Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Omicron variant infected cases.Methods:A total of 987 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) adult imported cases admitted to Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University from July 1, 2021 to January 6, 2022 were recruited. The cases were divided into Omicron group (193 cases) and non-Omicron group (794 cases) according to the genotype of the virus. The clinical data, imaging examination and laboratory results of two groups were collected and compared. Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test were used as statistical methods. Multiple linear regression analysis was used for multiple linear regression analysis. Results:The majority of patients in Omicron group were 18 to 30 years old, accounting for 51.3%(99/193), which was higher than 31.4%(249/794) in non-Omicron group. The difference was statistically significant ( χ2=52.75, P<0.001). The proportion of mild cases in Omicron group was 88.6%(171/193), which was higher than 81.6%(648/794) in non-Omicron group. The difference was statistically significant ( χ2=5.37, P=0.021). Cases with symptoms were more common in Omicron group than those in non-Omicron group (60.1%(116/193) vs 29.1%(231/794)), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=65.49, P<0.001), with the main clinical manifestations of sore/itchy throat, fever and cough/expectoration. The proportion of cases with pulmonary computed tomography (CT) imaging manifestations at admission in Omicron group was 13.0%(25/193), which was lower than that in non-Omicron group (215/794, 27.1%). The difference was statistically significant ( χ2=16.83, P<0.001). The proportion of cases with 2019-nCoV IgG positive at admission was 47.7%(92/193) in Omicron group, which was lower than 61.1%(485/794) in non-Omicron group, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=11.51, P<0.001). The hospitalization time of Omicron group was 20.0 (16.0, 23.0) d, which was longer than that of non-Omicron group (14.0 (10.0, 22.0) d), and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-7.42, P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the time of hospitalization of cases with 2019-nCoV IgG positive at admission was shorter, while that of the cases with fever in Omicron group was longer (both P<0.050). Conclusions:The main clinical characteristics of cases with Omicron variant are fever and upper respiratory symptoms. Their pulmonary CT imaging manifestations are less, and the time of hospitalization is slightly longer. The time of hospitalization and the virus clearance time in Omicron variant infected cases with 2019-nCoV IgG positive at admission and not presented with fever are both shorter.

【Objective】 To explore the effects of anti-inflammatory of short-chain fatty acids in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells （THP-1） and chronic obstructive pulmonary （COPD） mice. 【Methods】 We adopted the methods of qRT-PCR， ELISA， Western blotting， HE staining and Sirius staining to detect the changes of inflammatory factors in THP-1 cells and COPD with or without short-chain fatty acids. 【Results】 The ELISA and qRT-PCR experiments showed that the serum inflammatory factors， including interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， were higher in clinical COPD patients than in healthy people. And the THP-1 cells expressed these inflammatory factors highly after LPS stimulation. Among three short-chain fatty acids treated， butyrate could reduce the levels of inflammatory factors better than acetate and propionate. After COPD mice were treated with butyrate in the drinking water， the mRNA expressions of inflammatory factors IL-6， IL-1β and TNF-α in the lung tissue decreased， and the concentrations of IL-6 and IL-1β in plasma decreased. The protein detection results showed that the phosphorylation expression of NF-κB decreased， and butyrate might inhibit the expressions of inflammatory factors by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. 【Conclusion】 The SCFA butyrate can inhibit LPS-induced inflammatory response of THP-1 cells and have an inhibitory effect on inflammation in COPD mice.

Administration, Intravenous ; Ascorbic Acid/therapeutic use* ; COVID-19 ; Humans ; Pneumonia ; SARS-CoV-2

Irreversible destruction of bronchi and alveoli can lead to multiple incurable lung diseases. Identifying lung stem/progenitor cells with regenerative capacity and utilizing them to reconstruct functional tissue is one of the biggest hopes to reverse the damage and cure such diseases. Here we showed that a rare population of SOX9 basal cells (BCs) located at airway epithelium rugae can regenerate adult human lung. Human SOX9 BCs can be readily isolated by bronchoscopic brushing and indefinitely expanded in feeder-free condition. Expanded human SOX9 BCs can give rise to alveolar and bronchiolar epithelium after being transplanted into injured mouse lung, with air-blood exchange system reconstructed and recipient's lung function improved. Manipulation of lung microenvironment with Pirfenidone to suppress TGF-β signaling could further boost the transplantation efficiency. Moreover, we conducted the first autologous SOX9 BCs transplantation clinical trial in two bronchiectasis patients. Lung tissue repair and pulmonary function enhancement was observed in patients 3-12 months after cell transplantation. Altogether our current work indicated that functional adult human lung structure can be reconstituted by orthotopic transplantation of tissue-specific stem/progenitor cells, which could be translated into a mature regenerative therapeutic strategy in near future.
Bronchiectasis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Pulmonary Alveoli ; cytology ; metabolism ; SOX9 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism

Background Trachoma is a serious blinding eye disease.At present,the incidence rate of trachoma in China has been greatly reduced with the unremitting efforts of World Health Orgnization (WHO) and Chinese government.However,in some economically underdeveloped areas,there is still active trachoma.Ohjective This study aimed to survey the prevalence of children's active trachoma in rural area of Naxi district and Jiangyang district of Luzhou city and assess the prevention and treatment outcome of trachoma during 10 years.Methods A cross-sectional study was performed in Naxi district and Jiangyang district of Luzhou city,the economic underdeveloping and water-starved regions in the year 2000.The active trachoma was screened in 214 school-age children with the male 113 and female 101 based on simplified trachoma grading system and trachoma rapid assessment survey standards and requirements of WHO.The symptoms of active trachoma were divided into trachomatous follicular (TF),trachomatous inflammation intense (TI),trachomatous scarring (TS),trachoma trichiasis (TT) and corneal opacities (CO).The epidemiological survey was re-assessed in 100 school-age children (with the male 58 and female 42) in these regions in the year 2013 to evaluate the prevalence change of children active trachoma during 10 years.Results In the year 2000,214 children were screened in 4 villages of Naxi district and Jiangyang district,and the prevalence rate of TF was 49.07％ (105/214) in the year 2000.The prevalence rate of TF was 49.05％ (52/106) in the Naxi district and 49.07％ (53/108) in the Jiangyang district,showing no significant difference between them (x2 =0.01,P =0.99).In the 100 school-age children who received survey in Naxi district and Jiangyang district in the year 2013,no TF,TF,TI,TS,TT and CO was found,showing no active trachoma.Conclusions The active trachoma has been controlled in rural areas of Luzhou city following the prevention and treatment of trachoma and the improvement of economic status in past decade.

Objective To investigate the clinical features of VAE and to assess the predictive value of VAE cough. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 461 consecutive patients who underwent DBS surgery at Beijing Tiantan Hospital. Patients with VAE manifestation were enrolled in this study. The clinical features, operative courses, post-operative conditions and treatment of these patients were analyzed. The correlation between intraoperative tremor intensity , cough duration and prognosis was also investigated. Results Among 461 patients,10 (2.2%) were found with evidence of VAE, including cough, dyspnea, decreased O2 saturation (SO2). Statistical analyses revealed that severe cough was associated with greater age , a longer coughing time, more intensive tremor, greater influence, and a longer length of stay (P < 0.05, rspectively). Conclusions Early recognition and prompt management of VAE are essential to prevent unfavorable consequences. Cough intensity might be a useful tool for evaluating VAE and its prognosis , which is helpful for neurosurgeons to decide on the subsequent maneuvers.

