Exercise intervention mitigates zebrafish age-related sarcopenia via alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction.

Sarcopenia is a common disorder that leads to a progressive decrease in skeletal muscle function in elderly people. Exercise effectively prevents or delays the onset and progression of sarcopenia. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying how exercise intervention improves skeletal muscle atrophy remain unclear. In this study, we found that 21-month-old zebrafish had a decreased swimming ability, reduced muscle fibre cross-sectional area, unbalanced protein synthesis, and degradation, increased oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction, which suggests zebrafish are a valuable model for sarcopenia. Eight weeks of exercise intervention attenuated these pathological changes in sarcopenia zebrafish. Moreover, the effects of exercise on mitochondrial dysfunction were associated with the activation of the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α axis and 15-PGDH downregulation. Our results reveal potential therapeutic targets and indicators to treat age-related sarcopenia using exercise intervention.

Establishment of Drug-Resistant Cell Lines of Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Correlation of Sirt1 and PGC-1α Expression Levels with Drug Resistance / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To construct cytarabine-resistant acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines, and explore the correlation between Sirt1, PGC-1α expression levels and drug resistance.@*METHODS@#Human acute promyelocytic leukemia Kasumi-1 cells were induced by the method of gradually increasing the concentration of Ara-C drug. The IC50 value of Kasumi-1 cells before and after drug addition was detected by CCK-8 method, so as to construct Ara-C resistant cell lines. The expression levels of Sirt1 and PGC-1α mRNA in Kasumi-1 drug-resistant cell lines and their parental cell lines were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and the expression levels of Sirt1 and PGC-1α protein in kasumi-1 drug-resistant cell lines and their parental cell lines were detected by Western blot.@*RESULTS@#The constructed Kasumi-1 cell line had common morphological characteristics of drug-resistant cell lines under microscope, and the drug resistance index was greater than 5, indicating that Kasumi-1 drug-resistant cells had good drug resistance after the construction. The RT-qPCR and Western blot assays showed that the expression levels of Sirt1 and PGC-1α mRNA and protein in the drug-resistant cell lines were higher than those of the parental cell lines (P<0.001).@*CONCLUSION@#AML cell lines resistant to Ara-C can be successfully induced by the method of gradually increasing the concentration, and the co-high expression of Sirt1 and PGC-1α may mediate the drug resistance of AML cells.

Magnetic resonance-guided repeat biopsy of suspicious malignant lung lesions after an initial negative computed tomography-guided Biopsy.

Objective: This study sought to establish the diagnostic utility of performing a second biopsy using an magnetic resonance (MR)-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) approach in patients with suspicious malignant lung lesions that had already undergone an initial negative computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy. Materials and Methods: This study evaluated 31 patients with suspicious lung lesions (18 males, 13 females; mean age: 62.1 ± 11.3 years) that had previously undergone CT-guided PTNB with negative pathological findings January 2015-November 2020. A final histopathological diagnosis was made based on resected lung lesion specimens or, when resection was not conducted, on clinical diagnosis following a ≥6-month follow-up. The diagnostic accuracy of MR-guided secondary lung biopsy was determined by comparing the lung biopsy results for each patient to their final diagnosis. Results: 1.0T open MR-guided secondary lung biopsy was performed for 31 lesions (20 central, 11 peripheral; mean size, 5.3 ± 2.0 cm). The pathological results revealed 20/31 (64.5%) lesions to be malignant (14 adenocarcinoma, 4 squamous cell carcinoma, and 2 small-cell lung cancer) as detected by 1.0T open MR-guided PTNB and confirmed by surgical pathology and clinical follow-up. There were three instances of biopsy-induced complications including hemorrhage in 6.5% of the patients (2/31) and pneumothorax in 3.2% of the patients (1/31). No patients experienced severe complications. Conclusion: For individuals with clinically suspicious lung lesions that initially received negative CT-guided PTNB findings, 1.0T open MR-guided secondary lung biopsy is a safe and effective secondary diagnostic approach.

