[Predicting the prognosis for severe brain injury patients: short-latency somatosensory evoked potential combined with electroencephalogram reactivity].

Objective: To explore the the effectiveness of using short-latency somatosensory evoked potential(SLSEP) combined with electroencephalogram(EEG) reactivity to predict the prognosis of severe brain injury(SBI) patients. Methods: Consecutive patients with SBI admitted in neurosurgery intensive care unit(NSICU) at Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from July 2018 to January 2019 were prospectively collected. SLSEP and EEG were recorded in these patients in NSICU within two weeks after injury onset. EEG reactivity(EEG-R) was tested during EEG signal stabilization. In addition, the concentrations of serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100 protein were also detected. All patients were evaluated with Glasgow Outcome Scale(GOS) during 12 months' follow-up. GOS grade 3 to 5 was defined as favorable group, and GOS grade 1 to 2 was defined as unfavorable group. The association of relevant predictors with patient's prognosis was assessed. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was used to evaluate each potential predictor. Results: Forty-three patients were included in the study, with 26 patients of favorable outcomes and 17 patients with unfavorable prognosis. Univariate analysis revealed that the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, the concentration of serum NSE, EEG-R, the amplitude of SLSEP were all associated with the prognosis after 12 months' follow-up. Moreover, the AUC for prediction of favorable prognosis by GCS, NSE, EEG-R, SLSEP was 0.661(95%CI: 0.493-0.829), 0.697(95%CI: 0.531-0.862), 0.718(95%CI: 0.557-0.879) and 0.758(95%CI: 0.609-0.907) respectively. However, there was no significant difference of age, gender, pupillary light reflex and S100 protein between the two groups. Furthermore, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that only SLSEP amplitude (OR=2.058, 95%CI: 0.867-4.888) and EEG-R(OR=3.748, 95%CI: 0.857-16.394) were independent predictors of favorable prognosis, and the prognostic model containing these two variables yielded an predictive performance with an AUC of 0.798. Conclusion: The higher amplitude of SLSEP and the existence of EEG-R are predictors of good prognosis in SBI patients, and the combined use of SLSEP and EEG-R in predicting the prognosis of SBI patients is more reliable.

[Primary thymic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: 7 clinical cases report and a review of the literature].

Objective: To reveal clinical features, pathological diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of primary thymic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma and review literatures. Methods: The clinical characteristics, pathological diagnosis, laboratory texts, treatment and prognosis of 7 cases of primary thymic MALT lymphoma identified at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from November 2017 to January 2019 were collected and analyzed. Results: Of 7 primary thymic MALT lymphoma cases, six were female. Patients were often asymptomatic and were found mediastinal mass by chest CT. After mediastinal mass resection, pathologist reported a primary thymic MALT lymphoma. Laboratory tests showed all patients were positive for anti-nuclear antibody, anti-Ro52 antibodies and anti-Sjogren's syndrome A antibodies, and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) . Four were diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome (SS) . After surgery, the patients were given the positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET-CT) scans. All cases received "watch and wait" approach. Up to now, all cases showed good prognoses and none of them relapsed. Conclusion: Primary thymic MALT lymphoma was rare, and it was often associated with autoimmune diseases. Such patients who usually had good prognoses should be followed up closely and avoided excessive treatments if there were no indications of intervention.

Characterization and identification of ferulic acid esterase-producing Lactobacillus species isolated from Elymus nutans silage and their application in ensiled alfalfa.

AIMS: Ferulic acid esterase (FAE)-producing Lactobacillus species isolated from ensiled Elymus nutans growing on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau were characterized, and effects of their application to the alfalfa ensiling process and the evidence to synergic effect between cellulase and FAE were investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: The results of 16S rRNA gene sequence and species-specific polymerase chain reaction amplification showed that two screened strains with high FAE activity were Lactobacillus plantarum A1 (LP) and L. brevis A3 (LBr). The optimum temperature and pH for the LP and LBr was 37°C and 6·4 respectively. The FAE exhibited a good stability at temperatures between 25 and 50°C and at pH values of 5·0-7·0. The two strains and a commercial cellulase (CE) were applied as additives to alfalfa silage. After 60 days of ensiling, the lactic acid in the control and CE groups were significantly lower than those of the other treatment groups. The neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre contents in the LP group were significantly lower than those observed in the other groups. At the same time, the combination of CE and FAE-producing lactic acid bacteria synergistically improved the fermentation quality of the silage. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of the FAE-producing strain of L. plantarum A1 to alfalfa silage improved its fermentation quality, and reduced the fibre content of the silage. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The screened homo-fermentative and FAE-producing strain of L. plantarum A1 could be a candidate strain in improving fermentation quality and fibre digestibility of ensiled forages.

