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Abstract Objective Bone incision leads to interrupted and sluggish blood flow in the process of distraction osteogenesis (DO), creating a hypoxia (0–2% oxygen tension) at the center of the bone callus. This hypoxia is critical in the coupling of osteogenesis and angiogenesis during DO. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Uniaxial Static Strain (USS) on osteogenesis in osteoblasts under hypoxic conditions, with a focus on the expression of osteogenic markers and angiogenic factors. Methods The USS was made by a multi-unit tension compression device.Osteoblasts were subjected to 10% USS made under hypoxic conditions to mimic the process of DO in vitro. The cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mineralized nodule formation, and expression of osteogenic and angiogenic markers were evaluated by using a CCK-8 assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, ALP activity assay, alizarin red S staining, qRT-PCR, Western blotting and ELISA. Results Hypoxia inhibited osteoblast cell proliferation, ALP activity, mineralized nodule formation, and the expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx- 2), osteopontin(OPN), osteocalcin (OCN), collagen type I (Col1a1). Conversely, hypoxia upregulated the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which are associated with angiogenesis. However, the application of USS enhanced osteoblasts’ osteogenic capacity and upregulated angiogenic factors under hypoxic conditions. Conclusion USS can enhance osteogenesis in osteoblasts under hypoxic conditions. Moreover, it may stimulate angiogenesis by promoting the expression of VEGF, which further contributes to bone formation. This finding provides important implications for understanding the mechanisms involved in bone regeneration and may have clinical applications in optimizing the effectiveness of DO techniques.

Abstract Background Patients undergoing dialysis treatment have long been recognized as having an elevated risk of developing coronary artery disease necessitating coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, the prognostic implications of CABG in dialysis-dependent patients remain underexplored. This study aimed to comprehensively assess both short- and long-term outcomes in dialysis-dependent patients undergoing CABG. Methods In this retrospective analysis, we meticulously matched 55 dialysis-dependent patients with 55 non-dialysis patients, controlling for baseline characteristics including age, sex, etiology, and date of surgery. All patients underwent CABG treatment at our institution between January 2014 and June 2022. We conducted a comparative analysis of postoperative complications and survival rates between the two groups. Results Our findings revealed that the dialysis-dependent group exhibited a significantly higher incidence of postoperative complications compared to the non-dialysis group (92.7% vs. 61.8%; p

Abstract Under subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) conditions, astrocytes undergo a marked intensification of glycolytic activity, resulting in the generation of substantial amounts of lactate to maintain the energy demand for neurons and other brain cells. Lactate has garnered increasing attention in recent years because of its emerging role in critical biological processes such as inflammation regulation and neuroprotection, particularly through its histone lactylation. Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) plays a crucial role in maintaining neural development and promoting memory formation in the central nervous system. Nonetheless, the function and regulatory mechanism of BRD4 and histone lactylation in astrocytes following SAH remain elusive. Our findings indicate that BRD4, a crucial epigenetic regulator, plays a definitive role in histone lactylation. Both in vitro and in vivo, these results demonstrated that targeted silencing of BRD4 in astrocytes can significantly reduce H4K8la lactylation, thereby aggravating the A1 polarization of astrocytes and ultimately affecting the recovery of neural function and prognosis in mice after SAH. In summary, BRD4 plays a pivotal role in modulating astrocyte polarization following SAH via histone lactylation. Targeting this mechanism might offer an efficient therapeutic strategy for SAH.

Abstract Background Influenza A virus infections can occur in multiple species. Eurasian avian-like swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses (EAS-H1N1) are predominant in swine and occasionally infect humans. A Eurasian avian-like swine influenza A (H1N1) virus was isolated from a boy who was suffering from fever; this strain was designated A/Shandong-binzhou/01/2021 (H1N1). The aims of this study were to investigate the characteristics of this virus and to draw attention to the need for surveillance of influenza virus infection in swine and humans. Methods Throat-swab specimens were collected and subjected to real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‒PCR). Positive clinical specimens were inoculated onto Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells to isolate the virus, which was confirmed by a haemagglutination assay. Then, whole-genome sequencing was carried out using an Illumina MiSeq platform, and phylogenetic analysis was performed with MEGA X software. Results RT‒PCR revealed that the throat-swab specimens were positive for EAS-H1N1, and the virus was subsequently successfully isolated from MDCK cells; this strain was named A/Shandong-binzhou/01/2021 (H1N1). Whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that A/Shandong-binzhou/01/2021 (H1N1) is a novel triple-reassortant EAS-H1N1 lineage that contains gene segments from EAS-H1N1 (HA and NA), triple-reassortant swine influenza H1N2 virus (NS) and A(H1N1) pdm09 viruses (PB2, PB1, PA, NP and MP). Conclusions The isolation and analysis of the A/Shandong-binzhou/01/2021 (H1N1) virus provide further evidence that EAS-H1N1 poses a threat to human health, and greater attention should be given to the surveillance of influenza virus infections in swine and humans.

