Objective:To assess the practical value of visual scores of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)features in the diagnosis and classification of dementia with Lewy bodies(DLB).Methods:In this study, 102 DLB patients were prospectively recruited, with 102 cognitively normal elderly people as the normal control group(NC).All included subjects underwent MRI examinations and neuropsychological assessments.Based on the clinical dementia rating(CDR)scale, DLB patients were divided into a mild(CDR=1.0), a moderate(CDR=2.0)and a severe(CDR=3.0)group.The results of MRI were scored visually and the rating scales included medial temporal lobe atrophy(MTA), global cortical atrophy-frontal subscale(GCA-F), posterior cortical atrophy(PCA), white matter lesions(the Fazekas scale), cerebral microbleeds(CMBs), and the Evans Index(EI).Statistical differences were compared between the DLB and NC groups and between DLB patients with different degrees of cognitive impairment.Results:In terms of neuropsychology, the Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE) score of the DLB group[16.0(11.0, 21.0)]was statistically significantly lower than that of the NC group[29.0(28.0, 30.0)]( Z=-12.31, P<0.001), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA)score of the DLB group[9.5(6.0, 15.0)]was statistically significantly lower than that of the NC group[28.0(27.0, 29.0)]( Z=-12.40, P<0.001), and the Activities of Daily Living(ADL)score of the DLB group[32.0(23.8, 40.0)]was statistically significantly higher than that of the NC group[20.0(20.0, 20.0)]( Z=-11.98, P<0.001).The scores of all MRI visual assessment scales in DLB patients were statistically significantly higher than those in the NC group( P<0.001).There were significant differences in MTA scores between DLB patients with different degrees of cognitive impairment( P0<0.001).The MTA score of the mild group[1.0(1.0, 1.0)]was statistically significantly lower than that of the moderate group[2.0(1.0, 2.0)]( P1<0.001, P2<0.001); The MTA score of the moderate group[2.0(1.0, 2.0)]was statistically significantly lower than that of the severe group[2.0(2.0, 3.0)]( P1=0.003, P2=0.010). Conclusions:This study has for the first time after comprehensively evaluated the value of various visual scores in DLB diagnosis, MTA can be used to help diagnose DLB and distinguish the severity of DLB, providing a new supplemental tool for clinical diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common pathological type of glomerular disease. Kidney biopsy, the gold standard for IgAN diagnosis, has not been routinely applied in hospitals worldwide due to its invasion nature. Thus, we aim to establish a non-invasive diagnostic model and determine markers to evaluate disease severity by analyzing the serological parameters and pathological stages of patients with IgAN. METHODS: A total of 272 biopsy-diagnosed IgAN inpatients and 518 non-IgA nephropathy inpatients from the Department of Nephrology of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital were recruited for this study. Routine blood examination, blood coagulation testing, immunoglobulin-complement testing, and clinical biochemistry testing were conducted and pathological stages were analyzed according to Lee grading system. The serological parameters and pathological stages were analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to estimate the diagnostic value of the clinical factors. Logistic regression was used to establish the diagnostic model. RESULTS: There were 15 significantly different serological parameters between the IgAN and non-IgAN groups (all P < 0.05). The ROC analysis was performed to measure the diagnostic value for IgAN of these parameters and the results showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of total protein (TP), total cholesterol (TC), fibrinogen (FIB), D-dimer (D2), immunoglobulin A (IgA), and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were more than 0.70. The AUC of the "TC + FIB + D2 + IgA + age" combination was 0.86, with a sensitivity of 85.98% and a specificity of 73.85%. Pathological grades of I, II, III, IV, and V accounted for 2.21%, 17.65%, 62.50%, 11.76%, and 5.88%, respectively, with grade III being the most prevalent. The levels of urea nitrogen (UN) (13.57 ± 5.95 vs. 6.06 ± 3.63, 5.92 ± 2.97, 5.41 ± 1.73, and 8.41 ± 3.72 mmol/L, respectively) and creatinine (Cr) (292.19 ± 162.21 vs. 80.42 ± 24.75, 103.79 ± 72.72, 96.41 ± 33.79, and 163.04 ± 47.51 μmol/L, respectively) were significantly higher in grade V than in the other grades, and the levels of TP (64.45 ± 7.56, 67.16 ± 6.94, 63.22 ± 8.56, and 61.41 ± 10.86 vs. 37.47 ± 5.6 mg/d, respectively), direct bilirubin (DB) (2.34 ± 1.23, 2.58 ± 1.40, 1.91 ± 0.97, and 1.81 ± 1.44 vs. 0.74 ± 0.57 μmol/L, respectively), and IgA (310.35 ± 103.78, 318.48 ± 107.54, 292.58 ± 81.85, and 323.29 ± 181.67 vs. 227.17 ± 68.12 g/L, respectively) were significantly increased in grades II-V compared with grade I (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The established diagnostic model that combined multiple factors (TC, FIB, D2, IgA, and age) might be used for IgAN non-invasive diagnosis. TP, DB, IgA, Cr, and UN have the potential to be used to evaluate IgAN disease severity.
Adult ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Creatinine ; blood ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; metabolism ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; blood ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; blood ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; ROC Curve

