[Mid-term efficacy evaluation of ABO incompatible living relative kidney transplantation based on protocol biopsy].

Objective: To evaluate the mid-term efficacy of ABO incompatible living donor kidney transplantation (ABOi-KT) based on the results of routine renal biopsy for transplantation. Methods: Retrospective collection of clinical data from 23 pairs of ABOi-KT donors and recipients at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from July 2015 to November 2021. ABOi-KT was performed on recipients after desensitization treatment, and the results of routine kidney transplant biopsy at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery were analyzed. Combined with blood type antibody levels and renal function recovery, the mid-term efficacy of ABOi-KT was evaluated. Results: Among the 23 recipients, there were 19 males and 4 females; age range from 19 to 47 years old [(29.6±6.7) years old], all underwent ABOi-KT successfully after receiving desensitization treatment. The follow-up time was (44.6±22.4) months, of which 22 cases were followed up for more than 1 year. The incidence rates of rejection reactions at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery were 15.0% (3/20), 11.1% (1/9), 7.7% (1/13), 25.0% (3/12), and 12.5% (1/8), respectively. For receptors with rejection reactions, targeted anti-rejection therapy was performed based on clinical symptoms and various indicators. Borderline T cell mediated rejection (TCMR) can be converted to mild tubular inflammation after anti-rejection treatment. The positive rate of complement C4d in peritubular capillaries was 95.0% (19/20) one week after surgery, and the positive rate of complement C4d was 100% at 3 and 12 months after surgery. The cumulative survival rates at 1, 3, 5, and 7 years after surgery were all 100%. The cumulative survival rates at 1, 3, 5, and 7 years after kidney transplantation were 100%, 93.3%, 84.0%, and 84.0%, respectively. Except for 2 recipients who underwent transplantation in 2017 and experienced kidney failure at 30 and 49 months after surgery, all other transplanted kidneys survived. Conclusions: The results of routine renal transplant biopsy show that ABOi-KT has a good mid-term therapeutic effect. The pathological changes of ABOi-KT can be dynamically observed through routine renal transplant biopsy and targeted treatment for rejection reactions can be provided accordingly.

[Research progress on the association of occupational antimony exposure with lung cancer and its carcinogenic mechanism].

Previous epidemiological studies suggested that occupational antimony exposure was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. The evidence is sufficient for carcinogenicity of trivalent antimony in experimental animals, and strong mechanistic evidence has been observed in human primary cells and experinental systems. Thus, trivalent antimony has been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A) by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) , and the United States National Toxicology Program (NTP) classified Sb(2)O(3) as a human carcinogen. Antimony and its compounds could induce chromosome breakage and/or DNA damage. Oxidative damage of DNA under oxidative stress and inhibition of DNA damage repair may be the main mechanism of antimony carcinogenesis. This review summarizes the epidemiological investigation of occupational antimony exposure and lung cancer, as well as the experimental research progression on the carcinogenic effects of antimony exposure, and discusses the limitations of previous studies and future research directions.

[Association between cognitive impairment and main metals among oldest old aged 80 years and over in China].

Objective: To identify the main metals involved in cognitive impairment in the Chinese oldest old, and explore the association between these metal exposures and cognitive impairment. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1 568 participants aged 80 years and older from Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study (2017 to 2018). Fasting venous blood was collected to measure the levels of nine metals (selenium, lead, cadmium, arsenic, antimony, chromium, manganese, mercury, and nickel). The cognitive function of these participants was evaluated by using the Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (CMMSE). The random forest (RF) was applied to independently identify the main metals that affected cognitive impairment. The multivariate logistic regression model and restricted cubic splines (RCS) model were used to further verify the association of the main metals with cognitive impairment. Results: The age of 1 568 study subjects was (91.8±7.6) years old, including 912 females (58.2%) and 465 individuals (29.7%) with cognitive function impairment. Based on the RF model (the out-of-bag error rate was 22.9%), the importance ranking of variables was conducted and the feature screening of five times ten-fold cross-validation was carried out. It was found that selenium was the metal that affected cognitive function impairment, and the other eight metals were not included in the model. After adjusting for covariates, the multivariate logistic regression model showed that with every increase of 10 µg/L of blood selenium levels, the risk of cognitive impairment decreased (OR=0.921, 95%CI: 0.889-0.954). Compared with the lowest quartile(Q1) of blood selenium, the ORs (95%CI) of Q3 and Q4 blood selenium were 0.452 (0.304-0.669) and 0.419 (0.281-0.622) respectively. The RCS showed a linear dose-response relationship between blood selenium and cognitive impairment (Pnonlinear>0.05). Conclusion: Blood selenium is negatively associated with cognitive impairment in the Chinese oldest old.

