Background: Severe and critical COVID-19 disease is characterized by hyperinflammation involving pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-6. Tocilizumab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks IL-6 receptors. Objectives: This study evaluated the efficacy of tocilizumab in Filipino patients with severe to critical COVID-19 disease. Methods: This phase 3 randomized double-blind trial, included patients hospitalized for severe or critical COVID-19 in a 1:1 ratio to receive either tocilizumab plus local standard of care or placebo plus standard of care. Patients were eligible for a repeat IV infusion within 24-48 hours if they deteriorated or did not improve. Treatment success or clinical improvement was defined as at least two categories of improvement from baseline in the WHO 7-point Ordinal Scale of patient status, in an intention-to-treat manner. Results: Forty-nine (49) patients were randomized in the tocilizumab arm and 49 in the placebo arm. There was no significant difference in age, comorbidities, COVID-19 severity, need for mechanical ventilation, presence of acute respiratory distress syndrome, or biomarker levels between groups. Use of adjunctive therapy was similar between groups, with corticosteroid used in 91.8% in tocilizumab group and 81.6% in the placebo group, while remdesivir was used in 98% of participants in both groups. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of treatment success in both the intention-to-treat analysis (relative risk=1.05, 95% CI: 0.85-1.30) and per-protocol analysis (relative risk=0.98, 95% CI: 0.80 to 1.21). There was no significant difference in time to improvement of at least two categories relative to baseline on the 7-point Ordinal Scale of clinical status. Conclusion The use of tocilizumab on top of standard of care in the management of patients with severe to critical COVID-19 did not result in significant improvement as defined by the WHO 7-point Ordinal Scale of patient status, nor in significant improvement in incidence of mechanical ventilation, incidence of ICU admission, length of ICU stay, and mortality rate.
COVID-19 ; Interleukin-6

Objective:To investigate the mechanism of action and prognostic value of Dynamin 3 (DNM3) in gastric cancer.Methods:The bioinformatic analysis, experimental study and retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data, fresh gastric cancer tissues, paired normal tissues and the corresponding paraffin sections of 153 gastric cancer patients who underwent radical gastrectomy in Fujian Medical University Union Hospital from January 2013 to July 2018 were collected. Tissues and the corresponding paraffin sections were subjected to quanti-tative real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting assay, flow cytometric cell cycle assay and immunohistochemical staining, respectively, and clinicopathological data were used for prognostic analysis. The stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) dataset from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was collected for bioinformatic analysis. Observation indicators: (1) DNM3 gene expression in TCGA-STAD in gastric cancer; (2) mutations and copy number alterations of DNM3 in gastric cancer; (3) methylation level of promoter of DNM3 in gastric cancer; (4) relative protein expression of DNM3 and p53 in gastric cancer; (5) DNM3 correlation and enrichment analysis; (6) ratio of G0/G1 phase, S phase and G2/M phase of cell cycle progression; (7) correlation between immune cell infiltration and DNM3 in gastric cancer; (8) correlation between results of immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and clinical features; (9) analysis of independent factors influencing 5-year overall survival rate of gastric cancer patients. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD, and comparison among multiple groups was conducted using the ANOVA and further comparison between two groups was conducted using the LSD. Comparison between two groups was conducted using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3), and comparison between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and compari-son between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data was conducted using the rank sum test. The Pearson correlation coefficient or Spearman correlation coefficient was used to test the correlation between groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using the COX proportional risk regression model. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curves and calculate survival rates, and the Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. The Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate correction was used for adjusting of the P-value. Results:(1) DNM3 gene expression in TCGA-STAD. The expression levels of DNM3 gene in the 27 tumor tissues and paired normal tissues of the TCGA-STAD database were 0.775(0.605,1.161) and 1.216(0.772,1.681), showing a significant difference between them ( Z=?2.64, P<0.05). The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of DNM3 gene in 48 pairs of gastric cancer tissues and paired normal tissues of the author′s center were 4.370(2.870,6.040) and 2.520(0.850,4.170), showing a significant difference between them ( Z=?4.39, P<0.05). (2) Mutations and copy number alterations of DNM3 in gastric cancer. There were 16 gastric cancer patients in the TCGA-STAD database with DNM3 mutation or somatic copy number alterations, including 6 cases with missense mutations, 1 case with truncated mutation, 8 cases with copy number gain and 1 case with copy number loss. The mRNA expression levels of DNM3 gene before and after mutation in the 370 gastric cancer patients of the TCGA-STAD database were 6.13(5.40,7.08) and 5.02(3.98,5.46), showing a significant difference between them (Log 2FC=?1.11, Z=?2.59, P<0.05). (3) Methylation level of promoter of DNM3 in gastric cancer. There were 372 gastric cancer patients in the TCGA-STAD database undergoing DNM3 methylation and mRNA examinations, and the results showed that levels of methylation and mRNA expression of DNM3 was 0.198 (-0.458, 0.301) and 6.014 (5.141, 6.628), respectively. The levels of methylation in DNM3 was negatively correlated with its mRNA expression ( r=?0.38, P<0.05). Results of follow-up in 32 patients showed that the 3-year overall survival rate of 16 cases with high levels of methylation in DNM3 and 16 cases with low levels of methylation in DNM3 was 18.8% and 41.3%, respectively, showing a significant difference between them ( hazard ratio=1.40, P<0.05). Results of immunoblot-ting assay showed that the relative expression level of DNM3 protein in the AGS cells treated with 0, 0.5, and 1.0 μmol/L of 5-azacytidin was 0.270±0.020, 0.357±0.051 and 0.599±0.039, respectively, showing a significant difference among the three groups ( F=57.84, P<0.05). The relative expression level of DNM3 protein in the HGC-27 cells treated with 0, 0.5, and 1.0 μmol/L of 5-azacytidin was 0.316±0.038, 0.770±0.031 and 0.877±0.052, respectively, showing a significant difference among the three groups ( F=156.30, P<0.05). (4) Relative protein expression of DNM3 and p53 in gastric cancer. Results of immunoblotting assay showed that the relative expression of DNM3 and p53 protein was 0.688±0.047 and 0.872±0.041 in the AGS cells transfected with pCMV-DNM3 plasmid, versus 0.249±0.029 and 0.352±0.020 in the AGS cells transfected with control plasmid, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two types of cells ( t=13.77,19.74, P<0.05). The relative expression of DNM3 and p53 protein was 0.969±0.069 and 1.464±0.081 in the HGC-27 cells transfected with pCMV-DNM3 plasmid, versus 0.456±0.048 and 0.794±0.052 in the HGC-27 cells transfected with control plasmid, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two types of cells ( t=10.57, 12.06, P<0.05). (5) DNM3 correlation and enrichment analysis. Results of correlation analysis showed that DNM3 was positively correlated with genes such as RBMS3, CNTN4 and PDE1A ( r=0.52, 0.52, 0.50, P<0.05) and negatively correlated with genes such as SLC25A39, PAICS and GAPDH ( r=?0.41, ?0.40, ?0.40, P<0.05) in gastric cancer. Results of gene set enrichment analysis showed that the set of genes related to ribosome and oxidative phosphorylation were upregulated in gastric cancer patients with DNM3 low expression [normalized enrichment score (NES)=?3.30, ?2.16, P<0.05], while the set of genes related to immunomodulatory interactions between lymphocytes and non-lymphoid cells were upregulated in gastric cancer patients with DNM3 high expression (NES=1.67, P<0.05). Results of gene ontology analysis showed that the low expression of DNM3 was associated with the separation of mitotic sister chromatid (No.0000070), nonsense-mediation of nuclear transcriptional mRNA catabolic process, sister chromatid separation (No.0000819), nuclear transcriptional mRNA catabolic process and regulation of oxidative phos-phorylation (NES=?2.29, ?3.10, ?2.33, ?2.56, ?2.68, P<0.05). Results