[Predictive value of the product of plasma colchicine concentration and poisoning time for the prognosis of colchicine poisoning patients].

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of the product of first plasmacolchicine concentration and poisoning time for the prognosis of colchicine poisoning patients, and to provide a basis for early prognosis assessment. Methods: October 2021, patients with colchicine poisoning admitted in the First Affiliated Hospitol of Wenzhou Medical University from January 2017 to September 2021 were collected, including general information such as patient gender, age, oral colchicine dose, poisoning time, the first laboratory test index andplasma colchicine concentration after admission. The patients were divided into survival group and death group according to their prognosis. The differences in clinical indicators such as admission plasma colchicine concentration, blood routine, blood biochemistry, coagulation function, and blood gas analysis were compared between the two groups, and their predictive value for the prognosis of patients were analyzed. Results: A total of 23 patients with colchicine poisoning, aged 20-85 years, were included in this study, of which 15 cases (65.22%) survived and 8 cases (34.78%) died. The first plasma colchicine concentration at admision were 0.42-53.61 ng/ml. The plasma colchicine concentration and the concentration-time product were 10.08-2147.04 h·ng/ml.Compared with the survival group, the plasma colchicine concentration and the concentration-time product in the death group were significantly increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that first plasma concentration and poisoning time>132.48 h·ng/ml, high C-reactive protein, high D-dimer, high absolute value of BE were the risk factors for the prognosis of patients with colchicine poisoning (OR=12.000, 95%CI: 1.1181-128.836; OR=1.053, 95%CI: 1.009-1.098; OR=1.219, 95%CI: 1.039-1.429; OR=1.360, 95%CI: 1.1.044-1.773; P<0.05). High prothrombin time activity was protective factor affecting the prognosis of colchicine poisoning patients (OR=0.941, 95%CI: 0.892~0.993; P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the areas under the curves of first plasma concentration and poisoning time, C-reactive protein, absolute value of BE, D-dimer for predicting the prognosis of patients with colchicine poisoning were 0.918, 0.888, 0.867, 0.837, respectively, and the areas under the curves of prothrombin time activityfor predicting the prognosis of patients with colchicine poisoning was 0.788 (P<0.05) . Conclusion: The product of the first plasma colchicine concentration at admission and poisoning time is closely related to the prognosis of patients with colchicine poisoning, it can be used as a predictor for early evaluation of the prognosis of poisoned patients.

[Association between a novel regulatory genetic variants and lung cancer risk in Chinese: a two-stage case-control study].

Objective: Regulatory quantitative trait loci (regQTL) theory can help to evaluate the regulation function of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on crucial biological signals from a three-dimensional perspective. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of these regQTL-SNPs on the susceptibility of lung cancer. Methods: Based on the regQTL theory, using the database of identified lung cancer regQTL-SNPs, we screened the SNPs that may function as regQTL in the reported susceptible regions of lung cancer by genome-wide association study(GWAS), and a two-stage case-control study was conducted (screening stage: 2 331 lung cancer cases and 3 077 healthy controls; validation stage: 626 lung cancer cases and 667 healthy controls) to definite the association of related regQTL-SNPs with the susceptibility of lung cancer. Results: A total of 8 regQTL-SNPs were screened in the reported susceptible regions of lung cancer by GWAS. Among which, 3 SNPs were significantly associated with the risk of lung cancer (P<0.05) in the screening stage. Further validation results indicated that the variant T allele of rs6998591 in ADRA1A was significantly associated with increased risk of lung cancer (additive model: OR=1.33, 95%CI:1.01-1.74, P=0.040). In addition, the variant G allele of rs11202916 in ACTA2 was significantly associated with decreased risk of lung cancer (recessive model: OR=0.71, 95%CI:0.52-0.96, P=0.026). Stratified analysis indicated that the variant T allele of rs6998591 significantly increased lung squamous cell carcinoma risk (additive model: OR=1.53, 95%CI: 1.01-2.32, P=0.043), while the variant G allele of rs11202916 significantly decreased lung adenocarcinoma risk (additive model: OR=0.83, 95%CI: 0.69-0.98, P=0.031). Gene-environment interaction analysis indicated that the risk of developing lung cancer increased by 235% in smoking individuals carrying rs6998591 variant T allele compared with those non-smoking individuals carrying no rs6998591 variant T allele(OR=3.35,95%CI:2.10-5.34,P<0.001). Conclusion: There are two regQTL-SNPs that could significantly affect the susceptibility of lung cancer in the GWAS reported susceptible regions of lung cancer.

