[Relationship between carotid atherosclerotic plaque characteristics in magnetic resonance imaging and perioperative hemodynamic instability].

Objective: To analyze the relationship between carotid atherosclerotic plaque characteristics in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and perioperative hemodynamic instability in patients with severe carotid artery stenosis undergoing carotid artery stenting (CAS). Methods: A total of 89 patients with carotid artery stenosis who underwent CAS treatment at Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital affiliated to Tsinghua University from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2021, were prospectively included. Among them, 74 were male and 15 were female, with an age range of 43 to 87 years (mean age: 67.8±8.2 years). Preoperative examinations included carotid artery MRI vessel wall imaging to analyze the existence of large lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC), intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH), and fibrous cap rupture in carotid artery plaques. Plaques without the above-mentioned risk factors were defined as stable plaque group (34 cases), while those with such risk factors were defined as vulnerable plaque group (55 cases). The number of risk factors present in each plaque was also calculated. Intraoperative changes in blood pressure and heart rate were recorded, and the use of dopamine postoperatively was noted. Using the risk factors that the plaque has as independent variables and the clinical outcomes as dependent variables, the RR values were calculated, and the differences in clinical outcomes of patients with different risk factors were compared. Results: The incidence rates of hypotension and bradycardia were higher in patients with vulnerable plaques than those with stable plaques (60.0% (33/55) vs 14.7%(5/34) and 38.2%(21/55) vs 14.7%(5/34), respectively; both P<0.05). Based on MRI imaging features, the large LRNC was present in 45 cases, with RR values for hypotension and bradycardia of 3.15 (1.69-5.87) and 2.20 (1.07-4.53), respectively; IPH was present in 37 cases, with RR values for hypotension and bradycardia of 2.70 (1.61-4.55) and 2.25 (1.15-4.39), respectively; and fibrous cap rupture was present in 29 cases, with RR values for hypotension and bradycardia of 1.50 (0.94-2.40) and 1.29 (0.67-2.49), respectively. The higher the number of risk factors in vulnerable plaques, the higher the incidence of intraoperative blood pressure and heart rate decrease: when the number of risk factors ranged from 0 to 3, the incidence of blood pressure decrease was 14.7% (5/34), 9/18, 11/18, and 13/19, respectively (P<0.001), and the incidence of heart rate decrease was 14.7% (5/34), 6/18, 7/18, and 8/19, respectively (P=0.022). There was no significant difference in the number of cases of dopamine use between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Patients with a higher number of risk factors for vulnerable carotid plaques, as indicated by carotid artery MRI vessel wall imaging, are at a higher risk of experiencing blood pressure and heart rate decrease during CAS surgery.

[Prophylactic vaccines for hepatitis type E].

Over the past few years, hepatitis type E has been increasingly recognized as an underestimated global disease burden. Populations with severe infection-related injuries or deaths include pregnant women, patients with underlying liver disease, and the elderly. Vaccines are the most effective means to prevent hepatitis type E virus (HEV) infection. However, the development of inactivated or attenuated vaccines is not feasible due to the lack of an efficient HEV cell culture system, so researchers have conducted in-depth research on recombinant vaccines. The capsid protein (pORF2), which the virion's open reading frame 2 encodes, contains almost exclusively the HEV neutralization site. Several candidate vaccines based on pORF2 have demonstrated potential for primate protection, with two being well tolerated and highly effective in preventing hepatitis type E in adults. Hecolin® (HEV 239 vaccine), the world's first hepatitis type E vaccine, was approved for marketing in China in 2012.

[Arthroscopic evaluation of tibial plateau fractures combined with meniscal tears and cruciate ligamentous injuries].

