Protein-centric omics analysis reveals circulating complements linked to non-viral liver diseases as potential therapeutic targets

Background/Aims@#To evaluate the causal correlation between complement components and non-viral liver diseases and their potential use as druggable targets. @*Methods@#We conducted Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess the causal role of circulating complements in the risk of non-viral liver diseases. A complement-centric protein interaction network was constructed to explore biological functions and identify potential therapeutic options. @*Results@#In the MR analysis, genetically predicted levels of complement C1q C chain (C1QC) were positively associated with the risk of autoimmune hepatitis (odds ratio 1.125, 95% confidence interval 1.018–1.244), while complement factor H-related protein 5 (CFHR5) was positively associated with the risk of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC;1.193, 1.048– 1.357). On the other hand, CFHR1 (0.621, 0.497–0.776) and CFHR2 (0.824, 0.703–0.965) were inversely associated with the risk of alcohol-related cirrhosis. There were also significant inverse associations between C8 gamma chain (C8G) and PSC (0.832, 0.707–0.979), as well as the risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (1.167, 1.036–1.314). Additionally, C1S (0.111, 0.018–0.672), C7 (1.631, 1.190–2.236), and CFHR2 (1.279, 1.059–1.546) were significantly associated with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Proteins from the complement regulatory networks and various liver diseaserelated proteins share common biological processes. Furthermore, potential therapeutic drugs for various liver diseases were identified through drug repurposing based on the complement regulatory network. @*Conclusions@#Our study suggests that certain complement components, including C1S, C1QC, CFHR1, CFHR2, CFHR5, C7, and C8G, might play a role in non-viral liver diseases and could be potential targets for drug development.

Analysis of factors influencing lymphocyte micronucleus in industrial radiation workers in Gansu Province, China / 中国辐射卫生

Objective To analyze micronucleus abnormalities in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of industrial radiation workers and the influencing factors, and to provide a reference for radiation protection. Methods The occupational health monitoring data of 661 industrial radiation workers were collected from the occupational health examination system of Gansu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The abnormalities in the micronucleus of peripheral blood lymphocytes were analyzed. The influencing factors were identified by logistic regression. Results The micronucleus abnormality rate was 6.05% for the 661 industrial radiation workers. There was no significant difference in micronucleus abnormality rate between sexes (P > 0.05). Comparison of age groups showed that the rate of micronucleus abnormality increased with age, and workers over 50 years of age has the highest rate of micronucleus abnormalities (17.81%); there was a significant difference between age groups (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in micronucleus abnormality rate between occupational categories (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in micronucleus abnormality rate between groups with different years of work (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that age and years of work were the risk factors for micronucleus abnormality rate (P < 0.05); age was an independent risk factor for micronucleus abnormality rate (P < 0.05). Conclusion The effect of low-dose ionizing radiation on micronucleus abnormality rate of industrial radiation workers is related to age and working years. Attention should be paid to occupational health monitoring of radiation workers, especially those with advanced age.

