Objective To investigate the PCR-based evaluation of prednisolone-induced relapse of asymptomatic Toxoplasma gondii infection and the therapeutic efficacy of azithromycin.Methods A total of 36 of female ICR mice,about 20 g,were randomly divided into 6 groups:contrast group (C),prednisolone group (P),infection group(I),infection plus prednisolone group (IP),infection plus azithromycin group(IA),infection plus prednisolone and azithromycin group (IPA).The infection group (I),infection plus prednisolone group(IP),infection plus azithromycin group(IA),infection plus prednisolone and azithromycin group (IPA)were challenged at week 0 with 10 cysts of Toxoplasma gondii Prugniaud strain per injection intraperitoneally.The prcdnisolone group (P),infection plus prednisolone group (IP) infection plus prednisolone and azithromycin group (IPA)were injectied with prednisolone 1 mg into hind medial subcutaneous every day from the 6th week to 7th week.The infection plus azithromycin group(IA),infection plus prednisolone and azithromycin group (IPA) were injectied with azithromycin 250 mg/kg intraperitoneally every day from the 6th week to 7th week.The serum samples were collected and DNAs extracted at week 0,1,2,3,4,5,6 and 7 for amplification of Toxoplasma gondii of specific B1 gene by PCR.All the mice were sacrificed 7 weeks after the challenge to calculate the number of cysts in brain tissues.Results Compared with the primer of AF146527 gene,the primer of B1 gene was more sensitive and specific.The method of PCR could amplify the productions of specific B1 gene Toxoplasma gondii 5 weeks before the challenge,while it could not amplified 5 weeks after the challenge.All the mice of the IP group were dead 2 weeks after the injection of prednisolone (week 7),and the only two mice of the IPA group were dead at the same time (P <0.05),respectively.Compared with the I group,IA group and IPZ group,the number of cysts in brain tissues of the IP group significantly increased (P <0.01).Conclusions B1 as target gene is more suitable for diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection by PCR.Prednisolone could induce the relapse of asymptomatic Toxoplasma gondii infection of mice and the mice are finally dead.Azithromycin is effective but it can not completely cure the Toxoplasma gondii infection.

Objective:To investigate the clinical features and prognosis of male with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) autoantibody.Methods:The clinical data of 246 patients with DM and anti-MDA5 autoantibodies hospitalized by Jiangsu Myositis Cooperation Group from 2017 to 2020 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Chi-square test was performed to compared between counting data groups; Quantitative data were expressed by M ( Q1, Q3), and rank sum test was used for comparison between groups; Single factor survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method and Log rank test; Cox regression analysis were used for multivariate survival analysis. Results:①The male group had a higher proportion of rash at the sun exposure area [67.1%(47/70) vs 52.8%(93/176), χ2=4.18, P=0.041] and V-sign [50.0%(35/70) vs 30.7%(54/176), χ2=8.09, P=0.004] than the female group. The male group had higher levels of creatine kinase [112(18, 981)U/L vs 57 (13.6, 1 433)U/L, Z=-3.50, P<0.001] and ferritin [1 500 (166, 32 716)ng/ml vs 569 (18, 14 839)ng/ml, Z=-5.85, P<0.001] than the female group. The proportion of ILD [40.0%(28/70) vs 59.7%(105/176), χ2=7.82, P=0.020] patients and the red blood cell sedimentation rate[31.0(4.0, 101.5)mm/1 h vs 43.4(5.0, 126.5)mm/1 h, Z=-2.22, P=0.026] in the male group was lower than that of the female group, but the proportion of rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (PR-ILD) [47.1%(33/70) vs 31.3%(55/176), χ2=5.51, P=0.019] was higher than that of the female group. ②In male patients with positive anti-MDA5 antibodies,the death group had a shorter course of disease[1.0(1.0, 3.0) month vs 2.5(0.5,84) month, Z=-3.07, P=0.002], the incidence of arthritis [16.7%(4/24) vs 42.2%(19/45), χ2=4.60, P=0.032] were low than those in survival group,while aspartate aminotransferase (AST)[64(22.1, 565)U/L vs 51(14,601)U/L, Z=-2.42, P=0.016], lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) [485(24,1 464)U/L vs 352(170, 1 213)U/L, Z=-3.38, P=0.001], C-reactive protein (CRP) [11.6(2.9, 61.7) mg/L vs 4.95(0.6, 86.4) mg/L, Z=-1.96, P=0.050], and ferritin levels [2 000(681, 7 676) vs 1 125 (166, 32 716)ng/ml, Z=-3.18, P=0.001] were higher than those in the survival group, and RP-ILD [95.8%(23/24) vs 22.2%(10/45), χ2=33.99, P<0.001] occurred at a significantly higher rate. ③Cox regression analysis indicated that the course of disease LDH level, and RP-ILD were related factors for the prognosis of male anti-MDA5 antibodies [ HR (95% CI)=0.203(0.077, 0.534), P=0.001; HR (95% CI)=1.002(1.001, 1.004), P=0.003; HR (95% CI)=95.674 (10.872, 841.904), P<0.001]. Conclusion:The clinical manifestations of male anti-MDA5 antibody-positive patients are different from those of female. The incidence of ILD is low, but the proportion of PR-ILD is high. The course of disease, serum LDH level, and RP-ILD are prognostic factors of male anti-MDA5 antibody-positive patients.

