Objective To explore the regulation role and expression level of thymosin for Th1/Th2 and T-bet , GATA-3 in asthma model rats respectively.Methods 60 SPF grade male rats (6-8w) were randomly divided into six groups:control group, asthma model group, dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg) group, thymosin high dose group (5 mg/kg), thymosin middle dose group(2.5 mg/kg), thymosin low dose group (1.25 mg/kg).The asthma model was constructed with ovalbumin.The rat in the control group and asthma model group were injected with normal saline by intraperitoneal , while other rats were injected with corresponding drugs.Then the concentration of IL-4 and IFN-γin the serum of rats were tested by the method of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and the protein expression level of GATA-3 and T-bet factor in the lung tissue were tested by immunohistochemistry in each group.Results The concentration of IL-4 in the serum was higher and IFN-γwas lower in the asthma model group than the other groups , while the protein expression level of GATA-3 was higher and T-bet was lower in the asthma model group than the other groups ( all P <0.05 ) . Conclusion Thymosin upregulation of IFN-γand inhibition of IL-4 may be achieved by upregulating T-bet and downregulating GATA-3, and thymosin has therapeutic effect on asthma rats.

Objective To investigate the patterns of frequency domain indexes of surface electronic signals of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients' paraspinal muscles by using surface electromyographic (sEMG) techniques .Methods 25 AIS patients enrolled, 7 males, 18 females, ages range from 11 to 21 years old. All of the enrolled patients undertook the Biering Sorensen test(BST) and the object-lifting test, a Finland made type ME3000P sEMG instrument was applied to record the electronic activities of paraspinal muscles(convex /concave) of all subjects, and the frequency domain indexes: median frequency(MF）,mean power frequency(MPF）, zero crossing rate(ZCR）were analyzed.Results The wave amplitudes and scales of paraspinal muscles electronic frequency domain indexes(MF, MPF, ZCR) were lower than the other tested positions when recorded at the zone of apex vertebrae, and MFslope, MPFslope and ZCRslope all showed a linear degressive tendency as the exercise time was extended.Conclusion Paraspinal muscles at the zone of apex vertebrae have low fatigue durabilities and more likely to be exhausted. sEMG ought to be one of the objective examinations used to evaluate the differences of electronic activities of paraspinal muscles(convex /concave) of AIS patients, and may have a promising value in clinical practice.

A 16-year-old male presented with a 11-year history of progressively enlarging erythema and crusting on the right cheek.Physical examination revealed an irregularly shaped,sharply marginated,dark erythematous patch sized 6 cm x 10 cm and plaques with mild verrucous proliferation.There were strip-like scar at the margin of lesions and multiple ulcers measuring 0.5 to 1 cm in diameter with firm crusts.No small jellycolored nodules were observed.Direct microscopy of multiple scrapings under the crusts showed many light brown,septate,branching and irregular hyphae.Olivaceous-black woolly colonies grew at 25 C and 35 C on Sabouraud's dextrose agar and potato dextrose agar; flask-shaped conidiogenous cells with funnel-shaped collarettes and ellipsoidal conidia arranged in flower-like shape were observed microscopically.PAS staining showed numerous septate and branching hyphae,pseudohyphae and yeast-like cells.There was a 99.73％ similarity in the species-specific rDNA sequence between the isolate and phialophora verrucosa standard strain CDC-B2152.The patient was diagnosed with cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Phialophora verrucosa.The lesion subsided after treatment with amphotericin B and itraconazole,but recurred after drug withdrawal.Itraconazole and terbinafine were administered for the retreatment of this patient.

