In this study,a sensitive lateral flow immunoassay(LFIA)platform based on carbon dots-mesoporous silica nanocomposite(CD-MSNs)fluorescent probes was constructed for high-performance detection of inflammatory marker interleukin-6(IL-6).Green fluorescent carbon dots(CDs)were prepared by hydrothermal method with 3,9-perylenic acid and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane(APTES)as raw materials,and highly fluorescent CD-MSNs composites were then constructed by encapsulating the prepared CDs in mesoporous silica nanoparticles(MSNs).Fluorescent probes were prepared by covalent coupling of CD-MSNs with IL-6 antibody.Fluorescent immunochromatographic test strips were constructed by spraying IL-6 capture antibody and goat anti-mouse IgG on nitrocellulose membrane as detection line(T-line)and quality control line(C-line),respectively.The fluorescence immunoassay analyzer was used to quantitatively detect the fluorescence intensity of T-line,and the experimental results showed that the LFIA platform based on this probe had a good linear relationship in IL-6 concentration range of 102-106 pg/mL,and the detection limit was 64 pg/mL,which was two orders of magnitude more sensitive than that of the traditional colloidal gold test strips.This method effectively solved the issue of insufficient sensitivity of traditional LFIA technique,and provided a rapid and highly sensitive detection method for early diagnosis of inflammatory diseases.

OBJECTIVES: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major public health concern that poses a significant threat to human health. Investigating its underlying mechanisms and identifying potential intervention targets has important clinical implications. This study aims to explore the association between serum gastric biomarkers and MetS and its components. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 24 635 individuals (aged 18 to 80 years) who underwent routine health examinations from May 2017 to June 2021 at the Health Management Medical Center, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University. Demographic data, medical and medication history, height, weight, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and creatinine levels were collected. Serum levels of pepsinogen (PG) I, PGII, and gastrin-17 (G-17) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. MetS was diagnosed based on the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between gastric biomarkers and MetS. RESULTS: Among the 24 635 participants, the overall prevalence of MetS was 35.72%, with a higher rate in males than in females (42.41% vs 24.31%). Compared with the non-MetS group, MetS group were older and had higher metabolic-related diseases rate, Helicobacter pylori infection rate, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and creatinine levels (all P<0.05). Serum G-17 levels were significantly elevated in the MetS group, and PGI levels decreased (both P<0.05). Males had higher G-17, PGI, PGII, and PGI/PGII ratios than females (all P<0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed that G-17 was consistently elevated in MetS patients regardless of sex, whereas PGI was decreased. PGII levels exhibited sex-specific differences. After adjusting for confounders, Logistic regression analysis revealed that high G-17 level was independently associated with MetS, with a stronger correlation observed in males. Moreover, G-17 level progressively increased with higher MetS scores (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Serum G-17 level is positively associated with both the presence and severity of MetS, with a more pronounced correlation in males, suggesting its potential involvement in MetS-related metabolic dysregulation.
Humans ; Metabolic Syndrome/epidemiology* ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Aged ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Gastrins/blood* ; Pepsinogen A/blood* ; Pepsinogen C/blood* ; Aged, 80 and over

