The Short Health Scale: A Valid and Reliable Quality-of-Life Scale for Mainland Chinese Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background: The aim of our study was to translate and validate the mainland Chinese version of the short health scale (SHS), a disease-specific quality-of-life (QoL) scale for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: The SHS was translated and validated according to the standard process: a translation and back-translation procedure and a reliability and validation study. Patients with IBD were enrolled, and their QoL was assessed using the SHS, the short inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire (SIBDQ), and the Bristol stool form scale. Reliability (internal consistency reliability, split-half reliability, and test-retest reliability) and validity analyses were performed to evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the SHS. The impacts of different severity of major symptoms on QoL were analyzed by comparing the scores of SHS. Results: A total of 112 patients with IBD (69 with ulcerative colitis and 43 with Crohn's disease) completed the mainland Chinese version of the SHS, and 34 patients completed the SHS a second time within one to two weeks. Cronbach's alpha value of the SHS was 0.90, and its split-half coefficient was 0.83. Intraclass correlation coefficients of the four items ranged from 0.52 to 0.72. All four items of the SHS were significantly associated with the corresponding domains of the SIBDQ, with correlation coefficients ranging from -0.52 to -0.69 (p < 0.001). The results of confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good fit of the one-factor model, with comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.878, normed fit index (NFI) = 0.874, incremental fit index (IFI) = 0.880, and goodness of fit index (GFI) = 0.842. The patients with severe symptoms had higher scores in the SHS than those with no or mild symptoms. Conclusions: The SHS was simple and quick to be used. The SHS had good validity and reliability and was suitable for evaluating the QoL of patients with IBD in mainland China.

Translation and evaluation of the simplified Chinese version of the rating form of IBD patient concerns.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has become a global public health problem. The prevalence of IBD in China increased annually in past two decades. METHODS: This study was to translate and validate the rating form of IBD patients' concerns (RFIPC), and to describe disease-related worries and concerns of patients with IBD. The simplified Chinese version of the RFIPC was developed according to translation and back-translation procedure. Patients with IBD were consecutively enrolled from the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine. The participants were assessed using the RFIPC and the Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ). Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, measurement error, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and correlation of the RFIPC with the SIBDQ were performed to evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the RFIPC. RESULTS: A total of 116 patients with IBD, 73 with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 43 with Crohn's disease (CD), were enrolled in this study. Thirty-seven of them recompleted the questionnaires for the second time between 7 and 14 days after the first interview. The results of CFA indicated the original structure of the RFIPC was reasonable. Cronbach's alpha value of the RFIPC were 0.97. The intraclass correlation coefficients of four domains ranged from 0.85 to 0.92. The standard error of measurement was 7.10. The correlation coefficients between total score of the RFIPC and the SIBDQ score ranged from - 0.54 to - 0.70. Median total score of the RFIPC was 39.4 (IQR 24.0-59.3). Patients with severe symptoms reported higher scores of the RFIPC. The uncertain nature of disease, having surgery, having an ostomy bag, developing cancer, feeling out of control, being a burden on others and financial difficulties were highest concerns of patients with IBD. Comparing with patients with UC, patients with CD had more concerns of the ability to have children and being treated as different (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The simplified Chinese version of RFIPC is a valid and reliable tool. It could be used for assessing disease-related worries and concerns of patients with IBD in China. Specific concerns of patients with UC and CD are different, therefore, health workers should consider the specific needs of UC and CD patients.

Chemical constituents of Viscum coloratum (Kom.) Nakai and their cytotoxic activities.

A new diarylheptanoid, (1 R,2S,3S,5S)-2,3-dihydroxy-3',3''-dimethoxy-4'-de-O-methylcentrolobine (1) and a new bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoid, (1 R,7S)-1,12,13-trihydroxybisabola-3,10-diene (2), together with nineteen known compounds (3-21) were isolated from the EtOH extract of the stems and branches of Viscum coloratum (Kom.) Nakai. Their structures were elucidated by extensive analysis of 1 D and 2 D NMR spectra and from the HRESIMS. All the compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against eight human tumor cell lines.

Safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided low-pressure perfusion mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy in children aged 1-7 years: a retrospective observational study.

PURPOSE: This article analyzed the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL) with low-pressure perfusion for the treatment of upper urinary tract stones in children. METHODS: The clinical data of 690 patients (805 renal units) aged 1-7 years were retrospectively analyzed in terms of postoperative outcome. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 3.7 ± 1.6 years, and the stone burden was 2.8 ± 2.1 cm2. A middle posterior calyceal puncture was created in 719 (89%) renal units, and 16F puncture tracts were the most common method used in 557 (69%) renal units. The stone-free rate was 711 (88%) renal units, and the mean operation time was 35 ± 15.3 min (between 15 and 110 min). Among all cases, the transfusion rate was 4 (0.6%) patients, and the mean decrease in hemoglobin was 1.3 ± 0.9 g/L. In addition, the incidence rates of fever, sepsis, perirenal effusion, and intraperitoneal effusion were 40 (5.9%), 3 (0.4%), 28 (4.1%), and 8 (1.2%) patients, respectively. After the operation, 348 patients were followed-up for 32.8 ± 11.3 months, and stone recurrence occurred in 136 (39%) of 348 patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that ultrasound-guided MPCNL with low-pressure perfusion technology is a safe and feasible treatment.

Warfarin maintenance dose prediction for Chinese after heart valve replacement by a feedforward neural network with equal stratified sampling.

Patients requiring low-dose warfarin are more likely to suffer bleeding due to overdose. The goal of this work is to improve the feedforward neural network model's precision in predicting the low maintenance dose for Chinese in the aspect of training data construction. We built the model from a resampled dataset created by equal stratified sampling (maintaining the same sample number in three dose-groups with a total of 3639) and performed internal and external validations. Comparing to the model trained from the raw dataset of 19,060 eligible cases, we improved the low-dose group's ideal prediction percentage from 0.7 to 9.6% and maintained the overall performance (76.4% vs. 75.6%) in external validation. We further built neural network models on single-dose subsets to invest whether the subsets samples were sufficient and whether the selected factors were appropriate. The training set sizes were 1340 and 1478 for the low and high dose subsets; the corresponding ideal prediction percentages were 70.2% and 75.1%. The training set size for the intermediate dose varied and was 1553, 6214, and 12,429; the corresponding ideal prediction percentages were 95.6, 95.1%, and 95.3%. Our conclusion is that equal stratified sampling can be a considerable alternative approach in training data construction to build drug dosing models in the clinic.

Prenatal diagnosis of Cri-du-Chat syndrome with concomitant distal trisomy 10q syndrome in one fetus with ultrasound anomalies.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to characterize the genetic abnormalities and prenatal diagnosis indications in one fetus with Cri-du-Chat syndrome with codependent 10q24.2-q26.3 duplication in prenatal screening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 31-year-old woman had a second trimester serum screening that indicated the fetus was at low risk. During this pregnancy, the woman underwent amniocentesis at 18+4 weeks' gestation because of adverse fertility history and nuchal fold thickening. Cytogenetic analysis and next-generation sequencing analysis were simultaneously performed to provide genetic analysis of fetal amniotic fluid. According to abnormal results, parental chromosome karyotype of peripheral blood was performed to analysis. RESULTS: CNV-seq detected a 14.00 Mb deletion at 5p15.33-p15.2 and a 34.06 Mb duplication at 10q24.2-q26.3 in the fetus. Cytogenetic analysis of the fetus revealed a karyotype of 46, XY, der(5) t(5;10) (p15.2;q26.3). The karyotype of pregnant women was 46,XX,t(5;10) (p15.2;q24.2). The pregnancy was subsequently terminated after sufficient informed consent. CONCLUSION: This is the first study that reports prenatal diagnosis of a Cri-du-Chat syndrome with concomitant 10 q24.2-q26.3 duplication. Adverse pregnancy history has to be as an important indicator for prenatal diagnosis, and the genetic factors of abnormal pregnancy should be identified before next pregnancy. Nuchal fold thickening is closely related to fetal abnormalities. Combined with ultrasonography, the use of CNV-seq will improve the diagnosis of submicroscopic chromosomal aberrations in fetuses with congenital anomalies.