Abstract Background There is currently a lack of functional assessment tools based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) theoretical framework that are specific for older adults. Objective The aim of the present study was to develop Chinese assessment standards of the ICF Geriatric Core Set for functional evaluation of older adults. Methods A two-stage study process was conducted to develop the assessment standards of the ICF Geriatric Core Set: establishment of candidate assessment standards, and a modified Delphi consensus process including a pilot survey and two-round formal expert survey. Thirty participants in the field of ICF and geriatric rehabilitation were recruited. The suitability of the assessment standards in the questionnaires was rated using a Likert 5-level scoring method. The arithmetic mean, the full mark ratio and the coefficient of variation (CV) were used as screening indicators for the assessment standards, and modification was made for several standards, in line with the Delphi results and the expert panel discussion. Results Thirty-three candidate assessment standards belonging to 17 categories were generated. A total of 26 and 24 experts in the field of ICF and geriatric rehabilitation participated in the two-round survey, respectively. Five standards belonging to four categories entered into the second-round survey directly, five standards belonged to five categories entered with minor modification, and nine standards belonging to seven categories were redesigned based on the literature and discussion of the expert panel. In the second-round survey,15 assessment standards belonging to 15 categories met the screening requirements and four assessment standards belonged to the two remaining categories that needed a criterion and which the expert panel discussed for the final decision. Conclusions Using the modified Delphi method, the assessment standards of the ICF Geriatric Core Set have been developed.Future work should focus on the reliability and validity of the the assessment standards and their application to the health management of older adults.

Abstract Background To report a case of retinitis with multiple intraocular viral infections after second haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Case presentation A 39-year-old female patient developed retinitis after a second haematopoietic stem cell transplant. Right eye was tested for three viral infections– cytomegalovirus, Epstein‒Barr virus and herpes simplex virus, while left was infected with cytomegalovirus. The patient was subsequently treated with vitreous cavity ganciclovir injections, and 1 week later both eyes tested negative for aqueous humour viruses. Discussion and conclusion CMV, EBV and HSV belong to the herpes virus family. They are all commonly observed in the body and represent opportunity infectious viruses. The retinitis they cause have different characteristics. But simultaneous infection of the eye by multiple viruses is quite rare. In this case, three viruses were detected in the patient’s eye, but whether the retina was caused by all three viruses at the same time could not be determined. A satisfactory outcome was achieved after treatment with vitreous cavity ganciclovir injection.

Abstract Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a prevalent complication following acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) surgery and is closely associated with unfavorable prognostic outcomes. Hence, the development of a robust and efficient diagnostic approach to identify high-risk patients is of paramount importance. Methods We conducted a prospective study involving 328 patients who underwent ATAAD surgery at our institution, comprising three distinct cohorts. In addition, 52 patients undergoing alternative cardiopulmonary surgeries and 37 healthy individuals were enrolled as control groups. Employing proteomic analysis, we initially identified plasma proteins potentially linked to AKI occurrence within the plasma proteomic cohort. Subsequent validation was performed in an independent cohort. Utilizing predictors derived from multivariate logistic regression analysis, a nomogram was meticulously formulated and its efficacy was validated in the model construction cohort. Results Proteomics revealed significant elevation of plasma levels of S100A8/A9, pentraxin 3 (PTX3), and chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) immediately post-surgery in patients who developed ATAAD surgery-associated AKI (ASA-AKI). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves demonstrated impressive predictive performance of S100A8/A9, PTX3, and CHI3L1 at 0 h post-surgery, yielding area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.823, 0.786, and 0.803, respectively, for ASA-AKI prediction. Furthermore, our findings exhibited positive correlations between plasma levels of S100A8/A9, PTX3, CHI3L1, and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) at 0 h post-surgery, along with correlations between plasma S100A8/A9, CHI3L1 levels, and the Cleveland Clinic score. A logistic regression model incorporating plasma S100A8/A9, PTX3, CHI3L1 levels, urinary NGAL levels, and the Cleveland Clinic score facilitated the construction of a predictive nomogram for ASA-AKI. This nomogram demonstrated robust discriminative ability, achieving an AUC of 0.963 in the model construction cohort. Conclusions Our study underscored the augmentation of plasma S100A8/A9, PTX3, and CHI3L1 levels immediately post-surgery in patients developing ASA-AKI. The incorporation of these three biomarkers, in conjunction with the Cleveland Clinic score and NGAL, into a nomogram demonstrated commendable predictive efficacy. This presents a practical tool for identifying patients at an elevated risk of AKI following ATAAD surgery.

