Insights into the biosynthesis of septacidin l-heptosamine moiety unveils a VOC family sugar epimerase

l-Heptopyranoses are important components of bacterial polysaccharides and biological active secondary metabolites like septacidin (SEP), which represents a group of nucleoside antibiotics with antitumor, antifungal, and pain-relief activities. However, little is known about the formation mechanisms of those l-heptose moieties. In this study, we deciphered the biosynthetic pathway of the l,l-gluco-heptosamine moiety in SEPs by functional characterizing four genes and proposed that SepI initiates the process by oxidizing the 4'-hydroxyl of l-glycero-α-d-manno-heptose moiety of SEP-328 ( 2) to a keto group. Subsequently, SepJ (C5 epimerase) and SepA (C3 epimerase) shape the 4'-keto-l-heptopyranose moiety by sequential epimerization reactions. At the last step, an aminotransferase SepG installs the 4'-amino group of the l,l-gluco-heptosamine moiety to generate SEP-327 ( 3). An interesting phenomenon is that the SEP intermediates with 4'-keto-l-heptopyranose moieties exist as special bicyclic sugars with hemiacetal-hemiketal structures. Notably, l-pyranose is usually converted from d-pyranose by bifunctional C3/C5 epimerase. SepA is an unprecedented monofunctional l-pyranose C3 epimerase. Further in silico and experimental studies revealed that it represents an overlooked metal dependent-sugar epimerase family bearing vicinal oxygen chelate (VOC) architecture.

Clinical features and brain volume analysis of enlarged subarachnoid space in preterm infants / 中国新生儿科杂志

Objective:To study the clinical features of enlarged subarachnoid space (ESS) and its effects on brain parenchymal volume in preterm infants.Methods:From November 2014 to November 2021, a retrospective case-control study was performed on preterm infants admitted to neonatal intensive care unit of our hospital with gestational age (GA)<32 w and having brain MR imaging. At full-term of corrected GA, the superior sagittal sinus-cortical spacing (sinocortical width, SCW) was measured on brain MR imaging. The infants were assigned into ESS and non-ESS groups according to whether SCW was greater than 3.5 mm. Perinatal factors, preterm-related complications and the brain volumetric indices were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 160 preterm infants with GA<32 w were included, 76 (47.5%) were in the ESS group, SCW:(4.48±1.47) mm, and 84 were in the non-ESS group, SCW: (2.49±0.68) mm. GA and birth weight (BW) of the ESS group were significantly smaller than the non-ESS group [(28.7±2.6) weeks vs.(29.8±2.5) weeks, (1 114±279)g vs. (1 208±290)g]( P<0.05). Small GA was an independent risk factor for the development of ESS in preterm infants with GA<32w ( OR=1.217,95% CI 1.017~1.457, P=0.032). On MR imaging, the ESS group had significantly higher total cranial cavity volume than the non-ESS group [(354.1±33.6)ml vs. (316.9±36.3) ml] ( P<0.05). No significant differences existed on head circumference, gray matter volume and white matter volume between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:ESS is common in premature infants and correlated with GA and BW. Small GA is an independent risk factor for ESS in preterm infants. ESS shows little effects on head circumference and brain parenchymal volume during early postnatal period.

Mental health status and relevant factors among community residents during the normalization stage of prevention and control of COVID-19 / 四川精神卫生

