Prediction of hepatic artery occlusion after liver transplantation by ultrasound characteristics and clinical risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic artery occlusion (HAO) after liver transplantation (LT) is a devastating complication, resulting in early graft loss and reduced overall survival. Ultrasound is an established assessment method for HAO in patients following LT, especially those with complex hepatic artery reconstruction. AIM: To investigate the ultrasound characteristics and analyze the risk factors associated with HAO in patients after LT. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the ultrasound characteristics and the clinic risk factors associated with HAO in 400 adult LT patients who were enrolled and treated at the Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen between November 2016 and July 2022. Fourteen patients diagnosed with acute HAO (A-HAO) by surgery and fifteen diagnosed with chronic HAO (C-HAO) were included. A control group of 33 patients without HAO complications during the same period were randomly selected using a random number table. All patients underwent an ultrasonography examination. Parameters including resistance index (RI), peak systolic velocity (PSV), and portal vein velocity (PVV) were compared across the groups. Additionally, basic clinical data were collected for all patients, including gender, age, primary diagnosis, D-dimer concentration, total operation time, cold ischemia time, hot ischemia time, intraoperative blood loss and transfusion, intraoperative urine volume, infusion, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, and whether complex hepatic artery reconstructions were performed. Furthermore, risk factors influencing HAO formation after LT were analyzed. RESULTS: Compared to the non-HAO group, PVV and RI were higher in the A-HAO group, while PSV was lower. Conversely, both PSV and RI were lower in the C-HAO group compared to the non-HAO group. The proportion of patients undergoing complex hepatic artery reconstructions and the gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) level before occlusion were significantly higher in the A-HAO group compared to the non-HAO group. However, there were no distinct differences between the two groups in D-dimer, MELD score, pre-occlusion alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels, or intraoperative conditions. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound features of the hepatic artery before occlusion are significantly associated with postoperative HAO development. Additionally, complex hepatic artery reconstructions, defined as revascularization of the graft requiring additional anastomosis between donor hepatic arteries, constitute a risk factor for A-HAO. Besides, abnormal pre-occlusion GGT elevation is an important biochemical indicator. Therefore, ultrasound examination serves as an important tool for screening HAO, especially in patients with the identified risk factors.

Prospective observational study of Trichomonas tenax infection in patients with pneumonia.

Trichomonas tenax, an oral commensal parasite commonly found in the human mouth, is associated with periodontitis and poor oral hygiene. However, it has also been identified in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of individuals with lung diseases. Notably, significant quantities of T. tenax have been isolated following bronchoscopy in cases of empyema and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Furthermore, research has demonstrated its ability to induce inflammation in pulmonary epithelial cells. To comprehend the potential role of T. tenax in pneumonia, it is crucial to elucidate the relationship between the parasite and the disease. We investigated the clinical factors associated with T. tenax infection in patients with pneumonia. Employing nested polymerase chain reactions, we amplified nucleic acids from BALF and analyzed the relationships between T. tenax and various clinical factors. Our data revealed a significant association between T. tenax and bacterial infections, high pneumonia severity index (PSI) scores, nasogastric tube feeding, and pulmonary complications. Logistic regression analyses also showed strong associations between T. tenax and these clinical factors in pneumonia patients. These findings suggest that T. tenax infection in pneumonia is accompanied by bacterial infection and severe clinical manifestations.

Exploring the Application of Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing in the Diagnosis of Unexplained Pulmonary Infection.

