Meta-analysis exploring the effectiveness and safety of different doses of estrogen in the treatment of osteoporosis in perimenopausal women in China.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of using different doses of estrogen in the treatment of perimenopausal osteoporosis in China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Computer searches of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CBM, CNKI, WanFang Date, and VIP databases were conducted. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) on different doses of estrogen for the treatment of osteoporosis in Chinese perimenopausal women were searched for the period 01/01/2000-06/09/2022. Document screening and data extraction were completed independently by 2 researchers and assessed using the Cochrane recommended risk bias assessment tool for RCTs. The software used for analysis in this study was Stata, version 16.0. RESULTS: A total of 10 RCTs with a cumulative total of 804 patients were included. Meta-analysis results showed that low doses of estrogen were more effective in improving patient outcomes [OR=0.521, 95% CI (0.300-0.907), z = 2.31, p ≤ 0.05] and bone mineral density [SMD = -0.218, 95% CI (-0.42,-0.016), z = 2.11, p ≤ 0.05] was not superior. For bone metabolism and sex hormone indicators, the standard dose group had a slight advantage, but the difference was small (p > 0.05) and not statistically significant. With regard to safety, the incidence of adverse reactions was higher with the standard dose of estrogen. CONCLUSIONS: In China, standard doses of estrogen are used for clinical effectiveness. However, vigilance must be maintained for potential safety concerns that may arise during treatment.

[Analysis of the epidemiological characteristics and genetic characteristics of influenza in the surveillance-year of 2021 to 2022 in Shandong Province, China].

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics, etiology and hemagglutinin (HA) gene characteristics of prevalent strains in Shandong Province from 2021 to 2022. Methods: The sentinel surveillance data of influenza-like illness (ILI) were collected in Shandong Province from 2021 to 2022. ILI specimens were detected with Real-Time PCR and virus isolation to explore the distribution of influenza viruses in different months. Three virus strains of each city were selected for gene sequencing, and the HA phylogenetic analysis was carried out. Results: In the surveillance-year from 2021 to 2022, 528 263 ILI cases were totally reported in 54 sentinel hospitals for influenza surveillance in Shandong Province. ILI visiting ratio (ILI%) was 4.07%, with the largest number in 0-4 age group (45.86%). The highly frequent season for ILI was in winter and spring, with a peak in the 52nd week, 2021 (6.62%). Totally, nucleic acid was detected in 26 754 specimens, with a positive rate of 27.10%, all of which were type B Victoria influenza. The positive rate reached a peak in the 49th week, 2021 (63.78%). A total of 295 outbreaks of ILI had been reported, in which 269 were positive for influenza virus. Most of outbreaks occurred in the primary school, with a peak in December. Gene evolution analysis showed that the HA gene in Shandong possessed high homology, 98.6% to 99.5%, with the recommended vaccine strains in 2020-2023, which was divided into two branches, V1A.3a.1 and V1A.3a.2. Conclusion: In the surveillance-year of 2021-2022, influenza is prevalent in December in Shandong Province, with a single circulating strain type. The positive rate of influenza virus and outbreak are higher than those in the previous surveillance-year. The circulating strain possesses high HA gene homology with those of the WHO vaccine recommended strains. However, the overall immune barrier of influenza virus is weak.

[Progress of metagenomics next-generation sequencing in the detection of drug-resistant phenotypes of Gram-negative bacteria].

The ongoing spread of drug-resistant bacterial infections poses a significant threat to public health, and early diagnosis and targeted treatment are the keys to successful treatment. Traditional bacterial culture and drug susceptibility testing is time-consuming and insensitive, and cannot meet the needs of clinical diagnosis and treatment, so molecular detection technologies, such as metagenomics next-generation sequencing, have become a new research direction. This article reviewed recent advances in high-throughput sequencing for the diagnosis and treatment of drug resistance in Gram-negative bacteria.

