Is it possible to rapidly and noninvasively identify different plants from Asteraceae using electronic nose with multiple mathematical algorithms?

Many plants originating from the Asteraceae family are applied as herbal medicines and also beverage ingredients in Asian areas, particularly in China. However, they may be confused due to their similar odor, especially when ground into powder, losing their typical macroscopic characteristics. In this paper, 11 different multiple mathematical algorithms, which are commonly used in data processing, were utilized and compared to analyze the electronic nose (E-nose) response signals of different plants from Asteraceae family. Results demonstrate that three-dimensional plot scatter figure of principal component analysis with less extracted components could offer the identification results more visually; simultaneously, all nine kinds of artificial neural network could give classification accuracies at 100%. This paper presents a rapid, accurate, and effective method to distinguish Asteraceae plants based on their response signals in E-nose. It also gives insights to further studies, such as to find unique sensors that are more sensitive and exclusive to volatile components in Chinese herbal medicines and to improve the identification ability of E-nose. Screening sensors made by other novel materials would be also an interesting way to improve identification capability of E-nose.     

Azathioprine-induced toxoplasma gondii infection in a patient with Crohn's disease with NUDT15 variation: A case report

Introduction:Azathioprine (AZA) has been widely used for the treatment of various immune-related diseases and has become a mainstay in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. However, patients with genetic mutations may experience severe adverse events when treated with azathioprine. Most of the previous literature focused on the TPMP gene-related adverse reactions, herein, we report a case of Crohn''s disease patient with nucleoside diphosphate-linked moiety X motif 15 gene (NUDT15) variation and wild-type TPMP gene who developed toxoplasma gondii infection after azathioprine treatment.Patient concerns:A 56-year-old Crohn''s disease patient developed toxoplasma gondii infection within 2 months after the administration of azathioprine; however, he had no relevant high-risk factors.Diagnosis:Subsequent genetic testing revealed that the patient was heterozygous for NUDT15. Therefore, it was reasonable to consider that the patient''s genetic mutation resulted in reduced tolerance to azathioprine, leading to low immunity and eventually toxoplasma infection.Interventions:AZA was then discontinued; after anti-infection, antipyretic and other supportive treatments were administered, the patient''s condition gradually improved.Outcomes:The patient was followed up at 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge; fortunately, he was in good health.Conclusion:We report a case of Crohn''s disease in a patient who developed severe pneumonia caused by toxoplasma gondii infection due to the administration of AZA, with normal TPMP gene but NUDT15 gene mutation. This indicates that NUDT15 variation may contribute to severe adverse events in patients treated with azathioprine, and we suggest that NUDT15 genotype be detected before the use of azathioprine in order to provide personalized therapy and reduce side effects.     

Role of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum interleukin-27 in the diagnosis of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis

Background:To evaluate the value of interleukin (IL)-27 measured in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) for the diagnosis of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (TB).Methods:This was a prospective study of patients planned to undergo bronchoscopy at Wuxi No.5 People''s Hospital between January 2017 and September 2018. The patients were grouped as the TB and control groups. BALF and serum IL-27 were measured by ELISA. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the diagnostic value and calculate the optimal cutoff values.Results:There were 40 patients in the control group and 87 in the TB group. In the TB group, 20 had positive sputum smear results and 67 were negative. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of BALF IL-27 for pulmonary TB was 0.897 (95% CI: 0.830–0.944) (P < .001). The AUC of serum IL-27 for pulmonary TB was 0.703 (95% CI: 0.616–0.781) (P < .001). In patients with negative sputum smear results, the AUCs of BALF IL-27 and serum IL-27 for pulmonary TB was 0.882 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.805–0.936) (P < .001) and 0.679 (95% CI: 0.601–0.782) (P < .001), respectively.Conclusions:BALF IL-27 can be used for the diagnosis of pulmonary TB, particularly in those with a negative sputum smear result. Serum IL-27 could be an auxiliary method for TB screening.     

Physical performance and life quality in postmenopausal women supplemented with vitamin D: a two-year prospective study

Aim:

To investigate the effects of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on bone turnover marker levels, muscle strength and quality of life in postmenopausal Chinese women.

Methods:

A total of 485 healthy postmenopausal Chinese women (63.44±5.04 years) were enrolled in this open-label, 2-year, prospective, community-based trial. The participants were divided into group A, B, C, which were treated with calcium (600 mg/d) alone, calcium (600 mg/d) and cholecalciferol (800 IU/d) or calcium (600 mg/d) and calcitriol (0.25 μg/d), respectively, for 2 years. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, β-CTX and P1NP were measured, and the muscle strength and quality of life were assessed at baseline and at 12- and 24-month follow-ups.

Results:

Four hundred and sixty one participants completed this study. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were significantly increased in group C, but not changed in groups A and B at 24-month follow-up. Serum levels of parathyroid hormone, bone turnover marker β-CTX and bone formation marker P1NP were significantly decreased in group C, while serum levels of β-CTX were increased in group A at 24-month follow-up. The participants in group C maintained the grip strength, while those in groups A and B exhibited decreased grip strength at 24-month follow-up. The quality of life for the participants in groups B and C remained consistent, but that in group A was deteriorated at 24-month follow-up.

Conclusion:

Supplementation with calcitriol and calcium modifies the bone turnover marker levels, and maintains muscle strength and quality of life in postmenopausal Chinese women, whereas supplementation with cholecalciferol and calcium prevents aging-mediated deterioration in quality of life.     

