Frontal lobe function, behavioral changes and quality of life in patients with multiple system atrophy

BACKGROUND

Cognitive impairment is an important and common symptom in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA).

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to explore the potential relationships among frontal lobe function, behavioral changes and quality of life (QoL) in patients with MSA.

METHODS

A total of 203 MSA patients were enrolled and evaluated using the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), the Frontal Behavioral Inventory (FBI) and the Parkinson's disease Questionnaire-39 item version (PDQ-39). Seventy-eight age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy controls were recruited to complete the FAB.

RESULTS

Among MSA patients, those with frontal lobe dysfunction were older (P = 0.005), had older age of onset (P = 0.002), lower educational level (P <  0.001), higher scores in the PDQ-39 domains of mobility (P = 0.042), ADL (P = 0.020), cognition (P <  0.001) and communication compared to those with normal frontal lobe function. The most common frontal behavioral changes were logopenia followed by apathy and inflexibility. The severity of frontal behavioral changes was associated with MSA subtype (P = 0.015), disease severity (Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale-I (UMSARS-I), UMSARS-II, UMSARS-IV, and total UMSARS scores) (P <  0.001), orthostatic hypotension (P = 0.022), severity of depressive symptoms and total score on the PDQ-39 (P <  0.001). Binary logistic regression showed that the determinants of poor QoL in patients with MSA were disease severity (UMSARS-I and total UMSARS scores) (P <  0.05), depression (P = 0.013) and total FBI score (P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Frontal behavioral changes were potential determinants of poor QoL in MSA, in addition to the disease severity and depressive symptoms. Early discovery and management of frontal behavioral changes in addition to motor and depressive symptoms will help to improve the QoL of MSA patients.

[Factors influencing poor prognosis of mechanical thrombectomy in time window of acute ischemic stroke]

Objective: Investigate the causes of poor prognosis of mechanical thrombectomy in the time window of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with anterior circulation. Methods: A retrospective analysis was made on the data of 78 patients with anterior circulation AIS who underwent mechanical thrombectomy in the time window from January 2017 to December 2017 in the Department of Vascular Neurosurgery of Liaocheng Brain Hospital. The modified Rankin scale (mRS) was used to evaluate the prognosis of the patients 3 months after operation. According to the prognosis,the patients were divided into the group with good prognosis (42 cases, mRS<2 points) and the group with poor prognosis (36 cases, mRS<3 points). Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the related factors of poor prognosis. Results: (1) Univariate analysis showed that the prognosis of patients with good combination and primary stenosis of diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis was lower than that of patients with poor prognosis (P<0.05). The collateral circulation compensation rate and vascular recanalization rate of patients with good prognosis were higher than those of patients with poor prognosis (P<0.05). Learning significance (P<0.05). (2) Multivariate analysis showed that diabetes mellitus (P=0.035), collateral circulation compensation (P=0.011) and primary atherosclerotic stenosis (P=0.042) were independent risk factors for poor prognosis. Conclusion: Perfect preoperative evaluation and strict screening of patients, good collateral circulation compensation,individualized treatment for patients with primary atherosclerotic stenosis,and strict control of postoperative hyperglycemia can improve the clinical prognosis of endovascular therapy.

Effects of Sca-1(+) bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on lung ischemia-reperfusion injury

This study aimed to explore the effect of Sca-1+ bone marrow stromal stem cells (BMSCs) on lung ischemia reperfusion injury in mice. Five healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were selected to isolate and purify their Sca-1+ BMSCs using a Sca-1+ magnetic sorting kit in conjunction with whole bone marrow culture. In addition, 21 male C57BL/6J mice were divided into 3 groups (7 mice in each group), namely sham group (group A), I/R group (group B) and BMSCs group (group C). A pulmonary ischemia reperfusion injury model was established by ligating the left pulmonary portal vessel for 60 min and reperfusion for 240 min, after which the right pulmonary portal vessel was blocked to measure arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2). Subsequently, the mice were sacrificed to determine their superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the lung tissue. The histological changes were observed by light microscopy, while an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the changes in plasma expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the mice. In addition, plasma expressions of TNF-α and B-cell lymphoma-2 (bcl-2) in the mice were detected by immunohistochemistry, while the apoptosis of transplanted lung cells was detected by a TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) method. Compared with group A, group B showed a decreased level of PaO2 and SOD activity but an increased level of MDA content and MPO activity (P less than 0.01), indicating that group B had significant ischemia reperfusion injury compared to group A. In conclusion, BMSCs significantly reduced lung ischemia-reperfusion injury and improved lung function through their anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis properties.

