Value of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 for predicting acute pancreatitis severity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 and the severity of acute pancreatitis and its diagnostic utility. METHODS: This study was carried out by searching Chinese and English literature from the establishment of the database to July 9, 2023, systematically, and assessing the quality and heterogeneity of the articles included. RESULTS: Thirteen studies with a total of 986 patients were included. Patients with severe acute pancreatitis showed higher levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 compared with mild acute pancreatitis [weighted mean difference=76.64 pg/mL, 95% confidence interval (95%CI 50.39-102.89, p<0.001)]. Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 predicted pooled sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve were 79%, 74%, and 0.85 for severe acute pancreatitis, with some heterogeneity (I2>50% or p<0.05). In the subgroup analysis, cutoff >150 pg/mL was found to be a heterogeneous factor. CONCLUSION: Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 is a reliable tool for identifying acute pancreatitis severity, but only as a screening tool.

Spatiotemporal variation of dissolved oxygen concentration in the northern Gulf of Mexico during the period of 1992-2017.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration is an important index of ocean systems. In this study, spatiotemporal variations in DO were analyzed in the northern Gulf of Mexico (NGM) for the period of 1992-2017. Temporal variation involves annual, monthly, and seasonal variations. The spatial scope ranged from the sea surface to 1000 m depth. The results show that: (1) DO decreased from 1992 to 2017 with a brief increase; (2) clear seasonal variation characteristics of DO were presented, and the seasonal average DO was relatively low in summer; (3) the monthly average trends of sea surface DO in different years were relatively consistent; and (4) with increasing water depth from seawater surface to 1000 m, the average DO of 1992 to 2017 tended to decrease and then increase. The results aim at shedding some light on the assessment of DO change in the NGM over the past quarter century.

Value of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 for predicting acute pancreatitis severity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 and the severity of acute pancreatitis and its diagnostic utility. METHODS: This study was carried out by searching Chinese and English literature from the establishment of the database to July 9, 2023, systematically, and assessing the quality and heterogeneity of the articles included. RESULTS: Thirteen studies with a total of 986 patients were included. Patients with severe acute pancreatitis showed higher levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 compared with mild acute pancreatitis [weighted mean difference=76.64 pg/mL, 95% confidence interval (95%CI 50.39-102.89, p<0.001)]. Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 predicted pooled sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve were 79%, 74%, and 0.85 for severe acute pancreatitis, with some heterogeneity (I2>50% or p<0.05). In the subgroup analysis, cutoff >150 pg/mL was found to be a heterogeneous factor. CONCLUSION: Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 is a reliable tool for identifying acute pancreatitis severity, but only as a screening tool.

Yoga for emotional control in children with adhd / Yoga no controle emocional em crianças com tdah / Yoga para el control emocional en niños con tdah

ABSTRACT Introduction: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders, with several negative social and behavioral consequences. Yoga shows appropriate efficacy in different conditions but is poorly explored during childhood. Objective: Analyze the efficacy of yoga in regulating emotions and symptoms in children with ADHD. Methods: This experimental study followed up on a control group of 30 children with ADHD. They were randomly allocated group into control (N=15) and experimental (N=15) through the block randomization method. Participants completed the emotion regulation and Conner scale (CBRS) before, after, and 60 days after yoga exercise (20 sessions twice a week). Results: After 8 weeks of training, participants' emotion regulation and ADHD symptoms improved significantly. The improvement in emotion regulation and ADHD symptoms was maintained at follow-up. Conclusion: Yoga training proved to be an easy and inexpensive method to improve the mental and physical condition of children with ADHD. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigating treatment outcomes.

