Assessment of Daytime and Nighttime Ground Level Ozone Pollution in Malaysian Urban Areas

@#Introduction: Ozone (O3 ) is a significant component of photochemical smog as a typical secondary which is formed via nitrogen oxide photochemical interactions with volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This research discerns the complex influence of meteorological parameters and air pollutants influencing O3 concentrations. Methods: Data were acquired from 1 January 2018 until 31 December 2020 that including ozone (O3 ), nitrogen oxide (NOx), nitric oxide (NO), sulphur dioxide (SO2 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), wind speed, solar radiation, temperature, and relative humidity (RH). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics in terms of line graphs. Results: The results demonstrate that the O3 concentration peaked around 14:00 hours and dropped at night (20:00 hours) owing to the lack of sunshine and redox processes. Conclusion: In conclusion, ozone precursors played an important role in ozone formation and the findings of this research are valuable for policymakers and other interested parties

Megacariopoyesis humana in vitro: determinación de la concentración óptima de trombopoyetina / In vitro human megacaryocytopoiesis: determination of thrombopoietin optimal concentration / Megacariópoiesis humana in vitro: determinação da concentração ótima da trombopoietina

El estudio de la megacariopoyesis humana se ha visto obstaculizado por la relativa escasez de megacariocitos en la médula ósea (0,05-0,2 % de las células medulares), lo que ha llevado a la optimización de protocolos de expansión in vitro a partir de precursores de diversos orígenes (cordón umbilical, médula ósea y sangre periférica con o sin movilización previa). Los cultivos celulares a partir de precursores han permitido la producción y el estudio tanto de megacariocitos así como de proplaquetas y plaquetas Sin embargo, la producción in vitro óptima de megacariocitos que culminen todos los estadios de diferenciación es un reto aún no resuelto. En este trabajo reportamos los hallazgos concernientes a la determinación de las condiciones y concentraciones de trombopoyetina para lograr una óptima relación entre la cantidad de trombopoyetina empleada y el porcentaje y grado de diferenciación megacariocítica en muestras obtenidas de cinco donantes alogénicos aceptados para trasplante de médula ósea.

The study of human megakaryocytopoiesis has been hampered by the relative scarcity of megakaryocytes in bone marrow (0.05-0.2 % of medullary cells), which has led to the optimization of protocols of in vitro expansion of precursors from diverse sources (umbilical cord, bone marrow and peripheral blood with or without previous mobilization). Cell cultures from different precursors have allowed the production and study of megakaryocytes as well as proplatelets and platelets. However, the in vitro production of megakaryocytes that culminate all stages of differentiation is a challenge that has not yet been resolved. In this work we report the findings related to the determination of thrombopoietin treatment conditions and concentrations to achieve an optimal relationship between the amount of thrombopoietin and the percentage and degree of megakaryocytic differentiation in five allogeneic donors that were accepted for bone marrow transplantation.

O estudo da megacariopoiese humana tem sido dificultado pela relativa escassez de megacariócitos na medula óssea (0,05-0,2 % das células medulares), o que levou à otimização dos protocolos de expansão in vitro a partir de precursores de diversas origens (cordão umbilical, medula óssea e sangue periférico com ou sem mobilização prévia). Culturas de células a partir de precursores permitiram a produção e o estudo tanto de megacariócitos e de proplaquetas e plaquetas. No entanto, a produção ótima in vitro de megacariócitos que culminam em todas as fases de diferenciação é um desafio ainda não resolvido. Neste trabalho, relatamos as descobertas relativas à determinação das condições e concentrações de trombopoietina para obter uma relação ótima entre a quantidade de trombopoietina usada e a taxa e o grau de diferenciação megacariocítica em amostras obtidas de cinco doadores alogênicos aceitos para transplante de medula óssea.

Validation study of a prostate health index-based nomogram model for predicting prostate cancer / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective@#To validate a nomogram model based on prostate health index (PHI) for predicting prostate cancer (PCa). @*Methods@#The pre-operation serum and clinical data were collected for suspected PCa patients (aged 34 to 90 years), who visited Peking University First Hospital from August 2015 to May 2017 and received transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. A total of 391 suspected PCa with total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA)>4 ng/ml were selected into this study, including 235 cases with tPSA level of 4-10 ng/ml and 156 cases with tPSA>10 ng/ml. The p2PSA was tested in all cases and then PHI was calculated. The biopsy results were considered as the gold standard to diagnose PCa. The nomogram model established in Shanghai based on PHI, age and prostate volume was validated in all cases enrolled in this study. Receiver operator curves (ROC) were used to assess the ability of nomogram model to predict PCa. @*Results@#Of 391 male patients included in this study, 175(44.8%)were finally diagnosed as PCa. ROC curves indicated that, the area under the curve (AUC) of the nomogram model for predicting PCa among 391 cases was higher than that of the traditional indicator tPSA (AUC: 0.786 vs 0.578, P<0.000 1). And f/t(AUC: 0.786 vs 0.672, P=0.000 2). For those people with tPSA level of 4-10 ng/ml, the AUC of the nomogram model was also higher than that of tPSA (AUC: 0.720 vs 0.513, P=0.000 3) and f/t(AUC: 0.720 vs 0.626, P=0.042 5). @*Conclusion@#The nomogram model based prostate health index (PHI) was validated to have a good auxiliary diagnostic value for PCa in our center.(Chin J Lab Med, 2018, 41: 536-540)

