Position paper on olfactory dysfunction

Background

Olfactory dysfunction is an increasingly recognised condition, associated with reduced quality of life and major health outcomes such as neurodegeneration and death. However, translational research in this field is limited by heterogeneity in methodological approach, including definitions of impairment, improvement and appropriate assessment techniques. Accordingly, effective treatments for smell loss are limited. In an effort to encourage high quality and comparable work in this field, among others, we propose the following ideas and recommendations. Whilst the full set of recommendations are outlined in the main document, points include the following: • Patients with suspected olfactory loss should undergo a full examination of the head and neck, including rigid nasal endoscopy with small diameter endoscopes. • Subjective olfactory assessment should not be undertaken in isolation, given its poor reliability. • Psychophysical assessment tools used in clinical and research settings should include reliable and validated tests of odour threshold, and/or one of odour identification or discrimination. • Comprehensive chemosensory assessment should include gustatory screening. • Smell training can be helpful in patients with olfactory loss of several aetiologies.

Conclusions

We hope the current manuscript will encourage clinicians and researchers to adopt a common language, and in so doing, increase the methodological quality, consistency and generalisability of work in this field.

A quantitative method to measure telomerase activity by bioluminescence connected with telomeric repeat amplification protocol

Telomerase is expected to be a new biomarker for cancer diagnosis. The telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) is a sensitive method to detect telomerase activity. However, TRAP and its modified protocols are not always suitable for measuring telomerase activity of a large number of clinical samples to diagnosis cancer because these methods generally require a time-consuming detection step such as gel electrophoresis. To improve the procedure for mass diagnosis, we applied bioluminescence to replace the detection step. Telomerase activity is measured by evaluating the amount of inorganic pyrophosphate generated in PCR amplification of telomerase elongation product, with use of the sensitive enzymatic luminometric inorganic pyrophosphate detection assay (ELIDA). TRAP connected with ELIDA (TRAP-ELIDA) can quantitatively detect telomerase activity within linearity from 2 to 1000 cell equivalents. The ELIDA signals accorded with results of TRAP-SYBR green staining, and the results of ELIDA were significantly correlated to those of TRAP connected with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (TRAP-ELISA) (r(2) = 0.992, P < 0.001). TRAP-ELIDA is a simple and sensitive method to quantify telomerase activity without time-consuming gel electrophoresis. Because TRAP-ELIDA measures telomerase activity with a luminometer, it could be applied to a large number of clinical samples at the same time.

Position paper on olfactory dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Olfactory dysfunction is an increasingly recognised condition, associated with reduced quality of life and major health outcomes such as neurodegeneration and death. However, translational research in this field is limited by heterogeneity in methodological approach, including definitions of impairment, improvement and appropriate assessment techniques. Accordingly, effective treatments for smell loss are limited. In an effort to encourage high quality and comparable work in this field, among others, we propose the following ideas and recommendations. Whilst the full set of recommendations are outlined in the main document, points include the following: - Patients with suspected olfactory loss should undergo a full examination of the head and neck, including rigid nasal endoscopy with small diameter endoscopes. - Subjective olfactory assessment should not be undertaken in isolation, given its poor reliability. - Psychophysical assessment tools used in clinical and research settings should include reliable and validated tests of odour threshold, and/or one of odour identification or discrimination. - Comprehensive chemosensory assessment should include gustatory screening. - Smell training can be helpful in patients with olfactory loss of several aetiologies.

CONCLUSIONS

We hope the current manuscript will encourage clinicians and researchers to adopt a common language, and in so doing, increase the methodological quality, consistency and generalisability of work in this field.

Simultaneous infection of pigs and people with triple-reassortant swine influenza virus H1N1 at a U.S. county fair

Influenza-like illness was noted in people and pigs in attendance at an Ohio county fair in August 2007. The morbidity rate in swine approached 100% within 1-2 days of initial clinical signs being recognized, and approximately two dozen people developed influenza-like illness. Triple-reassortant swine H1N1 influenza viruses were identified in both pigs and people at the fair. The identified viruses (A/Sw/OH/511445/2007, A/Ohio/01/2007, and A/Ohio/02/2007) were similar to H1N1 swine influenza viruses currently found in the U.S. swine population. This case illustrates the possibility of transmission of swine influenza in settings where there is close human/swine interaction.

