Características clínicas, epidemiológicas y de laboratorio en hepatitis autoinmune / Clinical, epidemiological and laboratory characteristics in autoimmune hepatitis / Características clínicas, epidemiológicas e laboratoriais em hepatite autoimune

Resumen La hepatitis autoinmune (HAI) es una inflamación hepatocelular progresiva. En la Unidad de Hepatología y Alcoholismo del hospital se atienden aproximadamente 550 pacientes anualmente, muchos de ellos con diagnóstico de HAI. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar las características clínicas, epidemiológicas y los parámetros de laboratorio de pacientes con HAI desde 2012 hasta 2018. Se incluyeron 44 pacientes: 40 con HAI tipo I y 4 seronegativos. El 91% fueron mujeres con edades entre 13 y 68 años; la forma de presentación más frecuente fue la hepatitis aguda. Se realizó biopsia en 32 pacientes; 50% mostraban características de HAI (hepatitis de interfase) y 35% presentaban cirrosis en la histología. El estudio ofrece una imagen aproximada de las particularidades de la HAI de la población atendida en este hospital. Respecto a otras poblaciones, esta comunicación muestra un mayor porcentaje de pacientes de sexo femenino, con alta preponderancia de presentación aguda y de las enfermedades autoinmunes asociadas.

Abstract Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a progressive hepatocellular inflammation. Approximately 550 patients are treated per year in the Hepatology and Alcoholism Unit of the hospital, many of them with a diagnosis of AIH. The objective was to evaluate clinical and epidemiological characteristics and laboratory parameters of patients with AIH from 2012 to 2018; 44 patients were included, 40 with type I AIH and four seronegative patients. Ninety- one per cent were women aged between 13 and 68 years old. The most frequent form of presentation (54.5%) was acute hepatitis. Thirty-two patients required biopsy; 50% showed features of AIH (interphase hepatitis) and 35% had histologic cirrhosis. The study offers an approximate image of the particularities of AIH in the population treated in this hospital. Compared to other populations, this communication shows a higher percentage of female patients, with a high preponderance of acute presentation and associated autoimmune diseases.

Resumo A hepatite autoimune (HAI) é uma inflamação hepatocelular progressiva. Na Unidade de Hepatologia e Alcoolismo do hospital, aproximadamente 550 pacientes são atendidos por ano, muitos deles com diagnóstico de HAI. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as características clínicas, epidemiológicas e parâmetros laboratoriais de pacientes com HAI de 2012 a 2018. Foram incluídos 44 pacientes, 40 com HAI tipo I e quatro soronegativos. Noventa e um por cento foram mulheres com idades entre 13 e 68 anos; a forma de apresentação mais comum foi a hepatite aguda. Biópsias foram realizadas em 32 pacientes, 50% apresentando características de HAI (hepatite de interface) e 35% com cirrose na histologia. O estudo fornece uma visão aproximada das características da HAI na população atendida neste hospital. Em comparação com outras populações, esta comunicação mostra uma maior proporção de pacientes do sexo feminino, com alta incidência de apresentação aguda e das doenças autoimunes associadas.

Presentación atípica de fiebre chikungunya en cuidados críticos / Atypical clinical presentation of chikungunya fever in critical care

Resumen El virus Chikungunya es un Alfavirus de la familia Togaviridae trasmitido por mosquitos. Fue descrito por primera en un brote en el sur de Tanzania en 1952. Genera clásicamente un síndrome febril con poliartral gias y artritis, que pueden ser incapacitantes y tener una duración prolongada. La mortalidad global ronda en 0.1%. Existen reportes en la literatura de presenta ciones atípicas y graves con compromiso de múltiples órganos. Se ha detectado la presencia del virus en más de 110 países. En Brasil, en la región noreste, se han hallado casos autóctonos desde septiembre de 2014. En Argentina y países limítrofes, se presentan casos en aumento duran te 2023, con respecto a iguales periodos en años previos. Hasta la semana epidemiológica N° 26 del año 2023 se registraron en Argentina 1460 casos de fiebre chikun gunya, considerándose autóctonos 72% de ellos. Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 76 años, con an tecedentes de hipertensión arterial y estenosis aortica, admitida en terapia intensiva por shock séptico con foco respiratorio, con patrón de neumonía intersticial, evolu ción tórpida y óbito dentro de las 24 horas del ingreso. Se recibe postmorten el resultado detectable de virus Chikungunya por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa en tiempo real. Este caso, resulta de importancia clínica dada la pre sentación atípica del mismo y por la baja prevalencia nacional de infecciones graves por dicho virus, alerta sobre la necesidad de incluir el diagnóstico diferencial en los pacientes con sospecha diagnóstica.

