Marinobacter albus sp. nov., Isolated from Sand Sediment in a Coastal Intertidal Zone.

A Gram-stain-negative bacterium with a rod-to-ovoid shape, named strain M216T, was isolated from sand sediment from the coastal intertidal zone of Huludao, Liaoning Province, China. Growth was observed at 8-40 °C (optimal, 30 °C), pH 5.5-9.5 (optimal, pH 6.5) and 0.5-14.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimal, 6%). Strain M216T possessed ubiquinone-9 as its sole respiratory quinone and phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified aminophosphoglycolipid, one unidentified aminophospholipid, two unidentified phosphoglycolipids, three unidentified phospholipids and three unidentified glycolipids as the main polar lipids. C12:0, C16:0, C12:0 3-OH, C16:1 ω9c, C18:1 ω9c and summed features 3 (C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c) were the major fatty acids (> 5%). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain M216T exhibited high similarity to those of 'Marinobacter arenosus' CAU 1620T and Marinobacter adhaerens HP15T (99.3% and 98.5%, respectively) and less than 98.5% similarity to those of the other type strains. The ANI and dDDH values between the strain M216T and 'Marinobacter arenosus' CAU 1620T were 87.4% and 33.3%, respectively; these values were the highest among the other type strains but lower than the species threshold. The G+C content of strain M216T was 58.3%. Genomic analysis revealed that strain M216T harbors the major CAZymes of GH13, GH23, GH73, and PL5, which are responsible for polysaccharide degradation and the potential ability to reduce nitrate to ammonia. Through phenotypic, genotypic, and chemotaxonomic analyses, we proposed the name Marinobacter albus sp. nov., a novel species in the genus Marinobacter, with its type strain M216T (= MCCC 1K08600T = KCTC 82894T).

Microbulbifer magnicolonia sp. nov., isolated from sediment of tidal flat located in Zhoushan, China.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile with flagella and rod- or ovoid-shaped bacterium, designated GG15T, was isolated from tidal flat sediment sampled in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province. Strain GG15T grew at 20-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 5.5-9.5 (optimum, pH 7.0-8.0) and with 1.0-10.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1.5 %). Colony diameters ranged from 1 to 3 mm within the first week, reaching a maximum of 6-7 mm after 15 days of cultivation. Strain GG15T exhibited highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Microbulbifer taiwanensis CCM 7856T (98.1 %), with similarity to other species within the genus Microbulbifer ranging from 97.8 to 93.8 %. Similarity values to other genera were below 93.8 %. Strain GG15T exhibited positive activity for ß-glucosidase, trypsin and chymotrypsin, whereas the reference strain showed negative activity. Chemotaxonomic analyses indicated that strain GG15T contained Q-8 as the sole respiratory quinone, C16 : 0 (9.1 %), iso-C15 : 0 (30.9 %) and iso-C11 : 0 3-OH (7.2 %) as the predominant fatty acids, and phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, three unidentified lipids, four unidentified glycolipids, one unidentified phospholipid, two unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified aminophospholipids as the main polar lipids. The genome of strain GG15T was 4 307 641 bp long, comprising 3861 protein-coding genes. The G+C content of strain GG15T was 61.5 mol% based on its genomic sequence. Strain GG15T showed low digital DNA-DNA hybridization (<70 %) and average nucleotide identity values (<95 %) with other Microbulbifer species. As a result, a novel species within the genus Microbulbifer, named Microbulbifer magnicolonia sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is GG15T (MCCC 1K08802T=KCTC 8210T).

