ObjectiveThe differential expression of microRNAs （miRNAs） between the active stage and the remission stage of ulcerative colitis （UC） was analyzed by bioinformatics method， and the regulatory relationship was constructed by screening the differentially expressed genes （DEGs）. The mechanism of Xizhuo Jiedu recipe in the treatment of UC was speculated and verified by animal experiments. MethodThe miRNAs data set of colonic mucosa tissue of UC patients was obtained from the gene expression database （GEO）， and the most differentially expressed miRNAs were screened by GEO2R， Excel， and other tools as research objects. TargetScan， miRTarbase， miRDB， STRING， TRRUST， and Matescape databases were used to screen key DEGs， predict downstream transcription factors （TFs）， gene ontology （GO）， and conduct Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） enrichment analysis. The key signaling pathways were selected for animal experiments. In animal experiments， the UC mouse model was prepared by making the mouse freely drink 2.5% dextran sodium sulfate （DSS）. Xiezhu Jiedu recipe and mesalazine were given by gavage for seven days， and the inflammatory infiltration of colonic mucosa was observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of miR-155-5p in colon tissue. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the protein expression levels of cytokine signal transduction inhibitor （SOCS1）， phosphorylated transcriptional signal transductor and activator 3 （p-STAT3）， phosphorylated Janus kinase 2 （p-JAK2）， and retinoic acid-associated orphan receptor-γt （ROR-γt）. The expression levels of transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）， interleukin-17 （IL-17）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and interleukin-10 （IL-10） in serum were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. ResultThe GSE48957 dataset was screened from the GEO database， and miR-155-5p was selected as the research object from the samples in the active and remission stages. 131 DEGs were screened. The GO/KEGG enrichment analysis was closely related to biological processes such as positive regulation of miRNA transcription and protein phosphorylation， as well as signaling pathways such as stem cell signaling pathway， IL-17 signaling pathway， and helper T cell 17 （Th17） cell differentiation. The Matescape database was used to screen out 10 key DEGs， among which SOCS1 was one of the key DEGs of miR-155-5p. Further screening of the TFS of key DEGs revealed that STAT3 was one of the main TFs of SOCS1. The results of animal experiments showed that Xiezhu Jiedu Recipe could effectively down-regulate the mRNA expression of miR-155-5p and protein expression of p-STAT3， p-JAK2， and ROR-γt in colon tissue of UC mice and the expression of IL-17 and IL-6 in serum of UC mice， up-regulate the protein expression of SOCS1 and the expression of TGF-β and IL-10， increase the level of anti-inflammatory factors， and reduce inflammatory cell infiltration. ConclusionIt is speculated that Xizhuo Jiedu recipe may interfere with SOCS1 by regulating the expression of miR-155-5p in UC mice， inhibit the phosphorylation of STAT3， inhibit the differentiation of CD4⁺ T cells into Th17 cells， reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory factors （IL-17 and IL-6）， and increase the levels of anti-inflammatory factors （TGF-β and IL-10）. As a result， the inflammation of colon mucosa in UC mice was alleviated.

BACKGROUND:Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease with chronic rheumatic immunity.Soft tissue ossification and fusion and spinal stiffness can cause biomechanical changes. OBJECTIVE:To reconstruct the lumbar-sacral intervertebral disc in ankylosing spondylitis patients with lumbar kyphosis by finite element analysis,and to study the range of motion of each segment of T11-S1 and the biomechanical characteristics of annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus. METHODS:The imaging data were obtained from an ankylosing spondylitis patient with lumbar kyphosis.The original CT image data of continuously scanned spine were imported into Mimics 21.0 in DICOM format,and T11-S1 was reconstructed respectively.The established model was imported into 3-Matic software in the format of"Stl"to reconstruct the intervertebral disc,and the fibrous intervertebral disc model was obtained.The improved model was further imported into Hypermesh software,and the vertebra,nucleus pulposus,annulus fibrosus and ligament were mesh-divided.After the material properties were given,the model was imported into ABAQUS software to observe the range of motion of each vertebral body in seven different working conditions of T11-S1,and analyze the biomechanical characteristics of each segment of annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The range of motion of L1 vertebrae was higher than that of other vertebrae under six different working conditions:extension,forward flexion,rotation(left and right),and lateral flexion(left and right).The maximum range of motion was 2.18° during L1 vertebral flexion,and the minimum range of motion was 0.12° during L5 vertebral extension.(2)The annular fiber flexion at L2-L3 segments was greater than the extension(P<0.05),and the annular fiber flexion at L3-L4 and L4-L5 segments was less than the extension(P<0.05).The left rotation of L1-L2 annular fibers was greater than the right rotation(P<0.05).The left flexion of the annulus was greater than the right flexion in L1-L2,L2-L3,L3-L4,L4-L5 and L5-S1 segments(P<0.05).(3)The nucleus pulposus stresses of T11-L12,L1-L2,L2-L3,L3-L4 and L4-L5 segments in forward flexion were greater than in extension(P<0.05).The left rotation of T12-L1 and L3-L4 segments was smaller than the right rotation(P<0.05),and that of T11-T12,L1-L2,and L2-L3 segments was larger than the right rotation(P<0.05).The left flexion was larger than the right flexion in the T11-S1 segment.(4)It is concluded that in ankylosing spondylitis patients with lumbar kyphosis,the minimum range of motion of the vertebral body is located at the L5 vertebral body in extension.To prevent fractures,it is recommended to avoid exercise in the extension position.During the onset of lumbar kyphosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis,the maximum stress of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus is located in the L1-L2 segment,which is fixed and will not alter with the change of body position.The late surgical treatment and correction of deformity should focus on releasing the pressure of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus in this segment to avoid the rupture of the annulus fibrosus and the injury of the nucleus pulposus.

Objective:To evaluate the body composition of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and explore the correlation between body composition indices and disease activity, laboratory indices, and readmission.Methods:Patients with active UC hospitalized in the Department of Gastroenterology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital were enrolled continuously, and age and sex ratio-matched healthy volunteers were recruited through recruitment posters. Body composition was measured via BIA. Appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI) and trunk skeletal muscle index (TSMI) were calculated and adjusted for height (m 2). Muscle function was evaluated via handgrip strength. Moreover, patients were followed up after discharge and the readmissions due to recurrence or aggravation of UC were recorded. Results:This study enrolled 62 UC patients and 38 healthy volunteers. TSMI decreased significantly ( P<0.001) while ASMI showed no significant difference in male patients compared with healthy controls. ASMI ( P<0.001) and TSMI ( P=0.002) in female patients were significantly lower than those in healthy controls. Compared with patients with normal TSMI, a larger proportion of patients with low TSMI tended to show severe disease activity ( P=0.075), while no such trend was observed in patients with low ASMI. Handgrip strength and phase angle were significantly positively correlated with ALB in UC patients ( P<0.05). The proportion of patients with readmission was significantly higher in the low phase angle group than that in the normal phase angle group (58.3% vs. 22.0%, P=0.040). Conclusions:There were abnormal body composition and gender differences in UC patients. TSMI correlated better with clinical characteristics than ASMI in UC patients. Low phase angle might be predictive for readmission in UC patients.

Tumor heterogeneity is one of the important characteristics of melanoma. Single-cell RNA sequencing not only can further reveal the heterogeneity of melanoma cells, but also has unique advantages in analyzing the occurrence and development of melanoma, finding new targets for immunotherapy and uncovering mechanisms of drug resistance. This review summarizes the application of single-cell RNA sequencing in melanoma research.

Objective:To study the clinical characteristics of neonatal gastric perforation (NGP) and risk factors of mortality.Methods:From January, 2015 to December, 2021, clinical manifestations of neonates diagnosed with NGP in the Department of Neonatology and Neonatal Surgical Intensive Care Unit of our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Neonates were assigned into the survival group and the death group according to their prognosis. Risk factors of mortality were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression method.Results:A total of 50 cases were enrolled, including 41 in the survival group and 9 in the death group. 38 cases were males, 34 were premature infants, 30 were low birth weight infants and 5 had history of asphyxia. The clinical manifestations included abdominal distension, tachypnea, cyanosis, poor response, fever, diminished bowel sound and redness of the abdominal wall. Abdominal X-ray indicated pneumoperitoneum. Laboratory abnormalities included leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, elevated C-reactive protein and procalcitonin, decreased blood pH and increased lactic acid. 30 cases had perforation at the greater curvature of stomach. Perforation was larger than 3 cm in 40 cases and intestinal necrosis was identified in 14 cases. Some patients suffered from sepsis, respiratory failure, pulmonary hemorrhage, shock, coagulopathy and other related complications. The death group had significantly higher incidences of dyspnea, fever, elevated procalcitonin, blood pH<7.3, intestinal necrosis, time from onset of clinical manifestations to operation (Tm-o) >24 h and complications than the survival group ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that pH<7.3 ( OR=9.755, 95% CI 1.363-69.800), Tm-o>24 h (OR=11.831, 95%CI 1.305-107.301), septic shock and sepsis ( OR=29.622, 95% CI 3.728-235.369) were risk factors of mortality. Conclusions:The main manifestations of NGP are abdominal distension and pneumoperitoneum. The risk factors of mortality in NGP are sepsis, blood pH<7.3 and Tm-o>24 h.

Sepsis is defined as life-threating organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated response to infection. Severe cases may develop into multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and even death. However, conventional therapeutic intervention for sepsis is not ideal. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells that can differentiate into a variety of cell types. They are characterized by anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and immunomodulatory power, and rehabilitation of tissues and organs and anti-apoptosis. The role of MSCs in regulating immune function, regulating signal transduction pathways, repairing tissues and organs, and antibacterial and antiviral effects, is summarized in this review in order to understand the mechanism of application of MSCs in the field of sepsis, and lay the foundation for further research.

ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K) are energy sensors on the plasma membrane. By sensing the intracellular ADP/ATP ratio of β-cells, pancreatic K channels control insulin release and regulate metabolism at the whole body level. They are implicated in many metabolic disorders and diseases and are therefore important drug targets. Here, we present three structures of pancreatic K channels solved by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), at resolutions ranging from 4.1 to 4.5 Å. These structures depict the binding site of the antidiabetic drug glibenclamide, indicate how Kir6.2 (inward-rectifying potassium channel 6.2) N-terminus participates in the coupling between the peripheral SUR1 (sulfonylurea receptor 1) subunit and the central Kir6.2 channel, reveal the binding mode of activating nucleotides, and suggest the mechanism of how Mg-ADP binding on nucleotide binding domains (NBDs) drives a conformational change of the SUR1 subunit.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; metabolism ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Binding Sites ; Cryoelectron Microscopy ; Ligands ; Mesocricetus ; Mice ; Models, Molecular ; Nucleotides ; metabolism ; Pancreas ; metabolism ; Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Protein Multimerization ; Protein Structure, Quaternary ; Protein Subunits ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Sf9 Cells ; Spodoptera ; Sulfonylurea Receptors ; chemistry ; metabolism

Heat stroke (HS) is a life-threatening illness characterized by core body temperatures above 40 ℃ coupled with central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction, including delirium, convulsions, and/or coma. Its morbidity has increased dramatically in the past few decades. Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is not only the most serious complication of HS, but also the leading cause of deaths. Understanding the pathogenesis, characteristic and advancement pattern of MODS caused by HS will have a profound effect on the clinical treatment, research and mortality decrease. The pathogenesis, injury characteristic of each system and organ, and treatment methods were summarized in this review so as to deepen the clinical recognition of this disease.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the serum ferritin levels and the post-stroke depression (PSD). Methods From July 2014 to October 2015, the inpatients with the first-ever acute ischemic stroke were colected consecutively. Chemiluminescence microparticle immune assay was used to measure the serum ferritin levels within 24 h after admission. Depressive symptoms were screened by using the 17-item Hamilton depression scale (HAMD-17) at 3 months after onset. In patients with a HAMD-17 score ≥7, the depression was further diagnosed according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition. Results A total of 200 patients with the first-ever acute ischemic stroke were enroled, 55 (27. 5% ) of them were diagnosed as PSD. There were significant differences in the body mass index (BMI), years of education, waist circumference, high sensitive-C-reactive protein, homocysteine, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (at baseline, discharge, and day 90), mRs score (at discharge and day 90), BI (at discharge and day 90), and the proportions of widowed or solitary patients between the PSD group and the non-PSD group (al P < 0. 05 ). The serum ferritin level in the PSD group was significantly higher than that in the non-PSD group ( median [ interquartile range], 261. 90[142. 10-364. 90] μg/L vs. 164. 40[132. 50- 195. 10] μg/L; Z = - 4. 814, P < 0. 001 ). Multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors showed that the baseline serum ferritin level >136. 375 μg/L was an independent risk factor for PSD (odds ratio 1. 041 per 1-quartile increase, 95%confidence interval 1. 009-1. 239; P = 0. 045). Conclusions The elevated baseline serum ferritin level is associated with PSD.

Objective To evaluate the incidence of four aberrant behaviors in patients with pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs).Methods The abnormal behaviors during the last month in 138 PDDs patients were assessed with Aberrant Behavior Checklist and Conners Index of Hyperactivity.Results The incidence of aberrant behaviors was 61.6％ for hyperactivity,81.9％ for stereotyped behaviors,13.77％ for self-injury,and 58.70％ for irritability in PDDs patients.The occurance of irritability in autism patients was higher than that of asperger syndrome (AS) patients (x2 =5.623,P=0.018).Conclusion Stereotyped behaviors,hyperactivity and irritability are common in children with PDDs.Autism patients are more likely to exhibit irritability behaviors than AS patients.