Abstract Chikungunya virus is an Alphavirus, it belongs to the family Togaviridae and is transmitted by mos quitoes. It was first described during an outbreak in Southern Tanzania in 1952. It generally causes a febrile syndrome, accompanied by joint pain and arthritis, which is often debilitating and may persist for months or years. Its overall fatality rate is not high, around 0.1%. Atypical and severe cases have been reported. This virus has been detected in more than 110 countries globally. In Northeastern Brazil autoch thonous cases have been diagnosed since September 2014. In Argentina, as well as in neighboring countries, cases were increasing during 2023, compared to the same periods in previous years. Until epidemiological week 26 of 2023, 1460 cases of chikungunya fever were reported in Argentina, 72% of them were considered of autochthonous transmission. The case of a 76-year-old female patient is here presented, her comorbidities were hypertension and aortic stenosis, who was admitted to intensive care unit due to septic shock with respiratory focus, intersti tial pneumonia in X-ray pattern, and torpid evolution. She died within 24 hours of admission. A report of detectable Chikungunya virus by real-time polymerase chain reaction in real time was received post-mortem. This case results of clinical relevance due to its atypi cal presentation and the country low prevalence of severe infections by this virus. It warns of the need to include the differential diagnosis in cases with sus pected diagnosis.

Research progress of B lymphocytes in non-infectious uveitis / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

Non-infectious uveitis, an autoimmune disease that can cause severe visual impairment, can be difficult to treat. According to the prevailing hypothesis, the immune-mediated imbalance that contributes to non-infectious uveitis is primarily driven by CD4+T cells. However, recent research has shown that B cells also play a significant role in this process, participating in various ways such as antibody production, antigen presentation, and cytokine secretion in both human uveitis and experimental autoimmune uveitis models. Therapies targeting B cells have been used extensively in various autoimmune diseases. Rituximab, a B-cell inhibitor, is effective in treating noninfectious uveitis that is unresponsive to conventional corticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapy. This paper provides an overview of the involvement of B cells in non-infectious uveitis and their potential use in cellular therapies, aiming to further investigate the mechanisms and develop more effective strategies for prevention and treatment.

Caracterización de los aspectos etiológicos, fisiopatológicos, clínicos y terapéuticos de la sepsis y shock séptico / Characterization of the etiological, physiopathological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of sepsis and septic shock

La sepsis es un síndrome clínico basado en una compleja y dinámica interacción entre patógeno y huésped. La identificación de diferentes fenotipos y la heterogeneidad de la sepsis obligan a cambiar paradigmas en el diagnóstico-tratamiento. El shock séptico o septicémico se define como la hipotensión inducida por sepsis que persiste a pesar de la reanimación adecuada con fluidos, acompañada de alteraciones de la perfusión o disfunción de órganos. O la necesidad de fármacos vasoactivos para corregir la presión arterial. Es un tipo de shock distributivo, con reducción de las resistencias vasculares sistémicas y generalmente aumento del gasto cardíaco. En los últimos años, ha evolucionado la atención de la sepsis con especial enfoque shock séptico (SS) por su gravedad y su mayor morbimortalidad. En consideración a lo anterior, esta revisión tiene el propósito de realizar la caracterización de esta patología en los aspectos etiológicos, fisiopatológicos, clínicos y terapéuticos más importantes

Sepsis is a clinical syndrome based on a complex and dynamic interaction between pathogen and host. The identification of different phenotypes and the heterogeneity of sepsis requires a paradigm shift in its diagnosis and treatment. Septic shock is defined as a sepsis-induced hypotension that persists despite adequate fluid resuscitation, accompanied by perfusion abnormalities or organ dysfunction. It may also involve the need for vasopressor drugs to correct blood pressure. It is a type of distributive shock, characterized by reduced systemic vascular resistance and typically increased cardiac output. In recent years, the management of sepsis has evolved with a special focus on septic shock (SS) due to its severity and higher morbidity and mortality. Considering the above, this review aims to characterize this condition in terms of its etiological, pathophysiological, clinical, and therapeutic aspects

A comparison of the rates of and indications for cesarean delivery between Syrian refugee women and Turkish women

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the rates of and indications for cesarean delivery among Syrian refugee women and local Turkish women. METHODS: The study included 74,864 pregnant women, of whom 52,145 were Turkish and 22,719 were Syrian refugee women and who gave birth at our hospital between January 2013 and December 2021. In this study, the pregnant women were divided into two groups: Syrian refugee women and Turkish women, and primary cesarean delivery rates were calculated separately for each group. Cesarean delivery rates for Syrian refugee women and Turkish women were compared separately for each year. Indications for cesarean delivery were determined separately for each group and compared between the groups. RESULTS: The overall cesarean delivery rate was 56% among Turkish women and 32% among Syrian women (p<0.05). The primary cesarean delivery rate was 18.4% for local Turkish women versus 10.7% among Syrian refugee women (p<0.05). The most common indication for cesarean delivery among both Syrian refugee women and local Turkish women was previous cesarean delivery, followed by acute fetal distress and cephalopelvic disproportion. CONCLUSION: Indications for cesarean delivery were similar for Syrian refugee women and local Turkish women, but both overall and primary cesarean delivery rates were higher among local Turkish women compared with Syrian refugee women.

