Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on lipid peroxidation during lung ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.Methods Fifty-four pathogen-free healthy male Wistar rats,weighing 250-350 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=18 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (S group),I/R group,and dexmedetomidine group (Dex group).In group Dex,dexmedetomidine 5 μg/kg was injected via the caudal vein once a day for 2 consecutive days.The equal volume of normal saline was given in S and I/R groups.At 30 min after administration on 2nd day,lung I/R was produced by clamping the left hilum of lung for 45 min followed by 120 min of reperfusion in I/R and Dex groups.At 45 min of ischemia,and 60 and 120 min of reperfusion,6 rats selected from each group were sacrificed,and the left lungs were removed for examination of the pathological changes and for determination of wet/dry lung weight ratio (W/D ratio),malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity.Results Compared with S group,the SOD activity was significantly decreased,and the MDA content and W/D ratio were significantly increased at 60 and 120 min of reperfusion in I/R and Dex groups (P＜0.05).Compared with I/R group,the SOD activity was significantly increased,and the MDA content and W/D ratio were significantly decreased at 60 and 120 min of reperfusion in Dex group (P＜0.05).The pathological changes of lungs were significantly attenuated in Dex group as compared with I/R group.Conclusion Dexmedetomidine mitigates lung I/R injury through inhibiting lipid peroxidation in rats.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of whole-brain diffusion tensor imaging(DTI) in diagnosing patients with social anxiety disorder(SAD) using an automated method based on support vector machine(SVM) classification.Methods Whole brain DTI data were collected from 19 patients with SAD and 19 age-,gender-and education-matched healthy control(HC) subjects.Fractional anisotropy(FA) of whole brain was obtained by input all tensor images into Diffusion Toolkit software.Based upon the characteristics of brain FA,the pattern recognition of brain image data(PROBID) toolbox on the grounds of SVM algorithm was employed to classify the subjects,evaluate the diagnostic value of whole-brain FA data based SVM in diagnosing SAD patients and verify the robustness of the diagnostic results using permutation test with the threshold at P≤0.001.The weight vector score of each voxel was calculated according to the ratio between this voxel and whole brain in FA differences of the two groups.The white matter regions identified by setting the threshold to the top 30％ of the weight vector scores with at least 10 contiguous voxels were demonstrated by MRIcro software.Results Diagnostic accuracy of whole-brain FA based SVM in diagnosing SAD was 92.11％ (35/38) in which the specificity was 94.44％ (17/18),the sensitivity was 90.00％(18/20),the positive likelihood ratio was 17.01,the negative likelihood ratio was 0.11 and the diagnostic index was 184.22％.Permutation test suggested that the diagnostic results were significantly reliable.White matter regions showing major contributions favoring SAD over HC were located in the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum,the left uncinate fasciculus,the left inferior longitudinal fasciculus,the left inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus,bilateral frontal gyri and the left occipital lobe.Whereas,white matter in bilateral anterior cingula,the left middle cerebellar peduncle and the left inferior parietal lobule showed more contributions to diagnose HC than to diagnose SAD.Conclusions As whole brain FA data based on SVM showing a high accuracy in diagnosing SAD,brain DTI characteristics have the potential to be the specific indicators in the diagnosis of SAD.SVM might be used as a tool to verify the reliability of white matter abnormalities and provide regions of interest in DTI study of neurological and psychiatric diseases.

Objective To observe the characteristics of respiratory airflow in healthy adults and stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients by analysis of analyzing tidal breathing flow-volume curves (TBFV). Methods Fifteen stable moderate COPD patients (COPD group) and 15 healthy cases without smoking(healthy control group)were enrolled into the study. No bronchodilators were used in patients of COPD group 8 h before test. Pulmonary function test and TBFV in seated position were measured, and the pressure of oral cavity was monitored concomitantly. Results The levels of percentage of vital capacity (VC%), percentage of forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV 1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) and percentage of maximum mid-expiratory flow (MMEF%) in COPD group were significantly lower than those in healthy control group (P<0.01). The parameters of TBFV showed that the fraction of exhaled volume to achieve PTEF to VTE (VPTEF/VTE) and the fraction of exhaled time to achieve PTEF to TE (TPTEF/TE) in COPD group were 0.18 ± 0.08 and 0.20 ± 0.08, which were lower than those in healthy control group: 0.27 ± 0.04 and 0.29 ± 0.06, and there were significant differences (P<0.01). The level of peak tidal expiratory flow (PTEF) and peak tidal inspiratory flow (PTIF) in two groups had no significant differences (P>0.05). The levels of tidal expiratory flow at 50%of the remaining tidal volume/PTEF (TEF50/PTEF) and tidal expiratory flow at 25%of the remaining tidal volume/PTEF (TEF25/PTEF) in healthy control group were significantly higher than those in COPD group:0.54 ± 0.13 vs. 0.40 ± 0.12, 0.28 ± 0.13 vs. 0.20 ± 0.06, P<0.01 or<0.05. No differences were found in peak inspiratory pressure (PI max) and peak expiratory pressure (PE max) between two groups. Conclusions The degree of airflow limitation and the effect of bronchodilator in critical patients could be evaluated by analysis of TBFV parameters. The measurement of TBFV is simple and don′t need special technique. It is worth of promoting.

