Exploring a specialized programmed-cell death patterns to predict the prognosis and sensitivity of immunotherapy in cutaneous melanoma via machine learning.

The mortality and therapeutic failure in cutaneous melanoma (CM) are mainly caused by wide metastasis and chemotherapy resistance. Meanwhile, immunotherapy is considered a crucial therapy strategy for CM patients. However, the efficiency of currently available methods and biomarkers in predicting the response of immunotherapy and prognosis of CM is limited. Programmed cell death (PCD) plays a significant role in the occurrence, development, and therapy of various malignant tumors. In this research, we integrated fourteen types of PCD, multi-omics data from TCGA-SKCM and other cohorts in GEO, and clinical CM patients to develop our analysis. Based on significant PCD patterns, two PCD-related CM clusters with different prognosis, tumor microenvironment (TME), and response to immunotherapy were identified. Subsequently, seven PCD-related features, especially CD28, CYP1B1, JAK3, LAMP3, SFN, STAT4, and TRAF1, were utilized to establish the prognostic signature, namely cell death index (CDI). CDI accurately predicted the response to immunotherapy in both CM and other cancers. A nomogram with potential superior predictive ability was constructed, and potential drugs targeting CM patients with specific CDI have also been identified. Given all the above, a novel CDI gene signature was indicated to predict the prognosis and exploit precision therapeutic strategies of CM patients, providing unique opportunities for clinical intelligence and new management methods for the therapy of CM.

Enhancing the Output Performance of Triboelectric Nanogenerator Through Regulation of its Internal Nano-Architecture.

Triboelectric Nanogenerator (TENG) has proven highly effective in converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. Previous research on manipulating microstructure for performance enhancement primarily focused on the surface of TENGs. In this study, an innovative bottom-up strategic design to control the internal nano-architecture for the enhanced output of TENG is proposed. This multiscale structural design strategy consists of defect chemistry (angstrom-scale), surface modification (nano-scale), and spatial regulation of nanoparticles (meso-scale), which helps explore the optimal utilization of TENG's internal structure. After fine-tuning the nano-architecture, the output voltage is significantly increased. This optimized TENG serves as a robust platform for developing self-powered systems, including self-powered electrochemical chlorination systems for sterilization. Additionally, through the utilization of multiscale simulations (density functional theory, all-atom molecular dynamics, and dissipative particle dynamics), the underlying mechanisms governing how the optimized nanoparticle-polymer interface and spatial arrangement of nanoparticles influence the storage and transfer of charges are comprehensively elucidated. This study not only demonstrates the effectiveness of manipulating internal nano-architecture to enhance TENG performance for practical applications but also provides invaluable insights into structural engineering for TENG advancement.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Plasma-Derived Exosomes Mediate Cognitive Impairment Through Hippocampal Neuronal Cell Pyroptosis.