RESUMO Introdução: O transtorno de déficit de atenção com hiperatividade (TDAH) é conhecido como um dos transtornos infantis mais comuns, com várias consequências sociais e comportamentais negativas. A ioga demonstra eficácia apropriada em diferentes condições, porém é pouco explorada durante a infância. Objetivo: Analisar a eficácia da ioga na regulação das emoções e sintomas de crianças com TDAH. Métodos: Este estudo experimental efetuou o acompanhamento em um grupo-controle realizado em 30 crianças com TDAH. Foram alocados, aleatoriamente, grupo em controle (N=15) e experimental (N=15) através do método de aleatorização em bloco. Os participantes completaram a regulação emocional e a escala de Conner (CBRS) antes, depois e 60 dias após o exercício de yoga (20 sessões duas vezes por semana). Resultados: Após 8 semanas de treinamento, a regulação das emoções dos participantes e os sintomas de TDAH melhoraram significativamente. A melhoria da regulação das emoções e dos sintomas de TDAH foi mantida no acompanhamento. Conclusão: O treinamento em ioga demonstrou-se um método fácil e econômico para melhorar a condição mental e física das crianças com TDAH. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción: El trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad (TDAH) es conocido como uno de los trastornos más comunes de la infancia, con varias consecuencias sociales y conductuales negativas. El yoga muestra una eficacia adecuada en diferentes condiciones, sin embargo, está poco explorado durante la infancia. Objetivo: Analizar la eficacia del yoga en la regulación de las emociones y los síntomas en niños con TDAH. Métodos: Este estudio experimental hizo un seguimiento de un grupo de control de 30 niños con TDAH. Se asignaron aleatoriamente grupos de control (N=15) y experimentales (N=15) mediante el método de aleatorización por bloques. Los participantes completaron la escala de regulación de la emoción y de Conner (CBRS) antes, después y 60 días después del ejercicio de yoga (20 sesiones dos veces por semana). Resultados: Tras 8 semanas de entrenamiento, la regulación de las emociones y los síntomas del TDAH de los participantes mejoraron significativamente. La mejora en la regulación de las emociones y los síntomas del TDAH se mantuvieron durante el seguimiento. Conclusión: El entrenamiento de yoga demostró ser un método fácil y barato para mejorar la condición mental y física de los niños con TDAH. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Global Trends in Research of Macrophages Associated With Acute Lung Injury Over Past 10 Years: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is an intractable disorder associated with macrophages. This bibliometric analysis was applied to identify the characteristics of global scientific output, the hotspots, and frontiers about macrophages in ALI over the past 10 years. We retrieved publications published from 2011 to 2020 and their recorded information from Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-expanded) of Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). Bibliometrix package was used to analyze bibliometric indicators, and the VOSviewer was used to visualize the trend and hotspots of researches on macrophages in ALI. Altogether, 2,632 original articles were reviewed, and the results showed that the annual number of publications (Np) concerning the role of macrophages in ALI kept increasing over the past 10 years. China produced the most papers, the number of citations (Nc) and H-index of the USA ranked first. Shanghai Jiaotong University and INT IMMUNOPHARMACOL were the most prolific affiliation and journal, respectively. Papers published by Matute-Bello G in 2011 had the highest local citation score (LCS). Recently, the keywords "NLRP3" and "extracellular vesicles" appeared most frequently. Besides, researches on COVID-19-induced ALI related to macrophages seemed to be the hotspot recently. This bibliometric study revealed that publications related to macrophages in ALI tend to increase continuously. China was a big producer and the USA was an influential country in this field. Most studies were mainly centered on basic researches in the past decade, and pathways associated with the regulatory role of macrophages in inhibiting and attenuating ALI have become the focus of attention in more recent studies. What is more, our bibliometric analysis showed that macrophages play an important role in COVID-19-induced ALI and may be a target for the treatment of COVID-19.

Imbalance of γδT17/γδTreg cells in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma induced by ovalbumin.

We aimed to explore the imbalance between the T helper 17 γδT cells (γδT17) and the regulatory γδT cells (γδTreg) in asthmatic mice. Male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into the normal control group and the asthmatic model group. The asthmatic model group mice were intraperitoneally injected with the mixture of ovalbumin (OVA)/Al(OH)3 and then activated by exposure of the animals to OVA atomization. Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) was determined by a non-invasive lung function machine. Hematoxylin and eosin and Alcian blue-periodic acid Schiff staining were done for histopathological analysis. Interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-35 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were detected by ELISA. The percentage of IL-17+ γδT cells and Foxp3+ γδT cells in spleen cells suspension were detected and the transcription levels of RORγt and Foxp3 in the lung tissue were determined. Compared with the normal control, the severity of airway inflammation and AHR were higher in the asthmatic mice. Furthermore, mice in the asthmatic group displayed significant increases of IL-17+ γδT cells, expression of IL-17A, and RORγt, whereas control mice displayed marked decreases of Foxp3+ γδT cells, expression of IL-35, and transcription factor Foxp3. In addition, the mRNA expression of RORγt was positively correlated with the percentage of IL-17+γδT cells, and the mRNA level of Foxp3 was positively correlated with the percentage of Foxp3+ γδT cells. The imbalance of γδT17/γδTreg in the asthmatic mice may contribute to the pathogenesis of OVA-induced asthma.

