Glutamyl transpeptidase trajectories and new-onset metabolic syndrome: A cohort study / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective:To explore the association between glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) trajectories and new-onset metabolic syndrome to provide insights for the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome.Methods:A total of 3 209 subjects who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study cohort of physical examination population. The GGT levels before follow-up were classified by R LCTMtools program into 3 GGT trajectory groups: low-stable group, medium-stable group and high-stable group. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the correlation between different GGT trajectories and new-onset metabolic syndrome.Results:At the end of follow-up in 2020, the cumulative incidence of metabolic syndrome was 7.0%, and the incidence of metabolic syndrome in the low-stable group, medium-stable group and high-stable group were 3.9%, 11.4%, and 15.0%, respectively, showing a growth trend ( P<0.001). After adjusting for multiple confounding factors by Cox proportional hazards regression model, the risk of metabolic syndrome in medium-stable group and high-stable group increased in the total population. The hazard ratios (95% CI)for the high stable group in males and the medium-stable group in females were 1.67(1.07-2.60) and 3.29(1.14-9.53), respectively, compared with their respective low-stable group. Conclusion:Elevated longitudinal trajectory of GGT is a risk factor for new-onset metabolic syndrome, the risk of metabolic syndrome in the total population increased with the increase of long-term GGT level. It is recommended to maintain the long-term level of GGT at about 28 U/L in males and 14 U/L in females, respectively, to achieve the goal of early prevention of metabolic syndrome.

Gut Microbiome Characteristics in feral and domesticated horses from different geographic locations.

Domesticated horses live under different conditions compared with their extinct wild ancestors. While housed, medicated and kept on a restricted source of feed, the microbiota of domesticated horses is hypothesized to be altered. We assessed the fecal microbiome of 57 domestic and feral horses from different locations on three continents, observing geographical differences. A higher abundance of eukaryota (p < 0.05) and viruses (p < 0.05) and lower of archaea (p < 0.05) were found in feral animals when compared with domestic ones. The abundance of genes coding for microbe-produced enzymes involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in feral animals regardless of the geographic origin. Differences in the fecal resistomes between both groups of animals were also noted. The domestic/captive horse microbiomes were enriched in genes conferring resistance to tetracycline, likely reflecting the use of this antibiotic in the management of these animals. Our data showed an impoverishment of the fecal microbiome in domestic horses with diet, antibiotic exposure and hygiene being likely drivers. The results offer a view of the intestinal microbiome of horses and the impact of domestication or captivity, which may uncover novel targets for modulating the microbiome of horses to enhance animal health and well-being.

A cohort study on the correlation between fasting plasma glucose trajectories and new-onset carotid plaque / 中华健康管理学杂志

Objective:To investigate the correlation between fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and new-onset carotid plaque through latent class trajectory models.Methods:A total of 953 observation objects came from the first affiliated hospital of Zhengzhou University in accordance with the inclusion criteria. According to the FPG values of the observed subjects during the annual physical examination from January 2017 to December 2019, the following four different FPG trajectories groups were determined by latent class trajectory modelling tools: the low-stable group, the medium stable group, the medium-high stable group, and the high stable group. Carotid plaque incidence in each group was followed up in 2020 to compare the differences of the cumulative incidences of the four groups. The Cox proportional risk regression model was used to analyze the correlation between different FPG trajectories and new-onset carotid plaque.Results:The incidence of carotid plaque increased with the increase of FPG trajectories by 11.13%, 19.70%, 23.44%, 23.81%, respectively, with significance ( P<0.001). After adjusting gender, age, BMI and other confounding factors with the cox proportional risk regression model, the risk of carotid plaque in the FPG medium stable group, medium and high stable group, high-stable group was still 1.895 (95% CI: 1.296-2.769), 2.273 (95% CI: 1.241-4.161), 2.527 (95% CI: 1.219-5.241) times of the low stable group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:The long-term high FPG levels are independent risk factors for the incidence of carotid plaque, and controlling FPG at a low level steadily can reduce the risk of carotid plaque.

