MiR-326 regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis in fibroblast-like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis.

The dysregulation of microRNAs plays a critical role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study aims to explore the functional significance of miR-326 in RA. The RT-qPCR results showed that miR-326 was downregulated in synovial tissues of RA patients and RA fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS). We found that miR-326 could target and reduce the expression of inhibitor of DNA binding 1 (Id1). MTT assay and flow cytometry were conducted to explore the biological function of miR-326. Our data revealed that the upregulation of miR-326 suppressed cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in RA-FLS. In collagen-induced arthritis mice, intraarticular injection of lentivirus carrying miR-326 overexpression vectors could reduce the arthritis score and attenuate synovial inflammation and cartilage destruction. We also found that long non-coding RNA-Ewing sarcoma-associated transcript 1 (lncRNA-EWSAT1) was significantly increased in RA synovial tissues and RA-FLS. The RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA pull-down assay indicated that lncRNA-EWSAT1 directly bound and negatively regulated the expression of miR-326. Knockdown of lncRNA-EWSAT1 could upregulate miR-326 expression and attenuate its proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction effect in RA-FLS.  In conclusion, the lncRNA-EWSAT1/miR-326 axis might provide a novel therapeutic target in the treatment of RA.

Efficacy and safety of basiliximab in pediatric liver transplantation / 中华器官移植杂志

Objective To evaluate the safety of basillixirnab in pediatric liver transplantation (PLT).Methods Retrospectively,256 cases (hospitalized from Jan.2014 to Dec.2015) were divide into groups in terms of inclusion and exclusion criteria.A group of 137 children transplanted under tacrolimus-steroid as baseline immunosuppressants combined with basilliximab induction (basilliximab group),and a group of 84 PLT recipients were treated with a tacrolimus-steroid regimen (control group) were set up.Two groups were compared regarding rejection incidence,infectious complications,as well as the kidney function and electrolyte within the three months after operations.Results Infectious complications and rejection incidence were 32.8％ and 8.3％ in basilliximab group,versus 27.4％ and 14.3％ in control group (all P＞0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the levels of blood urea nitrogen,creatinine,calcium,potassium and phosphate between two groups.Conclusion Although basilliximab may decrease the rejection incidence,the effect is not significant.The main reason may be the small sample size,and further observation is still needed.

Effects of Kasai surgery on living donor liver transplantation in the treatment of children biliary atresia / 天津医药

Objective To evaluate the effects of portoenterostomy (Kasai surgery) on living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for children with biliary atresia (BA). Methods A total of 150 children with BA, who were treated with LDLT in our center from September 2006 to September 2014, were retrospectively analysed. The children were categorized into Kasai group (90 cases, 60%) and non-Kasai (60 cases, 40%) group, based on whether they had previously undergone Kasai procedure pre-LDLT. Clinical data, incidence of complications and accumulated survival rates were compared between two groups. Results The ages of pediatric patients were 4.9-87.0 months. The patient age and height were significantly higher in Kasai group than those of non-Kasai group (P0.05). Similarly, there were no significant differences in pulmonary infection, acute rejection, portal vein thrombosis, hepatic artery occlusion and biliary complications between the two groups (P>0.05). The overall complication rate of post-LDLT was 61.1%in Kasai group, which was higher than that in non-Kasai group (43.3%,χ2=4.580, P=0.032). Totally, there were 7 cases (4.7%) died on post-LDLT, in which there were 6 cases (4.0%) in Kasai group including 5 cases of multiple organ failure and 1 case of severe pulmonary infection, and 1 case (0.7%) in non-Kasai group, who died of multiple organ failure due to preoperative gastrointestinal bleeding for emergency surgery. There were no serious complications and death in donors. The overall cumulative survival rates were 98.6%, 96.6%, 94.9%and 92.7%in 1 month, 1 year, 3 years and 5 years after LDLT, respectively. And there were no significant differences in survival rates in 1 month, 1 year, 3 years and 5 years between two groups (χ2=1.490, P=0.222) with the rates of 98.9%, 96.5%, 93.8%, 91.3%in Kasai group and 98.3%, 96.6%, 96.4%, 95.5% in non-Kasai group. Conclusion Performing Kasai procedure can acquire satisfied results to pediatric patients with BA pre-LDLT, without increasing the incidence of major complications and mortality post-LDLT. And the accumulated survival rate is not different in pediatric patients received Kasai surgery compared with that in non-Kasai patient. Besides that, Kasai surgery might postpone the time of receiving LDLT, benefit to the growth of children and reduce the jaundice of pre-LDLT.

Pediatric liver transplantation from split livers: a single-center experience / 中华器官移植杂志

