Enhanced T-type calcium channel 3.2 activity in sensory neurons contributes to neuropathic-like pain of monosodium iodoacetate-induced knee osteoarthritis

The monosodium iodoacetate knee osteoarthritis model has been widely used for the evaluation of osteoarthritis pain, but the pathogenesis of associated chronic pain is not fully understood. The T-type calcium channel 3.2 (Ca_V3.2) is abundantly expressed in the primary sensory neurons, in which it regulates neuronal excitability at both the somata and peripheral terminals and facilitates spontaneous neurotransmitter release at the spinal terminals. In this study, we investigated the involvement of primary sensory neuron-Ca_V3.2 activation in monosodium iodoacetate osteoarthritis pain. Knee joint osteoarthritis pain was induced by intra-articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate (2 mg) in rats, and sensory behavior was evaluated for 35 days. At that time, knee joint structural histology, primary sensory neuron injury, and inflammatory gliosis in lumbar dorsal root ganglia, and spinal dorsal horn were examined. Primary sensory neuron-T-type calcium channel current by patch-clamp recording and Ca_V3.2 expression by immunohistochemistry and immunoblots were determined. In a subset of animals, pain relief by Ca_V3.2 inhibition after delivery of Ca_V3.2 inhibitor TTA-P2 into sciatic nerve was investigated. Knee injection of monosodium iodoacetate resulted in osteoarthritis histopathology, weight-bearing asymmetry, sensory hypersensitivity of the ipsilateral hindpaw, and inflammatory gliosis in the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglia, sciatic nerve, and spinal dorsal horn. Neuronal injury marker ATF-3 was extensively upregulated in primary sensory neurons, suggesting that neuronal damage was beyond merely knee-innervating primary sensory neurons. T-type current in dissociated primary sensory neurons from lumbar dorsal root ganglia of monosodium iodoacetate rats was significantly increased, and Ca_V3.2 protein levels in the dorsal root ganglia and spinal dorsal horn ipsilateral to monosodium iodoacetate by immunoblots were significantly increased, compared to controls. Perineural application of TTA-P2 into the ipsilateral sciatic nerve alleviated mechanical hypersensitivity and weight-bearing asymmetry in monosodium iodoacetate osteoarthritis rats. Overall, our findings demonstrate an elevated Ca_V3.2 expression and enhanced function of primary sensory neuron-T channels in the monosodium iodoacetate osteoarthritis pain. Further study is needed to delineate the importance of dysfunctional primary sensory neuron-Ca_V3.2 in osteoarthritis pain.

Retrospective analysis of molecular biology mechanism of ABO blood group typing discrepancy among blood donors in Jinan blood station

BACKGROUND

To accurately identify ABO blood typing in pre-transfusion testing is very important to ensure blood transfusion safely, which is a major responsibility of blood station.

METHODS

Eighty-one blood donors samples with ABO blood group typing discrepancy was collected among 61952 donor samples in our blood station from January 2019 to July 2020. Blood group serological method was used to detect ABO blood group. DNA Sequencing was used to determine the genotype. The antibody screening test detects antibodies other than ABO.

RESULTS

In total, 61,952 donor samples were analysed for ABO typing discrepancies. The incidence among blood donors was 0.13% (81/61952). The most common reason of ABO typing discrepancies was due to specific antibody or non-specific agglutination (54.32%, 44/81), mainly anti-M antibody, cold autoantibody, anti-D antibody, anti-N antibody and anti-Lea antibody. The major cause of forward typing discrepancies among blood donors was ABO subgroups (25.93%, 21/81), including 10 cases of A subtype (1 case of A2, 2 cases of A3, 2 cases of Ax, 3 cases of AxB, 1 case of Ael, 1 case of Ahm), 6 cases of B subtype (2 cases of B3, 1 case of Bel, 3 cases of AB3), 2 cases of B subtype (A), 1 case of cisAB, and 2 cases of acquired B. The serum antibody was weakened in 16 cases (19.75%).