[Association between sleep and prevalence of hypertension in elderly population].

Objective: To explore the association between sleep duration, sleep quality and the prevalence of hypertension in the elderly aged 65 years and above. Methods: This study was conducted among the elderly in communities in Yiwu, China from April to July, 2019, and participants were recruited through physical examination in the hospital. Face-to-face interview was performed to obtain basic information. Sleep duration and sleep quality were evaluated by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Associations between sleep duration, sleep quality and hypertension were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 3 169 elderly persons, aged ≥65 years old, were included in the study. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 50.8%. The elderly with very poor sleep quality and short sleep duration accounted for 22.4% and 28.5%, respectively. After adjusting for demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, lifestyle and health status, the OR of hypertension for the elderly with very poor sleep quality was 1.42 (95%CI: 1.12-1.80) compared with those with very good sleep quality. Compared with the elderly with sleep duration of 6-7 h a night, the OR of hypertension for those with sleep duration <6 h was 1.37 (95%CI: 1.15-1.65). As the sleep quality decreased, the risk for hypertension increased. An U-shaped association was found between sleep duration and risk of hypertension. Subgroup analyses showed that this association existed in both men and women, but only significant in the elderly aged <75 years. Conclusion: Poor sleep quality and short sleep duration were associated with risk for hypertension in the elderly.

[Cortical morphological study in cerebral small vessel disease patients with subcortical ischemic depression].

Objective: To explore the characteristics of cortical morphology in cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) patients with subcortical ischemic depression (SID) and its relationship with clinical symptoms. Methods: A total of 88 patients with CSVD in the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University were enrolled from July 2017 to July 2020. The subjects were divided into CSVD-non depression group (CSVD-ND, n=58) and SID group (n=30) according to the geriatric depression scale (GDS). The 3D-T1 MRI images were obtained from all subjects. The computed anatomy toolbox 12 (CAT 12) was used for image processing and cortical segmentation to obtain the cortical thickness (CTh) and surface metrics, including gyrification index (GI), sulcus depth (SD) and fractal dimension (FD). A comparison at the vertex- and region-of-interest (ROI)-wise levels were performed by the general linear model, and correlation analysis were conducted between cortical morphometric measurements and GDS scores. Finally, mean CTh (mCTh) was extracted for binary logistic regression analysis. Results: At the vertex-wise level, compared with the CSVD-ND group, the SID patients showed increased CTh in clusters mainly located in the posterior default mode network (pDMN), such as the precuneus(Pcu), the superior parietal gyrus (SPG) and the right postcentral gyrus (PoCG). As for the surface measurements, the GI value and the FD value were increased in clusters of Pcu and inferior temporal gyrus (ITG), respectively, in the SID group. ROIs analyses showed that apart from the Pcu, the SPG and the right PoCG, CTh alterations in the SID group were involved in a wider range of regions, extending to the right precentral gyrus ((2.27±0.20) cm3 vs (2.12±0.26) cm3, P=0.007), the left paracentral gyrus ((2.18±0.20) cm3 vs (2.05±0.23) cm3, P=0.008) and so on, than that in the CSVD-ND group.Compared with the CSVD-ND patients, the SID patients showed increased GI in the right PoCG ((25.31±1.11) vs (24.23±1.27), P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that CTh in the right Pcu was positively correlated with the GDS scores (r=0.4, P<0.05). Further binary logistic regression analysis showed that in comparison with the subjects in the reference group (<2.367 cm3), the odds ratio(95%CI) for SID patients in the highest tertile of mCTh (>2.473 cm3) were 6.373 (1.254-32.389) after multivariable adjustment (sex, age, years of education, total intracranial volume, traditional imaging findings of CSVD, cognitive function (CAMCOG-C) and mCTh). Conclusion: Both CTh and cortical complexity were increased in CSVD patients with SID, especially in the clusters of pDMN, and CTh may be an important risk factor for SID.

Optofluidic gradient refractive index resonators using liquid diffusion for tunable unidirectional emission.