[Application of the five-level pediatric emergency triage system: a single center study]

Objective: To assess the effectiveness in optimizing resources and shortening critical children's waiting time in pediatric emergency department (PED) with five-level pediatric emergency triage system (PETS). Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University after PETS was applied. The data of patients who visited the pediatric emergency department from January 2015 to December 2017 were collected and analyzed, including age, sex, diseases, visiting time, triage rate and destination. Results: A total of 375 985 patients were included, among whom males were 225 308 (59.9%) and females were 150 677 (40.1%), all younger than 14 years of age. The number of critical cases (level Ⅰ, level Ⅱ and level Ⅲ) was increased from 4 719 (3.7%) in 2015, 12 209 (10.2%) in 2016 to 16 188 (12.7%) in 2017. The number of non-critical patients (level Ⅴ) decreased year by year, as from 98 213 (76.8%) in 2015 to 75 210 (62.6%) in 2016 and 78 857 (61.7%) in 2017. The patients who classified as level Ⅰ or levelⅡaccording to the PETS were seen immediately by physician (n=1855, 0.5%). Overall, 119 738 patients (98.3%) who were classified as level Ⅲ or level Ⅳ could be seen by physician in a timely manner according to triage guidelines, while 2 112 patients (1.7%) could not. The mean waiting time was 9.09 min in level Ⅲ, 17.7 min in level Ⅳ, and 55.76 min in level Ⅴ patients, respectively. The critical cases admitted to the intensive care units were 175 (36.2%) in 2015, 350 (62.8%) in 2016 and 374 (66.2%) in 2017. The etiologies were respiratory diseases (73.3%), gastrointestinal diseases (15.8%) and infectious diseases (3.1%). Conclusion: The application of PETS could optimize emergency resources and shorten the waiting time of critically ill children.

Prevalence of and factors associated with postural deformities in Chinese patients with multiple system atrophy

OBJECTIVE

The prevalence of postural deformities in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA) has varied among previous studies. The objective of our study was to investigate the prevalence of and factors associated with postural deformities in Chinese MSA patients.

METHODS

A total of 732 MSA patients were consecutively enrolled in the current study. Clinical data including age, sex, age of onset, disease duration, onset symptom and treatment were collected. The Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS) was used to evaluate the severity of the disease.

RESULTS

One hundred and fourteen (15.6%) patients presented with camptocormia. Thirty-one (4.2%) patients manifested with Pisa syndrome. Twenty-four (3.3%) patients presented with antecollis. Patients who exhibited postural deformities were more common among the MSA patients with predominant parkinsonism (MSA-P) (P < 0.05). In addition, MSA patients with postural deformities had a longer disease duration compared to those patients without postural deformities (P < 0.001). After adjusting for disease duration, compared with patients without postural deformities, MSA patients with postural deformities presented with higher score of UMSARS-I (P < 0.001), UMSARS-II (P < 0.001), UMSARS-IV (P < 0.001), and total UMSARS (P < 0.001) scores. The binary logistic regression model indicated that the factors associated with postural deformity in MSA patients were the total UMSARS score (OR = 1.076, P < 0.001) and MSA-P subtype (OR = 3.870, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Postural deformities were common in Chinese MSA patients. Camptocormia was the most common type of postural deformity, followed by Pisa syndrome and antecollis. The factors associated with postural deformity were the severity of the disease and MSA-P subtype.

[Determination of ethylenediamine in the air of workplace by Ion chromatography]

Objective: To establish a method to detect the concentrations of ethylenediamine in the air of workplace by Ion chromatography. Methods: Ethylenediamine in the air of workplace adsorpted by Silicone tube, then ultrasonic desorped by Sulfuric acid solution (0.1 mol/L) , the desorption solution qualitative and quantitative determination by Ion chromatography. Results: For ethylenediamine, the calibration curves were liner in the range of 0.1-100.0 μg/ml, the method detection limit is 0.1 μg/ml, the minimum detectable concentration is 0.13 mg/m(3) (in terms of sampling 7.5 L) . The desorption efficiency is more than 90% on spiked levels of 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 μg/ml, the average desorption efficiency of the method was 96.1%, the precision was 1.8%-2.1%. The recovery rate of the added standard is 98.5%-104.2%. Conclusion: The method simplifies the preprocessing steps and improves the sensitivity. All the indexes are in conformity with the requirements of the method formulation guide. It is suitable for the determination of ethylenediamine in the air of the workplace.

[In vitro and in vivo effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid-mediated photodynamic therapy against oral squamous cell carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-mediated photodynamic therapy against oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and preliminarily explore the possible mechanisms. Methods: SCC25 cells were divided into the control group (5-ALA of 0 mg/L) and the experimental group (5-ALA of 10, 25, 50, 100 and 150 mg/L). The production of protoporphyrin Ⅸ (PpⅨ) induced by 5-ALA in SCC25 cells was detected using the flow cytometry. SCC25 cells were divided into the control group (5-ALA of 0 mg/L), lazer alone group, 5-ALA alone group (5-ALA of 100 mg/L) and the 5-ALA combined with laser irradiation group (5-ALA of 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 mg/L), the cytotoxicity of 5-ALA combined with laser irradiation (wave length 635 nm, power density 87 mW/cm(2) and laser dose 10.4 J/cm(2)) was evaluated in SCC25 cells using the methyl thiazolyltetrazolium assay (incubation times of 4, 8 and 12 h in each group) and the induction effect of combination treatment on the cell apoptosis was assessed by the flow cytometry (incubation time of 12 h in each group). The intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) triggered by 5-ALA combined with laser irradiation was determined using a fluorescence probe method (incubation time of 12 h in each group). A mouse OSCC xenograft model bearing SCC25 tumor was built, and the mice were divided into control group (saline), 5-ALA group (5-ALA of 50 mg/kg) and 5-ALA combined with laser irradiation group (5-ALA of 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg). Antitumor effect of 5-ALA combined with laser irradiation (wave length 635 nm, power density 158 mW/cm(2) and laser dose 94.8 J/cm(2)) was further measured. Results: 5-ALA induced the production of PpⅨ in SCC25 cells in a drug concentration (0-150 mg/L)-and incubation time (0-24 h)-dependent manner. When the 5-ALA concentration was 100 mg/L, the intracellular PpⅨ production was in a relatively stable state. Cell viability and apoptosis rate of 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 mg/L 5-ALA combined with laser irradiation are, respectively, (82.3±5.2)%, (3.13±0.38)%; (74.6±9.3)%, (5.38±0.55)%; (38.3±9.7)%, (17.97±2.72)%; (9.2±3.8)%, (24.47±3.37)%; (7.2±0.8)%, (43.01±5.96)%, which indicated that 5-ALA combined with laser irradiation notably inhibited the growth of SCC25 cells and also induced significant cell apoptosis compared with the control group [(96.3±6.0)%, (0.35±0.13)%, P<0.05]. After combination treatment (5-ALA of 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 mg/L combined with laser irradiation, the mean fluorescence intensity of dichlorofluorescein is (1.46±0.12)×10(4), (2.16±0.30)×10(4), (3.57±0.34)×10(4), (81.70±13.05)×10(4), (113.00±7.35)×10(4), respectively, a large amount of ROS was produced in SCC25 cells compared with the control group [(0.96±0.15) ×10(4), P<0.05], which was in positive correlation with the intracellular PpⅨ content. 5-ALA (concentration of 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg) combined with laser irradiation greatly suppressed the tumor growth in SCC25 tumor-bearing mice compared to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions: 5-ALA-mediated photodynamic therapy can trigger the generation of intracellular ROS that has significant cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction effect, and thus inhibit the tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo.

