AIM:To investigate the effects of urolithin A on motor function and muscle fibrosis in dystrophin-deficient mdx mice,a model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.METHODS:Twelve 26-week-old SPF male dystrophin gene deficient C57BL/10ScSnJNju-Dmdem3Cd4/Gpt(mdx)mice were randomly divided into model group and urolithin A treatment group,with 6 mice in each group.Additionally,six wild-type SPF male mice were selected as the normal con-trol.The motor ability of the mice was evaluated by pole climbing test,inverted suspension test,grip strength test and en-durance test.The body mass,mitochondrial relative copy number,ATP level and malondialdehyde(MDA)level were compared among the mice in different groups.Hematoxylin-eosin staining,Masson staining and immunohistochemistry were performed to analyze the atrophy and pathological changes of the gastrocnemius muscle.RESULTS:Compared with normal control group,the mdx mice in model group exhibited significantly impaired motor function,as evidenced by pro-longed pole-climbing time(P<0.01),reduced suspension time and forelimb/hindlimb grip strength(P<0.01),and in-creased number of electrical stimuli required to induce movement(P<0.01).Additionally,mitochondrial relative copy number and ATP level were significantly decreased(P<0.01),while MDA level was significantly elevated(P<0.01).Histological analysis revealed marked inflammatory cell infiltration and extensive tissue fibrosis in the gastrocnemius mus-cle.In contrast,urolithin A treatment significantly improved motor performance(P<0.01),attenuated inflammatory cell infiltration and muscle fibrosis,increased mitochondrial copy number,restored ATP level(P<0.05),and reduced MDA level(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Urolithin A ameliorates motor dysfunction and alleviates muscle fibrosis in mdx mice,suggesting its potential therapeutic benefits for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

AIM:To investigate the effects of urolithin A on motor function and muscle fibrosis in dystrophin-deficient mdx mice,a model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.METHODS:Twelve 26-week-old SPF male dystrophin gene deficient C57BL/10ScSnJNju-Dmdem3Cd4/Gpt(mdx)mice were randomly divided into model group and urolithin A treatment group,with 6 mice in each group.Additionally,six wild-type SPF male mice were selected as the normal con-trol.The motor ability of the mice was evaluated by pole climbing test,inverted suspension test,grip strength test and en-durance test.The body mass,mitochondrial relative copy number,ATP level and malondialdehyde(MDA)level were compared among the mice in different groups.Hematoxylin-eosin staining,Masson staining and immunohistochemistry were performed to analyze the atrophy and pathological changes of the gastrocnemius muscle.RESULTS:Compared with normal control group,the mdx mice in model group exhibited significantly impaired motor function,as evidenced by pro-longed pole-climbing time(P<0.01),reduced suspension time and forelimb/hindlimb grip strength(P<0.01),and in-creased number of electrical stimuli required to induce movement(P<0.01).Additionally,mitochondrial relative copy number and ATP level were significantly decreased(P<0.01),while MDA level was significantly elevated(P<0.01).Histological analysis revealed marked inflammatory cell infiltration and extensive tissue fibrosis in the gastrocnemius mus-cle.In contrast,urolithin A treatment significantly improved motor performance(P<0.01),attenuated inflammatory cell infiltration and muscle fibrosis,increased mitochondrial copy number,restored ATP level(P<0.05),and reduced MDA level(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Urolithin A ameliorates motor dysfunction and alleviates muscle fibrosis in mdx mice,suggesting its potential therapeutic benefits for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Objective:To analyze the whole genome sequence and key site mutations of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in patients with different stages of disease progression, and to understand the relationship between HBV genetic characteristics and disease progression.Methods:Serum samples and basic information of hepatitis B patients with asymptomatic HBV carrier, chronic hepatitis B patients, cirrhosis patients and primary hepatocellular carcinoma patients were collected. Nested PCR was used to amplify the samples to obtain HBV whole gene sequences. Phylogenetic trees were constructed to determine the genotype of the samples, and gene mutations of the samples were analyzed combined with reference sequences of each type.Results:A total of 256 samples were successfully amplified, including 68 asymptomatic HBV carrier patients, 118 CHB patients, 15 LC patients and 55 HCC patients, and five genotypes (B, C, D, I and C/D) were detected. The result of comparative analysis showed that the mutation rate of 56 nucleotide sites was significantly different among the four groups ( P<0.05). In addition to the discovery of C105T, A1762T/G1764A and G1899A and other previously reported key site mutations, the mutation rates of T53A, C1485T and C1628T in newly diagnosed HCC group were significantly higher than those in other groups, and the mutation rates of T2150G and T2151C in asymptomatic HBV infection group were significantly higher than those in other groups. A total of 26 sequences were deleted, mainly distributed in the pre-C and pre-S regions. The deletion mutation rate in the HCC group was significantly higher than that in the other groups. Conclusions:The data of this study indicate that some nucleotide substitution mutations and deletion mutations may be closely related to the occurrence and development of HBV-related diseases, and HCC patients are more likely to have gene mutations than non-HCC patients. These result provide a reference for understanding the relationship between viral mutation and the progression of HBV infection-related diseases.

