Analysis of phase calculation error introduced by the extinction ratio in instantaneous phase shifting interference.

Instantaneous phase shifting interferometry technology, the core component of which is the pixel micropolarizer camera, has been widely used in commercial interferometers. This technology has the superiority of single-frame acquisition, vibration insensitivity, and no need for phase shifting devices. However, due to manufacturing defects and accuracy limitations, the extinction ratios (ER) of the micropolarizer array are different and fairly small, directly affecting the phase calculation accuracy. This paper initially derives a theoretical expression for the phase calculation error introduced by the extinction ratio (ER) and proposes the error correction model to reduce phase calculation errors caused by the extinction ratio. The theoretical analysis can serve as an important basis for accurately assessing the polarization characteristics of a pixel micropolarizer camera. Quantifying the impact of the extinction ratios provides significant support for the selection of polarization equipment. In addition, the paper proposes a calibration model to improve measurement accuracy, which can serve as an effective means to reduce the impact of the extinction ratio (ER). The innovative research content revealed the influence of extinction ratio (ER), serving as a valuable complement to the existing analysis and research on extinction ratio (ER).

Ex vivo tissue perturbations coupled to single-cell RNA-seq reveal multilineage cell circuit dynamics in human lung fibrogenesis.

Pulmonary fibrosis develops as a consequence of failed regeneration after injury. Analyzing mechanisms of regeneration and fibrogenesis directly in human tissue has been hampered by the lack of organotypic models and analytical techniques. In this work, we coupled ex vivo cytokine and drug perturbations of human precision-cut lung slices (hPCLS) with single-cell RNA sequencing and induced a multilineage circuit of fibrogenic cell states in hPCLS. We showed that these cell states were highly similar to the in vivo cell circuit in a multicohort lung cell atlas from patients with pulmonary fibrosis. Using micro-CT-staged patient tissues, we characterized the appearance and interaction of myofibroblasts, an ectopic endothelial cell state, and basaloid epithelial cells in the thickened alveolar septum of early-stage lung fibrosis. Induction of these states in the hPCLS model provided evidence that the basaloid cell state was derived from alveolar type 2 cells, whereas the ectopic endothelial cell state emerged from capillary cell plasticity. Cell-cell communication routes in patients were largely conserved in hPCLS, and antifibrotic drug treatments showed highly cell type-specific effects. Our work provides an experimental framework for perturbational single-cell genomics directly in human lung tissue that enables analysis of tissue homeostasis, regeneration, and pathology. We further demonstrate that hPCLS offer an avenue for scalable, high-resolution drug testing to accelerate antifibrotic drug development and translation.

Benzo(a)pyrene regulates chaperone-mediated autophagy via heat shock protein 90.

AIMS: Some studies have shown that the Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) exposure induced oxidative damage, DNA damage and autophagy, but the molecular mechanism is not clear. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is regarded as an important target in cancer therapy and a key factor in autophagy. Therefore, this study aims to clarify the new mechanism of BaP regulating CMA through HSP90. MAIN METHODS: C57BL mice were fed with BaP at a dose of 25.3 mg/kg. A549 cells were treated with different concerntrations of BaP, and MTT assay was used to observe the effect of BaP on the proliferation of A549 cells. DNA damage was detected by alkaline comet assay. Focus experiment for detection of γ-H2AX by immunofluorescence. The mRNA expression of HSP90, HSC70 and Lamp-2a was detected by qPCR. The protein expressions of HSP90, HSC70 and Lamp-2a were detected by Western blot. Next, we knocked down HSP90 expression by the HSP90 Inhibitor, NVP-AUY 922, exposed or HSP90α shRNA lentivirus transduction in A549 cells. KEY FINDINGS: In these studies, we first found that heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), heat shock cognate 70 (HSC70) and lysosomal-associated membrane protein type 2 receptor (Lamp-2a) expressions of C57BL mice lung tissue and A549 cells exposed to BaP were significant increase, as well as BaP induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and activated DNA damage responses, as evidenced by comet assay and γ-H2AX foci analysis in A549 cells. Our results demonstrated BaP induced CMA and caused DNA damage. Next, we knocked down HSP90 expression by the HSP90 Inhibitor, NVP-AUY 922, exposed or HSP90α shRNA lentivirus transduction in A549 cells. HSC70 and Lamp-2a expressions of these cells exposed to BaP were not significant increase, which showed that BaP inducted CMA was mediated by HSP90. Further, HSP90α shRNA prevented BaP induced of BaP which suggested BaP regulated CMA and caused DNA damage by HSP90. Our results elucidated a new mechanism of BaP regulated CMA through HSP90. SIGNIFICANCE: BaP regulated CMA through HSP90. HSP90 is involved in the regulation of gene instability induced by DNA damage by BaP, which promotes CMA. Our study also revealed that BaP regulates CMA through HSP90. This study fills the gap of the effect of BaP on autophagy and its mechanism, which will lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the action mechanism of BaP.