Factors affecting cement leakage in percutaneous vertebroplasty: a retrospective cohort study of 309 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous vertebroplasty has been widely applied as a treatment for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. However, the incidence of cement leakage is high. The purpose of study is to identify the independent risk factors for cement leakage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 309 patients who suffered from osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) and underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) were enrolled in this respective cohort study from January 2014 to January 2020. Clinical and radiological characteristics were assessed to identify independent predictors for each type of cement leakage, including age, gender, course of disease, fracture level, morphology of vertebral fracture, fracture severity, cortical disruption in vertebral wall or endplate, fracture line connected with basivertebral foramen, type of cement dispersion, and intravertebral cement volume. RESULTS: In leakage of B-type, fracture line connected with basivertebral foramen was identified as an independent risk factor [Adjusted OR: 2.837, 95% CI: (1.295, 6.211), p = 0.009]. For leakage of C-type, acute course of the disease, more severity of the fractured body, wall disruption and intravertebral cement volume (IVCV) were identified as independent risk factors [Adjusted OR: 0.409, 95% CI: (0.257, 0.650), p = 0.000]; [Adjusted OR: 3.128, 95% CI: (2.202, 4.442), p = 0.000]; [Adjusted OR: 6.387, 95% CI: (3.077, 13.258), p = 0.000]; [Adjusted OR: 1.619, 95% CI: (1.308, 2.005), p = 0.000]. Regarding leakage of D-type, biconcave fracture and endplate disruption were identified as independent risk factors [Adjusted OR: 6.499, 95% CI: (2.752, 15.348), p = 0.000]; [Adjusted OR: 3.037, 95% CI: (1.421, 6.492), p = 0.004]. For S-type, fracture in thoracic level and less severity of the fractured body were identified as independent risk factors [Adjusted OR: 0.105, 95% CI: (0.059, 0.188), p = 0.000]; [Adjusted OR: 0.580, 95% CI: (0.436, 0.773), p = 0.000]. CONCLUSIONS: Cement leakage was very common with PVP. Each cement leakage had its own influence factors. Preoperative identification of above influence factors for cement leakage could avoid the occurrence of severe sequelae.

[Endoscopic ultrasonographic features of submucosal lesions of upper digestive tract suspected gastrointestinal stromal tumors and their correlation with progression and pathological risk grade of the lesions].

Objective: To investigate the endoscopic ultrasonographic (EUS) characteristics of submucosal lesions of upper digestive tract suspected gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) and their correlation with biological behaviors and pathological risk grade of the tumors. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. The EUS findings, follow-up review, surgical treatment and pathological data of patients with suspected GIST at the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Center of Peking University People's Hospital from January 2013 to April 2021 were collected. All samples were divided into follow-up group and treatment group based on the pathological condition and the patient's treatment intention. According to whether or not the tumor was enlarged in EUS, the follow-up group was divided into non-enlarged group and enlarged group. Paired T-test was used to compare the lesion size before and after follow-up, and logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of tumor enlargement. According to the treatment methods, the treatment group was further divided into endoscopic treatment group and surgical treatment group. According to the pathological results and risk grade, the treatment group was further divided into the low-risk group and the medium-risk group. The risk factors of pathological malignant risk were analyzed by logistic regression, and the tumor diameter of patients with moderate or above pathological risk was predicted by receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curve. The relationship between the findings of EUS and the progression and pathological risk of GIST were also explored. Results: Seventy-three cases including 23 males and 50 females, with an age of 58 (30-88) years, were included in the follow-up group, with a mean lesion diameter of (1.21±0.49) cm before follow-up, median follow-up interval of 33.8 months, and a lesion diameter of (1.18±0.49) cm after follow-up. There was no significant difference (all P>0.05) in lesion diameter between before and after follow-up. There was no significant difference (all P>0.05) between tumor enlargement group (18 cases, 24.7%) and non-enlargement group (55 cases, 75.3%). One hundred and thirty-eight cases, including 52 males and 86 females, with an age of 60 (19-84) years, were enrolled in the treatment group, with a mean EUS estimated diameter of (2.55±1.35) cm and pathological diameters of (3.43±2.42) cm. Ninety-five (68.8%) of these cases were pathologically confirmed as GIST while 43 cases were diagnosed as other tumor types, including 37 benign tumors and 6 malignant tumors. In multifactorial logistic regression analysis, only the increase of tumor diameter [OR (95%CI): 1.800 (1.172-2.766), P=0.007] was a risk factor for pathological intermediate or higher risk. The optimal tumor diameter for predicting pathological intermediate or higher risk using ROC curve analysis was 2.75 cm, with a sensitivity 71.4%, specificity 79.0%, Youden index 0.5 and area under ROC curve 0.807 (95%CI: 0.703-0.909). Conclusions: EUS is essential for assessing the risk of progression and malignancy of submucosal lesions of upper digestive tract suspected GIST. For lesions of small diameter, the interval of follow-up shall be relatively extended while the indication of treatment could be partially waived.