Tau protein expression and possible reasons in Beagle dog model of chronic ischemic cerebral white matter dysmyelination / 重庆医学

Objective To explore the expression level and possible reasons of Tau protein in Beagle dog model of ischemic cerebral white matter(WM) demylination.Methods Sixteen adult Beagle dogs were divided into the sham operation group(A) and observation group B,C and D according to the completely random mumber table method,4 cases in each group.Different.degrees of cerebral ischemia animal models were established by 4-vessel occlusion(4-VO) method.The bilateral ventricle edge white matter (WM) was selected.The oligodendrocyte precursors(OPCs) were labeled by NG2.The mature oligodendrocytes(Ols) were labeled by CNPase.Tau,NG2 and CNPase were detected by using the immunohistochemical method.The expression level was quantified by the mean optical value.The correlation among Tau,NG2 and CNGase was analyzed by adopting the Pearson linear correlation analysis.Results The HE staining showed obvious changes of WM demylination after chronic cerebral ischemic.The scores after LFB staining in the group A,B,C and D were(0.75 ± 0.71) points,(1.38 ± 0.06) points,(1.63 ± 0.52) points and (1.88 ± 0.64)points.Compared with the group A,the scores in the group B,C and D were much higher(P＜0.05).Compared with the group A,the expression levels of Tau protein and NG2 were significantly increased(P＜0.05),while the CNPase expression level was significantly decreased(P＜0.05).The Pearson correlation analysis showed that Tau expression level was positively correlated with the NG2 expression level(r=0.277,P=0.006);Tau and NG2 were negatively correlated with the CNPase level(r=-0.303,-0.402,P=0.003,0.001).Conclusion The increase of Tau expression in Beagle dog model of ischemic cerebral WM demylination may be related to the differentiation dysmaturity of OPCs.

Rejuvenating Aged Hematopoietic Stem Cells Through Improvement of Mitochondrial Function

Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell as well as the primary site of hematopoiesis, which also occurs in the cytoplasm. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are characterized by a very high turnover rate, and are thus considered to be relatively free from the age-related insults generated by mitochondria. However, HSCs are also subject to these age-related insults, including the incidence of myeloid proliferative diseases, marrow failure, hematopoietic neoplasms, and deterioration of the adaptive human immune system. Recently, NAD⁺ dietary supplements, known as niacin or vitamin B₃, including tryptophan, nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, and the newly identified NAD⁺ precursor nicotinamide riboside, have been shown to play a role in restoring adult stem cell function through the amelioration of mitochondrial dysfunction. This insight motivated a study that focused on reversing aging-related cellular dysfunction in adult mouse muscle stem cells by supplementing their diet with nicotinamide riboside. The remedial effect of nicotinamide riboside enhanced mitochondrial function in these muscle stem cells in a SIRT1-dependent manner, affecting cellular respiration, membrane potential, and production of ATP. Accordingly, numerous studies have demonstrated that sirtuins, under nuclear/mitochondrial control, have age-specific effects in determining HSC phenotypes. Based on the evidence accumulated thus far, we propose a clinical intervention for the restoration of aged HSC function by improving mitochondrial function through NAD⁺ precursor supplementation.

Volatile compounds in meat and meat products

Abstract Meaty flavor is composed of a few hundreds of volatile compounds, only minor part of which are responsible for the characteristic odor. It is developed as a result of multi-directional reactions proceeding between non-volatile precursors contained in raw meat under the influence of temperature. The volatile compounds are generated upon: Maillard reactions, lipid oxidation, interactions between Maillard reaction products and lipid oxidation products as well as upon thiamine degradation. The developed flavor is determined by many factors associated with: raw material (breed, sex, diet and age of animal, conditions and process of slaughter, duration and conditions of meat storage, type of muscle), additives applied and the course of the technological process. The objective of this review article is to draw attention to the issue of volatile compounds characteristic for meat products and factors that affect their synthesis.

