Meningoencephalitis secondary to Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) mainly affects newborns, the elderly and immunocompromised people;there are extremely rare cases in which said infection occurs in immunocompe...Meningoencephalitis secondary to Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) mainly affects newborns, the elderly and immunocompromised people;there are extremely rare cases in which said infection occurs in immunocompetent individuals. We present the case of a young adult patient without immunocompromise, who developed meningoencephalitis due to L. monocytogenes;This case is exceptional, since it occurred in an individual outside the classic age group, in addition to not having risk factors, which is why it should be considered an atypical causal agent.展开更多
Gastric cancer(GC)is a major cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide.GC is determined by multiple(epi)genetic and environmental factors;can occur at distinct anatomic positions of the stomach;and displays high het...Gastric cancer(GC)is a major cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide.GC is determined by multiple(epi)genetic and environmental factors;can occur at distinct anatomic positions of the stomach;and displays high heterogeneity,with different cellular origins and diverse histological and molecular features.This heterogeneity has hindered efforts to fully understand the pathology of GC and develop efficient therapeutics.In the past decade,great progress has been made in the study of GC,particularly in molecular subtyping,investigation of the immune microenvironment,and defining the evolutionary path and dynamics.Preclinical mouse models,particularly immunocompetent models that mimic the cellular and molecular features of human GC,in combination with organoid culture and clinical studies,have provided powerful tools for elucidating the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying GC pathology and immune evasion,and the development of novel therapeutic strategies.Herein,we first briefly introduce current progress and challenges in GC study and subsequently summarize immunocompetent GC mouse models,emphasizing the potential application of genetically engineered mouse models in antitumor immunity and immunotherapy studies.展开更多
Three-dimensional(3D)printing technology has been widely used to create artificial rock samples in rock mechanics.While 3D printing can create complex fractures,the material still lacks sufficient similarity to natura...Three-dimensional(3D)printing technology has been widely used to create artificial rock samples in rock mechanics.While 3D printing can create complex fractures,the material still lacks sufficient similarity to natural rock.Extrusion free forming(EFF)is a 3D printing technique that uses clay as the printing material and cures the specimens through high-temperature sintering.In this study,we attempted to use the EFF technology to fabricate artificial rock specimens.The results show the physico-mechanical properties of the specimens are significantly affected by the sintering temperature,while the nozzle diameter and layer thickness also have a certain impact.The specimens are primarily composed of SiO_(2),with mineral compositions similar to that of natural rocks.The density,uniaxial compressive strength(UCS),elastic modulus,and tensile strength of the printed specimens fall in the range of 1.65–2.54 g/cm3,16.46–50.49 MPa,2.17–13.35 GPa,and 0.82–17.18 MPa,respectively.It is capable of simulating different types of rocks,especially mudstone,sandstone,limestone,and gneiss.However,the simulation of hard rocks with UCS exceeding 50 MPa still requires validation.展开更多
As a common cause of viral encephalitis,varicella-zoster virus(VZV)may invade the central nervous system of immunosuppressed patients during reactivation.Herein,we report a rare case of an immunocompetent patient with...As a common cause of viral encephalitis,varicella-zoster virus(VZV)may invade the central nervous system of immunosuppressed patients during reactivation.Herein,we report a rare case of an immunocompetent patient with VZV encephalitis who developed severe hyponatremia and was considered to have a suspected primary infection.The patient was diagnosed with the support of second-generation sequencing and had persistent hyponatremia after being cured.Although rare,this case suggests that VZV encephalitis may occur in unexpected patients and present with unusual clinical manifestations,requiring advanced detection methods and clinical expertise for resolution.展开更多
[Objective] The purification and immunocompetence of GPS protein in porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) were analyzed in this study, which provided basis for establishing the corresponding serological...[Objective] The purification and immunocompetence of GPS protein in porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) were analyzed in this study, which provided basis for establishing the corresponding serological method. [Method] The recombinant expression plasmid pGEX-6P-5 was transformed into BL21 and expressed after being induced with IPTG. The solubility analysis of expression products was carried out, and then the recombinant protein was purified for SDS-PAGE identification and Western-blot analysis. Finally, the recombinant antigen was used in the immune experiment of guinea pigs. [Result] The target protein content accounted for 30% of the total cells protein content according to the chromatography scanning, and the purity of target protein after purification reached 80%. The purified protein was analyzed by Western-blot and immune experiment of guinea pigs, and the results showed that the expressed protein had good reactionogenicity and immunogenicity. [Conclusion] This study provides materials for further studies on the function between PRRSV ORF5 gene and its editing protein, which also lays a foundation for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus genetic engineering products.展开更多