Abstract Background Despite that several original researchers have investigated the association between neck circumference (NC) and the risk of diabetes mellitus (DM), their results remain controversial. This review aimed to quantitatively determine the risk of DM in relation to the NC. Methods We conducted a literature search of PubMed, Embase, and the Web of Science from these databases’ inception through September 2022 to identify observational studies that examined the association between NC and the risk of DM. A meta-analysis of the random-effects model was applied to combine the results of the enrolled studies. Results Sixteen observational studies involving 4,764 patients with DM and 26,159 participants were assessed. The pooled results revealed that NC was significantly associated with the risk of type 2 DM (T2DM) (OR = 2.17; 95% CI: 1.30–3.62) and gestational DM (GDM) (OR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.17–1.48). Subgroup analysis revealed that after controlling for BMI, the relationship between the NC and T2DM remained statistically significant (OR = 1.94; 95% CI: 1.35–2.79). Moreover, the pooled OR of T2DM was found to be 1.16 (95% CI: 1.07–1.27) for an increment per each centimeter in the NC. Conclusions Integrated epidemiological evidence supports the hypothesis that a greater NC is associated with an increased risk of T2DM and GDM.

Abstract Background Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare neurological disorder with complex physiopathological mechanisms that have not been fully understood. Early identification is of great prognostic significance, of which the symptoms and radiological abnormalities can be completely reversed. If the diagnosis and treatment are delayed, ischemia and massive infarction may be developed in some patients. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) has been reported mainly in association with postpartum eclampsia, which have been rarely reported, while the association with hypothyroidism has not been reported at home or abroad. Case presentation Here we report on a pregnant 29-year-old with multipara and a chief complication of hypothyroidism. She presented in the emergency department with frequent attacks of severe headache symptoms resulting from reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS), accompanied with prenatal eclampsia. PRES was determined by radiological examination. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of PRES complicated by hypothyroidism and prepartum eclampsia.Clinicians should be alert for the co-occurence of eclampsia, PRES, and RCVS when patients have convulsions after a typical throbbing headache. Moreover, regular monitoring of thyroid function during pregnancy should also occupy certain special attention.

