AIM: To investigate the dynamic variety of frequency and function of FoxP3~+ regulatory T cells in patients with acute hepatitis B (AHB). METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 15 AHB patients at acute phase (week 1 of illness), convalescent phase (primary occurrence of both ALT level normalization and HBsAg negative conversion), resolved phase (at least 8 weeks after both ALT normalization and HBsAg seroconversion, and 15 health subjects were analyzed for FoxP3 (Forkhead/winged helix transcription factor) mRNA expression in MACS magnetic beads-purified CD4~+ T cells by real-time RT-PCR assay. The effects of Treg cells on the proliferation of CD4~+CD25~- T cells were examined by a ~3[H]-thymidine incorporation assay. RESULTS: AHB patients presented a significantly higher FoxP3 mRNA expression at convalescent phase than acute phase (t=-6.04, P<0.01) and resolved phase (t=4.45, P<0.01), and healthy controls (t=3.44, P<0.01). We also observed that the suppression efficiency of Treg cells on proliferation of CD4~+CD25~- T cells was lower at acute phase than convalescent phase (t=-5.30, P<0.01) and resolved phase (t=-3.20, P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between healthy controls and any phase of AHB. CONCLUSION: AHB patients presented lower circulating Treg frequency and suppression function at acute phase, and both of them are increased at convalescent phase, and then return to normal level along with disease resolved. This follow-up study furthers our understanding of Treg' s role in immunopathogenesis of hepatitis B.

Objective·To investigate the correlation of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of complement factor H (CFH) gene with schizophrenia in Chinese Han population.Methods·The genotype,allele,and haplotype frequencies of 5 SNP loci (rs800292,rs 1061170,rs 10801555,rs 10922096 and rs2019727) in CFH gene were compared between 418 patients with schizophrenia (case group) and 655 normal people (control group) by SNaPshot technique.Results·All SNP loci were well genotyped in the subjects.Correlation analysis showed that rs1061170 locus allele frequency distribution difference between case group and control group was statistically significant (corrected P=0.045),while genotype and allele frequencies of other SNP loci were not significantly different (all corrected P＞0.05).The frequency of haplotype C-A-T-A-A (rs800292-rs1061170-rs10801555-rs10922096-rs2019727) in case group was different from that in control group (corrected P=0.013).Conclusion·The allele polymorphisms of rsl061170 and the haplotype C-A-T-A-A of rs800292-rs 1061170-rs 10801555-rs 10922096-rs2019727 may be associated with schizophrenia in Chinese Han population.

Objective To clarify the incidence and survival of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) patients among permanent residents in Yangpu district of Shanghai,from 2002 to 2012.Methods Data of CRC patients in permanent residents of Yangpu district were collected from the database of the registration and management system in Shanghai city.Temporal trend in the incidence of CRC was analyzed by using Annual Percent Change (APC) model.Kaplan-Meier analysis with Log-rank testing was employed to estimate the survival.Incidence and mortality rates were standardized on age composition of standard population from 2000 nationwide census.Results A total of 5 881 CRC cases were diagnosed from 2002 to 2012 with crude incidence as 50.60/105 and standardized one as 31.21/105.The crude incidence rates of colon cancer and rectal cancer were 31.09/105 and 18.27/105,respectively and the standardized rates were 14.49/105 and 8.83/105,respectively.The incidence rates of colon cancer were not significantly different between different gender.However,the incidence of rectal cancer in males was significantly higher than in females (P＜0.001).The incidence rates of CRC significantly increased in the age group older than 50 years.However,the standardized incidence rate did not change significantly (APC=0.39).A total of 3 735 cases died of CRC in this period.The annual crude mortality of CRC was 31.35/105 with the standardized rate as 13.72/105.The mortality kept increasing significantly in the population older than 60 years.Mortality of rectal cancer was significantly higher in males than in females (P＜0.001).The 5-year survival rates in both colon cancer and rectal cancer patients were 48.88％ and 54.16％,respectively.Survivals were significantly higher in those who had received surgical treatments than in those without surgical treatments (colon cancer:58.10％ vs.37.22％,P＜0.001 ; rectal cancer:66.18％ vs.39.37％,P＜0.001).Conclusion Age seemed to have contributed to an increased morbidity and mortality of CRC in Yangpu district of Shanghai.The mortality of CRC appeared higher than the incidence.Surgical treatment could significantly prolong the survival of CRC patients.

2019 Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection caused a pandemic in the world. From the reported cases in the literatures, the level of D-dimer in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is positively correlated with the severity of illness, which needs the attention of clinical workers. According to Western medicine, the increase of D-dimer is related to the hyperactivity of fibrinolytic system and the shortening of prothrombin time (PT), resulting in excessive production and degradation of plasma fibrin and hypercoagulable state of blood, while traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) believes that the above syndromes belong to the pathogenesis of "blood stasis" according to TCM theories. Over the years, TCM has a significant effect on promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis and improving microcirculation. This article reviews the mechanism, clinical significance, understanding of TCM and common methods of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis caused by 2019-nCoV, in order to provide ideas for the prevention and treatment of impaired blood coagulation in patients with COVID-19.

Objectives:To explore the correlation between mitral annulus calcification(MAC)and recurrence of atrial fibrillation(AF)after radiofrequency ablation. Methods:The study included 785 patients with AF who underwent radiofrequency ablation in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 1,2019 to December 31,2020.According to the recurrence of AF after operation,patients were divided into recurrence group and non-recurrence group.Univariate Cox regression model was used to analyze the risk factors associated with AF recurrence,and multivariate Cox regression model was used to evaluate the influence of MAC on AF recurrence. Results:The average follow-up was(16±10)months.190 patients(24.2%)in the recurrence group,595(75.8%)patients in the non-recurrence.Patients in the recurrence group were older,had a higher proportion non-paroxysmal AF,a higher proportion of MAC,moderate/severe mitral regurgitation and larger left atrial diameter(LAD),and higher CHA2DS2-VASc score(all P<0.001).Univariate analysis showed that MAC was a risk factor of AF recurrence after radiofrequency ablation(HR=2.530,95%CI:1.639-3.907,P<0.001).After adjusting for age and sex,MAC remained significantly associated with an increased risk of AF recurrence after radiofrequency ablation(HR=1.52,95%CI:1.14-2.17,P<0.001).After multivariate adjustment for age,sex,non-paroxysmal AF,hypertension,diabetes,LAD,moderate/severe mitral regurgitation,and CHA2DS2-VASc score,MAC remained as an independent risk factor of AF recurrence(HR=1.48,95%CI:1.13-1.95,P=0.001). Conclusions:MAC is significantly associated with an increased risk of AF recurrence after radiofrequency ablation.

Objective To investigate the possible mechanism of circ RNA in the pathogenesis of epilepsy.Methods In this study,circRNA expression profiles in peripheral venous blood of epileptic patients and healthy controls were studied by using circRNA gene chip technology,and differentially expressed circrnas were screened.Bioinfor-matics databases such as circPrimer,circMir and TargetScan were used to analyze its possible role in epilepsy and adenovirus vector was constructed.Thirty male adult C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group,empty vector group and circ_0017178 overexpressed group(10 mice/group).Normal saline,empty plasmid ade-novirus vector and circ_0017178 overexpressed adenovirus vector were injected into the hippocampus of the three groups respectively.The change of animal behavior of mice in each group was observed after the establishment of pentetrazole epilepsy model,and the apoptosis of hippocampal tissue cells of mice in each group was analyzed by Tunel staining.Results The results of gene microarray showed that circ_0069272,circ_0033065,circ_0017178,circ_0073442,circ_0033063 and circ_0049415 in epilepsy group were up-regulated significantly compared with the control group.And circ_0083773,circ_0088262,circ_0016396 decreased significantly.Circ_0017178 might be the most associated with epilepsy.Through bioanalysis,circ_0017178 might regulate 39 epilepsy genes by combi-ning 20 miRNA and possess potential m6A,IRES and ORF1 binding sites.In the experiment of pentatetrazole epi-leptic mice,compared with the empty carrier group and the control group,the latency period of epilepsy in the circ_0017178 overexpression group was shortened(P＜0.05),the seizure time was prolonged(P＜0.05),and the seizure frequency increased(P＜0.05).There was no statistical significance between the empty carrier group and the control group(P＞0.05).In animal experiments,compared with the empty vector group and the control group,the apoptosis degree of hippocampal tissue of epileptic mice in the circ_0017178 overexpression group sig-nificantly increased(P＜0.05),but there was no statistical significance between the empty vector group and the control group(P＞0.05).Conclusion Circ_0017178 significantly increases in the expression profile of peripher-al blood mononuclear cells in patients with epilepsy,which may act as a"molecular sponge"of miRNA in epilepsy and has the potential of m6A methylation and protein translation.Circ_0017178 may increase the susceptibility and severity of epilepsy by promoting apoptosis in penetetrazole epileptic mice.

Neuropeptides are an important class of endogenous bioactive substances involved in the function of the nervous system, and connect the brain and other neural and peripheral organs. Mass spectrometry-based neuropeptidomics are designed to study neuropeptides in a large-scale manner and obtain important molecular information to further understand the mechanism of nervous system regulation and the pathogenesis of neurological diseases. This review summarizes the basic strategies for the study of neuropeptides using mass spectrometry, including sample preparation and processing, qualitative and quantitative methods, and mass spectrometry imagining.

Objective To explore the relationship between the serum neuropeptide Y (NPY) levels and the pathogenesis,therapeutic intervention of schizophrenia. Methods One hundard twenty-five patients with schizophrenia (case group) with no medication for at least 4-week and 136 healthy controls (control group) were evaluated by Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scala (PANSS). Simultaneously blood tests were performed to detect serum NPY levels. In the case group, PANSS was evaluated and blood collected again after 4 weeks of treatment with olanzapine. Result At the baseline,the serum NPY concentration was significantly lower in the case group than in control group (t=-5.79, P<0.01). The scores of RBANS and its factors were significantly lower in the case group than in control group (all P<0.01). The concentration was positively correlated with the score of the attention factor for RBANS scale (r=0.20, P=0.04). After treatment with olanzapine for 4 weeks,the serum NPY level in the case group was significantly increased (t=-2.23,P=0.03).The scores of PANSS total scale and subscale were significantly decreased(all P<0.01).There was no significant correlation between alterations of the serum level of NPY and PANSS total or subscale scores from baseline to 4-week (all P>0.05). Conclusion The present study has revealed a significant decrease in serum NPY levels in patients with schizophrenia which can be attenuated by treatment of Olanzapine.The action of Olanzapine may be related to the mechanism of action of Olanzapine.However,there is no correlation between alterations of the serum level of NPY and the improvement in the patientˊs clinical symptoms.

Objectives: This study explored the relationship between weight control and atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation in overweight and obese patients. Methods: We prospectively enrolled consecutive 333 overweight and obese patients aged 28 to 87 years old, who underwent catheter ablation for AF in Beijing Anzhen Hospital between October 2015 and February 2016. Data of patients′ characteristics, laboratory examination and treatment were collected at baseline. Each patient was followed up at 3, 6 and 12 months after ablation to collect information on weight, AF recurrence, stroke, major bleeding, hospitalization for cardiovascular reasons and death, etc. Patients were divided into weight controlled group (ΔBMI<-1 kg/m²) and weight uncontrolled group (ΔBMI≥-1 kg/m²), according to the changes in the most recent exposure BMI before AF recurrence in patients with recurrence or the BMI at 12 months′ follow-up in patients without recurrence and the BMI at baseline. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to adjust other known risk factors of AF recurrence and to explore the association between weight control and AF recurrence after catheter ablation. Results: There were 54 patients in weight controlled group and 279 patients in weight uncontrolled group. There were no significant differences in age, gender, education level, left atrial size and history of hypertension between the two groups (all P>0.05). The proportion of patients using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers was higher in the weight controlled group (50.0%(27/54) vs. 34.8%(97/279), P=0.034). However, there was no significant difference in the proportion of patients with obesity (33.3% (18/54) vs. 29.7% (83/279)), paroxysmal AF (59.3% (32/54) vs. 56.6% (158/279)) and AF duration less than 5 years (76.9% (40/52) vs. 65.4% (178/272)) between the weight controlled group and the uncontrolled group. During 1-year follow-up after ablation, the recurrence rate of AF was significantly lower in the weight controlled group than that in the weight uncontrolled group (14.8% (8/54) vs. 32.6%(91/279), P=0.009). Multivariable logistic regression analysis shows that weight control is independently associated with a lower postoperative AF recurrence rate (OR=0.40, 95%CI 0.18-0.90, P=0.026). Conclusion Weight control is strongly associated with a lower AF recurrence rate after catheter ablation in overweight and obese patients.

Endogenous peptides, in the form of cytokines, growth hormones and hormone peptides, play an important role in human hormones, nerves, cell growth and reproduction. Neuropeptide is a kind of endogenous peptide, which is related to the physiological activities of pain, sleep, emotion, learning and memory. Neuropeptides exist not only in the nerve cells of the brain, but also in other body fluids and organs. At present, there is still a lack of research on endogenous peptides, especially on neuropeptides. In this study, high-throughput liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used to identify the distribution of endogenous peptides in the pancreas, heart, liver and kidney as well as the types of neuropeptides. The results showed that the number of endogenous peptides and neuropeptides in the liver was the highest while that of the pancreas was the lowest. The identified endogenous peptides were organ-specific and presented different dynamic distribution in four kinds of organs. The number of LPV (Longest peptide variant) of neuropeptide in the four organs varies greatly, and the distribution of gene family is also different. For example, neuropeptide in pancreas belongs to Glucagon family, while neuropeptide in heart belongs to ACBD7, Granins, PEBP and other families. The identification results will provide reference value for the mechanism study of diseases and the research and development of therapeutic drugs.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Carrier Proteins ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Humans ; Mass Spectrometry ; Mice ; Peptides