PURPOSE: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is characterized by the excessive production of mucus. However, the molecular mechanism underlying mucin overproduction in CRS with or without nasal polyps (CRSwNP and CRSsNP, respectively) is poorly understood. This study was conducted to assess the importance of the transcription factor FoxA2 in mucin production and to investigate the targeting of FoxA2 as a potential therapeutic strategy for mucus hypersecretion in CRS patients. METHODS: We enrolled 15 CRSwNP patients, 15 CRSsNP patients, and 10 normal controls in this study. The expression levels of FoxA2, MUC5AC, and MUC5B in inflamed and healthy nasal tissues were examined via immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and the levels of several proinflammatory cytokines in nasal secretions were measured via FlowCytomix analysis. In addition, the expression of MUC5AC and FoxA2 was determined in polyp-derived epithelial cells and NCI-H292 cells after in vitro stimulation. RESULTS: FoxA2 was significantly down-regulated, and MUC5AC and MUC5B were significantly up-regulated in both the CRSwNP and CRSsNP patients compared to the controls (P<0.05), and the protein level of FoxA2 was negatively associated with the IL-6 level in the CRS patients (P<0.05). IL-6 significantly increased MUC5AC expression but inhibited FoxA2 expression in vitro (P<0.05). Transfection with a FoxA2 expression plasmid significantly decreased MUC5AC promoter activity (P<0.05) and inhibited IL-6-induced MUC5AC production (P<0.05). In addition, clarithromycin significantly alleviated IL-6-induced FoxA2 suppression and decreased MUC5AC expression in vitro (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that FoxA2 may be considered a therapeutic target for the modulation of mucus hypersecretion in CRS patients.
Clarithromycin ; Cytokines ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interleukin-6 ; Mucins ; Mucus ; Nasal Polyps* ; Plasmids ; Transcription Factors* ; Transfection

Objective To analyze characteristics of heavy metals in metro station^’s airborne PM_2.5 and to evaluate its health risk in a South China city. Methods A metro stations were selected for the study. Sampling sites of metro station included ground control, station hall and platform. The PM_2.5 sampling was conducted one time per day for three consecutive days. The concentrations of ten heavy metals (As、Cr、Cd、Ni、Hg、Pb、Mn、Sb、Se、Cu) were determined. Inhalation exposure to these heavy metals_2.52.5 range from 0.06 ng/m³ to 49.22 ng/m³. The concentrations of Mn、Cr and Ni in metro station^’s airborne PM_2.5 were respectively 3.75 times, 2.23times and 2.12 times higher than those in ground control. Increased lifetime cancer risk of carcinogenic heavy metal Cr exposure outrange the acceptable level (10-6) when its exposure time exceed 5 hours per day for lifetime. Cancer risk of carcinogenic heavy metal As exposure outrange the acceptable level (10-6) when its exposure time for adult male population exceed 8 hours per day for lifetime. Non-carcinogenic hazards risks of heavy metal Mn、Cu、Pb、Se、Hg and Sb in metro station^’s airborne PMPM_2.5 were little. Conclusions Airborne particulate matter in metro station has become one of the important sources of heavy metal exposure. Further attention should be paid to the possible carcinogenic risk of heavy metals in metro station^’s airborne PM_2.5 for long-term exposure.