Objective To analyze the clinical features of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) in pa?tients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and investigate correlative factors of RBD. Methods Sixty-three consecutive PD pa?tients were included and classified into PD+RBD group (n=28) and PD-RBD group (n=35) according to REM Sleep Be?havior Disorder Questionnaire (RBDQ-HK). The degree of motor symptoms was compared using Unified Parkinson Dis?ease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and Hoehn&Yahr (H-Y) grade, the incidence of non motor symptoms was compared using non motor symptoms questionnaire (NMSquest), and the cognitive function, anxiety, depression, daytime sleep were com?pared using Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Epworth Sleep Scale (ESS) between the two groups. Results The incidence of RBD in PD patients was 44.4% (28/63). There were longer illness course ( χ2=12.733, P=0.002), older age (t=-2.292, P=0.025), and higher H-Y grades (χ2=7.014, P=0.008) in PD+RBD group, compared with those in PD-RBD group, but there were no significant differences in sex, onset age, onset form and levodapa dose equivalents (LDE) between the two groups. There were higher UPDRSⅡ,Ⅲ scores (t=-2.734, P=0.008; U=3.329, P=0.001) in PD+RBD group. Most of the non motor symptoms, including the gastrointestinal dysfunctions, psychiatric comorbidity and sleep disturbances were more frequent in PD+RBD group (P<0.05), and the incidence of anxiety and depression were higher (χ2=3.958, P=0.047; χ2=10.338, P=0.001), whereas there were no significant differences in cognitive function and daytime sleep between the two groups. In addition, constipation (OR=7.257), illness course (OR=5.389), UPDRS Ⅲ scores (OR=1.060) were correlative with RBD in PD patients. Con?clusion PD patients with longer illness course, older ages, and severe motor and non motor symptoms more likely suffer from RBD. Besides, constipation, long illness course and high UPDRSⅢscores may be risk factors of RBD.

Objective To manifest the imaging appearances of the pulmonary mucormycesis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS).Methods The radiographic and hiish resolution computed lomography(HRCT)features of the pulmonary mucormycosis in 13 patients with AIDS were retrospectively analyzed.Results On radiography,the infiltrative lesions were found in 5 patients,7 cases had reticular pattem,4 cages had pleural effusion,4 cages had enlarged hilar and mediagtinal lymph nodes,3 cases had diffuse milliary lesions,3 Cages had masses,2 cases had ground-slags shadows,2 cages had cystic lesions,cavity,pleural thickening,pericardia]effusion and focal pneumothorax Wag presented in 1 cage respectively.On HRCT,7 cages had enlarged mediagtinal lymph nedes,7 cages had interlobular septal thickening,the infiltrative lesion were found in 6 patients,5 cages had diffuse milliary lesions,4 cages had pleural effusion,3 cases had inasses,2 cages had ground-glass shadows,2 cases had cystic lesions,cavity,pleural thickening,focal bronchiectagis,pericardial effusion and focal pneumothorax was presented in 1 case respectively.Conclusion The main imaging appearances of the pulmonary mucormycesis in patients with AIDS include diffuse milliary lesion,enlarged hilar and mediagtinal lymph node,interiobular septal thickening,infiltrative lesion,pleural effusion and mass.

OBJECTIVETo investigate genetic etiology of fetal urinary abnormalities with array-based comparative genomic hycridization(array-CGH).

METHODSThirty-two fetuses with variable urinary abnormalities but normal karyotyping by conventional cytogenetic technique were selected. DNA from the fetuses and their parents samples were prepared and hybridization with Affymetrix cytogenetic 2.7M arrays by follwing the manufacture's standard protocol. The data were analyzed by special CHAS software packages.

RESULTSBy using array-CGH detection, genomic imbalanced copy number variations (CNVs) were identified in night fetuses(28%), four out of night CNVs were inherited from parental samples; two were indicated to be benign variants(6%) in the database; and the other three CNVs (9%) were all de novo adjacent microdeletions and microduplication mapping on to common chromosome 1q21.1 region, within which was genitourinaty system function associated gene PDZK1.

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of genomic unbalanced variations in fetuses with congenital urinary malformations is approximately 28%, including about 9% pathogenic variations. Copy number variations (CNVs) of chromosome 1q21.1 region are associated with congenital urinary malformations which may be due to haploinsufficiency or overexpression of PDZK1 gene.

Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; abnormalities ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis

Human placental decidua basalis-mesenchymal stem cells (PDB-MSCs) are multipotent cells from the human term placenta, which are ethically conducive, easily accessible and high-yielding source. PDB-MSCs can differentiate into adipogenic, osteogenic and neurogenic cells under appropriate conditions, which may be an attractive and alternative source of seed cells for tissue engineering. To investigate the effect of hypoxia (1% O2) on human PDB-MSCs and the expression of cytokine, PDB-MSCs were isolated from human placenta by density gradient centrifugation and cultured in the Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium-high glucose (DMEM-HG) containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), and the fifth passage of PDB-MSCs were taken. PDB-MSCs were divided into 4 groups according to the concentrations of O2 and FBS: 20% O2, 10% FBS; 20% O2, 0% FBS; 1% O2, 10% FBS; 1% O2, 0% FBS. The proliferation and apoptosis of PDB-MSCs were detected by MTT and flow cytometric analysis at the time points of 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h, respectively. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) released from PDB-MSCs was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at the same time points. The results showed that hypoxia enhanced the proliferation of PDB-MSCs at 12 h under the condition of 10% FBS, while at 24 h under the condition of 0% FBS (P<0.01, n=3). In normoxia, the cells cultured in 10% FBS displayed a significant proliferation compared to those cultured in 0% FBS. However, in hypoxia, the number of cells cultured in 0% FBS (serum deprivation) increased significantly compared to that cultured in 10% FBS at 24 h and 96 h respectively (P<0.05, P<0.01, n=3). With the flow cytometric analysis of cell apoptosis under the condition of hypoxia and serum deprivation, we found that hypoxia and serum deprivation did not induce PDB-MSCs apoptosis (P>0.05, n=3). This conclusion may relate to the expression of VEGF which needs further research. In conclusion, the results obtained indicate that PDB-MSCs are able to bear hypoxia and serum deprivation, suggesting that PDB-MSCs can be used as seed cells for ischemia related tissue engineering.
Apoptosis ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Decidua ; cytology ; Female ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Placenta ; cytology ; Pregnancy ; Tissue Engineering ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

AIM:To elucidate the association between chronic kidney injury and interleukin-33 (IL-33;an alarmin)/suppression of tumorigencity 2 (ST2) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).METHODS:Serum levels of IL-33 and soluble ST2 (sST2) were assessed by ELISA in 50 SLE patients and 30 healthy controls (HC).RESULTS:The levels of IL-33 and sST2,and IL-33/sST2 ratio were significantly higher in SLE patients than those in the HC.The IL-33 and sST2 levels were positively associated with SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI),erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),proteinuria and triglyceride,but negatively associated with complement C3.IL-33/sST2 ratio was positively associated with SLEDAI and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).Independent explanatory variables associated with high IL-33/sST2 included chronic kidney disease (CKD) staging and albumin (R2 =0.442),especially CKD staging.CONCLUSION:Elevated serum sST2 and IL-33 levels in SLE patients are correlated with disease activity and risk factors of kidney injury.IL-33/sST2 ratio may serve as a potential biomarker for chronic kidney injury in SLE patients.

Objective To study the effect of hemilaminectomy, total laminectomyand recapping laminoplasty on stability of the cervical spine. Methods Fourteen fresh adult sheep cervical spine specimens were divided into two groups, with 7 cases in each group. Each specimen was applied with a pure moment load of 3.0 N·m under flexion/extension, left/right lateral bending, and left/right axial rotation. The range of motion (ROM) and neutral zone (NZ) of specimens were measured. In the first group, the ROMs and NZs of the specimens were measured and compared under the intact state, C5 hemilaminectomy state and C4-6 hemilaminectomy state respectively. In the second group, the ROMs and NZs of specimens under the intact state, C4-6 total laminectomy state and C4-6 recapping laminoplasty state were measured and compared. Results There were no significant differences in ROMs and NZs between C5 hemilaminectomy state and C4-6 hemilaminectomy state compared with the intact state (P<0.05). Compared with the intact state, ROMs of the specimens were significantly increased during flexion and extension under C4-6 laminectomy state and C4-6 recapping laminoplasty state (P<0.05). In addition, compared with the C4-6 laminectomy state, ROMs of the specimen were significantly decreased only during extension unde C4-6 recapping laminoplasty state (P<0.05), while no significant differences were found in ROMs between total laminectomy and laminoplasty under other loads. Conclusions With hemilaminectomy, ROMs and NZs of the cervical spine did not increase significantly, and stability of the cervical spine was not affected. With C4-6 total laminectomy, ROMs and NZs during flexion and extension increased significantly, and stability of the cervical spine was affected. Recapping laminoplasty did not significantly improve stability of the cervical spine with total laminectomy.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the impact of preoperative three-dimensional visualization and virtual liver surgery planning on hepatic resection.

