OBJECTIVES: To explore the relationship between white matter injury (WMI) and cerebral perfusion in preterm infants using arterial spin labeling (ASL). METHODS: A total of 293 preterm infants (gestational age <34 weeks) hospitalized at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between June 2022 and June 2024 were included. After achieving clinical stability, the infants underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ASL. Based on MRI findings, infants were classified into WMI (n=66) and non-WMI (n=227) groups. Cerebral perfusion parameters were compared between groups, and the association between WMI and perfusion alterations was evaluated. RESULTS: The WMI group showed a higher incidence of mild intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) than the non-WMI group (P<0.05). Significantly lower cerebral perfusion was observed in the WMI group across bilateral frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes, as well as the basal ganglia and thalamus (P<0.05). After adjusting for gestational age, corrected gestational age at ASL scan, and mild IVH, WMI remained significantly associated with reduced regional perfusion (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS WMI in preterm infants correlates with localized cerebral hypoperfusion. ASL-detected perfusion abnormalities may provide novel insights into WMI pathogenesis.
Humans ; White Matter/blood supply* ; Infant, Newborn ; Spin Labels ; Infant, Premature ; Female ; Male ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Aim To investigate the mechanism of high salt-induced cerebral artery remodeling in mice by up-regulating TMEM16A. Methods Forty C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups (10 per group, 8 weeks of intervention), namely, blank control group (normal diet), low-salt group (2% high salt diet), medium-salt group (4% high salt diet) and high-salt group (8% high salt diet). HE staining was used to observe the morphological changes of cerebral arteries; blood vessel permeability test was used to compare the color and absorbance value of brain tissue. Immunofluorescence was employed to detect TMEM16A expression in cerebral arteries of mice in each group; PCR and Western blot were applied to detect the mRNA and protein expression of TMEM16A in cerebral arterial tissues; whole-cell patch clamp was use to record the calcium-activated chloride channel (CaCC) currents of mouse cerebral artery smooth muscle cells in each group. Results HE results showed that 2%, 4%, and 8% high salt diet could concentra-tion-dependently induce cerebral arterial wall thickening and lumen stenosis in C57BL/6J mice. The permeability test found that compared with the control group, the absorbance value of the brain tissue of the mice in the 2%, 4% and 8% high salt groups increased significantly. The results of isolated muscle tension showed that compared with the control group, the systolic response of isolated cerebral arteries to 60 mmol • L

Objective: To investigate the quality of life and associated factors in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) in China. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 25 provinces and cities in China was performed from June to September 2020. A questionnaire was used to collect the socio-demographic and clinical information of patients with CHD, while the European Five-dimensional Quality of Life Scale (EQ-5D) was used to assess the quality of life. Multiple linear regression model was performed to analyze the associated factors. Results: The median age of the 1 075 responders was 60 (52, 67) years, and 797 (74.1%) were men. The EQ-5D and EQ-VAS indices were 0.7 (0.5, 0.8) and 60.0 (40.0, 80.0). Among the five dimensions in the quality of life scale, the frequency of anxiety/depression was the highest (59.8%), while problems in self-care was the lowest (35.8%). In the multiple linear regression model, female, increasing age, obesity, comorbidity(ies), anxiety/depression, social media channels, and receiving the CABG therapy were associated with the lower EQ-5D index (all P<0.05). In addition, increasing age, obesity, comorbidity (ies), depression, anxiety and depression, social media channels, and receiving the CABG therapy were associated with lower EQ-VAS index (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Over half of the patients with CHD in China have a low quality of life, which is related to gender, age, obesity, treatment pathway, the presence or absence of comorbidity (ies), and psychological state. In addition to managing the adverse effects of traditional socio-demographic factors on the quality of life, clinical practices should pay attention to the psychological state of patients. Moreover, establishing a WeChat group for doctor-patient communication could improve the quality of life of CHD patients.
Male ; Humans ; Female ; Quality of Life/psychology* ; Self Report ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Coronary Disease ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Obesity

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at investigating the carrier rate of, and molecular variation in, α- and β-globin gene mutations in Hunan Province. METHODS: We recruited 25,946 individuals attending premarital screening from 42 districts and counties in all 14 cities of Hunan Province. Hematological screening was performed, and molecular parameters were assessed. RESULTS: The overall carrier rate of thalassemia was 7.1%, including 4.83% for α-thalassemia, 2.15% for β-thalassemia, and 0.12% for both α- and β-thalassemia. The highest carrier rate of thalassemia was in Yongzhou (14.57%). The most abundant genotype of α-thalassemia and β-thalassemia was -α ^3.7/αα (50.23%) and β ^IVS-II-654/β ^N (28.23%), respectively. Four α-globin mutations [CD108 (ACC>AAC), CAP +29 (G>C), Hb Agrinio and Hb Cervantes] and six β-globin mutations [CAP +8 (C>T), IVS-II-848 (C>T), -56 (G>C), beta nt-77 (G>C), codon 20/21 (-TGGA) and Hb Knossos] had not previously been identified in China. Furthermore, this study provides the first report of the carrier rates of abnormal hemoglobin variants and α-globin triplication in Hunan Province, which were 0.49% and 1.99%, respectively. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates the high complexity and diversity of thalassemia gene mutations in the Hunan population. The results should facilitate genetic counselling and the prevention of severe thalassemia in this region.
Humans ; beta-Thalassemia/genetics* ; alpha-Thalassemia/genetics* ; Hemoglobinopathies/genetics* ; China/epidemiology* ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing

To compare the pancreatic proteomics and autophagy between Rehmanniae Radix-and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata-treated mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM). The T2DM mouse model was established by high-fat diet coupled with streptozotocin(STZ, intraperitoneal injection, 100 mg·kg~(-1), once a day for three consecutive days). The mice were then randomly assigned into a control group, low-(5 g·kg~(-1)) and high-dose(15 g·kg~(-1)) Rehmanniae Radix groups, low-(150 mg·kg~(-1)) and high-dose(300 mg·kg~(-1)) catalpol groups, low-(5 g·kg~(-1)) and high-dose(15 g·kg~(-1)) Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata groups, low-(150 mg·kg~(-1)) and high-dose(300 mg·kg~(-1)) 5-hydroxymethyl furfuraldehyde(5-HMF) groups, and a metformin(250 mg·kg~(-1)) group. In addition, a normal group was also set and each group included 8 mice. The pancreas was collected after four weeks of administration and proteomics tools were employed to study the effects of Rehmanniae Radix and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata on protein expression in the pancreas of T2DM mice. The expression levels of proteins involved in autophagy, inflammation, and oxidative stress response in the pancreatic tissues of T2DM mice were determined by western blotting, immunohistochemical assay, and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the differential proteins between the model group and Rehmanniae Radix/Rehmanniae Radix Prae-parata group were enriched in 7 KEGG pathways, such as autophagy-animal, which indicated that the 7 pathways may be associated with T2DM. Compared with the control group, drug administration significantly up-regulated the expression levels of beclin1 and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin(p-mTOR)/mTOR and down-regulated those of the inflammation indicators, Toll-like receptor-4(TLR4) and Nod-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3), in the pancreas of T2DM mice, and Rehmanniae Radix showed better performance. In addition, the expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2), and heine oxygenase-1(HO-1) in the pancreas of T2DM mice were down-regulated after drug administration, and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata demonstrated better performance. The results indicate that both Rehmanniae Radix and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata can alleviate the inflammatory symptoms, reduce oxidative stress response, and increase the autophagy level in the pancreas of T2DM mice, while they exert the effect on different autophagy pathways.
Mice ; Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/genetics* ; Streptozocin/pharmacology* ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects* ; Proteomics ; Inflammation ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; Autophagy ; Mammals

Objective To investigate the protective effect of Echinococcus granulosus hydatid cyst fluid protein (HCFP) on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis (AR) in mice. Methods Twenty-four BALB/c mice at ages of 8 to 10 weeks, each weighing approximately 20 g, were randomly divided into four groups, including groups A (blank control group), B (blank intervention group), C (AR model group) and D (AR+HCFP intervention group), with 6 mice in each group. On days 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12, mice in groups A, B, C and D were injected with 200 μL sterile phosphate buffered saline (PBS), 200 μL sterile PBS containing 20 μg HCFP, 200 μL sterile PBS containing 50 μg OVA and 5 mg Al(OH)₃ gel, and 200 μL sterile PBS containing 50 μg OVA, 5 mg Al(OH)₃ gel and 20 μg HCFP, respectively. On days 14 to 20, mice in groups A, B, C and D were administered with 40 μL sterile PBS, 40 μL sterile PBS containing 20 μg HCFP, 40 μL sterile PBS containing 2 mg OVA and 40 μL sterile PBS containing 2 mg OVA and 20 μL HCFP by nasal drop, respectively. Mouse behavioral changes were observed and behavioral scores were estimated. The serum levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, IL-10, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and OVA-specific IgE antibody (OVA-sIgE) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the pathological changes of mouse nasal mucosa were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Results The mean behavioral score was significantly greater in Group C (6.83 ± 0.50) than in groups A (1.17 ± 0.52) and B (1.33 ± 0.52) (P < 0.05), while a lower mean behavioral score was estimated in Group D (3.50 ± 0.50) than in Group C (P < 0.05). There were significant differences among the groups in terms of serum IFN-γ (F = 4.08, P < 0.05), IL-4 (F = 275.90, P < 0.05), IL-5 (F = 96.82, P < 0.05), IL-10 (F = 77.67, P < 0.05), TGF-β (F = 9.98, P < 0.05) and OVA-sIgE levels (F = 44.69, P < 0.05). The serum IFN-γ level was significantly lower in Group C than in groups A, B and C (P < 0.05), and the serum levels of IL-4, IL-5 and OVA-sIgE were significantly higher in Group C than in groups A, B and C (P < 0.05), while the serum IL-10 and TGF-β levels were significantly greater in Group D than in Group C (P < 0.05). Microscopy showed apparent loss of nasal mucosa cilia, increased number and enlargement of goblet cells, interstitial edema and submucous vascular dilation in Group C, while the pathological changes of nasal mucosa were alleviated in Group D relative to Group C. Conclusions E. granulosus HCFP has a protective activity against OVA-induced allergic rhinitis in mice.