Effect of remimazolam conbined with remifentanil in laryngoscope vocal cord surgery / 临床麻醉学杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of remimazolam combined with remifentanil in patients undergoing laryngoscope vocal cord surgery under general anesthesia.Methods A total of 180 patients undergoing laryngoscope vocal cord surgery under general anesthesia from January to August 2022,77 males and 103 females,aged 18-64 years,BMI 18-30 kg/m2,ASA physical status Ⅰ-Ⅲ were select-ed.The patients were divided into four groups using a random number table method:propofol group(group C),remimazolam 1.0 mg·kg-1·h-1 group(group R1),remimazolam 1.5 mg·kg-1·h-1 group(group R2),and remimazolam 2.0 mg·kg-1·h-1 group(group R3),45 patients in each group.Group C main-tained by intravenous infusion of propofol 5 mg·kg-1·h-1,groups R1,R2,and R3 were maintained by intravenous infusion of remimazolam 1.0,1.5,and 2.0 mg·kg-1·h-1,respectively.All patients were combined with remifentanil 0.2 μg·kg-1·min-1.HR,MAP,and BIS were recorded before anesthesia in-duction(T1),immediately after laryngoscope insertion(T2),immediately at the end of anesthesia mainte-nance(T3),and at tracheal extubation(T4).The onset time of sedation,awakening time,sedation-agita-tion score at extubation and Ramsay score 5 minutes after extubation were recorded.The intraoperative use of ephedrine and nitroglycerin were recorded.The number of injection pain and remedy sedations were recor-ded,the occurrence of adverse reactions such as nausea and vomiting,respiratory depression within 1 hour after extubation,and intraoperative awareness were recorded.Results Compared with group C,MAP at T3,BIS at T2 and T3 were significantly increased,MAP at T4 was significantly decreased,the onset time of sedation was significantly prolonged,the use of ephedrine and the incidence of injection pain were signifi-cantly decreased in group R1(P＜0.05),HR and MAP were significantly decreased at T2 and T4,MAP was significantly increased at T3,the onset time of sedation,awakening time,extubation time were signifi-cantly prolonged,the use of ephedrine and the incidence of injection pain were significantly reduced in group R2(P＜0.05),HR and MAP were significantly decreased at T2 and T4,the onset time of sedation,awakening time,extubation time were significantly prolonged,Ramsay score was significantly increased in group R3(P＜0.05).Compared with group R1,HR and MAP were significantly decreased at T2 and T4,BIS was significantly decreased at T2 and T3,the awakening time and extubation time were significantly pro-longed in group R2(P＜0.05),HR at T2 and T4,MAP at T2-T4,BIS at T2 and T3 were significantly de-creased,the awakening time and extubation time were significantly prolonged,Ramsay score was significant-ly increased in group R3(P＜0.05).Compared with group R2,MAP at T3 was significantly decreased and Ramsay score was significantly increased in group R3(P＜0.05).There were no significantly differences between the rates of nitroglycerin usage,rescue sedation,nausea and vomiting,and respiratory depression in the four groups.Conclusion Remimazolam can be safely used for anesthesia induction and maintenance in laryngoscope vocal cord surgery.The maintenance of remimazolam 1.5 mg·kg-1·h-1 combined with remifentanil can better maintain the hemodynamics stability during the surgery than remimazolam 1.0 and 2.0 mg·kg-1·h-1.

Alcohol Consumption is Associated with Poor Prognosis in Obese Patients with COVID-19: a Mendelian Randomization Study using UK Biobank

