[Comparison of Clinical Effects of Cortical Bone Trajectory Screws and Traditional Pedicle Screws in Posterior Lumbar Fusion]. / è °æ¤ŽåŽè·¯èžåˆæœ¯ä¸­çš®è´¨éª¨è½¨è¿¹èžºé’‰å’Œä¼ ç»Ÿæ¤Žå¼“æ ¹èžºé’‰çš„ä¸´åºŠæ•ˆæžœæ¯”è¾ƒ.

Objective: To compare the clinical effects of cortical bone trajectory screws and traditional pedicle screws in posterior lumbar fusion. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to analyze lumbar degeneration patients who underwent surgical treatment at our hospital between January 2016 and January 2019. A total of 123 patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. The subjects were divided into two groups according to their surgical procedures and the members of the two groups were matched by age, sex, and the number of fusion segments. There were 63 patients in the traditional pedicle screws (PS) group and 60 in the cortical bone trajectory screws (CBTS) group. The outcomes of the two groups were compared. The primary outcome measures were perioperative conditions, including operation duration, estimated intraoperative blood loss (EBL), and length-of-stay (LOS), visual analog scale (VAS) score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score, and interbody fusion rate. The secondary outcome measures were the time to postoperative ambulation and the incidence of complications. VAS scores and ODI scores were assessed before operation, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 12 months after operation, and at the final follow-up. The interbody fusion rate was assessed in 1 year and 2 years after the operation and at the final follow-up. Results: The CBTS group showed a reduction in operation duration ([142.8±13.1] min vs. [174.7±15.4] min, P<0.001), LOS ([9.5±1.5] d vs. [12.0±2.0] d, P<0.001), and EBL ([194.2±38.3] mL vs. [377.5±33.1] mL, P<0.001) in comparison with the PS group. The VAS score for back pain in the CBTS group was lower than that in the PS group at 1 week and 1 month after operation and the ODI score in the CBTS group was lower than that in the PS group at 1 month after operation, with the differences being statistically significant (P<0.05). At each postoperative time point, the VAS score for leg pain and the interbody fusion rate did not show significant difference between the two groups. The VAS score for back and leg pain and the ODI score at each time point after operation in both the CBTS group and the PS group were significantly lower than those before operation (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in the time to postoperative ambulation or the overall complication incidence between the two groups. Conclusion: The CBTS technique could significantly shorten the operation duration and LOS, reduce EBL, and achieve the same effect as the PS technique does in terms of intervertebral fusion rate, pain relief, functional improvement, and complication incidence in patients undergoing posterior lumbar fusion.

Chromosome-level genome provides insights into environmental adaptability and innate immunity in the common dolphin (delphinus delphis).

The common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is widely distributed worldwide and well adapted to various habitats. Animal genomes store clues about their pasts, and can reveal the genes underlying their evolutionary success. Here, we report the first high-quality chromosome-level genome of D. delphis. The assembled genome size was 2.56 Gb with a contig N50 of 63.85 Mb. Phylogenetically, D. delphis was close to Tursiops truncatus and T. aduncus. The genome of D. delphis exhibited 428 expanded and 1,885 contracted gene families, and 120 genes were identified as positively selected. The expansion of the HSP70 gene family suggested that D. delphis has a powerful system for buffering stress, which might be associated with its broad adaptability, longevity, and detoxification capacity. The expanded IFN-α and IFN-ω gene families, as well as the positively selected genes encoding tripartite motif-containing protein 25, peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase NIMA-interacting 1, and p38 MAP kinase, were all involved in pathways for antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic mechanisms. The genome data also revealed dramatic fluctuations in the effective population size during the Pleistocene. Overall, the high-quality genome assembly and annotation represent significant molecular resources for ecological and evolutionary studies of Delphinus and help support their sustainable treatment and conservation.

Rescue angioplasty and/or stenting after mechanical thrombectomy: who can benefit?

