ABSTRACT
Objective: To analyze the short-term effect of individual atmospheric PM2.5 exposure on the diversity, enterotype, and community structure of gut microbiome in healthy elderly people in Jinan, Shandong province. Methods: The present panel study recruited 76 healthy elderly people aged 60-69 years old in Dianliu Street, Lixia District, Jinan, Shandong Province, and followed them up five times from September 2018 to January 2019. The relevant information was collected by questionnaire, physical examination, precise monitoring of individual PM2.5 exposure, fecal sample collection and gut microbiome 16S rDNA sequencing. The Dirichlet multinomial mixtures (DMM) model was used to analyze the enterotype. Linear mixed effect model and generalized linear mixed effect model were used to analyze the effect of PM2.5 exposure on gut microbiome α diversity indices (Shannon, Simpson, Chao1, and ACE indices), enterotype and abundance of core species. Results: Each of the 76 subjects participated in at least two follow-up visits, resulting in a total of 352 person-visits. The age of 76 subjects was (65.0±2.8) years old with BMI (25.0±2.4) kg/m2. There were 38 males accounting for 50% of the subjects. People with an educational level of primary school or below accounted for 10.5% of the 76 subjects, and those with secondary school and junior college or above accounting for 71.1% and 18.4%. The individual PM2.5 exposure concentration of 76 subjects during the study period was (58.7±53.7) μg/m3. DMM model showed that the subjects could be divided into four enterotypes, which were mainly driven by Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium, Lachnospiraceae, Prevotellaceae, and Ruminococcaceae. Linear mixed effects model showed that different lag periods of PM2.5 exposure were significantly associated with a lower gut α diversity index (FDR<0.05 after correction). Further analysis showed that PM2.5 exposure was significantly associated with changes in the abundances of Firmicutes (Megamonas, Blautia, Streptococcus, etc.) and Bacteroidetes (Alistipes) (FDR<0.05 after correction). Conclusion: Short-term PM2.5 exposure is significantly associated with a decrease in gut microbiome diversity and changes in the abundance of several species of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in the elderly. It is necessary to further explore the underlying mechanisms between PM2.5 exposure and the gut microbiome, so as to provide a scientific basis for promoting the intestinal health of the elderly.
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Female , Feces/microbiology , Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Particulate Matter , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/geneticsABSTRACT
The biochemical integrity of the brain is necessary to maintain normal function. Oxidative damage is one of the mortal important reasons leading to the destruction of this integrity. The nervous system is enriched in phospholipid and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Due to the nature of high oxygen-consumption and rich lipids, brain is particularly vulnerable to oxidative damages. Phospholipid peroxidation is one of the results of imbalance in oxidation-antioxidant system. Once the antioxidant system is insufficient to resist oxidative damage, membrane phospholipids will be prone to free radical attack. Phospholipid peroxidation leads to a variety of toxic oxidation products, including membrane damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, rapid accumulation of amyloid, etc. Multiple proteins and nucleic acids can be covalently modified by peroxidation products, resulting in the loss of the protein functions, which eventually triggers programmed cell death and general neuroinflammation in brain, and ends up with an increased susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases. Based on the knowledge of mechanisms of phospholipid peroxidation, this review focuses on the characteristics of phospholipid peroxidation as a key factor in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, in order to provide theoretical basis for targeted intervention of phospholipid peroxidation as a potential strategy to prevent neurodegenerative diseases.