Analysis of EEG Lemple-Ziv complexity and correlative aspects before and after treatment of anti-syphilis therapy for neurosyphilis.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of electroencephalogram (EEG) complexity in patients with neurosyphilis by comparing the changes of electroencephalogram Lempel-Ziv complexity (EEG-LZC) before and after anti-syphilis treatment. Methods The EEG complexity of neurosyphilis patients diagnosed in our hospital from July in 2015 to June in 2017 was analyzed and compared with other diagnostic results such as serology examination and cerebrospinal fluid examination. Results A total of 27 patients were diagnosed, including 19 males and 8 females, of which 6 were mesenchymal(cerebrospinal membrane and meningeal vascular), 16 were parenchymal(paralytic dementia, spinal cord tuberculosis and optic neuropathy), and 5 were asymptomatic. After intensive anti-syphilis therapy, the LZC increased significantly in all patients while the trend and degree of change were consistent with other diagnostic results. Conclusion The LZC can be used as one of the diagnostic indexes meanwhile the trend and degree of its change can be used as the reference index of curative effect to neurosyphilis.

Characteristics of Pediococcus pentosaceus Q6 isolated from Elymus nutans growing on the Tibetan Plateau and its application for silage preparation at low temperature.

AIMS: Characteristics of a strain Pediococcus pentosaceus Q6 isolated from Elymus nutans growing on the Tibetan plateau and its effects on E. nutans silage fermentation stored at low temperature were investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sugar fermentation pattern and growth profiles of the strain Q6 and its reference strain APP were characterized. The strain Q6 and APP were inoculated to E. nutans at ensiling respectively; and ensiled at different temperatures (10, 15 and 25°C) for 30, 60 and 90 days. The results indicated that Q6 could grow at pH 3·0 and at 4°C. In contrast to APP, Q6 could ferment mannitol, saccharose, sorbitol and rhamnose. Lower pH in Q6-treated silages fermented for 60 days at 10 and 15°C was found compared with the control and APP-treated groups. For the silages that were stored at 10 or 15°C, the greatest lactic acid content were detected in Q6-inoculated silages ensiled for 30 and 60 days respectively. There were no differences in pH and lactic acid content between Q6- and APP-treated silages ensiled at 10 and 15°C for 90 days respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Inoculation of the strain P. pentosaceus Q6 could improve fermentation quality of ensiled E. nutans at the early stage of ensiling stored at low temperature (10 or 15°C). SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The selection of P. pentosaceus inoculants for improving silage quality at low temperature, which provides a candidate strain to make high-quality silage in regions with frigid climate.

Profiling of metabolome and bacterial community dynamics in ensiled Medicago sativa inoculated without or with Lactobacillus plantarum or Lactobacillus buchneri.

Using gas chromatography mass spectrometry and the PacBio single molecule with real-time sequencing technology (SMRT), we analyzed the detailed metabolomic profiles and microbial community dynamics involved in ensiled Medicago sativa (alfalfa) inoculated without or with the homofermenter Lactobacillus plantarum or heterofermenter Lactobacillus buchneri. Our results revealed that 280 substances and 102 different metabolites were present in ensiled alfalfa. Inoculation of L. buchneri led to remarkable up-accumulation in concentrations of 4-aminobutyric acid, some free amino acids, and polyols in ensiled alfalfa, whereas considerable down-accumulation in cadaverine and succinic acid were observed in L. plantarum-inoculated silages. Completely different microbial flora and their successions during ensiling were observed in the control and two types of inoculant-treated silages. Inoculation of the L. plantarum or L. buchneri alters the microbial composition dynamics of the ensiled forage in very different manners. Our study demonstrates that metabolomic profiling analysis provides a deep insight in metabolites in silage. Moreover, the PacBio SMRT method revealed the microbial composition and its succession during the ensiling process at the species level. This provides information regarding the microbial processes underlying silage formation and may contribute to target-based regulation methods to achieve high-quality silage production.

Effects of addition of malic or citric acids on fermentation quality and chemical characteristics of alfalfa silage.

