[Investigation of tick - borne Rickettsia in selected areas of Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province in 2023]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of tick-borne rickettsial infections in selected areas of Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province, 2023, so as to provide insights into the management of tick-borne rickettsioses in the city.

METHODS

Ticks were captured from the body surface of bovines and sheep in Gaoxing Village, Dashan Township, Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province during the period between April and June, 2023, and tick species were identified using morphological and molecular biological techniques. In addition, tick-borne Rickettsia was identified using a nested PCR assay, including spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR), Coxiella spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Orientia spp., and positive amplified fragments were sequenced and aligned with known sequences accessed in the GenBank database.

RESULTS

A total of 200 ticks were collected and all tick species were identified as Rhipicephalus microplus. Nestle PCR assay combined with sequencing identified ticks carrying Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis (40.50%), Coxiella burnetii (1.50%), and Coxiella-like endosymbionts (27.00%), and Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp. or Orientsia spp. was not detected.

CONCLUSIONS

R. microplus carried Candidatus R. jingxinensis, C. burnetii, and Coxiella-like endosymbionts in selected areas of Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province. Intensified monitoring of tickborne rickettsial infections is needed in livestock and humans to reduce the damages caused by rickettsioses.

[Reverse partial pulmonary resection: a new surgical approach for pediatric pulmonary cysts]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of reverse partial lung resection for treatment of pediatric pulmonary cysts combined with lung abscesses or thoracic abscess.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of children undergoing reverse partial lung resection for complex pulmonary cysts in our hospital between June, 2020 and June, 2021.During the surgery, the patients lay in a lateral position, and a 3-5 cm intercostal incision was made at the center of the lesion, through which the pleura was incised and the fluid or necrotic tissues were removed.The anesthesiologist was instructed to aspirate the sputum in the trachea to prevent entry of the necrotic tissues in the trachea.The cystic lung tissue was separated till reaching normal lung tissue on the hilar side.The proximal end of the striated tissue in the lesion was first double ligated with No.4 silk thread, the distal end was disconnected, and the proximal end was reinforced with continuous sutures with 4-0 Prolene thread.The compromised lung tissues were separated, and the thoracic cavity was thoroughly flushed followed by pulmonary inflation, air leakage management and incision suture.

RESULTS

Sixteen children aged from 3 day to 2 years underwent the surgery, including 3 with simple pulmonary cysts, 11 with pulmonary cysts combined with pulmonary or thoracic abscess, 1 with pulmonary cysts combined with tension pneumothorax and left upper lung bronchial defect, and 1 with pulmonary herpes combined with brain tissue heterotaxy.All the operations were completed smoothly, with a mean operation time of 129 min, an mean hospital stay of 11 days, and a mean drainage removal time of 7 days.All the children recovered well after the operation, and 11 of them had mild air leakage.None of the children had serious complications or residual lesions or experienced recurrence of infection after the operation.

CONCLUSION

Reverse partial lung resection is safe and less invasive for treatment of complex pediatric pulmonary cysts complicated by infections.

Association between Intrinsic Capacity and Sarcopenia in Hospitalized Older Patients

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to clarify the association between intrinsic capacity (IC) and sarcopenia in hospitalized older patients.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Hospital-based.

PARTICIPANTS

This study included 381 inpatients aged ≥ 60 years (225 men and 156 women).

MEASUREMENTS

IC was evaluated in five domains defined by the World Health Organization: cognition (Mini-Mental State Examination), locomotion (Short Physical Performance Battery test), vitality (Short-Form Mini Nutritional Assessment), sensory (self-reported hearing and vision) and psychological (5-item Geriatric Depression Scale) capacities. IC composite score (0-5) was calculated based on five domains, with lower scores representing greater IC. Sarcopenia was defined in accordance with the criteria recommended by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019. Multiple linear and logistic regressions were performed to explore the associations between IC composite score and IC domains with sarcopenia and its defining components.

RESULTS

The mean age of 381 patients included was 81.95±8.42 years. Of them, 128 (33.6%) patients had sarcopenia. The median IC composite score was 1 (1, 2). Cognition, locomotion, vitality, sensory and psychological capacities were impaired in 22.6%, 63.5%, 18.9%, 27.3% and 11.3% of patients. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that favorable IC domain scores in cognition, locomotion and vitality were associated with a stronger handgrip strength. A higher vitality score was associated with a greater appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), and a higher locomotion score was associated with a greater gait speed. The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that only vitality impairment was associated with sarcopenia. A higher IC composite score was associated with higher risks of sarcopenia, as well as low ASMI, handgrip strength and gait speed.