[Individual irradiation dose trend and correlation analysis of nuclear medicine workers in a hospital].

Objective: To understand the personal dose level of nuclear medical workers in a hospital, and to provide basis for health management of nuclear medicine occupational population. Methods: From January 2014 to December 2018, 147 radiation workers in a hospital were selected as the monitoring objects, and the individual dose monitoring data were analyzed. The correlation between individual dose and clinical workload was analyzed. Results: The average annual personal dose of 147 staff members was below the national dose limit. Compared with the radiation department, the average annual personal dose of nuclear medical staff was higher, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . There was a positive correlation between the annual average personal dose and the corresponding injection workload (Rs=0.69, P<0.05) . Conclusion: The occupational exposure risk of nuclear medical technicians and nurses is high, and reasonable protective measures should be taken to reduce the radiation exposure dose. Conclusion The occupational exposure risk of nuclear medical technicians and nurses is high, and reasonable protective measures should be taken to reduce the radiation exposure dose.

Novel oral multifunctional antioxidant prevents noise-induced hearing loss and hair cell loss.

Oxidative stress is a major contributor to noise-induced hearing loss, the most common cause of hearing loss among military personnel and young adults. HK-2 is a potent, orally-active, multifunctional, redox-modulating drug that has been shown to protect against a wide range of neurological disorders with no observed side effects. HK-2 protected cochlear HEI-OC1 cells against various forms of experimentally-induced oxidative stressors similar to those observed during and after intense noise exposure. The mechanisms by which HK-2 protects cells is twofold, first by its ability to reduce oxidative stress generated by free radicals, and second, by its ability to complex biologically active transition metals such as Fe+2, thus reducing their availability to participate in the Fenton reaction where highly toxic hydroxyl radicals are generated. For the rat in vivo studies, HK-2 provided significant protection against noise-induced hearing loss and hair cell loss. Noise-induced hearing loss was induced by an 8-16 kHz octave band noises presented for 8 h/d for 21 days at an intensity of 95 dB SPL. In the Prevention study, HK-2 was administered orally beginning 5 days before the start of the noise and ending 10 days after the noise. Treatment with HK-2 dose-dependently reduced the amount of noise-induced hearing impairment, reflected in the cochlear compound action potential, and noise-induced hair cell loss. In a subsequent Rescue experiment in which HK-2 was administered for 10 days starting after the noise was turned off, HK-2 also significantly reduced the amount of hearing impairment, but the effect size was substantially less than in the Prevention studies. HK-2 alone did not adversely affect HEI-OC1 cell viability, nor did it cause any adverse changes in rat body weight, behavior, cochlear function or hair cell integrity. Thus, HK-2 is a novel, safe, orally-deliverable and highly effective otoprotective compound with considerable potential for preventing hearing loss from noise and other hearing disorders linked to excessive oxidative stress.

[Effect of basic fibroblast growth factor treatment on efficacy of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in liver cirrhosis].

