Objective To observe the dynamic changes of interleukin-23 (IL-23)/interleukin-17 (IL-17) inflammatory axis expression in the myocardium of mice with viral myocarditis (VM) and further to explore its significance. Methods A total of 60 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into VMC group (n=50) and control group (n=10). Mice in VMC group were intraperito-neally inoculated with 0.1ml Eagle's solution containing coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) to establish VM model and 10 mice were sacri-ficed each time at days 7, 14 and 28 after inoculation. Mice in control group were treated with 0.1ml Eagle's solution without CVB3 and all the 30 mice were killed on day 28 after inoculation. Myocardial histopathologic changes were detected with hema-toxylin and eosin (HE) staining and myocardial histopathological scores were calculated. The expression levels of myocardial IL-23/IL-17 mRNA and protein were determined by real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Serum IL-23 and IL-17 concentrations were examined using ELISA. Also, the relationship between serum IL-23 and IL-17 concentra-tions and myocardial histopathological scores was analyzed in VMC group. Results At days 7, 14 and 28 after inoculation, the myocardial histopathological scores, mRNA and protein expressions of myocardial IL-23/IL-17 and serum IL-23 and IL-17 con-centrations were significantly higher in VMC group than those in control group (P<0.01). Each of the above indicators reached its highest level on 7th day after inoculation (P<0.01) and then gradually decreased. There were significant differences among dif-ferent time points (P<0.05). Serum IL-23 and IL-17 concentrations showed significantly positive correlation with the myocardi-al histopathologic scores in VMC group, respectively (r=0.73 and 0.76, P<0.05). Conclusions IL-23/IL-17 inflammatory axis may play an important role in the process of VMC and is closely associated with the severity of VMC.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of malignant breast tumor.Methods 37 patients with malignant breast tumor were scanned by plain scans of MRI and contrast-enhanced MRI.MR findings including shape,border and signal intensity of lesions on plain scans,and the enhanced features after adiministration of Gd-DTPA were analysed and compared with the results of X-ray,B-ultrasound,surgery and pathalogy.Results The correct diagnostic rate of plain scans of MRI and contrast-enhanced MRI was 84.5% and 94.6% respectively.Conclusion MRI is effective medical imaging method in diagnosis of malignant breast tumors.

Objective To investigate the association between plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels and cystathionineβsynthase (CBS) T833C gene polymorphism with essential hypertension in Xinjiang Kazakh and Han populations. Methods A total of 239 Kazak patients with hypertension (Kazak EH group), 206 Kazak people with normal blood pressure (Kazak con?trol group), 256 Han patients with hypertension (Han EH group) and 206 Han people with normal blood pressure (Han con?trol group) were selected for the study. Amplification refractory mutation system(ARMS) was used to analyze the polymor?phism of CBS gene T833C,TT,TC and CC genotypes and the various sites of T,C allele frequencies in four groups. In the meantime, the Hcy level and related biochemical indices were detected using automatic biochemical analyzer. Results The plasma Hcy levels were significantly higher in Kazak EH group and Han EH group than those of Kazak control group and Han control group (P<0.05). The C allele frequencies were significantly higher in Kazak EH group than that of Kazak control group (P<0.05). The plasma level of Hcy was significantly lower in Kazakh and Han people with TT genotypes than that of TC genotypes (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the frequency of genotypes and alleles between Han EH group and Han control group (P>0.05).Conclusion The Cystathionineβsynthase gene of T833C polymorphism may be associated with essential hypertension in Kazak people in Xinjiang, but no such association in Han population in Xinji?ang. The mechanism may be related to the altered metabolism of Hcy induced by CBS mutation.

Objective To explore the expression level of Tim-3,the marker of activated T_H 1 cells.in T lymphocytes in different sites from recipients with acute rejection.Methods The model of cervical heterotopic heart transplantation was established in mice Two groups were get up:the isograft group(C57BL/6→C57BL/6) and the allograft group (Balb/c→C57BL/6).Lymphocytes were isolated from peripheral blood,spleens,draining lymph nodes and grafts 3 or 6 days after transplantation.The expression of TIM-3 in CD4~+ and CD8~+ T subsets was detected by flow cytometry.Results There was no significant difference in Tim-3~+/CD4~+ and Tim-3~+/CD8~+ ratio in peripheral blood or spleens between two groups.As compared with the isograft group,the proportion of Tirn-3~+/CD4~+ cells was slightly elevated in draining lymph node(P<0.05),but the percentage of Tim-3~+/CD4~+ cells had no significant change between 3 days and 6 days in the allograft group(P>0.05).The expression of Tim-3 in CD4~+ and CD8~+ of graft infiltrating T cells was obviously increased in allograft group(P<0.01),and it was significantly (P<0.01) up-regulated on the 6th day as compared with that on the 3rd day.Conclusion The dynamic changes of Tim-3 expression in T lymphocytes in draining lymph node and graft were correlated with the progresston oi acute rejection in mice.

