Omics in IgG4-related disease.

Research on IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), an autoimmune condition recognized to be a unique disease entity only two decades ago, has processed from describing patients' symptoms and signs to summarizing its critical pathological features, and further to investigating key pathogenic mechanisms. Challenges in gaining a better understanding of the disease, however, stem from its relative rarity-potentially attributed to underrecognition - and the absence of ideal experimental animal models. Recently, with the development of various high-throughput techniques, "omics" studies at different levels (particularly the single-cell omics) have shown promise in providing detailed molecular features of IgG4-RD.

Kynurenine acts as a signaling molecule to attenuate pulmonary fibrosis by enhancing the AHR-PTEN axis.

Introduction: Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a fatal fibrotic lung disease without any options to halt disease progression. Feasible evidence suggests that aberrant metabolism of amino acids may play a role in the pathoetiology of PF. However, the exact impact of kynurenine (Kyn), a metabolite derived from tryptophan (Trp) on PF is yet to be addressed.

The Role of the IL-33/ST2 Axis in CpG-Induced Macrophage Activation Syndrome.

Background: Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a fatal inflammatory condition, which is often associated with the elevation of multiple proinflammatory cytokines and multiple organ dysfunction. Previous studies have shown that ST2 contributes to T cell overactivation and plays a detrimental role in mouse models of primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the IL-33/ST2 axis in a mouse model of MAS induced by repeated injections of cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG).

The Interaction of Apelin and FGFR1 Ameliorated the Kidney Fibrosis through Suppression of TGF-Induced Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition.

Both epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT) and endothelial-to-mesenchymal (EndMT) transitions have shown to contribute to the development and progression of kidney fibrosis. It has been reported that apelin, a regulatory peptide, alleviates EMT by inhibiting the transforming growth factor (TGF) pathway in renal diseases. Additionally, fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) has been shown to be a key inhibitor of EndMT through suppression of the TGF/Smad pathway.

The landscape of T and B lymphocytes interaction and synergistic effects of Th1 and Th2 type response in the involved tissue of IgG4-RD revealed by single cell transcriptome analysis.

Objectives: To investigate the landscape of T-B cell interaction, immune receptor profiles and effects of different types of immune responses in the involved tissues of IgG4-RD.

Methods: Single cell RNA sequencing, bulk sample RNA sequencing, immune receptor repertoire analysis (both BCR and TCR), multi-color flow cytometry, and in-vitro assays with model cells (e.g.

IL-33/ST2 axis contributes to the dermal fibrosis of systemic sclerosis via promoting fibroblasts activation.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic immune-mediated rheumatic disease that is characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Interleukin-33 (IL-33) has been recently implicated in several autoimmune diseases through its receptor ST2.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of IL-33/ST2 axis in the fibrotic disorder of SSc.

The IL-33/ST2 Axis Promotes Primary Sjögren's Syndrome by Enhancing Salivary Epithelial Cell Activation and Type 1 Immune Response.

The molecular mechanisms of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) are poorly understood. In this study, we explored the role of the IL-33/ST2 axis in the development of pSS. In the mouse model of experimental Sjögren's syndrome, we found that the saliva flow rate at weeks 4 and 30 was preserved in IL-33 and ST2 mice, compared with that of wild-type mice.

The aberrant levels of decorin induce damages of human salivary gland epithelial cells and polarization of macrophages.

Objectives: This study aimed to preliminarily address the levels of decorin (DCN, a critical component of extracellular matrix) and its potential roles in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).

Methods: DCN levels were determined in the salivary glands of experimental SS (ESS) mice and pSS patients by RNA sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, or immunohistochemical staining. Its correlation with interested genes and co-localization with a putative receptor was studied in pSS patients.

A Generalizability Analysis of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire for Chinese Adolescents.

The level of meaning in life not only affects the physical health of individuals, but also is closely related to their mental health. At present, many self-reported questionnaires are being used to measure the meaning in life of Chinese adolescents. Using the multivariate generalizability theory, this study investigated the psychometric properties and the internal structure of the Meaning in Life Questionnaires (MLQs), the most widely used questionnaire for assessing the level of meaning in life of Chinese adolescents.

Factor Structure and Psychometric Properties for the PTSD Checklist of Chinese Adolescents in the Closed Period after the COVID-19 Outbreak.

After COVID-19 appeared in China in December 2019, the mental health of adolescents, as a vulnerable group in public health emergencies, was negatively affected by the epidemic and the unprecedented prevention and control measures. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist (PCL) among Chinese adolescents. A total of 915 participants completed the PTSD.

The Factor Structure and Rasch Analysis of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) Among Chinese Students.

