Abstract Various antimicrobial peptides play important roles as barrier function against bacteria and as innate host immunity. Several major studies have shown reduced expression of human beta defensin (hBD-3) in atopic dermatitis, highlighting the importance of hBD-3. In course of our search for hBD-3 stimulatory herbal souces and biologically active components, we screened 400 oriental herbal extracts using a range of real-time PCRs in the human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT cells. We found that only six herbal extracts from Rubi Fructus, Lysimachiae Foenumgraeci Herba, Ailanthi Radicis Cortex, Galla Rhois, Peucedani Radix and Albizziae Cortex showed significant hBD-3 stimulatory effects. Although it did not have antimicrobial activity due to the low cytotoxic effect of Ailanthi Radicis Cortex, we further identified hBD-3-stimulating active ingredient in this extract. Efficient activity profiling based on HPLC was performed to identify active components from the extract of Ailanthi Radicis Cortex, and an hBD-3 stimulatory quassinoid component, ailanthone was identified by spectroscopic analysis. The present results show that Ailanthi Radicis Cortex and ailanthone have the potential to stimulate the expression of hBD-3 in HaCaT cells. These findings suggest new possibilities to control bacterial over-colonization found in atopic dermatitis using hBD-3 stimulatory herbal sources and ailanthone.

Abstract Atrial fibrillation (AF) represents the most common type of sustained cardiac arrhythmia in humans and confers a significantly increased risk for thromboembolic stroke, congestive heart failure and premature death. Aggregating evidence emphasizes the predominant genetic defects underpinning AF and an increasing number of deleterious variations in more than 50 genes have been involved in the pathogenesis of AF. Nevertheless, the genetic basis underlying AF remains incompletely understood. In the current research, by whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing analysis in a family with autosomal-dominant AF and congenital patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), a novel heterozygous variation in the PRRX1 gene encoding a homeobox transcription factor critical for cardiovascular development, NM_022716.4:c.373G>T;p.(Glu125*), was identified to be in co-segregation with AF and PDA in the whole family. The truncating variation was not detected in 306 unrelated healthy individuals employed as controls. Quantitative biological measurements with a reporter gene analysis system revealed that the Glu125*-mutant PRRX1 protein failed to transactivate its downstream target genes SHOX2 and ISL1, two genes that have been causally linked to AF. Conclusively, the present study firstly links PRRX1 loss-of-function variation to AF and PDA, suggesting that AF and PDA share a common abnormal developmental basis in a proportion of cases.

Influenza viruses exacerbate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with considerable morbidity and mortality. Zanamivir and oseltamivir are effective in treating influenza. However, their efficacy in relieving influenza symptoms in COPD patients remains unknown, with the lack of controlled trials in this subject. Therefore, we conducted this randomized controlled trial to investigate the clinical efficacy of both interventions in this population. Patients were allocated to two groups (80 patients each): oseltamivir (OSELTA) and zanamivir (ZANA) groups. Oseltamivir (75 mg) was orally administered twice daily for 5 days, while zanamivir (10 mg) was inhaled twice daily for 5 days. Clinical parameters including body temperature, influenza symptoms (i.e., sore throat, cough, etc.), and serial blood tests were recorded on days 1, 3, and 7. We analyzed primary (changes in body temperature) and secondary outcomes (changes in non-specific symptoms) using the pre-protocol and intention-to-treat analyses. Differences between groups were assessed using t-test. Oseltamivir and zanamivir significantly reduced body temperature on the 3rd day after treatment; however, the number of patients who reported clinical improvement in influenza-like symptoms was significantly higher in the OSELTA group compared to the ZANA group on days 3 (85 vs 68.8%, P=0.015) and 7 (97.5 vs 83.8%, P=0.003). However, no significant changes in hematological (white blood cells and its subtypes) and inflammatory (C-reactive protein) parameters were noted (P>0.05). Our results suggested that oseltamivir and zanamivir are effective in reducing body temperature, while oseltamivir led to better clinical improvement regarding influenza-like symptoms in patients with COPD.

