Objective To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of BP180NC16a-ELISA in the diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid (BP). Methods A multi-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled study was conducted. Sera were collected from 106 patients with clinically confirmed active BP and 106 control subjects including patients with non-BP bullous diseases, scleroderma, psoriasis or systemic lupus erythematosus,late pregnant women and healthy blood donors. BP180NC16a-ELISA was performed on these sera. The IgG antibody levels measured by ELISA kit were compared with those measured by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) test. Results Of the 106 BP sera, 81 were positive for BP180NC16a-ELISA with a sensitivity of 76.4%,83 for ⅡF test with a sensitivity of 78.3%. Among the 106 control serum samples, 95 were negative for BP180NC16A-ELISA with a specificity of 89.6%, and 102 for ⅡF test with a specificity of 96.2%. There was no significant difference between the two tests in dignostic sensitivity and specificity for BP (both P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion BP180NC16A-ELISA may serve as an adjuvant tool for the diagnosis of BP.

Objective To evaluate the performance of desmoglein (Dsg)1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the detection of serum antibodies in patients with pemphigus foliaceus (PF). Methods Sera were obtained from 80 patients with PF and 132 human controls including 33 patients with bullous pemphigoid, 3 patients with linear IgA bullous dermatosis, 2 patients with acquired bullous epidermolysis, 20 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), etc, and subjected to a random and blind test by Dsg1 ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on monkey oesophagus. Results The Dsg1 ELISA was positive in 75 (93.8%) patients with PF and 5 (3.8%) human controls (including 1 case of bullous pemphigoid, 1 case of SLE, 1 case of dermatomyositis, 1 case of eczema and 1 normal human control with indeterminate value), and IIF was positive in 71 (88.8%) patients with PF, but in none of the controls. The sensitivity and specificity was 93.8% (95% CI: 0.85 - 0.98) and 96.2% (95% CI: 0.91 - 0.99) respectively for Dsg1 ELISA in the serodiagnosis of PF, 88.8% (95% CI: 0.82 - 0.96) and 100% (95% CI: 0.96 - 1.00) respectively for IIF. There was no statistical difference in the sensitivities (P= 0.289) or specificities (P= 1.000) between the two test methods.Conclusions Dsg1 ELISA is a simple, sensitive and specific serological detection method, and can serve as an adjunct in the diagnosis of PF.

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the correlation of bone mineral density (BMD) of mandibular angle, hand and total body in healthy individuals aged from 5 to 18 years.

METHODSEight hundred and thirty-nine healthy individuals from 5 to 18 years old (422 males, 417 females) in 5 primary and secondary schools in Guangzhou were divided into 14 age groups. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure the BMD of mandibular angle, hand and total body. The data were statistically analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis.

RESULTSThe BMD of mandibular angle increased with age. In females, the BMD of mandibular angle increased quickly from 12 to 16 years old, and its increasing rate gradually slowed down after 16 years old. In males, the BMD of mandibular angle increased quickly after 14 years old, and its increase had not been stopped until 18 years old. Females in 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17-year-old group had significantly higher mandibular angle BMD [(0.95 ± 0.19), (1.01 ± 0.17), (1.11 ± 0.17), (1.25 ± 0.13), (1.28 ± 0.14), (1.30 ± 0.13) g/cm(2)] than males in the age-matched group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between mandibular angle BMD in males and in females at the age of 18, and from 5 to 11 years old (P > 0.05). For males, the mandibular angle BMD was highly correlated with age (r = 0.696, P < 0.001), hand BMD (r = 0.779, P < 0.001) and total body BMD (r = 0.831, P < 0.001). For females, the mandibular angle BMD was highly correlated with age (r = 0.795, P < 0.001), hand BMD (r = 0.839, P < 0.001) and total body BMD (r = 0.872, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSThe mandibular angle BMD in healthy individuals from 5 to 18 years old increased with age. The mandibular angle BMD was closely related to hand BMD and total body BMD.

Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adolescent ; Age Factors ; Bone Density ; Bone and Bones ; physiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hand Bones ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; physiology ; Sex Factors

Objective: To study the relation between the upper first molar root tips and the maxillary sinus floor in patients with different vertical facial patterns using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to explore the reference data for safe clinical orthodontic treatments. Methods: Three-dimensional images were reconstructed from CBCT data. The CBCT data from 120 adolescents and adults were divided into three groups (low-angle group, average-angle group, high-angle group) based on vertical facial type. For each subject, the distance from the maxillary sinus floor to the upper first molar root tips was measured, and the types of contacts were classified. ANOVA and LSD t tests were used for statistical comparisons and performed using SPSS 19.0. Results: Of the 120 samples, only 27% of the upper first molar root tips lost their contacts with the maxillary sinus floor, and the other 73% of the root tips contacted the sinus to different extents. Significant differences in the distances from the maxillary sinus floor to the upper first molar root tips were found for different vertical facial types (P < 0.05). The high-angle group had the lowest sinus floor, relative to the root tips, of the three adult groups (P < 0.05). In the adult group with a low angle, the measured value for the palatal root tips was the lowest and was significantly different from those in the other groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion Seventy-three percent of the upper first molar root tips contacted the maxillary sinus floor. The maxillary sinus floor tended to be lower relative to the first molar root tips in patients with a high-angle facial pattern than in others. The roots protruded into the sinus to a greater extent.

Objective:To investigate the impact of short-term variability in fasting blood glucose (FPG) on the recent major cardiovascular adverse events (MACE) in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with different levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA 1c) . Methods:Retrospective analysis was made on the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who underwent emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) due to STEMI from January 2016 to March 2020 in Shenzhen Hospital, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The patients were divided into HbA 1c compliant group (<6.5%) and non-compliant group (≥6.5%). The blood glucose variability indexes defined included FPG variability score (FPG-VS), variability index independent of FPG mean (VIM) and mean fast plasma glucose (FPG-M). The logistic regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between different HbA 1c levels, blood glucose variability risk indicators, and MACE. Results:A total of 612 patients were ultimately included in the analysis. The blood glucose variability indicators (FPG-VS, VIM) of the HbA 1c non-compliant group (302 cases) were higher than those of the compliant group (310 cases): [FPG-VS: (0.7±0.3) vs (0.4±0.4), P<0.001, VIM: (0.4±0.2) vs (0.3±0.2), P<0.001], while there was no statistically significant difference in FPG-M between the two groups [(7.9±3.2) vs (8.0±3.9), P=0.221]. In the HbA 1c non-compliant group, the correlation between FPG-VS, VIM, and FPG-M and the risk of MACE within 30 days was 0.89(95% CI: 0.69-1.15), 1.21(95% CI: 0.65-2.25), and 1.06(95% CI: 0.97-1.16), respectively (all P>0.05). In the HbA 1c compliant group, FPG-VS was associated with an increase in MACE risk within 30 days ( P=0.04): for each increase in FPG variation ≥1 mmol/L, after multiple factor adjustment, the risk of MACE increased by 8% within 30 days ( OR=1.08, 95% CI: 0.71-1.65); Compared with FPG-VS<20%, FPG-VS≥80% increased the risk of MACE within 30 days by 33% ( OR=1.33, 95% CI: 0.21-8.25, P<0.01), while the correlation between VIM and FPG-M and the risk of MACE within 30 days was 1.65(95% CI: 0.96-2.83) and 1.15(95% CI: 0.98-1.35), respectively (all P>0.05). Conclusions:High FPG-VS is associated with the recent MACE risk in STEMI patients who do not meet HbA 1c standards. After reaching HbA 1c standards, FPG-VS remains an independent MACE risk factor.

Schizophrenia is a serious mental disease. The diagnosis of schizophrenia so far relies heavily on subjective evidence, including self-reported experiences by patients, manifestations described by relatives, and abnormal behaviors assessed by psychiatrists. The diagnosis, monitoring of the disease progression and therapy efficacy assessment are challenging due to the lack of established laboratory biomarkers. Based on the current literature, clinical consensus, guidelines, and expert recommendations, this review highlighted evidence-based potential laboratory biomarkers for the diagnosis of schizophrenia, including genetic biomarkers, neurotransmitters, neurodevelopmental-related proteins, and intestinal flora, and discussed the potential future directions for the application of these biomarkers in this field, aiming to provide an objective basis for the use of these biomarkers in the early and accurate diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis and rehabilitation assessment of schizophrenia.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Qingre Huayu Jianpi prescription （QHJ） on colitis-associated colorectal cancer （CAC） in mice， and its related mechanism. MethodC57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups including the normal， model， QHJ low-dose （QHJ-L， 10 g·kg^-1）， and QHJ high-dose （QHJ-H， 40 g·kg^-1） groups. Azoxymethane （AOM） and dextran sodium sulfate （DSS） were combined to chemically build a CAC mouse model for 14 weeks. Each drug group was given intragastrically from the 5^th week to the 14^th week， once per day. An equal volume of water was fed to the normal and model groups. The mouse survival rate， colon length， weight， and pathological alterations were assessed. The protein expressions of Wnt-3a protein signaling （Wnt3a）， β-catenin， Non-phosphor-β-catenin （Non-p-β-catenin）， and cholesterol-binding glycoproteins 133 （CD133） were detected by Western blot. The localization and expression of the cluster of differentiation （CD） 80 and CD11 antigen-like family member B （CD11b） were detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. The colon organoids derived from CAC mice were isolated and cultured to detect the expression of Wnt signaling pathway-related proteins. ResultThe survival rate of the CAC mice was improved by QHJ treatment and the number of colon tumors was inhibited significantly. Compared with those in the normal group， the expression levels of Wnt3a， β-catenin， Non-p-β-catenin， and CD133 in colon tissues in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with those in the model group， the levels of Wnt3a and β-catenin in the QHJ-L group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and the protein levels of Wnt3a， β-catenin， Non-p-β-catenin， and CD133 in the QHJ-H group were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Meanwhile， the expression level of CD11b in the model group was significantly increased compared with that in the normal group while the CD80 level was significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with those in the model group， CD11b in QHJ-L and QHJ-H groups was significantly decreased， and CD80 was significantly increased（P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expressions of Non-p-β-catenin and CD133 in colonic organoids of CAC model mice were significantly increased， while QHJ treatment could inhibit the expressions of Non-p-β-catenin and CD133 in colonic organoids （P<0.01）. ConclusionQHJ could inhibit the inflammation-cancer development in CAC mice， the mechanism of which might be related to regulating the microenvironment and inhibiting the over-activation of Wnt signaling.