Imbalance of γδT17/γδTreg cells in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma induced by ovalbumin

We aimed to explore the imbalance between the T helper 17 γδT cells (γδT17) and the regulatory γδT cells (γδTreg) in asthmatic mice. Male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into the normal control group and the asthmatic model group. The asthmatic model group mice were intraperitoneally injected with the mixture of ovalbumin (OVA)/Al(OH)3 and then activated by exposure of the animals to OVA atomization. Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) was determined by a non-invasive lung function machine. Hematoxylin and eosin and Alcian blue-periodic acid Schiff staining were done for histopathological analysis. Interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-35 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were detected by ELISA. The percentage of IL-17+ γδT cells and Foxp3+ γδT cells in spleen cells suspension were detected and the transcription levels of RORγt and Foxp3 in the lung tissue were determined. Compared with the normal control, the severity of airway inflammation and AHR were higher in the asthmatic mice. Furthermore, mice in the asthmatic group displayed significant increases of IL-17+ γδT cells, expression of IL-17A, and RORγt, whereas control mice displayed marked decreases of Foxp3+ γδT cells, expression of IL-35, and transcription factor Foxp3. In addition, the mRNA expression of RORγt was positively correlated with the percentage of IL-17+γδT cells, and the mRNA level of Foxp3 was positively correlated with the percentage of Foxp3+ γδT cells. The imbalance of γδT17/γδTreg in the asthmatic mice may contribute to the pathogenesis of OVA-induced asthma.

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia induced by low-dose methotrexate in a patient with chronic urticaria.

Methotrexate has immunosuppressive effects and is administered for refractory chronic urticaria. We present a case of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in a patient with refractory chronic urticaria managed by low-dose weekly methotrexate treatment (total cumulative dose 195mg). Our study highlights the importance of providing prompt diagnosis and treatment of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in patients with chronic urticaria under methotrexate therapy.

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia induced by low-dose methotrexate in a patient with chronic urticaria

Abstract Methotrexate has immunosuppressive effects and is administered for refractory chronic urticaria. We present a case of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in a patient with refractory chronic urticaria managed by low-dose weekly methotrexate treatment (total cumulative dose 195mg). Our study highlights the importance of providing prompt diagnosis and treatment of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in patients with chronic urticaria under methotrexate therapy.

Chemical constituents and biological research on plants in the genus Curcuma.

Curcuma, a valuable genus in the family Zingiberaceae, includes approximately 110 species. These plants are native to Southeast Asia and are extensively cultivated in India, China, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Peru, Australia, and the West Indies. The plants have long been used in folk medicine to treat stomach ailments, stimulate digestion, and protect the digestive organs, including the intestines, stomach, and liver. In recent years, substantial progress has been achieved in investigations regarding the chemical and pharmacological properties, as well as in clinical trials of certain Curcuma species. This review comprehensively summarizes the current knowledge on the chemistry and briefly discusses the biological activities of Curcuma species. A total of 720 compounds, including 102 diphenylalkanoids, 19 phenylpropene derivatives, 529 terpenoids, 15 flavonoids, 7 steroids, 3 alkaloids, and 44 compounds of other types isolated or identified from 32 species, have been phytochemically investigated. The biological activities of plant extracts and pure compounds are classified into 15 groups in detail, with emphasis on anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities.

Finite element analysis of rapid canine retraction through reducing resistance and distraction.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to compare different surgical approaches to rapid canine retraction by designing and selecting the most effective method of reducing resistance by a three-dimensional finite element analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three-dimensional finite element models of different approaches to rapid canine retraction by reducing resistance and distraction were established, including maxillary teeth, periodontal ligament, and alveolar. The models were designed to dissect the periodontal ligament, root, and alveolar separately. A 1.5 N force vector was loaded bilaterally to the center of the crown between first molar and canine, to retract the canine distally. The value of total deformation was used to assess the initial displacement of the canine and molar at the beginning of force loading. Stress intensity and force distribution were analyzed and evaluated by Ansys 13.0 through comparison of equivalent (von Mises) stress and maximum shear stress. RESULTS: The maximum value of total deformation with the three kinds of models occurred in the distal part of the canine crown and gradually reduced from the crown to the apex of the canine; compared with the canines in model 3 and model 1, the canine in model 2 had the maximum value of displacement, up to 1.9812 mm. The lowest equivalent (von Mises) stress and the lowest maximum shear stress were concentrated mainly on the distal side of the canine root in model 2. The distribution of equivalent (von Mises) stress and maximum shear stress on the PDL of the canine in the three models was highly concentrated on the distal edge of the canine cervix. . CONCLUSIONS: Removal of the bone in the pathway of canine retraction results in low stress intensity for canine movement. Periodontal distraction aided by surgical undermining of the interseptal bone would reduce resistance and effectively accelerate the speed of canine retraction.

