Objective:To explore the correlation between serum levels of interleukin-9 (IL-9), platelet activating factor (PAF), total immunoglobulin E (IgE), interferon γ (IFN-γ), and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU).Methods:Sixty CSU active phase patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from March 2018 to March 2019 were selected and included in the CSU active phase group. Based on the 7-day Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7), they were divided into three groups: 15 mild group, 25 moderate group, and 20 severe group; And 19 patients who entered the quiescent phase of the disease after 28 days of standardized antihistamine treatment were included in the CSU quiescent phase group. Another 30 healthy subjects who participated in the physical examination at the same time at our hospital′s physical examination center were selected to be included in the healthy control group. 5 ml of fasting elbow vein blood was collected from CSU active and stationary patients, as well as healthy subjects. The serum levels of IL-9, PAF, total IgE, IFN-γ, and IL-4 were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pearson correlation test was used to analyze the correlation between serum IL-9, PAF levels and total IgE, IFN-γ, and IL-4 levels in CSU active patients.Results:The serum levels of IL-9, PAF, total IgE, and IL-4 in the CSU active phase group were higher than those in the CSU stationary phase group and healthy control group (all P<0.05), and the serum IFN-γ levels were lower than those in the CSU stationary phase group and healthy control group (all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the levels of the above indicators between the healthy control group and the CSU stationary group (all P>0.05). The serum levels of IL-9, PAF, total IgE, and IL-4 in the severe group were significantly higher than those in the mild and moderate groups (all P<0.05), and the serum IFN-γ levels were significantly lower than those in the mild and moderate groups (all P<0.05); The serum levels of IL-9, PAF, total IgE, and IL-4 in the moderate group were significantly higher than those in the mild group (all P<0.05), and the serum IFN-γ levels were significantly lower than those in the mild group ( P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum IL-9 and PAF levels were positively correlated with serum total IgE and IL-4 levels in CSU active phase patients (IL-9: r=0.726, 0.870, PAF: r=0.788, 0.795, all P<0.01), and negatively correlated with serum IFN-γ levels (IL-9: r=-0.831, PAF: r=-0.816, all P<0.01). Conclusions:The serum levels of IL-9 and PAF in patients with active CSU are elevated and correlated with total IgE, IFN-γ, and IL-4 levels, suggesting that IL-9 and PAF may be related to the occurrence and development of CSU.

Objective To investigate the role of RNA-binding motif protein X-linked(RBMX)in regulating the proliferation,migration,invasion and glycolysis in human bladder cancer cells.Methods A lentivirus vectors system and RNA interference technique were used to construct bladder cancer 1376 and UC-3 cell models with RBMX overexpression and knockdown,respectively,and successful cell modeling was verified using RT-qPCR and Western blotting.Proliferation and colony forming ability of the cells were evaluated using EdU assay and colony-forming assay,and cell migration and invasion abilities were determined using Transwell experiment.The expressions of glycolysis-related proteins M1 pyruvate kinase(PKM1)and M2 pyruvate kinase(PKM2)were detected using Western blotting.The effects of RBMX overexpression and knockdown on glycolysis in the bladder cancer cells were assessed using glucose and lactic acid detection kits.Results RT-qPCR and Western blotting confirmed successful construction of 1376 and UC-3 cell models with RBMX overexpression and knockdown.RBMX overexpression significantly inhibited the proliferation,clone formation,migration and invasion of bladder cancer cells,while RBMX knockdown produced the opposite effects.Western blotting results showed that RBMX overexpression increased the expression of PKM1 and decreased the expression of PKM2,while RBMX knockdown produced the opposite effects.Glucose consumption and lactate production levels were significantly lowered in the cells with RBMX overexpression(P<0.05)but increased significantly following RBMX knockdown(P<0.05).Conclusion RBMX overexpression inhibits bladder cancer progression and lowers glycolysis level in bladder cancer cells by downregulating PKM2 expression,suggesting the potential of RBMX as a molecular target for diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer.

