Tongue coating-dependent superior temporal sulcus remodeling in amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

Tongue coating affects cognition, and cognitive decline at early stage also showed relations to functional and structural remodeling of superior temporal sulcus (STS) in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). The potential correlation between disparate cognitive manifestations in aMCI patients with different tongue coatings, and corresponding mechanisms of STS remodeling remains uncharted. In this case-control study, aMCI patients were divided into thin coating (n = 18) and thick coating (n = 21) groups. All participants underwent neuropsychological evaluations and multimodal magnetic resonance imaging. Group comparisons were conducted in clinical assessments and neuroimaging measures of banks of the STS (bankssts). Generalized linear models were constructed to explore relationships between neuroimaging measures and cognition. aMCI patients in the thick coating group exhibited significantly poorer immediate and delayed recall and slower information processing speed (IPS) (P < 0.05), and decreased functional connectivity (FC) of bilateral bankssts with frontoparietal cortices (P < 0.05, AlphaSim corrected) compared to the thin coating group. It was found notable correlations between cognition encompassing recall and IPS, and FC of bilateral bankssts with frontoparietal cortices (P < 0.05, Bonferroni's correction), as well as interaction effects of group × regional homogeneity (ReHo) of right bankssts on the first immediate recall (P < 0.05, Bonferroni's correction). aMCI patients with thick coating exhibited poor cognitive performance, which might be attributed to decreased FC seeding from bankssts. Our findings strengthen the understanding of brain reorganization of STS via which tongue coating status impacts cognition in patients with aMCI.

Circuit-based neuromodulation enhances delayed recall in amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of circuits-based paired associative stimulation (PAS) in adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). METHODS: We conducted a parallel-group, randomised, controlled clinical trial. Initially, a cohort of healthy subjects was recruited to establish the cortical-hippocampal circuits by tracking white matter fibre connections using diffusion tensor imaging. Subsequently, patients diagnosed with aMCI, matched for age and education, were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to undergo a 2-week intervention, either circuit-based PAS or sham PAS. Additionally, we explored the relationship between changes in cognitive performance and the functional connectivity (FC) of cortical-hippocampal circuits. RESULTS: FCs between hippocampus and precuneus and between hippocampus and superior frontal gyrus (orbital part) were most closely associated with the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT)_N5 score in 42 aMCI patients, thus designated as target circuits. The AVLT_N5 score improved from 2.43 (1.43) to 5.29 (1.98) in the circuit-based PAS group, compared with 2.52 (1.44) to 3.86 (2.39) in the sham PAS group (p=0.003; Cohen's d=0.97). A significant decrease was noted in FC between the left hippocampus and left precuneus in the circuit-based PAS group from baseline to postintervention (p=0.013). Using a generalised linear model, significant group×FC interaction effects for the improvements in AVLT_N5 scores were found within the circuit-based PAS group (B=3.4, p=0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Circuit-based PAS effectively enhances long-term delayed recall in adults diagnosed with aMCI, which includes individuals aged 50-80 years. This enhancement is potentially linked to the decreased functional connectivity between the left hippocampus and left precuneus. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2100053315; Chinese Clinical Trial Registry.

Prevalence of cigarette use and addiction among Chinese females by age and province: Findings from nationwide China Health Literacy Survey during 2018-19.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of cigarette smoking among women is significantly different from that of men, however, cigarette use by women is little known. The study aims to describe cigarette use prevalence and patterns among Chinese females by age and province. METHODS: This study was based on the 2018 China Health Literacy Survey (2018 CHLS), a nationally representative cross-sectional study, and our analysis included 43,319 female participants aged 20-69 with valid data. The prevalence of cigarette use was estimated overall by sociodemographic factors and weighted based on the census population data. The logistic regression model was conducted to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the risk factors associated with cigarette use and dependency. RESULTS: In China, the estimated female current cigarette use prevalence was 1.85%, with over half of the population suffering from tobacco dependence (7.34 million). Jilin Province has the highest cigarette prevalence among women (10.59%), while Fujian Province has the lowest (0.27%). Participants over 60 years old (aOR=1.61, 95%CI=1.20-2.14), single (aOR=1.54, 95%CI=1.07-2.21), with primary education (aOR=1.93, 95%CI=1.47-2.52) were more likely to smoke. The age of smoking initiation among women intergenerational advanced, and compared to the cigarette users without tobacco dependence, those who have tobacco dependence start smoking earlier in all age groups (25.69 years vs. 19.36 years, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The cigarette use prevalence among Chinese women was 1.85%, and there are significant differences among provinces. We noted a trend of women initiating smoking at increasingly younger ages, particularly among those with tobacco dependence.