Resonators have been used in a wide range of fields, such as biochemical detection and microscale lasers. In recent years, optofluidic resonators have attracted a significant amount of attention owing to their unique liquid environments. Liquids containing biochemical samples can be designed to pass through the ring resonators or to directly form droplets, for sample sensing. Liquid diffusion is an important property in optofluidic applications, such as gradient refractive index lenses and waveguides. However, liquid diffusion has not been used in the study of optofluidic resonators, for both possible sensing characteristics, and unidirectional emission that is mostly acted as light sources. Here, we introduce a gradient refractive index profile formed by liquid diffusion in annular channels into a circular resonator, forming a gradient-index resonator with a tunable unidirectional emission. For both simulations and experiments, the squeezed and non-rotationally symmetrical light intensity profile was first obtained in a circular resonator. The squeezed light profile enables unidirectional emission in circular resonators, which is difficult to achieve in conventional ones. The squeezed light profile and unidirectional emission are determined by the refractive index difference of the liquids used, the dimension of the circular channels, and the working wavelengths. In experiments, different dimensions of bending radii were demonstrated and a tunable squeezed light intensity profile and unidirectional emission were exhibited. Interestingly, the squeezed coefficient of light, which was about 1.8 for a bending radius of 100 µm, enabled emission with a divergence angle as small as 14 degrees, which could be used for laser emission applications in the future. This work reveals the significant potential of the novel liquid gradient refractive index resonator, which provides a practicable approach for optofluidic resonator emission applications and also has potential for use in optofluidic sensing based on the squeezed light profile.

[Changes of serum lipoprotein-related phospholipase A2 in patients with white matter lesion based on KIM classification and its correlation with carotid atherosclerotic plaque].

Objective: To explore the relationships between serum lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and KIM-based white matter lesion (WML) and carotid atherosclerotic plaque. Methods: From November 2018 to July 2019, 155 patients admitted to the Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University were enrolled, with 125 cases of brain MRI manifestations of white matter lesions allocated to WML group and 30 cases of normal MRI in control group (NC group). According to KIM classification, WML patients were further divided into juxtaventricular white matter lesion (JVWML) group (n=30), periventricular white matter lesion (PVWML) group (n=33), juxtacortical white matter lesion (JCWML) group (n=30) and deep white matter lesion (DWML) group (n=32). Clinical Data of vascular risk factors in all subjects was collected and reviewed. Serum Lp-PLA2 content was determined by double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Carotid atherosclerosis plaques were detected by carotid artery ultrasonography and divided into stable and vulnerable plaques, and thus total score of each plaque was subsequently calculated according to the Crouse method. Results: The Lp-PLA2 ((117±37) ng/ml vs (95±30) ng/ml), stable Crouse plaque integral (CPI) (0 (0,2.5) vs 0) and unstable CPI (0 (0,3.4) vs 0) in the WML group were significantly higher than those in the NC group (all P<0.05). Lp-PLA2 ((138±41) ng/ml) and unstable CPI (1.5(0,3.8)) in the PVWML group were significantly higher than those in the NC group (all P<0.05). Lp-PLA2 levels in the PVWML group were significantly higher than those in the JVWML group ((100±28) ng/ml) and JCWML group ((101±27) ng/ml) (all P<0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that blood glucose (r=0.600, P=0.000), triglyceride (TG) (r=0.371, P=0.034), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (r=0.367, P=0.036) and Lp-PLA2 (r=0.567, P=0.001) were positively correlated with unstable CPI in PVWML group, while it is negatively correlated with HDL-C (r=-0.368, P=0.035). Multivariate linear regression of all relevant factors and unstable CPI in the PVWML group showed that blood glucose (b=0.463, P<0.01) and Lp-PLA2 (b=0.347, P<0.05) were still positively correlated with unstable CPI. Conclusions: Serum Lp-PLA2 is an indicator of atherosclerosis, which is associated with carotid instability plaques in periventricular WML, suggesting that inflammatory mechanism plays an important role in the development of ischemic white matter lesions.

A study of effect of lncRNA MVIH on sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to gemcitabine.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of expression of long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) associated with microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma (MVIH) on the sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to gemcitabine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BGC-823 cell lines were divided into control group (no treatment), low expression group (lentiviral transfection with sh-lncRNA MVIH), and high expression group (lentiviral transfection with lncRNA MVIH). The expression of lncRNA MVIH, the protein expressions of E-cadherin and Vimentin, and the differences in proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells were detected via Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, transwell assay, wound healing assay, methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, and flow cytometry. RESULTS: The results of RT-PCR revealed that compared with that in control group, the mRNA expression of lncRNA MVIH was significantly decreased in low expression group and markedly increased in high expression group. Also, there were statistically significant differences (p<0.05). The results of Western blotting showed that compared with those in control group and low expression group, the protein expression of E-cadherin was significantly decreased, while the protein expression of Vimentin was markedly increased in high expression group (p<0.05). The results of transwell assay manifested that the number of invading gastric cancer cells was the largest in high expression group at 48 h (p<0.05), significantly larger than that in control group and low expression group (p<0.05), while it was the smaller in low expression group. It was found through the wound healing assay that the migration ability of gastric cancer cells was enhanced in high expression group, markedly stronger than in control group and low expression group, while it significantly declined in low expression group compared to control group. Besides, the results of CCK-8 assay showed that compared with that in control group, the sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to gemcitabine was remarkably increased in low expression group (p<0.05), while it significantly declined in high expression group (p<0.05). Finally, according to the flow cytometry, the apoptosis rate of gastric cancer cells was markedly higher in low expression group than that in control group and high expression group (p<0.05), indicating that the low expression of lncRNA MVIH can promote the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: Reducing the expression of lncRNA MVIH can significantly lower the migration and invasion ability of gastric cancer cells and raise the sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to gemcitabine.

Microglia M1/M2 polarization contributes to electromagnetic pulse-induced brain injury.

The development of electronic technology has attracted attention on the biological effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and electromagnetic pulse (EMP). It remains controversial whether EMP irradiation is neurotoxic or beneficial for recovery from injuryies such as cerebral ischemia. Microglia is innate immune cells in the brain, exhibiting either neurotoxicity or neuroprotection effect during various central nervous system diseases, depending on their activation into a classical (M1) or alternative (M2) phenotype, respectively. The Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) pathway is important for microglia activation. In this study, we investigated the effect of EMP on neuronal apoptosis and microglia polarization in vivo and in vitro, using an EMP of 400 kV/m and 1 hertz for 200 pulses. Short EMP irradiation (≤24 h) resulted in microglial conversion from the resting to the M1-type state, activation of the TLR4/MyD88/NFκB pathway, higher levels of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß and tumor necrosis factor-α, as well as neuronal apoptosis induction. In contrast, long EMP irradiation (3 days) resulted in microglial activation into the M2-type, decreased apoptosis and inflammatory mediator production, and increased levels of the neuroprotective effectors IL-10, transforming growth factor beta, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. EMP induces both neuronal damage and neuronal recovery by influencing the switch of M1/M2 polarization and the TLR4/MyD88/NFκB pathway.

[Effects of left heart function changes on cerebral small vessel diseases and its cognitive impairment].

Objective: To explore the correlation of left heart function changes with cognitive impairment in patients with cerebral small vessel diseases (CSVD). Methods: From February 2012 to June 2018, 199 CSVD patients admitted to the Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University were enrolled as CSVD group. A total of 103 healthy elderly persons without cognition disorders were included as normal control group (NC group). According to the diagnostic criteria, CSVD patients were divided into 112 CSVD patients with vascular cognitive impairment (CSVD-VCI group) and 87 CSVD patients without cognitive impairment (CSVD-NCI group). Neuroimaging markers of CSVD (including lacunar infarction and white matter hyperintensity) were assessed through brain MRI. Cognitive function was evaluated by The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Cambridge Cognitive Examination-Chinese Version (CAMCOG-C), etc. Routine echocardiography was performed to evaluate left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left atrial diameter (LAD) and other parameters. Results: Compared with NC group, the LVEF level was significantly decreased in CSVD group [(65±5)% and (63±6)%, respectively] (P=0.007), while LAD level was significantly increased in CSVD group (P=0.024). The LVEF level of CSVD-VCI group [(62±6)%] was significantly lower than that of CSVD-NCI group [(64±5)%] (P=0.02). Correlation analysis revealed MMSE and CAMCOG-C scores in CSVD group were positively correlated with LVEF level (r=0.210, P=0.003; r=0.238, P=0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that declined LVEF was an independent risk factor associated with CSVD (OR=0.937, 95%CI 0.890-0.986) and CSVD-VCI (OR=0.900, 95%CI 0.829-0.977). Conclusions: Left heart function changes play important roles in the occurrence of CSVD and severity of its cognitive impairment. The declined LVEF may represent an independent risk factor for CSVD and its cognitive impairment.

[Effect of apolipoprotein E genotype on magnetic resonance spectrum in amnestic mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease patients].

