Abstract Objective This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of serum microRNA-146a and pro-inflammatory factors in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia after azithromycin treatment. microRNA-146a is known to regulate inflammatory responses, and excessive inflammation is a primary characteristic of MPP. Methods Children with MPP received conventional symptomatic therapy along with intravenous administration of azithromycin for one week. Serum levels of microRNA-146a and pro-inflammatory factors were measured using RT-qPCR and ELISA kits, respectively. The correlation between microRNA-146a and pro-inflammatory factors was analyzed by the Pearson method. Pulmonary function indexes were assessed using a pulmonary function analyzer, and their correlation with microRNA-146a and pro-inflammatory factors after treatment was evaluated. Children with MPP were divided into effective and ineffective treatment groups, and the clinical significance of microRNA-146a and pro-inflammatory factors was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves and logistic multivariate regression analysis. Results Serum microRNA-146a was downregulated in children with MPP but upregulated after azithromycin treatment, contrasting with the trend observed for pro-inflammatory factors. MicroRNA-146a showed a negative correlation with pro-inflammatory cytokines. Pulmonary function parameters were initially reduced in children with MPP, but increased after treatment, showing positive/inverse associations with microRNA-146a and pro-inflammatory factors. Higher microRNA-146a and lower pro-inflammatory factors predicted better efficacy of azithromycin treatment. MicroRNA-146a, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and forced expiratory volume in the first second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) were identified as independent factors influencing treatment efficacy. Conclusion Azithromycin treatment in children with MPP upregulates microRNA-146a, downregulates pro-inflammatory factors, and effectively improves pulmonary function.

Abstract Background Neuropathic pain typically refers to the pain caused by somatosensory system injury or diseases, which is usually characterized by ambulatory pain, allodynia, and hyperalgesia. Nitric oxide produced by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the spinal dorsal cord might serve a predominant role in regulating the algesia of neuropathic pain. The high efficacy and safety, as well as the plausible ability in providing comfort, entitle dexmedetomidine (DEX) to an effective anesthetic adjuvant. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of DEX on the expression of nNOS in spinal dorsal cord in a rat model with chronic neuropathic pain. Methods Male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned into three groups: sham operation group (sham), (of the sciatic nerve) operation (CCI) group, and dexmedetomidine (DEX) group. Chronic neuropathic pain models in the CCI and DEX groups were established by sciatic nerve ligation. The thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) was measured on day 1 before operation and on day 1, 3, 7 and 14 after operation. Six animals were sacrificed after TWL measurement on day 7, and 14 days after operation, in each group, the L4–6 segment of the spinal cords was extracted for determination of nNOS expression by immunohistochemistry. Results Compared with the sham group, the TWL threshold was significantly decreased and the expression of nNOS was up-regulated after operation in the CCI and DEX groups. Compared with the CCI grou[, the TWL threshold was significantly increased and the expression of nNOS was significantly down-regulated on day 7 and 14 days after operation in the DEX group. Conclusion Down-regulated nNOS in the spinal dorsal cord is involved in the attenuation of neuropathic pain by DEX.

Resumo Antecedentes A dor neuropática refere-se tipicamente à dor causada por lesões ou doenças do sistema somatossensorial. De modo geral, é caracterizada por dor à ambulação, alodinia e hiperalgesia. O óxido nítrico produzido pela enzima óxido nítrico sintase neuronal (nNOS) na medula espinhal dorsal pode ter um papel predominante na regulação da dor neuropática. A alta eficácia e segurança, bem como a plausível capacidade de proporcionar conforto, faz com que a dexmedetomidina (DEX) seja um adjuvante anestésico eficaz. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o efeito da DEX na expressão de nNOS na medula espinhal dorsal em um modelo de ratos com dor neuropática crônica. Métodos Ratos Sprague Dawley (SD) machos foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em três grupos: grupo de cirurgia simulada (sham), grupo de cirurgia (do nervo ciático; CCI) e grupo dexmedetomidina (DEX). Os modelos de dor neuropática crônica nos grupos CCI e DEX foram estabelecidos por ligadura do nervo ciático. A latência de retirada térmica (TWL) foi medida no dia 1 antes da cirurgia e nos dias 1, 3, 7 e 14 após o procedimento. Seis animais de cada grupo foram eutanasiados após a medida de TWL nos dias 7 e 14 após a cirurgia e o segmento L4-6 da medula espinhal foi extraído para determinação da expressão de nNOS por imuno-histoquímica. Resultados Em comparação ao grupo sham, o limiar de TWL diminuiu significativamente e a expressão de nNOS foi regulada de maneira positiva após a cirurgia nos grupos CCI e DEX. Comparado ao grupo CCI, o limiar de TWL aumentou de forma significativa e a expressão de nNOS caiu significativamente diminuída nos dia 7 e 14 após a cirurgia no grupo DEX. Conclusão A regulação negativa de nNOS na medula espinhal dorsal está envolvida na atenuação da dor neuropática pela DEX.

