A large number of studies in recent years have shown that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important regulatory role in the progression of liver fibrosis. This article briefly describes the definition, classification, and biological functions of lncRNAs and summarizes recent reports on the regulatory role of lncRNAs in liver fibrosis by acting as competitive endogenous RNA, including downregulated maternally expressed gene 3, growth arrest-specific transcript 5, and long intergenic non-coding RNA-p21 and upregulated lung adenocarcinoma-associated transcript 1, lncRNA-activated by transforming growth factor beta, plasmacytoma variant translocation 1, homeobox transcript antisense RNA, lncRNA-H19, and small nuclear RNA host gene 7, so as to provide insights into the diagnosis of liver fibrosis, the screening of therapeutic targets, and the development of clinical treatment regimens for the reversal of liver fibrosis.

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To study the relationship between the expression of serum amyloid A (SAA) and insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

<b>METHODSb>3T3-L1 adipocytes were incubated with different concentrations of dexamethasone (10, 100, and 1000 nmol/L) for 48 h to establish cell models of insulin resistance at different resistant levels (models 1, 2, and 3, respectively). The degree of insulin resistance of 3T3-L1 adipocytes was assayed by 2-deoxy-[(3)H]-D-glucose uptake. Semi- quantitative RT-PCR was performed for quantification of SAA mRNA expression. SAA concentrations in the culture medium were determined by ELISA.

<b>RESULTb>Dexamethasone did not affect the basal glucose transport (P>0.05). Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was significantly decreased by 15% (P<0.05), 40% (P<0.01), and 55% (P<0.01) in models 1, 2, and 3 in comparison with the untreated group, respectively; the expressions of SAA mRNA were upregulated by 2.5 (P<0.01), 3.33 (P<0.01), and 4.08 folds (P<0.01) and SAA concentrations increased by 2.05, 3.13, and 4.23 folds, respectively. The expressions of SAA mRNA were positively correlated to the degree of insulin resistance (r=0.773, P<0.01) and SAA concentration (r=0.832, P<0.01).

<b>CONCLUSIONb>A cell model of insulin resistance has been established in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by dexamethasone exposure. SAA is closely associated with insulin resistance and may serve as a marker of insulin resistance.

3T3-L1 Cells ; Adipocytes ; metabolism ; Animals ; Deoxyglucose ; metabolism ; Dexamethasone ; pharmacology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Insulin Resistance ; Mice ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Serum Amyloid A Protein ; genetics ; metabolism

<b>BACKGROUNDb>There has been an increasing recognition of the importance of sagittal spinopelvic alignment in patients with scoliosis as it relates to clinical outcomes. However, the changes seen in sagittal spinopelvic alignment in adult idiopathic scoliosis patients is poorly defined. This study was conducted to evaluate the sagittal alignment of pelvis and spine in adult idiopathic scoliosis patients.

<b>METHODSb>The sagittal parameters of the spine and pelvis were analyzed in lateral standing radiographs of 124 patients (mean age 47.4 years) with adult idiopathic scoliosis, including thoracic kyphosis (TK), thoracolumbar junction kyphosis (TLJ), lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), sacrum slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT) and C7 plumb line (C7PL). The patients were divided into three groups according to the age: 20 - 40 years, 41 - 64 years, and ≥ 65 years. The parameters were compared with those in normal adults and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients. The relationship between all parameters as well as age and sagittal parameters were analyzed.

<b>RESULTSb>The PI in patients with adult idiopathic scoliosis was 58.1° ± 13.0°, which was significantly higher than that in normal adults. The PT (19.9° ± 10.6°) was also higher than that in both normal adults and AIS patients, while the SS (38.1° ± 12.0°) was similar or smaller. As age increased, C7PL, PT and TJL increased while LL decreased. There was no relationship between age and both PI and TK. PT had the strongest statistical association with the C7PL.

<b>CONCLUSIONSb>PI is higher in adult idiopathic scoliosis than normal subjects. The PT is the most relevant pelvic parameter to the global sagittal alignment of the spine. Age significantly influences sagittal parameters of the spine and pelvis except the PI and TK.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvis ; diagnostic imaging ; Radiography ; Scoliosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Spine ; diagnostic imaging ; Young Adult

