The presence and clinical significance of autoantibodies in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a narrative review.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a debilitating and rapidly fatal neurodegenerative disease, which is characterized by the selective loss of the upper and lower motor neurons. The pathogenesis of ALS remains to be elucidated and has been connected to genetic, environmental and immune conditions. Evidence from clinical and experimental studies has suggested that the immune system played an important role in ALS pathophysiology. Autoantibodies are essential components of the immune system. Several autoantibodies directed at antigens associated with ALS pathogenesis have been identified in the serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid of ALS patients. The aim of this review is to summarize the presence and clinical significance of autoantibodies in ALS.

Dihydromyricetin reverses capecitabine-induced peripheral myelin dysfunction through modulation of oxidative stress.

Previous clinical reports have shown that capecitabine, an oral prodrug of 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu), can induce peripheral neuropathy, resulting in numbness, paresthesia and hypoesthesia. However, the mechanism through which capecitabine causes peripheral nerve injury remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that systemic administration of capecitabine leads to myelin abnormalities in the peripheral nerves of mice, which are possibly attributed to the death of Schwann cells, the myelinating cells in the peripheral nervous system. Furthermore, our results show that 5-Fu induces significant oxidative stress in Schwann cells by inhibiting the expression of the anti-oxidative protein DJ-1, leading to a decrease in Schwann cell markers. We found that the anti-oxidant dihydromyricetin (DMY) reverses 5-Fu-induced Schwann cell death and oxidative stress and alleviates capecitabine-induced myelin abnormalities. Taken together, our data indicate that capecitabine induces peripheral myelin dysfunction by regulating DJ-1-mediated oxidative stress in Schwann cells and reveal DMY as a potential therapeutic strategy for capecitabine-induced peripheral neuropathy.

[Spatio-temporal Change in City-level Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste Sector in China During the Last Decade and Its Potential Mitigation].

The waste sector is a significant source of greenhouse gas(GHG) emissions and clarifying its emission trends and characteristics is the premise for formulating GHG emission reduction strategies. Using the IPCC inventory model, the GHG emissions from the municipal solid waste(MSW) sector in China during 2010 to 2020 were estimated. The results showed that GHG emissions increased from 42.5 Mt in 2010 to 75.3 Mt in 2019, then decreased to 72.1 Mt in 2020. MSW landfills were the main source of GHG emissions. Further, with the increase in the proportion of waste incineration, the proportion of GHG incineration increased rapidly from 16.5% in 2010 to 60.1% in 2020. In terms of regional distribution, East and South China were the regions with the highest emissions, and Guangdong, Shandong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang were the provinces with the largest GHG emissions. Implementing MSW classification, changing the MSW disposal modes from landfilling to incineration, improving the LFG collection efficiency of landfills, and using biological functional materials as the cover soil to strengthen the methane oxidation efficiency are the main measures to achieve GHG emission reduction in waste sectors.

[Influence of the Classification of Municipal Solid Wastes on the Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Case Study of Qingdao City, China].

