Objective To explore the mechanism of combined treatment with methotrexate (MTX) and Ga-Al-As laser irradiation for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to assess the effectiveness of Ga-Al-As laser therapy for RA. Methods Twenty-two patients with RA were randomly and evenly divided into two groups: the treatment group treated with Ga-Al-As laser irradiation combined with MTX and the control group treated with MTX only. Ten age-matched normal subjects were observed as normal controls. The amount of CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells in peripheral blood (PB) of the normal controls and that in the PB and synovial fluid (SF) of the 22 patients before and after therapy were counted by flow cytometry. Meanwhile, the amount of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in synovial fluid of the patients was measured before and after treatment by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Results After combined treatment the clinical symptoms of the patients were improved significantly, and the amount of PGE2in SF decreased significantly. The count of CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells in PB of RA patients was ( 3.84 ±3.20) % , compared to ( 10.05 ± 7.04) % in healthy individuals. The count of CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells in SF of RA patients was ( 14.89 ± 12.30) % , much higher than that in PB. The count of CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells in SF decreased significantly in treatment group compared to control group (P ＜0.05). Conclusion Ga-Al-As laser irradiation eombined with MTX can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of RA patients. It may be related to the decrease of amount of PGE2 and count of CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cell in PB and SF.

Deflazacort (DFZ, a prodrug) is well absorbed and rapidly metabolized into the active metabolite 21-hydroxydeflazacort (21-OH DFZ) after oral administration. The aim of this study is to evaluate the pharmacokinetic properties of 21-OH DFZ in healthy Chinese volunteers after a single and multiple oral administration of DFZ tablets under fed condition. Twelve volunteers (six males and six females) were administered a single dose of 6 mg or 12 mg or 24 mg of DFZ in three different periods separately, according to the 3 x 3 Latin square design. Between each administration period there was a washout period of one week. The multiple-dose study of 12 mg dose DFZ per day for 7 consecutive days was started after a 1 w washout period when the single-dose study completed. The pharmacokinetic parameters of 21-OH DFZ after the single oral administration of 6 mg, 12 mg and 24 mg DFZ tablets were as follows: (37.7 +/- 11.6), (61.5 +/- 17.7) and (123 +/- 23) ng x mL(-1) for C(max); (1.90 +/- 0.32), (1.96 +/- 0.27) and (2.13 +/- 0.34) h for t1/2; (96.6 +/- 25.9), (190 +/- 44) and (422 +/- 107) ng x h x mL(-1) for AUC(0-14 h), respectively. After the multiple dose administration, the mean plasma concentration at steady-state C(av) was (7.00 +/- 1.66) ng x mL(-1) and the degree of plasma concentration fluctuation DF was 7.7 +/- 1.2. The results showed that the pharmacokinetic characteristics of 21-OH DFZ in healthy Chinese volunteers were linear over the dose range of 6 to 24 mg. No significant gender differences were found in the pharmacokinetics of 21-OH DFZ in healthy Chinese volunteers. After the multiple dose administration of 12 mg DFZ for 7 d, no accumulation of 21-OH DFZ in healthy Chinese volunteers was observed.

