This study is the first to enrich and prepare triterpenes from pomegranate peel, as well as study the anti-tumor mechanism by network pharmacology, which has great significance for the treatment of cancer and high-value use of pomegranate peel.
Background Characteristics of lung function impairment in bronchiectasis is not fully understood. Objectives To determine the factors associated with lung function impairment and to compare changes in spirometry during bronchiectasis exacerbation and convalescence (1 week following 14-day antibiotic therapy). Methods We recruited 142 patients with steady-state bronchiectasis, of whom 44 with acute exacerbations in the follow-up were included in subgroup analyses. Baseline measurements consisted of chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), sputum volume, purulence and bacteriology, spirometry and diffusing capacity. Spirometry, but not diffusing capacity, was examined during acute exacerbations and convalescence. Results In the final multivariate models, having bronchiectasis symptoms for 10 years or greater (OR = 4.75, 95%CI: 1.46–15.43, P = 0.01), sputum culture positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (OR = 4.93, 95%CI: 1.52–15.94, P<0.01) and HRCT total score being 12 or greater (OR = 7.77, 95%CI: 3.21–18.79, P<0.01) were the major variables associated with FEV1 being 50%pred or less; and the only variable associated with reduced DLCO was 4 or more bronchiectatic lobes (OR = 5.91, 95%CI: 2.20–17.23, P<0.01). Overall differences in FVC and FEV1 during exacerbations and convalescence were significant (P<0.05), whereas changes in other spirometric parameters were less notable. This applied even when stratified by the magnitude of FEV1 and DLCO reduction at baseline. Conclusion Significant lung function impairment should raise alert of chest HRCT abnormality and sputum culture positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in patients with predominantly mild to moderate steady-state bronchiectasis. Acute exacerbations elicited reductions in FVC and FEV1. Changes of other spirometric parameters were less significant during exacerbations. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01761214
Cortical bone trajectory (CBT) is widely used in orthopedic surgery to improve fixation while minimizing soft tissue dissection. This study used radiological methods to assess the correlation between the bone mineral density (BMD) of vertebrae and Hounsfield unit (HU) values of CBT and traditional trajectory (TT). A total of 240 thoracic and lumbar (T9-L5) vertebrae from 40 cadaveric spines were obtained. The specimens were measured using computed tomography (CT). The axial CT images of TT were sliced in a plane horizontal to the pedicle, whereas those of CBT were sliced in a caudocranial plane. The regions of interest of TT and CBT were selected to calculate an average HU value within the area, wherein the screws were inserted and fixed at 6.0 mm × 40 mm and 4.0 mm × 30 mm, respectively. The BMD of vertebrae was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and quantitative CT (QCT). The HU value of CBT (286.74 ± 120.80) was almost twice higher than that of TT (165.61 ± 92.38). The average lateral and anteroposterior BMDs of 240 vertebrae determined using DEXA were 0.540 ± 0.193 and 0.651 ± 0.180 g/cm2, respectively. The average cortical and cancellous BMDs of 240 vertebrae determined using QCT were 245.63 ± 80.09 and 88.24 ± 61.78 mg/cm3, respectively. The BMD determined using DEXA and QCT was significantly and positively associated with the HU values of CBT and TT. The ratio of the HU values of CBT and TT was significantly and negatively associated with the lateral BMD determined using DEXA and the cancellous BMD determined using QCT. However, it was significantly and positively associated with segments but not with the anteroposterior BMD determined using DEXA and the cortical BMD determined using QCT. Collectively, the HU values of CBT and TT significantly decreased with decreasing BMD. However, the CBT HU values significantly decreased less than the TT HU values, especially in low-BMD vertebrae and cauda lumbar segments.