Factores de riesgo y precursores del deterioro cognitivo leve (DCL): una mirada sinóptica / Anticipatory signs and risk factors for mild cognitive impairment (MCI): a synoptic view

Este artículo presenta una breve reseña sobre el Deterioro cognitivo leve en adultos mayores, considerando los principales precursores que anuncian, y los factores de riesgo que aceleran los procesos de envejecimiento cognitivo, los cuales aumentan la probabilidad de recibir un diagnóstico de DCL. A su vez, la presencia de DCL aumenta el riesgo y eventual tránsito hacia la demencia, especialmente la demencia de tipo Alzheimer por otra parte, en el artículo se describen las diferentes modalidades de presentación del deterioro cognitivo, revisando también el DCL asociado a la sintomatología depresiva, a la enfermedad de Parkinson y otras enfermedades degenerativas del SNC. La presente revisión, permite dar cuenta de hallazgos recientes y relevantes con relación a la disfunción cognitiva en adultos mayores, quienes representan una proporción cada vez mayor de la población nacional y mundial.

This article presents a brief overview of mild cognitive impairment in older adults, considering its main anticipating precursors, and the risk factors that may accelerate the processes of cognitive aging, which increases the likelihood of being diagnosed with MCI. In turn, the presence of MCL increases the risk and eventual transition to dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s dementia. Moreover, the article describes the different forms cognitive impairment may present itself, and also reviews MCI associated with depressive symptoms, Parkinson’s disease and other degenerative diseases of the CNS. This revision accounts for recent and relevant findings regarding cognitive dysfunction in the elderly, who represent a growing share of national and global populations.

Association of BCL11A genetic variant (rs11886868) with severity in β-thalassaemia major & sickle cell anaemia.

Background & objectives: The amount of foetal haemoglobin that persists in adulthood affects the clinical severity of haemoglobinopathies including β-thalassaemia major and sickle cell anaemia (SCA). The present study was undertaken to analyse β-thalassaemia as well as SCA patients for the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs11886868 (T/C) in BCL11A gene and to evaluate the association between this polymorphism and severity of β-thalassaemia major and SCA. Methods: A total of 620 samples (420 β-thalassaemia major and 200 SCA cases) were analysed before blood transfusion using basic screening tests like complete blood analysis and osmotic fragility and further confirmed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) and reverse dot blot techniques. All patients were transfusion dependent. Patients with β-thalassaemia and SCA were classified into mild, moderate, severe according to the severity score based on Hb levels, age of onset, age at which patients received their first blood transfusion, the degree of growth retardation and splenectomy. β-thalassaemia as well as SCA patients were analysed for the SNP, rs11886868 (T/C) in BCL11A gene and association between this polymorphism and severity of β-thalassaemia major as well as SCA was evaluated. Results: There was a significant difference in genotypic and allelic frequencies of BCL11A gene polymorphism between mild and moderate and mild and severe cases in both the groups. A significant (P<0.001) difference was observed in the mean HbF levels between the three genotypes in different severity groups. HbF levels were found to be high in CC genotype bearing individuals followed by TC and TT in β-thalassaemia major as well as SCA. Interpretation & conclusions: This study confirms that the T/C variant (rs11886868) of the BCL11A gene causing downregulation of BCL11A gene expression in adult erythroid precursors results in the induction of HbF and ameliorates the severity of β-thalassaemia as well as SCA.

Clinical research of interleukin-34 in psoriatic arthritis patients / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between interleukin (IL)-34 and bone erosions in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients.Methods Forty PsA patients,20 psoriasis (Ps) patients and 20 healthy volunteers were recruited into this study.The levels of IL-34 and osteoclast related cytokines [including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α,receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL),osteoclast precursors (OPG)] were detected in the serum samples of all subjects.The correlations among IL-34,the number of osteoclast precursors (OCP),disease activity and imaging scores were analyzed.All data were analyzed by graphpad prism 6.Differences between groups was analyzed with One-way analysis of variance,q tests,and Spearman's correlation was used to explore the relation between disease activity/radiographic scores and laboratory results and followed by linear regressions.Results The serum level of IL-34 in patients with PsA [(328±476) pg/ml] was higher than that in Ps [(33±52) pg/ml,q =3.92,P＜0.01] and healthy controls [(32±32) pg/ml,q =3.93,P＜0.01],the erosive PsA group were higher than the non-erosive PsA group [(449±527) pg/ml and (47±24) pg/ml,q=4.04,P＜0.01].The levels of TNF-α,RANKL and OCP in patients with PsA [(125±79) pg/ml,(488± 475) pg/ml and (17.7±4.8) 5 sigh views] were higher than those in PS [(40±22) pg/ml,(26±3) pg/ml and (5.2± 0.8),q=7.32,6.14 and 2.94,P＜0.01] and healthy controls [(41±19) pg/ml,(65±8) pg/ml and (6.2±1.8),q=6.67,5.62 and 2.71,P＜0.01],whereas the OPG/RANKL ratio in PsA patients (0.5±0.4) was significantly lower than Ps patients (4.3±2.7,q=-3.30,P＜0.01) and healthy controls (1.8±0.6,q=-1.72,P＜0.01).IL-34,TNF-α and RANKL levels were all positively correlated with OCP (r=0.10,P＜0.05;r=0.12,P＜0.05;r=0.13,P＜0.(5,respectively).Conclusion The level of IL-34 is not only high in patients with PsA but also positively correlates with the number of OCP.In PsA,IL-34 is probably related to the OCP and osteoclast differentiation,and further participates in the process of bone destruction.Therefore,IL-34 is promising to become a new target or alternative choice for the treatment of PsA.

