Response of Psoriasis with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus to Secukinumab: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Although psoriasis and systemic lupus erythematosus are both immune abnormalities, there are few reports on Ps combined with SLE in China and abroad. We present a case of a 23-year-old female with a 10-year history of psoriasis, who had a relapse with significant joint symptoms and a PASI score of 35.6, along with several positive antibodies, including antinuclear antibodies, elevated CRP and ESR, and was diagnosed with psoriasis and SLE. She has been treated with secukinumab 300 mg subcutaneously, improving her condition. She is currently being followed up. The PubMed, SCOPUS, and ISI Web of Science databases were thoroughly searched for English studies reporting psoriasis with systemic lupus erythematosus and treated using biologics. Three case reports/series were included after the screening. Our case report provides a reference for clinicians using secukinumab to treat psoriasis combined with SLE. However, further research is needed to determine whether it can be widely used or if there are common signaling pathways that can be interfered with the pathogenesis of the diseases.

Structure of the Mating-Type Genes and Mating Systems of Verpa bohemica and Verpa conica (Ascomycota, Pezizomycotina).

Verpa spp. are potentially important economic fungi within Morchellaceae. However, fundamental research on their mating systems, the key aspects of their life cycle, remains scarce. Fungal sexual reproduction is chiefly governed by mating-type genes, where the configuration of these genes plays a pivotal role in facilitating the reproductive process. For this study, de novo assembly methodologies based on genomic data from Verpa spp. were employed to extract precise information on the mating-type genes, which were then precisely identified in silico and by amplifying their single-ascospore populations using MAT-specific primers. The results suggest that the MAT loci of the three tested strains of V. bohemica encompassed both the MAT1-1-1 and MAT1-2-1 genes, implying homothallism. On the other hand, amongst the three V. conica isolates, only the MAT1-1-1 or MAT1-2-1 genes were present in their MAT loci, suggesting that V. conica is heterothallic. Moreover, bioinformatic analysis reveals that the three tested V. bohemica strains and one V. conica No. 21110 strain include a MAT1-1-10 gene in their MAT loci, while the other two V. conica strains contained MAT1-1-11, exhibiting high amino acid identities with those from corresponding Morchella species. In addition, MEME analysis shows that a total of 17 conserved protein motifs are present among the MAT1-1-10 encoded protein, while the MAT1-1-11 protein contained 10. Finally, the mating type genes were successfully amplified in corresponding single-ascospore populations of V. bohemica and V. conica, further confirming their life-cycle type. This is the first report on the mating-type genes and mating systems of Verpa spp., and the presented results are expected to benefit further exploitation of these potentially important economic fungi.

High-Resolution Performance of Polycaprolactone Functionalized with Guanidinium Ionic Liquid for Gas Chromatography.

This work firstly reported a new polycaprolactone based material functionalized with guanidinium ionic liquid (PCL-GIL) as the stationary phase with high resolution performance for capillary gas chromatography (GC). It is composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) and guanidinium ionic liquid (GIL) with amphiphilic conformation. The PCL-GIL capillary column coated by static method exhibited high column efficiency of 3942 plates/m and moderate polarity. As a result, the PCL-GIL column exhibited high-resolution capability. For a mixture of 27 analytes with a wide ranging polarity and outperformed the PCL-2OH and HP-35 columns, showing its advantageous separation capability for analytes of diverse types. Moreover, the PCL-GIL column showed high resolving capability for various positional isomers and cis-/trans-isomers, including alkylbenzenes, chlorobenzenes, naphthalenes, bromonitrobenzenes, chloronitrobenzenes, benzaldehydes, phenols, alcohols, respectively. In a word, PCL derivatized by GIL units as a new type of stationary phase has a promising future in GC separations.

An Amphiphilic Star-Shaped Polymer (Star-PEG-PCL2) used as a Stationary Phase for GC.

A star-shaped polymer (Star-PEG-PCL2) was synthesized with PCL and PEG and used as a stationary phase for gas chromatography. The statically coated Star-PEG-PCL2 column exhibited an efficiency of 2260 plates/m determined by naphthalene at 120 °C and moderate polarity. The Star-PEG-PCL2 column showed high resolution performance for isomers of a wide ranging polarity, including methylnaphthalenes, halogenated benzenes, nitrobenzene, phenols, and anilines, and displayed dual-nature selectivity for a mixture of 17 analytes. Also, the Star-PEG-PCL2 column exhibited good separation performance and column inertness for Grob test mixture and a series of cis-/trans-isomers. In addition, it exhibited advantageous separation performance over the commercial HP-35 and PEG-20M columns for chloroaniline and bromoaniline isomers through its unique three-dimensional framework. In conclusion, it has good potential as a new stationary phase for separating a variety of analytes because of its special structure and excellent separation performance.

