Ischemic stroke （IS） is a serious cerebrovascular disease common in clinical practice. Targeting the pathogenesis of IS， intravenous thrombolysis for restoring blood flow is still the most effective therapy. However， intravenous thrombolysis has shortcomings such as increased bleeding risk， narrow therapeutic window， and contraindications， which limited its clinical application. Protection of the ischemic brain tissue before full recovery of blood flow is associated with the prognosis of IS. Studies have identified multiple pathways in the alleviation of the brain injury caused by IS， such as the mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has abundant therapies and unique advantages in the treatment of IS， especially in alleviating symptoms and improving the quality of life of patients. After the onset of IS， TCM can be integrated with Western medicine to play a role in the whole process of treatment， rehabilitation， and recurrence prevention as soon as possible， thus maximizing patient benefits. TCM has clinical significance for the recovery of neurological and motor functions after IS. Studies have shown that TCM can reduce the cerebral injury caused by IS by regulating and activating the mTOR signaling pathway， thereby regulating autophagy， inhibiting apoptosis of nerve cells， and reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. TCM exerts a positive effect for achieving cerebral protection and improving the prognosis of IS and provides new ideas for the prevention and treatment of IS. This article introduces the role of the mTOR signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of IS and reviews the research progress in the TCM regulation of this pathway in the treatment of IS， aiming to provide new therapeutic ideas and systematic scientific reference for the treatment of IS with TCM.

Objective:To analysis the characteristics and trends of non-martial and non-commercial heterosexual transmission of HIV/AIDS cases in Henan province between 2015 and 2020.Methods:Information of newly reported HIV/AIDS through non-martial and non-commercial heterosexual transmission was collected from National Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Information system, using SPSS 22.0 to analyze the characteristics and tend of cases.Results:During 2015-2020, a total of 10 877 HIV/AIDS cases infected by non-martial and non-commercial heterosexual transmission were newly reported in Henan province. This mode of infection increased from 32.6% in 2015 to 35.5% in 2020 (trend χ2=81.880, P<0.01). The male to female ratio was 1.9∶1 (7 105∶3 772). The mean age was (45.5±15.8) years, increasing annually ( F=5.184, P<0.01). For female cases, the proportion of aged 15-50 years group was decreased annually (trend χ2=69.888, P<0.01). Most HIV/AIDS cases were distributed in the early HIV epidemic areas and Zhengzhou city, the same as the cases of the first CD4 +T cells counts (CD4) below 200 cells/μl. The median ( P 25, P 75) first CD4 count was 298 (143, 462) cells/μl. The proportion of the first CD4<200 cells/μl was no significant change annually, while the proportion of the first CD4≥500 cells/μl was decreasing annually (trend χ2=18.961, P<0.01). Conclusions:The reported cases through non-martial and non-commercial heterosexual transmission increased, with most of them were male, married, junior, farmer, migrant laborer, and aged 40-59 years. It is needed to focus on the rural district and the middle-aged population, combined with biological and social factors to control the prevalence of AIDS through comprehensive prevention and control measures.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate serum levels of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) TUSC7 in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), its association with clinicopathological parameters and its role in promoting tumor metastasis and invasion. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 60 patients with ESCC admitted between January, 2017 and May, 2019, with 60 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects as the control group. Serum level of TUSC7 in ESCC patients and its expression in 4 ESCC cell lines was detected with RT-qPCR. The association of serum TUSC7 level with the clinicopathological features of the patients was analyzed. KYSE-30 cell models with TUSC7 overexpression or knockdown were established, and the proliferation of the cells was examined with MTT assay and their migration and invasion were assessed using wound healing and Transwell assays. Western blotting was used to detect the cellular expressions of the proteins associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). RESULTS: The patients with ESCC had significantly lower serum TUSC7 level than the healthy control subjects ( < 0.05). The ESCC cell lines also expressed lower levels of TUSC7 than normal cells ( < 0.05). Serum TUSC7 level was negatively correlated with tumor staging, lymph node metastasis and infiltration ( < 0.05) but was not significantly correlated with other clinicopathological parameters in ESCC patients. In the cell experiment, overexpression of TUSC7 in KYSE-30 cells significantly inhibited cell migration and invasion ( < 0.05), enhanced the expression of the EMT marker protein E-cadherin and lowered the expressions of N-cadherin, Vimentin and MMP9 ( < 0.05); knocking down TUSC7 in the cells produced the opposite effects. CONCLUSIONS The down-regulation of TUSC7 expression in the serum of ESCC patients and in ESCC cell lines is associated with the metastasis of ESCC and promotes tumor cell migration and invasion by promoting EMT, indicating the potential of serum TUSC7 level as a molecular marker for diagnosis, treatment and metastasis monitoring of ESCC.
Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; genetics ; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; RNA, Long Noncoding ; genetics

