Objective To investigate gene expression patterns of atherosclerosis (As) induced by homocysteine (Hcy). Methods Total RNAs were isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes of 3 inpatients who had no traditional risk factors of coronary heart disease (CHD). They were one with normal coronary angiography and plasma Hcy level , one CHD patient with normal plasma Hcy level, and one CHD patient with high plasma homocysteine level . The RNAs were reversely transcribed to the cDNAs to prepare the hybridization probes. The probes were hybridized to the gene chip with 1152 genes to study gene expression patterns. Results There were 177 differentially expressed genes between the CHD patient with high plasma homocysteine level and the patient with normal coronary angiography and plasma Hcy level (group 1) . There were 151 differentially expressed genes between the CHD patient with high plasma homocysteine level and the CHD patient with normal plasma Hcy level (group 3) . A parallel comparison between group 1 and group 3 gene chips showed that there were 48 differentially expressed genes in common , of which there were 25 down-regulated and 23 up-regulated genes.Conclusions Among the differentially expressed genes, some are involved in the functions of apoptosis, signal transduction, immunology, translation of protein and proto-oncogene, etc. They had potential values in genesis of As induced by Hcy. The study based on gene chip in researching the differentially expressed genes of As induced by Hcy will provide new clues for finding out the pathogenesis of As.

Immune-checkpoint blockers(ICBs)have been well received in a variety of tumors,and the quality of patient life has improved significantly.However,the reasons why not all patients treated with ICBs benefit from lesion control,symptom improvement,and survival time.Many patients are resistant to the first time when they have been using ICBs for a period of time.This is a clinical challenge.This review lists possible causes of primary drug resistance and acquired resistance to ICBs.The primary resistance is associated with several mechanisms,including tumor microenvironment,cancer cells themselves and other related factors.The acquired resistance includes nonclassical immunoprecipitation molecules secondary overexpression,abnormalities of antigen presenting signal pathway and dysfunction of T cell activation killer.Finally,we have described a variety of possible new combination of treatment,including combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy,and combined targeted therapy with other measures.

Objective To explore the clinical value of high‐sensitive troponin I detection in the diagnosis of early myocardial inju‐ry .Methods Totally 240 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM ) patients (study group) and 40 healthy people(healthy control group) were chosen as subjects .The serum level of HbA1c ,AST ,CK ,CK‐MB and hs‐cTnI were measured among the two groups ,respec‐tively .Results Hs‐cTnI level in T2DM group was significantly higher than in healthy control group(P< 0 .05) ,and AST ,CK and CK‐MB levels in two groups had no significant difference(P> 0 .05) .Hs‐cTnI level and positive rate in HbA1c ≥ 6 .5% group was significantly higher than in HbA1c ≤ 6 .4% group(P< 0 .05) ,and no significant difference of AST ,CK and CK‐MB levels and posi‐tive rate were observed in two groups(P> 0 .05) .There was a positive correlation between the level of HbA1c and that of serum hs‐cTnI in T2DM group(r= 0 .471 ,P< 0 .05) .Conclusion The hs‐cTnI level detection has important clinical value in the diagnosis of early myocardial injury in T2DM patients ,and HbA1c is positively correlated with hs‐cTnI .

In order to improve the interfacial bonding strength of hydroxyapatite/polyurethane implanted material and dispersion of hydroxyapatite in the polyurethane matrix, we in the present study synthesized nano-hydroxyapatite/polyurethane composites by in situ polymerization. We then characterized and analyzed the fracture morphology, thermal stability, glass transition temperature and mechanical properties. We seeded MG63 cells on composites to evaluate the cytocompatibility of the composites. In situ polymerization could improve the interfacial bonding strength, ameliorate dispersion of hydroxyapatite in the properties of the composites. After adding 20 wt% hydroxyapatite into the polyurethane, the thermal stability was improved and the glass transition temperatures were increased. The tensile strength and maximum elongation were 6.83 MPa and 861.17%, respectively. Compared with those of pure polyurethane the tensile strength and maximum elongation increased by 236.45% and 143.30%, respectively. The composites were helpful for cell adhesion and proliferation in cultivation.
Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Line ; Durapatite ; chemistry ; Humans ; Polymerization ; Polyurethanes ; Tensile Strength ; Transition Temperature

OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of Compound pueraria tablets on the kidney tissues of diabetic nephropathy rats. METHODS:High sugar and lipid diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin were used to establish the model of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Normal control group was established. Model rats were randomly divided into model control group, positive control group(Irbesartan tablet),Compound pueraria tablets low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose [0.102,0.203,0.406 g/(kg·d)] groups(n were 8-10). The corresponding drugs were given,and fasting blood glucose(FBG)and 24 h urinary protein (Upro) were collected at 1st,14th,28th,42nd,56th day after treatment. SCr,BUN,TC,TG and KI were detected,and renal pathology was observed after the last dose. RESULTS:Compared with normal group,FBG of those groups were all increased after modeling,and 24 h Upro of them were all increased after 28th day (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with model control group, FBG of Compound pueraria tablets medium-dose and high-dose groups were all decreased since 42nd day (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and 24 h Upro of Compound pueraria tablets groups were all decreased since 28th day(P<0.05 or P<0.01);BUN,TC,TG and KI of Compound pueraria tablets in medium-dose and high-dose groups were all decreased significantly,and SCr of 3 dose groups were all increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The morphological structure of renal cells was improved significantly in drug treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS:Compound pueraria tablets can correct lipid metabolism disorder,reduce Upro and improve renal func-tion,indicating certain protective effect on the kidney tissues of diabetic nephropathy rats.

Objective:To investigate the effects of icaritin(ICT)on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of rat bone mar-row stromal cells(rBMSCs).Methods:rBMSCs were cultured from the bone marrow of SD rats and identified by multilineage differ-entiation assays.3,6 and 9 days after the treatment of rBMSCs of passage 4 by ICT at 1 0 -9 ,1 0 -8 ,1 0 -7 ,1 0 -6 and 1 0 -5 mol/L re-spectively,the proliferation and differentiation of the cells were examined by cck-8 and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)activity assay kit respectively.The calcium nodule formation was observed by alizarin red(AR)staining 21 days after 1 0 -9 mol/L ICT treatment. Results:Primary rBMSCs showed the typical spindle-like shape with attachment growth.rBMSCs could be induced to osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation.The proliferation of rBMSCs was inhibited but ALP activity was enhanced by ICT.1 0 -9 mol/L ICT in-cresed calcium nodule formation.Conclusion:ICT can dose-dependently inhibit the proliferation,but promote the osteogenic differ-entiation of rBMSCs.

Objective To evaluate the capability of three tests used alone or in combination for identification of Staphylococcus aureus.Methods Identification of Staphylococcus aureus by the detection of spa gene with PCR and the Vitek-2 system were selected as the reference methods.Comparison of three phenotypic tests including DNase,mannitol fermentation and tube coagulase test was carried out to analyze the sensitivity,specificity,positive/negative predictive value,positive/negative likelihood ratio and Youden index.The consistency,cost and related indexes of the assays were analyzed between the combined phenotypic tests and the reference methods.Results In the present study,324 isolates of Staphylococci,including 293 Staphylococcus aureus and 31 non-Staphylococcus aureus,were collected.Single biochemical test could not identify Staphylococcus aureus efficiently.Comparison between the reference methods and the combined three biochemical tests by Kappa statistic analysis indicated that an overall Kappa value was 0.9441,and the algorithm of combined test was less costly.The sensitivity and specificity of this algorithm were 100％ and 90.3％,respectively.Conclusion The cost-effective algorithm of combined DNase,mannitol fermentation and tube coagulase test could efficiently distinguish Staphylococcus aureus from other Staphylococcus species.

Objective: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of human brucellosis in Jiaxing City from 2010 to 2021, so as to provide insights into the development of the brucellosis control strategy. Methods: The epidemiological and clinical data of brucellosis patients and epidemiological data of brucellosis outbreaks in Jiaxing City from 2010 to 2021 were collected from Chinese Disease Control and Prevention Information System, and the epidemiological features and outbreaks of brucellosis were analyzed descriptively. Results: Totally 160 brucellosis patients were reported in Jiaxing City from 2010 to 2021, and the incidence of brucellosis appeared a tendency towards a rise (χ2trend=28.564, P=0.002), with annual mean incidence of 0.29/105. No deaths due to brucellosis occurred in Jiaxing City from 2010 to 2021. Brucellosis cases were reported each month, which were concentrated in the first and second quarters, and the greatest number was seen in May (27 cases, 16.88%). The brucellosis cases were predominantly reported in Tongxiang City (114 cases, 71.25%), and 75.00% were male (120 cases) and 70.63% were occupational populations (113 cases). The patients had a median (interquartile range) age of 57 (12) years at onset, and the median duration (interquartile range) from onset to definitive diagnosis was 18 (28) days. The clinical manifestations mainly included fever and weakness, and a total of 18 Brucella melitensis isolates and one B. bovis isolate were cultured. Conclusions The incidence of brucellosis was rising in Jiaxing City from 2010 to 2021. The brucellosis patients were predominantly reported in Tongxiang City in the first and second quarters, and young, middle-aged men and occupational populations were at a high risk of brucellosis.