ABSTRACT
Esculetin, a natural derivative from the traditional and widely-used Chinese medicinal herb Cortex Fraxini, has a variety of pharmacological effects, especially in anti-inflammation. However, it is not clear whether esculetin has a therapeutic effect on sepsis. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and protective effects of esculetin on early sepsis. The results showed that the lung injury was significantly relieved with the treatment of esculetin, accompanied with the restrained production of inflammatory factors including IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, CCL2 and iNOS during the early phase of E.coli-induced sepsis. Of note, activation of NF-κB and STAT1/STAT3 signals, the main upstream signals of many inflammatory factors, were attenuated by esculetin in both lung tissues from septic mice and LPS-stimulated macrophage. These findings suggested that the protection of esculetin against early sepsis should be related to its anti-inflammatory effect, which was at least partly due to its inhibition on NF-κB and STAT1/STAT3 signaling pathway in macrophage. Thus, esculetin could serve as a potential therapeutic agent by rebalancing innate immune response in macrophage for the treatment of early sepsis.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effect of high suspension and low incision (HSLI) surgery on mixed haemorrhoids, compared with Milligan-Morgan haemorrhoidectomy.@*METHODS@#A multi-centre, randomized, single-blind, non-inferiority clinical trial was performed. Participants with mixed haemorrhoids from Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing Rectum Hospital, Air Force Medical Center of People's Liberation Army of China, and Puyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were enrolled from September 2016 to March 2018. By using a blocked randomization scheme, participants were assigned to two groups. The experimental group was treated with HSLI, while the control group was treated with Milligan-Morgan haemorrhoidectomy. The primary outcome was the clinical effect evaluated at 12 weeks after operation. The secondary outcomes included the number of haemorrhoids treated during the operation, pain scores, use of analgesics, postoperative oedema, wound healing, incidence of anal stenosis, anorectal manometry after operation, as well as surgical duration, length of stay and total hospitalization expenses. A safety evaluation was also conducted.@*RESULTS@#In total, 246 eligible participants were enrolled, with 123 cases in each group. There was no significant difference in the clinical effect between the two groups (100.00% vs. 99.19%, P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the number of external haemorrhoids treated during the operation and the pain scores after operation were significantly reduced in the experimental group (P0.05). The surgical duration and length of stay in the experimental group were significantly longer than those in the control group, and the total hospitalization expense was significantly higher than that in the control group (all P<0.05). No adverse events were reported in either group during the whole trial or follow-up period.@*CONCLUSION@#HSLI had the advantages of preserving the skin of anal canal completely, alleviating postsurgical pain and promoting rapid recovery after operation. (Registration No. ChiCTR1900022883).
ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy Guilu Bugu prescription in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis （PMO） with deficiency of liver and kidney Yin based on syndrome differentiation and the effect on Th17/Treg cell factors. Method:One hundred and forty patients were randomly divided into observation group （70 cases） and control group （70 cases） by random number table. Both groups' patients got basic treatment of western medicine. Patients in control group got Jintiange capsules， 3 grains/time， 3 times/day. Patients in observation group got Guilu Bugu prescription， 1 dose/day. The treatment lasted for 6 months. And the 6-month follow-up was recorded. Before treatment， at the 6th month after treatment and at the 6th month of follow-up， bone density of lumbar vertebra L2-4 were detected by DXA， and Lumbar BMD were detected by QCT. Before treatment， at the 3rd and 6th month after treatment， deficiency of liver and kidney Yin and Chinese Osteoporosis-targeted quality of life questionnaire （COQOL） were scored. Before and after treatment， Estradiol （E2）， procollagen I amino terminal pro peptide （PINP）， osteoprotegerin （OPG）， collagen I cross linked C-terminal peptide （S-CTX）， tartrate resistant acid phosphatase （TRACP）， interleukin-17 （IL-17）， IL-22， IL-10， transforming growth factor-β1 （TGF-β1） were detected， and CD4+ cells， Th17 cells and Treg cells were calculated. And the safety was evaluated. Result:At the 6th month after treatment and the 6th month of follow-up， DXA （bone mineral density and T-value of lumbar L2-4） and QCT bone mineral density increased （P<0.01）， and the figures in observation group were all higher than those in control group （P<0.01）. At the 3rd and 6th month after treatment， scores of deficiency of liver and kidney Yin and quality of life were all lower than those in control group （P<0.01）. Levels of PINP， S-CTX， TRACP， Th17 cells， ratio of Th17 and Treg， IL-17 and IL-22 were all lower than those in control group （P<0.01）， and levels of OPG， E2， Treg， IL-10 and TGF-β1 were all higher than those in control group （P<0.01）.There was no adverse reaction related to Guilu Bugu prescription. Conclusion:Based on the supplementation of calcium and vitamin D， Guilu Bugu prescription can further improve the bone mineral density， raise the estrogen level， regulate the expressions of bone metabolism markers， Th17， Treg and relevant factors， reverse the imbalance of Th17/Treg， relieve the clinical symptoms and improve the quality of life， with a better efficacy than that of Jintange capsule and a high safety.
