Amelioration of immunoglobulin A vasculitis by suppression of the pathological expansion of T follicular helper 17 cells.

The main pathogenic features of immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV) are overactive B cells and elevated production of IgA, which requires help from T follicular helper 17 (Tfh17) cells. To evaluate the pathological role of Tfh17 cells in IgAV, we investigated the mechanism responsible for Tfh17 differentiation and explored how to ameliorate IgAV by modulating Tfh17 generation. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from IgAV patients were analyzed by flow cytometry. In vitro culture was performed to assess the modulation of cytokine-induced phenotypes. IgAV rats were used to explore the therapeutic effects of IL-6 blockade and the regulatory functions of IL-6 in Tfh17 cells. Serum cytokine and IgA levels were measured by ELISA while histopathological changes were evaluated by H&E,PAS or immunofluorescence staining. Frequency of CD4+CXCR5+CCR6+ Tfh17 cells were increased in IgAV patients and associated with disease severity. There was also a significant infiltration of Tfh17 cells in the kidney of human IgAV nephritis patients. IL-6 promoted the dendritic cell production of TGF-ß and Tfh17 differentiation. In IgAV rats, the in vivo blockade of IL-6 signaling inhibited Tfh17 differentiation, resulting in reduction of the germinal center and IgA production. Suppression of Tfh17 cells using IL-6 blockade greatly ameliorated clinical symptoms such as hemorrhagic rash and bloody stool and decreased IgA deposition and mesangial proliferation in the kidney in IgAV rats. Our findings suggest that suppression of Tfh17 differentiation can alleviate IgA-mediated vasculitis and may permit the development of tailored medicines for treating IgAV.

Transforming growth factor-ß receptor type 2 is required for heparin-binding protein-induced acute lung injury and vascular leakage for transforming growth factor-ß/Smad/Rho signaling pathway activation.

Heparin-binding protein (HBP), as a granule protein secreted by polymorphonuclear neutrophils, participates in the pathophysiological process of sepsis. It has been reported that HBP is a biomarker of sepsis related to the severity of septic shock and organ dysfunction. HBP binds to vascular endothelial cells as a primary target site. However, it is still unclear whether HBP-binding protein receptors exist on the surface of endothelial cells. The effect of HBP on vascular permeability in sepsis and its mechanism needs to be explored. We conducted in vivo and in vitro studies and demonstrated that HBP binds to transforming growth factor-ß receptor type 2 (TGF-ß-R2) as a ligand. Glutathione S-transferase pull-down analysis revealed that HBP mainly interacts with the extracellular domain of TGF-ß-R2. HBP induces acute lung injury and vascular leakage via activation of the TGF-ß/SMAD2/3 signaling pathway. A permeability assay suggested that TGF-ß-R2 is necessary for HBP-induced increased permeability. We also defined the role of HBP and its potential membrane receptor TGF-ß-R2 in the blood-gas barrier in the pathogenesis of HBP-related acute lung injury.

Competitive binding of transcription factors underlies flexibility of T peripheral helper cells and T follicular helper cells in SLE.

OBJECTIVE: Peripheral helper T (Tph) cells interact with B cells and promote immune responses at sites of ectopic lymphoid structures (ELSs). To assess the characteristics of Tph cells, we investigated the phenotype of T helper (Th) cells in patients with SLE and the underlying competitive binding mechanisms using cytokine-mediated signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) factors. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from SLE patients and healthy controls were analysed for phenotypic identification. Serum cytokine levels were detected using Luminex assays. In vitro culture was performed to assess cytokine-induced conversion of phenotypes and transcriptional regulation using flow cytometry and PCR. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was used to evaluate STAT binding and histone modifications. RESULTS: CXCR5-PD-1+Tph-like cells were increased in SLE patients and showed strong association with disease activity and renal involvement. Serum IFN-α levels were increased and associated with Tph frequency. IFN-α promoted the differentiation of IL-10-producing CXCR5-PD-1+Tph-like cells, increased the responsiveness of IL-2 and induced the conversion of Tfh-like cells to Tph-like cells. STAT5 gained a competitive advantage and bound to the BCL6 locus at the expense of STAT1, accompanied by suppression of H3K4me3. Finally, anti-IFNAR1 decreased the differentiation of Tph-like cells, thereby suppressing the generation of CD38highCD27highplasmablasts. CONCLUSION: Tph cells might be crucial makers to effectively reflect disease activity level in SLE patients. The finding that synergy of IFN-α and IL-2 increases Tph cells through competitive transcriptional regulation could be one of the mechanisms responsible for pathological formation of ELSs and helpful for selection of individualized therapeutic approaches for SLE.