Modified Sijunzi decoction in the treatment of ulcerative colitis in the remission phase: study protocol for a series of N-of-1 double-blind, randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Modified Sijunzi decoction (SJZD) has been used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC) in remission. However, more rigorous clinical trials are necessary to evaluate its effectiveness. Therefore, a series of single-case randomised controlled trials (N-of-1 trials) is proposed to compare the efficacy of modified SJZD with mesalazine for treating UC in remission. METHODS: This is a single-site, hospital-based, double-blind N-of-1 trial for 10 single subjects. Three cycles of N-of-1 trials are planned. There are two treatment periods in each cycle. Modified SJZD combined with mesalazine placebo or mesalazine combined with modified SJZD placebo will be randomised during each 8-week treatment period. There is no washout period in the study. Subjects will be selected by the researcher strictly in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. DISCUSSION: Paired t tests and mixed-effect models will be used to analyse the visual analogue scale (VAS) for clinical symptoms and the quality of life questionnaire responses. The findings will be interpreted with caution. We anticipate that the results will show that modified SJZD is effective for patients with UC in remission. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Register, ID: ChiCTR1900024086. Registered on 24 June 2019.

Probing intrinsic dynamics and conformational transition of HIV gp120 by molecular dynamics simulation.

The HIV envelope glycoprotein gp120 has evolved two distinct conformational states to balance viral infection and immune escape. One is a closed state resistant to most neutralization antibodies, and the other is an open state responsible for the binding of the receptor and coreceptors. Although the structures of gp120 in these two conformational states have been determined, a detailed molecular mechanism involving intrinsic dynamics and conformational transition is still elusive. In this study, µs-scale molecular dynamics simulation is performed to probe molecular dynamics and conformational transition away from the open state and approach the closed state. Our results reveal that open gp120 shows a larger structural deviation, higher conformational flexibility, and more conformational diversity than the form in the closed state, providing a structural explanation for receptor or coreceptor affinity at the open state and the neutralization resistance of closed conformation. Seven regions with greatly decreased coupled motions in the open states have been observed by dynamic cross-correlation analysis, indicating that conformational transition can be mainly attributed to the relaxation of intrinsic dynamics. Three conformations characterized by the structural orientations of the V1/V2 region and the V3 loop, suggesting gp120 is intrinsically dynamic from the open state to the closed state. Taken together, these findings shed light on the understanding of the conformational control mechanism of HIV.

Correction: Probing intrinsic dynamics and conformational transition of HIV gp120 by molecular dynamics simulation.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D0RA06416E.].

[NPM1 High Mutant Allele Burden is an Adverse Prognostic Factor for AML Patients with Mutated NPM1].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features, accompanying gene mutation characteristics and prognostic factors of adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia with mutated NPM1 (NPM1+AML). METHODS: Seventy-three patients with newly diagnosed adult NPM1+AML were selected. The mutations of 22 genes were detected by second generation sequencing and 43 fusion genes of AML were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Cox multivariate regression analysis were used to study the prognostic factors. RESULTS: A total of 74 NPM1 site mutations were detected in 73 patients with NPM1+AML. The incidence rates were 92.0% L287fs, 2.7% Q289fs and W288fs, 1.4% L258fs and Q289H, among which 1 patient had 2 NPM1 mutations; the different mutation sites had no effect on the prognosis of NPM1+AML. The median value of NPM1 variant allele frequency (VAF) was 35.4% (1.8%-56.6%). Based on the uppermost quartile of 38.4%, the patients were classified as NPM1 VAF>38.4% (NPM1highAML) and NPM1 VAF≤38.4% (NPM1lowAML). Compared with NPM1lowAML, the early mortality rate was statistically significantly higher (33.3% vs 7.3%, P<0.05), and median EFS (148 d，95%CI 58-238 d vs 372 d，95%CI 264-480 d) (P<0.01) and median OS (179 d 95%CI 6-352 d vs 444 d) (P<0.01) were significantly shorter in NPM1high AML. A total of 126 accompanying gene mutation sites were detected in 87.7% of patients with NPM1+AML. The patients with NRAS gene mutation displayed a higher rate of complete remission (100% vs 58%) (P<0.05) and longer median OS (not reached to 320 d, 95%CI 150-490 d) (P<0.05). The 43 fusion genes were examined in 65 out of 73 cases of NPM1+AML, and in all the patients the fusion gene test was negative. Multivariate analysis showed that NPM1 VAF>38.4% was an independent prognostic factor for EFS (HR=3.1, 95% CI 1.6-6.4, P<0.01) and OS (HR=3.0, 95% CI 1.4-6.2, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The NPM1 gene mutation in AML patients often is accompanied by other gene mutations, while the coexistence of fusion genes is rare; high NPM1 mutant allele burden is an independent prognostic factor for adult AML patients with mutated NPM1.

