OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether electroacupuncture (EA) at sensitized acupoints could reduce sympathetic-sensory coupling (SSC) and neurogenic inflammatory response by interfering with 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)ergic neural pathways to relieve colitis and somatic referred pain, and explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Rats were treated with 5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) solution for 7 days to establish a colitis model. Twelve rats were randomly divided into the control and model groups according to a random number table (n=6). According to the "Research on Rat Acupoint Atlas", sensitized acupoints and non-sensitized acupoints were determined. Rats were randomly divided into the control, model, Zusanli-EA (ST 36), Dachangshu-EA (BL 25), and Xinshu (BL 15) groups (n=6), as well as the control, model, EA, and EA + GR113808 (a 5-HT inhibitor) groups (n=6). The rats in the control group received no treatment. Acupuncture was administered on 2 days after modeling using the stimulation pavameters: 1 mA, 2 Hz, for 30 min, with sparse and dense waves, for 14 consecutive days. GR113808 was injected into the tail vein at 5 mg/kg before EA for 10 min for 7 consecutive days. Mechanical sensitivity was assessed with von Frey filaments. Body weight and disease activity index (DAI) scores of rats were determined. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to observe colon histopathology. SSC was analyzed by immunofluorescence staining. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect 5-HT and substance P (SP) expressions. The calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in skin tissue and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) protein levels in DRG were detected by Western blot. The levels of hyaluronic acid (HA), bradykinin (BK), prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) in skin tissue, 5-HT, tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1), serotonin transporters (SERT), 5-HT 3 receptor (5-HT3R), and 5-HT 4 receptor (5-HT4R) in colon tissue were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: BL 25 and ST 36 acupoints were determined as sensitized acupoints, and BL 15 acupoint was used as a non-sensitized acupoint. EA at sensitized acupoints improved the DAI score, increased mechanical withdrawal thresholds, and alleviated colonic pathological damage of rats. EA at sensitized acupoints reduced SSC structures and decreased TH and CGRP expression levels (P<0.05). Furthermore, EA at sensitized acupoints reduced BK, PGI2, 5-HT, 5-HT3R and TPH1 levels, and increased HA, 5-HT4R and SERT levels in colitis rats (P<0.05). GR113808 treatment diminished the protective effect of EA at sensitized acupoints in colitis rats (P<0.05). CONCLUSION EA at sensitized acupoints alleviated DSS-induced somatic referred pain in colitis rats by interfering with 5-HTergic neural pathway, and reducing SSC inflammatory response.
Rats ; Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serotonin ; Acupuncture Points ; Pain, Referred ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; Signal Transduction ; Colitis/therapy* ; Indoles ; Sulfonamides

Objective To investigate the effect of varying blood pressure stratification on renal function in the diabetic population.Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted,enrolling 9 489 diabetic patients from a total of 101 510 Kailuan Group employees who underwent health examinations between July 2006 and October 2007.The follow-up period was(8.6±4.0)years.Participants were categorized into four groups based on their baseline blood pressure levels:normal blood pressure(systolic blood pressure<120 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure<80 mmHg),elevated blood pressure(systolic blood pressure 120-130 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure<80 mmHg),stage 1 hypertension(systolic blood pressure 130-140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure 80-90 mmHg),and stage 2 hypertension(systolic blood pressure≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure≥90 mmHg).The incidence density of chronic kidney disease(CKD)was compared among these groups.A multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was employed to assess the effects of different blood pressure levels on renal function in diabetic patients,with the stability of the results confirmed using a multivariate time-dependent Cox proportional hazards model.Sensitivity analysis was conducted after excluding cases of cardiovascular disease(CVD)during follow-up,and cases using antihypertensive and antidiabetic medications at baseline.Results(1)At baseline,stage 1 hypertension patients demonstrated statistically significant higher differences with age and body mass index(BMI)compared to normal blood pressure group(P<0.05).