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This study aimed to evaluate the biological effect and mechanism of Vernonia anthelmintica Injection(VAI) on melanin accumulation. The in vivo depigmentation model was induced by propylthiouracil(PTU) in zebrafish, and the effect of VAI on melanin accumulation was evaluated based on the in vitro B16F10 cell model. The chemical composition of VAI was identified according to the high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Network pharmaco-logy was applied to predict potential targets and pathways of VAI. A "VAI component-target-pathway" network was established, and the pharmacodynamic molecules were screened out based on the topological characteristics of the network. The binding of active molecules to key targets was verified by molecular docking. The results showed that VAI promoted tyrosinase activity and melanin production in B16F10 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner and could restore the melanin in the body of the zebrafish model. Fifty-six compounds were identified from VAI, including flavonoids(15/56), terpenoids(10/56), phenolic acids(9/56), fatty acids(9/56), steroids(6/56), and others(7/56). Network pharmacological analysis screened four potential quality markers, including apigenin, chrysoeriol, syringaresinol, and butein, involving 61 targets and 65 pathways, and molecular docking verified their binding to TYR, NFE2L2, CASP3, MAPK1, MAPK8, and MAPK14. It was found that the mRNA expression of MITF, TYR, TYRP1, and DCT in B16F10 cells was promoted. By UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and network pharmacology, this study determined the material basis of VAI against vitiligo, screened apigenin, chrysoeriol, syringaresinol, and butein as the quality markers of VAI, and verified the efficacy and internal mechanism of melanogenesis, providing a basis for quality control and further clinical research.
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Animals , Vernonia/chemistry , Melanins/metabolism , Zebrafish/metabolism , Network Pharmacology , Molecular Docking Simulation , Apigenin/pharmacology , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology , Chromatography, High Pressure LiquidABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the feasibility of cardiac T 2 weighted dark blood sequence (T 2W-DB) based on artificial intelligence assisted compression-sensing(ACS) in clinical cardiac MR examination, compared with the conventional cardiac fast spin-echo T 2W-DB sequence. Methods:A total of 38 patients referred for cardiac MR examination in Tongji Hospital were enrolled prospectively from August to December 2021. The conventional T 2W-DB scan and the single-shot ACS T 2W-DB scan were acquired at continuous short-axial slices covering the whole left ventricle in all patients, and the acquisition time of each scan was recorded. The image quality of the two sequences was evaluated by the objective quantitative parameters and the subjective scoring methods, respectively. The signal to noise ratio (SNR), the contrast to noise ratio of the interventricular septum to blood pool (CNR), and the sharpness of the images were calculated. The subjective scoring was to evaluate the overall image quality, the effect of blood pool suppression, the visibility of right ventricular free wall, left ventricular free wall, and interventricular septum with a 5-point Likert scale. The intraclass correlation coefficient and Kendall W were calculated to evaluate the interobserver agreement of the objective quantitative parameters and subjective scoring. The paired t-test or Wilcoxon test was used to compare the difference in acquisition time, objective quantitative parameters and subjective scoring between the conventional T 2W-DB and the single-shot ACS T 2W-DB. Results:The inter-observer agreement between the single-shot ACS T 2W-DB and conventional T 2W-DB was good in all the objective quantitative parameters and subjective scoring of image quality ( P<0.05 for all). Compared with conventional T 2W-DB, acquisition time of single-shot ACS T 2W-DB was remarkably shortened [(85.8±14.7) s vs. (16.9±3.0) s, t=35.42, P<0.001]. Compared with SNR (66.4±29.0) and CNR(61.8±28.6) of conventional T 2W-DB, single-shot ACS T 2W-DB had significantly higher SNR(110.8±36.8, t=-8.13, P?0.001) and CNR(88.2±31.1, t=-5.89, P?0.001). Compared with conventional T 2W-DB, single-shot ACS T 2W-DB had better blood pool inhibition effect (4.6±0.6 vs. 4.7±0.5, Z=-2.64, P=0.008). There was no significant difference in overall image quality, visibility of right ventricular free wall, left ventricular free wall, and interventricular septum between the two sequences( P>0.05 for all). Conclusions:In cardiac MR examination, compared with the conventional T 2W-DB sequence, the single-shot ACS T 2W-DB sequence can significantly shorten the acquisition time and obtain better image quality.