ObjectiveTo explore the mental health status and relevant factors among community residents during the normalization stage of prevention and control of COVID-19. MethodsFrom August 28 to September 7， 2020， an online cross-sectional survey using snowball sampling was conducted among community residents via Wenjuanxing platform， and their mental health status were assessed using Patients' Health Questionnaire Depression Scale-9 item（PHQ-9）， Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 item（GAD-7）， Insomnia Severity Index（ISI） and Chinese Perceived Stress Scale（CPSS）. ResultsAmong the 476 community residents， the detection rates of depression， anxiety， insomnia and high perceived stress were 32.35%， 21.22%， 24.58% and 48.74%， respectively. In terms of gender， the detection rate of high perceived stress was higher in male than in female（χ2=5.269）； in terms of marital status， the detection rates of depression and anxiety among the unmarried， divorced or widowed residents was higher than those of the married residents（χ2=5.251， 8.851）； in terms of mental health service status， the detection rates of depression， anxiety， insomnia and high perceived stress among residents with mental health service needs was higher than those among residents without the needs（χ2=46.316， 66.934， 20.153， 21.576）， with statistical significance（P<0.05 or 0.01）. Correlation analysis showed that the age of community residents was negatively correlated with CPSS score（r=-0.171， P<0.01）， sleep duration was negatively correlated with PHQ-9， GAD-7 and ISI scores（r=-0.210， -0.247， -0.297， P<0.01）， and time spent following news on COVID-19 per day was negatively correlated with ISI score（r=-0.097， P<0.05）. ConclusionDuring the normalization stage of prevention and control of COVID-19， the majority of community residents experience the symptoms of depression， anxiety， insomnia and high perceived stress. Male and younger residents are more likely to experience high levels of perceived stress. Those with shorter sleep duration and needs for mental health services are more likely to experience symptoms of depression， anxiety and insomnia， and those with short time spent following news on COVID-19 are more likely to experience insomnia symptom.

Development and validation of a prognostic model for survival in peritoneal dialysis patients / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective:To develop and validate a nomogram for predicting the 1-and 3-year survival rates of patients receiving peritoneal dialysis.Methods:Patients who underwent peritoneal dialysis for the first time in Zhujiang hospital from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2017 were enrolled. The patients from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2017 were enrolled in a training dataset. Baseline clinical data were collected and the primary endpoint was all-cause death. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to analyze risk factors affecting the survival rates. Nomograms were generated using the R rms package. The Harrell' concordance index (C-index), receiver operating characteristic curve and calibration curve were used to verify the performance of the model. Patients who underwent peritoneal dialysis from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2013 were then selected to validate the external predictive accuracy of the prediction models.Results:The prediction cohort enrolled 457 patients, with a median follow-up time of 27.67(18.37, 39.22) months, and 64 patients (14.00%) died during follow-up. The 1-and 3-year cumulative survival rates were 96.4% and 83.0%. Multivariate analysis showed that aging (every 1 year old increase, HR=1.07, 95% CI 1.04-1.09, P<0.001), stroke ( HR=3.63, 95% CI 1.93-6.85, P<0.001), higher cholesterol (every 1 mmol/L increase, HR=1.51, 95% CI 1.20-1.89, P<0.001), higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (every 1 increase, HR=1.12, 95% CI 1.05-1.20, P=0.001), and lower albumin ( HR=0.89, 95% CI 0.82-0.95, P=0.001) were independent risk factors affecting the survival rates of PD patients. The C-index of the prediction cohort and the validation cohort were 0.815(95% CI 0.765-0.865) and 0.804(95% CI 0.744-0.864, respectively). Both internally and externally verified calibration curves showed that the predicted results were close to the actual survival rates. Conclusion:Based on age, blood total cholesterol level, stroke history, and NLR, the prognosis prediction model of peritoneal dialysis patients established with nomogram can help predict the 1-year and 3-year survival rates of peritoneal dialysis patients.

