OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the role and mechanism of microRNA-145-5p (miR-145-5p) in hypoxia-induced pyroptosis of human alveolar epithelial cells. METHODS: In vitro, human alveolar epithelial cell line BEAS-2B was cultured. Cells in the logarithmic growth phase were cultured to 80% confluence and then used for the experiment. (1) BEAS-2B cells were cultured under 1% O₂ hypoxic condition, with a normoxic control group. Western blotting was employed to detect the expressions of pyroptosis marker proteins [NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), Gasdermin D N-terminal domain (GSDMD-N), and caspase-1] in cells cultured for 24 hours. Real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of miR-145-5p in cells cultured for 6 hours and 12 hours. (2) Cells were transfected with 30 nmol/L miR-145-5p mimic to overexpress miR-145-5p expression under normoxic condition or 30 nmol/L miR-145-5p inhibitor to suppress miR-145-5p expression under hypoxic condition. Control group and negative control group were respectively set up. After 24 hours of cell culture, Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of pyroptosis marker proteins and nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in cells. Flow cytometry was applied to detect the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells. The target genes of miR-145-5p were predicted by miR target gene prediction software miRWalk and verified by Western blotting. (3) Under hypoxic condition, cells were transfected with 6.94 ng/μL silent information regulator 5 (Sirt5) overexpression plasmid or pretreated with 12.5 mmol/L N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) as an ROS inhibitor. The empty plasmid group and control group were set up. After 24 hours of cell culture, Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of Sirt5, Nrf2, and pyroptosis marker proteins in cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect the level of ROS in cells. RESULTS: (1) Compared with the normoxic control group, the expression levels of pyroptosis marker proteins in the 24-hour hypoxia group was significantly increased, indicating that hypoxia could induce pyroptosis in BEAS-2B cells. The expression level of miR-145-5p in cells gradually increased with the extension of hypoxia induction time, indicating that hypoxia could cause the increase of miR-145-5p expression level. (2) The expression levels of pyroptosis marker proteins in cells of miR-145-5p mimic group significantly increased under normoxic condition as compared with the control and negative control groups [NLRP3 protein (NLRP3/β-actin): 1.58±0.07 vs. 1.00±0.01, 0.98±0.07, GSDMD-N protein (GSDMD-N/β-actin): 1.71±0.03 vs. 1.01±0.01, 0.85±0.03, caspase-1 protein (caspase-1/β-actin): 2.33±0.04 vs. 1.01±0.01, 1.05±0.04, all P < 0.05], Nrf2 protein expression level was significantly decreased (Nrf2/β-actin: 0.79±0.03 vs. 1.00±0.01, 1.03±0.04, both P < 0.05), ROS level was significantly up-regulated (fluorescence intensity: 1.74±0.03 vs. 1.00±0.01, 0.92±0.03, both P < 0.05). Under hypoxia condition, compared with control group and negative control group, the expression levels of pyroptosis marker proteins in miR-145-5p inhibitor group were significantly decreased [NLRP3 protein (NLRP3/β-actin): 0.21±0.04 vs. 1.70±0.02, 1.63±0.04; GSDMD-N protein (GSDMD-N/β-actin): 1.32±0.02 vs. 2.51±0.02, 2.72±0.03; caspase-1 protein (caspase-1/β-actin): 0.56±0.01 vs. 2.77±0.02, 3.12±0.03; all P < 0.05], Nrf2 protein expression level was significantly increased (Nrf2/β-actin: 1.57±0.04 vs. 1.22±0.01, 1.28±0.04, both P < 0.05), ROS level was significantly down-regulated (fluorescence intensity: 0.64±0.05 vs. 1.87±0.04, 1.70±0.07, both P < 0.05). The results indicated that miR-145-5p could promote cell pyrodeath. The predictive result of miRWalk showed that the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of Sirt5 had complementary base binding sites with miR-145-5p. The expression level of Sirt5 protein in cells of miR-145-5p mimic group was significantly lower than that of control group and negative control group under normoxic condition (Sirt5/β-actin: 0.59±0.03 vs. 1.00±0.01, 1.01±0.03, both P < 0.05), which verified that Sirt5 was the target gene of miR-145-5p. (3) The occurrence of pyrodeath could be partially reversed by transfection with Sirt5 overexpression plasmid or adding ROS inhibitor NAC into cells, and Sirt5 overexpression could also up-regulate Nrf2 expression and eliminate intracellular ROS. CONCLUSION In human alveolar epithelial cells, miR-145-5p can down-regulate Nrf2 by targeting Sirt5, thereby increasing ROS expression and inducing pyrodeath.
Humans ; MicroRNAs ; Pyroptosis ; Cell Hypoxia ; Alveolar Epithelial Cells/cytology* ; Cell Line ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Caspase 1/metabolism* ; Epithelial Cells/metabolism* ; Gasdermins ; Phosphate-Binding Proteins

