AIM To investigate the effects of Wenyang Jiedu Tongluo Recipe(WYJDTLR)on macrophage recruitment and polarization function in a mouse model of diabetic kidney disease(DKD).METHODS 50 db/db mice were randomly divided into the model group,the valsartan group(10.29 mg/kg)and the high-dose,medium-dose and low-dose WYJDTLR groups(26.52,13.26 and 6.63 g/kg),with 10 mice in each group,in contrast to another 10 db/m mice of the blank group.After 8 weeks of administration,the mice had their levels of fasting blood glucose,24-hour urinary protein quantity(24h-UTP),serum creatinine(Scr)and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)observed;their morphological changes of renal tissues observed by HE staining;their degree of renal glycogen deposition observed by PAS staining;their degree of renal fibrosis observed by Masson staining;their levels of MCP-1 and MCF-1 in serum and TNF-α and IL-1 β in renal tissue detected by ELISA;their renal protein expressions of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 detected by IHC and Western blot;and their renal expressions of CD86 and CD206 detected by IF.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the WYJDTLR groups displayed decreased levels of fasting blood glucose,24h-UTP,Scr and BUN(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);improved degree of glomerular hypertrophy,mild proliferation of mesangial cells,dilatation of renal tubular,vacuolar degeneration of renal tubular epithelial cells,deposition of glomerular glycogen,and fibrosis of renal tissues(P＜0.01);decreased levels of MCP-1 and MCF-1 in serum and TNF-α and IL-1β in renal tissue(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased renal protein expressions of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),thus reduced the recruitment of macrophages to the kidney;decreased renal CD86 protein expression(P＜0.01);and increased CD206 protein expression(P＜0.01),thus inhibited M1-type polarization of macrophages and promoted M2-type polarization of macrophages.CONCLUSION WYJDTLR can delay the DKD progression in mice by reducing the occurrence of inflammatory reactions through reducing the level of macrophage recruitment factor,inhibiting the M1-type polarization,and promoting the M2-type polarization.

Objective To investigate the expression of serum long non-coding RNA X-inactive specific transcript(lncRNA XIST)and microRNA-126-3p(miR-126-3p)in patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC),and their relationship with recurrence after radical surgery.Methods A total of 108 NSCLC patients who underwent radical surgery and were admitted to General Hospital of Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army of China from February 2019 to October 2020 were selected as the NSCLC group,and 52 healthy volunteers who underwent physical examination in this hospital were selected as the control group.qRT-PCR method was used to detect the relative expression levels of serum lncRNA XIST and miR-126-3p.Pearson method was used to analyze the correlation between serum lncRNA XIST and miR-126-3p expression.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of postoperative recurrence in NSCLC patients.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of serum lncRNA XIST and miR-126-3p on postoperative recurrence in patients.Results The expression level of serum lncRNA XIST in the NSCLC group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05),while the expression level of miR-126-3p was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).The expression levels of serum lncRNA XIST and miR-126-3p were related to TNM staging and lymph node metastasis(P<0.05).Bioinformatics website predicted that there was a targeted binding site between lncRNA XIST and miR-126-3p,and serum lncRNA XIST was negatively correlated with miR-126-3p expression(r=-0.579,P<0.05).Compared with the non-recurrent group,the expression level of serum lncRNA XIST in the recurrent group increased(P<0.05),while the expression level of miR-126-3p in the recurrent group decreased(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis results showed that lncRNA XIST,miR-126-3p,lymph node metastasis,and TNM staging were the influencing factors for postoperative recurrence in NSCLC patients(P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of serum lncRNA XIST,miR-126-3p,and the combination of the two in prediction of postoperative recurrence in NSCLC patients were 0.750,0.886,and 0.933,respectively,the combined prediction of the two was superior to individual prediction(Zcombination vs.lncRNA XIST=4.076,Zcombination vs.miR-126-3p=2.065,P<0.05).Conclusion The expression of serum lncRNA XIST is increased and miR-126-3p is decreased in NSCLC patients,both of which have certain predictive value for recurrence after radical surgery in patients.

Objective To investigate the expression of serum long non-coding RNA X-inactive specific transcript(lncRNA XIST)and microRNA-126-3p(miR-126-3p)in patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC),and their relationship with recurrence after radical surgery.Methods A total of 108 NSCLC patients who underwent radical surgery and were admitted to General Hospital of Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army of China from February 2019 to October 2020 were selected as the NSCLC group,and 52 healthy volunteers who underwent physical examination in this hospital were selected as the control group.qRT-PCR method was used to detect the relative expression levels of serum lncRNA XIST and miR-126-3p.Pearson method was used to analyze the correlation between serum lncRNA XIST and miR-126-3p expression.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of postoperative recurrence in NSCLC patients.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of serum lncRNA XIST and miR-126-3p on postoperative recurrence in patients.Results The expression level of serum lncRNA XIST in the NSCLC group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05),while the expression level of miR-126-3p was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).The expression levels of serum lncRNA XIST and miR-126-3p were related to TNM staging and lymph node metastasis(P<0.05).Bioinformatics website predicted that there was a targeted binding site between lncRNA XIST and miR-126-3p,and serum lncRNA XIST was negatively correlated with miR-126-3p expression(r=-0.579,P<0.05).Compared with the non-recurrent group,the expression level of serum lncRNA XIST in the recurrent group increased(P<0.05),while the expression level of miR-126-3p in the recurrent group decreased(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis results showed that lncRNA XIST,miR-126-3p,lymph node metastasis,and TNM staging were the influencing factors for postoperative recurrence in NSCLC patients(P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of serum lncRNA XIST,miR-126-3p,and the combination of the two in prediction of postoperative recurrence in NSCLC patients were 0.750,0.886,and 0.933,respectively,the combined prediction of the two was superior to individual prediction(Zcombination vs.lncRNA XIST=4.076,Zcombination vs.miR-126-3p=2.065,P<0.05).Conclusion The expression of serum lncRNA XIST is increased and miR-126-3p is decreased in NSCLC patients,both of which have certain predictive value for recurrence after radical surgery in patients.

AIM To investigate the effects of Wenyang Jiedu Tongluo Recipe(WYJDTLR)on macrophage recruitment and polarization function in a mouse model of diabetic kidney disease(DKD).METHODS 50 db/db mice were randomly divided into the model group,the valsartan group(10.29 mg/kg)and the high-dose,medium-dose and low-dose WYJDTLR groups(26.52,13.26 and 6.63 g/kg),with 10 mice in each group,in contrast to another 10 db/m mice of the blank group.After 8 weeks of administration,the mice had their levels of fasting blood glucose,24-hour urinary protein quantity(24h-UTP),serum creatinine(Scr)and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)observed;their morphological changes of renal tissues observed by HE staining;their degree of renal glycogen deposition observed by PAS staining;their degree of renal fibrosis observed by Masson staining;their levels of MCP-1 and MCF-1 in serum and TNF-α and IL-1 β in renal tissue detected by ELISA;their renal protein expressions of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 detected by IHC and Western blot;and their renal expressions of CD86 and CD206 detected by IF.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the WYJDTLR groups displayed decreased levels of fasting blood glucose,24h-UTP,Scr and BUN(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);improved degree of glomerular hypertrophy,mild proliferation of mesangial cells,dilatation of renal tubular,vacuolar degeneration of renal tubular epithelial cells,deposition of glomerular glycogen,and fibrosis of renal tissues(P＜0.01);decreased levels of MCP-1 and MCF-1 in serum and TNF-α and IL-1β in renal tissue(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased renal protein expressions of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),thus reduced the recruitment of macrophages to the kidney;decreased renal CD86 protein expression(P＜0.01);and increased CD206 protein expression(P＜0.01),thus inhibited M1-type polarization of macrophages and promoted M2-type polarization of macrophages.CONCLUSION WYJDTLR can delay the DKD progression in mice by reducing the occurrence of inflammatory reactions through reducing the level of macrophage recruitment factor,inhibiting the M1-type polarization,and promoting the M2-type polarization.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of mucin 1 (MUC1) on the proliferation and apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its regulatory mechanism. MethodsThe 60 NPC and paired para-cancer normal tissues were collected from October 2020 to July 2021 in Quanzhou First Hospital. The expression of MUC1 was measured by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) in the patients with PNC. The 5-8F and HNE1 cells were transfected with siRNA control (si-control) or siRNA targeting MUC1 (si-MUC1). Cell proliferation was analyzed by cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assay, and apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry analysis in the 5-8F and HNE1 cells. The qPCR and ELISA were executed to analyze the levels of TNF-α and IL-6. Western blot was performed to measure the expression of MUC1, NF-кB and apoptosis-related proteins (Bax and Bcl-2). ResultsThe expression of MUC1 was up-regulated in the NPC tissues, and NPC patients with the high MUC1 expression were inclined to EBV infection, growth and metastasis of NPC. Loss of MUC1 restrained malignant features, including the proliferation and apoptosis, downregulated the expression of p-IкB、p-P65 and Bcl-2 and upregulated the expression of Bax in the NPC cells. ConclusionDownregulation of MUC1 restrained biological characteristics of malignancy, including cell proliferation and apoptosis, by inactivating NF-κB signaling pathway in NPC.

Objective To investigate the effect of varying blood pressure stratification on renal function in the diabetic population.Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted,enrolling 9 489 diabetic patients from a total of 101 510 Kailuan Group employees who underwent health examinations between July 2006 and October 2007.The follow-up period was(8.6±4.0)years.Participants were categorized into four groups based on their baseline blood pressure levels:normal blood pressure(systolic blood pressure<120 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure<80 mmHg),elevated blood pressure(systolic blood pressure 120-130 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure<80 mmHg),stage 1 hypertension(systolic blood pressure 130-140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure 80-90 mmHg),and stage 2 hypertension(systolic blood pressure≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure≥90 mmHg).The incidence density of chronic kidney disease(CKD)was compared among these groups.A multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was employed to assess the effects of different blood pressure levels on renal function in diabetic patients,with the stability of the results confirmed using a multivariate time-dependent Cox proportional hazards model.Sensitivity analysis was conducted after excluding cases of cardiovascular disease(CVD)during follow-up,and cases using antihypertensive and antidiabetic medications at baseline.Results(1)At baseline,stage 1 hypertension patients demonstrated statistically significant higher differences with age and body mass index(BMI)compared to normal blood pressure group(P<0.05).(2)By the end of the follow-up,2 294 cases of CKD were identified,including 1 117 cases of estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)decline and 1 575 cases of urinary protein.The incidences density of CKD,eGFR decline and urinary protein for stage 1 hypertension group were 39.4,16.3 and 25.5 per thousand person-years,respectively,all of which were statistically significant different from normal blood pressure group(log-rank test,P<0.01).(3)Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that,compared to the normal blood pressure group,stage 1 hypertension was associated with a 29%increased risk of CKD(HR=1.29,95%CI 1.09-1.52)and a 40%increased risk of eGFR decline(HR=1.40,95%CI 1.08-1.80)in diabetic individuals.Conclusion Stage 1 hypertension significantly increases the risk of CKD and eGFR decline in diabetic individuals,with a particularly notable effect on the risk of eGFR decline.

Although indigenous malaria has been eliminated in Wuhan since 2013,imported malaria remains a potential threat as an infectious source of local malaria transmission.The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of imported malaria are particularly important in areas where local malaria has been eliminated.This study was aimed at analyzing the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of imported malaria in Wuhan from 2012 to 2019,to provide a basis for further improving the preven-tion and control of imported malaria.Patients in Wuhan diagnosed with imported malaria from January 1,2012,to December 31,2019,were included in this study.A case-control study was con-ducted to analyze the features of patients with severe malaria.Uni-variate and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for prolonged hospital length of stay(LOS).Among 229 imported malaria cases,212(92.6％)were in Chinese citizens,and most cases were in men(96.5％).The gender ratio is 28:1,and the age of cases is mainly concertrated between 18 and 50 years old(89.1％).More than 80％of patients were mi-grant workers,and most cases were infections from African countries(92.6％).Plasmodium falciparum(80.8％)was the dominant species.Fifty-three severe malaria cases were identified during the study period.Compared with uncomplicated cases,severe cases tended to occur in patients with no history of malaria(P=0.008),patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum(P=0.009),and patients who were initially misdiagnosed(P＜0.001).The median LOS was 6 days,and the species of infec-tion(Plasmodium falciparum),the use of antimalarial drugs(group B),antipyretic time(longer than 3 days),and the turn-around time of blood smear microscopy(longer than 3 days)were significantly associated with longer LOS(all P＜0.05).Al-though malaria has been eradicated in Wuhan for many years,imported cases continue to pose a threat.Efforts should be made to strengthen malaria knowledge education for outbound personnel.Additionally,medical institutions must enhance diagnosis and treatment capabilities for malaria,and adhere to standardized treatment processes,and the development of drug resistance and occurrence of severe malaria must be prevented.

Objective:To study correlation between high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C)and red cell dis-tribution width(RDW)in patients with coronary heart disease(CHD).Methods:According to coronary stenotic severity,a total of 151 patients undergoing coronary CT angiography in our hospital were divided into CHD group(n=72)and non-CHD group(n=79).General clinical data were compared between two groups.Correlation be-tween HDL-C and RDW,influencing factors of CHD and diagnostic value of HDL-C and RDW for CHD were analyzed.Results:Compared with non-CHD group,there were significant rise in percentage of diabetes mellitus,age,serum triglyceride(TG)level and RDW,and significant reduction in serum HDL-C level in CHD group(P＜0.05 or＜0.01).Pearson correlation analysis indicated that serum HDL-C level was significant inversely correla-ted with RDW(r=-0.373,P=0.001),and there was a significant negative correlation between two indexes in CHD group and non-CHD group(r=-0.415,-0.243,P=0.001,0.031).Multivariate Logistic regression a-nalysis indicated that TG and RDW were independent risk factors for CHD(OR= 1.794,1.588,P=0.030,0.020),and HDL-C was its independent protective factor(OR=0.212,P=0.036).ROC curve indicated that AUC of combined detection of HDL-C and RDW diagnosing CHD was 0.674,its sensitivity was 58.33%and spe-cificity was 70.89%.Conclusion:RDW possesses certain diagnostic value for patients with coronary heart disease.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of nanoparticles PLGA-NPs and mesoporous silicon nanoparticles(MSNs) of different stiffness before and after combination with menthol or curcumol on the mechanical properties of bEnd.3 cells. The particle size distributions of PLGA-NPs and MSNs were measured by Malvern particle size analyzer, and the stiffness of the two nanoparticles was quantified by atomic force microscopy(AFM). The bEnd.3 cells were cultured in vitro, and the cell surface morphology, roughness, and Young's modulus were examined to characterize the roughness and stiffness of the cell surface. The changes in the mechanical properties of the cells were observed by AFM, and the structure and expression of cytoskeletal F-actin were observed by a laser-scanning confocal microscope. The results showed that both nanoparticles had good dispersion. The particle size of PLGA-NPs was(98.77±2.04) nm, the PDI was(0.140±0.030), and Young's modulus value was(104.717±8.475) MPa. The particle size of MSNs was(97.47±3.92) nm, the PDI was(0.380±0.016), and Young's modulus value was(306.019±8.822) MPa. The stiffness of PLGA-NPs was significantly lower than that of MSNs. After bEnd.3 cells were treated by PLGA-NPs and MSNs separately, the cells showed fine pores on the cell surface, increased roughness, decreased Young's modulus, blurred and broken F-actin bands, and reduced mean gray value. Compared with PLGA-NPs alone, PLGA-NPs combined with menthol or curcumol could allow deepened and densely distributed surface pores of bEnd.3 cells, increase roughness, reduce Young's modulus, aggravate F-actin band breakage, and diminish mean gray value. Compared with MSNs alone, MSNs combined with menthol could allow deepened and densely distributed surface pores of bEnd.3 cells, increase roughness, reduce Young's modulus, aggravate F-actin band breakage, and diminish mean gray value, while no significant difference was observed in combination with curcumol. Therefore, it is inferred that the aromatic components can increase the intracellular uptake and transport of nanoparticles by altering the biomechanical properties of bEnd.3 cells.
Animals ; Mice ; Menthol/pharmacology* ; Actins/metabolism* ; Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Nanoparticles/chemistry*

Objective: Several COVID-19 patients have overlapping comorbidities. The independent role of each component contributing to the risk of COVID-19 is unknown, and how some non-cardiometabolic comorbidities affect the risk of COVID-19 remains unclear. Methods: A retrospective follow-up design was adopted. A total of 1,160 laboratory-confirmed patients were enrolled from nine provinces in China. Data on comorbidities were obtained from the patients' medical records. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio ( Results: Overall, 158 (13.6%) patients were diagnosed with severe illness and 32 (2.7%) had unfavorable outcomes. Hypertension (2.87, 1.30-6.32), type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (3.57, 2.32-5.49), cardiovascular disease (CVD) (3.78, 1.81-7.89), fatty liver disease (7.53, 1.96-28.96), hyperlipidemia (2.15, 1.26-3.67), other lung diseases (6.00, 3.01-11.96), and electrolyte imbalance (10.40, 3.00-26.10) were independently linked to increased odds of being severely ill. T2DM (6.07, 2.89-12.75), CVD (8.47, 6.03-11.89), and electrolyte imbalance (19.44, 11.47-32.96) were also strong predictors of unfavorable outcomes. Women with comorbidities were more likely to have severe disease on admission (5.46, 3.25-9.19), while men with comorbidities were more likely to have unfavorable treatment outcomes (6.58, 1.46-29.64) within two weeks. Conclusion Besides hypertension, diabetes, and CVD, fatty liver disease, hyperlipidemia, other lung diseases, and electrolyte imbalance were independent risk factors for COVID-19 severity and poor treatment outcome. Women with comorbidities were more likely to have severe disease, while men with comorbidities were more likely to have unfavorable treatment outcomes.
Adult ; Aged ; COVID-19/virology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Comorbidity ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome