P3390Relationship of thrombus healing to underlying plaque characteristics in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: an optical coherence tomography study

Background

Acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is typically characterized by an occlusive coronary thrombus propagation on a disrupted or eroded atherosclerotic plaque. A variable period of plaque instability and thrombus formation occur days or weeks old in approximately 50% of patients with STEMI. Presence of late stage (older) thrombi in aspirated coronary material is an independent predictor of 1-year and long-term mortality in STEMI patients. However, the relationship between coronary thrombus healing to underlying plaque morphology and characteristics in vivo still remains largely unknown.

Purpose

Our objective was to assess differences in thrombus healing between ruptured and eroded plaques in vivo and evaluate the impact of underlying plaque characteristics on thrombus healing using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods

Analyzable coronary material was obtained during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from 135 patients with STEMI within 12h of symptom onset. Thrombi were morphologically classified as either early or late stage (lytic changes or organization). Of the 135 patients, 110 were eligible for culprit lesion evaluation using OCT. Quantitative and qualitative underlying plaque characteristics were assessed by OCT.

Results

Late-stage thrombi were found in 49 of 110 (44.5%) culprit plaques. Patients with eroded plaques more frequently had late-stage thrombi compared with ruptured plaques (59.0% vs. 36.6%, p<0.001). Subgroup analysis was performed between plaque rupture, identified in 71 patients (64.5%) and plaque erosion in 39 patients (35.5%). In plaque ruptures, patients with late-stage thrombi had larger lipid core length (12.4±3.3 vs. 14.5±3.8, p=0.020), larger rupture cavity length [1.5 (1.0, 2.0) vs. 1.9 (1.5, 2.8), p=0.034] and increased residual thrombus length [7.8 (6.3, 11.2) vs. 10.3 (7.8, 13.8), p=0.021] assessed by OCT compared with early thrombus group. However, in plaque erosions, late stage thrombi were associated with decreased residual thrombus burden compared with patients with early thrombus group [16.8 (12.8, 20.4) vs. 13.4 (10.7, 14.8), p=0.012]. No significant difference was found between thrombus healing with peak creatine kinase concentration or maximum NT-pro BNP in subgroup analysis.

Conclusions

Coronary thrombi in STEMI patients exhibited diverse phases of healing, depending on the etiology of the underlying culprit plaque in vivo. These observations indicate entirely distinct mechanisms of thrombus propagation, maturation and healing between plaque rupture and erosion, illustrating an opportunity for more tailored treatment in patients with different plaque type.

[Comparison the clinical efficacy of 3D versus 2D total laparoscopic thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer by via-breast approach]

Objective:To summarize and analyze the clinical efficacy of 3D and 2D laparoscopic surgery in thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer. Method: Thirty-seven patients with early-differentiated thyroid cancer underwent laparoscopic surgery from August 2016 to November 2018. Their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into 3D laparoscopic group and 2D laparoscopic group based on laparoscopic imaging systems. The perioperative clinical indicators and postoperative complications of the two groups were compared. Result: Compared with the 2D laparoscopic group, the 3D laparoscopic group had shorter operation time and less bleeding, and the incidence of postoperative complications was less, but the differences between the two groups were not statistically significant(P>0.05). Conclusion: Compared with the 2D laparoscopic thyroidectomy, 3D laparoscopic thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer allows higher surgical precision, shorter operation time, lower operation risk and smoother surgical procedure, thus improves surgical efficiency.

[The mediating role of psychological resilience to childhood abuse and binge eating among middle school students]

To explore the mediating role of psychological resilience to childhood abuse and binge eating. This study assessed the childhood abuse, binge eating and psychological resilience of 3 453 middle school students in Harbin city, Heilongjiang Province. SPSS PROCESS macro program, combined with Bootstrap method, was employed to explore the mediating effect of psychological resilience. The incidence of middle school students experiencing at least one type of abuse in their childhood was 81.3% (2 807/3 453). Childhood abuse, psychological resilience and binge eating were all significantly different in terms of gender, household registration and whether they were only child (all P values<0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between childhood abuse and binge eating. Psychological resilience was negatively associated with childhood abuse and binge eating. Childhood abuse could not only directly predict the binge eating behavior of adolescents, but also could indirectly affect it via psychological resilience.

