Pan Pan, Long-Xiang Su, Da-Wei Liu, Xiao-Ting Wang
中华医学杂志英文版2021年 134卷 17期
DOI: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000001694
摘要
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is one of the most common severe diseases seen in the clinical setting. With the continuous exploration of ARDS in recent decades, the understanding of ARDS has improved. ARDS is not a simple lung disease but a clinical syndrome with various etiologies and pathophysiological changes. However, in the intensive care unit, ARDS often occurs a few days after primary lung injury or after a few days of treatment for other severe extrapulmonary diseases. Under such conditions, ARDS often progresses rapidly to severe ARDS and is difficult to treat. The occurrence and development of ARDS in these circumstances are thus not related to primary lung injury; the real cause of ARDS may be the "second hit" caused by inappropriate treatment. In view of the limited effective treatments for ARDS, the strategic focus has shifted to identifying potential or high-risk ARDS patients during the early stages of the disease and implementing treatment strategies aimed at reducing ARDS and related organ failure. Future research should focus on the prevention of ARDS.
Tao Li, Hao-Peng Zhou, Zhi-Jun Zhou, Li-Quan Guo, Linfu Zhou
中华医学杂志英文版2021年 134卷 17期
DOI: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000001724
摘要
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disease characteristic of small airway inflammation, obstruction, and emphysema. It is well known that spirometry alone cannot differentiate each separate component. Computed tomography (CT) is widely used to determine the extent of emphysema and small airway involvement in COPD. Compared with the pulmonary function test, small airway CT phenotypes can accurately reflect disease severity in patients with COPD, which is conducive to improving the prognosis of this disease. CT measurement of central airway morphology has been applied in clinical, epidemiologic, and genetic investigations as an inference of the presence and severity of small airway disease. This review will focus on presenting the current knowledge and methodologies in chest CT that aid in identifying discrete COPD phenotypes.
With the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the importance of vaccines in epidemic prevention and public health has become even more obvious than ever. However, the emergence of multiple severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variants worldwide has raised concerns about the effectiveness of current COVID-19 vaccines. Here, we review the characteristics of COVID-19 vaccine candidates in five platforms and the latest clinical trial results of them. In addition, we further discuss future directions for the research and development of the next generation of COVID-19 vaccines. We also summarize the serious adverse events reported recently after the large-scale vaccination with the current COVID-19 vaccines, including the thromboembolism caused by the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
Rou-Jian Lu, Li Zhao, Bao-Ying Huang, Fei Ye, Wen-Ling Wang, Wen-Jie Tan
中华医学杂志英文版2021年 134卷 17期
DOI: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000001687
摘要
Background:
With the ongoing worldwide coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, an increasing number of viral variants are being identified, which poses a challenge for nucleic acid-based diagnostic tests. Rapid tests, such as real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR), play an important role in monitoring COVID-19 infection and controlling its spread. However, the changes in the genotypes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants may result in decreased sensitivity of the rRT-PCR assay and it is necessary to monitor the mutations in primers and probes of SARS-CoV-2 detection over time.
Methods:
We developed two rRT-PCR assays to detect the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and nucleocapsid (N) genes of SARS-CoV-2. We evaluated these assays together with our previously published assays targeting the ORF1ab and N genes for the detection and confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants of concern (VOCs). In addition, we also developed two rRT-PCR assays (S484K and S501Y) targeting the spike gene, which when combined with the open reading frames (ORF)1ab assay, respectively, to form duplex rRT-PCR assays, were able to detect SARS-CoV-2 VOCs (lineages B.1.351 and B.1.1.7).
Results:
Using a SARS-CoV-2 stock with predetermined genomic copies as a standard, the detection limit of both assays targeting RdRp and N was five copies/reaction. Furthermore, no cross-reactions with six others human CoVs (229E, OC43, NL63, HKU1, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus) were observed using these assays. In addition, the S484K and S501Y assays were combined with the ORF1ab assay, respectively.
Conclusions:
Four rRT-PCR assays (RdRp, N, S484K, and S501Y) were used to detect SARS-CoV-2 variants, and these assays were shown to be effective in screening for multiple virus strains.
Bin Chen, Bin Liu, Tao Yu, Yun-Feng Han, Chao Wu, Zhen-Yu Wang
中华医学杂志英文版2021年 134卷 17期
DOI: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000001653
摘要
Background:
The Nuclear Dbf2-related (NDR1) kinase is a member of the NDR/LATS family, which was a supplementary of Hippo pathway. However, whether NDR1 could inhibit glioblastoma (GBM) growth by phosphorylating Yes-associated protein (YAP) remains unknown. Meanwhile, the role of NDR1 in GBM was not clear. This study aimed to investigate the role of NDR1-YAP pathway in GBM.
Methods:
Bioinformation analysis and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed to identify the expression of NDR1 in GBM. The effect of NDR1 on cell proliferation and cell cycle was analyzed utilizing CCK-8, clone formation, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, respectively. In addition, the xenograft tumor model was established as well. Protein interaction was examined by Co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence to observe co-localization.
Results:
Bioinformation analysis and IHC of our patients’ tumor tissues showed that expression of NDR1 in tumor tissue was relatively lower than that in normal tissues and was positively related to a lower survival rate. NDR1 could markedly reduce the proliferation and colony formation of U87 and U251. Furthermore, the results of flow cytometry showed that NDR1 led to cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. Tumor growth was also inhibited in xenograft nude mouse models in NDR1-overexpression group. Western blotting and immunofluorescence showed that NDR1 could integrate with and phosphorylate YAP at S127 site. Meanwhile, NDR1 could mediate apoptosis process.
Conclusion:
In summary, our findings point out that NDR1 functions as a tumor suppressor in GBM. NDR1 is identified as a novel regulator of YAP, which gives us an in-depth comprehension of the Hippo signaling pathway.
Background:
The mortality rate among patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has improved significantly with the advent of chemoradiotherapy strategies. However, distant metastasis remains problematic. Tumor-specific reactivity in cancer patients has been detected exclusively in CD39+ T cells, particularly in CD39+CD103+ T cells. Circulating cancer-specific T cells are important for protecting against metastasis. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of circulating CD39+CD8+ T cells for metastasis in patients with NPC.
Methods:
We performed a cross-sectional, longitudinal study of 55 patients with newly diagnosed NPC of stage III-IVa. All patients were initially treated with standard combined chemoradiotherapy. Blood samples were obtained from 24 patients before and at 1 month and 6 months after treatment. T cell expression of CD39 and CD103, together with the markers of T cell exhaustion programmed death-1 (PD-1)/T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (Tim-3) and markers of cell differentiation CD27/CC-chemokine receptor 7/CD45RA, was examined by flow cytometry. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test analysis was used to analyze the differences between two groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used for analysis of progression-free survival (PFS).
Results:
The expression of circulating CD39+CD8+ and CD39+CD103+ CD8+ T cells was significantly higher in patients without distant metastasis (CD39+CD8+: 6.52% [1.24%, 12.58%] vs. 2.41% [0.58%, 5.31%], Z=-2.073, P=0.038 and CD39+CD103+ CD8+: 0.72% [0.26%, 2.05%] vs. 0.26% [0.12%, 0.64%], Z=-2.313, P = 0.021). Most CD39+ T cells did not express PD-1 or Tim-3. Patients with high expression of CD39+CD103+CD8+ T cells had better PFS than patients with low expression (log rank value = 4.854, P = 0.028). CD39+CD8+ T cells were significantly elevated at 1-month post-treatment (10.02% [0.98%, 17.42%] vs. 5.91% [0.61%, 10.23%], Z = -2.943, P = 0.003). The percentage of advanced differentiated CD8+ T cells also increased at 1-month post-treatment compared with pre-treatment (33.10% [21.60%, 43.05%] vs. 21.00% [11.65%, 43.00%], Z =-2.155, P = 0.031). There was a significant correlation between elevated CD39+CD8+ T cells and increased effector memory T cells (intermediate stage: r = 0.469, P = 0.031; advanced stage: r = 0.508, P = 0.019).
Conclusions:
CD39+CD8+ circulating T cells have preserved effector function, contributing to an improved prognosis and a reduced risk of metastasis among NPC patients. These cells may thus be a useful predictive marker for a better prognosis in patients with NPC.
Dong-Yuan Chang, Jin-Wei Wang, Min Chen, Lu-Xia Zhang, Ming-Hui Zhao
中华医学杂志英文版2021年 134卷 17期
DOI: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000001631
摘要
Background:
Whether there is an association between serum uric acid (SUA) level and risk of mortality in the general population remains unclear. Based on the China National Survey of Chronic Kidney Disease linked to mortality data, a population-based cohort study was performed to investigate the association between SUA level and all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, and cancer mortality in China.
Methods:
The survival status of participants in the cross-sectional survey was identified from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2017. Only 33,268 individuals with complete SUA data among the 47,204 participants were included in the analysis. We determined the rates of all-cause mortality, CVD mortality, and cancer mortality. We used Cox proportional hazards regression models to evaluate the effect of the SUA level on mortality.
Results:
During a total of 297,538.4 person-years of follow-up, 1282 deaths occurred. In the Cox proportional hazards regression model, the rate of all-cause mortality, CVD mortality, and cancer mortality had a U-shaped association with SUA levels only in men, whereas no significant associations were detected in women. For all-cause mortality in men, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) in the first, second, and fourth quartiles compared with the third quartile were 1.31 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.67), 1.17 (95% CI 0.92-1.47), and 1.55 (95% CI 1.24-1.93), respectively. For CVD mortality, the corresponding HRs were 1.47 (95% CI 1.00-2.18), 1.17 (95% CI 0.79-1.75), and 1.67 (95% CI 1.16-2.43), respectively. For the cancer mortality rate, only a marginally significant association was detected in the fourth quartile compared with the third quartile with an HR of 1.43 (95% CI 0.99-2.08).
Conclusions:
The association between SUA and mortality differed by sex. We demonstrated a U-shaped association with SUA levels for all-cause and CVD mortalities among men in China.
Background:
High-frequency irreversible electroporation (H-FIRE) is a novel, next-generation nanoknife technology with the advantage of relieving irreversible electroporation (IRE)-induced muscle contractions. However, the difference between IRE and H-FIRE with distinct ablation parameters was not clearly defined. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of the two treatments in vivo.
Methods:
Ten Bama miniature swine were divided into two group: five in the 1-day group and five in the 7-day group. The efficacy of IRE and H-FIRE ablation was compared by volume transfer constant (Krans), rate constant (Kep) and extravascular extracellular volume fraction (Ve) value of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI), size of the ablation zone, and histologic analysis. Each animal underwent the IRE and H-FIRE. Temperatures of the electrodes were measured during ablation. DCE-MRI images were obtained 1, 4, and 7 days after ablation in the 7-day group. All animals in the two groups were euthanized 1 day or 7 days after ablation, and subsequently, IRE and H-FIRE treated liver tissues were collected for histological examination. Student’s t test or Mann-Whitney U test was applied for comparing any two groups. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and Welch’s ANOVA test followed by Holm-Sidak’s multiple comparisons test, one-way ANOVA with repeated measures followed by Bonferroni test, or Kruskal-Wallis H test followed by Dunn’s multiple comparison test was used for multiple group comparisons and post hoc analyses. Pearson correlation coefficient test was conducted to analyze the relationship between two variables.
Results:
Higher Ve was seen in IRE zone than in H-FIRE zone (0.14 ± 0.02 vs. 0.08 ± 0.05, t= 2.408, P = 0.043) on day 4, but no significant difference was seen in Ktrans or Kep between IRE and H-FIRE zones at all time points (all P > 0.05). For IRE zone, the greatest Ktrans was seen on day 7, which was significantly higher than that on day 1 (P = 0.033). The ablation zone size of H-FIRE was significantly larger than IRE 1 day (4.74 ± 0.88 cm2vs. 3.20 ± 0.77 cm2, t = 3.241, P = 0.009) and 4 days (2.22 ± 0.83 cm2vs. 1.30 ± 0.50 cm2, t = 2.343, P = 0.041) after treatment. Apoptotic index (0.05 ± 0.02 vs. 0.73 ± 0.06 vs. 0.68 ± 0.07, F = 241.300, P < 0.001) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) (0.03 ± 0.01 vs. 0.46 ± 0.09 vs. and 0.42 ± 0.07, F= 64.490, P < 0.001) were significantly different between the untreated, IRE and H-FIRE zones, but no significant difference was seen in apoptotic index or HSP70 between IRE and H-FIRE zone (both P > 0.05). Electrode temperature variations were not significantly different between the two zones (18.00 ± 3.77°C vs. 16.20 ± 7.45°C, t = 0.682, P = 0.504). The Ktrans value (r = 0.940, P = 0.017) and the Kep value (r = 0.895, P = 0.040) of the H-FIRE zone were positively correlated with the number of hepatocytes in the ablation zone.
Conclusions:
H-FIRE showed a comparable ablation effect to IRE. DCE-MRI has the potential to monitor the changes of H-FIRE ablation zone.
Meng Xia, Li-Jun Duan, Bi-Nan Lu, Yu-Zhou Pang, Zong-Ran Pang
中华医学杂志英文版2021年 134卷 17期
DOI: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000001665
摘要
Background:
Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) actin filament-associated protein 1 antisense RNA 1 (AFAP1-AS1) functions as a competing endogenous RNA to regulate target genes expression by sponging microRNAs (miRs) to play cancer-promoting roles in cancer stem cells. However, the regulatory mechanism of AFAP1-AS1 in cervical cancer (CC) stem cells is unknown. The present study aimed to provide a new therapeutic target for the clinical treatment of CC.
Methods:
Hyaluronic acid receptor cluster of differentiation 44 variant exon 6 (CD44v6)(+) CC cells were isolated by flow cytometry (FCM). Small interfering RNAs of AFAP1-AS1 (siAFAP1-AS1) were transfected into the (CD44v6)(+) cells. The levels of AFAP1-AS1 were measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Sphere formation assay, cell cycle analysis, and Western blotting were used to detect the effect of siAFAP1-AS1. RNA pull-down and luciferase reporter assay were used to verify the relationship between miR-27b-3p and AFAP1-AS1 or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C.
Results:
CD44v6(+) CC cells had remarkable stemness and a high level of AFAP1-AS1. However, AFAP1-AS1 knockdown with siAFAP1-AS1 suppressed the cell cycle transition of G(1)/S phase and inhibited self-renewal of CD44v6(+) CC cells, the levels of the stemness markers octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4), osteopontin (OPN), and cluster of differentiation 133 (CD133), and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins Twist1, matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-9, and VEGF-C. In the mechanism study, miR-27b-3p/VEGF-C signaling was demonstrated to be a key downstream of AFAP1-AS1 in the CD44v6(+) CC cells.
Conclusions:
LncRNA AFAP1-AS1 knockdown inhibits the CC cell stemness by upregulating miR-27b-3p to suppress VEGF-C.
Bo Wang, Qian Wang, Yue Shi, Wen-Yu Shao, Jiong-Bo Liao, Xue-Zhen Luo, Xiao-Jun Chen, Chao Wang
中华医学杂志英文版2021年 134卷 17期
DOI: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000001749
摘要
Background
Endometrial cancer (EC) has been one of the most general cancers with respect to gynecological malignancies; however, there are debates on clinical strategies concerning treatments especially for patients with grade 3 (G3) endometroid endometrial cancer (EEC). Present study aimed to evaluate the lymphatic metastasis (LM) related factors and figure out the necessity of lymphadenectomy for G3 EEC patients.
Methods
From January 2009 to April 2019, 3751 EC patients were admitted to Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University. Clinical characteristics include age, grade, stage, and clinical pathological features. A total of 1235 EEC patients were involved in the multivariable analysis. Three hundred and eighty-one patients were involved in the survival analysis and the data attributed to sufficient follow-up information. Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank test were utilized to analyze the survival rate.
Results
Among the 1235 EEC patients, 181 (14.7%) were categorized as G3 and 1054 (85.3%) were grade 1 to grade 2 (G1-2). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that lymphovascular space invasion, adnexal involvement, and cervical stroma involvement were independent risk factors of LM in G3 cohort with odds ratio 3.4, 5.8, and 8.9; 95% confidence interval 1.1-10.6, 1.5-22.4, and 2.8-28.0, respectively. LM rates increased from 3.3% (3/92) to 75% (9/12) for G3 EEC cohort as related factor numbers increased from one to three. There were no differences between G3 and G1-2 EEC in overall survival and progression free survival. Additionally, no survival advantage was observed for G3 EEC patients at early stage with different plans of adjuvant treatment.
Conclusions
For G3 EEC patients without other pathological positive factor, the LM rate is lower than those with other pathological positive factor. Survival analysis showed no difference between G3 cohort and G1-2 cohort. Also, different adjuvant treatments had no impact on the overall survival for G3 EEC patients.