Objective:To investigate the regulation and mechanism of chronic Trichinella spiralis ( Ts) infection on liver immunopathology in mice co-infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA( PbA). Methods:According to body weight, 64 specific pathogen free female Kunming mice (6 - 8 weeks old, weighting 22 - 25 g) were divided into 4 groups by using random number table method. Control group: uninfected; Ts group: mice were mono-infected with 30 Ts larvae by oral gavage on day 0; PbA group: mice were mono-infected with 1 × 10 6PbA-infected red blood cells in 0.1 ml of phosphate buffer (PBS) administered by intraperitoneal injection on day 121; co-infected ( Ts+PbA) group: mice were infected with 30 Ts larvae by oral gavage and intraperitoneal injected with 1 × 10 6PbA-infected red blood cells in 0.1 ml PBS on day 121 after Ts infection. There were 16 mice in each group, in which 10 mice in each group were monitored for the survival rate. The peripheral red blood cell parasitemia of PbA group and Ts + PbA group were monitored every other day by light microscope examination of Giemsa-stained thin tail-blood smears from day 3 after PbA infection. Mice were sacrificed at day 135 after Ts infection and/or at day 15 after PbA infection, the mouse body weight and liver weight were measured, and the liver index were calculated. Ts-infected mice were monitored by a light microscope examination of diaphragm compression slide. Under a light microscope, the liver pathology and liver fibrosis of mice were observed and compared with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Sirius red staining, respectively. The F4/80 + Kupffer cells in liver of mice were examined by immunohistochemical staining. Results:After infection with Ts or PbA, Ts larvae cysts were observed in diaphragm tissues and PbA were observed in red blood cells under the light microscope. After PbA infection, there was no significant difference in survival rate between PbA group and Ts+ PbA group ( P > 0.05). Compared with PbA group, the peripheral red blood cell parasitemia was significantly decreased in Ts+ PbA group on days 11 and 15 after PbA infection (%: 27.104 ± 7.623 vs 45.032 ± 9.849, 60.218 ± 2.776 vs 76.778 ± 6.351, P < 0.05), and the liver index and the liver pathology score were significantly decreased in Ts+ PbA group ( P < 0.05). Sirius red staining showed that the positive area of liver fibrosis in Ts+ PbA group was significantly higher than that in PbA group ( P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed that the average optical density value of F4/80 + Kupffer cells in Ts+ PbA group was significantly higher than that in PbA group ( P < 0.01). Conclusion:Chronic Ts infection may reduce the peripheral red blood cell parasitemia, increase F4/80 + Kupffer cells expression in liver, and attenuate liver pathology in mice co-infected with PbA.

Objective: To explore the relationship of sleep with C reactive protein (CRP) abnormality and hyperinsulinemia in adolescents, and to provide reference for early prevention of metabolic disorders. Methods: Based on the Chinese Metabolic Syndrome Cohort Study in Anhui Province, a total of 653 adolescents aged 12 to 19 were selected to examine the relationship between wakeup time, bedtime, sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and CRP abnormality as well as hyperinsulinemia. Results: Later wakeup time (OR=1.68, 95%CI=1.03-2.75) was positively correlated with a higher risk of fasting hyperinsulinemia. Late bedtime (OR=1.96, 95%CI=1.29-2.99) was associated with 2 h postprandial hyperinsulinemia. Among those with high CRP concentration, late wakeup time and late bedtime were positely associated with hyperinsulinemia than those with normal CRP concentration; and the correlation between SDB and hyperinsulinemia was observed. Conclusion Later wakeup and late bedtime may be risk factors for hyperinsulinemia in adolescents. High concentrations of CRP may further increase the risk of hyperinsulinemia, a condition associated with sleep problems.Teenagers should get up and go to bed as early as possible.