Objective To investigate the performance of DNA microarray in identifying 6 common Candida spp. and validating ERG11 mutations resulting in fluconazolc-resistance in Candida albicans. Methods Oligonucleotide probes were designed and synthesized targeting the species-specific sequence in the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region of rDNA of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida dubliniensis, Candida parapsilosis and Candida krusei, as well as 6 sequences embracing the following mutations respectively in ERG11 gene leading to fluconazole-resistance, i.c., T541C, A 1090G, C1361T, G1537A, G1547A, and T1559C, then arranged onto a chip. Twelve 50-base-pair oligonucleotides were artificially synthesized based on the above specific sequences, and utilized to hybridize with the DNA microarray. Thirty-lbur Candida strains, including 29 C. albicans, 1 Candida tropicalis, 1 Candida glabrata,1 Candida dubliniensis, 1 Candida parapsilosis and 1 Candida krusei, were detected with microarray. Genomic DNA was extracted from these tested strains and underwent multiple PCR for the amplification of ITS2 region and ERGI 1 gene. Sequencing was performed to analyze the sequence of ERG11 in 29 strains of C. albicans and the results were compared with those of DNA microarray hybridization. Results Multiple PCR successfully produced ITS2 fragment of 307-415 bp from all the 34 strains, as well as ERG11 fragment of 1712 bp from 29 C. albicans strains. DNA microarray hybridization offered the same results in species identification of the 34 strains with their given information, as well as in mutation detection of the 29 strains of C. albicans with ERG11 sequencing results. Also, the 6 synthesized oligonucleotides containing the muta- tions were identified precisely as T541C, A1090G, C1361T, G1537A, G1547A, and T1559C, and the 6 species specific oligonucleotieds were identified correctly as C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. dubliniensis, C. parapsilosis and C. krusei Both the sensitivity and the specificity of the microarray were 100%. Conclu- sion DNA microarray is a quite reliable method to identify Candida spp. and fluconazole resistance-associ- ated mutations in the ERG11 gene of C. albicans.

Objective:Iron accumulation is related to the occurrence of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Meanwhile, autophagy abnormality of bone marrow hematopoietic cells is observed in hip osteoporotic fracture. This study is performed to investigate correlation between iron accumulation induced bone loss and hematopoietic autophagy dysfunction to explore the new risk factor of osteoporosis.Methods:Male iron accumulation mice model was established by intraperitoneally injecting ferric ammonium citrate. Serum ferritin and osteogenic indicator P1NP were tested by ELISA. Bone mineral density was measured by micro-CT. Femur and tibia bone marrows were collected for hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells proportion and cell apoptosis analysis. Autolysosome formation was measured by image flow cytometry. We used conditional mouse model Atg7 flox/flox; Vav-Cre(Atg7 -/-) in which Atg7 had been genetically deleted in the hematopoietic system. Bone marrow hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells were collected for RNA sequence. micro-CT scan was conducted for Atg7 -/- femur. Results:Ferritin level of iron accumulation mice was significantly higher than control group( P<0.05). Iron accumulation inhibited P1NP and induced decreased bone mineral density( P<0.05). Iron accumulation bone marrow displayed enhanced hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells proportion( P<0.05), with more cell apoptosis( P<0.05). Hematopoietic autophagy was deteriorated in iron accumulation bone marrow. Transcriptomic profiling showed up-regulation of iron activity in Atg7 -/- mice, with increased iron homeostasis and iron membrane transporter genes, including Lcn2, Tfr2, Slc40a1(Fpn1), Steap3, and Cpox. micro-CT revealed severe bone loss and decreased bone mineral density in Atg7 -/- mice( P<0.05). Conclusion:Iron accumulation induced bone loss is related to inhibition of hematopoietic cells. Hematopoietic autophagy dysfunction is associated with bone loss.

After the stratification of the normal glucose tolerance, the changes of insulin resistance and βcell function in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus were investigated. A retrospective analysis on data of 275 cases with oral glucose insulin releasing tests. The area under the insulin curve (AUCINS ) 108. 43 mU/ L was taken as the critical value of diagnosis. Normal glucose tolerance subjects were divided into the NGT-a group(AUCINS<108. 43 mU/ L) and the NGT-b group(AUCINS≥108. 43 mU/ L). The plasma glucose, insulin, insulin sensitivity, and β cell function were compared among the 4 groups: NGT-a group (n=96), NGT-b group (n=49), prediabetes group (n=71), and type 2 diabetes mellitus group ( n = 59). Among the fasting insulin, 2 h insulin, AUCINS , early-phase insulin secretion index(△I30 / △G30), the ratio of total insulin area under curve, and total glucose area under curve, disposition index, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, and Matsuda insulin sensitivity index, the relationship as follows: NGT-b group>prediabetes group>NGT-a group>type 2 diabetes mellitus group. The NGT-b group was always the highest, prediabetes group was lower, NGT-a group and type 2 diabetes mellitus group were the lowest, there were significant differences (all P<0. 05). Making the NGT-a group as the basic state, in the NGT-b group, β cell function has begun to appear compensation and insulin resistance, and β cell function compensation reached the peak, the β cell function in the prediabetes group was beginning to compensate for the deficiency, the function of β cell in type 2 diabetes mellitus group decreased further. These findings suggest that the development process of type 2 diabetes mellitus could be the following four stages according to the function of β cell: β cell function normal, β cell functional compensation, β cell function loss of compensation, and finally β cell function failure.