Objective: To explore the influence of directed restrictive fluid management strategy (RFMS) on patients with serious burns complicated by severe inhalation injury. Methods: Sixteen patients with serious burns complicated by severe inhalation injury hospitalized in our department from December 2014 to December 2017, meeting the inclusion criteria and treated with RFMS, were enrolled in directed treatment group. Thirty-four patients with serious burns complicated by severe inhalation injury hospitalized in our department from December 2012 to December 2017, meeting the inclusion criteria and without RFMS, were enrolled in routine treatment group. Medical records of patients in 2 groups were retrospectively analyzed. Within post injury day 2, mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP), extravascular lung water index (ELWI), global end-diastolic volume index, and pulmonary vascular permeability index of patients in directed treatment group were monitored by pulse contour cardiac output monitoring technology, while MAP and CVP of patients in routine treatment group were monitored by routine method. On post injury day 3 to 7, patients in 2 groups were treated with routine fluid supplement therapy of our Department to maintain hemodynamic stability, and patients in directed treatment group were treated according to RFMS directed with goal of ELWI≤7 mL·kg^-1·m^-2. On post injury day 3 to 7, total fluid intake, total fluid output, and total fluid difference between fluid intake and output within 24 h, value of blood lactic acid, and oxygenation index of patients in 2 groups were recorded. Occurrence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) on post injury day 3 to 7 and 8 to 28, mechanical ventilation time within post injury day 28, and occurrence of death of patients in 2 groups were counted. Data were processed with chi-square test, t test, and analysis of variance for repeated measurement. Results: The total fluid intakes within 24 h of patients in directed treatment group were close to those in routine treatment group on post injury day 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (t=-0.835, -1.618, -2.463, -1.244, -2.552, P>0.05). The total fluid outputs and total fluid differences between fluid intake and output within 24 h of patients in 2 groups on post injury day 3 were close (t=0.931, -2.274, P>0.05). The total fluid outputs within 24 h of patients in directed treatment group were significantly higher than those in routine treatment group on post injury day 4, 5, 6, 7 (t=2.645, 2.352, 1.847, 1.152, P<0.05). The total fluid differences between fluid intake and output within 24 h of patients in directed treatment group were (2 928±768), (2 028±1 001), (2 186±815), and (2 071±963) mL, significantly lower than (4 455±960), (3 434±819), (3 233±1 022), and (3 453±829) mL in routine treatment group (t=-4.331, -3.882, -3.211, -4.024, P<0.05). The values of blood lactic acid of patients in directed treatment group and routine treatment group on post injury day 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 were close (t=0.847, 1.221, 0.994, 1.873, 1.948, P>0.05). The oxygenation indexes of patients in directed treatment group on post injury day 3 and 4 were (298±78) and (324±85) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa ), which were close to (270±110) and (291±90) mmHg in routine treatment group (t=-1.574, 2.011, P>0.05). The oxygenation indexes of patients in directed treatment group on post injury day 5, 6, 7 were (372±88), (369±65), and (377±39) mmHg, significantly higher than (302±103), (313±89), and (336±78) mmHg in routine treatment group (t=3.657, 3.223, 2.441, P<0.05). On post injury day 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, patients with ARDS in directed treatment group were less than those in routine treatment group, but with no significantly statistical difference between the 2 groups (χ²=0.105, P>0.05). On post injury day 8 to 28, patients with ARDS in directed treatment group were significantly less than those in routine treatment group (χ²=0.827, P<0.05). The mechanical ventilation time within post injury day 28 of patients in directed treatment group was apparently shorter than that in routine treatment group (t=-2.895, P<0.05). Death of patients in directed treatment group within post injury day 28 was less than that in routine treatment group, but with no significantly statistical difference between the 2 groups (χ²=0.002, P>0.05). Conclusions Under the circumstance of hemodynamics stability, RFMS directed with goal of ELWI≤7 mL·kg^-1·m^-2 on post injury day 3 to 7 is an useful strategy, which can reduce occurrence rate of ADRS and shorten mechanical ventilation time of patients with serious burns complicated by severe inhalation injury at late stage of burns.