Effect of telmisartan on expression of metadherin in the kidney of mice with unilateral ureter obstruction / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect of telmisartan on the expression of metadherin in the kidney of mice with unilateral ureter obstruction.@*METHODS@#Eighteen male C57 mice were randomized into sham-operated group, model group and telmisartan treatment group. In the latter two groups, renal interstitial fibrosis as the result of unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO) was induced by unilateral ureteral ligation with or without telmisartan intervention. Renal pathological changes of the mice were assessed using Masson staining, and immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of extracellular matrix proteins and metadherin in the kidney of the mice. In the experiment, cultured mouse renal tubular epithelial cells (mTECs) were stimulated with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and transfected with a siRNA targeting metadherin, and the changes in the expressions of extracellular matrix proteins and metadherin were detected using Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#The expressions of extracellular matrix proteins and metadherin increased significantly in the kidney of mice with UUO ( < 0.05). Intervention with telmisartan significantly lowered the expressions of extracellular matrix proteins and metadherin and alleviated the pathology of renal fibrosis in mice with UUO ( < 0.05). In cultured mTECs, siRNA-mediated knockdown of metadherin obviously reversed TGF-β1-induced increase in the expressions of extracellular matrix proteins and metadherin.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Telmisartan can suppress the production of extracellular matrix proteins and the expression of metadhein to attenuate UUO-induced renal fibrosis in mice.

Combination of orbicularis oculi muscular myolemma release and orbital septum reset to create double eyelid / 中华整形外科杂志

Objective@#To explore a surgical method for the reconstruction of naturally dynamic double eyelid by fully reserving orbicularis oculi muscle.@*Methods@#Incisional double eyelid blepharoplasty were performed on 352 patients. Orbicularis oculi muscle in incisional and pretarsal area were completely preserved. Muscle was elevated from plate by resecting deep muscular myolemma and muscles to form pretarsal myocutaneous flap. Thereafter, the orbital septum was completely exposed. The free end of muscle flap was fixed to a higher position of the levator aponeurosis. The orbital septum was repaired at the same time.@*Results@#From June 2009 to December 2017, 352 patients were performed double eyelid blepharoplasty using above technique. They are 337 females and 15 males. Fifty-two patients were followed up for 6-60 months, with the mean time of 27 months. All the incisions were uneventfully healed. The new double eyelid presented smooth appearance, and the so-called " sausage" phenomena were not noticed. There was no concave groove or step-like deformity when eyes closed. Forty-five patients were satisfied with the outcomes. Two patients had shallower supratarsal folds on one side, and 1 patient underwent secondary repair. Two patients complained about asymmetry. Two patients suffered from mild unilateral eyelash eversion (without need of reparation).@*Conclusions@#The combined application of deep and superficial myolemma release of the orbicularis oculi muscle, and orbital septum reset, could create a double eyelid with natural and dynamic appearance.

Combination of orbicularis oculi muscular myolemma release and orbital septum reset to create double eyelid / 中华整形外科杂志

Objective@#To explore a surgical method for the reconstruction of naturally dynamic double eyelid by fully reserving orbicularis oculi muscle.@*Methods@#Incisional double eyelid blepharoplasty were performed on 352 patients. Orbicularis oculi muscle in incisional and pretarsal area were completely preserved. Muscle was elevated from plate by resecting deep muscular myolemma and muscles to form pretarsal myocutaneous flap. Thereafter, the orbital septum was completely exposed. The free end of muscle flap was fixed to a higher position of the levator aponeurosis. The orbital septum was repaired at the same time.@*Results@#From June 2009 to December 2017, 352 patients were performed double eyelid blepharoplasty using above technique. They are 337 females and 15 males. Fifty-two patients were followed up for 6-60 months, with the mean time of 27 months. All the incisions were uneventfully healed. The new double eyelid presented smooth appearance, and the so-called " sausage" phenomena were not noticed. There was no concave groove or step-like deformity when eyes closed. Forty-five patients were satisfied with the outcomes. Two patients had shallower supratarsal folds on one side, and 1 patient underwent secondary repair. Two patients complained about asymmetry. Two patients suffered from mild unilateral eyelash eversion (without need of reparation).@*Conclusions@#The combined application of deep and superficial myolemma release of the orbicularis oculi muscle, and orbital septum reset, could create a double eyelid with natural and dynamic appearance.

