Papermaking wastewater treatment coupled to 2,3-butanediol production by engineered psychrotrophic Raoultella terrigena.

The simultaneous bioremediation and bioconversion of papermaking wastewater by psychrotrophic microorganisms holds great promise for developing sustainable environments and economies in cold regions. Here, the psychrotrophic bacterium Raoultella terrigena HC6 presented high endoglucanase (26.3 U/mL), xylosidase (732 U/mL), and laccase (8.07 U/mL) activities for lignocellulose deconstruction at 15 °C. mRNA monitoring and phenotypic variation analyses confirmed that cold-inducible cold shock protein A (CspA) facilitated the expression of the cel208, xynB68, and lac432 genes to increase the enzyme activities in strain HC6. Furthermore, the cspA gene-overexpressing mutant (strain HC6-cspA) was deployed in actual papermaking wastewater and achieved 44.3%, 34.1%, 18.4%, 80.2% and 100% removal rates for cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, COD, and NO3--N at 15 °C. Simultaneously, 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BD) was produced from the effluent with a titer of 2.98 g/L and productivity of 0.154 g/L/h. This study reveals an association between the cold regulon and lignocellulolytic enzymes and provides a promising candidate for simultaneous papermaking wastewater treatment and 2,3-BD production.

Analysis of the Development Trend in Forensic Odontology Based on CiteSpace / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To realize the dynamic visualization of forensic odontology based on the bibliometrics methods, and capture the research hotspots and identify the future development trend.@*METHODS@#Literature articles published from January 1995 to December 2020 were searched according to specific subject words in the core data set of Web of Science. The visualization analysis of publishing country, institution, discipline, author, co-cited journal and keywords was performed by CiteSpace 5.7.R5W software.@*RESULTS@#The annual analysis of publications showed an upward trend of forensic odontology research literature year by year, with the number of annual publications more than 110 in the last five years. Developed countries were the main source of contributions and the average centrality was greater than 0.2. The research of forensic odontology involved multiple disciplines, including stomatology, biology, computer science and medical imaging, with a distinct interdisciplinary feature. A total of 115 nodes were obtained by keyword cluster analysis. The principal line of forensic odontology mainly included individual identification and age estimation and the emergence of hotspots was closely related to new technologies. Population-based odontology investigation, improvement of traditional dental age estimation method and dental age estimation based on new technology were popular research in forensic odontology.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Developing countries urgently need to increase the focus on related research. It may be an important direction for the development of forensic odontology to establish and enrich the regional dental database, develop new odontology identification technology combined with frontier and high-end technology, and develop the identification program based on advanced information technology.

Comorbidity of myopia and obesity and the moderating role of lifestyle among primary and secondary school students in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 2021 / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To describe the current status of the prevalence of co-morbid myopia and obesity among 7-18 years students in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 2021 and to analyze the moderating effect of lifestyle in this association ，so as to provide scientific basis for the establishment of the mechanism of Co-morbidity，Shared Etiology，and Shared Prevention of common diseases in children and adolescents.@*Methods@#A total of 139 630 primary and secondary school students aged 7-18 years from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were selected by stratified random cluster sampling method in September,2021. Myopia was determined using distance visual acuity examination and refractive error examination, and obesity was determined according to the BMI classification criteria for overweight, obesity screening of Chinese school age children and adolescents. Used a questionnaire, healthy lifestyles were determined according to the American Heart Association s Healthy Lifestyle Score by totaling the six scores for smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, exercise, screen time, and sleep duration.The χ 2 test was used to compare the association between group differences in the co-morbidity rate of myopia and obesity. The multivariable Logistic regression model was used to explore the influencing factors of the co-morbidity of myopia and obesity, and the stratified analysis was used to analyze the moderating effect of lifestyles on the prevalence of the co-morbidity.@*Results@#The prevalence of myopia and obesity co-morbidity among students aged 7-18 years old in the Inner Mongolia Autonmous Region in 2021 was 13.7%, higher among boys than girls ( 15.5 % vs. 11.8%), higher among those aged 10-12 years old than 7-9,13-15,and 16-18 years old (14.7%,13.7%, 13.3%, 12.0%), higher among other ethnic minorities than Han Chinese and Mongolians (15.3%, 14.0%, 12.5%), higher in urban areas than that in suburban areas(15.3%, 13.0%), and middle economic level tracts were higher than poor and good tracts (14.8%, 12.9 %, 12.6%) ( χ 2=392.37，115.73，62.80，119.02，121.60, P <0.05). Multivariable Logistic regression modeling showed that unhealthy lifestyles ( OR=1.24, 95%CI=1.19-1.29 ) and middle level of lifestyle score ( OR=1.15, 95%CI=1.10-1.19 ) students had higher prevalence of co-morbidity, and the results were statistically significant among both boys and girls, the age groups of 10- 12, 13-15, and 16-18 years old, as well as the Han and Mongolian ethnic groups (all P <0.05).@*Conclusion@#In 2021, the current situation of myopia and obesity co-morbidity and unhealthy lifestyles among primary and secondary school students in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region are not optimistic.