The municipal solid waste (MSW) sector is an important source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. MSW classification can achieve waste reduction and improve resource utilization. However, few studies have investigated the effects of MSW classification on GHG emission reduction. Therefore, the GHG emissions under different MSW disposal modes before and after classification were studied based on the life cycle assessment method in the four districts of Qingdao City. The results showed that MSW classification could significantly reduce the GHG emissions during the whole MSW treatment process. The net carbon emissions(in CO2/MSW)during the whole process of waste treatment for mode 1 (mixed collection+landfill), mode 2 (mixed collection+incineration), mode 3 (waste classification+anaerobic digestion of food waste and other incineration), and mode 4 (waste classification+anaerobic digestion of food waste, recycling of recyclable waste, and other incineration) were 686.39, -130.12, -61.88, and -230.17 kg·t-1, respectively. Improving the classification efficiency of food waste had no significant impact on carbon emissions. The reduction in carbon emissions increased linearly with the improvement of waste recycling efficiency. For every 10% increase in the recovery efficiency of recyclable waste, the net carbon emission decreased by 26.6%(16.5 kg·t-1). Appropriate separation of food waste, improving the recycling efficiency of recyclable waste, and reducing the leakage rate of biogas from anaerobic digestion are feasible strategies to reduce carbon emissions from MSW disposal units through the classification of MSW.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation attenuates hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is of two types, including continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) and intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS), which is currently applied in various neuropsychiatric disorders. This study aimed to explore the effect of cTBS and iTBS on hypertension and the mechanism using male spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat models. Norepinephrine and epinephrine levels were determined using enzyme immunoassay kits. About 60, 80, and 100% of the motor threshold were used for stimulation. The systolic blood pressure (SBP; 168 ± 3 vs. 189 ± 3 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (DBP; 134 ± 5 vs. 158 ± 4 mmHg), and mean artery pressure (MAP; 146 ± 3 vs. 170 ± 3 mmHg) were attenuated after cTBS (100%) stimulation on T4 of male SHR. The SBP (165 ± 4 vs. 189 ± 3 mmHg), DBP (136 ± 4 vs. 159 ± 2 mmHg), and MAP (146 ± 3 vs. 169 ± 2 mmHg) were alleviated after cTBS (100%) stimulation on L2. The blood pressure was also attenuated after iTBS (100%) stimulation on T4 or L2 of male SHR. The stimulation of cTBS or iTBS on S2 spinal column did not affect the blood pressure of male SHR rats. The stimulation of cTBS or iTBS has no effect on the blood pressure in male WKY rats. Norepinephrine and epinephrine levels in the male SHR rat kidneys were reduced after cTBS or iTBS stimulation on T4 and L2. These results indicated that TMS attenuates hypertension after spinal column stimulation via reduction of catecholamines. Thus, treatment with TMS may be a strategy for hypertension therapy in the future.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is currently applied in various neuropsychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of TMS on hypertension and its mechanism. We found TMS attenuates hypertension after T4 or L2 spinal column stimulation via reduction of catecholamines in male spontaneously hypertensive rat. Treatment with TMS may be a strategy for hypertension therapy in the future.

Connectomics underlying motor functional outcomes in the acute period following stroke.

Objective: Stroke remains the number one cause of morbidity in many developing countries, and while effective neurorehabilitation strategies exist, it remains difficult to predict the individual trajectories of patients in the acute period, making personalized therapies difficult. Sophisticated and data-driven methods are necessary to identify markers of functional outcomes. Methods: Baseline anatomical T1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI), and diffusion weighted scans were obtained from 79 patients following stroke. Sixteen models were constructed to predict performance across six tests of motor impairment, spasticity, and activities of daily living, using either whole-brain structural or functional connectivity. Feature importance analysis was also performed to identify brain regions and networks associated with performance in each test. Results: The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve ranged from 0.650 to 0.868. Models utilizing functional connectivity tended to have better performance than those utilizing structural connectivity. The Dorsal and Ventral Attention Networks were among the top three features in several structural and functional models, while the Language and Accessory Language Networks were most commonly implicated in structural models. Conclusions: Our study highlights the potential of machine learning methods combined with connectivity analysis in predicting outcomes in neurorehabilitation and disentangling the neural correlates of functional impairments, though further longitudinal studies are necessary.

Atomic layer deposition (ALD)-constructed TaS2nanoflakes for cancer-related nucleolin detection.

Sensitive detection of nucleolin (NCL) is of great significance for the early diagnosis of cancer. In this work, as a new type of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), TaS2nanoflakes (NFs) were precisely constructed by atomic layer deposition (ALD) on carbon fiber paper (CFP) with high specific surface area.In situobservation showed that the nucleation and growth of TaS2nanoflakes were precisely controlled by the number of ALD cycles, thereby regulating their electrochemical properties. The electrochemical performance of TaS2NFs was observed in depth, and compared with that of traditional 2D TMDCs. Due to the high surface area and conductivity, anodic/cathodic current of ∼1570µA of TaS2NFs/CFP can be obtained. Subsequently, an electrochemical biosensor based on ALD-constructed TaS2NFs/CFP for cancer-related NCL detection was fabricated. Due to the excellent electrochemical performance of TaS2NFs/CFP, ultrasensitive detection of NCL in the linear range of 0.1 pM-10 nM with a detection limit of 0.034 pM was achieved.