[Expressions and prognostic significance of PTEN and PD-1 protein in patients with classical Hodgkin's lymphoma]

目的

分析肿瘤免疫耐受信号通路的重要因子PD-1和PTEN在经典型霍奇金淋巴瘤（CHL）患者中的表达及其与患者临床特征和预后的相关性。

方法

回顾性分析2003年2月至2013年8月诊治的56例CHL患者的临床资料。采用免疫组织化学染色法检测CHL患者PD-1和PTEN蛋白的表达，采用原位杂交法检测EBV及EBV编码的小mRNA（EBER），并结合患者的临床特征与生存状态进行相关性分析。

结果

①56例患者中，男34例，女22例，中位年龄25（7~71）岁，PTEN阳性者11例（19.64%），PD-1阳性者14例（25.00%）。②PTEN和PD-1表达呈正相关（rs=0.320，P=0.016）；PTEN表达与Ann Arbor分期、IPS评分和有无大包块（≥5 cm）明显相关，PD-1仅与有无大包块相关（P值均<0.05）。③中位随访43（5~86）个月，多因素分析结果显示：年龄≥45岁（P<0.001）、IPS评分>2分（P=0.026）、EBER阳性（P=0.004）、PTEN蛋白高表达（P=0.035）是影响患者5年总生存的不良预后因素，也是影响5年无进展生存的不良预后因素（P值分别为0.007、0.014、0.002、0.024）。

结论

肿瘤免疫逃逸信号通路因子PTEN与CHL患者的预后相关，对CHL患者的预后判断有一定作用，同时也为CHL的免疫治疗提供了新思路和理论依据。

The rapid effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) enriched phospholipids on alleviating exercise fatigue in mice

It has been reported that docosahexaenoic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid (DHA/EPA) and phospholipids (PLs) play an important role in alleviating exercise fatigue. However, the difference of DHA and EPA in ameliorating exercise fatigue is still unclear. Furthermore, the comparative study about DHA/EPA-PLs and nonpolar DHA/EPA on exercise fatigue has not been reported. In the present study, the effects of DHA and EPA on exercise fatigue was firstly compared by conducting an exhaustion test, and the results showed that triglyceride (TG) with high ratio of EPA had a more significant effect on alleviating exercise fatigue than TG with a low ratio of EPA in mice. Therefore, eicosapentaenoic acid–ethyl ester (EPA–EE) and EPA–PL were then selected to compare the rapid effects of polar and nonpolar DHA/EPA on exercise fatigue in mice by a weight-loaded swimming exhaustion test. A single intake of EPA–PL but not EPA–EE significantly alleviated exercise fatigue in mice by increasing the lactic acid recycling rate as well as inhibiting glycogen consumption and muscle injury, suggesting that EPA–PL exhibited a rapid effect on alleviating exercise fatigue. The study might represent a potential novel candidate or targeted dietary pattern for alleviating exercise fatigue.

EPA-PL has rapid effects on alleviating exercise fatigue by inhibiting lactic acid accumulation, glycogen consumption and muscle injury.

Eicosapentaenoic acid in the form of phospholipids exerts superior anti-atherosclerosis effects to its triglyceride form in ApoE−/−mice

EPA-PL was superior to EPA-TG in reducing lesion progression by modulating hepatic lipid metabolism and decreasing inflammation in the artery wall and circulatory system, which might be attributed to the structural differences at the sn-3 position.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG modulates gastrointestinal absorption, excretion patterns, and toxicity in Holstein calves fed a single dose of aflatoxin B1

