[Meta analysis of rock salt aerosol therapy for respiratory tract diseases].

Objective: To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of rock salt aerosol in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases. Methods: In June 2021, the clinical randomized controlled trial literatures of rock salt aerosol therapy for respiratory tract diseases were searched from CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, Cochrane Library, PubMed database and EMBASE database. Cochrane risk bias evaluation tool was used to evaluate risk bias, Revman 5.4 and Stata16 were used to conduct meta-analysis, TSA 0.9 was used to conduct sequential analysis of trials, and gradepro was used to evaluate evidence quality. Results: A total of 21 literatures were included. According to whether the subjects received rock salt aerosol therapy, they were divided into the experimental group (1125 people) and the control group (973 people) . Compared with the control group, the total clinical effective rate (RR=1.22, 95%CI: 1.15~1.29, P<0.001) , forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) (WMD=0.20, 95%CI: 0.09~0.31, P<0.001) , percentage of FEV(1) in the predicted value (FEV(1)%) (WMD=5.06, 95%CI: 3.47~6.65, P<0.001) , forced vital capacity (FVC) (WMD=0.22, 95% CI: 0.16~0.27, P<0.001) , maximum expiratory flow (PEF) (WMD=21.312, 95%CI: 9.189~33.435, P=0.004) of experimental group were higher. TSA test shows that the difference conclusions of total effective rate, FEV(1), FEV(1)%, FVC and PEF were reliable, but the conclusion of FEV(1)% needs to be treated with caution; Three literatures reported the adverse reactions in the experimental group; GRADE evidence quality evaluation showed 3 very low-quality evidences and 2 low-quality evidences. Conclusion: Rock salt aerosol therapy combined with conventional therapy has a certain effect on the treatment of respiratory tract diseases, which needs to be further confirmed by high-quality evidence.

Novel peptidic dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist alleviates diabetes and diabetic complications in combination with low-intensity ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE: To design and evaluate a novel oxyntomodulin (OXM) derivative with albumin-binding helix domain and dual GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and glucagon receptor (GcgR) activation activity to achieve metabolize improvement on the diabetes-related complication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mutation (D-Ser2) on OXM was performed and then different helix albumin-binding domains were fused to the mutated OXM via a thrombin-cleavable linker to generate seven fusion peptides, named LM01-LM07. Seven LM peptides were synthesized and screened via in vitro receptor activation test, albumin binding measurement and protease cleavage assay to select potent candidate peptide for further in vivo study. Moreover, acute and chronic efficacy studies were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of selected candidate using db/db mice. RESULTS: LM06, as selected OXM derivative, exhibited higher albumin-binding affinity, sustained-release efficiency and balanced activation activities on both GLP-1R and GcgR compared with other ones. Moreover, LM06 was demonstrated with improved hypoglycemic and insulinotropic abilities in receptor-deficient mice via activating GLP-1R. In addition, prolonged anti-diabetic efficacies of LM06 were demonstrated via hypoglycemic duration assay and OGTT in db/db mice. Further pharmacokinetic test of LM06 in both rats and monkeys identified improved half-life and other metabolic characteristics. Nevertheless, 8-week subcutaneously dosed LM06 in db/db mice achieved prominent efficacies on glucostasis, weight-lowering, pancreatic function and adipogenesis via activating GLP-1R and GcgR. Moreover, LM06 also could accelerate diabetic skin wound closure in combination with low-intensity ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: LM06, as a long-acting dual GLP-1R/GcgR agonist, exerts potential as a once-weekly therapeutic candidate against diabetes-related complication in combination with low-intensity ultrasound.

[Comparison between photodynamic therapy and interventional esophageal stent implantation in dysphagia caused by advanced esophageal cancer].

Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and esophageal stent implantation in improving dysphagia caused by malignant obstruction of middle and advanced esophageal cancer. Methods: A total of 45 patients treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University and Qingdao Huangdao District Central Hospital from January 2017 to January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, of which 34 cases were males and 11 cases were females, 29 cases with the age beyond 60 years old, 41 cases were squamous carcinoma, 4 were adenocarcinoma. PDT was applied to 20 patients and 25 patients received esophageal carotid stenting implantation. There was no significant difference in gender, age, pathological type, location and stage between the two groups. Before treatment, 3 days, 1 month and 3 months after treatment, dysphagia was compared according to Stooler grading criteria, and also the time that patients experienced dysphagia again post treatment. Results: There were no statistical differences between the two groups in dysphagia grade change in 3 days, 1 month and 3 months after treatment (all P>0.05), The stent groups showed advantages towards the PDT group 3 days after treatment in patients with Stooler grading 0 (40%(10/25) vs 0(0/20), P<0.05). No significant differences were found between two groups with Stooler grading 0 (P>0.05) in 1 month and 3 months after treatment. Obstruction symptoms occurred earlier in the stent group compared with the PDT group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Esophageal stent can relieve the symptoms of dysphagia immediately after the implantation, while photodynamic therapy can also prolong the time of esophageal re-obstruction in addition to the immediate effect, with proved safety and efficacy in the treatment of middle and advanced esophageal cancer.

