Gut microbiota: a new insight into neurological diseases / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

In the last decade, it has become increasingly recognized that a balanced gut microbiota plays an important role in maintaining the health of the host. Numerous clinical and preclinical studies have shown that changes in gut microbiota composition are associated with a variety of neurological diseases, e.g., Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and myasthenia gravis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are complex and remain unclear. Behavioral phenotypes can be transmitted from humans to animals through gut microbiota transplantation, indicating that the gut microbiota may be an important regulator of neurological diseases. However, further research is required to determine whether animal-based findings can be extended to humans and to elucidate the relevant potential mechanisms by which the gut microbiota regulates neurological diseases. Such investigations may aid in the development of new microbiota-based strategies for diagnosis and treatment and improve the clinical management of neurological disorders. In this review, we describe the dysbiosis of gut microbiota and the corresponding mechanisms in common neurological diseases, and discuss the potential roles that the intestinal microbiome may play in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders.

Regulation of Gut Microbiota Disrupts the Glucocorticoid Receptor Pathway and Inflammation-related Pathways in the Mouse Hippocampus

An increasing number of studies have recently indicated the important effects of gut microbes on various functions of the central nervous system.However, the underlying mechanisms by which gut microbiota regulate brain functions and behavioral phenotypes remain largely unknown. We therefore used isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based quantitative proteomic analysis to obtain proteomic profiles of the hippocampus in germ-free (GF), colonized GF, and specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice. We then integrated the resulting proteomic data with previously reported mRNA microarray data, to further explore the effects of gut microbes on host brain functions. We identified that 61 proteins were upregulated and 242 proteins were downregulated in GF mice compared with SPF mice. Of these, 124 proteins were significantly restored following gut microbiota colonization. Bioinformatic analysis of these significant proteins indicated that the glucocorticoid receptor signaling pathway and inflammation-related pathways were the most enriched disrupted pathways. This study provides new insights into the pathological mechanisms of gut microbiota-regulated diseases.

Exploration and practice of interdisciplinary collaboration between medicine and engineering in municipal hospitals: Take the First Hospital of Qinhuangdao as an example / 中华医学科研管理杂志

Objective:The paper aims to analyze achievements and problems of interdisciplinary collaborative research between medicine and engineering carried out jointly by the First Hospital of Qinhuangdao and Yanshan University, to provide further reference for municipal hospitals.Methods:The data of scientific research of the medicine-engineering interdisciplinary collaboration in past 8 years were analyzed with specific focus on the characteristics, academic level and discipline distribution.Results:Academic level of the First Hospital of Qinhuangdao was significantly improved through such medicine-engineering interdisciplinary scientific research collaboration, especially in disciplines such as orthopaedics, rehabilitation medicine, medical imaging that are closely related to engineering disciplines.Conclusions:Deficiency of scientific research resources faced by municipal hospitals can be mitigated by medicine-engineering interdisciplinary collaboration with universities, and medicine-engineering interdisciplinary collaboration can be a possible way to improve academic level of municipal hospitals.

Study on correlation of waist circumference with intra-abdominal fat area / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

To explore the best measurement of waist circumference related with intra-abdominal fat area evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI). Totally 207 participants aged 20-60 years were enrolled. Waist circumference were measured at the levels of navel ( WC1) and the midpoint between costal brim and iliac cest (WC2). Intra-abdominal fat area was evaluated by MRI scan. Intra-abdominal fat area was significantly higher in men than in women [(132. 17 ± 59. 49 vs 70. 56 ± 35. 33)cm2 , P<0. 01]. Pearson correlation analysis showed that WC1 and WC2 were positively correlated with intra-abdominal fat area (r = 0. 779, r = 0. 809, both P<0. 01). Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that WC1 and WC2 were independently associated with intra-abdominal fat area(β=0. 553, R2 =0. 714, P<0. 01; β = 0. 603, R2 = 0. 735, P<0. 01). All of the two different measurements of waist circumference parameters may reflect intra-abdominal fat area, while WC1 seems to be the simpler one.