Objective The high post-surgery recurrence rate of endometriosis(EMs)has emerged as a challenge in the long-term manaagement of the condition.This study is aimed at investigating the mechanisms of Neiyiting(NYT)decoction in preventing postoperative recurrence of EMs.Methods An animal model of EMs postoperative recurrence and a model of endometrial stromal cells(hEM15A)cocultured with macrophages(RAW 264.7 cell line)were established for both in vivo and in vitro experiments.An autotransplantation method was used to establish a rat model of EMs.The rats were divided into 4 groups(6 rats per group)and received the corresponding treatments:a Model group receiving distilled water,a Gestrinone group receiving gestrinone at 0.325 mg/kg,a low-dose NYT(NYT-L)group receiving NYT decoction at 5.04 g/(kg-d),and a high-dose NYT(NYT-H)group receiving NYT decoction at 10.08 g/(kg-d).The treatment was administered for 3 weeks via intragastric gavage.In addition,6 SD rats were randomly selected for the control group(Control group),and were given distilled water for 3 weeks via intragastric gavage.The sizes and pathological changes of recurrent lesions in EMs rats were observed.Immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR were performed to assess the expression of M1 macrophage marker CD86 protein and mRNA in vivo.Additionally,immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR were used to assess the expression of indicator proteins related to the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1(TREM1)/Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)signaling pathway and mRNA.The proliferation of hEM15A cells in the coculture experiment was observed.Flow cytometry was performed to determine the polarization of RAW264.7 macrophages,and qRT-PCR was used to determine the expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)and interleukin 1β(IL-1β)mRNA.Western blot was performed to determine the expression of signaling pathway-related indicator proteins in vitro.ELISA was performed to determine the levels of inflammatory factors in vitro.Results Compared with the Model group,the volume of recurrent lesions in the NYT-H group was reduced(P＜0.01).Findings from the macrophage M1 polarization assessment showed that the expression levels of CD86 protein and mRNA in the recurrent lesions of the Model group were higher than those in the control group(P＜0.01).The expression levels of CD86 protein and mRNA in the recurrent lesions of the NYT-H group were lower than those of the Model group(P＜0.01).In addition,the RAW 264.7 cell experiment further verified that NYT decoction could reduce the number of CD86-positive macrophages induced by plasmids overexpressing TREM1 and reduce the expression of IL-1β and iNOS mRNA(P＜0.01).The results of the hEM15A cell proliferation assay showed that NYT decoction down-regulated KI-67 protein expression in hEM15A cells induced by macrophage M1 polarization(P＜0.01).The results of TREM1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway showed that the protein and mRNA expression levels of TREM1,TLR4,and NF-κB in the recurrent lesions of the Model group were higher than those of the control group(P＜0.01).Compared with those in the Model group,the protein and mRNA expression levels of TREM1,TLR4,and NF-κB in the recurrent lesions of the NYT-H group were lower(P＜0.01).In addition,the coculture experiment of RAW264.7 and hEM15A cells further confirmed that NYT decoction reduced the expression of TREM1,TLR4,and P-P65 proteins(P＜0.01).Conclusion NYT decoction can inhibit macrophage M1 polarization through the TREM1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway,improve the inflammation level,and inhibit the formation of ectopic endometrial lesions,thereby preventing postoperative recurrence of EMs.

Objective:To explore the application value of reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent(Ret-He)for diagnosing latent iron deficiency in female plateletpheresis donors.Methods:A total of 230 female plateletpheresis donors in Fujian Blood Center from January to February 2022 were selected as the research group and divided into three groups:normal group,iron depletion(ID)group and iron deficient erythropoiesis(IDE)group,according to the severity of iron deficiency.The level of hemoglobin(HGB),mean corpuscular volume(MCV),mean corpuscular hemoglobin(MCH),coefficient of variation of red cell distribution width(RDW-CV)and Ret-He were measured by using the Sysmex XN automated hematology analyzer.Chemiluminescence immunoassay was used to detect iron biochemical indexes.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnosic value of relevant indicators in female blood donors with latent iron deficiency.Results:Ret-He in ID group was 32.55(31.15,33.10)pg,which was significantly lower than that in the normal group[33.80(32.73,34.70)pg](P＜0.05),and significantly higher than that in IDE group[30.40(28.70,31.50)pg](P＜0.05).ROC analysis in diagnosis of IDE demonstrated that the area under the curves(AUCs)of HGB,MCV,MCH,RDW-CV and Ret-He were 0.892,0.843,0.909,0.890,0.931,respectively.When the critical value of Ret-He was 32.05 pg,its sensitivity and specificity were 85.90％and 92.60％,respectively.However,all red blood cell parameters had poor diagnostic value for ID.Conclusion:Ret-He is a perfect predictor for latent iron deficiency in female blood donors.Detection of Ret-He can advance the diagnosis of iron deficiency in female blood donors to the IDE stage.

Objective:To study the stability and morphological changes of the convexity sulci in normal fetuses between 20 and 32 weeks, and to explore the simplified grade for evaluating the convexity sulci development and analyzing its clinical significance.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional analysis. A total of 551 cases of normal singleton pregnancies between 20 and 32 weeks of gestation were retrospectively collected, who underwent routine ultrasound examinations at Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital from September 2019 to June 2022. The display of the far-field convexity sulci on the transcalvarial axial plane was observed as 0 for not displayed and 1 for displayed.Further, based on the morphology and number of convexity sulci, they were classified into five grades: no sulcus displayed (grade 0), one sulcus (grade 1), two sulci (grade 2), three sulci (grade 3), and four or more sulci (grade 4). The gestational age at examination and pregnancy outcomes were recorded. The distribution characteristics of gestational weeks for each grade of the convexity sulci were analyzed, and the gestational week distribution of the left and right convexity sulci was compared to analyze bilateral symmetry. The Weighted Kappa coefficient was used to analyze inter-observer and intra-observer consistency, and curve regression analysis was employed to establish a model for predicting grade based on gestational weeks.Results:Before 25 weeks of gestation, the convexity of the fetal cranial vertex was completely smooth.The central sulcus consistently appeared after 26 weeks, while the superior frontal sulcus, intraparietal sulcus, postcentral sulcus, and precentral sulcus consistently appeared between 28 and 31 weeks. Among these, the superior frontal sulcus had a lower display rate before 29 weeks. By 32 weeks, all convexity sulci of the cranial vertex should be visible. Three hundred and eleven fetuses were graded for the left, and 240 fetuses were graded for the right. The developmental grade of the convexity sulci increased from Grade 0 to Grade 4 as the gestational age progressed. Grade 0 appeared between 20-26 weeks, grade 1 between 25-28 weeks, grade 2 between 26-28 weeks, grade 3 between 27-30 weeks, and grade 4 between 27-32 weeks. The distribution of grade did not differ significantly between the left and right sides of grade 0, 1, 3 and 4 (all P>0.05), while there was a significant difference in the distribution of gestational age between the convexity sulci of grade 2 ( P<0.05). The Weighted Kappa coefficients for intra-observer and inter-observer consistency were 0.94 and 0.86, respectively, indicating strong consistency. Conclusions:The simplified grade for assessing the development of convexity sulci in normal fetuses on the transcalvarial axial plane via prenatal ultrasound can provide a preliminary evaluation of the maturation of convexity sulci in fetuses between 20 and 32 weeks of gestation.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of Alirocumab in reducing low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)in patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)and substandard blood lipids and its effect on atheroscle-rotic plaque.Methods:A total of 127 CHD patients with substandard blood lipids who were treated in Shenzhen Longhua District People's Hospital between September 2017 and March 2021 were selected.According to patients re-ceived Alirocumab therapy or not,they were divided into control group(n=81)and combined group(n=46).The control group remained original statin therapeutic regimen,while combined group received additional PCSK9 inhibi-tor Alirocumab injection based on original statin therapeutic regimen,75mg subcutaneously,once every 2 weeks.Both groups were treated for 3 months,then followed up for 12 months.Levels of total cholesterol(TC)and LDL-C,plaque fiber cap thickness,lipid plaque radian,lipid plaque length and minimum lumen cross-sectional area before and after 12-month follow-up,and incidence of adverse reactions and clinical endpoint events were com-pared between two groups.Results:After 12-month follow-up,compared with control group,combined group had significant lower plasma levels of TC[(3.48±1.04)mmol/L vs.(2.29±0.76)mmol/L],LDL-C[(2.08±0.53)mmol/L vs.(1.27±0.41)mmol/L],lipid plaque radian[(107.22±13.29)° vs.(92.65±11.81)°]and lipid plaque length[(5.45±0.89)mm vs.(4.84±0.82)mm],and significant higher plaque fiber cap thickness[(123.60±14.87)μm vs.(131.46±14.29)μm]and minimum lumen cross-sectional area[(2.51±0.37)mm2 vs.(2.69±0.33)mm2](P＜0.01 all).There was no significant difference in incidence rates of adverse reactions(x2=0.428,P=0.513)and clinical endpoint events(x2=0.253,P=0.615)between two groups.Conclusion:Alirocumab can significantly reduce LDL-C level,increase the plaque fiber cap thickness and lumen cross-section-al area,reduce the internal lipid load of plaque and improve the stability of plaque with good safety in CHD patients with substandard blood lipids.

Objective:To examine the burden and trends of acute viral hepatitis in Guangdong Province from 1990 to 2019, and provide reference evidences for hepatitis prevention and control in the province.Methods:Data on acute viral hepatitis (hepatitis A, B, C, and E) in Guangdong from 1990 to 2019 were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 database. The incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) data were analyzed by age and gender, and the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was calculated to describe the changing trends in disease burden.Results:From 1999 to 2019, the standardized incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALY of acute viral hepatitis in Guangdong were higher than the national averages. In 2019, 51.43% (2 245 087/4 365 221) of acute viral hepatitis cases in Guangdong Province were mainly attributed to hepatitis B, and 77.18% (106/138) of deaths were due to acute hepatitis B. In different age groups, except for acute hepatitis B, which was more common in adults, the incidence rates of other types of viral hepatitis such as hepatitis A, B, and E showed an overall decreasing trend with age. The mortality rates of different types of acute viral hepatitis, except for the <5 age group, increased with age. The overall incidence and mortality rates of acute viral hepatitis were higher in men than in women.Conclusions:The overall burden of acute viral hepatitis in Guangdong declined in 2019, but remained higher than the national level. Further efforts are needed to strengthen hepatitis prevention and screening in different population in Guangdong Province, especially in children and the elderly.