Prevalence trend and related factors of scoliosis and myopia co-morbidities among primary and middle school students in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2019 to 2022 / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To analyze the prevalence trend of scoliosis among myopic students in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region during 2019-2022, to explore the common etiology of myopia and scoliosis co-morbidities, so as to provide a reference for the development of relevant measures.@*Methods@#The method of stratified random cluster sampling was used to select 181 533, 141 552 , 200 987, 190 918 primary and secondary school students from 12 leagues(103 banners) in Inner Mongolia Atuonomous Region in September each year from 2019 to 2022. And scoliosis screening, vision examination and questionnaire survey were conducted among students in the included studies. The χ 2 test was used to analyze the data, and the binary multivariate Logistic regression model was used to screen the influencing factors of scoliosis and myopia co-morbidities.@*Results@#From 2019 to 2022, the myopia rate of primary and secondary school students in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region was 55.55%-59.72%, scoliosis rate was 1.56 %-2.81% and the rates of scoliosis and myopia co-morbidities were 1.14%-1.95%, and the difference between different years was statistically significant ( χ 2=595.01, 775.56, 461.84, P < 0.05 ). In 2022, the co-morbidity rate was higher in girls than in boys(1.32% vs 0.97%), the rate of urban areas was higher than that of rural areas(2.57% vs 0.62%), the rate of students in vocational high school and high school was higher than that in junior high school and primary school (3.82%,2.47% vs 1.70%,0.42%), the rate of over developed areas was higher than that of poor areas (1.21% vs 0.99%)( χ 2=52.19, 1 269.82, 1 361.52, 17.29, P < 0.05 ). Logistic regression analysis showed that at least 1 h of moderate and high intensity exercise every day on weekends, the number of physical education classes per week was more than 3 sessions, the height of desks and chairs was adjusted according to height, resting outdoors, limiting screen time, and strictly requiring standing and sitting posture were the negative correlated with scoliosis and myopia, and the OR value was 0.65-0.90, reading books or electronic screens while participating in cram classes, walking or riding in the car were positively correlated with comorbid scoliosis and myopia, and the OR values were 1.27 and 1.13 ( P < 0.05), respectively.@*Conclusion@#Behavioral habits severely affect scoliosis and myopic of students. Prevention and control of scoliosis and myopia co-morbidity should start with students behavioral habits, early screening and early intervention.

Comparison of short-term clinical effects of three fixation methods in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction / 中国综合临床