Background: Pulmonary infections are significant global health burdens, and conventional diagnostic methods (culture and polymerase chain reaction), are often limited by slow results and low sensitivity. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) offers a rapid, comprehensive alternative for identifying diverse pathogens, including rare and mixed infections. Thus, we assessed the diagnostic performance of mNGS in pulmonary infections, compared the findings with those of traditional pathogen detection methods, and explored its potential to enhance clinical diagnostics and patient care. Methods: We collected samples from 125 immunocompromised patients diagnosed with pulmonary infection at the Department of Respiratory Medicine of Shenzhen Longgang Central Hospital from March 2020 to July 2022. We compared the rate of pathogen positivity and pathogen distribution between conventional pathogen detection methods and mNGS using samples including sputum, blood, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Results: Among the 125 cases of unexplained pulmonary infection, 82 (65.6%) and 40 (32.0%) tested positive for pathogens using mNGS and routine culture, respectively (P < 0.05). Both methods of pathogen detection were positive in 28 (22.4%) cases (complete match, 9; complete mismatch, 13; partial match, 6). However, 43.2% of cases only tested positive using mNGS, 9.4% only tested positive using routine tests, and 24.8% tested negative using both methods. A viral infection was present in 55.2% of cases. The detection rate of mycobacteria using mNGS (12.8%) was higher than that using conventional pathogen detection methods (5.6%). Conclusion: mNGS technology enhances pathogen detection in unexplained pulmonary infections, enabling targeted antimicrobial therapy and consequently helping to reduce broad-spectrum antibiotic use, aligning treatments more closely with the causative pathogens. Thus, mNGS offers significant clinical value by improving treatment efficacy and potentially reducing antibiotic resistance in pulmonary infection cases.

Determining the maximum tolerated dose of paclitaxel combined with fixed dose of cisplatin for hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in ovarian cancer: A multicenter phase I trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of paclitaxel combined with a fixed dose of cisplatin (75 mg/m2) delivered via hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) to patients with ovarian cancer. METHODS: This multicenter Phase I trial employed a Bayesian Optimal Interval (BOIN) design. The MTD was determined to have a target dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) rate of 25%. The starting dose was 175 mg/m2. The Data and Safety Monitoring Board made decisions regarding dose escalation or de-escalation in increments of 25 mg/m2 for subsequent patient cohorts, up to a maximum sample size of 30 or 12 patients treated at a given dose. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients participated in this study. Among the three evaluable patients who received 150 mg/m2 paclitaxel, no DLTs were observed. Among the 12 evaluable patients who received 175 mg/m2 paclitaxel, two reported DLTs: one had grade 4 neutropenia and one had grade 4 anemia, neutropenia, and leukopenia. Four of the six evaluable patients who received 200 mg/m2 paclitaxel reported DLTs: one patient had grade 4 diarrhea, one had grade 3 kidney injury, and two had grade 4 anemia. The isotonic estimate of the DLT rate in the 175 mg/m2 dose group was 0.17 (95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.42), and this dose was selected as the MTD. CONCLUSION: Paclitaxel, when combined with a fixed dose of cisplatin (75 mg/m2), can be safely administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 175 mg/m2 in patients with ovarian cancer who received HIPEC (43 °C, 90 min) following cytoreductive surgery.

Single-Gate In-Transistor Readout of Current Superposition and Collapse Utilizing Quantum Tunneling and Ferroelectric Switching.

In nanostructure assemblies, the superposition of current paths forms microscopic electric circuits, and different circuit networks produce varying results, particularly when utilized as transistor channels for computing applications. However, the intricate nature of assembly networks and the winding paths of commensurate currents hinder standard circuit modeling. Inspired by the quantum collapse of superposition states for information decoding in quantum circuits, the implementation of analogous current path collapse to facilitate the detection of microscopic circuits by modifying their network topology is explored. Here, the superposition and collapse of current paths in gate-all-around polysilicon nanosheet arrays are demonstrated to enrich the computational resources within transistors by engineering the channel length and quantity. Switching the ferroelectric polarization of Hf0.5 Zr0.5 O2 gate dielectric, which drives these transistors out-of-equilibrium, decodes the output polymorphism through circuit topological modifications. Furthermore, a protocol for the single-electron readout of ferroelectric polarization is presented with tailoring the channel coherence. The introduction of lateral path superposition results into intriguing metal-to-insulator transitions due to transient behavior of ferroelectric switching. This ability to adjust the current networks within transistors and their interaction with ferroelectric polarization in polycrystalline nanostructures lays the groundwork for generating diverse current characteristics as potential physical databases for optimization-based computing.