Objectives: To investigate the types of meniscal tears and cruciate ligamentous injuries in patients with tibial plateau fracture(TPF) following arthroscopic examination. Methods: The clinical data of 216 patients with TPF who underwent closed reduction and internal fixation (CRIF) from January 2016 to January 2019 at Trauma Emergency center, the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University were analyzed retrospectively. There were 147 males (147 knees) and 69 females (69 knees),aged 46.3 years (range: 18 to 80 years). All patients underwent closed reduction for the displaced fracture fragment with the use of bidirectional rapid redactor,and minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis. Intra-operative arthroscopic examination was performed to exam the stability of meniscus and the continuity of cruciate ligamentous after CRIF. The percentages and types of meniscal tears and cruciate ligamentous injuries were recorded. Results: The overall percentages of meniscal tears associated with TPFs was 48.6%(105/216). The most common pattern of meniscal tears was longitudinal tears, accounting for 43.8% (46/105), and it occurred most frequently in Schatzker type Ⅱ (58.7%, 27/46). Furthermore, the percentage of meniscal complex tears was 17.1% (18/105), occurring most frequently in Schatzker type Ⅴ (9/18). The overall percentage of cruciate ligamentous injuries associated with TPFs was 17.1% (37/216), and the percentages of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries was 64.9%(24/37), the percentage of posterior cruciate ligament injuries was 35.1%(13/37). Avulsion fracture was the most common pattern in ACL injuries, accounting for 41.7% (13/24), and all occurred in the tibial insertion site. Conclusions: In the present study, the percentages of meniscal tears and ligamentous injuries in TPFs are 48.6% and 17.1%, respectively. The most common types are meniscal longitudinal tears and ACL injury, occurring most frequently in Schatzker type Ⅱ and Ⅳ, respectively. Recognition of concomitant meniscal tears and cruciate ligamentous injuries in TPFs is helpful for trauma physicians to choose the best surgical treatment.

[Prevalence and predictors of intraplaque hemorrhage in stroke patients with intracranial atherosclerosis].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and predictors of intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) in ischemic stroke patients with intracranial atherosclerosis. Methods: Ischemic stroke patients with intracranial atherosclerosis who were consecutively admitted to Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital from January 2017 to April 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. High-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging was used to assess atherosclerotic plaque characteristics of intracranial artery. Possible variables correlated with IPH were compared between IPH and no-IPH groups, as well as in symptomatic IPH and no symptomatic IPH groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of all IPH and symptomatic IPH in intracranial artery. Results: A total of 276 ischemic stroke patients with intracranial atherosclerosis were included, of which, 41.3% (114/276) were IPH-postive, and 28.1%(32/114) of them were symptomatic. In multivariate regression analysis, maximum wall thickness was independently associated with the presence of all IPH and symptomatic IPH (OR=2.15, 95%CI: (1.42-3.24) and OR=3.46, 95%CI: (1.94-6.17), respectively). Conclusion: The prevalence of IPH in ischemic stroke patients with intracranial atherosclerosis is much higher than expected. Moreover, atherosclerosis plaque burden is independently associated with IPH, but it is non-specific in identifying symptomatic IPH.

Serum miR-133 as a novel biomarker for predicting treatment response and survival in acute myeloid leukemia.

OBJECTIVE: MiRNA-133 (miR-133) has been identified as a tumor suppressor in many types of human cancers. However, its clinical significance in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation of miR-133 expression with clinical variables and prognosis in AML patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Quantitative Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to analyze blood samples from 145 patients with AML and 70 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Decreased miR-133 levels were observed in AML patients and closely associated with aggressive clinical parameters, such as white blood cells and poor Karyotype subgroups. In addition, receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that serum miR-133 could efficiently screen AML patients from normal controls with high sensitivity and specificity. More interestingly, serum miR-133 levels were remarkably elevated in the patients with favorable response after standard induction chemotherapy or achieving a complete remission. Furthermore, patients in the high serum miR-133 expression group had better overall survival and recurrence-free survival than those in the low serum miR-133 expression group. Meanwhile, multivariate analysis identified serum miR-133 as a significant independent predictor for survival. CONCLUSIONS: Low miR-133 expression was a common event and correlated with worse clinical outcome in AML, suggesting that serum miR-133 might serve as a promising indicator for the early detection and prognosis evaluation of AML.

Age distribution of human papillomavirus infection and neutralizing antibodies in healthy Chinese women aged 18-45 years enrolled in a clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Data from clinical trials of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines showed that women naïve (negative for both type-specific antibodies and DNA) to vaccine types would derive benefit from vaccination; therefore, an understanding of the proportion of naïve women in different age groups is important for developing HPV vaccination strategies. METHODS: From November 2012 to April 2013, a total of 7372 healthy women aged 18-45 years were recruited in five provinces in China. Cervical specimens and serum samples were collected for each woman at entry. Cervical specimens were first tested by the HPV DNA enzyme immunoassay method; if positive, the specimens were then tested by reverse hybridization line probe assay and HPV-16 and HPV-18 specific polymerase chain reactions. Neutralizing antibodies against HPV-16 or HPV-18 were tested with a pseudovirion-based neutralization assay. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of high-risk HPV DNA was 14.8% (1088/7367, 95% CI 14.0-15.6), and the seroprevalence of neutralizing antibodies against HPV-16 and HPV-18 was 12.6% (925/7367) and 4.9% (364/7367), respectively. In younger women (18-26 years) and middle-aged women (27-45 years), 83.8% (3116/3719) and 81.4% (2968/3648) were naïve to both HPV-16 and HPV-18 (both neutralizing antibodies and DNA were negative), respectively. In addition, 98.5% (3664/3719) and 98.0% (3575/3648) of the younger or middle-aged women were naïve to at least one HPV type (HPV-16 or HPV-18). DISCUSSION: This study revealed that the majority of Chinese women aged 18-26 years and 27-45 years were naïve to both HPV-16 and HPV-18 and would thus derive full benefit from bivalent HPV vaccination.

TT genotype of rs10036748 in TNIP1 shows better response to methotrexate in a Chinese population: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Methotrexate (MTX) is an efficacious treatment for psoriasis; however, its widespread application is limited by its unpredictable efficacy. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association of clinical factors and variants of psoriasis susceptibility genes with clinical responses to MTX in a prospective cohort. METHODS: A total of 221 patients with psoriasis were recruited. Patients who achieved Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) improvement ≥ 75% at week 12 were defined as responders, whereas those with PASI improvement < 50% were defined as nonresponders. In 90 screening patients, genetic variants for 18 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in 14 susceptibility genes, and HLA-Cw6 status were initially compared for responders and nonresponders. Statistically significant associations in genetic variants were verified in all 221 patients. RESULTS: Overall, 49% and 45% of patients achieved PASI 75 improvement during screening and verification stages, respectively. Concomitant arthritis with psoriasis and high body mass index (BMI) negatively affect the efficacy of MTX. TT genotype of rs10036748 in TNIP1 was significantly associated with PASI 75 response at week 12 (54% and 37%, P < 0·05). A significantly higher PASI 90 response was observed in patients with TT genotype of rs10036748 (27% vs. 12%, P < 0·01) and TC/TT genotype of rs4112788 in LCE3D (25% vs. 13%, P < 0·05) at week 12 compared with those who had other genotypes. After adjustment for all confounding factors, only BMI (P < 0·05), arthritis (P < 0·05) and genotype of rs10036748 (P < 0·05) were significantly associated with clinical responses to MTX. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with psoriasis with TT genotype of rs10036748 in TNIP1, with lower BMI, without arthritis will achieve a better response to MTX.

[Preparation and characterization of citric acid-modified superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare and characterize citric acid (CA)-modified super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) for magnetic targeting, hyperthermia and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: CA-modified SPIONs (CA-SPIONs) were prepared by co-precipitation method and then the magnetic responsiveness, morphology, particle size, infrared feature, weight percentage of CA, magnetic property and X-ray diffraction pattern of CA-SPIONs were respectively characterized by magnet, transmission electron microscope, laser particle size analyzer, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry-differential thermal analyzer, vibrating sample magnetometer and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The heating efficiency of the CA-SPIONs was investigated by a high frequency induction heater. The transverse relaxivity (r2) of the CA-SPIONs was evaluated by a 3.0 T MRI scanner. RESULTS: The CA-SPIONs prepared were dispersed well in water with a dark black color and had good magnetic responsiveness. The CA-SPIONs were spherical in shape and uniform in size with an average size around 12 nm. The hydrodynamic average size of the CA-SPIONs was (72.35±4.47) nm with a polydispersity index of 0.231 ± 0.029. The result of infrared spectrum indicated that CA was successfully modified to the surface of SPIONs. The result of thermogravimetric analysis showed that the weight percentage of CA modified on the CA-SPIONs was 9.0%. The result of magnetic property evaluation demonstrated that the CA-SPIONs exhibited excellent superparamagetism with a saturation magnetism of 63.58 emu/g. The XRD result indicated that the CA-SPIONs were in inverse spinel structure. The crystallite size of the CA-SPIONs was calculated to be 12.4 nm by Debye-Scherrer equation. Under the high frequency alternating electromagnetic field with electric current of 9 A and frequency ranging from 45 to 50 kHz, the CA-SPIONs exhibited excellent heating efficiency and the specific absorption rate (SAR) value was calculated to be 26 W/g. The r2 of the CA-SPIONs was assessed to be 338 (mmol/L)-1×s-1 by a 3.0 T MRI scanner, which suggested the excellent negative contrast enhancement effect of the CA-SPIONs. CONCLUSION: The CA-SPIONs are expected to be used as a promising agent for magnetic targeting, hyperthermia and MRI detection.