Utilizing collagen of sheep bone as material to get immunocompetent peptide, enzymatic hydrolysis conditions were optimized using quadratic regression general rotation design. The effect of temperature (T), time (t...Utilizing collagen of sheep bone as material to get immunocompetent peptide, enzymatic hydrolysis conditions were optimized using quadratic regression general rotation design. The effect of temperature (T), time (t), enzyme/substrate (E/S) ratio, and substrate concentration (S) on the amount of tricarboxylix acid cycle (TCA) soluble peptides were investigated. The content of soluble peptide in the acquisition was measured by Folin-hydrozybebzebe method, and the correlation between soluble peptide content and immunocompetence was analyzed by SAS software. The best enzymatic hydrolysis condition was gotten from Design Expert 7.1.2 software. The optimal condition under which immunocompetent peptides could be prepared was 1 576 U g^-1 (E/S), 64.05℃ (T), 0.271 kg L^-1 (S), and 7.22 h (t). The correlation coefficient between TCA soluble peptides and the immuneocompetence was 0.045 〈r0.05 = 0.355, which indicated that they had no significant correlation. The result showed that the soluble peptide contained immunocompetent peptides which content was independent of immunocompetence in the hydrolasates.展开更多
BACKGROUND: The use of corticosteroids in septic shock has been studied for many decades but yielded conflicting results. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of corticosteroids in ...BACKGROUND: The use of corticosteroids in septic shock has been studied for many decades but yielded conflicting results. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of corticosteroids in immunocompetent patients with septic shock.METHODS: Medline via Pub Med, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials(CENTRAL) in the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE were searched from inception to March 2020. Two reviewers independently identified randomized controlled trials(RCTs) comparing corticosteroids with a control group for immunocompetent patients with septic shock. Data were abstracted and reported following the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review of Intervention and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses(PRISMA) statement. The efficacy outcome included mortality and shock reversal. The safety outcomes were infection, gastrointestinal bleeding, and hyperglycemia.RESULTS: Nine RCTs with a total of 1,298 patients were included. Compared with the control group, corticosteroid group did not lower the short-term(28 or 30 days) mortality(risk ratio [RR] 0.95, 95% confidence interval(CI) 0.85 to 1.06, inconsistency [I2]=0%, trial sequential analysis [TSA]-adjusted CI 0.83 to 1.09, moderate-certainty evidence). Corticosteroids significantly shortened the time to shock reversal compared with the control group(mean difference [MD] –21.56 hours;95% CI –32.95 to –10.16, I2=0%;TSA-adjusted CI –33.33 to –9.78, moderate-certainty evidence). The corticosteroid treatment was associated with an increased risk of hyperglycemia but not the infection or gastrointestinal bleeding.CONCLUSIONS: The corticosteroid treatment is not associated with lower short-or longterm mortality compared with placebo in immunocompetent patients with septic shock. However, corticosteroids significantly shorten the time to shock reversal without increasing the risk of infection. The patient's immune status should also be considered during clinical treatment and clinical trials in future.展开更多
BACKGROUND Pulmonary cryptococcosis is an opportunistic infection that mainly occurs among immunocompromised patients although it can sometimes occur in immunocompetent individuals.However,the imaging findings of pulm...BACKGROUND Pulmonary cryptococcosis is an opportunistic infection that mainly occurs among immunocompromised patients although it can sometimes occur in immunocompetent individuals.However,the imaging findings of pulmonary cryptococcosis in immunocompetent hosts differ from those in immunosuppressed patients.In addition,the most common imaging findings of isolated pulmonary cryptococcosis are single or multiple nodules.Cavities and the halo sign are,however,prevalent in immunosuppressed patients.In immunocompetent patients,lung consolidation,pleural effusion or cavities are scarce.CASE SUMMARY A 29-year-old Asian male was admitted to our hospital with complaints of cough and fever that had persisted for a month.As a chest computed tomography scan showed consolidation in his left lower lobe,he was initially diagnosed with pneumonia and received antibiotic treatment.A second review of the chest computed tomography image revealed multiple cavities and pleural effusion.Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy was subsequently performed,bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum cryptococcal antigen tests were positive.Cryptococcus capsules were observed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ink stain.Histopathological examination of a percutaneous lung biopsy from the left lower lobe further revealed granulomatous inflammation,and periodic acid-Schiff staining showed red-colored yeast walls,signifying pulmonary cryptococcosis.The patient was then treated with a daily dose of fluconazole(0.4 g),but the cough and fever still persisted.We therefore changed treatment to voriconazole(0.2 g,twice a day),and the patient’s clinical outcome was satisfactory.CONCLUSION Although rare,clinicians should not disregard the possibility of cavities and pleural effusion occurring in immunocompetent hosts without underlying diseases.展开更多
To clone the gene coding the immunodominant region in the chlamydial protease-like activity factor (CPAF) from Chlaroydophila pneumoniae, to analyze immunoeoropetenee of the expressed protein, and to evaluate its va...To clone the gene coding the immunodominant region in the chlamydial protease-like activity factor (CPAF) from Chlaroydophila pneumoniae, to analyze immunoeoropetenee of the expressed protein, and to evaluate its value in serodiagnosis, the CPAF immunodominant region gene was amplified, ligated into a pGEX6p-2 vector, and then the expressed recombinant protein was purified with glutathione Stransferase (GST) agarose gel FF after renaturation, then identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. A new indirect ELISA was developed with the purified protein as coating antigen. The immunogenicity of the recombinant protein was evaluated by immunization to New Zealand rabbits, and its immunoreactivity was analyzed by reacting with anti-C, pneumoniae antibody. 300 clinical sera samples were respectively detected by mieroimmunofluorescenee (MIF) as reference method and the indirect ELISA, and the difference between the two methods was analyzed. Cross-reactivity against Chlamydia trachomatis was investigated with the indirect ELISA to detect anti-C, trachomatis positive antisera. The results indicated that a 51.3 kDa recombinant protein was obtained. Western blot assay proved that the recombinant protein could merely specifically react with human anti- C. pneurnoniae antisera. The titers of the specific IgG antibodies in the immunized New Zealand rabbits were above 1 : 16 000. Anti- C. pneumoniae IgG positive and negative reference sera were detected with the indirect ELISA, and the concordance rate of negative and positive results were both 100% (40/40). The sensitivity and specificity of the indirect ELISA in comparison with MIF were 93.8% (45/48) and 100% (252/252) separately by detecting 300 clinical sera samples, and the concordance rate between the two methods was 99.0%. No cross reaction against C. trachomatis was found with the indirect ELISA to detect anti-C, trachomatis positive antisera. In conclusion, the prepared recombinant protein of the CPAF immunodominant region shows excellent immunocompetence and can be used to develop a new indirect ELISA as a method to detect anti-C, pneumoniae antibody for diagnosis of C. pneumoniae infection.展开更多
