Fuzheng Huayu recipe inhibits bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats by inhibiting M2 polarization of macrophages via the oxidative phosphorylation pathway.

Fuzheng Huayu recipe (FZHYR) is a Chinese patent medicine for the treatment of fibrosis. The effects of FZHYR on pulmonary fibrosis and macrophage polarization were investigated in vitro. FZHYR inhibited pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis and M2 polarization of macrophages in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis (BPF) of rat model. Differentially expressed genes were screened by high-throughput mRNA sequencing and GSEA showed that oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) was correlated with BPF. FZHYR inhibited expressions of Ndufa2 and Ndufa6 in lung tissues of BPF rats. These findings suggest that OXPHOS pathway serves as a possible target for pulmonary fibrosis therapy by FZHYR.

The role of pirfenidone in the treatment of interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features.

OBJECTIVES: No approved pharmacotherapies are available for patients with interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF). In the present work, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pirfenidone for the treatment of IPAF. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study consisting of patients who met diagnostic criteria for IPAF was performed after a multidisciplinary review, and the patients receiving pirfenidone were compared with those in the non-pirfenidone group. The baseline data and diagnostic characteristics of patients were assessed. Pulmonary function and prednisone dose were analysed by a mix-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 184 patients, who met the diagnostic criteria of IPAF, were divided into two groups: pirfenidone group (n=81) and non-pirfenidone group (n=103). Patients in the pirfenidone group had a lower forced vital capacity (FVC%, p<0.001) and a lower diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO%, p=0.003). The pirfenidone group exhibited a greater increase of FVC% at 6 (p=0.003), 12 (p=0.013), and 24 (p=0.003) months. After adjustment for sex, age, UIP pattern, baseline FVC% and DLCO%, patients in the pirfenidone group continued to show a greater improvement in FVC% (χ2(1)=4.59, p=0.032). Subgroup analysis identified superior therapeutic effects of pirfenidone in patients with dosage >600 mg/day (p=0.010) and medication course >12 months (p=0.007). Besides, the pirfenidone group had a lower prednisone dose than the non-pirfenidone group after 12 months of treatment (p=0.002). Moreover, 17 patients (19.32%) experienced side effects after taking pirfenidone, including one case of anaphylactic shock. CONCLUSIONS: Pirfenidone (600-1,800 mg/day) might help improve FVC, with an acceptable safety and tolerability profile in IPAF patients.

Chest high-resolution computed tomography can make higher accurate stages for thoracic sarcoidosis than X-ray.

BACKGROUND: To explore if chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) can make higher accurate stages for thoracic sarcoidosis stage than X-ray (CRX) only. METHODS: Clinical data from medical records of consecutive patients with a confirmed diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital from January 1 2012 to December 31 2016 and consecutive patients treated at the Sarcoidosis Center of University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Ohio, USA from January 1 2010 to December 31 2015 were reviewed. The clinical records of 227 patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis (140 Chinese and 87 American) were reviewed. Their sarcoidosis stage was determined by three thoracic radiologists based on CXR and HRCT presentations, respectively. The stage determined from CXR was compared with that determined from HRCT. RESULTS: Overall, 50.2% patients showed discordant sarcoidosis stage between CXR and HRCT (52.9% in Chinese and 44.8% in American, respectively). The primary reason for inconsistent stage between CXR and HRCT was failure to detect mediastinal lymph node enlargement in the shadow of the heart in CXR (22.1%) and small nodules because of the limited resolution of CXR (56.6%). Stage determined from HRCT negatively correlated with carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) significantly (P < .01) but stage determined from CXR did not. Pleural involvement was detected by HRCT in 58 (25.6%) patients but only in 17 patients (7.5%) by CXR. Patients with pleural involvement had significantly lower forced vital capacity and DLCO than patients without it (both P < .05). CONCLUSION: Revised staging criteria based on HRCT presentations included 5 stages with subtypes in the presence of pleural involvement were proposed. Thoracic sarcoidosis can be staged more accurately based on chest HRCT presentations than based on CXR presentations. Pleural involvement can be detected more accurately by HRCT.

