Treatment of Umbilical Granuloma in Infants With Topical Application of Common Salt: A Scoping Review

BackgroundCommon salt is a safe, effective and cheap home-made remedy for umbilical granuloma. The aim of this scoping review is to identify and summarize the available evidence and examine the research conducted on salt treatment for umbilical granuloma.MethodsA literature search was performed in the second week of September, 2022 using Google scholar, PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases using the keywords ‘umbilical granuloma’ and ‘salt treatment’ to identify all English articles pertaining to salt treatment for umbilical granuloma. Tables were made to summarize the methodological characteristics, results and the dosage regimens of salt used by different authors. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool was used for assessing risk of bias in RCTs. The indexing statuses of the journals publishing these studies were also noted. The overall efficacy with the use of common salt was calculated by adding the success rates mentioned in each study.ResultsTwenty-four articles (2 systematic reviews, 6 Randomized Controlled Trials, 11 prospective cohort studies, 1 case control study, 3 retrospective case series and 1 case report) were included. An overall 93.91% success rate (1033/1100) was seen with common salt application, without any reports of complications/recurrences.ConclusionTopical application of common salt for umbilical granulomas is simple, effective and inexpensive. This scoping review provides a broader outlook at the existing level of evidence and may help in planning interventional comparative studies, so that recommendations can be formulated. It also highlights a lack of properly designed randomized controlled trials on this topic.Level of EvidenceI.     

益气活血通络方下调TGF-β/ERK信号通路对蛛网膜下腔出血大鼠的神经保护作用

目的探讨益气活血通络方对蛛网膜下腔出血大鼠TGF-β/ERK信号通路的影响及神经保护作用。方法 SD大鼠随机分为假手术组,模型组,益气活血通络方5、10、15 g/kg组和尼莫地平组,除假手术组外,其余各组建立蛛网膜下腔出血模型大鼠,分组处理后,各组大鼠进行神经功能缺损评分;以伊文思蓝染料外渗实验检测大鼠血脑屏障通透性;以TUNEL染色检测大鼠脑皮质神经细胞凋亡情况;以酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测大鼠血清肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)水平;以蛋白免疫印迹法检测大鼠脑皮质组织TGF-β/ERK通路相关蛋白TGF-β1、p-ERK/ERK表达情况。结果与假手术组相比,模型组大鼠神经功能缺损评分、伊文思蓝渗出量、TUNEL阳性细胞比例、血清IL-6、TNF-α水平、TGF-β1表达、p-ERK/ERK明显升高(P0.05)。与模型组相比,益气活血通络方5、10、15 g/kg组和尼莫地平组大鼠神经功能缺损评分、伊文思蓝渗出量、TUNEL阳性细胞比例、血清IL-6、TNF-α水平、TGF-β1表达和p-ERK/ERK水平明显降低(P0.05),且益气活血通络方各组呈剂量相关性,益气活血通络方15 g/kg组与尼莫地平组相比,各指标比较差异无统计学意义。结论益气活血通络方可下调TGF-β/ERK信号,保护蛛网膜下腔出血大鼠神经功能。     

广西高校新生对HIV尿液自助采样包的使用意愿及关注因素调查

目的 了解广西高校新生对HIV尿液自助采样包的使用意愿及关注因素,为进一步在高校开展HIV尿液自我采样传递检测提供依据和参考。 方法 采取整群随机抽样方法,分别选取广西A、B两所高校新生进行匿名问卷调查,其中,A校在健康教育讲座前问卷调查,B校在健康教育讲座后问卷调查。 结果 本次调查中,共发放问卷500份,A、B两所高校新生的问卷回收率分别是88.0%(132/150),96.9%(339/350),差异有统计学意义(P<0.001)。A、B两所高校新生艾滋病基本知识平均知晓率分别为73.7%,87.7%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001)。受访的大学新生中有2.3%(11/471)曾接受过HIV检测。A、B两所高校新生对HIV尿液自助采样包的使用意愿率分别是63.6%(84/132),88.5%(300/339),差异有统计学意义(P<0.001)。男生对HIV尿液自助采样包的使用意愿率均要稍高于女生,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。在阻碍HIV尿液自助采样包的使用因素调查中,54.0%(47/87)认为操作流程不方便,37.9%(33/87)怀疑结果的准确性,8.1%(7/87)认为容易污染。此外,在大学新生对HIV尿液自助采样包的关注因素调查中,首要关注的是保密性(85.4%,402/471),其次是准确性(72.4%,341/471)。超过一半的新生认为100~150元是HIV尿液自助采样包的可接受价格范围,高达97%的新生认为检测结果的反馈时长应小于7 d。 结论 广西高校新生对HIV尿液自助采样包的态度积极,使用意愿较高,对HIV尿液自我采样传递检测持相对开放态度。HIV尿液自助采样包的保密性和准确性是大学新生最为关注的两个因素。举办健康教育讲座对HIV尿液自助采样包进行适当的介绍和宣传,可有效提高使用意愿。     