Natural sideburn reconstruction with retroauricular expanded flap with original hairline / 中华整形外科杂志

Objective@#To introduce a reconstruction procedure of natural sideburn, with combined expanded retroauricular flap and scalp flap.@*Methods@#A retrospective study was produced in Plastic Surgery Hospital, PUMC, from January 2014 to December 2017. Twenty patients (21 sides) underwent sideburn reconstruction with combined expanded retroauricular flap and scalp flap (double pedicled flap, n=3; single pedicled flap, n=17) were included in this study. There were 12 male (12 sides) and 8 female (9 sides), with the mean age of (23.8±3.2) years. The sideburn defect was caused by burn in 19 patients, and it was resulted from hemangioma in 1 patient.@*Results@#The size of flaps ranges from 8 cm×12 cm to 10 cm×16 cm. Venous congestion at the distal end of the flap occurred in 1 patient, which was cured after dressing change, and the sideburn was not affected. The reconstructed sideburns are natural, symmetric, and without obvious scar. The follow-up time was 3-40 months. Fourteen patients were very satisfied with the reconstructed sideburn, and 6 patients were satisfied. No severe complication was observed during follow-up time.@*Conclusions@#The combined retroauricular flap and scalp flap is an alternative method for sideburn reconstruction, which provide natural hair distribution, inconspicuous scars and less complications.

Characteristics of sustained attention in stable patients withbipolar disorder and their first degree relatives / 中国心理卫生杂志

Objective:To explore the feature of impaired sustaind attention in the stable patients with bipolar disorder and their first degree relatives.Methods:Totally 76 patients with bipolar disorder meeting with, 83 first degree relatives of patients and 81 healthy controls, were employed and evaluated with continuous performance test (CPT).Results:In reaction time task (a simple performance), all of CPT parameters were higher in patients group than in the first degree relatives group and controlled group (Ps＜0.01), while all of CPT parameters in the first degree relatives group were similar to those in healthy controls (Ps＞0.05).In X task (a complex performance), the results of CPT in the first degree relatives group were between the patients and the normal controls, and the differences were statistically significant (Ps＜0.05).Conclusion:The sustained attention function may have a certain hereditary apparent in stable patients with bipolar disorder.

Study on serum level of HTR1A promoter methylation in manic episode of bipolar disorder type Ⅰ / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To explore the correlation between the methylation level of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 1A(HTR1A) gene promoter region and severity of symptom in the manic epi-sode patients with bipolar disorder type Ⅰ(BD-Ⅰ). Methods Fifty six manic episode patients with BD-Ⅰand fifty nine healthy controls were randomly included in the study. The level of HTR1A gene promoter meth-ylation was measured with pyrosequencing technique in both manic episode patients with BD-Ⅰ and the healthy controls. The severity of symptoms was assessed with score of Bech-Rafaelsen Mania Rating Scale (BRMS) in patients with BD-Ⅰ. Pearson correlation analysis was employed to explore the correlation be-tween the serum level of HTR1A promoter methylation and score of BRMS in BD-Ⅰgroup. Results In-creased serum level of HTR1A gene promoter methylation was found in manic episode patients with BD-Ⅰ((66. 55±10. 55)%) compared with that in healthy controls((54. 03±8. 85)%)(P<0. 01). Positive corre-lation was found between the serum level of HTR1A gene promoter methylation and total score of BRMS in manic patient with BD-Ⅰ(r=0. 534,P<0. 01). Conclusion The current findings suggest that the serum level of HTR1A gene promoter methylation can be an epigenetic indicator for severity of manic symptom in BD-Ⅰ.