Hepatoblastoma en un paciente pediátrico a propósito de un caso

La incidencia de hepatoblastoma alrededor del mundo permanece constante entre 0.5 y 1.5 casos por millón de niños por año. En los Estados Unidos de América se reporta para el hepatoblastoma una incidencia anual de aproximadamente 1 por millón en niños menores de 15 años de edad. En Ecuador, en una investigación realizada en la ciudad de Cuenca, ocupa el séptimo lugar entre los tumores pediátricos. Se trata de un tumor infrecuente, cuya incidencia parece aumentar en los últimos años. Puede aparecer de forma aislada o integrarse en el contexto de un síndrome de predisposición. Presentamos el caso de un paciente pediátrico, femenina, preescolar de 3 años de edad, sin antecedentes perinatales de importancia, producto de la tercera gesta, nacida por cesárea por distocia de presentación a las 39 semanas. Cuenta con esquema de vacunación completo para la edad. Como antecedentes patológicos personales requiere una hospitalización por enfermedad diarreica aguda a los 2 años. Sin antecedentes quirúrgicos, antecedentes patológicos familiares de tía materna con hipotiroidismo. Se realizó exámenes complementarios de sangre y de imagen, los cuales revelaron una masa abdominal dependiente de hígado compatible con hepatoblastoma con niveles de AFP superiores a 1000ng/ml

The incidence of hepatoblastoma around the world remains constant between 0.5 and 1.5 cases per million children per year. In the United States of America, an annual incidence of approximately 1 per million is reported for hepatoblastoma in children under 15 years of age. In Ecuador, in a study carried out in the city of Cuenca, it ranks seventh among pediatric tumors. It is an infrequent tumor, its incidence seems to have increased in recent years. It can appear in isolation or be part of a predisposing syndrome. We present the case of a 3-year-old preschool female pediatric patient with no significant perinatal history, product of a third pregnancy, born by cesarean section due to presentation of dystocia at 39 weeks. She had a complete vaccination for her age. As past medical history, she was hospitalized for acute diarrheal disease at 2 years of age. She had no surgical history, family pathological history except for a maternal aunt with hypothyroidism. Complementary blood and imaging tests were performed, which revealed an abdominal liver-dependent mass, compatible with hepatoblastoma with AFP levels greater than 1000 ng/ml.

Causes of late-presenting developmental dislocation of the hip beyond 12 months of age: A pilot study

Background & objectives: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), when detected early, can usually be managed effectively by simple methods. A delayed diagnosis often makes it a complex condition to treat. Late presentation of DDH is fairly common in developing countries, and there is scarcity of literature regarding the epidemiology and reason for late presentation. Through this study, we attempted to identify the reasons for late presentation of DDH in children more than 12 months of age. Methods: Fifty four children with typical DDH and frank dislocation of hip in whom treatment was delayed for 12 months or more were included. Parents were interviewed with a pre-structured questionnaire and data were collected for analysis with Microsoft Excel 2016 and SPSS version 26. Results: Diagnostic delay was the most common reason for late presentation and was observed in 52 children (96.2%). The mean age at diagnosis was 24.7 months. The mean age at treatment was 37.3 months with a mean delay of 12.5 months from diagnosis and 22.1 months from initial suspicion. Physician-related factors contributed 55.3 per cent, while family and social issues accounted for 44.7 per cent of overall reasons for diagnostic and treatment delays. Interpretation & conclusions: Late presentation of DDH in walking age is common. Physician- and family-related factors accounted for most of these cases. Failure or inadequate hip screening at birth by the attending physician is a common reason for late diagnosis. The family members were unaware about the disorder and developed suspicion once child started walking with an abnormal gait

Comparative study of blackboard presentation and PowerPoint presentation in student’s seminar

Background: With the advancement of technology young generation i.e. students are friendlier with the electronic media for communication and understanding the concept. While some students still think that the older method such as use of blackboard is the better way for understanding or explains the concept. There are various studies were conducted to understand the perception of students regarding various teaching and learning media in overall curriculum but very few are conducted in students led seminar. Aim and Objectives: To compare the perception of students to the blackboard presentation and to the power point presentation in students led seminar. Material and Methods: A pre-designed, pretested self-administered questionnaire was prepared regarding perception of students on blackboard and PowerPoint presentation in learning process. Total 15 parameters were included in the questionnaire. Results: In this study 54% of students prefer the PowerPoint presentation (PPT) over the blackboard presentation (46%) as the best teaching method in the seminar. With the PPT presentation better demonstrations of clinical conditions and important points can be recalled during summarization of the topic. Blackboard teaching stimulates the interest and more stress on important point is given. Students and presenter’s interaction is better in Blackboard presentation. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that seminar delivered using PPT was more appreciated and preferred by the students.