Objective:To compare the short-term clinical effects of absorbable cross nail, sheath compression nail and suspension fixation on the femoral side and sheath compression nail on the tibial side in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with autologous hamstring tendon.Methods:The clinical data of 373 patients with anterior cruciate ligament injuries treated with surgery in the First Hospital of Qinhuangdao Affiliated to Chengde Medical College from December 2008 to December 2018 were collected for a retrospective case-control study. There were 125 cases of absorbable cross nail (absorbable cross nail group), 112 cases of sheath compression nail (sheath compression nail group) and 136 cases of suspension fixation (suspension fixation group). The mean follow-up time was (13.96±1.42) months. The international knee documentation committee (IKDC) score and Lysholm score were used to score the patients, and the differences were statistically analyzed. The measurement data of normal distribution was represented by xˉ± s, and repeated measurement analysis of variance was used to compare the three groups in different time periods, and the operation time of the three groups of samples was compared by one-way analysis of variance. The counting data were compared by χ 2 test. Results:(1) There were no complications such as infection, adhesion, stiffness and neurovascular injury in the three groups at the last follow-up. (2) Comparison of preoperative and postoperative knee scores: Lysholm score: preoperative absorbable cross nail group (65.98±1.37), sheath compression nail group(66.13±2.13), suspension fixation group (65.76±1.55). Three months after operation, absorbable cross nail group (80.14±2.02), sheath compression nail group (79.70±1.98) and suspension fixation group (79.84±1.86). Twelve months after operation, there were (94.56±2.35) points in the absorbable cross nail group, (94.96±1.34) points in the sheath compression nail group and (94.40±3.15) points in the suspension fixation group.There was significant difference in the scores before and after operation in the same group ( Fintra-group=17 584.14, P<0.001), and there was no significant difference among the three groups ( Finter-group=2.65, P=0.072), There was no statistical significance in the trend of scores before and after operation in the three groups ( Finter-action=1.28, P=0.277). IKDC scores: Preoperative (62.02±1.43) in absorbable cross nail group, preoperative (61.95±0.82) in sheath compression nail group, preoperative (62.25±2.05) in the suspension fixation group. Three months after operation, absorbable cross nail group (77.99±2.18), sheath compression nail group (78.13±2.02) and suspension fixation group (77.97±2.24). Twelve months after operation, the absorbable cross nail group (92.68±3.21), the sheath compression nail group (93.25±2.04) and the suspension fixation group (92.96±3.11). There was significant difference in the scores before and after operation in the same group ( Fintra-group=18 338.15, P<0.001), and there was no significant difference among the three groups ( Finter-group=0.91, P=0.402), and there was no significant trend in the scores before and after operation in the three groups ( Finteraction=0.98, P=0.419). (3) Comparison of operation time: absorbable cross nail group (99.04±18.01) min, sheath compression nail group (112.88±19.79) min and suspension fixation group (83.81±16.69) min. there was significant difference among the three groups ( F=79.74, P<0.001). Further comparison between the three groups, the time of suspension fixation group was the shortest than the other two groups (all P<0.001). Conclusion:There is no significant difference in the short-term efficacy of ACLR with autologous hamstring tendon among the three groups, and there were no complications such as infection, adhesion, stiffness and neurovascular injury in the last follow-up. In terms of operation time, the suspension fixation group has the shortest time and is simple and easy to operate.

Elemene Emulsion Injection Administration Reduces Neuropathic Pain by Inhibiting Astrocytic NDRG2 Expression within Spinal Dorsal Horn / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the mechanisms underlying elemene-induced analgesia in rats with spared nerve injury (SNI).@*METHODS@#Sixty-five rats were equally divided into 5 groups using a random number table: naive group, sham group, SNI group, SNI + elemene (40 mg·kg@*RESULTS@#The SNI rat model exhibited a significant decrease in paw withdrawal threshold and exploratory behaviour in the EPM (P<0.05). Consecutive administration of elemene alleviated SNI-induced mechanical allodynia and anxiety in rats (P<0.05). Immunohistochemical data showed that elemene decreased SNI-induced upregulation of NDRG2 within the SDH (P<0.05). Double immunofluorescent staining data further showed that elemene decreased SNI-induced upregulation of the number of GFAP immunoreactive (-ir), NDRG-ir, and GFAP/NDRG2 double-labelled cells within the SDH (P<0.05). Immunoblotting data showed that elemene decreased SNI-induced upregulation of GFAP and NDRG2 within the SDH (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Elemene possibly alleviated neuropathic pain by downregulating the expression of NDRG2 in spinal astrocytes in a rat model of SNI.