OBJECTIVE: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with impaired cognitive function. Exosomes are secreted by most cells and play a role in OSA-associated cognitive impairment (CI). The aim of this study was to investigate whether OSA plasma-derived exosomes cause CI through hippocampal neuronal cell pyroptosis, and to identify exosomal miRNAs in OSA plasma-derived. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plasma-derived exosomes were isolated from patients with severe OSA and healthy comparisons. Daytime sleepiness and cognitive function were assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Beijing version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA). Exosomes were coincubated with mouse hippocampal neurons (HT22) cells to evaluate the effect of exosomes on pyroptosis and inflammation of HT22 cells. Meanwhile, exosomes were injected into C57BL/6 male mice via caudal vein, and then morris water maze was used to evaluate the spatial learning and memory ability of the mice, so as to observe the effects of exosomes on the cognitive function of the mice. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to detect the expressions of Gasdermin D (GSDMD) and Caspase-1 to evaluate the pyroptosis level. The expression of IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-18 and TNF-α was detected by qRT-PCR to assess the level of inflammation. Correlations of GSDMD and Caspase-1 expression with clinical parameters were evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation analysis. In addition, plasma exosome miRNAs profile was identified, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) term and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. RESULTS: Compared to healthy comparisons, body mass index (BMI), apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI), and ESS scores were increased in patients with severe OSA, while lowest oxygen saturation during sleep (LSaO2), mean oxygen saturation during sleep (MSaO2) and MoCA scores were decreased. Compared to the PBS group (NC) and the healthy comparison plasma-derived exosomes (NC-EXOS), the levels of GSDMD and Caspase-1 and IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-18 and TNF-α were increased significantly in the severe OSA plasma-derived exosomes (OSA-EXOS) coincubated with HT22 cells. Compared to the NC and NC-EXOS groups, the learning and memory ability of mice injected with OSA-EXOS was decreased, and the expression of GSDMD and Caspase-1 in hippocampus were significantly increased, along with the levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-18 and TNF-α. Spearman correlation analysis found that clinical AHI in HCs and severe OSA patients was positively correlated with GSDMD and Caspase-1 in HT22 cells from NC-EXOS and OSA-EXOS groups, while negatively correlated with clinical MoCA. At the same time, clinical MoCA in HCs and severe OSA patients was negatively correlated with GSDMD and Caspase-1 in HT22 cells from NC-EXOS and OSA-EXOS groups. A unique exosomal miRNAs profile was identified in OSA-EXOS group compared to the NC-EXOS group, in which 28 miRNAs were regulated and several KEGG and GO pathways were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show a hypothesis that plasma-derived exosomes from severe OSA patients promote pyroptosis and increased expression of inflammatory factors in vivo and in vitro, and lead to impaired cognitive function in mice, suggesting that OSA-EXOS can mediate CI through pyroptosis of hippocampal neurons. In addition, exosome cargo from OSA-EXOS showed a unique miRNAs profile compared to NC-EXOS, suggesting that plasma exosome associated miRNAs may reflect the differential profile of OSA related diseases, such as CI.

Effect of continuous positive airway pressure treatment on Th17/Treg imbalance in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and a preliminary study on its mechanism.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can be considered a chronic inflammatory disease that impacts all bodily systems, including the immune system. This study aims to assess the Th17/Treg pattern in patients with OSA and the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment. METHODS: OSA patients and healthy controls were recruited. OSA patients recommended for CPAP treatment were followed up for three months. Flow cytometry was employed to determine the proportion of Th17 and Treg cells. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting were utilized to detect the mRNA and protein levels of receptor-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) and forkhead/winged helix transcription factor (Foxp3), respectively, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure the serum levels of interleukin-17 (IL-17), IL-6, transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1), and hypoxia-induced factor-1α (HIF-1α). RESULTS: A total of 56 OSA patients and 40 healthy controls were recruited. The proportion of Th17 cells, Th17/Treg ratio, mRNA and protein levels of RORγt, and serum IL-17, IL-6, and HIF-1α levels were higher in OSA patients. Conversely, the proportion of Treg cells, mRNA and protein levels of Foxp3, and serum TGF-ß1 levels were decreased in OSA patients. The proportion of Th17 and Treg cells in OSA can be predicted by the apnea hypopnea index (AHI), IL-6, TGF-ß1 and, HIF-1α. 30 moderate-to-severe OSA patients were adherent to three-month CPAP treatment, with improved Th17/Treg imbalance, IL-17, IL-6, TGF-ß1, and HIF-1α levels compared to pre-treatment values. CONCLUSION: There was a Th17/Treg imbalance in OSA patients. The prediction of Th17 and Treg cell proportions in OSA can be facilitated by AHI, as well as serum IL-6, TGF-ß1, and HIF-1α levels. Furthermore, CPAP treatment can potentially improve the Th17/Treg imbalance and reduce proinflammatory cytokines in OSA patients.