Maricaulis alexandrii sp. nov., a novel active bioflocculants-bearing and dimorphic prosthecate bacterium isolated from marine phycosphere.

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, straight or curved rods and dimorphic prosthecate bacterium designated as strain LZ-16-1T was isolated from phycosphere microbiota of routinely laboratory-cultured and highly-toxic marine dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella LZT09. Strain LZ-16-1T produces active bioflocculanting exopolysaccharides (EPS). Cells were dimorphic with non-motile prostheca, or non-stalked and motile by a single polar flagellum. Growth occurred at 10-40 °C, pH 5-9 and 1-8% (w/v) NaCl, with optimum growth at 25 °C, pH 7-8 in the presence of 2-4% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain LZ-16-1T was affiliated to the genus Maricaulis, and closely related to M. parjimensis MCS 25T (99.5%) and M. virginensis VC-5T (99.0%). However, based on genome sequencing and phylogenomic calculations, the average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digtal DNA-DNA genome hybridization (dDDH) values between strains LZ-16-1T and its closest relative, M. parjimensis MCS 25T were only 85.0 and 20.9%, respectively. The dominant fatty acids of strain LZ-16-1T were summed feature 8, C16:0, C17:0, C18:0, C18:1 ω9c and summed feature 9. Major polar lipids were sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol, six glycolipids, one unidentified phospholipid and one unidentified polar lipid. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was Q-10. The DNA G + C content calculated from the genome was 63.6 mol%. Physiological and chemotaxonomic characterizations further confirmed the distinctiveness of strain LZ-16-1T from other Maricaulis members. Thus, strain LZ-16-1T represents a novel species of the genus Maricaulis, for which the name Maricaulis alexandrii sp. nov. (type strain LZ-16-1T = KCTC 72194T = CCTCC AB 2019006T) is proposed.

[Allergen Analysis of 4622 Children with Allergic Diseases in Shaanxi Province].

OBJECTIVE: To study the distributional characteristics of allergens in children with allergic diseases in Shaanxi province. METHODS: A total of 4 622 children diagnosed with allergic diseases in the Asthma Center, Department of Pediatrics, Xijing Hospital from March 2015 to February 2019 were selected. Serum allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) of 19 common kinds of allergens were examined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The children were divided into different groups according to sex, age and geographical regions, and the distributional characteristics of allergens of the different groups were compared. RESULTS: The overall positive rate for the 19 allergens of the 4 622 children was 62.8%. The ranking of the positive rates for individual allergens from high to low were as follows: 24.2% for milk, 18.0% for mold mix, 16.7% for dog dander, 16.4% for house dust mite, 11.7% for cat dander, 10.7% for cashew, 10.6% for weed pollen, 8.8% for egg white, 7.8% for house dust, 7.7% for tree pollen, 5.6% for amaranth, 4.9% for mulberry tree, 3.6% for mango, 3.2% for beef, 2.8% for cockroach, 2.1% for crab, 1.5% for shrimp, 0.8% for pineapple, and 0.3% for shellfish. Analysis based on sex showed that the allergen positive rates in boys were higher than those in girls. Analysis by age difference showed that generally the positive rates for inhaled allergens increased along with the increase in patient age, while the positive rates for ingested allergens decreased along with the increase in patient age. Analysis by geographical regions showed that the positive rate of house dust mite in the patients from the southern part of Shaanxi, the positive rate of weed pollen in the patients from the northern part of Shaanxi and the positive rates of milk and egg white in the patients from the central part of Shaanxi were higher than those in other areas. The cluster analysis and correlation analysis showed that the 19 allergens could be roughly divided into 4 categories. There were moderate correlations among tree pollen, mulberry tree and amaranth. There were moderate correlations among mulberry tree, mango and amaranth. There was moderate correlation between shrimp and crab, and there were mild or weak correlations among most of the other allergens. CONCLUSION: Among the 4 622 children with allergic diseases in Shaanxi Province who were treated in the Asthma Center, Department of Pediatrics, Xijing Hospital, male patients showed higher sensitivity to allergens. The positive rates of inhaled allergens increased, while the positive rates of ingested allergens decreased with increase in patient age. There were regional differences in the distribution of allergens. Some allergens were correlated with each other, which may be related to cross-reaction.

[Detoxification mechanism of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata combined with dried Rehmanniae Radix based on metabolic enzymes in liver].

The enzymes CYP1 A2 and CYP3 A4 were measured by building a "Cocktail" probe drug and the incubation system of liver microsomes. The compatibility of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata combined with dried Rehmanniae Radix on CYP450 enzyme protein and gene expression was explored from the level of protein and molecular biology. It explored the molecular mechanism of compatibility detoxication of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata to provide scientific support for clinical safe and effective application of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata. The CYP450 enzyme activity was determined by using "Cocktail" probe drugs. The content of CYP450 enzyme was measured by CO reduction of differential spectrum method. The mRNA expression of CYP1 A2 and CYP3 A4 enzyme was detected by RT-PCR technology. Compared with the blank group, the CYP1 A2 and CYP3 A4 enzyme activity and mRNA expression were increased in the dried Rehmanniae Radix combined with Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata group with significant differences(P<0.05), while the CYP3 A4 enzyme activity and mRNA expression were no influence in the Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata group. The CYP3 A4 enzyme activity and mRNA expression were increased in the dried Rehmanniae Radix and the dried Rehmanniae Radix combined with Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata group, and there were significant differences(P<0.05). The content of CYP450 enzyme was decreased in the Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata group, contributed to extremely significant difference(P<0.01). The content of CYP450 enzyme was increased in the dried Rehmanniae Radix and the dried Rehmanniae Radix combined with Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata group, and there were significant differences(P<0.05). The CYP1 A2 and CYP3 A4 enzyme activity and gene expression were enhanced after dried Rehmanniae Radix combined with Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata. The metabolism of toxic ingredients of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata was accelerated to reach an effect of detoxication. The detoxication mechanism of compatibility of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata was verified from the viewpoint of liver metabolic enzymes.

Simultaneous amplification and testing method for Mycobacterium tuberculosis rRNA to differentiate sputum-negative tuberculosis from sarcoidosis.

We use the simultaneous application and testing method to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis rRNA (SAT-TB) with the endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) biopsy specimens to differentiate sputum-negative tuberculosis from sarcoidosis. In the first part, we validated the SAT-TB on the bronchial or EBUS-TBNA biopsy specimens from sputum smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis. In the second part, all EBUS-TBNA specimens for sputum smear-negative intrathoracic tuberculous lymphadenopathies or sarcoidosis were tested with the SAT-TB, acid-fast bacilli smear, and culture. In the 16 sputum-positive tuberculosis cases, 5 showed negative SAT (2 nontuberculous mycobacteria and 3 had anti-tuberculosis therapies previously); the remaining 11 were positive. Of the 41 sputum-negative tuberculosis cases in the second part, five other diseases were negative. In the remaining 36 cases, 27 sarcoidosis cases were negative; 7 in 9 with sputum-negative tuberculosis were positive (77.78%). In these 36 patients, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of the SAT method were 77.78, 100, 100, 93.10, and 94.44%, respectively. The SAT distinguished sputum-negative tuberculosis from sarcoidosis significantly ( P < 0.0001) and identified cases with active M. tuberculosis as accurately as the conventional methods (κ = 0.912, P < 0.0001). We conclude that the SAT-TB may be an effective method for using biopsy specimens to differentiate sputum-negative tuberculosis from sarcoidosis.

Preparation of Core-Shell Silver Nanoparticles@Mesoporous Silica Nanospheres with Catalytic Activities.