BACKGROUND: A patient's infectivity is determined by the presence of the virus in different body fluids, secretions, and excreta. The persistence and clearance of viral RNA from different specimens of patients with 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) remain unclear. This study analyzed the clearance time and factors influencing 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) RNA in different samples from patients with COVID-19, providing further evidence to improve the management of patients during convalescence. METHODS: The clinical data and laboratory test results of convalescent patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to from January 20, 2020 to February 10, 2020 were collected retrospectively. The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results for patients' oropharyngeal swab, stool, urine, and serum samples were collected and analyzed. Convalescent patients refer to recovered non-febrile patients without respiratory symptoms who had two successive (minimum 24 h sampling interval) negative RT-PCR results for viral RNA from oropharyngeal swabs. The effects of cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4)+ T lymphocytes, inflammatory indicators, and glucocorticoid treatment on viral nucleic acid clearance were analyzed. RESULTS: In the 292 confirmed cases, 66 patients recovered after treatment and were included in our study. In total, 28 (42.4%) women and 38 men (57.6%) with a median age of 44.0 (34.0-62.0) years were analyzed. After in-hospital treatment, patients' inflammatory indicators decreased with improved clinical condition. The median time from the onset of symptoms to first negative RT-PCR results for oropharyngeal swabs in convalescent patients was 9.5 (6.0-11.0) days. By February 10, 2020, 11 convalescent patients (16.7%) still tested positive for viral RNA from stool specimens and the other 55 patients' stool specimens were negative for 2019-nCoV following a median duration of 11.0 (9.0-16.0) days after symptom onset. Among these 55 patients, 43 had a longer duration until stool specimens were negative for viral RNA than for throat swabs, with a median delay of 2.0 (1.0-4.0) days. Results for only four (6.9%) urine samples were positive for viral nucleic acid out of 58 cases; viral RNA was still present in three patients' urine specimens after throat swabs were negative. Using a multiple linear regression model (F = 2.669, P = 0.044, and adjusted R = 0.122), the analysis showed that the CD4+ T lymphocyte count may help predict the duration of viral RNA detection in patients' stools (t = -2.699, P = 0.010). The duration of viral RNA detection from oropharyngeal swabs and fecal samples in the glucocorticoid treatment group was longer than that in the non-glucocorticoid treatment group (15 days vs. 8.0 days, respectively; t = 2.550, P = 0.013) and the duration of viral RNA detection in fecal samples in the glucocorticoid treatment group was longer than that in the non-glucocorticoid treatment group (20 days vs. 11 days, respectively; t = 4.631, P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in inflammatory indicators between patients with positive fecal viral RNA test results and those with negative results (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In brief, as the clearance of viral RNA in patients' stools was delayed compared to that in oropharyngeal swabs, it is important to identify viral RNA in feces during convalescence. Because of the delayed clearance of viral RNA in the glucocorticoid treatment group, glucocorticoids are not recommended in the treatment of COVID-19, especially for mild disease. The duration of RNA detection may relate to host cell immunity.
Adult ; Aged ; Betacoronavirus ; genetics ; Clinical Laboratory Techniques ; Coronavirus Infections ; diagnosis ; genetics ; rehabilitation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; genetics ; rehabilitation ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Retrospective Studies