[Evaluating the dietary quality of 454 rural elderly aged 65 years and above in Luzhou City in 2023].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dietary quality of the rural elderly aged 65 years and above. METHODS: In February-March 2023, a convenience sampling method was adopted to select 454 rural elderly aged 65 years and above in a township of Luzhou City. The dietary survey was conducted using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire(FFQ-25), and the questionnaire information was collected by face-to-face interviews. Dietary quality was evaluated using the Dietary Balance Index-16(DBI-16) score. RESULTS: The proportion of older people in the region with moderate and high dietary imbalances was 79.7%. Inadequate and excessive dietary intake coexisted. The average daily intake of cereals and potatoes and livestock and meat foods were 356.7 g and 76.2 g, exceeding the recommended intake. The average daily intake of fruit, milk and fish and shrimp intake was 22.8 g, 36 g and 3.7 g, respectively, which was only 10% of the recommended amount, and the intake was seriously insufficient. In addition, the degree of food diversity is relatively low, with most of the average daily intake of food types ranging from five to eight, and only 4.6% of the elderly having more than eight. A total of seven dietary patterns were found among the rural elderly in the region, including a certain degree of under-consumption pattern, a severe under-consumption pattern, a certain degree of over-consumption pattern, and a pattern of both under-consumption and over-consumption. That was dominated by the pattern of severe underconsumption and the pattern of some degree of underconsumption and higher degree of overconsumption, which accounted for 72.3% of the total. CONCLUSION: The rural elderly aged 65 years and above in Luzhou City have a serious dietary imbalance, with a high proportion of insufficient intake of vegetables, fruits and milk, as well as aquatic products and eggs; and excessive intake of livestock, poultry, meat and cereals and potatoes.

The impact of impaired sleep quality on symptom change and future exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

PURPOSE: Study the impact of impaired sleep quality on symptom change and future exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. METHODS: This was a prospective study. Patients with COPD were recruited into the study and followed up for one year. Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was collected at baseline. Symptom change was assessed with Minimum clinically important difference (MCID) in COPD Assessment Test (CAT) at 6-month visit, which is an indicator to assess symptom improvement. Exacerbation was recorded during the one-year visit. PSQI score > 5 was defined as poor sleep quality, whereas PSQI score ≤ 5 was defined as good sleep quality. MCID was defined as attaining a CAT decrease ≥ 2. RESULTS: A total of 461 patients were enrolled for final analysis. Two hundred twenty-eight (49.4%) patients had poor sleep quality. Overall, 224 (48.6%) patients attained MCID at 6-month visit and the incidence of exacerbation during the one-year visit was 39.3%. Fewer patients with impaired sleep quality achieved MCID than patients with good sleep quality. Good sleepers were significantly more likely to attain MCID (OR: 3.112, p < 0.001) than poor sleepers. Fewer poor sleepers in GOLD A and D groups attained MCID with ICS/LABA, and fewer poor sleepers in the GOLD D group attained MCID with ICS/LABA/LAMA than good sleepers. Poor sleep quality was a greater risk factor of future exacerbation in Cox regression analysis. The ROC curves showed that PSQI score had a predictive capacity for future exacerbation. More patients with poor sleep quality experienced future exacerbation in GOLD B and D group with treatment of ICS/LABA/LAMA compared to good sleepers. CONCLUSIONS: COPD patients with impaired sleep quality were less likely to achieve symptom improvement and were at increased risk of future exacerbation compared to patients with good sleep quality. Besides, sleep disturbance may affect the symptom improvement and future exacerbation of patients with different inhaled medication or in different GOLD groups.

Residents' cognition and attitude towards obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome. / ä½é™¢åŒ»å¸ˆå¯¹é˜»å¡žæ€§ç¡çœ å‘¼å¸æš‚åœä½Žé€šæ°”ç»¼åˆå¾çš„è®¤çŸ¥åŠæ€åº¦.

OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) may cause damage to many organs of the body and is a potentially fatal disease, which has a serious impact on health and quality of life for patients. Residents play an important role in the screening of OSAHS. This study aims to evaluate the cognition and attitude level of residents towards OSAHS, and to provide evidence for the intervention and diagnosis of the disease. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of residents at a teaching hospital was conducted from December 1, 2021 to December 1, 2022. A questionnaire was used to assess residents' knowledge, attitudes, and confidence in dealing with OSAHS patients. RESULTS: Of the 200 residents who responded to the questionnaire, 183(91.5%) completed it. The average score on the knowledge scale of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Knowledge and Attitudes Questionnaire (OSAKA) for all residents in this study was 13.12±2.46. The knowledge score of internal medicine residents was higher than that of non-internal medicine residents (13.46±2.22 vs 12.33±2.83, P<0.05), and the mean knowledge score of residents with respiratory rotation experience was higher than that of residents without respiratory rotation experience (13.46±2.35 vs 12.69±2.56, P<0.05). The average score of the attitude/confidence scale on the OSAKA questionnaire for all residents in this study was 3.64±0.62. Of the 183 residents, 60.7% of residents considered OSAHS to be extremely important as a clinical disorder, 72.7% of residents were confident in the identification of OSAHS patients, but only 50.3% were confident in the management of OSAHS patients, and only 42.6% were confident in the management of patients treated with continuous positive pressure ventilation. There was a weak positive correlation among levels of knowledge, attitude, and confidence. CONCLUSIONS: Most residents are aware of the clinical importance of OSAHS, but their knowledge and confidence for OSAHS diagnosis and management are still insufficient, and they need to be trained to manage OSAHS patients.

Expression profile and bioinformatics analyses of circular RNAs in keloid and normal dermal fibroblasts.

Increasing evidence indicates that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play a crucial regulatory role in the pathogenesis of multiple diseases. However, no study has examined the potential biological function and expression profile of circRNAs in keloid dermal fibroblasts (KDFs). Therefore, the aim of this study to investigate the expression profile of circRNAs and analyze their role in KDFs. Bioinformatic analyses and high-throughput RNA sequencing technology were applied to explore the expression profile of circRNAs in 3 human KDFs and normal dermal fibroblasts (NDFs). The differentially expressed circRNAs were verified by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), quantitative real-time-PCR (qRT-PCR) and Sanger sequencing. A circRNA-microRNA (miRNA)-mRNA interaction network was created using bioinformatics tools. Hsa_circ_0008259, was selected to confirm its function by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Collectively, 411 circRNAs, of which 206 were upregulated and 205 decreased, were found to be differentially expressed in KDFs and could bind to 2532 miRNA response elements (MREs). GO and KEGG pathways enrichment analyses showed that differentially expressed circRNAs were mainly involved in apoptosis, focal adhesion, PI3K-Akt and metabolic pathway, and may regulate the pathogenesis and development of keloid. Two candidate circRNAs (hsa_circRNA_0008259, hsa_circRNA_0005480) were verified to be significantly reduced in KDFs, and one candidate circRNA (hsa_circRNA_0002198) was significantly elevated in accordance with RNA-Seq data analysis. Overexpression of hsa_circRNA_0008259 inhibited type I and Ⅲ collagen expression. Taken together, our study demonstrates for the first time that circRNAs exhibits differential expression in KDFs, and may be key players in the pathogenesis of keloid, or act as biomarkers of keloid.

Differentially expressed microRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of non-segmental vitiligo and their clinical significance.

