[IL-8 Links NF-κB and Wnt/β-Catenin Pathways in Persistent Inflammatory Response Induced by Chronic Helicobacter pylori Infection]

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection can cause persistent inflammatory response in human gastric mucosal epithelial cells, which may result in the occurrence of cancer. However, the underlying mechanism of carcinogenesis has not been elucidated yet. Herein, we established the models of chronic H. pylori infection in GES-1 cells and C57BL/6J mice. Interleukin 8 (IL-8) level was detected by ELISA. The expression of NF-κB p65, IL-8, Wnt2 and β-catenin mRNA and proteins was evaluated by real-time PCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, and immunohistochemistry. The infection of H. pylori in mice was evaluated by rapid urease test, H&E staining and Warthin-Starry silver staining. The morphological changes of gastric mucosa were observed by electron microscopy. Our results showed that in H. pylori infected gastric mucosal cells along with activation of NF-κB signaling pathway and increase of IL-8 level, the expression of Wnt2 was also increased significantly, which preliminarily indicates that IL-8 can positively regulate the expression of Wnt2. Studies in chronic H. pylori infected C57BL/6J mice models showed that there was an increased incidence of premalignant lesions in the gastric mucosa tissue. Through comparing changes of gastric mucosal cell ultrastructure and analyzing the relationship between NF-κB signaling pathway and Wnt2 expression, we found that H. pylori infection activated NF-κB signal pathways, and the massive release of IL-8 was positively correlated with the high expression of Wnt2 protein. Subsequently, the activated Wnt/β-catenin signal pathways may be involved in the malignant transformation of gastric mucosal cells. Collectively, H. pylori chronic infection may continuously lead to persistent inflammatory response: activate NF-κB pathway, promote IL-8 release and thereby activate Wnt/β-catenin pathway. IL-8 probably plays an important role of a linker in coupling these two signal pathways.

Incidence and characteristics of aspiration pneumonia in adults in Beijing, China, 2011-2017

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to estimate aspiration pneumonia (AP) incidence and describe comorbid characteristics and mortality in Beijing, China.

STUDY DESIGN

A historical cohort study was conducted based on medical claim records.

METHODS

Patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of AP were identified from approximately 12 million adults who enrolled in the Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance program in Beijing, China, from January 2011 to December 2017. The incidences of AP and pneumonia with risk factors for aspiration (PRFA) were estimated by a Poisson distribution. The estimated annual percentage change was reported to represent the average percentage change in incidence per year. Characteristics and 6-month and 1-year all-cause mortality rates for AP and suspected AP patients were described and compared with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

RESULTS

The incidence rates of hospitalized AP and PRFA were 9.4 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.6, 11.3) and 102.9 (95% CI: 95.8, 110.3) per 100,000 person-years, respectively. The incidences increased rapidly with age and were stable across the observed years. Patients with AP and PRFA possessed a greater burden of comorbidities than CAP (mean age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity indices for AP: 7.72, PRFA: 7.83, and CAP: 2.84). The 6-month and 1-year all-cause mortality rates for those with AP and PRFA were higher than those for patients with CAP (6-month mortality, AP: 35.2%, PRFA: 21.8%, CAP: 11.1%; 1-year mortality, AP: 42.7%, PRFA: 26.6%, CAP: 13.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of AP and PRFA in Beijing was reported, presenting a full picture of the disease burden. The results provide baseline information for AP prevention.

Quartz-Enhanced Photoacoustic Spectroscopy-Conductance Spectroscopy for Gas Mixture Analysis

A novel spectroscopic method, named quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy-conductance spectroscopy (QEPAS-CS), was first developed for gas mixture analysis. In QEPAS-CS, the advantage of photoacoustic detection and conductance analysis was realized by a quartz tuning fork (QTF). Two-component gas analysis was done by photoacoustic detection and conductance detection. For an explicit application, natural spider silk was used as a water vapor transducer to modify the QTF, making a conductance sensing channel. A 2004 nm laser diode was used as an excitation source for a photoacoustic sensing channel. Such a QEPAS-CS sensor was used for H₂O/CO₂ gas mixture analysis in a cell incubator. This provides a solution to calibrate an infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy gas sensor. This example effectively confirms the capacity of multigas analysis by the QEPAS-CS sensor.