Core-shell silver nanoparticles@mesoporous silica spherical nanoparticles (Ag NPs@MSNs) were prepared by a two-step method. First, Ag NPs were synthesized by chemical reduction using silver nitrate (AgNO3) as the precursor, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as the stabilizer, and sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as the reductant. Then, MSNs were obtained by employing CTABstabilized Ag NPs as the template and hydrolyzing tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) precursor in the presence of the alkaline precipitant, triethanolamine (TEOA). The effects of different preparation routes (core-first vs. shell-first), type of reductants as well as extraction methods and agents were studied. The obtained core-shell NPs were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Our results showed that the core-first route was viable to produce uniform Ag NPs@MSNs with ordered mesostructures. Afterwards, those NPs were used as the catalyst to catalyze the reduction of rhodamine, a model dye compound representing organic pollutants in waste water, in the presence of NaBH4. It was found that Ag NPs@MSNs not only were efficient catalysts but also participated as coreductants in the reaction. Moreover, they exhibited almost no loss of catalytic efficacy after several reduction cycles, which indicated their promising future use as efficient recyclable catalysts for organic pollutant treatments.

The Role of Infection in Acute Exacerbation of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Acute exacerbation of IPF (AE-IPF) is associated with high mortality. We studied changes in pathogen involvement during AE-IPF and explored a possible role of infection in AE-IPF. OBJECTIVES: Our purpose is to investigate the role of infection in AE-IPF. METHODS: Overall, we recruited 170 IPF patients (48 AE-IPF, 122 stable) and 70 controls at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital. Specific IgM against microbial pathogens and pathogens in sputum were assessed. RNA sequences of pathogens in nasopharyngeal swab of IPF patients were detected by PathChip. A panel of serum parameters reflecting immune function were assessed. RESULTS: Antiviral/bacterial IgM was higher in IPF vs. controls and in AE-IPF vs. stable IPF. Thirty-eight different bacterial strains were detected in IPF patient sputum. Bacteria-positive results were found in 9/48 (18.8%) of AE-IPF and in 26/122 (21.3%) stable IPF. Fifty-seven different viruses were detected in nasopharyngeal swabs of IPF patients. Virus-positive nasopharyngeal swabs were found in 18/30 (60%) of tested AE-IPF and in 13/30 (43.3%) of stable IPF. AE-IPF showed increased inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IFN-γ, MIG, IL-17, and IL-9) vs. stable IPF and controls. Mortality of AE-IPF in one year (39.5%) was higher compared to stable IPF (28.7%).Conclusions. IPF patients had different colonization with pathogens in sputum and nasopharyngeal swabs; they also displayed abnormally activated immune response, which was exacerbated during AE-IPF.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG induced protective effect on allergic airway inflammation is associated with gut microbiota.

Great interest has been taken in the use of beneficial bacteria for allergic diseases recently, but the underlying mechanisms through which probiotics induces immune regulation or immune tolerance are poorly understood. We aimed to explore whether Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG)-induced beneficial effect relates to the change of microbiota. LGG was administered orally to mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic airway inflammation. Our findings manifested that LGG-treatment contributes to protect against OVA-induced allergic airway inflammation by expanding mesenteric CD103+DCs and accumulating mucosal Tregs. Moreover, protective effect induced by LGG is associated with gut microbiota instead of lung flora. Collectively, our findings indicate that LGG induced protective effect is associated with gut microbiota and provide a new evidence of probiotic application in the allergic airway inflammation.

High throughput 16SrRNA gene sequencing reveals the correlation between Propionibacterium acnes and sarcoidosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to use high throughput 16SrRNA gene sequencing to examine the bacterial profile of lymph node biopsy samples of patients with sarcoidosis and to further verify the association between Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) and sarcoidosis. METHODS: A total of 36 mediastinal lymph node biopsy specimens were collected from 17 cases of sarcoidosis, 8 tuberculosis (TB group), and 11 non-infectious lung diseases (control group). The V4 region of the bacterial 16SrRNA gene in the specimens was amplified and sequenced using the high throughput sequencing platform MiSeq, and bacterial profile was established. The data analysis software QIIME and Metastats were used to compare bacterial relative abundance in the three patient groups. RESULTS: Overall, 545 genera were identified; 38 showed significantly lower and 29 had significantly higher relative abundance in the sarcoidosis group than in the TB and control groups (P < 0.01). P. acnes 16SrRNA was exclusively found in all the 17 samples of the sarcoidosis group, whereas was not detected in the TB and control groups. The relative abundance of P. acnes in the sarcoidosis group (0.16% ± 0. 11%) was significantly higher than that in the TB (Metastats analysis: P = 0.0010, q = 0.0044) and control groups (Metastats analysis: P = 0.0010, q = 0.0038). The relative abundance of P. granulosum was only 0.0022% ± 0. 0044% in the sarcoidosis group. P. granulosum 16SrRNA was not detected in the other two groups. CONCLUSION: High throughput 16SrRNA gene sequencing appears to be a useful tool to investigate the bacterial profile of sarcoidosis specimens. The results suggest that P. acnes may be involved in sarcoidosis development.

[Flavonoid glycosides from callus cultures of Dysosma versipellis].

Various chromatographic techniques, including silica gel column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20, preparative thin-layer chromatography, and preparative HPLC, were employed to isolate the chemical constituents from callus cultures of Dysosma versipellis. Structures of the compounds were elucidated based on UV, IR, MS and NMR spectroscopic data analysis. Totally, seven flavonoid glycosides were isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of the callus cultures and identified as kaempferol-3-O-[6″-(3″'-methoxy)-malonyl]-ß-D-glucopyranoside(1), kaempferol-3-O-(6″-O-acetyl)-ß-D-glucopyranoside(2), kaempferide-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside(3), kaempferol-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside(4), isoquercitrin(5), quercetin-4'-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside(6) and kaempferol-3-(6″-malonyl)-ß-D-glucopyranoside(7), respectively.All these compounds were isolated from callus cultures of D. versipellis for the first time.Compounds 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 were firstly obtained from plant materials of D. versipellis, and compound 1 was a new compound.

Pharmacokinetic interaction between scutellarin and valsartan in rats.

Scutellarin is the main effective constituent of breviscapine, a flavonoid mixture isolated from the dried whole plant of Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand-Mazz, and valsartan is used as an antihypertensive drug. These two drugs have already been clinically used together to treat diabetic nephropathy (DN) in China, and the combined medications showed some enhanced protection against DN. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential pharmacokinetic interaction between scutellarin and valsartan in rats. Breviscapine injection (20 mg x kg(-1), i.v.) and valsartan (15 mg x kg-, i.g.), either alone or together were given to 18 male Sprague-Dawley rats. Concentrations of scutellarin and valsartan were quantified by HPLC, and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by non-compartmental methods. We found that the pharmacokinetic parameters of scutellarin altered significantly after co-administration of oral valsartan. The plasma clearance (CL(p)) and the bile clearance (CL(b)) of scutellarin were reduced significantly in the presence of valsartan. After oral administration of valsartan with or without intravenous scutellarin, however, the pharmacokinetic parameters of valsartan were comparable. In conclusion, our data suggests that the concurrent use of valsartan reduces the biliary excretion of scutellarin, and this may be due to the inhibitory effect of valsartan on the biliary excretion of scutellarin mediated by Mrp2 (Multidrug resistance-associated protein 2).

[Hematological Characteristics of Different Genotypes of Thalassemia among Reproductive Population in Chongqing].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the hematological characteristics and genotype distribution of thalassemia among people at reproductive age in Chongqing. METHODS: Hematology analysis and capillary electrophoresis were performed in 29 145 participants at reproductive age. The patients with positive results were confirmed by thalassemia genotyping. Genotype distribution and characteristics of mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and hba2 levels in thalassemia patients were analyzed. RESULTS: --SEA/αα (45.10%), -α3.7/αα (39.31%) and -α4.2/αα (8.46%) were the most common genotypes of α-thalassemia, while CD17 (HBB: c. 52A>T) (31.67%), CD41-42 (HBB: c. 126-129 del TTCT) (26.87%) and IVS-Ⅱ-654 (HBB: c. 316-197 C>T) (24.21%) were the most common genotypes of ß-thalassemia in Chongqing. In α-thalassemia ααCS/αα showed the lowest hba2 value (2.18±0.23)%, while --SEA/αα showed the lowest MCV (71.9±8.5) fl and MCH (22.7±3.3) pg value. The patients in ßE (HBB: c. 79G>A) group showed comparatively higher values of MCV and MCH and significantly lower HbA and hba2 values than the other genotypes. There was no significant difference in HbA, hba2, MCV, MCH levels of the patients between pregnant group and non-pregnant group. CONCLUSIONS: In Chongqing, there are differences in hematological characteristics among patients with different thalassemia genotypes. There is no significant effect of pregnancy on HbA, hba2, MCV and MCH has been found.

