OBJECTIVES: To report the development, validation, and findings of the Multi-dimensional Attention Rating Scale (MARS), a self-report tool crafted to evaluate six-dimension attention levels. METHODS: The MARS was developed based on Classical Test Theory (CTT). Totally 202 highly educated healthy adult participants were recruited for reliability and validity tests. Reliability was measured using Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability. Structural validity was explored using principal component analysis. Criterion validity was analyzed by correlating MARS scores with the Toronto Hospital Alertness Test (THAT), the Attentional Control Scale (ACS), and the Attention Network Test (ANT). RESULTS: The MARS comprises 12 items spanning six distinct dimensions of attention: focused attention, sustained attention, shifting attention, selective attention, divided attention, and response inhibition.As assessed by six experts, the content validation index (CVI) was 0.95, the Cronbach's alpha for the MARS was 0.78, and the test-retest reliability was 0.81. Four factors were identified (cumulative variance contribution rate 68.79%). The total score of MARS was correlated positively with THAT (r = 0.60, P < 0.01) and ACS (r = 0.78, P < 0.01) and negatively with ANT's reaction time for alerting (r = -0.31, P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS The MARS can reliably and validly assess six-dimension attention levels in real-world settings and is expected to be a new tool for assessing multi-dimensional attention impairments in different mental disorders.
Humans ; Adult ; Male ; Attention/physiology* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Reproducibility of Results ; Young Adult ; Psychometrics

Objective:To explore the interaction between pediatric sleep-disordered breathing（SDB）, the intestinal microbiota, and pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease（NAFLD）. Methods:A total of 63 non-obese children（47 children with SDB in the experimental group and 16 without SDB in the control group） were enrolled in this study. The liver function and degree of SDB were assessed in both groups. High-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing was conducted to detect the composition and functional variations of the intestinal microbiota in the two groups of children. Results:Compared with children in the experimental group, serum ALT and AST levels were higher in the control group. and the relative proteobacteria abundance of intestinal flora increased, and the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes decreased significantly. Function including membrane transport, carbohydrate metabolism and lipid metabolism, were enriched in the intestinal microbiota of children with SDB. Conclusion:The composition and functional annotation of the pediatric liver functional status and gut microbiota were significantly different between the two groups of children with and without SDB. Changes in SDB-associated intestinal bacterial abundance may be related to the pathogenesis of pediatric NAFLD.
Humans ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/microbiology* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Child ; Male ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes/microbiology* ; Female ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics* ; Bacteroidetes ; Proteobacteria/isolation & purification* ; Lipid Metabolism

BACKGROUND: Acute heart failure (AHF) is the most common disease in emergency departments (EDs). However, clinical data exploring the outcomes of patients presenting AHF in EDs are limited, especially the long-term outcomes. The purposes of this study were to describe the long-term outcomes of patients with AHF in the EDs and further analyze their prognostic factors. METHODS: This prospective, multicenter, cohort study consecutively enrolled 3335 patients with AHF who were admitted to EDs of 14 hospitals from Beijing between January 1, 2011 and September 23, 2012. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis were adopted to evaluate 5-year outcomes and associated predictors. RESULTS: The 5-year mortality and cardiovascular death rates were 55.4% and 49.6%, respectively. The median overall survival was 34 months. Independent predictors of 5-year mortality were patient age (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.027, 95 confidence interval [CI]: 1.023-1.030), body mass index (BMI) (HR: 0.971, 95% CI: 0.958-0.983), fatigue (HR: 1.127, 95% CI: 1.009-1.258), ascites (HR: 1.190, 95% CI: 1.057-1.340), hepatic jugular reflux (HR: 1.339, 95% CI: 1.140-1.572), New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III to IV (HR: 1.511, 95% CI: 1.291-1.769), heart rate (HR: 1.003, 95% CI: 1.001-1.005), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (HR: 0.996, 95% CI: 0.993-0.999), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (HR: 1.014, 95% CI: 1.008-1.020), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)/N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level in the third (HR: 1.426, 95% CI: 1.220-1.668) or fourth quartile (HR: 1.437, 95% CI: 1.223-1.690), serum sodium (HR: 0.980, 95% CI: 0.972-0.988), serum albumin (HR: 0.981, 95% CI: 0.971-0.992), ischemic heart diseases (HR: 1.195, 95% CI: 1.073-1.331), primary cardiomyopathy (HR: 1.382, 95% CI: 1.183-1.614), diabetes (HR: 1.118, 95% CI: 1.010-1.237), stroke (HR: 1.252, 95% CI: 1.121-1.397), and the use of diuretics (HR: 0.714, 95% CI: 0.626-0.814), β-blockers (HR: 0.673, 95% CI: 0.588-0.769), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) (HR: 0.714, 95% CI: 0.604-0.845), angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs) (HR: 0.790, 95% CI: 0.646-0.965), spironolactone (HR: 0.814, 95% CI: 0.663-0.999), calcium antagonists (HR: 0.624, 95% CI: 0.531-0.733), nitrates (HR: 0.715, 95% CI: 0.631-0.811), and digoxin (HR: 0.579, 95% CI: 0.465-0.721). CONCLUSIONS The results of our study demonstrate poor 5-year outcomes of patients presenting to EDs with AHF. Age, BMI, fatigue, ascites, hepatic jugular reflux, NYHA class III to IV, heart rate, DBP, BUN, BNP/NT-proBNP level in the third or fourth quartile, serum sodium, serum albumin, ischemic heart diseases, primary cardiomyopathy, diabetes, stroke, and the use of diuretics, β-blockers, ACEIs, ARBs, spironolactone, calcium antagonists, nitrates, and digoxin were independently associated with 5-year all-cause mortality.
Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; Beijing/epidemiology* ; Biomarkers ; Cohort Studies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Failure/mortality* ; Humans ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Peptide Fragments ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies

Objective:To re-evaluate the intervention effect of Kuijietong（KJT） on ulcerative colitis（UC）. Method:Sixty patients with mild-to-moderate UC in the active stage were enrolled and randomized into a KJT group （n=30） and a sulfasalazine （SASP） group （n=30）. Patients in the KJT group were treated with KJT granules， one bag divided in two daily doses， once in the morning and once in the evening， while those in the SASP group received SASP， 1 g per time， four times per day. Then the clinical efficacy was evaluated. Result:According to the modified Mayo score，the clinical remission rates of the KJT group and SASP group were determined to be 46.7% （14/30）and 40% （12/30），exhibiting no significant difference between the two groups （P>0.05）. The clinical effective rate of the KJT group was 83.3% （25/30），which was better than 60% （18/30） of the SASP group （P<0.05）. The mucosal healing rate in the KJT group was 36.7% （11/30）， not significantly different from 30% （9/30） in the SASP group. In the alleviation of UC symptoms，the score of large intestine dampness heat syndrome in the KJT group was remarkably better than that in the SASP group （P<0.05），but there was no significant difference in inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire （IBDQ） score between the two groups. In terms of physical and chemical indexes，serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate （ESR） in the KJT group after intervention was lower than that in the SASP group （P<0.05），whereas the interleukin-10 （IL-10） level was higher（P<0.05）. The comparison between the two groups revealed no significant difference in C-reactive protein （CRP）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， CD4⁺ T cells and regulatory T （Treg） cells after intervention. During the intervention，no obvious adverse reactions were found in the two groups，indicating good safety. Conclusion:KJT is not inferior to SASP in relieving mild-to-moderate UC in the active stage.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the correlation between musculoskeletal ultrasound features, dysfunction and X-ray findings in patients with knee osteoarthritis, and to analyze the pathological mechanism of soft tissue inflammation in knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: Cross-sectional method was performed in this research (Evidence level: III). The patients with knee osteoarthritis were collected according to the screening criteria from September 2016 to January 2017 in Orthopedic clinic in our hospital. Musculoskeletal ultrasound and X-ray images were obtained and measured, knee function was measured by Lysholm scale. Pearson coefficient, t test and Wilcoxon were applied to analyze the correlation between soft tissue inflammation, knee dysfunction and X-ray features. RESULTS: Total 123 patients with knee osteoarthritis were recruited in this research. Soft tissue inflammation around knee had a high incidence in patients with knee osteoarthritis (infrapatellar fat pad inflammation 81%), and the synovial membrane thickness, joint effusion depth and meniscus bulging were beyond the normal range. Correlation analysis showed that the about Lysholm score and joint effusion depth had negative correlations with "Squat" score(=-0.21, =0.02). and Medial meniscus bulging had negative correlations with "Sustain" score(=-0.26, <0.01) and Lysholm total score (=-0.19, =0.04). Lateral meniscus bulging had a negative correlation with "Unstable" score (=-0.22, =0.02). The X-ray features, and medial joint space narrow had negative correlations with joint effusion depth(=-0.27, <0.01) and synovial membrane thickness(=-0.17, =0.007), and had a positive correlation with medial meniscus bulging. Medial joint space narrow was significantly correlated with patellar ligament inflammation and fat pad inflammation(<0.05). Lateral joint space narrow was significantly correlated with patellar ligament inflammation(=0.02). CONCLUSIONS Soft tissue inflammation around the knee-a major pathological manifestation of knee osteoarthritis, has significant correlations with knee dysfunction and bony structure lesions, and affects the progression of knee osteoarthritis by damaging knee joint function and promoting the destruction of articular cartilage.
Cartilage, Articular ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Menisci, Tibial ; Osteoarthritis, Knee