Effect of 1α-hydroxyvitamin D3 on renal tubular function in patients with IgA nephropathy accompanied with proteinuria / 重庆医学

Objective To observe the effects of lα-hydroxyvitamin D3 on renal tubular function in the patients with IgA ne phropathy(IgAN) accompanied with proteinuria.Methods Forty-eight eligible patients with IgAN were selected as the IgAN group and divided into the treatment group and control group according to the random number table method,meanwhile 30 healthy adults undergoing healthy physical examination were selected as the normal group.On the routine treatment such as maintaining the double dose of renin-angiotensin system(RAS) blocker,the treatment group took oral l α-hydroxyvitamin D3 capsule (0.5 μg,once a day);the control group continued to adopt the original treatment scheme.The treatment course lasted for 12 weeks.The changes of urinary cystatin C(Cys-C),α1-microglobulin(α1-MG),N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG),24 h urinary total protein (UTP),blood urea nitrogen (BUN),serum creatinine (Scr),serum calcium (Ca),serum phosphorus (P) and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) in two groups were respectively compared between before and after treatment.Results Compared with the normal group,urinary Cys-C,αl-MG and NAG levels in the IgAN group were significantly increased (P＜ 0.01).After 12-week treatment,the levels of Cys-C,α1-MG and NAG were obviously declined compared with that before treatment and in the control group,the differences were statistically significant (P＜ 0.05),meanwhile the UTP level had statistical difference between the two groups after treatment and between before and after treatment in the same group (P＜0.05),but the decrease in the treatment group was more significant than that in the control group(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in BUN,Scr,Ca,P and iPTH between the two groups before and after treatment(P＞0.05).Conclusion There exists tubulointerstitial injury in IgAN with proteinuria.1α-hydroxyvitamin D3 can significantly decrease urine protein and improves the renal tubular function in the patients with IgAN.

Study on correlation of waist circumference with intra-abdominal fat area / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

To explore the best measurement of waist circumference related with intra-abdominal fat area evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI). Totally 207 participants aged 20-60 years were enrolled. Waist circumference were measured at the levels of navel ( WC1) and the midpoint between costal brim and iliac cest (WC2). Intra-abdominal fat area was evaluated by MRI scan. Intra-abdominal fat area was significantly higher in men than in women [(132. 17 ± 59. 49 vs 70. 56 ± 35. 33)cm2 , P<0. 01]. Pearson correlation analysis showed that WC1 and WC2 were positively correlated with intra-abdominal fat area (r = 0. 779, r = 0. 809, both P<0. 01). Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that WC1 and WC2 were independently associated with intra-abdominal fat area(β=0. 553, R2 =0. 714, P<0. 01; β = 0. 603, R2 = 0. 735, P<0. 01). All of the two different measurements of waist circumference parameters may reflect intra-abdominal fat area, while WC1 seems to be the simpler one.

A comparison of echocardiography with magnetic resonance imaging in measurement of cardiac function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective To compare the difference of echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in measurement of cardiac function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).Methods Totally 41 patients with DCM underwent echocardiography and MRI to measure cardiac function,the parameters included left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV),end systolic volume (LVESV),left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and stroke volume (SV).The vertical long axis (VLA),horizontal long axis (HLA) and short axis (SA) of heart were measured by echocardiography.The differences of echocardiography and MRI were compared by linear regression and linear correlation.Results ①The value of LVEDV and LVESV obtained by the two methods:the value of LVEDV [(262.6 ± 117.0) ml] and LVESV [(196.4 ± 109.8) ml] obtained by MRI were higher than those of echocardiography [(211.4 ± 90.6),(216.5 ± 71.5),(219.1 ± 80.1) ml;(153.3 ± 76.1),(153.9 ± 54.1),(157.0 ± 61.1) ml,all P ＜ 0.05].②The value of SV and LVEF obtained by the two methods:the value of SV[(66.2 ± 21.3) ml] obtained by MRI was higher than that of echocardiography VLA [(58.1 ± 14.4) ml,P ＜ 0.05].The value of LVEF [(25.2 ±7.2)％] obtained by MRI was lower than those of echocardiography HLA and echocardiography SA [(28.9 ± 6.1)％,(28.3 ± 6.1)％,all P ＜ 0.05].③The value of LVEDV and LVESV obtained by echocardiography SA were associated with those obtained by MRI (r =0.785,0.653,all P ＜ 0.05).The value of LVEF obtained by echocardiography VLA was associated with it obtained by MRI (r =0.690,P ＜ 0.05).The value of SV obtained by echocardiography HLA and echocardiography SA were associated with those obtained by MRI (r =0.734,0.701,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion There are differences in accuracy and reliability using echocardiography and MRI when measuring dilated cardiomyopathy heart function,which must be treated differently.

