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Jianfei Pan,1,* Quanwei Zhu,1,* Xiaoqian Zhang,2 Jun Xu,1 Linlin Pan,1 Xiang Mao,3 Xiao Wu1,4,* 1Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, People’s Republic of China; 4Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Xiang MaoDepartment of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 65908477Email xiangmao1002@163.comPurpose: To explore the distribution of pathogenic bacteria in patients with intra-abdominal infection, to clarify the independent factors that affect the prognosis of patients with intra-abdominal infection and its evaluation value for prognosis.Patients and Methods: The pathogens, underlying diseases, and related clinical data of patients with intra-abdominal infection from January 2012 to December 2019 in our hospital were retrospectively collected and the APACHE II score was calculated. The patients were divided into survival group and death group according to the prognosis, and the index between the two groups was compared. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between each index and prognosis, multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen the independent prognostic factors.Results: Spearman correlation analysis showed that ALB level was negatively correlated with prognosis, age and APACHE II score were positively correlated with prognosis. Logistic regression analysis showed that age, ALB level, and APACHE II score were independent prognostic factors. The formula of age combined ALB level and APACHE II score was Y = X1-3.6X2 + 6.5X3 (X1 was the age, X2 was the ALB level and X3 was the APACHE II score), Y was positively correlated with poor prognosis, and the optimal cutoff value was Y = 40.96.Conclusion: Age, ALB level, and APACHE II score are independent factors that influencing the prognosis of patients with intra-abdominal infection, and the combination of age, ALB level, and APACHE II score can better assess the prognosis of patients with intra-abdominal infection.Keywords: intra-abdominal infection, formula, prognostic factors, the value of independent factors, single center

When an emergency occurs, effective decisions should be made in a limited time to reduce the casualties and economic losses as much as possible. In the past decades, emergency decision-making (EDM) has become a research hotspot and a lot of studies have been conducted for better managing emergency events under tight time constraint. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the literature on this topic. The objective of this paper is to provide academic community with a complete bibliometric analysis of the EDM researches to generate a global picture of developments, focus areas, and trends in the field. A total of 303 journal publications published between 2010 and 2020 were identified and analyzed using the VOSviewer in regard to cooperation network, co-citation network, and keyword co-occurrence network. The findings indicate that the annual publications in this research field have increased rapidly since 2014. Based on the cooperation network and co-citation network analyses, the most productive and influential countries, institutions, researchers, and their cooperation networks were identified. Using the co-citation network analysis, the landmark articles and the core journals in the EDM area are found out. With the help of the keyword co-occurrence network analysis, research hotspots and development of the EDM domain are determined. According to current trends and blind spots in the literature, possible directions for further investigation are finally suggested for EDM. The literature review results provide valuable information and new insights for both scholars and practitioners to grasp the current situation, hotspots and future research agenda of the EDM field.

Quality function deployment (QFD) is a customer-driven product development tool used to convert customer requirements into engineering characteristics to maximize customer satisfaction. In real applications, however, the traditional QFD method has been criticized as having lots of deficiencies. Over the past decades, many models and approaches have been suggested for improving QFD, but a paucity of contributions are devoted to review and summarize the related researches on the basis of bibliometric analysis. In this paper, we conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the journal articles on QFD improvement during the years of 1999–2020. First, the metadata analysis of identified articles was presented to clarify the research progress and development trend in this field. Then, bibliometric analyses of the selected articles are conducted to identify the most prolific and influential researchers, the most productive institutions and their collaborations, and the intellectual structure of studies in QFD development. Via keyword analysis, the research focuses and emerging research trends for QFD improvement are found out. Finally, blind spots and future research directions in the area are summarized to provide valuable reference for the future research of QFD advancement.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes long-lasting neurodegeneration and cognitive impairments; however, the underlying mechanisms of these processes are not fully understood. Acid-sensing ion channels 1a (ASIC1a) are voltage-gated Na

Dexamethasone has been widely used after various neurosurgical procedures due to its anti-inflammatory property and the abilities to restore vascular permeability, inhibit free radicals, and reduce cerebrospinal fluid production. According to the latest guidelines for the treatment of traumatic brain injury in the United States, high-dose glucocorticoids cause neurological damage. To investigate the reason why high-dose glucocorticoids after traumatic brain injury exhibit harmful effect, rat controlled cortical impact models of traumatic brain injury were established. At 1 hour and 2 days after surgery, rat models were intraperitoneally administered dexamethasone 10 mg/kg. The results revealed that 31 proteins were significantly upregulated and 12 proteins were significantly downregulated in rat models of traumatic brain injury after dexamethasone treatment. The Ingenuity Pathway Analysis results showed that differentially expressed proteins were enriched in the mitochondrial dysfunction pathway and synaptogenesis signaling pathway. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry results showed that Ndufv2, Maob and Gria3 expression and positive cell count in the dexamethasone-treated group were significantly greater than those in the model group. These findings suggest that dexamethasone may promote a compensatory increase in complex I subunits (Ndufs2 and Ndufv2), increase the expression of mitochondrial enzyme Maob, and upregulate synaptic-transmission-related protein Gria3. These changes may be caused by nerve injury after traumatic brain injury treatment by dexamethasone. The study was approved by Institutional Ethics Committee of Beijing Neurosurgical Institute (approval No. 201802001) on June 6, 2018.

BACKGROUND Social media key opinion leaders (SMKOLs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) are 2 leading delivery strategies for HIV self-testing (HIVST). This study compared respondent characteristics, linkage to care, antiretroviral treatment, and cost of HIVST among men who have sex with men (MSM) recruited via SMKOLs and CBOs in China. METHODS Between January and December 2018, SMKOLs distributed HIVST advertisements to MSM through WeChat public platforms; simultaneously, CBOs distributed HIVST program messages to local MSM. All participants were required to pay a deposit to apply for the HIVST kit and had their deposit refunded after completing an online survey and uploading HIVST results. Trained staff provided HIV referral services by telephone and WeChat. RESULTS One thousand seven hundred forty-three [63.0% (1743/2766)] and 1023 [37.0% (1023/2766)] individuals met criteria via SMKOLs and CBOs, respectively. MSM reached by SMKOLs had a lower HIV seropositive rate [2.1% (33/1561) vs. 12.5% (100/803)] and higher proportion received antiretroviral treatment [94.4% (31/33) vs. 29.0% (29/100)] compared with CBO-recruited MSM (all P < 0.05). The average number of HIVST respondents recruited by each investigator in SMKOL-strategy was higher than that of CBO-strategy (290 vs. 49). The SMKOLs had lower cost of per person tested (USD 13.18 vs. USD 101.21) and per newly identified HIV infection case (USD 632.66 vs. USD 812.70). CONCLUSIONS SMKOLs have lower cost of per person tested, whereas CBOs can reach MSM subpopulations with higher HIV seropositive rates. Both recruitment methods are efficient and should be used as complementary HIVST delivery strategies to address low HIV testing coverage among Chinese MSM.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common vestibular peripheral disease, and has increasingly become the focus of research on vertigo diseases in recent years. In particular, otolaryngology and neurology societies worldwide have placed a greater focus on the study of BPPV. This article reviews the current diagnosis and treatment status and research progress of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in China from the aspects of disease etiology, pathology, and pathophysiology. We will also consider potential future research in this field.