Objective To investigate the effects of T. gondii soluble tachyzoite antigen (STAgs) on the survival time of mouse heart allograft and the possible mechanism. Methods The STAgs were prepared by pulverizing T. gondii tachyzoite with ultrasound on ice. Cervical heterotopic heart transplantations were done by using Balb/c mice as donors, and C57BL/6 mice as recipients.The recipients were classified randomly into three groups: syngeneic group, acute rejection group and STAgs-treated group. The recipients in acute rejection group and STAgs-treated group were injected subcutaneously with 0. 1 ml PBS and 0. 1 ml (5 μg) STAgs at the 4th day before transplantation respectively, and those in syngeneic group were not subjected to any treatment. The grafts were observed daily by cervical palpation, and the total cessation of cardiac contraction was defined as the endpoint. The heart allografts were harvested at the 7th day after transplantation for pathological examination and immunohistochemical staining for CD4+ T, CD8+ T. Results The recipients in syngeneic group were all alive at the 100th day after transplantation. The average survival time in acute rejection group and STAgs-treated group was (6.7± 0.5) days and (70.8± 3.5) days,respectively (P＜0.05). HE staining showed that the rejection on the 7th day after transplantation in syngeneic group, acute rejection group and STAgs-treated group was fallen into 0 degree, Ⅲ-Ⅳ degree and 0- Ⅰ degree, respectively. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the CD4+ T and CD8+T were markedly down-regulated in STAgs-treated group as compared with those in acute rejection group. Conclusion T. gondii STAgs can significantly prolong the survival time of mouse heart allograft and inhibit the rejection probably by changing the ratio of TH1/TH2, or inhibiting the effect of dendritic cells by inducing the lipoxin A4.

To identify acute renal allograft rejection biomarkers in human serum, two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE) and reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) followed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) were used. Serum samples from renal allograft patients and normal volunteers were divided into three groups: acute rejection (AR), stable renal function (SRF) and normal volunteer (N). Serum samples were firstly processed using Multiple Affinity Removal Column to selectively remove the highest abundance proteins. Differentially expressed proteins were analyzed using 2-D DIGE. These differential protein spots were excised, digested by trypsin, and identified by RP-HPLC-ESI/MS. Twenty-two differentially expressed proteins were identified in serum from AR group. These proteins included complement C9 precursor, apolipoprotein A-IV precursor, vitamin D-binding protein precursor, beta-2-glycoprotein 1 precursor, etc. Vitamin D-binding protein, one of these proteins, was confirmed by ELISA in the independent set of serum samples. In conclusion, the differentially expressed proteins as serum biomarker candidates may provide the basis of acute rejection noninvasive diagnosis. Confirmed vitamin D-binding protein may be one of serum biomarkers of acute rejection. Furthermore, it may provide great insights into understanding the mechanisms and potential treatment strategy of acute rejection.

Objective: To understand health literacy and its associated factors among middle school students in Shenzhen, to provide scientific basis for further formulating targeted intervention measures. Methods: From October to December, 2019, 7 423 middle school students in 10 districts of Shenzhen were selected by multistage stratified random cluster sampling. Multivariate linear regression was used to analyze factors affecting health literacy and scores in each dimensions. Results: The total score for health literacy was(107.39±22.31), including physical activity(16.81±5.28), interpersonal relationship(20.69±4.10), stress management(21.64±5.53), spiritual growth(14.93±3.96), health awareness (15.61±4.96) and nutrition(17.71±4.65). According to the multivariate linear regression analysis, girls, general and vocational high schools, educational level of parents and boarding in school were significantly associated with health literacy of middle school students( B=-3.04, -7.72, -9.99, 1.56, 2.78, -3.85, P < 0.05 ). Conclusion Middle school students in Shenzhen have a high level of health literacy, which is related to school type and parental educational background. It is suggested that measures should be taken to improve the health literacy of middle school students.

To identify acute renal allograft rejection biomarkers in human serum, two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE) and reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatog-raphy (RP-HPLC) followed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) were used. Serum samples from renal allograft patients and normal volunteers were divided into three groups: acute rejec-tion (AR), stable renal function (SRF) and normal volunteer (N). Serum samples were firstly processed using Multiple Affinity Removal Column to selectively remove the highest abundance proteins. Differ-entially expressed proteins were analyzed using 2-D DIGE. These differential protein spots were ex-cised, digested by trypsin, and identified by RP-HPLC-ESI/MS. Twenty-two differentially expressed proteins were identified in serum from AR group. These proteins included complement C9 precursor,apolipoprotein A-Ⅳ precursor, vitamin D-binding protein precursor, beta-2-glycoprotein 1 precursor,etc. Vitamin D-binding protein, one of these proteins, was confirmed by ELISA in the independent set of serum samples. In conclusion, the differentially expressed proteins as serum biomarker candidates may provide the basis of acute rejection noninvasive diagnosis. Confirmed vitamin D-binding protein may be one of serum biomarkers of acute rejection. Furthermore, it may provide great insights into un-derstanding the mechanisms and potential treatment strategy of acute rejection.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic scoliosis (IS) affects patients' quality of life, yet there have been few reports of its morphology and epidemiological study in the southeast region of China. The aim of this study is to access the curve characteristics, prevalence, and factors associated with IS in Chaozhou city. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 2018, in which scoliosis screening was conducted among 5497 primary school students in Chaozhou city. Then, a case-control study based on the screening involving 2547 children was followed for the exploration of the associated factors. The questionnaires covering demographic characteristics, postural habits, cognition and self-sensation of scoliosis, and physical conditions were addressed for the investigation. ORs with 95%CIs were calculated based on logistic regression analysis to evaluate the factors associated with scoliosis. RESULTS: The prevalence of IS among primary school students was 6.15% in Chaozhou city, with 4.04% for males and 8.71% for females. The average Cobb angle was 15° (range 8 to 37°). Multiple logistic regression analysis suggested that female (OR=2.45), BMI (OR=0.67), having myopia (OR=1.49), self-sensation of scoliosis with symptoms (OR=5.52), insufficient sleep time (OR=2.65, 3.33), and less exercise time (OR=7.09, 7.29) were significantly associated with IS. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of IS among primary school students in Chaozhou was at an average level, and it was significantly higher in females than in males. Lower body mass, having myopia, insufficient sleep time, and lower physical activity were associated with IS.
Case-Control Studies ; Child ; China/epidemiology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Myopia/complications* ; Risk Factors ; Schools ; Scoliosis/physiopathology* ; Students