Efficient gas chromatographic separation of xylene and other aromatic isomers by using pillar[6]arene-based stationary phase.

The separation of aromatic isomers, in particular xylene isomers, represents a big issue in chemical and petroleum industries, owing to their similar molecular sizes and boiling points. In this work, the investigation ofpillar[6]arene derivative modified by long alkyl chains (P6A-C10) as a stationary phase for high-resolution gas chromatographic (GC) separations of xylene isomers is presented. Pillar[n]arenes are a new class of macrocyclic hosts that can accommodate specific guests due to their highly symmetrical and rigid pillar architectures with π-electron rich cavities. The P6A-C10 column showed high-resolution performance towards xylene isomers, with peculiar advantages if compared with the commercial HP-5, HP-35, DB-17, and PEG-20Mcolumns.A quantum chemistry calculation has been performed, showing a difference in non-covalent interactions with the P6A-C10 pillar framework, which leads to specific selectivity for xylene isomers.Furthermore, the P6A-C10 column exhibited good repeatability.

Separation performance of the calix[8]arene functionalized with polyethylene glycol units for capillary gas chromatography.

In this paper, an amphiphilic calix[8]arene with polyethylene glycol unit branches (C8A-PEG) was synthesized and applied for capillary gas chromatography (GC). The C8A-PEG was coated on the inner wall of a capillary column by a static method with the column efficiency of 3165 plates/m and polar nature. As demonstrated, the C8A-PEG column has excellent physicochemical properties and separation performance since it has π-electron-rich 3D cavity which combines with polar PEG units. Compared with two columns corresponding to the construction units C8A and PEG, the C8A-PEG column shows distinctly advantageous performance for the mixture of 22 components with diverse types. Impressively, it shows satisfactory resolution for positional isomers and cis-/trans- isomers, especially the challenging isomers of toluidine and dimethylaniline. The outstanding distinguishing capability of the C8A-PEG stationary phase is mainly attributed to the abundant molecular recognition interactions, including van der Waals, dipole-dipole, H-bonding and π-π stacking interactions. This work has proved that the new GC stationary phases constructed by different units can complement each other's advantages, improve their physicochemical properties and separation performance, and have broad application prospects in chromatographic analysis.

Body mass index combined with (waist + hip)/height accurately screened for normal-weight obesity in Chinese young adults.

OBJECTIVES: Only a few studies have explored the prevalence of normal-weight obesity in young adults or the development of a simple evaluation index for body fat percentage. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the prevalence of normal-weight obesity in young Chinese adults and use anthropometric measurements to develop an evaluation index. METHODS: In total, 1322 college students participated in the study and were divided into the normal-weight lean, normal-weight obese, and overweight and obese groups based on their body mass index and body fat percentage. The differences in body composition, circumference, and circumference ratio among these three groups were examined. RESULTS: When exploring the correlation between the circumference ratio and body fat percentage, the circumference ratio was suitable for early screening of abnormal body fat percentage, and the cutoff value was calculated. Body composition and circumference were significantly different among the three groups: (waist + hip)-to-height, hip-to-height, and waist-to-height ratios were strongly correlated with body fat percentage. CONCLUSIONS: (Waist + hip)-to-height ratio can be used as a simple evaluation index for indicating abnormal body fat percentage when higher than 1.032 in male and 1.047 in female individuals. Downregulating the normal upper limit for body mass index to 24.4 and 23.8 kg/m2 in male and female individuals, respectively, is recommended. Body mass index combined with (waist + hip)-to-height ratio allowed for more accurate screening of normal-weight obesity as an easy and cost-free evaluation measure for abnormal body fat percentage.

Chromatographic Separation of Aromatic Amine Isomers: A Solved Issue by a New Amphiphilic Pillar[6]arene Stationary Phase.

In this work, the fabrication, synthesis, and characterization of a new stationary phase based on an amphiphilic pillar[6]arene (P6A-C10-2NH2) for gas chromatographic analyses are reported. The gas chromatography (GC) column prepared with P6A-C10-2NH2 stationary phase exhibited a medium polarity, an efficiency of 3219 plates/m, and unmatched resolving capabilities toward chloroaniline, bromoaniline, iodoaniline, and toluidine isomers. Furthermore, the P6A-C10-2NH2 column showed excellent repeatability with maximum relative standard deviations equal to 0.02, 0.07, and 2.56% for run-to-run, day-to-day, and column-to-column, respectively, demonstrating a great potential as a new stationary phase in separation science.