Finite element analysis of rapid canine retraction through reducing resistance and distraction

Objective: The aims of this study were to compare different surgical approaches to rapid canine retraction by designing and selecting the most effective method of reducing resistance by a three-dimensional finite element analysis. Material and Methods: Three-dimensional finite element models of different approaches to rapid canine retraction by reducing resistance and distraction were established, including maxillary teeth, periodontal ligament, and alveolar. The models were designed to dissect the periodontal ligament, root, and alveolar separately. A 1.5 N force vector was loaded bilaterally to the center of the crown between first molar and canine, to retract the canine distally. The value of total deformation was used to assess the initial displacement of the canine and molar at the beginning of force loading. Stress intensity and force distribution were analyzed and evaluated by Ansys 13.0 through comparison of equivalent (von Mises) stress and maximum shear stress. Results: The maximum value of total deformation with the three kinds of models occurred in the distal part of the canine crown and gradually reduced from the crown to the apex of the canine; compared with the canines in model 3 and model 1, the canine in model 2 had the maximum value of displacement, up to 1.9812 mm. The lowest equivalent (von Mises) stress and the lowest maximum shear stress were concentrated mainly on the distal side of the canine root in model 2. The distribution of equivalent (von Mises) stress and maximum shear stress on the PDL of the canine in the three models was highly concentrated on the distal edge of the canine cervix. . Conclusions: Removal of the bone in the pathway of canine retraction results in low stress intensity for canine movement. Periodontal distraction aided by surgical undermining of the interseptal bone would reduce resistance and effectively accelerate the speed of canine retraction. .

Dose-volume histogram parameters for predicting radiation pneumonitis using receiver operating characteristic curve.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictability of dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters for radiation pneumonitis (RP) using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-five cases of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with three-dimensional radiotherapy and chemotherapy were analyzed retrospectively. The end point of follow-up was ≥2 grade RP defined according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3.0. The ROC curve was used to explore the predictive sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for potential DVH parameters associated with RP. RESULTS: Relative volumes of total lungs receiving ≥5 Gy (V(5)), ≥10 Gy (V(10)), ≥13 Gy (V(13)), ≥20 Gy (V(20)), and mean lung dose (MLD), were all correlated to the development of RP (p < 0.05), among which V 5 and V 20 were the most important factors (p = 0.045 and 0.037; OR = 3.166 and 3.030). However, collinearity was found between V(5) and V(20) (Spearman's rho 0.771, p < 0.01). The area under the ROC curve was 0.643 and 0.648 for using V(5) and V(20) as predictors. If predictive cut-off values were established as follows: V(5) = 0.8 and V(20) = 0.3, the parameters could provide predictive SEN, SPE, PPV and NPV were 0.387 and 0.581, 0.882 and 0.701, 0.444 and 0.321, and 0.855 and 0.873, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: V(5) and V(20) could act as predictors for RP; however, single DVH metrics did not appear to have high predictive power for RP.

Molluscicidal activities of medicinal plants from eastern China against Oncomelania hupensis, the intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum / Atividades moluscicida de plantas medicinais do leste da China contra Oncomelania hupensis, o hospedeiro intermediário da Schistosoma japonicum

In a search for natural products that could be used to control schistosomiasis, nineteen extracts of eleven medicinal plants from eastern China have been tested for molluscicidal activity against snail Oncomelania hupensis. The n-butanol fraction of the fresh leaf from Buddleja lindleyana Fortune, Buddlejaceae, showed significant activity against the snails. Statistical analysis revealed that the LC50 and LC90 values for the n-butanol fraction were 39.91 mg L-1 and 59.28 mg L-1 for 48 h, respectively. Otherwise, the LC50 values for the n-butanol fraction to zebrafish was 403.24 mg L-1 for 48 h. Therefore, the n-butanol fraction of the fresh leaf from B. lindleyana may be a potent and safe molluscicides.

