Smoking is an independent risk factor for stricture recurrence after the urethroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Objective: To clarify the association between smoking and stricture recurrence after urethroplasty. Materials and Methods: Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched with keywords: "urethroplasty," "buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty," "oral mucosa graft urethroplasty," "excision and primary anastomosis urethroplasty," "urethral stricture recurrence" until July 1, 2022. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were based on PICOS principles. The quality of included studies was assessed by Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (N.O.S.) system. Hazard ratio (H.R.), odds ratio (OR), and relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were extracted or re-calculated from included studies. Meta-analysis was performed with Stata 15.0 based on univariate and multivariate data separately. Sensitivity analysis was performed to test the stability of the meta-analysis. I2 was calculated to evaluate heterogeneity. Publication biases were assessed by Egger's and Begg's tests. Funnel plots of univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were also offered. Results: Twenty one studies with 6791 patients were involved in this meta-analysis. The analysis results of the two stages were consistent. In the univariate meta-analysis stage, 18 studies with 5811 patients were pooled, and the result indicated that smoking might promote stricture recurrence (RR=1.32, P=0.001). Based on the adjusted estimate, 11 studies with 3176 patients were pooled in the multivariate meta-analysis stage, and the result indicated that smoking might promote stricture recurrence (RR=1.35, P=0.049). There was no significant heterogeneity in both the univariate and multivariate stages. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that smoking may prompt stricture recurrence after the urethroplasty. Quitting smoking may be a good option for patients undergoing urethroplasty surgery.

Pollution characteristics and sources of PM2.5 during heating and non-heating periods in Urumqi City in 2021 / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective　To understand the pollution characteristics and sources of PM2.5 in the atmosphere during heating and non-heating periods in Urumqi City in 2021, and provide scientific basis for pollution control during different periods. Method A total of 188 air samples were collected from area A and area B of Urumqi City, and 12 metal elements and 5 water-soluble ions were quantitatively analyzed, and the pollution sources were analyzed by enrichment factor method and principal component analysis method. Results In 2021, the mass concentrations of PM2.5 in areas A and B of Urumqi were 45.0 (20.0, 158) µg/m3 and 28.0 (17.5, 66.0) µg/m3, respectively, with statistically significant difference (Z=-2.870, P<0.05). During the heating period, the concentrations were 110 (68.0, 250) µg/m3 and 61.0 (31.0, 88.0) µg/m3, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (Z=-3.822, P<0.01). During the non-heating period, the concentrations were 18.0 (13.0, 22.3) µg/m3 and 18.0 (12.8, 22.0) µg/m3, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (Z=-0.596, P>0.05). The SNA (the sum of SO42-, NO3-and NH4+) accounted for 71.7% and 23.4% of PM2.5 in A area during heating and non-heating periods, respectively, with statistically significant difference (Z=-8.057, P<0.01); the corresponding proportions in B area were 60.7% and 24.9%, with statistically significant difference (Z=-6.672, P<0.01). During the heating and non-heating periods, the ratios of NO3-/SO42-are 0.63 and 0.54 in A area were 0.63 and 0.54, respectively, with statistically significant difference (Z=-2.382, P<0.05); and the corresponding ratios in B area were 0.72 and 0.53, respectively, with statistically significant difference (Z=-3.182, P<0.05). The ratio of NO3- to SO42- was less than 1 in both heating and non-heating periods in the two areas. and the correlation between five water-soluble ions was significant (P<0.05). The correlation coefficient between NH4+ and SO42-, NO3-and Cl- in A and B areas during heating periods were all >0.9, indicating that NH4+and SO42-, NO3- and Cl- bind in (NH4)2SO4, NH4HSO4, NH4NO3, and NH4Cl. During non-heating periods, the correlation between NH4+ and each ion was slightly lower. During heating periods in area A, Sb, As, Cd, Pb, and Tl were severely enriched (EF>100). During non-heating periods in the same area, As, Cd, Pb, Tl, and Hg were severely enriched (EF>100). During heating periods in area B, Sb, As, Cd, Pb, and Hg were severely enriched (EF>100), and during non-heating periods in the same area, Sb, Cd, and Hg were severely enriched (EF>100). Coal emission, photochemical secondary pollution, motor vehicle exhaust, dust and industrial pollution were the main sources of PM2.5 pollution in the two areas, and the contribution rate of fixed sources was higher than that of mobile sources. Conclusion In 2021, the mass concentration of PM2.5, water-soluble ions and metal elements in Urumqi City were higher in area A than area B, the heating period was higher than the non-heating period, the excess rate of area A was higher than that in area B, and the contribution rate of fixed air pollution was greater than that of mobile sources.