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG; ATCC 53013) on growth performance and hepatotoxicity in calves fed a single dose of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and to investigate the absorption, distribution, and elimination of AFB₁ and the hydroxylated metabolite aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) in rumen fluid, blood, and excretions. Twenty-four male Holstein calves were blocked for body weight and age and were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: (1) untreated control, (2) treated with 4.80 mg of AFB₁ (AFB₁ only), or (3) treated with 1 × 10¹⁰ cfu of LGG suspension and 4.80 mg of AFB₁ (AFB₁ plus LGG). The calves received LGG suspension in 50 mL of phosphate-buffered saline daily via oral administration for 14 d before and on the day they received a single oral dose of AFB₁. Body weight was recorded at the beginning of the study (before LGG administration), at the day of AFB₁ administration, and at the end of the trial. Rumen fluid, blood, urine, and feces samples were collected continuously for 96 h after AFB₁ administration. Average daily gain (ADG) and plasma biochemical parameters were analyzed, and concentrations of AFB₁ and AFM₁ in the samples were determined for monitoring excretion pattern and toxicokinetics. The results showed that ADG was lower in AFB₁-treated animals; LGG administration partially mitigated the decrease in ADG (0.85 ± 0.08 vs. 0.76 ± 0.18 kg of gain/d). The AFB₁ treatment increased plasma aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase levels. Administration of LGG alleviated the AFB₁-induced increase in plasma enzymes activity. The excretion patterns of AFB₁ and AFM₁ were surprisingly regular; toxins were rapidly detected in all samples after a single oral dose of AFB₁, and the peak of toxins concentrations was sequentially reached in rumen fluid, plasma, urine, and feces (except AFM₁ in rumen fluid), followed by an exponential decrease. The excretion curves showed that AFB₁ and AFM₁ concentrations were the highest in feces and urine, respectively. Administration of LGG decreased the concentrations of free AFB₁ and AFM₁ in rumen fluid and reduced the release of toxins into plasma and urine. Toxicokinetic parameters (except for the time of maximum concentration and the terminal half-life) were reduced by LGG administration. In conclusion, the absorption, distribution, and excretion of AFB₁ and AFM₁ were rapid in calves fed a single dose of AFB₁. Urine was the main route for the excretion of AFM₁, and the clearance pattern from the peak of concentration was well fitted by exponential decreasing function. Administration of LGG reduced the absorption of AFB₁ in the gastrointestinal tract by increasing the excretion via the feces, thus alleviating the hepatotoxic effect of AFB₁.

[Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in distinguishing the origin of adenocarcinoma at the junction of the lower uterine segment and endocervix]

Objective: To evaluate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at 3.0T in differential diagnosis of the origin of adenocarcinoma at the junction of the lower uterine segment and endocervix. Methods: 71 patients with adenocarcinoma at the junction of the lower uterine segment and endocervix were retrospectively collected. Pelvic MR examinations, including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) sequences, were performed within 2 weeks before surgery. MR images were analyzed and measured by two radiologists, including the location of the tumor center, the enhancement pattern, the anterior and posterior diameters, the left and right diameters, the upper and lower diameters, and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the tumor. Immunohistochemical method was used as gold standard in distinguishing cervical adenocarcinoma and uterine adenocarcinoma. Results: The upper and lower diameters of uterine adenocarcinoma were [(5.80±2.31) cm], significantly larger than those of cervical adenocarcinoma [(4.16±2.17) cm, P=0.009]. Using 4.5cm as the best cutoff point value, the sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing uterine adenocarcinoma and cervical adenocarcinoma were 68.4% and 65.4%, respectively. According to the location of tumor center, the sensitivity and specificity were 84.2% and 73.1%, respectively. Using tumor enhancement pattern as the criterion, the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosing uterine adenocarcinoma and cervical adenocarcinoma were 68.4% and 80.8% respectively. Conclusions: MRI has certain clinical value in evaluating the origin of adenocarcinoma at the junction of the lower uterine segment and endocervix. The lesions can be diagnosed according to the main location, the characteristics of dynamic enhancement and the growth pattern of the tumor.