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is a frequent acquired depigmentation skin disease due to a loss of melanocytes. This study sought to characterize the expression pattern of microRNA (miRNA) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of non-segmental vitiligo (NSV) patients. We also screened for molecular markers that can be used to evaluate the clinical stages of NSV. METHODS: The miRNA expression profile in the PBMCs of four patients with progressive NSV and four healthy controls was determined using high-throughput RNA sequencing. The divergently expressed miRNA was verified via qRT-PCR in 26 progression, 26 stable NSV, and 26 healthy controls. RESULTS: Our findings posited that 323 miRNAs were differentially expressed in the PBMCs of NSV patients. The top 10 up-regulated miRNAs in patients were hsa-miR-335-5p, hsa-miR-20a-5p, hsa-miR-514a-3p, hsa-miR-144-5p, hsa-miR-450b-5p, hsa-miR-369-3p, hsa-miR-101-3p, hsa-miR-142-5p, hsa-miR-19b-3p, and hsa-miR-340-5p. The top 10 down-regulated miRNAs in patients were hsa-miR-4443, hsa-miR-1248, hsa-miR-6859-3p, hsa-miR-668-3p, hsa-miR-7704, hsa-miR-323a-5p, hsa-miR-1237-3p, hsa-miR-3127-3p, hsa-miR-6735-3p, and hsa-miR-127-3p. The expressions of hsa-miR-20a-5p in PBMCs of progressive and stable NSV were remarkably elevated relative to the healthy controls. In the characteristics curve analysis of hsa-miR-20a-5p for differentiating progressive and stable NSV from normal subjects in PBMCs, the area under curve (AUC) was 0.92 and 0.81. Compared with patients in stable NSV, the hsa-miR-20a-5p was markedly increased in PBMCs of progressive NSV patients, and the AUC was 0.81. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that divergently expressed miRNAs contribute to the pathogenesis of NSV and that hsa-miR-20a-5p can be applied as a biosignature for stage assessment in PBMCs of patients with NSV.

Good's syndrome combined with bronchiectasis: A case report and literature review. / Good'sç»¼åˆå¾åˆå¹¶æ”¯æ°”ç®¡æ‰©å¼ 1ä¾‹å¹¶æ–‡çŒ®å¤ä¹ .

A patient with thymoma associated immunodeficiency syndrome (Good's syndrome) and bronchiectasis was retrospectively analyzed. Good's syndrome is a rare condition of immunodeficiency that is characterized by thymoma and hypogammaglobulinemia. It is important to bear in mind that Good's syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis When patients repeatedly visited for bronchiectasis or infection, we should alert to their immune state and history of thymoma. Early screening of immunological status and aggressive correction of immune deficiency are beneficial to improving the prognosis to patients with Good's syndrome.

Pain is a common problem in patients with ILD.

BACKGROUND: As it is less known about the prevalence and characteristics of pain in the patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), this paper aims at determining the characteristics of the pain in the patients with ILD. METHODS: Subjects with ILD and health controls with the matched ages and genders completed Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) and part of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) Short Form to elicit the characteristics of the pain. The patients with ILD were also assessed through Pulmonary Function Test, Six Minutes Walking Test (6MWT), modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC) for state of the illness and measured health-related quality of life (HRQoL) by Short Form-36 (SF-36) and psychological associations by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). RESULTS: A total of 63 subjects with ILD and 63 healthy controls (HC) were recruited in our study. The prevalence of the pain was 61.9% in ILD versus 25.3% in HC (P = 0.005) and the median score of the pain rank index (PRI) in ILD was higher than that in HC (P = 0.014). Chest (46.1%) accounted for the highest of overall pain locations in subjects with ILD. Associated clinical factors for pain intensity in the patients with ILD included exposure history of risk factors of ILD, with a longer distance of 6MWD (≥ 250 m), and a higher mMRC score (2-4). The patients with ILD and pain are more likely to suffer impaired HRQoL (P = 0.0014) and psychological problems (P = 0.0017, P = 0.044). CONCLUSION: The pain is common in those with ILD and the pain intensity is associated with exposure history, 6MWD, and mMRC score. The patients with ILD and pain were possibly to suffer depression, anxiety, and impaired HRQoL.

