Serum exosomal microRNA let-7i-3p as candidate diagnostic biomarker for Kawasaki disease patients with coronary artery aneurysm.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis syndrome that leads to coronary artery aneurysm (CAA). While echocardiography is the most important imaging modality for coronary artery assessment, a specific diagnostic biomarker complementary for CAA has not been reported. We aimed to analyze the profiles of exosomal miRNAs extracted from the serum of KD patients and controls to identify candidate biomarkers for CAA. Serum samples from 39 healthy children, 42 CAA patients, 38 coronary artery dilatation (CAD) patients and 45 virus-infected patients including 24 EBV patients and 21 ADV patients were randomly selected. Next generation sequencing was used to analyze serum exosomal miRNA to detect differentially expressed miRNAs. Biomarker candidates were validated by qRT-PCR. One hundred (and) ninety-six differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were detected in CAA patients and healthy children. There were 70 DEMs and 140 DEMs in CAA patients versus CAD patients, and in CAA patients versus virus-infected patients, respectively. We selected the three most upregulated (let-7i-3p, miR-17-3p, and miR-210-5p) and the three most downregulated miRNAs (miR-6743-5p, miR-1246, and miR-6834-5p) in the DEMs, which were expressed differentially in CAA patients versus healthy children, and in CAA patients versus virus-infected patients, not in virus-infected patients versus healthy children, as biomarker candidates. Excluded DEMs of CAD and virus-infected patients, let-7i-3p was detected by sequence data analysis as a biomarker candidate for CAA patients, and then validated by qRT-PCR in a larger set of clinical samples. As a biomarker candidate, let-7i-3p provides an additional means of diagnosing CAA patients. Additionally, miRNA biomarkers complement ultrasonic imaging, allowing for greater diagnostic precision. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 2019.

Differential protein analysis of serum exosomes post-intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in patients with Kawasaki disease.

BACKGROUND: Kawasaki disease, which is characterised by systemic vasculitides accompanied by acute fever, is regularly treated by intravenous immunoglobulin to avoid lesion formation in the coronary artery; however, the mechanism of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy is unclear. Hence, we aimed to analyse the global expression profile of serum exosomal proteins before and after administering intravenous immunoglobulin. METHODS: Two-dimensional electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry analysis was used to identify the differentially expressed proteome of serum exosomes in patients with Kawasaki disease before and after intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. RESULTS: Our analysis revealed 69 differential protein spots in the Kawasaki disease group with changes larger than 1.5-fold and 59 differential ones in patients after intravenous immunoglobulin therapy compared with the control group. Gene ontology analysis revealed that the acute-phase response disappeared, the functions of the complement system and innate immune response were enhanced, and the antibacterial humoral response pathway of corticosteroids and cardioprotection emerged after administration of intravenous immunoglobulin. Further, we showed that complement C3 and apolipoprotein A-IV levels increased before and decreased after intravenous immunoglobulin therapy and that the insulin-like growth factor-binding protein complex acid labile subunit displayed reverse alteration before and after intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. These observations might be potential indicators of intravenous immunoglobulin function. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show the differential proteomic profile of serum exosomes of patients with Kawasaki disease before and after intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, such as complement C3, apolipoprotein A-IV, and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein complex acid labile subunit. These results may be useful in the identification of markers for monitoring intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in patients with Kawasaki disease.

[Clinical effects of two different hydroxyapatite bone graft materials during maxillary sinus lifting surgery with bone grafting and simultaneous implantation of implants].

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical effects of two different hydroxyapatite bone graft materials in maxillary sinus lifting surgery with bone grafting and implantation at the same time. METHODS: Seventy-two patients with implantation in the maxillary posterior dental area and insufficient bone mass admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College were collected from March 2018 to April 2019, and they were divided into experimental group(n=36) and control group(n=36) by random number table. Patients in the control group used hydroxyapatite composite material, while patients in the experimental group used nano-hydroxyapatite composite material. The clinical effects, bone increment and bone density changes of the two groups of implants were compared, and postoperative implant stability and complications of the two groups were compared. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 18.0 software package. RESULTS: The survival rate of implants in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group at 24 months (P＜0.05). Alveolar bone resorption in the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group 6 months after surgery(P＜0.05). The bone mineral density of implants in the experimental group was significantly higher than the control group 6 months and 12 months after operation(P＜0.05). The implant stability coefficient value of the experimental group was significantly higher than the control group 12 months after operation(P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in the total complication rate between the two groups(P＞0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In maxillary sinus lift, the survival rate of nano-hydroxyapatite composite material implanted in the same period is high, which can improve postoperative bone metabolism and increase implant stability with good safety.

