Estimation of the population, death, and quality of life in Shaanxi Province, western China: a cross-sectional study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Measuring the health of the population is of great significance to the development of a region. We aimed to estimate the population, probability of death, and quality of life in western China.@*METHODS@#We calculated the age-specific mortality rate and prevalence rate of diseases and injuries using the Full Population Database and the Home Page of Inpatient Medical Record. We used multiple interpolation methods to insert missing information from the death data and the model of Kannisto to adjust the mortality rate for elderly individuals. The age-specific prevalence rate of diseases and injuries was adjusted according to the standard ratio of age and methods of equal proportional allocation. Life expectancy was calculated by a life table, and the quality of life was estimated using the Sullivan method.@*RESULTS@#The total population continued to increase in 2015 to 2019 in the Shaanxi Province, China. The mortality rate of children under five has improved, and the mortality rate of people over 65 is decreasing year by year. Life expectancy increased from 74.66 years in 2015 to 77.19 years in 2019. Even with the total risk of disease and injury, the health-adjusted life expectancy increased by 1.90 years within 5 years, and the number of unhealthy years significantly improved. Health-adjusted life expectancy increased by 1.75 years when only considered the ten major disease systems (tumors; endocrinology, nutrition and metabolism; mental and behavioral disorders; nervous system; sensory diseases; circulatory system; respiratory system; digestive system; genitourinary system; musculoskeletal system and connective tissue), and the number of unhealthy years increased slightly.@*CONCLUSIONS@#In the past five years, Shaanxi Province has made progress in improving life expectancy and controlling the development of chronic diseases. It is necessary to take specific preventive measures and improve the quality of basic public health services.

Effect of Home Blood Pressure Telemonitoring Plus Additional Support on Blood Pressure Control: A Randomized Clinical Trial / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#Current clinical evidence on the effects of home blood pressure telemonitoring (HBPT) on improving blood pressure control comes entirely from developed countries. Thus, we performed this randomized controlled trial to evaluate whether HBPT plus support (patient education and clinician remote hypertension management) improves blood pressure control more than usual care (UC) in the Chinese population.@*METHODS@#This single-center, randomized controlled study was conducted in Beijing, China. Patients aged 30-75 years were eligible for enrolment if they had blood pressure [systolic (SBP) ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic (DBP) ≥ 90 mmHg; or SBP ≥ 130 mmHg and/or DBP ≥ 80 mmHg with diabetes]. We recruited 190 patients randomized to either the HBPT or the UC groups for 12 weeks. The primary endpoints were blood pressure reduction and the proportion of patients achieving the target blood pressure.@*RESULTS@#Totally, 172 patients completed the study, the HBPT plus support group ( n = 84), and the UC group ( n = 88). Patients in the plus support group showed a greater reduction in mean ambulatory blood pressure than those in the UC group. The plus support group had a significantly higher proportion of patients who achieved the target blood pressure and maintained a dipper blood pressure pattern at the 12th week of follow-up. Additionally, the patients in the plus support group showed lower blood pressure variability and higher drug adherence than those in the UC group.@*CONCLUSION@#HBPT plus additional support results in greater blood pressure reduction, better blood pressure control, a higher proportion of dipper blood pressure patterns, lower blood pressure variability, and higher drug adherence than UC. The development of telemedicine may be the cornerstone of hypertension management in primary care.

