[Correlation between serum IgM antibody and viral load with clinical symptoms in neonates infected with cytomegalovirus]

To investigate the correlation between serum cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgM antibody/viral load and infection-related clinical symptoms in neonates infected with CMV, and provide basis for clinical assessment and monitoring of neonatal CMV infection. A total of 70 neonates with CMV infection admitted to neonatology in Women's Hospital, School of Medicine Zhejiang University, from January 2014 to December 2020 were included in this study. Using real-time quantitative PCR as the diagnostic criteria, congenital cytomegalovirus-infected neonates (n=29) was diagnosed within the first 3 weeks of life, otherwise, it was postnatally acquired cytomegalovirus infection (n=41). The differences in general information and clinical indicators between IgM antibody positive and negative patients were analyzed, combined with the PCR result, the correlation between the IgM/viral load and the occurrence of symptoms were analyzed. T-test and non-parametric test were used to compare the differences of indicators between groups, logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis, and ROC curve was used to evaluate the auxiliary diagnostic value of relevant indicators. In the congenital CMV infection group and the postnatally acquired CMV infection group, viral load and the proportion of symptomatic patients in IgM positive group were significantly higher than IgM negative group (Z=-2.616, P=0.008; 80% vs. 21%, P=0.005) (Z=-2.405, P=0.016; 56% vs. 19%, P=0.025). Logistic regression analysis of the included population showed the risk factors of CMV infection-related symptoms were IgM positive (OR 4.562, 95%CI:1.461-14.246,P=0.009) and viral load (OR 1.728, 95%CI:1.068-2.798,P=0.026). Regressive analysis for single symptom with correction showed IgM antibody positive was associated with hearing dysfunction(OR 3.954, 95%CI:1.066-14.677,P=0.040),the CMV viral load was associated with thrombocytopenia (OR 2.228, 95%CI:1.124-4.413,P=0.022), and brain imaging abnormalities (OR 3.956, 95%CI:1.421-11.011, P=0.008). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed the area under ROC curve of CMV viral load for brain imaging abnormalities was 0.883 (P<0.001), with a sensitivity of 75.0% and specificity of 90.3%. For neonates infected with CMV, the risk of infection-related clinical symptoms and hearing dysfunction may be increased when IgM antibody was positive. Meanwhile, the higher the CMV viral load at diagnosis, the higher the risk of thrombocytopenia and abnormal brain imaging.

Irisin Regulates Cardiac Responses to Exercise in Health and Diseases: a Narrative Review

Exercise has been recognized as an important non-pharmacological approach for the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of cardiovascular diseases, but the mechanisms of exercise in promoting cardiovascular health remain unclear. Exercise generates cardiac benefits via stimulating muscle to secret hundreds of myokines that directly enter circulation and target heart tissue. Therefore, inter-organ communication between skeletal muscle and heart may be one important regulating pattern, and such communication can occur through secretion of molecules, frequently known as myokines. Irisin, a newly identified myokine, is cleaved from fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5) and secreted by the stimulation of exercise. Recently, accumulating evidence focusing on the interaction between irisin and cardiac function has been reported. This review highlights the molecular signaling by which irisin regulates the benefits of exercise on cardiac function both in physiological and pathological process, and discusses the clinical potential of irisin in treating heart diseases. Exercise generates various cardiovascular benefits through stimulating skeletal muscle to secrete irisin. The exercise "hormone" irisin, both produced by exercise or recombinant form, exerts therapeutic effects in a group of cardiovascular disorders including heart failure, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis and hypertension. However, the molecular mechanisms involved remain ambiguous.This review highlights the most up-to-date findings to bridge the gap between exercise, irisin and cardiovascular diseases, and discusses the potential clinical prospect of irisin.

