bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treponema pallidum -specific antibody expression for the diagnosis of different stages of syphilis
Authors: SUN Ran , LAI Di-hui , REN Rong-xin , LIAN Shi , ZHANG Hai-ping
Published: January 2024

Background

Tp15, Tp17, Tp45, and Tp47 are outer-membrane proteins found in Treponema pallidum, the etiologic agent of syphilis. These proteins are potent antigens and are potential markers for the serological detection of syphilis. The present study analyzed antibodies to these protein antigens (TP-IgM and TP-IgG) in human serum and investigated the expression of these antibodies during different stages of syphilis.

Methods

Serum samples were collected from 69 subjects (male 45, female 24) diagnosed with syphilis and analyzed by Western blotting for the expression of IgM and IgG against the four protein antigens. Expression levels of the target antibodies were compared during the same stage of syphilis as well as between different stages of this disease.

Results

In subjects with primary syphilis, the positive rate of Tp45 IgM was higher than that of other TP-IgM. Tp15 IgM was detected only in subjects with tertiary syphilis. Similarly, the seroprevalence of Tp45 IgG in primary syphilis was higher than for other TP-IgG. No target TP-IgM was detected in subjects with latent syphilis. In subjects with secondary syphilis, the expression level of Tp15 IgG (138.73±20.16) was higher than for other target TP-IgG. In subjects with tertiary syphilis, all target TP-IgG were detected. In subjects with tertiary or latent syphilis, the expression levels of Tp45 IgG (121.33±11.04 and 110.10±40.19, respectively) were higher than those of other target TP-IgG. The expression levels of all Tp-IgM were similar before or after anti-syphilis treatment. In comparison, the expression levels of all TP-IgG decreased compared with the pre-treatment levels, and this decrease was statistically significant (both P <0.05) for Tp17 IgG and Tp47 IgG.

Conclusions

After Treponema pallidum infection, Tp45 IgM appeared first and Tp15 IgM occurred during later stages. The positive rates of all TP-IgG increased with the duration of this disease. Anti-syphilis treatment reduced the expression levels of Tp17 IgG and Tp47 IgG. Larger-scale studies are required to further validate the value of Tp15, Tp17, Tp45, and Tp47 as markers for the early detection of primary and latent syphilis.
Biphasic calcium phosphate nano-composite scaffolds reinforced with bioglass provide a synthetic alternative to autografts in a canine tibiofibula defect model
Authors: Tang Dezhi , Xu Guohua , Yang Zhou , Holz Jonathan , Ye Xiaojian , Cai Shu , Yuan Wen , Wang Yongjun
Published: January 2024

Background

Bone grafting is commonly used to repair bone defects. As the porosity of the graft scaffold increases, bone formation increases, but the strength decreases. Early attempts to engineer materials were not able to resolve this problem. In recent years, nanomaterials have demonstrated the unique ability to improve the material strength and toughness while stimulating new bone formation. In our previous studies, we synthesized a nano-scale material by reinforcing a porous β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) ceramic scaffold with Na2O-MgO-P2O5-CaO bioglass (β-TCP/BG). However, the in vivo effects of the β-TCP/BG scaffold on bone repair remain unknown.

Methods

We investigated the efficacy of β-TCP/BG scaffolds compared to autografts in a canine tibiofibula defect model. The tibiofibula defects were created in the right legs of 12 dogs, which were randomly assigned to either the scaffold group or the autograft group (six dogs per group). Radiographic evaluation was performed at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks post-surgery. The involved tibias were extracted at 12 weeks and were tested to failure via a three-point bending. After the biomechanical analysis, specimens were subsequently processed for scanning electron microscopy analysis and histological evaluations.

Results

Radiographic evaluation at 12 weeks post-operation revealed many newly formed osseous calluses and bony unions in both groups. Both the maximum force and break force in the scaffold group (n=6) were comparable to those in the autograft group (n=6, P >0.05), suggesting that the tissue-engineered bone repair achieved similar biomechanical properties to autograft bone repair. At 12 weeks post-operation, obvious new bone and blood vessel formations were observed in the artificial bone of the experimental group.

Conclusions

The results demonstrated that new bone formation and high bone strength were achieved in the β-TCP/ BG scaffold group, and suggested that the β-TCP/BG scaffold could be used as a synthetic alternative to autografts for the repair of bone defects.
A novel pressure difference-induced perforation aortic stent-grafts system: an experimental study
Authors: DENG Guo-yu , ZHOU Jian , LU Qing-sheng , WANG Lu , HOU Le-wei , DONG Jian , WANG Jian-nan , ZHANG Shu-ming , ZHAO Zhi-qing , JING Zai-ping
Published: January 2024

Background

Most of endovascular stent-graft modifications to preserve side branch must be customized according to extensive pre-operative assessment, which may not be possible in many hospitals and emergency settings. The study was to develop a novel stent-grafts system that would allow in situ “fenestration”, with less reliance on preoperative imaging.

Methods

The magnitude of pressure difference (PD) between left subclavian artery (LSA) and aortic arch were measured in 12 experimental pigs. Changes of PD before and after LSA was covered were analyzed respectively. The novel stent graft was made by multi-dimensional and multiple textiles forming technology. According to the PD measurement in pigs, we evaluated the feasibility of the stent-graft in a mock circulation system.