CONCLUSION

This study indicated that a more serious impairment of IC was associated with a greater risk of sarcopenia. Vitality was the domain most strongly associated with sarcopenia. IC may be employed to detect and manage sarcopenia.

Long Noncoding RNA NEAT1 Knockdown Ameliorates 1-Methyl-4-Phenylpyridine-Induced Cell Injury Through MicroRNA-519a-3p/SP1 Axis in Parkinson Disease

BACKGROUND

Parkinson disease is a neurodegenerative disease and is characterized by resting tremor, dementia, and gait disorder. Previous studies have indicated that long noncoding RNA participates in the regulation of the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease. The study aimed to reveal the effects of long noncoding RNA nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP+)-induced human neuroblastoma cell injury and the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

The expressions of NEAT1, microRNA (miR)-519a-3p, and transcription factor specific protein 1 (SP1) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The protein expressions of SP1 and inflammation-related factors were determined by Western blot. Cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Cell apoptosis was investigated by flow cytometry analysis. The targeting relationship between miR-519a-3p and NEAT1 or SP1 was predicted by starBase online database and verified by a dual-luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

NEAT1 and SP1 expressions were significantly upregulated, whereas miR-519a-3p was downregulated in MPP+-treated neuroblastoma cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner when compared with control groups. NEAT1 knockdown restrained MPP+-induced repression of cell viability and promotion of cell apoptosis and inflammation. Additionally, NEAT1 served as a sponge of miR-519a-3p and regulated MPP+-caused cell injury by interacting with miR-519a-3p. Also, SP1, a target gene of miR-519a-3p, rescued miR-519a-3p-mediated actions under MPP+ treatment. Importantly, NEAT1 stimulated SP1 expression through interaction with miR-519a-3p.

CONCLUSIONS

NEAT1 silencing protected against MPP+-induced neuroblastoma cell injury by regulating the miR-519a-3p/SP1 pathway. This finding provides a novel direction for the development of therapeutic strategies for Parkinson disease.

[Epidemiological investigation of tinnitus in Sichuan and Chongqing]

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of tinnitus in Sichuan and Chongqing. Methods: We designed a tinnitus epidemiological questionnaire. The multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling methods was applied to obtain study subjects in six areas (Nanchong, Jiangjin, Fengdu, Yunyang, Suining and Ya'an), which were selected for epidemiological investigation. Home visit completion of epidemiological questionnaires was conducted. The trained investigators guided the respondents to fill in the tinnitus epidemiological questionnaires, and the epidemiological status of six areas on prevalence and risk factor was investigated. SPSS 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Sampling population were 10 289, in which 9 273 were valid questionnaires. There were 4 281 males and 4 992 females, with an average age of 47.3 years, among which 34.83% (3 230/9 273) had tinnitus. 3.99% (370/9 273) were diagnosed with bothersome tinnitus. In a multivariable logistic regression mod, the following factors were associated with onsetting of tinnitus: sleep disorder [Odds Ratio(OR)=3.74] and noise exposure(OR=1.99). The risk of disease was lowest in the age of 30-40 years old, while the risk of disease was higher for people under 30 and over 40. In another multivariable logistic regression mode, the following factors were associated with having bothersome tinnitus: older people were more likely to suffer from tinnitus, sleep disorders (OR=4.68) and noise exposure (OR=1.56). Conclusions: The prevalence of tinnitus in Sichuan and Chongqing is about 34.83%, but most of the tinnitus is short-lived and has low loudness, which will not affect the patients. Only a small number of patients with tinnitus (3.99%) persist and affect their health and need treatment. The occurrence and exacerbation of tinnitus may be related to sleep, age, and noise exposure.

NLRP6 Induces Pyroptosis by Activation of Caspase-1 in Gingival Fibroblasts

NLRP6, a member of the nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat-containing (NLR) innate immune receptor family, has been reported to participate in inflammasome formation. Activation of inflammasome triggers a caspase-1-dependent programming cell death called pyroptosis. However, whether NLRP6 induces pyroptosis has not been investigated. In this study, we showed that NLRP6 overexpression activated caspase-1 and gasdermin-D and then induced pyroptosis of human gingival fibroblasts, resulting in release of proinflammatory mediators interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. Moreover, NLRP6 was highly expressed in gingival tissue of periodontitis compared with healthy controls. Porphyromonas gingivalis, which is a commensal bacterium and has periodontopathic potential, induced pyroptosis of gingival fibroblasts by activation of NLRP6. Together, we, for the first time, identified that NLRP6 could induce pyroptosis of gingival fibroblasts by activation of caspase-1 and may play a role in periodontitis.

