ObjectiveTo elucidate the potential mechanism of modified Sinisan （MSNS） in alleviating anxiety-like behaviors induced by chronic restraint stress （CRS） in mice at the metabolic level based on serum untargeted metabolomics and identify key metabolites and metabolic pathways regulated by MSNS. MethodsSeventy-two male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into six groups： control， model， high-dose （2.4 g·kg^-1） MSNS， medium-dose （1.2 g·kg^-1） MSNS， low-dose （0.6 g·kg^-1） MSNS， and positive control （fluoxetine， 2.6 mg·kg^-1）. Except the control group， the other groups were subjected to CRS for the modeling of anxiety. Mice were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage 2 h before daily restraint for 14 days. Anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated by the open field test （OFT）， elevated plus maze （EPM） test， and light/dark box （LDB） test. Serum levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone （CRH）， adrenocorticotrophic hormone （ACTH）， and corticosterone （CORT） were measured via ELISA to assess stress levels. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （UPLC-MS/MS） was employed to detect 9 metabolites in the brain tissue and serum metabolites. Orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA） was adopted to identify differential metabolites （VIP>1.0， P<0.05）. MetaboAnalyst 5.0 was used for metabolic pathway enrichment analysis of the differential metabolites. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group showed reductions in the central activity time and central distance in the OFT （P<0.05）， the proportions of open-arm residence time and open-arm residence times in the EPM test （P<0.01）， and the proportions of open box activity time and open box activity distance in the LDB test （P<0.05）， which were increased in the medium- and high-dose MSNS groups compared with the model group （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group， the model group showed elevated levels of CRH， ACTH， and CORT in the serum （P<0.01）， and the elevations were diminished in the medium- and high-dose MSNS groups （P<0.05）. UPLC-MS results indicated that compared with the control group， the model group presented declined DA， GABA， 5-HIAA， 5-HT， and 5-HT/Trp levels （P<0.05， P<0.01） and raised Glu， NE， Kyn， and Kyn/Trp levels （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， high-dose MSNS increased the GABA， 5-HIAA， and 5-HT/Trp levels （P<0.05） and lowered the Glu and Kyn/Trp levels （P<0.05）. Untargeted metabolomics identified that 16 CRS-induced metabolic disturbances were reversed by MSNS. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that MSNS primarily modulated eight core pathways including alanine/aspartate/glutamate metabolism， butyrate metabolism， arginine-proline metabolism， TCA cycle， unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis， and tryptophan metabolism. The mechanisms involved multidimensional biological processes， including neurotransmitter homeostasis regulation， TCA cycle energy metabolism optimization， and inflammatory response suppression. ConclusionMSNS alleviates CRS-induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice by mitigating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivity， improving hippocampal neurotransmitter and tryptophan metabolic pathways， and regulating alanine/aspartate/glutamate metabolism， butyrate metabolism， arginine-proline metabolism， and TCA cycle.

