Effect of hypothermic machine perfusion on expression levels of inflammatory cytokines in rat kidney / 器官移植

Objective To evaluate the effect of hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) on the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines in rat kidney. Methods Thirty male rats were randomly divided into the control (Control group), static cold storage group (SCS group) and HMP group, with 10 rats in each group. The velocity, intrarenal resistance and pH value of perfusion effluent were recorded during HMP. The expression levels of CXC chemokine ligand (CXCL)1, CXCL2, interferon (IFN)-β1, IFN-α4, CC chemokine ligand (CCL)2, CCL20, interleukin (IL)-17α, IL-17C and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α messenger RNA (mRNA) in renal tissues were evaluated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Pathological changes of the kidney were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Results During HMP, the velocity and intrarenal resistance remained stable, and the pH value of perfusion effluent was decreased slowly. RT-PCR showed that the relative expression levels of CXCL1, CXCL2, CCL2, CCL20, IL-17α, IL-17C and TNF-α mRNA in the SCS and HMP groups were higher compared with those in the Control group. Compared with the SCS group, the relative expression levels of CXCL1, CXCL2, CCL2, CCL20, IL-17α and TNF-α mRNA were up-regulated in the HMP group (all P<0.05). HE staining revealed that the morphology of renal cells was normal in the Control group, whereas evident epithelial necrosis, cytoplasmic vacuolation, brush border loss and epithelial shedding were observed in the SCS group. Compared with the SCS group, pathological changes in the HMP group were alleviated. Conclusions HMP may activate renal inflammation, and inhibiting the activation of inflammation during HMP is expected to further improve the effect of allograft preservation.

Memory B cell responses to Omicron subvariants after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA breakthrough infection

Individuals that receive a 3rd mRNA vaccine dose show enhanced protection against severe COVID19 but little is known about the impact of breakthrough infections on memory responses. Here, we examine the memory antibodies that develop after a 3rd or 4th antigenic exposure by Delta or Omicron BA.1 infection, respectively. A 3rd exposure to antigen by Delta breakthrough increases the number of memory B cells that produce antibodies with comparable potency and breadth to a 3rd mRNA vaccine dose. A 4th antigenic exposure with Omicron BA.1 infection increased variant specific plasma antibody and memory B cell responses. However, the 4th exposure did not increase the overall frequency of memory B cells or their general potency or breadth compared to a 3rd mRNA vaccine dose. In conclusion, a 3rd antigenic exposure by Delta infection elicits strain-specific memory responses and increases in the overall potency and breadth of the memory B cells. In contrast, the effects of a 4th antigenic exposure with Omicron BA.1 is limited to increased strain specific memory with little effect on the potency or breadth of memory B cell antibodies. The results suggest that the effect of strain-specific boosting on memory B cell compartment may be limited.

Knowledge of occupational exposure to HIV among healthcare workers in college campus clinics and tertiary hospitals.

As the number of college students infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has increased significantly in China, the risk of occupational exposure to HIV among healthcare workers (HCW) in college campus clinics has also increased. Our study aimed to evaluate the awareness of HCWs in terms of preventing occupational HIV exposure in college campus clinics compared with HCWs in tertiary hospitals. This cross-sectional study was conducted in nine provinces in China from September to October 2019 (10 college campus clinics, 7 tertiary hospitals). The study's response rate was recorded to be at 87.62% (184 of 210). The knowledge score of HIV among all HCWs was determined to be generally low (67.17 ± 11.17 points), and that of college campus clinics and tertiary hospitals showed no significant difference (66.36 ± 10.36 vs. 67.63 ± 11.61 points, P=0.463). Overall, HCWs in both college campus clinics and tertiary hospitals showed inadequate knowledge regarding occupational HIV exposure. Training for the prevention of occupational HIV exposure should be strengthened in both medical institutions.

MiR-573 suppresses cell proliferation, migration and invasion via regulation of E2F3 in pancreatic cancer.

Background: Pancreatic cancer is among the most lethal malignancies worldwide. In this study, we aimed to determine whether miR-573 could suppress pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by targeting E2F3. Materials and Methods: MiR-573 expression in pancreatic cancer tissues and cell lines was measured using real-time PCR. Target genes of miR-573 were screened using bioinformatics tools and confirmed using dual-luciferase reporter assay and real-time PCR. Pancreatic cancer cells were transfected using an miR-573 mimic or siRNA E2F3. Furthermore, cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were assessed using CCK-8, Edu staining, colony-forming assay, wound healing assay, and transwell assay in vitro. The in vivo effects of miR-573 were verified using tumor xenografts. Differential expression and prognostic analyses of miR-573 and E2F3 were visualized using the Kaplan­Meier plotter and GEPIA. Results: We found that the expression of miR-573 was significantly reduced in pancreatic cancer tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-573 obviously suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. The Dual-luciferase assay showed that miR-573 could specifically target E2F3. Furthermore, E2F3 was up-regulated in pancreatic cancer tissues and cell lines and E2F3 down-regulation inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. The ectopic expression of miR-573 inhibited xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Results from the Kaplan-Meier analysis and GEPIA showed that patients with a high level of miR-573 had a significantly reduced risk of death while those with a high level of E2F3 displayed significant correlation with the tumor stage and suffered worse prognosis. Conclusions: MiR-573 could suppress the proliferation, migration, and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells by targeting E2F3, thereby establishing miR-573 as a novel regulator of E2F3 and indicating its critical role in tumorigenesis, especially in pancreatic cancer.

Accuracy of diagnostic indicators for perioperative venous thromboembolism in orthopedic patients / 中华创伤杂志

Objective:To analyze the accuracy of diagnostic indicators for perioperative venous thromboembolism（VTE）in orthopedic patients.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 109 patients who underwent initial total hip arthroplasty（THA），total knee arthroplasty（TKA）or proximal femoral nail antirotation（PFNA）in Hechuan District People ’s Hospital of Chongqing from January 2015 to September 2019. There were 55 males and 54 females，with age range of 18-76 years［（46.3 ± 11.2）years］. Of all，54 patients underwent unilateral THA due to femoral head necrosis and femoral neck fracture，36 patients underwent unilateral TKA due to osteoarthritis and 19 patients underwent PFNA due to proximal femoral fracture. VTE was confirmed in 47 patients（VTE group），and did not occur in 62 patients（non-VTE group）. Venous blood was collected from all patients on admission and at postoperative 1，3，5，7 days to measure levels of plasma D-dimer，serum interleukin（IL）-18 and vascular endothelial growth factor（VEGF）. The accuracy of the above indicators in VTE diagnosis was analyzed by using receiver operating characteristic（ROC）curve. Results:In both groups，preoperative levels of D-dimer，IL-18 and VEGF were significantly lower than those postoperatively，and each indicator showed significant difference at each time points after operation（ P < 0.05 or 0.01）. Moreover，levels of D-dimer，IL-18 and VEGF in VTE group were significantly higher than those in non-VTE group at each time after operation（ P < 0.05 or 0.01）. Area under the ROC curve（AUC）for D-dimer was 0.839（95% CI 0.729-0.887），with the optimal cut-off of 5.5 μg/ml，sensitivity of 87.0%，specificity of 79.0% and Youden index of 0.67. AUC for IL-18 was 0.817（95% CI 0.719-0.857），with the optimal cut-off of 293.5 pg/ml，sensitivity of 67.0%，specificity of 87.1% and Youden index of 0.457. AUC for VEGF was 0.837（95% CI 0.784-0.918），with the optimal cut-off of 510.8 pg/ml，sensitivity of 81.0%，specificity of 79.0% and Youden index of 0.583. AUC for combined D-dimer，IL-18 and VEGF was 0.870（95% CI 0.747-0.992），with the sensitivity of 87.2%，specificity of 83.4% and Youden index of 0.606. Conclusions:For diagnosis of perioperative VTE in orthopedic patients，serum VEGF is relatively accurate，while serum IL-18 has a low accuracy. However，the diagnostic rate of VTE can be improved by combining indicators of D-dimer，IL-18 and VEGF.

