Target versus sub-target dose of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors on survival in elderly patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: a systematic review and meta-analysis / 老年心脏病学杂志（英文版）

BACKGROUND@#The efficiency of the target versus sub-target dose of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASIs) in elderly patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HErEF) remains unclear.@*METHODS@#PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from database inception through March 2022 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies considering the effect of the target versus sub-target dose of RASIs on survival in elderly patients (≥ 60 years) with HErEF. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. The secondary outcomes were cardiac mortality, HF hospitalization, and the composite endpoint of mortality or HF hospitalization. A meta-analysis was conducted to generate combined hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI.@*RESULTS@#Seven studies (two RCTs and five observational studies) enrolling 16,634 patients were included. A pooled analysis suggested that the target versus sub-target dose of RASIs led to lower rates of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.87-0.98, I2 = 21%) and cardiac mortality (HR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.85-1.00, I2 = 15%) but not reduced rates of HF hospitalization (HR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.88-1.01, I2 = 0) and the composite endpoint (HR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.91-1.15, I2 = 51%). However, the target dose of RASIs was associated with a similar primary outcome (HR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.64-1.14, I2 = 0) in a subgroup of very elderly patients > 75 years of age.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our analysis suggests that the target dose of RASIs has a better survival benefit in elderly patients with HFrEF compared to the sub-target dose of RASIs. However, the sub-target dose of RASIs is associated with a similar mortality rate in very elderly patients > 75 years of age. Future high-quality and adequately powered RCTs are warranted.

Association of Body Mass Index and Risk Stratification of Thyroid Nodules in a Multi-center Healthy Population / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To investigate the relationship between body mass index(BMI)and risk levels of thyroid nodules in a multi-center healthy population. Methods A total of 6070 subjects were enrolled from five medical physical examination centers in China from January 2015 to December 2017. All the participants'general information and parameters were recorded. Thyroid nodules were detected by color Doppler ultrasonography. All ultrasound doctors received uniform training before study. Results Among all the subjects,5773(95.1%;with 4274 nodules identified in 2833 subjects)were from northern China and 297(4.9%,with 183 nodules identified in 158 subjects)from central China(χ=1.923,P=0.092). The nodules were single in 1479 of 2991 subjects(49.4%)and multiple in 1512 subjects(50.6%). Nodules larger than 1 cm accounted for 13.3% and nodules smaller than 1 cm accounted for 86.7%. Compared with the non-thyroid nodule group,the thyroid nodule group had significantly more women(χ=156.36,P=0.000),older age(t=-18.768,P=0.000),and higher fasting blood glucose(FBG) level(t=-3.808,P=0.000). Among all the nodules,the prevalence rates of benign,very-low-risk,low-risk,moderate risk,and high risk were 4.5%,6.6%,85.0%,0.1%,and 3.7%,respectively,according to the ATA guidelines. Notably,there were 4291 nodules at moderate or lower risks and 166 nodules at high risk. Compared with the former,patients with high-risk nodules had significantly lower BMI(χ=25.161,P=0.000)and high FBG(t=3.357,P=0.000). Multivariate non-conditional Logistic regression showed low BMI(OR=2.900,95%CI:1.461-5.783,P=0.002)and high FBG level(OR=0.803,95%CI:0.675-0.955,P=0.013)were independent risk factors for high-risk nodules. Compared with subjects with normal weight or obese populations,subjects with low BMI had significantly higher detection rate of high-risk nodules(χ=25.16,P=0.000). In ≥55 year-old group,significantly more high-risk nodules were detected in low BMI group(χ=44.868,P=0.000). Conclusion Low weight is associated with high-risk thyroid nodules among people ≥55 years old.

Effects of emodin on lipid accumulation and inflammation in hepatocytes / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of emodin on lipid accumulation and inflammation in hepatocytes. The cell morphology was observed by microscopy. LDH release was detected by the kit. Levels of intracellular lipid droplets were observed by oil red O staining. The contents of TC and TG in cells were detected by the kit. Western blot was used to determine protein expressions of FASN,SREBF2,APOB,IL-6 and p-NF-κB in hepatocytes. The results showed that the levels of L02 cell LDH were significantly increased after being treated with emodin,and the cells showed shrinkage,volume reduction,decrease in quantity with the increase of dose. Red lipid droplets were observed in L02 hepatocytes. Intracellular TC and TG contents of L02 cell increased in a concentrationdependent manner,with significant differences between medium and high-dose groups( P < 0. 05). Protein expressions of FASN,SREBF2,IL-6 and p-NF-κB were significantly higher than those of the control group,and the expression level of APOB was significantly lower than that of the control group( P<0. 05). In conclusion,emodin could induce lipid accumulation and inflammatory damage in hepatocytes in a dose-dependent manner,which in turn could damage liver cells. This process was related to the up-regulation of FASN,SREBF2,IL-6,p-NF-κB,as well as the down-regulation of the protein expression of APOB.