ObjectivesPrevious studies have demonstrated that rectal douching (RD) is associated with HIV acquisition among men who have sex with men (MSM). However, the precise mechanism underlying the association between RD and HIV remains unclear.MethodsWe recruited participants over WeChat from October 2017 to October 2018. Respondents received mailed HIV self-testing kits, uploaded images of HIV self-test results and completed an online electronic questionnaire simultaneously. The questionnaire assessed sociodemographic characteristics, RD practices and sexual risk behaviours. HIV status was measured as the result of the HIV self-testing. The Baron and Kenny statistical method was used to assess the association between RD and HIV, controlling for condomless anal intercourse (CAI) and rectal bleeding.ResultsOf 1365 participants, 39.93% (545/1365) reported RD in the past 6 months, 60.07% had multiple male sexual partners and 43.08% had CAI in the past 6 months. The prevalence of HIV, based on self-testing, was 3.37% (46/1365). Multivariable logistic analysis showed RD was significantly associated with bottom sexual role (adjusted OR (aOR) 14.0; 95% CI 9.8 to 20.2), having multiple male sexual partners (aOR 1.8; 95% CI 1.4 to 2.2), CAI (aOR 1.3; 95% CI 1.0 to 1.6), rectal bleeding (aOR 2.0; 95% CI 1.6 to 2.6) and HIV infection (aOR 1.9; 95% CI 1.0 to 3.4). Baron and Kenny analysis found both CAI (aOR 2.2; 95% CI 1.2 to 4.1) and rectal bleeding (aOR 1.9; 95% CI 1.0 to 3.4) play a mediating role in the association between RD and HIV.ConclusionsOur study results confirmed the relationship between RD and HIV, and found CAI and rectal bleeding mediated HIV infection in Chinese MSM who douched. Strategies should be encouraged to strengthen health education and reduce high-risk sexual behaviour in order to reduce the risk of HIV in MSM who use enemas. Rectal microbicides may represent an efficient means of providing HIV prophylaxis among MSM.

The balance of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is indispensable for maintaining the normal function and structure of the hippocampus. However, changes in GR/MR and their effect on the survival of hippocampal neurons after traumatic brain injury (TBI) are still unclear. Previous studies have indicated that high-dose glucocorticoids (GC) aggravate hippocampal neuronal damage after TBI. We hypothesize that the imbalance of GR/MR expression and activation caused by injury and irrational use of dexamethasone (DEX) aggravates post-traumatic hippocampal apoptosis and spatial memory dysfunction, but that restoration by refilling MR and inhibiting GR promotes the survival of neurons. Using rat controlled cortical impact model, we examined the plasma corticosterone (CORT), corticosteroid receptor expression, apoptosis, and cell loss in the hippocampus, and, accordingly, the spatial memory after TBI and GC treatment within 7 days. Plasma CORT, MR, and GR expression level were significantly reduced at 2 days after TBI. Accordingly, the number of apoptotic cells also peaked at 2 days. Compared with the TBI control group, DEX treatment (5 mg/kg) significantly reduced plasma CORT, upregulated GR expression, and increased the number of apoptotic cells and cell loss, whereas CORT replacement (0.3 mg/kg) upregulated MR expression, inhibited apoptosis, and improved spatial memory. The deleterious and protective effects of DEX and CORT were counteracted by spironolactone and mifepristone respectively. The results suggest that inhibition of GR by RU486 or the refilling of MR by CORT protects hippocampal neurons and alleviates spatial memory impairment via promoting GR/MR rebalancing after TBI.

Background:Rhodiola rosea L. has long been used as traditional medicines in Europe and Asia to treat a variety of common conditions and diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, cognitive dysfunctions, cancer, and stroke. Previous studies reported that Rhodiola rosea L. and its components (RRC) improve ischemia stroke in animal models. Here, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis for preclinical studies to evaluate the effects of RRC and the probable neuroprotective mechanisms in ischemic stroke.Methods: Studies of RRC on ischemic stroke animal models were searched in seven databases from inception to Oct 2021. The primary measured outcomes included the neural functional deficit score (NFS), infarct volume (IV), brain water content, cell viability, apoptotic cells, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) level and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) level. The secondary outcome measures were possible mechanisms of RRC for ischemic stroke. All the data were analyzed via RevMan version 5.3.Results: 15 studies involving 345 animals were identified. Methodological quality for each included studies was accessed according to the CAMARADES 10-item checklist. The quality score of studies range from 1 to 7, and the median was 5.53. Pooled preclinical data showed that compared with the controls, RRC could improve NFS (Zea Longa (p < 0.01), modified neurological severity score (mNSS) (p < 0.01), rotarod tests (p < 0.01), IV (p < 0.01), as well as brain edema (p < 0.01). It also can increase cell viability (p < 0.01), Bcl-2 level (p < 0.01) and reduce TNF-α level (p < 0.01), TUNEL-positive cells (p < 0.01), apoptotic cells (p < 0.01).Conclusion: The findings suggested that RRC can improve ischemia stroke. The possible mechanisms of RRC are largely through antioxidant, anti-apoptosis activities, anti-inflammatory, repressing lipid peroxidation, antigliosis, and alleviating the pathological blood brain barrier damage.

Background: Whether H. pylori infection in brainstem hemorrhage patients is related to the occurrence of SU has not been reported. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between H. pylori infection and the occurrence of SU, and whether it is necessary to eradicate H. pylori infection during treatment. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in our patients in Neurocritical Care Unit (NICU), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and Emergency Intensive Care Unit (EICU) between May, 2017-July, 2020. Patients were eligible for the study if they were admitted to a participating ICU for brainstem hemorrhage with gastrointestinal bleeding and with an ICU stay of at least 3 days. Patients were ineligible if their ICU stay was less than 72 hours, and patients with a previous history of gastric or duodenal ulcer were excluded from the study. All patients were performed with robot-aided stereotactic hematoma aspiration and gastric tube indwelling. Results: In the study, 65 patients were enrolled. Of these, 7 patients were excluded because their ICU stay lasted less than 72 hours or because they had previous history of gastric or duodenal ulcer. A further 5 patients were excluded because they required blood transfusion for bleeding on admission. Thus, 53 patients constituted the study group. Conclusions: This study showed brainstem hemorrhage patients infected by H. pylori were at increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, suggesting that H. pylori has a major role in the pathogenesis of acute SU in brainstem hemorrhage patients.

Objective Chronic subdural hematomas (CSDHs) in young people are uncommon, rupture of arachnoid cysts (ACs) is one of the reasons for young patients. The detailed features of CSDHs associated with ACs remain poorly understood. The objective of this study is to analyze the characteristics of risks for the rupture of ACs with CSDH in Adults. Methods The CT scans of 1231 patients who were diagnosed as CSDH were reviewed between Jan 2009 and Jan 2019 in the Department of Neurotrauma in Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University/China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases. The clinical features, treatments, and prognosis of 32 patients with ACs were analyzed. Results Ruptured ACs with CSDH were diagnosed in 32 patients in 1231 CSDH cases, which account for 2.60%. Headache was the commonest presenting symptom. According to the Takizawa' classification, there were 22 cases for Type A, 9 for Type B and 1 for Type C. Thinning or external convex of the calvarium was demonstrated in 17/32 cases (53.1%). Thirty-one patients were treated with burr hole irrigation. Favorable outcomes were achieved in all patients. Conclusions The presence of ACs should be taken into consideration in young and middle-aged patients with CSDH. For those patients were found ACs in conventional medical examination, especially those whose imaging examinations demonstrated thinning or external convex of the calvarium, it was crucial to remind them to avoid the occurrence of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Burr hole irrigation is still the preferred treatment for ruptured ACs with CSDH.

