[Bronchoscopic manifestations and interventional treatment of pulmonary mucormycosis].

Objective: To analyze the bronchoscopic manifestations and interventional treatment of pulmonary mucormycosis. Methods: Clinical data of patients with pulmonary mucormycosis undergoing bronchoscopy and interventional therapy in 4 tertiary general hospitals in China from May 2006 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed and the literature on the subject were reviewed. Results: The data of 10 patients with pathologically diagnosed pulmonary mucormycosis undergoing bronchoscopy and interventional therapy were collected, including 8 males and 2 females. The patients' age ranged from 21 to 72 (44±15) years. The underlying diseases included 6 cases of diabetes ketoacidosis, 3 cases of leukemia, 1 case after operation of lung cancer. Bronchoscopy showed that white viscous necrotic matters grew along the airway and blocked the airway in 9 cases, accompanied by airway bleeding in 3 cases, bloody secretion blocked the airway in 1 case, and bronchopulmonary cavity fistula in 2 cases. The biopsy histopathology of white necrotic matters showed that many mucor filaments were tangled together which were named mucormycelium. Among the 10 patients, 9 were treated with systemic drugs, including intravenous application of amphotericin B deoxycholate in 5 cases, intravenous application of amphotericin B liposome in 4 cases, oral posaconazole in 6 cases and intravenous injection in 1 case. Local drug therapy included aerosol inhalation of amphotericin B deoxycholate in 8 cases and local perfusion under bronchoscope in 5 cases. Bronchoscopic interventional therapy was used to remove mucormycelium in the bronchus, including cryotherapy in 8 cases, biopsy forceps in 7 cases, snare treatment in 2 cases and foreign body forceps in 2 cases. All 10 patients were clinical cured and with no death. Conclusions: Pulmonary mucormycosis is more common in immunocompromised hosts. Bronchoscopy often showed mucormycelium blocking the airway. Systemic and local drug therapy combined with bronchoscopic interventional therapy can achieve good clinical efficacy.

Fate and removal of antimony in response to stringent control activities after a mine tailing spill.

When tailing spill accidents occur, the risk of contamination by antimony (Sb) tailings into adjacent rivers, sediments, aquifers and soil environments is high. The Sb concentrations in water and sediment under different stringent control activities were investigated for 60 days in the Jialing River basin after a tailing spill accident. Both reservoir regulation and the construction of a temporary dam with coagulation dosing remarkably reduced the Sb levels in the river water. The increase in dissolved Sb caused by the spill was reduced from ~400 µg/L in the inflow to ~200 µg/L in the outflow by reservoir regulation. Moreover, reservoir regulation led to a high concentration of Sb in the reservoir sediment, which was difficult to remove and may cause subsequent unpredictable long-term ecological and health risks. In contrast, the Sb-enriched deposition inside the temporary dam was convenient to remove. Notably, temperature alternations between day and night in winter resulted in a large fluctuation in coagulation efficiency, which may cause the failure of stringent control projects. The results of this study suggest potential improvements to stringent control activities after mine tailing accidents to mitigate environmental impacts and prevent secondary risks.

Impaired vagal activity to meal in patients with functional dyspepsia and delayed gastric emptying.

Objective This study was performed to investigate impaired vagal activity to meal in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) with delayed gastric emptying (GE). Methods Eighty-five patients were studied. GE parameters, including those in the overall and proximal stomach, were measured by GE functional tests at the Department of Nuclear Medicine. Autonomic nervous function was tested by spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). The vagal activity and sympathetic activity were analyzed by recording the power in the high-frequency component (HF), low-frequency component (LF), and LF/HF ratio. Results Overall and proximal GE were delayed in 47.2% and 50.9% of the patients, respectively. Spectral analysis of HRV showed that the HF in patients with delayed proximal GE was significantly lower and that the LF/HF ratio was significantly higher than those in patients with normal proximal GE after a meal. Conclusion Delayed proximal GE might be caused by disrupted sympathovagal balance as a result of decreased vagal activity after a meal. Improvement in vagal activity may constitute an effective treatment method for patients with FD.

Functional interaction of Junctophilin 2 with small- conductance Ca2+ -activated potassium channel subtype 2(SK2) in mouse cardiac myocytes.

