Purpose: Lupus nephritis (LN) can be caused by the complement activation. This study aimed to investigate the differences and clinical implications of the activation pattern of the complement system for pediatric and adult LN patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 40 patients (14 pediatric and 26 adult patients) diagnosed with LN through kidney biopsy. Results: The mean ages at diagnosis of pediatric and adult patients were 11.7±2.92 and 37.3±13.5 years, respectively. At the first LN diagnosis, compared with adult patients, pediatric patients had a higher estimated glomerular filtration rate and milder proteinuria; however, there was no statistical significance. The age-adjusted mean serum complement 3 value was significantly lower in the pediatric group (33.0±11.3 mg/dL) than in the adult group (50.8±25.2 mg/dL) (P<0.01). Based on the findings of kidney biopsy, no significant differences were observed in the severity of pathologic classification and the positive rate of complements between adults and children. However, the chronicity index score of adult patients was significantly higher than that of pediatric patients and in the case of complement 4d, despite a similar positive rate, the intensity was significantly stronger for adults (2.35±0.83 vs. 1.54±0.52, (P=0.04). Conclusions The activation pattern of the complement system in LN differs clinicopathologically between pediatric and adult patients and these differences might play an important role in the age-dependent prognosis of LN.

Purpose: Lupus nephritis (LN) can be caused by the complement activation. This study aimed to investigate the differences and clinical implications of the activation pattern of the complement system for pediatric and adult LN patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 40 patients (14 pediatric and 26 adult patients) diagnosed with LN through kidney biopsy. Results: The mean ages at diagnosis of pediatric and adult patients were 11.7±2.92 and 37.3±13.5 years, respectively. At the first LN diagnosis, compared with adult patients, pediatric patients had a higher estimated glomerular filtration rate and milder proteinuria; however, there was no statistical significance. The age-adjusted mean serum complement 3 value was significantly lower in the pediatric group (33.0±11.3 mg/dL) than in the adult group (50.8±25.2 mg/dL) (P<0.01). Based on the findings of kidney biopsy, no significant differences were observed in the severity of pathologic classification and the positive rate of complements between adults and children. However, the chronicity index score of adult patients was significantly higher than that of pediatric patients and in the case of complement 4d, despite a similar positive rate, the intensity was significantly stronger for adults (2.35±0.83 vs. 1.54±0.52, (P=0.04). Conclusions The activation pattern of the complement system in LN differs clinicopathologically between pediatric and adult patients and these differences might play an important role in the age-dependent prognosis of LN.

Purpose: Lupus nephritis (LN) can be caused by the complement activation. This study aimed to investigate the differences and clinical implications of the activation pattern of the complement system for pediatric and adult LN patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 40 patients (14 pediatric and 26 adult patients) diagnosed with LN through kidney biopsy. Results: The mean ages at diagnosis of pediatric and adult patients were 11.7±2.92 and 37.3±13.5 years, respectively. At the first LN diagnosis, compared with adult patients, pediatric patients had a higher estimated glomerular filtration rate and milder proteinuria; however, there was no statistical significance. The age-adjusted mean serum complement 3 value was significantly lower in the pediatric group (33.0±11.3 mg/dL) than in the adult group (50.8±25.2 mg/dL) (P<0.01). Based on the findings of kidney biopsy, no significant differences were observed in the severity of pathologic classification and the positive rate of complements between adults and children. However, the chronicity index score of adult patients was significantly higher than that of pediatric patients and in the case of complement 4d, despite a similar positive rate, the intensity was significantly stronger for adults (2.35±0.83 vs. 1.54±0.52, (P=0.04). Conclusions The activation pattern of the complement system in LN differs clinicopathologically between pediatric and adult patients and these differences might play an important role in the age-dependent prognosis of LN.

Background: Acute bronchiolitis is a common cause of hospitalization during infancy that carries significant morbidity and mortality rates.Purpose: This study compared the efficacy of different treatment modalities for infants with bronchiolitis in terms of hospital stay and clinical severity scores. Methods: The PubMed database was searched for relevant studies. Eligibility criteria included double-blind randomized controlled trial design, assessment of the effect of treatment on bronchiolitis in infants under 2 years of age, and publication in English from inception through July 31, 2020. The primary efficacy outcome was the length of hospital stay, while the secondary outcome was the clinical severity score. The standardized treatment effect and standard error of the effect size were calculated. Results: We identified 45 randomized controlled trials of 24 pairwise comparisons. These 45 trials included 5,061 participants and investigated 13 types of interventions (12 active, 1 placebo). Inhalation therapy with epinephrine (standard mean difference [SMD], -0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.8 to -0.03) and hypertonic saline (SMD, -0.29; 95% CI, -0.55 to -0.03) reduced the length of hospital stay compared with normal saline. Hypertonic saline was the most effective at improving the clinical severity score (SMD, -0.52; 95% CI, -0.95 to -0.10). Conclusion Inhalation therapy with epinephrine and hypertonic saline reduced the length of hospital stay and the clinical severity of bronchiolitis among infants under 2 years of age.