Background The aim of the present study was to investigate the antitumor properties of N-(N-[3,5-difluorophenacetyl]-1-alanyl)-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT) against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as well as the underlying mechanism. Methods Immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay were used to determine the expression of Notch1 in HCC tissues. The expression of Notch1 in 3 HCC cell lines was evaluated by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The proliferation ability of cells was detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and colony formation assays. Flow cytometry and Transwell assay were used to check the apoptosis and migration of HepG2 cells, respectively. Western blot was used to determine the expression level of Notch1, Hes1, Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), protein kinase B1 (AKT1), phosphorylated AKT1, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), phosphorylated mTOR, intracellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion protein 1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and focal adhesion kinase in cells and tumor tissues. A HepG2 xenograft experiment was conducted to evaluate the in vivo antitumor properties of DAPT. Results Notch1 was found to be significantly upregulated in both HCC tissues and cell lines. DAPT significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner, accompanied by the suppression of Notch1/Hes1 signaling, inactivation of AKT/mTOR signaling, downregulation of MMPs, and decreased expression of adhesion molecules. The activation of Notch1/Hes1 or AKT/mTOR signaling removed the inhibitory effect of DAPT on the proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells, as well as the inhibitory properties of DAPT on the expression of MMPs and adhesion molecules. The antitumor properties and regulatory effect of DAPT against the extracellular matrix (ECM) and Hes1/PTEN/AKT/mTOR signaling were verified by the HepG2 xenograft experiments. Conclusions DAPT could suppress the proliferation and migration of HCC by regulating the ECM and inhibiting the Hes1/PTEN/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Crainoplasty following decompressive craniotomy is widely applied clinically. Here, a 55-year-old male had clinical presentation of fever, headache, and ulceration at the anterior scalp of left ear, with 4 to 5 mL pus induction per day, where he accepted cranioplastic surgery 17 years ago using the material of medical silicone rubber. The results of experimental test and magnetic resonance imaging indicated a sign of infection. The authors reported a rarely delayed infection 17 years after cranioplastic surgery. The over long-term risks for the previously transplanted materials should be recognized.

Ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure has been linked to decreased semen quality, but the associations between PM2.5 constituent exposures and semen quality remain unknown. We enrolled 1081 men whose partners underwent assisted reproductive technology procedures in Wuhan, China in 2014-2015, and examined their semen quality. Daily average concentrations of PM2.5 constituents including 10 metals/metalloid elements and 4 water-soluble ions were continuously determined for 1 week per month at 2 fixed monitoring stations. Linear mixed models were used to examine the associations of exposures to PM2.5 and its constituents with semen quality. Each interquartile range (36.5 μg/m3) increase in PM2.5 exposure was significantly associated with 8.5% (95% CI: 2.3%, 14.4%) and 8.1% (95% CI: 0.7%, 15.0%) decrease in sperm concentration and total sperm number, respectively. Antimony, cadmium, lead, manganese, and nickel exposures were significantly associated with decreased sperm concentration, whereas manganese exposure was also significantly associated with decreased total motility. Nonsmokers were more susceptible to PM2.5 constituent exposures, especially for antimony and cadmium (all P for effect modification

Fibroblast growth factor-inducible-14 (Fn14), a receptor for tumor necrosis-like weak inducer of apoptosis, is expressed in the neurons of dorsal root ganglion (DRG). Its mRNA is increased in the injured DRG following peripheral nerve injury. Whether this increase contributes to neuropathic pain is unknown. We reported here that peripheral nerve injury caused by spinal nerve ligation (SNL) increased the expression of Fn14 at both protein and mRNA levels in the injured DRG. Blocking this increase attenuated the development of SNL-induced mechanical, thermal, and cold pain hypersensitivities. Conversely, mimicking this increase produced the increases in the levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase ½ and glial fibrillary acidic protein in ipsilateral dorsal horn and the enhanced responses to mechanical, thermal, and cold stimuli in the absence of SNL. Mechanistically, the increased Fn14 activated the NF-κB pathway through promoting the translocation of p65 into the nucleus of the injured DRG neurons. Our findings suggest that Fn14 may be a potential target for the therapeutic treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain.

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is linked to various respiratory outcomes. However, the associations of concentrations of PM2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PM2.5-bound PAHs) with airway inflammatory indices remains unclear. To assess effects of short-term exposure to PM2.5-bound PAHs on fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), we conducted a pilot study with repeated measures. We recruited 20 postgraduate students in Wuhan city, China, and repeatedly measured outdoor and indoor (including dormitories, offices and laboratories) PM2.5-bound PAHs concentrations, urinary monohydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs) and FeNO levels in the four seasons. Subsequently, we estimated inhaled doses of PM2.5-bound PAHs based on the micro-environmental PM2.5-bound PAHs concentrations, time-activity patterns and referred inhalation rates. We assessed the association of inhaled doses of PM2.5-bound PAHs with FeNO using linear mixed-effects regression models. We found the positive associations of urinary ∑OH-PAHs levels with inhaled doses of indoor PM2.5-bound PAHs (including dormitories and offices) (all p

Objective: Capecitabine is an antimetabolic fluoropyrimidine deoxynucleoside carbamate drug that can be converted to 5-FU in vivo. Currently, the role of capecitabine in the treatment of advanced breast cancer has been recognized. Also, Several meta-analyses have elucidated the role of capecitabine in the treatment of breast cancer, indicating that taxane-based regimen with capecitabine may be an effective, convenient, and well tolerated regimen in patients with early breast cancer. However, the correlation between capecitabine-based combination first-line chemotherapy and breast cancer survival remains unclear. Here, we present a meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the safety and effectiveness of capecitabine-based combination with first-line chemotherapy treatment in breast cancer. Methods: We searched Pubmed, Embase, and Medline for relevant studies evaluating pooled estimated hazard ratios of capecitabine in breast cancer patients with the eligible criteria up to June 2018. Fixed and random-effect meta-analyses were conducted based on heterogeneity of included studies. Results: Overall, 10 articles with 12,872 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Capecitabine-based combination first-line chemotherapy compared with non-combination had significant impacts on disease-free survival (HR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.76-0.93; P = 0.000) and overall survival (HR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.74-0.94; P = 0.001). Also, according to the 3 articles concerning neoadjuvant chemotherapy which included 2534 participants, we found that the addition of capecitabine significantly improved OS (HR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.63-0.86; P = 0.011). In the subgroup analysis, TNBC patients got significant benefits with the addition of capecitabine in DFS (HR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.65-0.92; P = 0.004) and OS (HR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.51-0.81; P = 0.000). ER negative patients got significant benefits in OS (HR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.57-0.93; P = 0.012). The association of DFS with the addition of capecitabine in Her- patients (HR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.71-0.99; P = 0.005) was significant, as was OS (HR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.70-0.95; P = 0.009),. Meanwhile, patients receiving capecitabine-based combination first-line chemotherapy underwent less adverse effects especially the grade 3/4 leucopenia than patients with non-combination therapy (RR=0.72 95% CI: 0.59-0.86; P = 0.000). Conclusion: Capecitabine combined with first-line chemotherapy in the treatment of breast cancer is an effective and safe treatment option and is worthy of clinical application to improve survival of breast cancer patients. In the future, we can continue to carry out relevant researches to explore the upmost appropriate dose of capecitabine for breast cancer.