COVID-19: presentación clínica inicial y su correlación con la gravedad de la enfermedad / COVID-19: initial clinical presentation and its correlation with the severity of the disease

Los pacientes con COVID-19 tienen un amplio espectro de presentación clínica y las tasas de mortalidad en los casos graves son relativamente altas. La identificación tem prana de los factores de riesgo que se relacionan con la gravedad de la enfermedad es de vital importancia. Con el objetivo de correlacionar los síntomas iniciales de COVID-19 con la gravedad de la enfermedad, se realizó el presente estudio de cohorte transversal retrospectivo y observacional de 413 pacientes con diagnóstico de COVID-19 entre enero y marzo 2021. De todos los síntomas iniciales estudiados, la disnea (p < 001), fiebre (p 0,001), tos (p 0,002), odinofagia (p 0,01), cefalea (p 0,01) y síntomas gastrointestinales (p 0,03), se asociaron con el desarrollo de una enfermedad grave. Las comorbilidades que se asociaron con peor pronóstico fueron: hipertensión arterial (p < 0,001), obesidad (p < 0,001), EPOC (p < 0,001), extabaquismo (p < 0,001), diabetes (p 0,01), enfermedad cardiovascular previa (p 0,03), y enfermedad oncológica activa (p 0,04). En conclusión, los pacientes con diagnóstico de COVID-19, cuya manifestación inicial es disnea, fiebre, tos, odinofagia, cefalea y síntomas gastrointestinales, deben ser monitoreados de cerca para prevenir el deterioro de la enfermedad.

Patients with COVID-19 have a broad spectrum of clinical presentations, and mortal ity rates are relatively high in severe cases. Early identification of risk factors that are related to the severity of the disease is of vital importance. In order to correlate the initial symptoms of COVID-19 with disease severity, the present retrospective, cross-sectional, observational cohort study was conducted, including 413 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between January and March, 2021. Of all the initial symptoms that were studied, dyspnea (p < 001), fever (p 0.001), cough (p 0.002), odynophagia (p 0.01), headache (p 0.01), and gastrointestinal symptoms (p 0.03) were associated with the development of severe illness. The comorbidities that were associated with the worst prognoses were: arterial hypertension (p < 0.001), obesity (p < 0.001), COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) (p < 0.001), former smoking (p < 0.001), diabetes (p 0.01), previous cardiovascular disease (p 0.03), and active oncological disease (p 0.04). In conclusion, patients diagnosed with COVID-19 whose initial manifestations include dyspnea, fever, cough, odynophagia, headache, and gastrointestinal symptoms should be closely monitored to prevent disease deterioration.

Comparative study between modes of teaching techniques in pharmacology among 2nd-year medical students

Background: Every teaching technique has its limitations and the need to evolve with changing times is required. A combination of these techniques may be useful to solve the problems that these methods have individually. However, there are no studies which provide a comparison between the three modes of teaching, that is, blackboard and Power Point presentation (PPT) combined, blackboard only and PPT only. Aim and Objectives: In this study, we aim to find out the difference between the three modes of teaching, that is, blackboard and presentation combined, blackboard only and presentation only in terms of academic performances of the students in the subject of pharmacology and the feedback received from them. Materials and Methods: The total batch of 150 students was divided into three groups of 50 students each. Each group was taught one topic through only one mode of teaching such that alternatively every group is exposed at least once to every mode of teaching. Pre-test was taken from all students before the start of the topic and post-test was taken after the end of the topic. Every group also filled a pre-validated feedback form with answers in either yes or no, at the end of the topic. The data were analyzed between the three groups in the form of percentages. One-way ANOVA test was used to find the comparison between mean values of marks scored in the tests and feedback between the three groups. Results: Blackboard and PPT combined (96.05%) received the highest positive feedback response followed by blackboard only (90.48%) and PPT only (87.42%) modes. The average scores in all the post-tests in all groups were higher than the pre-tests score;, however, the difference between them was not significant. Conclusion: In this study, we conclude that the combination of blackboard and presentation technique is the best mode of teaching to the students in the subject of pharmacology because it provides the interaction of classroom as well as the visual aid of important topics and images.

