[Mid-term analysis of prospective cohort study of rivaroxaban in preventing CRT in breast cancer].

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of Rivaroxaban in preventing catheter related thrombosis (CRT) in patients with breast cancer who are undergoing central venous catheter chemotherapy, and provide basis for making standardized prevention and treatment strategies. Methods: In this research, a prospective cohort study was adopted, and breast cancer patients who received central venous catheter chemotherapy in Sanhuan Cancer Hospital during September 2020 to March 2022 were selected as a treatment group to take the rivaroxaban anticoagulation therapy with 10 mg.po.qd for one month. The control group got no preventive anticoagulation therapy. Vascular ultrasound examination was taken to confirm the occurrence of CRT, and a chi-square test was done for comparison the disparity between the groups. Logistic regression was applied to analyze the univariate and multivariate factors for the formation of CRT. Results: In the research, a total of 235 patients were selected, and there were a total of 19 035 days of catheterization with 81 days of catheterization on average. While in the control group, the incidence of CRT was 28.0% (33/118), the incidence of CRT in the treatment group was 20.5% (24/117), the difference was no significant (P=0.183). Subgroup analysis results showed that the peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) was performed in 165 cases with the CRT incidence of 18.2% (30/165) and thrombosis was mostly seen around axillary vein, accounting for 63.3%. Subclavian vein catheterization was performed in 63 cases with the CRT incidence of 39.7% (25/63), and thrombosis was mostly seen around subclavian vein, accounting for 88.0% (22/25). Implantable venous access port was implanted in 7 cases around subclavian vein and internal jugular vein with the CRT incidence of 28.6% (2/7). The patients who developed CRT within 30 days after catheterization accounted for 54.4% (31/57), 22.8% (13/57) in a period during 30 days and 60 days) and 22.8% (13/57) in a period during 60 days and 180 days). The diagnosed CRT patients had been treated with rivaroxaban 15 mg.bid.po for 3 months. During the 3 months, 100.0% of the thrombosis waned, 71.9% (41/57) of the thrombosis waned within 30 days, 19.3% (11/57) in a period during 30 and 60days and 8.8% (5/57) in a period during 60 days and 90 days. Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that the risk of CRT in subclavian vein catheterization was higher than that in PICC, respectively (OR=2.898, 95% CI:1.386-6.056 P=0.005), and the type of catheterization was an independent factor for the formation of thrombosis. Safety analysis result showed that in the prevention of CRT, rivaroxaban treatment did not induce drug-related bleeding, liver function damage, bone marrow suppression or any other side effects. While CRT diagnosed patients were treated with anticoagulation, they kept the central venous catheter, and the infusion was smooth. These patients all finished the anti-tumor treatment as planned, and no abnormalities like new thrombosis or pulmonary embolism were observed. Conclusions: In the mid-term analysis, the proportion of Rivaroxaban in preventing anticoagulant CRT decreases, but it don't reach statistical significance. The sample size should be further increased for observation. Rivaroxaban is proved effective and very safe in the treatment of CRT, and does not affect the concurrent chemotherapy. Medical personnel should carry out the policy of "early prevention, early detection and early treatment" for CRT so as to improve the patients' quality of life.

[Association between abnormal oral glucose tolerance test patterns in the second trimester and large for gestational age newborns].

Objective: To investigate the impact of abnormal patterns of 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in the second trimester on the risk of large for gestational age (LGA) newborn deliveries. Methods: General clinical data and OGTT results of 66 290 pregnant women who received regular prenatal care and delivered in Guangdong Maternal and Child Health Hospital from December 24, 2016 to July 26, 2022 were collected. According to the results of OGTT, the pregnant women were divided into 8 groups: normal blood glucose group (normal fasting blood glucose, 1-hour and 2-hour after oral glucose, 54 518 cases), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) 0 group (only abnormal fasting blood glucose, 1 430 cases), GDM 1 group (only abnormal blood glucose at 1-hour after oral glucose, 2 150 cases), GDM 2 group (only abnormal blood glucose at 2-hour after oral glucose, 3 736 cases), GDM 0+1 group (both fasting blood glucose and 1-hour after oral glucose were abnormal, 371 cases), GDM 0+2 group (both fasting blood glucose and 2-hour after oral glucose were abnormal, 280 cases), GDM 1+2 group (abnormal blood glucose at 1-hour and 2-hour after oral glucose, 2 981 cases) and GDM 0+1+2 group (abnormal fasting blood glucose, 1-hour and 2-hour after oral glucose, 824 cases). Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the effects of different abnormal OGTT patterns on LGA. In addition, the blood glucose measurements at the three time points of OGTT were combined and used as continuous variables in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to evaluate the predictive value of each blood glucose measurement mode for LGA and the area under the curve (AUC) was compared. Results: (1) Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risks of LGA were significantly increased in GDM 0 group (OR=1.76, 95%CI: 1.50-2.08; P<0.001), GDM 0+1 group (OR=2.29, 95%CI: 1.72-3.04; P<0.001), and GDM 0+1+2 group (OR=1.98, 95%CI: 1.61-2.43; P<0.001). (2) ROC curve analysis showed that fasting blood glucose, 1-hour after oral glucose, 2-hour after oral glucose, fasting+1-hour after oral glucose, fasting+2-hour after oral glucose, 1-hour+2-hour after oral glucose, and fasting+1-hour+2-hour after oral glucose had certain predictive value for LGA (all P<0.001). The AUC of fasting blood glucose measurement was higher than that of 2-hour blood glucose measurement in predicting LGA, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the AUC between fasting blood glucose and other blood glucose measurement modes for predicting LGA (all P>0.05). Conclusions: In the abnormal OGTT patterns, pregnant women with abnormal fasting blood glucose, abnormal fasting+1-hour after oral glucose, and abnormal fasting+1-hour+2-hour after oral glucose have an increased risk of LGA. Fasting blood glucose measurement is of great significance for the prediction of LGA, and could be used as an optimal indicator to evaluate the risk of LGA in clinical practice.

