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Objective:To investigate the predictive role of dynamic changes of plasma biomarkers in patients with viral and mycoplasma community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).Methods:From January 2020 to June 2020, 141 patients with viral and mycoplasma CAP in People's Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region were enrolled. Pneumonia severity index (PSI) scores [grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ(PSI score ≤ 70), grade Ⅲ (PSI score 71-90) and grade Ⅳ-Ⅴ(PSI score ≥ 91)], serum amyloid A (SAA), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and white blood cell (WBC) on the 1 day after admission were compared between the different pathogens (viral and mycoplasma) or different disease severity. The change in level of SAA, hs-CRP on the third day (Δ 3 d = 1 d-3 d) were compared among different disease outcome groups (patients were divided into improved group, stable group and exacerbation group based on PSI scores or lung CT images on the third day). The change in the level of SAA, hs-CRP on the seventh day (Δ 7 d = 1 d-7 d) were compared among different disease prognosis groups (patients were divided into survival group and death group based on 28-day survival data). The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) were drawn to evaluate the value of SAA in the evaluation of disease and prediction prognosis. Results:The level of SAA in mycoplasma group (43 cases) was significantly higher than that in virus group (98 cases) on the 1 day after admission. There were no significant differences in other plasma biomarkers between the two groups. The more severe the illness, the higher the SAA level on the 1 day after admission. The trends of other plasma biomarkers in the two groups were consistent with SAA. The levels of SAA in the patients with exacerbation of the virus group and mycoplasma group (12 cases, 9 cases) were significantly higher than those of the improved group (57 cases, 26 cases) and the stable group (29 cases, 8 cases). SAA increased gradually in the exacerbation group, decreased gradually in the improved group, and slightly increased in the stable group. ΔSAA 3 d were differences among three groups. The change trend of hs-CPR was consistent with SAA. The level of SAA in the death group was higher than that in the survival group on the seventh day. SAA increased in the death group and decreased in survival group with time from hospital admission. There were differences according to ΔSAA 7 d between death group and survival group. The change trend of hs-CPR was consistent with SAA. ROC curve showed that the value of SAA was better than hs-CRP in assessing the severity of patients on admission day, and the area under ROC curve (AUC) was respectively 0.777 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 0.669-0.886], 0.729 (95% CI was 0.628-0.830). The value of ΔSAA 3 d was better than SAA on the third day predicting disease trends, and AUC was respectively 0.979 (95% CI was 0.921-1.000), 0.850 (95% CI was 0.660-1.000). hs-CRP on the third day and Δhs-CRP 3 d had no predictive value. Both SAA on the seventh day and ΔSAA 7 d have predictive value for prognosis. AUC was respectively 0.954 (95% CI was 0.898-0.993) and 0.890 (95% CI was 0.689-1.000). SAA on the seventh day and ΔSAA 7 d were better than hs-CRP on the seventh day. Δhs-CRP 7 d have no predictive value. Conclusions:SAA is a sensitive and valuable indicator for CAP patients with viruses and mycoplasma. Dynamic monitoring of SAA can evaluate the patient's progression, prognosis, and assist diagnosis and treatment.
