Systemic inflammation with sarcopenia predicts survival in patients with gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The levels of platelet-related inflammation indicators and sarcopenia have been reported to affect the survival of patients with cancer. To evaluate the prognostic influence of platelet count (PLT), platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune inflammation index (SII), and SII combined with sarcopenia on the survival of patients with gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: A total of 1133 patients with GC (812 male and 321 female, average age: 59.43 years) were evaluated. Receiver-operating characteristic curves were used to determine the best cutoff values of PLT, PLR, and SII, and univariate and multivariate Cox risk regression models were used to evaluate whether SII is an independent predictor of overall survival (OS). The prognostic SS (SII-sarcopenia) was established based on SII and sarcopenia. Finally, a comprehensive analysis of the prognostic SS was performed. RESULTS: SII had the strongest prognostic effect. The SII and OS of patients with GC were in an inverted U-shape (adjusted HR = 1.07; 95% CI 0.97-1.19; adjusted P = 0.179). In patients with SII > 1800, SII was negatively correlated with OS (adjusted HR = 0.57; 95% CI 0.29-1.12; adjusted P = 0.102), however, there is no statistical difference. Interestingly, a high SS was associated with a poorer prognosis. The higher the SS score was, the worse the OS (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: SII is an independent prognostic indicator of GC, and high SII is related to poor prognosis. A higher SS score had worse survival. Thus, the prognostic SS is a reliable predictor of OS in patients with GC.

Can acoustic radiation force impulse imaging (ARFI) accurately diagnose renal masses?: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Renal masses are increasingly being discovered because of the wide accessibility of modern high resolution imaging procedures. Previous clinical studies have reported that acoustic radiation force impulse imaging (ARFI) is used for diagnosis of renal masses. However, no study has investigated this topic systematically. Therefore, this study will evaluate the diagnostic value of ARFI for the diagnosis of renal masses. METHODS: A systematic search using the databases of Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Pubmed, WANGFANG, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure will be performed to identify studies in which patients with renal masses are assessed by ARFI. Two investigators will independently screen the literature and extract the data. Any discrepancies will be resolved via discussion with the senior author. Study quality will be assessed by the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool, and pooled sensitivity and specificity of various ARFI findings for the diagnosis of renal masses will be determined. Summary receiver operating characteristic curve will be used to assess the overall performance of ARFI. RESULTS: This study will evaluate the diagnostic value of ARFI for the diagnosis of renal masses through sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio. CONCLUSION: This study will summarize the most recent evidence that focusing on the diagnosis of ARFI for renal masses. STUDY REGISTRATION: INPLASY202060105.

Diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the detection of small renal masses: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The small renal masses (SRMs) were defined that the diameter of renal masses measured by enhanced image was ≤4 cm. The diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for SRMs is apparently variable among previous studies. Hence, this study will evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CEUS in the identification of benign and malignant SRMs. METHODS: A comprehensive search using the databases of Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, WANGFANG, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure will be carried out to identify studies in which patients with SRMs are assessed by CEUS. Two investigators will independently screen the literature and extract the data. Any discrepancies will be resolved via discussion with the senior author. Study quality will be assessed by the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool, and pooled sensitivity and specificity of various CEUS findings for the diagnosis of SRMs will be determined. Summary receiver operating characteristic curve will be used to assess the overall performance of CEUS. RESULTS: This study will evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CEUS for the diagnosis of SRMs through sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio. CONCLUSION: This study will summarize the most recent evidence that focusing on the diagnosis of CEUS for SRMs. STUDY REGISTRATION: INPLASY202060040.

COVID-19 patients' clinical characteristics, discharge rate, and fatality rate of meta-analysis.

The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical data, discharge rate, and fatality rate of COVID-19 patients for clinical help. The clinical data of COVID-19 patients from December 2019 to February 2020 were retrieved from four databases. We statistically analyzed the clinical symptoms and laboratory results of COVID-19 patients and explained the discharge rate and fatality rate with a single-arm meta-analysis. The available data of 1994 patients in 10 literatures were included in our study. The main clinical symptoms of COVID-19 patients were fever (88.5%), cough (68.6%), myalgia or fatigue (35.8%), expectoration (28.2%), and dyspnea (21.9%). Minor symptoms include headache or dizziness (12.1%), diarrhea (4.8%), nausea and vomiting (3.9%). The results of the laboratory showed that the lymphocytopenia (64.5%), increase of C-reactive protein (44.3%), increase of lactic dehydrogenase (28.3%), and leukocytopenia (29.4%) were more common. The results of single-arm meta-analysis showed that the male took a larger percentage in the gender distribution of COVID-19 patients 60% (95% CI [0.54, 0.65]), the discharge rate of COVID-19 patients was 52% (95% CI [0.34,0.70]), and the fatality rate was 5% (95% CI [0.01,0.11]).

