Whole blood circular RNA hsa_circ_0002171 serves as a potential diagnostic biomarker for human adenovirus pneumonia in children

Severe pneumonia related to human adenoviruses (HAdVs) has a high lethality rate in children and its early diagnosis and treatment remain a major challenge. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are novel long noncoding RNAs that play important roles in gene regulation and disease pathogenesis. To investigate the roles of circRNAs in HAdV pneumonia, we analyzed the circRNA profiles of healthy children and children with HAdV pneumonia, including both mild and severe cases, and identified 139 significantly upregulated circRNAs in children with HAdV pneumonia vs healthy controls and 18 significantly upregulated circRNAs in children with severe HAdV pneumonia vs mild HAdV pneumonia. In particular, hsa_circ_0002171 was differentially expressed in both groups and might thus be useful as a diagnostic biomarker of HAdV pneumonia and severe HAdV pneumonia. To identify the underlying mechanisms of circRNAs in HAdV pneumonia, we analyzed the transcriptome of children with HAdV pneumonia and established a circRNA-mRNA regulatory network. Enrichment analysis of differentially expressed target mRNAs demonstrated that the differentially expressed genes between healthy controls and HAdV pneumonia patients were mainly involved in RNA splicing while the differentially expressed genes between children with mild and severe HAdV pneumonia were mainly involved in regulating lymphocyte activation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis suggested that hsa_circ_0002171 had a significant value in the diagnosis of HAdV pneumonia and of severe HAdV pneumonia. Taken together, the circRNA expression profile was altered in children with HAdV pneumonia. These results demonstrated that hsa_circ_0002171 is a potential diagnostic biomarker of HAdV pneumonia.

lincRNA-p21 and malignant tumors of digestive system / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@# 基因间的长链非编码RNA-p21（long intergenic non-coding RNA，lincRNA-p21）是lncRNAs中的一种，可通过发挥多种 生物学功能影响肿瘤的增殖、转移、侵袭，并且对放、化疗的敏感度产生影响。lincRNA-p21在胃癌、肝癌、结直肠癌的进展中充当 肿瘤抑制基因；也有研究发现lincRNA-p21在常氧条件下无抑癌作用，而在乏氧条件下能抑制乏氧肿瘤细胞增殖；其能够通过抑 制β-连环蛋白信号转导的活性，从而降低肿瘤干细胞的体外活性。因此，lincRNA-p21有望成为一种新型肿瘤生物标志物，在肿 瘤的早期诊断、治疗及预后评估等方面具有重要潜在价值。本文对lincRNA-p21在消化系统恶性肿瘤中作用的研究进展作一 综述。

Risk factors for dental implant failure with the anterior teeth / 口腔疾病防治

Objective @#To compare the 2-year survival rate of anterior implants with delayed or immediate loading and to explore the risk factors associated with immediate loading implantation@*Methods @# A total of 126 patients were assessed from July 2012 to July 2015, including 210 implants. The patients were followed for more than 2 years. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed using logrank tests and Cox regression analysis to identify risk factors for dental implant failure with the immediate loading or conventional loading of anterior teeth. @*Results @#The 2-year survival rates of anterior implants with delayed and immediate loading were 96.3% and 89.0%, respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P < 0.05). The 2-year survival rate with delayed loading of implants was higher than that of the immediate loading of implants. Survival analysis indicated that the risk factors for implant failure were smoking and maxillary implantation in both the immediate loading and conventional loading groups@*Conclusion@#There is high risk associated with the immediate loading of anterior implants. The immediate loading of maxillary anterior implants and smoking in association with implantation may cause implant failure.

Impact of chymotrypsin, N-acetylcysteine and chain protease on image visibility in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy / 中国内镜杂志

