Circulating angiotensin converting enzyme 2 and COVID-19

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has triggered a widespread outbreak since December 2019. The SARS-CoV-2 infection-related illness has been dubbed the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by the World Health Organization. Asymptomatic and subclinical infections, a severe hyper-inflammatory state, and mortality are all examples of clinical signs. After attaching to the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, the SARS-CoV-2 virus can enter cells through membrane fusion and endocytosis. In addition to enabling viruses to cling to target cells, the connection between the spike protein (S-protein) of SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2 may potentially impair the functionality of ACE2. Blood pressure is controlled by ACE2, which catalyzes the hydrolysis of the active vasoconstrictor octapeptide angiotensin (Ang) II to the heptapeptide Ang-(1-7) and free L-Phe. Additionally, Ang I can be broken down by ACE2 into Ang-(1-9) and metabolized into Ang-(1-7). Numerous studies have demonstrated that circulating ACE2 (cACE2) and Ang-(1-7) have the ability to restore myocardial damage in a variety of cardiovascular diseases and have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-cardiomyocyte fibrosis actions. There have been some suggestions for raising ACE2 expression in COVID-19 patients, which might be used as a target for the creation of novel treatment therapies. With regard to this, SARS-CoV-2 is neutralized by soluble recombinant human ACE2 (hrsACE2), which binds the viral S-protein and reduces damage to a variety of organs, including the heart, kidneys, and lungs, by lowering Ang II concentrations and enhancing conversion to Ang-(1-7). This review aims to investigate how the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and cACE2 are related. Additionally, there will be discussion of a number of potential therapeutic approaches to tip the ACE/ACE-2 balance in favor of the ACE-2/Ang-(1-7) axis.     

Oxygen delivery-guided perfusion for the prevention of acute kidney injury: A randomized controlled trial

ObjectivesThe reduction of postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery using an oxygen delivery-guided perfusion strategy (oxygen delivery strategy) for cardiopulmonary bypass management compared with a fixed flow perfusion (conventional strategy) remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a oxygen delivery strategy would reduce the incidence of postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.MethodsWe randomly enrolled 300 patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to a oxygen delivery strategy (maintaining a oxygen delivery index value >300 mL/min/m² through pump flow adjustments during cardiopulmonary bypass) or a conventional strategy (a target pump flow was determined on the basis of the body surface area). The primary end point was the development of acute kidney injury. Secondary end points were the red blood cell transfusion rate and number of red blood cell units, intubation time, postoperative length of stay in the intensive care unit and the hospital, predischarge estimated glomerular filtration rate, and hospital mortality.ResultsAcute kidney injury occurred in 20 patients (14.6%) receiving the oxygen delivery strategy and in 42 patients (30.4%) receiving the conventional strategy (relative risk, 0.48; 95% confidence interval, 0.30-0.77; P = .002). The secondary end points were not significantly different between strategies. In a prespecified subgroup analysis of patients who had nadir hematocrit less than 23% or body surface area less than 1.40 m², the oxygen delivery strategy seemed to be superior to the conventional strategy and the existence of quantitative interactions was suggested.ConclusionsAn oxygen delivery strategy for cardiopulmonary bypass management was superior to a conventional strategy with respect to preventing the development of acute kidney injury.     

SARS-CoV-2 infection and venous thromboembolism after surgery: an international prospective cohort study

SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with an increased rate of venous thromboembolism in critically ill patients. Since surgical patients are already at higher risk of venous thromboembolism than general populations, this study aimed to determine if patients with peri-operative or prior SARS-CoV-2 were at further increased risk of venous thromboembolism. We conducted a planned sub-study and analysis from an international, multicentre, prospective cohort study of elective and emergency patients undergoing surgery during October 2020. Patients from all surgical specialties were included. The primary outcome measure was venous thromboembolism (pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis) within 30 days of surgery. SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis was defined as peri-operative (7 days before to 30 days after surgery); recent (1–6 weeks before surgery); previous (≥7 weeks before surgery); or none. Information on prophylaxis regimens or pre-operative anti-coagulation for baseline comorbidities was not available. Postoperative venous thromboembolism rate was 0.5% (666/123,591) in patients without SARS-CoV-2; 2.2% (50/2317) in patients with peri-operative SARS-CoV-2; 1.6% (15/953) in patients with recent SARS-CoV-2; and 1.0% (11/1148) in patients with previous SARS-CoV-2. After adjustment for confounding factors, patients with peri-operative (adjusted odds ratio 1.5 (95%CI 1.1–2.0)) and recent SARS-CoV-2 (1.9 (95%CI 1.2–3.3)) remained at higher risk of venous thromboembolism, with a borderline finding in previous SARS-CoV-2 (1.7 (95%CI 0.9–3.0)). Overall, venous thromboembolism was independently associated with 30-day mortality (5.4 (95%CI 4.3–6.7)). In patients with SARS-CoV-2, mortality without venous thromboembolism was 7.4% (319/4342) and with venous thromboembolism was 40.8% (31/76). Patients undergoing surgery with peri-operative or recent SARS-CoV-2 appear to be at increased risk of postoperative venous thromboembolism compared with patients with no history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Optimal venous thromboembolism prophylaxis and treatment are unknown in this cohort of patients, and these data should be interpreted accordingly.     