Abstract Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) are the two major subtypes of non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to compare mRNA and circRNA expression patterns between LUSC and LUAD. Cancer tissues from 8 LUSC patients and 12 LUAD patients were collected to obtain mRNA and circRNA expression profiles. The differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) and circRNAs (DE-circRNAs) between LUSC and LUAD were screened. Afterwards, miRNA–DEcircRNA pairs and miRNA–DEmRNA pairs were predicted to construct a competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) network, followed by functional enrichment analysis and survival analysis. In total, 635 DEmRNAs and 245 DEcircRNAs were obtained. The ceRNA analysis revealed that genes, such as EPHA2, EPHA7, NTRK2, CDK6, hsa_circ_027570, hsa_circ_006089, and hsa-circ_035997, had distinct expression patterns between LUSC and LUAD. Also, functional enrichment analysis indicated that DEmRNAs were mainly enriched in ERK1 and ERK2 cascade. Survival analyses suggested that STXBP1 and PMEPA1 were associated the prognosis of with both LUAD and LUSC, whereas EPHA2 and CDK6 might serve as prognostic factors for LUSC and LUAD, respectively. In conclusion, genes such as EPHA2, EPHA7, NTRK2, and CDK6 had different patterns in the two major histological subtypes of NSCLC. Notably, EPHA2 and CDK6 might be considered as potential therapeutic targets for LUSC and LUAD, respectively.

With the widespread use of high-efficiency antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the life expectancy of HIV-infected patients has been significantly extended. However, the metabolic complications among HIV-infected patients treated with HAART have become the most common problem in the world. It is very important to explore the incidence of dyslipidaemia and studies on the role of potential risk factors in HIV-infected Chinese patients treated with HAART are sparse. Therefore, we designed current study, to investigate the effects of therapeutic intervention and continuous information support on the lifestyle of HIV/AIDS patients with dyslipidaemia. Three hundred and six HIV/AIDS patients admitted to the AIDS clinic in Beijing from January 2016 to January 2017 were recruited and assigned into two groups: the treatment group (n=64) and the control group (n=64). The median age of the participants was 38.8±11.0 years (range 20-75 years). The prevalence of dyslipidemia in control and treatment group was (59/64) 92.2% and (53/64) 82.8%, respectively. In this study, low HDL-cholesterol (HDLC) led to abnormalities 47/64 (73.3%) in the control group and 35/64 (54.7%) in HAART-treatment group. Additionally, HAART group showed higher triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (246.1±171.8, 1.73±1.61 mmol/L, 4.46±1.1 mmol/L, 2.54±0.74 mmol/L). In multivariate analysis, gender, marital status, high BMI, dietary habits and physical activity were potential risk factors for dyslipidemia in HIV-infected Chinese patients. In this study, we reported high prevalence dyslipidemiain two HIV infected groups. We suggest that the appropriate diagnosis should be performed for analyzing the metabolic complications in HIV-infected Chinese patients. Further studies are very important to understand the role of potential risk factors in metabolic complications.

Abstract Objectives The aim of the present study was to evaluate the associations of parental bonding and adolescents’ Internet addiction symptoms with depression and anxiety in parents of adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods Parental depression and anxiety symptoms, parental bonding, and adolescents’ Internet addiction symptoms were assessed in 46 parent-child dyads using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), and Chen Internet Addiction Scale, respectively. Forward stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to examine the associations of parental bonding and adolescents’ Internet addiction symptoms with parental depression and anxiety. Results Low care/affection on the PBI was significantly associated with parental depression, and overprotection on the PBI and adolescents’ Internet addiction were significantly associated with parental anxiety. Discussion Parental bonding and adolescents’ Internet addiction are related to depression and anxiety in parents of adolescents with ADHD.