Proteome-wide profiling reveals dysregulated molecular features and accelerated aging in osteoporosis: A 9.8-year prospective study.

The role of circulatory proteomics in osteoporosis is unclear. Proteome-wide profiling holds the potential to offer mechanistic insights into osteoporosis. Serum proteome with 413 proteins was profiled by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) at baseline, and the 2nd, and 3rd follow-ups (7704 person-tests) in the prospective Chinese cohorts with 9.8 follow-up years: discovery cohort (n = 1785) and internal validation cohort (n = 1630). Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at follow-ups 1 through 3 at lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN). We used the Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM) to identify the osteoporosis (OP)-related proteomic features. The relationships between serum proteins and BMD in the two cohorts were estimated by linear mixed-effects model (LMM). Meta-analysis was then performed to explore the combined associations. We identified 53 proteins associated with osteoporosis using LightGBM, and a meta-analysis showed that 22 of these proteins illuminated a significant correlation with BMD (p < 0.05). The most common proteins among them were PHLD, SAMP, PEDF, HPTR, APOA1, SHBG, CO6, A2MG, CBPN, RAIN APOD, and THBG. The identified proteins were used to generate the biological age (BA) of bone. Each 1 SD-year increase in KDM-Proage was associated with higher risk of LS-OP (hazard ratio [HR], 1.25; 95% CI, 1.14-1.36, p = 4.96 × 10-06 ), and FN-OP (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.02-1.23, p = 9.71 × 10-03 ). The findings uncovered that the apolipoproteins, zymoproteins, complements, and binding proteins presented new mechanistic insights into osteoporosis. Serum proteomics could be a crucial indicator for evaluating bone aging.

Antimony-Triggered Tunable White Light Emission in Lead-Free Zero-Dimensional Indium Halide with Ultrastable CCT of White Light Emitting Diodes.

A highly efficient and easily tunable luminescence is significant for solid-state luminescent (SSL) materials. However, achieving a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) close to unity and tuning the emission remain challenging tasks. Metal doping strategies enable resolution of these issues. Herein, we report the preparation of a novel organic-inorganic lead-free indium-based metal halide hybrid (MP)3InCl6•EtOH (MP = C4H10ON) with a typical zero-dimension structure. When excited at 320 nm, (MP)3InCl6•EtOH exhibits a dual emission band at 420 and 600 nm, which originates from the organic cation [MP] and the [InCl6]3- octahedral unit. The photoluminescence can be significantly enhanced through Sb3+ doping, resulting in an increase in PLQY from 0.78% to near unity. Multiple emission color tunings have been achieved by regulating the Sb doping level and the radiation wavelength, resulting in a change in emission color from blue → white → orange. Optical characterizations reveal that the significantly enhanced emission centered at 600 nm can be attributed to more efficient absorption, closely associated with an additional 1S0 → 3P1 transition in the inorganic octahedron [In(Sb)Cl6]3- due to Sb3+ doping. With its excellent optical performance, a white light emitting diode (WLED) has been successfully fabricated by coating the mixture of (MP)3InCl6•EtOH:15%Sb3+ with blue phosphor BaMgAl10O17:Eu2+ onto a UV LED chip. The WLED device exhibits perfect white light emission with regard to the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) coordinates of (0.36, 0.34). Significantly, the WLED device maintains a stable correlated color temperature (CCT) range of 4119-4393 K and CIE coordinates (x: 0.37-0.34, y: 0.35-0.33) as the driven current varies from 20 to 200 mA, demonstrating outstanding stability across different power levels. This work not only presents a novel system for achieving remarkably enhanced luminescent performance and tuning emission bands in 0D metal halides but also represents a significant step toward achieving resistance to color drifting for stable WLEDs.