Objective: To observe the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) treatment on efficacy of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) in cirrhotic rats. Methods: A rat model of liver cirrhosis was established via intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) for 10 weeks. Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 10): control group served as group A, and 0.5ml of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was transfused into the tail vein; ADSCs single-dose transplantation group served as group B, and 1×10(6) ADSCs were transplanted into the tail vein; bFGF-treated ADSCs treatment group served as group C, and 1×10(6) bFGF-treated ADSCs were transplanted through tail vein. Liver function, pathological and cytokine changes, and the in vivo survival transformation condition of the transplanted cells were measured at one week after transplantation. F test and an independent sample t test were used. Results: bFGF treatment had significantly promoted the proliferation, differentiation and overexpression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in ADSCs [ADSCs single: (2 137.16 ± 261.52) pg/ml vs. ADSCs (bFGF): (4 776.23 ± 532.44) pg/ml, P < 0.05]. The bFGF-treated ADSCs treatment group had statistically significant differences in promoting the recovery of liver function [alanine aminotransferase (ALT): ADSCs single (190.8 ± 34.98) vs. ADSCs (bFGF): (117.8 ± 35.81) pg/ml; aspartate aminotransferase (AST): ADSCs single (295.2 ± 33.71) U/L vs. ADSCs (bFGF): (183.8 ± 41.29) U/L, P ​​< 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in serum albumin levels between the control group, ADSCs single group, and ADSCs (bFGF) group. Compared with the control group, the serum albumin level of ADSCs (bFGF) group was increased significantly (P < 0.05), and the difference between the control group and the ADSCs single transplantation group in improving liver regeneration and reducing liver damage was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Masson trichrome staining showed that the percentage of the liver fibrosis area in the bFGF-treated ADSCs treatment group was 6.78% ± 0.56%, which was significantly higher than that of the control and ADSCs single dose transplantation group (7.96% ± 0.64%) (P < 0.05). Western blot analysis showed that the expression of HGF protein in the bFGF-treated ADSCs treatment group was significantly up-regulated, while the expression of α-smooth muscle actin was significantly down-regulated, and the difference was significant in the ADSCs single transplantation group. A double fluorescent staining method showed that the numbers of stem cells implanted in the liver tissue of the bFGF-treated ADSCs treatment group were higher than that of the ADSCs single transplantation group. In-vitro cell experiments confirmed that bFGF had significantly promoted the overexpression of HGF in ADSCs. Conclusion: bFGF-treated ADSCs transplantation can significantly improve liver function and fibrosis as compared with ADSCs single-dose transplantation in cirrhotic rats.

[Relationship between expression of high-mobility group box-1 and inflammatory cytokines in patients with bone cancer pain].

Objective: To investigate the change and relationship between serum high-mobility group box-1(HMGB1) and related inflammatory cytokines level in patients suffer with bone metastatic pain. Methods: Collection of the bone cancer pain patients who received analgesic therapy the department of pain in The First Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University from November 2016 to August 2016. Serum concentration of HMGB1, the Receptor of Advanced Glycation Endproducts (RAGE), monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor -α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-13 (IL-13), and transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) levels were determined in 15 healthy individuals as healthy donor and 15 patients with bone metastatic pain by enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) . The healthy individuals and patients with bone metastatic pain were collected before treatment and on 7 d after the treatment. Results: The serum concentration of HMGB1 and RAGE were significantly increased in tumorous group compared with healthy group[(8.8±2.3) vs (1.9±1.1) µg/L,(231±16) vs (46±20) ng/L); t=7.10,12.44, both P<0.05], then decreased after analgesic therapy [(4.77±1.36) µg/L, (129.80±29.32) ng/L, t=7.10, 12.44, both P<0.05]. The serum concentration of proinflammatory cytokines such as MCP-1, TNF-α, and IL-1ß were significantly increased in tumorous group when compared with healthy group, and decreased after analgesic therapy (all P<0.05). The expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10, IL-13, and TGF-ß were significantly increased in tumorous group when compared with healthy group, and decreased after analgesic therapy (all P<0.05).Compared with healthy group, the levels of MCP-1/IL-10, MCP-1/IL-13, MCP-1/TGF-ß, TNF-α/IL-10, TNF-α/IL-13, TNF-α/TGF-ß, IL-1ß/IL-10, IL-1ß/IL-13, IL-1ß/TGF-ß were significantly increased in tumorous group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: HMGB1 may adjust the proinflammatory-anti-inflammatory system homeostasis to participate in the development of bone metastatic pain.

[Application of continuous serratus plane block with patient-controlled analgesia on postoperation analgesia after thoracoscopic surgery].

