Proteomic Analysis of Human Milk Reveals Nutritional and Immune Benefits in the Colostrum from Mothers with COVID-19

Despite the well-known benefits of breastfeeding and the World Health Organization’s breastfeeding recommendations for COVID-19 infected mothers, whether these mothers should be encouraged to breastfeed is under debate due to concern about the risk of virus transmission and lack of evidence of breastmilk’s protective effects against the virus. Here, we provide a molecular basis for the breastfeeding recommendation through mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics and glycosylation analysis of immune-related proteins in both colostrum and mature breastmilk collected from COVID-19 patients and healthy donors. The total protein amounts in the COVID-19 colostrum group were significantly higher than in the control group. While casein proteins in COVID-19 colostrum exhibited significantly lower abundances, immune-related proteins, especially whey proteins with antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2, were upregulated. These proteins were detected with unique site-specific glycan structures and improved glycosylation diversity that are beneficial for recognizing epitopes and blocking viral entry. Such adaptive differences in milk from COVID-19 mothers tended to fade in mature milk from the same mothers one month postpartum. These results suggest that feeding infants colostrum from COVID-19 mothers confers both nutritional and immune benefits, and provide molecular-level insights that aid breastmilk feeding decisions in cases of active infection.     

The frequency of assessment tools in arthroscopic training: a systematic review

BackgroundMultiple assessment tools are used in arthroscopic training and play an important role in feedback. However, it is not fully recognized as to the standard way to apply these tools. Our study aimed to investigate the use of assessment tools in arthroscopic training and determine whether there is an optimal way to apply various assessment tools in arthroscopic training.MethodsA search was performed using PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library electronic databases for articles published in English from January 2000 to July 2021. Eligible for inclusion were primary research articles related to using assessment tools for the evaluation of arthroscopic skills and training environments. Studies that focussed only on therapeutic cases, did not report outcome measures of technical skills, or did not mention arthroscopic skills training were excluded.ResultsA total of 28 studies were included for review. Multiple assessment tools were used in arthroscopic training. The most common objective metric was completion time, reported in 21 studies. Technical parameters based on simulator or external equipment, such as instrument path length, hand movement, visual parameters and injury, were also widely used. Subjective assessment tools included checklists and global rating scales (GRS). Among these, the most commonly used GRS was the Arthroscopic Surgical Skill Evaluation Tool (ASSET). Most of the studies combined objective metrics and subjective assessment scales in the evaluation of arthroscopic skill trainingConclusionsOverall, both subjective and objective assessment tools can be used as feedback for basic arthroscopic skill training, but there are still differences in the frequency of application in different contexts. Despite this, combined use of subjective and objective assessment tools can be applied to more situations and skills and can be the optimal way for assessment.Level of EvidenceLevel III, systematic review of level I to III studies.

Key messages

• Both subjective and objective assessment tools can be used as feedback for basic arthroscopic skill training.
• Combined use of subjective and objective assessment tools can be applied to more situations and skills and can be the optimal way for assessment.

     

Incidence and prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThe epidemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) poses a great challenge to pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) control. However, the incidence and prevalence of PTB among T2DM patients has not been fully determined. This meta-analysis aimed to provide the estimation on the global incidence and prevalence of PTB among T2DM patients (T2DM-PTB).MethodsOnline databases including Web of Science, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Cochrane Library were searched for all relevant studies that reported the incidence or prevalence of T2DM-PTB through 31 January 2022. Pooled incidence and prevalence of T2DM-PTB with 95% confidence interval (CI) was estimated by the random-effect model. All statistical analyses were performed using R software.ResultsA total of 24 studies (14 cohort studies, 10 cross-sectional studies) were included. The pooled incidence and prevalence of T2DM-PTB were 129.89 per 100,000 person-years (95% confidence interval (CI): 97.55–172.95) and 511.19 per 100,000 (95% CI: 375.94–695.09), respectively. Subgroup analyses identified that the incidence of T2DM-PTB was significantly higher in Asia (187.20 per 100,000 person-years, 95% CI: 147.76–237.17), in countries with a high TB burden (172.04 per 100,000 person-years, 95% CI: 122.98–240.68) and in studies whose data collection ended before 2011 (219.81 per 100,000 person-years, 95% CI: 176.15–274.28), but lower in studies using International Classification of Diseases-10 codes (73.75 per 100,000 person-years, 95% CI: 40.92–132.91). The prevalence of T2DM-PTB was significantly higher in countries with a high TB burden (692.15 per 100,000, 95% CI: 468.75–1022.04), but lower in Europe (105.01 per 100,000, 95% CI: 72.55–151.98).ConclusionsThis systematic review and meta-analysis suggests high global incidence and prevalence of PTB among T2DM patients, underlining the necessity of more preventive interventions among T2DM patients especially in countries with a high TB-burden.