Rationale:Disseminated tuberculosis involves the central nervous system in up to a third of cases.However,meningitis and spondylodiscitis due to miliary tuberculosis rarely occur together,particularly in the immuno-co...Rationale:Disseminated tuberculosis involves the central nervous system in up to a third of cases.However,meningitis and spondylodiscitis due to miliary tuberculosis rarely occur together,particularly in the immuno-competent population.Patient concerns:A 37-year-old immunocompetent male presented with altered level of consciousness for one week and lower back pain with evening pyrexia for one month.Examination revealed spastic paraplegia and left hemiparesis.Diagnosis:Disseminated tuberculosis presenting with meningitis and spondylodiscitis.Interventions:Category I anti-tuberculous therapy with a tapering regimen of intravenous dexamethasone was administered.Outcomes:There was clinical improvement after nine months of treatment.Lessons:Tuberculosis may present with atypical clinical manifestations.Contrast enhanced computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging combined with histopathological features,a high index of suspicion and clinical improvement with anti-tuberculous treatment can confirm the diagnosis in the absence of microbiological evidence,especially in extrapulmonary tuberculosis.展开更多
Climate change can intensify drought in many regions of the world and lead to more frequent drought events or altered cycles of soil water status.Therefore,it is important to enhance the tolerance to drought and thus ...Climate change can intensify drought in many regions of the world and lead to more frequent drought events or altered cycles of soil water status.Therefore,it is important to enhance the tolerance to drought and thus health,vigor,and success of transplantation seedlings used in the forestry by modifying fertilization and promoting mycorrhization.Here,we sowed seeds of Japanese larch(Larix kaempferi)in 0.2-L containers with 0.5 g(low fertilization;LF)or 2 g(high fertilization;HF)of slow-release fertilizer early in the growing season.One month later,we irrigated seedlings with non-sterilized ectomycorrhizal inoculum(ECM)or sterilized solution(non-ECM),and after about 2 months,plants were either kept well watered(WW;500 mL water/plant/week)or subjected to drought(DR;50 mL water per plant/week)until the end of the growing season.HF largely stimulated plant growth and above-and belowground biomass production,eff ects that are of practical signifi cance,but caused a small decrease in stomatal conductance(Gs 390)and transpiration rate(E 390),which in practice is insignifi cant.ECM treatment resulted in moderate inhibition of seedling growth and biomass and largely canceled out the enhancement of biomass and foliar K content by HF.DR caused a large decrease in CO 2 assimilation,and enhanced stomatal closure and induced senescence.DR also largely depleted foliar Mg and enriched foliar K.Although DR caused a large decrease in foliar P content in LF,it moderately increased P in HF.Likewise,DR increased foliar K in HF but not in LF,and decreased foliar P in ECM plants but not in non-ECM plants.Conversely,ECM plants exhibited a large enrichment in foliar P under WW and had a lower water potential under DR when grown in LF.These results indicate that the drought tolerance and health and vigor of Japanese larch seedlings can be modifi ed by soil fertility and soil microorganisms.This study provides a basis for new multifactorial research programs aimed at producing seedlings of superior quality for forestation under climate change.展开更多
BACKGROUND Clostridioides difficile(C.difficile)colitis is one of the most common infections in hospitalized patients,characterized by fever and diarrhea.It usually improves after appropriate antibiotic treatment;if n...BACKGROUND Clostridioides difficile(C.difficile)colitis is one of the most common infections in hospitalized patients,characterized by fever and diarrhea.It usually improves after appropriate antibiotic treatment;if not,comorbidities should be considered.Cytomegalovirus(CMV)colitis is a possible co-existing diagnosis in patients with C.difficile infection with poor treatment response.However,compared with immunocompromised patients,CMV colitis in immunocompetent patients is not well studied.CASE SUMMARY We present an unusual case of co-existing CMV colitis in an immunocompetent patient with C.difficile infection.An 80-year-old female patient was referred to the infectious disease department due to diarrhea,abdominal discomfort,and fever for 1 wk during her hospitalization for surgery.C.difficile toxin B polymerase chain reaction on stool samples was positive.After C.difficile infection was diagnosed,oral vancomycin treatment was administered.Her symptoms including diarrhea,fever and abdominal discomfort improved for ten days.Unfortunately,the symptoms worsened again with bloody diarrhea and fever.Therefore,a sigmoidoscopy was performed for evaluation,showing a longitudinal ulcer on the sigmoid colon.Endoscopic biopsy confirmed CMV colitis,and the clinical symptoms improved after using ganciclovir.CONCLUSION Co-existing CMV colitis should be considered in patients with aggravated C.difficile infection on appropriate treatment,even in immunocompetent hosts.展开更多
We present an unusual case of esophageal actinomycosis that developed in a patient with normal immunity and a history of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. We report a case of a 56-year-old female patient without chronic deg...We present an unusual case of esophageal actinomycosis that developed in a patient with normal immunity and a history of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. We report a case of a 56-year-old female patient without chronic degenerative pathologies with a history of non-severe acute SARS-CoV-2 infection that occurred two months prior to her presentation, treated with prednisone and betamethasone orally and inhaled, respectively for 21 days. The pivotal symptom is dysphagia and definitive diagnosis requires a tissue culture of the affected organ or a biopsy that shows the classic sulfur granules. Currently, antibiotic treatment with beta-lactams, such as amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, is still effective, as it was in our patient.展开更多