The role of complex interactions between the intestinal flora and host in regulating intestinal homeostasis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Pharmacological treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is inefficient and difficult to discontinue appropriately, and enterobacterial interactions are expected to provide a new target for the treatment of IBD. We collected recent studies on the enterobacterial interactions among the host, enterobacteria, and their metabolite products and discuss potential therapeutic options. Intestinal flora interactions in IBD are affected in the reduced bacterial diversity, impact the immune system and are influenced by multiple factors such as host genetics and diet. Enterobacterial metabolites such as SCFAs, bile acids, and tryptophan also play important roles in enterobacterial interactions, especially in the progression of IBD. Therapeutically, a wide range of sources of probiotics and prebiotics exhibit potential therapeutic benefit in IBD through enterobacterial interactions, and some have gained wide recognition as adjuvant drugs. Different dietary patterns and foods, especially functional foods, are novel therapeutic modalities that distinguish pro-and prebiotics from traditional medications. Combined studies with food science may significantly improve the therapeutic experience of patients with IBD. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the role of enterobacteria and their metabolites in enterobacterial interactions, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the potential therapeutic options derived from such metabolites, and postulate directions for further research.

A new ratiometric molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor for the detection of Sunset Yellow based on gold nanoparticles.

Since a high dosage or excessive intake of Sunset Yellow (SY) may pose a threat to human health, it is in great demand to construct an effective method to detect and control SY. Based on the molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and dual-signal output mode, a ratiometric molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor (RMIECs) was developed for sensitive detection of SY. AuNPs not only provided a large specific surface area to enhance the electron transfer rate but also served as a reference signal (S1), together with SY signal (S2), to produce dual signals. For a proof-of-application study, RMIECs was applied to detect SY with a wide linear range from 10 nM to 100 µM and a low detection limit (LOD) of 1.60 nM (S/N = 3, n = 3). Besides, the method was applied in spiked food samples with recoveries of 94.0 âˆ¼ 97.0 % as well as relative errors of 5.4 âˆ¼ 8.3 %, revealing its promising potential in detection of SY.

A review of current status of ratiometric molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensors: From design to applications.

Electrochemical techniques have been demonstrated as powerful tools for various applications in analytical science. However, due to limited electrochemically active surface areas and poor anti-inference performance, their sensitivity and stability are weakened in real samples. By integrating electrochemical techniques with ratio-signal output modes and molecular imprinting polymers (MIPs), the newly constructed ratiometric molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensors (RMIECs) can outcompete conventional electrochemical techniques with higher sensitivity and stability, easier pretreatment, better selectivity and reproducibility, and are more adapted to complex environments. Fascinated by the superior performances of RMIECs, researchers from all research fields have been devoted to the design and development of RMIECs in different applications. For the first time, we summarize distinct ratiometric signal output modes and highlight four different types of RMIECs as well as their design, working principle and applications in analytical fields. In addition, the current challenges and prospects are carefully discussed to provide innovative idea tactics for developing new electrochemical methods.

Efficacy and safety of progressively reducing biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in persistent remission: a study protocol for a non-inferiority randomized, controlled, single-blind trial.