Cardiometabolic disease patterns among elderly patients with colorectal cancer in China / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: To explore the distribution patterns of cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) in elderly patients with colorectal cancer, and provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular metabolic diseases in these patients. Methods: Clinical data of 3 894 elderly patients with colorectal cancer from January 2008 to March 2018 admitted in the Chinese PLA General Hospital were recruited and the incidence rate of CMD was retrospectively analyzed. The influence factors of elderly patients with colorectal cancer combined with CMD were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression model. Results: The morbidity rate of CMD in elderly patients with colorectal cancer is 33.4% (1 301/3 894), among them, the morbidity rate of the male was 31.9% (768/2 409), and that of the female was 35.9% (533/1 485). There was not significant difference between these two sex (P=0.074). The morbidity rates of CMD in patients of 65-74 years, 75-84 years and ≥85 years were 30.6% (754/2 462), 37.0% (479/1 294) and 49.3% (68/138), respectively, with significant differences (P<0.001). Multiple Logistic regression analysis revealed that female (OR=1.213, 95%CI: 1.056-1.394), age (75-84 years group: OR=1.344, 95%CI: 1.164-1.552; ≥85 years group: OR=2.345, 95%CI: 1.651-3.331) and body mass index (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m(2) group: OR=1.319, 95%CI: 1.065-1.638; ≥25 kg/m(2) group: OR=2.041, 95%CI: 1.627-2.561) were independent risk factors for elderly colorectal cancer patients with CMD. Conclusion: The morbidity rate of CMD in elderly patients with colorectal cancer increases with age and it is urgent to strengthen multidisciplinary cooperation and develop reasonable treatment plans to extend the survival and life quality of these patients.

Chloro-nitrobenzene compounds air sampling tube preparation and determination method / 中国职业医学

@#Objective - - To prepare the GDH 5 air sampling tube for simultaneous collection of eight kinds of chloro nitrobenzene （ ） ， compounds CNBs in the air of workplace and establish a matching determination method using gas chromatography. Methods - - ， Eight kinds of CNBs in vapor and aerosol state were collected by self developed GDH 5 air sampling tube desorbed ， ， ， by toluene separated by polysiloxane gas chromatography column detected by microcell electron capture detector and Results - （ - quantified by external standard method. It was determined that the air sampling tube was assembled by XAD 2 ion ） - ， exchange resin and glass fiber filter membrane. The linear range of CNBs was 0.80 240.00 mg/L and the linear correlation - - coefficients were greater than 0.999 9. The detection limit was 7.87 13.03 μg/L. The minimum detectable concentration was 0.60 3， - 3（ ） 1.33 μg/m and the minimum quantitative concentration was 2.00 4.22 μg/m sample 45.00 L . The average desorption - - （RSD） - ， - RSD efficiency was 101.2% 110.0%. The within run relative standard deviation was 0.8% 4.1% and the between run - Conclusion - was 0.3% 5.8%. The samples could be stored for more than 30 days at room temperature. GDH 5 air sampling tube and its associated determination method can be used for the collection and determination of eight kinds of CNBs in workplace air.

Cyclin-dependent kinases-based synthetic lethality: Evidence, concept, and strategy

Synthetic lethality is a proven effective antitumor strategy that has attracted great attention. Large-scale screening has revealed many synthetic lethal genetic phenotypes, and relevant small-molecule drugs have also been implemented in clinical practice. Increasing evidence suggests that CDKs, constituting a kinase family predominantly involved in cell cycle control, are synthetic lethal factors when combined with certain oncogenes, such as

The corrosion resistance of rotary nickel titanium root canal files / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: A nickel titanium root canal file is the major instrument in root canal therapy, and its corrosion resistance is an important factor influencing its normal use. Therefore, it is of great clinicals ignificance to study the corrosion resistance of nickel titanium root canal files. OBJECTIVE: To assess the corrosion resistance and anti-fatigue breaking ability of M3 nickel titanium root canal files after rotating in NaOCl and autoclave sterilization. METHODS: Seventy-five M3 nickel titanium files were randomized into five groups (n=15 per group): A group, without any treatment, as a blank control; B group, rotating in 5.25% NaOCl for 10 minutes, repeated five times; C group, autoclave sterilization, repeated five times; D group, rotating in 5.25% NaOCl for 10 minutes, followed by autoclave sterilization, repeated five times; E group, rotating in 5.25% NaOCl 10 minutes, followed by autoclave sterilization, repeated 10 times. The anti-fatigue breaking ability and corrosion resistance (polarization resistance, electrochemical impedance and polarization curve) of M3 nickel titanium files after rotating in 5.25% NaOCl or/and autoclave sterilization were observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Anti-fatigue fracture ability: there was no difference among groups in rotation number before the breakage. (2) Polarization resistance value: group E had the highest polarization resistance value which showed two orders of magnitude higher than that of group A; compared with group A, groups B and D showed a little increase in the polarization resistance value; and the polarization resistance values in groups A and C were of the same order of magnitude. (3) Electrochemical impedance: group E had the highest electrochemical impedance; compared with group A, the electrochemical impedance of groups B and D was improved; and the electrochemical impedance of groups C and A was of the same order of magnitude. (4) The polarization curve: all groups showed certain passivation characteristics. The passivation zone was unapparent in group A, became obvious in group E. There were similar polarization curves in the groups C and D. Group B showed relatively positive corrosion potential. In summary, both 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution and autoclave sterilization have no influence on the anti-fatigue breaking ability of M3 nickel titanium files, but the combined use can enhance the corrosion resistance ability of M3 nickel titanium files.