Microbacterium ureisolvens sp. nov., isolated from a Yellow River sample

A Gram-stain positive, aerobic, non-motile and short-rod-shaped strain, CFH S00084^T, was isolated from a sediment sample of the Yellow River in Henan Province, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain CFH S00084^T clustered within members of Microbacterium and was most closely related to the type strains Microbacterium yannicii JCM 18959^T and Microbacterium arthrosphaerae DSM 22421^T (98.97 % and 98.36 % similarity, respectively). The strain grew optimally at 25-37 °C, at pH 7.0 and in 0-3 % (w/v) NaCl. The major whole-cell sugars were rhamnose and glucose. The cell-wall peptidoglycan mainly contained glycine, alanine and ornithine. The menaquinones of strain CFH S00084^T were MK-13, MK-12 and MK-11. The major fatty acids detected were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The genome of strain CFH S00084^T was 4.03 Mbp with a G+C content of 70.5 mol%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between CFH S00084^T and the other species of the genus Microbacterium were found to be low (ANIm <85 %, ANIb <75 % and dDDH <24 %). The phylogenomic analysis provided evidence for clear phylogenetic divergence between strain CFH S00084^T and its closely related type strains. On the basis of the differential physiological properties, chemotaxonomic characteristics and low ANI and dDDH results, strain CFH S00084^T is considered to represent a novel species for which the name Microbacteriumureisolvens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CFH S00084^T (=KCTC 39802^T=DSM 103157^T).

[Evaluation of training course of hepatic disease in grass roots clinical hepatic physicians in some poverty-stricken counties in Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces]

Objective: To understand the awareness of hepatic disease related knowledge among hepatic physicians in poverty-stricken counties in China, assess the effectiveness of training and provide a reference for the training in the future. Methods: The training was conducted in 90 clinical hepatic physicians selected from county hospitals in poverty-stricken counties (or cities) in Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces. An examination was conducted before the training, immediately after the training and at 5(th) month after the training, respectively. One-way analysis of variance and χ(2) test were conducted to evaluate the score and the correct rate. Results: The knowledge score was (42.96±14.02) before the training, (62.86±13.28) immediately after the training and (59.03±17.92) at 5(t)h month after the training, and the differences were significant. After the training, the awareness of all aspects of related knowledge was improved, the difference was significant compared to knowledge score before training, and at 5(th) month after the training, the difference was still significant. Conclusion: After the training, the awareness of liver disease related knowledge of clinical hepatic physicians in poverty-stricken counties (cities) in Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces was improved, and the improvement could be maintained for nearly half a year.

Arginine bioavailability and endothelin-1 system in the regulation of vascular function of umbilical vein endothelial cells from intrauterine growth restricted newborns

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a major risk factor for perinatal morbidity and mortality, leading to long-term adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The present study aimed to investigate the potential mechanisms in IUGR-associated vascular endothelial dysfunction.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were derived from IUGR or normal newborns. We found that the proliferation of IUGR-derived HUVECs was accelerated compared to those from normal subjects. Gene profiles related to vascular function including vasomotion, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis were dysregulated in IUGR-HUVECs. Compared with HUVECs from normal newborns, nitric oxide (NO) production was reduced, with imbalance between endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and arginase-2 (Arg-2) in IUGR. Meanwhile, intracellular asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) level was elevated with diminished dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 1 (DDAH1) expression in IUGR-HUVECs. Furthermore, endothelin-1 (ET-1) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) expression were increased, and endothelin receptor type-B (ET_BR) was reduced in the IUGR group. IUGR-HUVECs exposed to hypoxia increased the ratio of ADMA to l-arginine, HIF-1α and protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) expression compared to controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrated that the reduction of NO bioavailability and release results from elevated Arg-2, accumulation of intracellular ADMA, and imbalance of ET-1 and ET_BR, further leading to IUGR-associated vascular endothelial dysfunction. Our study provides novel evidence on the mechanism underlying fetal programming associated with IUGR, which will serve as potential therapeutic targets in the prevention of adverse cardiovascular consequences in adulthood.

