Correlation between angiotensin and acute kidney injury in patients with sepsis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyze the changes in angiotensin (Ang) levels in patients with sepsis complicated with acute kidney injury (AKI) and evaluate the relationship between Ang and AKI. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective research methods were used in this study. A total of 66 sepsis patients admitted to the Intensive care Unit (ICU) of the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University from October 2020 to January 2021 were enrolled. According to the occurrence of AKI, patients were divided into the sepsis-associated AKI (SA-AKI) group and the non-AKI group. The levels of Ang-1 and Ang-2 were compared between the two groups. The relationship between Ang and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in sepsis patients was studied by correlation analysis. RESULTS: Plasma Ang-1 in the SA-AKI group was significantly higher than that in the non-AKI group (0.39±1.05 ng/ml vs. 0.10±0.24 ng/ml, p=0.039). The Ang-2/Ang-1 in the SA-AKI group was lower than that in the non-AKI group with a significant difference (52.55±191.38 vs. 349.50±327.49, p=0.001). Correlation analysis indicated that Ang-1 was negatively correlated with GFR (r=-0.12, p=0.031), while Ang-2/Ang-1 was positively correlated with GFR (r=0.21, p<0.001). The Ang-2 was positively correlated with GFR (r=0.204, p<0.001) CONCLUSIONS: Plasma Ang-1 and Ang-2 levels are suggestive for assessing the risk of AKI in patients with sepsis.

Itaconic acid and dimethyl itaconate exert antibacterial activity in carbon-enriched environments through the TCA cycle.

Itaconic acid (IA), a metabolite generated by the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle in eukaryotic immune cells, and its derivative dimethyl itaconate (DI) exert antibacterial functions in intracellular environments. Previous studies suggested that IA and DI only inhibit bacterial growth in carbon-limited environments; however, whether IA and DI maintain antibacterial activity in carbon-enriched environments remains unknown. Here, IA and DI inhibited the bacteria with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 24.02 mM and 39.52 mM, respectively, in a carbon-enriched environment. The reduced bacterial pathogenicity was reflected in cell membrane integrity, motility, biofilm formation, AI-2/luxS, and virulence. Mechanistically, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity and fumaric acid levels decreased in the IA and DI treatments, while isocitrate lyase (ICL) activity was upregulated. Inhibited TCA circulation was also observed through untargeted metabolomics. In addition, energy-related aspartate metabolism and lysine degradation were suppressed. In summary, these results indicated that IA and DI reduced bacterial pathogenicity while exerting antibacterial functions by inhibiting TCA circulation. This study enriches knowledge on the inhibition of bacteria by IA and DI in a carbon-mixed environment, suggesting an alternative method for treating bacterial infections by immune metabolites.

[Factors influencing bilirubin elevation and its correlation with UGT1A1 gene polymorphism in the early postoperative period of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt].

Objective: To investigate the factors influencing total bilirubin elevation and its correlation with UGT1A1 gene polymorphism in the early postoperative period of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). Methods: 104 cases with portal hypertension and esophageal variceal hemorrhage (EVB) treated with elective TIPS treatment were selected as the study subjects and were divided into a bilirubin-elevated group and a normal bilirubin group according to the total bilirubin elevation level during the early postoperative period. Univariate analysis and logistic regression were used to analyze the factors influencing total bilirubin elevation in the early postoperative period. PCR amplification and first-generation sequencing technology were used to detect the polymorphic loci of the UGT1A1 gene promoter TATA box, enhancer c.-3279 T > G, c.211G > A, and c.686C > A. Logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation of four locus alleles and genotypes with elevated total bilirubin in the early postoperative period. Results: Among the 104 cases, 47 patients were in the bilirubin elevated group, including 35 males (74.5%) and 12 females (25.5%), aged (50.72 ± 12.56) years. There were 57 cases in the normal bilirubin group, including 42 males (73.7%) and 15 females (26.3%), aged (51.63 ± 11.10) years. There was no statistically significant difference in age (t = -0.391, P = 0.697) and gender (χ(2) = 0.008, P = 0.928) between the two groups of patients. Univariate analysis revealed that preoperative alanine transaminase (ALT) level (χ(2) = 5.954, P = 0.015), total bilirubin level (χ(2) = 16.638, P < 0.001), MELD score (χ(2) = 10.054, P = 0.018), Child-Pugh score (χ(2) = 6.844, P = 0.022), and postoperative portal vein branch development (χ(2) = 6.738, P = 0.034) were statistically significantly different between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative ALT level, total bilirubin level, and portal vein branch development after TIPS were correlated with the elevated total bilirubin in the early postoperative period. The polymorphism of the c.211G > A locus of the UGT1A1 gene correlation had elevated total bilirubin in the early postoperative period of TIPS. The risk of elevated total bilirubin was increased in the population carrying allele A (P = 0.001, OR = 4.049) in the early postoperative period. Allelic polymorphisms in the TATA box promoter region and enhancer c.-3279 T > G and c.686C > A had no statistically significant difference between the bilirubin-elevated group and the normal bilirubin group. Conclusion: The preoperative ALT level, total bilirubin level, and portal vein branch development are correlated with the elevated total bilirubin in early postoperative patients. The polymorphisms of the UGT1A1 gene and enhancer c.211G > A are correlated with the occurrence of elevated total bilirubin in the early postoperative period of TIPS. Allele A carrier may have a higher risk of elevated total bilirubin in the early postoperative period.

