Identification and functional analysis of ferritin 2 from the Taiga tick Ixodes persulcatus Schulze

Ferritin 2 (FER2) is an iron storage protein, which has been shown to be critical for iron homeostasis during blood feeding and reproduction in ticks and is therefore suitable as a component for anti-tick vaccines. In this study, we identified the FER2 of Ixodes persulcatus, a major vector for zoonotic diseases such as Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne relapsing fever in Japan, and investigated its functions. Ixodes persulcatus-derived ferritin 2 (Ip-FER2) showed concentration-dependent iron-binding ability and high amino acid conservation, consistent with FER2s of other tick species. Vaccines containing the recombinant Ip-FER2 elicited a significant reduction of the engorgement weight of adult I. persulcatus. Interestingly, the reduction of engorgement weight was also observed in Ixodes ovatus, a sympatric species of I. persulcatus. In silico analyses of FER2 sequences of I. persulcatus and other ticks showed a greater similarity with I. scapularis and I. ricinus and lesser similarity with Hyalomma anatolicum, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Rhipicephalus microplus, and R. appendiculatus. Moreover, it was observed that the tick FER2 sequences possess conserved regions within the primary structures, and in silico epitope mapping analysis revealed that antigenic regions were also conserved, particularly among Ixodes spp ticks. In conclusion, the data support further protective tick vaccination applications using the Ip-FER2 antigens identified herein.     

Ⅱ型固有淋巴样细胞在嗜酸性粒细胞性慢性鼻窦炎发病机制中的作用研究进展

慢性鼻窦炎(CRS)是一种常见的慢性非特异感染性鼻部疾病,病理分型主要分为Th2细胞介导的嗜酸性粒细胞性鼻窦炎(ECRS)和Th1细胞介导的非嗜酸性粒细胞性鼻窦炎(非ECRS)2种表型。欧洲国家CRS患病人群主要表现为ECRS,而随着亚洲国家的急剧工业化发展,其ECRS的比例也在急剧增加。ECRS发病机制复杂,涉及多种免疫细胞和相关因子相互作用。其治疗方法包括抗生素、激素药物治疗及手术治疗等,但仍有部分患者症状难以改善或存在复发的风险。Ⅱ型固有淋巴样细胞(ILC2s)是一种非B、非T的新型淋巴细胞,与Th2免疫应答关系密切。文章就ILC2s在ECRS发病机制中的作用进行综述,以期为ECRS的诊断和治疗提供理论参考。     

2型糖尿病患者不同脂质参数与糖尿病肾病的关系

目的:探讨2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者不同脂质参数与糖尿病肾病(DKD)发生的相关性。方法:检测226例T2DM患者血清TC、TG、LDL-C、HDL-C水平及相关生化指标,计算血浆致动脉硬化指数(AIP)以及脂质三角相关指标(TC/HDL-C、TG/HDL-C、LDL-C/HDL-C)。根据DKD临床诊断标准和Mogensen分期标准分为:Ⅰ~Ⅱ期组136例,Ⅲ期组55例,Ⅳ~Ⅴ期组35例。应用多因素logistic回归分析不同脂质参数与DKD发生的关系。结果:与Ⅰ~Ⅱ期组相比,随着DKD分期加重,TC、TG、LDL-C、LDL-C/HDL-C、AIP水平明显增高(P<0.01)。LDL-C/HDL-C和AIP与24 h尿蛋白水平呈正相关(r=0.724;r=0.769,均P<0.05)。LDL-C/HDL-C和AIP是T2DM合并DKD患者的独立预测因子(P=0.002;P=0.004)。结论:LDL-C/HDL-C和AIP对T2DM合并DKD病情进展有较高的预测价值,可为临床诊治提供参考。     

新诊断2型糖尿病常见中医证型与非酒精性脂肪肝及其相关危险因素分析

目的探讨新诊断2型糖尿病(T2DM)常见中医证型与非酒精性脂肪肝(NAFLD)及其相关危险因素的相关性,为中西医结合治疗提供临床指导。方法选择沧州中西医结合医院门诊和病房收治的300例新诊断T2DM患者作为研究对象,根据其是否合并NAFLD分为合并NAFLD组,单纯T2DM组。记录2组一般资料,依照《糖尿病中医防治指南》对所有患者进行辨证分型,记录2组腰围、身高、体质量、体质量指数(BMI)、肝功指标[丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)、γ-谷氨酰转肽酶(GGT)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)]、血脂指标(TG、TC、HDL-C、LDL-C)及血尿酸(SUA)、空腹血糖(FPG)、空腹胰岛素(FINS)、空腹C-肽(FC-P)、胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR),分析各中医证型与客观化指标的关系。结果合并NAFLD组124例,单纯T2DM组176例,2组性别、年龄比较差异无统计学意义(P均>0.05);合并NAFLD组的痰湿郁阻证占比明显高于T2DM组(P<0.05),其余分型占比组间比较差异无统计学意义(P均>0.05);合并NAFLD组的腰围、BMI、TG、TC、FC-P、HOMA-IR均显著高于T2DM组(P均<0.05),其余指标2组比较差异无统计学意义(P均>0.05);非条件Logistic回归分析显示,NAFLD的独立危险因素为BMI、TG、HOMA-IR。结论痰湿郁阻证是T2DM合并NAFLD患者的最常见证型,肥胖、胰岛素抵抗、脂质代谢紊乱是T2DM合并NAFLD患者的独立危险因素。     