Objective To investigate the role of RNA-binding motif protein X-linked(RBMX)in regulating the proliferation,migration,invasion and glycolysis in human bladder cancer cells.Methods A lentivirus vectors system and RNA interference technique were used to construct bladder cancer 1376 and UC-3 cell models with RBMX overexpression and knockdown,respectively,and successful cell modeling was verified using RT-qPCR and Western blotting.Proliferation and colony forming ability of the cells were evaluated using EdU assay and colony-forming assay,and cell migration and invasion abilities were determined using Transwell experiment.The expressions of glycolysis-related proteins M1 pyruvate kinase(PKM1)and M2 pyruvate kinase(PKM2)were detected using Western blotting.The effects of RBMX overexpression and knockdown on glycolysis in the bladder cancer cells were assessed using glucose and lactic acid detection kits.Results RT-qPCR and Western blotting confirmed successful construction of 1376 and UC-3 cell models with RBMX overexpression and knockdown.RBMX overexpression significantly inhibited the proliferation,clone formation,migration and invasion of bladder cancer cells,while RBMX knockdown produced the opposite effects.Western blotting results showed that RBMX overexpression increased the expression of PKM1 and decreased the expression of PKM2,while RBMX knockdown produced the opposite effects.Glucose consumption and lactate production levels were significantly lowered in the cells with RBMX overexpression(P<0.05)but increased significantly following RBMX knockdown(P<0.05).Conclusion RBMX overexpression inhibits bladder cancer progression and lowers glycolysis level in bladder cancer cells by downregulating PKM2 expression,suggesting the potential of RBMX as a molecular target for diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer.

The skeletal system, which contains bones, joints, tendons, ligaments and other elements, plays a wide variety of roles in body shaping, support and movement, protection of internal organs, production of blood cells and regulation of calcium and phosphate metabolism. The prevalence of skeletal diseases and disorders, such as osteoporosis and bone fracture, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and intervertebral disc degeneration, increases with age, causing pain and loss of mobility and creating a huge social and economic burden globally. Focal adhesions (FAs) are macromolecular assemblies that are composed of the extracellular matrix (ECM), integrins, intracellular cytoskeleton and other proteins, including kindlin, talin, vinculin, paxillin, pinch, Src, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and integrin-linked protein kinase (ILK) and other proteins. FA acts as a mechanical linkage connecting the ECM and cytoskeleton and plays a key role in mediating cell-environment communications and modulates important processes, such as cell attachment, spreading, migration, differentiation and mechanotransduction, in different cells in skeletal system by impacting distinct outside-in and inside-out signaling pathways. This review aims to integrate the up-to-date knowledge of the roles of FA proteins in the health and disease of skeletal system and focuses on the specific molecular mechanisms and underlying therapeutic targets for skeletal diseases.

Objective:To explore the relationship of serum interleukin (IL) -9 and platelet-activating factor (PAF) levels with serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, disease severity and disease course in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) .Methods:A total of 60 patients with active CSU were collected from Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from March 2018 to March 2019 (active CSU group), and divided into mild group, moderate group and severe group according to 7-day urticaria activity score (UAS7). After 28-day standard antihistamine therapy, the patients whose condition became stable were included in the stable CSU group. During the same period, 30 health examinees were included in the healthy control group. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the subjects in each group, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect serum levels of IL-9 and PAF, and immunoturbidimetric assay to detect the serum total IgE level. Correlations of serum IL-9 and PAF levels with serum total IgE levels, UAS7 scores and disease courses were analyzed in patients with CSU. One-way analysis of variance was used for comparisons among multiple groups, least significant difference- t test for multiple comparisons, and Pearson correlation analysis for correlation analysis. Results:Totally, 28 males and 32 females were included in the active CSU group, their age ranged from 11 to 68 years (34.68 ± 8.62 years), and the disease duration ranged from 2 months to 7 years (1.42 ± 0.41 years). In the healthy control group, 14 were males and 16 were females, and their age ranged from 10 to 70 years (35.06 ± 7.89 years). According to UAS7, 12, 26, and 22 patients were diagnosed with mild, moderate and severe CSU respectively, and 22 were included in the stable CSU group after standard treatment. The levels of serum IL-9, PAF and total IgE significantly differed among the active CSU group, stable CSU group and healthy control group (IL-9: 144.34 ± 23.19 vs. 109.25 ± 20.77 vs. 107.23 ± 19.23 pg/ml; PAF: 362.45 ± 51.45 vs. 223.18 ± 32.46 vs. 221.23 ± 28.38 pg/ml; total IgE: 168.12 ± 32.48 vs. 24.04 ± 7.04 vs. 21.76 ± 5.95 IU/ml; F = 38.80, 148.38, 499.12, respectively, all P < 0.001), and were significantly higher in the active CSU group than in the stable CSU group and healthy control group (all P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference between the stable CSU group and healthy control group (all P > 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the serum IL-9 and PAF levels were positively correlated with serum total IgE levels and UAS7 scores (all P < 0.05), but not correlated with the disease course (both P > 0.05) . Conclusion:Serum IL-9 and PAF levels in patients with active CSU were markedly elevated along with the increase in disease severity, and closely correlated with serum total IgE levels.