Expression of T follicular helper lymphocytes with different subsets and analysis of serum IL-6, IL-17, TGF-ß and MMP-3 contents in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression levels of T follicular helper (Tfh) with different subsets in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-17 (IL-17), transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) and matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3) contents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of 45 RA patients in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College from January 2016 to April 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into the RA high activity group (24 cases, group A) (DAS28 score ≥ 5.0) and RA low activity group (21 cases, group B) (3.2 < DAS28 score < 5.0). At the same time, 20 healthy subjects were selected as a control group. Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression levels of Tfh1, Tfh2 and Tfh17, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect serum IL-6, IL-17, IL-21 and MMP-3 concentrations. The correlation of Tfh cells with IL-6, IL-17, IL-21 and MMP-3 was analyzed. RESULTS: Those of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) Tfh2 and Tfh17 cells were significantly higher in group A than those in group B (p < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the concentrations of serum IL-6, IL-17 and MMP-3 significantly increased (p < 0.001), but that of serum TGF-ß markedly decreased in group A and group B (p < 0.01). The concentrations of serum IL-6, IL-17 and MMP-3 were remarkably higher in group A than those in group B (p < 0.001), but that of serum TGF-ß was significantly lower in group A than that in group B (p < 0.001). The expression level of PBMC Tfh2 cells, PBMC Tfh17 cells was positively correlated with serum IL-6, IL-17 and MMP-3. The expression levels of Tfh2 and Tfh17 cells are positively correlated with serum IL-6, IL-17 and MMP-3 concentrations, negatively correlated with serum TGF-ß concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Tfh2 and Tfh17 are expected to be new targets for immunotherapy in RA patients.

Comparison of gene expression of Toll-like receptors and antimicrobial peptides in immune organs and tissues between Yorkshire and Tibetan pigs.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs), an important family of pattern-recognition receptors, and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) contribute to the first line of innate protection of mammals against microbes. To compare characteristics of innate immunity between Tibetan and Yorkshire pigs, we investigated the mRNA abundance of TLR genes (TLR1-TLR9) and two AMP-encoding genes (PBD-1 and PR-39) in thymus, spleen, blood, palatine tonsils, and mesenteric and pulmonary hilar lymph nodes of the two breeds at ages of 6, 12 and 24 weeks using quantitative real-time PCR. Results showed that all mRNAs were detected in all tissues. Transcript levels of the major TLR genes of Tibetan pigs were significantly higher than those of Yorkshires in most tissues of the immune system, with a higher abundance of porcine (PBD-1) (beta-defensin-1) and PR-39 mRNA in lymphoid organs and tissues, especially blood, palatine tonsils, and mesenteric and pulmonary hilar lymph nodes. Our data suggest that Tibetan pigs have stronger innate immunity for triggering local and/or systemic immune responses to eliminate infections with pathogenic microorganisms.

Dectin-1 is inducible and plays a crucial role in Aspergillus-induced innate immune responses in human bronchial epithelial cells.

Airway epithelial cells are the first cells to be challenged upon contact with the conidia of Aspergillus. In response, they express pattern-recognition receptors that play fundamental roles as sentinels and mediators of pulmonary innate immunity. The C-type lectin Dectin-1 is expressed predominantly on the surface of myeloid lineage cells. We examined the induction, regulation, and functions of Dectin-1 in pulmonary epithelial cells by challenging human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells with A. fumigatus. Inflammatory, antimicrobial peptide genes and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were quantified, with and without knockdown of Dectin-1. We found that A. fumigatus induced the expression of Dectin-1 mRNA and protein in HBE cells in a toll-like receptor (TLR) 2-dependent manner. In addition, A. fumigatus-mediated generation of ROS was dependent on the upregulation of Dectin-1. Moreover, A. fumigatus actively induced the expression of TNFα, GM-CSF, IL8, HBD2, and HBD9. Knockdown of Dectin-1 inhibited TNFα, IL8, HBD2, and HBD9 expression. Hence, Dectin-1 was required for the upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and antimicrobial peptides. Finally, knockdown of TLR2 significantly inhibited Dectin-1 upregulation. Our results demonstrate the novel induction of Dectin-1 in human bronchial epithelial cells and its critical role in the innate immune response against A. fumigatus in non-phagocytic cells.

Vascular endothelial growth factor and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in lung adenocarcinoma with malignant pleural effusion: correlations with patient survival and pleural effusion control.

