Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of needling the three trembling points plus rehabilitation and taking levodopaand benserazide hydrochlo-ride.Method Ninety-three patients with early Parkinson's disease were randomized into group A of 32 cases, group B of 30 cases, and group C of 31 cases. Group A was intervened by needling the three trembling points plus rehabilitation and taking levodopaand benserazide hydrochlo-ride, group B by rehabilitation and taking levodopaand benserazide hydrochlo-ride, while group C by taking levodopaand benserazide hydrochlo-ride. UPDRSⅢ scores and Berg balance scale (BBS) scores were observed.Result After intervention, UPDRSⅢ scores and BBS scores were significantly changed in all groups (P<0.05). UPDRSⅢ scores of group A were markedly different form that of group B and C (P<0.05). BBS scores of group A and B were markedly different form that of group C (P<0.05).Conclusion Needling the three trembling points plus rehabilitation and taking levodopaand benserazide hydrochlo-ride can improve motor function and equilibrium function in the early Parkinson's disease patients.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and prognosis of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and drug combined with endoscopic treatment in patients with liver cirrhosis and esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB).Methods:From January 2012 to December 2013, at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University, the data of 147 patients with liver cirrhosis and EGVB undergoing TIPS or drug combined with endoscopic treatment were retrospectively collected, with 87 cases in TIPS treatment group and 60 in drug combined with endoscopic treatment group.The 5 years follow-up data were analyzed, and the overall survival rates, rebleeding-free survival rates and hepatic encephalopathy-free survival rates at 6 weeks, 1 year, 2 years and 5 years after treatment of two groups were compared. Independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, Fisher exact test, Z test, log-rank test and trend test were used for statistical analysis. Results:There were no significant differences in age, gender, etiology, Child-Pugh classification, initial liver function, coagulation function, liver ascites, previous history of hepatic encephalopathy, blood pressure and preoperative blood transfusion history between the TIPS treatment group and combination of drugs and endoscopy treatment group (all P>0.05). Forty-one patients died within 5 years, of which 20 (48.8%) died of rebleeding and 6 (14.6%) died of hepatic encephalopathy. There were no significant differences in 6-week, 1-year and 2-year overall survival rates between the TIPS group and drug combined with endoscopic treatment group (all P>0.05), however the 5-year overall survival rate of the TIPS treatment group was higher than that of the drug combined with endoscopic treatment group (78.4% vs. 63.2%), and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=2.06, P=0.048). The 6-week, 1-year, 2-year, 5-year rebleeding-free survival rates of the TIPS group were 97.7%, 96.5%, 88.9% and 70.9%, respectively, which were all higher than those of the drug combined with endoscopic treatment group (86.7%, 53.3%, 43.3% and 27.1%), and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=2.35, 6.39, 6.26 and 4.80, all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in hepatic encephalopathy-free survival rates at 6 weeks, 1 year and 2 years after treatment between the TIPS group and drug combined with endoscopic treatment group (all P>0.05), however the 5-year hepatic encephalopathy-free survival rate of the TIPS treatment group was lower than that of the drug combined with endoscopic treatment group (67.7% vs. 86.7%), and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=2.28, P=0.030). The lower the Child-Pugh classification, the higher the cumulative 5-year survival rate ( χ2=6.75, P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in the 5-year overall survival rate in patients with the same Child-Pugh classification between the TIPS group and the drug combined with endoscopic treatment group (all P>0.05). Conclusions:The efficacy of TIPS is better than that of the drug combined with endoscopic treatment in treating EGVB. Even the long-term risk of hepatic encephalopathy of TIPS is higher, the short-term, middle-term and long-term rebleeding rate are decreased. Patients with Child-Pugh grade C do not need to avoid TIPS when choosing the treatment, the earlier the TIPS used, the better survival benefit will be obtained.