Impact of parental conflict perception on adolescent anxiety and the therapeutic effect of family therapy / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To investigate the impact of parental conflict perception on adolescent anxiety and the therapeutic effect of family therapy on adolescent anxiety.@*Methods@#A total of 120 adolescent anxiety patients who attend the psychological clinic of the fourth renming hospital in Hefei were selected and were divided into two groups, the treatment group and control group, impact clinical medication while the treatment group recevied both clinical medication and family therapy(for three months). Parents Conflict Consciousness Scale(CPIC), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) was used to assess parents conflict consciousness of adolescent anxiety. Effects of family therapy on teenagers anxiety and CPIC, HAMA score were analyzed.@*Results@#CPIC conflict intensity, threats of cognitive conflict and content for adolescent anxiety were positively correlated with HAMA scores(r=0.26, 0.20, 0.18, P<0.05), At the end of the three-month treatment, the score on HAMA and CPIC of the treatment group (HAMA: 9.23±1.98, CPIC: 9.52±2.35) was significantly lower than that of the control group(HAMA: 14.52±2.66, CPIC:11.98±2.55)(t=11.88, 5.48, P<0.01). HAMA and CPIC scores of patients in both groups significantly decreased compared to before treatment(control group t=13.88, 16.84; treatment group t=20.50, 21.89, P<0.01).@*Conclusion@#Parental conflict perception shows impact on adolescent anxiety, and family therapy can reduce parental conflict perception and relieve adolescent anxiety.

Interventional Treatment Strategy for Primary Budd-Chiari Syndrome with Both Inferior Vena Cava and Hepatic Vein Involvement: Patients from Two Centers in China.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study evaluated interventional treatments (recanalization, balloon dilation, and/or stent placement) for Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS), caused by combined obstruction of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and hepatic veins (HVs). METHODS: Before and after interventional therapy, patients with BCS (n = 162; asymptomatic 105.2 ± 103.3 mo; follow-up 15 [6-24] mo) underwent imaging studies (color Doppler ultrasound, CT, or MRI), and inferior vena cavography and manometry. Venous lesions were characterized by occlusion features, and presence of thrombosis and peripheral collateral vessels. RESULTS: One, 2, and 3 main HV occlusions were observed, respectively, in 25 (15.4%), 61 (37.7%), and 76 (46.9%) patients. Eighty-three (51.2%), 98 (60.5%), and 104 (64.2%) patients had, respectively, large accessory HVs, venous collaterals formed between the HVs, or venous communicating branches between the HV and the peritoneal veins. The middle, left, and right HV was patent in 32 (19.8%), 35 (21.6%), and 44 (27.2%) patients. Recanalization of both hepatic and caval occlusions was successful in 96% (51/53) of those attempted; recanalization of IVC occlusion was successful in 97% (106/109). Among 157 patients successfully treated, 146 were cured and 11 showed clinical improvement. Clinical symptoms were relieved in 82.4% after the initial intervention, and 94.2% after the second intervention. CONCLUSION: Recanalization and balloon angioplasty was effective for the management of BCS with concurrent HV and IVC occlusions. The majority of patients required only IVC recanalization. The outcome of patients treated only by IVC intervention was similar to that of patients given combined HV and IVC intervention.

Colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibition prevents against lipopolysaccharide -induced osteoporosis by inhibiting osteoclast formation.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can induce bone loss by stimulating osteoclast formation. Colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF 1R) inhibitors have great potential for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and tumor-related bone erosion. However, its role in LPS-induced bone loss is still not clarified. In this study, we observed the effects of CSF 1R inhibitor, PLX3397, on LPS-induced bone damage in an animal model. The models were established by LPS administration in male Sprague-Dawley rats. PLX3397 (30 mg/kg body weight) was given by oral gavage. MicroCT analysis, biomechanical properties, biomarker assay, histological examination, and mRNA expression of osteoclast differentiation-related genes (Traf6, Fra1, c-fos and NFATc1) were performed on the 8th week. LPS induced bone loss was shown as the decrease in bone volume fraction and trabecular number and increase in trabecular separation (p < 0.05). LPS exposure also markedly decreased the bone biomechanical properties. PLX3397 significantly abolished the LPS-induced bone microstructure damage (p < 0.05) and loss of biomechanical properties. PLX3397 also inhibited the increases of serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b level enhanced by LPS (p < 0.05). PLX3397 attenuated the high expression of Traf6, Fra1, c-fos and NFATc1 stimulated by LPS. Our data demonstrated that PLX3397, a type of CSF 1R inhibitor, can suppress LPS-induced bone loss via the inhibition osteoclast formation.