Parasitic diseases still remain the world's greatest health problems and cause huge economic burden in poor areas. The drugs currently used to treat protozoiases and helminthiases have certain defects, and it is urgent to develop more effective therapeutic drugs for these diseases. Berberine is one kind of important anti-inflammatory agents originally derived from Coptis rhizoma. The derivatives of berberine are obtained by modifying the structural site of berberine. In addition to its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial activities, berberine and its derivatives also have significant anti-parasitic activity. In this paper, we summarized recent progress in the use of berberine and its derivatives against the infections of protozoa ( Leishmania spp ., Trypanosoma spp. , Toxoplasma gondii, Plasmodium falciparum, and Eimeria tenella) and helminths ( Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma. japonicum, Echinococcus granulosus, and Toxocara canis), which may providea useful reference for researchers in this field.

Objective: To understand the level and risk factor of lead exposure among children in one city of Jiangsu. Methods: In northern Jiangsu Province, 373 children from 2 primary schools were enrolled and were tested for blood lead and heavy metal exposure. Lead exposure was tested in household dust of 46 children. A multivariate Logistic regression was used for lead exposure risk analysis. Spatial distribution of lead contamination in household dust was conducted and compared with the location of industrial enterprises. Results: The geometric mean of blood lead in 373 children was 25.80 mg/L,the blood lead of 3 children (0.8%) was more than 100 mg/L. Pencil biting ( OR=4.26, 95%CI=1.61-10.68, P <0.05) and lead contamination in surrounding environment ( OR=2.93, 95%CI=1.24-7.34, P =0.02) was positively related to high blood lead level in children. The geometric mean household dust lead concentrations in 46 children was 302.27 μg/mg, and household with high dust lead levels were mainly located around manufacturing enterprises. Conclusion Environmental factors correlate with blood lead level in children. Efficient strategies and public health policies are urgently needed to control and prevent environmental lead pollution. Families and schools should actively carry out health education to engourage children good hygiene habits, and effectively reduce lead exposure.

Objective:To explore the experience and learning curve of single-line suspension suction rod-assisted hybrid cavity-building thyroid surgery via the oral vestibular approach.Methods:Clinical data of 138 patients undergoing single-line suspension suction rod-assisted hybrid cavity-building thyroid surgery via oral vestibular approach from Sep. 2019 to Dec. 2021 in the Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery of Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College were retrospectively analyzed. The cumulative sum (CUSUM) method and best-fit curve analysis were used to compare the differences in each index such as operative time, intraoperative bleeding, number of lymph nodes cleared in the central region and postoperative related complications at various stages of the learning curve.Results:All 138 patients underwent single-line suspension rod-assisted hybrid cavity-building thyroid surgery via the oral vestibular approach, and one patient was converted to open surgery due to large intraoperative bleeding in the mass. There were 14 males and 124 females, mean age (36.07±8.49) years (20-55 years), thyroid tumor size (7.74±6.49) mm (2.4-50mm), 5 cases underwent Subtotal thyroidectomy, 129 cases underwent Unilateral lobectomy + lymph node dissection in the middle region, and 4 cases total thyroidectomy + central zone lymph node dissection. The number of surgical cases corresponding to the apex of the CUSUM learning curve was 45, and the learning curve was divided into two stages: the learning improvement stage (1-45 cases) and the mastery stage (46-138 cases). The operative time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative hospital stay, and chin numbness were all lower in the proficiency period than in the learning and training period ( P<0.05), and the number of lymph nodes cleared in the central region was larger than that in the learning and improvement stage ( P<0.05), while the differences in other indexes between the two stages were not statistically significant ( P>0.05) . Conclusion:The single-line suspension suction rod-assisted hybrid cavity-building thyroid surgery via the oral vestibular approach has clinical application value and is worth promoting, and the number of surgical cases to be accumulated to master this technique is 45.

