ABSTRACT
Owing to the considerable capacity, high safety, and abundant zinc resources, zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have been garnering much attention. Nonetheless, the unsatisfactory cyclic lifespan and poor reversibility originate from side reactions and dendrite obstacles to their practical applications. In addition to inhibiting the corrosion of aqueous electrolytes, regulating planar deposition is a key strategy to enhance their long-term stability. Herein, an in situ conversion strategy is reported to construct a protective "dual-layer" structure (VZSe/V@Zn) on zinc metal, consisting of the VSe2-ZnSe outer layer with low lattice mismatch to Zn (002) plane, and corrosion-resistant nanometallic V inner layer. Such design integrates superior interfacial ionic/electronic transfer, corrosion resistance, and unique planar deposition regulation capability. The as-prepared VZSe/V@Zn demonstrates remarkable durability of 238 h at 50 mA cm-2 with a high depth of discharge (68.3% DOD) in the Zn||Zn symmetric cell. Even in the anode-free system, the as-prepared protective layer can extend the cycle life up to 2000 cycles, with an outstanding capacity retention of 93.1% and ultra-high average coulombic efficiency of 99.998%. This work delineates an effective strategy for fabricating lattice-matching protective layers, with profound implications for elucidating zinc deposition mechanisms and paving the way for the development of high-performance zinc batteries.
ABSTRACT
Phyllanthodendron can be readily morphologically distinguished from Glochidion, but recent molecular evidence showed that Phyllanthodendron is paraphyletic due to Glochidion being nested within it. In this study, a new species of the former Phyllanthodendron is described and illustrated as Glochidionyangchunense Z.Q. Song & Gang Yao from the limestone areas of South China. This is a peculiar new species and morphologically distinguished by its discoid flowers, T-shaped disc segments, and glabrous flowering branches. A key to Glochidionyangchunense and related species in China is provided here.
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Context: In China, the dearth of adept rehabilitation nurses has escalated into a pressing concern. Conventional nursing education has stymied nurses' autonomous scholarly pursuits. The case-teaching methodology can augment students' competencies and zeal, culminating in the enrichment of educational excellence. Objective: The study intended to elucidate the principles, taxonomy, and enactment of the case-teaching methodology and examine its salutary impacts on nursing practitioners and educators. Design: The research team performed a narrative review by searching BMJ Best Practice, OVID EBM, NGC et al databases. The search used the keywords 'Rehabilitation nursing', 'nursing', 'case teaching method'. Setting: The study took place at the Rehabilitation Medicine Center at West China Hospital of Sichuan University in Chengdu, China. Results: The current study scrutinizes the assimilation of the case-teaching methodology within the realm of nursing, dissects emerging paradigms in the standardized training of rehabilitation nursing staff, and furnishes precedents for the evolution of training frameworks in the field of rehabilitative care. Conclusions: The case-teaching methodology not only serves as an instructional tool but also embodies a fundamental transformation in the modernization of nursing education, embodying the aspiration for excellence, the desire for continuous improvement, and a dedication to the highest standards of patient care.
Subject(s)
Rehabilitation Nursing , Humans , China , Rehabilitation Nursing/education , Rehabilitation Nursing/standards , Education, Nursing/methods , Education, Nursing/standards , Clinical Competence/standardsABSTRACT
The genus Itea (Iteaceae) is recognised as a genus with about 21 extant species of shrubs and trees. Within the genus, most species have oblong to elliptical leaves. The lanceolate and obolanceolate leaves are only found in three species, vix Iteaamoena Chun, Iteariparia Collett & Hemsl. and Iteatenuinervia S. Y. Liu. The results of our examination of literature, specimens and living plants in the wild have shown that Iteatenuinervia is conspecific with Iteariparia and is here reduced to a synonym of the latter species. The morphological description, colour pictures, voucher specimens, distribution map of Iteariparia and its related Iteaamoena, together with the morphological comparisons between the two species, are provided in this study.