Topochemical synthesis of cobalt oxide-based porous nanostructures for high-performance lithium-ion batteries.

Two kinds of topochemical conversion routes from cobalt hydroxide precursors to cobalt oxide-based porous nanostructures are presented: pyrolysis in air and hydrothermal treatment by the Kirkendall diffusion effect. These cobalt hydroxide precursors were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal approach with sodium acetate as mineralizer at 200 °C. Detailed proof indicates that the process of cobalt hydroxide precursor growth is dominated by a nucleation, dissolution, renucleation, growth, and exfoliation mechanism. By the topochemical conversion processes several Co(3)O(4) nanostructures, such as cobalt oxide-coated cobalt hydroxide carbonate nanowires, cobalt oxide nanotubes, hollow cobalt oxide spheres, and porous cobalt oxide nanowires, have been synthesized. The obtained Co(3)O(4) nanostructures have also been evaluated as the anode materials in lithium-ion batteries. It was found that the as-prepared Co(3)O(4) nanostructures exhibited high reversible capacity and good cycle performance due to their porous structure and small size.

Prognostic factors affecting the short-term efficacy of non-surgical treatment of chronic periodontitis: a multilevel modeling analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study is aimed to analyze the prognostic factors affecting the short-term efficacy of non-surgical treatment of patients in periodontitis from stage II to stage IV by the multilevel modeling analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 58 patients with chronic periodontitis were included in this study. Patients were clinically explored before and 3 months after the treatment and the difference in probing depth was determined [Reduction of probing depth (Δ PD) = baseline PD - finial probing depth (FPD)] which is considered as the therapeutic evaluation. Three different levels were analyzed: patients, teeth and sites to construct a multi-layer linear model. RESULTS: Probing depth (PD) improved significantly compared with that before treatment (p < 0.05), in which FPD was (3.90 ± 1.39) mm, and the ΔPD was (1.79 ± 0.97) mm. Compared with the mesial sites and distal sites of the multi-rooted teeth, the number of PD ≥ 5 mm or PD < 5 mm after the treatment was significantly different (P < 0.05), and the proportion of PD < 5 mm was higher in mesial sites. The null model showed that Δ PD varied greatly between groups at various levels (P < 0.001), with prediction variable of site level, tooth level, and patient level accounted for 66%, 18%, and 16% of the overall difference, respectively. The complete model showed that the Δ PD of smokers was significantly lower than that of non-smokers (P < 0.001). The Δ PD of the mesial and distal sites was larger than that of the buccolingual central site (P < 0.001). The Δ PD of single-rooted teeth was larger than that of multi-rooted teeth (P < 0.001). The baseline PD, tooth mobility (TM), bleeding index (BI), clinical attachment loss (CAL) were significantly negatively correlated with Δ PD (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with periodontitis from stage II to stage IV, who were non-smoking, have good compliance, good awareness of oral health, and low percentage sites with PD ≥ 5 mm at baseline, single-rooted teeth with hypomobility, less clinical attachment loss and lower bleeding index and sites of mesial or distal can obtain an ideal short-term efficacy of non-surgical treatment.

