OBJECTIVES: Nerve growth factor (NGF) induces neuron transdifferentiation of adrenal medulla chromaffin cells (AMCCs) and consequently downregulates the secretion of epinephrine (EPI), which may be involved in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. Mammalian achaete scute-homologous 1 (MASH1), a key regulator of neurogenesis in the nervous system, has been proved to be elevated in AMCCs with neuron transdifferentiation in vivo. This study aims to explore the role of MASH1 in the process of neuron transdifferentiation of AMCCs and the mechanisms. METHODS: Rat AMCCs were isolated and cultured. AMCCs were transfected with siMASH1 or MASH1 overexpression plasmid, then were stimulated with NGF and/or dexamethasone, PD98059 (a MAPK kinase-1 inhibitor) for 48 hours. Morphological changes were observed using light and electron microscope. Phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT, the key enzyme for epinephrine synthesis) and tyrosine hydroxylase were detected by immunofluorescence. Western blotting was used to test the protein levels of PNMT, MASH1, peripherin (neuronal markers), extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), phosphorylated extracellular regulated protein kinases (pERK), and JMJD3. Real-time RT-PCR was applied to analyze the mRNA levels of MASH1 and JMJD3. EPI levels in the cellular supernatant were measured using ELISA. RESULTS: Cells with both tyrosine hydroxylase and PNMT positive by immunofluorescence were proved to be AMCCs. Exposure to NGF, AMCCs exhibited neurite-like processes concomitant with increases in pERK/ERK, peripherin, and MASH1 levels (all P<0.05). Additionally, impairment of endocrine phenotype was proved by a signifcant decrease in the PNMT level and the secretion of EPI from AMCCs (all P<0.01). MASH1 interference reversed the effect of NGF, causing increases in the levels of PNMT and EPI, conversely reduced the peripherin level and cell processes (all P<0.01). MASH1 overexpression significantly increased the number of cell processes and peripherin level, while decreased the levels of PNMT and EPI (all P<0.01). Compared with the NGF group, the levels of MASH1, JMJD3 protein and mRNA in AMCCs in the NGF+PD98059 group were decreased (all P<0.05). After treatment with PD98059 and dexamethasone, the effect of NGF on promoting the transdifferentiation of AMCCs was inhibited, and the number of cell processes and EPI levels were decreased (both P<0.05). In addition, the activity of the pERK/MASH1 pathway activated by NGF was also inhibited. CONCLUSIONS MASH1 is the key factor in neuron transdifferentiation of AMCCs. NGF-induced neuron transdifferentiation is probably mediated via pERK/MASH1 signaling.
Animals ; Rats ; Adrenal Medulla ; Cell Transdifferentiation ; Chromaffin Cells ; Dexamethasone ; Epinephrine/pharmacology* ; Mammals ; Nerve Growth Factor ; Neurons ; Peripherins ; Protein Kinases ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase

Objective:To analyze high-risk behaviors related to HIV infection in men who have sex with men (MSM) recruited by different methods in Zhenjiang city, and to provide a reference for precise prevention and control of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) .Methods:From April to June in 2020, MSM in Zhenjiang city were recruited as research subjects through the center for disease control and prevention (CDC) voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) clinic and community-based organizations (CBOs) . Information such as demographic characteristics, drug abuse, HIV testing history and high-risk sexual behavior were collected through a unified questionnaire survey. Chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test was used to analyze differences in relevant characteristics of MSM recruited by different methods.Results:A total of 641 MSM were recruited by the two methods, including 442 (68.95%) recruited from CBOs and 199 (31.05%) from CDC; the proportion of MSM aged under 20 years was significantly higher in the CBO group (6.56%) than in the CDC group (1.01%, χ2 = 9.20, P = 0.002) ; the proportions of MSM receiving health education information on potential hazards of drug use from professional health institutions and new network media were significantly higher in the CDC group (7.54% [15/199], 16.58% [33/199], respectively) than in the CBO group (3.39% [15/442], χ2 = 5.28, P = 0.022; 9.50% [42/442], χ2 = 6.66, P = 0.010) . In terms of characteristics of sexual behavior, the CBO group showed significantly increased proportions of individuals having group sex (25.21%, 30 cases) and those having unprotected sexual intercourse with women (47.51%, 210 cases) compared with the CDC group (7.50% [6 cases], χ2 = 10.13, P = 0.001; 27.64% [55 cases], χ2 = 22.35, P < 0.001, respectively) , but significantly decreased proportions of heterosexuals (2.04%, 9 cases) , individuals unknowing about the HIV status of sexual partners (22.40%, 99 cases) and those having unprotected anal sex with men (39.82%, 176 cases) compared with the CDC group (6.53% [13 cases], χ2 = 8.37, P = 0.004; 39.70% [79 cases], χ2 = 20.48, P < 0.001; 57.29% [114 cases], χ2 = 16.90, P < 0.001, respectively) . Compared with the CDC group, the CBO group showed significantly decreased proportions of individuals ever having an HIV test (74.43% [329 cases] vs. 80.90% [161 cases], χ2 = 3.19, P = 0.074) and those getting the latest HIV test from CDC (23.10% [76 cases] vs. 57.14% [92 cases], χ2 = 99.41, P < 0.001) , as well as decreased prevalence of HIV infection (5.20% [23 cases] vs. 13.07% [26 cases], χ2 = 21.85, P < 0.001) . Conclusions:The MSM recruited from CBO and CDC are complementary in terms of demographics and behaviors, and can represent the general MSM population. Specific prevention and control measures for AIDS should be taken according to different characteristics of the MSM population.

Based on the latest results of international researches, combining with the experiences of our team in the simulation of acute dyspnea, Xiangya Hospital Central South University has summarized 7 characteristics, procedures and methods of debriefing, including that immediate feedback happens after simulation; feedback is provided by a trained instructor with clinical experience; feedback time is at least longer than the simulation time; various international methods of feedback can be used; the content of feedback is the learning objective; oral feedback is preferred; video can be used to review the details. The study aims to provide a theoretical basis for debriefing in domestic scenario stimulation teaching, and finally improve the effectiveness of the scenario stimulation teaching.

PURPOSE: Details of patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation in mainland China are lacking. To improve disease control and reduce economic burden, a large sample survey among this patient population is indispensable. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of such patients.METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation in 29 hospitals of 29 regions in mainland China during the period 2013 to 2014. Demographic features, pre-admission conditions, exacerbation details, and outcomes were summarized. Risk factors for exacerbation severity were analyzed.RESULTS: There were 3,240 asthmatic patients included in this study (57.7% females, 42.3% males). Only 28.0% used daily controller medications; 1,287 (39.7%) patients were not currently on inhaled corticosteroids. Acute upper airway infection was the most common trigger of exacerbation (42.3%). Patients with severe to life-threatening exacerbation tended to have a longer disease course, a smoking history, and had comorbidities such as hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and food allergy. The multivariate analysis showed that smoking history, comorbidities of hypertension, COPD, and food allergy were independent risk factors for more severe exacerbation. The number of patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation varied with seasons, peaking in March and September. Eight patients died during the study period (mortality 0.25%).CONCLUSIONS: Despite enhanced education on asthma self-management in China during recent years, few patients were using daily controller medications before the onset of their exacerbation, indicating that more educational efforts and considerations are needed. The findings of this study may improve our understanding of hospital admission for asthma exacerbation in mainland China and provide evidence for decision-making.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Asthma ; China ; Comorbidity ; Disease Progression ; Education ; Female ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Inpatients ; Medication Adherence ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Seasons ; Self Care ; Smoke ; Smoking

