[Clinical analysis of 11 cases multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infection in children].

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) related to SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infection. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of 11 children with MIS-C, who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of Peking University First Hospital from December 2022 to January 2023. Clinical characteristics, treatment, and follow-up of MIS-C were summarized in this study. Results: The 11 cases contained 7 boys and 4 girls, with an age of 4.4 (2.0, 5.5) years on admission. All the patients had fever, with a duration of 7(5, 9) days. Other clinical manifestations included rash in 7 cases, conjunctival hyperemia in 5 cases, red lips and raspberry tongue in 3 cases, lymphadenopathy in 3 cases, and swollen fingers and toes in 2 cases. There were 8 cases of digestive symptoms, 8 cases of respiratory symptoms, and 3 cases of nervous system symptoms. Eight patients had multi-system injuries, and one of them had shock presentation. All 11 patients were infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BF.7 variant. The laboratory examination results showed that all cases had elevated inflammatory indicators, abnormal coagulation function and myocardial damage. Six patients had elevated white blood cell counts, 5 cases had liver function abnormalities, 3 cases had kidney function abnormalities, and 8 cases had coronary artery involvement. All 11 patients received anti-infection treatment, of which 3 cases received only 2 g/kg intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), while the remaining 8 cases received a combination of IVIG and 2 mg/(kg·d) methylprednisolone. Among the 8 cases with coronary artery disease, 6 cases received low molecular weight heparin anticoagulation therapy. All patients were followed up in 2 weeks after being discharged, and their inflammatory markers had returned to normal by that time. The 8 cases with coronary artery disease and 3 cases with pneumonia showed significant improvement or back to normal at the 4-week follow-up. All patients had no new complications or comorbidities during follow-up of more than 3 months. Conclusions: MIS-C may present with Kawasaki disease-like symptoms, with or without gastrointestinal, neurological, or respiratory symptoms. Elevated inflammatory markers, abnormal coagulation function, and cardiac injury contribute to the diagnosis of MIS-C. IVIG and methylprednisolone were the primary treatments for MIS-C, and a favorable short-term prognosis was observed during a follow-up period of more than 3 months.

Osteoprotective Role of the Mir338 Cluster Ablation during Periodontitis.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that compromises the integrity of the supporting tissues of the teeth and leads to the loss of the alveolar bone. The Mir338 cluster has been proven to be a potential target for the treatment of osteoporosis and is also enriched in gingival tissues with periodontitis; however, its role in periodontitis remains unknown. Here, we aimed to use periodontitis as a model to expand our understanding of the Mir338 cluster in osteoimmunology and propose a new target to protect against bone loss during periodontitis progression. Significant enrichment of the Mir338 cluster was validated in gingival tissues from patients with chronic periodontitis and a ligature-induced periodontitis mouse model. In vivo, attenuation of alveolar bone loss after 7 d of ligature was observed in the Mir338 cluster knockout (KO) mice. Interestingly, immunofluorescence and RNA sequencing showed that ablation of the Mir338 cluster reduced osteoclast formation and elevated the inflammatory response, with enrichment of IFN-γ and JAK-STAT signaling pathways. Ablation of the Mir338 cluster also skewed macrophages toward the M1 phenotype and inhibited osteoclastogenesis via Stat1 in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the local administration of miR-338-3p antagomir prevented alveolar bone loss from periodontitis. In conclusion, the Mir338 cluster balanced M1 macrophage polarization and osteoclastogenesis and could serve as a novel therapeutic target against periodontitis-related alveolar bone loss.

[Cross-sectional study on the use of masks among occupational groups with high-risk positions for overseas import and pollution transmission].

Objective: To investigate the wearing of masks and the knowledge of masks among high-risk positions for overseas import and pollution transmission. Methods: From May 14 to 17, 2022, a convenient sampling method was used to conduct an online survey among 963 workers in high-risk positions for overseas import and pollution transmission in Beijing. The behaviors of individual use and wearing masks, the distribution and supervision of the unit, the knowledge of personal mask protection and the subjective feelings of wearing masks were analyzed. The χ(2) test and logistic regression model were used to analyze the influencing factors of the correct selection of masks. Results: The majority of the workers in high-risk positions for overseas import and pollution transmission were male (86.0%, 828/963), age concentration in 18-44 years old (68.2%, 657/963), and the majority of them had college or bachelor degrees (49.4%, 476/963). 79.4%(765/963) of the workers chose the right type of masks, female, 45-59 years old and high school education or above were the risk factors for correct selection of masks (P <0.05). Workers had good behaviors such as wearing/removing masks, but only 10.5% (101/963) could correctly rank the protective effect of different masks. 98.4% (948/963) of the workers believed that their work units had provided masks to their employees, and 99.1% (954/963) and 98.2%(946/963) of them had organized training and supervision on the use of masks, respectively. 47.4%(456/963) of the workers were uncomfortable while wearing masks. Conclusion: The overall selection and use of masks among occupational groups in high-risk positions for overseas import and pollution transmission in China need to be further standardized. It is necessary to strengthen supervision and inspection on the use of masks among occupational groups, and take improvement measures to improve the comfort of wearing masks.

