Efficacy ofβ2-adrenergic receptor agonist combined with corticosteroid in the treatment of children with cough variant asthma

BACKGROUND Cough variant asthma(CVA)is one of the most common respiratory diseases in children,which has a serious impact on the quality of life and daily activities of children.For severe CVA,immunomodulatory drugs are needed.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of salmeterol combined with budesonide in the treatment of pediatric CVA.METHODS 130 children with CVA from January 2020 to December 2022 were prospectively selected and randomly divided into an observation group(salmeterol combined with budesonide)and a control group(budesonide combined with a placebo).Compare the clinical efficacy of two groups before and after intervention.The evaluation parameters include cough frequency score,nocturnal cough arousal,and lung function indicators.Serum inflammatory markers,immune function markers and airway anatomical indicators were also measured.RESULTS After the intervention,the total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group,and the cough frequency score and the night cough wake rate of the observation group were lower than that of the control group,with a statistically significant difference.In addition,the changes of lung function indicators,serum markers and immune function markers in the observation group were better than those in the control group.CONCLUSION The clinical efficacy of salmeterol combined with Budesonide in the treatment of CVA is better than that of Budesonide alone.

Effects of salvianolic acid B on liver mitochondria of rats with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

AIM: To investigate the effects of salvianolic acid B(Sal B) on the morphological characteristics and functions of liver mitochondria of rats with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH).METHODS: A total of 60 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups:(1) a normal group fed a normal diet;(2) an NASH model group; and(3) a Sal B-treated group fed a high-fat diet. Two rats from each group were executed at the end of the 12 th week to detect pathological changes. The rats in the Sal B-treated group were gavaged with 20 m L/kg Sal B(1 mg/m L) daily. The model group received an equal volume of distilled water as a control. At the end of the 24 th weekend, the remaining rats were executed. Serum biochemical parameters and liver histological characteristics were observed. Malondialdehyde(MDA) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) in the liver were determined. Protein expression of Cyt C and caspase-3 was determined by immunohistochemistry. The m RNA transcripts of mitofusin-2(Mfn2) and NF-κB in the liver tissue were detected by real-time PCR. Mitochondrial membrane potential was detected using a fluorescence spectrophotometer. Mitochondrial respiratory function was detected using a Clark oxygen electrode.RESULTS: The model group showed significantly higher ALT, AST, TG, TC and MDA but significantly lower SOD than the normal group. In the model group,the histological characteristics of inflammation and steatosis were also evident; mitochondrial swelling and crest were shortened or even disappeared. Cyt C(18.46 ± 1.21 vs 60.01 ± 3.43, P < 0.01) and caspase-3 protein expression(30.26 ± 2.56 vs 83.31 ± 5.12, P < 0.01) increased significantly. The m RNA expression of NF-κB increased(0.81 ± 0.02 vs 0.91 ± 0.03, P < 0.05), whereas the m RNA expression of Mfn2 decreased(1.65 ± 0.31 vs 0.83 ± 0.16, P < 0.05). Mitochondrial membrane potential also decreased and breathing of rats was weakened. Steatosis and inflammation degrees in the treatment group were significantly alleviated compared with those of the model group. In the treatment group, mitochondrial swelling was alleviated. Cyt C(60.01 ± 3.43 vs 30.52 ± 2.01, P < 0.01) and caspase-3 protein expression(83.31 ± 5.12 vs 40.15 ± 3.26, P < 0.01) significantly decreased. The m RNA expression of NF-κB also decreased(0.91 ± 0.03 vs 0.74 ± 0.02, P < 0.01), whereas the m RNA expression of Mfn2 increased(0.83 ± 0.16 vs 1.35 ± 0.23, P < 0.01). Mitochondrial membrane potential increased and respiratory function was enhanced. CONCLUSION: Sal B can treat NASH by protecting the morphological characteristics and functions of liver mitochondria, regulating lipid metabolism, controlling oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation and inhibiting apoptosis.