Objective To analyze and evaluate the efficay of split liver transplantation in children.Method From September 2006 to December 2014,210 children were treated with liver transplantation in Tianjin First Central Hospital.The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed and the difference in postoperative survival was compared between the groups.The 210 childrens were categorized into living donor liver transplantation group (183 cases) and split liver transplantation group (27 cases) based on their operation styles.In living group,all donors to recipients were immediate relatives within three generations.In split group,all donors were men,and livers were obtained from no heartbeat donors.Postoperatively,tacrolimus combined a duplex of prednisolone served as immunosuppression scheme.The survival and incidence of complications were observed.Result There was significant difference in the sex ratio between two groups (P＜0.05).The donor liver cold ischemia time was significantly longer in split group than in living group (P＜0.05).The 1-month,6-month,1-year and 2-year overall survival rate in 210 recipients was 99.5％,98.1％,96.2％ and 94.2％ respectively.The median follow-up time in living group and split group was 15.2months and 26.1 months,respectively.The 1-mont,6-month,1-year and 2-year survival rate was 99.5％,96.7％,92.6％ and 74.1 ％ in living group,and 97.8％,96.2％,77.8％ and 74.0％ in split group,respectively (P＜0.05).During the follow-up period,8 cases died (29.6％) in split group (5deaths due to infection and sepsis,and 3 deaths due to multiple organ failure),and 10 cases died (5.5％) in living group (6 deaths due to infection and sepsis,and 4 deaths due to multiple organ failure).Conclusion In the case of strict selection of donors,split liver transplantation can obtain good effect,but the incidence of complications is higher than living donor liver transplantation.Especially,the biliary complications should be prevented and managed actively.

Clinical analysis of ABO-incompatible pediatric liver transplantation in 16 patients / 中华器官移植杂志

Objective To evaluate the safety and clinical effect of ABO-incompatible (ILT) pediatric living donor liver transplantation.Method We analyzed 169 pediatric living donor liver transplantation recipients from Sept.20,2006 to Dec.31,2014.There were 16 ABO-incompatible liver transplantation cases.The median age was 6 months.The blood agglutitin titer was monitored.The titer was controlled lower or equal to 1 ∶ 16.The method to decrease blood agglutitin titer included IVIG and plasma exchange.The patients were treated with Tacrolimus combined with methylprednisolone.Basiliximab for injection was used.The patients were followed-up for 9-26months.The survival rate,acute rejection,vascular and biliary tract complications,and infection were monitored.Result All the patients survived.There was once case of acute rejection,1 case of bile duct dilatation,2 cases of portal vein stenosis,8 cases of EBV viremia,5 cases of CMV viremia,and 6 cases of lung infection.The liver functions of all the 16 recipients were recovered within 3 weeks.Conclusion ABO-incompatible liver grafts can be used safely in pediatric patients.

Sustained viral response in treatment of recurent hepatitis C after liver transplantation / 中华器官移植杂志

Objective To investigate the efficacy of pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) plus ribavirin to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence, and analyze possible factors associated with sustained viral responses (SVR). Methods The enrolled 39 patients, who had recurrence of hepatitis C after liver transplantation and received antiretroviral therapy, were analyzed. Treatment was discontinued in 21 patients due to side effects, and the remaining 18 patients [13 males, 5 female,median age of 54 (27-67) years, treatment duration of 25-105 weeks)] were subjected to whole standard treatment. During the treatment, HCV RNA was measured at 4, 12, 24, and 24 weeks after HCV negative change as well as drug withdrawal. SVR was defined as HCV RNA negativity within 24 weeks after the drug withdrawal. The following variables were analyzed: ages, gender,pretreatment viral load, genotype, early viral response (EVR), levels of alanine aminotransferase before treatment and their association with SVR. Results The mean treatment duration was 57weeks with an SVR achieved in 4/18 (22. 2 %). Statistical analysis revealed that the genotype of non1B (P=0.023), RNA ＜106 copy/ml (P= 0. 044) before treatment and EVR (P=0.019) were the variables associated with SVR. Conclusion Genotype of nor-1B, low level RNA before treatment and EVR were the effective predictors of interferon antiviral therapy for recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation.

Effects of various exhaustive exercise on hepatic apoptosis in rats / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Previous studies demonstrated that exercise modes easily cause hepatic injury and result in hepatic apoptosis. However, the mechanisms remain undear. OBJECTIVE: To observe the hepatic apoptosis, changes of hepatic glycogen, NO, and calcium levels following establishing various exhaustive exercise models.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The randomized, controlled, animal experiment of ultrastructure observation was performed at the Physical Education School of Hunan Normal University, and Department of Histology and Embryology, Central South University, from January 2004 to December 2006.MATERIALS: Thirty male Sprague Dawley rats, aged 8 weeks, weighing (219.2+19.5) g, were randomly divided into control, middle intensity exercise and high intensity exercise groups according to Berdford models, with 10 animals in each group. METHODS: Rats in the exercise group were performed 3 days treadmill training with speed of 10 m/min, in running platform with 0°, followed by 3 days rest. After that, rats in the middle intensity exercise group were training with initial velocity of 10 m/min for 12 minutes, and than gradually increased exercise load to 19.3 m/min, until rats were exhausted. In the high intensity exercise groups,the initial velocity was 26.8 m/min, until rats were exhausted. The training was performed once per day for 30 successive days.There was no exercise training in the control group.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The levels of hepatic glycogen, NO, Ca~(2+), and hepatic apoptosis were measured after exercise.RESULTS: Totally 30 rats were included in the final analysis. All rats finished exercise without resistance. The exhaustive exercise time in the middle intensity exercise group was (234.60+60.05) min, which was (92.40±34.61) min in the high intensity exercise group. Compared to the control group, the contents of hepatic glycogen and NO were decreased, while Ca~(2+) level and hepatic apoptosis index were increased in 2 exercise groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 ), in particular notable in the middle intensity exercise group (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Both middle and high intensity exhaustive exercise can lead to hepatic apoptosis, which may be the great accumulation of Ca~(2+) in mitochondrion and the fower contents of liver glycogen and NO content. The changes may be associated with exhaustive exercise time.