CONCLUSIONS

The blood types should be correctly identified by combining serology with gene sequencing to ensure the safety of clinical blood transfusion, when the forward and reverse typing discrepancies among the blood donors.

Serum uric acid variability increases the risk of postoperative chronic kidney disease in patients with renal cell carcinoma after radical nephrectomy

OBJECTIVE

Serum uric acid (SUA) level is associated with the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, little is known about the predictive value of SUA variability for postoperative CKD in patients with renal cell carcinoma after radical nephrectomy. We aimed to investigate the association of SUA variability with postoperative CKD in this population.

METHOD

85 patients with preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)≥60 ml/min/1.73 m² were enrolled in this single-center retrospective study and followed up for at least 6 months. Intra-individual SUA variability was defined as the standard deviation (SD) of SUA and the patients were stratified into three groups according to the tertiles of SUA SD (the lower, middle and upper tertile). The association of SUA variability with postoperative CKD, defined as an eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73m², was analyzed by Cox proportional hazard models and Kaplan-Meier analyses.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up time of 24(10-43) months, 44(51.7%) patients developed postoperative CKD. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that patients in the lower tertile had a longer CKD-free survival time [median CKD-free survival time 74(52.2-95.8) months] than those in the middle tertile [38(19.2-56.8) months] and upper tertile [21(17.9-24.1) months] (overall generalized Wilcoxon test: P=0.001; lower vs middle tertile: P=0.001; lower vs upper tertile: P<0.001). Adjusted Cox analyses indicated that increasing SUA SD tertiles were associated with a higher risk of postoperative CKD independent of baseline SUA, mean SUA during follow-up and other confounding variables. Compared with patients in the lower tertile, the risk for developing CKD increased by 4.6-fold for patients in the middle tertile and 7.9-fold in the upper tertile, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Increasing SUA variability was associated with an increased risk of postoperative CKD in patients with renal cell carcinoma after radical nephrectomy.

[Application of aMAP score to assess the risk of hepatocarciongenesis in population of chronic liver disease in primary hospitals]

Objective: The aMAP score is a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk prediction model based on an international cooperative cohort, which can be applied to various liver diseases. The aim of this study is to use the aMAP score to stratify the risk of HCC in patients with chronic liver disease (combined or non-combined metabolic diseases) admitted to People's Hospital of Yudu County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, in order to guide personalized HCC screening. Methods: The demographic information, laboratory test results (platelets, albumin, and total bilirubin) and combined disease information of patients with chronic liver disease who were admitted to People's Hospital of Yudu from January 2016 to December 2020 were collected, and the aMAP score was calculated to stratify HCC risk in this population. Results: A total of 3629 cases with chronic liver disease were included in the analysis, including 3 452 (95.1%) cases with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, 177 (4.9%) cases with fatty liver, and 22 (0.6%) cases with HBV infection and fatty liver. There were 2 679 (73.8%) male and the median age was 44 (35, 54). In the overall population, low, medium and high risk of HCC accounted for 52.6%, 29.0%, and 18.4% respectively. In the HBV-infected population, the proportion of high risk of HCC was significantly higher than that of fatty liver (18.9% vs. 9.6%, P = 0.001). The proportion of chronic liver disease patients with combined hypertension or diabetes was significantly higher than that of those with non-combined metabolic diseases (combined hypertension: 32.3% vs. 17.9%, P < 0.001; combined diabetes: 36.5% vs. 18.1%, P < 0.001). Moreover, the proportion of high-risk population with two metabolic diseases was significantly higher than that with one and no metabolic diseases (40.9% vs. 31.8% vs. 17.7%, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The aMAP score can be used as a simple tool for HCC screening and management of chronic liver disease in primary hospitals, and it is helpful to improve the personalized follow-up management system of chronic liver disease population. Chronic liver disease patients with metabolic diseases have a higher risk of HCC, and people with high risk of HCC should be given special priority in follow-up visits, so as to improve the rate of HCC early diagnosis and reduce the mortality rate.