Effect of botulinum toxin A on improving the aesthetics of lips / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective:To observe the clinical efficiency, duration of action and adverse reactions of lip contour after local injection of type A botulinum toxin into the orbicularis oculi muscle.Methods:From March 2019 to June 2019, a total of 11 patients (6 males and 5 females, mean age 42.2 years) received superficial injection of botulinum toxin A in the orbicular muscle in our hospital. The change of lip thickness was assessed by Medicis lip fullness scale (MLFS) and the 3D structured light camera was used to collect and analyze the facial data. Pre- and post-treatment effects, duration of action and complications were evaluated.Results:Improvement of upper lip thickness was noted in 11 cases (100%). The average onset time after injection was 14.6 days and average effect maintenance time was 124.1 days. The height of the red lips ( Z=-2.940, P<0.05), the distance from the upper lip to the Ricketts line ( Z=-2.137, P<0.05) and nasolabial angle ( Z=-2.137, P<0.05) were significantly changed one month after the injection. No allergic reaction was observed, and the adverse reactions were mild and reversible. Conclusion:Local injection of botulinum toxin type A can achieve mild lip augmentation.

Anti-fibrotic Effects and Mechanism of Shengmai Injection () on Human Hepatic Stellate Cells LX-2 / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of Shengmai Injection (, SMI) on the proliferation, apoptosis and N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2, a tumour suppressor gene) expression in varying densities of human hepatic stellate cells LX-2.@*METHODS@#LX-2 cells were cultured in vitro. Then, cells were plated in 96-well plates at an approximate density of 2.5×10 cells/mL and cultured for 48, 72, 96 or 120 h followed by the application of different concentrations of SMI (0.6, 1.2, 2.4, 4.8 or 6 μL/mL). Cell proliferation was measured after an additional 24 or 48 h using the 3(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The effects of SMI on different cell growth states (cultured for 48, 72, 96, or 120 h) were observed by light microscopy at 24 h after treatment. When the cells reached 80% conflfluence, apoptosis was detected by flflow cytometry after 24 h. Lastly, LX-2 cells were treated with different concentrations of SMI and extracted with protein lysis buffer. The levels of NDRG2 were measured by Western blot.@*RESULTS@#When the LX-2 cells grew for 48, 72, 96 and 120 h, 4.8 and 6 μL/mL of SMI significantly inhibited cell proliferation at 24 and 48 h after treatment (P<0.05). And 2.4 μL/mL of SMI also inhibited cell proliferation at 24 h after treatment when cell growth for 48 h (P<0.05) and at 48 h after treatment when cell growth for 72, 96 and 120 h (P<0.05). The NDRG2 expression level in the LX-2 cell was significantly increased when treated with SMI at concentrations of 1.2, 2.4, 4.8 or 6 μL/mL (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The inhibitory effects of SMI on the proliferation of LX-2 cells were related to not only concentration dependent but also cell density. In addition, SMI (2.4, 4.8 and 6 μL/mL) could accelerate apoptosis in LX-2 cells, and the mechanism might be associated with NDRG2 over-expression.

Efficacy of Autologous DC-CIK Cells Combined with Other Immune Cells in the Treatment of Hematological Malignancies -Retrospective Study / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the safety and clinical efficacy of autologous DC-CIK cells combined with other immune cells for patients with hematological malignancies and analyze patient prognosis.@*METHODS@#50 patients with hematological malignancies who received cellular immunotherapy from September 2014 to April 2016 were retrospectively studied in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 115 cases times of cellular immunotherapy were performed. According to the selected treatment, the patients were divided into the dual cell group (DC-CIK cell treatment) and the multi-cell group (DC-CIK cell combined with other immune cells); According to the treatment course, the patients were divided into the single course group (completed by ＜3 times) and the multiple course group. The changes of T lymphocyte subsets, blood routine indicators and KPS scores as well as the overall survival time before and after treatment were compared and analyzed.@*RESULTS@#[WTB1]The difference of general conditions before treatment including the number of patients, sex, age, T lymphocyte subsets, blood routine indicators, KPS scores and so on in 2 groups divided according to 2 kinds of treatment methods were not statistically significant, indicating that the 2 groups were comparable. Grouped by selected treatment, the CD4/CD8 ratio, Hb and Plt levels decreased in the dual cell group, compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05). The CD3CD4 ratio after treatment in multiple cell group decreased, compared with that before treatment (P＜0.05). The 3-year survival rate of patients in dual cell and multiple cell groups was 61.3% vs 69.8%, the overall survival time of patients in 2 groups was 32.4 months vs 39.6 months, there were no statisticall differences between 2 groups(P>0.05). Grouped by treatment course, the CD3 ratio after treatment increased, while the Hb level after treatment decreased in single course group, compared with level before treatment(P＜0.05). The CD3CD4 ratio, Plt level decreased, while the KPS scores increased after treatment in multiple course group, compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05). The 3-year survival rate in single course and multiple course groups was 52% vs 76.4%, the overall survival time was 28.7 months vs 40.9 months respectively, statistically significant with difference (P＜0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Autologous DC-CIK cells combined with other immune cells in the treatment of hematological malignancies can change the immune function of the patients and improve the antitumor activity. The multi-course treatment can improve the quality of life, prolong the overall survival time, thus worthing clinical promotion.

