Prevalence of Ventilatory Function Abnormalities in Residents of Attecoube Lagune, Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire)

Introduction: Studies of abnormal ventilatory function in Côte d’Ivoire have been carried out in the workplace and in schools. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and ventilatory function abnormalities in the population of the lagoon district of Attécoubé in Abidjan. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 170 people in the municipality of Attécoubé Lagune. A questionnaire was used to collect information on sociodemographic, clinical, and environmental characteristics. A basic spirometry and a beta mimetic test were carried out on all the subjects surveyed. Data analysis was done with the stata 15.1 software. Results: The study population was composed of 103 women and 67 men with a sex ratio (M/F) of 0.65. The average age was 35.92 ± 15.28 years. The most frequent respiratory symptoms were chest tightness (29.41%), dyspnea (28.82%), sneezing (22.94%) and cough (22.35%). The prevalence of ventilatory function abnormalities was 43.24% among residents of Attécoubé Lagune and the most frequent abnormality was ventilatory restriction (35.15%) followed by obstruction (4.85%). The risk factor for ventilatory function abnormalities was heavy pollution [OR = 2.66;IC: 1.053 - 6.743;P = 0.038]. Conclusion: Residents of the Attécoubé Lagune district had many respiratory symptoms and a high prevalence of ventilatory function abnormalities. Improving air quality is urgently needed in this municipality.

Exploring the Abnormal Brain Regions and Abnormal Functional Connections in SZ by Multiple Hypothesis Testing Technique

Schizophrenia(SZ)is one of the most common mental diseases.Its main characteristics are abnormal social behavior and inability to correctly understand real things.In recent years,the magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)technique has been popularly utilized to study SZ.However,it is still a great challenge to reveal the essential information contained in the MRI data.In this paper,we proposed a biomarker selection approach based on the multiple hypothesis testing techniques to explore the difference between SZ and healthy controls by using both functional and structural MRI data,in which biomarkers represent both abnormal brain functional connectivity and abnormal brain regions.By implementing the biomarker selection approach,six abnormal brain regions and twenty-three abnormal functional connectivity in the brains of SZ are explored.It is discovered that compared with healthy controls,the significantly reduced gray matter volumes are mainly distributed in the limbic lobe and the basal ganglia,and the significantly increased gray matter volumes are distributed in the frontal gyrus.Meanwhile,it is revealed that the significantly strengthened connections are those between the middle frontal gyrus and the superior occipital gyrus,the superior occipital gyrus and the middle occipital gyrus as well as the middle occipital gyrus and the fusiform gyrus,and the rest connections are significantly weakened.

Liver in systemic disease

Potential causes of abnormal liver function tests include viral hepatitis,alcohol intake,nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,autoimmune liver diseases,hereditary diseases,hepatobiliary malignancies or infection,gallstones and drug-induced liver injury.Moreover,the liver may be involved in systemic diseases that mainly affect other organs.Therefore,in patients without etiology of liver injury by screening serology and diagnostic imaging,but who have systemic diseases,the abnormal liver function test results might be caused by the systemic disease.In most of these patients,the systemic disease should be treated primarily.However,some patients with systemic disease and severe liver injury or fulminant hepatic failure require intensive treatments of the liver.

Research on Real-time Monitoring of Abnormal Seismic Noise

The noise data in vertical component records of 85 seismic stations in Fujian Province during 2012 is used as the research object in this paper. The noise data is divided into fiveminute segments to calculate the power spectra. The high reference line and low reference line of station are then identified by drawing a probability density function graph( PDF)using the power spectral probability density function. Moreover, according to the anomalies of PDF graphs in 85 seismic stations,the abnormal noise is divided into four categories: dropped packet, low noise, high noise, and median noise anomalies.Afterwards,four selection methods are found by the high or low noise reference line of the stations,and the system of real-time monitoring of seismic noise is formed by combining the four selection methods. Noise records of 85 seismic stations in Fujian Province in July2013 are selected for verification,and the results show that the anomalous noise-recognition system could reach a 90% success rate at most stations and the effect of selection are very good. Therefore,it could be applied to the seismic noise real-time monitoring in stations.

Professor Zhang Ning's experience in treating hyperthyroidism from liver

In recent years,due to the increasingly accelerated pace of life,the incidence of hyperthyroidism is increasing year by year,which has a serious impact on the quality of life of patients.Traditional Chinese Medicine has a unique effect on hyperthyroidism,Professor Zhang Ning,my tutor,who has been devoting to the clinical study of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of thyroid diseases for a long time,has rich theoretical knowledge as well as clinical practice experience.She's also good at using classical prescriptions for syndrome differentiation treatment,and has achieved excellent clinical efficacy.Professor Zhang Ning summarized the diagnosis and treatment idea of"treating from the liver"and ran it throughout the whole treatment process.For the patients prone to abnormal liver function,it is advocated to focus on protecting the liver in terms of medication,increase the effect of anti-hyperthyroidism,and also obtain satisfactory efficacy.