Pathological features of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma: An analysis of 5 cases / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinicopathological features of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE). MethodsThe clinical data, histopathological data, and immunohistochemical results of 5 patients with HEHE were observed. ResultsThere were 3 male and 2 female patients. Major clinical manifestations included persistent abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, nausea, loss of weight, and pyrexia. One patient was found to have this disease during physical examination. Of all patients, 2 had a single nodule and 3 had multiple nodules. The tumor cells were relatively normal in morphology and were arranged in a cord-like shape or a small nested shape; the cells had a round, spindle-like, or irregular shape; the cells were rich in epithelioid eosinophilic cytoplasm, with branched cytoplasmic processes and cavity formation in cytoplasm. The tumor background was characteristic mucoid hyaline degeneration of cartilage-like matrix or glassy degeneration of fibrous matrix. Nuclear division and necrosis were observed occasionally. Vascular markers, such as CD31, CD34, Fli-1, coagulation factor VIII, and vascular endothelial growth factor, were expressed in tumor cells, and tumor cells tended to have a low proliferative activity. ConclusionHEHE has various clinical manifestations and treatment methods. Liver biopsy helps to make a confirmed diagnosis and select a proper treatment regimen before treatment.

Secondary metabolites from Streptococcus mutans and their ecological roles in dental biofilm / 生物工程学报

Dental biofilms are composed of hundreds of bacterial species, among which Streptococcus mutans is widely recognized as the major pathogen of dental caries. The cariogenic potential of S. mutans is related to its ability to form a robust biofilm on the tooth surface and its acidogenic and acid-tolerant properties. Co-evolution of S. mutans with the host has resulted in the diversity of secondary metabolism of S. mutans in strain level. A variety of secondary metabolites, including 10 bacteriocins (mutacins) and one hybrid Polyketide/Non-Ribosomal Peptide type compound, have been characterized. Studies on these secondary metabolites indicate that they play a significant role either in interspecies or in inter-kingdom interactions in the dental biofilm. As more S. mutans strains are isolated and sequenced, additional secondary metabolites with novel functions will be discovered. The study of secondary metabolites in S. mutans is anticipated to be helpful for oral disease treatment and prevention by providing new strategies.

Teaching practice and thinking of diagnostic pathology for postgraduates of pathology and patho-physiology / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Some problems are arisen in teaching diagnostic pathology in our college for postgradu-ates of Pathology and Pathophysiology, the students' basic knowledge is weak, the cycle is short, the teaching team and resources are relatively insufficient. To promote the cultivation of graduate students, we should carry out the CBL teaching method, add the clinical practice and training, strengthen the teaching staff, and apply digital section and network platform.

The relevant research of thyroid hormones and clinical features in treatment-resistant depression / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of treatment?resistant depression ( TRD) and of its relevance with thyroid hormones. Methods 43 patients with TRD and 48 patients with non?TRD were as?sessed with 17?item Hamilton depression scale ( HAMD?17) and Hamilton anxiety scale ( HAMA) . The serum lev?el of thyroid?stimulating hormone ( TSH) ,total triodothgronine ( TT3) ,total thyroxine ( TT4) ,free triodothgronine ( FT3) and free thyroxine ( FT4) were determined by radioimmunoassay. χ2 test and t test were used for statistic a?nalysis. The quantitative relation of FT3 level with TRD was analyzed and the value of FT3 level in TRD diagnosis was evaluated by ROC curve.Results Compared with non?TRD patients,the TRD patients showed a younger dis?ease onset age ((16.98±2.25)years vs (23.50±3.38)years) and a longer disease course ((10.14±6.47)years vs (5.48±4.15)years) for total disease course;(60.35±23.64)months vs (5.00±3.40)months for current disease course),and had shorter education years ((8.53±1.72)years vs (11.04±2.07)years) and higher HAMD total scores (19.09±1.59 vs 15.69±2.38) and behavior retarding factor scores (8.72±0.98 vs 4.98±1.63). In addition, the FT3 level of TRD patients was lower than that of non?TRD patients ((3.92±0.15)pmol/L vs (4.16±0.20) pmol/L).All the above differences between two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). The logistic regres?sion analysis showed that the risk of suffering TRD increased by 1. 006?fold when FT3 level reduced 0. 1 pmol/L (OR=2.006,95%CI=(1.501,2.681). The area under ROC curve was 0.821 (P<0.001) with its 95% confidence interval of (0.734,0.907). Conclusion Compared with non?TRD patients,TRD patients have a longer disease course,a younger disease onset age, a lower education level, higher HAMD total scores, more severe retardation symptoms,and a lower FT3 level. The serum FT3 level has a high reference value in diagnosis of TRD.