Sandwich excision in patients with placenta percreta involving maternal bladder.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to describe and assess a Sandwich Excision (placenta-uterine-bladder excision together) surgical technique for women with clinically confirmed placenta percreta involving the maternal bladder. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed on all patients with clinically confirmed placenta percreta involving the maternal bladder who underwent Sandwich Excision at our large academic institution from January 1, 2014, to June 30, 2019. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients were included. Four patients underwent hysterectomy, and one patient underwent subhysterectomy. The mean duration of surgery was 228.04 ± 85.59 minutes (range, 90.00-503.00 minutes). The mean estimated blood loss was 5,269.57 ± 2,745.81 mL (range, 1,000.00-12,500.00 mL). No thromboembolic events occurred, and there were no maternal or neonatal deaths among the subjects in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Sandwich excision is associated with a low rate of hysterectomy in women with placenta percreta involving the maternal bladder. The procedure is a relatively safe technique and can be performed safely by experienced obstetricians who are familiar with the uterus-bladder space. Meanwhile, the success rates and complications of the Sandwich Excision in these patients also need to be evaluated in prospective studies.

[Regulatory effects of bio-intensity electric field on transformation of human skin fibroblasts].

Objective: To investigate the regulatory effects of bio-intensity electric field on the transformation of human skin fibroblasts (HSFs). Methods: The experimental research methods were used. HSFs were collected and divided into 200 mV/mm electric field group treated with 200 mV/mm electric field for 6 h and simulated electric field group placed in the electric field device without electricity for 6 h. Changes in morphology and arrangement of cells were observed in the living cell workstation; the number of cells at 0 and 6 h of treatment was recorded, and the rate of change in cell number was calculated; the direction of cell movement, movement velocity, and trajectory velocity within 3 h were observed and calculated (the number of samples was 34 in the simulated electric field group and 30 in 200 mV/mm electric field group in the aforementioned experiments); the protein expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in cells after 3 h of treatment was detected by immunofluorescence method (the number of sample was 3). HSFs were collected and divided into simulated electric field group placed in the electric field device without electricity for 3 h, and 100 mV/mm electric field group, 200 mV/mm electric field group, and 400 mV/mm electric field group which were treated with electric fields of corresponding intensities for 3 h. Besides, HSFs were divided into simulated electric field group placed in the electric field device without electricity for 6 h, and electric field treatment 1 h group, electric field treatment 3 h group, and electric field treatment 6 h group treated with 200 mV/mm electric field for corresponding time. The protein expressions of α-SMA and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were detected by Western blotting (the number of sample was 3). Data were statistically analyzed with Mann-Whitney U test, one-way analysis of variance, independent sample t test, and least significant difference test. Results: After 6 h of treatment, compared with that in simulated electric field group, the cells in 200 mV/mm electric field group were elongated in shape and locally adhered; the cells in simulated electric field group were randomly arranged, while the cells in 200 mV/mm electric field group were arranged in a regular longitudinal direction; the change rates in the number of cells in the two groups were similar (P>0.05). Within 3 h of treatment, the cells in 200 mV/mm electric field group had an obvious tendency to move toward the positive electrode, and the cells in simulated electric field group moved around the origin; compared with those in simulated electric field group, the movement velocity and trajectory velocity of the cells in 200 mV/mm electric field group were increased significantly (with Z values of -5.33 and -5.41, respectively, P<0.01), and the directionality was significantly enhanced (Z=-4.39, P<0.01). After 3 h of treatment, the protein expression of α-SMA of cells in 200 mV/mm electric field group was significantly higher than that in simulated electric field group (t=-9.81, P<0.01). After 3 h of treatment, the protein expressions of α-SMA of cells in 100 mV/mm electric field group, 200 mV/mm electric field group, and 400 mV/mm electric field group were 1.195±0.057, 1.606±0.041, and 1.616±0.039, respectively, which were significantly more than 0.649±0.028 in simulated electric field group (P<0.01). Compared with that in 100 mV/mm electric field group, the protein expressions of α-SMA of cells in 200 mV/mm electric field group and 400 mV/mm electric field group were significantly increased (P<0.01). The protein expressions of α-SMA of cells in electric field treatment 1 h group, electric field treatment 3 h group, and electric field treatment 6 h group were 0.730±0.032, 1.561±0.031, and 1.553±0.045, respectively, significantly more than 0.464±0.020 in simulated electric field group (P<0.01). Compared with that in electric field treatment 1 h group, the protein expressions of α-SMA in electric field treatment 3 h group and electric field treatment 6 h group were significantly increased (P<0.01). After 3 h of treatment, compared with that in simulated electric field group, the protein expressions of PCNA of cells in 100 mV/mm electric field group, 200 mV/mm electric field group, and 400 mV/mm electric field group were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); compared with that in 100 mV/mm electric field group, the protein expressions of PCNA of cells in 200 mV/mm electric field group and 400 mV/mm electric field group were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); compared with that in 200 mV/mm electric field group, the protein expression of PCNA of cells in 400 mV/mm electric field group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with that in simulated electric field group, the protein expressions of PCNA of cells in electric field treatment 1 h group, electric field treatment 3 h group, and electric field treatment 6 h group were significantly decreased (P<0.01); compared with that in electric field treatment 1 h group, the protein expressions of PCNA of cells in electric field treatment 3 h group and electric field treatment 6 h group were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); compared with that in electric field treatment 3 h group, the protein expression of PCNA of cells in electric field treatment 6 h group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Conclusions: The bio-intensity electric field can induce the migration of HSFs and promote the transformation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, and the transformation displays certain dependence on the time and intensity of electric field.