[Drug-induced bile duct injury: progress and challenges].

Drug-induced bile duct injury is a specific kind of drug-induced liver injury that has two main pathological types, namely ductopenia, or vanishing bile duct syndrome, and secondary sclerosing cholangitis. However, in recent years, the reports of new drugs that cause bile duct injury have been constantly increasing, and these drugs have different clinicopathological features and a novel pathogenesis. Therefore, this paper summarizes and analyzes the progress and challenges in the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment, and other aspects of drug-induced bile duct injury.

Probiotic characterization and comparison of broiler-derived lactobacillus strains based on technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution analysis.

A total of 10 lactobacillus strains were isolated from broiler chickens and their probiotic properties including tolerance to gastrointestinal fluids and heat treatment, antimicrobial activity, adhesion capacity to intestinal cells, surface hydrophobicity, autoaggregation, antioxidative activity, and immunomodulatory effects on chicken macrophages were evaluated. The Limosilactobacillus reuteri (LR) was the most frequently isolated species, followed by Lactobacillus johnsonii (LJ) and Ligilactobacillus salivarius (LS). All isolates showed good resistance to simulated gastrointestinal conditions and antimicrobial activity against 4 indicator strains including Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis LR 21 exhibited excellent performances on autoaggregation, hydrophobicity and adhesion capacity to Caco-2 intestinal cells. In the meantime, this strain also possessed considerable tolerance to heat treatment, which indicated great potential to be used in the feed industry. However, LJ 20 strain had the highest free radical scavenging activity compared with the other strains. Furthermore, qRT-PCR results revealed that all isolated strains significantly increased the transcriptional levels of proinflammatory genes and tended to induce the M1-type polarization on HD11 macrophages. Particularly, the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) was adopted in our study to compare and select the most promising probiotic candidate based on in vitro evaluation tests.

Effects of early post-hatch feeding on the growth performance, hormone secretion, intestinal morphology, and intestinal microbiota structure in broilers.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of time access to post-hatch feeding on the growth performance, hormone secretion, intestinal morphology, and intestinal microbiota structure of broilers. A total of 900 broilers were randomly allocated to 3 treatment groups, with 6 replicates of 50 broilers each. The 3 treatments were: immediate feeding (Group 2 h), delayed access to feed for 24 h (Group 24 h), and delayed access to feed for 48 h (Group 48 h). The experiment lasted for 50 d. Results revealed that Group 2 h had a higher average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) as well as a lower feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) than Group 48 h during the starter period (P < 0.05). Compared with Group 48 h, broilers in Group 2 h exhibited significantly elevated villus height (VH) and villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH: CD) in the duodenum, increased Occludin, and Claudin-1 mRNA expression in the jejunum but decreased crypt depth (CD) in the duodenum at 50 d (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, broilers in Groups 2 h and 24 h had increased glycogen (Gn) and protein (Pro) levels in breast muscle and TG levels in the liver, as well as a higher concentration of serum T3, T4, and IGF-1 compared with Group 48 h at 21 d (P < 0.05). Besides, intestinal microbiota consisted primarily of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria at the phylum level at 21 d and 50 d; at the genus level, broilers in Group 2 h displayed significantly reduced abundance of Escherichia at 21 d and Bacteroides at 50 d compared with Group 48 h (P < 0.05). Collectively, these findings signal that early post-hatch feeding measures, especially at 21 d, improve hormone secretion, intestinal morphology, and the growth performance of broilers by enhancing intestinal health and modulating the intestinal microbiota.