(2)By the end of the follow-up,2 294 cases of CKD were identified,including 1 117 cases of estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)decline and 1 575 cases of urinary protein.The incidences density of CKD,eGFR decline and urinary protein for stage 1 hypertension group were 39.4,16.3 and 25.5 per thousand person-years,respectively,all of which were statistically significant different from normal blood pressure group(log-rank test,P<0.01).(3)Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that,compared to the normal blood pressure group,stage 1 hypertension was associated with a 29%increased risk of CKD(HR=1.29,95%CI 1.09-1.52)and a 40%increased risk of eGFR decline(HR=1.40,95%CI 1.08-1.80)in diabetic individuals.Conclusion Stage 1 hypertension significantly increases the risk of CKD and eGFR decline in diabetic individuals,with a particularly notable effect on the risk of eGFR decline.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of low-dose recombinant interleukin-2(rIL-2)therapy on immunocyte subsets and its side effects in children with solid tumor.Methods:A total of 22 children(11 males and 11 females)with solid tumor in our department from December 2012 to November 2017 were selected,with a median age of 9(3-16)years old when starting IL-2 therapy.ALL surgeries and chemotherapy of children had been completed before low-dose rIL-2 therapy,and 17 cases achieved complete remission(CR)and 5 cases achieved partial remission(PR).A low-dose rIL-2 therapy was given 1 month after chemotherapy for 1 year:4 × 105 IU/(m2·d),s.c.for every other day,3 times per week.The immunocyte subsets were detected every 3 months until the end of treatment,meanwhile,disease condition and therapy-related side effects were followed up.Results:After low-dose rIL-2 therapy in 22 children,the absolute values of CD3+T cells,CD3-CD56+natural killer cells,CD3+CD4+helper T cells(Th)and CD3+CD8+cytotoxic T cells were up-regulated remarkably,as well as Th/suppressor T cells(all P＜0.05).While,there were no significant differences in absolute value and proportion of CD4+CD25+CD127-Treg cells during therapy.Among the 17 children who achieved CR before rIL-2 therapy,14 cases continued to maintain CR after therapy,while 3 cases relapsed,and with 2 died after treatment abandonment.The 5 children who achieved PR before low-dose rIL-2 therapy were evaluated CR by PET/CT scan after treatment.In the early stage of low-dose rIL-2 therapy,1 child developed skin rashes at the injection sites,and 2 children ran a slight to mild transient fever.Their symptoms disappeared without any organ damage after symptomatic treatment.Conclusion:Low-dose rIL-2 therapy has good drug tolerance,and changes the distribution of anti-tumor immune-cell subgroup in peripheral blood of children with solid tumor remarkably without up-regulation of absolute value and ratio of Treg cells.

Objective To establish a renal cell co-culture system to simulate the renal barrier system,and to test its responsiveness to different glucose concentrations,and to investigate the regulatory effect of miR-29b-3p on osteopontin(OPN)/transforming growth factor β(TGF-β)pathway and the changes of this pathway under high glucose condition.Methods The three-cell co-culture system consisting of human renal podocytes,human glomerular mesangial cells and human renal tubular epithelial cells was established to test the cell viability and glucose consumption value at glucose concentrations of 5,8,12 and 16 mmol/L.The content of TGF-β and OPN in cell supernatant was measured.The recombinant plasmid and siRNA of OPN were transfected,and the expressions of TGF-β and OPN were detected by Q-PCR and Western blot.Results The mRNA expressions of OPN,TGF-β and miR-29b were significantly increased at 12 mmol/L glucose conditions.Western blot results showed that the protein expression of OPN increased in high glucose conditions,while the protein expression of TGF-β did not change significantly.After adding miR-29b-3p activator,the mRNA levels of OPN and TGF-β in the cell supernatant were significantly increased.After adding miR-29b-3p inhibitor,the mRNA levels of OPN and TGF-β in the cell supernatant were significantly decreased.Western blot results showed that compared with 5 mmol/L glucose,the protein expressions of OPN and TGF-β were increased by miR-29b-3p activator,and the protein expressions of OPN and TGF-β were decreased by miR-29b-3p inhibitor.After transfection with OPN recombinant plasmid,the content of TGF-β in the cell supernatant was significantly increased,and the mRNA expressions of OPN and TGF-β in the cells were significantly increased.After transfection with OPN siRNA,the content of TGF-β in the cell supernatant was decreased,and the expression of OPN mRNA in the cells was significantly decreased,but the expression of TGF-β mRNA was not significantly increased.Conclusion The renal cell co-culture system can mimic the complex renal environment in vivo.When induced by high glucose,cell proliferation is inhibited,glucose consumption is increased,and the content of TGF-β in the cell supernatant is increased,and miR-29b-3p has a regulatory effect on OPN/TGF-β signaling pathway in the co-culture system.

