Resting-State Functional Connectivity of the Primary Visual Cortex in Children with Anisometropia Amblyopia.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to explore the functional connectivity of the primary visual cortex (V1) in children with anisometropic amblyopia by using the resting-state functional connectivity analysis method and determine whether anisometropic amblyopia is associated with changes in brain function. METHODS: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were obtained from 16 children with anisometropia amblyopia (CAA group) and 12 healthy children (HC group) during the resting state. The Brodmann area 17 (BA17) was used as the region of interest, and the functional connection (FC) of V1 was analyzed in both groups. A two-sample t test was used to analyze the FC value between the two groups. Pearson's correlation was used to analyze the correlation between the mean FC value in the brain function change area of the CAA group and the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of amblyopia. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age and sex between the CAA and HC groups (p > 0.05). Compared to the HC group, the CAA group showed lower FC values in BA17 and the left medial frontal gyrus, as well as BA17 and the left triangle inferior frontal gyrus. Conversely, the CAA group showed higher FC values in BA17 and the left central posterior gyrus. Notably, BCVA in amblyopia did not correlate with the area of change in mean FC in the brain function of the CAA group. CONCLUSION: Resting-state fMRI-based functional connectivity analysis indicates a significant alteration in V1 of children with anisometropic amblyopia. These findings contribute additional insights into the neuropathological mechanisms underlying visual impairment in anisometropic amblyopia.

An Optimization Method of Production-Distribution in Multi-Value-Chain.

Value chain collaboration management is an effective means for enterprises to reduce costs and increase efficiency to enhance competitiveness. Vertical and horizontal collaboration have received much attention, but the current collaboration model combining the two is weak in terms of task assignment and node collaboration constraints in the whole production-distribution process. Therefore, in the enterprise dynamic alliance, this paper models the MVC (multi-value-chain) collaboration process for the optimization needs of the MVC collaboration network in production-distribution and other aspects. Then a MVC collaboration network optimization model is constructed with the lowest total production-distribution cost as the optimization objective and with the delivery cycle and task quantity as the constraints. For the high-dimensional characteristics of the decision space in the multi-task, multi-production end, multi-distribution end, and multi-level inventory production-distribution scenario, a genetic algorithm is used to solve the MVC collaboration network optimization model and solve the problem of difficult collaboration of MVC collaboration network nodes by adjusting the constraints among genes. In view of the multi-level characteristics of the production-distribution scenario, two chromosome coding methods are proposed: staged coding and integrated coding. Moreover, an algorithm ERGA (enhanced roulette genetic algorithm) is proposed with enhanced elite retention based on a SGA (simple genetic algorithm). The comparative experiment results of SGA, SEGA (strengthen elitist genetic algorithm), ERGA, and the analysis of the population evolution process show that ERGA is superior to SGA and SEGA in terms of time cost and optimization results through the reasonable combination of coding methods and selection operators. Furthermore, ERGA has higher generality and can be adapted to solve MVC collaboration network optimization models in different production-distribution environments.

Causal Associations of Obesity With Achilles Tendinopathy: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study.

Background: Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is associated with severe pain and is the cause of dysfunction and disability that are associated with significant reduction in social and economic benefits. Several potential risk factors have been proposed to be responsible for AT development; however, the results of observational epidemiological studies remain controversial, presumably because the designs of these studies are subject to residual confounding and reverse causality. Mendelian randomization (MR) can infer the causality between exposure and disease outcomes using genetic variants as instrumental variables, and identification of the causal risk factors for AT is beneficial for early intervention. Thus, we employed the MR strategy to evaluate the causal associations between previously reported risk factors (anthropometric parameters, lifestyle factors, blood biomarkers, and systemic diseases) and the risk of AT. Methods: Univariable MR was performed to screen for potential causal associations between the putative risk factors and AT. Bidirectional MR was used to infer reverse causality. Multivariable MR was conducted to investigate the body mass index (BMI)-independent causal effect of other obesity-related traits, such as the waist-hip ratio, on AT. Results: Univariable MR analyses with the inverse-variance weighted method indicated that the genetically predicted BMI was significantly associated with the risk of AT (P=2.0×10-3), and the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) is 1.44 (1.14-1.81) per 1-SD increase in BMI. For the other tested risk factors, no causality with AT was identified using any of the MR methods. Bidirectional MR suggested that AT was not causally associated with BMI, and multivariable MR indicated that other anthropometric parameters included in this study were not likely to causally associate with the risk of AT after adjusting for BMI. Conclusions: The causal association between BMI and AT risk suggests that weight control is a promising strategy for preventing AT and alleviating the corresponding disease burden.