Research Progress on Dendritic Cells Combined with Cytokine Induced Killer Cells Immunotherapy for Hematological Malignancies --Review / 中国实验血液学杂志

In recent years, with the incidence of malignant tumors increasing year by year, its treatment has been made great progress on the basis of traditional treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, it mainly focuses on rapid development of cellular immunotherapy. The efficacy of dendritic cells combined with cytokine induced killer cell (DC-CIK) immunotherapy for cancer patients is positive, it shows good antitumor activities and the abilities to reconstruct and enhance the immune system of tumor patients in clinical application, it has potential application value. In the treatment of hematologic malignancies which are chemotherapy-based and high-grade malignant, what is the effect of DC-CIK cells immunotherapy for them? In this review, we searched Chinese and abroad literatures from 2012 to 2018 and further focused on 18 clinical research articles about hematologic malignancies in order to analyze the characteristics of DC-CIK cells immunotherapy. It was found that DC-CIK cells can be an effective and promising treatment for patients with hematologic malignancies, and thus, if the process and unified plan are further standardized and improved, the efficacy will be more obvious. For this purpose, this paper reviews the biological characteristic of DC cells, CIK cells and the clinical research progress of DC-CIK cell immunotherapy for hematological malignancies.

Climate change impacts on yield of Cordyceps sinensis and research on yield prediction model of C. sinensis / 中国中药杂志

Cordyceps sinensis is a Chinese unique precious herbal material, its genuine producing areas covering Naqu, Changdu in Qinghai Tibet Plateau, Yushu in Qinghai province and other regions. In recent 10 years, C. sinensis resources is decreasing as a result of the blindly and excessively perennial dug. How to rationally protect, develop and utilize of the valuable resources of C. sinensis has been referred to an important field of research on C. sinensis. The ecological environment and climate change trend of Qinghai Tibet plateau happens prior to other regions, which means that the distribution and evolution of C. sinensis are more obvious and intense than those of the other populations. Based on RS (remote sensing)/GIS(geographic information system) technology, this paper utilized the relationship between the snowline elevation, the average temperature, precipitation and sunshine hours in harvest period (April and may) of C. sinensis and the actual production of C. sinensis to establish a weighted geometric mean model. The model's prediction accuracy can reach 82.16% at least in forecasting C. sinensis year yield in Naqu area in every early June. This study can provide basic datum and information for supporting the C. sinensis industry healthful, sustainable development.

The Expression of Galectin-7 in Bronchial Mucosa of Asthmatic Children and Its Effect on the Apoptosis of Bronchial Epithelial Cells / 现代生物医学进展

Objective:To investigate the expression of Galectin-7 in the bronchial mucosa of asthmatic children and its effect on the apoptosis of bronchial epithelial cells.Methods:Bronchial mucosa of asthmatic children and children with bronchial dilation were collected and the expression of Galectin-7 was detected by Western blot.Human bronchial epithelial cells were cultured in vitro,the cells were transfected with Galectin-7 siRNA to interfere the Galectin-7 expression,while siRNA control was transfected as the control group.The experiment was divided into normal group,control group,infected group and experimental group.The normal group was normal human bronchial epithelial cells,the cells in the control group was transfected with siRNA control,the infected group was infected with RSV,the experimental group was transfected with Galectin-7 siRNA and infected with RSV.After 24h culture,Galectin-7 protein expression and cell apoptosis were detected in the cells of each group.Western blot was used to detected the expression of Bcl-2,Bax,STAT3 and p-STAT3.Results:The expression of Galectin-7 in bronchial mucosa of asthmatic children was significantly higher than that of the non asthmatic children (P＜0.01).There was no significant difference in the Galectin-7 level between the normal group and the control group (P＞0.05).The levels of Galectin-7,Bax and apoptosis in the infected group were significantly higher than those in the normal group,while the levels ofp-STAT3 and Bcl-2 were significantly lower than those in the normal group (P＜0.01).The levels of Galectin-7,Bax and apoptosis in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the infected group,while the levels of p-STAT3 and Bcl-2 were significantly higher than those in the infected group (P＜0.01).Conelusions:The expression of Galectin-7 was up-regulated in the bronchial mucosa of asthmatic children,which might promote the apoptosis of bronchial epithelial cells by activating STAT3.

Anti-fibrotic effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Ligustrazine Injection on LX-2 cells involved with increased N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 expression / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Ligustrazine Injection (SML) on proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatic stellate cell LX-2 and the expression of N-myc downstreamregulated gene 2 (NDRG2, a tumor suppressor gene).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HSCs from the LX-2 cell line were cultured in vitro. The proliferative state of different initial LX-2 cell numbers was measured using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay. LX-2 cells were plated in 96-well plates at an approximate density of 2.50×10cells/mL and cultured for 24 h followed by the application of different concentrations of SML (1, 2, 4 and 8 μL/mL). Cell proliferation was measured using the MTT assay at 24 and 48 h. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry at 24 h. LX-2 cells were treated with different concentrations of SML and extracted with protein lysis buffer. The levels of NDRG2 and β-catenin were measured by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>With the exception of the 1 and 2 μL/mL concentrations, 4 and 8 μL/mL SML inhibited cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner at 24 and 48 h (P<0.05). With the exception of the 1 and 2 μL/mL concentrations, the NDRG2 expression level was greatly increased in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the level of β-catenin was unaffected.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SML inhibit LX-2 cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner, and the mechanism may be associated with NDRG2 over-expression.</p>

Changes in lymphocyte subsets in infants with common lower respiratory tract infectious diseases / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes and clinical significance of lymphocyte subsets in infants with bronchitis, bronchopneumonia, and bronchiolitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 111 children with bronchitis, 418 children with bronchopneumonia, and 83 children with bronchiolitis were enrolled as disease groups, and 235 healthy children were enrolled as control group. Flow cytometry was applied to measure lymphocyte subsets.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The bronchitis group had significantly lower numbers of T cells and CD3+CD8+ T cells than the control group (P<0.05). The bronchopneumonia group had significantly lower numbers of T cells and CD3+CD8+ T cells, a significantly higher number of T helper (Th) cells, and a significantly higher CD4/CD8 ratio than the control group, as well as a significantly higher number of Th cells than the bronchitis group. Compared with the children with mild bronchopneumonia, those with severe bronchopneumonia showed a reduction in T cells and an increase in B cells (P<0.05). The bronchiolitis group had a significantly higher number of Th cells, a significantly higher CD4/CD8 ratio, and a significantly lower number of CD3+CD8+ T cells than the control group (P<0.01). The disease groups showed a significantly higher number of B cells and a significantly lower number of natural killer cells than the control group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>A low, disturbed cellular immune function and a high humoral immune function are involved in the development and progression of lower respiratory tract infectious diseases. The changes in immune function are related to the type and severity of diseases.</p>

Wireless wearable range-of-motion sensor system for upper and lower extremity joints: a validation study.

Range-of-motion (ROM) assessment is a critical assessment tool during the rehabilitation process. The conventional approach uses the goniometer which remains the most reliable instrument but it is usually time-consuming and subject to both intra- and inter-therapist measurement errors. An automated wireless wearable sensor system for the measurement of ROM has previously been developed by the current authors. Presented is the correlation and accuracy of the automated wireless wearable sensor system against a goniometer in measuring ROM in the major joints of upper (UEs) and lower extremities (LEs) in 19 healthy subjects and 20 newly disabled inpatients through intra (same) subject comparison of ROM assessments between the sensor system against goniometer measurements by physical therapists. In healthy subjects, ROM measurements using the new sensor system were highly correlated with goniometry, with 95% of differences < 20° and 10° for most movements in major joints of UE and LE, respectively. Among inpatients undergoing rehabilitation, ROM measurements using the new sensor system were also highly correlated with goniometry, with 95% of the differences being < 20° and 25° for most movements in the major joints of UE and LE, respectively.

