[Exosomes derived from miR-133a-3p engineered mesenchymal stem cells promote myocardial repair in rats after acute myocardial infarction].

Objective: To investigate the effects of exosome derived from miR-133a-3p engineered human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (ucMSC) on myocardial repair after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in rats. Methods: UcMSC was amplified and cultured in vitro. Lentiviral carrying miR-133a-3p and negative control vectors were transfected into ucMSC. Exosomes secreted by the transfected ucMSC were named miR-133a-3p-Exo and miR-NC-Exo, respectively. The AMI model of rats was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. MiR-133a-3p-Exo or miR-NC-Exo were then injected into the border zone of the infarct area. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography after twenty-eight days of intervention, and Masson staining was used to evaluate the area of myocardial fibrosis post-AMI. The myocardial apoptosis after infarction was evaluated by TUNEL staining and the angiogenesis after infarction was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining in the current study. Results: Compared with the miR-NC-Exo group, the left ventricular ejection fraction in the miR-133a-3p-Exo group was significantly increased ((47.4%±9.8%) vs. (64.2%±8.9%), P<0.05). While the myocardial fibrosis area ((31.2%±7.3%) vs. (18.0%±1.5%), P<0.01) and the percentage of apoptotic cardiomyocytes ((25.6%±3.6%) vs. (15.1%±4.4%), P<0.05) was significantly reduced in the miR-133a-Exo group. Besides, the expression of CD31 and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were also increased significantly in the miR-133a-3p-Exo group compared to the miR-NC-Exo group (CD31: (2.9±0.9) vs. (13.9±2.0), P<0.000 1, α-SMA: (3.5±0.9) vs. (11.0±1.6), P<0.000 1). Conclusion: Exosome derived from miR-133a-3p engineered ucMSC effectively inhibited myocardial apoptosis and promoted angiogenesis, thus improving the cardiac function after myocardial infarction in rats.

Oral Pathobionts Promote MS-like Symptoms in Mice.

Dysbiotic oral microbiota has been associated with multiple sclerosis. However, the role and mechanism of oral microbiota in the development of multiple sclerosis are still elusive. Here, we demonstrated that ligature-induced periodontitis (LIP) aggravated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice, and this was likely dependent on the expansion of T helper 17 (Th17) cells. LIP increased the splenic richness of Enterobacter sp., which was able to induce the expansion of splenic Th17 cells and aggravate EAE in mice. LIP also led to enrichment of Erysipelotrichaceae sp. in the gut and increased Th17 cells in the large intestinal lamina propria of EAE mice. Fecal microbiota transplantation from EAE mice with LIP also promoted EAE symptoms. In conclusion, periodontitis exacerbates EAE, likely through ectopic colonization of oral pathobionts and expansion of Th17 cells.

[Characteristics of daytime napping and its correlation with chronic diseases in Chinese adults].

Objective: To describe the prevalence of daytime nap habit in participants of the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) study, across 10 study regions and explore its correlation with prevalence of major chronic diseases. Methods: Participants with a self-reported pre-diagnosis of any cancer at baseline survey were excluded. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the differences in study regions and age distribution of the prevalence daytime nap habit, and its correlation with the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and chronic liver diseases. Results: Among 510 145 participants, 39.9% had daytime nap habit in summer and 20.8% had daytime nap habit all the year round. Urban-rural differences were observed in the prevalence of summer nap habit and perennial nap habit. Daytime nap in summer was common in rural areas and Suzhou, with prevalence ranged from 32.9% to 73.3%. Haikou and Liuzhou had higher prevalence of perennial nap (60.4% and 63.3%). The proportion of people with daytime nap habit all the year round increased with age (P for trend <0.001), the proportion was highest in those aged 70- years (31.9%). Daytime nap habit in summer was positively correlated with the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, CHD and chronic liver disease with OR of 1.10 (95%CI: 1.07-1.14), 1.03 (95%CI:1.02-1.05), 1.07 (95%CI: 1.02-1.12) and 1.07 (95%CI:1.00-1.14), respectively. Daytime nap habit all the year round was positively correlated with the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, CHD, stroke, COPD and chronic liver disease with OR of 1.33 (95%CI: 1.29-1.37), 1.11 (95%CI: 1.09-1.13), 1.39 (95%CI: 1.33-1.45), 1.33 (95%CI: 1.26-1.41), 1.12 (95%CI: 1.08-1.16) and 1.27 (95%CI:1.18-1.37) respectively. Conclusion: There were regional and age differences in prevalence of daytime nap habit among CKB participants. Daytime nap habit, especially daytime nap habit all the year round, was positively correlated with the prevalence of major chronic diseases.