单臂试验连续型数据的贝叶斯Meta分析方法及实现

目的 介绍单臂试验连续型数据的Meta分析模型、贝叶斯方法及实现。方法 阐述正态-正态层次模型,基于该模型框架,以贝叶斯方法拟合随机效应模型,对效应参数μ和异质性参数τ分别选择不同的先验,使用R软件的bayesmeta包对两个文献数据重新分析。结果 在正态-正态层次模型框架下,基于不同的先验信息,贝叶斯Meta分析结果为:数据1参数μ的点估计及95%CI分别为-4.26(-6.97, -1.92)和-4.50(-9.27, -0.53),参数τ点估计及95%CI分别为1.51(0.41, 2.75)和2.28(0.00, 6.57);数据2参数μ的点估计及95%CI分别为-4.07(-5.54, -2.71)和-4.12(-5.96,-2.46),参数τ点估计及95%CI分别为1.54(0.78, 2.48)和1.81(0.74, 3.51)。结论 不同的先验可能影响参数估计值。基于NNHM框架下的贝叶斯方法适用于单臂试验连续型数据的Meta分析。Bayesmeta包以其简单、快速、准确、可重量性算法等可以用于实现贝叶斯随机效应模型Meta分析。     

Effect of high salt diet on the renal medullary cyclooxygenase 2 expression

Objective To examine the effect and mechanism of high salt diet on the renal medullary cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) expression and urinary sodium excretion. Methods Thirty male C57BL/6j mice were divided into four groups: (1) normal salt diet group (0.4%NaCl, n=5); (2) high salt diet group (8% NaCl, n=5); (3) Bortezomib+normal salt diet group (n=10); (4) Bortezomib+high salt diet group (n=10). The different groups were pre-treated with saline or bortezomib，followed by normal salt diet or high salt diet for three days. All the mice were maintained on metabolic cage at the last day and allowed free access to water. Twenty-four hours urine was collected. Body weight, urine volumes were documented. At the end of experiments, mice were sacrificed under anesthesia and the kidneys were harvested for Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The transgenic mice carrying a luciferase reporter driven by an NF-κB response promoter, HIV long terminal repeat (LTR) (HLL mice) were used to explore the effect of high salt diet on renal medullary NF-κB activity. HLL mice were fed with normal salt diet or high salt diet for 3 days, after which renal medullary luciferase activity was determined using a commercial luciferase assay kit. Luciferase activity was quantified with a luminometer and adjusted for the total amount of proteins. The cellular location of NF-κB was examined using immunohistochemistry of NF-κB p65 staining. Results (1) Western blotting results showed high salt diet significantly increased the COX2 expression in the renal medulla of C57BL/6j mice (P﹤0.05). (2) High salt diet significantly increased NF-κB luciferase reporter activity in the HLL mice renal medullary tissues when compared to normal salt diet (P﹤0.05). The immunohistochemistry of NF-κB p65 showed the expression of NF-κB was mainly in the renal interstitial cells. (3) Western blotting results showed bortezomib inhibited the renal medullar COX2 expression induced by high salt diet (P﹤0.05). (4) Bortezomib decreased the urinary sodium excretion of high salt diet mice (P﹤0.05), but had no change on urine volume. Conclusions High salt diet induce renal medullary COX2 over-expression and activate the activation of NF-κB in renal medullary. Bortezmoib can inhibit the renal medullar COX2 expression induced by high salt diet. The NF-κB pathway activation may involve in the regulation of renal medullar COX2 expression by high salt diet.     

Interacting with α7 nAChR is a new mechanism for AChE to enhance the inflammatory response in macrophages

Acetylcholine (ACh) regulates inflammation via α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR). Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme hydrolyzing ACh, is expressed in immune cells suggesting non-classical function in inflammatory responses. Here, the expression of PRiMA-linked G4 AChE was identified on the surface of macrophages. In lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory processes, AChE was upregulated by the binding of NF-κB onto the ACHE promotor. Conversely, the overexpression of G4 AChE inhibited ACh-suppressed cytokine release and cell migration, which was in contrast to that of applied AChE inhibitors. AChEmt, a DNA construct without enzymatic activity, was adopted to identify the protein role of AChE in immune system. Overexpression of G4 AChEmt induced cell migration and inhibited ACh-suppressed cell migration. The co-localization of α7 nAChR and AChE was found in macrophages, suggesting the potential interaction of α7 nAChR and AChE. Besides, immunoprecipitation showed a close association of α7 nAChR and AChE protein in cell membrane. Hence, the novel function of AChE in macrophage by interacting with α7 nAChR was determined. Together with hydrolysis of ACh, AChE plays a direct role in the regulation of inflammatory response. As such, AChE could serve as a novel target to treat age-related diseases by anti-inflammatory responses.     