Psychiatric presentations and factors associated with suspected organicity in elderly attending a tertiary care facility in South India

Objectives: The objectives were to determine the proportion of elderly among the new psychiatry outpatient attendees, identify their sociodemographic profile and clinical presentations, and determine risk factors associated with suspected organic conditions in patients presenting with acute onset and chronic presentations. Methodology: This retrospective cross-sectional study focused on the elderly presenting with psychiatric symptoms to a psychiatric setting. The onset of symptoms at presentation was divided into acute and chronic conditions. Clinical symptom clusters and the risk factors associated with organic conditions were identified. The Chi‑square and Fisher’s exact test were used to find an association between factors and outcome (organic/functional). Results: Elderly seeking consultation constituted < 10% of total new case registration. Acute onset was seen in one-third and chronic presentation constituted nearly two-thirds of the group. The common clinical presentations with acute onset were acute psychosis, altered sensorium, and psychosis due to an organic etiology. The most common clinical presentation with chronic course was chronic psychosis. Nearly 40% had suspected organicity. Increasing age, structural abnormality in brain imaging, and the presence of stressors were risk factors for the onset of psychiatric presentation in the elderly (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Early detection of the clinical syndrome, identification of organic conditions, and appropriate and prompt referral to the general physician should be the rule for the care of the elderly presenting to a psychiatric facility.

Cognitive decline among older adults who developed acute coronary syndrome during hospitalization for non-cardiac illness

Background: Atypical presentations of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) delay its recognition and treatment in the elderly patients. Functional decline and delirium which are common to the elderly during hospitalization, leads to cognitive impairment and poor health outcomes. Steps taken for its prevention is usually not considered the top priority by the cardiologist. The present study was conducted to identify cognitive decline among elderly patients who developed ACS during hospitalization for noncardiac illness and their outcome. Materials and Methods: Three hundred and ten elderly patients above 60 years of age with ACS were included from June 26, 2020 to October 13, 2020. Subjects were divided into those admitted primarily due to an ACS (Group I, n = 94) and those developing ACS following admission for noncardiac illness (Group II, n = 216). Co-morbidities, medications, investigations, management, clinical outcome, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale were compared between the two groups at the time of admission, after 30 days and after 6 months. Results: Majority of the subjects were admitted due to acute kidney injury (27.1%) in Group II and had a non-ST elevation ACS (90.2%). Optimum management was given to a lesser extent due to the clinical condition of these patients. Poor clinical outcome, cognitive impairment during hospitalization and cognitive decline during follow-up was more in Group II. Conclusion: Clinicians must be vigilant for the development of cognitive impairment and cognitive decline when an elderly patient is admitted to the hospital, as early detection and optimum management provides better clinical and cognitive outcome.

Factores predictores del éxito del parto vaginal posterior a cesárea

Objetivo : Determinar los predictores del éxito del parto vaginal posterior a cesárea segmentaria transversal primaria por causa no recurrente. Diseño : Estudio de casos y controles. Institución: Hospital Central "Dr. Urquinaona", Maracaibo, Venezuela. Métodos : Gestantes con inicio espontáneo del trabajo de parto y antecedentes de cesárea con incisión transversal en el segmento inferior por causa no iterativa. La prueba de parto fue considerada exitosa si terminaba en parto vaginal. Principales medidas de estudio : Edad materna, paridad, frecuencia de trabajo de parto previo a la cesárea anterior, edad gestacional al momento del parto, estación de la presentación cefálica fetal al ingreso y peso fetal. Resultados : Se seleccionó 126 gestantes, de las cuales 85 (67,4%) tuvieron pruebas exitosas (parto vaginal), mientras que 41 (32,5%) tuvieron prueba fallida. No se encontraron diferencias en las características generales entre los grupos (p = ns). El análisis univariante mostró que el peso fetal igual o menor de 3,500 gramos, la estación de la presentación cefálica fetal fija o encajada y la edad gestacional menor de 40 semanas fueron predictores significativos del resultado exitoso de la prueba de parto (p < 0,05). El análisis de regresión logística demostró que el peso fetal igual o mayor de 3,500 gramos (p = 0,04) y la estación de la presentación cefálica fetal flotante insinuada (p = 0,03) conservaron importancia como predictores. Conclusión : Los predictores para una prueba exitosa de parto vaginal posterior a cesárea fueron peso fetal menor o igual a 3,500 gramos y la estación de la presentación cefálica fetal fija o encajada.