Cardiac Resolvin D2 ameliorates sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy via inhibiting Caspase-11/GSDMD dependent pyroptosis.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SICM) is common complication in septic patients with a high mortality and is characterized by an abnormal inflammation response, which was precisely regulated by endogenous specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs). However, the metabolic changes of cardiac SPMs during SICM and the roles of SPMs subset in the development of SICM remain unknown. METHODS: In this work, the SPMs concentration was assessed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) of SICM mice and SICM patients. The cardiac function was measured by echocardiography after the treatment of a SPMs subset, termed Resolvin D2 (RvD2). Caspase-11-/-, GSDMD-/- and double deficient (Caspase-11-/-GSDMD-/-) mice were used to clarify the mechanisms of RvD2 in SICM. RESULTS: We found that endogenous cardiac SPMs were disorders and RvD2 was decreased significantly and correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and ß-BNP, cTnT in Lipopolysaccharide/Cecum ligation and puncture (CLP) induced SICM models. Treatment with RvD2 attenuated lethality, cardiac dysfunction and cardiomyocytes death during SICM. Mechanistically, RvD2 alleviated SICM via inhibiting Caspase-11/GSDMD-mediated cardiomyocytes pyroptosis. Finally, the plasma levels of RvD2 were also decreased and significantly correlated with IL-1ß, ß-BNP, cTnT and LVEF in patients with SICM. Of note, plasma RvD2 level is indicator of SICM patients from healthy controls or sepsis patients. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that decreased cardiac RvD2 may involve in the pathogenesis of SICM. In addition, treatment with RvD2 represents a novel therapeutic strategy for SICM by inhibiting cardiomyocytes pyroptosis.

Efficient pulmonary lymphatic drainage is necessary for inflammation resolution in ARDS.

The lymphatic vasculature is the natural pathway for the resolution of inflammation, yet the role of pulmonary lymphatic drainage function in sepsis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains poorly characterized. In this study, indocyanine green-near infrared lymphatic living imaging was performed to examine pulmonary lymphatic drainage function in septic mouse models. We found that the pulmonary lymphatic drainage was impaired owing to the damaged lymphatic structure in sepsis-induced ARDS. Moreover, prior lymphatic defects by blocking vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) worsened sepsis-induced lymphatic dysfunction and inflammation. Posttreatment with vascular endothelial growth factor-C (Cys156Ser) (VEGF-C156S), a ligand of VEGFR-3, ameliorated lymphatic drainage by rejuvenating lymphatics to reduce the pulmonary edema and promote draining of pulmonary macrophages and neutrophils to pretracheal lymph nodes. Meanwhile, VEGF-C156S posttreatment reversed sepsis-inhibited CC chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21), which colocalizes with pulmonary lymphatic vessels. Furthermore, the advantages of VEGF-C156S on the drainage of inflammatory cells and edema fluid were abolished by blocking VEGFR-3 or CCL21. These results suggest that efficient pulmonary lymphatic drainage is necessary for inflammation resolution in ARDS. Our findings offer a therapeutic approach to sepsis-induced ARDS by promoting lymphatic drainage function.

Robiginitalea aestuariiviva sp. nov. isolated from sediment of tidal flat located in Zhejiang, PR China.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic and rod- to coccoid-shaped bacterium, designated as strain M366T, was isolated from coastal sediment of Jiaoshanjiao, Zhejiang Province, PR China (121°54' E 29 °38' N). The draft genome of strain M366T was 3 225 479 bp long (with 55.6 mol% G+C content) and assembled into four contigs. The N50 value was 563 270 bp and the genomic completeness and contamination were estimated to be 99.34 and 0.05 %, respectively. Colonies of strain M366T were yellow-orange, 1 mm in diameter, round, opaque, smooth and convex after incubation on marine agar at 30 °C for 3 days. Cells were catalase-positive but oxidase-negative. Strain M366T was observed to grow at 20-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 5.5-9.0 (optimum, pH 6.5-7.0) and with 0.5-8.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2.5 %). Strain M366T shown highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.1 % to Robiginitalea sediminis O458T, 95.6-95.9 % to other type strains of the genus Robiginitalea and below 93 % to other genera. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain M366T and its closely related Robiginitalea species were 71.1-75.9 % and 17.5-19.0 %. Menaquinone-6 was the only respiratory quinone. The major fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 1 (iso-C15 : 1 h and/or C13 : 0 3-OH). The main polar lipids included phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipid, two unidentified aminophospholipid, one unidentified glycolipid and five unidentified lipids. According to the above results, Robiginitalea aestuariiviva sp. nov. is proposed and the type strain is M366T (=KCTC 92866T=MCCC 1K04524T=CGMCC 1.61708T).

Clostridium brassicae sp. nov., A Strictly Anaerobic Bacterium Isolated from High-Salt Industrial Wastewater.