Excess salt intake promotes M1 microglia polarization via a p38/MAPK/AR-dependent pathway after cerebral ischemia in mice

A high salt diet (HSD) is among the most important risk factors for many diseases. One mechanism by which HSD aggravates cerebral ischemic injury is independent of blood pressure changes. The direct role of HSD in inflammation after cerebral ischemia is unclear. In this research, after twenty-one days of being fed a high salt diet, permanent focal ischemia was induced in mice via operation. At 12 h and 1, 3 and 5 days postischemia, the effects of HSD on the lesion volume, microglia polarization, aldose reductase (AR) expression, and inflammatory processes were analyzed. We report that in mice, surplus dietary salt promotes inflammation and increases the activation of classical lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglia/macrophages (M1). This effect depends on the expression of the AR protein in activated microglia after permanent middle cerebral artery ligation (pMCAL) in HSD mice. The administration of either the AR inhibitor Epalrestat or a p38-neutralizing antibody blocked the polarization of microglia and alleviated stroke injury.In conclusion, HSD promotes polarization in pro-inflammatory M1 microglia by upregulating the expression of the AR protein via p38/MAPK, thereby exacerbating the development of ischemia stroke.     

Mise au point et évaluation de l’ExSel Test pour dépister une consommation excessive de sel chez les patients hypertendus

ObjectiveDevelopment of a test to screen excess salt intake (ESI) in hypertensive patients.MethodsHypertensive subjects living in Paris area have been included. A 24-hour urinary sodium collection has been performed the day before the visit for a day hospital. A food diary was completed on the day of the urine collection and validated after an interview with a dietetician. An ESI was defined by a urinary sodium ≥ 200 mmol/d. Clinical or food characteristics associated to an ESI were retained for the ExSel Test variables. A ROC curve was performed to determine the optimal score for the ExSel Test in detection of ESI in hypertensive patients.ResultsOne hundred and forty-eight hypertensive patients have been included living in the Île-de-France area. ESI was observed in 19% with a higher frequency in men. Seven major determinants of ESI have been identified and are the questions that constitute the ExSel Test. A positive response assigns points: man (1); BMI > 30 (2); bread 4 or 5 pieces per day (1) or more than 6 pieces; cheese at least 1 time per day (2); charcuterie at least 2 times per week (2); use of processed broth or pilaf (1); food rich in hidden salt (pizza, cheeseburger, quiche, shrimp, potato chips, smoked fish, olive) at least 2 times per week (1). The ROC curve analysis shows that a score of 5 or more has the best Youden index with a sensitivity of 0.63, specificity of 0.95, PPV of 0.75, NPV of 0.92.ConclusionsIn hypertensive subjects, an excessive salt intake can be detected by the realization of the ExSel Test based only on a simple food-questionnaire and some clinical parameters. For a clinical use of the ExSel Test, an electronic version is available on http://www.comitehta.org.     

Inactivated influenza vaccine formulated with single-stranded RNA-based adjuvant confers mucosal immunity and cross-protection against influenza virus infection

Influenza vaccination is considered the most valuable means to prevent and control seasonal influenza infections, which causes various clinical symptoms, ranging from mild cough and fever to even death. Among various influenza vaccine types, the inactivated subunit type is known to provide improved safety with reduced reactogenicity. However, there are some drawbacks associated with inactivated subunit type vaccines, with the main ones being its low immunogenicity and the induction of Th2-biased immune responses. In this study, we investigated the role of a single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) derived from the intergenic region in the internal ribosome entry site of the Cricket paralysis virus as an adjuvant rather than the universal vaccine for a seasonal inactivated subunit influenza vaccine. The ssRNA adjuvant stimulated not only well-balanced cellular (indicated by IgG2a, IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α) and humoral (indicated by IgG1 and IL-4) immune responses but also a mucosal immune response (indicated by IgA), a key protector against respiratory virus infections. It also increases the HI titer, the surrogate marker of influenza vaccine efficacy. Furthermore, ssRNA adjuvant confers cross-protective immune responses against heterologous influenza virus infection while promoting enhanced viral clearance. Moreover, ssRNA adjuvant increases the number of memory CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, which can be expected to induce long-term immune responses. Therefore, this ssRNA-adjuvanted seasonal inactivated subunit influenza vaccine might be the best influenza vaccine generating robust humoral and cellular immune responses and conferring cross-protective and long-term immunity.     

鲤鱼机器人无线遥控系统设计与应用

为解决有线控制时导线对水生动物机器人缠绕和运动束缚问题,设计一种鲤鱼机器人脑电刺激无线遥控系统。其中,系统硬件包括无线通信模块、电刺激信号生成模块、电源模块,系统软件包括串口通信设置、运动模式选择。将脑电极植入后在颅腔表面进行防水封固,将无线电刺激器放入防水包内搭载于鲤鱼机器人上,利用上位机远程控制无线电刺激器,令电刺激器发射信号通过电极刺激脑运动区,控制鲤鱼机器人运动。将鲤鱼机器人(n=10)置于水迷宫进行水下实验,结果显示该系统可以控制鲤鱼机器人的前进、左转向和右转向运动,成功率分别为60%、70%、80%,表明所设计系统及应用方法对鲤鱼机器人水下无线控制均是有效且可行的。