[Current prevalence and control strategies of visceral leishmaniasis in Sichuan Province: A review].

Visceral leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease transmitted by Phlebotomus chinensis that poses a great threat to human health. Historically, visceral leishmaniasis was predominantly prevalent in northwestern regions of Sichuan Province. Following the founding of the People's Republic of China, large-scale integrated interventions had been implemented in visceral leishmaniasis-endemic areas of Sichuan Province, including identification and treatment of visceral leishmaniasis patients, elimination of infected dogs, Ph. chinensis control and health education. This review summarizes the prevalence of visceral leishmaniasis, discusses the control strategy of visceral leishmaniasis and analyzes the challenges of elimination of visceral leishmaniasis based on the One Health concept in Sichuan Province, so as to provide insights into elimination of visceral leishmaniasis in the province.

Long-term prognostic value of thyroid hormones in left ventricular noncompaction.

PURPOSE: Thyroid function is closely related to the prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to explore the predictive value of thyroid hormones for adverse cardiovascular outcomes in left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC). METHODS: This longitudinal cohort study enrolled 388 consecutive LVNC patients with complete thyroid function profiles and comprehensive cardiovascular assessment. Potential predictors for adverse outcomes were thoroughly evaluated. RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 5.22 years, primary outcome (the combination of cardiovascular mortality and heart transplantation) occurred in 98 (25.3%) patients. For secondary outcomes, 75 (19.3%) patients died and 130 (33.5%) patients experienced major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Multivariable Cox analysis identified that free triiodothyronine (FT3) was independently associated with both primary (HR 0.455, 95%CI 0.313-0.664) and secondary (HR 0.547, 95%CI 0.349-0.858; HR 0.663, 95%CI 0.475-0.925) outcomes. Restricted cubic spline analysis illustrated that the risk for adverse outcomes increased significantly with the decline of serum FT3. The LVNC cohort was further stratified according to tertiles of FT3 levels. Individuals with lower FT3 levels in the tertile 1 group suffered from severe cardiac dysfunction and remodeling, resulting in higher incidence of mortality and MACE (Log-rank P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed that lower concentration of FT3 was linked to worse prognosis, particularly for patients with left atrial diameter ≥ 40 mm or left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 35%. Adding FT3 to the pre-existing risk score for MACE in LVNC improved its predictive performance. CONCLUSION: Through the long-term investigation on a large LVNC cohort, we demonstrated that low FT3 level was an independent predictor for adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

[Co-exposure of carbon black and cadmium induces autophagy and inflammation in human bronchial epithelial cells via PERK pathway].

Objective: To investigate the effects of carbon black and cadmium (Cd) combined exposure on autophagy and inflammatory response mediated by protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) pathway in human bronchial epithelial (16HBE) cells. Methods: In January 2022, human bronchial epithelial (16HBE) cells were resuscitated and cultured. Carbon black nanoparticles (CBNPs) were oxidized to adsorb Cd ions to construct "CBNPs-Cd" complexes. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the effects of different concentrations and time combinations of CBNPs and Cd on the viability of 16HBE cells. The subsequent dose groups were exposed to 2 µg/ml Cd, 100 µg/ml CBNPs, 100 µg/ml CBNPs+2 µg/ml Cd for 24 h. The number of autophagosomes and autolysosomes was detected by transmission electron microscopy. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of PERK, eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIf2α), activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1/P62), and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3). After PERK gene was silenced by siRNA technology, the changes of autophagy marker proteins P62 and LC3 were detected, and the expressions of inflammatory factors interleukin-6 (IL6) and interleukin-8 (IL8) were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR technique. One-way ANOVA analysis was used to compare three groups or more. LSD test was used for comparison between two groups. Factorial analysis was used for multivariate component analysis. Results: There was no significant change in cell viability of 16HBE after 24 h exposure to CBNPs and Cd alone or combined (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the expressions of P62 and LC3 in 16HBE cells were significantly increased in the CBNPs and Cd alone/combined exposure group (P<0.05), and the number of autophagosomes and autophagolysosomes in the combined exposure group was increased compared with other groups. Compared with the control group, CBNPs and Cd alone exposure group had no significant effects on p-PERK/PERK and p-eIf2α/eIf2α protein expression (P>0.05). However, the protein expressions of p-PERK/PERK and p-eIf2α/eIf2α and ATF4 were all increased in the combined exposure group (P<0.05), and the levels of IL6 and IL8 in 16HBE cells in the combined exposure group of CBNPs and Cd were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The levels of LC3 protein, IL6 and IL8 were decreased in the CBNPs-Cd combined exposure group after knockdown of PERK gene (P<0.05). The results of factorial analysis showed that exposure to CBNPs and Cd had significant effects on the expression of P62, LC3 and IL6 (P<0.05), but the interaction between the two chemicals had no statistical significance (P>0.05) . Conclusion: CBNPs-Cd combined exposure may inhibit autophagy and increase inflammation in human bronchial epithelial cells through activation of PERK-eIf2α-ATF4 pathway.