A smartphone-centric system for the range of motion assessment in stroke patients.

The range of motion (ROM) in stroke patients is often severely affected. Poststroke rehabilitation is guided through the use of clinical assessment scales for the rROM. Unfortunately, these scales are not widely utilized in clinical practice as they are excessively time-consuming. Although commercial motion-capture systems are capable of providing the information required for the assessments, most systems are either too costly or lack the convenience required for assessments to be conducted on a daily basis. This paper presents the design and implementation of a smartphone-based system for automated motor assessment using low-cost off-the-shelf inertial sensors. The system was used to automate a portion of the upper-extremity Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), which is widely used to quantify motor deficits in stroke survivors. Twelve out of 33 items were selected, focusing mainly on joint angle measurements of the upper body. The system has the ability to automatically identify the assessment item being conducted, and calculate the maximum respective joint angle achieved. Preliminary results show the ability of this system to achieve comparable results to goniometer measurements, while significantly reducing the time required to conduct the assessments. The portability and ease-of-use of the system would simplify the task of conducting range-of-motion assessments.

The effect of RhoA/Rho kinase signal pathway on TGF-beta1-induced phenotypic differentiation of human dermal fibroblasts / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the effect of RhoA/Rho kinase signal pathway on TGF-beta1-induced phenotypic differentiation of human dermal fibroblasts.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The 4th generation of primary cultured human dermal fibroblasts were stimulated with TGF-beta1, (10 ng/ml). The expression of alpha-SMA was detected after treatment with TGF-beta1, for 0, 3, 6, and 24 h. The expression of alpha-SMA was also detected after treatment with different concentration of TGF-beta1 (0, 2, 10, 50 ng/ml). Then the human dermal fibroblasts (4th generation) were stimulated with TGF-beta1, (10 ng/ml) after being treated with the RhoA/Rho kinase signaling pathway inhibitor Y-27632 (10 umol/ml). The fibroblasts were treated with nothing as sham control, or with Y-27632 (10 umol/L) only as negative control group, or with TGF-beta1 (10 ng/ml) only as positive control group. The expression of alpha-SMA was detected in all the groups. Protein expression was analyzed with ANOVA statistical method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>alpha-SMA expression in fibroblasts with 10 ng/ml TGF-beta1 stimulation for 0, 3, 6, 24 h was 1.0, 1.9 0.2, 2.1 +/- 0. 1, 3. 1 +/- 0.1, respectively. Alpha-SMA expression in 24 h group was significantly higher than that in other three groups (n = 4, P < 0.05). alpha-SMA expression in human dermal fibroblasts after stimulation with different concentration of TGF-beta1 (0, 2, 10, 50 ng/ml) was 1.0, 1.4 +/- 0.2, 3.2 + 0.1, 3.1 +/- 0.2, respectively. alpha-SMA expression in 10 ng/ ml group was significantly higher than that in 2 ng/ml group and control group (n = 4, P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in alpha-SMA expression between 10 ng/ml group and 50 ng/ml group (n = 4, P > 0.05). With both Y-27632 (10 micromol/L) and TGF-beta1 stimulation, the cell phenotype differentiation was inhibited. Alpha-SMA expression in experimental group (1.2 +/- 0.2) was significantly reduced, when compared with that in positive control group (2.9 +/- 0.1) (n = 5, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference (n = 5, P > 0.05) in alpha-SMA expression between control group (1.0) and negative control group (1.1 +/- 0.1).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>RhoA/Rho kinase signaling pathway should be involved in TGF-beta1-induced phenotypic differentiation of human dermal fibroblasts.</p>