Frequent loss expression of dab2 and promotor hypermethylation in human cancers: a meta-analysis and systematic review

Disabled-2 [Dab2] is an important endocytic adaptor which plays an inhibition role in cancer cell growth. The objective of this study was to systematically review expressions of Dab2 in human cancers. Eligible studies about Dab2 in human cancers were retrieved from databases of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science. Odds Ratios [ORs] with 95% confidence intervals [CIs] were calculated using Review Manager 5.0 software and statistical analyses were performed by the SPSS 13.0 software. Fourteen case-control studies with a total of 689 human tumor tissues, 332 control tissues and 32 cancer cell lines were included in the meta-analysis study. The results indicated loss expressions of Dab2 were observed in 74.9% and 46.9% in human malignant cancer tissues and cancer cell lines, respectively. The ratio of Dab2 promotor hypermethylation is 34.54% in cancer tissues which Dab2 expression are lost, but none in the control tissues or cells by Methylation-specific PCR [MSP]. The expressions of Dab2 are frequently lost in human malignant cancer tissues, and promotor hypermethylation of Dab2 are common in human malignant cancer tissues, which is an important factor for the loss expression of Dab2 in human cancers tissues

Expressions of CK20, S100A7 and substance P in different stages of psoriatic lesions and their relationship / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To explore the expressions of CK20, S100A7 and substance P (SP) in different stages of psoriatic lesions and their relationship. Methods A total of 19 patients, who had received irregular treatment for psoriasis and had both progressive and healed psoriatic lesions, were enrolled in this study. Skin tissue specimens were obtained from perilesional normal skin, progressive lesions and healed lesions of these patients and subjected to immunohistochemical analysis of expressions of CK20, S100A7 and SP. Results The relative expression level (absorbance value obtained from immunohistochemical analysis) was 7683.80 ± 6134.55,18305.04 ± 13171.30, 7257.53 ± 4417.75 for CK20, 8789.05 ± 6240.91, 18058.01 ± 16537.18, 9295.65 ±9310.02 for S100A7, 3242.51 ± 3775.41, 9364.98 ± 7596.64, 2910.85 ± 3349.46 for SP, respectively, in normal skin, progressive lesions and healed psoriatic lesions. A significant increase was observed in the expressions of CK20, S100A7 and SP in progressive lesions compared with normal skin and healed lesions, whereas no statistical difference was noted in those between normal skin and healed lesions (P ＞ 0.05 ). The expression of CK20 was positively correlated with that of S100A7 and SP (r = 0.779, 0.876, both P ＜ 0.05 ). Conclusion The pathogenesis of psoriasis seems to be associated with the changes in the number of Merkel cells.

The value of diagnosis and treatment of conization of cervix to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia Ⅱ-Ⅲ grade / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To explore the value of diagnosis and treatment of conization of cervix to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia(CIN)Ⅱ-Ⅲ grade.Methods The data of 76 patients diagnosed as CIN Ⅱ-Ⅲ grade through pre-operative multiple-punch biopsies from July 1st 2006 to June 30th 2007 was retrospectively analyzed.Compared the pathohistology and treatment methods before and after conization of cervix.Results Accordance rate of diagnosis in pre-operative cervical biopsies under vaginoscopy was 48.68%,pathological up-grade were 24 cases(31.58%),among invasive carcinomas were 8 cases(10.53%),pathological down-grade were 15 cases(19.74%).Conclusion Diagnostic cervical conization could enhance the rate of diagnosis,and prevent the omission of invasive carcinomas for the patients with CIN Ⅱ-Ⅲ grade.