Chlamydia is an obligate intracellular pathogen that causes a wide range of diseases in humans and animals. Chlamydia infection often causes inflammatory response of the body, which seriously affects the health of the host. Cytokines, as key molecules of immune regulation, play an important role in Chlamydia-induced inflammation. Proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and interferon γ (IFN-γ), are rapidly activated in the early stage of Chlamydia-induced infection, participating in the recruitment of immune cells to the site of infection and initiating inflammatory response; IL-10 and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) regulate the activation and function of immune cells in the late stage of inflammation, thus affecting the development of inflammation. There are complex interactions and regulatory mechanisms among cytokines. This review summarizes the role of cytokines in Chlamydia-induced inflammation, and provides an important theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of Chlamydia infection related diseases and the development of vaccines.
Humans ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Chlamydia Infections/microbiology* ; Animals ; Inflammation/microbiology* ; Chlamydia/immunology*

Objective To observe the effect of m⁶A methylation regulation on Notch1 pathway on the homing of BMSCs in asthma, and the intervention study of traditional Chinese medicine compound Yanghe Pingchuan Granules. Methods Rat bone mesenchymal stem cells(BMSC)and bronchial epithelial cells were cocultured. The extracted cells were divided into: bronchial epithelial cell group, asthma bronchial epithelial cell+mesenchymal stem cell co-culture group (co-culture group), co-culture cell+normal serum group, coculture cell+serum containing optimal drug group, siRNA FTO+normal serum group, siRNA FTO-NC+normal serum group, and siRNA FTO+serum containing optimal drug group. The vitality and cell cycle changes of co-cultured cells were detected. The level and markers of homing BMSC were detected by immunofluorescence staining. The expression of Notch1 pathway related genes were detected by qRT-PCR. The expression of Notch1 pathway related proteins were detected by Western blot. Results Compared with bronchial epithelial cell group, the co-cultured cell group showed an increase in the homing level of BMSCs and the expression of C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1), Notch1, transcription factor recombination signal binding protein-J (RBP-J), and hairy enhancer of split 1 (Hes1) proteins. Compared with the co-cultured cell group and co-cultured cell+normal serum group, the co-cultured cell+serum containing optimal drug group showed an increase in the homing level of BMSCs and the expressions of CXCR4 and SDF-1, while the protein and mRNA levels of Notch1 and Hes1 decreased. Compared with the siRNA FTO-NC+normal serum group, the siRNA FTO+normal serum group showed an increase in the levels of Notch1, activated Notch1, RBP-J, Hes1 protein, and cell viability, while the level of homing BMSC decreased. Compared with siRNA FTO+normal serum group, the levels of Notch1, RBP-J mRNA, activated Notch1, and Hes1 protein decreased, while the level of homing BMSCs increased in siRNA FTO+serum containing optimal drug group. The levels of Notch1, RBP-J, and Hes1 mRNA were reduced in the co-cultured cells+serum containing optimal drug group. Compared with siRNA FTO+serum containing optimal drug group, the expressions of Notch1, activated Notch1, RBP-J, Hes1 protein and cell viability decreased, while the level of homing BMSCs increased in the co-cultured cells+serum containing optimal drug group. Conclusion Yanghe Pingchuan Granules may promote the homing of BMSCs in asthma and alleviate asthma inflammation by upregulating the expression of FTO and inhibiting the expression of downstream genes in the Notch1 signaling pathway.
Animals ; Receptor, Notch1/genetics* ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology* ; Asthma/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Rats ; Coculture Techniques ; Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase FTO/genetics* ; Epithelial Cells/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Cells, Cultured ; Male