[Correlation between sleep status and frailty in adults aged 30-79 years in China].

Objective: To explore the correlation between sleep status and frailty in adults aged 30-79 years in China, and explore the potential effect modification of general and central obesity. Methods: Based on the baseline data of the China Kadoorie Biobank, we used multinomial logistic regression to analyze the correlation between long and short sleep duration, insomnia disorder, snoring, and unhealthy sleep score with risks of pre-frailty and frailty. Both overall and obesity-stratified analyses were performed. Result: Among the 512 724 participants, 2.3% had frailty and 40.1% had pre-frailty. There was a U-shaped relationship between sleep duration and frailty score. Short (OR=1.21, 95%CI: 1.19-1.23) or long sleep duration (OR=1.19, 95%CI: 1.17-1.21), insomnia disorder (OR=2.09, 95%CI: 2.02-2.17), and snoring (OR=1.61, 95%CI: 1.59-1.63) were all positively correlated with pre-frailty, and dose-response relationships were observed between unhealthy sleep score and pre-frailty (P for trend<0.001), with OR values of 1.46 (1.44-1.48), 1.97 (1.93-2.00) and 3.43 (3.21-3.67) respectively for those having unhealthy sleep score of 1 to 3. These sleep problems were also positively correlated with frailty. Compared with the overweight or obesity group, stronger relationships were observed between short sleep duration and frailty or pre-frailty and between insomnia disorder and pre-frailty, while the relationships between snoring and frailty and pre-frailty were weaker in the participants with normal weight (P for interaction <0.007 for all). We also observed similar effect modification by central obesity. Conclusion: Long or short sleep duration, insomnia disorder, snoring and higher unhealthy sleep scores were positively correlated with pre-frailty or frailty, general and central obesity status could modify the relationships.

[Application of internal carotid artery stent in skull base surgery].

Objective: To report the experience of the application of internal carotid artery stent in skull base surgery, and to clarify the important role of internal carotid artery stent in skull base surgery. Methods: A retrospective study of 22 cases with skull base neoplasms implanted with internal carotid artery stents in the Department of ENT Head and Neck Surgery at the Sixth People's Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University between July 2019 and January 2021 was conducted. Among them, 17 were male and 5 were female, aged between 33 and 75 years. There were 5 cases on the left, 16 cases on the right, and 1 case on both sides. Of these, there were 4 cases of jugular paraganglioma, 1 case of chondrosarcoma in the jugular foramen, 1 case of carotid body paraganglioma, and 16 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy. Results: The degree of internal carotid artery erosion was assessed by computed tomography angiography (CTA), magnetic resonance imaging and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) images in 22 patients before surgery. It was found that the internal carotid artery was involved to varying degrees in all patients, so internal carotid artery stents were implanted before surgery. Tumor tissue was found to surround the internal carotid artery to varying degrees. Total or subtotal tumor resection was performed in all patients, and no intraoperative and postoperative complications occurred. The postoperative follow-up was 5 months to 2 years, and all patients had no complications such as spontaneous bleeding and pseudo aneurysm. There were no signs of stenosis or occlusion of the internal carotid artery stent segment in all cases. Conclusions: For patients with skull base tumors, preoperative imaging indicates the limited involvement of the internal carotid artery, and internal carotid artery stent implantation before surgery is a safe and effective treatment.

[Consensus of experts on the oral health management and medical risk prevention for the patients with chronic airway diseases (2022 edition)].