Background The hippocampus is vulnerable to severe damage after cerebral ischaemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury. This study aimed to explore the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on cognitive impairment and its relationship with Ca2+neurotoxicity in a rat model of I/R injury induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Methods 60 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control (sham surgery) group, untreated MCAO group and EA-treated MCAO+EA group. Rats in the MCAO and MCAO+EA groups underwent modelling of poststroke cognitive impairment by MCAO surgery. EA was performed for 30 min daily at GV20 and GV24 (1–20 Hz) for 1 week. The Morris water maze experiment was used to assess cognitive function. 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining was used to measure infarct volume. The intracellular Ca2+content in the Cornu Ammonis (CA)1 area of the hippocampus was assessed by laser confocal scanning microscopy. ELISA was performed to evaluate the concentration of glutamate (Glu) in the hippocampus, and the protein expression of two Glu receptors (N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) 2A and NMDAR2B) were analysed by Western blotting. Results Compared with the untreated MCAO group, EA effectively ameliorated cognitive impairment (P=0.01) and shrunk the infarct volume (P=0.032). The content of intracellular Ca2+, Glu and NMDAR2B in the hippocampus was significantly raised by MCAO (P=0.031-0.043), while EA abrogated these effects. NMDAR2A was decreased by MCAO (P=0.015) but increased by EA (P=0.033). Conclusions EA had a beneficial effect on cognitive repair after cerebral I/R, and its mechanism of action likely involves a reduction of Ca2+influx via inhibition of Glu neurotoxicity and downregulation of NMDAR2B expression.

To explore the association between the primary visual cortex in the brain and optic nerve head changes, ONH, (structural thickness and microvascular changes) in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).Nineteen patients who were aquaporin-4 (AQP-4) seropositive NMOSD patients and twenty-two healthy controls (HC) were enrolled for this cross-sectional study. Optical coherence tomographic angiography (OCT-A) was used to image and measure the capillaries density (RPC, radial peripapillary capillaries) and structural thickness (pRNFL, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer) around the optic nerve head. A resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to image and evaluate the gray matter volume (GMV) and functional connectivity (FC) the brain of each participant. We assessed the primary visual cortex (lingual gyrus, calcarine sulcus and thalamus) of the brain.Changes in RPC density showed a significant association (P 0.05) with FC of the right lingual gyrus, bilateral calcarine gyrus and left thalamus respectively. pRNFL thickness showed significant association with FC of the right lingual gyrus (Rho = 0.374, P = 0.016), right calcarine gyrus (Rho = 0.355, P = 0.023) and left thalamus (Rho = 0.376, P = 0.015) respectively.Visual impairment, structural and microvascular changes around optic nerve head is associated with the functional visual networks in NMOSD. Our report suggests that structural and microvascular changes around the ONH reflect the changes in the primary visual cortex of the brain.

Background HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits are common in key sexually active populations. Direct secondary distribution of HIVST kits (DSDHK) is effective in improving the uptake of HIVST. However, there are concerns about the various limitations of DSDHK, including limited geographic reach, payment problems, and need for face-to-face interactions. Objective In this study, we aim to evaluate the feasibility and characteristics of indirect secondary distribution of HIVST kits (ISDHK) via WeChat (distributing HIVST application links and follow-up HIVST kits to partners) among men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods From October 2017 to September 2019, an HIVST recruitment advertisement was disseminated on the WeChat social media platform to invite MSM to apply for the HIVST kits (referred to as index participants [IPs]). All MSM participants were encouraged to distribute the HIVST application link to their friends and sexual partners (referred to as alters) through their social networks. All the alters were further encouraged to continue distributing the HIVST application link. All participants paid a deposit (US $7), which was refundable upon completion of the questionnaire, and uploaded the test results via a web-based survey system. Results A total of 2263 MSM met the criteria and successfully applied for HIVST. Of these, 1816 participants returned their HIVST results, including 1422 (88.3%) IPs and 394 (21.7%) alters. More alters had condomless anal intercourse, a higher proportion of them had never previously tested for HIV, and they showed a greater willingness to distribute HIVST kits to their sexual partners (P=.002) than the IPs. After controlling for age, education, and income, the alters had a greater proportion of MSM who had never tested for HIV before (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.29, 95% CI 1.00-1.68), were more willing to distribute the HIVST application link (aOR 1.71, 95% CI 1.21-2.40), had a lower number of sexual partners (aOR 0.71, 95% CI 0.57-0.90), and were less likely to search for sexual partners on the web (aOR 0.78, 95% CI 0.60-1.02) than IPs. In comparison, the rates of reactive HIVST results, conducting HIV confirmatory tests, HIV seropositivity, and initiation of HIV antiretroviral therapy were similar for IPs and alters. Conclusions The ISDHK model of distributing HIVST application links among the MSM population via social media is feasible. The ISDHK model should be used to supplement the DSDHK model to enable a greater proportion of the MSM population to know their HIV infection status.

Reducing the size of ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) will decrease the intensity of the ultrasound echogenic signals and reduce the stability of the bubbles. Therefore, it is a challenge to design nanobubbles that are less than 200 nm in size and that have both good imaging abilities and high stability for long-term imaging in vivo. In this work, we successfully prepared perfluoropentane-filled chitosan poly-acrylic acid (PFP-CS-PAA) nanobubbles with a size of about 100 nm via a direct simple core-template-free strategy. In vitro tests demonstrated that the nanobubbles showed satisfactory imaging capabilities in non-linear harmonic imaging mode and had significantly better stability than commercial Sonovue® lipid microbubbles. It was valuable to discover that the prepared PFP-CS-PAA nanobubbles could exhibit good imaging quality in rat livers for 10 min after intravenous injection. Also, the PFP-CS-PAA nanobubbles could maintain imaging capabilities in nude mouse tumors for 7 days after intratumoral injection, which indicated that these nanobubbles could keep their stability for a long time in vivo. To the best of our knowledge, the ultrasound imaging persistence time in vivo was the longest of currently reported polymer nanobubbles that are smaller than 200 nm. This new nanosized UCA with high stability has great potential for long-term ultrasound imaging in vivo. Tumor cellular uptake and histological analysis revealed that PFP-CS-PAA nanobubbles could be taken up into tumor cells, but no intracellular uptake was observed in the case of Sonovue®. Animal fluorescence imaging in vivo demonstrated that PFP-CS-PAA nanobubbles could be effectively cleared after intravenous injection within 168 h. MTT assays indicated that PFP-CS-PAA nanobubbles had appropriate biocompatibility. Abnormal levels of blood urea nitrogen were detected after the intravenous administration of PFP-CS-PAA nanobubbles to rats, and body-weight gain was inhibited for up to 6 d, but, after that, body weights recovered their tendency to increase.