A New Capillary Gas Chromatography Column Based on Poly(ethylene glycol) Methyl Ether-Functionalized Calix[4]arene.

In this work, a novel capillary column (C4A-mPEG) with a calixarene-based polymer stationary phase (poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether-functionalized 4-tert-butylcalix[4]arene) was designed and used for gas chromatographic (GC) separations. The C4A-mPEG capillary column, prepared by the static coating method, showed moderate polarity and a column efficiency of 2332 plates/m, determined by 1-octanol at 120 °C. The separation features of C4A-mPEG stationary phase, resulting from its unique structure and multiple molecular recognition processes with analytes, including π-π, H-bonding, dipole-dipole, and van der Waals interactions, allowed to obtain high-resolution performances for a wide range of compounds and their isomers, especially benzaldehydes, phenols, and anilines. Moreover, compared with 4-tertbutyl calix[4]arene (C4A) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) stationary phases, a higher resolving capability was also observed for the separation of toluidine and xylidine isomers.

Body Fat Percentage and Normal-Weight Obesity in the Chinese Population: Development of a Simple Evaluation Indicator Using Anthropometric Measurements.

Few studies explore the associations between body fat percentage (BFP) prediction and evaluation indicators for Chinese with normal-weight obesity. We aimed to explore convenient and cost-free BFP evaluation indicators to routinely monitor BFP status in Chinese patients with normal-weight obesity. Participants (N = 164) were divided into three groups according to body mass index (BMI) and BFP: normal-weight lean, normal-weight obese, and overweight and obese. Differences in body composition and circumference were compared to examine the relationship between BFP and circumference, determine a simple evaluation indicator reflecting BFP, and identify cutoff values for normal-weight obesity circumference. Significant differences in body composition and circumference were observed among the three groups. The correlation between thigh/height, hip/height, (hip + waist)/height, and BFP was stronger than that with BMI. The (hip + waist)/height ratio was the indicator most reflective of BFP (95% confidence interval: 3.004−9.018, p = 0.013), and a ratio above 1.115 (95% confidence interval: 0.936−0.992, p < 0.001) was predictive of normal-weight obesity. Furthermore, we suggest that the upper value for a normal BMI in Chinese individuals be lowered to 23.4 kg/m2 (95% confidence interval: 0.984−0.999, p < 0.001). The (hip + waist)/height ratio can be used with body mass index for a more accurate evaluations of BFP abnormalities and health risks.

Performance and selectivity of amphiphilic pillar[5]arene as stationary phase for capillary gas chromatography.

Pillar[n]arenes possess highly symmetrical and rigid pillar-shaped architecture with π-electron rich cavity that afford their reliable host-guest recognition interactions towards matched guests. In this work, a novel amphiphilic pillar[5]arene (P5A-C10-2NH2) was designed, synthesized and employed as the stationary phase for capillary gas chromatography. To date, they have not been reported in the field of chromatography. The P5A-C10-2NH2 capillary column (10 m × 0.25 mm i.d.) was prepared by static coating method. Its capillary column exhibited moderate polarity and column efficiency of 2265 plates/m determined by naphthalene at 120 °C. As evidenced, the P5A-C10-2NH2 column achieved advantageous separation performance for a mixture of 24 analytes of diverse types and exhibited different chromatographic selectivity from two pillar[5]arene derivatives columns and commercial HP-35 column with 35%-phenyl-methylpolysiloxane. Moreover, the P5A-C10-2NH2 column baseline resolved more than a dozen positional and cis-trans isomers. Furthermore, the separation mechanism of P5A-C10-2NH2 column was discussed by quantum chemical calculations. In addition, the P5A-C10-2NH2 column had high thermal stability and excellent separation repeatability 0.01-0.04% for run-to-run, 0.03-0.17% for day-to-day and 3.2-3.9% for column-to-column. The special amphiphilic structure and high resolution for various analytes reveal the good potential of pillararenes as a new class of stationary phases for chromatographic analyses. Moreover, the TPG column achieved improved thermal stability over the GIL column and excellent repeatability.

Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Separation Performance of p-tert-butyl(tetradecyloxy)calix[6]arene.

This work describes the investigation of separation performance of the p-tert-butyl(tetradecyloxy)calix[6]arene (C6A-C10-OH) as stationary phase for gas chromatography (GC) separations. Its structure was characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, MS and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The C6A-C10-OH column shows good separation capacity for aliphatic, aromatic and cis-/trans- isomers. Especially, it exhibits multiple molecular recognition interactions for the analytes with a wide range of polarity, including dispersion, π-π, H-bonding and dipole-dipole interactions. The present work provides experimental and theoretical basis for the designing of the new calixarene stationary phases in GC analyses.

