NGF/PI3K/TRPV1 pathway mediates the regulation of visceral pain by acupuncture at "Shangjuxu" (ST37) in irritable bowel syndrome rats with chronic visceral hyperalgesia. / NGF/PI3K/TRPV1通路介导针刺"上巨虚"è°ƒèŠ‚è‚ æ˜“æ¿€ç»¼åˆå¾æ ¢æ€§å† è„ç—›æ•æ¨¡åž‹å¤§é¼ å† è„ç—›.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of manual acupuncture at "Shangjuxu"(ST37) on nerve growth factor(NGF)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/transient receptor potential vanilloid 1(TRPV1) signaling pathway in rats with chronic visceral hyperalgesia of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), so as to explore its underlying mechanism in treating IBS chronic visceral hyperalgesia. METHODS: IBS chronic visceral hyperalgesia model was established by colorectal dilation stimulation for 2 weeks for SD pups at 8 d after birth, which were fed until 8-week age after the stimulation. Then the verified successfully modeled adult rats were randomly divided into model, Shangjuxu, and non-acupoint groups, with 6 rats in each group, and 6 unmodeled rats were selected as normal group. On the next day of model evaluation, rats in the Shangjuxu group received acupuncture at right ST37 while rats in the non-acupoint group received acupuncture at the non-meridian and non-acupoint point in the right hypochondrium, both for 15 min, with manual twisting of mild reinforcing and reducing performed for 30 s at an interval of 5 min, once a day, for a total of 7 d. Abdominal withdrawal reflex(AWR) score was used to evaluate the degree of chronic visceral pain in rats. Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR were used to detect the colonic protein and mRNA expressions of NGF, tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA), PI3K and TRPV1. The positive expressions of PI3K and TRPV1 proteins in the colon of rats were detected by immunohistochemistry method. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, AWR scores corresponding to 4 pressure levels of 20, 40, 60 and 80 mm Hg, mRNA and protein expressions of NGF, TrkA, PI3K and TRPV1 in colon tissue, and positive expressions of PI3K and TRPV1 in colon tissue were significantly increased(P<0.05) in the model group. After intervention, compared with the model group, rats in the Shangjuxu group had reduced AWR scores corresponding to 4 pressure levels of 20, 40, 60 and 80 mm Hg, lower colonic mRNA and protein expressions of NGF, TrkA, PI3K and TRPV1, and decreased positive expressions of PI3K and TRPV1 in colon tissue(P<0.05), while there were no significant differences in the above indexes of the non-acupoint group. CONCLUSIONS: Manual acupuncture at ST37 can alleviate IBS chronic visceral hyperalgesia in rat and its analgesic effect may be related to regulating NGF/PI3K/TRPV1 signaling pathway.

[Effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on learning and memory ability of chronic fatigue syndrome rats and its mechanisms].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on the histomorphological manifestations of hippocampal CA1 region and the expression of extracellular regulatory protein kinase (ERK), cyclic adenosine response element binding protein (CREB) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) rats, so as to explore the mechanisms of TEAS in improving the learning and memory abilities of CFS rats. METHODS: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group (10 rats) and modeling group (30 rats); then after modeling, they were selected and randomly divided into model group (10 rats) and TEAS group (10 rats). CFS rats model was prepared by sleep deprivation combined with weight-bearing swimming. Rats in the TEAS group were stimulated with Han's acupoint nerve stimulator at bilateral "Zusanli" (ST36) and "Shenshu" (BL23) (2 Hz/15 Hz, 1-2 mA), 20 min each time, once a day for 4 weeks with 1 d rest every 6 d. The score of general conditions of rats was evaluated. The learning and memory ability was tested with Morris water maze. The morphology and ultrastructure of hippocampal CA1 region were observed by HE staining and transmission electron microscopy. The expression levels of ERK, CREB and BDNF mRNAs and proteins in hippocampus were detected by real time quantitative PCR and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the score of general condition was increased (P<0.01); the escape latency was prolonged (P<0.05, P<0.01) and the times of crossing the original platform was decreased (P<0.05); the expression levels of ERK, CREB and BDNF mRNAs and proteins in hippocampus were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the scores of general condition on the 42nd and 49th day were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01); the escape latency was shortened (P<0.01, P<0.05)and the times of crossing the original platform were increased (P<0.05); the expression levels of ERK, CREB and BDNF mRNAs and proteins in hippocampus were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the TEAS group. The morphology of neurons in hippocampal CA1 region was normal in the normal group. In the model group, the number of neurons in hippocampal CA1 region decreased, the arrangement of nerve cells was scattered, the number of apoptotic cells increased, some nuclear structures disappeared, nuclear heterochromatin increased, the cell membrane wrinkled, the chromatin appeared empty bright area, and the crista was incomplete. Compared with the model group, the nerve cells morphology in hippocampal CA1 region was more regular, the number of apoptotic cells decreased, the chromatin and the cytoplasm were uniformly distributed, and the crista was relatively intact in the TEAS group. CONCLUSION: TEAS can improve the learning and memory ability of CFS rats, the mechanisms may be related to improving the neural structure of hippocampal CA1 region and up-regulating the expression levels of ERK/CREB/BDNF.

