Kupffer cells (KCs), as residents and sentinels of the liver, are involved in the formation of hepatic fibrosis (HF). However, the biological functions of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in KCs to HF have not been determined. In this study, the expression levels of circRNAs, microRNAs, and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in KCs from a mouse model of HF mice were investigated using microarray and circRNA-Seq analyses. circDcbld2 was identified as a candidate circRNA in HF, as evidenced by its up-regulation in KCs. Silver staining and mass spectrometry showed that Wtap and Igf2bp2 bind to cirDcbld2. The suppression of circDcbld2 expression decreased the KC inflammatory response and oxidative stress and inhibited hepatic stellate cell (HSCs) activation, attenuating mouse liver fibrogenesis. Mechanistically, Wtap mediated the N ⁶-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation of circDcbld2, and Igf2bp2 recognized m6A-modified circDcbld2 and increased its stability. circDcbld2 contributes to the occurrence of HF by binding miR-144-3p/Et-1 to regulate the inflammatory response and oxidative stress. These findings indicate that circDcbld2 functions via the m6A/circDcbld2/miR-144-3p/Et-1 axis and may act as a potential biomarker for HF treatment.

Objective:To observe any effect of combining vibroacoustic therapy with audio-visual feedback on the swallowing and the emotional state of persons with a swallowing disorder after a brainstem stroke.Methods:Fifty brainstem stroke survivors with dysphagia were randomly divided into a control group and a combination group, each of 25. In addition to routine swallowing function training, the control group received additional direct feeding training, while the combination group was provided with vibroacoustic feeding training and swallowing stimulation from an animated audio-visual presentation. Before and after the treatment, the subjects′ swallowing function was quantified using the Standard Swallowing Assessment (SSA) scale and the Gugging swallowing screen (GUSS). The Positive and Negative Emotions Scale (PNAS) was used to quantify their emotional state.Results:After the treatment the average SSA scores of both groups had decreased significantly, while the average GUSS and PNAS scores had increased significantly. The average improvements in all three measures were significantly greater in the combination group than in the control group.Conclusion:In addition to routine swallowing function training, feeding training applying vibroacoustics and audio-visual stimulation can significantly improve the feeding function and emotional state of brainstem stroke survivors with dysphagia.

Objective:To investigate the pathogenic factors of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) in occupational women of childbearing age and the prognostic value of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-2.Methods:184 patients from the Meishan Maternal and Child Health Hospital from June 2016 to June 2017 in the gynaecological clinic were selected for research.The self-made general situation questionnaire was used to investigate the situation of the patients, and the vaginal secretions of the patients were sampled for microscopic examination to diagnose vulvovaginal candidiasis. According to the prevalence and recurrence of VVC, the patients were divided into recurrent group (42 cases), non recurrent group (55 cases) and non-VVC group (87 cases). Single factor analysis and multi factor logistic analysis were used to analyze the pathogenic factors of VVC.Results:Among the 184 patients, 97 were diagnosed as VVC, with a 52.72% incidence rate. The results of single analysis showed that age, drinking sugary drinks, eating sweets, exercising, sedentary, emotional state, frequency of using pads in non menstrual period, wearing tights, history of vaginitis, frequency of vaginal washing, history of curettage, contraceptive method, first sexual intercourse age, number of sexual partners, whether washing vulva before and after sexual life were related to the incidence of vulvovaginal candidiasis in occupational women of childbearing age ( P<0.05). The results of multivariate analysis showed that sedentary, drinking sugary drinks, eating sweets, wearing tights, vaginal washing frequency, first sexual intercourse age, contraceptive method, number of sexual partners, history of curettage, history of vaginitis, and cleaning vulva before and after sexual life were all independent factors ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in TNF-α level among the three groups ( P>0.05), while the IFN-γ and IL-2 levels were the lowest in the recurrent group, the second in the non recurrent group, and the highest in the control group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The incidence rate of VVC in the women of childbearing age occupation is related to sedentary, sugar drinking, sweet food, tight pants frequency, vaginal irrigation frequency, first sex, contraceptive methods, sexual partners, curettage history, vaginitis history, sexual cleansing before and after sexual activity. Clinically, relevant factors can be intervened to reduce the incidence of the disease. The decrease of IFN-γ and IL-2 may increase the risk of VVC.