The progressive destruction of condylar cartilage is a hallmark of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis (OA); however, its mechanism is incompletely understood. Here, we show that Kindlin-2, a key focal adhesion protein, is strongly detected in cells of mandibular condylar cartilage in mice. We find that genetic ablation of Kindlin-2 in aggrecan-expressing condylar chondrocytes induces multiple spontaneous osteoarthritic lesions, including progressive cartilage loss and deformation, surface fissures, and ectopic cartilage and bone formation in TMJ. Kindlin-2 loss significantly downregulates the expression of aggrecan, Col2a1 and Proteoglycan 4 (Prg4), all anabolic extracellular matrix proteins, and promotes catabolic metabolism in TMJ cartilage by inducing expression of Runx2 and Mmp13 in condylar chondrocytes. Kindlin-2 loss decreases TMJ chondrocyte proliferation in condylar cartilages. Furthermore, Kindlin-2 loss promotes the release of cytochrome c as well as caspase 3 activation, and accelerates chondrocyte apoptosis in vitro and TMJ. Collectively, these findings reveal a crucial role of Kindlin-2 in condylar chondrocytes to maintain TMJ homeostasis.
Aggrecans/metabolism* ; Animals ; Cartilage, Articular/metabolism* ; Chondrocytes/pathology* ; Cytoskeletal Proteins/metabolism* ; Mice ; Muscle Proteins/metabolism* ; Osteoarthritis/pathology* ; Temporomandibular Joint/pathology*

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in treating mild amnestic cognitive impairment (aMCI).Methods:Twenty-five patients with aMCI were randomly divided into an observation group of 13 and a control group of 12. The observation group was given 10-Hz rTMS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex at 80% of the motor threshold-400 pulses a day, 5 times a week for 4 consecutive weeks. The control group received sham stimulation on the same schedule. Before and after the experiment, both groups were evaluated using the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) and received fMRI scans.Results:After the intervention, the average MoCA score of the observation group had improved significantly more compared with that of the control group and compared with before the intervention. According to the fMRI results, regional homogeneity in the right middle frontal gyrus of the observation group had increased significantly, while that of the control group both there and in the left precuneus had decreased significantly.Conclusions:High-frequency rTMS can effectively improve the cognitive function of patients with aMCI and synchronize neuron activity in cognition-related brain regions.

