Objective:To discuss the effect of downregulating microRNA-208a(miR-208a)on the resistance of the colorectal cancer cells to 5-fluorouracil(5-FU),and to clarify its related molecular mechanism.Methods:Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression levels of miR-208a and secreted frizzled-related protein 1(SFRP1)mRNA in the 5-FU-resistant colorectal cancer cell line HT-29/5-FU and its parent HT-29 cells.The HT-29/5-FU cells were transfected with miR-208a inhibitor plasmid and its negative control plasmid(inhibitor-NC),and SFRP1 small interfering RNA(si-SFRP1)and its negative control plasmid(si-NC),either separately or in combination,followed by treatment with 5-FU.The cells were divided into inhibitor-NC group,miR-208a inhibitor group,miR-208a inhibitor+si-NC group,and miR-208a inhibitor+si-SFRP1 group.MTT assay was used to detect the proliferation activities of the cells and the resistance indexes were calculated;Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining and flow cytometry were used to detect the apoptotic rates of the cells after treated with different concentrations of 5-FU;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of SFRP1,β-catenin,P-glycoprotein(P-gp),and ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 1(ABCB1)proteins in the cells in various groups;dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to validate the targeting relationship between miR-208a and SFRP1.Results:Compared with HT-29 cells,the expression level of miR-208a in the HT-29/5-FU cells was increased(P＜0.05),and the expression level of SFRP1 mRNA was decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with inhibitor-NC group,the proliferation activity of the cells in miR-208a inhibitor group was decreased(P＜0.05),the resistance index was decreased,the apoptotic rate was increased(P＜0.05),and the expression levels of β-catenin,P-gp,and ABCB1 proteins in the cells were decreased(P＜0.05).The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay results showed that SFRP1 was a target gene of miR-208a and miR-208a could negatively regulate the expression of SFRP1.Compared with miR-208a inhibitor+si-NC group,the proliferation activity of the cells in miR-208a inhibitor+si-SFRP1 group was increased(P＜0.05),the resistance index was increased,the apoptotic rate was decreased(P＜0.05),and the expression levels of β-catenin,P-gp,and ABCB1 proteins in the cells were increased(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Downregulation of miR-208a can improve the resistance of the HT-29/5-FU cells to 5-FU by targeting and upregulating the SFRP1 expression,thereby inhibiting the transmission of the Wnt signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the value of CT quantitative parameters of tumor and spleen in predicting the clinical stage of gastric cancer (Ⅰ/Ⅱ stage and Ⅲ/Ⅳ stage).Methods:This study was a case-control study. The data of 145 patients with gastric cancer confirmed by pathology in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from February 2019 to June 2021 were retrospectively collected, including 70 cases of Ⅰ/Ⅱ stage and 75 cases of Ⅲ/Ⅳ stage. On the baseline CT images, the tumor related parameters, including tumor thickness, length of tumor, CT attenuation of tumor unenhanced phase, CT attenuation of tumor arterial phase, CT attenuation of tumor venous phase were measured. The spleen related parameters, including splenic thickness, CT attenuation of splenic unenhanced phase, CT attenuation of splenic arterial phase, CT attenuation of splenic venous phase, and standard deviation of CT attenuation (CTsd) in splenic unenhanced phase were also measured. The independent sample t test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the parameters between the Ⅰ/Ⅱ stage and Ⅲ/Ⅳ stage patients. The multi-factor logistic regression analysis was used to find the independent predictors of gastric cancer clinical stage, and establish the combined parameters. The efficiency to the diagnosis of gastric cancer stage of single and combined parameters was evaluated using the operating characteristic curve, and the DeLong test was used to compare the differences of area under the curve (AUC). Results:There were significant differences in tumor thickness, length of tumor, CT attenuation of tumor venous phase, CT attenuation of splenic unenhanced phase, CT attenuation of splenic venous phase, CTsd in splenic unenhanced phase between the Ⅰ/Ⅱ stage and Ⅲ/Ⅳ stage of gastric cancer ( P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that tumor thickness ( OR=1.073, 95% CI 1.026-1.123, P=0.002), CT attenuation of splenic venous phase ( OR=1.040, 95% CI 1.011-1.070, P=0.006) and CTsd in splenic unenhanced phase ( OR=1.625, 95% CI 1.330-1.987, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for the clinical stage of gastric cancer and the combined parameters were established. The AUC values of tumor thickness, CT attenuation of splenic venous phase, CTsd in splenic unenhanced phase and combined parameters were 0.655, 0.614, 0.749 and 0.806, respectively. The AUC of combined parameters was higher than those of tumor thickness and CT attenuation of splenic venous phase, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=3.37, 3.82, both P<0.001). Conclusion:Tumor thickness, CT attenuation of splenic venous phase and CTsd in splenic unenhanced phase are independent risk factors for the clinical stage of gastric cancer, and combined parameters can improve the diagnostic efficiency.

