Clinical Value of Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing in Early Diagnosis of Peritoneal Dialysis-Associated Peritonitis: A Randomised Controlled Observational Trial.

Aim: While metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is a high-throughput diagnostic tool capable of rapidly and accurately identifying pathogenic microorganisms, predicting their antibiotic resistance/susceptibility profiles, its clinical utility in peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis (PDAP) remains unvalidated. This study aims to evaluate its ability to enable early pathogen detection and predict antibiotic susceptibility, thereby informing optimised treatment strategies.

Method: A prospective randomised controlled trial was conducted in patients diagnosed with PDAP.

Comparative Analysis of Automatic Fecal Analyzer versus Direct Wet Smear Microscopy for Detecting Parasitic Infections in Stool Samples.

With socio-economic development, the prevalence of intestinal parasitic diseases has significantly decreased year by year. However, parasitic infections remain a major public health issue globally, particularly in developing countries and regions. Timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial for controlling the spread of these diseases.

Cellulose/Sodium Polyacrylate Interpenetrating Network Hydrogel with Intrinsic Anti-Freezing Property.

Generally, small molecule alcohols and concentrated electrolyte ions can be introduced into the medium of hydrogels as anti-freezing agents to achieve significant anti-freezing properties. However, due to the exchange effect with the external environment, the anti-freezing agents may leak or change in composition causing contamination and unstable material performance during use. Here, cellulose and sodium polyacrylate (PAAS) were used to construct interpenetrating network hydrogels, with cellulose comprising up to 63% of the system.

Tough and UV-resistant biodegradable polyurethane elastomers based on extracted lignin and treated wood flour.

Polyurethanes are widely utilized across various fields. In the pursuit of sustainable development, current research prioritizes the development of bio-based, environmentally friendly polyurethanes. Wood flour, a type of biomass waste, faces significant challenges in achieving high-value utilization.

Humoral immunosuppression of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and the roles of oxidative stress and inflammation.

Previous studies have indicated adverse health effects of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), but evidence on the association between PAH exposure and immunity is scarce and its underlying mechanism is largely unknown. This study assessed human exposure to PAHs by determining the concentrations of PAHs in serum and their metabolites in paired urine. The oxidative stress and inflammation levels were evaluated by urinary DNA damage biomarker 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, white blood cell counts and C-reaction protein.

Utility of metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing for simultaneously detecting pathogens and neoplasms.

Objectives: Clinicians often face the challenge of differentially diagnosing febrile patients who are suspected of infectious diseases, since the clinical manifestations of infection and cancer may overlap. A single test that can detect both pathogens and tumor could provide timely and accurate diagnostic clues to aid the treatment and management of these patients.

Methods: We enrolled eight patients to evaluate the utility of metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing for simultaneously detecting pathogens and neoplasms using body fluids and tissue samples.

RVFScan predicts virulence factor genes and hypervirulence of the clinical metagenome.

Bacterial infections often involve virulence factors that play a crucial role in the pathogenicity of bacteria. Accurate detection of virulence factor genes (VFGs) is essential for precise treatment and prognostic management of hypervirulent bacterial infections. However, there is a lack of rapid and accurate methods for VFG identification from the metagenomic data of clinical samples.

New comprehensive reference values for kidney function indexes across adult and geriatric ages in Chinese popuplation.

Background And Aims: China has the largest number of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Current CKD definition has been challenged recently. We aim to reassess kidney function in healthy Chinese population, to provide a more appropriate reference range (RIs) for diagnosis, treatment, monitoring (or screening) of kidney disease and related research.

Pneumonia Caused by Coinfection with Cytomegalovirus and in an HIV-Negative Infant Diagnosed by Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing.

Background: Pneumonia produced by coinfection with (PJ) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) in infants and young children without timely diagnosis and treatment is often fatal due to the limitations of traditional tests. More accurate and rapid diagnostic methods for multiple infections are urgently needed.

Case Presentation: Here, we report a case of a 2-month-old boy with pneumonia caused by (PJ) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) without HIV infection.

Water-Induced Self-Assembly and Mineralization within Plant Phenolic Glycol-Gel toward Ultrastrong and Multifunctional Thermal Insulating Aerogels.

Biopolymer/silica nanocomposite aerogels are highly attractive as thermally insulating materials for prevailing energy-saving engineering but are usually plagued by their lack of mechanical strength and environmental stability. Lignin is an appealing plant phenolic biopolymer due to its natural abundance, high stiffness, water repellency, and thermostability. However, integrating lignin and silica into high-performance 3D hybrid aerogels remains a substantial challenge due to the unstable co-sol process.