C6orf120 gene deficiency may be vulnerable to carbon tetrachloride induced acute hepatic injury in rats.

Introduction: The function of the C6orf120 gene, which encodes an N-glycosylated protein, remains unknown. The study was performed to characterize the utility of the C6orf120 gene in carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury and to elucidate the potential underlying mechanisms by establishing a C6orf120 gene-knockout (C6orf120-/-) rat model. Material and methods: C6orf120-/- and wild-type (WT) rats were intraperitoneally administered with CCl4 (1 : 1 v/v in olive oil, 2 µl/g). Rats were sacrificed 24 h after CCl4 administration. Liver tissues were collected for H&E, IHC, qRT-PCR, and Western blot analysis. Results: C6orf120 gene deficiency may be vulnerable to CCl4-induced acute liver injury in rats as indicated by the high levels of alanine aminotransferase (WT: 388.7 ±55.96 vs. C6orf120-/-: 915.9 ±118.8, p < 0.001) and greater degree of pathological damage. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed that the mRNA levels of inflammation-associated cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, in liver tissues were increased in C6orf120-/- rats compared with those in WT rats. Moreover, western blot showed that the protein expression of cytokines nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain leucine rich repeat and pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, IL-1ß, nuclear factor-κB, c-Jun N-terminal kinases, and Bax were increased in C6orf120-/- rats compared with those in WT rats. Conclusions: C6orf120-/- rats were susceptible to CCl4-induced liver injury, which may be related to NLRP3 inflammasome and JNK signaling pathway activation.

[Efficacy Evaluation of Three Endoscopic Therapies of Isolated Gastric Varices with Modified Tissue Adhesive].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of three endoscopic therapies of isolated gastric varices (IGV) with modified tissue adhesive. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted with the clinical data of 73 IGV patients who were treated between January 2008 and December 2019 at Beijing Ditan Hospital. Patient clinical data on age, sex, etiology, biochemistry findings, Child-Pugh classification, the type of spontaneous shunt, preoperative bleeding history, and the presence or absence of liver cancer were collected. The three therapies evaluated were endoscopic intravenous injection of tissue glue combined with lauromacrogol, endoscopic clip-assisted intravenous injection of tissue glue combined with lauromacrogol, and endoscopic clip and LOOP-assisted intravenous injection of tissue glue combined with lauromacrogol. Their respective clinical treatment outcomes, including ectopic embolism rate, survival rate, rebleeding rate, amount of lauromacrogol and tissue glue used, the number of endoscopic clips used, and the number of times of the procedure the patient underwent, were evaluated. Results: In the patient baseline data, Child-Pugh grade, preoperative thrombus formation, and the presence or absence of liver cancer, showed significant difference between the three therapies ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the rates of ectopic embolism among the three methods ( P>0.05), but no ectopic embolism occurred after endoscopic clip-assisted intravenous injection of tissue glue combined with lauromacrogol, or after endoscopic clip and LOOP-assisted intravenous injection of tissue glue combined with lauromacrogol. There was no significant difference in the survival rate, the rebleeding rate, amount of lauromacrogol and tissue glue used for the three therapies, but there was significant difference in the number of endoscopic clips used and the number of times the procedure was conducted within one year ( P<0.05). Conclusion: The two endoscopic therapies of intravenous injection of modified tissue glue, one assisted by clip and the other assisted by clip and LOOP, can help reduce the number of procedures IGV patients undergo within one year.