BACKGROUND: The presence of fibrosis is a criterion for subtype classification in the newly updated hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) guidelines. The present study aimed to summarize differences in clinical characteristics and prognosis of non-fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (NFHP) and fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (FHP) and explore factors associated with the presence of fibrosis. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, patients diagnosed with HP through a multidisciplinary discussion were enrolled. Collected data included demographic and clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and radiologic and histopathological features. Logistic regression analyses were performed to explore factors related to the presence of fibrosis. RESULTS: A total of 202 patients with HP were enrolled, including 87 (43.1%) NFHP patients and 115 (56.9%) FHP patients. Patients with FHP were older and more frequently presented with dyspnea, crackles, and digital clubbing than patients with NFHP. Serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 125, carbohydrate antigen 153, gastrin-releasing peptide precursor, squamous cell carcinoma antigen, and antigen cytokeratin 21-1, and count of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) eosinophils were higher in the FHP group than in the NFHP group. BAL lymphocytosis was present in both groups, but less pronounced in the FHP group. Multivariable regression analyses revealed that older age, <20% of lymphocyte in BAL, and ≥1.75% of eosinophil in BAL were risk factors for the development of FHP. Twelve patients developed adverse outcomes, with a median survival time of 12.5 months, all of whom had FHP. CONCLUSIONS Older age, <20% of lymphocyte in BAL, and ≥1.75% of eosinophil in BAL were risk factors associated with the development of FHP. Prognosis of patients with NFHP was better than that of patients with FHP. These results may provide insights into the mechanisms of fibrosis in HP.
Humans ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Prospective Studies ; Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic/diagnosis* ; Fibrosis ; Carbohydrates

Objective:To evaluate the value of preoperative prediction of vessel invasion (VI) of locally advanced gastric cancer by machine learning model based on the venous phase enhanced CT radiomics features.Methods:A retrospective analysis of 296 patients with locally advanced gastric cancer confirmed by pathology in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from July 2011 to December 2020 was performed. The patients were divided into VI positive group ( n=213) and VI negative group ( n=83) based on pathological results. The data were divided into training set ( n=207) and test set ( n=89) according to the ratio of 7∶3 with stratification sampling. The clinical characteristics of patients were recorded, and the independent risk factors of gastric cancer VI were screened by multivariate logistic regression. Pyradiomics software was used to extract radiomic features from the venous phase enhanced CT images, and the minimum absolute shrinkage and selection algorithm (LASSO) was used to screen the features, obtain the optimal feature subset, and establish the radiomics signature. Four machine learning algorithms, including extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), logistic, naive Bayes (GNB), and support vector machine (SVM) models, were used to build prediction models for the radiomics signature and the screened clinical independent risk factors. The efficacy of the model in predicting gastric cancer VI was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results:The degree of differentiation (OR=13.651, 95%CI 7.265-25.650, P=0.003), Lauren′s classification (OR=1.349, 95%CI 1.011-1.799, P=0.042) and CA199 (OR=1.796, 95%CI 1.406-2.186, P=0.044) were independent risk factors for predicting the VI of locally advanced gastric cancer. Based on the venous phase enhanced CT images, 864 quantitative features were extracted, and 18 best constructed radiomics signature were selected by LASSO. In the training set, the area under the curve (AUC) of XGBoost, logistic, GNB and SVM models for predicting gastric cancer VI were 0.914 (95%CI 0.875-0.953), 0.897 (95%CI 0.853-0.940), 0.880 (95%CI 0.832-0.928) and 0.814 (95%CI 0.755-0.873), respectively, and in the test set were 0.870 (95%CI 0.769-0.971), 0.877 (95%CI 0.788-0.964), 0.859 (95%CI 0.755-0.961) and 0.773 (95%CI 0.647-0.898). The logistic model had the largest AUC in the test set. Conclusions:The machine learning model based on the venous phase enhanced CT radiomics features has high efficacy in predicting the VI of locally advanced gastric cancer before the operation, and the logistic model demonstrates the best diagnostic efficacy.