Evolution analysis of diagnosis and treatment plans of corona virus disease 2019 based on text mining / 生物医学工程学杂志

In order to understand the evolution of the diagnosis and treatment plans of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and provide convenience for medical staff in actual diagnosis and treatment, this paper uses the 9 diagnosis and treatment plans of COVID-19 issued by the National Health Commission during the period from January 26, 2020 to August 19, 2020 as research data to perform comparative analysis and visual analysis. Based on text mining, this paper obtained the text similarity and summarized its evolution law by expressing and measuring the similarity of the overall diagnosis and treatment plans of COVID-19 and the same modules, which provides reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment practice and other diagnosis and treatment plan formulation.

Associations of clinical characteristics and antiviral drugs with viral RNA clearance in patients with COVID-19 in Guangzhou, China: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundThe novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) characterized by respiratory symptoms has become a global pandemic although factors influencing viral RNA clearance remained unclear to inform optimal isolation period and treatment strategies. MethodsIn this retrospective study, we included patients with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to Guangzhou Eighth Peoples Hospital from 20th January 2020 to 15th March 2020. The associations of clinical characteristics and treatment regimens on time to viral RNA clearance were analyzed. ResultsWe examined 284 consecutive COVID-19 cases, accounting for 82% of confirmed cases in Guangzhou during this period. At the time of reporting (20th March 2020), 276 (97.2%) had recovered and were discharged from hospital with a median hospital stay of 18 days (interquartile range [IQR]:13-24). Overall, 280 patients achieved viral RNA clearance with a median length of 12 days (IQR: 8-16) after onset of illness. Amongst them, 66.1% had viral RNA cleared within 14 days, and 89.3% within 21 days. Older age, severity of disease, time lag from illness onset to hospital admission, high body temperature, and corticosteroid use were associated with delayed clearance of viral RNA. None of the antiviral regimens (chloroquine, oseltamivir, arbidol, and lopinavir/ritonavir) improved viral RNA clearance. The use of lopinavir/ritonavir was associated with delayed clearance of viral RNA after adjusting for confounders. ConclusionIn patients with COVID-19, isolation for a minimum of 21 days after onset of illness may be warranted, while the use of antiviral drugs does not enhance viral RNA clearance. Brief SummaryViral RNA was cleared in 89% of the COVID-19 patients within 21 days after illness onset. The use of antiviral drugs (chloroquine, oseltamivir, arbidol, and lopinavir/ritonavir) did not shorten viral RNA clearance, especially in non-serious cases.

Effect of tanshinol on bone mineral density and microstructure of proximal tibias in rats with bone loss induced by glucocorticoid / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effect of tanshinol on bone mineral density and microstructure of proximal tibias in rats with bone loss induced by glucocorticoid. Methods Sixty 7-month-old female SPF SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups with 1 0 rats per group:control group(saline:5 ml·kg -1 ·d -1 ),glucocorti-coid group (prednisone acetate:6 mg·kg -1 ·d -1 ), glucocorticoid +low dose of tanshinol group(1 2.5 mg ·kg -1 ·d -1 ),glucocorticoid +medium dose of tan-shinol group (25 mg·kg -1 ·d -1 ),glucocorticoid +high dose of tanshinol group (50 mg·kg -1 ·d -1 ), glucocorticoid +(positive control drug)calcitriol group (0.045 μg · kg -1 · d -1 ).Rats were gavaged with prednisone acetate continuously for 1 4 weeks to estab-lish the bone loss model.Meanwhile,tanshinol and calcitriol were orally administered to the rats which were treated with prednisone acetate for intervention. At the end of the experiment,the left proximal tibias were collected for Micro-CT scanning and three-dimen-sional reconstruction of cortical and trabecular bone re- spectively to observe the changes of bone microstruc-ture and test related parameters.Results Bone min-eral density was decreased and bone microstructure was destroyed in proximal tibias of rats after treatment with glucocorticoid.Both tanshinol (25 mg·kg -1 ·d -1 ) and calcitriol(0.045 μg·kg -1 ·d -1 )could increase bone mineral density and improve bone microstructure in proximal tibias without significant differences be-tween each other.Tanshinol (50 mg · kg -1 · d -1 ) could improve bone microstructure to some extent,but it had no significant effect on bone mineral density. Tanshinol(1 2.5 mg·kg -1 ·d -1 )had no significant effect on bone mineral density or microstructure.Con-clusion Oral administration of tanshinol (25 mg · kg -1 ·d -1 )to the rats treated with glucocorticoid can increase bone mineral density and improve bone micro-structure in proximal tibias.