Overexpression of Global Regulator Talae1 Leads to the Discovery of New Antifungal Polyketides From Endophytic Fungus Trichoderma afroharzianum.

Transcription regulation caused by global regulators exerts important effects on fungal secondary metabolism. By overexpression of the global regulator Talae1 in a Ficus elastica-associated fungus Trichoderma afroharzianum, two structurally new polyketides (1 and 2) that were newly produced in the transformant were isolated and identified. Their structures, including the absolute configurations, were elucidated through a combination of high resolution mass spectrometer (HRMS), NMR, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. The growth inhibitory activities of compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated against four bacteria and six plant-pathogenic fungi. Compound 1 showed the highest antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. nicotianae with MIC of 8 µg/ml. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report on the application of the global regulator in T. afroharzianum to activate the biosynthesis of bioactive secondary metabolites.

Huangshan population of Chinese Zacco platypus (Teleostei, Cyprinidae) harbors diverse matrilines and high genetic diversity.

Six main mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) lineages have been described in minnow (Zacco platypus) samples obtained from northern, western and southern China. Perdices et al. (2004) predicted that further sampling of other tributaries might discover more lineages of this species. In this study, we collected 26 Zacco platypus individuals in the Huangshan area of eastern China and determined the cytochrome b (cytb) sequence variations. Combined with reported data in GenBank, we identified ten matrilines (Zacco A-J) in a total of 169 samples, with relatively high molecular divergence found among them. The Huangshan population had the greatest genetic variation among all sampled regions and hosted six of the ten matrilines. Our results highlight the significance of the Huangshan area for the conservation of Zacco platypus.

[Prediction model of fetal meconium-stained amniotic fluid in re-pregnant women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a prediction model of fetal meconium-stained amniotic fluid in re-pregnant women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). METHODS: Clinical data of 180 re-pregnant women with ICP delivering in Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine between January 2009 to August 2014 were collected. An artificial neural network model (ANN) for risk evaluation of fetal meconium-stained fluid was established and assessed. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of ANN for predicting fetal meconium-stained fluid were 68.0%, 85.0% and 80.3%, respectively. The risk factors with effect weight >10% were pregnancy complications, serum cholyglycine level,maternal age. CONCLUSION: The established ANN model can be used for predicting fetal meconium-stained amniotic fluid in re-pregnant women with ICP.

New Record of Lycodon liuchengchaoi in Anhui.

One juvenile and one adult female wolf snake (Colubridae: Lycodon) were sampled at Yixian and Fuxi, Huangshan, Anhui, China in the summer of 2011 and 2012, respectively. The two specimens were identified as Lycodon liuchengchaoi based on external morphology and molecular data. This is a new reptile record in Anhui Province. In our laboratory, four eggs were laid and three neonates were hatched successfully. This is the first record of the laying and incubation of L. liuchengchaoi eggs. The five specimens were deposited at the Museum of Huangshan University (HUM20140001) and Guangdong Entomological Institute (HB-lcfsp12613, HB-lcfsp-ch1~3).

Cerebral protective effect of nicorandil premedication on patients undergoing liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Neurological injury is a common complication in the early period after liver transplantation, posing an enormous obstacle to treatment efficiency and patient survival. Nicorandil is a mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel (mitoKATP) opener. It has been reported to be effective in reducing brain injury in recent studies. However, it is still unclear whether nicorandil has cerebral protective effect in patients undergoing liver transplantation. METHODS: Fifty patients scheduled for liver transplantation were randomly divided into a nicorandil group (group N) (n=25), in which patients received 10 mg nicorandil through a nasogastric tube 30 minutes before induction of anesthesia, and a control group (group C) (n=25) who received 10 mL normal saline. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was performed before anesthesia (day 0), and on days 3 and 7 after surgery. Blood samples were obtained before induction of anesthesia (T1), and at 12 (T2) and 36 hours (T3) after surgery for determination of serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100ß protein (S100ß) concentrations. RESULTS: During surgery, 5 patients in each group were eliminated due to severe reperfusion or renal insufficiency. Therefore, 20 patients remained in each group. The MMSE scores after operation were significantly lower than those before operation in group C. However, there was no difference at days 3 and 7 compared with day 0 in group N. Serum NSE concentrations after surgery were significantly higher than baseline (at T1) in both groups, except at T3 in group N. Serum S100ß concentration after surgery was significantly higher than baseline (at T1) in both groups. The MMSE scores at days 3 and 7 in group N were significantly higher than those in group C. The concentrations of serum NSE and S100ß at T2 and T3 in group N were significantly lower than those in group C. CONCLUSIONS: Oral nicorandil, as a premedication before liver transplantation, improves postoperative MMSE scores. It also attenuates the increase of NSE and S100ß in blood, indicating its cerebral protective effect.