Inventory data were available from 96 plots of even-aged,monoculture,tall-open forests of Eucalyptus pilularis Smith,aged 2-63 years,growing in sub-tropical regions along the east coast of Australia.A model was develo...Inventory data were available from 96 plots of even-aged,monoculture,tall-open forests of Eucalyptus pilularis Smith,aged 2-63 years,growing in sub-tropical regions along the east coast of Australia.A model was developed relating the maximum possible stem basal area growth rate of individual trees to their stem basal area.For any tree size,this maximum increased as site productivity increased.However,the size at which this maximum occurred decreased as productivity increased.Much research has shown that,at any stand age,trees of a particular stem basal area are taller on more productive sites than on less productive ones.Taller trees incur greater respiratory costs to ensure maintenance of the photo synthetic capacity of their canopies;this reduces their growth rates.It was concluded that trees with larger basal areas will have the maximum possible growth rate on a less productive site,whilst trees with smaller basal areas will have the maximum possible on a more productive site.The model developed may constitute the first stage of a complete individual tree growth model system to predict wood yields from these forests.展开更多
BACKGROUND Pulmonary mucormycosis is a rare but life-threatening invasive fungal infection that mostly affects immunocompromised patients.This disease usually develops acutely and progresses rapidly,often leading to a...BACKGROUND Pulmonary mucormycosis is a rare but life-threatening invasive fungal infection that mostly affects immunocompromised patients.This disease usually develops acutely and progresses rapidly,often leading to a poor clinical prognosis.Chronic pulmonary mucormycosis is highly unusual in immunocompetent patients.CASE SUMMARY A 43-year-old man,who was a house improvement worker with a long history of occupational dust exposure,presented with an irritating cough that had lasted for two months.The patient was previously in good health,without dysglycemia or any known immunodeficiencies.Chest computed tomography revealed a mass in the left lower lobe,measuring approximately 6 cm in diameter,which was suspected to be primary lung carcinoma complicated with obstructive pneumonia.Thoracoscopic-assisted left lower lobectomy was performed,and metagenomic next-generation sequencing detection,along with special pathological staining of surgical specimens,suggested Rhizopus microsporus infection.Postoperatively,the patient’s respiratory symptoms were relieved,and no signs of recurrence were found during the six-month follow-up.CONCLUSION This article reports a rare case of chronic pulmonary mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus microsporus in a middle-aged male without dysglycemia or immunodeficiency.The patient’s surgical outcome was excellent,reaffirming that surgery remains the cornerstone of pulmonary mucormycosis treatment.展开更多
P values based on standard hypothesis testing are commonly reported in articles published by the Journal of Forestry Research(JFR).However,effect sizes are barely used and reported,even if they are of direct relevance...P values based on standard hypothesis testing are commonly reported in articles published by the Journal of Forestry Research(JFR).However,effect sizes are barely used and reported,even if they are of direct relevance to the primary questions of many of the published studies.The incorporation of effect sizes in studies published by JFR should be encouraged and promoted.Inclusion of effect sizes as a requirement in the journal guidelines will facilitate a major change in the way data are tested and interpreted,with the ultimate goal to exempt researchers from the custom of drawing conclusions merely based upon a dichotomous statistical result(P value).Such a policy can also lead to more informed decisions of whether identified effects are of practical relevance to the forestry.展开更多
BACKGROUND Pneumocystis pneumonia(PCP)is a serious fungal infection usually seen in patients with human immunodeficiency virus,and it is more frequently found and has a high fatality rate in immunocompromised people.S...BACKGROUND Pneumocystis pneumonia(PCP)is a serious fungal infection usually seen in patients with human immunodeficiency virus,and it is more frequently found and has a high fatality rate in immunocompromised people.Surprisingly,it rarely occurs in immunocompetent patients.However,the clinical diagnosis of this pathogen is made more difficult by the difficulty of obtaining accurate microbiological evidence with routine tests.This case reports a PCP patient with normal immune function who was diagnosed through next-generation sequencing(NGS).CASE SUMMARY A 23-year-old female who had no special disease in the past was admitted to the hospital with a persistent fever and cough.Based on the initial examination results,the patient was diagnosed with bipulmonary pneumonia,and empirical broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy was administered.However,due to the undetermined etiology,the patient's condition continued to worsen.She was transferred to the intensive care unit because of acute respiratory failure.After the diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii infection through NGS in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and treatment with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and caspofungin,the patient gradually recovered and had a good prognosis.CONCLUSION This case emphasizes that,for patients with normal immune function the possibility of PCP infection,although rare,cannot be ignored.NGS plays an important role in the diagnosis of refractory interstitial pneumonia and acute respiratory failure.展开更多