Flightless I exacerbation of inflammatory responses contributes to increased colonic damage in a mouse model of dextran sulphate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by cytokine driven inflammation that disrupts the mucosa and impedes intestinal structure and functions. Flightless I (Flii) is an immuno-modulatory protein is a member of the gelsolin family of actin-remodelling proteins that regulates cellular and inflammatory processes critical in tissue repair. Here we investigated its involvement in UC and show that Flii is significantly elevated in colonic tissues of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Using an acute murine model of colitis, we characterised the contribution of Flii to UC using mice with low (Flii+/-), normal (Flii+/+) and high Flii (FliiTg/Tg). High levels of Flii resulted in significantly elevated disease severity index scores, increased rectal bleeding and degree of colon shortening whereas, low Flii expression decreased disease severity, reduced tissue inflammation and improved clinical indicators of UC. Mice with high levels of Flii had significantly increased histological disease severity and elevated mucosal damage with significantly increased inflammatory cell infiltrate and significantly higher levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-5 and IL-13 pro-inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, Flii overexpression resulted in decreased β-catenin levels, inhibited Wnt/β-catenin signalling and impaired regeneration of colonic crypts. These studies suggest that high levels of Flii, as is observed in patients with UC, may adversely affect mucosal healing via mechanisms involving Th1 and Th2 mediated tissue inflammation and Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway.

Recombinant invasive Lactobacillus plantarum expressing fibronectin binding protein A induce specific humoral immune response by stimulating differentiation of dendritic cells

Recombinant lactic acid bacteria (LAB), especially Lactococcus lactis, have been genetically engineered to express heterogeneous invasion proteins, such as the fibronectin binding protein A (FnBPA) from Staphylococcus aureus, to increase the invasion ability of the host strains, indicating a promising approach for DNA vaccine delivery. The presence of FnBPA has been also shown to be an adjuvant for co-delivered antigens, however, the underlying mechanisms are still not clear. To explore the above underlying mechanisms, in this study, we constructed a novel Lactobacillus plantarum strain with surface displayed FnBPA, which could significantly improve the adhesion and invasion ratios of L. plantarum strain on a porcine intestinal epithelial cell line (IPEC-J2) about two-fold compared with the empty vector. At the same time, the presence of FnBPA significantly stimulated the differentiation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) and increased the secretion of interleukin (IL)-6 and mRNA level of IL-6 gene, which were proved by flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). With regard to in vivo study, the presence of FnBPA significantly stimulated the differentiation of DCs in the Peyer's patch (PP) and the percentages of IL-4⁺ and IL-17A⁺ T helper (Th) cells of splenocytes in flow cytometry assay. In consistent with these results, the levels of IL-4 and IL-17A in serum as measured via ELISA also increased in mice treated with FnBPA⁺ L. plantarum. Finally, the FnBPA strain increased the production of B220⁺ B cells in mesenteric lymph node (MLN) and PP and the levels of FnBPA-specific IgG and sIgA antibodies, indicating the its possible application in vaccine field. This study demonstrated that the invasive L. plantarum with surface displayed FnBPA could modulate host immune response by stimulating the differentiation of DCs and Th cells which could possibly be responsive for the adjuvant effects of FnBPA.

Direct observation of magnetic contrast obtained by photoemission electron microscopy with deep ultra-violet laser excitation

Magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) and magnetic linear dichroism (MLD) have been investigated in a photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM) system excited by a deep ultra-violet (DUV) laser (with λ = 177.3 nm and hυ = 7.0 eV) for the first time. High resolution PEEM magnetic images (down to 43.2 nm) were directly obtained on a (001)-oriented magnetic FePt film surface with a circularly-polarized light under normal incidence. Furthermore, a stepped Cr seeding layer was applied to induce the formation of large-area epitaxial FePt films with (001) and (111) two orientations, where MLD with large asymmetry was observed in the transition area of two phases. It demonstrates that DUV laser can be a powerful source for high resolution magnetic imaging in the laboratory in absence of synchrotron facilities.

Construction of a novel DNA vaccine candidate targeting F gene of genotype VII Newcastle disease virus and chicken IL-18 delivered by Salmonella

AIMS

Genotype VII Newcastle disease (ND) is one of the most epidemic and serious infectious diseases in the poultry industry. A novel vaccine targeting VII Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is still proving elusive.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, we constructed regulated delayed lysis Salmonella strains expressing either a fusion protein (F) alone under an eukaryotic CMV promoter or together with chicken IL-18 (chIL-18) as a molecular adjuvant under prokaryotic P_trc promoter, named pYL1 and pYL23 respectively. Oral immunization with recombinant strains induced NDV-specific serum IgG antibodies in both pYL1- and pYL23-immunized chickens. The presence of chIL-18 significantly increased lymphocyte proliferation in immunized chickens, as well as the percentages of CD3⁺ CD4⁺ and CD3⁺ CD8⁺ T cells in serum, even if a statistically significant difference did not exist. After a virulent challenge, pYL23 immunization provided about 80% protection at day 10 postinfection, compared with 60% of protection offered by pYL1 immunization and 100% protection in the inactivated vaccine group, indicating the enhanced immune response provided by chIL-18, which was also confirmed by histochemical analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Recombinant lysis Salmonella-vectored DNA vaccine could provide us a novel potential option for controlling NDV infection.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study took use of a regulated delayed lysis Salmonella vector for the design of an orally administrated vaccine against NDV.

