[Comparison of the microbiota diversity between autogenous and anautogenous Culex pipiens pallens].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the microbiota composition and diversity between autogenous and anautogenous Culex pipiens pallens, so as to provide insights into unraveling the pathogenesis of autogeny in Cx. pipiens pallens. METHODS: Autogenous and anautogenous adult Cx. pipiens pallens samples were collected at 25 ℃, and the hypervariable regions of the microbial 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene was sequenced on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 sequencing platform. The microbiota abundance and diversity were evaluated using the alpha diversity index, and the difference in the microbiota structure was examined using the beta diversity index. The microbiota with significant differences in the abundance between autogenous and anautogenous adult Cx. pipiens pallens samples was identified using the linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe). RESULTS: The microbiota in autogenous and anautogenous Cx. pipiens pallens samples belonged to 18 phyla, 28 classes, 70 orders, 113 families, and 170 genera, and the dominant phyla included Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and so on. At the genus level, Wolbachia was a common dominant genus, and the relative abundance was (77.6 ± 11.3)% in autogenous Cx. pipiens pallens samples and (47.5 ± 8.5)% in anautogenous mosquito samples, while Faecalibaculum (0.4% ± 0.1%), Dubosiella (0.5% ± 0.0%) and Massilia (0.5% ± 0.1%) were specific species in autogenous Cx. pipiens pallens samples. Alpha diversity analysis showed that higher Chao1 index and ACE index in autogenous Cx. pipiens pallens samples than in anautogenous samples (both P values > 0.05), and lower Shannon index (P > 0.05) and Simpson index (P < 0.05) in autogenous Cx. pipiens pallens samples than in anautogenous samples. LEfSe analysis showed a total of 48 significantly different taxa between autogenous and anautogenous Cx. pipiens pallens samples (all P values < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant difference in the microbiota diversity between autogenous and anautogenous Cx. pipiens pallens.

[A multicenter prospective study on early identification of refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children].

Objective: To explore potential predictors of refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP) in early stage. Methods: The prospective multicenter study was conducted in Zhejiang, China from May 1st, 2019 to January 31st, 2020. A total of 1 428 patients with fever >48 hours to <120 hours were studied. Their clinical data and oral pharyngeal swab samples were collected; Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA in pharyngeal swab specimens was detected. Patients with positive Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA results underwent a series of tests, including chest X-ray, complete blood count, C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and procalcitonin. According to the occurrence of RMPP, the patients were divided into two groups, RMPP group and general Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (GMPP) group. Measurement data between the 2 groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U test. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations between clinical data and RMPP. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyse the power of the markers for predicting RMPP. Results: A total of 1 428 patients finished the study, with 801 boys and 627 girls, aged 4.3 (2.7, 6.3) years. Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA was positive in 534 cases (37.4%), of whom 446 cases (83.5%) were diagnosed with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia, including 251 boys and 195 girls, aged 5.2 (3.3, 6.9) years. Macrolides-resistant variation was positive in 410 cases (91.9%). Fifty-five cases were with RMPP, 391 cases with GMPP. The peak body temperature before the first visit and LDH levels in RMPP patients were higher than that in GMPP patients (39.6 (39.1, 40.0) vs. 39.2 (38.9, 39.7) ℃, 333 (279, 392) vs. 311 (259, 359) U/L, both P<0.05). Logistic regression showed the prediction probability π=exp (-29.7+0.667×Peak body temperature (℃)+0.004×LDH (U/L))/(1+exp (-29.7+0.667×Peak body temperature (℃)+0.004 × LDH (U/L))), the cut-off value to predict RMPP was 0.12, with a consensus of probability forecast of 0.89, sensitivity of 0.89, and specificity of 0.67; and the area under ROC curve was 0.682 (95%CI 0.593-0.771, P<0.01). Conclusion: In MPP patients with fever over 48 to <120 hours, a prediction probability π of RMPP can be calculated based on the peak body temperature and LDH level before the first visit, which can facilitate early identification of RMPP.