ObjectiveTo elucidate the potential mechanism of modified Sinisan （MSNS） in alleviating anxiety-like behaviors induced by chronic restraint stress （CRS） in mice at the metabolic level based on serum untargeted metabolomics and identify key metabolites and metabolic pathways regulated by MSNS. MethodsSeventy-two male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into six groups： control， model， high-dose （2.4 g·kg^-1） MSNS， medium-dose （1.2 g·kg^-1） MSNS， low-dose （0.6 g·kg^-1） MSNS， and positive control （fluoxetine， 2.6 mg·kg^-1）. Except the control group， the other groups were subjected to CRS for the modeling of anxiety. Mice were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage 2 h before daily restraint for 14 days. Anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated by the open field test （OFT）， elevated plus maze （EPM） test， and light/dark box （LDB） test. Serum levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone （CRH）， adrenocorticotrophic hormone （ACTH）， and corticosterone （CORT） were measured via ELISA to assess stress levels. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （UPLC-MS/MS） was employed to detect 9 metabolites in the brain tissue and serum metabolites. Orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA） was adopted to identify differential metabolites （VIP>1.0， P<0.05）. MetaboAnalyst 5.0 was used for metabolic pathway enrichment analysis of the differential metabolites. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group showed reductions in the central activity time and central distance in the OFT （P<0.05）， the proportions of open-arm residence time and open-arm residence times in the EPM test （P<0.01）， and the proportions of open box activity time and open box activity distance in the LDB test （P<0.05）， which were increased in the medium- and high-dose MSNS groups compared with the model group （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group， the model group showed elevated levels of CRH， ACTH， and CORT in the serum （P<0.01）， and the elevations were diminished in the medium- and high-dose MSNS groups （P<0.05）. UPLC-MS results indicated that compared with the control group， the model group presented declined DA， GABA， 5-HIAA， 5-HT， and 5-HT/Trp levels （P<0.05， P<0.01） and raised Glu， NE， Kyn， and Kyn/Trp levels （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， high-dose MSNS increased the GABA， 5-HIAA， and 5-HT/Trp levels （P<0.05） and lowered the Glu and Kyn/Trp levels （P<0.05）. Untargeted metabolomics identified that 16 CRS-induced metabolic disturbances were reversed by MSNS. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that MSNS primarily modulated eight core pathways including alanine/aspartate/glutamate metabolism， butyrate metabolism， arginine-proline metabolism， TCA cycle， unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis， and tryptophan metabolism. The mechanisms involved multidimensional biological processes， including neurotransmitter homeostasis regulation， TCA cycle energy metabolism optimization， and inflammatory response suppression. ConclusionMSNS alleviates CRS-induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice by mitigating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivity， improving hippocampal neurotransmitter and tryptophan metabolic pathways， and regulating alanine/aspartate/glutamate metabolism， butyrate metabolism， arginine-proline metabolism， and TCA cycle.

Objective:To construct a machine-learning model for predicting the progression of pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) based on clinical and CT features, and to evaluate its predictive performance in internal/external testing cohorts.Methods:Baseline clinical and radiological data of 200 PCLs in 177 patients undergoing abdominal thin slice enhanced CT examination at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from July 2014 to December 2022 were retrospectively collected. PCLs were divided into progressive and non-progressive groups according to whether the signs indicated for surgery by the guidelines of the European study group on PCLs were present during three-year follow-up. 200 PCLs were randomly divided into training (150 PCLs) and internal testing cohorts (50 PCLs) at the ratio of 1∶3. 15 PCLs in 14 patients at Jinling Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Nanjing University from October 2011 to May 2020 were enrolled as external testing cohort. The clinical and CT radiological features were recorded. Multiple feature selection methods and machine-learning models were implemented and combined to identify the optimal machine-learning model based on the 10-fold cross-validation method. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was drawn and area under curve (AUC) was calculated. The model with the highest AUC was determined as the optimal model. The optimal model's predictive performance was evaluated on testing cohort by calculating AUC, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. Permutation importance was used to assess the importance of optimal model features. Calibration curves of the optimal model were established to evaluate the model's clinical applicability by Hosmer-Lemeshow test.Results:In training and internal testing cohorts, the progressive and non-progressive groups were significantly different on history of pancreatitis, lesions size, main pancreatic duct diameter and dilation, thick cyst wall, presence of septation and thick septation (all P value <0.05) In internal testing cohort, the two groups were significantly different on gender, lesion calcification and pancreatic atrophy (all P value <0.05). In external testing cohort, the two groups were significantly different on lesions size and pancreatic duct dilation (both P<0.05). The support vector machine (SVM) model based on five features selected by F test (lesion size, thick cyst wall, history of pancreatitis, main pancreatic duct diameter and dilation) achieved the highest AUC of 0.899 during cross-validation. SVM model for predicting the progression of PCLs demonstrated an AUC of 0.909, sensitivity of 82.4%, specificity of 72.7%, and accuracy of 76.0% in the internal testing cohort, and 0.944, 100%, 77.8%, and 86.7% in the external testing cohort. Calibration curved showed that the predicted probability by the model was comparable to the real progression of PCLs. Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test affirmed the model's consistency with actual PCLs progression in testing cohorts. Conclusions:The SVM model based on clinical and CT features can help doctors predict the PCLs progression within three-year follow-up, thus achieving efficient patient management and rational allocation of medical resource.