An obligately anaerobic, Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium (1.8-5.5 µm long, 0.6-0.9 µm wide), designated ZC22-4T, was isolated from a pickle-processing wastewater treatment plant in Zhejiang province, P.R. China. Strain ZC22-4T grows optimally at 37-40 °C and pH 7.0 in the presence of 1% (w/v) NaCl or 2.0% (w/v) sea salts. It contained C16:0 (25.9%), C14:0 (13.6%), and C16:1 cis 9 (10.6%) as the dominant cellular fatty acid (> 10%). Polar lipids include phosphatidylglycerol (PG), diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), one unidentified phospholipid (PL), two unidentified glycolipids (GL), three unidentified amino phosphoglycolipids (APGL1-3), one unidentified aminoglycolipid (AGL), and one unidentified lipid (L). The genomic DNA G + C content of ZC22-4T was 28.7%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain ZC22-4T belonged to the genus Clostridium and formed a clade with the most closely related Clostridium aestuarii HY-45-18T (96.3%), Clostridium ganghwense HY-42-06T (95.9%). The average nucleotide identity and DNA-DNA hybridization values among the genomes of strain ZC22-4T and C. aestuarii HY-45-18T and C. ganghwense HY-42-06T were 75.7% and 77.3%, 21.7% and 23.0%, respectively. Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic, and genetic data, strain ZC22-4T represents a novel species in the Clostridium cluster I, for which the name Clostridium brassicae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ZC22-4T (= MCCC 1K07510T = JCM 35370T).

Interaction Between Blood Vasculatures and Lymphatic Vasculatures During Inflammation.

Physiological activity cannot be regulated without the blood and lymphatic vasculatures, which play complementary roles in maintaining the body's homeostasis and immune responses. Inflammation is the body's initial response to pathological injury and is responsible for protecting the body, removing damaged tissues, and restoring and maintaining homeostasis in the body. A growing number of researches have shown that blood and lymphatic vessels play an essential role in a variety of inflammatory diseases. In the inflammatory state, the permeability of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels is altered, and angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis subsequently occur. The blood vascular and lymphatic vascular systems interact to determine the development or resolution of inflammation. In this review, we discuss the changes that occur in the blood vascular and lymphatic vascular systems of several organs during inflammation, describe the different scenarios of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis at different sites of inflammation, and demonstrate the prospect of targeting the blood vasculature and lymphatic vasculature systems to limit the development of inflammation and promote the resolution of inflammation in inflammatory diseases.

Aestuariibaculum lutulentum sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from coastal sediment in Beihai.

A Gram-stain negative, strictly aerobic, and rod-shaped bacterium, designated as strain L182T, was isolated from coastal sediment in Beihai, Guangxi Province, PR China. Colonies of strain L182T were yellow, 2 mm in diameter, round, opaque, smooth and convex after incubation on marine ager at 30 °C for 3 days. Cells were catalase-positive but oxidase-negative. Growth of strain L182T was observed at 4-40 °C (optimum, 25 °C), pH 5.5-10.0 (optimum, pH 5.5-8.0) and with 0-6% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5-4.0%). The G + C content based on the genome sequence was 36.0%. The only respiratory quinone was MK-6. The main polar lipids included phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified aminophospholipid, one unidentified glycolipids, four unidentified aminolipids and six unidentified lipids. The major fatty acids (> 10%) were iso-C15:0, iso-C15:1 G and iso-C17:0 3-OH. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain L182T and Aestuariibaculum suncheonense SC17T was 98.2%, and the similarities with other type strains of the genus Aestuariibaculum were 96.1-97.2%. The average nucleotide identity and in silicon DNA-DNA hybridization values between the strain L182T and its closely related Aestuariibaculum species were 80.8-85.2% and 22.0-29.5%. According to the above results, Aestuariibaculum lutulentum sp. nov. was proposed as a novel species. The type strain is L182T (= MCCC 1K08065T = KCTC 92530T).

Exercise combined with administration of adipose-derived stem cells ameliorates neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury.