Geniposide alleviates pressure overload in cardiac fibrosis with suppressed TGF-β1 pathway

BACKGROUND

Cardiac fibrosis is one of the main contributors to the pathogenesis of heart failure. Geniposide (GE), a major iridoid in gardenia fruit extract, has recently been reported to improve skeletal muscle fibrosis through the modulation of inflammation response. This investigation aimed to illuminate the cardio-protective effect and the potential mechanism of GE in cardiac fibrosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A transverse aortic contraction (TAC) induction mice model was established and GE (0 mg/kg; 10 mg/kg; 20 mg/kg; 40 mg/kg) was administered by oral gavage daily for 4 weeks. Hemodynamic parameters, Masson's trichrome stain, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining were estimated and cardiomyocyte fibrosis, interstitial collagen levels, and hypertrophic markers were analyzed using qPCR and western blot. In vitro, H9C2 cells were exposed to the Ang II (1 μM) pretreated with GE (0.1 μM, 1 μM, and 10 μM). Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected. Moreover, the transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad2 pathway was assessed in vivo and in vitro.

RESULTS

GE significantly ameliorated TAC-induced cardiac hypertrophy, ventricular remodeling, myocardial fibrosis, and improved cardiac function in vivo, and it inhibited Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis in vitro. We further observed that the inflammatory channel TGF-β1/Smad2 pathway was suppressed by GE both in vivo and in vitro.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that GE inhibited myocardial fibrosis and improved hypertrophic cardiomyocytes with attenuated the TGF-β1/Smad2 pathway and proposed to be an important therapeutic of cardiac fibrosis reduced by TAC.

[Efficacy and safety of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for epidermal growth factor receptor-mutant advanced non-small cell lung cancer]

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for EGFR mutant advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: It was a retrospective, single-arm real-world study and a total of 39 patients with stage ⅢB to Ⅳ EGFR mutant NSCLC diagnosed in Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from July 2018 to December 2020 were collected. There were 16 males and 23 females, the age ranged from 25 to 73 years, with a median age of 53 years. All patients received EGFR-TKIs synchronously combined with pemetrexed and platinum-containing chemotherapy for 4-6 cycles as first-line treatment, followed by EGFR-TKI monotherapy with or without pemetrexed maintenance therapy. The objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS) and adverse reactions were evaluated. Median follow-up time was 18.6 months (95%CI: 16.2-21.0 months). The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Results: The ORR was 61.5% (24/39), the DCR was 94.9% (37/39) and the median PFS was 16.4 months (95%CI: 12.1-20.7 months). The main adverse reactions were liver function injury (59.0%, 23/39), myelosuppression (43.6%, 17/39), skin reaction (25.6%, 10/39), gastrointestinal reaction (17.9%, 7/39), fatigue (12.8%, 5/39) and kidney injury (5.1%, 2/39). Most of the patients had grade 1-2 adverse reactions, and the rate of grade 3 adverse events were 12.8%(5/39), which were effectively alleviated after symptomatic support treatment, no grade 4 serious adverse events occurred. Conclusion: EGFR-TKIs synchronously combined with chemotherapy followed by EGFR-TKI monotherapy with or without pemetrexed maintenance therapy has a certain therapeutic effect and fairly good safety, which can prolong PFS in patients with EGFR mutated advanced NSCLC.