BACKGROUND: Anlotinib is a newly developed small molecule multiple receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitor that was approved for the treatment of patients with lung cancer in China. We aim to report 3 cases of rare complication of anlotinib-bronchial fistula (BF) during the treatment of lung cancer patients and summarize the possible causes. METHODS: We collected three patients who developed BF due to anlotinib treatment, and conducted a search of Medline and PubMed for medical literature published between 2018 and 2020 using the following search terms: "anlotinib," "lung cancer," and "fistula." RESULTS: Our literature search produced two case reports (three patients) which, in addition to our three patients. We collated the patients' clinical characteristics including demographic information, cancer type, imaging features, treatment received, risk factors for anlotinib related BF, and treatment-related outcomes. The six patients shared some common characteristics: advanced age, male, concurrent infection symptoms, diabetes mellitus (DM), advanced squamous cell and small cell lung cancers, centrally located tumors, tumor measuring ≥5 cm in longest diameter, and newly formed tumor cavitation after multi-line treatment especially after receiving radiotherapy. Fistula types included broncho-pericardial fistula, broncho-pleural fistula, and esophago-tracheobronchial fistula. Six patients all died within 6 months. CONCLUSIONS Although anlotinib is relatively safe, it is still necessary to pay attention to the occurrence of BF, a rare treatment side effect that threatens the quality of life and overall survival of patients. Anlotinib, therefore, requires selective use and close observation of high-risk patients.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in China. The results from a randomized controlled trial using annual low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in specific high-risk groups demonstrated a 20% reduction in lung cancer mortality. The aim of tihs study is to establish the China National lung cancer screening guidelines for clinical practice. METHODS: The China lung cancer early detection and treatment expert group (CLCEDTEG) established the China National Lung Cancer Screening Guideline with multidisciplinary representation including 4 thoracic surgeons, 4 thoracic radiologists, 2 medical oncologists, 2 pulmonologists, 2 pathologist, and 2 epidemiologist. Members have engaged in interdisciplinary collaborations regarding lung cancer screening and clinical care of patients with at risk for lung cancer. The expert group reviewed the literature, including screening trials in the United States and Europe and China, and discussed local best clinical practices in the China. A consensus-based guidelines, China National Lung Cancer Screening Guideline (CNLCSG), was recommended by CLCEDTEG appointed by the National Health and Family Planning Commission, based on results of the National Lung Screening Trial, systematic review of evidence related to LDCT screening, and protocol of lung cancer screening program conducted in rural China. RESULTS: Annual lung cancer screening with LDCT is recommended for high risk individuals aged 50-74 years who have at least a 20 pack-year smoking history and who currently smoke or have quit within the past five years. Individualized decision making should be conducted before LDCT screening. LDCT screening also represents an opportunity to educate patients as to the health risks of smoking; thus, education should be integrated into the screening process in order to assist smoking cessation. CONCLUSIONS A lung cancer screening guideline is recommended for the high-risk population in China. Additional research , including LDCT combined with biomarkers, is needed to optimize the approach to low-dose CT screening in the future.
Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; epidemiology ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Patient Selection ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Radiation Dosage ; Risk ; Rural Population ; statistics & numerical data ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

Nocardia is a genus of gram-positive,weakly acid-fast,filamentous aerobic actinomycetes,which mainly causes infection in immunocompromised persons. We reported a successfully treated fatal case of severe pneumonia caused by Nocardia farcinica in a hospital,then reviewed 25 domestic and abroad case reports about nocardiosis combined with severe pneumonia occurred since 2006,so as to improve health care workers'cognition on clinical manifestations,image features,pathogenic characteristics,and diagnostic and treatment schemes of se-vere pneumonia caused by Nocardia farcinica.

Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of miR-155 in invasion and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells.Methods Real-time PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization were used to detect the miR-155 expression in patients′lung adenocarcinoma and adjacent tissue and lymph nodes.Scratch test and Transwell migration assay were used to assess the effect of miR-155 on the A549 cell migration and invasion capability.Bioinformatics software was used to predict the target genes of miR-155, and using luciferase to assay the target gene.Western blot and real-time PCR were performed to confirm the role of miR-155 expression in the regulation of target gene PTEN.Results The real-time quantitative PCR showed that the miR-155 expression levels in adjacent normal tissue, lung adenocarcinoma and metastatic lymph nodes were 4.1±0.5, 9.6±3.1 and 7.8±2.2, respectively.The in situ hybridization showed that the expression rates of miR-155 in the adjacent normal tissue, lung adenocarcinoma and metastatic lymph nodes were (23.2±15.3)%, (75.4±20.2 )% and (60.4±25.1)%,respectively.The Scratch assay showed that the wound healing rates in the miR-155 mimics group, miR-155 mimics NC group, miR-155 inhibitor group and miR-155 inhibitor NC group at 24 h were (43.2±2.2)%, (21.3±4.2)%, (24.3±5.3)%, and (35.2± 5.1)%, and that at 48 h were (75.2±4.5)%, (52.6±5.2)%, (39.4±4.2)%, and( 51.5±4.3)%, respectively.Dual luciferase reporter gene assay showed that the value of the luciferase in the miR -155 mimics group co-transfected with PTEN 3′UTR-containing wild-type and mutant plasmids were 4.7±0.5 and 7.3±0.7, and the miR-155 mimics luciferase values of the control group co-transfected with PTEN 3′UTR-containing wild-type and mutant plasmids were 7.8±0.9 and 7.5±0.8, respectively.The real-time quantitative fluorescence PCR showed that the relative expression of PTEN protein in the miR-155 mimics group, miR-155 mimics control group, miR-155 mimics inhibitor group, and miR-155 inhibitor control group were 0.5± 0.3, 1.0±0.1, 2.2±0.2 and 1.2 ±0.1, respectively.The Western blot assay detected that the relative expression of PTEN protein levels in the miR-155 mimics group, miR-155 mimics control group, miR-155 inhibitor group and miR-155 inhibitor control group were 0.4±0.1, 1.0±0.3, 2.8±0.2 and 1.4 ±0.1, respectively.The differences in PTEN mRNA and protein expressions of the four groups were statistically significant (P<0.05 for all).Conclusions miR-155 may promote the invasion and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma through reducing the target PTEN gene expression.

Improvements in survival and quality of life of patients with lung cancer had been achieved due to the progression of early diagnosis and precision medicine at recent years, however, until now, treatments targeted at lesions in cen-tral nervous system are far from satisfying, thus threatening livelihood of patients involved. Atfer all, in the issue of prophylaxis and therapeutics of brain metastases, it is crucial to learn about the biological behavior of tumor cells in brain metastases and its mechanism underlying, and the hypothesis ”seed and soil”, that is, tumor cells would generate series of adaptive changes to ift in the new environment, is liable to help explain this process well. In this assay, we reviewed documents concerning tumor cells, brain micro-environments and their interactions in brain metastases, aiming to provide novel insight into the treatments of brain metastases.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) on liver injury and to examine the expression of liver CXC chemokine ligand-10 (CXCL10) in the rats, and to explore the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC).
 METHODS: A total of 21 male SD rats were randomly divided into a control group, a CIH group and a CIH+NAC group (n=7 in each group). The control group exposed to normal gaseous environment, the other 2 groups were exposed to CIH for 5 weeks (8 h/d); the control group and the CIH group were given daily saline lavage, the CIH+NAC group daily received NAC solution. After the end of 5 weeks, the rats were killed, and the MDA content and SOD activity in rat liver tissues were detected. The liver sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and the liver pathology was observed. The expression of CXCL10 in the liver tissues was detected by immunohistochemical method.
 RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the MDA levels in rat liver tissues were increased (P<0.05), and the SOD levels were decreased (P<0.05) in the CIH group and the CIH+NAC group. Compared with the CIH group, the SOD levels in the rat liver tissues were increased (P<0.05), and the MDA levels were decreased in the CIH+NAC group. Compared with the control group, the hepatic steatosis and inflammatory reactions were more severe in the CIH group and the CIH+NAC group (both P<0.01). Compared with the CIH group, the hepatic steatosis and inflammatory reactions were reduced in the CIH+NAC group (P<0.05). The liver damage in the CIH+NAC group was less than that in the CIH group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the CXCL10 expression in the CIH group and the CIH+NAC group was increased (both P<0.01). The CXCL10 expression in the CIH+NAC group was down-regulated compared with that in the CIH group (P<0.01).
 CONCLUSION CIH can lead to liver injury and induce CXCL10 expression in rat liver tissues. The NAC can alleviate rat liver oxidative stress and inflammation caused by CIH, and in turn to improve the liver injury in rats.
Acetylcysteine ; Animals ; Chemokine CXCL10 ; Fatty Liver ; Hypoxia ; Inflammation ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley