Objective:To detect the levels of sex hormones and insulin in follicular fluid(FF)and the expression level of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten(PTEN)in granulosa cells in the infertile patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS),and to preliminarily explain the correlations between the insulin level and the expression level of PTEN mRNA.Methods:Seventy infertile patients were selected as the subjects and divided into PCOS group and control group(tubal obstruction or infertility due to male factors)according to infertility factors.All patients received in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET)treatment.FF and ovarian granulosa cells were collected on the day of ovulation.The expression levels of PTEN mRNA in ovarian granulosa cells of the patients in two groups were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method.The levels of sex hormone and insulin in FF were measured by electrochemiluminescence.The correlations of the PTEN mRNA expression level in ovarian granulosa cells and testosterone(T)in FF with the level of insulin in FF were analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis method.Results:There were no significant differences in age,infertility years,body mass index(BMI),basic sex hormone,total dose of gonadotropin(Gn)and days of ovulation induction in two groups(P＞0.05).Compared with control group,the anti-Mullerian hormone(AMH)and antral follicle counting(AFC)of the patients in PCOS group were significantly increased(P＜0.05).The RT-qPCR results showed that the PTEN mRNA expression level in ovarian granulosa cells of the patients in the PCOS group was higher than that in control group(P＜0.001).The electrochemiluminescence results showed that the levels of T and insulin in FF of the patients in PCOS group were higher than those in control group(P＜0.05),whereas the estrogen and progesterone levels were lower than those in control group(P＜0.05).The Spearman correlation analysis showed that that T level in FF was positively correlated with the insulin level of the patients in PCOS group(r=0.577,P＜0.001),and the PTEN mRNA expression level in ovarian granulosa cells was positively correlated with the insulin levels in FF(r=0.616,P＜0.001);in control group,there was no correlation between T level and insulin level in FF(r=0.266,P=0.123),and there was no correlation between the expression level of PTEN mRNA in granulosa cells and the insulin level in FF in control group(r=-0.214,P=0.216).Conclusion:The high expression of PTEN in granulosa cells of the infertile patients with PCOS may be related to the local hyperinsulin level in the ovary,and PTEN participates in the occurrence and development of PCOS.

Aquaporin 5(AQP5)is a specific protein that can significantly increase the water permeability of cell membrane,partici-pate in the process of water secretion and absorption,maintain the balance of water molecules inside and outside the cell,and transport water across the membrane.Programmed cell death(PCD)is closely associated with the development and progression of Sj?gren's syn-drome(SS).AQP5 may influence the development and progression of SS by regulating the PCD mechanism.This article reviews the mo-lecular mechanisms of AQP5 in regulating the apoptosis,pyroptosis,autophagy,and ferroptosis of cells in recent years and discusses the potential influence of AQP5 on SS,in order to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical prevention and treatment of SS.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) refers to acute diffuse lung injury caused by a variety of intrapulmonary and/or extrapulmonary factors such as infection and trauma. Uncontrolled inflammatory response is the main pathological feature. Different functional states of alveolar macrophages have different effects on inflammatory response. Transcription activating factor 3 (ATF3) is a fast response gene in the early stage of stress. In recent years, it has been found that ATF3 plays an important role in regulating the inflammatory response of ARDS by regulating the function of macrophages. This paper reviews the regulatory effects of ATF3 on alveolar macrophage polarization, autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum stress and its effects on the inflammatory process of ARDS, aiming to provide a new research direction for the prevention and treatment of ARDS.

Abstract: Objective To investigate the clinical features and risk factors for severe tsutsugamushi disease, so as to provide reference for diagnosis and differentiation of severe tsutsugamushi disease as soon as possible. Methods The clinical data of 178 cases of inpatients with tsutsugamushi disease admitted to the Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University from January 2016 to September 2021 were collected and analyzed according to their gender, age, underlying diseases, clinical characteristics at admission, laboratory examination results within 24 hours of admission and epidemiological history. The patients were divided into the severe group and the non-severe group according to the diagnostic criteria. The data of clinical characteristics, laboratory examination and prognosis of the two groups were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on the variables with statistical significance and the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was drawn. Results A total of 178 patients were included in this study, with 37 in the severe group and 141 in the non-severe group. Compared with the non-severe group, the age of the severe group was older, the underlying diseases were more, the incidence of dyspnea and the levels of white blood cell, total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, cystatin C, uric acid and serum creatinine were significantly increased, the levels of platelet and albumin were significantly decreased (all P<0.05). The dyspnea [odds ratio (OR value)=8.93, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.200-66.424; P=0.032], total bilirubin (OR=1.091, 95%CI: 1.028-1.159; P=0.004) and serum creatinine (OR=1.052, 95%CI: 1.004-1.102; P=0.033) were independent risk factors for severe tsutsugamushi disease. The area under ROC curve of total bilirubin and serum creatinine were 0.777 and 0.764, respectively (both P<0.01), indicating high predictive value for severe tsutsugamushi disease. The optimal cut-off value for total bilirubin was 23.01 µmol/L, with a sensitivity of 54.10% and a specificity of 90.60%; the optimal cut-off value for creatinine was 126.45 µmol/L, with a sensitivity of 43.20% and a specificity of 100.00%. The case fatality rate of severe tsutsugamushi disease was 2.70%. Conclusions The patients with severe tsutsugamushi disease are older, and have more underlying diseases. Dyspnea, increased total bilirubin and elevated serum creatinine are independent risk factors for severe tsutsugamushi disease, which can help in the early identification of severe tsutsugamushi disease early.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with tsutsugamushi disease in Guangdong Province from 2016 to 2021, and to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis, treatment, scientific prevention and control of tsutsugamushi disease.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted to collect the information of patients with tsutsugamushi disease admitted to Guangzhou Eighth Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University from 2016 to 2021, including the basic information, epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, auxiliary examinations, complications, misdiagnosis at first diagnosis and treatment outcomes.Results:Among 155 patients with tsutsugamushi disease, there were 75 males (48.39%) and 80 females (51.61%), with an e age of (54.41 ± 13.78) years old, and 30 cases (19.35%) had other underlying diseases. The peak time of onset was from June to September. There were 97 local patients (62.58%) in Guangzhou, and 58 cases (37.42%) in other prefecture-level cities; 76.77% (119/155) had a history of field activities before the onset of the disease. 36.13% (56/155) were farmers. The most common clinical manifestations were fever (100.00%, 155/155), chills and/or shivering (77.42%, 120/155), headache and/or dizziness (74.19%, 115/155), fatigue (65.81%, 102/155), eschar or ulcer (92.90%, 144/155), and lymphadenopathy (49.68%, 77/155). The laboratory test results mainly showed a decrease in eosinophils (81.94%, 127/155), a decrease in hematocrit (78.71%, 122/155), a decrease in hemoglobin (52.26%, 81/155), a decrease in platelet count (50.97%, 79/155), a decrease in albumin (92.26%, 143/155), an increase in lactate dehydrogenase (90.32%, 140/155), an increase in adenosine deaminase (88.39%, 137/155), and an increase in alanine aminotransferase (85.16%, 132/155), elevated aspartate aminotransferase (85.16%, 132/155), and elevated procalcitonin (52.90%, 82/155); 30 cases (19.35%) were positive for the Weil-Felix Test. There were 95 cases (61.29%) with abnormal chest imaging results, and 34 cases (21.94%) with abnormal abdominal ultrasound or CT results. Common complications were toxic hepatitis, pulmonary infection, organ failure, and acute kidney injury, etc. The misdiagnosis rate of the initial diagnosis of this disease was 75.48% (117/155). Doxycycline and symptomatic and supportive therapy were given, 154 patients (99.35%) were cured or improved and discharged from hospital.Conclusions:Tsutsugamushi disease is prevalent in summer and autumn in Guangdong Province. Before the onset, most of the patients have a history of field activities. Farmers are susceptible people. Its clinical manifestations are diverse, and can affect multiple systems and organs. There are many complications, and doxycycline can be used for anti-infection treatment, with a high cure rate.

High mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), a highly conversed non-histone nucleoproteins with strong pro-inflammatory property, is one of the inflammatory mediator of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Numerous studies have confirmed that HMGB1 regulates ARDS by binding to receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE), Toll-like receptor (TLR) and etc. And it can significantly increase the mortality of ARDS. But the mechanism of HMGB1 release is still unclear. This study focuses on the HMGB1 release progress, which connected with Janus kinases/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Notch, inflammasome, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), reactive oxygen species (ROS), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) and other signaling or dependent pathways in ARDS.

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics of imported malaria from Africa, and the correlation between blood lipids and disease severity.Methods:The clinical data of 172 imported malaria patients from Africa were collected from January 1, 2018 to January 31, 2021 in Guangzhou Eighth People′s Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University. The general conditions, clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, treatment and prognosis of the patients were analyzed retrospectively. The independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test and binary multivariate logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis when appropriate. Results:A total of 172 patients were divided into 39 severe cases and 133 non-severe cases in this study. The main infection species was Plasmodium falciparum, with a total of 153 cases (89.0%), and the severe cases were all falciparum malarias. Compared with the non-severe group, the white blood cell count and triacylglycerol level were increased in the severe group.The differences were both statistically significant ( Z=2.397 and 4.368, respectively; both P<0.05). The hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A (ApoA)Ⅰ and ApoAⅠ/apolipoprotein B (ApoB) were significantly decreased in the severe group. The differences were all statistically significant ( Z=-4.473, -4.464, -4.750, -4.826, -5.488 and -4.419, respectively; all P<0.01). The total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were also reduced in the severe group. The differences were both statistically significant ( t=3.817 and 5.285, respectively; both P<0.01). The area under receiver operator characteristic curve of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triacylglycerol, ApoAⅠ, and ApoAⅠ/ApoB were 0.754, 0.727, 0.730, 0.789 and 0.733, respectively (all P<0.01). When the Youden index was at its maximum, the best cut-off value of ApoAⅠ was 0.535 g/L with sensitivity of the prediction for severe malaria of 79.5% and the specificity of 68.4%. ApoAⅠ had independent predictive value for severe malaria (odds ratio ( OR)=0.013, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 0.002 to 0.086, P<0.01), and stratified according to the best cut-off value, the risk of severe malaria when ApoA Ⅰ<0.535 g/L was 8.396 times of ApoA Ⅰ≥0.535 g/L ( OR=8.396, 95% CI 3.557 to 19.820, P<0.01). The case fatality rate of severe malaria was 2.6%(1/39). Conclusions:The imported malaria patients from Africa are mainly infected with Plasmodium falciparum and the case fatality rate of severe malaria is high. The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triacylglycerol, ApoAⅠ, ApoAⅠ/ApoB of blood lipids show higher predictive value for severe malaria, among which, ApoAⅠ has independent predictive value for severe malaria. Changes in blood lipids will help to identify severe malaria as early as possible, improve the cure rate, and reduce the risk of death.

