Abstract:Chronic pancreatitis is an irreversible chronic pancreatic fibrosis disease. Pancreatic stellate cells are the key cells of fibrosis, and activated ones can secrete extracellular matrix to promote the development and progression. Pancreatic acinar cell necrosis and macrophage infiltration are crucial in the process of pancreatic fibrosis. After necrosis, acinar cells would release various substances to activate pancreatic stellate cells, and that may be the initiating factor of fibrosis. The polarization and phenotypic switch of macrophages would affect the regeneration and repair process of pancreatic tissue. The interactions among pancreatic stellate cells, acinar cells and macrophages can jointly regulate the process of pancreatic fibrosis. This article reviews the latest progress on the roles of the above 3 kinds of cells in pancreatic fibrosis of chronic pancreatitis.

Abstract:Objective To study the dynamic trajectories of quantitative immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers of hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and reveal the immune process of the organism after infection.Methods The clinical data and quantitative IgG titers at different time points of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital and Guanggu Branch of Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital of Hubei Province from Feb. 5 to Apr. 15, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify the subgroups from time-series data of patients’ antibody titers, and then the clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared among these trajectory groups.Results Totally, 734 patients who met the criteria were included. Three IgG trajectory groups were identified from the antibody data: group 1 (consistently low group, 60 cases［ 8.17%］ ), group 2 (moderate group, 38 cases ［5.18%］) and group 3 (high group, 636 cases［86.65%］). The hospitalization days and the virus clearance time of patients in the 3 groups were significantly different (both P＜0.001), those in group 1 were the shortest, while the all-cause mortality and disease deterioration rate had no significant difference in the 3 groups (both P＞0.05).Conclusion Patients with different IgG antibody developmental trajectories may have heterogeneous prognosis and immune process. Patients with consistently higher longitudinal antibody titers may require more medical attention.

Abstract:Objective To explore the feasibility of coronary artery computed tomography (CT) angiography in patients with body mass index (BMI)≤30 kg/m² using 320-slice CT with 70 kV tube voltage and low contrast agent dose and flow rate.Methods Fifty-two consecutive patients with BMI≤30 kg/m² and suspected or diagnosed coronary artery diseases were enrolled in our hospital from Jan.to Apr.2021.The data were collected by wide detector CT prospective electrocardiographically-gated axial scan mode.All the patients were randomly divided into 2 groups:70 kV group (using 70 kV tube voltage and low contrast agent dose and flow rate) and 120 kV group (using 120 kV tube voltage and conventional contrast agent dose and flow rate).In both groups,images were reconstructed using a hybrid iterative algorithm.Patients’ age,weight,BMI,heart rate,amount of contrast agent and flow rate were statistically analyzed to evaluate the objective and subjective image quality of the vessels in each segment of the coronary arteries,and radiation doses of the 2 groups were analyzed and compared.Results The contrast agent dose and flow rate in the 70 kV group were significantly lower than those in the 120 kV group (［ 27.15±3.70］ mL vs［ 48.92±5.08］ mL,［ 2.71±0.37］ mL/s vs［ 4.50±0.35］ mL/s,both P＜0.001).There were no significant differences in coronary mean CT values,signal to noise ratio or contrast to noise ratio between the 2 groups of patients in objective image quality measures (all P＞0.05),while the image noise of the 70 kV group was significantly higher than that of the 120 kV group (［31.50±5.74］ HU vs［28.26±5.17］ HU,P＝0.037).A total of 770 coronary artery segments were included for the subjective assessment,and the image subjective rating agreement between the 2 observers was good (Kappa＝0.772).There were no significant differences in coronary artery subjective quality average score or excellent and good rate between 70 and 120 kV groups (1.71±0.38 vs 1.21±0.43,100.00%［ 384/384］ vs 98.96%［382/386］,both P＞0.05).The effective dose,CT volume dose index and dose-length product were significantly lower in the 70 kV group than those in the 120 kV group (［0.80±0.16］ mSv vs［3.13±0.67］ mSv,［4.51±0.98］ mGy vs［17.36±3.19］ mGy,［57.32±11.32］ mGy·cm vs［223.61±47.64］ mGy·cm,all P＜0.001).Conclusion It is feasible to use 320-slice CT with 70 kV tube voltage for coronary angiography in patients with normal BMI.Under the condition of sub-mSv,images meeting the clinical diagnosis can be obtained,and the dose and flow rate of iodine contrast agent are greatly reduced compared with the conventional scan mode.

