Case report: Severe pneumonia and pneumomediastinum in a previously robust adolescent caused by Omicron BA.5.2

The manifestation of severe pneumonia is only occasional, and pneumomediastinum is a condition that occurs rarely in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, especially in those patients who are infected with the Omicron variant. In addition, whether severe pneumonia or pneumomediastinum often occurs in patients in older age, in poor physical condition, or with underlying diseases remains to be ascertained. To date, severe pneumonia and pneumomediastinum due to Omicron infection had not been reported in a young patient with an excellent physical condition. In this study, we report such a case with the aforementioned manifestations in a robust adolescent infected with Omicron BA.5.2

Deep sequencing analysis of microRNA expression in porcine serum-induced hepatic fibrosis rats

Aim. Recent studies have suggested miRNA dysregulation in liver tissue mediates the pathogenesis of various liver diseases especially liver fibrosis, but the microRNA changes during PS-induced hepatic fibrosis are still unknown. The purpose of this study was to screen the miRNA differences in rat liver fibrosis model and clarify the relationship of miRNAs with the development of PS-induced liver fibrosis.Material and methods. Two fibrotic and two normal liver tissues from 20 Sprague-Dawley rats were collected and sequenced. MiRNA profiling results and fibrosis-related genes were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and bioinformatics was used to predict miRNA targets.Results. In total, 48 miRNAs were detected to be aberrantly expressed in fibrosis tissue compared to normal tissue. Further functional analysis of the deregulated miRNA targets revealed the miRNAs are involved in several biological functions and pathways. In addition, the expression level of miR-27a and miR-146b and fibrosis-related genes were significantly up-regulated by using qRT-PCR in fibrotic liver tissues when compared to the normal liver tissues.Conclusion. PS-induced hepatic fibrosis results in up-regulation of the miR-27a and miR-146b in liver tissues, suggestingmiR-27a and miR-146b would be associated with the development of PS-induced liver fibrosis and be potential therapeutic targets during hepatic fibrosis

MicroRNA-146b regulates hepatic stellate cell activation via targeting of KLF4

Background. We previously identified miR-146b as being up-regulated during the development of hepatic fibrosis using deep sequencing technology and gene expression analysis. However, the roles and related mechanisms of miR-146b in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which are involved in fibrogenesis and fibrosis, have not been elucidated.Results. We report that miR-146b expression was increased in TGF-β1-treated HSCs. TGF-β1 enhanced a-SMA and COL1A1 protein expression in HSCs and stimulated proliferation of these cells compared with cells transfected with inhibitor NC. Conversely, miR-146b knock-down decreased α-SMA and COL1A1 expression and inhibited HSC proliferation. In addition, we found that miR-146b specifically regulated the translation of Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) by targeting its 3’ untranslated region. Forced expression of KLF4 inhibited TGF-β1-induced enhancement of α-SMA and COL1A1 expression in HSCs, as well as proliferation of these cells. Moreover, miR-146b expression was negatively associated with KLF4 expression but positively associated with expression of α-SMA and COL1A1 during hepatic fibrosis.Conclusions. Our findings demonstrate the participation of miR-146b as a novel upstream effector of HSC activation via direct targeting of KLF4. Thus, targeted transfer of miR-146b into HSCs could be a useful strategy for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis

Video_3_Case report: Severe pneumonia and pneumomediastinum in a previously robust adolescent caused by Omicron BA.5.2.MP4

The manifestation of severe pneumonia is only occasional, and pneumomediastinum is a condition that occurs rarely in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, especially in those patients who are infected with the Omicron variant. In addition, whether severe pneumonia or pneumomediastinum often occurs in patients in older age, in poor physical condition, or with underlying diseases remains to be ascertained. To date, severe pneumonia and pneumomediastinum due to Omicron infection had not been reported in a young patient with an excellent physical condition. In this study, we report such a case with the aforementioned manifestations in a robust adolescent infected with Omicron BA.5.2.</p

Video_2_Case report: Severe pneumonia and pneumomediastinum in a previously robust adolescent caused by Omicron BA.5.2.MP4

The manifestation of severe pneumonia is only occasional, and pneumomediastinum is a condition that occurs rarely in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, especially in those patients who are infected with the Omicron variant. In addition, whether severe pneumonia or pneumomediastinum often occurs in patients in older age, in poor physical condition, or with underlying diseases remains to be ascertained. To date, severe pneumonia and pneumomediastinum due to Omicron infection had not been reported in a young patient with an excellent physical condition. In this study, we report such a case with the aforementioned manifestations in a robust adolescent infected with Omicron BA.5.2.</p

Video_1_Case report: Severe pneumonia and pneumomediastinum in a previously robust adolescent caused by Omicron BA.5.2.MP4

The manifestation of severe pneumonia is only occasional, and pneumomediastinum is a condition that occurs rarely in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, especially in those patients who are infected with the Omicron variant. In addition, whether severe pneumonia or pneumomediastinum often occurs in patients in older age, in poor physical condition, or with underlying diseases remains to be ascertained. To date, severe pneumonia and pneumomediastinum due to Omicron infection had not been reported in a young patient with an excellent physical condition. In this study, we report such a case with the aforementioned manifestations in a robust adolescent infected with Omicron BA.5.2.</p