Wet Cupping Therapy Improves Local Blood Perfusion and Analgesic Effects in Patients with Nerve-Root Type Cervical Spondylosis / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe wet cupping therapy (WCT) on local blood perfusion and analgesic effects in patients with nerve-root type cervical spondylosis (NT-CS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-seven NT-CS patients were randomly divided into WCT group and Jiaji acupoint-acupuncture (JA) group according a random number table. WCT group (30 cases) was treated with WCT for 10 min, and JA group (27 cases) was treated with acupuncture for 10 min. The treatment efficacies were evaluated with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Blood perfusion at Dazhui (GV 14) and Jianjing (GB 21) acupoints (affected side) was observed with a laser speckle flowmetry, and its variations before and after treatment in both groups were compared as well.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In both groups, the VAS scores significantly decreased after the intervention (P<0.01), while the blood perfusion at the two acupoints significantly increased after intervention (P<0.05); however, the increasement magnitude caused by WCT was obvious compared with JA (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>WCT could improve analgesic effects in patients with NT-CS, which might be related to increasing local blood perfusion of acupunct points.</p>

Effects of haloperidol on delirium in adult patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate whether or not the use of haloperidol could reduce the incidence of delirium in adult patients

Subjects and Methods: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Elsevier, Wiley, and Ovid were searched for randomized controlled trials and prospective interventional cohort studies that compared haloperidol with placebo for delirium prophylaxis or with second generation antipsychotics for delirium treatment. The primary end point was the incidence and severity of delirium. After reviewing 272 relevant articles, 10 studies with 1,861 patients were finally included [haloperidol vs. placebo in 8 studies [n = 1,734], and haloperidol vs. second-generation antipsychotics in 2 studies [n = 127]]. Revman 5.3 was used for the data analysis

Results: Compared with placebo, a high dose of prophylactic haloperidol [.5 mg/day] may help reduce the incidence of delirium in surgical patients [risk ratio 0.50, 95% CI 0.32, 0.79]. There were no differences in the duration of delirium, QTc interval prolongation, extrapyramidal symptoms, intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, or mortality between the haloperidol and placebo groups. For delirium treatment, haloperidol exhibited similar effects as the second-generation antipsychotics

Conclusions: In this study, the limited available data revealed that prophylaxis haloperidol at a dose of .5 mg/day might help reduce delirium in adult surgical patients. Further outcome studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm these findings

Cardiovascular Disease–related Health Beliefs and Lifestyle Issues Among Karen Refugees Resettled in the United States From the Thai-Myanmar (Burma) Border / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Refugees resettled in the US may be at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, little is known about CVD-related issues among Karen refugees who have migrated to the US from the Thai-Myanmar border. The purpose of this study was to examine CVD-related health beliefs and lifestyle issues among Karen refugees resettled in the US. METHODS: Karen refugees resettled in the US from the Thai-Myanmar border (n=195) participated in a survey study on health beliefs related to CVD, salt intake, physical activity (PA), and smoking in the fall of 2016. RESULTS: A high-salt diet, physical inactivity, and smoking were major lifestyle problems. Participants who adhered to a low-salt diet considered themselves to be susceptible to CVD. Most participants did not engage in regular PA. Regular PA was associated with less perceived susceptibility to CVD and greater perceived benefits of a healthy lifestyle for decreasing the likelihood of CVD. CONCLUSIONS: Each refugee population may require individualized strategies to promote PA and a healthy diet. Future studies should develop health education programs that are specifically designed for Karen refugees and evaluate such programs. In addition to health education programs on healthy lifestyle choices, tobacco cessation programs seem to be necessary for Karen refugees. At the same time, it is important to foster strategies to increase the utilization of preventive care among this population by promoting free or reduced-fee resources in the community to further promote their health.