[Establishing an integrated hospital-community pyramid for screening and achieving hepatocellular carcinoma early diagnosis and treatment]

The comprehensive management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complete, dynamic and personalized process. Therefore, how to scientifically determine the HCC high-risk/extremely high-risk populations and develop a stratified monitoring plan is the key link to early detection, diagnosis and improvement of overall survival. In addition, accurately identifying high-risk/extremely high-risk groups based on the HCC risk prediction model, and applying it to establish an integrated hospital-community pyramid for HCC screening through the implementation of interdisciplinary scientific management and treatment may ultimately reduce HCC-related mortality rate.

Vertebral plate and ligament composite laminoplasty in spinal cord tumor surgery: Analysis of 94 patients

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the value and long-term effect of laminectomy or laminoplasty in spinal cord tumor surgery.

Patients and methods

Patients with spinal cord tumor treated in Department of Neurosurgery from January 2016 to October 2019 were included in this study. Posterior median approach tumor resection was preceded in 94 cases. Vertebral plate and ligament composite replant (laminoplasty group) was proceeded in 34 cases, and vertebral plate resection (laminectomy group) was proceeded in 60 cases. All patients were followed up and neurological function imagings were conducted 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months postsurgery to evaluate the surgical efficiency and spinal stability.

Results

Total resection was achieved in 84 patients (89.0%); subtotal resection was achieved in 10 patients (11%). There was no significant difference between thelaminectomy group and laminoplasty group in terms of operative time, surgical site, infection rate, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) infection, CSF leak, and length of hospitalization (P > 0.05). The incidence of postoperative spinal deformity was 15.0% in the laminectomy group and 11.7% in the laminoplasty group (P > 0.05). Laminoplasty vs laminectomy was associated with a similar risk of progressive deformity. However, for the cervical patients, there is significant difference (P < 0.05) in the spinal deformity. For the patients with incision vertebral segments >3, there is no significant difference in the spinal deformity (P > 0.05). Bone fusion was achieved in 7 (20%) patients in the laminoplasty group. Laminoplasty vs laminectomy was associated with a similar risk of progressive deformity.

Conclusion

Vertebral plate and ligament composite replant is a simple and practical method in spinal cord tumor surgery. Neither every case got bone fusion nor positive results turned out in survival analysis, but it is still valuable in reducing spinal deformity, especially in cervical vertebra spinal cord tumor surgery.

[Role and related mechanism of Mst-1 on regulating hypoxic reoxygenation induced autophagy and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes of mouse]

