海南黎族人群mi RNA146a单核苷酸多态性位点与肝细胞癌遗传易感性分析

目的分析海南黎族人群miRNA146a单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP)位点与肝细胞癌(hepatocellular carcinoma,HCC)遗传易感性的关系。方法选取2015年3月至2018年3月于海南省人民医院接受治疗的45例肝脏良性疾病患者为对照组,选取2014年3月至2016年3月于本院接受治疗的142例HCC患者为观察组,两组患者HBsAg均为阳性。取2组患者肝组织标本提取DNA后行PCR扩增,查找包含miRNA146a外显子在内的SNP位点,探究miRNA146a与肿瘤易感性、患者术后早期复发间的相关性。结果 HCC患者中mi RNA146a rs2910164 C/C型54例,G/G型15例,C/G型73例,Logistic分析表明HCC发生的危险因素为miRNA146a rs2910164 C/G型和C/C型,HCC早期复发的危险因素为miRNA146a rs2910164 C/G型和肿瘤大小。结论 miRNA-146a rs2910164位点与海南黎族HCC患者肿瘤遗传易感性有关,HCC患者术后早期复发的危险因素为rs2910164 C/G型和肿瘤大小。     

miR-124a和miR-146a基因多态性与中国人群代谢综合征的相关性研究

目的探讨微小RNA(miRNA)多态性位点与中国人群MS的相关性。方法选取581例MS患者和599名健康者。采用TaqMan方法对5个miRNAs的多态性位点(miR-27a rs895819、miR-124a rs531564、miR-128a rs11888095、miR-194a rs3820455、miR-146a rs2910164)分型。评估以上5个多态性位点与MS的相关性。Logistic回归分析miR-124a rs531564和miR-146a rs2910164与MS风险的关系。结果 miR-124a rs531564C可能为MS的保护性等位基因(P=0.01,OR=0.75,95%CI.0.60~0.94)。miR-146a rs2910164C等位基因可能增加患MS的风险(P0.01,OR=1.55,95%CI:1.31~1.84)。经FPG和胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)分别校正后,miR-146a rs2910164 C等位基因仍为MS的危险因素(P0.01,OR=1.87,95%CI:1.39~2.50;P=0.03,OR=1.55,95%CI:1.05~2.31)。结论miR-124a和miR-146a多态性可能与中国人群MS相关。     

MiRNA-146a与不稳定型心绞痛冠状动脉病变程度的相关研究

目的观察不稳定型心绞痛(UAP)患者血清微小RNA(miRNA)-146a rs2910164基因多态性的分布特征,探讨miRNA-146a表达水平与冠状动脉(冠脉)病变严重程度的相关性。方法入选2018年6月至12月于徐州医科大学附属医院心内科就诊的UAP患者100例(UAP组),根据Gensini评分评估患者冠脉病变严重程度,按四分位法将入选的UAP患者分为4个亚组,同期纳入冠脉造影无明显异常的100例患者作为正常对照组,检测miRNA-146a rs2910164基因的多态性及表达水平,观察两组人群中miRNA-146a基因多态性的分布情况,并评估UAP各亚组患者miRNA-146a表达水平与冠脉Gensini评分的关系。结果与正常对照组相比,CC+CG基因型在UAP患者中更常见,且CC+CG基因型携带者比非携带者罹患不稳定型心绞痛的风险高2.389倍(χ2=5.093,P=0.024,OR=2.389,95%CI:1.170-4.878)。UAP组miRNA-146a表达水平明显高于正常对照组(Z=8.664,P0.001),其各亚组中也存在差异(t/χ2=4.613,P=0.023);随着miRNA-146a表达水平的升高,Gensini评分也随之升高。结论血液中miRNA-146a基因型在人群中分布存在差异,与GG基因型相比,携带CC+GC基因型的人群罹患UAP的可能性更大。UAP患者血液中miRNA-146a表达水平明显高于正常人,且随着miRNA-146a表达水平的升高,Gensini评分也呈增高趋势。     

