Relationship between Electrical Conductivity and Related Biochemical Indicators of Rat Cerebrum Tissues and Postmortem Interval

Abstract

Objective To explore the relationship between the electrical conductivity （EC） and biochemical indicators of rat cerebrum tissues and postmortem intervals （PMIs） and discuss the mechanism of applying EC to infer PMI. Methods Forty healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were sacrificed and stored in an environment of about 25 ℃. The whole cerebrum tissues of rats were removed respectively at different PMIs of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 d, and then made into homogenized impregnation solution. The EC and related biochemical indicators （potassium, sodium, chloride, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, uric acid, urea nitrogen and creatinine） in cerebrum tissue impregnation solution were determined, and the relationships among EC in impregnation solution, related biochemical indicators and PMI were analyzed. Results The EC in cerebrum tissues increased gradually with the extension of PMI, and the content of uric acid, urea nitrogen and inorganic phosphorus in its impregnation solution also increased gradually with the extension of PMI. The correlation of EC, uric acid, urea nitrogen, and inorganic phosphorus with PMI was relatively good （R² was 0.95-0.99）, and there was a linear correlation between the content change of uric acid, urea nitrogen, inorganic phosphorus and EC （R² was 0.97-0.99）. The changes of the other 6 kinds of biochemical indicators with the extension of PMI within 7 d after the rats' death were non-significant （P>0.05）. Conclusion The correlation between EC in cerebrum tissues, uric acid, urea nitrogen, inorganic phosphorus and PMI were relatively good, and combining various indicators can also improve the accuracy of PMI estimation.

Amentoflavone Affects Epileptogenesis and Exerts Neuroprotective Effects by Inhibiting NLRP3 Inflammasome

Brain inflammation is one of the main causes of epileptogenesis, a chronic process triggered by various insults, including genetic or acquired factors that enhance susceptibility to seizures. Amentoflavone, a naturally occurring biflavonoid compound that has anti-inflammatory effects, exerts neuroprotective effects against nervous system diseases. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of amentoflavone on epilepsy in vivo and in vitro and elucidate the underlying mechanism. The chronic epilepsy model and BV2 microglial cellular inflammation model were established by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) kindling or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Cognitive dysfunction was tested by Morris water maze while hippocampal neuronal apoptosis was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining. The levels of nucleotide oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome complexes and inflammatory cytokines were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Amentoflavone reduced seizure susceptibility, minimized PTZ-induced cognitive dysfunction, and blocked the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in PTZ-induced kindling mice. Amentoflavone also inhibited the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and decreased the levels of inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus of PTZ-induced kindling mice. Additionally, amentoflavone could alleviate the LPS-induced inflammatory response by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome in LPS-induced BV2 microglial cells. Our results indicated that amentoflavone affects epileptogenesis and exerts neuroprotective effects by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome and, thus, mediating the inflammatory process in PTZ-induced kindling mice and LPS-induced BV2 microglial cells. Therefore, amentoflavone may be a potential treatment option for epilepsy.

[Analysis on condom use negotiation with sex partners and condom use in female sex workers]