The study was aimed to observe the morphology of intraepidermal nerve fibre (IENF) and to explore the relationships between intraepidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD) and anatomic sites, age, genders and races. Intraepidermal nerve fibre was observed using immunohistochemistry. The relationships between IENFD and anatomic sites, ages, genders and races were analysed by quantitative analysis of IENFD. Five patterns of the IENFs were observed according to the morphological classification. A significant difference was observed in IENFD between different anatomic sites (P < 0.05). A linear negative correlation was observed between IENFD and age (r = − 0.2931, P < 0.01). No significant difference was found between IENFD and genders. Intraepidermal nerve fibre density at distal leg of Chinese (395.54 ± 166.92) was higher than that of Finnish (114.62 ± 32.32, P < 0.01). Skin biopsy may be an effective tool in quantitation of IENFD in healthy individuals. Intraepidermal nerve fibre density is independent of genders, and closely associated with anatomic sites, races and ages.
Objectives: To detect the relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED) and serum homocysteine (Hcy).Methods: A comprehensive search was done using databases such as Web of Science, Pubmed, and Cochrane Library to identify suitable studies for publication by July 2023. The statistical analysis involved calculating the standardized mean difference (SMD) along with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using the STATA software.Results:17 studies with 2165 ED patients and 3023 non-ED controls were included in this meta-analysis. Pooled results indicated that ED patients’ Hcy levels were obviously higher than the controls (SMD (95% CI) =1.07 (0.68,1.46), p<0.001). Subgroup analysis showed a higher SMD in age>40, IIEF-5 (score: 8-11), BMI> 24 kg/m2, subjects without diabetes and location in China, (1.27 (0.66,1.88), p<0.001; 1.87 (0.71,3.04), p<0.001; 1.01 (0.54,1.48), p<0.001; 0.97 (0.51,1.43), p<0.001; 1.25 (0.66,1.84), p<0.001), respectively.Conclusions: Our meta-analysis indicates that subjects with ED exhibit higher levels of serum Hcy. However, due to the existence of publication bias, more rigorous and large-sample studies are demanded to support it.
An adaptive fuzzy logic signal controller (AFC) is presented for the urban traffic network. The AFC is composed of the signal control system-oriented control level and the signal controller-oriented fuzzy rules regulation level. The control level decides the signal timings in an intersection by a fuzzy logic controller. The regulation level optimizes the fuzzy rules by the adaptive module in AFC according to both the system performance index in current control period and the traffic flows in the last one. Consequently the system performances are improved. A weight coefficient controller (WCC) is developed to describe the interactions of traffic flow between the adjacent intersections. So the AFC combined with the WCC can be applied in a road network. Evaluation of the performance on a real traffic scenario has been conducted. Simulation results indicate that the adaptive controller for traffic control shows better performance than the actuated one.
Abstract Background Dental anxiety (DA) has an impact on the quality of dental treatment and may have long-lasting implications for children. A recent study introducing experiential learning (EL) into children's oral health promotion resulted in better oral hygiene. The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether EL can reduce children's DA. Methods In September 2018, we recruited 988 children aged 7-8 years from 24 classes to participate in a cluster-randomized trial. Classes were randomly assigned to EL (in which children received a lively presentation on oral health and participated in a role play in a simulated dental clinic in the classroom) or the Tell-Show-Do (TSD) group (in which children received a conventional TSD behavior management). The primary outcome was the prevalence of DA after the procedure of pit and fissure sealant (PFS), assessed by a modified children's fear survey schedule-dental subscale. Secondary outcomes were changes in blood pressures (BP) and pulse rates (PR) before and after the PFS procedure. The intervention effects were estimated by means of mixed effect models, which included covariates of gender and school (and baseline value for BP and PR only), and a random cluster effect. Results In 396 children of the EL group who received the PFS treatment, the prevalence of DA (score > 38) was 18.5%, compared with 24.3% in 391 children of the TSD group (OR=0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.46-0.93; P =0.019). The increases in BP and PR after the PFS were also significantly less in the EL group. Conclusions School-based experiential learning intervention before a dental visit is feasible and effective in lowering children's dental anxiety.