Immunophenotypic characteristics of ZNF384 rearrangement compared with BCR-ABL1, KMT2A rearrangement, and other adult B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: ZNF384 rearrangement has been recently identified as a new subtype of B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL). However, comprehensive studies clarifying immunophenotypic features and discriminating them from non-ZNF384 in adult BCP-ALL remain scarce to date. METHODS: Flow cytometric assessments were retrospectively performed in 43 patients with ZNF384 rearrangement, 45 with BCR-ABL1, 29 with KMT2A rearrangement and 44 with other BCP-ALL in the analysis cohort. RESULTS: CD33- and CD13-positive frequencies were significantly higher in patients with ZNF384 rearrangement than in those with non-ZNF384; however, no significant difference was observed in CD10- and CD123-positive frequencies. Analysis of antigen-positive cell proportion and median fluorescence intensity (MFI) further indicated that patients with ZNF384 rearrangement had significantly lower CD10 and higher CD33, CD13, and CD123 proportion and MFI. However, compared with KMT2A rearrangement, the CD10 expression in patients with ZNF384 rearrangement was higher, with the median percentage and MFI of 36.16 (3.63-94.79)% versus 4.53 (0.03-21.00)%, and 4.50 (0.86-32.26) versus 2.06 (0.87-4.04), respectively (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, compared with BCR-ABL1 and other BCP-ALL, ZNF384 rearrangement had significantly higher CD33 and CD13 proportion and MFI (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.05, respectively). In addition, higher CD123 proportion and MFI in ZNF384 rearrangement than those in the other three groups were reported for the first time (p < 0.01). A flow cytometry scoring system, including CD10%, CD33MFI, CD13%, and CD123MFI, was proposed and verified to predict ZNF384 rearrangement with high sensitivity and specificity, that is, 76.74% and 91.53% in the analysis and 87.50% and 91.30% in the validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS: The multiparameter immunophenotypic scoring system could suggest ZNF384 rearrangement.

Prognosis of endotherapy versus splenectomy and devascularization for variceal bleeding in patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the long-term outcome of endotherapy versus a combination of splenectomy and devascularization for variceal bleeding in patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis (HBRC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1074 patients with HBRC and acute variceal bleeding (AVB) treated with endotherapy and 248 patients with HBRC treated with a combination of splenectomy and devascularization surgery were included in the analysis. After one-to-one propensity score matching, 151 paired patients were selected. The primary end-point was death. The secondary outcomes were 3-year survival, 5-year survival, and rebleeding. Complications were recorded. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 1165 days in the endoscopic group and 1709 days in the surgical group. Before matching, the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were significantly lower in the endoscopic group than in the surgical group (91.1 vs 96.3%, P = 0.017; 79.6 vs 91.6%, P = 0.001; 65.2 vs 81.3%, P = 0.001). After matching, no significant differences were found between groups (94.5 vs 95.2%, P = 0.767; 87.0 vs 88.9%, P = 0.635; 77.9 vs 77.9%, P = 0.905). The rebleeding rate was lower in the surgical group than in the endoscopic group; the rebleeding-free survival rate was similar in the two groups. No patient died of complications. No statistically significant difference was observed in complications between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both endotherapy and a combination of splenectomy and devascularization are good choices for patients with AVB. The rebleeding rate was lower after the surgical procedure, but the long-term prognosis was similar.

Clinical Features and Outcomes of Repeated Endoscopic Therapy for Esophagogastric Variceal Hemorrhage in Cirrhotic Patients: Ten-Year Real-World Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study is aimed at evaluating the survival of cirrhotic patients with different etiologies after endoscopic therapy for acute variceal bleeding and the effect of repeated endotherapy on patients' prognosis. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical features and outcomes between cirrhotic patients with chronic HBV or HCV infections and other etiologies. The 3-year and 5-year survival rates and rehemorrhage rate in one year between the viral and nonviral cirrhosis patients were compared by Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test. Cox analysis was used to identify the impact factors that affect the long-term survival of patients with cirrhosis and variceal bleeding after endotherapy. RESULTS: Out of 2665 patients with liver cirrhosis and variceal hemorrhage selected from our medical center between September 2008 and December 2017, a total of 1342 patients were included for analysis. The median follow-up duration was 32.9 months (range 0.16-111.4 months), the 3- and 5-year cumulative survival rates were 75.3% and 52.8%, respectively. The median survival time was significantly longer in viral cirrhosis patients (47.1 months [95% CI: 24.9-69.1]) compared with nonviral cirrhosis patients (37.0 months [95% CI: 25.0-56.0], p = 0.001). The 3-year and 5-year survival rates of the viral group were higher than the nonviral group. The rehemorrhage rate at one year was higher in nonviral patients than in viral patients (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Repeated endotherapy combined with effective antiviral therapy is helpful for long-term survival of cirrhotic population with variceal hemorrhage and HBV or HCV infection.

Synthesis of two novel pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine compounds with antibacterial activity and biophysical insights into their interactions with plasma protein.

Two novel water-soluble pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives, 5-chloro-7-(4-methyl-piperazin -1-yl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (CMPS) and N'-(5-chloro-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl)-N,N-dimethyl -propane-1,3-diamine (NCPS), were synthesized and characterized with antibacterial activity. Then, the interactions of these compounds with bovine serum albumin (BSA) were studied by fluorescence, time-resolved fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and molecular docking. The results indicate that both CMPS and NCPS could effectively quench the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA via a static quenching process. The energy transfer from BSA to CMPS and NCPS may occur with high probability. Both CMPS and NCPS bind in the site I of BSA. The hydrophobic force and hydrogen bonds play major roles in the complex formation. Binding constants for both systems show that the affinity of CMPS binding to BSA is stronger than that of NCPS. The results of three-dimensional fluorescence and CD spectra reveal that the binding of CMPS and NCPS to BSA can induce conformational changes of BSA, and the influence of CMPS is slightly stronger than that of NCPS.

New model predicting gastroesophageal varices and variceal hemorrhage in patients with chronic liver disease.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The predictors for gastroesophageal varices (GOV) and hemorrhage development have not been well studied in different liver diseases or different population. This study aimed to evaluate whether a new algorithm focusing on chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients is also applicable to other chronic liver diseases (CLDs) in Chinese population. PATIENTS OR MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 659 CHB patients and 386 patients with other CLDs. A total of 439 CHB patients were included in training set, the other 220 CHB patients and other patients with CLDs were included in validation set. A new algorithm for diagnosing GOV was established and its sensitivity and specificity for predicting the varices was verified. RESULTS: Multivariable logistic regression revealed that the rough surface of the liver (p<0.001), splenic thickness (p<0.001), and liver stiffness (p=0.006) were independent predictors of GOV. The new algorithm was considered to be a reliable diagnostic model to evaluate the presence of varices. The AUROC was 0.94 (p<0.001) in CHB validation set and 0.90 (<0.001) in non-CHB validation set. When the cut-off value was chosen as -1.048, the sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing GOV in CHB population were 89.1% and 82.5%, respectively. Importantly, the new algorithm accurately predicted the variceal hemorrhage not only in CHB patients, but also in patients with other CLDs. CONCLUSION: The new algorithm is regarded as a reliable model to prognosticate varices and variceal hemorrhage, and stratified not only the high-risk CHB patients, but also in patients with other CLDs for developing GOV and variceal bleeding.