Electronic cigarette use among adolescents in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region / 预防医学

Objective@#To investigate the status of electronic cigarette use among adolescents in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and to provide evidence for tobacco control in adolescents. @*Methods@# Based on the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Epidemic Monitoring Program, multistage proportional sampling method was used to select middle school students from Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. A questionnaire revised by Chinese CDC was used to collect the general information, the cognition and use of electronic cigarettes, and the access to advertising of electronic cigarettes and related products.@*Results@#Totally 9 019 questionnaires were distributed, 8 401 valid ones were recovered, and the response rate was 93.2%. The rates of electronic cigarette use and attempt among students were 4.3% and 13.4%. The rates of electronic cigarette use and attempt in male students were 7.7% and 22.9%, which were higher than that in female students (0.8% and 3.8%, P<0.05) . The rates of electronic cigarette use and attempt varied in different schools ( P<0.05 ), which were higher in vocational high school students ( 11.5% and 26.8% ). Among 246 students who used electronic cigarettes, 30.1% did not thought electronic cigarettes contained nicotine, while 60.2% did not know whether electronic cigarettes contain nicotine. In the past 30 days, 27.0% of the students had seen the advertisements of electronic cigarettes and related products, mainly through TV, store, supermarket, convenience store, grocery store, electronic cigarette experience store or retail store.@*Conclusions@#The rates of electronic cigarette use and attempt among adolescents in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region are 4.3% and 13.4%. Boys and vocational high school students have higher rates. Students generally know electronic cigarette and have more access to it.

Factors influencing the delay of seeking medical treatment among students with tuberculosis in Shaanxi Province from 2015 to 2019 / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To analyze the delay of seeking medical treatment and associated factors among students with tuberculosis in Shaanxi Province from 2015 to 2019, so as to provide scientific evidence for the early detection and control of tuberculosis epidemics in schools.@*Methods@#Data from 6 739 students with pulmonary tuberculosis registered in Shaanxi Province from 2015 to 2019 were collected from the TB Management Information System of China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the characteristics and influencing factors of pulmonary tuberculosis patients.@*Results@#Among 6 739 cases of students with pulmonary tuberculosis from 2015 to 2019 in Shaanxi Province, 3 040 patients delayed seeking medical treatment. The rate of delayed treatment was as high as 45.1%, and the median delayed treatment time was 38(24, 68) days. From 2015 to 2019, the overall delay rate of students showed a downward trend, with a significant difference(χ 2=120.45, P<0.05). Univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in delay rate between different patient sources, diagnosis results and regions(χ 2=274.19, 26.75, 24.12, P<0.05), among which for factors such as tracing, tuberculosis pleurisy, doctor delay in the northern part of Shaanxi, the rates were higher. The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the regions of northern Shaanxi(OR=2.74), central Shaanxi(OR=2.09), and southern Shaanxi(OR=2.39), and clinical consultation(OR=1.84), recommendation(OR=2.81), tracing(OR=3.28), and tracing (OR=6.07) were risk factors for delay of consultation. A lack of etiology results(OR=0.47) was to protect delay of consultation.@*Conclusion@#From 2015 to 2019 in Shaanxi Province, a delay in seeking medical treatment was relatively common among students with tuberculosis. The region, source of patients and diagnosis results were factors that influenced the delay in finding tuberculosis patients in Shaanxi Province.

Determination of multidrug resistance mechanisms in Clostridium perfringens type A isolates using RNA sequencing and 2D-electrophoresis

In this study, we screened differentially expressed genes in a multidrug-resistant isolate strain of Clostridium perfringens by RNA sequencing. We also separated and identified differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the isolate strain by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and mass spectrometry (MS). The RNA sequencing results showed that, compared with the control strain, 1128 genes were differentially expressed in the isolate strain, and these included 227 up-regulated genes and 901 down-regulated genes. Bioinformatics analysis identified the following genes and gene categories that are potentially involved in multidrug resistance (MDR) in the isolate strain: drug transport, drug response, hydrolase activity, transmembrane transporter, transferase activity, amidase transmembrane transporter, efflux transmembrane transporter, bacterial chemotaxis, ABC transporter, and others. The results of the 2-DE showed that 70 proteins were differentially expressed in the isolate strain, 45 of which were up-regulated and 25 down-regulated. Twenty-seven DEPs were identified by MS and these included the following protein categories: ribosome, antimicrobial peptide resistance, and ABC transporter, all of which may be involved in MDR in the isolate strain of C. perfringens. The results provide reference data for further investigations on the drug resistant molecular mechanisms of C. perfringens.