CD28 Agonism Improves Survival in Immunologically Experienced Septic Mice via IL-10 Released by Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells.

Immune dysregulation during sepsis is mediated by an imbalance of T cell costimulatory and coinhibitory signaling. CD28 is downregulated during sepsis and is significantly altered on memory versus naive T cells. Thus, to study the role of CD28 during sepsis in a more physiologically relevant context, we developed a "memory mouse" model in which animals are subjected to pathogen infections to generate immunologic memory, followed by sepsis induction via cecal ligation and puncture. Using this system, we show that agonistic anti-CD28 treatment resulted in worsened survival in naive septic animals but conferred a significant survival advantage in immunologically experienced septic animals. Mechanistically, this differential response was driven by the ability of CD28 agonism to elicit IL-10 production from regulatory T cells uniquely in memory but not naive mice. Moreover, elevated IL-10 released by activated regulatory T cells in memory mice inhibited sepsis-induced T cell apoptosis via the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL. Together, these data demonstrate that immunologic experience is an important parameter that affects sepsis pathophysiology and can fundamentally change the outcome of modulating the CD28 pathway during sepsis. This study suggests that testing therapeutic strategies in immunologically experienced hosts may be one way to increase the physiologic relevance of rodent models in sepsis research.

TIGIT regulates apoptosis of risky memory T cell subsets implicated in belatacept-resistant rejection.

Belatacept confers increased patient and graft survival in renal transplant recipients relative to calcineurin inhibitors, but is associated with an increased rate of acute rejection. Recent immunophenotypic studies comparing pretransplant T cell phenotypes of patients who reject versus those who remain stable on belatacept identified three potential "risky" memory T cell subsets that potentially underlie belatacept-resistant rejection: CD4+ CD28+ TEM , CD8+ CD28null , and CD4+ CD57+ PD1- subsets. Here, we compared key phenotypic and functional aspects of these human memory T cell subsets, with the goal of identifying additional potential targets to modulate them. Results demonstrate that TIGIT, an increasingly well-appreciated immune checkpoint receptor, was expressed on all three risky memory T cell subsets in vitro and in vivo in the presence of belatacept. Coculture of human memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with an agonistic anti-TIGIT mAb significantly increased apoptotic cell death of all three risky memory T cell subsets. Mechanistically, TIGIT-mediated apoptosis of risky memory T cells was dependent on FOXP3+ Treg, suggesting that agonism of the TIGIT pathway increases FOXP3+ Treg suppression of human memory T cell populations. Overall, these data suggest that TIGIT agonism could represent a new therapeutic target to inhibit belatacept-resistant rejection during transplantation.

Persistently higher serum sCD40L levels are associated with outcome in septic patients.

BACKGROUND: Soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) exhibits proinflammatory and procoagulant effects. Recent data indicated that sCD40L plays a significant role in septic patients. The aim of the present study was to determine sCD40L changes in surgical patients without sepsis (SWS) and surgical sepsis patients (SS) during the first 3 days after intensive care unit (ICU) admission and to observe the association between sCD40L and mortality. METHODS: Time changes in sCD40L levels were assessed for 3 days after ICU admission in 49 patients with SS and compared with those in 19 SWS patients. Serum sCD40L concentration was detected by ELISA. Survival at 28 days served as the endpoint. RESULTS: SS had significantly higher sCD40L levels than SWS and control patients. We observed an association between sCD40L levels ≥1028.75 pg/mL at day 2 and 28-day mortality (odds ratio = 7.888; 95% confidence interval = 1.758 to 35.395; P = 0.007). We could not discover any significant differences in sex, presence of septic shock, site of infection, length of stay in the ICU, PaO2/FiO2 ratio, incidence of AKI, ARDS, or type of surgery between nonsurvivors and survivors. CONCLUSIONS: Septic patients show persistently higher circulating sCD40L levels in the first 3 days after ICU admission, and serum sCD40L levels are associated with the mortality of patients with sepsis. Thus, serum sCD40L may be used as a reliable biomarker and therapeutic target in sepsis.

