The potential diagnostic accuracy of circulating microRNAs for Alzheimer's disease: A meta-analysis / La precisión diagnóstica de los microARN circulantes para la enfermedad de Alzheimer: un metaanálisis

Background & objective Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disease that seriously affects cognitive ability and has become a key public health problem. Many studies have identified the possibility of peripheral blood microRNA as effective non-invasive biomarkers for AD diagnosis, but the results are inconsistent. Therefore, we carried out this meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of circulating microRNAs in the diagnosis of AD patients. Methods We performed a systematic literature search of the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Wanfang database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, updated to March 15, 2021. A random effects model was used to pool the sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio and area under the curve. Meta-regression and subgroup analysis were performed to explore the sources of heterogeneity, and Deeks’ funnel plot was used to assess whether there was publication bias. Results 62 studies from 18 articles were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.78–0.85), specificity was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.76–0.83), PLR was 4. 1 (95% CI: 3.4–4.9), NLR was 0.23 (95% CI: 0.19–0.28), DOR was 18 (95% CI: 13–25) and AUC was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.84–0.90). Subgroup analysis shows that the microRNA clusters of plasma type performed a better diagnostic accuracy of AD patients. In addition, publication bias was not found. Conclusions Circulating microRNAs can be used as a promising non-invasive biomarker in AD diagnosis. (AU)

Antecedentes y objetivo La enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA) es una enfermedad neurodegenerativa progresiva e irreversible que afecta gravemente la capacidad cognitiva y se ha convertido en un problema clave de salud pública. Muchos estudios han identificado la posibilidad de que los microARN de sangre periférica sean biomarcadores no invasivos para el diagnóstico de la EA, pero los resultados son inconsistentes. Por lo tanto, llevamos a cabo este metaanálisis para evaluar la precisión diagnóstica de los microARN circulantes en el diagnóstico de pacientes con EA. Métodos Realizamos una búsqueda bibliográfica sistemática de las siguientes bases de datos: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Wanfang database y China National Knowledge Infrastructure, actualizado a 15 de marzo de 2021. Se utilizó un modelo de efectos aleatorios para agrupar la sensibilidad, especificidad, razón de probabilidad positiva, razón de probabilidad negativa, razón de probabilidades de diagnóstico y área bajo la curva. Se realizó una metarregresión y un análisis de subgrupos para explorar las fuentes de heterogeneidad, y se utilizó el gráfico en embudo de Deek's para evaluar si había sesgo de publicación. Resultados En este metaanálisis se incluyeron 62 estudios de 18 artículos. La sensibilidad combinada fue de 0,82 (IC 95%: 0,78-0,85), la especificidad fue de 0,80 (IC 95%: 0,76-0,83), la PLR fue de 4,1 (IC 95%: 3,4-4,9), la NLR fue de 0,23 (IC 95%: 0,19-0,28), la DOR fue de 18 (IC 95%: 13-25) y el AUC fue de 0,88 (IC 95%: 0,84-0,90). El análisis de subgrupos muestra que los microARN clústeres de tipo plasmático tuvieron una mejor precisión diagnóstica de pacientes con EA. Además, no se encontró sesgo de publicación. Conclusión Los microARN circulantes pueden utilizarse como un biomarcador no invasivo prometedor para el diagnóstico de la EA. (AU)

The potential diagnostic accuracy of circulating microRNAs for Alzheimer's disease: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disease that seriously affects cognitive ability and has become a key public health problem. Many studies have identified the possibility of peripheral blood microRNA as effective non-invasive biomarkers for AD diagnosis, but the results are inconsistent. Therefore, we carried out this meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of circulating microRNAs in the diagnosis of AD patients. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature search of the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Wanfang database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, updated to March 15, 2021. A random effects model was used to pool the sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio and area under the curve. Meta-regression and subgroup analysis were performed to explore the sources of heterogeneity, and Deeks' funnel plot was used to assess whether there was publication bias. RESULTS: 62 studies from 18 articles were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.78-0.85), specificity was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.76-0.83), PLR was 4. 1 (95% CI: 3.4-4.9), NLR was 0.23 (95% CI: 0.19-0.28), DOR was 18 (95% CI: 13-25) and AUC was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.84-0.90). Subgroup analysis shows that the microRNA clusters of plasma type performed a better diagnostic accuracy of AD patients. In addition, publication bias was not found. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating microRNAs can be used as a promising non-invasive biomarker in AD diagnosis.