AIM: Junctophilins (JPs), a protein family of the junctional membrane complex, maintain the close conjunction between cell surface and intracellular membranes in striate muscle cells mediating the crosstalk between extracellular Ca2+ entry and intracellular Ca2+ release. The small-conductance Ca2+ -activated K+ channels are activated by the intracellular calcium and play an essential role in the cardiac action potential profile. Molecular mechanisms of regulation of the SK channels are still uncertain. Here, we sought to determine whether there is a functional interaction of junctophilin type 2 (JP2) with the SK channels and whether JP2 gene silencing might modulate the function of SK channels in cardiac myocytes. METHODS: Association of JP2 with SK2 channel in mouse heart tissue as well as HEK293 cells was studied using in vivo and in vitro approaches. siRNA knockdown of JP2 gene was assessed by real-time PCR. The expression of proteins was analysed by Western blotting. Ca2+ -activated K+ current (IK,Ca ) in infected adult mouse cardiac myocytes was recorded using whole-cell voltage-clamp technique. The intracellular Ca2+ transient was measured using an IonOptix photometry system. RESULTS: We showed for the first time that JP2 associates with the SK2 channel in native cardiac tissue. JP2, via the membrane occupation and recognition nexus (MORN motifs) in its N-terminus, directly interacted with SK2 channels. A colocalization of the SK2 channel with its interaction protein of JP2 was found in the cardiac myocytes. Moreover, we demonstrated that JP2 is necessary for the proper cell surface expression of the SK2 channel in HEK293. Functional experiments indicated that knockdown of JP2 caused a significant decrease in the density of IK,Ca and reduced the amplitude of the Ca2+ transient in infected cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSION: The present data provide evidence that the functional interaction between JP2 and SK2 channels is present in the native mouse heart tissue. Junctophilin 2, as junctional membrane complex (JMC) protein, is an important regulator of the cardiac SK channels.

Effect of feeding Rumen-protected capsule containing niacin, K2SO4, vitamin C, and gamma-aminobutyric acid on heat stress and performance of dairy cows.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplemental rumen-protected capsule (RPC) on animal performance, serological indicators, and serum heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) of lactating Holstein cows under heat stress (HS). During summer months, 30 healthy multiparous lactating Holstein cows with a parity number of 3.1 ± 0.44, 70 ± 15 d in milk, an average body weight of 622 ± 62kg, and an average milk yield of 32.28 ± 0.96kg/d, were used. The cows were randomly allocated to two groups: a control group and an RPC-supplemented group (0.13373kg K2SO4, 0.02488kg vitamin C, 0.021148kg niacin, and 0.044784kggamma-aminobutyric acid per cow). During the 42-d experiment, ambient air temperature and relative humidity inside and outside the barn were recorded hourly every day for the determination of temperature-humidity index (THI). Milk and blood samples were collected every week, and body weight and body condition scoring were measured on day 0. Based on the THI values, the animals had moderate HS. On day 42, the RPC group had lower HSP70, adrenocorticotropic hormone (P = 0.0001), lactate dehydrogenase (P = 0.0338), and IL-6 (P = 0.0724) levels than the control group, with no significant differences in creatine kinase, glucocorticoid, or IL-2 levels. Milk yield, energy-corrected milk, and dry matter intake were higher in RPC than in the control group (P = 0.0196). There were no significant differences in milk fat or daily protein levels between the two groups; however, daily protein and milk fat levels were higher in the RPC group than in the control group (P = 0.0114 and P = 0.0665, respectively). Somatic cell counts were no different between the two groups. In conclusion, RPC may alleviate HS and improve dairy cow performance.

[Research progress of intervention strategies on voice disorders in children with vocal nodules].

Vocal nodules in children is one of the common diseases in children, characterized as the hoarse voice of the children, which is mainly due to improper use of sound long-term or excessive use of the voice. The hoarseness of children's voice undermine not only the physical and mental health of children, but also the quality of life of children and their families. In recent years, the incidence of vocal nodules in children has been increasing. There are considerable differences between the children's own characteristics and adults such as bronchial lumen and cognitive and cooperate aspects, which lead to a large number of difficulties for clinical diagnosis and intervention. Based on a large number of literatures, this paper reviews the risk factors, diagnosis, voice assessment and intervention strategies of vocal nodules in children, in order to provide more comprehensive reference for the medical workers.