[Clinical observation of chiropractic manipulation in the treatment of degenerative scoliosis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe clinical efficacy of chiropractic manipulation in the treatment of degenerative scoliosis (DS). METHODS: From June 2017 to September 2019, 120 patients with degenerative scoliosis were randomly divided into treatment group (60 cases) and control group(60 cases). The patients in treatment group were treated with chiropractic manipulation once every other day for 4 weeks. The patients in control group were treated with eperisone hydrochloride tablets combined with thoracolumbar orthopedic(TSLO)brace, oral eperisone hydrochloride tablets 50 mg three times a day, wearing TSLO brace for not less than 8 hours a day. The course of treatment was 4 weeks. After the patients were selected into the group, visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were recorded before treatment, 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks after treatment and 1 month after treatment. The full length X-ray of the spine was taken before and 4 weeks after treatment, and the scoliosis Cobb angle, sagittal vertical axis (SVA) and lumbar lordosis (LL) were measured and compared. The adverse reactions during the treatment were recorded. RESULTS: There were significant differences in VAS and ODI between two groups at each time point after treatment (P<0.001), VAS and ODI at 2 weeks after treatment (PVAS=0.025, PODI=0.032) and 3 weeks after treatment(PVAS=0.040, PODI=0.044) in treatment group were significantly different from those in control group, but there was no significant difference in VAS and ODI at other time points between treatment group and control group (P>0.05). There was significant difference in Cobb angle between treatment group(P=0.010) and control group(P=0.017) after treatment, but there was no significant difference in LL and SVA between treatment group and control group. There was no significant difference in Cobb angle, LL and SVA between two groups before and after treatment. During the treatment, there were 4 mild adverse reactions in the control group and no adverse reactions in the treatment group. CONCLUSION: Chiropractic manipulation can effectively relieve pain and improve lumbar function in patients with degenerative scoliosis. The onset of action is faster than that oral eperisone hydrochloride tablets combined with TSLO brace, and it has better safety and can improve Cobb angle of patients with degenerative scoliosis.

Sensitive, simultaneous and quantitative detection of deoxynivalenol and fumonisin B1 in the water environment using lateral flow immunoassay integrated with smartphone.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) and fumonisin B1 (FB1), as a group of highly toxic secondary metabolites, have become a potential source of water environmental pollutants. To minimize two mycotoxins exposure to consumers, a dual lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) integrated with the smartphone was reported for simultaneous and quantitative detection of DON and FB1 in the water environment. The significantly improved sensitivity was contributed to a smartphone-based device with the ability to image and analyze results. Under optimized conditions, the detection limits of DON and FB1 were calculated to be 3.46 and 2.65 ng/mL, which were approximately 25 and 10 folds lower than those of the visual detection of the LFIA. This method showed good specificity and a good dynamic linear detection for DON and FB1. The recoveries of DON and FB1 were evaluated by the spiked lake water, river water, and pond water, ranging from 92.47% to 106.2% with the relative standard deviation under 9.13%. Moreover, the results of the developed LFIA showed a high correlation with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results, with a correlation coefficient of 0.999 for DON and 0.996 for FB1, respectively. To sum up, the developed LFIA provides a promising platform for sensitive, simultaneous, quantitative, and on-site detection of DON and FB1 in the water environment.

Nep1-Like Proteins From the Biocontrol Agent Pythium oligandrum Enhance Plant Disease Resistance Independent of Cell Death and Reactive Oxygen Species.