<title>Abstract</title><sec><title>Background</title><p>Cryptococcal meningitis is a deadly fungal infection. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiology of cerebral cryptococcosis and to define its prognostic factors.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>This cross-sectional study collected clinical information from cryptococcal meningitis patients with confirmed cerebral cryptococcosis from 2006 to 2012 at the Changhua Christian Healthcare System to access prognostic factors.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>Fifty-nine adult cryptococcal meningitis patients were studied. The incidence at Changhua Christian Healthcare System was approximately 170 episodes per 100,000 patients within the studied period. Forty-one of 59 cryptococcal meningitis patients developed complications. Overall, 12 of 59 patients died, for a three-month mortality rate of 20.3 %. Prognostic factors positively associated with the three-month mortality included age (>55 years), patient delay, prolonged delay by the doctor in administering antifungal agent therapy, duration of intensive care unit stay, chronic lung disease, cryptococcemia, headache, altered mental status, positive blood cultures, and high cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure (>250 mm H₂O).</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusions</title><p>We strongly recommend early administration of an antifungal agent to each suspected cryptococcal meningitis patient to decrease both the delay by doctors in administering therapy and the mortality risk. Aggressive and supportive care for severe cryptococcal meningitis patients is critical to decrease overall mortality from this infection.</p></sec>

OBJECTIVES: In light of the increasing number of high-tech industry workers and the differences in their working conditions compared to those of the general population, the health status of these workers merits serious attention. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its correlates among Taiwanese high-tech industry workers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 4,666 workers who participated in labor health examinations at a hospital in southern Taiwan in 2008. Participants with metabolic syndrome were defined using the criteria proposed by the Taiwan National Department of Health in 2007. Factors associated with metabolic syndrome were determined using multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 8.2%, and the prevalence was higher in men than in women (14.0% vs. 2.3%, p<0.01). Male gender, advanced age, elevated white blood count, and elevated levels of blood biochemistry markers, such as alanine aminotransferase and uric acid, can independently predict metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome among high-tech industry workers is lower than in the general population. Our study's findings may facilitate early health assessments and the provision of proper workplace health promotion programs to reduce the risks faced by high-risk workers.

OBJETIVO: O cúbito varo é uma doença muito comum em crianças e adultos, ocasionada por fratura supracondilar. Existem vários procedimentos cirúrgicos e fixações internas para correção do cúbito varo, com diferentes desfechos, embora a fixação interna com placa e parafusos seja o mais comum. Contudo, o impacto do posicionamento da placa sobre a cirurgia raramente foi estudado até agora. MÉTODO: Em nosso estudo, 12 pacientes com cúbito varo foram divididos em dois grupos, operados pelo método de osteotomias em cunha com fechamento lateral e fixações internas com placa e parafusos. Em um grupo, as placas foram colocadas no lado póstero-lateral; no outro, as placas foram colocadas no lado lateral do úmero. RESULTADO: O período de acompanhamento foi 4,5 meses (faixa de 2 a 7 meses). Houve cinco resultados excelentes (83,3%) e um bom (16,7%) em cada grupo. Em todos os casos, a aparência é muito semelhante ao lado oposto; não há diferenças de amplitude de movimento (AM) no cotovelo depois da cirurgia. Um paciente no grupo B teve paralisia nervosa transitória; não houve infecções nem osteomielite. CONCLUSÃO: A posição da placa de fixação interna não tem impacto sobre a osteotomia em cunha de fechamento lateral. Nivel de Evidência II, Prospectivo Comparativo.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of low intensity ultrasound irradiation applied on the spinal cord, in the regeneration of the rat's sciatic nerve after a controlled crush injury, evaluating the functional results of the sciatic functional index as measured on video recorded images of the foot sole. METHODS: Eighteen rats were submitted to a controlled crush injury of the right sciatic nerve, and divided into two groups according to the treatment: Group 1 (n=9), simulated irradiation; Group 2 (n=9), effective irradiation. Low-intensity ultrasound irradiation was started on the 7th postoperative day and applied daily for 6 weeks. Images of the animals´ foot soles were video recorded on a transparenttreadmill belt at weekly intervals until the 6th week of irradiation, and the corresponding sciatic functional index (SFI) was measured usingspecific software. RESULTS: The SFI during the first and last week of treatment was -59.12 and -12.55 in Group 1, -53.31 and -1.32 in Group 2, indicating improvements of 79% and 97%, respectively, but differences between the groups were only significant (p<0.05) during the third week of treatment. CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that low intensity therapeutic ultrasound enhances nerve regeneration, with significance during the 3rd week of treatment. Level of Evidence: Level II, prospective comparative study.