Background There is limited information about the types of recreational drugs used by men who have sex with men (MSM) in China or the consequent impact on sexual health and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition. Methods We recruited MSM from seven cities in China between 2012 and 2013 using multiple approaches including advertisements on gay websites, collaborating with local MSM community-based organizations, peer referrals, and venues such as gay bars and bathrooms visited by MSM. We divided participants into four subgroups based on the number of recreational drugs (RDs) used in the previous 6 months. We defined use of multiple RDs as use of ≥2 types of RDs. Demographics and HIV-related high-risk behaviors were collected, and blood samples were tested for recent HIV infection by the HIV-1 subtypes B, E, and D immunoglobulin G capture enzyme immunoassay (BED-CEIA). We used multivariable logistic regression adjusted for sociodemographics to determine the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the subgroups of RD use for recent or established HIV infection. Results A total of 4496 Chinese MSM participated; 28.4% used RDs, and 5% used multiple types of RDs. The prevalence of each RD use was as follows: poppers (25.9%), ecstasy (2.4%), ketamine (1.2%), amphetamine (0.6%), tramadol (0.4%), methamphetamine (3.8%), and codeine (1.9%). Users of multiple RDs commonly used poppers combined with one or more other types of RDs. Multiple RD users were likely to be aged 26–30 years (vs. 18–25 and > 30 years), live in non-local cities (vs. local cities), never married (vs. married), have a high monthly income (vs. no income and 1–599 USD), use versatile positions during anal intercourse (vs. top or bottom), and have inadequate HIV-related prevention knowledge (vs. adequate). As the number of RDs used in the previous 6 months increased, the prevalence of HIV-related high-risk behaviors increased (P Conclusion The level and pattern of multiple RD use among Chinese MSM were different from high-income countries. MSM who used more RDs are more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviors, and these behaviors may be associated with increases in new HIV infections.

High-temperature Daqu, also called Jiang-flavor Daqu, is the saccharifying and fermenting agent for brewing Jiang-flavor Baijiu. During the spontaneous solid-state fermentation of high-temperature Daqu, variations in temperature and moisture lead to microbial diversity and various metabolites, contributing to the different colors of high-temperature Daqu (customarily referred to as white Daqu, black Daqu, yellow Daqu, and red Daqu in production). We aimed to investigate the differences in microbial communities, physicochemical indices, and potential functions among different high-temperature Daqu with different colors (labeled as QW, QB, QY, and QR) by amplicon sequencing. We found that Kroppenstedtia, Bacillus, and Thermoascus were predominant in all samples; Saccharopolyspora and Thermomyces were predominant in QB and QR; and Unclassfied_O_Eurotiales were predominant in QY. The results on the physicochemical characteristics indicated that compared with other Daqu samples, QW exhibited higher protease activity and lower acidity, whereas QB showed the opposite results. QR had the highest esterification yield, and QY exhibited the highest saccharification but lowest esterification yield. Functional prediction demonstrated that the higher abundances of genes encoding bacterial enzymes of QW and QY were related to the considerably higher abundances of Kroppenstedtia in QW (59%) and QY (87%), respectively. The highest abundance of Thermomyces in QB (80%) contributed to the highest abundance of genes encoding fungal enzymes in QB. This study revealed the microbial and functional dissimilarities of color-based high-temperature starters and helped facilitate the liquor fermentation process.

Heparin, including unfractionated heparin (UFH), low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and heparin derivatives, are commonly used in venous thromboembolism treatment and reportedly have beneficial effects on cancer survival. Heparin can affect the proliferation, adhesion, angiogenesis, migration and invasion of cancer cells via multiple mechanisms. The main mechanisms involve inhibition of heparanase, P-/L-selectin, angiogenesis, and interference with the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis. Here we summarize the current experimental evidence regarding the anti-cancer role of heparin and its derivatives, and conclude that there is evidence to support heparin’s role in inhibiting cancer progression, making it a promising anti-cancer agent.

Despite the high HIV incidence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China, over half of MSM have never been tested for HIV before (MSMNT). Through a serial cross-sectional study from 2012 to 2016 in Shenyang, China, we studied 1036 MSMNT, and diagnosed 16.2% (168/1036) with HIV. The percentage of MSMNT who had condomless anal intercourse (CAI) in the past year increased from 42.1% (130/309) in 2012 to 63.4% (102/161) in 2016 (P

The clinical risks and prognosis of diabetic vascular intimal calcification (VIC) and medial calcification (VMC) are different. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of VIC/VMC translocation. Anterior tibial arteries were collected from patients with diabetic foot amputation. The patients were then divided into VIC and VMC groups. There were plaques in all anterior tibial arteries, while the enrichment of galectin-3 in arterial plaques in the VIC group was significantly higher than that in the VMC group. Furthermore, a macrophage/vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) coculture system was constructed. VSMC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) was labeled with fluorescent probe. After macrophages were pretreated with recombinant galectin-3 protein, the migration of VSMC-derived EVs and VSMC-derived calcification was more pronounced. And anti-galectin-3 antibody can inhibit this process of EVs and calcification translocation. Then, lentivirus (LV)-treated bone marrow cells (BMCs) were transplanted into apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE−/−) mice, and a diabetic atherosclerosis mouse model was constructed. After 15 wk of high-fat diet, ApoE−/−mice transplanted with LV-shgalectin-3 BMCs exhibited medial calcification and a concentrated distribution of EVs in the media. In conclusion, upregulation of galectin-3 in macrophages promotes the migration of VSMC-derived EVs to the intima and induces diabetic vascular intimal calcification.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The clinical risk and prognosis of vascular intimal and medial calcification are different. Macrophage galectin-3 regulates the migration of vascular smooth muscle cell-derived extracellular vesicles and mediates diabetic vascular intimal/medial calcification translocation. This study may provide insights into the early intervention in diabetic vascular calcification.

Background Disclosure of HIV serostatus is important for the prevention of HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM). However, knowledge of sexual partners’ HIV status among MSM in China is low. As a complement to HIV testing services, HIV self-testing (HIVST) has considerable potential to promote serostatus disclosure. Objective The primary objective of our trial is to evaluate the effect of HIVST on improving serostatus disclosure to sexual partners. We hypothesize that MSM in an intervention condition will have a higher awareness of the HIV status of their sexual partners compared with MSM in the control condition. The secondary aims are to evaluate (i) changes in sexual behaviors after disclosure of HIV status by sexual partners, (ii) promotion of the frequency of HIV and syphilis testing on participants and their sexual partners, and (iii) factors that restrict the disclosure of HIV infection to sexual partners. We hypothesize that MSM in the intervention condition will exhibit safer sexual decision making and a higher rate of HIV testing uptake compared with MSM in the control condition. Methods A stepped wedge randomized controlled trial will be conducted throughout China. Study recruitment of 800 MSM will be promoted through advertisements released on WeChat public accounts. Individuals who are born biologically male, aged ≥18 years, HIV negative, and who have not undergone HIV testing in the past 3 months will be recruited. Eligible men will be randomly divided (1:1:1:1) into four groups and randomized. The group cluster will initiate the intervention so that participants will be provided with 2-4 free finger prick–based HIVST kits until trial completion. The intervention period for participants in each of the four groups will be initiated at 3-month intervals. Men in both groups will be required to complete a baseline and four follow-up surveys every 3 months. The primary intervention outcome will evaluate the effect of the distribution of HIVST kits on improvement in the disclosure of sexual partners’ HIV status. The secondary outcomes will be changes in sexual behaviors after disclosure of HIV status from sexual partners, the promotion of the frequency of HIVST on participants and their sexual partners, and the factors that restrict disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners. Results Subject recruitment began in August 2018. The first round of follow-up surveys post intervention is complete, with three rounds remaining to be done. Data analysis was scheduled for April 2020 and the results will be disseminated through conferences and peer-reviewed publications. Conclusions Few studies have evaluated interventions to increase knowledge of sexual partners’ HIV status among MSM. Our trial will provide information on the link between HIVST and HIV serostatus disclosure. The findings of this trial will facilitate the implementation of HIVST services to help control the spread of HIV among MSM in China. Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1800019453; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=30158 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/17788