Objective: To investigate the changes and clinical significance of vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin and procalcitonin (PCT) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of children with viral encephalitis or bacterial meningitis(BM). Methods: A total of 42 cases of children with viral encephalitis(viral encephalitis group), 36 cases of children with BM(BM group), and 20 cases of children with non-nervous system injury(control group) were selected from September 2016 to June 2018 at the Third Hospital of Zhengzhou University.The serum and CSF levels of VE-cadherin and PCT levels of the 3 groups were detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The levels of VE-cadherin in the serum of viral encephalitis group, BM group and control group at the acute phase were (5.60±1.17) mg/L, (7.08±1.01) mg/L and (2.52±0.68) mg/L respectively, and the levels of VE-cadherin in CSF of viral encephalitis group, BM group and control group were (6.00±1.09) mg/L, (6.97±1.11) mg/L and(1.93±0.88) mg/L, respectively.The levels of PCT in the serum of viral encephalitis group, BM group and control group at the acute phase were (0.26±0.11) μg/L, (0.82±0.17) μg/L and (0.27±0.13) μg/L, respectively, and the levels of PCT in the CSF of viral encephalitis group, BM group and control group were (0.25±0.11) μg/L, (0.72±0.14) μg/L, (0.28±0.17) μg/L, respectively.As a result, the levels of VE-cadherin and PCT in the serum and CSF of BM group showed significant increase, compared with viral encephalitis group and control group in the acute phase(F=124.94, 163.21, 151.62, 127.37, all P<0.01). The levels of VE-cadherin in the serum and CSF of viral encephalitis group were also significantly higher than that of control group (all P<0.01), but there was no difference between viral encephalitis group and control group about the levels of PCT in the serum and CSF (all P>0.05). The levels of VE-cadherin in the serum of viral encephalitis group and BM group after treatment were (2.34±0.81) mg/L and (2.67±1.29) mg/L, and were(2.55±0.92) mg/L and(2.39±0.74) mg/L in the CSF.The levels of PCT in the serum of viral encephalitis group and BM group after treatment were (0.25±0.11) μg/L, (0.30±0.17) μg/L, and the levels of PCT in the CSF of viral encephalitis group and BM group were(0.22±0.10) μg/L and (0.27±0.12) μg/L.After effective treatment, the levels of VE-cadherin, PCT in serum and CSF of BM group and viral encephalitis group were almost equal, and the difference was not statistically significant(F=1.83, 0.76, 2.72, 3.89, all P>0.05). In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the area under the ROC curve of VE-cadherin in serum and CSF was 0.896 and 0.912, and was 0.670 and 0.668 of PCT respectively. Conclusions VE-cadherin may be involved in the early stage of intracranial infection, and it may be helpful in differentiation of virus or bacterial infection with PCT.VE-cadherin has a good diagnostic value for intracranial infection.

Despite recent studies, relatively few are known about the diversity of fungal communities in the deep Atlantic Ocean. In this study, we investigated the diversity of fungal communities in 15 different deep-sea sediments from the South Atlantic Ocean with a culturedependent approach followed by phylogenetic analysis of ITS sequences. A total of 29fungal strains were isolated from the 15 deep-sea sediments. These strains belong to four fungal genera, including Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Alternaria. Penicillium, accounting for 44.8% of the total fungal isolates, was a dominant genus. The antiaflatoxigenic activity of these deep-sea fungal isolates was studied. Surprisingly, most of the strains showed moderate to strong antiaflatoxigenic activity. Four isolates, belonging to species of Penicillium polonicum, Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus versicolor, and Cladosporium cladosporioides, could completely inhibit not only the mycelial growth of Aspergillus parasiticus mutant strain NFRI-95, but also the aflatoxin production. To our knowledge, this is the first report to investigate the antiaflatoxigenic activity of culturable deep-sea fungi. Our results provide new insights into the community composition of fungi in the deep South Atlantic Ocean. The high proportion of strains that displayed antiaflatoxigenic activity demonstrates that deep-sea fungi from the Atlantic Ocean are valuable resources for mining bioactive compounds.

Objective: To investigate the effects of lactoprotein iron chelates on rats with iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), so as to provide insights into developing and utilizing novel iron supplements. Methods: Seventy weaning female SPF-graded rats of the SD strain were randomly divided into the control group (A), model group (B), ferrous sulfate group (C), lactoferrin group (D), lactoferrin iron chelate group (E), Casein oligopeptide iron chelate group (F) and whey protein oligopeptide iron chelate group (G), with 10 rats in each group. The rats in group A were fed with normal diet, and the others were fed with poor iron diet for IDA modeling. The corresponding interventions were given by intragastric administration once a day. The iron ion concentrations of group C, E, F and G were 2.0 mg/kg, and the protein and oligopeptide concentrations of group D, E, F and G were 2 000 mg/kg. Body weight and hemoglobin of rats were measured weekly during 21-day intervention. At the end, peripheral blood samples were collected, and blood routine, iron metabolism and liver function indicators were determined. Results: After the intervention, among blood routine indicators, the rats in group C, E, F and G showed elevated hemoglobin, red blood cell, mean corpuscular volume and hematocrit, and decreased free protoporphyrin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration when compared with the rats in group B (all P<0.05); among iron metabolism indicators, the rats in group C, E and G showed elevated serum ferritin, the rats in group C, E, F and G showed elevated serum iron, the rats in group C, D, E, F and G showed decreased unsaturated iron binding capacity and total iron binding capacity when compared with the rats in group B (all P<0.05); among liver function indicators, the rats in group E and G showed decreased alanine transaminase when compared with the rats in group B (both P<0.05). Conclusions Lactoprotein alone could not completely improve IDA in rats compared with traditional iron supplement (ferrous sulfate). Lactoprotein iron chelate, especially whey protein oligopeptide iron chelate, could significantly improve IDA, iron reserve and liver function damage in rats.