Results

In pigs, the blood pressure of aortic arch was significantly higher than that of LSA after it was covered (P <0.001) and PD was (42.78±5.17) mmHg. After target vessel was covered and when PD between the LSA and aorta reached the magnitude measured in pigs, contrast media oozed from the cranny of graft to the LSA, which was generated by sliding and deformation of yarns of novel stent-graft.

Conclusions

The study proposes the design of pressure difference-induced perforation aortic stent-grafts system and verifies that the PD between LSA and aortic arch is high enough to allow in situ “fenestration” by stent graft made by multi-dimensional and multiple textiles forming technology.
Differentially expressed microRNAs at different stages of atherosclerosis in ApoE-deficient mice
Authors: SHAN Zhen , YAO Chen , LI Zi-lun , TENG Yuan , LI Wen , WANG Jin-song , YE Cai-sheng , CHANG Guang-qi , HUANG Xue-ling , LI Xiao-xi , WANG Wen-jian , WANG Shen-ming
Published: January 2024

Background

Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of cardiovascular disease, carotid artery disease, and peripheral vascular disease. However, it is hard to obtain human arterial tissue at different stages of atherosclerosis for a systematic study. The ApoE-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice predictably develop spontaneous atherosclerotic plaques with numerous features similar to the human lesions and contain nearly the entire spectrum of lesions observed during atherogenesis in humans. MicroRNA expression profiles at different stages of atherosclerosis in ApoE-deficient mice were screened to find out the differentially expressed microRNAs.

Methods

ApoE-deficient mice were euthanized at 4, 8, and 20 weeks of age and divided into three groups according to the three time points, including groups A4 (fed a Western-type diet for 0 week), A8 (fed a Western-type diet for 4 weeks), and A20 (fed a Western-type diet for 16 weeks). Atherosclerotic lesions were analyzed. Fifteen aortas were collected and combined into three pools (five aortas in one pool) in each group. MicroRNA microarray analysis was replicated thrice in each group. The threshold of fold change ≥2.0 was used to screen up or down-regulated microRNAs. Differentially expressed microRNAs were subsequently verified with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Those increasingly up or down-regulated microRNAs during the progression of atherosclerosis were selected.

Results

Atherosclerotic lesions first appeared in the aortic arch in group A8. Severe atherosclerotic lesions were observed in group A20. In group A8, seven MicroRNAs were up-regulated while two were down-regulated. In group A20, 15 microRNAs were up-regulated while two were down-regulated. miR-34a-5p and miR-497-5p were increasingly up-regulated, while miR-434-3p was progressively down-regulated when atherosclerosis progressed.

Conclusions

In this study, we described that microRNAs are differentially expressed at different stages of atherosclerosis in ApoE-deficient mice. Those increasingly up or down-regulated microRNAs during the progression of atherosclerosis may play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and provide us opportunities for investigating atherosclerosis from early to advanced stages.
Endovascular interventions for TransAtlantic InterSociety Consensus II C and D femoropopliteal lesions
Authors: YIN Min-yi , JIANG Mi-er , HUANG Xin-tian , LU Min , LU Xin-wu , HUANG Ying , LI Wei-min
Published: January 2024

Background

Peripheral artery disease accounts for more than 400 000 hospitalizations in the USA and results in symptoms ranging from claudication to gangrene. Recent advances in endovascular techniques have led to a more aggressive approach for treating peripheral artery disease. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the outcomes of endovascular interventions on TransAtlantic InterSociety Consensus (TASC) II C and D femoropopliteal occlusive disease.

Methods

Data for all patients undergoing endovascular interventions for femoropopliteal occlusive disease from December 2007 through December 2010 were reviewed. Demographic data, risk factor data, preprocedural and postprocedural ankle-brachial indices, technical success rates, and complication rates were obtained. Primary, assisted primary, and secondary patency were determined by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors adversely affecting primary patency.

Results

The study group included 52 TASC II C and 106 TASC II D limbs in 126 patients (mean age, (68.0±18.0) years). The technical success rate was 91.1%. Complications occurred in 19 limbs (12.0%), including 8 (5.1%) major complications. The mean follow-up period was (17.6±5.1) months (range, 12.0-48.0 months). Primary patency rates at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years were 95%, 78%, 74%, and 74% in TASC II C lesions and 89%, 62%, 52%, and 52% in TASC II D lesions, respectively. Secondary patency rates at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years were 97%, 94%, 94%, and 94% in TASC II C lesions and 97%, 95%, 83%, and 83% in TASC II D lesions, respectively. It is significantly different between primary patency rates (P <0.05) but not secondary patency rates of TASC II C and D groups (P >0.05). Predictors of restenosis/occlusion included hyperlipidemia, lesion length, and popliteal artery involvement.

Conclusions

Endovascular treatment of TASC II C and D femoropopliteal artery occlusion has a high technical success rate with favorable mid-term secondary patency rate. Hyperlipidemia, lesion length, and popliteal artery involvement were independent risk factors for in-stent restenosis.
Sources of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and its role in respiratory tract colonization and nosocomial pneumonia in intensive care unit patients
Authors: Huang Jie , Chen Er-zhen , Qu Hong-ping , Mao En-qiang , Zhu Zheng-gang , Ni Yu-xing , Han Li-zhong , Tang Yao-qing
Published: January 2024

Background

Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) is an important and emerging hospital-acquired pathogen worldwide. This study was conducted to identify the sources of MDRAB and its role in respiratory tract colonization and nosocomial pneumonia in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Methods

We conducted a prospective active surveillance study of MDRAB in three ICUs at a Chinese Hospital from April to August 2011, to identify the sources of MDRAB and its role in respiratory tract colonization and nosocomial pneumonia.