Sleep disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis in Spain / Trastornos del sueño en pacientes con esclerosis múltiple en España

Objective This study assesses the presence of sleep disturbances and their relationship with clinical and demographic variables in patients with MS, with a view to establishing correlations between the different variables and the frequency of sleep disturbances. Methods The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to detect sleep disorders. We contacted patients treated at the MS unit and distributed a questionnaire (PSQI) to 221 patients, receiving 142 usable questionnaires between 8 and 30 September 2019. Results The prevalence of patients with sleep disturbances in our study was 74.7% (73.7% in women and 76.8% in men). Therefore, sleep disorders are pervasive in patients with MS, with 3 out of 4 patients experiencing them, a higher rate than that observed in the population without the disease. The frequency of sleep disorders gradually increased in line with age. In the 2 age groups analyzed, 44–54 years and 55–68 years, the proportion of moderate and severe sleep disorders was 42.8% and 53.9%, respectively. Moderate and severe sleep disturbances were observed in 27.5%, 44.7%, and 58.3% of patients with Expanded Disability Status Scale scores of 0–3, 3–6, and >6, respectively. Conclusion Our results indicate that sleep disorders are more common in patients with MS than in other populations. Patients with secondary progressive forms of MS more frequently present sleep disturbances, while patients with primary progressive forms report them less frequently. Age and degree of disability were positively correlated with the prevalence and severity of sleep disorders in MS patients. (AU)

Objetivo Evaluamos la presencia de alteraciones del sueño en pacientes con EM y su relación con variables clínicas y demográficas en esta población para establecer correlaciones entre diversas variables y la frecuencia de trastornos del sueño. Métodos Se utilizó el Índice de Calidad de Sueño de Pittsburgh para identificar la presencia de trastornos del sueño. Distribuimos el cuestionario a 221 pacientes de nuestra unidad de EM, y recibimos respuesta de 142 de ellos entre el 8 y el 30 de septiembre de 2019. Resultados En nuestra muestra, el 74,7% de los pacientes presentaban trastornos del sueño (73,7% de las mujeres y 76,8% de los hombres). Nuestros resultados muestran que los trastornos del sueño están muy presentes en la EM, detectándose en 3 de cada 4 pacientes, lo que supone una proporción mayor que en la población general. La presencia de trastornos del sueño aumenta con la edad. En los 2 grupos etarios analizados (44-54 años y 55-68 años), la proporción de pacientes con trastornos del sueño moderados o graves fue del 42,8% y el 53,9%, respectivamente. El 27,5%, el 44,7% y el 58,3% de los pacientes con puntuaciones de 0-3, 3-6 y >6 puntos en la Escala Expandida del Estado de Discapacidad, respectivamente, presentaron trastornos del sueño moderados o graves. Conclusión Nuestros resultados indican que los trastornos del sueño son más prevalentes en los pacientes con EM que en otras poblaciones. Dichos trastornos son más frecuentes en pacientes con EM secundaria progresiva que en pacientes con la forma primaria progresiva. La edad y el grado de discapacidad mostraron una correlación positiva con la prevalencia y la gravedad de los trastornos del sueño. (AU)

Sleep disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis in Spain / Trastornos del sueño en pacientes con esclerosis múltiple en España

Objective This study assesses the presence of sleep disturbances and their relationship with clinical and demographic variables in patients with MS, with a view to establishing correlations between the different variables and the frequency of sleep disturbances. Methods The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to detect sleep disorders. We contacted patients treated at the MS unit and distributed a questionnaire (PSQI) to 221 patients, receiving 142 usable questionnaires between 8 and 30 September 2019. Results The prevalence of patients with sleep disturbances in our study was 74.7% (73.7% in women and 76.8% in men). Therefore, sleep disorders are pervasive in patients with MS, with 3 out of 4 patients experiencing them, a higher rate than that observed in the population without the disease. The frequency of sleep disorders gradually increased in line with age. In the 2 age groups analyzed, 44–54 years and 55–68 years, the proportion of moderate and severe sleep disorders was 42.8% and 53.9%, respectively. Moderate and severe sleep disturbances were observed in 27.5%, 44.7%, and 58.3% of patients with Expanded Disability Status Scale scores of 0–3, 3–6, and >6, respectively. Conclusion Our results indicate that sleep disorders are more common in patients with MS than in other populations. Patients with secondary progressive forms of MS more frequently present sleep disturbances, while patients with primary progressive forms report them less frequently. Age and degree of disability were positively correlated with the prevalence and severity of sleep disorders in MS patients. (AU)