Bisphosphonates for prevention of osteopenia in kidney-transplant recipients: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of bisphosphonates for the prevention of osteopenia in kidney-transplant recipients. Bisphosphonates improved bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and femoral neck after 12 months. However, additional well-designed RCTs are required to determine the optimal treatment strategy. Osteopenic-osteoporotic syndrome is a bone complication of renal transplantation. Bisphosphonates, calcitonin, and vitamin D analogs may be used to prevent or treat osteoporosis or bone loss after renal transplantation. However, there is currently no widely recognized strategy for the prevention of corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis. This study aims to assess the available evidence to guide the targeted use of bisphosphonates for reducing osteoporosis and bone loss in renal-transplant recipients. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, and EMBASE for randomized controlled trials of bisphosphonates for osteoporosis or bone loss after renal transplantation. A total of 352 abstracts were identified, of which 55 were considered for evaluation and 9 were included in the final analysis. The primary outcome measure was change in the bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and femoral neck after 12 months. Data extraction was performed independently by two investigators. BMD at the lumbar spine was improved after treatment with bisphosphonates [9 trials; 418 patients; weighted mean difference (WMD), 0.61; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 0.16-1.06]. Eight trials (406 patients) that reported changes in BMD at the femoral neck also showed improved outcomes after treatment with bisphosphonates (WMD, 0.06; 95 % CI, 0.03-0.09). Bisphosphonates improve BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck after 12 months in renal-transplant recipients.

The inhibition of high-voltage-activated calcium current by activation of MrgC11 involves phospholipase C-dependent mechanisms

High-voltage-activated (HVA) calcium channels play an important role in synaptic transmission. Activation of Mas-related G-protein-coupled receptor subtype C (MrgC; mouse MrgC11, rat homolog rMrgC) inhibits HVA calcium current (ICa) in small-diameter dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, but the intracellular signaling cascade underlying MrgC agonist-induced inhibition of HVA ICa in native DRG neurons remains unclear. To address this question, we conducted patch-clamp recordings in MrgA3-eGFP-wild-type mice, in which most MrgA3-eGFP(+) DRG neurons co-express MrgC11 and can be identified for recording. We found that the inhibition of HVA ICa by JHU58 (0.001-100nM, a dipeptide, MrgC-selective agonist) was significantly reduced by pretreatment with a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor (U73122, 1μM), but not by its inactive analog (U73343) or vehicle. Further, in rats that had undergone spinal nerve injury, pretreatment with intrathecal U73122 nearly abolished the inhibition of mechanical hypersensitivity by intrathecal JHU58. The inhibition of HVA ICa in MrgA3-eGFP(+) neurons by JHU58 (100nM) was partially reduced by pretreatment with a Gβγ blocker (gallein, 100μM). However, applying a depolarizing prepulse and blocking the Gαi and Gαs pathways with pertussis toxin (PTX) (0.5μg/mL) and cholera toxin (CTX) (0.5μg/mL), respectively, had no effect. These findings suggest that activation of MrgC11 may inhibit HVA ICa in mouse DRG neurons through a voltage-independent mechanism that involves activation of the PLC, but not Gαi or Gαs, pathway.

Tumor suppressor RKIP inhibits prostate cancer cell metastasis and sensitizes prostate cancer cells to docetaxel treatment

Raf kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP) is a well-established metastasis suppressor that is frequently down-regulated in aggressive cancers. However, the impact of RKIP on cancer cell invasion and metastasis in prostate cancer is still elusive. To this end, we overexpressed RKIP in two prostate cancer cell lines. We found that overexpression of RKIP inhibited prostate cancer cells proliferation, migration and invasion. Mechanistically, we found that RKIP overexpression led to down-regula- tion of the NF-kB signaling pathway and inhibition of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, which is important step for cancer metastasis. In addition, overexpression of RKIP can promote drug effects of docetaxel on prostate cancer cell lines. In conclusion, overexpression of RKIP significantly inhibits prostate cancer cell migration and metastasis, and overexpression of RKIP could aid prostate cancer treatment and therapy.