Microbial necrosis and ethylene-inducing peptide 1 (Nep1)-like proteins (NLPs) act as cytolytic toxins and immunogenic patterns in plants. Our previous work shows that cytolytic NLPs (i.e., PyolNLP5 and PyolNLP7) from the biocontrol agent Pythium oligandrum enhance plant resistance against Phytophthora pathogens by inducing the expression of plant defensins. However, the relevance between PyolNLP-induced necrosis and plant resistance activation is still unclear. Here, we find that the necrosis-inducing activity of PyolNLP5 requires amino acid residues D127 and E129 within the conserved "GHRHDLE" motif. However, PyolNLP5-mediated plant disease resistance is irrelevant to its necrosis-inducing activity and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, we reveal the positive role of non-cytotoxic PyolNLPs in enhancing plant resistance against Phytophthora pathogens and the fugal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Similarly, non-cytotoxic PyolNLPs also activate plant defense in a cell death-independent manner and induce defensin expression. The functions of non-cytotoxic PyolNLP13/14 rely on their conserved nlp24-like peptide pattern. Synthetic Pyolnlp24s derived from both cytotoxic and non-cytotoxic PyolNLPs can induce plant defensin expression. Unlike classic nlp24, Pyolnlp24s lack the ability of inducing ROS burst in plants with the presence of Arabidopsis nlp24 receptor RLP23. Taken together, our work demonstrates that PyolNLPs enhance plant resistance in an RLP23-independent manner, which requires the conserved nlp24-like peptide pattern but is uncoupled with ROS burst and cell death.

The increased motion of lumbar induces ligamentum flavum hypertrophy in a rat model.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to establish a novel rat model for ligamentum flavum (LF) hypertrophy using increased motion of lumbar and to elucidate the etiology of (LFH). METHODS: A total number of 30 male rats were used. The increased motion of lumbar was induced by surgical resection of L5/6 posterior elements (n = 15). The other rats underwent a sham operation (n = 15). After 8 weeks, all rats were taken lateral plain X-rays. The LF from L5/6 in both groups were harvested to investigate histological, immunohistological, and real-time PCR analysis. RESULTS: According to radiological results, the disc height ratio, flexion ratio, and extension ratio were larger in the rats in the experimental group than that of in the sham group. The HE staining showed that the LF thickness in the experimental group significantly increased in comparison to the sham group. The Masson trichrome staining showed that the ratio of elastic fibers to collagen fibers in experimental group was lower than that in the sham group. The protein and gene expression of TGF-ß1, TNF-α, IL-1ß, and Col 1 were significantly higher in the experimental group than that in the sham group. CONCLUSION: A relatively safe, simple, and rapid rat model of LFH using increased motion of lumbar was established. The increased motion of lumbar could lead to high expression of inflammatory and fibrotic factors in LF, causing the accumulation of collagen fibers and decreasing of elastic fibers.

Sparse representation theory for support vector machine kernel function selection and its application in high-speed bearing fault diagnosis.

This paper proposes a kernel function selection mechanism a support vector machine(SVM) under sparse representation and its application in bearing fault diagnosis. For a given data sample, a total of 125,150 different types of kernel functions and different parameters to classify and obtain the accuracy, root mean square error (RMSE) and mean square correlation coefficient (MSCC) of each training, these three values into an overcomplete redundant sparse dictionary. The OMP algorithm is used to solve the sparse coding, that are nonzero in the sparse coding are function types and parameters corresponding to these nonzero atoms according to the one-to-one correspondence between the sparse coding and the sparse dictionary. The nonzero atoms in the sparse coding and the kernel function types and parameters into the kernel function fitness table. According to the selection mechanism, we select the type of kernel function that is most suitable for the given data. A SVM is then composed of selected kernel function types, and PSO algorithm is used to the relevant parameters for classification of unknown data to Finally, we perform simulations and engineering experiments involving high-speed bearing fault diagnosis to verify the superiority of the selection mechanism.

Effect of traditional Chinese manipulation on ankle sprains: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese manipulation in treating ankle sprains. METHODS: Seven databases were searched from inception to July 2020. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing traditional Chinese manipulation and other conservative therapy for ankle sprains was conducted. The Cochrane Handbook tool was applied to access the quality and risk of bias of each study. The meta-analysis was performed with Review Manager 5.3 software (Nordic Cochrane Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark). RESULTS: In total, 14 articles and 1112 patients were included. The total effective rate of ankle manipulation was much higher than that of other conservative therapy (risk ratio [RR], 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-1.30; P < .00001). The Baird-Jackson score (RR, 10.14; 95% CI, 5.57-14.70; P < .0001), visual analog scale score (RR, -1.78; 95% CI, -3.14 to -0.43; P = .01), and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score (RR, 15.70; 95% CI, 12.72-18.68; P < .00001) were significantly lower in the manipulation group than in the control group. Further subgroup analysis showed that the visual analog scale score of the rotating-traction-poking manipulation was significantly lower than that of the control group (RRRTPM, -2.56; 95% CI, -4.54 to -0.58; P = .01), while there were no significant differences between the effects of other manipulations and the control group (RRother manipulation, -0.62; 95% CI, -1.52 to 0.28; P = .18). CONCLUSION: Traditional Chinese manipulation might have a better effect on ankle sprains than other types of conservative treatment. The rotating-traction-poking manipulation might achieve better effects than other manipulation techniques in terms of alleviating pain intensity. However, considering the overall high or unclear risk of bias, the evidence identified does not allow for a robust conclusion concerning the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese manipulation for treating ankle sprains. High-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Altered fMRI-derived functional connectivity in patients with high-tension glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: High-tension glaucoma (HTG) is associated with functional changes in the brain, and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is one of the major causes. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of high IOP on the brain in patients with HTG by using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients with HTG and 20 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited and underwent IOP examination and rs-fMRI scan. Voxel-wise functional connectivity (FC) values were obtained between the Brodmann Area (BA) 17 (primary visual cortex) and the rest of the brain, two-sample t test was performed between HTG group and HCs. Correlation analysis was performed between FC and clinical information. RESULTS: Compared with HCs, HTG patients demonstrated decreased FC between BA 17 and the right precuneus gyrus, decreased FC between BA 17 and the right superior frontal gyrus (SFG) (GRF corrected at voxel level P<0.001 and cluster level P<0.05, two-tailed). FC between BA 17 and the right SFG showed significantly negative correlation with right eyes' IOP and mean IOP. CONCLUSION: HTG patients had abnormal FC changes between the visual cortex and multiple functional brain regions related to visual sense, memory consolidation and cognitive processing, which provided image support for the pathophysiology research of HTG, and revealed new targets for the accurate treatment of HTG.

Effect of spinal manipulation on degenerative scoliosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of spinal manipulation (SM) on degenerative scoliosis by evaluating patients' visual analog scale (VAS) scores, Cobb angles, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), and apical vertebral rotation (AVR) and to explore factors that influence treatment effect. METHODS: A total of 55 patients with degenerative scoliosis received 4 weeks of SM. After treatment, patients were divided into two groups: the remission group (VAS score < 40 mm) and the non-remission group (VAS score ≥ 40 mm). Pre- versus post-treatment VAS scores, Cobb angles, SVA, and AVR were compared in each group and in the total population. Baseline data (sex, age, symptom characteristics, duration of symptoms, VAS score, Cobb angle, SVA, and AVR) were compared between groups. Factors influencing the post-treatment VAS score were explored with multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: No changes were found in the Cobb angle (P = 0.722) or AVR (P = 0.424) after intervention in the overall population. However, the SVA (P < 0.001) and VAS score (P = 0.000) changed significantly after treatment. Similar changes were observed in the remission group (n = 29). Multiple linear regression revealed that the only factors influencing treatment effect were symptom characteristics, SVA, and VAS score. CONCLUSION: SM relieved pain and improved sagittal imbalance in patients with degenerative scoliosis. It did not lessen the severity of coronal curvature or vertebral rotation. Factors influencing the effect of SM included symptom characteristics, VAS score, and SVA. A larger randomized trial is needed to further confirm our results.

[Aldosterone promotes migration of rat hepatic stellate cells via activation of RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway].

