Relationship Between the Serum Total Bilirubin and Inflammation in Patients With Psoriasis Vulgaris.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory skin disease. Previous studies have shown that bilirubin has anti-inflammation and antioxidant effects. However, the various roles of bilirubin in psoriasis patients are still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the serum total bilirubin (TB) level in the individuals with psoriasis vulgaris and further evaluate the relationship between serum TB concentration and C-reactive protein (CRP) to clarify the effect of bilirubin on inflammation. METHODS: A total of 214 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 165 age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects were recruited. The peripheral leukocyte count (white blood cell, WBC) and differential, serum biochemical and immunologic indexes including serum TB, immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgA, IgM, complement C3 and C4 , as well as serum CRP concentrations were measured. RESULTS: Results showed that the serum TB level decreased significantly and peripheral WBC, neutrophil, and serum CRP concentrations increased significantly in patients with psoriasis vulgaris. Meanwhile, the serum CRP was negatively correlated with serum TB levels but positively correlated with peripheral WBC and the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Logistic regression analysis showed that the serum TB was a protective factor for psoriasis vulgaris. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that lower serum TB is associated with the enhancement of the inflammatory response in psoriasis vulgaris. Therefore, lower serum TB has a prognostic significance for worsening psoriasis vulgaris. Bilirubin may play a crucial role in inflammation by contributing to the inhibition of the inflammatory response.

Research advance in the distribution and ecotoxicological effects of microcystins in aquatic ecosystem.

Cyanotoxins produced by the toxic cyanobacteria is a great threat to global freshwater ecosystems, with hepatotoxic microcystins (MCs) as the most widely distributed and harmful ones. MCs have negative impacts on the structure, function and stability of aquatic ecosystems, posing threats to human health. In this study, we reviewed the distribution of MCs in waterbody, sediments, and different groups of aquatic animals. The toxicity mechanisms of MCs were also reviewed. The ecotoxicological effects of MCs on aquatic animals, aquatic and terrestrial plants, human health risk were summarized. Several biological methods about the prevention and control of MCs were mentioned. Many aspects about MCs that need to be further studied were proposed, aiming to provide a scientific basis for risk assessment and management of MCs.

[Seasonal variation of phytoplankton community structure in the Tianhe Reservoir of the Daluoshan Mountain in southern Zhejiang Province, China and its indication to water quality]. / 浙南大罗山天河水库浮游植物群落结构的季节变化及对水质的指示作用.

To explore the association between phytoplankton community structure and water quality of the Tianhe Reservoir in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, we examined the phytoplankton and physico-chemical factors in the Tianhe Reservoir from February 2019 to January 2020. A total of 89 phytoplankton species belonging to 60 genera and 7 phyla were identified. The annual average abundance and biomass of phytoplankton were 2.02×105 cells·L-1 and 0.26 mg·L-1 respectively. Bacillariophyta was dominant in the whole year. Chlorophyta was dominant in spring and autumn. Cyanophyta was dominant in summer. Both Euglenophyta and Pyrrophyta appeared in the whole year. Cryptophyta appeared in autumn and winter. However, none of them was dominant due to their low abundance. The dominant species throughout the year were Melosira granulata, Synedra acus, Navicula cryptocephala, Asterionella formosa, Pseudoanabaena, Closterlum venus, Pediastrum duplex, Peridinium bipes, Dinobryon cylindricum and Cryptomonas ovata. Results of redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that water temperature, total nitrogen, CODMn and pH value were the main factors driving phytoplankton community structure in the whole year. According to the evaluation based on diversity indices, including Shannon index, Pielou evenness index, Margalef richness index and comprehensive trophic status index (TLI), water quality of Tianhe Reservoir is between oligotrophication and mesotrophication.

Fabrication and electromagnetic performance of talc/NiTiO3 composite.

In this study, the electromagnetic (EM) performance of talc/NiTiO3 composite was evaluated. The morphology of talc displayed a lamella structure; there were many nanoparticles of NiTiO3 coated on the talc lamella. Thermal destruction occurred, which increased the surface area from 2.51 m2 g-1 to 79.09 m2 g-1 at the calcined stage at 650°C. The presence of NiTiO3 increased dielectric loss and magnetic loss of talc. The calculation of EM wave absorption of talc/NiTiO3 obtained a maximum reflection loss of -11.94 dB at the thickness of 6.85 mm; the optimum thickness for microwave absorption is 6.3-7.3 mm. This study revealed a new approach for fabricating an EM absorber and broadening applications of both talc and NiTiO3 in EM absorption.

Fibrotic changes in rat dorsal root ganglion following chronic sciatic nerve compression / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Chronic nerve compression leads to muscle atrophy and fibrosis. Previous studies mainly focus on its pathogenesis. However, little is known about the dorsal root ganglia(DRG) responses to chronic nerve compression injury. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of chronic sciatic nerve compression on fibrosis of the DRG. METHODS: Animal models of chronic sciatic nerve compression were made in rats according to the method described by Mackinnon. L4-6 ipsilateral and contralateral DRG were harvested 3 weeks post injury. Real-time RT-PCR, immunofluorescence and western blot were performed to determine the expression levels of transforming growth factor-β, connective tissue growth factor, and collagen type I in ipsilateral and contralateral DRG. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Three weeks after injury, the m RNA and protein expression of transforming growth factor-β, connective tissue growth factor and collagen type I were increased significantly in the ipsilateral DRG as compared with the contralateral DRG(P < 0.05). Transforming growth factor-β and connective tissue growth factor mainly expressed in DRG neurons and axons, while collagen type I formed a net structure that surrounded DRG neurons and axons. These findings indicate that chronic sciatic nerve compression can induce fibrotic changes in the DRG that appears to be associated with an increase in transforming growth factor-β and connective tissue growth factor expression in DRG neurons.