First described in 1907 by James Ramsay Hunt, Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a recurrence (reactivation) of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) affecting the geniculate ganglion, secondary to a decrease in cell-mediated immunity. T...First described in 1907 by James Ramsay Hunt, Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a recurrence (reactivation) of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) affecting the geniculate ganglion, secondary to a decrease in cell-mediated immunity. The strict definition of Ramsay Hunt syndrome is peripheral facial nerve palsy accompanied by erythematous vesicular rash on the ear. We report a 57-year-old female immunocompetent patient complaining of otalgia, small vesicles on the Ramsey Hunt Zone. She does not complain fever, hearing loss, nausea, vomiting or dizziness. There was no peripheral facial nerve palsy, no reduction of taste sensation, no ataxia or nystagmus, Romberg sign was negative. Our patient targets two of the three criteria needed for the diagnosis of Ramsay Hunt syndrome. She began to take Acyclovir-Steroid (AS) therapy very early with good outcome. This suggests that prompt diagnosis and management improve outcome and prevent occurrence of nerve palsy in Ramsay Hunt syndrome.展开更多
文摘Meningoencephalitis secondary to Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) mainly affects newborns, the elderly and immunocompromised people;there are extremely rare cases in which said infection occurs in immunocompetent individuals. We present the case of a young adult patient without immunocompromise, who developed meningoencephalitis due to L. monocytogenes;This case is exceptional, since it occurred in an individual outside the classic age group, in addition to not having risk factors, which is why it should be considered an atypical causal agent.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(Grant No.2020YFA0803200 and 2023YFC2505903)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.82003014,31930026,81972876,82150112,92168116,81725014,81822035,and 82222052)+1 种基金China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(Grant No.2020M671231)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.22120240327)。
文摘Gastric cancer(GC)is a major cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide.GC is determined by multiple(epi)genetic and environmental factors;can occur at distinct anatomic positions of the stomach;and displays high heterogeneity,with different cellular origins and diverse histological and molecular features.This heterogeneity has hindered efforts to fully understand the pathology of GC and develop efficient therapeutics.In the past decade,great progress has been made in the study of GC,particularly in molecular subtyping,investigation of the immune microenvironment,and defining the evolutionary path and dynamics.Preclinical mouse models,particularly immunocompetent models that mimic the cellular and molecular features of human GC,in combination with organoid culture and clinical studies,have provided powerful tools for elucidating the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying GC pathology and immune evasion,and the development of novel therapeutic strategies.Herein,we first briefly introduce current progress and challenges in GC study and subsequently summarize immunocompetent GC mouse models,emphasizing the potential application of genetically engineered mouse models in antitumor immunity and immunotherapy studies.
基金financially supported by the Beijing Natural Science Foundation for Young Scientists(Grant No.8214052)the Talent Fund of Beijing Jiaotong University(Grant No.2021RC226)the State Key Laboratory for GeoMechanics and Deep Underground Engineering,China University of Mining and Technology(Grant No.SKLGDUEK2115).
文摘Three-dimensional(3D)printing technology has been widely used to create artificial rock samples in rock mechanics.While 3D printing can create complex fractures,the material still lacks sufficient similarity to natural rock.Extrusion free forming(EFF)is a 3D printing technique that uses clay as the printing material and cures the specimens through high-temperature sintering.In this study,we attempted to use the EFF technology to fabricate artificial rock specimens.The results show the physico-mechanical properties of the specimens are significantly affected by the sintering temperature,while the nozzle diameter and layer thickness also have a certain impact.The specimens are primarily composed of SiO_(2),with mineral compositions similar to that of natural rocks.The density,uniaxial compressive strength(UCS),elastic modulus,and tensile strength of the printed specimens fall in the range of 1.65–2.54 g/cm3,16.46–50.49 MPa,2.17–13.35 GPa,and 0.82–17.18 MPa,respectively.It is capable of simulating different types of rocks,especially mudstone,sandstone,limestone,and gneiss.However,the simulation of hard rocks with UCS exceeding 50 MPa still requires validation.
文摘As a common cause of viral encephalitis,varicella-zoster virus(VZV)may invade the central nervous system of immunosuppressed patients during reactivation.Herein,we report a rare case of an immunocompetent patient with VZV encephalitis who developed severe hyponatremia and was considered to have a suspected primary infection.The patient was diagnosed with the support of second-generation sequencing and had persistent hyponatremia after being cured.Although rare,this case suggests that VZV encephalitis may occur in unexpected patients and present with unusual clinical manifestations,requiring advanced detection methods and clinical expertise for resolution.
基金Supported by National High-tech Research and Development Plan (863 Project) in the Eleventh Five-Year Plan Period (2006AA10A207)~~
文摘[Objective] The purification and immunocompetence of GPS protein in porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) were analyzed in this study, which provided basis for establishing the corresponding serological method. [Method] The recombinant expression plasmid pGEX-6P-5 was transformed into BL21 and expressed after being induced with IPTG. The solubility analysis of expression products was carried out, and then the recombinant protein was purified for SDS-PAGE identification and Western-blot analysis. Finally, the recombinant antigen was used in the immune experiment of guinea pigs. [Result] The target protein content accounted for 30% of the total cells protein content according to the chromatography scanning, and the purity of target protein after purification reached 80%. The purified protein was analyzed by Western-blot and immune experiment of guinea pigs, and the results showed that the expressed protein had good reactionogenicity and immunogenicity. [Conclusion] This study provides materials for further studies on the function between PRRSV ORF5 gene and its editing protein, which also lays a foundation for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus genetic engineering products.
