Predicting pathological response to neoadjuvant or conversion chemoimmunotherapy in stage IB-III non-small cell lung cancer patients using radiomic features.

BACKGROUND: To develop a radiomics model based on chest computed tomography (CT) for the prediction of a pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant or conversion chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Patients with stage IB-III NSCLC who received neoadjuvant or conversion CIT between September 2019 and July 2021 at Hunan Cancer Hospital, Xiangya Hospital, and Union Hospital were retrospectively collected. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were used to screen features. Then, model 1 (five radiomics features before CIT), model 2 (four radiomics features after CIT and before surgery) and model 3 were constructed for the prediction of pCR. Model 3 included all nine features of model 1 and 2 and was later named the neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy-related pathological response prediction model (NACIP). RESULTS: This study included 110 patients: 77 in the training set and 33 in the validation set. Thirty-nine (35.5%) patients achieved a pCR. Model 1 showed area under the curve (AUC) = 0.65, 64% accuracy, 71% specificity, and 50% sensitivity, while model 2 displayed AUC = 0.81, 73% accuracy, 62% specificity, and 92% sensitivity. In comparison, NACIP yielded a good predictive value, with an AUC of 0.85, 81% accuracy, 81% specificity, and 83% sensitivity in the validation set. CONCLUSION: NACIP may be a potential model for the early prediction of pCR in patients with NSCLC treated with neoadjuvant/conversion CIT.

Abnormal expression of miRNA-122 in cerebral infarction and related mechanism of regulating vascular endothelial cell proliferation and apoptosis by targeting CCNG1.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the value of serum miRNA-122 expression in the diagnosis, severity, and prognosis of Acute Cerebral Infarction (ACI) and the correlation mechanism of serum miRNA-122 on the proliferation and apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells in ACI. METHOD: A total of 60 patients with ACI who were admitted to the emergency department of the Taizhou People's Hospital from January 1, 2019, to December 30, 2019, and 30 healthy controls during the same period were selected. General clinical data of all patients at admission were collected. Including age, sex, medical history, and inflammatory factors (C-Reactive Protein [CRP], Interleukin-6 [IL-6], Procalcitonin [PCT], Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipid carrier protein [NGAL]). The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission and short-term prognosis (the Modified Rankin Score [mRS]) score at 3 months after onset were recorded. The expression level of miRNA-122 in the serum of patients with ACI and normal controls was detected by reverse-transcription quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-QPCR), and the correlation between the expression level of miRNA-122 in the serum of patients with ACI and the level of inflammatory factors, NIHSS and mRS scores were analyzed. The expression levels of miRNA-122 in the serum of patients with ACI, normal people, and Human Umbilical cord Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) cultured in a blank control group were detected by RT-QPCR and statistically analyzed. MTT and flow cytometry was used to compare the proliferation and apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells in the miRNA-122 mimics and inhibitors transfection groups and the corresponding negative control group. The mRNA and protein levels of apoptosis-related factors Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, and angiogenesis-related proteins Hes1, Notch1, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (VEGF), and CCNG1 were detected by RT-QPCR and Western blot. Bioinformatics methods predicted CCNG1 to be the target of miRNA-122, and the direct targeting relationship between CCNG1 and miRNA-122 was verified by a dual-luciferase reporting assay. RESULT: Serum miRNA-122 expression in patients with ACI was significantly higher than that in healthy controls, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.929, 95% Confidence Interval of 0.875‒0.983, and an optimal cut-off value of 1.397. The expression levels of CRP, IL-6, and NGAL in patients with ACI were higher than those in healthy control groups, p < 0.05; miRNA-122 was positively correlated with CPR, IL-6, NIHSS score, and mRS score. At 48h and 72h, the proliferation rate of HUVECs cells in the miRNA-122 mimics group decreased and the apoptosis rate increased. Cell proliferation rate increased, and apoptosis rate decreased significantly in the groups transfected with miRNA-122 inhibitors. The mRNA and protein levels of pro-apoptotic factors Bax and caspase-3 were significantly increased in the miRNA-122 mimics transfection group, while those of anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 were significantly decreased compared to those of the control group. The expression of Bax and Caspase-3 decreased, and the expression of anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 increased in the transfected miRNA-122 inhibitors group. mRNA expression levels of Hes1, Notch1, VEGF, and CCNG1 in the miRNA-122 mimic transfected group were significantly decreased, while mRNA expression levels in the miRNA-122 inhibitors transfected group were significantly increased. Bioinformatics showed that there was a miRNA-122 binding site in the 3'UTR region of CCNG1, and dual luciferase assay confirmed that CCNG1 was the target of miRNA-122. CONCLUSION: Serum miRNA-122 increased significantly after ACI, which may be a diagnostic marker of ACI. miRNA-122 may be involved in the pathological process of ACI and is related to the degree of neurological impairment and short-term prognosis in patients with ACI. miRNA-122 may play a regulatory role in ACI by inhibiting cell proliferation, increasing apoptosis, and inhibiting vascular endothelial cell regeneration through the CCNG1 channel.