Role of selenium addition to CdZnTe matrix for room-temperature radiation detector applications

Because of its ideal band gap, high density and high electron mobility-lifetime product, cadmium zinc telluride (CdZnTe or CZT) is currently the best room-temperature compound-semiconductor X- and gamma-ray detector material. However, because of its innate poor thermo-physical properties and above unity segregation coefficient for Zn, the wide spread deployment of this material in large-volume CZT detectors is still limited by the high production cost. The underlying reason for the low yield of high-quality material is that CZT suffers from three major detrimental defects: compositional inhomogeneity, high concentrations of dislocation walls/sub-grain boundary networks and high concentrations of Te inclusions/precipitates. To mitigate all these disadvantages, we report for the first time the effects of the addition of selenium to the CZT matrix. The addition of Se was found to be very effective in arresting the formation of sub-grain boundaries and its networks, significantly reducing Zn segregation, improving compositional homogeneity and resulting in much lower concentrations of Te inclusions/precipitates. Growth of the new quaternary crystal Cd_1−xZn_xTe_1−ySe_y (CZTS) by the Traveling Heater Method (THM) is reported in this paper. We have demonstrated the production of much higher yield according to its compositional homogeneity, with substantially lower sub-grain boundaries and their network, and a lower concentration of Te inclusions/precipitates.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide is required in the maintenance of immune regulatory competency of immune regulatory monocytes

Dysfunction of the immune regulatory system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has multiple bioactivities. This study aims to investigate the role of VIP in the maintenance of the immune regulatory capacity of monocytes (Mos). Human peripheral blood samples were collected from RA patients and healthy control (HC) subjects. Mos and CD14⁺ CD71^- CD73⁺ CD25⁺ regulatory Mos (RegMos) were isolated from the blood samples and characterized by flow cytometry. A rat RA model was developed to test the role of VIP in the maintenance of the immune regulatory function of Mos. The results showed that RegMos of HC subjects had immune suppressive functions. RegMos of RA patients expressed less interleukin (IL)-10 and showed an incompetent immune regulatory capacity. Serum levels of VIP were lower in RA patients, which were positively correlated with the expression of IL-10 in RegMos. In-vitro experiments showed that the IL-10 mRNA decayed spontaneously in RegMos, which could be prevented by the presence of VIP in the culture. VIP suppressed the effects of tristetraprolin (TTP) on inducing IL-10 mRNA decay in RegMos. Administration of VIP inhibited experimental RA in rats through restoring the IL-10 expression in RegMos. RegMos have immune suppressive functions. VIP is required in maintaining IL-10 expression in RegMos. The data suggest that VIP has translational potential in the treatment of immune disorders such as RA.

Correction to: Validation of a virtual intracorporeal suturing simulator

The surname of Sreekanth Arikatla incorrectly appeared as Sreekanth Artikala.

Size, Aspect Ratio and Anatomic Location of Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms: Consecutive Series of 415 Patients from a Prospective, Multicenter, Observational Study

To analyze the size and location distribution of ruptured intracranial aneurysms (IAs) helps to provide evidence for clinical treatment of unruptured IAs using this feature of aneurysms. In this study, 415 patients who presented with an acute subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by IAs were enrolled from eight tertiary referral centers between June 2016 and March 2018. The size, aspect ratio and anatomic location of ruptured IAs were defined and reported by patient sex. In the study cohort of 415 patients (60.5% women) with saccular ruptured IAs, the three most common locations of ruptured IAs were posterior communicating artery (32.0%), anterior communicating artery (28.7%), and middle cerebral artery (13.5%). The mean size of all ruptured IAs was 5.3±3.1 mm (range 1.1-28.5 mm), but the size varied considerably by location. For example, ruptured IAs of the posterior communicating artery had a mean size of 5.8±3.1 mm, whereas the mean size of ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysms was 4.6±1.7 mm. The mean AR in all ruptured IAs was 1.66±0.76. Of those aneurysms, 243 (58.6%) had an AR smaller than 1.6 and 318 (76.6%) had an AR smaller than 2.0. Our results suggested that the size of the most ruptured IAs are smaller than 7 mm or even 5 mm. The size and AR varied by sex and location. With the knowledge of size, location and AR, multiplicity should be considered for treatment strategies of unruptured IAs.