ABSTRACT Objectives: The effects of weightlessness on the liver were studied using a tail suspension (TS) male mouse model. Methods: The effects of 0-, 2- and 4-week TS (CON, TS2 and TS4 groups) on glycogen and lipid content, as well as on the molecular processes of the synthesis and degradation pathways, were examined. Results: (1) The number of glycogenosomes under ultrastructure and the glycogen content were considerably larger in the TS4 group than in the other two groups. (2) In the TS4 group, glycogen synthase activity remained constant while glycogen phosphorylase activity dropped, indicating that glycogen breakdown was reduced. (3) The livers of the TS2 group had the highest lipid and triglyceride content, indicating lipid buildup in the liver at this time. (4) In the TS2 group, the activities of the fatty acid synthesis-related factors acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase increased, while hepatic lipase decreased, indicating that lipid synthesis increased, while decomposition decreased. (5) In the TS2 group, the protein expression of glucose transporters 1 and 2 increased. Conclusions: From TS2 weeks to TS4 weeks, the main energy consumption mode in the livers of mice transitioned from glucose metabolism to lipid metabolism as glucose use decreased. Level of evidence II; Comparative prospective study.

RESUMEN Objetivos: Se estudiaron los efectos de la antigravedad en el hígado utilizando un modelo de ratón macho en prueba de suspensión de la cola (TS, tail suspension). Métodos: Se examinaron los efectos de la TS a las 0, 2 y 4 semanas (grupos CON, TS2 y TS4) sobre el contenido de glucógeno y lípidos, así como sobre los procesos moleculares de las vías de síntesis y degradación. Resultados: (1) El número de glucogenosomas ultraestructurales y el contenido de glucógeno fueron expresivamente más altos en el grupo TS4 que en los otros dos grupos. (2) En el grupo TS4, la actividad de la glucógeno sintasa se mantuvo constante, mientras que la actividad de la glucógeno fosforilasa disminuyó, lo que indica que la degradación del glucógeno se redujo. (3) Los hígados del grupo TS2 presentaron el mayor contenido de lípidos y triglicéridos, lo que indica la acumulación de lípidos en el hígado en ese momento. (4) En el grupo TS2, la actividad de los factores relacionados con la síntesis de ácidos grasos acetil-CoA carboxilasa y ácido graso sintasa aumentó, mientras que la lipasa hepática disminuyó, indicando que la síntesis de lípidos aumentó mientras que la descomposición disminuyó. (5) En el grupo TS2, la expresión proteica de los transportadores de glucosa 1 y 2 aumentó. Conclusiones: Desde la semana TS2 hasta la semana TS4, el principal modo de consumo de energía en el hígado de los ratones pasó del metabolismo de la glucosa al metabolismo de los lípidos a medida que disminuía el uso de la glucosa. Nivel de Evidencia II, Estudio retrospectivo comparativo.

RESUMO Objetivos: Os efeitos da antigravidade no fígado foram estudados usando um modelo de camundongo macho com a suspensão pela cauda (TS, tail suspension). Métodos: Foram examinados os efeitos da TS em 0, 2 e 4 semanas (grupos CON, TS2 e TS4) sobre o conteúdo de glicogênio e lipídios, bem como nos processos moleculares das vias de síntese e degradação. Resultados: (1) O número de glicogenossomos ultraestruturais e o teor de glicogênio foram expressivamente maiores no grupo TS4 do que nos outros dois grupos. (2) No grupo TS4, a atividade de glicogênio sintase permaneceu constante, enquanto a atividade de glicogênio fosforilase caiu, indicando que a degradação do glicogênio foi reduzida. (3) Os fígados do grupo TS2 tiveram o maior teor lipídico e de triglicérides, indicando acúmulo de lipídios no fígado no momento. (4) No grupo TS2, a atividade dos fatores relacionados com a síntese de ácidos graxos acetil-CoA carboxilase e ácido graxo sintase aumentaram, enquanto a lipase hepática diminuiu, indicando que a síntese de lipídios aumentou, enquanto a decomposição diminuiu. (5) No grupo TS2, a expressão proteica dos transportadores de glicose 1 e 2 aumentou. Conclusões: De TS2 semanas para TS4 semanas, o principal modo de consumo de energia no fígado de camundongos passou do metabolismo da glicose para o metabolismo lipídico, à medida que o uso de glicose diminuiu. Nível de evidência II, Estudo retrospectivo comparativo.