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Post-COVID-19 condition in children refers to the presence of physical symptoms or syndromes lasting more than 12 weeks after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, which can be manifested as a combination of various signs and symptoms.Girls, school-aged, adolescents, and children with severe illness in the acute phase of COVID-19, with underlying allergic diseases and poor baseline physical and mental health are high-risk factors for post-COVID-19 condition in children.Pathogenesis may be related to viral persistence, autoimmunity, chronic inflammatory responses, chronic inflammation of vascular endothelial cells, and microthrombosis.A comprehensive treatment scheme including symptoms relieving treatment, rehabilitation, and psychological support.This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and management of the post-COVID-19 condition in children to improve clinicians′ comprehension of the disease.
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Objective:To investigate the mid-term clinical outcomes of selective column arthrodesis based on the three-column theory in the treatment of malunion of Lisfranc injury.Methods:The 28 patients with malunion of Lisfranc injury were analyzed retrospectively who had been treated by selective column arthrodesis at Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2011 to January 2020.They were 18 males and 10 females, with an average age of 37.2 years(from 18 to 65 years). Twelve left and 16 right sides were affected. According to Myerson's three-column classification, one case was medial column injury (type A), 4 ones middle column injury (type B), 7 ones medial plus middle columns injury and 16 ones three-column injury. Medial column arthrodesis was conducted in 7, middle column arthrodesis in 4 and medial plus middle columns arthrodesis in 17. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot score and visual analogue scale (VAS) were compared between preoperation and the last follow-up to evaluate the improvements in foot function and pain. The operation-related complications were recorded.Results:All patients were followed up for an average of 35.6 months (from 18 to 60 months). The AOFAS midfoot score increased from 43.1±4.1 at pre-operation to 84.1± 7.4 at the last follow-up and the VAS score decreased from 5.7±1.3 at pre-operation to 2.0±0.9 at the last follow-up (both P<0.001). The wounds healed in 28 patients, 3 of whom had postoperative wound exudation but responded to dressing change. There were no such complications as injury to the deep peroneal nerve or deep venous thrombosis. The internal fixation was removed in 5 patients at about one year after arthrodesis. Conclusion:Selective column arthrodesis based on the three-column theory can result in satisfactory med-term clinical outcomes in the treatment of malunion of Lisfranc injury.
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Herb pair， a common form of compounding in Chinese medicinal prescriptions， reflects the experience of pharmacists in clinical medication in the past. It is characterized by simple composition while has the basic characteristics of Chinese medicine compounding. The combination of two medicinal herbs can enhance effect or reduce toxicity. Coptidis Rhizoma （CR） has the effects of clearing heat， drying dampness， purging fire， and removing toxin. Euodiae Fructus （EF） is acrid， bitter， and hot-natured， which can not only warm the Yang Qi in spleen and stomach to dissipate cold and relieve pain， but also descend stomach Qi and prevent vomiting. Furthermore， it can warm the liver and kidney. CR and EF form a typical cold-heat herb pair， which oppose and yet also complement each other. Specifically， their cold and heat natures interact with each other to clear liver fire， harmonize stomach for descending adverse Qi， relieve depression， and dissipate mass. CR clears the intestine and stops dysentery， while EF warms the middle and promotes the circulation of Qi. The combination of them can thus clear heat， dry dampness， and relieve pain. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that CR-EF has not only significant efficacy against digestive system diseases but also good anti-cancer， anti-inflammatory， anti-ulcer， and lipid-lowering activities. Therefore， the article summarized the effect enhancement and toxicity reduction of the herb pair at the levels of cellular molecule， isolated organ， and whole animal， and clarified the mechanism of its pharmacological action. It will provide a theoretical basis for further development and clinical use of the herb pair.