Objective To investigate the effect of aldosterone (ALD) on the migration of rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC-T6) and its mechanism. Methods HSC-T6 cells were cultured and divided into control group (treated with medium only), ALD group (only 1 nmol/L ALD, 24 hours), spironolactone pre-treated group (a specific inhibitor of ALD receptor 10 nmol/L spironolactone at 1 hours before ALD treatment), Y27632 pre-treated group (a RhoA kinase inhibitor 10 nmol/L Y27632 at 1 hours before ALD treatment). A TranswellTM chamber system was used to observe the change of migration in the different groups. Changes in actin cytoskeletal organization were visualized by fluorescence staining using rhadamin-labeled phalloidin and fluorescence images were recorded using confocal microscopy. The levels of phosphorylated myosinlight chain (p-MLC) and phosphorylated moesin (p-moesin) in the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway were evaluated by Western blotting in HSC-T6 cells. Results ALD treatment of HSC-T6 resulted in the enhancement of migration, but the effect of ALD-induced migration could be inhibited by spironolactone and Y27632. Stimulation of HSC-T6 with ALD induced a rapid morphological change conconmitant with a robust reorganization of actin cytoskeleton, while the morphological change was suppressed by spironolactone and Y27632. The effect of aldosterone on the activation of HSC migration was mediated by p-MLC and p-moesin protein expressions through the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway. Spironolactone and Y27632 had the ability to block aldosterone-induced protein expressions in HSC-T6 cells. Conclusion ALD can induce the migration of activated HSC-T6 cells through the activation of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway.

Compression therapy following posterior lumbar interbody fusion: a prospective, randomized, clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Wound-related complications are an inevitable issue faced by spinal surgeons. Negative pressure drainage remains the most commonly used method to prevent postoperative hematoma and related complications. This prospective, randomized, controlled study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of compression therapy following posterior lumbar interbody fusion, with emphasis on pain, anemia, and inflammation. METHODS: Sixty consecutive patients who have undergone posterior lumbar interbody fusion in the age range 43-78 years, with an average age of 59 years, were selected and randomly assigned into two groups. Factors, such as drainage volume, visual analog scale (VAS) pain score for back pain, white blood cell (WBC) count, red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels assessed on the 1st, 3rd, and 10th days postoperatively, were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The average follow-up was 6 months, ranging from 3 to 11 months. Drainage volume, VAS score, and CRP levels on the 10th day after the surgery were found to be significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group. RBC count and Hb levels on the 3rd and 10th postoperative days were observed to be significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). During discharge, the wounds of the patients of the both groups had healed and neither showed any symptoms of infection, hematoma, or necrosis. CONCLUSION: Compression therapy relieves pain, alleviates anemia, and the inflammatory response following posterior lumbar interbody fusion. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR1800015825 on chictr.org.cn, April 23, 2018, the trial registry is Chinese Clinical Trial Registry.

[Kinematic parameters and related influencing factors of sitting lumbar spine manipulation with motion capture].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of individual characteristics of patients on the kinematics parameters of sitting lumbar spine manipulation. METHODS: From January 2016 to December 2016, 30 patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis were treatede, including 18 males and 12 females, aged from 45 to 61(52.33±2.34) years old, with a course of 2 to 72(29.13±3.23) months. Motion capture technique was used to measure the kinematics parameters of the same manipulator in sitting lumbar spine manipulation for 30 patients, including rotation time, maximum speed and maximum acceleration. The parameters of the left and right hands of the operator were different. The effects of individual characteristics on the kinematics parameters of sitting lumbar spine manipulation were analyzed. RESULTS: The kinematic and mechanical parameters of manipulation were as follows:spin time, maximum speed, maximum acceleration, the manipulation done by right or left hand showed the similar parameters(P>0.05). According to multivariate linear regression, there was a significant correlation between the age of the patient and the rotation time of the operator(P<0.01); the height of patient had a significant correlation with the maximum speed and maximum acceleration of the operator(P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: There is no difference between the manipulation of left and right hand in clinical application. Age and height are important influencing factors of sitting lumbar rotation manipulation.

