C-type lectin Mincle initiates IL-17-mediated inflammation in acute exacerbations of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

RATIONALE: Acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (AE-IPF) has a poor prognosis and high mortality. However, there is limited information regarding the mechanisms of AE-IPF. AIMS: We aimed to explore the function of macrophage-inducible C-type lectin (Mincle) in AE-IPF. METHODS: In the present study, Mincle was detected in the lung tissues of AE-IPF patients. Mincle-deficient (Mincle-/-) mice and wild-type C57BL/6 mice were administered bleomycin (BLM), followed by HSV1 viral infection to establish the AE-IPF model. RESULTS: Mincle was increased in the lung tissues of AE-IPF patients compared with those with stable IPF (P = 0.04) and healthy controls (P = 0.009). The survival rate of the Mincle-/-+BLM+HSV group was higher than that of the WT+BLM+HSV group. The mice in the Mincle-/-+BLM+HSV group exhibited milder inflammation and lower acute lung injury scores (P = 0.008). Mincle was expressed on inflammatory monocytes and neutrophils (CD11b+Gr1 +F4/80-) and monocyte-derived macrophages (Mo-AMs, CD11b+Gr1 +F4/80 +) in the BALF of AE-IPF mice. Mo-AMs were significantly increased in the WT+BLM+HSV group compared with the WT+BLM+PBS (P < 0.0001) and Mincle-/-+BLM+HSV (P = 0.0009) groups. Deletion of Mincle decreased the proportion of Th17 cells and Mo-AMs in the Mincle-/-+BLM+HSV group. CONCLUSIONS: Mincle contributed to acute inflammation in AE-IPF by promoting Th17 differentiation.

Investigation on population dynamics and Echinococcus infections in small rodents around human settlement in Yushu City, Qinghai Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the population dynamics and Echinococcus infections in small rodents around human settlement in Yushu City, Qinghai Province. Methods Rodents were captured using the mouse trap method in pastures from Batang Township and Longbao Township of Yushu City, Qinghai Province on May, August and October, 2018. The body weight and snout-vent length of all captured rodents were measured, and the species was identified according to the rodent morphology. Genomic DNA was extracted from rodent liver specimens and lesion specimens, and the mitochondrial cox1 gene of Echinococcus was amplified using PCR assay for identification of parasite species. In addition, the tissue specimens positive for PCR assay were sampled for pathological examinations. The prevalence of Echinococcus infections was estimated in rodents, and a phylogenetic tree was created based on Echinococcus cox1 gene sequences. Results A total of 285 small rodents were captured, including 143 Ochotona curzoniae (50.2%), 141 Lasiopodomys fuscus (49.5%), and 1 Neodon irene (0.3%), and there was a remarkable variation in habitat selection among these three rodent species. The number of L. fuscus correlated positively with vegetation coverage (r = 0.350, P = 0.264), with the greatest number seen in August, and the number of O. curzoniae negatively with vegetation coverage (r = −0.371, P = 0.235), with the highest number seen in August and the lowest number in May. The female/male ratios of O. curzoniae and voles were 1:0.96 and 0.82:1, respectively. The body weight (r = 0.519, P < 0.01) and snout-vent length (r = 0.578, P < 0.01) of O. curzoniae showed a tendency towards a rise with month, while the body weight (r = −0.401, P < 0.01) and snout-vent length (r = −0.570, P < 0.01) of voles presented a tendency towards a reduction with month. No Echinococcus infection was detected in voles, while 2.1% prevalence of E. shiquicus infection was seen in O. curzoniae. Phylogenetic analysis revealed consistent sequences of cox1 gene from E. shiquicus in Yushu City of Qinghai Province and Shiqu County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province. Conclusions The small rodents around the human settlement in Yushu City of Qinghai Province mainly include O. curzoniae and L. fuscus, with the greatest numbers seen in May and August, respectively. Following the concerted efforts for echinococcosis control, the prevalence of Echinococcus infections is low in small rodents around the human settlement in Yushu City; however, there is still a risk of echinococcosis transmission.

Serum IL-35 Levels Are Associated With Activity and Progression of Sarcoidosis.