Abstract:Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of injury deaths and potential years of life lost (PYLL) of residents in Yangpu District of Shanghai, so as to provide reference for developing injury intervention strategies.Methods The causes of injury deaths of residents in Yangpu District of Shanghai from 2002 to 2020 were collected. Excel 2010 and SPSS 21.0 were used to sort out and analyze the data, and Joinpoint linear regression was used to analyze the mortality trend. The mortality was standardized by utilizing the Segi’s world standard population age composition in 1985.Results A total of 6 377 cases of injury deaths were reported in Yangpu District of Shanghai from 2002 to 2020, with an average annual crude mortality rate of 31.03/100 000 and an average annual standardized mortality rate of 15.00/100 000. There was no significant difference between males and females in crude mortality rate of injury (Z＝0.845, P＞0.05), while the standardized mortality rate was significantly higher in males than in females (Z＝2.171, P＜0.05). The crude mortality rate (average annual percent change＝－2.0, P＜0.01) and standardized mortality rate (annual percent change＝－4.4, P＜0.01) showed a downward trend. The top 5 causes of injury deaths, which accounting for 89.85% (5 730/6 377) of the total injury deaths, were accidental fall, other accidents and harmful effects, motor vehicle traffic accidents, suicide and accidental poisoning, respectively. The mortality rate of injury increased gradually with the age. The mortality rate of the age group between 0 and 14 years old was the lowest (4.12/100 000), and the mortality rate of the age group 65 years old and over was the highest (110.00/100 000). The top 5 injury types in PYLL with a total of 46 325 person years were suicide, motor vehicle traffic accident, accidental fall, accidental poisoning and drowning, respectively, accounting for 80.12% of total PYLL.Conclusion Injury is one of the most important public health problems affecting the health and life span of residents in Yangpu District of Shanghai. Personalized intervention measures should be taken according to the injury types for different population to effectively reduce the losses caused by injury.

Abstract:Objective To construct a risk prediction model of essential hypertension complicated with cerebral infarction based on machine learning algorithm, and explore the risk factors.Methods The data of 42 clinical indexes of 1 478 patients with essential hypertension complicated with cerebral infarction and 2 826 patients with essential hypertension without cerebral infarction in 7 hospitals of Chongqing from Jan. 1, 2015 to Dec. 31, 2019 were collected. Univariate analysis was used to screen the input indexes. The 4 304 patients were randomly divided into training set (n＝3 012) and test set (n＝1 292) with a ratio of 7 ∶ 3. The data of the training set was used to construct logistic regression, decision tree, random forest and XGBoost models, and the data of the test set was used for internal verification. The relative importance scores of each input index in the 4 models were calculated. The positive predictive value, negative predictive value, accuracy, F1 value, area under curve (AUC) value of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Delong test were used to evaluate the predictive diagnostic value of the 4 models for essential hypertension complicated with cerebral infarction.Results A total of 29 statistically significant indexes were selected by univariate analysis. The AUC values of essential hypertension complicated with cerebral infarction predicted by logistic regression, decision tree, random forest and XGBoost models were higher. The results of Delong test showed that the prediction performance of random forest and XGBoost models was better than that of logistic regression and decision tree models. The negative predictive value, accuracy, F1 value and AUC value of XGBoost model were the highest, being 0.780 (95% confidence interval［CI］ 0.778-0.782), 0.766 (95% CI 0.764-0.768), 0.603 (95% CI 0.599-0.607) and 0.808 (95% CI 0.804-0.811), respectively. The results of relative importance scores showed that logistic regression, decision tree, random forest and XGBoost models all suggested that hematocrit, albumin, age, white blood cell count, choline esterase and apolipoprotein A1 were important influencing factors of essential hypertension complicated with cerebral infarction.Conclusion The risk prediction models of essential hypertension complicated with cerebral infarction based on machine learning, such as logistic regression, decision tree, random forest and XGBoost models, have high diagnostic value, among which XGBoost model has the best comprehensive diagnostic efficiency. Hematocrit, albumin, age, white blood cell count, choline esterase and apolipoprotein A1 can be used to predict the risk of cerebral infarction in patients with essential hypertension.