Objective?To compare the effect of chymotrypsin, N-acetylcysteine and chain protease on the image visibility before upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.?Methods?The patients who underwent painless gastroscopy from January 2016 to July 2016 were divided into four groups before gastroscopy. Group A is the control group (simethicone 600 mg + NaHCO3 2 g). Group B is the chymotrypsin group (simethicone 600 mg + chymotrypsin 200 u + NaHCO3 2 g). Group C is the N-acetylcysteine group (simethicone 600 mg + N-acetylcysteine 600 mg+ NaHCO3 2 g). Group D is the chain protease group (simethicone 600 mg + chain protease 20 000 u + NaHCO3 2 g). The corresponding drug is diluted in 100 ml of normal saline. Each group of patients was required to oral the diluted solution 30 minutes before gastroscopy. All patients’ gastroscopies were completed by one endoscopist, and each patient’s endoscopic image visibility were evaluated by the other two endoscopists. The three endoscopists were unaware of grouping. Each group chose 54 patients diagnosed with chronic gastritis to conduct a retrospective study. The total patients were 216. The total scores of image visibility, the washing time and the incidence of complications were compared and analyzed.?Results?The total image scores of group A, B, C and D were (32.19 ± 3.06), (36.64 ± 3.18), (39.03 ± 3.69) and (39.89 ± 3.35), respectively. Group A was the lowest (P < 0.05), followed by group B (P < 0.05). The total scores of group C and D were higher, and there was no difference between groups (P > 0.05). The washing time of each group were (42.00 ± 21.67) s, (17.78 ± 13.39) s, (12.32 ± 11.08) s and (11.98 ± 10.04) s. Group A was the longest (P < 0.05), while there were no significant differences among group B, C and D (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in adverse effects among groups after upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.?Conclusion?Before conducting upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, simethicone in combination with chymotrypsin, N-acetylcysteine and chain protease can safely and effectively improve the visibility of endoscopic images and shorten the washing time. There is no obvious adverse reactions. N-acetylcysteine group and the chain protease group have the best effect, and the two effects are similar. So simethicone in combination with N-acetylcysteine or chain protease can be more effective in enhancing gastroscopic image visibility, shorter washing time, which can improve the detection rate of early lesions. When the clinical use of N-acetylcysteine and chain protease is limited, the use of chymotrypsin can also be considered to improve the visibility of endoscopic images.

Observation of clinical effects of mineral trioxide aggregate as direct pulp capping in immature permanent an-terior teeth / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@# To evaluate the clinical effects of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as apulp-dressing agent in immature permanent anterior teeth. @*Methods @#68 perma nent anterior teeth with deep caries or accidental pulp exposure were randomly divided into treatment group (MTA) and control group (calcium hydroxide). The exposed pulps were treated permanently with direct pulp capping. The effect of potential clinical variables on the treatment outcome was evaluated clinically and radiographically during a 24-month follow-up. In order to assess the cumulative successes, data were analyzed with chi-square test and log-rank test (α= 0.05). @*Results @#The successful rate of the treatment group (91.4%) was higher than that of the control group (60.6%) significantly (P < 0.05). None of the gender, occlusal site, type of pulp exposure, site and diameter of pulp exposure had a considerable influence on the outcome (P > 0.05).@*Conclusion@# MTA as a biocompatable, osteogenesis-inducing and inflammation-controlling material appears to be suitable for direct pulp capping.

The epidemiology and clinical features of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in neonates

Abstract Objectives This retrospective study was aimed to explore the epidemiological and clinical profiles of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in neonates. Methods From 2011 to 2014, 1322 hospitalized neonates with lower respiratory tract infections were screened for Mycoplasma pneumoniae by detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae antibodies using Serion ELISA classic Mycoplasma pneumoniae kits. Results Mycoplasma pneumoniae was identified in 89 (6.7%) patients. The age ranged from 1 day to 28 days with a median of 22 days. The male to female ratio was 1.15:1. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection peaked in spring (from March through May) and winter (from December through February). Compared with non-Mycoplasma pneumoniae infected neonates, those with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection were older, presented fever more frequently, and had less tachypnea. Conclusions Mycoplasma pneumoniae could be an important etiologic agent for respiratory tract infection in neonates. In neonates Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection was usually associated with older age, presence of fever, and less tachypnea. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in neonates tends to be a mild process.