GATA3基因变异导致甲状旁腺功能减退症患者的临床特征和分子机制

目的分析GATA3基因变异导致甲状旁腺功能减退症(hypoparathyroidism, HP)患者的临床特点及分子机制。方法在1975年至2020年间于北京协和医院内分泌科随诊并行靶向基因捕获联合二代测序的198例未成年人(≤18岁)起病的非手术性HP患者中筛查到5例GATA3基因致病/可疑致病性变异, 回顾性收集分析其临床资料, 并对基因检测结果进行生物信息学分析。结果 5例患者HP的起病年龄为0.5(0.1, 1.3)岁, 发病至诊断为HP和甲状旁腺功能减退-耳聋-肾发育不良(hypoparathyroidism-deafness-renal dysplasia, HDR)综合征的时间分别为(7.0±5.2)年和(15.0±5.4)年。临床表现为手足搐搦伴癫痫样发作、颅内钙化各5例, 白内障1例, 听力减退4例, 肾脏畸形或缺如2例。治疗前血钙和血甲状旁腺激素(PTH)分别为(1.65±0.31)mmol/L和(4.64±2.63)ng/L。5例患者GATA3基因的杂合变异, 分别引起无义突变、移码突变和剪接位点突变, 经Clin Var数据库预测及美国医学遗传学和基因组学学会(...     

Learning and memory impairment induced by 1,4-butanediol is regulated by ERK1/2-CREB-BDNF signaling pathways in PC12 cells

Metabolic Brain Disease - 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD) is a known γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) precursor which affects the nervous system after ingestion, leading to uncontrolled behavioral...     

Transmission of human immunodeficiency virus in a dental practice.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if patients of a dentist with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) became infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) during their dental care and, if so, to identify possible mechanisms of transmission. DESIGN: Retrospective epidemiologic follow-up of the dentist, his office practice, and his former patients. SETTING: The practice of a dentist with AIDS in Florida. PARTICIPANTS: A dentist with AIDS, his health care providers and employees, and former patients of the dentist, including eight HIV-infected patients. MEASUREMENTS: Identification of risks for HIV transmission (if present), degree of genetic relatedness of the viruses, and identification of infection control and other office practices. RESULTS: Five of the eight HIV-infected patients had no confirmed exposures to HIV other than the dental practice and were infected with HIV strains that were closely related to those of the dentist. Each of the five had invasive dental procedures, done by the dentist after he was diagnosed with AIDS. Four of these five patients shared visit days (P greater than 0.2). Breaches in infection control and other dental office practices to explain these transmissions could not be identified. CONCLUSION: Although the specific incident that resulted in HIV transmission to these patients remains uncertain, the epidemiologic evidence supports direct dentist-to-patient transmission rather than a patient-to-patient route.     

Association between antiretroviral therapy adherence and employment status: systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo assess the association between the employment status of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART).MethodsWe searched the Medline, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases for studies reporting ART adherence and employment status published between January 1980 and September 2014. Information from a wide range of other sources, including the grey literature, was also analysed. Two independent reviewers extracted data on treatment adherence and study characteristics. Study data on the association between being employed and adhering to ART were pooled using a random-effects model. Between-study heterogeneity and sources of bias were evaluated.FindingsThe meta-analysis included 28 studies published between 1996 and 2014 that together involved 8743 HIV-infected individuals from 14 countries. The overall pooled odds ratio (OR) for the association between being employed and adhering to ART was 1.27 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.04–1.55). The association was significant for studies from low-income countries (OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.58–2.18) and high-income countries (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.02–1.74) but not middle-income countries (OR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.62–1.42). In addition, studies published after 2011 and larger studies showed less association between employment and adherence than earlier and small studies, respectively.ConclusionEmployed HIV-infected individuals, particularly those in low- and high-income countries, were more likely to adhere to ART than unemployed individuals. Further research is needed on the mechanisms by which employment and ART adherence affect each other and on whether employment-creation interventions can positively influence ART adherence, HIV disease progression and quality of life.     

玻璃化冷冻胚胎和新鲜胚胎移植的临床结局比较

目的 探讨玻璃化冷冻胚胎移植(FET)和新鲜胚胎移植(NET)的临床结局。方法回顾性分析2013年1月至2014年3月在中山大学孙逸仙纪念医院行体外受精-新鲜胚胎移植(IVF-NET)577个周期及单精子卵细胞浆内显微注射-新鲜胚胎移植(ICSI-NET)118个周期、FET 175个周期共870个周期的临床资料,比较NET组和FET组(曾经NET未成功妊娠,后行FET者)的临床特征和助孕结局,再将FET组分为妊娠亚组和未妊娠亚组进一步分析比较。采用二分类logistic回归分析影响妊娠结局的因素。结果 FET组的种植率(26.27% vs. 31.98%,P=0.01)、临床妊娠率(47.43% vs. 65.18%,P<0.001)均明显低于NET组,差异均有统计学意义;FET组的流产率(P=0.63)、生化妊娠率(P=0.17)和胎儿出生体重(P=0.33)与NET组相比差异均无统计学意义。FET组中妊娠亚组与未妊娠亚组女方年龄(30.69岁±3.37岁 vs. 32.00岁±5.09岁,P=0.03)的差异有统计学意义;BMI、不孕年限、基础内分泌等指标的差异均无统计学意义。二分类logistic回归分析显示是否行FET(P<0.001)、女方年龄(P<0.001)、BMI(P=0.011)和优质胚胎数(P<0.001)为影响妊娠结局的因素。结论 曾经行NET未成功的妊娠者,随后使用FET者其种植率和妊娠率均较低,但不增加流产率,未影响胎儿出生体重,未发现FET对妊娠结局有不良影响。