Knockdown of Obg-like ATPase 1 enhances sorafenib sensitivity by inhibition of GSK-3ß/ß-catenin signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Background: To clarify the molecular mechanism of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), conducive to developing an effective HCC therapy. Owing to the severe drug resistance, the clinical use of sorafenib, which is approved for HCC treatment, is limited. The precise molecular mechanisms of sorafenib drug resistance remain unclear. In the current work, we evaluated the role of Obg-like ATPase 1 (OLA1) in sorafenib resistance in HCC. Methods: The survival of HCC patients between OLA1 expression and sorafenib treatment was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier plotter. Cell viability was measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assays. Cell death was detected by propidium iodide (PI) and trypan blue staining. The mRNA and protein levels were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot (WB), respectively. Results: We found that OLA1 was highly correlated with sorafenib resistance of HCC through a public database. Further study showed that knockdown of OLA1 enhanced cell proliferation inhibition and cell death induced by sorafenib, along with a reduction of proliferation-associated proteins (c-Myc and cyclin D1) and increase of apoptosis-related proteins (cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP) in HCC cells. In addition, knockdown of OLA1 reduced the activation of glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK-3ß)/ß-catenin. Conclusions: Our results proved that OLA1 can be a potential target to enhance sorafenib sensitivity in HCC.

Relaxin increased blood pressure and sympathetic activity in paraventricular nucleus of hypertensive rats via enhancing oxidative stress.

Relaxin, an ovarian polypeptide hormone, is found in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) which is an important central integrative site for the control of blood pressure and sympathetic outflow. The aim of this study was to determine if superoxide anions modulate the effects of relaxin in the PVN. Experiments were performed in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Relaxin mRNA and protein, and its receptor, relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1) levels in PVN were 3.24, 3.17, and 3.64 times higher in SHRs than in WKY rats, respectively. Microinjection of relaxin-2 into the PVN dose-dependently increased mean arterial pressure (MAP), renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and heart rate (HR) in both WKY rats and SHRs, although the effects on MAP (16.87 ±â€¯1.99 vs. 8.97 ±â€¯1.48 mm Hg in 100 nmol), RSNA (22.60 ±â€¯2.15 vs. 11.77 ±â€¯1.43 % in 100 nmol) and HR (22.85 ±â€¯3.13 vs. 12.62 ±â€¯2.83 beats/min in 100 nmol) were greater in SHRs. Oxidative stress level was enhanced after relaxin-2 microinjection into the PVN. Pretreatment with superoxide anion scavengers or NADPH oxidase inhibitor blocked, and superoxide dismutase inhibitor potentiated the effects of relaxin-2 on MAP, RSNA and HR. RXFP1 knockdown significantly attenuated the blood pressure of SHRs, and inhibited the increases of atrial natriuretic peptide, brain natriuretic peptide, collagen I, collagen III and fibronectin in the heart of SHRs. These results demonstrated that relaxin is expressed in the PVN, and contributes to hypertension and sympathetic overdrive via oxidative stress. Down-regulation of RXFP1 in the PVN could attenuate hypertension and cardiac remodeling.

NLRP3 Inflammasome: A Potential Therapeutic Target in Fine Particulate Matter-Induced Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease.

As one of the most harmful air pollutants, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been implicated as a risk factor for multiple diseases, which has generated widespread public concern. Accordingly, a growing literature links PM2.5 exposure with Alzheimer's disease (AD). A critical gap in our understanding of the adverse effects of PM2.5 on AD is the mechanism triggered by PM2.5 that contributes to disease progression. Recent evidence has demonstrated that PM2.5 can activate NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated neuroinflammation. In this review, we highlight the novel evidence between PM2.5 exposure and AD incidence, which is collected and summarized from neuropathological, epidemiological, and neuroimaging studies to in-depth deciphering molecular mechanisms. First, neuropathological, epidemiological, and neuroimaging studies will be summarized. Then, the transport pathway for central nervous system delivery of PM2.5 will be presented. Finally, the role of NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated neuroinflammation in PM2.5 induced-effects on AD will be recapitulated.