BACKGROUND: To compare the effects of two biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD) administration strategies on the maintenance effect and safety of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in remission, to analyze the effects of gradual drug reduction and dose maintenance treatment on clinical outcomes in patients who have achieved remission with different types of bDMARDs, to search and screen out people who may benefit from drug reduction strategies, and to provide references for drug reduction strategies and treatment options for patients with RA in remission, so as to help improve the safety of the treatment and reduce the economic burden. METHODS: The study will be a 24-month non-inferiority randomized, controlled, single-blind trial and is planned to be launched in our hospital from September 2021 to August 2023. Patients will be randomized in a ratio of 2:1 to two groups: maintenance or injection spacing by 50%/gradual reduction of dosage every 3 months up to complete stop. When the patient relapses, return to the last effective dose. If the remission can be maintained, the medication of bDMARDs can be stopped 9 months after enrollment. The primary outcome will be the persistent flare rate. DISCUSSION: Our study may provide a reference for the selection of drug reduction strategies and treatment options for patients with RA in remission, so as to help improve the safety of the treatment and reduce the economic burden. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100044751. Registered on 26 March 2021.

Towards Development of Molecularly Imprinted Electrochemical Sensors for Food and Drug Safety: Progress and Trends.

Due to their advantages of good flexibility, low cost, simple operations, and small equipment size, electrochemical sensors have been commonly employed in food safety. However, when they are applied to detect various food or drug samples, their stability and specificity can be greatly influenced by the complex matrix. By combining electrochemical sensors with molecular imprinting techniques (MIT), they will be endowed with new functions of specific recognition and separation, which make them powerful tools in analytical fields. MIT-based electrochemical sensors (MIECs) require preparing or modifying molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) on the electrode surface. In this review, we explored different MIECs regarding the design, working principle and functions. Additionally, the applications of MIECs in food and drug safety were discussed, as well as the challenges and prospects for developing new electrochemical methods. The strengths and weaknesses of MIECs including low stability and electrode fouling are discussed to indicate the research direction for future electrochemical sensors.

Nanozyme Applications: A Glimpse of Insight in Food Safety.

Nanozymes own striking merits, including high enzyme-mimicking activity, good stability, and low cost. Due to the powerful and distinguished functions, nanozymes exhibit widespread applications in the field of biosensing and immunoassay, attracting researchers in various fields to design and engineer nanozymes. Recently, nanozymes have been innovatively used to bridge nanotechnology with analytical techniques to achieve the high sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility. However, the applications of nanozymes in food applications are seldom reviewed. In this review, we summarize several typical nanozymes and provide a comprehensive description of the history, principles, designs, and applications of nanozyme-based analytical techniques in food contaminants detection. Based on engineering and modification of nanozymes, the food contaminants are classified and then discussed in detail via discriminating the roles of nanozymes in various analytical methods, including fluorescence, colorimetric and electrochemical assay, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, magnetic relaxing sensing, and electrochemiluminescence. Further, representative examples of nanozymes-based methods are highlighted for contaminants analysis and inhibition. Finally, the current challenges and prospects of nanozymes are discussed.

Enzyme-induced Cu2+/Cu+ conversion as the electrochemical signal for sensitive detection of ethyl carbamate.

Traditional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (t-ELISA) method suffers from its relatively low sensitivity or accuracy in the detection of trace level of analyte in complicated samples. In this work, to extend the application of ELISA in practical samples, a newly electrochemical immunoassay (ECIA) was developed based on an enzyme-induced Cu2+/Cu+ conversion for the determination of ethyl carbamate (EC). Wherein, three rounds of signal transformation-the catalysis of ALP enzyme, the conversion of Cu2+/Cu+ and signal output of square wave voltammetry (SWV), can be realized to obtain higher sensitivity as compared to t-ELISA. The ECIA method combines the advantages of electrochemistry and ELISA, behaving superior detection performance, such as good selectivity, high sensitivity, and low background signal. For the wine samples, the method showed a linear detection range from 2.5 nM to 2.5 × 104 nM with a limit of detection of 2.28 nM (S/N = 3), which reveals that the ECIA sensor is a promising platform for the detection of trace level of EC in practical samples.

miR­760 regulates skeletal muscle proliferation in rheumatoid arthritis by targeting Myo18b.