Background::Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has emerged as the leading cause of death from prostate cancer (PCa) in recent decades, bringing a great disease burden worldwide. Men with preexisting CVD have an increased risk for major adverse cardiovascular events when treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). The present study aimed to explore the prevalence and risk evaluation of CVD among people with newly diagnosed PCa in China.Methods::Clinical data of newly diagnosed PCa patients were retrospectively collected from 34 centers in China from 2010 to 2022 through convenience sampling. CVD was defined as myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, heart failure, stroke, ischemic heart disease, and others. CVD risk was estimated by calculating Framingham risk scores (FRS). Patients were accordingly divided into low-, medium-, and high-risk groups. χ2 or Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical variables. Results::A total of 4253 patients were enrolled in the present study. A total of 27.0% (1147/4253) of patients had comorbid PCa and CVD, and 7.2% (307/4253) had two or more CVDs. The enrolled population was distributed in six regions of China, and approximately 71.0% (3019/4253) of patients lived in urban areas. With imaging and pathological evaluation, most PCa patients were diagnosed at an advanced stage, with 20.5% (871/4253) locally progressing and 20.5% (871/4253) showing metastasis. Most of them initiated prostatectomy (46.6%, 1983/4253) or regimens involving ADT therapy (45.7%, 1944/4253) for prostate cancer. In the present PCa cohort, 43.1% (1832/4253) of patients had hypertension, and half of them had poorly controlled blood pressure. With FRS stratification, as expected, a higher risk of CVD was related to aging and metabolic disturbance. However, we also found that patients with treatment involving ADT presented an originally higher risk of CVD than those without ADT. This was in accordance with clinical practice, i.e., aged patients or patients at advanced oncological stages were inclined to accept systematic integrative therapy instead of surgery. Among patients who underwent medical castration, only 4.0% (45/1118) received gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonists, in stark contrast to the grim situation of CVD prevalence and risk.Conclusions::PCa patients in China are diagnosed at an advanced stage. A heavy CVD burden was present at the initiation of treatment. Patients who accepted ADT-related therapy showed an original higher risk of CVD, but the awareness of cardiovascular protection was far from sufficient.

Objective:To assess the ultrasonographic features and potential diseases of fetal abnormal sylvian fissure(SF), and to explore the value of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in prenatal detection.Methods:A total of 28 fetuses with a sonographic diagnosis of abnormal SF in Shenzhen Maternal and Child Health Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University between October 2018 and October 2020 were prospectively included. The fetal brain was evaluated by neuroultrasound and intrauterine MRI in detail. Amniotic fluid/cord blood obtained by amniocentesis or tissue samples from umbilical cord after birth were collected for WGS. Pregnancy outcomes and postnatal MRI were recorded, and neurodevelopment of live-born infants was followed up for more than 24 months after delivery.Results:During the study period, 28 fetuses with abnormal SF were identified, with a gestational age of 21.3-30.0 (24.8±2.0) weeks. Abnormal SF presented in MCD ( n=15, 53.6%), chromosomal anomalies ( n=3, 10.7%) or single-gene genetic syndromes ( n=3, 10.7%) with the affected fetuses showing developmental delay, hydrocephalus or leukomalacia ( n=4, 14.2%), corpus callosal agenesis with large interhemispheric cysts ( n=1, 3.6%), benign subarachnoid space enlargement with arachnoid cysts ( n=1, 3.6%), and multiple malformations ( n=1, 3.6%). Among the 15 cases with MCD, the most common pathology was lissencephaly/pachygyria, followed by schizencephaly, severe microcephaly, hemimegalencephaly with paraventricular heterotopia, and polymicrogyria. Abnormal SF presented bilaterally in 23 fetuses and unilaterally in 5. All cases were categorized into six types depending on SF morphology in the transthalamic section: no plateau-like or a small insula, linear type, irregular corrugated SF, Z-shaped, and cyst occupying type. In addition to abnormal SF, associated anomalies or mild variations were identified in all fetuses. There were 17 cases underwent intrauterine MRI, and 13 cases underwent postnatal MRI examination.And 25 pregnancies were terminated; 3 were born alive, and 2 had typical syndromic changes with poor neurodevelopmental prognosis. A related pathogenic genetic variant was detected in 57.1% (16/28) fetus, and the incidence of single nucleotide variants(SNVs) was 42.9% (12/28), among which de novo SNVs accounted for 91.7% (11/12). Conclusions:Fetal abnormal SF could be classified based on the ultrasonographic features of transthalamic section. Fetal abnormal SF may indicate MCD, some chromosomal abnormalities or single-gene genetic syndromes that may lead to poor neurodevelopmental outcomes, and may be affected by extra-cortical factors. It is suggested to carry out targeted prenatal genetic diagnosis for fetuses with abnormal SF.