Objetivo Evaluamos la presencia de alteraciones del sueño en pacientes con EM y su relación con variables clínicas y demográficas en esta población para establecer correlaciones entre diversas variables y la frecuencia de trastornos del sueño. Métodos Se utilizó el Índice de Calidad de Sueño de Pittsburgh para identificar la presencia de trastornos del sueño. Distribuimos el cuestionario a 221 pacientes de nuestra unidad de EM, y recibimos respuesta de 142 de ellos entre el 8 y el 30 de septiembre de 2019. Resultados En nuestra muestra, el 74,7% de los pacientes presentaban trastornos del sueño (73,7% de las mujeres y 76,8% de los hombres). Nuestros resultados muestran que los trastornos del sueño están muy presentes en la EM, detectándose en 3 de cada 4 pacientes, lo que supone una proporción mayor que en la población general. La presencia de trastornos del sueño aumenta con la edad. En los 2 grupos etarios analizados (44-54 años y 55-68 años), la proporción de pacientes con trastornos del sueño moderados o graves fue del 42,8% y el 53,9%, respectivamente. El 27,5%, el 44,7% y el 58,3% de los pacientes con puntuaciones de 0-3, 3-6 y >6 puntos en la Escala Expandida del Estado de Discapacidad, respectivamente, presentaron trastornos del sueño moderados o graves. Conclusión Nuestros resultados indican que los trastornos del sueño son más prevalentes en los pacientes con EM que en otras poblaciones. Dichos trastornos son más frecuentes en pacientes con EM secundaria progresiva que en pacientes con la forma primaria progresiva. La edad y el grado de discapacidad mostraron una correlación positiva con la prevalencia y la gravedad de los trastornos del sueño. (AU)

Sleep disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: This study assesses the presence of sleep disturbances and their relationship with clinical and demographic variables in patients with MS, with a view to establishing correlations between the different variables and the frequency of sleep disturbances. METHODS: The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to detect sleep disorders. We contacted patients treated at the MS unit and distributed a questionnaire (PSQI) to 221 patients, receiving 142 usable questionnaires between 8 and 30 September 2019. RESULTS: The prevalence of patients with sleep disturbances in our study was 74.7% (73.7% in women and 76.8% in men). Therefore, sleep disorders are pervasive in patients with MS, with 3 out of 4 patients experiencing them, a higher rate than that observed in the population without the disease. The frequency of sleep disorders gradually increased in line with age. In the 2 age groups analyzed, 44-54 years and 55-68 years, the proportion of moderate and severe sleep disorders was 42.8% and 53.9%, respectively. Moderate and severe sleep disturbances were observed in 27.5%, 44.7%, and 58.3% of patients with Expanded Disability Status Scale scores of 0-3, 3-6, and >6, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that sleep disorders are more common in patients with MS than in other populations. Patients with secondary progressive forms of MS more frequently present sleep disturbances, while patients with primary progressive forms report them less frequently. Age and degree of disability were positively correlated with the prevalence and severity of sleep disorders in MS patients.

[Clinical analysis of 76 patients with severe aplastic anemia treated with haploid hematopoietic stem cell transplantation].

