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Background. Transforming growth factor beta-induced protein (TGFBI, encoded by TGFBI gene), is an extracellular matrix protein, widely expressed in variety of tissues. It binds to collagens type I, II, and IV and plays important roles in the interactions of cell with cell, collagen, and matrix. It has been reported to be associated with myocardial fibrosis, and the latter is an important pathophysiologyical basis of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the mechanism of TGFBI in AF remains unclear. We aimed to detect the potential mechanism of TGFBI in AF via bioinformatics analysis. Methods. The microarray dataset of GSE115574 was examined to detect the genes coexpressed with TGFBI from 14 left atrial tissue samples of AF patients. TGFBI coexpression genes were then screened using the R package. Using online analytical tools, we determined the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) annotation, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of TGFBI and its coexpression genes. The modules and hub genes of the PPI-network were then identified. Another dataset, GSE79768 was examined to verify the hub genes. DrugBank was used to detect the potential target drugs. Results. In GSE115574 dataset, a total of 1818 coexpression genes (769 positive and 1049 negative) were identified, enriched in 120 biological processes (BP), 38 cellular components (CC), 36 molecular functions (MF), and 39 KEGG pathways. A PPI-network with average 12.2-degree nodes was constructed. The genes clustered in the top module constructed from this network mainly play a role in PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, viral myocarditis, inflammatory bowel disease, and platelet activation. CXCL12, C3, FN1, COL1A2, ACTB, VCAM1, and MMP2 were identified and finally verified as the hub genes, mainly enriched in pathways like leukocyte transendothelial migration, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, viral myocarditis, rheumatoid arthritis, and platelet activation. Pegcetacoplan, ocriplasmin, and carvedilol were the potential target drugs. Conclusions. We used microdataset to identify the potential functions and mechanisms of the TGFBI and its coexpression genes in AF patients. Our findings suggest that CXCL12, C3, FN1, COL1A2, ACTB, VCAM1, and MMP2 may be the hub genes.

Cryptococcus is an opportunistic pathogenic fungus and is the major cause of fungal meningitis. The cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) lateral flow assay (LFA) is an immunochromatographic test system that has simplified diagnosis as a point-of-care test. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic performance of Cryptococcal capsular polysaccharide detection FungiXpert (Genobio Pharmaceutical, Tianjin, China) using serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples for the diagnosis of cryptococcosis and investigated the cross-reaction of the assays to pathogenic fungi and bacterium by comparing it to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (US FDA)-approved IMMY CrAg LFA. Eighty CSF and 119 serum/plasma samples from 158 patients were retrospectively collected to test for qualitative or semi-quantitative detection of CrAg. Cross-reaction of the assays was tested using 28 fungi and 1 bacterium. Compared to IMMY CrAg LFA, the FungiXpert LFA demonstrated 99.1% sensitivity and 98.9% specificity in the qualitative test. In the 96 semi-quantitative CrAg assay results, 39 (40.6%) test titers of FungiXpert LFA were 1–2 dilutions higher than those of IMMY CrAg LFA. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient of the Semi-quantitative results of CrAg titer tests via the two assays was 0.976. Similar to IMMY CrAg LFA, FungiXpert LFA showed cross-reactivity with Trichosporon asahii. Compared with the IMMY CrAg LFA, the FungiXpert LFA showed an equal, yet, excellent performance. However, it is important to note that these two assays have potential cross-reactivity to T. asahii when diagnosing patients. FungiXpert LFA is a rapid screening method for the effective and practical diagnosis and treatment of cryptococcosis. Lay summary The FungiXpert LFA was developed to diagnose fungal meningitis caused by Cryptococcus yeasts, by using serum or cerebrospinal fluid. It was compared to an existing lateral flow assay (LFA). The FungiXpert LFA performed well in qualitative and semi-quantitative tests.

Background To investigate the imaging anatomy and variations of bilateral adrenal veins to improve the success rate during adrenal venous sampling (AVS) and reduce the incidence of complications. Methods A total of 120 patients who underwent AVS from June 2017 to January 2019 were collected. RadiAnt Viewer software was used to retrospectively analyze the intraoperative imaging data, intraoperative anatomical variation data, the success rate, and complications of AVS. Results The ostium of the right adrenal vein was located mainly between the lower 1/3 of the 11th thoracic vertebra and the middle 1/3 of the 12th thoracic vertebra, accounting for 75.5% of the cases. Most of the ostium (83.3%) was transversely distributed between 9 o’clock and 12 o’clock. The main morphology of the right adrenal venography was a triangular pattern (48.2%). As the body mass index increased, the ostium was higher, and the distance between the ostium and the spine was greater (P < 0.05). The success rate of the right AVS, the left AVS, and the bilateral AVS was 95.0%, 97.5%, and 92.5%, respectively. The anatomical variation rate of the right adrenal vein was 5.3%. All cases showed that the right adrenal vein entered the accessory right hepatic vein and then into the inferior vena cava. The anatomical variation rate of the left adrenal vein was 4.3%. Conclusions Body mass index can be used to predict the location of the right adrenal vein ostium. Understanding of the anatomy and variation of the adrenal vein and right adrenal venography is essential to a successful AVS.

