A Virtual Reality Platform for Context-Dependent Cognitive Research in Rodents / 神经科学通报·英文版

Animal survival necessitates adaptive behaviors in volatile environmental contexts. Virtual reality (VR) technology is instrumental to study the neural mechanisms underlying behaviors modulated by environmental context by simulating the real world with maximized control of contextual elements. Yet current VR tools for rodents have limited flexibility and performance (e.g., frame rate) for context-dependent cognitive research. Here, we describe a high-performance VR platform with which to study contextual behaviors immersed in editable virtual contexts. This platform was assembled from modular hardware and custom-written software with flexibility and upgradability. Using this platform, we trained mice to perform context-dependent cognitive tasks with rules ranging from discrimination to delayed-sample-to-match while recording from thousands of hippocampal place cells. By precise manipulations of context elements, we found that the context recognition was intact with partial context elements, but impaired by exchanges of context elements. Collectively, our work establishes a configurable VR platform with which to investigate context-dependent cognition with large-scale neural recording.

Mechanism of Cistanches Herba in treatment of cancer-related fatigue based on network pharmacology and experimental verification / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to explore the mechanism of Cistanches Herba in the treatment of cancer-induced fatigue(CRF) by network pharmacology combined with in vivo and in vitro experiments to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical medication. The chemical constituents and targets of Cistanches Herba were searched from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP). The targets of CRF were screened out by GeneCards and NCBI. The common targets of traditional Chinese medicine and disease were selected to construct a protein-protein interaction(PPI) network, followed by Gene Ontology(GO) functional and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. A visual signal pathway rela-ted to Chinese medicine and disease targets was constructed. The CRF model was induced by paclitaxel(PTX) in mice. Mice were divided into a control group, a PTX model group, and low-and high-dose Cistanches Herba extract groups(250 and 500 mg·kg~(-1)). The anti-CRF effect in mice was evaluated by open field test, tail suspension test, and exhaustive swimming time, and the pathological morphology of skeletal muscle was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The cancer cachexia model in C2C12 muscle cells was induced by C26 co-culture, and the cells were divided into a control group, a conditioned medium model group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose Cistanches Herba extract groups(62.5, 125, and 250 μg·mL~(-1)). The reactive oxygen species(ROS) content in each group was detected by flow cytometry, and the intracellular mitochondrial status was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy. The protein expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α), BNIP3L, and Beclin-1 were detected by Western blot. Six effective constituents were screened out from Cistanches Herba. The core genes of Cistanches Herba in treating CRF were AKT1, IL-6, VEGFA, CASP3, JUN, EGFR, MYC, EGF, MAPK1, PTGS2, MMP9, IL-1B, FOS, and IL10, and the pathways related to CRF were AGE-RAGE and HIF-1α. Through GO enrichment analysis, it was found that the main biological functions involved were lipid peroxidation, nutrient deficiency, chemical stress, oxidative stress, oxygen content, and other biological processes. The results of the in vivo experiment showed that Cistanches Herba extract could significantly improve skeletal muscle atrophy in mice to relieve CRF. The in vitro experiment showed that Cistanches Herba extract could significantly reduce the content of intracellular ROS, the percentage of mitochondrial fragmentation, and the protein expression of Beclin-1 and increase the number of autophagosomes and the protein expression of HIF-1α and BNIP3L. Cistanches Herba showed a good anti-CRF effect, and its mechanism may be related to the key target proteins in the HIF-1α signaling pathway.

