Bis(1,3-diethyl­benzimidazolium) tetra­bromidomercurate(II)

In the title compound, (C11H15N2)2[HgBr4], the tetra­coordinated HgII center of the complex anion adopts a distorted tetra­hedral geometry [Hg—Br = 2.5755 (8)–2.623 (11) Å and Br—Hg—Br = 103.78 (19)–116.4 (3)°]. One of the Br atoms is disordered over two sites [site-occupancy factors = 0.51 (6) and 0.49 (6)]. The N—C—N angles in the cations are 110.7 (6) and 111.4 (7)°. In the crystal packing, a supra­molecular chain is formed via both weak inter­molecular C—H⋯Br hydrogen bonds and π–π aromatic ring stacking inter­actions [centroid–centroid separation = 3.803 (1) Å]

Klinička primjena RT-PCR u otkrivanju DNK tuberkuloze u kombinaciji s TB-IGRA u dijagnostici plućne tuberkuloze s negativnim nalazom sputuma

The aim was to investigate detection of pulmonary alveolar lavage fluid tuberculosis DNA by real-time fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) combined with clinical application of the sputum smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis with TB interferon-γ release assay (TB-IGRA). From October 2014 to October 2015, 632 outpatients and inpatients treated in our hospital were randomly selected, of which 459 patients as the research group managed with RT-PCR detection combined with TB-IGRA and 173 patients as the control group undergoing electronic bronchoscopy alveolar lavage fluid detection, with detection results statistically evaluated. The positive rate in the research group was 96.51%, i.e. significantly higher than that in the control group (66.47%), yielding a statistically significant difference (χ2=109.68, p=0.00). The true positive rate was 97.7% in the research group and 67.92% in the control group; the true positive rate was significantly higher in the research group patients as compared with the control group, yielding a statistically significant difference (χ2=112.04, p=0.00). The sensitivity and specificity, as well as Youden index were significantly higher in the research group as compared with the control group. In conclusion, TB DNA detection by RT-PCR combined with TB-IGRA is a very good method of diagnosing tuberculosis, and it can be implemented in clinical diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.Cilj istraživanja bio je ispitati otkrivanje DNK tuberkuloze u plućnom alveolarnom ispirku pomoću lančane reakcije polimeraze u stvarnom vremenu s fluorescentnim bojama (RT-PCR) u kombinaciji s kliničkom primjenom dijagnostike plućne tuberkuloze s negativnim nalazom sputuma pomoću testa otpuštanja TB interferona-γ (TB-IGRA). Od listopada 2014. do listopada 2015. godine nasumce su odabrane 632 osobe bolnički i izvanbolnički liječene u našoj bolnici, od kojih je 459 uključeno u ispitnu skupinu podvrgnutu otkrivanju pomoću RT-PCR u kombinaciji s testom TB-IGRA, a 173 u kontrolnu skupinu podvrgnutu elektroničkom otkrivanju u bronhoskopskom alveolarnom ispirku; rezultati su statistički obrađeni. Stopa pozitivnih nalaza bila je 96,51% u ispitnoj skupini, odnosno značajno viša od one u kontrolnoj skupini (66,47%), uz statistički značajnu razliku (χ2=109,68; p=0,00). Stopa stvarno pozitivnih nalaza bila je 97,7% u ispitnoj skupini i 67,92% u kontrolnoj skupini, dakle značajno viša kod bolesnika ispitne skupine u usporedbi s kontrolnom skupinom, uz statistički značajnu razliku (χ2=112,04; p=0,00). Osjetljivost i specifičnost, kao i Youdenov indeks bili su značajno viši u ispitnoj skupini u usporedbi s kontrolnom skupinom. U zaključku, otkrivanje TB DNK pomoću RT-PCR u kombinaciji s TB-IGRA vrlo je dobra metoda za dijagnosticiranje tuberkuloze, koja se može primjenjivati u kliničkoj dijagnostici plućne tuberkuloze

Knowledge mapping and research trends of IL-33 from 2004 to 2022: a bibliometric analysis

BackgroundIL-33 has been studied widely but its comprehensive and systematic bibliometric analysis is yet available. The present study is to summarize the research progress of IL-33 through bibliometric analysis.MethodsThe publications related to IL-33 were identified and selected from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database on 7 December 2022. The downloaded data was analyzed with bibliometric package in R software. CiteSpace and VOSviewer were used to conduct IL-33 bibliometric and knowledge mapping analysis.ResultsFrom 1 January 2004 to 7 December 2022, 4711 articles on IL-33 research published in 1009 academic journals by 24652 authors in 483 institutions from 89 countries were identified. The number of articles had grown steadily over this period. The United States of America(USA) and China are the major contributors in the field of research while University of Tokyo and University of Glasgow are the most active institutions. The most prolific journal is Frontiers in Immunology, while the Journal of Immunity is the top 1 co-cited journal. Andrew N. J. Mckenzie published the most significant number of articles and Jochen Schmitz was co-cited most. The major fields of these publications are immunology, cell biology, and biochemistry & molecular biology. After analysis, the high-frequency keywords of IL-33 research related to molecular biology (sST2, IL-1), immunological effects (type 2 immunity, Th2 cells), and diseases (asthma, cancer, cardiovascular diseases). Among these, the involvement of IL-33 in the regulation of type 2 inflammation has strong research potential and is a current research hotspot.ConclusionThe present study quantifies and identifies the current research status and trends of IL-33 using bibliometric and knowledge mapping analysis. This study may offer the direction of IL-33-related research for scholars