Effect of metformin on proliferation and apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer cell line CFPAC-1 / 中华胰腺病杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of metformin on the proliferation and apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer cell line CFPAC-1,and to explore the potential mechanism.Methods Human pancreatic cancer CFPAC-1 cells were cultured in vitro,and were treated with metformin at different concentrations (1,2.5,5,10,20,40,60 mmol/L) for different durations (24 h,48 h and 72 h),and cells without treatment were considered as control group.Cell proliferation was evaluated by CCK-8,cell cycle was determined by flow cytometry,apoptosis was determined by Annexin V/PI double staining method,and Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of p-AMPK,FAS,cyclin D1,Bcl-xl,Bax,caspase-3 and survivin.Results Metformin could inhibit the proliferation of CFPAC-1 cells in a time and dose dependent manner.Forty-eight hours after 40 mmol/L metformin treatment,the proportion of CFPAC-1 cells in phase G0/G1 was significantly increased [(65.93 ± 0.27)％ vs (42.89± 1.02)％],and the proportion of CFPAC-1 cells in phase G2/M,S was significantly decreased [(22.01 ± 2.95) ％ vs (38.28 ± 4.93) ％,(13.58±0.43)％ vs (20.12 ± 3.38)％],and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P ＜0.05).The apoptosis rate was increased from (3.01 ± 0.49) ％ to (32.97 ± 3.19) ％,(P ＜ 0.05) ; and the expression of p-AMPK,Bax,and caspase-3 was increased,while the expression of FAS,cyclin D1,Bcl-xl,survivin were decreased.Conclusions Metformin can inhibit proliferation and promote apoptosis of CFPAC-1 cells mainly by activation of AMPK pathway,and down-regulation of FAS,cyclin D1,survivin and Bcl xl/Bax ratio,as well as up-regulation of caspase-3.

Expression of fas protein of myocardium in dilated cardiomyopathy / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate Fas protein expression of the myocardium in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and its relationship with occurrence of sudden death caused by DCM.@*METHODS@#Nine autopsy cases of sudden death caused by DCM along with the heart samples were chosen from the archives in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, HUST from 1997 to 2007. Other 11 cases which died of violence and other diseases were selected as the control group. Expressions of myocardial Fas protein in the samples were quantitatively detected by immunohistochemistry and computerized imaging analysis.@*RESULTS@#Myocardial Fas protein expression increased significantly in the DCM group. Positive color showed brown-yellow granulated or striped distribution in the longitudinal section of myocardial within the cell membrane and cytoplasm, and showed circular brown granules in the cross section of the cell membrane, while these changes were not observed in the control group though there was focal weak staining noted. Statistical significance was observed between the experimental and control groups (P = 0.002), but no statistical significance was found for the average optical density value between these two groups (P = 0.675).@*CONCLUSION@#The expression of Fas protein increased obviously in the DCM group. Such alteration in expression quantity and distribution of myocardial Fas protein may be related to arrhythmia and heart failure in the patients with DCM.

Antisense interleukin-5 reduces eosinophil infiltration and hyperrespon-siveness in an allergic asthma model.

Interleukin-5 (IL-5) involves in the development of airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness through activation of eosinophils. Thus, inhibition of IL-5 expression seems to be an attractive approach for asthma therapy. In this study, an antisense IL-5 gene transferred by recombinant adeno-associated virus (asIL-5) was constructed to transfect murine allergic asthma model. Our results showed that asIL-5 efficiently inhibited the IL-5 mRNA expression and significantly attenuated the inflammation in lung tissues. Significant decreasing of eosino-phils and inflammatory cells were found in peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). In addition, significant inhibition of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) was also found in the mice treated with asIL-5. These observations demonstrate that antisense oligonucleotid against IL-5 delivered by adeno-associated virus system is possibly an efficacious therapeutic strategy for allergic asthma and other eosinophil-related disorders.

Toll-like receptor 4 expression in the coronary atherosclerotic plaques of patients died from sudden cardiac death / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression in the coronary atherosclerotic plaques in patients died from sudden cardiac death (SCD) or non SCD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Autopsied coronary artery samples from 75 patients died from SCD (n = 28), non-SCD (n = 28) or non-CHD (n = 19) were examined and the R value (positive cells' areas/scanning areas) and A value (average optical density) of TLR4 expression in the coronary arteries were detected qualitatively by the immunohistochemistry (SABC method) and image analysis technologies.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SCD group: 13 (46.4%) cases showed strong positive expression of TLR4; 11 (39.3%), positive expression; 4 (14.3%), weak positive expression. CHD group: 8 (28.6%) cases showed weak positive expression; 17 (60.7%), very weak positive expression; 3 (10.7%), no positive expression. There was no positive expression of TLR4 in non-CHD samples. A (1.140 +/- 0.101) and R value (0.0269 +/- 0.0027) in SCD group were significantly higher than in non-SCD and control groups (all P < 0.01). A value was siginificantly higher in CHD group (0.719 +/- 0.205) than that in control group (0.481 +/- 0.033, P < 0.05) while R value (0.0085 +/- 0.0007, 0.0046 +/- 0.0004) was similar between the groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The increased positive expressive of TLR4 in the atherosclerotic plaque can be regarded as an important pathological marker of SCD.</p>