Prevalence of myopia among primary and middle school students in Longkou City, Shandong Province / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

·AIM: To investigate the prevalence of myopia among primary and middle school students aged 7 to 18 in Longkou City, Shandong Province, and to provide a scientific basis for prevention and control of myopia. ·METHODS: The students aged 7 to 18 were enrolled through the method of stratified random and cluster sampling by the unit of schools and were investigated in Longkou, Shandong Province in 2015. A total of 58 schools were selected and 61 036 students were effectively sampled. All the subjects were divided into three- tiers based on geographical location: urban, rural-urban continuum, and rural areas. All the subjects were examined with the visual acuity and non -cycloplegic objective fraction. Microsoft Excel worksheet was used to establish a database, and SPSS 21. 0 software was used for statistical analysis. ·RESULTS: The prevalence of total myopia in the sample population of students of Longkou in 2015 was 49. 81% from 7 to 18 years old. The overall prevalence of myopia increased fastest from 11 to 12 years old. And the prevalence of mild myopia of students aged 13 was highest. The prevalence of total myopia were 46. 41% for boys and 53. 39% for girls, which showed the prevalence of girls was higher than the boys'. The prevalence of myopia in urban, rural- urban continuum, and rural areas were 55. 18% , 49. 75% , 44. 47% , respectively, and the prevalence of myopia in urban areas was the higher than the rural-urban continuum and the rural areas. The prevalence of total myopia gradually increased with age (rs=0. 943, P<0. 05). ·CONCLUSION: The results of the investigation showed a high prevalence of myopia among primary and middle school students in the city of Longkou, and gradually increased with age. The overall myopia prevalence for girls was higher than boys, and the prevalence was highest in urban areas.

Finite element analysis of lumbar disc degeneration with sacroiliac joint disorder by gait simulation / 医用生物力学

Objective To explore the biomechanical mechanisms of correlation between lumbar disc degeneration and sacroiliac joint disorder though investigating the biomechanical characteristics of lumbar disc degeneration with sacroiliac joint disorders. Methods One normal healthy volunteer and two patients with lumbar disc herniation and sacroiliac joint disorders (one was with sacrum disorders and the other was ilium disorders) were selected. Their CT data were collected to establish three corresponding lumbar-pelvis finite-element models, and their gait data were also simultaneously collected to drive the AnyBody musculoskeletal model. The muscle force around the lumbar and pelvis as well as the hip joint force were acquired as loading condition for finite element analysis. The stress changes in L4 and L5 intervertebral discs and sacroiliac joints of the patients and normal volunteer were compared. Results There was no significant difference in the stress of the two sides of L4, L5 disc and two sacroiliac joints in normal model, with a bimodal stress curve. However, in the models of sacrum disorders and ilium disorders, the bimodal stress curve peaks changed, even disappeared. The peak stress differences in left and right side of L4 disc were 0.55 MPa and 0.80 MPa, respectively, the peak stress differences in left and right side of L5 disc were 4.05 MPa and 2.08 MPa, respectively, and the peak stress differences in left and right side of sacroiliac joints were 0.96 MPa and 3.32 MPa, respectively. Conclusions The lumbar disc degeneration with sacroiliac joint disorder leads to the tilt of the body loading line, and sacroiliac joint disorder can aggravate the imbalances of stress on the body sides. The impact of sacroiliac joint dysfunction cannot be ignored in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.

Current advance in the research of related influencing factors of myopia / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

Myopia is not only a global public health problem, but also a significant socio-economic problem. There are various hypotheses about the pathogenesis of myopia, which is basically the result of the combination of environmental and genetic factors. Although a large number of epidemiological studies have been carried out on the influencing factors of myopia, most of them are cross-sectional studies, longitudinal cohort studies are relatively few. This paper will summarize the influencing factors of myopia at homeland and abroad in recent years.

