Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of vedolizumab(VDZ)and infliximab(IFX)for moderate to severe ulcerative colitis(UC)patients through a multicenter retrospective cohort study.Methods All patients with moderate to severe UC who were naive to biologic agents and treated with IFX or VDZ for at least 14 weeks at 3 hospitals in Southwest China between January 2021 and January 2023 were retrospectively enrolled.The efficacy evaluation indicators,including steroid-free clinical remission rates,clinical remission rates and endoscopic remission rates at weeks 14 and 52 were compared between the 2 groups.The occurrence of adverse events during treatment were recorded.Taking whether mucosal healing could be achieved after 14 and 52 weeks of treatment as the dependent variable,firstly,univariate analysis was performed to analyze the risk factors affecting mucosal healing at weeks 14 and 52,and then multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to identify the independent risk factors of mucosal healing at the 2 time points.Results A total of 151 patients with moderate to severe UC were included,after propensity score matching(PSM),each group included 57 patients.There were no significant differences in the steroid-free clinical remission rate and clinical remission rate between the 2 groups at weeks 14 and 52(P＞0.05).The endoscopic remission rate at week 14 was significantly higher in the VDZ group than the IFX group[40.4％(23/57)vs 22.8％(13/57),P=0.044],but no such difference was observed at week 52[64.5％(20/31)vs 59.5％(22/37),P=0.669].Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that left-sided disease(E2)[vs pancolitis(E3)](OR=0.46,95％CI:0.21～0.98,P=0.045)was independent risk factor for mucosal healing at week 14 and a disease duration ≥36 months(OR=0.25,95％CI:0.09～0.66,P=0.005)was independent risk factor for mucosal healing at week 52.No statistical difference was observed in the incidence of adverse events between the 2 groups(1.8％vs 7.0％,P=0.360).Conclusion VDZ and IFX have similar efficacy and safety,and both can be used as first-line options for patients with moderate to severe UC.

‍ ObjectiveTo investigate the diagnostic efficacy and optimal cut-off values of alpha-fetoprotein （AFP） and alpha-fetoprotein variant L3 （AFP-L3） in hepatitis B virus （HBV）-related early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. MethodsA total of 1 080 patients with HBV-related HCC （HBV-HCC） who were diagnosed for the first time and not yet treated in The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from January 2019 to July 2022 were enrolled as HCC group in the study， among whom there were 620 patients with CNLC Ⅰ‍a-‍Ⅱ‍a HCC， and in addition， 346 patients with HBV-related chronic hepatitis B （CHB group） and 293 patients with HBV-related liver cirrhosis （LC group） were enrolled as controls. The diagnostic efficacy of AFP and AFP-L3% in screening for HBV-related early-stage HCC was analyzed， including sensitivity， specificity， and the area under the ROC curve （AUC）. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data with skewed distribution between two groups； the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups， and the Bonferroni method was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsThe HCC group had significantly higher levels of AFP and AFP-L3% than the CHB group and the LC group （H=542.479 and 418.974， both P<0.001）. In early-stage HCC， AFP and AFP-L3% had an optimal cut-off value of 8.7 ng/mL and 5%， respectively， and AFP alone had the largest AUC of 0.816， with a sensitivity of 66.9% and a specificity of 85.1%. There was no significant difference in AUC between AFP-L3%+AFP and AFP alone （Z=0.609， P=0.543）， but both AFP-L3%+AFP and AFP alone had a significantly larger AUC than AFP-L3% alone （AFP vs AFP-L3%： Z=8.173， P<0.001； AFP+AFP-L3% vs AFP-L3%： Z=8.802， P<0.001）. ConclusionAFP has a good value and is superior to AFP-L3% in the diagnosis of HBV-related early-stage HCC， and the screening cut-off value of AFP should be lowered in order to improve the detection rate of early-stage HCC.