Prognostic Value of Mismatch Repair Genes for Patients With Colorectal Cancer: Meta-Analysis.

DNA mismatch repair was proposed to play a pivotal role in the development and prognosis of colorectal cancer. However, the prognostic value of mismatch repair on colorectal cancer is still unknown. The PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched. The articles about mismatch repair (including hMLH1, hMSH2, hMSH3, hMSH6, hPMSH1, and hPMSH2) deficiency for the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer were included in the study. The hazard ratio and its 95% confidence interval were used to measure the impact of mismatch repair deficiency on survival time. Twenty-one articles were included. The combined hazard ratio for mismatch repair deficiency on overall survival was 0.59 (95% confidence interval: 0.50-0.69) and that on disease-free survival was 0.57 (95% confidence interval: 0.43-0.75). In subgroup analysis, there were a significant association between overall survival and mismatch repair deficiency in Asian studies (hazard ratio: 0.67; 95% confidence interval: 0.50-0.91) and Western studies (hazard ratio: 0.56; 95% confidence interval: 0.46-0.67). For disease-free survival, the hazard ratios in Asian studies and Western studies were 0.55 (95% confidence interval: 0.38-0.81) and 0.62 (95% confidence interval: 0.50-0.78), respectively. Our meta-analysis indicated that mismatch repair could be used to evaluate the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer.

Warfarin maintenance dose Prediction for Patients undergoing heart valve replacement- a hybrid model with genetic algorithm and Back-Propagation neural network.

Warfarin is the most recommended anticoagulant drug for patients undergoing heart valve replacement. However, due to the narrow therapeutic window and individual dose, the use of warfarin needs more advanced technology. We used the data collected from a multi-central registered clinical system all over China about the patients who have undergone heart valve replacement, subsequently divided into three groups (training group: 10673 cases; internal validation group: 3558 cases; external validation group: 1463 cases) in order to construct a hybrid model with genetic algorithm and Back-Propagation neural network (BP-GA), For testing the model's prediction accuracy, we used Mean absolute error (MAE), Root mean squared error (RMSE) and the ideal predicted percentage of total and dose subgroups. In results, whether in internal or in external validation group, the total ideal predicted percentage was over 58% while the intermediate dose subgroup manifested the best. Moreover, it showed higher prediction accuracy, lower MAE value and lower RMSE value in the external validation group than that in the internal validation group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, BP-GA model is promising to predict warfarin maintenance dose.

Native T1 mapping for characterization of acute and chronic myocardial infarction in swine: Comparison with contrast-enhanced MRI.