Association of Comorbid Asthma and the Efficacy of Bioabsorbable Steroid-eluting Sinus Stents Implanted After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors affecting the efficacy of steroid-eluting sinus stents implanted after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). METHODS: We performed a post-hoc analysis of a randomized self-controlled clinical trial on post-operative implantation of bioabsorbable steroid-eluting stents in patients with CRSwNP. Univariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify which of the following factors affect the response to post-operative stent implantation: sex, serum eosinophil levels, history of prior surgery, endoscopic scores, and comorbid conditions (asthma and allergic rhinitis). The primary outcome was the rate of post-operative intervention on day 30, and the secondary outcome was the rate of polypoid tissue formation (grades 2-3) on days 14, 30, and 90. RESULTS: A total of 151 patients with CRSwNP were included in the post-hoc analysis. Asthma was identified as the only risk factor for a poor response to steroid-eluting sinus stents on post-operative day 30, with an odds ratio of 23.71 (95% CI, 2.81, 200.16; P=0.004) for the need for post-operative intervention and 19 (95% CI, 2.20, 164.16; P=0.003) for moderate-to-severe polypoid tissue formation. In addition, the asthmatic group showed higher rates of post-operative intervention and polypoid tissue formation than the non-asthmatic group on post-operative day 30. Blood eosinophil levels were not identified as a risk factor for poor outcomes after stent implantation. CONCLUSION: Comorbid asthma, but not blood eosinophil level, impairs the efficacy of steroid-eluting sinus stents in the short term after ESS in patients with CRSwNP.

Topological antichiral surface states in a magnetic Weyl photonic crystal.

Chiral edge states that propagate oppositely at two parallel strip edges are a hallmark feature of Chern insulators which were first proposed in the celebrated two-dimensional (2D) Haldane model. Subsequently, counterintuitive antichiral edge states that propagate in the same direction at two parallel strip edges were discovered in a 2D modified Haldane model. Recently, chiral surface states, the 2D extension of one-dimensional (1D) chiral edge states, have also been observed in a photonic analogue of a 3D Haldane model. However, despite many recent advances in antichiral edge states and chiral surface states, antichiral surface states, the 2D extension of 1D antichiral edge states, have never been realized in any physical system. Here, we report the experimental observation of antichiral surface states by constructing a 3D modified Haldane model in a magnetic Weyl photonic crystal with two pairs of frequency-shifted Weyl points (WPs). The 3D magnetic Weyl photonic crystal consists of gyromagnetic cylinders with opposite magnetization in different triangular sublattices of a 3D honeycomb lattice. Using microwave field-mapping measurements, unique properties of antichiral surface states have been observed directly, including the antichiral robust propagation, tilted surface dispersion, a single open Fermi arc connecting two projected WPs and a single Fermi loop winding around the surface Brillouin zone (BZ). These results extend the scope of antichiral topological states and enrich the family of magnetic Weyl semimetals.

Hepatic Effect of 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-ß-D-glucoside, the Signature Component of Traditional Chinese Medicine Heshouwu: Advances and Prospects.

Traditional Chinese medicine Heshouwu, named Polygoni Multiflori Radix in Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (PPRC, 2020), is derived from the root tuber of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., Heshouwu or processed Heshouwu is well known for its function in reducing lipids and nourishing the liver. However, increasing cases of Heshouwu-induced hepatotoxicity were reported in recent years. Researchers have begun to study the paradoxical effects of Heshouwu on the liver. 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-ß-D-glucoside (TSG), an abundant functional component of Heshouwu, shows various biological activities, among which its effect on the liver is worthy of attention. This paper reviews the current studies of TSG on hepatoprotection and hepatotoxicity, and summarizes the doses, experimental models, effects, and mechanisms of action involved in TSG's hepatoprotection and hepatotoxicity, aiming to provide insight for future study of TSG and understanding the effects of Heshouwu on the liver. Emerging evidence suggests that TSG ameliorates both pathological liver injury and chemical-induced liver injury by modulating lipid metabolism, inhibiting the inflammatory response and oxidative stress in the liver. However, with the reports of clinical cases of Heshouwu induced liver injury, it has been found that long-term exposure to a high dose of TSG cause hepatocyte or hepatic tissue damage. Moreover, TSG may cause hepatotoxicity by affecting the transport and metabolism of other possible hepatoxic compounds in Heshouwu. Studies indicate that trans-TSG can be isomerized into cis-TSG under illumination, and cis-TSG had a less detrimental dose to liver function than trans- TSG in LPS-treated rats. In brief, TSG has protective effects on the liver, but liver injury usually occurs under highdose TSG or is idiosyncratic TSG-induced liver injury.

Pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic compressive spinal cord injury due to vascular events.

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is the main cause of non-traumatic spinal cord injury, with chronic static and/or dynamic compressive spinal cord injury as the unique pathogenesis. In the progression of this condition, the microvascular network is compressed and destroyed, resulting in ischemia and hypoxia. The main pathological changes are inflammation, damage to the blood spinal cord barriers, and cell apoptosis at the site of compression. Studies have confirmed that vascular regeneration and remodeling contribute to neural repair by promoting blood flow and the reconstruction of effective circulation to meet the nutrient and oxygen requirements for nerve repair. Surgical decompression is the most effective clinical treatment for this condition; however, in some patients, residual neurological dysfunction remains after decompression. Facilitating revascularization during compression and after decompression is therefore complementary to surgical treatment. In this review, we summarize the progress in research on chronic compressive spinal cord injury, covering both physiological and pathological changes after compression and decompression, and the regulatory mechanisms of vascular injury and repair.

Active Ingredients of Reduning Injection Maintain High Potency against SARS-CoV-2 Variants / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the anti-coronavirus potential and the corresponding mechanisms of the two ingredients of Reduning Injection: quercetin and luteolin.@*METHODS@#A pseudovirus system was designed to test the efficacy of quercetin and luteolin to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection and the corresponding cellular toxicity. Luteolin was tested for its activities against the pseudoviruses of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. Virtual screening was performed to predict the binding sites by Autodock Vina 1.1.230 and PyMol. To validate docking results, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was used to measure the binding affinity of the compounds with various proteins of the coronaviruses. Quercetin and luteolin were further tested for their inhibitory effects on other coronaviruses by indirect immunofluorescence assay on rhabdomyosarcoma cells infected with HCoV-OC43.@*RESULTS@#The inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus by luteolin and quercetin were strongly dose-dependent, with concentration for 50% of maximal effect (EC50) of 8.817 and 52.98 µmol/L, respectively. Their cytotoxicity to BHK21-hACE2 were 177.6 and 405.1 µmol/L, respectively. In addition, luetolin significantly blocked the entry of 4 pseudoviruses of SARS-CoV-2 variants, with EC50 lower than 7 µmol/L. Virtual screening and SPR confirmed that luteolin binds to the S-proteins and quercetin binds to the active center of the 3CLpro, PLpro, and helicase proteins. Quercetin and luteolin showed over 99% inhibition against HCoV-OC43.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The mechanisms were revealed of quercetin and luteolin inhibiting the infection of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. Reduning Injection is a promising drug for COVID-19.

Effect of diurnal temperature range on the number of elderly inpatients with ischemic stroke in Hunan Province / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective: To study the effect of diurnal temperature range on the number of elderly inpatients with ischemic stroke in Hunan Province. Method: Demographic and disease data, meteorological data, air quality data, population, economic and health resource data of elderly inpatients with ischemic stroke were collected in 122 districts/counties of Hunan Province from January to December 2019. The relationships between the diurnal temperature range and the number of elderly inpatients with ischemic stroke were analyzed by using the distributed lag non-linear model, including the cumulative lag effect of the diurnal temperature range in different seasons, extremely high diurnal temperature range and extremely low diurnal temperature range. Results: In 2019, 152 875 person-times were admitted to the hospital for ischemic stroke in the elderly in Hunan Province. There was a non-linear relationship between the diurnal temperature range and the number of elderly patients with ischemic stroke, with different lag periods. In spring and winter, with the decrease in diurnal temperature range, the risk of admission of elderly patients with ischemic stroke increased (Ptrend<0.001, Ptrend=0.002);in summer, with the increase in diurnal temperature range, the risk of admission of elderly patients with ischemic stroke increased (Ptrend=0.024);in autumn, the change in the diurnal temperature range would not cause a change in admission risk (Ptrend=0.089). Except that the lag effect of the extremely low diurnal temperature range in autumn was not obvious, the lag effect occurred in other seasons under extremely low and extremely high diurnal temperature ranges. Conclusion: The high diurnal temperature range in summer and the low diurnal temperature range in spring and winter will increase the risk of admission of elderly patients with ischemic stroke, and the risk of admission of elderly patients with ischemic stroke will lag under the extremely low and extremely high diurnal temperature ranges in the above three seasons.