Abstract Background Avian coccidiosis is an important parasitic disease that has serious adverse effects on the global poultry industry. The extensive use of anticoccidial drugs has resulted in an increase in drug resistance. Ethanamizuril (EZL) is a novel triazine with high anticoccidial activity. Methods We compared oocyst production and sporulation between EZL-sensitive (S) and EZL-resistant Eimeria tenella strains (R10 and R200) and used label-free quantitative proteomics to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between these strains. Results We generated two EZL-resistant E. tenella strains: strain R10, which was induced using a constant dose of 10 mg EZL/kg poultry feed, and strain R200, which was generated by gradually increasing the EZL dosage to 200 mg EZL/kg poultry feed. With an increase in resistance, the total oocyst output decreased, but the percentage of sporulation did not change significantly. We identified a total of 7511 peptides and 1282 proteins, and found 152 DEPs in the R10 strain versus the S strain, 426 DEPs in the R200 strain versus the S strain and 494 DEPs in the R200 strain versus the R10 strain. When compared with the S strain, 86 DEPs were found to have consistent trends in both resistant strains. The DEPs were primarily involved in ATP and GTP binding, invasion, and membrane components. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses of the DEPs suggested that they are involved in transcription and translation processes. Protein–protein interaction network analysis of the 86 DEPs showed that 10 proteins were hubs in the functional interaction network (≥ 8 edges) and five of them were ribosomal proteins. Conclusions The results of the present study indicate that the resistance mechanisms of E. tenella against EZL might be related to the transcriptional and translational processes, especially in the factors that inhibit the growth of parasites. The DEPs found in this study provide new insights into the resistance mechanisms of E. tenella against EZL. Further research on these potential targets holds promise for new chemotherapeutic approaches for controlling E. tenella infections. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background Diabetic foot (DF) is one of the most common and serious complications of diabetes mellitus (DM), which brings great psychological and economic pressure to patients. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of stem cells in the treatment of diabetic foot. Methods All relevant studies in Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WanFang databases were systematically searched for meta-analysis. The outcomes consisted of ulcer or wound healing rate, amputation rate, new vessels, ankle–brachial index (ABI), transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2), pain-free walking distance, and rest pain score. Dichotomous outcomes were described as risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), while continuous data were presented as standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% CIs. Statistical analysis was performed with RevMan 5.3 software. Results A total of 14 studies with 683 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis showed that stem cell therapy was more effective than conventional therapy in terms of ulcer or wound healing rate [OR = 8.20 (5.33, 12.62)], improvement in lower extremity ischemia(new vessels) [OR = 16.48 (2.88, 94.18)], ABI [MD = 0.13 (0.04, 0.08)], TcO2[MD = 4.23 (1.82, 6.65)], pain-free walking distance [MD = 220.79 (82.10, 359.48)], and rest pain score [MD = − 1.94 (− 2.50, − 1.39)], while the amputation rate was significantly decreased [OR = 0.19 (0.10, 0.36)]. Conclusions The meta-analysis of the current studies has shown that stem cells are significantly more effective than traditional methods in the treatment of diabetic foot and can improve the quality of life of patients after treatment. Future studies should conduct large-scale, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trials with high-quality long-term follow-up to demonstrate the most effective cell types and therapeutic parameters for the treatment of diabetic foot.

Abstract Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious complication that often occurred after acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) surgery. Previous studies proved that the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) defined stage 3 AKI was associated with lower long-term survival rate. However, the risk factors for developing stage 3 AKI had not been identified. The aim of the study was to explore the risk factors for developing KDIGO stage 3 after ATAAD operation. Methods This study included 993 patients who received ATAAD operation from 2014 to 2019 at the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital. Postoperative AKI was diagnosed according to the KDIGO criteria. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to identify risk factors for stage 3 AKI. Kaplan–Meier survival analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression model were conducted to explore the association between different AKI stages and postoperative survival rate. Results The mean age of all enrolled patients was 53.0 ± 13.1 years. A total of 236 (23.8%) patients suffered postoperative stage 3 AKI including 165 patients who required renal replacement therapy. Advanced age (odds ratio [OR] 1.031; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.005–1.057; P = 0.018), prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) duration (OR 1.010; 95% CI 1.002–1.018; P = 0.013), and higher drainage volume 24 h after surgery (OR 1.000; 95% CI 1.000–1.001; P = 0.033) were identified as independent risk factors for developing stage 3 AKI. In addition, our result showed that the mortality rate was correlated significantly with the severity of AKI defined by KDIGO criteria and the Cox regression analysis showed that only stage 3 AKI, but not stage 1 and 2, was an independent risk factor for mortality (Hazard ratio 10.365, 95% CI 4.208 to 25.528; P

Abstract Background Despite the well-studied effects of gestational weight gain (GWG) on offspring health, little is known about the association of trimester-specific GWG with offspring birth weight among underweight pregnant women. This study aimed to explore the association of trimester-specific GWG rate with small for gestational age (SGA) in underweight women. Methods The GWG rate of underweight pregnant women (pre-pregnancy body mass index [BMI] lower than 18.5 kg/m2) of the Born in Guangzhou Cohort Study was calculated as the weight gain during a specific trimester divided by the corresponding duration of week. Total GWG was calculated as the weight difference between pre-pregnancy and delivery, and was categorized into inadequate, adequate, and excessive weight gain based on the 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) weight gain recommendation. The INTERGROWTH-21st standards were used to define SGA. Logistic regression models were used to examine the associations of total GWG and trimester-specific GWG rates with SGA. Associations between trimester-specific GWG rates and SGA were also analyzed separately based on different total GWG categories (i.e. inadequate and adequate/excessive GWG). Results Of the 3839 participants, SGA births occurred in 397 (10.3%), and mean GWG was 14.9 kg (SD 3.9). A lower risk of SGA was observed among women with higher GWG rate (per 0.5 kg/week increase) during the first (adjusted OR [aOR] 0.74, 95%CI 0.57, 0.96) and second (adjusted OR [aOR] 0.40, 95%CI 0.30, 0.55) but not third trimester. Similar association between higher GWG rate during the second trimester and a decreased risk of SGA were observed among women with inadequate (

