Atherosclerosis is a multifocal, smoldering, immunoinflammatory disease caused by lipid accumulation. Acute cardio-cerebrovascular disease caused by AS is one of the most serious life threats in the world. Endothelial cell injury, vascular inflammatory stimulation, abnormal lipid metabolism and coagulation disorder are the main pathological mechanisms of AS. Thrombomodulin (TM) is a transmembrane glycoprotein mainly expressed on the surface of endothelium. It plays a key role in maintaining the dynamic equilibrium of the vascular system through its functions of anti-coagulation, anti-inflammation and cell protection. Recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (rhsTM), a soluble form of human TM containing the extracellular domain of TM, might be effective in the treatment of AS. This review summarizes the structure and function of TM and the mechanism of rhsTM in the treatment of AS. Aiming to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of AS.

Objective:To investigate changes in skin microecological structures and functions between acute and remission phases in adult patients with severe atopic dermatitis (AD) .Methods:From October 2019 to November 2020, skin scale specimens were collected from 5 body sites (cheeks, cubital fossa, back of the hand, abdomen, lower limbs) of 4 adult patients with severe AD in the acute and remission phases, who visited the outpatient clinic of Guangzhou Institute of Dermatology. The next-generation high-throughput sequencing was performed for metagenomic sequencing to construct the microbial gene catalogue of these specimens, followed by gene annotation and bioinformatics analysis for each sample.Results:A total of 18 phyla, 37 classes, 73 orders, 142 families, 237 genera, and 331 species were identified in the skin specimens from the 4 patients with severe AD. The patients with AD in the remission phase showed significantly increased diversity of skin microbiota and markedly different relative abundance of skin microorganisms compared with those in the acute phase (both P < 0.05). At the microbial species level, Staphylococcus aureus showed the highest impact on the acute phase of AD, while Staphylococcus epidermidis, Moraxella osloensis, Francisella sp., Staphylococcus cohnii, Staphylococcus warneri, Malassezia globosa and Malassezia restricta were enriched in the remission phase of AD with the absolute value of the common logarithm of the linear discriminant analysis score > 2 (Kruksal-Wallis test, all P < 0.05). As KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed, the differentially abundant genes were annotated into a total of 355 functional pathways, of which 38 pathways were significantly enriched (all P < 0.05), mainly involving Staphylococcus aureus infection, tryptophan metabolism, histidine metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, metabolism of arginine and proline, biosynthesis and degradation of valine, leucine and isoleucine, fatty acid degradation, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathway, etc. Conclusion:The skin microecological structure significantly differed between the acute and remission phases among the patients with severe AD, which may be related to multiple functional pathways, such as Staphylococcus aureus infection, tryptophan metabolism, histidine metabolism and nitrogen metabolism.

Objective:To compare the detection rate of genital Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) DNA between urine and urethral/cervical swab samples. Methods:From December 2018 to December 2019, a total of 1 475 outpatients were collected from sexually transmitted disease clinics in 7 medical institutions, such as Department of Venereology, Guangzhou Institute of Dermatology, including 1 118 males and 357 females. One urethral/cervical swab sample and one urine sample were collected successively from each patient. Real-time fluorescence-based PCR was performed to detect CT DNA in urine and urethral/cervical swab samples, and paired chi-square test was used to compare the positive rate of CT DNA between the 2 kinds of samples. Random- or fixed-effect meta-analysis was conducted for the test of heterogeneity and merging of positive rates of CT DNA in the urine and urethral/cervical swabs among 7 medical institutions.Results:The positive rate of CT DNA in the urine samples was significantly higher than that in the swab samples from 4 medical institutions (all P < 0.05) , while there was no significant difference in the positive rate of CT DNA between the 2 kinds of samples from 3 medical institutions (all P > 0.05) . The heterogeneity ( I2) estimates of the CT-DNA positive rate in urine and swab samples among different medical institutions were 78.6% (95% CI: 55.9% - 89.6%) and 73.7% (95% CI: 43.7% - 87.7%) , respectively; meta-analysis showed that the total merged positive rate of CT DNA in the urine samples was 10.8% (95% CI: 7.2% - 15.9%) , which was significantly higher than that in the swab samples (7.8%, 95% CI: 4.9% - 12.1%; χ2 = 39.2, P < 0.05) . Compared with the swab sample-based CT-DNA detection method, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and consistency rate of the urine sample-based CT-DNA detection method were 97.0% (128/132) , 96.3% (1 293/1 343) , 71.9% (128/178) , 99.7% (1 293/1 297) , and 96.3% (1 421/1 475) , respectively. The positive rate of CT DNA in the urine samples from 1 118 male patients was 11.0% (95% CI: 7.2% - 16.5%) , which was significantly higher than that in the swab samples (7.6%, 95% CI: 4.9% - 11.8%; χ2 = 34.3, P < 0.05) . There was no significant difference in the positive rate of CT DNA between the urine (11.9%, 95% CI: 7.7% - 17.9%) and cervical swab samples from 357 female patients (10.4%, 95% CI: 7.6% - 14.0%; χ2 = 3.2, P > 0.05) . Conclusions:The positive rate of CT DNA in urine samples is higher than or similar to that in urethral/cervical swab samples. The urine sample-based CT-DNA detection method has characteristics of convenience, non-invasiveness, painlessness and low cost, and is worthy of clinical promotion.