[Method for recording tension changes of small pulmonary artery and vein using the isolated vessel tension measurement system]

Objective: To establish a standardized method for isolated pulmonary artery and vein rings with different diameter, pressure and length, which could provide a more scientific method for in vitro study of pulmonary vessel diseases. Methods: Male SD rats were anesthetized, and the right ventricular systolic pressure were measured. Small pulmonary artery and vein rings with 200-400 μm in diameter and 2 mm in length were prepared by dissecting pulmonary arteries and veins. The pulmonary vessel rings were mounted in the organ bath by 2 stainless steel wires with diameter of 40 μm. Then the internal circumference of the vessel rings was increased gradually with 100 μm per step. At the same time the vascular tension was recorded by the Myograph System and Acknowledgement data acquisition system, and subsequently the passive length-tension exponential curve was made. The initial tension of the rings was set, equilibrated for another 30 min, and then stimulated with 60 mmol/L KCl 3 times, and the best contractile reactivity was achieved. The contractile reactivity of pulmonary artery rings and endothelial integrity were detected by exposure to 1 μmol/L phenylephrine(PE) and 10 μmol/L acetylcholine(Ach), while the contractile reactivity of pulmonary vein rings was detected by exposure to 1 μmol/L U46619 and 10 μmol/L papaverine. Results: The contraction and relaxation effects of the pulmonary artery rings reached 0.39 mg and 92% when they were stimulated by 1 μmol/L PE and 10 μmol/L Ach. The contraction and relaxation effects of pulmonary vein rings were up to 0.13 mg and 84% when they were exposed to 1 μmol/L U46619 and 10 μmol/L papaverine, respectively. Conclusion: Pulmonary artery and vein rings with appropriate basal tension and optimal vasodilator activity were prepared, and a standardized method of tension experiment for isolated pulmonary artery and vein rings established.

Rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes co-cultured with PBMC increased peripheral CD4+ CXCR5+ ICOS+ T cell numbers

'Circulating' T follicular helper cells (Tfh), characterized by their surface phenotypes CD4⁺ chemokine receptor 5 (CXCR5)⁺ inducible co-stimulatory molecule (ICOS)⁺ , have been identified as the CD4⁺ T cell subset specialized in supporting the activation, expansion and differentiation of B cells. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) are critical in promoting inflammation and cartilage destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the interaction between FLS and T cells is considered to facilitate FLS activation and T cell recruitment. However, it remains unknown whether RA-FLS co-cultured with activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) has immunoregulatory effects on peripheral Tfh. In the present study, we co-cultured RA-FLS with or without anti-CD3/CD28-stimulated PBMC. The results showed that RA-FLS co-cultured with stimulated PBMC could increase the numbers of CD4⁺ CXCR5⁺ ICOS⁺ T cells of RA PBMC possibly via the production of interleukin (IL)-6, a critical cytokine involved in the differentiation of Tfh cells. We also observed increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the co-culture system of RA-FLS and PBMC. The percentage of CD4⁺ CXCR5⁺ ICOS⁺ T cells was decreased when ROS production was inhibited by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), a specific inhibitor which can decrease ROS production. In addition, we showed that the higher levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-1β in the co-culture system and the blocking of TNF receptor 2 (TNF-R2) and IL-1β receptor (IL-1βR) both decreased the numbers of CD4⁺ CXCR5⁺ ICOS⁺ T cells. Our study reveals a novel mechanistic insight into how the interaction of RA-FLS and PBMC participates in the RA pathogenesis, and also provides support for the biologicals application for RA.

The study of the relationship between aberrant expression of hot shock protein 70 (HSP70) and spontaneous abortion

OBJECTIVE

The present study is aimed to explore the relationship between aberrant expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP) and spontaneous abortion.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

50 patients with spontaneous abortion and 50 patients with induced abortion were continuously selected based on the nearest matching principle, and the proportion of age and gestational age was 1:1. The decidual tissues were obtained, and the cell apoptosis was determined by TUNEL assay. Further, the expression of HSP70 was assayed by immune-histochemical staining, and the expression of HSP70 mRNA was detected by the RT-PCR approach.