Background: Acute bronchiolitis is a common cause of hospitalization during infancy that carries significant morbidity and mortality rates.Purpose: This study compared the efficacy of different treatment modalities for infants with bronchiolitis in terms of hospital stay and clinical severity scores. Methods: The PubMed database was searched for relevant studies. Eligibility criteria included double-blind randomized controlled trial design, assessment of the effect of treatment on bronchiolitis in infants under 2 years of age, and publication in English from inception through July 31, 2020. The primary efficacy outcome was the length of hospital stay, while the secondary outcome was the clinical severity score. The standardized treatment effect and standard error of the effect size were calculated. Results: We identified 45 randomized controlled trials of 24 pairwise comparisons. These 45 trials included 5,061 participants and investigated 13 types of interventions (12 active, 1 placebo). Inhalation therapy with epinephrine (standard mean difference [SMD], -0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.8 to -0.03) and hypertonic saline (SMD, -0.29; 95% CI, -0.55 to -0.03) reduced the length of hospital stay compared with normal saline. Hypertonic saline was the most effective at improving the clinical severity score (SMD, -0.52; 95% CI, -0.95 to -0.10). Conclusion Inhalation therapy with epinephrine and hypertonic saline reduced the length of hospital stay and the clinical severity of bronchiolitis among infants under 2 years of age.

Background: Acute bronchiolitis is a common cause of hospitalization during infancy that carries significant morbidity and mortality rates.Purpose: This study compared the efficacy of different treatment modalities for infants with bronchiolitis in terms of hospital stay and clinical severity scores. Methods: The PubMed database was searched for relevant studies. Eligibility criteria included double-blind randomized controlled trial design, assessment of the effect of treatment on bronchiolitis in infants under 2 years of age, and publication in English from inception through July 31, 2020. The primary efficacy outcome was the length of hospital stay, while the secondary outcome was the clinical severity score. The standardized treatment effect and standard error of the effect size were calculated. Results: We identified 45 randomized controlled trials of 24 pairwise comparisons. These 45 trials included 5,061 participants and investigated 13 types of interventions (12 active, 1 placebo). Inhalation therapy with epinephrine (standard mean difference [SMD], -0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.8 to -0.03) and hypertonic saline (SMD, -0.29; 95% CI, -0.55 to -0.03) reduced the length of hospital stay compared with normal saline. Hypertonic saline was the most effective at improving the clinical severity score (SMD, -0.52; 95% CI, -0.95 to -0.10). Conclusion Inhalation therapy with epinephrine and hypertonic saline reduced the length of hospital stay and the clinical severity of bronchiolitis among infants under 2 years of age.

Background: Acute bronchiolitis is a common cause of hospitalization during infancy that carries significant morbidity and mortality rates.Purpose: This study compared the efficacy of different treatment modalities for infants with bronchiolitis in terms of hospital stay and clinical severity scores. Methods: The PubMed database was searched for relevant studies. Eligibility criteria included double-blind randomized controlled trial design, assessment of the effect of treatment on bronchiolitis in infants under 2 years of age, and publication in English from inception through July 31, 2020. The primary efficacy outcome was the length of hospital stay, while the secondary outcome was the clinical severity score. The standardized treatment effect and standard error of the effect size were calculated. Results: We identified 45 randomized controlled trials of 24 pairwise comparisons. These 45 trials included 5,061 participants and investigated 13 types of interventions (12 active, 1 placebo). Inhalation therapy with epinephrine (standard mean difference [SMD], -0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.8 to -0.03) and hypertonic saline (SMD, -0.29; 95% CI, -0.55 to -0.03) reduced the length of hospital stay compared with normal saline. Hypertonic saline was the most effective at improving the clinical severity score (SMD, -0.52; 95% CI, -0.95 to -0.10). Conclusion Inhalation therapy with epinephrine and hypertonic saline reduced the length of hospital stay and the clinical severity of bronchiolitis among infants under 2 years of age.

The global increase in livestock production has correspondingly intensified farm odors due to harmful bacteria, reduced immunity, and disease progression. In this study, we treated feces with Biomagic-Enzyme complex for 4 months to understand the relationship between farm odor, immunity against common viral diseases, immune cytokines, and changes in the microbiota. A gas meter (MultiRAE) was used to measure ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) while odor intensity and offensiveness were characterized by the non-objective scaling method. A complete blood count was performed and plasma was obtained after blood centrifugation at 3,000 rpm for 20 minutes. The cytokine profile was evaluated using commercial kits. Microbial DNA was extracted and purified from fecal samples to analyze the microbiota. Microbial DNA and viral RNA/DNA were obtained from fecal samples and amplified to determine the expression of transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2). Our results indicated that Biomagic reduced odor nuisance by decreasing ammonia levels, resulting in faint and fairly offensive odor intensity. After the enzyme treatment, Escherichia coli populations significantly reduced across all 3 farms. In contrast, beneficial Lactobacillus spp. levels remained stable, indicating the enzyme selectively targeted harmful bacteria while preserving beneficial ones. The beneficial Lachnospiraceae, Spirochaetaceae, and Bacteroidaceae were found to be higher in the third month of treatment. TGEV was not detected, while PRRS and non-pathogenic PCV2 showed a positive infection rate. In conclusion, Biomagic reduced ammonia, prevented viral infection from pig farms, and improved gut-beneficial bacteria and microbiota.

Background: It is well known that a large number of patients with diabetes also have dyslipidemia, which significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination drugs consisting of metformin and atorvastatin, widely used as therapeutic agents for diabetes and dyslipidemia. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group and phase III multicenter study included adults with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels >7.0% and <10.0%, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) >100 and <250 mg/dL. One hundred eighty-five eligible subjects were randomized to the combination group (metformin+atorvastatin), metformin group (metformin+atorvastatin placebo), and atorvastatin group (atorvastatin+metformin placebo). The primary efficacy endpoints were the percent changes in HbA1c and LDL-C levels from baseline at the end of the treatment. Results: After 16 weeks of treatment compared to baseline, HbA1c showed a significant difference of 0.94% compared to the atorvastatin group in the combination group (0.35% vs. −0.58%, respectively; P<0.0001), whereas the proportion of patients with increased HbA1c was also 62% and 15%, respectively, showing a significant difference (P<0.001). The combination group also showed a significant decrease in LDL-C levels compared to the metformin group (−55.20% vs. −7.69%, P<0.001) without previously unknown adverse drug events. Conclusion The addition of atorvastatin to metformin improved HbA1c and LDL-C levels to a significant extent compared to metformin or atorvastatin alone in diabetes and dyslipidemia patients. This study also suggested metformin’s preventive effect on the glucose-elevating potential of atorvastatin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia, insufficiently controlled with exercise and diet. Metformin and atorvastatin combination might be an effective treatment in reducing the CVD risk in patients with both diabetes and dyslipidemia because of its lowering effect on LDL-C and glucose.

Aim To investigate the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract(GBE)on vascular endothelial dysfunc-tion induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia(CIH)in rats and its related mechanisms.Methods The CIH rat model was established,and 50 and 100 mg·kg-1 GBE was administered by intragastric administration.The systolic blood pressure(SBP)of the tail artery was detected in each group.HE staining was used to detect the morphology of aorta tissue.DAF-FM DA staining and nitric reductase assay were used to detect NO levels.ELISA was used to detect serum ET-1,TNF-α and IL-6 levels.DHE staining was used to de-tect reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels of aortic tis-sue.Kits were used to detect the serum levels of MDA,SOD and GSH-Px.Western blot was used to detect the levels of VCAM-1,ICAM-1,nucleus Nrf2,HO-1 and NQO1 of aortic tissue.Results GBE sig-nificantly decreased the levels of SBP,ET-1,ROS,MDA,VCAM-1,ICAM-1,TNF-α and IL-6,and sig-nificantly increased the levels of NO,SOD,GSH-Px,nuclear Nrf2,HO-1 and NQO1 in CIH rats.GBE sig-nificantly improved the histomorphology of aorta in CIH rats.Conclusions GBE can improve vascular endo-thelial dysfunction and reduce blood pressure in CIH model rats.The mechanism may be related to the acti-vation of Nrf2/ARE pathway and the inhibition of oxi-dative stress and inflammation by GBE.