Objective: To know condom use negotiation with clients and regular sex partners and condom use in female sex workers (FSWs), and provide reference for the development of comprehensive HIV/AIDS intervention for FSWs. Methods: The cross sectional survey was conducted in Jianshui county and Mengzi county in Honghe Hani and Yi autonomous prefecture. A total of 476 FSWs aged 16 years and above were recruited from entertainment venues, and the information about their demographic characteristics, condom use negotiation and condom use were collected by using questionnaires. Logistic regression model was used to analyze related factors of condom use after negotiation between FSWs and clients unwilling use condom. Results: A total of 852 FSWs who aged (24.29±8.44) years old participated in the survey. In past month, 499 FSWs had negotiation for condom use with unwilling clients (58.6%, 499/852), after negotiation, 441 FSWs (88.4%, 441/499) had consistent condom use in each sex with the clients. In the past one month, 99 FSWs had negotiation for unwilling use condom with regular sex partners (14.4%, 99/687), after negotiation, 54 FSWs (54.5%, 54/99) had consistent condom use in each sex with regular sex partners. Among the FSWs, 266 (53.3%, 266/499) reported that they could say "It is a mandatory requirement" to persuade clients who were unwilling to use condom. 97(19.4%, 97/499) reported that they could say "There is risk for infection" to persuade clients who were unwilling to use condoms. 115 (23.1%,115/499) reported that they could say "It is a mandatory requirement" and "there is risk for infection" to persuade their unwilling clients to use condoms. 21 (4.2%, 21/499) reported that they used other strategies. 22 (4.4%, 22/499) felt that it was difficult to persuade clients to use condoms. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with FSWs who felt difficult in persuading clients to use condoms, FSWs who felt moderate difficulty were more likely to have consistent condom use after negotiation (OR=4.00, 95%CI: 1.55-10.32) and FSWs who felt easy in persuading clients to use condoms were also more likely to have consistent condom use (OR=30.17, 95%CI: 3.22-282.44). Compared with FSWs used other strategies to persuade their clients to use condoms, FSWs who said it was a mandatory requirement were more likely to have consistent condom use after negotiation (OR=4.44, 95%CI: 1.41-14.01) and FSWs who said it was a mandatory requirement and there was risk for infection were also more likely to have consistent condom use (OR=5.52, 95%CI: 1.55-19.73). Conclusions: Negotiation for condom use increased the rate of condom use in FSWs in sex with clients who were unwilling to use condom. The negotiation strategy of "It is a mandatory requirement" would promote condom use in FSWs in sex with clients who were unwilling to use condom. Besides, the negotiation strategy of saying "there is risk for infection" had additional effects.

[Progress on estimation and projection of HIV epidemics]

Due to the continuous improvement on HIV surveillance system and the diversity of data sources, various methodologies on estimation and projection of HIV/AIDS present greater contribution in exploring the natural history and related burden of HIV in the future. Different kinds of methods have been developed by professionals, both at home and abroad. This paper reviews the rationale, requirement, application, strength and limitation of the related methodologies that have been widely used in this field, to provide reference and evidence for the application and selection of related methodologies in the future.

[The analysis of prognosis-associated factors in adults with acute promyelocytic leukemia]

目的

探讨CD34、CD2、CD56表达和FLT3-ITD突变在成人急性早幼粒细胞白血病（APL）中的预后价值。

方法

分析2010年1月至2016年3月确诊的137例成人APL患者的免疫表型及分子学特点，探讨CD34、CD2、CD56表达及FLT3-ITD突变与初诊WBC、完全缓解率、早期死亡率、复发率、总生存（OS）率及无病生存（DFS）率的关系。

结果

①137例APL患者中，伴CD34表达者占26.3%，伴CD2表达者占25.5%，伴CD56表达者占10.2%，FLT3-ITD突变率为17.5%。CD34、CD2、CD56表达和FLT3-ITD突变在高危组患者中的发生率分别为43.2%、47.7%、18.2%和27.3%；在中/低危组患者中的发生率分别为18.3%、15.1%、6.5%和12.9%，差异均有统计学意义（χ²值分别为9.561、16.764、4.480、4.268，P值分别为0.002、<0.001、0.034、0.039）。②中位随访41个月，完全缓解率为96.9%，早期死亡率为6.6%，复发率为7.3%。与阴性者比较，伴CD34或CD2表达者的复发率增加（18.8%对3.3%，χ²=8.462，P=0.004；16.1%对4.3%，χ²=4.382，P=0.028）；伴CD56表达或FLT3-ITD突变者早期死亡率增加（21.4%对4.9%，χ²=5.610，P=0.018；16.7%对4.4%，χ²=4.833，P=0.028）。③137例患者的OS率为88.3%，DFS率为84.7%；CD34、CD56表达或FLT3-ITD突变者的OS及DFS较阴性者差（P值均<0.05）。

结论

在成人APL患者中，CD34、CD2、CD56表达及FLT3-ITD突变是一种不良预后因素。

[Progress of research on influencing factors of condom use among female sex workers]

Heterosexual transmission has become the main route of HIV transmission in China. As the main body of commercial heterosexual transmission, female sex workers (FSW) have a high-risk behavior of inconsistent condom use that increase the risk of HIV infection and spread. This review summarizes associated factors of condom use among FSW such as demographic characteristics, condom negotiation, sexual partner type, sexual intercourse, violence and HIV testing, which can provide reference for the future prevention and research among the FSWs.

Construction of expression vectors of capsid proteins from goose parvovirus and investigation of the immunogenicity

Goose parvovirus (GPV) is a highly contagious and lethal disease in goslings and Muscovy ducklings, and is of concern to the waterfowl industry. With the aim of comparing the cellular immunogenicity of three capsid proteins of GPV, plasmids of pcDNA3.1(+)-VP1, pcDNA3.1(+)-VP2, and pcDNA3.1(+)-VP3 were constructed, and the recombinant protein VPs were expressed using an eukaryotic expression system. We detected the levels of immune-related genes (CD4, CD8α, IL-1β, IL-6, IFNα, IFNγ, and IFNλ) in both goose embryo fibroblasts (GEF) and goose peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) cellular models. The immune response conferred by a VP2 DNA vaccine in vivo was observed in a time course. Our data suggested that the cellular immune response to VP2 and VP3 was stronger than that to VP1, while VP2 and VP3 shared similar cellular immune reactivity. In addition, vaccination with VP2 plasmid can induce high level of IgY antibody that continued to increase through 28 days post vaccination. Therefore, our findings shed light on the host cellular immune response against GPV capsid proteins. Keywords: GPV; capsid proteins; cellular immune response; humoral immunity.

[Progress on Molecular Biology for Forensic Ancestry Inference]

Forensic ancestry inference refers to the application of ancestry inference of population genetics in forensic practice, which aims to assist police investigation and judicial trial. With the rapid development and extensive use of genomics, DNA as a direct carrier of genetic information, has soon replaced various phenotypic markers and become the main research topics of forensic ancestry inference. This paper reviews different kinds of genetic markers used for forensic ancestry inference, the statistical analysis methods applied, and the prospects of the development in this field.

[Comparison of clinical manifestations according to HLA-B(27) genotype in ankylosing spondylitis patients: real-world evidence from smart management system for spondyloarthritis]

Objective: The aim of this study was to set up a large, longitudinal and prospective database to compare the clinical manifestations in human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B(27) positive and negative patients with ankylosing spondylitis(AS) based on real-world evidence in Chinese population. Methods: A total of 897 outpatients with confirmed AS were recruited consecutively by smart management system for spondyloarthritis (SMSP) from April 13, 2016 to June 6, 2017 in Chinese PLA General Hospital from 30 provinces and autonomous regions. 801 patients with HLA-B(27) data were included in the analysis. Demographic and clinical parameters including Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI), Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI), ankylosing spondylitis disease activity score (ASDAS), arthritis, enthesitis, Bath ankylosing spondylitis metrology index (BASMI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were compared between HLA-B(27) positive and negative groups. Results: A total of 801 patients were included in the analysis with an average age of (30.7±8.8) years. There were 659 males and 142 females and HLA-B(27) was present in 88.0%(705/801). Males were significantly more in HLA-B(27) positive patients [83.3%(587/705) vs. 75.0%(72/96); P=0.047].The average age at disease onset was (22.3±7.6)years in HLA-B(27) positive patients and (24.4±8.7) years in HLA-B(2)7 negative ones (P=0.028).There was significant difference in diagnose delay between two groups [14.3(2.5,43.6)months in HLA-B(27) positive patients vs. 20.3(5.0,67.4) months in HLA-B(27) negative ones, P=0.041]. Anterior uveitis was found to be significantly more common in HLA-B(27) positive patients [18.9% (133/705)vs.7.3%(7/96),P=0.005], and knee involvement less common in HLA-B(27) positive patients [4.0%(27/682) vs.10.0%(9/90), P=0.010], conversely. CRP[6.5(3.0, 16.4)mg/L vs. 3.5(1.6, 12.3)mg/L] and ESR[11.0(4.0, 24.0)mm/1h vs. 7.0(3.0, 16.0)mm/1h] were significantly higher in HLA-B(27) positive patients(P=0.005,0.013, respectively).But no differences in BASDAI,ASDAS,BASFI and BASMI were obtained between two groups. Conclusions: HLA-B(27) positive patients had a higher proportion of males, a younger age of onset and a greater risk for occurrence of anterior uveitis, suggesting a poorer prognosis.

