A Bayesian inference model can predict the effects of attention on the serial dependence in heading estimation from optic flow.

It has been demonstrated that observers can accurately estimate their self-motion direction (i.e., heading) from optic flow, which can be affected by attention. However, it remains unclear how attention affects the serial dependence in the estimation. In the current study, participants conducted two experiments. The results showed that the estimation accuracy decreased when attentional resources allocated to the heading estimation task were reduced. Additionally, the estimates of currently presented headings were biased toward the headings of previously seen headings, showing serial dependence. Especially, this effect decreased (increased) when the attentional resources allocated to the previously (currently) seen headings were reduced. Furthermore, importantly, we developed a Bayesian inference model, which incorporated attention-modulated likelihoods and qualitatively predicted changes in the estimation accuracy and serial dependence. In summary, the current study shows that attention affects the serial dependence in heading estimation from optic flow and reveals the Bayesian computational mechanism behind the heading estimation.

Ductal Hyperkeratinization and Acinar Renewal Abnormality: New Concepts on Pathogenesis of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a functional and morphological disorder of the meibomian glands which results in qualitative or quantitative alteration in meibum secretion and is the major cause of evaporative dry eye (EDE). EDE is often characterized by tear film instability, increased evaporation, hyperosmolarity, inflammation, and ocular surface disorder. The precise pathogenesis of MGD remains elusive. It has been widely considered that MGD develops as a result of ductal epithelial hyperkeratinization, which obstructs the meibomian orifice, halts meibum secretion, and causes secondary acinar atrophy and gland dropout. Abnormal self-renewal and differentiation of the acinar cells also play a significant role in MGD. This review summarizes the latest research findings regarding the possible pathogenesis of MGD and provides further treatment strategies for MGD-EDE patients.

Serum bilirubin levels in primary Sjögren's syndrome: an association with interstitial lung disease.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the association between serum bilirubin levels and interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The retrospectively analysis included 89 consecutive patients with pSS, we collected the clinical materials of pSS patients from the electronic medical records, and all pSS patients were divide into pSS with ILD group and pSS without ILD group. RESULTS: Serum bilirubin levels were significantly lower in pSS patients with ILD than those without ILD (p = 0.010). Serum bilirubin levels showed a significant negative correlation with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (r = -0.321, p = 0.002) in patients with pSS. A multivariable logistic regression analysis confirmed that serum bilirubin presented an independent association with ILD in patients with pSS (OR = 0.841, 95%CI:0.728-0.972, p = 0.019). CONCLUSION: Serum bilirubin is independently associated with ILD and therefore may be a promising marker of ILD in patients with pSS.

Assessment of breast lesions by the Kaiser score for differential diagnosis on MRI: the added value of ADC and machine learning modeling.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of Kaiser score (KS) adjusted with the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) (KS+) and machine learning (ML) modeling. METHODS: A dataset of 402 malignant and 257 benign lesions was identified. Two radiologists assigned the KS. If a lesion with KS > 4 had ADC > 1.4 × 10-3 mm2/s, the KS was reduced by 4 to become KS+. In order to consider the full spectrum of ADC as a continuous variable, the KS and ADC values were used to train diagnostic models using 5 ML algorithms. The performance was evaluated using the ROC analysis, compared by the DeLong test. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy achieved using the threshold of KS > 4, KS+ > 4, and ADC ≤ 1.4 × 10-3 mm2/s were obtained and compared by the McNemar test. RESULTS: The ROC curves of KS, KS+, and all ML models had comparable AUC in the range of 0.883-0.921, significantly higher than that of ADC (0.837, p < 0.0001). The KS had sensitivity = 97.3% and specificity = 59.1%; and the KS+ had sensitivity = 95.5% with significantly improved specificity to 68.5% (p < 0.0001). However, when setting at the same sensitivity of 97.3%, KS+ could not improve specificity. In ML analysis, the logistic regression model had the best performance. At sensitivity = 97.3% and specificity = 65.3%, i.e., compared to KS, 16 false-positives may be avoided without affecting true cancer diagnosis (p = 0.0015). CONCLUSION: Using dichotomized ADC to modify KS to KS+ can improve specificity, but at the price of lowered sensitivity. Machine learning algorithms may be applied to consider the ADC as a continuous variable to build more accurate diagnostic models. KEY POINTS: • When using ADC to modify the Kaiser score to KS+, the diagnostic specificity according to the results of two independent readers was improved by 9.4-9.7%, at the price of slightly degraded sensitivity by 1.5-1.8%, and overall had improved accuracy by 2.6-2.9%. • When the KS and the continuous ADC values were combined to train models by machine learning algorithms, the diagnostic specificity achieved by the logistic regression model could be significantly improved from 59.1 to 65.3% (p = 0.0015), while maintaining at the high sensitivity of KS = 97.3%, and thus, the results demonstrated the potential of ML modeling to further evaluate the contribution of ADC. • When setting the sensitivity at the same levels, the modified KS+ and the original KS have comparable specificity; therefore, KS+ with consideration of ADC may not offer much practical help, and the original KS without ADC remains as an excellent robust diagnostic method.