Abstract OBJECTIVE To explore the material basis and mechanism of Crataegi Fructus in improving metabolic hypertension(MH) by using network pharmacology and molecular docking technique.METHODS The components of Crataegi Fructus were collected by HERB, ETCM database and literature survey; screening all ingredients of Crataegi Fructus to improve MH targets through databases such as SwissTargetPrediction and GeneCards; build "active ingredient-target-disease" network of Crataegi Fructus with Cytoscape software; DAVID was used to analyze GO enrichment and KEGG pathway. The core components and core targets were verified by molecular docking with Autodock software. RESULTS The total of 89 active components were screened from Crataegi Fructus and acted on 84 targets. Among them, the core active components of Crataegi Fructus to improve MH were maslinic acid, fomefficinic acid B, linolenic acid, linoleic acid, methyl-n-nonylketone, apigenin, ursolic acid, etc. The core targets were CYP19A1, PPARA, ESR1, PTGS2, PPARG, NR3C1, MMP9, TNF, etc. The mechanism of action mainly involved multiple signaling pathways such as inflammation, glycolipid metabolism, and vascular endothelial function. Molecular docking showed that the core active ingredients of Crataegi Fructus had high affinity with core targets. CONCLUSION Crataegi Fructus may regulate multiple signaling pathways such as TNF, IL-17, AGE-RAGE, HIF-1, cGMP-PKG through multi-component regulation, thereby inhibiting inflammatory response, improving glucose and lipid metabolism abnormalities, and improving vascular endothelial function, so as to comprehensively exert the role of improving MH in various aspects.

Objective To investigate the changes and formation mechanism of plasma endothelial microparticles (EMPs) in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). Methods Blood samples were collected from 60 patients with AP who were treated in The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from August 2020 to June 2021, and these patients were divided into mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) group with 23 patients, moderate-severe acute pancreatitis (MSAP) group with 23 patients, and severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) group with 14 patients; 20 individuals who underwent physical examination were enrolled as control group.Differential centrifugation was used to obtain platelet-poor plasma, flow cytometry was used to measure the level of CD31 + CD41 - EMPs, and ELISA was used to measure the levels of endothelin-1(ET-1), von Willebrand factor (vWF), nitric oxide (NO), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1).HUVECs were stimulated by the plasma of AP patients, and then flow cytometry and qRT-PCR were used to measure the changes in EMPs, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial membrane potential and the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1), VCAM-1, NADPH oxidase, and P-selectin.A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t -test was used for further comparison between two groups.The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups and within each group.The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups, and the Pearson correlation test was used for correlation analysis. Results Compared with the control group, the MAP, MSAP, and SAP groups had a significant increase in the level of EMPs (all P < 0.05).Compared with the MAP and MSAP groups, the SAP group had a significant increase in the level of EMPs (both P < 0.05).In the patients with AP, the level of EMPs was negatively correlated with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ score, Bedside Index for Severity in Acute Pancreatitis, Ranson score, CT score, and C-reactive protein ( r =0.686 2, 0.777 3, 0.713 8, 0.771 8, and 0.473 9, all P < 0.01).Compared with the control group, the MAP, MSAP, and SAP groups had significant increases in the levels of ET-1, vWF, and VCAM-1 and a significant reduction in the level of NO (all P < 0.05).Compared with the control group, the MSAP and SAP groups had the plasma that promoted the release of a large amount of EMPs (both P < 0.05).Compared with the control group, all the other groups, except the MAP group in terms of VCAM-1 and eNOS, had significant increases in the mRNA expression levels of eNOS, iNOS, ICAM-1, P-selectin, VCAM-1, and NADPH oxidase (all P < 0.05).Compared with the HC group, the MAP, MSAP, and SAP groups and the LPS group had a significant increase in the level of ROS and a significant reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential in HUVECs (all P < 0.05). Conclusion There is a significant increase in the plasma level of EMPs in AP patients, which is correlated with the severity of pancreatitis.Meanwhile, the plasma of AP patients can promote the formation of EMPs in HUVECs in vitro, which may be associated with cell oxidative injury.

Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Logistic Models ; Phenotype ; Risk Factors

Objective:To study the role of neonatal panel detection based on next generation sequencing (NGS) combined with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) in the etiological differentiation of neonatal hypotonia.Methods:The clinical characteristics and gene test results of newborns with hypotonia as the main clinical manifestation treated at the Department of Neonatology of Jiangxi Provincial Children's Hospital from March 2017 to March 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:A total of 23 children with hypotonia and feeding difficulties diagnosed by gene tests were included. 17 cases (73.9%) had obvious abnormal appearance, and 11 cases (47.8%) had congenital heart disease (atrial septal defect and/or patent ductus arteriosus). Among the 23 infants, 21 were detected by panel gene, 10 by methylation specific MLPA (MS-MLPA) and 4 by MLPA (SMN1 / SMN2). 14 cases of Prader-Willi syndrome, 4 cases of spinal muscular atrophy, 3 cases of congenital myopathy and 2 cases of Schaaf-Yang syndrome were diagnosed. 11 cases died (47.8%), 9 cases had growth retardation (39.1%), 2 cases had normal growth and development (8.7%), and 1 case survived without detailed information (4.3%). Newborns with unknown etiology and low muscle tone are often complicated with abnormal appearance and congenital heart disease. Neonatal panel combined with MLPA is helpful for accurate diagnosis.Conclusions:The detection of neonatal panel combined with MLPA is cheap, and can provide accurate diagnosis for most newborns with unexplained hypotonia in a short diagnosis cycle, which is conducive to the early formulation of clinical decision-making, and guide the treatment, follow-up and genetic consultation of children.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between 1H-MRS in hippocampus and peripheral blood cytokines and T lymphocyte subsets in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy, and to explore the relationship between immune dysfunction and the degree of neuronal injury. Methods:Fifty patients with temporal lobe epilepsy were selected from Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from October 2020 to July 2021.Clinical data of all patients were collected and they were divided into two groups according to MRI results of epileptic sequence: abnormal hippocampal MRI group ( n=20) and normal hippocampal MRI group ( n=30). Bilateral 1H-MRS scanning of hippocampal and detection of T lymphocyte subsets and cytokines in peripheral blood during interictal period were performed in both groups. The levels of hippocampal metabolites NAA, NAA/(Cr+ Cho), T lymphocyte subsets and cytokines in peripheral blood of the two groups were compared.At the same time, the levels of NAA and NAA/ (Cr+ Cho) in the hippocampus on the abnormal side and the normal side in the abnormal hippocampal MRI group were compared within the group. Finally, the correlation between the levels of metabolites NAA, NAA/ (Cr+ Cho) in the hippocampus on the abnormal side obtained by 1H-MRS scanning and T lymphocyte subsets and cytokines in the abnormal group of MRI was analyzed. The data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 26.0 software. Independent sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between the two groups. Paired sample t-test was used for intra group comparison of different sides. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between each index. Results:The NAA and NAA/(Cr+ Cho) values of the abnormal MRI group(normal side NAA: (1.22±0.37), NAA/(Cr+ Cho): (0.56±0.15). abnormal side NAA: (1.02±0.34), NAA/(Cr+ Cho): (0.48±0.13)) were significantly lower than those of the normal MRI group (NAA: (1.51±0.36), NAA/(Cr+ Cho): (0.73±0.19))(NAA: t=2.705, 4.800, both P<0 05; NAA/(Cr+ Cho): t=3.394, 4.914, both P<0 05). The values of NAA and NAA/(Cr+ Cho) in the abnormal side in the MRI abnormal group were significantly lower than those in the normal side( t=6.467, P<0 05). The levels of IL-1β(11.19(3.56, 20.98)pg/ml), IL-5 (3.12(1.86, 6.41)pg/ml), TNF-α(2.55(1.19, 8.28)pg/ml), CD4+ T lymphocytes((43.13±6.82)%) and Th/Ts((1.96±0.66)) in the hippocampal MRI abnormal group were significantly higher than those in normal MRI group (IL-1β: 3.27(1.63, 6.17)pg/ml, IL-5: 1.15(0.96, 2.96)pg/ml, TNF-α: 1.34(1.02, 2.36)pg/ml, CD4+ T: (38.01±7.21)%, Th/Ts: (1.48±0.53))( Z=-3.041, -2.516, -2.496, all P<0.05; t=2.511, 2.810, both P<0 05). The level of CD8+ T ((23.48±5.33)%) in peripheral blood of abnormal MRI group was significantly lower than that of normal group CD8+ T((27.18±6.08)%)( t=2.210, P<0.05). In the abnormal MRI group, the levels of NAA and NAA/ (Cr+ Cho) in the abnormal hippocampus were negatively correlated with the levels of IL-1β, IL-5 and TNF- α ( r=-0.612--0.463, all P<0.05), and positively correlated with CD8+ T lymphocytes ( r=0.537, 0.478, P<0.05). Conclusion:There is neuronal damage and dysfunction in the abnormal hippocampal region of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy with abnormal hippocampal formation, and the degree of neuronal damage is highly correlated with CD8+ T lymphocytes, IL-5, IL-1β and TNF-α in peripheral blood. The imbalance of interictal lymphocyte subsets and chronic inflammatory response may play an important role in the pathogenesis of epilepsy and neuronal injury .