Rapid Screening and Confirmation of Perfluorinated Compounds and Their Precursors in Fish Muscle by Solid Phase Extraction Purification and Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Quadrupole/Exactive Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry / 分析化学

A method was developed for the rapud screenung and confurmatuon of 18 perfluorunated compounds ( PFCs) and 21 precursors un fush muscle by solud phase extractuon and luquud chromatography coupled wuth quadrupole/exactuve orbutrap mass spectrometry (LC-Q Exactuve Orbutrap MS). In thus method, the sample was furstly extracted wuth acetonutrule-water (90∶10, V/V), cleaned-up by solud-phase extractuon usung Oasus PRuME HLB column. Then, 39 target compounds were separated on a BEH C18(2. 1 mm×100 mm, 1. 7 μm) column, and the background unterference caused by LC system was elumunated by a short C18 HPLC column located between the muxer and the auto sampler. In the process of quantufucatuon and qualufucatuon, a full MS/dd-MS2 experument was adopted un mass spectrometry acquusutuon, accompanued wuth the full scan MS date for quantufucatuon, as well as the date dependent MS2 product uon spectra for qualufucatuon. The mass accuracy error was less than 3×10-6, and the calubratuon curves were lunear well wuth correlatuon coeffucuent over 0. 99. The lumuts of detectuon ranged from 0. 02 to 0. 50 μg/kg. The average spuked recoverues for 39 target compounds were between 61 . 7% and 122 . 0%, wuth relatuve standard deruvatuons ( RSDs ) from 6 . 9% to 18 . 8%. The developed method was successfully applued to the sumultaneous determunatuon of 18 PFCs and 21 precursors un fush muscle wuth satusfactory results.

Juan Cham-Bom-Bian: recorrido del "médico chino"desde la Habana hacia Cárdenas. Breves apuntes históricos / Juan Cham-Bom-Bian: itinerary of the"chinese doctor" from the Havana to ward Cárdenas. Brief historical notes

Los orígenes de la medicina tradicional china en Cuba datan de la época colonial, cuyas técnicasfueronintroducidas a través de los inmigrantes chinos. Es muy frecuentelautilización, tanto en el argot popular como médico,delrefrán: "A ese no lo cura ni el médico chino".El origen de esta frase es real, y proviene del poco conocido JuanCham-Bom-Bian. La mayor parte de su estancia en Cuba ocurrió entre la sciudades de La Habana y Cárdenas; enesta última ocurrió su misteriosa muerte. El objetivo de esta investigación histórica es realizar una breve reseña de la vida y obra del enigmático Juan Cham-Bom-Bian: "e lmédico chino" de Cuba. La búsqueda y recopilación de información se realizó a partir de diversas fuentes en artículos de revistas y libros de historia de los siglos XIX yXX, disponibles en el archivo histórico municipal de Cárdenas. La existencia de este singular personaje continúa siendo una incógnita para los historiadores de nuestro tiempo. JuanCham-Bom-Bian constituye uno de los primeros precursores de la medicina tradicional china enCuba.

The origins of the Chinese traditional medicine in Cuba date from the colonial time whose techniques were introduced throughtheChinese immigrants. It is very frequent the use so much in the popular jargonas doctor of the proverb: "to that it doesn't save him neither the Chinese doctor". The origin of this sentence is real, and Cham-Bom-Biáncomes from the not very well-known Juan. Most of their stayin Cuba happened between the cities of Havana and Cárdenas; in Cardenas City happened their mysterious death. The objective of the present historica larticle is tocarry out a brief review of the life and work of the enigmatic JuanCham-Bom-Bián: "the Chinese doctor" of Cuba. The search and summary of information was carried out starting from diverse sourcesof information: articles of magazines and books of history of the available XIX and XX centuries in municipal historical file of Cárdenas City. Their existence continues being a secret for the historians of our time. JuanCham-Bom-Bián was one of the first precursors of the Chinese traditional medicine in Cuba.