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of haploidentical donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of severe aplastic anemia. Methods: The clinical data of 76 patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) patients who underwent haplo-HSCT from December 2014 to October 2020 were selectively analyzed. There were 50 males and 26 females with a median age of 16 (3-52) years old. There were 49 SAA-Ⅰ patients, 18 SAA-Ⅱ patients, and 9 patients with hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia. There were 15 cases of bone marrow put together with peripheral blood stem cell transplantation and 61 cases of peripheral blood stem-cell transplantation. Conditioning regimens were Cyclophosphamide (CY) + Fludarabine (Flu) + ATG for 46 patients and Busulfan (Bu) + CY+Flu+ATG for 30 patients. Results: Three patients died during the myelosuppressive phase following transplantation, and 73 patients had a median time of neutrophil engraftment of 12 (9-21) days; in addition to 3 patients who died early, 8 patients did not obtain platelet reconstruction after transplantation, and 65 patients had platelet engraftment with a medium time of 14 (9-90) d. The incidence of primary graft failure was 10.9% and the incidence of secondary graft failure was 5.5%. The incidence of Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) was 38.4%, the incidence of Ⅲ-Ⅳ aGVHD was 16.4%, the incidence of chronic graft anti-host disease (cGVHD) was 35.8%, and the incidence of extensive cGVHD was 22.4%. The medium follow-up time was 19.5 (1-75) months, the prospective overall survival (OS) for 2 years was (78.6±5.0) %, the failure-free survival (FFS) was (75.9±5.1) %, and the transplant-related mortality was (20.2±4.9) %. Multi-factor analysis revealed that the patient older than 35 years old, Ⅲ/Ⅳ aGVHD, HCT-CI≥3, the pre-transplant ferritin ≥1 500 µg/L, the number of neutrophils >1×10(9)/L at the time of onset were risk factors affecting OS (P=0.008, 0.008, 0.014, 0.004, 0.027) . Patients with graft failure had lower OS and FFS than other patients (P<0.001) . Conclusion: Haplo-HSCT is an effective method for treating SAA in children, adolescents, and young patients, and the occurrence of severe aGVHD and severe infection, as well as graft failure, are the main causes of survival rate. The prevention and treatment of severe aGVHD and infection are essential to improve efficacy.

Incidence and prevalence of multiple sclerosis in China and other Asian countries.

The prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Asian countries is thought to be lower than in Western countries, with Asian populations presenting 80% less risk of MS than white populations. Incidence and prevalence rates in Asian countries are therefore not well defined and their association with rates in neighboring countries, as well as with ethnic, environmental, and socioeconomic factors, are not well understood. We performed a comprehensive literature review of epidemiological data from China and neighbouring countries to study the frequency of the disease, focusing on prevalence, and the progression over time and the influence of sex-related, environmental, dietary, and sociocultural factors. Prevalence rates in China range between 0.88 cases/100,000 population in 1986 and 5.2 cases/100,000 population in 2013, with a non-significant upwards trend (p = .08). The increase observed in Japan, where figures ranged between 8.1 and 18.6 cases/100,000 population was highly significant (p < .001). Prevalence rates in countries with predominantly white populations are considerably higher and have increased over time, reaching 115 cases/100,000 population in 2015 (r2 = 0.79, p < .0001). In conclusion, the prevalence of MS in China appears to have risen in recent years, although Asian populations (including Chinese and Japanese populations, among others) appear to present less risk than other populations. Within Asia, geographical latitude appears not to be a determining factor for developing MS.

Incidencia y prevalencia de la esclerosis múltiple en China y países asiáticos / Incidence and prevalence of multiple sclerosis in China and other Asian countries

La prevalencia de la esclerosis múltiple (EM) en los países asiáticos se considera que es más baja que en los países occidentales, las poblaciones asiáticas tienen un 80% menos de riesgo de EM que las caucásicas. No se conocen bien las cifras de incidencia, prevalencia y su relación con otros países de su entorno y su relación con factores étnicos, ambientales y socioeconómicos.Hemos realizado una revisión bibliográfica exhaustiva de los datos epidemiológicos existentes en China y países limítrofes, para estudiar la frecuencia de la enfermedad, centrándonos en la prevalencia, sus cambios evolutivos a lo largo del tiempo y su relación con factores de género, ambientales, alimenticios y socioculturales.La prevalencia en China oscila en cifras que van desde 0,88 en 1986 a 5,2 en 2013 por 100.000 habitantes con una tendencia a aumentar que no es estadísticamente significativa (p = 0,08), mientras que en Japón este incremento es muy significativo, con cifras que oscilan entre 8,1 y 18,6 (p < 0,001). La prevalencia en los países donde predomina la raza caucásica son mucho más elevadas y aumentan con el tiempo, llegando a 115 por 100.000 habitantes en 2015 (r2 = 0,79, p = 0,0001).En conclusión, la prevalencia de la EM en China parece está aumentando en los últimos años, aunque la raza amarilla (chinos y japoneses, entre otros) tienen menor riesgo de padecerla que el resto de las poblaciones. La latitud no parece ser un factor muy determinante en Asia para presentar un mayor riesgo de padecer EM. (AU)

The prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Asian countries is thought to be lower than in Western countries, with Asian populations presenting 80% less risk of MS than white populations. Incidence and prevalence rates in Asian countries are therefore not well defined and their association with rates in neighboring countries, as well as with ethnic, environmental, and socioeconomic factors, are not well understood.We performed a comprehensive literature review of epidemiological data from China and neighbouring countries to study the frequency of the disease, focusing on prevalence, and the progression over time and the influence of sex-related, environmental, dietary, and sociocultural factors.Prevalence rates in China range between 0.88 cases/100,000 population in 1986 and 5.2 cases/100,000 population in 2013, with a non-significant upwards trend (p = .08). The increase observed in Japan, where figures ranged between 8.1 and 18.6 cases/100,000 population was highly significant (p < .001). Prevalence rates in countries with predominantly white populations are considerably higher and have increased over time, reaching 115 cases/100,000 population in 2015 (r2 = 0.79, p < .0001).In conclusion, the prevalence of MS in China appears to have risen in recent years, although Asian populations (including Chinese and Japanese populations, among others) appear to present less risk than other populations. Within Asia, geographical latitude appears not to be a determining factor for developing MS. (AU)

Magnetic phase transition of monolayer chromium trihalides investigated with machine learning: toward a universal magnetic Hamiltonian.

The prediction of magnetic phase transitions often requires model Hamiltonians to describe the necessary magnetic interactions. The advance of machine learning provides an opportunity to build a unified approach that can treat various magnetic systems without proposing new model Hamiltonians. Here, we develop such an approach by proposing a novel set of descriptors that describes the magnetic interactions and training the artificial neural network (ANN) that plays the role of a universal magnetic Hamiltonian. We then employ this approach and Monte Carlo simulation to investigate the magnetic phase transition of two-dimensional monolayer chromium trihalides using the trained ANNs as energy calculator. We show that the machine-learning-based approach shows advantages over traditional methods in the investigation of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic phase transitions, demonstrating its potential for other magnetic systems.

PHGDH promotes the proliferation and differentiation of primary chicken myoblasts.

1. Chicken primary myoblasts (CPMs) are precursors that form muscle fibres. The proliferation and differentiation of CPMs is an essential stage in muscle development. Previous RNA-seq analysis showed that phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) is a differentially expressed gene in chicken muscle tissue at different growth stages. Therefore, the following study explored the effect of PHGDH on the proliferation and differentiation of CPMs.2. The effect on the proliferation of CPMs by RT-qPCR, CCK-8, and EdU assays after the overexpression and knockdown of PHGDH was evaluated. RT-qPCR, western blotting, and indirect immunofluorescence were used to detect the effect of PHGDH on the differentiation of the CPMs. The expression was observed at different time points for differentiation induced by the CPMs.3. The results showed that PHGDH significantly promoted proliferation and differentiation in CPMs. The results showed that overexpression of PHGDH significantly upregulated CPM proliferation, while knockdown had the opposite effect. Marker genes showed that overexpression of PHGDH significantly upregulated the expression of P21, MYOG and MYOD genes, significantly downregulated the expression of the MSTN gene and promoted the expression of the MYHC protein. In contrast, PHGDH knockdown had the opposite effect.4. Desmin immunofluorescence analysis of myotube differentiation in primary myoblasts showed that overexpression of PHGDH significantly increased the area of myotube differentiation and promoted the proliferation and differentiation of myoblasts. Knockdown of PHGDH had the opposite effect.5. In summary, PHGDH was shown to play a positive role in regulating myoblast proliferation and differentiation. This provides a theoretical basis for further analysis of the regulatory mechanism of the PHGDH gene in chicken muscle development and for improving poultry production.