miR-146a多态性对硫辛酸治疗2型糖尿病患者糖尿病周围神经病变疗效的影响

目的探讨miR-146a rs2910164多态性对硫辛酸治疗T2DM患者糖尿病周围神经病变(DPN)临床预后的影响。方法选取2017年1月至2020年1月于南京医科大学康达学院第一附属医院内分泌科住院治疗的T2DM合并DPN患者128例。使用TaqMan探针法检测外周血miR-146a rs2910164的基因多态性,硫辛酸(0.6 g,1次/d,静滴)治疗3周后,根据DPN患者改善情况分为无效组(IG,n=44)和总有效组(EG,n=84),比较两组基因多态性表达差异。结果与EG组比较,IG组miR-146a rs2910164位点等位基因G和GG基因型频率降低(72.73%vs 38.10%,50.00%vs 28.57%,P0.05);与CC基因型患者比较,GG基因型患者治疗有效率(89.29%vs 38.10%)和神经传导速度增加幅度降低(P0.05)。结论 miR-146 rs2910164多态性对硫辛酸治疗T2DM患者DPN的疗效有一定影响,可作为判断DPN患者预后的早期分子标志物。     

Toll样受体4基因多态性与HBV相关原发性肝癌易感性及预后的关系

目的探讨分析Toll样受体4(TLR4)基因多态性与HBV相关原发性肝癌易感性之间的关系以及对患者预后的影响。方法选取2015年6月-2017年7月北京中医药大学东直门医院合作的北京佑安医院收治的HBV相关肝癌患者106例作为肝癌组,同期北京中医药大学东直门医院收治的慢性乙型肝炎患者120例作为乙型肝炎组以及健康对照受试者100例作为对照组。收集各组受试者的血液标本,检测3组受试者TLR4 D299G、T399I以及A896G多态性位点基因型,并分析不同基因型肝癌患者术后复发情况。计量资料多组间比较采用方差分析,进一步两两比较采用LSD-t检验;计数资料两组比较采用χ2检验,多组间比较采用Kruskal-Wallis H秩和检验。采用非条件logistic回归模型及相对危险度近似估计值比值比(OR)估计各研究因素与HBV相关原发性肝癌发病风险的关系;生存分析绘制Kaplan-Meier曲线,生存曲线比较采用log-rank检验。结果 3组受试者TLR4 D299G位点以及TLR4 A896G位点基因型及等位基因分布差异均无统计学意义(χ2=1. 436、1. 949、1. 851、2. 599,P值均 0. 05);而3组受试者TLR4 T399I位点基因型和等位基因比较差异均具有统计学意义(χ2=11. 654、14. 995,P值均0. 001),其中肝癌组T等位基因频率明显高于乙型肝炎组及对照组(P 0. 05)。非条件logistic回归模型显示,TLR4 T399I CC基因型OR[95%可信区间(95%CI)]为1. 682(1. 109～2. 243),P=0. 027、TLR4 T399I TT基因型OR(95%CI)为2. 103(1. 347～2. 896),P 0. 001; TLR4 T399I T等位基因OR(95%CI)为1. 872(1. 192～2. 374),P=0. 002。TLR4 D299G位点以及TLR4 A896G位点不同基因型肝癌患者术后无复发生存情况无明显差异(χ2=0. 022、0. 471,P值均 0. 05)。TLR4 T399I位点CC基因型肝癌患者术后无复发生存情况明显优于CT+TT基因型(χ2=6. 781,P 0. 05)。结论 TLR4 T399I位点基因多态性与HBV相关原发性肝癌易感性密切相关,该位点T基因携带可能是肿瘤发生以及预后不良的重要因素。     