The role of emotions in risk communication.

We present two experiments investigating the role of emotions concerning technological and natural hazards. In the first experiment, technological hazards aroused stronger emotions, and were considered to be riskier than natural hazards. No differences were found between the texts versus audio presentations. However, the presence of pictures aroused stronger emotions and increased the perceived risk. Emotions play a mediating role between hazard types and perceived risk, as well as between pictures and perceived risk. The second experiment adopted real-world materials from webpages and TV. Emotions again play a mediating role between pictorial information and risk perception. Moreover, specific emotions were found to be associated with different types of action tendencies. For example, loss-based emotions (e.g., fear, regret) tend to lead to prevention strategies, whereas ethical emotions (e.g., anger) lead to aggressive behavior. We also find that loss-based emotions in the technical hazard scenario trigger more coping strategies (from prevention to retaliation) than in the natural hazard scenario.

Efficacy and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in relieving antibiotic-resistant bacterial diarrhea in children: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial infection is an important cause of diarrhea in children, potentially leading to malnutrition, growth and development disorders, and even death. Antibiotic abuse and resistance are widespread problems worldwide, especially in China. We therefore designed a study to evaluate the clinical efficacy and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in alleviating the effects of antibiotic resistance in childhood bacterial diarrhea and enhancing the sensitivity of pathogenic bacteria to antibiotics. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial has completed ChiCTR registration. The trial will randomly divide 120 children who meet the inclusion criteria into three groups: experimental group 1 (basic treatment + Gegen Qinlian decoction granules + Erbai drink placebo), experimental group 2 (basic treatment + Erbai drink granules + Gegen Qinlian decoction placebo), and control group (basic treatment + Gegen Qinlian decoction placebo + Erbai drink placebo). The main efficacy indicators will be antibiotic use rate and clinical cure rate, and the secondary efficacy indicators will be time to antibiotic intervention, effective rate, and course of treatment determined after 5 days. The following physical and chemical indicators will be measured: routine blood parameters, procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, electrocardiogram, liver and kidney function, electrolytes, routine urinalysis, routine stool analysis, and stool culture (including drug sensitivity). DISCUSSION: The results of this study may provide an objective clinical basis for the use of traditional Chinese medicine in managing antibiotic-resistant bacterial diarrhea in children, formulating relevant guidelines, and demonstrating the use of traditional Chinese medicine for reducing the use of antibiotics. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1900027915 . Last refreshed on December 4, 2019.

Enhanced flavor strength of broth prepared from chicken following short-term frozen storage.

This study investigated the effect of frozen storage periods (0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks) of raw meat and stewing on the flavor of chicken broth. With the increased storage duration of frozen raw material, the contents of the free amino acids, nucleotides and mineral elements in the broth decreased significantly, especially within the first 4 weeks, and then increased significantly. Meanwhile, the volatile compounds showed the reverse trend. The results from the E-nose, E-tongue and sensory evaluation indicated a progressive difference in overall flavor profiles between the samples. The sensory scores of the meaty and fatty traits reached a maximum as raw chicken meat was stored for 4 weeks at -18 °C, which should be related to the increased contents of aldehydes and 2-pentyl furan. Overall, the limited storage duration of frozen raw meat can enhance the flavor of chicken broth.

The complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic analysis of Phintella cavaleriei (Araneae: Salticidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of Phintella cavaleriei is 14,325 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNA genes, and a putative control region. The overall nucleotide composition is 35.04% A, 8.46% C, 13.41% G, and 43.09% T, with a total of A + T content of 78.13%. Ten PCGs start with typical ATN codons, two genes (cox2 and cox3) begin with TTG, and cox1 use TTA as initiation codon. Ten PCGs use usual termination codon of TAA or TAG, whereas the remaining three PCGs had an incomplete termination codon (T-). Seven tRNAs (trnY, trnC, trnG, trnN, trnH, trnP, and trnV) lacked the TΨC arm stem, while two tRNAs (trnS1 and trnS2 ) lost the dihydrouracil (DHU) arm. Phylogenetic analysis based on 13 PCGs indicated that P. cavaleriei was closely related to Cheliceroides longipalpis, and clustered within Salticidae clade.

