Lower incidence of hospital-treated infections in infants under 3 months of age vaccinated with BCG

BackgroundLive vaccines potentially have non-specific effects that protect against other infections than those the vaccines are targeted against. The national vaccination program (NVP) in Finland was changed on September 1st, 2006: before BCG vaccine was given to all newborn babies and afterwards to babies in risk groups only. We used this natural experiment to study the non-specific effects of BCG in the frame of NVP using before-after design.MethodsWe compared the incidence of several outcomes obtained from Finnish health registers between children born between July 1st, 2004, and June 30th, 2006 (BCG-eligible) and an age- and season-matched reference cohort born between July 1st, 2007, and June 30th, 2009 (BCG-non-eligible) using Poisson regression. These cohorts were restricted to full-term children whose parents were born in Finland. Follow-up began at birth and lasted 3 months, which is the scheduled age for DTaP-IPV-Hib vaccination, and from 4 months until first birthday. The outcomes included all infections, pneumonia and injuries as a negative control outcome.ResultsThe incidence rate ratio (IRR) of the BCG-eligible cohort (N = 93,658) compared to BCG-non-eligible cohort (N = 94,712) for hospital-diagnosed infections was 0.89 (95 %Cl 0.86–0.93) for the 3-month follow-up. The decrease was mainly caused by respiratory infections. In 4–12 months follow-up the BCG-eligible had slightly more infections than BCG-non-eligible children (IRR 1.03, 1.01–1.06).ConclusionsBCG vaccination was associated with a lower incidence of all hospital-diagnosed infections during the first three months of life. The difference cannot be attributed to lung tuberculosis, since only few paediatric cases occurred in Finland during 2000s. The disappearance of non-specific effect after administration of an inactivated vaccine is compatible with previous studies.     

Morphological,Functional, and Tissue Characterization of Silent Myocardial Involvement in Patients With Primary Biliary Cholangitis

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Association Study of Matrix Metalloproteinases Gene Polymorphisms with Susceptibility to Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Meta-Analysis

Objective: Association of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) gene polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis is controversial. We conduct a meta-analysis to clarify this dispute.

Methods: We systematically searched the electronic PUBMED, EMBASE and CNKI databases for research articles about MMPs (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9) gene polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) up to January 2015. According to the heterogeneity, fixed-effects or random-effects models were used to calculate crude odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

Results: A total of 11 articles involving 2143 cases and 2049 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, no significant associations were observed between MMP-1-1607 1G/2G polymorphism and RA. Stratification by ethnicity, no significant associations were observed in Caucasian populations. Similarly, no significant associations were observed between MMP-3-1171 5A/6A, MMP-9-1562 C/T polymorphisms and RA in overall and Caucasian populations, respectively. However, a weak association was found between MMP-2-1306 C/T polymorphism and RA (C vs. T, OR?=?0.813, 95%CI?=?0.694–0.953, p?=?0.010) in overall populations.

Conclusions: The present meta-analysis suggests that MMP-1-1607 1G/2G, MMP-3-1171 5A/6A, MMP-9-1562 C/T polymorphisms are not associated with the susceptibility of RA, but MMP-2 -1306 C/T is weakly associated with susceptibility to RA. Further studies with more sample size are needed for definitive conclusions.     

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) level and MMP9 -1562C>T in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies

BackgroundThe peripheral level of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and polymorphism of MMP9 -1562C>T in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) remains controversial. Therefore, the aims of this systemic review and meta-analysis are to assess the MMP9 level in OSA patients and identify the relationship between MMP9 -1562C>T and OSA susceptibility.MethodsThis systematic review was performed following the PRISMA guideline. We searched for studies in major databases, identifying those indexed from inception to July 3, 2019 which related to MMP9 level, MMP9 -1562C>T and OSA. The pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of MMP9 levels were calculated. In addition, the relationship between MMP9 -1562C>T and OSA susceptibility was assessed by three genetic models. The heterogeneity analysis and calculation of the pooled odds ratio (OR) were also performed, followed by quality assessment using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS).ResultsIn sum, our review included 15 eligible studies regarding MMP9 level and three regarding MMP9 -1562C>T. The pooled results showed that peripheral level of MMP9 was increased in OSA patients (SMD = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.15–1.59). Furthermore, significant difference of MMP9 level can be found between severe and mild-to-moderate OSA patients (SMD = 28.17; 95% CI = 4.23–52.11) or between moderate-severe and mild OSA (SMD = 36.62; 95% CI = 12.19–61.04). However, no relationship was observed between MMP9 -1562C>T and OSA susceptibility in three genetic models (Homozygote model, OR = 1.37; 95% CI = 0.87–2.18); (Recessive model, OR = 1.42; 95% CI = 0.83–2.42); (Allele model, OR = 1.07; 95% CI = 0.96–1.18).ConclusionsThis systemic review and meta-analysis indicated that the level of MMP9 was increased in patients with OSA and this increase is relevant to OSA severity. Moreover, the relationship between MMP9 -1562 C>T and OSA susceptibility has currently not been proven by current merging values. Further analyses with larger sample size are required to verify these associations.     

Distribution of organic matrix in calcium oxalate renal calculi

Summary The quantity of protein and carbohydrate comprising the matrix of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) renal stones was found to decrease with distance from the surface of the stone. The average organic concentration of stones 3 to 30 mm in diameter ranged from 5.7% at the surface to 2.7% at the core. This concentration gradient suggests matrix involvement in a “growth front” on stone surfaces with migration of organic material from the “older” interior. The matrix distribution was not readily correlated with density variations or with the presence of hydroxyapatite or calcium oxalate dihydrate. Surface matrix concentrations were greater than amounts predicted by physical adsorption. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of the organic-rich surface layer and also suggested that increase in stone size occurs predominantly by crystal growth with microcrystal aggregates as growth centers.     