MicroRNA-381 inhibits lung adenocarcinoma cell biological progression by directly targeting LMO3 through regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of miR-381 in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma (LA) and its underlying mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 54 pairs of LA tissues and para-carcinoma tissues were obtained from May 2015 to April 2017 in our hospital. Four human LA cell lines (A549, SPC-A1, H1299, and PC-9) and one normal human pulmonary epithelial cell line BEAS-2B were obtained and cultured. The protein and mRNA expression levels were detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot, respectively. Additionally, cell proliferation assays and cell migration and invasion assays were used. Furthermore, tumor xenograft model in nude mice was made in this study. RESULTS: miR-381 was notably downregulated in LA tissues. Moreover, low miR-381 expression was confirmed to be strongly correlated with poor prognosis and aggressive clinicopathological characteristics of LA patients. Exogenous miR-381 overexpression was found to notably restrict LA cell proliferation, migration, and invasion; additionally, miR-381 overexpression could significantly reduce tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, LMO3 was determined as a novel direct target for miR-381 in LA cells. In clinical LA tissues, the LMO3 expressions were clearly overexpressed. Furthermore, miR-381 overexpression affected the PI3K/Akt pathway and EMT in LA. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-381 played key roles in LA progression, partially via directly targeting LMO3 and regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and EMT. Thus, the miR-381/ LMO3 axis has clinical significance in the therapy of patients with LA.

Identification and characterization of probiotic yeast isolated from digestive tract of ducks.

The objective of this study was to isolate and identify yeast strains from the digestive tract of ducks, and evaluate in vitro their potential as probiotics in poultry. The yeast strains were isolated using malt extract agar medium, and identified through morphological, physiological, and biochemical tests as well as sequence homology analyses of 26S rDNA D1/D2 region. A total of 35 yeast strains were isolated from the guts of Cherry Valley meat ducks, including seven strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae). These seven strains of S. cerevisiae were further screened for their use as alternative yeast probiotics strains for poultry feed. The yeast strains were characterized for their cell surface hydrophobicity, autoaggregation ability, and resistance to high temperature (30°C, 37°C, and 42°C), low pH (2.0, 3.0, and 4.0), bile salts (0.3% and 0.6%), and nutrition starvation (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 days). The isolates of WHY-2 and WHY-7 had a higher survival percentage at 37°C, pH 2.0, 0.60% poultry bile salts, and 10 days of nutrition starvation, with higher cell surface hydrophobicity and autoaggregation, when compared with the other isolates, suggesting that the isolates WHY-2 and WHY-7, could be used as probiotic candidates. The data obtained in this study could help in selecting probiotic yeast candidates for use in poultry industry.

[Evaluation of CT-guided iodine-125 seeds brachytherapy for intracranial malignant tumors under control of target and dose].

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of CT-guided iodine-125 seeds in the treatment of intracranial malignancies under control of target and dose. Methods: From November 2003 to May 2016, with the clinical data of 412 operations on 310 patients in 12 hospitals in the past 14 years, this study analyzed the method of CT guided iodine-125 particles brachytherapy in the treatment of intracranial malignant tumors and evaluated the efficacy and complications. Stratification analysis of intracranial malignant tumors was performed. Results: Overall survival (OS) of patients with single brain metastases, low-grade glioma, high-grade gliomas, recurrence after surgery, recurrence after radiotherapy and others were 19, 67, 41, 26, 23, 46 months respectively.And the progression free time (PFS) of patients with single brain metastases, low-grade glioma, high-grade gliomas, recurrence after surgery, recurrence after radiotherapy and others were 19, 42, 6, 9, 11, 12 months respectively.Various complications were observed with a relatively low incidence of 10.4%.Three cases deceased at an interval of 7-45 days after treatment. Conclusions: For patients with intracranial malignancies, iodine-125 seeds brachytherapy could achieve a satisfactory treatment efficacy with tolerated complications.Iodine-125 seeds brachytherapy may act as a first-line regimen.

[A clinical analysis of 5 patients with infratentorial primary angiitis of central nervous system].