Effect of Virtual Reality on Balance in Individuals With Parkinson Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Virtual reality (VR) is a frequently used intervention for the rehabilitation of individuals with neurological disorders. PURPOSE: The aims of this review were to identify the short-term effect of VR on balance and to compare it with the effect of active interventions in individuals with Parkinson disease (PD). DATA SOURCES: Searches for relevant articles available in English were conducted using the MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database databases from inception until March 2019. STUDY SELECTION: All randomized controlled trials comparing the effect of training with VR and the effect of training without VR on balance in individuals with PD were included. DATA EXTRACTION: Two authors independently extracted data, assessed the methodological quality, and evaluated the evidence quality of the studies. DATA SYNTHESIS: Fourteen randomized controlled trials including 574 individuals were eligible for qualitative analyses, and 12 of the studies involving 481 individuals were identified as being eligible for meta-analyses. Compared with active interventions, the use of VR improved the Berg Balance Scale score (mean difference = 1.23; 95% CI = 0.15 to 2.31; I2 = 56%). The Dynamic Gait Index and Functional Gait Assessment results were also significant after the sensitivity analyses (mean difference = 0.69; 95% CI = 0.12 to 1.26; I2 = 0%). Both provided moderate statistical evidence. However, the Timed "Up & Go" Test and the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale did not differ significantly. LIMITATIONS: Publication bias and diversity in the interventions were the main limitations. CONCLUSIONS: Existing moderate evidence of the effectiveness of VR with the Berg Balance Scale, Dynamic Gait Index, and Functional Gait Assessment for individuals with PD was promising. Although the differences did not reach the clinically important change threshold, VR was comparable to active interventions and could be considered an adjuvant therapy for balance rehabilitation in individuals with PD.

Effect of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Gait and Freezing of Gait in Parkinson Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review was to systematically assess the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) intervention on gait in individuals with Parkinson disease (PD). DATA SOURCES: We searched online electronic databases up to March 28, 2019, including MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and so on. STUDY SELECTION: The inclusion criteria for this review were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), exploring the effect of rTMS in patients diagnosed with idiopathic PD. DATA EXTRACTION: Data extraction was performed independently by 2 reviewers based on predefined criteria and the methodologic quality of included studies was quantified by the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. The outcome measure was walking performance, including walking time (short term and long term), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and so on. DATA SYNTHESIS: Among 14 eligible studies, including 298 participants (mean age ± SD [y], 63.24±9.71; 191 [64%] men) were analyzed in this meta-analysis. Walking time was improved with rTMS compared with sham rTMS (standardized mean difference [SMD] -0.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.57 to -0.03; P=.03). The score for the freezing of gait questionnaire did not differ significantly between rTMS and no intervention. Four studies compared TUG between the 2 treatment groups and no significant differences were found between the rTMS and control group (SMD -0.45; 95% CI, -1.32 to 0.41; P=.30). During the off-state, there were no significant differences in estimated effect sizes (SMD=-0.29; 95% CI, -0.79 to 0.21; P=.25), which is significantly different in on-state (SMD -0.98; 95% CI, -1.78 to -0.18; P=.02) evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the meta-analysis propose the favorable effect of rTMS on walking performance in the short term but not over the long term in individuals with PD.

Effect of endostatin overexpression on angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats.

BACKGROUND: Endostatin, a biologically active fragment of collagen XVIII, has been observed in patients with ischemic heart disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether endostatin overexpression could attenuate cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting the cyclic adenosine monophosphate-protein kinase A (cAMP-PKA) signaling pathway. METHODS: This study was examined in vivo in rats and in vitro in primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes treated with angiotensin (Ang) II to model cardiac hypertrophy. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into adenovirus (Ad)-green fluorescent protein, Ang II, Ad-endostatin, and Ang II + Ad-endostatin groups (n = 6 in each group). Four weeks later, all the rats were weighed and sacrificed after transthoracic echocardiography. Cardiac function was evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography, cardiomyocyte size was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were evaluated by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction or Western blotting, PKA level was evaluated by Western blotting, and cAMP level was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical significance among multiple groups was evaluated by one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Endostatin overexpression reduced the increases in left ventricle (LV) mass (P = 0.0063), LV mass/body weight (BW) (P = 0.0013), interventricular septal thickness (IVS) in diastole (P = 0.0013), IVS in systole (P = 0.0056), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPW) in diastole (P = 0.0291), LVPW in systole (P = 0.0080), heart weight (HW) (P = 0.0138), HW/BW (P = 0.0001), and HW/tibial length (P = 0.0372) in Ang II-treated rats. In addition, endostatin overexpression reduced cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area expansion, and reduced the levels of ANP and BNP in Ang II-treated rats (P = 0.0251 and 0.0477 for messenger RNA [mRNA]), and primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (P = 0.0188 and P = 0.0024 for mRNA; P = 0.0023 and 0.0013 for protein, respectively). Additionally, endostatin overexpression reduced the increase of cAMP (P = 0.0054) and PKA (P = 0.0328) levels in cardiomyocytes treated with Ang II. Treatment with cAMP reversed the effects of endostatin overexpression on ANP (P = 0.0263) and BNP (P = 0.0322) levels in cardiomyocytes induced by Ang II. CONCLUSION: Endostatin overexpression could alleviate cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway.