Global trends in coronary artery disease and artificial intelligence relevant studies: a bibliometric analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major global cause of death, greatly affecting life expectancy and quality of life for populations. With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), there is new hope for accurately managing CAD. While recent studies have shown remarkable progress in AI and CAD research, there is a gap in comprehensive bibliometric analysis in this field. Therefore, this study aims to provide a thorough analysis of trends and hotspots in AI and CAD-related research utilizing bibliometrics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Publications on AI and CAD relevant research from 2009 to 2023 were searched through the WoS core database (WoSCC). CiteSpace, VOSviewer and Excel 365 were used to conduct the bibliometric analysis. RESULTS: The bibliometric analysis included 1,248 publications, indicating a steady increase in AI and CAD-related publications annually. The United States of America (USA), China, and Germany were identified as the most influential countries in this field. Research institutions such as Cedars Sinai Med Ctr, Med Univ South Carolina, Harvard Med Sch and Capital Med Univ were the main contributors to research production. FRONT CARDIOVASC MED is the top-ranked journal, while J AM COLL CARDIOL emerged as the most cited journal. Schoepf, U. Joseph, Slomka, Piotr J., Berman, Daniel S. and Dey, Damini were the most prolific authors, while U. Rajendra Acharya was the most frequently co-cited author. Research related to the AI calculation of coronary flow reserve fraction and coronary artery calcification, based on coronary CT to identify CAD and cardiovascular risk, was a key research topic in this field. The potential link between cardiovascular risk stratification and radiomics is currently at the forefront of the field. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to use a bibliometric approach to visualize and analyze AI and CAD-related research. The findings provide insights into recent research trends and hotspots in the field and can serve as a reference for scholars to identify critical issues in this field.

[Comparison of the impact of orthodontic treatment on pulp volume in adolescents and adults].

Objective: To compare the impact of orthodontic treatment on pulp volume in adolescents and adults. Methods: Cone-beam CT data of 62 patients undergoing orthodontic treatment at the Department of Orthodontics, Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, from January 2019 to March 2022 were collected. Patients were divided into two age groups (31 patients in each group): adolescent group (aged 13-17, 17 males and 14 females) and adult group (aged 21-25, 12 males and 19 females). Pre-and post-treatment reconstructions of the pulp and dental tissues of upper first molars (UM1) and lower central incisors (L1) were performed. Measurements included pulp volume for UM1 (UM1 P) and L1 (L1 P), pulp chamber volume (UM1 PC) and root canal volume (UM1 RC) for UM1, root length for L1 (L1 RL), and mesiobuccal root length for UM1 (UM1 RL), as well as chamber heights at specific landmarks [the lengths from the central fossa fusion site to the roof of the pulp chamber (H1), the floor of the pulp chamber (H2), the nearest point of root divergence as well as crown-root bifurcation (H3), the farthest point of root divergence (H4), and the pulp chamber height (H5)] in UM1. Changes in these indices were calculated and analyzed using paired and independent sample t-tests for within-group and between-group differences, respectively. Pearson correlation was used to assess potential associations among H5, root length, and pulp volume changes. Results: Before and after orthodontic treatment, no significant difference was observed in the adult group for L1 P (t=-0.03, P=0.975), while significant differences were noted for UM1 P, UM1 PC, and UM1 RC (t=9.98, P<0.001; t=9.04, P<0.001; t=6.69, P<0.001). In the adolescent group, significant differences were found for both L1 P and UM1 P (t=2.25, P=0.029; t=6.30, P<0.001). After orthodontic treatment, the absolute value changes of UM1 P, UM1 PC, and L1 P in the adolescent group were (19.75±9.58), (15.07±7.65) and (1.89±6.29) mm3, respectively, and in the adult group were (13.33±9.41), (9.16±7.05) and (0.02±4.66) mm3, respectively (t=3.77, P<0.001; t=4.48, P<0.001; t=2.34, P=0.048). There was no significant absolute difference in the amount of UM1 RC between the two groups after orthodontic treatment (t=0.86, P=0.391). Before and after orthodontic treatment, the absolute value changes of L1 RL, H1 and H5 in the adolescent group were (0.54±0.41), (0.38±0.27) and (0.71±0.33) mm, respectively, and the absolute value changes in the adult group were (0.78±0.62), (0.26±0.20) and (0.57±0.28) mm, respectively (t=-2.43, P=0.017; t=2.96, P=0.004; t=2.57, P=0.011). Whereas no significant differences were observed for UM1 RL, H2, H3, and H4 (t=-0.85, P=0.400; t=0.43, P=0.669; t=-0.50, P=0.619; t=1.46, P=0.148). Additionally, significant correlations were found between changes in H5 and UM1 RL with UM1 P (r=0.35, P<0.001; r=0.19, P=0.030), but not between Changes in L1 RL and L1 P (r=0.11, P>0.05). Conclusions: The effect of orthodontic treatment on pulp volume in adolescents and adults were different.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors of diabetic foot ulcers with PAD.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with diabetic foot ulcers combined with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and the risk factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 120 patients with diabetic foot ulcers in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from October 2018 to February 2021. The patients were divided into uncombined with the PAD group (42 cases) and combined with the PAD group (78 cases). The baseline information and clinical indicators were measured from two groups. Univariate and binary logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of PAD in patients with diabetic foot ulcers. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with age ≥ 60 years, Wagner grade 4-5 and smoking history in the combined group was higher than that in the uncombined group (p < 0.05). The diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of the combined group was lower than that of the uncombined group, while the C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels of the combined group were higher than those of the uncombined group (p < 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥ 60 years, high Wagner grade, smoking, elevated CRP, NLR and HbA1c levels were risk factors for patients with diabetic foot ulcer combined with PAD (OR > 1, p < 0.05). An elevated DBP level was the protective factor for PAD in patients with diabetic foot ulcer (OR < 1, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with diabetic foot ulcer combined with PAD have the clinical characteristics of poor blood pressure control, long course of disease, and low ABI value. Age ≥ 60 years, high Wagner grade, smoking history, elevated CRP, NLR and HbA1c levels are the risk factors of PAD in patients with diabetic foot ulcer. Increased DBP is protective for PAD in patients with diabetic foot ulcer.