Comparative investigation of transport and deposition of nebulized particles in nasal airways following various middle turbinectomy.

BACKGROUND: Topical intranasal medication is required following functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). The optimal particle size of transnasal nebulization aimed at the sinonasal cavities is not conclusive. The current study aims to evaluate the effect of particle size and various surgery scope of middle turbinectomy (MT) on post-full FESS drug delivery to the sinonasal cavities. METHODS: Sinonasal reconstructions were performed from post-full FESS CT scans in 6 chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) patients. Four additional models representing alternative surgery scopes of MT were established from each post-FESS reconstruction for simulation data comparison. Airflow and particle deposition of nebulized delivery were simulated via computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and validated through in vitro experiments. The optimal particle sizes reaching a deposition of at least 75% of the maximum in the targeted regions were identified. RESULTS: The drug deposition rate onto the targeted regions increased following MT, with the greatest deposition following posterior MT (P-MT). Droplets in the range of 18-26 λm reached a deposition of larger than 75% of the maximum onto the targeted regions. Drug delivery rate in the sinonasal cavities varied significantly among individuals and across different types of MT with varying surgical scopes. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to investigate the effect of various surgery scope on drug delivery by transnasal nebulization to the sinonasal cavities. The findings strongly affirm the vast potential of transnasal nebulization as an effective post-FESS treatment option. Moreover, it emphasizes that the drug delivery process via atomizers to the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is highly sensitive to the particle size.

[Application of stereoscopic unequal S-plasty for reconstuction of the congenital hypoplastic ear lobe cleft associated with soft tissue deficiency].

Objective: To explore the ideal way of using the stereoscopic unequal S-plasty in reconstruction of the congenital hypoplastic ear lobe cleft with soft tissue deficiency. Methods: Data of 10 patients with the congenital hypoplastic ear lobe cleft associated with soft tissue deficiency who were treated using the stereoscopic unequal S-plasty in the plastic cosmetic surgery of Xuzhou Central Hospital from Aug 2018 to Aug 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Six patients were male, 4 were female. Their ages ranged from 6 years to 19 years old, with a mean age of 13 years. Lobe deficiency size ranged from 0.8 cm×0.5 cm to 1.2 cm×1.0 cm. Results: The post-operation flaps had no venous congestion, infection or necrosises. During 3 to 12 months of follow-up, the technique made the shape of the ear lobe smoother. The incisions left inconspicuous scars. The result was satisfactory in terms of matching the contralateral normal ear lobe in shape and symmetry. Doctors and patients were satisfied with the results. Conclusions: The stereoscopic unequal S-plasty is an effective way to correct the the severe congenital ear lobe deformity. The good result,simple manipulation and short operation time are the advantages of this method.

[Untargeted metabolomics study of dexamethasone-induced congenital cleft palate in New Zealand rabbits].

Objective: To investigate the metabolic disorders in placental tissues of dexamethasone induced cleft palate mode. Methods: Twelve pregnant rabbits were randomly divided into dexamethasone group (experimental group, 8) and saline control group (4), and a certain amount of dexamethasone and saline were administered intramuscularly to the experimental and control groups respectively from embryonic days (ED) 13 to 16, and placental tissue samples were collected on day 21 of gestation. The corresponding profiles of the embryonic placental tissue samples were obtained by liquid chromatography-triple tandem quadrupole(LC-MS), and the metabolites of the embryonic placental tissues were characterized by principal component analysis among the dexamethasone-treated group with cleft palate (D-CP group), the dexamethasone-treated group without cleft palate (D-NCP group) and the control group. Results: There were significant metabolic differences among the D-CP group, D-NCP group and control group, with a total of 133 differential metabolites (VIP>1, P<0.05) involving in important metabolic pathways including vitamin B6 metabolism, lysine metabolism, arginine anabolic metabolism, and galactose metabolism. The four metabolites, vitamin B6, galactose, lysine and urea, differed among the three groups (P<0.05). There were significant differences in vitamin B6 (0.960±0.249, 0.856±0.368, 1.319±0.322), galactose (0.888±0.171, 1.033±0.182, 1.127±0.127), lysine (1.551±0.924, 1.789±1.435, 0.541±0.424) and urea (0.743±0.142, 1.137±0.301, 1.171±0.457, respectively) levels among control group, D-NCP group and D-CP group (F=5.90, P=0.008; F=5.59, P=0.009; F=4.26, P=0.025; F=5.29, P=0.012). Conclusions: The results indicated that dexamethasone induced cleft palate may be highly correlated with metabolic disorders including vitamin B6 metabolism, lysine metabolism, arginine anabolic metabolism and galactose metabolism.