Today, there is greater awareness on the association between oral diseases and respiration diseases after the outbreak of COVID-19. However, confusion regarding the oral health management and medical risk prevention for patients with chronic airway diseases has been remained among dental clinicians. Therefore, the dental experts of the Fifth General Dentistry Special Committee, Chinese Stomatological Association, combined with the experts of respiratory and critical care medicine, undertook the formation of consensus on the oral health management of patients with chronic airway diseases in order to help dental clinicians to evaluate medical risks and make better treatment decision in clinical practice. In the present consensus report, the relationship of oral diseases and chronic airway diseases, the oral health management and the treatment recommendations of patients with chronic airway diseases are provided.

[Consensus of experts on the medical risk prevention for the patients with cardiovascular diseases during dental treatment (2022 edition)].

With the aging process of population in the society, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in China is increasing continuously and the number of dental patients with CVD is increasing gradually too. Due to the lack of guidelines for dental patients with CVD in our country, how to implement standardized preoperative evaluation and perioperative risk prevention remains a problem to be solved for dentists at present. The present expert consensus was reached by combining the clinical experiences of the expert group of the Fifth General Dentistry Special Committee, Chinese Stomatological Association and respiratory and cardiology experts in diagnosis and treatment for CVD patients, and by systematically summarizing the relevant international guidelines and literature regarding the relationship between CVD and oral diseases and the diagnosis and treatment of dental patients with heart failure, hypertension and antithrombotic therapy. The consensus aims to provide, for the dental clinicians, the criteria on diagnosis and treatment of CVD in dental patients in China so as to reduce the risk and complications, and finally to improve the treatment levels of dental patients with CVD in China.

[Research progress in association of neurological disorders and periodontal diseases].

Periodontal diseases are inflammatory diseases caused by oral pathogens around the periodontal supporting tissues, leading to systemic and chronic inflammatory conditions. The continuous chronic systemic inflammation may be a trigger of neuroinflammation, which is the prominent feature of a variety of neurological disorders. It implies that there may be a causal link between periodontal diseases and neurological disorders. This article presents epidemiological and biological evidences that periodontal diseases can induce or exacerbate neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and major depressive disorder, and analyzes the possible mechanisms. The importance of maintaining oral health as well as preventing and treating periodontal diseases are emphasized. At the same time, this may provide novel approaches to study the relationship between periodontal diseases and neurological disorders in the prevention and treatment strategies of neurological disorders.

[Safety and efficacy of regional transport combined with PCI model in patients with STEMI after thrombolysis in northwest China].

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of regional transport to percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) hospitals from non-PCI hospitals after thrombolysis in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI) in northwest China. Methods: In this retrospective study, 1 062 STEMI patients who were transferred from non-PCI hospitals within 24 hours from symptom onset, during January 2015 and January 2019 in the First Hospital of Lanzhou University, were included. According to the treatment strategy, they were divided into two groups, namely intravenous thrombolysis combined with PCI group(n=240), and primary PCI group(n=822). Observation endpoint were in-hospital adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events and bleeding events, Including all-cause death, ischemic stroke, malignant arrhythmia, intracranial hemorrhage and hemorrhage with hemoglobin decrease≥50 g/L. Results: A total of 1 062 STEMI patients were included(age was (61±12) years old), with 905 males (85.2%). The proportion of grade 0 TIMI blood flow in the primary PCI group before operation was significantly higher than that in the thrombolysis combined with PCI group(63.0%(518/822) vs. 36.3%(87/240)， P<0.001). Compared with primary PCI group, the time from symptom onset to first medical contact(2.11(1.00, 4.00)hours vs.3.00(1.13, 7.07)hours, P<0.001) and reperfusion in thrombolysis combined with PCI group(3.07(1.83, 4.87)hours vs. 6.92(4.07, 11.15) hours, P<0.001) were significantly shorter. The proportion of all-cause death was significantly higher in the primary PCI group than that in the thrombolysis combined with PCI group (1.8%(15/822) vs. 0, P=0.03). There was no significant difference in hemorrhage, ischemic stroke and malignant arrhythmia between the two groups(all P>0.05). Conclusions: For STEMI patients initially hospitalized in non-PCI hospitals, regional transport combined with PCI is feasible and effective. It does not significantly increase the risk of bleeding and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, with shorter time from symptom onset to myocardial reperfusion.

[Molecular epidemiological characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus during 2017-2018 at a hospital in Shanghai].

Objective: To identify the epidemic clones of MRSA isolates at a hospital in shanghai. Methods: A total of 72 MRSA isolates have been isolated from a second grade hospital between 2017 and 2018, including 32 CA-MRSA isolates, 13 HA-MRSA isolates and 26 MRSA isolates from environment. In this study, MLST and PFGE typing methods were used to analyze the molecular epidemiology of the MRSA isolates. Results: A total of 72 MRSA isolates have been obtained including 46 isolates from clinical specimens, 26 isolates from environments. The 46 MRSA isolates from clinical specimens consisted of 33 CA-MRSA (community-acquired MRSA) and 13 HA-MRSA (hospital-acquired MRSA). Furthermore, these patients infected with MRSA isolates were mostly distributed in the department of geriatrics (34.8%, 16/46), internal medicine (26.1%, 12/46) and surgery (26.1%, 12/46). MLST typing results showed that ST764 was predominant in isolates from both clinical specimens and hospital environments. Furthermore, PFGE typing results showed that most ST764 MRSA had high homolog (>90%). Conclusion: ST764 MRSA isolates might spread in community, hospital and environments. Therefore, continuous monitoring of MRSA and its variation may be useful in understanding the involvement of epidemic clone, and in searching new strategies to control MRSA infection.

[A multicenter survey of the accessibility of essential medicines for children in China].

Objective: To investigate the availability, prices and affordability of essential medicines in pediatric population across China, in the hope of improving rational use of medicines. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional survey of medicine prices, availability and affordability was conducted in 17 provinces, municipalities and autonomous region across east, south-central part, west and north of China. Data on 42 medicines used in pediatric population, both original and generic, were collected in 55 public hospitals from May 26 to June 2, 2017. Availability was expressed as the percentage of hospitals with stock of the target medicine on the day of data collection,and median price ratio (MPR) was the ratio of price upon investigation to international reference. Based on national minimum daily wage, affordability represents the number of working days needed to earn the expense which covers a standard course using the target medicine. Statistical software SPSS 13.0 was applied for descriptive analysis of availability, MPR and affordability. Results: Mean Availability of original and generic medicine was 33% and 32%, with median MPR being 5.43 and 1.55. Among the 19 medicines with price information for both original and generic product, the median MPR was 7.73 and 2.04 respectively. Regarding the five medicines used to treat four common pediatric diseases (pneumonia,peptic ulcer, congenital hypothyroidism, refractory nephrotic syndrome), the affordability was 0.63 (0.16-6.17) d for generic medicine, and 1.03 (0.16-11.53) d for its original counterpart. Conclusions: The availability to both original and generic products of the 42 medicines used in pediatric population was low in China. The prices of generic medicines seem to be lower and affordability higher than those of original medicines. There is an urgent need to improve the availability and affordability of pediatric medicines.

Wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis in Chinese people: a clinical research on 33 cases with antigenic analysis of wheat proteins.

BACKGROUND: Wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA) is a severe allergic condition in which wheat ingestion together followed by physical exercise induces anaphylaxis. For patients with WDEIA, omega-5 gliadin is considered to be one of the major allergens. AIM: To analyse the clinical features and allergen spectrum of WDEIA and to investigate the relationship between WDEIA and serum levels of platelet-activating factor (PAF), interleukin (IL)-9 and IL-33. METHODS: Medical histories and conditions of WDEIA cases were collected and summarized, with allergen tests of wheat proteins measured at the same visit. Of the 33 patients enrolled, 13 also had serum levels of PAF, IL-9 and IL-33 measured. The healthy control (HC) group consisted of 13 healthy individuals, who also underwent both the wheat-protein allergen tests and the inflammatory-mediator tests. RESULTS: All patients experienced severe allergic reaction during exercise after wheat ingestion. Manifestations of WDEIA included facial oedema, generalized urticaria and respiratory symptoms. Unconsciousness was also observed in 21 cases. In the patient group, 57.6% were confirmed as hypersensitive to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), while 54.5% were allergic to omega-5 gliadin. PAF concentration was significantly higher in patients with WDEIA compared with HCs, whereas there was no significant difference in IL-9 or IL-33 between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: WDEIA is a rare type of anaphylaxis. GAPDH and omega-5 gliadin may be the most common allergy-causing wheat proteins for Chinese people. PAF may be associated with the onset and development of WDEIA.

[Evaluation of neurovascular function in mouse cortex using multispectral optical imaging after ischemic stroke].

Objective: To acquire the signal of neuron excitability and blood oxygen in mouse cortex after ischemic stroke, and to clarify the relationship between the change of neurovascular function and the degree of cerebral infarction. Methods: The male C57BL/6 mouse(n=20) about 6-8 weeks and 20 g weight were produced the embolic stroke modal by photochemical injury. The mouse cortex was scanned by the multispectral optical imaging while using electric stimulation in 1, 3 and 7 d after operation. Then several data around the infarction were acquired including neuron excitability, the total hemoglobin concentration and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentration. The ischemic cerebral infarction size was analyzed by TTC staining. Plasma TNF-α concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). And modified neurological severity score (mNSS) was recorded after ischemic stroke(n=30). Then correlativity analysis was used between the optical signals and three indicators of cerebral infarction degree. Results: The changes of neuron excitability signals were 1.15%±0.28%, 2.84%±1.06%, 2.21%±0.55%. The total hemoglobin concentration signals were 3.71%±2.76%,3.19%±2.70%,4.27%±3.05%. The deoxygenated hemoglobin concentration signals were 2.93%±2.33%, 3.60%±1.74%, 2.08%±1.28%. The neural signal was correlated to cerebral infarction size, plasma TNF-α concentration and mNSS(r=-0.441, -0.449,-0.404, all P<0.05), and mNSS had a great effect on neuron excitability(ß=-0.169,P<0.05). Meanwhile, the total hemoglobin concentration was correlated to cerebral infarction size(r=0.440,P<0.05). Conclusion: The signal of neuron and blood oxygen is able to represent the change of neurovascular function and evaluate the progression of ischemic stroke.

[Relationship between systolic blood pressure load and sleep stability in patients with essential hypertension].

Objective: To explore the relationship between blood pressure load and sleep stability in hypertensive patients by cardiopulmonary coupling monitoring (CPC) and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Methods: One hundred and fifty-five patients with essential hypertension were divided into high load group and low load group according to whether the blood pressure load was higher than 50%. The relationship between sleep stability and systolic blood pressure load was analyzed by logistic regression. Results: After adjusting for sex, age and body mass index (BMI), logistic regression analysis showed that stable sleep was the protective factor (OR=0.736,P=0.047) for the decrease of nocturnal blood pressure load, and unstable sleep was the risk factor for increasing day time blood pressure load (OR=1.336, P=0.037) in patients with hypertension. Conclusions: The effect of sleep stability on blood pressure load is different between day and night. Stable sleep is the protective factor of nocturnal systolic blood pressure load decrease, and unstable sleep is the harmful factor of daytime systolic blood pressure load increase. Increasing sleep stability helps to reduce systolic blood pressure load.

MicroRNA-155 plays critical effects on Th2 factors expression and allergic inflammatory response in type-2 innate lymphoid cells in allergic rhinitis.