The association between circulating irisin levels and different phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome

PURPOSE

The diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is based on a combination of various clinical phenotypes in each patient. However, insulin resistance (IR) and dysmetabolism are not included in the diagnostic criteria of PCOS. Therefore, the definition of PCOS is controversial. The objective of this study is to investigate whether some PCOS phenotypes can be predicted by a circulating biomarker related to IR and metabolic dysfunction in PCOS women.

METHODS

One hundred and seventeen women with PCOS and 95 healthy women were recruited for this study. All individuals were assessed by the phenotypic and metabolic characteristics related to PCOS. A euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp was performed to assess insulin sensitivity. Circulating irisin concentrations were determined with ELISA.

RESULTS

In our PCOS cohort, 65.8% of individuals were found to have hyperandrogenism. 83.8% had chronic oligoanovulation, and 80.3% of subjects showed polycystic ovaries. According to the diagnostic criteria of PCOS, 30.8% of PCOS subjects were diagnosed with the classic phenotype. In addition, 65.8% of PCOS women had insulin resistance. Serum irisin levels were significantly higher in PCOS women compared with healthy women. However, PCOS women with a normoandrogenic phenotype had similar circulating irisin levels as healthy women. PCOS women with the normoandrogenic phenotype had a low homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and higher M-values than PCOS women with other phenotypes. Circulating irisin levels were associated with hyperandrogenism, but not with oligoanovulation or PCO morphology.

CONCLUSIONS

Circulating irisin may allow physicians to establish which women merit screening by a biomarker for PCOS.

Search for CP Violation in Neutrino and Antineutrino Oscillations by the T2K Experiment with 2.2×10^{21} Protons on Target

The T2K experiment measures muon neutrino disappearance and electron neutrino appearance in accelerator-produced neutrino and antineutrino beams. With an exposure of 14.7(7.6)×10^{20} protons on target in the neutrino (antineutrino) mode, 89 ν_{e} candidates and seven anti-ν_{e} candidates are observed, while 67.5 and 9.0 are expected for δ_{CP}=0 and normal mass ordering. The obtained 2σ confidence interval for the CP-violating phase, δ_{CP}, does not include the CP-conserving cases (δ_{CP}=0, π). The best-fit values of other parameters are sin^{2}θ_{23}=0.526_{-0.036}^{+0.032} and Δm_{32}^{2}=2.463_{-0.070}^{+0.071}×10^{-3}  eV^{2}/c^{4}.

Kaposiform haemangioendothelioma: clinical features, complications and risk factors for Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon

BACKGROUND

Few studies have reported the clinical features, complications and predictors of Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon (KMP) associated with Kaposiform haemangioendothelioma (KHE).

OBJECTIVES

To determine the clinical characteristics present at diagnosis and to identify features that may aid clinicians in managing KHE.

METHODS

We conducted a cohort study of 146 patients diagnosed with KHE.

RESULTS

KHE precursors or lesions were present at birth in 52·1% of patients. In 91·8% of patients, lesions developed within the first year of life. The median age at diagnosis of KHE was 2·3 months (interquartile range 1·0-6·0). The extremities were the dominant location, representing 50·7% of all KHEs. Among KHEs in the cohort, 63·0% were mixed lesions (cutaneous lesions with deep infiltration). Approximately 70% of patients showed KMP. A KHE diagnosis was delayed by ≥ 1 month in 65·7% of patients with KMP. Patients with KMP were more likely to have major complications than patients without KMP (P = 0·023). Young age (< 6 months), trunk location, large lesion size (> 5·0 cm) and mixed lesion type were associated with KMP in a univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, only age [odds ratio (OR) 11·9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4·07-34·8; P < 0·001], large lesion size (OR 5·08, 95% CI 2·24-11·5; P < 0·001) and mixed lesion type (OR 2·96, 95% CI 1·23-7·13; P = 0·016) were associated with KMP.

CONCLUSIONS

Most KHEs appeared before 12 months of age. KHEs are associated with various major complications, which can occur in combination and develop early in the disease process. Young age, large lesion size and mixed lesion type are important predictors of KMP.

In Vitro Comparison of Fibrinolytic Activity of Plasminogen Activators Using a Thrombelastographic Method: In Vivo Evaluation of the B-Chain-Streptokinase Complex in the Dog Model Using Pre-Titered Doses

Thrombelastography was used to quantitatively compare the clot-lysing efficiency of 6 different plasminogen activators, using human whole blood, pooled normal plasma, and platelet rich plasma. The activators compared were the B-chain-streptokinase complex, the plasmin-streptokinase complex, the mini-plasmino-gen-streptokinase complex, tissue plasminogen activator, streptokinase, and urokinase. The most efficient activator found was the B-chain-streptokinase complex. This complex was 4.0 times more effective than streptokinase, 3.0 times more effective than the plasmin-streptokinase complex, 1.3 times more effective than the mini-plasminogen-streptokinase complex, 2.3 times more effective than tissue plasminogen activator, and 16.0 times more effective than urokinase. Although there were differences in both the coagulation and fibrinolysis thrombelastographic patterns between plasma and whole blood, the comparative efficiencies of each activator were the same with either plasma or blood

The B-chain-streptokinase complex was evaluated as a thrombolytic agent in clot-lysis experiments in the jugular vein in the dog model, using a thrombelastographic method to determine the minimum dose of activator necessary for clot-lysis. With 6 dogs infused locally with 0.25 mg (8000 I.U.) of the plasmin-streptokinase complex, the cumulative clot-lysis was 18.0 ± 3.0% with the first dose, 33.0 ± 2.1% with the second dose, and 55.2 ± 8.6% with the third dose. With 6 dogs infused locally with 0.03 mg (2000 I.U.) of the B-chain-streptokinase complex, the cumulative clot-lysis was 30.6 ± 6.4% with the first dose, 54.4 ± 9.6% with the second dose, and 80.2 ± 9.0% with the third dose.

Comparison of nitrogen utilization and urea kinetics between yaks (Bos grunniens) and indigenous cattle (Bos taurus)

Under traditional management on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, yaks () graze only on natural pasture without supplements and are forced to cope with sparse forage of low N content, especially in winter. In contrast, indigenous Tibetan yellow cattle () require supplements during the cold season. We hypothesized that, in response to harsh conditions, yaks cope with low N intakes better than cattle. To test this hypothesis, a study of whole-body N retention and urea kinetics was conducted in 2 concurrent 4 × 4 Latin squares, with 1 square using yaks and 1 square using cattle. Four isocaloric forage-concentrate diets differing in N concentrations (10.3, 19.5, 28.5, and 37.6 g N/kg DM) were formulated, and by design, DMI were similar between species and across diets. Urea kinetics were determined with continuous intravenous infusion of NN urea for 104 h, and total urine and feces were concomitantly collected. Urea production, urea recycling to the gut, and ruminal microbial protein synthesis all linearly increased ( < 0.001) with increasing dietary N in both yaks and cattle. Urinary N excretion was less ( = 0.04) and N retention was greater ( = 0.01) in yaks than in cattle. Urea production was greater in yaks than in cattle at the 3 lowest N diets but greater in cattle than in yaks at the highest N diet (species × diet, < 0.02). Urea N recycled to the gut ( < 0.001), recycled urea N captured by ruminal bacteria ( < 0.001), and ruminal microbial protein production ( = 0.05) were greater in yaks than in cattle. No more than 12% of urea recycling was through saliva, with no difference between species ( = 0.61). Glomerular filtration rate was lower ( = 0.05) in yaks than in cattle. The higher urea recycling and greater capture of recycled urea by ruminal microbes in yaks than in cattle suggest that yaks use mechanisms to utilize dietary N more efficiently than cattle, which may partially explain the better survival of yaks than cattle when fed low-N diets.

[The expression of KLK7 in pancreatic cancer and the effects on the biological behavior of pancreatic cancer cells]

Objective: To investigate the expression of KLK7 in pancreatic cancer and its clinical significance. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of KLK7 protein in pancreatic cancer tissue microarray with 92 samples. Statistical analysis of the relationship between KLK7 and clinicopathological characteristics was finished. Pancreatic cancer cell lines were infected with lentiviuses in order to get cells with KLK7 stable overexpression.KLK7-siRNA was transfected into pancreatic cancer cells to knock down KLK7.Cell proliferation and chemosensitivity were detected by CCK-8 assay; Cell invasion and migration abilities were detected by Transwell assay. At the same time, subcutaneous xenograft tumor models were established in nude mice to observe the effect of KLK7 on tumor growth in nude mice. Data were statistically analyzed by rank sum test, χ(2) test and Logistic regression analysis. Results: The expression level of KLK7 in pancreatic cancer tissues was higher than that in paired adjacent tissues (P<0.05). KLK7 expression was correlated with vascular invasion(χ(2)=7.535, P<0.05). Further univariate and multivariate analysis showed that KLK7 expression was an independent risk factor for vascular invasion of pancreatic cancer(χ(2)=7.535, P<0.05). The overexpression of KLK7 in pancreatic cancer cell lines BxPC-3 and CFPAC can increase their proliferation abilities, reduce the chemosensitivity and promote their migration and invasion behaviour; The results of in vivo experiments showed that the volume of subcutaneously transplanted tumors in the overexpressing KLK7 group was significantly larger than that in the control group (t=4.479, P<0.05). The group of overexpressing KLK7 showed greater tumor weight than the control group(t=2.831, P<0.05). Conclusions: The expression level of KLK7 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma was higher than that in paired adjacent tissues and it is an independent risk factor for vascular invasion of pancreatic cancer.KLK7 can promote the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells, reduce the chemosensitivity and increase the invasion and migration of pancreatic cancer cells.