MicroRNAs serve an important role in the development of several diseases. Numerous genes regulate the skeletal muscle differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts. The role of miR­760 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has not been reported, to the best of our knowledge. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the role of miR­760 in regulating skeletal muscle proliferation in RA. Potential genes functionally involved in the tarsal joint of a collagen­induced RA model were identified using Gene Expression Omnibus. Reverse transcription­quantitative PCR and western blot analyses were performed to determine the mRNA and protein expression levels. The proliferation, cell cycle progression and migration of C2C12 myoblasts were detected using Cell Counting Kit­8, flow cytometry and wound­healing assays, respectively. TargetScan was used to predict the potential target genes of miR­760, and this was verified using a dual­luciferase reporter assay. In the present study, myosin­18b (Myo18b) expression was determined to be downregulated in the RA model. Silencing Myo18b decreased the proliferation, abrogated the cell cycle progression, and reduced the migration and differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts. Expression levels of cyclin­dependent kinase 2, cyclin D1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)­2, MMP­9, myogenin and myosin heavy chain 6 were all decreased when Myo18b was silenced. Furthermore, overexpression of Myo18b induced opposing effects on C2C12 myoblasts. It was shown that Myo18b was a target gene of miRNA­760. Overexpression of miR­760 decreased proliferation, cell cycle progression, migration and differentiation in C2C12 myoblasts, and decreased the expression of Myo18b. The opposite results were observed when miR­760 was downregulated. In conclusion, miR­760 inhibited proliferation and differentiation by targeting Myo18b in C2C12 myoblasts. The results of the present study may contribute to understanding the mechanisms underlying RA skeletal muscle proliferation, and miR­760/Myo18b may serve as potential targets for treating patients with RA.

Exploring the influence of the surface proteins on probiotic effects performed by Lactobacillus pentosus HC-2 using transcriptome analysis in Litopenaeus vannamei midgut.

In order to understand the mediation function of surface proteins in probiotic effects executed by Lactobacillus pentosus HC-2 in midgut of Litopenaeus vannamei, the immune and digestion related enzymes and the transcriptome expression were analyzed after shrimp fed with normal HC-2 or with stripped surface proteins HC-2 by lithium chloride (LiCl) treatment. The results showed that the shrimp fed with normal HC-2 produced much higher immune and digestion related enzymes than the control group or LiCl-treated HC-2 group to defense the Vibrio parahaemolyticus E1 infection. We obtained total over 275,099 unigenes from L. vannamei midgut, 981 genes were significant differentially expressed in normal HC-2 group compared with control, 1314 genes were significant differentially expressed in LiCl-treated HC-2 group compared with control, and 1689 genes were significant differentially expressed in LiCl-treated HC-2 group compared with normal HC-2 group. The GO/KEGG enrichment analysis of the significantly different genes demonstrated that L. vannamei fed with normal HC-2 induced immune-related, signal transduction, ion homeostasis, cell-cell adhesion, response stress/stimulus, vascular endothelial growth factor and peritrophin genes up-regulation, which were important genes involved in improving the shrimp intestine immune response, nutrition and growth performance, and bacteria adhesion and colonization, but these genes were suppressed in the midgut of shrimp fed with deprived surface proteins bacteria. Taken together, these results indicated that the surface proteins were essential for HC-2 executing probiotic effects in midgut of shrimp. Our data contribute to improve the current understanding of host - Lactobacillus interaction and the probiotic mechanisms in shrimps.

Understanding the roles of surface proteins in regulation of Lactobacillus pentosus HC-2 to immune response and bacterial diversity in midgut of Litopenaeus vannamei.