Endoscopic resection of type D trigeminal schwannoma through nasal sinus approach / 中华外科杂志

Objective: To examine the feasibility and surgical approach of removing type D trigeminal schwannoma through nasal cavity and nasal sinus under endoscope. Methods: Eleven patients with trigeminal schwannoma who were treated in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from December 2014 to August 2021 were analyzed retrospectively in this study. There were 7 males and 4 females, aged (47.5±13.5) years (range: 12 to 64 years). The neoplasm involved the pterygopalatine fossa, infratemporal fossa, ethmoidal sinus, sphenoid sinus, cavernous sinus, and middle cranial fossa. The size of tumors were between 1.6 cm×2.0 cm×2.0 cm and 5.7 cm×6.0 cm×6.0 cm. Under general anesthesia, the tumors were resected through the transpterygoid approach in 4 cases, through the prelacrimal recess approach in 4 cases, through the extended prelacrimal recess approach in 2 cases, and through the endoscopic medial maxillectomy approach in 1 case. The nasal endoscopy and imaging examination were conducted to detect whether neoplasm recurred or not, and the main clinical symptoms during follow-up. Results: All the surgical procedures were performed under endonasal endoscope, including Gross total resection in 10 patients. The tumor of a 12-year-old patient was not resected completely due to huge tumor size and limited operation space. One patient was accompanied by two other schwannomas located in the occipital region and the ipsilateral parotid gland region originating from the zygomatic branch of the facial nerve, both of which were removed concurrently. After tumor resection, the dura mater of middle cranial fossa was directly exposed in the nasal sinus in 2 cases, including 1 case accompanied by cerebrospinal fluid leakage which was reconstructed by a free mucosal flap obtained from the middle turbinate, the other case was packed by the autologous fat to protect the dura mater. The operation time was (M(IQR)) 180 (160) minutes (range: 120 to 485 minutes). No complications and deaths were observed. No recurrence was observed in the 10 patients with total tumor resection during a 58 (68) months' (range: 10 to 90 months) follow-up. No obvious change was observed in the facial appearance of all patients during the follow-up. Conclusion: Type D trigeminal schwannoma involving pterygopalatine fossa and infratemporal fossa can be removed safely through purely endoscopic endonasal approach by selecting the appropriate approach according to the size and involvement of the tumor.

Functional connectivity changes during migraine treatment with electroacupuncture at Shuaigu (GB8) / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the changes in the functional connectivity (FC) in the right insula between migraine without aura (MWoA) and healthy controls by using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), and to observe the instant alteration of FC in MWoA during electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation at Shuaigu (GB8).@*METHODS@#A total of 30 patients with MWoA (PM group) and 30 healthy controls (HC group) underwent rs-fMRI scans. The PM group underwent a second rs-fMRI scan while receiving EA at GB8. The right insula subregions, including the ventral anterior insula (vAI), dorsal anterior insula (dAI) and posterior insula (PI), were selected as the seed points for FC analysis.@*RESULTS@#Aberrant FC, including dAI with right postcentral gyrus, PI with left precuneus, was found among PM before EA (PMa), PM during EA (PMb) and HC. Meanwhile, decreased FC between dAI and the right postcentral gyrus was found in the PMa compared to the HC and PMb. Increased FC between the PI and left precuneus was found in the PMa compared to the HC and PMb. Correlation analysis showed that the FC value of the right postcentral gyrus in PMa was negatively correlated with the scores of Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety. The FC value of the left precuneus in PMa was positively correlated with the visual analogue scale score.@*CONCLUSION@#The alteration of FC between the right insula subregions and multiple brain regions may be an important index for MWoA. EA at GB8 was able to adjust the FC between the right insula subregions and parietal lobe, namely, the right dAI and right postcentral gyrus, and the right PI and left precuneus, thereby rendering an instant effect in the management of MWoA.

The Auxiliary Diagnostic Value of Serum Adenosine Deaminase in Acute Leukemia at Clinical Test / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the auxiliary diagnostic value of serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) in acute leukemia (AL) at clinical test.@*METHODS@#123 AL patients hospitalized in Zhejiang hospital from November 2018 to March 2020 were enrolled as the observation group, and 98 healthy people in the same period were randomly enrolled as the control group. AL patients were divided into two groups: 77 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients for AML group and 46 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients for ALL group. The levels of adenosine deaminase (ADA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and homocysteine (Hcy) in serum of the patients were detected, and the correlation of ADA with these items was analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to analyze the clinical diagnostic value of ADA, Yoden index was used to confirm the best cut-off point.@*RESULTS@#The serum ADA level in AL patients was significant higher than that in control group (P < 0.05). The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation of ADA with Hcy, ALT, AST, GGT, LDH in AML group (r = 0.47, r = 0.28, r = 0.37, r = 0.22, r = 0.55); and also there was a significant positive correlation of ADA with GGT in ALL group (r = 0.54). In AML group, the maximum area under ROC curve was 0.761 (P = 0.00), 95% confidence interval was 0.682-0.841, sensitivity was 54.50%, specificity was 98.90%, and the best cut-off point was 17.1 U/L. In ALL group, the maximum area under ROC curve was 0.785, 95% confidence interval was 0.694-0.877, sensitivity was 65.90%, specificity was 84.00%, and the best cut-off point was 13.45 U/L.@*CONCLUSION@#The detection of ADA in serum can be used as an auxiliary examination in patients with AL, which can provide a certain value for the diagnosis of the disease.

Effects of scaffold microstructure and mechanical properties on regeneration of tubular dentin / 华西口腔医学杂志

Tubular dentin is of great significance in the process of tooth tissue and tooth regeneration, because it is not only the structural feature of primary dentin, but also can affect the tooth sensory function, affect the differentiation of dental pulp cells and provide strong mechanical support for teeth. Scaffold is one of the three elements of tissue engineering dentin regeneration. Most experiments on dentin regeneration involve the study of the microstructure and mechanical properties of the scaffold. The microstructure and mechanical characteristics of scaffold materials have important effects on the differentiation and adhesion of odontoblast, it can directly affect the tissue structure of regenerated dentin.

Correlation between neglect and behaviour problems of rural children aged 3-6 years in Urumqi / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To understand the situation of neglect and behavior problems of children aged 3-6 years in rural areas of Urumqi, Xinjiang, and to provide basis and reference for the prevention and treatment of child neglect.@*Methods@#Stratified random cluster sampling was performed to select 1 326 children aged 3-6 years from 6 kindergartens in rural Urumqi. The “Chinese Rural Child Aged 3-6 Years Neglect Evaluation Norm” and “Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire” were used.@*Results@#The total neglect rate of rural children was 51.89%, and the rate of behavioral problems was 23.37%. Each dimensional score of neglect among children with behavioral problems was higher than those without behavior preblems, and the difference was statistically significant (t=2.77，4.05，2.95，2.44，3.01，2.71，P<0.05). Emotional neglect was correlated with all factors in behavioral preblems, except phychosomation fact (r=0.18，0.80，0.15，0.14，0.19，P<0.05). Neglect in educational was correlated with all factors in behavioral factors except anxiety and hyperactivity (r=0.06，0.05，0.62，0.08，P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#Neglect of children aged 3-6 years in rural areas of Urumqi is more prominent and behavioral problems are more common, which should be paid more attention by relevant departments and parents.

Effect of microvascular invasion on long-term prognosis of liver resection for multiple hepatocellular carcinomas / 医学研究生学报

ObjectiveOnly few studies have been published of the effect of microvascular invasion (MVI) on long-term prognosis of liver resection (LR) for multiple hepatocellular carcinomas (mHCCs). Therefore, we investigate the efficacy of MVI on long-term prognosis of the patients undergoing LR formHCCs.MethodsThe clinical data of 505 patients undergoing LR for mHCCs in the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital of the Second Military Medical University between March 2009 and March 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into the MVI(+) group （n=279）and MVI (-) group (n=226), and146 patients in MVI (+) group and 124 patients in MVI (-) group received adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). The Kaplan-Meier approach was used for survival analysis and the Cox proportional-hazards regression model was used forthe risk factors of long-term survival rate.ResultsThe early recurrence rate of MVI (+) group was significantly higher than that of MVI (-) group (60.4% vs 40.5%, P<0.01), and the 1-, 3-, 5-year overall survival rate of MVI (+) group was significantly lower than those in MVI (-) group (70.5%, 47.4%, 33.4% vs 86.6%, 66.8%, 50.1%, P<0.05). Among MVI (+) patients, the early recurrence rate and 1-, 3-, 5-year overall survival rate in the adjuvant TACE group were better than those in the control group (early recurrence rate 41.3% vs 39.3%, P<0.05; 1, 3, 5 year overall survival rate 92.8%, 72.5%, 53.1% vs 78.6%, 59.5%, 47.3%, P<0.05). Multivariate Cox model indicated that the Alpha-foetoprotein (AFP) level, maximum tumor diameter/minimum tumor diameter, MVI and adjuvant TACE were independent risk factors for early recurrence (HR=1.48, 1.51, 1.34, 0.76, P<0.05); maximum tumor diameter, intraoperative blood transfusion, MVI and adjuvant TACE were independent risk factors for postoperative overall survival (HR=1.75, 1.75, 1.36, 0.68, P<0.05).ConclusionMVI is a risk factor for early recurrence and poor long-term prognosis after LR for mHCCs. For mHCCs with MVI, adjuvant TACE after LR could reduce the early recurrence rate and improve the long-term survival rate.

Perinatal monitoring of fetal growth restriction / 中国实用妇科与产科杂志

Based on domestic and international guidelines,clinical researches and expert consensus,it is stated that fetal growth restriction is the fetal low weight,clinically accompanied by abnormal placenta and umbilical cord blood flow.This paper summarized the significance and clinical value of the color Doppler detection during perinatal period,and discussed the measures to reduce the adverse outcome of fetal growth restriction during delivery.

Ticagrelor plus aspirin versus clopidogrel plus aspirin on graft patency after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A randomized controlled trial / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To compare the effect of aspirin+ticagrelor and aspirin+clopidogrel on graft patency one year after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods    A total of 67 patients who received CABG in our department from January 2014 to September 2017 were included in this study (52 males and 15 females). They were randomly divided into a group A (aspirin+clopidogrel) and a group B (aspirin+ticagrelor). There were 34 participants in the group A (28 males and 6 females) and 33 patients in the group B (24 males and 9 females). All patients were invited for clinical follow-up and 64-slice multislice computed tomography angiography (MSCTA) analysis in 1 year postoperatively. Cardiovascular events, bleeding events and other adverse events were followed up. Results    Four patients were lost to follow-up. Two patients died. A total of 61 patients (48 males and 13 females) completed coronary CTA, and 31 in the group A (25 males and 6 females) and 30 in the group B (23 males and 7 females). The total number of bridged vessels was 156 (59 internal thoracic artery bridges and 97 great saphenous vein bridges), including 79 in the group A (31 internal thoracic artery bridges and 48 great saphenous vein bridges) and 77 in the group B (28 internal thoracic artery bridges and 49 great saphenous vein bridges). Graft patency rate 1 year post CABG was 82.3% (65/79) in the group A and 92.2%(71/77) in the group B (P>0.05). Artery graft patency rate 1 year post CABG was 96.8% (30/31) in the group A and 96.4%(27/28) in the group B (P>0.05). Saphenous vein graft patency rate 1 year post CABG was 72.9% (35/48) in the group A  and 89.8% (44/49) in the group B (P<0.05). Multivariable analysis with binary logistic regression showed ticagrelor use reduced graft occlusion (OR=0.282, 95%CI 0.093 to 0.862, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in adverse events between the two groups. Conclusion    Compared with clopidogrel plus aspirin, ticagrelor added to aspirin after CABG may enhance the saphenous graft patency without the excess risk of bleeding 1 year post CABG.

Correlation Analysis of Rubella Incidence and Meteorological Variables Based on Chinese Medicine Theory of Yunqi / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the correlations between the incidence of rubella and meteorological factors over the same period and previous periods including 1, 2, 3 and 4 year ago (defined according to Chinese medicine Yunqi theory of "pestilence occurring after 3 years") and establish the rubella-meteorological forecast models for Beijing area, China.@*METHODS@#Data regarding the incidence of rubella between 1990 and 2004 from Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the meteorological variables including daily average temperatures, daily average wind speeds, average precipitations, average relative humidity, average vapor pressures and average low cloud covers between 1986 and 2004 were collected from the Beijing Meteorological Observatory. Descriptive statistics and back-propagation artificial neural network for forecast model's establishment were adopted for data analysis.@*RESULTS@#The average temperature and relative humidity have a great contribution (100%) to the rubella morbidity. But the combination of other meteorological factors contributed to improve the accuracy of rubella-meteorological forecast models. The forecast accuracy could be improved by 76% through utilizing a combination of meteorological variables spanning from 3 years ago to the present rather than utilizing data from a single year or dating back to more earlier time than 3 years.@*CONCLUSIONS@#There is a close relationship between the incidence of rubella and meteorological variables in current year and previous 3 years. This finding suggests that rubella prediction would benefit from consideration to previous climate changes.

Effect of vitreomacular adhesion on the anti-VEGF treatment in patients with macular edema induced by branch retinal vein occlusion / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To observe the the effect of vitreomacular adhesion on the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment in patients with macular edema (ME) induced by branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).METHODS:A retrospective clinical study.Totally 58 patients(60 eyes) were induced in this study during April 2014 to May 2016,who were diagnosed with macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion.All subjects were assigned to 2 groups according to the examination of optical coherence tomography (OCT):combined with vitreomacular adhesion groups (Group A) and uncombined with vitreomacular adhesion groups (Group B).The basic situation of the two groups was as follows:Group A:23 cases (24 eyes),the average age was 55.91± 7.34,the mean disease course was 3.4±1.01mo,the mean macular central retinal thickness (CMT) was 463.26±53.73μm and the average BCVA was 0.63±0.11;Group B:35 cases (36 eyes),the average age was 56.33± 5.34,the mean disease course was 2.82± 1.33mo,the mean CMT was 482.90± 37.43μ m and the average BCVA was0.59±0.12.All cases received vitreous injection of 0.5mg Conbercept.Injections were repeated based on the visual changes and the OCT findings.The follow-up time was more than 6mo.BCVA,CMT,and the numbers of injections of two groups were recorded at pre-operation and postoperative 1,6mo and the statistical analysis was conducted.RESULTS:BCVA and CMT of the most patients were improved compared to prior treatment and the difference had statistical significance (P ＜ 0.05).There were significant differences on CMT between two groups at 1 and 6mo after treatment (t=9.13,10.01;P＜0.05).While BCVA between two groups at 1 and 6mo after treatment was not statistically different (t=2.13,5.32;P＞0.05).At 6mo after treatment,the average numbers of injections in combined vitreomacular adhesion groups were 4.38±0.97 times and the average numbers of injections in uncombined vitreomacular adhesion groups were 3.56 ± 0.71 times.The difference had statistical significance (t=4.56,P＜ 0.05).Systematic adverse reactions and persistent intraocular pressure elevation,retinal detachment,endophthalmitis,vitreous hemorrhage were never found in the follow-up period.CONCLUSION:Vitreous injection of anti-VEGF treatment for macular edema induced by branch retinal vein occlusion has good clinical results.However,if there is merged with vitreomacular adhesion at the same time,the treatment effect of anti-VEGF will be weakened to some extent.

Endothelial Progenitor Cells' Classification and Application in Neurological Diseases

The therapeutic effects of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) on ischemic stroke have been extensively studied in recent years. However, the differences in early EPCs and endothelial outgrowth cells (EOCs) are still unclear. Clarifications of their respective properties and specific functioning characteristics contribute to better applications of EPCs in ischemic diseases. In this review, we discuss cellular origin, isolation, culture, surface markers of early EPCs and EOCs and relevant applications in neurological diseases. We conclude that EOCs possess all haracteristics of true endothelial progenitors and have potent advantages in EPC-based therapies for ischemic diseases. A number of preclinical and clinical applications of EPCs in neurological diseases are under study. More studies are needed to determine the specific characteristics of EPCs and the relevant mechanisms of EPCs for neurological diseases.

The immediate implant and immediate restoration in the anterior maxilla with the digital technique: case report and literature review / 口腔疾病防治

Objective @#To describe a novel workflow for the anterior dental esthetics in immediate implant and immediate aesthetic restoration with digital technique. @*Methods @#Before the implant placement, a intra-oral optical scan(IOS) combined with CBCT was performed to virtually design the 3D implant position and restoration. A surgical guide and an individualized Ti abutment restoration was CAD/CAM-fabricated out of the PMMA-based in a fully digital workflow and seated at the stage of minimal invasive surgery.@*Results @#The technique achieved immediate implant and immediate restoration after tooth extraction. Immediate restoration of temporary crown could be completed immediately in second patient visit after the operation, finally realized the aesthetic implantation with preserved soft tissue contour. @*Conclusin @# The fully digital technique changed the conventional workflow which achieves more efficiency and better aesthetic effect.

Observation on the effect of perioperative detail treatment of pterygium / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To observe the effect of perioperative detail treatment of pterygium. METHODS:Sixty cases(100 eyes) of pterygium patients were collected from Sep. 2012 to Jan. 2014. All cases were performed modified pterygium excision with limbal epithelial autograft transplantion under microscope. Corneal wound healing, graft survival, and the recurrence of pterygium were observed. RESULTS:All cases of conjunctival flap survive, corneal wound closed well. The patients were followed up for 7 to 12mo. Among them, 3 eyes recurred and the recurrence rate was 3%. There were no serious complications. CONCLUSION:In the operation of pterygium excision with limbal epithelial autograft transplantion, standard and detail treatment can significantly improve the clinical effect.

Preparation and evaluation of drug release of compound aspirin and esomeprazole magnesium enteric-coated pellet capsules / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To prepare compound aspirin and esomeprazole magnesium enteric-coated pellet capsules and evaluate the drug release in vitro/in vivo. METHODS: The aspirin pellet cores were prepared by using extrusion-spheronization method, and the esomeprazole magnesium-containing drug pellets were prepared with fluidized bed. By using fluidized bed coating method, the two kinds of drug-containing pellets were respectively coated with enteric layer to obtain enteric-coated pellets. After determining the loading capacity by measuring drug content, the two kinds of drug-containing pellets were filled into No.1 capsules. In vitro release was evaluated by measuring release percentage. The in vivo release behavior was evaluated by determination of pharmacokinetic parameters in rats. RESULTS: The cumulative release percentage of the two drugs was less than 5% in 2 h in 0.1 mol·L-1 hydrochloric acid solution. The cumulative release percentage of aspirin was more than 70% in 45 min in pH 6.8 PBS and it was more than 80% in 30 min for esomeprazole magnesium. Aspirin was metabolized to salicylic acid in plasma and its main pharmacokinetic parameters were as follows:t1/2=9.47 h, MRT0-∞=14.43 h, tmax=3.00 h, ρmax=51.34 mg·L-1, AUC0-24=703.39 mg·h·L-1, AUC0-∞=860.52 mg·h·L-1. The pharmacokinetic parameters for esomeprazole magnesium were as follows:t1/2=3.72 h, MRT0-∞=7.44 h,tmax=1.50 h, ρmax=2.71 mg·L-1, AUC0-24=11.89 mg·h·L-1, AUC0-∞=13.79 mg·h·L-1. CONCLUSION: The formulation of compound enteric-coated pellet capsules is reasonable, and the preparation technology has good reproducibility. The drug release is located in the intestinal tract, thus esomeprazole magnesium can antagonize the gastrointestinal side effects of aspirin and aspirin can produce better antithrombotic effect.

Relationship between vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism and preterm birth / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene pol-ymorphisms at Fok I site and the risk of preterm birth for potential intervention of of preterm birth or threatened premature delivery.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-seven women with preterm birth and 84 with full-term birth were included in this analysis. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction frag-ment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was performed to identify VDR gene Fok I geno-types.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No significant difference was found in age, D-dimer (DDI), fibrinogen (Fg), serum calcium (Ca), leukocyte count or glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level between the women in the preterm and full-term birth groups (P>0.05). The two groups differed signifi-cantly in the distribution of VDR gene Fok I site genotypes and allele frequency of F/F (P<0.05).The frequency of FF genotype was significantly higher in the preterm group than in the full-term group. Compared with Ff and ff genotypes, FF genotype was associated with an in-creased risk of preterm delivery (χ=9.701, P=9.701, OR=3.320, 95% CI [1.560, 7.066]). In the preterm group, the maternal age, DDI, Fg, serum Ca, leukocyte count or HbA1c did not differ significantly between the genotypes (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>VDR gene Fok I site geno-types are related with preterm birth, and the FF genotype may serve as a potential risk factor for preterm birth.</p>

Investigation on the role of VEGF gene polymorphisms in the risk of osteosarcoma

The VEGF in low oxygen conditions are reported to prolong the survival of malignant cell, and thus this gene has a critical role in tumor growth and invasion as well as development of malignant tumor. We aimed to assess the association between the six common SNPs and the risk of osteosarcoma, and their association with environmental factors. 176 subjects with osteosarcoma and 176 gender- and sex-matched healthy control individuals were enrolled into our study. The VEGF -2578C/A, -1156G/A, +1612G/A, +936C/T, -634G/C and -460T/C gene polymorphisms were determined using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism [PCR-RFLP] assay according to manufacturer's instructions By conditional logistic regression analysis, AA and CA+AA genotypes of VEGF -2578C/A were associated with significant increased risk of osteosarcoma compared with CC genotype, and the ORs [95%CI] were 2.32 [1.18-4.60] and 1.68 [1.07-2.64], respectively. Moreover, individuals with CC and TC+CC genotypes of VEGF-460T/C had significant increased risk of osteosarcoma compared with those carrying with the TT genotype, and ORs [95%CI] were 2.15 [1.10-4.21] and 1.60 [1.0-2.58], respectively. By stratified analysis, we did not find statistically significant associated between VEGF -2578C/A and -460T/C gene polymorphisms and cancer risk by stratification analysis. Our results suggested that VEGF -2578C/A and -460T/C gene polymorphisms may be association with an increased risk of osteosarcoma

Nerve growth factor for the treatment of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3: an open-label study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is the most common subtype of SCA worldwide, and runs a slowly progressive and unremitting disease course. There is currently no curable treatment available. Growing evidence has suggested that nerve growth factor (NGF) may have therapeutic effects in neurodegenerative diseases, and possibly also in SCA3. The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of NGF in SCA3 patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We performed an open-label prospective study in genetically confirmed adult (>18 years old) SCA3 patients. NGF was administered by intramuscular injection (18 μg once daily) for 28 days consecutively. All the patients were evaluated at baseline and 2 and 4 weeks after treatment using the Chinese version of the scale for assessment and rating of ataxia (SARA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twenty-one SCA3 patients (10 men and 11 women, mean age 39.14 ± 7.81 years, mean disease duration 4.14 ± 1.90 years, mean CAG repeats number 77.57 ± 2.27) were enrolled. After 28 days of NGF treatment, the mean total SARA score decreased significantly from a baseline of 8.48 ± 2.40 to 6.30 ± 1.87 (P < 0.001). Subsections SARA scores also showed significant improvements in stance (P = 0.003), speech (P = 0.023), finger chase (P = 0.015), fast alternating hand movements (P = 0.009), and heel-shin slide (P = 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Our preliminary data suggest that NGF may be effective in treating patients with SCA3.</p>