Noble-metal nanoparticle labelling multiplex miRNAs by ICP-MS readout with internal standard isotopes of 115In and 209Bi.

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is one of the most powerful techniques for multiplex nucleotide assay owing to the virtue of the high resolution of multiple-elements' mass to charge ratio, in a mass spectrum. Here, a small sized (less than 20 nm) noble-metal nanoparticle labelled ICP-MS (NP-ICP-MS) is proposed for high-throughput microRNA (miRNA) determination. Three miRNA targets - miR-486-5p, miR-221, and miR-21 - in serum, were distinguished by single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) probes labelled with a small sized noble-metal nanoparticle - silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs), and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The counting isotopes ion intensity per second (CPS) of the noble-metal label versus internal standard isotope intensity of 115In and 209Bi, exhibited good linearity in the range 0.25 pM to 100 pM with correlation coefficients (R2) of 0.9680, 0.9305, and 0.9418. The specific sandwich-type miRNA assay using the sensitive NP-ICP-MS readout pushed the detection limits down to 0.18 pM for miR-221, 0.23 pM for miR-486-5p, and 0.22 pM for miR-21. And the relative standard deviations (RSDs) for 10 pM target miRNA were less than 3.7%. This work promises a potential ultrasensitive ICP-MS bioassay of multiplex miRNA biomarkers for clinical serum diagnosis.

Radiomics based on fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography predicts liver fibrosis in biopsy-proven MAFLD: a pilot study.

Rationale: Since non-invasive tests for prediction of liver fibrosis have a poor diagnostic performance for detecting low levels of fibrosis, it is important to explore the diagnostic capabilities of other non-invasive tests to diagnose low levels of fibrosis. We aimed to evaluate the performance of radiomics based on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in predicting any liver fibrosis in individuals with biopsy-proven metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Methods: A total of 22 adults with biopsy-confirmed MAFLD, who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT, were enrolled in this study. Sixty radiomics features were extracted from whole liver region of interest in 18F-FDG PET images. Subsequently, the minimum redundancy maximum relevance (mRMR) method was performed and a subset of two features mostly related to the output classes and low redundancy between them were selected according to an event per variable of 5. Logistic regression, Support Vector Machine, Naive Bayes, 5-Nearest Neighbor and linear discriminant analysis models were built based on selected features. The predictive performances were assessed by the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: The mean (SD) age of the subjects was 38.5 (10.4) years and 17 subjects were men. 12 subjects had histological evidence of any liver fibrosis. The coarseness of neighborhood grey-level difference matrix (NGLDM) and long-run emphasis (LRE) of grey-level run length matrix (GLRLM) were selected to predict fibrosis. The logistic regression model performed best with an AUROC of 0.817 [95% confidence intervals, 0.595-0.947] for prediction of liver fibrosis. Conclusion: These preliminary data suggest that 18F-FDG PET radiomics may have clinical utility in assessing early liver fibrosis in MAFLD.

Prognostic and clinicopathological significance of Cks1 in cancer: Evidence from a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cyclin-dependent kinase subunit 1 (Cks1), as a highly conserved regulatory protein, has pleiotropic roles in cell cycle progression. As research progresses, increasingly more statistics show that Cks1 may be involved in the occurrence, development, and prognosis of a variety of tumors but the conclusions remain controversial. In addition, there has been no meta-analysis demonstrating the correlation between Cks1 and cancer. Therefore, this meta-analysis was performed to determine the prognostic and clinicopathological significance of Cks1 in various cancers. METHODS: Systematic computer literature retrieval was conducted on the Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, CNKI, and Wanfang databases. Stata SE12.0 software was used in the quantitative meta-analysis. The hazard ratio (HR) and relative risk (RR) were pooled to assess the relationship between Cks1 expression and overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and clinicopathological parameters. RESULTS: Nineteen studies were included, totaling 2,224 participants. High expression of Cks1 was significantly correlated with worse OS (HR, 2.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.18-3.14; p < 0.001) and poorer DFS (HR, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.83-4.08; p < 0.001). In addition, high expression of Cks1 was related to lymph node metastasis (RR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.22-2.07; p = 0.001) and advanced T stage (RR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.04-1.25; p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: High Cks1 expression predicted poorer prognosis and worse clinicopathological parameters in various cancers. Increased Cks1 could be a significant prognostic biomarker for poor survival in patients with various cancers.

Prognostic and clinicopathological significance of LOXL2 in cancers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) is an extracellular matrix (ECM)-modifying enzyme which can regulate the tensile strength of connective tissues by crosslink of collagen and elastin. Numerous studies have claimed correlations between LOXL2 expression and prognosis or clinicopathological characteristics in various cancers. However, the validities of these claims are still in question. To address these experimental results, a meta-analysis was done to assess the prognostic and clinicopathological significance of LOXL2 expression in various cancers. METHODS: The keywords were used for searching systematically in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Wanfang database, and CNKI. Stata SE15.0 was used for meta-analysis. The hazard ratio (HR) and odds ratios (ORs) were pooled to assess the relationship between LOXL2 expression and overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and clinicopathological parameters. RESULTS: Seventeen studies with 3,881 patients were considered as valid studies. The results indicated that the patients who had a positive LOXL2 expression had a shorter OS (HR 1.60, 95% CI 1.26-1.94, p < 0.001) or DFS (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.14-1.78, p < 0.001). For clinicopathological parameters, statistical significances were presented in age (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.13-1.58, p = 0.001), lymph node metastasis (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.37-3.53, p < 0.001), tumor size (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.15-1.85, p = 0.002), and vascular invasion (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.33-2.48, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that positive LOXL2 expression presents poorer OS and worse clinicopathological parameters. LOXL2 may be an effective biomarker to evaluate the prognosis in different type of cancers.

Vitamin B6 Intake and Pancreatic Carcinoma Risk: A Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: There are conflicting results for the association between vitamin B6 intake with reduced pancreatic carcinoma risk. Thus, a meta-analysis was performed to summarize the evidences from epidemiological studies. Methods: We searched documents from PubMed-Medline, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. The results were analyzed by using Stata software. Results: A total of nine studies were included. The multivariate-adjusted results found that the total RR values of pancreatic carcinoma was 0.65 (95% CI: 0.53-0.80) for the highest vitamin B6 intake vs the lowest vitamin B6 intake, and there was no significant heterogeneity among studies (I2 = 42.0%, P = 0.087). Sensitivity analysis indicated that no single study leaded to an excessive change for the relation between vitamin B6 intake and pancreatic carcinoma risk. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggested that vitamin B6 intake could significantly decrease pancreatic carcinoma risk. However, further study is needed based on the limitations of the current analysis.

Serum amylase activity altered by the ABO blood group system in Chinese subjects.