[Curative effect analysis of the vestibular rehabilitation training on residual dizziness after successful canalith repositioning maneuvers in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo].

Objective:To explore the curative effect and quality life of the vestibular rehabilitation training on residual dizziness after successful canalith repositioning maneuvers in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Method:Residual dizziness after successful canalith repositioning maneuvers in patients with BPPV were enrolled in our study. They were randomized into three groups, the control group A were no disposition which include 32 patients, the intervention group B were guided to self rehabilitation training which include 33 patients, the control group C were guided to Brandt Daroff training which include 33 patients. Dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) and residual dizziness duration were used to evaluation the patients. Result:After one week vestibular rehabilitation training, the scores of DHI in group B and C decreased, and there was no significant difference (P>0.05), there were significant differences between group B and group C in group A, respectively (P<0.01). After four weeks of vestibular rehabilitation training, the scores of DHI in group B and group C were lower than those in group A, the decrease of group B was significantly higher than that of group C (P<0.01). The residual dizziness duration indicated that no statistical differences in the B, C groups (P>0.05) and scores of group B,C were significantly lower than group A (P<0.05). Conclusion:The appropriate vestibular rehabilitation training on residual dizziness after successful canalith repositioning maneuvers in patients with BPPV can help promote the central vestibular compensation, reduce the residual symptoms, improve the quality life of patients, and which can be used as the adjuvant treatment on BPPV patient who has residual dizziness symptoms.

[The research progress of OSAHS and cardiovascular disease].

Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS) is characterized by recurrent stenosis or occlusion of upper airway during sleep. Although the controversy is far from over, this syndrome could often lead to different cardiovascular diseases(CVD) with those complicated pathophysiologic mechanisms, including hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart failure and cardiac arrhythmia. The objective of this article is to elaborate these related pathogenesis, and further to investigate the relationship between OSAHS and CVD. Besides, as one kind of effective and economical treatment, continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP) should be attached enough importance in the therapy of CVD with OSAHS.

Characterization of microsatellite markers and their correlations with growth traits in Mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi).

Mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi) is a traditionally cultured freshwater fish with high commercial value in China. To facilitate marker-assisted selection for genetic improvement of this species, 100 microsatellite markers identified in previous studies were characterized in the 25 largest and 25 smallest individuals. Twenty polymorphic loci were used to genotype 200 individuals, and the associations between their genotypes and growth traits were examined. We found that 9 genotypes at 8 loci (SC-10, Sin 135, Sin 166, AP 34-23, AP 38-11, AP 37-22, AP 37-08, and AP 37-37) were positively correlated with growth traits (body weight, body length, body height) in the mandarin fish population. The average of observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.71 and 0.59, respectively, and the average polymorphism information content value was 0.54, indicating that the population had high genetic diversity. The markers developed in this study are useful for selection of genetic breeding in this species and its related species.

Relationship between genetic polymorphisms of DNA ligase 1 and non-small cell lung cancer susceptibility and radiosensitivity.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between genetic polymorphisms in DNA ligase 1 (LIG1) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) susceptibility and radiosensitivity in a Chinese population. This was a case-control study that included 352 NSCLC patients and 448 healthy controls. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was conducted to detect HaeIII polymorphisms in exon 6 of the LIG1 gene in this popula-tion. This information was used to observe the effects of radiation in pa-tients with different genotypes in order to determine the genotypes as-sociated with radiosensitivity. The CC genotype and C allele frequency were significantly higher in the NSCLC group than in the control group (P = 0.012 and P = 0.023, respectively). The relative risk of experienc-ing NSCLC was 2.55 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.12-3.98] for CC homozygous patients and 0.87 (95%CI, 0.46-1.88) for AA homozygous patients. Analysis of LIG1 genetic polymorphisms and radiosensitiv-ity of NSCLC patients showed that AA homozygous patients were sig-nificantly more radiosensitive than the control group (AA vs AC, P = 0.014; AA vs CC, P < 0.001; AC vs CC, P = 0.023). Therefore, the LIG1 CC genotype was associated with susceptibility to NSCLC, and the AA genotype demonstrated increased radiosensitivity compared to the AC and CC genotypes.

Microsatellite analysis of genetic diversity and genetic structure in five consecutive breeding generations of mandarin fish Siniperca chuatsi (Basilewsky).

In this report, 10 polymorphic microsatellites were applied to assess the genetic diversity and genetic differentiation of 5 consecutive breeding generations of mandarin fish, Siniperca chuatsi (Basilewsky). The results from total number of alleles, average polymorphism information content, and average homozygosity and heterozygosity showed that the genetic diversity of the breeding population was decreasing. The genetic identity between F1 and its descendant generations (F2, F3, F4, F5) decreased (from 0.9248 to 0.8803), while the genetic distance (from 0.0782 to 0.1275) and fixation index (from 0.03796 to 0.07393) increased. The allele frequency of SS181-235 and SS211-246 changed regularly in the 5 breeding generations, and they may be negatively associated with the selected trait, which needs to be confirmed by further research. Our study indicated that selective breeding was an efficient strategy for mandarin fish. In the process of breeding, some deleterious genes were phased out, and the genetic structure of the breeding populations became stable.

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic EST-SSR and genomic SSR markers in spotted mandarin fish (Siniperca scherzeri Steindachne).

Spotted mandarin fish (Siniperca scherzeri Steindachne) feed solely on live fry of other fish species once the fry start feeding in the wild. In the present study, 26 polymorphic transcriptome-derived simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and 14 genomic SSR markers were developed and characterized in S. scherzeri Steindachne by combining a biotin-enrichment protocol and transcriptome of F1 interspecies hybrids between S. chuatsi (♀) and S. scherzeri (♂). These 40 polymorphic SSRs amplified 168 alleles (mean 4.2). The number of alleles, observed heterozygosity, expected heterozygosity, and polymorphic information content per locus were in the range of 2 to 7 (mean 4.3), 0.1111 to 1.000 (mean 0.6718), 0.3118 to 0.8276 (mean 0.6901), and 0.2735 to 0.7902 (mean 0.6298), respectively. Ten of these microsatellite loci deviated significantly from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P < 0.00125) after Bonferroni correction for multiple tests and no significant linkage disequilibrium (P < 0.00006) was observed. The microsatellite markers characterized from S. scherzeri could be a valuable tool in genetic evaluation for conservation and for assessment of the mechanism associated with unique food preference of S. scherzeri from a genetic point of view.

Morphological characteristics of the walls of thrombophlebitic saphenous vein.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate the morphological changes in the walls of thrombophlebitic saphenous veins. METHODS: Fifty-four specimens were made into slices for haematoxylin and eosin and Masson trichrome staining; ultrathin slices were also created. Slices were observed under light microscopy and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Under light microscopy, the tunica intima of venous wall in the thrombophlebitic saphenous veins group was obviously thickened and incomplete; intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia was observed. Hyperplasia of collagenous fibres in the tunica media was observed. Elastic fibres in the tunica externa became fewer, whereas nourishing vessels were significantly increased in number. Infiltration of many inflammatory cells was observed. Under electron microscopy, Auer bodies with high electron density and round granules could be seen in endothelial cells in the thrombophlebitic saphenous veins group. Smooth muscle cells had an irregular karyotype, with blurred cristae in some mitochondria. Myofilaments basically disappeared. CONCLUSION: Thrombus formation might aggravate re-modelling of the walls of varicose veins.

A comparative study of locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with intensity modulated irradiation and platinum-based chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prognosis of three subgroups of locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy and platinum-based chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Hundred and eighty-one consecutive patients with locoregionally advanced untreated nasopharyngeal carcinoma were retrospectively divided into three subgroups: locally advanced group (T3-4N0-1M0), regionally advanced group (T1-2N2-3M0) and the mixed group (T3-4N2-3M0). They were all treated with definitive intensity-modulated radiotherapy and platinum-based chemotherapy. Their prognosis were investigated and compared. Multivariate analysis was applied to identify the independent risk factors of study endpoints. RESULTS: The 3-year locoregional control rates for locally advanced group, regionally advanced group, and the mixed group were 91.5%, 90.6% and 84.3% respectively, no significant difference was observed (P=0.656, P=0.429). The 3-year distant metastasis-free survival rates were 89.6%, 75.7% and 76.3%, respectively. The distant metastasis-free survival rate of the locally advanced group was significantly higher than the other two subgroups (P=0.028, P=0.028). The 3-year progression-free survival rates were 85.5%, 67.9% and 67.1% respectively with significance also favoring the locally advanced group (P=0.043, P=0.023). Nodal stage and the performance status were the independent risk factors of distant metastasis in the observed period. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of intensity-modulated radiotherapy and platinum-based chemotherapy, the locally advanced group had a better prognosis compared with the regionally advanced group and the mixed group. Treatment stratification may be based on nodal stage.