The aim of this study was to investigate the bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects of diminazene aceturate (DA) against five strains of pathogenic bacteria and two strains of nonpathogenic bacteria. The results showed that 5 μg/mL of DA suppressed the growth of pathogenic Escherichia coli by as much as 77% compared with the controls. Enterohemorrhagic E. coli EDL933 (an E. coli O157:H7 strain) was the most sensitive to DA with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 20 μg/mL. Additional investigations showed that DA induced the highest level of intracellular reactive oxygen species in EDL933. A positive correlation between the reactive oxygen species levels and DA concentration was demonstrated. DA (5 μg/mL) was also a potent uncoupler, inducing a stationary phase collapse (70%–75%) in both strains of E. coli O157:H7. Further investigation showed that the collapse was due to the NaCl:DA ratio in the broth and was potassium ion dependent. A protease screening assay was conducted to elucidate the underlying mechanism. It was found that at neutral pH, the hydrolysis of H-Asp-pNA increased by a factor of 2–3 in the presence of DA, implying that DA causes dysregulation of the proton motive force and a decrease in cellular pH. Finally, a commercial verotoxin test showed that DA did not significantly increase toxin production in EDL933 and was a suitable antibacterial agent for Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli.

BACKGROUND Infections, especially bacterial and fungal infections, are the leading cause of high mortality after liver transplantation (LT). This research investigated the pathogenic spectrum, antimicrobial susceptibility results, and risk factors of infection and death with infection to better control such infections. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective cohort study was performed, and 433 liver transplant recipients between January 2010 and December 2016 were analyzed. RESULTS We found 290 isolates of bacteria and fungi in 170 infected liver transplant patients. Significant independent risk factors for bacterial and fungal infections were prolonged hospital stay (OR 1.034, 95% CI 1.013~1.056, p=0.002), mechanical ventilation (OR 3.806, 95% CI 1.567~9.248, p=0.003), and liver failure (OR 2.659, 95% CI 1.019~6.940, p=0.046). Furthermore, postoperative MELD scores (OR 1.120, 95% CI 1.020~1.230, p=0.017) and septic shock (OR 12.000, 95% CI 1.124~128.066, p=0.003) were independent risk factors for death with infection. CRAB infection is the main pathogenic bacteria of septic shock in LT patients. CONCLUSIONS We found that 39.3% of recipients had at least 1 bacterial or fungal infection after LT. Shortening the length of hospital stay and early withdrawal of mechanical ventilation will reduce the risk of infection after LT. Patients with liver failure should be more vigilant against postoperative infection. Once an infection occurs, immediate assessment of the postoperative MELD score, early diagnosis of septic shock, and active search for pathogenic evidence for precise treatment will help improve patient prognosis. Routine screening for CRAB colonization before surgery will facilitate empirical use of effective antibiotics.

The bidirectional communication between the central nervous system (CNS) and the gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in human health. Increasing numbers of studies suggest that the gut microbiota can influence the brain and behavior of patients. Various metabolites secreted by the gut microbiota can affect the cognitive ability of patients diagnosed with neurodegenerative diseases. Nearly one in every ten Korean senior citizens suffers from Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common form of dementia. This review highlights the impact of metabolites from the gut microbiota on communication pathways between the brain and gut, as well as the neuroinflammatory roles they may have in AD patients. The objectives of this review are as follows: (1) to examine the role of the intestinal microbiota in homeostatic communication between the gut microbiota and the brain, termed the microbiota–gut–brain (MGB) axis; (2) to determine the underlying mechanisms of signal dysfunction; and (3) to assess the impact of signal dysfunction induced by the microbiota on AD. This review will aid in understanding the microbiota of elderly people and the neuroinflammatory roles they may have in AD.

The aim of this study was to investigate the bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects of diminazene aceturate (DA) against five strains of pathogenic bacteria and two strains of nonpathogenic bacteria. The results showed that 5 μg/mL of DA suppressed the growth of pathogenic Escherichia coli by as much as 77% compared with the controls. Enterohemorrhagic E. coli EDL933 (an E. coli O157:H7 strain) was the most sensitive to DA with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 20 μg/mL. Additional investigations showed that DA induced the highest level of intracellular reactive oxygen species in EDL933. A positive correlation between the reactive oxygen species levels and DA concentration was demonstrated. DA (5 μg/mL) was also a potent uncoupler, inducing a stationary phase collapse (70%–75%) in both strains of E. coli O157:H7. Further investigation showed that the collapse was due to the NaCl:DA ratio in the broth and was potassium ion dependent. A protease screening assay was conducted to elucidate the underlying mechanism. It was found that at neutral pH, the hydrolysis of H-Asp-pNA increased by a factor of 2–3 in the presence of DA, implying that DA causes dysregulation of the proton motive force and a decrease in cellular pH. Finally, a commercial verotoxin test showed that DA did not significantly increase toxin production in EDL933 and was a suitable antibacterial agent for Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli.