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The potential quality markers(Q-markers) of Polygoni Perfoliati Herba were studied based on analytic hierarchy process(AHP)-entropy weight method(EWM), network pharmacology, and spectrum-effect relationship analysis. The AHP-EWM was used for quantitative identification of the Q-markers. To be specific, AHP was applied for the weight analysis of the validity, testability, and specificity of the first-level indexes, and EWM for the analysis of the second-level indexes supported by literature and experimental data. Based on literature and network pharmacology, the validity analysis was to study the component-target-disease-efficacy network, and select the components with the strongest correlation with the efficacy of clearing heat and removing toxin, diuresis and alleviating edema, and relieving cough. For the testability analysis, the high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) and literature research were used to determine the 10 components in Polygoni Perfoliati Herba, and the fingerprints of Polygoni Perfoliati Herba were established at the same time. The specificity analysis was based on the statistics of the number of plants in which the components existed. Thereby, the 11 compounds: quercetin, oleanolic acid, ellagic acid, gallic acid, kaempferol, rutin, esculetin, quercetin-3-O-glucuronide, ursolic acid, protocatechuic acid, and ferulic acid, were identified as potential Q-markers. The 11 compounds were identified to have high anti-inflammatory activity, indicating that the 11 Q-markers may be the functional material basis. The result in this study is expected to serve as a reference for the quality control of Polygoni Perfoliati Herba.
Subject(s)
Analytic Hierarchy Process , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology , Entropy , QuercetinABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the curative effect of suture anchor in the treatment of ankle joint fracture complicated with distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury.Methods:From January 2017 to August 2019, data of 65 patients with Weber C type ankle fracture combined with posterior malleolus fracture in our hospital who underwent surgical treatment were retrospectively analyzed and were divided into two groups according to the treatment method of injury: suture-anchor repair group (suture-anchor was used to repair the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament) and screw fixation group (cortical bone screw was used to fix the tibiofibular syndesmosis). Among them, 17 cases were treated with suture-anchors to repair the anterior inferior tibiafibular ligament, including 7 males, 10 females, 11 left and 6 right. In the Lauge-Hanson subgroup, there were 10 cases of pronation external rotation (PER), and 7 cases of pronation abduction (PA). The mean age was 43.76±15.83 years old. Forty-eight patients were treated with cortical screw fixation, including 33 males, 15 females, 34 left and 14 right. In the Lauge-Hanson subgroup, there were 30 cases of PER, and 18 cases of PA. The mean age was 39.90±13.57 years old. The differences in operation time, number of fluoroscopy, quality of reduction and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. The ankle joint function was compared at 16 weeks postoperatively and at the last follow-up. The ankle joint function score was based on the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score.Results:All the 65 patients were followed up and the average follow-up time of 65 cases was 16.88±4.46 months. All the fractures were clinically healed 12-16 weeks after operation. The operative time of screw fixation group was 123.71±41.36 min, and the number of fluoroscopy was 25.17±16.29 times, while the operative time of suture-anchor repair group was 99.94±24.16 min and the number of fluoroscopy was 16.26±10.58 times. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t=2.048, 2.175; P=0.045, 0.033). In the screw fixation group, the mean anterior and posterior distance of the tibiofibular syndesmosis was 3.15±1.35 mm, and 6.48±1.43 mm, respectively. In the suture-anchor repair group, the mean anterior distance of the syndesmosis was 2.06±1.47 mm, and the mean posterior distance of the syndesmosis was 6.76±1.78 mm. There was statistically significant difference in the distance of anterior distance of the syndesmosis ( t=3.328, P=0.002), while there was no statistically significant difference in the posterior distance of the syndesmosis ( t=0.701, P=0.486). The incidence of postoperative complications was 16.67% (8/48) in the screw fixation group and 5.88% (1/17) in the suture-anchor repair group, which was no statistically different ( χ2=1.282, P=0.258). The excellent and good rates of AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scores were 91.67% (44/48) in the screw fixation group and 88.24% (15/17) in the suture-anchor repair group at 16 weeks; 95.83% (46/48) in the screw fixation group and 94.12% (16/17) in the suture-anchor repair group at the last follow-up. There was no significant difference ( P >0.05). Conclusion:Compare with screw fixation in the treatment of acute distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury, suture-anchor repair of anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament is a safe and effective method. It can increase the anatomical reduction rate of anterior distance of the syndesmosis, and reduce the operation time without increasing the incidence of complications.