Abnormal expression of miRNA-122 in cerebral infarction and related mechanism of regulating vascular endothelial cell proliferation and apoptosis by targeting CCNG1

Abstract Objective: To analyze the value of serum miRNA-122 expression in the diagnosis, severity, and prognosis of Acute Cerebral Infarction (ACI) and the correlation mechanism of serum miRNA-122 on the proliferation and apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells in ACI. Method: A total of 60 patients with ACI who were admitted to the emergency department of the Taizhou People's Hospital from January 1, 2019, to December 30, 2019, and 30 healthy controls during the same period were selected. General clinical data of all patients at admission were collected. Including age, sex, medical history, and inflammatory factors (C-Reactive Protein [CRP], Interleukin-6 [IL-6], Procalcitonin [PCT], Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipid carrier protein [NGAL]). The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission and short-term prognosis (the Modified Rankin Score [mRS]) score at 3 months after onset were recorded. The expression level of miRNA-122 in the serum of patients with ACI and normal controls was detected by reverse-transcription quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-QPCR), and the correlation between the expression level of miRNA-122 in the serum of patients with ACI and the level of inflammatory factors, NIHSS and mRS scores were analyzed. The expression levels of miRNA-122 in the serum of patients with ACI, normal people, and Human Umbilical cord Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) cultured in a blank control group were detected by RT-QPCR and statistically analyzed. MTT and flow cytometry was used to compare the proliferation and apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells in the miRNA-122 mimics and inhibitors transfection groups and the corresponding negative control group. The mRNA and protein levels of apoptosis-related factors Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, and angiogenesis-related proteins Hes1, Notch1, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (VEGF), and CCNG1 were detected by RT-QPCR and Western blot. Bioinformatics methods predicted CCNG1 to be the target of miRNA-122, and the direct targeting relationship between CCNG1 and miRNA-122 was verified by a dual-luciferase reporting assay. Result: Serum miRNA-122 expression in patients with ACI was significantly higher than that in healthy controls, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.929, 95% Confidence Interval of 0.875‒0.983, and an optimal cut-off value of 1.397. The expression levels of CRP, IL-6, and NGAL in patients with ACI were higher than those in healthy control groups, p < 0.05; miRNA-122 was positively correlated with CPR, IL-6, NIHSS score, and mRS score. At 48h and 72h, the proliferation rate of HUVECs cells in the miRNA-122 mimics group decreased and the apoptosis rate increased. Cell proliferation rate increased, and apoptosis rate decreased significantly in the groups transfected with miRNA-122 inhibitors. The mRNA and protein levels of pro-apoptotic factors Bax and caspase-3 were significantly increased in the miRNA-122 mimics transfection group, while those of anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 were significantly decreased compared to those of the control group. The expression of Bax and Caspase-3 decreased, and the expression of anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 increased in the transfected miRNA-122 inhibitors group. mRNA expression levels of Hes1, Notch1, VEGF, and CCNG1 in the miRNA-122 mimic transfected group were significantly decreased, while mRNA expression levels in the miRNA-122 inhibitors transfected group were significantly increased. Bioinformatics showed that there was a miRNA-122 binding site in the 3′UTR region of CCNG1, and dual luciferase assay confirmed that CCNG1 was the target of miRNA-122.

Application effect of Kolb's experiential learning theory in clinical nursing teaching of traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the practical application and effect of Kolb's experiential learning theory in the clinical nursing training of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Methods: This study is a quasi-experimental study. Eighty clinical nurses from a class-III grade-A general hospital were enrolled in 2020 and 2021, respectively, as research subjects. The subjects in the control group were trained in "theory explanation, clinical practice, summary and Q&A, [and] centralized examination." The subjects in the experimental group were first grouped according to Kolb's experiential learning style. The training followed a "problem-exploration-practice-exploration-theory-explanation-summary-centralized examination" structure based on Kolb's experiential learning cycle, the training place is Conference Room 1 of the hospital. The training time is from February to August 2020 and 2021. The application effect of the experiential learning theory was evaluated by analyzing course evaluation questionnaires and the final examination results. Results: The total score of the course evaluation questionnaire of the experimental group was 112.23 ± 5.88. The difference compared with the control group was statistically significant (P < .01). In the experimental group, the theoretical score was 85.27 ± 3.29, and the operational score was 85.36 ± 3.01. The differences compared with the control group were statistically significant (P < .01). Conclusion: The application of Kolb's experiential learning theory to the training of TCM clinical nursing can make the clinical practice of TCM nursing more "scientific" and the training more effective, and it can improve the subjective initiative of students.

Tubular epithelial cell-to-macrophage communication forms a negative feedback loop via extracellular vesicle transfer to promote renal inflammation and apoptosis in diabetic nephropathy.

Background: Macrophage infiltration around lipotoxic tubular epithelial cells (TECs) is a hallmark of diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, how these two types of cells communicate remains obscure. We previously demonstrated that LRG1 was elevated in the process of kidney injury. Here, we demonstrated that macrophage-derived, LRG1-enriched extracellular vesicles (EVs) exacerbated DN. Methods: We induced an experimental T2DM mouse model with a HFD diet for four months. Renal primary epithelial cells and macrophage-derived EVs were isolated from T2D mice by differential ultracentrifugation. To investigate whether lipotoxic TEC-derived EV (EVe) activate macrophages, mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were incubated with EVe. To investigate whether activated macrophage-derived EVs (EVm) induce lipotoxic TEC apoptosis, EVm were cocultured with primary renal tubular epithelial cells. Subsequently, we evaluated the effect of LRG1 in EVe by investigating the apoptosis mechanism. Results: We demonstrated that incubation of primary TECs of DN or HK-2 mTECs with lysophosphatidyl choline (LPC) increased the release of EVe. Interestingly, TEC-derived EVe activated an inflammatory phenotype in macrophages and induced the release of macrophage-derived EVm. Furthermore, EVm could induce apoptosis in TECs injured by LPC. Importantly, we found that leucine-rich α-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG1)-enriched EVe activated macrophages via a TGFßR1-dependent process and that tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-enriched EVm induced apoptosis in injured TECs via a death receptor 5 (DR5)-dependent process. Conclusion: Our findings indicated a novel cell communication mechanism between tubular epithelial cells and macrophages in DN, which could be a potential therapeutic target.

Efficacy and Safety of Different Doses of Bevacizumab Combined With Pemetrexed and Platinum in First-Line Treatment of Advanced NSCLC: A Retrospective-Real World Study.

Background: Bevacizumab was demonstrated to have efficacy in patients with NSCLC. However, application of different doses of bevacizumab in different clinical trials was overlooked. This study aims to investigate the effects and safety of different doses of bevacizumab in the treatment. Methods: From January 2016 to March 2020, 79 patients with NSCLC received first-line combination treatment with chemotherapy (pemetrexed + platinum) and bevacizumab for four cycles; patients without progression after four cycles were randomly assigned to maintenance therapy with bevacizumab combined with pemetrexed, of which 57 patients received bevacizumab at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg and 22 patients at a dose of 15 mg/kg. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival, and secondary endpoints were overall response rate, disease control rate, and adverse events. Results: There was no significant difference between two groups in effectiveness; Median PFS in 7.5 mg/kg group and in 15 mg/kg group were 8.0 and 8.7 months, respectively (p = 0.663), reaching the primary endpoint. The ORR and DCR in the bevacizumab 7.5 and 15 mg/kg group were 45.46 and 86.0% vs. 50 and 90.9% showing no statistical significance (p = 0.804 and 0.717). Most of side effects were tolerable. The incidences of overall toxicities were higher in 15 mg/kg group (p = 0.001). No new safety signals were observed. Conclusion: We did not detect significant difference of efficacy and safety between 7.5 mg/kg group and 15 mg/kg group for bevacizumab administration, the cost-effectiveness of the 7.5 mg/kg group was significantly better than that of the 15 mg/kg group.