Objective To investigate the expressions of regulatory B cells and related cytokines in patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS).MethodsForty-four patients with GBS admitted to our hospital from October 2018 to June 2019 were enrolled as GBS group; 44 healthy subjects accepted physical examination in our hospital at the same period were selected as control group. Flow cytometry was used to determine the proportions of CD19+CD24hiCD38hi regulatory B cells and CD19+CD24hiCD27+ regulatory B cells in CD19+ lymphocytes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the two groups. ELISA was employed to detect the serum contents of interleukin (IL)-10, IL-35 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 of the two groups.ResultsAs compared with those in the control group, the proportions of CD19+CD24hiCD38hi regulatory B cells and CD19+CD24hiCD27+ regulatory B cells in CD19+B lymphocytes of the GBS group were significantly decreased (P<0.05). As compared with the control group, the GBS group had significantly decreased IL-10 and IL-35 levels (P<0.05), and obviously increased TGF-β1 content without statistical difference (P>0.05).ConclusionRegulatory B cells play a role in the pathogenesis of GBS through IL-10 and IL-35 cytokine pathways.

Objective To investigate the status of survival and related risk factors among HIV-exposed children in Henan province from 2002 to 2014.Methods A follow-up program was set up when infants as 1,3,6,9,12,18 month olds.Data regarding the HIV-exposed children and their mothers were collected,including service of PMTCT,antiviral therapy,incidence of infectious disease and survival status of infants.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to explore the risk factors.Results A total number of 1 705 HIV-infected infants were reported from 2002 to 2014.Among them,1 536 infants (90.09％) were still alive when they were at one and a half years old,with another 58 (3.40％) lost to follow up and 111 (6.51％) infants were dead.The cumulative mortality rates in HIV-exposed children,newborn,and HIV-exposed infants were 67.39‰,23.07‰,and 57.01‰,respectively.No statistical significance was found on the decreasing tendency of mortality in different years.The leading cause of death was noticed as pneumonia,with a proportion of 32.43％,followed by suspected AIDS.Early diagnosis had not been made in infants.Low-birth weight (OR=4.97,95％CI:3.12-7.92) seemed to be a risk factor.Early detection in pregnancy (OR=0.46,95％ CI:0.26-0.80) and HARRT provided to children (OR=0.25,95％ CI:0.15-0.42) were recognized as protective factors.Conclusions The mortality of HIV-exposed children were high,which called for the development of programs on early infant diagnosis and HARRT.Measures should be taken to prevent pneumonia and other infectious diseases,together with nutrition support and monitor program on growth.

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effects of early blood purification in the treatment of phenol burn patients complicated by acute kidney injury (AKI).

METHODSFive phenol burn patients complicated by AKI, matched with the inclusion criteria, were hospitalized from January 2010 to July 2014. Within post injury hour 24, patients received rapid liquid support, positive wound management, and hemoperfusion (HP) combined with continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) for 2 to 3 hours, then HP was stopped and CVVH was continued for 16 to 21 hours. HP combined with CVVH was performed for 2 to 3 times, then HP was stopped and CVVH was continued for 12 to 22 days. On post injury day (PID) 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21, urea nitrogen, creatinine, ALT, AST, total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL) in serum were determined, and the volume of liquid intake, urine, ultrafiltration, and liquid output were recorded, and the concentrations of IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α in serum were determined by ELISA. General conditions of patients were recorded. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and LSD- t test.