Dos clássicos na literatura aos clássicos na sociologia e na sociologia médica/saúde / From classic literature to the classics in sociology and medical sociology / health

Neste trabalho, revisitamos a noção de clássicos a partir da literatura, retomamos o tema no campo da sociologia e estendemos esta ideia para a sociologia médica/saúde. Analisamos algumas das noções desenvolvidas por diversos autores - Gellius, Sainte-Beuve, Twain, T. S Elliot, Borges, Calvino, Merton, Schwartzman, Baehr - e discutimos a possibilidade da aplicação dessa noção em campos mais recentes, como o da sociologia médica/saúde/doença. Apontamos a coexistência, na atualidade, de noções de "clássicos" na tradição do século XVII (os "escolhidos", "modelos de ensino", "modelos de linguagem") às noções de modelos eternos e universais (século XIX) e à de "autoridade" (século XX). Ressaltamos o caráter de reelaboração e de aplicação do "clássico" a uma nova situação. Nesse sentido, entendemos sua extensão ao campo da sociologia da saúde.

In this paper, we revisit the notion of classics from the literature, we return to the topic in the field of sociology and extend this idea to the medical / health sociology. We have analyzed some of the concepts developed by several authors - Gellius, Sainte-Beuve, Twain, T. S Elliot, Borges, Calvino, Merton, Schwartzman, Baehr - and discussed the possibility of applying this notion in more recent fields, such as medical sociology / health / disease. We've pointed out the coexistence, nowadays, of notions of "classic" in the tradition of the 17th century (the "chosen", "teaching models", "language models") to notions of eternal and universal models (19th century) and of "authority" (20th century). We emphasize the character of redesigning and implementing the "classic" to a new situation. In this sense, we understand its extension to the field of sociology of health.

Hepatitis B virus preS2 activates human acyl protein thioesterase 1 promoter / 重庆医学

Objective To investigate the trans‐regulative effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) preS2 on the promoter of human acyl protein thioesterase 1 (APT1) gene .Methods The promoter sequence of human APT1 gene was identified applying the soft‐ware of bioinformatics .The APT1 promoter and HBV preS2 gene were amplified with PCR and cloned into pGL3 and pcDNA3 .1 (-) plasmids to construct the luciferase reporter gene plasmid of human APT1 gene promoter pGL3‐APT1 and the preS2 eukary‐otic expression plasmid pcDNA3 .1(-)‐preS2 ,respectively .The effect of the preS2 on the human APT1 gene promoter was exam‐ined by cotransfecting hepatocellular carcinoma cell HepG2 with pGL3‐APT1 and pcDNA3 .1(-)‐preS2 and measuring luciferase activities of the HepG2 cells .The statistical data were analyzed with independent‐samples t test .Results Both plasmids of pGL3‐APT1 and pcDNA3 .1(-)‐preS2 were confirmed by DNA sequencing to be accurately constructed as design .The luciferase activity of the pGL3‐APT1 was 1 .2 times (P<0 .01) that of the positive control plasmid pGL3‐Control .And the luciferase activity of the HepG2 cells cotransfected with pcDNA3 .1(-)‐preS2 and pGL3‐APT1 was 2 .6 times (P<0 .01) that of the HepG2 cells cotrans‐fected with the plasmid without preS2 gene pcDNA3 .1(-) and pGL3‐APT1 .Conclusion The human APT1 promoter cloned in the study has high promoter activity ;HBV preS2 activates human APT1 promoter .

Progress in the relation between cleavage and polyadenylation specific factor and tumor / 国际外科学杂志

For human solid tumors,the preferred treatment is surgery.However most patients with clinical diagnosis of tumor is already in advanced,and lost the chance of operation.Cleavage and polyadenylation specific factor is involved in mRNA 3' end cleavage and polyadenine (A) tail,and plays an important role in mRNA maturation and intracellular singal transduction.Under certain conditions,cleavage and polyademletion specific factor can lead to abnormal activation of cancer genes,and then cause tumors.Progress in the relation between cleavage and polyademletion specific factor and tumor was reviewed in the paper.

