Humans ; COVID-19/genetics* ; SARS-CoV-2/genetics* ; Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/genetics* ; CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics* ; RNA, Viral/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To rapidly identify the two morphologies and chemical properties of similar herbal medicines, Blumea riparia and B. megacephala as the basis for chemical constituent analysis. METHODS: UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS was utilized for profiling and identification of the constituents in B. riparia and B. megacephala. Chemical pattern recognition (CPR) was further used to compare and distinguish the two herbs and to identify their potential characteristic markers. Then, an HPLC method was established for quality evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 93 constituents are identified, including 54 phenolic acids, 35 flavonoids, two saccharides, one phenolic acid glycoside, and one other constituent, of which 67 were identified in B. riparia and B. megacephala for the first time. CPR indicates that B. riparia and B. megacephala samples can be distinguished from each other based on the LC-MS data. The isochlorogenic acid A to cryptochlorogenic acid peak area ratio calculated from the HPLC chromatograms was proposed as a differentiation index for distinguishing and quality control of B. riparia and B. megacephala. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates significant differences between B. riparia and B. megacephala in terms of chemical composition. The results provide a rapid and simple strategy for the comparison and evaluation of the quality of B. riparia and B. megacephala.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Omicron variant infected cases.Methods:A total of 987 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) adult imported cases admitted to Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University from July 1, 2021 to January 6, 2022 were recruited. The cases were divided into Omicron group (193 cases) and non-Omicron group (794 cases) according to the genotype of the virus. The clinical data, imaging examination and laboratory results of two groups were collected and compared. Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test were used as statistical methods. Multiple linear regression analysis was used for multiple linear regression analysis. Results:The majority of patients in Omicron group were 18 to 30 years old, accounting for 51.3%(99/193), which was higher than 31.4%(249/794) in non-Omicron group. The difference was statistically significant ( χ2=52.75, P<0.001). The proportion of mild cases in Omicron group was 88.6%(171/193), which was higher than 81.6%(648/794) in non-Omicron group. The difference was statistically significant ( χ2=5.37, P=0.021). Cases with symptoms were more common in Omicron group than those in non-Omicron group (60.1%(116/193) vs 29.1%(231/794)), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=65.49, P<0.001), with the main clinical manifestations of sore/itchy throat, fever and cough/expectoration. The proportion of cases with pulmonary computed tomography (CT) imaging manifestations at admission in Omicron group was 13.0%(25/193), which was lower than that in non-Omicron group (215/794, 27.1%). The difference was statistically significant ( χ2=16.83, P<0.001). The proportion of cases with 2019-nCoV IgG positive at admission was 47.7%(92/193) in Omicron group, which was lower than 61.1%(485/794) in non-Omicron group, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=11.51, P<0.001). The hospitalization time of Omicron group was 20.0 (16.0, 23.0) d, which was longer than that of non-Omicron group (14.0 (10.0, 22.0) d), and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-7.42, P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the time of hospitalization of cases with 2019-nCoV IgG positive at admission was shorter, while that of the cases with fever in Omicron group was longer (both P<0.050). Conclusions:The main clinical characteristics of cases with Omicron variant are fever and upper respiratory symptoms. Their pulmonary CT imaging manifestations are less, and the time of hospitalization is slightly longer. The time of hospitalization and the virus clearance time in Omicron variant infected cases with 2019-nCoV IgG positive at admission and not presented with fever are both shorter.

This paper aimed at exploring methods and their effectiveness of cultivating the scientific research quality in medical undergraduates in the early stage of. In combination with teachers' scientific research projects, 3 to 5 medical undergraduates in 3rd grade who applied for the projects initiatively were selected every year to enter into different research groups in the department. According to students' wishes, they may participate in some experiments in scientific research projects, or complete small projects independently, or write a review on a certain topic under teachers' guidance. In the past 10 years, 25 students participated in the program of our section and published 19 papers in total. Most students who participated in the experimental research program were able to carry out some scientific experiments independently with improved scientific research ability and practical ability. Students who wrote reviews not only broadened their knowledge, but also developed the skills of literature search, reading, comprehensive writing and critical thinking. Therefore, it was concluded that the cultivation of scientific research quality in students in the early stage could motivate students to actively participate in scientific research; both scientific experiments and themed reviews could enhance the scientific research ability and scientific research quality of undergraduates from different angles.