The potential diagnostic accuracy of circulating microRNAs for prostate cancer: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This meta-analysis has been conducted to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of circulating microRNAs for the early diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCA). METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed (updated to February 18, 2021) in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Wanfang database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) to identify eligible studies. The pooled sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and area under curve (AUC) of the summary receiver-operating characteristic (SROC) curve were calculated for both overall and subgroup analysis. The meta-regression and subgroup analysis were performed to explore heterogeneity and Deeks' funnel plot was used to assess publication bias. RESULTS: One hundred nineteen studies from 33 articles owned 8703 PCA patients and 4914 controls were included in our meta-analysis. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio and area under the curve were 0.79, 0.81, 4.1, 0.26, 16 and 0.87, respectively. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio, and area under the curve of miR-21 in diagnosis of PCA were 0.86, 0.90, 8.3, 0.16, 52 and 0.94, respectively. Subgroup analysis suggested that the upregulated miRNA of serum type with large sample size could carry out a better diagnostic accuracy of PCA patients. Moreover, publication bias was not found. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating microRNA, especially miR-21, can be used as a promising noninvasive biomarker in the early diagnosis of PCA.

[Evaluation of the efficacy of a new variable frequency stimulation sacral neuromodulation in the treatment of detrusor hyperactivity with impaired contractility].

A total of 16 detrusor hyperactivity with impaired contractility (DHIC) patients who received 12 weeks remote variable frequency stimulation (VFS) were enrolled at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from September 2020 to February 2021. The voiding diary, symptom score scales and incidence of complications were completed and recorded at baseline, constant frequency stimulation (CFS) and VFS phases. Compared with the CFS phase, voiding times, urge incontinence times and daily catheterization volume were reduced; average voiding amount and functional bladder capacity increased; and the quality of life score and mental health questionnaire assessment were improved in the VFS phase(all P<0.05). In the end, among all 16 patients, there were 14 whose symptoms had improved, and there were no new complications such as pain or infection at the implantation site, electrode displacement, and electric shock sensation in the stimulation area. VFS-SNM can not only improve the DHIC patients' lower urinary tract symptoms during storage and urination period, but also improve the patients' quality of life and satisfaction of the therapy.

The potential effect of microbiota in predicting the freshness of chilled chicken.

1. The goals of this study were to analyse the changes in microbiota composition of chilled chicken during storage and identify microbial biomarkers related to meat freshness.2. The study used 16S rDNA sequencing to track the microbiota shift in chilled chicken during storage. Associations between microbiota composition and storage time were analysed and microbial biomarkers were identified.3. The results showed that microbial diversity of chilled chicken decreased with the storage time. A total of 27 and 24 microbial biomarkers were identified by using orthogonal partial least squares (OPLS) and the random forest regression approach, respectively. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that the OPLS regression approach had better performance in identifying freshness-related biomarkers. The multiple stepwise regression analysis identified four key microbial biomarkers, including Streptococcus, Carnobacterium, Serratia and Photobacterium genera and constructed a predictive model.4. The study provided microbial biomarkers and a model related to the freshness of chilled chicken. These findings provide a basis for developing detection methods of the freshness of chilled chicken.

The social and occupational consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic among patients with multiple sclerosis in three distinct populations: A web-based cross-sectional survey.

Background: The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the disease COVID-19, has caused a pandemic that has rapidly affected the whole world and caused a significant threat to public health. The aim of this study was to investigate and analyze the social and occupational effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in three different countries: China, Spain, and Cuba. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was designed to assess the social and occupational effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in MS patients in these three countries, using a 25-item anonymous online questionnaire, structured into three sections. Quantitative data are expressed as mean (standard deviation), and quantitative data as absolute frequency and percentage. Results: A total of 361 participants responded to the questionnaire: 194 from China, 104 from Spain, and 63 from Cuba. We found no cases of COVID-19 among Chinese patients with MS, and few cases in Spain and Cuba. Respondents reported different levels of impact on relationships with friends, family, and colleagues, and patients in all three countries described increased use of digital or social media platforms. Spanish patients reported a significantly less negative impact than those in Cuba and China. Mental and cognitive effects were similar in all three countries, although China seemed to have a better situation. We also found that the time spent exercising decreased at specific points during the pandemic, but with few changes in dietary habits. Patients reported little or no change in their means of transport in all three countries. Most patients in all three countries reported little or no physical deterioration, especially in Chinese patients (82.47%), compared to the Spanish (70.20%) and Cuban respondents (73.02%). In general, patients from all three countries demonstrated confidence in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic, although to a lesser extent among Spanish respondents. Conclusions: During the pandemic, family support was more effective in China than in Cuba and Spain. Neither COVID-19 infections nor the number of MS relapses increased significantly during lockdown in any of the three countries. Regarding their economic situation, Spanish MS patients reported a significantly less severe negative impact than those in Cuba and China. Patients from all three countries used digital or social media platforms more frequently, probably to maintain personal relationships. Chinese and Cuban respondents were more confident of the control of the pandemic than the Spanish, who were more pessimistic.