Results

One hundred and fourteen (13.0%) MDRAB isolates were detected from 876 specimens, with a sensitivity of 11.6% (55/474) in screening of the pharyngeal and tracheal swabs, and 14.7% (59/402) of the sputum/endotracheal aspirates. MDRAB colonization/infection was found in 34 (26.8%) of 127 patients, including 16 (12.6%) cases of pure colonization and 18 (14.2%) cases of pneumonia (two pre-ICU-acquired cases of pneumonia and 16 ICU-acquired cases of pneumonia). Previous respiratory tract MDRAB colonization was found in 22 (17.3%) patients: eight (6.3%) were pre-ICU-acquired colonization and 14 (11.0%) ICU-acquired colonization. Of eight pre-ICU-colonized patients, five were transferred from other wards or hospitals with hospitalization >72 hours, and three came from the community with no previous hospitalization. Overall, 6/22 colonized patients presented with secondary pneumonia; only two (9.1%) colonized MDRAB strains were associated with secondary infections. Respiratory tract MDRAB colonization had no significant relationship with nosocomial pneumonia (P=0.725). In addition, acute respiratory failure, mechanical ventilation, renal failure, and prior carbapenem use were risk factors for MDRAB colonization/infection.

Conclusions

A high proportion of cases of MDRAB colonization/infection in ICU patients were detected through screening cultures. About one-third were acquired from general wards and the community before ICU admission. The low incidence of MDRAB colonization-related pneumonia questions the appropriateness of targeted antibiotic therapy.
Protective effect of melatonin on reexpansion pulmonary edema in rats model
Authors: ZHONG Ming , XUE Zhang-gang , CANG Jing , WU Wei , HUANG Jun-feng , ZHU Du-ming
Published: January 2024

Background

Rapid reexpansion of collapsed lungs leads to reexpansion pulmonary edema (RPE). We aimed to investigate the effect of melatonin in the prevention of RPE formation.

Methods

We used a Wistar rat model in which the left lung was collapsed by ligating the left bronchus for 48 hours and then reexpanded and ventilated for an additional 2 hours. Thirty minutes before reexpansion, we injected melatonin (10 mg/kg) or vehicle intraperitoneally. We compared the wet/dry ratio, oxygenation index, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) levels in the reexpanded lungs between untreated and treated animals.

Results

We found that the wet/dry ratio of the melatonin group was significantly lower than that of the vehicle group, and the oxygenation index was higher in the melatonin group. Compared with the control, melatonin pretreatment significantly decreased the activities of IL-8, NO, MDA levels and MPO in lung tissues. Histopathology of reexpanded lungs showed that the melatonin pretreatment group had less pulmonary edema and less inflammatory cell infiltration.

Conclusion

Melatonin decreases pulmonary edema and improves oxygenation after reexpansion by attenuating oxidative stress and inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Clinical isolates of Mycobacterium abscessus in Guangzhou area most possibly from the environmental infection showed variable susceptibility
Authors: Zhuo Feng-lin , Sun Zhao-gang , Li Chuan-you , Liu Zhi-hui , Cai Lin , Zhou Cheng , Zhang Jian-zhong
Published: January 2024

Background

Mycobacterium abscessus (M. abscessus) can cause a variety of human infections, involving the lung, skin and soft tissues, and is generally believed to be acquired from environmental sources. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular diversity and antibiotic susceptibility of M. abscessus isolates as the basis for strategies to improve control and management of infection.

Methods

Seventy M. abscessus isolates from patients attending the Guangzhou Thoracic Hospital were identified from 2003 to 2005 by biochemical tests, gas chromatography, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction analysis (PRA) of heat shock protein gene hsp65, and sequencing of the quinolone resistance determining regions (QRDRs) of gyrA. Susceptibilities to six antibiotics were determined by micro-broth dilution. Isolates were genotyped using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis.

Results

Most isolates (63/70; 90%) were susceptible to amikacin but rates of susceptibility to other antibiotics varied from moderate, clarithromycin (60%) and imipenem (43%), to low for ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin (3%), and 87% of isolates had intermediate susceptibility to cefoxitin. RAPD analysis showed that the 70 clinical isolates displayed 69 unique RAPD patterns.

Conclusions

The high genetic diversity of isolates suggests that they are not transmitted from person to person but, presumably, are acquired independently from environmental sources. M. abscessus isolates displayed variable levels of susceptibility to all antibiotics tested, other than amikacin, indicating a need for routine susceptibility testing to guide treatment.
In-hospital medical complications associated with patient dependency after acute ischemic stroke: data from the China National Stroke Registry
Authors: WANG Peng-lian , ZHAO Xing-quan , DU Wan-liang , WANG An-xin , JI Rui-jun , YANG Zhong-hua , WANG Chun-xue , LIU Li-ping , WANG Yi-long , JU Yi , WANG Yong-jun
Published: January 2024

Background

The mortality of stroke patients is strongly affected by medical complications. However, there are limited data investigating the effect of in-hospital medical complications on the dependency of stroke patients worldwide. We prospectively and systematically investigated the effect of medical complications on dependency of patients at 3, 6 and 12 months after stroke using the China National Stroke Registry (CNSR).

