Contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the assessment of Crohn's disease activity: comparison with computed tomography enterography.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Continuous assessment of disease activity remains a huge challenge during the follow-ups of patients with Crohn's disease (CD). In this paper, we aimed to evaluate the performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) by comparing with computed tomography enterography (CTE) in the assessment of disease activity in CD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients diagnosed with CD were included in this study, using the CEUS and CTE as imaging methods for comparison. The selected parameters included the location and thickness of the thickest part of the intestinal wall, mesenteric fat proliferation, mesenteric vessels change, enhancement pattern and the presence of complications. Patients were clinically assessed using the Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI), C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Simple endoscopic score for Crohn's disease (SES-CD) was regarded as the reference standard. RESULTS: The location of the thickest part of the intestinal wall (κ = 0.653), bowel wall thickness (ICC = 0.795), mesenteric vessels change (κ = 0.692) and complications (κ = 0.796) displayed substantial agreement (0.61-0.80) between CEUS and CTE, while the detection of mesenteric fat proliferation (κ = 0.395) and enhancement pattern (κ = 0.288) showed fair consistency (0.21-0.40) for comparison. In CEUS, bowel wall thickness, mesenteric fat proliferation, enhancement pattern and mesenteric vessels change were statistically significant in assessing CD activity, while bowel wall thickness, mesenteric fat proliferation and mesenteric vessels change in CTE. Bowel wall thickness showed the best diagnostic performance in the assessment of CD activity at CEUS and CTE. CONCLUSION: CEUS provides a radiation-free and effective way to assess the CD activity in comparison with CTE, which also avoids frequent colonoscopy examinations, improves tolerance of patients, and reduces the cost of medical care, thereby serving as a useful tool for CD follow-up.

Magnolol, a natural aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 agonist, inhibits the proliferation and collagen synthesis of cardiac fibroblasts.

Inhibiting myocardial fibrosis can help prevent cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure. Magnolol (Mag), a natural component of Magnoliae officinalis, has been reported to inhibit fibrosis. However, the mechanism of Mag activity and its effects on myocardial fibrosis remain unclear. Here, we investigated the involvement of ALDH2, an endogenous protective agent against myocardial fibrosis, in the Mag-mediated inhibition of cardiac fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis. We found that Mag significantly inhibited cardiac fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis, based on the results of MTT, EdU and western blot assays. Moreover, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assays showed that Mag could bind directly and stably to ALDH2. Further analysis of the mechanism of these effects indicated that treatment with Mag dose-dependently enhanced ALDH2 activity without altering protein expression. Mag could enhance the activity of recombinant human ALDH2 proteins with a half-maximal effective concentration of 5.79 × 10-5 M. In addition, ALDH2 activation via Alda-1 inhibited cardiac fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis, while ALDH2 inhibition via daidzin partially blocked the suppressive effects of Mag. In summary, Mag may act as a natural ALDH2 agonist and inhibit cardiac fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis.

[Detection of drug-resistance genes of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of children with refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the drug resistance of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of children with refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP) and the distribution of drug-resistance genes, as well as the association of alleles at 2063 locus of 23SrRNA V region central ring with resistance to antimicrobial drugs. METHODS: BALF specimens were collected from 245 children with RMPP who were admitted to the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from March 2016 to December 2020. A rapid cultured drug sensitivity assay was used to detect the resistance of MP isolates to nine commonly used antimicrobial drugs. The real-time PCR was used to measure MP DNA. The direct sequencing was used to detect gene mutations in MP 23SrRNA V region central ring. RESULTS: Among the 245 BALF specimens, 207 tested positive for MP DNA, with a positive rate of 84.5%. The results of drug susceptibility test showed that the children with RMPP had a resistance rate of > 70% to macrolide antimicrobial drugs, with the highest resistance rate to clarithromycin, followed by roxithromycin, clindamycin, acetylspiramycin, erythromycin, and azithromycin, and these children had a resistance rate of < 5% to quinolone antimicrobial drugs. Among the 207 MP DNA-positive specimens, 41 (19.8%) had no drug-resistance gene mutations and 166 (80.2%) had drug-resistance gene mutations, among which 154 (74.4%) had an A→G mutation at 2063 locus of 23SrRNA V region central ring, 7 (3.4%) had an A→G mutation at 2064 locus, and 5 (2.4%) had mutations in both 2063 and 2064 loci. Among the 166 specimens with point mutations of the MP 23SrRNA gene, 159 (95.8%) had point mutations at 2063 locus. The A→G point mutation at 2063 locus of 23SrRNA V region central ring had a great impact on resistance to macrolide antimicrobial drugs. There was a significant difference in the distribution of alleles at 2063 locus between the children with resistance to clarithromycin, roxithromycin, clindamycin, acetylspiramycin, erythromycin, and azithromycin (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MP in the BALF of children with RMPP has a relatively high resistance rate to macrolide antimicrobial drugs. Resistance to macrolide antimicrobial drugs is closely associated with the A→G point mutation in the 23SrRNA gene, and the point mutation at 2063 locus of 23SrRNA V region central ring may affect the drug-resistance mechanism of MP.