[Status of HVPG clinical application in China in 2021].

Objective: The investigation and research on the application status of Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient (HVPG) is very important to understand the real situation and future development of this technology in China. Methods: This study comprehensively investigated the basic situation of HVPG technology in China, including hospital distribution, hospital level, annual number of cases, catheters used, average cost, indications and existing problems. Results: According to the survey, there were 70 hospitals in China carrying out HVPG technology in 2021, distributed in 28 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central Government). A total of 4 398 cases of HVPG were performed in all the surveyed hospitals in 2021, of which 2 291 cases (52.1%) were tested by HVPG alone. The average cost of HVPG detection was (5 617.2±2 079.4) yuan. 96.3% of the teams completed HVPG detection with balloon method, and most of the teams used thrombectomy balloon catheter (80.3%). Conclusion: Through this investigation, the status of domestic clinical application of HVPG has been clarified, and it has been confirmed that many domestic medical institutions have mastered this technology, but it still needs to continue to promote and popularize HVPG technology in the future.

Inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase downregulates endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis and decreases brain injury in a cardiac arrest rat model.

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) is the predominant cause of neurological disability after cardiac arrest/cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CA/CPR). The endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERs)-induced apoptosis plays an important role in neuronal survival/death in CIRI. Our previous studies reported that the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor, PD98059, alleviates CIRI after CA/CPR. Whether ERs-induced apoptosis is involved in the neuroprotection of PD98059 remains unknown. This study aims to investigate the effects of ERK inhibition by PD98059 on ERs-induced apoptosis after CIRI in the CA/CPR rat model. The baseline characteristics of male adult Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats in all groups were evaluated before CA/CPR. The SD rats that survived from CA/CPR were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=12/group): normal saline group (1 ml/kg), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO, the solvent of PD98059, 1 ml/kg) group, PD98059 group (0.3 mg/kg). Another 12 SD rats were randomly selected as the Sham group. Twenty-four hours after resuscitation, neural injury was assessed by survival rate, neurological deficit scores (NDS) and Nissl staining; apoptosis of brain cells was detected using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining; mRNA expression and protein levels of ERs-related protein BIP, PERK, ATF4 and CHOP were checked with RT-PCR and Western Blot. The results showed that there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics before CA/CPR among all groups. PD98059 significantly improved survival rate and NDS, increased the Nissl bodies in neurons, reduced apoptosis, downregulated the mRNA transcription and expression levels of BIP, PERK, ATF4 and CHOP at 24 h after CA/CPR. Our results demonstrate that inhibition of ERK by PD98059 alleviates ERs-induced apoptosis via BIP-PERK-ATF4-CHOP signaling pathway and mitigates CIRI in the CA/CPR rat model.

Anion gap predicts the long-term neurological and cognitive outcomes of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether anion gap (AG) can act as a potentially predictive biomarker in recoveries of neurological and cognitive functions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 89 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) were recruited. Of these, 68 and 21 patients were categorized into screening cohort and validation cohort, respectively. In the screening cohort, patients were categorized into three groups, according to the serum AG levels at admission. We dynamically recorded AG levels. Neurological and cognitive functions were assessed using Glasgow coma scale (GCS), Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scale at different time points. Furthermore, in the validation cohort, 9 patients with increased AG level underwent interventions to rectify the electrolyte imbalance. RESULTS: In the screening cohort, statistical differences were observed for respiratory diseases (p=0.029) among the three groups. The number of patients in the ≥16 mmol/L group (59.3%) was higher than that in the other groups. The mean scores of GCS in the ≥16 mmol/L group were lower than those in the other groups. The AG levels at admission had significant associations with 180-day GOS (p=0.043) and 180-day MMSE (p=0.001). Among them, the mean scores of the 180-day GOS and 180-day MMSE were lower in the ≥16 mmol/L group than in the other groups. In the validation cohort, AG intervention promoted recoveries of neurological and cognitive functions when compared to those without AG interventions. CONCLUSIONS: AG is a potentially predictive biomarker for the long-term outcomes of ICH patients, and rectifying AG at admission improves the outcomes.