Mannose-binding lectin-associated serine protease 2(MASP-2) is a member of serine protease family and plays a crucial role in activating the complement lectin pathway. When mannose residues on the surface of a pathogen are recognized by mannose-binding lectins (MBL) or fibrinogen collagen (FCN), MASP-2 is activated. This activation then triggers the cleavage of C4 and C2 to form C3 convertase, thereby initiating the lectin pathway of the complement system. Numerous studies have demonstrated that MASP-2 gene polymorphisms and serum levels are closely related with various diseases, including tumors, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases and so on. In this review, we summarize the relationships between MASP-2 and tumors, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases. We aim to provide a theoretical basis for the early diagnosis, prognosis evaluation and clinical treatment of various diseases.
Humans ; Mannose-Binding Protein-Associated Serine Proteases/metabolism* ; Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Autoimmune Diseases/genetics* ; Animals ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Communicable Diseases/genetics*

Dysregulated RNA splicing is a well-recognized characteristic of colorectal cancer (CRC); however, its intricacies remain obscure, partly due to challenges in profiling full-length transcript variants at the single-cell level. Here, we employ high-depth long-read scRNA-seq to define the full-length transcriptome of colorectal epithelial cells in 12 CRC patients, revealing extensive isoform diversities and splicing alterations. Cancer cells exhibited increased transcript complexity, with widespread 3'-UTR shortening and reduced intron retention. Distinct splicing regulation patterns were observed between intrinsic-consensus molecular subtypes (iCMS), with iCMS3 displaying even higher splicing factor activities and more pronounced 3'-UTR shortening. Furthermore, we revealed substantial shifts in isoform usage that result in alterations of protein sequences from the same gene with distinct carcinogenic effects during tumorigenesis of CRC. Allele-specific expression analysis revealed dominant mutant allele expression in key oncogenes and tumor suppressors. Moreover, mutated PPIG was linked to widespread splicing dysregulation, and functional validation experiments confirmed its critical role in modulating RNA splicing and tumor-associated processes. Our findings highlight the transcriptomic plasticity in CRC and suggest novel candidate targets for splicing-based therapeutic strategies.
Humans ; Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism* ; RNA Isoforms/metabolism* ; Single-Cell Analysis ; RNA Splicing ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; RNA, Neoplasm/metabolism* ; Transcriptome

Objective:To understand the relevant situation of people seeking tattoo removal in laser cosmetic clinics.Methods:A face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted among respondents seeking tattoo removal who visited the Laser Cosmetic Clinic of the Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University from June 2021 to May 2022. The questionnaire survey content included 4 categories and a total of 30 questions: basic information of the tattoo respondents, tattoo-related situations, respondents’ cognition of tattoos, and tattoo removal needs. The questionnaire responses were statistically analyzed, and differences were analyzed according to the gender, age of the tattoo respondents, and educational level at the time of tattooing. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted on the general information of the questionnaire; Mantel-Haenszel chi-square test or Pearson’s chi-squared test were used for the analysis of the difference in the composition ratio of each data.Results:A total of 150 questionnaires were distributed and 142 valid questionnaires were collected. There were 81 male and 61 female tattoo respondents, with an age of (21.8±4.9) years (13-41 years). The result of the survey showed that 52.8%(75/142) of the respondents were minors (<18 years old) at the time of tattooing, and 97.2%(138/142) were <24 years old at the time of tattooing; 67.6% (96/142) regretted the act of tattooing; 73.2%(104/142) of the respondents themselves asked for the removal of tattoos; who removed their tattoos for personal development (joining the army, working, studying) was 68.3%(97/142); only 23.2%(33/142) of the respondents understood the harms of tattoos; and 21.8%(31/142) of the respondents suffered from adverse reactions after getting tattoos. The percentage of respondents who hid their tattoos from their family members was 82.4%(117/142); the percentage of respondents whose family members approved of the tattoos was only 25.4%(36/142). Analysis of variance showed that there was no correlation between the education level of the respondents and their knowledge of the tattoo risks( P>0.05); the reasons for removing tattoos were correlated with the age and gender of the respondents at the time of consultation ( P<0.01); the size of tattoos was correlated with the gender of the respondents ( P<0.01) and the female respondents were more inclined to choose a small tattoo; the age of tattooing of the respondents was correlated with the level of education of the respondents when they had tattooed themselves ( P<0.01), the proportion of tattoos aged <18 years old was highest among respondents with junior high school education at the time of tattooing [76.2%(32/42)], and this proportion tended to decrease significantly as the education level at the time of tattooing increased. Conclusion:The respondents seeking tattoo removal in the laser cosmetic clinic are mainly teenagers. About half of the respondents were minors at the time of tattooing, and most of them were not aware of the tattoo risks. There is a certain correlation between the age of the respondents and their educational background at the time of tattooing. There are certain differences in the reasons for removing tattoos among respondents depending on gender and age. There is no correlation between the educational background of the respondents and their understanding of the tattoo risks.

