AIM:To investigate the role of caveolin-1 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells induced by transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1).METHODS:Immunofluorescence, real-time PCR and Western blot were applied to detect the mRNA and the protein expression of caveolin-1 in the 16HBE cells during EMT.The influence of siRNA-mediated silencing of caveolin-1 on EMT in the 16HBE cells was detected by Western blot.RESULTS:Caveolin-1 was widely present on the cell membrane of the 16HBE cells.The expression of caveolin-1 at mRNA and protein levels was significantly decreased in a time-dependent manner in the 16HBE cells compared with control group (P<0.05) after stimulation with TGF-β1.The morphologic changes of the 16HBE cells induced by TGF-β1 were promoted by caveolin-1 silencing compared with TGF-β1 group.The protein expression of E-cadherin and α-SMA induced by TGF-β1 was promoted by caveolin-1 silencing compared with TGF-β1 group (P<0.05).The phosphorylation levels of AKT and Smad3 were the highest at 30 min and increased significantly compared with control group (P<0.05) after stimulated with TGF-β1.Treatment of the 16HBE cells with TGF-β1 for 30 min after silencing caveolin-1 gene for 24 h significantly increased the phosphorylation levels of AKT and Smad3 compared with TGF-β1 group (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:TGF-β1 down-regulates the expression of caveolin-1 in the 16HBE cells.Caveolin-1 may participate in TGF-β1/Smad pathway and PI3K-AKT pathway, which are the signal transduction pathways for TGF-β1 inducing EMT.

Data quality management system is essential to ensure accurate, complete, consistent, and reliable data collection in clinical research. This paper is devoted to various choices of data quality metrics. They are categorized by study status, e.g. study start up, conduct, and close-out. In each category, metrics for different purposes are listed according to ALCOA+ principles such us completeness, accuracy, timeliness, traceability, etc. Some general quality metrics frequently used are also introduced. This paper contains detail information as much as possible to each metric by providing definition, purpose, evaluation, referenced benchmark, and recommended targets in favor of real practice. It is important that sponsors and data management service providers establish a robust integrated clinical trial data quality management system to ensure sustainable high quality of clinical trial deliverables. It will also support enterprise level of data evaluation and bench marking the quality of data across projects, sponsors, data management service providers by using objective metrics from the real clinical trials. We hope this will be a significant input to accelerate the improvement of clinical trial data quality in the industry.
Benchmarking ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; Data Collection ; standards ; Information Storage and Retrieval ; standards ; Quality Control

Objective To evaluate the effects of blood withdrawal from peripheral intravenous catheters (PIC) on blood samples via meta-analysis.Methods We performed a systematic search in Cochrane Library,PubMed,EBSCO,CINAHL,Embase,CMBdisc (China Biology Medicine disc),Wan Fang Data,VIP (China Science and Technology Journal Database),CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure)to collect randomized controlled trails (RCTs)about the effects of blood withdrawal from peripheral intravenous catheters.The quality of RCTs was critically appraised and data were extracted by two reviewers independently.Meta-analysis was conducted for eligible RCTs.Results Totally 22 studies were retrieved and 7554 blood samples were included.Results of meta-analysis showed as compared with standard blood drawn by direct venipuncture (DVP),there was no significant risk of hemolysis rates of blood samples collected from PVC [random effect RR =2.01,95％ CI (1.01,4.00),P=0.05];with certain procedures,results of laboratory tests of blood samples withdrawal from PIC had little impacts on red blood cell count(RBC),white blood cell count(WBC),platelet count (PLT),fasting blood-glucose(FBG)and serum levels of sodium,potassium,calcium,chlorine,and the differences had no statistical significance (P＞0.05).Conclusion Blood samples withdrawal from PIC will not increase hemolysis if sampling after infusion has been stopped for 2～3 min and 2～5 ml blood is discharged,which are reliable for blood routine and biochemical tests.After a comprehensive consideration,the technique of blood withdrawal from a PIC could be used interchangeably from DVP.

Objective To analyze the efficacy of the combination of MALDI-TOF and immunoadsorption to detect new biomarkers for lupus. Methods Twenty lupus patients at active stage (SLE group), 10 SLE patients in remission (SLE control group), 10 RA patients and 10 PSS patients (other rheumatic disease control group) and 20 healthy volunteers (healthy control group) were enrolled. The serum samples before and after immunoadsorption from SLE group and those from the control groups were co-incubated with activated chitosan copper derivative nano material. The adsorbed nano material was spotted onto the matrix used in MALDI-TOF for analysis by the Axima-CFR plus MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer. T-test was used for statistical analysis. Results MALDI-TOF MS screening showed that three potential protein biomarkers of mass-to-charge (m/z) ratio 3136, 3264, 3326 were found to be very specific for lupus patients: All of them were expressed before immunoadsorption in high quantity and none of them could be detected both after immunoadsorption and in all the three control groups. None of them (<10 000) were in the molecular weight range of the biomarkers used nowadays such as auto antibodies and complement (>50 000). Conclusion The combination of MALDI-TOF and immunoadsorption is effective in the detection of new serum protein biomarkers for lupus and it may be helpful in the screening of SLE patients at active stage from healthy people.

