Is interleukin-2 an optimal marker for diagnosing tuberculosis infection? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a huge reservoir for the deadlier TB disease. Accurate identification of LTBI is a key strategy to eliminate TB. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis approach was used to assess diagnostic potential of IL-2 for LTBI.     

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb761 on neural differentiation of stem cells offer new hope for neurological disease treatment

Stem cell transplantation has brought new hope for the treatment of neurological diseases.The key to stem cell therapy lies in inducing the specific differentiation of stem cells into nerve cells.Because the differentiation of stem cells in vitro and in vivo is affected by multiple factors,the final differentiation outcome is strongly associated with the microenvironment in which the stem cells are located.Accordingly,the optimal microenvironment for inducing stem cell differentiation is a hot topic.EGb761 is extracted from the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree.It is used worldwide and is becoming one of the focuses of stem cell research.Studies have shown that EGb761 can antagonize oxygen free radicals,stabilize cell membranes,promote neurogenesis and synaptogenesis,increase the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factors,and replicate the environment required during the differentiation of stem cells into nerve cells.This offers the possibility of using EGb761 to induce the differentiation of stem cells,facilitating stem cell transplantation.To provide a comprehensive reference for the future application of EGb761 in stem cell therapy,we reviewed studies investigating the influence of EGb761 on stem cells.These started with the composition and neuropharmacology of EGb761,and eventually led to the finding that EGb761 and some of its important components play important roles in the differentiation of stem cells and the protection of a beneficial microenvironment for stem cell transplantation.     

Predictors for Survival and Distribution of 21-Gene Recurrence Score in Patients With Pure Mucinous Breast Cancer: A SEER Population-Based Retrospective Analysis

Background

Pure mucinous breast cancer (PMBC) is a rare pathologic type of breast cancer, the prognostic factors of which have not been clearly defined. This study aimed to analyze the prognostic markers and distribution of 21-gene recurrence score (RS) in patients with PMBC.

A hotspot mutation in transcription factor IKZF3 drives B cell neoplasia via transcriptional dysregulation

1. Download : Download high-res image (201KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

Disrupted white matter functional connectivity in aMCI APOEε4 carriers: a resting-state study

The ε4 allele of the APOE gene is thought to increase risk from amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) to Alzheimer’s disease. Cognitive decline in the condition is increasingly considered to worsen functional disconnections in brain network composed of gray matter and white matter. Nevertheless, Whether APOEε4 targets specific white matter functional connectivity in patients with aMCI remains mostly unexplored, mainly due to the challenges of detecting BOLD signals in white matter. Here, we applied a novel approach to investigate APOEε4-related specific bundles and cortical area alterations in aMCI subjects, in order to characterize white matter-gray matter functional connectivity differences throughout the brain. We analyzed 75 patients with aMCI and 76 demographically matched normal controls. The aMCI APOEε4 carriers showed decreased functional connectivity located at left corticospinal tract, bilateral posterior limb of internal capsule, and right temporopolaris, which was different from the regions of aMCI-related changes. We further found that recognition scores were positively associated with the right temporopolaris in aMCI APOEε4 carriers. Collectively, the data provide new evidence that APOEε4 genotype exerts a negative impact on neural activity in both gray and white matter in aMCI, which potentially contributes to functional disconnection and memory decline. A novel method provides full-scale measuring effect of disease conditions on functional architecture throughout the brain. Trial registration: https://www.ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT02225964). Registered January 2014.

     

Comparison of 3D T1-SPACE and DSA in evaluation of intracranial in-stent restenosis

Objective:In-stent restenosis (ISR) after stenting for intracranial stenosis is a significant issue. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the 3D T1-SPACE technique in the follow-up of patients after stent implantation.Methods:Fifteen patients with intracranial arterial stenosis were prospectively enrolled 6–8 months after stenting. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and 3D T1-SPACE imaging were performed to evaluate the degree of stenosis and the enhancement of the vessel wall. Bland–Altman plots were used to assess the agreement between the two imaging methods, and the Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated as a measure of the linear correlation.Results:Eight Enterprise stents and seven Wingspan stents were used in 15 patients. The follow-up DSA after 6–8 months showed that the degree of stenosis was 40% (range, 30–72%), and ISR occurred in 4 of 15 (26.7%) lesions. The degree of stenosis assessed using the 3D T1-SPACE imaging technique was 35% (range, 30–75%). All four patients with ISR demonstrated significant enhancement. The Pearson correlation coefficient between the two methods was 0.959 (p < 0.05), and the Bland–Altman plot showed that all data points were within the consistency limits ( x- ± 1.96 s).Conclusion:As a non-invasive imaging modality, 3D T1-SPACE showed great consistency with DSA in measuring the degree of stenosis after intracranial stenting. It may be used as an optional method for detecting ISR.Advances in knowledge:This study evaluated the usefulness of 3D T1-SPACE technique in the follow-up of patients after stent implantation, which could be used as an optional and non-invasive method in detection of in-stent restenosis.     

补肾柔肝养心法治疗更年期综合征临床观察

目的对比观察熟地菟丝子汤与更年安片治疗更年期综合征的疗效及安全性.方法选取有明显临床症状的患者68例,随机分为治疗组和对照组.治疗组38例,应用自拟熟地菟丝子汤,水煎取汁300ml,每日分2次口服;对照组30例,口服更年安片,6片/次,每日2次.两组均以4周为1个疗程,2个疗程为观察期.结果治疗组治愈11例,显效17例,有效9例,无效1例,总有效率为97.30%;对照组治愈5例,显效8例,有效12例,无效5例,总有效率为83.30%.两组比较有非常显著性差异(P＜0.01).结论运用补肾柔肝养心法治疗更年期综合征疗效确切、安全.