BACKGROUND: Both acute and chronic myocardial infarction (AMI and CMI, respectively) exhibit delayed enhancement; however, clinical decision-making processes frequently require the differentiation of these two types of myocardial injury. PURPOSE: To investigate the reliability of AMI and CMI characterization using native T1 mapping and its feasibility for discriminating AMI from CMI. STUDY TYPE: Case-control. ANIMAL MODEL: The study cohort comprised 12 AMI (mean post-MI, 3.75 ± 1.29 days) and 15 CMI (mean post-MI, 39.53 ± 6.10 days) Bama mini-pigs. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: Balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP), segmented-turbo-FLASH-PSIR, and modified Look-Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) sequences at 3.0T. ASSESSMENT: The infarct sizes were compared on matching short-axis slices of late-gadolinium-enhanced (LGE) images and T1 maps by two experienced radiologists. STATISTICAL TESTS: The infarct sizes were compared on matching short-axis slices of LGE images and T1 maps, and agreement was determined using linear regression and Bland-Altman analyses. The native T1 values were compared between AMI and CMI models (independent sample t-test). The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to assess inter- and intraobserver variability. RESULTS: Measured infarct sizes did not differ between native T1 mapping and LGE images (AMI: P = 0.913; CMI: P = 0.233), and good agreement was observed between the two techniques (AMI: bias, -3.38 ± 19.38%; R2 = 0.96; CMI: bias, -10.55 ± 10.90%; R2 = 0.90). However, the native infarction myocardium T1 values and the T1 signal intensity ratio of infarct and remote myocardium (T1 SI ratio) did not differ significantly between AMI and CMI (P = 0.173). DATA CONCLUSION: Noncontrast native T1 mapping can accurately determine acute and chronic infarct areas as well as conventional LGE imaging; however, it cannot distinguish acute from chronic MI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1406-1414.

[Effect of annexin A2 on EGFR/NF-κB signal transduction and mucin expression in human airway epithelial cells treated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of annexin A2 (AnxA2) on epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signal transduction and mucin expression in human airway epithelial H292 cells treated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP). METHODS: H292 cells were divided into control group, MP group, NC-siRNA+MP group, and AnxA2 siRNA+MP group. The cells in the MP group were incubated with 5 µg/mL MP antigen for 2 hours. The cells in the NC-siRNA+MP and AnxA2 siRNA+MP groups were transfected with NC-siRNA and AnxA2 siRNA for 24 hours, followed by MP antigen stimulation for 2 hours. The MTT method was used to measure cell viability; quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of AnxA2; Western blot was used to measure the protein expression of AnxA2, phosphorylated EGFR (p-EGFR), and phosphorylated p65 NF-κB (p-p65 NF-κB); ELISA was used to measure the secretion of mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) and mucin 5B (MUC5B). RESULTS: The MP and NC-siRNA+MP groups had lower cell viability than the control group (P<0.05). The AnxA2 siRNA+MP group had higher cell viability than the MP and NC-siRNA+MP groups and lower cell viability than the control group (P<0.05). The MP and NC-siRNA+MP groups had significantly higher mRNA and protein expression of AnxA2 than the AnxA2 siRNA+MP group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the MP and NC-siRNA+MP groups had significant increases in the protein expression of p-EGFR, p-p65 NF-κB, MUC5AC, and MUC5B (P<0.05); the AnxA2 siRNA+MP group had lower protein expression than the MP and NC-siRNA+MP groups, but higher protein expression than the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: AnxA2 is involved in the airway lesion induced by MP antigen via mediating EGFR/NF-κB signaling activation and mucin expression in human airway epithelial cells.

Anti-inflammatory effect of Chang-An-Shuan on TNBS-induced experimental colitis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), denominated by Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is often associated with abdominal pain, diarrhea and bloody stool. The standard protocols for treating colitis conditions are not satisfactory; thus, complementary and alternative medicines have been increasingly accepted by IBD sufferers worldwide. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the anti-inflammatory effect of Chang-An-Shuan (CAS), a 6-herb Chinese medicinal formula, on 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in rats and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were administered with rectal gavage of 2.5% TNBS in 50% ethanol for the induction of experimental colitis which is considered as a model for Crohn's disease. Upon the TNBS induction, rats were given CAS at 0.5 g/kg/day or 5 g/kg/day for 10 days. The application of salicylazosulfapyridine (0.5 g/kg/day) was served as a positive reference drug for the colitis condition. The efficacy and mechanistic action of CAS were evaluated by means of histopathological and biochemical approaches such as histological staining, real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Oral administration of CAS at 5 g/kg/day, but not 0.5 g/kg/day, significantly ameliorated the severity of TNBS-induced colitis as evidenced by the reduced loss of body weight, alleviated diarrhea and decreased bloody stool. While lowering the disease activity index, the administration of CAS lessened mucosal lesions thus mucosal integrity of the colitis rats was notably improved. Further, the CAS treatment also significantly suppressed the mRNA and protein levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, namely interleukin-1ß and tumor necrosis factor-α while enhancing the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in the TNBS-treated rats. Importantly, the ameliorative effect of CAS was related to an inhibition of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway by downregulating the expression levels of NF-κBp-65, p-38 and p-AKT. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that CAS is a potential alternative remedial approach for treating IBD conditions, and the anti-inflammatory effect of CAS is associated with the down-regulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and the balanced production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