不同时期COPD患者血清DcR3、Survivin表达水平及临床意义

目的 探讨不同时期慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)患者血清诱饵受体3(DcR3)、凋亡抑制蛋白(Survivin)表达水平及临床意义。方法 选取2018年9月—2019年12月本院收治的92名COPD患者为研究对象,其中稳定型COPD 50例,急性加重期COPD 42例;同期本院健康体检者88例为对照组。测定各组研究对象血清DcR3、Survivin水平及肺功能指标。 与对照组[DcR3(106.54±48.35)pg/mL,Survivin(98.85±26.59)pg/mL]比较,稳定期组和急性加重期组血清DcR3[(395.23±123.85)pg/mL,(1 248.81±213.59)pg/mL]、Survivin [(267.54±84.69)pg/mL,(1 233.95±307.26)pg/mL]水平升高;与稳定期组比较,急性加重期组血清DcR3、Survivin水平升高。与对照组比较,稳定期组和急性加重期组FEV1%、FEV1 /FVC、DLCO%水平降低(P<0.001);与稳定期组比较,急性加重期组FEV1%、FEV1 /FVC、DLCO%水平降低(P<0.001)。随着低氧血症严重程度的增加,COPD患者血清DcR3、Survivin水平逐渐增加(P<0.001)。多因素logistics回归分析显示,高水平DcR3、Survivin、IL-12、hs-CRP为COPD病情的危险因素(P<0.001)。DcR3、Survivin与FEV、FEV1 /FVC呈负相关,与IL-12、TNF-α、hs-CRP呈正相关(P<0.001)。 COPD稳定期、急性加重期患者血清DcR3、Survivin表达水平升高,且DcR3、Survivin与COPD病情严重程度呈正相关。     

急性心肌梗死患者D二聚体质量浓度与远期预后的关系

目的 探讨急性心肌梗死(acute myocardial infarction,AMI)患者D二聚体(D-dimer)质量浓度与病情严重程度和远期心源性死亡的关系。方法 选取2013年1月至2020年1月收入首都医科大学附属北京友谊医院的AMI患者3 990例,根据D-dimer质量浓度分为3组:≤0.50 mg/L、0.51～0.80 mg/L、≥0.81 mg/L,平均随访时间为2.1 (1.0～4.0) 年。应用Cox比例风险回归模型评估D-dimer对心源性死亡的影响。结果 D-dimer≥0.81 mg/L组患者年龄较大、女性居多、体质量指数较低,既往合并高血压、糖尿病者较多,3支病变较为多见,住院期间肾小球滤过率较低,N末端B型利钠肽原峰值明显升高,左室射血分数<50%患者比例明显升高。D-dimer≥0.81 mg/L组患者在随访期间累计心源性病死率(18.7%)高于D-dimer≤0.50 mg/L组(2.3%)和D-dimer 0.51～0.80 mg/L组(6.1%),且校正其他危险因素后,D-dimer能独立预测AMI患者的心源性死亡(HR=1.71,95%CI:1.34~2.18,P<0.001)。结论 D-dimer能反映AMI患者病情的严重程度,且D-dimer升高可在一定程度上预测AMI患者远期心源性死亡事件发生率升高。     

卒中后认知障碍与软脑膜侧支循环的代偿程度及静脉溶栓治疗的相关性分析

目的：比较急性缺血性卒中患者卒中后认知障碍的发生与软脑膜侧支循环的代偿程度及是否接受静脉溶栓治疗的相关性。方法：前瞻性收集2019年1月至2021年3月在石河子市人民医院住院的急性前循环脑梗死患者161例，获取患者入院时人口学资料，包括是否溶栓、性别、合并症等；通过蒙特利尔认知评估量表（Montreal cognitive assessment,MoCA）评分、简易精神状态检查量表（mini mental state examination,MMSE）评分评估患者认知功能；入院时美国国立卫生院卒中量表（National Institute of Health Stroke Scale,NIHSS）评分获取患者神经功能缺损症状；通过Blessed行为量表（Blessed behavior scale,BBS）评分评估患者的日常生活能力；通过区域软脑膜评分（regional leptomeningeal collateral score,rLMC）获取患者软脑膜侧支循环；根据卒中后6个月是否合并认知障碍分为认知障碍组和非认知障碍组，采用logistic多因素回归方法进行统计比较，分析2组患...     

Control of immunity and allergy by steroid hormones

Steroid hormones, especially glucocorticoids, androgens, and estrogens, have profound influence on immunity. Recent studies using cell-type specific steroid hormone receptor-deficient mice have revealed the precise roles of some of these hormones in the immune system. Glucocorticoids are known to have strong anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects and pleiotropic effects on innate and adaptive immune responses. They suppress the production of inflammatory cytokines by macrophages and DCs and the production of IFN-γ by NK cells, thus inhibiting innate immunity. By contrast, glucocorticoids enhance the immune response by inducing the expression of IL-7R and CXCR4 in T cells and the accumulation of T cells in lymphoid organs in accordance with the diurnal change of the glucocorticoid concentration. Thus, glucocorticoids suppress innate immunity but enhance adaptive immunity. Androgens suppress the homeostasis and activation of ILC2s and the differentiation of Th2 and Th17 cells and enhance the suppressive function of Tregs, thereby alleviating allergic airway inflammation. Thus, these steroid hormones have pleiotropic functions in the immune system. Further investigations are awaited on the regulation of immunity and allergy by estrogens using cell-specific steroid hormone receptor-deficient mice.