1.The status of peripheral CD4 + T subsets in patients with rheumatism and their changes after immuno-modulatory combination therapies
Jiaqian ZHANG ; Shengxiao ZHANG ; Jun QIAO ; Mengting QIU ; Xiaofeng LI
Chinese Journal of Rheumatology 2021;25(6):368-372
Objective:To examinethe absolute numbers of cluster of differentiation (CD4) + T cell subsets in peripheral blood of patients with rheumatism and further to develop a new immunomodulatory therapies which aimed to restore their imbalanced CD4 + T lymphocyte subpopulation. Methods:A total of 6 395 rheumatic patients [4 430 females, 1 965 males, mean age (49±15) years] and 206 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in this retrospective cross-sectional study, which included rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), Psoriatic arthritis (PsA), systemic sclerosis (SSc), primary Sj?gren′s syndrome (pSS), Be?het's disease (BD), dermatomyositis/polymyositis (DM/PM), gout and vasculitis. Some patients received treatment combined with immunoregulatory drugs (IMiDs) such as low-dose interleukin (IL)-2, rapamycin, metformin, retinoic acid and coenzyme Q10. The absolute numbers of T helper cell (Th)1, Th2, Th17 and regulatory T cell (Treg) in peripheral blood (PB) of these individuals were measured by Flow Cytometery (FCM). Independent sample t test and paired sample t test were used to compare the levels of CD4 + T cell subsets in PB of patients and HCs, before and after treatment respectively, and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:Compared with HCs, the mean absolute number of Treg was significantly decreased [(31±15) cell/μl vs (27±17) cell/μl, t=3.407, P<0.01] and the ratio of Th17/Treg was increased in all patients [(0.3±0.2) vs ( 0.4±0.7), t=-9.508, P<0.01]. There was a significant increase in the number of Th17 in patients with AS [(10±8) cell/μl, t=-5.403, P<0.01], PsA[ (11±11) cell/μl, t=-3.829, P<0.01], SSc [(7±6) cell/μl, t=3.114, P<0.01], BD [(11±9) cell/μl), t=-4.774, P<0.01] and gout [(11±9) cell/μl, t= -4.604, P<0.01) , and we observed lower level of Treg in patients with RA[(28±15) cell/μl, t=3.032, P<0.01], SLE [(21±21) cell/μl, t=6.836, P<0.01], AS [(28±15) cell/μl, t=2.216, P<0.05], SSc [(27±16) cell/μl, t=3.698, P<0.05], BD [(27±17) cell/μl, t=2.502, P<0.05], DM/PM [(27±22) cell/μl, t=2.974, P<0.01) and gout [(28±15) cell/μl, t=2.079, P<0.05). After IMiDs combination treatment, the levels of CD4 + T subsets were increased. Interestingly, the expansion of Treg was much more dramatical than those of other effector T cells, resulting in a decrease in ratios of Th17/Treg, especially in SLE [(0.6±1.0) vs (0.5±0.4), t=3.157 , P<0.01]. Conclusion:Impaired balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory immune cells, especially insufficiency of Treg, might be a cornerstone of the pathogenesis of rheumatism. The new immunomodulatory therapies could relatively specifically promote Treg proliferation and restored patients' autoimmune tolerance, which isexpected to provide a new strategy for the treatment of rheumatism.
2.Analysis of dietary quality of preschool left behind children by using the revised Chinese diet balance index
SHU Li, LI Xiaolu, QIU Mengting, LI Mengyao
Chinese Journal of School Health 2022;43(1):33-37
Objective:
To evaluate the dietary quality by adjusted diet balance index (DBI_16) of preschool left behind children in Anhui Province, and to provide a reference for rapidly and accurately evaluating their nutrition condition.
Methods:
During September to December of 2018, selected 306 left behind children and 598 non left behind children aged 3-6 years old of Anhui Province in total. Four scoring methods (TS total score, LBS Low Bound Score, HBS High Bound Score, DQD Diet Quality Distance) were used to evaluate the dietary quality by Diet Balance Index Revision (DBI_16), and scores were compared to reflect the diet quality of preschool children in LBC group and NLBC group.