Abstract:Objective To detect the distribution of serum allergens in allergic rhinitis patients in Yangpu District of Shanghai.Methods The serum allergen specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) and total immunoglobulin E (IgE) of 1 504 patients with clinically diagnosed allergic rhinitis in Yangpu District of Shanghai, who visited our department from Jan. to Dec. 2018, were semi-quantitatively detected by a special kit for sensitive screen allergen detector (Western blotting). The positive rates of allergens in patients with allergic rhinitis were compared in different genders (male and female), different allergen sources (ingestion, inhalation and mixed), and different seasons (winter ［ Jan. to Mar.］, spring ［ Apr. to Jun.］, summer ［ Jul. to Sep.］ and autumn ［ Oct. to Dec.］).Results The total IgE positive rate of 1 504 patients was 76.93% (1 157/ 1504), and the positive rate of sIgE was 85.97% (1 293/1 504). The top 3 positive rates of inhalant allergens were house dust mite (55.32%, 832/1 504), dog epithelium (18.22%, 274/1 504) and house dust (13.96%, 210/1 504). The top 3 positive rates of food allergens were milk (13.03%, 196/1 504), crab (5.52%, 83/1 504) and egg white (4.45%, 67/1 504). The allergen sIgE positive rate in male patients was higher than that in female patients (88.24% ［705/799］ vs 83.40% ［588/705］, P＜0.01). The allergen sIgE positive rates in summer and autumn were higher than those in winter and spring (89.76% ［ 342/381］, 89.69% ［435/485］ vs 79.65% ［227/285］, 81.87% ［289/353］, all P＜0.05). The allergen sIgE positive rate of inhalant allergens was higher than that of food allergens and mixed allergens (45.68% ［ 687/1 504］ vs 2.46% ［ 37/1 504］ and 20.28% ［ 305/1 504］ ), and the positive rate of mixed allergens was higher than that of food allergens (all P＜0.01).Conclusion The incidence rate of allergic rhinitis in males is higher than that in females in Yangpu District of Shanghai, the onset season is mainly in summer and autumn, and allergens are mainly inhalant allergens, followed by mixed allergens.

Abstract:Objective To study the anti-inflammatory effects of polydatin, resveratrol and emodin in Polygonum cuspidatum (P. cuspidatum) extract on gouty arthritis in rats.Methods A total of 72 SD rats were randomly divided into 12 groups (blank control group, model group, positive control group, low-, medium- and high-dose groups of polydatin, low-, medium- and high-dose groups of resveratrol, and low-, medium- and high-dose groups of emodin), with 6 rats in each group. Rats in the blank control group and model group were given normal saline, the positive control group was given indomethacin 10 mL/kg, and the low-, medium- and high-dose groups of the 3 compound monomers were intragastrically given corresponding drugs 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg, for 14 consecutive days. The gouty arthritis rats were established by injecting sodium urate solution into the right posterior toe joint on the 12^th day of administration. On the 3^rd day after modeling, histopathological examination was performed on the rat’s toe joint tissue to evaluate the inflammation reaction and crystalline lesions of the joint. Serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 levels were detected by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay.Results The degrees of joint swelling of rats in each model group were higher than that of the blank control group (all P＜0.05) at 4-48 h after modeling. Except for the blank control group, the degrees of joint swelling of rats in other groups increased first and then decreased over time. Histopathological results showed that pathological changes dominated by inflammatory reaction were still observed in the joints of rats in the low-dose group of polydatin and 3 dose groups of resveratrol and emodin, but the incidence and severity of inflammatory reaction and crystal lesions were significantly decreased in each treatment group compared with the model group. In addition, compared with the model group, polydatin, resveratrol and emodin in P. cuspidatum had different effects on the serum TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 in gouty arthritis rats and they all had obvious anti-inflammatory effects.Conclusion Polydatin, resveratrol and emodin in P. cuspidatum all have effects of preventing and treating inflammation in rats with gouty arthritis.