[Risk prediction of metabolic syndrome and coronary artery disease in overweight and obese populations based on serum metabolomics].

Objective: By identifying different metabolites in the serum and clarifying the potential metabolic disorder pathways in metabolic syndrome (MS) and stable coronary artery disease patients, to evaluate the predictive value of specific metabolites based on serum metabolomics for the occurrence of MS and coronary heart disease in overweight or obese populations. Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. Patients with Metabolic Syndrome (MS group), patients with stable coronary heart disease (coronary heart disease group), and overweight or obese individuals (control group) recruited from the Central District of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 2017 to 2019 were assigned to the training set, meanwhile, the corresponding three groups of people recruited from the East District of the hospital during the same period were assigned to the validation test. The serum metabolomics profiles were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS). Clinical characteristics (age, gender, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), creatinine (CR)) were also collected. Based on the orthogonal partial least-squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA) model, the significantly changed metabolites for MS and coronary artery disease patients were screened according to variable important in projection (VIP), and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was evaluated for the risk prediction values of changed metabolites. Results: A total of 488 subjects were recruited in this study, the training set included 40 MS, 249 coronary artery disease patients and 148 controls, the validation set included 16 MS, 18 coronary artery disease patients and 17 controls. We made comparisons of the serum metabolites of coronary artery disease vs. controls, MS vs. controls, and coronary artery disease vs. MS, and a total of 22 different metabolites were identified. The disturbed metabolic pathways involved were phospholipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, purine metabolism and other pathways. Through cross-comparisons, we identified 2 specific metabolites for MS (phosphatidylcholine (18∶1(9Z)e/20) and pipecolic acid), 4 specific metabolites for coronary artery disease (lysophosphatidylcholine (17∶0), PC(16∶0/16∶0), hypoxanthine and histidine), and 4 common metabolites both for MS and coronary artery disease (isoleucine, phenylalanine, glutathione and LysoPC(14∶0)). Based on the cut-off values from ROC curve, the predictive value of the above metabolites for the occurrence of MS in overweight or obese populations is 100%, the predictive value for the occurrence of coronary heart disease is 87.5%, and the risk predictive value for coronary heart disease in MS patients is 82.1%. Conclusions: The altered serum metabolites suggest that MS and coronary heart disease may involve multiple metabolic pathway disorders. Specific metabolites based on serum metabolomics have good predictive value for the occurrence of MS and coronary heart disease in overweight or obese populations.

[Progress in clinical research on potential therapeutic drugs for acute-on-chronic liver failure].

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), has a high mortality rate and a poor prognosis. Currently, the only effective treatment for ACLF is liver transplantation. However, the number of patients who can successfully undergo liver transplantation is limited due to the rapid progression of ACLF, the occurrence of serious complications, and a dearth of liver donors. The available drug treatment indication expansion and pathogenesis exploration are expected to delay the progression of ACLF, reduce complications, and provide patients with opportunities for liver transplantation by improving portal vein pressure, inhibiting excessive inflammatory response, correcting energy metabolism disorders, reducing oxidative stress, resisting hepatic cell apoptosis, and promoting liver regeneration.

FHL1 promotes chikungunya and o'nyong-nyong virus infection and pathogenesis with implications for alphavirus vaccine design.