IgE and FcεRI are highly expressed on innate cells in psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Although elevated serum IgE levels have been reported in psoriasis, the role of IgE in psoriasis still needs to be clarified. OBJECTIVES: To analyse serum total IgE levels in addition to the presence and distribution of IgE and FcεRI in psoriatic lesions, and to investigate alteration of IgE and FcεRI after successful systemic treatment. METHODS: Total serum IgE levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression and localization of IgE and FcεRI was investigated using immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Elevated total serum IgE levels were found in 39% of patients with psoriasis. The levels of total serum IgE were significantly higher in male patients compared with female patients. Furthermore, total serum IgE levels decreased after successful systemic treatment. A positive correlation between IgE+ and FcεRI+ cells and a significant increase of these cells was found in psoriatic lesions when compared with normal skin. Interestingly, IgE+ and FcεRI+ cells decreased significantly after successful therapy with ustekinumab. IgE and FcεRI were coexpressed on mast cells, epidermal Langerhans cells, dermal dendritic cells, macrophages and a small number of neutrophils. CONCLUSIONS: IgE might participate in the development of psoriasis by activating FcεRI-bearing cells.

Incorporation of quantum dots in silk biomaterials for fluorescence imaging.

Tracking the distribution and degradation of biomaterials after in vivo implantation or injection is important for tissue engineering and drug delivery. Intrinsic and externally labeled fluorescence has been widely used for these purposes. In the present study, 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA)-coated CdTe quantum dots (QDs) were incorporated into silk materials via strong interactions between QDs and silk, likely involving the hydrophobic beta-sheet structures in silk. MPA-QDs were pre-mixed with silk solution, followed by ultrasonication to induce silk gelation or by blending with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to generate silk microspheres. Silk structural changes and hydrogel/microsphere morphologies were examined by ATR-FTIR and SEM, respectively. The fluorescence of QDs-incorporated silk hydrogels and microspheres remained stable in PBS pH 7.4 for more than 4 days. The amount of QDs released from the materials during the incubation was dependent on loading; no QDs were released when loading was below 0.026 nmol/mg silk. After subcutaneous injection in mice, the fluorescence of QDs-incorporated silk microspheres was quenched within 24 h, similar to that of free QDs. In contrast, the QDs-incorporated silk hydrogels fluoresced for more than 4 days in vivo.

Positive influence of L-carnitine on the different muscle fibres types of racing pigeons.

Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), Ca(2+) ATPase, Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), are involved in energy metabolism. These enzymes can be used as indicators of the energy capacity of aerobic cells. The study investigated the effects of L-carnitine supplementation on M. pectoralis superficialis, M. pectoralis profundus, M. extensor carpi radialis muscle and M. flexor carpi ulnaris. Twenty-eight racing pigeons hatched at the same time were divided randomly into three groups. Eight pigeons, which were used as the control group, were sacrificed at 92-day old. The remaining twenty pigeons continued training until they reached 157-day old, with half the pigeons getting 25 mg/head/day of L-carnitine, while the other half given the same amount of water. The pigeons were assessed by histochemical methods and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). To assess influence of L-carnitine on muscle fibre composition and the performance of three genes' mRNA, this study applied SDH localization, SDH, Ca(2+) ATPase and LDH mRNA expression to examine the results after oral administration of L-carnitine in vivo in racing pigeons. The results showed that L-carnitine significantly elevated the amount of white muscle fibre type IIa (p < 0.05). The mRNA expression quantities of SDH and LDH gene was higher via RT-PCR method. However, the expression of Ca(2+) ATPase remains similar. In conclusion, appropriate oral administration of L-carnitine of 25 mg/pigeon/day will result in an improvement of muscles related to flying.

PRRT2 mutation screening in patients with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia from Southwest China.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) has recently been identified as a causative gene of paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD). However, the frequencies of its mutations and their correlation with the clinical features of PKD remain largely unknown. METHODS: Four exons of PRRT2 in 33 patients with PKD from Southwest China were screened by direct sequencing in this study. RESULTS: The mean onset age of the patients was 12.50 ± 2.70 years. Sixteen patients (48.48%) had sensory aura before their attacks. In total, 66.67% of the patients were running when the attacks occurred. c.649_650insC (p.P217fsX7), the most commonly reported insertion mutation, was identified in nine patients (27.27%). CONCLUSIONS: Other genes are involved in the development of PKD, but PRRT2 is a common causative gene for patients with PKD from Southwest China.