The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) is a new one-dimensional scale used to measure fear of an individual about the COVID-19. Given the seriousness of the COVID-19 situation in China when our study was taking place, our aim was to translate and examine the applicability of the FCV-19S in Chinese students. The sample used for validation comprised 2,445 Chinese students.

Validity and Longitudinal Invariance of the 10-Item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10) in Chinese Left-Behind and Non-Left-Behind Children.

The 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10) is a self-report instrument widely used to assess resilience in particular demographics. This study aimed to evaluate the validity and measurement invariance (MI) of the CD-RISC-10 in Chinese left-behind children. A total of 968 children from three middle schools in Guizhou Province participated in this study, with the CD-RISC-10 used twice, at the base line time point and again after six months.

Downregulation of hsa_circ_0074854 Suppresses the Migration and Invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Interacting with HuR and via Suppressing Exosomes-Mediated Macrophage M2 Polarization.

Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified as key factors in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the role and potential molecular mechanism of circRNAs in HCC remain largely unclear. In addition, exosomes are known as important messengers of the cross-talk between tumor cells and immune cells, while the role of extracellular circRNAs in the cell-to-cell communication of tumor cells and immune cells remains not unclear.

Decreased CO Levels as Indicators of Possible Mechanical Ventilation-Induced Hyperventilation in COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Analysis.

Six months since the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the pandemic continues to grow worldwide, although the outbreak in Wuhan, the worst-hit area, has been controlled. Thus, based on the clinical experience in Wuhan, we hypothesized that there is a relationship between the patient's CO levels and prognosis. COVID-19 patients' information was retrospectively collected from medical records at the Leishenshan Hospital, Wuhan.

Elevated α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase as an independent prognostic factor for mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Aims: Many studies have explored the clinical characteristics of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19), especially patients with cardiovascular disease. However, associated mechanisms and markers remain to be further investigated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (α-HBDH) levels on disease progression and prognosis of patients with COVID-19.

Bilirubin Levels as Potential Indicators of Disease Severity in Coronavirus Disease Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a large number of deaths. Some patients with severe or critical COVID-19 have been observed to have elevated bilirubin levels. Studies on the association of bilirubin level and mortality in patients with COVID-19 are limited.

Endothelial FGFR1 (Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 1) Deficiency Contributes Differential Fibrogenic Effects in Kidney and Heart of Diabetic Mice.

Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) has been shown to contribute to organ fibrogenesis. We have reported that N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl- lysyl-proline (AcSDKP) restored levels of diabetes mellitus-suppressed FGFR1 (fibroblast growth factor receptor 1), the endothelial receptor essential for combating EndMT. However, the molecular regulation and biological/pathological significance of the AcSDKP-FGFR1 relationship has not been elucidated yet.

Association of procalcitonin levels with the progression and prognosis of hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first announced in Wuhan, and has rapidly evolved into a pandemic. However, the risk factors associated with the severity and mortality of COVID-19 are yet to be described in detail. We retrospectively reviewed the information of 1525 cases from the Leishenshan Hospital in Wuhan.

Dynamic Interleukin-6 Level Changes as a Prognostic Indicator in Patients With COVID-19.

Background: Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a proinflammatory cytokine, has been reported to be associated with disease severity and mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Yet, dynamic changes in IL-6 levels and their prognostic value as an indicator of lung injury in COVID-19 patients have not been fully elucidated.

Objective: To validate whether IL-6 levels are associated with disease severity and mortality and to investigate whether dynamic changes in IL-6 levels might be a predictive factor for lung injury in COVID-19 patients.

Association Between Diabetes and COVID-19: A Retrospective Observational Study With a Large Sample of 1,880 Cases in Leishenshan Hospital, Wuhan.

This study aimed to investigate the clinical courses and outcomes of diabetes mellitus patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan. This study enrolled 1,880 consecutive patients with confirmed COVID-19 in Leishenshan Hospital. We collected and analyzed their data, including demographic data, history of comorbidity, clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, chest computed tomography (CT) images, treatment options, and survival.

Clinical characteristics of emergency surgery patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia in Wuhan, China.

Background: We aimed to investigate clinical symptoms and epidemiologic features of emergency surgery patients infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). More than 5 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since December 2019 to the time of this publication. Thousands of emergency operations have been carried out since December 2019.

Circular RNA hsa_circ_0003141 promotes tumorigenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma via a miR-1827/UBAP2 axis.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play an important role in the tumorigenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but their specific functions in HCC remain largely unknown. Using bioinformatics analysis, we have found that the expression of circRNA hsa_circ_0003141 is significantly increased in HCC tissues. Ubiquitin-associated protein 2 (UBAP2) is the parent gene for hsa_circ_0003141, and its high expression correlates with poor overall survival rates in HCC patients.