[Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of intravenous infusion of ferric derisomaltose in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia: a single-center retrospective analysis]

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of ferric derisomaltose injection versus iron sucrose injection in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) . Methods: A total of 120 patients with iron deficiency anemia admitted from June 2021 to March 2023 were given intravenous iron supplementation with ferric derisomaltose to assess the efficacy and safety of hemoglobin (HGB) elevation before and after treatment. Simultaneously, the clinical effects of iron supplementation with iron sucrose were compared to those of inpatient patients during the same period. Results: Baseline values were comparable in both groups. Within 12 weeks of treatment, the elevated HGB level in the ferric derisomaltose group was higher than that of the iron sucrose group, with a statistical difference at all time points, and the proportion of HGB increased over 20 g/L in the patients treated for 4 weeks was higher (98.7%, 75.9% ). During the treatment with ferric derisomaltose and iron sucrose, the proportion of mild adverse reactions in the ferric derisomaltose group was slightly lower than that of the iron sucrose group, and neither group experienced any serious adverse reactions. The patients responded well to the infusion treatment, with no reports of pain or pigmentation at the injection site. Conclusion: The treatment of IDA patients with ferric derisomaltose has a satisfactory curative effect, with the advantages of rapidity, accuracy, and safety. Therefore, it is worthy of widespread clinical use.

[Membrane anatomy-based radical resection for esophageal cancer]

Radical resection of gastrointestinal tumors based on the membrane anatomy theory has significantly reduced the postoperative recurrence rate and improved the surgical efficacy. However, the theory of membrane anatomy has not been widely adopted in radical surgery for esophageal cancer. Our study found that the esophagus also has a membranous anatomical structure. As a foregut organ, the esophagus also has a mesenteric structure, and there is also a fifth metastasis pathway within the esophageal mesentery for esophageal cancers. The leak and metastasis of cancer caused by destruction of the mesenteric integrity may be the fundamental reason for the high postoperative recurrence rate. Using the nano carbon and indocyanine green fluorescence tracing technique, we demonstrated the lymphatic drainage of the upper esophageal segment to the left gastric artery mesenteric lymph nodes. Therefore, in the radical resection of esophageal cancer, we used the membrane anatomy theory for guidance to completely remove the esophageal cancer, esophageal mesentery, left gastric artery and its mesentery, as well as all structures within the mesentery, preventing the spread of cancer cells through the blood vessels, lymphatic system, and mesentery, and improving the efficacy and prognosis. This article elaborates on the theoretical basis of the anatomical structure of the esophageal membrane, embryonic development, imaging, autopsy, and endoscopic observation of the structure, as well as the application effect of the esophageal membrane anatomical theory in esophageal cancer radical surgery. It elucidates the anatomical structure of the esophageal membrane and the lymphatic drainage characteristics of esophageal cancer, reveals the law of lymphatic metastasis in esophageal cancer, optimizes lymphatic dissection strategies, and improves the efficacy of esophageal cancer radical surgery.

[Role and clinical significance of MUC4 gene mutations in thrombotic events in patients with classic paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria]

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the role and clinical significance of MUC4 gene mutations in thrombotic events in patients with classic paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data and gene sequencing results of 45 patients with classic PNH admitted to the Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, from June 2018 to February 2022. MUC4 gene mutations in patients with classic PNH were summarized, and the risk factors for thrombotic events in these patients were analyzed. Additionally, the effects of MUC4 gene mutations on the cumulative incidence and survival of thrombotic events in patients with classic PNH were determined. Results: The detection rate of MUC4 gene mutations in patients with classic PNH who experienced thrombotic events (thrombotic group) was 68.8% (11/16), which was significantly higher than that in the non-thrombotic group [10.3% (3/29) ] (P<0.001). All mutations occurred in exon 2. MUC4 mutation (OR=20.815, P=0.010) was identified as an independent risk factor for thrombotic events in patients with classic PNH. The cumulative incidence of thrombotic events was 78.6% (11/14) in the MUC4 gene mutation group (mutation group) and 16.1% (5/31) in the non-mutation group, showing a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.001). Survival analysis showed a lower overall survival (OS) rate in the thrombotic group compared with that in the non-thrombotic group [ (34.4±25.2) % vs. (62.7±19.3) % ] (P=0.045). The OS rate of patients was (41.7±29.9) % in the mutation group and (59.1±18.3) % in the non-mutation group (P=0.487) . Conclusion: MUC4 gene mutations are associated with an increased incidence of thrombotic events in classic PNH patients, highlighting their role as independent risk factors for thrombosis in this population. These mutations can be considered a novel predictive factor that aids in evaluating the risk of thrombosis in patients with classic PNH.

[Analysis of the development status and trend of vaccines in China's immunization program in the past decade]

Vaccines for immunization programs play a pivotal role in the prevention and control of infectious diseases in China. Since the implementation of the Expanded Program on Immunization in 2007, a total of 15 vaccines have been used in the national immunization program, which can prevent 15 kinds of diseases. The development of vaccines in China's immunization program in the past decade is analyzed in terms of variety, quantity, production enterprise, quality standard, and supervision system. The results show that the average dose of vaccines for China's immunization planning is about 570 million doses per year from 2011 to 2020. The overall development of the vaccine industry for immunization planning is stable, and there are between one to five manufacturers for each type of vaccine mainly relying on domestic production. Vaccine quality standards have been continuously improved and are basically consistent with international standards. The vaccine supervision system has been continuously completed and covered the entire process of research and development, production and distribution.

[Analysis of COL1A1 gene variation and clinical prevention and treatment in patients with Van der Hoeve syndrome]

Objective: To investigate the clinical phenotype, treatment and prevention of Van der Hoeve syndrome, and analyze the variation characteristics of its related gene COL1A1. Methods: Hearing and sequencing data of syndromic deafness patients who had undergone genetic testing for deafness at the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital since January 2008 to October 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The variation of the COL1A1 gene and return visits to traceable patients and families were summarized, the disease progress and clinical treatment effects were analyzed, and the prevention strategies were discussed. Results: A total of 7 patients with COL1A1 gene mutation underwent clinical intervention. The mutation sites were c.1342A>T (p.Lys448*), c.124C>T (p.Gln42*), c.249insG(p.Ala84*), c.668insC(p.Gly224*), c.2829+1G>C, c.1081C>T (p.Arg361*), c.1792C>T (p.Arg598*), of which c.1081C>T and c.1792C>T had been previously reported, and the remaining 5 were novo mutations that have not been reported. All the 7 probands underwent stapes implantation and received genetic counseling and prevention guidance. Conclusions: Van der Hoeve syndrome belongs to osteogenesis imperfecta type Ⅰ. The disease has high penetrance. Timely surgical intervention for hearing loss can improve the life quality in patients. Accurate genetic counseling and preimplantation genetic diagnosis can achieve the primary prevention for the disease.