The reliability and effectiveness of shoulder joint evaluation by ultrasonography in stroke patients: deltoid muscle thickness, acromion-humeral distance, acromion-lesser tuberosity distance.

[Purpose] This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) in measuring deltoid muscle thickness (DMT) at different angles, acromion-humeral distance (AHD), and acromion nodule tuberosity (ALT) distance in a resting position in stroke patients using ultrasonography. [Participants and Methods] We included 40 stroke patients. During the measurement of parameters by ultrasonography, we measured the deltoid muscle thickness on both sides at three test angles (0°, 30°, and 60° abduction) and AHD and ALT on both sides at 0° angle. The ICC was used to assess intra- and interrater reliability. The relationship between the hemiplegic and non-hemiplegic sides and each angle were analyzed using a two-way repeated-measure analysis of variance (ANOVA). [Results] When the shoulders were at three testing angles (0°, 30°, and 60° abduction), the deltoid muscle thickness of the hemiplegic and non-hemiplegic sides showed good reliability; the AHD and ALT of the shoulder joint at 0° angle equally showed good reliability. There was a significant difference in each abduction angle of the shoulder joint between the thickness of the hemiplegic and non-hemiplegic deltoid. [Conclusion] Measuring deltoid muscle thickness by ultrasonography showed excellent reliability and can be used in stroke patients.

Evaluation of supraspinatus muscle changes in the shoulder joint of stroke patients with hemiplegic and shoulder subluxation using ultrasonography: comparison between affected and unaffected sides.

[Purpose] The shoulder joint has a very unstable structure yet a significantly wide range of motion. Weakness of the muscles around the shoulder joint may cause shoulder joint subluxation. This study aimed to determine changes in supraspinatus muscle thickness between different shoulder abduction angles using ultrasonography and to compare differences in supraspinatus muscle thickness changes between the affected and unaffected sides depending on shoulder joint subluxation. [Participants and Methods] Forty hemiplegic patients with stroke were recruited (20 patients with and 20 without shoulder subluxation). Using ultrasonography, we measured supraspinatus muscle thickness at three shoulder joint abduction angles and calculated the differences in supraspinatus muscle thickness. Depending on subluxation, we separately analyzed the thickness and variations in the supraspinatus muscle on both the affected and unaffected sides. [Results] In stroke patients with shoulder subluxation, the difference in supraspinatus muscle thickness was significantly less in the affected side than in the unaffected side. [Conclusion] The thickness and rate of supraspinatus muscle thickness change was significantly less in the affected side than in the unaffected side in stroke patients with shoulder subluxation.

Effect of hip external rotator muscle contraction on pelvic floor muscle function and the piriformis.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: There is a lack of in-depth understanding of the muscles surrounding the pelvic floor muscle (PFM). The study aimed to investigate the functional relationship between PFM and hip external rotator muscles by observing the piriformis muscle thickness and displacement of the bladder base under different contraction conditions of the hip external rotator and/or PFM. We hypothesized that PFM function would be the strongest when the hip external rotator and PFM contracted simultaneously and that during PFM contraction, the piriformis muscle would act as an auxiliary muscle and show coactivation. METHODS: The participants included 13 healthy adult women (mean age 23.8 ± 2.8 years). The three contraction conditions were PFM contraction, hip external rotator contraction, and simultaneous contraction of the hip external rotator and PFM. During the tasks, the piriformis muscle thickness and bladder base displacement were measured using ultrasonography and compared among the contraction conditions using one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Significant differences were noted in bladder base displacement among the three contraction conditions (P < 0.01), with PFM contraction having the highest value. The piriformis muscle thickness showed the greatest increase in simultaneous contraction. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we showed PFM contraction positively influences piriformis contraction, while PFM function operationalized by bladder base displacement was highest during PFM contraction alone.

The immediate effects of neuromuscular joint facilitation on chronic low back pain in young and elderly people.

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the changes in the pain severity and muscle hardness of the multifidus and longissimus muscles of young and elderly patients with low back pain after neuromuscular joint facilitation treatment. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 13 young patients and 11 elderly patients with chronic low back pain. The neuromuscular joint facilitation lumbar approach was used in all participants. The muscle hardness of the multifidus and longissimus muscles was assessed at the L4 and L5 levels of the lumbar spine. The changes in pain severity of low back pain were assessed using a visual analogue scale before and after treatment. [Results] Visual analogue scale scores significantly decreased in both groups after treatment. The young group showed significant differences in muscle hardness pre- and post-intervention. In addition, except for the muscle hardness of the multifidus muscle before intervention, on the side with pain at the L5 level, longissimus muscle hardness was higher in the elderly, as compared to the young patient group. [Conclusion] Interventions with neuromuscular joint facilitation have an immediate effect on pain relief in young and elderly people with chronic low back pain and on muscle spasms in young people with chronic low back pain.

