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Objective:To investigate the effects of breast milk to total milk intake ratio during hospitalization on the duration of antibiotic therapy in preterm infants less than 34 weeks of gestation.Methods:Clinical data of preterm infants ( n=1 792) less than 34 gestational weeks were retrospectively collected in 16 hospitals of Jiangsu Province Neonatal-Perinatal Cooperation Network from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021. The days of therapy (DOT) were used to evaluate the duration of antibiotic administration. The median DOT was 15.0 d (7.0-27.0 d). The patients were divided into four groups based on the quartiles of DOT: Q 1 (DOT≤7.0 d), Q 2 (7.0 d<DOT≤15.0 d), Q 3 (15.0 d<DOT≤27.0 d) and Q 4 (DOT>27.0 d) groups. According to the breast milk intake ratio (breast milk intake to total milk intake during hospitalization×100%), they were also divided into four groups: very-low-ratio breastfeeding group (breast milk intake ratio≤25%), low-ratio breastfeeding group (25%<breast milk intake ratio≤50%), medium-ratio breastfeeding group (50%<breast milk intake ratio≤75%) and high-ratio breastfeeding group (breast milk intake ratio>75%). Univariate analysis ( Chi-square test and Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test) was used to analyze the factors influencing DOT. Spearman correlation analysis and trend Chi-square test were used to explore the relationship between breast milk intake ratio and DOT. After using multiple imputations to address missing data, two models were constructed after adjusting for different factors, and multinomial logistic regression model was applied to evaluate the effects of the breast milk intake ratio on DOT. Finally, sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the stability of the models. Results:(1) Of the 1 792 preterm infants, there were 507 (28.3%) in the Q 1 group, 422 (23.5%) in the Q 2 group, 438 (24.4%) in the Q 3 group and 425 (23.7%) in the Q 4 group. (2) The median values of DOT in the very-low-ratio, low-ratio, medium-ratio and high-ratio breastfeeding groups were 20.0 d (11.0-31.0 d), 20.0 d (11.0-32.0 d), 13.0 d (6.0-25.8 d) and 10.0 d (4.0-21.0 d), respectively. Compared with the very-low-ratio and low-ratio breastfeeding groups, the medium-ratio and high-ratio breastfeeding groups had shorter DOT (all P<0.05). (3) After adjusting for factors with P<0.1 (prenatal glucocorticoid exposure, antimicrobial use within 24 h before delivery, gestational age at delivery, birth weight, Apgar score≤7 at 1 min, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, infectious pneumonia and early-onset neonatal sepsis) between the DOT quartile groups, it showed that medium-ratio and high-ratio breastfeeding were protective factors in contrast to very-low-ratio breastfeeding in the Q 2, Q 3 and Q 4 groups as compared with the Q 1 group [Q 2 group: OR=0.50 (95% CI: 0.30-0.85) and OR=0.36 (95% CI: 0.26-0.51); Q 3 group: OR=0.31 (95% CI: 0.18-0.55) and OR=0.20 (95% CI: 0.14-0.29); Q 4 group: OR=0.22 (95% CI: 0.12-0.42) and OR=0.17 (95% CI: 0.12-0.26)]. Conclusion:Breast milk intake accounting for over 50% of total milk intake has a positive impact on reducing DOT in premature infants requiring antibiotics, which suggests that breastfeeding should be actively encouraged.