Metagenomic analyses of humans and animals have showed that atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with microbiome dysbiosis in the gut and skin. Decrease of microbial diversity can cause damage to skin barrier and aggravation of AD, and gut microbiome may be involved in the occurrence and development of AD through immune, metabolic and neuroendocrine pathways. This review summarizes the latest advances in the application of metagenomics in tmicrobiological research in and treatment of AD, possible mechanisms underlying microbiome-mediated pathogenesis of AD, and provides a theoretical reference for the microecological therapy of AD.

Wolfiporia cocos (F. A. Wolf) has been praised as a food delicacy and medicine for cen-turies in China. Here, we present the genome and transcriptome of the Chinese strain CGMCC5.78 of W. cocos. High-confidence functional prediction was made for 9277 genes among the 10,908 total predicted gene models in the W. cocos genome. Up to 2838 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified to be related to sclerotial development by comparing the transcriptomes of mycelial and sclerotial tissues. These DEGs are involved in mating processes, differentiation of fruiting body tissues, and metabolic pathways. A number of genes encoding enzymes and regulatory factors related to polysaccharide and triterpenoid production were strikingly regulated. A potential triter-penoid gene cluster including the signature lanosterol synthase (LSS) gene and its modified compo-nents were annotated. In addition, five nonribosomal peptide synthase (NRPS)-like gene clusters, eight polyketide synthase (PKS) gene clusters, and 15 terpene gene clusters were discovered in the genome. The differential expression of the velevt family proteins, transcription factors,carbohydrate-active enzymes, and signaling components indicated their essential roles in the regu-lation of fungal development and secondary metabolism in W. cocos. These genomic and transcrip-tomic resources will be valuable for further investigations of the molecular mechanisms controlling sclerotial formation and for its improved medicinal applications.

Objective To prepare human pneumococcal reference serum and assign IgG antibody concentrations for its 24 serotypes. Methods Fifty healthy male and non-pregnant female volunteers were vaccinated once with 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Plasma samples were collected follow-ing immunization and used to prepare reference serum BW09. IgG antibody concentrations of BW09 against the capsular polysaccharides of 24 serotypes (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 8, 9N, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 17F, 18C, 19A, 19F, 20, 22F, 23F, 33F) were assigned by WHO recommended standardized Pn PS ELISA using 09CS (supplied by Lanzhou Institute of Biological Products Co. , Ltd) as a reference se-rum. Finally, 09CS, two quality control sera and eight serum samples had concentrations reassigned for 24 pneumococcal serotypes using BW09 as the reference, and the results were compared with those using 09CS as the reference serum. Results Glycerol-contained human pneumococcal reference serum BW09 was pre-pared and the IgG antibody concentrations for its 24 serotypes were assigned. 09CS had concentrations reas-signed for 24 pneumococcal serotypes using BW09 as the reference, and the newly assigned concentrations were similar to the original values (with percentage error less than 10％ in all serotypes). IgG antibodies against capsular polysaccharides of 24 serotypes of two quality control sera and eight serum samples were as-signed by BW09 and 09CS, and the results showed a linear correlation. Conclusions The human pneumo-coccal reference serum BW09 was successfully prepared and IgG antibody concentrations for its 24 serotypes were accurately assigned.

Objective To compare the effects of losartan and irbesartan on blood pressure,blood uric acid,insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance in female hypertensive patients complicated with hyperuricemia.Methods From August 2015 to December 2017,100 females of hypertension complicated with hyperuricemia who hospitalized in the Third People's Hospital of Ningxia were enrolled in the study.All the patients were divided into two groups according to the random digital table,with 50 cases in each group.The observation group was treated with losartan,and the control group was treated with irbesartan for 8 weeks.The total effective rate and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Also the changes of blood pressure,serum uric acid,fasting glucose (FBG),fasting insulin (FINS),high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP),insulin sensitivity index (ISI) and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were compared between the two groups after treatment.Results There was no statistically significant difference in the total effective rate between the two groups [92.0％ (46/50) vs.90.0％ (45/50)] (P ＞ 0.05).Before treatment,there were no statistically significant differences in blood pressure,serum uric acid,FBG,FINS,hs-CRP,ISI and HOMA-IR between the two groups (all P ＞ 0.05).After treatment,the systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in the two groups were (133.09 ± 10.11) mmHg vs.(131.54 ± 11.01) mmHg and (82.76 ± 6.23) mmHg vs.(83.75 ± 6.88) mmHg,which were lower than those before treatment (observation group:t =19.742,10.606,control group:t =18.925,-9.956,all P ＜ 0.05).But there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups (all P ＞ 0.05).After treatment,the serum uric acid in the observation group was lower than that in the control group [(387.21 ± 25.56) μmol/L vs.(429.67 ± 27.44) μmol/L] (t =8.006,P ＜ 0.05).The hs-CRP,FINS,HOMA-IR,ISI in the observation group were (4.92 ± 1.02) rmg/L,(15.92 ± 3.01) mU/L,(1.71 ± 0.24),(1.047 ± 0.095),which in the control group were (4.54 ± 1.00) mg/L,(17.23 ± 3.20) mU/L,(1.65 ± 0.27),(1.140 ± 0.083).After treatment,the hs-CRP,FINS,HOMA-IR in the two groups were decreased (all P ＜ 0.05),while ISI was increased (P ＜ 0.05).Furthermore,the improvement of FINS,ISI and HOMA-IR in the observation group was better than those in the control group (t =2.109,-5.213,3.191,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Both losartan and irbesartan can improve clinical symptoms,lower blood pressure and improve insulin resistance in female hypertension patients complicated with hyperuricemia,and losartan is more effective than irbesartan.

Nucleos( t) ide analogs and interferon are currently the main drugs for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B; they can induce sustained virologic suppression of HBV DNA , but still can’t clear HBsAg effectively.With the further understanding of the biology and life cycle of HBV and the breakthrough of direct antiviral agent for HCV treatment , multiple new drugs aiming at ＂cure HBV＂and clear HBsAg are undergoing preclinical development and ／or clinical trials.This article reviews the latest advances in drug therapy of chronic hepatitis B infection.

Objective: To identify differentially expressed genes in the transcriptome of the lesional versus nonlesional skin tissues of patients with moderate and severe atopic dermatitis (AD) , and to elucidate their roles in the pathogenesis of AD. Methods: From July to October in 2016, lesional and nonlesional skin tissues were obtained from 5 outpatients of Han nationality with AD in Guangzhou Institute of Dermatology, Institute of Dermatology, Guangzhou Medical University. The next-generation high-throughput transcriptome-wide RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed to identify differentially expressed genes, which were subjected to GO function annotation and KEGG pathway analysis. Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was conducted to verify differences in candidate gene expression between lesional and nonlesional skin tissues. Results: An average of 10.96 GBs sequence reads were acquired among 10 samples. A total of 21 729 genes were detected, including 19 268 known genes and 2 545 predicted novel genes. A total of 23 153 new transcripts were detected, of which 18 889 were new alternative splicing subtypes of known protein-coding genes, 2 545 were transcripts belonging to new protein-coding genes, and the remaining 1 719 belonged to long-stranded non-coding RNA. Totally, 78 differentially expressed genes were identified between the lesional and nonlesional skin tissues, including 69 upregulated and 11 downregulated genes in the lesional skin tissues. Among them, there were several genes known to be associated with AD inflammation (CXCL1/2/8, IL6/IL1β, MMP1, SERPINB4, S100A2, GZMB, OASL, OSM) and barrier (KRT16, FABP5, CYP1A1) and keratinocyte differentiation (IL-20) . GO analysis revealed that functions of 72 differentially expressed genes could be annotated. KEGG pathway analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes were grouped into 132 signaling pathways, of which 13 were significantly enriched, including the interleukin (IL) -17 pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, etc. qRT-PCR showed that the mRNA expression levels of candidate genes CXCL1, KRT6A, IL36A, SERPINB4 and PSAPL1 was consistent with the transcriptome sequencing results. Conclusions Differentially expressed genes and related important regulatory signaling pathways were identified between the lesional and nonlesional skin tissues of patients with AD at the transcriptional level, and the IL-17 pathway was found to be mostly enriched in AD lesions in patients of Han nationality. These findings provide an important basis for further study on the pathogenesis of AD..

Objective To prospectively evaluate the short-term test-retest reproducibility of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters for lung cancer,and to investigate its impact factors.Methods Thirty-eight lung cancer patients underwent twice free breathing IVIM scanning (0.5-1.0 h interval).Two radiologists independently analyzed IVIM images to obtain true diffusion coefficient (D),pseudo-diffusion coefficient (D*) and perfusion fraction (f).All the parameters were compared between repeated measurements and scans.Intra-and inter-observer,test-retest reproducibility was assessed with interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs).The impact of lung cancer type (peripheral and central),size (the largest diameter ≥2 cm and ＜2 cm) and location (upper,mid,and lower lung field) on short-term reproducibility were compared by using coefficient of variations (WCVs).Results There was no significant difference between repeated measurements for all parameters (all P＞ 0.05).All the parameters showed good intra-and inter-observer agreement.WCVsof D* and f (19.88％-36.83％) were higher than those of D (2.97％-4.62％).WCVs of D were higher for central lung cancer and the largest diameter ＜2 cm,and increasing from apical to lower zone.WCV of f was larger in the central lung cancer and the largest diameter ≥2 cm,while D* was greatly influenced by type,size and location of lung cancer.Conclusion The test retest reproducibility of D is good,while of D* and f are poor in lung cancer.The type,size and location of lung cancers are the impact factors of IVIM parameters.