Curative effect of long-term intervention using a new device in patients with chronic low back pain.

[Purpose] This study aimed to observe the changes in the thickness of the transverse abdominis muscle after long-term training with a new device using ultrasound imaging and to determine the impact of these changes on chronic low back pain (CLBP). [Participants and Methods] This study included 60 participants with CLBP, who were divided into groups that adopted different positions during the training regimen: new device intervention group (NDG), sitting training group (STG), and supine training group (SPTG). Patients in the NDG used the new device during training. We measured the thickness of the transverse abdominis muscle and determined the pain level using the visual analog scale (VAS). [Results] After 8 weeks of training, the thickness of the transverse abdominis muscle changed in all the three groups, with the change being significantly greater in the NDG than in the other groups. Additionally, the VAS results indicated that the pain relief was highest when the new device was used. [Conclusion] The thickness of the transverse abdominis muscle increased the most in patients who were trained with the new interventional device, and the CLBP was significantly relieved in them.

Analysis of the relationship between the transversus abdominis and lower back pain using an ultrasound.

[Purpose] This study aimed to observe the thickness of the transverse abdominis muscle in different contraction states using ultrasound, and to investigate the diagnostic capability of transverse abdominal muscle thickness for nonspecific lower back pain. [Participants and Methods] This study included 108 healthy adults (30-50 years old), consisting of 33 participants with low back pain (13 males, 20 females; defined as those who had experienced low back pain for more than six months) and 75 participants without low back pain (22 males, 53 females). The body mass index, body trunk muscle mass, and transverse abdominal muscle thickness, measured at a static state, during the end of inspiration, end of expiration, transverse abdominis contraction, and simultaneous pelvic floor and transverse abdominis muscle contraction, were measured. [Results] Chronic low back pain was correlated with the transverse abdominis muscle thickness during simultaneous transverse abdominis and pelvic floor muscle contraction. [Conclusion] The thickness of the transverse abdominis muscle during simultaneous transverse abdominis and pelvic floor muscle contraction was a viable diagnostic index for evaluating the degree of chronic lower back pain.

Effect of the COVID-19 lockdown period on the physical condition, living habits, and physical activity of citizens in Beijing, China.

[Purpose] We aimed to explore the effects of the COVID-19-induced lockdown in Beijing. [Participants and Methods] We distributed a web-based questionnaire survey among 1,029 Beijing citizens to inquire about their physical condition, living habits, and physical activity before and during home isolation. [Results] In the context of forced home isolation due to COVID-19, both males and females reported reductions in daily steps and weekly exercise time and significant increases in daily physical activity time and daily sitting time. The proportions of smokers, patients with metabolic syndrome, and patients with internal diseases were higher in males than in females; females had lower daily step counts and spent more time sitting. [Conclusion] The COVID-19 lockdown affected the physical condition, living habits, and physical activity of both males and females; females were more affected than males. People should be cognizant of the various effects of COVID-19 lockdowns on the body. We recommend a reasonable diet and appropriate home exercise. There is a need to develop training methods and evaluation tools for home exercises in COVID-19 lockdowns.

Utility of the ability for basic movement scale II as a prediction method of ambulation ability in patients after the hip fracture surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study was to investigate whether the Ability for Basic Movement Scale II (ABMS II) at admission of the convalescent rehabilitation ward (CRW) could predict the ambulation ability in patients after hip fracture surgery. METHODS: The data of the ABMS II and Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) of 118 postsurgical patients with hip fracture who were transferred to the CRW were retrospectively analyzed (mean age 82.7 ± 7.9, female/male: 89/29). Binary logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were used to investigate the predictive value of ABMS II for walking ability at discharge. RESULTS: Spearman's correlation analysis showed that there were significantly positive correlations between the ABMS II score at admission and FAC score at discharge (ρ = 0.70, P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that ABMS II and BMI can be the predictor in both FAC <4 or ≥4 groups. ROC analysis indicated that an optimal cutoff of 24.5 points of ABMS II score predicted independent walking ability (area under the Curve (AUC) 0.87, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The ABMS II at admission in CRW can be a prediction method of ambulation recovery for the patients after hip fracture surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study.