Key messages

• A total of 24 studies (14 cohort studies, 10 cross-sectional studies) containing 2,569,451 T2DM patients were included in this meta-analysis.
• The pooled incidence and prevalence of T2DM-PTB are 129.89 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI: 97.55–172.95) and 511.19 per 100,000 (95% CI: 375.94–695.09) respectively.
• The incidence of T2DM-PTB was significantly higher in Asia, in countries with a high TB burden and in studies whose data collection ended before 2011, but lower in studies using International Classification of Diseases-10 codes.
• The prevalence of T2DM-PTB was significantly higher in countries with a high TB-burden, but lower in Europe.

     

Effects of Chronic Exposure to Diets Containing Moldy Corn or Moldy Wheat Bran on Growth Performance,Ovarian Follicular Pool,and Oxidative Status of Gilts

Background: We investigated the effect of replacing normal corn (NC) or normal wheat bran (NW) with moldy corn (MC) or moldy wheat bran (MW) on growth, ovarian follicular reserves, and oxidative status. Methods: Sixty-three Landrace × Yorkshire gilts were assigned to seven diets formulated by using MC to replace 0% (control), 25% (25% MC), 50% (50% MC), 75% (75% MC), and 100% NC (100% MC), MW to replace 100% NW (100% MW), and MC and MW to replace 100% NC and 100% NW (100% MC + MW), from postnatal day 110 to day 19 of the second estrous cycle. Results: Feeding the gilts with MC or MW induced a lower average daily gain at days 29–56 of the experiment. Age at puberty remained unchanged, but MC inclusion resulted in a linear decrease in antral follicles with diameter >3.0 mm, and control gilts had a 12.7 more large antral follicles than gilts in the 100% MC + MW treatment. MC inclusion linearly decreased the numbers of primordial follicles, growing follicles, and corpora lutea, associated with a lower anti-Müllerian hormone level in serum and 17β-estradiol level in follicular fluid. MC inclusion decreased the serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1 and its mRNA levels in the liver, combined with higher malondialdehyde concentration and lower total superoxide dismutase activities in serum and liver. Conclusion: Chronic exposure to MC-containing diets caused the loss of follicles, even if levels of deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and aflatoxin B1 were below the levels allowed by China and Europe standards.     

原发性脑出血96例死因分析

急性脑血管病（或称脑卒中）是内科常见多发病。原发性脑出血是主要的致死、致残的常见病之一,是人类三大死亡原因之一。本院自2003年1月～2005年12月,收住原发性脑出血454例,其中死亡96例,现总结分析如下。     

Rust Distribution of Non-Uniform Steel Corrosion Induced by Impressed Current Method

The non-uniform corrosion of steel bars is the main factor affecting the durability of concrete. The cracking pattern of concrete due to corrosion is closely related to the distribution of the corrosion products. Research on the thickness distribution of the rust layer and the cracking pattern of concrete under different influencing factors is of great significance in the prediction of the service life of existing reinforced concrete structures and the avoidance of the premature cracking of the reinforced concrete structures to be built. This paper studies the thickness distribution of the rust layer on the surface of single and multiple corroded reinforcements under non-uniform corrosion. The electrochemical analysis of the electrified corrosion process was carried out by using the finite element analysis software, and the distribution of the current density was obtained. The effects of geometric parameters, steel bar position, and steel bar spacing and shape on the corrosion expansion cracking pattern were studied. The results indicated that as the position of the steel bar differed, the crack pattern of the concrete changed, depending on the number of corrosion peaks (i.e., the maximum thickness of the rust layer). In terms of the corner-located steel, the number of corrosion peaks varied in the cases of different geometrical parameters (i.e., the diameter of the steel bar and the distance between the steel bars and the stainless steel wire). Nevertheless, the critical corrosion degrees of the side-located and corner-located steel bars, with respect to the cracking of the outer concrete surface, were basically the same. Additionally, the ribbed steel bar presented a lower critical corrosion degree than that of the plain steel bar, while little influence was exhibited with the varying angles of the rib.     

Study on the Conventional Performance and Microscopic Properties of PPA/SBS-Modified Bio-Mixed Asphalt

To promote the construction of environmentally friendly, sustainable pavements and solve the impact of the scarcity of asphalt resources on highway development, bio-mixed asphalt (BMA) modified by SBS and polyphosphoric acid (PPA) was prepared, and the influence of the ratio of bio-asphalt (BA) replacing petroleum asphalt on different PPA/SBS blending schemes was explored through conventional property tests. According to each PPA/SBS blending scheme, the optimal replacement ratio of bio-asphalt was optimized, and the microstructure and distribution morphology of different PPA/SBS-modified BMA were evaluated. Conventional property test results show that with the same PPA/SBS content, the replacement ratio of bio-asphalt has a significant impact on the conventional performance of composite-modified asphalt, but the appropriate replacement ratio of bio-asphalt can improve the storage stability and conventional performance of composite-modified asphalt; in micromorphological analysis, it was found that the number of bee-like structures on the surface of the modified BMA decreased significantly, which indicated that the molecular heterogeneity of various components in the asphalt was reduced. In addition, bio-asphalt changed the particle morphology and improved the dispersity of SBS in asphalt. The composite-modified BMA had a lower SBS content, but its conventional performance was still excellent—so it has significant application prospects in road engineering.     

RNA Interference-Mediated Knockdown of Bombyx mori Haemocyte-Specific Cathepsin L (Cat L)-Like Cysteine Protease Gene Increases Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki Toxicity and Reproduction in Insect Cadavers

The silkworm’s Cat L-like gene, which encodes a lysosomal cathepsin L-like cysteine protease, is thought to be part of the insect’s innate immunity via an as-yet-undetermined mechanism. Assuming that the primary function of Cat L-like is microbial degradation in mature phagosomes, we hypothesise that the suppression of the Cat L-like gene expression would increase Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacteraemia and toxicity in knockdown insects. Here, we performed a functional analysis of Cat L-like in larvae that were fed mulberry leaves contaminated with a commercial biopesticide formulation based on Bt kurstaki (Btk) (i.e., Dipel) to investigate its role in insect defence against a known entomopathogen. Exposure to sublethal doses of Dipel resulted in overexpression of the Cat L-like gene in insect haemolymph 24 and 48 h after exposure. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated suppression of Cat L-like expression significantly increased the toxicity of Dipel to exposed larvae. Moreover, Btk replication was higher in RNAi insects, suggesting that Cat L-like cathepsin may be involved in a bacterial killing mechanism of haemocytes. Finally, our results confirm that Cat L-like protease is part of the antimicrobial defence of insects and suggest that it could be used as a target to increase the insecticidal efficacy of Bt-based biopesticides.     

Abnormal Micronutrient Intake Is Associated with the Risk of Periodontitis: A Dose–response Association Study Based on NHANES 2009–2014

The association between micronutrient intake and the risk of periodontitis has received much attention in recent years. However, most studies focused on the linear relationship between them. This study aimed to explore the dose–response association between micronutrient intake and periodontitis. A total of 8959 participants who underwent a periodontal examination, and reported their micronutrient intake levels were derived from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2009–2014) database. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate associations between micronutrient intake and periodontitis after propensity score matching (PSM), and restricted cubic splines (RCS) analysis was conducted to explore the dose–response associations. Following PSM, 5530 participants were included in the RCS analysis. The risk of periodontitis was reduced with sufficient intake of the following micronutrients: vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and vitamin E. In addition, the risk of periodontitis was increased with excessive intake of the following micronutrients: vitamin B1 (1.8 mg/day, males; 1.3 mg/day, females), vitamin C (90 mg/day, males), and copper (1.1 mg/day, combined). In conclusion, a linear association was found between vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin C, and copper and periodontitis—namely, a sufficient intake of vitamin A and vitamin B2 might help reduce the prevalence of periodontitis; by contrast, a high intake of vitamin C and copper increased the risk. In addition, a nonlinear dose–response association was found for the incidence of periodontitis with vitamin B1 and vitamin E. When within reasonable limits, supplemental intake helped reduce the prevalence of periodontitis, while excessive intake did not help significantly and might even increase the risk. However, confounding factors, such as health awareness, should still be considered.     

Microstructure of Dolostones of Different Geological Ages and Dedolomitization Reaction

Dolostone is widely distributed and commonly used as concrete aggregates. A large number of studies have shown that there are significant differences in the expansibility of different dolostones, and the key factors determining the expansibility of alkali carbonate rocks have not been clarified. In this paper, rocks were selected from five different geological ages: Jixianian, Cambrian, Ordovician, Devonian, and Triassic ages. The ordering degree and the content of MgCO₃ of dolomites in rocks of different geological ages were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The degree of dedolomitization reaction in rocks cured in 80 °C, 1 mol/L NaOH solution was determined by quantitative X-ray diffraction (QXRD). The morphology of dolomites in rocks was determined by a polarizing microscope. The products of the dedolomitization reaction were determined by field emission electron microscopy (FESEM-EDS). According to the test results, the following conclusions are drawn. There is a good positive correlation between ordering degree and the molar fraction of MgCO₃ of dolomites. When the MgCO₃ mole fraction of dolomites varies from 47.17% to 49.60%, the higher the MgCO₃ mole fraction, the greater the ordering degree of dolomite. By analyzing the degree of the dedolomitization reaction of different dolostone powders cured at 80 °C in 1 mol/L NaOH solution, it is found that the older the geological age of dolostone, the slower the dedolomitization reaction rate and the lower the degree of dedolomitization reaction. The lower the ordering degree of dolomite crystal in the same geological age, the faster the rate of dedolomitization reaction and the higher the degree of dedolomitization reaction.