The duck enteritis virus early protein, UL13, found in both nucleus and cytoplasm, influences viral replication in cell culture

The UL13 protein of the duck enteritis virus (DEV), predicted to encode a Ser/Thr protein kinase, belongs to the family of conserved herpesvirus protein kinases (CHPK), which plays an important role in herpesvirus proliferation. In this study, truncated UL13 was expressed as a fusion protein of approximately 44 kDa using a prokaryotic expression system, and this protein was used to generate a specific anti-UL13 antibody. This antibody detected UL13 starting at 4 h post infection in duck embryonic fibroblast cells and identified UL13 to be present in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus. UL13 RNA was found to be transcribed starting at 2 h post infection, and the synthesis of the UL13 mRNA was found to be sensitive to the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX) and tolerant of the DNA polymerase inhibitor ganciclovir (GCV). Its nuclear location and status as an early gene suggested that DEV UL13 might play important roles in DEV replication, which was confirmed by comparing the proliferation of a UL13-knockout mutant virus, a revertant virus, and the parent virus in cell culture. The specific mechanisms of UL13 in viral replication need to be further studied.

[A preliminary evaluation of mental status and an investigation of occupational health knowledge demand in operating and maintenance personnel in wind power plants]

Objective: To investigate the mental status, level of occupational health knowledge, health behaviors, and occupational health knowledge demand in operating and maintenance personnel in wind power plants, and to provide a basis for formulating protective measures of occupational health for operating and maintenance personnel in wind power plants. Methods: A cluster sampling was performed in regionally representative wind power plants in the wind power industry from May 2014 to June 2015, and the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) and a self-made evaluation questionnaire were used to investigate the general status, mental health, and occupational health knowledge demand in 160 operating and maintenance workers. Results: Of all respondents, 26.9% had mental health issues. The awareness rate of infectious disease knowledge and preventive measures was 11.9%. Of all workers, 96.5% wanted to know the occupational hazard factors in the workplace, and 96.3% wanted to get the knowledge of the prevention of related diseases. Conclusion: Mental health issues in operating and maintenance personnel in wind power plants cannot be neglected and there is a high demand for occupational health services and related knowledge. Comprehensive intervention measures for health promotion in the workplace should be adopted to improve working environment, enhance individual mental health education, increase the level of occupational health management, and protect the health of workers.

Effects of soybean isoflavones on Wnt/β-catenin and the TGF-β1 signaling pathway in renal tissue of type 2 diabetic rats

To observe the effect of Soyisoflavones (SI) on the expression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway elements, transforming growth factor-β (THGF-β) and its related proteins in the renal interstitia of diabetic nephropathic (DN) rats, 48 DN rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: DN model group (group DN), soybean isoflavone treatment group (group DA), DN model group + losartan treatment group (group DL), DN model group + soybean isoflavones combined with losartan treatment group (group SL). Each group comprised 12 rats. Twelve healthy Wistar rats were selected as normal controls (group N). After 12 weeks of continuous administration of soybean isoflavone or losartan or those two combined, the body weight of rats was recorded and serum urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Scr) were measured. The expression of Wnt4, β-catenin, and TGF-β1 proteins, as well as mRNA, in the renal interstitium were detected by immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR). In all the groups, Wnt4, β-catenin and TGF-β1 protein were only expressed in renal interstitial and renal tubular epithelial cells. There was no significant difference between group DA and group DL (P>0.05). FQ-PCR results showed that Wnt4, β-catenin and TGF-β1 mRNA were consistent with the expression of these proteins in the renal tissue of each group. Soy isoflavones can reduce 24-h urinary protein quantification, alleviate renal interstitial pathological damage, and regulate the expression of Wnt4, β-catenin and TGF-β1 in the renal interstitium. This suggests that soybean isoflavones could delay the process of renal interstitial fibrosis in DN rats by decreasing the expression of Wnt4, β-catenin and TGF-β1 in the renal interstitium, thus demonstrating that soybean isoflavones plus losartan have the best protective effects against diabetes-induced renal fibrosis.

Molecular identification of goose (Anser cygnoide) suppressor ubiquitin-specific protease 18 (USP18) and the effects of goose IFN and TMUV on its comparative transcripts

Ubiquitin-specific protease 18 (USP18) is known as an inhibition factor and has been associated with the innate immune response to pathogens. USP18 is the only deconjugating protease with specificity for interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15), which is supposed to be missing in birds. To analyze the efficacy of goose USP18 (goUSP18) against Tembusu virus (TMUV) infection, we first cloned USP18 homologous cDNA from TMUV infected geese. The coding sequence was 1131 bp, and the deduced amino acid sequence shared conserved motifs with its homologues. Tissue-specific expression has shown that goUSP18 transcripts are strongly expressed in the spleen and liver of adult geese, as well as in the pancreas of goslings. Moreover, the goUSP18 transcripts were induced by goose interferons (goIFN) in goose embryo fibroblasts (GEF) and by TLR ligands in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Notably, goUSP18 transcripts were highly up-regulated by TMUV infection compared to the basal level in uninfected birds. Taken together, these results suggested that goUSP18 was involved in host innate immunity against TMUV infection.

Integration of Web-based and PC-based Clinical Research Databases

We have created a Web-based repository or data library of information about measurement instruments used in studies of multi-factorial geriatric health conditions (the Geriatrics Research Instrument Library – GRIL) based upon existing features of two separate clinical study data management systems. GRIL allows browsing, searching, and selecting measurement instruments based upon criteria such as keywords and areas of applicability. Measurement instruments selected can be printed and/or included in an automatically generated standalone microcomputer database application, which can be downloaded by investigators for use in data collection and data management.

Methods: Integration of database applications requires the creation of a common semantic model, and mapping from each system to this model. Various database schema conflicts at the table and attribute level must be identified and resolved prior to integration. Using a conflict taxonomy and a mapping schema facilitates this process.

Results: Critical conflicts at the table level that required resolution included name and relationship differences.

Conclusions: A major benefit of integration efforts is the sharing of features and cross-fertilization of applications created for similar purposes in different operating environments. Integration of applications mandates some degree of metadata model unification.

Self-Management Protocol for a Moving-Actuator Type Artificial Heart

In this paper, we describe the development of a self-management protocol for a controller of a moving-actuator type artificial heart, AnyHeart™. The developed protocol analyzes motor current signals and detects abnormal pumping statuses. If preset abnormal pumping statuses are detected by an implemented algorithm, a controller triggers an emergency management procedure and transmits an alarm message to predetermined medical and engineering staffs via a cellular phone network to notify them of an abnormal pumping status occurrence and its likely cause.

Results of in vitro performance experiments showed that the developed protocol can detect simulated abnormalities in motor current, manage the operating status of the blood pump during an emergency, and transmit an alarm message as desired.

Development of a New Pulsatile Extracorporeal Life Support Device Incorporating a Dual Pulsatile Blood Pump

A new pulsatile extracorporeal life support device (ECLS) has been developed, designed to sustain pulsatile blood flow during emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitations and cardiopulmonary operations. This device features two identical pulsatile pumps that operate alternately and can therefore provide blood inflow in a more uniform manner than similar systems featuring a single-pump configuration. In order to confirm the presumed benefits of this newly-developed dual pulsatile pump configuration, we have conducted a series of in vitro experiments designed to compare the properties of the new system with a single pump system, specifically with regard to pump delivery rate and active filling efficiency. Our results reveal that the dual pump configuration can, indeed, deliver a higher flow than can the single-pump system, and exhibits an active filling efficiency superior to that of the single-pump configuration. We performed a series of animal experiments to measure the pulsatility of the dual-pump configuration in terms of equivalent energy pressure (EEP). In order to measure EEP, we measured femoral arterial pressure and pump outflow. The results of our animal experiments revealed that the newly-developed pulstile ECLS exhibits sufficient pulsatility in terms of the EEP considerations.