The expression of glutathione peroxidase-1 and the anabolism of collagen regulation pathway transforming growth factor-beta1-connective tissue growth factor in women with uterine prolapse and the clinic significance.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the expression of the anabolism of collagen regulation pathways connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) -transforming growth factor-betal (TGF-beta1) and glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx1) in women with uterine prolapse and a study of the clinic significance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of TGF-beta1, CTGF, and GPx1 was detected by immunohistochemical staining in pubocervical fascia tissue of 30 women with uterine prolapse, including ten cases of POP-QII, ten cases of POP-QIII, ten cases of POP-QIV, and 20 cases were control group with non-prolapse and non-malignant lesions. RESULTS: There was a negative correlation between the POP-Q and expression of TGF-beta1. With the increase of POP-Q degree, the expression degree of TGF-beta1 decreased correspondingly, which also applied to CTGF and GPx1. On the other hand, there was a positive correlation between TGF-beta1 and CTGF. The synergistic change trend was found between TGF-beta1 and CTGF. It could also be seen between CTGF and GPx1 and betweenTGF-beta1 and GPx1. CONCLUSION: The expression of the antioxidase GPx1 in pelvic support structure of POP women was decreased, which resulted in the antioxidation reduced. It could break the balance of oxidation and antioxidation in pelvic support structure, and may induce an increase of ROS level and the down-regulation of TGF-beta1-CTGF pathway. It could inhibit the anabolism of collagen and injury the pelvic support structure, thus promoting the occurrence and development of POP.

Relationship between symptoms and gastric emptying of solids in functional dyspepsia.

OBJECTIVE: Functional dyspepsia is a heterogeneous disorder and different pathophysiological mechanisms underlie its symptom patterns. This study investigated the relationship between dyspepsia symptoms and overall and proximal gastric emptying in patients with functional dyspepsia. METHODS: A total of 93 patients with functional dyspepsia and 32 healthy subjects were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Prevalence and severity of eight dyspepsia symptoms were recorded. Gastric emptying was measured using single photon emission computed tomography scanning. RESULTS: Overall and proximal gastric emptying were delayed in 47.3% (44/93) and 46.2% (43/93) of the patients, respectively. Logistic regression analyses showed that presence of nausea was associated with delayed proximal gastric emptying (odds ratio 4.951; 95% confidence interval 1.321, 18.558). There were no significant differences between normal and delayed overall gastric emptying according to presence of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of nausea might indicate delayed gastric emptying of the proximal stomach. Promotion of proximal gastric emptying may constitute an effective therapy for patients with functional dyspepsia who report nausea as the dominant symptom.

Structure of nitrilotriacetate monooxygenase component B from Mycobacterium thermoresistibile.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis belongs to a large family of soil bacteria which can degrade a remarkably broad range of organic compounds and utilize them as carbon, nitrogen and energy sources. It has been proposed that a variety of mycobacteria can subsist on alternative carbon sources during latency within an infected human host, with the help of enzymes such as nitrilotriacetate monooxygenase (NTA-Mo). NTA-Mo is a member of a class of enzymes which consist of two components: A and B. While component A has monooxygenase activity and is responsible for the oxidation of the substrate, component B consumes cofactor to generate reduced flavin mononucleotide, which is required for component A activity. NTA-MoB from M. thermoresistibile, a rare but infectious close relative of M. tuberculosis which can thrive at elevated temperatures, has been expressed, purified and crystallized. The 1.6 Å resolution crystal structure of component B of NTA-Mo presented here is one of the first crystal structures determined from the organism M. thermoresistibile. The NTA-MoB crystal structure reveals a homodimer with the characteristic split-barrel motif typical of flavin reductases. Surprisingly, NTA-MoB from M. thermoresistibile contains a C-terminal tail that is highly conserved among mycobacterial orthologs and resides in the active site of the other protomer. Based on the structure, the C-terminal tail may modulate NTA-MoB activity in mycobacteria by blocking the binding of flavins and NADH.