Baseline serum exosome-derived miRNAs predict HBeAg seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with peginterferon.

This study aimed to explore the value of baseline serum exosome-derived miRNAs for predicting HBeAg seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients treated with peginterferon (Peg-IFN). A total of 120 treatment-naïve HBeAg-positive CHB patients who received Peg-IFN therapy (48 weeks) were enrolled. Next-generation sequencing was performed to screen the serum exosomal miRNAs that were associated with Peg-IFN treatment outcome, and qRT-PCR was used to validate them. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to evaluate the predictive efficacy of biomarkers. Thirty-three patients (27.5%) achieved HBeAg seroconversion (response group), and 87 patients (72.5%) did not achieve HBeAg seroconversion (nonresponse group). In the identification cohort, 40 serum exosome-derived miRNAs were differentially expressed between the response group (four patients) and the nonresponse group (four patients). In the confirmation cohort, the expression levels of serum exosomal miR-194-5p (p < .001) and miR-22-3p (p < .001) were significantly downregulated in the response group (29 patients) compared to the nonresponse group (83 patients). Multivariate analysis identified baseline serum exosomal miR-194-5p, miR-22-3p, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and HBV DNA as independent predictors of HBeAg seroconversion (all p < .05). The AUROCs of serum exosomal miRNAs (0.77 and 0.75 for miR-194-5p and miR-22-3p, respectively) were higher than that of ALT (0.70) and HBV DNA (0.69). The combination of exosomal miR-194-5p and miR-22-3p further improved the predictive performance with an AUROC of 0.82. Baseline serum exosomal miR-194-5p and miR-22-3p may serve as novel biomarkers to predict HBeAg seroconversion in CHB patients treated with Peg-IFN.

Integrated analysis of potential biomarkers associated with diabetic periodontitis development based on bioinformatics: An observational study.

Based on the importance of chronic inflammation in the pathogenesis of periodontitis and diabetes, the bidirectional relationship between these 2 diseases has been widely confirmed. However, the molecular mechanisms of bidirectional relationship still need to be studied further. In this study, gene expression profile data for diabetes and periodontitis were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Integrative analytical platform were constructed, including common differentially expressed genes (cDEGs), Gene Ontology-Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (GO-KEGG), and protein-protein interaction. Hub genes and essential modules were detected via Cytoscape. Key hub genes and signaling pathway that mediate chronic inflammation were validated by qPCR and Western blot. Eleven cDEGs were identified. Function analysis showed that cDEGs plays an important role in inflammatory response, cytokine receptor binding, TNF signaling pathway. As hub genes, CXCR4, IL1B, IL6, CXCL2, and MMP9 were detected based on the protein-protein interactions network. IL1B, CXCR4 mRNA were up-regulated in gingivitis samples compared with normal tissues (P < .05). Western blot indicated that the levels of TNF were enhanced in gingivitis of type 2 diabetes compared with normal tissues (P < .01). Hub gene and TNF signaling pathway are helpful to elucidate the molecular mechanism of the bidirectional relationship between periodontitis and diabetes.

[Limited external fixation of plastic cardboard for the treatment of senile comminuted humeral fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical efficacy of limited external fixation with plastic paperboard in treating senile proximal comminuted humeral fracture. METHODS: From June 2015 to December 2017, 32 senile patients with proximal comminuted fracture of humerus were treated with plasticized cardboard after manual external fixation. Among them, including 13 males and 19 females aged from 55 to 85 years old with an average of(68.22±8.36) years old; 18 patients on the left side and 14 patients on the right side; all patients were regularly review shoulder X-rays and performed appropriate functional exercises. Constant-Murley shoulder joint scoring was used to evaluate clinical effects. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were followed up for 3 to 12 months with an average of (4.97±2.39) months. All patients were underwent functional exercise under guidance of physicians. Nine patients were treated with topical Chinese herbal moist heat compresses to promote shoulder function recovery. Thirty-one patients were obtained fracture healing, the time ranged from 5 to 12 weeks with an average of(7.44±1.72)weeks. One patient was not healed due to comminuted fracture of fracture end and the separation was large, the blood supply to humeral head was insufficient for necrosis absorption. Postoperative Constant-Murley shoulder score at 3 months was 87.56±6.93; 15 patients got excellent results, 14 good, 2 fair and 1 poor. CONCLUSIONS: Limited external fixation with plastic paperboard for the treatment of senile proximal comminuted humeral fracture could ensure biomechanical stability of fracture, promote early recovery of shoulder joint function and shorten recovery time.