[Characteristics of liver function changes in 111 elderly patients with COVID-19 pneumonia]

Objective: To retrospectively analyze the characteristics and influencing factors of liver function changes in 111 elderly patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: 111 elderly patients with COVID-19 admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from February 5 to March 3, 2020 were enrolled. According to the severity of disease and liver function condition, they were divided into severe group (n=40), normal group (n=71), abnormal liver function group (n=86) and normal liver function group (n=25). The indexes related to liver function changes [total bilirubin (TBil), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT)] and related influencing factors were analyzed. Results: Among 111 cases, 86 (77.5%) had abnormal liver function of varying degrees, and 28 (25.2%) had liver injury. The abnormal rates of TBil, AST, ALP and GGT were significantly higher in the severe group than normal group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in age, ribavirin, glucocorticoid and the application of lopinavir-ritonavir tablets between the abnormal liver function and the normal group (P>0.05). The proportion of male was significantly higher in the abnormal liver function than normal liver function group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Elderly COVID-19 patients have a higher proportion of abnormal liver function, and patients in the severe group are more likely to have higher level of TB, AST, ALP and GGT. The abnormal liver function may be related to the direct viral infection of the liver and the inflammatory immune response of the body after infection in elderly patients.

Total bone mineral density is inversely associated with stroke: a family osteoporosis cohort study in rural China

BACKGROUND

The relationship of osteoporosis and stroke is still not fully clarified. Apart from the well-known risk factors for stroke, bone mineral density (BMD) has gained more interest in recent years.

AIM

To further elucidate the relationship between BMD and stroke risk, a prospective cohort study in the Chinese rural population was conducted.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of a family osteoporosis cohort.

METHODS

Our subjects were selected from an osteoporosis cohort conducted in Anqing, China. All participants underwent a questionnaire assessment, clinical examinations and laboratory assessments. During the follow-up period, the number of people who had a stroke was recorded. Generalized estimating equation regression analysis was performed to determine the significance of the association between BMD and stroke.

RESULTS

A total of 17868 people were included. A two-way interaction test of sex and BMD on stroke was significant (P = 0.002). There was a significant difference in BMD and stroke morbidity in the male group (P = 0.003). When BMD was assessed as quartiles and the lowest quartile was used as reference, a significantly lower risk for stroke was observed in Q2-4. Notably, no significant difference was observed in female participants with adjusted odds ratio (P > 0.05). The P-value for interaction was calculated. The body mass index (P = 0.014) and waist-to-hip ratio (P = 0.027) were found to be significantly associated with BMD and stroke risk in female participants.

CONCLUSIONS

In Chinese rural areas, total BMD may negatively correlated with stroke, especially in men.

The effect of neuropilin-1 silencing on the transforming growth factor-β1-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition of colon cancer SW480 cells and its effect on the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cells

This study aimed to investigate the effect of neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) silencing on epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) mediated by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and on the proliferation and migration of colon cancer SW480 cells. After transfection of small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA)-NRP-1 into colon cancer SW480 cells, the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression levels of NRP-1 were detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. Four EMT models were induced using 0, 2, 5, and 10 ng/mL TGF-β1, respectively. Cell proliferation was detected using Cell Counting Kit-8, and the protein levels of EMT markers E-cadherin and vimentin were detected using Western blot. EMT was induced in the transfected SW480 cells using TGF-β1, after which four groups were created: a negative control group (siRNA-Ncontrol), a transfection group (siRNA-NRP-1), an induction group (TGF-β1), and a transfection + induction group (siRNA-NRP-1+TGF-β1). Western blot was then used to detect the expression of E-cadherin and vimentin, and cell proliferation and migration were detected using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and scratch assay. After transfection with siRNA-NRP-1, the mRNA and protein expression levels of SW480 cells were significantly decreased (P<0.05). After 48 hours of induction with 10 ng/mL TGF-β1, cell proliferation was obvious, E-cadherin expression decreased, and vimentin expression significantly increased (P<0.05), indicating that EMT had been successfully induced compared with the induction group, the transfection + induction group had significantly increased E-cadherin expression after corresponding treatments (including transfection and induction alone) (P<0.05), and the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cells decreased (P<0.05). In conclusion: silencing, NRP-1 in colon cancer SW480 cells can partially reverse TGF-β1-mediated EMT, reduce the proliferation activity of colon cancer cells, and slow their migration ability. Therefore, NRP-1 may become a new target for the treatment of colon cancer.