[Analysis on the distribution of pressure- and heat-sensitive acupoints in patients with allergic rhinitis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the distribution of pressure- and heat-sensitive acupoints of the Large Intestine of Hand-Yangming, Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming and the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin below the elbow and knee joints in patients with allergic rhinitis, so as to explore the positive reaction points at the body surface of allergic rhinitis. METHODS: Thirty variant rhinitis volunteer subjects and 30 healthy subjects were recruited in the present study. The subcutaneous induration, reaction points of emptiness-like feeling or pressing pain below the elbow- and knee-joints along the Large Intestine Meridian, Stomach Meridian and the Lung Meridian were inspected first, then re-examined by using heat-sensitized moxibustion method and a hand-held pain threshold tester (mechanical pressure), respectively. The frequency and coincidence rate of pressing-pain sensitive and heat-sensitive points were analyzed. RESULTS: In the 30 patients with allergic rhinitis, 10 positive reaction points as Kongzui (LU6), Chize (LU5), Hegu (LI4), Quchi (LI11), Shousanli(LI10), Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37), Fenglong (ST40), Xiajuxu (ST39), and non-acupoint of the Lung Meridian were found. Among them, the duration of heat-sensitive reaction in the LU6, LI10, ST37, ST40, and ST39 regions was obviously shorter in patients than in healthy subjects (P<0.01,P<0.005). The heat-sensitive forms of the positive reaction points were mainly heat transmission, heat-penetration and local reaction. The mechanical pain thresholds of the positive reaction points (LI4, LU6, LI10, LI11 and non-acupoint of the Lung Meridian) at the upper limbs and those (ST36, ST37 and ST40) at the lower limbs were evidently lower in patients than in healthy volunteer subjects (P<0.05). The pressure- and heat-sensitive acupoints were basically coincide in the patients, but being higher in patients than in healthy subjects in the frequency of occurrence. The mechanical pain threshold of the pressure-sensitive acupoints in patients was remarkably lower on the left side than on the right side of the upper limb, and obviously higher on the left side than on the right side of the lower limb (P<0.05). No significant differences were found between the right and left sides in the pain threshold in healthy subjects (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a high overlap in the distribution of pressure- and heat-sensitive acupoints of the Lung, Large Intestine and Stomach meridians below the elbow and knee joints in patients with allergic rhinitis, and there is an imbalance between the left and right limbs in the mechanical pain threshold of the pressure- and heat-sensitive acupoints, but needing being further confirmed.

Proportions of Th17 cells and Th17-related cytokines in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders patients: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: T helper (Th17) cells play an important role in many autoimmune diseases. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to specify the proportion of Th17 cells and the levels of Th17-related cytokines in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) patients, we did this meta-analysis. METHODS: Using previously reported data from PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science and Cochrane, we explored the proportion of Th17 cells in CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood (PB) and the level of Th17-related cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)1ß, IL6, IL17, IL21, IL22, IL23 and transforming growth factor -beta (TGFß), in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), plasma, and serum in NMOSD patients compared to control group and multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. RESULTS: In total, 38 trials were included for our analysis. Results showed that the proportion of Th17 cells was higher in NMOSD patients than in the control and MS groups. The levels of IL1ß, IL6, IL17 and IL21 in CSF and plasma, and IL6, IL21, IL22, and IL23 in the serum were higher in NMOSD patients than in the control group. The levels of IL6 in CSF and serum and IL17 in plasma and serum were higher in NMOSD patients than in MS patients. CONCLUSION: The proportion of Th17 cells and the levels of Th17-related cytokines was increased in NMOSD patients compared with the control group and MS patients. The results of this meta-analysis indicated that Th17 cells and Th17-associated cytokines may play an essential role in the pathogenesis of NMOSD. PROSPERO registration: CRD42019128785.

Independent risk factors for disease recurrence after surgery in patients with hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma ≤3 cm in diameter.

BACKGROUND: Post-operative recurrence rates are high for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to explore the factors associated with post-operative 1-year recurrence rate in patients with HBV-related HCC who had a single small primary tumor (≤3 cm in diameter). METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 203 (training cohort) and 64 (validation cohort) patients newly diagnosed with HBV-related HCC who had a single small primary tumor. The first year of post-operative follow-up was examined. Factors potentially associated with HCC recurrence were identified using Cox regression analyses. A model was constructed based on the factors identified and the prognostic value of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and calculation of the area under the ROC curve (AUC). RESULTS: A history of alcoholism and serum levels of α-fetoprotein, total protein and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) were independently associated with 1-year recurrence rate after surgery. A predictive model based on these four factors had an AUC of 0.711 (95% confidence interval, 0.643-0.772) in the training cohort and 0.727 (95% confidence interval, 0.601-0.831) in the validation cohort. The 1-year recurrence rate was significantly lower in the low-risk group than in the high-risk group in both the training cohort (17.0% vs. 49.5%, P < 0.001) and the validation cohort (43.2% vs. 74.1%, P = 0.031). CONCLUSION: A history of alcoholism and serum levels of α-fetoprotein, total protein and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase were independently associated with post-operative 1-year recurrence rate in patients with HBV-related HCC who had a single small primary tumor (≤3 cm in diameter).