Unfractionated Heparin Improves the Intestinal Microcirculation in a Canine Septic Shock Model.

BACKGROUND: Alterations of microcirculation are associated with organ hypoperfusion and high mortality in septic shock. This study is aimed at investigating the effects of unfractionated heparin (UFH) on intestinal microcirculatory perfusion and systemic circulation in a septic shock model. METHODS: Twenty-four beagle dogs were randomly allocated into four groups: (a) sham group: healthy controls, (b) shock group: septic shock induced by Escherichia coli, (c) basic therapy group: septic shock animals treated with antibiotics and 10 ml/kg/h saline, and (d) heparin group: septic shock animals treated with basic therapy plus UFH. Hemodynamic variables were measured within 24 h after E. coli administration. The intestinal microcirculation was simultaneously investigated with a sidestream dark-field imaging technique. Additionally, the function of vital organs was evaluated at 12 h postadministration (T12). RESULTS: E. coli induced a progressive septic shock in which the mean arterial pressure (MAP) decreased and lactate levels sharply increased, accompanied by deteriorated microvessel perfusion. While basic therapy partially improved the microvascular flow index and the perfused microvessel density in the jejunal villi, UFH significantly restored major microcirculation variables at T12. Physiological variables, including MAP, urine output, and lactate levels, were improved by UFH, whereas some hemodynamic indices were not affected by UFH. With respect to organ function, UFH increased the platelet count and decreased the creatinine level. CONCLUSIONS: UFH improves microcirculatory perfusion of the small intestine independently of the changes in systemic hemodynamic variables in a canine model of septic shock, thereby improving coagulation and renal function.

The gut microbiome alters immunophenotype and survival from sepsis.

The microbiome is increasingly implicated in immune regulation and mortality from sepsis. Mice with identical genetic backgrounds but distinct microbiomes were obtained from different vendors and analyzed following cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). ß diversity of the microbiome measured from feces demonstrated significant differences between The Jackson Laboratory (Jax; Bar Harbor, ME, USA) and Charles River Laboratories (CR; Wilmington, MA, USA) C57/B6 mice. Jax mice had 7-d mortality of 90% following CLP, whereas CR mice had a mortality of 53%. Differences in vendor were associated with altered immunophenotype with increased splenic IFN-γ+CD4+ T cells, effector memory CD4+ T cells, and central memory CD4+ T cells and increased Peyer's patch effector memory CD4+ T cells in septic CR mice. To determine whether differences in the microbiome were responsible for these differences, Jax and CR mice were cohoused for 3 wk, after which they assumed a similar microbiota composition. Cohoused mice had improved survival following CLP compared to Jax mice and had similar survival regardless of their vendor of origin. All differences in immunophenotype between septic Jax and CR mice disappeared following cohousing. These findings suggest that the microbiome plays a crucial role in survival and the host immune response from sepsis and represents a potential target for therapeutic intervention.-Fay, K. T., Klingensmith, N. J., Chen, C.-W., Zhang, W., Sun, Y., Morrow, K. N., Liang, Z., Burd, E. M., Ford, M. L., Coopersmith, C. M. The gut microbiome alters immunophenotype and survival from sepsis.