BACKGROUND: Angioplasty and/or stenting is a rescue therapy for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute intracranial large vessel occlusion. This study was undertaken to determine whether rescue angioplasty and/or stenting improves the outcome after MT and to investigate whether outcomes differ by subgroup of rescue indication. METHODS: We performed propensity score matching (PSM) with data from a prospective multicenter registry of patients with acute large vessel occlusion receiving endovascular treatment. Patients were divided into the MT alone group and the MT with rescue therapy group. The primary outcome was functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2) at 90 days. PSM was also performed in the failed MT (modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) 0-2a) and the residual severe stenosis (mTICI 2b-3) subgroups, respectively. RESULTS: 326 patients of mean±SD age 62.7±12.0 years (90 women, 27.6%) were matched from 1274 patients. In the matched cohort, functional independence at 90 days was higher in the rescue therapy group than in the MT alone group (44.2% vs 29.5%; OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.18 to 3.06, P=0.008). In the failed MT subgroup with 66 matched pairs, more patients had functional independence in the rescue therapy group than in the MT alone group (39.0% vs 17.0%; OR 3.12, 95% CI 1.29 to 7.59, P=0.01). In the residual stenosis subgroup with 63 matched pairs, functional independence rates were similar in the rescue therapy and the MT alone groups (51.6% vs 55.7%; OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.72, P=0.65). CONCLUSION: Rescue angioplasty and/or stenting could improve the clinical outcome in patients with acute large vessel occlusion with failed MT, while no benefit was seen in those with residual severe stenosis but substantial reperfusion.

Quercetin Alleviates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Cell Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Responses via Regulation of the TLR4-NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Bovine Rumen Epithelial Cells.

Subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) will cause an increase in endotoxin, which will have a negative effect on the bovine rumen epithelial cells (BREC). Flavonoids are effective in treating inflammation caused by endotoxin. Quercetin is a vital flavonoid widely occurring in fruits and vegetables and has received significant interest as a prospective anti-inflammatory antioxidant. Nonetheless, quercetin's protective machinery against such damage to BREC induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) remains unclear. A combined quercetin and LPS-induced BREC inflammation model was utilized to elucidate the effect of quercetin protecting BREC from LPS-induced injury. After treating BREC with different doses of LPS (1, 5, and 10 µg/mL) for 6 h or 24 h, the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors was detected. Our experimental results show the establishment of the BREC inflammation model via mRNA high expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in BREC following 6 h treatment with 1 µg/mL LPS. The promotive effect of 80 µg/mL quercetin on BREC growth via the cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay was observed. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, notably tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), Interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, CC-motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), CCL20, CCL28, and CXC motif chemokine 9 (CXCL9), etc., was significantly reduced by quercetin supplementation. We also analyzed the mRNA detection of related pathways by qRT-PCR. Our validation studies demonstrated that quercetin markedly curbed the mRNA expression of the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and myeloid differentiation primary response protein (MyD88) and the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in LPS-treated BREC. In addition, western blot result outcomes confirmed, as expected, that LPS significantly activated phosphorylation of p44/42 extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK1/2) and NF-κB. Unexpectedly, this effect was reversed by adding quercetin. To complement western blot results, we assessed p-ERK1/2 and p-p65 protein expression using immunofluorescence, which gave consistent results. Therefore, quercetin's capacity to bar the TLR4-mediated NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways may be the cause of its anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-induced inflammatory reactions in BREC. According to these results, quercetin may be utilized as an anti-inflammatory medication to alleviate inflammation brought on by high-grain feed, and it also lays out a conceptual foundation regarding the development and utilization of quercetin in the later stage.

Cost-effectiveness of endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke with large infarct in China.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular therapy administered within 24 hours has been shown to improve outcomes for patients with acute ischemic stroke with large infarction, but the data on its cost-effectiveness are limited. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke with large infarction in China, the largest low- and middle-income country. METHODS: A short-term decision tree model and a long-term Markov model were used to analyze the cost-effectiveness of endovascular therapy for patients with acute ischemic stroke with large infarction. Outcomes, transition probability, and cost data were obtained from a recent clinical trial and published literature. The benefit of endovascular therapy was assessed by the cost per quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained in the short and long term. Deterministic one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the results. RESULTS: Compared with medical management alone, endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke with large infarction was found to be cost-effective from the fourth year onward and during a lifetime. In the long term, endovascular therapy yielded a lifetime gain of 1.33 QALYs at an additional cost of ¥73 900 (US$ 11 400), resulting in an incremental cost of ¥55 500 (US$ 8530) per QALY gained. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that endovascular therapy was cost-effective in 99.5% of the simulation runs at a willingness-to-pay threshold of ¥243 000 (3 × gross domestic product per capita of China in 2021) per QALY gained. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke with large infarction could be cost-effective in China.