Objective To investigate the value of iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least-squares(IDEAL-IQ)sequence in evaluating the correlation between renal ectopic fat deposition and early diabetic kidney disease(DKD)in patients with diabetes mellitus(DM).Methods A total of 51 patients with T1DM or T2DM were enrolled in this study from the Endocrinology and Metabolism Department in Affiliated Jinhua Hospital,Zhejiang University School of Medicine during January 2022 to July 2023.All the patients were divided into two groups according to the results of urine albumin creatinine ratio(UACR):normal or slightly increased urinary micro albumin group(NAU,UACR<30 mg/g,n=27)and diabetic kidney disease group(DKD,UACR 30～300 mg/g,n=24).Meanwhile,55 healthy subjects in health examination were selected as control group(NC).Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between renal FF and other indicators.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of early DKD,and the diagnostic efficiency of renal FF for early DKD was analyzed by the ROC curve.Results Serum creatinine(Scr)and renal fat fraction(FF)value were higher in DKD group than in NC and NAU groups(P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that kidney FF were positively correlated with UACR and Hcy(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding factors,renal FF was a contributing factor to early DKD.The ROC curve revealed that model 2 had the highest diagnostic efficiency,with AUC=0.801,sensitivity of 66.7%,specificity of 85.2%,accuracy of 80.0%,and a renal FF cut-off value was 2.46%.Conclusion IDEAL-IQ could non-invasively measure the renal fat content in DM patients,and the renal FF were significantly associated with DKD in early stage.

Objective:To provide evidence-based recommendations for the prevention and management of lower limb ischemia in veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) patients during treatment according to search, evaluate, and summarize the best evidence on the prevention and management of lower limb ischemia in patients with VA-ECMO.Methods:Based on the PIPOST framework (population, intervention, professional, outcome, setting, and type of evidence), an evidence-based question was formulated. A systematic search was conducted according to the "6S" evidence pyramid model in both domestic and international databases, as well as professional association websites, for all evidence related to the prevention and management of lower limb ischemia in VA-ECMO patients (aged ≥18 years). The types of evidence included clinical decisions, guidelines, expert consensus, systematic reviews, evidence summaries, and original studies. The search was conducted from the construction of the databases to February 2024. Two researchers independently conducted a literature quality evaluation, extracted and summarized evidence from the studies that met the quality criteria.Results:A total of 13 articles were included, consisting of 3 clinical decisions, 3 guidelines, 3 expert consensus, 3 systematic reviews, and 1 randomized controlled trial. A total of 18 pieces of evidence in 7 dimensions were summarized, including risk factors of VA-ECMO lower limb ischemia, evaluation before catheterization, evaluation and monitoring during treatment, prevention of lower limb ischemia, treatment of lower limb ischemia, management of distal perfusion catheter (DPC), and monitoring after VA-ECMO weaning.Conclusion:This evidence summary provides evidence-based recommendations for the prevention and management of lower limb ischemia in VA-ECMO patients, aiming to assist clinical healthcare professionals in developing tailored strategies for the prevention and management of lower limb ischemia based on during VA-ECMO support.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is an extracorporeal life support technique used to rescue patients with respiratory and (or) heart failure. Infection is one of the most serious complications of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, which can affect patients' clinical outcomes. This article reviews the definition, diagnosis, incidence, site of infection, pathogenic bacteria, risk factors, prevention and treatment measures of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation associated nosocomial infection, so as to provide reference for the prevention and treatment of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation associated nosocomial infection.

Humans ; Computational Biology ; Neutrophils/metabolism* ; Sepsis/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/genetics* ; Immunosuppression Therapy ; Gene Expression Profiling

Objective To investigate the relationship between coronary artery lesion and cardiac function in coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CHD) patients.Methods Ninty cases of patients with CHD who were hospitalized for chest pain in Air Force PLA General Hospital and scheduled for coronary angiography were selected.Noninvasive hemodynamie testing was performed before coronary angiography.According to the results of coronary angiography,74 patients with coronary artery stenosis were selected as disease group,persons with an additional angiography showed no coronary artery stenosis and excluded from other systemic diseases in physical examination center(30 cases) were chosed as control group.According to the results of coronary angiography,the Gensini score system was used to quantify the degree of coronary artery disease,the patients were divided into two groups according to the score.:high score group (Gensini score＞ 20 points,40 cases) and low score group (Gensini score≤20).And the relationship between coronary artery stenosis and cardiac function was analyzed by comparing the two groups of noninvasive hemodynamics cardiac function indexes,BNP and LVEF values.Results The levels of C,SV,CO,CI,HI and LVEF in the disease group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P＜0.05),Q-B/B-X was significantly higher than that in the control group (P＜0.05);There were statistically significant of BNP and LVEF between Gensini high score and low score group (P＜0.05).The Pearson correlation analysis showed there was significantly negatively correlated between Gensini score and C,SV,CO,CI,HI,LVEF,and significantly positively correlated btween Gensini score and Q-B/B-X,BNP.Conclusion The degree of coronary artery lesion was negatively correlated with cardiac function,and the worse the disease,the worse the heart function.