[Impact of composite clinical worsening events on outcome of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease].

Objective: To explore the impact of composite clinical worsening (cCW) events and its components on the prognosis of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease (CHD-PAH). Methods: This is a retrospective study. Patients who were diagnosed with CHD-PAH in Beijing Anzhen Hospital between January 2007 and July 2018, were included, and their baseline clinical data including demographic, clinical manifestations and New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification were collected retrospectively. All-cause deaths and clinical worsening events were recorded, which included syncope, PAH related hospitalization, NYHA classification deterioration and ≥ 2 PAH related clinical symptoms (dyspnea, hemoptysis, edema, chest pain, palpitations, cyanosis) appearance/progress. Three kinds of cCW events were defined: cCW1 (included PAH related hospitalization, NYHA classification deterioration), cCW2 (increased syncope on the basis of cCW1) and cCW3 (increased ≥ 2 PAH related clinical symptoms appearance/progress on the basis of cCW2). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to analyze the long-term survival of the included patients. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to evaluate the impact of cCW events and their components on the risk of all-cause mortality. Results: A total of 525 patients with CHD-PAH were included in this study. The median age at diagnosis was 20.7 (11.2, 30.3) years. There were 43.8% children (<18 years), and 68.8% female patients. There were 431 patients (82.1%) with NYHA classification II. A total of 180 patients had PAH symptoms at diagnosis. The median follow-up time was 4.5 (2.6, 6.7) years. Forty-seven patients (9.0%) died during the follow-up period. Survival rates at 1, 5 and 10 years after diagnosis of PAH were 98.0%, 89.9% and 84.4%, respectively. Cox multivariate analysis showed that NYHA classification deterioration (HR=3.901, 95%CI 1.863-8.169, P<0.001), ≥2 PAH symptoms appearance/progress (HR=4.458, 95%CI 1.870-10.625, P<0.001), PAH-related hospitalization (HR=4.058, 95%CI 1.851-8.896, P<0.001) and syncope (HR=11.313, 95%CI 4.860-26.332, P<0.001) were independent predictors of increased risk of death. All 3 kinds of cCW events were significantly associated with the significantly increased risk of death, and cCW2 was highly predictive to increased risk of death (HR=15.476, 95%CI 4.346-37.576, P<0.001). Conclusions: The overall long-term prognosis of CHD-PAH patients in this study is relatively good. cCW events and its components (NYHA classification deterioration, ≥2 PAH symptoms occurrence/worsening, PAH-related hospitalization and syncope) have adverse influence on all-cause death in this patient cohort.

[Safety and efficacy of humanized CD19-targeted CAR-T cells in patients with relapsed/refractory acute B cell lymphoblastic leukemia].

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of humanized CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) in patients with relapsed/refractory acute B cell lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL) . Methods: The clinical data of 41 patients with R/R B-ALL treated with humanized CD19-targeted CAR-T cells in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from February 2020 to July 2021 were analyzed. Results: Cytokine release syndrome occurred in all patients, and 63.4% (26/41) were grades 1-2. Immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome developed in three patients. On median day 15 (9-47) , the complete remission rate was 95.1% (39/41) , of which 38 patients tested negative for bone marrow minimal residual disease detected by flow cytometry. Among the 39 patients with complete remission, 17 patients did not receive further treatment, and 70.6% (12/17) remained in remission at the end of follow-up, with a progression-free survival of 11.6 months of the two patients with the earliest infusion. Another 17 patients underwent consolidation allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (10 cases) or CD22 CAR-T cell sequential therapy (seven cases) after remission, and 76.5% (13/17) of the patients were still in remission at the end of follow-up. The remaining five patients who did not receive consolidation therapy relapsed at a median of 72 (55-115) days after CAR-T cell therapy. Conclusion: In patients with R/R B-ALL, the humanized CD19-targeted CAR-T cells had a high response and manageable toxicity.

[Clinical application of transbronchial cryotherapy in the diagnosis and treatment of tracheobronchial tuberculosis in children].

Objective: To explore the clinical utility of bronchoscopy and transbronchial cryotherapy in children with tracheobronchial tuberculosis (TBTB). Methods: Retrospective study was conducted to collect the clinical data of 10 hospitalized children who underwent bronchoscopy and were diagnosed as TBTB and in the Department of Pediatrics of Peking University First Hospital and the Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from January 2011 to October 2019. The clinical characteristics of TBTB in children, and the efficacy and safety of bronchoscopy and transbronchial cryotherapy were summarized through descriptive analysis. Results: The onset age of 10 children (6 males and 4 females) ranged from 1-14 years. The clinical manifestations included fever (8/10), cough (7/10) and hemoptysis (2/10). Purified protein derivative test and interferon-γ release assay were performed in 9 and 10 patients respectively, the results were all positive. Chest CT examination was performed in all patients, and 8 patients had hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. All patients underwent pediatric bronchoscopy in time, in 9 patients bronchus was found to be blocked in varying degrees by granulation tissue and caseous necrosis and in the remaining patient, obvious congestion and edema in bronchial mucosa. The bronchoscopic manifestations included 8 cases of lymph node fistula type, 1 case of granulation proliferative type and 1 case of inflammatory infiltration type. Pathological biopsies were performed in 7 cases, the findings were consistent with the pathological characteristics of tuberculosis. Nine patients were treated by pediatric bronchoscopic intervention, with 8 transbronchial cryotherapy by flexible bronchoscopy, and among them, 2 patients were treated by simultaneous rigid bronchoscopy. After 1-3 times of transbronchial cryotherapy, the blocked bronchial lumina in 8 cases were all recanalized, and the curative effect was significant without any serious complications. Conclusions: Bronchoscopy plays an important role in the diagnosis of TBTB in children and is helpful for its classification. Also, transbronchial cryotherapy has good efficacy and safety for TBTB in children, especially for the granuloproliferative type or lymph node fistula type.

[A preliminary study on the classification and prognosis of microcirculation alterations in patients with septic shock].

Objective: To explore the correlation between different types of microcirculation alterations and the prognosis in patients with septic shock. Methods: This research employed a prospective observational study methodology for selecting subjects with septic shock. Side-stream dark field(SDF) was used to monitor the sublingual microcirculation to determine the total vascular density (TVD), perfused vessel density (PVD), the proportion of perfused vessels (PPV), and the microvascular flow index (MFI), heterogeneity index (HI) indicators. At the bedside, patients with microcirculation disorders were divided into four types: stasis, dilution, heterogeneity, and hyperdynamic. The 30-day survival status after enrollment and hemodynamics parameters were recorded. Results: A total of 64 patients with septic shock were selected in the study, including 18 cases of stasis type, 11 of dilution type, 18 of heterogeneous type, and 17 of hyperdynamic type. There were statistical differences in the mean arterial pressure (MAP) [stasis:(77±9) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), dilution:(80±11) mmHg, heterogeneity: (78±12) mmHg, hyperdynamic:(88±12) mmHg], TVD [ stasis:(10.84±3.01) mm/mm2, dilution:(9.64±1.72) mm/mm2, heterogeneity:(11.39±2.18) mm/mm2, hyperdynamic: (11.87±2.67) mm/mm2 ], PVD [stasis:(5.93±1.94) mm/mm2, dilution:(6.86±1.48) mm/mm2, heterogeneity: (8.31±1.78) mm/mm2, hyperdynamic:(9.68±2.46) mm/mm2], PPV [stasis:52.45 (46.25, 63.33)%, dilution:73.70 (61.50, 75.20)%, heterogeneity: 71.25 (67.95, 77.00)%, hyperdynamic:80.70 (77.25, 86.45)%], MFI(stasis:1.34±0.45, dilution: 1.70±0.38, heterogeneity:1.82±0.28, hyperdynamic:2.25±0.33), and HI [stasis:0.68 (0.51, 1.87), dilution: 0.57 (0.49, 0.64), heterogeneity:0.70 (0.59, 0.91), hyperdynamic: 0.40 (0.37, 0.52)] of the four types of microcirculation alterations. The cumulative survival rates in stasis, dilution, heterogeneity and hyperdynamic types at 30 day were 7/18, 4/11, 10/18 and 14/17, respectively, which in stasis and dilution types was significantly lower than that of hyperdynamic type (χ²=7.221, P=0.007;χ2=6.764, P=0.009). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed the type of microcirculation alterations (stasis:RR=4.551, 95%CI 1.228-16.864, P=0.023; dilution:RR=4.086, 95%CI 1.011-16.503, P=0.048), acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (RR=1.077, 95%CI 1.006-1.153, P=0.032) were independent prognostic risk factors. Conclusions: Microcirculation alterations are common in patients with septic shock, and it is hard to predict the types of microcirculation alterations with hemodynamics parameters. The prognosis of patients with septic shock is related to the types of microcirculation alterations, suggesting that routine monitoring of microcirculation might be helpful to guide hemodynamic therapy.

Propofol alleviates hypoxic neuronal injury by inhibiting high levels of mitochondrial fusion and fission.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the mechanism of propofol in alleviating neuronal oxidative damage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The neuron cells were randomly assigned to normal group (NOR), model group (MOD), and propofol administration group (MED). A 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was carried out to detect the viability of neuron cells, reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) assay to determine the gene expression of Fis and Mfn1, and Western blot assay to determine the protein expression of Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Bax, Bcl-2, and COX-2. RESULTS: According to the results of cell proliferation rate, under normal circumstances, neuron cells would have some programmed death and weak apoptosis, while after hypoxia-reoxygenation, the apoptosis rate of neuron cells gradually increased with the increase of culture time, which was significantly higher than that of the NOR. After the addition of propofol, the overall apoptosis rate of neuron cells slowly increased, significantly lower than that in the MOD and close to that in the NOR. Compared with the NOR, the ROS content in the MOD was significantly reduced, and compared with the MOD, the ROS content in the MED significantly recovered. Furthermore, the RT-PCR results showed that compared with the NOR, the expression of mitochondrial fusion protein (Mfnl) in the MOD group declined significantly, and the expression of mitochondrial fission protein 1 (Fis1) increased significantly, while after the addition of propofol, the expression of Mfnl and Fis1 was closed to that in the NOR. WB results showed that compared with the NOR, the expression of apoptosis proteins (Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Bax, and COX-2) in the MOD increased significantly, and the expression of Bcl-2 reduced significantly (all p<0.05), and the addition of propofol improved the expression of corresponding proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Propofol could alleviate hypoxic neuronal injury by inhibiting high levels of mitochondrial fusion and fission.

[Study on the pharmacokinetics of bromadiolone in oral poisoning rabbits].

Objective: To investigate the variations of bromadiolone concentration in blood and its metabolism in rabbits after oral administration of bromadiolone, and to provide reference for the study of bromadiolone metabolism. Methods: Designed absolute alcohol (1 g/kg) reagent control group, high dose (0.3 mg/kg) and low dose group (0.05 mg/kg) , there were 6 rabbits in each group. Blood samples were collected from the rabbit central auricular artery at regular intervals as 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 16 h, 24 h, 36 h, 48 h, 72 h, 168 h, 336 h, 504 h after oral administration. The samples were centrifuged within 1 h. Prothrombin time (PT) , activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and concentrations of bromadiolone in plasma were tested. Metabolic kinetics data was analyzed by DAS 3.0.2 software. Results: Bromadiolone had no significant effect on the body weight of the experimental rabbits during the experimental period (P>0.05) . PT and APTT were significantly abnormal in different dose groups, but for occurrence of exception, PT was earlier than APTT. The concentration of bromadiolone in plasma reached the peak value 12 h after gavage in both high-dose and low-dose groups. The absorption time of t(1/2Ka) in high-dose group was 4.34 h, the clearance time of t(1/2) was 81.52 h, the absorption time of t(1/2Ka) in low-dose group was 6.90 h, and the elimination time of t(1/2) was 56.38 h. The atrioventricular model of bromadidone was three compartment model in rabbits. Conclusion: Bromadiolone can be absorbed rapidly by oral administration, but its metabolism is slow. The change of bromadiolone in vivo accords with the three compartment model.