The mechanisms by which vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) contribute to lung cancer growth have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to assess the role of VEGF and sICAM-1 in control of pleural effusions (PE) and survival in patients with primary human lung adenocarcinoma. Using enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay, the concentrations of VEGF and sICAM-1 were measured in pleural effusions and serum from a total of 79 lung adenocarcinoma patients with malignant pleural effusions (MPE) and 24 patients with tuberculosis. Data were correlated with the efficacy of MPE control and survival. Compared to patients with tuberculosis, the levels of VEGF and sICAM-1 in both PE and serum were significantly higher in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Statistically significant correlation was observed between PE VEGF levels and MPE control. PE VEGF≥2760 pg/ml was used as a cut-off point for failure to MPE control (odds ratio=7.06; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.40-20.78; P<0.001). The median progression-free survival (PFS) from response assessment was 3 months. In a multivariate analysis, PE VEGF (hazard ratio [HR], 1.16; 95% CI, 1.02-1.32), serum sICAM-1 (HR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.17-3.07) were confirmed as independent prognostic factors for PFS. The levels of VEGF in PE can be used to predict the therapeutic efficacy in the control of MPE and this, together with serum level of sICAM-1 is potential survival factors in lung adenocarcinoma patients with MPE.

Free radical scavenging and inhibition of lipid peroxidation by magnesium lithospermate B.

AIM: To study the effect of magnesium lithospermate B (MLB) on the lipid peroxidation and on its free radical scavenging activity. METHODS: MLB was incubated in rat tissue homogenate or in a free radical generating system. MLB induced inhibition of lipid peroxidation and its scavenging activity on superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals was studied using colorimetric estimation. RESULTS: MLB inhibited the lipid peroxidation induced by either an auto-oxidant or Fe2+/VitC in vitro, in the liver homogenate, the inhibitory rate of MLB (10 mg/L) being 69.2% and 57.7%, respectively. MLB (25 and 50 mg/kg) decreased the amount of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in rat serum, liver, kidney, and heart. However, it did not inhibit the lipid peroxidation of brain homogenate ex vivo. MLB scavenged superoxide anions generated from xanthine/xanthine oxidase system and iron-dependent hydroxyl radicals. CONCLUSION: MLB is an inhibitor of lipid peroxidation and scavenge superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals both in vitro and ex vivo.

Effects of magnesium lithospermate B on aggregation and 5-HT release in rabbit washed platelets.

AIM: To study the effects and mechanism of magnesium lithospermate B(MLB) on rabbit platelet aggregation and 5-HT release. METHODS: The platelet aggregation was determined by Born's method. Release of serotonin (5-HT) and formation of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) were measured by fluorophotometry and radioimmunoassay (RIA) respectively. Cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in platelets was measured by Fura 2-AM fluorescence technique. RESULTS: In washed platelets, thrombin (200 U/L) or arachidonic acid (AA) (30 mumol/L)-induced aggregation was inhibited by MLB 50-800 mg/L in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, MLB had more inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation in the absence of extracellular calcium with IC50 of 102 mg/L than in the presence of CaCl2 1 mmol/L with IC50 of 194 mg/L. MLB concentration-dependently decreased the thrombin-activated release of 5-HT, whereas it did not affect the formation of TXA2 in platelets. Furthermore, MLB not only inhibited the rise of [Ca2+]i in thrombin stimulated platelets, but decreased the [Ca2+]i in resting platelets. CONCLUSION: MLB inhibited the aggregation and 5-HT release in rabbit platelets and it is probably by attenuating intracellular calcium concentration.

Hemodynamic actions of guan-fu base A in anesthetized rats.

Guan-fu base A (GFA) is a terpenoid alkaloid isolated from the tuber of Aconitum coreanum in this institute. GFA exhibited anti-arrhythmic effects in various experimental arrhythmia animal models, and bradycardic actions. In this paper, the hemodynamic action of GFA was investigated. GFA 20 mg.kg-1 iv decreased in heart rate from 420 +/- 51 to 305 +/- 60 bpm (P less than 0.05). The changes of SBP, DBP, LVSP, +/- dP/dtmax, and LVEDP were much smaller or insignificant. GFA (1, 3, 10, 30, 60 mg.kg-1 cumulative iv) increased the heart periods (HP) and QT-intervals in a dose-dependent manner, accompanied by a small increase in PQ-interval, but did not affect QRS complex. The increase in HP from 138 +/- 11 to 321 +/- 48 ms (P less than 0.01) was mainly due to a prolongation of the diastolic period from 22 +/- 12 ms to 156 +/- 46 ms (P less than 0.01). The triple product of HR x LVET x SBP was also decreased with every dose of GFA. This hemodynamic profile suggests that the bradycardic action of GFA can reduce myocardial oxygen consumption and improve myocardial blood supply, which may be of use in certain cardiac patients.