ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Primary thyroid tuberculosis (PTT) is an uncommon type of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, which is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It does not have specific clinical manifestations, and most cases are diagnosed through postoperative histopathological examination. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic pattern and management strategy among patients with primary thyroid tuberculosis. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study on patients with primary thyroid tuberculosis in the First Hospital of Jilin University (Changchun, China). METHODS: Between March 2015 and June 2020, nine cases of PTT were diagnosed and treated in the Department of Thyroid Surgery of the First Hospital of Jilin University. Age at diagnosis, primary symptoms, preoperative biopsy, operation method, pathological classification, acid-fast staining test, anti-TB therapy and prognosis were registered in order to explore the appropriate protocol for diagnosis and treatment of this disease. RESULTS: None of the patients was diagnosed with thyroid tuberculosis before surgery. All the patients underwent surgery. Granulomatous changes or caseous necrosis in thyroid tissue were found through postoperative histopathological evaluation. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results for Mycobacterium tuberculosis were positive in all patients. Most patients had a good prognosis after surgery and anti-tuberculosis drug therapy. CONCLUSION: PTT is a rare disease. It is important to improve the preoperative diagnosis. Preoperative diagnostic accuracy relies on increased awareness of the disease and appropriate use of preoperative diagnostic methods, such as PCR detection, fine-needle aspiration cytology, acid-fast bacillus culture, ultrasound and blood sedimentation. PCR detection of M. tuberculosis is recommended as the gold standard for diagnosis.

Abstract Introduction: The objective of this study is to investigate the protective effect of kaempferol against ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: H9C2 cells were pretreated with kaempferol for 24 hours and further insulted with IR injury. Cell vitality, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, glutathione (GSH) level, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activity, and sirtuin-3 (SIRT3), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2), and Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax) expressions were evaluated. Moreover, short interfering ribonucleic acid targeting SIRT3 was used to investigate the role of SIRT3 against IR mediated by kaempferol in vitro. IR mice models were also established to confirm the protective effects of kaempferol on IR in vivo. Results: After IR injury, H9C2 cells vitality was reduced, ROS levels, NADPH oxidase activity, and Bax expressions were increased, and GSH levels and Bcl2 expressions were decreased. After kaempferol pretreatment, the vitality of H9C2 cells was increased. The levels of ROS, NADPH oxidase activity, and Bax expression were decreased. In addition, levels of GSH and Bcl2 expression were enhanced. Furthermore, silencing SIRT3 attenuated the protective effect mediated by kaempferol, with increased ROS levels, NADPH oxidase activity, and Bax expression, along with reduced GSH level and Bcl2 expression. In vivo IR model showed that kaempferol could preserve IR-damaged cardiac function. Conclusion: Kaempferol has the capability of attenuating H9C2 cells IR injury through activating SIRT3 to inhibit oxidative stress.

RESUMO Introdução: O acidente vascular cerebral iatrogênico é um evento clínico que, em pouco tempo, leva à disfunção cerebral localizada ou difusa, fazendo com que o paciente desenvolva disfunções motoras. Objetivo: Estudar o efeito de atividade física baseada em evidências sobre a função física de pacientes de AVC com hemiplegia sobre sua capacidade de executar suas atividades da vida diária. Método: 160 pacientes com AVC iatrogênico foram selecionados e separados aleatoriamente em grupos. O grupo Exercício recebeu treino reabilitativo, além de terapia medicamentosa convencional básica, enquanto o grupo Controle recebeu apenas terapia medicamentosa. Em seguida, os efeitos da reabilitação foram avaliados. Resultados: A performance do grupo Exercício foi melhor que a do grupo Controle. A diferença entre os dois grupos foi estatisticamente significativa. Conclusão: Atividade física sistemática e baseada em evidências e métodos de reabilitação eficientes podem aliviar a disfunção motora de pacientes de AVC com hemiplegia. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos – investigação do resultado de tratamentos.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Iatrogenic stroke is a cerebrovascular clinical event. It quickly leads to localized or diffuse brain dysfunction. After the onset, the patient develops motor dysfunction. Objective: To study the effect of evidence-based physical exercise on the physical function and daily life ability of stroke patients with hemiplegia. Results: The performance of the exercise group was better than that of the control group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant. Conclusion: Systematic evidence-based exercise and effective rehabilitation methods can alleviate the motor dysfunction of stroke patients with hemiplegia. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.