Since the 1970s, the laboratory animal industry in Suzhou has gone through five stages: its inception, emergence, growth, transformation, and scaling up. It began with the manufacturing of caging equipment for laboratory animals, initially by imitation and later through independent innovation. The industry evolved from sporadic factories to clustered enterprises, gradually growing and opening up the export market for caging equipment. In the 21st century, with industrial upgrading and transformation, purification systems and related products began to develop, and industry organizations emerged. As China has modernized, the rise of automation and intelligent production has led to technological innovation in enterprises and the emergence of various outsourcing services in the laboratory animal industry, driving the large-scale development of the industrial chain. After nearly half a century of growth, the laboratory animal industry in Suzhou has formed a complete industrial chain, including the production of laboratory animals, caging equipment, feed and bedding materials, design and construction of laboratory animal facilities, quality testing of laboratory animals and environments, and animal experimentation services. Laboratory animal breeding equipment, the core of the industry, has reached the level of developed countries, and the industry's scale and influence are unmatched in China. Since the 21st century, biopharmaceuticals have become the "No.1 industry" in the development of Suzhou. With government support, the guidance of the local economy, and the assistance from universities and research institutes, the animal experiment outsourcing industry has begun to cluster in Suzhou. The continuous influx of CROs has driven the construction of large-scale laboratory animal facilities, and key research projects have been initiated, significantly enhancing the industry's R&D capabilities. The Suzhou laboratory animal industry has quickly expanded alongside the "No. 1 industry," creating a unique "Suzhou Path" for laboratory animals. Over nearly fifty years, the laboratory animal industry in Suzhou has been essential to the rapid development of the biopharmaceutical industry in Suzhou and China.

Objective:To explore the recovery of abdominal function and and satisfaction rate in patients who received lower abdominal skin flap repair of extensive soft tissue defects in the limbs based on three-dimensional computed tomography angiography(3D-CTA) technology.Methods:A retrospective study was performed to analyze clinical data from patients with extensive skin and soft tissue defects in the limbs, who were admitted to Shandong Provincial Third Hospital between March 2017 and February 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups: the superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) group and the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) group, with SIEA flaps and DIEP flaps utilized respectively for tissue defect repair. Based on 3D-CTA imaging, the distribution range and vessel diameters of bilateral SIEA, superficial inferior epigastric veins (SIEV), and DIEP were delineated, facilitating the design and harvest of SIEA and DIEP flaps. Comparisons were drawn between preoperative 3D-CTA findings on the course and distribution of SIEA and SIEV, and intraoperative anatomical observations. In addition, the concordance between vessel diameters and pedicle lengths determined via preoperative 3D-CTA and intraoperative measurements was assessed. The flap survival, wound healing and surveyed patients’ satisfaction with wound repair were analyzed. A customized evaluation scale was utilized to assess abdominal contour one year post-surgery, scoring from 5 to 25, with higher scores indicating better outcomes. The abdominal health module of the BREAST-Q scale evaluated patients’ satisfaction with abdominal function preoperatively, three months postoperatively, and one year postoperatively, scoring from 20 to 100, with increasing scores indicating greater satisfaction. The measurement data that conform to the normal distribution were expressed as Mean±SD, and the comparison between the two groups was performed using independent samples t-test. The comparison were conducted at multiple time points, repeated measures analysis