[Clinical efficacy of femoral neck screw system combined with supported hollow screw in treatment of femoral neck fractures with posterometral comminution in young and middle-aged patients].

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of dynamic cross screw system (FNS) for femoral neck fractures in young and middle-aged patients with posterior medial comminution. Methods: A retrospective cohort study. Clinical data of 197 young and middle-aged patients with femoral neck fractures accompanied by posterior medial comminution treated with closed reduction FNS and internal fixation with anti-rotation cannulated screws in Beijing Luhe Hospital, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital and Beijing Tongren Hospital from October 2019 to October 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. According to different surgical methods, the patients were divided into two groups. There were 102 patients in the FNS group, included 55 males and 47 females with a mean age of (40.49±19.79) years; and there were 95 patients in the FNS plus anti-rotation hollow screw group (combined group), included 51 males and 44 females with an average age of (40.03±18.82) years. All patients were followed-up for at least 1 year after surgery. The general clinical data, surgical conditions and Harris score of the hip joint at the last follow-up of the two groups were compared. And the clinical efficacy of the two surgical schemes were evaluated and compared. After surgery, routine X-ray and CT examinations were performed to evaluate the fracture reduction and internal fixation, and the shortening of the femoral neck on the affected side was compared to that of healthy side according to the Zlowodzki method. Results: At the last follow-up, the incidence of fracture reduction loss, screw resection and coxa vara in the combined group were all significantly lower than those in the FNS group [10 (10.5%) vs 28 (27.4%), 1 (1.0%) vs 7 (6.8%) and 9 (9.4%) vs 21 (20.5%), respectively, all P<0.05]. The incidence of nonunion and necrosis of the femoral head in the combined group were both lower than those in the FNS group, but there was no significant difference between two groups (both P>0.05). The postoperative mild, moderate and severe femoral neck shortening in the combined group were all lower than those in the FNS group, and the difference were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). At the last follow-up, the Harris score in the combined group was 84.60±2.08, and it was higher than that in the FNS group (79.57±4.31), but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.403). Conclusion: FNS plus supporting hollow screw has a good clinical effect on femoral neck fractures in young and middle-aged adults with posterior medial comminution.

Threshold of 25(OH)D and consequently adjusted parathyroid hormone reference intervals: data mining for relationship between vitamin D and parathyroid hormone.