The interactions of microbiota in the intestines play an important role in promoting or maintaining the health of hosts. The present study aim to investigate the effects of the surface proteins of Lactobacillus pentosus HC-2 on the immune response and the bacterial composition of Litopenaeus vannamei, thus, the immune-related genes, surface condition, HC-2 numbers and the bacteria diversity in midgut were explored after shrimp feeding the normal HC-2 and 5 M -  lithium chloride (LiCl) treated HC-2 for four weeks. Obvious improvements in the intestinal surface were observed in R group than the control group and L group. qPCR analysis demonstrated that the selected immune-related genes of lysozyme, proPO, LGBP, PEN-3α, crustin, and lvLec were significantly up-regulated in group R than in group L. Meanwhile, in the challenge test, shrimp in R group received 72% relative percent survival, which was significantly higher than the L group (RPS = 9%). The bacteria composition analysis showed that the abundance of Proteobacteria were significantly higher in group R and L than in group C, and the Bacteroidetes were significantly higher in group C than in group R and L, whereas the numbers of Chloroflexi were significantly higher in group R than in group C and L. The bacterial community difference analysis revealed that the harmful bacteria such as genus of Vibrio, Tenacibaculu and Thalassobius were decreased and the beneficial bacterium as Ruegeria and Lactobacillus were increased in R group, whereas this phenomenon were not found in L group. Taken together, above results indicating that the surface proteins were indispensable for L. pentosus HC-2 adhesion and colonization in shrimp intestines to improve intestine condition, enhance immune response, competitively exclude the pathogens, and promote the beneficial bacteria growth to protect the shrimp from pathogens infection. The findings in this work will help to promote the understanding of the roles of probiotics in shrimp intestines displaying probiotic-function by regulating the intestinal bacteria.

Correlations between TLR polymorphisms and inflammatory bowel disease: a meta-analysis of 49 case-control studies.

Recently, the roles of toll-like receptor (TLR) polymorphisms in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were intensively explored, with conflicting results. Therefore, we performed this study to better assess the relationship between TLR polymorphisms and the risk of IBD. Eligible studies were searched in PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Web of Science. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate associations between TLR polymorphisms and IBD. Significant associations with the risk of IBD were detected for the TLR1 rs5743611, TLR4 rs4986790, TLR4 rs4986791, and TLR6 rs5743810 polymorphisms in overall analyses. Further subgroup analyses according to ethnicity of participants revealed that the TLR1 rs5743611, TLR4 rs4986790, TLR4 rs4986791, TLR6 rs5743810, and TLR9 rs352140 polymorphisms were significantly associated with the risk of IBD in Caucasians. Moreover, the TLR4 rs4986790 polymorphism was significantly correlated with the risk of IBD in West Asians, while the TLR9 rs352140 polymorphism was significantly associated with the risk of IBD in Africans. When we stratified available data according to type of disease, we found similar positive results for TLR1 rs5743611, TLR4 rs4986790, TLR4 rs4986791, and TLR6 rs5743810 polymorphisms. Our findings indicate that TLR1 rs5743611, TLR4 rs4986790, TLR4 rs4986791, TLR6 rs5743810, and TLR9 rs352140 polymorphisms may serve as genetic biomarkers of IBD in certain ethnicities. However, further well-designed studies are still warranted to confirm our findings.

Angiotensin II receptor blocker valsartan ameliorates cardiac fibrosis partly by inhibiting miR-21 expression in diabetic nephropathy mice.