OBJECTIVES: Ozone is widely applied to treat allergic skin diseases such as eczema, atopic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis. However, the specific mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of ozonated oil on treating 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and the underling mechanisms. METHODS: Besides the blank control (Ctrl) group, all other mice were treated with DNCB to establish an ACD-like mouse model and were randomized into following groups: a model group, a basal oil group, an ozonated oil group, a FcεRI-overexpressed plasmid (FcεRI-OE) group, and a FcεRI empty plasmid (FcεRI-NC) group. The basal oil group and the ozonated oil group were treated with basal oil and ozonated oil, respectively. The FcεRI-OE group and the FcεRI-NC group were intradermally injected 25 µg FcεRI overexpression plasmid and 25 µg FcεRI empty plasmid when treating with ozonated oil, respectively. We recorded skin lesions daily and used reflectance confocal microscope (RCM) to evaluate thickness and inflammatory changes of skin lesions. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, real-time PCR, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq), and immunohistochemistry were performed to detct and analyze the skin lesions. RESULTS: Ozonated oil significantly alleviated DNCB-induced ACD-like dermatitis and reduced the expressions of IFN-γ, IL-17A, IL-1β, TNF-α, and other related inflammatory factors (all P<0.05). RNA-seq analysis revealed that ozonated oil significantly inhibited the activation of the DNCB-induced FcεRI/Syk signaling pathway, confirmed by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry (all P<0.05). Compared with the ozonated oil group and the FcεRI-NC group, the mRNA expression levels of IFN-γ, IL-17A, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and other inflammatory genes in the FcεRI-OE group were significantly increased (all P<0.05), and the mRNA and protein expression levels of FcεRI and Syk were significantly elevated in the FcεRI-OE group as well (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Ozonated oil significantly improves ACD-like dermatitis and alleviated DNCB-induced ACD-like dermatitis via inhibiting the FcεRI/Syk signaling pathway.
Animals ; Mice ; Dinitrochlorobenzene/metabolism* ; Skin/metabolism* ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Interleukin-17/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact/pathology* ; Dermatitis, Atopic/chemically induced* ; Signal Transduction ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

Microtus fortis (reed vole) is the only mammal known to have natural resistance to Schistosomiasis japonica. Originating from schistosomiasis endemic and non-endemic areas, as well as laboratory bred voles have the same resistance to Schistosoma japonicum. After more than 30 years of laboratory cultivation of wild reed vole, a series of progress have been made in laboratory animalization. A detailed study was conducted on biological traits including growth and development, reproductive physiology, serum biochemistry, hematological indicators and tissue anatomy. At the same time, the anti-schistosomiasis characteristics and anti-schistosomiasis mechanisms of Microtus fortis were studied. The closed Dongtinghu population of Microtus fortis (S: DTMF) cultivated by Shanghai Laboratory Animal Research Center was recognized as a Chinese laboratory animal resource by the Experimental Animal Resources and Evaluation Working Committee of the Chinese Association for Laboratory Animal Sciences in 2021. This review focuses on summarizing the research progress in the biological characteristics, standardization research, genome and anti-schistosomiasis mechanism of reed vole in the past decade, especially in the implementation of the key project in the National Science and Technology Pillar Program.

ObjectiveTo establish a method for rapid and sensitive detection of Staphylococcus aureus. MethodsThe specific gene nuc of Staphylococcus aureus was selected as the target gene. A pair of specific primers and a TaqMan probe were designed and synthesized according to the published sequence of the nuc gene. Establish a nucleic acid detection method for nuc gene using fluorescence quantitative PCR technology, and apply it clinically in the detection of fecal samples from rats and mice. ResultsThe DNA extracted from Staphylococcus aureus and other non-Staphylococcus aureus strains was detected by qPCR. The results showed that Staphylococcus aureus had a specific amplification curve, while other non-Staphylococcus aureus did not, indicating that the designed primers and probes were specific for Staphylococcus aureus. The sensitivity of this method was determined by diluting the DNA of Staphylococcus aureus by 10 times. The results showed that the detection limit of this method was 10 fg DNA, which was 2 orders of magnitude higher than that of ordinary PCR method. A total of 91 clinical samples were detected in this study, of which 4 rat samples from the same facility had a typical S-curve. The PCR products were sequenced and BLAST compared. The gene sequence of this sample was 100% similar to that of Staphylococcus aureus, indicating that the sample was positive for the nucleic acid of Staphylococcus aureus nuc gene, with a positive rate of 4.40%. The result was consistent with that obtained by bacterial culture method. The nucleic acid extraction adopted a full-automatic nucleic acid purification instrument, and the time required from nucleic acid extraction to detection result determination was less than 1.5 h. ConclusionThe qPCR method established in this study to identify Staphylococcus aureus with nuc gene as the target gene has the advantages of fast, high sensitivity and specificity, and can be used for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus in feces of rats and mice.