The development and evaluation of a sub-health self-rating scale for university students in China.

BACKGROUND: Sub-health status is defined as declines in vitality, physiological function and capacity for adaptation, but without the presence of clinical or sub-clinical disease. We have developed and evaluated a comprehensive questionnaire, the Sub-Health Self-Rating Scale (SSS), to assess sub-health status in university students. METHOD: The items for the draft questionnaire were discussed in focus groups. The WHOQOL-BREF was selected as the validity reference. From a professional perspective and large sample evaluation, the scale ultimately consisted of 58 items. The reliability and validity of the SSS was examined in undergraduate students and 1000 questionnaires were randomly selected from the samples for expert evaluation. RESULTS: Cronbach's α of the total scale was 0.942. The dimensions of physiological, psychological and social had high reliability: 0.915, 0.856 and 0.850, respectively. Based on scree plot and related theories, there were 10 factors to be extracted. The correlation coefficient between the total scale and sub-scale was high. The dimensions of physiological, psychological and social had high correlations with the total scale: 0.929, 0.803 and 0.774, respectively. The sub-health cut-off point of the total scale was 72; for the physiological field, it was 72; for the psychological field, it was 60; and the social field, it was 56. The fit between the expert evaluation method and the scale method was 0.758. The lower the score, the worse the health condition. CONCLUSION: We established and evaluated a valid instrument (SSS) that encompasses physiological, psychological and social factors to investigate sub-health status. It is short and easy to complete, and therefore suitable for use with undergraduate students.

Usefulness of Strain Elastography, ARFI Imaging, and Point Shear Wave Elastography for the Assessment of Crohn Disease Strictures.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of strain elastography, acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging and point shear wave elastography (p-SWE) for assessment of the predominant types of intestinal stenosis in Crohn disease. METHODS: Twenty-five patients were enrolled in this study, among whom 25 suspicious stenoses in 25 intestinal segments were studied using gray scale ultrasonography. All 3 elastography methods were performed, and all patients underwent endoscopy within 24 hours with pathologic biopsy. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), Youden index, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) were calculated. Pathologic findings were regarded as the gold standard. RESULTS: For SE, the optimal cutoff value was a score of 4 or greater (sensitivity, 75%; specificity, 66.7%; accuracy, 68%; PPV, 30%; NPV, 93.3%; AUROC, 0.708; however, P > .05). The results of ARFI imaging were similar: the optimal cutoff value was a score of 4 or greater (sensitivity, 50%; specificity, 81%; accuracy, 76%; PPV, 33.3%; NPV, 89.4%; AUROC, 0.669; P < .05). However, for p-SWE, the optimal cutoff value was reached when the shear wave velocity exceeded 2.73 m/s (sensitivity, 75%; specificity, 100%; accuracy, 96%; PPV, 100%; NPV, 95.5%; AUROC, 0.833; P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: p-SWE had the best performance for evaluating and differentiating intestinal stenosis in Crohn disease, while neither SE nor ARFI imaging achieved satisfactory outcomes for evaluating inflammatory stenosis and fibrotic stenosis of Crohn disease.

[Association of cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 gene polymorphism with bronchial asthma and response to montelukast in children].

