Abstract Background and aims Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multisystem disease closely linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aims to investigate the connection between early-stage NAFLD and atherosclerosis, as well as the correlation between liver fibrosis and coronary heart disease while exploring underlying inflammatory mechanisms. Methods In this retrospective study, the authors analyzed data from 607 patients who underwent both coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and abdominal ultrasonography (US). Logistic regression was utilized to examine the association between NAFLD and atherosclerosis, while mediation analysis was conducted to explore whether inflammatory markers mediate the link between liver fibrosis and coronary artery disease. Results Among the 607 patients included, 237 (39.0 %) were diagnosed with NAFLD through ultrasonography. After adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, ALT, and AST, NAFLD demonstrated a significant correlation with carotid intimal thickening (1.58, 95 % CI 1.04‒2.40; p= 0.034) and non-calcified plaque (1.56, 95 % CI 1.03‒2.37; p= 0.038). Additionally, fibrosis predictive markers, including FIB-4 > 1.3 (1.06, 95 % CI 2.30‒5.00; p= 0.035) and APRI (6.26, 95 % CI 1.03‒37.05; p= 0.046), independently correlated with coronary heart disease after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors. Conversely, among systemic inflammatory markers, only the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) are independently associated with coronary heart disease. ROC curve analysis indicated that combining predictive fibrosis markers or inflammatory markers with traditional cardiovascular risk factors enhanced the predictive accuracy for coronary heart disease. Mediation analysis revealed that NLR fully mediated the effect of liver fibrosis on coronary heart disease. Conclusion NAFLD is associated with carotid intimal thickening and non-calcified plaque, suggesting an increased cardiovascular risk. Furthermore, liver fibrosis independently increases the risk of coronary heart disease in the early-stage NAFLD population, and inflammation may play a fully mediating role in the effect of liver fibrosis on coronary heart disease. Early intervention is crucial for NAFLD patients to mitigate future major adverse cardiovascular events.

Abstract Effects of NaHCO3 addition (0.2-0.8%) on the colour, shear force, and water distribution of raw and cooked marinated beef were investigated. The pH and cooking yield were found to be significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the shear force, L* and b* values were significantly decreased with increasing NaHCO3 amounts, except for samples with 0.6% and 0.8% NaHCO3, for which the cooking yield and shear force remained unaffected. Furthermore, the initial relaxation times T21 and T22 of marinated beef were, and the mobility of water in the raw marinated beef was reduced (P < 0.05) with increasing NaHCO3 content. This was due to the carbon dioxide production disrupting the beef structure during heating process. The mobility of water in the cooked marinated beef was found to be improved. In conclusion, NaHCO3 addition improved the water holding capacity and tenderness of marinated beef.

RESUMO Introdução A hipertensão é uma doença clínica comum, o que não é incomum na indústria de aviação. Os pilotos que sofrem de pressão alta precisam controlar a pressão alta para garantir a segurança do vôo. A terapia com exercícios é uma forma eficaz de controlar a hipertensão. Objetivo Desenhar os efeitos clínicos da intervenção com exercícios no tratamento da hipertensão em pilotos. Método O artigo distribuiu aleatoriamente 41 voluntários pilotos com hipertensão em dois grupos: os grupos de tratamento e controle. Exceto pela terapia de intervenção com exercícios diferentes, os outros métodos de tratamento são os mesmos. Após o término do experimento, os voluntários foram testados quanto aos seus indicadores fisiológicos e bioquímicos. Resultados Após um ano de dieta estrita e intervenção com exercícios, os dois grupos de indicadores fisiológicos e bioquímicos foram significativamente diferentes. Conclusão A intervenção de exercícios de intensidade moderada pode reduzir o índice de massa corporal, a relação cintura-quadril e o nível de pressão arterial de pacientes hipertensos, corrigir o distúrbio do metabolismo dos lipídios do sangue e pode ajudar a reduzir a taxa de recorrência da hipertensão. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

ABSTRACT Introduction Hypertension is a common clinical disease, which is not uncommon in the aviation industry. Pilots suffering from high blood pressure need to control high blood pressure to ensure flight safety. Exercise therapy is an effective way to control high blood pressure. Objective To design the clinical effects of exercise intervention in the treatment of hypertension in pilots. Method The article randomly assigned 41 pilot volunteers with hypertension to two groups: the treatment and control groups. Except for the different exercise intervention therapy, the other treatment methods are the same. After the expiration of the experiment, the volunteers were tested for their physiological and biochemical indicators. Results After one year of strict diet and exercise intervention, the two groups of physiological and biochemical indicators were significantly different. Conclusion Intervention of moderate-intensity exercise can reduce the body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio and blood pressure level of hypertensive patients, correct the disorder of blood lipid metabolism, and can help reduce the recurrence rate of hypertension. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.