of variance was performed, and for the comparison of scores within the group, paired t-test was applied. Results:A total of 21 patients were included, 3 males and 18 females, with an age range of 21 to 60 years and a mean age of 41 years. The range of skin and soft tissue defects was from 10.0 cm × 5.0 cm to 22.0 cm × 14.0 cm, and the range of skin flap harvesting was from 11.0 cm × 6.0 cm to 23.0 cm × 15.0 cm. There were 11 cases in the SIEA group and 10 cases in the DIEP group. Preoperative 3D-CTA examination showed that the course and distribution of SIEA and SIEV were consistent with intraoperative anatomical observations. There was no statistically significant difference in the comparison of vessel diameters, pedicle lengths, and actual measurements between preoperative 3D-CTA examination and intraoperative measurements (all P > 0.05). No flap necrosis occurred postoperatively, wound healing was uneventful in all cases. At 1 year postoperatively, there was no statistically significant difference in abdominal contour scores between the SIEA and DIEP groups [(21.96±3.51) points vs. (21.62±3.17) points, P > 0.05]. Comparison of preoperative abdominal function satisfaction scores between the SIEA and DIEP groups showed no statistically significant difference [(87.56 ± 5.70) points vs. (85.79 ± 6.33) points, P > 0.05]. However, at 3 months and 1 year postoperatively, the SIEA group had higher scores than the DIEP group [at 3 months postoperatively, (77.62 ± 7.68) points vs. (65.21 ± 8.27) points; at 1 year postoperatively, (86.93 ± 5.65) points vs. (77.59 ± 5.92) points; both P < 0.01], indicating higher abdominal function satisfaction of the SIEA group postoperatively. The scores of both the SIEA and DIEP groups decreased at 3 months postoperatively compared to preoperative scores (both P < 0.01). At 1 year postoperatively, the score of the SIEA group was similar to preoperative levels, with no statistically significant difference ( P > 0.05), while the score of the DIEP group remained lower than preoperative levels ( P < 0.01). Conclusion:Reconstruction of extensive skin and soft tissue defects in the limbs using SIEA flaps, without injury to the deep tissues of the abdominal wall, allows for near-complete restoration of abdominal function and appearance to preoperative levels, with minimal impact on the donor site. Preoperative 3D-CTA reveals the anatomical variations in the vascular supply of SIEA flaps among individuals, achieving comparable wound repair outcomes to other lower abdominal flaps.

Background::Clinical opportunistic screening is a cost-effective cancer screening modality. This study aimed to establish an easy-to-use diagnostic model serving as a risk stratification tool for identification of individuals with malignant gastric lesions for opportunistic screening.Methods::We developed a questionnaire-based diagnostic model using a joint dataset including two clinical cohorts from northern and southern China. The cohorts consisted of 17,360 outpatients who had undergone upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination in endoscopic clinics. The final model was derived based on unconditional logistic regression, and predictors were selected according to the Akaike information criterion. External validation was carried out with 32,614 participants from a community-based randomized controlled trial.Results::This questionnaire-based diagnostic model for malignant gastric lesions had eight predictors, including advanced age, male gender, family history of gastric cancer, low body mass index, unexplained weight loss, consumption of leftover food, consumption of preserved food, and epigastric pain. This model showed high discriminative power in the development set with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.791 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.750–0.831). External validation of the model in the general population generated an AUC of 0.696 (95% CI: 0.570–0.822). This model showed an ideal ability for enriching prevalent malignant gastric lesions when applied to various scenarios.Conclusion::This easy-to-use questionnaire-based model for diagnosis of prevalent malignant gastric lesions may serve as an effective prescreening tool in clinical opportunistic screening for gastric cancer.

Objective:To explore the recovery of abdominal function and and satisfaction rate in patients who received lower abdominal skin flap repair of extensive soft tissue defects in the limbs based on three-dimensional computed tomography angiography(3D-CTA) technology.Methods:A retrospective study was performed to analyze clinical data from patients with extensive skin and soft tissue defects in the limbs, who were admitted to Shandong Provincial Third Hospital between March 2017 and February 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups: the superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) group and the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) group, with SIEA flaps and DIEP flaps utilized respectively for tissue defect repair. Based on 3D-CTA imaging, the distribution range and vessel diameters of bilateral SIEA, superficial inferior epigastric veins (SIEV), and DIEP were delineated, facilitating the design and harvest of SIEA and DIEP flaps. Comparisons were drawn between preoperative 3D-CTA findings on the course and distribution of SIEA and SIEV, and intraoperative anatomical observations. In addition, the concordance between vessel diameters and pedicle lengths determined via preoperative 3D-CTA and intraoperative measurements was assessed. The flap survival, wound healing and surveyed patients’ satisfaction with wound repair were analyzed. A customized evaluation scale was utilized to assess abdominal contour one year post-surgery, scoring from 5 to 25, with higher scores indicating better outcomes. The abdominal health module of the BREAST-Q scale evaluated patients’ satisfaction with abdominal function preoperatively, three months postoperatively, and one year postoperatively, scoring from 20 to 100, with increasing scores indicating greater satisfaction. The measurement data that conform to the normal distribution were expressed as Mean±SD, and the comparison between the two groups was performed using independent samples t-test. The comparison were conducted at multiple time points, repeated measures analysis of variance was performed, and for the comparison of scores within the group, paired t-test was applied. Results:A total of 21 patients were included, 3 males and 18 females, with an age range of 21 to 60 years and a mean age of 41 years. The range of skin and soft tissue defects was from 10.0 cm × 5.0 cm to 22.0 cm × 14.0 cm, and the range of skin flap harvesting was from 11.0 cm × 6.0 cm to 23.0 cm × 15.0 cm. There were 11 cases in the SIEA group and 10 cases in the DIEP group. Preoperative 3D-CTA examination showed that the course and distribution of SIEA and SIEV were consistent with intraoperative anatomical observations. There was no statistically significant difference in the comparison of vessel diameters, pedicle lengths, and actual measurements between preoperative 3D-CTA examination and intraoperative measurements (all P > 0.05). No flap necrosis occurred postoperatively, wound healing was uneventful in all cases. At 1 year postoperatively, there was no statistically significant difference in abdominal contour scores between the SIEA and DIEP groups [(21.96±3.51) points vs. (21.62±3.17) points, P > 0.05]. Comparison of preoperative abdominal function satisfaction scores between the SIEA and DIEP groups showed no statistically significant difference [(87.56 ± 5.70) points vs. (85.79 ± 6.33) points, P > 0.05]. However, at 3 months and 1 year postoperatively, the SIEA group had higher scores than the DIEP group [at 3 months postoperatively, (77.62 ± 7.68) points vs. (65.21 ± 8.27) points; at 1 year postoperatively, (86.93 ± 5.65) points vs. (77.59 ± 5.92) points; both P < 0.01], indicating higher abdominal function satisfaction of the SIEA group postoperatively. The scores of both the SIEA and DIEP groups decreased at 3 months postoperatively compared to preoperative scores (both P < 0.01). At 1 year postoperatively, the score of the SIEA group was similar to preoperative levels, with no statistically significant difference ( P > 0.05), while the score of the DIEP group remained lower than preoperative levels ( P < 0.01). Conclusion:Reconstruction of extensive skin and soft tissue defects in the limbs using SIEA flaps, without injury to the deep tissues of the abdominal wall, allows for near-complete restoration of abdominal function and appearance to preoperative levels, with minimal impact on the donor site. Preoperative 3D-CTA reveals the anatomical variations in the vascular supply of SIEA flaps among individuals, achieving comparable wound repair outcomes to other lower abdominal flaps.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of coronary CT angiography(CCTA)-feature tracking(FT) for assessing global and regional myocardial strain in patients with heart failure(HF).Methods:From July 2019 to December 2020, twenty-five patients diagnosed with HF from Peking Union Medical College Hospital were prospectively enrolled into the study. All patients underwent retrospective electrocardiogram-gated CCTA and cardiac MR (CMR) imaging within 7 days. CCTA-FT and CMR-FT were undertaken using cvi 42 dedicated commercial software to measure global and regional strain parameters, including global peak radial strain (GPRS), global peak circumferential strain (GPCS) and global peak longitudinal strain (GPLS), as well as peak radial strain (PRS), peak circumferential strain (PCS) and peak longitudinal strain (PLS) of left ventricular basal segment, middle segment and apical segment. Conventional left ventricular functional parameters were also calculated, including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular stroke volume (LVSV) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI). Paired t test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the differences of measurements between CCTA group and CMR group. Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the two groups. Inter-and intra-observer consistence in CCTA group was evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis. Results:The effective radiation dose of CCTA examination was 6.00 (4.86,7.63) mSv. Inter-and intra-observer consistence in CCTA group was excellent, and the ICC value was 0.85-0.98. In the overall strain parameters, GPCS in CCTA group[-8.10%(-10.32%, -5.20%)] was significantly lower than that of CMR group[-8.49%(-13.79%, -5.95%)] ( Z=-2.15, P=0.031). There was no significant difference in GPRS and GPRS between the two measurement methods ( P>0.05). Strong correlations were observed between GPRS, GPCS and GPLS ( r=0.65, 0.63, 0.71,all P<0.001). For local strain parameters, PCS in the middle segment and apical segment of CCTA group were lower than those of CMR group ( Z=-2.17, -2.62, all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in PCS of basal segment, PRS and PLS of all segments between groups (all P>0.05). The PCS and PLS of basal segment, PRS of middle segment and PRS of apical segment were moderately correlated ( r=0.46, 0.52, 0.58, 0.53, P<0.05); The other local strain parameters were strongly correlated, the range of r value was from 0.64 to 0.70 (all P<0.001). For left ventricular functional parameters, LVEF, LVSV and LVMI showed no significant differences between groups ( P>0.05), and the correlation was extremely strong ( r=0.90, 0.89, 0.96, all P<0.001). Conclusions:The repeatability of CCTA-FT technique in measuring myocardial strain was good, and the correlation of parameters measured by CCTA-FT technique and CMR-FT technique was excellent. Therefore, CCTA-FT technique can be used as a new noninvasive and simple method to evaluate myocardial motor function.

"The Expert Group on Tumor Ablation Therapy of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, The Tumor Ablation Committee of Chinese College of Interventionalists, The Society of Tumor Ablation Therapy of Chinese Anti-Cancer Association and The Ablation Expert Committee of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology" have organized multidisciplinary experts to formulate the consensus for thermal ablation of pulmonary subsolid nodules or ground-glass nodule (GGN). The expert consensus reviews current literatures and provides clinical practices for thermal ablation of GGN. The main contents include: (1) clinical evaluation of GGN, (2) procedures, indications, contraindications, outcomes evaluation and related complications of thermal ablation for GGN and (3) future development directions.
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PURPOSE: The data on the differences between sputum autoantibodies (Sp-Abs) and serum autoantibodies (Se-Abs) in reflection of autoimmune responses to lungs is still lacking. METHODS: Ten types of Abs were investigated in matched Se and Sp samples collected from recruited subjects. Correlations between Ab levels and airway inflammatory parameters and measures of pulmonary function were assessed. The network-based and inter-correlated analysis was performed to explore the patterns of Sp- and Se-Ab profiles. RESULTS: Fifty stable asthmatic patients and 24 healthy volunteers were recruited for our study, 15 with mild asthma, 18 with moderate asthma and 17 with severe asthma. The concentrations of Sp-Ab against U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (Sp-anti-U1-SnRNP), Sp-Ab against Smith antigen and Se-Ab against thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) in severe asthmatics and Sp-anti-U1-SnRNP in moderate asthmatics were significantly higher compared to healthy controls and mild asthmatic subjects (P < 0.05). Sp-anti-U1-SnRNP levels were positively correlated with the dose of inhaled corticosteroids, Sp eosinophil counts and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (r = 0.326, P = 0.022; r = 0.356, P = 0.012; r = 0.241, P = 0.025, respectively) and negatively correlated with Sp neutrophil counts (r = −0.308, P = 0.031) with adjustment for age. Spearman's correlation matrix showed multiple inter-correlations among Sp-Abs and Se-Abs (P < 0.05) while only the levels of Ab against DNA topoisomerase and anti-TPO in Se were correlated with those Sp-Ab counterparts (P < 0.05). The network-based analysis defined 2 clusters: clusters 1 and 2 contained 10 Sp-Abs and 10 Se-Abs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study observes that Sp-Abs are more associated with clinical parameters and the severity of disease in asthma compared to Se-Abs. Targeting on Sp-Abs which are the hallmark of the localized autoimmune event might help us better understand the role of autoimmunity in the pathological mechanism of asthma.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Asthma ; Autoantibodies ; Autoimmunity ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type I ; Eosinophils ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Iodide Peroxidase ; Lung ; Neutrophils ; Nitric Oxide ; Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear ; Sputum