OBJECTIVE: To study the association of cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 (PLA2G4) rs932476 polymorphism with the development of bronchial asthma and the response to montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, in children. METHODS: A total of 128 children with bronchial asthma were enrolled as case group, and 100 healthy children were enrolled as control group. The genotype and allele frequencies of PLA2G4 rs932476 were compared between the two groups. The children in the case group were administered with montelukast except routine treatment for 2 months, and the changes in serum levels of leukotriene B4 (LTB4), interleukin-4 (IL-4), immunoglobulin E (IgE), and interferon gamma (IFN-γ), pulmonary function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) after treatment were observed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of PLA2G4 rs932476 between the case and control groups, as well as between the groups with different severities of asthma (P>0.05). After treatment, the children with AA genotype had a significantly higher overall response rate than those with GG genotype. After treatment, the case group had significant reductions in the serum levels of IgE and IL-4 and a significant increase in the level of IFN-γ (P<0.05). After treatment, the children with GG genotype had a higher serum level of IL-4 and a lower level of IFN-γ than those with AA genotype. After treatment, the case group had significant increases in pulmonary function parameters, and the children with AA genotype had significantly higher parameters than those with GG genotype. The case group had a significant reduction in the level of FeNO, and the children with AA genotype had a significantly lower level than those with GG genotype after treatment. The case group had a significantly higher serum level of LTB4 than the control group before treatment (P<0.05). After treatment the case group had a significant reduction in the serum level of LTB4 (P<0.05). The children with GG genotype had a significantly higher level of LTB4 than those with AA genotype after treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PLA2G4 rs932476 polymorphism is not associated with the susceptibility and severity of bronchial asthma in children, but it may has certain influence on children's response to the leukotriene receptor antagonist montelukast, possibly by affecting the level of LTB4.

[Significance of neutrophil extracellular trap and its markers in the early diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia in children].

OBJECTIVE: To study the significance of plasma neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) and its markers in the diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children. METHODS: A total of 160 children with CAP were enrolled as the CAP group, and 50 healthy children were enrolled the control group. According to disease severity, the CAP group was further divided into a mild CAP subgroup with 137 children and a severe CAP subgroup with 23 children. According to the pathogen, the CAP group was further divided into a bacterial pneumonia subgroup with 78 children, a Mycoplasma pneumonia subgroup with 35 children, and a viral pneumonia subgroup with 47 children. The levels of plasma NET and its markers [antibacterial peptide (LL-37), extracellular free DNA (cfDNA), and deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I)] were measured. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the value of each index in diagnosing CAP and assessing its severity. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the CAP group had significant increases in the levels of NET, LL-37, and cfDNA and a significant reduction in the activity of DNase I (P<0.05). Compared with the mild CAP subgroup, the severe CAP subgroup had significantly higher levels of NET, LL-37 and cfDNA and a significantly lower activity of DNase I (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the levels of NET, LL-37, and cfDNA and the activity of DNase I among the bacterial pneumonia, Mycoplasma pneumonia, and viral pneumonia subgroups (P>0.05). In the CAP group, plasma NET levels were positively correlated with white blood cell count (WBC), percentage of neutrophils, and serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin and tumor necrosis factor-α (r=0.166, 0.168, 0.275, 0.181 and 0.173 respectively, P<0.05); LL-37 and cfDNA levels were positively correlated with WBC (r=0.186 and 0.338 respectively, P<0.05) and CRP levels (r=0.309 and 0.274 respectively, P<0.05); the activity of DNase I was negatively correlated with CRP levels (r=-0.482, P<0.05). The ROC curve analysis showed that NET, LL-37, cfDNA, and DNase I had an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.844, 0.648, 0.727, and 0.913 respectively in the diagnosis of CAP, with optimal cut-off values of 182.89, 46.26 ng/mL, 233.13 ng/mL, and 0.39 U/mL respectively, sensitivities of 88.12%, 35.63%, 54.37%, and 91.25% respectively, and specificities of 74.00%, 92.00%, 86.00%, and 76.00% respectively. In the assessment of the severity of CAP, NET, LL-37, cfDNA, and DNase I had an AUC of 0.873, 0.924, 0.820, and 0.778 respectively, with optimal cut-off values of 257.7, 49.11 ng/mL, 252.54 ng/mL, and 0.29 U/mL respectively, sensitivities of 83.21%, 86.96%, 78.26%, and 95.65% respectively, and specificities of 78.26%, 83.94%, 76.64%, and 56.93% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma NET and its related markers have a certain value in diagnosing CAP and assessing its severity in children.

