OBJECTIVES: To create a mixed valvular heart disease (MVHD)-related age-adjusted comorbidity index (MVACI) model for predicting mortality risk of patients with MVHD. METHODS: A total of 4080 patients with moderate or severe MVHD in the China-VHD study were included. The primary endpoint was 2-year all-cause mortality. A MVACI model prediction model was constructed based on the mortality risk factors identified by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Restricted cubic splines were used to assess the relationship between MVACI scores and 2-year all-cause mortality. The optimal threshold, determined by the maximum Youden index from receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, was used to stratify patients. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate 2-year all-cause mortality and compared using the Log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were employed to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), evaluating the association between MVACI scores and mortality. Paired ROC curves were used to compare the discriminative ability of MVACI scores with the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation Ⅱ(EuroSCORE Ⅱ) or the age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (ACCI) in predicting 2-year clinical outcomes, while calibration curves assessed the calibration of these models. Internal validation was performed using the Bootstrap method. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on etiology, treatment strategies, and disease severity. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis identified the following variables independently associated with 2-year all-cause mortality in patients: pulmonary hypertension, myocardiopathy, heart failure, low body weight (body mass index <18.5 kg/m²), anaemia, hypoalbuminemia, renal insufficiency, cancer, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and age. The score was independently associated with the risk of all-cause mortality, and exhibited good discrimination (AUC=0.777, 95%CI: 0.755-0.799) and calibration (Brier score 0.062), with significantly better predictive performance than EuroSCORE Ⅱ or ACCI (both adjusted P<0.01). The internal validation showed that the MVACI model's predicted probability of 2-year all-cause mortality was generally consistent with the actual probability. The AUCs for predicting all-cause mortality risk were all above 0.750, and those for predicting adverse events were all above 0.630. The prognostic value of the score remained consistent in patients regardless of their etiology, therapeutic option, and disease severity. CONCLUSIONS The MVACI was constructed in this study based on age and comorbidities, and can be used for mortality risk prediction and risk stratification of MVHD patients. It is a simple algorithmic index and easy to use.
Humans ; Prognosis ; Comorbidity ; Heart Valve Diseases/epidemiology* ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Risk Factors ; China/epidemiology* ; Age Factors ; Risk Assessment ; Adult ; ROC Curve

The interaction between m⁶A-methylated RNA and chromatin modification remains largely unknown. We found that targeted inhibition of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) by siRNA or its inhibitor (JQ1) significantly decreases mRNA m⁶A levels and suppresses the malignancy of breast cancer (BC) cells via increased expression of demethylase AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5). Mechanistically, inhibition of BRD4 increases the mRNA stability of ALKBH5 via enhanced binding between its 3' untranslated regions (3'UTRs) with RNA-binding protein RALY. Further, BRD4 serves as a scaffold for ubiquitin enzymes tripartite motif containing-21 (TRIM21) and ALKBH5, resulting in the ubiquitination and degradation of ALKBH5 protein. JQ1-increased ALKBH5 then demethylates mRNA of extra spindle pole bodies like 1 (ESPL1) and reduces binding between ESPL1 mRNA and m⁶A reader insulin like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3), leading to decay of ESPL1 mRNA. Animal and clinical studies confirm a critical role of BRD4/ALKBH5/ESPL1 pathway in BC progression. Further, our study sheds light on the crosstalks between histone modification and RNA methylation.

The optimal protocol for neuromodulation by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) remains unclear. Using the rotarod paradigm, we found that mouse motor learning was enhanced by anodal tDCS (3.2 mA/cm²) during but not before or after the performance of a task. Dual-task experiments showed that motor learning enhancement was specific to the task accompanied by anodal tDCS. Studies using a mouse model of stroke induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion showed that concurrent anodal tDCS restored motor learning capability in a task-specific manner. Transcranial in vivo Ca²⁺ imaging further showed that anodal tDCS elevated and cathodal tDCS suppressed neuronal activity in the primary motor cortex (M1). Anodal tDCS specifically promoted the activity of task-related M1 neurons during task performance, suggesting that elevated Hebbian synaptic potentiation in task-activated circuits accounts for the motor learning enhancement. Thus, application of tDCS concurrent with the targeted behavioral dysfunction could be an effective approach to treating brain disorders.
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation/methods* ; Motor Cortex/physiology* ; Neurons ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

[摘 要] 目的：探讨EB病毒核抗原1（EBNA1） mRNA修饰的DC（EBNA1-DC）诱导的淋巴细胞联合甲基化抑制剂5-Aza-CdR对鼻咽癌C666-1细胞的杀伤作用。方法：以构建的EBNA1-pCDNA3.1质粒为模板，体外转录获得EBNA1 mRNA，通过脂质体转染至健康人外周血来源DC，构建EBNA1-DC疫苗。流式细胞术检测转染后DC表型及5-Aza-CdR处理后的C666-1细胞凋亡情况。实时无标记动态细胞分析技术检测EBNA1-DC疫苗诱导的淋巴细胞联合5-Aza-CdR的特异性抗肿瘤活性。结果：转染EBNA1 mRNA后EBNA1-DC表面EBNA1阳性率为（59.3±5.85）%，HLA-DR的表达与未转染DC相比显著升高[（84.9±5.5）% vs （68.0±5.8）%，P=0.026]，CD80的表达也显著升高[（88.2±3.9）% vs （61.1±4.4）%，P=0.015]。低剂量5-Aza-CdR处理后的C666-1细胞凋亡情况与未处理的细胞相比无显著差异。经低浓度5-Aza-CdR预处理的C666-1细胞中IRF7基因表达与未处理的细胞相比显著升高（P=0.000 1）。与空载的DC相比，EBNA1-DC诱导的淋巴细胞对EBV阳性表达的C666-1细胞具有更强的特异性杀伤活性（P=0.049）；经低浓度5-Aza-CdR预处理的C666-1细胞对EBNA1-DC诱导的特异性免疫杀伤更敏感（P=0.019）。结论：5-Aza-CdR与EBNA1-DC疫苗联合可显著增强对C666-1细胞的特异性免疫杀伤，本研究为开拓以mRNA为基础的DC疫苗及其在临床综合治疗中的应用转化提供前期研究基础。

Objective:To compare the efficacy of the combination of abidol, lopinavir/ritonavir plus recombinant interferon α-2b (rIFNα-2b) and the combination of lopinavir/ritonavir plus rIFNα-2b for patients with COVID-19 in Zhejiang province.Methods:A multicenter prospective study was carried out to compare the efficacy of triple combination antiviral therapy and dual combination antiviral therapy in 15 medical institutions of Zhejiang province during January 22 to February 16, 2020. All patients were treated with rIFNα-2b (5 million U, 2 times/d) aerosol inhalation, in addition 196 patients were treated with abidol (200 mg, 3 times/d) + lopinavir/ritonavir (2 tablets, 1 time/12 h) (triple combination group) and 41 patients were treated with lopinavir/ritonavir (2 tablets, 1 time/12 h) (dual combination group). The patients who received triple combination antiviral therapy were further divided into three subgroups: <48 h, 3-5 d and >5 d according the time from the symptom onset to medication starting. The therapeutic efficacy was compared between triple combination group and dual combination group, and compared among 3 subgroups of patients receiving triple combination antiviral therapy. SPSS 17.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results:The virus nucleic acid-negative conversion time in respiratory tract specimens was (12.2±4.7) d in the triple combination group, which was shorter than that in the dual combination group [(15.0±5.0) d] ( t=6.159, P<0.01). The length of hospital stay in the triple combination group [12.0 (9.0, 17.0) d] was also shorter than that in the dual combination group [15.0 (10.0, 18.0) d] ( H=2.073, P<0.05). Compared with the antiviral treatment which was started within after the symptom onset of in the triple combination group, the time from the symptom onset to the viral negative conversion was 13.0 (10.0, 17.0), 17.0 (13.0, 22.0) and 21.0 (18.0, 24.0) d in subgroups of 48 h, 3-5 d and >5 d, respectively ( Z=32.983, P<0.01), while the time from antiviral therapy to viral negative conversion was (11.8±3.9), (13.5±5.1) and (11.2±4.3) d, respectively( Z=6.722, P<0.05). Conclusions:The triple combination antiviral therapy of abidol, lopinavir/litonavir and rIFNα-2b shows shorter viral shedding time and shorter hospitalization time, compared with the dual combination antiviral therapy; and the earlier starting triple combination antiviral therapy will result in better antiviral efficacy.