Increasing clinical and experimental evidence suggests that traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with progressive histopathological damage. The aim of the current study was to characterize the time course of motor function, memory performance, and depression-like behavior up to 1 year after experimental TBI, and to correlate these changes to histopathological outcome. Male C57BL/6N mice underwent controlled cortical impact (CCI) or sham operation, and histopathological outcome was evaluated 15 min, 24 h, 1 week, or 1, 3, 6, or 12 months thereafter (

In this paper, a novel algorithm referred to as the switched and iterated square-root Gauss–Hermite filter is developed for the nonlinear state estimation. The algorithm is derived by embedding the matrix triangularization, iteration update, and switching control into the Gauss–Hermite filter architecture. This new filtering approach is used and analyzed in passive localization and tracking system, which is troublesome to other filtering algorithms because of its intrinsic disadvantages such as large initial error and weak observability. Comparative simulation results are demonstrated that a more accurate state estimation can be obtained rapidly by the proposed algorithm with lower computational burden and stronger robustness.

BackgroundAlpha-fetoprotein (AFP)–producing gastric cancer is a distinct type of gastric cancer with a high incidence of liver metastasis. c-Met is considered to play an important role in liver metastasis of gastric cancer.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to compare the expression of c-Met in AFP-producing gastric cancer and gastric cancers not producing AFP.MethodsWe evaluated 23 patients with AFP-producing gastric cancer (AFP+) and 18 patients with common gastric cancer (AFP–) were evaluated for c-Met expression using immunohistochemical analysis.ResultsThe incidence of c-Met expression in 2 groups was the same (P > 0.05), but the AFP+ group had a higher strong positive rate of c-Met expression than the AFP– group (P < 0.01).ConclusionThe higher expression of c-Met might be the reason for the high incidence of liver metastasis in AFP-producing gastric cancer.

// Hongwei Cheng 1,* , Xiang Mao 1,2,5,* , Zonggang Hou 3,5,* , Jian Xu 2 , Shuyu Hao 3,5 , Huan Li 3,5 and Baiyun Liu 2,3,4,5 1 Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China 2 Neurotrauma Laboratory, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China 3 Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China 4 Nerve Injury and Repair Center of Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China 5 China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China * These authors contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Baiyun Liu, email: // Keywords : cerebral perfusion pressure, regional cerebral blood flow, intracranial pressure, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, Pathology Section Received : July 31, 2017 Accepted : September 22, 2017 Published : October 11, 2017 Abstract To discuss the relationship between the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and the effect of CPP on rCBF in different spaces in an experimental animal model. As the ICP increased, the CPP and rCBF (A × β value measured by CEU) decreased to varying degrees. The rCBF 1 and rCBF 2 were well correlated with the CPP. At the same CPP, rCBF 1 decreased significantly than the level of rCBF 2 (p < 0.01). Six healthy cross-breed dogs, both males and females, weighing 18.3 ± 1.6 kg, were selected to establish models of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) via the installation of an epidural latex sacculus. The calculated CPP was in accordance with the ICP through the formula CPP = MAP - ICP, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEU) was used to instantly measure the rCBF 1 and 2 cm around the sacculus edge. The relationship between rCBF 1 cm (rCBF 1 ) and 2 cm (rCBF 2 ) around the sacculus edge and the CPP was analyzed. As the ICP increased, the CPP and rCBF both decreased. The rCBF and the CPP had a linear relationship, but the perfusion pressure did not necessarily determine all parts of the rCBF. The rCBF was different in different spaces: the farther away from the injured site, the smaller the effect on the rCBF.

Background: Halo nevus (HN) has been shown to be associated with vitiligo, but no standard signs are currently available to identify HN patients at risk of vitiligo, and the relevant data obtained in previous studies are somewhat conflicting. This study aimed to identify factors affecting the presence of vitiligo in HN patients. Methods: We performed a retrospective study on consecutive patients with HN at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between January 2011 and December 2016. Detailed demographic and clinical data were collected to identify the factors associated with the presence of vitiligo in this cohort of patients using uni- and multi-variate logistic regression analyses. Results: A total of 212 HN patients were included, 101 of whom had vitiligo-associated HN (HNV). Univariate analysis indicated that a personal history of thyroid diseases was positively associated with HNV (odds ratio [OR] = 10.761, P = 0.025), while the onset age of HN was negatively associated with HNV (OR = 0.537, P = 0.026). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the Koebner phenomenon (KP; OR = 10.632, P < 0.0001), multiple HN (OR = 3.918, P < 0.0001), and a familial history of vitiligo (OR = 3.222, P = 0.014) were independent factors associated with HNV. Conclusions: HN without vitiligo has clinical features distinct from HN associated with vitiligo. HN patients with KP, multiple lesions, or familial history of vitiligo are more likely to develop vitiligo and therefore should be monitored for clinical signs of such accompanied conditions.

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) can cause arterial embolism. Patients with arterial thrombosis usually have additional risk factors, such as smoking and hypertension. We report a 70-year-old woman with ET who had no risk factors, except for age. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed fresh lacunar infarction in several lobes. Electrocardiography showed ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF. Coronary angioplasty and stenting were successfully performed. We checked the bone marrow and performed genetic testing. The Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) V617F gene mutation was found. This case was a rare initial presentation of previously undiagnosed ET with embolism of cardiovascular and cerebral vessels. Anti-platelet drugs and hydroxyurea were used to prevent further thrombosis in the coronary and cerebral arteries.