[Value of simultaneous amplification and testing in early diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia and related influencing factors].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of simultaneous amplification and testing (SAT) in the early diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) in children and related influencing factors. METHODS: A total of 526 children with community-acquired pneumonia who were hospitalized between December 2016 and December 2017 were enrolled. Particle agglutination was used to measure serum Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) antibody (MP-Ab). The value of SAT in the diagnosis of MPP was evaluated based on these results. RESULTS: Based on the results of serum MP-Ab measurement, 165 children were diagnosed with MPP. MP-SAT had a sensitivity of 90.9% (150/165), a specificity of 97.9% (368/376), and high accuracy (Youden index=0.89) in the diagnosis of MPP, suggesting that there was good consistency between these two methods (Kappa=0.90). The diagnostic sensitivity of MP-SAT in children with a short course of disease was significantly higher than that in children with a long course of disease (P=0.031). The diagnostic sensitivity of MP-SAT was significantly higher than that of single serum MP-Ab measurement (P=0.018), with poor consistency between these two methods (Kappa=0.039). MP-SAT had good consistency with double serum MP-Ab measurement (Kappa=0.91). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that course of disease (≥7 days) and out-of-hospital macrolide treatment were the main factors influencing the results of MP-SAT (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MP-SAT has high value in the early diagnosis of MPP and can effectively cover the shortage of single serum MP-Ab test in the acute stage and thus provide help for early clinical diagnosis. MP-SAT test should be performed in the early stage of the disease (<7 days) and before the application of macrolide treatment.

LncRNA UCA1 Promotes Mitochondrial Function of Bladder Cancer via the MiR-195/ARL2 Signaling Pathway.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aims to identify whether Urothelial Cancer Associated 1 (UCA1) regulates mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming in bladder cancer, and to explore how UCA1 participates in mitochondrial metabolism by the UCA1/miR-195/ARL2 signaling pathway; these findings may be aid in the development of tumor diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. METHODS: Bladder tissues were obtained from patients. Stable cell lines were constructed, with ectopic expression of UCA1 in UMUC2 cells and knockdown of UCA1 in 5637 cells. The expression levels of UCA1, miR-195, and ARL2 were detected by real-time PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry Cell viability was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay; mitochondrial DNA copy numbers were tested by realtime PCR; ATP level was evaluated by ATP assay kit; mitochondrial membrane potential was analyzed by 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'- tetraethylbenzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide (JC-1) fluorescent probe. miRNAs between UCA1 and ARL2 were predicted by TargetScan and RNAHybrid, and then determined by real-time PCR. Dual-luciferase activity assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were used to verify the relationship between UCA1 and miR-195. The expression level of ARL2 was silenced by small interfering RNA(siRNA). For in vivo experiments, UCA1-silencing 5637 cells were subcutaneously injected into BALB/C nude mice to evaluate the effects of UCA1 on tumor progression by the regulation of miR-195 and ARL2. RESULTS: We demonstrate here that UCA1 enhances mitochondrial function in bladder cancer cells. UCA1 contributes to ARL2-induced mitochondrial activity, which plays an important role in mitochondrial function. UCA1, as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA), regulates mitochondrial function through upregulating ARL2. In this way, it inhibited the miR-195 signaling pathway to enhance mitochondrial function in bladder cancer. Additionally, ARL2 is a direct target of miR-195 and can be repressed by either miR-195 overexpression or UCA1 inhibition. Knockdown of ARL2 was analogous to the inhibition of UCA1 and the upregulation of miR-195. Animal experiments further indicated that UCA1 promoted bladder tumor growth by regulating miR-195 /ARL2. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that UCA1 enhanced mitochondrial function and cell viability through the UCA1/miR-195/ARL2 axis in vitro and in vivo. The elucidation of this signaling network provides a more adequate theoretical basis for understanding the molecular pathology of bladder cancer, and also UCA1 as a potential diagnosis and treatment target for bladder cancer.

Serum Eosinophil Cationic Protein Is a Useful Marker for Assessing the Efficacy of Inhaled Corticosteroid Therapy in Children with Bronchial Asthma.

Bronchial asthma (BA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of airways for which the effective therapies include inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and short-acting ß2-adrenoreceptor agonist (SABA). Serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) has been reported to reflect the degree of airway inflammation. We, therefore, explored the implication of serum ECP in assessing the efficacy of ICS therapy in BA children. Our prospective randomized control study enrolled 126 BA children and 78 healthy children (the control group). The BA patients were randomly assigned as two groups; 59 children were treated with ICS, twice a day, for three months and 67 patients received SABA inhalation only if necessary. After the 3-month therapy, the serum levels of ECP, endothelin-1, and nitric oxide and the eosinophil percentage (EOS%) in induced sputum were significantly lower in the ICS group, compared with the SABA group, but were still higher than the control group (all P < 0.05). The forced expiratory volume (FEV1%pred) and forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) were improved to the levels of the control group after therapy. Pearson correlation analysis presented that higher serum ECP levels were associated with higher EOS% in serum and with lower pulmonary function indices (FEVl%pred and FEV1/FVC). Importantly, the ICS group exhibited higher quality of life scores and lower symptom scores compared with the SABA group (all P < 0.05). ROC results revealed the diagnostic efficiency of serum ECP levels on the efficacy of ICS. In conclusion, measuring serum ECP levels is helpful for assessing the efficacy of ICS therapy in BA children.

Hydrophilic, Porous, Fiber-Reinforced Collagen-Based Membrane for Corneal Repair.

Collagen membrane with outstanding biocompatibility exhibits immense potential in the field of corneal repair and reconstruction, but the poor mechanical properties limit its clinical application. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a biodegradable polymer widely explored for application in corneal reconstruction due to its excellent mechanical properties, biocompatibility, easy processability, and flexibility. In this study, a PCL/collagen composite membrane with reinforced mechanical properties is developed. The membrane has a strong composite structure with collagen by utilizing a porous and hydrophilic PCL scaffold, maintaining its integrity even after immersion. The suture retention and mechanical tests demonstrate that compared with the pure collagen membrane, the prepared membrane has a greater tensile strength and twice the modulus of elasticity. Further, the suture retention strength is improved by almost two times. In addition, the membrane remains fully intact on the implant bed in an in vitro corneal defect model. Moreover, the membrane can be tightly sutured to a rabbit corneal defect, progressively achieve epithelialization, and remain unchanged during observation. Overall, the PCL/collagen composite membrane is a promising candidate as a suturable corneal restoration material in clinical keratoplasty.

[Study on large-scale regional laser detection methods for water vapor concentration].

Water vapor is an important meteorological parameter in the atmosphere, TDLAS direct absorption technology combined with open-path monitoring was used in order to achieve large-scale regional atmospheric water vapor concentration detection with high sensitivity, high accuracy and fast response, and to correct the remote sensing data. The large-scale regional laser detection system for water vapor was designed and the absorption line of water vapor molecules near 1.27 microm was chosen as the goal line. The system performance was verified in conjunction with a multiple reflection cell, that the system limit sensitivity was 14.803 mmol.mol-1 in optical path of 40 m. The continuous field experiment in 1,420 m optical path at the Yucheng Integrated Experimental Station, CAS was completed with this system which worked stably. Then the measured data was compared with the data of a gas analyzer LI-7500 in eddy correlation observation system at the same site, and the data consistency was good. A new method for water vapor concentration monitoring in the complex field of non-uniform underlying surface was provided.

Protein homeostasis in aging and cancer.

Aging is a major risk factor for cancer development. As dysfunction in protein homeostasis, or proteostasis, is a universal hallmark of both the aging process and cancer, a comprehensive understanding of the proteostasis system and its roles in aging and cancer will shed new light on how we can improve health and quality of life for older individuals. In this review, we summarize the regulatory mechanisms of proteostasis and discuss the relationship between proteostasis and aging and age-related diseases, including cancer. Furthermore, we highlight the clinical application value of proteostasis maintenance in delaying the aging process and promoting long-term health.

Dew water isotopic ratios and their relationships to ecosystem water pools and fluxes in a cropland and a grassland in China.