[Analysis of the clinical features and the risk factors of severe human metapneu movirus-associated community acquired pneumonia in children]

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and the risk factors of severe human metapneumovirus (hMPV)-associated community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children. Methods: A retrospective case summary was conducted. From December 2020 to March 2022, 721 children who were diagnosed with CAP and tested positive for hMPV nucleic acid by PCR-capillary electrophoresis fragment analysis of nasopharyngeal secretions at the Yuying Children's Hospital, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University were selected as the research objects. The clinical characteristics, epidemiological characteristics and mixed pathogens of the two groups were analyzed. According to CAP diagnostic criteria, the children were divided into the severe group and the mild group. Chi-square test or Mann-Whitney rank and contrast analysis was used for comparison between groups, while multivariate Logistic regression was applied to analyze the risk factors of the severe hMPV-associated CAP. Results: A total of 721 children who were diagnosed with hMPV-associated CAP were included in this study, with 397 males and 324 females. There were 154 cases in the severe group. The age of onset was 1.0 (0.9, 3.0) years, <3 years old 104 cases (67.5%), and the length of hospital stay was 7 (6, 9) days. In the severe group, 67 children (43.5%) were complicated with underlying diseases. In the severe group, 154 cases (100.0%) had cough, 148 cases (96.1%) had shortness of breath and pulmonary moist rales, and 132 cases (85.7%) had fever, 23 cases (14.9%) were complicated with respiratory failure. C-reactive protein (CRP) was elevated in 86 children (55.8%), including CRP≥50 mg/L in 33 children (21.4%). Co-infection was detected in 77 cases (50.0%) and 102 strains of pathogen were detected, 25 strains of rhinovirus, 17 strains of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, 15 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, 12 strains of Haemophilus influenzae and 10 strains of respiratory syncytial virus were detected. Six cases (3.9%) received heated and humidified high flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy, 15 cases (9.7%) were admitted to intensive care unit, and 2 cases (1.3%) received mechanical ventilation. In the severe group, 108 children were cured, 42 children were improved, 4 chlidren were discharged automatically without recovery and no death occurred. There were 567 cases in the mild group. The age of onset was 2.7 (1.0, 4.0) years, and the length of hospital stay was 4 (4, 6) days.Compared with the mild group, the proportion of children who age of disease onset <6 months, CRP≥50 mg/L, the proportions of preterm birth, congenital heart disease, malnutrition, congenital airway malformation, neuromuscular disease, mixed respiratory syncytial viruses infection were higher (20 cases (13.0%) vs. 31 cases (5.5%), 32 cases (20.8%) vs. 64 cases (11.3%), 23 cases (14.9%) vs. 44 cases (7.8%), 11 cases (7.1%) vs. 18 cases (3.2%), 9 cases (5.8%) vs. 6 cases (1.1%), 11 cases (7.1%) vs. 12 cases (2.1%), 8 cases (5.2%) vs. 4 cases (0.7%), 10 cases (6.5%) vs. 13 cases (2.3%), χ²=0.42, 9.45, 7.40, 4.94, 11.40, 8.35, 3.52, 6.92, all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age<6 months (OR=2.51, 95%CI 1.29-4.89), CRP≥50 mg/L (OR=2.20, 95%CI 1.36-3.57), prematurity (OR=2.19, 95%CI 1.26-3.81), malnutrition (OR=6.05, 95%CI 1.89-19.39) were the independent risk factors for severe hMPV-associated CAP. Conclusions: Severe hMPV-associated CAP is most likely to occur in infants under 3 years old and has a higher proportion of underlying diseases and co-infection. The main clinical manifestations are cough, shortness of breath and pulmonary moist rales, fever. The overall prognosis is good. Age<6 months, CRP≥50 mg/L, preterm birth, malnutrition are the independent risk factors for severe hMPV-associated CAP.

Cross-sectional quantitative validation of the pediatric Localized Scleroderma Quality of Life Instrument (LoSQI): A disease-specific patient-reported outcome measure

BACKGROUND

The Localized Scleroderma Quality of Life Instrument (LoSQI) is a disease-specific patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure designed for children and adolescents with localized scleroderma (LS; morphea). This tool was developed using rigorous PRO methods and previously cognitively tested in a sample of pediatric patients with LS.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the LoSQI in a clinical setting.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data from four specialized clinics in the US and Canada were included in the analysis. Evaluation included reliability of scores, internal structure of the survey, evidence of convergent and divergent validity, and test-retest reliability.

RESULTS

One-hundred ten patients with LS (age: 8-20 years) completed the LoSQI. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis supported the use of two sub-scores: Pain & Physical Functioning and Body Image & Social Support. Correlations with other PRO measures were consistent with pre-specified hypotheses.