Methods

This prospective cohort study collected data of patients age >18 years with acute ischemic stroke in 132 clinical centers distributed across 32 provinces and four municipalities (including Hong Kong region) of China, from September 2007 to August 2008. Data on medical complications, dependency and other information were obtained from paper-based registry forms. Medical complications associated with stroke outcomes were assessed using multivariable Logistic regression.

Results

Of 11 560 patients with acute ischemic stroke, 1826 (15.80%) presented with in-hospital medical complications. In-hospital medical complications were independent risk factors for dependency of patients at 3 months (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.367, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.021-2.771), 6 months (adjusted OR 2.257, 95% CI 1.922-2.650), and 12 months (adjusted OR 1.820, 95% CI 1.538-2.154) after acute ischemic stroke.

Conclusion

The results demonstrated that the short-term and long-term dependency of acute ischemic stroke patients is significantly associated with in-hospital medical complications in China.
A retrospective and consecutive study of viscocanalostomy versus trabeculectomy for primary congenital glaucoma
Authors: CHEN Qin , YU Yan , SUN Hong , ZONG Yuan , YUAN Zhi-lan
Published: January 2024

Background

Surgical interventions are the main treatment for primary congenital glaucoma (PCG). This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety between viscocanalostomy and mitomycin C (MMC)-trabeculectomy in patients with PCG.

Methods

A total number of 43 patients with PCG who underwent either viscocanalostomy (group 1) or MMC- trabeculectomy (group 2) between June 2003 and June 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients' intraocular pressures (IOPs) were examined before surgery and on day 1, week 1, month 1, month 6, and month 12 post-operative. Mean horizontal corneal diameters, success rates, intra- and post-operative complications were compared between the two groups.

Results

Pre-operative IOPs were (31.96±3.90) mmHg in group 1 and (32.56±4.00) mmHg in group 2. At the last visit, IOPs were (16.78±2.20) mmHg and (15.77±2.60) mmHg, respectively (P <0.001); the complete success rates of group 1 and group 2 were 45.9% and 67.4%, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.158). There were no major complications occurred in the two groups.

Conclusions

Both viscocanalostomy and trabeculectomy can lower IOP in PCG patients effectively. Although there was no major complications occurred in both groups, viscocanlostomy may decrease the probability of postoperative haemorrhage, hypotony, cataract, or choroid effusion.
Biological characteristics of human adipose-derived stem cells and their response to periostin in vitro
Authors: LI Ying , YANG Xin , NIE Fang-fei , ZHAO Xia , QIN Ze-lian , LI Jian-ning
Published: January 2024

Background

Many studies on periostin have focused on its role in tumors and vascular reconstruction. However, the effect of periostin on stem cell function remains unclear. The aim of this study was to enhance vitality in adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), the effect of periostin on the function of ADSCs was observed.

Methods

Human ADSCs (hADSCs) were isolated from human adipose tissue by collagenase I digestion and collected in multi-periods for in vitro culture. CD29, CD34, CD44, CD45 and CD105 were detected by flow cytometry. In addition, directed differentiation of hADSCs was induced using adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic induction mediums. The induced morphological changes were observed using oil red O, Alizarin red and alcian blue staining. Periostin was administered to hADSCs in an acidic environment. The treatments of cells were divided into three groups: a periostin group (P); an acidic control group (A); a normal group (N). Then the resulting cell proliferation and migration were detected using a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and a transwell chamber assay, respectively.

Results

The detection rates of CD29, CD44, CD105, CD34 and CD45 were 98.89%, 93.73%, 86.99%, 0.19% and 0.16%. The specific staining of cells was positive after induction culture. The mean absorbance of the cells in group P and A at 12 hours were 16.67% and 22.22% greater than group N, respectively (P <0.01). The mean absorbance of cells from group P was 20.00% greater than that of group A at 48 hours (P <0.05). The mean number of migratory cells per visual field in group A was 50.38% lower than that in group N (P <0.05). The migratory cell number in group P was 119.98% greater than that in group A (P <0.05).

Conclusions

The acidic environment impacted hADSC proliferation and inhibited cell migration. However, periostin was able to promote the proliferation and migration of hADSCs despite the acidic environment.
Holmium laser versus conventional transurethral resection of the bladder tumor
Authors: TENG Jing-fei , WANG Kai , YIN Lei , QU Fa-jun , ZHANG Dong-xu , CUI Xin-gang , XU Dan-feng
Published: January 2024

Background

Transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT) remains the gold standard for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Laser techniques have been widely used in urology. This analysis aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of holmium resection of the bladder tumor (HoLRBT) vs. TURBT.

Methods

A systemic search of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library as well as manual bibliography searches were performed to identify the relevant studies. The pooled estimates of operation time, obturator nerve reflex rate, bladder perforation rate, bladder irrigation rate, catheterization time, hospital stay, and one- and two-year recurrence free survivals were calculated.