Objective: To explore the relationship between apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene polymorphism and hydrogen proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment(aMCI). Methods: The cognitive function of 35 AD patients (AD group), 35 aMCI patients (aMCI group) and 36 normal controls (NC group) were evaluated by neuropsychological scales, including Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and Cambridge Cognitive Examination-Chinese version (CAMCOG-C). The genotypes of ApoE were analyzed by high-resolution melting assay. Brain regional metabolites were measured via (1)H-MRS technique with the regions of interest (ROIs) located in the left frontal lobe and left hippocampus. Results: The CAMCOG-C (NC group 94.00 (8.50);aMCI group 86.00(8.00);AD group 61.00(18.0)) and MMSE (NC group 29.00 (2.00);aMCI group 26.00(2.00);AD group 13.00(9.5)) scores in AD and aMCI group were significantly lower in comparison with that in NC group (P<0.05). There was multi-domain cognitive impairment both in AD and aMCI. The CAMCOG-C (ε4 carriers 76.00(28.00);no-ε4 carriers 89.00 (17.00)) and MMSE (ε4 carriers 23.00(16.00);no-ε4 carriers (27.00 (6.00))scores in ε4 carriers were significantly lower than those in no-ε4 carriers (P<0.05). The AD and aMCI groups showed decreased NAA/Cr ratio in the left hippocampus as well as elevated Cho/Cr ratio and MI/Cr in the left frontal lobe compared to the NC group (P<0.05). This change was even more pronounced in AD group when compared to aMCI group. The NAA/Cr ratio and Cho/Cr ratio in the left hippocampus in ε4 carriers were lower, the MI/Cr ratio in left frontal lobe in ε4 carriers was higher (P<0.05). Conclusions: ApoE gene polymorphism affects the alteration of (1)H-MRS in AD and aMCI patients. The combination of ApoE gene polymorphism and (1)H-MRS may be more useful to differentiate and diagnose AD and aMCI early.

[Thyroglobulin measurement in fine-needle aspiration washout fluid for detection of differentiated thyroid cancer lymph nodes metastases].

Objective: To investigate the feasibiity of detecting lymph node metastasis in differentiated thyroid cancer patients by thyroglobin（Tg）measurement in fine-needle aspiration washout fluid. Method: Forty-seven differentiated thyroid cancer patients with cervical lymph node metastasis were included in this study. Fine-needle aspirations were performed on lymph nodes which were surgically resected for measurement of Tg in washout fluid. Diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were evaluated according to three predetermined Tg threshold values: FNA-Tg/serum Tg＞1, 10 ng/ml and 100 ng/ml. Result: The meadian value of FNA-Tg in metastatic lymph node (n=46) was 5 177 ng/ml (1.79-408 300 ng/ml)，while lymph node without metastasis (n=11) showed a meadian level of 0.63 ng/ml (0.04-125.4 ng/ml). With the threshold of FNA-Tg level at FNA-Tg/serum Tg＞1, 10 ng/ml and 100 ng/ml respectively, the diagnostic sensitivity was 91.3%, 97.83% and 93.48% respectively,the specificity was 81.82%,63.64% and 90.90% respectively,and the accuracy was 89.47%,91.22% and 92.98% respectively. Conclusion: Thyroglobin measurement in fine-needle aspiration washout fluid is effective to diagnose lymph node metastasis in differentiated thyroid cancer.

Precise label-free leukocyte subpopulation separation using hybrid acoustic-optical chip.

Leukocyte subpopulations contain crucial physiological information; hence, precise and specific leukocyte separation is very important for leukemia diagnosis and analysis. However, conventional centrifugation and immunofluorescence-based separation methods are inaccurate and inconvenient due to the overlapping cell size and density or complex marking processes. Herein, we report a new label-free technology for precise leukocyte subpopulation separation by synergy of acoustic and optical technologies. Standing surface acoustic wave (SSAW) solved the problem of gentle and precise focusing of cells in optical systems. In addition, SSAW was used for the separation of granulocytes, which have evident size distinction from other components. In case of lymphocytes and monocytes, which have overlap in size/density, optical force could distinguish them accurately based on the RI difference, with the convenience of acoustic pre-focusing. In this experiment, separation of three types of leukocyte subtypes with considerable throughput and purity was conducted, through which we obtained 99% pure lymphocytes, 98% pure monocytes, and 95% pure granulocytes. Experimental results prove that the device has robust ability in separating leukocyte phenotypes and have the advantages of being non-invasive, label-free and precise. In the future, this convenient hybrid method will be a potential powerful tool for auxiliary clinical diagnosis and analysis.