We studied the effects on alfalfa preservation and chemical composition of the addition of different levels of malic acid and citric acid at ensiling as well as the utilization efficiency of these 2 organic acids after fermentation. Alfalfa was harvested at early bloom stage. After wilting to a dry matter content of approximately 40%, the alfalfa was chopped into 1- to 2-cm pieces for ensiling. Four levels (0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1% of fresh weight) of malic acid or citric acid were applied to chopped alfalfa at ensiling with 4 replicates for each treatment, and the treated alfalfa forages were ensiled for 60 d in vacuum-sealed polyethylene bags (dimensions: 200 mm × 300 mm) packed with 200 to 230 g of fresh alfalfa per mini silo and an initial density of 0.534 g/cm3. The application of malic or citric acids at ensiling for 60 d led to lower silage pH than was observed in the control silage (0% of malic or citric acids). Application of the 2 organic acids led to higher lactic acid concentration in alfalfa silage than in the control silage except with the application rate of 1% of fresh weight. Silages treated with both organic acids had lower nonprotein nitrogen concentrations than the control silages, and the nonprotein nitrogen concentrations in ensiled forages decreased with the increase in malic or citric acid application rates. The application of the 2 organic acid additives led to lower saturated fatty acid proportions and higher polyunsaturated fatty acid proportions in ensiled alfalfa than in the control silage. The amount of malic and citric acids degraded during ensiling of alfalfa was 1.45 and 0.63 g, respectively. At the application rate of 0.5% of fresh weight, residues of malic acid and citric acid in alfalfa silage were 11.1 and 13.6 g/kg of dry matter. These results indicate that including malic or citric acids at the ensiling of alfalfa effectively improved silage fermentation quality, limited proteolysis, improved fatty acid composition of the ensiled forage, and could provide animals with additional feed additives proven to promote animal performance. However, when the application rate of both organic acids reached 1%, the concentration of lactic acid in silages decreased notably. Additionally, 0.5 and 1% application rates also increased the yeast count in ensiled alfalfa.

Identification of early diagnostic antigens in soluble proteins of Trichinella spiralis adult worms by Western blot.

Previous studies showed that crude antigens from Trichinella spiralis adult worms (AW) can be recognized by mouse infection sera at 8 days post infection. The aim of this study was to identify the early diagnostic antigenic bands in soluble proteins from T. spiralis AW by Western blot using early infection sera. The affecting factors of adult recovery were firstly observed in this study, and the results showed that the maximum number of adults was collected from small intestine when the female BALB/c mice were orally infected with 4000 ML and sacrificed at 3 days post infection. The results of Western blot analysis showed that seven protein bands (31, 35.1, 39, 40.6, 41.9, 47 and 50.6 kDa) could be recognized by early infection sera as early as at 8-10 days post infection, and were strongly reacted with mouse infection sera at 11-12 days post infection. Our results suggested that the seven protein bands of T. spiralis AW soluble proteins might be the early expressed antigens during the intestinal stage of Trichinella infection and therefore have potential value for the early diagnosis of trichinellosis.

Identification of early diagnostic antigens in soluble proteins of Trichinella spiralis adult worms by Western blot

Previous studies showed that crude antigens from Trichinella spiralis adult worms (AW) can be recognized by mouse infection sera at 8 days post infection. The aim of this study was to identify the early diagnostic antigenic bands in soluble proteins from T. spiralis AW by Western blot using early infection sera. The affecting factors of adult recovery were firstly observed in this study, and the results showed that the maximum number of adults was collected from small intestine when the female BALB/c mice were orally infected with 4000 ML and sacrificed at 3 days post infection. The results of Western blot analysis showed that seven protein bands (31, 35.1, 39, 40.6, 41.9, 47 and 50.6 kDa) could be recognized by early infection sera as early as at 8-10 days post infection, and were strongly reacted with mouse infection sera at 11-12 days post infection. Our results suggested that the seven protein bands of T. spiralis AW soluble proteins might be the early expressed antigens during the intestinal stage of Trichinella infection and therefore have potential value for the early diagnosis of trichinellosis.