[DNA methylation detection of SHOX2 and PTGER4 in plasma contributes to differential diagnosis of pulmonary nodule patients].

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of plasma cell free DNA (cfDNA) methylation in short stature homeobox 2 (SHOX2) and prostaglandin E receptor 4 (PTGER4) for diagnosing pulmonary nodule patients. Methods We collected 10 mL venous blood from patients. And the plasma DNA was extracted. Real-time quantitative PCR was performed to amplify the DNA after bisulfite conversion. Valid Ct values were input into specialized software to analyze the methylation status of SHOX2 and PTGER4. Histological classification of lung malignant tissues was carried out by immunohistochemistry. Results The 22 of 57 patients were positive and 35 were negative for SHOX2 and PTGER4 DNA methylation detection. Computed tomography (CT) indicated that 31 of 57 patients were diagnosed with pulmonary nodules, among which 19 patients were positive for DNA methylation; 3 of 16 patients with inflammation on CT were positive for DNA methylation; 10 patients with normal or ground glass CT images were negative for DNA methylation. Significant differences in SHOX2 and PTGER4 DNA methylation were observed in the patients with different CT findings. The highest positive rate of CT nodular lesions was 61.3%. The 20 patients with pulmonary nodules were pathologically diagnosed with lung cancer, of which 18 were positive for SHOX2 and PTGER4 DNA methylation, with a positive rate of 90%. Only 1 case of benign pulmonary nodules was positive. Significant difference in SHOX2 and PTGER4 methylation status was observed between benign and malignant pulmonary nodules. The positive rate of SHOX2 and PTGER4 methylation were both 100% in squamous cell lung carcinoma and small cell lung carcinoma, while 75% in adenocarcinoma. Conclusion SHOX2 and PTGER4 methylation detection in blood plasma has certain value in the early diagnosis of lung cancer and can be a complementary tool of CT in diagnosing pulmonary nodule patients.

A Quantitative Intelligent Diagnosis Method for Early Weak Faults of Aviation High-speed Bearings.

An intelligent diagnosis method based on support vector machine (SVM) is proposed to quantitatively diagnose early weak faults of high-speed aero-engine's bearings. In order to achieve a better performance in contrast with conventional kernel function, a mixed kernel function is constructed and particle swarm optimization (PSO) is used to optimize kernel coefficients and other parameters. Experimental raw data is preprocessed by sparse decomposition and reconstruction method to remove noise in original signals, which can provide effective and reliable samples for SVM. In order to verify the validity of the proposed method, experiments on different fault types with different defect sizes of high-speed bearings working at 30000rpm are carried out. The results show that the accuracy of the proposed method is greatly improved compared with traditional SVM. The proposed method can not only distinguish different types of failure but also distinguish different degrees of the same fault pattern, which achieves a quantitative intelligent diagnosis of early weak faults in aviation's high-speed bearings.

[ß-aescin alleviates acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and inflammation in mice].

Objective To study the protective effect of ß-aescin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced-acute lung injury (LPS-ALI) and to explore the underlying mechanism. Methods Sixty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups including normal control group, ß-aescin-treated group, LPS-ALI group, LPS-ALI combined with ß-aescin-treated group, with 15 mice in each group. For LPS-ALI group, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with chloral hydrate and 10 mg/kg of LPS was then injected into the lungs through oropharyngeal intubation. For LPS-ALI combined with ß-aescin-treated group, ß-aescin(1 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected 0.5 hour before LPS injection. For normal control group or ß-aescin control group, the same amount of PBS or ß-aescin was intraperitoneally injected. Blood gas analysis of 1 mL blood taken from abdominal aorta was performed at 0.5, 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours after different treatments. Lungs were obtained at 3 days after different treatment for frozen sections preparation, HE staining, dry/wet mass (D/W) ratio, detection of MPO and MDA, and examination of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1ß expression. Results ß-aescin can significantly reduce the pathological changes of lung tissue, lower PaCO2 while increase PaO2 and D/W ratio, down-regulate the expression of TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 in LPS-ALI mice. Conclusion ß-aescin can significantly reduce the degree of lung injury and improve function of gas exchange in LPS-ALI mice by inhibiting lipid peroxidation production and expression of pro-inflammatory factors.