Despite recent studies, relatively few are known about the diversity of fungal communities in the deep Atlantic Ocean. In this study, we investigated the diversity of fungal communities in 15 different deep-sea sediments from the South Atlantic Ocean with a culturedependent approach followed by phylogenetic analysis of ITS sequences. A total of 29fungal strains were isolated from the 15 deep-sea sediments. These strains belong to four fungal genera, including Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Alternaria. Penicillium, accounting for 44.8% of the total fungal isolates, was a dominant genus. The antiaflatoxigenic activity of these deep-sea fungal isolates was studied. Surprisingly, most of the strains showed moderate to strong antiaflatoxigenic activity. Four isolates, belonging to species of Penicillium polonicum, Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus versicolor, and Cladosporium cladosporioides, could completely inhibit not only the mycelial growth of Aspergillus parasiticus mutant strain NFRI-95, but also the aflatoxin production. To our knowledge, this is the first report to investigate the antiaflatoxigenic activity of culturable deep-sea fungi. Our results provide new insights into the community composition of fungi in the deep South Atlantic Ocean. The high proportion of strains that displayed antiaflatoxigenic activity demonstrates that deep-sea fungi from the Atlantic Ocean are valuable resources for mining bioactive compounds.

Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) during endotoxin-caused apoptosis in macrophages of mice.Methods Mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7 cultured in vitro were seeded in 6-well or 96-well plates and divided into 4 groups (n=16 each) when cell confluence reached 60％-70％ using a random number table method:control group (group Con),dexmedetomidine group (group Dex),lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group,and LPS plus dexmedetomidine group (group LPS+Dex).Phosphate buffer solution was added in group Con.Dexmedetomidine 1 μmol/L was added in group Dex.LPS 1 μg/ml was added in LPS and LPS+Dex groups.Dexmedetomidine 1 μmol/L was added immediately after adding LPS in group LPS+Dex.Cells were then cultured for 24 h in each group.Cell apoptosis was measured using TUNEL,mitochondrial membrane potential using JC-1,reactive oxygen species (ROS) content by ROS kit,and ATP content by ATP kit.The apoptosis rate was calculated.The expression of HIF-1α,cytochrome C (Cyt-c),caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3 was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with group Con,the apoptosis rate and ROS content were significantly increased,ATP content and mitochondrial membrane potential were decreased,the expression of HIF-1α,Cyt-c,caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3 was up-regulated in group LPS (P＜ 0.05),and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group Dex (P＞0.05).Compared with group LPS,the apoptosis rate and ROS content were significantly decreased,ATP content and mitochondrial membrane potential were increased,the expression of HIF-1α was up-regulated,and the expression of Cyt-c,caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3 was down-regulated in group LPS + Dex (P＜0.05).Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can reduce endotoxin-caused oxidative stress injury to macrophages,improve mitochondrial function and inhibit mitochondrial apoptosis,and the mechanism may be related to upregulating the expression of HIF-1α in mice.