Results

Five studies were enrolled into our meta-analysis. No significant difference was observed in the operation time between groups (weighted mean difference (WMD) 1.01, 95% confidential interval (95% CI) -3.52-5.54, P=0.66). The significant difference in the obturator nerve reflex (OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.01-0.04, P=0.004), bladder perforation (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.03-0.61, P=0.009), bladder irrigation (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.04-0.45, P=0.001), catheterization time (WMD -0.96, 95% CI -1.11 to -0.82, P <0.00001), and hospital stay (WMD -1.46, 95% CI -1.65 to -1.27, P <0.00001) showed advantages of HoLRBT over TURBT. The 2-year recurrence free survival rate favors the HoLRBT group (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.02-2.11, P=0.04).

Conclusions

As a promising technique, HoLRBT is safe and efficient, and showed several advantages over TURBT. HoLRBT can be used as an alternative procedure for TURBT in terms of low-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma or low-grade early TNM-stage urothelial carcinoma.
Effect of pomegranate peel polyphenol gel on cutaneous wound healing in alloxan-induced diabetic rats
Authors: YAN Huan , PENG Ke-jun , WANG Qiu-lin , GU Zheng-yi , LU Yao-qin , ZHAO Jun , XU Fang , LIU Yi-lun , TANG Ying , DENG Feng-mei , ZHOU Peng , JIN Jia-gui , WANG Xin-chun
Published: January 2024

Background

Pomegranate (punica granatum) belongs to the family Punicaceae, and its peel has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine because of its efficacy in restraining intestine, promoting hemostasis, and killing parasites. Pomegranate peel has been reported to possess wound-healing properties which are mainly attributed to its polyphenol extracts. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of pomegranate peel polyphenols (PPP) gel on cutaneous wound healing in diabetic rats.

Methods

Alloxan-induced diabetic rats were given incisional wounds on each side of the mid-back and then treated daily with PPP gel (polyphenol mass fraction =30%) post-wounding. Rats were sacrificed on days 4, 7, 14, and 21 post-wounding to assess the rates of wound closure, histological characteristics; and to detect the contents of hydroxyproline, production of nitric oxide (NO), and activities of NO synthase (NOS), as well as the expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in wound tissue.

Results

Wound closure was significantly shortened when PPP gel was applied to the wounds of diabetic rats. Histological examination showed the ability of PPP gel to increase fibroblast infiltration, collagen regeneration, vascularization, and epithelialization in the wound area of diabetic rats. In addition, PPP gel-treated diabetic rats showed increased contents of hydroxyproline, production of NO, and activities of NOS and increased expressions of TGF-β1, VEGF, and EGF in wound tissues.

Conclusion

PPP gel may be a beneficial method for treating wound disorders associated with diabetes.
Tracking in vivo migration and distribution of antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes by 5,6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester staining during cancer immunotherapy
Authors: XU Wei-li , LI Suo-lin , WEN Ming , WEN Jun-ye , HAN Jie , ZHANG Hong-zhen , GAO Fei , CAI Jian-hui
Published: January 2024

Background

Killing of targeted tumors during adoptive cell transfer therapy is associated with cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) numbers, immunophenotype, tumor-specificity, and in vivo residence time, migration, and distribution. Therefore, tracing in vivo persistence, migration, and distribution of CTLs is important for cancer immunotherapy.

Methods

Optimal staining concentration for CTL proliferation was determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and killing efficiencies of CTLs or carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE)-labeled melanoma antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CFSE-CTLs) for malignant melanoma cells in vitro were compared. Additionally, CFSE-CTLs were intravenously transfused to mice receiving B16 melanoma, and their residence time, migration, and distribution in vivo were observed by measuring fluorescence intensities of CFSE-CTLs per gram of tissue (%FI/g) in various tissues and analyzing tumor/non-tumor (T/NT) values. Anti-tumor effects of transferred CTLs and correlation between %FI/g and D-value of tumor size were analyzed.

Results

Five-micromolar CFSE was optimal for labeling CTLs with minimal cytotoxicity. No significant difference occurred between CTLs and CFSE-CTLs for tumor cell killing (P=0.849) or interleukin-2 (P=0.318) and interferon-γ (P=0.201) levels. Distribution of CTLs in vivo varied with time. A negative correlation between %FI/g in tumors and D-value of tumor sizes by Spearman correlation analysis was observed. CTLs were recruited to and killed tumors from 6 hours to 3 days after cell infusion. CTLs were observed up to three weeks later in the tumor, liver, kidneys, and spleen; this was related to the abundant blood supply or the nature of immune organs.

Conclusions

CCK-8 assay is a novel method to select optimal CFSE staining concentrations. Fluorescence intensity of transferred CTLs reflects their killing efficiency of tumors. CFSE fluorescent markers can trace in vivo CTL persistence, migration, and distribution because of its stability, long half-life, and low toxicity.
Clinical and radiographic predictors in diagnosing sputum smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis in HIV-negative patients: a cross-sectional study in China
Authors: Li Xin-xu , Jiang Shi-wen , Zhang Hui , Jing Kuan-he , Wang Li , Li Wei-bin , Liu Xiao-qiu , Yao Hong-yan , Wang Li-xia
Published: January 2024

Background

In county-level tuberculosis (TB) dispensaries in China, the accurate diagnosis of sputum smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (SNPT) needs to be improved by developing and validating clinical and radiographic predictors.

Methods

The study was conducted simultaneously in three counties per province in Chongqing Municipality and Liaoning Province in China between May 2005 and May 2006. A total of 432 new SNPT patients who are HIV-negative and more than 15 years old diagnosed by expert panels in county-level TB dispensaries were recruited. Their sputum samples were collected for culture before anti-TB treatment, and the treatment outcomes (changes of X-rays) were followed up at the end of the 6th month.