Asymmetric gene expression and cell-type-specific regulatory networks in the root of bread wheat revealed by single-cell multiomics analysis.

BACKGROUND: Homoeologs are defined as homologous genes resulting from allopolyploidy. Bread wheat, Triticum aestivum, is an allohexaploid species with many homoeologs. Homoeolog expression bias, referring to the relative contribution of homoeologs to the transcriptome, is critical for determining the traits that influence wheat growth and development. Asymmetric transcription of homoeologs has been so far investigated in a tissue or organ-specific manner, which could be misleading due to a mixture of cell types. RESULTS: Here, we perform single nuclei RNA sequencing and ATAC sequencing of wheat root to study the asymmetric gene transcription, reconstruct cell differentiation trajectories and cell-type-specific gene regulatory networks. We identify 22 cell types. We then reconstruct cell differentiation trajectories that suggest different origins between epidermis/cortex and endodermis, distinguishing bread wheat from Arabidopsis. We show that the ratio of asymmetrically transcribed triads varies greatly when analyzing at the single-cell level. Hub transcription factors determining cell type identity are also identified. In particular, we demonstrate that TaSPL14 participates in vasculature development by regulating the expression of BAM1. Combining single-cell transcription and chromatin accessibility data, we construct the pseudo-time regulatory network driving root hair differentiation. We find MYB3R4, REF6, HDG1, and GATAs as key regulators in this process. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reveal the transcriptional landscape of root organization and asymmetric gene transcription at single-cell resolution in polyploid wheat.

Trichomonas tenax induces barrier defects and modulates the inflammatory cytotoxicity of gingival and pulmonary epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Trichomonas tenax is a single-cell flagellated anaerobic organism, commensal in the human oral cavity. Although a previous study indicated that T. tenax could cause cell damage and phagocytose host epithelial cells, its pathological effects on gum cells remain unknown. Furthermore, several case reports have detected T. tenax in several patients with empyema and/or pleural effusion, which may have been aspirated from the oral cavity. However, the cytotoxic effects and immune responses of alveolar cells are unknown. Therefore, we aimed to determine the cytotoxic and immune effects of T. tenax on gums and pulmonary cell lines. The cytopathic effect and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assays were used to determine the level of cell damage in gum and lung epithelial cells. Western blot was used to determine the disruption of cell junctions. Finally, epithelial cell cytokines were measured using ELISA to elucidate the immune response to T. tenax. RESULTS: We found that T. tenax induced a cytotoxic effect on gum epithelial cells by disrupting cell junctions; however, it hardly triggered cellular damage in alveolar A549 cells and mucoepidermoid NCI-H292 cells. Furthermore, T. tenax induced the production of IL-6 at a low multiplicity of infection (MOI) in gum, A549, and NCI-H292 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that T. tenax can trigger gingival cell cytotoxicity, disrupt cell junctions, and induce IL-6 production in gingival and pulmonary cell lines.