Wireless Patient Monitoring System for a Moving-Actuator Type Artificial Heart

In this study, we developed a wireless monitoring system for outpatients equipped with a moving-actuator type pulsatile bi-ventricular assist device, AnyHeart™. The developed monitoring system consists of two parts; a Bluetooth-based short-distance self-monitoring system that can monitor and control the operating status of a VAD using a Bluetooth-embedded personal digital assistant or a personal computer within a distance of 10 meters, and a cellular network-based remote monitoring system that can continuously monitor and control the operating status of AnyHeart™ at any location.

Results of in vitro experiments demonstrate the developed system's ability to monitor the operational status of an implanted AnyHeart™.

A Preclinical Cadaver Fitting Study of Implantable Biventricular Assist Device - AnyHeart™

A multifunctional, Korean-made artificial heart (AnyHeart™) was developed, and prior to its clinical application, a cadaver-fitting study was performed. The study proposed to determine the optimal cannulation approach, implantation technique and route of the cannula to minimize the organ compression of AnyHeart™. The anatomical feasibility and a variety of surgical techniques were evaluated using ten preserved, human cadavers. Implanting AnyHeart™ with ease is possible using various approaches, including a median sternotomy, and a right or left lateral thoracotomy. The lateral thoracotomy approach is shown to be safe and reproducible, especially in patients who have already undergone an operation that used a median sternotomy. The results of this study will guide improvements in the designs of cannulae and AnyHeart™ for future clinical applications.

Tumour endothelial marker 1/endosialin-mediated targeting of human sarcoma

BACKGROUND

Tumour endothelial marker 1 (TEM1/endosialin/CD248) is a tumour-restricted cell-surface protein expressed by human sarcomas. We previously developed a high-affinity human single-chain variable fragment (scFv)-Fc fusion protein (78Fc) against TEM1 and demonstrated its specific binding to human and mouse TEM1.

PATIENT AND METHODS

Clinical sarcoma specimens were collected between 2000 and 2015 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, as approved by the institutional review board and processed by standard formalin-fixed paraffin embedded techniques. We analysed TEM1 expression in 19 human sarcoma subtypes (n = 203 specimens) and eight human sarcoma-cell lines. Near-infrared (NIR) imaging of tumour-bearing mice was used to validate 78Fc binding to TEM1⁺ sarcoma in vivo. Finally, we tested an immunotoxin conjugate of anti-TEM1 78Fc with saporin (78Fc-Sap) for its therapeutic efficacy against human sarcoma in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

TEM1 expression was identified by immunohistochemistry in 96% of human sarcomas, of which 81% expressed TEM1 both on tumour cells and the tumour vasculature. NIR imaging revealed specific in vivo targeting of labelled 78Fc to TEM1⁺ sarcoma xenografts. Importantly, 78Fc-Sap was effective in killing in vitro TEM1⁺ sarcoma cells and eliminated human sarcoma xenografts without apparent toxicity in vivo.

CONCLUSION

TEM1 is an important therapeutic target for human sarcoma, and the high-affinity TEM1-specific scFv fusion protein 78Fc is suitable for further clinical development for therapeutic applications in sarcoma.

Dietary Intake is Positively Associated with Cognitive Function of a Chinese Older Adults Sample

OBJECTIVE

The relationship between cognitive function and dietary intake in older adults was under-studied in China. This study examined this relationship in a Chinese sample while controlling for the effects of sleep quality and socio demographic confounders.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 340 Chinese older adults (age > 60) who were randomly selected from Wuhan city in central China. Cognitive function was assessed by the Mini-mental State Examination [MMSE], sleep quality by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI], and dietary intake by frequencies of intake of meat products, fruits, fish/seafood/aquatic products, nuts and mushroom/algae over the past year. First, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to evaluate the measurement properties of cognitive function, dietary intake, and sleep quality. Second, structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to examine the relations of cognitive function, dietary intake, and sleep quality.

RESULTS

Dietary intake was found to be positively related to cognitive function. Older age, lower education status, monthly income, and living alone or without a spouse were significantly associated with poorer cognitive function. SES status had an indirect effect on cognitive function via dietary intake.

CONCLUSION

Dietary intake may be critical to maintain normal cognitive function of older adults in China.