Value of superb micro-vascular imaging in predicting ischemic stroke in patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques

BACKGROUND Unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaques are prone to cause ischemic stroke.Contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) is the primary method of assessing plaque stability, but CEUS cannot be a method for screening for unstable plaque. The emergence of superb micro-vascular imaging(SMI) offers the possibility of clinically screening for unstable plaque AIM To investigate the value of SMI in predicting ischemic stroke in patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques.METHODS Patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques(luminal stenosis of 50%-70%) were enrolled into the present study. All patients received conservative medication.The patient's clinical baseline data, serological data, CEUS and SMI data were analyzed. All patients underwent a 3-year follow-up. The follow-up endpoint was the occurrence of ischemic stroke and patients were divided into stroke group and non-stroke group according to whether the prognosis occurred or not.Subsequently, the difference in clinical data was compared, the correlation of SMI and CEUS was analyzed, and multiple Cox regression and receiver operating characteristic curve were applied to investigate the value of SMI and CEUS in predicting cerebral arterial thrombosis in three years.RESULTS In this study, 43 patients were enrolled in the stroke group and 82 patients were enrolled in the non-stroke group. Cox regression revealed that SMI level(P =0.013) and enhancement intensity(P = 0.032) were the independent factors influencing ischemic stroke. There was a positive correlation between SMI level and enhancement intensity(r = 0.737, P = 0.000). The area under curve of SMI level predicting ischemic stroke was 0.878. The best diagnostic point was ≥ level Ⅱ, and its sensitivity and specificity was 86.05% and 79.27%. The area under curve of enhancement intensity predicting ischemic stroke was 0.890. The best diagnostic point was 9.92 db, and its sensitivity and specificity was 88.37% and89.02%. As the SMI level gradually increased, the incidence of ischemic stroke increased gradually(X^2 = 108.931, P = 0.000).CONCLUSION SMI can be used as a non-invasive method of screening for unstable plaques and may help prevent ischemic stroke.

Effects of SAHA on proliferation and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and hepatitis B virus replication

AIM: To investigate the effects of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid(SAHA) on proliferation and apoptosis of a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line(HepG2.2.15) and hepatitis B virus(HBV) replication.METHODS: HepG2.2.15 cells were treated with different concentrations of SAHA.Cell morphology was examined by confocal laser scanning microscopy,and cell proliferation was determined using a MTT colorimetric assay.Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis and determine cell cycle phase,while hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B e antigen content were measured using chemiluminescence.Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to measure HBV DNA in cell lysate.RESULTS: Cell proliferation rates were significantly reduced by the addition of SAHA.The inhibitory effect of SAHA on cell proliferation was both time-and dosedependent.After 24 h of treatment with SAHA,the early cell apoptotic rate increased from 3.25% to 21.02%(P = 0.041).The proportion of G0 /G1 phase cells increased from 50.3% to 65.3%(P = 0.039),while that of S phase cells decreased from 34.9% to 20.6%(P = 0.049).After 48 h of treatment,hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B e antigen content increased from 12.33 ± 0.62 to 25.42 ± 2.67(P = 0.020) and 28.92 ± 1.24 to 50.48 ± 1.85(P = 0.026),respectively.Furthermore,HBV DNA content increased from 4.54 ± 0.46 to 8.34 ± 0.59(P = 0.029).CONCLUSION: SAHA inhibits HepG2.2.15 cell proliferation,promotes apoptosis,and stimulates HBV replication.In combination with anti-HBV drugs,SAHA may potentially be used cautiously for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Role of shear wave elastography in the evaluation of the treatment and prognosis of supraspinatus tendinitis