The TRPM3 ion channel mediates nociception but not itch evoked by endogenous pruritogenic mediators

During the molecular transduction of itch, the stimulation of pruriceptors on sensory fibers leads to the activation or sensitization of ion channels, which results in a consequent depolarization of the neurons. These ion channels mostly belong to the transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, which are involved in nociception and thermosensation. In particular, TRPV1 and TRPA1 were described in the transduction of both thermal nociception as well as histaminergic and non-histaminergic itch. The thermosensitive TRPM3 plays an indispensable role in heat nociception together with TRPV1 and TRPA1. However, the role of TRPM3 in the development of pruritus has not been studied yet. Therefore, in this study we aimed at investigating the potential role of TRPM3 in the transduction of pruritus and pain by investigating itch- and nociception-related behavior of Trpm3+/+ and Trpm3-/- mice, and by studying the activation of somatosensory neurons isolated from trigeminal ganglia upon application of algogenic and pruritogenic substances. Activators of TRPM3 evoked only nocifensive responses, but not itch in Trpm3+/+ animals, and these nocifensive responses were abolished in the Trpm3-/- strain. Histamine and endogenous non-histaminergic pruritogens induced itch in both Trpm3+/+ and Trpm3-/- mice to a similar extent. Genetic deletion or pharmacological blockade diminished TRPM3 mediated Ca2+ responses of sensory neurons, but did not affect responses evoked by pruritogenic substances. Our results demonstrate that, in contrast to other thermosensitive TRP channels, TRPM3 selectively mediates nociception, but not itch sensation, and suggest that TRPM3 is a promising candidate to selectively target pain sensation.

A single-pulse shock tube coupled with high-repetition-rate time-of-flight mass spectrometry and gas chromatography for high-temperature gas-phase kinetics studies

Shock tubes are frequently used to investigate the kinetics of chemical reactions in the gas phase at high temperatures. Conventionally, two complementary arrangements are used where either time-resolved intermediate species measurements are conducted after the initiation of the reaction or where the product composition is determined after rapid initiation and quenching of the reaction through gas-dynamic processes. This paper presents a facility that combines both approaches to determine comprehensive information. A single-pulse shock tube is combined with high-sensitivity gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for product composition and concentration measurement as well as high-repetition-rate time-of-flight mass spectrometry for time-dependent intermediate concentration determination with 10 μs time resolution. Both methods can be applied simultaneously. The arrangement is validated with investigations of the well-documented thermal unimolecular decomposition of cyclohexene towards ethylene and 1,3-butadiene at temperatures between 1000 and 1500 K and pressures ranging from 0.8 to 2.4 bars. The comparison shows that the experimental results for both detections are in very good agreement with each other and with literature data.

Design, synthesis and anticonvulsant activity evaluation of novel 4-(4-substitutedphenyl)-3-methyl-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5(4H)-ones

A series of novel 4-(4-substitutedphenyl)-3-methyl-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5(4H)-one derivatives were synthesized and screened for their anticonvulsant activities by the maximal electroshock test (MES) and their neurotoxicity was evaluated by the rotarod neurotoxicity test (TOX). In the MES test, compound 4-{4-[(3-fluorobenzyl)oxy]phenyl}-3-methyl-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5(4H)-one (4n) was found to possess better anticonvulsant activity and higher safety than marketed drugs Carbamazepine with an ED50 value of 25.5 mg/kg and protective index (PI) value>48.8. In addition, the potency of compound 4n against seizures induced by Pentylenetetrazole, 3-Mercaptopropionic acid, and Bicuculline suggested its broad spectrum activity, and the mechanisms of action including inhibition of voltage-gated ion channels and modulation of GABAergic activity might involve in its anticonvulsant activity.