[摘 要] 目的：探讨甲基转移酶样因子3（METTL3）在食管鳞状细胞癌（ESCC）组织和细胞中的表达水平及其对ESCC细胞糖酵解和增殖能力的影响和潜在的分子机制。方法：基于TCGA数据库分析METTL3在ESCC细胞中的表达及可能的富集通路。收集2021年1月至2021年6月间在北川医学院附属医院外科手术切除的34例ESCC组织及相应癌旁组织，采用免疫组化法验证ESCC组织中METTL3的表达。采用CCK-8法和平板克隆形成实验检测干扰METTL3后ESCC细胞增殖能力的变化，利用比色法检测干扰METTL3后ESCC细胞总RNA中m6A的表达水平，采用甲基化RNA免疫沉淀定量PCR（MeRIP-qPCR）检测METTL3对葡萄糖转运蛋白4（GLUT4）基因mRNA的m6A修饰水平的影响，采用WB和qPCR等技术探索METTL3参与ESCC细胞糖酵解的生物学机制。结果：METTL3在ESCC组织以及细胞中均呈高表达（均P<0.001）。干扰METTL3表达后，ESCC细胞的增殖能力明显减弱、细胞内总RNA的m6A修饰水平显著降低（均P<0.001）。此外，干扰METTL3可显著抑制KYSE150和TE-1细胞中GLUT4基因mRNA的m6A修饰水平（均P<0.01），并通过下调GLUT4的表达抑制葡萄糖的摄取以及乳酸的释放（均P<0.01），最终下调mTORC1通路活性并抑制ESCC细胞的增殖；在干扰METTL3的ESCC细胞同时联合运用mTORC1通路抑制剂显示有协同的抗癌作用。结论：METTL3介导的m6A修饰通过调控GLUT4-mTORC1信号轴影响ESCC细胞的糖酵解及增殖。

Objective:To investigate the characteristics of gait festination in patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods:From January, 2016 to January, 2018, 20 Parkinson's disease patients with festination (festination group), other 20 Parkinson's disease patients without festination (non-festination group) (all in ON stage) and 20 healthy controls were tested BTS Motion Capture System and analyzed with SmartAnalyzer. Results:The stride time, swing time of left side and maximum ankle dorsiflexion angle of left side decreased in the festination group compared with those in the non-festination group, while the first peak of ankle appeared earlier (P < 0.05). The stance phase increased in the festination group compared with those in the controls (P < 0.05), while the swing phase, stride length, step length and velocity decreased, as well as the maximum ankle plantar flexion (P < 0.05), and the first peak of ankle appeared earlier (P < 0.05). Conclusion:Festination is characterized as less step length, faster step cadence and slower velocity. The first peak of ankle appeared earlier for the center of mass moving foreward. The maximum plantar flexion angle of the ankle reduces for the poor balance function.

<b>OBJECTIVEb>This study was aimed to characterize the Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from different geographic regions in China and different ethnic groups in Yunnan province in terms of cagA, iceA, vacA and HP0519 genes which were proposed to be related to the pathogenesis.

<b>METHODSb>150 Helicobacter pylori strains were collected from Yunnan province, Fujian province and Beijing. Chromosome DNA was extracted and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out to determine the 3' region of cagA, iceA, vacA and HP0519 status with specific primers. PCR results were analyzed statistically according to their isolated original and clinical outcomes.

<b>RESULTSb>For cagA 3' region, 93% (139/150) of the Chinese Helicobacter pylori strains belonged to East Asian type according to the specific primer of TF/JR. Among the 150 strains, 75% (113/150) belonged to iceA1, and 19% (29/150) to iceA2. The dissemination of iceA was not associated with any of the geographic regions, different ethnic groups or different clinical outcomes. 96% (144/150) of the vacA s region belonged to s1. In the vacA middle region, m2, m1b, m1b-m2 were 57% (85/150), 27% (41/150) and 11% (16/150) respectively. However, m1a was only observed in two strains from Fujian. Neither vacA s1 nor m2 showed significant difference between Yunnan, Fujian and Beijing. However, the distribution of mlb-m2 in Yunnan was higher than that in Fujian and Beijing. In Yunnan province, the distribution of vacA s1 was not associated with different ethnic groups but m2 from Bai group was less than other two ethnic groups. The ratio of m1b in Bai group was higher than that in other groups. Both vacA' s region and m region alleles had no significant relationship with the clinical outcomes. With the 15 bp and 24 bp DNA insertion and deletion primers test, 93% (140/150) of the strains were positive. The distributions of the 15 bp and 24 bp DNA insertion or deletion were different according to the different ethnic groups.

<b>CONCLUSIONb>By JF/TR primer, 93% of the Chinese strains cagA's 3' region belonged to East Asian type. Most of the Chinese strains vacA's allele was s1. The distribution of vacA s1 had no relationship with the clinical outcome of the isolates. From different geographic regions and ethnic groups, the distribution of vacA m region allele was different. 93% of the Chinese strains HP0519 genes had 24 bp or 15 bp insertion or deletion character. The biological meaning of the polymorphism of HP0519 needs advanced investigation.