Objective: Comparing the benefit of Abidor, lopinavir/ritonavir and recombinant interferon α-2b triple combination antiviral therapy and lopinavir/ritonavir and interferon dual combination antiviral therapy to hospitalized novel coronavirus pneumonia 2019 in Zhejiang province. Methods: A multi-center prospective study was carried out to compare the effect of triple combination antiviral therapy with dual combination antiviral therapy in 15 medical institutions of Zhejiang Province. All patients were treated with recombinant interferon α-2b (5 million U, 2 times/d) aerosol inhalation. 196 patients were treated with abidol (200 mg, 3 times/d) + lopinavir / ritonavir (2 tablets, 1 time/12 h) as the triple combination antiviral treatment group. 41 patients were treated with lopinavir / ritonavir (2 tablets, 1 time/12 h) as the dual combination antiviral treatment group. The patients who received triple combination antiviral therapy were divided into three groups: within 48 hours, 3-5 days and > 5 days after the symptom onset. To explore the therapeutic effects of triple combination antiviral drugs and dual combination antiviral drugs, as well as triple combination antiviral drugs with different antiviral initiate time. SPSS17.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results: The time of virus nucleic acid turning negative was (12.2 ± 4.7) days in the triple combination antiviral drug group, which was shorter than that in the dual combination antiviral drug group [(15.0 ± 5.0) days] (t = 6.159, P < 0.01 ). The length of hospital stay [12 (9, 17) d] in the triple combination antiviral drug group was also shorter than that in the dual combination antiviral drug group [15 (10, 18) d] (H = 2.073, P < 0.05). Comparing the antiviral treatment which was started within 48 hours, 3-5 days and > 5 days after the symptom onset of triple combination antiviral drug group, the time from the symptom onset to the negative of viral shedding was 13 (10,16.8), 17 (13,22) and 21 (18-24) days respectively (Z = 32.983, P < 0.01), and the time from antiviral therapy to the negative of viral shedding was (11.8±3.9) , (13.5±5.1) and (11.2±4.3) d. The differences among the three groups were statistically significant (Z=32.983 and 6.722, P<0.01 or<0.05). Conclusions The triple combination antiviral therapy of Abidor, Lopinavir/Litonavir and recombinant interferon α-2b showed shorter viral shedding time and hospitalization time compared with the dual combination antiviral therapy. The earlier the time to initiate triple antiviral treatment, the shorter the time of virus shedding.