OBJECTIVE: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic inflammatory disease. This study aimed to investigate the role of microRNA-155 (miR-155) in type-2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) on AR. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nasal mucosa tissues and peripheral blood samples were collected. mRNA expression of miR-155, interleukin-25 (IL-25), and interleukin-33 (IL-33) in nasal mucosa tissues was determined using quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The AR model was established by injecting with murine IL-33. The frequency of ILC2s was quantified using flow cytometry. MiR-155 agomir or antagomir was intranasally administrated to mice. MiR-155 and helper T cell 2 (Th2) cytokines were measured with quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or Western blotting, respectively. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used for the histopathological examination. RESULTS: Compared with controls, mRNA levels miR-155 (p<0.001), IL-25 (p<0.05), and IL-33 (p<0.001) were increased in nasal mucosa tissues of AR patients and AR mice, and ILC2s ratios were enhanced in human peripheral blood (p<0.0001), which were much higher after intranasal administration with miR-155 agomir (p<0.0001). MiR-155 expression of AR mice was significantly reduced after intranasal administration with miR-155 antagomir (p<0.05). Frequencies of ILC2s in human peripheral blood significantly correlated with miR-155 (r=0.4803, p=0.0130). MiR-155 up-regulation markedly increased frequencies of nasal rubbing/sneezing and levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13. Pathological changes were worsened after miR-155 agomir and ameliorated after miR-155 antagomir administration. MiR-155 agomir mice (p<0.001) showed higher ILC2s, whereas lower in miR-155 antagomir mice compared to AR mice (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MiR-155 played critical effects on Th2 factor expression and allergic inflammatory response in ILC2 cells in AR.

[Correlation between serum interleukin-38 and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with pulmonary embolism].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between serum interleukin-38 (IL-38) and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) with pulmonary embolism (PE). Methods: The 94 patients with AECOPD admitted to Tianjin Chest Hospital from August 2015 to April 2018 were suspected of PE. They were divided into two groups based on CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and color Doppler ultrasound of lower extremity veins: 39 cases in PE group and 55 cases in Non-PE group. The general data and laboratory examination results of these subjects were recorded. Serum IL-38 was measured by double antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The between-group differences of above parameters were analyzed. Pearson correlation or Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the association of IL-38 with each variable in AECOPD patients. Binary Logistic regressions were conducted to determine the risk factors of AECOPD with PE. ROC curve was used to assess the value of serum IL-38 in predicting AECOPD with PE. Results: The serum level of IL-38 was lower in PE group than in Non-PE group [46.3 (33.1, 58.1) vs 61.5 (46.6, 72.5) ng/L, P<0.05]. Correlation analysis showed that serum IL-38 levels were negatively correlated with C reactive protein and fibrinogen in patients with AECOPD (r=-0.38,-0.29, all P<0.05). Binary Logistic regressions showed that lower serum IL-38 level was a risk factor of AECOPD with PE (OR=0.78, 95%CI: 0.61-0.94, P<0.05). The area under the ROC curve was 0.74 (95% CI: 0.63-0.84, P<0.05). When cutoff value of serum IL-38 was 52.1ng/L, the sensitivity was 70.9% and the specificity was 69.2% respectively. Conclusion: IL-38 could relieve the hypercoagulability by inhibiting inflammation in patients with AECOPD and could act as a predictor of AECOPD with PE.

Giant Magneto-Impedance (GMI) Effect in Single-Layer Soft Magnetic Film Under Stress.

The stress-induced magnetic anisotropy can significantly affect giant magneto-impedance (GMI) effect of the soft magnetic film. This paper is devoted to the GMI effect of the single layer soft magnetic film implied without and with a stress. By simulating a physical model with MATLAB and COMSOL software, the impedance expression of the single layer soft magnetic film and the relation between external magnetic field and magnetic permeability are deduced. We observed that, without a stress, the sensitive region increased firstly and then decreased with the increasing of the excitation current frequency from 1 MHz to 200 MHz. While the film was subjected to the stress in the direction of the current with one end stressed, the stress on the film was gradually reduced from stressed end to free end. Also, the impedance change rate of the film changed when the stress was added, which is similar to the effect of adding a bias magnetic field on the film. More importantly, the addition of stress σ can induce the bias of the GMI measurement range and improve its sensitivity near zero magnetic fields. This may provide a new way for designing a GMI sensor with higher sensitivity and adjustable measurement range.

The impact of low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy on testicular function in adult rats.