Results:
The score of TS (-18.2, -16.1) in LBC group was lower than that of NLBC group, the scores of LBS(24.8, 23.1), HBS (7.9, 6.4) and DQD (35.9, 34.4) in LBC group were higher than that of NLBC group( Z =-46.02, 12.45, 4.14, 4.78, P <0.05). The daily intake of vegetables, fruits, animal food, milk, soybean and drinking water were obviously under the RNI, the dietary intake scores of milk(-4.1, -2.7), animal food (-2.2, -0.8) and food species (-7.4, -6.2) in LBC group were higher than that in NLBC group( Z =-26.42, 13.51, -6.59, P <0.01). About 44.1% of the preschool LBC were in moderate or severe deficit of food intake, 66.0% of the LBC were in the higher level of dietary imbalance, the LBC group s excessive and imbalance problem were of significant differences than those in the NLBC group ( χ 2=15.79, 11.51, P <0.05).
Conclusion
The dietary quality of preschool children in Anhui Province should be improved, the main diet problem was the dietary imbalance, which was related to deficiency in nutrients intake. The scores of DBI_16 in LBC group were significant different with those in NLBC group, it is necessary to take specific intervention to increase the intake of milk, eggs and fruits among preschool children.
3.Prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and the association with dietary nutrition factors of preschool children in rural Anhui Province
SHU Li, LI Mengyao, LI Xiaolu, QIU Mengting, HAN Ziyan
Chinese Journal of School Health 2021;42(12):1793-1797
Objective:
To evaluate the dietary quality for preschool children by diet balance index(DBI_C), and to provide an empirical reference for scientific guidance for a reasonable diet and controlling and preventing iron deficiency anemia(IDA).
Methods:
During September to December of 2018, 306 left behind children and 598 non left behind children aged 3-6 years old of Anhui Province were selected. Four scoring methods (TS Total Score, LBS Low Bound Score, HBS High Bound Score, DQD Diet Quality Distance) were used to evaluate the dietary quality by DBI_C, and multivariate Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between DBI_C and IDA.
Results:
The anemia prevalence (AP) was 13.3% among the 3-6 year old children in Anhui rural area, whereas the left behind children (LBC) was 16.7% and the non left behind children was 10.9%, and there was statistical significance of the differences ( χ 2=8.8, P <0.05). There were significant differences of TS[-18.3(25.2,-12.7),-15.2(-19.8,-8.6)], LBS[25.4(18.3,32.5),22.7(16.5,30.6)] and DQD[36.8(23.9,43.4),34.1(27.5,41.0)] in DBI_C scores between anemia group and nonanemia group ( P <0.05). There were significant differences of milk and beans [-5.9(-10.7,-0.4),-5.0(-8.7,0.2)], animal food [-2.4(-5.6,0.8),-0.6(3.5,1.9)], food species [-7.5(-9.1,-4.8),-6.3(-8.0,-2.9)] in food intake scores between anemia group and non anemia group ( P <0.05). Left behind children ( OR =1.27, 95% CI =1.15-1.49) had higher proportions of getting anemia. Meat consumption >3 times per week ( OR =0.81, 95% CI =0.68-0.94) and ≥two types of fresh vegetable consumption every day ( OR =0.84, 95% CI =0.73-0.95) were associated with lower rate of anemia( P <0.05).
Conclusion
The AP was relatively high in 3-6 year old children in Anhui rural area, especially in those LBC. Anemia should be reduced by improving the caregivers dietary literacy, increasing intakes of animal foods and fresh vegetables.
4.Application of PBL combined with EBM teaching mode in the standardized residency training: a systematic review
Yanan CHEN ; Xiaolan RUAN ; Yangwen OU ; Ziying QIU ; Mengting HUANG ; Liyue ZHANG ; Shixi XIONG ; Sheng LI
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2022;21(6):722-726
Objective:To systematically review the teaching effect of problem-based learning (PBL) combined with evidence-based medicine (EBM) teaching mode on the standardized residency training.Methods:CNKI, Wanfang database, VIP database, SinoMed, Embase, PubMed and Web of SCI databases were searched, and the randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies of the application of EBM combined with PBL teaching in standardized residency training were collected. The retrieval time was from the establishment to 1st July, 2018. Two investigators independently extracted data and assessed the quality of the studies. After assessing the risk of bias of included studies, Meta-analysis was performed on RevMan 5.3.Results:In total, 4 studies were included in the review. Narrative assessment was adopted, because outcome indicators of these study were varied and the quality of the literatures could not meet the requirement of Meta-analysis. Our study suggested that the residents who were in PBL combined with EBM teaching mode group got higher scores in the standardized residency training, compared with those in the lecture-based learning (LBL) teaching mode group, especially in case analysis score, total score of examination, improvement of clinical thinking ability, communication and expression ability, organization and cooperation ability, etc.Conclusion:The current evidence suggests that the application of EBM combined with PBL teaching mode has a positive effect on the standardized residency training. Compared with the traditional LBL teaching, EBM can improve students' ability. However, limited by the quantity and quality of included studies, the above conclusions still need to be verified by more studies with larger samples and higher quality.
5.Analysis of clinical characteristics of patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome
Xuemin WEI ; Lirui TU ; Hao LIANG ; Yao WANG ; Xiaoying XU ; Haowen YUAN ; Mengting CHEN ; Ling QIU ; Hongling WEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2022;36(4):455-459
Objective:We try to screen out predictive indicators with higher value by analyzing the differences in clinical and laboratory indicators between severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) group and non-ICU group.Methods:The clinical and laboratory index data of 69 SFTS patients diagnosed in the laboratory in a hospital from June to December 2019 were retrospectively collected. According to the clinical outcome of the patients, they were divided into ICU and non-ICU groups. The differences in clinical manifestations and laboratory indicators between the two groups were analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to screen the more valuable predictive indicators.Results:Compared with the non-ICU group, ICU group SFTS patients had significantly higher procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), adenosine deaminase (ADA), cystatin C (Cys C), α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (α-HBDH), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels ( W=530.0, P=0.003; W=496.5, P=0.015; W=496.0, P=0.015; W=535.5, P=0.002; W=545.5, P=0.001; W=498.5, P=0.013; W=537.0, P=0.002; W=523.0, P=0.004; W=512.0, P=0.007; W=502.0, P=0.012; W=486.0, P=0.023; W=509.0, P=0.008; W=541.0, P=0.002) and significantly lower platelet count (PLT), indirect bilirubin (IBIL), albumin/globulin ratio(A/G) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels ( W=199.0, P=0.024; W=175.5.5, P=0.009; t=-2.9, P=0.004; W=209.5, P=0.036; t=-3.0, P=0.004). ROC result showed that ALP [area under the curve (AUC)=0.804, 95% confidence interval ( CI) (0.679~0.929)] and LDH [AUC=0.805, 95% CI (0.680~ 0.930)] have a higher value for predicting the risk of severe illness. Conclusions:Abnormal liver function, heart function, and renal function indicators in SFTS patients indicate that patients are at risk of exacerbation. Among them, ALP and LDH levels have higher predictive value for risk of severe disease, suggesting that the monitoring of patients with the above symptoms should be strengthened in the clinical nursing process.