BackgroundAcute and chronic alcohol abuse have adverse impacts on both the innate and adaptive immune response, which may result in reduced resistance to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and promote the progression of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, there are no large population-based data evaluating potential causal associations between alcohol consumption and COVID-19. MethodWe conducted a Mendelian randomization study using data from UK Biobank to explore the association between alcohol consumption and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and serious clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. A total of 12,937 participants aged 50-83 who tested for SARS-CoV-2 between 16 March to 27 July 2020 (12.1% tested positive) were included in the analysis. The exposure factor was alcohol consumption. Main outcomes were SARS-CoV-2 positivity and death in COVID-19 patients. We generated weighted and unweighted allele scores using three genetic variants (rs1229984, rs1260326, and rs13107325) and applied the allele scores as the instrumental variables to assess the effect of alcohol consumption on outcomes. Analyses were conducted separately for white participates with and without obesity. ResultsOf the 12,937 participants, 4,496 were never or infrequent drinkers and 8,441 were frequent drinkers. (including 1,156 light drinkers, 3,795 moderate drinkers, and 3,490 heavy drinkers). Both logistic regression and Mendelian randomization analyses found no evidence that alcohol consumption was associated with risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in participants either with (OR=0.963, 95%CI 0.800-1.159; q =1.000) or without obesity (OR=0.891, 95%CI 0.755-1.053; q =.319). However, frequent drinking (HR=1.565, 95%CI 1.012-2.419; q =.079), especially heavy drinking (HR=2.071, 95%CI 1.235-3.472; q =.054), was associated with higher risk of death in patients with obesity and COVID-19, but not in patients without obesity. Notably, the risk of death in frequent drinkers with obesity increased slightly with the average amount of alcohol consumed weekly (HR=1.480, 95%CI 1.059-2.069; q =.099). ConclusionsOur findings suggested alcohol consumption may had adverse effects on the progression of COVID-19 in white participants with obesity, but was not associate with susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Analysis of intestinal flora in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis based on highthroughput sequencing / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the changes in diversity, relative abundance and distribution of intestinal flora in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps (CRSwNP) using high-throughput sequencing technology identify the intestinal flora significantly related to pathogenesis and progression of CRSwNP.@*METHODS@#Ten patients with CRSwNP hospitalized in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital were selected as the case group with 10 healthy volunteers recruited in the same period as the control group. Fecal genomic DNA extraction kit was used to extract the DNA in the fecal samples, and the DNA fragment length was measured and quantified. The V3 and V4 highly variable regions of the 16S rDNA gene of prokaryotes were amplified followed by library construction, Illumina MiSeq sequencing, sequence alignment and species identification analysis. The relative abundance, diversity and distribution characteristics of the intestinal flora were analyzed, and the relevant metabolic pathways were predicted.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, the patients with CRSwNP had significant changes in the overall structure of the intestinal flora, highlighted by increased abundance of Saccharopolyspora and decreased contents of , , and . Among the metabolic pathways predicted to be associated with CRSwNP, 9 showed significant changes in patients with CRSwNP as compared with the control group ( < 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Patients with CRSwNP have significant changes in the structural characteristics of intestinal flora related with multiple metabolic pathways, and these changes may play an important role in the development of chronic rhinosinusitis.

Study on the relationship between age-related hearing loss and cognitive impairment / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective@#To investigate the correlation between age-related hearing loss and cognitive impairment.@*Methods@#201 elderly patients, who were admitted to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of Peking University People′s Hospital from March 1, 2017 to March 31, 2017, were evaluated with hearing screening and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale. Among them, 101 were female and 100 were male, aged 60-90 years old. Taking the cognitive level as the dependent variable, and taking the age, sex, education, occupation, marital status, residence, and average hearing loss (average hearing threshold of 500, 1 000, 2 000, and 4 000 Hz), as well as the length of conscious hearing loss as the independent variables, the single factor analysis and multivariate linear regression analysis were used to screen the main factors affecting the cognitive level of the elderly.@*Results@#Of the 201 elderly patients, 39 had normal hearing, 65 had mild hearing loss, 80 had moderate hearing loss, 16 had severe hearing loss, and 1 had profound hearing loss. The average degree of hearing loss was the influencing factor of cognitive impairment, and it mainly affected the directional force and abstract ability in the cognitive domains (P<0.05); The age, self-reported hearing loss, years of education, marital status, past ear diseases, and hypertension were relatively independent factors that affected the cognitive level(P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#Age-related hearing loss is the risk factor for the cognitive impairment, especially for abstraction and orientation, in the elderly. The self-reported hearing loss is an independent risk factor for cognitive impairment.

Application of MR diffusion tensor imaging in rats with spinal cord inj ury in early stage / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the value of diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)in the evaluation of diffuse microstructural changes in early stage of spinal cord injury (SCI)in rats.Methods Improved Allen's method was used to make SCI in rats model.The rats were divided in the group of four as control,mild,moderate and severe injury groups respectively.We used DTI parameters [fraction anisotropy (FA)and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)]values to observe the spinal cord at different stages (6,24 and 72 hours) after spinal injury in the rats.Results The FA value of the spinal cord began to decrease at 6 hours and reached the lowest at 24 hours after SCI (P<0.05).There were significant differences in FA values between mild,moderate,and severe injury groups (P<0.05). However,ADC value was seen decreased only in the severe injury group,which was lowest at 24 hours after SCI(P<0.05).Conclusion Compared with ADC value,FA value can better reflect the severity of spinal cord injury in rats with acute SCI.FA values are correlated with the degrees of injury of spinal cord.