Intraoperative electrical stimulation promotes the short-term recovery of patients with cubital tunnel syndrome after surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to investigate whether intraoperative electrical nerve stimulation has effects on the short-term recovery of cubital tunnel syndrome patients after ulnar nerve release. METHODS: Patients diagnosed as cubital tunnel syndrome were selected. At the same time, they received conventional surgery treatment. The patients were divided by a randomized digits table into two groups. The control group underwent conventional surgery, and the electrical stimulation (ES) group underwent intraoperative electrical stimulation. All the patients were tested for sensory and motor functions, grip strength, key pinch strength, motor conductivity velocity (MCV), and maximum compound muscle action potential (CMAP) before operation and 1 month and 6 months after operation. RESULTS: In patients treated with intraoperative ES, the sensory and motor functions and the strength of muscle were significantly improved after 1-month and 6-month follow-up than the control group. After the follow-up, the patients in the ES group had significantly higher grip strength and key pinch strength than the control group. After the follow-up, the patients in the ES group had significantly higher MCV and CMAP than the control group. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative electrical stimulation of nerve muscle can significantly promote the short-term recovery of nerve and muscle functions after the surgery in cubital tunnel syndrome patients.

Literature review, report, and analysis of genotype and clinical phenotype of a rare case of ulnar-mammary syndrome.

Objective: The clinical characteristics of Ulnar-mammary syndrome (UMS) caused by mutations in TBX3 (T-Box transcription factor 3) were studied and the correlation between genotype and clinical phenotype were analyzed to improve awareness and early diagnosis of the disease. Methods: The clinical data of a boy aged 13 years and 5 months with left forearm deformity and growth retardation as the main features were analyzed. Genomic exon detection was performed, and the results were verified by Sanger sequencing. Simultaneously, we performed literature review to analyze the correlation between clinical phenotypes and genotypes. Results: The clinical manifestations in the child were short stature, ulnar hypoplasia of the forearm, hypohidrosis, retracted nipple, micropenis, and cryptorchidism. Laboratory examination revealed hyperthyroidism, growth hormone deficiency, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Imaging results displayed delayed bone age, small pituitary gland, and persistence of Rathke's cleft cyst. The results of the exome sequencing revealed the deletion of AGA at positions 1121-1,124 of TBX3, which resulted in a frameshift mutation (c.1121-1124del AGAG; pGlu374fs). According to the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) assessment, the mutation is a pathogenic variant. A definitive diagnosis of UMS was made on the basis of the clinical phenotype of the patient. The Chinese and English literature were reviewed to analyze the correlation between TBX3 genotype and clinical phenotype. Conclusion: UMS is a rare hereditary disease caused by mutations in TBX3. There is significant clinical heterogeneity associated with the variants of this gene. To our knowledge, this mutation site in TBX3 has been reported for the first time, thereby expanding the mutation spectrum of this gene.

Dust dominates the summer melting of glacier ablation zones on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau.

Dust and black carbon (BC) can darken snow and ice surface and play pivotal roles in glacier mass loss. Thus, a quantitative assessment of their contributions to glacier summer melting is critical. During the summer of 2018, surface snow and ice were sampled, and the albedo and mass balance were continuously measured in the ablation zone of Laohugou Glacier No. 12 in the western Qilian Mountains. The physical properties of dust and BC were measured in the laboratory, and their impacts on glacier surface albedo reduction and melting were simulated. The results indicate that the ice surface in the ablation zone was enriched with substantial amounts of particles, and the average particle concentrations of these samples were hundreds of times higher than those of fresh snow. The BC mass absorption cross-sections (MACs) ranged from 3.1 m2 g-1 at 550 nm for dirty ice to 4.6 m2 g-1 for fresh snow, largely owing to meltwater percolation and particle collapse. The spectral variations in dust MACs were significantly different in the visible light bands and near-infrared bands from those in the other areas. Moreover, the two-layer surface energy and mass balance model with the new albedo parameterization formula was validated and agreed well with the experimental measurements of spectral albedo, broadband albedo, and mass balance. BC and dust combined resulted in 26.7 % and 54.4 % of the total mass loss on the cleaner and dirtier (particle enriched) surfaces in the ablation zone, respectively, compared to particle-free surfaces, and although both impurities played vital roles, dust was the more prominent factor in accelerating glacier melting on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. This study emphasizes the importance of dust in cryosphere changes where Tibetan glaciers are strongly affected by Asian dust deposition.

Effect of moderate running on sports injury rehabilitation / Efeito da corrida moderada na reabilitação de lesões esportivas / Efecto de la corrida moderada en la rehabilitación de lesiones deportivas

ABSTRACT Introduction Running has become one of the most popular sports and fitness methods for low cost, convenience, and easy adherence. This has made the characteristics and rules of running-related sports injuries a key research issue in sports medicine and public health. Objective Evaluate the effects of moderate running on sports injuries rehabilitation. Methods This paper uses mathematical statistics to study some groups that have been running for a long time (n=369). The causes of sports injuries analyses and risks are performed by questionnaire. Results Relaxation after exercise is a protective factor for sports injuries. The time of maintenance of the running habit and the previous sport's history are factors influencing the risk for a sport's injury. Conclusion Amateur runners have a high rate of running injuries. The knee is the area with the highest injury incidence. Weight-loss running increases the risk of injury. An individually moderate running training plan can reduce the risk of running injuries. Evidence level II; Therapeutic Studies - Investigating the results.

RESUMO Introdução A corrida tornou-se um dos esportes e métodos de aptidão física mais populares devido ao seu baixo custo, conveniência e fácil adesão. Isso fez com que as características e regras das lesões esportivas relacionadas à corrida tornaram-se uma questão-chave de pesquisa em medicina esportiva e saúde pública. Objetivo Avaliar os efeitos da corrida moderada sobre a reabilitação de lesões esportivas. Métodos Este artigo utiliza a estatística matemática para estudar alguns grupos que já praticam corrida há muito tempo (n=369). A análise das causas de lesões e riscos desportivos é feita por questionário. Resultados O relaxamento após o exercício é um fator de proteção para lesões esportivas. O tempo de manutenção do hábito da corrida bem como o histórico esportivo pregresso são fatores que influenciam no risco para uma lesão esportiva. Conclusão Corredores amadores têm uma alta taxa de lesões na corrida. O joelho é a área de maior incidência das lesões. Correr para perder peso aumenta o risco de lesões. Um plano de treinamento de corrida moderado planejado individualmente pode reduzir os riscos das lesões durante as corridas. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - Investigação de resultados.

RESUMEN Introducción La corrida se ha convertido en uno de los deportes y métodos de acondicionamiento físico más populares debido a su bajo coste, comodidad y fácil adherencia. Esto ha hecho que las características y las reglas de las lesiones deportivas relacionadas con la corrida sean un tema de investigación clave en la medicina deportiva y la salud pública. Objetivo Evaluar los efectos de la corrida moderada en la rehabilitación de las lesiones deportivas. Métodos Este trabajo utiliza la estadística matemática para estudiar algunos grupos que llevan mucho tiempo corriendo (n=369). El análisis de las causas de las lesiones deportivas y los riesgos se realiza mediante un cuestionario. Resultados La relajación después del ejercicio es un factor de protección para las lesiones deportivas. El tiempo de mantenimiento del hábito de correr, así como el historial deportivo previo son factores que influyen en el riesgo de sufrir una lesión deportiva. Conclusión Los corredores aficionados tienen un alto índice de lesiones al correr. La rodilla es la zona de mayor incidencia de lesiones. Correr para perder peso aumenta el riesgo de lesiones. Un plan de entrenamiento moderado para correr, planificado individualmente, puede reducir el riesgo de lesiones al correr. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - Investigación de resultados.

Non-contrast head CT alone for thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke: analysis of the ANGEL-ACT registry.

BACKGROUD: The goal of this study was to determine if the choice of imaging paradigm performed in the emergency department influences the procedural or clinical outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy (MT). METHODS: This is a retrospective comparative outcome study which was conducted from the ANGEL-ACT registry. Comparisons were made between baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing MT with non-contrast head computed tomography (NCHCT) alone versus patients undergoing NCHCT plus non-invasive vessel imaging (NVI) (including CT angiography (with or without CT perfusion) and magnetic resonance angiography). The primary outcome was the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 90 days. Secondary outcomes included change in mRS score from baseline to 90 days, the proportions of mRS 0-1, 0-2, and 0-3, and dramatic clinical improvement at 24 hours. The safety outcomes were any intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), symptomatic ICH, and mortality within 90 days. RESULTS: A total of 894 patients met the inclusion criteria; 476 (53%) underwent NCHCT alone and 418 (47%) underwent NCHCT + NVI. In the NCHCT alone group, the door-to-reperfusion time was shorter by 47 min compared with the NCHCT + NVI group (219 vs 266 min, P<0.001). Patients in the NCHCT alone group showed a smaller increase in baseline mRS score at 90 days (median 3 vs 2 points; P=0.004) after adjustment. There were no significant differences between groups in the remaining clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In patients selected for MT using NCHCT alone versus NCHCT + NVI, there were improved procedural outcomes and smaller increases in baseline mRS scores at 90 days.

Black carbon and dust in the Third Pole glaciers: Revaluated concentrations, mass absorption cross-sections and contributions to glacier ablation.

In snow and ice, light-absorbing particles (LAPs), such as black carbon (BC) and dust, accelerate the melting of Third Pole glaciers (TPGs). In this study, we revaluated LAP concentrations in the snow pits of TPGs (SP-TPGs), measured LAP mass absorption cross-sections (MACs), and simulated their effects on glacier darkening and melting based on the Spectral Albedo Model for Dirty Snow and a surface energy and mass balance model. The results indicated that because of their short distances to emission sources, the average BC concentrations measured in snow pits in the periphery of Third Pole were much higher than those measured in the inland Tibetan Plateau, and the average dust concentrations generally decreased from north to south. The average MACs of BC in the SP-TPGs varied from 3.1 to 7.7 m2 g-1 at 550 nm, most of the average spectral values were comparable in the visible and near-infrared bands to those calculated by Mie theory, except those in Urumqi Glacier No. 1 (UR), Syek Zapadniy Glacier (SZ), and Laohugou Glacier No.12 (LH), while the average spectral MACs of dust in the SP-TPGs were considerably smaller in magnitude than most of the variations measured in other regions. Compared with the pure snow surfaces, BC and dust played comparable roles in reducing albedo in UR, SZ, LH, and Renlongba Glacier, whereas BC was the most prominent absorber in the other glaciers. The combined effect of BC and dust accelerated melting by 30.4-345.9 mm w.e. (19.7-45.3% of the total mass balance) through surface albedo darkening (0.06-0.17) and increased radiation absorption (25.8-65.7 W m-2) within one month of the ablation season. This study provides a new data set of LAP concentrations and MACs and helps to clarify the roles of these factors in the cryospheric environment of the Third Pole.

Dietary Supplementation of ε-Polylysine Beneficially Affects Ileal Microbiota Structure and Function in Ningxiang Pigs.

Intestinal microbiota plays an important role in the health of animals. However, little is known about the gut microbiota in Ningxiang pigs. Thus, we investigated how dietary supplementation with different ε-polylysine concentrations (0, 20, 40, 80, and 160 ppm) affected the ileal microbiota in Ningxiang pigs using a replicated 5 × 5 Latin square method. Each experimental period included 10 days for diet adaptation, 3 days for feces collection and 2 days for digesta collection. The ileal contents were collected and used for sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene. The results revealed that ε-polylysine significantly decreased the digestibility of crude protein and crude fiber, as well as the utilization of metabolizable energy (P < 0.05). The relative abundances of 19 bacterial genera significantly increased, while those of 26 genera significantly decreased (P < 0.05). In addition, ε-polylysine increased the abundance of some bacteria (e.g., Faecalibacterium, Bifidobacterium, and lactic acid bacteria) and inhibited some other bacteria (e.g., Micrococcaceae, Acinetobacter, Anaerococcus, Peptoniphilus, Dehalobacterium, Finegoldia, Treponema, and Brevundimonas). Furthermore, based on the 16S rRNA gene data and data from the precalculated GreenGenes database, bacterial communities in the ileal contents exhibited enhanced functional maturation, including changes in the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids (e.g., alanine, lysine, tryptophan, cysteine, and methionine), cofactors, and vitamins (e.g., biotin, thiamine, and folate), as well as in the activity of the insulin signaling pathway. This study suggests that ε-polylysine may influence the utilization of feed nutrients by Ningxiang pigs, including proteins, lipids, metabolizable energy, and fiber, by regulating the gut microbiota.

Long Noncoding RNA LINC00173 Promotes NUTF2 Expression Through Sponging miR-765 and Facilitates Tumorigenesis in Glioma.