6.Effects of Tongfengning(痛风宁) on Intestinal Flora and Intestinal Uric Acid Metabolism in Model Mice of Hyperuri⁃cemia of Spleen Deficiency with Exuberance of Dampness Syndrome
Yingjie ZHANG ; Xiao MAO ; Yan XIAO ; Tangyan CAI ; Jiemei GUO ; Peng CHEN ; Peng ZHANG ; Jun LIU ; Yu CHEN ; Mengting QIU ; Youxin SU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2023;64(21):2232-2240
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanisms of Tongfengning (痛风宁, TFN) in treating hyperuricemia (HUA) of spleen deficiency with exuberance of dampness syndrome. MethodsTen of 60 mice were randomly selected, and were fed with regular diet as the control group, while the remaining 50 mice were fed with high-fat and high-sugar diet combined with excessive exercise and potassium oxonate-allopurinol suspension to establish an HUA animal model of syndrome of spleen deficiency with exuberance of dampness. After the successful modeling, in order to better observe the effects of TFN on the intestinal microbiota of the model mice, a mixed antibiotic suspension was administered by gavage to induce further dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota in the model mice. Fifty sucessfully modeled mice were randomly divided into model group, TFN group, allopurinol group, probiotics group, and an allopurinol + probiotics group, 10 in each group. The TFN group was administered TFN liquid at a dosage of 19.11 g/(kg·d) by gavage. The allopurinol group was administered allopurinol suspension at a dosage of 78 mg/(kg·d) by gavage. The probiotics group was administered live combined Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus tablets suspension at a dosage of 3 g/(kg·d) by gavage. The allopurinol + probiotics group was administered allopurinol at a dosage of 78 mg/(kg·d) and live combined Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus tablets suspension at a dosage of 3 g/(kg·d) by gavage. The control group and model group were administered normal saline at a dosage of 19.11 ml/(kg·d) by gavage. The interventions were continued for 21 days. In order to maintain a stable high blood uric acid state, all groups but the control group continued modeling while receiving drug intervention. The changes in spleen deficiency syndrome scores, blood uric acid levels, microbial community structure, acetic acid and butyric acid content in intestinal lavage fluid, adenosine deaminase (ADA) and xanthine oxidase (XOD) content in small intestine tissue, as well as ATP-binding cassette transporter G2 (ABCG2), glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9) protein and mRNA expression in the small intestine tissue were compared among the groups of mice. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed increased spleen deficiency syndrome scores, blood uric acid levels, relative abundance of phylum Firmicutes, Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, abundance of Bacteroides genus, Klebsiella genus, and Enterococcus genus, acetic acid content in intestinal lavage fluid, ADA and XOD content in small intestine tissue, as well as GLUT9 protein and mRNA expression (P<0.05). The number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of intestinal microbiota, relative abundance of Bacteroidetes phylum, abundance of Lactobacillus genus and uncultured Bacteroides genus, butyric acid content in intestinal lavage fluid, and ABCG2 protein and mRNA expression in small intestine tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, in the group treated with TFN, probiotics, and allopurinol + probiotics, the spleen deficiency syndrome score, blood uric acid level, relative abundance of Firmicutes, acetic acid content in intestinal lavage fluid, ADA and XOD content in small intestine tissue, GLUT9 protein and mRNA expression significantly decreased. The number of gut microbiota OTUs, relative abundance of proteobacteria, butyric acid content in intestinal lavage fluid, ABCG2 protein and mRNA expression in small intestine tissue significantly increased (P<0.05). In the probiotics group, the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes decreased. In the TFN group, the abundance of Lactobacillus and uncultured Bacteroidetes significantly increased, while the abundance of Parabacteroides, Klebsiella, and Enterococcus significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the TFN group, allopurinol group and the probiotics group showed elevated blood uric acid levels, abundance of Bacteroidetes, ADA and XOD levels in intestinal tissue, and GLUT9 mRNA expression. The relative abundance of Firmicutes, abundance of lactobacilli, and ABCG2 mRNA expression significantly decreased. The probiotics group showed elevated GLUT9 protein expression in intestinal tissue. The probiotics group and the allopurinol plus probiotics group showed significantly higher scores for spleen deficiency syndrome in mice, and lower levels of butyric acid in mouse intestinal lavage fluid. The allopurinol group showed decreased numbers of OTUs in mouse intestinal flora, decreased abundance of proteobacteria, and butyric acid levels in intestinal lavage fluid. The allopurinol group also showed decreased ABCG2 protein expression in intestinal tissue, increased acetic acid levels in intestinal lavage fluid, increased abundance of Klebsiella, and significantly elevated GLUT9 protein expression (P<0.05). ConclusionsThe treatment of HUA with TFN may be associated with the regulation of intestinal probiotics (such as lactobacilli) and pathogenic bacteria (such as Klebsiella), as well as the production of bacterial metabolites such as acetic acid and butyric acid. It may also involve reducing the expression of ADA and XOD in the intestines, decreasing intestinal uric acid production, upregulating the expression of intestinal epithelial urate transporter ABCG2, downregulating GLUT9 expression, and promoting intestinal uric acid excretion. These factors are related to the syndrome of spleen deficiency with exuberance of dampness.