Abstract:Objective To investigate the protective effects and mechanism of microRNA-132 (miRNA-132)- loaded exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under hypoxic condition.Methods Electroporation method was applied to transfect miRNA-132 negative control (NC) and miRNA-132 mimics into mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes as control exosomes (Exo) and miRNA-132 loaded exosomes (miRNA-132 Exo), respectively. Equal amount of phosphate buffered saline (PBS), Exo and miRNA-132 Exo were co-cultured with HUVECs for 48 h in a hypoxia incubator. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) was used to detect the cell proliferative ability, tube formation assay was performed to measure the angiogenic ability, and Transwell migration assay was employed to investigate the cell migration ability. In addition, the downstream target genes of miRNA-132 were predicted by TargetScan database, and confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blotting.Results miRNA-132 mimics were successfully transfected into exosomes by electroporation method. After cultured under hypoxia for 48 h, the proliferative ability, angiogenic ability and migratory ability of HUVECs in the Exo and miRNA-132 Exo groups were significantly higher than those in the PBS group (all P＜0.05), and those in the miRNA-132 Exo group were signficantly higher than those in the Exo group (all P＜0.01). TargetScan database analysis result showed that Ras p21 protein activator 1 (RASA1) may be a target of miRNA-132, which was related to the process of angiogenesis. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that RASA1 was the downstream target of miRNA-132. The results of qPCR and Western blotting showed that treatment with miRNA-132 Exo under hypoxia could inhibit the expression of RASA1 in HUVECs.Conclusion Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes with or without miRNA-132 load could both preserve the proliferative ability, angiogenic ability and migratory ability of HUVECs under hypoxia. miRNA-132 may enhance this protective effect by inhibiting the expression of RASA1.

Abstract:Objective To mine the ferroptosis-related genes associated with breast cancer prognosis through The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and construct a prognosis model.Methods The transcription group and clinical data were downloaded from TCGA database, differentially expressed ferroptosis-related genes in tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues related to prognosis were obtained, and risk score model was constructed by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. The patient information obtained from TCGA database was used as the model test set data. The effectiveness of the model was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate whether the differentially expressed ferroptosis-related genes and the risk scores could be used as prognostic factors. The model was verified by International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases.Results A total of 51 ferroptosis-related genes, which were differentially expressed in breast cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues, were screened out. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that 11 of them were associated with prognosis. A prognostic risk score model (risk score＝ALOX15×0.11＋CHAC1×0.07＋CISD1×0.15＋ CS×0.24＋GCLC×0.04＋GPX4×［ －0.07］＋NCOA4×0.17＋EMC2×0.30＋G6PD×0.19＋ACSF2×［ －0.04］＋ SQLE×0.12) for breast cancer was constructed with the 11 genes. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under curve (AUC) of the model in predicting the 2-, 4- and 6-year survival rates of breast cancer patients in the test set were 0.678, 0.680 and 0.612, respectively. The results of multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the risk score could be used as an independent predictor (hazard ratio＝3.104, P＜0.001). The patients were divided into high-risk group (risk score≥4.277) and low-risk group (risk score＜4.277) according to the risk scores of the prognosis model. In the test set and validation set, the survival rate of highrisk patients was significantly lower than that of low-risk patients (both P＜0.001).Conclusion The prognosis model of breast cancer based on ferroptosis-related genes has better predictive performance. The ferroptosis-related genes in this model provides new targets for targeted therapy of breast cancer.

Abstract:In addition to damaging the respiratory system, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can also affect the nervous system, and even cause serious clinical consequences. This paper expounds the research status of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on nervous system injury from 3 aspects: pathogenesis, clinical symptoms and treatment prognosis, and systematically summarizes the pathological mechanism of nervous system lesions caused by COVID-19, hoping to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.

Abstract:Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is the second most common cognitive impairment disease after Alzheimer disease (AD), and there is no effective intervention method at present. Iron is an essential metal element for human body. It is not only involved in the synthesis of ATP and DNA, but also closely related to myelin synthesis and neurotransmitter cycle. When iron homeostasis is disrupted, iron deposition occurs in the central nervous system. Several studies have shown that iron deposition in central nervous system is associated with cognitive disorders, such as AD and VCI, but the specific mechanism of this association is still poorly understood. This paper summarizes the formation and classification of iron deposition in central nervous system, overviews the correlation between iron deposition in central nervous system and different types of VCI, preliminarily discusses the possible mechanism of iron deposition in central nervous system to induce VCI, and tries to understand the basic and clinical relationship between iron deposition in central nervous system and VCI.