PURPOSE: By recruiting reference population, we aimed to (1): estimate the 25(OH)D threshold that maximally inhibits the PTH, which can be defined as the cutoff value for vitamin D sufficiency; (2) establish the PTH reference interval (RI) in population with sufficient vitamin D. METHODS: Study data were retrieved from LIS (Laboratory Information Management System) under literature suggested criteria, and outliers were excluded using Tukey fence method. Locally weighted regression (LOESS) and segmented regression (SR) were conducted to estimate the threshold of 25(OH)D. Multivariate linear regression was performed to evaluate the associations between PTH concentration and variables including 25(OH)D, gender, age, estimated glomerular filtration rate (EGFR), body mass index (BMI), albumin-adjusted serum calcium (aCa), serum phosphate(P), serum magnesium(Mg), and blood collection season. Z test was adopted to evaluate whether the reference interval should be stratified by determinants such as age and gender. RESULTS: A total of 64,979 apparently healthy subjects were recruited in this study, with median (Q1, Q3) 25(OH)D of 45.33 (36.15, 57.50) nmol/L and median (Q1, Q3) PTH of 42.19 (34.24, 52.20) ng/L. The segmented regression determined the 25(OH)D threshold of 55 nmol/L above which PTH would somewhat plateau and of 22 nmol/L below which PTH would rise steeply. Multivariate linear regression suggested that gender, EGFR, and BMI were independently associated with PTH concentrations. The PTH RI was calculated as 22.17-72.72 ng/L for subjects with 25(OH)D ≥ 55 nmol/L with no necessity of stratification according to gender, age, menopausal status nor season. CONCLUSION: This study reported 25(OH)D thresholds of vitamin D sufficiency at 55 nmol/L and vitamin D deficiency at 22 nmol/L, and consequently established PTH RIs in subjects with sufficient vitamin D for northern China population for the first time.

[Clinical analysis of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for seven cases of acute myeloid leukemia with BCR::ABL1 fusion].

Objective: To explore the efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with BCR::ABL1 fusion. Methods: The clinical data of seven AML patients with BCR::ABL1 fusion from November 2012 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, and their survival status was followed up. Results: The median age of patients at the time of diagnosis was 35 years. Four cases (57.1%) were diagnosed with high leukocyte counts. All cases were assayed as BCR::ABL1 positive and accompanied by four types of gene mutations (NPM1, RUNX1, ASXL1, PHF6) . Seven patients received tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) combined with induction chemotherapy and bridged to allo-HSCT, and six patients received maintenance therapy with TKI. Before allo-HSCT, six patients achieved complete remission, and four patients achieved complete molecular remission (CMR) . After allo-HSCT, the three remaining cases also achieved CMR. All patients were in remission post-allo-HSCT. One case died of infection, and the remaining cases survived without relapse. The 3-year cumulative overall survival rate was (80.0±17.9) %. Conclusions: TKI combined with traditional chemotherapy could achieve a high response rate in AML patients with BCR::ABL1 fusion. In addition, allo-HSCT could enhance the molecular response rate. Maintenance therapy post-HSCT with TKI could improve prognosis.

[Prognosis and risk factors for mortality in cirrhotic patients with probable spontaneous bacterial peritonitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the survival outcomes and risk factors for mortality in cirrhotic patients with probable spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 323 cirrhotic patients with ascites admitted from June 2021 to May 2022, including 115 patients with SBP [ascites polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) count ≥250/mm3], 52 patients with bacterascites (PMN count < 250/mm3 with positive microbiological finding in ascites), 67 patients with probable SBP (PMN count < 250/mm3 with negative microbiological finding in ascites but clinical symptoms of SBP) and 89 patients without infection (PMN count < 250/mm3 with negative microbiological finding without clinical symptoms of SBP). The clinical characteristics, laboratory data and 90-day mortality of the patients were compared among the 4 groups. Cox proportional hazard model and propensity score matching (PSM) in a 1∶1 ratio were used to analyze the risk factors for mortality in patients with probable SBP. RESULTS: The patients with probable SBP had a 90-day mortality rate of 43.28%, similar to those of patients with SBP (46.95%, P=0.121) and bacterascites (48.07%, P=0.805) but significantly higher than that of non-infected patients (11.23%, P < 0.001). In the 46 pairs of patients matched using PSM, the 90-day mortality rates were higher in probable SBP group than in non-infected group both before (43.28% vs 11.23%, P < 0.001) and after PSM (34.78% vs 15.21%, P=0.038). Cox regression analysis indicated that probable SBP was an independent predictor of 90-day mortality in cirrhotic patients with ascites (HR=1.539, 95% CI: 1.048-2.261, P=0.028). A Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score > 15 (HR=1.943, 95% CI: 1.118-3.377, P=0.018) and procalcitonin level > 0.48 ng/mL (HR=1.989, 95% CI: 1.111-3.560, P=0.021) at diagnostic paracentesis were both independent risk factors for 90-day mortality in patients with probable SBP. CONCLUSION: Cirrhotic patients with probable SBP have poor survival outcomes, and their management should be further optimized based on their MELD score and procalcitonin level.