Effectiveness of family therapy for adolescent school refusal / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the effectiveness of family therapy on adolescent school refusal.@*Methods@#One hundred outpatient adolescents with school refusal were selected. All the patients were divided into two groups through random number table method. The intervention group (50 patients) received family therapy combined with cognitive therapy, and the control group (50 patients) received no intervention. Cognitive therapy was evaluated by the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Severity Impression Scale (CGI-S), Family Dynamics Self-Assessment Scale, and information on going back to school was collected.@*Results@#After intervention, score in SAS, CGI-S, CBCL (father-reported), CBCL (mother-reported), family atmosphere, logic family, disease awareness, and personality significantly decreased (P<0.05). No significant differences were found before intervention. However, the intervention group showed lower scores in all the above indicators and higher rates of going back to school (92% vs 70%)(χ2=7.86, P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#Family therapy can effectively improve emotions such as anxiety and depressive symptoms and help going back to school in adolescents with school refusal.

Significance of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and endotoxin levels in Budd-Chiari syndrome in patients and a rat model.

Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare clinical syndrome caused by the obstruction of hepatic venous outflow. In theory, hepatic congestion and hypoxia induce pathological damage and changes in the liver. However, at present, laboratory evidence supporting this theory is lacking. The aim of the present study was to assess the expression and significance of the hypoxia-associated indicators malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and endotoxin (ET) in the liver and serum of subjects with BCS. An animal model of BCS was established by partial ligation of the inferior vena cava (IVC) in rats. The levels of MDA, SOD and ET in the serum of BCS patients, as well as in the liver and serum of rats with BCS, were detected and analyzed. In human patients with BCS, the serum levels of MDA, ET and SOD were significantly different from those in healthy control subjects. In the animal model, similar trends were observed regarding the MDA, ET and SOD levels in liver homogenate and serum (P<0.05), the degree of which was more pronounced in the liver homogenate than in the serum. At 6 weeks after the surgery, these indicators reached peak/valley levels in the experimental group and were at least partially restored by week 12. A negative correlation between MDA and SOD, a positive correlation between MDA and ET, and a negative correlation between SOD and ET was identified. In conclusion, the levels of hypoxia-associated indicators significantly changed with BCS progression, suggesting that hypoxia is a major factor in the pathogenesis of BCS.

Outcomes of endovascular interventional therapy for primary Budd-Chiari syndrome caused by hepatic venous obstruction.

To date, interventional therapy for patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) due to hepatic vein obstruction (HVO) has not been standardized in China. In Western countries, BCS primarily occurs due to thrombosis and the majority of patients receive thrombolysis. In China, BCS is mostly caused by the membranous occlusion of the HV or IVC. The present retrospective study evaluated the efficacy of recanalization techniques in patients with primary BCS due to HVO. The data of 69 patients with BCS due to HVO, who underwent endovascular therapy at 2 centers in China between December 2010 and December 2012, were analyzed. All of the patients underwent balloon angioplasty. In addition, 14, 6 and 5 patients received thrombolysis, endovascular stent and thrombolysis + endovascular stent, respectively. The overall technical success rate was 95.7% (66/69), and was comparable among the treatments. The HV pressure after the treatments was significantly lower compared with that prior to the procedures (23.3±6.9 vs. 46.5±8.6 cmH2O; P<0.001). The mean follow-up duration was 75 months (range, 60-84 months). During the 5-year follow-up, 10 patients (15.2%) had developed a recurrence of BCS-associated symptoms, of which 7 were successfully treated. The cumulative survival rates at 12, 36 and 60 months after endovascular interventional therapy (balloon angioplasty or combined treatment) were 98.5, 98.5 and 93.9%, respectively. After treatment by endovascular therapy, the patients with BCS caused by HVO had high survival rates and low recurrence rates in the short- and mid-term.

Low versus high radioiodine activity for ablation of the thyroid remnant after thyroidectomy in Han Chinese with low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer.