Objective:To observe the impacts of using heated and humidified gas sources for delivery room resuscitation on the short-term outcomes of extremely preterm infants.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 231 extremely preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, the First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, from January 2020 to December 2022. The infants were divided into two groups based on whether heated and humidified gas sources were used during delivery room resuscitation: the heated and humidified group (103 cases) and the non-heated and humidified group (128 cases). Independent sample t-tests, Chi-square tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare general conditions and short-term outcomes between the groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the impact of using heated and humidified gas sources during delivery room resuscitation on the short-term outcomes of extremely preterm infants. Results:Compared to the non-heated and humidified group, the heated and humidified group had a lower incidence of intubation resuscitation [28.2% (29/103) vs. 41.4% (53/128), χ 2=4.38], moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)/death [22.3% (23/103) vs. 39.1% (50/128), χ 2=7.39] and low rectal temperature upon admission (<36.7 ℃) [57.3% (59/103) vs. 79.7% (102/128), χ 2=13.57], while the rectal temperature upon admission was higher [36.3 ℃ (36.0-36.7 ℃) vs. 35.9 ℃ (35.5-36.3 ℃), U=－5.05], with all differences being statistically significant (all P<0.05). After adjusting for gender, gestational age, mode of delivery, amniotic fluid condition, weight on admission, maternal premature rupture of membranes, assisted reproductive technology, and full course of prenatal steroid use, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the use of heated and humidified gas sources during delivery room resuscitation could increase the hospital admission rectal temperature ( β=0.46, 95% CI: 0.28-0.64), and decrease the risks of severe BPD/death ( aOR=0.39, 95% CI: 0.20-0.75), and low rectal temperature upon admission ( aOR=0.29, 95% CI: 0.16-0.55)(all P<0.05). Compared to the non-heated and humidified group, the heated and humidified group showed no statistically significant differences in the use of pulmonary surfactant [37.9% (39/103) vs. 43.8% (56/128), χ 2=1.45], incidence of stage Ⅲ or higher necrotizing enterocolitis [2.0% (2/103) vs. 5.5% (7/128), χ 2=2.06], grade Ⅲ or higher intracranial hemorrhage [2.9% (3/103) vs. 3.9% (5/128), χ 2=0.22], and retinopathy of prematurity requiring surgical treatment [3.9% (4/103) vs. 10.2% (13/128), χ 2=3.60] (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The use of heated and humidified gas sources during resuscitation of extremely preterm infants can reduce the risk of moderate to severe BPD/death, help maintain warmth during resuscitation, and do not adversely affect other short-term outcomes.