微小RNA-146a C＞G多态性与缺血性卒中风险:汇总分析

目的 探讨微小RNA-146a(microRNA-146a,miR-146a)C＞G多态性与缺血性卒中的关联性.方法 全面检索2016年2月以前发表的miR-146a C＞G多态性与缺血性卒中关系的病例对照研究,应用Stata 12.0软件包进行汇总分析,利用优势比(odds ratio,OR)和95％可信区间(confidence interval,CI)评价miR-146a C＞G多态性与缺血性卒中风险的关联强度.结果 共纳入8篇文献,病例组2 891例,对照组4 019例,入选文献无明显发表偏倚.在总体人群中,显性模型(GG+ CG对CC:OR 1.011,95％ CI0.863～1.185;P=0.889)、隐性模型(GG对CG+ CC:OR 0.999,95％ CI0.761 ～1.311;P=0.994)、杂合子模型(CG对CC:OR1.052,95％CI0.943～ 1.173;P=0.368)、纯合子模型(GG对CC:OR1.114,95％ CI0.819 ～ 1.515;P=0.491)和等位基因模型(G/C:OR1.062,95％ CI0.919～1.227;P=0.413)均未显示miR-146a C＞G多态性与缺血性卒中风险存在显著相关性.亚组分析显示,miR-146a C＞G多态性与大动脉粥样硬化性和小动脉闭塞性卒中的发病风险亦无显著相关性.结论 根据目前的文献,miR-146a C＞G多态性可能与缺血性卒中风险无显著关联性.     

对氧磷酶2基因多态性与脑梗死的相关性研究

目的 探讨对氧磷酶2(PON2)基因的标签位点(tag SNP)rs17876171多态性与脑梗死的相关性.方法 应用多聚酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析法(PCR-RFLP),对110例脑梗死患者(脑梗死组)及100名性别、年龄相匹配的健康体检者(对照组)的PON2 rs17876171位点多态性进行检测.结果 PON2基因型在两组人群中的分布符合H-W平衡;脑梗死组和对照组PON2 S311C(C→G) CC、CG、GG三种基因型分布差异有统计学意义(χ2=7.67,P<0.05),且脑梗死组G等位基因频率高于对照组(χ2=4.14,P<0.05).非条件Logistic回归分析表明,携带G等位基因的人群脑梗死的发生风险为OR=2.179,95%CI(1.527～3.108),P<0.01.结论 PON2 S311C多态性的G等位基因可能是中国山西地区汉族人群脑梗死的危险因子.     

Fcγ受体ⅢB基因多态性与系统性红斑狼疮易感性及临床表型的相关性研究

目的研究Fcγ受体ⅢB基因多态性在黄河三角洲汉族人群中的分布,探讨其多个位点的基因多态性与SLE易感性及临床表型的相关性。方法选择2017年1月至12月于山东省滨州医学院附属医院就诊的144例SLE患者作为试验组,同期健康志愿者150名作为对照组,收集全血标本和临床资料、试验室检查资料,采用单碱基延伸法PCR技术提取基因组脱氧核糖核酸(DNA),采用质谱法进行单核苷酸多态性(SNP)分型检测,应用SPSS 25.0软件进行χ^2检验,分析Fcγ受体ⅢB基因各位点基因多态性与SLE易感性及临床表型的关系。结果①在试验组和对照组中,rs115878669 CT、TT基因型频率分别为50.7%、64.0%,23.6%、10.0%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=5.3,P=0.021;χ^2=9.8,P=0.002);rs147574249 TT基因型频率分别为17.4%、8.0%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=5.9,P=0.016);rs199705513 GG、GA基因型频率分别为20.8%、10.0%,59.0%、70.0%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=6.7,P=0.010;χ^2=3.9,P=0.049);rs77717968 CA基因型频率分别为30.6%、46.0%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=7.4,P=0.007)。②在试验组中,rs115878669位点杂合子CT基因型频率在血液系统受累和不受累组分别为37.2%、56.4%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=4.5,P=0.035);在血小板减少组与血小板正常组中,rs114531649位点AG基因型频率分别为79.2%、50.0%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=6.8,P=0.009),GG基因型频率分别为4.2%、25.8%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=4.3,P=0.039),rs147574249位点CC基因型频率分别为4.2%、25.8%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=5.4,P=0.020),CT基因型频率分别为79.2%、56.7%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=4.2,P=0.040),rs115878669位点CT基因型频率分别为70.8%、46.7%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=4.7,P=0.031),rs199705513位点AA基因型频率分别为4.2%、23.3%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=4.6,P=0.033),rs77717968位点AA基因型频率分别为4.2%、26.7%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=4.5,P=0.033),TT基因型频率分别为25.0%、9.2%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=4.8,P=0.028),其他比较无统计学意义(P>0.05)。在关节受累组与关节未受累组中,rs114531649位点纯合子GG基因型频率分别为31.2%、15.7%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=4.9,P=0.027),rs147574249位点纯合子CC基因型频率分别为31.2%、15.7%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=4.9,P=0.027),rs199705513位点纯合子AA基因型频率分别为29.5%、13.2%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=5.8,P=0.016),rs61803007位点纯合子CC基因型频率分别为32.8%、16.9%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=4.9,P=0.026),杂合子TC基因型频率分别为67.2%、83.1%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=4.9,P=0.026),rs77717968位点纯合子AA基因型频率分别为31.2%、16.9%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=4.1,P=0.044),其他比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。rs146653557位点杂合子TC基因型基因型频率在有浆膜炎组和无浆膜炎组分别为39.4%、75.0%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=4.3,P=0.037),其他比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。在RF升高组与RF未升高组中,rs428194位点CG基因型频率分别为53.8%、22.9%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=12.7,P=0.0004),GG基因型频率分别为46.2%、77.1%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=12.7,P=0.0004),rs61803004位点GG基因型频率分别为46.2%、78.1%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=13.7,P=0.0002),GT基因型频率分别为46.2%、21.0%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=9.0,P=0.0027),TT基因型频率分别为7.7%、1.0%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=4.8,P=0.029),rs61803008位点CT基因型频率分别为46.2%、23.8%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=6.8,P=0.0092),TT基因型频率分别为46.2%、74.3%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=10.1,P=0.0015)。结论Fcγ受体ⅢB基因相关位点可能与SLE的疾病易感性及临床表型有关。     

Toll样受体基因多态性与福建籍非人类免疫缺陷病毒相关隐球菌性脑膜炎易感性的关联分析

目的:探讨Toll样受体(Toll-like receptor,TLR)基因多态性与福建籍非人类免疫缺陷病毒(human immunodeficiency virus,HIV)相关隐球菌性脑膜炎易感性的关联。方法:纳入2016年10月至2019年4月在上海市复旦大学附属华山医院和福建省福州市联勤保障部队第九〇〇医院仓山院区住院治疗的101例福建籍非HIV相关隐球菌性脑膜炎患者为病例组,270名福建籍门诊健康体格检查者为健康对照组。提取患者基因组DNA,采用多重SNaPshot单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP)分型技术,对既往文献报道的与疾病相关但未得到充分验证的8个TLR SNP位点进行基因分型。分别比较病例组和健康对照组、无易感因素患者组和健康对照组TLR基因多态性的分布差异。统计学分析采用χ²检验或Fisher确切概率法。结果:除TLR1 rs5743563外,TLR1 rs5743604、TLR2 rs3804099、TLR4 rs1927907、TLR6 rs3796508、TLR6 rs5743794、TLR9 rs164637、TLR9 rs3521407个TLR SNP检测位点的等位基因频率分布均符合哈迪-温伯格平衡。病例组与健康对照组比较发现,TLR2 rs3804099位点的T/T基因型[52.5%(53/101)比40.4%(109/270),比值比(odds ratio,OR)=1.63,χ²=4.378,P=0.036]和TLR6 rs5743794位点的G/G基因型[44.6%(45/101)比32.2%(87/270),OR=1.69,χ²=4.877,P=0.027]为隐球菌性脑膜炎的风险基因型;而TLR6 rs3796508的G/G基因型[83.2%(84/101)比92.6%(250/270),OR=0.40,χ²=7.271,P=0.007]和TLR9 rs164637的C/C基因型[96.0%(97/101)比100.0%(270/270),Fisher确切概率法,P=0.005]为隐球菌性脑膜炎的保护性因素。101例患者中有70例无易感因素。无易感因素患者组与健康对照组比较发现,TLR6 rs5743794位点的G/G基因型[52.9%(37/70)比32.2%(87/270),OR=2.36,χ²=10.216,P=0.001]为隐球菌性脑膜炎的风险基因型,TLR6 rs3796508的G/G基因型[81.4%(57/70)比92.6%(250/270),OR=0.35,χ²=7.906,P=0.005]和TLR9 rs164637的C/C基因型[97.1%(68/70)比100.0%(270/270),Fisher确切概率法,P=0.042]为隐球菌性脑膜炎的保护性因素。结论:TLR基因多态性与福建籍非HIV相关隐球菌性脑膜炎的易感性密切关联,提示TLR在隐球菌性脑膜炎的发病过程中可能起到重要作用。     

主要组织相容性复合体Ⅱ类反式激活因子基因编码区单核苷酸多态性与慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染的转归

目的 探讨主要组织相容性复合体(MHC)Ⅱ类反式激活因子(CⅡTA)编码区两个非同义单个核苷酸多态性(SNP)位点C19170G、C30799G的多态性与慢性HBV感染不同临床表型的关系.方法 在627例不同临床表型的慢性HBV感染人群与101名健康献血员中,用序列特异性引物-聚合酶链反应(PCR-SSP)的方法对CⅡTA编码区两个非同义SNP位点C19170G、C30799G进行基因分型;X2检验判断上述位点的基因型分布是否符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡;列联表X2检验检测两组间的差异;非条件Logistic回归进行分析.结果 CⅡTA基因编码区19170位点G等位基因和GG+GC基因型在肝硬化人群中的频率显著高于其在非进展性肝病人群中的频率(X27.128,P=0.008;X26.404,P=0.011),且各基因型频率在肝硬化与非进展性肝病两组人群间存在显著差异(OR:0.742,95%CI:0.552～0.998,P=0.048),其两者间的差异主要存在于G基因显性模式下(OR:0.581,95%CI:0.353～0.954,P=0.032);30799位点C等位基因和CC基因型在肝细胞癌人群中的频率显著高于其在肝硬化人群中的频率(X24.861,P=0.027;X24.993,P=0.025).且各基因型频率在肝硬化与肝细胞癌两组人群间存在显著差异(OR:0.557,95%CI:0.334～0.930,P=0.025),其两者间的差异主要存在于C基因隐性模式下(OR:0.491,95%CI:0.269～0.898,P=0.021).结论 在慢性HBV感染者中,C19170G位点多态性与肝硬化的形成密切相关,携带G等位基因者易发展为肝硬化;C30799G位点多态性与肝细胞癌的发生密切相关,携带CC基因型者易发展为肝细胞癌.     

Control of intraabdominal hemorrhage and shock: a comparison of fluid resuscitation, MAST, and balloon occlusion

Our study examined the efficacy of four treatment modalities in controlling hemorrhage and achieving hemodynamic stabilization in hemorrhagic shock: intravenous fluid replacement (IV); military antishock trousers used concomitantly with fluids (MAST); balloon occlusion at the level of the diaphragm with concomitant fluid replacement (balloon); and a combination of MAST inflation, balloon occlusion, and fluid resuscitation (MAST and balloon). Twenty-eight mongrel dogs were anesthetized, and the spleen was exposed and completely crushed. The abdomen was closed, and treatment was initiated and continued for four hours or until the dog died. For all conditions the hematocrit dropped during the course of the experiment; balloon occlusion was effective at slowing this drop (P less than .0001), but MAST had no statistically significant effect. Animals with balloons bled more slowly into the abdominal cavity than did animals in the other two groups (P less than .0001). MAST also were effective at slowing the bleeding (P less than .05). Of the balloon and the MAST and balloon dogs, all except one survived the entire four hours; this difference between balloon and nonballoon dogs is significant (P = .002). MAST did not have a statistically significant effect on survival. Perfusion pressure (PP) declined during the course of the experiment, and the balloon was effective at slowing this decline (P less than .0001); none of the other comparisons was statistically significant.     

A Call to Action to Enhance Filovirus Disease Outbreak Preparedness and Response

The frequency and magnitude of recognized and declared filovirus-disease outbreaks have increased in recent years, while pathogenic filoviruses are potentially ubiquitous throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Meanwhile, the efficiency and effectiveness of filovirus-disease outbreak preparedness and response efforts are currently limited by inherent challenges and persistent shortcomings. This paper delineates some of these challenges and shortcomings and provides a proposal for enhancing future filovirus-disease outbreak preparedness and response. The proposal serves as a call for prompt action by the organizations that comprise filovirus-disease outbreak response teams, namely, Ministries of Health of outbreak-prone countries, the World Health Organization, Médecins Sans Frontières, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—Atlanta, and others.     

Interplay between interferon-mediated innate immunity and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

Innate immunity is the first line of defense against viral infection, and in turn, viruses have evolved to evade host immune surveillance. As a result, viruses may persist in host and develop chronic infections. Type I interferons (IFN-α/β) are among the most potent antiviral cytokines triggered by viral infections. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a disease of pigs that is characterized by negligible induction of type I IFNs and viral persistence for an extended period. For IFN production, RIG-I/MDA5 and JAK-STAT pathways are two major signaling pathways, and recent studies indicate that PRRS virus is armed to modulate type I IFN responses during infection. This review describes the viral strategies for modulation of type I IFN responses. At least three non-structural proteins (Nsp1, Nsp2, and Nsp11) and a structural protein (N nucleocapsid protein) have been identified and characterized to play roles in the IFN suppression and NF-κB pathways. Nsp's are early proteins while N is a late protein, suggesting that additional signaling pathways may be involved in addition to the IFN pathway. The understanding of molecular bases for virus-mediated modulation of host innate immune signaling will help us design new generation vaccines and control PRRS.     

Disease Pandemics and Major Epidemics Arising From New Encounters between Indigenous Viruses and Introduced Crops

Virus disease pandemics and epidemics that occur in the world’s staple food crops pose a major threat to global food security, especially in developing countries with tropical or subtropical climates. Moreover, this threat is escalating rapidly due to increasing difficulties in controlling virus diseases as climate change accelerates and the need to feed the burgeoning global population escalates. One of the main causes of these pandemics and epidemics is the introduction to a new continent of food crops domesticated elsewhere, and their subsequent invasion by damaging virus diseases they never encountered before. This review focusses on providing historical and up-to-date information about pandemics and major epidemics initiated by spillover of indigenous viruses from infected alternative hosts into introduced crops. This spillover requires new encounters at the managed and natural vegetation interface. The principal virus disease pandemic examples described are two (cassava mosaic, cassava brown streak) that threaten food security in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and one (tomato yellow leaf curl) doing so globally. A further example describes a virus disease pandemic threatening a major plantation crop producing a vital food export for West Africa (cacao swollen shoot). Also described are two examples of major virus disease epidemics that threaten SSA’s food security (rice yellow mottle, groundnut rosette). In addition, brief accounts are provided of two major maize virus disease epidemics (maize streak in SSA, maize rough dwarf in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions), a major rice disease epidemic (rice hoja blanca in the Americas), and damaging tomato tospovirus and begomovirus disease epidemics of tomato that impair food security in different world regions. For each pandemic or major epidemic, the factors involved in driving its initial emergence, and its subsequent increase in importance and geographical distribution, are explained. Finally, clarification is provided over what needs to be done globally to achieve effective management of severe virus disease pandemics and epidemics initiated by spillover events.     

Barrett's Esophagus: Where Do We Stand?

