Extensive serum biomarker analysis in patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma.

Lung cancer is a common malignant disease, nearly 2.09 million new patients occurred last year. Approximately 85% of the patients are classified as non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is therefore important to identify new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for the early detection of this disease. The presented study identifies biomarkers in the serum of NSCLC patients. The expression of 274 cytokines was measured by a novel antibody array methodology and ELISA was applied to validate the array results. The levels of MIP-1 α, IL-8, MIP-1 ß, Resistin, GDF-15, HGF, CA125, FLRG, VCAM-1, DKK-3, sTNF-R1, CTACK, Acrp30, CXCL-16 and LYVE-1 were significantly higher in serum from NSCLC patients, while the level of TIMP-2 and IGFBP-6 were lower. More importantly, the validation supported the result of the antibody array. The result of the antibody array indicates that these cytokines might be novel auxiliary biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of NSCLC.

WITHDRAWN: Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of apigetrin on LPS-induced acute lung injury by regulating Nrf2 and AMPK pathways.

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Selective and effective targeting of chronic myeloid leukemia stem cells by topoisomerase II inhibitor etoposide in combination with imatinib mesylate in vitro.

Imatinib mesylate (IM) and other BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have improved chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patient survival markedly but fail to eradicate quiescent CML leukemia stem cells (LSCs). Thus, strategies targeting LSCs are required to induce long-term remission and achieve cure. Here, we investigated the ability of topoisomerase II (Top II) inhibitor etoposide (Eto) to target CML LSCs. Treatment with Eto combined with IM markedly induced apoptosis in primitive CML CD34+ CD38- stem cells resistant to eradication by IM alone, but not in normal hematopoietic stem cells, CML and normal mature CD34- cells, and other leukemia and lymphoma cell lines. The interaction of IM and Eto significantly inhibited phosphorylation of PDK1, AKT, GSK3, S6, and ERK proteins; increased the expression of pro-apoptotic gene Bax; and decreased the expression of anti-apoptotic gene c-Myc in CML CD34+ cells. Top II inhibitors treatment represents an attractive approach for targeting LSCs in CML patients undergoing TKIs monotherapy.

The PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor BEZ235 suppresses proliferation and migration and reverses multidrug resistance in acute myeloid leukemia.

Aberrant activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway contributes to the proliferation of malignant cells, and may confer resistance to chemotherapy in various malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Chemoresistance is the major reason for relapse in AML. RAD001 (everolimus) has been used at d1 and d7 of an induction chemotherapy regimen for AML, which has acceptable toxicity and may improve conventional chemotherapeutic treatment. Dual inhibitors of PI3K and mTOR overcome some of the intrinsic disadvantages of rapamycin and its derivatives. In this study, we evaluated the effects of BEZ235, a PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor, on the multidrug-resistant AML cell lines HL-60/VCR and K562/ADR in vitro. BEZ235 dose-dependently inhibited the viability of HL-60/VCR and K562/ADR cells with the IC50 values of 66.69 and 71.44 nmol/L, respectively. BEZ235 (25-100 nmol/L) dose-dependently inhibited the migration of the two AML cell lines, and it also significantly sensitized the two AML cell lines to VCR and ADR. After treatment with BEZ235, the miR-1-3p levels were markedly increased in HL-60/VCR cells. Using TargetScan analysis and luciferase assays, we showed that miR-1-3p targeted BAG4, EDN1 and ABCB1, the key regulators of cell apoptosis, migration and multidrug resistance, and significantly decreased their levels in the two AML cell lines. Transfection of HL-60/VCR and K562/ADR cells with miR-1-3p-AMO to inhibit miR-1-3p could reverse the anti-proliferation effects of BEZ235. In conclusion, the PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor BEZ235 effectively chemosensitizes AML cells via increasing miR-1-3p and subsequently down-regulating BAG4, EDN1 and ABCB1.

Declined Natural Killer Cells Emerging in Women with Unexplained Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion and Further Reducing after Medical Therapy.

