[Effect of growth hormone supplementation on liver and lung function in patients with hypopituitarism].

To analyze the clinical features of patients with anterior hypopituitarism (HP) complicated with cirrhosis, and to explore the effects of growth hormone supplementation on liver and lung function. A total of 11 patients with HP complicated with cirrhosis admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2016 to December 2022 were included in the study, including 8 males and 3 females, aged [M(Q1, Q3)]31 (20, 37) years. There were 6 patients with pituitary stalk interruption syndrome, 4 patients after craniopharyngioma resection, and 1 patient after germinal cell tumor chemoradiotherapy. Cirrhosis appeared at [M(Q1, Q3)]7 (1, 16) years after the diagnosis of HP. There were 7 cases complicated with hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS). The liver and lung function of 5 patients were improved significantly after the addition of growth hormone, and the arterial partial pressure of oxygen increased from (47±11) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) to (84±12) mmHg. Timely supplementation of growth hormone can improve the symptoms of fatty liver, cirrhosis and HPS, and postpone or even avoid the transplantation of liver and other organs.

[Clinical characteristics of Danon disease].

Objective: To review the clinical data of 7 patients with Danon disease and analyze their clinical characteristics. Methods: The medical records of 7 patients with Danon disease, who were hospitalized in Peking Union Medical College Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from April 2008 to July 2021, were reviewed and summarized, of which 6 cases were diagnosed as Danon disease by lysosomal-associated membrane protein-2 (LAMP-2) gene mutation detection and 1 case was diagnosed by clinicopathological features. Clinical manifestations, biochemical indexes, electrocardiogram, echocardiography, skeletal muscle and myocardial biopsy and gene detection results were analyzed, and patients received clinical follow-up after discharge. Results: Six patients were male and average age was (15.4±3.5) years and the average follow-up time was (27.7±17.0) months. The main clinical manifestations were myocardial hypertrophy (6/7), decreased myodynamia (2/7) and poor academic performance (3/7). Electrocardiogram features included pre-excitation syndrome (6/7) and left ventricular hypertrophy (7/7). Echocardiography examination evidenced myocardial hypertrophy (6/7), and left ventricular dilatation and systolic dysfunction during the disease course (1/7). The results of skeletal muscle biopsy in 6 patients were consistent with autophagy vacuolar myopathy. Subendocardial myocardial biopsy was performed in 3 patients, and a large amount of glycogen deposition with autophagosome formation was found in cardiomyocytes. LAMP-2 gene was detected in 6 patients, and missense mutations were found in all these patients. During the follow-up period, implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation was performed in 1 patient because of high atrioventricular block 4 years after diagnosis, and there was no death or hospitalization for cardiovascular events in the other patients. Conclusion: The main clinical manifestations of Danon disease are cardiomyopathy, myopathy and mental retardation. Pre-excitation syndrome is a common electrocardiographic manifestation. Autophagy vacuoles can be seen in skeletal muscle and myocardial pathological biopsies. LAMP-2 gene mutation analysis is helpful in the diagnose of this disease.

Infection Characteristics and Physical Prevention Strategy of Panax notoginseng Round Spot Disease Caused by Mycocentrospora acerina.

Panax notoginseng round spot disease (PRSD), caused by Mycocentrospora acerina, is the main leaf disease occurring in cultured P. notoginseng. Aiming to find a safe and efficient control method for PRSD, we studied the disease characteristics of PRSD and the optimal growth conditions of M. acerina and evaluated the efficacy of rain-shelter cultivation in PRSD control. Moreover, we described M. acerina based on morphological characterization and molecular analyses (ITS, ACT, LSU, and TEF-1α). The optimum temperature for M. acerina conidial germination was found to be 14 to 22°C. Furthermore, leaf surface wetness for at least 4 h is required for conidial germination, and conidia can successfully infect P. notoginseng when the leaf wetness lasts for more than 8 h. Additionally, rainwater splashing determines the conidial transfection distance, which is less than 2 m. Finally, our study revealed that rain-shelter cultivation is an effective and simple physical prevention strategy to control PRSD, with an average efficacy of up to 100%.