Ultrasonic dissection versus conventional electrocautery during gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: Use of ultrasonic surgical instrument is gaining popularity for dissection and coagulation in open surgery. However, there is still no consensus on the efficacy and safety of its use compared with conventional surgical technique in open gastrectomy for gastric cancer. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the role and surgical outcomes of ultrasonic dissection (UD) compared with conventional electrocautery (EC). METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed to identify all studies comparing UD and EC in gastric cancer surgery. Intraoperative and postoperative outcomes were compared using weighted mean differences (WMDs) and odds ratios (ORs). RESULTS: Five studies were included in this meta-analysis, comprising 489 patients. Meta-analysis results showed that compared with EC, UD was associated with significantly shorter operation time (P = 0.03), less intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.002), lower morbidity (P = 0.02), and reduced postoperative hospital stay (P = 0.03). However, there was no significant difference between the two surgical techniques with regards to postoperative abdominal drainage (P = 0.17), and total cost in hospital (P = 0.59). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to EC, the use of UD during open gastrectomy can provide several improved outcomes for operation time, intraoperative blood loss, overall morbidity, and postoperative hospital stay. It appears that UD can be used instead of conventional EC in open gastric cancer surgery, although more larger trials with long follow-up should be performed.

Interleukin-33 mediates formalin-induced inflammatory pain in mice.

Interleukin-33 (IL-33), a member of the IL-1 family, has attracted growing interest since its discovery in 2003. IL-33 has been implicated in many diseases, including arthritis, asthma, allergies, and cardiovascular and infectious diseases. However, few studies have investigated its role in the transmission and modulation of pain. The present study was designed to explore the possible roles of IL-33 and its receptor, ST2, in formalin-induced inflammatory pain in mice. We found that both subcutaneous (s.c., 300 ng) and intrathecal injection (i.t., 3 ng) of recombinant IL-33 (rIL-33) increased paw lifting and licking time not only in normal mice but also in formalin models. Administration of ST2 antibody, which blocked the IL-33/ST2 signaling, alleviated the formalin-induced spontaneous pain behavior. Moreover, the ST2(-/-) mice showed significantly decreased pain behavior, as well as reduced ultrasonic vocalization induced by formalin, compared with the wild-type group. Additionally, ST2 antibody alleviated the potentiating effects of rIL-33 on pain behavior in the formalin mice, indicating that IL-33 plays a role in pain modulation through its ST2 receptor. These data suggest IL-33 and its ST2 receptor mediate formalin-induced inflammatory pain, and as a result this cytokine and its receptor may be new targets for the development of analgesics.

Mesenchymal stem cells differentially mediate regulatory T cells and conventional effector T cells to protect fully allogeneic islet grafts in mice.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Limited information is available on the cellular interactions between regulatory T (T(reg)) cells and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In particular, a direct effect of MSCs on the survival and proliferation of T(reg) cells has not been demonstrated. METHODS: We investigated the effects of MSCs on effector T (T(eff)) cells and T(reg) cells, and the molecular mechanisms involved in the distinct regulation of these two cell populations by MSCs in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: We show that MSCs are capable of selectively suppressing T(eff) cells and fostering the generation of T(reg) cells. T(eff) cells, but not T(reg) cells, fail to respond to IL-2 and undergo profound apoptosis in the presence of MSCs. The differential regulations of these two T cell subsets by MSCs are associated with their distinct expressions of CD25, with MSCs specifically reducing the expression of CD25 on T(eff) and sparing T(reg) cells intact. In vivo, the administration of MSCs significantly delays the rejection of allogeneic islet grafts in adaptive transferred recipients by favouring the induction of T(reg) cells. In this model, MSCs inhibit the proliferation and development of alloreactive T(eff) but potently enhance the induction of T(reg) cells. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: We demonstrate that MSCs are capable of regulating T(eff) and T(reg) cells differentially in vitro. MSCs inhibit T(eff) cells by inducing apoptosis and impairing the proliferative response to IL-2 in T(eff) cells, but favour the survival and expansion of T(reg) cells. This result is further demonstrated in mice that have undergone allogeneic islet transplantation, in which MSCs suppress alloreactive T(eff) cells while favouring the induction of T(reg) cells, thus protecting the islet allografts from rejection.

M-PEIs nanogels: potential nonviral vector for systemic plasmid delivery to tumor cells.

Successfully systemic gene therapy has been hindered by vector-related limitations, including toxicity and inefficient gene delivery to tumor cells after intravenous administration. In this study, we evaluated the potential of spherical polyethylenimine nanogels (M-PEIs) as a novel vector for intravenous delivery of plasmids to tumor cells. M-PEIs provided a sustained release of plasmids up to 14 days and were also effective in protecting plasmids from enzymatic degradation in serum-conditioned media. M-PEIs showed no obvious cytotoxicity to mammalian cells in vitro as well as to liver, heart and kidney in mice after intravenous injection. Importantly, following intravenous administration of M-PEIs/plasmid complexes into human hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft-bearing mice, green fluorescence protein reporter gene expression was predominantly found in the tumor. This study indicates that M-PEIs may be a candidate for systemic delivery of plasmids into tumors.