of Kyoto encycl opedia of genes and genomes analysis showed that metabolic pathway related to ribosome and oxidative phosphory-lation were upregulated and crosstalked in gastric cancer with low expression of DNM3 (NES=?3.34, ?2.21, P<0.05). (6) Ratio of G0/G1 phase, S phase and G2/M phase of cell cycle progression. Results of flow cytometric cell cycle experiments showed that the proportions of G0/G1 phase, S phase and G2/M phase in the cell cycle was 65.1%±3.0%, 17.3%±3.0% and 17.6%±1.0% in the AGS cells transfected with pCMV-DNM3 plasmid, versus 53.4%±4.0%, 26.3%±2.0% and 20.3%±3.0% in the AGS cells transfected with control plasmid, showing significant differences in the proportions of G0/G1 phase and S phase in the two types of cells ( t=4.05, 4.32, P<0.05). (7) Correlation between immune cell infiltration and DNM3 in gastric cancer. Results of immune cell infiltration examination showed that the expression level of DNM3 was positively associated with mast cells, NK cells, pDCs, B cells, follicular helper T cells, effector memory T cells, T cells, central memory T cells, CD8 T cells, DC cells, macrophages, γ-δ T cells (Tgd), iDCs and eosinophils infiltration (Spearman correlation coefficients as 0.41, 0.29, 0.26, 0.20, 0.22, 0.22, 0.13, 0.16, 0.15, 0.14, 0.14, 0.17, 0.18, 0.22, P<0.05) and negatively associated with Th17 cell, Th2 cells and NK CD56 dim cells infiltration ( r=?0.18, ?0.23, ?0.10, P<0.05). (8) Correlation between results of IHC staining and clinical features. Results of IHC staining analysis showed that the IHC score of DNM3 was 3(2,4) in the 105 gastric cancer tissues, versus 6(4,9) in the 105 paired normal tissues, showing a significant difference between them ( Z=-7.35, P<0.05). There were significant differences in gender, tumor location and N stating between the 70 patients with low expression of DNM3 and the 35 patients with high expression of DNM3 ( χ2=4.29, 7.67, 6.86, P<0.05). (9) Analysis of independent factors influencing 5-year overall survival rate of gastric cancer patients. Results of multivariate analysis showed that stage pT3?4 and low IHC score of DNM3 were independent risk factors for 5-year overall survival rate of gastric cancer patients ( hazard ratio=1.91, 0.51, 95% confidence interval as 1.06?3.43, 0.26?0.98, P<0.05). The 5-year overall survival rate was 44.3% in patients with low expression of DNM3, versus 65.7% in gastric cancer patients with high expression of DNM3, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=5.02, P<0.05). Conclusion:DNM3 is a tumor suppressor and an independent predictor of poor prognosis for gastric cancer, which may regulate gastric cancer cell cycle and immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment through methylation.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and patient satisfaction rates of low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy LIESWT) in men with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (ED) using Duolith SD1 machine. Materials and Methods: This prospective, randomized, double-blinded clinical trial included 60 men who were randomly assigned to LIESWT (n=30, active group) or placebo (n=30) over 6 weeks. Patient demographics, change in International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-5, Erection Hardness Score (EHS) and Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) scores, and an overall satisfaction score (on a 5-point scale), were recorded. All patients were reviewed at 1, 3, and 6 months after completion of therapy. Results: There were 21 (70%) patients in the LIESWT group and 3 (10%) patients in the placebo group who had a 5-point or greater increase in IIEF-5 score (p=0.018). At 6-month study period, the mean IIEF-5 score was 18.8 (standard deviation [SD], 3.8) in the LIESWT group versus 14.8 (SD, 3.6) in the placebo group, difference in means between groups was 4.0 (95% confidence interval, 2.1–5.9; p<0.001). The EHS scores were higher in the LIESWT group with a mean of greater than 1.2 across the 1, 3, and 6 months compared to the placebo group (p<0.05). All patients completed the treatment study and there was no adverse event reported in terms of penile pain, bruising or deformity. There was a positive correlation between men who reported improvement in EF and treatment satisfaction level with LiESWT (p=0.008). Conclusions LIESWT improves erectile function in the short-term especially in men with mild to moderate ED, and those without a cardiometabolic disease.