Marker-trait association analysis for weight of first and second fleshy root in 126 diverse lines of aconitum carmichaelii / 中草药

Objective To identify molecular markers associated with weight of fleshy root of Aconitum carmichaelii, and provide technologic basis to A. carmichaelii breeding. Methods The marker-trait association (MTA) analysis for the weight of first and second fleshy root was conducted in association mapping panel comprised 126 diverse lines based on 280 AFLP loci. Results The population structure analysis of all lines conducted using STRUCTURE indicated that the likely number of subgroups was 2 based on the change in k. A total of 19 loci were identified to associate with 0.87%-6.69% of phenotypic variance for objective trait. The loci of P1M1-27, P3M3-30, and P1M1-20 were identified under all analysis modes of GLM, MLM, GLM + K, and GLM + Q. Conclusion These loci should be compatible to marker assistance selection during A. carmichaelii breeding.

Validation of reference genes for quantitative real-time PCR in Bupleurum chinese / 中草药

Objective To identify stable reference genes in different growth stages and different organs of Bupleurum chinese Methods All Ct values of 18 candidate internal reference genes were obtained by real-time quantitative PCR. Three software (Bestkeeper, NormFinder, and GeNorm) based on different algorithms were used to analyze the stability of the internal reference gene. The Pearson correlation coefficient was also analyzed. Results The Ct values of all candidate genes were relatively broad. ADF1b, ADF5, ADF7, eIF2b, and ACT2 were the most stable reference genes, whereas the gene of eIF6 was the least stable of the reference gene. The results of three softwares showed significant correlation. Conclusion Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR combined with three different algorithms for the screening and validation of the reference gene of B. chinese is feasible. The homogenization of the target gene by the reference genes of the present study is helpful to improve the accuracy and reliability of gene expression analysis in molecular genetic research of B. chinese.

Factors Associated with Trait Anger Level of Juvenile Offenders in Hubei Province: A Binary Logistic Regression Analysis / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The risk factors of high trait anger of juvenile offenders were explored through question naire study in a youth correctional facility of Hubei province,China.A total of 1090 juvenile offenders in Hubei province were investigated by self-compiled social-demographic questionnaire,Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ),and State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-Ⅱ (STAXI-Ⅱ).The risk factors were analyzed by chi-square tests,correlation analysis,and binary logistic regression analysis with SPSS 19.0.A total of 1082 copies of valid questionnaires were collected.High trait anger group (n=316) was defined as those who scored in the upper 27th percentile of STAXI-Ⅱ trait anger scale (TAS),and the rest were defined as low trait anger group (n=766).The risk factors associated with high level of trait anger included:childhood emotional abuse,childhood sexual abuse,step family,frequent drug abuse,and frequent internet using (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Birth sequence,number of sibling,ranking in the family,identity of the main care-taker,the education level of care-taker,educational style of care-taker,family income,relationship between parents,social atmosphere of local area,frequent drinking,and frequent smoking did not predict to high level of trait anger (P＞0.05).It was suggested that traumatic experience in childhood and unhealthy life style may significantly increase the level of trait anger in adulthood.The risk factors of high trait anger and their effects should be taken into consideration seriously.