[Risk factors for death and the clinical features of different subtypes of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension related to congenital heart disease].

Objective: To explore the risk factors for death in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension related to congenital heart disease (PAH-CHD) and the clinical characteristics of different subtypes in patients with PAH-CHD. Methods: It was a retrospective study. A total of 507 PAH-CHD patients, who were hospitalized in the Department of Pediatric Cardiology of Beijing Anzhen Hospital between September 2005 and May 2019, were included. Patients were divided into 4 subgroups: (1) Eisenmenger syndrome(ES) group. (2) PAH associated with prevalent systemic-to-pulmonary shunts(SP) group. (3) PAH associated with small defects(SD) group. (4) PAH after defect correction(CD) group. According to the complexity of cardiac malformation, patients were divided into simple-medium complex malformation group and complex malformation group. According to the location of shunts, patients were divided into pre-tricuspid group, post-tricuspid group, and mixed group or complex deformity group. Baseline clinical data of patients were collected from the electronic medical record system. Demographic data (age, gender, etc.), percutaneous oxygen saturation(SPO(2)), New York Heart Association(NYHA) cardiac function classification, 6 minutes walking distance(6MWD), and B type natriuretic peptide(BNP), systolic pulmonary arterial pressure(sPAP) estimated by echocardiography and mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), mean right atrial pressure(mRAP), cardiac index(CI), and calculated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) estimated by right heart catheterization were compared among various groups. The results of regular follow-up of all enrolled patients were collected, including the status of monotherapy or combination of PAH-targeted drugs during the follow-up period, cardiac-related adverse events(hemopysis, syncope, edema, arrhythmia, etc.) and primary endpoint event(all-cause death) were obtained and analyzed. Risk factors for all-cause death were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis model. Results: The median age at diagnosis was 23.1(13.9,32.1) years, 345 cases(68.0%) were female. Two hunderds and thirty-five cases(46.4%) were diagnosed with ES; 193 cases(38.1%) were diagnosed with CD, 47 cases (9.3%) were diagnosed with SD. Among them, 32 cases(6.3%) were in the SP group. All 507 patients underwent echocardiography examination, there were significant differences in sPAP among different clinical subgroups(P<0.001). A total of 289 patients(57.0%) received right heart catheterization examination, the results showed that the ES group had the highest mPAP and PVR and the lowest mRAP(all P<0.001), the CD group had the highest mRAP and CI(both P<0.001). The 6MWD in the ES group was significantly shorter than that in the SP, SD, and CD groups(all P<0.001). The proportion of patients with NYHA class Ⅲ/Ⅳ was higher in SD group than in SP group(P<0.001), which was similar between SD, ES and CD groups (P values were 0.077 and 0.072, respectively). At admission, the proportion of patients with NYHA class Ⅰ/Ⅱwas the highest in SP group(96.9% (31/32) ), followed by CD group (85.5%(165/193)) and the ES group(85.1%(200/235)), and the SD group(75.0%(35/47)). The BNP level at admission was also higher in SD group than in SP, ES and CD groups(P<0.001). Of the 507 patients, 379(74.8%) patients received PAH-targeted drug therapy at the last follow-up, and the treatment plan was mainly monotherapy(75.7%(287/379)). The median follow-up time was 3.6(2.0, 5.6) years and 37(7.3%) patients died, including 13 in the CD group, 17 in the ES group, and 7 in the SD group. No deaths occurred in the SP group. Right heart failure was the most common cause of death(11(29.7%)), followed by severe hemoptysis dyspnea(7(18.9%)), sudden cardiac death(6(16.2%)), and pulmonary hypertensive crisis(4(10.8%)). Kaplan-Meier curve showed that survival rates of end-point-free events at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years after diagnosis of PAH were 98.0%, 95.4%, 89.9%, and 84.4%, respectively; there were statistically significant differences in survival among the subgroups(P=0.026); there was no significant difference in the survival rate between the ES group and the CD group(P=0.918), and both were higher than the SD group(P values were 0.011 and 0.013, respectively). Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that NYHA class Ⅲ/Ⅳ and BNP>100 ng/L at admission were the risk factors for all-cause death in patients with PAH-CHD(HR=6.452, 95%CI 3.378-12.346, P<0.001, and HR=2.481, 95%CI 1.225-5.025, P=0.012). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that NYHA class Ⅲ/Ⅳ was an independent risk factor for all-cause death in patients with PAH-CHD(HR=4.998, 95%CI 1.246-20.055, P=0.023). Conclusions: PAH-CHD patients with different clinical subtypes have different clinical symptoms, cardiac functional class, hemodynamic characteristics, and mid to long-term survival rates. SP patients have the best prognosis, outcome of ES and CD patients is similar, and SD patients have the worst prognosis. NYHA class Ⅲ/Ⅳ is an independent risk factor for all-cause death in patients with PAH-CHD.

Silencing of miR-330-5p stimulates osteogenesis in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and inhibits bone loss in osteoporosis by activating Bgn-mediated BMP/Smad pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To illustrate the role of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-330-5p in regulating osteogenesis through biglycan (Bgn)-mediated bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)/Smad pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A mouse model of osteoporosis (OP) was established by ovariectomy (OVX). BMD and miR-330-5p levels in mice undergoing sham operation or OVX were determined. BMD and BV/TV in OP mice with in vivo knockdown of miR-330-5p were measured by Micro-CT. After silencing of miR-330-5p in mouse primary bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), expression changes in osteogenesis-associated genes, ALP activity, and mineralization ability were assessed. Subsequently, the interaction between miR-330-5p and Bgn was examined by Dual-Luciferase reporter gene assay and Western blotting. Then, Bgn levels in BMSCs undergoing osteogenesis at different time points were measured. At last, the regulatory effects of miR-330-5p/Bgn axis on the BMP/Smad pathway, ALP activity, and mineralization ability in BMSCs were evaluated. RESULTS: BMD was decreased and miR-330-5p was upregulated in OP mice. OP mice with in vivo knockdown of miNA-330-5p presented higher BMD and BV/TV than controls. Transfection with miR-330-5p inhibitor upregulated osteogenesis-associated genes, ALP activity, and mineralization ability in BMSCs. Bgn was time-dependently upregulated in BMSCs undergoing osteogenesis, which was indicated to be the target gene of miR-330-5p. Besides, Bgn level was negatively regulated by miR-330-5p. Importantly, Bgn was able to reverse the regulatory effects of miR-330-5p on the BMP/Smad pathway, ALP activity, and mineralization ability in BMSCs. CONCLUSIONS: Knockdown of miR-330-5p facilitates osteogenesis in BMSCs through the Bgn-induced BMP/Smad pathway, thus alleviating the progression of OP.

Construction of a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing Babesia gibsoni thrombospondin-related anonymous protein and evaluation of its immunogenicity in mice.

Previously, we have identified a gene encoding thrombospondin-related anonymous protein of Babesia gibsoni (BgTRAP), and have shown that the antisera raised against recombinant BgTRAP expressed in Escherichia coli inhibited the growth of parasites. In the present study, a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the BgTRAP (VV/BgTRAP) was constructed. A specific band with a molecular mass of 80 kDa, which is similar to that of native BgTRAP on the merozoites of B. gibsoni, was detected in the supernatant of VV/ BgTRAP-infected RK13 cells. Mice inoculated with VV/BgTRAP produced a specific antiBgTRAP response. The antiserum against VV/BgTRAP showed reactivity against the native BgTRAP on parasites. These results indicated that the recombinant vaccinia virus expressing BgTRAP might be a vaccine candidate against canine B. gibsoni infection.

Construction of a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing Babesia gibsoni thrombospondin-related anonymous protein and evaluation of its immunogenicity in mice

@#Previously, we have identified a gene encoding thrombospondin-related anonymous protein of Babesia gibsoni (BgTRAP), and have shown that the antisera raised against recombinant BgTRAP expressed in Escherichia coli inhibited the growth of parasites. In the present study, a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the BgTRAP (VV/BgTRAP) was constructed. A specific band with a molecular mass of 80 kDa, which is similar to that of native BgTRAP on the merozoites of B. gibsoni, was detected in the supernatant of VV/ BgTRAP-infected RK13 cells. Mice inoculated with VV/BgTRAP produced a specific antiBgTRAP response. The antiserum against VV/BgTRAP showed reactivity against the native BgTRAP on parasites. These results indicated that the recombinant vaccinia virus expressing BgTRAP might be a vaccine candidate against canine B. gibsoni infection.