The correlation of intra-abdominal fat area with insulin resistance in male with abdominal obesity / 中国综合临床

Objective To investigate the relationship between intra-abdominal fat area(IAFA)in male with abdominal obesity and glycometabolism related indicators. Methods Ninety-four obesity males,aged from 21 to 62 years old,were selected as our subjects. They were divided into abdominal obesity group(n = 70)and non-abdominal obesity group( n = 24). The general information of all subjects was recorded. The indexes of height,weight,waist circumference,hip circumference,body mass index(BMI)were measured. The fasting oral glucose tolerance test was performed. The levels of blood glucose(0,1,2 h)and insulin(0,1,2 h)were measured,and insulin resistance index was calculated. MRI measurement was applied to calculate the IAFA. Compared the difference between the two groups in term of the level of blood glucose,insulin and insulin resistance index,and analyzed the correlation between glycometabolism related indicators and IAFA. Results BMI,waist circumference,hip circumference,insulin resistance index and IAFA in abdominal obesity group were (28. 67 ± 4. 20)kg/ m2 ,(99. 75 ± 4. 07)cm,(104. 42 ± 7. 62)cm,2. 60 ± 1. 80,(153. 06 ± 53. 23)cm2 respectively,higher than those in non-abdominal obesity group((21. 80 ± 1. 97)kg/ m2 ,(79. 50 ± 10. 05)cm, (91. 86 ± 4. 49)cm,1. 52 ± 0. 73,(71. 78 ± 25. 48)cm2 ),and the differences were statistically significant(t= - 7. 704,- 9. 583,- 7. 618,- 2. 877,- 7. 184,P < 0. 05). The level of blood glucose at 0,1,2 h of patient in abdominal obesity group were(5. 89 ± 1. 36)mmol/ L,(10. 55 ± 3. 07)mmol/ L,and(8. 41 ± 3. 63) mmol/ L,higher than that in non-abdominal obesity group((5. 29 ± 0. 53)mmol/ L,(8. 76 ± 1. 96)mmol/ L, (6. 54 ± 1. 50)mmol/ L). Meanwhile,The insulin at 0,1,2 h of man in abdominal obesity group were(9. 71 ± 5. 05)mU/ L,(83. 29 ± 64. 51)mU/ L,(63. 56 ± 21. 09)mU/ L),significantly higher than those in non-abdominal obesity group((6. 42 ± 2. 96)mU/ L,(33. 00 ± 19. 82)mU/ L,(63. 56 ± 21. 09)mU/ L),and the differences were significant( t = - 2. 098,- 2. 671;- 2. 447,- 3. 010;- 3. 784,- 3. 089;P < 0. 05). The IAFA in abdominal obesity was positively correlated with age,BMI,waist circumference,hip circumference,blood glucose(0,1,2 h)insulin(0,2 h)and insulin resistance index(r = 0. 254,0. 533,0. 521,0. 615,0. 245,0. 315, 0. 294,0273,0. 249,0. 225,P < 0. 05 ). After adjustment for confounding factors,age( x1 ),abdominal circumference(x2)and insulin resistance index(x3)were related to IAFA(y = 1. 369x1 + 4. 472x2 + 25. 072x3- 333. 626). Conclusion Compared with patients with non-abdominal obesity,the IAFA of patient with abdominal obesity with abdominal fat area size is associated with insulin resistance.

The role of angiopoietin-1 and thrombospondin-1 in the kidney of rats subject to 5/6 nephrectomy / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The expression of angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) in 5/6 subtotal nephrectomy (STN) rats model, and its correlation to the renal microvasculature injury were investigated. Rat 5/6 STN model was established in adult male SD rats, and the sham-operated group and 5/6 STN group were set up. The renal function and histopathological changes were examined at the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th and 12th week after operation. The expression of Ang-1, TSP-1 and CD31 in renal tissues was detected by using immunohistochemistry. From 2nd to 8th week after operation, Ang-1 was significantly expressed in glomeruli of rats with STN. Ang-1 staining in glomeruli of STN group was increased significantly as compared with that in sham-operated group at 4th and 8th week after operation, and subsequently decreased after the 12th week. The expression of TSP-1 was increased significantly in STN group. As compared with sham-operated group, the CD31 expression was significantly down-regulated from the 2nd week. The expression of Ang-1 mRNA was detected by using RT-PCR at the same time points. The expression of Ang-1 mRNA in renal tissue of rats with STN was significantly up-regulated at the 2nd, 4th and 8th week after operation as compared with that in STN group at other time points or in sham-operated group at the same time points, while decreased evidently at the 12th week as compared with that in sham-operated group. It is concluded that there are changes in the mRNA expression of Ang-1, and the significant up-regulation of the expression of TSP-1 in renal tissue of rats with STN, which may be involved in the remnant renal microvasculature injury.