Abstract Background China suffers from a low exclusive breastfeeding rate. Though it has been proofed that paternal support benefits breastfeeding a lot, the correlation between father’s co-residence and exclusive breastfeeding in China remain undiscovered. This study is to provide population-based evidence for the association of paternal co-residence on exclusive breastfeeding in rural western China. We also attempt to detect how the process works by examining the correlation between the father’s co-residence and breastfeeding family support as well as maternal decision-making power. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 13 nationally-designated poverty-stricken counties in the Qinba Mountains area in 2019. Data on breastfeeding practices, the status of fathers co-residence, breastfeeding family support, and maternal decision-making power were collected via structured questionnaires from 452 caregivers-infant pairs. Multivariate regressions were conducted to explore the correlation between paternal co-residence and exclusive breastfeeding. Results The exclusive breastfeeding (0–6 months) rate was 16% in rural western China. Fathers’ co-residence was associated with a lower exclusive breastfeeding rate (OR = 0.413, 95% CI = 0.227–0.750, P = 0.004) and the rate did not improve when the father was the secondary caregiver. Even ruling out support from grandmothers, the association was still negative. Paternal co-residence did not improve maternal perceived breastfeeding family support, neither practically nor emotionally (β =0.109, P = 0.105; β =0.011,P = 0.791, respectively) and it reduced maternal decision-making power (β = − 0.196, P = 0.007). Conclusions Fathers’ co-residence is negatively associated with the exclusive breastfeeding rates in rural western China. More skill-based practical and emotional strategies should be considered on father’s education to help them better involvement and show more respect to mothers’ decisions.

Abstract Background Hepatic dysfunction (HD) increases the morbidity and mortality rates after cardiac surgery. However, few studies have investigated the association between HD and acute DeBakey type I aortic dissection (ADIAD) surgery. This retrospective study aimed to identify risk factors for developing HD in patients who received acute type I aortic dissection repair and its consequences. Methods A total of 830 consecutive patients who received ADIAD surgery from January 2014 to December 2019 at our center were screened for this study. The End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score more than 14 was applied to identify postoperative HD. Logistic regression model was applied to identify risk factors for postoperative HD, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression assay were conducted to analyze the association between HD and postoperative long-term survival. Results Among 634 patients who eventually enrolled in this study, 401 (63.2%) experienced postoperative HD with a 30-Day mortality of 15.5%. Preoperative plasma fibrinogen level (PFL) [odds ratio (OR): 0.581, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.362–0.933, P = 0.025], serum creatinine (sCr) on admission (OR: 1.050, 95% CI 1.022–1.079, P

Abstract Objective This study aimed to identify risk factors for 30-day mortality in patients who received DeBakey type I aortic dissection (AD) repair surgery. Methods A total of 830 consecutive patients who received acute DeBakey type I AD surgery between 2014 and 2019 were included in the study. The associations between 30-day mortality and perioperative parameters were examined in order to identify risk factors. Results Our data suggested that the overall 30-day mortality rate of all enrolled patients was 11.7%. Unsurprisingly, non-survivors were older and more frequently accompanied with histories of cardiovascular diseases. For intraoperative parameters, the prevalence of coronary artery bypass grafting and cardiopulmonary bypass times were increased in non-survivors. In addition, acute kidney injury (AKI), dialysis, stroke, and deep sternal wound infection were more commonly seen among non-survivors. The multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that cardiovascular disease history, preoperative D-dimer level, drainage volume 24 h after surgery, and postoperative AKI were independent risk factors for 30-day mortality after DeBakey type I aortic dissection repair surgery. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that cardiovascular disease history, preoperative D-dimer level, drainage volume 24 h after surgery as well as postoperative AKI were risk factors for 30-day mortality after DeBakey type I aortic dissection repair surgery.

Abstract Background Schistosoma japonicum is a parasitic flatworm that is the aetiological agent of human schistosomiasis, an important cause of hepatic fibrosis. Schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis is a consequence of the highly fibrogenic nature of egg-induced granulomatous lesions, which are the main pathogenic features of schistosomiasis. Although global awareness of the association between schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis and S. japonicum infection is increasing, little is known about the molecular differences associated with rapid progression to schistosomiasis in cirrhotic patients. Methods We systematically used data-independent acquisition (DIA)-based liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify differentially expressed proteins in serum samples from patients with advanced S. japonicum-induced hepatic fibrosis. Results Our analysis identified 1144 proteins, among which 66 were differentially expressed between the healthy control group and the group of patients with advanced S. japonicum-induced hepatic fibrosis stage F2 (SHF-F2) and 214 were differentially expressed between the SHF-F2 and SHF-F4 groups (up- or downregulation of at least 1.5-fold in serum samples). The results also indicated that two selected proteins (C1QA and CFD) are potential biomarkers for distinguishing between patients with SHF-F2 and those with SHF-F4 due to S. japonicum infection. Conclusions We provide here the first global proteomic profile of serum samples from patients with advanced S. japonicum-induced hepatic fibrosis. The proteins C1QA and CFD are potential diagnostic markers for patients with SHF-F2 and SHF-F4 due to S. japonicum infection, although further large-scale studies are needed. Our DIA-based quantitative proteomic analysis revealed molecular differences among individuals at different stages of advanced S. japonicum-induced hepatic fibrosis and may provide fundamental information for further detailed investigations. Graphic Abstract

Abstract Background Prevalence of neonatal microcephaly in populations without Zika-epidemics is sparse. The study aimed to report baseline prevalence of congenital microcephaly and its relationship with prenatal factors in an area at risk of Zika outbreak. Methods This study included singletons born after 24 gestational weeks in 2017–2018 at four hospitals in Guangzhou, China. Microcephaly was defined as a head circumference at birth >3SD below the mean for sex and gestational age. Prevalence of microcephaly was estimated by binomial exact method. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the associations of microcephaly with prenatal factors. The population attributable fraction (PAF) for associated risk factors was calculated. Results Of 46,610 live births included, 154 (3.3, 95% CI 2.8–3.9 per 1000 live births) microcephalies were identified. Maternal hepatitis B virus carriers (HBV, OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.05–3.10) and primipara (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.89–3.81) had higher risk of having a microcephalic baby. Higher prevalence of microcephaly was observed in women who had premature labor (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.17–3.34) and had a baby with fetal growth restriction (OR 16.38, 95% CI 11.81–22.71). Four identified factors (HBV, primiparity, preterm labor, and fetal growth restriction) contributed to 66.4% of the risk of microcephaly. Conclusions The prevalence of microcephaly in Guangzhou was higher than expected. This study identified four prenatal risk factors that, together, contributed to two-thirds of the increased risk of microcephaly. This is the first reported association between maternal HBV carrier status and microcephaly.

Abstract Background Triazine coccidiostats are widely used in chickens and turkeys for coccidiosis control. Ethanamizuril is a novel triazine compound that exhibits anticoccidial activity in poultry. This study was designed to evaluate the subchronic toxicity of ethanamizuril in beagle dogs at doses of 12, 60 or 300 mg/kg/day in diet for 90 days. Results Ethanamizuril was well tolerated at low and middle dosages in beagle dogs, and no drug-related toxical effects were observaed in terms of survival, clinical observations, organs weight and damage in these dose groups. However, in high dose administration group, food consumption and histologic changes in kidneys were noticed in both sexes of beagle dog, although the renal lesions were finally resolved at the end of 4 weeks exposure of ethanamizuril. Conclusions No-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) was considered for ethanamizuril at dose of 60 mg/kg/day in Beagle dog. This result added toxicity effects of ethanamizuril to the safety database, which might guide safely using of ethanamizuril as a novel coccidiostat.

Abstract Background The exact pathogenesis of idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (ICNV) remains unclear. Cytokine-mediated inflammation has been thought to be involved in the pathophysiology of ICNV. The purpose of this study was to investigate serum cytokine profiles in patients with ICNV and to explore the relationship between serum cytokine levels and ICNV severity. Methods This case-control study was conducted in 32 ICNV patients and 30 healthy volunteers. Clinical and demographic information was obtained from the medical data platform and the serum was analysed with a multiplex assay to determine the levels of seven cytokines: interleukin (IL)-2, IL-10, IL-15, IL-17, basic fibroblast growth factor (basic FGF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Results Serum levels of IL-2, IL-10, IL-17, basic FGF, and VEGF were elevated in ICNV patients compared to controls. Serum GM-CSF levels were positively related to central retinal thickness, and serum IL-17 levels were positively related to CNV lesion area. Conclusion Serum inflammatory cytokines were significantly elevated in ICNV patients compared to controls. This suggests that systemic inflammation may play a critical role in the physiopathology of ICNV.