Research progress in the function of microRNA-182 / 生理学报

microRNAs are a class of short non-coding RNAs containing about 19-22 nucleotides that regulate target gene expression through post-transcriptional repression or mRNA degradation, and involved in a variety of biological processes, such as cellular differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis and metabolism. microRNA-182 (miR-182), belonging to miR-183/96/182 cluster that consists of miR-182, -183, and -96, highly expresses in many cells and tissues, including osteoblasts, lymphocytes, adipocytes, retina, inner ear, etc. The recent studies of miR-182 highlighted its multiple important roles in differentiation, development, and functional maintenance in the cells and tissues. The dysregulation of miR-182 is associated with occurrence and development of many diseases, such as retinopathy, autoimmune diseases, cancers, obesity and diabetes. This review summarizes recent research progresses on the roles and mechanisms of miR-182 in cellular function and diseases.

Neuroprotective properties of madecassoside from centella asiatica after hypoxic-ischemic injury

Madecassoside is one of increasingly used constituent of Centella asiatica, a frequently prescribed crude drug in South eastern Asia and China for wound healing. In the present experiment, it exposes the neuroprotective nature of Madecassoside in GT1-7 cell lines, further, which the antioxidant activities are performed. The cellular toxicity was assessed using 3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-Yl]-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide [MTT] assay with increased cell viability with IC[50] 2.5 micro g/ml. the regulation of antioxidant levels showed changes in madecassoside treated cell lysate viz., SOD assay. Also, the antioxidative assays confirmed the negligible cellular damage caused to the GT1-7 cell lines. Hence, the results advocate that the current antioxidant and antitumor activity be justified by the high concentration of phenolic constituents, primarily the triterpene present in the C. asiatica

Xiayuxue Decoction (symbols; see text) attenuates hepatic stellate cell activation and sinusoidal endothelium defenestration in CCl4-induced fibrotic liver of mice / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of ancient Chinese medical formula Xiayuxue Decoction ([symbols; see text], XYXD) on activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and defenestration of sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs) in CCl4-induced fibrotic liver of mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>High performance liquid chromatography was used to identify the main components of XYXD and control the quality of extraction. C57BL/6 mice were induced liver fibrosis by CCl4 exposure and administered with XYXD for 6 weeks simultaneously. Liver tissue was investigated by hematoxylin-eosin and Sirius-red staining. Sinusoidal fenestrations were observed by scanning electronic microscopy and fluorescent immunohistochemistry of PECAM-1 (CD31). Whole liver lysates were detected of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type-I collagen by Western blot. Primary rat HSCs-T6 cells were analyzed by detecting α-SMA, F-actin, DNA fragmentation through confocal microscopy, Western blot, terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and cellomics arrayscan, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Amygdalin and emodin in XYXD were identified. XYXD (993 mg/kg) inhibited Sirius red positive area up to 70.1% (P<0.01), as well as protein levels of α-SMA and type-I collagen by 42.0% and 18.5% (P<0.05) respectively. In vitro, XYXD (12.5 μg/mL, 50 μg/mL) suppressed the activation of HSCs and reversed the myofibroblastic HSCs into quiescent, demonstrated as inhibition of fluorescent F-actin by 32.3% and 46.6% (P<0.05). Besides, XYXD induced the apoptosis of HSC-T6 cells by 20.0% (P<0.05) and 49.5% (P<0.01), evidenced by enhanced TUNEL positivity. Moreover, ultrastructural observation suggested XYXD inhibited defenestration of SECs, which was confirmed by 31.1% reduction of protein level of CD31 (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>XYXD inhibited both HSCs activation and SECs defenestration which accompany chronic liver injuries. These data may help to understand the underlying mechanisms of XYXD for prevetion of chronic liver diseases.</p>