Preventive effect of Polygonum Multiflorum on deteriorated micro-structure and biomechanical properties induced by prednisone / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the preventive effect of Polygonum Multiflorum (PM)on the deteriorated mi-cro-structure and biomechanical properties induced by prednisone.Methods Ninety 6-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into nine groups,which were control,prednisone,CAL,30%ethanol eluent of the PM(H,M,L),PM(H,M,L). Prednisone was gavaged to rat for 21 weeks as model group of osteoporosis.Meanwhile,tested herbal ab-stract were orally administrated to the modeled rats in-duced by prednisone.At the end of the experiment, the right femur was collected for micro-CT scanning, three-dimensional reconstruction and biomechanical test.Results Compared with the control group,mod-el group showed destruction of bone microarchitecture, BV /TV fell 28.6%(P <0.05),bone biomechanical parameters decreases,and stiffness fell 29.7%(P <0.01 ). Compared with the model group, positive group had significantly improved effect on bone micro-architecture,and biomechanical parameters,BV /TV increased 46.7%(P <0.01 ),and stiffness increased 25.9%(P <0.01 ).30% ethanol eluent of the PM (M,L)dose may improve bone microstructure by in-creasing BV /TV 46.7% (P <0.01 ),40.0% (P <0.05)respectively,PM(H)may improve the biome-chanical parameters by increasing stiffness 24.7%(P<0.05),and 30% ethanol eluent of the PM(H)and PMhigh-dose may improve the biomechanical parame-ters,but not as positive group.Conclusions Predni-sone reduces biomechanical properties of rat femur and deteriorates femoral microstructure.30% ethanol eluent of the PM(M,L)and PM(H)plays a preventive role in the changes of micro-structural and biomechanical properties by prednisone,and increases BMD,whereas other groups have no significant preventive effect.

In vitro susceptibilities of 5 antifungal agents against 52 strains of Penicillium marneffei / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To investigate in vitro activities of 5 fungal agents(amphotericin B,ketoconazole,fluconasole,5-fluorocytoaine and itroconazole)against Penicillium marneffei,providing references for clinical treatment.Methods E-test was used to test the in vitro susceptibilities of 5 antifungal agents (amphotericin B,ketoconazole,fluconasole,5-fluorocytoaine and itroconazole)against yeast form and mycelial form of 52 Penicillium marneffei strains isolated from our hospital.Results The 90% minimal inhibitory concentrations(MIC90)of amphotericin B,ketoconazole,fluconasole,5-fluorocytoaine and itroconazole against yeast form of Penicillium marneffei were 0.250,0.160,24.000,4.000,0.006 mg/L,the minimal inhibitory concentration(MIC)ranges were 0.004-0.500,0.002-0.016,1.000-256.000,0.002-32.000 and 0.002-0.008 mg/L,respectively;the MIG90 of the 5 agents against mycelial form of Penicil lium marneffei were 1.500,0.125,256.000,24.000 and 0.012 mg/L,respectively;the MIC ranges were 0.064-4.000,0-006-0.940,1-000-256.000,0.125-32.000 and 0.002-0.064 mg/L respectively.Five antifungal agents had different susceptibility patterns against both forms of Penicillium marneffei.And itroconazole was the most susceptible one,ketoconazole follows as the second.There was significant difference between the MICs of the same agent against yeast form of Penicillium marneffei and mycelial form of Penicillium marneffei.Conclusion In vitro antifungal agents suscepbibility tests of Penicillium marneffei can provide important references information for clinical treatment.