Dendritic cell TLR4 induces Th1-type immune response against Cryptosporidium parvum infection

The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanism of Toll-like receptor (TLR4)- mediated dendritic cell (DC) immune against Cryptosporidium parvum infection. C. parvum sporozoites were labeled with 5,6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester. Murine bone marrow-derived DCs were isolated, and divided into TLR4 antibody blocking (TAB; infected with 2 × 10⁵ labeled sporozoites and 0.5 μg TLR4 blocking antibody), TLR4 antibody unblocking (TAU; infected with 2 × 10⁵ labeled sporozoites), and blank control (BC; with 1.5 mL Roswell Park Memorial Institute 1640 medium) groups. The adhesion of Cryptosporidium sporozoites to DCs and CD11c⁺ levels were examined by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Male KM mice were orally injected with C. parvum. The proliferation of T lymphocytes in spleen, expression of cytokines in peripheral blood, and TLR4 distribution features in different organs were further determined by immunohistochemistry. A significantly higher expression of CD11c⁺ and higher C. parvum sporozoite adhesion were found in the TAU group compared with other groups. The expression of CD4⁺CD8^- /CD8⁺CD4^- in the spleen were obviously differences between the TAB and TAU groups. The expression of TLR4, interleukin IL-4, IL-12, IL-18 and IFN-γ improved in the TAU group compared with TAB group. Higher expression of TLR4 was detected in the lymph nodes of mice in the TAU group, with pathological changes in the small intestine. Hence, TLR4 could mediate DCs to recognize C. parvum, inducing Th1 immune reaction to control C. parvum infection.

[Value of ALBI grade on precised estimation liver reserve function of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma]

Précised liver reserve function estimation is of great significance for predicting the survival time, post-hepatectomy liver failure and individualized comprehensive treatment strategies in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Currently, the widely used Child-Pugh (CP) classification and indocyanine green 15-minute retention rate (ICGR 15) have certain flaws and limitations. The albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grading especially makes up for the deficiency of CP classification, and can provide an objective, simple, accurate and evidence-based method to estimate and guide the liver reserve function of HCC patients. This paper follows up and summarizes the research progress of ALBI grading estimation at home and abroad on liver reserve function of HCC patients.

[CT manifestations and prognosis of acute paraquat induced lung injury]

Objective: To investigate the CT features of lung injury induced by paraquat poisoning and its relationship with prognosis, and to provide reference for the judgment of the condition and prognosis of paraquat poisoning. Methods: 146 cases of paraquat poisoning patients were treated in the Third People's Hospital of Xuzhou City from January 2013 to April 2016. The cases were divided into mild group, moderate-severe group and fulminant group according to the concentration of paraquat in urine. The clinical data and CT imaging findings were analyzed and reconstructed in three-dimensional reconstruction. The extent of the lesion was observed and the relationship between CT and prognosis was explored. Results: Paraquat lung injury has many manifestations on CT images, and it's performance can be intersecting at the same time. Early lesions lighter cases, late CT imaging lesions can be completely absorbed or residual fibrosis, the prognosis was good; the early lesion was pulmonary consolidation, pleural effusion cases, the late CT image was usually pleural thickening and bronchiectasis, the prognosis was relatively good; early lesions were large patches of ground glass opacity cases, finally, pulmonary fibrosis was common, the mortality rate of 56.57%. There were significant differences in the extent of lung injury between different groups (P<0.001) , and the difference in mortality was statistically significant when the lung injury was different (P<0.001) . Multivariate stepwise Logistic regression analysis showed that ground-glass opacity (OR value=2.013) , interstitial lung fibrosis (OR=3.779) and mediastinal emphysema (OR=33.118) were risk factors for death of lung injury caused by paraquat poisoning (P<0.05) . Conclusion: There were many manifestations on CT images of paraquat lung injury, and the manifestations of paraquat lung injury can be intersecting at the same time. The pulmonary manifestations and outcomes of different paraquat types were different. The CT manifestations of lung injury in paraquat poisoning were mainly exudative changes at early stage, and can be gradually absorbed or evolved into interstitial changes at later stage. The cumulative damage range can be used as a reference for evaluating the prognosis. Ground-glass opacity, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis and mediastinal emphysema are the risk factors for death of lung injury caused by paraquat poisoning.

[Different effects of pravastatin on sFlt-1, PlGF and VEGF in different preeclampsia-like mouse models]

Objective: To explore the pathways of preeclampsia by investigating different effects of pravastatin (Pra) on and soluble FMS tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), placental growth factor (PlGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in different preeclampsia (PE)-like mouse models. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were randomly subcutaneously injected with N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or intraperitoneally injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as PE-like mouse model, saline as normal pregnancy control (Con) respectively, daily at gestational 7-18 days. Pra was given daily at gestational 8-18 days in each model group and the mice were divided into Pra (L-NAME+Pra, LPS+Pra, Con+Pra) and saline (L-NAME+NS, LPS+NS, Con+NS) groups. Liver,placental tissue and blood of pregnant mice were collected on the 18th day of pregnancy. The levels of VEGF, PlGF and sFlt-1 in the liver, placenta and serum of mice in each group were compared by western blot, ELISA and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-PCR). Results: (1) ELISA: Serum VEGF (205.70±3.43, 154.60±2.31) and PlGF (131.5±3.75, 101.50±4.31) levels were significantly increased in L-NAME+Pra group compared with L-NAME+NS group (all P<0.05). Serum VEGF (202.30±4.90, 144.50±6.71) and PlGF (121.50±3.86, 95.41±4.08) levels were significantly higher in LPS+Pra group than those in LPS+NS group (all P<0.05). Serum sFlt-1 level in LPS+Pra group was significantly lower than that in LPS+NS group (3.01±0.50, 776.60±80.06), serum sFlt-1 level in L-NAME+Pra group was significantly lower than that in L-NAME+NS group (2.60±0.06, 583.70±9.83; all P<0.05). (2) Western blot: the expression levels of PlGF (1.344±0.118, 0.664±0.143) and VEGF (1.34±0.12, 0.66±0.14) in the liver of mice in the L-NAME+Pra group were significantly higher than those in the L-NAME+NS group (all P<0.05), but the expression levels of PlGF and VEGF in the placenta of L-NAME+Pra group were not significantly different from those of L-NAME+NS group (all P>0.05). The expression levels of PlGF and VEGF in placenta and liver of pregnant mice in LPS+Pra group were not significantly different from those in LPS+N group (all P>0.05). (3) RT-PCR: the mRNA expression of PlGF and VEGF in placenta and liver of L-NAME+Pra group were not significantly different from those in L-NAME+NS group (all P>0.05). The mRNA expression levels of PlGF and VEGF in placenta and liver of LPS+Pra group were not significantly different from those of LPS+NS group (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Pra has different regulatory effects on vascular endothelial function in different PE-like models. It reveals that different pathogenesis and pathways exist in different PE-like changes.