Discussion on necessity of standardization for nomenclature and location of extraordinary acupoints / 中国针灸

With retrieval of articles on extraordinary acupoint that were published in domesticin recent five years, one hundred and eight articles of clinical application are screened out and one hundred and twenty-three extraordinary acupoints that are extensively recognized are collected. Of those acupoints, 23 acupoints are included in the latest national standard. Of the rest 100 extraordinary acupoints, 48 acupoints are located on the running courses of fourteen meridians, 4 acupoints are shared with the meridian points and the other 52 acupoints have not been clarified to be located on the running courses of meridians based on the literature data. It is found in the collection of these acupoints that there are many extraordinary acupoints that are extensively used in clinical practice. But the nomenclatures and locations of acupoints have not been unified. Hence, a further standardization on these aspects is anticipated.

The status of protein intake and energy supply in the early life of very/extremely low birth weight infants / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship of protein intake and energy supply with the physical growth in very/extremely low birth weight infant at their early life.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Retrospective survey was performed in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Peking University First Hospital. Inclusion criteria were preterm infant, birth weight < 1500 g, hospitalization for longer than 2 weeks, discharge with body weight greater than 1800 g. The infants were divided into two groups according to gestational age (GA). GA < 32 weeks and ≥ 32 weeks. Physical growth and its relation with the protein intake and energy supply were analyzed. The predictive value of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) on protein intake was studied.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Ninety-three very/extremely low birth weight infants were involved, 69 in GA < 32 weeks group and 24 in GA ≥ 32 weeks group.Compared with GA ≥ 32 group, GA < 32 weeks preterm infants had more weight loss, (9.2 ± 4.4)% vs. (5.0 ± 3.1)%, P = 0.000; slower birth weight recovery (10.6 ± 3.8) d vs. (7.1 ± 2.6) d, P = 0.000; poorer weight gain at 1, 4, 5 weeks of life, (-4.5 ± 9.3) g/ (kg·d) vs. (3.4 ± 6.9) g/ (kg·d), P = 0.000 , (13.5 ± 7.3) g/ (kg·d) vs. (19.2 ± 4.9) g/ (kg·d), P = 0.001, (14.6 ± 5.6) g/ (kg·d) vs. (18.2 ± 4.5) g/ (kg·d), P = 0.031; less energy supply at 1 to 5 weeks (P value was 0.000,0.000,0.025,0.001,0.008 respectively) and less protein intake at 1, 4, 5 weeks of life (P value was 0.009,0.006,0.032). Extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) was still predominant in our subjects, 47.8% in GA < 32 weeks group, and 95.8% in GA ≥ 32 weeks group, P = 0.000. The incidence increased greater in GA < 32 weeks infants, 43.5% vs. 20.8%, P = 0.000.The duration of weight loss and mechanical ventilation correlated negatively with weight gain rate, respectively β = -0.591, P = 0.000 and β = -0.281, P = 0.005; the average energy supply and time taken to reach full enteral feeding were factors improving weight gain, respectively β = 0.202, P = 0.021 and β = 0.354, P = 0.000. After birth, serum BUN declined gradually. Positive relation showed between average protein intake at 3(rd) week and BUN level at the end of 3 weeks, r = 0.420, P = 0.000. Serum BUN 1.44, 1.49 mmol/L at the end of 3(rd) and 4(th) week were cut-off predictors for protein intake less than 3 g/(kg·d) at related period, sensitivity and specificity were 65.3%, 83.3% and 60%, 80% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>No enough protein intake and energy supply, poor weight gain are critical problems in the management of very/extremely low birth weight infants. Prevention from NEC, appropriate parenteral/enteral nutrition transforming will benefit their physical growth. Low serum BUN after 3 weeks of life is a valuable predictor of low protein intake.</p>

Dynamic change of lipid peroxidation-related protein expression and the intervention effects of Yiguanjian decoction in a rat model of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis / 中华肝脏病杂志