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Objective:To study the regulatory effects of transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) on microglia pyroptosis in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD).Methods:Primary microglia cells were isolated from fetal mice and randomly assigned into 4 groups: the control group, 5z-7-oxozeaneol (5z-7) group, oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) group and OGD+5z-7 group. OGD models of microglia cells were established for the OGD groups and 5z-7 groups received a small molecule TAK1 inhibitor 5z-7. Expression of phosphorylated TAK1(P-TAK1), pyroptosis related proteins including NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP-3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) oligomers, N terminal of Gasdermin D (GSDMD-N) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) were examined using Western blot at 0 h, 6 h and 24 h after intervention. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) test and transmission electron microscope were used for pyroptosis evaluation.Results:(1) Compared with the control group, expressions of all proteins including P-TAK1, NLRP-3, ASC oligomers, GSDMD-N, IL-1β and LDH level showed no significant differences in the OGD group at 0 h ( P>0.05). P-TAK1 levels in OGD group at 6 h and 24 h were lower than the control group and the levels of NLRP-3, ASC oligomers, GSDMD-N, IL-1β and LDH were significantly higher ( P<0.05). Microglia pyroptosis (characterized by disruption of cell membrane, extravasation of cytoplasm and chromatin margin aggregation) was observed under electron microscope. (2) 5z-7 group and OGD+5z-7 group had lower P-TAK1 levels and higher NLRP-3, ASC oligomers, GSDMD-N, IL-1β and LDH levels than the control group and OGD group at 6 h and 24 h. Conclusions:The down-regulation of TAK1 phosphorylation level may promote microglia pyroptosis in HIBD. This regulatory effects is related to the up-regulation of NLRP-3 expression and the oligomerization of ASC.
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β-defensin is a primary protein immune factor in channel catfish's (Ietalurus punetaus) resistance to pathogenic microorganisms. Its primary structure contains a signal peptide composed of 24 amino acid residues at the N-terminal and a mature peptide composed of 43 amino acid residues at the C-terminal. The mature peptide region is responsible for the biological activity of β-defensin. In the present study, a recombinant strain of Pichia pastoris that produces channel catfish β-defensin, was constructed to realize the biosynthesis of channel catfish β-defensin based on eukaryotic expression. First, the β-defensin gene "IPBD" was isolated from the skin of channel catfish by RT-PCR. After linking it with the expression vector pPICZA, pPICZA-IPBD was transferred into competent P. pastoris X-33 cells to obtain recombinant P. pastoris strains. The yeast transformants with multi-copy gene inserts were obtained by using the culture medium containing 1 000 μg/mL zeocin. Using BMM culture medium (without amino nitrogen culture medium) instead of BMMY culture medium (with amino nitrogen culture medium), the fermentation and culture conditions of the recombinant strain were optimized, and the optimal conditions for producing channel catfish β-defensin were determined as follows: the expression was induced for 96 h with 1.0% methanol at 28 °C , 250 r/min. Purified protein with molecular weight of 5.98 kDa was obtained by nickel affinity chromatography, and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry proved that it was the expected recombinant IPBD. The antibacterial test results showed that the inhibitory rates of recombinant IPBD on Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa were 69.6%, 71.6% and 65.8%, respectively. This study provides a recombinant DNA technique for the development of small molecule natural antibacterial peptide from fish.
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Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of the novel coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19), and to scientifically guide the prevention and control of COVID-19 in Hubei Province. Methods All COVID-19 cases reported online in Hubei Province as of March 31, 2020 were extracted from Hubei's Infectious Disease Information System. The epidemic curve, age and sex characteristics, and spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of the COVID-19 cases were analyzed. Results As of March 31, 2020, a total of 70 764 cases were reported in Hubei Province, including 49 195 confirmed cases. A total of 4 579 deaths occurred among the confirmed cases, and the reported case fatality rate was 6.47%. The peak of the onset of symptoms occurred from January 20 to February 14, 2020. The sex ratio of male to female of the confirmed cases was 0.99: 1, and most were 30-69 years old. The cases diagnosed before January 5 were mainly reported by Wuhan City. From January 6 to January 31, all counties and districts in the province reported that the incidence of confirmed COVID-19 cases began to rise, and about 50% counties reported that the morbidity rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases was over 10 cases per 100 000. The morbidity rate of COVID-19 cases rose rapidly between February 1-15, and then gradually reached its peak after February 16. Conclusion Wuhan City of Hubei Province first discovered and reported the COVID-19 outbreak. The onset of symptoms peaked in January 20 to February 14, and the 30-69 years old group was the key population. Many measures such as restricting personnel movement, reducing contact, and strengthening health education played an important role in controlling the outbreak of COVID-19 in Hubei.