ObjectiveTo analyze the feasibility， reliability and validity of the disability assessment for dementia scale for the elderly. MethodsA total of 290 dementia patients from 17 survey sites in 13 districts and counties of Chengdu were enrolled by convenient sampling method， and they were assessed using demographic data inventory， Mini-Mental State Examination （MMSE）， Neuropsychiatric Inventory （NPI）， Physical Self-Maintenance Scale （PSMS） and disability assessment for dementia scale for the elderly. Cronbach's α coefficient， Spearman-Brown coefficient， Guttman split-half coefficient and test-retest reliability were used to evaluate the internal consistency of above scales. Criterion-related validity of the scale was analyzed based on MMSE， NPI and PSMS. ResultsA total of 276 patients （95.17%） completed valid questionnaires. The intraclass correlation coefficient of the total score and each dimension were between 0.828~0.976， the Spearman-Brown coefficient were between 0.790~0.917， the Guttman split-half coefficient were between 0.812~0.857， and the Cronbach’s α coefficient were between 0.737~0.886. The cognitive function dimension score was positively correlated with the MMSE score （r=0.948， P<0.01）， the mental behavior symptom dimension score was positively correlated with the NPI score （r=0.893， P<0.01）， and the daily living ability dimension score was positively correlated with the PSMS score （r=0.997， P<0.01）. The dimensions scores were positively correlated with the total score of the scale （r=0.634~0.841， P<0.05）. ConclusionDisability of dementia assessment scale has good feasibility， reliability and validity， which is a reliable tool to assess senile dementia and disability.

Background: Epidemiological evidence revealed that stress is the causative factor of dyspeptic symptoms. It has been documented that duodenal inflammation is one of the key mechanisms of dyspepsia, and macrophage is crucial for inflammation. Aims: To determine whether patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) comorbid psychological stress have duodenal inflammation. Furthermore, to identify whether macrophage is involved in the mechanisms of stress-related duodenal inflammation by using water avoidance stress (WAS)animal model. Methods: Duodenal inflammation was observed and compared between FD patients with psychological factors and asymptomatic healthy controls. WAS mouse model with 1 h stress daily for 10 days was used to evaluate the duodenal inflammation at different time points to describe its dynamic changes. The role of macrophage in the development of duodenal inflammation was determined in an interventional study, in which the resident macrophages were depleted by clodronate liposomes. In both clinical and animal studies, the severity of duodenal inflammation was assessed by HE staining and immunocyte counts, the macrophage infiltration was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the expression of inflammatory cytokines was detected by real-time PCR. Results: FD patients with psychological factors developed severe duodenal inflammation in comparison with the healthy controls (immunocytes/HPF: 138.91±7.13 vs. 81.44±23.60, P<0.000 1). At the same time, the expressions of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-17A) were increased, while the expressions of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β) were decreased (all P<0.05). In WAS mouse model, a dynamic change in duodenal inflammation which peaked on day 5 was observed, and the changes of macrophage infiltrating in the duodenal tissue were consistent with the duodenal inflammation. Clodronate liposomes pretreatment could effectively deplete macrophages, protected the WAS mouse model against duodenal inflammation (immunocytes/HPF: 75.10±4.08 vs. 202.43±5.18, P<0.001), with a marked reduction of the expressions of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-8), and a marked elevation of the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Psychological stress may lead to dyspeptic symptoms via macrophage-mediated duodenal inflammation.

Objective: To explore the impact on prognosis in favorable-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with different consolidation regimens after first complete remission (CR₁). Methods: A total of 107 cases of non-refractory adult AML from January 2010 to June 2015 in single center were enrolled in the study. HD-Ara-C group (38 cases) as the control group, we explore the prognosis in three consolidation regimens, including micro-transplantation (16 cases) , autologous transplantation (auto-PBSCT, 14 cases) , allogeneic transplantation (allo-HSCT, 39 cases). Results: Of 107 patients (59 males and 48 females) , with a median age of 33 (16-59) years old and a median follow-up of 36.5 (5.3-79.1) months, the overall relapse rate was 20.6% (22/107) , and overall mortality rate was 18.7% (20/107). The 5 years cumulative relapse rate (CIR) of HD-Ara-C, micro-transplantation, auto-PBSCT and allo-HSCT group were 39.7%, 6.2%, 14.3% and 5.6%, respectively (P<0.001). The CIR of the observed group was lower than the HD-Ara-C group. The 5 years progression-free survival (PFS) rate of HD-Ara-C, micro-transplantation, auto-PBSCT and allo-HSCT group were 44.7%, 93.8%, 85.7% and 78.1%, respectively (P=0.011). The PFS of observed groups were similar, but superior to that in HD-Ara-C group. The 5-year overall survival (OS) in four groups was 54.9%, 100%, 92.9% and 77.4%, respectively (P>0.05). Multiple factors analysis showed that compared to HD-Ara-C regimen, allo-HSCT could improve PFS (HR=0.376, P=0.031) , but not OS (P>0.05) ; micro-transplantation and auto-PBSCT could not improve the PFS or OS (P>0.05). Conclusion As compared with HD-Ara-C regimen, allo-HSCT could obviously decrease CIR, improve PFS, but treatment-related mortality is high. These results show that auto-PBSCT and micro-transplantation have similar outcomes, compared to HD-Ara-C regimen, so both can be used as a option of consolidation treatment for favorable-risk AML.