基金founded by the Scientific and Technological Project of Tianjin,China (05ZHGCN00100)
文摘Utilizing collagen of sheep bone as material to get immunocompetent peptide, enzymatic hydrolysis conditions were optimized using quadratic regression general rotation design. The effect of temperature (T), time (t), enzyme/substrate (E/S) ratio, and substrate concentration (S) on the amount of tricarboxylix acid cycle (TCA) soluble peptides were investigated. The content of soluble peptide in the acquisition was measured by Folin-hydrozybebzebe method, and the correlation between soluble peptide content and immunocompetence was analyzed by SAS software. The best enzymatic hydrolysis condition was gotten from Design Expert 7.1.2 software. The optimal condition under which immunocompetent peptides could be prepared was 1 576 U g^-1 (E/S), 64.05℃ (T), 0.271 kg L^-1 (S), and 7.22 h (t). The correlation coefficient between TCA soluble peptides and the immuneocompetence was 0.045 〈r0.05 = 0.355, which indicated that they had no significant correlation. The result showed that the soluble peptide contained immunocompetent peptides which content was independent of immunocompetence in the hydrolasates.
基金supported by the CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences(CIFMS)(2020-I2M-C&T-B-014)CAMS Teaching Reform Research Fund(2018zlgc0101)CAMS Online Open Course Construction Fund(J2009022861)。
文摘BACKGROUND: The use of corticosteroids in septic shock has been studied for many decades but yielded conflicting results. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of corticosteroids in immunocompetent patients with septic shock.METHODS: Medline via Pub Med, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials(CENTRAL) in the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE were searched from inception to March 2020. Two reviewers independently identified randomized controlled trials(RCTs) comparing corticosteroids with a control group for immunocompetent patients with septic shock. Data were abstracted and reported following the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review of Intervention and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses(PRISMA) statement. The efficacy outcome included mortality and shock reversal. The safety outcomes were infection, gastrointestinal bleeding, and hyperglycemia.RESULTS: Nine RCTs with a total of 1,298 patients were included. Compared with the control group, corticosteroid group did not lower the short-term(28 or 30 days) mortality(risk ratio [RR] 0.95, 95% confidence interval(CI) 0.85 to 1.06, inconsistency [I2]=0%, trial sequential analysis [TSA]-adjusted CI 0.83 to 1.09, moderate-certainty evidence). Corticosteroids significantly shortened the time to shock reversal compared with the control group(mean difference [MD] –21.56 hours;95% CI –32.95 to –10.16, I2=0%;TSA-adjusted CI –33.33 to –9.78, moderate-certainty evidence). The corticosteroid treatment was associated with an increased risk of hyperglycemia but not the infection or gastrointestinal bleeding.CONCLUSIONS: The corticosteroid treatment is not associated with lower short-or longterm mortality compared with placebo in immunocompetent patients with septic shock. However, corticosteroids significantly shorten the time to shock reversal without increasing the risk of infection. The patient's immune status should also be considered during clinical treatment and clinical trials in future.
文摘BACKGROUND Pulmonary cryptococcosis is an opportunistic infection that mainly occurs among immunocompromised patients although it can sometimes occur in immunocompetent individuals.However,the imaging findings of pulmonary cryptococcosis in immunocompetent hosts differ from those in immunosuppressed patients.In addition,the most common imaging findings of isolated pulmonary cryptococcosis are single or multiple nodules.Cavities and the halo sign are,however,prevalent in immunosuppressed patients.In immunocompetent patients,lung consolidation,pleural effusion or cavities are scarce.CASE SUMMARY A 29-year-old Asian male was admitted to our hospital with complaints of cough and fever that had persisted for a month.As a chest computed tomography scan showed consolidation in his left lower lobe,he was initially diagnosed with pneumonia and received antibiotic treatment.A second review of the chest computed tomography image revealed multiple cavities and pleural effusion.Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy was subsequently performed,bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum cryptococcal antigen tests were positive.Cryptococcus capsules were observed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ink stain.Histopathological examination of a percutaneous lung biopsy from the left lower lobe further revealed granulomatous inflammation,and periodic acid-Schiff staining showed red-colored yeast walls,signifying pulmonary cryptococcosis.The patient was then treated with a daily dose of fluconazole(0.4 g),but the cough and fever still persisted.We therefore changed treatment to voriconazole(0.2 g,twice a day),and the patient’s clinical outcome was satisfactory.CONCLUSION Although rare,clinicians should not disregard the possibility of cavities and pleural effusion occurring in immunocompetent hosts without underlying diseases.
文摘To clone the gene coding the immunodominant region in the chlamydial protease-like activity factor (CPAF) from Chlaroydophila pneumoniae, to analyze immunoeoropetenee of the expressed protein, and to evaluate its value in serodiagnosis, the CPAF immunodominant region gene was amplified, ligated into a pGEX6p-2 vector, and then the expressed recombinant protein was purified with glutathione Stransferase (GST) agarose gel FF after renaturation, then identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. A new indirect ELISA was developed with the purified protein as coating antigen. The immunogenicity of the recombinant protein was evaluated by immunization to New Zealand rabbits, and its immunoreactivity was analyzed by reacting with anti-C, pneumoniae antibody. 300 clinical sera samples were respectively detected by mieroimmunofluorescenee (MIF) as reference method and the indirect ELISA, and the difference between the two methods was analyzed. Cross-reactivity against Chlamydia trachomatis was investigated with the indirect ELISA to detect anti-C, trachomatis positive antisera. The results indicated that a 51.3 kDa recombinant protein was obtained. Western blot assay proved that the recombinant protein could merely specifically react with human anti- C. pneurnoniae antisera. The titers of the specific IgG antibodies in the immunized New Zealand rabbits were above 1 : 16 000. Anti- C. pneumoniae IgG positive and negative reference sera were detected with the indirect ELISA, and the concordance rate of negative and positive results were both 100% (40/40). The sensitivity and specificity of the indirect ELISA in comparison with MIF were 93.8% (45/48) and 100% (252/252) separately by detecting 300 clinical sera samples, and the concordance rate between the two methods was 99.0%. No cross reaction against C. trachomatis was found with the indirect ELISA to detect anti-C, trachomatis positive antisera. In conclusion, the prepared recombinant protein of the CPAF immunodominant region shows excellent immunocompetence and can be used to develop a new indirect ELISA as a method to detect anti-C, pneumoniae antibody for diagnosis of C. pneumoniae infection.