Objective: Mortality rate is a general indicator which can be used to measure care and management of schizophrenia. This cohort study evaluated the standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) of all-cause mortality and life-years lost (LYLs) in patients with schizophrenia under a community care program in China. Methods: Data were obtained from the National Community Care Program System for Severe Mental Disorders. A total of 99,214 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia were enrolled before December 2014 and followed between 2015 and 2019. A total of 9,483 patients died. Crude mortality rates (CMRs) and SMRs were then stratified by natural vs. unnatural causes, and major groups of death were standardized according to the 2010 National Population SMRs. The corresponding LYLs at birth were also calculated by gender and age. Results: The SMRs of patients with schizophrenia were significantly elevated during the study period, with an overall SMR of 4.98 (95%CI 2.67-7.32). Neoplasms, cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, external injuries, and poisonings were the most significant causes of death among patients with schizophrenia compared to the general population. The mean LYLs of patients with schizophrenia were 15.28 (95%CI 13.26-17.30). Males with schizophrenia lost 15.82 life-years (95%CI 13.48-18.16), and females lost 14.59 life-years (95%CI 13.12-16.06). Conclusions: Patients with schizophrenia under community care had a high mortality rate in our study, even though mental health services have been integrated into the general healthcare system in China to narrow treatment gaps in mental health for > 10 years. In terms of mortality outcome indicators, effective and quality mental health services still have a long way to go. The current study demonstrates the potential for improved prevention and treatment of individuals with schizophrenia under community care.

Regular exercise reduces the risk of malignancy and decreases the recurrence of cancer. However, the mechanisms behind this protection remain to be elucidated. Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immune system, which play essential roles in immune defense and effectively prevent cancer metastasis. Physical exercise can increase the activity of NK cells. Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is the best-studied cytokine activator of NK cells, and it was shown to have many positive functional effects on NK cells to improve antitumor responses. The aim of this study was to clarify the possible important mechanisms behind endurance exercise-induced changes in NK cell function, which may be highly correlated with IL-15. An animal model was used to study IL-15 expression level, tumor volume, cancer cell apoptosis, and NK cell infiltration after treadmill exercise. Although IL-15 was highly expressed in skeletal muscle, treadmill exercise further elevated IL-15 levels in plasma and muscle (P<0.05). In addition, tumor weight and volume of tumor-bearing mice were decreased (P<0.05), and liver tumor cell apoptosis was increased after 12 weeks of treadmill exercise (P<0.05). NK cell infiltration was upregulated in tumors from treadmill exercise mice, and the level of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and IL-15 were higher than in sedentary mice (P<0.05). The study indicated that regular endurance training can reduce cancer risk, which was related to increased IL-15 expression, activation of the immune killing effect of NK cells, and promotion of tumor cell apoptosis, which can ultimately control tumor growth.

In recent years, frailty has attracted increasing attention from clinicians and health care workers. The influence of frailty on the elderly, especially those with chronic diseases of the respiratory system, is highly significant. Frailty is particularly more common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Frailty and COPD share many risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms. As a comprehensive interventional method for chronic respiratory diseases, pulmonary rehabilitation is an important basic measure for the management of patients with COPD. Frailty in these patients can be reversed using pulmonary rehabilitation by targeting five components of the frailty phenotype at the entry point. The present review discusses the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COPD complicated by frailty and provides a theoretical basis for pulmonary rehabilitation treatment in this population. In addition, the timing of pulmonary rehabilitation is also addressed, with the prefrail stage being the “golden” period. The implementation of pulmonary rehabilitation must vary among individuals, and individualized treatment strategies will help maximize benefits.

The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy, safety, and prognostic factors of drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) in Chinese hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Patients (n=102) diagnosed as primary HCC were consecutively enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Treatment responses were assessed following the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated, and adverse events (AEs) as well as liver function-related laboratory indexes of all DEB-TACE records (N=131) were assessed. Complete response (CR) rate, objective response rate, and disease control rate were 51.0, 87.3, and 95.1%, respectively, at 1–3 months post DEB-TACE. The mean PFS and OS were 227 (95%CI: 200–255) days and 343 (95%CI: 309–377) days, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that portal vein invasion and abnormal total protein (TP) were independent predictive factors for worse CR, and multivariate Cox's regression analysis showed that multifocal disease independently correlated with shorter PFS. Most of the liver function-related laboratory indexes worsened at 1 week but recovered at 1–3 months post-treatment, only the percentage of patients with abnormal ALP increased at 1–3 months. In addition, 112 (85.5%), 84 (64.1%), 53 (40.5%), 40 (30.5%), and 16 (12.2%) patients had pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and other AEs, respectively. DEB-TACE is efficient and safe in Chinese HCC patients, and portal vein invasion, abnormal TP level as well as multifocal disease could be used as unfavorable prognostic factors to DEB-TACE treatment.