Objective:Based on Web of Science database, this study aimed to explore the current status, research hotspots and development trends of countries regarding clinical management of osteoporotic fractures using bibliometrics and visualized analysis.Methods:We collected literatures in the field of clinical management of osteoporotic fractures included in Web of Science database, and applied bibliometrics to analyze the publication dates, countries, institutions, journals, authors, highly cited literatures and research hotspots. Visualization was drawn by VOSviewer software.Results:Analysis of the 2 508 articles revealed 3 types of data. (1) The analysis of basic information of the literature showed that: ①The country with the largest number of publications was the United States, which published 672 articles, followed by the United Kingdom and Canada, and China ranked fourth; ②The top three authors in the number of publications were Kanis JA, Cooper C and McCloskey EV respectively; ③The institution with the highest number of publications was the University of Sheffield, UK, followed by the University of Southampton, UK and the University of Toronto, Canada. (2) Network visualization of highly cited literatures showed that 118 highly cited literatures were mainly divided into 5 clusters, which were related to osteoporotic fracture diagnosis, treatment, medication adherence, management consensus and strategies of preventing refracture. (3) Temporal overlay visualization of research hotspots showed that early research mainly focused on traditional therapeutic drugs, and current research hotspots were mainly molecular targeted drugs, trabecular bone score and fracture liaison services.Conclusion:This study shows that the research activity of clinical management of osteoporotic fractures is increasing worldwide, and there is still a huge gap between China and Europe or the United States. Current research hotspots and development trends mainly focus on molecular targeted drugs, osteoporotic fracture treatment concepts, emerging fracture risk assessment tools, and fracture prevention and management models.

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic and predictive value of ultrasonic cardiac output monitor (USCOM) in premature infants with hemodynamic significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA).Methods:A total of 165 preterm infants with gestational age less than 34 weeks and within 72 hours after birth in the Neonatal Medical Center of Children′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2018 to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the echocardiograph (ECHO) results within 72 hours after birth, clinical manifestations and oral administration of Ibuprofen, premature infants were divided into non-patent ductus arteriosus (non-PDA group, 77 cases), non-hsPDA group (59 cases), and hsPDA group (29 cases). USCOM was performed within half of an hour after ECHO.During the course of oral medication of Ibuprofen in the hsPDA group, USCOM was repeatedly examined every 24 hours.ECHO and USCOM were re-examined within 24 hours after the course of oral medication of ibuprofen.Results:Compared with non-hsPDA group and non-PDA group, the gestational age [(31.51±1.62) weeks, (32.09±1.27) weeks vs.(30.82±1.61) weeks, F=8.425, P<0.001], birth weight [(1 154.49±192.55) g, (1 195.58±182.02) g vs.(1 094.66±153.69) g, F=3.366, P=0.037] and the mean blood pressure [(38.37±2.20) mmHg, (38.53±2.37) mmHg vs.(30.52±2.31) mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa, F=142.860, P<0.001]were significantly lower in hsPDA group.On the contrary, the heart rate[(129.68±7.11) times/min, (130.34±7.27) times/min vs.(164.76±7.65) times/min, F=271.790, P<0.001], B-type natriuretic peptide[(203.76±108.68) ng/L, (152.43±54.24) ng/L vs.(3 385.31±856.26) ng/L, F=931.30, P<0.001] and left artrium/aorta (1.32±0.12, 1.29±0.09 vs.1.60±0.12, F=84.970, P<0.001)were significantly higher.Among the USCOM parameters, left ventricular cardiac output [(0.40±0.08) L/min, (0.40±0.08) L/min vs.(0.51±0.04) L/min, F=26.760, P<0.001], cardiac index (CI) [(3.76±0.48) L/(min·m 2), (3.54±0.30) L/(min·m 2) vs.(4.43±0.36) L/(min·m 2), F=56.060, P<0.001], stroke volume[(3.75±0.28) mL, (3.70±0.23) mL vs.(4.22±0.36)mL, F=40.170, P<0.001], stroke volume index [(34.42±2.66) mL/m 2, (34.47±3.29) mL/m 2vs.(38.45±3.32) mL/m 2, F=20.080, P<0.001], peak ejection velocity [(1.12±0.12) m/s, (1.11±0.10) m/s vs.(1.23±0.09) m/s, F=14.890, P<0.001] and corrected flow time [(379.02±22.69) ms, (376.51±27.95) ms vs.(403.69±39.04) ms, F=10.120, P<0.001]were significantly higher in hsPDA group, while systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) [(1 109.49±115.67) ds·cm -5·m 2, (1 070.01±133.55) ds·cm -5·m 2vs.(861.31±115.22) ds cm -5m 2, F=41.130, P<0.001]was significantly lower than that of non-hsPDA and non-PDA group.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of CI and SVRI for predicting hsPDA were 0.916 and 0.905, respectively.The sensitivity and specificity of CI>4.05 L/(min·m 2) for predicting hsPDA was 0.828 and 0.860, respectively, which was 0.660 and 1.000 for SVRI<1 002.5 ds·cm -5·m 2.The sensitivity and specificity of combining CI and SVRI for predicting hsPDA was 0.966 and 0.949, respectively. Conclusions:USCOM has a good diagnostic and predictive value for hsPDA in premature infants.The combined application of CI and SVRI can improve the predictive value, and help formulate the early diagnostic and treatment strategy for PDA in premature infants