RESUMEN Introducción: El accidente vascular cerebral iatrogénico es un evento clínico que, en poco tiempo, ocasiona disfunción cerebral localizada o difusa, haciendo que el paciente desarrolle disfunciones motoras. Objetivo: Estudiar el efecto de actividad física basada en evidencias sobre la función física de pacientes de ACV con hemiplejia sobre su capacidad de ejecutar sus actividades de vida diaria. Método: Fueron seleccionados y separados aleatoriamente en grupos 160 pacientes con ACV iatrogénico. El grupo Ejercicio recibió entrenamiento de rehabilitación, además de terapia medicamentosa convencional básica, mientras que el grupo Control recibió solo terapia medicamentosa. A continuación, los efectos de la rehabilitación fueron evaluados. Resultados: El rendimiento del grupo Ejercicio fue mejor que la del grupo Control. La diferencia entre los dos grupos fue estadísticamente significativa. Conclusión: Actividad física sistemática y basada en evidencias y métodos de rehabilitación eficientes pueden aliviar la disfunción motora de pacientes de ACV con hemiplejia. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos – investigación del resultado de tratamientos.

RESUMO Introdução: A função cardiovascular é um dos principais fatores que afetam a saúde. A influência da atividade física com diferentes intensidades na função cardiovascular precisa ser pesquisada mais a fundo. Objetivo: Estudar a relação entre atividade física e enfermidades cardiovasculares em idosos. Método: Este artigo realizou um questionário de acompanhamento com 1.564 idosos. Os idosos que praticam atividades físicas e aqueles que não o fazem passaram por testes de índices hemodinâmicos, que analisaram quais foram os efeitos relevantes da atividade física sobre sua função cardiovascular. Resultados: Idosos que praticam atividades físicas regularmente demonstraram boa adaptabilidade à atividade física. Conclusão: A atividade física pode ser benéfica para o funcionamento do sistema cardiovascular. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos – investigação do resultado de tratamentos.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Cardiovascular function is one of the main factors affecting health. The influence of different exercise intensities on cardiovascular function needs further research. Objective: To study the relationship between physical activity and cardiovascular disease in the elderly. Method: The article conducted a follow-up survey of 1,564 older adults. Elders who practice sports and those who do not went through the hemodynamic index test, which analyzed the relevant effects of physical exercise on their cardiovascular function. Results: Older adults who exercise regularly show good adaptability to exercise. Conclusion: Physical exercise can promote the function of the cardiovascular system. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.

RESUMEN Introducción: La función cardiovascular es uno de los principales factores que afectan a la salud. La influencia de la actividad física con diferentes intensidades en la función cardiovascular necesita ser investigada más a fondo. Objetivo: Estudiar la relación entre actividad física y enfermedades cardiovasculares en ancianos. Método: Este artículo realizó un cuestionario de acompañamiento con 1.564 ancianos. Los ancianos que practicaban actividades físicas y aquellos que no lo hacen pasaron por pruebas de índices hemodinámicos, que analizaron cuáles fueron los efectos relevantes de la actividad física sobre su función cardiovascular. Resultados: Ancianos que practican actividades físicas regularmente demostraron buena adaptabilidad a la actividad física. Conclusión: La actividad física puede ser benéfica para el funcionamiento del sistema cardiovascular. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos – investigación del resultado de tratamientos.

Abstract Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with autoimmune diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis (AS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Current findings regarding plasma/serum homocysteine (HCY) levels in AS patients are inconsistent. This study aims to systematically evaluate the association between circulating HCY levels and AS. Methods: Online electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, ScienceDirect, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang data) were used to retrieve all relevant articles published up to May 7, 2020. The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using the random-effect model, Stata16 software. Results: Nine articles containing 778 AS patients and 522 controls were included in this meta-analysis. No significant differences in HCY levels were found between AS and control groups (pooled SMD = 0.46, 95% CI = − 0.30 to 1.23, P = 0.23). However, subgroup analysis suggested that HCY levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the AS group treated with methotrexate (MTX) compared with the control group. In contrast, HCY levels were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the AS group receiving anti-TNF-α treatment compared with the control group. No significant differences were detected between HCY levels and disease activity scores (Bath AS disease activity index, BASDAI), and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T genotype. Conclusion: This meta-analysis indicates that HCY levels are similar between AS and controls, and do not correlate with disease activity. However, different medical treatments cause fluctuations of circulating HCY levels in AS patients. Further and larger-scale studies are needed to confirm these findings. Trial registration: This study was registered at international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO), registration number: CRD42020184426.

The objective of this study was to produce artificial antigens for astragaloside IV that could be used to prepare antibodies against astragaloside IV screened in Radix astragali (Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Bunge, Fabaceae) and its preparations, using an indirect ELISA. Astragaloside IV was coupled to carrier proteins, bovine serum albumin and ovalbumin using the sodium periodate method and was then evaluated using SDS-PAGE, MALDI-TOF MS and animal immunizations. The coupling ratio of astragaloside IV to bovine serum albumin ratio was determined to be thirteen, and the indirect ELISA demonstrated that three groups of mice immunized with astragaloside IV-bovine serum albumin produced anti-astragaloside IV- bovine serum albumin-specific antibody, with a minimum serum titer of 1:9600. A method for synthesizing highly immunogenic astragaloside IV artificial antigens was successfully developed thus indicating its feasibility in the establishment of a fast immunoassay for astragaloside IV content determination in Radix astragali and its products.