Technique and advantages of a blood micro-sampling method compared with regular sampling method in mice / 中国比较医学杂志

Objective To establish a micro volume blood sampling method via the saphenous vein for pharmacokinetic studies(PK studies)in mice, aiming at reducing animal use and alleviate animal pain in in vivo procedures. Methods CD-1 mice were intravenously or orally administered with model compounds A,B,C and D.Blood samples were collected by both the micro-sampling method and regular method at the same time points,and used for the measurement of plasma drug concentration. Pharmacokinetic parameters obtained from each method were compared. Results For each of the four compounds,plasma PK profiles generated by micro-sampling via saphenous vein were in good accordance with those by the regular sampling method via retro-orbital venous plexus. Conclusions Our newly developed micro-sampling blood collecting method can replace the regular blood collecting method used in pharmacokinetic studies in mice. It can significantly improve animal welfare by alleviating animal pain. The volume of blood withdrawn can be reduced by 80%,and the number of mice used for the pharmacokinetic studies can be reduced by 65%.

Occupational health status about radiation workers from township hospitals in Gansu, China / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To investigate occupational health status about radiation workers from township hospitals in Gansu, China, and to explore the dose-effect relationship of exposure dose of radiation workers.@*Methods@#A total of 390 X-ray workers from township hospitals in Gansu Province and 450 X-ray workers from the county/district-level hospitals in the county/district where the township hospitals were located were divided into research group and control group. Their workload, radiation protection condition, and occupational health monitoring data were used for impact assessment and risk estimation.@*Results@#The annual workload of radiation workers from township hospitals was 845.33±361.622 people, and that of radiation workers from county/district-level hospitals was 1967.74±762.055 people; there was a significant difference in annual workload between the two groups of subjects (P<0.05) . Indices such as detection rate of lens opacity, detection rate of abnormal platelet count, red blood cell count, and hemoglobin count, micronucleated lymphocyte rate, and chromosome aberration rate were significantly different between the two groups (P<0.05) .@*Conclusion@#Radiation workers from township hospitals suffer from certain radiation damage.

Optimization of Prescription of Flaxseed Lignans Sustained-release Tablets by Central Composite Design-response Surface Methodology / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To optimize the prescription of flaxseed lignans sustained release tables by central composite design-response surface methodology.MethodsWith HPMC, EC and starch dosage as factors, and flaxseed lignans in 2, 6 and 12 h of cumulative release as evaluation indexes, central composite design-response surface optimization method was used to conduct prescription optimization experiments, and optimized prescription analysis was carried out.Results The optimal prescription of flaxseed lignans sustained release tables was as following: HPMC dosage was 43%; EC was 26%; starch content was 17%. Optimized index forecast values were very close to the observed values. In vitro release test of three selected optimal formulations indicated that there existed high approximation between the observed and estimated values.Conclusion It shows that the established model is suitable for flaxseed lignans sustained release tables, which can be used in the optimization of the prescription of flaxseed lignans sustained release tables.

Effect of melittin on proliferation and apoptosis of human HepG2 cells / 中国药理学通报

Aim To observe the effect of melittin on human hepatocelluar carcinoma HepG2 cell prolifera-tion in vitro and its further mechanisms.Methods The capacity of cellular proliferation and apoptosis was measured with the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay,Hoechst 33258 assay and Annexin V-FITC /PI assay.The mR-NA expression of Shh, PTCH1, SMO, GLi1 and HDAC2 was performed by qRT-PCR.And the protein expression of Shh,PTCH1,SMO,GLi1 and HDAC2 was assessed by western blotting.Results Our study found that melittin effectively inhibited cell prolifera-tion and promoted cell apoptosis in vitro using MTT method and Flow cytometry.The mRNA and protein expression of Shh,PTCH1,SMO,GLi1 and HDAC2 were obviously decreased after treated with various con-centrations of melittin for 48h in HepG2 cells.Conclu-sions Taken together,our data suggest that melittin could inhibit cell proliferation and promote cell apopto-sis,reduce the level of HDAC2 and down-regulate the Hedgehog signaling pathway in this process simultane-ously.

Study on the protective effect in immunological liver injury in mice of Zhizi Baipi Soup and its disassembled prescription / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effect of Zhizi Baipi soup and its disassembled prescription containing Zhizi on protecting concanavalin (ConA)-induced immuno-logical liver injury in mice and explore the possible protective mechanism.Methods The model of mouse immunological liver injury induced by (ConA,20 mg ·kg -1 )was used to observe the effects of Zhizi Baipi soup and its disassembled prescription containing Zhizi by gavage administration.Results Zhizi Baipi Soup and its disassembled prescription containing Zhizi were able to reduce the level of serum ALT,AST and MDA content,improve liver tissue SOD activity and reduce the expression of NF-κB-p65 and NF-κB-p-p65,in which all parties of Zhizi Baipi Soup Group had best effect on immunological liver injury in mice.Conclu-sion Zhizi Baipi Soup and its disassembled prescrip-tion containing Zhizi have remarkably protective effect on ConA-induced immunological liver injury in mice, and the potential mechanism may be related to the reg-ulation of the immune response pathway.

Effect of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibition by lentivirus-mediated stable gene silencing on survival of adipose-derived stem cells / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To explore the in vitro effect of lentiviral expressions vector carrying phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5)-shRNA gene on proliferation,apoptosis and secretion of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs).Methods (1) ADSCs were separated and purified from the rats,sub-cultivation and identification were performed.Lentiviral expression vectors carried different PDE5 shRNA genes (PDE5 shRNA1,PDE5 shRNA2 and PDE5 shRNA3) were established and negative controls (NC shRNA) were used.The above vectors were transfected into ADSCs with lentivims package;Western blotting was carried out to detect the PDE5 protein expression level and real time-PCR was carried out to detect the mRNA expression level so as to select the most efficient cell line.(2) ADSCs were divided into four groups:normal control group,ischemia-re-oxygenation (I/R) injury group (normal cells+I/R injury),NC group (NC shRNA-ADSCs+I/R injury) and experimental group (PDE5 shRNA-ADSCs+I/R injury);CCK-8 assay and Edu method were per;ormed to evaluate the proliferation of cells,flow cytometry was employed to detect the apoptosis of ADSCs,and ELISA was used to quantify the protein expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP).Results Lentiviral expression vectors carried different PDE5 shRNA genes were successfully established and PDE5 sh ADSCs with stable PDE5 expression were established.As compared with cells from normal control group,cells from I/R injury group had significantly decreased ADSCs proliferation rate and increased apoptosis rate at early and late stages,and significantly increased VEGF and FGF levels in the liquid supernatant and cGMP level in the cells (P＜0.05);these differences were not significant between the I/R injury group and NC group (P＞0.05);as compared with the NC group,the experimental group had significantly increased ADSCs proliferation rate and decreased apoptosis rate,and significantly increased VEGF and FGF levels in the liquid supematant and cGMP level in the cells (P＜0.05).Conclusion The proliferation,apoptosis and secretion of ADSCs could be effectively improved and the stem cell efficiency was modified via up-regulating cGMP level after PDE5 gene expression being inhibited in ADSCs.

Incidence and prevention measures of catheter-related bloodstream infec-tion in intensive care units / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To investigate the management of prevention and control of catheter-related bloodstream in-fection (CRBSI)in intensive care units (ICUs)of tertiary hospitals in a city,and explore stategies.Methods Data about CRBSI prevention and control as well as quality management were collected and surveyed by self-developed questionnaires.Results Of ICUs in 8 hospitals,the incidence of CRBSI was 4.81 ‰,case infection rate was 5.02‰.6 (75.00%)hospitals had standard operating instruction for the prevention and control of CRBSI, 2 (25.00%)hospitals had maintenance record on central venous catheter,and 2(25.00%)hospitals implemented maximum sterile barrier and catheterization combination strategy,none hospital adopted anti-infective dressing and chlorhexidine bathing.Conclusion There are many problems in the standard operating instruction and implementa-tion of measures for the prevention and control of CRBSI in ICUs of tertiary hospitals in this city,which needs to be improved.