[Row-like needling along the spleen meridian combined with autonomous functional exercise in treatment of postpartum diastasis recti abdominis: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of the row-like needling along the spleen meridian combined with autonomous functional exercise in treatment of postpartum diastasis recti abdominis. METHODS: A total of 72 patients with postpartum diastasis recti abdominis were randomly divided into an observation group (36 cases, 3 cases excluded) and a control group (36 cases, 3 cases dropped out). In the control group, the autonomous functional exercise was performed on the rectus abdominis. In the observation group, on the basis of the treatment as the control group, the row-like needling along the spleen meridian was delivered. Along the distribution of the spleen meridian on the abdomen, besides Daheng (SP 15), acupuncture was operated at the sites 3 cm and 6 cm directly above and below Daheng (SP 15) bilaterally. Five points on each side were stimulated along the meridian. Acupuncture was delivered once every two days, 3 interventions a week. One course of treatment, composed of 10 treatments, was required. Before treatment and after 5 and 10 treatments, the inter-rectus distance (IRD) and the score of the medical outcomes study 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) were observed in the two groups, respectively. RESULTS: After 5 and 10 treatments, the IRD at the sites 3 cm above the umbilicus, in the center of the umbilicus and below the umbilicus was reduced when compared with that before treatment in the observation group, respectively (P<0.01); and the IRD at the site 3 cm above the umbilicus was decreased in comparison with that before treatment in the control group (P<0.05). After treated for 5 times, compared with the control group, the IRD at the site 3 cm below the umbilicus was reduced in the observation group (P<0.05); and after treated for 10 times, compared with the control group, the IRD at the sites 3 cm above the umbilicus, in the center of the umbilicus and below the umbilicus was reduced in the observation group (P<0.01). After the completion of 5 and 10 treatments, the scores of physical functioning (PF), role-physical (RP), role-emotional (RE) and health change (HC), as well as the total score of SF-36 were all higher than those before treatment in the observation group (P<0.01); while in the control group, the scores of PF, RP and RE, as well as the total score of SF-36 were increased in comparison with those before treatment (P<0.01). After 5 treatments, the scores of general health (GH) and HC in the observation group were higher than those of the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01); and after 10 treatments, the score of PF, GH and HC, as well as the total score of SF-36 in the observation group were higher than those of the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: On the basis of autonomous functional exercise, the row-like needling along the spleen meridian can promote the recovery of postpartum diastasis recti abdominis and improve the quality of life of the patients.

Efficacy and safety of heparin for sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (HepSIC): study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) occurs in 30-50% of septic patients and contributes to high mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, there are few proven interventions for coagulation disorder management in sepsis. Experimental and clinical data have demonstrated that sepsis could benefit from unfractionated heparin (UFH) treatment. To date, there are no large multicenter trials to determine the safety and efficacy of UFH in septic patients with suspected DIC. METHODS: A multicenter, double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomized trial is designed to recruit 600 patients who met sepsis 3.0 criteria and suspected DIC. Participants will be randomized (1:1) to receive UFH or saline via continuous intravenous administration for 7 days within 6 h of enrolment. The primary outcome is ICU mortality. The secondary outcome includes 28-day all-cause mortality, the improvement of Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores, and the incidence of major hemorrhage. Investigators, participants, and statisticians will be blinded to the allocation. DISCUSSION: The HepSIC trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of UFH on sepsis-related DIC across different areas of China. The small dosage of UFH administration would offer a new potential approach for treating sepsis-related coagulation disorders. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was granted by all the ethics committees of 20 participant centers. Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and presented at conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02654561. Registered on 13 January 2016.

CD8+ T cells are necessary for improved sepsis survival induced by CD28 agonism in immunologically experienced mice.

Introduction: A hallmark of T cell dysregulation during sepsis is the downregulation of costimulatory molecules. CD28 is one of T cell costimulatory molecules significantly altered on memory T cells during sepsis. We recently showed that treatment with a αCD28 agonist in septic immunologically experienced mice led to improved survival. Therefore, here we aimed to identify the cell subset(s) necessary for the survival benefit observed in the context of CD28 agonism, and to further investigate the mechanism by which CD28 agonism improves sepsis survival in immunologically experienced mice. Methods: Mice received specific pathogen inoculation to generate memory T cell populations similar in frequency to that of adult humans. Once these infections were cleared and the T cell response had transitioned to the memory phase, animals were rendered septic via cecal ligation and puncture in the presence or absence of an agonistic anti-CD28 mAb. Results: Results demonstrated that CD8+ T cells, and not bulk CD4+ T cells or CD25+ regulatory T cells, were necessary for the survival benefit observed in CD28 agonist-treated septic immunologically experienced mice. Upon examination of these CD8+ T cells, we found that CD28 agonism in septic immunologically experienced mice was associated with an increase in Foxp3+ CD8+ T cells as compared to vehicle-treated controls. When CD8+ T cells were depleted in septic immunologically experienced mice in the setting of CD28 agonism, a significant increase in levels of inflammatory cytokines in the blood was observed. Discussion: Taken together, these results indicate that CD28 agonism in immunologically experienced mice effectively suppresses inflammation via a CD8+-dependent mechanism to decrease mortality during sepsis.