Objective To investigate the effects of growth-discordant twin pregnancies on neonatal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level and congenital hypothyroidism (CH).Methods A total of 3 444 live-birth twin neonates born between January 1,2012 and December 30,2014 in Ningbo City were enrolled.Blood samples via heel puncture were collected and tested.Incidence of CH in singleton and twin neonates was compared.Deviation of birth weight larger than 25％ in twin neonates was set as the criteria for discordant growth.TSH and 17 α-hydroxylase levels in CH twins and normal twins,with or without discordant growth,were compared.Chi-square and non-parametric statistics were performed for data analysis.Results The incidence of CH in twin neonates was 0.56％ (19/3 444),higher than that in singleton neonates [0.09％ (203/225 712),x2=76.225,P＜0.01].Among nineteen CH twins,CH occurred in both twins in eight cases (four twins) and in one of the twins in eleven cases.The gestational age at birth in the eight CH twins were less than 37 weeks,with four males and four females;five were low birth weight infants;one twin were dichorionic,and three twins were monochorionic.In the eleven cases of CH occurring in one of the twins,the gestational age was less than 37 weeks in nine cases,eight were low birth weight infants,six were male and five female;seven were monochorionic and four were dichoronic twins.Five cases of temporary hypothyroidism were all low birth weight infants among the growth-discordant twins.CH cases in growth-discordant group had lower birth weight than their normal twins [M(P25-P75),2 100 (1 800-2 600) vs 2 770 (2 530-2 960) g,Z=4.369],and a higher TSH level [15.4 (11.8-18.5) vs 6.4 (4.8-7.9) mU/L,Z=6.339] (both P＜0.05).In normal twins with or without discordant growth,the neonates with a lower birth weight had a higher TSH level [3.6(2.5-4.7) vs 2.4(1.8-2.9) mU/L,Z=0.962] in weight consistent group,compared with 6.0(4.4-7.8) vs 3.4(1.9-4.1) mU/L in weight inconsistent group (Z=4.369),both P＜0.05.Conclusions In the growth-discordant twins,neonates with a lower birth weight have a higher TSH level and a higher risk of temporary hypothyroidism.

BACKGROUND:The magnetic resonance molecular imaging used in the research of lumbar disc degeneration includes T2 mapping and T1ρtechnologies at present.
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the feasibility of 1.5 T MR equipment on T2 mapping of New Zealand white rabbits lumbar disc.
METHODS:T2 mapping images of New Zealand white rabbit lumbar discs were obtained on 1.5 T MR equipment. The regions of interest T2 values of lumbar discs were measured with post-processing workstation.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Sagittal and coronal T2 maps of 3-month rabbit discs were obtained
satisfactorily on 1.5 T MR equipment. The regions of interest T2 values of nucleus pulposus in L 4/5 , L 5/6 and L 6/7 discs were (104.6±14.0) ms, (109.1±13.8) ms and (109.5±15.1) ms respectively at Pfirrmann
regions of interest T2 values of anterior annulus fibrosus in L 4/5 , L 5/6 and L 6/7 discs were (82.1±9.5) ms, (80.4± 11.2) ms and (79.9±10.6) ms respectively, and T2 values of posterior annulus fibrosus in L 4/5 , L 5/6 and L 6/7 discs were (85.8±11.9) ms, (85.1±12.1) ms and (85.3±9.3) ms respectively. There were no significant differences in T2 values of nucleus pulposus, anterior annulus fibrosus and posterior annulus fibrosus in L 4/5 , L 5/6 and L 6/7 discs at PfirrmannⅠP>g 0ra.0d5e).( However, the T2 values of nucleus pulposus were higher than those of annulus
fibrosus in the same discs (P<0.01), and there were no significant differences in T2 values between the anterior and posterior annulus fibrosus (P>0.05). The T2 values of rabbit lumbar discs obtained on 1.5 T MR equipment can be used for quantitative assessment of intervertebral disc signal.

ObjectiveTo investigate the status of benefit finding in diabetic patients,and mediating effect of resilience between family support and benefit finding in diabetic patients.MethodsFive hundred and thirteen diabetic patients from a hospital of Harbin were recruited as investigative subjects from September 2015 to June 2016.The resilience scale,family adaptability,cohesion scale and benefit finding scale were used in the study.ResultsThe scores of benefit finding,resilience and family adaptability and cohesion were 55.67±12.87,70.65±10.39 and 104.25±15.38,separately.The total score of family adaptability and cohesion was positively related to the total score of benefit finding(r=0.389,P<0.05).The total score of resilience was positively related to the total score of benefit finding(r=0.155,P<0.05).The total score of family adaptability and cohesion was positively related to the total score of resilience(r=0.112,P<0.05).Benefit finding as the dependent variable,the results of hierarchical regression analysis indicated that family adaptability and cohesion (β=0.382,P<0.01),resilience(β=0.098,P<0.01)entered the regression equation.There was a partial mediating effect of resilience between family support and benefit finding in diabetic patients.The mediating effect was 0.011,accounted for 2.8% of the total effect.The resilience was the important protective factor for benefit finding.ConclusionFamily support has a direct influence on benefit finding and an indirect effect mediated by resilience on benefit finding.