Objective:To understand the relevant situation of people seeking tattoo removal in laser cosmetic clinics.Methods:A face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted among respondents seeking tattoo removal who visited the Laser Cosmetic Clinic of the Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University from June 2021 to May 2022. The questionnaire survey content included 4 categories and a total of 30 questions: basic information of the tattoo respondents, tattoo-related situations, respondents’ cognition of tattoos, and tattoo removal needs. The questionnaire responses were statistically analyzed, and differences were analyzed according to the gender, age of the tattoo respondents, and educational level at the time of tattooing. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted on the general information of the questionnaire; Mantel-Haenszel chi-square test or Pearson’s chi-squared test were used for the analysis of the difference in the composition ratio of each data.Results:A total of 150 questionnaires were distributed and 142 valid questionnaires were collected. There were 81 male and 61 female tattoo respondents, with an age of (21.8±4.9) years (13-41 years). The result of the survey showed that 52.8%(75/142) of the respondents were minors (<18 years old) at the time of tattooing, and 97.2%(138/142) were <24 years old at the time of tattooing; 67.6% (96/142) regretted the act of tattooing; 73.2%(104/142) of the respondents themselves asked for the removal of tattoos; who removed their tattoos for personal development (joining the army, working, studying) was 68.3%(97/142); only 23.2%(33/142) of the respondents understood the harms of tattoos; and 21.8%(31/142) of the respondents suffered from adverse reactions after getting tattoos. The percentage of respondents who hid their tattoos from their family members was 82.4%(117/142); the percentage of respondents whose family members approved of the tattoos was only 25.4%(36/142). Analysis of variance showed that there was no correlation between the education level of the respondents and their knowledge of the tattoo risks( P>0.05); the reasons for removing tattoos were correlated with the age and gender of the respondents at the time of consultation ( P<0.01); the size of tattoos was correlated with the gender of the respondents ( P<0.01) and the female respondents were more inclined to choose a small tattoo; the age of tattooing of the respondents was correlated with the level of education of the respondents when they had tattooed themselves ( P<0.01), the proportion of tattoos aged <18 years old was highest among respondents with junior high school education at the time of tattooing [76.2%(32/42)], and this proportion tended to decrease significantly as the education level at the time of tattooing increased. Conclusion:The respondents seeking tattoo removal in the laser cosmetic clinic are mainly teenagers. About half of the respondents were minors at the time of tattooing, and most of them were not aware of the tattoo risks. There is a certain correlation between the age of the respondents and their educational background at the time of tattooing. There are certain differences in the reasons for removing tattoos among respondents depending on gender and age. There is no correlation between the educational background of the respondents and their understanding of the tattoo risks.