China ; Genes, Bacterial ; genetics ; Helicobacter Infections ; ethnology ; genetics ; Helicobacter pylori ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This was a Phase 2 study (NCT02015793) to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of adalimumab in Chinese patients with Crohn's disease (CD). METHODS: Thirty, adult Chinese patients with CD (CD Activity Index [CDAI] 220-450; high-sensitivity [hs]-C-reactive protein [CRP] ≥3 mg/L) received double-blind adalimumab 160/80 mg or 80/40 mg at weeks 0/2, followed by 40 mg at weeks 4 and 6. An open-label extension period occurred from weeks 8-26; patients received 40 mg adalimumab every other week. Serum adalimumab concentration and change from baseline in fecal calprotectin (FC) were measured during the double-blind period. Clinical remission (CDAI <150), response (decrease in CDAI ≥70 points from baseline), and change from baseline in hs-CRP were assessed through week 26. Nonresponder imputation was used for missing categorical data and last observation carried forward for missing hs-CRP/FC values. No formal hypothesis was tested. Adverse events were monitored. RESULTS: Mean adalimumab serum concentrations during the induction phase were 13.9-18.1 µg/mL (160/80 mg group) and 7.5-9.5 µg/mL (80/40 mg group). During the double-blind period, higher remission/response rates and greater reductions from baseline in hs-CRP and FC were observed with adalimumab 160/80 mg compared to that with 80/40 mg. Adverse event rates were similar among all treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Adalimumab serum concentrations in Chinese patients with CD were comparable to those observed previously in Western and Japanese patients. Clinically meaningful remission rates and improvement in inflammatory markers were achieved with both dosing regimens; changes occurred rapidly with adalimumab 160/80 mg induction therapy. No new safety signals were reported.
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Crohn Disease* ; Humans ; Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex ; Pharmacokinetics

<b>OBJECTIVESb>To determine whether a large-scale physical activity intervention could affect body composition in primary school students in Beijing, China.

<b>METHODSb>The study design was one-year cluster randomized controlled trial of physical activity intervention (20 min of daily exercise in the classroom) with an additional year of follow-up among 4 700 students aged 8-11 years at baseline.

<b>RESULTSb>After the one-year intervention, BMI increased by 0.56 kg/m(2) (SD 1.15) in the intervention group and by 0.72 kg/m(2) (SD 1.20) in the control group, with a mean difference of -0.15 kg/m(2) (95% CI: -0.28 to -0.02). BMI z score decreased by -0.05 (SD 0.44) in the intervention group, but increased by 0.01 (SD 0.46) in the control group, with a mean difference of -0.07 (-0.13 to -0.01). After another year of follow up, compared to the control group, children in the intervention group had significantly lower BMI (-0.13, -0.25 to -0.01), BMI z score (-0.05, -0.10 to -0.01), fat mass (-0.27 kg, -0.53 to -0.02) and percent body fat (-0.53, -1.00 to -0.05). The intervention had a more pronounced effect on weight, height, BMI, BMI z score, and body composition among obese children than among normal weight or overweight children. Compared to the control group, the intervention group had a significantly higher percentage of children who maintained or reduced their BMI z score at year 1 (P=0.008) and year 2 (P=0.04).

<b>CONCLUSIONSb>These findings suggest that 20 min of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity during the school year is a feasible and effective way to prevent excessive gain of body weight, BMI, and body fatness in primary school students.

Body Composition ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Exercise ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; prevention & control

<b>Objective:b> To estimate the health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE) of adults in Zhejiang province and evaluate the health status of the adults. <b>Methods:b> This study was based on the mortality data collected from Zhejiang Chronic Disease Surveillance Information and Management System, and mortality rates from the underreporting survey and self-reported health data in 2016. Hierarchical Ordered Probit (HOPIT) model was used to estimate the severity-weighted prevalence of disability. Sullivan's method was used to calculate the HALE. <b>Results:b> After adjustment by HOPIT model, the severity-weighted prevalence of disability increased significantly with age (χ(2)=5 795.81,P<0.001), and it was higher in females than in males (χ(2)=5 353.27, P<0.001). The life expectancy and self-evaluated HALE were 59.08 years and 48.68 years, respectively, in those aged ≥20 years, the difference was 10.40 years due to disability. The proportion of HALE loss due to disability in the total life expectancy was 17.61%, and it increased with age. HALE was higher in males than in females (49.21 years vs. 48.14 years), and in urban residents than in rural residents (49.92 years vs. 47.43 years). <b>Conclusion:b> The proportion of loss of HALE in the total life expectancy in adults was high in Zhejiang, and it higher in males than in females, in urban residents than rural residents. Programs on improving health care in women and rural residents should be promoted.
Adult ; China/epidemiology* ; Chronic Disease/epidemiology* ; Disabled Persons/statistics & numerical data* ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Life Expectancy/ethnology* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Sex Distribution

Fibrosarcoma/surgery* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Lung Neoplasms ; Neck