Introducción: El nuevo coronavirus de tipo 2, causante del síndrome respiratorio agudo severo o COVID-19, se ha expandido rápidamente a nivel mundial, convirtiéndose en una grave amenaza para la salud pública en forma de pandemia. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar los efectos sociolaborales de la pandemia de COVID-19 en pacientes con esclerosis múltiple (EM) en 3 países diferentes (China, España y Cuba). Métodos: Diseñamos un estudio transversal para valorar los efectos sociolaborales de la pandemia de COVID-19 en pacientes con EM procedentes de China, España y Cuba mediante un cuestionario digital de 25 preguntas divididas en 3 apartados. Los datos cuantitativos se expresan como medias y desviaciones estándar, mientras que los datos cualitativos se expresan mediante valores y porcentajes. Resultados: Un total de 361 pacientes respondieron al cuestionario (194 de China, 104 de España y 63 de Cuba). No encontramos ningún paciente chino con EM que hubiera padecido COVID-19, y los casos diagnosticados en España y Cuba fueron muy infrecuentes. A raíz de la pandemia, se observaron cambios en las relaciones con amigos, familiares y compañeros; además, los pacientes con EM usaron plataformas digitales y redes sociales con más frecuencia en los 3 países. El impacto negativo fue significativamente menor en España que en Cuba o China. Los efectos mentales y cognitivos de la pandemia fueron similares en los 3 países, aunque parece que la situación previa era mejor en China. Igualmente, observamos que el tiempo dedicado al ejercicio se redujo en momentos específicos durante la pandemia. Por el contrario, no se detectaron grandes cambios en los hábitos alimentarios. Los pacientes de los 3 países consideraron que no se produjeron cambios en su medio de transporte, o que estos fueron escasos. La mayoría de los pacientes ha experimentado poco o ningún deterioro físico, particularmente los pacientes chinos (82,47%) en comparación con los españoles (70,20%) y cubanos (73,02%). En líneas generales, todos los pacientes se mostraron esperanzados en superar la pandemia, aunque los pacientes españoles en menor grado. Conclusiones: Durante la pandemia, el apoyo familiar fue más importante en China que en Cuba o España. En ninguno de los 3 países se observó un aumento significativo en el número de casos de COVID-19 ni de brotes o recaídas durante el periodo de confinamiento. En términos económicos, los pacientes con EM españoles sufrieron un impacto negativo significativamente menor que los cubanos y chinos. Todos los pacientes usaron plataformas digitales o redes sociales con más frecuencia, probablemente con el fin de mantener relaciones personales. Los pacientes chinos y cubanos mostraron mayor confianza en el control de la pandemia que los españoles, que resultaron ser más pesimistas.

The potential diagnostic accuracy of circulating microRNAs for Alzheimer's disease: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disease that seriously affects cognitive ability and has become a key public health problem. Many studies have identified the possibility of peripheral blood microRNA as effective non-invasive biomarkers for AD diagnosis, but the results are inconsistent. Therefore, we carried out this meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of circulating microRNAs in the diagnosis of AD patients. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature search of the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Wanfang database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, updated to March 15, 2021. A random effects model was used to pool the sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio and area under the curve. Meta-regression and subgroup analysis were performed to explore the sources of heterogeneity, and Deeks' funnel plot was used to assess whether there was publication bias. RESULTS: 62 studies from 18 articles were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.78-0.85), specificity was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.76-0.83), PLR was 4. 1 (95% CI: 3.4-4.9), NLR was 0.23 (95% CI: 0.19-0.28), DOR was 18 (95% CI: 13-25) and AUC was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.84-0.90). Subgroup analysis shows that the microRNA clusters of plasma type performed a better diagnostic accuracy of AD patients. In addition, publication bias was not found. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating microRNAs can be used as a promising non-invasive biomarker in AD diagnosis.