Arthritogenic alphaviruses are positive-strand RNA viruses that cause debilitating musculoskeletal diseases affecting millions worldwide. A recent discovery identified the four-and-a-half-LIM domain protein 1 splice variant A (FHL1A) as a crucial host factor interacting with the hypervariable domain (HVD) of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) nonstructural protein 3 (nsP3). Here, we show that acute and chronic chikungunya disease in humans correlates with elevated levels of FHL1. We generated FHL1-/- mice, which when infected with CHIKV or o'nyong-nyong virus (ONNV) displayed reduced arthritis and myositis, fewer immune infiltrates, and reduced proinflammatory cytokine/chemokine outputs, compared to infected wild-type (WT) mice. Interestingly, disease signs were comparable in FHL1-/- and WT mice infected with arthritogenic alphaviruses Ross River virus (RRV) or Mayaro virus (MAYV). This aligns with pull-down assay data, which showed the ability of CHIKV and ONNV nsP3 to interact with FHL1, while RRV and MAYV nsP3s did not. We engineered a CHIKV mutant unable to bind FHL1 (CHIKV-ΔFHL1), which was avirulent in vivo. Following inoculation with CHIKV-ΔFHL1, mice were protected from disease upon challenge with CHIKV and ONNV, and viraemia was significantly reduced in RRV- and MAYV-challenged mice. Targeting FHL1-binding as an approach to vaccine design could lead to breakthroughs in mitigating alphaviral disease.

[Enamel developmental defects: environmental factors and clinical management].

Enamel formation is a complex physiological process that depends on the coordinated regulation of multiple mechanisms. This process is quite sensitive to various local and systemic interference factors. Therefore, during the long period from the embryonic stage to adolescence or even adulthood, various interference factors may lead to enamel developmental defects. Among them, early life is the most sensitive stage to environmental factors exposure, while it is also the critical period of enamel development of deciduous and permanent teeth. Environmental factors exposure during this period often leads to varying degrees of enamel development defects. In this review, we generalize the research progress of environmental factors affecting enamel developmental defects, summarize the potential mechanisms of environmental factors leading to enamel developmental defects, and conclude the clinical management strategies based on tertiary prevention. This work hopes to provide a theoretical basis for preventing abnormal teeth development from the critical time window of early life, propose eugenics health consultation and promote children 's oral health management.

[Influence of family with sequence similarity 134, member B-mediated reticulophagy on lipopolysaccharide-induced apoptosis of mouse dendritic cells].

Objective: To investigate the influence of family with sequence similarity 134, member B (FAM134B)-mediated reticulophagy on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced apoptosis of mouse dendritic cells (DCs), so as to provide a basis for improving the immune suppression of sepsis caused by wound infection and other factors. Methods: The experimental research methods were used. The DC line DC2.4 of the 3rd to 10th passage in the logarithmic growth stage was collected for experiments. DCs were divided into LPS stimulation 0 h (no stimulation) group, LPS stimulation 6 h group, LPS stimulation 12 h group, LPS stimulation 24 h group, and LPS stimulation 72 h group, which were cultured with 1 µg/mL LPS (the same concentration below) for the corresponding time. The protein expressions of FAM134B, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B), and transporter protein SEC61B were determined by Western blotting, and the ratio of LC3B-Ⅱ/LC3B-Ⅰ was calculated (n=3). DCs were divided into phosphate buffer solution (PBS) group and LPS group for corresponding treatment. After 24 hours of culture, the expression of FAM134B and its co-localization with lysosomal probes and LC3B were detected using immunofluorescence method, while the number of autolysosomes in cells were observed through transmission electron microscope. DCs were divided into the FAM134B-knockdown group that were transfected with lentivirus containing small interfering RNA (siRNA) sequence of FAM134B gene and the empty vector group with empty lentivirus transfected. At post transfection hour 72, the fluorescence expression of cells was observed under the inverted fluorescence phase contrast microscope, meanwhile, the normally cultured DCs were set as blank control group, and the same observation was performed at the corresponding time point. DCs were divided into PBS alone group and LPS alone group, DCs successfully transfected with lentivirus containing siRNA sequence of FAM134B gene were divided into FAM134B-knockdown+PBS group and FAM134B-knockdown+LPS group, and DCs successfully transfected with empty lentivirus were divided into empty vector+PBS group and empty vector+LPS group. These cells were stimulated correspondingly and cultured for 24 hours. The protein expression of FAM134B was detected using Western blotting (n=3); the apoptotic rate of cells was determined by flow cytometry (n=3); the situation of apoptosis was observed by Hoechst staining, and the apoptotic rate was calculated (n=5); the protein expressions of cleaved cysteine aspartic acid specific protease-3 (caspase-3), B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were detected using Western blotting, and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 was calculated (n=5). Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), least significant difference test, and ANOVA for factorial design. Results: Compared with those in LPS stimulation 0 h group, the protein expressions of FAM134B of cells in LPS stimulation 12 h group and LPS stimulation 24 h group were significantly increased (P<0.05), the protein expressions of SEC61B of cells in LPS stimulation 6 h group, LPS stimulation 12 h group, LPS stimulation 24 h group, and LPS stimulation 72 h group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the ratios of LC3B-Ⅱ/LC3B-Ⅰ of cells in LPS stimulation 24 h group and LPS stimulation 72 h group were obviously increased (P<0.05). As the most significant changes of three proteins were seen in the cells of LPS stimulation 24 h group, 24 h was used as the duration of subsequent LPS stimulation. After 24 hours of culture, the expression of FAM134B and its co-localization with LC3B and lysosomal probes in the cells of LPS group were all significantly enhanced, with a significant increase in the number of autolysosomes in comparison with those in PBS group. Both the empty vector group and the FAM134B-knockdown group showed high intensity fluorescence in the cells at post transfection hour 72, but the blank control group showed no fluorescence in the cells at the corresponding time point. After 24 hours of culture, the protein expression of FAM134B of cells in FAM134B-knockdown+PBS group was significantly lower than the expressions in PBS alone group and empty vector+PBS group (with P values all <0.05), the protein expression of FAM134B of cells in FAM134B-knockdown+LPS group was significantly lower than the expressions in LPS alone group and empty vector+LPS group (with P values all <0.05), the protein expression of FAM134B of cells in LPS alone group was significantly higher than that in PBS alone group (P<0.05), while the protein expression of FAM134B of cells in empty vector+LPS group was significantly higher than that in empty vector+PBS group (P<0.05). After 24 hours of culture, flow cytometry assay revealed that the apoptotic rate of cells in PBS alone group, LPS alone group, empty vector+PBS group, empty vector+LPS group, FAM134B-knockdown+PBS group, and FAM134B-knockdown+LPS group were (13.3±0.8)%, (32.6±4.3)%, (17.0±1.5)%, (51.7±3.3)%, (52.4±3.1)%, and (62.3±2.6)%, respectively. After 24 hours of culture, compared with those in LPS alone group and empty vector+LPS group, the protein expression of cleaved caspase-3, the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, and the apoptotic rates of cells detected by flow cytometry and Hoechst staining were significantly increased in FAM134B-knockdown+LPS group (P<0.05); compared with those in the corresponding PBS treatment group, namely, PBS alone group, empty vector+PBS group, and FAM134B-knockdown+PBS group, the protein expression of cleaved caspase-3, the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, and the apoptotic rates of cells detected by flow cytometry and Hoechst staining were significantly increased in LPS alone group, empty vector+LPS group, and FAM134B-knockdown+LPS group (P<0.05). Conclusions: The activation of reticulophagy mediated by FAM134B in mouse DCs is enhanced and peaked in 24 hours under LPS stimulation, and the activated reticulophagy has a significant inhibitory effect on cell apoptosis.