Experimental studies have shown that exercise and human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) play positive roles in spinal cord injury (SCI). However, whether ADSCs and/or exercise have a positive effect on SCI-induced neuropathic pain is still unclear. Thus, there is a need to explore the effects of exercise combined with administration of ADSCs on neuropathic pain after SCI. In this study, a thoracic 11 (T11) SCI contusion model was established in adult C57BL/6 mice. Exercise was initiated from 7 days post-injury and continued to 28 days post-injury, and approximately 1 × 105 ADSCs were transplanted into the T11 spinal cord lesion site immediately after SCI. Motor function and neuropathic pain-related behaviors were assessed weekly using the Basso Mouse Scale, von Frey filament test, Hargreaves method, and cold plate test. Histological studies (Eriochrome cyanine staining and immunohistochemistry) were performed at the end of the experiment (28 days post-injury). Exercise combined with administration of ADSCs partially improved early motor function (7, 14, and 21 days post-injury), mechanical allodynia, mechanical hypoalgesia, thermal hyperalgesia, and thermal hypoalgesia. Administration of ADSCs reduced white and gray matter loss at the lesion site. In addition, fewer microglia and astrocytes (as identified by expression of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein, respectively) were present in the lumbar dorsal horn in the SCI + ADSCs and SCI + exercise + ADSCs groups compared with the sham group. Our findings suggest that exercise combined with administration of ADSCs is beneficial for the early recovery of motor function and could partially ameliorate SCI-induced neuropathic pain.

The Novel Role of Metabolism-Associated Molecular Patterns in Sepsis.

Sepsis, a life-threatening organ dysfunction, is not caused by direct damage of pathogens and their toxins but by the host's severe immune and metabolic dysfunction caused by the damage when the host confronts infection. Previous views focused on the damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), including metabolic proinflammatory factors in sepsis. Recently, new concepts have been proposed to group free fatty acids (FFAs), glucose, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), cholesterol, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), oxidized phospholipids (OxPLs), ceramides, and uric acid into metabolism-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs). The concept of MAMPs will bring new guidance to the research and potential treatments of sepsis. Nowadays, sepsis is regarded as closely related to metabolic disorders, and MAMPs play an important role in the pathogenesis and development of sepsis. According to this view, we have explained MAMPs and their possible roles in the pathogenesis of sepsis. Next, we have further explained the specific functions of different types of MAMPs in the metabolic process and their interactional relationship with sepsis. Finally, the therapeutic prospects of MAMPs in sepsis have been summarized.

Fecal microbiota in pediatric depression and its relation to bowel habits.

Although gut microbiota dysbiosis has been observed in the fecal samples of depressive adult patients, the detailed structure and composition of microbiota in pediatric depression remain unclear. To enhance our understanding of gut microbiota structure in depressive children, as well as the relationship between gut microbiota and bowel habits, we performed 16S rRNA sequencing to evaluate the gut microbial population in a cohort of 171 children (101 depressive patients and 70 controls) aged 12-18 years. Further analysis consisting of 30 drug-naive patients and 23 controls was performed to validate the results. Compared to controls, we found markedly decreased microbial richness and diversity, a distinct metagenomic composition with reduced short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria (associated with healthy status), and overgrowth of bacteria such as Escherichia-Shigella and Flavonifractor in pediatric depression. Further analyses limited to drug-naive patients found similar results. Notably, we also observed that several taxa may be involved in the pathogenesis of disordered bowel habits in pediatric depression. Our findings suggest could inform future pediatric depression interventions specifically targeting the bacteria associated with bowel movements.

The association between low calf circumference and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Low calf circumference is an important indicator of malnutrition and has been widely studied, especially among older adults. However, data on the association between low calf circumference and mortality have been inconsistent. This systematic review was aimed to quantify this association. METHODS: The internet databases (PubMed, Embase, ScienceDirect and Cochrane Library databases) were systematically searched from inception to November 01, 2021 for studies investigating the association between low calf circumference and mortality. A random effects model was adopted to pool the relevant data. RESULTS: Low calf circumference was associated with a higher risk of mortality than normal calf circumference, with a pooled HR of 2.42 (95% CI 1.97-2.97, I2 = 74.3%). In addition, this association between low calf circumference and morality was still statistically significant in the subgroup analysis across different settings, including hospitals (pooled HR = 2.63, 95% CI 1.93-3.58), nursing homes (pooled HR = 2.49, 95% CI 1.76-3.54), and communities (pooled HR = 2.22, 95% CI 1.60-3.07). Other subgroup analyses based on different cutoffs of calf circumference showed that, compared to individual with normal calf circumference, participants with low calf circumference had an increased risk of mortality (pooled HR = 2.66, 95% CI 2.06-3.43) when using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) criterion (≤ 34 cm for males and ≤ 33 cm for females). Similar results were found when the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) criterion (≤ 31 cm) was used, with a pooled HR of 2.11 (95% CI 1.59-2.81). CONCLUSION: Calf circumference, which is simple and convenient to measure, could be used to stratify the high-risk group, as low calf circumference was significantly associated with mortality among patients. Interventions, including exercise and nutrition programs, could be conducted promptly once low calf circumference is detected.