[Case-control study on the influencing factors related to cognitive impairment in the elderly population of China].

Objective: To explore the influencing factors affecting the cognitive impairment of the elderly population in China. Methods: A stratified multi-stage cluster sampling was used in 6 provinces (autonomous administrative regions and municipalities) to select the sample. A total 24 000 urban and rural residents aged 60 years and above received a set of standardized questionnaire interview, physical examinations, laboratory test of lipid and glucose levels of blood and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype. The primary screening of cognitive function was assessed by using the Chinese Version of Ascertain Dementia 8, and then suspicious cognitive impairment cases with more than two abnormal results would receive the further cognitive function assessment by using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). 1 300 cases with cognitive impairment and 2 600 controls without cognitive impairment were recruited and matched according to their age, gender and resident area in a 1∶2 case-control study. The conditional logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between relevant factors and cognitive impairment. Results: Factors negatively associated with cognitive impairment and their OR (95%CI) values were primary or middle school as 0.63 (0.51-0.77), high school and above as 0.59 (0.39-0.88), daily neighborhood communication as 0.61 (0.50-0.75), weekly participating in social activities 0.59 (0.44-0.79), daily tea drinking as 0.71 (0.58-0.88) and doing regular exercise as 0.71 (0.57-0.88), reading newspaper (occasional: 0.50 (0.37-0.67); frequent: 0.40 (0.28-0.57)), playing majiang or cards (occasional: 0.51 (0.34-0.74); frequent: 0.50 (0.36-0.68)) respectively. Factors positively associated with cognitive impairment and their OR (95%CI) values were APOE-ε4 heterozygote as 1.31 (1.08-1.58), homozygote as 2.74 (1.52-5.00), diabetes onset before 50 years of age and after as 9.03 (3.07-33.60) and 4.40 (3.18-6.17), stroke as 1.90 (1.35-2.69), asthma as 1.95 (1.11-3.42) respectively. Conclusion: APOE-ε4 alleles, lower educational level, stroke, asthma, diabetes are risk factors of cognitive impairment in the elderly. Keeping a healthy lifestyle and preventing chronic diseases in the whole life course could significantly reduce the incidence of cognitive impairment in the elderly.

Optofluidic differential colorimetry for rapid nitrite determination.

Nitrite detection plays a very important role in environmental monitoring and for industrial purposes. The commonly used colorimetric analysis requires the measurement of a system's calibration curve by asynchronously preparing and detecting a dozen standard samples, leading to time-consuming, slow and cumbersome procedures. Here, we present a differential colorimetry method that determines the nitrite level based on the paired chromaticity gradient, formed by coupling the colour reaction into the microfluidic network. The two gradients reshape each other and contain enough information for the quantitative analysis of the sample being tested, without the need for a calibration curve. The independence of the two gradients of the absorbance change caused by the detecting system and water quality results in a high stability and anti-interference performance, with the assistance of its self-correcting ability. This differential colorimetry method requires little time and energy consumption as only one sample is needed. Standard nitrite solutions of 0.50 mM and 0.33 mM have been determined with an error of 1.16% and 0.50%, respectively. These measurements are advantageous in terms of greater stability by up to 10 times and accuracy by 6 times, compared with the calibration curve approaches. It is foreseeable that this differential colorimetry method will find a wide range of applications in the field of chemical detection.

Real-time detection and monitoring of the drug resistance of single myeloid leukemia cells by diffused total internal reflection.