Nocardia aurea sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from a karstic subterranean environment

A novel actinobacterium, designated strain SYSU K10002^T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from a karst cave in Xingyi county, Guizhou province, south-western China. The taxonomic position of the strain was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Cells of the strain were aerobic and Gram-stain-positive. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities and phylogenetic analysis, strain SYSU K10002^T was most closely related to the type strains of Nocardiaaltamirensis NBRC 108246^T (99.0 % sequence similarity) and Nocardiatenerifensis NBRC 101015^T (98.8 %) and is therefore considered to represent a member of the genus Nocardia. DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain SYSU K10002^T and the closely related type strains of the genus Nocardia were less than 70 %. In addition, meso-diaminopimelic acid was the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The whole-cell sugars were arabinose, ribose and galactose. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-8(H4,ω-cycl), while the major fatty acids (>10 %) were C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω9c and C18 : 0 10-methyl. The polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and an unidentified glycolipid. Mycolic acids were present. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain SYSU K10002^T was 67.4 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic data, strain SYSU K10002^T represents a novel species of the genus Nocardia, for which the name Nocardiaaurea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SYSU K10002^T (=KCTC 39849^T=DSM 103986^T).

[The relationship between pathology and imaging overview in pediatric nasal tumors]

Objective:To study the clinical features and nasal image of children with nasal tumors.Method:The samples of 40 cases of pediatric nasal tumors, which were diagnosed based on pathology, were collected. Clinical features, pathological histology and imaging characteristics were also summarized.Result:There were 23 cases of benign tumors and 17 cases of malignancy. The most common benign tumors were angiofibroma (7 cases), capillary hemangioma (4 cases) and ossifying fibroma (4 cases), while the most common malignant tumors were lymphoma (10 cases) and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (3 cases). In all cases, 10 tumors arose from sinus, 7 tumors limited in the nasal cavity or nasal vestibule, 8 tumors located in sinonasal, 10 tumors are originated from nasopharyngeal area and (or) postnaris, 3 cases located in the lateral nasal, 2 cases located in the nasal septum. CT or MRI found that 13 cases showed bone destruction, 5 cases showed bone absorption, 14 cases involvement of adjacent structure, 6 cases with cervical lymph node enlargement.Conclusion:The common nasal tumors in children include lymphoma, angiofibroma, capillary hemangioma, ossifying fibroma and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. Clinical manifestations of pediatric nasal tumors were atypical, the diagnosis mainly dependent on pathology and imaging examination. CT and MRI examination can well depict the site of tumors, the bone change of the around situation and the encroachment of the tumor accurately, and may play an important role in clinical diagnosis and staging of the tumors, constituting the treatment plan and prognosis evaluation.

Ornithinimicrobium cavernae sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from a karst cave

A novel actinobacterium, designated strain CFH 30183^T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from a karst cave in Luoyang, Henan Province. The taxonomic position of the strain was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Cells of strain CFH 30183^T were observed to be Gram-stain positive, motile, asporogenous and coccoid to rod shaped. The strain was found to be aerobic and oxidase positive. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain CFH 30183^T was found to be closely related to Ornithinimicrobium murale 01-Gi-040^T (97.8% sequence identity). The ANIb/ANIm values between strain CFH 30183^T and O. murale DSM 22056^T were found to be 80.3%/85.9%. Strain CFH 30183^T was found to grow optimally at 28-32 °C, at pH 8.0-9.0 and in the presence of up to 7% NaCl (w/v). Whole cell hydrolysates of strain CFH 30183^T contained L-ornithine as the diagnostic diamino acid, and arabinose, glucose, mannose and rhamnose as whole cell sugars. The respiratory quinone was determined to be MK-8(H₄), while the major fatty acids were found to consist of iso-C_15:0 and iso-C_16:0. The polar lipids profile was found to include diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, an unidentified phospholipid, an unidentified phosphoglycolipid and four unidentified lipids. The DNA G + C content of strain CFH 30183^T was calculated to be 70.9%. Based on the phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic data obtained, strain CFH 30183^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Ornithinimicrobium, for which the name Ornithinimicrobium cavernae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CFH 30183^T (= KCTC 49018^T = CGMCC 1.16393^T).