Expression of CREB/Bcl-2 in bone marrow mononuclear cells of children with acute leukemia / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the expression and role of cyclic-AMP response binding protein (CREB) and Bcl-2 in children with acute leukemia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-two children with acute leukemia (leukemia group) and 30 children with non-hematologic malignancies (control group) were enrolled. The mRNA and protein expression of CREB and Bcl-2 in bone marrow mononuclear cells were measured by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mRNA and protein expression of CREB and Bcl-2 in the leukemia group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p<0.01). There were no significant differences in the expression of CREB and Bcl-2 between acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia subgroups. At the initial diagnosis, the mRNA and protein expression of CREB and Bcl-2 in children with extramedullary infiltration was higher than that in children without (p<0.05). In the leukemia group, the mRNA and protein expression of CREB and Bcl-2 in the complete remission subgroup was significantly lower than that in the non-complete remission subgroup (p<0.01). High mRNA expression of CREB and Bcl-2 in the leukemia group was positively correlated with peripheral blood leucocyte counts (r=0.62, 0.71 respectively, p<0.05). There was a positive correlation between mRNA and protein expression of CREB and Bcl-2 (r=0.75, 0.68 respectively; p<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The expression of CREB and Bcl-2 may be correlated with the pathogenesis and clinical prognosis of childhood leukemia, however, their expression may not be associated with the classification of acute leukemia.</p>

Short- and long-term therapeutic effects of combination therapy with perindopril and irbesartan in a rat model of dilated cardiomyopathy / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the short-term, and long-term therapeutic effects of combination therapy with perindopril and irbesartan in a rat model of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).@*METHODS@#Sprague-Dawley rats were administered adriamycin intraperitoneally to develop DCM. Grouping of rats: Group A contained normal rats, and Group B contained DCM rats. Both Group A and B were not given drug treatment. Group C and D contained DCM rats, however, Group C was administered perindopril 2mg/(kg x d) while Group D was administered perindopril 1mg/(kg x d) and irbesartan 25mg/(kg x d). Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; plasma potassium and creatinine were measured; the pathological lesions of cardiac muscle tissues were evaluated after HE staining; and the survival time of each rat during the intervention was recorded.@*RESULTS@#After the three-week intervention, the plasma concentrations of BNP in Group D were lower than those in Group C (P0.05); pathological lesions of cardiac muscle tissues in both Group C and D were attenuated compared with those in Group B (P0.05). Log-rank test showed that the life span of Group C was shorter than that of Group D (P<0.05); Cox regression analysis showed that both combination therapy and monotherapy with perindopril could prolong the survival time, but the effect of combination therapy was more obvious.@*CONCLUSION@#Combination therapy with perindopril and irbesartan in a rat model of DCM can more effectively improve the cardiac function and long-term prognosis than those monotherapy with perindopril. Both these two treatment plans can attenuate the pathological lesions of cardiac muscle tissues, without elevating the concentrations of plasma potassium and creatinine.

Relevant factors of microalbuminuria in aged patients with essential hypertension / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the relationship between microalbuminuria and endothelial-dependent relaxing function and atherosclerosis of common carotid artery (CCA) in aged patients with essential hypertension (EH).@*METHODS@#Sixty-four aged EH patients were recruited. According to the albumin excretion rate (AER) in the urine measured by immunoturbidimetry, patients were divided into 2 groups: normoalbuminuria group (NAU group) and microalbuminuria group (MAU group). Thirty aged persons without EH were served as the control group. The endothelium-dependent relaxing function of blood vessels, intima-media thickness (IMT) and the plaque of CCA were measured by color Doppler ultrasound.@*RESULTS@#The flow-mediated dilation in the MAU group [(4.98+/-1.35)%] and that in the NAU group [(6.31+/-1.14)%] were significantly lower than that in the control group [(9.09+/-1.83)%, P<0.05, respectively], especially lower in the MAU group. The IMT of CCA in the MAU group [(0.97+/-0.19)mm] and that in the NAU group [(0.86+/-0.10)mm] were significantly thicker than that in the control group [(0.78+/-0.13)mm] (P<0.05, respectively), especially thicker in the MAU group. The analysis of multiple stepwise regression showed that the microalbuminuria was successively related to EDF, the IMT of CCA, the plaque index of CCA, systolic blood pressure, etc.@*CONCLUSION@#EDF is impaired, and there is the atherosclerosis of CCA in aged patients with EH. Microalbuminuria correlates with the decrease of endothelium-dependent relaxing function and the IMT of CCA in aged patients with EH.