[Advances in clinical studies of chronic cough].

Chronic cough is a common complaint in respiratory specialist clinics, with a significant impact on cough-specific quality of life and psychophysiological health. The diagnosis, treatment and management of chronic cough remains a major challenge. We summarized a series of recent advances from clinical studies in the epidemiology, diagnosis and management of chronic cough over the past year.

High efficiency and collimated terahertz pulse from ultra-short intense laser and cone target.

We propose a new, to the best of our knowledge, method to radiate a high-efficiency and collimated terahertz (THz) pulse from a relativistic femtosecond laser and cone target. Particle-in-cell simulations demonstrate that a THz source of 40 mJ, pointing at an angle of ∼20 ∘, can be generated from a laser pulse of 1.9 J by using a cone target whose open angle is 10 ∘. The peak power of the THz pulse is 1011 W. This method, which manipulates the divergence angle and the energy conversion efficiency of the THz source, should promote THz science into the extra strong region with a compact laser system.

[Role and mechanism of miRNA-181a in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease].

Objective: To investigate the role and probable mechanism of miRNA-181a in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with palmitic acid to construct a nonalcoholic fatty liver disease cell model, and the expression of miR-181a and lipidosis in the cells were measured. Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) was used to examine the effect of miR-181a expression in HepG2 cells. The miR-181a, lipidosis, reduced glutathione and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined by controlling and regulating the miR-183 expression levels after transfection with miR-181 mimics and inhibitors in HepG2 cells. The miR-181a target genes were predicted by bioinformatics analysis, and verified by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and western blotting. The independent sample t-test was used for the comparison between the two independent samples, and the comparison between multiple groups were accorded with the normal distribution, homogeneity of variance, and one-way analysis of variance. Results: Lipidosis was significantly increased after palmitic acid treatment in HepG2 cells, and the expression level of miR-181a was significantly increased than control group. After HepG2 cells were transfected with miR-181a inhibitors, the expression of miR-181a, triglycerides and reactive oxygen species were down-regulated, and reduced glutathione, predicting the mRNA and protein expression of target gene silencing information regulator 2 related enzyme 1 were up-regulated. However, the results were contrary to the above changes after transfection with miR-181a mimics. Conclusion: miR-181a participates in lipidosis and promotes lipid peroxidation in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. miR-181a may affect the pathogenesis and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by inhibiting the expression of silencing information regulator 2 related enzyme 1.

[Preclinical study of the effects of fluorinated porcine hydroxyapatite in repairing peri-implant bone defects in canine mandible].

Objective: To evaluate the effects of fluorinated porcine hydroxyapatite (FPHA) on guided bone regeneration of peri-implant buccal bone defects in canine mandible. Methods: Six male beagle dogs were randomly divided into two groups with different time points (4 weeks and 12 weeks after implants placement), with 3 dogs in each group. Bilateral mandibular second premolars, first molars, and second molars in each dog were extracted. The wounds were allowed to heal for 12 weeks. For each dog, four implant beds were prepared in each side and standardized peri-implant buccal bone defect was created at each implant site. After implants placement, the defect sites were randomly allocated in a split-mouth design to blank control group, deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM), the porcine hydroxyapatite (PHA), FPHA and covered with collagen membranes. The animals were sacrificed 4 or 12 weeks after the surgery. Biopsies of the implant sites were obtained for micro-CT evaluation [bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and bone trabecular separation degree (Tb.Sp)] and histological analysis. Results: Micro-CT results showed that 4 weeks after implants placement, PHA, FPHA and DBBM successfully maintained the contour of alveolar ridge at the buccal aspect of the implants, while the contour of alveolar ridge collapsed in the blank control group. BV/TV in the FPHA group [(24.77±2.20) %] was significantly higher than that in the PHA group [(16.89±1.70)%] and DBBM group [(15.68±3.15)%] (P<0.05). Tb.Sp in the FPHA group (0.70±0.07) was significantly lower than that in the DBBM group (1.03±0.19) (P<0.05). Twelve weeks after implants placement, the alveolar ridge contour of the grafted sites in PHA, FPHA and DBBM group remained stable. The alveolar ridge of the blank control group was still collapsed. There was no significant difference in BV/TV and Tb.Sp between PHA group, FPHA group and DBBM group. The histomorphological analysis showed that 4 weeks after implants placement, in the central area of the defect, the amount and maturity of new bone (NB) around the material particles in FPHA group was higher than that in PHA group and DBBM group. Osseointegration could be observed between the NB and implant surface in all the four groups. Twelve weeks after implants placement, the material particles were surrounded by a large number of mature NB in PHA, FPHA and DBBM group. Conclusions: The incorporation of fluoride ion into PHA could effectively promote the repair of peri-implant bone defects in the early stage of guided bone regeneration.

Targeting of the respiratory chain by toxicants: beyond the toxicities to mitochondrial morphology.