Gelatin enhances the flavor of chicken broth: A perspective on the ability of emulsions to bind volatile compounds.

The mechanism of flavor retention in chicken broth from the perspective of gelatin affecting the flavor-binding ability of emulsions was investigated. Results showed that fat was the important reservoir for aroma compounds in the emulsion. The particle sizes of emulsions significantly decreased with prolonged stewing time of gelatin, which was consistent with the results from confocal laser scanning microscopy and interfacial tension. The ability of pre-heated gelatin emulsions to bind volatile compounds with higher hydrophobicity was enhanced. When 0.1% gelatin was added into chicken broth, the total amount of the main volatile compounds (OAV > 1) increased from 458.83 ng/g to 1218.42 ng/g. In summary, the pre-heated gelatin increased the interfacial pressure of water/oil interface, resulting in a smaller particle size of oil droplets, and these further increased the binding area between oil droplets and flavor compounds. This appears to be the mechanism that gelatin enhances the flavor intensity of chicken broth.

Proteomics study of serum exosomes in Kawasaki disease patients with coronary artery aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: To study the protein profile of the serum exosomes of patients with coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) caused by Kawasaki disease (KD). METHODS: Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) was used to identify proteins from the exosomes of serum obtained from children with CAA caused by KD, as well as healthy controls. Differentially expressed proteins were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight/timeof-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF MS) analysis. RESULTS: Thirty two differentially expressed proteins were identified (18 up-regulated and 14 downregulated) from serum exosomes of children with CAA and were compared to healthy controls. The expression levels of 4 proteins (TN, RBP4, LRG1, and APOA4) were validated using Western blotting. Classification analysis and protein-protein network analysis showed that they are associated with multiple functional groups, including host immune response, inflammation, apoptotic process, developmental process, and biological adhesion process. CONCLUSIONS: These findings establish a comprehensive proteomic profile of serum exosomes from children with CAA caused by KD, and provide additional insights into the mechanisms of CAA caused by KD.

Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of scrub typhus based on 680 unexplained fever patients in Hainan / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective　To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of scrub typhus in 680 patients with unexplained fever in Hainan Island and provide guidance for local scrub typhus prevention and control. Methods　Blood samples from patients with clinically diagnosed unexplained fever in the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou Municipal People's Hospital and Central South University Xiangya Medical College Affiliated Hospital, People's Hospital of Qiongzhong Li Miao Autonomous County were collected between 2018 and 2021, then samples were tested for Orientia tsutsugamushi specific IgM, IgG antibodies and Orientia tsutsugamushi 56kD-specific antigen genes using colloidal gold immunochromatography and PCR methods. The clinical and epidemiological information of the samples were also collected. Epidemiological analysis was carried out on the obtained sample information and test results. Results　A total of 680 samples from patients with clinically unknown fever were collected. The positive rates of scrub typhus IgM antibody, IgG antibody, PCR were 23.97% (163/680), 36.62% (249/680), 20.88% (142/680), respectively, and eschar or rash was observed in 12.06% (82/680) of all patients. According to the diagnostic criteria, 223 patients were finally diagnosed with scrub typhus. Among them, there were 111 males (49.78%) and 109 females (48.88%); the average age was (53.14±15.12) years old, and the 40-<60 years old was the main incidence group (98 cases, accounting for 43.95%). The ethnicity of the patient with scrub typhus was mainly Han ethnicity (136 cases, accounting for 60.99%). Farmers were the main morbidity group (93 cases, 41.70%). The patient with scrub typhus distributed throughout the island except for Sanya and Wuzhishan, with Haikou and Qiongzhong show the highest number of cases. The number of cases in autumn was the highest (114 cases, 51.12%). The clinical manifestations of infected patients were mainly non-specific symptoms and signs, 36.77% of patients developed skin-specific ulcers or eschars, which were mainly distributed in the shoulder and neck, armpits, elbow fossa, chest and abdomen, back, buttocks, groin, scrotum and other joints and skin folds of the upper and lower limbs. Conclusions　Hainan Island is the foci of scrub typhus and the epidemic time has obvious seasonality. Its prevention should focus on rural areas in autumn, and its clinical features are mainly high fever and eschar or ulceration.