Background: Recreational drug use is popular among men who have sex with men (MSM), while there is limited information about polydrug use and its consequent impact on sexual health and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition. Methods: MSM were recruited from a multicenter cross-sectional survey conducted in seven Chinese cities. Participants were divided into four subgroups based on the number of recreational drugs (RDs) used in the past 6 months. “Polydrug use” was defined as simultaneous use of ≥2 types of RDs. Information on demographics and HIV high-risk behaviors (HIV-HRBs) was collected, and blood samples were tested for recent HIV infection by the BED capture enzyme immunoassay. Results: A total of 4,496 Chinese MSM participated, of which 28.4% used RDs, and 5% were polydrug users. Polydrug users commonly took poppers with one or more types of other RDs (e.g. methamphetamine). Polydrug users were likely to be aged 26–30 years, have low educational attainment, be internal migrants, have a high monthly income, use versatile positions during anal intercourse, and have inadequate knowledge about prevention of HIV infection ( P

This study presents the development and evaluation of a novel partially open-loop heat pump dryer with a unit-room (HPDU). The unit-room was designed to enable the ambient air to be mixed with the return air, thereby reducing the influence of the ambient air on the system performance, while maintaining a high system thermal efficiency. A modelling system for the HPDU was developed and validated based on a real-scale experimental study. By using the modelling system, the system characteristics under different ambient conditions and bypass factors were analyzed. The energy benefit of the proposed HPDU was quantified through a comparative study with a closed-loop heat pump dryer (CHPD). It is evident that a maximal specific moisture extraction rate (SMER) and a minimal total energy consumption (TEC) existed when changing the bypass factor of the HPDU under certain ambient temperatures. Compared to the CHPD, the coefficient of performance (COP) of the HPDU increased by up to 39.56%, presenting a significant energy benefit for the application of HPDU.

Data centers have the characteristics of huge energy consumption and strong power fluctuations. To solve the problem of unstable supply and demand such as frequent power fluctuations in the micro-grid of the data center using renewable energies, this paper establishes a controllable load model of server clusters based on the task migration mechanism by analyzing the various tasks and characteristics of large cloud data centers, as well as edge computing nodes. Through the collaborative optimization control of edge and cloud computing tasks, and dynamically adjusting and migrating the server cluster load, a new data center tie-line power control method is proposed. The results of calculation examples show that the method can achieve power smoothing of large-scale cloud data center tie lines through cloud-edge collaborative control.

China is a densely populated country faced with more than 1 million cases of traumatic brain injury annually. Since the late 1930s, there has been a great improvement in the field of neurosurgery in the treatment of neurotrauma. The objective of this article is to delve into the genesis of neurotrauma and its present situation to fellow neurosurgeons to enhance academic exchange and interaction between China and other parts of the world. We present a historical vignette of the development of neurotrauma in China over almost 80 years. It is valuable to have this documentation of the growth of neurosurgery in China by authors who are familiar with the subject matter.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), calpain and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) are reported to participate in inflammatory reactions in pathological conditions and are involved in traumatic brain injury. The objective of this study was to investigate whether PARP participated in inflammation related to calpain and NF-κB in a mouse model of controlled cortical impact (CCI).PJ34 (10 mg kgTreatment with PJ34 markedly reduced neurological deficits, decreased contusion volume and attenuated necrotic and apoptotic neuronal cell death 24 hours after CCI. The data showed that the cytosolic and nuclear fractions of calpain and NF-κB were up-regulated in the injured cortex and that these changes were reversed by PJ34. Moreover, PJ34 significantly enhanced the calpastatin and IκB levels and decreased the levels of inflammatory mediators.PARP inhibition by PJ34 suppresses the over-activation of calpain and the production of inflammatory factors that are caused by NF-κB activation and it improves neurological functioning, decreases the contusion volume and attenuates neuronal cell death in a mouse model of CCI.

The concrete filled narrow rectangular steel tube (CFNRST) member is being increasingly used in the apartment buildings in China. Experimental study is conducted on the behavior of CFNRST members subjected to combined compression and uniaxial bending about the weak axis. Eleven specimens were fabricated considering the variation of key parameters including the slenderness, the width/height ratio of cross-section and eccentricity of compression. Comparisons are made between the predictions of representative solutions of design codes and the test results to examine their capacity for predicting the ultimate load of CFNRST members. New solutions with modifications on two existing solutions are proposed for the ultimate load of CFNRST members subjected to combined compression and uniaxial bending. Good agreements are achieved between the predictions of the proposed solutions and test results.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Ershi-wei Chenxiang pills (ECP) or Aga Nixiu wan (ཨ་གར་ཉ་ཤ།), composed of 20 Tibetan medicines, has the effect of promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis. As a common and frequent prescription used by traditional Tibetan medicine in clinical treatment of Longzhibu disease (cerebral ischemia sequelae), it has a significant effect. However, its anti-cerebral ischemia mechanism is still unclear. Materials and methods The chemical components of ECP were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. SD rats were randomly divided into Sham, MCAO, Nim (20.00 mg/kg), and ECP (1.33 and 2.00 g/kg) groups, with 13 animals in each group. After 14 days of oral administration, we established a model of cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury by blocking the middle cerebral artery of rats. After 24 h of reperfusion injury, we evaluated the protective effect of ECP on ischemic brain by neural function score, TTC, H&E and Nissl staining. TUNEL fluorescence, western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the phenomenon of apoptosis and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins Bax, Bcl-2, Cyto-c and activated Caspase-3. Furthermore, western blot, qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were employed to detect CaMKⅡ, ATF4 and c-Jun gene and protein expression. Results ECP contains agarotetrol, eugenol, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, dehydrodiisoeugenol, hydroxysafflor yellow A, kaempferide, gallic acid, alantolactone, isoalantolactone, costunolide, dehydrocostus lactone, brucine, strychnine, echinacoside, bilirubin and cholic acid. Compared with MCAO group, ECP can significantly ameliorate the neurological deficit of cerebral ischemia in rats and reduce the volume of cerebral infarction. Pathological and Nissl staining results showed that ECP sharply inhibited the inflammatory infiltration injury of neurons and increased the activity of neurons in comparation with the MCAO group. TUNEL fluorescence apoptosis results confirmed that ECP obviously inhibited the apoptosis of neurons. Meanwhile, the results of immunohistochemistry and western blot demonstrated that EPC can dramatically inhibit the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax, Cyto-c and activated Caspase-3, while increase the level of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. In addition, compared with MCAO group, CaMK Ⅱ gene and protein expression were improved significantly by ECP administration. while, the expression of ATF4 and c-Jun genes and proteins were decreased. Conclusions In conclusion, this study preliminarily demonstrated that the protective effect of ECP on ischemic brain is related to the improvement of neurological deficit, reducing the size of cerebral infarction, improving the activity of neurons, inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway by regulating the protein expression of CaMKⅡ, ATF4 and c-Jun. However, further in vivo and in vitro investigations are still needed to clarify the underlying mechanism of ECP in treating cerebral ischemia sequelae.