The mitochondrion is an important subcellular target of environmental toxicants. With environmental stress, a series of toxic effects on mitochondria are induced, which originate from the dynamic changes of mitochondrial fusion and fission, structure/membrane damage, and respiratory chain dysfunction. The toxic effects of various toxicants on mitochondrial morphology and intact membranes, and their determination of cell fate, have already been broadly studied and reported on. However, their effects on the integrity and function of the mitochondrial respiratory chain (RC) remain incompletely understood. Recently, Fan et al. and Yu et al. approached this topic by closely examining the mitochondrial toxicities, including the effect on the respiratory chain, induced by organic arsenical chemical 2-methoxy-4-(((4-(oxoarsanyl)phenyl)imino)methyl)phenol and thiourea gold(i) complexes (AuTuCl). Obviously, toxicant-induced dysfunction of the respiratory chain can hinder ATP production, and may elevate ROS generation. The increased ROS can further damage mtDNA, and consequently leads to inactivation of some RC protein-encoding mtDNA, generating a vicious circle of amplifying mitochondrial damage. We hope that these studies focused on RC structure and activity will broaden our view of mitochondrial toxicology and draw forth more profound mechanistic studies on the respiratory chain toxicity of environmental toxicants and their application in risk assessment.

[Research advances of relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and biliary tract diseases].

Recent studies have found that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) has great impact on the development of biliary tract diseases. Here in this review, we summarized the relationship between NAFLD and the occurrence and development, risk factors and severity of cholestasis, gallstones, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, primary biliary cirrhosis and bile microbiota, so as to further illuminate the pathogenesis of NAFLD and biliary tract diseases, obtain better diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes on NAFLD and biliary tract diseases.

Black hood assisted colonoscopy for detection of colorectal polyps: a prospective randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: Colonoscopy is considered as a standard method for detecting various kinds of colorectal polyps. However, conventional colonoscopy (CC) still has chances to miss some lesions. Some scholars have already reported that transparent hood assisted colonoscopy (THAC) can improve the detection rate of colorectal polyps. However, the efficacy of detection of colorectal polyps with black hood assisted colonoscopy (BHAC) is still unclear. In this study, BHAC was compared with CC for evaluating the efficacy of detection of colorectal polyps. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between Sep 2014 and Apr 2015, 542 patients underwent CC and meanwhile 534 patients underwent BHAC were enrolled into this prospective randomized controlled study. Comparison of baseline characteristics, cecal intubation time, withdrawal time, total number of detected polyps, detection rate of polyps, location, size, morphology and pathological diagnosis of polyps between these two groups was performed. RESULTS: Cecal intubation time was significantly shorter in BHAC group than in CC group (6.31 ± 3.51 min vs. 7.05 ± 4.15 min, p = 0.002). The total number of detected polyps and detection rate of polyps were significantly higher in BHAC group than in CC group (349/65.36% vs. 264/48.71%, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with CC, BHAC could significantly improve the detection rate of colorectal polyps, and cecal intubation time was significantly reduced by BHAC.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: current translational research and management modalities.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. In recent years, detection of these subepithelial lesions has improved due to advances in endoscopic imaging techniques. Furthermore, developments in immunohistochemical technologies, allowing for reliable differentiation of GISTs from other subepithelial tumors, have improved the understanding of these lesions significantly. Alongside the emergence of these new technologies, clinical management of GISTs has progressed greatly in the last decade. However, major controversies still exist in various aspects of GIST management, such as diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. This review article provides the current overview of the research status in the management of GISTs.

[Polymorphism of HLA-DQA1,-DQB1 genes in Uygur and Kazak ethnic groups and comprehensive analysis of 25 related populations].

HLA-DQA1 and -DQB1 genes were investigated in two Chinese minor natinalities, Uygur and Kazak using PCR-RFLP genotyping method. Of the 8 DQA1 alleles, DQA1 *0301 was the most common in Uygurs and Kazaks. DQA1 *0401 and *0601 were the rarest alleles in Uygurs and *0601 in Kazaks. Of the 16 DQB1 alleles tested, DQB1 *0201 and *0301 were the most frequent alleles in Uygurs and Kazaks. DQB1 *0502, *05032 and *0504 in Uygurs, *05032, *0504 and *0605 in Kazaks were absent. Neither DQA1 nor DQB1 difference was found between the two populations. From the phylogenetic tree based on the gene frequencies of HLA-DQA1 and -DQB1 in Uygur, Kazak and other 25 related ethnic groups, we suggest that Uygurs and Kazaks have a closer relationship, and they are closer to Mongoloid, not Caucasoid.

[Hypertension inducing cerebrovascular damage and effecting on cerebral infarction].

Cerebrovascular damage of renovascular hypertensive rats (RHR) was observed under light microscope and electron microscope, and the cerebral collateral vessels of RHR were observed with vascular casts. In focal cerebral ischemia of RHR, the infarct volume was measured by TTC staining in combination with computer image processing and analysis. When hypertension persisting longer, there were hyalinosis in small arterial walls, luminal narrowing and basement membrane thickening in capillaries, decreased collateral vessels, and occluded microvessels. In cerebral ischemia, the infarct volume was large and could not be improved. The results demonstrated that the key to prevent stroke is to prevent and treat hypertension as early as possible.