Para investigar os efeitos da sanguinarina (SAN) em lesões induzidas em ratos por radiação aguda, 45 ratos foram aleatoriamente divididos em grupo controle, grupo 10 Gy e grupo SAN+10 Gy. Os ratos dos grupos 10 Gy e SAN+10 Gy foram expostos à radiação de raio-X simples com uma dose acumulada de 10 Gy. Aos ratos do grupo SAN+10 Gy administraram-se, intraperitonealmente, 2.5 mg/kg de peso de SAN antes da radiação. Aos 5 dias de exposição à radiação, sacrificaram-se 5 ratos de cada grupo e retiraram-se amostras do intestino delgado, pulmões, baço e fígado para exames histopatológicos. Comparando com o grupo 10 Gy, a doença por radiação foi claramente atrasada e atenuada no grupo SAN+10 Gy. A análise de sobrevivência mostrou diferença significativa entre os dois grupos de radiação (P<0.05) e o tempo de sobrevivência média foi de mais 3 dias no grupo SAN+10 Gy do que no grupo 10 Gy (7.21±0.19 vs 4.20±0.13, P<0.001). Danos induzidos nos órgãos por radiação, baseados em exames histopatológicos, foram reduzidos pelo pré-tratamento com SAN. As pontuações de classificação da patologia Chiu, um índice para os danos intestinais, foi significativamente menor no grupo SAN+10 Gy do que no grupo 10 Gy (2.77±0.48 vs 4.37±0.31, P<0.01). Resultado semelhante foi obtido na pontuação patológica do pulmão (1.67±0.21 vs 2.33±0.38, P<0.01). As nossas descobertas preliminares mostram que SAN protege os animais contra doenças induzidas pela radiação e danos agudos nos órgãos seguidos de morte animal.

To investigate the effects of sanguinarine (SAN) on acute radiation induced injury in mice, 45 mice were randomly divided into control, 10 Gy and SAN+10 Gy groups. Mice in the 10 Gy and SAN+10 Gy groups were exposed to single X-ray radiation with an accumulated dose of 10 Gy. Mice in the SAN+10 Gy group were administered intraperitoneally with 2.5 mg/kg body weight of SAN before radiation. Five days after radiation exposure, 5 mice from each group were sacrificed and samples of the small intestine, lung, spleen and liver were fixed for histopathological examinations. Compared with the 10 Gy group, radiation sickness was obviously delayed or attenuated in the SAN+10 Gy group. Survival analysis showed a significant difference between 2 radiation groups (P<0.05) and mean survival time was 3 days longer in the SAN+10 Gy group than in the 10 Gy group (7.21±0.19 vs. 4.20±0.13, P<0.001). Radiation-induced organ damage, based on histopathological examinations, was decreased by SAN pretreatment. Chiu’s pathology grading scores, which is an index of intestinal damage, was significantly lower in the SAN+10 Gy group than in the 10 Gy group (2.77±0.48 vs. 4.37±0.31, P<0.01). A similar result was obtained in the pathological score of lung (1.67±0.21 vs. 2.33±0.38, P<0.01). Our preliminary findings demonstrated that SAN protects animals against radiation-induced sickness and acute damage to organs and following animal death.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify novel GATA5 mutations that underlie familial atrial fibrillation. METHODS: A total of 110 unrelated patients with familial atrial fibrillation and 200 unrelated, ethnically matched healthy controls were recruited. The entire coding region of the GATA5 gene was sequenced in 110 atrial fibrillation probands. The available relatives of the mutation carriers and 200 controls were subsequently genotyped for the identified mutations. The functional effect of the mutated GATA5 was characterized using a luciferase reporter assay system. RESULTS: Two novel heterozygous GATA5 mutations (p.Y138F and p.C210G) were identified in two of the 110 unrelated atrial fibrillation families. These missense mutations cosegregated with AF in the families and were absent in the 400 control chromosomes. A cross-species alignment of GATA5 protein sequence showed that the altered amino acids were completely conserved evolutionarily. A functional analysis revealed that the mutant GATA5 proteins were associated with significantly decreased transcriptional activation when compared with their wild-type counterpart. CONCLUSION: The findings expand the spectrum of GATA5 mutations linked to AF and provide novel insights into the molecular mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation, suggesting potential implications for the early prophylaxis and personalized treatment of this common arrhythmia.