Efficacy of Xiaojin Capsules Combined with Selenium Yeast Capsules on 120 Cases of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis with Abnormal Thyroid Function

[Objectives]To explore the efficacy of Xiaojin Capsules combined with Selenium Yeast Capsules in the treatment of Hashimoto's thyroiditis(HT)with abnormal thyroid function.[Methods]A total of 180 HT patients who were treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University and Henan Provincial People's Hospital from December 2020 to December 2021 were selected as the research subjects and randomly divided into the observation group(n=120)and the control group(n=60)in at a tratio of 2∶1 ratio according to their visiting time.The observation group was treated with Xiaojin Capsules(oral,5 capsules each time,twice a day for 12 weeks)and Selenium Yeast Capsules(oral,1 capsule each time,twice a day for 12 weeks).The control group was treated with only Selenium Yeast Capsules(oral,1 capsule each time,twice a day for 12 weeks).[Results]The difference in the levels of thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPO-Ab),thyroglobulin antibody(TGAb),serum free triiodothyronine(FT_(3)),serum free thyroxine(FT_(4)),and thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH)between the observation group and control group was statistically significant(P<0.05).The diameters of thyroid between the observation group and the control group before,during and after treatment were significantly different(P<0.05).The total effective rate of the observation group was 82.5%(99/120),which was significantly higher than 56.67%(34/60)in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The cure rate(22.50%)in the observation group was significantly higher than the control group(3.33%),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).The ineffective rate of the observation group was 17.50%,which was significantly lower than that of the control group(40.00%),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).The markedly effective rate of the observation group was 40.83%,which was significantly higher than that of the control group(31.67%),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The effective rate in the observation group was 191%,and the effective rate in the control group was 21.67%,and the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).[Conclusions]Xiaojin Capsules combined with Selenium Yeast Capsules in the treatment of HT can eliminate or alleviate the clinical symptoms and signs,significantly reduce the levels of TPO-Ab and TGAb in serum,restore thyroid function,improve thyroid shape and structure in the treatment of HT,and the clinical effect is satisfactory.

Research progress on pharmacological action and mechanism of injection Yiqi Fumai lyophilized injection in treating cardiomyopathy

The pharmacological studies of Yiqi Fumai lyophilized injection in cardiovascular system mainly include anti-cardiac failure,improvement of myocardial ischemia,improvement of myocardial hypertrophy and myocardial injury caused by ischemia and hypoxia.In recent years,a large number of studies have shown that Yiqi Fumai Lyophilized Injection has good protective effects on myocardial injury caused by ischemia and hypoxia by enhancing myocardial contractility and delaying ventricular remodeling.

Lipocalin-2-induced proliferative endoplasmic reticulum stress participates in Kawasaki disease-related pulmonary arterial abnormalities

Clinical cases have reported pulmonary arterial structural and functional abnormalities in patients with Kawasaki disease(KD);however,the underlying mechanisms are unclear.In this study,a KD rat model was established via the intraperitoneal injection of Lactobacillus casei cell wall extract(LCWE).The results showed that pulmonary arterial functional and structural abnormalities were observed in KD rats.Furthermore,proliferative endoplasmic reticulum stress(ER stress)was observed in the pulmonary arteries of KD rats.Notably,the level of lipocalin-2(Lcn 2),a trigger factor of inflammation,was remarkably elevated in the plasma and lung tissues of KD rats;increased Lcn 2 levels following LCWE stimulation may result from polymorphonuclear neutrophils(PMNs).Correspondingly,in cultured pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells(PASMCs),Lcn 2 markedly augmented the cleavage and nuclear localization of activating transcription factor-6(ATF6),upregulated the transcription of glucose regulated protein 78(GRP78)and neurite outgrowth inhibitor(NOGO),and promoted PASMCs proliferation.However,proapoptotic C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP)and caspase 12 levels were not elevated.Treatment with 4-phenyl butyric acid(4-PBA,a specific inhibitor of ER stress)inhibited PASMCs proliferation induced by Lcn 2 and attenuated pulmonary arterial abnormalities and right ventricular hypertrophy and reduced right ventricular systolic pressure in KD rats.In conclusion,Lcn 2 remarkably facilitates proliferative ER stress in PASMCs,which probably accounts for KD-related pulmonary arterial abnormalities.

Pregnancy Complicated With a Giant Pancreatic Tumor and Decompensation of Liver Cirrhosis:A Case Report and Literature Review

Pregnancy with solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas(SPTP)is rare.Because pregnancy hormones may cause tumor progression,the management and treatment of SPTP need to balance the safety of pregnant women and fetuses with surgical treatment.We reported a case of a giant pancreatic tumor diagnosed during pregnancy that was considered to be SPTP.Examinations also showed hepatitis B virus infection and severe decompensation of liver cirrhosis.Medical termination of pregnancy was performed.The patient has lived with the tumor until now without surgery.We retrieved the published case reports,summarized the clinical characteristics of pregnancy with SPTP,and explored its management during the perinatal period.Most patients with SPTP have a good prognosis with good maternal and fetal outcomes,and it is important to choose an appropriate treatment method and timing.However,pregnancy combined with decompensated liver cirrhosis needs to be terminated in a timely manner because of its high-risk status.

Study on Functional Connectivity Density in Patients with Frontal Lobe Tumor at Resting-State

At present, the neuropathological mechanisms and the plastic changes of brain cognitive function in patents with front lobe tumor remain unclear, most studies just focused on global measures of brain functional connectivity without considering the time correlation in the different regions of the brain. This study aims to investigate brain cognitive alterations and functional plasticity in patients with front lobe tumor at resting-state by conducting functional connectivity density(FCD) mapping and granger causality analysis(GCA). Firstly, FCD mapping was used to extract abnormal functional connectivity(FC) of patients with frontal lobe tumor, and analyzed altered brain FC in both short-and long-range FCD. Then, the voxel-wise GCA method was used to analyze the causal relationship between altered FC regions and other regions in order to detect the time correlation between regions of interest(ROI) and reveal the direction of information flow between brain ROIs. It was found that patients had increased short-range FCD in motor and space attention function areas, had increased short-and long-range FCDs both in Temporal and Insula, and the causal coefficients were changed obviously in Temporal and Frontal. The results show that there is a functional plasticity in space attention function areas. Temporal and Insula are affected by tumor in frontal lobe, and functional reorganization appears inside Temporal.

Time of Liver Function Abnormal Identification on Prediction of the Risk of Anti-tuberculosis-induced Liver Injury

Background and Aims:Anti-tuberculosis(anti-TB)druginduced liver injury(AT-DILI)is the most common side effect in patients who received anti-TB therapy.AT-DILI management includes monitoring liver function until symptoms arise in patients without high-risk factors for liver damage.The present study aimed to investigate the effect of liver function test(LFT)abnormal identification on the risk of DILI,including liver failure and anti-TB drug resistance in patients without high-risk factors.Methods:A total of 399 patients without high-risk factors for liver damage at baseline and who experienced LFT abnormal during the 6 months of first-line anti-TB treatment were enrolled.The Roussel Uclaf Causal Relationship Assessment Method(RUCAM,2016)was applied in suspected DILI.The correlations between the time of LFT abnormal identification and DILI,liver failure,and anti-TB drug resistance were analyzed by smooth curve fitting and multivariable logistic regression models.Results:Among all study patients,131 met the criteria for DILI with a mean RUCAM causality score of 8.86±0.63.26/131 and 105/131 were in the probable grading and highly probable grading,respectively.The time of abnormal LFT identification was an independent predictor of DILI,liver failure,and anti-TB drug resistance in the crude model and after adjusting for other risk patient factors.The time of abnormal LFT identification was positively correlated with DILI,liver failure,and anti-TB drug resistance.The late identification group(>8 weeks)had the highest risk of DILI,followed by liver failure compared with the other two groups.Conclusions:The time to identification of LFT was positively correlated with DILI,liver failure,and anti-TB drug resistance.The risk of DILI and liver failure was significantly increased in the late identification group with abnormal LFT identified after 8 weeks compared with 4 and 8 weeks.Early monitoring of LFT is recommended for patients without the high-risk factor of DILI after anti-TB treatment is initiated.

Patients with SARS-CoV-2 and HBV coinfection are at risk of greater liver injury

To date,it remains unclear if severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)co-infection exacerbates liver injury in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection.In this study,we present a retrospective study of 133 hospitalized confirmed mild coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)cases,including 116 patients with COVID-19 with negative serum hepatitis B antigen and 17 HBV inactive carriers with COVID-19.We found that there were no significant differences for the discharge rate or duration of hospitalization be-tween the two groups.However,inactive HBV carriers with SARS-CoV-2 co-infection are at a higher risk of abnormal liver function tests.The enhanced liver injury induced by SARS-CoV-2 and HBV co-infection was identified as the hepatocyte type rather than the cholangiocyte type.Moreover,the inflammatory response,including abnormal lactate dehydrogenase,D-dimer and interleukin-6 production,may contribute to this injury following SARS-CoV-2 co-infection.Collectively,SARS-CoV-2 and HBV co-infection exacerbates liver function of the pa-tients with COVID-19.

Atlas-based deep gray matter and white matter analysis in Alzheimer's disease: diffusion abnormality and correlation with cognitive function

Objective To identify the diffusion alterations of deep gray matter(GM)and white matter(WM)among Alzheimer’s disease(AD),mild cognitive impairment(MCI)and healthy people by atlas-based analysis(ABA),and to investigate the respective relationship with cognitive function.Methods Twenty-one AD patients(AD group),8 MCI patients(MCI group)and