OBJECTIVE: The underlying interactions between ABO blood group antigens and pancreatic exocrine tissue have been demonstrated, and serum amylase was synthesized by pancreatic ductal cells. Thus, we investigated the link between ABO blood type and serum amylase activity in Chinese subjects. METHODS: Our study included 343 relatively healthy Chinese individuals, and the data were retrieved from electronic medical record database. RESULTS: A increased trend was observed for serum amylase activity in ABO blood type distribution, and we found that serum amylase activity was remarkable increased in subjects with O blood type compared to those with non-O blood type (P = 0.013). Logistic regression analysis indicated that serum amylase was independently associated with individuals with O blood group (adjusted odds ratio 1.574; 95% CI, 1.022-2.425, P = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: The present evidence suggests a significant link between serum amylase activity and ABO blood type in the study population, indicating ABO blood type may be associated with the susceptibility of pancreatic disease.

CDA gene silencing regulated the proliferation and apoptosis of chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells.

BACKGROUND: As a disease of hematopoietic stem cell, chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) possesses unique biological and clinical features. However, the biologic mechanism underlying its development remains poorly understood. Thus, the objective of the present study is to discuss the effect of cytidine deaminase (CDA) gene silencing on the apoptosis and proliferation of CML K562 cells. METHODS: CDA mRNA expression was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and enzymatic activity of CDA was measured by a nuclide liquid scintillation method. RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis were used to detect CDA mRNA and protein expression. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle were measured by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. The expression of proteins relevant to cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle was measured by Western blot analysis. Tumor xenografts were implanted in nude mice to verify the effect of CDA silencing on tumor growth in vivo. RESULTS: CML and AL patients showed increased mRNA expression and enzymatic activity of CDA. Compared with the blank group, the mRNA and protein expression of CDA in the shRNA-1 and shRNA-2 groups decreased significantly. As a result, the proliferation of K562 cells was inhibited after CDA silencing and the cells were mainly arrested in S and G2 phases, while the apoptosis rate of these cells was increased. In addition, CDA gene silencing in K562 cells led to down-regulated p-ERK1/2, t-AKT, p-AKT and BCL-2 expression and up-regulated expression of P21, Bax, cleaved caspase-3/total caspase-3 and cleaved PARP/total PARP. Finally, CDA gene silencing inhibited tumor growth. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that CDA gene silencing could inhibit CML cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis. Therefore, CDA gene silencing may become an effective target for the treatment of leukemia.

A novel combination of quick response code and microfluidic paper-based analytical devices for rapid and quantitative detection.

Nowadays, there is great interest in the use of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (µPADs) for low-cost diagnostics. In most cases, the test equipment is needed. Here we report a new type of device-independent detection method based on timer-paper-based analytical devices, which can be tested by smartphone, and its application for cholesterol detection. The Quick Response code was designed as the timer component of this device. Wax printing method was employed to print the pattern on filter paper. The color and enzyme reagents have been immobilized in the hydrophilic channel to complete the colorimetric detection for cholesterol. Under laminar flow conditions of the cellulose network, the liquid volume of detection zone has been quantified by monitoring the fluid residence time on different area of the timer-paper-based devices. The precise monitoring of detection time can promote the accuracy of colorimetric detection. This is very important for the quantitative detection of paper-based analytical devices. One significant outcome of this report is that simple and accurate timer can be used for detection process self-clocking. The factors of total detection time have been investigated. The linear range of the calibration curve was 3.0 ~ 6.0 mmol L-1, with correlation coefficient of 0.9956. With the characteristic of easy to use, low cost and accurate monitoring of detection time, this kind of timer-paper-based devices can be applied to cholesterol or other substances rapid detection.