Historical Review about Research on “Bonghan System” in China

The meridian-collateral theory is the theoretical basis of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy. Professor Bonghan Kim, a professor of the Pyongyang Medical University of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, claimed that he found the anatomical structure of meridian-collaterals, named Bonghan corpuscles (BHCs) and Bonghan ducts (BHDs) system or primo vascular system (PVS), in 1962. From 1963 to 1965, researchers from our institute conducted a series of comparative anatomical experiments, trying to reproduce the so-called BHC- and BHD-like structures in different strains of animals. In the present paper, the authors introduced their research findings about BHC- and BHD-like structures in the young rabbit’s umbilicus including its external appearance, ectoplasm and endoplasm, and about strip-like and node-like objects in the blood vessels and lymph vessels near the larger abdominal and cervical blood vessels and chromaffin tissue in the back wall of the rabbit’s abdominal cavity and between the bilateral kidneys. In spite of existence of the BHC- and BHD-like structures in the rabbit, there has been no proved evidence for their association with the meridian-collateral system described in acupuncture medicine. In the present historical review, the authors also make a discussion about the significance of those findings

Involvement of Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase in Impairing Tumor-Infiltrating CD8+ T-Cell Functions in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-(IDO-) mediated microenvironment plays an important role in tumor immune escape. However, the inhibitory effects of IDO on the CD8+ tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (CD8+ TILs) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) have not been clarified yet. Here, we found that the level of IDO expression in ESCC tumor specimens correlated with a reduction in the number of CD8+ TILs. Patients with high IDO expression and a low number of CD8+ TILs had significantly impaired overall survival time. IDO expression and functional enzyme activity in ESCC cell lines could be induced by IFNγ. When exposed to the milieu generated by IDO-expressing Eca109 cells, the CD8+ TILs were suppressed in proliferation, and their cytolytic functions against target tumor cells were lost. These results suggested that impairing CD8+ TIL functions by IDO expressed in ESCC possibly contributed to the finding that patients with higher IDO expression have more aggressive disease progression and shorter overall survival time

Upregulation of adamts9 by gonadotropin in preovulatory follicles of zebrafish.

Previously we had identified adamts9 as a downstream target of Pgr, which is essential for ovulation in zebrafish. The primary goal of this study is to determine whether human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, LH analog) also regulate adamts9 expression prior to ovulation. The expression of adamts9 was induced by hCG in a dose and time dependent manner in zebrafish preovulatory follicles in vitro. Interestingly, the stimulatory effect of hCG on adamts9 expression was not blocked in pgr-/- follicles but blocked in lhcgr-/-. This effect of hCG was via Lhcgr and its associated cAMP and PKC signaling pathways. Reduced fecundity and reduced expression of adamts9 were also found in lhcgr-/- females in vivo. Therefore, we have provided the first evidence of gonadotropin (hCG) regulated adamts9 in zebrafish, which could be important for ovulation

Exploration of the factors influencing hearing disability in older adults of China: a nested case-control study

ObjectiveAs two line trends – aging disability and disability aging – continue to emerge, hearing disability is becoming increasingly prevalent among older adults in china. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of hearing disability among older adults and identify the various factors contributing to its development.MethodsIn this matched nested case-control study, data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study from 2011 to 2018 were analyzed. A total of 4,523 older adults were recruited from a national sample database, of which 1,094 individuals were eligible for inclusion in the hearing disability cohort, while 3,429 older adults who had not been diagnosed with hearing disability were considered non-hearing disability controls. Hearing disability was assessed by a self-reported question. These controls were matched to hearing disability cases in a 1:1 ratio based on age and sex. The logistic regression models were used to find out various factors of hearing disability in the target population.ResultsTotally 1,094 individuals (24.14%) developed hearing disability during the follow-up period. After 1:1 matching, 2,182 subjects were included in the study, with 1,091 cases in the case group. Factors that influenced the incidence of hearing disability in older adults included annual per capita household income (OR = 0.985, p = 0.003), cognitive function (OR = 0.982, p = 0.015), depression level (OR = 1.027, p < 0.001), somatic mobility (OR = 0.946, p = 0.007), history of kidney disease (OR = 1.659, p < 0.001), history of asthma (OR = 1.527, p = 0.008), history of accidental injuries (OR = 1.348, p = 0.015), whether there is a place for recreational and fitness activities in the community (OR = 0.672, p < 0.001), and whether there is a health service center/health center in the community (OR = 0.882, p = 0.006).ConclusionThe incidence of hearing disabilities among older adults in China is high. The protective and risk factors that contribute to the incidence of disability should be fully considered in the care of older adults

Upregulation of adamts9 by gonadotropin in preovulatory follicles of zebrafish

Abstract(#br)Previously we had identified adamts9 as a downstream target of Pgr, which is essential for ovulation in zebrafish. The primary goal of this study is to determine whether human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, LH analog) also regulate adamts9 expression prior to ovulation. The expression of adamts9 was induced by hCG in a dose and time dependent manner in zebrafish preovulatory follicles in vitro . Interestingly, the stimulatory effect of hCG on adamts9 expression was not blocked in pgr −/− follicles but blocked in lhcgr −/− . This effect of hCG was via Lhcgr and its associated cAMP and PKC signaling pathways. Reduced fecundity and reduced expression of adamts9 were also found in lhcgr −/− females in vivo . Therefore, we have provided the first evidence of gonadotropin (hCG) regulated adamts9 in zebrafish, which could be important for ovulation