BACKGROUND: As focus grows on reproduction, the issue of Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion (RSA), especially for unexplained reasons (URSA), is grabbing more and more attention in gynecological immunology. We investigated the changes of peripheral lymphocyte subsets focusing on whether they had some relationship with development of URSA. METHODS: The percentage and absolute count of lymphocyte subsets (T cells, Th cells, Ts cells, B cells, NK cells) were simultaneously evaluated by flow cytometry in URSA patients (n = 48) and healthy controls (HC, n = 22). RESULTS: Significantly lower percentage and absolute counts of NKT cells and NK cells were observed in URSA compared to the HC. After medical therapy, an obviously increase was shown in the percentage of both T cells and B cells, whereas it presented a reduction in the percentage of NK cells. CONCLUSIONS: The flow cytometry test in T, B, NK cells is a method available to identify URSA patients from healthy women and to provide reference guides for clinical therapy.

Low Frequency of Peripheral Lymphocyte in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Predicts Poor Progression to Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most prevalent cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The poor prognosis of HCC is mainly because of its discovery at advanced stages. Because chronic hepatitis B (CHB) accounts for 50-80% HCC occurrence worldwide, and immunity is regarded as an emerging hallmark of cancer, we investigated the predictive role of peripheral immune cells in HCC incidence in CHB patients. METHODS: This investigation collected and analyzed data from 89 CHB patients, 94 primary HCC patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV), 81 primary HCC patients without HBV, 69 normal healthy patients, and 257 CHB patients with at least 3-year regular followup. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that CHB and primary HCC patients had different concentrations of lymphocytes, neutrophils, and monocytes in their peripheral circulation. Further study showed that the peripheral lymphocyte concentration was an independent prognostic factor for HCC incidence in CHB patients during the 3 years of followup. Finally, a predictive HCC incidence model with an AUROC (area under the receiver operating characteristic) of 0.832 was constructed based on the peripheral lymphocyte concentration, serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) concentration, and cirrhosis status of CHB patients. CONCLUSIONS: The peripheral lymphocyte concentration was an independent prognostic factor for HCC incidence in CHB patients, and a more accurate predictive model based on peripheral lymphocytes, serum AFP, and cirrhosis status was constructed.

Assessment of a One-Step Intracellular Staining in Th1, Th2 and Th17 Cells of Clinical Samples.

BACKGROUND: Flow cytometry is a potent tool to dissect the phenotypes and functions of cell subsets by measuring multiple parameters on a single-cell basis. However, intracellular staining may be time consuming and more steps, particularly in cytokines, could be problematic for its use in daily routine or in large cohort testing. Lately, a novel reagent has been developed to perform intracellular staining in one step. The objective of our study was thus to assess this new method in comparison with the reference technique by focusing on CD4+ T-cell subsets such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells in clinical samples. METHODS: Peripheral blood was collected from 10 children with aplastic anemia and 10 healthy volunteers and stained using the reference and one-step methods. Different subsets of CD4+ T-cells, which are defined as Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells, were investigated by flow cytometry. The repetitive experiment was designed to study intraassay precision. Correlations were studied using Pearson's correlation coefficient test. RESULTS: When comparing results obtained with the two techniques, no statistical differences between the percentages of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells were observed. Besides, a nice correlation between percentages of Th1 cells obtained with the two different methods was identified in the global population (r: 0.777, p < 0.01). Likewise, percentages of Th2 cells (r: 0.875, p < 0.01), and Th17 cells (r: 0.886, p < 0.01) were strongly correlated between reference and one-step procedures. Importantly, flow cytometry staining obtained with the one-step method was very robust with a nice intra-assay precision and a better discriminative power and repeatability. CONCLUSIONS: With better staining quality and a shorter realization time, one-step intracellular staining may provide an efficient way for daily routine testing of Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells, as well as for further research.

Thrombophilia Markers in Patients with Recurrent Early Miscarriage.