LncRNA-CARl in a rat model of myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate how long non-coding ribonucleic acid-cardiac apoptosis-related (lncRNA-CARL) regulates apoptosis of primary endothelial cells. The specific role of lncRNA-CARL in the occurrence and development of myocardial infarction (MI) and atherosclerosis is also explored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A rat model of arteriosclerosis was prepared by extracting myocardial endothelial cells of rats. After the overexpression or inhibition of lncRNA-CARL, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect cell activity. LncRNA-CARL plasmids were constructed and injected into the carotid artery in rats, and hematoxylin and eosin staining (HE) was used to observe the neointima of the carotid artery in rats. The activity of apoptosis protein Caspase-3 in endothelial cells was detected by Caspase-3 activity assay kit. Expressions of prohibitin-2 (PHB2), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-Associated X (Bax) protein were gauged by Western blot. RESULTS: The over-expression of lncRNA-CARL in primary endothelial cells in rats could increase cell viability. LncRNA-CARL also down-regulated the expressions of PHB2 and Bax, reduced the activity of Caspase-3 and increased the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. LncRNA-CARL inhibition could significantly increase Caspase-3 activity and Bax expression, whereas decrease Bcl-2 expression (p<0.05). Local silencing of lncRNA-CARL in rats resulted in decreased intravascular intima-media thickness ratio and Bcl-2 expression, as well as increased activity of Caspase-3 and Bax expression (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Long non-coding ribonucleic acid-cardiac apoptosis-related lncRNA (lncRNA-CARL) regulates cell apoptosis and participates in the occurrence and development of MI.

Study on the epigenetic methylation modification of bipolar disorder major genes.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to study changes and possible roles of epigenetic modification of candidate genes in the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder, and provide the basis for clinical diagnosis and analysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 150 patients with bipolar disorder were enrolled in this study from January 2014 to June 2015; also, 50 healthy subjects were enrolled as control group. The patients were followed up for 18 months and followed up once every 3 months to review the methylation status. The methylation status was examined before and after treatment, and the patients were followed up every 3 months after treatment, and the follow-up period was 18 months. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy control group, there were 2075 CpG island aberrant methylation points in patients with bipolar disorder, which can be divided into 24 categories. Log-Ratio > 0.5 was used as the positive criteria, and COMT and PPIEL were identified as the genes associated with bipolar disorder. Compared with the control group, the levels of COMT and PPIEL gene methylation in the observation group were significantly higher (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the methylation level of COMT and PPIEL gene between the two groups (p > 0.05) after 12 months of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The methylation level of COMT and PPIEL gene is closely related to bipolar disorder.

Investigating and analyzing three cohorts of mushroom poisoning caused by Amanita exitialis in Yunnan, China.

Amanita exitialis is a lethal mushroom found in China. Knowledge regarding taxonomic characterization, toxin detection, general poisoning conditions, clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, and clinical treatments for this species is currently lacking. We investigated three A. exitialis mushroom poisoning cohorts in Yunnan Province in 2014 and 2015, involving 10 patients. Mushroom samples were identified by morphological and molecular studies. Ultra performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect the peptide toxins in the mushroom samples. Epidemiological information, clinical data, and results of laboratory examinations were collected and analyzed. The mushroom samples were all identified as A. exitialis. The average toxin concentration decreased from the cap to the stipe to the volva, and the average concentration of the peptide toxins decreased in the order of α-amanitin > phallacidin > ß-amanitin > γ-amanitin. The latency period between ingestion and the onset of symptoms was 13.9 ± 2.1 h, and the time from ingestion to hospitalization was 49.6 ± 8.5 h. The most common symptoms were nausea and vomiting (100%). Four patients died from fulminant hepatic failure. Laboratory examinations showed that the alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time levels peaked on the third day post-ingestion. Total bilirubin and direct bilirubin values peaked on day 7. The death group and the survival group had a similar variation trend of serological indexes, but the death group had a greater change. A. exitialis is an extremely dangerous mushroom and there is a need to educate the public to avoid picking and eating wild mushrooms that have not been definitively identified.