RESULTS

Apoptosis rate, HSP70 expression and HSP70 mRNA expression in the observation group were significantly higher than the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

HSP70 might induce apoptosis so as to cause spontaneous abortion.

The curative efficacy of arthroscopic therapy in treating anterior cruciate ligament rupture with secondary osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

To compare and analyze the clinical effects of arthroscopic therapy and drug therapy in treating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture with secondary osteoarthritis (OA).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 68 patients that were diagnosed as ACL rupture with secondary OA in our hospital from February 2014 to February 2015 were enrolled in our study. All of the patients were randomly divided into control group (n = 30) and observation group (n = 38) according to the order of admission. The patients in the control group were given analgesic, anti-inflammatory drugs + functional rehabilitation training whereas the patients in the observation group were given ACL reconstruction + OA debridement and functional rehabilitation training under arthroscopy.

RESULTS

The success rate of the observation group was 92.1%. After 3-month follow-up, the clinical total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group, the prevalence of complications in the observation group was significantly lower than in the control group, and differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Lysholm scale scoring of observation group was significantly higher than of the control group, modified McGill pain scale score was significantly lower than that of the control group, and differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Quadriceps muscle peak torque, average power, and the optimal single work at 60°/s, 120°/s, and 180°/s were significantly higher than those of the control group, and differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Arthroscopic operative therapy was safe and effective for the treatment of ACL with secondary OA. Compared with drug therapy, it can significantly improve the movement function of the knee joint, so it was worthy of clinical application.

Dense WDM transmission at 2 μm enabled by an arrayed waveguide grating

We show, for the first time, dense WDM (8×20  Gbit/s) transmission at 2 μm enabled by advanced modulation formats (4-ASK Fast-OFDM) and the development of key components, including a new arrayed waveguide grating (AWGr) at 2 μm. The AWGr shows -12.8±1.78  dB of excess loss with an 18-dB extinction ratio and a thermal tunability of 0.108 nm/°C.

Simultaneous changes in gray matter volume and white matter fractional anisotropy in Alzheimer's disease revealed by multimodal CCA and joint ICA

The prominent morphometric alterations of Alzheimer's disease (AD) occur both in gray matter and in white matter. Multimodal fusion can examine joint information by combining multiple neuroimaging datasets to identify the covariant morphometric alterations in AD in greater detail. In the current study, we conducted a multimodal canonical correlation analysis and joint independent component analysis to identify the covariance patterns of the gray and white matter by fusing structural magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging data of 39 AD patients (23 males and 16 females, mean age: 74.91±8.13years) and 41 normal controls (NCs) (20 males and 21 females, mean age: 73.97±6.34years) derived from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database. The results revealed 25 joint independent components (ICs), of which three joint ICs exhibited strong links between the gray matter volume and the white matter fractional anisotropy (FA) and significant differences between the AD and NC group. The joint IC maps revealed that the simultaneous changes in the gray matter and FA values primarily involved the following areas: (1) the temporal lobe/hippocampus-cingulum, (2) the frontal/cingulate gyrus-corpus callosum, and (3) the temporal/occipital/parietal lobe-corpus callosum/corona radiata. Our findings suggest that gray matter atrophy is associated with reduced white matter fiber integrity in AD and possibly expand the understanding of the neuropathological mechanisms in AD.

Hyperglycemia-induced small intestinal dysrhythmias attributed to sympathovagal imbalance in normal and diabetic rats

BACKGROUND

Hyperglycemia is known to induce dysrhythmias in the stomach; however, it is unknown whether they are also induced in the small intestine. Autonomic dysfunction is commonly noted in diabetes but the role it plays in hyperglycemia-induced dysrhythmias remains unknown. This study aimed to explore the effects of hyperglycemia on intestinal myoelectrical activity and the role of autonomic functions in hyperglycemia.

METHODS

Small intestinal myoelectrical activity (slow wave and spike activity) and autonomic functions (assessed by the spectral analysis of heart rate variability) were measured in Goto-Kakizaki diabetic rats and control rats treated with acute glucagon. Blood glucose was measured and its correlation with intestinal slow waves was determined.