Genetic variation in mitochondrial cox2 of Heterakis gallinarum from poultry in Sichuan, China.

Heterakis gallinarum is one of the common parasitic nematodes found in the caecum of poultry. To investigate the genetic diversity and genetic structure of the H. gallinarum population in Sichuan, we amplified and sequenced the complete mitochondrial (mt) cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (cox2) gene of 59 H. gallinarum isolates from seven different geographical regions, then analyzed their genetic polymorphisms. All cox2 genes of the 59 H. gallinarum isolates were 696 bp in length, with an average A + T content of 67.1%. Fifty-nine sequences contained 34 variable sites, and were classified into 23 haplotypes (HS1-HS23). The values of haplotype diversity (Hd) and nucleotide diversity (π) were 0.688 and 0.00288, respectively. Based on values of FST and Nm (FST = 0.01929, Nm = 12.71), there was a frequent gene flow but no significant genetic differentiation observed among the populations. The network map showed that the most prominent haplotype was HS1, and the other haplotypes (HS2-HS23) were centered on HS1 with a star-like topology, indicating that H. gallinarum had previously experienced a population expansion. To our knowledge, this is the first research on the population genetics of H. gallinarum based on mitochondrial cox2.

[Protective effect of quercetin against seawater instillation-induced acute lung injury through preventing M1 polarization of macrophages in mice].

Objective To study the protective effect of quercetin against seawater instillation-induced acute lung injury (SW-ALI) and explore the roles of M1polarization of macrophages and M1 macrophage-mediated inflammation in the protective effect. Methods Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups, normal control group, quercetin-treated group, SW-ALI group, SW-ALI and quercetin-treated group, with 15 mice in each group. The mice were intraperitoneally injected with 1 g/L pentobarbital sodium, and then seawater was injected into the lungs through oropharyngeal intubation at the concentration of 4 mL/kg. Quercetin (200 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected 0.5 hour before seawater injection. The same amount of PBS and quercetin was intraperitoneally injected in normal control group and quercetin control group, respectively. Blood gas analysis of 1 mL blood taken from abdominal aorta was performed at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 hours after different treatment. Lungs were obtained at 3 days after different treatment for frozen section preparation, HE staining, dry/wet ratio (D/W) analysis and the detection of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-10, IL-1ß and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) expressions by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. Results Quercetin significantly reduced the pathological changes of lung tissues, lowered PaCO2 while increased PaO2 and D/W ratio, down-regulated the expressions of iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1ß while up-regulated the expressions of IL-4 and IL-10 in SW-ALI mice. Conclusion Quercetin can significantly improve the function of gas exchange and reduce the degree of lung injury in SW-ALI mice by inhibiting M1 polarization of macrophages and the expressions of pro-inflammatory factors.

Comparison of EMR and ESD in treatment of patients with neuroendocrine tumors of digestive tract / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To investigate the influence of EMR and ESD of endoscopic surgery on perioperative clinical parameters, complete resection rate and complications of patients with neuroendocrine tumors of digestive tract. Methods 40 patients with neuroendocrine tumors of digestive tract were chosen from June 2009 to June 2016 and randomly divided into 2 groups: A group (20 patients) with EMR and B group (20 patients) with ESD; and the operation time, the treatment cost, the lesion size, the lesion thickness, the complete resection of tumor, the negative rate of vertical margin and the complication incidence of the two groups were compared. Results The operation time and the treatment cost of B group were significant better than A group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the lesion size and the lesion thickness between the two groups (P < 0.05). The completed resection rate of B group were significant higher than A group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the negative rate of vertical margin between the two groups (P < 0.05). The complication incidence of B group were significant higher than A group (P < 0.05). Conclusion EMR and ESD of endoscopic surgery in the treatment of patients with neuroendocrine tumors of digestive tract possess the same clinical effects; EMR application can efficiently shorten the operation time and decrease the economic burden and ESD application maybe helpful to reduce the complication risk.