Effect evaluation of taking blood gas via cephalic artery for infant: A Meta-analysis / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To give a systematic reviews on effect of taking blood gas via cephalic artery for infants.Methods Meta-analysis were used to analyze literatures about taking blood gas via cephalic artery for infants.Results 11 studies were included.The rate of successful puncture was 87.5％～98.0％ in the intervention group and 55.3％ ～94.6％ in the control group.The rate of successful puncture via cephalic artery were higher.Conclusions Effect of taking blood gas via cephalic artery for infant was better than that via other artery.Successful rate was high,while the incidence rate of local side effects was low.

Study of the sign of color doppler ultrasound diagnosis of thyroid micro-carcinoma / 中国现代医生

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS ) in thyroid microcarcinom (TMC). Methods With surgical pathologic examination results as the gold standard, 114 thyroid lumps were divided in-to observation group (including 51 pieces of TMC lump)and control group (including 63 pieces of benign lump). The sign of CDUS were analyzed retrospectively in the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the CDUS characteristic parameters which associated with TMC and established TMC diagnosis prediction model. Results The percentage of anteroposterior and transverse diameter ratio(A/T)>1, unclear edge, hypoechoic nodules, absent halo sign, micro calcifications, resistance index(RI)>0.70 of the observation group were higher than those of the control group(P<0.01). Blood flow signal distribution in the 2 groups were different significantly (P<0.01). Multi-factor stepwise Logistic regression analysis results show that the absent halo sign, unclear edge, RI>0.70, hypoechoic nodules and blood flow signal ≤2 were associated with TMC (P<0.05). The above five indexes were used to establish regression model to pre-dict TMC and the sensitivity, specific degrees and accuracy were 93.75%, 90.90%, 92.11%. Conclusion The Logistic regression model with echo, edge, RI and blood flow signal in CDUS can be helpful for early accurate diagnosis of TMC.

Application of MR fast scanning techniques in fetal congenital diaphragmatic hernia / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of MR fast scanning techniques in fetal congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Methods 12 cases diagnosed or suspected fetal congenital diaphragmatic hernia by ultrasound with gestational age (>20 weeks) were underwent MR examination.The fast scan sequences were as follows:Half-Fourier acquisition single-shot fast spinecho se-quence(HASTE)、True fast imaging steady-state precession sequence (True FISP)、Turbo FLASH T1 WI sequence.The axial,co-ronal and sagittal scanning were focused on fetal head and body.The results of prenatal MR examination was compared with neonatal surgical findings or autopsy results after inducing labor.Results All of 12 cases,9 cases were left diaphragmatic hernia,2 cases were right diaphragmatic hernia and 1 case was hiatal hernia.2 cases of them were complicated with other congenital malformations. The features of MRI were as follows:Some portions of bowels and stomach crossed into the thorax were visible in the HASTE and TRUE FISP sequence.The herniated stomach and bowels showed high or scattered high signals.The intestinal types were visible as well.The lung tissue intruded at the apex of the lung and the heart deviated to the opposite side were demonstrated.T1 weighted im-ages obtained from ultra-fast FLASH (Turbo FLASH)T1WI sequence showed characteristic high signals in the meconium,which delineated clearly the shape of the colon and small intestine.The prenatal MRI results of all cases were consistent with surgical (10 cases)and autopsy (2 cases)findings.Conclusion MR fast scanning techniques can clearly show fetal congenital diaphragmatic her-nia.Multiple sequences scanning can comprehensively map the organizational structure and anatomical relationship of fetal congenital diaphragmatic hernia with the surrounding tissues.MR fast scanning techniques play an important role in the diagnosis of fetal con-genital diaphragmatic hernia.

Effect and Mechanism of Reactive Oxygen Species on Apoptosis of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Induced by Fenretinide / 胃肠病学

Background:Fenretinide,which is capable of generating reactive oxygen species( ROS ),has emerged as a promising antineoplastic agent based on numerous in vitro and in vivo studies and clinical chemoprevention trials. Preliminary studies showed that fenretinide could induce apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma( HCC)cells in vitro, however,the precise mechanism was not clarified. Aims:To elucidate the effect of ROS on apoptosis of human HCC cells induced by fenretinide and the underlying mechanism. Methods:Human HCC cell line Huh-7 was treated with antioxidant vitamin E,fenretinide or their combination,respectively. ROS in live cells was evaluated by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry;cell viability and apoptosis were assessed by CellTiter-Glo Luminescent Cell Viability Assay Kit and Caspase-Glo3/7 Assay Kit;expression and intracellular localization of nuclear receptor Nur77,as well as expression of stress-induced transcription factor GADD153 were measured by immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting,respectively. Results:Vitamin E pretreatment fully blocked the fenretinide-induced ROS production. In Huh-7 cells pretreated with vitamin E,cell apoptosis induced by fenretinide was significantly reduced(P<0. 05). Furthermore,effect of vitamin E pretreatment was noteworthy on reducing fenretinide-induced GADD153 expression, while no significant impact on fenretinide-induced Nur77 expression and translocation was observed. Conclusions:Elimination of ROS by vitamin E can abrogate the pro-apoptotic effect of fenretinide on Huh-7 cells,which indicates the participation of ROS in fenretinide-induced apoptosis of human HCC cells. Its mechanism might be associated with induction of GADD153 protein expression.

Neurolinguistic features during recovery of a Chinese patient with pure alexia / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the neurolinguistic features of a Chinese patient with pure alexia in acute and convalescent stages.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We assessed the reading and writing abilities of the patient with the Aphasia Battery of Chinese (ABC), the reading examination of Chinese characters (1999, Lin) and the Chinese agraphia battery (CAB).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the ABC examination in the acute phase, the patient performed well in oral expression and comprehension, and the prominent linguistic abnormalities were alexia and merging agraphia; in the convalescent phase, the recovery of alexia was better than that of agraphia. In reading examination of Chinese characters, shape errors were the main reading disorders in the acute phase with a few semantic errors, regularization errors and mistakes in pronunciation, but only shape errors reappeared in the recovery period. CAB examination showed impairment of writing for pictures and dictation abilities in the recovery period but recovery of other writing abilities. The writing disorder was manifested as aphasic agraphia, with obvious dysorthography and lexical errors; the patient was capable of spontaneous writing only after spontaneous speech, and was able to read the written words.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The linguistic components of the Chinese patient with pure alexia showed different patterns of damage and recovery, suggesting the difference in their respective neuropsychological pathways.</p>

Validation of the Non-Language-Based Cognitive Assessment / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective To develop the Non-Language-Based Cognitive Assessment (NLCA) applicable to patients with aphasia and to validate the reliability and validity of NLCA.Methods Seventy-three normal subjects and 32 patients with mild cognitive impairment were evaluated by the NLCA and the Mini-Mental State Examination.Forty subjects were randomly selected from the normal subject samples were assessed with the NLCA,the Auditory Verbal Learning Test,the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (Form A),the Stroop Color-Word Interference Test,the Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (Part A),and the WAIS Digit Span Test.Results The NLCA had high inter-rater agreement (Cronbach's α coefficient 0.836),reliability among the assessors 0.895-0.953,test-retest reliability 0.863-0.952 at at a 2-6 week interval.The years of education was significantly correlated with NLCA (r =0.852,r ＜ 0.01).When the Montreal Cognitive Assessment was used as diagnostic criteria,the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.899 (95％ confidence interval 0.827-0.972).When cutoff at 70,the NLCA had had high sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value and negative predictive value in the identification of patients with mild cognitive impairment.Conclusions The NLCA has good reliability and validity.It is an effective cognitive function assessment that meets the basic requirements of the neuropsychological tests.