Resumo Este estudo avaliou o pH, radiopacidade, efeito antimicrobiano, citotoxicidade e biocompatibilidae de materiais obturadores de dentes decíduos. Foram avaliados o cimento de óxido de zinco e eugenol (OZE), Vitapex e pasta Calen espessada com óxido de zinco (OZ), comparativamente a um material experimental à base de MTA. A radiopacidade foi testada usando uma escala milimetrada de alumínio, com um sensor digital. O pH dos materiais também foi avaliado nos períodos de 1, 4, 12 h; 1, 3, 7, 15, e 30 dias (n=5). O teste de contato direto foi utilizado para avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana dos materiais conta uma cepa de Enterococcus faecalis após incubação por 1, 4, 12, e 24 h (n=5). Para avaliação da citotoxicidade foi utilizado o teste de MTT para avaliação da viabilidade celular. No teste de biocompatibilidade, ratos Wistar receberam implantes subcutâneos contendo cada material obturador (n=5). Após biópsia, os tecidos foram submetidos à avaliação histológica em períodos de 15, 30 e 60 dias. Os resultados de radiopacidade, pH, ação antimicrobiana e citotoxicidade foram analisados usando os testes ANOVA e Tukey. Os dados histológicos foram submetidos ao teste de Kruskal-Wallis. O material experimental apresentou a menor radiopacidade (3.28 mm Al) e apresentou um pH superior a 12,0 durante todo o período experimental. O material experimental apresentou o maior efeito antimicrobiano, eliminando mais de 99,97% das bactérias em um período de 4 h. O Vitapex permitiu uma maior viabilidade celular em comparação aos demais materiais avaliados. Inicialmente, os testes de biocompatibilidade demonstraram inflamação de moderada a severa em todos os grupos. Após 60 dias, apenas o grupo Calen+ OZ apresentou inflamação moderada, enquanto os outros materiais demonstraram predominantemente a indução de inflamação leve. Os resultados demonstraram que o material experimental à base de MTA exibiu comportamento satisfatório com relação às propriedades avaliadas. Estudos adicionais, in vivo, são necessários para uma melhor avaliação do material.

Abstract This study assessed the pH, radiopacity, antimicrobial effect, cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of endodontic filling materials for primary teeth. Zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE), Vitapex and Calen paste thickened with zinc oxide (ZO) were evaluated in comparison to an experimental MTA-based material. Radiopacity was tested using a graduated aluminum stepwedge with a digital sensor (n=5). The materials pH was recorded at 1, 4, 12 h; 1, 3, 7, 15 and 30 days (n=5). Direct contact test was used to assess the antimicrobial efficacy against Enterococcus faecalis after 1, 4, 12, 24 h (n=5). Cytotoxicity assay used MTT test for cell viability after incubation for 1, 3 and 7 days (n=5). For biocompatibility test, Wistar rats had received implants containing each material (n=5). The biopsied tissues were histologically analyzed after 15, 30 and 60 days. The results of radiopacity, pH, antimicrobial capacity and cytotoxicity were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey tests. The histological data were submitted to Kruskal-Wallis test. The experimental material presented the lowest radiopacity (3.28 mm Al) and had a pH>12.0 throughout the test period. The experimental material showed the highest antibacterial effect, killing over 99.97% bacteria in 4 h. Vitapex presented the highest cell viability. Initially, biocompatibility test showed moderate to severe inflammation in all groups. After 60 days, Calen+ZO group showed moderate inflammation, while the others showed predominantly mild inflammatory reaction. The present results demonstrated that the experimental MTA-based material exhibited satisfactory behavior regarding the studied properties. Additional in vivo studies are necessary for a better evaluation of the material.

A brand-new type of multifunctional nanocomposites with high DC conductivity and enhanced mechanical strength was fabricated. Ionic liquid functionalized Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs-IL) were embedded into epoxy matrix with covalent bonding by the attached epoxy groups. The highest DC conductivity was 8.38 x 10-3 S.m-1 with 1.0 wt. (%) loading of CNTs-IL and the tensile strength was increased by 36.4% only at a 0.5 wt. (%) concentration. A mixing solvent was used to disperse CNTs-IL in the epoxy monomer. The dispersion and distribution of CNTs-IL in the polymer matrix were measured by utilizing both optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, respectively.