[Studies of Dynamic Adsorption Behavior of VOCs on Biochar Modified by Ultraviolet Irradiation].

Coconut shell based biochar was modified by ultraviolet irradiation with UV light at a wavelength of 365 nm in order to enhance the adsorption capacity for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The breakthrough curves of biochars for adsorbing two typical VOCs (benzene and toluene) were examined. The results showed that the adsorption capacity of modified biochar was greatly increased. The saturation adsorption capacity of modified biochar for benzene and toluene was increased to 122.80 mg·g-1 and 236.36 mg·g-1, comparing to that of the pristine biochar (7.27 mg·g-1 and 7.98 mg·g-1, respectively). The breakthrough time of modified biochar for benzene and toluene (390 min and 620 min) was also drastically prolonged as compared to the raw biochar (1 min and 2 min). The characterization analysis of biochars suggested that the carboxylic groups and external surface area were largely enriched, which might be the main factor responsible for the enhanced adsorption of the two VOCs on the modified biochar. The processes of adsorbing benzene and toluene at different concentrations on modified biochar were fitted by Yoon-Nelson, Thomas and BDST models. The result demonstrated that these three models could provide good fitting and the correlation coefficients were all above 0.992. The TG-DTG result proved that ultraviolet irradiation had little effect on the thermal stability of biochar. The modified biochar after adsorption saturation could be reused after thermal regeneration and the regenerated char also had high adsorption capacity after five times of repeated utilization.

[Characterizing Fracture Characteristics of Heterogeneous Oil and Gas Reservoir by Using Microscopic Infrared Spectroscopy Technique ­­Taking Carbonate Reservoir of the Wumishan Formation of Jixian System in Renqiu Burried Hill as an Example].

Oil and gas reservoir fracture is not only the important reservoir space, but also the main passage of the oil and gas migration. Therefore, the characterization of fracture is of great importance. However, reservoir rocks have strong heterogeneity, how to characterize heterogeneous reservoir fracture accurately is an urgent problem to be solved. Microscopic infrared spectroscopy imaging technique can be used to analyze spectral curve of the mineral molecules, different peak characteristics were got, and rock medium composition, the size of the rock fracture, and fracture filler properties and other characteristics were obtained accurately. In this work, carbonate heterogeneous reservoir of Renqiu buried hill was taken as an example, based on the microscopic infrared spectroscopy imaging technique, by the analysis of core sample infrared imaging spectrogram and spectral curves of different characteristic regions, the physicochemical characteristics of the target sample and spatial distribution of the rock medium were obtained, the regions where rock fracture maybe occurred were predicted and the effectiveness of the fractures was analyzed. The results show that the main medium of rock sample is dolomite. The rock fractures contain hydrocarbon organic and salt-water inclusion, which mainly exist in dolomite medium. The proportion of salt-water inclusion is 51.7%, and that of alkane organic matter is 26.0% in the fracture filler. The fracutres extend from the upper left region of core sample to the lower right region, which shows that the extended region of the core sample may be the passage of fluid migration. The salt-water inclusions can impede the migration of oil and gas, resulting in the decrease of fractures permeability. The experimental results show that the width of fractures is 1～1.5 mm, which belongs to large fracture, oil and gas can pass the fractures smoothly, therefore, the effectiveness of the fracture is good. The results showed that it is feasible to characterize the fracture of heterogeneous reservoir by means of microscopic infrared spectroscopy imaging technique, and it provides a new method for the accurate characterization of the fracture of heterogeneous reservoir.