The clinical value of serum PIVKA-Ⅱ and AFP detection for hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective To discuss the clinical value of Protein induced by Vitamin K Antagonist-Ⅱ (PIVKA-Ⅱ) and alpha-Fetoproteins (AFP) in diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and monitoring the treatment effects.Methods Patients were recruited by the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University,from August 2013 to March 2014.Serum levels of PIVKA-Ⅱ and AFP were measured by both chemiluminescence assay (CLIA) and electrochemiluminescence assay (ECLA) in patients with HCC (n =148),intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma (n =37),gastric cancer and colorectal cancer (n =44),cirrhosis (n =63),chronic hepatitis B (n =38) and healthy subjects (n =57).To analyze the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC-AUC) and to compare the sensitivity and specificity of single PIVKA-Ⅱ or AFP assay,and the combined detection.To analyze the correlation of PIVKA-Ⅱ and both tumor size and TNM staging,so do AFP,respectively.To compare the serum level changes of the two indicators in HCC patients before and after treatment.Results The serum levels of both PIVKA-Ⅱ and AFP in HCC group were higher than that in intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma,gastric cancer and colorectal cancer,cirrhosis,chronic hepatitis B and healthy subjects groups (PIVKA-Ⅱ:U =866.50,424.00,958.00,292.00 and 448.00 ; AFP:U=713.00,440.50,1 182.00,614.00 and 399.00,P ＜0.001).The ROC-AUCs of the single PIVKA-Ⅱ or AFP assay and the combined detection in HCC group were not statistically different (P ＞ 0.05).The sensitivity of PIVKA-Ⅱ (87.16％) was higher than that of AFP (68.92％,x2 =4.73,P ＜ 0.05) in diagnosing HCC ; the sensitivity of the combined detection of PIVKA-Ⅱ and AFP(93.24％) was higher than that of PIVKA-Ⅱ itself (87.16％,adjusted x2 =64.70,P ＜ 0.01) ;while the specificities among them did not show statistical significance (P ＞ 0.05).Tested by Spearman rank correlation,the serum levels of PIVKA-Ⅱ and AFP were both positively related to tumor size (r =0.716,0.475 respectively,P ＜ 0.001).The serum levels of PIVKA-Ⅱ and AFP in HCC patients increased gradually correlated with tumor size (H =72.70,37.02 respectively,P ＜ 0.001) and the positive rates of PIVKA-Ⅱ and AFP were gradually improved (x2 =26.74,21.62 respectively,P ＜ 0.01),too.Based on the International TNM Staging System,the serum levels of PIVKA-Ⅱ and AFP (H =46.63,21.38 respectively,P ＜0.001) and the positive rates of PIVKA-Ⅱ and AFP (PIVKA-Ⅱ:x2 =20.40,P ＜0.01 ;AFP:x2 =8.33,P ＜0.05) in HCC patients from Ⅰ-Ⅳ stages were increased as TNM stages elevated.The serum levels of PIVKA-Ⅱ and AFP in HCC patients were both dropped sharply compared with preoperative levels (Z =-4.59,-4.22 respectively,P ＜ 0.001) and also both dropped in each of the Ⅰ-Ⅳ TNM stages (PIVKA-Ⅱ:Z =-2.85、-2.98、-2.70 respectively,P ＜ 0.05 ; AFP:Z =-2.48、-3.82、-2.50 respectively,P ＜ 0.05) compared with serum levels before treatment.Conclusion PIVKA-Ⅱ and AFP both have high clinical application values in diagnosing HCC and monitoring treatment effects.The sensitivity of PIVKA-Ⅱ in diagnosing HCC is significantly higher than AFP,and the sensitivity can be elevated by the combined detection in diagnosing HCC without reducing the specificity.

Effects of rizatriptan on calcitonin gene-related peptide, proenkephalin and cholecystokinin mRNA expressions in the trigeminal ganglia of a rat migraine model / 中华神经科杂志

Objective This study assesses the influence of rizatriptan on calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP),proenkephalin (PENK) and cholecystokinin (CCK) mRNA expressions in the trigeminal ganglia of a rat migraine model and investigates the possible mechanisms by which triptans treat migraine.Methods A total of 24 rats were randomly divided into four groups:normal control group (A),migraine model group(B),rizatriptan control group (C) and rizatriptan treatment group(D).Groups C and D were intragastrically perfused with rizatriptan,1 mg/kg per day.After 7 days,nitroglycerin was subcutaneously injected into the buttocks of the groups B and D to induce migraine.Two hours after nitroglycerin injection,the trigeminal ganglia was isolated.CGRP,PENK and CCK mRNA expressions in the trigeminal ganglia were determined using SYBR Green Ⅰ real-time quantitative PCR.Results The copy number of CGRP mRNA (× 107) in 200 ng total RNA of each group was 0.05 ±0.01,1.30 ±0.52,0.23 ±0.12,0.43 ±0.33 ; The copy number of PENK mRNA (× 103) in 200 ng total RNA of each group was 3.30 ± 1.65,0.34 ±0.14,3.91 ± 2.44,0.71 ± 0.13.The copy number of CGRP mRNA in the trigeminal ganglia of group B was significantly higher than that of group A (q =7.854,P ＜ 0.05) ; CGRP mRNA expressions were significantly lower in the trigeminal ganglia of rats in group D compared with group B (q =5.458,P ＜0.05).Compared with group A,PENK mRNA expressions in the trigeminal ganglia of rats were significantly lower in group B (q =4.478,P ＜ 0.05).PENK mRNA expressions were significantly higher in trigeminal ganglia of rats in group C compared with group D (q =4.838,P ＜ 0.05).CCK mRNA expression in trigeminal ganglia of rats was similar among groups.Conelusions Rizatriptan can decrease the expressions of CGRP in the trigeminal ganglia of the migraine rats and exhibits neurogenic inflammation triggered by CGRP.PENK expressions decrease in the trigeminal ganglia of the migraine rats,weaken the analgesic effects of enkephalin.