Maternal infection exposure and the risk of psychosis in the offspring: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The relationship between maternal infection exposure and the risk of psychosis in the offspring is inconsistent. We systematically assessed this relationship. Unrestricted searches of the PubMed and Embase databases were conducted, with an end date of February 1, 2020, to identify relevant studies that met predetermined inclusion criteria. Random-effects models were adopted to estimate the overall relative risk. Twenty-three observational studies were included in the analysis. The results showed that mothers who had a history of infection during pregnancy experienced a significantly increased risk of developing psychosis in offspring (OR = 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-1.41; P = 0.001). Sensitivity and subgroup analyses yielded consistent results. For specific pathogens, the risk of developing psychosis in offspring was increased among mothers with herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) exposure (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.09-1.6; P = 0.004). However, other maternal-specific pathogen exposures were not significantly associated with the risk of psychosis in offspring. No evidence of publication bias was observed. Although evidence of heterogeneity should be carefully evaluated, our findings suggest that maternal infection exposure may be associated with a greater risk of psychosis in the offspring.

Ginkgetin Alleviates Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis Induced by Hypoxia/Reoxygenation in H9C2 Cells via Caspase-3 Dependent Pathway.

Ginkgetin, the extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves, has been reported to exert preventive and therapeutic effects on cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about its role in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). The present study aimed to unveil the function of ginkgetin in cardiomyocytes subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was employed to evaluate the impact of ginkgetin on cell viability in the absence or presence of H/R. Proinflammatory cytokines and malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (SOD), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined via corresponding kits. In addition, flow cytometry was performed to detect apoptotic level. Western blot analysis was utilized to estimate caspase-3 and cytochrome C. Ginkgetin had no significant effect on cell viability; however, it could enhance viability of H9C2 cells exposed to H/R. Inflammation and oxidative stress induced by H/R injury were relieved via pretreatment with ginkgetin. Preconditioning of ginkgetin also decreased apoptotic rate and the protein levels of caspase-3, cytochrome C under H/R condition. Furthermore, 2-HBA, an inducer of caspase-3, was used for the activation of caspase-3 signaling pathway. It was found that induction of caspase-3 eliminated the protective effect of ginkgetin on H9C2 cells exposed to H/R. These results indicated that ginkgetin attenuated inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. These protective roles of ginkgetin may attribute to caspase-3 dependent pathway.

A meta-analysis of the incidence of venous thromboembolic events and impact of anticoagulation on mortality in patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) in patients with COVID-19 is generally high but varies markedly. However, the relationship between anticoagulation and mortality in patients with COVID-19 is still unclear. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the incidence of VTE and evaluate the role of anticoagulation in patients with COVID-19. Random effects models were used to determine overall pooled estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: After a database search, 25 observational studies (20 on VTE incidence and 5 on the relationship between anticoagulation and mortality) were included. The pooled incidence rates of VTE, pulmonary embolism (PE), and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in hospitalised COVID-19 patients were 21% (95% CI 15-27%), 15% (95% CI 10-20%), and 27% (95% CI 19-36%), respectively. A meta-analysis of five studies found that anticoagulation was not associated with an increased risk of mortality in hospitalised COVID-19 patients (RR = 0.86, 95% CI, 0.69-1.09, P = 0.218; I2 = 47.4%). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the incidence of VTE among hospitalised COVID-19 patients was high. Clinical trials are urgently needed to evaluate the roles of prophylactic and therapeutic anticoagulation in COVID-19.

Assessment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Community Containment Strategies in Shenzhen, China.

