[Study of the correlation between elevated level of T-bet expression and liver damage in peripheral plasma cells of patients with autoimmune hepatitis].

Objective: To study the correlation between the level of T-bet expression and liver damage in peripheral plasma cells of patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) in order to provide reference for the study of pathogenesis and development of diseases. Methods: The peripheral venous blood and clinical examination data of 29 cases with AIH and 6 healthy volunteers were collected. The percentage of subpopulations of peripheral blood B cells and the proportion of T-bet(+) cells in each subgroup were detected by flow cytometry. Plasma cells (CD19(+)CD10(-)CD27(hi)CD38(hi)), primary B cells (CD19(+)CD10(-)CD27(-)IgD(+)), transitional B cells (CD19(+)CD10(+)), and memory B cells (CD19(+)CD10(-)CD27(+)IgD(-)) were the included subsets of B cells. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, the proportion of B cells in peripheral blood subsets and IgG level, the proportion of T-bet(+) cells in each subset and the proportion of T-bet(+) plasma cells in each subset in B cells, the proportion of T-bet(+) plasma cells and the level of serum ALT were analyzed for correlation analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using two independent sample t-tests and linear regression. Results: The serum IgG level of AIH patients with abnormal ALT (19.47 ± 1.039)g/L was significantly higher than that of normal ALT patients (15.5 ± 1.069)g/L, and the difference was statistically significant (t = 2.65, P < 0.05). The percentage of peripheral plasma cells in B cells of AIH patients (2.80 ± 0.14) % was higher than that of healthy volunteers (0.73 ± 0.09) %, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The percentage of T-bet(+) cells in peripheral plasma cells of AIH patients (23.54 ± 1.61) % was higher than that of healthy volunteers (6.59±0.59) % , and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The correlation analysis showed that the proportion of T-bet(+) cells in peripheral plasma cells of AIH patients was positively correlated with the proportion of plasma cells to B cells (r = 0.224 7, P < 0.01), and the percentage of peripheral plasma cells to B cells was positively correlated with the level of serum IgG (r = 0.299 1, P < 0.01). Serum IgG level was correlated with the level of ALT, reflecting an indicator of liver damage (t = 2.65, P < 0.05). Conclusion: The increase of T-bet expression in the peripheral plasma cells of AIH patients is associated with liver damage, which is a new mechanism of AIH pathogenesis and disease progression.

[Measurement and analysis of hand-transmitted vibration of vibration tools in workplace for automobile casting and assembly].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the features of hand-transmitted vibration of common vibration tools in the workplace for automobile casting and assembly. METHODS: From September to October, 2014, measurement and spectral analysis were performed for 16 typical hand tools(including percussion drill, pneumatic wrench, grinding machine, internal grinder, and arc welding machine) in 6 workplaces for automobile casting and assembly according to ISO 5349-1-2001 Mechanical vibration-Measurement and evaluation of human exposure to hand-transmitted vibration-part 1: General requirements and ISO 5349-2-2001 Mechanical vibration-Measurement and evaluation of human exposure to hand-transmitted vibration-Part 2: Practical guidance for measurement in the workplace. RESULTS: The vibration acceleration waveforms of shearing machine, arc welding machine, and pneumatic wrench were mainly impact wave and random wave, while those of internal grinder, angle grinder, percussion drill, and grinding machine were mainly long-and short-period waves. The daily exposure duration to vibration of electric wrench, pneumatic wrench, shearing machine, percussion drill, and internal grinder was about 150 minutes, while that of plasma cutting machine, angle grinder, grinding machine, bench grinder, and arc welding machine was about 400 minutes. The range of vibration total value(ahv) was as follows: pneumatic wrench 0.30~11.04 m/s(2), grinding wheel 1.61~8.97 m/s(2), internal grinder 1.46~8.70 m/s(2), percussion drill 11.10~14.50 m/s(2), and arc welding machine 0.21~2.18 m/s(2). The workers engaged in cleaning had the longest daily exposure duration to vibration, and the effective value of 8-hour energy-equivalent frequency-weighted acceleration for them[A(8)] was 8.03 m/s(2), while this value for workers engaged in assembly was 4.78 m/s(2). The frequency spectrogram with an 1/3-time frequency interval showed that grinding machine, angle grinder, and percussion drill had a high vibration acceleration, and the vibration limit curve was recommended for those with a frequency higher than 400 min/d. CONCLUSION: The workers who are engaged in cleaning, grinding, and a few positions of assembly and use grinding machine, angle grinder, internal grinder, and percussion drill are exposed to vibrations with a high vibration acceleration and at a high position of the frequency spectrum. The hand-transmitted vibration in the positions of cutting, polishing, and cleaning in automobile casting has great harm, and the harm caused by pneumatic wrench in automobile assembly should be taken seriously.