Effect of sildenafil on pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart failure

This study aims to evaluate the effect of sildenafil on pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with chronic left heart failure. Twenty patients with PH and left heart failure were divided into treatment group (10 cases, with an oral dose of sildenafil 75 mg daily for 8 weeks) and control group (10 cases, with treatment of cardiac glycosides, diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, angiotensin II receptor blocker and beta-blockers). Left ventricular systolic function (LVEF), the pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PH), the left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS), the left atrium diameter (LAD) and the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVD) were measured by echocardiography, the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was also calculated. The level of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was detected by electrochemiluminescence and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) by immune transmission. The walking distance in 6-minute walk test (6-MWT) was calculated. Before treatment, there were no significant differences in LVEF, LVFS, NT–proBNP, hsCRP, 6-MWT, LVD, LAD and LVMI between the treatment group and control group. After four weeks intervention in the treatment group, LVEF, FS and 6-MWT were significantly increased, while NT–proBNP, hsCRP, 6-MWT, LVD and LVMI were significantly decreased, when compared with the control group. In conclusion, sildenafil can improve cardiac function and reduce pulmonary artery pressure. In addition, it can attenuate myocardial remodeling through its anti-inflammatory effect.

Spermatogenesis-associated 48 is essential for spermatogenesis in mice

Azoospermia, oligospermia and teratozoospermia all seriously impact male reproductive health. Spermatogenesis is a complex and precisely regulated process in which germ cells proliferate and differentiate and involves the regulation of multiple testis-specific genes. Here, we identified testis-specific gene spermatogenesis-associated 48 (SPATA48), the expression of which was age-dependent, indicating that it is involved in spermatogenesis. In humans and mice with azoospermia, expression of SPATA48 disappeared in the testis. Spata48-/- knockout male mice had smaller testis and defective spermatogenesis compared to wild-type (WT) mice. This study can help in the exploration of the genetic basis of male infertility and identify new targets for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.

[Preliminary study on the accuracy of infrabony root surface area of single-root teeth by periapical films]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the accuracy of periapical film in evaluating the infrabone root surface area of single-root teeth with different types of resorption of the alveolar bone.

METHODS

In this study, the medical records and imaging data of patients in Department of Periodontology of Peking University Hospital of Stomatology from January 2014 to December 2016 were retrospectively analysed. The involved teeth were divided into two groups: horizontal bone loss group and vertical bone loss group. Digital three-dimensional models of teeth were segmented from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data, and the percentage of the infrabone root surface area was measured. While the percentage of the residual alveolar bone was measured on the periapical films. The correlation of the two percentages were analyzed, and the differences between the two percentages of each group were compared.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients and 79 single-root teeth were involved totally, in whom there were 25 men and 7 women, aged 26-60 years, and of which there were 41 teeth in the horizontal bone loss group and 38 teeth in the vertical bone loss group. The remaining alveolar bone height percentages were 45.13%-90.39% on the periapical films, and at the same time, the infrabone root surface area percentages were 36.27%-93.03% on CBCT. The residual alveolar bone height percentage of the horizontal bone loss group was not subject to normal distribution, so the residual alveolar bone height percentage and the infrabone root surface area percentage were analyzed by Wilcoxon matched pair rank test (P=0.382), and the result showed no statistically significant difference. The mean value of difference value of the two measurements was 0, and the consistency limit of 95 % was -9.7%-9.8%, between the clinical consistency limit (-15%-15%).The residual alveolar bone height percentage and the infrabone root surface area percentage of the vertical bone loss group were analyzed by paired T test (P< 0.001), and the result showed statistically significant difference. The mean value of difference value of the two measurements was 7.2 %, and the consistency limit of 95% was -13.1%-27.5%, beyond clinical consistency limit (-15%-15%).

CONCLUSION

For the teeth with horizontal bone loss, the proximal residual alveo-lar bone height reflected on the periapical films could show the infrabone root surface area relatively accurately. For the teeth with vertical bone loss, the periapical films could not show the degree of periodontal tissue loss accurately, and it would underestimate the extent of bone destruction usually, so CBCT might be taken to show the bone destruction condition of this type of teeth if necessary.