Objective:To investigate the antitumor effect of TKD-activated NK cells on tumor growth inhibition of human pancreatic carcinoma in nude mice .Methods:CD3-CD56+NK cells were obtained from human peripheral blood mononuclear ( PBMC) in stem cell growth medium SCGM , 2 μg/ml TKD was added to the medium on day 10.The activating receptor CD 94/NKG2C expression levels on NK cells was detected with FAC after 4 days.The cytolytic activity of TKD-activated NK cells against human pancreatic carcinoma subline with HSP 70 expression on their cell surface was analyzed by MTT assay .Established a new model of orthotopic-transplantation tumor of human pancreas .NK cells were injected i.v.into the tail vein of tumor-bearing mice on day 15,the antitumor activity of the NK were evaluated .The capacity to infiltrate Colo 357 tumors in SCID/beige mice was detected with Immunohis-tochemistry.Results:Flow cytometry analysis showed that CD3-CD56+NK cells could expanded in SCGM medium ,and the average percentage of NK cell was (87.50 ±1.35 )%.CD94 expression levels on NK cells increased obviously ,the mean fluorescence intensity of CD94 was(220.56±1.82),compared to (68.72±1.85)of control group cell.The cytolytic activity against HSP70 membrane-positive pancreatic carcinoma sublines Colo 357 cells was high and there was significantly statistical difference between TKD-activated NK cells and unactivated NK cells.The cytolytic activity was(68.72±2.55)%when ratio of effector cells and target cell was 40:1.TKD-activated NK cells had a stronger suppressive effect on tumor growth in BALB /c nude mice bearing Colo 357 cells in vivo ,Median inhibitory rates was ( 61.3 ±1.5 )% .There was significant statistical difference compare to control group ( P <0.01 ) .The result of Immunohistochemistry indicated that predominantly NK cells induced with TKD had the capacity to infiltrate Colo 357 tumors in SCID/beige mice.Conclusion: TKD-activated NK cells are highly efficient cytolytic effector cells which have a stronger significant suppression against pancreatic carcinoma growth in vivo .

ObjectiveTo investigate the antiviral effect of siRNA on herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in vitro.MethodsDifferent siRNA duplexes targeting HSV-2 VP16 and DNA polymerase genes were designed and chemically synthesized.The antiviral effect of siRNA duplexes was evaluated by virus yield reduction assay.In detail,Vero cells cultured in 24-well plates were transfected with different siRNAs 4 hours before(preventive effect experiment) or 1 hour after(therapeutic effect experiment) the inoculation with HSV-2(0.02 to 0.05 plaque forming unit/cell).After additional culture for 40 to 48 hours,the expression of target genes in Vero cells was measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcription(RT)-PCR.Results Both the siRNA duplex VP2-1 targeting HSV-2 VP16 and DP2-1 targeting DNA polymerase gene resulted in a remarkable decrease in viral titer by about 1 log10 in both the preventive and therapeutic effect experiment.As the preventive effect experiment showed,the expression of HSV-2 VP16 mRNA was decreased markedly by 58.6％ and 79.5％ by VP2-1,respectively,and that of HSV-2 DNA polymerase mRNA by 59.8％and 77.4％ by DP2-1,respectively,at 6 and 12 hours after the infection.ConclusionsThe siRNA duplexes targeting HSV-2 VP16 and DNA polymerase genes could inhibit the proliferation of HSV-2.Hence,HSV-2 VP16 and DNA polymerase genes may serve as the target genes of RNA interference to inhibit HSV-2 replication.

Objective To study the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 2E1(CYP2E1) and susceptibility to gastric cancer. Methods Genotype of CYP2E1 was determined by polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis on DNA in 92 patients with gastric cancer and 92 controls in case-control study. Results The results showed that the frequency of the wild-type genotype (C1/C1) detected by RsaⅠ digestion was 66.3% and 48.9% in gastric cancer group and controls, respectively (P

Objective: To provide an effective hGM CSF gene transferring vector mediated by gene gun and a basis for study of hGM CSF gene modified tumor cell vaccines. Method: The gastric tumor cell line (SGC) was transfected with eukarytic expression plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid containing the human granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating (hGM CSF) gene using the gene gun. The SGC cell clones (SGC GM CSF 1～5)secreting high hGM CSF level were obtained after G418 resistance selection. The hGM CSF gene had been integrated into chromatosome of SGC by the assay of RT PCR.Results: There was hGM CSF production whose lane was about 30 kD in the culture medium of SGC GM CSF by the assay of SDS PAGE and Western blot. SGC GM CSF had the ability of the high level of GM CSF for a long time(mean 247ng/(10 6 cell?24 h).Conclusion: The hGM CSF gene transferring vector mediated by gene gun was effective and safe. These results provide a basis for study of GM CSF gene therapy for cancer.