Research progress on the role of microbiota in radiotherapy-induced injury / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Human microbiota is composed of bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microorganisms, which are distributed in the oral cavity, nasal cavity, intestine, vagina and skin, etc. Human microbiota plays a pivotal role in the metabolism, immunity, hormones and homeostasis of the host. It can protect the host and maintain the homeostasis, and provoke the incidence of inflammation and tumors. Microbiota has been found to modulate the efficacy and toxicity of chemotherapy and immunotherapy for certain types of tumors. Nevertheless, large-scale studies in the context of radiation therapy have not been performed. In this article, the relationship between the microbiota and the radiotherapy response and toxicity changes of cancer patients was summarized, aiming to develop the optimal treatment plan for patients, and provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of radiotherapy-induced injury.

Clinical characteristics of patients with listeriosis / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with listeriosis and to provide a basis for diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of hospital infection.@*METHODS@#A total of 10 inpatients, who suffered from the listeriosis in Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from January 2013 to June 2019, were retrospectively collected for this study. The characteristics of the patients' age, gander, basic information, case type, clinical manifestations, first consultation department, days of diagnosis, infection indicator, specimen type, results of drug sensitivity, treatment plan, hospital infection or not, outcome, follow-up data were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Two cases were pregnant women and other were non-pregnant adults among 10 patients with listeriosis. Among them, there were 3 cases with hospital acquired infection. The age of patient onset was 27-71 years old, and the time from onset to diagnosis was 5-36 days. Five cases had fever, and other 5 cases had not fever. There were headache, fatigue, local pain, and other specialized symptoms in the 10 patients.The white blood cell count,the neutrophil ratio, the inflammatory index C-reactive protein, the procalcitonin were all increased, and the erythrocyte sedimentation was accelerated in the 10 patients.All the patients were sensitive to ampicillin, penicillin G, meropenem, and compound sinomine.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Listeriosis often affects the patients with low immunity, which often leads to misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis in clinic.So early prevention, early diagnosis, and early treatment can reduce mortality; it is important for departments of nosocomial infection management to manage patients' diet for avoiding outbreaks of listeriosis in hospital.

MiR-494 alleviates hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway / 器官移植

Objective To investigate the effect and related mechanism of microRNA (miR)-494 on the hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI). Methods Twenty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=6 in each group). In the sham operation group, abdominal surgery without hepatic ischemia-reperfusion was performed. In the HIRI group, partial liver ischemia was performed for 60 min, followed by 6 h perfusion. In the HIRI+agomir-miR-494 group, intraperitoneal injection of agomir-miR-494 (20 μL) was daily given within preoperative 7 d. In HIRI+agomir-NC group, an equivalent quantity of agomir-NC was daily injected intraperitoneally within preoperative 7 d. The expression level of miR-494 messenger RNA(mRNA) in the liver tissues in each group was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression levels of liver injury and oxidative stress related indexes were measured by relevant kits. The histopathological changes of the liver in each group were observed. The quantity of apoptotic cells and cytoplasmic histone-related DNA fragments in the liver tissues of rats was detected by relevant kits. The expression levels of the proteins related to the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase(AKT) signaling pathway were measured by Western blot. Results The expression level of miR-494 mRNA in the rat liver tissues in the HIRI+agomir-miR-494 group was significantly higher than that in the HIRI+agomir-NC group (P < 0.01). The levels of the serum liver injury and oxidative stress related indexes in the HIRI+agomir-miR-494 group were significantly lower than those in the HIRI+agomir-NC group (all P < 0.01). Compared with those in the HIRI+agomir-NC group, the quantity of cellular necrosis was significantly reduced, the cell integrity was considerably increased and the quantity of TUNELpositive cells was evidently decreased in the HIRI+agomir-miR-494 group (all P < 0.05). The expression levels of poly ADP-ribose polymerase(PARP), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3(Caspase-3) and Bax in the HIRI+agomirmiR-494 group were significantly lower than those in the HIRI+agomir-NC group (all P < 0.05). The quantity of DNA fragments in the HIRI+agomir-miR-494 group was significantly less than that in the HIRI+agomir-NC group (P < 0.01). The expression levels of p-AKT, p-mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) and p-p70S6K in the HIRI+agomir-miR-494 group were significantly higher than those in the HIRI+agomir-NC group (all P < 0.05). Conclusions miR-494 can alleviate the severity of HIRI in rats by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Survey on prevalence of healthcare-associated infection in Xiangya Hospital in 15 years / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To investigate the prevalence rate of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in Xiangya Hospital,and provide reference for preventing and controlling HAI.Methods The cross sectional surveys on preva-lence rates of HAI,cross-sectional antimicrobial use,and bacterial detection among all hospitalized patients on the given days in 2000-2014 (except 2006)were carried out by combination of bedside investigation and medical record reviewing.Results The prevalence rates of HAI in 2000-2014 decreased from 6.30% to 3.91%,difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 35.14,P < 0.001 );prevalence rates of community-associated infection(CAI)were 15.61%-15.76%,there was no significant difference among each year.General intensive care unit (ICU)had the highest prevalence rate;respiratory tract was the most common site of both HAI and CAI;urinary catheterization rate showed a decreased tendency,arteriovenous catheterization rate showed a increased tendency,difference were both significant(χ2 = 5.21,96.24,respectively,both P <0.001).In 2008 - 2014,pathogenic detection rates for specimens from patients receiving therapeutic antimicrobial agents were 36.37%-44.51%,from patients with HAI were 34.00%-44.99%,detection rate of pathogens causing HAI were 41.57%-68.48%,all showed a increased tendency,difference was significant (χ2 = 22.78,10.03,26.49,respectively,all P < 0.001 ).Gram-negative bacteria were the main pathogens causing infection;both cross sectional and combination antimicrobial usage rates declined (P < 0.05 ).Conclusion Prevention and control of HAI,and antimicrobial management has achieved preliminary success,prevalence rate of HAI and cross sectional antimicrobial usage rate declined obviously,the main pathogen is gram-negative bacteria,and the major infection site is lower respiratory tract.