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Objective To investigate the MRI manifestations of pilomyxoid astrocytoma (PMA)at unusual sites and differential diagnosis in children.Methods The clinical and MRI data from 6 cases of PMA with atypical locations confirmed by surgery and pathology were analyzed retrospectively.Results 2 cases located at cerebral hemisphere,1 case at tegmentum mesencephali,1 case at medulla and 2 cases at cerebellar hemisphere.There were 4 cases of solid tumor and 2 case belonged to cystic-solid mass.5 cases were round or oval and 1 case was shallow lobulated.In addition,there were 2 cases with hemorrhage and 2 cases with peritumoral edema.T1WI showed hypointensity,isointense or slightly hyperintense while T2WI and fluid attented inversion recovery (FLAIR)exhibited isointensity or hyperintensity.After contrast administration,there were 3 cases of obvious multi-ring enhancement,of which 1 case showed astral enhancement of the mural nodules and the other 3 cases showed mild homogeneous or inhomogeneous enhancement.4 cases showed non-enhanced areas in the solid parts.No signs of leptomeningeal dissemination were found in all 6 cases.Conclusion The PMA at unuaual sites in children is primarily solid or cystic-solid,and the image manifestations of plain scan are varied.After enhancement,the tumors show obviously multi-circular enhancement and mild homogeneous or inhomogeneous enhancement could be observed,no enhancement areas are visible in the solid parts.It is noteworthy to distinguish this astrocytoma from other lesions.
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Objective:To explore the effect of infection on autophagy-related proteins,Beclin-1 and LC3,expression in cerebral white matter in newborn rats.Methods: A total of 64 two-day-old Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were randomly divided into control and experimental groups(n=32 each).At day 2 to 6 after birth,the rats in experimental group were intraperitoneally injected with 0.6 mg/kg of lipopolysaccharide(LPS) once a day to establish a white matter injury induced by infection in neonatal rats while the rats in control group were injected with equal amounts of normal saline.Rats were sacrificed to collect brain tissues at 12 hour,1,3,5 d after model establishment.HE staining was performed to observe the pathological changes.Changes in the expression of Beclin-1 and LC3 in rat white matter were examined by Western blot and RT-PCR.Results: Growth and development of rat in experimental group was slow,cerebral white matter lesions were obvious.Compared with the control group,the experimental group Beclin1 and LC3 protein and mRNA levels in the model after 12 h began to express,1 d reached the peak,and then decreased,each time points were higher than the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion: Early infection in neonatal rats can cause white matter damage;the expression of autophagy-related proteins,Beclin1 and LC3,showed that autophagy may be involved in the pathological process of white matter damage induced by infection.
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Objective To evaluate the levels of LDH in cerebrospinal fluid in patients with different types of central nervous sys‐tem diseases .Methods Cerebrospinal fluid LDH were detected by rate assay in control group and disease group(including patients with acute leukemia ,lymphoma ,brain neoplasms and meningitis) .Results In ptients with acute leukemia ,the cerebrospinal fluid LDH level of central nervous system leukemia(CNSL) group was (28 .68 ± 9 .29)U/L ,which was higher than that of non CNSL group ,and the difference were significance(P<0 .05) .In lymphoma patients ,cerebrospinal fluid LDH level of brain metastasis pa‐tients was (125 .20 ± 115 .24)U/L ,which was higher than that of lymphoma patients without brain metastasis ,the difference was significant(P<0 .05) .In patients with brain neoplasms ,cerebrospinal fluid LDH level of meningeal carcinomatosis group was (77 . 37 ± 128 .15)U/L ,which was higher than that of primary brain neoplasms group ,the difference was significant(P<0 .05) .In pa‐tients with meningitis ,cerebrospinal fluid LDH level of tuberculous meningitis group and purulent meningitis group patients were (54 .48 ± 84 .60U/L) and (43 .54 ± 32 .05)U/L respectively ,which were higher than those of viral meningitis group patients ,and the differences were significant (P<0 .05) .Conclusion LDH in cerebrospinal fluid can be used in early diagnosis of CNSL ,brain metastsisly of mphoma ,meningeal carcinomatosis and differential diagnosis of meningitis .