[Impact of vaginal delivery history on anesthesia management of hysteroscopic surgery under intravenous general anesthesia: a cohort study of 99 patients].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a history of vaginal delivery on anesthesia management of patients undergoing hysteroscopic surgery under intravenous general anesthesia without tracheal intubation. METHODS: Ninety-nine patients undergoing hysteroscopic surgery under intravenous general anesthesia were enrolled in this study, including 43 patients with (VD group) and 56 patients without a history of vaginal delivery (NVD group). For all the patients, blood pressure, heart rate (HR), blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) and bispectral index (BIS) were recorded before anesthesia (T1), after anesthesia (T2), after cervical dilation (T3), and at 3 min after cervical dilation (T4). Propofol and etomidate doses during anesthesia induction, the total dose of propofol administered, additional intraoperative bolus dose and times of propofol, intraoperative body movement, total operation time and surgeons' satisfaction feedback scores were compared between the two groups. The postoperative awake time, recovery time, VAS score at 30 min after operation, and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) were also compared. RESULTS: There was no significant differences in SBP, DBP, HR, SpO2, or BIS between the two groups at T1 and T2, but at T3 and T4, SBP and DBP were significantly higher in NVD group than in VD group (P < 0.01); HR was significantly higher in NVD group only at T3 (P < 0.01). The application of vasoactive drugs did not differ significantly between the two groups. The total dose of propofol, additional intraoperative dose and times of propofol were all greater in NVD group than in VD group (P < 0.01). More body movements of the patients were observed in NVD group (P < 0.01), which also had lower surgeons' satisfaction score for anesthesia (P < 0.01), higher postoperative VAS score (P < 0.05), and shorter postoperative awake time (P < 0.05) and recovery time (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: A history of vaginal delivery has a significant impact on anesthesia management of patients undergoing hysteroscopic surgery under intravenous general anesthesia without tracheal intubation in terms of hemodynamic changes, anesthetic medication, and postoperative recovery quality, suggesting the necessity of individualized anesthesia management for these patients.

Ruling Out Real-Valued Standard Formalism of Quantum Theory.

Standard quantum theory was formulated with complex-valued Schrödinger equations, wave functions, operators, and Hilbert spaces. Previous work attempted to simulate quantum systems using only real numbers by exploiting an enlarged Hilbert space. A fundamental question arises: are the complex numbers really necessary in the standard formalism of quantum theory? To answer this question, a quantum game has been developed to distinguish standard quantum theory from its real-number analog, by revealing a contradiction between a high-fidelity multiqubit quantum experiment and players using only real-number quantum theory. Here, using superconducting qubits, we faithfully realize the quantum game based on deterministic entanglement swapping with a state-of-the-art fidelity of 0.952. Our experimental results violate the real-number bound of 7.66 by 43 standard deviations. Our results disprove the real-number formulation and establish the indispensable role of complex numbers in the standard quantum theory.

The impact of COVID-19 on subthreshold depressive symptoms: a longitudinal study.