miRNAs from Inflamed Gingiva Link Gene Signaling to Increased MET Expression.

Several array-based microRNA (miRNA) expression studies independently showed increased expression of miRNAs hsa-miR-130a-3p, -142-3p, -144-3p, -144-5p, -223-3p, -17-5p, and -30e-5p in gingiva affected by periodontal inflammation. We aimed to determine direct target genes and signaling pathways regulated by these miRNAs to identify processes relevant to gingival inflammatory responses and tissue homeostasis. We transfected miRNA mimics (mirVana) for each of the 7 miRNAs separately into human primary gingival fibroblasts cultured from 3 different donors. Following RNA sequencing, differential gene expression and second-generation gene set enrichment analyses were performed. miRNA inhibition and upregulation was validated at the transcript and protein levels using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and reporter gene assays. All 7 miRNAs significantly increased expression of the gene MET proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase (MET). Expression of known periodontitis risk genes CPEB1, ABCA1, and ATP6V1C1 was significantly repressed by hsa-miR-130a-3p, -144-3p, and -144-5p, respectively. The genes WASL, ENPP5, ARL6IP1, and IDH1 showed the most significant and strongest downregulation after hsa-miR-142-3p, -17-5p, -223-3p, and -30e-5p transfection, respectively. The most significantly regulated gene set of each miRNA related to cell cycle (hsa-miRNA-144-3p and -5p [Padj = 4 × 10-40 and Padj = 4 × 10-6], -miR-17-5p [Padj = 9.5 × 10-23], -miR-30e-5p [Padj = 8.2 × 10-18], -miR-130a-3p [Padj = 5 × 10-15]), integrin cell surface interaction (-miR-223-3p [Padj = 2.4 × 10-7]), and interferon signaling (-miR-142-3p [Padj = 5 × 10-11]). At the end of acute inflammation, gingival miRNAs bring together complex regulatory networks that lead to increased expression of the gene MET. This underscores the importance of mesenchymal cell migration and invasion during gingival tissue remodeling and proliferation in restoring periodontal tissue homeostasis after active inflammation. MET, a receptor of the mitogenic hepatocyte growth factor fibroblast secreted, is a core gene of this process.

[Effect and safety of Lasso suture hook in transvaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation].