Neutrophil extracellular trap formation is associated with autophagy-related signalling in ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Increasing evidence indicates that aberrant neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation could contribute to the pathogenesis of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). Recent research has provided evidence that a novel type of ANCA autoantibody, anti-lysosomal membrane protein-2 (LAMP-2) antibody, may have a pathogenic role in AAV. We have shown previously that anti-LAMP-2 antibody-stimulated NET formation contains autoantigens and anti-microbial peptides. The current study sought to determine whether LAMP-2, as a novel antigen of ANCA, was present on NETs in AAV patients, the influence of the anti-LAMP-2 antibody on the neutrophil apoptosis rate and the role of autophagy in anti-LAMP-2 antibody-induced NET formation. NET formation was assessed using immunofluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy or live cell imaging. The neutrophil apoptosis rate was analysed using fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). Autophagy was detected using LC3B accumulation and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that enhanced NET formation, which contains LAMP-2, was observed in kidney biopsies and neutrophils from AAV patients. The apoptosis rate decreased significantly in human neutrophils stimulated with anti-LAMP-2 antibody, and this effect was attenuated by the inhibitors of autophagy 3-methyladenine (3MA) and 2-morpholin-4-yl-8-phenylchromen-4-one (LY294002). The anti-LAMP-2 antibody-stimulated NET formation was unaffected by benzyloxycarbonyl-Val- Ala-Asp (OMe)-fluoromethylketone (zVAD-fmk) and necrostatin-1 (Nec-1), which are inhibitors of apoptosis and necrosis, respectively, but was inhibited by 3MA and LY294002. Moreover, the proportion of LC3BI that was converted to LC3BII increased significantly (P=0.0057), and massive vacuolizations that exhibited characteristics typical of autophagy were detected in neutrophils stimulated with anti-LAMP-2 antibody. Our results provide further evidence that autophagy is involved in ANCA-induced NET formation in human neutrophils.

HLA-G 3' untranslated region polymorphisms influence the susceptibility for human papillomavirus infection.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G molecule acts as a potential factor for the regulation of immune responses and its expression in virus-infected cells may enable them to escape immunosurveillance. Besides its polymorphic promoter region, the 3' untranslated region (UTR) seems to play an important role in regulating HLA-G expression. In this study, we investigated the influence of HLA-G 14 bp (rs66554220) and +3142 (rs1063320) polymorphisms in 179 women with active human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and 143 age-matched, unrelated, HPV-negative, normal Chinese Han population. Our findings showed that frequency of the allele +3142 C [31.3% vs 44.4%, odds ratio (OR) = 0.57, Pc < 0.01] and the genotype +3142 CC (10.6% vs 21.7%, OR = 0.43, Pc = 0.012) was significantly decreased in HPV infected patients compared with normal controls. Furthermore, the haplotype -14 bp/C was associated with a reduced risk for HPV infection (OR = 0.57, Pc = 0.001). Our findings also showed that HLA-G homozygous +14 bp/+14 bp genotype was significantly associated with an increased risk for HPV18 infection (OR = 12.95, P < 0.01), whereas HLA-G heterozygous +14 bp/-14 bp genotype increased risk for HPV58 (OR = 5.55, P < 0.05). Furthermore, frequency of the haplotype +14 bp/G was significantly increased in HPV18 infected patients (60.0% vs 27.3%, OR = 4.00, Pc < 0.05). Taken together, our results supported a role of the HLA-G 3' UTR polymorphisms as a susceptible factor for the active HPV infection, and suggested a possible interference of the HLA-G molecule in the response to virus infection.