Objective To investigate the effect of hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection on serum iron markers in pregnant women.Methods A total of 188 pregnant women with HBV infection and 157 normal pregnant women were recruited in this study.Serum levels of iron,ferritin,transferrin,HBV DNA,alanine aminotrans-ferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)were measured and compared.Results At the same stage of pregnancy,the serum ferritin level in pregnant women with HBV infection was higher than that of normal pregnant women(Z= -1.72,P=0.04;Z= -2.33,P=0.01;Z= -4.42,P=0.01),while the serum transfer-rin concentration increased in normal pregnant women in the second and third trimesters,and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant(Z= -3.26,P<0.01;Z= -2.25,P=0.01).In pregnant women with HBV infection,the serum ferritin levels in patients with positive results of ALT and AST were higher than those in patients with negative results(ALT:P=0.01;AST:P=0.02),however,there was no change in healthy pregnant women.Conclusion There is iron metabolism imbalance in pregnant women with HBV infection.We should monitor serum iron markers to guide pregnant women for appropriate iron supple-mentation in gestation period.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of antibiotics combined with recombinant tuberculosis vaccine AEC/BC02 on Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in guinea pigs. Methods Two weeks after guinea pigs were challenged subcutaneously with a high dose of Mycobacterium tuberculosis,the guinea pigs with the positive skin test responses to the recombinant ESAT6-CFP10 allergen were randomly di-vided into four groups:normal saline (NS),AEC/BC02,antibiotics and antibiotics+AEC/BC02. In antibiotics+AEC/BC02 group,guinea pigs firstly received isoniazid ( INH) and rifapentine ( RFT) treatment once a week for a total of three times,and then were immunized with a single dose of AEC/BC02 vaccine six times at 10-day intervals. Guinea pigs in AEC/BC02 and antibiotics groups were respectively vaccinated with AEC/BC02 vaccine and given INH and RFT treatment at the same dose and frequency as given to antibiotics+ AEC/BC02 group. Thirteen weeks after challenge,all guinea pigs were sacrificed for necropsy. Results The gross pathological scores of NS,AEC/BC02,antibiotics and antibiotics+AEC/BC02 groups were 83±8,77± 22,45±28 and 19±14,respectively. Antibiotics+AEC/BC02 group had a significantly lower gross pathological score than antibiotics,AEC/BC02 and NS groups (P<0. 05,P<0. 01,P<0. 01,respectively). Moreover,the gross pathological scores of antibiotics and AEC/BC02 groups were significantly decreased as compared with that of NS group (both P<0. 01). However,there was no significant difference between AEC/BC02 and NS groups. The spleen bacterial load of antibiotics+AEC/BC02 group was (2. 50±1. 26) lg CFU,which was sig-nificantly lower than those of NS [(4. 92+0. 52) lg CFU],AEC/BC02 [(4. 78+0. 84) lg CFU] and antibi-otics [(4. 39+0. 50) lg CFU] groups (P<0. 01). Compared with NS group,antibiotic and AEC/BC02 groups showed no significant difference in spleen bacterial load. Histopathological changes indicated different levels of granulomatous lesions appeared in lung tissues of all groups and the most severe change was ob-served in AEC/BC02 group,followed by that in NS,antibiotics and antibiotics+AEC/BC02 groups. Conclu-sion INH and RFT treatment in combination with AEC/BC02 vaccine in the treatment of guinea pigs with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection was superior to either treatment alone as it significantly alleviated organ lesions and lowered the bacterial loads in spleen and lung.

Objective To identify the cross-reactive antigens shared by Mycobacteria smegmatis(MS) and Mycobacteria tuberculosis(MTB) and to analyze their antigenicity.Methods Bacterial antigens were extracted from strains of MS and MTB by ultrasonication.Western blot assay was performed to analyze common antigens that reacted with both of the antiserum samples against MS and MTB.The extracted bacterial antigens were mixed with incomplete Freund′s adjuvant and then were injected into muscles of mice.Cytokines secreted by murine spleen lymphocytes following stimulation with various antigens of MS and MTB were determined by ELISPOT and flow cytometry on the 7th day.IgG levels in serum samples were detected by ELISA 7 days after injection.Results There were cross-reactive antigens shared by MS and MTB.Potent humoral immune responses and cellular immunity against both MS and MTB could be induced by those cross-reactive antigens after sensitization the mice by either MS or MTB antigens.Cytokines of IL-2 and IFN-γ in CD4+ and CD8+T cells of mice stimulated with MS or MTB antigens were significantly increased as compared with those of non-sensitization group and those of Brucella antigens stimulation group.ConclusionCross-reactive antigens shared by MS and MTS can effectively promote specific immune reactions to the infection of MTB, which provides a scientific basis for the development of tuberculosis vaccines.