[Esthetic evaluation of conventional and socket shield technique immediate implant restoration].

Objective: To evaluate the pink and white esthetics of conventional and socket shield technique (SST) immediate implant restoration. Methods: Thirty volunteers were recruited according to preset criteria, and were assigned to 3 groups. Natural teeth group (ten undergraduates or postgraduates from Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology in January 2020, n=10): all volunteers' maxillary anterior teeth were natural teeth with healthy gingiva, and none of the teeth were restored by crowns or composite. Conventional group and SST group (patients had a maxillary central incisor immediate implant placed in Department of Prosthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology during October 2016 to January 2021, n=10 for each group): the volunteer had an unrestored natural maxillary central incisor, and the contralateral maxillary central incisor was restored by conventional or SST immediate implant placement, temporization and all ceramic final restoration, photos were taken 12 months post-surgery. Three groups of evaluators namely layperson (staff from Second Clinical Division of Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology and 2 family members, n=10), dental students (class 2015 undergraduates from Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, n=10) and prosthodontists (from Department of Prosthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, n=10) were invited to assess the esthetics using pink esthetic score (PES) and white esthetic score (WES). The results were statistically analyzed. Results: PES and WES of natural teeth group [9(8, 10) and 8(7, 10)] were significantly higher than conventional group [7(6,8) and 7(6,9)] (H=287.08, 132.79,P<0.01) and SST group [7(6, 9) and 8(7, 9)] (H=216.01, 101.21, P<0.01). SST group yielded higher PES than the conventional group (H=-71.06, P<0.01), yet had similar WES (H=-31.57, P>0.05). Dental students had significant lower PES and WES than prosthodontists (H=-120.90, -218.86, P<0.01) and layperson (H=-109.55, 134.97, P<0.01). Prosthodontists and layperson got similar PES (H=-11.36, P>0.05), however yielded different WES (H=-83.89, P<0.01). Conclusions: SST immediate implant placement obtained better pink esthetics than conventional protocol 12-month after implant surgery, profession may have significant impact on evaluators during pink and white esthetic evaluation.