Objective: To investigate the application of ultrasound-guided continuous serratus plane block with patient-controlled analgesia on postoperation analgesia after thoracoscopic surgery, and influence on postoperative rehabilitation. Methods: Sixty patients scheduled for thoracoscopic surgery were randomly divided into two groups. PCNA group (n=30) received ultrasound guided continuous serratus plane block with patient-controlled nerve analgesia, with continuous infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine and 30 ml of 0.3% ropivacaine for the first does. PCIA group(n=30) received patient-controlled intravenous analgesia, with continuous infusion of sufentanil. Postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) and prince henry pain scale (PHPS) were recorded at 1 hour (T(1)), 4 hour (T(2)), 8 hour (T(3)), 24 hour (T(4)), 2 days (T(5)), 3 days (T(6)), 4 days (T(7)), before discharge (T(8)), 30 days (T(9)) after surgery. Adverse reactions and the time of postoperative first out-of-bed activity, passage of gas by anus, bowel movement, chest tube removal, discharge was also recorded. Results: The resting VAS score of T(3), T(4), T(5) in group PCNA and group PCIA were 0(0) vs 0(2.0), 0(0) vs 2.0(2.0), 0(0) vs 0(2.0), the resting VAS score was lower in group PCNA than in group PCIA (Z=-2.524, -3.944, -3.652, P<0.05 or P<0.01). The upper arm activity VAS score of T(2), T(3), T(4), T(5), T(6), T(7) in group PCNA and group PCIA were 0(0) vs 0(2.0), 0(0) vs 2.0(2.5), 0(2.0) vs 2.0(2.0), 0(2.0) vs 2.0(2.0), 0(0) vs 2.0(2.0), 0(0) vs 0(2.0), the upper arm activity VAS score was lower in group PCNA compared with group PCIA (Z=-2.984, -3.915, -4.484, -4.450, -3.422, -2.456, P<0.05 or P<0.01). The coughing VAS score T(3), T(4), T(5), T(6), T(7) in group PCNA and group PCIA were 2.0(2.0) vs 2.0(2.5), 2.0(2.5) vs 4.0(4.0), 2.0(2.5) vs 4.0(4.0), 2.0(2.0) vs 3.0(2.0), 2.0(2.0) vs 2.0(2.0), the coughing VAS score was lower in group PCNA compared with group PCIA (Z=-3.432, -3.410, -2.643, -3.210, -2.746, P<0.05 or P<0.01). The PHPS score was significantly lower in group PCNA at T(3)[1.0(1.3) vs 2.0(2.0)], T(4)[1.0(2.0) vs 3.0(1.0)], T(5)[1.0(1.3) vs 2.0(1.3)], T(6)[1.0(1.3) vs 2.0(2.0)], T(7)[1.0(1.0) vs 1.0(2.0)] compared to group PCIA (Z=-3.149, -3.662, -3.369, -3.681, -2.815, all P<0.01). And the time of out-of-bed activity, passage of gas by anus of the PCNA group were (20.0± 6.9)h, ( 16.0± 8.0)h, which was advanced more than PCIA group [(23.9± 7.1)h, (34.3± 13.2)h, t=-2.20, -6.47, all P<0.05]. Furthermore, PCNA group had better sleep quality from the 2nd night to the 4th night , and with lower adverse reactions (all P<0.05). Conclusion: The application of ultrasound-guided continuous serratus plane block after thoracoscopic surgery can reduce postoperative pain and enhance recovery after surgery.

Role of free electrons in phosphorescence in n-type wide bandgap semiconductors.

Long persistent phosphorescence is generally known as a phenomenon involving carrier traps induced by defects or impurities in crystals. In this paper, phosphorescence sustained for tens of minutes was found in intentionally undoped ZnO and it was proposed to be a universal phenomenon in wide bandgap semiconductors upon satisfying several conditions. A new model was built to understand this attractive phenomenon within the framework of the traditional trapping-detrapping model but it was modified by considering the free electrons in the conduction band as a significant contributor to the long persistent phosphorescence besides the electrons trapped by shallow donors. This model, explicitly expressed as I(t) ∝ [1 + M(1 - Fe-γt)-2]e-γt, is not only capable of giving a quantitative description of the non-exponential decay of phosphorescence in a wide temperature range but also enables one to determine the depth of shallow donors in semiconductors. The participation of free electrons in phosphorescence was further confirmed by another carefully designed experiment. Thus, this study may represent significant progress in understanding phosphorescence.

Adherence to the 2006 American Heart Association's Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations for cardiovascular disease risk reduction is associated with bone mineral density in older Chinese.