HER2-positive advanced breast cancer treatment in 2020

HER2-positive breast cancer is an aggressive subtype identified in the 1980s. The development of therapies targeting the HER2 has improved outcomes. The current standard of care, established in 2012 is dual blockade with trastuzumab + pertuzumab as first-line followed by TDM-1 as second-line. Several suboptimal choices are available in third-line or more. In 2019 the presentation of several trials evaluating new drugs and regimens in third-line has re-opened questions about sequencing, treatment of triple positive disease and treatment choice after exposure to TDM-1. These include tucatinib, neratinib and trastuzumab-deruxtecan. Other agents – including other antibody drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies as well as combinations - will lead to further changes in coming years. Additionally, should the numerous putative biomarkers thus identified ever come into use at the clinic, choice of treatment and response evaluation may be substantially changed.     

四君子汤对脾胃虚弱证型消化性溃疡患者肠道微生态变化及COX-1、COX-2、PGE2表达的影响

目的探讨中药方剂四君子汤对脾胃虚弱症型消化性溃疡患者肠道菌群变化、环氧化酶(COX-1、COX-2)及前列腺素E2表达水平的影响。方法从2017年1月-2018年12月收治的消化性溃疡患者中按年龄组、性别、溃疡类型1∶1匹配后,随机分配于试验组与对照组(试验组与对照组各240名患者)。其中,对照组患者给予思密达治疗,试验组使用思密达协同四君子汤,分别治疗8周。比较治疗前后2组患者的治疗效果、肠道微生态变化、环氧化酶及前列腺素E2水平表达情况。结果治疗后,试验组的阳性与阴性杆菌数减少,阳性球菌数增多,且阳性球菌与阴性球菌数量均高于对照组。而对照组的阳性、阴性杆菌与阴性球菌均显著减少(P<0.05);2组的COX-1、COX-2、PGE2表达水平均增高(P<0.05),且中药组显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论在思密达基础上加用四君子汤治疗脾胃虚弱症型消化性溃疡可有效调节其胃肠道菌群平衡、增强对胃黏膜的覆盖保护作用。     

Arachidonic acid-stimulated platelet tests: Identification of patients less sensitive to aspirin treatment

Serum thromboxane-B2 (TxB2), together with arachidonic acid (AA)-induced platelet aggregation, are, at the moment, the most used tests to identify patients displaying high on-aspirin treatment platelet reactivity (HAPR). Both tests are specific for aspirin action on cyclooxygenase-1. While the correlation between serum TxB2 assay and clinical outcome is established, data are conflicting with regard to aspirin treatment and a possible association with AA-stimulated platelet markers and clinical outcome. To understand such discrepancy, we performed a retrospective study to compare both assays. We collected data from 132 patients receiving a daily dose of aspirin (100?mg/day) and data from 48 patients receiving aspirin on alternate days. All Patients who received a daily dose of aspirin were studied for AA-induced platelet aggregation together with serum TxB2 levels and AA-induced TxB2 formation was also studied in 71 patients out of entire population. Consistent with recommendations in the literature, we defined HAPR by setting a cut-off point at 3.1?ng/ml for serum levels of thromboxane B2 and 20% for AA-induced platelet aggregation. According to this cut-off point, we divided our overall population into two groups: (1) TxB2?<?3.1?ng/ml and (2) TxB2?>?3.1?ng/ml. We found low agreement between such tests to identify patients displaying HAPR. Our results show that AA-induced platelet aggregation >20% identify a smaller number of HAPR patients in comparison with TxB2. A good correlation between serum TxB2 and arachidonic acid-induced TxB2 production was found (r?=?0.76619).     

COVID-19 and hematology findings based on the current evidences: A puzzle with many missing pieces

In December 2019, a new type of coronavirus was detected for the first time in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. According to the reported data, the emerging coronavirus has spread worldwide, infecting more than fifty-seven million individuals, leading to more than one million deaths. The current study aimed to review and discuss the hematological findings of COVID-19. Laboratory changes and hematologic abnormalities have been reported repeatedly in COVID-19 patients. WBC count and peripheral blood lymphocytes are normal or slightly reduced while these indicators may change with the progression of the disease. In addition, several studies demonstrated that decreased hemoglobin levels in COVID-19 patients were associated with the severity of the disease. Moreover, thrombocytopenia, which is reported in 5%-40% of patients, is known to be associated with poor prognosis of the disease. COVID-19 can present with various hematologic manifestations. In this regard, accurate evaluation of laboratory indicators at the beginning and during COVID-19 can help physicians to adjust appropriate treatment and provide special and prompt care for those in need.