Objective : To determine predictors of successful vaginal delivery following primary transverse segmental cesarean section for non-recurring cause. Design : Casecontrol study. Institution: Hospital Central "Dr. Urquinaona", Maracaibo, Venezuela. Methods : Pregnant women with spontaneous onset of labor and history of cesarean section with transverse incision in the lower segment for non-recurrent cause. The trial of labor was considered successful if it ended in vaginal delivery. Main study measures : Maternal age, parity, frequency of labor prior to previous cesarean section, gestational age at delivery, station of fetal cephalic presentation at admission, and fetal weight. Results : A total of 126 pregnant women were selected, of whom 85 (67.4%) had successful trials (vaginal delivery), while 41 (32.5%) had a failed trial. No differences in general characteristics were found between groups (p = ns). Univariate analysis showed that fetal weight equal to or less than 3,500 grams, station of fixed or engaged fetal cephalic presentation, and gestational age less than 40 weeks were significant predictors of successful trial of labor outcome (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that fetal weight equal to or greater than 3,500 grams (p = 0.04) and station of floating insinuated fetal cephalic presentation (p = 0.03) retained significance as predictors. Conclusion : Predictors for a successful trial of vaginal delivery following cesarean section were fetal weight less than or equal to 3,500 grams and station of fixed or engaged fetal cephalic presentation.

miR-146a downregulates epidermal Langerhans cell-mediated antigen presentation / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective:To investigate the role of miR-146a in regulating the homeostasis and function of epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs).Methods:Fresh and in vitro cultured epidermal LCs were isolated and purified by flow cytometry (FCM). The expression of miR-146a in LCs was detected by quantitative PCR (qPCR). The percentages of epidermal LCs in wild-type (WT) and miR-146a conventional knockout (miR-146a cKO) mice were analyzed by FCM. The expression of major histocompatibility complex Ⅱ (MHCⅡ) and co-stimulatory molecules (CD86 and CD80) was analyzed by FCM to evaluate the effect of miR-146a on the maturation of LCs. The percentage of Dextran-FITC + LCs was detected by FCM to evaluate the effect of miR-146a on the phagocytic function of LCs. In vitro and in vivo experiments were used to analyze the ability of miR-146a-deficient and -sufficient LCs to stimulate the proliferation of CD8 + OT-ⅠT cells and CD4 + OT-Ⅱ T cells. Results:The expression of miR-146a was significantly increased in mature LCs than in the freshly isolated LCs. There was no significant difference in the number of epidermal LCs between wild-type (WT) and miR-146a cKO mice. After a 48 h culture in vitro, the expression of MHCⅡ, CD86 and CD80 in the epidermal LCs of miR-146a cKO mice was similar to that of WT mice. Moreover, miR-146a deletion had no significant influence on antigen uptake by LCs. However, miR-146a deficiency enhanced the antigen-presenting ability of LCs that could stimulate the proliferation of OVA-specific CD8 + OT-Ⅰ T cells and CD4 + OT-Ⅱ T cells. Conclusions:miR-146a had no influence on the homeostasis, maturation and phagocytosis of LCs, but enhanced the antigen-presenting function.