RESULTS(1) On PID 1, the levels of urea nitrogen and creatinine were (9.0 ± 3.2) mmol/L and (115 ± 24) µmol/L respectively, which were obviously higher than normal values (with the values of 2.9-8.2 mmol/L and 45-104 µmol/L respectively). On PID 3, 5, 7 and 21, the levels of urea nitrogen were (12.5 ± 4.1), (11.2 ± 5.6), (8.7 ± 2.3) and (6.4 ± 3.9) mmol/L respectively, which were similar with the value of DID 1 (with t values 1.53, 0.76, 0.17 and 1.17 respectively, P values above 0.05). On PID 14, the level of urea nitrogen was (15.8 ± 3.3) mmol/L, which was obviously higher than the value of PID 1 (t =3 .29, P = 0.023). On PID 3, 5, 7 and 14, the levels of creatinine were (248 ± 67), (224 ± 87), (276 ± 59) and (307 ± 77) µmol/L respectively, which were obviously higher than the value of PID 1 (with t values 4.17, 2.70, 5.65 and 5.32 respectively, P values below 0.01). On PID 21, the level of creatinine was (78 ± 28) µmol/L, which was obviously lower than the value of PID 1 (t = 2.23, P = 0.041). The levels of ALT, AST, TBIL, and DBIL were higher than normal values from PID 1, and the levels were higher than normal values on PID 3, 5, 7, and 14, and they were similar with the normal values on PID 21. (2) On PID 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21, the volume ratio of liquid intake to liquid output maintained from1:1 to 2:1. On PID 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14, although the volume of urine fluctuated, they were still less than 400 mL/d, and the volume for ultrafiltration showed a tendency from declining at first to a rise later. On PID 21, the volume of urine increased, and the volume for ultrafiltration decreased. (3) On PID 1, the serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 increased, and the serum concentration of IL-10 decreased. On PID 3, 5, and 7, the serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 decreased, and the serum concentration of IL-10 increased. On PID 14, the serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 were elevated again but without a high peak value, and the serum concentration of IL-10 decreased but still higher than the value of PID 1. On PID 21, the serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 obviously decreased, and the serum concentration of IL-10 obviously elevated. (4) Primary healing of the wound was achieved on PID 21 to 28. Patients were all cured and left hospital on PID 28 to 45. All the patients were followed up for 6 months to 3 years. At the last follow up, patients had no symptoms of chronic poisoning and the functions of liver and kidney were normal.

CONCLUSIONSEarly blood purification treatment is effective for phenol patients phenol burn patients complicated by AKI, and wound healing and kidney function recovery were assured.

Acute Kidney Injury ; complications ; therapy ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Burns, Chemical ; blood ; complications ; therapy ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Hemofiltration ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Phenol ; adverse effects ; Phenols ; Serum ; metabolism ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; Wound Healing

Objective To understand the infection status of HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Henan province and provide scientific evidence for the development of AIDS prevention and control measures.Methods The analysis was conducted on the data about incidence of HIV infection and related risk factors among MSM in Henan from 2008 to 2013,which were obtained from AIDS reporting information system and AIDS survey in MSM.Results The constituent of HIV infection in MSM increased from 1.3％ in 2008 to 17.1％ in 2013.The HIV infection rate in MSM increased from 4.69％ in 2008 to 8.33％ in 2013 (trend x2=39.24,P＜0.001).Univariate analysis indicated that the risk factors related with HIV infection included age (x2=21.03,P＜0.001),education level (x2=31.66,P＜0.001),occupation (x2=14.59,P=0.01),condom use in the last anal sex (x2=134.97,P＜ 0.001),condom use in anal sex during past 6 months (x2 =97.15,P＜0.001),STI history (x2=67.21,P＜0.001) and syphilis prevalence (x2=163.60,P＜0.001).Multivariate analysis indicated that HIV infection related risk factors included age,STD history,syphilis prevalence and poor awareness of AIDS related knowledge.Conclusion The incidence of HIV infection among MSM in Henan increased rapidly,and homosexual transmission has become the major route of HIV infection.HIV infection related risk behavior is prevalent among MSM,therefore,it is necessary to take effective measures to prevent and control HIV/AIDS in MSM.