Mesenchymal stem cells reduce ER stress via PERK-Nrf2 pathway in an aged mouse model.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have been shown to ameliorate the deleterious effects of bleomycin in murine models. However, the mechanism responsible for protection from pulmonary fibrosis by stem cell therapy is still poorly understood, especially in terms of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. We hypothesized that during bleomycin-induced lung injury, markers of ER stress, specifically the activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR), increase during injury, resembling the kinetics of collagen deposition in the lung described for the bleomycin model. We aimed to elucidate the possible role of MSC in ER stress modulation. METHODS: To determine the kinetics of ER stress in aged mice, the expression of ER stress markers after bleomycin lung injury was measured in old mice at different time points (days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21). To evaluate the consequences of systemic delivery of MSC on lung ER stress in the bleomycin model, we evaluated changes in body weight, lung histology and protein expression of ER stress markers. RESULTS: The level of expression of UPR transcription factor XBP-1 and its regulator BiP was elevated at day 7 and progressively increased up to day 21. MSC inhibited BiP expression in bleomycin-induced ER stress, attenuating ER stress via the protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK)-Nrf2 pathway. The expression levels of other ER stress markers were not perturbed by MSC. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that MSC operate on ER stress via several pathways, but the PERK-Nrf2 pathway revealed to be the main functioning pathway in our bleomycin model.

Determinants of Clinical COPD Questionnaire in Patients with COPD: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: The Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) has been suggested by the Global Initiative of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) as a comprehensive symptom measurement tool, which helps to classify patients in order to direct pharmacological treatment. Therefore, it is essential to understand its determinants. OBJECTIVES: To identify the determinants of the overall CCQ score and scores of its 3 subdomains among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients from China. METHODS: A total of 1,241 COPD patients in the outpatient department of the Second Xiangya Hospital in China were recruited. Basic information and clinical data were collected. Differences in the GOLD categories based on Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC), COPD Assessment Test (CAT), and CCQ were compared. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate determinant factors of the total CCQ and subdomain scores. RESULTS: The total CCQ and/or separate domain scores significantly differed with sex, age, BMI, smoking status, biomass fuel exposure, exacerbation frequency, mMRC, CAT, and GOLD grades and groups. Subjects with asthma-COPD overlap (ACO) had worse health status based on CCQ than those with COPD alone. As for the 16 subgroups based on GOLD 2017, statistical differences in the total CCQ and functional domain scores were found among subgroups 1A-4A, 1B-4B, and 1D-4D. The mMRC classified much more patients into more symptom groups than CAT and CCQ. No significant difference was observed in the GOLD categories between the CAT and CCQ (cut point = 1.5). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that smoking status, underweight, ACO, post-bronchodilator FEV1% predicted <50%, exacerbation history, and mMRC were independently associated with the total CCQ score. Only 3 variables were significantly associated with the symptom domain: ACO, exacerbations, and mMRC; for the functional domain, age ≥75 years, ACO, post-bronchodilator FEV1% predicted <50%, exacerbation history, and mMRC were significant; female sex, underweight, frequent exacerbations (≥2), and mMRC were significantly associated with higher scores in the mental domain. CONCLUSIONS: The classification of COPD produced by mMRC, CAT, and CCQ was not identical. Smoking status, underweight, ACO, post-bronchodilator FEV1% predicted <50%, exacerbation history, and mMRC were associated with lower health-related quality of life assessed by the total CCQ score, while different subdomains of CCQ had different determinant factors.