Title: Trichomonas tenax induit des défauts de barrière et module la cytotoxicité inflammatoire des cellules épithéliales gingivales et pulmonaires. Abstract: Contexte : Trichomonas tenax est un organisme anaérobie unicellulaire flagellé, commensal dans la cavité buccale humaine. Bien qu'une étude précédente ait indiqué que T. tenax pouvait endommager les cellules et phagocyter les cellules épithéliales de l'hôte, ses effets pathogènes sur les cellules gingivales restent inconnus. En outre, plusieurs rapports ont détecté T. tenax chez des patients présentant un empyème et/ou un épanchement pleural, qui peut avoir été aspiré de la cavité buccale. Cependant, les effets cytotoxiques et les réponses immunitaires des cellules alvéolaires sont inconnus. Par conséquent, nous avons cherché à déterminer les effets cytotoxiques et immunitaires de T. tenax sur des lignées cellulaires de gencives et de poumons. Les tests d'effet cytopathique et de cytotoxicité de la lactate déshydrogénase (LDH) ont été utilisés pour déterminer le niveau de dommages cellulaires dans les cellules. Le Western Blot a été utilisé pour déterminer la perturbation des jonctions cellulaires. Enfin, les cytokines des cellules épithéliales ont été mesurées par ELISA pour élucider la réponse immunitaire à T. tenax. Résultats : Nous avons constaté que T. tenax induisait un effet cytotoxique sur les cellules épithéliales gingivales en perturbant les jonctions cellulaires. Cependant, T. tenax a déclenché des dommages cellulaires seulement mineurs dans les cellules alvéolaires A549 et les cellules mucoépidermoïdes NCI-H292. De plus, T. tenax a induit la production d'IL-6 à une faible multiplicité d'infection (MOI) dans les cellules de gencives, A549 et NCI-H292. Conclusions : Nos résultats suggèrent que T. tenax peut déclencher la cytotoxicité des cellules gingivales, perturber les jonctions cellulaires et induire la production d'IL-6 dans les lignées cellulaires gingivales et pulmonaires.

[The outcome of transnasal endoscopic total maxillectomy in the treatment of sinonasal adenoid cystic carcinoma].

Objective:To assess the prognosis of sinonasal adenoid cystic carcinoma with hard palatine invasion treated by transnasal endoscopic total maxillectomy. Methods:Clinical data of twenty-six patients with sinonasal adenoid cystic carcinoma invading hard palatine treated by transnasal endoscopic total maxillectomy between May 2014 and December 2020 was analyzed retrospectively. Survival rate, local recurrence and distant metastasis were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression was used to investigate the prognosis factors. Masticatory function after maxillectomy has also been assessed using the questionnaire of patients' satisfaction about masticatory function. Results:Margins in 8 patients（30%） were positive. The median time of follow-up was 38 months（6 to 85 months）. Twenty-five patients recurred. Four patients died of distant metastasis. The 5-year overall survival rate and relapse-free survival rate was 79.5% and 89.1%, respectively. Independent predictors of outcome on multivariate analysis were positive margin（P=0.018）, recurrence（P=0.006） and distant metastasis（P=0.04）. Conclusion:Transnasal endoscopic total maxillectomy could be performed for the treatment of the sinonasal adenoid cystic carcinoma with hard palatine invasion. Positive margin, local recurrence and distant metastasis were important predictors for patients' prognosis.

Actual experience of the training effect of Baduanjin on patients with hemiplegic limb dysfunctions after cerebral infarction: A qualitative study.

AIM: To explore the actual experience of training effect of Baduanjin on patients with hemiplegic limb dysfunctions after cerebral infarction through semistructured interviews and promote Baduanjin training application in clinical and community settings. DESIGN: This qualitative study was conducted using the conventional content analysis approach. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with hemiplegic limb dysfunctions after cerebral infarction were recruited as participants by applying purposive sampling method between September 2017-December 2020 in the physical therapy department of a rehabilitation hospital affiliated with Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China. Semistructured interviews were conducted after patients participated in Baduanjin training for 6 weeks. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis method of Graneheim and Lundman. RESULTS: Three major themes were identified after analysis, namely improving functions of hemiplegic limbs, improving the condition of the entire body and the feelings of practice. The participants indicated that Baduanjin could improve the limb functions and general conditions of hemiplegic patients. Their experience in practicing Baduanjin was generally positive, and they were willing to continue practicing.

Optical properties, bioimaging and theoretical calculation of a Zn(II) complex based on triphenylamine derivative.

