Objective To investigate the diagnostic value and monitoring application of anti-phospholipase A2 receptor antibodies ( PLA2R ) in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy ( IMN) .Methods A retrospective study was used .48 patients were diagnosed as idiopathic membranous nephropathy by puncturing kidney from January of 2013 to June of 2014 in the Hospital of Liaoning Traditional Chinese Medical University and Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University were included. 43 patients were diagnosed as non-idiopathic membranous nephropathy ( NIMN ).35 healthy volunteers were selected as control groups.Serum PLA2R were detected by indirect immunofluorescence.The intensity of antibodies fluorescence and the level of urine protein in 24 hours(24 h PRO) ,serum UREA ,serum CYSC, serum UA,GFR were compared in each groups.Measurement data was shown as mean ±standard deviation;Count data was shown as frequency or composition, t test andχ2 test were used as statistical method.Results (1) Among 48 cases with IMN,37 cases showed positive PLA2R (positive rate 77.08%).All of cases were negative in NIMN group.The sensitivity and the specificity of serum PLA2R were 77.08%and 100%.(2) Compared with control groups, the levels of UREA, CYSC and UA were found statistically significant differences in patients with IMN ( P <0.05 ) .( The levels of UREA in control groups and IMN groups respectively:4.12 ±1.25,6.02 ±2.28, t =4.446,P=0.00;UA:262 ±49,331 ±112,t =2.577,P =0.017;CYSC:0.78 ±0.21,1.16 ±0.27,t=4.63,P=0.00.) Compared with control groups, the levels of main items in patients with NIMN had statistically significant differences (P<0.05).(The levels of UREA in control groups and Allergic purpura nephropathy subgroups respectively:4.12 ±1.25,5.43 ±1.84,t=3.606,P=0.000 2;UA:262 ±49, 299 ±51, t=1.050,P=0.03;CYSC:0.78 ±0.21, 1.06 ±0.31, t=1.672,P=0.02.The levels of UREA in control groups and lupus nephropathy subgroups respectively:4.12 ±1.25, 5.90 ±2.20,t=4.225,P=0.00;UA:262 ±49, 342 ±92,t=2.409,P=0.026;CYSC:0.78 ± 0.21,0.92 ±0.24, t =1.674, P =0.00.The levels of UREA in control groups and IgA nephropathy subgroups respectively:4.12 ±1.25,6.69 ±2.87,t=4.756,P=0.00;UA:262 ±49,361 ±52,t=4.598, P=0.00;CYSC:0.78 ±0.21, 1.30 ±0.36,t=4.752,P=0.00.The levels of UREA in control groups and tumor associated nephropathy subgroups respectively: 4.12 ±1.25, 5.02 ±1.70, t =3.626, P =0.002;UA:262 ±49, 289 ±92,t=0.05,P=0.01;CYSC:0.78 ±0.21, 0.98 ±0.20,t=1.1,P=0.01.) There was no statistically significant differences between IMN group and NIMN ( P >0.05 ) . ( 3 ) Positive correlation were found between 24 h PRO(r=0.877,P=0.00),serum UA (r=0.766,P=0.00 ) with the level of PLA2R antibodies fluorescence intensity.( 4 ) There were no correlation between serum PLA2R antibody with IMN pathology aging (r=0.087,0.194,0.182;P=0.598,0.399,0.667).PLA2R positive rate(Ⅰstage:37.50%,Ⅱstage:84.85%, Ⅲstage 85.71%) may increases with the increasing of illness severity.Conclusion Serum PLA2R antibody would be a new laboratory diagnosis standard in patients with IMN.(Chin J Lab Med, 2015, 38:595-599 ) Objective To investigate the diagnostic value and monitoring application of anti-phospholipase A2 receptor antibodies ( PLA2R ) in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy ( IMN) .Methods A retrospective study was used .48 patients were diagnosed as idiopathic membranous nephropathy by puncturing kidney from January of 2013 to June of 2014 in the Hospital of Liaoning Traditional Chinese Medical University and Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University were included. 43 patients were diagnosed as non-idiopathic membranous nephropathy ( NIMN ).35 healthy volunteers were selected as control groups.Serum PLA2R were detected by indirect immunofluorescence.The intensity of antibodies fluorescence and the level of urine protein in 24 hours(24 h PRO) ,serum UREA ,serum CYSC, serum UA,GFR were compared in each groups.Measurement data was shown as mean ±standard deviation;Count data was shown as frequency or composition, t test andχ2 test were used as statistical method.Results (1) Among 48 cases with IMN,37 cases showed positive PLA2R (positive rate 77.08%).All of cases were negative in NIMN group.The sensitivity and the specificity of serum PLA2R were 77.08%and 100%.(2) Compared with control groups, the levels of UREA, CYSC and UA were found statistically significant differences in patients with IMN ( P <0.05 ) .( The levels of UREA in control groups and IMN groups respectively:4.12 ±1.25,6.02 ±2.28, t =4.446,P=0.00;UA:262 ±49,331 ±112,t =2.577,P =0.017;CYSC:0.78 ±0.21,1.16 ±0.27,t=4.63,P=0.00.) Compared with control groups, the levels of main items in patients with NIMN had statistically significant differences (P<0.05).(The levels of UREA in control groups and Allergic purpura nephropathy subgroups respectively:4.12 ±1.25,5.43 ±1.84,t=3.606,P=0.000 2;UA:262 ±49, 299 ±51, t=1.050,P=0.03;CYSC:0.78 ±0.21, 1.06 ±0.31, t=1.672,P=0.02.The levels of UREA in control groups and lupus nephropathy subgroups respectively:4.12 ±1.25, 5.90 ±2.20,t=4.225,P=0.00;UA:262 ±49, 342 ±92,t=2.409,P=0.026;CYSC:0.78 ± 0.21,0.92 ±0.24, t =1.674, P =0.00.The levels of UREA in control groups and IgA nephropathy subgroups respectively:4.12 ±1.25,6.69 ±2.87,t=4.756,P=0.00;UA:262 ±49,361 ±52,t=4.598, P=0.00;CYSC:0.78 ±0.21, 1.30 ±0.36,t=4.752,P=0.00.The levels of UREA in control groups and tumor associated nephropathy subgroups respectively: 4.12 ±1.25, 5.02 ±1.70, t =3.626, P =0.002;UA:262 ±49, 289 ±92,t=0.05,P=0.01;CYSC:0.78 ±0.21, 0.98 ±0.20,t=1.1,P=0.01.) There was no statistically significant differences between IMN group and NIMN ( P >0.05 ) . ( 3 ) Positive correlation were found between 24 h PRO(r=0.877,P=0.00),serum UA (r=0.766,P=0.00 ) with the level of PLA2R antibodies fluorescence intensity.( 4 ) There were no correlation between serum PLA2R antibody with IMN pathology aging (r=0.087,0.194,0.182;P=0.598,0.399,0.667).PLA2R positive rate(Ⅰstage:37.50%,Ⅱstage:84.85%, Ⅲstage 85.71%) may increases with the increasing of illness severity.Conclusion Serum PLA2R antibody would be a new laboratory diagnosis standard in patients with IMN.