Objective: To explore the role and related mechanism of mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1(Mst-1)in regulating hypoxia reoxygenation (HR) induced myocardial cell autophagy and apoptosis. Methods: Enzyme digestion method combined with differential adherent method was used to culture neonatal mouse myocardial cells. HR model was established by hypoxia for 24 hours and reoxygenation for 6 hours. The experimental groups including control group (normal cultured cardiomyocytes), Mst-1 empty virus group (cardiomyocytes transfected with recombinant lentiviral empty vector for 48 hours), Mst-1 knockdown group (recombinant lentivirus carrying Mst-1small interfering RNA (siRNA) was transfected into cardiomyocytes for 48 hours), Mst-1 overexpression group (cardiomyocytes were transfected with recombinant lentivirus carrying Mst-1 gene for 48 hours), HR group (cardiomyocytes exposed to HR), Mst-1 knockdown+HR group (HR model of cardiomyocyte was established 48 hours after transfection with recombinant lentivirus carrying Mst-1siRNA) and Mst-1 overexpression+HR group (HR model of cardiomyocyte was established 48 hours after transfection with recombinant lentivirus carrying Mst-1 gene). Real-time fluorescence quantitative RCR (qPCR) and Western blot were used to detect the relative expression of Mst-1 mRNA and protein in the cells, immunofluorescence staining was used to detect cardiomyocyte troponin T (cTnT), and autophagosomes and autophagy enzyme changes. TUNEL method was used to detect myocardial cell apoptosis, Western blot was adopted to detect autophagy-related protein microtubule-related protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ, P62 and apoptosis-related protein cleaved-caspase 9, pro-caspase 9, cleaved-caspase-3, pro-caspase-3, and myeloid leukemia 1 (MCL-1) expression. MCL-1 inhibitor A1210477 was used to validate the signaling pathway of Mst-1 on regulating cardiomyocyte apoptosis and autophagy. Results: Immunofluorescence detection revealed that the cultured cells expressed cardiomyocyte-specific marker cTnT. The expression of Mst-1 in cardiomyocytes increased in HR model. Lentiviral transfection could effectively inhibit or overexpress Mst-1 in treated cells. The levels of autophagosomes and autophagolysosomes in cardiomyocytes undergoing HR and in Mst-1 overexpression+HR group were lower than those of control group, while autophagosomes and autophagolysosomes in cardiomyocytes of Mst-1 knockdown+HR group was significantly higher than in the HR group (all P<0.05). The TUNEL results showed that the proportion of TUNEL positive cells was significantly increased in the HR group and Mst-1 overexpression+HR group than in the control group, while the proportion of TUNEL positive cells was significantly decreased in the Mst-1 knockdown group+HR group as compared to the HR group (all P<0.05). Western blot results showed that the LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ levels were significantly lower, while the expression levels of P62, cleaved-caspase-9 and cleaved-caspase-3 were significantly higher in the HR group and Mst-1 overexpression+HR group than in control group (all P<0.05). The LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ value was significantly higher, and the expression levels of P62, cleaved-caspase-9 and cleaved-caspase-3 were significantly lower in the Mst-1 knockdown+HR group than in the HR group (P both<0.05). The expression level of P-MCL-1 protein was significantly lower in cardiomyocytes of HR and Mst-1 overexpression+HR group than in control group, and the expression level of P-MCL-1 protein was higher in Mst-1 knockdown+HR group than in HR group (P both<0.05). The recovery experiment showed that inhibiting MCL-1 in cells can block the regulatory effect of Mst-1 siRNA on cell autophagy and apoptosis. Conclusion: Inhibiting Mst-1 expression in cardiomyocytes can promote the autophagy of cardiomyocytes induced by hypoxic reoxygenation and reduce the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes via activating McL-1.

Fabrication and characterization of porous titanium-based PbO2 electrode through the pulse electrodeposition method: Deposition condition optimization by orthogonal experiment

Porous titanium-based PbO₂ electrodes were successfully fabricated by pulse electrodeposition method. The primary pulse electrodeposition parameters, including pulse frequency (f), duty ratio (γ), average current density (J_a) and electrodeposition time (t) were considered in this study. An orthogonal experiment was designed based on those four factors and in three levels. SEM images and XRD results suggest that the surface morphology and structure of PbO₂ electrodes could be easily changed by varying pulse electrodeposition parameters. Orthogonal analysis reveals that the increase of f and J_a could decrease the average grain size of PbO₂ electrodes, which is conducive to create more active sites and promote the generation of hydroxide radicals. The electrochemical degradation of Azophloxine was carried out to evaluate the electrochemical oxidation performance of pulse electrodeposited electrodes. The results indicate that the influences of four factors can be ranked as follow: J_a >γ≈ t > f. The higher f, larger J_a and longer t could facilitate the optimization of the integrated electrochemical degradation performance of prepared PbO₂ electrode. The accelerated life time is dominated by J_a and t, coincident with the average weight increase of β-PbO₂ layer. The optimal parameters of pulse electrodeposition turn out to be: f = 50 Hz, γ = 30%, J_a = 25 mA cm^-2, t = 60 min. Together, the consequences of the experiments give assistance to uncover and roughly conclude the mechanism of pulse electrodeposition.

Contribution of single-gene defects to congenital cardiac left-sided lesions in the prenatal setting

OBJECTIVES

To explore the contribution of single-gene defects to the genetic cause of cardiac left-sided lesions (LSLs), and to evaluate the incremental diagnostic yield of whole-exome sequencing (WES) for single-gene defects in fetuses with LSLs without aneuploidy or a pathogenic copy-number variant (pCNV).