[Effect of topical injection of cyclosporine A on saliva secretion and inflammation in the submandibular gland of non-obese diabetic mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of topical administration of cyclosporine A (CsA) on salivary secretion and inflammation of the submandibular glands in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. METHODS: Female NOD mice, 21 aged 14 weeks and 18 aged 21 weeks were selected and randomly divided into low-dose group, high-dose group and control group on average. CsA was injected into submandibular glands. One week later the saliva stimulated by pilocarpine was collected and measured. The submandibular glands were collected to make paraffin sections. The lymphocyte infiltration in submandi-bular gland was observed by microscope after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The number of lymphocyte infiltration foci was counted to calculate the focus sore and the ratio of lymphocyte infiltration area to total gland area was figured up by Leica image analysis system. The expressions of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-13, IL-17F, IL22 and IL-23a in the submandibular glands of the NOD mice were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell apoptosis in the submandibular gland was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). The levels of serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspertate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin (ALB) and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer to evaluate liver and kidney functions. RESULTS: After topical injection of CsA in the submandibular gland, the stimulated salivary flow rate of the 14- and 21-week-old NOD mice significantly increased compared with the control group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), and the number and area of lymphocyte infiltration foci in the 14-week-old NOD mice low-dose group significantly decreased compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Low and high dose of CsA had similar effects on reducing inflammation and improving salivary secretion. The overall level of inflammatory cytokines in the submandibular gland did not decrease significantly. The number of cell apoptosis of submandibular gland in the NOD mice treated with CsA decreased compared with the control group, but there was no statistically significant difference. Topical injection of CsA had no adverse effect on liver and kidney function in the NOD mice. CONCLUSION: Topical injection of CsA can reduce lymphocyte infiltration in submandibular gland of NOD mice and improve salivary secretion.

[Application of dual-channel contrast-enhanced ultrasound in classification of hilar cholangiocarcinoma and diagnosis of etiology of low biliary obstruction].

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of dual-channel contrast-enhanced ultrasound (DCUS) in the classification of hilar cholangiocarcinoma and the diagnosis of the etiology of low obstructive jaundice. Methods: The data of 114 patients with obstructive jaundice examined by the Department of Ultrasound of Lanzhou University Second Hospital from October 2018 to February 2020 were retrospectively collected. There were 60 males and 54 females, aged 37~84 (63±10) years. All patients underwent preoperative transvenous contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), intraoperative puncture needles, postoperative ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic cholangiocarcinography (UG-PTC) and three-dimensional ultrasound cholangiography (3D-USC) through an external drainage tube, known as DCUS. The classification of hilar cholangiocarcinoma and the nature of low biliary tract obstruction were determined according to the characteristics of DCUS images. All patients who have received DCUS underwent magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and X-ray cholangiography. X-ray cholangiography was used as the gold standard for classification of hilar cholangiocarcinoma, and the accuracy of US, CEUS and DCUs was analyzed. Low obstructive jaundice was characterized by surgical pathology as the gold standard, and the diagnostic efficacy of conventional ultrasound (US), CEUS and DCUs was analyzed. At the same time, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to compare the efficacy of MRI+MRCP and DCUS in determination of the nature of low biliary obstruction. Results: The coincidence rates of US, CEUS, and DCUS in the classification of hilar cholangiocarcinoma and X-ray cholangiography were: 75.6% (34/45), 82.2% (37/45), and 93.3% (42/45), respectively. The coincidence rates of US, CEUS, and DCUS in the determination of the nature of low biliary obstruction and surgical pathology were 56.5% (39/69), 82.6% (57/69), and 85.5% (59/69), respectively. Compared with conventional ultrasound, CEUS had no statistically significant difference in the diagnosis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma (P=0.438), and DCUS had statistically significant difference in the diagnosis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma (P=0.039).ROC curve analysis suggested that the cut-off value of MRI+MRCP grade and DCUS grade for diagnosing benign and malignant low biliary obstruction were both 2.5; the area under the curve (AUC) were 0.897 and 0.906, respectively (both P<0.01); sensitivity were 77.5% and 93.1%, respectively; and the specificity were 87.5% and 82.8%, respectively. Conclusion: The value of DCUS in the classification of hilar cholangiocarcinoma and the qualitative diagnosis of low biliary tract obstruction was comparable to that of X-ray cholangiography and MRCP. DCUS had important clinical application value in the classification of hilar cholangiocarcinoma and the etiological diagnosis of low obstructive jaundice.