RESUMEN Introducción La hipertensión es una enfermedad clínica común, que no es infrecuente en la industria de la aviación. Los pilotos que sufren de presión arterial alta necesitan controlar la presión arterial alta para garantizar la seguridad del vuelo. La terapia con ejercicios es una forma eficaz de controlar la presión arterial alta. Objetivo Diseñar los efectos clínicos de la intervención con ejercicios en el tratamiento de la hipertensión en pilotos. Método El artículo asignó al azar a 41 voluntarios piloto con hipertensión a dos grupos: el de tratamiento y el de control. Excepto por las diferentes terapias de intervención con ejercicios, los otros métodos de tratamiento son los mismos. Después de la terminación del experimento, se evaluó a los voluntarios en cuanto a sus indicadores fisiológicos y bioquímicos. Resultados Después de un año de estricta intervención de dieta y ejercicio, los dos grupos de indicadores fisiológicos y bioquímicos fueron significativamente diferentes. Conclusión La intervención del ejercicio de intensidad moderada puede reducir el índice de masa corporal, la relación cintura-cadera y el nivel de presión arterial de los pacientes hipertensos, corregir el trastorno del metabolismo de los lípidos en sangre y puede ayudar a reducir la tasa de recurrencia de la hipertensión. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos: investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Cervical cancer (CC) is the most common malignant tumor in females. Although persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a leading factor that causes CC, few women with HPV infection develop CC. Therefore, many mechanisms remain to be explored, such as aberrant expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. To identify promising prognostic factors and interpret the relevant mechanisms of CC, the RNA sequencing profile of CC was downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas and the Gene Expression Omnibus databases. The GSE63514 dataset was analyzed, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained by weighted coexpression network analysis and the edgeR package in R. Fifty-three shared genes were mainly enriched in nuclear chromosome segregation and DNA replication signaling pathways. Through a protein-protein interaction network and prognosis analysis, the kinesin family member 14 (KIF14) hub gene was extracted from the set of 53 shared genes, which was overexpressed and associated with poor overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of CC patients. Mechanistically, gene set enrichment analysis showed that KIF14 was mainly enriched in the glycolysis/gluconeogenesis signaling pathway and DNA replication signaling pathway, especially in the cell cycle signaling pathway. RT-PCR and the Human Protein Atlas database confirmed that these genes were significantly increased in CC samples. Therefore, our findings indicated the biological function of KIF14 in cervical cancer and provided new ideas for CC diagnosis and therapies.

Abstract Purpose To investigate whether heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is involved in complement regulation in ischemic postconditioning (IPC). Methods The left coronary artery of rats underwent 30 min of occlusion, followed by 120 min of reperfusion and treatment with IPC via 3 cycles of 30s reperfusion and 30s occlusion. The rats were injected intraperitoneally with 1 mg/kg HSP90 inhibitor geldanamycin (GA) after anesthesia. Eighty rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham, ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), IPC and IPC + GA. Myocardial infarct size, apoptosis index and the expression of HSP90, C3, C5a, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1β and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) were assessed. Results Compared with the I/R injury, the IPC treatment significantly reduced infarct size, release of troponin T, creatine kinase-MB, and lactate dehydrogenase, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. These beneficial effects were accompanied by a decrease in TNF-α, IL-1β, C3, C5a and JNK expression levels. However, all these effects were abrogated by administration of the HSP90 inhibitor GA. Conclusion HSP90 exerts a profound effect on IPC cardioprotection, and may be linked to the inhibition of the complement system and JNK, ultimately attenuating I/R-induced myocardial injury and apoptosis.

