Roles of circulating soluble interleukin (IL)-6 receptor and IL-6 receptor expression on CD4+ T cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B

SummaryObjectivesThe objective of this study was to investigate the potential clinical roles of circulating soluble interleukin (IL)-6 receptor (sIL-6R) and IL-6R expression on CD4+ T cells (CD4+ IL-6R+ T cells) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.MethodsOne hundred and thirty-three subjects, including 72 CHB patients, 27 asymptomatic carriers, eight acute hepatitis B (AHB) patients, and 26 healthy donors were included in this study. Plasma IL-6 and sIL-6R levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the frequency of CD4+ IL-6R+ T cells was detected by flow cytometry analysis.ResultsOur data showed a significant increase in plasma sIL-6R levels and the frequency of CD4+ IL-6R+ T cells in peripheral blood in CHB patients compared to asymptomatic carriers and healthy controls (both p<0.05). The elevated prevalence of CD4+ IL-6R+ T cells was positively associated with increased serum alanine aminotransferase levels in CHB patients (r = 0.316, p = 0.007), but was not correlated with serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA load. Moreover, CHB patients with an HBV DNA load >1.0×106 copies/ml had a lower level of plasma sIL-6R than those with an HBV DNA load <1.0×106 copies/ml.ConclusionsCirculating sIL-6R and CD4+ IL-6R+ T cells were increased in CHB patients. Elevated plasma sIL-6R is probably associated with HBV elimination, and CD4+ IL-6R+ T cells in peripheral blood might contribute to the pathogenesis of liver injury in CHB patients

Strategies on the nuclear-targeted delivery of genes

To improve the nuclear-targeted delivery of non-viral vectors, extensive effort has been carried out on the development of smart vectors which could overcome multiple barriers. The nuclear envelope presents a major barrier to transgene delivery. Viruses are capable of crossing the nuclear envelope to efficiently deliver their genome into the nucleus through the specialized protein components. However, non-viral vectors are preferred over viral ones because of the safety concerns associated with the latter. Non-viral delivery systems have been designed to include various types of components to enable nuclear translocation at the periphery of the nucleus. This review summarizes the progress of research regarding nuclear transport mechanisms. “Smart” non-viral vectors that have been modified by peptides and other small molecules are able to facilitate the nuclear translocation and enhance the efficacy of gene expression. The resulting technology may also enhance delivery of other macromolecules to the nucleus

Quantum theory of electronic double-slit diffraction

The phenomena of electron, neutron, atomic and molecular diffraction have been studied by many experiments, and these experiments are explained by some theoretical works. In this paper, we study electronic double-slit diffraction with quantum mechanical approach. We can obtain the results: (1) When the slit width $a$ is in the range of $3\lambda\sim 50\lambda$ we can obtain the obvious diffraction patterns. (2) when the ratio of $\frac{d+a}{a}=n (n=1, 2, 3,\cdot\cdot\cdot)$, order $2n, 3n, 4n,\cdot\cdot\cdot$ are missing in diffraction pattern. (3)When the ratio of $\frac{d+a}{a}\neq n (n=1, 2, 3,\cdot\cdot\cdot)$, there isn't missing order in diffraction pattern. (4) We also find a new quantum mechanics effect that the slit thickness $c$ has a large affect to the electronic diffraction patterns. We think all the predictions in our work can be tested by the electronic double-slit diffraction experiment.Comment: 9pages, 14figure

Influence of duration of preoperative treatment with phenoxybenzamine and secretory phenotypes on perioperative hemodynamics and postoperative outcomes in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma

ObjectivesResection of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) carries risks with perioperative hemodynamic instability. Phenoxybenzamine (PXB) is a commonly used α-blockade to prevent it. It is unclear whether lengthening the preoperative duration of PXB is better for hemodynamic stability and postoperative outcomes. Furthermore, different types of catecholamines have varying effects on perioperative hemodynamics. Thus, our study aimed to investigate the impact of the duration of preoperative preparation with PXB and secretory phenotypes of the patients on intraoperative hemodynamic stability and postoperative complications in PPGL.MethodsBetween Dec 2014 and Jan 2022, 166 patients with PPGL were operated on by the same team at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital. They were divided into group A(1-14d), Group B(15-21d), and Group C(&gt;21d) based on the duration of management with PXB and into the adrenergic and the noradrenergic phenotype group based on secretory profiles. Data on intraoperative hemodynamics and postoperative outcomes were collected and compared among groups.ResultsA total of 96 patients occurred intraoperative hemodynamic instability, and 24 patients had 29 postoperative complications related to the surgery. Among the 145 patients treated with PXB, no significant differences were found in the cumulative time outside the target blood pressure(6.67%[0-17.16%] vs. 5.97%[0-23.08%] vs. 1.22%[0-17.27%], p=0.736) or in the median total HI-score(42.00[30.00-91.00] vs. 89.00[30.00-113.00] vs. 49.00[30.00-93.00], p=0.150) among group A(n=45), B(n=51) and C(n=49). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the level of plasma-free metanephrine(MN) was an independent risk factor for intraoperative hemodynamic instability. And the median cumulative time outside of the target blood pressure in the adrenergic phenotype group was significantly greater than that in the noradrenergic phenotype group(8.17%[0-26.22%] vs. 1.86%[0-11.74%], p=0.029). However, the median total HI-score(99.50[85.00-113.25] vs. 90.00[78.00-105.00], p=0.570) and postoperative outcomes showed no differences between the two groups.ConclusionsA preoperative duration of nearly 14 days with PXB is sufficient for ensuring intraoperative hemodynamic stability in PPGL. And lengthening the preparation duration may not provide additional benefits in the era of widespread application and advanced techniques of laparoscopic surgery. Additionally, patients with the adrenergic phenotype are more prone to intraoperative hemodynamic instability than the noradrenergic phenotype. Thus, more attention should be given to the adrenergic phenotype during surgery