A luminescent material with various optical properties based on a triphenylamine Zn(II) complex is described. The ultraviolet-visible absorption, one-photon excited fluorescence (OPEF) and two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) of the complex indicate that the material has good OPEF and TPEF properties. And the results of one- and two-photon HepG2 cells imaging experiments show the potential of the complex in fluorescence microscopy bioimaging. The experimental Stokes shift and the FWHM (full-width at half-maximum) in different solvents were correlated with the rMPI polarity of the solvent, and the perfect Boltzmann curves were obtained, where the Boltzmann correlation between Stokes shift and solvent polarity is reported for the second time. But the Boltzmann correlation between FWHM and solvent polarity is reported for the first time. In addition, the computational results indicate that, the covalent bond within the salt ZnBr2 is strengthened by the coordination, and the newly formed coordination bond Zn-N is stronger than the original covalent bond Zn-Br.

A nomogram for predicting overall survival of patients with sinonasal melanoma: A population-based study.

Objective: Sinonasal melanoma (SMM) is a rare but aggressive malignancy with 5-year overall survival (OS) rates below 40% in published studies. However, the clinicopathological predictors of the prognosis of SMM remain undefined. We aimed to establish a model to predict the survival outcomes of SMM. Methods: We searched the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database for patients diagnosed with SMM between 1975 and 2016. Data on patient demographics, treatment modalities, and survival outcomes were retrieved. Risk factors for OS were evaluated by survival and Cox regression analyses. We also developed and validated a nomogram for OS, and compared its performance with that of conventional staging systems. Results: Overall, 305 SMM patients were included in this population-based study. Multivariate Cox regression showed that primary site, American Joint Committee on Cancer stage, radiotherapy, and surgery were significant risk factors for survival. A nomogram was established using the regression model. The C-indices, areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves, calibration plots, and decision curve analysis demonstrated reliable performance of the nomogram. Conclusion: The nomogram predicting survival outcomes of SMM patients based on clinical information showed good discriminative ability and prognostic accuracy compared with conventional stage classifications. Our nomogram could be used to predict the survival probabilities for SMM patients at different timepoints. Level of Evidence: 2b.

Construction of the experimental rat model of gestational diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Numerous methods for modeling gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in rats exist. However, their repeatability and stability are unclear. This study aimed to compare the effects of high-fat and high-sugar (HFHS) diet, HFHS diet combined with streptozotocin (STZ) administration, and HFHS diet combined with movement restriction (MR) modeling methods on rat models to confirm the best method for constructing a rat model of GDM. METHOD: Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10): the normal control (NC), HFHS, HFHS+STZ, and HFHS+MR groups. The rats in the NC group were fed with a standard diet, and those in the remaining groups were fed with a HFHS diet. The rats in the HFHS+STZ group received 25 mg/kg STZ on their first day of pregnancy, and those in the HFHS+MR group were subjected to MR during pregnancy. Bodyweight, food intake, water intake, fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FINS), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), homeostasis model assessment of insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IS), homeostasis model assessment of ß-cell function, pancreatic and placental morphology, and the expression levels of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) in placentas were then quantified. Moreover, iTRAQ was used to identify placental proteomics. RESULTS: During pregnancy, the rats in the HFHS+STZ group showed FBG levels that were kept stable in a state of moderate hyperglycemia; the typical GDM symptoms of polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria, and increased body weight; and the modeling rate of 87.5%. On the first and 19th days of pregnancy, the rats in the HFHS group showed higher FBG than that of the NC group, increasing body weight and food intake and the modeling rate of 50%. On the 19th day of pregnancy, the FBG of the rats in the HFHS+MR group was higher than that of the rats in the NC group, and the modeling rate of 42.9%. Comparison with the NC group revealed that the three modeling groups exhibited increased FINS and HOMA-IR, decreased HOMA-IS, and different degrees of pathological changes in pancreases and placentas. Among the groups, the HFHS+STZ group displayed the greatest changes with significant reductions in the numbers of pancreatic and placental cells and appeared cavitation. The expression levels of GLUT1 and GLUT3 in the placentas of the HFHS+STZ and HFHS+MR groups were higher than those in the placentas of the NC and HFHS groups. The above results indicated that the rats in the HFHS+STZ group showed the best performance in terms of modeling indicators. After the changes in placental proteomics in the HFHS+STZ group were compared with those in the NC group, we found that in the HFHS+STZ group, five proteins were up-regulated and 18 were down-regulated; these proteins were enriched in estrogen signaling pathways. CONCLUSION: HFHS combined with the intraperitoneal injection of 25 mg/kg STZ was the best modeling method for the nonspontaneous model of experimentally induced GDM, and its modeling rate was high. The pathological characteristics of the constructed GDM rat model were similar to those of human patients with GDM. Moreover, the model was stable and reliable. The modeling method can provide a basis for constructing a GDM rat model for subsequent research on the prevention and treatment of GDM.