ObjectiveTo explore the intervention effect and mechanism of Buzhong Yiqiwan （BZYQ） on colitis mice. MethodSixty-four C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 2 weeks blank group， 2 weeks model group， 2 weeks high-dose BZYQ （12 g·kg^-1） group， 2 weeks low-dose BZYQ （6 g·kg^-1） group， 4 weeks blank group， 4 weeks model group， 4 weeks high-dose BZYQ （12 g·kg^-1） group， and 4 weeks low-dose BZYQ （6 g·kg^-1） group. The colitis model was induced in mice by feeding 3% dextran sodium sulfate （DSS） for 7 days. The mice received BZYQ （12 and 6 g·kg^-1） by gavage on the 8^th day after modeling， once per day， and sacrificed on the 2^nd and 4^th weeks， correspondingly. The colon length and weight of mice in each group were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used for pathological observation and colonic mucosal inflammation was scored. The mRNA and protein expression of NOD-like receptor thermoprotein domain 3 （NLRP3）， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC）， and cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 （Caspase-1） was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the content of inflammatory cytokines， such as interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-18， and IL-33 in colonic tissues. ResultCompared with the 2 weeks blank group， the 2 weeks model group showed shortened colon length， increased colon weight （P<0.05）， loss of epithelial cells， destruction of gland structure， infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells in mucosa and submucosa， local crypt abscess， and increase in mucosal inflammation score （P<0.01） as revealed by light microscopy， elevated levels of IL-1β， IL-18， and IL-33 in colonic tissues （P<0.05）， and increased mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3， ASC， and Caspase-1 （P<0.05）. The intervention of BZYQ （12 g·kg^-1） restored colon length， alleviated mucosal injury （P<0.05）， down-regulated the content of IL-18 （P<0.05）， reduced the mRNA expression of NLRP3 and ASC as well as the protein expression of ASC and Caspase-1 compared with the conditions in the 2 weeks model group. Compared with the 4 weeks blank group， the 4 weeks model group showed decreased colon length， increased colon weight （P<0.05）， decreased glands in the mucosal layer， expansion of glandular cavity， atrophy of crypt， local connective tissue hyperplasia and lymphocyte infiltration， increased inflammation score （P<0.01） as revealed by the light microscopy， increased expression of IL-1β， IL-18， and IL-33 （P<0.05）， and elevated mRNA and expression of NLRP3 inflammasome complex （P<0.05）. Compared with the conditions in the 4 weeks model group， the intervention of BZYQ （12 and 6 g·kg^-1） could improve colon length and weight （P<0.05）， and the intervention of BZYQ （12 g·kg^-1） could also improve the inflammation score of the colon （P<0.05）. Different from the acute stage， the intervention of BZYQ （12 and 6 g·kg^-1） increased the content of IL-33 in the intestinal mucosa and up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3 inflammasome complexes ASC and Caspase-1 （P<0.05）. ConclusionBZYQ can relieve the injury of colitis induced by DSS in mice. The mechanism is related to the regulation of intestinal immune response mediated by NLRP3 inflammasome， and it has different regulatory effects in acute and chronic inflammation stages.