The prevention and control of coccidiosis has always been a priority for the breeding industry. Long-term drug pressure, rapid change of feeding pattern and urgent need of healthy breeding alter the damage pattern of coccidiosis. Thus, the prevention and control of coccidiosis faces new challenges. Here we briefly summarized the history and current situation of chicken coccidiosis research by Chinese scholars and the experience of coccidiosis prevention and control. This review will be of great applications on the prevention and control of chicken coccidiosis in the future.

BACKGROUND: The biocompatibility of chitosan and Nafion can be improved by external factors. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of different weak laser irradiations (red, blue, green) on biocompatibility of porous chitosan membrane and the Nafion membrane. METHODS: (1) Porous chitosan membrane test: Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into red, green, blue light groups (n=16 per group). Porous chitosan membranes (two membranes at each side) were implanted into the bilateral subcutaneous tissue of the rat back with the spine as the axis of symmetry, and then the four implanted membranes in each rat were irradiated by red light for 0, 2, 4, 6 minutes respectively. The irradiation lasted until sample collection at 7, 14, 28 and 56 days after implantation, and the samples were used for histological analysis. The same procedures were done in the blue and green light groups. (2) Nafion membrane test: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into red, blue and green light groups (n=8 per group). Nafion membranes (two membranes at each side) were implanted into the bilateral subcutaneous tissue of the rat back with the spine as the axis of symmetry, and then the four implanted membranes in each rat were irradiated by red light for 0, 2, 4, 6 minutes respectively. The irradiation lasted until sample collection at 7 and 14 days after implantation, and the samples were used for histological analysis. The same procedures were done in the blue and green light groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The content of red blood cells in blood vessels and vascular density around the membrane materials (porous chitosan membranes and Nafion membranes) increased after irradiated by red light (especially at 7 days after implantation); the red light had less influence on the inflammatory response and fibrous capsule thickness around the two kinds of membranes. The inflammatory cells percentage around the membrane materials irradiated by green light for 4 minutes was significantly reduced, and the blue light had less influence on inflammatory responses; blue and green lights showed effects on the fibrous capsule thickness and vascular density around the membrane materials, but the effect was not obvious. Thus, to a certain extent, weak lasers can improve the biocompatibility of PCSM and Nafion membrane.