Objective: To investigate the relationship of interleukin (IL)-35 with sarcoidosis. Methods: We enrolled 114 inpatients and outpatients with sarcoidosis at the Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, and 24 healthy controls between March 2015 and December 2017. Serum and whole blood were collected during the follow-up period. Serum IL-35 levels were detected by ELISA. Proportions of Breg, Tfh, and Treg cells in the peripheral blood were detected using flow cytometry (FCM). The mRNA levels of p35, EBI3, and GAPDH in CD19+ cells and CD4+ cells were detected by real-time PCR. Sarcoidosis granuloma mice models were established with Propionibacterium acnes (PA) and one group was treated with IL-35 antibodies. Proportions of Breg, Tfh, and Treg cells in the peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by FCM. Results: The IL-35 levels and the proportions of Breg and Tfh cells in the peripheral blood of patients with active sarcoidosis were significantly higher compared to patients with stable sarcoidosis and healthy controls. Moreover, the IL-35 level in patients with progressive disease was lower than that found at the initial visit. EBI3 and p35 mRNA levels in CD19+ cells for patients with active sarcoidosis were significantly higher as compared to patients with stable sarcoidosis and healthy controls, while there were no significant differences in p35 and EBI3 mRNA levels in CD4+ cells between the three groups. In the mouse model of sarcoidosis, there were loose granulomata (macrophage accumulation in the bronchial areas and immature granuloma) after intervention with IL-35 antibodies. Meanwhile, the proportions of Breg cells in the peripheral blood and BALF of the model were significantly increased, while the proportion of Treg cells declined significantly. After intervention with IL-35 antibodies, the proportion of Breg cells in the peripheral blood of mice decreased significantly as compared to the mice not exposed to anti-IL-35 antibodies. Conclusion: IL-35 levels increased significantly in the serum of patients with active sarcoidosis, and lower IL-35 levels were correlated with persistent disease. Serum IL-35 levels might be better correlated with Breg cell functions.

5.1% efficiency of Si photoanodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting catalyzed by porous NiFe (oxy)hydroxide converted from NiFe oxysulfide.

A porous NiFe (oxy)hydroxide catalyst fabricated on n+pp+-Si/Ni/NiOx, which is converted from an electrodeposited NiFe oxysulfide, allows a silicon photoanode for water splitting to hit a record 5.1% efficiency with good stability of up to 135 h under 40 mA cm-2 in 1.0 M NaOH.

Correlation between serum LN, Ⅳ C, P Ⅲ NP, HA and the severity as well as the prognosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective To investigate the correlation between serum laminin (LN),type collagen (ⅣC),type procollagen N-terminal peptide (PⅢNP),hyaluronic acid (HA) and the severity as well as the prognosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).Methods From February 2015 to July 2016,160 IPF patients and 160 healthy subjects as controls were enrolled in this retrospective study.Serum LN,ⅣC,PⅢNP,and HA were analyzed in IPF patients and healthy controls.Pulmonary function test and chest high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) were carried out in IPF patients.Demographics and clinical characteristics,the percentage of forced vital capacity in the prediction value (FVC％pred),the percentage of diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide in the prediction value (DLCO％pred),and HRCTscore were collected.IPF patients were followed up.Results (1)There were no significant difference between two groups in age and sex ratio.The proportion of smoker in IPF patients was significantly higher than that in healthy controls(P ＜ 0.01).(2)Serum LN(P ＜ 0.01),ⅣC(P ＜ 0.01),PⅢNP(P ＜ 0.01),and HA(P ＜ 0.01) were significantly increased in the patients with IPF compared with the healthy controls.(3)Serum LN,ⅣC,PⅢNP,and HA of IPF patients positively correlated with HRCT score,all P ＜ 0.01,and negatively correlated with FVC％pred and DLCO％pred (all P ＜ 0.05).(4)Serum LN(P ＜ 0.01),ⅣC(P ＜ 0.05),PⅢNP(P ＜ 0.01),and HA(P ＜ 0.01) in acute exacerbation IPF patients were significantly higher than those in the stable IPF patients.(5)Serum LN(P ＜ 0.01),ⅣC(P ＜0.01),PⅢNP(P ＜ 0.01),and HA(P ＜ 0.01) in the survived patients were significantly lower than those inthe dead patients.Conclusions Serum LN,ⅣC,PⅢNP,and HA may reflect IPF prognosis and the severity of IPF.