[Efficacy comparison of unilateral biportal endoscopic decompression and extended interlaminar fenestration for lumbar lateral recess stenosis]

Objective: To analyze and compare the clinical efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopic(UBE) decompression and extended interlaminar fenestration for lumbar lateral recess stenosis. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 103 patients treated with UBE decompression or extended interlaminar fenestration for lumbar lateral recess stenosis from July 2017 to June 2020 in the Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University was performed. Eighty patients aged 40 to 86 (63.2±9.8) years were included in this study, including 42 males and 38 females. Forty patients received UBE decompression (UBE group) and 40 patients received extended interlaminar fenestration (fenestration group). Operative time, length of incision, hospital stay and complications were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of low back pain and leg pain and Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI) scores were recorded preoperatively and at 1, 3 and 6 months after the operation and at the final follow-up, and the modified Macnab scale was used to evaluate the clinical efficacy at the final follow-up. Results: Patients in both groups successfully received lumbar lateral recess decompression and were followed up for (12.9±5.4) months in the UBE group and (14.9±3.5) months in the fenestration group, respectively. The operation time in the UBE group was (63.9±11.6) min, it was higher than that in the fenestration group ((54.1±9.2) min, P<0.001). The average incision length in the UBE group was (18.2±1.7) mm, it was lower than that in the fenestration group ((73.5±11.6) mm, P<0.001). Postoperative hospital stay in the UBE group was (4.1±2.2) d, it was lower than that in the fenestration group ((7.6±3.1) d, P<0.001). VAS scores of low back pain were improved after operation in both groups. Low back pain VAS scores of UBE group were lower than those in fenestration group at 1 and 3 months post operation (both P<0.05). The VAS scores of lower limb pain were improved after operation in both groups and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups at postoperative 1, 3, 6 months after the operation and at the last follow-up (all P>0.05). ODI scores were improved after operation in both groups. ODI scores of UBE group were lower than those in fenestration group at postoperative 1 month and 3 months(both P<0.05). Intraoperative dural tear occurred in 2 cases(5.0%) in the UBE group and 1 case(2.5%) in the fenestration group, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.556). According to the modified Macnab scale at the last follow-up, 35 cases were excellent, 3 cases were good, and 2 cases were fair in the UBE group, and 37 cases were excellent, 2 cases were good, and 1 case was fair in the open group. The difference was not statistically significant between the two groups (P=0.745). Conclusion: Compared with the extended interlaminar fenestration, UBE technique can not only reduce the early postoperative low back pain, shorten hospital stay, but also achieve the same long-term clinical efficacy with less trauma.

[Associations between adverse childhood experiences and adulthood substance use among lesbians]

Objective: To investigate the associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and substance use behaviors among lesbians to provide a scientific basis for high-risk population identification and formulation of targeted intervention measures. Methods: Lesbians who participated in routine AIDS voluntary counseling, testing services, activities, and peer recommendations were recruited from July to December 2018, with the help of LesPark in Beijing. Convenient sampling method was used. Demographic characteristics, ACE, and substance use behaviors of subjects were investigated using an online platform powered by www.wjx.cn. Subsequently, the associations between ACE and adulthood substance use behaviors were evaluated using the logistic regression model. The SPSS 22.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 294 lesbians were recruited in the study, 81.3% (239/294) of them were lesbians, and 18.7% (55/294) were bisexuals. Besides, 55.8% (164/294) of subjects reported they had had ACE, with proportions of lesbians experiencing abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction as 33.3% (98/294), 24.5% (72/294), and 32.7% (96/294), respectively. 55.1% (162/294) of the lesbians reported they had smoked in the past 30 days, 11.2% (33/294) reported having drug-use behavior in the past three months, and 22.8% (67/294) claimed drinking alcohol weekly. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that lesbians with ACE were at high risks to smoke (OR=1.87, 95%CI: 1.13-3.08), drink (OR=2.13, 95%CI: 1.18-3.84), and use drugs (OR=3.33, 95%CI: 1.29-8.61) in adulthood. Moreover, lesbians with childhood family dysfunction were at higher risk of smoking cigarettes (OR=2.60, 95%CI: 1.46-4.62) and drinking alcohol (OR=2.65, 95%CI: 1.44-4.87). At the same time, those with abuse experience were at higher risk of drug use (OR=3.17, 95%CI: 1.26-7.96). Conclusions: Substance use behaviors, including cigarette smoking, drinking alcohol, and drugs use, were common among lesbians. Positive associations were found between ACE and adulthood substance use behaviors.