Background: A patient’s infectivity is determined by the presence of the virus in different body fluids, secretions, and excreta. The persistence and clearance of viral RNA from different specimens of patients with 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) remain unclear. This study analyzed the clearance time and factors influencing 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) RNA in different samples from patients with COVID-19, providing further evidence to improve the management of patients during convalescence. Methods: The clinical data and laboratory test results of convalescent patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to from January 20, 2020 to February 10, 2020 were collected retrospectively. The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results for patients’ oropharyngeal swab, stool, urine, and serum samples were collected and analyzed. Convalescent patients refer to recovered non-febrile patients without respiratory symptoms who had two successive (minimum 24 h sampling interval) negative RT-PCR results for viral RNA from oropharyngeal swabs. The effects of cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4)+ T lymphocytes, inflammatory indicators, and glucocorticoid treatment on viral nucleic acid clearance were analyzed. Results: In the 292 confirmed cases, 66 patients recovered after treatment and were included in our study. In total, 28 (42.4%) women and 38 men (57.6%) with a median age of 44.0 (34.0–62.0) years were analyzed. After in-hospital treatment, patients’ inflammatory indicators decreased with improved clinical condition. The median time from the onset of symptoms to first negative RT-PCR results for oropharyngeal swabs in convalescent patients was 9.5 (6.0–11.0) days. By February 10, 2020, 11 convalescent patients (16.7%) still tested positive for viral RNA from stool specimens and the other 55 patients’ stool specimens were negative for 2019-nCoV following a median duration of 11.0 (9.0–16.0) days after symptom onset. Among these 55 patients, 43 had a longer duration until stool specimens were negative for viral RNA than for throat swabs, with a median delay of 2.0 (1.0–4.0) days. Results for only four (6.9%) urine samples were positive for viral nucleic acid out of 58 cases; viral RNA was still present in three patients’ urine specimens after throat swabs were negative. Using a multiple linear regression model (F=2.669, P=0.044, and adjusted R²=0.122), the analysis showed that the CD4+ T lymphocyte count may help predict the duration of viral RNA detection in patients’ stools (t=-2.699, P=0.010). The duration of viral RNA detection from oropharyngeal swabs and fecal samples in the glucocorticoid treatment group was longer than that in the non-glucocorticoid treatment group (15 days vs 8.0 days, respectively; t=2.550, P=0.013) and the duration of viral RNA detection in fecal samples in the glucocorticoid treatment group was longer than that in the non-glucocorticoid treatment group (20 days vs 11 days, respectively; t=4.631, P <0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in inflammatory indicators between patients with positive fecal viral RNA test results and those with negative results (P >0.05). Conclusions In brief, as the clearance of viral RNA in patients’ stools was delayed compared to that in oropharyngeal swabs, it is important to identify viral RNA in feces during convalescence. Because of the delayed clearance of viral RNA in the glucocorticoid treatment group, glucocorticoids are not recommended in the treatment of COVID-19, especially for mild disease. The duration of RNA detection may relate to host cell immunity.

Objective To study the proliferation of CRTH2 (CD4+ CD294+ Th2)cells promoted by pneumococcal vaccine through antigen presentation of dendritic cells (DCs),so as to provide a new approach for amplification and sorting of Th2 cells.Methods CDs induced from peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cocultured with T lym-phocytes after loading pneumococcal vaccine antigen,mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR)was detected by cell count-ing kit-8(CCK8),DCs and CRTH2 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry.Results Pneumococcal vaccine could promote the maturation of DCs,together with TNF-a,it was adjuvant for maturation of DCs.Pneumococcal vaccine antigen-loaded DCs could increase the rate of subsets of CRTH2 cells on day 5([0.93±0.10]%)compared with day 1([0.70±0.02]%),and absolute number also increased (both P <0.05).Conclusion Amplification of CRTH2 cells can be greatly promoted by pneumococcal vaccine antigen-loaded DCs,which might be one of the effective way to induce amplification of Th2 cells.

It is investigated that the hepatotoxicity of Polygonum multiflorum (PM)was attenuated by its processed products of nine times steaming and nine times sunning(RPM)based on immunological stress-mediated animal model by using metabolomics method. Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were intragastrically administered with(5.4 g crude drug per kg body weight)of 50% alcohol extracts of PM and its processed products of nine times steaming and nine times sunning respectively or co-treated with non-toxic dose of lipopolysaccharide(LPS, 2.8 mg·kg^-1)via tail vein injection. The plasma alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)activities were assayed and the isolated livers were evaluated for histopathological changes. Global metabolomics profiling, multivariate analysis and data base searching were performed to discover common differential metabolites for idiosyncratic liver injury. The results showed that co-treatment with non-toxic dose of LPS and PM could result in significant liver injury, indicated by the elevation of plasma ALT and AST activities, as well as obvious liver histologic damage; whereas RPM failed to induce detectable liver injury. Furthermore, 10 potential metabolomics biomarkers that differentially expressed in LPS/PM group compared with LPS/RPM without liver injury were identified by untargeted metabolomics, mainly involved ten pathways: sphingolipid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, galactose metabolism, steroid biosynthesis, metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, pyrimidine metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, primary bile acid biosynthesis. This work illustrated the idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity of heshouwu and provided a metabolomic insight into diosyncratic liver injury of PM and RPM.