Factors influencing success of external cephalic version and their clinical significance / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective:To analyze the factors influencing the success rate of external cephalic version (ECV) and to create a preoperative scoring scale for stratified management of pregnant women who were preparing for ECV.Methods:This prospective study was conducted on singleton pregnant women who underwent ECV without anesthesia in Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2019. Univariate (two independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Chi-square test) and multivariate logistic regression were used to screen the clinical characteristics affecting the success of ECV, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the cut-off value and convert quantitative variables into dichotomous variables. The independent variables were scored according to the regression coefficient in multivariate logistic regression analysis, and then a preoperative scoring scale was created. The ROC curve was used to calculate the cut-off value for the scoring scale. The subjects were divided into low and high score groups according to the cut-off value. The area under the ROC curve was used for evaluating the effectiveness of the scale in predicting the success of ECV. The success rate of ECV, difficulty of the operation and mode of delivery were compared between the two groups. Results:A total of 1 338 pregnant women met the inclusion criteria during the study period. After the exclusion of 885 women, 165 refused ECV in favor of direct cesarean section, 27 spontaneously converted to cephalic position before ECV, 261 who voluntarily accepted ECV were finally enrolled. ECV succeeded in 202 cases and failed in 59. (1) Favorable factors for ECV without anesthesia were the distance between the fetal breech and ischial spine <－3.5 cm ( OR=0.177, 95% CI: 0.071-0.438, P=0.009), the sum of the fundal height and the station of the fetal breech based on the ischial spine <30.25 cm ( OR=0.225, 95% CI: 0.094-0.537, P=0.001), amniotic fluid index ≥12 cm ( OR=0.399, 95% CI: 0.164-0.969, P=0.042), the surgeon's ability to hold the fetal head or breech with one hand ( OR=0.241, 95% CI: 0.098-0.589, P=0.002; OR=0.219, 95% CI: 0.087-0.546, P=0.001), and the fetal head located on the right or left upper abdomen of the mother ( OR=0.184, 95% CI: 0.059-0.568, P=0.003; OR=0.253, 95% CI: 0.084-0.760, P=0.014). (2) The area under the ROC curve of the preoperative score for predicting the success of ECV was 0.881 (95% CI: 0.821-0.941) and the cut-off value was 5.5. The subjects were divided into low (0-5 scores) and high (6-11 scores) score groups and the area under the ROC curve for predicting the success of ECV by grouping was 0.843 (95% CI: 0.774-0.912). Compared with the low score group, the high score group had a shorter ECV duration [2.0 min (0.5-10.0 min) vs 10.0 min (0.9-25.8 min), Z=－6.83, P<0.001], less attempts [1.0 times (1.0-4.0 times) vs 3.0 times (1.0-5.0 times), Z=－8.41, P<0.001], higher success rate [92.7% (190/205) vs 21.4% (12/56), χ2=127.64, P<0.001], higher rate of vaginal birth [75.4% (147/195) vs 18.5% (10/54)] and lower cesarean section rate [24.6% (48/195) vs 81.5% (44/54)] ( χ2=58.70, P<0.001). Conclusions:Preoperative scoring based on the factors influencing the success rate of ECV (the distance between the fetal breech and ischial spine, the sum of the fundal height and the station of the fetal breech based on the ischial spine <30.25 cm, amniotic fluid index ≥12 cm, the surgeon's ability to hold the fetal head or breech with one hand, and the fetal head locating on the right or left upper abdomen of the mother) is conducive to the individualized evaluation of the difficulty and the success rate of ECV as well as the success rate of vaginal delivery after ECV, which can provide a reference for clinical stratified management of ECV patients.

Prevalence survey of clinical manifestations following COVID-19 / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical manifestations of population following COVID-19 by using questionnaires.Methods:COVID-19 among anesthesia workers and the surrounding population was investigated between 11 November 2022 and 31 December 2022 in China.The Tencent electronic questionnaire(ID.11492813) was sent to different WeChat groups of the Association of Anesthesiologists or Society of Anesthesiologists via the WeChat platform of the medical personnel in China. The survey was conducted between January 7 and January 15, 2023. Results:A total of 17 000 questionnaires were issued for this survey, 11 060 valid questionnaires from 31 provinces and autonomous regions were collected all over the country, with a recovery rate of 65.059%.There were 10068 (91.037%) participants diagnosed as having COVID-19, and among of them, 47.606% were male and 52.394% were female. The main post-COVID-19 clinical manifestations included fever (85.777%), cough (83.731%), fatigue (75.338%), parasomnia (64.352%), limb soreness (58.890%), dizziness, headache, tinnitus (38.617%), loss or abnormality of taste (37.763%), and loss or abnormality of smell (30.960%); peripheral neuralgia was usually found within 3 days after positive nucleic acid test or positive antigen test; there were 2 963 cases accompanied with sweating, and among of them, 47.25% were male and 52.75% were female, and 37.80% of these participants continued to sweat after the nucleic acid test or antigen test became negative. There were 1 151 cases with premature heart beats among the study population, and the symptoms aggravated following COVID-19 were found in 34.32% of these patients.Conclusions:In addition to the respiratory system, the central and peripheral nerves of patients are also affected following COVID-19, and the peripheral and central nerve disorders last until several days after negative nucleic acid test or antigen test, suggesting that anesthesiologists should pay more attention to monitoring of various nerve function and impact of surgery and anesthetic drugs on the stress response of the body in such patients.