Dew formation has the potential to modulate the spatial and temporal variations of isotopic contents of atmospheric water vapor, oxygen and carbon dioxide. The goal of this paper is to improve our understanding of the isotopic interactions between dew water and ecosystem water pools and fluxes through two field experiments in a wheat/maize cropland and in a short steppe grassland in China. Measurements were made during 94 dew events of the D and (18)O compositions of dew, atmospheric vapor, leaf, xylem and soil water, and the whole ecosystem water flux. Our results demonstrate that the equilibrium fractionation played a dominant role over the kinetic fractionation in controlling the dew water isotopic compositions. A significant correlation between the isotopic compositions of leaf water and dew water suggests a large role of top-down exchange with atmospheric vapor controlling the leaf water turnover at night. According to the isotopic labeling, dew water consisted of a downward flux of water vapor from above the canopy (98%) and upward fluxes originated from soil evaporation and transpiration of the leaves in the lower canopy (2%).

[Symptomatic features and psychosocial factors in patients with belching disorders].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the symptomatic features and psychosocial factors in patients with belching disorders. METHODS: At Peking Union Medical College Hospital Outpatient Clinic from September 2010 to January 2011, 21 consecutive patients with repetitive belching were profiled by symptom questionnaires, including general demographics, spectrum of symptoms, disease course, predisposing factors, previous treatment, psychosocial factors, mental status and personality traits, etc. Pearson's correlation analysis and exact probability were used. RESULTS: Among them, 20 patients fulfilled the Rome III criteria of belching disorders. There were 5 males and 15 females with an age range of (49 ± 10) years. Among them, the belching patterns were daily (n = 18), meal-related (n = 16), spontaneous (n = 15), controllable (n = 16) and symptomatic overlapping (n = 17). The most common symptoms were functional dyspepsia (FD) (n = 13) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (n = 11). Sixteen patients experienced mental stimulation/negative events and 13 patients were related to family tension, work stress and overwork. There were 12 patients with anxiety and/or depression and 8 with neurotic personality. The number of overlapping symptoms was related to anxiety states (r = 0.47, t = 2.14, P < 0.05). But the severity of belching was unrelated to with or without depression and anxiety state (P = 0.096). CONCLUSIONS: There are a variety of clinical manifestations in patients with belching disorders. Belching disorders is often related to emotional change and environmental stress and accompanied by abnormal mental and personality characteristics. Belching may be an abnormal behavior reaction to gastrointestinal discomfort symptoms. The psychological and social factors probably play an important role in the pathogenesis of belching disorders.

Interleukin-6 reduces NMDA-induced Ca2+ overload via prevention of Ca2+ release from intracellular store.

A mechanism for neuroprotection of interleukin-6 (IL-6) via reduction of intracellular Ca2+ overload induced by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) was explored. Cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) from postnatal 8-day infant rats were chronically exposed to IL-6 for 8 days. Confocal laser scanning microscope was used to measure dynamic changes of intracellular Ca2+ fluorescence intensity. NMDA triggered an acute and sustaining enhancement of intracellular Ca2+ fluorescence intensity in the cultured CGNs, whereas NMDA stimulation of the neurons that had been exposed to IL-6 reduced the intracellular Ca2+ fluorescence intensity relative to that of non-IL-6-pretreated neurons. Ethylene glycol bis(aminoethylether) tetraacetate (EGTA), a chelator of extracellular Ca2+, decreased the intracellular Ca2+ overload triggered by NMDA. The component of intracellular Ca2+ overload after EGTA treatment was prevented by IL-6 chronic exposure. Cotreatment with dantrolene sodium (DAN) and 2-aminoethoxydiphenylborate (2-APB), blockers of ryanodine receptor (RyR) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R), respectively, also decreased the intracellular Ca2+ overload triggered by NMDA. However, the component of intracellular Ca2+ overload after DAN and 2-APB treatment was only slightly but not significantly diminished by IL-6. These results suggest that IL-6 has a neuroprotective effect against NMDA-induced intracellular Ca2+ overload, and that the effect is implemented primarily via a suppression of Ca2+ release from the intracellular Ca2+ store.