BACKGROUND: This study was to investigate the association between thrombophilia and REM by the change of thrombophilia markers and to evaluate their contribution in diagnosis and treatment of REM. METHODS: 199 women with REM history were divided into two groups within the study group: 151 pregnant (REM-P) and 48 nonpregnant (REM-NP). In addition, 121 healthy age-matched women without REM history were divided into two groups of the control group: 75 pregnant (Control-P) and 46 nonpregnant (Control-NP). Lupus anticoagulant (LA), anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA), and anti-ß2-glycoprotein-I antibodies (anti-ß2GPI-ab) and coagulation-related factors such as protein S (PS), protein C (PC), anti-thrombin III (AT-III), and D-dimer were analysed. The prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and the coagulation-related factors between groups were compared. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of aPL positivity in REM-P (14.57%) showed a difference compared with REM-NP (2.66%) but not for aCL, anti-ß2GPI-ab or LA alone. There were significant differences in the mean levels of protein S, protein C, and AT-III in REM-P. The mean values of protein C (90.3 ± 28.42%) and protein S (71.80 ± 24.68%) in the aPL positive study group were similar with that of the aPL negative study group (p = 0.406, p = 0.880). Comparing with the aPL negative study group, the mean value of AT-III (87.71 ± 21.84%) was significantly lower (p = 0.018), while the mean value of D-dimer (0.98 ± 1.1 mg/L FEU) was significantly higher (p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: We briefly address the role of the prevalence of aPL and the related coagulation factors for predicting a prethrombotic state in patients with REM. The results of the use of anticoagulants for treating REM are encouraging.

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Positively Correlates to Age in Healthy Population.

BACKGROUND: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was reported to be an independent easy-to-measure marker for many diseases, while the distribution of NLR in healthy population was not formally studied. So we investigated NLR in healthy people in this study. METHODS: Data include NLR, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and body mass index (BMI), which were collected from 3,262 healthy population. Correlations of NLR with variables were analyzed with SPSS16.0. RESULTS: Results demonstrated that NLR was positively associated with age (P < 0.001). The eldest age group possessed the highest NLR and the youngest age group had the lowest NLR. NLR was also slightly positively associated with systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and BMI (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Older people possessed relatively high NLR in healthy population.

Targeting miR-21 sensitizes Ph+ ALL Sup-b15 cells to imatinib-induced apoptosis through upregulation of PTEN.

Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells are insensitive to BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we showed that imatinib treatment induced significant upregulation of miR-21 and downregulation of PTEN in Ph+ ALL cell line Sup-b15. Transient inhibition of miR-21 resulted in increased apoptosis, PTEN upregulation and AKT dephosphorylation, whereas ectopic overexpression of miR-21 further conferred imatinib resistance. Furthermore, knockdown of PTEN protected the cells from imatinib-induced apoptosis achieved by inhibition of miR-21. Additionally, PI3K inhibitors also notably enhanced the effects of imatinib on Sup-b15 cells and primary Ph+ ALL cells similar to miR-21 inhibitor. Therefore, miR-21 contributes to imatinib resistance in Ph+ ALL cells and antagonizing miR-21 demonstrates therapeutic potential by sensitizing the malignancy to imatinib therapy.

[Clinical efficacies of inhaled corticosteroids plus theophylline in the treatment of bronchial asthma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic efficacies of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) plus low-dose theophylline for moderate bronchial asthma. METHODS: A total of 280 patients with moderate bronchial asthma at People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University between January 2011 and December 2011 were recruited and randomized into 2 groups: observation group with inhaled budesonide 400 µg/d plus aminophylline tablet (0.1 g, 3 times/day, oral administration and control group with inhaled budesonide 320 µg/day plus formoterol 9 µg/day. The course of treatment was around 6 months. The forced expiratory volume in one second % predicted (FEV1% predicted), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IgE of peripheral blood were compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: Before and 6 months after treatment, the values of FEV1 % predicted, IL-4, IL-5 and IgE for the observed group were 68% ± 6% and 76% ± 6%, (14.5 ± 4.4) and (7.2 ± 2.6) ng/L, (27.4 ± 6.2) and (24.2 ± 5.9) ng/L, (771 ± 130) × 10(3) and(592 ± 104) × 10(3) U/L, respectively, while those for the control group were 66% ± 8% and 77% ± 6%, (13.7 ± 4.3) and (7.7 ± 4.0) ng/L, (26.9 ± 5.8) and (24.6 ± 4.8) ng/L, (752 ± 154) and (604 ± 122) × 10(3) U/L, respectively. There were significant improvements in both groups (all P < 0.05). No differences existed between two groups (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with ICS plus inhaled long-acting ß2-agonists (LABA), ICS plus low-dose theophylline shows similar efficacies in the improvement of lung function and the control of airway inflammation for asthmatics.

Aberrant expression of T cell activation markers and upregulation of Tregs in bone marrow and peripheral blood in acute myeloid leukemia patients.

