Cell Cycle Arrest of Proliferating Neuronal Cells by Serum Deprivation Can Result in Either Apoptosis or Differentiation

Abstract: Apoptotic cell death plays a critical role in the development of the nervous system. The death of mature nondividing neurons that fail to receive appropriate input from the target field has been extensively studied. However, the mechanisms mediating the extensive cell death occurring in areas of the developing brain where proliferating neuroblasts differentiate into mature nondividing neurons have not been analyzed. We show here that the cell cycle arrest of a proliferating cell of neuronal origin by removal of serum results in either apoptotic cell death or differentiation to a mature nondividing neuronal cell. The proportion of cells undergoing death or differentiation is influenced in opposite directions by treatment of the cells with cyclic AMP and retinoic acid. This suggests that following the withdrawal of signals stimulating neuroblast cell division, neuronal cells either can cease to suppress a constitutive suicide pathway and hence die by apoptosis or, alternatively, can differentiate into a mature neuronal cell. Regulation of the balance between apoptosis and neuronal differentiation could therefore play a critical role in controlling the numbers of mature neurons that form.     

血清岩藻糖测定方法学研究

本文对血清岩藻糖测定方法进行了系统研究。血清用量由200μL减至50μL,显色反应4h内稳定。吸收峰在396nm。岩藻糖浓度40μg/mL内线性良好,批间CV=2.1％。以Sephadex-G200层析,血清岩藻糖主要存在于分子量为500kD的组分中。以本法测得30例健康人血清岩藻糖浓度为588.1±172.0μmol/L。     

SLE血清中抗-DNA抗体分离和性质的研究

本文用国产高分子树脂(T)接枝小牛胸腺DNA,通过亲合层析从系统性红斑狼疮SLE患者血清中纯化出抗-ds DNA抗体和抗-ss DNA抗体。酶联免疫吸附分析(ELISA)的研究表明:SLE抗-DNA抗体和DNA结合的差异性很大,是高度非均一性的。抗-ss DNA抗体不仅组成成分比抗-ds DNA抗体复杂,ss DNA/抗-ssDNA亲合能力也明显高于ds DNA/抗-ds DNA。纯化的抗-DNA抗体以IgG类抗体占主导,同时也有其它类型抗体存在(例如IgM等)。抗-ds DNA抗体有较抗-ss DNA抗体高的IgG含量(两者的IgG/IgM分别是7.0和4.0),说明IgG抗-DNA抗体更倾向于同dsDNA结合。     

应用ELISA法检测人群中幽门螺杆菌抗体及血清流行病学分析

应用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)对307例自然人群和228例胃病患者的血清进行了抗幽门螺杆菌(HP)抗体的检测,同时与尿素酶试验和涂片镜检结果比较。结果:自然人群中HP抗体阳性率为14.66％,不同性别、职业、民族间HP抗体的阳性率无差异。各年龄组间HP抗体阳性率有随年龄增加而升高趋势。胃病患者HP抗体阳性率为61.41％,GMT为1:430.53,明显高于自然人群的14.66％,GMT 1:15783,两者差异显著。ELISA法与尿素酶试验和涂片镜检结果存在相关关系。认为ELISA法结果可靠,可用于人群普查及HP感染的诊断。     

The concentrations of essential/toxic elements in serum of COVID-19 patients are not directly related to the severity of the disease

BackgroundIn recent months, the current COVID-19 pandemic has generated thousands of studies directly or indirectly related with this disease and/or the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing the infection. On August 22, 2022, the database PUBMED included 287,639 publications containing the term COVID-19. However, in spite of the importance of trace elements in human health, including the immune system, data on the levels of metals/metalloids in COVID-19 patients is very limited.MethodsThe concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Fe, Mg, Mn, Pb, Se, V and Zn were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in 126 serum samples of individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2, as well as in 88 samples of non-infected individuals. Participants were divided into four groups: i) individuals COVID-19 positive (COVID-19 +) with an asymptomatic infection course; ii) individuals suffering mild COVID-19; iii) individuals suffering severe COVID-19, and iv) individuals COVID-19 negative (COVID-19-) (control group). The occurrence of the analyzed metals/metalloids was evaluated along with the biochemical profile, including blood cell counts, lipids, proteins and crucial enzymes.ResultsSerum levels of Mg, V, Cr, Cu, Cd, and Pb were higher in COVID-19 positive patients than those in the control group. Although no significant differences were observed between the different groups of patients, the concentrations of Cd, Pb, V and Zn showed a tendency to be higher in individuals with severe COVID-19 than in those showing mild symptoms or being asymptomatic. Arsenic and Hg were rarely detected, regardless if the subjects were infected by SARS-CoV-2, or not. The current results did not show significant differences in the levels of the rest of analyzed elements according to the severity of the disease (asymptomatic, mild and severe).ConclusionsIn spite of the results here obtained, we highlight the need to reduce the exposure to Cd, Pb and V to minimize the potential adverse health outcomes after COVID-19 infection. On the other hand, although a protective role of essential elements was not found, Mg and Cu concentrations were higher in severe COVID-19 patients than in non-infected individuals.     

By-Products of Zea mays L.: A Promising Source of Medicinal Properties with Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities: A Comprehensive Review

Zea mays (Z. mays) is one of the main cereal crops in the world, and it′s by-products have exhibited medicinal properties to explore. This article intends to review the chemical compositions and pharmacological activities of by-products of Z. mays (corn silks, roots, bract, stems, bran, and leaves) which support the therapeutic potential in the treatment of different diseases, with emphasis on the natural occurring compounds and detailed pharmacological developments. Based on this review, 231 natural compounds are presented. Among them, flavonoids, terpenes, phenylpropanoids, and alkaloids are the most frequently reported. The by-products of Z. mays possess diuretic effects, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, plant protection activity, and other activities. This article reviewed the phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of Z. mays for comprehensive quality control and the safety and effectiveness to enhance future application.     

ICU呼吸机相关性肺炎患者病原菌分布及NLR、血清磷、PCT联合检测对死亡风险的预测价值探讨

摘要 目的：研究重症监护室（ICU）呼吸机相关性肺炎（VAP）患者病原菌分布及中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞计数比值（NLR）、血清磷、降钙素原（PCT）联合检测对死亡风险的预测价值。方法：选取上海市第一人民医院于2020年1月～2022年1月收治的60例VAP患者。采集所有患者呼吸道分泌物并进行细菌培养。此外,将其按照预后的不同分为死亡组21例以及存活组39例,比较两组NLR、血清磷及PCT水平。以单因素及多因素Logistic分析VAP患者死亡的危险因素,并通过受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析NLR、血清磷及PCT预测死亡的效能。结果：60例VAP患者呼吸道分泌物检出病原菌共82株,以革兰阴性菌占比最高,共检出革兰阴性菌75.61%、革兰阳性菌21.95%、真菌2.44%。按照占比从高到低的顺序分别为鲍氏不动杆菌20.73%,铜绿假单胞菌18.29%,肺炎克雷伯菌17.07%,金黄色葡萄球菌13.41%,大肠埃希菌12.20%,其他革兰阴性菌7.32%,表皮葡萄球菌4.88%,肠球菌属3.66%,真菌2.44%。死亡组NLR及PCT水平均高于存活组,而血清磷水平低于存活组（P＜0.05）。单因素分析结果显示：急性生理与慢性健康评分（APACHEⅡ）评分及有创机械通气时间均和VAP患者死亡有关（P＜0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示：APACHEⅡ评分较高、有创机械通气时间较长与NLR、PCT水平较高均是VAP患者死亡危险因素,血清磷水平较高是VAP患者死亡的保护因素（P＜0.05）。ROC曲线分析显示：NLR、血清磷及PCT联合预测VAP患者死亡的效能优于上述三项指标单独预测。结论：VAP患者主要病原菌为革兰阴性菌,临床应合理选用抗菌药物治疗,NLR、血清磷及PCT均和患者死亡有关,联合检测对死亡风险的预测价值较高。     