Objective To investigate the metabolomics characteristic of neuromyelities optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid.Methods Ultra high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) was used to identify plasma metabolites in 16 patients with NMOSD and 8 healthy controls.At the same time,the identification of metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid of 8 NMOSD patients and 5 healthy controls was completed.Differential metabolites screening and metabolomic pathway analysis were performed by diversified data analysis methods.Results Compared with healthy control group,the content of 8 substances such as Cis.8.11.14.Eicosatrienoic acid in the plasma of NMOSD patients was increased.The content of 8 substances such as L-glutamine acid were decreased.There was no significant difference in the metabolites between Aquaporin 4 (AQP-4) antibody positive and negative NMOSD plasma.The content of 6 substances such as 3-hydroxybutyric acid in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with NMOSD was reduced.Conclusions The distribution of metabolites in plasma between NMOSD patients and healthy controls was significantly different.There was no significant difference in metabolites between AQP-4 antibody positive and negative NMOSD plasma.There are some differences in metabolites between cerebrospinal fluid of NMOSD patients and healthy controls.A variety of amino acid abnormalities,sphingomyelin dysfunction,energy metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction were involved in the pathogenesis of NMOSD.

Objective To study the relationship of different ABO blood types with the risk of cardiovascular events and the severity of CHD.Methods A total of coronary arteriography-confirmed 3823 Chinese Han CHD patients were divided into O blood type group (n=1140) and non-O blood type group (n=2683).A total of 3654 patients who were followed up by telephone for a median period of 24.6 months were divided into cardiovascular events group (n=348) and cardiovascular events-free group (n =3306).The risk of cardiovascular events in CHD patients with different ABO blood types was assessed according to the Cox proportional hazards model.Results The incidence of left main branch lesion or 3-branch lesions was significantly higher in cardiovascular events group than in cardiovascular events-free group (15.2％ vs 8.1％,47.7％ vs 30.5％,P＜0.01).The Gensini score was significantly higher in non-O blood type group than in O blood type group (20 vs 18,P＜0.05).The incidence of cardiovascular events was higher in non-O blood type group than in O blood type group (10.3％ vs 7.8％,P=0.019).Cox proportional hazards model showed that non-O blood type was an risk factor for cardiovascular events (HR =1.318,95 ％CI:1.030-1.685).The risk of cardiovascular events was still higher in non-O blood type group than in O blood type group after adjustment for confounders (HR=1.291,95％CI:1.008-1.657,P=0.046).Conclusion Non-O blood type is closely related with cardiovascular events in Chinese Han CHD patients.

Objective To study the value of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in predicting the outcome of stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) patients.Methods A total of 3154 SCAD patients who were followed up for 24 months were divided into cardiocerebral vascular events group (n=189) and cardiocerebral vascular events-free group (n =2965).Their serum ET-1 level was measured by ELISA.The patients were further divided into ET-1 ＜0.3 pmol/L group (n=1588) and ET-1≥0.3 pmol/L group (n=1566).The value of ET-1 in predicting the end events was assessed by Cox regression analysis.The survival curve was plotted by Kaplan-Meier analysis.Results The serum ET-1 level was signify-cantly higher in cardiocerebral vascular events group than in cardiocerebral vascular events-free group (0.33 pmol/L vs 0.30 pmol/L,P=0.004).The incidence of clinical end events was significantly lower in ET-1 ≥0.3 pmol/L group than in ET-1 ＜0.3 pmol/L group (7.02％ vs 4.97％,P=0.015).Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that ET-1 was a predictor of clinical end events (HR=1.656,95％CI:1.099-2.496,P=0.016).Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the events-free survival rate was lower in patients with a higher serum ET-1 level than in those with a lower serum ET-1 level (P=0.016).Conclusion ET-1 is an important risk factor for the outcome of SCAD patients.Further studies are needed to confirm its long-term value in predicting the outcome of SCAD patients.