Abstract:Increasing evidence shows that long-term exposure to non-ionizing radiation (NIR) is a risk factor for cancer, male infertility and other diseases. Current studies have revealed the adverse effects of NIR on sperm parameters and on the role of kinases in germ cell metabolism and endocrine system, and can lead to genotoxicity, genomic instability and oxidative stress. However, the biological and molecular mechanisms of infertility caused by NIR on male reproductive organs are still not clear. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current biomedical research on the mechanism of male infertility caused by NIR, discuss the effects of NIR on reproductive endocrine system, sperm kinase activity and redox balance, as well as apoptosis, DNA damage and epigenetic changes induced by NIR, and look into the future research in this field.

Abstract:Blood-brain barrier (BBB) is an important structure of the neurovascular unit, and it can prevent the invasion of neurotoxic substances and pathogens through tight junctions and transporting proteins, maintaining the stability of the environment in the central nervous system. Compared with the BBB models in vitro, the ideal animal models can better simulate the physiological mechanism of BBB and play an important role in studying hemodynamics, barrier integrity, signal transduction, material exchange and so on. Reducing trauma and dynamic evaluation have become important needs in evaluating BBB models. The BBB model animals have changed from classical model animals (fruit flies and non-human primates) to transgenic and humanized animals (zebrafish and mice). With the development of new technology, BBB animal models with humanized protein expression and high-throughput screening are becoming the mainstream trend in this field.

Abstract:The discovery of human podocyte antigens has promoted the research on membranous nephropathy. These antigens provide reliable biomarkers for the diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of membranous nephropathy, and make it possible for personalized treatment. With the advance of detecting techniques, increasing target antigens of membranous nephropathy have been found, which not only improves our understanding of the disease, but also brings significant impacts on the existing diagnostic classification. This review sheds light on the characteristics of membranous nephropathy associated with target antigens, clarifies the reasons why the original classification is no longer suitable for the current clinical practice, summarizes the new diagnostic classification, and looks into the prospect of gene detection in diagnosis.

Abstract:Objective To explore the effects of surface warship environment on attention ability, comprehension ability and memory of soldiers.Methods A total of 191 surface warship soldiers were selected by cluster sampling method, and 160 on shore soldiers were enrolled as controls. The attention ability, comprehension ability and memory were measured by basic psychological measuring instrument, comprehension test subscale in Wechsler adult intelligence scaleChinese revised and picture recall subtest in Wechsler adult memery scale.Results The total number of errors in paying attention to assigned tasks of surface warship soldiers was significantly higher than those of on shore soldiers (P＜0.01) and senior noncommissioned officers of surface warships (P＜0.01). Surface warship soldiers had significantly lower scores of comprehension ability than on shore soldiers (P＜0.01). The comprehension ability scores of senior noncommissioned officers of surface warships were significantly higher than those of surface warship soldiers (P＜0.05) and the junior noncommissioned officers of surface warship (P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in the score of picture recall ability between surface warship soldiers and on shore soldiers (P＞0.05), or among surface warship soldiers, the junior noncommissioned officers and senior noncommissioned officers of surface warships (P＞0.05).Conclusion The surface warship soldiers’ attention and comprehension abilities are significantly lower than those of on shore soldiers, and there is no significant difference in memory between the 2 groups.