BACKGROUND: T cells' function and activation and the immunosuppressive effect of regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a pivotal role in the occurrence and progression of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this study, we investigate the expression of T cell activation markers and quantity of Tregs in bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) from AML patients and further characterized their correlation with BM leukemic blasts. METHODS: Expression of CD25, CD38, CD69, and HLA-DR on the surfaces of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and the quantity of Tregs in BM and PB from new diagnosed (ND), relapsed-refractory (RR), complete remission (CR) AML patients were measured via flow cytometry. RESULTS: Compared to normal controls (NC), we found higher proportion of CD4+ CD69+ T cells, CD8+ CD69+ T cells and Tregs in PB. CD8+ CD38+ T cells and CD8+ HLA-DR+ T cells in RR were significantly higher than ND, CR and NC). Tregs were normalized when AML patients achieved CR. Moreover, there was a minor positive correlation between AML blasts and CD8+ CD25+ T cells or Tregs, while AML blasts had a minor negative correlation with CD4+ CD69+ T cells. CONCLUSION: Abnormal activation markers of T cells and Tregs may be involved in the pathological mechanism of ND and RR AML. Our results indicated that CD8+ CD38+ T cells and CD8+ HLA-DR+ T cells might be RR markers of AML patients. Furthermore, Tregs could be used as clinical indicators to evaluate prognosis for AML patients.

The TNF-α rs361525 and IFN-γ rs2430561 polymorphisms are associated with liver cirrhosis risk: a comprehensive meta-analysis.

Background: Inflammation serves as an essential driver of liver cirrhosis (LC) incidence. Accordingly, a meta-analysis was carried out to explore the association between specific polymorphisms in the interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) genes and the incidence of LC based on comparisons of genotype and allele frequencies. Objectives: To study the relationship between TNF-α rs361525 and IFN-γ rs2430561 polymorphisms and the risk of LC. Methods: A database search was performed for all studies published as of September 10, 2022. The strength of risk relationships was assessed based on odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Pooled analyses were conducted for one common TNF-α polymorphism (rs361525) as well as one common IFN-γ polymorphism (rs2430561). Both of these SNPs were identified as LC-related risk factors. Specifically, rs361525 was related to LC incidence in both alcoholic liver cirrhosis (OR: 1.86, 95%CI: 1.03-3.34) and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis cases (OR: 1.44, 95%CI: 1.00-2.06) when using an allelic contrast model. Moreover, rs2430561 was significantly related to LC in an Asian population (OR: 1.45, 95%CI: 1.13-1.86) and in the context of HBV-related cirrhosis (OR: 1.48, 95%CI: 1.13-1.93) when using an allelic contrast model. Conclusion: These findings indicate that rs361525 and rs2430561 represent LC-related risk factors, although additional large-scale clinical and case-control studies will be vital to confirm these results.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Epitope Mapping for Antibodies.

Epitope mapping of the interactions between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Abs is challenging because of complexity in protein three-dimensional structures. Protein structure fingerprint technology was applied for epitope mapping of 44 SARS-CoV-2 Abs with three-dimensional structure complexes. The results defined how the epitopes were distributed on SARS-CoV-2 and how the patterns of six CDRs from Abs participated in neutralization. Also, the residue-residue recognition revealed that certain residues had higher frequencies on the interfaces between SARS-CoV-2 and Abs, and the activity correlated with the physicochemical properties of the residues at the interface. Thus, epitope mapping provides significant lead information for development of epitope-based designs for Abs, vaccines, and diagnostic reagents. This is a bioinformatics project of structural data analysis; no animals or cells were used.