Objective:To explore the inhibitory mechanism of herb cake-partitioned moxibustion on tumor growth in colitis-associated colorectal cancer(CAC)based on histone lysine demethylase 4D(KDM4D). Methods:Inbred male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a CAC group,a herb cake-partitioned moxibustion group,and an inhibitor group.Except the normal group,rats in the other three groups were treated with azoxymethane(AOM)combined with dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)to make CAC rat models.Rats in the normal group and the CAC group did not receive interventions;rats in the herb cake-partitioned moxibustion group received moxibustion at Qihai(CV6)and bilateral Tianshu(ST25),2 cones for one point each time,once a day for 30 d with 1-day rest every week;rats in the inhibitor group received intraperitoneal injection of KDM4D inhibitor,5-chloro-8-hydroxyquinoline(5-c-8HQ),once a day for 30 d.After intervention,the general condition,colon length,tumor number and volume,and histopathological colon changes were observed.The expression of adenomatous polyposis coli(APC),axis inhibitor(Axin),cyclin D1,matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-7 and MMP-9 mRNAs were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.The proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA),cleaved caspase3,KDM4D,APC,and Axin proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results:Compared with the normal group,the general condition was poor,the colon length was significantly shortened(P<0.01),the number and volume of colonic tumors were increased(P<0.01),the structure of glandular duct was obviously disordered with"back-to-back"and cowall phenomenon,and also high-grade adenocarcinoma formed;the protein expression levels of PCNA and KDM4D were significantly increased(P<0.01),while cleaved caspase3,APC,and Axin were significantly reduced(P<0.01);the mRNA expression levels of cyclin D1,MMP-7,and MMP-9 were significantly increased(P<0.01),while APC and Axin were significantly reduced(P<0.01)in the CAC group.Compared with the CAC group,the general condition was improved,the length of colon was significantly increased(P<0.01),the number and volume of the colonic tumors were reduced(P<0.05),and the colon tissues showed epithelial cell proliferation with enlarged and deep staining nuclei,dysplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration;the protein expression levels of PCNA and KDM4D were significantly reduced(P<0.01),while the cleaved caspase3,APC,and Axin were significantly increased(P<0.01);the mRNA expression levels of cyclin D1,MMP-7,and MMP-9 were reduced(P<0.05),while the APC and Axin were increased(P<0.05)in the colon tissues of rats in the herb cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the inhibitor group. Conclusion:Herb cake-partitioned moxibustion regulated abnormally expressed KDM4D in CAC rats,activated APC and Axin,the upstream molecules of Wnt/β-catenin pathway,inhibited abnormally activated downstream molecules of Wnt/β-catenin pathway.This may be a key mechanism of herb cake-partitioned moxibustion in inhibiting CAC tumor growth.

Objective: To perform an epidemiological survey of the first case with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in Pinghu City of Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province on March 13, 2022, so as to provide insights into the management of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemics. Methods: According to the requirements of the Protocol on Prevention and Control of COVID-19 (8th Edition), epidemiological investigations were performed among 39 cases with SARS-CoV-2 infections in Pinghu City from March 13 to 20, 2022. Cases' demographics, clinical symptoms, history of immunization and exposure were collected, and close contacts were identified. Pharyngeal swabs were sampled from infected cases for detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid and whole-genome sequencing, and the source of infection and transmission route were investigated. Results: The index case for this COVID-19 epidemic was an imported case from Shanghai Municipality, who infected 6 persons via aerosol transmission when playing in the badminton venue of Pinghu National Fitness Center on March 9; subsequently, one of these infected cases infected another 18 persons when playing in the badminton venue of Jiadian Village Resident's Fitness Center in Zhapu Township on March 12. Sixteen confirmed cases were reported, and all cases were mild; another 23 asymptomatic cases were diagnosed, with no death reported. This epidemic occurred from March 11 to 20, with 3 generations of spread and a median incubation period of 3 days. The SARS-CoV-2 infected cases had a median age of 33.5 (interquartile range, 12.0) years and included 36 cases with a history of COVID-19 vaccination. There were 16 cases with fever, cough, runny nose and sore throat, and 13 cases with imaging features of pneumonia. The effective reproductive number (Rt) of the COVID-19 epidemic was 7.73 at early stage, and was less than 1 since March 21. Whole-genome sequencing identified Omicron BA.2 variant among 33 cases, which had high homology with the index cases. Conclusion This epidemic was a cluster of COVID-19 caused by imported Omicron BA.2 variant infection from Shanghai Municipality, and the COVID-19 transmission was mainly caused by indoor aerosols.