Objective To evaluate the role of autophagy in dexmedetomidine-induced reduction of lipopolysaccharide ( LPS)-caused inflammatory responses in macrophages of mice. Methods Mouse mac-rophage cell line RAW264. 7 cultured in vitro were seeded in 6-well or 96-well plates and divided into 4 groups ( n=20 each ) when cell confluence reached 60％ using a random number table method: control group (group Con), LPS group, LPS plus dexmedetomidine group (group LPS+DEX), and LPS plus dexmedetomidine plus autophagy inhibitor 3-MA group (group LPS+DEX+3-MA). PBS was added and cells were cultured for 12 h in group Con. LPS at the final concentration of 1000 ng∕ml was added and cells were incubated for 12 h in group LPS. LPS at the final concentration of 1000 ng∕ml was added, and then dexmedetomidine at the final concentration of 1 μmol∕L was immediately added, and cells were incubated for 12 h in group LPS+Dex. In group LPS+Dex+3-MA, 3-MA at the final concentration of 2 mmol∕L was added and cells were incubated for 1 h, LPS at the final concentration of 1000 ng∕ml was added, and then dexmedetomidine at the final concentration of 1 μmol∕L was immediately added, and cells were incubated for 12 h. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay, and the concentrations of nitrous oxide ( NO) , tumor necrosis factor-alpha ( TNF-α) and interleukin-1beta ( IL-1β) in the supernatant were determined by en-zyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅰ( LC3 Ⅰ) , LC3Ⅱ, P62 and Bcelin-1 was detected by Western blot. LC3Ⅱ∕LC3Ⅰ ratio was calculated. Results Compared with group Con, the cell viability was significantly decreased, the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β and NO and LC3Ⅱ∕LC3Ⅰratio were increased, and the expression of P62 and Beclin1 was up-regulated in group LPS (P<0. 05). Compared with group LPS, the cell viability was significantly in-creased, the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1βand NO were decreased, LC3Ⅱ∕LC3Ⅰratio was increased, the expression of P62 was down-regulated, and the expression of Beclin1 was up-regulated in group LPS+DEX ( P<0. 05) . Compared with group LPS+Dex, the cell viability was significantly decreased, the con-centrations of TNF-α, IL-1β and NO were increased, LC3Ⅱ∕LC3Ⅰ ratio was decreased, the expression of P62 was up-regulated, and the expression of Beclin1 was down-regulated in group LPS+Dex+3-MA ( P<0. 05) . Conclusion Enhanced autophagy is involved in dexmedetomidine-induced reduction of LPS-caused inflammatory responses in macrophages of mice.

Objective To evaluate the effect of hydrogen on blood brain barrier of mice with sepsisassociated encephalopathy (SAE).Methods A total of 100 adult male ICR mice,aged 6-8 weeks,weighing 20-25 g,were divided into 4 groups (n =25 each) using a random number table method:sham operation group (group Sham),sham operation plus hydrogen group (group Sham+H),group SAE and SAE plus hydrogen group (group SAE+ H).Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP).Sham+H and SAE+H groups inhaled 2％ hydrogen for 1 h starting from 1 and 6 h after CLP,respectively.At 24 h after CLP,Evans blue (EB) was injected via the caudal vein,and then the mice were sacrificed and brain tissues were removed for measuring the EB and water contents,for examining the pathological changes of hippocampi (with a light microscope) and for detecting the expression of occludin and VE-cadherin (by Western blot).Morris water maze test was performed at days 10-16 after CLP.Results Compared with group Sham,the contents of EB and water in brain tissues were significantly increased,the expression of occludin and VE-cadherin was down-regulated,the escape latency was prolonged,and the number of crossing the original platform was reduced in SAE and SAE+H groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group SAE,the contents of EB and water in brain tissues were significantly decreased,the expression of occludin and VE-cadherin was up-regulated,the escape latency was shortened,the number of crossing the original platform was increased (P＜0.05),and the pathological changes of hippocampi were significantly attenuated in group SAE+H.Conclusion The mechanism by which hydrogen mitigates SAE may be related to reducing the damage to blood brain barrier of mice.

Objective To investigate the changes in FUNDC1/microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅱ (LC3 Ⅱ) signaling pathway during sepsis-induced liver injury in mice.Methods Tbirtytwo clean-grade healthy male C57BL/6 mice,aged 6 weeks,weighing 20-25 g,were divided into sham operation group (n =8) and sepsis group (n =24) using a random number table method.Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture.Blood samples were obtained at 24 h after operation in sham operation group and at 6,12 and 24 h after establishing the model in sepsis group for determination of concentrations of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in serum.Mice were then sacrificed,and the right lobe of livers was removed for examination of the pathological changes and for determination of the expression of FUNDC1 and LC3 Ⅱ by Western blot.The mitochondria in the right lobe of livers were isolated to measure the respiratory function,and respiratory control rate was calculated.Results Compared with sham operation group,the concentrations of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in serum and pathological scores were significantly increased,the respiratory control rate of mitochondria was decreased,the expression of FUNDC1 was down-regulated,and the expression of LC3 Ⅱ was up-regulated at each time point after establishing the model in sepsis group (P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which sepsis induces liver injury may be related to inhibiting activation of FUNDC1/LC3 Ⅱ signaling pathway in mice.