Importance: A new outbreak of pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in Wuhan, China, is spreading rapidly around the globe. Limited information on control in community settings is available. Objective: To detail measures enacted within a community to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to evaluate the spread of COVID-19 associated with implementation of the program. Design, Setting, and Participants: This case series study details the implementation of prevention measures in a specific community setting among community-dwelling individuals exposed to or at risk of COVID-19 in Haiyu, Shenzhen, China, from January 23 to April 10, 2020. Exposures: Community containment strategies for tracking, quarantine, and management were strictly, cooperatively, and effectively implemented by a team that included a general practitioner, a community manager, and public safety bureau officials. Main Outcomes and Measures: Number of locally acquired cases with indirect links to confirmed COVID-19 cases. Diagnosis with COVID-19 was confirmed when throat swab samples tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 on reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results: Approximately 34 686 individuals live in Haiyu, including 2382 residents aged 65 years or older. Seven individuals with COVID-19 acquired outside the community (age, 20-70 years; 3 [42%] women) were moved from quarantine to a hospital for standard isolation treatment. A total of 20 people who were asymptomatic and who had had direct contact with these individuals were closely observed by health care workers at a nearby hotel. Additionally, 800 individuals considered to be at higher risk were moved from quarantine to home isolation for 14 days. There were no locally acquired cases of COVID-19 with indirect links reported in the Haiyu community from the time that the study began on January 23, 2020, to April 10, 2020. Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that cooperation among the authorities of multiple sectors allowed for the implementation of preventive measures that were associated with limited community transmission.

The prevalence and influencing factors in anxiety in medical workers fighting COVID-19 in China: a cross-sectional survey.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2 virus) has been sustained in China since December 2019, and has become a pandemic. The mental health of frontline medical staff is a concern. In this study, we aimed to identify the factors influencing medical worker anxiety in China during the COVID-19 outbreak. We conducted a cross-sectional study to estimate the prevalence of anxiety among medical staff in China from 10 February 2020 to 20 February 2020 using the Zung Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) to assess anxiety, with the criteria of normal (⩽49), mild (50-59), moderate (60-70) and severe anxiety (⩾70). We used multivariable linear regression to determine the factors (e.g. having direct contact when treating infected patients, being a medical staff worker from Hubei province, being a suspect case) for anxiety. We also used adjusted models to confirm independent factors for anxiety after adjusting for gender, age, education and marital status. Of 512 medical staff in China, 164 (32.03%) had had direct contact treating infected patients. The prevalence of anxiety was 12.5%, with 53 workers suffering from mild (10.35%), seven workers suffering from moderate (1.36%) and four workers suffering from severe anxiety (0.78%). After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics (gender, age, education and marital status), medical staff who had had direct contact treating infected patients experienced higher anxiety scores than those who had not had direct contact (ß value = 2.33, confidence interval (CI) 0.65-4.00; P = 0.0068). A similar trend was observed in medical staff from Hubei province, compared with those from other parts of China (ß value = 3.67, CI 1.44-5.89; P = 0.0013). The most important variable was suspect cases with high anxiety scores, compared to non-suspect cases (ß value = 4.44, CI 1.55-7.33; P = 0.0028). In this survey of hospital medical workers during the COVID-19 outbreak in China, we found that study participants experienced anxiety symptoms, especially those who had direct clinical contact with infected patients; as did those in the worst affected areas, including Hubei province; and those who were suspect cases. Governments and healthcare authorities should proactively implement appropriate psychological intervention programmes, to prevent, alleviate or treat increased anxiety.

Sarcopenia as a predictor of mortality in women with breast cancer: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. Recently, studies have been published with inconsistent findings regarding whether sarcopenia is a risk factor for mortality in breast cancer patients. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to systematically assess and quantify sarcopenia as a risk factor for mortality in breast cancer patients. METHODS: In a systematic literature review of PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane CENTRAL Library, we searched for observational studies written in English (from database inception until April 30, 2019) that reported an association between sarcopenia and breast cancer in women who were 18 years or older. RESULTS: A total of six studies (5497 participants) were included in this meta-analysis. Breast cancer patients with sarcopenia were associated with a significantly higher risk of mortality, compared to breast cancer patients without sarcopenia (pooled HR-hazard ratio = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.25-2.33, I2 = 59.1%). In addition, the results of age subgroup analysis showed that participants younger than 55 years with sarcopenia had a lower risk of mortality than participants aged 55 years and older with sarcopenia (pooled HR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.24-1.72 versus pooled HR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.05-3.78), whereas both have an increased risk of mortality compared to non-sarcopenic patients. Subgroup analyses regarding stage at diagnosis revealed an increased risk of mortality in non-metastatic patients compared to participants without sarcopenia (pooled HR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.32-2.78), whereas the association was not significant in metastatic breast cancer patients. Other subgroup analyses were performed using different follow-up periods (> 5 years versus ≤5 years) and the results were different (pooled HR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.23-2.65 versus pooled HR = 1.70, 95% CI: 0.80-3.62). CONCLUSIONS: The present study found that sarcopenia is a risk factor for mortality among female early breast cancer patients. It is imperative that more research into specific interventions aimed at treating sarcopenia be conducted in the near future in order to provide evidence which could lead to decreased mortality rates in breast cancer patients.