Does types of atrial fibrillation matter in the impairment of global and regional left ventricular mechanics and intra-ventricular dyssynchrony?

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, which is associated with cardiac dysfunction. This study aimed to compare the impairment severity of left ventricular strain and intra-ventricular dyssynchrony using echocardiography-derived velocity vector imaging in patients with different types of AF without heart failure. Methods: 168 non-valvular AF patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (98 paroxysmal AF patients and 70 persistent AF patients) and 86 healthy control subjects were included in this study. Regional and global left ventricular longitudinal and circumferential strain were measured. Time to regional peak longitudinal strain was measured and the standard deviation of all 12 segments (SDT-S) was used as a measure of intra-ventricular dyssynchrony. Results: Significantly lower GLS (-18.71 ± 3.00% in controls vs. -17.10 ± 3.01% in paroxysmal AF vs. -12.23 ± 3.25% in persistent AF, P < 0.05) and GCS (-28.75 ± 6.34% in controls vs. -24.43 ± 6.86% in paroxysmal AF vs. -18.46 ± 6.42% in persistent AF, P < 0.01) were observed in either persistent AF subjects or paroxysmal AF subjects compared with healthy control subjects (P < 0.05). The impairment was much worse in persistent AF subjects compared with paroxysmal AF subjects (P < 0.001). Intraventricular dyssynchrony was found in both persistent AF patients and paroxysmal AF patients, and it's worse in persistent AF patients (52 ± 18 ms in controls, 61 ± 17 ms in paroxysmal AF, and 70 ± 28 ms in persistent AF, P < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis revealed AF types were independent risk factors of GLS, GCS, and intraventricular dyssynchrony. Conclusion: AF types were not only associated with impaired longitudinal and circumferential left ventricle mechanics but also intra-ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony. Worse systolic mechanics and intra-ventricular dyssynchrony were found in patients with persistent AF compared with these in patients with paroxysmal AF.

Dan Bai Xiao Formula combined with glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide for pediatric lupus nephritis: A pilot prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with lupus nephritis (LN) typically undergo long-term treatment with glucocorticoids (GCs) and immunosuppressants. There is a growing demand for optimal therapy with better remission results and fewer side effects. Sustained traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) might be quite valuable for multitarget therapy, reducing the total dosage of GCs and minimizing the side effects of immunosuppressants. AIM: To evaluate whether Dan Bai Xiao Formula (DBXF) can reduce the exposure to GCs and cyclophosphamide (CYC) and to assess the efficacy and safety of DBXF for the resolution of proteinuria and hematuria in children with LN. METHODS: A 24-wk pilot study was conducted at Beijing Children's Hospital. Children with active LN were divided into either a TCM group or a control group. Children in the TCM group received DBXF combined with GCs and CYC, and the ones in the control group received GCs and CYC every 4 wk for 24 wk. The primary endpoints of this trial were urinary protein excretion of < 150 mg/d and normal serum albumin concentration and renal function. RESULTS: The trial included 78 children, of whom 38 received GCs and CYC treatment (control group) and the remaining 40 received DBXF combined with GCs and CYC treatment (TCM group). At week 24, the TCM group showed a better rate of complete remission (42.5%); however, there was no significant difference compared with the control group (31.5%, P > 0.05). The urine red blood cell count and urine protein level were significantly lower in the TCM group than in the control group at weeks 4, 12, and 24 (P < 0.05). Furthermore, patients in the TCM group had a lower proportion of methylprednisolone pulses than those in the control group (1.30 ± 1.41 vs 3.05 ± 2.02, P < 0.0001). The ending GC dose was significantly lower in the TCM group than in the control group (P < 0.001). Moreover, more hepatic function damage, gastrointestinal adverse effects, and hypertension were observed in the control group than in the TCM group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that DBXF treatment is effective and safe as a supplementary therapy for LN and is superior to routine GC and CYC therapy. DBXF containing combination treatment possibly results in a faster resolution of proteinuria and hematuria, smoother GC reduction, fewer methylprednisolone pulses, and fewer adverse events.