[Activation of mir-30a-wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway upregulates cathepsin K expression to promote cementogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the role of cathepsin K (CTSK) regulated by mir-30a-wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in cementogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs).

METHODS

Human PDLSCs isolated by limiting dilution culture were induced by enamel matrix protein derivative (EMD) for differentiation into cementoblast-like cells. MicroRNA chip technique was employed to screen the differentially expressed microRNAs in the cells during induced differentiation. The effect of inhibiting miR-30a on CTSK expression in the induced cells was examined using RT-PCR and Western blotting. Ceramic scaffolds coated with PDLSCs treated with EMD and transfected with the miR-30a inhibitor or a lentiviral vector for CTSK overexpression were prepared and implanted subcutaneously in nude mice, and 8 weeks later the cellular expressions of cementoblast markers CAP and CEMP-1 were detected with immunohistochemistry to verify whether CTSK participate in cementogenic differentiation of PDLSCs. The role of wnt signaling pathway in miR-30a-mediated regulation of CTSK expression was explored by examining CTSK protein expressions after blocking wnt signaling in PDLSCs.

RESULTS

In PDLSCs with EMD-induced differentiation into cementoblast-like cells, multiple microRNAs exhibited differential expressions; and among them, miR-30a was specifically and significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05). Up-regulation of miR-30a obviously increased the expression of CTSK (P < 0.05) and promoted PDLSCs to form cementum-like tissues with high expressions of CAP and CEMP-1. The regulatory effect of miR-30a on CTSK expression was obviously attenuated after inhibiting wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

EMD induces cementogenic differentiation of PDLSCs possibly by up-regulating the expression of miR-30a, which further activates the wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to enhance the expression of CTSK.

Improved approach for evaluating saturated surface infiltration capacity of interlocking-block permeable pavements

Different infiltration tests of permeable pavements provide different measurements of the infiltration capacity. These measurements often do not represent the fundamental flow properties, and hence cannot be directly compared. This presents an undesirable obstacle to the sharing of experience and to obtaining a better understanding of the infiltration performances of different permeable pavements. This problem is especially acute in the case of interlocking-block permeable pavements (IBPPs), owing to the presence of joints and the different sizes, shapes, and laying patterns of paving blocks. To overcome this problem, the present study proposed a new approach for evaluating the infiltration capacity of an IBPP while retaining the same measuring devices in use today. This approach makes use of a finite-volume computational fluid dynamic method to develop a simulation model for an infiltration test. Once calibrated to define the hydraulic parameters of the IBPP being tested, the model can be applied to calculate the saturated infiltration capacity of the IBPP under actual rainfall conditions. The model also permits the calculation of a conventional infiltration capacity measurement, such as the average infiltration rate in mm/h as measured by a particular infiltration test, or the time required to drain the tested water depth. Thus, the proposed approach provides a meaningful common basis for comparing the infiltration capacities of different permeable pavements, including porous asphalt, pervious concrete, and IBPPs.

Uncovering turbulent plasma dynamics via deep learning from partial observations

One of the most intensely studied aspects of magnetic confinement fusion is edge plasma turbulence which is critical to reactor performance and operation. Drift-reduced Braginskii two-fluid theory has for decades been widely applied to model boundary plasmas with varying success. Towards better understanding edge turbulence in both theory and experiment, we demonstrate that a physics-informed deep learning framework constrained by partial differential equations can accurately learn turbulent fields consistent with the two-fluid theory from partial observations of electron pressure which is not otherwise possible using conventional equilibrium models. This technique presents a paradigm for the advanced design of plasma diagnostics and validation of magnetized plasma turbulence theories in challenging thermonuclear environments.

