Age-associated changes in cardiovascular structure/ function are implicated in the markedly increased risk for cardiovascular disease in older persons. Aging not only prolongs exposure to several other cardiovascular risks, but also leads to intrinsic cardiac changes, which reduces cardiac functional reserve, predisposes the heart to stress and contributes to increased cardiovascular mortality in the elderly. Intrinsic cardiac aging in the murine model closely recapitulates age-related cardiac changes in humans, including left ventricular hypertrophy, fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction. Cardiac aging in mice is accompanied by accumulation of mitochondrial protein oxidation, increased mitochondrial DNA mutations, increased mitochondrial biogenesis, as well as decreased cardiac SERCA2 protein. All of these age-related changes are significantly attenuated in mice overexpressing catalase targeted to mitochondria (mCAT). These findings demonstrate the critical role of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cardiac aging and support the potential application of mitochondrial antioxidants to cardiac aging and age-related cardiovascular diseases.

Objective:To express secreted protein-pgp3 of Chlamydia trachomatis(Ct)plasmid,produce monoclonal antibodies (mAbs)and identify their basic biological characteristics.Methods: Construction pGEX-6p2-pgp3 prokaryotic expression vector,then expressed GST-pgp3 fusion protein in E.coli as antigen used to immune BALB/c mice, spleen cells were fused with SP2/0 mouse myeloma cells.The hybridoma cell lines of screening mAbs were secreted by ELISA,and mAbs specificity,type,class and titer were identified.Results:GST-pgp3 fusion protein was successful expressed,5 strains stable hybridoma cell lines that secreted mAbs were screened out,including 4 strains secreted anti-pgp3 mAbs(P1B3,P2A1,P2B6,P2C2),mAbs type were IgG1/κ,the other strain secretion anti-GST mAbs(P3B4),mAbs type was IgG2b/κ.The titer of P1B3,P2A1,P2B6,P2C2,P3B4 were 1∶6 400,1∶3 200,1∶12 800,1∶6 400 and 1∶6 400 respectively.Conclusion:Successful prepared anti-pgp3 mAbs,and lay a foundation for further study the function of Ct plasmid protein pgp3 and the establishment of Ct detection method.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the short-course and efficient way to treat mumps meningitis.

METHODSTotally 155 cases of mumps meningitis treated by intrathecal injection with dexamethasone only once were enrolled as experimental group and 55 similar cases treated with the common therapy as control.

RESULTSThe time for recoveries of temperature, headache, the pathologic reflexes and the total time of treatment were 32 hours, 15 hours, 12 hours and 3.1 days, respectively, while those of the control group were 58 hours, 24 hours, 32 hours, 6.5 days respectively. There was statistical difference between the two groups (P<0.01 or 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIntrathecal injection with dexamethasone only once is efficient and safe in the treatment of mumps meningitis.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dexamethasone ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Injections, Spinal ; Male ; Meningitis, Viral ; complications ; drug therapy ; Mumps ; complications ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To analyze the clinical features and the effect of therapy on cutaneous emphysema of chest wall and/or pneumomediastinum complicated in severe acute triphosgene poisoning patients.Methods Among 81 triphosgene poisoning patients,5 complicated with cutaneousemphysema of chest wall and/or pneumomediastinum were analyzed in respect of the clinical data including age,gender,arterial blood gas (ABG),modes of mechanical ventilation support and so on.Results Five patients consisting of 3 males and 2 females,aged (23.20 ± 5.17) years,were complicated with cutaneous emphysema of chest wall and/or pneumomediastium with a prevalence rate of 0.06％.Of them,4 were alleviated completely and 1 died of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).There was no significant difference in arterial blood gas analysis (ABG) between patients with cutaneousemphysema and/or pneumomediastinum and patients without ( P ＞ 0.05 ).Conclusions Triphosgene-induced acute lung injury treated with mechanical ventilation support with high PEEP is highly suggested as high risk factor for the formation of cutaneous emphysema of chest wall and/or pneumomediastinum in severe acute Triphosgene poisoning patients.It is very important to set the PEEP level of mechanical ventilation support as low as possible for avoidance of alveolar rupture.