Objective To knockout and identify the Antigen 43 (Ag43) in the Escherichia Coli JM109 .Methods Mutation group Ⅱ introns RNA protein complexes (RNP) gene sequence was obtained by Sigma Company′s TargeTron Gene Knockout Sys‐tem and Ag43 gene specific designed PCR primers amplification ,then ,to acquired Ag43 specific recombinant RNP plasmid pACD4K‐Ag4 ,this gene sequence was inserted into the plasmid pACD4K‐C of RNA′s expression .Finally ,pEGFP‐Ag43 was trans‐formed into JM109 and inserted the group Ⅱ intron into the Ag43′s locus by IPTG inducing expression .Results The best insertion locus was between 1 812 and 1 913 .Through the agarose electrophoresis gel ,the RNP gene sequence was consistent with the expec‐ted value (350 bp) .The pEGFP‐Ag43 vector was correctly constructed which was proofed by endonuclease Nhe Ⅰ and Hind ⅡI di‐gestion as predicted products (3 646 and 4 029 bp;7 000 and 550 bp ,respectively ) .The PCR and gene sequence results indicated that the group Ⅱ intron was inserted into the locus between 1 812 and 1 913 in the Ag43 gene .Conclusion Successful knockout of the Ag43 in Escherichia Coli JM109 found basis to further study the Ag43′s function and regard the coli as host bacteria of Ag43 chimeric protein recombinant .

Objective To establish the reference ranges for fetal cardiac axis in the mid-second trimester and to evaluate the use of fetal cardiac axis in prenatal diagnosis.Methods 6744 unselected singleton pregnancies were enrolled from September 2008 to October 2010.Routine screening scan of second trimester and fetal echocardiography were performed at 18- 23+6 weeks gestation.Fetal cardiac axis was measured on the four-chamber view of the heart.Results The 6744 fetuses had a mean cardiac axis of (37.03 ± 6.10)°,ranging from 9.80° to 102.41°. Using above or below 95％ range of population (26.63° -49.40°) as a cut-off,there were significant difference of cardiac axis between normal group [(36.96 ± 5.91)°,P ＜0.01] and the group with heart defects [(43.12 ± 15.67)°,P ＜0.01],the group with intrathoricic anomalies or abdominal wall defect [(51.74 ± 15.97)°].ConclusionsThe reference ranges of fetal cardiac axis for local population in mid-second trimester may helpful for detecting congenital defects.Presence of an abnormal cardiac axis in the fetuses is associated with a substantial risk of congenital heart disease and/or other extra cardiac defects.

Objective A retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the outcomes of the newborns with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum(PAIVS),in order to delineate strategies for the optimal management of PAIVS. Methods From July 2003 to July 2008,17 neonates with PAIVS underwent surgical treatment.The mean age at operation was(1 5.6±8.6)d and the mean weight was(3.54±0.44)kg.Initial surgical treatment included:Blalock-Taussig shunt (BT shunt)in 2 cases,closed pulmonary valvotomy and BT shunt in 1 case,right ventricular outlet tract reconstruction(RVOTR)in 2 cases,RVOTR and BT shunt in 11 cases. Results The mean duration of mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit stay were(35.5±35.1)h and(8.7±5.9)d,respectively.Two early deaths were reported inside the hospital(2/17,11.8%).Multivariable analysis demonstrated that mechanical ventilation before surgery was the risk factor for in-hospital mortality(r=1.02,P<0.01).The rest 15 cases were followed up with the average time of 19 months(2 months to 5 years)and no death was reported. Conclusions Neonates with PAIVS should be operated early.Individualized treatment strategy and regular follow-up are helpful to achieve better short-term outcome.

Objective To evaluate the effect of different kind of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy in treating Kawasaki disease (KD) and preventing cardiac consequences (coronary artery lesion, CAL). Methods A questionnaire form and guideline for KD diagnosis were sent to 50 hospitals providing pediatric medical care in Shanghai. The data from a total of 1 682 KD patients were collected. It included 1 064 males and 618 females from 1998 through 2008 in Shanghai. The average age of the KD patients was (2.57±2.33) years old (0.1-18.8 years).The patients had been divided into 6 groups for different IVIG therapy, which included 1 g/kg once, 2 g/kg once, 0.4-0.5 g/kg five times, 1 g/kg twice, 2 g/kg twice and others. SAS 6.12 software was used for statistical analysis. Results In all KD patients, the patients treated with IV1G in 5th-10th day of illness has the least cardiac complication and CAL incidence and the group with IVIG therapy of 1 g/kg twice also has the least cardiac complication and CAL incidence. Conclusions The best doses of IVIG in treating KD is 1 g/kg twice and the IVIG therapy should be used in 5th-10th day of KD illness.