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Deamidation is one of the most common degradation impurities in protein and peptide drugs. The deamidation of glutamine and asparagine in the protein sequence can lead to changes in the chemical and biological properties of the protein. However, the rutine trypsin-based pretreatment process can significantly increase the artificial deamidation impurities during the digestion process, resulting in high determination level. In this study, after optimizing the conditions of Glu-C enzymatic hydrolysis, we obtained the best enzymatic conditions under acidic condition and the artificial deamidation impurities significantly reduced in digestion process, identified the deamidation site (N48). Through the methodological investigation and comparison of the measurement results of different methods, the specificity, reproducibility and accuracy of the method are verified. The method established in this research has laid a solid foundation for the accurate determination of deamidation impurities in cobratide and its similar protein peptide biochemical drugs.
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Objective:To investigate the value of chest CT quantitative index in clinical classification and lung injury severity evaluation of COVID-19.Methods:The current study retrospectively analyzed the clinical and CT data of 438 patients with COVID-19 between January 2020 and March 2020 in Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology. The clinical types included common type ( n=146), severe type ( n=247) and critical type ( n=45). The chest CT indexes of all patients were quantitatively analyzed by artificial intelligence (AI) deep learning, including whole lung volume, CT lung opacification, ground glass opacification volume (GGO volume; CT value<-300 HU), solid opacification volume (SO volume; CT value ≥-300 HU) and the ratio of volume to the whole lung volume, the ratio of SO volume to GGO volume (SO volume/GGO volume). Kruskal-Wallis test was used to conduct statistical analysis of the differences in quantitative parameters among clinical types, and multiple ordered logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between quantitative parameters and clinical types. Results:Among the 438 patients diagnosed with COVID-19, severe and critical patients were older ( P<0.05), and most of the critical patients were male ( P<0.05). The main clinical manifestations of all clinical types were fever, followed by cough, fatigue, chest tightness, dyspnea, gastrointestinal symptoms and so on. GGO volume was the main CT manifestation of all the three clinical subtypes. The whole-lung opacification volume, GGO volume, SO volume and their proportions in whole-lung volume significantly increased from common, severe to critical types (all P<0.05). SO volume/GGO volume increased with the severity of clinical type [common type 0.12 (0.03, 0.34), severe type 0.29 (0.11, 0.59), critical type 0.61 (0.39, 0.97)]. Multiple ordered logistic regression analysis showed that whole-lung opacification volume (OR=1.009), SO volume/GGO volume (OR=1.866), GGO volume (OR=1.008) and SO volume (OR=1.016) had a significant positive effect on the severity of clinical typing ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Quantitative indicators of chest CT based on deep learning algorithm (SO volume, GGO volume, SO volume/GGO volume) are closely related to the clinical severity of COVID-19.
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Objective:To investigate the effects of perioperative whole course thermal insulation strategy on extubation, recovery time, coagulation index and the incidence of complications in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery.Methods:A total of 121 patients who underwent thoracoscopic surgery who received treatment in Zhoushan Hospital from October 2016 to February 2018 were included in this study. Among them, 59 patients who underwent thoracoscopic surgery from October 2016 to February 2017 were included in the simple thermal insulation group, and 62 patients who underwent thoracoscopic surgery from October 2017 to February 2018 were included in the whole process thermal insulation group. Before and 24 hours and 72 hours after surgery, platelet count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time were compared between the two groups. Postoperative extubation time and recovery time were recorded. The incidence of shivering, restlessness and other complications was analyzed.Results:Postoperative extubation time and recovery time in the whole process thermal insulation group were significantly shorter than those in the simple thermal insulation group [(8.06 ± 4.60) min vs. (13.98 ± 7.22) min, (47.19 ± 12.97) min vs. (56.84 ± 17.49) min, t = 5.40, 3.47, both P < 0.05). At 24 and 72 hours after surgery, platelet count and activated partial prothrombin time in the whole process thermal insulation group were significantly shorter than those in the simple thermal insulation group [(12.55 ± 0.88) s vs. (13.11 ± 0.97) s, (27.44 ± 2.43) s vs. (29.03 ± 2.14) s, (11.42 ± 0.73) s vs. (11.87 ± 0.74) s, (27.44 ± 1.96) s vs. (28.80 ± 2.22) s, t = 3.32, 3.81, all P < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative shivering and restlessness in the whole process thermal insulation group was significantly lower than that in the simple insulation Group (7 cases vs. 27 cases, 5 cases vs. 22 cases, χ2 = 17.782, 14.894, 3.33, 3.57, all P < 0.05). Conclusion:Perioperative whole course thermal insulation strategy can shorten extubation and recovery time, inhibit perioperative coagulation dysfunction, and decrease the incidence of perioperative restlessness, shivering and other complications caused by hypothermia. The effect of perioperative whole course thermal insulation is superior to that of simple thermal insulation.