ORAI3 contributes to hypoxia-inducible factor 1/2α-sensitive colon cell migration

BACKGROUND

Hypoxia is a pivotal initiator of tumor angiogenesis and growth through the stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs). This study set out to examine the involvement of HIF-1α and HIF-2α in colon cancer and ascertained whether ORAI3 was involved in the pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients and murine models as well as human colorectal adenocarcinoma tumor (CW2) cells were included to examine the levels of ORAI1/3 and HIF-1/2α levels. Calcium imaging was utilized to ascertain the activity of calcium channel. Scratch assay was used to assess the migration capacity of the cells.

RESULTS

Tumors from murine colon cancer xenograft models and patients with colon cancer displayed high ORAI1/3 and HIF-1/2α levels. Hypoxia treatment, mimicking the tumor microenvironment in vitro, increased ORAI1/3 and HIF-1/2α expression as well as store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE). Of note is that HIF-1/2α silencing decreased SOCE, and HIF-1/2α overexpression facilitated SOCE. Furthermore, ORAI3 rather than ORAI1 expression was inhibited by HIF-1/2α silencing while increased by ML228. Luciferase assay also confirmed that ORAI3 was elevated in the presence of ML228, indicating the linkage between HIF-1/2α and ORAI3. Additionally, colony-forming potential and cell migration capacity were decreased in siHIF-1α and siHIF-2α as well as siORAI3 cells, and the facilitating effect of ML228 on cell migration and colony-forming potential was also decreased in siORAI3 CW-2 cells, which points out the importance of ORAI3 in HIF1/2α pathway.

CONCLUSION

Our findings allow to conclude that both HIF-1α and HIF-2α facilitate ORAI3 expression, hence enhancing colon cancer progression.

MiR-645 promotes proliferation and migration of non-small cell lung cancer cells by targeting TP53I11

OBJECTIVE

To research the expression and biological function of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-645 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to further explore the regulatory relationship between miR-645 and tumor protein p53 inducible protein 11 (TP53I11).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 41 tissue samples were collected from NSCLC patients, and RNAs were extracted from these tissues and reversely transcribed. Then, the expression level of miR-645 in the 41 tissue samples of patients, as well as that in NSCLC cells and human bronchial mucosal epithelial cells, was detected by quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). In vitro functional assays [methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, colony formation assay and transwell assay] were conducted to explore the effects of miR-645 on the proliferation and migration abilities of NSCLC cells. Finally, the downstream target genes of miR-645 were predicted by bioinformatics, screened via qRT-PCR and Western blotting experiments, and verified through Dual-Luciferase reporter gene assay.

RESULTS

QRT-PCR results showed that the miR-645 expression was upregulated in the tissue samples of 35 out of 41 NSCC cases. Besides, the miR-645 expression was upregulated in NSCC cells compared with that in human bronchial mucosal epithelial cells. After interfering with miR-645 expression, in vitro functional assay (MTT assay, colony formation assay and transwell assay) results revealed that the cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were inhibited. According to the results of qRT-PCR and Western blotting, after knocking down the expression of miR-645 in NSCLC cells, the expression of TP53I11 was upregulated, and the results of Dual-Luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that miR-645 could directly bind to TP53I11.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-645 expression is upregulated in NSCLC tissues and cells, and the proliferation and migration of NSCLC cells are promoted by targeted regulation on the TP53I11 expression.

Comparative effectiveness of improvement in pain and physical function for baricitinib versus adalimumab, tocilizumab and tofacitinib monotherapies in rheumatoid arthritis patients who are naïve to treatment with biologic or conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: a matching-adjusted indirect comparison

Objective

To compare improvement in pain and physical function for patients treated with baricitinib, adalimumab, tocilizumab and tofacitinib monotherapy from randomised, methotrexate (MTX)-controlled trials in conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs)/biologic (bDMARD)-naïve RA patients using matching-adjusted indirect comparisons (MAICs).