Analysis of risk factors for lateral lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma: A retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To investigate the risk factors for lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: A retrospective analysis of 209 patients with PTC who underwent primary surgery at the Beijing Friendship Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University from November 2014 to November 2018 was performed. The patients were divided into the LLNM group and the non-LLNM group. The clinical and pathological characteristics of the patients were analysed. The risk factors for LLNM were analysed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: The incidence of LLNM was 13.4% in PTC patients. Univariate analysis showed that the maximum diameter of the primary tumour > 2 cm (P < 0.001), bilateral primary tumour (P = 0.020), extrathyroidal extension (ETE) (P < 0.001), central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) (P < 0.001), and CLNM number ≥ 5 (P < 0.001) were significantly associated with LLNM. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the maximum diameter of the primary tumour > 2 cm, ETE, and CLNM were independent risk factors for LLNM (OR values were 3.880, 5.202, and 4.474, respectively). There were 6 patients with skip lateral cervical lymph node metastasis, accounting for 21% of all LLNM patients. Conclusion: This study revealed several independent risk factors for predicting LLNM in PTC patients, such as the maximum diameter of the primary tumour > 2 cm, ETE and CLNM. Lateral neck dissection may be recommended in PTC patients with those risk factors. Paying attention to the occurrence of skip lateral cervical lymph node metastasis during the clinical diagnosis and treatment processes is necessary.

Association of Serum Pepsinogens With Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Serum pepsinogens are serological biomarkers of gastric atrophy, and the latter is a risk factor for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, the association of serum pepsinogens with ESCC risk remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the relationship between serum pepsinogen I (PGI) and pepsinogen I: pepsinogen II ratio (PGR) and ESCC risk. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for articles on the effect of serum PGI and PGR on ESCC risk, published up to the end of February 2022. Meta-analysis with a random-effect model was used to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Five case-control studies and three prospective studies were included. In comparison with the high categories, the low categories of serum PGI (OR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.45-2.56) and PGR (OR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.01-2.85) were associated with an increased risk of ESCC, although a substantial heterogeneity was observed in serum PGR (I 2 = 60.2%, P = 0.028) rather than in serum PGI (I 2 = 46.4%, P = 0.070). In stratified analysis by study quality, the significant risk effect on ESCC was remained for PGI (OR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.48-2.84) and PGR (OR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.17-3.75) when only the studies with high quality were pooled. Conclusions: Based on the available studies, although limited in number, this systematic review along with meta-analysis suggests that low serum PGI and low PGR may be related to an increased risk of ESCC. This present study provides evidence for using serum pepsinogen biomarkers in predicting ESCC. More delicate well-designed cohort studies with high study quality are needed, and dose-response analysis should be performed.

Tfh Exosomes Derived from Allergic Rhinitis Promote DC Maturation Through miR-142-5p/CDK5/STAT3 Pathway.