Subclinical hypothyroidism is a metabolic disease, defined by increased thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and accompanied by normal thyroid hormone levels. Recent years, many domestic and foreign studies have showed that sub?clinical hypothyroidism may be related with atherosclerosis and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, which increasing the risk and mortality of cardiovascular diseases. Subclinical hypothyroidism may be associated with lipid metabolic disorders, hypertension, coagulation dysfunction, endothelial dysfunction, abnormal glucose metabolism, homocysteine, C-reactive pro?tein and lipoprotein. At present, controversy persists on the subclinical hypothyroidism. The aim of this study is to review the correlation between cardiovascular diseases and subclinical hypothyroidism.

Objective To investigate the expression of TIPE2 in splenic lymphocytes derived from the mouse model of cattle collagen Ⅱ-induced rheumatoid arthritis (CIA) and from peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for its role in the pathogenesis of RA.Methods The CIA mouse model was established by immunization of DBA-1/J mice with cattle collagen Ⅱ.Peripheral blood lymphocytes were collected from RA patients and healthy donors.The TIPE2 mRNA and protein expression in splenocytes of CIA and control mice were measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot,respectively.In addition,fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot were used to determine the TIPE2 mRNA and protein expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes derived from patients with RA and healthy donors.Results Both mRNA and protein expression of TIPE2 were higher in splenocytes of CIA mice and lymphocytes of peripheral blood from RA patients compared with corresponding controls.Furthermore,the mRNA and protein expression of TIPE2 increased significantly in patients with active RA.TIPE2 expression were positively correlated with DAS28 scores (P＜0.001).Conclusion Our results suggest that TIPE2 plays a role in the RA pathogenesis.The level of TIPE2 may also indicate the severity of rheumatoid arthritis.

ObjectiveTo acquire the basic information of trainees and analyze the training results and it' s influence factors in the training of rural health appropriate technology in Jiangsu.MethodsWe used the questionnaire to collect data of the trainees' personal information and training results after training.Results A total of 2284 valid questionnaires were collected. There were 73.6％ trainees came from township hospitals,95.1 ％ of them under 45 years old,62.9％ for females,79.2％ have been working for 8 years,3％ with senior professional titles,only 0.4％ had acquire the master's degree or above.Multiple regression analysis showed that the different level of hospitals,the training needs, suitable degree,knowledge familiarity before the training,expert instruction and learning were the main influence factors for the master of the technology; The influence factors for the wish to be re-training were working age,education,the demand for training technology,ease of learning,expert instruction,grasp of this time,appliance of the technology.Conclusionlong-term mechanism for trainning and continue education should be established,and medical workers in rural areas should be strengthen to take the technical training to further improve the rural medical services.

Objective To explore whether ultrasound-mediated microbubbles destruction could enhance anti-sense RNA transfection and expression. Methods Phospholamban antisense RNA eukaryon vector PcDNA 4. 1-asPLB was successfully constructed and it was transfected into cardiac myocytes by various methods including calcium phosphate precipitation, ultrasound exposure and ultrasound-mediated microbubbles destruction. The expression of PLB and sarcoplasmic retculum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA2a) in cardiac myocytes was tested by RT-PCR and western blot. Results The transfection and expression of PcDNA 4. 1-asPLB increased significantly in cells treated with ultrasound-mediated microbubbles destruction compared to other transfer groups( P ＜0.05). The expression of PLB was inhibited specifically after cardiac myocytes were transfected with PcDNA 4. 1-asPLB. There was no change of PLB expression after cardiac myocytes transfected with PcDNA 4. 1 ( P ＜0.05). Though the expression of SERCA2a never exhibited any changes after PcDNA 4. 1-asPLB transfection, the PLB/SERCA2a ratio decreased markedly. Conclusions As a highly effective antisense RNA transfer method, ultrasound-mediated microbubbles destruction can enhance the transfection and expression of the PcDNA 4. 1-asPLB significantly. The PcDNA4. 1-asPLB transfection inhibits the expression of PLB and result in decrease of PLB/SERCA2a ratio in cardiac myocytes.