METHODSAll relevant structures (livers, portal vein, hepatic veins, and tumors) were extracted from multislice CT scans of 142 cases treated from May 2007 to May 2009. By the liver surgery planning system software Liv 1.0, reconstruction and image analysis of the relevant structures was performed and virtual resections of liver were carried out. Data were correlated to intraoperative findings.

RESULTS(1) Three-dimensional visualization revealed the spatial relationship of tumors to the intrahepatic vascular system, thus giving impressions how the neoplasms were situated. Virtual tumor resections corresponded to the intraoperative findings. (2) With the planning, an intended resection could be performed virtually and optimal identification of resection margins could be achieved. The ischemia and congestion territory within the remaining liver parenchyma could be calculated. Simulation resections could avoid liver parenchyma over resection and maintain a sufficient amount of liver tissue to sustain hepatic function. Virtual simulations of tumor resection were used successfully to plan of surgical procedures in the hepatic tumors. Hepatectomy was performed in 29 cases after virtual tumor resections but seemed impossible with conventional CT scan. Resection plans of 92 cases were optimized after virtual resections. (3) The mean liver volume of patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma measured by the software and the real resected was (477 +/- 223) ml and (451 +/- 209) ml respectively. Comparison by means of linear regression analysis between volume measurement on the software and the real resected showed a nearly ideal correlation coefficient (R = 0.922, P < 0.01). The mean error was 6.1%.

CONCLUSIONSThe three-dimensional tumor visualization and virtual simulation of tumor resections of the software Liv 1.0 provide an important reference for a valuable planning of complex hepatic resections. It is not only benefit to improve the predictability and security of hepatectomy but also helpful to improve the success rate of complex hepatic resections.

Adult ; Aged ; Computer Simulation ; Female ; Hepatectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Liver Neoplasms ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; User-Computer Interface ; Young Adult

INTRODUCTIONThe role of soluble OX40 ligand (sOX40L) in adult bronchial asthma is unclear. This study aims to determine the serum concentrations of sOX40L in adult patients with bronchial asthma, and discussed its relationship with pulmonary function.

MATERIALS AND METHODSWe measured the pulmonary function using the spirometer and detected the serum concentrations of sOX40L by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 19 healthy persons in the control group, 58 acute asthmatic adult patients who were grouped according to their disease severity: 18 mild grade, 24 moderate grade, 16 severe grade, and 24 persons in a stable asthmatic group.

RESULTSThe serum concentrations of sOX40L in asthmatic adult patients (6.80 ± 4.95 ng/L) were distinctly higher than those in the control group (3.98 ± 2.83 ng/L, P <0.05), and they were negatively correlated with pulmonary function indexes (FEV1%, FVC%, FEV1/FVC) (r = -0.754, P <0.01, r = -0.557, P <0.01, r = -0.457, P <0.01, respectively). Moreover, the serum concentrations of sOX40L showed obvious differences among control, mild, moderate, and severe groups (3.98 ± 2.83, 4.87 ± 1.89, 6.97 ± 5.91, 8.71 ± 5.18 ng/L, respectively; P <0.01). The concentrations of sOX40L decreased to the same extent as the control group after therapeutic treatments were provided to the asthmatic adult patients.

CONCLUSIONThe concentrations of sOX40L were found to be high in adult asthmatic patients and were associated with the severity of the disease. Therefore, sOX40L could be a potential inflammatory mediator in the pathogenesis of asthma.

Adult ; Analysis of Variance ; Asthma ; blood ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Inflammation Mediators ; blood ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; OX40 Ligand ; blood ; Severity of Illness Index ; Spirometry

OBJECTIVETo compare the detection rates of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) from nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in children with pneumonia.

METHODSA total of 164 hospitalized children with pneumonia were enrolled. NPA and BALF of these children were collected within 24 hours of admission, and MP-DNA was detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR. Venous blood samples of all these children were collected within 24 hours of admission and on days 7-10 of treatment, and serum MP-IgM was detected using ELISA.