Microwave Irradiation: Effects on the Change of Colour Characteristics and Main Phenolic Compounds of Cabernet Gernischt Dry Red Wine during Storage.

Wine colour is an essential organoleptic property considered by consumers. In this paper, the potential effects on colour characteristics and the content of main phenolic compounds in red wine under microwave irradiation were investigated during wine storage. The results showed that the changing trend of colour characteristics of microwave-treated and untreated wines was very similar. Moreover, total phenolic compounds, total monomeric anthocyanins, main anthocyanins, main flavonoids, and main phenolic acids (gallic acid; caffeic acid; syringic acid; (+)-catechin; Cy-3-glu; Mv-3-glu) also showed similar change trends during storage. In other words, microwave irradiation had a long-term effect on the colour properties and main phenolic compounds of red wine, changes that require long-time aging in traditional processing. In terms of the studied parameters, the changes in microwave-treated wine were faster than those in untreated wine. These results showed that microwave technology, as a promising artificial aging technology, could in a short time produce red wine of similar quality to traditional aging.

Changes in the Gut Metabolic Profile of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Rats Following Probiotic Supplementation.

The roles of gut microbiota and metabolomics in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are not well understood. This study investigated the gut metabolomic profiling of GDM rats and GDM rats treated with probiotic supplements. Associations between gut metabolites and microbiota were also studied in GDM rats. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to detect gut metabolites in GDM rats and GDM rats treated with probiotic supplements of 0.5 g (low-dose group) or 1 g (high-dose group) for 15 days. Each gram of probiotic supplement contained 5 × 107 colony-forming units (CFU) of Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG and 1 × 108 CFU of Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies lactis Bb12. The association between gut metabolites and microbiota in GDM rats was investigated using Spearman's correlation. Finally, 10 rats in the normal pregnant group, eight rats in the GDM model group, eight GDM rats in the low-dose probiotics group, and nine GDM rats in the high-dose probiotics group were further studied. Serum parameters and pancreatic and colon histology were significantly changed in GDM rats, and these were restored using probiotic supplements. In total, 999 gut metabolites were detected in the feces, and GDM rats were distinguished from normal rats. The levels of 44 metabolites were increased in GDM rats, and they were alleviated using probiotic supplements. Changes in metabolites in GDM rats were associated with amino acids and bile acids metabolism signaling pathways. Furthermore, changes in metabolites after probiotic supplementation were associated with porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism pathways. We found that the Allobaculum genus displayed strong positive correlations, whereas the Bryobacter and Gemmatimonas genera displayed strong negative correlations with metabolisms of amino acids and bile acids in GDM rats. The Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera were positively correlated with gut metabolites. Overall, our results showed that metabolism signaling pathways of amino acids and bile acids are associated with the development of GDM. Probiotic supplements alleviate the pathology of GDM through the metabolism pathways of amino acids, bile acids, porphyrin, and chlorophyll.