[Effect of a novel radio-frequency atmospheric-pressure glow discharge plasma jet treatment on crosslinking of dentin collagen].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of a noval radio-frequency atmospheric-pressure glow discharge (RF-APGD) plasma jet on crosslinking of dentin collagen. METHODS: (1) Twenty intact third molars were collected. The middle dentin discs were prepared for each tooth by low-speed water-cooled Isomet saw, and then immersed in 10% (mass fraction) H3PO4 solution for 16 h to obtain fully demine-ralized dentin collagen. The twenty dentin discs were then randomly divided into five groups. The control group was untreated while the four experimental groups were treated by plasma jet with gas temperature of 4 ℃ for different times (20 s, 30 s, 40 s, and 50 s). The structure and crosslinking degree of dentin collagen were characterized by attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The surface morphology of demineralized dentin was observed by scanning electron microscope, and the microstructure was observed by transmission electron microscope. (2) Fourty non-caries third molars were collected to prepare 5 g fine dentin powder, then completely demineralized with 10% H3PO4 solution. The control group was untreated, while the four experimental groups were treated by plasma jet for 20 s, 30 s, 40 s and 50 s. The crosslinking degree of each group was determined by ninhydrin colorimetric method. (3) Forty intact third molars were collected to obtain dentin strips. Only two central symmetrical dentin strips (nasty 80) were taken from each tooth and immersed in 10% H3PO4 solution for 16 h to obtain fully demineralized dentin collagen. Eighty dentine collagen fiber strips were randomly divided into five groups. The control group was untreated and the axial surfaces of dentin collagen fiber strips in the expe-rimental groups were treated with the plasma jet for 20 s, 30 s, 40 s and 50 s. The ultimate tensile strength of dentin was measured by universal mechanical machine. RESULTS: (1) The surface morphology of demineralized dentin observed by scanning electron microscope showed that the network structure of collagen fibers on the surface of demineralized dentin treated with the plasma jet for 20 s, 30 s and 40 s could maintain the uncollapsed three-dimensional structure, and part of the microstructure was destroyed after plasma jet treated for 50 s. After being treated by plasma jet for 20 s, 30 s and 40 s, the three-dimensional structure was uncollapsed, and the typical periodic transverse pattern of natural type Ⅰ collagen fiber could be seen. The results of infrared spectra showed that the secondary conformation of dentin collagen fibers was the same as that of the control group after being treated with the plasma jet, and the intensity of amide band was significantly increased after being treated for 30 s and 40 s. (2) The results of ninhydrin crosslinking test showed that the crosslinking ratio of dentin collagen treated by plasma jet for 30 s and 40 s was the highest, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). (3) The results of dentin ultimate tensile strength showed that the control group was (1.67±0.24) MPa, and the plasma jet treated 20 s, 30 s, 40 s and 50 s groups were (4.21±0.15) MPa, (7.06±0.30) MPa, (7.32±0.27) MPa, and (6.87±0.17) MPa, which were significantly different from that of the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The novel RF-APGD plasma jet treatment can promote the crosslinking degree of demineralized dentin collagen and improve their ultimate tensile strength.

[The value of ischemia modified albumin level for predicting in-hospital mortality in patients with acute aortic dissection].

Objective: To investigate the value of ischemia modified albumin (IMA) level for predicting in-hospital mortality in patients with acute aortic dissection (AAD). Methods: A total of 195 patients with AAD from the Department of Cardio-Vascular Surgery of Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from January 2017 to November 2019 were consecutively collected, with 126 males and 69 females. Based on whether they died during hospitalization or not, these patients were divided into 2 groups: survival group and mortality group. The baseline data and IMA levels at admission of the two groups were recorded. Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was further performed on variables with statistical significance in univariate analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated to determine the value of IMA for predicting in-hospital mortality in patients with AAD. Results: Forty-two AAD patients died and 153 survived, and the mortality rate was 21.5%. Logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR=2.143,95%CI:1.247-4.826,P=0.011), Stanford type A (OR=6.751,95%CI:3.189-14.291,P<0.001), drug therapy (OR=5.133,95%CI:2.463-10.700,P<0.001), IMA level (OR=4.452,95%CI:2.231-8.953,P=0.004) were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality in patients with AAD, however surgery was a protective factor (OR=0.195,95%CI:0.093-0.406,P<0.001). The area under the ROC curve for IMA level in predicting in-hospital mortality with AAD was 0.838 (95%CI: 0.774-0.901, P<0.001), with a cut-off value of 86.55 U/ml, and the sensitivity and specificity were 83.3% and 75.2%, respectively. Conclusions: IMA may serve as a simple risk assessment indicator for patients with AAD. IMA level at admission is an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality. For patients with higher IMA level, early surgical intervention should be performed.

[Diagnosis and treatment status of perioperative anemia in patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms: a multi-center study in Hubei Province].

Objective: To investigate the incidence and treatment of perioperative anemia in patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms in Hubei Province. Methods: The clinicopathological data of 7 474 patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms in 62 hospitals in 15 cities (state) of Hubei Province in 2019 were collected in the form of network database. There were 4 749 males and 2 725 females. The median age of the patients was 62 years (range: 17 to 96 years). The hemoglobin value of the first time in hospital and the first day after operation was used as the criterion of preoperative anemia and postoperative anemia. Anemia was defined as male hemoglobin <120 g/L and female hemoglobin <110.0 g/L, mild anemia as 90 to normal, moderate anemia as 60 to <90 g/L, severe anemia as <60 g/L. The t test and χ2 test were used for inter-group comparison. Results: The overall incidence of preoperative anemia was 38.60%(2 885/7 474), and the incidences of mild anemia, moderate anemia and severe anemia were 25.09%(1 875/7 474), 11.37%(850/7 474) and 2.14%(160/7 474), respectively. The overall incidence of postoperative anemia was 61.40%(4 589/7 474). The incidence of mild anemia, moderate anemia and severe anemia were 48.73%(3 642/7 474), 12.20%(912/7 474) and 0.47%(35/7 474), respectively. The proportion of preoperative anemia patients receiving treatment was 26.86% (775/2 885), and the proportion of postoperative anemia patients receiving treatment was 14.93% (685/4 589). The proportions of preoperative anemia patients in grade ⅢA, grade ⅢB, and grade ⅡA hospitals receiving treatment were 26.12% (649/2 485), 32.32% (85/263), and 29.93% (41/137), and the proportions of postoperative anemia patients receiving treatment were 14.61% (592/4 052), 22.05% (73/331), and 9.71% (20/206). The proportion of intraoperative blood transfusion (16.74% (483/2 885) vs. 3.05% (140/4 589), χ²=434.555, P<0.01) and the incidence of postoperative complications (17.78% (513/2 885) vs. 14.08% (646/4 589), χ²=18.553, P<0.01) in the preoperative anemia group were higher than those in the non-anemia group, and the postoperative hospital stay in the preoperative anemia group was longer than that in the non-anemia group ((14.1±7.3) days vs. (13.3±6.2) days, t=5.202, P<0.01). Conclusions: The incidence of perioperative anemia in patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms is high. Preoperative anemia can increase the demand for intraoperative blood transfusion and affect the short-term prognosis of patients. At present, the concept of standardized treatment of perioperative anemia among gastrointestinal surgeons in Hubei Province needs to be improved.

[Research on the relationship between V444A mutation of ABCB11 gene and primary intrahepatic stone].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between V444A mutation of the ABCB11 gene and primary intrahepatic stone (PIS). Methods: A total of 164 patients (including 91 males and 73 females, with an average age of (46.0±13.0) years) with PIS and 164 healthy (including 99 males and 65 females, with an average age of (43.8±16.7) years) volunteers were enrolled in this case-control study between October 2017 and June 2019. TaqMan-MGB was used for detecting the V444A polymorphism site of the ABCB11 gene. All the genotypes and allele frequencies were calculated. Pearson chi-squared test was performed to detect the differences in allele and genotype distribution between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify genotypes associated with PIS. Results: There was no significant difference in age and gender between the two groups(both P>0.05). The distributions of V444A allele and genotype accorded with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium law (P=0.161), which indicated that the selected control group represented statistically acceptable sample. Two alleles of T and C, and three genotypes of TT, TC and CC were detected in the locus of V444A. The T and C allele frequencies in the PIS group and the control group were 28.4% vs 35.4%, and 71.6% vs 64.6%, respectively. The frequencies of the T and C alleles were not different between the two groups (P=0.054). The frequencies of TT, TC and CC genotypes in the two groups were 5.5%, 45.7%, 48.8%, and 14.6%, 41.5%, 43.9%, respectively, with significant difference between the two groups (P=0.023). Logistic regression analysis revealed the V444A polymorphism (TC heterozygous mutation) was associated with PIS. Conclusion: ABCB11 gene polymorphism at the site of V444A may be related to the susceptibility of PIS.

[mTOR signaling pathway-mediated autophagy involved in inhibition of osteoblast differentiation induced by cadmium in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells].

Objective: To investigate the role of autophagy mediated by mTOR signaling pathway in the inhibition of osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) induced by cadmium. Methods: HBMSCs were divided into 0, 2.5 or 5.0 µmol/L groups according to the exposure dose of cadmium chloride (CdCl2), and each group was treated for 1 day, 4 days and (or) 7 days. The ALP activity and mRNA and protein expression levels of osteogenesis markers (ALP, RUNX2 and OSTERIX), autophagy-related proteins (LC3 and Beclin-1) and mTOR signaling pathway related proteins (mTOR, p-mTOR and p-p70S6K) expression, alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red staining were detected. MHY 1485 was selected as the signaling pathway activator. The control group, CdCl2 group (5.0 µmol/L), MHY 1485 group and CdCl2+MHY 1485 combined treatment group were set. After 7 days of treatment, the expression levels of autophagy related proteins and mTOR signaling pathway related proteins of hBMSCs in each group were detected. Results: There was no significant difference in ALP activity between 0, 2.5 and 5.0 µmol/L groups on day 1 and 4 (P>0.05); On day 7, compared with the 0 µmol/L group, the ALP activity, expression of osteogenic markers (ALP, RUNX2, OSTERIX) and mTOR signaling pathway related proteins (mTOR, p-mTOR, p-p70S6K) expression decreased in the 2.5 and 5.0 µmol/L group (P<0.05). Compared with the 0 µmol/L group, the staining of the 2.5 and 5.0 µmol/L groups became lighter, and the formation of ALP and mineralized nodules was reduced. Compared with the CdCl2 group, the autophagy related protein expression in the CdCl2+MHY 1485 combined treatment group decreased, and the mTOR signaling pathway related protein expression increased. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: The inhibition of osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs by cadmium may be related to autophagy mediated by mTOR signaling pathway.

[The relationship between migration time and the prevalence of myopia of children and adolescents aged 6-18 years old in Shenzhen].

Objective: To analyze the relationship between migration time and the prevalence of myopia of children and adolescents aged between 6 and 18 years old in Shenzhen. Methods: From April to May 2019, 26 618 children and adolescents from 14 schools in six streets of Baoan District, including Fuyong, Shajing, Xin'an, Xixiang, Songgang and Shiyan, were included in the study by using random cluster sampling method. The demographic characteristics, migration status, self-reported myopia, screen time in the last seven days, outdoor activities in the last one month and other information were collected through the questionnaire. The differences of myopia among children and adolescents with different characteristics were compared by χ2 test, and the relationship between migration time and the prevalence of myopia was analyzed by multivariate unconditional logistic regression model. Results: The age of 26 618 study participants was (12.37±3.49) years old, and the overall prevalence of myopia was 49.4%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after controlling for relevant confounding factors, compared with migrant children and adolescents of migrant workers who migrated for 1-2 years, those of migrant workers who had migrated for more than 6 years had a higher risk of myopia [OR (95%CI): 1.48 (1.14-1.92)]. After being grouped by phase of school, in the lower grade group of primary school, the children and adolescents of migrant workers who had migrated for more than 6 years had a higher risk of myopia compared with those of migrant workers who migrated for 1-2 years [OR (95%CI): 1.96 (1.20-2.74)]. In the high school group, compared with the children and adolescents of migrant workers who migrated for 1-2 years, those of migrant workers who had migrated for 3-5 years and ≥6 years had a higher risk of myopia [OR (95%CI): 6.03 (1.29-28.15) and 6.52 (1.51-28.11), respectively]. Conclusion: The migration time is related to the prevalence of myopia of the children and adolescents of migrant workers.

Elevated CISD2 expression predicts poor diagnosis and promotes invasion and migration of prostate cancer cells.

OBJECTIVE: To explore roles of CDGSH iron-sulfur domain-containing protein 2 (CISD2) in the progression of prostate cancer (PCa) cells, and relationships between CISD2 expression and the prognosis and clinical pathological parameters in PCa patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis and Western blot analysis were used to detect the CISD2 expression in PCa tissues and cells. CISD2 siRNA was used to inhibit the CISD2 expression. Kaplan-Meier method and Log rank analysis were performed to determine survival analysis while Chi-square test was performed to analyze the association between CISD2 and clinicopathological parameters of PCa patients. Transwell assay and wound healing assay was conducted to examine the invasion and migration ability of PCa cells, respectively. RESULTS: CISD2 was up-regulated in PCa tissues and cells, and showed positive association with the poor prognosis, T stage, lymphatic invasion, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, and distant metastasis of PCa patients. Besides, we found that inhibition of CISD2 significantly impaired the migration and invasion ability of PCa cells. CONCLUSIONS: The paper demonstrated that CISD2 could act as a new target for the diagnosis and treatment of PCa patients.