Minimally invasive surgery for glycogen storage disease combined with inflammatory bowel disease: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is rare in patients with glycogen storage disease (GSD). In GSD patients, a decrease in the number of neutrophils leads to prolonged intestinal infection, leading to the formation of chronic inflammation and eventually the development of IBD. Minimally invasive surgery for patients with IBD has been proven to reduce inflammatory responses and postoperative risks and ultimately promote rapid recovery. Herein we discuss minimally invasive surgery and the perioperative management in a patient with GSD and IBD. CASE SUMMARY: A 23-year-old male had GSD Ib associated with IBD-like disease for 10 years. Despite standard treatments, such as mesalazine, prednisone and adalimumab, the patient eventually developed colonic stenosis with incomplete ileus. After adequate assessment, the patient was treated with minimally invasive surgery and discharged in stable condition. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive surgery for patients with IBD and GSD is safe, feasible and effective.

Discovery of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors from Kadsura coccinea by affinity ultrafiltration mass spectrometry and the anti-inflammatory activity.

The medicinal plant Kadsura coccinea distributing in South China, was widely used for reducing inflammation and relieving pain. Previous study in our laboratory had proved the significant therapeutic effects of K. coccinea extract on adjuvant arthritis rats. To explore the responsible components and possible mechanisms, an AUF-HPLC-Q-TOF/ MS method was employed for screening and characterizing COX-2 ligands from K. coccinea stems for the first time. Meanwhile, the molecular docking was performed to simulate the binding modes for ligands and COX-2, the cell-free enzyme activity assay was applied to verify the direct COX-2 inhibition of potential inhibitors, and the cell-based study on COX-2 expression was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of (+)-Anwulignan. As a result, the potential COX-2 inhibitor (+)-Anwulignan significantly suppressing COX-2 expressions in LPS signaling pathways might be a good candidate for anti-inflammation and analgesia. In conclusion, AUF mass spectrometry combining the molecular docking and bioassays in vitro was an efficient approach for discovering enzyme inhibitors from traditional herbs.

Spatio-temporal variability of soil respiration of forest ecosystems in China: influencing factors and evaluation model.

Understanding the influencing factors of the spatio-temporal variability of soil respiration (R (s)) across different ecosystems as well as the evaluation model of R (s) is critical to the accurate prediction of future changes in carbon exchange between ecosystems and the atmosphere. R (s) data from 50 different forest ecosystems in China were summarized and the influences of environmental variables on the spatio-temporal variability of R (s) were analyzed. The results showed that both the mean annual air temperature and precipitation were weakly correlated with annual R (s), but strongly with soil carbon turnover rate. R (s) at a reference temperature of 0°C was only significantly and positively correlated with soil organic carbon (SOC) density at a depth of 20 cm. We tested a global-scale R (s) model which predicted monthly mean R (s) (R (s,monthly)) from air temperature and precipitation. Both the original model and the reparameterized model poorly explained the monthly variability of R (s) and failed to capture the inter-site variability of R (s). However, the residual of R (s,monthly) was strongly correlated with SOC density. Thus, a modified empirical model (TPS model) was proposed, which included SOC density as an additional predictor of R (s). The TPS model explained monthly and inter-site variability of R (s) for 56% and 25%, respectively. Moreover, the simulated annual R (s) of TPS model was significantly correlated with the measured value. The TPS model driven by three variables easy to be obtained provides a new tool for R (s) prediction, although a site-specific calibration is needed for using at a different region.

[Impacts of Spartina alterniflora invasion on coastal wetland ecosystem: Advances and prospects].

Coastal wetland, affected by the interaction of land and marine ecosystems, is a typical fragile and sensitive zone. Spartina alterniflora is the most successful invasive species in global coastal zone, with important impact on coastal wetland ecosystems. We systematically summarized available literature, and reviewed the effects of S. alterniflora invasion on biogeochemical cycling (soil carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus cycling, and soil heavy metal migration) and biological community (microorganisms, plants, and animals) in coastal wetlands. Then, three perspectives were proposed for the future research: 1) strengthening the mechanism of the impact of S. alterniflora invasion on ecosystem health of coastal wetlands; 2) focusing on the coupling mechanism of the interaction between S. alterniflora community and coastal wetland environment in the context of global change; 3) carrying out long-term positioning monitoring to clarify the responses of coastal wetlands at different stages of S. alterniflora invasion. This review could provide guidance for the ecological utilization and management of S. alterniflora.