Abstract:Objective To explore the characteristics and compatibility of Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang decoction based on case analyses.Methods The ancient and modern cases of Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang decoction were searched in Hantang traditional Chinese medicine literature database and SinoMed. The main symptoms and drug use of each case in the literatures were counted by frequency, and the characteristics of prescriptions and syndromes and the law of drug compatibility were analyzed by factor analysis and hierarchical clustering.Results A total of 236 cases were collected, including 9 ancient cases and 227 modern cases. Factor analysis of common symptom variables showed that the symptoms of Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang decoction could be divided into 4 categories: gallbladder depression and Qi stagnation symptoms, symptoms of spleen deficiency and digestive tract, abnormal body fluid metabolism and Yang deficiency symptoms. The results of hierarchical clustering showed that the main pathogenesis of decoction syndrome was Shaoyang stagnation, bile and stomach loss and dampness, Shaoyang stagnation and disorder between liver and spleen, with Yang Qi deficiency. In terms of drug use, the original prescription of Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang decoction had the highest frequency of use. At the same time, it was more compatible with drugs for strengthening the spleen, harmonizing the stomach, nourishing blood and calming the nerves. The results of hierarchical clustering of drug variables showed that the original drugs of Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang decoction had an absolute advantage in drug use and were grouped into an independent category. Tangerine peel, Codonopsis pilosula and Pinellia ternata were grouped together to play the role of invigorating deficiency, reducing stomach and eliminating dampness. Poria cocos, Alisma orientalis, Atractylodes macrocephala, Radix Paeoniae Alba, Angelica sinensis and keel were grouped together to supplement Qi and nourish blood, and strengthen spleen and dampness.Conclusion The main syndromes of Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang decoction are characterized by stagnation of Shaoyang, imbalance of spleen and stomach and immobility of body fluid and Qi. Clinically, there are subtle differences between Shaoyang and disharmony of stomach Qi and Shaoyang and deficiency of Taiyin, so the medication should be adjusted flexibly.

Abstract:Objective To investigate the changes of functional connectivity of prefrontal cortex in healthy undergraduates after repeated transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).Methods Thirty-nine undergraduates were selected and divided into stimulation group (n＝21) and control group (n＝18) by random number table. tDCS with intensity of 1.5 mA was used to implement 12 interventions for 4 weeks in the stimulation group, and each intervention lasted for 20 min; and the control group was stimulated in the same way by sham tDCS. Functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to measure the resting prefrontal functional connectivity of pre-test (baseline), in-test (the 14^th day) and post-test (the 28^th day).Results fNIRS data indicated that the proportion of channels with functional connectivity changes (before P value correction) was much higher in the stimulation group (29.71%) than in the control group (7.03%). The functional connectivity of the bilateral prefrontal lobe and between cerebral hemispheres in the stimulation group was decreased after the experiment compared with before the experiment (P’＜0.05 after Bonferroni correction), but there was no significant change in the control group.Conclusion Repeated tDCS can improve the connectivity efficiency of prefrontal cortex by reducing the strength of functional connectivity.

Abstract:Objective To investigate the expression of immunoglobulin (Ig) G4 and helper T cell (Th) 1/Th2 cytokines in the serum of patients with myeloperoxidase-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (MPOAAV).Methods Serum samples of 50 AAV patients and 40 healthy controls who taking a physical examination in the same period were collected from The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. The levels of IgG and IgG4 were detected by immunoturbidimetry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines in serum was detected by flow cytometry microsphere array (CBA). The differences of the above indexes between the 2 groups were observed, and the correlations between different indexes were analyzed.Results Serum samples were collected from all the 50 AAV patients, including 40 of MPO-AAV patients (80.0%). In the MPO-AAV group, the serum IgG4 level was (1.13±0.33) g/L, IgG4/IgG ratio was 0.094±0.032, IL-4 level was (2.54±0.68) pg/mL, and IL-6 level was 15.22 (8.83, 59.52) pg/mL, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (IgG4: ［ 0.80±0.27］ g/L, IgG4/IgG ratio: 0.070±0.028, IL-4: ［1.96±0.60］ pg/mL and IL-6: 4.95 ［2.82, 13.25］ pg/mL; all P＜0.01), and there was a positive correlation between the serum IgG4 and IL-6 levels in the MPO-AAV patients (r_s＝0.508, P＜0.05).Conclusion The proportion of MPO-AAV patients is high in AAV patients in our hospital. The serum IgG4, IL-4 and IL-6 levels in MPO-AAV patients are significantly increased, and the level of IgG4 is positively correlated with the level of IL-6, suggesting that the increase of IgG4 is related to the imbalance of Th1/Th2 cytokines in MPO-AAV patients.

Abstract: