Knowledge Domain and Emerging Trends of Chinese Medicine in Management of Pediatric Asthma: A Scientometric Study / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the intellectual landscape and emerging research trends of Chinese medicine (CM) in the management of pediatric asthma through a scientometric study.@*METHODS@#Publications related to CM in the management of pediatric asthma were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection using relevant keywords. A scientometric study was performed using CiteSpace and VOSviewer.@*RESULTS@#A total of 1,673 original articles and reviews from 1991 to 2019 were included in the analysis. The amount of annual publications had a gradual increase with time. USA was the major contributor both in country and institution analyses. Based on the co-citation, the published journals were grouped into 4 clusters. Keyword analysis indicated that the main hotspots were: (1) comprehensive management; (2) risk factors, mechanism, and prevalence; (3) prevention and treatment; (4) inflammation; and (5) environmental research. Lastly, we predicted that three emerging trends were quality of life promotion, immune response, and combination therapy.@*CONCLUSIONS@#CM research in the management of pediatric asthma will maintain the current trend of steady growth. This scientometric analysis may help scientists to identify the areas of interests and future directions in the field.

An epidemiological survey of malignant tumors among fluoride-exposed workers in aluminum industry / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the incidence of malignant tumors among fluoride-exposed workers in aluminum industry.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sampling points were set in the working positions at different radii around an workshop for treating the waste gas from aluminum electrolysis, and the concentrations of fluoride ions, aluminum, and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) in air were measured by electrode method, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively. The incidence of tumors among the workers in the aluminum plant from 1995 to 2009 was investigated by questionnaires and medical records and then statistically analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was a negative correlation between the concentrations of fluoride and aluminum and the radius around the fluoride source at each sampling point. B[a]P was not detected at each sampling point. The crude incidence rate of tumors among factory workers was 117.95/100 000 (standardized rate = 58.81/100 000); the standardized incidence rate of tumors was higher in female workers than in male workers (male-to-female ratio = 1:2.64). The peak age of onset of tumors was 40 ∼ 49 years. The most and second most common tumors were liver cancer and lung cancer in male workers and breast cancer and lung cancer in female workers. Compared with the unexposed population in the city where the aluminum plant was located, the female fluoride-exposed workers had an increased tumor incidence, 2.14 times that of the city's average level, and the fluoride-exposed workers had a younger age of onset of tumors and approximately the same types of tumors.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Fluoride exposure may lead to an increasing trend in tumor incidence among female workers in aluminum industry.</p>

In vivo short hairpin RNA interference of vascular endothelial growth factor on drug-resistant tongue cancer cells / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the in vivo interference effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) short hairpin RNA (shRNA) on xenografts of drug-resistant tongue cancer cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Drug-resistant tongue caner cells Tca/Cisplatin (DDP) were injected subcutaneously into nude mice to establish xenograft models, which were randomly divided into non-transfected group, mock control group, control group transfected with scrambled sequence plasmid, interference group transfected with VEGF-shRNA expression plasmid. Liposome-mediated plasmid transfection was done in the latter three groups every three days. Xenografts were observed and tumor growth curve was measured. After the 10th transfection, tumors were anatomized and weigh. Microvessel density was detected by immunohistochemical staining. In situ hybridization assay was used to test VEGF mRNA, and immunohistochemistry to test VEGF, P-glycoprotein (P-gp), B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (bcl-2) and extracellular signal-regultaed kinase 2 (ERK-2) protein.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Tumor growth in VEGF-shRNA interference group was significantly slow. Tumor weight was (0.4781 ± 0.0860) g, microvessel density (7.35 ± 1.31)/view, VEGF mRNA (0.0767 ± 0.0234), VEGF protein (0.1301 ± 0.0433), P-gp (0.1517 ± 0.0184), bcl-2 (0.1218 ± 0.0251) and ERK-2 protein (0.1178 ± 0.0291) in VEGF-shRNA interference group; all of them were less than those in the other three groups (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Inhibition targeting VEGF may become a potential therapy for drug-resistant tongue cancer.</p>

Mobilization and collection of autologous peripheral blood stem cells by CIE or IEV protocol in children with malignant solid tumors / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT) is an important method for treatment of malignant solid tumors in children. The mobilization and collection of blood stem cells is crucial for APBSCT. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of mobilization and collection of blood stem cells by CIE or IEV chemotherapy protocol in APBSCT in children with neuroblastoma (NB) or rhabdomyosarcoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The protocols of CIE (cisplatin, etoposide) and IEV (vincristine, dosfamide, etoposide) were used as mobilization chemotherapy in 8 cases of NB with stage IV and 3 cases of rhabdomysacoma with stage III, respectively. The results of the mobilization of blood stem cells were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 11 cases, mononuclear cells (MNC) and CD34+ cells were successfully collected and the volume of MNC and CD34 averaged (5.55 ± 1.43)× 10(8)/kg and (4.88 ± 2.48) × 10(6)/kg, respectively. No severe complications were observed during the mobilization and collection. A rapid hemopoietic reconstitution was observed in 10 children after APBSCT. One with NB out of the 10 children died of left heart failure 32 days after APBSCT. Others (9 cases) showed a nearly normal result of routine peripheral blood test 60 days after APBSCT.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CIE or IEV protocol is effective and safe for the mobilization and collection of peripheral blood stem cells in children with NB or rhabdomysacoma.</p>