Objective: To analyze the prevalence and clinical features of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in Chinese patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Method: This retrospective study recruited a total of 2 119 consecutive patients (age (56.7±10.9) years old) undergoing coronary angiography with first MI from April 2011 to December 2016. Patients were divided into 2 groups: premature MI (male<55 years old, female<60 years old) and non-premature MI. The diagnosis of FH was established according to Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) diagnostic criteria and referred as definite/probable FH in our study. The prevalence and clinical features of FH, including lipid level, MI characteristics and stain therapy, were explored. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the predictive value of FH for the presence of premature MI. Results: The prevalence of definite/probable FH was 3.68% (78/2 119) in MI patients and 7.28% (68/934) in premature MI patients. Onset of MI occurred 10 years earlier in patients with definite/probable FH than those without FH ((47.9±9.4) years vs. (58.8±10.7) years, P<0.01). Additionally, we found that the risk of premature MI was significantly and independently increased in definite/probable FH patients (OR=5.32, 95%CI 2.77-10.22, P<0.01). None of FH patients reached the target of LDL-C<1.8 mmol/L under statin therapy. Conclusions The prevalence of FH in Chinese patients with MI is not rare. Clinically, FH is linked with the early onset of MI.

Objective To investigate the effects of cyclopamine (CYP) on endometrial carcinoma (HEC-1A) cell survival and on induction of cell apoptosis .Methods HEC-1A cells were treated with various doses of CYP (0, 5,10, 20 and 40 μmol/L) for 24 h respectively .Then,the inverted microscope was used to observe cell morphology .Cell proliferation and apoptosis were tested by CCK-8 assay and AO/EB bi-labelling assay.The apoptosis rate of HEC-1A was analyzed using flow cytometric analysis , and the key gene expression of Bax and Bcl-2 was detected by quantitative PCR .Results The HEC-1A cells exhibited dramatic morphological changes after treatment with CYP and in a dose-dependent manner .CYP significantly inhibited HEC-1A cell proliferation using CCK8 assays(P<0.05), and induced cell death by AO/EB bi-labelling assay.Moreover,flow cytometry analysis showed that CYP treatment resulted in HEC-1A cell apoptosis, and that a higher concentration of CYP induced severer cell apoptosis (P<0.05).Meanwhile, CYP treated HEC-1A cells exhibited up-regulated expression of Bax and down-regulated expression of Bcl-2 according to Q-PCR.Conclusion Our findings indicatee that CYP can inhibit HEC-1A cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis .

Objective: To study the relationship between ABO blood type and spontaneous re-canalization (SR) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: A total of 1209 consecutive AMI patients were enrolled. Based on TIMI grade, the patients were divided into 2 groups: Non-SR group, the patients with TIMI grade 0-1,n=442 and SR group, the patients with TIMI grade 2-3,n=767. The relationship between ABO blood type and SR was investigated. Results: Compared with Non-SR group, SR group had more patients with blood type O (32.3% vs 24.7%) and less blood type A (31.7% vs 24.9%). Meanwhile, we found that a lower cholesterol level was related to patients with O blood type and SR occurrence, bothP<0.05. Multi regression analysis indicated that with adjusted age, gender, BMI, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, LDL-C and C-reactive protein, ESR, fibrinogen, D-dimmer, endothelial cardiac function, blood type O may independently predict SR occurrence in AMI patients (OR=1.49, 95% CI 1.10-2.05), while blood type A may have disadvantage for SR (OR=0.65, 95% CI 0.48-0.80). Conclusion: ABO blood type has been related to SR in AMI patients, blood type O is in favor of SR, while blood type A has disadvantage for SR occurrence.