Clinical effects of nonconvulsive electrotherapy combined with mindfulness-based stress reduction and changes of serum inflammatory factors in depression

BACKGROUND Depression is a common and serious psychological condition,which seriously affects individual well-being and functional ability.Traditional treatment methods include drug therapy and psychological counseling;however,these methods have different degrees of side effects and limitations.In recent years,nonconvulsive electrotherapy(NET)has attracted increasing attention as a noninvasive treatment method.However,the clinical efficacy and potential mechanism of NET on depression are still unclear.We hypothesized that NET has a positive clinical effect in the treatment of depression,and may have a regulatory effect on serum inflammatory factors during treatment.AIM To assess the effects of NET on depression and analyze changes in serum inflammatory factors.METHODS This retrospective study enrolled 140 patients undergoing treatment for depression between May 2017 and June 2022,the observation group that received a combination of mindfulness-based stress reduction(MBSR)and NET treatment(n=70)and the control group that only received MBSR therapy(n=70).The clinical effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated by assessing various factors,including the Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD)-17,self-rating idea of suicide scale(SSIOS),Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI),and levels of serum inflammatory factors before and after 8 wk of treatment.The quality of life scores between the two groups were compared.Comparisons were made using t and χ^(2) tests.RESULTS After 8 wk of treatment,the observation group exhibited a 91.43%overall effectiveness rate which was higher than that of the control group which was 74.29%(64 vs 52,χ^(2)=7.241;P<0.05).The HAMD,SSIOS,and PSQI scores showed a significant decrease in both groups.Moreover,the observation group had lower scores than the control group(10.37±2.04 vs 14.02±2.16,t=10.280;1.67±0.28 vs 0.87±0.12,t=21.970;5.29±1.33 vs 7.94±1.35,t=11.700;P both<0.001).Additionally,there was a notable decrease in the IL-2,IL-1β,and IL-6 in both groups after treatment.Furthermore,the observation group exhibited superior serum inflammatory factors compared to the control group(70.12±10.32 vs 102.24±20.21,t=11.840;19.35±2.46 vs 22.27±2.13,t=7.508;32.25±4.6 vs 39.42±4.23,t=9.565;P both<0.001).Moreover,the observation group exhibited significantly improved quality of life scores compared to the control group(Social function:19.25±2.76 vs 16.23±2.34;Emotions:18.54±2.83 vs 12.28±2.16;Environment:18.49±2.48 vs 16.56±3.44;Physical health:19.53±2.39 vs 16.62±3.46;P both<0.001)after treatment.CONCLUSION MBSR combined with NET effectively alleviates depression,lowers inflammation(IL-2,IL-1β,and IL-6),reduces suicidal thoughts,enhances sleep,and improves the quality of life of individuals with depression.

Changes and significance of serum inflammatory factors,UA,Hcy and small dense low-density lipoprotein levels in patients with coronary heart disease

Objective: To investigate the changes and significance of serum inflammatory factors, uric acid (UA), homocysteine (Hcy) and small dense low-density lipoprotein (sdLDL-C) levels in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods: A total of 152 patients with CHD were selected as the CHD group, including stable angina pectoris (SAP group, n=48), unstable angina pectoris (UAP group, n=55), and acute myocardial infarction (AMI group, n=49), according to the Gensinis score, it can be divided into mild group (n=88), moderate group (n=43) and severe group (n=21), at the same time 55 healthy people were selected as control group. The serum inflammatory factors [hypersensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor -α (TNF-α)], UA, Hcy and sdLDL-C levels were compared between patients with different CHD and different degree of coronary artery lesions. Results: The levels of hs-CRP, TNF-α, UA, Hcy and sdLDL-C in the CHD group were significantly higher than those in the control group;In the CHD group, the levels of hs-CRP, TNF-α, UA, Hcy and sdLDL-C in the UAP group and AMI group were significantly higher than those off the SAP group, and the level of AMI group [(7.96±1.49) mg/L, (92.87±14.50) ng/L, (417.75±43.88) mol/L, (23.25±7.33) and mol/L (1.31±0.53) mmol/L] was significantly higher than that of UAP group [(6.15±0.97) mg/L, (73.88±9.27) ng/L, (393.63±68.29) mol/L, (19.67±7.26) mol/L and (1.08±0.44) mmol/L];Compared with mild group hs-CRP, TNF-α, UA, Hcy and sdLDL-C levels, the levels of the moderate group and severe group were significantly increased, and the level of severe group was significantly higher than that of moderate group. Conclusion: The levels of serum inflammatory factors, UA, Hcy and sdLDL-C in patients with coronary heart disease are significantly increased, and the detection of the levels has a great significance for the diagnosis of coronary heart disease and the assessment of the severity of coronary heart disease.

Effect of minimally invasive intracranial hematoma drainage on inflammatory factors, serum ferritin and serum P substance in patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage

Objective:To study the effect of minimally invasive intracranial hematoma drainage on inflammatory factors, serum ferritin and serum P substance in patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage.Methods:92 cases of hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage patients in our hospital were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups: minimally invasive group (51 cases) and routine group (41 cases). Minimally invasive intracranial hematoma drainage was performed on the minimally invasive group. Bone flap decompression or small bone window craniotomy were used in the routine group. Tumor necrosis factorα (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), high sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) and serum protein (SF), serum substance P (SP) in the 2 groups were detected before treatment and 2 weeks after treatment.Results: The comparison of TNF-α, IL-6, hs-CRP, SP, and SF in the two groups before treatment was not statistically significant (P>0.05). TNF-α, IL-6, hs-CRP and SF in both groups after treatment significantly decreased, compared with that before treatment (P<0.01,P<0.05). TNF-α, IL-6, and SF in minimally invasive group decreased more significantly than that in routine group (P<0.01);The comparison of SP in the two groups after treatment significantly increased compared with that before treatment (P<0.01,P<0.05). SP in minimally invasive group increased more significantly than that in routine group (P<0.05).Conclusions:Compared with bone flap decompression or small bone window craniotomy, minimally invasive intracranial hematoma drainage can inhibit inflammatory reaction, reduce the degree of nerve damage and alleviate clinical symptoms more effectively.

Effects of Intravenous Thrombolytic Therapy with Alteplase on Neurological Function,Coagulation Function and Serum Inflammatory Factors in Patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction

Objective:To investigate the effects of intravenous thrombolysis therapy with alteplase on neurological function,coagulation function and serum inflammatory factors in patients with acute cerebral infarction.Methods:A total of 96 patients with acute cerebral infarction admitted to our hospital from September 2017 to October 2019 were randomly divided into two groups,with 48 patients in each group.The control group(n=48)received routine treatment,and the observation group received intravenous thrombolysis therapy with alteplase on the basis of routine treatment.The neurological deficit score,prothrombin time(PT),activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),tumor necrosis factor-a level(TNF-α),and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)were compared between the two groups after 15 days of treatment.Results:After treatment,NIHSS scores in both groups were lower than those before treatment;PT levels were increased,while APTT,TNF-αand hs-CRP levels were all decreased in both groups,and the changes in the observation group were greater than those in the control group,with statistically significant difference(P<0.05).Conclusions:Intravenous thrombolysis therapy with alteplase can improve the neurological function,coagulation function and serum levels of inflammatory factors in patients with acute cerebral infarction,which is worthy of clinical application.

Effect of urokinase in combined with minimally invasive intracranial hematoma evacuation on serum ferritin, serum P substance, inflammatory factors and vascular endothelial function in patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage

Objective: To investigate the effects of minimally invasive evacuation of intracranial hematoma on serum SP, SF, vascular endothelial function and inflammatory factors of patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage. Methods: According to random data table method, a total of 120 patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage from September 2016 to May 2017 were divided into observation group and the control group, 60 cases in each group. The control group was treated with conventional treatment;on the basis of conventional treatment, the observation group underwent minimally invasive evacuation of intracranial hematoma. The levels of serum SF, SP, vascular endothelial function and inflammatory factors changes were compared between the two groups before and after the treatment. Results: Before treatment, the levels of serum SP, SF, NO, ET-1, hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α in the two groups were not statistically significant. The levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, SF, ET-1 after treatment in two groups were significantly lower than those in the same group before treatment, and the observation group levels were significantly lower than those in the control group;the levels of SP, NO in the two groups after treatment were significantly higher than before treatment, and the observation group was higher than that the control group with significant difference. Conclusion: The minimally invasive intracranial hematoma evacuation for patients with HICH can effectively improve the levels of SP, SF, inflammatory factors and vascular endothelial function, which is helpful to relieve cerebral edema and lower intracranial pressure, and improve the quality of treatment.

Effect of dexmedetomidine on the immune function, serum inflammatory factors and hemodynamics in elderly patients with gastric cancer

Objective: To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine on the immune function, serum inflammatory factors and hemodynamics in elderly patients with gastric cancer. Method: A total of 84 elderly patients with gastric cancer treated in our hospital from September 2015 to March 2017 were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group, each with 42 cases. The control group received intravenous infusion of Sodium Chloride Injection before anesthesia induction, and the observation group received dexmedetomidine intravenous infusion. The levels of hemodynamic indexes HR and MAP levels, serum inflammatory factors levels of CRP, IL-2, IL-10 levels and T lymphocyte subsets levels were compared between the two groups. Results: Compared with induction of anesthesia before, the HR level of two groups were both significantly increased at 6 h after operation, the MAP level of control group was significantly increased at 6 h after operation while was not changed significantly in the observation group. According comparison between groups at 6 h after operation, the levels of HR, MAP in observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group. Compared with induction of anesthesia before, the CRP level was significantly increased at each postoperative time point in two groups;the IL-2 level at 24 h after operation of two groups were decreased significantly, while both increased back and significantly higher than that before induction of anesthesia;the IL-10 level at 24 h after operation of two groups were increased significantly, while both decreased back and significantly lower than that before induction of anesthesia. Compared with the control group at the same time point, the CRP, IL-10 level of observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group and the IL-2 level of observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group. Compared with induction of anesthesia before, the levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ of control group were significantly decreased at 6 h, 24 h, 72 h after operation and significantly decreased at 24 h after operation in observation group. 72 h after operation, the levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ of observation group increased back and were not changed significantly compared with induction of anesthesia before. Compared with the control group at the same time point, 6 h, 24 h, 72 h after operation, the levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ of observation group were significantly higher than that of the control group. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine for elderly patients with gastric cancer assisted anesthesia can reduce the stress caused by surgical trauma, improve the immune level, reduce the inflammatory response, and stabilize hemodynamics of patients in the perioperative period significantly. It is worthy of clinical promotion.

Detection of carotid artery fluid dynamics and serum inflammatory factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective:To explore the value of fluid dynamic parameters and inflammatory factors in the prediction of early atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods:A total of 126 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were admitted to our hospital from March 2015 to July 2016 were selected as study subjects and divided into non atherosclerotic group (61 cases) and atherosclerosis group (65 cases)according to carotid artery IMT. At the same time, 60 healthy persons were selected as the control group. The fluid dynamics indexes (PSV, EDV and MV) and serum inflammatory factors (MCP-1, TNF-α and hs-CRP) were detected in the three groups.Results: There were no significant differences in PSV, EDV and MV between left and right carotid arteries in non-atherosclerotic group and control group. PSV, EDV and MV of left and right carotid artery were significantly lower in atherosclerosis group than those in control group. The carotid artery PSV, EDV and MV of left and right in atherosclerosis group were also significantly lower than those of non-atherosclerosis group. The MCP-1, TNF-α and hs-CRP levels in the non-atherosclerosis group were respectively (417.10±78.54), (85.72±9.97) and (3.73±0.61), significantly higher than those in the control group. The MCP-1, TNF-αand hs-CRP levels in atherosclerosis group were respectively (532.95±97.48), (123.56±12.85) and (5.39±0.74) , significantly higher than those in the control group and non-atherosclerosis group.Conclusion:Hydrodynamic parameters and serum inflammatory factors can be used as diagnostic criteria for carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients, and provide guidance for the early diagnosis of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Effects of concurrent chemoradiotherapy on serum tumor markers, MMP-9, VEGF and inflammatory factors in patients with endometrial carcinoma after operation

Objective:To investigate effects of concurrent chemoradiotherapy on serum tumor markers, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and inflammatory factors in patients with endometrial carcinoma after operation.Methods: A total of 86 patients with endometrial carcinoma treated by surgery were selected as objects of study, according to random data table they were divided into control group (n=42) and observation group (n=44), patients of two groups were all underwent hysterectomy and bilateral adnexectomy treatment, on this basis, the control group was given radiotherapy treatment, observation group patients received concurrent chemotherapy treatment, the levels of serum tumor markers, VEGF, MMP-9 and inflammatory factor of the two groups before and after treatment were compared.Results: Before treatment, there was no significant difference in CA-125, HE4, VEGF, MMP-9, TNF-α, CRP and IL-6 levels between the observation group and the control group;After treatment, the levels of CA-125, HE4, VEGF, MMP-9, TNF-α, CRP and IL-6 in the two groups were significantly lower than those in the group before treatment, and the difference was statistically significant;After treatment, the levels of CA-125, HE4, VEGF, MMP-9, TNF-α, CRP and IL-6 in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group, the difference was statistically significant.Conclusion:The concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy can effectively reduce the levels of serum tumor markers, VEGF and MMP-9, and effectively decrease the inflammatory stress response in patients with endometrial carcinoma after operation, with critical clinical value.

Serum response factor promotes axon regeneration following spinal cord transection injury

Studies have snown that serum response factor is beneficaial for axonar regeneration of peripheral herves.However,Its role after central nervous system injury remains unclear. In this study,we established a rat model of T9-T10 spinal cord transection injury.We found that the expression of serum response factor in injured spinal cord gray matter neurons gradually increased with time,reached its peak on the 7^(th) day,and then gradually decreased.To investigate the role of serum response factor,we used lentivirus vecto rs to ove rexpress and silence serum response factor in spinal cord tissue.We found that overexpression of serum response factor promoted motor function recovery in rats with spinal cord injury.Qualitative observation of biotinylated dextran amine anterograde tra cing showed that ove rexpression of serum response factor increased nerve fibers in the injured spinal co rd.Additionally,transmission electron microscopy showed that axon and myelin sheath morphology was restored.Silencing serum response factor had the opposite effects of ove rexpression.These findings suggest that serum response factor plays a role in the recovery of motor function after spinal cord injury.The underlying mechanism may be related to the regulation of axonal regeneration.

A predictive score for retinopathy of prematurity by using clinical risk factors and serum insulin-like growth factor-1 levels

AIM：To detect the impact of insulin-like growth factor-1（IGF-1）and other risk factors for the early prediction of retinopathy of prematurity（ROP）and to establish a scoring system for ROP prediction by using clinical criteria and serum IGF-1 levels.METHODS：The study was conducted with 127 preterm infants.IGF-1 levels in the 1st day of life,1st,2nd,3rd and4th week of life was analyzed.The score was established after logistic regression analysis,considering the impact of each variable on the occurrences of any stage ROP.A validation cohort containing 107 preterm infants was included in the study and the predictive ability of ROP score was calculated.RESULTS：Birth weights（BW）,gestational weeks（GW）and the prevalence of breast milk consumption were lower,respiratory distress syndrome（RDS）,bronchopulmonarydysplasia（BPD）and necrotizing enterocolitis（NEC）were more frequent,the duration of mechanical ventilation and oxygen supplementation was longer in patients with ROP（P〈0.05）.Initial serum IGF-1 levels tended to be lower in newborns who developed ROP.Logistic regression analysis revealed that low BW（〈1250 g）,presence of intraventricular hemorrhage（IVH）and formula feeding increased the risk of ROP.Afterwards,the scoring system was validated on 107 infants.The negative predictive values of a score less than 4 were 84.3%,74.7%and 79.8%while positive predictive values were 76.3%,65.5%and71.6%respectively.CONCLUSION：In addition to BW〈1250 g and IVH,formula consumption was detected as a risk factor for the development of ROP.Breastfeeding is important for prevention of ROP in preterm infants.

FACTORS INFLUENCING SERUM PEPSINOGEN LEVELS IN A CHINESE POPULATION AT HIGH RISK OF STOMACH CANCER

The relationships between serum pepsinogen (PG) levels and age, sex, ABO blood type, cigarette smoking and diet were studied among over 3, 000 residents selected at random in an area with high risk of stomach cancer in Shandong Province, China. Males had significantly higher median PG Ⅰ and Ⅱ levels than feamles. PG Ⅰ tended to decrease and PG Ⅱ to rise with age. Subjects with blood type A had a higher PG Ⅱ level than subjects with other blood types. Both PG Ⅰ and Ⅱ levels rose with dally consumption of cigarettes. Alcohol consumption was not related to PG levels. The PG Ⅰ/Ⅱ ratio declined with increasing consumption of sour pancakes, a fermented staple food found to contain N-nitroso compounds and to be a risk factor for stomach cancer in this population.

Meta-analysis of the effects of inflammatory factors on children with pneumonia mycoplasma pneumonia

Objective:To evaluate the effect of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) on inflammatory factors.Methods:Using the combination of subject terms and free words to search the literature on the effect of children with MPP on inflammatory factors.Retrieved from CNKI, VIP,CBM, Wanfang Database, Pubmed Database, Sciencedirect Database and Google scholor. etc.Time period of retrieval was from database established to May. 2019. 2 researchers conducted literature screening independently according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. and then processed quality evaluation.RevMan5.3 and stata 14.0 were adopted to conduct Meta analysis on all effective indicators. Results:A total of 23 studies were involved, including 2254 children with MPP and 1182 healthy children. Results of Meta analysis showed IL-6 level(SMD=17.74, 95% CI =15.38~20.09,P<0.0001)、IL-8 level (SMD=19.40,95% CI=18.12~20.69,P<0.0001)、IL-10 level (SMD=9.51,95% CI =8.25~10.97,P<0.0001)、TNF-a level (SMD=31.06,95% CI =24.57~37.54,P<0.0001) were significantly better than the control group, the difference were statistically significant. Subgroup analysis:SMPP compared with MPP, IL-6 level (SMD=12.02, 95% CI =7.08~16.96,P<0.0001)was significantly better than the control group, the difference were statistically significant;Compared with the recovery period, the acute phase of children with MPP, IL-6 level (SMD=20.53, 95% CI =17.51~23.56,P<0.0001)、IL-8 level (SMD=17.27,95% CI=10.14~24.40,P<0.0001)、IL-10 level (SMD=6.04,95% CI =1.72~10.36,P<0.0001)、TNF-a level (SMD=23.64,95% CI =17.60~29.69,P<0.0001) were significantly better than the control group, the difference was statistically significant. Conclusions:MPP caused elevated levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-a inflammatory factors in the serum of children, and the levels of inflammatory factors were directly proportional to the severity of the disease.

Serum lipid levels and their risk factors in theGuangxi Mu Lao Zu population

Objectives Mu Lao Zu population.Methods A total of 1055 subjects of Mu Lao Zu were studied by a stratified randomized cluster sampling.Blood pressure,body height, body weight,waist circumference and serum lipid and apolipoprotein(Apo) levels were measured.The data were compared with those in 969 subjects of Han Chinese from the same region.In order to evaluate the association of hyperlipidemia with nine possible riks factors,multivariate logistic regression analysis was also performed in the combined population of Mu Lao Zu and Han,Mu Lao Zu,and Han;respectively. Results The levels of total cholesterol,triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and ApoB in Mu Lao Zu were significantly higher than those in Han(P【0.05-0.001); but the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,ApoA1 and ApoA1/Apo were significantly lower than those in Han (P【0.001 ).The prevalence of hyperlipidemia and Hypercholesterolemia was also significantly higher in Mu Lao Zu than in Han(53.0%vs.46.1%,P【0.001) and(44.5%vs. 37.5%,P【0.001).There was no difference in the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia between the both ethnic groups (22.8%vs.19.4%,P】0.05).Hyperlipidemia was positively correlated with age,BMI,and systolic blood pressureMu Lao Zu(P【0.05),whereas it was positively correlated with BMI and hypertension in Han(P【0.05 for each).Conclusions The serum lipid profiles,the prevalence of hyperlipidemia and the risk factors are different between the Mu Lao Zu and Han populations.The differences in serum lipid profiles between the two ethnic groups might result from different dietary habit,life style,as well as genetic factors,in ? To determine the serum lipid levels and their risk factors in the Guangxi.

Logistic Regression Analysis of Influencing Factors on Serum ALT and HCV RNA Changes in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C

Objective This study was undertaken to investigate the influencing factors on serum ALT level and hepatitis C virus(HCV)RNA titer in chronic hepatitis C(CHC)patients.Methods All patients enrolled into this study were anti-HCV positive.Retrospective tracing method was applied to detect serum ALT level and HCV RNA titer and to collect general information of the patients such as genders,age groups,interferon medication history,infection pathways,height and weight.Then the multi-factor analysis was adopted with the application of binominal logistic regression mode.Results The abnormal rate of ALT level was positively correlated to HCV RNA and gender while negatively correlated to interferon medication history and age group,with Wald value of the 4 factors as 39.604,11.823,18.991 and 7.389,respectively.The positive rate of HCV RNA was negatively correlated to interferon medication history and gender while positively correlated to ALT level,with corresponding Wald value of the 3 factors as81.394,7.618 and 27.562,respectively.Conclusions The normal ALT level in HCV infected patients was associated with viral load,age,gender and interferon medication history,while the normal rate of HCV RNA titer was closely associated with gender,interferon medication history and ALT level.

Evaluation of serum and pleural levels of endostatin and vascular epithelial growth factor in lung cancer patients with pleural effusion

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic value of endostatin(ES),vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and careinoembryonie antigen(CEA) in both serum and pleural effusion of lung cancer patients.Methods:Levels of ES,VEGF and CEA in 52 malignant pleural effusion due to lung cancer and 50 patients with non-malignant disease were measured by using sandwich enzymelinked immunosorbent assay and microparticle enzyme immunoassay.Results:The ES.VEGF and CEA levels in pleural effusion and serum,and their ratio(F/S) were higher in lung cancer group than that in benign group,and the differences were statistically significant(P【0.05).The diagnostic efficiency of ES+VEGF for lung cancer was superior to either single detection.The diagnostic efficiency of ES+VEGK+CEA was superior to either ES+VEGF or ES+CEA.Conclusions: The results suggest that ES,VEGF and CEA might be useful in the differentiation between benign and malignant pleural effusion due to lung cancer.In comparison with either single determination of concentration in serum or pleural fluid,the couiljined detection of two or three markers is of important clinical significance in the diagnosis of lung cancer.

Increased serum levels of soluble CD146 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration

AIM: To investigate serum levels of soluble CD146(s CD146) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2(VEGFR2) in patients with age-related macular degeneration(AMD). METHODS: Eighty-eight patients with exudative AMD and 45 sex-and age-matched healthy controls were enrolled in this study conducted in China. Serum samples was obtained from the patients with exudative AMD and from the controls. Serum sCD146 and VEGFR2 protein levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS: We found that serum sCD146 and VEGFR2 protein levels were significantly higher in the patients with exudative AMD group than in the controls(t=3.859, P<0.001 and t=3.829, P<0.001, respectively). Serum sCD146 levels were significantly higher in patients with classic choroidal neovascularization(CNV) than in those with occult CNV(t=9.899, P<0.001). There was a significant difference in the trend for exudative AMD in the highest versus lowest quartile of circulating sCD146 levels(χ2=10.29, P=0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve was 0.696 for s CD146(95%CI: 0.601-0.791) with an optimum diagnostic cut-off value of 157.16 ng/mL, a sensitivity of 55.7%, and a specificity of 82.2%.CONCLUSION: The serum sCD146 level increases and may be a biomarker for exudative AMD.

Serum response factor:Look into the gut

Serum response factor(SRF) is a transcription factor that regulates many genes involved in cellular activities such as proliferation,migration,differentiation,angiogenesis,and apoptosis.Although it has only been known for about two decades,SRF has been studied extensively.To date,over a thousand SRF studies have been published,but it still remains a hot topic.Due to its critical role in mesoderm-derived tissues,most of the SRF studies focused on muscle structure/function,cardiovascular development/maintenance,and smooth muscle generation/repair.Recently,SRF has received more attention in the digestive field and several important discoveries have been made.This review will summarize what we have learned about SRF in the gastrointestinal tract and provide insights into possible future directions in this area.

Serum response factor play a regulative role in the gene expression in heart failure

To investigate the relationship between transcription factor and the change of protein expression levels in heart failure. Methods Bioinformatic method was used to analyze the data of binding-sites on the 5 ' flaking regions of four genes whose mRNA level changed in failing heart from three databases about nucleic acid-EMBL, transcriptional regulation factor-TRANSFAC and protein-SWISS-PORT.The expression level of selected transcription factor was determined by immunohischemical method.Results Nine transcription factors were inferred to influence the proteins' levels in occurrence and development of heart failure.Serum response factor (SRF) was selected from the nine factors and assayed. The results showed that there was a higher level of SRF in healthy group than in chronic heart failure (CHF), and the level was associated with the degree of CHF. It was also found that there was a relative higher level of SRF in the acute myocardial infarction (AMI) than that in CHF, but which was lower than the healthy. Conclusion It showed that SRF had a quantitative change in the development of heart failure, and suggested SRF might play an important regulative role in heart failure. The expression changes of proteins related to myocardial function might be regulated by the quantitative change of transcription factor(s).

Elevated serum growth differentiation factor 15 in multiple system atrophy patients:A case control study

BACKGROUND Multiple system atrophy(MSA) is a serious progressive neurodegenerative disease. Early diagnosis of MSA is very difficult, and diagnostic biomarkers are limited. Growth differentiation factor 15(GDF15) is involved in the differentiation and progression of the central nervous system, and is widely distributed in peripheral blood, which may be a novel biomarker for MSA.AIM To determine serum GDF15 levels, related factors and their potential diagnostic value in MSA patients, compared with Parkinson’s disease(PD) patients and healthy controls.METHODS A case-control study was conducted, including 49 MSA patients, 50 PD patients and 50 healthy controls. Serum GDF15 levels were measured by human enzymelinked immunosorbent assay, and the differences between the MSA, PD and control groups were analyzed. Further investigations were performed in different MSA subgroups according to age of onset, sex, clinical subtypes, diagnostic criteria, and disease duration. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysiswas used to evaluate the diagnostic value of GDF15, especially for the differential diagnosis between MSA and PD.RESULTS Serum GDF15 levels were significantly higher in MSA patients than in PD patients and healthy controls(P = 0.000). Males and those with a disease duration of more than three years showed higher serum GDF15 levels(P = 0.043 and 0.000;respectively). Serum GDF15 levels may be a potential diagnostic biomarker for MSA patients compared with healthy controls and PD patients(cutoff: 470.42 pg/m L, sensitivity: 85.7%, specificity: 88.0%;cutoff: 1075.91 pg/m L, sensitivity:51.0%, specificity: 96.0%;respectively).CONCLUSION Serum GDF15 levels are significantly higher in MSA patients and provide suggestions on the etiology of MSA.

Enhanced expression of epidermal growth factor receptor gene in gastric mucosal cells by the serum derived from rats treated with electroacupuncture at stomach meridian acupoints

AIM: To investigate the effect of serum derived from rats treated with electroacupuncture at stomach meridian acupoints on the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in gastric mucosal cells. METHODS: The stress-induced gastric mucosal injury in rat model was established by water-immersion and restrained stress methods. 52 rats were randomly divided into: normal group (n = 8), model group (n = 8), model serum group (n = 12), stomach serum group (n = 12), and gallbladder serum group (n = 12). The gastric mucosal cells were separated by pronase-EDTA digestion method and incubated with serum. The EGFR gene expression in gastric mucosal cells was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. RESULTS: Compared with normal group (0.6860 ± 0.0594), the serum derived from rats of the stomach group (1.2272 ± 0.0813, P = 0.00 < 0.01) and gallbladder group (0.9640 ± 0.0387, P = 0.00 < 0.01) had a tendency to enhance the EGFR gene expression in gastric mucosal cells. Such tendency existed in the model group (0.7104 ± 0.0457) but with no signifi cant difference (P = 0.495 > 0.05) and in model serum group (0.8516 ± 0.0409) with an extremely obvious difference (P = 0.001 < 0.01). Furthermore, the EGFR gene expression in stomach serum group was significantly higher than that in gallbladder serum group (P = 0.00 < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The present study shows that serumderived from rats treated with electroacupuncture at stomach meridian acupoints can distinctly increase the EGFR gene expression of gastric mucosal cells. Therefore, there is certain meridian specificity in the serum, which could provide a proof for the TCM theory “particular relation between meridian and internal organ”.