Pulp revascularization of immature anterior teeth with apical periodontitis / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the therapeutic efficacy both apexification and revascularization in the immature anterior teeth of animal model with apical periodontitis, and observe the histological situation of revascularization in the root canal.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Six immature anterior teeth of one animal model (dog) aged approximately 4.5 months was selected. Afterwards, periapical periodontitis pattern were established, the samples were randomly divided into the experimental group (revascularization, 3 teeth) and the control group (apexification, 3 teeth). To compare the development of root and the healing of periapical inflammation, the involved teeth were respectively radiographed 1, 4, 8 weeks after surgery. The animals were sacrificed after 8 weeks, and the closure of apical foramen and the content of root canal were observed by hematine-eosine (HE) staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The postoperative radiography after 1 week and 4 weeks, the apical foramen size and the periapical radiolucency of the samples was shown no perceptual change. After 8 weeks, the experimental group periapical radiolucency area was obviously more narrowing, and had a apical closure tendency whereas the thickness of the root canal walls had imperceptible changed. While the control group periapical radiolucency change varied. The granulation tissue could be seen within the lumen of the experimental group, which contained a large number of irregular calcification, the calcification was obvious in the apical and adjacent the root canal wall. A small quantity of hard tissue was deposited in the apical of the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Revascularization may increase the recovery of immature anterior teeth with chronic periapical inflammation, the vital regenerative tissue within root canal is the granulation tissue contained calcification.</p>

Tyrosine kinase A and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 in the invasion and metastasis of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the effect of tyrosine kinase A (TrkA) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in the invasion and metastasis of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression of TrkA and VEGFR2 were detected by immunohistochemical staining in 47 cases of SACC of salivary glands. Clinical data were reviewed by multivariate prognostic analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positive rate of TrkA and VEGFR2 in SACC was 87.23% (41/47) and 85.11% (40/47) respectively. Express of TrkA and VEGFR2 in perineural invasion and recurrence group were higher than non-perineural invasion and non-recurrence group. Significant difference was found in microvessel density (MVD) and VEGFR2 expression within different groups (P < 0.05). MVD in perineural invasion group (25.14 +/- 2.83) was significantly higher than that in none perineural invasion group (18.81 +/- 1.33) (P < 0.05). MVD in recurrence or metastasis group (26.58 +/- 2.38) was significantly higher than that (19.06 +/- 1.39) in none recurrence nor metastasis group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Positive correlation between expression of TrkA, VEGFR2 and nerve invasion and vessel metastasis of SACC indicate that TrkA and VEGFR2 play important roles in the invasion and metastasis of SACC. It is possible that TrkA and VEGFR2 could be an aid for evaluating the prognosis of SACC patients.</p>

The effect of dog bilateral distraction osteogensis in temporomandibular joint / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of bilateral mandibular distraction osteogenesis in the condyles.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>16 adult hybrid dogs were randomly divided into normal control group and experiment group. Experimental dogs underwent bilateral mandibular osteodistraction at a rate of 1 min/day. 4 dogs were killed respectively in distraction period, 2 and 8 weeks after completion of 10 days distraction. The bilateral condyles specimens were harvested and examined with histological and immunohistochemical methods.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with normal control group, various degrees of irregularities and erosion were found in fibrocartilage of condyle in experiment group, including damage in fibrous layer, hyperplasia layer and proliferative layer and osteogenic activity in cartilage layer. A significant increase of TGF-beta1 expression was also found in experiment groups. TGF-beta1 positive staining was noted in hypertrophic cell, matrix and chondroblast, osteoblast and matrix in osteogenic activity areas. These changes were the most obvious in 2 weeks after completion of distraction.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Gradual bilateral mandibular distraction at a rate of 1 mm/day brought degenerative changes of condyle, but the changes are reversible.</p>

Correlation between prognosis and cell proliferation, apoptosis in squamous cell carcinoma of tongue / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the correlation between prognosis and cell proliferation, apoptosis in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of tongue.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using TdT-mediated dUTP biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) for cell apoptosis and immunohistochemical staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In SCC of tongue, the positive rates of apoptosis index (AI), Bcl-2, Bax and PCNA were 55.8%, 65.4%, 73.1% and 100.0% respectively. In the univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis, low expression of Bax, high expression of PCNA, Bcl-2/Bax expression ratio > 1 and high staging were all associated with lower survival rate (Log-rank test, P < 0.05, respectively), AI was only correlated with grading. Bcl-2 did not show a significant association with all features.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The levels of Bax and PCNA expression and Bcl-2/Bax expression ratio have independent prognosis value in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. Comprehensive analysis of these parameters can be helpful to identify biological behavior and predict more accurately the prognosis of patients of tongue squamous cell carcinoma.</p>