Objective:To investigate the value of pulse oxygen saturation (SpO 2) monitoring in predicting children with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods:It was a retrospective study involving 341 children with snoring during nighttime sleep who had visited the Children′s Hospital of Soochow University from June 2017 to November 2020 and monitored for polysomnography (PSG) and SpO 2.The SpO 2 parameters mainly included oxygen desaturation index (ODI), oxygen desaturation index ≥3% (ODI3), oxygen desaturation index ≥4% (ODI4), mean pulse blood oxygen saturation (MSpO 2), lowest pulse blood oxygen saturation (LSpO 2), cumulative time spent with blood oxygen saturation below 95%, 92% and 90%(T95, T92 and T90). According to obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea index (OAHI), patients were divided into the snoring and mild OSA group (OAHI≤5 times/h) and moderate-to-severe OSA group (OAHI>5 times/h). Differences in SpO 2 parameters were compared between groups using the Chi- square test and Mann- Whitney U test. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between SpO 2 parameters and OAHI in all children.The SpO 2 parameters were included in the Logistic regression model.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the diagnostic efficiency of SpO 2 parameters on moderate-to-severe OSA. Results:A total of 341 patients were recruited, including 206 male and 135 female patients with the mean age, body mass index (BMI) and OAHI of 6.0 (4.0, 7.5) years, 16.2 (15.1, 18.0) kg/m 2 and 0.6 (0.1, 3.0) times /h, respectively.There were 283(83.0%) and 58 (17.0%) patients in the snoring and mild OSA group and moderate-to-severe OSA group.The ODI3[0.7 (0.3, 1.4) times/h vs.7.7 (4.4, 12.8) times/h], ODI4[0.4 (0.1, 0.8) times/h vs.5.3 (2.7, 9.1) times/h], T95[1.4 (0.3, 5.3) min vs.13.7 (7.0, 33.5) min], T92[0.1 (0, 0.5) min vs.1.8 (0.9, 6.0) min] and T90[0 (0, 0.1) min vs.0.6 (0.2, 2.2) min] were significantly lower in the snoring and mild OSA group than those of moderate-to-severe group, while LSpO 2[91.0 (89.0, 93.0)% vs.86.5 (82.0, 88.0)%] and MSpO 2[ 97.0 (97.0, 98.0)% vs.96.0 (96.0, 97.0)%] were significantly higher(all P<0.001). All SpO 2 parameters were significantly correlated with OAHI (all P<0.001), and the correlation coefficient between ODI3 and OAHI was 0.660.ODI3 was an independent predictor of moderate-to-severe OSA ( OR=3.117, 95% CI: 1.635-5.945, P=0.001). The area under the ROC curve of ODI3 in predicting the moderate-to-severe OSA was 0.957, and the cut-off value of 3.45 times/h and specificity of 95.4%.MSpO 2 was an independent predictor of moderate-to-severe OSA ( OR=2.917, 95% CI: 1.589-5.354, P=0.001). Conclusions:ODI3 can be used to predict the moderate-to-severe OSA in children.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of a patient with Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome type 5 (HPS-5). METHODS: A child with HPS-5 who had attended the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University on October 3, 2019 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the child were collected. Genetic variant was analyzed through high-throughput sequencing. A literature review was also carried out. RESULTS: The child, a 1-year-and-5-month-old girl, had nystagmus since childhood, lost of retinal pigmentation by fundus examination and easy bruising. High-throughput sequencing revealed that she has harbored compound heterozygous variants of the HPS5 gene, namely c.1562_1563delAA (p.F521Sfs*27) and c.1404C>A (p.C468X), which were inherited from his father and mother, respectively. Based on the guidelines from the American College for Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), both variants were predicted to be pathogenic (PVS+PM2_Supporting+PM3+PP4). Among 18 previously reported HPS-5 patients, all had had eye problems, and most of them had tendency for bleeding. Eight cases had carried compound heterozygous variants of the HPS5 gene, 8 carried homozygous variants, 2 carried double homozygous variants, and most of them were null mutations. CONCLUSION The c.1562_1563delAA(p.F521Sfs*27) and c.1404C>A (p.C468X) compound heterozygous variants of the HPS5 gene probably underlay the HPS-5 in this child. High-throughput sequencing has provided an important tool for the diagnosis. HSP-5 patients usually have typical ocular albinism and/or oculocutaneous albinism and tendency of bleeding, which are commonly caused by compound heterozygous and homozygous variants of the HPS5 gene, though serious complications have been rare.
Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Hermanski-Pudlak Syndrome/pathology* ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Mutation