Serum pepsinogen(PG)is an effective marker for evaluating gastric mucosa function and can be used as a supplement for screening and early diagnosis of gastric cancer. Recently,serum PG has become a hot spot of study in portal hypertensive gastropathy and functional dyspepsia. Serum PG detection is a noninvasive,simple and low cost investigation method with marked clinical value. This article reviewed the value of serum PG detection in warning gastric cancer and evaluating gastric mucosa function.

Objective To explore the current status and influencing factors of oral health knowledge and behavior among the elderly living in Gongshu District of Hangzhou City.Methods A total of 600 elderly individuals were selected by multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling and interviewed with a self-designed questionnaire which included demographic characteristics and oral health knowledge and behavior.The status and influencing factors of oral health behavior were analyzed by single and multiplefactor analysis methods.Results A questionnaire survey was conducted among 600 elderly residents,with a response rate of 99.3％ (596/600) and an effective response rate of 94.1％ (561/600).The rate of good oral hygiene was 50.4％.Those elderly with different age,education level,medical insurance and oral hygiene showed significant difference in qualified rate of oral health behavior (x2 values were 10.79,21.32,5.72 and 16.33,respectively; all P＜0.05).In Logistic regression model,education level was positively correlated with oral health behavior among the elderly,and the qualified rate of oral health behavior of the elderly with education level of junior school or above was 2.69 times higher than that of illiterate elderly (x2=10.53,P=0.001).Conclusion The awareness rate of oral health knowledge among the elderly living in Gongshu District of Hangzhou City is at a relatively higher level,though oral health behavior is moderate.Age,education level,medical insurance and oral hygiene could be impacting factors of oral health behavior.

Objective To explore the current status and influencing factors of oral health knowledge,attitudes and practice (KAP) among the teachers of primary and secondary schools in Gongshu District of Hangzhou City.Methods A total of 652 teachers of primary and secondary schools were selected by using multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method and completed a self-designed questionnaire,which included demographic characteristics and oral health KAP.The status and influencing factors of oral health KAP were analyzed by single and multiple-factor analysis methods.Results The questionnaire was completed by all the 652 teachers,627 of whom were qualified (96.2％).The total ratios of oral health knowledge awareness,attitudes correctness and behaviors formation were 77.1％,68.7％ and 46.3％,respectively.There was significant difference of knowledge awareness rate by age,gender,marriage status,monthly income,life status and current cigarette smoking (x2 values were 11.48,8.57,8.12,8.46,23.97 and 4.64,respectively; all P＜0.05).There was significant difference in oral health attitudes correctness rate by gender (x2=10.65,P＜0.05) and behaviors formation rate by gender,education level and life status (x2 values were 3.95,10.88 and 10.41,respectively; all P＜0.05).In logistic regression model,impact factors of oral health knowledge awareness were age,gender,life status and physical exercises; the impact factors of oral health attitudes correctness were gender and monthly income; the impact factors of oral health behaviors formation were gender,level of education and physical exercises.Conclusion The oral health awareness and attitudes correctness are acceptible among the teachers of primary and secondary schools in Gongshu District of Hangzhou City,although the formation rate of oral health behaviors is low.Oral health education should be enforced among the teachers of primary and secondary schools.

To examine the changes in matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and -9 (MMP-9) in the development and progression of endometriosis, real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay and gelatin zymography were employed to determine the mRNA and protein levels and activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 from the first day to the 21(st) day after the induction in mice with induced endometriosis (experimental group) and sham-operated animals (controls). The results showed that the mRNA and protein levels and activities of the MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly increased on the first day after the induction and the level of MMP-2 stayed at a level higher than that in the control group. MMP-9 had two or three peaks during the 21 days, taking place at day 1, 4 and 15. It is concluded that the changes in the MMP-2 and MMP-9 might be involved in pathogenesis of endometriosis.