[A Meta analysis: mother to infant transmission of hepatitis B virus via different combined immunoprophylaxis delivery modes].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of different combined immunoprophylaxis delivery modes on mother to infant transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV). METHODS: Six hundred and ninety-six relevant literatures were collected by systematic literature search. Meta-analysis was applied to seven selected literatures that met the criteria and to assess the influence on the infant HBV transmission via different delivery patterns by infants combined immunoprophylaxis. RESULTS: A total of 1435 cases from seven studies which met the criteria were included. The positive rate of HBV was 7.34% (61/831) among the 831 infants in the vaginal delivery group and 4.80% (29/604) among the 604 infants in the caesarean section group. There was no statistically difference between the two groups (OR = 0.70, 95%CI: 0.45 - 1.11, Z = 1.52, P = 0.13). CONCLUSION: There was no significant effect of delivery modes on infant infectious rate of HBV by infants' passive and active immunization.

Design and analysis of metal-dielectric nonpolarizing beam splitters in a glass cube.

A novel design of a 25-layer metal-dielectric nonpolarizing beam splitter in a cube is proposed by use of the optimization method and is theoretically investigated. The simulations of the reflectance and differential phases induced by reflection and transmission are presented. The simulation results reveal that both the amplitude and the phase characteristics of the nonpolarizing beam splitter could realize the design targets, the differences between the simulated and the target reflectance of 50% are less than 2%, and the differential phases are less than 3 degrees in the range of 530 nm-570 nm for both p and s components.

Designs of infrared nonpolarizing beam splitters with a Ag layer in a glass cube.

A novel design of a nonpolarizing beam splitter with a Ag layer in a cube was proposed and optimized, based on the needle optimization. The digital simulations of the reflectance and reflection-induced retardance were presented. The simulation results showed that both the amplitude and the phase characteristics of the nonpolarizing beam splitter could realize the design targets. The difference between the simulated and the target reflectance of 50% is less than 0.4% and the simulated and the reflection-induced retardance is less than 0.62 degrees in the 1260 -1360 nm range for both p and s components.

Theoretical analysis of two nonpolarizing beam splitters in asymmetrical glass cubes.

The design principle for a nonpolarizing beam splitter based on the Brewster condition in a cube is introduced. Nonpolarizing beam splitters in an asymmetrical glass cube are proposed and theoretically investigated, and applied examples are given. To realize 50% reflectance and 50% transmittance at specified wavelengths for both polarization components with an error of less than 2%, two measurements are taken by adjusting the refractive index of the substrate material and optimizing the thicknesses of each film in the design procedures. The simulated results show that the targets are achieved using the method reported here.

[Effect of vascular endothelial growth factor on pre-eclampsia in pregnant rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate relationship between the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia in pregnant rats. METHODS: Pregnant rats were divided into two groups randomly. Saline solution or L-nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) 125 mg/d was given subcutaneously from day 7 of gestation till establishing pre-eclampsia. Systolic blood pressure, urine protein, platelet count, and weight of pups and placenta were determined. The levels of VEGF in pregnant rats venous serum, placenta and decidual tissue from normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia rats were detected by ELISA and immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULT: Pregnant rats which were given L-NAME produced physical signs similar to those of pre-eclampsia, such as increase in systolic blood pressure [(145.3 +/-4.6)mmHg] and urine protein [(814.3 +/-57.5)mg/L], and decrease in platelet count [(467.1 +/-76.3) x 10(9)/L] and weight of pups and placenta. Compared with controls, the intensity of VEGF immunostaining in trophoblast or decidual cells were significantly reduced. The serum levels of VEGF were significantly lower in pre-eclampsia group than in normal pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Decreased serum levels of VEGF and reduced expression of VEGF in placental tissues might in part explain the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia in pregnant rats.

Antioxidant attenuates acute lung injury after cardiopulmonary bypass in rats.

This study tested the effects of the antioxidant pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate on acute lung injury induced by cardiopulmonary bypass in rats. Adult rats were randomly divided into 3 groups of 7 each. The study group was pretreated with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate before undergoing 60 min of normothermic partial cardiopulmonary bypass, a control group underwent cardiopulmonary bypass only, and a third group underwent a sham operation involving anesthesia and cannulation only. The respiratory index at 60 min after terminating bypass was significantly increased in the study group only. Neutrophil, malondialdehyde, interleukin-8, nuclear factor-kappaB, and protein levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from the cardiopulmonary bypass group were significantly higher than those in the other two groups, with marked inflammatory changes on lung histopathology. It was concluded that cardiopulmonary bypass can directly induce acute lung injury, and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate attenuates this injury by inhibiting nuclear factor-kappaB activity.