RESULTSThe positive rate of MP-DNA in NAP of the 164 cases was 51.8% , which was lower than 63.4% as the detection rate of MP-IgM in serum (P=0.044), and the two detection rates were moderately consistent with each other (Kappa=0.618, P<0.01). The positive rate of MP in BALF was 71.3%, which was not significantly different with that of MP-IgM in serum (P>0.05), and the detection rates were well consistent (Kappa=0.793, P<0.01). The detection rate of MP in NPA was lower than that in BALF (P<0.01), with moderate consistency between two of them (Kappa=0.529, P<0.01). The median MP copy number in BALF was significantly higher than that in NPA (P<0.01). The MP detection rates in NPA and BALF were significantly different among different courses of disease (P<0.05). As the course of disease extended, the MP detection rates in both NPA and BALF showed a declining trend; children with MP pneumonia of 1-2 weeks' duration and 2-4 weeks' duration had a higher MP-DNA detection rate in BALF than in NPA (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMP-DNA in BALF has a high sensitivity, with a great significance for early diagnosis of MP pneumonia, while NPA MP-DNA tests may lead to a missed diagnosis.

Adolescent ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; microbiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA, Bacterial ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Nasopharynx ; microbiology ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; diagnosis

Objective:To observe the safety and efficacy of 0.01% atropine eye drops in the prevention of myopia onset in schoolchildren.Methods:A randomized double-blind controlled study was conducted.Sixty Chinese Han children (60 eyes) with binocular spherical equivalent (SE) between + 0.50 D and -0.75 D (pre-myopia) by cycloplegic autorefraction treated in The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were enrolled from July to October 2020.Aged 6-12 years old, the children were divided into 0.01% atropine group and control group according to a random number table, with 30 cases (30 eyes) in each group.The children were given one drop of 0.01% atropine or placebo eye drops in both eyes once a night.The SE, axial length (AL), accommodative amplitude and pupil diameter were compared before and after 3-month, 6-month of treatment between the two groups.Discomforts were recorded.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by an Ethics Committee of The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (No.2020-KY-286). Written informed consent was obtained from guardian of each subject.Results:After treatment, 26 and 25 subjects completed the 6-month follow-up in 0.01% atropine group and control group, respectively, among which 3 subjects in 0.01% atropine group accounting for 11.5% and 9 in control group accounting for 36.0% developed myopia, showing a statistically significant difference ( χ2=4.238, P=0.040). There were significant differences in the overall comparison of SE and AL at different time points between before and after treatment ( Ftime=10.981, 81.854; both at P<0.001). At 3 and 6 months after treatment, there were significant increases in the SE and AL of control group and AL of 0.01% atropine group compared with respective baseline values (all at P<0.05). There was no significant difference in SE at 3 and 6 months after treatment compared with baseline SE in 0.01% atropine group (both at P>0.05). At 6 months after treatment, the change in SE in 0.01% atropine group was (-0.15±0.26)D, which was significantly less than (-0.34±0.35)D in control group, and the change in AL in 0.01% atropine group was (0.17±0.11)mm, Which was significantly shorter than (0.28±0.14)mm in control group, with significant differences between them ( t=2.207, P=0.032; t=3.127, P=0.003). There were significant differences in pupil diameter at different time points between before and after treatment ( Ftime=2.263, P=0.032). At 3 and 6 months after treatment, the pupil diameter was increased in comparison with baseline in 0.01% atropine group (both at P<0.05). There were significant differences in accommodative amplitude at different time points between before and after treatment in the two groups ( Fgroup=0.882, P=0.042; Ftime=0.337, P=0.033). The accommodative amplitude at 3 and 6 months after treatment were decreased in comparison with baseline in 0.01% atropine group and control group at corresponding time points (all at P<0.05). Within a month after treatment, photophobia in bright sunlight occurred in 5 cases in 0.01% atropine group, accounting for 16.7%(5/30), and 2 cases in control group, accounting for 6.7%(2/30), showing no significant difference ( χ2=0.647, P=0.421). No near-vision blur and other uncomfortable symptoms was found in the two groups. Conclusions:After 6-month application of 0.01% atropine eye drops, the prevalence of myopia in pre-myopia schoolchildren decreases and the changing rate of SE and AL slows down.The accommodative amplitude is slightly reduced and pupil diameter is slightly increased, with no obvious effects on study and life.