Cardiac fibrosis with diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of major diabetic complications. miR-21 and MMP-9 were closely associated with fibrosis diseases. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) have cardioprotective effects. However, it remains unclear whether miR-21 was involved in the mechanism of cardiac fibrosis with DN by target MMP-9 and ARB ameliorates cardiac fibrosis partly by inhibiting miR-21 expression. In this study, In Situ Hybridization(ISH), RT-PCR, cell transfection, western blotting and laser confocal telescope were used, respectively. ISH showed that miR-21, concentrated in cytoplasmic foci in the proximity of the nucleus, was mainly localized in cardiac fibroblasts and at relatively low levels in cardiomyocytes within cardiac tissue with DN. RT-PCR showed that miR-21 expression was significantly enhanced in cardiac tissue with DN, accompanied by the increase of col-IV, FN, CVF, PVCA, LVMI, HWI and NT-pro-BNP (p < 0.05). Bioinformatics analysis and Luciferase reporter gene assays showed that MMP-9 was a validated target of miR-21. Furthermore, cell transfection experiments showed that miR-21 overexpression directly decreased MMP-9 expression. Interestingly, miR-21 levels in cardiac tissue was positively correlated with ACR (r = -0.870, P = 0.003), whereas, uncorrelated with SBP, HbA1C and T-Cho (p > 0.05). More importantly, ARB can significantly decrease miR-21 expression in cardiac tissue, cardiac fibroblasts and serum. Overall, our results suggested that miR-21 may contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis with DN by target MMP-9, and that miR-21 may be a new possible therapeutic target for ARB in cardiac fibrosis with DN.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Bathing with Chinese Medicine Taohong Siwu Decoction () for Treatment of Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy and safety of bathing therapy with Taohong Siwu Decoction (, TSD) in the treatment of early-stage, mild-moderate diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc). METHODS: This randomized, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 148 men and women (18-60 years) with dcSSc (disease duration 12 months) and baseline modified Rodnan skin score (MRSS) 10. Patients were randomized into a TSD group (71 cases bathing with TSD plus oral prednisone) or control group (71 cases bathing with placebo plus oral prednisone). Bathing (40 °C, 30 min) of the upper and lower limbs was carried out once daily for 12 consecutive weeks. The primary outcome measure was MRSS; secondary outcomes were Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) score, quality of life (QOL), physician visual analogue scale (VAS), patient VAS, percent predicted diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) level and overall treatment effect. RESULTS: The final analysis included 135 patients (control group, 68 cases; TSD group, 67 cases). Primary and secondary outcome measures after 2 weeks of treatment showed no improvement (versus baseline) in both groups, with no differences between groups. At 12 weeks, QOL, physician VAS, patient VAS, ESR and CRP were improved in both groups, but MRSS and RP score were improved only in the TSD group (all P<0.05). MRSS, RP score, QOL, physician VAS, patient VAS, ESR and CRP differed significantly between groups (all P<0.05). Meanwhile, the overall treatment effect was significantly higher in the TSD group than in the control group (P<0.05). Adverse events in the two groups were similar (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Bathing with TSD plus oral prednisone achieves better outcomes than oral prednisone alone in patients with dcSSc and is not associated with serious adverse events.

Nocturnal Hypoxemia Causes Hyperglycemia in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Our purpose was to investigate the relationship between oxygen saturation (SpO2) and dynamic interstitial glucose level (IGL) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) along with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to investigate the potential mechanisms thereof. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 130 patients with OSA and T2DM underwent polysomnography and oral glucose tolerance tests at the Sleep Medicine Center. Using the lowest (L) SpO2% tested, patients were divided into mild, moderate and severe LSpO2 groups. Polysomnography and continuous glucose monitoring systems were used to analyze the altered pattern of SpO2 and dynamic IGL in the 3 groups. RESULTS: LSpO2 during sleep in patients with OSA and T2DM stimulated an increase in IGL. The moderate and severe levels were represented by IGL45 and IGL30, respectively. The average nocturnal and peak IGL after LSpO2 in the severe group were significantly higher than in the mild and moderate groups. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the body mass index (ß = 0.301, P < 0.001), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (ß = 0.260, P < 0.001), apnea-hypopnea index (ß = 0.309, P < 0.001), average SpO2 (ß = -0.423, P = 0.008), LSpO2 (ß = -0.369, P < 0.001) and microarousal index (ß = 0.335, P = 0.044) were probably related to nocturnal IGL in patients with OSA along with T2DM. CONCLUSIONS: Severe and moderate OSA with T2DM is marked by a delayed IGL peak following LSpO2. Nocturnal hypoxemia causes hyperglycemia in patients with OSA along with T2DM.