Results

Of the 432 SNPT patients, sputum culture positive (9.7%) or culture negative with good changes of X-rays at the end of the 6th month (73.6%) was validated as SNPT. Four predictive variables were associated with validated SNPT in the multivariate logistic regression model: age ≤55 years old (odds ratio (OR) 5.66; 95% CI 2.69-11.91), >60 days of cough (OR 3.73; 95% CI 1.10-12.65), ≥10% of pulmonary consolidation in the lungs (OR 5.40; 95% CI 2.90-10.06), and pulmonary consolidation in the upper lobe anterior segment (OR 3.00; 95% CI 1.57-5.72). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the model was 0.77 (95% CI 0.71-0.83).

Conclusion

Four predictors of clinical and radiological characteristics that had a good diagnostic performance of SNPT deserve to be recommended as index indicators of SNPT diagnosis in county-level TB dispensaries in China.
Role of polymorphisms of the IGF2 and IGFBP3 genes and risk of gastric carcinoma in China
Authors: Jun Gu , Maolan Li , Ping Dong , Jianhua Lu , Zhujun Tan , Xiangsong Wu , Jiasheng Mu , Lin Zhang , Wenguang Wu , Qichen Ding , Jiahua Yang , Yang Cao , Qian Ding , Hao Weng , Yingbin Liu
Published: January 2024

Background

The insulin-like growth factor signaling pathway plays an important role in the modulation of cell growth and proliferation. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of polymorphisms of the insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) genes, which encode key proteins of this pathway, as risk factors for gastric carcinoma (GC).

Methods

A case-control study including 404 histologically confirmed GC patients and 424 healthy controls of the same ethnicity was conducted to retrospectively investigate the genetic polymorphisms of two genes, IGF2+820A>G (rs680) and IGFBP3 A-202C (rs2854744). Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using Logistic regression.

Results

The IGF2 genetic variants examined contributed to GC risk individually (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.08-1.46). The genotype frequencies of IGFBP3 A-202C were not significantly different between the cancer cases and controls (P>0.05). Compared to the IGF2 AA genotype, carriers of one variant combined genotype were more pronounced among young subjects (<60 years), male subjects, never smokers, and those with a family history of cancer (OR=1.36, 95% CI=1.09-1.72, P<0.05; OR=1.61, 95% CI=1.28-2.08, P<0.05; OR=1.46, 95% CI=1.11-1.98, P<0.05; OR=1.53, 95% CI=0.91-2.6, P<0.05; respectively). Moreover, when the combined effects of the risk genotypes were investigated, significant associations were detected between highrisk genotypes in IGF2 and IGFBP3 (OR, 2.47; 95% CI, 1.75-3.49).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that polymorphic variants of the IGF2 genes modulate gastric carcinogenesis. Moreover, when the IGF2 and IGFBP3 variants are evaluated together, a greater effect on GC risk is observed.
Exhaled hydrogen sulfide in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its correlation with exhaled nitric oxide
Authors: SUN Yun , WANG Xin-mao , CHEN Ya-hong , ZHU Rui-xia , LIAO Cheng-cheng
Published: January 2024

Background

Exhaled nitric oxide (NO) is a noninvasive biomarker of airway inflammation in pulmonary diseases. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), as the third member of the gasotransmitter family, is involved in the pathophysiological process in lung diseases. H2S also exists in exhaled breath and can be sampled non-invasively. The study investigated the level of exhaled H2S in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its correlation with exhaled NO.

Methods

Levels of exhaled NO and H2S, lung function, and cell differential counts in induced sputum were studied in 19 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD), 19 patients with stable COPD and seven healthy smoke controls.

Results

Exhaled H2S levels were similar in patients with AECOPD (10.0 parts per billion (ppb), 8.0-13.0 ppb), stable COPD (10.0 ppb, 9.0-12.0 ppb), and healthy controls (9.0 ppb, 8.0-16.0 ppb) (P >0.05). Exhaled NO levels were similar in patients with AECOPD (155.0 ppb, 129.0-190.0 ppb), stable COPD (154.0 ppb, 133.0-175.0 ppb) and healthy controls (165.0 ppb, 112.0-188.0 ppb) (P >0.05). Exhaled H2S levels correlated positively with exhaled NO in all healthy controls and patients with COPD (r=0.467, P <0.01). No significant correlation was found between the exhaled H2S level and percentage of predicted FEV1 (P >0.05) and proportion of different cell types in induced sputum (P >0.05).

Conclusions

There is a correlation between exhaled H2S and exhaled NO. The role of exhaled H2S in airway inflammation in COPD still needs further investigation.
Weighted Youden index and its two-independent-sample comparison based on weighted sensitivity and specificity
Authors: Li Dan-ling , Shen Frank , Yin Yue , Peng Jun-xiang , Chen Ping-yan
Published: January 2024

Background

Most indices for evaluating a diagnostic test can be expressed as functions of sensitivity (SEN) and specificity (SPE). Practically, all existing methods suffer from the inability to weight sensitivity and specificity relative to their importance. In this paper, we developed a novel index, the weighted Youden index, that allows Youden index to be a combination of sensitivity and specificity with user-defined weights.