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and adverse effects of radioiodine (131I) therapy between two groups of patients with low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) who received 30 mCi or 100 mCi radioiodine for ablation of the thyroid remnant after total thyroidectomy. METHODS: The study cohort was 173 patients, 85 of whom were given 30 mCi of radioiodine and the others were given 100 mCi of radioiodine. Follow-up involved neck ultrasonography, measurement of serum levels of thyroglobulin and whole-body scans to evaluate the response of radioiodine treatment. All patients were assessed for adverse effects. RESULTS: Of the 173 patients, 170 (98.3%) patients finally achieved successful ablation. The prevalence of successful ablation was 77.6% in the low-dose group versus 71.5% in the high-dose group after the first dose administration (P=0.36), 79% in the low-dose group versus 88% in the high-dose group after the second dose administration (P=0.416), and 97.6% in the low-dose group versus 98.9% in the high-dose group after the final ablation (P=0.54). We found no significant differences between the two groups. No patient had an adverse effect with a severity grade ⩾2 and the prevalence of adverse effects in the high-dose group was higher than that in the low-dose group, especially for nausea, neck pain, and sore throat. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that a low dose of radioiodine is as effective as a high dose of radioiodine for ablation of the thyroid remnant after total thyroidectomy for low-risk DTC. Moreover, low-dose radioiodine therapy is associated with a lower prevalence of adverse events.

Diagnostic value of multislice computerized tomography angiography for aortic dissection: A comparison with DSA.

The aim of the present study was to compare multislice computed tomography angiography (MSCTA) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the diagnosis of aortic dissection. In total, 49 patients with aortic lesions received enhanced computed tomography scanning, and three-dimensional (3D) images were reconstructed by volume rendering (VR), maximum intensity projection (MIP), multiplanar reformation (MPR) and curved planar reconstruction (CPR). The display rate of the entry tear site, intimal flap, true and false lumen from each reconstruction method was calculated. For 30 patients with DeBakey type III aortic dissection, the entry tear site and size of the first intimal flap, aortic maximum diameter at the orifice of left subclavian artery (LSCA), distance between the first entry tear site and the orifice of LSCA, and maximum diameter of aortic true and false lumens were measured prior to implantation of endovascular covered stent-grafts. Data obtained by MSCTA and DSA were then compared. For the entry tear site, MPR, CPR and VR provided a display rate of 95.92, 95.92 and 18.37%, respectively, and the display rate of the intimal flap was 100% in the three methods. MIP did not directly display the entry tear site and intimal flap. For true and false lumens, MPR, CPR, and VR showed a display rate of 100%, while MIP only provided a display rate of 67.35%. When MSCTA was compared with DSA, there was a significant difference in the display of entry site number and position (P<0.05), whereas no significant difference was shown in the measurement of aortic maximum diameter at the orifice of LSCA and the maximum diameter of true and false lumens (P>0.05). In conclusion, among the 3D post-processing reconstruction methods of MSCTA used, MPR and CPR were optimal, followed by VR, and MIP. MSCTA may be the preferable imaging method to diagnose aortic dissection and evaluate treatment of endovascular-covered stent-grafting, preoperatively.

[Study on the identification of HIV/AIDS and its surveillance system in rural areas of central China].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effective strategies for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) surveillance and identification in rural areas of central China. METHODS: In a selected rural prefecture area of central China, an epidemiological investigation was conducted for all reported HIV/AIDS cases. A historical and analytic review was performed, with particular interests in examining the HIV epidemic reporting and identification system. RESULTS: Among all 626 reported HIV-infected individuals in the selected prefecture, 86.1% (539/626) of them were infected through commercial plasma donation or clinically operated blood transfusion. With respect to disease surveillance and identification in the area, 52.2% (327/626) of all the cases were reported by hospitals or clinics. The number and proportion of HIV/AIDS cases identified or reported at county, prefecture, and provincial levels were 207 (33.1%), 303 (48.4%) and 116 (18.5%), respectively. The number and proportion of HIV/AIDS identified through specific epidemiological investigations and/or voluntary testing had been increased in recent years. In addition, among HIV/AIDS cases that were clinically identified, the proportion of those who were identified as outpatients had steadily increased,with the highest proportion (59.3%) observed in 2004. CONCLUSIONS: In rural areas of central China where the major mode of HIV transmission was through commercial plasma donation or clinically operated blood transfusion, hospitals and clinics seemed to have played and would continue to play important roles regarding HIV identification and surveillance. The role of institutions or settings at the prefecture level regarding HIV identification and surveillance should not be ignored.