Immunosuppression correlates with the deterioration of sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation.

BACKGROUND: The dysregulated host responses play a crucial role in the pathophysiology process of sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The study aimed to characterize the dynamic alternation of immune-related biomarkers and their relationship with the progression of DIC during sepsis. METHODS: A prospective, observational study was conducted in a tertiary academic hospital. 640 septic patients were classified into three groups according to the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) score: 383 involved patients without DIC (ISTH = 0), 168 sepsis with nonovert DIC (ISTH = 1-4), and 89 sepsis with overt DIC (ISTH≥5). Eighteen immune-related biomarkers and six routine coagulation variables were examined at D1, D3, and D7 upon enrollment. The association between the immune parameters and the DIC deterioration was assessed during sepsis. RESULTS: The study showed a 40% coagulation disorder and a 14% incidence of overt DIC in septic patients. The patients with overt DIC displayed pronounced immune disorders from D1 to D7 upon sepsis, which was characterized by the decreased percentage of monocyte HLA-DR (mHLA-DR), increased percentage of Tregs, the levels of procalcitonin, neutrophil CD64 index, and systemic inflammatory cytokines relative to nonovert DIC or non-DIC patients. In multivariate analysis, the combination of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and mHLA-DR at D1 upon enrollment had a superior predictive value for predicting DIC deterioration in sepsis (AUC = 0.87, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: These data illustrate that immunosuppression can crosstalk with coagulation disorder during sepsis, and present an additional evaluation tool to predict DIC deterioration.

Processing objects of perceptual expertise: Differential interhemispheric transmission efficiency but similar transmission direction advantages.

Faces and Chinese characters are both objects of perceptual expertise. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of interhemispheric transmission times (IHTTs) in both transmission direction and transmission efficiency during the processing of objects of perceptual expertise. A total of 112 participants engaged in a divided visual field paradigm for faces, Chinese characters, and houses in both upright and inverted orientations. The N170 amplitudes elicited by the objects of perceptual expertise (faces and Chinese characters) involved in this study were larger than those elicited by the non-perceptual expertise objects (houses). We used the latencies of the N170 component of the event-related potential (ERP) recorded in the left and right hemispheres to calculate the IHTTs. For all objects, the N170-related IHTTs from the right to the left hemispheres were shorter than those in the opposite direction. Essentially, the N170-related IHTTs for faces were shorter, that is, more efficient than those for Chinese characters and houses. This result indicates that the IHTTs during perceptual expertise and non-perceptual expertise object processing share a common transmission direction advantage, but transmission efficiency is face-specific.

TIGIT reverses IFN-α-promoted Th1-like Tregs via in-sequence effects dependent on STAT4.

OBJECTIVES: The induction direction of interferon (IFN)-α in T-cell phenotype and function varies depending on the activation state of the cell and the time of stimulation. To assess the effects of elevated IFN-α on regulatory T cells (Tregs) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, we investigated the differentiation of Th1-like Tregs under in-sequence and out-of-sequence conditions and the reversal effect of activating TIGIT on immune suppression. METHODS: Phenotypes and activation levels of Tregs from SLE patients and healthy controls were analyzed using flow cytometry. In vitro culture conditions based on the sequence of TCR activation and IFN-α stimulation simulated in-sequence or out-of-sequence effects. CD4+T cells and Tregs were cultured under the above conditions with or without TIGIT agonist. Expression of related characteristic markers and phosphorylation levels of AKT, mTOR, and STATs were detected using flow cytometry and ELISA. RESULTS: The frequency of Th1-like Tregs and activation levels of Tregs increased, but TIGIT expression in Tregs decreased in SLE patients. IFN-α promoted the conversation of Tregs to Th1-like Tregs while reducing immunosuppressive function under in-sequence conditions. The STAT4 pathway, but not the STAT1 pathway, was crucial for the IFN-α-mediated in-sequence effects. Reactivation of TIGIT reversed Th1 polarization of Tregs by suppressing AKT/mTOR and STAT4 signaling. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that IFN-α mediated in-sequence effects on Tregs may be responsible for the expansion of Th1-like Tregs in SLE. TIGIT can restore immune suppression damage in Tregs and represents a potential therapeutic target for SLE.