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics of infratentorial primary angiitis in central nervous system(PACNS). Methods: A total of 5 cases diagnosed as infratentorial PACNS in the neurology department of Navy General Hospital of PLA in 2015 were enrolled in the study. The clinical, imaging and pathological data were collected and analyzed. Results: All the 5 cases were male with the median onset age of thirty-four. Five cases presented with dizziness, two with headache, three with walking unstable, two with facial numbness and one with dysarthria. Rising pressure of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (190-245 cmH(2)O, 1 cmH(2)O=0.098 kPa) was found in 4 cases by the lumbar puncture, mildly increased number of leukocyte in 2 cases [(12-28)×10(6)/L], increased CSF protein in 3 cases(540-979 mg/L) and increased IgG index in 3 cases(0.84-1.45). Pons lesions were revealed by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)in 4 cases, brachium pontis lesions in 2 cases, cerebellum lesions in 2 cases, one with midbrain lesion in 1 case, unilateral lesions in 4 cases and bilateral lesion in 1 case. Different degree of edema and mass effect were shown in all lesions by MRI. Patch like enhancement was found by contrast MRI in 5 cases and meningeal enhancement in 2 cases. Elevation of choline(Cho)peak was found by magnetic resonance spectroscopy(MRS)in 4 cases, reduction of N-acetyl aspartate(NAA) peak in 3 cases, appearance of lactate peak in 1 case and lipid peak in another case. Arterial spin labeling(ASL) was performed in 4 cases and no hyperperfusion was found. Susceptibility weighted imaging(SWI) was performed in 3 cases and microhemorrhage in the lesions was found in 2 cases and normal in 1 case. Magnetic resonance arteriography(MRA) was performed in 1 case and no stenosis was found. Digital subtraction arteriography(DSA) was performed in 1 case and multiple stenosis of the intracranial arteries was showed. Two cases had taken the stereotactic brain biopsy and the histopathologic diagnosis was angiitis. Five cases were treated with methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide was added on in 1 case. Good prognosis was found in all cases. Conclusions: Infratentorial PACNS mostly attacks middle-aged males. The lesions tend to locate in unilateral pons, brachium pontis, cerebellum and midbrain. Hemorrhage or microhemorrhage in lesions is often found by SWI and no hyperperfusion is shown by ASL, which would be useful to distinguish PACNS from malignant tumors. Given the limitations of brain biopsy in clinical practice, clinical and imaging features would be helpful to diagnose PACNS.

[Characteristics of sympathetic skin response in patients with multiple system atrophy].

Objective: To provide evidence for early clinical diagnosis of multiple system atrophy(MSA)by studying the characteristics of sympathetic skin responses(SSR) in the patients with MSA. Methods: A total of 47 MSA patients and 32 healthy individuals were enrolled as case group and normal control(NC) group, from in and out patients of Neurology Department of Navy General Hospital from July 2013 to August 2015. SSR was tested by Nicolet electromyography, the latency and abnormal and disappeared rate of SSR were compared. Results: The SSR latency of upper limbs and lower limbs in MSA group had statistical significance compared respectively with the NCgroup (upper limbs: SSR latency was(1 485±187)ms in MSA group, and(1 375±108)ms in NC group, P<0.05; lower limbs: SSR latency was(2 200±386)ms in MSA group, and(1 994±240)ms in NC group, P<0.05). Sex and age had no significant effect on the latency and the abnormal and disappeared rate of SSR in two groups (P>0.05). The upper and lower limb SSR latency in MSA patients with disease duration more than 2 years(SSR latency was (1 592±160)ms in upper limb and (2 268±254)ms in lower limb) were longer than those within 2 years(SSR latency was (1 453±184)ms in upper limb and (2 190±442)ms in lower limb), but only the upper limbs had significantly statistical differences (P<0.05). Both SSR abnormal rate and SSR disappeared rate in MSA patients whose disease duration were more than 2 years(SSR abnormal rate: 85.00%, SSR disappeared rate: 75.00%) were higher than those with shorter disease duration(SSR abnormal rate: 55.56%, SSR disappeared rate: 22.22%), and both were statistically significant (SSR abnormal rate: P<0.05, SSR disappeared rate: P<0.001). The upper and lower limb SSR latency of MSA-C subgroup had no statistical difference compared with MSA-P subgroup(P>0.05). The SSR abnormal rate in MSA-C subgroup(78.13%) was higher than that of MSA-P subgroup(46.76%), and were statistically significant (P<0.05). The SSR disappeared rate in MSA-C subgroup has no statistical difference compared with the MSA-P subgroup(P>0.05). Conclusions: SSR is helpful to diagnose MSA. The latency and the abnormal and disappeared rate of SSR are significantly increased with the extension of MSA duration. The SSR abnormal rate in MSA-C patients is higher than that in MSA-P patients, and symmetrically abnormal SSR is more supporting the diagnosis of MSA.