AIMS: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic represents an unprecedented threat to mental health. Herein, we assessed the impact of COVID-19 on subthreshold depressive symptoms and identified potential mitigating factors. METHODS: Participants were from Depression Cohort in China (ChiCTR registry number 1900022145). Adults (n = 1722) with subthreshold depressive symptoms were enrolled between March and October 2019 in a 6-month, community-based interventional study that aimed to prevent clinical depression using psychoeducation. A total of 1506 participants completed the study in Shenzhen, China: 726 participants, who completed the study between March 2019 and January 2020 (i.e. before COVID-19), comprised the 'wave 1' group; 780 participants, who were enrolled before COVID-19 and completed the 6-month endpoint assessment during COVID-19, comprised 'wave 2'. Symptoms of depression, anxiety and insomnia were assessed at baseline and endpoint (i.e. 6-month follow-up) using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), respectively. Measures of resilience and regular exercise were assessed at baseline. We compared the mental health outcomes between wave 1 and wave 2 groups. We additionally investigated how mental health outcomes changed across disparate stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in China, i.e. peak (7-13 February), post-peak (14-27 February), remission plateau (28 February-present). RESULTS: COVID-19 increased the risk for three mental outcomes: (1) depression (odds ratio [OR] = 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-1.62); (2) anxiety (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.16-1.88) and (3) insomnia (OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.07-1.77). The highest proportion of probable depression and anxiety was observed post-peak, with 52.9% and 41.4%, respectively. Greater baseline resilience scores had a protective effect on the three main outcomes (depression: OR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.19-0.37; anxiety: OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 0.14-0.33 and insomnia: OR = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.11-0.28). Furthermore, regular physical activity mitigated the risk for depression (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.79-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic exerted a highly significant and negative impact on symptoms of depression, anxiety and insomnia. Mental health outcomes fluctuated as a function of the duration of the pandemic and were alleviated to some extent with the observed decline in community-based transmission. Augmenting resiliency and regular exercise provide an opportunity to mitigate the risk for mental health symptoms during this severe public health crisis.

Toward Frameworks with Multiple Aligned and Interactive Fe(CO)3 Rotators: Syntheses and Structures of Diiron Complexes Linked by Two trans-Diaxial α,ω-Diphosphine Ligands Ar2P(CH2)nPAr2.

Reactions of (η4-benzylideneacetone)Fe(CO)3 and the α,ω-diphosphines Ar2P(CH2)nPAr2 afford the trigonal bipyramidal diiron tetraphosphorus complexes trans,trans-(CO)3Fe[Ar2P(CH2)nPAr2]2Fe(CO)3 (n/Ar = 3/Ph 3, 4/Ph 4a, 4/p-tol 4b; 56-19%). Crystal structures establish essentially parallel P-Fe-P axes, iron-iron distances of 5.894(9)-5.782(1) Å (3) and 6.403(1)-6.466(1) Å (4a,b), and van der Waals radii of 4.45 Å for the Fe(CO)3 rotators, the planes of which are offset by 0.029-1.665 Å. Analogous reactions of Ph2P(CH2)6PPh2 yield the square pyramidal monoiron complex trans-(CO)3Fe[Ph2P(CH2)6PPh2] (6', 31%), a rare case where a diphosphine spans trans basal positions (∠P-Fe-P 147.4(2)°). Both 3 and 6' exhibit two CO 13C NMR signals at room temperature, indicating slow exchange on the NMR time scale, which in the former could entail Fe(CO)3/Fe(CO)3 gearing. Under analogous conditions, 4a,b exhibit one signal. Previously reported adducts of Fe(CO)3 and Ph2P(CH2)nPPh2 are surveyed (1:1, n = 1-5; 2:2, n = 5), and the IR νC≡O band patterns and energies of all complexes analyzed with the aid of DFT calculations. The diiron complexes are preferred thermodynamically. Attention is given to limiting types of Fe(CO)3/Fe(CO)3 interactions in the diiron complexes.