This cross-sectional study investigated the association between the modified 2006 American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations (AHA-DLR) and bone mineral density in Chinese adults. We found that better adherence to the AHA-DLR associated with higher bone mineral density (BMD) at multiple sites. INTRODUCTION: Accumulating evidence shows that cardiovascular disease (CVD) and osteoporosis are associated with each other, yet little research has focused on whether strategies to reduce CVD risk could also benefit bone health. We aimed to assess the association between adherence to the modified 2006 American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations (AHA-DLR) and BMD in Chinese adults. METHODS: We included 2092 women and 1051 men aged 40-75 years in this community-based cross-sectional study. Dietary information was assessed using a 79-item food frequency survey through face-to-face interviews at baseline (2008-2010) and 3 years later (2011-2013). Adherence to the AHA-DLR was assessed using modified diet and lifestyle scores (American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Score (AHA-DLS)) adjusted for bone health. BMD for the whole body, lumbar spine, total hip, femur neck, and trochanter sites was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 2011-2013. RESULTS: After adjusting for potential covariates, greater adherence to the modified AHA-DLS was positively and dose-dependently associated with BMD. The mean BMD was 1.93-3.11% higher in quartile 4 (vs. 1) (all p values <0.01) at multiple sites. Five-unit increases in the modified AHA-DLS score were associated with 4.20-6.07, 4.44-8.51, and 3.36-4.67 mg/cm2 increases in BMD at multiple sites for the total subjects, males, and females, respectively (all p values <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Better adherence to the AHA-DLR shows protective associations with BMD at multiple sites in the middle-aged and elderly Chinese population.

The association between urinary sodium to potassium ratio and bone density in middle-aged Chinese adults.

The joint effect of sodium and potassium on bone health remains uncertain. We examined the associations between urinary excretion of sodium, potassium, and their ratio and bone mineral density (BMD), and reported an inverse association between urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio and BMD in women, but not in men. INTRODUCTION: Several studies have suggested that a higher sodium or lower potassium intake is associated with poor bone health. However, few studies have examined their joint effects. We examined the associations of urinary excretion of sodium, potassium, and the sodium-to-potassium ratio with BMD in Chinese adults. METHODS: This community-based, cross-sectional study included 2202 women and 1063 men (40-75 years) in Guangzhou, China. The BMD of the whole body, lumbar spine, and hip sites were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. The concentrations of sodium, potassium, and creatinine of the fasting morning first-void urine sample were measured, and creatinine-adjusted values were then used for further analyses. General information was collected via face-to-face interviews. RESULTS: For women, after multivariable adjustment, the urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio was inversely associated with BMD at the whole body, total hip, trochanter, and intertrochanter (all p trend <0.05). The mean BMD differences between extreme quartiles ranged from 1.50 to 2.98 % at these sites (all p < 0.05). Similar, but less significant, associations were observed for urinary sodium/creatinine, for which the only significant difference was found at the trochanter (2.00 %, p = 0.016). We did not find any significant associations of BMD with urinary potassium in women and with urinary sodium/creatinine, potassium/creatinine, or their ratio in men. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio, but not individual creatinine-adjusted values of sodium or potassium, is a good predictor of BMD in women, but not in men.

[Dose-response relationship of ropivacaine for epidural block in early herpes zoster guided by CT].

Objective: To determine the dose-response relationship of ropivacaine for epidural block in early herpes zoster by CT guided. Methods: From January 2015 to February 2017, according to the principle of completely random digital table, 80 patients with early herpes zoster who were prepared for epidural block were divided into 4 groups(each group 20 patients): in group A the concentration of ropivacaine was 0.08%, in group B was 0.10%, in group C was 0.12% and in group D was 0.14%.Under CT guidance, epidural puncture was performed in the relevant section, mixing liquid 5.0 ml (with 10% iodohydrin)were injected into epidural gap.CT scan showed that the mixing liquid covered the relevant spinal nerve segmental.The numeric rating scale(NRS) values before treatment and at 30 minutes, the incidence of adverse reactions were recorded, and the treatment were evaluated. The response to ropivacaine for epidural block in early herpes zoster was defined as positive when the NRS values was less than or equal to one.The ED(50), ED(95) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of ropivacaine for epidural block in early herpes zoster guided by CT were calculated by probit analysis. Results: The NRS values before treatment were 5.00(4.00, 6.00), 5.00(4.25, 6.00), 5.50(5.00, 6.00) and 5.00(4.00, 6.00), the difference was no significant(Z=2.576, P=0.462). The NRS values at 30 minutes decreased and the effective rate of the treatment increased(χ(2)=8.371, P=0.004), following ropivacaine dose gradient increasing, they were 1.50(1.00, 2.00), 1.00(1.00, 2.00), 0.50(0.00, 1.00) and 0.00(0.00, 1.00), the difference was statistically significant (Z=17.421, P=0.001). There was one case in group C and four cases in group D were hypoesthesia, others were no significant adverse reactions occurred. The ED(50) and ED(95) (95%CI) of ropivacaine for epidural block in early herpes zoster guided by CT were 0.078%(0.015%-0.095%)and 0.157%(0.133%-0.271%), respectively. Conclusion: Ropivacaine for epidural block in early herpes zoster guided by CT is effective for neuropathic pain, with no significant adverse reactions.

