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Abstract Purpose To explore the value of tissue quantitative diffusion analysis of ultrasound elastography in the diagnosis of early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods The observation group comprised 54 patients with early-stage CKD treated at Fuzhou No 7 Hospital, and the control group consisted of 40 healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations at the same hospital. The renal parenchyma of the participants were examined using ultrasonography, color Doppler ultrasonography, and tissue quantitative diffusion analysis of ultrasound elastography. Renal dimensions (diameter, thickness, and renal parenchyma thickness), interlobar artery blood flow parameters, and 11 elastic characteristic values were analyzed and compared between the two groups. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve, cut-off values, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated using the ROC curve analysis. Results There were no significant differences in the blood flow parameters of the interlobar artery and the dimensions of renal meridians between the two groups. In the observation group, the mean (MEAN) decreased, while the blue area ratio and skewness, increased, compared to the control group (p 0.7). Notably, the best cut-off value of the MEAN was found to be 106, indicating that a MEAN value less than 106 represented early-stage CKD. Also, this cutoff value had a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 81%. Conclusion Tissue quantitative diffusion analysis of ultrasound elastography can quantitatively evaluate renal parenchymal damage in early-stage CKD using quantitative diffusion parameters, with the MEAN parameter, having a cutoff of 106, being particularly effective. This parameter and cutoff value offer a valuable tool for the early detection and diagnosis of CKD, potentially improving patient outcomes through earlier intervention. Clinical trial number Not applicable.

Abies forrestii is endemic to southwest China and ecologically important as a major component of the cold temperate forests. This study was the first report complete chloroplast (cp) genome of A. forrestii. The complete chloroplast genome was 120,022 bp in size. In total, 114 genes were identified, including 68 peptide-encoding genes, 35 tRNA genes, four rRNA genes, six open reading frames and one pseudogene. Thirteen genes contain introns. In phylogenetic analysis, A. forrestii was found to be closely related with A. nukiangensis, A. fanjingshanensis and A. delavayi subsp. fansipanensis. Our study will provide potential genetic resources for further evolutionary studies of this ecologically important species.

Abstract Background Increasing evidence indicates that cetuximab (CET) combined with chemoradiotherapy may be effective for patients with esophageal cancer. However, the recent results are still contradictory and no consensus has yet been reached on this issue. To evaluate the clinical effects and safety of CET, we conducted an updated meta-analysis by retrieving published data up to June 2018. Methods A comprehensive literature search was performed in several electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI database and Chinese Biomedicine Database using subject terms and free terms. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to determine the efficiency and safety of CET. Results This meta-analysis included 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Five RCTs reported localized esophageal cancer and other five RCTs reported metastatic esophageal cancer. For these patients with localized esophageal cancer, CET could not significantly improve the response rate, overall survival and progression-free survival (PFS, 1–5 years). But CET treatment might increase the incidences of diarrhea (OR = 2.07; CI = 1.01–4.25) and rash (OR = 16.91; CI = 3.20–89.42). For other patients with metastatic esophageal cancer, the addition of CET significantly increased the response rate (OR = 3.34; CI = 1.90–5.88), disease control rate (OR = 2.92; CI = 1.49–5.71) and 2-year overall survival (OR = 2.78; CI = 1.20–6.46) compared with the control group. However, CET could not improve the 1-year overall survival and might make patients with metastatic esophageal cancer more susceptible to rash (OR = 5.50; CI = 2.14–14.14). No significant differences in other adverse effects were found between the two groups. Conclusions Our findings suggested that adding CET to multimodal therapy significantly improved response rate and disease control rate for patients with metastatic esophageal cancer rather than patients with localized esophageal cancer. CET might be a safe therapeutic choice, but CET failed to significantly improve the overall survival and PFS for patients with localized or metastatic esophageal cancer.

Abies yuanbaoshanensis is critically endangered and restricted in the Yuanbao Mountain of China, with no more than 900 surviving individuals. Here, we reported the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of A. yuanbaoshanensis. The complete chloroplast genome is 121,795 bp in size. In total, 114 genes were identified, including 68 peptide-encoding genes, 35 tRNA genes, 4 rRNA genes, 6 open reading frames, and 1 pseudogene. Thirteen genes contain introns. In phylogenetic analysis, both the ML and BI analyses supported the monophyly of the genus Abies. Our study will provide potential genetic resources for further conservation and evolutionary studies of this highly endangered species.

Objective. Accumulating evidence indicates that regulatory T cells (Tregs) may be involved in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). As different markers have been used to identify Tregs, some studies on the proportions of Tregs in AS patients have generated considerable controversy. To clarify the status of Tregs in such patients, we determine the proportion changes of peripheral Tregs during development of the disease, with different cellular markers. Methods. We systematically searched Embase, PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Knowledge, FDA.gov, and Clinical Trials.gov for the studies reporting the proportion of Tregs in AS patients. Using the PRISMA guidelines, we performed a random-effects meta-analysis of the frequencies of peripheral Tregs defined in different ways. Inconsistency was evaluated using the I-squared index (I2), and publication bias was assessed by examining funnel plot asymmetry using the Begger and Egger tests. Results. A total 29 studies involving 1732 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Their conclusions of using the diversity of Tregs surface markers were inconsistent with each other. No significant difference in the proportions of Tregs was evident regardless of the definitions used [−0.709, (−1.455, 0.037, p=0.063), I2=97.3%]. Six studies used “single CD25-positive” cells as Tregs, which revealed a significant increase in AS patients compared with healthy blood donors [0.736, (0.138, 1.334), p=0.016, I2=80.7%]. Notably, the proportions of “CD4+CD25+FOXP3+,” “CD4+CD25highCD127low/−,” or “CD4+CD25+CD127low” T cells were lower in AS patients [−2.856, (−4.645, −1.066), p=0.002; −1.812, (−2.648, −0.977), p

Objective. The absolute and relative changes of peripheral NK and T subsets are unclear in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) associated with pulmonary interstitial fibrosis (RA-ILD). To investigate the clinical risk factors, especially the changes of lymphocyte subsets, in RA-ILD in order to make early diagnosis and achieve prevention of the pulmonary interstitial lesions. Methods. A total of 100 RA and 100 RA-ILD patients were enrolled. Rheumatoid factor, anti-cyclic citrulline peptide antibody, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, immunoglobulin, and C-reactive protein were examined. The percentage and absolute number of NK, T, B, Treg, Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells in peripheral blood were determined by flow cytometry. Results. RA-ILD is more common in older and male RA patients and/or those with higher autoantibody titers. Flow cytometry showed that the absolute and relative numbers of CD56+ NK cells were significantly higher in RA-ILD (280.40 ± 180.51 cells/μl vs. 207.66 ± 148.57 cells/μl; 16.62 ± 8.56% vs. 12.11 ± 6.47%), whereas the proportion of T cells and CD4+ T cells was lower in peripheral blood of RA-ILD patients (69.82 ± 9.30%; 39.44 ± 9.87 cells/μl) than that in RA patients (74.45 ± 8.72%; 43.29 ± 9.10 cells/μl). Conclusions. The occurrence of RA-ILD is closely related to the older male patients with high titer of various self-antibodies. Imbalance of CD3−CD56+ NK cells and T cells with other subsets were found in RA-ILD patients, which, together with older age, male, and high levels of autoantibodies should be considered as risk factors of pulmonary interstitial lesions.