Objective To evaluate the application value of early lung ultrasound score(LUS)in the eval-uation of severity and prognosis of severe pneumonia and investigate its correlations with oxygenation index(OI), alveolar-arterial oxygen difference(A-aDO2),lymphocyte count(LYM),positive end-expiratory pressure(PEEP), acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)score,and clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS). Methods Thirty severe pneumonia patients admitted to intensive care unit(ICU)of Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital from May 2015 to July 2017 were enrolled,including 14 cases with low PEEP and 16 cases with high PEEP. Among them,17 patients were diagnosed with non-viral pneumonia and 13 ones with viral pneumonia;15 of them survived,and 15 died. The clinical data and cores of all patients were recorded by one observer,including baseline date,OI,A-aDO2,LYM,PEEP,and APACHEⅡ and CPIS score. The other observer was specifically responsible for pulmonary ultrasonography and LUS. The correlation between LUS and OI,A-aDO2,LYM,PEEP, as well as APACHEⅡand CPIS scores was analyzed by bivariate correlation analysis. Receiver operator character-istic curves(ROC)were plotted,and the prediction value,sensitivity and specificity of high PEEP and mortality by LUS were calculated respectively. Results LUS had a negative correlation with OI(r =-0.755,P = 0.000) and LYM(r =-0.518,P = 0.03),and a good positive correlation with A-aDO2(r = 0.642,P = 0.000),PEEP (r = 0.583,P = 0.001),APACHEⅡ(r = 0.461,P = 0.010)and CPIS(r = 0.595,P = 0.001)was respectively found. LUS in the survival group was significantly lower than the death group(15.00 ± 5.90 vs. 22.27 ± 4.68,P<0.01),low PEEP group was obviously lower than high PEEP group(14.23 ± 5.40 vs. 22.00 ± 4.98,P < 0.01), and there was no significant difference between non-viral pneumonia group and viral pneumonia group(18.59 ± 6.49 vs. 18.69 ± 6.56,P > 0.05). The area under ROC cure(AUC)was calculated:the predictive value for high PEEP by LUS was 19,with the sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 92%,and the patients with LUS > 17 had a high mortality,with the sensitivity for predicting death of 87% and specificity of 67%. Conclusion Bedside lung ultrasound can easily evaluate the changes in pulmonary ventilation area ,and early LUS has important clinical application value in assessing the severity and prognosis of severe pneumonia patients.

Objective To analyze the risk factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in acute exacerbation (AE-COPD)complicated with pulmonary embolism ,and to provide reference for the pathogenesis and treatment .Methods A total of 73 patients with COPD suspected PE admitted to our hospital from May 2015 to April 2016 were enrolled in this study .All patients were examined including WBC ,Neu% ,CRP ,IL-8 ,ESR ,PCT ,ET-1 ,D-dimer ,fibrinogen ,NT-proBNP ,myocardial enzyme ,arterial blood gas ,lactic acid ,CT pulmonary angiography(CTPA)within 48 h of admission .The risk factors of AECOPD with PE or with-out PE were analyzed .Results There were 15 cases with PE ,58 cases without PE in all objects .Neu% ,PCT ,NT-proBNP ,D-di-mer ,LDH ,cTnI ,CRP ,IL-8 ,ET-1 in patients with PE were significant higher than those in patients without PE (P<0 .05) .In the PE group ,the correlation coefficient between CRP and IL-8 was 0 .457(P=0 .087) ,the correlation coefficient between CRP and ET-1 was 0 .598(P=0 .019) ,the correlation coefficient between IL-8 and ET-1 was 0 .695(P=0 .004) .Conclusion Acute exacer-bation of COPD combined with PE is associated with the severity of inflammation in the body ,the more serious the inflammatory re-action ,the corresponding increase in myocardial injury ,the higher the risk of PE .

BACKGROUND: Integrin α5β1 has been shown to be related to acetabular cartilage degeneration due to developmental dysplasia of the hip.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of integrin α5β1 in differently degenerated cartilage tissues of the knee after knee osteoarthritis.METHODS: Seventy-five degenerated articular cartilage specimens at the weight-bearing surface of femoral lateral and medial condyles were removed from patients with knee osteoarthritis who underwent total knee replacement, and were then allotted to four groups based on Mankin's grading system: normal (n=6), mild degeneration (n=24), moderate degeneration (n=26) and severe degeneration (n=19) groups. The expression of integrin α5β1 in each group was detected using real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and western blot assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The detected results were consistent in the three kinds of assays, and the expression level of integrin α5β1 was ranked as follows: severe degeneration group > moderate degeneration group > mild degeneration group > normal group (P < 0.05). To conclude, differential expression levels of integrin α5β1 are found in different degenerative degrees of articular cartilage in knee osteoarthritis. Furthermore, the expression level of integrin α5β1 is increased with the degenerative severity.