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Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has poorer clinical outcomes in males compared to females, and immune responses underlie these sex-related differences in disease trajectory. As immune responses are in part regulated by metabolites, we examined whether the serum metabolome has sex-specificity for immune responses in COVID-19. In males with COVID-19, kynurenic acid (KA) and a high KA to kynurenine (K) ratio was positively correlated with age, inflammatory cytokines, and chemokines and was negatively correlated with T cell responses, revealing that KA production is linked to immune responses in males. Males that clinically deteriorated had a higher KA:K ratio than those that stabilized. In females with COVID-19, this ratio positively correlated with T cell responses and did not correlate with age or clinical severity. KA is known to inhibit glutamate release, and we observed that serum glutamate is lower in patients that deteriorate from COVID-19 compared to those that stabilize, and correlates with immune responses. Analysis of Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) data revealed that expression of kynurenine aminotransferase, which regulates KA production, correlates most strongly with cytokine levels and aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation in older males. This study reveals that KA has a sex-specific link to immune responses and clinical outcomes, in COVID-19 infection.
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Objective To investigate the effect of lower thoracic epidural block on intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis during hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation in rats.Methods Sixty-four male SD rats placed with lower thoracic epidural catheter were randomly divided into four groups (n=1 6 each):group Sham (sham operation),group HSR (hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation),group NS (hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation+epidural saline 100 μl/kg),and group TEA (hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation+epidural 0.075% ropivacaine 100 μl/kg).The hemorrhagic shock was made described by Chaudry.Rats were resuscitated by transfusing shed blood and normal saline 60 min after hemorrhagic shock.Malondialdehyde (MDA)content,superoxide dismutase (SOD)activity, and protein expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in intestinal epithelium were detected,and epithelial apoptosis index was calculated at 2 h after resuscitation.Results Compared with group Sham,intestinal epithe-lial MDA,Bax expression and epithelial apoptosis were significantly increased,while SOD activity were markedly decreased in groups HSR,NS and TEA (P<0.05).Compared with groups HSR and NS,intestinal epithelial MDA,Bax expression and epithelial apoptosis were significantly decreased, while SOD activity and Bcl-2 expression were markedly increased in group TEA (P <0.05 ). Conclusion Lower thoracic epidural block can enhance the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic ability,and inhibit the oxidative stress and cell apoptosis of intestinal epithelium.Therefore,it can promote the survival rate after hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation through protecting intestinal barrier.
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This article introduces the experience of CHEN Ying-yi, chief physician and one of the teacher of the fourth group of inheriting academic experience of veteran TCM experts of China, in treating perimenopausal women’s dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Chen holds that the basic pathogenesis of perimenopausal dysfunctional uterine bleeding is kidney deficiency with fever or stagnation. Treatment should focus on replenishing kidney and using the traditional Chinese drug by stages. The methods of stopping bleeding, clearing origin and reinstating the status quo are used flexibly. In clinic, it should grasp the key points of syndrome differentiation, and modify the therapy in accordance with the symptoms. Validated by clinical application, Chen’s experience has satisfactory curative effect and reference values for the treatment of perimenopausal women’s dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