Liver macrophages show an immunotolerance phenotype in nonalcoholic fatty liver combined with Porphyromonas gingivalis-lipopolysaccharide infection / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#This study aimed to explore the functions and potential regulatory targets of local macrophages in nonalcoholic fatty liver combined with Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis)infection.@*METHODS@#Single-cell RNA sequencing was used to analyze the phenotypes and functional changes in various cells in the liver tissue of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) mice fed with P. gingivalis. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunofluorescence staining were applied to observe the inflammation and expression levels of macrophage antigen presenting functional markers in the NASH liver. Oil red staining was performed to observe the accumulation of local adipose tissue in the NASH liver. Results were verified through RT-PCRand RNA sequencing using P. gingivalis-lipopolysaccharide treated mouse peritoneal macrophages.@*RESULTS@#In comparison with healthy livers with Kupffer cells, the NASH liver combined with P. gingivalis infection-related macrophages showed significant heterogeneity. C1qb, C1qc, Mafb, Apoe, and Cd14 were highly expressed, but Cd209a, H2-Aa, H2-Ab1, and H2-DMb1, which are related to the antigen presentation function, were weakly expressed. Further in vivo and in vitro investigations indicated that the activation and infiltration of these macrophages may be due to local P. gingivalis-lipopolysaccharide accumulation.@*CONCLUSIONS@#P. gingivalis-lipopolysaccharide induces a local macrophage immunotolerance phenotype in nonalcoholic fatty liver, which may be the key mechanism of periodontitis pathogen infection that promotes NASH inflammation and pathogenesis. This study further clarifies the dysfunction and regulatory mechanisms of macrophages in the pathogenesis of P. gingivalis-infected NASH, thereby providing potential therapeutic targets for its clinical treatment.

ACT001 exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activity to alleviate sepsis-induced acute lung injury through STAT1/CIITA/MHC- II pathway / 中国药理学通报

Aim This study aimed to assess the therapeutic potential of ACT001, a micheliolide derivative, in the treatment of acute lung injury ( ALI) induced by sepsis and investigate its pharmacological mechanisms. Methods At the animal level, an ALI model was established in mice through intraperitoneal injection of li-popolysaccharide (LPS). Subsequently, ACT001 was administered to the ALI-afflicted mice. The therapeutic effects of ACT001 were assessed by evaluating factors such as individual survival rate, lung inflammation, and pulmonary edema. At the cellular level, RAW264. 7 cells were stimulated with LPS to explore the pharmacological mechanism of ACT001. The study examined inflammatory response and oxidative stress levels, and proteomics analysis was conducted to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Results At the animal level, ACT001 can improve the survival of mice with ALI, reduce lung inflammation, and reduce the levels of inflammatory cytokines in serum. At the cellular level, ACT001 promotes the polarization of RAW264. 7 cells toward an anti-inflammatory pheno-type by inhibiting MHC-II related pathways, inhibiting the production of NO and related inflammatory cytokines while increasing SOD content and scavenging ROS. Conclusions ACT001 exhibited the potential to alleviate ALI via its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activity, mainly by inhibiting the STAT1/ CIITA/ MHC-II pathway. ACT001 holds promise as a novel therapeutic candidate for the treatment of ALI induced by sepsis.

Orchestrating antigen delivery and presentation efficiency in lymph node by nanoparticle shape for immune response

Activating humoral and cellular immunity in lymph nodes (LNs) of nanoparticle-based vaccines is critical to controlling tumors. However, how the physical properties of nanovaccine carriers orchestrate antigen capture, lymphatic delivery, antigen presentation and immune response in LNs is largely unclear. Here, we manufactured gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with the same size but different shapes (cages, rods, and stars), and loaded tumor antigen as nanovaccines to explore their disparate characters on above four areas. Results revealed that star-shaped AuNPs captured and retained more repetitive antigen epitopes. On lymphatic delivery, both rods and star-shaped nanovaccines mainly drain into the LN follicles region while cage-shaped showed stronger paracortex retention. A surprising finding is that the star-shaped nanovaccines elicited potent humoral immunity, which is mediated by CD4+ T helper cell and follicle B cell cooperation significantly preventing tumor growth in the prophylactic study. Interestingly, cage-shaped nanovaccines preferentially presented peptide-MHC I complexes to evoke robust CD8+ T cell immunity and showed the strongest therapeutic efficacy when combined with the PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor in established tumor study. These results highlight the importance of nanoparticle shape on antigen delivery and presentation for immune response in LNs, and our findings support the notion that different design strategies are required for prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines.

Advanced subunit vaccine delivery technologies: From vaccine cascade obstacles to design strategies

Designing and manufacturing safe and effective vaccines is a crucial challenge for human health worldwide. Research on adjuvant-based subunit vaccines is increasingly being explored to meet clinical needs. Nevertheless, the adaptive immune responses of subunit vaccines are still unfavorable, which may partially be attributed to the immune cascade obstacles and unsatisfactory vaccine design. An extended understanding of the crosstalk between vaccine delivery strategies and immunological mechanisms could provide scientific insight to optimize antigen delivery and improve vaccination efficacy. In this review, we summarized the advanced subunit vaccine delivery technologies from the perspective of vaccine cascade obstacles after administration. The engineered subunit vaccines with lymph node and specific cell targeting ability, antigen cross-presentation, T cell activation properties, and tailorable antigen release patterns may achieve effective immune protection with high precision, efficiency, and stability. We hope this review can provide rational design principles and inspire the exploitation of future subunit vaccines.