Interleukin 17 (IL-17) and its main producer, T cell receptor γδ cells, have neurotoxic effects in the pathogenesis of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), aggravating brain injuries. To investigate the correlation between IL-17 and ICH, we dynamically screened serum IL-17 concentrations using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and explored the clinical values of IL-17 in ICH patients. There was a significant negative correlation between serum IL-17 level and neurological recovery status in ICH patients (r = –0.498, P < 0.01). To study the neurotoxic role of IL-17, C57BL/6 mice were used to establish an ICH model by injecting autologous blood into the caudate nucleus. Subsequently, the mice were treated with mouse neural stem cells (NSCs) and/or IL-17 neutralizing antibody for 72 hours. Flow cytometry, brain water content detection, Nissl staining, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling results indicated that NSC transplantation significantly reduced IL-17 expression in peri-hematoma tissue, but there was no difference in T cell receptor γδ cells. Compared with the ICH group, there were fewer apoptotic bodies and more Nissl bodies in the ICH + NSC group and the ICH + NSC + IL-17 group. To investigate the potential effect of IL-17 on directional differentiation of NSCs, we cultured mouse NSCs (NE-4C) alone or co-cultured them with T cell receptor γδ cells, which were isolated from mouse peripheral blood mononuclear cells, for 7 days. The results of western blot assays revealed that IL-17 secreted by T cell receptor γδ cells reduced the differentiation of NSCs into astrocytes and neurons, while IL-17 neutralization relieved the inhibition of directional differentiation into astrocytes rather than neurons. In conclusion, serum IL-17 levels were elevated in the early stage of ICH and were negatively correlated with outcome in ICH patients. Animal experiments and cytological investigations therefore demonstrated that IL-17 probably has neurotoxic roles in ICH because of its inhibitory effects on the directional differentiation of NSCs. The application of IL-17 neutralizing antibody may promote the directional differentiation of NSCs into astrocytes. This study was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Anhui Medical University of China (For human study: Approval No. 20170135) in December 2016. All animal handling and experimentation were reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Anhui Medical University (approval No. 20180248) in December 2017.

Nuclear factor of activated T cell cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), a crucial member of the transcription factor NFAT family, is indispensable in the immune system and the morphogenesis of cardiac valves and septa and is also vital in osteoclasts and atherosclerotic calcification. Currently, osteoporosis and vascular diseases are severely hazardous to health and quality of life, and the 2 conditions always coincide with each other. The bone-vascular axis calcification paradox serves as a bridge between bone and vascular diseases, linking these 2 seemingly separate diseases, and the receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK)/receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) system may be the common mechanism of the bone-vascular axis calcification paradox. NFATc1 provides a new therapeutic target for bone and vascular diseases. However, the specific mechanism by which NFATc1 acts on the bone-vascular axis calcification paradox, whether NFATc1 is related to the RANK/RANKL/OPG system, and how to use NFATc1 as a therapeutic target to avoid its side effects in other systems requires further study.

Penetrating brain injury is 1 type of traumatic brain injury. Brain abscess is a common complication after penetrating brain injury, and fragments increase the risk of occurrence of brain abscess. It is uncommon to see the migration of bone fragments in the brain in clinical cases. We report a rare case of brain abscess with migration of bone fragments after traumatic brain injury.

Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is one of the therapeutic options for severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), and it has long been used for the treatment of patients with malignant post-traumatic brain edema. However, a lack of definitive evidence prevents physicians from drawing any conclusions about the efficacy of DC for the treatment of TBI. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used to evaluate the effects of TBI in both experimental and clinical studies. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the MRI assessment of DC post-TBI in rats to provide experimental animal data and radiological evidence to support the clinical application of DC. We used both in vivo MRI and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) to evaluate the therapeutic effect of DC on lateral controlled cortical impact (CCI) rat models at 3h, 1 d, 2 d, 3d and 7d after TBI. Our data suggest that DC can reduce brain edema; decrease the apparent diffusion coefficient value, contusion volume and lactate (Lac)/creatine (Cr) ratio; and increase the N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/Cr and choline (Cho)/Cr ratios after TBI. The present results suggest that DC can indeed reduce brain edema formation and exhibits good neuroprotective efficacy after CCI injury in rats.

Aim Hyperlipidemia is a disease with abnormally elevated levels of lipids/lipoproteins in the blood, and it is regarded as an important risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Statins have been found to prevent vascular diseases by reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and regulation of immune responses. Here, we aim to study the expression change of immune-related microRNA and genes in older patients with hyperlipidemia after treatment with simvastatin. Methods A total of 25 older male patients with hyperlipidemia were included in the study and received simvastatin treatment (20 mg/day). Clinical characteristics of these patients were examined, including lipoprotein cholesterol, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, blood routine and biochemical characters. We tested miR-146a, interleukin-1-receptor-associated kinase 1, tumor necrosis factor-receptor-associated factor 6 and cyclooxygenase-2 level by real-time polymerase chain reaction, and expressions of advanced glycation end-products, p53 and p21 were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Simvastatin treatment effectively reduced total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, but had little effect on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein was slightly reduced. Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and advanced glycation end-products were significantly reduced. Furthermore, simvastatin effectively reduced the expression of p53 and p21. Significantly downregulated miR-146a, and an obvious reduction of interleukin-1-receptor-associated kinase 1were also detected, whereas tumor necrosis factor-receptor-associated factor 6 remained unchanged. Besides, there was a significant reduction of alanine transaminase, aspertate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase. Conclusion Simvastatin treatment could inhibit inflammation and senescence-associated genes in older patients with hyperlipidemia, suggesting its application in inflammatory and age-related diseases. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; ●●: ●●–●●.

HIV testing is the first step to the fulfillment of Treat as Prevention (TasP) and reaching the 90-90-90 goal in HIV control. However, there are still a large number of Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) have never been tested for HIV before, and little is known about the HIV incidence and care linkage among this population. A Mixed method was used to recruit MSM who had never tested for HIV before from January 2012 to December 2014 in Shenyang, China. Potential MSM participants were invited to attend the enrollment for HIV and syphilis testing at a general hospital-based voluntary counseling and test (VCT). HIV confirmed positive subjects were further tested by BED HIV-1 capture enzyme immunoassay (BED-CEIA) to determine the HIV incidence. Syphilis was screened by the rapid plasma reagent test (RPR) and confirmed by Treponema pallidum particle assay (TPPA). All the HIV positive subjects were referred to the local Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and clinics for HIV primary care and follow-ups. In total 646 HIV first-time-testers of MSM (FMSM) attended this study, 73.4% (474/646) were aged under 31-year-old and 57.3% (370/646) and used the Internet as their major cruising avenue for seeking male sexual partners. The average prevalence of HIV and current syphilis infection was 10.8% (70/646) and 11.0% (71/646), respectively. The HIV incidence was 10.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.1–14.5)/100PY. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that factors such as use of the Internet as the major cruising avenue (adjusted OR [AOR] 2.7, 95% CI 0.9–7.6) and having a current syphilis infection (AOR 4.2, 95% CI 1.8–12.2) were independent correlates of a recent HIV infection. Of the 95 HIV screening test positive FMSM, 73.7% (70/95) returned and be confirmed positive, 92.9% (65/70) of confirmed patients were linked to care. Among those retained and underwent CD4+ T cell test, 76.3% (42/55) started HIV antiretroviral therapy. Among the unconfirmed, 84.0% (21/25) were non-local migrants. The HIV incidence of FMSM in Shenyang was high. Future HIV testing program needs to keep on expanding among the MSM who have never been tested for HIV yet. The Internet-based campaigns and syphilis testing and treatment could represent an opportunity to get access to this hard-to-reach population and link them to HIV care. Future linkage to HIV care of this population should underscore the usage of HIV rapid diagnostic tests to prevent lost at early steps of linkage.

Under the background environment that automobile enterprises gradually realize the importance of prospective technology and develop related technologies, automotive prospective technology mining became the focus of various automobile enterprises. Based on the demand of automakers, an automotive prospective technology mining method was proposed. Based on big data content analysis method, it uses distributed computing to achieve full sample analysis and finally mining automobile prospective technology. The proposed method was verified through the case study. The results show that the method is suitable for automotive prospective technology mining.