LIMITATIONS

This study did not evaluate longitudinal validity or responsiveness of scores.

CONCLUSION

Results from a representative sample of children and adolescents with LS continue to support the validity of the LoSQI when used in a clinical setting. Future work to evaluate the responsiveness is ongoing.

[Interpretation of key points of the technical guidelines for clinical trials of drugs for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis]

There are limited drug options in the field of primary biliary cholangitis, so there is a great clinical need. In recent years, research and development of PBC treatment medications have been active domestically and internationally, and clinical trials have been conducted on multiple drugs with distinct targets. Therefore, on February 13, 2023, the State Drug Administration issued the "Technical Guidelines for Clinical Trials of Drugs for the Treatment of Primary Biliary Cholangitis" in order to guide and standardize the clinical trials of drugs for the treatment of PBC. This article briefly summarizes the key points of the guiding principles, focuses on the difficulties of clinical evaluation of drugs, discusses the key elements of clinical trials such as the selection of test populations and efficacy endpoints, and introduces the determination process through literature searches and expert discussion methods combined with reviewer experience and scientific considerations.

Bioturbation in sediment cores from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the northeast Pacific: Evidence from excess 210Pb

Radioactivity levels of ²¹⁰Pb and ²²⁶Ra were measured to evaluate the bioturbation coefficients and mixing depths in one sediment core collected from the polymetallic nodule area inside the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), a contract area of the China Ocean Mineral Resources Association (COMR) in the eastern Pacific Ocean. With a steady-state diffusion mode, the bioturbation coefficient and mixing depth of the sediment core were estimated to be 81.5 cm²/a and 51.3 cm, respectively, higher than that of the sediment core from the previous results from abyssal or global areas, which may be attributed to the distribution of total organic carbon (TOC) abundance. In addition, the transport flux of TOC from the surface layer to the deep layer were evaluated to be 1.15 mmol/(cm²·a), resulting in 83,200 tons of carbon buried annually into the sediment in the CCZ, indicating that a potential carbon sink will be disturbed with future exploration.

[Cross-sectional associations between reproductive lifespan duration and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio]

Objective: To investigate the association between reproductive lifespan duration (RLD) and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) in a Chinese postmenopausal population. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 11 055 naturally postmenopausal women from seven regions of China from May to December 2011. RLD was divided into four groups. Propensity score matching was performed to reduce bias, and logistic regressions and stratifications were conducted to investigate the association between RLD and increased UACR (≥30 mg/g). Mediation effect analysis was performed to quantify the effect of RLD on cardiovascular disease (CVD) induced by elevated UACR. Results: There were 2 373 participants with a RLD of 18-31 years, 2 888 participants with a RLD of 32-34 years, 2 472 participants with a RLD of 35-36 years, and 3 322 participants with a RLD of 37-50 years. The shortest RLD (18-31 years) group was characterized with older age (P<0.001), a higher incidence of CVD (P=0.025), and the highest level of UACR (P<0.001). After adjusting for confounders, women with a longer RLD (37-50 years group) exhibited a lower risk of UACR elevation compared with those with the shortest RLD (18-31 years group) (OR=0.72, 95%CI 0.64-0.82, P<0.001). Every 1-year extension in RLD was linked to a 2% reduction in the risk of UACR elevation (OR=0.98, 95%CI 0.97-0.99, P<0.001). Stratified analysis revealed a more significant association between RLD and UACR in women who were a normal weight (P=0.003) or overweight (P=0.001), in those without CVD history (P=0.001), and in those with impaired estimated glomerular filtration rate (P=0.004). The mediation casual analysis showed that 3.0% of proteinuria inducing CVD events was mediated by RLD (P=0.048). Conclusion: A longer RLD (37-50 years) is associated with a lower UACR in Chinese postmenopausal women.

[Effect of Trichomonas vaginalis macrophage migration inhibitory factor on THP-1 macrophages]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of Trichomonas vaginalis macrophage migration inhibitory factor (TvMIF) on THP-1 macrophages.