Brain atrophy represents a final common pathway for pathological processes in patients with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and is now recognized as a strong independent predictor of clinical status and progression. The mechanism underlying brain atrophy in patients with CSVD is not yet fully comprehended. This study aims to investigate the association of morphologic features of intracranial distal arteries (A2, M2, P2 and more distal) with different brain structures [gray matter volume (GMV), white matter volume (WMV), and cerebrospinal fluid volume (CSFV)]. Furthermore, we also examined whether a correlation existed between these cerebrovascular characteristics and GMV in different brain regions.A total of 39 participants were eventually enrolled. The morphologic features of intracranial distal arteries based on TOF-MRA were extracted and quantified using the intracranial artery feature extraction technique (iCafe). The brain 3D-T1 images were segmented into gray matter (GM), white matter (WM), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using the "Segment" tool in CAT12 for the voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis. Univariable and multivariable linear regression models were used to investigate the relationship between these cerebrovascular features and different brain structures. Partial correlation analysis with a one-tailed method was used to evaluate the relationship between these cerebrovascular features and GMV in different brain regions.Our findings indicate that both distal artery length and density were positively correlated with GM fraction in CSVD patients, regardless of whether univariable or multivariable linear regression analyses were performed. In addition, distal artery length (β = -0.428, p = 0.007) and density (β = -0.337, p = 0.036) were also found to be negative associated with CSF fraction, although this relationship disappeared after adjusting for potential confounders. Additional adjustment for the effect of WMHs volume did not change these results. In subgroup anasysis, we found that participants in the highest distal artery length tertile had significantly higher GM fraction and lower CSF fraction level than participants in the lowest distal artery length tertile. In partial correlation analysis, we also found that these cerebrovascular characteristics associated with regional GMV, especially subcortical nuclear.The morphologic features of intracranial distal arteries, including artery length, density and average tortuosity, measured from 3D-TOF MRA, are associated with generalized or focal atrophy indexes of CSVD.
Objective
To explore the effects of sodium valproate combined with levetiracetam in treatment of children epilepsy, and influences of treatment on serum S-100β and high mobility group box (HMGB)-1 in children with epilepsy.
Methods
A total of 160 children who were diagnosed as epilepsy in Inner Mongolia Baogang Hospital from July 2016 to October 2018 were selected as research subjects, and they were randomly sorted into study group (n=80) and control group (n=80) by random digits table method. Their seizures were treated with sodium valproate combined with levetiracetam and sodium valproate alone, respectively. After 16 weeks of treatment, the effective rates of seizure disorder treatment and improvement of epileptiform discharge of electroencephalography were evaluated, and chi-square test was used for statistical comparison. Levels of serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, hyper sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and homocysteine (Hcy), and hematocrit (HCT) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and the levels of serum S-100β and HMGB-1 were detected before and after treatment. Paired-samples t test was used for intra-group comparison before and after treatment among the above indexes, independent-samples t test was used for inter-group comparison. Chi-square test was used to compare the rate of adverse reactions during treatment between two groups. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Inner Mongolia Baogang Hospital (Approval No. BG201606073), and all guardians of children signed the informed consent forms for clinical study. There were no significant differences between two groups in general clinical data, such as gender constituent ratio, age, course of disease, frequency of seizure disorder per year before treatment, incidence of epileptiform discharge of electroencephalography and constituent ratio of epileptiform discharge types before treatment, etc. (P>0.05).
Results
①The effective rate of seizure disorder treatment and improvement of epileptiform discharge of electroencephalography in study group were 92.5% (74/80) and 85.0% (68/80), respectively, which both were significantly higher than those in control group 68.8% (55/80) and 58.8% (47/80), and both the differences were statistically significant (χ2=14.444, 13.635; P 0.05).
Conclusions
The efficacy of sodium valproate combined with levetiracetam is obviously better than that of sodium valproate alone in treatment of children with epilepsy. The children′s serum S-100β and HMGB-1 are more significantly reduced, resulting in a lower rate of adverse reactions, which has certain clinical values.
Key words:
Epilepsy; Sodium valproate; Levetiracetam; S-100β; HMGB-1 protein; Tumor necrosis factor-alpha; Hematocrit; Child
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