文摘Rationale:Disseminated tuberculosis involves the central nervous system in up to a third of cases.However,meningitis and spondylodiscitis due to miliary tuberculosis rarely occur together,particularly in the immuno-competent population.Patient concerns:A 37-year-old immunocompetent male presented with altered level of consciousness for one week and lower back pain with evening pyrexia for one month.Examination revealed spastic paraplegia and left hemiparesis.Diagnosis:Disseminated tuberculosis presenting with meningitis and spondylodiscitis.Interventions:Category I anti-tuberculous therapy with a tapering regimen of intravenous dexamethasone was administered.Outcomes:There was clinical improvement after nine months of treatment.Lessons:Tuberculosis may present with atypical clinical manifestations.Contrast enhanced computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging combined with histopathological features,a high index of suspicion and clinical improvement with anti-tuberculous treatment can confirm the diagnosis in the absence of microbiological evidence,especially in extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
基金supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP17F17102 (to EA and MK)Startup Foundation for Introducing Talent of Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST)(No. 003080)the Jiangsu Distinguished Professor program of the People’s Government of Jiangsu Province
文摘Climate change can intensify drought in many regions of the world and lead to more frequent drought events or altered cycles of soil water status.Therefore,it is important to enhance the tolerance to drought and thus health,vigor,and success of transplantation seedlings used in the forestry by modifying fertilization and promoting mycorrhization.Here,we sowed seeds of Japanese larch(Larix kaempferi)in 0.2-L containers with 0.5 g(low fertilization;LF)or 2 g(high fertilization;HF)of slow-release fertilizer early in the growing season.One month later,we irrigated seedlings with non-sterilized ectomycorrhizal inoculum(ECM)or sterilized solution(non-ECM),and after about 2 months,plants were either kept well watered(WW;500 mL water/plant/week)or subjected to drought(DR;50 mL water per plant/week)until the end of the growing season.HF largely stimulated plant growth and above-and belowground biomass production,eff ects that are of practical signifi cance,but caused a small decrease in stomatal conductance(Gs 390)and transpiration rate(E 390),which in practice is insignifi cant.ECM treatment resulted in moderate inhibition of seedling growth and biomass and largely canceled out the enhancement of biomass and foliar K content by HF.DR caused a large decrease in CO 2 assimilation,and enhanced stomatal closure and induced senescence.DR also largely depleted foliar Mg and enriched foliar K.Although DR caused a large decrease in foliar P content in LF,it moderately increased P in HF.Likewise,DR increased foliar K in HF but not in LF,and decreased foliar P in ECM plants but not in non-ECM plants.Conversely,ECM plants exhibited a large enrichment in foliar P under WW and had a lower water potential under DR when grown in LF.These results indicate that the drought tolerance and health and vigor of Japanese larch seedlings can be modifi ed by soil fertility and soil microorganisms.This study provides a basis for new multifactorial research programs aimed at producing seedlings of superior quality for forestation under climate change.
文摘BACKGROUND Clostridioides difficile(C.difficile)colitis is one of the most common infections in hospitalized patients,characterized by fever and diarrhea.It usually improves after appropriate antibiotic treatment;if not,comorbidities should be considered.Cytomegalovirus(CMV)colitis is a possible co-existing diagnosis in patients with C.difficile infection with poor treatment response.However,compared with immunocompromised patients,CMV colitis in immunocompetent patients is not well studied.CASE SUMMARY We present an unusual case of co-existing CMV colitis in an immunocompetent patient with C.difficile infection.An 80-year-old female patient was referred to the infectious disease department due to diarrhea,abdominal discomfort,and fever for 1 wk during her hospitalization for surgery.C.difficile toxin B polymerase chain reaction on stool samples was positive.After C.difficile infection was diagnosed,oral vancomycin treatment was administered.Her symptoms including diarrhea,fever and abdominal discomfort improved for ten days.Unfortunately,the symptoms worsened again with bloody diarrhea and fever.Therefore,a sigmoidoscopy was performed for evaluation,showing a longitudinal ulcer on the sigmoid colon.Endoscopic biopsy confirmed CMV colitis,and the clinical symptoms improved after using ganciclovir.CONCLUSION Co-existing CMV colitis should be considered in patients with aggravated C.difficile infection on appropriate treatment,even in immunocompetent hosts.
文摘We present an unusual case of esophageal actinomycosis that developed in a patient with normal immunity and a history of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. We report a case of a 56-year-old female patient without chronic degenerative pathologies with a history of non-severe acute SARS-CoV-2 infection that occurred two months prior to her presentation, treated with prednisone and betamethasone orally and inhaled, respectively for 21 days. The pivotal symptom is dysphagia and definitive diagnosis requires a tissue culture of the affected organ or a biopsy that shows the classic sulfur granules. Currently, antibiotic treatment with beta-lactams, such as amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, is still effective, as it was in our patient.