Objective To design an ultra-fast thermal cycle fluorescent quantitative PCR system for on-site detection of pathogenic nucleic acids and evaluate its performances.Methods An ultra-fast thermal cycle fluorescent quantitative PCR system was developed with the components of a flat reaction cup,an ultra-fast thermal cycle module,a fluorescence detection module with fixed optical path and a data processing module based on the smartphone platform.The ultra-fast thermal cycle module was composed of a heating unit and a cooling unit,of which the heating unit was made of ceramic sheet and Ag/Pb alloy and the cooling unit consisted of a high-speed magnetic levitation cooling fan and a double-curved throat;the fluorescence detection module with fixed optical path was prepared with injection molding process,and made up of a light source excitation unit and a light detector unit;the data processing module based on the smartphone platform included a Bluetooth serial port adapter unit and a smartphone App,which used C2540F256 chip from TI company for developing the Bluetooth serial port adapter and Android Studio for the App.The ultra-fast thermal cycle fluorescent quantitative PCR system was used to detect influenza A/B virus and SARS-CoV-2 to verify its performances.Results The ultra-fast thermal cycle fluorescent quantitative PCR system realized rapid nucleic acid detection of influenza A/B virus and SARS-CoV-2,and the detection results were in high agreement with those by conventional real-time quantitative PCR.Conclusion The ultra-fast thermal cycle fluorescence quantitative PCR system gains advantages in small size and light weight,and can be used for rapid on-site detection of pathogen nucleic acids.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2023,44(11):15-20]

Objective: To observe the effects of acupuncture plus spinal manipulations on the physical functioning and levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods: A total of 128 AS cases were allocated into a control group and an observation group using random number table method, with 64 cases in each group. Patients in both groups took sulfasalazine and meloxicam. Patients in the observation group received additional acupuncture plus spinal manipulations. The efficacy, Bath AS functional index (BASFI), Bath AS disease activity index (BASDAI), and the levels of ALP, ESR, CRP and OPG were compared between the two groups after eight weeks of treatment. Results: After treatment, the symptom scores of traditional Chinese medicine in both groups were decreased (all P<0.05), and these scores in the observation group were significantly lower than in the control group (all P<0.05); the VAS, BASFI and BASDAI scores in both groups were decreased (all P<0.05), and these scores in the observation group were significantly lower than in the control group (all P<0.05); and the ALP, ESR, CRP and OPG levels in both groups were decreased (all P<0.05), and these levels in the observation group were significantly lower than in the control group (all P<0.05). The total efficacy rate was 92.2％ in the observation group, versus 78.1％ in the control group, presenting a statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion: Conventional medication combined with acupuncture and spinal manipulations can improve clinical symptoms, accelerate the recovery of physical functioning, and reduce the ALP, ESR, CRP and OPG levels.

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) can inhibit the differentiation of pulmonary fibroblasts into myofibroblasts by regulating Rho-associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase (ROCK) pathway mediated by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1).

METHODSPrimary culture of pulmonary fibroblasts was performed by trypsinization method. Four generations of pulmonary fibroblasts were divided into control group, TGF-β-induced differentiation group, Y-27632 treatment group, and Ac-SDKP treatment group. The intracellular distributions of ROCK, serum response factor (SRF), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The protein expression of ROCK, SFR, α-SMA, and type I and type III collagen in pulmonary fibroblasts was measured by Western blot. The mRNA expression of ROCK, SFR, and α-SMA was measured by real-time quantitative PCR.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the pulmonary fibroblasts stimulated by TGF-β1 had a lot of α-SMA antibody-labeled myofilaments in parallel or cross arrangement, as observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy, and the mRNA and protein expression of ROCK, SRF, and α-SMA and protein expression of type I and type III collagen increased significantly after 6, 12, and 24 h of stimulation (P < 0.05). Compared with the TGF-β1-induced differentiation group, the Y-27632 treatment group and Ac-SDKP treatment group had significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of ROCK, SRF, and α-SMA and protein expression of type I and type III collagen at the same time point (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAc-SDKP can inhibit the differentiation of pulmonary fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and the synthesis of collagen in rats by regulating the ROCK pathway mediated by TGF-β1. That may be one of the mechanisms by which Ac-SDKP acts against (silicotic) pulmonary fibrosis.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Collagen Type III ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; Lung ; cytology ; drug effects ; Myofibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; Oligopeptides ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Serum Response Factor ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; pharmacology ; rho-Associated Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo analyze the promoter methylation levels of p15, CDH1, DAPK and HICI genes of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and explore the relationship between the level of methylation and clinical features.