ABSTRACT
Pathological vascular remodeling is a hallmark of various vascular diseases. Previous research has established the significance of andrographolide in maintaining gastric vascular homeostasis and its pivotal role in modulating endothelial barrier dysfunction, which leads to pathological vascular remodeling. Potassium dehydroandrographolide succinate (PDA), a derivative of andrographolide, has been clinically utilized in the treatment of inflammatory diseases precipitated by viral infections. This study investigates the potential of PDA in regulating pathological vascular remodeling. The effect of PDA on vascular remodeling was assessed through the complete ligation of the carotid artery in C57BL/6 mice. Experimental approaches, including rat aortic primary smooth muscle cell culture, flow cytometry, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay, Boyden chamber cell migration assay, spheroid sprouting assay, and Matrigel-based tube formation assay, were employed to evaluate the influence of PDA on the proliferation and motility of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Molecular docking simulations and co-immunoprecipitation assays were conducted to examine protein interactions. The results revealed that PDA exacerbates vascular injury-induced pathological remodeling, as evidenced by enhanced neointima formation. PDA treatment significantly increased the proliferation and migration of SMCs. Further mechanistic studies disclosed that PDA upregulated myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) expression in SMCs and interacted with T-cadherin (CDH13). This interaction augmented proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix deposition, culminating in pathological vascular remodeling. Our findings underscore the critical role of PDA in the regulation of pathological vascular remodeling, mediated through the MyD88/CDH13 signaling pathway.
Subject(s)
Mice , Rats , Animals , Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism , Vascular Remodeling , Cell Proliferation , Vascular System Injuries/pathology , Carotid Artery Injuries/pathology , Molecular Docking Simulation , Muscle, Smooth, Vascular , Cell Movement , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Signal Transduction , Succinates/pharmacology , Potassium/pharmacology , Cells, Cultured , Diterpenes , CadherinsABSTRACT
The target gene sequences of the novel coronaviruses obtained by sequencing were compared with the reference sequences to analyze the genetic variation of the two cases of the novel coronaviruses from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 2022 and to explore the sources of infection. The results showed that the two sequences belonged to different evolutionary branches, Delta (AY.122) and Omicron (BA.1.1), respectively. hCoV-19/Inner Mongolia/IVDC-591/2022 had 48 single nucleotide polymorphisms on the genome sequences, sharing 40 nucleotide mutation sites with a Mongolian strain; hCoV-19/Inner Mongolia/IVDC-592/2022 genome shared 57 nucleotide mutation sites with a UK strain, and the nucleotide mutation site identity was 100% (57/57). Phylogenetic analysis showed that the target gene sequences were not directly related to domestic novel coronavirus sequences during the same period, but were related to isolates from Europe and Mongolia.
Subject(s)
Humans , COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , Phylogeny , Genome, Viral , Nucleotides , Sequence AnalysisABSTRACT
The target gene sequences of the novel coronaviruses obtained by sequencing were compared with the reference sequences to analyze the genetic variation of the two cases of the novel coronaviruses from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 2022 and to explore the sources of infection. The results showed that the two sequences belonged to different evolutionary branches, Delta (AY.122) and Omicron (BA.1.1), respectively. hCoV-19/Inner Mongolia/IVDC-591/2022 had 48 single nucleotide polymorphisms on the genome sequences, sharing 40 nucleotide mutation sites with a Mongolian strain; hCoV-19/Inner Mongolia/IVDC-592/2022 genome shared 57 nucleotide mutation sites with a UK strain, and the nucleotide mutation site identity was 100% (57/57). Phylogenetic analysis showed that the target gene sequences were not directly related to domestic novel coronavirus sequences during the same period, but were related to isolates from Europe and Mongolia.
Subject(s)
Humans , COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , Phylogeny , Genome, Viral , Nucleotides , Sequence AnalysisABSTRACT
The process of semen collection plays a key role in the quality of semen specimens. However, the association between semen collection time and semen quality is still unclear. In this study, ejaculates by masturbation from 746 subfertile men or healthy men who underwent semen analysis were examined. The median (interquartile range) semen collection time for all participants was 7.0 (5.0-11.0) min, and the median time taken for semen collection was lower in healthy men than that in subfertile men (6.0 min vs 7.0 min). An increase in the time required to produce semen samples was associated with poorer semen quality. Among those undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART), the miscarriage rate was positively correlated with the semen collection time. After adjusting for confounders, the highest quartile (Q4) of collection time was negatively associated with semen volume and sperm concentration. A longer time to produce semen samples (Q3 and Q4) was negatively correlated with progressive and total sperm motility. In addition, there was a significant negative linear association between the semen collection time and the sperm morphology. Higher risks of asthenozoospermia (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31-3.25, P = 0.002) and teratozoospermia (adjusted OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.10-3.55, P = 0.02) were observed in Q3 than those in Q1. Our results indicate that a higher risk of abnormal semen parameter values was associated with an increase in time for semen collection, which may be related to male fertility through its association with semen quality.