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Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of infantile laryngopharyngeal reflux diseases(LPRD) with cyanosis as the main manifestation, improve diagnosis of the disease and avoid missed diagnosis.Methods:Clinical data of children diagnosed with LPRD at Shenzhen Children′s Hospital from September 2015 to October 2018 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Cyanosis was the predominant symptom in all 5 cases.The course ranged from 3 days to 4 months.Laryngomalacia was observed in 4 cases.Two patients were treated with esophageal atresia, 1 with esophageal stenosis and 1 with severe tracheomalacia.All 5 cases had vocal cord and arytenoid mucosa edema.The Ryan index was 65.92-1 444.5 in the upright position and 3.73-431.44 in the supine position.Three cases were treated with erythromycin and ceftriaxone according to the etiology.Two cases were treated with motilium at the same time, and 3 cases were with omeprazole oral.One case was recovered after 8 weeks and the Ryan index became normal.Symptoms were alleviated in 3 patients after 4 weeks, drugs were stopped by parents.One case still had cyanosis during medication, the symptoms were significantly relieved after tracheal stent implantation.Conclusion:LPRD is closely related to children′s respiratory and digestive system diseases.LPRD should be taken into account when children show unexplained clinical symptoms of respiratory and digestive system, and laryngoscopy and DX-pH detection should be performed as soon as possible to avoid missed diagnosis.
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OBJECTIVE@#To determine the effects of Chinese medicine (CM) involving triple rehabilitation therapy on the progression of knee osteoarthritis (KOA).@*METHODS@#A total of 722 patients recruited from 38 community health service centers located in China from March 2013 to March 2017 were randomly divided into treatment and control groups equally, using a cluster randomization design. Health education combined with CM involving triple rehabilitation therapy for KOA (electro-acupuncture, Chinese medicinal herb fumigating-washing, and traditional exercises) was administered in the treatment group while conventional rehabilitation therapy (physical factor therapy, joint movement training, and muscle strength training) was administered in the control group. Patients with a visual analog scale (VAS) scores ≽4 were treated with dispersible meloxicam tablets (7.5 mg, once daily). The Lequesne index scores, VAS scores, range of motion (ROM), lower limb muscle strength, knee joint circumference, quantitative scores of KOA symptoms, and the short-form 36 item health survey questionnaire (SF-36) scores were measured for each patient at 5 checkpoints (before treatment, at the 2nd week and the 4th week during the 4-week treatment period, at 1 month and 3 months after end of treatment), and adverse reactions were observed also.@*RESULTS@#A total of 696 patients completed the entire process, with 351 in the treatment group and 345 in the control group. At all treatment checkpoints, the treatment group demonstrated better outcomes than the control group with regard to the total Lequesne index scores, effective rate and improvement rate of the total Lequesne index scores, VAS scores, lower limb muscle strength, knee circumference, quantitative scores of KOA symptoms, and SF-36 scores as well (P<0.05 or P<0.01). No adverse reactions were encountered in this study.@*CONCLUSIONS@#CM involving triple rehabilitation therapy can alleviate KOA-related pain and swelling, improve lower limb muscle strength, promote flexion and activity of the knee and improve the quality of life in patients undergoing KOA. It is suitable for patients with early or mid-stage KOA. (Registration No. ChiCTR-TRC-12002538).