Effects of guanidinoacetic acid on growth performance, creatine and energy metabolism, and carcass characteristics in growing-finishing pigs

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) on the growth performance, creatine and energy metabolism, and carcass characteristics in growing-finishing pigs. In Exp. 1, Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire pigs (n = 180, 33.61 ± 3.91 kg average BW) were blocked by weight and sex, and allotted to 5 treatments with 6 replicates (3 gilts and 3 barrows per replicate pen). Diets were corn-soybean meal-basal diets supplemented with 0, 300, 600, 900, and 1,200 mg/kg of GAA and fed to the pigs for 98 d. From days 1 to 98, G:F increased (linear, P < 0.05) with increasing addition of dietary GAA. Using a broken-line model, the optimum level of dietary GAA was 300 mg/kg during the overall experimental period (days 1 to 98) to maximize G:F. Hot carcass weight, carcass length, and lean percentage showed a tendency to increase (quadratic, 0.05 < P < 0.10) with increasing addition of dietary GAA. On day 98, serum GAA and liver creatine tended to increase (linear, P = 0.10, 0.07) as dietary GAA increased. In addition, serum ATP on day 98 increased linearly (linear, P < 0.01), and muscle ATP and adenosine monophosphate increased quadratically (quadratic, P = 0.05) with incremental GAA supplementation. In Exp. 2, Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire pigs (n = 180, 53.19 ± 5.63 kg average BW) were blocked by weight and sex, and allotted to 5 treatments with 6 replicates (3 gilts and 3 barrows per replicate pen). Diets were corn-soybean meal-basal diets supplemented with 0, 150, 300, 600, and 1,200 mg/kg of GAA for 35 d. As dietary GAA increased, final BW, ADG, and G:F increased quadratically (quadratic, P < 0.01), and 300 mg/kg of GAA maximized ADG and final BW (P < 0.05).The results indicate that dietary GAA could increase the creatine and ATP load in the tissues of pigs and accordingly improve growth performance. Dietary supplementation with 300 mg/kg of GAA was suitable to maximize the growth performance of growing-finishing pigs.

[Study on the efficiency of tertiary public hospitals and its influencing factors in Beijing]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the comprehensive technical efficiency of the tertiary public hospitals in Beijing between 2006 and 2015 and explore its influencing factors, so as to propose corresponding policy suggestions.

METHODS

The data envelopment analysis was employed to evaluate the comprehensive technical efficiency, pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency of the tertiary public hospitals in Beijing. Malmquist index model was used to analyze the changes of the above three dynamic efficiencies. Finally, randomeffect panel tobit model was utilized to analyze the influencing factors of the comprehensive technical efficiency.

RESULTS

The average comprehensive technical efficiency and pure technical efficiency of the tertiary public hospitals in Beijing were relatively high, and they had respectively increased from 0.44 and 0.51 in 2006 to 0.62 and 0.68 in 2015, and the highest proportion of two kinds of efficiency values was between 0.5 and 0.8. Most of the scale efficiency values distributed between 0.8 and 1.0, and the majority of hospitals were in a state of decreasing returns to scale. The total factor productivity of hospitals had been increasing at an average rate of 5.78% per year due to the double progress of technical efficiency and technology at annual rates of 3.77% and 1.94% respectively, further decomposing technological efficiency change, and the pure technical efficiency change increased at the speed of 3.21% per year, and the annual average rate of progress in scale efficiency was only 0.53%. The comprehensive technical efficiency was positively correlated with the turnover rate of beds, annual visits per doctor, the ratio of doctors to nurses, and negatively correlated with the number of beds, the ratio of outpatients to inpatients, the proportion of medical technical personnel, and the proportion of drugs.

CONCLUSION

Future health policies should strictly control the scale of tertiary public hospitals, pay attention to the innovation and application of hospital technology, change the hospital internal management level and management model, promote refined management, and achieve sustainable development.