Subject(s)
Male , Humans , Semen Analysis , Semen , Sperm Motility , Sperm Count , Asthenozoospermia , SpermatozoaABSTRACT
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is a chronic metabolic condition with rapidly increasing incidence, becoming a public health issue of worldwide concern. Studies have shown that farnesoid X receptor(FXR)-based modulation of downstream targets can improve liver function and metabolic status in the patients with NAFLD and may be a potential drug target for treating this di-sease. Great progress has been achieved in the development of drugs targeting FXR for the treatment of NAFLD. A number of studies have explored the traditional Chinese medicine and their active ingredients for the treatment of NAFLD via FXR considering the high safety and efficacy and mild side effects. This paper systematically describes the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicines in the treatment of NAFLD via FXR and the downstream targets, aiming to provide precise targets for the drug development and clinical treatment of NAFLD.
Subject(s)
Humans , Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/metabolism , Liver , Medicine, Chinese Traditional/adverse effects , Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/metabolismABSTRACT
The evolution of a local strain of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy subjected to tensile loading was investigated in situ by using the digital image correlation technique. The results show that some local strain concentration areas have already appeared in the elastic deformation stage, which then connected and became concentrated in the gauge region when the specimen yielded. The strain compatibility of grains in the macroscopic region is kept constant. The deformation process is further divided into six parts based on the development of the maximum strain gradient, and the strain compatibility of each stage of the alloy is summarized and analyzed. The quasi-in situ experiment reveals that the primary α(αp) grains undertake the main deformation at the micro-scale.
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Water use efficiency (WUE) is a key physiological trait in studying plant carbon and water relations. However, the determinants of WUE across a large geographical scale are not always clear, limiting our capacity to predict WUE in response to future global climate change. We propose that tree WUE is influenced by calcium (Ca) availability and precipitation. In addition, although it is well-known that transpiration is the major driving force for passive nutrient uptake, the linkage between these two processes has not been well-established. Because Ca uptake is an apoplastic and passive process that purely relies on transpiration, and there is no translocation once assimilated, we further developed a theoretical model to quantify the relationship between tree Ca accumulation and WUE using soil-to-plant calcium ratio (SCa/BCa) and tree WUE derived from δ13C. We tested our theoretical model and predicted relationships using three common tree species across their native habitats in Northern China, spanning 2300 km and a controlled greenhouse experiment with soil Ca concentrations manipulated. We found that tree WUE was negatively related to precipitation of the growing season (GSP) and positively with soil Ca. A multiple regression model and a path analysis suggested a higher contribution of soil Ca to WUE than GSP. As predicted by our theoretical model, we found a positive relationship between WUE and SCa/BCa across their distribution ranges in all three tree species and in the controlled experiment for one selected species. This relationship suggests a tight coupling between water and Ca uptake and the potential use of SCa/BCa to indicate WUE. A negative relationship between SCa/BCa and GSP also suggests a possible decrease in tree Ca accumulation efficiency in a drier future in Northern China.
Subject(s)
Trees , Water , Trees/physiology , Water/physiology , Calcium , Ecosystem , Soil , PlantsABSTRACT
To interpret the dependence of solute retention behavior on modifier content in reversed-phase liquid chromatography, a theoretical framework, based on the concentration dependence of solvophobic forces imposed on solutes and the competitive adsorptions of solutes and solvent modifiers, was proposed. The generality of the developed model was demonstrated by comparing the model with conventional retention models. The linear dependence of the Gibbs energy change of solute adsorption with respect to the modifier concentration was assumed, and the model was fitted to the experimental results, with good agreement demonstrated between the experimental data and the model. Retention behaviors were inferred to be determined by two key dimensionless groups that represented the reductions in the retention factors resulting from a weakened solvophobic interaction and modifier competitive adsorption. The retention behaviors were successfully deconvoluted for each contribution as a function of the modifier concentration by using the fitted parameters. The effects of both contributions on the retention behaviors were enhanced for the solutes with aromatic groups. The standard Gibbs energy change SLo of benzene adsorption was found to depend linearly on the number of modifier molecules present but independent of modifier identity. For the solutes associated with hydrogen-bonding groups, the degree of reduction in the solvophobic interactions was considerably reduced. Hence, the relative contributions of both mechanisms to solute retention depend greatly on the solute structure. Perturbation method was performed to investigate the modifier adsorption mechanisms. The results show that the standard Gibbs energy change SLo for the first-layer adsorption of modifiers changed linearly with the carbon number of modifier molecule. These results demonstrated that the proposed model can offer a physically consistent quantitative description of retention when solvent composition is varied.