Purpose: The causal relationship between the incidence and prognosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and serum testosterone levels in patients is not yet fully understood. This study aims to use the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a large-scale nationally representative sample, to investigate the relationship between CKD and testosterone. Materials and Methods: This study included six NHANES cycles for linear regression analysis, verified by multiple imputation methods. Stratified analysis and subgroup analysis were used to demonstrate the stability of CKD’s effect on testosterone. Furthermore, we used Kaplan-Meier plots and log-rank tests to evaluate differences in survival rates between CKD male patients with low and normal levels of testosterone. Results: From a total of 71,163 subjects, the cohort selected 28,663 eligible participants. Results showed that CKD patients had testosterone levels 28.423 ng/mL (24.762, 32.083) lower than non-CKD patients. The results of multiple imputations (β=27.700, 95% confidence interval: 23.427, 31.974) were consistent with those of linear regression analysis, and the numerical match was good. Stratified regression analysis, and subgroup analysis results showed that CKD had a significant impact on testosterone at different dimensions. Kaplan-Meier plots showed significantly reduced survival rates in low testosterone CKD male patients (p<0.0001). Conclusions The results of this big data analysis suggest that there may be a two-way risk between low levels of testosterone and CKD. The testosterone levels of CKD patients were significantly lower than those of the non-CKD population, and CKD patients with low testosterone levels had poorer prognoses. These results suggest that correcting testosterone levels in a timely manner can have preventive and therapeutic effects on the progression of CKD.

Objective: To understand the status and related knowledge requirements of health emergency literacy among college students in Shaanxi Province, so as to provide the basis for improving college students health emergency literacy. Methods: A total of 2 723 students from 18 colleges and universities in Shaanxi Province were selected by multi stage random sampling and simple random sampling methods in November 2023, and the survey of health literacy in emergency and knowledge requirements of health emergency literacy was conducted. Statistical analysis was carried out by using χ 2 test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, Kruskal-Wallis H test and Logistic regression analysis. Results: About 28.98% of the surveyed college students had a high level of health emergency literacy, which varied by students whether being only one child, whether having left behind experience, with different personality types, whether being student cadres, and with different frequencies of community or social activities ( χ 2=9.15, 7.90, 32.73, 16.29 , 120.25, P <0.05). The equivalence scores of the four dimensions of health emergency literacy from high to low were poisoning and nuclear and radiation (0.84), medical rescue (0.83), infectious disease (0.82), and basic knowledge and behavior ( 0.77 ). Logistic regression analysis found that college students with left-behind experience were negatively correlated with health emergency literacy and its four dimensions ( OR =0.74, 0.72, 0.80, 0.80, 0.83), while personality type (rational type), community or social activity frequency were positively correlated with the cognitive levels of health emergency literacy and its four dimensions among college students ( OR =1.57, 1.50, 1.33, 1.27, 1.38)( P <0.05). There was a higher level of basic knowledge and behavioral cognition among only child college students ( OR =3.73), and female students had a higher level of health emergency literacy, as well as awareness of infectious disease outbreaks and medical rescue ( OR =1.21, 1.28, 1.21)( P <0.05). The radar map showed that the level of health emergency literacy was positive development radar map. About 67.68 % of the students had a high willingness to acquire health emergency literacy knowledge, and the demand for basic health emergency knowledge and behavioral knowledge was the highest (52.37%). Conclusions College students have insufficient health emergency literacy, but they have the highest demand for health emergency. Publicity and education should be strengthened for students with left behind experience, irrational type, and low frequency of community or social activities.

OBJECTIVETo prepare and characterize rabbit polyclonal antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii vacuolar proton pyrophosphatase type I (TgVP1).

METHODS AND RESULTSTwo synthesized peptides TgVP1-1 and TgVP1-2 as the haptens were conjugated with KLH to immunize rabbits. Indirect ELISA showed that the titers of rabbit anti-TgVP1-1 polyclonal antibody and rabbit anti-TgVP1-2 polyclonal antibody reached 1:128 000. Western blotting results revealed that both purified polyclonal antibodies could specifically bind to a purified 85 kD T. gondii protein predicted as TgVP1. The protein detected by these two polyclonal antibodies was distributed in the cytoplasm of T. gondii tachyzoite, and this distribution pattern was consistent with that of acidocalcisome.

CONCLUSIONThe peptide-based method of antibody generation is efficient and the obtained TgVP1 polyclonal antibodies possess a high specificity to facilitate further study of T. gondii acidocalcisome and the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis.

Animals ; Antibodies ; immunology ; Blotting, Western ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Protozoan Proteins ; immunology ; Pyrophosphatases ; immunology ; Rabbits ; Toxoplasma ; enzymology

Objective:To study the feasibility of using pelvic iterative cone beam CT images for dose calculation of radiation therapy planning, so as to provide support for adaptive radiotherapy.Methods:The CIRS 062 M phantom was scanned by Varian Halcyon v2.0 o-ring accelerator, and the average CT number under different scattering conditions was calculated, and then the ICBCT-ED conversion curve was established. CT images of CIRS 002PRA pelvic IMRT phantom and ICBCT images at different positions were collected. Treatment plan using VMAT technique based on CT image was designed and transplanted into ICBCT image with dose recalculated. The differences of gamma passing rate among target volume, organs at risk and 3-dimensional dose were compared. Based on the actual treatment plan of patients, the differences of 3-dimensional dose gamma passing rate in 10 pelvic patients were analyzed retrospectively.Results:There was a large CT value deviation at central position between the isolated no-scattering condition and the full-scattering condition, and the maximum deviation was 144 HU. The CT values of other positions in full-scattering condition were similar to those of the central position, and the maximum deviation was less than 50 HU. Based on the calculated result of ICBCT images at different positions of the pelvic phantom, the dose deviation of the target volume or organs at risk was less than 1 Gy. Compared with the plan based on CT images, the average 3-dimensional dose gamma passing rate under the criteria of 1% dose difference (DD)/1 mm distance-to-agreement (DTA) and 2% DD/2 mm DTA in plan based on ICBCT images were (88.86 ±1.18)% and (98.38±0.89)%, respectively. The ranges of average 3-dimensional dose gamma passing rate under the criteria of 2% DD/2 mm DTA and 3% DD/3 mm DTA in 10 patients with pelvic tumors were 90.03%-95.43% and 93.58%-97.78%, respectively, and the worst result was only 85.90% and 92.90%, respectively. The main reason of the worst result was the dose difference caused by large variation of bladder contour due to over-filling.Conclusions:Under comprehensive scattering conditions, the ICBCT-ED conversion curve is reconstructed and the treatment plan can be designed by using the ICBCT image of Halcyon v2.0 linear accelerator. The accuracy meets the standards of clinical application, which provides assurance for adaptive radiotherapy in the future.

Cucurbitaceae is an important family of flowering plants containing multiple species of important food plants, such as melons, cucumbers, squashes, and pumpkins. However, a highly efficient genetic transformation system has not been established for most of these species (Nanasato and Tabei, 2020). Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), an economically important and globally cultivated fruit crop, is a model species for fruit quality research due to its rich diversity of fruit size, shape, flavor, aroma, texture, peel and flesh color, and nutritional composition (Guo et al., 2019). Through pan-genome sequencing, many candidate loci associated with fruit quality traits have been identified (Guo et al., 2019). However, few of these loci have been validated. The major barrier is the low transformation efficiency of the species, with only few successful cases of genetic transformation reported so far (Tian et al., 2017; Feng et al., 2021; Wang JF et al., 2021; Wang YP et al., 2021). For example, Tian et al. (2017) obtained only 16 transgenic lines from about 960 cotyledon fragments, yielding a transformation efficiency of 1.67%. Therefore, efficient genetic transformation could not only facilitate the functional genomic studies in watermelon as well as other horticultural species, but also speed up the transgenic and genome-editing breeding.
CRISPR-Cas Systems ; Citrullus/genetics* ; Cucurbitaceae/genetics* ; Gene Editing ; Plant Breeding ; Transformation, Genetic