Efficacy and safety of alginate formulations in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: Alginate formulations are increasingly being used for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, the benefits of alginate versus control or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are somewhat unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize data from recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy and safety of alginate-based formulation with PPIs or control for the treatment of GERD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, BioMed Central, CENTRAL, and Google scholar databases were searched from 1st January 2000 to 15th June 2020. Primary outcome was a reduction of symptoms while secondary outcomes were adverse events and treatment withdrawals. Ten articles with 11 RCTs were included. RESULTS: Qualitative analysis of four trials indicated better outcomes with alginates vs. placebo/antacids. Our pooled analysis, however, indicated no statistically significant difference between alginates and placebo/antacids for relief of heartburn, regurgitation, or dyspepsia. Similarly, no difference was seen between a combination of alginate and PPI vs. PPI alone for reduction of heartburn, regurgitation, or dyspepsia symptoms. The risk of adverse events and treatment withdrawal did not differ between the two groups in either comparison. Descriptive analysis of studies comparing alginate vs. PPI indicated no difference between the two drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that alginates may have greater efficacy than placebo/antacids in improving outcomes of GERD. However, current evidence on the efficacy of alginate-based formulations vs. PPI or the role of added alginates with PPI is questionable, and suggests no difference between the two drugs. The risk of adverse events with alginates is no greater than that of placebo or PPIs.

[Genes associated with Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility in natural populations of Culex pipiens pallens: a preliminary study].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the genes involved in Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility among three natural populations of Culex pipiens pallens in eastern China, so as to provide insights into the development of preventive and control measures for mosquito-borne diseases based on Wolbachia. METHODS: The cytoplasmic incompatibility was tested among three natural populations of C. pipiens pallens collected from Nanjing and Wuxi of Jiangsu Province and Tangkou of Shandong Province using reciprocal crosses. Wolbachia infection was detected in C. pipiens pallens using a PCR assay, and the expression of Wolbachia wsp and WD0513 genes was quantified using a fluorescent quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay. RESULTS: Bidirectional compatibility was found between the natural populations of C. pipiens pallens collected from Nanjing and Wuxi of Jiangsu Province (t = 0.57 and 0.15, both P values > 0.05), while bidirectional incompatibility was seen between the natural populations of C. pipiens pallens collected from Tangkou of Shandong Province and Wuxi of Jiangsu Province (t = 63.81 and 43.51, both P values < 0.01), and between the natural populations of C. pipiens pallens collected from Nanjing of Jiangsu Province and Tangkou of Shandong Province (t = 39.62 and 43.12, both P values < 0.01). Wolbachia wsp gene was amplified in all three natural populations of C. pipiens pallens, and qPCR assay detected no significant difference in the Wolbachia wsp gene expression among the three natural populations of C. pipiens pallens (F = 2.15, P > 0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference in the WD0513 gene expression between the natural populations of C. pipiens pallens collected from Tangkou of Shandong Province and Nanjing of Jiangsu Province (q = 8.42, P < 0.05) or between the natural populations of C. pipiens pallens collected from Tangkou of Shandong Province and Wuxi of Jiangsu Province (q = 7.84, P < 0.05); however, there was a significant difference detected in the WD0513 gene expression between the natural populations of C. pipiens pallens collected from Nanjing and Wuxi of Jiangsu Province (q = 0.40, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Different Wolbachia numbers are detected in natural populations of C. pipiens pallens collected from Nanjing and Wuxi of Jiangsu Province and Tangkou of Shandong Province, and WD0513 gene may be involved in the Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility among three natural populations of C. pipiens pallens.

LncRNA AB073614 promotes the proliferation and inhibits apoptosis of cervical cancer cells by repressing RBM5.

Since this article has been suspected of research misconduct and the corresponding authors did not respond to our request to prove originality of data and figures, "LncRNA AB073614 promotes the proliferation and inhibits apoptosis of cervical cancer cells by repressing RBM5, by L.-Y. Guo, C.-F. Qin, H.-X. Zou, M.-Y. Song, M.-L. Gong, C. Chen, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (6): 2374-2379-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201903_17382-PMID: 30964162" has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/17382.