Studies on Identification of Bupleurum Cultivated Germplasm Using SSR Molecular Markers / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

This study was aimed to establish the method of identifying bupleurum cultivated germplasm using simple sequence repeat (SSR) molecular markers and to initially establish dataset of characteristic SSR bands to the bred cultivars or strains. From the bupleurum SSR primer pairs which were designed in previous work, 50 primer pairs were selected. Two bred strains and 4 other bupleurum cultivated germplasms were used as test materials. Primers pairs were screened with effective PCR amplification and high polymorphism. Meanwhile, conditions for PCR amplification and electrophoresis were optimized. Then, obtained SSR bands were analyzed and a clustering tree on the basis of genetic distance was constructed. The results showed that 9 SSR primer pairs can be used for identification. The suitable assay conditions were established and characteristic SSR bands were obtained for tested materials. The tested samples can be divided into 4 categories in the genetic similarity coefficient of 0.73. TheB. scorzonerifolium cultivated inHeilongjiang andChuanhongchaiNo. 1 strains were clustered as one category. ChuanbeichaiNo. 1 strain andZhongchai No. 1 cultivar clustered as another category. Cultivated germplasms fromSichuan Fengshunand Rongxian clustered as a unique category. It was concluded that the primer pairs and assay method established in the present study can be used as reference in identification of bupleurum cultivars or cultivated germplasms.

The correlation of plasma PAF with cortisol and their roles in the estimating of sepsis prognosis / 重庆医学

Objective To investigate the correlation of platelet activating factor(PAF)with cortisol(Cor) ,as well as their rela-tionship with patients after sepsis prognosis .Methods 102 patients with sepsis admitted in the ICU of Chongqing Emergency Med-ical Center from April 2012 to August 2013 were enrolled into sepsis group ,and 40 cases of volunteers served as control group .All the patients were divided into survival group and non-survival group ,according to their prognosis during hospitalization .Plasma PAF and Cor level in control group ,survival group and non-survival group were compared with each other ,and acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ)in survival group and non-survival group were compared .The correlations of plasma PAF with Cor level in control group ,survival group and non-survival group were analyzed ,respectively .Results Plasma PAF and Cor level in survival group and non-survival group were significantly higher than that in control group(P0 .05) ,while the plasma PAF level positively correlated with Cor level in survival group and non-survival group(P<0 .05) .Curves of receiver operating characteristics(ROC)showed that PAF ,Cor and A-PACHEⅡ score could be used as predictors of mortality during hospitalization(Area=0 .708 ,0 .715 ,0 .787) .Conclusion The plas-ma PAF level positively correlates with Cor level in patient with sepsis .PAF ,Cor and APACHEⅡ score have certain guiding signif-icance for the assessment of prognosis during hospitalization in patients with sepsis .

DEVELOPMENT OF IFA METHOD FOR DETECTING ANTIBODIES OF SARS CORONAVIRUS / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To develop a diagnostic test based on indirect immunofluorescence assay(IFA) to detect special antibodies in the serum of SARS patients, thus to provide a reference material for confirmation of the clinical diagnosis of SARS. Methods SARS coronavirus GZ01 and BJ01 strains isolated in our laboratory were used to infect Vero E6 cells. When CPE reached 25%, cells were trypsinized and transferred to 10 well slides in a quantity of 40?l with a cell density of 2?10 7 /ml. After 4 hour incubation at 37℃,the slides were fixed with acetone, and IFA was used to detect antibodies in serum samples, which were obtained from 154 SARS patients and 14 non SARS patients with respiratory disease, as well as 100 healthy volunteers. Results IFA method for detecting antibodies of SARS coronavirus was developed. Sera from one hundred and forty two out of 154 clinically diagnosed patients were IFA positive, with a positive rate of 92 3%. Sera from 14 non SARS patients with respiratory disease and 100 healthy persons were all IFA negative. Conclusion The IFA method we developed was sensitive and specific in detecting SARS antibodies in serum, and was a reliable test for laboratory diagnosis of SARS coronavirus.

STUDY ON THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN A NOVEL CORONAVIRUS AND THE SARS PATHOGEN / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To determine the causative association between a newly isolated coronavirus and the current epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) Methods Coronavirus was isolated from the samples of patients with SARS by cell culture Immunofluorescence assay and neutralization test were used to detect the antibodies in serum of SARS patients against newly isolated coronavirus, in order to analyze and determine the association between coronavirus and SARS pathogen Results The antibodies against the novel coronavirus could be detected in 99 of 113 sera from clinically diagnosed SARS patients The results of 10 pairs of double serum detection showed that, antibody titers in the late phase were significantly higher than those in the acute phase, and a highest increase by 128 folds was being found. The neutralization test showed that the antibodies from SARS patients' sera could neutralize the novel coronavirus Conclusion The newly isolated coronavirus was closely associated with and possibly the key pathogen of SARS