Background: Dendritic cells (DCs) play an important role in allergen signal presentation. Many studies showed that follicular helper T cells (Tfhs) are related to allergic rhinitis (AR). However, the relationship between Tfhs and DCs and the mechanism of their interaction with AR remain unclear. Purpose: To explore the mechanism of Tfhs on DC maturation in AR. Methods: Tfhs were isolated from OVA-sensitized mice and co-cultured with DCs derived from mouse bone marrow. DCs maturity was monitored using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining. Exosomes of Tfhs were extracted, and miRNAs inside exosomes were analyzed using RNA-seq to identify differentially expressed genes. Using the TargetScan algorithm, it was predicted that CDK5 is a direct target gene, which is validated in a dual luciferase assay. DCs were treated with miR-142-5p mimics or inhibitors or transfected with CDK5 small interfering RNAs to verify the regulatory effects of miR-142-5p and CDK5 on DC maturation. How CDK5 regulates STAT3 signaling pathway was investigated to elucidate the molecular mechanism of DC maturation. Finally, in an in vivo experiment, the exosomes of AR-derived Tfhs were injected intravenously to detect their promotion of AR. Results: Tfh exosomes derived from AR mice contributed to DC maturation. RNA-seq results showed that miR-142-5p was the differentially decreased gene. Using the TargetScan algorithm, it was predicted that CDK5 was the target gene for the direct action of miR-142-5p. By detecting the effects of changes in the expression levels of miR-142-5p and CDK5 on DC maturation, it was demonstrated that miR-142-5p inhibits DC maturation by inhibiting CDK5 expression. CDK5-regulated STAT3 signaling pathway during DC maturation, and inhibition of the STAT3 signaling pathway can reverse the regulation of miR-142-5p/CDK5 on DC maturation. Finally, in vivo experiment indicated that the injection of AR-derived Tfhs promoted AR in mice. Conclusion: Tfh-derived exosomes induce DC maturation by regulating miR-142-5p/CDK5/STAT3 signaling pathway, thereby promoting the occurrence of AR.

[Changing Characteristics of Carbon-Based Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in Paddy Field in the Middle-Lower Yangtze Plain in China].

In recent years, carbon emission research has been receiving increasing attention. China has put forward the strategic goal of achieving a carbon emission peak by 2030. Hence this research is very important for the measurement of greenhouse gas emissions in China. CO2 and CH4 fluxes from a paddy field in the middle-lower Yangtze Plain in China were analyzed based on the eddy covariance technique. The CO2 flux showed an "U" curve during the observation period, with an average flux of -3.33 µmol·(m2·s)-1, which was a sink. Negative values appeared at the tillering stage, and the minimum was shown at the heading period. The CH4 flux trend was roughly opposite to the that of the CO2 flux, which first increased and then decreased. It raised rapidly during the tillering and jointing stages and then dropped rapidly from the peak to the trough during the booting stage, and only a slight increase was found in the blooming stage. The maximum flux[0.40 µmol·(m2·s)-1] appeared at the beginning of the booting stage and the end of the jointing stage, and the average flux was 0.11 µmol·(m2·s)-1. The CO2 flux was positive at night and negative during the day. It decreased from 07:00 and reached a minimum around 13:00 at -16.01 µmol·(m2·s)-1. The CH4 flux was low at night and high during the daytime. It increased at 06:00 and reached a peak around 14:00, at approximately 0.16 µmol·(m2·s)-1. An exponential correlation was found between air temperature and CH4 flux. The vapor pressure deficit showed a linear correlation with CH4 flux. The response of environmental factors on CO2 fluxes and CH4 fluxes on a diurnal scale was greater than that on a seasonal scale, and the daytime response was greater than that at night. CH4 flux decreased significantly with the increase in CO2 flux on the diurnal scale, but the correlation was not obvious on the seasonal scale. The increased CH4 flux slowed down after fertilizing.

Inhibition of CYP3A4 enhances aloe-emodin induced hepatocyte injury.

Aloe-emodin (AE) is a natural hydroxyanthraquinone derivative that was found in many medicinal plants and ethnic medicines. AE showed a wide array of pharmacological activities including anticancer, antifungal, laxative, antiviral, and antibacterial effects. However, increasing number of published studies have shown that AE may have some hepatotoxicity effects but the mechanism is not fully understood. Studies have shown that the liver injury induced by some free hydroxyanthraquinone compounds is associated with the inhibition of some metabolic enzymes. In this study, the CYP3A4 and CYP3A1 were found to be the main metabolic enzymes of AE in human and rat liver microsomes respectively. And AE was metabolized by liver microsomes to produce hydroxyl metabolites and rhein. When CYP3A4 was knocked down in L02 and HepaRG cells, the cytotoxicity of AE was increased significantly. Furthermore, AE increased the rates of apoptosis of L02 and HepaRG cells, accompanied by Ca2+ elevation, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) loss and reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction. The mRNA expression of heme oxygenase-1 in L02 and HepaRG cells increased significantly in the high-dose of AE (40 µmol/L) group, and the mRNA expression of quinone oxidoreductase-1 was activated by AE in all concentrations. Taken together, the inhibition of CYP3A4 enhances the hepatocyte injury of AE. AE can induce mitochondrial injury and the imbalance of oxidative stress of hepatocytes, which results in hepatocyte apoptosis.