Perceptions of pelvic floor dysfunction and rehabilitation care amongst women in southeast China after radical hysterectomy: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the perceptions of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) and rehabilitation care amongst women after radical hysterectomy and to explore ways to improve quality of care. METHODS: Thirty-six women who underwent radical hysterectomy at a hospital in southeast China were enrolled via purposive sampling. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted. The texts were analysed via qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Four themes were obtained: serious lack of knowledge, heavy psychological burden, different coping strategies and great eagerness to receive multiparty support on PFD rehabilitation care. CONCLUSION: The society and professional staff should strengthen health education on PFD. Professionals should offer education before and after surgery and actively provide rehabilitation consultation to promote the availability of rehabilitation to support women with PFD rehabilitation care. In addition, family-centred care is an important way to support women to return to normal life, and women's need for family support should be more actively expressed. Moreover, knowledge of medical insurance should be popularised, especially in rural areas in China.

Serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 regulates transforming growth factor ß1-connective tissue growth factor pathway in chronic rhinosinusitis.

PURPOSE: Serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) has been identified as a crucial regulator in fibrotic disorders. Herein, we explored SGK1 role in tissue remodeling of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). METHODS: Lentivirus was employed to generate an SGK1-overexpressing human bronchial epithelial cell (16HBE) line. To screen SGK1 downstream genes, RNA sequencing was performed on SGK1-overexpressing and control cell lines. To determine protein and gene expression levels, immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were employed. Correlation analysis was performed using mRNA expression levels of SGK1, transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1), and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) derived from CRS mucosal tissue and GEO database. Gene set enrichment analysis was conducted using gene sets from Molecular Signatures Database. The severity of symptoms in CRS patients was assessed using the 22-Item Sinonasal Outcome Test. RESULTS: SGK1 overexpression significantly increased the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in 16HBE cells (P < 0.01). Consistently, CTGF protein level was considerably greater in mucosal tissue of CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) than in CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) (P < 0.05) or in control subjects (P < 0.01). TGF-ß1 protein level was higher in mucosal tissue of CRSsNP patients than in CRSwNP patients (P < 0.001) or in the control group (P < 0.01). mRNA levels of SGK1 and CTGF (P < 0.05, r = 0.668; P = 0.001, r = 0.630), TGF-ß1 and CTGF (P < 0.05, r = 0.560; P < 0.05, r = 0.420), as well as SGK1 and TGF-ß1(P < 0.05, r = 0.612; P < 0.05, r = 0.524) were significantly correlated in CRS mucosal tissue and GSE36830 dataset, respectively. TGF-ß1-induced upregulated genes were significantly enriched in SGK1 overexpression group. In vitro assays, TGF-ß1 promoted SGK1 and CTGF expression in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Administrating an SGK1 inhibitor, GSK650394, significantly inhibited TGF-ß1-induced CTGF expression in 16HBE and dispersed primary nasal polyp cells. CONCLUSIONS: TGF-ß1 stimulation significantly increases SGK1 and CTGF expression. By regulating TGF-ß1-CTGF pathway, SGK1 may participate in tissue remodeling in the pathological mechanism of CRS.

CRISPR-based RNA-binding protein mapping in live cells.

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are involved in all aspects of RNA metabolism, and RNA-RBP interactions are important for cell homeostasis and viral replication. The global RNA-binding proteome was recently reported; however, little is known about the proteins that bind to specific RNAs. In this study, we describe a novel CRISPR-based RNA interaction proteomics method in live cells. In brief, dCas13a with an HA tag was expressed in cells and bound to an RNA of interest with the help of gRNA. The RNA-protein complexes physically bound to dCas13a-HA were crosslinked using UV light and captured using anti-HA beads, after which the proteins were purified and identified using mass spectrometry. We optimized this system and subsequently applied it to U1 small nuclear RNA, which revealed 226 proteins.