Prevalence and characteristics of COPD among pneumoconiosis patients at an occupational disease prevention institute: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Pneumoconiosis may play an important role in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and the complication of COPD may impose a heavy burden of illness. METHODS: The study was conducted in Hunan Province in China from December 1, 2015, to December 1, 2016. Consecutive underground male pneumoconiosis patients employed for at least 1 year were recruited from the Hunan Occupational Disease Prevention Institute. Patient information, respiratory symptoms and clinical data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The diagnosis of COPD were assessed using the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the clinical and demographic risk factors of COPD among pneumoconiosis patients. RESULTS: The prevalence of COPD in our sample of pneumoconiosis patients was 18.65% (119/638). In pneumoconiosis patients with and without smoking history, the prevalence of COPD was 19.32 and 16.77%. Compared with non-COPD patients, those with COPD are older in age, have longer exposure time, have lower body mass index (BMI), have a higher smoking index and have worse pulmonary function (all p < 0.05). For the five respiratory symptoms (cough, sputum, wheeze, dyspnea, and chest tightness), only the presence of wheeze and the severity scores for wheeze or dyspnea showed significant differences between the COPD and non-COPD groups (p < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that advanced pneumoconiosis category, older age and the presence of wheeze symptoms were significant risk factors for the development of COPD among pneumoconiosis patients. CONCLUSION: Pneumoconiosis patients are at a high risk of COPD, and pneumoconiosis patients with COPD may suffer more severe respiratory symptoms, such as wheeze and dyspnea, than patients without COPD. Advanced pneumoconiosis category, older age and the presence of wheeze symptoms are associated with an increased risk of COPD in pneumoconiosis. We proposed that a routine assessment of lung function is necessary for timely and adequate clinical management.

IPF lung fibroblasts have a senescent phenotype.

The mechanisms of aging that are involved in the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are still unclear. Although it has been hypothesized that the proliferation and activation of human lung fibroblasts (hLFs) are essential in IPF, no studies have assessed how this process works in an aging lung. Our goal was to elucidate if there were age-related changes on primary hLFs isolated from IPF lungs compared with age-matched controls. We investigated several hallmarks of aging in hLFs from IPF patients and age-matched controls. IPF hLFs have increased cellular senescence with higher expression of ß-galactosidase, p21, p16, p53, and cytokines related to the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) as well as decreased proliferation/apoptosis compared with age-matched controls. Additionally, we observed shorter telomeres, mitochondrial dysfunction, and upon transforming growth factor-ß stimulation, increased markers of endoplasmic reticulum stress. Our data suggest that IPF hLFs develop senescence resulting in a decreased apoptosis and that the development of SASP may be an important contributor to the fibrotic process observed in IPF. These results might change the existing paradigm, which describes fibroblasts as aberrantly activated cells, to a cell with a senescence phenotype.

Circular RNA profiling reveals that circCOL3A1-859267 regulate type I collagen expression in photoaged human dermal fibroblasts.

Production of type I collagen declines is a main characteristic during photoaging, but the mechanism is still not fully understood. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of newly identified non-coding RNAs with regulatory potency by sequestering miRNAs like a sponge. It's more stable than linear RNAs, and would be a useful tool for regulation of gene expression. However, the role of circRNAs in collagen expression during photoaging is still unclear. Here we performed deep sequencing of RNA generated from UVA irradiated and no irradiated human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and identified 29 significantly differentially expressed circRNAs (fold change ≥ 1.5, P < 0.05), 12 circRNAs were up-regulated and 17 circRNAs were down-regulated.3 most differentially expressed circRNAs were verified by qRT-PCR and the down-regulated circCOL3A1-859267 exhibited the most significantly altered in photoaged HDFs. Overexpression of circCOL3A1-859267 inhibited UVA-induced decrease of type I collagen expression and silencing of it reduced type I collagen intensity. Via a bioinformatic method, 44 miRNAs were predicted to binding with circCOL3A1-859267, 5 of them have been confirmed or predicted to interact with type I collagen. This study show that circCOL3A1-859267 regulate type I collagen expression in photoaged HDFs, suggesting it may be a novel target for interfering photoaging.