Probiotics can improve the clinical outcomes of hepatic encephalopathy: An update meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Although the efficacy of probiotics has been extensively studied in hepatic encephalopathy (HE), the results remain controversial. The objective of this study is to identify and update the association between probiotics and HE. METHODS: Up to December 2014, we searched Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane CENTRAL, and SinoMed of China for all relevant articles about probiotics and HE. Jadad score was used to evaluate the quality of studies. Pooled relative risk (RR), publication bias and heterogeneity were assessed. RESULTS: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Probiotics was associated with improvement of minimal HE and prophylaxis of overt HE [RR 1.52; 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 1.00-2.33]. Studies with probiotics showed reduction of ammonia concentration [standard mean difference (SMD) -0.32, 95% CI -0.54 to -0.11]. Probiotics could reduce physical and psychosocial sickness impact profile (SIP) score with weight mean difference (WMD) -3.13 (95% CI -4.10 to -2.17) and WMD -3.50 (95% CI -4.91 to -2.08), respectively. Similar result was obtained with total SIP score (WMD -4.83; 95% CI -6.24 to -3.43). Reduction of severe adverse events, defined as minimal HE developing into overt HE, hospitalizations, infections or unrelated emergency room (ER) visits, was observed in HE with probiotics (RR 0.59; 95% CI 0.39-0.90). CONCLUSION: Our pooled results indicated that probiotics was associated with improvement of minimal HE, prophylaxis of overt HE, and reduction of SIP score and severe adverse events. Large well-designed randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm these results.

[Assessing heart function of patients with single left ventricular valvalar insufficiency leision using 64-slice multi-detector row CT angiography].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of results of heart functions determined by 64-slice multidetector row computed tomography (64-MDCT) in patients with single valvular insufficiency leision in left ventricle. METHODS: 58 patients with single valvular insufficiency leision in left ventricle were enrolled in this study. Their heart functions were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 64-MDCT and echocardiography (Echo) respectively. The assessed parameters included left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volume (LVEDV, LVESV), stroke volume (LVSV), ejection fraction (LVEF), and effective ejection fraction (eLVEF). The correlations between eLVEF and some clinical indicators, such as cardiopulmonary bypass time (CPBT), ventilation time (VT), vasoactive drug used time (VDUT), and length of ICU stay (ICUST) were analyzed. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in the parameters measured by 64-MDCT, Echo and MRI. A strong correlation between 64-MDCT and MRI (r: 0.79-0. 92) was found with all of the parameters. The eLVEF measured by 64-MDCT and MRI correlated with CPBT, VT, VDUT and ICUST well (r: 0.56-0. 84). CONCLUSION: 64-MDCT is a rapid, accurate and cheap choice for assessing heart functions of patients with single valvular insufficiency leision in left ventricle. eLVEF is a good predictor for the outcomes of operations.

[Bone mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for acute myocardial infarction: in vivo tracing with multi-modality molecular imaging].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of tracking bone mesenchymal stem cell (BMSCs) dual- labeled with polyethylenimine 2k-superparamagnetic iron oxide (PEI2k-SPIO) and Luciferase transplantation for acute myocardial infarction in vivo by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorescence imaging. METHODS: BMSCs/Luciferase was incubated with culture medium containing PEI2k-SPIO for 24 h. Prussian-blue staining and MTT were used to assess the efficacy and safety of labeling with PEI2k-SPIO. Guided with echocardiography, the dual-labeled BMSCs were injected into the margin of infarction myocardium. MRI and fluorescence imaging were performed to monitor the cells in vivo at different times (1,2,3,7 d). RESULTS: As demonstrated by MTT, there was no significant difference in survival rate between the labeled and unlabeled cells (P>0. 05). Within a week after transplantation, all PEI2k-SPIO-labeled BMSCs showed a significant decreased signal on MRI. Dual-labeled BMSCs were detected bioluminescence with fluorescence imaging, but disappeared after one week. CONCLUSION: Multi- modality imaging can not only trace the location of labeled BMSCs but also demonstrate the survival of labeled BMSCs in vivo.