Objective: To study the effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides ( LBP ) on blood indexes and liver tissue morphology in rats with intrahepatic cholestasis. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, and LBP low, medium and high dose group. The rats in the model group and LBP dose groups were given 60 mg/kg alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate ( ANIT ) by gavage every three days of the experiment, and the rats in the control group were given salad oil instead of ANIT. From the third day, the rats in each dose group were given 40, 150 and 600 mg/kg LBP, and the rats in the model group were given distilled water. After four weeks, the blood and urine indexes were measured, and the morphological changes of liver tissue were observed. Results: From the third day of the experiment, the activity of rats in the model group and LBP dose groups decreased, and the color of urine changed to dark yellow. There was no abnormality in the group. In the model group, the levels of serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, total bile acid ( TBA ), alkaline phosphatase ( ALP ), γ-glutamyltransferase(γ-GGT), cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase ( ALT ), aspartate aminotransferase ( AST ), white blood cell ( WBC ), percentage of granulocyte, urinary bilirubin, urinary bile acid, liver mass and liver to body ratio were higher than those in the control group, while red blood cell and percentage of lymphocyte were lower than those in the control group ( all P<0.05 ). Pathological changes of liver tissue were observed. The levels of serum TBA, ALP, γ-GGT, ALT, AST, WBC and liver to body ratio in LBP high dose group were lower than those in the model group ( all P<0.05 ). The infiltration of inflammatory cells, proliferation and expansion of bile duct, degeneration and necrosis of liver cells were alleviated. Conclusions LBP can improve the blood indexes and pathological changes of liver tissue in rats with intrahepatic cholestasis at the dosage of 600 mg/kg. Inhibition of inflammatory response and reduction of oxidative stress injury may be the mechanism for alleviating cholestatic liver injury.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological history, clinical manifestations, treatment and the short-term prognosis of 31 cases of 2019 novel coronavirus(2019-nCoV) infection in children from six provinces (autonomous region) in northern China. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the epidemiological history, clinical symptoms, signs, laboratory examinations, chest imaging, treatment and the short-term prognosis of 31 cases of 2019-nCoV was conducted. The patients were diagnosed between January 25th, 2020 and February 21st, 2020 in 21 hospitals in 17 cities of six provinces(autonomous region) of Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Hebei, Henan and Shandong. Results: The age of the 31 children with 2019-nCoV infection was 7 years and 1 month (6 months -17 years). Nine cases (29%) were imported cases. Other 21 cases (68%) had contact with confirmed infected adults. One case (3%) had contact with asymptomatic returnees from Wuhan. Among the 31 children, 28 patients (90%) were family cluster cases. The clinical types were asymptomatic type in 4 cases (13%), mild type in 13 cases (42%), and common type in 14 cases (45%). No severe or critical type existed. The most common symptom was fever (n=20, 65%), including 1 case of high fever, 9 cases of moderate fever, 10 cases of low fever. Fever lasted from 1 day to 9 days. The fever of fifteen cases lasted for ≤3 d, while in other 5 cases lasted > 3 d. Other symptoms included cough (n=14, 45%), fatigue (n=3, 10%) and diarrhea (n=3, 9%). Pharyngalgia, runny nose, dizziness, headache and vomiting were rare. In the early stage, the total leukocytes count in peripheral blood decreased in 2 cases (6%), the lymphocytes count decreased in 2 cases (6%), and the platelet count increased in 2 cases (6%).Elevation of C-reactive protein (10%, 3/30), erythrocyte sedimentation rate(19%,4/21), procalcitonin(4%,1/28), liver enzyme(22%, 6/27) and muscle enzyme (15%, 4/27) occurred in different proportions. Renal function and blood glucose were normal. There were abnormal chest CT changes in 14 cases, including 9 cases with patchy ground glass opacities and nodules, mostly located in the lower lobe of both lungs near the pleural area. After receiving supportive treatment, the viral nucleic acid turned negative in 25 cases within 7-23 days. Among them, 24 children (77%) recovered and were discharged from hospital. No death occurred. Conclusions In this case series, 2019-nCoV infections in children from six provinces (autonomous region) in northern China are mainly caused by close family contact. Clinical types are asymptomatic, mild and common types. Clinical manifestations and laboratory examination results are nonspecific. Close contact history of epidemiology, nucleic acid detection and chest imaging are important bases for diagnosis. After general treatment, the short-term prognosis is good.