BACKGROUNDAnaphylactic reactions during anesthesia and operation are common and life threatening. Follow-up investigation is necessary for avoiding potential re-exposure of the patients to the offending drugs. The purpose of this study was to assess cellular allergen stimulation test (CAST) as a diagnostic instrument in immunoglobulin E (IgE)- and non-IgE-mediated anaphylactic reactions.

METHODSThis study included 25 patients who developed perioperative anaphylactic reactions and 10 subjects that tolerated anesthetics and other drugs during perioperative period from September 2009 to October 2013 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. We performed skin tests and flow cytometric analysis of basophil activation-based CAST in all subjects.

RESULTSOf the 25 patients, 17 had IgE-mediated anaphylactic reactions (causative agent identified by skin tests) and 8 had non-IgE-mediated anaphylactic reactions (negative skin tests). CAST showed a sensitivity of 42.9%, specificity of 90%, and negative predictive value of 80.6% for neuromuscular blocking agents.

CONCLUSIONSCAST may be useful for the diagnosis of anaphylactic reactions during perioperative period. Our findings call for further investigation to increase the sensitivity of the test.

Adult ; Allergens ; immunology ; Anaphylaxis ; diagnosis ; Drug Hypersensitivity ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perioperative Period ; Skin Tests ; methods ; Young Adult

Background Anaphylactic reactions during anesthesia and operation are common and life threatening.Follow-up investigation is necessary for avoiding potential re-exposure of the patients to the offending drugs.The purpose of this study was to assess cellular allergen stimulation test (CAST) as a diagnostic instrument in immunoglobulin E (IgE)-and non-lgE-mediated anaphylactic reactions.Methods This study included 25 patients who developed perioperative anaphylactic reactions and 10 subjects that tolerated anesthetics and other drugs during perioperative period from September 2009 to October 2013 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital.We performed skin tests and flow cytometric analysis of basophil activation-based CAST in all subjects.Results Of the 25 patients,17 had IgE-mediated anaphylactic reactions (causative agent identified by skin tests) and 8 had non-lgE-mediated anaphylactic reactions (negative skin tests).CAST showed a sensitivity of 42.9％,specificity of 90％,and negative predictive value of 80.6％ for neuromuscular blocking agents.Conclusions CAST may be useful for the diagnosis of anaphylactic reactions during perioperative period.Our findings call for further investigation to increase the sensitivity of the test.

Objective To investigate the immunoregulatory effects of propofol on airway hyperresponsiveness,airway inflammation and Thl/Th2 ratio in the asthmatic mice.Methods One hundred female BALB/c mice,aged 6-8 weeks,weighing 18-20 g,were randomly divided into 5 groups (n =20,each):control group (normal saline i.p.,group C),asthma group (group A),low-dose propofol (50 mg/kg i.p.,group LP),medium-dose propofol (100 mg/kg i.p.,group MP) and high-dose propofol (150 mg/kg i.p.,group HP).Mice of groups A,LP,MP and HP were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA),mice of group C were sensitized with normal saline.24 h after the last challenge,animals were sacrificed by lethal dose of pentobarbital sodium.Blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected for determination of serum OVA-specific IgE and the levels of cytokines (IL-4,IL-5 and IFN-γ) in the BALF.Airway responsiveness was measured by the forced-oscillation technique and histological inflammation scores were measured by staining with hematoxylin and eosin.Results Propofol (group LP and group MP) attenuated airway hyperresposiveness to the muscarinic agonist methacholine in OVA-induced asthma.Different doses of propofol (group LP,group MP and group HP) decreased eosinoplils influx in lungs.In addition,propofol treatment reduced expression of IL-4,IL-5 and serum OVA-specific IgE and increased the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4.Conclusion The study demonstrates a potential protective value of propofol in alleviating airway inflammation,up-regulating Th1/Th2 ratio and attenuating airway hyperresposiveness in the asthmatic mice.