KEY RESULTS

(1) The diabetic rats showed reduced regularity in intestinal slow waves in fasting and fed states (p < 0.001 for both), and increased sympathovagal balance (p < 0.05) in comparison with the control rats. The regularity in intestinal slow waves was negatively correlated with the HbA1c level in all rats (r = -0.663, p = 0.000). (2) Glucagon injection in the control rats induced transient hyperglycemia, intestinal slow wave dysrhythmias and impaired autonomic functions, similar to those observed in the diabetic rats. The increase in blood glucose was correlated with the decrease in the regularity of intestinal slow waves (r = -0.739, p = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Both spontaneous and glucagon-induced hyperglycemia results in slow wave dysrhythmias in the small intestine. Impairment in autonomic functions (increased sympathovagal balance) may play a role in hyperglycemia-induced dysrhythmias.

Relationship between the expression of CES2, UGT1A1, and GUSB in colorectal cancer tissues and aberrant methylation

Irinotecan (CPT-11) is considered an important drug in the treatment of colorectal cancer, but its continuous administration reduces its sensitivity and influences the curative effect. The metabolism of CPT-11 is mainly controlled by carboxy-lesterase (CES), UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A (UGT1A), and β-glucuronidase (GUSB). Studies to date have shown that methylation acts as an important mechanism for gene expression to suppress the metabolic enzymes of many chemotherapeutics. This study, which selected 99 colorectal cancer patients, 23 of whom had paracancerous tissues and eight of whom had large intestine adenomas, aimed to investigate the correlation between the protein expression of the CPT-11 metabolic enzyme genes CES2, UGT1A1, and GUSB and various clinical pathological parameters of colorectal cancer tissues, as well as the relationship between methylation regulation and the gene expression of CES2, UGT1A1, and GUSB. We used immunohistochemistry staining, methylation-specific PCR, and clinical status to reveal the possible regulatory targets of chemotherapeutic resistance in colorectal cancer and to provide new ideas and countermeasures to reverse anti-cancer drug resistance and chemosensitization. The results showed that the expression of CES2, UGTA1A1, and GUSB varies in colorectal pathology tissues and that the expression of CES2 is somewhat related to tumor staging. This relationship is likely caused by the gene regulation of UGT1A1 and GUSB, and other regulation mechanisms may also be involved. The methylation of the CES2 gene is irrelevant to the morbidity associated with colorectal cancer. The GUSB gene showed no significant differences in methylation, and the hemi-methylation was also positive, the regulating ability of which needs to be verified. The potential role of these genes in the colorectal cancer progression, which may be directly related to the methylation regulation of UGT1A1, requires further research. The promoter of the UGT1A1 gene in colorectal cancer cells is methylated, which is an important mechanism of UGT1A1 gene silencing and can be regarded as the target point of research for CPT-11 drug resistance and control mechanisms for the reversal of drug resistance.

Monte Carlo N-particle simulation of neutron-based sterilisation of anthrax contamination

OBJECTIVE

To simulate the neutron-based sterilisation of anthrax contamination by Monte Carlo N-particle (MCNP) 4C code.

METHODS

Neutrons are elementary particles that have no charge. They are 20 times more effective than electrons or γ-rays in killing anthrax spores on surfaces and inside closed containers. Neutrons emitted from a (252)Cf neutron source are in the 100 keV to 2 MeV energy range. A 2.5 MeV D-D neutron generator can create neutrons at up to 10(13) n s(-1) with current technology. All these enable an effective and low-cost method of killing anthrax spores.

RESULTS

There is no effect on neutron energy deposition on the anthrax sample when using a reflector that is thicker than its saturation thickness. Among all three reflecting materials tested in the MCNP simulation, paraffin is the best because it has the thinnest saturation thickness and is easy to machine. The MCNP radiation dose and fluence simulation calculation also showed that the MCNP-simulated neutron fluence that is needed to kill the anthrax spores agrees with previous analytical estimations very well.

CONCLUSION

The MCNP simulation indicates that a 10 min neutron irradiation from a 0.5 g (252)Cf neutron source or a 1 min neutron irradiation from a 2.5 MeV D-D neutron generator may kill all anthrax spores in a sample. This is a promising result because a 2.5 MeV D-D neutron generator output >10(13) n s(-1) should be attainable in the near future. This indicates that we could use a D-D neutron generator to sterilise anthrax contamination within several seconds.