Targeting histone-acetyltransferase Tat-interactive protein 60 inhibits intestinal allergy

BACKGROUND

The overproduction of IgE plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of allergy; the mechanism is unclear. Histone-acetyltransferase (HAT) activities are required in gene transcription of a large number of molecules in the immune system of the body.

OBJECTIVES

This study tests a hypothesis that HAT Tat-interactive protein 60 (Tip60) plays an important role in the initiation of IgE-mediated allergy.

METHODS

The effects of Tip60 on regulating IgE expression were assessed with B cells. An intestinal allergy mouse model was developed to assess the role of Tip60 in the induction of IgE-mediated allergic inflammation.

RESULTS

High levels of Tip60 were observed in the peripheral B cells of patients with FA. Tat-interactive protein 60 (Tip60) was required in the expression of IgE and IgG1 in B cells by inducing the chromatin remolding at the gene locus, in which histone acetylation, signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6), and nuclear factor-κB at the locus of Iε promoter were markedly increased. Blocking Tip60 significantly attenuated the allergic inflammation in the mouse intestinal mucosa.

CONCLUSIONS

Tat-interactive protein 60 (Tip60) plays an important role in the induction of IgE in B cells. Blocking Tip60 inhibits the allergic inflammation in the intestine, suggesting Tip60 inhibitor may be a potential anti-allergy drug.

The prevalence, age-of-onset and the correlates of DSM-IV psychiatric disorders in the Tianjin Mental Health Survey (TJMHS)

BACKGROUND

To effectively shape mental healthcare policy in modern-day China, up-to-date epidemiological data on mental disorders is needed. The objective was to estimate the prevalence, age-of-onset (AOO) and sociodemographic correlates of mental disorders in a representative household sample of the general population (age ⩾ 18) in the Tianjin Municipality in China.

METHODS

Data came from the Tianjin Mental health Survey (TJMHS), which was conducted between July 2011 and March 2012 using a two-phase design. 11 748 individuals were screened with an expanded version of the General Health Questionnaire and 4438 subjects were selected for a diagnostic interview by a psychiatrist, using the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - fourth edition (SCID).

RESULTS

The lifetime and 1-month prevalence of any mental disorder were 23.6% and 12.8%, respectively. Mood disorders (lifetime: 9.3%; 1-month: 3.9%), anxiety disorders (lifetime: 4.5% 1-month: 3.1%) and substance-use disorders (lifetime: 8.8%; 1-month: 3.5%) were most prevalent. The median AOO ranged from 25 years [interquartile range (IQR): 23-32] for substance-use disorders to 36 years (IQR: 24-50) for mood disorders. Not being married, non-immigrant status (i.e. local 'Hukou'), being a farmer, having <6 years of education and male gender were associated with a higher lifetime prevalence of any mental disorder.

CONCLUSION

Results from the current survey indicate that mental disorders are steadily reported more commonly in rapidly-developing urban China. Several interesting sociodemographic correlates were observed (e.g. male gender and non-immigrant status) that warrant further investigation and could be used to profile persons in need of preventive intervention.

Life satisfaction and its associated factors among money boys in China

OBJECTIVES

Money Boy (MB) is a unique term used in China referring to a specialized population of men who sell sex to other men. Life satisfaction can influence one's health-related behaviors. The aim of our study was to find out the situation of MBs' life satisfaction and its associated factors.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional study among MBs was conducted between July and December 2013 in Hunan province, China.

METHODS

Respondent-driven sampling method was used for recruitment, with the initial seven 'seeds' found from a gay dating website, and 234 participants were enrolled into the study. They were asked to complete a questionnaire about their demographic characteristics, work experience as MB, family environment, health-related behaviors, status of self-esteem, self-stigma, and perceived life satisfaction. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis were applied.

RESULTS

There were 205 valid questionnaires collected. The results showed that MBs' life satisfaction score was 17.9 ± 6.3. The multiple linear regression model identified five factors correlated with MBs' life satisfaction. Three factors were found to be positively correlated with life satisfaction, consistent condom use with clients (β = 3.093, P = 0.010), interpersonal relationship (β = 1.027, P = 0.017), and self-esteem (β = 0.253, P = 0.005). And two factors were found to be negatively correlated with life satisfaction, seeking for clients through mommy's arrangement (β = -2.091, P = 0.019) and had ever gotten at least one kind of sexually transmitted disease (STDs) (β = -1.971, P = 0.034).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study contributed to a better understanding of MBs' life satisfaction and behavioral and other psychosocial features. It is suggested that comprehensive interventions involving behavioral and psychosocial health promotion approaches are needed for this population. Those programs will be more acceptable among this group and tend to be sustainable.