Methods

Data were from Phase III trials on patients receiving monotherapy baricitinib, tocilizumab, adalimumab, tofacitinib or MTX. Pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale (0–100 mm) and physical function using the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI). An MAIC based on treatment-arm matching, an MAIC with study-level matching and Bucher’s method without matching compared change in outcomes between therapies. Matching variables included age, gender, baseline disease activity and baseline value of outcome measure.

Results

With all methods, greater improvements were observed in pain and HAQ-DI at 6 months for baricitinib compared with adalimumab and tocilizumab (p<0.05). Differences in treatment effects (TEs) favouring baricitinib for pain VAS for treatment-arm matching, study-level matching and Bucher’s method, respectively, were −12, −12 and −12 for baricitinib versus adalimumab and −7, −7 and −9 for baricitinib versus tocilizumab; the difference in TEs for HAQ-DI was −0.28, −0.28 and −0.30 for adalimumab and −0.23, −0.23 and −0.26 for tocilizumab. For baricitinib versus tofacitinib, no statistically significant differences for pain improvement were observed except with one of the three methods (Bucher method) and none for HAQ-DI.

Conclusions

Results suggest greater pain reduction and improved physical function for baricitinib monotherapy compared with tocilizumab and adalimumab monotherapy. No statistically significant differences in pain reduction and improved physical function were observed between baricitinib and tofacitinib with the MAIC analyses.

Boosting the signal-to-noise of low-field MRI with deep learning image reconstruction

Recent years have seen a resurgence of interest in inexpensive low magnetic field (< 0.3 T) MRI systems mainly due to advances in magnet, coil and gradient set designs. Most of these advances have focused on improving hardware and signal acquisition strategies, and far less on the use of advanced image reconstruction methods to improve attainable image quality at low field. We describe here the use of our end-to-end deep neural network approach (AUTOMAP) to improve the image quality of highly noise-corrupted low-field MRI data. We compare the performance of this approach to two additional state-of-the-art denoising pipelines. We find that AUTOMAP improves image reconstruction of data acquired on two very different low-field MRI systems: human brain data acquired at 6.5 mT, and plant root data acquired at 47 mT, demonstrating SNR gains above Fourier reconstruction by factors of 1.5- to 4.5-fold, and 3-fold, respectively. In these applications, AUTOMAP outperformed two different contemporary image-based denoising algorithms, and suppressed noise-like spike artifacts in the reconstructed images. The impact of domain-specific training corpora on the reconstruction performance is discussed. The AUTOMAP approach to image reconstruction will enable significant image quality improvements at low-field, especially in highly noise-corrupted environments.

Genomic scan revealed KIT gene underlying white/gray plumage color in Chinese domestic geese

Goose is an important type of domesticated poultry. The wild geese that are regarded as the ancestors of modern domestic geese present gray plumage. Domesticated, geese have both white and gray feathers. To elucidate the genetic mechanisms underlying the formation of white and gray plumage in geese, we resequenced the whole genome of 18 geese from six populations including white and gray goose breeds. The average sequencing depth per individual was 9.81× and the average genome coverage was 96.8%. A total of 346 genes were detected in the top 1% of F_ST scores of gray- and white-feathered geese, and a significant F_ST site was located in the intron region within the KIT gene, the 18 bp deletion in KIT having the strongest potential association with white feathers. It has been reported that a number of genes are associated with plumage colors in birds. However, no studies have identified the relationship between KIT and plumage color in birds at present, although the white coat can be attributed to mutations in KIT in some mammals. Our study showed that that KIT is a plausible candidate gene for white/gray plumage color in Chinese domestic geese.