METHODS

Between 10 April 2015 and 30 October 2018, we recruited 80 pregnant women diagnosed with a LSL who had termination of pregnancy and genetic testing. Eligible LSLs were aortic valve atresia or stenosis, coarctation of the aorta, mitral atresia or stenosis and hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). CNV sequencing (CNV-seq) and WES were performed sequentially on specimens from these fetuses and their parents. CNV-seq was used to identify aneuploidies and pCNVs, while WES was used to identify diagnostic genetic variants in cases without aneuploidy or pCNV.

RESULTS

Of 80 pregnancies included in the study, 27 (33.8%) had a genetic diagnosis. CNV-seq analysis identified six (7.5%) fetuses with aneuploidy and eight (10.0%) with pCNVs. WES analysis of the remaining 66 cases revealed diagnostic genetic variants in 13 (19.7%) cases, indicating that the diagnostic yield of WES for the entire cohort was 16.3% (13/80). KMT2D was the most frequently mutated gene (7/66 (10.6%)) in fetuses with LSL without aneuploidy or pCNVs, followed by NOTCH1 (4/66 (6.1%)). HLHS was the most prevalent cardiac phenotype (4/7) in cases with a KMT2D mutation in this cohort. An additional six (9.1%) cases were found to have potentially deleterious variants in candidate genes.

CONCLUSIONS

Single-gene defects contribute substantially to the genetic etiology of fetal LSLs. KMT2D mutations accounted for approximately 10% of LSLs in our fetal cohort. WES has the potential to provide genetic diagnoses in fetuses with LSLs without aneuploidy or pCNVs. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Hepatitis E virus infection in buffaloes in South China

ABSTRACT Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is an important global public health issue. HEV infections are recognized as a zoonotic disease. Swine are believed to be the main reservoir of HEV. Recently, yaks, cows, and yellow cattle have been reported as new reservoirs of HEV. However, whether other species of cattle and buffaloes are sensitive to HEV infection is unknown. To investigate the prevalence of HEV infection in buffaloes, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nPCR) were performed. Only one buffalo was positive to anti-HEV IgM antibody (1/106, 0.94%), and none were positive for anti-HEV IgG antibody. To our surprise, five serum (5/106, 4.72%) and three milk samples (3/40, 7.50%) from buffaloes were positive to HEV RNA. All strains of HEV isolated from buffaloes belong to genotype 4. Results indicate that buffaloes may be a new reservoir of HEV.

Mitochondrial ribosomal protein S9M is involved in male gametogenesis and seed development in Arabidopsis

Mitochondrial function is critical for cell vitality in all eukaryotes including plants. Although plant mitochondria contain many proteins, few have been studied in the context of plant development and physiology. We used knock-down mutant RPS9M to study its important role in male gametogenesis and seed development in Arabidopsis thaliana. Knock-down of RPS9M in the rps9m-3 mutant led to abnormal pollen development and impaired pollen tube growth. In addition, both embryo and endosperm development were affected. Phenotype analysis revealed that the rps9m-3 mutant contained a lower amount of endosperm and nuclear proteins, and both embryo cell division and embryo pattern were affected, resulting in an abnormal and defective embryo. Lowering the level of RPS9M in rps9m-3 affects mitochondrial ribosome biogenesis, energy metabolism and production of ROS. Our data revealed that RPS9M plays important roles in normal gametophyte development and seed formation, possibly by sustaining mitochondrial function.

Identification of antimicrobial metabolites produced by a potential biocontrol Actinomycete strain A217

AIMS

To extract and identify the metabolites of strain A217 as well as its antifungal spectrum and control effect on various plant pathogens.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Strain A217 was identified as a Streptomyces sp. which was most similar to Streptomyces lienomycini. An antimicrobial spectrum test indicated that strain A217 inhibited several plant pathogenic fungi and strong antibacterial effect such as Phytophthora capsici, Botrytis cinerea, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Fusarium oxysporum, Pseudomonas syringae and Xanthomonas campestris. An in vivo tissue test demonstrated that the fermentation broth of strain A217 exerted therapeutic and protective effects of 49·47 and 61·60% respectively, on S. sclerotiorum. Additionally, the fermentation broth of A217 exerted control effects on walnut black spot disease in walnut leaves and branches amounting to 79·33 and 81·52% respectively. In a pot experiment, the fermentation broth exhibited a stronger protective and control effect (68·29%), as well as better bacteriostatic and disease control effects on Phytophthora blight of pepper, compared with Metalaxyl. Compounds possessing antifungal and antibacterial activities were obtained from the fermentation broth of strain A217, using column chromatography and HPLC. Chemical and structural analyses conducted using MS and nuclear magnetic resonance confirmed that these compounds were 1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid and 1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamide. The EC₅₀ values of compound 1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid1 for S. sclerotiorum and P. capsici were 20·13 and 50·36 μg ml^-1 respectively. Compound 1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamide2 showed significant antibacterial activity against different plant pathogenic bacteria. The MIC values of P. syringae, X. campestris and X. campestris pv. jugiandis were 7·5, 30 and 15·0 μg ml^-1 respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Actinomyces A217 fermentation products have a broad spectrum of bacteriostasis, and have good bacteriostasis activity to many plant pathogenic fungi and bacteria.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The present study revealed a new antimicrobial producing strain of Streptomyces and its potential application as a biological control agent for plant diseases.

[Effect of resection of adenoids and/or tonsil on the immune indexes in children with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome]

Objective: To study the effect on immune indexes in children with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) before and after resection of adenoid and/or tonsil. Methods: A total of 100 children with OSAHS due to adenoid hypertrophy were enrolled in Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University from December 2016 to December 2018. Some cases were complicated with tonsil hypertrophy or chronic tonsillitis. 6 ml of fasting peripheral venous blood were collected from all subjects at the 1st day before surgery, 4th day, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after surgery to detect lymphoid subsets percentage (CD3(+), CD4(+),CD8(+), CD4/CD8, CD19, NK) and level of immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgM). Grouping: group A was a total of 51 cases with adenoid hypertrophy after Adenoid plasma ablation; group B was a total of 27 cases with adenoid hypertrophy and chronic tonsillitis after plasma ablation of adenoid and tonsil; and group C was a total of 22 cases hypertrophy of adenoid and tonsil after plasma ablation of adenoid and tonsil.In the baseline data, age, gender and other variables were analyzed by anova and chi-square test, repeated measurement anova was used for intra-group and inter-group comparison of observation indicators at different time points after operation, and independent sample t-test was used for comparison between the two groups at observation points 3 months after operation. Results: (1) In group A, the percentage of CD19 lymphocytes before surgery was higher than that at 4th day after surgery, and the difference was statistically significant (21.85±6.20 vs.19.18±5.91, P<0.05). The other immune indexes were not statistically different before and after surgery (P>0.05). (2) In group B, the percentage of CD19 lymphocytes, CD3(+)T lymphocytes, CD8(+)T lymphocytes and the level of IgG at 4th day after surgery were significantly different between those before surgery (all P<0.05). At the 1st month after surgery, the percentage of CD3(+)T lymphocytes, CD8(+)T lymphocytes, CD19 lymphocytes and the level of IgG were significantly different between those before surgery (all P<0.05). The other immune indexes were not statistically different before and after operation (P>0.05). (3) In group C, the percentage of CD19 lymphocytes and the CD3(+)T lymphocytes at 4th day after surgery were significantly different between those before surgery (all P<0.05).In the 1st month after surgery, the percentage of CD8(+)T lymphocytes and CD19 lymphocytes were significantly different between those before surgery (all P<0.05). The other immune indexes were not statistically different before and after operation (P>0.05). (4) Among three groups, the percentage of CD4(+)T lymphocytes, the levels of IgG and IgA before surgery between group A and Group B were statistically significant (all P<0.05). At 4th day after surgery, the percentage of CD4(+)T lymphocytes in group B and C were lower than those in group A, and the differences were statistically significant (32.22±6.14, 32.36±6.87 vs. 36.36±5.19, all P<0.05); the other immune indexes were not statistically different among each group before and after surgery (P>0.05). Conclusions: Resection of adenoid has no significant effect on the immune indexes in children with OSAHS. The children with OSAHS complicated with tonsil problems have immune index disorder before surgery. Surgery has a certain effect on the immune indexes of children with OSAHS in a short period of time, and tends to normal level after one month.

Genetic and Biochemical Evidence That Enterococcus faecalis Gr17 Produces a Novel and Sec-Dependent Bacteriocin, Enterocin Gr17

Bacteriocins are ribosomally synthesized antibacterial peptides or proteins from microorganisms. We report a novel bacteriocin producing strain, Enterococcus faecalis Gr17, that was isolated from the Chinese traditional low-salt fermented whole fish product Suan yu. E. faecalis Gr17 displayed potent antibacterial activity against foodborne pathogenic and spoilage bacteria. The complete genome of E. faecalis Gr17 contained one circular chromosome and plasmid. The gene cluster of a novel bacteriocin designated enterocin Gr17 was identified. The enterocin Gr17 structural gene encodes a precursor of the bacteriocin. Two other transporter genes and an immunity gene within two divergent operons were identified as being associated with enterocin Gr17 secretion and protection. The novel enterocin Gr17 was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, cation exchange, gel filtration, and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The molecular weight of enterocin Gr17 was 4,531.01 Da as determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and its mature amino acid sequence of enterocin Gr17 was RSYGNGVYCNNSKCWVNWGEAKENIIGIVISGWATGLAGMGR. Sequence alignment revealed that enterocin Gr17 is a class IIa bacteriocin with similarities to enterocin P. The merits of bactericidal activity, sensitivity to enzymes, and pronounced stability to chemicals, temperature (60°C, 30 min and 121°C, 15 min), and pH (2-10) indicated practicality and safety of enterocin Gr17 in the food industry. The complete genome information of E. faecalis Gr17 will improve the understanding of the biosynthetic mechanism of enterocin Gr17, which has potential value as a food biopreservative.

The risk factors of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus after subarachnoid space hemorrhage of intracranial aneurysms

Shunt-dependent hydrocephalus is a common complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) which indicated intensive care unit stay and unfavorable outcome. Our aim is to study the risk factors of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus after aneurysmal subarachnoid space hemorrhage. Patients with intracranial aneurysms treated in our department from January 2014 to October 2018 were included in the study. Patients' age, gender, history of hypertension and diabetes, location of aneurysms, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score, Hunt-Hess grading, intraventricular hemorrhage, therapeutic option, shunt placement, clinical outcome, length of stay were analyzed. The follow-up period was 1 to 5 years. Statistics included Chi-squared, Student t test, 1-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multivariate logistic regression. About 845 cases with intracranial aneurysms treated in our department were included in the study. The mean age was 52.19 ± 9.51 years and the sex ratio was 317/528. About 14.3% (121/845) of the patients developed shunt-dependent hydrocephalus in the follow-up period. According to our results, older than 60, Hunt-Hess grading, GCS, coma, posterior circulation aneurysm, external ventricular drainage, and decompress craniotomy were risk factors of shunt dependency (P < .05). Moreover, older than 60, GCS 3 to 8, Hunt-Hess 3 to 5, and posterior circulation aneurysm were the independent risk factors of shunt dependency. Moreover, shunt dependency was related to longer hospital stay and unfavorable outcome (P < .05). In conclusion, patients older than 60, GCS 3 to 8, Hunt-Hess 3 to 5, and posterior circulation aneurysm need more strict observation and longer follow-up. Timely and appropriate treatment may benefit patients in recovery, while further exploration is still needed in the future.