OBJECTIVETo explore the impact of ideal health behaviors on the newly developed carotid plaques.

METHODSA total of 5 852 employees (including retired employees from Tangshan Kailuan company) aged over 40 years were included in this study through stratified random sampling. Subjects with previous stroke, transient ischemic attack, myocardial infarction were excluded. Results from the unified questionnaire, blood biochemistry measurements and ultrasonography carotid artery measurements were analyzed. Present study analyzed the data from 2 372 participants without carotid plaques in 2010-2011 examinations. The newly developed carotid plaques in 2012-2013 health examinations were observed and multiple logistic regression analysis was used to explore the impact of ideal health behaviors and factors on the newly developed carotid plaques.

RESULTS(1) There were 359 subjects with newly developed carotid artery plaques among the 2 372 subjects (15.1%), prevalence rate was 23.1% (43/186), 17.5% (186/1 065), 12.4% (122/986), 5.9% (8/135) in the groups with 0-1, 2-3, 4-5 and 6-7 components of ideal cardiovascular health behaviors and factors, respectively (P < 0.001). (2) Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for age, gender, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, heart rate, and high sensitive c-reactive protein, compared to with 0-1 components of ideal cardiovascular health behaviors and factors, participants with 4-5 and 6-7 components of ideal cardiovascular health behaviors and factors were associated with reduced risk of the newly developed carotid plaques, the OR (95% CI) values were 0.52(0.34-0.80) and 0.28(0.12-0.64), respectively.

CONCLUSIONHigher number of ideal cardiovascular health behaviors and factors is associated with lower incidence of newly developed carotid plaques.

C-Reactive Protein ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Stenosis ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Health Behavior ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective:To translate the Attention to Positive and Negative Inventory(APNI)and analyze the validity and reliability in Chinese undergraduates sample,to offer a convenient and reliable tool of measuring the cognitive bias for national researchers. Methods:The English-version APNI went through translation into Chinese, retroversion into English,translation into Chinese again,and revision several stages. Two parts of samples (1450 Chinese college students)were surveyed. Sample one (n=1000)was used for item analysis,exploratory factor a-nalysis (EFA),concurrent validity and reliability analysis,while sample 2 (n=450)was used for confirmatory fac-tor analysis (CFA). Totally 68 subjects of sample 1 were randomly chosen and resurveyed with an interval of one week. Beck depression inventory (BDI-II)and patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9)was used for concurrent validi-ty. Results:Item analysis indicated that the 22 items of Chinese APNI had good discriminability. EFA focused onattention to positive information(API)and attention to negative information(ANI)two factors. CFA showed good model fit (χ2 =1376,RMESA=0. 09,CFI=0. 94). Concurrent validity result showed that the total scores of BDI-II and PHQ-9 was negatively correlated with total scores of API (r=-0. 24,-0. 29,Ps<0. 01 ),and posi-tively correlated with total scores of ANI (r=0. 36,0. 31,Ps<0. 01). The Cronbach'αcoefficients of API and ANI sub-scale were 0. 86 and 0. 82,while the retest reliability coefficients were 0. 79 and 0. 62. Conclusion:It suggests that the Chinese APNI has good validity and reliability in a sample of college students,which could be used to eval-uate the cognitive bias of Chinese college students.