Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is prevalent in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the risk factors and incidence rate of DVT remains elusive. Here, we aimed to assess the incidence rate and risk factors of DVT. All patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and performed venous ultrasound by ultrasound deparment between December 2019 and April 2020 in Wuhan Jin Yin-tan hospital were enrolled. Demographic information and clinical features were retrospectively collected. Notably, a comparison between the DVT and the non-DVT groups was explored. The incidence rate of venous thrombosis was 35.2% (50 patients out of 142). Moreover, the location of thrombus at the proximal extremity veins was 5.6% (n = 8), while at distal extremity veins was 35.2% (n = 50) of the patients. We also noted that patients with DVT exhibited a high level of D-dimer (OR 10.9 (95% CI, 3.3-36.0), P < 0.001), were admitted to the intensive care unit (OR 6.5 (95% CI, 2.1-20.3), P = 0.001), a lower usage of the anticoagulant drugs (OR 3.0 (95% CI, 1.1-7.8), P < 0.001). Finally, this study revealed that a high number of patients with COVID-19 developed DVT. This was observed particularly in critically ill patients with high D-dimer levels who required no anticoagulant medication.
IL-17 and IL-17-producing cells have been found in many types of human cancers and murine models. However, the source of tumor-infiltrating IL-17 and IL-17-producing cells in HCC and the prognostic values remain poorly understood.A total of 57 HCC patients were enrolled in this study, and immunofluorescence double stain was used to evaluate the colocalization of CD3+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, CD56+ NK cells, CD20+ B cells, CD68+ Macrophages, and MCT+ mast cells with IL-17. The prognostic value of IL-17-producing cells was evaluated by Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox regression model.MCT+ mast cells, but not other cells, were the predominant IL-17-producing cell type. Overall survival analysis revealed that the increasing intratumoral-infiltrated MCT+ mast cells were significantly associated with poor prognosis. Immunofluorescence double stain showed a positive correlation between the number of MCT+ mast cells and MCVs.These findings indicated the major IL-17-producing cells in HCC were MCT+ mast cells and these cells infiltration may promote tumor progression by angiogenesis. Increased MCT+ mast cells was associated with a poor prognosis, indicating therapy targeting MCT+ mast cells might be an effective strategy in controlling intratumor IL-17 infiltration and MCVs.
Background: Atherosclerosis involves a slow process of plaque formation on the walls of arteries, and comprises a leading cause of cardiovascular disease. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In this study, we aim to explore the possible involvement of lncRNA 'cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2B antisense noncoding RNA' (CDKN2B-AS1) and CDKN2B in the progression of atherosclerosis. Methods: Initially, we quantified the expression of CDKN2B-AS1 in atherosclerotic plaque tissues and, in THP-1 macrophage-derived, and human primary macrophage (HPM)-derived foam cells. Next, we established a mouse model of atherosclerosis using apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE À/À ) mice, where lipid uptake, lipid accumulation, and macrophage reverse cholesterol transport (mRCT) were assessed, in order to explore the contributory role of CDKN2B-AS1 to the progression of atherosclerosis. RIP and ChIP assays were used to identify interactions between CDKN2B-AS1, CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF), enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2), and CDKN2B. Triplex formation was determined by RNA-DNA pull-down and capture assay as well as EMSA experiment. Findings: CDKN2B-AS1 showed high expression levels in atherosclerosis, whereas CDKN2B showed low expression levels. CDKN2B-AS1 accelerated lipid uptake and intracellular lipid accumulation whilst attenuating mRCT in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells, HPM-derived foam cells, and in the mouse model. EZH2 and CTCF were found to bind to the CDKN2B promoter region. An RNA-DNA triplex formed by CDKN2B-AS1 and CDKN2B promoter was found to recruit EZH2 and CTCF in the CDKN2B promoter region and consequently inhibit CDKN2B transcription by accelerating histone methylation. Interpretation: The results demonstrated that CDKN2B-AS1 promotes atherosclerotic plaque formation and inhibits mRCT in atherosclerosis by regulating CDKN2B promoter, and thereby could be a potential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.
Dermoscopy is an efficient and non‐invasive technique which has been widely used in the diagnosis of nail disorders including nail psoriasis (NP). Many nail dermoscopic features are considered as clues to NP. The aim of this study was to investigate specific dermoscopic features of fingernail psoriasis and the correlation between the severity of nail lesions or systemic inflammation, and psoriasis severity of skin and nail. This observational study recruited 135 patients with fingernail psoriasis (1186 fingernails) and 30 patients with onychomycosis (80 fingernails). All of the involved fingernails were examined with a handheld dermatoscope. The Nail Psoriasis Severity Index score (NAPSI) score, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score, body surface area (BSA), and detailed history of patients with psoriasis were recorded. Mann–Whitney U‐test, χ2‐test, Spearman’s correlation, and Kruskal–Wallis H‐test were used for statistical analysis, and the significance threshold was p < 0.05. The trial registration number was 2020‐SR‐045. We identified onycholysis as the most common feature (93.3%) of fingernail psoriasis. Red lunula, longitudinal fissures, transverse grooves, nail plate crumbling, trachyonychia, oil‐dropping sign, erythematous border of an onycholytic area, subungual hyperkeratosis, and dilated streaky capillaries were relevant to NP severity (p < 0.05). Red lunula, transverse grooves, nail plate crumbling, trachyonychia, oil‐dropping sign, erythematous border of an onycholytic area, splinter hemorrhages, and dilated streaky capillaries were relevant to systemic inflammation severity (p < 0.05). The total NAPSI score was positively associated with the PASI score and BSA (p < 0.0001). The thumb had a higher NAPSI score than the other fingers (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dermoscopic features can improve the accuracy of diagnosis of nail psoriasis, and have correlations with psoriasis severity.
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