[Clinical and imaging characteristics of patients with primary cardiac angiosarcoma].

Objective: To investigate the clinical, cardiac imaging characteristics and prognosis of patients with primary cardiac angiosarcoma. Methods: The clinical data of 14 patients hospitalized with primary cardiac angiosarcoma from January 2001 to December 2017 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were collected and analyzed. Metastatic cardiac angiosarcoma was not included in this study. Patients were followed up post discharge per telephone call or clinical visit. Results: Of the 14 patients, 8 were males and 6 were females, average age was 48 years. The main clinical symptoms were shortness of breath (8/14), hemoptysis (6/14), fever (5/14), chest pain (4/14) and cough (3/14). Imaging examinations showed that the tumors of 8 patients were located in the right heart and 6 in the pericardial cavity. Tumors in the right heart often infiltrate the atrial wall and cause pericardial effusion (7/8). Tumors in the pericardium were characterized by recurrent bloody pericardial effusion (6/6), prone to progressive constrictive pericarditis (3/6), pericardial fluid cytology was often negative (6/6). MRI showed heterogeneous high signal intensity (cauliflower aspect) on T2-weighted image and heterogeneous enhancement with a"sunray" aspect at the perfusion study. At the time of diagnosis, 8 patients developed lung or adrenal metastasis (8/14). The median survival was only 305 days. Conclusions: Primary cardiac angiosarcoma is a rare disease with non-specific clinical manifestation and poor prognosis. Imaging examinations may help diagnosis. The high invasiveness and the easy-to-metastasis feature of the tumor contribute to the poor prognosis of cardiac angiosarcoma.

[Molecular epidemiological characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus during 2017-2018 at a hospital in Shanghai].

Objective: To identify the epidemic clones of MRSA isolates at a hospital in shanghai. Methods: A total of 72 MRSA isolates have been isolated from a second grade hospital between 2017 and 2018, including 32 CA-MRSA isolates, 13 HA-MRSA isolates and 26 MRSA isolates from environment. In this study, MLST and PFGE typing methods were used to analyze the molecular epidemiology of the MRSA isolates. Results: A total of 72 MRSA isolates have been obtained including 46 isolates from clinical specimens, 26 isolates from environments. The 46 MRSA isolates from clinical specimens consisted of 33 CA-MRSA (community-acquired MRSA) and 13 HA-MRSA (hospital-acquired MRSA). Furthermore, these patients infected with MRSA isolates were mostly distributed in the department of geriatrics (34.8%, 16/46), internal medicine (26.1%, 12/46) and surgery (26.1%, 12/46). MLST typing results showed that ST764 was predominant in isolates from both clinical specimens and hospital environments. Furthermore, PFGE typing results showed that most ST764 MRSA had high homolog (>90%). Conclusion: ST764 MRSA isolates might spread in community, hospital and environments. Therefore, continuous monitoring of MRSA and its variation may be useful in understanding the involvement of epidemic clone, and in searching new strategies to control MRSA infection.

[Circadian clock and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease].

The circadian clock is a generator of self-sustaining physiological and behavioral rhythms, which can be guided by external environmental factors, so as to synchronize biological behaviors with external environmental changes. The modern lifestyles make the human body incapable of synchronization to the external time with the circadian rhythm, and thus form a social jet lag. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a disorder closely related to metabolic abnormalities. The circadian clock is closely related to metabolic abnormalities and NAFLD and changes among them may be involved with feeding mode and ingredients, sleeping time, and intestinal flora. Molecules associated with the circadian clock are expected to become potential drugs for the treatment of NAFLD. This article mainly reviews the latest research progress of circadian clock and NAFLD.

[Correlation between interleukin-6 single nucleotide polymorphism and the occurrence and prognosis of hepatitis B virus-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between interleukin-6 (IL-6) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and the occurrence and prognosis of hepatitis B virus-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF). Methods: Patients with chronic hepatic diseases diagnosed as HBV infection in the Hepatology Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from July 2012 to March 2018 were divided into HBV-ACLF and non-ACLF group. SNP genotyping of eight loci in IL-6 gene (rs1524107, rs1800795, rs1800797, rs2069827, rs2069830, rs2069837, rs2069840 and rs2069845) was determined by the improved multi-temperature ligase detection reaction (imLDRTM) technique. Simultaneously, case data were reviewed with the 3-months followed up survival condition of the ACLF group. Normally distributed data were expressed as arithmetic means and SDs, and t-test was adopted. Data with skewed distribution were expressed as medians with interquartile range, and were measured by non-parametric test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relative risk of genetic polymorphism and HBV-ACLF as well as the relationship between IL-6 SNPs with the occurrence and prognosis of HBV-ACLF. Results: Four hundred patients were included in the study, with 122 (30.5%) in the HBV-ACLF and 278 (69.5%) in the non-ACLF group. There were significant differences in total bilirubin, albumin, and white blood cell count, percentage of neutrophils, platelet count, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, prothrombin time and international standardized ratio, creatinine and the model for end-stage liver disease score between the two groups (P < 0.001). The genotype of IL-6 genes (rs1800795, rs1800797, rs2069827, and rs2069830) of all subjects showed no mutation or the mutation rate under 1%. There was no significant difference in the genotype of IL-6 (rs1524107, rs2069837, rs2069840 and rs2069845) between the two groups (P > 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the SNPs in the above four loci of IL-6 gene was not associated with HBV-ACLF risk, nor had significant correlation with the 3-months prognosis. Conclusion: The SNP genotyping of eight loci in IL-6 gene (rs1524107, rs1800795, rs1800797, rs2069827, rs2069830, rs2069837, rs2069840 and rs2069845) is unrelated to the occurrence and short-term prognosis of HBV-ACLF.

[Proliferation and apoptosis of lung cancer cells regulated by gultaredoxin 3].

Objective: To investigate the effects of inhibiting glutaredoxin 3(GLRX3) expression on proliferation and apoptosis of lung cancer cells. Methods: Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of GLRX3 protein in human embryonic lung fibroblast MRC5 and lung cancer cells, including A427, A549, PC9 and H1299. GLRX3-targeted siRNA (experimental group) and negative siRNA (negative group) were transfected into A549 cells, and the cells without special treatment were blank group. The protein expression levels of GLRX3, cleaved cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3(cleaved caspase-3), signal transducers and activators of transcription 3(STAT3), phosphorylated STAT3(p-STAT3) in each group at 48 hours after transfection were measured by Western blotting. The proliferation ability of differently treated cells at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours after transfection were detected by CCK-8 array. The cell apoptosis at 48 hours after transfection was evaluated by flow cytometry. Results: The protein expression levels of GLRX3 in MRC5, A427, A549, PC9 and H1299 were 0.094±0.010, 0.282±0.021, 0.551±0.045, 0.423±0.039 and 0.454±0.036, respectively. The protein expressions of GLRX3 in tested lung cancer cells were significantly higher than that of MRC5 cells (all P<0.01). The GLRX3 protein expressions in blank group, negative control group and experimental group at 48 hours after transfection were 0.311±0.029, 0.328±0.032 and 0.103±0.012, respectively. GLRX3 protein expression level of experimental group in A549 cells was significantly lower than that of control group (P<0.01), whilewithout statistical difference between the negative group and blank group (P>0.05). A values of experimental group at 24, 48 and 72 hours after transfection in A549 cells were significantly different from those of blank group (all P<0.01). Percent of apoptotic cells in the experimental group was (9.52±0.56)%, which was significantly higher than that of blank group [(1.65±0.22)%] and negative control group [(1.42±0.26)%, all P<0.01]. Consistently, compared with blank group, the cleaved caspase-3 markedly increased in the experimental group (P<0.01). The protein expression of p-STAT3 in the experimental group was significantly lower than the blank group (P<0.01), while no significant difference of STAT3 protein expression was observed among all the groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: Inhibition of GLRX3 gene expression can inhibit the proliferation of lung cancer cells and induce cell apoptosis through up-regulating cleaved caspase-3 expression and down-regulating STAT3 signaling pathway.

[Decreased phosphorylation of mitogen activated protein kinase and protein kinase B contribute to the inhibition of osteogenic differentiation mediated by activation of Toll like receptor in human periodontal ligament stem cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Toll like receptors on the osteogenesis of human pe-riodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) and probable molecular mechanism. METHODS: Real-time PCR and flow cytometry were applied to test the expression of TLRs in hPDLSCs and the positive cell percentage of TLR. hPDLSCs were cultured in osteogenic medium for 7 to 14 days with different TLR agonists at various concentrations . The effect of different TLR on osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs was evaluated by alizarin red S staining, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and ALP activity assay. Western blotting was used to analyze the phosphorylation levels of extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK), P38, AKT and expression of Runx2 an osteogenic related gene after treatment with TLR agonists, compared with the effect of inhibitors of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) or protein kinase B (PKB or AKT) on Runx2 expression of hPDLSCs cultured in osteogenic medium. RESULTS: Higher expressions of TLR1,3,4,6 were found in hPDLSCs through real-time PCR. Positive cell percentage of TLR was determined by flow cytometry and described as TLR1: 2.82%±0.68%; TLR2: 1.26%±0.09%; TLR3: 13.23%±2.05%; TLR4: 3.64%±0.79%; TLR6: 3.21%±1.64%, whose tendency was comparable to their mRNA expression in hPDLSCs. Most TLR ligands had no effect on the ALP staining, activity and mineralization of hPDLSCs at lower concentration except for 0.1 mg/L PolyI:C could induce the osteogenic ability of hPDLSCs. On the contrary, Higher concentration of TLR ligands (PolyI:C: 10 mg/L, LPS: 10 mg/L , Pam3CSK4: 1 mg/L, FSL-1: 50 µg/L) had obviously inhibitory effect on osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs. Activation of TLR using higher concentration of TLR ligands could downregulate the phosphorylation levels of ERK, P38, JNK and AKT, and also reduced the expression of Runx2, compared with the untreated control. The inhibitors of MAPK (U0126, SP600125,SB203580) and inhibitor of AKT (perifosine) could also inhibit Runx2 expression. CONCLUSION: Higher concentration of TLR ligands could inhibit osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs. This inhibitory effect seemed to be related to decreased phosphorylation of MAPK and AKT.

[Research progress in immunization status and immunization effect of preterm infants].

Due to immature development of the immune system, preterm infants are at increased risk of infections from vaccine-preventable diseases. But at the same time, premature vaccination may not induce a good immune response because of the incomplete development of the neonatal immune system, and may cause serious adverse reactions risk due to the poor immune tolerance, thus vaccination of preterm infants at the appropriate time is the key to reducing the risk of infectious disease and obtaining vaccine protection. At present, it is generally recommended that the gestational age and birth weight should be considered in the vaccination of preterm infants. The timing, type and even the immunization schedule of the vaccine should be differ from that of the full term infants. However, there is a lack of research results and data on immunization program in preterm infants in China, and there is still no provided universal guidelines for their vaccine immunization. This article aims to summarize the guidelines and clinical trials of vaccination of preterm infants in foreign countries, and to provide reference for the formulation and implementation of immunization strategies for preterm infants in China.

[Efficacy of sequential therapy with telbivudine in treatment of HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients with partial response to pegylated interferon-α therapy].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of sequential therapy with telbivudine in the treatment of HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with partial response after a standard course of interferon therapy. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed for 58 HBeAg-positive CHB patients with partial response at the end of interferon therapy (48-60 weeks) from January 2009 to December 2013. According to whether telbivudine was used sequentially or withdrawn at the end of the course of treatment, the patients were divided into telbivudine sequential therapy group and withdrawal group, and the two groups were compared with in terms of biochemical, virological, and serological response rates. The chi-square test, the t-test, and the non-parametric test were used based on data type. Results: A total of 58 patients were enrolled in this study, with 31 in the telbivudine sequential therapy group and 27 in the withdrawal group. At 12 and 24 weeks after interferon therapy ended, the telbivudine sequential therapy group had a significantly higher HBeAg clearance rate than the withdrawal group (22.6%/29.0% vs 0%/3.7%, P < 0.05). At week 48 of follow-up, the telbivudine sequential therapy group had a significantly higher combined response rate than the withdrawal group (22.6% vs 0%, P = 0.015). Among the 31 patients in the telbivudine sequential therapy group, 11 had an increase in creatine kinase during the administration of telbivudine. No patient in either group experienced serious adverse reactions during follow-up, such as muscular soreness, myositis, peripheral neuropathy, renal dysfunction, and liver function decompensation. Conclusion: In HBeAg-positive CHB patients with partial response to interferon therapy, sequential therapy with telbivudine can increase serological HBeAg clearance rate and combined response rate at week 48, and it is safe in HBeAg-positive CHB patients achieving partial response at the end of interferon therapy.

Adherence to the 2006 American Heart Association's Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations for cardiovascular disease risk reduction is associated with bone mineral density in older Chinese.

This cross-sectional study investigated the association between the modified 2006 American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations (AHA-DLR) and bone mineral density in Chinese adults. We found that better adherence to the AHA-DLR associated with higher bone mineral density (BMD) at multiple sites. INTRODUCTION: Accumulating evidence shows that cardiovascular disease (CVD) and osteoporosis are associated with each other, yet little research has focused on whether strategies to reduce CVD risk could also benefit bone health. We aimed to assess the association between adherence to the modified 2006 American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations (AHA-DLR) and BMD in Chinese adults. METHODS: We included 2092 women and 1051 men aged 40-75 years in this community-based cross-sectional study. Dietary information was assessed using a 79-item food frequency survey through face-to-face interviews at baseline (2008-2010) and 3 years later (2011-2013). Adherence to the AHA-DLR was assessed using modified diet and lifestyle scores (American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Score (AHA-DLS)) adjusted for bone health. BMD for the whole body, lumbar spine, total hip, femur neck, and trochanter sites was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 2011-2013. RESULTS: After adjusting for potential covariates, greater adherence to the modified AHA-DLS was positively and dose-dependently associated with BMD. The mean BMD was 1.93-3.11% higher in quartile 4 (vs. 1) (all p values <0.01) at multiple sites. Five-unit increases in the modified AHA-DLS score were associated with 4.20-6.07, 4.44-8.51, and 3.36-4.67 mg/cm2 increases in BMD at multiple sites for the total subjects, males, and females, respectively (all p values <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Better adherence to the AHA-DLR shows protective associations with BMD at multiple sites in the middle-aged and elderly Chinese population.

Characterization and immune response expression of the Rig-I-like receptor mda5 in common carp Cyprinus carpio.

In this study, the full-length complementary (c)DNA of common carp Cyprinus carpio melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (mda5) was cloned. The complete open reading frame of C. carpio mda5 contained 2982 bp and encodes 993 amino acids. The deduced amino acids contained six functional domains: two caspase activation and recruitment domains (CARD), a conserved restriction domain of bacterial type III restriction enzyme (ResIII), a DExD/H box-containing domain (DEXDc), a helicase super family C-terminal domain (HELICc) and a C-terminal regulatory domain (RD). The mda5 gene was expressed in all tested tissues, with high levels in the gills and spleen, while lower expressed in gonad and blood. The copy numbers of mda5 were increased in the liver, spleen, head kidney and the mucosal-associated immune tissues such as the foregut, hindgut, gills and skin after stimulation with polyinosinic polycytidylic [poly(I:C)] and Aeromonas hydrophila. The myxovirus resistance gene (mx) messenger (m)RNA levels in the spleen, head kidney, foregut and gills were significantly up-regulated after poly(I:C) injection. When injected with poly(I:C), mda5 and mx transcripts were also significantly induced in vitro. These results implied that mda5 might be involved in both antiviral and antibacterial innate immune processes in C. carpio. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Fish Biology © 2016 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.

[Damage-associated molecular patterns and liver failure].

Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are a series of intracellular molecules with immunoregulatory activity which are released by the damaged or activated cells and can induce autoimmunity or immune tolerance via pattern recognition receptors. At present, the DAMPs which have been discovered include extracellular histone, high-mobility group box-1, chromosomal deoxyribonucleic acid, interleukin-18, interleukin-32, uric acid, and mitochondrial transcription factors. The discovery of DAMPs and clarification of their mechanisms of action help to know the pathophysiological process of liver failure and provide new thoughts for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of liver failure. This article briefly summarizes the concept of DAMPs and their mechanisms of action in the development and progression of liver failure.

[NACHT-LRR-PYD-containing proteins 3 inflammasome and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease].

NACHT-LRR-PYD-containing proteins 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome regulates the maturation and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin-1ß and interleukin-18, as well as immune and inflammatory response, through the activation of cysteine aspartate specific protease-1. Inflammatory response caused by the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome may participate in the development and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Therefore, exploration of the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in NAFLD is important for the understanding of the pathogenesis of NAFLD and discovery of new therapeutic targets.

[Comparative study on the coronary artery anomalies between the Han and Tibetan nationalities living in middle and high altitude].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the differences of coronary artery anomalies between Han and Tibetan nationality living in middle and high altitude. METHODS: A total of 7 028 adults living in the Qinghai Plateau(1 800-7 720 m altitude), who underwent coronary CT angiography in Qinghai Cardio-cerebro-vascular Disease Special Hospital between 2010 to 2015, were included in this study.There were 6 391 cases of the Han nationality and 637 cases of the Tibetan nationality. The differences of coronary artery anomalies between Han and Tibetan nationality were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: (1) Incidence of coronary artery anomalies was lower in Han nationality than in the Tibetan nationality (1.596%(102/6 391)vs. 4.239%(27/637), P<0.001). (2) There was 64.7%(66/102) male residents with coronary artery anomalies in Han nationality, and 74.1% (20/27) male residents with coronary artery anomalies in Tibetan nationality(P=0.359). (3) Left side coronary artery anomalies in Han nationality was similar as in Tibetan nationality (64.4%(67/104) vs. 55.6%(15/27), P=0.396). (4) Incidence of benign coronary artery anomalies was significantly lower in Han nationality than in Tibetan nationality (0.720%(46/6 391) vs. 2.200%(14/637), P<0.001). Incidence of potentially dangerous coronary artery anomalies was also significantly lower in Han nationality than in Tibetan nationality (0.876%(56/6 391) vs. 2.041%(13/637), P=0.004). (5)Ten kinds of coronary artery anomalies were found in this study. There were significant differences between Han and Tibetan nationality in left coronary artery originated from right coronary sinus(0.046%(3/6 391) vs. 0.471%(3/637), P=0.012), in left circumflex branch originated from right coronary sinus(0.046%(3/6 391)vs. 0.471%(3/637), P=0.012), and opening of right coronary artery in left coronary sinus or left anterior descending(0.704%(45/6 391)vs. 1.570%(10/637), P=0.018). CONCLUSION: The incidences of coronary artery anomalies and benign coronary artery anomalies were significantly lower in Han nationality residents than that of the in Tibetan nationality residents living in middle and high altitude.

Activated natural killer cells accelerate liver damage in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

Emerging evidence indicates that natural killer (NK) cells may contribute to liver injury in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Because HBV infection progresses through various disease phases, the cytolytic profiles of peripheral and intrahepatic NK cells in HBV-infected patients remain to be defined. In this study, we comprehensively characterized intrahepatic and peripheral NK cells in a cohort of HBV-infected individuals, and investigated their impact on liver pathogenesis during chronic HBV infection. The study population included 34 immune-clearance (IC) patients, 36 immune-tolerant (IT) carriers and 10 healthy subjects. We found that the activity of peripheral NK cells from IC patients was functionally elevated compared to IT carriers and controls, and NK cell activation was indicated by an increased expression of CD69, CD107a, interferon (IFN)-γ and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Further analysis showed that the increased activity of both peripheral and hepatic NK cells was correlated positively with liver injury, which was assessed by serum alanine aminotransferase levels (ALT) and the liver histological activity index (HAI). Interestingly, the frequency of peripheral NK cells was reduced in IC patients (especially those with higher HAI scores of 3-4), but there was a concomitant increase in hepatic NK cells. The functionally activated NK cells are enriched preferentially in the livers of IC patients and skew towards cytolytic activity that accelerates liver injury in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.