[The correlation factor analysis for conversion of clinically isolated syndrome to multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the features of patients who converted from clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) to multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and explore the correlated factors. METHODS: A total of 151 patients admitted in our unit as CIS from January 2009 to December 2014 were enrolled in the study. All patients were divided into the following four groups by locations of the initial lesion, which were the spinal cord, the optic nerve, the brain stem and the multifocal lesions. Data were collected at the baseline including demographics, expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score, site of CIS, presence or absence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) oligoclonal bands (OB) and serum aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-Ab), evoked potential (EP) and MRI lesions. The conversion rates from CIS to clinically definite MS or NMO were calculated and the correlated factors were explored. RESULTS: With a mean follow-up period of (44.11±17.62)months, 46/151(30.5%) patients converted to MS, 28/151 (18.5%) to definite NMO and 66/151 patients(43.7%)remained as CIS. Other patients were converted to optic neuritis(4/151), one-time transverse myelitis(3/151), acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (1/151) and Balo concentric sclerosis(3/151) . The EDSS score was significantly higher in patients converted to NMO than those converted to MS (P=0.003). The initial manifestation of optic neuritis significantly correlated with the conversion to NMO (P=0.000), while the initial manifestation of CIS with multifocal lesions significantly correlated with the conversion to MS (P=0.000). Neither the isolated BAEP (P=0.703), VEP (P=0.076), SEP (P=0.915) nor the combination of two (P=0.546)or three (P=1.000) of the above parameters could help to distinguish the conversion to MS or NMO. More patients with positive CSF-OB converted to MS (P=0.001), while more patients with positive serum AQP4-Ab converted to NMO (P=0.001). More patients were serum AQP4-Ab positive in those converted to NMO than those converted to MS (P=0.000). Lesions longer than three vertebral segments were dominant in patients converted to NMO (P=0.000). The logistic regression analysis revealed that factors correlated with conversion from CIS to MS were the initial CIS manifestation of multifocal lesions (OR=4.775, P=0.002), positive CSF-OB (OR=7.794, P=0.002) and VEP abnormality (OR=7.251, P=0.001). Factors correlated with conversion from CIS to NMO were female in gender (OR=12.536, P=0.019), positive serum AQP4-Ab (OR=36.410, P=0.002), lesions longer than three vertebral segments (OR=93.602, P=0.001), abnormal VEP and SEP (OR=18.448, P=0.002; OR=12.731, P=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Factors correlated with the conversion from CIS to MS are initial CIS manifestation of multifocal lesions, positive CSF-OB and abnormal VEP, while those correlated with the conversion from CIS to NMO are female in gender, positive serum AQP4-Ab, initial CIS manifestation with optic nerve, lesions involved more than three vertebral segments and abnormal VEP and SEP.

IL28B rs12979860 polymorphism does not influence outcomes of hepatitis B virus infection.

rs12979860 in interleukin 28B (IL28B) gene is associated with response to interferon-α therapy and natural viral clearance in hepatitis C. The role of this polymorphism is less known in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. We evaluated whether rs12979860 was associated with outcomes of HBV infection. There were 651 individuals with persistent infection (387 with liver cirrhosis, 264 without cirrhosis) and 226 healthy individuals who recovered from HBV infection. The genotypic distributions were compared between different phenotypes pertaining to disease progression and HBV markers. The polymorphism had no association with clearance of hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B e antigen, HBV-DNA level, apparent hepatitis onset and liver cirrhosis (P > 0.05). These results suggest that rs12979860 does not have such a strong effect in hepatitis B compared to hepatitis C.

Construction and performance characteristics of new fentanyl-selective plastic membrane electrode.

The construction and performance characteristics of an ion-selective electrode for fentanyl-drug cation, based on an ion-pair complex with tetrakis[3,5-bis-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate anion in a PVC matrix were studied. A linear response for 1 x 10(-5) mol dm-3 to 1 x 10(-2) mol dm-3 drug with a slope of 57.9 +/- 0.5 mV/decade was established. The optimum pH range was 2 to 6. The lower detection limit was 6.29 x 10(-6) mol dm-3 fentanyl citrate (2.1165 micrograms cm-3 fentanyl). There were negligible interferences from a number of inorganic cations, structural analogues, and some common drug additives in injections. The electrode proposed has been successfully applied to determine fentanyl citrate in injections. The results correlated well with those obtained by the United States Pharmacopoeia standard procedure.

Fentanyl-selective polymeric membrane electrode.

A poly (vinyl chloride) membrane electrode with dibutyl phthalate as plasticizer based on a fentanyl-tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)borate ion-pair complex for the determination of fentanyl citrate in injections is described. A linear response over the range 1 x 10(-5) mol.dm-3 to 1 x 10(-2) mol.dm-3 drug with a slope of 59.3 +/- 0.6 mV/decade was established. The optimum pH range was 1 to 6. The lower detection limit was 8 x 10(-6) mol.dm-3 fentanyl citrate (2.7 micrograms cm-3 fentanyl). There were negligible interferences from a number of inorganic cations, structural analogues, and some common drug additives used in injections. The electrode proposed has been successfully applied to determine fentanyl citrate in injections. The results correlated well with those obtained by the United States Pharmacopoeia standard procedure.