To investigate the feasibility and safety of the Lasso suture hook in transvaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation, a total of 38 patients with vaginal vault prolapse at or above stage Ⅱ, and aged 46-75(62.7±12.5)years, who underwent transvaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2018 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. After complete exposure of the right sacrospinous ligament, the cervical/uterosacral ligament was sutured to the sacrospinous ligament using Lasso hook and polypropylene sutures. The completion rate of the operation, intraoperative complications, operation time, blood loss, and postoperative situations were observed, and the objective cure rate and subjective satisfaction were followed up. Transvaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation was successfully performed in all 38 patients using Lasso suture hooks. There were no bladder or rectum injuries during the operations, and no pelvic hematoma occurred. The operation time was 15-40 (24±9.5) min; the intraoperative bleeding was 20-60 (40±12.5) ml; the visual analogue scale(VAS)score was 3-5 (3.2±1.4) points on the first day of postoperative, and 2-4 (2.2±1.8) points on the third day of postoperative. No numbness or pain in buttocks and lower limbs after the operation. The 3-month follow-up results showed that the objective surgical success rate of the postoperative pelvic organ prolapse quantitation (POP-Q) score was 100% (38/38). The 1-year follow-up results showed that the objective surgical cure rate of postoperative POP-Q score was 92.1% (35/38). The score of Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-Short Form 20 (PFDI-20)was 42-180(120.4±44.9)before operation and 8-75 (28.0±14.3) after operation(t=15.90, P<0.001); The score of Pelvic Floor Function Impact Questionnaire-Short Form7 (PFIQ-7) was 52-214(112.8±44.5)before operation and 5-29 (14.3±6.0) after operation (t=14.40, P<0.001), and the subjective satisfaction rate is 89.5% (34/38) conducted by Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I). Transvaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation with Lasso suture hook is simple, safe, and feasible.

[A transcriptomic study of osteoporosis induced by ketogenic diet in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the molecular mechanism of osteoporosis caused by ketogenic diet (KD) using transcriptomic analysis. METHODS: Sixteen 8-week-old female C57BL/6J mice were divided into KD group and sham group for feeding with KD and normal diet for 3 months, respectively. Body weight, blood glucose and blood ketone levels of the mice were measured every two weeks. Microstructure of the cancellous bone in the distal femur was observed with Micro-CT. Total RNA was extracted from bone marrow cells for transcriptomic analysis and bioinformatics analysis. RT-qPCR was used to verify the expression levels of the genes with significant differential expression between the groups. RESULTS: KD obviously weakened the microstructure of the cancellous bone in mice. Compared with those in the sham group, the mice in KD group showed 165 differentially expressed genes (94 up-regulated and 71 down-regulated ones), including Acot1, Mpig6b, Gp9, Ppbp, Slc2a9, etc. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed obvious enrichment of the Apelin signaling pathway, PI3K- Akt signaling pathway and ECM-receptor interaction signal transduction pathway with greater number of differential genes. RTqPCR results showed that the 5 differential genes screened by transcriptomics were significantly upregulated in KD group, among which Acot1, Mpig6b and Ppbp were upregulated by over two folds (2.49 ± 0.665, 2.58 ± 0.470, and 2.59 ± 0.611, respectively), suggesting their involvement in KD-induced osteoporosis. CONCLUSION: The differentially expressed genes and enriched pathways identified in the mouse models provide new clues for studying the molecular mechanism and prevention of KD-induced osteoporosis.

[Analysis of distribution characteristics of specific immunoglobulin E in 8 092 children with eczema and urticaria in a hospital of pediatric in Tianjin City].

To investigate the common specific immunoglobulin E(sIgE) in children with eczema and urticaria, compare the allergies in children with different diseases, genders and ages, and provide the scientific basis for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment. A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the children who were suspected of eczema and urticaria and tested for serum sIgE in the Tianjin Children's Hospital from December 2019 to August 2021. A total of 8 092 serum samples were tested for ten food allergens and ten inhaled allergens. The method was the enzyme-linked immune capture assay. The allergen epidemiological characteristics were statistically analyzed by Chi square test based on the children's characteristics and factors such as different sexes and ages and by the mass data. The results showed that the positive rate of eczema was 64.42%(5 213/8 092), and the urticaria was 35.58%(2 879/8 092). The positive rate of specific IgE was 66.65%(5 393/8 092), the food allergens was 61.74%(4 996/8 092), and the inhaled allergens was 34.85%(2 820/8 092). The top three positive rates of food allergens were egg 46.65%(3 775/8 092), milk 32.64%(2 641/8 092) and wheat flour 15.08%(1 220/8 092). The top three positive rates of inhaled allergens were house dust 21.40%(1 732/8 092), Alternaria 11.78%(953/8 092) and Dermatophagoides farinae 7.33%(593/8 092). The positivity of food allergens and inhaled allergens was significantly different in different age groups. The positive rates of food allergens in different age groups were 48.92%(947/1 936) in<1 year old, 72.28%(2 680/3 708) in 1-3 years old, 64.58%(919/1 423) in 4-6 years old and 43.90%(450/1 025) in>6 years old. The positive rates of inhaled allergens in different age groups were 17.67%(342/1 936) in<1 year old, 36.35%(1 348/3 708) in 1-3 years old, 46.38%(660/1 423) in 4-6 years old and 45.85%(470/1 025) in>6 years old. The top six positive rates of allergens of eczema were the same with urticaria, which were egg, milk, house dust, wheat flour, Alternaria and Dermatophagoides farinae. The allergens (greater than or equal to grade 4) differed in children with eczema and urticaria. Moreover, there were significant differences in the positive rates of Alternaria, egg, wheat flour, crab and shrimp. In conclusion, this study can reflect the epidemic characteristics of allergens in children with eczema and urticaria to a certain extent. There were significant differences in the positive rates of allergens between different age groups. It is necessary to reasonably avoid the high-risk allergens according to the epidemiological characteristics and clinical symptoms, which provide valuable information for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases.