BACKGROUNDThe emergency department (ED) has a pivotal influence on the management of acute heart failure (AHF), but data concerning current ED management are scarce. This Beijing AHF Registry Study investigated the characteristics, ED management, and short- and long-term clinical outcomes of AHF.

METHODSThis prospective, multicenter, observational study consecutively enrolled 3335 AHF patients who visited 14 EDs in Beijing from January 1, 2011, to September 23, 2012. Baseline data on characteristics and management were collected in the EDs. Follow-up data on death and readmissions were collected until November 31, 2013, with a response rate of 92.80%. The data were reported as median (interquartile range) for the continuous variables, or as number (percentage) for the categorical variables.

RESULTSThe median age of the enrolled patients was 71 (58-79) years, and 46.84% were women. In patients with AHF, coronary heart disease (43.27%) was the most common etiology, and myocardium ischemia (30.22%) was the main precipitant. Most of the patients in the ED received intravenous treatments, including diuretics (79.28%) and vasodilators (74.90%). Fewer patients in the ED received neurohormonal antagonists, and 25.94%, 31.12%, and 33.73% of patients received angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-blockers, and spironolactone, respectively. The proportions of patients who were admitted, discharged, left against medical advice, and died were 55.53%, 33.58%, 7.08%, and 3.81%, respectively. All-cause mortalities at 30 days and 1 year were 15.30% and 32.27%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSSubstantial details on characteristics and ED management of AHF were investigated. The clinical outcomes of AHF patients were dismal. Thus, further investigations of ED-based therapeutic approaches for AHF are needed.

Radiation encephalopathy is the main complication of cranial radiotherapy. It can cause necrosis of brain tissue and cognitive dysfunction. Our previous work had proved that a natural antioxidant shikonin possessed protective effect on cerebral ischemic injury. Here we investigated the effects of shikonin on carbon ion beam induced radiation brain injury in mice. Pretreatment with shikonin significantly increased the SOD and CAT activities and the ratio of GSH/GSSG in mouse brain tissues compared with irradiated group (P<0.01), while obviously reduced the MDA and PCO contents and the ROS levels derived from of the brain mitochondria. The shikonin also noticeably improved the spatial memory deficits caused by carbon ion beam irradiation. All results demonstrated that shikonin could improve the irradiated brain injury which might resulted from its modulation effects on the oxidative stress induced by the 12C6+ ion beam.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Brain Injuries ; prevention & control ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Heavy Ion Radiotherapy ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Naphthoquinones ; pharmacology ; Protein Carbonylation ; Radiation Injuries, Experimental ; prevention & control ; Radiation-Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