[The Breast Cancer Cohort Study in Chinese Women: the methodology of population-based cohort and baseline characteristics].

Objective: Breast cancer has been the first cancer among women with the incidence increasing gradually. In September 2016, the Breast Cancer Cohort Study in Chinese Women (BCCS-CW) was initiated, aiming to establish a standardized and sharable breast cancer-specific cohort by integrating the existing cohort resource and improving the quality of follow-up. The BCCS-CW may provide a research basis and platform for the precision prevention and treatment of breast cancer in etiology identification, prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis prediction. Methods: We conducted a population-based perspective cohort by questionnaire interview, anthropometry, biological specimens, breast ultrasound and mammography. The cohort was followed by using regional health surveillance and ad hoc survey. Results: Finally, BCCS-CW included 112 118 women, in which 55 419 women completed the standardized investigation and blood specimens were collected from 54 304 women. The mean age of participants was 51.7 years old, 62.7% were overweight or obese, and 48.9% were menopausal. Conclusion: The BCCS-CW will provide population-based cohort resource and research platform for the precise prevention and treatment of breast cancer in Chinese women.

The HLA-G 14 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism is a putative susceptible factor for active human cytomegalovirus infection in children.

Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) expression is a potential factor for the pathogenesis of virus infection. A 14 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism (rs16375) in the 3'-untranslated region of the HLA-G gene is involved in the stability of HLA-G mRNA and HLA-G protein expression. Therefore, the HLA-G 14 bp polymorphism might be involved in human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) infection. To test a possible association between the HLA-G 14 bp deletion/insertion polymorphism and the active hCMV infection, in this study, a total of 54 patients with active hCMV infection and 165 age- and sex-matched, unrelated, normal Chinese Han population were genotyped for the 14 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism. Association of 14 bp polymorphism with hCMV urine DNA copies and the odds ratio (OR) of the polymorphism as a risk factor for active hCMV infection were analyzed. Our results showed that the prevalence of -14 bp/ -14 bp genotype in active hCMV patients was markedly increased [P(c) = 0.00034, OR = 3.31, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.77-6.18], and similar significance was also observed for the frequency of -14 bp allele (P c = 0.0023, OR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.38-3.64) when compared with that of healthy controls. Furthermore, urine hCMV DNA copies in patients with the -14 bp/ -14 bp genotype were significantly higher than those in patients with the +14 bp/ +14 bp genotype (P = 0.041). Our findings support a potential role of HLA-G 14 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism as a susceptible factor for the active hCMV infection.

[Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in elderly residents in Hebei province].

Objective: To understand the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in elderly residents in Hebei province. Methods: Elderly residents aged ≥60 were selected though multistage clustering sampling during August to December, 2015. Design based methods were adopted to analyze the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in local residents of Hebei. Results: A total of 2 501 elderly adults were included in the study. The overall prevalence rate of hypertension was 63.7% (58.3% in males, 69.0% in females), the awareness rate of hypertension was 42.4% (35.7% in males, 48.0% in females), the treatment rate was 38.2% (32.0% in males, 43.3% in females), and the control rate was 9.0% (8.1% in males, 9.7% in females). The results of multivariate analysis indicated that age, sex, degree of education, BMI and central obesity were the factors influencing the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in elderly population in Hebei. Conclusions: The prevalence of hypertension was high, but the rates of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension were low in elderly residents in Hebei. The influences of overweight, obesity and central obesity on hypertension were significant in the elderly. It is necessary to standard the management of hypertension and reduce the risk factors for hypertension in elderly population to improve the control of hypertension.