Comparisons of coagulation characteristics between elderly and non-elderly patients with sepsis: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: A blunt host defense response in older patients may contribute to different coagulation responses during sepsis. We aimed to investigate the differences in coagulation parameters between elderly and non-elderly patients with sepsis. METHODS: Adult patients diagnosed with sepsis within 24 hours after admission to the intensive care unit between September 2018 and December 2020 were prospectively enrolled. Patients were categorized into the adult (18-64 years) and elderly (age ≥65 years) groups. Conventional coagulation parameters and inflammatory markers were measured on intensive care unit admission and on Days 3 and 7. Thromboelastography was performed on intensive care unit admission. The differences in the coagulation parameters between the 2 groups were evaluated. The adult and elderly patients were matched to adjust for baseline characteristics. Correlations between inflammatory markers and coagulation-related parameters were also analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 567 patients, 303 (53.4%) were elderly. Compared with adult patients, elderly patients had lower prothrombin time elevation, lower fibrinogen, D-dimer, and fibrin/Fib degradation product levels, and lower proportion of disseminated intravascular coagulation on intensive care unit admission; and, they had lower dynamic platelet, lower fibrinogen, and D-dimer levels during the first week in the intensive care unit. Thromboelastography parameters were generally within the normal range, although elderly patients had lower R and K values and a higher alpha angle. Comparisons of coagulation parameters between the 2 groups revealed similar results in the matched cohort. The inflammatory markers correlated with prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and antithrombin III. CONCLUSION: Elderly patients had milder coagulation activation, accompanied by a decreased inflammatory response during sepsis, compared to non-elderly patients.

[Regularity of meridian-acupoint reactions of foot three yin meridians in primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea patients].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the meridian-acupoint reactions of foot three yin meridians in primary dysmenorrhea(PD) and secondary dysmenorrhea(SD) patients, so as to summarize the rules of meridian-acupoint reaction and acupoints selection. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with PD (PD group), 34 patients with SD (SD group) and 35 healthy subjects (healthy group) were recruited. The compression method was used to examine the lower leg segment of the foot three yin meridians. Positive reactions(palpable skin changes, including cords, nodules, depressions) and tenderness of meridians and acupoints were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the tenderness severity of acupoints. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy group, the probability of positive reactions and tenderness in foot three yin meridians were higher in PD and SD groups (P<0.01,P<0.05). Compared with the PD group, the probability of positive reactions in Spleen and Liver Meridians were higher in the SD group, with higher probability of tenderness in Liver Meridian(P<0.05). The probability of positive reactions and tenderness in the Spleen Meridian of PD and SD groups was significantly higher than that in the Kidney Meridian (P<0.01), while the probability of tenderness in the Spleen Meridian of the PD group was significantly higher than that in the Liver Meridian (P<0.05). Positive reactions and tenderness were concentrated at Yinlingquan (SP9), Diji (SP8) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) of Spleen Meridian and Xiguan (LR7) and Ligou (LR5) in Liver Meridian of PD and SD groups. In comparison with the PD group, the probability of positive reactions, tenderness and VAS score of SP8 and LR5 of the SD group were higher (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The positive reaction occurs most frequently in the Spleen Meridian, followed by the Liver Meridian, and least frequently in the Kidney Meridian. The acupoints with positive reaction are different between PD and SD, which suggests that the Spleen Meridian acupoints should be the main acupoints when treating the two kinds of dysmenorrhea, and acupoints should also be selected according to the meridian and acupoint examination results.

Developmental trajectories of expert perception processing of Chinese characters in primary school children.