Sustained Abdominal Aorta Compression Elevates Coronary Perfusion Pressure after Asphyxia-Induced Cardiac Arrest in a Rabbit Model

Objective

To investigate whether sustained abdominal aorta compression (SAAC) can improve coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and improve resuscitation outcomes without causing liver laceration.

Design and Setting

Animal study.

Methods

Cardiac arrest was induced by asphyxia in 28 New Zealand rabbits and maintained for 2 minutes before resuscitation. Animals were resuscitated using either standard CPR (STD-CPR group) or standard CPR and SAAC (SAAC-CPR group). Restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), restoration of spontaneous breathing (ROSB) and cerebral performance category score were determined. CPP, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and ROSC were compared in the two groups.

Results

MAP and CPP in the SAAC-CPR group were significantly higher than in the STD-CPR group. However, MAP and blood gas results showed no significant difference between the two groups during ROSC. ROSC was achieved in seven of fourteen animals in the STD-CPR group and in eleven of fourteen animals in the SAAC-CPR group. Five animals in the STD-CPR group and nine in the SAAC-CPR group survived 24 hours after ROSC. No liver injury occurred in the two groups.

Conclusions

SAAC-CPR produces an increased CPP and MAP than traditional CPR and it does not lead to liver laceration/injury.

Application of data mining techniques to explore predictors of upper urinary tract damage in patients with neurogenic bladder

This study proposed a decision tree model to screen upper urinary tract damage (UUTD) for patients with neurogenic bladder (NGB). Thirty-four NGB patients with UUTD were recruited in the case group, while 78 without UUTD were included in the control group. A decision tree method, classification and regression tree (CART), was then applied to develop the model in which UUTD was used as a dependent variable and history of urinary tract infections, bladder management, conservative treatment, and urodynamic findings were used as independent variables. The urethra function factor was found to be the primary screening information of patients and treated as the root node of the tree; Pabd max (maximum abdominal pressure, >14 cmH₂O), Pves max (maximum intravesical pressure, ≤89 cmH₂O), and gender (female) were also variables associated with UUTD. The accuracy of the proposed model was 84.8%, and the area under curve was 0.901 (95%CI=0.844-0.958), suggesting that the decision tree model might provide a new and convenient way to screen UUTD for NGB patients in both undeveloped and developing areas.

[Prognostic value of dynamic monitoring of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia]

Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of dynamic monitoring of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript in pediatric patients with t (8;21) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) . Methods: The clinical features and RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels of 55 pediatric t (8;21) AML patients, newly diagnosed from Jan. 2010 to Apr. 2016, were analyzed retrospectively. The relationship between the minimal residual disease (MRD) and prognosis was analysed by dynamic monitoring of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels using real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) technology. Results: The RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels in bone marrow cells at diagnosis was not related to relapse. After one course of induction therapy, patients with a more than 2 Log reduction of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels (>2 Log) had lower 5 years cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) [ (24.3±8.4) % vs (52.6±9.7) %, χ(2)=9.046, P=0.003], relapse-free survival (RFS) [ (71.6±12.7) % vs (48.1±13.2) %, χ(2)=5.814, P=0.016], and better overall survival (OS) [ (76.9±12.5) % vs (48.9±14.7) %, χ(2)=6.346, P=0.012], compared to patients with a less than 2 Log reduction (a<2 Log) . Multivariate Cox survival analysis suggested that a>2 Log reduction in RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels after a course of induction therapy was an independent prognostic factor for RFS (HR=0.263, 95%CI 0.081-0.851, P=0.026) and OS (HR=0.214, 95% CI 0.057-0.808, P=0.023) . During consolidation therapy and follow-up period, molecular relapse of 16 cases and hematologic relapse of 13 cases were identified by continuous dynamic monitoring of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels, with a median interval of 4.0 (1.5-5.8) months from the molecular relapse to hematologic relapse. 2 cases of molecular relapse who received timely allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation did not experience hematologic relapse. Conclusion: Dynamic monitoring RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels by RQ-PCR technique can subdivide patients into relatively low and high risk group, early screen patients at high risk of relapse and provide a scientific basis for precision stratification and risk-adapted therapy for pediatric t (8;21) AML children.