BACKGROUND: Low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Li-ESWT) has been introduced as a treatment for penile diseases. Its impact on testicular function during treatment remains unknown. OBJECTIVES: To clarify whether Li-ESWT impairs testicular function during the treatment of penile diseases by investigating the impact of Li-ESWT on testosterone synthesis and spermatogenesis in adult rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were equally divided into the following three groups: control group, 1.6 BAR group, and 3.2 BAR group. Rats in the experimental groups were treated with Li-ESWT at different energy levels (300 shocks at 1.6 BAR or 3.2 BAR, 2 Hz frequency) three times a week for 3 weeks. The control group did not receive any treatment during the same period of time. One day after the last shock wave treatment, serum and testicular tissue testosterone concentrations were measured, and sperm quality was assayed. Histologic examination of the testes and quantitative real-time PCR were performed. RESULTS: Testosterone levels in both the serum and testicular tissue did not change after Li-ESWT exposure. The expression levels of steroidogenic enzymes (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), and 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3ß-HSD)) were not impacted by Li-ESWT. The 3.2 BAR group showed a significantly lower sperm count and lower expression of synaptonemal complex protein 3 (SYCP3) in testicular tissue than the control group. No significant differences in sperm quality or SYCP3 expression were observed between the control group and the 1.6 BAR group. CONCLUSION: Li-ESWT exposure at 3.2 BAR inhibited spermatogenesis and decreased sperm quality, which indicated that male patients with a desire to preserve fertility should undergo low-energy Li-ESWT or other treatment modalities.

[The association between blood pressure variability and sleep stability in essential hypertensive patients with sleep disorder].

Objective: To investigate the association of blood pressure variability and sleep stability in essential hypertensive patients with sleep disorder by cardiopulmonary coupling. Methods: Performed according to strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, 88 new cases of essential hypertension who came from the international department and the cardiology department of china-japan friendship hospital were enrolled. Sleep stability and 24 h ambulatory blood pressure data were collected by the portable sleep monitor based on cardiopulmonary coupling technique and 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitor. Analysis the correlation of blood pressure variability and sleep stability. Results: In the nighttime, systolic blood pressure standard deviation, systolic blood pressure variation coefficient, the ratio of the systolic blood pressure minimum to the maximum, diastolic blood pressure standard deviation, diastolic blood pressure variation coefficient were positively correlated with unstable sleep duration (r=0.185, 0.24, 0.237, 0.43, 0.276, P<0.05). Conclusions: Blood pressure variability is associated with sleep stability, especially at night, the longer the unstable sleep duration, the greater the variability in night blood pressure.

[Interleukin-38 expression and clinical significance in serum of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Objective: To investigate the serum level of interleukin-38 (IL-38) and its clinical significance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: Totally 72 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD group) and 65 patients with stable COPD (S-COPD group) were recruited from Tianjin Chest Hospital from June 2016 to August 2017. In the same period 40 elderly healthy subjects were selected as control group (C group). The general data and laboratory examination results of these subjects were recorded. Serum IL-38 was measured by double antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The inter-group differences of above parameters were analyzed. Pearson correlation or Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between IL-38 and each variable, and multivariate stepwise regression analysis was used to determine the influencing factors of serum IL-38 in COPD patients. Results: The serum level of IL-38 was higher in AECOPD group than in S-COPD group[(57.88±13.72) vs (51.75±14.06) ng/L, P<0.05], and was higher in either of the two COPD groups than in C group[(46.37±13.18) ng/L](both P<0.05). Correlation analysis of single factor showed that serum IL-38 levels were positively correlated with body mass index (r=0.190, P<0.05), and negatively correlated with C reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen (FIB), forced expiratory volume in one second as a percentage of estimated value (FEV1%pred) and the number of acute exacerbations in the past 1 year (r=-0.344, -0.176, -0.195, -0.229, all P<0.05). The CRP level and the number of acute exacerbations in the past 1 year were independent factors affecting the serum level of IL-38 (ß=-0.204, -0.183, both P<0.05) in patients with COPD. Conclusion: IL-38 is compensatory increased in serum of patients with COPD and may be used as one of the serological markers for evaluation of COPD.