The Effects of LIT and MLR-Bf on Immune Biomarkers and Pregnancy Outcomes in Women With Previous Early Recurrent Miscarriage: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Immunological failure during pregnancy is considered one of the etiologies of recurrent miscarriage (RM). The decreased production of mixed lymphocyte reaction-blocking factors (MLR-Bf) may play a major role in this condition. Lymphocyte immunotherapy (LIT), which induces the production of MLR-Bf, has been used in treating RM patients since 1984. However, the effectiveness of LIT is currently being heatedly debated. In addition to that, possible changes to the maternal immune system upon induced MLR-Bf production by LIT remains unclear. Objectives: To explore the possible impacts that MLR-Bf may have on the expression of immune biomarkers and pregnancy outcomes, and deduce whether the prevention of miscarriages is possible with LIT or MLR-Bf in RM patients. Materials and Methods: Women with previous early RM (eRM) were enrolled in this retrospective study after they got pregnant again. LIT was implemented before pregnancy and during the first trimester. MLR-Bf and immune biomarkers were checked as the clinical routine. Patients were followed up until 12 gestational weeks. Levels of immune biomarkers and successful pregnancy rates were compared between MLR-Bf- group and MLR-Bf+ group stratified by LIT. Independent associations between LIT, or MLR-Bf, and miscarriage were estimated. All data management and analysis were conducted using SPSS 20.0. Results: A total of 1,038 patients, 497 MLR-Bf- (49 cases accepted LIT), and 541 MLR-Bf+(463 cases induced by LIT) were included in the study. Percentage of lymphocytes, the ratio of CD4+ T cells/lymphocytes, and levels of some rheumatoid biomarkers (anti-U1-nRNP, anti-SAA-52kd, and anti-CENOP B) were statistically higher in MLR-Bf+ group than in MLR-Bf- group among women without LIT. With LIT treatment the successful pregnancy rate was statistically higher in MLR-Bf+ group than in MLR-Bf- group (66.7% vs. 51.0%, P = 0.028) among women with LIT. Meanwhile, LIT was estimated to have an independent negative association with miscarriage. Conclusion: Upon LIT treament levels of immune biomarkers were different in women with and without MLR-Bf when stratified by whether they received LIT. Not MLR-Bf, but LIT, has an independent protective effect on miscarriage.

The infection characteristics and autophagy defect of dermal macrophages in STZ-induced diabetic rats skin wound Staphylococcus aureus infection model.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic foot ulcer infection (DFI) is an infectious disease of the skin and soft tissue in diabetics notorious for making rapid progress and being hard to cure. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), most frequently detected in DFI, recently was suggested as an intracellular pathogen that can invade and survive within mammalian host cells. Autophagy in macrophages plays a vital immune role in combating intracellular pathogens through bacterial destruction, but there is a lack of empirical research about the infection characteristics and autophagy in diabetic skin infection. METHODS: Here, we used streptozotocin-induced Sprague Dawley rats as a diabetic skin wound model to examine the S. aureus clearance ability and wound healing in vitro. Western blot and immunofluorescence staining were used to evaluate the autophagic flux of the macrophages in diabetic rats dermis, even with S. aureus infection. RESULTS: We demonstrated that infections in diabetic rats appeared more severe and more invasive with weakened pathogen clearance ability of the host immune system, which coincided with the suppressed autophagic flux in dermal macrophages, featured by a significant increase in endogenous LC3II/I and in p62. CONCLUSIONS: Our results first provided convincing evidence that autophagy of macrophages was dysfunctional in diabetes, especially after being infected by S. aureus, which weakens the intracellular killing of S. aureus, potentially worsens the infections, and accelerates the infection spread in the diabetic rat model. Further understanding of the special immune crosstalk between diabetes host and S. aureus infection through autophagic factors will help to explain the complex clinical phenomenon and guarantee the development of effective therapies for diabetic foot infections.

Effect of ex vivo lung perfusion on storage of isolated lungs.

BACKGROUND: To establish a stable ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) model and determine the preservation effect of the EVLP technique on donor lungs in vitro. METHODS: EVLP was performed on nonacceptable human donor and porcine lungs, and during perfusion, the oxygenation index was assessed and blood gas analysis was performed. RESULTS: After 4 h of EVLP of nonacceptable human donor and porcine lungs, lung function parameters remained stable, and lung energy metabolism was improved to a certain extent. CONCLUSIONS: EVLP can suitably maintain donor lungs in vitro for transplantation and is an effective method for ex vivo preservation of donor lungs.

Effects of combined bacille Calmette-Guérin and dehydroepiandrosterone treatment on established asthma in mice.

Both bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and dehydroepiandrosterone induce Th1 immune responses and suppress Th2 allergic reactions. To investigate whether a combined administration of BCG and dehydroepiandrosterone treat asthma more effectively, BALB/c mice (n = 8 per group) with established airway hyper-responsiveness were treated with BCG and/or dehydroepiandrosterone. Combined treatment with 2 x 10(5) colony-forming units (CFUs) of BCG and 0.01% dehydroepiandrosterone was the most effective one at suppressing eosinophilia in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids. In addition, this combination also was better at suppressing hypersensitivity as compared to BCG alone (13.7 +/- 4.0- versus 3.6 +/- 0.5-fold increase in the sensitivity index; P < .05) in male mice. Similarly, the effect of the combined treatment was superior to that of individual treatments at decreasing the serum ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) level. However, the addition of 0.1% dehydroepiandrosterone to BCG significantly decreased the efficacy of BCG on hypersensitivity in female mice. In male mice, the suppressive effect of the treatments on hypersensitivity tended to be lower, and the baseline interferon-gamma /interleukin-5 (IFN-gamma /IL-5) ratio in the splenocyte supernatant was significantly higher as compared to female mice. In conclusion, treatment with an appropriate combination of BCG and dehydroepiandrosterone had additive therapeutic effects on mice with established asthma. Androgens in males and dehydroepiandrosterone overdose might reduce the efficacy of BCG.

[Health care status of female workers exposed to occupational hazards in Haidian district of Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the health care status of female workers exposed to occupational hazards in Haidian district of Beijing and improve the labor protection of female workers. METHODS: A questionnaire provided by National Center for Women and Children's Health of Chinese CDC was used in the survey conducted to collect information about health care status of female workers in 141 factories with occupational hazards including chemical poisons and physical factors (noise, libration, microwave, high frequency and low temperature). RESULTS: 141 factories were investigated, including 53 state-owned enterprises, 21 collective enterprises, 46 joint-stock enterprises, and 21 non-public enterprises. 12 251 female workers were surveyed, 10.19% (1249/12 251) of whom were exposed to occupational hazards. Of 141 factories studied, 16.31% (23/141) had no labor protection management organization.27.66% (39/141) did not provide pre-employment physical examination service to female workers.48.94% (69/141) didn't establish labor protection system for female workers in menstrual period. While, 21.28% (30/141) of the studied institutes deducted some salaries in the pregnancy, and 32.62% (46/141) deducted their wages during the puerperal period. 2.13% (3/141) arranged female workers in the posts which are forbidden by law (continuous heavy work load operation).9.93% (14/141) arranged pregnant female workers on the post forbidden by law.31.91% (45/141) and 33.33% (47/141) would deduct the time of prenatal medical examination and lactation from their working hours, respectively.39.01% (55/141) didn't afford the cost of fertility. 68.09% (96/141) had annual gynecological examination.45 factories were collected occupational examination reports, accounted for 31.91% (45/141). No female workers were found suffering from occupational disease. Of the 1865 occupational hazard factor monitoring points in 34 factories, there were 155 monitoring points, which were all noise monitoring points, did not meet the standard. CONCLUSION: The current health-care status of female workers is not optimistic. It is necessary to consistently improve health care legislations, establish coordinated management mechanism and strengthen the publicity of policy to protect female workers.

The imbalance between regulatory memory B cells reveals possible pathogenesis involvement in pediatric immune thrombocytopenia.

Introduction: CD19+CD24hiCD38hi regulatory B cells (Bregs) and CD19+CD27+ memory B cells (Bmems) are B cell subsets with specific immunoregulatory properties. In this study, the balance of these subsets was investigated in pediatric immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients, and the frequencies of Bregs and Bmems before and after first-line therapy were measured. Methods: Forty-nine pediatric ITP patients and 19 normal controls were enrolled in this study. The total CD19+ B cells, Bregs and Bmems in the peripheral blood (PB) of all cases were measured by flow cytometry. Results: We found higher frequencies of total CD19+ B cells and Bmems in newly diagnosed ITP patients than those in normal controls (p < 0.01), whereas the frequencies of CD19+CD24hiCD38hi Bregs was significantly lower in ITP patients (p < 0.001). After therapy with MP + IVIG, the level of CD19+CD24hiCD38hi Bregs and Bmems were almost normalized. Conclusion: Our results indicated that pediatric ITP patients were characterized by a decline in CD19+CD24hiCD38hi Bregs and increment of CD19+CD27+Bmems, and an increase of total CD19+ B cells in their peripheral blood.