Na busca por produtos naturais que podem ser utilizados para controle da esquistossomose, dezenove extratos de onze plantas medicinais do leste da China foram testados para atividade moluscicida contra o caramujo Oncomelania hupensis. A fração n-butanol das folhas frescas de Buddleja lindleyana Fortune, Buddlejaceae, mostrou atividade significativa contra os caracóis. A análise estatística revelou que os valores de CL50 e CL90 para a fração n-butanol foram 39,91 mg L-1 e 59,28 mg L-1 por 48 h, respectivamente. Por outro lado, a CL50 para a fração n-butanol para peixe-zebra foi 403,24 mg L-1 por 48 h. Portanto, a fração n-butanol das folhas frescas de B. lindleyana poderá vir a ser um moluscicidas potente e seguro.

Engineering a regulatory region of jadomycin gene cluster to improve jadomycin B production in Streptomyces venezuelae.

Streptomyces venezuelae ISP5230 produces a group of jadomycin congeners with cytotoxic activities. To improve jadomycin fermentation process, a genetic engineering strategy was designed to replace a 3.4-kb regulatory region of jad gene cluster that contains four regulatory genes (3' end 272 bp of jadW2, jadW3, jadR2, and jadR1) and the native promoter upstream of jadJ (P(J)) with the ermEp* promoter sequence so that ermEp* drives the expression of the jadomycin biosynthetic genes from jadJ in the engineered strain. As expected, the mutant strain produced jadomycin B without ethanol treatment, and the yield increased to about twofold that of the stressed wild-type. These results indicated that manipulation of the regulation of a biosynthetic gene cluster is an effective strategy to increase product yield.

Does a normal DMSA obviate the performance of voiding cystourethrography in evaluation of young children after their first urinary tract infection?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a normal technetium-99m-labeled dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scan obviates the need for voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) in evaluating young children after their first urinary tract infection (UTI). STUDY DESIGN: This was a 10-year retrospective review of 142 children (age < or = 2 years, 77 boys and 65 girls) who had their first UTI and were admitted to a tertiary care general hospital. The association between DMSA renal scan results and VCUG results performed 48 hours and 1 month after diagnosis was evaluated. RESULTS: DMSA renal scans and VCUG were performed in 142 patients. Of these, 99 patients (69.7%) had evidence of pyelonephritis, although only 2 (1.4%) had evidence of renal scarring; 42 (29.6%) had vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) on VCUG. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and likelihood ratio negative for abnormalities on DMSA renal scans for detecting the the presence of VUR on VCUG were 88% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 73% to 100%), 36% (95% CI = 26% to 46%), 37% (95% CI = 27% to 46%), 88 % (95% CI = 73% to 100%), and 0.33 (95% CI = 0 to 0.88), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Children with a negative DMSA renal scan during their first UTI episode rarely have VUR and may never have high-grade VUR. Avoiding VCUGs in children with negative DMSA renal scans could significantly reduce the use of this potentially traumatic test.

Enhancement of DNA vaccine potency against herpes simplex virus 1 by co-administration of an interleukin-18 expression plasmid as a genetic adjuvant.

In this study, the immune-modulatory and vaccine effects of using an interleukin (IL)-18 expression plasmid as a genetic adjuvant to enhance DNA vaccine-induced immune responses were investigated in a mouse herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) challenge model. BALB/c mice were immunized by three intramuscular inoculations of HSV-1 glycoprotein D (gD) DNA vaccine alone or in combination with a plasmid expressing mature IL-18 peptide. Both the serum IgG2a/IgG1 ratio and T helper 1-type (Th1) cytokines [IL-2 and interferon (IFN)-gamma] were increased significantly by the co-injection of the IL-18 plasmid compared with the injection of gD DNA alone. However, the production of IL-10 was inhibited by IL-18 plasmid co-injection. Furthermore, IL-18 plasmid co-injection efficiently enhanced antigen-specific lymphocyte proliferation and the delayed-type hypersensitivity response. When mice were challenged with HSV-1 at the cornea, co-injection of IL-18 plasmid with gD DNA vaccine showed significantly better protection, manifested as lower corneal lesion scores and faster recovery. These experiments indicate that co-injection of an IL-18 plasmid with gD DNA vaccine efficiently induces Th1-dominant immune responses and improves the protective effect against HSV-1 infection.