BACKGROUND: Glioma is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. This study aimed to investigate the function and mechanism of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) LINC00173 in the regulation of glioma progression. METHODS: LINC00173 expression was measured using qRT-PCR. Survival rate was analyzed through Kaplan-Meier method. CCK8, colony formation and EdU assays were performed to measure cell proliferation while transwell was used to determine cell migration and invasion. Luciferase reporter assay was conducted to test RNA interaction. RESULTS: LINC00173 expression was elevated in glioma tissues and cells. LINC00173 high expression predicted poor prognosis. Loss of LINC00173 inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion. LINC00173 interacted with miR-765 to enhance NUTF2 expression. MiR-765 expression was negatively correlated with LINC00173 and NUTF2 in glioma tissues. NUTF2 level was increased in glioma tissues. NUTF2 overexpression rescued the potential of proliferation, migration and invasion in LINC00173-silenced cells. CONCLUSION: Our research demonstrated that LINC00173 promotes glioma progression through targeting miR-765/NUTF2 axis.

Astragaloside IV relieves gestational diabetes mellitus in genetic mice through reducing hepatic gluconeogenesis.

The glucose intolerance developed during pregnancy is called gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). GDM has become a severe risk for the health of both mother and baby. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is the dominant active component in Astragalus membranaceus and has been reported to have anti-inflammation and immune-regulation function. We aimed to demonstrate the function of AS-IV in the therapy of GDM and the molecular mechanism in this process. C57BL/KsJ-Lepdb/+ female mice were used as the GDM model. The mRNA levels of relative genes in this research were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. The protein levels of relative genes were analyzed by Western blot. Serum lipid level was measured with an ILab Chemistry Analyzer 300 PLUS. Glucose, insulin, and lipid profile levels in the GDM mice model were decreased by AS-IV treatment. AS-IV downregulated the expression of inflammatory genes and upregulated the expressions of anti-oxidant genes in the GDM mice model. AS-IV treatment reduced cAMP accumulation in liver and reduced hepatic gluconeogenesis in GDM mice. This study demonstrated that AS-IV treatment has an effective therapeutic function of GDM in a mice model through the regulation of cAMP accumulation and hepatic gluconeogenesis.

Astragaloside IV attenuates gestational diabetes mellitus via targeting NLRP3 inflammasome in genetic mice.

BACKGROUND: As the most ordinary metabolic disorder during pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has become a severe risk for the health of both pregnant female and fetus. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is the dominant active component in Astragalus membranaceus. It has been proved that AS-IV has anti-inflammation and immune-regulation function. We aimed to demonstrate the function of AS-IV in the therapy of GDM and the molecular mechanism in this process. METHODS: C57BL/KsJ-Lepdb/+ female mice were used as GDM model. The mRNA levels of relative genes in this research were detected by qRT-PCR. The protein levels of relative genes were analyzed by western blot. Serum concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were analyzed by ELISA. RESULTS: Glucose and insulin levels in GDM mice model were decreased by AS-IV treatment. AS-IV down-regulated the expression of inflammatory gene IL-6 and TNF-α in GDM mice model. AS-IV treatment inhibited the expression of NLR family pyrin domain containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome relative proteins in the pancreas of GDM mice. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that AS-IV treatment has an effective therapeutic function of GDM in mice model through the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome in the pancreas.

Switching from allopurinol to febuxostat: efficacy and safety in the treatment of hyperuricemia in renal transplant recipients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of febuxostat in renal transplant recipients who were previously treated with allopurinol (the daily oral dose is 100 mg). A 6-month cohort study was conducted with 46 renal transplant recipients who had hyperuricemia. In 22 patients, treatment was changed from allopurinol to febuxostat (febuxostat was given at an oral dose of 20 mg once a day), and the other 24 patients continued the allopurinol treatment (the daily oral dose is 100 mg). The serum levels of uric acid (UA), creatinine, other biochemical parameters, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and adverse events were measured at baseline as well as at 1, 3, and 6 months after the switch to febuxostat. Serum UA levels significantly decreased from 470.82 ± 34.37 to 378.77 ± 51.97 µmol/L in the febuxostat group, and decreased from 469.46 ± 33.47 to 428.21 ± 23.37 µmol/L in the allopurinol group. The eGFR increased from 75.55 to 85.23 mL/min in the febuxostat group, and decreased from 78.79 to 70.31 mL/min in the allopurinol group. In renal transplant recipients, febuxostat reduced the serum UA levels resulting in minor short-term improvement of renal function with no changes in the other biochemical parameters.

Application of a Tabu search-based Bayesian network in identifying factors related to hypertension.