Genetic polymorphisms in pri-let-7a-2 are associated with ischemic stroke risk in a Chinese Han population from Liaoning, China: a case-control study.

Ischemic stroke is a complicated disease, and its pathogenesis has been attributed to the occurrence of genetic polymorphisms. Evidence has suggested that the microRNA let-7a is involved in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke. Pri-miRNA is the primary transcript, which undergoes several processing steps to generate pre-miRNA and, later, mature miRNAs. In this case-control study, we analyzed the distribution of pri-let-7a-2 variants in patients at a high risk for ischemic stroke and the interactions of pri-let-7a-2 variants and environmental factors. Blood samples and clinical information were collected from 1086 patients with ischemic stroke and 836 healthy controls between December 2013 and December 2015 at the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University. We found that the rs1143770 CC genotype and the C allele were associated with a decreased risk of ischemic stroke, whereas the rs629367 CC genotype was associated with an increased risk for ischemic stroke. Moreover, these two single-nucleotide polymorphisms were in linkage disequilibrium in this study sample. We analyzed gene-environment interactions and found that rs1143770 exerted a combined effect on the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke, together with alcohol use, smoking, and a history of hypertension. Therefore, the detection of pri-let-7a-2 polymorphisms may increase the awareness of ischemic stroke risk. This study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, China (approval No. 2012-38-1) on February 20, 2012, and was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number: ChiCTR-COC-17013559) on December 27, 2017.

Association of Circulating Magnesium Levels in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease From 1991 to 2021: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains a medical and social challenge worldwide. Magnesium (Mg) is one of the most frequently evaluated essential minerals with diverse biological functions in human body. However, the association between circulating Mg levels and AD remains controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis of 21 studies published between 1991 and 2021 to determine whether the Mg levels in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are abnormal in AD. Literatures were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Data without language limitations. A pooled subject sample including 1,112 AD patients and 1,001 healthy controls (HCs) was available to assess Mg levels in serum and plasma; 284 AD patients and 117 HCs were included for Mg levels in CSF. It was found that serum and plasma levels of Mg were significantly reduced in AD patients compared with HCs (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI] [-1.36, -0.43]; P = 0.000). There was statistically non-significant for Mg level in CSF between AD and HCs, whereas a decreased tendency were detected (SMD = -0.16; 95% CI [-0.50, 0.18]; P = 0.364). .In addition, when we analyzed the Mg levels of serum, plasma and CSF together, the circulating Mg levels in AD patients was significantly lower (SMD = -0.74, 95% CI [-1.13; -0.35]; P = 0.000). These results indicate that Mg deficiency may be a risk factor of AD and Mg supplementation may be a potentially valuable adjunctive treatment for AD. Systematic Review Registration: www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, registration number CRD42021254557.

Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form for inpatients with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of childhood trauma is essential for the treatment of schizophrenia. The short form of Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-SF) is a widely used measure of the experience of childhood trauma in the general population. Nevertheless, data regarding the psychometric property of CTQ-SF for assessing childhood trauma of patients with schizophrenia are very limited. METHODS: Two hundred Chinese inpatients with schizophrenia completed the Chinese CTQ-SF, the Child Psychological Maltreatment Scale (CPMS), the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R), and the Dissociative Experiences Scale-II (DES-II). To assess test-retest reliability of the CTQ-SF, all patients completed the CTQ-SF again two weeks later. Concurrent and convergent validity was assessed by analyzing Pearson bivariate correlation coefficients between CTQ-SF and CPMS, IES-R, and DES-II. RESULTS: The Cronbach's α coefficient of the Chinese CTQ-SF was 0.81, and the two-week re-test reliability was 0.81 (P<0.01). The criterion-related validity coefficients of CTQ-SF with the CMPS, IES-R and DES-II were 0.61, 0.41, and 0.51, respectively. CONCLUSION: The Chinese CTQ-SF has satisfactory psychometric properties to measure childhood abuse or neglect in Chinese inpatients with schizophrenia.

Cellular signaling pathways regulating ß-cell proliferation as a promising therapeutic target in the treatment of diabetes.