BACKGROUND: Caspofungin, a novel echinocandins systemic antifungal agent, has been shown to exert broad-spectrum antibacterial effect on deep fungal infections, which is superior to or equivalent with the role of amphotericin B, but there is no report on its application for preventing fungal infection after renal transplantation.OBJECTIVE: To analyze the difference in high risk factors of fungal infection after kidney transplantation using donation after cardiac death donors and living-related donor kidney transplantations, and to explore the feasibility and safety of caspofungin to prevent fungal infection after kidney transplantation using donation after cardiac death donors.METHODS: This was a prospective, single-center, controlled trial finished at the Department of Kidney Transplantation,the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Province, China. Totally 188 patients undergoing primary kidney transplantation without history of fungal infection and use of antifungal drugs between January 2012 and August 2013 were enrolled, including kidney transplantation with donation after cardiac death donors (n=102, trail group), and kidney transplantation with living-related donors (n=86, control group). The CYP3A5 genotype was determined preoperatively. All patients received tacrolimus+mycophenolate mofetil+prednisone triple immunosuppression after transplantation. The trial group was subjected to caspofungin therapy for 2 weeks. The risk factors for fungal infection in the two groups were compared, and the effects of caspofungin on the tacrolimus concentration, tacrolimus concentration/dose were detected in the recipients with same CYP3A5 genotype recipients at 1 and 2 weeks, and 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. The liver and kidney function, adverse events and fungal infections were recorded at different time points. This trial was registered with the Chinese Clinial Trial Registry (Regitration number:ChiCTR-OON-17013342).RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The survival rate of patient/kidney was 98.4% and 97.3% respectively, 97 cases in the trial group and 86 controls competed 6-month follow-up. Preoperative hemodialysis time, hemoglobin value, cold ischemia time, warm ischemia time, intraoperative blood transfusion volume, time of central venous catheter kept in situ,methylprednisolone usage, ATG usage, serum creatinine reduced level at 1 week, thrombocytopenia and duration of postoperative body temperature > 38 ℃ were the risk factors for fungal infection in the trail group relative to the control group. The fungal infection rate in the trial and control groups was 0% and 2.3%, respectively, at 6 months of follow-up.The serum creatinine level in the trail group was significantly higher than that in the control group at 1 month postoperatively (P < 0.05), and the level showed no significant difference between two groups at other time points (P >0.05). After 2 weeks of caspofungin treatment, the concentrations of tacrolimus and tacrolimus concentration/dosage did not differ significantly in different CYP3A5 genotype recipients (P > 0.05). Caspofungin might induce some adverse reactions, especially electrolyte disturbance with an incidence of 21.6%, but there was no significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05). These findings imply that kidney transplantation using donation after cardiac death donors presents with various risk factors for fungal infection compared with living-related donor kidney transplantation.Furthermore, caspofungin is effective and safe for preventing fungal infection and has no effect on tacrolimus concentration; therefore, it can be used as a new anti-fungal agent after kidney transplantation.

Objective To develop the method for concentration determi-nation of phenobarbital , phenytoin sodium , topiramate and levertiracetam in human plasma.Methods UPLC -MS/MS was adopted to analyze plasma with protein precipitated by methanol.Sulfamethlazole (SMZ) and pioglitazone hydrochloride were as internal standard.Plasma samples were separated on ACQUITY UPLC HSS PFP column with aqueous solution (0.1%formic acid-5 mmol· L-1 ammonium acetate buffer )-methanol as mobile phase , and at a flow rate of 0.2 mL· min-1.Multiple reaction monitoring ( MRM) mode was performed combined with the ion switching technology for quantification in three sections.Results The liner calibra-tion curve of phenobarbital , phenytoin sodium , topiramate and levertirace-tam were obtained in the concentration range of 1.15 -230.00 ( r =0.997 3 ) , 0.10-20.20 ( r=0.998 5 ) , 0.02-2.12 ( r =0.996 5 ) and 0.10-20.40μg· mL-1(r=0.996 3), respectively.The lowest detection limit were 230.0, 20.20, 5.30,20.40 ng· mL-1 , respectively.The RSD of inter-day and intra -day were less than 15%.The relative recovery was more than 75%.Conclusion The method is accurate , sensitive and suitable for blood concentration monitoring and pharmacokinetic study of phenobarbital , phenytoin sodium , topiramate and levertiracetam.