METHODS

Recombinant TvMIF protein was prokaryotic expressed and purified, and endotoxin was removed after identification. Following exposure to TvMIF at concentrations of 0, 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 ng/mL, the cytotoxicity of the recombinant TvMIF protein to THP-1 macrophages was tested using cell counting kit (CCK)-8 assay, and the apoptosis of THP-1 macrophages and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected using flow cytometry. The relative expression of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 genes was quantified using real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay, and the expression of caspase-1, NLRP3, gasdermin D (GSDMD), gasdermin D N-terminal (GSDMD-NT) and pro-IL-1β proteins were determined using Western blotting assay.

RESULTS

Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) displayed successful expression and purification of the recombinant TvMIF protein with a molecular weight of 15.5 kDa, and the endotoxin activity assay showed the successful removal of endotoxin in the recombinant TvMIF protein (endotoxin concentration < 0.1 EU/mL), which was feasible for the subsequent studies on protein functions. Flow cytometry revealed that the recombinant TvMIF protein at a concentration of 10 ng/mL and less promoted the apoptosis of THP-1 macrophages, and the highest apoptotic rate of THP-1 macrophages was seen following exposure to the recombinant TvMIF protein at a concentration of 5 ng/mL, while the recombinant TvMIF protein at concentrations of 50 and100 ng/mL inhibited the apoptosis of THP-1 macrophages. Exposure to the recombinant TvMIF protein at a concentration 1 ng/mL resulted in increased ROS levels in THP-1 macrophages. qPCR assay quantified significantly elevated caspase-1, NLRP3, IL-18 and IL-1β expression in THP-1 macrophages 8 hours post-treatment with the recombinant TvMIF protein at a concentration 1 ng/mL, and Western blotting determined increased caspase-1, NLRP3, pro-IL-1β, GSDMD and GSDMD-NT protein expression in THP-1 macrophages following exposure to the recombinant TvMIF protein at a concentration 1 ng/mL. Pretreatment with MCC950 significantly reduced GSDMD and GSDMD-NT protein expression.

CONCLUSIONS

High-concentration recombinant TvMIF protein inhibits macrophage apoptosis, while low-concentration recombinant TvMIF protein activates NLRP3 inflammasome and promotes macrophage pyroptosis.

A New Algorithm for Detection of Animal and Plant Ion Concentration Based on Gene Expression Programming

In order to accurately predict the concentration detection data of ion sensors for animal and plant, this paper proposes a gene expression programming (GEP) based concentration detection method. The method includes collecting ion concentration data as well as voltage timing data; preprocessing all the collected data to obtain an initial sample set; constructing a prediction model of ion concentration, which is an explicit functional relationship between voltage and the concentration of a specific ion. The Gene Expression Programming is used to train and evaluate the prediction model, and obtain a trained model. By comparing gene expression programming with other two modeling methods, it is found that the accuracy of the model established by gene expression programming has greater advantages than that established by polynomial fitting and neural network in processing animal and plant ion concentration data.

Identification of ovarian endometriotic cysts in cystic lesions of the ovary by amide proton transfer-weighted imaging and R2∗ mapping

AIM

To investigate the value of amide proton transfer weighted (APTw) imaging and R2∗ mapping of cystic fluid in differentiating ovarian endometriotic cysts (OE) from other ovarian cystic (OOC) lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 42 patients who underwent 3 T pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were enrolled. Nineteen lesions were OE and 27 lesions were OOC. The APTw imaging and R2∗ values of the cystic fluid were measured and compared between the two groups using the independent sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of different parameters. The area under ROC curves (AUCs) was compared using the Delong test. Spearman's correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between APTw imaging and R2∗ values.

RESULTS

APTw imaging values of OE were lower, while R2∗ values were higher in OE than those in OOC (p=0.001 and < 0.001). The AUCs of APTw imaging and R2∗ values to identify OE from OOC were 0.910 and 0.975. The AUC increased to 0.990 when combining APTw imaging and R2∗ values, yet without a significant difference to the APTw imaging or R2∗ value alone (p=0.229 and 0.082, respectively). APTw imaging values were negatively correlated with R2∗ values (r=-0.522, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Both APTw imaging and R2∗ values of OE are significantly different from other ovarian cystic lesions. APTw imaging combined with R2∗ values show excellent diagnostic efficacy to differentiate between OE and OOC.

The survival of the prostate cancer patients with secondary colorectal cancer: a study based on a SEER database from southern China

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prognosis of prostate cancer patients with secondary colorectal cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included men with prostate cancer who developed colorectal cancer after radical prostatectomy in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Outcomes (SEER) database. After adjusting the age at first diagnosis, the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and Gleason score, the influence of the occurrence of secondary colorectal cancer on the prognosis of patients was evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 66,955 patients were included in the present study. The median follow-up was 12 years. There were 537 patients with the incidence of the secondary colorectal cancer. The results of the three survival analysis methods all showed that the secondary colorectal cancer greatly increased the mortality risk of prostate cancer patients. Cox analysis results showed the hazard ratio (HR) is 3.79 (3.21-4.47), the Cox model with time-dependent covariates was introduced, and the result was 6.15 (5.19-7.31). When the Landmark time point is set to 5 years, the HR is 4.99 (3.85-6.47).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides an important theoretical basis for evaluating the effect of secondary colorectal cancer on the prognosis of prostate cancer patients.

[Scimitar syndrome with pulmonary sequestration containing carcinoma: a case report]

We reported the manifestations, auxiliary examination, and treatment courses of a case of scimitar syndrome with pulmonary sequestration containing carcinoma. The clinical characteristics of scimitar syndrome with pulmonary sequestration, pulmonary sequestration containing carcinoma were summarized based on the data of this case and the related literatures before January 2022. Scimitar syndrome can coexist with ipsilateral pulmonary sequestration. Because sequestered lung tissue has a risk of malignant transformation, a cancer screening test is useful for early diagnosis and timely treatment.

[Immunoprotective effect of recombinant peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase from Babesia microti against B. microti infection in mice]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the immunoprotective effect of active immunization with recombinant peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase from Babesia microti against B. microti infection in mice.

METHODS

Female BALB/c mice at 6 weeks of age, each weighing approximately 20 g, were divided into the recombinant protein immunization group, the infection control group and the normal control group, of 25, 18, 15 mice in each group, respectively. Mice in the recombinant protein immunization group were given active immunization with recombinant BmPPIase protein, and 18 mice with the highest antibody titers were intraperitoneally injected with 100 μL of B. microti-infected whole blood 2 weeks after the last immunization. Mice in the infection control group were intraperitoneally injected with 100 μL of B. microti-infected whole blood, while 15 mice in the normal control group received no treatment. Blood samples were collected from mice in the recombinant protein immunization group and the infection control group on days 0 to 30 post-immunization for detection of B. microti infection, and blood samples were collected on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 post-immunization for routine blood tests with a blood cell analyzer and for detection of serum cytokines using cytometric bead array.

RESULTS

Anti-BmPPIase antibodies were detected in 25 mice in the recombinant protein immunization group 2 weeks after the last immunization, with titers of 5 × 10³ to 8 × 10⁴. B. microti infection rate peaked in mice in both the recombinant protein immunization and the infection control group on day 7 post-immunization, with positive infection rates of 13.3% and 50.0%, and there were significant differences between the two groups in terms of B. microti infection rate on days 3 (χ²= 113.18, P < 0.01), 5 (χ² = 475.22, P < 0.01), 7 (χ² = 465.98, P < 0.01) and 9 post-infection (χ²= 18.71, P < 0.01), while the B. microti infection rate tended to be 0 in both groups on day 11 post-immunization. Routine blood tests showed higher red blood cell counts [(5.30 ± 0.50) × 10¹² to (9.87 ± 0.24) × 10¹² counts/L)] and hemoglobin levels [(89.67 ± 22.80) to (148.60 ± 3.05) g/L)] in the recombinant protein immunization group than in the infection control group on days 0 to 28 post-immunization. Cytometric bead array detected higher serum interferon-γ [(748.59 ± 17.56) to (3 858.28 ± 1 049.10) fg/mL], tumor necrosis factor-α [(6 687.34 ± 1 016.64) to (12 708.13 ± 1 629.79) fg/mL], interleukin (IL)-6 [(611.05 ± 75.60) to (6 852.68 ± 1 554.00) fg/mL] and IL-17a [(167.68 ± 185.00) to (10 849.27 ± 355.40) fg/mL] and lower IL-10 levels [(247.65 ± 138.00) to (18 787.20 ± 2 830.22) fg/mL] in the recombinant protein immunization group than in the infection control group during the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

Recombinant BmPPIase protein induces up-regulation of interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α and presents a high immunoprotective activity against B. microti infection in mice, which is a potential vaccine candidate protein.

UCHL1 Impairs Periodontal Ligament Stem Cell Osteogenesis in Periodontitis

Periodontitis comprises a series of inflammatory responses resulting in alveolar bone loss. The suppression of osteogenesis of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) by inflammation is responsible for impaired alveolar bone regeneration, which remains an ongoing challenge for periodontitis therapy. Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) belongs to the family of deubiquitinating enzymes, which was found to play roles in inflammation previously. In this study, the upregulation of UCHL1 was identified in inflamed PDLSCs isolated from periodontitis patients and in healthy PDLSCs treated with tumor necrosis factor-α or interleukin-1β, and the higher expression level of UCHL1 was accompanied with the impaired osteogenesis of PDLSCs. Then UCHL1 was inhibited in PDLSCs using the lentivirus or inhibitor, and the osteogenesis of PDLSCs suppressed by inflammation was rescued by UCHL1 inhibition. Mechanistically, the negative effect of UCHL1 on the osteogenesis of PDLSCs was attributable to its negative regulation of mitophagy-dependent bone morphogenetic protein 2/Smad signaling pathway in periodontitis-associated inflammation. Furthermore, a ligature-induced murine periodontitis model was established, and the specific inhibitor of UCHL1 was administrated to periodontitis mice. The histological results showed increased active osteoblasts on alveolar bone surface and enhanced alveolar bone regeneration when UCHL1 was inhibited in periodontitis mice. Besides, the therapeutic effects of UCHL1 inhibition on ameliorating periodontitis were verified, as indicated by less bone loss and reduced inflammation. Altogether, our study proved UCHL1 to be a key negative regulator of the osteogenesis of PDLSCs in periodontitis and suggested that UCHL1 inhibition holds promise for alveolar bone regeneration in periodontitis treatment.

[Analysis of the usage of post-exposure prophylaxis and related factors among men who have sex with men]

A survey was conduct to analyze the usage situation of post-exposure prophylaxis(PEP) and related factors among men who have sex with men(MSM) in 6 cities of Shandong Province. Total of 2 620 subjects, the use ratio was 2.98% (78/2 620). Compared with age≤24 years,monthly income<5 000 yuan,non-commercial sex, non-DU,non-STD,role for being insert in the anal intercourse,MSM was more likely to use PEP with age≥45 years(OR=3.87, 95%CI:1.12-13.36),monthly income≥5 000 yuan(OR=1.87, 95%CI:1.07-3.28),commercial sex (OR=3.13, 95%CI:1.56-6.28), drug users (DUs) (OR=4.63, 95%CI:2.51-8.52),STD patient (OR=2.35,95%CI:1.05-5.27),the mixed sex role group(OR=2.25,95%CI:1.10-4.62).