Purpose To investigate the predictive value of chest CT-based radiomics for spread through air spaces in stage T1 peripheral type lung cancer.Materials and Methods A total of 173 patients with surgically pathologically confirmed stage T1 non-small cell lung cancer were retrospectively collected and divided into positive group(49 cases)and negative group(124 cases)according to the presence or absence of spread through air spaces.All lesions were randomly divided into training set(122 cases)and validation set(51 cases)according to the ratio of 7∶3.The primary area of lung cancer(the main body of the lesion),the peripheral infiltrative area(a 5-mm annular area expanding outward along the edge of the lesion)and the tumor margin area(a 5-mm annular area retracting inward along the edge of the lesion)were used as areas of interest to extract imaging histological features.Three imaging histological models were established for the primary area of lung cancer,the peripheral infiltrative area and the tumor margin area,and combined with the morphological features of CT to establish three combined models.The efficacy of each model was evaluated and the optimal model was selected.Results The lobulation signs of positive group was significantly more than that of negative group(χ2=9.946,P=0.002).The area under the curve(AUC)of the imaging histological model based on the three regions of interest were 0.899,0.825,0.840 for the training group and 0.876,0.811 and 0.832 for the validation group,respectively.The model with the highest AUC was the primary tumor imaging model(P=0.043,P<0.001,P=0.017),the AUC of the combined model established by adding the lobar sign were 0.917,0.835 and 0.851,respectively.The AUC of the three regions of interest in the validation group were 0.912,0.832,and 0.845 and the highest AUC was found in the primary tumor area(P<0.001,P=0.017,P=0.049).Conclusion It is feasible to study lung cancer with airway metastasis via CT-based radiomics,taken lobulation signs as the risk predictive factor.

Objective:To investigate the disease control rate and its influencing factors in patients with progressive non-segmental vitiligo after combined treatment with systemic compound betamethasone injection (CBI) .Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the patients with progressive non-segmental vitiligo, who visited and were treated with CBI in the Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People′s Hospital from October 2022 to April 2023. The disease control rate was analyzed after 3-month treatment. Effects of clinical factors such as disease onset characteristics, duration, disease condition and treatment methods on the disease control rate were analyzed. Chi-square test was used for comparisons of enumeration data between groups, and logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze factors influencing the efficacy.Results:A total of 145 progressive non-segmental vitiligo patients treated with CBI were collected, including 56 males and 89 females, aged 14 - 67 (35.43 ± 11.54) years. Among the 18 patients having received an intramuscular injection of CBI, 10 (55.6%) obtained stable condition; among the 105 having received 2 injections of CBI, 60 (59.0%) obtained stable condition; among the 22 having received 3 or 4 injections of CBI, 12 (54.5%) obtained stable condition. The overall disease control rate after treatment was 57.9% (84 cases). The disease control rate was significantly higher in the patients with the lesional area < 1% body surface area (BSA) (42/47, 89.4%) than in those with the lesional area ≥ 1% BSA (42/98, 42.9%; P < 0.001), significantly higher in the patients with disease duration ≤ 2 years (32/41, 78.0%) than in those with disease duration > 2 years (52/104, 50.0%; P < 0.05), and significantly higher in the patients treated with CBI combined with phototherapy (33/44, 75.0%) than in those treated with CBI alone (21/44, 47.7%; χ2 = 6.90, P = 0.009), but significantly lower in the patients with special clinical markers (Koebner phenomenon, trichrome vitiligo, confetti-like depigmentation, inflammatory vitiligo, etc., 4/21, 19.9%) than in those without special clinical markers (80/124, 64.5%, P < 0.001). Among the patients with the lesional area ≥ 1% BSA and receiving 2 injections of CBI, the disease control rate was also significantly higher in the patients treated with CBI combined with phototherapy (21/36, 58.3%) than in those treated with CBI alone (12/37, 32.4%; χ2 = 4.94, P = 0.026). There was no significant difference in the disease control rate after the treatment between the patients with first-onset and reccurrent vitiligo, between those with and without predisposing factors, between those with and without family history, among those with different vitiligo disease activity scores, among those with different number of injections, as well as among those with different treatment intervals (all P > 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the lesional area ( OR = 8.11, 95% CI: 2.74 - 24.04), disease duration ( OR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.07 - 0.99), having or not having special clinical markers ( OR = 6.37, 95% CI: 1.72 - 23.57), and whether or not receiving combined phototherapy ( OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.15 - 0.77) were factors influencing the efficacy (all P < 0.05) . Conclusion:CBI may be suitable for the treatment of mild to moderate progressive vitiligo, especially for patients with lesional area < 1% BSA, while not for those with lesional area > 5% BSA, and combining phototherapy may improve the control rate of progressive vitiligo.

AIM: To investigate the effects of curcumin on the proliferation and apoptosis and migration of human pterygium fibroblasts(HPF)in vitro.METHODS: A total of 7 cases of pterygium tissue removed at our hospital from November 24, 2021 to December 16, 2021 were collected. Then, primary fibroblasts were cultured in vitro and identified by immunofluorescence staining. HPF were treated with 0, 10, 20, 40, 80 and 160μmol/L curcumin containing equal amount of dimethyl sulfoxide for 24h, then the cell proliferation was detected by CCK8 assay. According to the results of CCK8, the cells were divided into control group, 20μmol/L curcumin group and 40μmol/L curcumin group, and the cells were treated with corresponding concentration of curcumin for 24h in each group. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis, Transwell migration assay was used to detect cell migration, and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to detect the expression of mRNA and protein of B-cell lymphoma-2 associated X protein(Bax), B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), Cyclin D1 and matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2).RESULTS: Compared with the control group, both 20μmol/L curcumin group and 40μmol/L curcumin group can inhibit the proliferation and migration of HPF and induce its apoptosis(all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, 20μmol/L curcumin group can down-regulate the mRNA expression of Cyclin D1 and MMP2, up-regulate the mRNA expression of Bax, and down-regulate the protein expression of Bcl-2(all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, 40μmol/L curcumin group can down-regulate the expression of mRNA and protein of Bcl-2, Cyclin D1 and MMP2, and up-regulate the expression of mRNA and protein of Bax(all P<0.05). Compared with 20 μmol/L curcumin group, the 40 μmol/L curcumin group can down-regulate the mRNA expression of MMP2, down-regulate the protein expression of Bcl-2, and up-regulate the mRNA and protein expression of Bax(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Curcumin can inhibit the proliferation of HPF by inhibiting the expression of Cyclin D1, induce the apoptosis of HPF by down-regulating Bcl-2 and up-regulating the expression of Bax, and inhibit the migration of HPF by down-regulating the expression of MMP2.

Objective To investigate the long non-coding RNA(lncRNA) MRAK08838 regulates macrophage function to influence the development of asthmatic airway inflammation. Methods MRAK088388 gene knockout (MRAK088388^-/-) mouse model was prepared and allergic asthma was induced by dust mite protein Dermatophagoides farinae 1 (Der f1). The mice were sacrificed after 28 days of modeling, and serum was collected to measure IgE and IgG. The FinePointe RC system was used to measure airway hyperresponsiveness and evaluate lung function in mice. Lung tissue was taken for HE staining, and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining was used to evaluate inflammatory infiltration and mucus secretion in mouse lungs. Fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression level of lncRNA MRAK08838 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cells and lung tissue of asthmatic mice. ELISA was used to detect the levels of inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-10 and IL-17A. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the phenotype of macrophages in BALF and lung tissue, as well as the proportion of neutrophils, eosinophils, and alveolar macrophages. The changes of the above indicators were detected in mice by adoptive transfer of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). Results Under the challengle of Der f1, MRAK088388^-/- mice showed reduced allergic airway inflammation, including reduced eosinophils in BALF and reduced production of IgE and IgG1. In addition, Der f1-treated MRAK088388^-/- mice had fewer M2 macrophages than wild-type asthmatic mice. Wild-type mouse BMDM (M0) and Der f1-treated MRAK088388^-/- mice also showed mild inflammatory response. Conclusion Knockout of MRAK088388 alleviates airway inflammation in asthmatic mice by inhibiting M2 polarization of airway macrophages.
Animals ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; Asthma/genetics* ; Macrophages ; Immunoglobulin E