It is established that a decrease in ß-cell number and deficiency in the function of existing ß-cells contribute to type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, a major focus of current research is to identify novel methods of improving the number and function of ß-cells, so as to prevent and/or postpone the development of diabetes mellitus and potentially reverse diabetes mellitus. Based on prior knowledge of the above-mentioned causes, promising therapeutic approaches may include direct transplantation of islets, implantation and subsequent induced differentiation of progenitors/stem cells to ß-cells, replication of pre-existing ß-cells, or activation of endogenous ß-cell progenitors. More recently, with regards to cell replacement and regenerative treatment for diabetes patients, the identification of cellular signaling pathways with related genes or corresponding proteins involved in diabetes has become a topic of interest. However, the majority of pathways and molecules associated with ß-cells remain unresolved, and the specialized functions of known pathways remain unclear, particularly in humans. The current article has evaluated the progress of research on pivotal cellular signaling pathways involved with ß-cell proliferation and survival, and their validity for therapeutic adult ß-cell regeneration in diabetes. More efforts are required to elucidate the cellular events involved in human ß-cell proliferation in terms of the underlying mechanisms and functions.

[Investigations on Sulfur and Carbon Isotopic Compositions of Potential Polluted Sources in Atmospheric PM2.5 in Nanjing Region].

Potential pollution sources of atmospheric PM2.5 in Nanjing region were collected, and sulfur and carbon isotopic compositions were determined by EA-IRMS synchronously. The results showed that δ³4S and δ¹³C values ranged from 1.8‰-3.7‰ and -25.50‰- -23.57‰ in coal soot particles; 4.6‰-9.7‰ and -26.32‰- -23.57‰ in vehicle exhaust; 5.2‰-9.9‰ and -19.30‰- -30.42‰ in straw soot particles, respectively. Besides, the δ¹³C value of dust was -13.45‰. It can be observed that sulfur isotopic compositions in coal soot were lower, while the carbon isotopic composition in dust was higher. Comparing with δ³4S and δ¹³C values in domestic and foreign polluted sources, we found that sulfur and carbon isotopes in atmospheric PM2.5 in Nanjing region presented an obvious regional characteristics. Therefore, the source spectrum of sulfur and carbon isotopic compositions in Nanjing region might provide an insight into source apportionment of atmospheric PM2.5.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 1 (TRAF1) polymorphisms and susceptibility to autoimmune thyroid disease.

Former studies have revealed the link between the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 1 (TRAF1) polymorphisms and autoimmunity. In the present study, we took an opportunity to investigate the association between TRAF1 and autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) in order to find a new susceptibility gene. A total of 1029 AITD patients [677 Graves' disease (GD) patients and 352 Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) patients] and 899 controls were enrolled. We used matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF-MS) to detect the polymorphisms of rs4836834, rs10760130, rs10818488, rs2239658, rs2900180. We also explored the association between polymorphisms and clinical subphenotypes. Genotype frequencies of the five loci in all AITD patients were significantly different from those of controls. Genotype frequencies of rs10760130, rs2239658 and rs2900180 in GD patients were significantly different from controls. Allele analysis found that T allele of rs4836834, G allele of rs10760130, A allele of rs10818488, T allele of rs2239658 and T allele of rs2900180 were significantly higher in GD and AITD patients. No significant differences were found between HT patients and controls. Haplotype analysis found three haplotypes including ACAGC, TTGAT and TCGAC. ACAGC frequencies were significantly lower in GD and HT patients. However, TTGAT frequency was only significantly higher in GD patients. No significant results were found between polymorphisms and clinical subphenotypes. Our study reveals TRAF1 as a susceptibility gene of AITD in Chinese Han population.

Genetic susceptibility to autoimmune thyroid diseases in a Chinese Han population: Role of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms.

PURPOSE: Previous studies have found that some immune-related genes were associated with autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs). A couple of studies have explored the association between vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to AITDs in different populations and found conflicting results. This case-control study was designed to evaluate the role of polymorphisms of VDR gene in the predisposition of AITDs in a Chinese Han population. METHODS: A total of 417 patients with Graves' disease (GD), 250 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and 301 healthy subjects were enrolled. The Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (MALDI-TOF-MS) Platform was applied to detect four SNPs (rs1544410, rs2228570, rs731236 and rs7975232) in the VDR gene. RESULTS: In the rs7975232 allele A frequency showed a significant increase in GD patients (30.34% vs. 25.42% in controls; P=0.041, OR=1.278, 95%CI=1.010-1.617). However, no relationship was found between clinical phenotypes and the four SNPs. CONCLUSIONS: This result suggests that the VDR gene may be one susceptibility gene which contributes to the risk of GD.