[Expression of enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis and polyketide synthase gene-expressing Escherichia coli in colorectal adenoma patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of various bacteria in adenoma tissue of colorectal adenoma (T/CRA), normal colonic mucosa tissue adjacent to the adenoma (N/CRA), and healthy colonic mucosa tissue (N/H) by comparing the number of total bacteria, Bacteroides fragilis (BF), enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF), polyketide synthase (pks) gene-expressing Escherichia coli(E.coli)(pks(+) E. coli)among the above 3 types of tissues. METHODS: A total of 36 patients diagnosed with colorectal adenoma by colonoscopy and pathology in Department of Gastroenterology, Peking University People's Hospital from September 2011 to September 2013 were selected into this study. T/CRA and N/CRA tissues from the 36 patients and N/H tissues from 18 healthy controls were collected for DNA extraction. The number of total bacteria, BF, ETBF, pks(+) E. coli was detected by quantitative real time PCR, and their correlation with colorectal adenoma was analyzed. RESULTS: (1) The number of total bacteria decreased gradually from N/H, N/CRA, to T/CRA, with the median values being 3.18×10(8,) 1.57×10(8,) and 7.91×10(7) copies/g, respectively, and with significant difference among the three groups and between each two groups (all P<0.01). (2) The content of BF decreased gradually from N/H, N/CRA, to T/CRA, the median values being 6.03×10(5,) 4.28×10(4,) and 5.48×10(3) copies/g, respectively, and with significant difference among the three groups and between each two groups (all P<0.01). (3) The toxin content produced by ETBF increased from N/H, N/CRA, to T/CRA, the relative expression being 1.73±0.30, 6.15±1.52, and 8.54±1.80, respectively. Significant difference was found between the T/CRA and N/H tissue (P=0.003), but not between any other two groups. (4) The expression of clbB in pks(+) E.coli was highest in T/CRA colonic tissue (2.96±0.28), followed by the N/CRA (2.79±0.19) and N/H tissue (1.06±0.08). Significant difference was found between T/CRA and N/H tissues, as well as between N/CRA and N/H tissues (both P<0.001), but not between T/CRA and N/CRA tissues. CONCLUSIONS: The number of total bacteria is markedly reduced in the colonic mucosa of CRA patients compared to normal people, while the expressions of ETBF and pks(+) E.coli are significantly increased. Such changes in total bacterial, ETBF and pks(+) E.coli concentrations in colonic mucosa may be related to the tumorigenesis of colorectal adenoma.

Noise trauma induced plastic changes in brain regions outside the classical auditory pathway.

The effects of intense noise exposure on the classical auditory pathway have been extensively investigated; however, little is known about the effects of noise-induced hearing loss on non-classical auditory areas in the brain such as the lateral amygdala (LA) and striatum (Str). To address this issue, we compared the noise-induced changes in spontaneous and tone-evoked responses from multiunit clusters (MUC) in the LA and Str with those seen in auditory cortex (AC) in rats. High-frequency octave band noise (10-20 kHz) and narrow band noise (16-20 kHz) induced permanent threshold shifts at high-frequencies within and above the noise band but not at low frequencies. While the noise trauma significantly elevated spontaneous discharge rate (SR) in the AC, SRs in the LA and Str were only slightly increased across all frequencies. The high-frequency noise trauma affected tone-evoked firing rates in frequency and time-dependent manner and the changes appeared to be related to the severity of noise trauma. In the LA, tone-evoked firing rates were reduced at the high-frequencies (trauma area) whereas firing rates were enhanced at the low-frequencies or at the edge-frequency dependent on severity of hearing loss at the high frequencies. The firing rate temporal profile changed from a broad plateau to one sharp, delayed peak. In the AC, tone-evoked firing rates were depressed at high frequencies and enhanced at the low frequencies while the firing rate temporal profiles became substantially broader. In contrast, firing rates in the Str were generally decreased and firing rate temporal profiles become more phasic and less prolonged. The altered firing rate and pattern at low frequencies induced by high-frequency hearing loss could have perceptual consequences. The tone-evoked hyperactivity in low-frequency MUC could manifest as hyperacusis whereas the discharge pattern changes could affect temporal resolution and integration.

Nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture with a severe spinal stenosis treated in minimally invasive manner: a case report.

Compared with numerous encouraging reports of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in treatment of painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, there have been fewer reports on the role of PKP in the treatment of nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Even less is known about the use of PKP in treating nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with severe spinal stenosis. We reported an 87-year-old man presented with half a year back pain and numbness of both legs after back sprain 6 months ago. Nonunion of L3 with severe spinal stenosis was recognized in the preoperative films. Bone mineral analysis showed severe osteoporosis with a T-score of -4.7. He refused to receive the decompression surgery. As a result, PKP was introduced to him as an alternative option. The patient experienced complete pain relief after PKP without any complication. Meanwhile, it was an interesting finding that numbness of both legs disappeared. After 12 months follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic. This case illustrated that PKP could be considered as one of the options for nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with severe spinal stenosis.

Review of salicylate-induced hearing loss, neurotoxicity, tinnitus and neuropathophysiology.

Salicylate's ototoxic properties have been well established, inducing tinnitus and a sensory hearing loss when administered in high doses. Peripherally, acute dosing of salicylate causes frequency dependent reductions in DPOAEs and CAP amplitudes in low (<10 kHz) and high (>20 kHz) frequencies more than mid frequencies (10-20 kHz), which interestingly corresponds to the pitch of behaviourally-matched salicylate-induced tinnitus. Chronic salicylate dosing affects the peripheral system by causing a compensatory temporary enhancement in DPOAE amplitudes and up-regulation of prestin mRNA and protein expression. Despite salicylate's antioxidant properties, cultured cochlea studies indicate it also impairs spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) by paradoxically causing an upsurge of superoxide radicals leading to apoptosis. Centrally, salicylate alters γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and serotonin mediated neurotransmission in the central nervous system (CNS), which results in classical and non-classical auditory regions showing hyperactivity after salicylate administration. In the auditory cortex (AC) and lateral amygdala (LA), neuron characteristic frequencies (CF) shift upward and downward to mid frequencies (10-20 kHz) altering tonotopy following salicylate administration. Additionally, current source density (CSD) analysis showed enhanced current flow into the supergranular layer of the auditory cortex after a high systemic dose of salicylate. In humans, auditory perception changes following salicylate or aspirin, including decreased word discrimination and temporal integration ability. The results of previous studies have partially identified the mechanisms that are involved in salicylate-induced tinnitus and hearing loss, however to date some interactions remain convoluted. This review discusses current knowledge of salicylate ototoxicity and interactions.

Major QTL for Fusarium crown rot resistance in a barley landrace.

Fusarium crown rot (FCR) is a serious cereal disease in semi-arid regions worldwide. In assisting the effort of breeding cultivars with enhanced resistance, we identified several barley genotypes with high levels of FCR resistance. One of these genotypes, AWCS079 which is a barley landrace originating from Japan, was investigated by developing and assessing three populations of recombinant inbred lines. Two QTL, one located on the long arm of chromosome 1H (designated as Qcrs.cpi-1H) and the other on 3HL (designated as Qcrs.cpi-3H), were found to be responsible for the FCR resistance of this genotype. Qcrs.cpi-1H is novel as no other FCR loci have been reported on this chromosome arm. Qcrs.cpi-3H co-located with a reduced height (Rht) locus and the effectiveness of the former was significantly affected by the latter. The total phenotypic variance explained by these two QTL was over 60 %. Significant effects were detected for each of the QTL in each of the three populations assessed. The existence of these loci with major effects should not only facilitate breeding and exploitation of FCR-resistant barley cultivars but also their further characterization based on fine mapping and map-based gene cloning.