Correlation Analysis of Ecosystem Reduction and Retention Effects and Spatial Distribution of Soil Potential Toxicity Elements.

Soil contamination by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) poses a significant threat to crop quality and human health, making it a global concern. However, the distribution patterns of PTEs across different land-use types are not well understood. To investigate the relationship between the reduction and retention effects of various ecosystem types on soil PTEs, we analyzed five categories of target elements in 299 soil samples from the southeastern Yunnan Province.

Optimal Glycated Hemoglobin Cutoff for Diagnosis of Diabetes and Prediabetes in Chinese Breast Cancer Women.

Purpose: Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is widely used in diabetes management and now recommended for diagnosis and risk assessment. Our research focused on investigating the optimal cutoff points of HbA1c for diagnosis of diabetes and prediabetes in Chinese breast cancer women, aiming to enhance early detection and tailor treatment strategies.

Patients And Methods: This study involved 309 breast cancer women without diabetes history in China.

Long-Term Exposure to Ceftriaxone Sodium Induces Alteration of Gut Microbiota Accompanied by Abnormal Behaviors in Mice.

Growing evidence points out that a disturbance of gut microbiota may also disturb the gut-brain communication. However, it is not clear to what extent the alteration of microbiota composition can modulate brain function, affecting host behaviors. Here, we investigated the effects of gut microbiota depletion on emotional behaviors.

Long non‑coding RNA CASC2 enhances berberine‑induced cytotoxicity in colorectal cancer cells by silencing BCL2.

Berberine, a natural isoquinoline alkaloid derived from Berberis species, has been reported to have anticancer effects. However, the mechanisms of action in human colorectal cancer (CRC) are not well established to date. In the present study, the cell cytotoxicity effect of berberine on human CRC cells, as well as the possible mechanisms involved, was investigated.

Berberine Promotes Apoptosis of Colorectal Cancer via Regulation of the Long Non-Coding RNA (lncRNA) Cancer Susceptibility Candidate 2 (CASC2)/AU-Binding Factor 1 (AUF1)/B-Cell CLL/Lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) Axis.

BACKGROUND Berberine, a natural isoquinoline alkaloid derived from Berberis genus plants, has been reported to have anti-cancer effects. While cell behavior can be modulated by long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), the contributions of lncRNAs in progression and berberine effects on colorectal cancer are largely unknown. Therefore, the present study investigated the involvement and regulatory function of lncRNA cancer susceptibility candidate 2 (CASC2) during the treatment of human colorectal cancer using berberine.

[Epidemiology and Resistance Mechanisms of Group B Streptococci in Late-pregnant Maternal Birth Canal].

Objective: To study the antibiotic-resistant rate of group B streptococci (GBS) in obstetric canal of late-pregnant women, evaluate the antibiotic-resistant status and finally to support the GBS prevention and curing by proper antibiotics.

Methods: 31 pregnant women between 35 to 37 gestational weeks were included, for whom the antibiotic sensitivity as well as the drug (erythromycin and clindamycin) resistance genes of GBS in obstetric canal was analyzed.

Results: 12 (38.

[Clinical characteristics of children with meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and antibiotic resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains].

Objective: To study the clinical characteristics of children with meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) and the drug sensitivity of SP strains.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 14 children with SP-infected meningitis between September 2008 and March 2014.

Results: Of the 14 cases, 8 cases (57%) aged under 2 years.

Identification of cytolytic vaginosis versus vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Objective: This study aimed to observe the morphological characteristic of vaginal discharge in patients with cytolytic vaginosis (CV) under the microscope and to identify it in patients with CV and in patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).

Methods: A total of 108 subjects including 21 healthy women, 33 patients with CV, and 54 patients with VVC were enrolled in the present morphological study. Vaginal discharge was collected and made into smear.

[Association of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level and risk of recurrent ischemic stroke].

Objective: To observe the association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level and rate of ischemic stroke recurrence.

Methods: A total of 1 059 patients with ischemic stroke were enrolled from 5 community health centers and underwent baseline surveys during the period of January 2003 to December 2006. After baseline surveys, patients were followed up every 6 months until December 31, 2008.

[Species and drug resistance of pathogens in blood cultures from the pediatric hematology ward].

Objective: To investigate the species and percentage changes of pathogens in blood cultures from the pediatric hematology ward, and to analyze the drug resistance of main pathogens and the risk factors for positive blood culture (sepsis).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed to analyze the species and drug sensitivity of the pathogens isolated from 2358 blood cultures from the pediatric hematology ward of the West China Second University Hospital between 2008 and 2011, as well as the related clinical data.

Results: A total of 110 strains of pathogens were isolated, with Escherichia coli (16 strains), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12 strains) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (8 strains) being the most common ones.

[Clinical characteristics and pathogens of invasive fungal infections in children].

Objective: To study the clinical characteristics and pathogens of invasive fungal infection in children.

Methods: The clinical data of 104 children who suffered from invasive fungal infections between 2008 and 2012 was retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Of the 104 cases, 20 occurred in neonates, 48 in infants and 36 in preschool and school-aged children (old-aged children).

[Common pathogens and clinical characteristics of neonatal pneumonia].

Objective: To study common pathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility as well as clinical characteristics of neonatal pneumonia.

Methods: A retrospective study on neonatal pneumonia was performed. The study investigated antibiotic susceptibility of four common pathogens (339 strains) that caused neonatal pneumonia.

[Metabolic syndrome is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease events in patients with ischemic stroke].

Objective: To explore the association between metabolic syndrome (MS) and risk of cardiovascular disease events (CVD) in patients with ischemic stroke.

Method: A total of 1087 patients with ischemic stroke were enrolled from 5 community-based medical centres and underwent baseline evaluation on risk factors of stroke during the period of Jan. 2003 to Dec.