ABSTRACT
Abstract?AIM:To investigate the effective treatment methods of corneal injury caused by chestnut thorns and the factors affecting the disease progression.?METHODS: From Jul.2014 to Oct.2015, the clinical data of 15 patients(15 eyes) with corneal injury caused by chestnut thorns in Ophthalmology Inpatient Department of Wuhan Tongji Hospital was retrospective analyzed. The patients without fungal keratitis were treated with the surgery of removing chestnut thorn from cornea and antifungal drugs. For the patients complicated with fungal keratitis, besides surgery of removing chestnut thorn and antifungal drugs, anterior chamber irrigation and corneal stroma injection with fluconazole solution were given to treat the disease.If necessary, amniotic membrane transplantation or keratoplasty was also given to the patients complicated with fungal keratitis. After that, the effectiveness of those methods and the factors affecting progression were analyzed.?RESULTS:For 11 patients without fungal keratitis, the average time between corneal injury and receiving treatment at Tongji Hospital was 1-7 (2.42±2.15) d and for 4 patients complicated with fungal keratitis, the average time was 3-30 (18.25±4.35)d.Among 15 cases, statistics suggested that the average number of chestnut thorn in patients complicated with fungal keratitis was 4.5, and all the chestnut thorn penetrated the cornea into the anterior chamber.The average number of chestnut thorn in patients without fungal keratitis was 3.5, and the proportion of chestnut thorn penetrated the cornea into the anterior chamber was 28.5%.After treatment, all patients had no new fungal keratitis or other complications.Those results indicated that the different treatments for the patients with or without fungal keratitis were all effective.?CONCLUSION:The factors affecting the progression of cornea foreign body injury caused by chestnut thorn are the number of chestnut thorn, whether chestnut thorn penetrate the cornea into the anterior chamber, time since injury, active anti -fungal therapy. If patients complicated with fungal keratitis could be treated with antifungal agents and anterior chamber irrigation or corneal stroma injection using fluconazole solution without delay, the progress of fungal keratitis could be effectively controlled, and favorable conditions for further therapy such as amniotic membrane transplantation or keratoplasty could be provided.
ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the correlation of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)level with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)level and to re-evaluate the diagnostic value of GGT for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods Four hundred and seventy-two patients with HCC or liver cirrhosis,who were hospitalized in China-Japan Friendship Hospital from January 2003 to June 2009,were included in the study.The correlation between GGT and AFP was analyzed by Spearman nonparametric test.The cut-off values for the two parameters were determined based on their receiver operating characteristics (ROC)curves,areas under the ROC curve (AUCs),sensitivity,and specifici-ty,and the diagnostic values were presented using their sensitivity,specificity,and correct index.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 17.0.Normally distributed continuous data were analyzed by independent-samples t test,while non-normally distributed continuous data were analyzed by Mann -Whitney U test.Categorical data were analyzed by Pearson chi -square test,continuity-corrected chi -square test,or Fisher’s exact test.Results Among 472 patients,224 were diagnosed with HCC,and 248 with liver cirrhosis.Compared with cirrhotic patients,HCC patients had a significantly higher GGT level (113 (58-254)U/L vs 38 (22-72)U/L,Z=-11.037,P<0.001)and a significantly higher AFP level (429.5 (15.7-1210.0)ng/ml vs 5.7 (3.4-18.2)ng/ml,Z=-10.157,P<0.001).A significant correlation was found between GGT and AFP (r=0.449,P<0.001).The AUC was 0.784 for GGT and 0.788 for AFP.The cut-off value was 60 U/L for GGT and 20 ng/ml for AFP.The sensitivity was 74.1%for GGT,71.8%for AFP,and 90.7%for a combina-tion of the two parameters,the specificity was 70.2%,77.6%,and 58.7%,respectively,and the correct index was 0.443,0.494,and 0.494,respectively.Conclusion GGT may be regarded as one biomarker for HCC,and its level is significantly correlated with AFP level. The diagnostic value of AFP may not be improved when used in combination with GGT.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association of polymorphisms of STAT6 gene and air pollutants of PM(10), NO(2), and SO(2), with asthma in Chinese children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>418 subjects aged 14 years and under were recruited in a case-control study. The association between STAT6 polymorphisms and childhood asthma were tested by allele frequency, genotype analysis, and MDR analysis. Exposure to outdoor air pollutants was estimated by a 5-day moving average level. Statistical analyses were performed with SAS 9.1 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Only 3 alleles of GT repeats at exon 1 of STAT6 were found in Chinese children. C258T and T710C were 2 new SNPs of STAT6 at 3'-UTR. Children who carried T allele of C258T were more common in asthma children than in control subjects (P<0.05). The MDR analysis showed that GT repeats, C258T and T710C of STAT6 polymorphisms interacted together in leading to susceptibility to childhood asthma among Chinese people. After confounding factors were controlled, such as SNP C258T, family history of asthma, frequency of influenza within a year, the 5-day average of SO(2) was tested to be a key risk factor of asthma in Chinese children (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chinese children differed in polymorphisms of STAT6 and in its relation with childhood asthma.</p>
