[Research progress on the relationship between dietary patterns and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease]

Globally, metabolic-asssociated fatty liver disease has become a significant health burden due to its complex pathogenesis, and there are no specific and effective therapeutic drugs to date. The onset and progression of metabolic-asssociated fatty liver disease is closely associated with improper dietary habits. The cornerstone to treat metabolic-asssociated fatty liver disease is weight loss through a well-balanced diet. This article summarizes and discusses the research progress at home and abroad in relationship to metabolic-asssociated fatty liver disease and dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, an energy-restricted balanced diet, a low fat diet, a low carbohydrate diet, a western diet, an animal food diet, a traditional diet, and others. In addition, it categorizes the effects of various dietary patterns on the prevention, treatment, or induction of several issues that need further metabolic-asssociated fatty liver disease research for subsequent reference.

[Early warning of low maternal unconjugated estriol level by prenatal screening for fetus with X-linked ichthyosis]

Objective: To analyze the characteristic of prenatal serological screening in fetus with X-linked ichthyosis (XLI), and to explore the relationship between unconjugated estriol (uE₃) levels and XLI. Methods: A total of 56 fetuses with Xp22.31 microdeletion indicated by prenatal diagnosis and 70 fetuses diagnosed with trisomy 21 and 26 fetuses with trisomy 18 in Henan Provincial People's Hospital and Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical College from September 2016 to June 2021 were collected. The multiples of median (MoM) values of uE₃, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) during the second trimester of pregnancy were retrospectively analyzed. Prenatal diagnosis was made by amniotic fluid karyotype analysis and genome copy number variant analysis, parent genetic verification and pathogenicity analysis were performed, and maternal and infant outcomes were followed up. Results: Of 56 pregnant women with fetal Xp22.31 microdeletion, 43 underwent serological screening during the second trimester of pregnancy, of which 42 were abnormal (39 male fetuses and 3 female fetuses). The median uE₃ MoM value of 39 male fetuses [0.06 (0.00-0.21)] was lower than the normal value and significantly lower than that of fetuses with trisomy 21 [0.71 (0.26-1.27)] and fetuses with trisomy 18 [0.36 (0.15-0.84)], the difference was statistically significant (Z=99.96, P<0.001). While the MoM values of AFP and hCG were all within the normal range. Among the 56 fetuses carrying Xp22.31 microdeletion, 45 were male fetuses and 11 were female fetuses, and the deletion fragments all involved STS gene. Eighty-nine percent (50/56) were inherited from mother (49 cases) or father (1 case), and 11% (6/56) were de novo mutations. Follow-up showed 48 live births (38 males and 10 females) and 8 chose to terminate pregnancy (7 males and 1 female). Among the 38 male newborns, 37 presented with scaly skin changes from 1 to 3 months of age, and one had no clinical manifestations until 4 months after birth. Ten female newborns had no obvious clinical manifestations. Conclusions: The decrease levels of uE₃ MoM on maternal serological screening is closely related to the higher risk of XLI in male fetuses. For pregnant women with low uE₃ in serological screening or with family history of ichthyosis, in addition to chromosomal karyotype analysis, joint detection of genomic copy number variant analysis should be recommended.

[Effect of thrombin on cell proliferation and plasminogen activator inhibitor type (PAI-1) expression in human embryonic glomerular mesangial cells]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of thrombin on cell proliferation and plasminogen-activator inhibitor Type 1(PAI-1) expression in human embryonic glomerular mesangial cells.

METHODS

Methyl-tetragolium (MTT) incorporation, fibrin plate assay and Northern blotting hybridization were used to examine the mesangial cells proliferation, protein activity and mRNA expression of PAI-1 in cultured human embryonic mesangial cells induced by thrombin, respectively.

RESULTS

Thrombin enhanced glomerular mesangial cell proliferation, PAI-1 protein activity and mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner, which could be blocked by hirudin, a specific inhibitor of thrombin.

CONCLUSION

Thrombin could enhance mesangial cell proliferation, and up-regulate protein activity and mRNA expression of PAI-1 in cultured human embryonic glomerular mesangial cells. It may play an important role in the pathogenesis of glomerulosclerosis induced by thrombin.