BACKGROUNDRecent studies on bone have shown an endocrine role of the skeleton, which could be impaired in various human diseases, including osteoporosis, obesity, and diabetes-associated bone diseases. As a sensor and regulator of energy metabolism, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) may also play an important role in the regulation of bone metabolism. The current study aimed to establish the expression profiles and phosphorylation patterns of AMPK subunits in several mesenchymal cell types.

METHODSReverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for relative quantification, real-time PCR for absolute quantification, and Western blotting were used to investigate the gene expression profiles and phosphorylation patterns of AMPK subunits in several mesenchymal cell types, including primary human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and hFOB, Saos-2, C3H/10T1/2, MC3T3-E1, 3T3-L1, and C2C12 cells.

RESULTSAMPKα1 and AMPKβ1 mRNAs were abundantly expressed in all cell types. AMPKγ1 mRNA was abundantly expressed in C3H/10T1/2, MC3T3-E1, 3T3-L1, and C2C12 but not detected in human-derived cell types. AMPKγ2 mRNA was mildly expressed in all cell types. AMPKα1 protein was highly expressed in all cell types and AMPKα2 protein was highly expressed only in hFOB and Saos-2 cells. AMPKβ1 protein was abundantly expressed in all cell types except for Saos-2, in which AMPKβ2 protein overwhelmed AMPKβ1 expression. AMPKγ1 and AMPKγ2 proteins were expressed in C3H/10T1/2, MC3T3-E1, 3T3-L1, and C2C12 cells and only AMPKγ2 protein was expressed in hMSCs, hFOB and Saos-2 cells. AMPKα was phosphorylated at Thr172 and Ser485 and AMPKβ1 was phosphorylated at Ser108 and Ser182 in all cell types with a specific pattern in each cell type.

CONCLUSIONThe combination of AMPK α, β, and γ subunits and phosphorylation of AMPKα (Thr172 and Ser485) and AMPKβ1 (Ser108 and Ser182) showed a specific pattern in each cell type.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; enzymology ; Mice ; Phosphorylation

Objective To study the changes of mRNA and protein expressions of Kras gene in thymic lymphomas induced by ionizing radiation,and to detect the methylation of CpG islands in promoter region of Kras gene,then to investigate the mechanisms for the occurrence of radiation carcinogenesis.Methods The thymic lymphoma models of BALB/c mice were made by X-ray irradiation,then the total RNA was extracted,cDNA was synthesized and the total protein was extracted from both thymic lymphoma tissue and normal thymus tissue;the mRNA and protein expressions of Kras gene in thymic lymphoma tissue and normal thymus tissue were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting method, and the methylation of CpG islands in promoter region of Kras gene was detected by bisulfite sequencing PCR. Results The mRNA expression level of Kras gene in thymic lymphoma tissue was significantly higher than that in normal thymus tissue(P<0.01).The protein expression level in thymic lymphoma tissue was about 1.41 times higher than that in normal thymus tissue;4 CpG sites were methylated detected by bisulfite sequencing PCR in normal thymus tissue, however, 1 CpG site was methylated in thymic lymphoma tissue,the CpG islands in promoter region of Kras gene were demethylation state in thymic lymphoma. Conclusion Ionizing radiation can cause the changes of mRNA and protein expression levels of Kras gene in thymic lymphoma tissue by demethylation state of Kras gene,eventually lead to the occurrence of tumor;it might be one of the mechanisms for the occurrence of radiation carcinogenesis.