Objective To investigate the possible mechanism of natural killer cells(NK cells)in immune dysfunction in sepsis by monitoring the phenotype and function of periphery NK cells in patients with sepsis. Methods A retrospective study was conducted. The patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome(SIRS,n=59)or sepsis(n=65)admitted to Department of Critical Care Medicine of Anhui Provincial Hospital from August 2011 to August 2013 were enrolled. Blood samples were collected within 48 hours after intensive care unit(ICU)admission,the phenotype and function of periphery NK cells were determined by flow cytometry. Twenty-eight healthy people served as controls. Results The proportion and number of peripheral blood CD3-CD56+NK cells in SIRS and sepsis groups were normal,and no statistical difference was found when compared with those of the healthy control group〔cell proportion:0.102±0.019,0.102±0.108 vs. 0.106±0.018,F=0.018,P=0.982;cell number(×106/L):182.46±65.98, 172.97±63.51 vs. 179.25±60.44,F=0.349,P=0.706〕. It was shown by NK cell degranulation detection that there was no significant difference in the expression of CD107 and interferon-γ(IFN-γ)secretion〔CD107:0.135±0.050,0.140±0.058,0.128±0.070,F=0.583,P=0.560;IFN-γ(kU/L):14.36±4.74,12.49±4.21, 13.45±5.04,F=1.616,P=0.202〕among healthy control group,SIRS group,and sepsis group. It was shown by antibody dependent cytotoxic effect(ADCC)test that there was no difference in the expression of CD107 among healthy control group,SIRS group,and sepsis group(0.574±0.166,0.643±0.165,0.581±0.157,F=0.808,P=0.448). When compared with healthy controls,the secretion of IFN-γwas increased in SIRS patients(kU/L:40.5±13.2 vs. 28.4±9.6,P=0.001),while reduced in sepsis patients(kU/L:19.8±6.7 vs. 28.4±9.6,P<0.01). Compared with SIRS group,only NK cell surface inhibitory receptors CD158e(KIR 3DL1)expression in sepsis group was significantly increased(0.203±0.057 vs. 0.079±0.021,t=15.762,P<0.001),and there were no significant differences in the other phenotype between the two groups. Compared with SIRS group,the IFN-γproduction of the sepsis group was significantly lowered(kU/L:0.280±0.040 vs. 0.310±0.038,t=3.390,P=0.009),and the level of IL-12 was also significantly decreased(ng/L:0.15±0.03 vs. 0.30±0.08,t=32.832,P<0.001). Conclusion It was showed by NK cell phenotype and function assay that the function of NK cells in patients with sepsis was impaired and led to a poor production of IFN-γ. The IFN-γmediated immune dysfunction may be a main reason for the disorder of NK cell function,which laid the foundation of the clinical immune intervention practice to improve to NK cell function.

Objective:To investigate the expression of c-Jun and MMP-9 in gastric cancer tissues,para-cancerous tissues and metastastic lymph nodes,and to explore its role and significance for the clinicopathology and prognosis.Methods:Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression of c-Jun and MMP-9 in tissue microarrays containing gastric normal mucosa(n=32),para-cancerous tissues(n=54),metastastic lymph nodes(n=41),and gastric cancer tissues(n=189).Results:The positive rates for c-Jun and MMP-9 expression in gastric cancer were 73.0%and 78.3%,respectively.The positive rates of c-Jun protein was significantly associated with the degree of differentiation(P<0.05),but was not associated with the depth of invasion,lymph node metastasis,Lauren type,sex,age or size of tumor(P>0.05).The positive rates of MMP-9 was significantly associated with the depth of invasion,lymph node metastasis,Lauren type and degree of differentiation(P<0.05),but was not associated with sex,age or size of tumor(P>0.05).The positive rates of MMP-9 expression in the 41 gastnc cancer tissue samples and 41 metastastic lymph node tissue samples were significantly different(P<0.05).In metastastic lymph nodes,the positive rate of MMP-9 expression was higher.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the survival rate of patients with negative c-Jun and MMP-9 expression was higher than that of patients with positive c-Jun and MMP-9 expression(P<0.05).COX regression analysis showed that c-Jun and MMP-9 expressioh was not independent prognostic factor for gastric cancer. Conclusion:The expression of c-Jun is positively associated with the degree of differentiation.The increased c-Jun expression maybe an early indicator of gastric Cancer. The high expression of MMP-9 may involve the Occurrence,development,invasion,and metastasis of gastric cancer. C-Jun and MMP-9 are useful markers for predicting the outcome of gastric cancer,but they are not independent prognostic factors.

Objective:To investigate and analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 46 patients with corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Beijing City.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 46 patients with COVID-19 in Beijing from 20th January 2020 to 8th February 2020 at the Fifth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital in Beijing City. Twelve, 23 and 11 patients were assigned to the mild group, common group and severe group, respectively. The epidemiological history, clinical characteristics, laboratory tests and imaging inspections were analyzed. Statistical analysis used Fisher exact test. If P<0.05, post- hoc test was used for pairwise comparison, and the statistics were corrected by Bonferroni test. Results:Among the 46 patients included in this study, 27 were male and 19 were female. The age range was between 3-79 years old, and the age was (41.8±16.3) years old. The average incubation period was (4.85±3.00) days. A total of 26 cases (56.5%) were clustered patients, and 26 cases had a history of staying in Wuhan, 10 cases had contact with Wuhan personnel. Fever (39 cases, 84.8%), cough (27 cases, 58.7%), and fatigue (25 cases, 54.3%) were the main clinical symptoms for these patients. The decrease in white blood cell counts occurred in 12 patients, four had the decrease in T lymphocyte percentage, 17 had the decrease in CD4 + T lymphocyte counts, seven had the decrease in CD8 + T lymphocyte counts, 21 had the increase level of C reactive protein (45.7%), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) level increased in 32 cases (69.6%), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) increased in 23 cases (50.0%), serum ferritin level increased in 26 cases (56.5%), and blood lactic acid level increased in nine cases. There were statistically significant differences in the proportion of cases with decreased absolute value of CD8 + T lymphocytes and T lymphocytes counts among the mild, common and severe groups (all P<0.05). Comparing the proportion of cases in the three groups with elevated C reactive protein, IL-6, ESR, serum ferritin and blood lactic acid levels, the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The proportion of cases with elevated C reactive protein levels in severe group was higher than those in mild and common groups. The proportion of cases with elevated IL-6, ESR, and serum ferritin levels in severe and common group were higher than those in mild group. The proportion of cases with elevated blood lactic acid levels in severe group was higher than those in mild group. The differences between the above groups were statistically significant (all adjusted P<0.017). Analysis of chest X-rays results showed that 34 patients (73.9%) had inflammation in the lungs. Conclusions:The epidemiological characteristics of patients with COVID-19 in Beijing City are mainly imported cases and clustered cases. The clinical manifestations are mainly fever, fatigue and cough. C reactive protein, IL-6, ESR, serum ferritin and blood lactic acid levels are higher in severe patients.

