Heparin-binding protein as a predictor of mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus and community-acquired pneumonia in intensive care unit:a propensity score matched study

BACKGROUND:Patients with diabetes mellitus(DM)are vulnerable to community-acquired pneumonia(CAP),which have a high mortality rate.We aimed to investigate the value of heparin-binding protein(HBP)as a prognostic marker of mortality in patients with DM and CAP.METHODS:This retrospective study included CAP patients who were tested for HBP at intensive care unit(ICU)admission from January 2019 to April 2020.Patients were allocated to the DM or non-DM group and paired with propensity score matching.Baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes up to 90 days were evaluated.The primary outcome was the 10-day mortality.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves,Kaplan-Meier analysis,and Cox regression were used for statistical analysis.RESULTS:Among 152 enrolled patients,60 pairs were successfully matched.There was no significant difference in 10-day mortality,while more patients in the DM group died within 28 d(P=0.024)and 90 d(P=0.008).In the DM group,HBP levels at ICU admission were higher in 10-day non-survivors than in 10-day survivors(median 182.21[IQR:55.43-300]ng/ml vs.median 66.40[IQR:34.13-107.85]ng/mL,P=0.019),and HBP levels could predict the 10-day mortality with an area under the ROC curve of 0.747.The cut-off value,sensitivity,and specificity were 160.6 ng/mL,66.7%,and 90.2%,respectively.Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that HBP was an independent prognostic factor for 10-day(HR 7.196,95%CI:1.596-32.455,P=0.01),28-day(HR 4.381,95%CI:1.449-13.245,P=0.009),and 90-day mortality(HR 4.581,95%CI:1.637-12.819,P=0.004)in patients with DM.CONCLUSION:Plasma HBP at ICU admission was associated with the 10-day,28-day,and 90-day mortality,and might be a prognostic factor in patients with DM and CAP.

Heparin-binding protein combined with human serum albumin in early assessment of community-acquired pneumonia:A retrospective study

Objective:To investigate the application of heparin-binding protein along with albumin(HBP+ALB)in evaluating the severity of community-acquired pneumonia(CAP)and compares it with single HBP,white blood cells(WBCs),C-reactive protein(CRP),and procalcitonin(PCT).Methods:A total of 226 patients with CAP admitted to the Emergency Department of Zhujiang Hospital,Southern Medical University,Guangdong,China,between March 1,2021,and March 1,2022,were enrolled.The patients were grouped into two groups:mild CAP(n=175)and severe CAP(sCAP)(n=51).Patients'characteristics and laboratory data were obtained.ROC curve and the value of the area under the curve(AUC)were used to evaluate the predictive values of HBP,ALB,WBC,CRP,and PCT.Results:WBC count,CRP,PCT,HBP,creatinine,and D-dimer were higher in the sCAP group,while ALB was lower in the sCAP group(P<0.05)than those in the mild CAP group.The AUCs of WBC,CRP,PCT,HBP,and HBP+ALB were 0.633(95%CI:0.545-0.722,P<0.05),0.635(95%CI:0.542-0.729,P<0.05),0.705(95%CI:0.619-0.791,P<0.05),0.809(95%CI:0.736-0.883,P<0.05),and 0.889(95%CI:0.842-0.936,P<0.05),respectively.Conclusions:HBP+ALB has a higher predictive value than single HBP,PCT,CRP and WBC used alone for the early assessment of CAP.

The expression of Hoxa10 and its regulation by sex steroids andHB-EGF at the time of implantation in the human endometrium

Objective:The aim of this study was to determine the expression of Hoxa 10 in endometrium during the menstrual cycle and their response to sex steroids and HB-EGF.Methods:Forty endometrial samples from regularly cycling women were studied.The endometrial epithelial(EEC)and stromal(ESC)cells isolated by collagenase Ⅰ digestion and mechanical dissociation was cultured from every sample.The endometrial stromal cells(ESC)were incubated with 17-beta estradiol(10-8mol/L),medroxyprogesterone acetate(MPA)(10-6mol/L),RU486(10-8mol/L)or HB-EGF(10ng/ml)for 48 hours respectively.The expression of Hoxa10 mRNA was demonstrated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Result:Hoxa10 showed a regulated cycle phase-dependent expression pattern in stromal cells and epithelial cells.Hoxa10 expression dramatically increased during the midsecretory phase of the menstrual cycle,at the time of implantation.The expression of Hoxa10 in cultured endometrial stromal cells was stimulated by estrogen,progesterone and HB-EGF.Conclusion:The cycle phase-specific expression of Hoxa10 and up-regulated by sex steroids and HB-EGF suggests a tight regulation and establishing conditions necessary for implantation.

The expression of TGF-β_1,ADAM12 and HB-EGF in primary hepatic carcinoma

Objective: To detect the expression and location of TGF-β1, ADAM12 and HB-EGF in primary hepatic carcinoma and study their effect on the growth and metastasis of hepatoma carcinoma cell. Methods: TGF-β1, ADAM12 and HB-EGF were detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry in 30 cases of hepatic carcinoma tissues, 30 cases of adjacent carci- noma tissues and 5 cases of normal hepatic tissues. Results: RT-PCR analyses showed that the mRNA expression of TGF-β1, ADAM12 and HB-EGF were markedly increased in each hepatic carcinoma tissue compared with its adjacent tissue (P < 0.01), but no signal was detected in normal hepatic tissue. Immunohistochemistry showed the same outcome on the expression of above three factors in hepatic tissues as RT-PCR. Proteins location analyses showed the proteins of TGF-β1, ADAM12 and HB-EGF all distributed in the stroma of hepatic carcinoma tissues. The positive correlation was found between TGF-β1 and ADAM12 (r = 0.6137, P < 0.05), as well as ADAM12 and HB-EGF (r = 0.5763, P < 0.05). The protein expression of TGF-β1, ADAM12 and HB-EGF were correlated with the size of tumors, degree of differentiation of hepatoma carcinoma cells, portal vein thrombus and the metastasis of absorbent glands, especially with hepatic cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B virus. Conclu- sion: TGF-β1, ADAM12 and HB-EGF possibly play an important role in the process of growth, invasion and metastasis of hepatoma carcinoma cell, meanwhile, the above three factors may collectively participate in the transition from hepatic cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B virus to hepatocellular carcinoma.

Molecular heterogeneity of gelatin-binding proteins from human seminal plasma

Defining the molecular characteristics of seminal plasma proteins is essential for understanding their function in physiological and pathological conditions. Starting from the predicted importance of human seminal plasma gelatin-binding proteins, comprising fibronectin （FN） and FN-related molecules, for male fertility, this study aims at gaining insight into their immuno-glycobiochemical properties. Human seminal plasma from subjects with normal semen parameters were separated on a gelatin-Sepharose column and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting using antibodies against distinct FN forms. Heterogeneity of the isolated molecular species was examined by protein chip arrays combined with surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry, on normal, metal and hydrophobic surfaces. Carbohydrate composition was investigated using mannose-, fucose- and sialic acid-specific plant lectins and galectin-1. The results obtained indicated a pattern of isolated proteins corresponding to that of known FN fragments, as confirmed by immunoreactivity. Among them heparin-binding ability was preferentially associated with low molecular mass species. As for posttranslational modifications, phosphorylation and glycosylation of distinct fragments were revealed. Lectin binding to fragments containing the gelatin-binding domain, particularly with Ricinus communis agglutinin I, was stronger than to fragments containing the cell-binding site of FN. A low level of sialylation and distinctive concanavalin A- and Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive species were also observed. Galectin-1 did not interact with the isolated preparation. Resolving the molecular heterogeneity of normal human seminal plasma FN and gaining initial insight into possible similarities/differences with known FN molecular species may be considered a prerequisite step preceding challenging the clinical usefulness of these molecular properties.

Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin and Protamine-Based Polyelectrolyte Nano Complexes for Protein Delivery (A Review Articles)

We produced low-molecular-weight heparin/protamine micro (nano) particles (LMW-H/P MPs·NPs) as a carrier for heparin-binding growth factors (GFs), such as fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 and various GFs in platelet-rich plasma (PRP). A mixture of LMW-H (MW: approximately 5000 Da, 6.4 mg/ml) and protamine (MW: approximately 3000 Da, 10 mg/ml) at a ratio of 7:3 (vol:vol) yields a dispersion of micro (nano) particles (200 nm - 3 μm in diameter). The diluted LMW-H solution in saline (0.32 mg/ml) mixed with diluted protamine (0.5 mg/ml) at a ratio at 7:3 (vol:vol) resulted in soluble nanoparticles (approximately 100 nm in diameter). The generated NPs could be then stabilized by adding 2 mg/ml dextran (MW: 178-217 kDa) and remained soluble after lyophilization of dialyzed LMW-H /P NPs solution. The LMW-H/P MPs·NPs adsorb GFs, control their release, protect GFs and activate their biological activities. Furthermore, administration of GFs-containing F/P MPs·NPs exhibited significantly higher inductions of vascularization and fibrous tissue formation in vivo than GFs alone. LMW-H/P MPs·NPs can also efficiently bind to tissue culture plates and retain the binding of GFs. The LMW-H/P MPs·NP-coated matrix with various GFs or cytokines provided novel biomaterials that could control cellular activity such as proliferation and differentiation. Thus, LMW-H/P MPs·NPs are an excellent carrier for GFs and are a functional coating matrix for various kinds of cell cultures.

Hydroxysafflor Yellow A Promotes HaCaT Cell Proliferation and Migration by Regulating HBEGF/EGFR and PI3K/AKT Pathways and Circ_0084443

Objective:To investigate the effect and possible mechanism of hydroxysafflor yellow A(HSYA) on human immortalized keratinocyte cell proliferation and migration.Methods:HaCaT cells were treated with HSYA.Cell proliferation was detected by the cell counting kit-8 assay,and cell migration was measured using wound healing assay and Transwell migration assay.The mRNA and protein expression levels of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor(EGF)-like growth factor(HBEGF),EGF receptor(EGFR),phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K),protein kinase B(AKT),mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR),and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR) and Western blot,respectively.Circ_0084443-overexpressing HaCaT cells and empty plasmid HaCaT cells were constructed using the lentiviral stable transfection and treated with HSYA.The expression of circ_0084443 was detected by qRT-PCR.Results:HSYA(800 μmol/L) significantly promoted HaCaT cell proliferation and migration(P<0.05or P<0.01).It also increased the mRNA and protein expression levels of HBEGF,EGFR,PI3K,AKT,mTOR and HIF-1α,and increased the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and AKT(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Furthermore,HSYA promoted HaCaT cell proliferation and migration via the HBEGF/EGFR and PI3K/AKT/m TOR signaling pathways(P<0.01).Circ_0084443 attenuated the mRNA expression levels of HBEGF,EGFR,PI3K,AKT,mTOR and HIF-1α(P<0.05).HSYA inhibited the circ_0084443 expression,further antagonized the inhibition of circ_0084443on HBEGF,EGFR,PI3K,AKT,m TOR and HIF-1α,and promoted the proliferation of circ_0084443-overexpressing HaCaT cells(P<0.05 or P<0.01).However,HSYA could not influence the inhibitory effect of circ_0084443 on HaCaT cell migration(P>0.05).Conclusion:HSYA played an accelerative role in HaCaT cell proliferation and migration,which may be attributable to activating HBEGF/EGFR and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways,and had a particular inhibitory effect on the keratinocyte negative regulator circ_0084443.