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Humans , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Osteoarthritis, Knee/therapy , Outpatients , Quality of Life , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The potential quality markers( Q-markers) of Eupatorium lindleyanum were studied with analytic hierarchy process(AHP)-entropy weight method(EWM) and network pharmacological method. Based on the concept of Q-markers of traditional Chinese medicine, AHP-EWM was employed to quantitatively identify the Q-markers of E. lindleyanum. AHP method was applied to the weight analysis of the validity, testability, and specificity of the first-level indexes, and EWM method was used to analyze the secondlevel indexes supported by literature and experimental data. At the same time, based on the theory and method of network pharmacology, the component-target-disease-efficacy network of E. lindleyanum was built, and the components most closely related to the efficacy of resolving phlegm and relieving cough and asthma were screened out. Through the integrated analysis of the results obtained with AHP-EWM and network pharmacological method, 13 compounds including rutin, quercetin, nepetin, cirsiliol, luteolin, hyperoside,isoquercitrin, kaempferol, caffeic acid, eupalinolide K, eupalinolide A, eupalinolide B, and eupalinolide C were comprehensively identified as the potential Q-markers of E. lindleyanum. The results provide a basis for the quality control of E. lindleyanum.
Subject(s)
Analytic Hierarchy Process , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Entropy , Eupatorium , Network Pharmacology , RutinABSTRACT
Objective To investigate whether the progression of liver fibrosis affects endothelial function in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and to early identify the warning of cardiovascular diseases caused by endothelial dysfunction by liver fibrosis progression. Methods A total of 280 patients who attended the outpatient service or were hospitalized in Department of Liver Disease, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, from April 2019 to October 2020 were enrolled, and they were diagnosed with fatty liver disease by ultrasound and met the diagnostic criteria for NAFLD. General information and related serological markers were collected and recorded. FibroTouch technique was performed for the NAFLD patients diagnosed by ultrasound to record their fat attenuation parameter (FAP) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM), and according to LSM, the patients were divided into non-progressive fibrosis group (239 patients with LSM 0.05). Further analysis of the correlation of ET-1 and NO with each index showed that ET-1 was not correlated with age, NO, ALT, AST, GGT, total cholesterol, TG, HDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), FAP, and BMI ( r s =-0.017, 0.054, -0.067, -0.016, -0.031, 0.004, 0.051, -0.084, -0.030, 0.080, and 0.044, all P > 0.05), and NO was not correlated with age, ET-1, ALT, AST, GGT, total cholesterol, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, FAP, and BMI ( r s =0.004, 0.054, 0.011, 0.052, 0.004, -0.051, -0.052, -0.012, -0.076, -0.013, and -0.021, all P > 0.05). Conclusion This study shows that liver fibrosis progression in NAFLD has no impact on ET-1 and NO, suggesting that fibrosis progression may have no influence on endothelial function.
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Objective To investigate the changes in gastrointestinal hormones during the progression of liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and to provide a basis for digestive function impairment. Methods A prospective analysis was performed for 326 patients with NAFLD who attended the outpatient service and were hospitalized and treated in Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine from October 2018 to June 2020, and FibroTouch was used to measure liver stiffness measurement (LSM). According to the presence or absence of liver fibrosis, they were divided into non-liver fibrosis group (group A, 161 patients with LSM < 7.3 kPa) and liver fibrosis group (group B, 165 patients with LSM ≥7.3 kPa). According to the fibrosis degree, the patients were further divided into F0-1 group (LSM < 7.3 kPa), F2 group (7.3 kPa ≤LSM < 9.7 kPa), F2-3 group (9.7 kPa ≤LSM < 12.4 kPa), F3-4 group (12.4 kPa ≤LSM < 17.5 kPa), and F4 group (LSM ≥17.5 kPa). Related data were collected, including age, sex, liver function parameters, and gastrointestinal hormones. The independent samples t -test and the one-way analysis of variance were used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups, and the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test and the Kruskal-Wallis H test were used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups. A Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between LSM and liver function parameters. Results Comparison of liver function and gastrointestinal hormones showed that there were significant differences between groups A and B in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ( Z =-3.778, P < 0.001), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ( Z =-3.320, P =0.001), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) ( Z =-3.040, P =0.002), cholecystokinin (CCK) ( t =-2.944, P =0.003), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) ( Z =-2.317, P =0.020). There were significant differences in ALT ( χ 2 =23.113, P < 0.001), AST ( χ 2 =23.415, P < 0.001), ALP ( χ 2 =15.962, P =0.003), GGT ( χ 2 =20.172, P < 0.001), and CCK ( F =2.687, P =0.031) between the F0-1 group with 161 patients, the F2 group with 89 patients, the F2-3 group with 46 patients, the F3-4 group with 16 patients, and the F4 group with 14 patients. LSM was positively correlated with direct bilirubin, ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, and GGT ( r =0.128, 0.266, 0.225, 0.137, and 0.213, all P < 0.05). Conclusion Liver fibrosis progression in NAFLD can affect gallbladder contraction function and gastrointestinal function, and measurement of the serum levels of CCK and LPS has an important clinical value in the early diagnosis and treatment of digestive diseases related to gallbladder contraction function and gastrointe stinal function in NAFLD patients with liver fibrosis.
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Objective To investigate the changes in gastrointestinal hormones during the progression of liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and to provide a basis for digestive function impairment. Methods A prospective analysis was performed for 326 patients with NAFLD who attended the outpatient service and were hospitalized and treated in Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine from October 2018 to June 2020, and FibroTouch was used to measure liver stiffness measurement (LSM). According to the presence or absence of liver fibrosis, they were divided into non-liver fibrosis group (group A, 161 patients with LSM < 7.3 kPa) and liver fibrosis group (group B, 165 patients with LSM ≥7.3 kPa). According to the fibrosis degree, the patients were further divided into F0-1 group (LSM < 7.3 kPa), F2 group (7.3 kPa ≤LSM < 9.7 kPa), F2-3 group (9.7 kPa ≤LSM < 12.4 kPa), F3-4 group (12.4 kPa ≤LSM < 17.5 kPa), and F4 group (LSM ≥17.5 kPa). Related data were collected, including age, sex, liver function parameters, and gastrointestinal hormones. The independent samples t -test and the one-way analysis of variance were used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups, and the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test and the Kruskal-Wallis H test were used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups. A Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between LSM and liver function parameters. Results Comparison of liver function and gastrointestinal hormones showed that there were significant differences between groups A and B in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ( Z =-3.778, P < 0.001), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ( Z =-3.320, P =0.001), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) ( Z =-3.040, P =0.002), cholecystokinin (CCK) ( t =-2.944, P =0.003), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) ( Z =-2.317, P =0.020). There were significant differences in ALT ( χ 2 =23.113, P < 0.001), AST ( χ 2 =23.415, P < 0.001), ALP ( χ 2 =15.962, P =0.003), GGT ( χ 2 =20.172, P < 0.001), and CCK ( F =2.687, P =0.031) between the F0-1 group with 161 patients, the F2 group with 89 patients, the F2-3 group with 46 patients, the F3-4 group with 16 patients, and the F4 group with 14 patients. LSM was positively correlated with direct bilirubin, ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, and GGT ( r =0.128, 0.266, 0.225, 0.137, and 0.213, all P < 0.05). Conclusion Liver fibrosis progression in NAFLD can affect gallbladder contraction function and gastrointestinal function, and measurement of the serum levels of CCK and LPS has an important clinical value in the early diagnosis and treatment of digestive diseases related to gallbladder contraction function and gastrointe stinal function in NAFLD patients with liver fibrosis.