Background: Betatrophin is a novel adipokine that provokes pancreatic β-cell proliferation and is involved in lipid metabolism. Aims: This study aims to evaluate the role of serum betatrophin in metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods: A hospital-based, age-/gender-matched case control study was conducted. The serum betatrophin level was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum concentrations of 12 adipokines were measured to assess their associations with serum betatrophin, using commercial Adipokine Magnetic Bead Panel kits. Statistical analyses included bivariate correlation, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and multivariate stepwise linear regression. Results: Serum betatrophin showed a higher level in MetS patients (997.36 ± 475.92 pg/ml, p = 0.001) compared with controls (735.35 ± 526.51 pg/ml). Compared with the lowest tertile, the highest tertile of serum betatrophin level indicated an association with higher risk of MetS (adjusted odds ratio = 3.521, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.191-10.413], p = 0.023). ROC curve of betatrophin was developed to predict the presence of MetS (area under ROC = 0.682 [95% CI, 0.597-0.767], p < 0.001). Furthermore, betatrophin correlated with several parameters, e.g. age (r = 0.286, p < 0.001), body mass index (r = 0.160, p = 0.046), waist-to-hip ratio (r = 0.241, p = 0.002), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = -0.167, p = 0.037), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = -0.195, p = 0.015), fasting plasma glucose (r = 0.266, p = 0.001), hemoglobin A1C (r = 0.314, p < 0.001), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (r = 0.272, p = 0.001), and various adipokines, e.g. resistin (r = 0. 571, p < 0.001), interleukin-8 (r = 0.435, p < 0.001), tumor necrosis factor-α (r = 0.295, p = 0.011) and lipocalin-2 (r = 0.346, p = 0.003). Conclusions: This study supports that serum betatrophin plays an important role in MetS, involving the regulations of glucose and lipid metabolism and inflammation.

Introducción: la betatrofina es una novedosa adipoquina que provoca la proliferación de células β pancreáticas e interviene en el metabolismo de los lípidos. Objetivos: el propósito de este estudio es evaluar el papel de la betatrofina en el síndrome metabólico. Método: se llevó a cabo un estudio hospitalario de casos y controles según sexo y edad. El nivel de betatrofina en suero fue evaluado mediante ensayo por inmunoabsorción ligado a enzimas. Se midieron las concentraciones en suero de 12 adipoquinas para evaluar las asociaciones con la betatrofina usando los kits comerciales Adipokine Magnetic Bead Panel. Los análisis estadísticos incluyeron correlación bivariada, análisis de curva ROC y análisis de regresión lineal multivariable. Resultados: el nivel de betatrofina en suero fue más elevado en pacientes con síndrome metabólico (997,36 ± 475,92 pg/ml, p = 0,001) que en los controles (735,35 ± 526,51 pg/ml). Frente al tercil más bajo, el tercil más alto del nivel de betatrofina mostró una asociación con mayor riesgo de síndrome metabólico (odds ratio ajustado = 3,521, intervalo de confianza [IC] 95% [1,191-10,413], p = 0,023). Se desarrolló la curva ROC de betatrofina para pronosticar la presencia de síndrome metabólico (área bajo la curva ROC = 0,682 [95% IC, 0,597-0,767], p < 0,001). Además, la betatrofina mostró correlación con distintos parámetros, como edad (r = 0,286, p < 0,001), índice de masa corporal (r = 0,160, p = 0,046), índice cintura-cadera (r = 0,241, p = 0,002), lipoproteína de alta densidad (r = -0,167, p = 0,037), lipoproteína de baja densidad (r = -0,195, p = 0,015), glucosa plasmática en ayunas (r = 0,266, p = 0,001), hemoglobina A1C (r = 0,314, p < 0,001), índice de resistencia a la insulina mediante HOMA (r = 0,272, p = 0,001) y diversas adipoquinas, entre ellas resistina (r = 0,571, p < 0,001), interleucina-8 (r = 0,435, p < 0,001), factor de necrosis tumoral alfa (r = 0,295, p = 0,011) y lipocalina-2 (r = 0,346, p = 0,003). Conclusiones: este estudio demuestra que la betatrofina en suero desempeña una importante labor en el síndrome metabólico, implicando la regulación del metabolismo de la glucosa y los lípidos y la inflamación.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the gross tumor volume of resectable gastric adenocarcinoma on multidetector computed tomography could predict the presence of regional lymph node metastasis and could determine N categories. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 202 consecutive patients with gastric adenocarcinoma who had undergone gastrectomy 1 week after contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography were retrospectively identified. The gross tumor volume was evaluated on multidetector computed tomography images. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine whether the gross tumor volume could predict regional lymph node metastasis, and the Mann-Whitney U test was performed to compare the gross tumor volume among N categories. Additionally, a receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to identify the accuracy of the gross tumor volume in differentiating N categories. RESULTS: The gross tumor volume could predict regional lymph node metastasis (p<0.0001) in the univariate analysis, and the multivariate analyses indicated that the gross tumor volume was an independent risk factor for regional lymph node metastasis (p=0.005, odds ratio=1.364). The Mann-Whitney U test showed that the gross tumor volume could distinguish N0 from the N1-N3 categories, N0-N1 from N2-N3, and N0-N2 from N3 (all p<0.0001). In the T1-T4a categories, the gross tumor volume could differentiate N0 from the N1-N3 categories (cutoff, 12.3 cm3), N0-N1 from N2-N3 (cutoff, 16.6 cm3), and N0-N2 from N3 (cutoff, 24.6 cm3). In the T4a category, the gross tumor volume could differentiate N0 from the N1-N3 categories (cutoff, 15.8 cm3), N0-N1 from N2-N3 (cutoff, 17.8 cm3), and N0-N2 from N3 (cutoff, 24 cm3). CONCLUSION: The gross tumor volume of resectable gastric adenocarcinoma on multidetector computed tomography could predict regional lymph node metastasis and N categories.