Treatment of depression fractures of posterolateral tibial plateau through a modified anterolateral approach / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the therapeutic effects of posterolateral depression fractures of the tibial plateau through a modified anterolateral approach.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From February 2011 to January 2012,13 patients with posterolateral depression fractures of the tibial plateau were treated through a modified anterolateral approach. There were 8 males and 5 females, ranging in age from 28 to 59 years old (49.2 years old on average). Data from patients were collected retrospectively as follows: X-ray, time of fracture healing and the complications of fracture healing. The patients were evaluated both clinically and radiologically according to the Rasmussen score system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 6 to 18 months (mean 13.7 months). All the patients got bony union. The average radiographic bony union time was 15.1 weeks (ranged, 11 to 17 weeks). No case of secondary articular depression was found. No complications such as malunion or joint stiffness were found. But 1 patient had superficial infection and 1 patient had common peroneal nerve injury. According to the Rasmussen score system,the mean radiological score was 16.50 ± 0.67 (ranged, 13 to 18), and the mean functional score was 25.20 ± 2.21 (ranged, 13 to 30). The mean range of knee motion was (125.3 ± 9.3)° (ranged, 0° to 135°).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Treatment of depression fractures of posterolateral tibial plateau with a modified anterolateral approach is a safe method with effective exposure, due to its stable fixation and relatively good outcome with minimal soft-tissue complications. It is regarded as an ideal procedure for depression fractures of posterolateral tibial plateau.</p>

Effects of cervical vertebrae degeneration on traumatic cervical cord injury / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effects of cervical vertebrae degeneration on traumatic cervical cord injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2009 to December 2010, 24 patients with cervical cord injury without obvious fractures and dislocations were treated with operation, and their data were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 16 males and 8 females, aged from 46 to 70 years old with an average of 59.1 years. Patients were divided into light degeneration group (6 cases), moderate degeneration group (10 cases) and severe degeneration group (8 cases), according to the preoperative degenerative degree of cervical vertebrae. Preoperative neurological dysfunction and postoperative neurological recovery were compared according to the JOA scores of Japanese Orthopaedic Society; quality of life were evaluated according to SF-36 scale (36-item Short Form Health Survey, SF-36).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients were followed up from 4 to 16 months with an average of 12 months. The JOA score of light, moderate, severe degeneration group were 12.1 +/- 1.5, 10.3 +/- 1.8, 7.3 +/- 1.0, respectively; and were respectively increased to 16.3 +/- 1.0, 15.3 +/- 1.4, 13.0 +/- 2.3 at the 3 months after operation. Postoperative JOA score showed the improvement rate of mid-long-term neurological level was light degeneration group (89.8%) > moderate degeneration group (76.6%) > severe degeneration group (58.8%). The results of preoperative SF-36 scale showed light degeneration group > moderate degeneration group > severe degeneration group; there was significant difference in comparison of two groups (P < 0.05 ).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cervical degeneration is an important pathologic basis and risk factor in traumatic cervical cord injury, and the degenerative degree will directly influence the injury degree and prognosis of neurological function, the clinical relationship between them should be sufficiently paid attention to.</p>

Technique of bending rod reduction in situ for low lumbar burst fracture / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and the feasibility of bending rod reduction in situ technique in treating low lumbar burst fracture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From March 2007 to June 2009, 21 patients with low lumbar burst fracture were retrospectively analyzed, 11 cases were in L3,6 in L4 and 4 in L5. There were 16 males and 5 females, ranging in age from 25 to 59 year with an average of 37.9 years. According to ASIA classification, nerve function was level A in 2 cases, level B in 2, level C in 10, level D in 4 and level E in 3. Pedicle screws were implanted and bending rod reduction in situ technique was applied through posterior approach. Radiographic and neurological scores were compared before and after operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients were followed up from 12 to 39 months with an average of 16.5 months. Radiographic examinations demonstrated that anterior height of fractured vertebral body was from 57.9% preoperatively to 94.1% postoperatively (P < 0.01 ); sagittal index was from 29.1 preoperatively to 0.240 postoperatively (P < 0.01). Spinal canal occupation ratio was from 49.6% preoperatively to 13.4% postoperatively (P < 0.01). Nerve function was level A in 2 cases,level B in 0, level C in 0, level D in 4 and level E in 15.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Bending rod in situ technique could achieve 3-column reduction in 3-dimentionally at the same time, and reconstruct the stability of low lumbar.</p>

Percutaneous multiple K-wire fixation combined with skeletal traction through supracondyle of femur in treatment of intertrochanteric fracture in the elderly / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To evaluate a minimally invasive procedure for intertrochanteric fracture treatment in elderly patients. Methods Total 46 elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture were treated with a minimally invasive procedure from September 2008 to February 2010. The fractures were fixed with multiple K-wires combined with skeletal traction through supracondyle of femur. All procedures were undertaken under local anesthesia. Results All the patients were followed up for 8.8-months in average, and 42 patients recovered with independent walking, and the good rates was 91.3%, without severe complications in this group. Conclusions Minimally invasive procedure including fixation with multiple K-wires combined with traction through femoral supracondyle, is a safe and effective treatment for intertrochanteric fracture in elderly patients, avoiding high risks of intra-and post-operative complications.

Prostate cancer cell vaccine transfected with 4-1BBL induces anti-tumor immunity in vitro / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the anti-tumor immunity in vitro induced by prostate cancer cell vaccine transfected with recombinant adenovirus encoding 4-1BBL in mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The replication-deficient adenovirus AdEasy-1 system was used to construct recombinant adenovirus Ad-m4-1BBL and Ad-eGFP. The prostate cancer cell RM-1 of mice was transfected with Ad-m4-1BBL and Ad-eGFP, and treated with mitomycin (MMC) to produce TCV, TCV-Ad-eGFP and TCV-Ad-m4-1BBL, followed by co-culture with syngeneic murine spleen cells. Then the cytotoxic activity of the lymphocytes against RM-1 cells was analyzed with CCK-8 solution, and IL-2 and INF-gamma were detected by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 4-1BBL protein was highly expressed in the TCV-Ad-m4-1BBL of the 4-1BBL-transfected mice. TCV-Ad-m4-1BBL significantly increased the expressions of IL-2 ([180.24 +/- 2.22] pg/ml) and INF-gamma ([1512.46 +/- 23.64] pg/ml) as compared with TCV and TCV-Ad-eGFP (P < 0.05), and induced higher RM-1 cell specific cytotoxicity ([34.24 +/- 2.64]%) than the latter two ([9.82 +/- 1.48]%) and ([14.65 +/- 3. 21]%), (P < 0.05). But none of them exhibited significant cytotoxicity against hepatocellular carcinoma Hepal-6.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The m4-1BBL-expressing prostate cancer cell vaccine can effectively induce anti-tumor immune responses.</p>

Observation of injection drug speed in ropivcaine combined spinal epidural anesthesia / 中国基层医药

Objective To investigate the effect of ropiyacaine combined with intra-spinal epidural anesthesia by using the same volume but different injection speed on anaesthetic level.Methods 80 cases of patients of ASA～Ⅱdegree suitable to use intra-spinal epidural combined anesthesia for gynecologic operation were selected and ran- domly divided into three groups,0.75 % ropivacaine 2mg(15mg)administered,group A the speed of injection was 10 seconds,group B injection speed was 20 seconds,group C injection speed was 30 seconds,the anaesthetic level reached T_(10).The time of highest level in spinal anesthesia,30 minutes after spinal anesthesia MAP,and number of cases need to add epidural drug were all recorded.Results The best effect of anesthesia was found in group B,the block level of anesthesia was satisfactory,blood dynamic was stable,and there was no need to add epidural drug.Conclusion The speed of 0.75 % ropivacaine 2ml spinal epidural combined with anesthesia was suitable at the speed of 20 seconds.