文摘Inventory data were available from 96 plots of even-aged,monoculture,tall-open forests of Eucalyptus pilularis Smith,aged 2-63 years,growing in sub-tropical regions along the east coast of Australia.A model was developed relating the maximum possible stem basal area growth rate of individual trees to their stem basal area.For any tree size,this maximum increased as site productivity increased.However,the size at which this maximum occurred decreased as productivity increased.Much research has shown that,at any stand age,trees of a particular stem basal area are taller on more productive sites than on less productive ones.Taller trees incur greater respiratory costs to ensure maintenance of the photo synthetic capacity of their canopies;this reduces their growth rates.It was concluded that trees with larger basal areas will have the maximum possible growth rate on a less productive site,whilst trees with smaller basal areas will have the maximum possible on a more productive site.The model developed may constitute the first stage of a complete individual tree growth model system to predict wood yields from these forests.
基金Supported by Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China,No.2022JJ40247,No.2022JJ40256。
文摘BACKGROUND Pulmonary mucormycosis is a rare but life-threatening invasive fungal infection that mostly affects immunocompromised patients.This disease usually develops acutely and progresses rapidly,often leading to a poor clinical prognosis.Chronic pulmonary mucormycosis is highly unusual in immunocompetent patients.CASE SUMMARY A 43-year-old man,who was a house improvement worker with a long history of occupational dust exposure,presented with an irritating cough that had lasted for two months.The patient was previously in good health,without dysglycemia or any known immunodeficiencies.Chest computed tomography revealed a mass in the left lower lobe,measuring approximately 6 cm in diameter,which was suspected to be primary lung carcinoma complicated with obstructive pneumonia.Thoracoscopic-assisted left lower lobectomy was performed,and metagenomic next-generation sequencing detection,along with special pathological staining of surgical specimens,suggested Rhizopus microsporus infection.Postoperatively,the patient’s respiratory symptoms were relieved,and no signs of recurrence were found during the six-month follow-up.CONCLUSION This article reports a rare case of chronic pulmonary mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus microsporus in a middle-aged male without dysglycemia or immunodeficiency.The patient’s surgical outcome was excellent,reaffirming that surgery remains the cornerstone of pulmonary mucormycosis treatment.
基金co-supported by the Outstanding Action Plan of Chinese Sci-tech Journals(Grant No.OAP–C–077)the Startup Foundation for Introducing Talent of Nanjing University of Information Science&Technology(NUIST),Nanjing,China(Grant No.003080)the Jiangsu Distinguished Professor Program of the People’s Government of Jiangsu Province。
文摘P values based on standard hypothesis testing are commonly reported in articles published by the Journal of Forestry Research(JFR).However,effect sizes are barely used and reported,even if they are of direct relevance to the primary questions of many of the published studies.The incorporation of effect sizes in studies published by JFR should be encouraged and promoted.Inclusion of effect sizes as a requirement in the journal guidelines will facilitate a major change in the way data are tested and interpreted,with the ultimate goal to exempt researchers from the custom of drawing conclusions merely based upon a dichotomous statistical result(P value).Such a policy can also lead to more informed decisions of whether identified effects are of practical relevance to the forestry.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81860273the Guizhou Provincial Science and Technology Projects,No.QKHJC-ZK[2022]-260+1 种基金the Science and Technology Fund of Guizhou Provincial Health Commission,No.gzwkj2021-320Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital National Natural Science Foundation,No.[2018]5764-09.
文摘BACKGROUND Pneumocystis pneumonia(PCP)is a serious fungal infection usually seen in patients with human immunodeficiency virus,and it is more frequently found and has a high fatality rate in immunocompromised people.Surprisingly,it rarely occurs in immunocompetent patients.However,the clinical diagnosis of this pathogen is made more difficult by the difficulty of obtaining accurate microbiological evidence with routine tests.This case reports a PCP patient with normal immune function who was diagnosed through next-generation sequencing(NGS).CASE SUMMARY A 23-year-old female who had no special disease in the past was admitted to the hospital with a persistent fever and cough.Based on the initial examination results,the patient was diagnosed with bipulmonary pneumonia,and empirical broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy was administered.However,due to the undetermined etiology,the patient's condition continued to worsen.She was transferred to the intensive care unit because of acute respiratory failure.After the diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii infection through NGS in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and treatment with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and caspofungin,the patient gradually recovered and had a good prognosis.CONCLUSION This case emphasizes that,for patients with normal immune function the possibility of PCP infection,although rare,cannot be ignored.NGS plays an important role in the diagnosis of refractory interstitial pneumonia and acute respiratory failure.
文摘First described in 1907 by James Ramsay Hunt, Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a recurrence (reactivation) of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) affecting the geniculate ganglion, secondary to a decrease in cell-mediated immunity. The strict definition of Ramsay Hunt syndrome is peripheral facial nerve palsy accompanied by erythematous vesicular rash on the ear. We report a 57-year-old female immunocompetent patient complaining of otalgia, small vesicles on the Ramsey Hunt Zone. She does not complain fever, hearing loss, nausea, vomiting or dizziness. There was no peripheral facial nerve palsy, no reduction of taste sensation, no ataxia or nystagmus, Romberg sign was negative. Our patient targets two of the three criteria needed for the diagnosis of Ramsay Hunt syndrome. She began to take Acyclovir-Steroid (AS) therapy very early with good outcome. This suggests that prompt diagnosis and management improve outcome and prevent occurrence of nerve palsy in Ramsay Hunt syndrome.