Comparing the performance of SOFA, TPA combined with SOFA and APACHE-II for predicting ICU mortality in critically ill surgical patients: A secondary analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Total psoas muscle area (TPA) can indicate the status of the entire human body's skeletal muscle mass. It has been reported that lower TPA can increase the risk of mortality in critically ill patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between TPA and ICU mortality and to compare the performance of Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), TPA combined with SOFA and Acute Physiology, Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE-II) for predicting ICU mortality in critically ill surgical patients. METHODS: This study was a retrospective observational cohort study with a total of 96 critically ill surgical patients, ages 21-96 years old. Main outcome measures included difficult-to-wean (DTW), operation methods, ICU mortality, ICU stay, APACHE II, sepsis and SOFA. CT-scan assessed the TPA. It is acknowledged that the entire study was completed by Hao-Wei Kou et al. and the data were uploaded from plosone.com. The authors used this data only for secondary analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that TPA is a protective factor for ICU mortality (OR: 0.99 95% [0.99, 1.00], P = 0.0269). In addition, when we defined sarcopenia-based TPA, our study showed that sarcopenia increased the risk of ICU mortality (OR:3.73 (1.27, 10.98) P = 0.0167. Furthermore, discrimination of ICU mortality was significantly higher using SOFA (AUROC, 0.7810 [99% CI, 0.6658-0.8962]) than either TPA (AUROC, 0.7023 [99% CI, 0.5552-0.8494]) or APACHE II score (AUROC, 0.7447 [99% CI, 0.6289-0.8604]). Additionally, when we combined TPA with SOFA score, the ROC of TPA + SOFA (AUROC, 0.8647 [99% CI, 0.7881-0.9412]) was the highest when compared to the other three models. CONCLUSION: The relationship between TPA and ICU mortality is negative in critically ill surgical patients. In addition, the combination of TPA and SOFA was the best tool among the three scoring systems in providing significant discriminative ability when predicting ICU mortality in critically ill surgical patients.

Polyphasic taxonomic characterisation of a novel strain as Pararhizobium haloflavum sp. nov., isolated from soil samples near a sewage treatment tank.

A Gram-stain negative, aerobic, motile and ovoid- to rod-shaped bacteria strain, designated XC0140T, was isolated from soil samples near the sewage treatment tank of a chemical factory in Zhejiang Province, China, and subjected to polyphasic taxonomic investigation. Strain XC0140T grew at 10-37 °C and pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, 35 °C and pH 7.5) and with 0-17% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1%). According to phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain XC0140T was assigned to the genus Pararhizobium with high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 95.97% to "Pararhizobium helanshanense CCNWQTX14T", followed by Pararhizobium sphaerophysae CCNWGS0238T (95.95%). Chemotaxonomic analysis showed that strain XC0140T contains ubiquinone-10 as the predominant respiratory quinone and possessed summed feature 8 (comprising C18: 1 ω7c and/or ω6c), 11-methyl C18:1 ω7c, C18: 0 and C16: 0 as predominant forms of fatty acids. The polar lipids of strain XC0140T consisted of seven phospholipids (PL), two aminolipids (AL), one glycolipid (GL) and three unidentified lipids (L1, L2 and L3). The DNA G+C content was 62.7 mol%. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic characterization, strain XC0140T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Pararhizobium, for which the name Pararhizobium haloflavum sp. nov. is proposed. (type strain XC0140T = MCCC 1K03228T = KCTC 52582T).