Barrett''s esophagus (BE) is a precursor for esophageal adenocarcinoma, which has an increased incidence rate over the last few decades. Its importance stems from the poor five-year survival of esophageal adenocarcinoma and current data that suggest a survival benefit when surveillance programs are implemented. In this review, we will cover the pathophysiology and natural history of BE and the different endoscopic findings. The prevalence of BE in different geographic areas and the incidence of high-grade dysplasia and adenocarcinoma in this patient population is reviewed. Recent recommendation for screening and surveillance of BE has been covered in this review as well as the efficacy of nonconventional imaging modalities and endoscopic ablation therapies.     

The Technology Transfer from Europe to China in the 17th–18th Centuries: Non-Invasive On-Site XRF and Raman Analyses of Chinese Qing Dynasty Enameled Masterpieces Made Using European Ingredients/Recipes

Two masterpieces of the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912 CE), one in gilded brass (incense burner) decorated with cloisonné enamels stylistically attributed to the end of the Kangxi Emperor’s reign, the other in gold (ewer offered by Napoleon III to the Empress as a birthday present), decorated with both cloisonné and painted enamels bearing the mark of the Qianlong Emperor, were non-invasively studied by optical microscopy, Raman microspectroscopy and X-ray microfluorescence spectroscopy (point measurements and mapping) implemented on-site with mobile instruments. The elemental compositions of the metal substrates and enamels are compared. XRF point measurements and mappings support the identification of the coloring phases and elements obtained by Raman microspectroscopy. Attention was paid to the white (opacifier), blue, yellow, green, and red areas. The demonstration of arsenic-based phases (e.g., lead arsenate apatite) in the blue areas of the ewer, free of manganese, proves the use of cobalt imported from Europe. The high level of potassium confirms the use of smalt as the cobalt source. On the other hand, the significant manganese level indicates the use of Asian cobalt ores for the enamels of the incense burner. The very limited use of the lead pyrochlore pigment (European Naples yellow recipes) in the yellow and soft green cloisonné enamels of the Kangxi incense burner, as well as the use of traditional Chinese recipes for other colors (white, turquoise, dark green, red), reinforces the pioneering character of this object in technical terms at the 17th–18th century turn. The low level of lead in the cloisonné enamels of the incense burner may also be related to the use of European recipes. On the contrary, the Qianlong ewer displays all the enameling techniques imported from Europe to obtain a painted decoration of exceptional quality with the use of complex lead pyrochlore pigments, with or without addition of zinc, as well as cassiterite opacifier.     

Formoterol Delivered via the Dry Powder Aerolizer® Inhaler Versus Albuterol MDI and Placebo in Mild-to-Moderate Asthma: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Double-Dummy Trial

The objectives of this study were to compare the efficacy and tolerability of twice-daily formoterol dry powder 12 µg and 24 µg (Foradil) delivered via Aerolizer inhaler with four times daily albuterol (salbutamol) 180 µg delivered via metered dose inhaler (MDI) and placebo. A total of 554 adolescents and adults (ages 12-75 years) with mild-to-moderate asthma were randomized to this 12-week, multicenter, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. Twelve-hour spirometry measurements were taken at weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12. A total of 484 patients completed the study (122, 116, 127, and 119 given formoterol 12 µg, formoterol 24 µg, albuterol, and placebo, respectively). For the primary efficacy variable, the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁), both formoterol 12 µg and 24 µg were statistically superior to placebo at all time points on all test days (p ≤ 0.017) and to albuterol at most time points on all test days (p ≤ 0.001). The onset of improvement in FEV₁ was rapid, with 15% increase within 5 min in 57%, 71%, and 65% of formoterol 12 µg, formoterol 24 µg, and albuterol patients, respectively. Formoterol was also superior to placebo and albuterol in terms of secondary efficacy variables: FEV₁ area under the curve, percentage of predicted FEV₁, forced vital capacity and forced expiratory flow, asthma symptom scores, and peak expiratory flows. In conclusion, both formoterol doses were superior to placebo in all lung function measurements. Overall, compared with albuterol, both formoterol doses produced superior bronchodilation. Formoterol and albuterol were safe and well-tolerated.