Previous studies have demonstrated that inversion effect and left-side bias are stable expertise markers in Chinese character processing among adults. However, it is less clear how these markers develop early on (i.e., among primary school students). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the development of the two markers by comparing primary school-aged students of three age groups (Grade 1, Grade 3, and Grade 5) and adults in tests of inversion effect (Experiment 1) and left-sided bias effect (Experiment 2). The results replicated that both effects during Chinese character processing were present among adults. However, more importantly, the effects were different among primary school-aged students in different grades: the inversion effect was found as early as in Grade 1, but the left-side bias effect did not emerge in Grade 1 and as approximated that of adults until Grade 3. The study suggested a potential dissociation in developing different aspects of expertise during Chinese character processing in early childhood.

A humidity-resistant bio-inspired microfibrillar adhesive fabricated using a phenyl-rich polysiloxane elastomer for reliable skin patches.

Steady adhesion under varying humidity conditions is fundamentally challenging due to the barrier of interfacial water molecules. Here, we demonstrate a humidity-resistant gecko-inspired microfibrillar adhesive fabricated by using a specific phenyl-rich polysiloxane. In contrast with the great decline of macroadhesion with increasing humidity for the typical polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfibrillar adhesives, strong macroadhesion of a microfibrillar adhesive fabricated using synthetic phenyl-rich polysiloxane maintains adhesion well across a wide relative humidity range (1% to 95%). Moreover, the pull-off strength is increased by 500% compared to that of phenyl-absent PDMS microfibrillar adhesives at extremely high humidity. Mechanism analysis demonstrates that the synergistic interplay of strong interfacial hydrophobicity leading to dry contact and bulk energy dissipation through massive aromatic π-π interactions contributes greatly to the reliable and strong humidity macroadhesion. The present results provide a better understanding of humidity macroadhesion as well as application potential for microfibrillar adhesives, which are proven to be reliable skin adhesive patches for long-term health-care that have to be exposed to varying humidity conditions of the skin surface.

Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Doctors' Mindfulness, Patient Safety Culture, Patient Safety Competency and Adverse Event.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of mindfulness meditation on doctors' mindfulness, patient safety culture, patient safety competency, and adverse events. METHODS: We recruited 91 doctors from a hospital in China and randomized them to mindfulness meditation group (n = 46) and a waiting control group (n = 45). The mindfulness meditation group underwent an 8-week mindfulness meditation intervention, while the control group underwent no intervention. We measured four main variables (mindfulness, patient safety culture, patient safety competency, and adverse event) before and after the mindfulness meditation intervention. RESULTS: In the experimental group, mindfulness, patient safety culture and patient safety competency were significantly higher compared with those of the control group. In the control group, there were no significant differences in any of the three variables between the pre-test and post-test. Adverse events in the experimental group were significantly lower than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention of mindfulness meditation significantly improved the level of mindfulness, patient safety culture and patient safety competency. During the mindfulness meditation intervention, the rate of adverse events in the meditation group was also significantly lower than in the control group. As a simple and effective intervention, mindfulness meditation plays a positive role in improving patient safety and has certain promotional value.

Case Study: Depersonalization and Vestibular Impairment.

BACKGROUND: We describe herein the case of a patient whose primary complaints were episodic vertigo and "depersonalization," a sensation of detachment from his own body. PURPOSE: This case study aims to further clinical knowledge and insight into the clinical evaluation of vertiginous patients with complaints of depersonalization. RESEARCH DESIGN: This is a case study. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: A retrospective chart review of vestibular function testing done on a vertiginous patient with complaints of depersonalization was performed. RESULTS: Vestibular function testing revealed absent cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials on the left side with normal vHIT or video Head Impulse Test, videonystagmography, and rotational chair results, suggesting peripheral vestibular impairment isolated to the left saccule and utricle. CONCLUSION: The otolith end organ impairment explains the patient's postural deviation to the left side during attempts to ambulate. We recommend that clinicians should be attentive to patient complaints of depersonalization and perform vestibular evoked myogenic potential testing to determine whether evidence of at least a unilateral peripheral otolith end organ impairment exists.