Characterization of an Escherichia coli phage Tequatrovirus YZ2 and its application in bacterial wound infection.

The increasing prevalence of drug-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) resulting from the excessive utilization of antibiotics necessitates the immediate exploration of alternative approaches to counteract pathogenic E. coli. Phages, with their unique antibacterial mechanisms, are considered promising candidates for treating bacterial infections. Herein, we isolated a lytic Escherichia phage Tequatrovirus YZ2 (phage YZ2), which belongs to the genus Tequatrovirus. The genome of phage YZ2 consists of 168,356 base pairs with a G + C content of 35.34% and 269 putative open reading frames (ORFs). Of these, 146 ORFs have been annotated as functional proteins associated with nucleotide metabolism, structure, transcription, DNA replication, translation, and lysis. In the mouse model of a skin wound infected by E. coli, phage YZ2 therapy significantly promoted the wound healing. Furthermore, histopathological analysis revealed reductions in IL-1ß and TNF-α and increased VEGF levels, indicating the potential of phages as effective antimicrobial agents against E. coli infection.

Influence of Psychological Nursing Intervention on Psychological State, Treatment Compliance, and Immune Function of Postoperative Patients with Rectal Cancer.

In order to explore the clinical effect of psychological nursing intervention on postoperative chemotherapy for rectal cancer, 120 cases of rectal cancer patients were selected as the research subjects. The control group received conventional nursing treatment after operation, and the research group received comprehensive psychological nursing intervention on this basis. The self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) scores, self-rating depression scale (SDS) scores, hope level scores, nursing satisfaction, mental state changes, treatment compliance, and immune function of two groups were analyzed and compared. There was no significant difference between the two groups of patients in the preoperative SAS, SDS, and hope level scale scores. After the intervention, postoperative SAS and SDS scores and CD8+ value of the research group were significantly lower than those of the control group. In contrast, the postoperative hope level score, treatment compliance, and postoperative CD4+/CD8+ of the research group were significantly higher, and the nursing satisfaction was better than that of the control group. The application of psychological nursing intervention in postoperative chemotherapy for patients with rectal cancer can effectively relieve anxiety and depression of patients, promote patients to establish a healthy and coordinated mental state, improve treatment compliance, improve immune function, and promote disease recovery.

Adverse effects of gestational diabetes-related risk factors on pregnancy outcomes and intervention measures.

This study was designed to investigate the risk factors of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), analyze its adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes and propose corresponding interventions. From January 2017 to December 2018, 378 GDM patients (GDM group) awaiting delivery in Weifang People's hospital were selected. At the same time, 200 pregnant women with normal blood glucose (NGT) were randomly selected as the control group. According to general and clinical data, the univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to screen the risk factors for GDM. The pregnancy outcomes of the two groups were calculated and corresponding intervention measures were proposed to provide a basis for the comprehensive prevention and treatment of gestational diabetes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), family history of diabetes, 2 h postprandial blood glucose (2hPBG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were independent risk factors for GDM (P<0.05). The incidence of dystocia and cesarean section, abnormal amniotic fluid, premature rupture of membranes, and pathological pregnancy in the GDM group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group (P<0.01). The probability of fetal distress, macrosomia, small for date infants, and preterm infants in the GDM group was significantly higher than those in the normal control group (P<0.01). The 2hPBG and HbA1c in the GDM group after the intervention were significantly lower than those before intervention (P<0.05). The age of pregnant women and family history of diabetes play important roles in the presence and progression of GDM. Therefore, pregnant women should pay close attention to the relevant risk factors that trigger GDM, in the screening and prevention of GDM during pregnancy, reduce and prevent the presence of GDM to ensure the safety of mothers and infants.

Promoter Methylation of RASSF1A indicates Prognosis for Patients with Stage II and III Colorectal Cancer Treated with Oxaliplatin-Based Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of methylation of RAS association domain family protein 1 (RASSF1A) in the promoter region for patients with stage II and III colorectal cancer (CRC) receiving oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS There were 108 eligible CRC patients and 78 healthy controls included in this study. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) was applied to detect the methylation status of RASSF1A in patients before and after chemotherapy. The effects of RASSF1A methylation on chemotherapy-sensitivity and prognosis for patients were also evaluated in the present study. RESULTS The frequency of RASSF1A methylation was higher in CRC patients than in the healthy controls (48.44% versus 5.13%, p<0.001). After two cycles of chemotherapy, methylation ratio was significantly decreased (21.30%, p<0.001). Promoter methylation of RASSF1A was significantly correlated with tumor stage and pathological differentiation (p=0.008 and p=0.007, respectively). Patients without methylation had a favorable objective response (OR), compared with those with methylation (53.33% versus 25%, p=0.014). Methylation status of RASSF1A could influence progression-free survival and overall survival (log rank test, p<0.05). Cox regression analysis indicated that RASSF1A methylation (HR=2.471, 95% CI=1.125-5.428, p=0.024) and OR (HR=2.678, 95% CI=1.085-6.610, p 0.033) were independently correlated with prognosis for patients treated with oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Promoter methylation of RASSF1A can influence sensitivity to oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy, which can be used to predict outcomes for patients with stage II and III CRC. In addition, the aberrant methylation may be a promising target for improving chemotherapy efficacy.