Real-time detection and monitoring of the drug resistance of single cells have important significance in clinical diagnosis and therapy. Traditional methods operate a number of times for each individual concentration, and innovation is required for the design of more simple and efficient manipulation platforms with necessary higher sensitivity. Here, we have developed a novel diffused total internal reflection (TIR) method to perform drug metabolism and cytotoxicity analysis of trapped myeloid leukemia cells. Molm-13 cells, a type of acute myeloid leukemia cell, were chosen and injected into the device and fittingly captured by cell traps. Differing from previous studies, a series of different concentrations of azelaic acid (AZA) drug could be used from 0 mM to 50 mM through convection and diffusion processes in a single chip, with each concentration region featuring 50 cells, with a total of 549 cell trapping units. Thanks to the high sensitivity of the TIR method, only cells with the same drug concentration could be illuminated in the detection process. By adjusting the incident angle, we could exactly detect and monitor the drug resistance of the cells using different drug concentrations and the experimental resolution of the drug concentration was as small as 5 mM. Images of the membrane integrity and morphology of the cells in the bright field were measured and we also monitored the cell viabilities in the dark field over 2 hours. The effects of AZA on the Molm-13 cells were explored in different concentrations at the single cell level. Compared with the results of the traditional MTT assay method, the experimental results are more simple and accurate. A cell death of 5% at an AZA concentration of 5 mM was observed after 30 minutes, while a concentration of 40 mM corresponded to a 98% cell death. The designed method in this study provides a novel toolkit to control and monitor drug resistance at the single cell level more easily with higher sensitivity and we believe it has significant potential application in single cell quality assessment and medicine analysis in clinical practice.

Elevated PT, APPT and PT/INR possibly associated with doxycycline and cefoperazone co-administration: A case report.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Little is known regarding changes in blood coagulation parameters associated with tetracycline antibiotics. We report a possible case of elevated PT, APPT and PT/INR associated with doxycycline and cefoperazone co-administration. CASE SUMMARY: An 83-year-old Chinese male inpatient with severe pneumonia, chronic renal insufficiency and malnutrition experienced elevated PT, APPT and PT/INR which occurred within a few days of doxycycline added to his cefoperazone treatment and returned to normal after removal of it. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Very close monitoring of coagulation parameters might be advisable in those subjects when administering doxycycline and cefoperazone concomitantly.

Optofluidic marine phosphate detection with enhanced absorption using a Fabry-Pérot resonator.

Real-time detection of phosphate has significant meaning in marine environmental monitoring and forecasting the occurrence of harmful algal blooms. Conventional monitoring instruments are dependent on artificial sampling and laboratory analysis. They have various shortcomings for real-time applications because of the large equipment size and high production cost, with low target selectivity and the requirement of time-consuming procedures to obtain the detection results. We propose an optofluidic miniaturized analysis chip combined with micro-resonators to achieve real-time phosphate detection. The quantitative water-soluble components are controlled by the flow rate of the phosphate solution, chromogenic agent A (ascorbic acid solution) and chromogenic agent B (12% ammonium molybdate solution, 80% concentrated sulfuric acid and 8% antimony potassium tartrate solution with a volume ratio of 80 : 18 : 2). Subsequently, an on-chip Fabry-Pérot microcavity is formed with a pair of aligned coated fiber facets. With the help of optical feedback, the absorption of phosphate can be enhanced, which can avoid the disadvantages of the macroscale absorption cells in traditional instruments. It can also overcome the difficulties of traditional instruments in terms of size, parallel processing of numerous samples and real-time monitoring, etc. The absorption cell length is shortened to 300 µm with a detection limit of 0.1 µmol L-1. The time required for detection is shortened from 20 min to 6 seconds. Predictably, microsensors based on optofluidic technology will have potential in the field of marine environmental monitoring.

ALOX5AP rs10507391 polymorphism and the risk of ischemic stroke in Caucasians: an update meta-analysis.

Some reports evaluated the association between ALOX5AP rs10507391 polymorphism and the risk of ischemic stroke in Caucasians. The results remained unknown. Thus, we did a meta-analysis to evaluate this association. Nine case-control studies with 4198 patients and 3699 controls were included in this meta-analysis. A significant association was found between ALOX5AP rs10507391 polymorphism and ischemic stroke risk in Caucasians (OR=1.18; 95%CI, 1.08-1.28; P=0.0002). ALOX5AP rs10507391 polymorphism was associated with ischemic stroke risk in Caucasians from Europe (OR=1.20; 95%CI, 1.09-1.32; P=0.0002) but not from other countries (OR=1.13; 95%CI, 0.95-1.36; P=0.17). No significant association was found between ALOX5AP rs10507391 polymorphism and ischemic stroke risk in males (OR=1.12; 95%CI, 0.91-1.39; P=0.28). Moreover, ALOX5AP rs10507391 polymorphism was not associated with cardioembolic ischemic stroke risk (OR=1.04; 95%CI, 0.73-1.48; P=0.84). In conclusion, this study found that ALOX5AP rs10507391 polymorphism was associated with ischemic stroke risk in Caucasians.