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Air Pollutants , Toxicity , Asian People , Genetics , Asthma , Epidemiology , Genetics , Case-Control Studies , China , Epidemiology , Dinucleotide Repeats , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , STAT6 Transcription Factor , Genetics , Sulfur Dioxide , ToxicityABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effect of acute retrograde gastric electrical stimulation (RGES) on gastric accommodation,emptying and gastrointestinal hormones releasing in obese patients. Methods Sixteen obese patients were examined. On the first day,a pair of mucosal gastric electrodes was placed under endoscope. The liquid meal load test and the standard solid meal gastric emptying test were carried out on the second day. RGES was performed starting at 30 minutes before each test and through the whole testing process. The serum leptin,ghrelin,resistin and peptide YY were examined before and after the standard solid meal gastric emptying test. On the third day,sham stimulation was given. The effect of acute RGES on related index was compared by self-control.Results BMI of the 16 patients was (32. 90±2. 99) kg/m2. Acute RGES significantly reduced the liquid meal volume of fullness [(460±148) ml and (630±219) ml,t=-7. 200,P＜0. 01] and the maximal tolerable meal volume [(699±215) ml and (926±295) ml,t=- 5. 390,P＜0. 01]. The effects of RGES and sham RGES on half-emptying time of standard solid meal was (109±26) min and (103±31) min (t=1. 009,P= 0. 329);on the retention rate of standard solid meal at one hour and two hour was (63. 37±9. 75)% and (59. 73±12.87)% (t=1. 834,P= 0. 087),(42.22±13.97)%and (38. 33±16. 87)% (t= 1.780,P= 0. 095),respectively. The ratio of gastrointestinal hormones after and before the stimulation also of the sham stimulation,leptin was 1. 03±0. 34 and 1. 08±0. 38(t=-0.386,P=0. 705),ghrelin was 0. 99±0. 11 and 0. 98±0. 12 (t= 0. 413,P=0.685),resistin was 1. 11±0. 25 and 0. 99±0. 24 (t= 1. 753,P= 0. 100),and peptide YY was 1. 56±0. 71 and 1. 33±0. 61 (t=1. 402,P= 0. 181). Conclusions In obese patients,acute RGES significantly reduce the liquid meal volume by lower gastric accommodation,to certain extent which will delay gastric emptying. There is no significant influence on gastrointestinal hormones releasing.
ABSTRACT
Objective To illustrate the evaluation effect of bivariate analysis of sensitivity and specificity meta-analysis model in diagnosis test to provide basis for selecting better evaluation method of diagnostic test.Methods Bivariate model was presented by reanalyzing the data from a published meta-analysis of two diagnostic techniques in diagnosis of schistosomiasis japonica.Results The bivariate model could directly provide summary estimates of(logit)sensitivity,specificity and DOR with corresponding 95% CI for two diagnostic tests(IHA and ELISA).Also,it could elicit any significant difference that existed among sensitivity,specificity and DOR between the two diagnostic methods,and incorporate any correlation that existed between sensitivity;specificity.Conclusion The bivariate model preserves the two dimensional nature of the original data,and separates effects of sensitivity and specificity,which is more rational than a net effect on diagnostic odds ratio scale as in SROC approach.The bivariate model is appropriate and agile,and can be used as an extension and improvement of the traditional SROC method.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the feasibility of resuscitation after selective cerebral ultra-deep hypothermia and blood flow occlusion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ten 4-10 year-old maca mulattas were divided into 3 groups: four-vessel occlusion group, two-vessel occlusion group and identical temperature perfusion group. MRI were examinated before and after operation, the vital signs and the hemodynamical parameters were observed during the experiment, neurological deficient evaluation was performed after operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In all of the ten monkeys, the hemodynamical parameters of two-vessel occulation were steady during the operation, and all of them lived after filling 60 minutes. MRI were normal after operation, and the function of neurological deficient scale was normal. The others of identical temperature perfusion group and four-vessel occlusion group were not resuscitation after filling 60 minutes and died.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Monkey could resuscitate from selective cerebral ultra-deep hypothermia and blood flow occlusion of bilateral common carotid artery in 60 minutes.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Brain Ischemia , Carotid Artery, Common , General Surgery , Disease Models, Animal , Extracorporeal Circulation , Methods , Hypothermia, Induced , Macaca mulatta , Reperfusion , Methods , Resuscitation , Vertebral Artery , General SurgeryABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of deep hypothermia on the neuronal ultrastructure and nervous system of monkey after selective cerebral profound hypothermia and blood flow occlusion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Brain-local extracorporeal circulation was established by right internal carotid artery deep hypothermic perfusion and homolateral external jugular vein backflow, brain blood flow was recovered from circulatory arrest 60 - 80 minutes late and monkey came back naturally.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In all 7 monkeys, 5 were succeeded in being build up the models except for 2 because of technic problems, and 4 of them lived up for ever. The function of nervous system grade, essential organ and neuronal ultrastructure were normal.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Selective cerebral profound hypothermia can increase the ability of brain to endure hypovolemia and hypoxidosis and prolong the time of blood flow occlusion.</p>