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Objective:To investigate the CT and clinical features of COVID-19.Methods:Chest CT and clinical data of 103 patients who were confirmed as COVID-19 in January 2020 were collected retrospectively. According to diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 (trial version 5), all the patients were classified into common( n=58), severe ( n=36) and critical ( n=9) types, and their clinical findings, laboratory examination and CT finding were analyzed. CT features included distribution, location, size, shape, edge, number and density of the lesion, percentage of pneumonia lesions of the whole lung and extra-pulmonary manifestations. The CT features among different clinical types were compared using χ 2 test or Fisher's exact probability. Comparisons of age, duration from onset to CT examination, and percentage of pneumonic lesions to total lung volume among different types were performed by using analysis of variance (normal distribution) or Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test (non-normal distribution). Results:In terms of clinical manifestations, the patients with critical COVID-19 were more common in elderly men, with a median age of 65 years. Fever was the first symptom in 49 (84%) of 58 common patients, and also the first symptom in both severe and critical COVID-19 patients. The incidence of coughing in severe (25/36, 69%) and critical (6/9, 67%) COVID-19 patients was higher than that in common patients (20/58, 34%). All critical patients had dyspnea. CT showed the common COVID-19 was located in bilateral lung (40/58, 71%)with multiple (40/58, 69%), ground glass (31/58, 52%) or mixed (25/58, 43%)opacities (56/58, 97%), while all the severe and critical COVID-19 were located in bilateral lung(100%) with multiple (34/36, 96%), patchy (33 /36, 92%), or mixed opacities (26/36, 72%) in severe patients, and with mixed opacities more than 3 cm in critical patients. As for the percentage of pneumonia focus in the whole lung volume, the common type (12.5%±6.1%) was significantly lower than the severe type (25.9%± 10.7%) and the critical type (47.2%±19.2%), with statistically significant differences( P< 0.001 and 0.002 respectively), and the severe type COVID-19 was also significantly lower than the critical type ( P= 0.032). Conclusions:CT and clinical features of different clinical types of COVID-19 pneumonia are different. Chest CT findings are characteristic, which can not only help the early diagnosis but also evaluate the clinical course and severity.
ABSTRACT
Soil salinity is a global major abiotic stress threatening crop productivity. In salty conditions, plants may suffer from osmotic, ionic, and oxidative stresses, resulting in inhibition of growth and development. To deal with these stresses, plants have developed a series of tolerance mechanisms, including osmotic adjustment through accumulating compatible solutes in the cytoplasm, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging through enhancing the activity of anti-oxidative enzymes, and Na+/K+ homeostasis regulation through controlling Na+ uptake and transportation. In this review, recent advances in studies of the mechanisms of salt tolerance in plants are described in relation to the ionome, transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome, and the main factor accounting for differences in salt tolerance among plant species or genotypes within a species is presented. We also discuss the application and roles of different breeding methodologies in developing salt-tolerant crop cultivars. In particular, we describe the advantages and perspectives of genome or gene editing in improving the salt tolerance of crops.
ABSTRACT
Soil salinity is a global major abiotic stress threatening crop productivity. In salty conditions, plants may suffer from osmotic, ionic, and oxidative stresses, resulting in inhibition of growth and development. To deal with these stresses, plants have developed a series of tolerance mechanisms, including osmotic adjustment through accumulating compatible solutes in the cytoplasm, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging through enhancing the activity of anti-oxidative enzymes, and Na/K homeostasis regulation through controlling Na uptake and transportation. In this review, recent advances in studies of the mechanisms of salt tolerance in plants are described in relation to the ionome, transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome, and the main factor accounting for differences in salt tolerance among plant species or genotypes within a species is presented. We also discuss the application and roles of different breeding methodologies in developing salt-tolerant crop cultivars. In particular, we describe the advantages and perspectives of genome or gene editing in improving the salt tolerance of crops.
ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the advantages, disadvantages, opportunities and challenges for schistosomiasis elimination in Laos, so as to propose the corresponding healthy policies and suggestions. Methods A SWOT analysis was performed to analyze the strength, weakness, opportunity and threat for the schistosomiasis elimination program in Laos, and the corresponding policy suggestions were proposed. Results The national schistosomiasis elimination program of Laos receives governmental emphases and great supports. A strategy based on mass drug administration was proposed and a sentinel site-bases surveillance system has been built for schistosomiasis elimination in Laos; however, there are several challenges for the national schistosomiasis elimination program in Laos, including insufficient financial supports, inadequate professional capability, weak schistosomiasis control awareness in community populations and difficulty in vector control. Conclusions Persistent governmental leadership, increasing financial supports, strengthening professional team building and improving schistosomiasis control awareness in community populations are required to facilitate the progress towards schistosomiasis elimination in Laos.