Diagnostic value of procalcitonin in patients with infection complicated by heart failure / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of procalcitonin (PCT) in patients with infection complicated by heart failure.Methods A total 2454 patients,which with simple heart failure,simple bacterial infection and bacterial infection complicated with heart failure,from Sun Yat-sen University affiliated zhongshan hospital were enrolled in this case-control study.244 heathly controls were aslo evaluated at the same time.The serum PCT levels in different groups were analyzed by Cobas E601.ROC curve was employed to compare the diagnostic values of PCT between simple heart failure group and infection complicated with heart failure group,and the cutoff value of PCT testing for infection complicated by different grades heart failure was determined.The difference between test groups was analyzed using Kruskal-Walis H method.Results PCT levels in simple heart failure group (3.46 ± 3.07) were significantly higher than those in control group (0.04 ± 0.03) (t =4.262,P ＜ 0.01).Besides,PCT levels in infection complicated by heart failure group(18.18 ± 10.33)were significantly higher than those in simple infection group(8.97 ± 6.20) (t =2.694,P ＜ 0.01).Although PCT could still be a biomarker for diagnosis of bacterial infection in patients with or without heart failure (areas under the ROC curve were 80％,82％,85％,88％,respectively),the positive predictive values of PCT were declined in line with the heart failure degree increasing [z(1,2) =-6.24,P＜0.01; z(l,3) =-4.35,P＜0.01; z(1,4) =-5.19,P＜0.01; z(2,3) =-5.33,P＜0.01;z(2,4) =-2.86,P＜0.05; z(3,4) =-2.46,P＜0.05].There are significant differences between areas under ROC curve [z(1,2) =-2.55,P ＜ 0.05 ; z(1,3) =-5.42,P ＜ 0.01; z(2,3) =-2.90,P ＜ 0.05],and the cutoff values of PCT to identify infection patients complicated with Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ degrees heart failure were 0.086,0.192 and 0.657 μg/L,respectively.Conclusion PCT levels were increased in heart failure patients so we should pay more attention to the degree of heart failure and PCT level on patients which suffered both infection and heart failure.

Evaluación y conducta recomendada en presencia de precursores vítreorretinianos del desprendimiento de retina / Evaluation and recommended behavior in presence of vitreous retinal precursors of the retinal detachment

Los cambios y las variaciones anatómicas vítreorretinianas predisponen al desprendimiento de retina regmatógeno, por lo que su conocimiento es de vital importancia para el tratamiento adecuado de los pacientes. Por ello se decidió realizar una revisión acerca de los elementos más importantes al respecto, con el objetivo de actualizar los conocimientos existentes sobre el tema. Estos precursores comprenden tres entidades que, por su fisiopatología, pueden estar presentes en la historia natural de esta afección: Desprendimiento de vítreo posterior, degeneraciones periféricas y desgarro de retina (sintomáticos y asintomáticos). Además, algunas situaciones de riesgo como la cirugía de catarata, la capsulotomía posterior con YAG-láser, los traumatismos y la miopía alta pueden favorecer también al desprendimiento de retina. Estos precursores, por lo general, se hacen más evidentes después de los 40 años, sin predilección por sexo o características raciales y están muy relacionadas con cambios vítreos o su licuefacción. El conocimiento básico y actualizado de estas entidades, así como de los factores de riesgo asociados al desprendimiento de retina es importante para el adecuado manejo y el control de las complicaciones. En la revisión se describen con claridad los pilares fundamentales para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de este tipo de situaciones clínicas

The changes and the vitreous retinal anatomical variations predispose to rhegmatogenous detachment of the retina, so knowing them is very important for the adequate treatment of patients. Therefore, it was decided to make a review on the most important elements, with the objective of updating the existing pieces of knowledge on the topic. These precursors include three entities that, because of their physiopathology, can be present in the natural history of this illness: detachment of posterior vitreous, peripheral degeneration and retinal tear (symptomatic and asymptomatic). Additionally, some risk situations such as cataract surgery, posterior capsulotomy with YAG-laser, traumas and high myopia may also favor the retinal detachment. These precursors became more evident after the 40's, without sex or race preferences, and they are closely related to vitreous changes or to their liquefaction. The basic updated knowledge about these illnesses as well as the risk factors associated to the retinal detachment is important to adequate management and control of complications. The review clearly described the fundamental pillars in diagnosis and treatment of this type of clinical situations

Mecanismos fisiopatológicos cardiovasculares en sujetos con privación de sueño / Cardiovascular physiopathological mechanisms in patients with sleep deprivation