Comparative diagnostic accuracy of ACE-III and MoCA for detecting mild cognitive impairment.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to validate the reliability of the Chinese version of Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III (ACE-III) for detecting mild cognitive impairment. Furthermore, the present study compares the diagnostic accuracy of ACE-III with that of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients with MCI and 136 healthy controls were included in the study. All patients were evaluated by the Chinese version of ACE-III, MoCA and MMSE. RESULTS: Subjects in the control group showed better performance in ACE-III total score and its subdomain scores than those in the MCI group. There was a significantly positive correlation between ACE-III total score and MoCA score. Meanwhile, there was also a significantly positive correlation between ACE-III total score and MMSE score. For ACE-III total score, a cut-off point of 85 yielded a sensitivity of 97.3% and a specificity of 90.7%. The AUC for ACE-III total score was 0.978. For MoCA, a cut-off point of 23 yielded a sensitivity of 86.5% and a specificity of 97.7%. The AUC for MoCA was 0.961. There were no significant differences in diagnostic accuracy between ACE-III and MoCA. CONCLUSION: The present findings support that both ACE-III and MoCA are useful for detecting MCI in early stages.

Research on High Performance Milling of Engineering Ceramics from the Perspective of Cutting Variables Setting.

The setting of cutting variables for precision milling of ceramics is important to both the machined surface quality and material removal rate (MRR). This work specifically aims at the performance of corner radius PCD (polycrystalline diamond) end mill in precision milling of zirconia ceramics with relatively big cutting parameters. The characteristics of the cutting zone in precision milling ceramics with corner radius end mill are analyzed. The relationships between the maximum uncut chip thickness (hmax) and the milling parameters including feed per tooth (fz), axial depth of cut (ap) and tool corner radius (rε) are discussed. Precision milling experiments with exploratory milling parameters that cause uncut chip thickness larger than the critical value were carried out. The material removal mechanism was also analyzed. According to the results, it is advisable to increase fz appropriately during precision milling ZrO2 ceramics with corner radius end mill. There is still a chance to obtain ductile processed surface, as long as the brittle failure area is controlled within a certain range. The appropriate increasing of ap, not only can prevent the brittle damage from affecting the machined surface, but also could increase the MRR. The milling force increases with increasing MRR, but the surface roughness can still be stabilized within a certain range.

Experimental Investigation on Ductile Mode Micro-Milling of ZrO2 Ceramics with Diamond-Coated End Mills.

ZrO2 ceramics are currently used in a broad range of industrial applications. However, the machining of post-sintered ZrO2 ceramic is a difficult task, due to its high hardness and brittleness. In this study, micro-milling of ZrO2 with two kinds of diamond-coated end mills has been conducted on a Kern MMP 2522 micro-milling center (Kern Microtechnik GmbH, Eschenlohe, Germany). To achieve a ductile mode machining of ZrO2, the feed per tooth and depth of cut was set in the range of a few micrometers. Cutting force and machined surface roughness have been measured by a Kistler MiniDynamometer (Kistler Group, Winterthur, Switzerland) and a Talysurf 120 L profilometer (Taylor Hobson Ltd., Leicester, UK), respectively. Machined surface topography and tool wear have been examined under SEM. Experiment results show that the material can be removed in ductile mode, and mirror quality surface with Ra low as 0.02 µm can be achieved. Curled and smooth chips have been collected and observed. The axial cutting force Fz is always bigger than Fx and Fy, and presents a rising trend with increasing of milling length. Tool wear includes delamination of diamond coating and wear of tungsten carbide substrate. Without the protection of diamond coating, the tungsten carbide substrate was worn out quickly, resulting a change of tool tip geometry.

