Deepm5C: A deep-learning-based hybrid framework for identifying human RNA N5-methylcytosine sites using a stacking strategy

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Immunisation with the BCG and DTPw vaccines induces different programs of trained immunity in mice

In addition to providing pathogen-specific immunity, vaccines can also confer nonspecific effects (NSEs) on mortality and morbidity unrelated to the targeted disease. Immunisation with live vaccines, such as the BCG vaccine, has generally been associated with significantly reduced all-cause infant mortality. In contrast, some inactivated vaccines, such as the diphtheria, tetanus, whole-cell pertussis (DTPw) vaccine, have been controversially associated with increased all-cause mortality especially in female infants in high-mortality settings. The NSEs associated with BCG have been attributed, in part, to the induction of trained immunity, an epigenetic and metabolic reprograming of innate immune cells, increasing their responsiveness to subsequent microbial encounters. Whether non-live vaccines such as DTPw induce trained immunity is currently poorly understood. Here, we report that immunisation of mice with DTPw induced a unique program of trained immunity in comparison to BCG immunised mice. Altered monocyte and DC cytokine responses were evident in DTPw immunised mice even months after vaccination. Furthermore, splenic cDCs from DTPw immunised mice had altered chromatin accessibility at loci involved in immunity and metabolism, suggesting that these changes were epigenetically mediated. Interestingly, changing the order in which the BCG and DTPw vaccines were co-administered to mice altered subsequent trained immune responses. Given these differences in trained immunity, we also assessed whether administration of these vaccines altered susceptibility to sepsis in two different mouse models. Immunisation with either BCG or a DTPw-containing vaccine prior to the induction of sepsis did not significantly alter survival. Further studies are now needed to more fully investigate the potential consequences of DTPw induced trained immunity in different contexts and to assess whether other non-live vaccines also induce similar changes.     

冠状病毒感染对心血管系统的损伤及可能机制

冠状病毒(coronavirus,CoVs)感染主要累及肺部,但对心血管系统损伤作用也不容忽视。CoVs感染引起的心脏损伤并非罕见,其发生与病情的严重程度密切相关。本文首先从CoVs引起心血管损伤的证据入手,进一步探讨了CoVs对心肌的直接损伤,以及肾素血管紧张素(RAS)系统激活和细胞因子风暴与炎症反应对心血管损伤的可能作用机制。相关心血管损伤的可能机制包括,(1)病毒直接作用:CoVs在心肌细胞复制,损伤心肌;(2)RAS系统激活:感染CoVs后,心脏血管紧张素转化酶2(angiotensin-converting enzyme 2,ACE2)的表达下调,激活RAS系统,使得血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngiotensinⅡ,AngⅡ)收缩血管功能增强,Ang1-7保护心脏效应减弱;(3)诱发细胞因子风暴:循环细胞因子和全身炎症反应引起心脏损伤;(4)其他:包括低氧血症和儿茶酚胺心脏毒性。本文就相关内容作一综述,为后续的详尽机制和治疗策略研究提供思路。     

Prognostic tools for hypertrophic scar formation based on fundamental differences in systemic immunity

Unpredictable hypertrophic scarring (HS) occurs after approximately 35% of all surgical procedures and causes significant physical and psychological complaints. Parallel to the need to understanding the mechanisms underlying HS formation, a prognostic tool is needed. The objective was to determine whether (systemic) immunological differences exist between patients who develop HS and those who develop normotrophic scars (NS) and to assess whether those differences can be used to identify patients prone to developing HS. A prospective cohort study with NS and HS groups in which (a) cytokine release by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and (b) the irritation threshold (IT) after an irritant (sodium lauryl sulphate) patch test was evaluated. Univariate regression analysis of PBMC cytokine secretion showed that low MCP‐1, IL‐8, IL‐18 and IL‐23 levels have a strong correlation with HS (P < .010‐0.004; AUC = 0.790‐0.883). Notably, combinations of two or three cytokines (TNF‐a, MCP‐1 and IL‐23; AUC: 0.942, Nagelkerke R²: 0.727) showed an improved AUC indicating a better correlation with HS than single cytokine analysis. These combination models produce good prognostic results over a broad probability range (sensitivity: 93.8%, specificity 86.7%, accuracy 90,25% between probability 0.3 and 0.7). Furthermore, the HS group had a lower IT than the NS group and an accuracy of 68%. In conclusion, very fundamental immunological differences exist between individuals who develop HS and those who do not, whereas the cytokine assay forms the basis of a predictive prognostic test for HS formation, the less invasive, easily performed irritant skin patch test is more accessible for daily practice.     

The relationships among monocyte subsets,miRNAs and inflammatory cytokines in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Background

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) causes irreversible myocardial damage and release of inflammatory mediators, including cytokines, chemokines and miRNAs. We aimed to investigate changes in the levels of cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10), miRNAs profiles (miR-146 and miR-155) and distribution of different monocyte subsets (CD14++CD16-, CD14++CD16+, CD14+CD16++) in the acute and post-healing phases of AMI.

托珠单抗在新型冠状病毒肺炎的应用研究探讨

2019年12月以来,新型冠状病毒肺炎(Coronavirus Disease 2019,COVID-19)在武汉暴发并蔓延至全国,给整个社会带来巨大的挑战。部分COVID-19感染者早期发病并不十分凶险,但后期会突然加速进展,病人很快进入多脏器功能衰竭的状态,李兰娟院士等提出了"细胞因子风暴"概念。但目前并没有特效药物,认为IL-6是诱发细胞因子风暴的重要通路,本文结合相关文献的复习和分析,旨在综述IL-6受体阻断剂托珠单抗在新型冠状病毒肺炎危重患者使用的可行性。     

核酸及核苷酸用于营养及免疫调节治疗的早期卫生技术评估

目的 评价核酸或核苷酸用于临床营养支持和免疫调节治疗的安全性、有效性和经济学价值。方法 检索中国生物医学文献数据库、Cochrane图书馆、MEDLINE光盘数据库、EMBASE光盘数据库,并联机检索SCI数据库,鉴定有关随机对照试验(RCTs),采用RevMan4.l进行Meta-分析。结果 纳入46个随机对照试验,涉及核酸/核苷酸用于肠内营养支持、婴儿营养、免疫调节治疗。18个研究报告了含核苷酸组分的免疫增强型肠内营养对外科术后和危重症患者预后的影响,合并分析发现免疫营养对患者感染率、住院时间和费用有肯定意义。发现1个报告在母乳代用品中加入核苷酸对婴儿免疫功能影响的研究,但报告对临床结局无明显影响。27个对“免疫核酸”用于免疫调节治疗的随机对照试验均为低质量研究,合并分析无法肯定iRNA的临床价值。结论 在外科术后患者应用免疫肠内营养制剂可降低感染率、缩短住院时间并可能减少住院费用,但不能确定作为组分之一的核苷酸的作用。尚无证据支持在母乳代用品中添加核苷酸具有临床意义。不能肯定免疫核酸是否具有免疫调节作用,亦未发现核酸在延缓衰老、改善老年人健康状况方面的可用证据。建议对核酸、核苷酸用于营养支持治疗和免疫调节治疗进行进一步研究,严格规范“核酸营养品”的宣传和应用。