血清SAA、YKL-40及SP-A的联合检测对小儿难治性肺炎支原体肺炎的预测价值分析

摘要 目的：探究血清淀粉样蛋白A（SAA）、几丁质酶样蛋白YKL-40和肺表面活性物质相关蛋白-A（SP-A）表达水平对的联合检测对小儿难治性肺炎支原体肺炎（RMPP）的预测价值。方法：纳入2019年11月至2021年12月期间我院收治的60例MPP患儿作为研究对象,依据病情最终转归将其分为RMPP组和普通肺炎支原体肺炎（GMPP）组,另纳入同期于我院行体格检查的60例健康儿童作为对照组。收集所有受试儿童的临床资料、实验室指标及影像学结果,采用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）检测血清SAA、YKL-40和SP-A的表达水平,应用受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）判定各指标单项检测和联合检测的预测效能。结果：MPP组患儿和对照组儿童一般资料相比无统计学差异（P＞0.05）。依据病情最终转归,60例MPP患儿中共有23例（38.33 %）进展为RMPP,RMPP组与GMPP组患儿在白介素-6（IL-6）、C-反应蛋白（CRP）、降钙素原（PCT）、D-二聚体（D-D）等实验室指标以及肺不张、胸腔积液等影像学特征方面相比有统计学差异（P＜0.05）。RMPP组和GMPP组血清SAA、YKL-40和SP-A的表达水平显著高于对照组（P＜0.05）,同时RMPP组血清SAA、YKL-40和SP-A的表达水平显著高于GMPP组（P＜0.05）。血清SAA的最佳截断值为39.75 mg/L,预测RMPP发生的ROC曲线下面积为0.894（95%CI：0.861-0.925）,敏感度为78.26 %,特异度为86.67 %;血清YKL-40的最佳截断值为31.85 ng/mL,预测RMPP发生的ROC曲线下面积为0.754（95%CI：0.634-0.873）,敏感度为73.91 %,特异度为67.21 %;血清SP-A的最佳截断值为35.59 ng/mL,预测RMPP发生的ROC曲线下面积为0.761（95%CI：0.640-0.891）,敏感度为73.91 %,特异度为75.00 %;SAA+YKL-40-1+SP-A三者联合检测预测RMPP的AUC为0.914（95%CI：0.871-0.957）,敏感度为91.30 %,特异度为91.66 %。结论：血清SAA、YKL-40和SP-A表达水平的检测可作为预测RMPP发生的重要生物学指标,且三者联合检测的预测效能较高,可为临床尽早诊断RMPP、尽早干预、改善患儿预后提供一定的帮助。     

血清肿瘤标志物与宫颈癌病理特征的关系及对术后复发的预测研究

摘要 目的：探讨血清肿瘤标志物与宫颈癌病理特征的关系及对术后复发的预测研究。方法：选择2015年1月至2017年12月来我院诊治的宫颈癌患者82例作为观察组,选择同期来我院体检的健康女性者50例,两组均使用电化学发光免疫分析法检测血清中的CA125、CA153、CA199、CEA水平,观察组患者随访时间截至2022年12月。对比两组血清CA125、CA153、CA199、CEA水平,分析观察组患者血清CA125、CA153、CA199、CEA水平与临床病理特征的关系,分析观察组患者术后随访复发情况,宫颈癌根治术后患者复发的单因素与多因素Cox回归结果,血清CA125、CA153、CA199、CEA水平对宫颈癌根治术后复发的预测价值。结果：观察组的血清CA125、CA153、CA199、CEA水平明显较对照组高（P<0.05）。宫颈癌患者不同FIGO分期、间质浸润深度及是否存在淋巴结转移间血清CA125、CA153、CA199、CEA水平对比有统计学意义（P<0.05）。82例患者随访时间为13~60个月,中位生存时间为39个月,截止2022年12月末次随访,82例患者术后复发18例（21.95%）。单因素及多因素Cox回归分析表明,FIGO分期在ⅡA期、间质浸润深度≥1/2、有淋巴结转移、CA125≥307.41 U/mL、CA153≥185.89 U/mL、CA199≥153.23 U/mL、CEA≥30.15 ng/mL是影响宫颈癌术后复发的独立危险因素。ROC曲线显示,CA125+CA153+CA199+CEA预测宫颈癌术后复发的AUC明显较CA125、CA153、CA199、CEA单独指标预测价值高（P<0.05）。结论：宫颈癌患者血清CA125、CA153、CA199、CEA高表达,其与间质浸润深度、FIGO 分期、淋巴结转移、术后复发有关,四者联合可作为宫颈癌术后复发的预测指标。