Serum Levels of Human MIC-1/GDF15 Vary in a Diurnal Pattern, Do Not Display a Profile Suggestive of a Satiety Factor and Are Related to BMI.

The TGF-b superfamily cytokine MIC-1/GDF15 circulates in the blood of healthy humans. Its levels rise substantially in cancer and other diseases and this may sometimes lead to development of an anorexia/cachexia syndrome. This is mediated by a direct action of MIC-1/GDF15 on feeding centres in the hypothalamus and brainstem. More recent studies in germline gene deleted mice also suggest that this cytokine may play a role in physiological regulation of energy homeostasis. To further characterize the role of MIC-1/GDF15 in physiological regulation of energy homeostasis in man, we have examined diurnal and food associated variation in serum levels and whether variation in circulating levels relate to BMI in human monozygotic twin pairs. We found that the within twin pair differences in serum MIC-1/GDF15 levels were significantly correlated with within twin pair differences in BMI, suggesting a role for MIC-1/GDF15 in the regulation of energy balance in man. MIC-1/GDF15 serum levels altered slightly in response to a meal, but comparison with variation its serum levels over a 24 hour period suggested that these changes are likely to be due to bimodal diurnal variation which can alter serum MIC-1/GDF15 levels by about plus or minus 10% from the mesor. The lack of a rapid and substantial postprandial increase in MIC-1/GDF15 serum levels suggests that MIC1/GDF15 is unlikely to act as a satiety factor. Taken together, our findings suggest that MIC-1/GDF15 may be a physiological regulator of energy homeostasis in man, most probably due to actions on long-term regulation of energy homeostasis.

Clinical implications of plasma adipocyte fatty acid binding protein levels in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes / 中国医师杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between plasma A-FABP and obesity type and degree,glucose and lipid metabolism parameters and insulin sensitivity.MethodsPlasma adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) was detected by double antibody sandwich ELISA in fasting status in subjects with normal glucose regulation and normal weight (NW-NGR,n =44),overweight or obese subjects with normal glucose regulation (OB-NGR,n =36),newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its subgroups of T2DM with normal weight ( NW-T2DM,n =89 ) and T2D)M with overweight or obesity (OB-T2DM,n =44).And glucose,lipids,insulin levels as well as anthropometrical parameters such as body mass index ( BMI ),fat content ( Fat％ ),waist circumference (WC) and waist hip ratio (WHR) were measured.Meanwhile insulin sensitivity was assessed by HOMA-IR.ResultsAfter age and sex adjustment,plasma A-FABP levels in OB-NGR,NW-T2DM,and OB-T2DM were significantly higher than that of NW-NGR [11.32(6.54 - 15.43)μg/L,14.60(10.35 -20.10) μg/L,18.25(12.85 -26.65) μg/L vs 9.32(3.72 - 14.00) μg/L,all P ＜0.05].There was no difference in plasma A-FABP levels between OB-NGR and NW-T2DM [ 11.32 (6.54 - 15.43 ) vs 14.60 ( 10.35 -20.10) μg/L,P ＞ 0.05 ],but the plasma A-FABP levels in OB-NGR and NW-T2DM were significantly lower than that of OB-T2DM [ 11.32(6.54 - 15.43) μg/L,14.60( 10.35 -20.10) μg/L vs 18.25( 12.85 -26.65 ) μg/L,P ＜0.01 ].In a multiple stepwise regression analysis,HOMA-IR,sex,WC and age were the most significant independent determinants for plasma A-FABP concentration (all P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions Plasma A-FABP is strongly associated with the abdominal obesity and insulin resistance,measurement of plasma A-FABP concentrations might be useful for diagnosis of abdominal obesity and type 2 diabetics.

Serum amino acids changes in liver failure patients treated with non-bio-artificial liver support system / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To analyze the patterns of amino acid changes in liver failure patients treated with non-bioartificial liver support system (ALSS), and to explore the efficacy of ALSS in liver failure treatment. Methods A total of 146 liver failure patients treated with ALSS from June 2009 to August 2010 were recruited in this study. Paired blood samples were collected from every patient and serum amino acids and ammonia were tested by automatic amino acid analyzer. The changes of amino acids in patients with different prognoses, different types/phases of liver failure were evaluated.Measurement data were compared by paired t test. Results After ALSS treatment, liver failure patients experienced a significant decrease in serum glutamic acid and lysine [(395.62±200.24)μmol/Lvs (260. 05±169.56) μmol/L and (436. 73±326. 18)μmol/L vs (407. 12±292.01) μmol/L,respectively; t= 8. 611 and 2. 659, respectively; both P＜0.01)], while experienced greatly increases in threonine and branched-chain amino acids/aromatic amino acid ratio [( 1302. 90 ±1288.70) μmol/L vs (1406.70 ±1272. 34) μmol/L and 1. 23 ± 0. 53 vs 1. 36 ± 0.57, respectively; t = 2. 895 and 1. 061,respectively; both P＜0. 01)]. The changes of glutamic acid, tyrosine, arginine and methionine before and after ALSS treatment in patients with different prognoses, different types/phases of liver failure were all significantly different. Conclusions ALSS treatment could improve the serum amino acid disorder in liver failure patients. The amino acids in patients with different types/phases or different prognoses of liver failure change significantly after ALSS treatment.

Effect of Synthesized Rehabilitation on Detoxification Addicts / 中国康复理论与实践

@#ObjectiveTo explore the effect of synthesized rehabilitation on detoxification addicts.Methods100 detoxification addicts were randomly divided into the rehabilitation group and control group with 50 cases in each group. Cases of the rehabilitation group were treated with "ten-step" rehabilitation treatment, but that of the control group did not. The rehabilitating treatment included cognitive psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, family treatment, social skill training and etc. The effects of two groups were evaluate with Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) scale.ResultsExcept hostility, other factorial scores of the rehabilitation group including positive items, somatization, obsession, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, phobia, paranoid and psychotic factors were significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05～0.01).ConclusionThe synthesized rehabilitation can obviously improve the psychology of detoxification addicts.

Characteristic of SCL-90 in detoxification addicts in reeducation center / 中国康复理论与实践

@#ObjectiveTo investigate the Character of Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) in detoxification addicts in reeducation center.Methods100 detoxification addicts in reeducation center were evaluated.ResultsThe results showed that the mean scores of all factors in detoxification addicts were higher than those of normal population, and there was difference between different drug dependence addicts.ConclusionThe detoxification addicts shows serious psychological disorders.