To investigate the dynamic change of lipid peroxidation-related protein expression and the intervention effects of Yiguanjian (YGJ) Decoction on liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 in rat. Fifty-seven male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a liver fibrosis group (n = 39) and a normal group (n = 18). The liver fibrosis was treated with peritoneal injection of 50% CCl4 for nine weeks. At the end of weeks 3 and 6 of CCl4 treatment, six rats were sacrificed to assess the status of liver fibrosis. At the end of week 7, the remaining -fibrotic rats were randomly divided into an untreated model group (M, n=15) and a YGJ-treated group (n = 12). The YGJ group was administered daily, oral YGJ Decoction for three weeks, concomitant with continued CCl4 treatment. The M group and normal group received the same treatment oral regimen and volume of distilled water. At the end of week 8, four rats in group M were sacrificed to observed the fibrosis status. At the end of week 9, the fibrotic rats were sacrificed for sampling. Liver function, histological changes, contents of hydroxyproline (Hyp) and malondialdehyde (MDA), activity of super oxidase dismutase (SOD) and L-glutathione (GSH), protein expression of heat shock protein (HSP)70, heme oxygenase (HO)-1, transferrin, peroxiredoxin (Prxd) 6 and liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) were detected. Compared with normal group-, the MDA content was increased significantly in M group at week 6 (M: 4.23+/-0.45 nmol/mg vs. normal: 2.22+/-0.59 nmol/mg, F = 60.13, P less than 0.01) and week 9 (M: 6.29+/-1.23 nmol/mg vs. normal: 2.22+/-0.59 nmol/mg, F = 66.99, P less than 0.01), but the SOD activity was decreased significantly at the same time points [week 6: (M: 196.94+/-39.20 U/mg vs. normal: 264.50+/-30.44 U/mg, F = 11.12, P less than 0.01]); [week 9: (M: 152.2+/-51.65 U/mg vs. normal: 264.50+/-30.44 U/mg, F = 23.11, P less than 0.01)], as were the GSH content [week 6: (M: 48.47+/-7.27 nmol/mg vs. 60.74+/-9.04 nmol/mg, F = 6.71, P less than 0.05]]; [week 9: (M: 37.89+/-9.01 nmol/mg vs. 60.74+/-9.04 nmol/mg, F = 24.06, P less than 0.01]]. Compared with group M at week 9, the YGH-treated model group had markedly decreased MDA (YGJ: 4.25+/-0.86 nmol/mg vs. M: 6.29+/-1.23 nmol/mg, F = 19.52, P less than 0.01], but significantly increased SOD (YGJ: 198.35+/-46.48 U/mg vs. 152.21+/-51.65 U/mg, F = 4.65, P less than 0.05] and GSH (YGJ: 53.73+/-7.54 nmol/mg vs. M: 37.89+/-9.01 nmol/mg, F = 19.23, P less than 0.01). Compared to normal rats at week 9, group M had significantly higher protein levels of HSP70 (normal: 1.21+/-0.06 vs. M: 0.58+/-0.07, F = 166.87, P less than 0.01) and HO-1 (normal: 1.11+/-0.06 vs. M: 0.58+/-0.06, F = 123.96, P less than 0.01), but significantly decreased levels of Prxd6 (normal: 0.04+/-0.05 vs. M: 1.49+/-0.05, F = 1215.85, P less than 0.01), transferrin (normal: 0.67+/-0.03 vs. M: 1.67+/-0.04, F = 301.35, P less than 0.01), and L-FABP (normal: 0.24+/-0.02 vs. M: 1.44+/-0.14, F = 219.05, P less than 0.01). Compared to group M at week 9, the YGJ treatment group showed significantly reduced HSP70 (YGJ: 0.82+/-0.04 vs. M: 1.21+/-0.06, F = 92.31, P less than 0.01) and HO-1 (YGJ: 0.90+/-0.04 vs. 1.11+/-0.06, F = 26.89, P less than 0.01), but significantly increased Prxd6 (YGJ: 0.88+/-0.11 vs. 0.04+/-0.05, F = 150.17, P less than 0.01), transferrin (YGJ: 1.36+/-0.13 vs. 0.24+/-0.02, F = 237.19, P less than 0.01), and L-FABP (YGJ: 1.04+/-0.12 vs. 0.67+/-0.03, F = 27.53, P less than 0.01). YGJ treatment of fibrotic liver rats reduces lipid peroxidation damage by preventing generation of oxidizing substances.