Abstract Background Evidence about the associations between maternal dietary patterns and preterm delivery is scarce in Eastern countries. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy and preterm delivery in a Chinese population. Methods A total of 7352 mothers were included in the Born in Guangzhou Cohort Study, a prospective study in China. A validated self-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to assess maternal diet at 24–27 weeks of gestation. Dietary patterns were identified by cluster analysis. Gestational age was obtained from routine medical records. Preterm delivery was defined as delivery before 37 completed weeks of gestation, and was further classified into spontaneous and iatrogenic preterm delivery, and also early/moderate and late preterm delivery. Associations between dietary patterns and preterm delivery outcomes were assessed using logistic regression analyses. Results Six dietary patterns were identified, including ‘Milk’, ‘Cereals, eggs, and Cantonese soups’, ‘Meats’, ‘Fruits, nuts, and Cantonese desserts’, ‘Vegetables’, and ‘Varied’. There were 351 (4.8%) preterm deliveries in this study population. Among those of preterm delivery, 16.2 and 83.8% were early/moderate and late preterm delivery, respectively. Compared with women of ‘Vegetables’ pattern, those of ‘Milk’ pattern had greater odds of overall preterm delivery (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11, 2.29, p

Abstract Background Rotavirus (RV) and enteric adenovirus (AdV) mainly cause infantile infectious gastroenteritis. Several separate test methods for the detection of RV or AdV are currently available, but few tests are able to simultaneously detect both RV and AdV viruses, especially in primary medical institutions. Methods The present study was mainly designed to compare the performance of two combined test strips for the detection of RV and AdV: a rotavirus–adenovirus strip with fluorescent microspheres for tracers (FMT); and the CerTest rotavirus–adenovirus blister strip with colored microspheres for tracers (CMT). To test the strips cultures of RV, AdV and from other enteric pathogens were used, in addition to 350 stool specimens from 45 symptomatic patients with gastrointestinal infections. Results Detection thresholds for RV and AdV cultures using serial dilutions showed that the sensitivity of FMT was significantly higher than that of CMT (both P

Abstract Background Insect mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) exhibit high diversity in some lineages. The gene rearrangement and large intergenic spacer (IGS) have been reported in several Coleopteran species, although very little is known about mitogenomes of Meloidae. Results We determined complete or nearly complete mitogenomes of seven meloid species. The circular genomes encode 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs) and two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), and contain a control region, with gene arrangement identical to the ancestral type for insects. The evolutionary rates of all PCGs indicate that their evolution is based on purifying selection. The comparison of tRNA secondary structures indicates diverse substitution patterns in Meloidae. Remarkably, all mitogenomes of the three studied Hycleus species contain two large intergenic spacers (IGSs). IGS1 is located between trnW and trnC, including a 9 bp consensus motif. IGS2 is located between trnS2 (UCN) and nad1, containing discontinuous repeats of a pentanucleotide motif and two 18-bp repeat units in both ends. To date, IGS2 is found only in genera Hycleus across all published Coleopteran mitogenomes. The duplication/random loss model and slipped-strand mispairing are proposed as evolutionary mechanisms for the two IGSs (IGS1, IGS2). The phylogenetic analyses using MrBayes, RAxML, and PhyloBayes methods based on nucleotide and amino acid datasets of 13 PCGs from all published mitogenomes of Tenebrionoids, consistently recover the monophylies of Meloidae and Tenebrionidae. Within Meloidae, the genus Lytta clusters with Epicauta rather than with Mylabris. Although data collected thus far could not resolve the phylogenetic relationships within Meloidae, this study will assist in future mapping of the Meloidae phylogeny. Conclusions This study presents mitogenomes of seven meloid beetles. New mitogenomes retain the genomic architecture of the Coleopteran ancestor, but contain two IGSs in the three studied Hycleus species. Comparative analyses of two IGSs suggest that their evolutionary mechanisms are duplication/random loss model and slipped-strand mispairing.