Synthesis and anticonvulsant activity evaluation of 4-(2-alkoxy-phenyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-ones in various experimental seizure models in mice

A new series of 4-(2-alkoxy-phenyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-ones was synthesized using appropriate synthetic route. Their anticonvulsant activities were evaluated experimentally against maximal electroshock test and their neurotoxicities were evaluated under the rotarod neurotoxicity test with intraperitoneally injected mice. The results showed that all target compounds exhibited anticonvulsant activity in varying degrees against maximal electroshock test. Among them, 4-(2-octyloxy-phenyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one (5 g) was the most promising compound with the median effective dose (ED50) of 23.7 mg/kg, the median toxicity dose (TD50) of 611.0 mg/kg, and the protective index (PI) of 25.8. Compound 5 g showed the higher safety than the standard carbamazepine (PI=6.5). As well as demonstrating the anti-MES efficacy of compound 5 g, its potency against seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole, 3-mercaptopropionic acid, and bicuculline were also established, with the results suggesting that GABA-mediated mechanisms might be involved in its anticonvulsant activity.

Multibeam coupling in photorefractive SBN:Ce

Theoretical and experimental results are presented for simultaneous multibeam coupling in photorefractive SBN:Ce. Within a single crystal, multiple signals are amplified through a coupling process that employs a single pump. The coupling gain of each signal results from coupling both between the pump and the signal and between different signals. The amount of gain that each signal receives is dependent on the intensity of the incident signal; thus a competition for the gain exists among the various signals.

[Detection of HGV RNA in sera from patients with fulminant hepatitis in Shenyang]

HGV RNA was detected by Rt-nested PCR in sera from 49 patients with fulminant hepatitis. The results showed: a) HGV RNA positive rate was 16.3% (8/49) in patients with fulminant hepatitis including 4 subjects with HBV coinfection, 1 subject with HCV coinfection, 2 subjects with HBV and HCV coinfection and 1 subject with HGV infection alone. b) mortality in patients with fulminant hepatitis with HGV infection was 75% (6/8), suggesting that: a) both infection with HGV alone and superinfections of other types of hepatitis virus can result in fulminant hepatitis, b) clinical manifestations of fulminant hepatitis with HGV infection may appear to be more severe and with higher mortality.

[Summary of the 2018 Academic Annual Meeting of the Chinese Burn Association]

The 2018 Academic Annual Meeting of the Chinese Burn Association, sponsored by the Chinese Medical Association and the Chinese Burn Association, was successfully held in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, from October 24th to 27th. The theme of this conference is " One China, One Standard". A total of 1, 798 submissions were received, and 1, 060 registered representatives, more than 2, 000 representatives from 9 countries and regions attended the meeting. Focusing on the theme of " One China, One Standard" , the conference adopted a variety of innovative forms such as academic debate, live surgery, BBS on both sides of the straits, award selection, and so on to provide participants with multiple ways for exchange on the professional hot issues in the key areas of burns. The atmosphere of the conference was warm. The 2019 annual academic conference is scheduled to be held in Zhuhai, China.

[Angiographic observation of immediate effect of electric pulse stimulation at Zhiyang point on coronary artery]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate angiographical diameter and pressure changes of coronary artery and heart rate in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) or suspected CHD immediately after electric pulse stimulation of Zhiyang (Du. 9) point.

METHODS

Twenty-four patients including 21 males and 3 females with an average age of 48.7 years. Parameters of electric pulse stimulation were as follows: the positive pulse range was 440 V, the negative pulse range was 160 V, the cycle was 8 ms, frequency was 125 Hz, the positive pulse width was 0.8 ms, the negative was 0.4 ms, and the output voltage 9 V. Coronary arteriography was performed by using Judkins technique, and intracoronary pressure with heart rate and any response of patients to the stimulation were recorded pre- and post-stimulation for 90 seconds. The relative diameter of left main coronary artery (LMCA), left anterior descending artery (LAD), left circumflex coronary artery (LCx), and right coronary artery (RCA) before and after the stimulation was measured in the same magnification and their results with recordings of intracoronary pressure and heart rate was analyzed.