Methods

The weighted Youden index Jw
is defined as J
w=2(w×SEN+(1md;w)SPE)—1 (0 —w —1). It has three properties: (1) the sum of the weights which are attached to sensitivity and specificity should be equal to 1; (2) the range of J
w should be within [—1, 1], which is the range of the Youden index J; (3) Jw
should be equal to J when sensitivity and specificity have equal weights. According to the central limit theorem, we obtain the standard error of Jw
, and propose a statistical inference method to compare two weighted Youden indices. The monotonicity of the test statistic was discussed.

Results

An example of comparing two diagnostic tests for pheochromocytoma was used to demonstrate the weighted Youden index method. Weighted Youden index, the confidence interval for each test and the hypothesis test of comparing two independent diagnostic tests were presented. Assigning the weights is essential to the weighted Youden index approach.

Conclusion

The weighted Youden index can broaden its applications in diagnostic test development and motivate further research in weighting sensitivity and specificity explicitly.
Disorder of blood-aqueous barrier following Ahmed Glaucoma Valve implantation
Authors: Zhou Min-wen , Wang Wei , Chen Shi-da , Huang Wen-bin , Zhang Xiu-lan
Published: January 2024

Background Ahmed Glaucoma Valve implantation (AGVI) is used to treat refractory glaucoma. Breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier (BAB) has been noted after some surgical techniques. The current study was designed to assess BAB disruption after AGVI.

Methods Anterior chamber protein content was measured by the laser flare cell photometry in 22 eyes of 22 patients with refractory glaucoma before AGVI and at each postoperative visit up to 1 month.

Results Before AGVI the mean aqueous flare values in all eyes were (15.17±9.84) photon counts/ms[0]. After AGVI, the values significantly increased at day 1, day 3, and week 1 compared to those before AGVI (all P <0.05) with a peak at day 3. They returned to pre-operative levels at week 2, and were lower than preoperative level at month 1. Eyes with previous intraocular surgery history had greater aqueous flare values than those without previous intraocular surgery history, but there were no significant differences at all time points postoperatively (all P >0.05). Furthermore, eyes with shallow anterior chambers had greater aqueous flare values at day 3 and week 1 (all P <0.05). When comparing eyes with other refractory glaucoma conditions, neovascular glaucoma combined with intravitreal bevacizumab injection resulted in lower aqueous flare values after AGVI, but no significant differences were observed at all time points, postoperatively (all P >0.05).

Conclusions The BAB was impaired and inflammation was present in the anterior chamber in refractory glaucomatous eyes following AGVI. However, such conditions were resolved within 1 month postoperatively. Intravitreal bevacizumab treatment in neovascular glaucoma eyes before AGVI may prevent BAB breakdown.
Non-infectious endophthalmitis after vitrectomy
Authors: HUANG Yao , CHEUNG Ning , TIAN Bei , WEI Wen-bin
Published: January 2024

Background

Non-infectious endophthalmitis was reported to occur after cataract surgery or intravitreal injections. This study reported a series of patients having non-infectious endophthalmitis after pars plana vitrectomy in the same two operation rooms during the same period to estimate the risk factors for non-infectious endophthalmitis after vitrectomy.

Methods

Medical records of patients who presented with severe non-infectious endophthalmitis following vitrectomy between May 13 and June 8, 2011, were reviewed. The presenting symptoms and signs were collected, including visual acuity, intraocular pressure, cornea and anterior chamber activity. The treatments and results of microbiology examination were also recorded and analyzed.

Results

Ten patients were identified with severe non-infectious endophthalmitis, presenting 1 day after pars plana vitrectomy. Three eyes (30%) had previous intraocular surgeries, four (40%) had proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and one (10%) got pars plana vitrectomy combinded with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. All the patients were initially treated with topical and/or oral steroids. Only two patients had intravenous antibiotics because of the atypical presentation. One eye had paracentesis because of high intraocular pressure and the aqueous sample was sent for microbiological examination. The culture of the aqueous, air in the operation room, the swab from hand of surgeons, infusion fluid, and vitrectomy effluent were all negative for bacteria and fungi. The inflammation regressed rapidly after the initial treatment.

Conclusions

Intraocular surgery history, poor general health status, longer operation time, and more surgical procedures are the risk factors for non-infectious endophthalmitis after vitrectomy. It responds well to steroids.
Lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer
Authors: Rong Chen , Qingsheng He , Jianxin Cui , Shibo Bian , Lin Chen
Published: January 2024

Objective

To discuss the clinicopathological factors for lymph node metastasis (LNM) in early gastric cancer (EGC), including age, gender, location, size, macroscopic type, depth of invasion, histological type, and lymphatic invasion, and the regulation of LNM in EGC.

Data sources

The data used in this review were mainly from PubMed articles published in English. The search terms were “early gastric cancer” and “lymph node metastasis.”

Study selection

Articles were selected if they reported the clinicopathological factors and regulation of LNM in EGC.

Results

The prognosis of EGC is better than advanced gastric cancer, with over 90% 5-year survival rate. The main risk factors for LNM in EGC are tumor size, macroscopic type, depth of invasion, histological type, ulceration, and lymphatic invasion.