Neglectable benefit of searching for incidental findings in the Dutch-Belgian lung cancer screening trial (NELSON) using low-dose multidetector CT.

The purpose of this study was to prospectively determine the frequency and spectrum of incidental findings (IFs) and their clinical implications in a high risk population for lung cancer undergoing low-dose multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) screening for lung cancer. Scans of 1,929 participants were evaluated for lung lesions and IFs by two radiologists. IFs were categorised as not clinically relevant or possibly clinically relevant. Findings were considered possibly clinically relevant if they could require further evaluation or could have substantial clinical implications. All possibly clinically relevant IFs were reviewed by a third radiologist, who determined its clinical relevance. Of all 1,929 participants, 1,410 (73%) had not clinically relevant IFs and 163 (8%) had possibly clinically relevant IFs of which 129 (79%) were indeed considered clinically relevant. Additional imaging was performed mainly by ultrasound (112 of 118, 96%). All but one lesion were concluded to be benign, mostly cysts (n = 115, 80%). Only 21 (1%) participants had findings with clinical implications. In one participant a malignancy was found, yet without any clinical benefit since no curative treatment was possible. Based on our results, we advise against systematically searching for and reporting of IFs in lung cancer screening studies using low-dose MDCT.

[Studies on the chemical constituents from Tribulus terrestris].

AIM: To investigate the chemical constituents of the fruit of Tribulus terrestris J.. METHODS: Various chromatographic techniques were used to separate the chemical constituents. ESIMS, IR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR and HMBC were used to determine the structures of the isolated constituents. RESULTS: Two new compounds were isolated from the fruits of Tribulus terrestris J. and were identified as neohecogenin-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (I); neohecogenin-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (II). CONCLUSION: Compounds I and II are new steroidal saponins.

[Evaluation of organ function monitoring and supporting during the treatment of multiple trauma].

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the evaluation of organ function monitoring and supporting during the treatment of multiple trauma. METHODS: Eighty-eight patients with severe multiple trauma were admitted into Department of Intensive Care Unit(ICU) and the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and coagulation functions, milieu interieur, and infectious sources were monitored. RESULTS: Seventy-six cases survived and twelve cases died. The major delayed diagnoses included pneumothorax hematopneumothorax, intraperitoneal organ injury, and fracture. The major complications were severe infection, hypotension, acute renal failure, adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and multiple organ disfunction syndrome(MODS). CONCLUSION: Active monitor and support of organ function can lower the rate of missed or delayed diagnoses and also decrease complications.

Presenilin mutations associated with Alzheimer disease cause defective intracellular trafficking of beta-catenin, a component of the presenilin protein complex.

The presenilin proteins are components of high-molecular-weight protein complexes in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus that also contain beta-catenin. We report here that presenilin mutations associated with familial Alzheimer disease (but not the non-pathogenic Glu318Gly polymorphism) alter the intracellular trafficking of beta-catenin after activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin signal transduction pathway. As with their effect on betaAPP processing, the effect of PS1 mutations on trafficking of beta-catenin arises from a dominant 'gain of aberrant function' activity. These results indicate that mistrafficking of selected presenilin ligands is a candidate mechanism for the genesis of Alzheimer disease associated with presenilin mutations, and that dysfunction in the presenilin-beta-catenin protein complexes is central to this process.

The population dynamics of cercariae of Schistosoma japonicum in Oncomelania hupensis.

The population dynamics and production of cercariae of Schistosoma japonicum in Oncomelania hupensis are reported. The experiments covered the whole life span of positive snails and different intervals of cercariae shedding. The results indicated that two patterns of the dynamics of cercariae shedding had been found in the life span of positive snails. The first was a long-time interval (4-7 days) and progressive decline pattern. The cercariae shedding of positive snails lasted 18-19 weeks in males and for 32-33 weeks (once a week). The second was a short-time interval (1-3 days) and continued release pattern. The cercariae shedding of positive snails lasted for 20-36 days (every day shedding). Shedding cercariae stimulate cercariae development.