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Objective:To examine the effects of liraglutide on the transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)/Smads signaling pathway in renal tissues of elderly rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)and to explore the underlying mechanisms.Methods:A total of 75 healthy elderly male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 20 months and weighing(500±100)g were divided into the normal control group(Group N, n=25)and the model group( n=50)by using a random number table.Rats in the model group were given high-glucose and high-fat diets for 8 weeks and then were injected with a single dose(30 mg/kg)of 1% streptozotocin into the abdominal cavity.Forty-eight rats in the model group were successfully molded and were divided into the T2DM group(Group D, n=24)and the intervention group(Group LD, n=24). Rats in Group LD were abdominally injected with liraglutide in a dose of 200 μg·kg -1·d -1, and the other two groups were given an equal volume of saline.At the end of 4, 8 and 12 weeks, eight rats in each group were randomly selected and 24-hour urine collections were made to measure 24-hour urinary protein.Then the rats were anesthetized, blood samples were collected for biochemical tests, and renal tissues were removed for microscopic examination of pathological changes after HE staining.The expression of type Ⅳ collagen(Col-Ⅳ)was detected by using an immunohistochemical method, and the mRNA expression of TGF-β1, Smad3 and Smad7 was detected by using real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction.One-way analysis of variance was used for comparisons between the groups, and the LSD-t test was used for pairwise comparisons. Results:Compared with Group N, Group D showed thickening of the glomerular basement membrane, mesangial proliferation and interstitial fibrosis at each time-point, which grew worse with time, and the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA, Smad3 mRNA and Col-Ⅳ also increased significantly(12-week: 0.69±0.01 vs.0.15±0.01, 0.51±0.02 vs.0.02±0.01, 183.33±2.08 vs.221.67±2.08, t=89.22, 60.87 and 24.52, P<0.05), while Smad7 mRNA levels decreased( t=13.42, P<0.05). Compared with Group D, the degree of renal fibrosis was reduced, and the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA, Smad3 mRNA and Col-Ⅳ at 12-week significantly decreased( t=71.703, 37.58 and 20.04, P<0.05), while Smad7 mRNA increased( t=9.96, P<0.05)in Group LD.With prolonged intervention of liraglutide, the lesions were mitigated, the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA, Smad3 mRNA and Col-Ⅳ decreased, and Smad7 mRNA increased gradually( P<0.05)in Group LD. Conclusions:Liraglutide has anti-renal fibrosis effects via inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smads pathway, thereby reducing the production of Col-Ⅳ, and can delay the progression of renal lesions in elderly T2DM rats.
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Small RNAs(sRNAs) play a significant role in the regulation of bacterial growth.When sensing certain environmental cues such as fluctuation of nutrient concentration, temperature, pH, and osmolarity, sRNAs can influence the expression of target genes.The formation of biofilms is initiated by bacteria transitioning from the planktonic to the surface-associated mode of growth, which is a self-produced extracellular matrix composed of proteins, polysaccharides, and DNA.Recent evidences have shown that small RNA plays an important role in the regulation of bacterial biofilm formation.sRNAs have key roles in biofilm formation process by base pairing with target mRNAs or interaction with modulating proteins.This review discussed the regulation mechanism and pathway of sRNAs in bacterial biofilms formation, and summarized three classical regulatory models of sRNAs in bacterial biofilms formation, this review also gives the research status and development direction of sRNAs in bacterial biofilms formation.
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Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis [IPA] among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] is increasing in frequency. We conducted this study to find out the approximate incidence of IPA in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD [AECOPD], and to determine whether using a combination of two tests [galactomannan [CM] antigen and 1,3-[3-glucan [BG] detection] would result in a more specific diagnosis of IPA. The study included 261 patients with AECOPD admitted over two years. The patients were categorized according to the modified definitions for IPA. CM antigen and BG were detected by the Platelia Aspergillus and Glucatell tests. Two patients had proven IPA, three had probable IPA, and two had possible IPA. The rate of proven or probable IPA in patients with AECOPD was 1.91% [5/261]. Four patients with proven and probable IPA had been treated with a systemic or inhaled corticosteroid before hospitalization and the typical symptoms and diagnostic signs of IPA were relatively less common in them. Mortality in patients with proven and probable IPA was 80%. The specificity of combined CM and BG detection was 98.8%. Combining two serological tests increased the specificity of diagnosis but further trials are needed to prove the value of this approach
Subject(s)
Humans , Middle Aged , Aged , Male , Female , Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis/diagnosis , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/complications , Incidence , Sensitivity and Specificity , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Prospective Studies , ChinaABSTRACT
Objective To study the effects of interferon gamma (IFN-?) on pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin in rats and the related mechanisms. Methods A total of 90 rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=30 in each group): normal control group, pulmonary fibrosis group, and IFN-? treated group. On days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 after bolemycin treatment, 6 rats in each group were sacrificed. PO 2 was determined. The lungs and serum were collected for histopathological and electron microscopic examinations. The contents of transforming growth factor ? 1 (TGF-? 1) and fibronectin (FN) were determined by immunohistochemistry, and the contents of IL-4 and surfactant protein A (SP-A) were detected by ELISA and Western blotting, respectively. Results PO 2 level increased significantly (P