This study aimed to obtain the first national estimate of the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Chinese children. We targeted the population of 6 to 12-year-old children for this prevalence study by multistage convenient cluster sampling. The Modified Chinese Autism Spectrum Rating Scale was used for the screening process. Of the target population of 142,086 children, 88.5% (n = 125,806) participated in the study. A total of 363 children were confirmed as having ASD. The observed ASD prevalence rate was 0.29% (95% CI: 0.26%-0.32%) for the overall population. After adjustment for response rates, the estimated number of ASD cases was 867 in the target population sample, thereby achieving an estimated prevalence of 0.70% (95% CI: 0.64%-0.74%). The prevalence was significantly higher in boys than in girls (0.95%; 95% CI: 0.87%-1.02% versus 0.30%; 95% CI: 0.26%-0.34%; P < 0.001). Of the 363 confirmed ASD cases, 43.3% were newly diagnosed, and most of those (90.4%) were attending regular schools, and 68.8% of the children with ASD had at least one neuropsychiatric comorbidity. Our findings provide reliable data on the estimated ASD prevalence and comorbidities in Chinese children.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus ; Animals ; Cell Nucleus ; metabolism ; Forkhead Box Protein O3 ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Muscle, Skeletal ; metabolism ; pathology ; Muscular Atrophy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; deficiency ; metabolism

The efficacy of intravesical onabotulinumtoxinA (BTXA) in the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) has been well documented. The use of BTXA injection in orthotopic neobladders is yet to be studied. We present 4 cases of patients injected with intravesical BTXA for overactive orthotopic ileal neobladder. We recorded patient demographics, presenting and follow-up symptoms, urodynamic profiles, and Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) scores. The 4 patients reported varying degrees of subjective improvements in the symptoms, including urgency, urge incontinence, and pad usage. Mean follow-up duration was 8.3 months (range, 5-14 months). Average PGI-I score was 3 ("a little better") (range, 2-4). To our knowledge, the current study is the first case series examining BTXA injection for orthotopic neobladder overactivity. BTXA injection yielded varying degrees of objective and subjective improvements, without significant complications. Intravesical BTXA injection is feasible and may be considered as a potential treatment alternative for OAB in orthotopic neobladders, although further study is warranted.
Administration, Intravesical ; Demography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive ; Urinary Diversion ; Urinary Incontinence, Urge ; Urinary Reservoirs, Continent ; Urodynamics

Liver transplantation has been regarded as the definitive curative approach for pathologic liver conditions from the acute stage to the chronic end stage for decades. Recently, translational research has been focused on liver stem cell transplantation, using various cell therapies, due to the potential benefit of natural host liver regeneration. Many studies are ongoing utilizing and evaluating the use of either fetal-liver-derived stem cells or oval cells, however many obstacles still remain. Extensive research identifying and characterizimg stem/progenitor cells for potential application to in vitro cell therapy, whereas many questions remain concerning the isolation and identification of adult liver stem cells with adequate capacity for proliferation and the regeneration of injured liver. Recent approaches to liver regeneration include the production of hepatocyte-like cells from other stem cell sources such as mesenchymal stem cells and embryonic stems cells. Another major target for liver regeneration studies include the generation of liver stem cells from induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSC) We review the current data concerning characterization of stem cells and progenitor cells for their capacity to support their potential for re-population and regeneration of normal adult liver from liver damaged due to injury and/or disease.
Adult ; Cell Transplantation ; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy ; Humans ; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells ; Liver Regeneration ; Liver Transplantation ; Liver* ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Regeneration ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Stem Cells* ; Translational Medical Research

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to observe the effect of hemoperfusion (HP) cartridge on different internal environment indicators at different time points in patients with acute blood poisoning and to find alternative indicators for the detection of blood poisoning. METHODS: The levels of internal environment indicators (blood pH, PvCO2, PvO2, blood lactate, potassium, free calcium, bicarbonate, and blood glucose) before and after HP treatment were recorded for patients with acute poisoning at time points of 30 minutes and 120 minutes. After calculating the difference value δ, the statistical software was used to analyze the statistical difference of the influencea-v caused by HP cartridge at two time points. According to the formula, adsorption rate %= —— ×100, thea adsorption rate of each indicator was calculated respectively. RESULTS: The difference of indicators at different time points in inlet and outlet such as blood glucose, free-calcium, and lactate was statistically significant (P<0.05), but the difference in indicators such as pH, PvCO2, PvO2, potassium, sodium, and bicarbonate was not statistical y significant (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: During HP treatment, the indicators of blood glucose, free-calcium and lactate were significantly affected by HP cartridge, and the effect varies with time.