Interaction Between Serum/Glucocorticoid-Regulated Kinase 1 and Interleukin-6 in Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

PURPOSE: Serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) has recently emerged as a critical regulator of inflammatory diseases. In this study, we examined SGK1 expression and its possible pathogenic roles in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). METHODS: Immunohistochemistry, western blotting, Bio-Plex assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed to assess protein and gene expression levels. The mRNA expression levels of SGK1 and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were extracted from a CRS database to perform correlation analysis. Stable cell lines with SGK1 overexpression (16HBE) and knockdown (A549) were constructed to investigate the interaction between SGK1 and IL-6 in vitro. RESULTS: SGK1 exhibited strong cytoplasmic and nuclear staining in the epithelial layers and the lamina propria of nasal polyps (NPs) and in the mucosal tissues of CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP). The mRNA and protein expression levels of SGK1 and IL-6 were significantly increased in NPs and CRSsNP tissues, compared to control tissues. SGK1 phosphorylation was significantly greater in NPs than in CRSsNP tissues (P < 0.01). The mRNA levels of SGK1 and IL-6 were significantly correlated (P < 0.001, r = 0.649). Exposure to IL-6 significantly increased SGK1 expression in cultured dispersed NP cells, 16HBE cells, and A549 cells. IL-6 expression was significantly down-regulated in SGK1-overexpressing 16HBE cells (P < 0.01) and significantly up-regulated in SGK1-knockdown A549 cells (P < 0.05). Administration of GSK650394, a SGK1 inhibitor, significantly increased IL-6 self-induced mRNA expression in cultured dispersed NP cells and 16HBE cells. CONCLUSIONS: The interaction between SGK1 and IL-6 may play an anti-inflammatory role in IL-6-induced inflammation in the pathogenesis of CRS.

Probiotic supplements alleviate gestational diabetes mellitus by restoring the diversity of gut microbiota: a study based on 16S rRNA sequencing.

Probiotics effectively prevent and improve metabolic diseases such as diabetes by regulating the intestinal microenvironment and gut microbiota. However, the effects of probiotics in gestational diabetes mellitus are not clear. Here, we showed that probiotic supplements significantly improved fasting blood glucose in a gestational diabetes mellitus rat model. To further understand the mechanisms of probiotics in gestational diabetes mellitus, the gut microbiota were analyzed via 16S rRNA sequencing. We found that compared with the normal pregnant group, the gestational diabetes mellitus rats had decreased diversity of gut microbiota. Moreover, probiotic supplementation restored the diversity of the gut microbiota in gestational diabetes mellitus rats, and the gut microbiota structure tended to be similar to that of normal pregnant rats. In particular, compared with gestational diabetes mellitus rats, the abundance of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria was higher after probiotic supplementation. Furthermore, activating carbohydrate metabolism and membrane transport pathways may be involved in the potential mechanisms by which probiotic supplements alleviate gestational diabetes mellitus. Overall, our results suggested that probiotic supplementation might be a novel approach to restore the gut microbiota of gestational diabetes mellitus rats and provided an experimental evidence for the use of probiotic supplements to treat gestational diabetes mellitus.

Artificial stone-associated silicosis with concurrent Cryptococcus infection.

Acute silicoproteinosis is a disease that develops in weeks, and lasting for years, after massive exposure to silica dust in relatively closed spaces. It was rare, but the cases have recently increased worldwide due to the development of artificial stone industry. Compared with traditional silicosis, artificial stone-associated silicosis is more rapidly progressive and lethal. Hence, a correct diagnosis and optimal treatment are crucial. Here, we present the clinical course of a 33-year-old artificial stonemason who suffered from acute silicoproteinosis with concurrent Cryptococcus infection resulting in profound respiratory failure. This patient was treated by bronchoscope-assisted therapeutic segmental lung lavage and antifungal agent, under mechanical ventilator and ECMO support and recovered well. A brief review of acute silicoproteinosis and artificial stone-associated silicosis is also presented and highlights the new form of industry exposure to silica.