[Tracing Sources of Sulfate Aerosol in Nanjing Northern Suburb Using Sulfur and Oxygen Isotopes].

Abstract: To trace the sources of sulfate contributing to atmospheric aerosol, PM2.5 samples for isotopic analysis were collected in Nanjing northern suburb during January 2014. The sulfur and oxygen isotopic compositions of sulfate from these samples were determined by EA-IRMS. Source identification and apportionment were carried out using stable isotopic and chemical evidences, combined with absolute principal component analysis (APCA) method. The Δ34S values of aerosol sulfate ranged from 2.7 per thousand to 6.4 per thousand, with an average of 5.0 per thousand ± 0.9 per thousand, while the Δ18O values ranged from 10.6 per thousand to 16.1 per thousand, with an average of 12.5 per thousand ± 1.37 per thousand. In conjunction with air mass trajectories, the results suggested that aerosol sulfates were controlled by a dominance of local anthropogenic sulfate, followed by the contributions of long-distance transported sulfate. There was a minor effect of some other low-Δ34S valued sulfates, which might be expected from biogenic sources. Absolute principal component analysis results showed that the contributions of anthropogenic sulfate and long-distance transported sulfate were 46.74% and 31.54%, respectively.

[Characteristics and sources apportionment of OC and EC in PM1.1 from Nanjing].

The concentrations of OC and EC in PM1.1 collected from Nanshi (NS) and Nanhua (NH) in 2011 were analyzed using DRI Model 2001A Thermal Optical Carbon Analyzer. In addition, source apportionment was simultaneously evaluated. The results showed that the annual average concentrations of OC and EC in PM1.1 were 10. 10 µg x m(-3) and 2.52 µg x m(-3) in NS area, and 11.22 µg x m(-3) and 3.12 µg x m(-3) in NH area, respectively. This result indicated that OC and EC pollution in NH was more serious than that in NS area. Meanwhile, the concentrations of OC and EC in winter and spring were obviously higher compared to those in summer in these two sampling sites, which was mainly ascribed to the increased coal combustion and the unfavorable emission condition of air pollutants in summer and spring. We noted that the SOC/TOC value was the highest in summer and the lowest in winter. In addition, the SOC concentration was observed to show a positive correlation with ozone concentrations, which indicated that the photochemical reaction was a main way of SOC formation in autumn.

Increased IL-21/IL-21R expression and its proinflammatory effects in autoimmune thyroid disease.

To determine the potential role of interleukin-21 (IL-21) / IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) mainly known as Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). IL-21 and IL-21R of peripheral blood samples and/or thyroid tissues from AITD patients and healthy controls were analyzed by ELISA, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. In vitro, the mRNA and protein of inflammatory cytokines of cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) upon recombinant human IL-21 (rhIL-21) stimulation were detected. There was an increased serum concentration of IL-21 in untreated GD and HT patients, and IL-21(+)CD3(+)CD8(-)T cells were significantly increased in PBMCs of HT patients compared with healthy volunteers. The IL-21 mRNA expression in PBMCs increased dramatically in GD and HT patients, and marked augmentations of IL-21 and IL-21R mRNA in thyroid tissues of HT patients were observed. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed the expression of IL-21R protein in HT thyroid cells and lymphocytes. In vitro, PBMCs from GD cultured with rhIL-21 induced increased IL-17A but decreased IL-4 production, while from HT stimulated by rhIL-21 induced augmented production of IFN-γ. In conclusion, the expression of IL-21 and IL-21R were up-regulated in AITD and may be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease through augmenting aberrant immune cascade.

Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis in Graves' disease.

As an autoimmune disease, Graves' disease (GD) is associated with many genetic and environmental risk factors. Although the exact mechanism remains unclear, epigenetic determinants, such as DNA methylation, are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of GD. Here, we for the first time reported the DNA methylation pattern in GD through a high-throughput analysis. In order to investigate genome-wide DNA methylation profile of GD, methyl-DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) and Nimblegen human DNA methylation 3 × 720 K promoter plus CpG island microarrays were used to identify differentially methylated regions (DMRs) from blood samples in GD patients. Quantitative methylation-specific PCR (qMSP) was used to validate the methylation state of candidate genes. Transcription level of each gene was estimated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). A total of 132 hypermethylated and 133 hypomethylated regions were identified in GD. The methylation of ICAM1 in GD patients and normal controls was significantly different (p<0.05). In the female group, significantly decreased methylation was observed in GD patients compared with normal controls (p<0.05). The transcription of ICAM1 at the mRNA level was significantly higher in GD patients compared with normal controls (p<0.05). Besides, the transcription of DNMT1 and MECP2 at the mRNA level was significantly decreased in GD patients compared with normal controls (p<0.05). Our findings revealed that the DNA methylation pattern in GD was distinct from that of controls. These results provided new molecular insights into the pathogenesis of GD.

Different levels of circulating Th22 cell and its related molecules in Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to make a comparative analysis of the possible different expression of Th22 cells in two subtypes of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs), i.e., Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). METHODS: We recruited 61 AITDs patients (31 GD and 30 HT) and 22 controls. Serum level of IL-22 was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The proportion of Th22 cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was analyzed by flow cytometry. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of IL-22, its receptors (IL10R2, IL22R1) and key transcription factor (aryl hydrocarbon receptor, AHR) in PBMCs were assayed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Several cytokines of the cultured PBMCs were also measured under IL-22 stimulation. RESULTS: The proportion of Th22 cells, serum IL22 level and IL-22 mRNA expression were significantly higher in patients with GD than in healthy controls. Additionally, AHR increased in GD patients compared to healthy controls. However, the elevation of Th22 cells and their relative cytokines was not found in patients with HT. Consistent with specific mRNAs expression of cultured PBMCs, IL-4 increment in supernatant was much higher in GD group than in control group, while IFN-γ levels were decreased under IL-22 stimulation. CONCLUSION: Th22 cells may participate in the pathogenesis of AITDs as a proinflammatory factor, especially in GD, through expressing and secreting IL-22.

Polymorphisms of the TNFAIP3 region and Graves' disease.

Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is a multifactorial organ-specific autoimmune disorder, and both genetic susceptibility and environmental factors are involved in its etiology. TNFAIP3 encodes the ubiquitin-modifying enzyme (A20), a key regulator of inflammatory signaling pathways. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between TNFAIP3 gene polymorphisms and AITD in Chinese Han population. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TNFAIP3 gene locus (rs598493, rs610604 and rs661561) were detected in a set of 667 patients with AITD and 301 controls in Han Chinese population using the Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (MALDI-TOF-MS) Platform. Compared with those of the controls, the frequencies of GG genotype of rs598493, the AA genotype of rs610604, the allele G and GG genotype of rs661561 were significantly increased in Graves' disease (GD) patients. However, the frequencies of AG genotype of rs598493 and AC genotype of rs610604 were significantly decreased in GD patients. The ATC haplotype (rs598493, rs661561 and rs610604) was associated with a decreased risk of GD. No significant differences in the three SNPs were observed between HT patients and controls. Our study shows a clear association between the polymorphisms of TNFAIP3 gene and GD, not HT, suggesting that TNFAIP3 gene is likely to be a genetic susceptibility factor to GD.

Polymorphisms of CLEC16A region and autoimmune thyroid diseases.

To investigate the association of CLEC16A gene polymorphisms and autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs). Six hundred sixty seven Han Chinese patients with AITDs were selected as study subjects, including 417 patients with Graves' disease (GD), 250 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and 301 healthy control patients. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and the mass spectrometry technique were used to genotype five CLEC16A single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs12708716, rs12917716, rs12931878, rs2903692, and rs6498169). Higher frequency of G allele of rs6498169 CLEC16A gene in AITDs patients [P = 0.029, odds ratio (OR) 1.29 and 95% confidence interval 1.022-1.505] was observed. In addition an association between rs6498169 and HT was observed with statistical significance (P = 0.018, OR 1.335, 95% confidence interval 1.051-1.696). Furthermore, the GG haplotype containing the major allele of (rs12708716 and rs6498169) was associated with an increased risk of HT (P = 0.0148, OR 1.344). When patients with HT and controls were compared, results from the dominant and recessive models showed that the genotype frequency of rs6498169 were at borderline levels (P = 0.054 and P = 0.05), and the other four SNPs of CLEC16A gene showed no significant association with AITDs. Our results suggest that polymorphisms rs6498169 of CLEC16A gene confers susceptibility to AITDs. We therefore disclose for the first time the association of rs6498169 SNP with AITDs.