Serum carbohydrate antigen 153 and renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to investigate the correlation between serum carbohydrate antigen 153 (CA153) and renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: A total of 184 patients with T2DM were included, and renal function was assessed by the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) formula adjusted coefficient of the Chinese people. RESULTS: Serum CA153 concentrations were positively correlated with blood glucose (BG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (r = .204, P = .005; r = .165, P = .025) in patients with T2DM. There was a negative correlation between serum CA153 and estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (r = -.229, P = .002) in whole patients with T2DM; similarly, the correlations were observed in both women and men (r = -.228, P = .028 for women, r = -.231, P = .028 for men). Multiple linear regression analysis suggested that serum CA153 was still significantly correlated with estimated GFR (beta = -0.286, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum CA153 is negatively correlated with estimated GFR in patients with T2DM, and serum CA153 may be a potentially useful clinical biomarker to assess renal function in the study population.

Relation of serum γ-glutamyl transferase activity with copper in an adult population.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GGT) activity and serum copper in an adult population. METHODS: We analyzed 281 adult subjects who regularly attended the physical examination center at the Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities. RESULTS: The demographic and laboratory data of the participants were divided into two groups according to the median of serum γ-GGT activity. Serum copper concentrations in individuals with higher γ-GGT levels were significantly increased compared with those with lower γ-GGT concentrations (9.9±2.41 vs. 11.2±3.36 µmol/L, p<0.001). There was a positive correlation between serum γ-GGT activity and copper in all eligible subjects (r=0.198, p=0.001). Further, serum γ-GGT maintained a positive correlation with serum copper in both males and females (r=0.322, p<0.001; r=0.230, p=0.010). The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that serum γ-GGT maintained a significantly positive correlation with copper after adjusting for multiple potential confounders (b=0.464, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that serum γ-GGT activity is correlated with copper in the study population, indicating that serum γ-GGT may be a biomarker to evaluate serum copper levels in an adult population.

Association study of CD154 polymorphisms and serum CD154 level with systemic lupus erythematous in Chinese population.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of three polymorphisms of CD154 with risk of SLE in Chinese population. The study population comprised 770 Chinese individuals, including 350 SLE patients and 420 healthy controls. The gene polymorphism was measured using Snapshot SNP genotyping assays and confirmed by sequencing. Serum CD154 (sCD154) level was measured by ELISA. Compared with control group, sCD154 levels were significantly increased in case group (P < 0.001). The minor C allele of rs1126535 was associated with a significantly increased risk of SLE as compared to the major T allele (P < 0.001). Furthermore, an increased frequency of C-G-A haplotype was also detected in case group which associated with an increased risk of SLE (P = 0.009). Notably, patients carrying rs1126535CT/CC genotypes had a higher sCD154 level compared with that carrying rs1126535TT genotype (P < 0.05). Unfortunately, analyses on the association between rs1126535 and several clinical manifestations of SLE failed to find any significant results. In conclusion, these results indicated that CD154 gene polymorphisms may associate with the risk of SLE and may play regulation role in the expression of sCD154 in SLE patients.

The Association of Growth Differentiation Factor-15 Gene Polymorphisms with Growth Differentiation Factor-15 Serum Levels and Risk of Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Current evidence shows that growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) plays an important role in the progression of ischemic stroke (IS). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between 3 single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the GDF-15 gene and IS susceptibility in the Chinese population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study subjects comprised 601 Chinese individuals, including 298 stroke patients and 303 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. The polymorphisms were measured using snapshot single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping assays and confirmed by sequencing. Serum GDF-15 (sGDF-15) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The distribution of rs1804826G/T polymorphism was significant different between the 2 groups (P < .05). Compared with the rs1804826 G allele, the rs1804826 T allele was significantly associated with an increased risk of IS (P < .05). Haplotype analyses showed that the T-T-G haplotype was significantly associated with an increased risk of IS (odds ratio = 1.671, 95% confidence interval = 1.231-2.268; P = .001). Compared with the normal controls, the sGDF-15 levels were significantly increased in stroke patients (P < .001). Besides, patients carrying rs1804826 GT/TT genotypes had higher sGDF-15 levels compared with those carrying GG genotypes (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The GDF-15 gene rs1804826G/T polymorphism and sGDF-15 levels are associated with IS in the Chinese population. Our data indicate that the GDF-15 gene may play a role in the development of IS.

Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio in Polymyositis as a Marker of Disease Activity.

BACKGROUND: Platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has been regarded as a parameter in assessing systemic inflammation. Polymyositis (PM) is a rare connective tissue diseases characterized by chronic muscle inflammation, which led to a hypothesis with respect to PLR in PM patients. Therefore, it is reasonable to investigate the relationship between PLR and PM. METHODS: The present study included 46 newly diagnosed PM patients and 128 healthy subjects as controls. The muscle weakness of PM patients was measured using the manual muscle test (MMT) to evaluate disease activity in patients with PM. RESULTS: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and PLR were higher in patients with PM compared with healthy controls (4.1 ± 1.32 vs. 1.6 ± 0.58, p < 0.001, 158.4 ± 86.39 vs. 103.8 ± 29.82, p < 0.001). PLR was positively correlated with NLR, ESR, and platelet counts (r = 0.392, p = 0.008, r = 0.422, p = 0.020, r = 0.366, p < 0.001), and negatively with lymphocyte counts (r = -0.872, p < 0.001) in patients with PM. Interesting, a reverse correlation between PLR and MMT score was observed in patients with PM (r = -0.383, p = 0.010). However, there was no correlation between NLR and MMT score (r = -0.266, p = 0.074). In logistic regression analysis, PLR was independently associated with PM after adjustment for age, gender, ESR, lymphocyte counts, neutrophil counts, leukocyte counts, and NLR. The resulting odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were 1.017 (95% CI 1.003 - 1.031; p = 0.015) for PLR. CONCLUSIONS: Our research suggests that PLR is associated with PM, and PLR may be used to estimate disease activity of PM patients.

Icariin Prevents Cartilage and Bone Degradation in Experimental Models of Arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Icariin (ICA) is an active compound extracted from Epimedium brevicornum Maxim. Previous reports have shown that icariin has a clinically significant therapeutic effect on rheumatoid arthritis. However, little is known about the mechanism by which icariin inhibits cartilage and bone degradation. METHODS: New Zealand rabbits were immunized with antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) and treated with icariin. Joint tissues from rabbits were studied by histological analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and micro-CT. The expression levels of receptor activator of nuclear factor-B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in joint tissues were determined using immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR analysis. RESULTS: Histological analysis and TEM sections of cartilage in the ICA treated group showed a low level of chondrocyte destruction. Micro-CT analysis showed that the bone mineral density value and bone structural level in ICA treated rabbits were significantly higher compared with those in the AIA group. Immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR analysis showed that icariin treatment reduced RANKL expression and enhanced OPG expression levels, as compared to the AIA group. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that ICA suppresses articular bone loss and prevents joint destruction. This study also determined that ICA regulated articular bone loss in part by regulating RANKL and OPG expression.

Serum Bilirubin and Their Association With C-Reactive Protein in Patients With Migraine.

BACKGROUND: Increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) have been considered as a marker in assessing neurogenic inflammation of migraine patients. An inverse relationship between serum bilirubin and CRP has been observed in various diseases. Therefore, we analyzed serum bilirubin levels in migraine patients, and investigated the relationship between serum bilirubin and CRP in migraineurs. METHODS: A total of 86 newly diagnosed migraine patients were consecutively recruited to this study. RESULTS: Significantly lower median serum total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin (CB) and unconjugated bilirubin were found in patients with migraine than healthy controls, and the levels of CRP were significantly higher in migraine patients than healthy controls. A negative correlation between CRP and CB was observed in patients with migraine (r = -0.255, P = 0.018). In a multiple linear regression model, the concentrations of CRP remained negatively correlated with CB. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that serum bilirubin concentrations are decreased in migraineurs, and CB levels were found to be positively correlated with CRP in migraine patents. However, larger cross-sectional and prospective studies are needed to establish whether serum bilirubin may be a useful biomarker for assessing neurogenic inflammation in migraine patients and eventually guiding the therapy.