[Analysis of 34 800 cases of Abnormal Hemoglobinopathy in Couples of Child-bearing Age in Chongqing Area].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the abnormal hemoglobinopathy in couples of child-bearing age in Chongqing. METHODS: A total of 34 800 subjects of child-bearing age were screened for thalassemia by using capillary electrophoresis from January 2015 to September 2018. PCR-flow cytometry fluorescence hybridization assay was used to detect the common thalassemia gene deletions and mutations. RESULTS: 8 kinds of abnormal hemoglobinopathy were detected in 200 cases from 34 800 subjects of child-bearing age, the detection rate was 0.57% in couples of child-bearing age in Chongqing: Among 200 cases of abnormal hemoglobin pathy, Hb E was found in 90 cases (accounting for 45.0%), and Hb D in 25 cases (accounting for 12.5%). Hb NewYork was found in 25 cases (accounting for 12.5%). HbJ-bangkok was found in 25 cases (accounting for 12.5%), and Hb Q-Thailand in 16 cases (accounting for 8.0%). Hb Hope was detected in 15 cases (accounting for 7.5%). Hb S was detected in 3 cases (accounting for 1.5%). Hb Hasharon was detected in 1 case (accounting for 0.5%). The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) of Hb E and Hb Q-Thailand were lower than normal reference intervals. CONCLUSION: The detection rate of abnormal hemoglobinopathy in Chongqing is higher than the average level in China. Capillary electrophoresis can effectively screen abnormal hemoglobinopathy, which is great significant for aristogenesis and improvement of population quality.

Risk factors for quinolone-resistant Escherichia coli infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance to quinolone is rising worldwide, especially in Escherichia coli causing various infections. Although many studies have been conducted to identify the risk factors for quinolone-resistant Escherichia coli (QREC) infection, the results are inconsistent and have not been systematically reported. The aim of the present study is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the potential risk factors for QREC infection. Methods: A systematic search was performed to collect published data in the EMBASE, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library up to April 2019. Risk factors were analyzed using the pooled odds ratio (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CIs). Results: Twenty-seven trials involving 67,019 participants were included in the present study. The following risk factors associated with QREC infection were identified: (1) male (OR = 1.41), (2) hepatic cirrhosis (OR = 2.05), (3) diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.62), (4) cardiovascular disease (OR = 1.76), (5) neurogenic bladder (OR = 8.66), (6) renal dysfunction (OR = 2.47), (7) transplantation (OR = 2.37), (8) urinary tract infection (OR = 2.79) and urinary tract abnormality (OR = 1.85), (9) dementia (OR = 5.83), (10) heart failure (OR = 5.63), (11) neurologic disease (OR = 2.80), (12) immunosuppressive drugs (OR = 2.02), (13) urinary catheter (OR = 4.39), (14) nursing home resident (OR = 4.63), (15) prior surgery (OR = 2.54), (16) quinolones (OR = 7.67), (17) other antibiotics (OR = 2.74), (18) hospitalization (OR = 2.06) and (19) nosocomial infection acquisition (OR = 2.35). Conclusions: QREC infection was associated with nineteen risk factors including prior quinolones use, hospitalization, and several comorbidities. Reducing exposure to these risk factors and modification of antibiotic use are important to prevent quinolone resistance.

[Influence of Iron Deficiency on the Index of Thalassemia Screening].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of iron deficiency on the index of thalassemia screening. METHODS: 876 blood samples of the couples at childbearing age, who underwent red blood cell analysis, hemoglobin electrophoresis, ferritin and gene diagnosis were selected. The samples were divided into normal, iron deficiency, αthalassemia, α-thalassemia combining with iron deficiency, ß-thalassemia and ß-thalassemia combining with iron deficiency group. The differences of hematology index and hemolobin value A2 between each groups were analyzed. RESULTS: The value of Hb, MCV, MCH, MCHC in iron deficiency, αthalassemia, α-thalassemia combining with iron deficiency, ß-thalassemia and ß-thalassemia combining with iron deficiency group all were lower than that of normal group, while the value of RDW-CV was higher, in which the difference between ß-thalassemia was the highest. The distribution of HbA2 among each groups was not significantly different expect of ß-thalassemia. There was no significant correlation between HbA2 and ferritin level. CONCLUSION: RDW-CV increases in both iron deficiency and thalassemia. Iron deficiency has no significant effect on the level of hemoglobin A2.