Ultrastrong and Stiff Carbon Nanotube/Aluminum-Copper Nanocomposite via Enhancing Friction between Carbon Nanotubes

Researchers have been aiming to replace copper with carbon nanotube/copper nanocomposites, which are lighter and exhibit better electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. However, the strength is far below pure carbon nanotube assembly and even much lower than some copper-based alloys. This disadvantage hinders the extensive application of carbon nanotube/copper nanocomposites. In this study, the carbon nanotube/aluminum-copper nanocomposites with ultra-strength and stiffness were prepared. The strength and elasticity modulus of composite reached as high as 6.6 and 500 GPa, respectively, while a high conductivity of 1.8 × 10⁷ S/m was maintained. This can be attributed to the diffusion of Cu and Al atoms into the carbon nanotube fiber, which enhances friction between the carbon nanotubes by "pinning" and "bridging". This structure provides us with novel insights into the design of carbon nanotubes/metal nanocomposites with ultrahigh strength and conductivity.

[Case report and diagnosis of Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines with deafness as its main clinical feature]

Summary Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines（NSML） is a disorder with syndromic hearing loss. Abnormalities of other systems in NSML have received increasing attention, but hearing loss is rarely concerned. And due to the incomplete phenotype, some patients with NSML maybe missed or maybe confused with other syndromic deafness such as Waardenburg syndrome. Our study will familiarize more otolaryngologists with Leopard syndrome. A 5-year-old boy with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and numerous symmetrically distributed dark brown macules that had good effect of cochlear implantation was collected in this study. And his father had bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and numerous symmetrically distributed dark brown macules. Waardenburg syndrome was initially diagnosed by clinical phenotype and its molecular etiology was confirmed by gene diagnosis. Waardenburg syndrome-related deafness genes and 131 known deafness genes were not identified by second-generation sequencing. Whole-exon sequencing was performed for 4 individuals in the family and the results were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. This study confirmed the diagnosis by identifying a disease-causing mutation in the PTPN11 gene, which was a heterozygous missense mutation at p. Tyr279Cys（c. 836A>G）. The mutation co-segregated with hearing loss in the family. Our results demonstrated that hearing loss in this family was caused by heterozygous mutations in PTPN11. These cases will familiarize more otolaryngologists with NSML, and they emphasize the importance of considering NSML as a possible cause of hearing problems.

[Meta-analysis of the outcomes of associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy versus portal vein embolization for the treatment of liver cancer with insufficient future liver remnant]

Objective: To explore the feasibility, safety and efficacy of associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) and portal vein embolization (PVE) for the treatment of liver cancer with insufficient future liver remnant (FLR) . Methods: The data regarding the clinical controlled trials in comparison of ALPPS and PVE in liver surgery were collected from the both domestic and international publications searched through the datebases of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, and VIP.Meta analysis was performed by RevMan 5.3 software. Results: Total 10 studies with clinical control were analyzed (9 cohort studies and 1 randomized controlled study) .A total of 620 patients were included, with 165 cases in ALPPS group, 455 cases in PVE group.Results of Meta-analysis showed that there was statistically significant difference (P<0.05) between the two groups in the completion rate of two-steps surgery (OR=6.04, 95%CI: 2.97-12.31, Z=4.96) , FLR growth rate (MD=19.91, 95% CI: 8.64-31.18, Z=3.46) , two-steps surgical interval (MD=-30.48, 95%CI: -37.87--23.09, Z=8.09) , and R0 resection rate (OR=2.29, 95%CI=1.07-4.90, Z=2.13) .While there was no significant differences between the two groups in the mortality rate of postoperative within 90-days, postoperative the total complication rates, postoperative liver failure, and total hospital stay (all P>0.05) . Conclusions: Compared to the PVE procedures, ALPPS appears an effective treatment method for liver tumor with insufficient FLR.Therefore, the applications of ALPPS and PVE are limited and depending on further investigation.

[Characteristic and function of peripheral blood mononuclear cells-induced macrophages in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome]

目的

观察骨髓增生异常综合征（MDS）患者单个核细胞诱导的巨噬细胞的功能，分析其与MDS疾病发展的关系。

方法

以2014年9月至2015年12月天津医科大学总医院血液科24例MDS患者为病例组，以15名健康志愿者为正常对照组。收集外周血标本并分离单个核细胞，体外以GM-CSF诱导分化形成巨噬细胞。在光学显微镜下观察巨噬细胞的形态；使用流式细胞术检测巨噬细胞的数量及其表面受体CD206、SIRPα的表达水平；分别采用流式细胞术和免疫荧光显微镜检测巨噬细胞的吞噬功能。

结果

①MDS来源的巨噬细胞形态较正常对照差（形态不规则、细胞体积小、异形明显、无足突、数量减少），MDS外周血单个核细胞转化为巨噬细胞的转化率为（5.17±3.47）%，显著低于正常对照组的（66.18±13.43）%（t=3.529，P=0.001）；②MDS来源的巨噬细胞表面识别受体CD206的表达水平[（9.73±2.59）%]显著低于正常对照组[（51.15±10.82）%]（t=4.551，P<0.001），SIRPα的表达水平[（0.51±0.09）%]显著低于正常对照组[（0.77±0.06）%]（t=2.102，P=0.043）；③MDS来源的巨噬细胞吞噬免疫微球的吞噬指数、吞噬百分率分别为0.45±0.08、（23.69±3.22）%，显著低于正常对照组的0.92±0.07、（42.75±2.13）%（P值均<0.05），MDS来源的巨噬细胞吞噬单个核细胞的吞噬指数（0.24±0.04）显著低于正常对照组（0.48±0.96，t=3.464，P=0.001）。

结论

MDS患者外周血单个核细胞诱导形成巨噬细胞能力下降，吞噬识别受体减少，吞噬能力减弱。

[Changes of Rheb gene and protein expression in preeclampsia-like mouse model treated with pravastatin]

Objective: To explore whether pravastatin (Pra) inhibits mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signal pathway by regulating Ras homolog enriched in brain (Rheb) protein through the comparison of gene and protein expression changes of Rheb in liver and placenta in preeclampsia (PE)-like mouse model treated with Pra. Methods: C57BL/6J pregnant mice were randomly divided into two groups. The PE group was established by injecting N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) daily at gestational 7-18 days, saline was injected as contol group (Con); then giving mice Pra (PE+Pra, Con+Pra group, n=8) or normal saline (PE+N, Con+N group, n=8) every day from the 8th gestational day of pregnancy. The maternal liver and placenta tissues were collected on the 18th day of pregnancy. Western blot, real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to compare the levels of Rheb protein and mRNA expression in the liver and placenta. Results: (1)The results of western blot: there were no significant differences in Rheb protein expression between PE+N group (liver: 0.706±0.123; placenta: 0.866±0.128) and Con+N group (liver: 0.732±0.123; placenta: 0.909±0.097) , and the differences between PE+Pra group (liver: 0.669±0.134; placenta: 0.940±0.221) and PE+N group were not significant either in liver or in placenta (all P>0.05). (2) The results of real-time quantitative PCR: when PE+N group (liver: 1.026±0.480; placenta: 1.102±0.361) compared with Con+N group (liver: 1.058±0.389; placenta: 1.067±0.400) , PE+Pra group (liver: 0.735±0.356; placenta: 0.822±0.304) compared with PE+N group, there were no significant differences either in liver or in placenta (all P>0.05). (3) The results of immunohistochemistry: Rheb protein expression did not change significantly in maternal liver and placenta, there were no significant differences in protein expression levels between PE+N group and Con+N group, and between PE+Pra group and PE+N group (all P>0.05). Conclusion: The inhibition of Pra on mTOR signaling pathway in some PE-like model may be independent of the expression of Rheb gene and protein.

[Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of dengue in China]

Dengue is the most prevalent and rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral disease. As a dengue non-endemic country, China has experienced several dengue outbreaks in recent years. However, dengue patients in China displayed distinct clinical characteristics compared to patients in endemic countries. To standardize the diagnosis and treatment of dengue fever, the experts of the Society of Infectious Diseases, Society of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology of Chinese Medical Association, and the Society of Emergency Medicine, China Association of Chinese Medicine have reached this guideline based on guidelines for diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of dengue (World Health Organization, 2009); guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of dengue (National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China, 2014, Edition 2), health industry standard of the People's Republic of China "diagnosis for dengue fever (WS216-2018)" and systemic reports on dengue. The guideline includes 8 aspects: introduction, terminology, epidemiology and prevention, etiology and pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and problems to be solved.

[High resolution diffusion-weighted imaging for characterising nasopharyngeal carcinoma]

Objective: To evaluate the characteristics of high resolution diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI) using readout segmentation of long variable echo trains (RESOLVE ) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: A total of 131 with newly diagnosed NPC patients from the 5th Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were included in this study from October 2013 to April 2016.DWI using RESOLVE technique was performed. The signal intensity (SI(lesion)), and mean(ADC(mean)), maximum(ADC(max)), minimum (ADC(min))ADCs of NPC were calculated. The signal intensity (SI(normal))and ADC (ADC(normal))of normal nasopharyngeal tissue were calculated. These quantitative parameters of NPC and normal nasopharyngeal tissue were compared.Statistical difference of ADC(mean), ADC(max) and ADC(min) between the clinical tumor stages were assessed. Results: On the DWI, all NPCs were clearly shown as high signal intensity relative to the surrounding normal nasopharyngeal structure(F=70.019, P=0.000). The ADC(mean)(F=20.442, P=0.000), ADC(max)(F=35.374, P=0.000), ADC(min)(F=61.534, P=0.000) in the carcinoma were significantly lower compared with that of normal nasopharyngeal structure. There was no statistically significant difference of ADC(mean), ADC(max) and ADC(min) (P>0.05)in different clinical stages of NPC. Conclusion: NPC can be clearly detected by RESOLVE-DWI, but the ADC(mean), ADC(max) and ADC(min) can not be used for differentiating the clinical stage of NPC.

[Clinical application value of combined detection of serum miR-378 and miR-21 in gastric cancer]

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of combined detection of serum miR-378 and miR-21 in gastric cancer (GC). Methods: Eighty-seven patients with GC and 78 patients with colorectal cancer(CRC) from National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were selected, 83 individuals undergoing healthy physical examination were selected as the healthy controls. The levels of serum miR-378 and miR-21 were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) (result data were transformed as log2 for analysis). Results: Relative expression levels of miR-378 in the serum were -1.24, -3.25 and -2.73 in healthy controls, GC and CRC patients, respectively. Compared with the healthy controls, the levels of serum miR-378 were significantly decreased in GC and CRC patients (both P<0.05). Relative expression levels of miR-21 in the serum were 0.11, 2.34 and 2.47 in healthy controls, GC and CRC patients, respectively. Compared with the healthy controls, the levels of serum miR-21 were significantly up-regulated in GC and CRC patients (both P<0.05). Moreover, the serum level of miR-378 in GC patients was inversely associated with tumor clinical stage (P<0.05). However, the level of miR-21 showed no significant differences among patients with different clinical and pathological characteristics (all P>0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity of miRNA-378 to diagnose GC was 0.770, 82.0% and 66.0%, respectively, and were 0.900, 85.0%, and 88.0% of miR-21, respectively. The AUC, sensitivity and specificity of combined detection of serum miR-378 and miR-21 to diagnose GC were 0.930, 92.0% and 87.0%, respectively, while the AUC of combined detection of serum CEA and CA-199 was 0.767, the AUC of combined all of the four factors was 0.946. Conclusion: The combined detection of serum miR-378 and miR-21 have a certain effect on diagnosis of GC.

[Regulation of pravastatin on long-chain fatty acid oxidative enzyme in pre-eclampsia-like mouse model]

Objective: To investigate the modulation of long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD) expression by pravastatin in pre-eclampsia-like mouse model. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were randomly injected with N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) as pre-eclampsia-like model group (PE) or saline as normal pregnancy control group (Con) respectively, from gestational the 7th to 18th day. For each group, pravastatin (PE+Pra, Con+Pra group) or saline (PE+N, Con+N Group) was given from the 8th to 18th day of gestation, respectively. Liver and placenta of pregnant mice were collected on gestational day 18. The LCHAD protein expression and mRNA levels of liver and placenta were detected through western blot, immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative PCR. Results: (1) The average arterial pressure of pregnant mice increased gradually from the 8th to 18th day in PE+N group, but decreased in PE+Pra group from gestational 10th day, 24 hour urinary protein levels in PE+N group [(1 494 ± 201) μg] were significantly higher than that in Con+N group [(935±128) μg, P<0.01], and also higher than that in PE+Pra group [(981±116) μg, P<0.01].(2) The results of western blot: the expression of LCHAD was significantly lower in PE+N group (liver: 0.64±0.11, placenta: 0.48±0.06) than that in Con+N group (liver: 1.06±0.10, placenta: 0.60±0.10), and lower than that in PE+Pra group (liver: 0.99±0.04, placenta: 0.60±0.08; all P<0.01).(3)The results of real-time quantitative PCR: the levels of LCHAD mRNA in liver and placenta in PE+N group (liver: 0.621±0.128, placenta: 0.646±0.129) were significantly decreased compared with Con+N group (liver: 1.007±0.130, placenta: 1.004±0.103; all P<0.01), but there was no significant difference between PE+Pra group (liver: 0.693±0.678, placenta: 0.662±0.183; P>0.05). (4) LCHAD protein was expressed widely and evenly in liver. The expression in placental cytotrophoblast and syncytial trophoblast cells located in outer layer of villous in labyrinth layer was the most. The expression of LCHAD was significantly lower in PE+N group (liver: 0.062±0.016, placenta: 0.147±0.018) than that in Con+N group (liver: 0.126±0.013, placenta: 0.183±0.024), and lower than that in PE+Pra group (liver: 0.111±0.017, placenta: 0.174±0.027; all P<0.05). Conclusion: Pravastatin could upregulate the LCHAD protein expression of liver and placenta in the pre-eclampsia-like mouse, which may be a mechanism to improve the clinical manifestations of pre-eclampsia.

[Establishment of cut-off value of serum pro-gastrin-releasing peptide for diagnosis of small cell lung cancer and evaluation on the clinical diagnosis efficiency]

Objective: To determine critical reference value (cut-off value) of serum pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (ProGRP) and neuron specific enolase(NSE) in the diagnosis of small cell lung cancer(SCLC). To evaluate the clinical significance of serum levels of ProGRP and NSE in diagnosis and differential diagnosis in SCLC. Methods: Three hundred and fifty-two SCLC patients, 163 non small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)patients , 193 benign pulmonary disease patients and 140 healthy people visiting in National Cancer Hospital were analyzed retrospectively from January 2014 to July 2017.The levels of serum ProGRP and NSE of people were determined using electrochemiluminescent immunoassay respectively . Reference value ranges of the makers were determined by using the method of ROC curves. Results: In NSCLC group, benign lung disease group, healthy control group and mixed group (NSCLC+ lung benign diseases+ healthy control group) as a reference, the cut-off values were 58.3, 62.3, 57.8, 61.3 ng/L. In the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of SCLC and NSCLC, benign lung diseases, healthy controls and mixed group, AUC of ProGRP was 0.940 (0.919-0.961), 0.941 (0.921-0.960), 0.959 (0.944-0.975), 0.946 (0.928-0.963) respectively. The sensitivities of ProGRP were 86.4%, 84.9%, 86.4% and 84.7% respectively. The specificities of ProGRP were 95.7%, 96.9%, 99.3%, 98% respectively. In all groups the Youden's index of ProGRP and NSE were 0.821 vs 0.612, 0.818 vs 0.674, 0.857 vs 0.810, 0.827 vs 0.674. In healthy controls, no statistically significant difference was found between ProGRP and NSE (P>0.05) in the diagnosis of AUC. However, in the remaining 3 groups, the ProGRP diagnosis of AUC was significantly greater than that of NSE (P<0.01). Compared with single marker detection, the sensitivity of combined detection of ProGRP and NSE in diagnosis of SCLC increased to 95.5%, 94%, 96.6% and 94% in each group. There was no significant difference between ProGRP and ProGRP+ NSE in the diagnosis of AUC when compared with the NSCLC group and the mixed group (P>0.05). However, when combined with a healthy control group and a benign lung disease group, the ProGRP+ NSE combination was the highest for AUC diagnosis, compared with ProGRP and NSE (P<0.01). In the SCLC ED group serum ProGRP and NSE levels[776.33(3 103.4)ng/L, 52.14(60.59)μg/L]were higher than those in the SCLC LD group[295.59(799.65)ng/L, 23.36(22.97)μg/L], respectively (all P<0.001). The serum ProGRP levels of N0, N1, N2 and N3 in TNM staging were 113.0(343.65), 167.04(724.56), 427.42(1 388.62), 735.99(1 709.95)ng/L respectively (all P<0.001). Serum ProGRP and NSE levels were not statistically different between the sex groups and the age groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion: To establish the cut-off value of serum ProGRP is helpful for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of SCLC.

[The value of B7-H4 and carcinoembryonic antigen in diagnosing the benign and malignant pleural effusion]

Objective: To evaluate the value of combined detection of negative costimulatory molecule B7-H4 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in diagnosing malignant and benign pleural effusion. Methods: Ninety-seven pleural effusion specimen were collected, 55 of which were diagnosed as malignant pleural effusion and 42 were benign pleural effusion. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to examine the concentration of B7-H4 and CEA in pleural effusion. Electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay was used to detect the CEA level in pleural effusion. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was established to analyze and evaluate the single or combined detection of B7-H4 and CEA in diagnosing malignant and benign pleural effusion. Results: The concentrations of B7-H4 and CEA in malignant pleural effusion (MPE) group were (60.08±35.04) ng/ml and (41.49±37.16) ng/ml, respectively, obviously higher than (27.26±9.55) ng/ml and (2.41±0.94) ng/ml of benign pleural effusion (BPE) group (both P<0.01). Area under curve (AUC) of B7-H4 was 0.884 in MPE groupand the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 81.8% and 90.5%, respectively, at the optimized cut off value of 37.25 ng/ml. Likewise, area under curve (AUC) of CEA was 0.954 and the sensitivity and specificity were 87.3% and 95.2%, respectively, at the cut off value of 4.18 ng/ml. When B7-H4 >37.25 ng/ml or CEA>4.18 ng/ml, the sensitivity of diagnosis as MPE was down-regulated to 90.9% and the specificity was elevated to 88.1%. When B7-H4 >37.25 ng/ml and CEA>4.18 ng/ml, the sensitivity of diagnosis as MPE was down-regulated to 78.2% and the specificity was elevated to 97.6%. The sensitivity and specificity of combined detection of B7-H4 and CEA to diagnose MPE were elevated to 90.9% and 97.6%, respectively. The level of B7-H4 in MPE and BPE were both positively correlated with CEA (r=0.670, P=0.001 in MPE and r=0.002, P=0.001 in BEP). Conclusions: B7-H4 is a potential tumor marker in diagnosing the benign and malignant pleural effusion. Although the diagnostic value of B7-H4 may not precede to CEA, the combined detection of B7-H4 and CEA can improve the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of MPE.

Biological and ecological evidences suggest Stipa krylovii (Pooideae), contributes to optimal growth performance and population distribution of the grasshopper Oedaleus asiaticus

Oedaleus asiaticus Bey. Bienko is a significant grasshopper pest species occurring in north Asian grasslands. Outbreaks often result in significant loss in grasses and economic losses. Interestingly, we found this grasshopper was mainly restricted to Stipa-dominated grassland. We suspected this may be related to the dominant grasses species, Stipa krylovii Roshev, and hypothesized that S. krylovii contributes to optimal growth performance and population distribution of O. asiaticus. A 4 year investigation showed that O. asiaticus density was positively correlated to the above-ground biomass of S. krylovii and O. asiaticus growth performance variables (survival rate, size, growth rate) were significantly higher in Stipa-dominated grassland. A feeding trial also showed that O. asiaticus had a higher growth performance when feeding exclusively on S. krylovii. In addition, the choice, consumption and the efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) by O. asiaticus was highest for S. krylovii compared with other plant species found in the Asian grasslands. These ecological and biological traits revealed why O. asiaticus is strongly associated with Stipa-dominated grasslands. We concluded that the existence of S. krylovii benefited the growth performance and explained the distribution of O. asiaticus. These results are useful for improved pest management strategies and developing guidelines for the monitoring of grasshopper population dynamics against the background of vegetation succession and changing plant communities in response to activities such as grazing, fire and climate change.

[Clinical application study of non-invasive ventilation in the treatment of the pneumoconiosis patients with chronic type Ⅱ respiratory failure]

Objective: To observe the effect of early intervention and intermittent application of bi level positive air-way pressure ventilation (BiPAP) in patients with pneumoconiosis combined with chronic respiratory failure. Methods: Will meet the diagnostic criteria of pneumoconiosis in GBZ70-2009< >, the blood gas analysis in patients with chronic type II re-spiratory failure in 62 cases were randomly divided into rehabilitation treatment group 32 cases, control group of 30 cases. Pa-tients in the observation group were treated by on-invasive ventilation, while the control group were treated by the convention-al treatment. The data such as arterial blood gas、pulmonary function、the grade about dyspnea and echocardiography was col-lected from the both group before the beginning of the treatment and after the three months. Results: the PaO₂ level、FEV_1.0、FEV_1.0%、the grade of dyspnea and the Right Ventricular Ejection Fractions were not significantly different between the experi-mental group and the control before the start of the treatment (P>0.05) . After the three month treatment, the PaO₂ level of the observation was significantly lower the control (P<0.05) . The data about FEV_1.0、FEV_1.0% and the Right Ventricular Ejection Fractions were higher than the control group (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Non-invasive ventilation has exactly effect in the treat-ment of the pneumoconiosis patients with Chronic Respiratory Failure. It can improve the function of the heart and lung and ease the pain of patients.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Ancherythroculter kurematsui (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

Ancherythroculter kurematsui (A. kurematsui) is a unique small-size freshwater fish in southwest China. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of A. kurematsui was determined (GenBank accession number is KU234534). The mitochondrial genome sequence of A. kurematsui was a circular molecule with 16,621 bp in length, and contained 37 typical animal mitochondrial genes including 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and a control region (D-loop). Four nucleotide compositions and their relative proportions of the entire mitogenome was 27.69% C, 16.16% G, 31.21% A and 24.93% T, with an A + T and G + C contents being 56.14% and 43.86%, respectively.

Dual-wavelength passively Q-switched Nd:GYSGG laser by tungsten disulfide saturable absorber

A dual-wavelength passively Q-switched Nd:GYSGG laser using vacuum evaporating tungsten disulfide (WS₂) as a saturable absorber was demonstrated for the first time to the best of our knowledge. The WS₂ saturable absorber was prepared simply by evaporating nanometer WS₂ powders onto a quartz substrate in a vacuum. By inserting the WS₂ saturable absorber into the laser cavity, stable Q-switched laser operation was achieved with a maximum average output power of 367 mW, a pulse repetition rate of 70.7 kHz, the shortest pulse width of 591 ns, and pulse energy of about 1.05 μJ. By vacuum evaporation method, a high-quality WS₂ saturable absorber can be produced, and it seems to be a suitable method for fabrication of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides.

[Quantities and function of NK cells in patients with positive BMMNC-Coombs test and cytopenia]

OBJECTIVE

To test NK cell quantities and function in patients with positive BMMNC-Coombs test (CBCPC) and cytopenia and to explore how NK cell participate in the progress of this disease.

METHODS

The percentage of CD3(-)CD56(+) NK cell in peripheral blood lymphocytes, the expression of activating receptor (NKG2D, NKp46, NKp44), inhibitory receptor (CD158a, CD158b), perforin and granzyme-β were detected by flow cytometry. All samples were taken from 42 patients (22 newly diagnosed and 20 in remission) and 12 healthy volunteers. The correlation between the above parameters and patients' clinical profile were evaluated.

RESULTS

①The percentage of CD3(-)CD56(+) NK cell in new diagnosed and remission CBCPC patients were significantly lower than that in healthy control [(10.04 ± 5.33)% vs (19.94 ± 7.38)%; (11.62 ± 6.80)% vs (19.94 ± 7.38)%, all P<0.01]. ② The expression of activating receptor NKG2D in new diagnosed CBCPC patients was significantly higher than that in remission group and healthy control [(74.03±18.24)% vs (45.97±29.45)%; (74.03±18.24)% vs (41.89± 15.34)% , P <0.01]. ③The expression of inhibitory receptor CD158a in new diagnosed CBCPC patients was significantly lower than that in remission group and healthy control (median: 3.72% vs 16.10%, P= 0.015; 3.72% vs 11.04%, P=0.025). ④The expression of perforin in new diagnosed and remitted CBCPC patients were significantly higher than that in healthy controls [(75.71±10.14) % vs (57.20±18.85)%, P= 0.018; (77.88±22.82)% vs (57.20±18.85)%, P=0.008]. ⑤The product of NK cell percentage and perforin expression in new diagnosed and remission CBCPC patient were significantly lower than that in healthy control [(7.68±4.54)% vs (12.13±5.19)%, P=0.011; (8.24±5.80)% vs (12.13±5.19)%, P=0.023]. The product of NK cell percentage and granzyme-β expression in the new diagnosed and remission CBCPC patient were significantly lower than that in healthy control [(7.83±5.26)% vs (14.79±8.37)%, P=0.008; (8.37 ± 6.83)% vs (14.79±8.37)%, P=0.012].

CONCLUSION

Deceased quantities and impaired total NK function might play a role in pathogenesis of CBCPC.

XRCC1 rs25487 polymorphism is associated with lung cancer risk in epidemiologically susceptible Chinese people

Base excision repair (BER) plays an important role in maintaining genome integrity and anti-cancer drug resistance. Single nu-cleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in BER genes were detected in 500 lung cancer patients and 500 cancer-free controls. A logistic regression model was applied to analyze the relationship between lung cancer susceptibility and BER SNPs coupled with a wide range of epidemiological factors in a Chinese population. SNPs including rs25487 in the X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 gene, rs1052133 in the 8-oxoguanine DNA gly-cosylase gene, and rs1136410 in the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 gene were identified. Multivariate analysis showed that the rs25487-AG geno-type was associated with a higher incidence of lung cancer compared with the GG genotype. The rs25487 SNP was associated with the pathological distribution of lung cancer. Moreover, rs1052133-GG was associated with early age of lung cancer onset compared with the CC genotype. Our data demonstrated that the SNPs rs25487 and rs1052133 are risk factors for lung cancer in epidemiologically susceptible Chinese people.

Fas/FasL in the immune pathogenesis of severe aplastic anemia

Fas/FasL protein expression of bone marrow hematopoietic cells was investigated in severe aplastic anemia (SAA) patients. Fas expression was evaluated in CD34(+), GlycoA(+), CD33(+), and CD14(+) cells labeled with monoclonal antibodies in newly diagnosed and remission SAA patients along with normal controls. FasL expression was evaluated in CD8(+) cells in the same manner. In CD34(+) cells, Fas expression was significantly higher in the newly diagnosed SAA group (46.59 ± 27.60%) than the remission (6.12 ± 3.35%; P < 0.01) and control (8.89 ± 7.28%; P < 0.01) groups. In CD14(+), CD33(+), and GlycoA(+) cells, Fas levels were significantly lower in the newly diagnosed SAA group (29.29 ± 9.23, 46.88 ± 14.30, and 15.15 ± 9.26%, respectively) than in the remission (47.23 ± 31.56, 67.22 ± 34.68, and 43.56 ± 26.85%, respectively; P < 0.05) and normal control (51.25 ± 38.36, 72.06 ± 39.88, 50.38 ± 39.88%, respectively; P < 0.05) groups. FasL expression of CD8(+) cells was significantly higher in the newly diagnosed SAA group (89.53 ± 45.68%) than the remission (56.39 ± 27.94%; P < 0.01) and control (48.63 ± 27.38%; P <0.01) groups. No significant differences were observed between the remission and control groups. FasL expression in CD8(+) T cells was significantly higher in newly diagnosed patients, and CD34(+), CD33(+), CD14(+), and GlycoA(+) cells all showed Fas antigen expression. The Fas/FasL pathway might play an important role in excessive hematopoietic cell apoptosis in SAA bone marrow. Furthermore, CD34(+) cells are likely the main targets of SAA immune injury.

Decreased dopamine activity predicts relapse in methamphetamine abusers

Studies in methamphetamine (METH) abusers showed that the decreases in brain dopamine (DA) function might recover with protracted detoxification. However, the extent to which striatal DA function in METH predicts recovery has not been evaluated. Here we assessed whether striatal DA activity in METH abusers is associated with clinical outcomes. Brain DA D2 receptor (D2R) availability was measured with positron emission tomography and [(11)C]raclopride in 16 METH abusers, both after placebo and after challenge with 60 mg oral methylphenidate (MPH) (to measure DA release) to assess whether it predicted clinical outcomes. For this purpose, METH abusers were tested within 6 months of last METH use and then followed up for 9 months of abstinence. In parallel, 15 healthy controls were tested. METH abusers had lower D2R availability in caudate than in controls. Both METH abusers and controls showed decreased striatal D2R availability after MPH and these decreases were smaller in METH than in controls in left putamen. The six METH abusers who relapsed during the follow-up period had lower D2R availability in dorsal striatum than in controls, and had no D2R changes after MPH challenge. The 10 METH abusers who completed detoxification did not differ from controls neither in striatal D2R availability nor in MPH-induced striatal DA changes. These results provide preliminary evidence that low striatal DA function in METH abusers is associated with a greater likelihood of relapse during treatment. Detection of the extent of DA dysfunction may be helpful in predicting therapeutic outcomes.

Food and drug reward: overlapping circuits in human obesity and addiction

Both drug addiction and obesity can be defined as disorders in which the saliency value of one type of reward (drugs and food, respectively) becomes abnormally enhanced relative to, and at the expense of others. This model is consistent with the fact that both drugs and food have powerful reinforcing effects-partly mediated by dopamine increases in the limbic system-that, under certain circumstances or in vulnerable individuals, could overwhelm the brain's homeostatic control mechanisms. Such parallels have generated significant interest in understanding the shared vulnerabilities and trajectories between addiction and obesity. Now, brain imaging discoveries have started to uncover common features between these two conditions and to delineate some of the overlapping brain circuits whose dysfunctions may explain stereotypic and related behavioral deficits in human subjects. These results suggest that both obese and drug-addicted individuals suffer from impairments in dopaminergic pathways that regulate neuronal systems associated not only with reward sensitivity and incentive motivation, but also with conditioning (memory/learning), impulse control (behavioural inhibition), stress reactivity, and interoceptive awareness. Here, we integrate findings predominantly derived from positron emission tomography that shed light on the role of dopamine in drug addiction and in obesity, and propose an updated working model to help identify treatment strategies that may benefit both of these conditions.

Pharmacokinetics of verapamil in diabetic rats induced by combination of high-fat diet and streptozotocin injection

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of type 2 diabetes on the pharmacokinetics of verapamil after intravenous administration. Diabetes mellitus (DM) rats were induced by combination of high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin. Plasma concentrations of verapamil in DM rats, rats fed with HFD, and control (CON) rats were measured after intravenous administration of 1 mg/kg verapamil and corresponding pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated. Area under the plasma concentration in DM rats was significantly smaller than that in CON rats. In vitro microsomal study showed that intrinsic clearance of verapamil in DM rats was significantly higher than those in CON rats. Compared to CON rats, higher intrinsic clearance was also observed in HFD rats. Western blot results demonstrated higher levels of CYP3A2 in DM and HFD rats, which was in line to activity of CYP3A. All the results gave a conclusion that diabetes may enhance metabolism of verapamil in rat, and the enhancement may partly result from induction of CYP3A.

Injection of frozen-thawed porcine first polar bodies into enucleated oocytes results in fertilization and embryonic development

The objective was to determine whether enucleated oocytes injected with frozen porcine first polar bodies (pPB1s) could be fertilized and developed into viable embryos in vitro. Metaphase II (MII) oocytes with pPB1s were frozen (vitrified) and stored for 2 mo. The pPB1s were isolated from thawed MII oocytes and injected into enucleated recipient oocytes by micromanipulation. All recipients injected with thawed pPB1s were fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and the resulting recombinant zygotes were incubated to assess their developmental competence in vitro. Furthermore, double-antibody immunohistochemistry was used to verify that the nucleus of the pPB1 participated in fertilization and supported embryonic development. Porcine embryos (2- to 8-cell stage) were obtained from the recombinants. The average in vitro cleavage rate of 2-, 4-, and 8-cell stage recombinant embryos was 25.3, 17.7, and 9.3% (P < 0.05), respectively. Chromosomes in the labeled pPB1 participated in the formation of the two blastomere nuclei of 2-cell stage embryos derived from recombinant oocytes. In conclusion, nuclear materials of frozen-thawed pPB1 supported oocyte fertilization and subsequent embryonic development, thereby providing a new way to use frozen PB1s for preservation and reproduction of mammals.

Methylphenidate enhances brain activation and deactivation responses to visual attention and working memory tasks in healthy controls

Methylphenidate (MPH) is a stimulant drug that amplifies dopamineric and noradrenergic signaling in the brain, which is believed to underlie its cognition enhancing effects. However, the neurobiological effects by which MPH improves cognition are still poorly understood. Here, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used together with working memory (WM) and visual attention (VA) tasks to test the hypothesis that 20mg oral MPH would increase activation in the dorsal attention network (DAN) and deactivation in the default mode network (DMN) as well as improve performance during cognitive tasks in healthy men. The group of subjects that received MPH (MPH group; N=16) had higher activation than the group of subjects who received no medication (control group: N=16) in DAN regions (parietal and prefrontal cortex, regions increasingly activated with increased cognitive load) and had increased deactivation in the insula and posterior cingulate cortex (regions increasingly deactivated with increased cognitive load) and these effects did not differ for the VA and the WM tasks. These findings provide the first evidence that MPH enhances activation of the DAN whereas it alters DMN deactivation. This suggests that MPH (presumably by amplifying dopamine and noradrenergic signaling) modulates cognition in part through its effects on DAN and DMN.

Conditioned place preference and locomotor activity in response to methylphenidate, amphetamine and cocaine in mice lacking dopamine D4 receptors

Methylphenidate (MP) and amphetamine (AMPH) are the most frequently prescribed medications for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Both drugs are believed to derive their therapeutic benefit by virtue of their dopamine (DA)-enhancing effects, yet an explanation for the observation that some patients with ADHD respond well to one medication but not to the other remains elusive. The dopaminergic effects of MP and AMPH are also thought to underlie their reinforcing properties and ultimately their abuse. Polymorphisms in the human gene that codes for the DA D4 receptor (D4R) have been repeatedly associated with ADHD and may correlate with the therapeutic as well as the reinforcing effects of responses to these psychostimulant medications. Conditioned place preference (CPP) for MP, AMPH and cocaine were evaluated in wild-type (WT) mice and their genetically engineered littermates, congenic on the C57Bl/6J background, that completely lack D4Rs (knockout or KO). In addition, the locomotor activity in these mice during the conditioning phase of CPP was tested in the CPP chambers. D4 receptor KO and WT mice showed CPP and increased locomotor activity in response to each of the three psychostimulants tested. D4R differentially modulates the CPP responses to MP, AMPH and cocaine. While the D4R genotype affected CPP responses to MP (high dose only) and AMPH (low dose only) it had no effects on cocaine. Inasmuch as CPP is considered an indicator of sensitivity to reinforcing responses to drugs these data suggest a significant but limited role of D4Rs in modulating conditioning responses to MP and AMPH. In the locomotor test, D4 receptor KO mice displayed attenuated increases in AMPH-induced locomotor activity whereas responses to cocaine and MP did not differ. These results suggest distinct mechanisms for D4 receptor modulation of the reinforcing (perhaps via attenuating dopaminergic signalling) and locomotor properties of these stimulant drugs. Thus, individuals with D4 receptor polymorphisms might show enhanced reinforcing responses to MP and AMPH and attenuated locomotor response to AMPH.

The pharmacokinetics of antofloxacin in renally impaired rats

Our aim was to investigate whether renal impairment induced by cisplatin altered the pharmacokinetics of antofloxacin. Antofloxacin (7.5 mg kg−1, i.v.) was given to normal or renally impaired rats (induced by cisplatin). Concentrations of antofloxacin in plasma and urine were measured using HPLC. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated. The plasma concentrations of antofloxacin in the renally impaired rats were significantly higher than those in the normal rats, accompanied by significant increase of the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) (968.78 ± 259.39 μg min mL−1 versus 509.84 ± 46.19 μg min mL−1 in normal rats P &lt; 0.05). The system clearance (CL) and renal clearance (CLR) of antofloxacin decreased from 12.66 ± 1.15 mL kg−1 min−1 and 3.21 ± 1.80 mLkg−1 min−1 in normal rats, to 6.63 ± 2.82 mLkg−1 min−1 and 0.31 ± 0.15 mLkg−1 min−1, respectively. No differences between two treatments in half-life and mean residence time were found. We concluded that renal impairment induced by cisplatin significantly altered the pharmacokinetics of antofloxacin and resulted in decrease of the renal elimination.

Liking and wanting of drug and non-drug rewards in active cocaine users: the STRAP-R questionnaire

Few studies have examined the subjective value attributed to drug rewards specifically as it compares with the value attributed to primary non-drug rewards in addicted individuals. The objective of this study is to assess 'liking' and 'wanting' of expected 'drug' rewards as compared to 'food' and 'sex' while respondents report about three different situations ('current', and hypothetical 'in general', and 'under drug influence'). In all, 20 cocaine-addicted individuals (mean abstinence = 2 days) and 20 healthy control subjects were administered the STRAP-R (Sensitivity To Reinforcement of Addictive and other Primary Rewards) questionnaire after receiving an oral dose of the dopamine agonist methylphenidate (20 mg) or placebo. The reinforcers' relative value changed within the addicted sample when reporting about the 'under drug influence' situation (drug > food; otherwise, drug < food). This change was highest in the addicted individuals with the youngest age of cocaine use onset. Moreover, 'drug' 'wanting' exceeded 'drug' 'liking' in the addicted subjects when reporting about this situation during methylphenidate. Thus, cocaine-addicted individuals assign the highest subjective valence to 'drug' rewards but only when recalling cue-related situations. When recalling this situation, they also report higher 'drug' 'wanting' than hedonic 'liking', a motivational shift that was only significant during methylphenidate. Together, these valence shifts may underlie compulsive stimulant abuse upon pharmacological or behavioural cue exposure in addicted individuals. Additional studies are required to assess the reliability of the STRAP-R in larger samples and to examine its validity in measuring the subjective value attributed to experienced reinforcers or in predicting behaviour.

Demographic, laboratory and clinical characteristics of HIV-positive tuberculosis cases in Canada

BACKGROUND

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an important risk factor for the global incidence and mortality of tuberculosis (TB) and has had a tremendous impact on the epidemiology and the control of the disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the demographic, laboratory and clinical characteristics of HIV-positive TB cases in Canada as compared to HIV-negative cases.

METHODS

TB cases reported to the Canadian TB Reporting System (CTBRS) from 1997 to 2006 were retrospectively reviewed and for those with known HIV serostatus, the distributions of age, sex, country of birth, smear and culture positivity, drug resistance, site of disease and treatment outcome were compared.

RESULTS

2710 TB cases had a report of an HIV test with a 12.9% positivity rate. HIV-positive cases were more likely to be 30-44 years old, male, Canadian born non-Aboriginal or African born. Sputum and lymph node biopsies were significantly more likely to be smear-positive and sputum was more likely to be culture positive. Anti-TB drug resistant rates were similar, except for lower streptomycin resistance in new HIV-positive cases. HIV-positive cases were significantly more likely to present with miliary or central nervous system TB, to have multi-system disease, to have lower treatment success rates (66.4% versus 88.5%) and to have a 5.6 higher case-fatality rate.

INTERPRETATION

HIV-positive cases have a different demographic profile, present with more advanced and severe forms of disease, have poorer treatment outcomes and higher mortality. All TB cases should be tested for HIV so as to offer appropriate case management and treatment.

Mechanism-based inhibition of CYP1A2 by antofloxacin, an 8-NH2 derivative of levofloxacin in rats

A recent focus was to investigate whether antofloxacin, an 8-NH(2) derivative of levofloxacin, inhibited cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2 activity in rats. Phenacetin, the representative substrate of CYP1A2, was used as the model drug to evaluate the activity of CYP1A2. In an in vivo study, an oral single dose of antofloxacin (20 mg kg(-1)) did not affect the pharmacokinetic behaviour of phenacetin, but a multidose (20 mg kg(-1) twice daily for 7.5 days) significantly increased phenacetin's area under the curve (AUC). In an in vitro study, only when pre-incubated with beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, a reduced form (NADPH) system in rat liver microsomes, did antofloxacin inhibit phenacetin O-deethylation. The inhibition was NADPH-, pre-incubation time-, and antofloxacin concentration-dependent. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic model with mechanism-based inhibition was successfully developed for predicting the interaction between antofloxacin and phenacetin in vivo from the in vitro data. The simulated AUC was 1.4-fold of the control, which was near the observed value of 1.6-fold. From the results, it can be concluded that the inhibition of CYP1A2 by antofloxacin is mechanism-based.