Conclusions

LNM in EGC is a critical factor for assessment of prognosis and determination of therapeutic strategy. Endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection should be considered when patients have low risk of LNM.
Correlation between contrast sensitivity and the lens opacities classification system III in age-related nuclear and cortical cataracts
Authors: CHENG Yong , SHI Xuan , CAO Xiao-guang , LI Xiao-xin , BAO Yong-zhen
Published: January 2024

Background

Contrast sensitivity (CS) testing can detect differences in functional vision and is highly correlated with visual performance. This study was designed to investigate the association between CS and the grading score using the lens opacities classification system (LOCS) III as well as the association between CS and visual acuity (VA) in nuclear or cortical age-related cataract (ARC) patients.

Methods

A total of 270 eyes with ARC and 30 control eyes were divided into nuclear opacity (NO), nuclear color (NC), cortical cataract (C) based on LOCS III. The CS values measured at all spatial frequencies under photopic and glare conditions that resulted in contrast sensitivity function (CSF) were evaluated, and LogMAR VA was tested with the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart. The correlation between CSF and LOCS III grading scores, and between CSF and LogMAR VA were analyzed.

Results

Compared to the controls, CSF of the nuclear or cortical ARC significantly declined. There are significant correlation between CSF and LogMAR VA, and between CSF and LOCS III grading scores. Compared to the VA, a stronger correlation existed between CSF and LOCS III grading score than that of LogMAR VA and LOCS III grading score. CS at some spatial frequencies is significantly influenced with LOCS III grading score.

Conclusions

CSF significantly declined with the increasing ARC grading scores. Comparing to VA, CSF reflected the severity of cataract more comprehensively. CS at low spatial frequency is significantly influenced by ARC. Therefore, CS is more precise than VA in assessing the visual function of ARC patients.
Association of CYBA rs7195830 polymorphism with estimated glomerular filtration rate in an adult Han sample from Jiangsu province, China
Authors: FAN Kuan-lu , ZHANG Hai-feng , ZHU Zhen-yan , YAO Wen-ming , SHEN Jie , LIANG Ning-xia , GONG Lei , YIN Zhi-jian , CAO Ke-jiang , LI Xin-li
Published: January 2024

Background

Reactive oxygen species are thought to contribute to the development of renal damage. The P22phox subunit of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAPDH) oxidase, encoded by the cytochrome b245α polypeptide gene, CYBA, plays a key role in superoxide anion production. We investigated the association of CYBA rs7195830 polymorphism with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the role it plays in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a Han Chinese sample.

Methods

The Gaoyou study enrolled 4473 participants. Serum levels of creatinine were measured and eGFR was estimated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equations. The CYBA polymorphisms were genotyped. Then we investigated the association between eGFR and the rs7195830 polymorphism in the recessive model.

Results

The AA genotype of rs7195830 was associated with significantly lower values of eGFR compared with the GG and AG genotypes ((102.76±17.07) ml·min-1·1.73 m-2 vs. (105.08±16.30) ml·min-1·1.73 m-2). The association remained significant in the recessive model after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, uric acid, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (β=1.666, P=0.031). The rs7195832 AA genotype was an independent risk factor for CKD: eGFR <60 ml·min-1·1.73 m-2 (odds ratio=3.32; 95% CI=1.21-9.13).

Conclusion

The AA genotype of rs7195830 is independently associated with lower estimated glomerular filtration rate and is significantly associated with CKD.
Effect of growth and differentiation factor 6 on the tenogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: CHAI Wei , NI Ming , RUI Yun-feng , ZHANG Kai-yi , ZHANG Qiang , XU Liang-liang , CHAN Kai-ming , LI Gang , WANG Yan
Published: January 2024

Background

Recent studies showed that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) had risk of ectopic bone formation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of growth and differentiation factor 6 (GDF-6) on the tenogenic differentiation of BMSCs in vitro, and then combined with small intestine submucous (SIS) to promote tendon regeneration in vivo.

Methods

The BMSCs were isolated from the green fluorescent protein (GFP) rats, and were characterized by multi-differentiation assays following our previous study protocol. BMSCs cultured with different concentrations of GDF-6, without growth factors served as control. After 2 weeks, mRNA expression and protein expression of tendon specific markers were examined by qRT-PCR and Western blotting to define an optimal concentration of GDF-6. Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare the difference in relative mRNA expression among all groups; P ≤0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. The GDF-6 treated BMSCs combined with SIS were implanted in nude mice and SD rat acute patellar tendon injury model, the BMSCs combined with SIS served as control. After 12 and 4 weeks in nude mice and tendon injury model, the samples were collected for histology.

Results

After the BMSCs were treated with different concentration of GDF-6 for 2 weeks, the fold changes of the specific markers (Tenomodulin and Scleraxis) mRNA expression were significantly higher in GDF-6 (20 ng/ml) group (P ≤0.05), which was also confirmed by Western blotting result. The BMSCs became parallel in orientation after GDF-6 (20 ng/ml) treatment, but the BMSCs in control group were randomly oriented. The GDF-6 (20 ng/ml) treated BMSCs were combined with SIS, and were implanted in nude mice for 12 weeks, the histology showed neo-tendon formation. In the SD rat patellar tendon window injury model, the histology also indicated the GDF-6 (20 ng/ml) treated BMSCs combined with SIS could promote tendon regeneration.

Conclusions

GDF-6 has tenogenic effect on the tenogenic differentiation of BMSCs, and GDF-6 (20 ng/ml) has better tenogenic effect compared to other concentrations. The GDF-6 (20 ng/ml) treated BMSCs combined with SIS can form neo-tendons and promote tendon regeneration.