Background/Aims: Despite the high efficacy of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), approximately 1–3% of hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients fail to achieve a sustained virological response. We conducted a nationwide study to investigate risk factors associated with DAA treatment failure. Machine-learning algorithms have been applied to discriminate subjects who may fail to respond to DAA therapy. Methods: We analyzed the Taiwan HCV Registry Program database to explore predictors of DAA failure in HCV patients. Fifty-five host and virological features were assessed using multivariate logistic regression, decision tree, random forest, eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and artificial neural network. The primary outcome was undetectable HCV RNA at 12 weeks after the end of treatment. Results: The training (n=23,955) and validation (n=10,346) datasets had similar baseline demographics, with an overall DAA failure rate of 1.6% (n=538). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, poor DAA adherence, and higher hemoglobin A1c were significantly associated with virological failure. XGBoost outperformed the other algorithms and logistic regression models, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 1.000 in the training dataset and 0.803 in the validation dataset. The top five predictors of treatment failure were HCV RNA, body mass index, α-fetoprotein, platelets, and FIB-4 index. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the XGBoost model (cutoff value=0.5) were 99.5%, 69.7%, 99.9%, 97.4%, and 99.5%, respectively, for the entire dataset. Conclusions Machine learning algorithms effectively provide risk stratification for DAA failure and additional information on the factors associated with DAA failure.

OBJECTIVE: The mode of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission via injection drug use (IDU) still exists, and the recent shift in IDU-related transmission of HIV infection is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to analyze the spatiotemporal sources and dynamics of HIV-1 transmission through IDU in Guangxi. METHODS: We performed a molecular epidemiological investigation of infections across Guangxi from 2009 to 2019. Phylogenetic and Bayesian time-geographic analyses of HIV-1 sequences were performed to confirm the characteristics of transmission between IDUs in combination with epidemiological data. RESULTS: Among the 535 subjects, CRF08_BC (57.4%), CRF01_AE (28.4%), and CRF07_BC (10.7%) were the top 3 HIV strains; 72.6% of infections were linked to other provinces in the transmission network; 93.6% of sequence-transmitted strains were locally endemic, with the rest coming from other provinces, predominantly Guangdong and Yunnan; 92.1% of the HIV transmission among people who inject drugs tended to be transmitted between HIV-positive IDUs. CONCLUSION HIV recombinants were high diversity, and circulating local strains were the transmission sources among IDUs in Guangxi. However, there were still cases of IDUs linked to other provinces. Coverage of traditional prevention strategies should be expanded, and inter-provincial collaboration between Guangxi, Yunnan, and Guangdong provinces should be strengthened.
Humans ; HIV-1/genetics* ; HIV Infections ; Drug Users ; Phylogeny ; Bayes Theorem ; China/epidemiology* ; Genotype

Aim To explore the role and mechanism of nuclear receptor subfamily 1,group D,member 1(NR1D1)in the proliferation and migration of mouse adventitial fibroblasts(AFs). Methods Primary AFs isolated from C57BL/6J mice were cultured. Adenovirus carrying Nr1d1 gene was used to overexpress NR1D1 in AFs. The expression of β-catenin was restored by SKL2001. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen(Ki-67)immunofluorescence staining and CCK-8 staining were used to determine cell proliferation,and scratch test was used to determine cell migration. qPCR was used to determine the mRNA level of Nr1d1. Western blot was used to determine the protein levels of NR1D1 and β-catenin. To investigate the role of NR1D1 in intimal hyperplasia,20 male wild type C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into sham group,carotid artery endothelial injury,sham+SR9009(NR1D1 agonist)group and carotid artery endothelial injury+SR9009(n=5 in each group). They were treated with DMSO or SR9009(100 mg·kg-1·d-1)via intraperitoneal injection for 14 days after operation,respectively. The degree of carotid intimal hyperplasia was measured by HE staining 28 days after operation. Results NR1D1 overexpression significantly reduced the percentage of Ki-67-positive cells(P<0.01),total cell number(P<0.01)and slowed down the rate of wound-healing(P<0.01). NR1D1 overexpression significantly inhibited the expression of β-catenin(P<0.05). After the expression of β-catenin was restored by SKL2001,the inhibitory effects of NR1D1 overexpression on the proliferation and migration of AFs were abolished(P<0.01). Enhanced activity of NR1D1 significantly ameliorated intimal hyperplasia after carotid endothelial injury(P<0.01). Conclusion NR1D1 may inhibit the proliferation and migration of AFs via suppressing the expression of β-catenin.

Objective:To summarize the survival rate, complications, and outcomes of 32 periviable extremely preterm infants (PEPIs) born at ≤23 gestational weeks.Methods:This was a retrospective observational study involving PEPIs born at the Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2021. Clinical data of all subjects were collected and analyzed. The survival rates of PEPIs born from 2015 to 2019 and 2020 to 2021 were compared. Chi-square (or Fisher's exact) test was used for statistical analysis. Results:(1) During the study period, 32 PEPIs were admitted, accounting for 0.024% (32/132 534) of all newborns born in the same hospital during the study period. The median gestational age of the 32 PEPIs was 23 weeks (21 +4-23 +6 weeks), and the birth weight was 480 g (350-720 g). (2) The survival rate of PEPIs born between 2020 and 2021 was 10/19, which appears to be a trend higher than that between 2015 and 2019 (3/13, χ2=2.79, P=0.095), while the rate of withdrawal of treatment was 8/13 and 3/19, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=7.16, P=0.007). (3) Thirteen of the 32 PEPIs survived on discharge, including four born at 22 weeks and nine at 23 weeks. The birth weights of these surviving infants were 300-<400 g in one case, 400-<500 g in five cases, 500-<600 g in four cases, 600-<700 g in one case, and ≥700 g in two cases. (4) The most common complication was moderate and severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (10/13), followed by retinopathy of prematurity requiring surgical intervention (5/13), patent ductus arteriosus requiring ligation (4/13), late-onset sepsis (2/13), necrotizing enterocolitis (stage Ⅱa or above) (2/13) and grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ intraventricular hemorrhage or periventricular leukomalacia (2/13). The median duration of follow-up was ten months (6-69 months), and motor retardation occurred in three infants. Conclusions:The overall survival rate of PEPIs in our hospital is relatively high, with a lower incidence of complications during hospitalization and relatively better outcome. However, further studies are required for the long-term prognosis in this group of infants.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of transanal drainage tube (TDT) in reducing the incidence of anastomotic leak following anterior resection in patients with rectal cancer. Methods: We conducted a systematic search for relevant studies published from inception to October 2022 across multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 software. The primary outcomes included total incidence of anastomotic leak, grade B and C anastomotic leak rates, reoperation rate, anastomotic bleeding rate, and overall complication rate. Results: Three randomized controlled trials involving 1115 patients (559 patients in the TDT group and 556 in the non-TDT group) were included. Meta-analysis showed that the total incidences of anastomotic leak and of grade B anastomotic leak were 5.5% (31/559) and 4.5% (25/559), respectively, in the TDT group and 7.9% (44/556) and 3.8% (21/556), respectively, in the non-TDT group. These differences are not statistically significant (P=0.120, P=0.560, respectively). Compared with the non-TDT group, the TDT group had a lower incidence of grade C anastomotic leak (1.6% [7/559] vs. 4.5% [25/556]) and reoperation rate (0.9% [5/559] vs. 4.3% [24/556]), but a higher incidence of anastomotic bleeding (8.2% [23/279] vs. 3.6% [10/276]). These differences were statistically significant (P=0.003, P=0.001, P=0.030, respectively). The overall complication rate was 26.5%(74/279) in the TDT group and 27.2% (75/276) in the non-TDT group. These differences are not statistically significant (P=0.860). Conclusions: TDT did not significantly reduce the total incidence of anastomotic leak but may have potential clinical benefits in preventing grade C anastomotic leak. Notably, placement of TDT may increase the anastomotic bleeding rate.
Humans ; Anastomotic Leak/etiology* ; Rectal Neoplasms/complications* ; Drainage ; Anastomosis, Surgical/adverse effects* ; Reoperation/adverse effects* ; Hemorrhage ; Retrospective Studies