[Research progress on the comorbidity between hepatitis B virus infection and noncommunicable diseases].

With the decline in hepatitis B virus (HBV) incidence and the increase in the life expectancy of infected individuals, the population infected with HBV is experiencing rapid aging, leading to an escalating risk of co-morbid chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). This study summarizes research related to the comorbidity between HBV and NCDs, discussing the aging of the HBV-infected population, the mechanisms, prevalence, and management of this comorbidity. This study provides insights into potential directions for future research on the comorbidity between HBV and NCDs and aims to provide a basis for further research and the development of prevention and treatment strategies for the comorbidity of NCDs among HBV-infected individuals in China.

[Analysis of risk factors associated with acute Stanford type B aortic dissection complicated with pleural effusion and observation of the curative effect after intracavitary repair].

Objective: To investigate the risk factors of acute Stanford type B aortic dissection (TBAD) complicated with pleural effusion (PE) and the short-term and long-term outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Methods: A case-control study. The clinical and imaging data of 1 083 patients with acute TBAD admitted to the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from April 2002 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 211 cases with pleural effusion and 872 cases without pleural effusion. The baseline analysis of the two groups of patients was performed. The risk factors associated with pleural effusion were analyzed by binary logistic regression, and the results were expressed as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). According to the quantity of pleural effusion, they were simultaneously divided into small pleural effusion group and medium large pleural effusion group, to compare the short-term and long-term effects of TEVAR patients with different amounts of pleural effusion. Results: The incidence of pericardial effusion (17.5% vs. 3.8%, P<0.001), anemia (21.3% vs. 12.5%, P=0.001), aortic spiral tear (49.8% vs. 37.8%, P=0.002), dissection tear over diaphragm (57.8% vs. 48.1%, P=0.011), serum creatinine [85 (69, 111) vs. 81 (67, 100) µmol/L, P=0.011] and white blood cell levels[(11.3±4.2)×109/L vs. (10.3±4.2)×109/L, P=0.002] in acute TBAD pleural effusion group were significantly higher than those in non-pleural effusion group, and the hemoglobin level was significantly lower than that in non-pleural effusion group [(128±20) vs. (133±17) g/L, P<0.05]. Logistic stepwise regression analysis showed that pericardial effusion (OR=5.038,95%CI 2.962-8.568,P<0.001), anemia (OR=2.047,95%CI 1.361-3.079,P=0.001), spiral tear (OR=1.551,95%CI 1.030-2.336, P=0.002) and elevated white blood cell (OR=1.059,95%CI 1.011-1.102, P=0.005) were independent risk factors for TBAD complicated with pleural effusion. The incidences of all-cause death (4/19 vs. 1.5% vs. 0.9%, P<0.001), aortogenic death (4/19 vs. 0.7% vs. 0.7%, P<0.001) and aortic related adverse events (4/19 vs. 1.5% vs. 1.1%, P<0.001) in patients with large pleural effusion during TEVAR operation were significantly higher than those in patients with small pleural effusion and those without pleural effusion, and the differences were statistically significant. At 1 month follow-up after TEVAR, the incidence of all-cause death (4/16 vs. 3.3% vs. 1.6%, P<0.001), aortogenic death (4/16 vs. 0.8% vs.0.7%, P<0.001), aorta related adverse events (4/16 vs. 4.1% vs. 4.7%, P=0.013) and overall clinical adverse events (4/16 vs.9.8% vs. 6.7%, P=0.014) in the medium and large thoracic group were significantly higher than those in the small pleural effusion group and no pleural effusion group, and the differences were statistically significant. At 1 year follow-up after TEVAR, the incidence of all-cause death (4/15 vs. 4.9% vs. 3.9%, P=0.004), aortogenic death (4/15 vs.2.5% vs. 2.1%, P<0.001), aorta related adverse events (5/15 vs. 11.5% vs. 9.4%, P=0.012) and overall clinical adverse events (5/15 vs. 18.9% vs. 13.1%, P=0.029) in the medium and large thoracic group were significantly higher than those in the small pleural effusion group and no pleural effusion group, and the differences were statistically significant. Conclusions: Single center data showed that pericardial effusion, anemia, spiral tear and elevated white blood cell were independent risk factors for acute TBAD complicated with pleural effusion; the early (1 month) and long-term (1 year) rates of all-cause death, aortic mortality, aortic adverse events and overall clinical adverse events were significantly higher in TBAD patients with moderate pleural effusion after TEVAR, and moderate and large pleural effusion was an independent risk factor for near and long-term aortic related adverse events after TEVAR surgery.