基质金属蛋白酶和细胞因子在强直性脊柱炎骨破坏中的作用

强直性脊柱炎(ankylosing spondylitis,AS)是以中轴关节慢性炎症为主的原因不明的全身性免疫性疾病。其特点为几乎全部累及骶髂关节,常发生椎间盘纤维环及其附近韧带钙化和骨性强直,也可累及外周关节并造成关节软骨及骨的破坏,晚期可发生脊柱及外周关节强直、畸形以致严重功能受损[1]。所以我们必须强调重视AS骨质破坏发生机制的研究,有利于寻找有效药物,减少致残。1骶髂关节炎组织学研究较系统的骶髂关节炎组织学研究表明,AS的5个阶段不同程度存在滑膜炎、骨髓黏液样变、浅表软骨破坏、肌腱端炎、关节内纤维赘、新骨形成和骨性强直等众多病理表现;其中滑膜炎和软骨下骨髓黏液样变较肌腱端炎更能合理解     

MMP-9及TIMP-1在大鼠感染性脑水肿的表达及意义

目的探讨MMP-9及TIMP-1在大鼠感染性脑水肿的表达及意义。方法应用免疫组织化学方法（SP法）检测大鼠急性感染性脑水肿模型中MMP-9及TIMP-1的表达情况及其比值变化。结果MMP-9及TIMP-1在LPS组各时间点表达均高于对照纽且各时间点MMP-9／TIMP-1比值均明显升高（P〈0．05）。结论MMP-9及TIMP-1可能参与了感染性脑水肿的发生和发展。     

Expression of epithelial matrix molecules collagen and laminin and corresponding integrins in chronic wounds

Re-epithelialization of cutaneous wounds is a coordinated process of proliferation and migration of keratinocytes at the wound edge. The study objective was to identify the differences in epidermal morphology, keratinocyte proliferation and matrix molecules (laminin 1, laminin 5, type IV collagen) and their specific integrin (α3, α6) expression in biopsies of meshed split thickness grafted and chronic wounds. The mean mitotic index of keratinocytes (ratio of cell cycle associated antigen Ki-67 expressing keratinocytes to basal keratinocytes) was highest in chronic wounds (38.7%) compared to acute wounds (22.25%, range 5.7% to 54%). The mean thickness of the hyper-proliferative epithelium at the wound edge of chronic wounds was 0.69 mm compared to 0.15 mm at the wound margin of split thickness grafted wounds. Both chronic wounds and skin grafted wounds exhibited strong laminin 5 immunoreactivity at the basal side of the epithelium, which extended under the most forward keratinocytes. Laminin 1 and type IV collagen immunoreactivity did not extend to the wound margin in either skin grafted or chronic wounds. In both transplanted skin and chronic wounds, the integrin sub-units α3 and α6 exhibited a strong pericellular immunoreactivity on the leading keratinocytes of the wound margin. Our data demonstrates that the proliferation of keratinocytes and the expression of associated integrins are not impaired in chronic wounds. Presented at the 33rd Congress of the Association of German Plastic Surgeons, Germany, 18–21 September, 2002.     

痔组织弹性纤维退变和血管生成的机制及其意义

目的研究痔组织弹性纤维的病理变化及微血管密度(MVD)和血管生成相关蛋白的表达与痔形成的关系。方法利用免疫组织化学染色技术(SP法),对比研究24例Ⅲ度痔患者的正常肛垫和痔两种组织内弹性纤维和MVD的变化,并检测一氧化氮合酶(NOS)的3种亚型、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和金属基质蛋白酶(MMP)2、MMP9在两种组织中表达的差异。结果痔组织存在显著的新生血管形成,痔组织与相对正常肛垫组织间的MVD计数、VEGF、MMP9表达差异存在统计学意义(P<0.05)。痔组织中iNOS明显增高,但与正常肛垫组织比较,不具备统计学意义;痔组织弹性纤维出现断裂、扭曲、变形、玻璃样变等异常,而正常肛垫组织中弹性纤维形态较规则、密集,断裂和变形少见。结论新生血管形成可能是痔的发病机制之一;MMP9对肛垫纤维支持结构的直接降解作用可能是痔形成和加重的一个重要机制;痔组织中iNOS表达增高还提示炎症因素和一氧化氮可能参与了痔的病理过程。     

大肠癌患者血清MMP-9与VEGF水平的变化及意义

目的本文检测血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和基质金属蛋白酶(MMP-9)在大肠癌患者血清中的水平,探讨其与大肠癌恶性程度、浸润、转移的关系。方法用ELISA法对48例大肠癌患者及40例正常对照者血清VEGF和MMP-9进行检测。结果大肠癌患者血清VEGF、MMP-9的水平分别为(665.8±232.8)ng/L;(532.7±208.9)ug/L。显著高于对照组(391.6±135.2)ng/L;(317.8±132.2)ug/L(P<0.01)。并与组织分化程度、Duke’s分期有关。低分化者及C、D期患者较中、高度分化及A、B期高(P<0.01)。结论大肠癌患者血清VEGF和MMP-9水平增高,与肿瘤的组织分化程度、转移、分期有关,提示VEGF、MMP-9对大肠癌恶性程度的判断有一定的价值。