BACKGROUND: More and more patients with small pulmonary nodules (SPN) can be found along with the developing of chest low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). With current examinations not all the SPN can be diagnosed to be benign or malignant and not all the malignant nodules can be diagnosed to be lymphatic metastasis. We need to study the correlation between plasma D-dimer count of patients before surgery with pathology features of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: The study comprised 567 highly suspected lung cancer patients. Preoperative plasma D-dimer were qualified, and the relationship between plasma D-dimer with pathology features including benign or malignant nodules, tumor size and involvement of lymph nodes was examined using Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The median plasma D-dimer values were statistically higher in NSCLC patients than in those who suffered from benign lung nodules (P<0.001). The median plasma D-dimer values in NSCLC patients with malignant lymph nodes were statistically higher than in those without malignant lymph nodes (P<0.001). An obvious relationship was observed between elevated D-dimer with number of malignant lymph nodes involvement and tumer size. An obvious relationship was observed between elevated D-dimer (>112.5 ng/mL) and malignant lymph node involvement in stage T1 lung cancer. CONCLUSIONS The plasma D-dimer maybe useful for early diagnosis, staging and prognosis of the patients with NSCLC. The plasma D-dimer can be one of the indicator to identify what kind of patients need mediastinal lymph node cleaning.
Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; blood ; pathology ; Female ; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

新冠病毒感染疫情严重威胁着世界各国人民的生命健康。目前，对病毒感染的防治研究主要集中在抑制病毒与分子受体的结合上。AXL作为新发现的严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2型（SARS-CoV-2）受体，在协助病毒感染人体呼吸系统中发挥着重要作用，是未来临床干预的潜在靶点。本研究对已发表的单细胞测序数据进行整理和分析，发现AXL在年轻人肺细胞中的表达水平明显高于老年人。人胚肺二倍体成纤维细胞（2BS）是衰老研究的公认细胞株。本文采用2BS细胞构建复制性细胞衰老模型，发现年轻细胞中AXL的蛋白水平明显高于衰老细胞，据此推测年轻人感染的风险可能更高，需要注意防护。我们发现一种羊栖菜褐藻多糖硫酸酯组分（SFW-3）可显著下调年轻2BS细胞中AXL的表达水平，表明SFW-3具有一定的抗SARS-CoV-2感染的研究价值，同时表明2BS细胞株也可作为潜在的SARS-CoV-2体外感染模型。
Humans ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Sargassum/metabolism* ; Diploidy ; Sulfates/metabolism* ; COVID-19 ; Polysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Lung

Tocilizumab has been reported to attenuate the "cytokine storm" in COVID-19 patients. We attempted to verify the effectiveness and safety of tocilizumab therapy in COVID-19 and identify patients most likely to benefit from this treatment. We conducted a randomized, controlled, open-label multicenter trial among COVID-19 patients. The patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either tocilizumab in addition to standard care or standard care alone. The cure rate, changes of oxygen saturation and interference, and inflammation biomarkers were observed. Thirty-three patients were randomized to the tocilizumab group, and 32 patients to the control group. The cure rate in the tocilizumab group was higher than that in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (94.12% vs. 87.10%, rate difference 95% CI-7.19%-21.23%, P = 0.4133). The improvement in hypoxia for the tocilizumab group was higher from day 4 onward and statistically significant from day 12 (P = 0.0359). In moderate disease patients with bilateral pulmonary lesions, the hypoxia ameliorated earlier after tocilizumab treatment, and less patients (1/12, 8.33%) needed an increase of inhaled oxygen concentration compared with the controls (4/6, 66.67%; rate difference 95% CI-99.17% to-17.50%, P = 0.0217). No severe adverse events occurred. More mild temporary adverse events were recorded in tocilizumab recipients (20/34, 58.82%) than the controls (4/31, 12.90%). Tocilizumab can improve hypoxia without unacceptable side effect profile and significant influences on the time virus load becomes negative. For patients with bilateral pulmonary lesions and elevated IL-6 levels, tocilizumab could be recommended to improve outcome.
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; COVID-19/drug therapy* ; Humans ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Treatment Outcome