Association between bone mineral density and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The association between bone mineral density (BMD) and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) has been investigated by multiple studies, but the conclusions are controversial. This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate whether the bone mineral density is associated with BPPV. METHODS: The relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, Web of Science database up to June 2018. Statas14.0 software was used for meta-analysis. We used the pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to assess the incidence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in patients with BPPV and controls (free of BPPV disease). The standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the T score in BPPV patients and controls. This meta-analysis has been registered at International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (number CRD42018082271). RESULTS: A total of 11 studies were eligible for meta-analysis, including 1982 subjects. When compared with the controls, the total incidence of osteoporosis and osteopenia was significantly higher in BPPV patients (OR 3.27, 95% CI 2.66-4.03, p < 0.0001). Further analysis was conducted by separate discussion about the incidence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in BPPV patients, the result of which shows that both the incidence of osteoporosis (OR 3.48, 95% CI 1.86-6.51, p < 0.0001) and the incidence of osteopenia (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.01-3.04, p < 0.0001) were higher in BPPV patients than that in controls. There was an significant reduction in T scores of BPPV patients (SMD - 0.82, 95% CI -1.18 to - 0.46, p < 0.0001). Publication bias for each analysis was evaluated by Egger's test and Begg's indicating that no publication bias existed. Sensitivity analysis was conducted for each analysis demonstrating that the results were robust. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis provided stronger evidence that patients with BPPV were associated with a lower T score and a higher risk of osteoporosis and osteopenia. The results demonstrated that lower bone mineral density may be a risk factor for BPPV. However, large-scare, multicenter clinical studies need to be carried out to explore the precise risk of osteoporosis and osteopenia in patients with BPPV in future.

[Environmental and geochemical behaviors of fluorine and its impacts on ecological environment]. / æ°Ÿçš„çŽ¯å¢ƒåœ°çƒåŒ–å­¦è¡Œä¸ºåŠå ¶å¯¹ç”Ÿæ€çŽ¯å¢ƒçš„å½±å“.

In past decades, fluorine exposure of plants and human caused by regional geochemical anomalies of fluorine or environmental pollution has received widespread concerns. Many in-depth researches have been conducted on the geochemical behavior of fluorine in different environmental media, but with disputes and uncertainties. We reviewed the research advances on geochemical behaviors of fluorine in the atmosphere, water and soil, including source, quantity, existence form, migration, transformation, and controlling factors. The observation of correlation between geochemical behaviors of fluorine and plant and human fluoride exposure was also reviewed. Moreover, we proposed that the future research on environmental geochemical behaviors of fluorine should give priority to particular directions.

Reactive oxygen species generation and human serum albumin damage induced by the combined effects of ultrasonic irradiation and brilliant cresyl blue.

In this paper, brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) was selected as a sonosensitizer. The sonodynamic damage to human serum albumin (HSA) in the presence of BCB and the mechanism were studied by means of fluorescence and absorption spectra. Firstly, BCB could quench the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA obviously and the quenching mechanism was static quenching due to the formation of HSA-BCB complex. The results of the displacement experiments and the molecular modeling suggested that the binding site of BCB on HSA was site I, and hydrophobic forces and hydrogen bonds played major roles in the interaction between HSA and BCB. Secondly, the damage of HSA induced by the combined effects of ultrasonic irradiation and BCB was more efficient than that only BCB or ultrasound irradiation, which confirmed that BCB had sonodynamic activity. The damage degree of HSA was positively correlated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in the system, which indicated that ultrasound could activate BCB to produce ROS, and the kinds of ROS produced by the combined effects of ultrasonic irradiation and BCB were mainly hydroxyl free radical, singlet oxygen and superoxide anion radical.

Identification of a small antimycotic peptide produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 6256.