Subject(s)
Amylose , Chromatography, Reverse-Phase , Adsorption , Solvents , ThermodynamicsABSTRACT
Objective: To analyze the repetitive reporting of hepatitis B in Fujian province during 2016-2020, and provide evidence for the improvement of hepatitis B surveillance. Methods: The reporting cards from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention were collected and divided into repetitive reporting cards and non-repetitive reporting cards from the report cards collected according to the valid ID number on the cards, and the proportion of repetitive report cards and related factors were analyzed by using software SAS 9.4. Results: A total of 314 551 hepatitis B reporting cards were submitted in Fujian from 2016 to 2020, in which 90.93% (286 020/314 551) were included in the analysis. The repetitive reporting cards accounted for 10.48% (29 982/286 020). The annual proportion of the repetitive reporting cards from 2016 to 2020 was between 2.98% and 3.71%, showing an overall increasing trend year by year (Z=2.26, P=0.024). The proportions of the repetitive reporting cards in 1-5 years were 3.17%, 5.40%, 7.74%, 9.27% and 10.48%, respectively, showing an increase trend with year (Z=128.16, P<0.001). The proportions of the repetitive reporting cards in 10 areas of Fujian ranged from 5.44% to 13.48% with significant difference (χ2=2 050.41, P<0.001) and increased with the increase of reported incidence of hepatitis B (Z=26.92, P<0.001). There were significant differences in relationships between repetitive reporting proportion and sex, age and type of the cases between the areas with high incidence and low incidence of hepatitis B. Conclusions: The reported incidence of hepatitis B was seriously affected by the repetitive reporting in Fujian from 2016 to 2020. A cross-year and cross-area surveillance mechanism for hepatitis B should be established and targeted measures should be taken to strengthen the control of the repetitive reporting and improve the surveillance for hepatitis B.
Subject(s)
Humans , China/epidemiology , Data Collection , Hepatitis B/epidemiology , Incidence , SoftwareABSTRACT
Objective: To analyze the incidence of leptospirosis in Fujian province from 2015 to 2020 and provide the scientific evidences for the risk assessment, prevention and control of leptospirosis. Methods: The incidence data of leptospirosis in Fujian during 2015-2020 were collected from China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention for a descriptive analysis, and software ArcGIS 10.3.1 was used for spatial autocorrelation analysis, and rats were captured in 17 surveillance areas during the same period, and the rat organs were collected for pathogen culture, the level of Leptospira antibody was detected in serum samples of rats, healthy population and the serum samples of patients sent by the hospitals. The infection status of Leptospira in human and rats were analyzed. Results: The incidence of leptospirosis in Fujian showed a downward trend from 2015 to 2020. A total of 176 cases of leptospirosis were reported. There were obvious seasonality and bimodal distribution. The majority of cases were farmers, accounting for 49.43% (87/176). Most cases were aged 30-69 years (85.80%, 151/176). The male to female ratio of the cases was 3.51∶1 (137∶39). Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that leptospirosis had high or low clustering areas. From 2015 to 2020, the average capture rate of rats in 17 surveillance areas was 6.96% (1 519/21 838), Rattus losea, Rattus flavipectus and Niviventer fulvescens were the main species. The average positive rate of Leptospira antibody in rats was 28.64% (252/880). Java and Autumnalis were the predominant serogroups, accounting for 56.75% (143/252) and 17.46% (44/252), respectively. The average positive rate of Leptospira antibody in healthy population was 16.13% (254/1 575), and Autumnalis and Australis were the predominant serogroups, accounting for 71.65% (182/254). The confirmation rate of leptospirosis in patient serum samples sent by the hospitals was 2.23% (188/8 431), Autumnalis (56.38%, 106/188) and Hebdomadis (19.68%, 37/188) were the major serogroups. Conclusions: The incidence of leptospirosis in Fujian showed a downward trend from 2015 to 2020, there were obvious area clustering and seasonality. The high clustering areas were mainly distributed in northern, western and central Fujian. Java and Autumnalis were the predominant serogroups in rats. The infection rate in healthy population decreased year by year. Autumnalis and Hebdomadis were the main serogroups in population in Fujian.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Humans , Male , Rats , Antibodies, Bacterial , Incidence , Leptospira , Leptospirosis/epidemiology , SerogroupABSTRACT
Background: SARS-CoV-2 tends to cause more severe disease in patients with COPD once they are infected. We aimed to investigate the rates of influenza, pneumococcal and COVID-19 vaccination uptake in patients with COPD and to determine whether the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread vaccination against COVID-19 had any impact on the intention to accept influenza vaccines in these patients. Methods: We conducted a multi-center and cross-sectional survey in seven tertiary hospitals in Beijing and consecutively recruited outpatients with COPD from June 1st to July 30th, 2021. The survey included patient's clinical characteristics, uptake of influenza, pneumococcal and COVID-19 vaccination, vaccine knowledge, attitude towards vaccines, and the change of intention to receive influenza vaccination after COVID-19 epidemic and COVID-19 vaccination in Beijing. Results: A total of 264 patients were enrolled. The rate of COVID-19 vaccination during the study period was 39.0%. The rates of influenza vaccination in the past season and pneumococcal vaccination in the past year were 22.7% and 5.7%, respectively. Of the patients who had not received COVID-19 vaccination (n = 161), only 16.2% reported that COVID-19 vaccination was recommended by clinicians, while 23.5% had no knowledge regarding COVID-19 vaccination. About 51.1% of the patients reported that their intention to receive influenza vaccination was influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 vaccination was independently associated with a positive change in intention to receive influenza vaccination. Conclusion: The coverage rate of COVID-19 vaccination among patients with COPD in Beijing was 39.0%, and that of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination was very low. The COVID-19 pandemic and the COVID-19 vaccination campaign showed a significant, positive impact on patients with COPD in terms of influenza vaccination. Improving awareness of the effectiveness and safety of vaccines among both healthcare professionals and patients could increase vaccination coverage in patients with COPD.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Influenza Vaccines , Influenza, Human , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , COVID-19 Vaccines , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Influenza, Human/epidemiology , Influenza, Human/prevention & control , Intention , Pandemics , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/diagnosis , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology , SARS-CoV-2 , VaccinationABSTRACT
It is becoming increasingly clear that environment factors during early life play a pivotal role in the development of allergic asthma. Among these, a traditional farm is one of the strongest protective environments, and the protective effects have been, at least in part, attributed to the high-level exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on farms. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive, especially in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced neonatal allergic asthma model. Here, we used the OVA-induced asthma model in two age groups, neonatal and adult, when mice were first sensitized with peritoneal OVA/alum as neonates and adults, respectively. LPS was injected in the peritoneal cavity before OVA/alum sensitization. The effects of LPS treatment on allergic airway inflammation in the lung and the immune milieu in the peritoneal cavity were determined and compared between these two age groups. We found that LPS treatment abrogated the development of Th2 allergic airway responses in the neonatal group. In the adult group, the ameliorated Th2 allergic responses were accompanied with Th17 responses and neutrophil infiltration upon LPS treatment. We further investigated the immune milieu in the peritoneal cavity to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of this age-dependent difference. Our data show that in neonatal mice, LPS treatment significantly reduced the number of inflammatory monocytes in the peritoneal cavity. In the adult group, LPS treatment shifted the function of these cells which associated with Th1 and Th17 polarization. Our results provide more evidence that immunity in early life is distinct from that in adults, especially in the peritoneal cavity, and emphasize the importance of timing for the intervention of allergic asthma. Our results suggest that LPS treatment during early life is protective for the development of Th2 allergic responses. On the other hand, it might lead to a more severe phenotype of asthma when dampening the Th2 responses in adult mice.
Subject(s)
Alum Compounds/toxicity , Asthma/etiology , Lipopolysaccharides/toxicity , Monocytes/immunology , Ovalbumin/toxicity , Th2 Cells/immunology , Age Factors , Animals , Animals, Newborn , Asthma/immunology , Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/cytology , Cytokines/metabolism , Disease Models, Animal , Female , Inflammation/etiology , Inflammation/immunology , Lipopolysaccharides/immunology , Lung/pathology , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Ovalbumin/immunology , Th17 Cells/immunologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with distinct prevalence and manifestation between sexes. This study was to identify sex-specific features of asthma via metabolomic analysis of sphingolipids. METHODS: Forty-two asthma patients (27 women and 15 men) admitted to the Peking University Third Hospital from January 2015 to December 2015 were enrolled. Peripheral venous blood was collected for metabolomic analysis by targeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Sex hormones(estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and androstenedione) and multiple inflammatory factors (periostin, leptin, IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17A, and IFN-γ) were also assessed. The eosinophil percentage in induced sputum was also detected. All these data were applied to comparative analysis between sexes. RESULTS: Testosterone was negatively related to periostin (ρ = -0.420, P = 0.009) and IL-5 (ρ = -0.540, P = 0.012), while estradiol was positively related to the blood eosinophil percentage (ρ = 0.384, P = 0.025). Among the eighteen species of sphingolipids detected in the 42 patients, five ceramide (Cer) species (Cer16:0, Cer:20:0, Cer22:0, Cer24:0, and Cer26:0) and one sphingomyelin (SM) species (SM38:0) were significantly higher in male than in female patients. Further investigation found that the correlation between Cer20:0 and IL-5 was positive in males (ρ = 0.943, P = 0.005) but negative in females (ρ = -0.561, P = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS: Testosterone was negatively correlated with eosinophil inflammatory factors, but estradiol was positively correlated. Male asthma patients had higher ceramide and sphingomyelin levels than female patients. Different sexes had opposite correlations with ceramide and IL-5, respectively, suggesting that therapeutic strategies targeting ceramide should be different between sexes.
ABSTRACT
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.659150.].
ABSTRACT
Previous studies have established that disturbed lymphocytes are involved in the pathogenesis of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome. Accordingly, glucocorticoids (GCs), with their well-recognized immune-suppressive function, have been widely used for treatment of VKH patients with acute relapses. However, the systemic response of diverse immune cells to GC therapy in VKH is poorly characterized. To address this issue, we analyzed immune cell subpopulations and their phenotype, as well as cytokine profiles in peripheral blood from VKH patients (n=25) and health controls (HCs, n=21) by flow cytometry and luminex technique, respectively. For 16 patients underwent GC therapy (methylprednisolone, MP), the aforementioned measurements as well as the transcriptome data from patients before and after one-week's GC therapy were also compared to interrogate the systemic immune response to GC therapy. Lymphocyte composition in the blood was different in VKH patients and HCs. VKH patients had significantly higher numbers of T cells with more activated, polarized and differentiated phenotype, more unswitched memory B cells and monocytes, as compared to HCs. MP treatment resulted in decreased frequencies of T cells and NK cells, inhibited NK cell activation and T cell differentiation, and more profoundly, a marked shift in the distribution of monocyte subsets. Collectively, our findings suggest that advanced activation and differentiation, as well as dysregulated numbers of peripheral lymphocytes are the major immunological features of VKH, and GC therapy with MP not only inhibits T cell activation directly, but also affects monocyte subsets, which might combinatorically result in the inhibition of the pathogenic immune response.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers , Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use , Immunophenotyping , Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use , Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome/diagnosis , Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome/drug therapy , Adult , Autoimmunity , Case-Control Studies , Cytokines/metabolism , Female , Glucocorticoids/administration & dosage , Humans , Immunosuppressive Agents/administration & dosage , Leukocytes/immunology , Leukocytes/metabolism , Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology , Lymphocyte Subsets/metabolism , Male , Middle Aged , Monocytes/immunology , Monocytes/metabolism , Treatment Outcome , Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome/etiologyABSTRACT
The maxillofacial skeleton is the basis of the contour of the face. Orthognathic surgery and facial contouring surgery change jaw tissue and affect facial appearance in different manners. Orthognathic surgery is the main method to correct dental and maxillofacial deformities. It changes the shape of the jaw and improves the occlusal relationship by changing the three-dimensional position of the jaw. Facial contouring surgery mainly adopts the method of "bone reduction", which changes the "amount"of the jawbone by cutting a part of the bone tissue to improve the facial appearance, generally without changing oral function. The combined use of orthognathic surgery and facial contouring surgery is becoming increasingly common in clinical practice. This also requires oral and maxillofacial surgeons to have a holistic consideration of the comprehensive correction of maxillofacial bone deformity, and to perform comprehensive analysis of jaw deformities and jaw plastic surgery to achieve the most ideal results. The author's team has been engaged in the clinical work of orthognathic surgery and facial contouring surgery and accumulated rich clinical experience in the comprehensive correction of maxillofacial bone deformity. In this article, the indications, treatment goals, treatment modes, treatment methods, and key points in the surgical operations of comprehensive maxillofacial bone surgery were summarized.