The study aimed to study the related factors of hypertension using multivariate logistic regression analysis and tabu search-based Bayesian Networks (BNs). A cluster random sampling method was adopted to obtain samples of the general population aged 15 years or above. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that gender, age, cultural level, body mass index (BMI), central obesity, drinking, diabetes mellitus, Myocardial infarction, Coronary heart disease, Stroke are associated with hypertension. While BNs found connections between those related factors and hypertension were established by complex network structure, age, smoking, occupation, cultural level, BMI, central obesity, drinking, diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, nephropathy, stroke were direct connection with hypertension, gender was indirectly linked to hypertension through drinking. The results showed that BNs can not only find out the correlative factors of hypertension but also analyze how these factors affect hypertension and their interrelationships, which is consistent with practical theory better than logistic regression and has a better application prospects.

Prognostic value of the Glasgow prognostic score in colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis of 9,839 patients.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the value of the Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) or modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: A comprehensive medical literature search was performed using the online databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. After extracting basic characteristics and prognostic data from the included studies, overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were pooled as primary outcomes. Subgroup analyses were performed according to therapeutic strategies, models, cutoff values, regions, tumor, node, metastasis stages, sample size, and ages. RESULTS: Forty-three independent cohorts from 41 studies with 9,839 CRC patients were included in the present study. Correlation between GPS or mGPS and OS was analyzed in 32 cohorts of 7,714 patients, and 23 independent cohorts of 5,375 patients focused on the correlation between GPS or mGPS and CSS. The overall outcomes showed that patients with elevated GPS or mGPS were associated with poor OS (HR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.88-2.57, P<0.001). Elevated GPS or mGPS also resulted in worse CSS (HR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.59-2.17, P<0.001). The results of the subgroup analyses confirmed the overall outcomes. CONCLUSION: GPS or mGPS is an accurate prognostic predictor in patients with CRC. Patients with elevated pretreatment GPS or mGPS have a poor prognosis. Subgroup analyses confirmed the overall outcomes. Pretreatment GPS is a useful biomarker in the management of CRC.

Use of gastrografin in the management of faecal impaction in patients with severe chronic constipation: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Faecal impaction (FI) is a common cause of lower gastrointestinal tract obstruction. Gastrografin is a water-soluble radiologic contrast agent that may be orally or rectally administered, with proved therapeutic benefits in adhesive small bowel obstruction. Enemas have long been advocated as the best treatment for FI. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that enteral administration of gastrografin might be more effective than enema in FI treatment inducing intestinal obstruction. METHODS: A double-blinded, controlled and randomized trial was conducted. Participants received 100 mL of gastrografin (gastrografin group) through nasointestinal tube or enemas (enema group) once daily for six consecutive days. Successful faecal disimpaction, FI time to resolution, Bristol Stool Scale, constipation severity, symptom assessment and adverse events were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 124 patients were eligible, but only 83 were enrolled to this trial (mean age: 44 ± 15.8 years). Forty-two patients received enemas, and 41 patients received gastrografin, with six dropouts in each group. Successful disimpaction was achieved with enemas (69.44%) and gastrografin (88.57%; P = 0.034), mean duration of impaction was strikingly different between the two groups (67.13 versus 31.67, respectively; P < 0.01). Constipation severity and symptom assessment were significantly reduced in the gastrografin group. CONCLUSION: Gastrografin given through nasointestinal tube was more effective than enema in the treatment of FI inducing colon obstruction. Gastrografin might be taken into consideration as an effective and safe therapeutic option for FI.

Fluoroscopy-guided trans-anal decompression tube placement in the treatment of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction: a single center experience.

PURPOSE: Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO or Ogilvie's syndrome) is a rare but often fatal disease; timely colonic decompression may be essential for successful treatment. This study describes a technique of placing a trans-anal tube via fluoroscopy-guiding and investigates the effect of colon decompression on ACPO. METHODS: Patients undergoing colonic decompression via fluoroscopy-guided trans-anal tube placement from April 2015 to May 2017 were included. The technical and clinical successes of this procedure were evaluated. Clinical features and long-term outcomes are described. RESULTS: Decompression was successful in 72.73% (16/22) of the patients; the procedure was considered a clinical success in 50% (11/22) of the patients. 31.82% (7/22) of the patients underwent elective surgery, and only 18.19% (4/22) of the patients need emergency surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Fluoroscopy-guided trans-anal decompression tube placement was an easy and efficient method for treating ACPO. Additionally, ACPO once required emergency surgery, but now may only require elective surgery in certain instances.