METHODSDNA methylation levels of p15, CDH1, DAPK and HICI in peripheral blood (PB) or bone marrow (BM) samples from 52 MDS patients were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The correlation of the methylation level with clinical features and hematological findings was analyzed. 38 de novo AML patients and 46 normal individuals served as controls.

RESULTSThe methylation levels of p15, CDH1, DAPK and HICI were 16.23 ± 21.69, 6.59 ± 9.39, 0.14 ± 0.11 and 7.81 ± 9.70 in BM, and 14.96 ± 20.16, 6.00 ± 9.26, 0.12 ± 0.14 and 6.74 ± 9.72 in PB, respectively from 18 MDS patients, and the difference between BM and PB was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The methylation levels of p15 (14.70 ± 18.17) and CDH1 (6.61 ± 8.79) genes in high risk (RAEBI/II) MDS were significantly higher than in low risk (RCMD/RARS/5q-, p15: 1.99 ± 1.59, CDH1: 1.23 ± 1.14 and RCMD, p15: 3.02 ± 3.42, CDH1:1.53 ± 2.06) MDS or control (p15: 1.69 ± 1.82, CDH1: 1.01 ± 1.12) (P < 0.05). The methylation levels of DAPK gene had no difference among subtypes of MDS, and that of HIC1 gene only differed between RAEB I/II (9.16 ± 11.95) and control (2.49 ± 2.26) (P = 0.042). The difference of methylation levels of p15, CDH1, DAPK and HICI in BM was statistically significant among subtypes of MDS (P = 0.001, 0.003, 0.039, 0.023, respectively). And so did of p15 and DAPK in PB (P = 0.013, 0.006, respectively). The methylation level of p15 and CDH1 was significantly correlated with IPSS classification and blasts percentage in BM.

CONCLUSIONSp15 and CDH1 genes are special hypermethylation genes in MDS. Methylation level of HIC1 gene showed an upward tendency from low risk to high risk MDS.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cadherins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p15 ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA Methylation ; Death-Associated Protein Kinases ; Female ; Humans ; Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; genetics ; metabolism ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the sanitary working status in the districts for locating residents after earthquake in Dujiangyan municipality.

METHODSSome immediate measures were taken after the earthquake including water source surveillance, restoring immunization system and epidemic surveillance. A questionnaire survey was also conducted to collect information in 107 locating districts of 18 towns.

RESULTSGenerally, the sanitary working status was good. Temporary sheds in most districts were Tents (75.70%, 81/107) and simple sheds (19.63%, 21/107), and 69.16% (74/107) districts could use water supply and 94.39% (101/107) arrange specialized persons to disinfect the environment and kill pests. The fly density was 2 per eye-view. The proportions for the correct responds to health knowledge, action adopted and attitude of residents were all above 90%. According to the epidemic surveillance system and mobile syndrome surveillance system in disaster area, there was no increasing trend for the incidences of contagious diseases.

CONCLUSION20 days after earthquake, the whole situation of disease prevention in disaster area is stable.

China ; Disasters ; Earthquakes ; Emergency Medical Services ; statistics & numerical data ; Health Care Surveys ; Humans ; Sanitation ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Universal Precautions

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic effect of integrative Chinese and Western medicine in treating mid-advanced crescentic nephritis (MACN).

METHODSThirty-two patients, their diagnosis was confirmed as MACN by renal biopsy, were divided, adopting randomized, controlled method, into two groups, the treated group and the control group, they were all, excepting one, treated with impact therapy of methyl-prednisolone followed with oral intake of prednisone, to part of them cyclophosphamide or mycophenolate mofetil was given in addition, to those with hypo-hemoglobin (< 90 g/L), subcutaneous injection of erythropoietin was administered. Decoction of Qingre Huoxue recipe (QHR), consisted of oldenlandia herb 30 g, honey-suckle stem 30 g, violet herb 30 g, red peony root 15 g, rehmannia root 15 g, solomonseal rhizome 15 g, asiabell root 30 g, red sage root 30 g, prepared rhubarb 12 g and giant-hyssop herb 12 g, were additionally given one dose per day to patients in the treated group. The renal function, improvement of anemia and immunosuppressive agents needed in patients were observed after 3 months treatment.

RESULTSAfter treatment, renal function was improved in both groups, but the effect in the treated group was better than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Anemia was partially alleviated in the two groups with no significant difference. The dosage of glucocorticoids used in the treated group was obviously lesser than that used in the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIntegrative Chinese and western medicine could treat crescentic nephritis to obtain good effect, and reduce the quantity of glucocorticoid necessity for treatment.

Adult ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Kidney Function Tests ; Kidney Glomerulus ; physiopathology ; Kidney Tubules ; physiopathology ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy