Causal role of immune cells in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome:Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND Despite being one of the most prevalent sleep disorders,obstructive sleep apnea hypoventilation syndrome(OSAHS)has limited information on its immunologic foundation.The immunological underpinnings of certain major psychiatric diseases have been uncovered in recent years thanks to the extensive use of genome-wide association studies(GWAS)and genotyping techniques using highdensity genetic markers(e.g.,SNP or CNVs).But this tactic hasn't yet been applied to OSAHS.Using a Mendelian randomization analysis,we analyzed the causal link between immune cells and the illness in order to comprehend the immunological bases of OSAHS.AIM To investigate the immune cells'association with OSAHS via genetic methods,guiding future clinical research.METHODS A comprehensive two-sample mendelian randomization study was conducted to investigate the causal relationship between immune cell characteristics and OSAHS.Summary statistics for each immune cell feature were obtained from the GWAS catalog.Information on 731 immune cell properties,such as morphologic parameters,median fluorescence intensity,absolute cellular,and relative cellular,was compiled using publicly available genetic databases.The results'robustness,heterogeneity,and horizontal pleiotropy were confirmed using extensive sensitivity examination.RESULTS Following false discovery rate(FDR)correction,no statistically significant effect of OSAHS on immunophenotypes was observed.However,two lymphocyte subsets were found to have a significant association with the risk of OSAHS:Basophil%CD33dim HLA DR-CD66b-(OR=1.03,95%CI=1.01-1.03,P<0.001);CD38 on IgD+CD24-B cell(OR=1.04,95%CI=1.02-1.04,P=0.019).CONCLUSION This study shows a strong link between immune cells and OSAHS through a gene approach,thus offering direction for potential future medical research.

Socio-economic development of countries based on the Composite Country Development Index(CCDI)

World experience indicates the existence of significant imbalances in the development of countries.The problem of assessing the rational development of the regional and national economy is becoming urgent,since such assessments can prevent development imbalances across countries.The aim of this study is to elaborate a methodology to assess the countries’socio-economic development by integraring 12 modern indices of socio-economic development into the Composite Country Development Index(CCDI).The methodology of this research was based on a set of key indices that described socio-economic development level in four fields(social development,digital development,economic development,and environmental security)and then these indices were integrated into the CCDI.The study further applied factor analysis and R-Studio software to define the gaps of social and economic development in 59 selected countries using the trigonometric function of the angle sine.The correlation analysis confirmed the existence of a close interrelation among the studied countries.This paper noted that due to the emergence of new priorities,it is necessary to revise the assessment methodology of socio-economic development level and expand them to cover the decisive factors.This was confirmed by the results obtained,demonstrating various combinations of the development level in the four fields and their impact on the CCDI.The scientific contribution of this research is to form a methodology(e.g.,the CCDI)for evaluating the socio-economic development level of countries in the world.

Influence of coarse tailings on flocculation settlement

The composition of tailings particles in mines plays a key role in the flocculation settlement of slurries.To study the influence of coarse particle tailings(CPTs)on the flocculation settlement of tailings slurries(TSs),static flocculent settling tests,scanning electron microscopy observations,and laser particle size analyses were conducted using the tailings obtained from a copper mine.The results demonstrate that(i)in the accelerated and free settling process,CPTs did not directly settle at the bottom of graduated cylinders;instead,they were netted by the flocculent structures(FSs)and settled together more quickly.The CPTs accelerate the rapid settlement of TSs;the acceleration effect is more obvious when the CPTs content is greater than 50 wt%.(ii)The most appropriate flocculant unit consumption(FUC)is 20 g·t-1,and no substantial increase is observed in the flocculant settling velocity with an increase in the flocculant because the effective FSs did not substantially change and thus did not lead to a notable increase in the settling velocity of the solid–liquid interface(SLI).(iii)In the effective settling space of the thickening facility,free water quickly flowed from the pores of FSs,which is reflected in the period from 0 to 1 min.

The Akt/glycogen synthase kinase-3β pathway participates in the neuroprotective effect of interleukin-4 against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Interleukin-4(IL-4) has a protective effect against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Animal experiments have shown that IL-4 improves the short-and long-term prognosis of neurological function. The Akt(also called protein kinase B, PKB)/glycogen synthase kinase-3β(Akt/GSK-3β) signaling pathway is involved in oxidative stress, the inflammatory response, apoptosis, and autophagy. However, it is not yet clear whether the Akt/GSK-3β pathway participates in the neuroprotective effect of IL-4 against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. In the present study, we established a cerebral ischemia/reperfusion mouse model by middle cerebral artery occlusion for 60 minutes followed by a 24-hour reperfusion. An IL-4/anti-IL-4 complex(10 μg) was intraperitoneally administered 30 minutes before surgery. We found that administration of IL-4 significantly alleviated the neurological deficits, oxidative stress, cell apoptosis, and autophagy and reduced infarct volume of the mice with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury 24 hours after reperfusion. Simultaneously, IL-4 activated Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathway. However, an Akt inhibitor LY294002, which was injected at 15 nmol/kg via the tail vein, attenuated the protective effects of IL-4. These findings indicate that IL-4 has a protective effect on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by mitigating oxidative stress, reducing apoptosis, and inhibiting excessive autophagy, and that this mechanism may be related to activation of the Akt/GSK-3β pathway. This animal study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, China(approval No. WDRY2017-K037) on March 9, 2017.

Chemical Constituents from the Flowers of Dendrobium chrysanthum

This study aimed to investigate the chemical constituents from the flowers of Dendrobium chrysanthum and determine its bioactive compounds. [Method] The compounds were extracted by 95% alcohol and isolated by column chromatography on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic analysis （1H NMR, 13CNMR and ElMS）. [Result] Nine compounds were obtained and identified as stigmasterol , β-sitosterol , linoleic acid , stigmast-4-en-3-one , dibutyl phthalate , moscatilin , ergosterol , ergosterol peroxide and daucosterol . [Conclusion] Al compounds were isolated from its flowers for the first time.

Extraction and Structure Elucidation of Phenols from Dendrobium thyrsiflorum

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the chemical constituents of Dendrobium thyrsiflorum and determine its bioactive compounds. [Method] The compounds were extracted by 95% alcohol and isolated by column chromatography on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic analysis(1H NMR and13 C NMR). [Result] Seven compounds were obtained and identified as 4, 7-dihydroxy-2-methoxy-9, 10-dihydrophenan-threne(1), syringaldehyde(2),moscatin(3), gigantol(4), batatasin III(5), tristin(6) and stigmasterol(7). [Conclusion] Compounds 1 and 2 were isolated from this medicinal plant for the first time.

A Cross-sectional Study Assessing Predictors of Essential Medicines Prescribing Behavior Based on Information-motivation-behavioral Skills Model among County Hospitals in Anhui, China

Background： The self-consciousness and practicality of preferentially prescribed essential medicines （EMs） are not high enough in county hospitals. The purposes of this study were to use the information-motivation-behavioral skills （IM B） model to identify the predictors of essential medicines prescribing behavior （EMPB） among doctors and to examine the association between demographic variables, IMB, and EMPB. Methods： A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess predictive relationships among demographic variables and IM B model variables using an anonymous questionnaire administered in nine county hospitals of Anhui province. A structural equation model was constructed for the I MB model to test the instruments using analysis of moment structures 17.0. Results： A total of 732 participants completed the survey. The average age of the participants was 37.7 ± 8.9 years old （range： 22-67 years old）. The correct rate of information was 90.64%. The average scores of the motivation and behavioral skills were 45.46 a： 7.34 （hundred mark system： 75.77） and 19.92 ± 3.44 （hundred mark system： 79.68）, respectively. Approximately half（50.8%） of respondents reported that the proportion of EM prescription was below 60%. The final revised model indicated a good fit to the data （x^2/df= 4.146, goodness of fit index = 0.948, comparative fit index = 0.938, root mean square error of approximation = 0.066）. More work experience （β = 0.153, P 〈 0.001 ） and behavioral skills （β = 0.449, P 〈 0.001 ） predicted more EMPB. Higher income predicted less information （β = -0.197, P 〈 0.001） and motivation （β =0.204, P 〈 0.001 ）. Behavioral skills were positively predicted by information （β = 0.135, P 〈 0.001 ） and motivation （β = 0.742, P 〈 0.001 ）. Conclusion： The present study predicted some factors of EMPB, and specified the relationships among the model variables. The utilization rate of EM was not high enough. Motivation and behavior skills were crucial factors affecting EMPB. The influence of demographic variables, such as income and work experience, on EMPB should be fully appreciated. Comprehensive intervention measures should be implemented from multiple perspectives.

Bioinformatics analysis of SARS-CoV-2 infectionassociated immune injury and therapeutic prediction for COVID-19

Background:Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is a highly contagious viral infection,without any available targeted therapies.The high mortality rate of COVID-19 is speculated to be related to immune damage.Methods:In this study,clinical bioinformatics analysis was conducted on transcriptome data of coronavirus infection.Results:Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the complex immune injury induced by coronavirus infection provoked dysfunction of numerous immune-related molecules and signaling pathways,including immune cells and toll-like receptor cascades.Production of numerous cytokines through the Th17 signaling pathway led to elevation in plasma levels of cytokines(including IL6,NF-kB,and TNF-a)followed by concurrent inflammatory storm,which mediates the autoimmune response.Several novel medications seemed to display therapeutic effects on immune damage associated with coronavirus infection.Conclusions:This study provided insights for further large-scale studies on the target therapy on reconciliation of immunological damage associated with COVID-19.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation Combined with Chinese Medicine Five-Element Music on Depression for Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives： To evaluate the effects of progressive muscle relaxation training （PMRT） combined with five elements music therapy of Chinese medicine （CM） for improving anxiety and depression of cancer patients. Methods： From June 2015 to March 2016, 60 cancer patients were included into the study. The patients were randomly assigned to a control group and a treatment group by envelope randomization, receiving PMRT and PMRT plus CM five elements music therapy, respectively, for 8 weeks. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale （HADS）, Benefit Finding Scales （BFS）, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual （FACIT-Sp）, and Intervention Expectations Questionnaire （IEQU） were adopted to assess the depression of the two groups before and after the treatment. Results： Four cases dropped out during the study, and 29 cases in the treatment group and 27 in the control group were included in the final analysis. Prior to the treatments, the baselines of the 4 questionnaires in the two groups showed no difference. After the 8-week treatment, the treatment group presented better levels of HADS, BFS and FACIT-Sp scores compared with the control group （P〈0.05）. Among the single items of HADS, 4 items involving vexation, feeling fidgeted, pleasure and prospecting the future in the treatment group were improved compared with the control group （P〈0.05）. Conclusions： As a simple and reliable and effective intervention, PMRT combined with five elements music therapy mitigated anxiety and depression of cancer patients. Cancer patients have been found to respond well to psychological intervention in areas regarding stabilisation of emotions, disease awareness, and therapeutic compliance. This brings about a great difference in improving their quality of life and psychological state, offers an effective approach to better self-management in cancer treatment.

Papers published from 1995 to 2012 by six Traditional Chinese Medicine universities in China: a bibliometric analysis based on science citation index

OBJECTIVE: The quality and quantity of published research papers are important in both scientific and technology fields. Although there are several bibliometric studies based on citation analysis, very few have focused on research related to Traditional Chinese Medicine in China. METHODS: The bibliometric method used in this study included the following focuses: publication outputs for each year, paper type, language of publication, distribution of internationally collaborative countries, sources of funding, authorization number, distribution of institutes regarding collaborative publications, research fields, distribution of out-puts in journals, citation data, and h-index. RESULTS: A total of 3809 papers published from 1995 to 2012 were extracted from the science citation index(SCI). The cumulative number of papers from all six universities is constantly increasing. The United States attained the dominant position regarding complementary and alternative medicine research. The Chinese Academy of Sciences was the greatest participator in collaborative efforts. Research field analysis showed that the research mainly focused on pharmacology pharmacy, chemistry, integrative complementary medicine, plant sciences, and biochemistry molecular biology. The Shanghai University of Chinese Medicine had the most citations. CONCLUSION: In recent years, in terms of SCI papers, the six Traditional Chinese Medicine universities studied here have made great advances in scientific research.