Statistical brain topographic mapping analysis for EEGs recorded during Qi Gong state

Spontaneous EEGs recorded with 12 channels (International 10-20 system) on the scalp were analyzed by statistical brain topographic mapping (t-test and correlation coefficient topographic mappings) to reveal changes of the electrical activity in the brain during Qi Gong state. The control subjects and two groups of masters and beginners in accordance with the time and the skilled degree practising Qi Gong were compared. The changes of EEGs of the Qi Gong masters during the Qi Gong state were clearly different from those recorded during the resting state with closed eyes. The EEG alpha activity occurred predominantly in the anterior half, and occurred silently in the posterior half of the brain during Qi Gong state. The peak frequency of EEG alpha rhythm during Qi Gong state was slower than resting state without practicing Qi Gong. The results of the t-test and correlation coefficient topographic mappings showed this finding quantitatively and statistically significant. The changes in EEG between resting and Qi Gong state for Qi Gong masters appear to be opposite. This findings indicates that Qi Gong state is a special and unusual state and this state is not an inherent state existing in each person. The occurrence of this phenomenon of EEG depends on the duration and the skilled degree of the practising Qi Gong.

EEG findings during special psychical state (Qi Gong state) by means of compressed spectral array and topographic mapping

Wallace first reported the changes in EEG during transcendental mediation [6]. Banquet [1] observed, on the basis of spectral analysis of the EEG, that the mediation state was a unique state of consciousness, and separate from wakefulness, drowsiness or sleep. The Qi Gong of China is not the same as either transcendental mediation or the Yoga Gong. The EEG during Qi Gong state is clearly different from those recorded during the resting state. The changes in the EEG during the Qi Gong have not been reported previously. The EEG alpha activity during the Qi Gong state occurs predominantly in the anterior regions. The peak frequency of EEG alpha rhythm is slower than the resting state. The change of EEG during Qi Gong between anterior and posterior half is negative correlation. These changes are statistically significant.

Studies on the phenomenon of latent propagated sensation along the channels. II. Investigation on the lines of LPSC on the twelve main channels

Applying an electric impulse at the Jing points and then tapping on the skin surface along the lines perpendicular to the channels, latent PSC of 12 channels was examined respectively on 200 patients at an acupuncture clinic. Of the cases examined, 68.5% were found to have positive latent PSC. No prominent difference was found among the 12 main channels. In patients with higher sensitivity of latent PSC and in those with marked PSC as well, the traces of latent PSC can be located simply by tapping (i.e. without electric impulsation at the Jing points), and the width of the sensitive lines is about 0.5 cm. Furthermore, in cases with marked PSC, the latent sensation lines were always found to be a continuation of the marked ones. These facts indicate that the latent PSC is a common meridian phenomenon in a large number of individuals.

Studies on the phenomenon of latent propagated sensation along the channels. I. The discovery of a latent PSC and a preliminary study of its skin electrical conductance

By combining electrical impulse stimuli with mechanical ones, we are able to trace out a new line of feeling, coincident with the classical channel course. Impulse stimulation was carried out at the Jing point of the Large Intestine or Stomach channel, namely Shangyan or Lidui. With a small rubber nipple, light taps were applied on the skin along the lines perpendicular to the channel and crossing over the acupuncture points; a specific propagational numb feeling at the points of the channel could be found. By linking up these points of specific feeling, an imaginary line which is exactly the classical Large Intestine or Stomach channel can be traced out. This line is called the "latent propagational sensation line along the channels" because, unless through tapping, no prominent sensation of propagation could be felt. Employing an impulsive electrical generator and an all-wave commutating circuit linked to a micro-ammeter, the skin conductance was measured over the latent PSC of the Large Intestine channel lying between the wrist and 5 cm above the elbow joint. Results were compared to those locations of 1 cm apart from the channel course, i.e. the control sites devoid of acupuncture points or channels. At most acupuncture points or any site of the channel course on all of the 10 subjects under examination, there was greater electrical conductance maxima than there was at control sites. This fact indicates that not only the acupuncture points, but the entire course of latent PSC are also of higher electrical conductance.