Although the combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy is the main methods of cancer treatment, it still fails to solve certain tumors, especially metastatic tumors. With the in-depth study of tumorigenesis and development mechanism, and the exploration and clinical application of tumor immunotherapy, the survival period of patients with malignant tumors has been significantly prolonged. Tumor immunotherapy has become an effective anti-tumor method by activating the body′s own immune system to achieve tumor suppression. The combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy has a significant effect and has become a feasible solution for cancer treatment. The rationally designed nanomedicines can effectively combine chemical drugs and immunological preparations, and have become an effective delivery carrier basis and treatment means for clinically targeting tumor tissues, synergistic immune mechanisms to kill tumor cells, and treating tumors. In this paper, the types of multifunctional nanomedicines used in chemotherapy and various immunotherapies in recent years and their advantages in cancer therapy were reviewed.

Objective To investigate the association between primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) by using two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR). Methods The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data associated with PSC and CRC were obtained from Finland Biobank and UK Biobank, respectively. A secondary data analysis was performed for all pooled data based on genome-wide association studies to select the genetic loci closely associated with PSC as instrumental variables, and TSMR was conducted by seven methods, i.e., Egger regression in Mendelian randomization, weighted median, inverse variance weighted (IVW) random effects model, maximum likelihood, linear weighted median, IVW radial method, and IVW fixed effects model. Odds ratio (OR) value was used to evaluate the causal relationship between PSC and the risk of CRC. Results There was a positive causal relationship between gene predicted PSC and CRC, and with the IVW fixed effects model as an example, genetically determined patients with PSC could increase the risk of CRC ( OR =1.002 243, 95% confidence interval: 1.001 319-1.003 167). TSMR results showed no heterogeneity ( P =0.87) or horizontal pleiotropy ( P =0.95). The three instrumental variables selected for PSC were strong instrumental variables ( F =11.86). Conclusion TSMR shows the genetic evidence for the association between PSC and the risk of CRC. Regardless of the presence or absence of inflammatory bowel disease, active enteroscopy screening among patients with PSC may help with the early identification and timely intervention of CRC.