Expression Profiles of Long Noncoding RNA in UVA-Induced Human Skin Fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) are differentially expressed across stages of differentiation and development, but the role of lncRNA in human skin photoaging mechanisms remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine lncRNA expression changes in human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) induced by repeated UVA irradiation and to explore correlations between lncRNA and skin photoaging prognosis. METHODS: In the UVA-HDF group, HDF were subjected to repeated UVA irradiation (10 J/cm2 UVA twice daily for 7 days); in the control group, HDF received no irradiation. High-throughput sequencing was used to detect lncRNA expression profiles. Functional annotation analysis and pathway enrichment were preformed via Gene Ontology and KEGG. Predicted lncRNA target genes were identified by bioinformatic analysis. RESULTS: In the UVA-HDF group, 1,730 lncRNA exhibited over 2-fold expression changes compared with the control group: 1,494 were upregulated, and 236 downregulated. Predicted lncRNA targets were associated with matrix metalloproteinases, cathepsin D, mitogen-activated protein kinase and TGF-ß signaling pathways, and collagen fiber metabolism following repeated UVA damaging mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: lncRNA profiles were aberrantly expressed in UVA-HDF and might play a key role in skin photoaging. This study provides novel insights into the repeated UVA-damaging pathology and potential targets for treatment of human skin photoaging.

Relation between serum leptin levels, lipid profiles and neurocognitive deficits in Chinese OSAHS patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare serum leptin, apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), apolipoprotein J (ApoJ) and apolipoprotein H (ApoH) levels in males with obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) to those in healthy control subjects and to examine the possible relation between neurocognitive performance and these factors/serum markers in the subjects. METHODS: In this observational, cross-sectional study, a full-night polysomnography and sensitive neuropsychological assessment were performed on 50 newly diagnosed Chinese male patients and 30 healthy subjects. Fasting blood samples were used to measure leptin and ApoA1, ApoH and ApoJ levels using ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with normal control subjects, OSAHS patients have significantly lower levels of ApoA1 and higher levels of leptin, ApoH and ApoJ. After adjustment for age, years of education, body mass index (BMI) and apnea-hypopnea index, leptin and ApoA1 were associated with global cognitive function, and leptin level was positively correlated with inhibition reaction time. ApoJ was negatively correlated with visual reproduction and logical memory performance. Multiple regression analysis shows that from age, BMI, education year, biomarker levels and the parameters of PSG, only the variables of leptin and education year added to the prediction of the Montreal cognitive assessment score in a statistically significant way. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal expression of leptin and apolipoproteins and poor performance on neuropsychological tests were observed in patients with OSAHS. There is also an association between serum leptin, ApoA1, and ApoJ levels and cognitive performance in the patients.

[Clinical characteristics of histoplamosis in 8 patients: case report and literature review].

To explore the clinical characteristics, imaging manifestation, diagnosis and treatment for histoplasmosis and to improve therapeutic level, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 8 patients with biopsy-confirmed histoplasmosis from 2004 to 2014 in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University and reviewed relevant literatures. The main clinical symptoms of histoplasmosis included fever, cough, expectoration, chest pain, blood-stained sputum, lymphadenectasis, etc. The major lung imaging features were mass, node or pneumonia-like performance. No case was diagnosed as histoplasimosis firstly. Four patients whose imaging manifestations were focal pulmonary lesion received lobectomy of lung lesions or wedge resection. Clinical and imaging manifestations in 3 patients, who treated with amphotericin B or its liposomal, itraconazole or fluconazole, were improved. The clinical symptoms and imaging findings of histoplasmosis are nonspecific. It is easy for the physicians to misdiagnose histoplasmosis as bacterial infection, lung cancer, tuberculosis lymphoma, etc. Therefore, it is significant and necessary to carry out multiple biopsies combined with multiple etiological examinations for patients with difficult diagnosis.

[Diagnosis and treatment for 2 cases of tuberous sclerosis complex with pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis].

To improve the diagnosis and treatment for tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) with pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis, a retrospective analysis was performed based on the clinical data of 2 patients with such disease. Both of them have typical thin-walled cystic lesion throughout the lung field, renal angioleiomyolipoma, and various degrees of skin lesions. Central nervous system is involved in one patient. Lesions in the lung and kidney in one patient were improved significantly after 5 months of rapamycin treatment. The clinical phenotypes were diverse in TSC patients. The CT imaging showed typical characteristics when the lung was invaded by the tumor. When a patient was diagnosed as pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis, we should pay attention to the clinical screening of TSC. Rapamycin is an effective and safe treatment for this disease.