Muchos factores relacionados con el medio laboral, los hábitos higiénicos alimentarios y estilos de vida influyen sobre la duración del sueño y traen aparejado un desequilibrio en la homeostasis del organismo, con la aparición de factores de riesgo que incrementan la morbilidad y mortalidad por enfermedades cardiovasculares. El presente trabajo tiene el objetivo de actualizar y sintetizar los mecanismos fisiopatológicos cardiovasculares en sujetos con privación de sueño parcial y total. Para ello se consultaron las bases de datos Pubmed, Ebsco, Medline e Hinari, seleccionando artículos sobre el tema, publicados fundamentalmente en los últimos 5 años. Se ha encontrado una asociación significativa entre la privación de sueño y las enfermedades cardiovasculares que se explican por diferentes mecanismos, que incluyen: desequilibrio autonómico con predominio de la actividad simpática, incremento de catecolaminas circulantes, disminución de la sensibilidad del baroreflejo, los bajos niveles de magnesio intracelular, la inhibición de la secreción de melatonina y la acción de diversos precursores de la inflamación. Se concluye que estos mecanismos producen aumento del tono vascular, hipertensión arterial, entre otras variaciones que incrementan los factores de riesgo y la morbilidad y mortalidad cardiovasculares.

There are many factors which are related to work, nutritional and hygienic habits and lifestyle that influence on sleep duration and bring about disequilibrium in the body homeostasis and lead to the appearance of risk factors that increase morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular diseases. This work is aimed at updating and synthesizing the cardiovascular physiopathological mechanisms in patients with partial or total sleep deprivation. To achieve this aim, we consulted electronic databases (Pubmed, Ebsco, Medline and Hinari), and selected articles about the topic which have been published during the last five years. We found a significant association between sleep deprivation and cardiovascular diseases, explained by different mechanisms which include: autonomic disequilibrium with prevalence of sympathetic activity, increase of circulating catecholamines, diminished baroreflex sensitivity, low levels of intracellular magnesium, inhibition of melatonin secretion, and the action of diverse inflammation precursors. We conclude that, these mechanisms produce an increase in the vascular tone and high blood pressure among other variations that increase cardiovascular risk factors, morbidity and mortality.

The role of change of procalcitonin in the therapeutic effect evaluation of severe bacterial pneumonia / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective The aim of this study is to define if early change ofprocalcitonin (PCT) may inform about the efficacy evaluation of severe bacterial pneumonia.Methods A prospective,single-center,observational study was conducted in patients with severe bacterial pneumonia admitted to ICU in 2010 years.PCT samples were collected in baseline,72 hours,7 days and the ending in the duration of therapy.The efficacy evaluation was assessed at the end of treatment 5 days after and divided into the efficacy group and nonefficacy group according to the guiding principle of clinical research on antibacterial drugs by the Ministry of Health.Sixty-five patients with a mean age of (62.1 ± 15.9) years were evaluated.Five patients were severe community acquired pneumonia,32 patients nosocomial pneumonia and 28 patients ventilator associated pneumonia.The clinical pulmonary infection score(CPIS) was 7.9 ± 1.8 ;APACHE Ⅱ score was 14.5 ±5.3.There were 44 patients as the efficacy group and 21 patients as the nonefficacy group.SPSS13.0 was used to analyse the results.Results The PCT levels between efficacy group and nonefficacy group were (3.83 ±2.18)vs(4.23 ±2.64) μg,/L (t =1.249,P =0.387),(2.44 ± 1.05)vs(3.48 ± 1.75) μg/L(t=-1.959,P=0.045),(1.15 ±0.87) vs (3.41 ±1.58) μg/L (t=-2.904,P=0.006),and (0.51 ±0.17) vs (2.63 ±1.08) μg/L (t=-3.772,P =0.000) in baseline,72 hours,7 days and the ending in the duration of therapy.The change of PCT within the first 72 hours were (32.5 ± 12.4)％ vs (14.5 ± 7.1) ％.The area under receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) of prediction clinical efficacy of the change of PCT within the first 72 hours was 0.823 (P =0.002),the AUC of white blood cell,the neuter granulocyte percentage,body temperature and PCT level within 72 hours were 0.575,0.543,0.521,0.597,respectively (P ＞ 0.05).In multivariate analyses,the change of PCT ＜ 30.8％ (odds ratio,15.2,95％ confidence interval,3.3-21.7,P =0.01) was independent risk factors of effect predictor.The changes of PCT within the first 72 hours (＞30.8％) combined with CPIS(＜6) were the best performance to predict clinical efficacy with a AUC of 0.910,sensitivity of 85.2％ and specificity of 92.5％.Conclusions The change of PCT within the first 72 hours can be used early to evaluate the effect in bacterial pneumonia.Especially,combined with CPIS can further improve the prediction value.