PM2.5 exposure aggravates oligomeric amyloid beta-induced neuronal injury and promotes NLRP3 inflammasome activation in an in vitro model of Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies suggested that PM2.5 exposure was associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). But the precise mechanisms by which PM2.5 contributed to AD pathogenesis have not been clarified. METHODS: In the presence or absence of neurons, oligomeric amyloid beta (oAß)-primed microglia were stimulated with PM2.5. Firstly, we determined the effects of PM2.5 exposure on neuronal injury and inflammation in neurons-microglia co-cultures. Then, we examined whether NLRP3 inflammasome activation was involved in PM2.5-induced inflammation. After that, we investigated whether PM2.5 exposure increased ROS level in oAß-stimulated microglia. At last, we examined whether ROS and NLRP3 inflammasome activation was required for PM2.5-induced neuronal injury in neurons-microglia co-cultures. RESULTS: In the present study, we showed that PM2.5 exposure aggravated oAß-induced neuronal injury and inflammation in neurons-microglia co-cultures via increasing IL-1ß production. Further, PM2.5-induced IL-1ß production in oAß-stimulated microglia was possibly dependent on NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Meanwhile, PM2.5 exposure increased ROS level in oAß-stimulated microglia. ROS was required for PM2.5-induced IL-1ß production and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in oAß-stimulated microglia. More importantly, ROS and NLRP3 inflammasome activation was required for PM2.5-induced neuronal injury in neurons-microglia co-cultures. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, these results suggested that the effects of PM2.5 under AD context were possibly mediated by NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which was triggered by ROS. Taken together, these findings have deepened our understanding on the role of PM2.5 in AD pathogenesis.

Situational Analysis of Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Control and the Use of Statin Therapy in Diabetes Patients Treated in Community Hospitals in Nanjing, China.

BACKGROUND: Comprehensive management of diabetes should include management of its comorbid conditions, especially cardiovascular complications, which are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with diabetes. Dyslipidemia is a comorbid condition of diabetes and a risk factor for cardiovascular complications. Therefore, lipid level management is a key of managing patients with diabetes successfully. However, it is not clear that how well dyslipidemia is managed in patients with diabetes in local Chinese health-care communities. This study aimed to assess how well low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was managed in Nanjing community hospitals, China. METHODS: We reviewed clinical records of 7364 diabetic patients who were treated in eleven community hospitals in Nanjing from October 2005 to October 2014. Information regarding LDL-C level, cardiovascular risk factors, and use of lipid-lowering agents were collected. RESULTS: In patients without history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), 92.1% had one or more CVD risk factors, and the most common CVD risk factor was dyslipidemia. The overall average LDL-C level was 2.80 ± 0.88 mmol/L, which was 2.62 ± 0.90 mmol/L and 2.82 ± 0.87 mmol/L in patients with and without CVD history respectively. Only 38% of all patients met the target goal and 37.3% of patients who took lipid-lowering agents met target goal. Overall, 24.5% of all patients were on lipid-lowering medication, and 36.3% of patients with a CVD history and 20.9% of patients without CVD history took statins for LDL-C management. The mean statin dosage was 13.9 ± 8.9 mg. CONCLUSIONS: Only a small portion of patients achieved target LDL-C level, and the rate of using statins to control LDL-C was low. Managing LDL-C with statins in patients with diabetes should be promoted, especially in patients without a CVD history and with one or more CVD risk factors.

Validation of the Chinese version of Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III for diagnosing dementia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to validate the reliability of the Chinese version of Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III (ACE-III) for detecting dementia. Furthermore, the present study compares the diagnostic accuracy of ACE-III with that of mini-mental state examination (MMSE). METHODS: One hundred seventy-seven patients with dementia and 180 healthy controls were included in the study. RESULTS: The reliability of ACE-III was very good (α-coefficient = 0.888). There was a significant negative correlation between Clinical Dementia Rating Scale score and total ACE-III score. Further, there was a positive correlation between MMSE score and total ACE-III score. Age exerted a significant effect on total ACE-III score, memory score, and language score. In the present study, the cutoff score of 83 showed a sensitivity of 91.1% and a specificity of 83.1%. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings support that the Chinese version of ACE-III is a reliable assessment tool for dementia. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.