To clone human mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 6 (MKK6) gene promoter and explore its transcription activity by ubiquitin specific peptidase 22 (USP22).
 Methods: MKK6 gene promoter was amplified by PCR and two bases mutation within USP22 binding site was subsequently introduced. The wild type and mutant MKK6 promoter were inserted into the luciferase report vector pGL3-Basic, respectively. Recombinant plasmids were co-transfected with plasmid pRL-TK into HeLa cells, and the luciferase activities were measured by dual luciferase reporter system. Furthermore, the direct interaction between USP22 and MKK6 promoter was detected by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. Finally, the MKK6 transcription activity was measured after knockdown of USP22.
 Results: The recombinant luciferase report vectors containing wild or mutant type of MKK6 promoter were successfully constructed. Mutation of USP22 binding site resulted in decrease of MKK6 promoter-driven luciferase activity in HeLa cells (P<0.05). USP22 could interact directly with MKK6 promoter. Down-regulation of USP22 led to the decreased MKK6 mRNA expression (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: USP22 could regulate the transcription activity of MKK6 gene in HeLa cells.
HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Luciferases ; MAP Kinase Kinase 6 ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Thiolester Hydrolases ; metabolism ; Transcription, Genetic

Objective To compare the differences of bacterial distribution of intestinal flora in Microtus fortis living under laboratory feeding and wild survival conditions. Methods The 16S rDNA-V4-V5 region of bacteria in the ileocecal contents from Microtus fortis raised in lab and captured in wild were measured by high-throughput sequencing. The number of operational taxonomic units(OTUs)were sorted and calculated,and the species abundance and distribution and difference were analyzed. Results The rarefaction curves indicated that adequate sampling was achieved. At the phylum level,the distribution of intestinal flora between two groups was similar. The experimental group had a unique phylum, Lentisphaerae. The wild type group had 3 unique phylums,Fusobacteria,Thaumarchaeota and an unclassified phylum. At the genus level, the kind of intestinal flora in the wild type group was more abundant than the experimental group. Ruminococcus is the largest differential genus. Conclusions The microbial community structure and differences of Microtus fortis living under different conditions are obtained. It may further enrich the basic biology data of Microtus fortis.

Objective To evaluate the short-term effect of drug-coated balloon (DCB) with paclitaxel in treating in-stent restenosis (ISR) of femoral popliteal artery.Methods A total of 18 patients with femoral popliteal artery ISR,who were admitted to authors' hospital during the period from June 2016 to December 2016 to receive paclitaxel DCB treatment,were enrolled in this study.The patients included 15 males and 3 females,with a mean age of (72.7±9.8) years old.According to Fontaine classification,grade Ⅱ B was seen in 9 patients,grade Ⅲ in 8 patients,and grade Ⅳ in one patient.Preoperative CT angiography showed that ISR could be confirmed in 3 patients and complete occlusion of the stent in 15 patients.After the diseased artery was re-opened,pre-dilatation with common balloon was conducted,which was followed by dilatation with paclitaxel DCB;remedial stent implantation was carried out when the restrictive dissection was observed or if the residual stenosis was beyond 50％.Angiography was performed immediately after the procedure to check the vascular patency.On the third day afterthe treatment,the ankle-brachial index (ABI) of diseased lower extremity was determined to assess the improvement of ischemia.Three month after the treatment,the patients were followed up to detemine the incidence of restenosis,the clinically-driven target lesion revascularization (TLR) rate,and the occurrence of serious clinical events within 3 months.Results Successful re-opening of the diseased artery was achieved in all 18 patients,the technical success rate was 100％.At 3 months after the treatment,the restenosis rate and TLR rate were 10％ (1/10) and 6.67％ (1/15) respectively.No procedure-related complications occurred in all patients.Conclusion For the treatment of femoral popliteal artery ISR,the use of paclitaxel DCB is safe and effective.