This study was aimed to investigate the clinical features of CD56(+) patients with acute monocytic leukemia (AML-M5) and their prognostic significance. The data of 76 newly-diagnosed patients from our hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups: CD56(+) group (21 patients) and CD56(-) group (55 patients). The clinical features, CR rate, relapse rate, the duration of CR, and survival time of patients between the two groups were compared. The results indicated that the CD56(+) antigen was observed in 21 patients (27.6%), their median age was 51.5 years and with a range 16 - 70 years. Of the 21 CD56(+) patients, the high WBC count was found in 57.1% CD56(+) patients (12/21), but it only in 15% CD56(-) patients (P < 0.05). The extramedullary infiltration was seen in 13 CD56(+) patients, and accounted for 62% (13/21), meanwhile this infiltration was found in 18 CD56(-) patients (18/55) and accounted for 33% (P < 0.05). All cases immunophenotypically highly expressed CD13, CD33, CD64, CD11b, cMPO, CD38, in which only the expression frequency of CD11b was positively related with CD56 (r = 0.59, P < 0.05). The CR rate in CD56(+) group accounted for 60.0%, and had no significant difference in comparison with that in CD56(-) group. In CD56(+) group the relapse rate was 75% (P = 0.042), the mean duration of CR was 5.5 months (95%CI, 3.1 - 8.6, P = 0.002), the median overall survival time was 10.1 months (95%CI, 2.3 - 16.3, P = 0.001). and all these had statistical significance as compared with that in CD56(-) group. It is concluded that CD56(+) AML-M5 patients always complicate with high WBC count and extramedullary infiltration, their CR rate and duration of CR are lower and shorter respectively, their relapse rate and prognosis are high and poor respectively.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; CD56 Antigen ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute ; diagnosis ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the cytotoxicity induced by chrysotile asbestos (CA), rock wool (RW) and wollastonite (WS).

METHODSV79 cells were divided into 4 groups. i.e. CA group, WS group, RW group and control group (200 microl PBS). The exposure concentration of dusts was 100 mg/L, The cell viability was detected by MTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity assays. The technique of scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the change of V79 cells.

RESULTSSiO2 was main constituent for 3 kinds of dusts. In MTT assay, the cell viability of RW and WS groups was 64.8% and 65.7%, respectively, which were significantly higher than that (54.5%) of CA group (P < 0.01). In LDH assay, the LDH activity of RW and WS groups [(15.7 +/- 50.9), (12.3 +/- 3.7) U/L, respectively] was significantly lower than that [(20.2 +/- 0.9) U/L] of CA group (P < 0.05). In scanning electron microscopy examination, it was found that the two ends of V79 cells in CA group contained a great deal of fibers remaining bodies, but the V79 cell appearance in RW and WS groups was normal.

CONCLUSIONThe cytotoxicity induced by RW and WS is significantly lower than that induced by CA for V79 cell.

Animals ; Asbestos, Serpentine ; toxicity ; Calcium Compounds ; toxicity ; Cell Line ; drug effects ; Cricetinae ; Cytotoxins ; toxicity ; Lactate Dehydrogenases ; metabolism ; Mineral Fibers ; toxicity ; Silicates ; toxicity

Objective To evaluate the associations between polymorphisms of LEPR Gln223Arg,LEPR Pro 1019Pro and the risk on obesity.Methods A computerized search on literature was carried out in Wanfang,CNKI,VIP databases and CBM,PubMed,EMBASE databases to collect articles published between 1979 and 2010 concerning the associations between polymorphisms of LEPR Gln223Arg and/or LEPR Pro 1019Pro and risk of obesity in the Chinese population.Odds ratios (ORs) were used to assess the strength of the association,and 95％ confidence intervals (CIs) to present the precision of the estimates.Meta-analysis was performed using the STATA statistical software.Results Fifteen literature were collected for Meta-analysis by the uniform inclusion and exclusion criteria.There were 1096 obese patients and 949 controls for polymorphisms of LEPR Gln223Arg in 9 papers,together with 961 obese patients and 818 controls for polymorphisms of LEPR Prol019Pro in 8 papers.Overall,there were significant associations between decreased risk of obesity and LEPR Gln223Arg polymorphisms (-668 A→G) (G versus A,OR=0.66,95％CI:0.49-0.89; AG and GG versus AA,OR=0.50,95％CI:0.32-0.77; respectively).There were significant associations between increased risk of obesity and LEPR Prol019Pro polymorphisms (-3057 G→A) (A versus G,OR=1.61,95％CI:1.15-2.26; AG and AA versus GG,OR=1.50,95％CI:1.08-2.08; respectively).Conclusion Variant alleles at both LEPR-668 and LEPR-3057 were associated with obesity in the Chinese Han-dominated population.