[Changes of serum cardiotrophin I and cystatin C in preeclampsia and clinical significance thereof].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes and of serum cardiotrophin I (cTN I) and cystatin C in preeclampsia clinical significance thereof. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 40 women with preeclampsia, aged 29 (18 - 39), with the medium gestational age of 35 weeks, and 40 age- and gestational age-matched controls. Serum cTN I and cystatin C were determined with ELISA and serum levels of creatinine kinase, creatinine, and uric acid were assayed by automatic biochemical analyzer. Comparison was made between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The serum cTn I of the preeclampsia group was 0.59 microg/L +/- 0.42 microg/L, significantly higher than that of the control group (0.09 microg/L +/- 0.22 microg/L P < 0.001), and the serum cystatin C of the preeclampsia group was 1.64 mg/L +/- 0.47 mg/L, significantly higher than that of the control group (1.08 mg/L +/- 0.19 mg/L, P < 0.001). And the serum cardiotrophin I and cystatin C concentrations of the patients with severe preeclampsia were 0.66 microg/L +/- 0.40 microg/L and 1.72 mg/L +/- 0.46 mg/L respectively, both significantly higher than those of the patients with mild preeclampsia (0.17 microg/L +/- 0.26 microg/L and 1.21 mg/L +/- 0.37 mg/L respectively, P < 0.001 and 0.05 respectively). CONCLUSION: Serum cTn I and cystatin C levels are elevated in preeclampsia and the elevation is associated with the severity of preeclampsia, suggesting that serum concentrations of cTn I and cystatin C are useful markers in the early diagnosis of cardiac and renal injury in patients of preeclampsia.

[Imbalance of serum T helper 1- and 2-type cytokines in preeclampsia and gestational hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in serum levels of Th1- (IL-2 and TNF-alpha) and Th2-type cytokines (IL-10) and the ratios of Th1/Th2 (IL-2/IL-10 and TNF-alpha/IL-10) in preeclampsia and in gestational hypertension. METHODS: Levels of IL-2, IL-10 and TNF-alpha were determined with radioimmunoassay in serum samples from 22 women with preeclampsia, 15 women with gestational hypertension and 32 normal term pregnant women. The Th1/Th2 ratios were calculated accordingly. RESULT: There were no significant differences in serum levels of IL-2, IL-10 and TNF-alpha (P>0.05 for all) among normal pregnancy, gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. The ratio of serum IL-2/IL-10 was significantly higher in preeclampsia than that in controls (P < 0.05), and the ratio of TNF-alpha/IL-10 significantly higher in patients with preeclampsia than that in either controls or gestational hypertension (P<0.025 for both). CONCLUSION: Alterations of serum cytokine balance with predominance of Th1 immunity were observed in preeclampsia. These associations may offer insight into the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

[Expression of Fas and FasL in serum and placenta of preeclamptic pregnancy and its significance].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the serum and placental levels of FAS and FASL in preeclampsia (PE) and to study its relationship with the disease. METHODS: Forty women with preeclampsia and 39 healthy pregnant women were recruited and samples of serum and placentas were collected. The expression of Fas and FasL in placentas was detected with Western blot and the concentration of soluble Fas and FasL in serum was detected with ELISA method. RESULT: Serum levels of soluble Fas in PE group were significantly higher than those of healthy pregnant women (2.11+/-0.95 mg/L compared with 1.57+/-0.60 mg/L, P<0.05), and serum levels of soluble FasL in PE group were also significantly higher than those in controls (4.43+/-1.90 g/L compared with 3.48+/-1.53 g/L, P<0.01). There were no significant differences in Fas and FasL levels in placentas between PE group and healthy pregnant women (P>0.05 for both). CONCLUSION: The elevated serum Fas and FasL levels are closely associated with preeclampsia, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease.

[Relationship between serum resistin level and preeclampsia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the alteration of serum resistin levels in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia. METHODS: Blood samples were take from 28 normal non-pregnant women, 27 women in the 1st, 26 in the 2nd and 26 in the 3rd trimester of normal pregnancy and 25 women with preeclampsia. Serum resistin concentration was determined using ELISA method. RESULT: Serum levels of resistin were not significantly different among non-pregnancy, the 1st and the 2nd trimester of pregnancy (P>0.05 for all). Serum resistin level was significantly elevated in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy as compared with non-pregnancy (P<0.01), the 1st (P<0.001) and the 2nd trimester of pregnancy (P<0.001). Serum resistin level was significantly lower in preeclampsia than in the 3rd trimester of normal pregnancy (P<0.001), but was comparable to that of non-pregnancy, the 1st and the 2nd trimester of pregnancy (P>0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: The decrease of serum resistin level in the preeclampsia may provide insight into the pathogenesis of the disease.