Early growth of preterm infants with prolonged hospitalisation

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>This study aimed to determine the early growth patterns of preterm infants who required prolonged hospitalisation in terms of body weight Z-score, and to explore the influencing factors and predictors of their growth.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The criteria of enrolment included preterm birth, singleton pregnancy, hospitalisation within the first 24 hours of life, hospital stay ≥ 28 days and clinical follow-up beyond 91 days of corrected age. Body weight Z-scores and the incidence of underweight infants were reviewed periodically, and the influencing factors and possible predictors of growth analysed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Body weight Z-scores of all infants of gestational age (GA) groups kept decreasing, with a trough seen at 36 weeks corrected gestational age (CGA). At corrected full-term, body weight Z-scores for all birth weight groups achieved birth level and were higher than that at 36 weeks CGA. Body weight Z-scores at 61 days corrected age was (-0.300 × GA [weeks] + 0.210 × birth weight [g] + 0.682 × body weight Z-score) at 40 weeks CGA. The cut-off values for body weight Z-score at birth (cut-off, -1.79; sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 91.3%) and 61 days corrected age (cut-off, -1.95; sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 97.1%) were selected to predict the risk of being underweight at 183 days corrected age.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Early growth restriction is a practical problem in preterm infants with prolonged hospitalisation. Body weight Z-scores at 40 weeks CGA and 61 days corrected age can be used to predict body weight gain prior to 183 days corrected age in these infants.</p>

Simultaneous determination of five nucleosides and nucleobases of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. by high performance liquid chromatography / 药学学报

This study is to establish a method for simultaneously determination of five nucleosides and nucleobases, including hypoxanthine, uridine, adenine, guanosine and adenosine in Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. which was collected from different regions in China. A Diamonsil C18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) was used. Acetonitrile and 0.04 mol L(-1) potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution were adopted as mobile phase with gradient elution. The flow rate was 1 mL min(-1) and column temperature was 30 degrees C. The detection wavelength was at 254 nm. The method had good linearity over the range of 1.0 - 16.0 microg mL(-1) (r2 = 0.999 8), 5.0 - 80.0 microg mL(-1) (r2 = 0.999 8), 1.0 - 16.0 microg mL(-1) (r2 = 0.999 5), 1.25 - 20.0 microg mL(-1) (r2 = 0.999 8) and 1.0 - 16.0 microg mL(-1) (r2 = 0.999 8) for hypoxanthine, uridine, adenine, guanosine and adenosine, respectively. The average recoveries were between 98.8% and 100.7%. The content of hypoxanthine, uridine, adenine, guanosine and adenosine in Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. from different regions was significantly different. This established method was sensitive and reliable for the quantification of five chemical constituents in Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch.

Digital visualization construction and research on Jiuwei (CV 15) / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish the digitized visible human with Jiuwei (CV 15) involved.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With the virtual Chinese human (VCH) datasets and three-dimensional modeling software adopted, the knowledge on acupuncture and moxibustion as well as acupoint anatomy combined and the computer image processing software applied, the visualized browser software of Jiuwei (CV 15) was established.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>By establishing the interactive three-dimensional visualization browser software of acupoints, the location of Jiuwei (CV 15) was enabled to be expressed directly from all the levels, as well as the main adjacent tissue structure. It was suggested that Jiuwei (CV 15) should be punctured obliquely downward to avoid injuring the vital organs such as the heart and liver, and the safe depth of insertion should be 1.0-1.5 cm.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The technology of digital visible human enables the three-dimensional expression of acupoint, which can be the platform of the digital teaching pattern. The research on the angle and depth of needling insertion at acupoint can be conducted in combination with teaching materials.</p>