Bacillus sp. 6256 is a good biocontrol agent against Botrytis cinerea which caused tomato gray mold disease. Strain 6256 was identified as B. amyloliquefaciens by analysis of its partial gyrB gene sequence. To identify and characterize the antimycotic peptides from the culture broth of the bacterium, the antimicrobial substances produced by B. amyloliquefaciens 6256 were isolated by ammonium sulfate precipitation, Superdex 200 gel filtration chromatography and DEAE anion exchange chromatography. The purified compound was designated as P657. The biological activity of P657 was stable at as high as 100 °C for 20 min and in pH value ranged from 5 to 10. The antimycotic compound was resistant to trypsin and proteinase K, and could completely inhibit spore germination of Botrytis cinerea in vitro. MALDI-TOF-MS analysis results showed the presence of fengycins A (C16-C17) and fengycins B (C15-C17) isoforms in P657.

A seven-color panel including CD34 and TdT could be applied in >97% patients with T cell lymphoblastic leukemia for minimal residual disease detection independent of the initial phenotype.

A seven-color panel was used to detect minimal residual disease (MRD) in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) via flow cytometry (FCM). Its availability and clinical significance were studied in T-ALL patients with newly diagnosed (n = 64), relapsed (n = 48) and morphologically complete remission (n = 103). The following four features were used to identify immature cCD3+ T cells: CD34+, TdT+, but mCD3-/dim+, and CD45dim+. Among these features, either TdT or CD34 expression was the most useful and were found in 93.8% of patients at diagnosis and 86.7% of patients who relapsed. Although some of the immature markers had disappeared in 23 of 59 cases after therapy, only one case presented with a false negative MRD. Of the 74 consecutive patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), MRD-positive patients showed a higher relapse rate, a higher cumulative incidence of relapse at 4 years and a shorter median relapse-free survival than MRD-negative patients at post-HSCT(72.7% vs 17.3%, P = 0.000; 100% vs 19.9%, P < 0.0001; and 16 months vs undefined, P < 0.0001). We demonstrated that this panel could be applied to>97% of T-ALL patients to detect MRD and predict relapse after allo-HSCT even in the absence of the initial immunophenotype.

Deletion of the C6orf120 gene with unknown function ameliorates autoimmune hepatitis induced by concanavalin A.

The present study was conducted to characterize the C6orf120 gene, by using C6orf120 gene-deleted rats (C6orf120-/-), to determine its role in the development and severity of autoimmune hepatitis induced by concanavalin A (Con A), as well as the underlying mechanisms. We found that following Con A injection, C6orf120-/- rats were less susceptible to developing autoimmune hepatitis with low levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) post challenge. Additionally, C6orf120 deficiency increased the frequency of cluster of differentiation (CD)4+ CD25+ Forkhead box P3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) among intrahepatic lymphocytes, splenocytes, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and CD4+ T in vitro. Moreover, C6orf120 deficiency downregulated interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha-α, interferon-γ and IL-17a secretion in the plasma and liver tissues. Our results indicated that the C6orf120 gene-deleted rats were less susceptible to Con A-induced autoimmune hepatitis, which may be partly related to the increased frequency of Tregs and inhibited secretion of inflammatory cytokines.

A novel scoring model for predicting mortality risk in patients with cirrhosis and hepatorenal syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This study aimed to create a risk scoring model for death from cirrhosis and hepatorenal syndrome, improve the detection rate of high-risk groups, and provide clinical evidence for early intervention treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively recruited 196 patients with cirrhosis and hepatorenal syndrome between 1 January 2013 and 31 July 2014 at Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, China. The clinical information, biochemical values, age, and sex of the patients were included in the multivariate logistic regression model for screening independent risk factors. The model was validated in 56 patients with cirrhosis and hepatorenal syndrome between 1 August 2014 and 31 December 2014 at Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, China. RESULTS: The death risk prediction scoring model included the following four independent risk factors: liver cancer, neutrophil above 70%, alanine aminotransferase higher than 40 U/l, and creatinine higher than 127 mmol/l. The sum death risk score ranged from 0 to 5: 0-2 identified patients with a lower risk of death (mortality rates: 12-41.4%), whereas 3-5 identified patients with a higher risk of death (mortality rates: 48.8-80%). Receiver-operating characteristic curves were constructed for the scoring model and the areas under the curves (AUC) were compared using the z-test. The AUC of the scoring model was 0.843. In addition, the AUC of validated model in 56 patients was 0.742. CONCLUSION: The scoring model can accurately predict mortality risk in patients with hepatorenal syndrome.