Cryptococcus is the major pathogen that causes fungal meningitis. In the People's Republic of China, especially in the Southwest area, cryptococcal meningitis (CM) in HIV-uninfected patients is more common than in HIV-infected patients. We compared clinical features and laboratory data pertaining to CM in patients with different immunological statuses. Demographic data, clinical manifestations, and laboratory data from inpatients in West China Hospital Sichuan University were collected from June 2009 to June 2014. Patients were grouped according to HIV status. Continuous variables were evaluated by Student t-test or Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Categorical variables were analyzed by χ2 test. Among 85 patients with CM were identified, 53 (62.4%) were HIV-uninfected patients. CM occurred more frequently in males in the HIV-infected group. Compared with HIV-infected patients, HIV-uninfected patients had more leukocytes in their blood and more leukocytes and protein in cerebrospinal fluid. More HIV-uninfected patients had increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)/serum albumin ratios, while intrathecal immunoglobulin G (IgG) synthesis was significantly increased. The rate of in-hospital mortality of HIV-infected CM patients was higher. Clinical signs are similar between HIV-uninfected and HIV-infected CM patients. Fewer leukocytes and protein was detected in the CSF and lower local synthesis of IgG in the central nervous system in HIV-infected patients, which reflects their diminished immune response. These characteristics should be noted in order to avoid misdiagnosis. Meningeal enhancement and intrathecal IgG synthesis in the HIV-uninfected group was significantly higher, that may be performance of aggressive inflammatory response and might contribute to a better outcome.

The present study is to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and analyze the effect of occupational stress, job burnout and coping resource on the HRQOL among nurses in China. A total of 1,012 nurses were recruited from eight hospitals of two provinces in 2008. The Chinese version of Short Form-36 Health Survey and Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey were used to measure the HRQOL and burnout respectively, the Occupation Stress Inventory-Revised Edition was used to evaluate occupational stressor, personal strain and coping resources. Other potential influencing factors for HRQOL were collected using a structured questionnaire. HRQOL in the nurses was lower than that in the general population. Occupational stressor, personal strain and job burnout correlated negatively with the HRQOL (p

AIM: To evaluate the contribution of alcohol dehydrogenase-1B (ADH1B) and aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) polymorphisms to the risk of esophageal cancer. METHODS: Nineteen articles were included by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Chinese Biomedical Database, 13 on ADH1B and 18 on ALDH2. We performed a meta-analysis of case-control studies including 13 studies on ADH1B (cases/controls: 2390/7100) and 18 studies on ALDH2 (2631/6030). RESULTS: The crude odds ratio [OR (95% confidence interval)] was 2.91 (2.04-4.14) for ADH1B*1/*1 (vs ADH1B*2/*2) and 1.32 (1.17-1.49) for ADH1B*1/*2. The crude OR for ALDH2*1/*2 (vs ALDH2*1/*1) was 2.52 (1.76-3.61). ADH1B*1/*1 increased the risk of esophageal cancer among never/rare [1.56 (0.93-2.61)], moderate [2.71 (1.37-5.35)], and heavy drinkers [3.22 (2.27-4.57)]. ADH1B*1/*2 was associated with a modest risk among moderate drinkers [1.43 (1.09-1.87)]. ALDH2*1/*2 increased the risk among never/rare [1.28 (0.91-1.80)], moderate [3.12 (1.95-5.01)], and heavy [7.12 (4.67-10.86)] drinkers, and among ex-drinkers [5.64 (1.57-20.25)]. ALDH2*2/*2 increased the risk among drinkers [4.42 (1.72-11.36)]. ADH1B*1/*1 plus ALDH2*1/*2 was associated with the highest risk for heavy drinkers [12.45 (2.9-53.46)]. The results of the meta-regression analysis showed that the effects of ADH1B*1/*1 and ALDH2*1/*2 increased with the level of alcohol consumption. ALDH2*1/*2 was associated with a high risk among Taiwan Chinese and Japanese drinkers, as opposed to a moderate risk among drinkers in high-incidence regions of Mainland China. ADH1B*1/*1 in heavy drinkers and ALDH2*1/*2 in moderate-to-heavy drinkers was associated with similarly high risk among both men and women. CONCLUSION: ADH1B/ALDH2 genotypes affect the risk of esophageal cancer, and the risk is modified by alcohol consumption, ethnicity, and gender.

Graphene has attracted the attention of the entire scientific community due to its unique mechanical and electrochemical, electronic, biomaterial, and chemical properties. The water-soluble derivative of graphene, graphene oxide, is highly prized and continues to be intensely investigated by scientists around the world. This review seeks to provide an overview of the currents applications of graphene oxide in nanomedicine, focusing on delivery systems, tissue engineering, cancer therapies, imaging, and cytotoxicity, together with a short discussion on the difficulties and the trends for future research regarding this amazing material.