ABSTRACT We compared the morphology of the erythrocytes of five anurans, two toad species - Bufo gargarizans (Cantor, 1842) and Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider, 1799) and three frog species - Fejervarya limnocharis (Gravenhorst, 1829), Microhyla ornata (Duméril & Bibron, 1841), and Rana zhenhaiensis (Ye, Fei & Matsui, 1995). We then reconstructed the ancestral state of erythrocyte size (ES) and nuclear size (NS) in amphibians based on a molecular tree. Nine morphological traits of erythrocytes were all significantly different among the five species. The results of principal component analysis showed that the first component (49.1% of variance explained) had a high positive loading for erythrocyte length, nuclear length, NS and ratio of erythrocyte length/erythrocyte width; the second axis (28.5% of variance explained) mainly represented erythrocyte width and ES. Phylogenetic generalized least squares analysis showed that the relationship between NS and ES was not affected by phylogenetic relationships although there was a significant linear relationship between these two variables. These results suggested that (1) the nine morphological traits of erythrocytes in the five anuran species were species-specific; (2) in amphibians, larger erythrocytes generally had larger nuclei.

Neste trabalho, grafeno foi usado na extração em fase sólida dispersiva de 11 herbicidas triazina e 5 inseticidas neonicotina da água. As condições de extração como quantidade de grafeno, solvente de dessorção e pH da solução foram otimizados. Nas condições otimizadas, um enriquecimento de alta eficiência foi alcançado na análise quantitativa dos pesticidas. Triazinas e neonicotinas foram determinadas por espectrometria de massas-cromatografia gasosa (GC-MS) e cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência acoplada à espectrometria de massas (LC-MS/MS), respectivamente. Os resultados indicaram que o grafeno foi um excelente adsorvente na adsorção de pesticidas. A recuperação dos pesticidas foi 83,0-108,9% com desvio padrão relativo (RSD) entre 2,4% e 12,3%. Os limites de detecção (LODs) variaram entre 0,03 μg L-1 e 0,40 μg L-1. Finalmente, o método proposto foi aplicado na análise de amostras reais, como água de torneira e de rio.

In this work, graphene was used for dispersive solid-phase extraction of 11 triazine herbicides and 5 neonicotine insecticides from water. The extraction conditions such as the amount of graphene, the desorption solvent and the solution pH were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, high efficient enrichment was achieved for the quantitative analysis of the pesticides. Triazines and neonicotines were determined by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) and high performance liquid chromatography electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), respectively. The results indicated that graphene was an excellent adsorbent for the adsorption of pesticides. The recoveries of the pesticides were 83.0-108.9% with relative standard deviation (RSD) between 2.4% and 12.3%. The limits of detection (LODs) ranged from 0.03 μg L-1 to 0.40 μg L-1. Finally, the proposed method was applied for real sample analysis, such as tap and river water.

OBJECTIVE: The role of Ulinastatin in neuronal injury after cardiopulmonary resuscitation has not been elucidated. We aim to evaluate the effects of Ulinastatin on inflammation, oxidation, and neuronal injury in the cerebral cortex after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. METHODS: Ventricular fibrillation was induced in 76 adult male Wistar rats for 6 min, after which cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated. After spontaneous circulation returned, the rats were split into two groups: the Ulinastatin 100,000 unit/kg group or the PBS-treated control group. Blood and cerebral cortex samples were obtained and compared at 2, 4, and 8 h after return of spontaneous circulation. The protein levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were assayed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and mRNA levels were quantified via real-time polymerase chain reaction. Myeloperoxidase and Malondialdehyde were measured by spectrophotometry. The translocation of nuclear factor-κB p65 was assayed by Western blot. The viable and apoptotic neurons were detected by Nissl and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). RESULTS: Ulinastatin treatment decreased plasma levels of TNF-α and IL-6, expression of mRNA, and Myeloperoxidase and Malondialdehyde in the cerebral cortex. In addition, Ulinastatin attenuated the translocation of nuclear factor-κB p65 at 2, 4, and 8 hours after the return of spontaneous circulation. Ulinastatin increased the number of living neurons and decreased TUNEL-positive neuron numbers in the cortex at 72 h after the return of spontaneous circulation. CONCLUSIONS: Ulinastatin preserved neuronal survival and inhibited neuron apoptosis after the return of spontaneous circulation in Wistar rats via attenuation of the oxidative stress response and translocation of nuclear factor-κB p65 in the cortex. In addition, Ulinastatin decreased the production of TNF-α, IL-6, Myeloperoxidase, and Malondialdehyde.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether and how the diameter of the vein that gives rise to the inflowing vein of the esophageal and gastric fundic varices secondary to posthepatitic cirrhosis, as measured with multidetector-row computed tomography, could predict the varices and their patterns. METHODS: A total of 106 patients with posthepatitic cirrhosis underwent multidetector-row computed tomography. Patients with and without esophageal and gastric fundic varices were enrolled in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. Group 1 was composed of Subgroup A, consisting of patients with varices, and Subgroup B consisted of patients with varices in combination with portal vein-inferior vena cava shunts. The diameters of the originating veins of veins entering the varices were reviewed and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The originating veins were the portal vein in 8% (6/75) of patients, the splenic vein in 65.3% (49/75) of patients, and both the portal and splenic veins in 26.7% (20/75) of patients. The splenic vein diameter in Group 1 was larger than that in Group 2, whereas no differences in portal vein diameters were found between groups. In Group 1, the splenic vein diameter in Subgroup A was larger than that in Subgroup B. A cut-off splenic vein diameter of 8.5 mm achieved a sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 58.1% for predicting the varices. For discrimination of the varices in combination with and without portal vein-inferior vena cava shunts, a cut-off diameter of 9.5 mm achieved a sensitivity of 66.7% and specificity of 60.0%. CONCLUSION: The diameter of the splenic vein can be used to predict esophageal and gastric fundic varices and their patterns.

Both genetic background and diet have profound effects on plasma lipid profiles. We hypothesized that a high-carbohydrate (high-CHO) diet may affect the ratios of serum lipids and apolipoproteins (apo) differently in subjects with different genotypes of the SstI polymorphism in the apoCIII gene (APOC3). Fifty-six healthy university students (27 males and 29 females, 22.89 ± 1.80 years) were given a washout diet of 54% carbohydrate for 7 days, followed by a high-CHO diet of 70% carbohydrate for 6 days without total energy restriction. Serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apoB100, apoAI, and the APOC3 SstI polymorphism were analyzed. The ratios of serum lipids and apoB100/apoAI were calculated. At baseline, the TG/HDL-C ratio was significantly higher in females, but not in males, with the S2 allele. The differences in the TG/HDL-C ratio between genotypes remained the same after the washout and the high-CHO diet in females. When compared with those before the high-CHO diet, the TC/HDL-C (male S2 carriers: 3.13 ± 1.00 vs 2.36 ± 0.65, P = 0.000; male subjects with the S1S1 genotype: 2.97 ± 0.74 vs 2.09 ± 0.55, P = 0.000; female S2 carriers: 2.68 ± 0.36 vs 2.24 ± 0.37, P = 0.004; female subjects with the S1S1 genotype: 2.69 ± 0.41 vs 2.09 ± 0.31, P = 0.000) and LDL-C/HDL-C (male S2 carriers: 1.44 ± 0.71 vs 1.06 ± 0.26, P = 0.012; male subjects with the S1S1 genotype: 1.35 ± 0.61 vs 1.01 ± 0.29, P = 0.005; female S2 carriers: 1.18 ± 0.33 vs 1.00 ± 0.18, P = 0.049; female subjects with the S1S1 genotype: 1.18 ± 0.35 vs 1.04 ± 0.19, P = 0.026) ratios were significantly decreased after the high-CHO diet regardless of gender and of genotype of the APOC3 SstI polymorphism. However, in female S2 carriers, the TG/HDL-C (1.38 ± 0.46 vs 1.63 ± 0.70, P = 0.039) ratio was significantly increased after the high-CHO diet. In conclusion, the high-CHO diet has favorable effects on the TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios regardless of gender and of genotype of the APOC3 SstI polymorphism. Somehow, it enhanced the adverse effect of the S2 allele on the TG/HDL-C ratio only in females.