Long non-coding RNA NEAT1 acts as oncogene in NSCLC by regulating the Wnt signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to explore the role of long non-coding RNA NEAT1 (NEAT1) in mediating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell migration and invasion, as well as the underlying regulatory mechanisms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The NEAT1 expression in NSCLC tissues and cell lines was measured using reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The relationships between NEAT1 expression and clinicopathological parameters were examined by chi-square test. Overall survival curves were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Effects of NEAT1 on cell growth, invasion and migration were evaluated by cell counting kit-8 assay and transwell assay, respectively. Western blotting was used to address the impact of NEAT1 on Wnt/ß­catenin signaling. RESULTS: We observed that the expression of NEAT1 in NSCLC tissues and cell lines were much higher than that in normal control, respectively. High NEAT1 expression was statistically associated with poor differentiation, Lymph node metastasis and advanced TMN stage (all p < 0.05). According to the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, NSCLC patients with high NEAT1expression had a significantly shorter overall survival than those with high NEAT1 expression(p < 0.001). Moreover, the downregulation of NEAT1 expression significantly inhibited the NSCLC cells proliferation, migration, and invasiveness. Finally, we found that decreased expression of NEAT1 inhibited the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway activity. CONCLUSIONS: Our data for the first time showed that NEAT1 contribute to the tumorigenesis and development of NSCLC by activating Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, suggesting that NEAT1 may provide a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of NSCLC patients.

[Mutation analysis of GJB2 gene in 1 822 patients with nonsyndromic hearing loss in Zhejiang Province].

Objective:To analyze the genetic characteristics in nonsyndromic hearing impairment (NSHL) patients in Zhejiang province.Method:Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 1822 NSHL patients and 467 normal hearing controls in Zhejiang province. We carried out a systematic mutational screening of GJB2 gene in these subjects by amplifying the coding region of GJB2 gene and sequencing directly.Result:Thirty kinds of mutation were identified, including eleven pathogenic mutations, one hypomorphic allele, sixteen polymorphic mutations and two novel mutations. The c.235delC mutation was the most prevalent pathogenic mutation in this cohort (18.50%), and the rate of allele mutation was 12.16%. The frequency of c.299_300delAT,c.176_191del16,c.512_513insAACG,c.35delG,c.283G>A,c.427C>T,c.35insG,c.439G>A,c.571T>C,c.139G>T mutations were decreased in turn.Conclusion:c.235delC mutation is the hot spot of GJB2 gene mutation in NSHL patients in Zhejiang province and the most common mutational pattern is frame-shift mutation. The discovery of novel mutations enriches the spectrum and frequency of variants in GJB2 gene.

[Feasibility of the use of degraded inedible biomass of plants as a nutrient liquid for hydroponic cultivation].

Objective. To demonstrate that the recycled liquid, which originated from lettuce inedible biomass degraded by fixed microorganism (correction of microorgannism) and enzyme, can be used as a nutrient solution for lettuce hydroponic cultivation. Method. After biologically degrading the weighted, oven-dried and milled leaves and roots of lettuce in a biological reactor under aerobic condition, the original effluent and its supplemented effluent were used as nutrients for lettuce hydroponic cultivation. Result. The average dried weight (ADW) of lettuce from the original effluent group was approximately half of that from the control group, and the ADW from supplemented effluent group was about equal to that from the control group; some qualities of the lettuce such as a relatively lower content of NO3- from both the original effluent group and the supplemented effluent one improved, and some of those such as a relatively higher content of NO2- dropped. Conclusion. The biologically-degraded effluent was able to be used as nutrient solution for lettuce hydroponic cultivation, although the effects of the inorganic ion-supplemented effluent were much better; the plants of lettuce from the biologically-degraded effluent were safely edible.

Association of the maternal 14-bp insertion polymorphism in the HLA-G gene in women with recurrent spontaneous abortions.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G has been postulated as an important immunotolerant molecule in maintaining fetal-maternal relationship. Recent reports indicated that the 14-bp deletion/insertion polymorphism in exon 8 of HLA-G gene influences HLA-G mRNA stability and isoform splicing patterns, thus modulating the levels of HLA-G expression. This might play an immunomodulatory role of HLA-G during implantation and pregnancy. In the present study, 109 unrelated fertile control women and 79 women who had experienced recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) were genotyped for the 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism. No significant difference was observed in the distribution of 14-bp insertion/deletion genotype between controls and the RSA group. However, a greater number of 14-bp insertion alleles exist in the RSA group than in the controls.