[Predictive value of hemoglobin glycation index for chronic kidney disease]

Objective: To investigate the influence of hemoglobin glycation index (HGI) on the risk of incident chronic kidney disease (CDK) among nondiabetic patients. Methods: Prospective cohort study. At baseline, a total of 7 407 nondiabetic patients without a history of CKD from Pingguoyuan Community of the Shijingshan District in Beijing were included from December 2011 to August 2012, who were then divided into three groups according to the tertiles of their baseline HGI levels. The CKD incidence rate was compared among the different HGI groups at last follow-up. Cox multivariable regression was applied to evaluate whether HGI measures predicted CKD risk. Test for trend across tertiles were examined using ordinal values in separate models. Results: The mean age of the subjects was (56.4±7.5) years, and 4 933 (66.6%) were female. At mean follow-up of 3.23 years, 107 (1.4%) individuals developed CKD. The incidence of CKD was gradually increasing from the low to high HGI groups [1.1% (28/2 473) vs. 1.2% (31/2 564) vs. 2.0% (48/2 370), P=0.016]. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, after adjustment for potential confounders, the high HGI group had a 68.5% increased risk of CKD compared with the low HGI group (HR=1.685, 95%CI 1.023 to 2.774). CKD risk increased with increasing HGI tertiles (P for trend=0.028). Conclusion: High HGI is associated with an increased risk for CKD in the nondiabetic population, indicating that HGI may help identify individuals at high risk for CKD.

[The application value of cardiac magnetic resonance quantitative T1 mapping technique for risk stratification in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension]

Objective: To explore the application value of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) native T₁ mapping for risk stratification in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Methods: A total of 59 patients with diagnosed PAH and clear-documented risk status in Peking Union Medical College Hospital and underwent CMR examination between January 2019 and December 2021 were retrospectively included, which including 12 males and 47 females, aged from 4 to 77 (31±13) years. Those patients were subdivided into two groups based on the clinically-assessed risk status: low-risk group (n=30) and intermediate-/high-risk group (n=29). Twenty-five healthy individuals were included as controls. Base, midventricular, and apical inferior right ventricular insertion point (IRVIP) native T₁ values on short axis images were measured. Native T1 values in PAH patients and control group, in low-risk group and intermediate-/high-risk group were compared, respectively, and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves with area under the curves (AUC) were calculated to evaluate the application value of native T₁ values for risk stratification in PAH patients. Results: Base, midventricular and apical IRVIP native T₁ of PAH patients were all significantly increased as compared to controls [Base:(1 439.31±129.96) vs (1 282.36±37.18) ms;midventricular:(1 450.32±111.55) vs (1 287.56±53.16) ms;apical:(1 444.12±109.15) vs (1 266.36±75.31) ms](all P<0.001). The midventricular IRVIP native T₁ values were significantly higher in patients in intermediate-/high-risk status as compared to those in low-risk status [ (1 493.24±126.32) vs (1 428.50±85.73) ms,P=0.026]. The AUC of mid ventricle IRVIP native T₁ for distinguishing patients in intermediate-/high-risk status was 0.741. The base [(1 458.21±134.96) vs (1 421.03±104.75) ms, P=0.241] and apical [(1 465.90±125.36) vs (1 423.07±87.87) ms,P=0.136] IRVIP native T1 values in patients in intermediate-/high-risk group were also numerically higher as compared with patients in low-risk status, however, without statistical significant (both P>0.05). Conclusion: Midventricular IRVIP native T₁ value might have a role for assisting in risk stratification in PAH patients, which was clinically significant for facilitating the work-up and prognosis improvement of PAH patients.

Impacts of menopause hormone therapy on mood disorders among postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the modulatory effects of menopause hormone therapy (MHT) on mood disorders among postmenopausal women.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted to recruit postmenopausal women, including patients (arranged MHT for over 3 years as the medication group) and non-MHT controls. All participants were asked to respond to the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener (GAD-7) questionnaires to assess their depression and anxiety status.

RESULTS

A total of 230 cases from the two groups were determined based on propensity score matching analysis by matching the menopausal age and menopausal durations. We found that MHT served as a favorable modulator in the depression status of postmenopausal women. Among the four factors of the CES-D questionnaire, our data indicated that the differences between the two groups fell primarily into two aspects: depressive emotion, and somatic symptoms or retarded activities. MHT was mainly involved in improving the depression of overweight women. However, no substantial effects of MHT were observed on the regulation of anxiety.

CONCLUSION

Postmenopausal women, especially the overweight population, who have experienced MHT exhibited an improved depressive status but not their anxiety condition.