RESULTS

A mild dilation effect was observed in all coronary arteries with an average dilation of 8.3% (6.3%-15%) in LMCA, 7.7% (5%-11.8%) in LAD, 8.5% (6.7%-11.1%) in LCx, and 9.1% (6.1%-13.3%) in RCA. No significant difference was found in the change of the diameter of LMCA, LAD, LCx and RCA before and after the stimulation and between them. No significant change of an intracoronary pressure was shown in three patients, an increase of intracoronary systolic and diastolic pressure by 36% and 13% was identified in one, and a decrease by 21% and 31% in another patient. Heart rate was decreased by 2.3% in those five patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Electric pulse stimulation of Zhiyang point could immediately produce mild dilation effect on coronary arteries, slight decrease on the heart rate, and different effects was produced in intracoronary pressure.

[Direct effects of fluoride on activities of bone morphogenetic protein]

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the direct effects of fluoride on activities of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP).

METHOD

A complex sample containing BMP and sodium fluoride was implanted under the abdominal skin of young male Wistar rats. The histological characteristics, and activities of alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase of the implanted were examined to study the effects of fluoride on biological activities of BMP.

RESULTS

More fibroblasts cell were transformed to osteoblasts cell in animals treated by BMP with fluoride than those treated by BMP only. During bone formation induced by BMP, fluoride increased the activities of osteoblasts and accelerate mineralization, while inhibited the activities of osteoclast.

CONCLUSION

Fluoride can affect biological activities of BMP directly.

[Influence of cadmium on cartilage and bone formation induced by bone morphogenetic protein]

An induced osteogenetic model was established using bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) to study direct effect of cadmium on bone tissue, cartilage and bone formation. Four indicators, i.e. incorporation of 35S and 40Ca, and activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acidic phosphatase (ACP), were used to reflect cartilage and bone formation. Results showed that no obvious effect of cadmium on incorporation of 35S was found, but cadmium could lower incorporation of 40Ca, inhibit activities of ALP and have no obvious effect on activity of ACP in osteogenesis. Therefore, it is concluded that cadmium has no obvious influence on cartilage formation, but has obvious inhibitory effect on endochondral bone formation, and cadmium can inhibit the function of osteoblast and calcium salt deposit.

A new system for rapid measurement of ATP

The paper introduces a new type instrument for rapid measuring ATP. The system consists of a micromodule ATP sensor and an instrument for measuring weak light transmitted by optic fiber. The micromodule ATP sensor mainly is composed of enzyme membrane, a probe and a bundle of optic fiber. The instrument measuring weak light consists of photomultiplier, high voltage power, pulse amplifier and counter. The instrument was characterized by simple structure, small size, rapid response time (< 5s), high sensitivity (10(-12) mol/L), stable performance (measuring the same sample for 50 times, CV < 5%), long enzyme storage time (> 3 months).

[Summary of the 2019 Academic Annual Meeting of the Chinese Burn Association]

The 2019 Academic Annual Meeting of the Chinese Burn Association, sponsored by the Chinese Medical Association and the Chinese Burn Association, was successfully held in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, from November 6th to 9th, 2019. The theme of this conference was " One China, One Standard--Data Standardization and Construction of National Burn Data Platform" . A total of 2 305 submissions and 1 749 e-posters were received, and 1 097 registered representatives, nearly 2 000 representatives from 9 countries and regions attended the meeting. Focusing on the theme of this conference, a variety of novel forms were adopted such as teaching contest of young surgeons, multi-disciplinary discussion, workshop, and surgery live broadcast on hot issues in key areas of burns. Besides, with the focus on humanistic care and innovation, a multi-disciplinary discussion was warmly conducted. The 2020 academic annual conference is scheduled to be held in Nanchang, China.