[Prevalence of CYP2C19 gene mutations in patients with coronary heart disease and its biological activation effect in clopidogrel antiplatelet response]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of CYP2C19 gene mutations on clopidogrel antiplatelet activity in the patients with coronary heart disease treated by percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods: Patients with coronary heart disease, who hospitalized in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from March 2011 to June 2019, and healthy individuals with matching genetic background, gender, and age as controls were included in this study. Basic clinical data were analyzed and blood samples of all research subjects were obtained for extraction of DNA, and Sanger first-generation sequencing method was used to detect CYP2C19 gene mutation from full exon and exon and intron junction. CYP2C19 gene variations in patients with coronary heart disease were compared with the 1000 Genomes Browse database and the sequencing results of healthy controls to determine whether the gene variation was a genetic mutation or a genetic polymorphism. After that, PolyPhen-2 prediction software was used to analyze the harmfulness of gene mutations to predict the effect of mutations on protein function. The same dose of CYP2C19 wild-type plasmid and the CYP2C19 gene mutant plasmids were transfected into human normal liver cells HL-7702. After transfection of 24 h, the expression of CYP2C19 protease in each group was detected. The liver S9 protein was incubated with clopidogrel, acted on platelets to detect the platelet aggregation rate and the activity of human vasodilator-activated phosphoprotein (VASP). Results: A total of 1 493 patients with coronary heart disease (59.36%) were enrolled, the average age was (64.5±10.4) years old, of which 1 129 were male (75.62%). Meanwhile, 1 022 healthy physical examination volunteers (40.64%) were enrolled, and the average age was (64.1±11.0) years old, of which 778 were male (76.13%). A total of 5 gene mutations of CYP2C19 gene were identified in 12 patients (0.80%), namely, 4 known mutations T130K (1 case), M136K (6 cases), N277K (3 cases), V472I (1 case) and one new mutation G27V (1 case), no corresponding gene mutation was found in healthy controls. It was found that T130K and M136K were probably damaging, G27V was possibly damaging, and N277K and V472I were benign mutations. In vitro, we demonstrated that the platelet aggregation rate of the M136K gene mutation group was 24.83% lower than that of the wild type (59.58% vs. 34.75%; P<0.05), and the phosphorylated VASP level was 23.0% higher than that of the wild type (1.0 vs. 1.23; P<0.05). However, the platelet aggregation rate and phosphorylated VASP level were similar between of G27V, T130K, N277K, V472I gene mutation groups and wild type group (P>0.05). Conclusions: In this study, 5 gene mutations are defined in patients with coronary heart disease, namely G27V, T130K, M136K, N277K, V472I. In vitro functional studies show that CYP2C19 gene mutation M136K, as a gain-of-function gene mutation, can enhance the activation of CYP2C19 enzyme on clopidogrel, thereby inhibiting the platelet aggregation rate.

Differences in hypertension and prehypertension among people living with and without HIV in China: role of HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy

OBJECTIVES

Hypertension is a growing health concern in people living with HIV (PLWH). However, association between HIV infection and hypertension is equivocal.

METHODS

In all, 1472 PLWH and 2944 HIV-negative individuals frequency-matched by age and sex were derived from the baseline survey of Comparative HIV and Aging Research in Taizhou (CHART), China. Prehypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (BP) of 120-139 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure of 80-89 mmHg.

RESULTS

Despite the fact that prevalence of hypertension was overall lower among PLWH than among HIV-negative people (21.1% vs. 29.1%, P < 0.001), it was similar at ages 18-29 (7.6% vs. 8.5%) and 30-44 years (17.1% vs. 18.5%) but significantly lower in PLWH at ages 45-59 (26.1% vs. 40.7%) and 60-75 years (37.1% vs. 57.3%). Prehypertension prevalence was consistently higher in PLWH across all age groups. In the model adjusting for traditional risk factors, HIV infection was associated with hypertension (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.27, 95% confidence interval: 1.04-1.55) and prehypertension (aOR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.51-2.08), and attenuated after additional adjustment for abdominal obesity. Age-stratified analysis showed that these associations of HIV with hypertension were observed at ages 18-29 and 30-44 years and associations with prehypertension were observed at ages 18-29, 30-44 and 45-59 years only. Years since HIV diagnosis and stavudine use were the HIV-specific factors independently associated with hypertension or/and prehypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

HIV infection is independently associated with prehypertension and hypertension especially at younger ages, and this risk may increase as treatment becomes prolonged. Our findings reinforce the urgent necessity for active BP screening and control strategies be adopted for PLWH in China.