Objective:To explore the clinical prognoses of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with large core infarction after endovascular therapy (EVT) and their influencing factors.Methods:Totally, 139 AIS patients with large area core infarction (volume of infarction core area≥70 mm3) admitted to our hospital from November 2019 to December 2020 were enrolled in our study; their clinical data were analyz ed retrospectively. These patients were divided into EVT group ( n=78) and non-EVT group ( n=61) according to whether endovascular treatment was performed, and the clinical prognoses of patients from the 2 groups were compared. According to the 3-month modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores, the patients in the EVT group were divided into good prognosis subgroup (mRS scores≤2) and poor prognosis subgroup (mRS scores>2); univariate and multivariate Logistic regressions were used to analyze the independent influencing factors for prognoses of AIS patients with large area core infarction after EVT. Results:As compared with those in the non-EVT group, patients in the EVT group had significantly higher good prognosis rate (11.48% vs. 42.31%), and significantly lower proportion of patients with neurological deterioration, cerebral hernia and death ( P<0.05). As compared with the poor prognosis subgroup, the good prognosis subgroup had significantly lower percentage of patients with atrial fibrillation, significantly higher percentage of conscious patients, significantly higher Alberta stroke program early CT scale (ASPECT) scores, statistically lower volume of infarction core areas, and significantly higher percentage of patients with grading 2-4 in collateral circulation ( P<0.05). ASPECT scores ( OR=4.164, 95%CI: 2.081-8.332, P=0.000), volume of infarction core areas ( OR=0.917, 95%CI: 0.855-0.984, P=0.016), and collateral circulation grading ( OR=5.113, 95%CI: 1.104-23.683, P=0.037) were independent influencing factors for prognoses of AIS patients with large area core infarction after EVT. Conclusion:EVT can effectively improve the prognoses and reduce the complication rate of AIS patients with large area core infarction; patients with high ASPECT scores, low infarct core volume, and high collateral circulation grading get great benefits.

Objectives To analyze the spatial and temporal aggregation of multidrug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (MDR-TB) incidence in Nanning at the township / street scale from 2017 to 2021, to explore the spatial and temporal characteristics of the spread of MDR-TB in Nanning, and to provide a scientific reference basis for the health administrative departments to achieve the precise implementation of MDR-TB prevention and control. Methods Based on the data of MDR-TB cases in Nanning from 2017 to 2021, the spatial-temporal scanning analysis software SaTScan v9.7 was used to retrospectively detect and analyze the areas where MDR-TB cases gathered. Results Through simple spatial scanning analysis, it was found that there were three first-class aggregation areas (the aggregation center was Fujiayuan Street, Jiangnan District, 2017, Xinyang Street, Xixiangtang District, 2019, and Zhonghe Town, Yongning District, 2020), and one second-class aggregation area (the aggregation center was Jinchai Town, Mashan County, 2020). Simple time scanning showed that the clustering occurred from May 2019 to December 2020. Temporal and spatial aggregation analysis showed that Xinyang Street in Xixiangtang District was the center of the first-class aggregation area, Zhonghe Town in Yongning District was the center of the second-class aggregation area, and Jinchai Town in Mashan County was the center of the third-class aggregation area. Conclusion The multidrug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis epidemic in Nanning is distributed in an aggregated manner, especially in Xinyang Street, Xixiangtang District, which has the highest spatial and temporal aggregation. It is necessary to focus on and take regional prevention and control measures to control the epidemic.

ObjectiveHost mitochondrial DNA （mtDNA） and chloroplast DNA （cpDNA） contamination severely affects high-throughput sequencing of endophytic bacteria in plants. This study aims to explore and evaluate a novel strategy of inhibiting host gene amplification in high-throughput sequencing of endophytic bacteria in medicinal plants. MethodGreen Shield Sequencing （GSS） was introduced in the 16S rDNA polymerase chain reaction （PCR） of endophytic bacteria to shield the non-target amplification of genes in the host （Ligusticum chuanxiong）. The performance was compared between GSS-PCR and conventional PCR in the high-throughput sequencing of endophytic bacteria and rhizosphere soil bacteria. ResultCompared with conventional PCR， GSS-PCR significantly reduced the amplification of mtDNA and cpDNA in L. chuanxiong in high-throughput sequencing， decreasing the non-target genes by more than 60%. Moreover， this strategy significantly increased the diversity of endophytic bacteria and multiplied the species without compromising the extraction of the information about the dominant bacteria. The GSS amplification of 16S rDNA V4 region of L. chuanxiong showed lower host contamination rate and higher endophytic bacterial diversity than that of V3-V4 regions. ConclusionGSS can significantly reduce host gene contamination in the high-throughput sequencing of L. chuanxiong endophytic bacteria and improve the accuracy of endophytic bacterial diversity analysis at the same sequencing depth， thus improving the high-throughput analysis quality of endophytic bacteria in plants. Accordingly， this strategy improves the feasibility and reliability of high-throughput sequencing for the 16S rDNA V3-V4 and V4 regions of endophytic bacteria. GSS used in this study provides a method reference for studying the endophytic bacteria in other medicinal plants.

BACKGROUND: Microsatellite instability (MSI) is a key biomarker for cancer immunotherapy and prognosis. Integration of MSI testing into a next-generation-sequencing (NGS) panel could save tissue sample, reduce turn-around time and cost, and provide MSI status and comprehensive genomic profiling in single test. We aimed to develop an MSI calling model to detect MSI status along with the NGS panel-based profiling test using tumor-only samples. METHODS: From January 2019 to December 2020, a total of 174 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients were enrolled, including 31 MSI-high (MSI-H) and 143 microsatellite stability (MSS) cases. Among them, 56 paired tumor and normal samples (10 MSI-H and 46 MSS) were used for modeling, and another 118 tumor-only samples were used for validation. MSI polymerase chain reaction (MSI-PCR) was performed as the gold standard. A baseline was built for the selected microsatellite loci using the NGS data of 56 normal blood samples. An MSI detection model was constructed by analyzing the NGS data of tissue samples. The performance of the model was compared with the results of MSI-PCR. RESULTS: We first intersected the target genomic regions of the NGS panels used in this study to select common microsatellite loci. A total of 42 loci including 23 mononucleotide repeat sites and 19 longer repeat sites were candidates for modeling. As mononucleotide repeat sites are more sensitive and specific for detecting MSI status than sites with longer length motif and the mononucleotide repeat sites performed even better than the total sites, a model containing 23 mononucleotide repeat sites was constructed and named Colorectal Cancer Microsatellite Instability test (CRC-MSI). The model achieved 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity when compared with MSI-PCR in both training and validation sets. Furthermore, the CRC-MSI model was robust with the tumor content as low as 6%. In addition, 8 out of 10 MSI-H samples showed alternations in the four mismatch repair genes ( MLH1 , MSH2 , MSH6 , and PMS2 ). CONCLUSION MSI status can be accurately determined along the targeted NGS panels using only tumor samples. The performance of mononucleotide repeat sites surpasses loci with longer repeat motif in MSI calling.
Humans ; Microsatellite Instability ; Colorectal Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Microsatellite Repeats/genetics* ; DNA Mismatch Repair

Age-associated changes in immune cells have been linked to an increased risk for infection. However, a global and detailed characterization of the changes that human circulating immune cells undergo with age is lacking. Here, we combined scRNA-seq, mass cytometry and scATAC-seq to compare immune cell types in peripheral blood collected from young and old subjects and patients with COVID-19. We found that the immune cell landscape was reprogrammed with age and was characterized by T cell polarization from naive and memory cells to effector, cytotoxic, exhausted and regulatory cells, along with increased late natural killer cells, age-associated B cells, inflammatory monocytes and age-associated dendritic cells. In addition, the expression of genes, which were implicated in coronavirus susceptibility, was upregulated in a cell subtype-specific manner with age. Notably, COVID-19 promoted age-induced immune cell polarization and gene expression related to inflammation and cellular senescence. Therefore, these findings suggest that a dysregulated immune system and increased gene expression associated with SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility may at least partially account for COVID-19 vulnerability in the elderly.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aging ; genetics ; immunology ; Betacoronavirus ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Cell Lineage ; Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly ; Coronavirus Infections ; immunology ; Cytokine Release Syndrome ; etiology ; immunology ; Cytokines ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Disease Susceptibility ; Flow Cytometry ; methods ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Gene Rearrangement ; Humans ; Immune System ; cytology ; growth & development ; immunology ; Immunocompetence ; genetics ; Inflammation ; genetics ; immunology ; Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; immunology ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Transcriptome ; Young Adult

Aristolochic acids (AAs) have long been considered as a potent carcinogen due to its nephrotoxicity. Aristolochic acid I (AAI) reacts with DNA to form covalent aristolactam (AL)-DNA adducts, leading to subsequent A to T transversion mutation, commonly referred as AA mutational signature. Previous research inferred that AAs were widely implicated in liver cancer throughout Asia. In this study, we explored whether AAs exposure was the main cause of liver cancer in the context of HBV infection in mainland China. Totally 1256 liver cancer samples were randomly retrieved from 3 medical centers and a refined bioanalytical method was used to detect AAI-DNA adducts. 5.10% of these samples could be identified as AAI positive exposure. Whole genome sequencing suggested 8.41% of 107 liver cancer patients exhibited the dominant AA mutational signature, indicating a relatively low overall AAI exposure rate. In animal models, long-term administration of AAI barely increased liver tumorigenesis in adult mice, opposite from its tumor-inducing role when subjected to infant mice. Furthermore, AAI induced dose-dependent accumulation of AA-DNA adduct in target organs in adult mice, with the most detected in kidney instead of liver. Taken together, our data indicate that AA exposure was not the major threat of liver cancer in adulthood.