Clinical value of preoperative serum VEGF, CRP and IL-6 levels in colorectal carcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the preoperative serum VEGF, IL-6, and CRP levels in colorectal carcinoma, and to explore their correlation with disease status and prognosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Serum VEGF and IL-6 levels were assessed using ELISA, and CRP was measured by immunoturbidimetry. They were compared between the colorectal carcinoma group and the control group. The five-year survival rate and poor prognostic factors were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier and Log-rank method, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The serum VEGF, IL-6, and CRP levels in colorectal carcinoma were (591 ± 312) pg/ml, (13.2 ± 3.7) pg/ml, and (1.14 ± 0.87) mg/dl, respectively, higher than that in the control group. The two groups showed significant difference in VEGF and CRP (P < 0.001, P = 0.002). VEGF expression was higher in male than that in female [(638 ± 387) pg/ml vs. (552 ± 271) pg/ml, P = 0.042]. The cases with tumor size smaller than 5 cm had lower VEGF expression compared with that in cases with tumor size ≥ 5 cm [(538 ± 275) pg/ml vs. (647 ± 331) pg/ml, P = 0.009]. IL-6 expression showed significant difference in males (11.7 ± 3.2) and females (15.2 ± 4.0) pg/ml, (P = 0.011). The five-year survival rate in the group with VEGF < 591 pg/ml was 86.8% (33/38), higher than that in the ≥ 591 pg/m group. High VEGF level tended to reduce survival (χ(2) = 0.933, P = 0.344). VEGF ≥ 591 pg/ml was a factor of poor prognosis in colorectal carcinoma, assessed by Log-rank methods (P < 0.05). Tumor size and VEGF concentration were risk factors of prognosis (P = 0.032, OR = 0.985; P = 0.011, OR = 0.976).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Serum VEGF and IL-6 expressions have gender differences. Serum VEGF can be used as a biomaker of clinical diagnosis of colorectal cancer, and has an important significance on the prognosis of patients.</p>

Dynamic evaluation on body weight gain in premature infants and its significance / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To investigate the incidence of intra- and extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) and growth restriction in premature infants, and to illustrate the growth pattern of them in postnatal and infantile period.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>All premature infants were admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) during the recent 7 years. The criteria for enrollment were (1) gestational age < 37 weeks; (2) single fetus; (3) admitted within the first 24 hours of life; (4) hospitalization period ≥ 14 days; (5) clinical follow-up persisted till ≥ 3 months of corrected gestational age. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), EUGR and growth restriction were defined as having a measured growth value (weight) that was ≤ 10(th) percentile of Chinese infants' growth curve in corrected age on admission, discharge and follow-up period. Results were analyzed by using SPSS 12.0 statistical software package by chi-square test, rank-sum test, and t test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Two hundred and thirty nine infants were involved, 134 were boys and 105 girls. The incidence of IUGR and EUGR assessed by weight was 25.5% and 40.6%, respectively. The lower the birth weight was, the higher the incidence of IUGR and EUGR was. The percentile of body weight in the growth curve at discharge was lower than that at birth (Z = -7.784, P = 0.000). The incidence of growth restriction assessed by weight was 20.5%, 15.0%, 8.8%, 17.0%, 10.4%, 10.1%, 11.9%, 7.0% at corrected gestational age of 38 - 40 weeks, corrected age of 28 d, 61 d, 91 d, 122 d, 152 d, 183 d, and 274 d, respectively. The incidences of growth restriction were stable when the corrected age was older than 91 days. The incidence of growth restriction in female premature infants at 183 days' corrected age was higher than that in male children (χ(2) = 6.181, P = 0.017), the incidence was 19.3% and 3.8% respectively. During the follow-up period, most of the average body weight of premature infants whose gestational age was < 32 weeks or birth weight ≤ 1500 g were lower than the 50(th) percentile of the growth curve except the average body weight of boys whose gestational age < 32 weeks at corrected age of 2 and 4 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Premature and/or low birth weight infants are at high risk of growth restriction, especially very low birth weight infants. The incidence of growth restriction decreased with growth. Long-term prognosis requires further investigation.</p>