Development and application of an indirect ELISA to detect antibodies to Neospora caninum in cattle based on a chimeric protein rSRS2-SAG1-GRA7.

Neospora caninum is an important apicomplexan parasite causing neosporosis in cattle. The disease is recognized as one of the most important cause of reproductive problems and abortion in cattle worldwide. In this context, we developed an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) with chimeric protein rSRS2-SAG1-GRA7 to diagnose antibodies to Neospora-infection. This indirect ELISA was compared to indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and western blotting (WB), and the sensitivity and specificity results of ELISA were calculated to be 86.7 and 96.1%, respectively. The overall coincidence rate was 92.6% using IFAT and WB. Additionally, 329 aborting dairy cattle serum samples were tested using this ELISA to evaluate the prevalence of N. caninum in Ningxia, China. The positive rate of N. caninum in these farms was from 19.05 to 57.89%, and the mean rate was 41.64% (±11.01%), indicating that infection with N. caninum may be one of the important causes of cattle abortion in this region. This established rSRS2-SAG1-GRA7 indirect ELISA is capable for detecting the antibodies against N. caninum, and it could be a useful screening tool for monitoring the epidemiology of neosporosis in cattle.

Incidence of leptospirosis in Fujian province, 2015-2020 / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To analyze the incidence of leptospirosis in Fujian province from 2015 to 2020 and provide the scientific evidences for the risk assessment, prevention and control of leptospirosis. Methods: The incidence data of leptospirosis in Fujian during 2015-2020 were collected from China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention for a descriptive analysis, and software ArcGIS 10.3.1 was used for spatial autocorrelation analysis, and rats were captured in 17 surveillance areas during the same period, and the rat organs were collected for pathogen culture, the level of Leptospira antibody was detected in serum samples of rats, healthy population and the serum samples of patients sent by the hospitals. The infection status of Leptospira in human and rats were analyzed. Results: The incidence of leptospirosis in Fujian showed a downward trend from 2015 to 2020. A total of 176 cases of leptospirosis were reported. There were obvious seasonality and bimodal distribution. The majority of cases were farmers, accounting for 49.43% (87/176). Most cases were aged 30-69 years (85.80%, 151/176). The male to female ratio of the cases was 3.51∶1 (137∶39). Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that leptospirosis had high or low clustering areas. From 2015 to 2020, the average capture rate of rats in 17 surveillance areas was 6.96% (1 519/21 838), Rattus losea, Rattus flavipectus and Niviventer fulvescens were the main species. The average positive rate of Leptospira antibody in rats was 28.64% (252/880). Java and Autumnalis were the predominant serogroups, accounting for 56.75% (143/252) and 17.46% (44/252), respectively. The average positive rate of Leptospira antibody in healthy population was 16.13% (254/1 575), and Autumnalis and Australis were the predominant serogroups, accounting for 71.65% (182/254). The confirmation rate of leptospirosis in patient serum samples sent by the hospitals was 2.23% (188/8 431), Autumnalis (56.38%, 106/188) and Hebdomadis (19.68%, 37/188) were the major serogroups. Conclusions: The incidence of leptospirosis in Fujian showed a downward trend from 2015 to 2020, there were obvious area clustering and seasonality. The high clustering areas were mainly distributed in northern, western and central Fujian. Java and Autumnalis were the predominant serogroups in rats. The infection rate in healthy population decreased year by year. Autumnalis and Hebdomadis were the main serogroups in population in Fujian.