Chemokine receptor CXCR3 in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus): cloning, characterization and its responses to lipopolysaccharide.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 3, a member of the G protein-coupled receptors superfamily, regulates the responses of many immune responses. In this experiment, we cloned and characterized the cDNA of CXCR3 in Scophthalmus maximus (turbot). A 5'-UTR of 216-bp, a 259-bp 3'-UTR with a poly (A) tail and a 1089-bp CDS encoding 362 amino acids form the cDNA of CXCR3, which is 1564-bp long. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that turbot CXCR3 shared a high similarity with other CXCR3s and shared more similarity with CXCR5 than the other subfamilies of chemokines. The CXCR3 protein in turbot showed the highest similarity with the CXCR3b from rainbow trout (44.5%), which indicated that this CXCR3 gene/protein may be a CXCR3b isoform. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that CXCR3 transcripts were constitutively expressed in all the tissues of the non-injected turbot used in this study, with the highest expression occurring in blood. Several immune-related tissues of fish, such as the spleen, head kidney, liver and blood, tissues, which were abundant of lymphocyte, were investigated in this study. CXCR3 gene was expressed at the highest level in blood than the other tested tissues. The injection experiment suggested that the CXCR3 expression level after LPS injection was significantly up-regulated in all immune-related tissues in turbot. These results improve our understanding of the functions of CXCR3 in the turbot immune response.

[Efficacy Observation of Chinese Herbal Fumigation Combined Western Drugs for Treating Sys- temic Sclerosis Complicated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension].

Objective To observe the therapeutic efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal fumigation combined with leflunomide (LEF) and prednisone (Pred) in treatment of systemic sclerosis (SSc) complicated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Methods Totally 99 SSc patients complicated early PAH were randomly assigned to the Western drugs group (WD, 49 cases) and the integrative medicine group (IM, 50 cases). Patients in the WD group took LEF (20 mg) and Pred (15 mg) , once per day. In addition to routine WD program, those in the IM group additionally received Chinese herbal fumigation. All treatment lasted for 6 months. Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) was observed in each group before and after treatment. RP score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) , and pulmonary function were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. The clinical efficacy and adverse reactions were evaluated. Results Thirteen cases were lost due to various reasons. A total of 86 patients completed this study, 41 in the WD group and 45 in the IM group. Compared with the same group before treatment, RP score, levels of ESR and CRP all decreased in the two groups after treatment (P <0. 05). Compared with the WM group after treatment, RP score, levels of ESR and CRP were obviously lowered in the IM group after treatment (P < 0. 05). Besides, lowered differences between post-pre-values of ESR, CRP, and PASP were more obviously higher, while elevated differences between post-pre-values of total lung capacity (TLC) and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) were more obviously higher in the IM group (P <0. 05). The total effective rate was 93. 33% (42/45) in the IM group, obviously higher than that in the WD group [70. 73% (29/41) , P <0. 05 ]. There was no statistical difference in total adverse reaction rate between the two groups (x² =0. 019, P =0. 891). Conclusion Chinese herbal fumigation combined with WD had obvious efficacy with less adverse reactions, so it was worth clinical spread.

Air pollution and hospital admissions for respiratory diseases in Lanzhou, China.

Lanzhou is among the most seriously air-polluted cities in China as a whole, due to its unique topography, climate, industrial structure and so on. We studied the relationship between different air pollution and respiratory hospitalizations from 2001 to 2005, the total of respiratory hospital admissions were 28,057. The data were analyzed using Poisson regression models after controlling for the long time trend for air pollutants, the "day of week" effect and confounding meteorological factors. Three air pollutants (PM10, SO2, NO2) had a lag effect, the lag was 3-5 days for PM10, 1-3 days for SO2 and 1-4 days for NO2. The relative risks were calculated for increases in the inter-quartile range of the pollutants (139 µg/m(3) in PM10, 61 µg/m(3) in SO2 and 31 µg/m(3) in NO2). Results showed that there were significant associations between air pollutants and respiratory hospital admissions, and stronger effects were observed for females and aged ≥65 yrs in Lanzhou.