Toxoplasma gondii infection elicits a Th1-biased inflammatory response.As the protection induced by T.gondii vaccine is highly correlated with the systemic T-cell immune response, here we detected the cellular immune responses in chronically infected BALB/c mice.Splenocytes collected from chronically infected mice exhibited stronger lymphocyte proliferation after the stimulation of cells with soluble tachyzoite antigens.What is more, IFN-γsecretion was detected in CD3 +T, CD4 +T and CD8 +T cells after the stimulation of splenocytes with antigens.In summary, T.gondii chronic infected mice showed stronger systemic T-cell immune response, which would provide valuable data for the evaluation of the efficiency of T.gondii vaccine.

The H9N2 avian influenza virus ( AIV) has become increasingly concerning due to its role in severe economic losses in the poultry industry.Transmission of AIV to mammals, including pigs and humans, has accelerated to devise preventive strategies.To investigate the potential to be used as a vaccine vector for Eimeria mitis expressing antigens from H9N2 AIV, we here successfully developed stable transgenic E.mitis expressing HA1 protein from H9N2 AIV.Using the double-cassette expressing vector strategy with one cassette expressing yellow fluorescent protein ( YFP ) fused to muted dihydrofolate reductasethymidylate synthase derived from Toxoplasma gondii (TgDHFR—TSm2m3), the other expressing HA1 of the H9N2 virus, one transgenic E.mitis population ( Emi. HA1 ) was constructed.Sporozoites of E.mitis transfected with yellow fluorescent protein ( YFP) expression plasmid were inoculated into chickens via the cloacal route. The recovered fluorescent oocysts were sorted by fluorescence activated cell sorting ( FACS) and then successively passaged in chickens.The resulting population was analyzed by genome walking, western blot and indirect fluorescent assay ( IFA) . Genome walking confirmed the random integration of plasmid DNA into the genome; while western blot analysis demonstrated the expression of foreign protein-HA1.IFA result indicated the expressed by E.mitis mainly distributed the surface of cell membrane and the head of the sporozoites.We found that the reproduction of Emi.HA1 was similar with that of the parental strain.The expression of foreign antigens in the transgenic parasites will facilitate the development of transgenic E.mitis as a vaccine vector.

Microneme protein 2 ( Mic 2) is the structural protein of microneme of Eimeria spp.The secretion of Mic 2 is very important during the process of invading the host cells.In this study, we used a monoclonal antibody specific to E. tenella Mic 2 ( EtMic2) to detect the Mic 2 location in several Eimeria spp., i.e., E.tenella, E.mitis, E.stiedai and E. irresidua, by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA).The Mic 2 was located in the anterior region of the sporozoites among all Eimeria spp., which indicated that Mic 2 is highly conserved among Eimeria spp.and could be used as a marker protein when studying the location of Eimeria spp.proteins.

Weaning rabbits under the age of 3 months are most susceptible to coccidiosis, which is caused by the infection of 11 Eimeria species.However, no data is available about the susceptibility of rabbits under the age of 3 months.In this study, groups of rabbits at different ages (30 d, 50 d and 70 d) were infected with same dose of sporulated oocysts of Eimeria media or E.irresidua.Oocysts shed in feces during day 1 and day 5 after the infection were counted daily.The total number of oocysts production of 70 d old rabbits infected with E.media only was 3.7 ×107, obviously less than 30 d old rabbits (1.03 ×108) and 50 d rabbits (6.5 ×107).The same phenomenon was seen in rabbits infected with E.irresidua. At the same time, the clinical symptoms of the younger rabbits were obvious, reflecting depression, constipation and diarrhea.These results indicated that weaning rabbits at the age of 30 days are the most susceptible and thus provides clues to the control of coccidiosis in young rabbits.