BACKGROUND Supraspinatus tendinitis recurs easily after treatment.One of the main reasons is the lack of objective tools for the efficacy evaluation.Shear wave elastography(SWE)can quantitatively analyze the tissue elasticity of region of interest by measuring the Young’s modulus(YM)value.AIM To explore the role of SWE in the efficacy and prognostic evaluation of supraspinatus tendinitis.METHODS Eighty-seven patients with supraspinatus tendinitis treated in Jiading District Central Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences were recruited.Another 30 healthy volunteers were enrolled as the control group.The visual analogue scale(VAS)and Constant-Murley Score(CMS)were recorded before treatment.All participants were scanned by SWE scan,and the YM value of the region of interest were recorded.Spearman correlation analysis was performed on YM values with VAS and CMS.Univariate repeated measures analysis of variance was used to calculate the changing trend of VAS,CMS and SWE under different treatment courses.After treatment,the patients were further grouped based on who achieved significantly effective and curative treatment.The patients in the continued treatment group continued to receive treatment according to the YM value,and the remaining patients who stopped receiving treatment were included in the stopped treatment group.All patients were followed up for 1 year,and the difference in recurrence rates between the continued treatment group and the stopped treatment group were compared.RESULTS The SWE images of supraspinatus muscle in healthy volunteers were mainly blue,while those of patients with supraspinatus tendinitis showed regional red and green areas.The average YM value of the supraspinatus muscle in healthy volunteers was 26.12±4.03 kPa.The average YM value of patients with supraspinatus muscle was greater than that of healthy volunteers(average YM=60.61±11.53 kPa,t=26.344,P<0.001).The YM value was positively correlated with VAS(r=0.564,P<0.001)and negatively correlated with CMS(r=-0.411,P<0.001).The changes of VAS and CMS were the most obvious in course 1 and then decreased gradually.The degree of change in YM values was similar in different courses.After a 1-year follow-up,the cumulative relapse-free rate in the continued treatment group was 91.43%,which was significantly higher than that in the stopped treatment group(64.71%,X2=7.379,P=0.007).CONCLUSION SWE can objectively indicate the severity of supraspinatus tendinitis.Using the YM value as a criterion for curative effect may reduce the recurrence rate.

Role of retained austenite in advanced high-strength steel:ductility and toughness

Enhancing the ductility and toughness of advanced high-strength steels is essential for the wide range of promising applications.The retained austenite(RA)is a key phase due to the austenite-to-martensite transformation and its transformation-induced plasticity effect.It is commonly accepted that slow RA-to-martensite transformation is beneficial to ductility;therefore,the RA fraction and stability should be carefully controlled.The RA stability is related to its morphology,size,carbon content,neighboring phase and orientation.Importantly,these factors are cross-influenced.It is noteworthy that the influence of RA on ductility and fracture toughness is not consistent because of their difference in stress state.There is no clear relationship between fracture toughness and tensile properties.Thus,it is important to understand the role of RA in toughness.The toughness is enhanced during the RA-to-martensite transformation,while the fracture toughness is decreased due to the formation of fresh and brittle martensite.As a result,the findings regarding to the effect of RA on fracture toughness are conflicting.Further investigations should be conducted in order to fully understand the effects of RA on ductility and fracture toughness,which can optimize the combination of ductility and toughness in AHSSs.

Effects of pulse magneto-oscillation on GCr15 bearing steel continuous casting billet

Pulse magneto-oscillation(PMO)added during solidification could affect the solidification structure and macrosegregation.A modified thermal simulation equipment was applied to prepare GCr15 bearing steel continuous casting billets with different PMO peak currents.Then,metallographic analysis,component analysis and numerical simulation were adopted to study the influence of PMO peak current and its mechanism.The sample with 150 K_(I)A PMO peak current treatment has little difference with the samples without PMO treatment on solidification structure and macrosegregation.As the peak currents are 250 and 350 K_(I)A,the columnar zone increases and macrosegregation aggravated.When 450 K_(I)A peak current is selected,the equiaxed grain ratio is enlarged,and the dendritic grains are refined,and the macrosegregation of C,Cr,Si and Mn is decreased significantly.By analyzing,different convections induced by PMO with various peak currents are the key factor to change the solidification structure and macrosegregation.

Genetic variants of rs1275988 and rs2586886 in TWIK-related acidsensitive K^+ channel-1 gene may be potential risk factors for obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Background: The pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) remains not fully understood. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of OSA by assessing the association between the human tandem of P domains in a weak inwardly rectifying K^+ channel (TWIK)-related acid-sensitive K^+ channel-1 (TASK-1) gene and OSA. Methods: A total of 164 patients with severe OSA and 171 patients without OSA were recruited from the Center for Hypertension of People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (China) from April to December in 2016. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs1275988 and rs2586886) in the TASK-1 gene were selected and genotyped using a kompetitive allele specific polymerase chain reaction genotyping system. Clinical-pathological characteristics and genotype data were compared between the severe and non-OSA groups to explore the association between TASK-1 gene polymorphism and severe OSA. Results: There were no significant differences in genotype distribution, allele frequency, and the recessive and dominant model of the two selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs1275988 and rs2586886) between the severe and non-OSA groups in the total population (P < 0.05). However, for patients with a body mass index (BMI)≥28 kg/m2, the distribution of genotypes and alleles, and the recessive model (GG + GA vs. AA) exhibited significant differences between the severe and non-OSA group (for genotypes: P = 0.014 and P = 0.026;for alleles: P = 0.006 and P = 0.011;for the recessive model: P = 0.005 and P = 0.009, respectively). The simple logistic regression analysis revealed that the GG genotype was a risk factor for OSA. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were 4.902 (1.582–15.186, P = 0.006) for rs1275988 and 4.420 (1.422–13.734, P = 0.010) for rs2586886, respectively. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the combination of GG genotypes of rs1275988 with BMI ≥28 kg/m^2 increased the risk of severe OSA (OR = 8.916, 95% CI 4.506–17.645, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Both the GG genotype of rs1275988 and GG genotype of rs2586886 in the TASK-1 gene may play as potential risk factors in obese patients with OSA.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of a Cr-Ni-W-Mo steel processedthermo-mechanical controlled processing

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the microstructure and tensile properties of a medium carbon Cr-Ni-W-Mo steel processedthermo-mechanical controlled processing(TMCP)with cooling at different conditions in water,oil,air or lime followedlow tempering.Compared to normal heat-treatment processing,TMCP with water-cooling after deformation enhances the yield strength and tensile strength of the steelabout 323 MPa and about 251 MPa,respectively,due to higher dislocation strengthening and grain boundary strengthening.Meanwhile,it increases the elongation by ;about 1.76%attributed to the increase in volume percentage of the retained austenite and the refined laths of tempered martensite.Slowing the cooling rate after deformation during TMCP leads to a decrease in the strength.This results the coupling effectsthe reduction in dislocation density and volume fraction of tempered martensite together with the coarseness in martensite sizes.However,cooling rate decreasing has less influences on ductility becathe improved elongation the increase in the volume fractions of both retained austenite and lower bainite together with dislocation density decreasing is compensatedthe reduced elongation coarsened grains.

Trace amount of single-atom palladium-catalyzed selective hydrosilylation of allenes

Using fewer catalysts to promote the chemical conversion of more substrates is the dream synthesis pursued by synthetic chemists.Achieving highly selective reactions using trace amounts(<1 ppm)of catalysts is rare and has undoubted practical value.Herein,we designed and synthesized a single-atom Pd-metalated porous organic ligand polymer,denoted as Pd1@POL,and used the polymer to realize the regioselective hydrosilylation of allenes(Pd loading was as low as 0.98 ppm).The synergistic effect of the dispersed catalytic active sites in the catalyst and supports with ligand regulation function can directionally realize the formation of specifically configured hydrosilylation products.The as-fabricated single-atom catalyst(SAC;i.e.,Pd1@POL-5)showed an amazing catalytic efficiency and selectivity for hydrosilylation of allene(turnover number was up to 772,358,which was 200 times higher than previously recorded,and regioselectivity>100:1).The catalyst could be recycled numerous times in a continuous flow system without reductions in activity and selectivity.This work demonstrated the application prospect of the SAC in the synthesis of complex organic compounds and trace amount catalysis,which can lay the foundation for its large-scale and industrialized application in drug synthesis and other fields.