Identification of nine novel HLA-DRB1 alleles, HLA-DRB1*04:91, DRB1*07:18, DRB1*11:01:12, DRB1*12:02:05, DRB1*12:22, DRB1*12:23, DRB1*13:100, DRB1*15:45, and DRB1*15:46 by polymerase chain reaction--sequence-based typing.

Nine novel human leukocyte antigen-DRB1 (HLA-DRB1) alleles were identified in Chinese individuals.

Changes in gene transcription and protein expression involved in the response of Agrobacterium sp. ATCC 31749 to nitrogen availability during curdlan production.

The changes in transcription of genes involved in nitrogen metabolism and curdlan biosynthesis, and total protein expression were firstly analyzed to define the responses of Agrobacterium sp. ATCC 31749 to nitrogen source availability during curdlan fermentation. The transcription of all nitrogen metabolism and regulation genes increased significantly under nitrogen limitation. The genes of carbon (exoC) and nitrogen (ntrB, ntrC, and nifR) metabolism showed distinctive transcriptional responses to nitrogen limitation. Their relative expression level was increased by 14, 9, 7 and 7-fold, respectively. Two-dimentional electrophoresis (2-DE) revealed that the expression of 14 proteins were elevated and 6 proteins were down-regulated significantly under nitrogen starvation. Furthermore, 4 proteins (GroEL, ABC transporter, Atu1730 and enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase) in which the expression level changed significantly were identified. The results showed that Agrobacterium sp. regulates its carbon flux and nitrogen assimilation effectively for better survival.

Foxp3+ regulatory T cells and related cytokines differentially expressed in plaque vs. guttate psoriasis vulgaris.

BACKGROUND: Differences in the number of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in lesional skin and peripheral blood and their functioning in plaque vs. guttate psoriasis have not been reported. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether there is a differential expression of Foxp3+ Tregs and a differential regulation of inflammatory cytokines in plaque vs. guttate psoriasis vulgaris. METHODS: The number and the percentage of Foxp3+ cells in different phases of skin lesions of patients with plaque and guttate psoriasis vulgaris were assessed by immunohistochemical staining. The expression of Foxp3 and interleukin (IL)-17 protein in CD4 populations was measured by flow cytometry. Inflammatory cytokine production by transforming growth factor-beta1-induced Foxp3+ Tregs was assessed in an in vitro study. The cytokines in supernatant and serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The percentage of Foxp3+ CD3+ cells in the papillary layer was higher than in the reticular layer of dermis and in epidermis (P < 0.05). The numbers of Foxp3+ Tregs in skin lesions and peripheral blood were higher in plaque than in guttate psoriasis, whereas the percentage of IL-17+ CD4+ cells was higher in guttate than in plaque psoriasis (P < 0.05). The numbers of Foxp3+ cells were positively correlated with the Psoriasis Severity Index score of skin lesions (P < 0.0001), and the percentages of Foxp3+ CD4+ cells in peripheral blood were positively correlated with the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score of patients (P < 0.05). The inhibitory functions of Tregs to IL-17 and IL-6 in guttate psoriasis and to tumour necrosis factor-alpha in plaque psoriasis were deficient. CONCLUSIONS: Differential expression and regulatory functioning for inflammatory cytokine production by Foxp3+ Tregs may imply a different immunopathogenesis for plaque and guttate psoriasis.

Congenital facial linear porokeratosis.

We report a unique case of congenital linear porokeratosis with exclusive facial involvement in a 27-year-old Chinese man. No other family member was affected. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the English literature of congenital linear porokeratosis confined to the face.

A mutation in SART3 gene in a Chinese pedigree with disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis.

BACKGROUND: Disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) is an uncommon autosomal dominant chronic disorder of keratinization, characterized by multiple superficial keratotic lesions surrounded by a slightly raised keratotic border. Thus far, although two loci for DSAP have been identified, and the genetic basis and pathogenesis of this disorder have not been elucidated. OBJECTIVES: To determine the locus of DSAP and identify the candidate gene(s) of the disease. METHODS: Genome-wide scan and linkage analysis were performed in a six-generation Chinese family with DSAP. The coding exons of the candidate genes were sequenced to analyse and detect the nucleotide variations. RESULTS: Linkage analysis showed that the maximum two-point lod score of 5.56 was obtained with the marker D12S79 at a recombination fraction theta of 0.00. Haplotype analysis defined the critical region for DSAP between D12S330 and D12S1612 on 12q24.1-24.2. By sequence analysis, we found a Val591Met mutation in SART3 in all affected individuals of the family. CONCLUSION: SART3 is a candidate gene for DSAP, and is possibly involved in the pathogenesis of DSAP.