HRCT morphological characteristics distinguishing minimally invasive pulmonary adenocarcinoma from invasive pulmonary adenocarcinoma appearing as subsolid nodules with a diameter of ≤3 cm

AIM

To differentiate retrospectively the morphological characteristics at high-resolution computed tomography (CT) between minimally invasive pulmonary adenocarcinoma (MIA) and invasive pulmonary adenocarcinoma (IAC) appearing as subsolid nodules (SNs) with a diameter of ≤3 cm and to provide information to help operative decision-making.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The patient notes of 260 patients with SNs of ≤3 cm in diameter (98 with MIA and 162 with IAC) confirmed at surgery and histopathology from September 2008 to June 2012 were reviewed retrospectively at the Department of Radiology, Weifang Respiratory Disease Hospital. Sixty-seven patients had pure ground-glass nodules (PGGNs) and 193 had mixed ground-glass nodules (MGGNs). Patients were grouped according to the final pathology: minimally invasive MIA and IAC. The HRCT characteristics were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

There were statistically significant differences in the pattern, shape, diameter of solid components, proportion of solid components, CT radiodensity values of the ground-glass and solid components, borders, margins, air bronchograms, microvascular signs, and pleural indentations of the nodules between the two groups (all p<0.05). Multivariate and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses indicated significant predictors of MIAs were as follows: small lesion diameter (≤14.7 mm), solid components ≤7 mm, <50% of solid components, low CT radiodensity values of the solid components (≤-107 HU), air bronchograms in the ground-glass opacity components, and microvascular signs.

CONCLUSION

The morphological characteristics at high-resolution CT can be used to differentiate between MIAs and IACs appearing as SNs with a diameter of ≤3 cm and provide information to help operative decision-making.

Stronger selective constraint on downstream genes in the oxidative phosphorylation pathway of cetaceans

The oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway is an efficient way to produce energy via adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is critical for sustaining an energy supply for cetaceans in a hypoxic environment. Several studies have shown that natural selection may shape the evolution of the genes involved in OXPHOS. However, how network architecture drives OXPHOS protein sequence evolution remains poorly explored. Here, we investigated the evolutionary patterns of genes in the OXPHOS pathway across six cetacean genomes within the framework of a functional network. Our results show a negative correlation between the strength of purifying selection and pathway position. This result indicates that downstream genes were subjected to stronger evolutionary constraints than upstream genes, which may be due to the dual function of ATP synthase in the OXPHOS pathway. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between codon usage bias and omega (ω = dN/dS) and a negative correlation with synonymous substitution rate (dS), indicating that the stronger selective constraint on genes (with less biased codon usage) along the OXPHOS pathway is attributable to an increase in the rate of synonymous substitution. Surprisingly, there was no significant correlation between protein-protein interactions and the evolutionary estimates, implying that highly connected enzymes may not always show greater evolutionary constraints. Compared with that observed for terrestrial mammals, we found that the signature of positive selection detected in five genes (ATP5J, LHPP, PPA1, UQCRC1 and UQCRQ) was cetacean-specific, reflecting the importance of OXPHOS for survival in hypoxic, aquatic environments.

Protease-activated receptor-2 suppresses interleukin (IL)-10 expression in B cells via upregulating Bcl2L12 in patients with allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The function of interleukin (IL)-10-producing B cells (B10 cell) is compromised in patients with allergic diseases. Protease-activated receptor (PAR)-2 has immunoregulatory functions. This study aimed to elucidate the role of PAR2 in the suppression of IL-10 expression in peripheral B cells.

METHODS

Peripheral blood B cells were collected from patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). A correlation between the expression of Bcl2-like protein 12 (Bcl2L12) and IL-10 in the B cells was analyzed. An AR mouse model was developed.

RESULTS

We observed that the expression of IL-10 was lower in the peripheral B cells from patients with airway allergy. A negative correlation was identified between the expression of IL-10 and PAR2 in B cells. Activation of PAR2 of B cells increased the expression of Bcl2L12 and suppression of LPS-induced IL-10 expression, which were inhibited by knocking down the Bcl2L12 gene. Treating B cells from AR patients with Bcl2L12-shRNA-carrying liposomes reversed the capability of IL-10 expression and the immunosuppressive function. Administration of Bcl2L12 shRNA-carrying liposomes attenuated experimental AR in mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Activation of PAR2 inhibits the expression of IL-10 in B cells, which can be reversed by treating B cells with Bcl2L12 shRNA-carrying liposomes. The data suggest that regulation of Bcl2L12 may be a novel approach in the treatment for AR.