DYSF promotes monocyte activation in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease as a DNA methylation-driven gene.

Dysferlin (DYSF) has drawn much attention due to its involvement in dysferlinopathy and was reported to affect monocyte functions in recent studies. However, the role of DYSF in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) and the regulation mechanism of DYSF expression have not been fully studied. In this study, Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) literatures were searched to find the DNA methylation-driven genes (including DYSF) of ASCVD.

Atheroprotective mechanism by which folic acid regulates monocyte subsets and function through DNA methylation.

Background: Recent studies have suggested that folic acid can restore abnormal DNA methylation and monocyte subset shifts caused by hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and hyperlipidemia (HL). However, the exact mechanism of action is still not fully understood. In this study, we further investigated the reversal effect and underlying mechanism of folic acid on the shift in monocyte subsets induced by aberrant lipids and Hcy metabolism via DNA methylation in vitro and in vivo.

Four Types of ST11 Novel Mutations From Increasing Carbapenem-Resistant in Guangdong, 2016-2020.

This study aimed to explore changes in carbapenem-resistant (CR-KP) isolates collected in Guangdong over the period of 2016-2020. Antibacterial susceptibility was quantified through VITEK 2 compact and K-B method. Carbapenemase phenotypes and genotypes were characterized by modified carbapenem inactivation method (mCIM), EDTA-carbapenem inactivation method (eCIM), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

A novel One-pot rapid diagnostic technology for COVID-19.

Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 is an ongoing global pandemic associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. RT-qPCR has become the diagnostic standard for the testing of SARS-CoV-2 in most countries. COVID-19 diagnosis generally relies upon RT-qPCR-mediated identification of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA, which is costly, labor-extensive, and requires specialized training and equipment.

CircRNA ZNF609 in peripheral blood leukocytes acts as a protective factor and a potential biomarker for coronary artery disease.

Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported to aberrantly express in coronary artery disease (CAD). Due to their special structures, circRNAs have the potential to be specific and stable markers. We conducted this study to explore circZNF609's function in atherosclerosis and to evaluate its predictive values for CAD.

[Identification of a novel FBN1 variant in a pedigree affected with Marfan syndrome].

Objective: To explore the genetic basis for a pedigree affected with Marfan syndrome (MFS).

Methods: Clinical data of the patients was collected. With genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood samples, potential mutation was detected by targeted exome sequencing.

Using circular RNA SMARCA5 as a potential novel biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common malignant tumor worldwide. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a new class of endogenous non-coding RNAs, are widespread and abundant in mammalian cells. Cumulative evidence showed that circRNAs play significant roles in the process of cancer.

The pretreatment lymphocyte to monocyte ratio predicts clinical outcome for patients with urological cancers: A meta-analysis.

Background: The lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR), a novel systematic biomarker of inflammation, has been reported to be associated with the progression and prognosis of many malignant cancers. However, the relationship between LMR and survival outcome of urological cancers (UCs) remains controversial. Herein, we conducted a meta-analysis to identify the prognostic value of pretreatment LMR in patients with UCs.

Development of C60-based labeling reagents for the determination of low-molecular-weight compounds by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass (I): Determination of amino acids in microliter biofluids.

Quantification of low molecular weight compounds (<800 Da) using matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) is challenging due to the matrix signal interference at low m/z region and poor reproducibility of MS responses. In this study, a C60 labeling-MALDI MS strategy was proposed for the fast, sensitive and reliable determination of amino acids (AAs) in biofluids. An N-hydroxysuccinimide functionalized C60 was synthesized as the labeling reagent and added as an 880 Da tag to AAs; a carboxyl acid containing C60 was employed as the internal standards to normalize MS variations.

Analysis of liposoluble carboxylic acids metabolome in human serum by stable isotope labeling coupled with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Fatty acids (FAs) are groups of liposoluble carboxylic acids (LCAs) and play important roles in various physiological processes. Abnormal contents or changes of FAs are associated with a series of diseases. Here we developed a strategy with stable isotope labeling combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (IL-LC-MS) analysis for comprehensive profiling and relative quantitation of LCAs in human serum.

DNA hydroxymethylation age of human blood determined by capillary hydrophilic-interaction liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Background: Aging is a complex phenomenon and characterized by a progressive decline in physiology and function of adult tissues. However, it hasn't been well established of the correlation between aging and global DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation that regulate the growth and development of higher organisms.

Results: We developed an on-line trapping/capillary hydrophilic-interaction liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry method for ultra-sensitive and simultaneous quantification of 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) in genomic DNA from human blood.