Finite element analysis of lumbar disc degeneration with sacroiliac joint disorder by gait simulation / 医用生物力学

Objective To explore the biomechanical mechanisms of correlation between lumbar disc degeneration and sacroiliac joint disorder though investigating the biomechanical characteristics of lumbar disc degeneration with sacroiliac joint disorders.Methods One normal healthy volunteer and two patients with lumbar disc herniation and sacroiliac joint disorders (one was with sacrum disorders and the other was with ilium disorders) were selected.Their CT data were collected to establish three corresponding lumbar-pelvis finite-element models,and their gait data were also simultaneously collected to drive the AnyBody musculoskeletal model.The muscle force around the lumbar and pelvis as well as the hip joint force were acquired as loading condition for finite element analysis.The stress changes in L4 and L5 intervertebral discs and sacroiliac joints of the patients and normal volunteer were compared.Results There was no significant difference in the stress of the two sides of L4,L5 disc and two sacroiliac joints in normal model,with a bimodal stress curve.However,in the models of sacrum disorders and ilium disorders,the bimodal stress curve peaks changed,even disappeared.The peak stress differences in left and right side of L4 disc were 0.55 MPa and 0.80 MPa,respectively,the peak stress differences in left and right side of L5 disc were 4.05 MPa and 2.08 MPa,respectively,and the peak stress differences in left and right side of sacroiliac joints were 0.96 MPa and 3.32 MPa,respectively.Conclusions The lumbar disc degeneration with sacroiliac joint disorder leads to the tilt of the body loading line,and sacroiliac joint disorder can aggravate the imbalances of stress on the body sides.The impact of sacroiliac joint dysfunction cannot be ignored in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.

Finite element analysis of lumbar disc degeneration with sacroiliac joint disorder by gait simulation / 医用生物力学

Objective To explore the biomechanical mechanisms of correlation between lumbar disc degeneration and sacroiliac joint disorder though investigating the biomechanical characteristics of lumbar disc degeneration with sacroiliac joint disorders.Methods One normal healthy volunteer and two patients with lumbar disc herniation and sacroiliac joint disorders (one was with sacrum disorders and the other was with ilium disorders) were selected.Their CT data were collected to establish three corresponding lumbar-pelvis finite-element models,and their gait data were also simultaneously collected to drive the AnyBody musculoskeletal model.The muscle force around the lumbar and pelvis as well as the hip joint force were acquired as loading condition for finite element analysis.The stress changes in L4 and L5 intervertebral discs and sacroiliac joints of the patients and normal volunteer were compared.Results There was no significant difference in the stress of the two sides of L4,L5 disc and two sacroiliac joints in normal model,with a bimodal stress curve.However,in the models of sacrum disorders and ilium disorders,the bimodal stress curve peaks changed,even disappeared.The peak stress differences in left and right side of L4 disc were 0.55 MPa and 0.80 MPa,respectively,the peak stress differences in left and right side of L5 disc were 4.05 MPa and 2.08 MPa,respectively,and the peak stress differences in left and right side of sacroiliac joints were 0.96 MPa and 3.32 MPa,respectively.Conclusions The lumbar disc degeneration with sacroiliac joint disorder leads to the tilt of the body loading line,and sacroiliac joint disorder can aggravate the imbalances of stress on the body sides.The impact of sacroiliac joint dysfunction cannot be ignored in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.

Interleukin 8 Gene Polymorphisms Are Not Associated with Tuberculosis Susceptibility in the Chinese Population / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Interleukin 8 (IL8) is an important chemokine that elicits host immune response against tuberculosis (TB). However, whether there is an association between IL8 gene polymorphism and TB susceptibility in the Chinese population is unknown. IL8 gene was amplified and sequenced to search for nucleotide polymorphisms among the Chinese population. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified, selected, and analyzed in a cohort of 438 patients with TB and 536 healthy controls. Allelic, genotypic, and haplotypic analysis demonstrated that the distribution of the four IL8 SNPs between patients with TB and healthy controls was not significantly different (P>0.05). The four IL8 SNPs detected in this study were not associated with TB susceptibility in the Chinese population. Secretion of IL8 by peripheral blood cells was greatly stimulated upon exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis whole cell extract, but such enhanced secretion was not associated with the IL8 rs4073 alleles.

Cognitive Training in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>We investigated the feasibility and efficacy of cognitive training for older adults in rural settings and with low education levels, who have mild cognitive impairment (MCI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-five older adults (ages >65 years) with MCI were assigned to treatment or control groups, at a 2:1 ratio. Cognitive training occurred in the treatment group for 2 months. The cognitive abilities of the participants were assessed at pre-training, metaphase, and post-training time points, using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA), and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Following training, cognitive abilities improved in the treatment group, based on the total scores of all 4 measures, as well as specifically on the MoCA and LOTCA. There were differences in the main effects of group and time point on some subscales, but these differences had little, if any, effect on the overall analyses.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The present study demonstrated that cognitive training has beneficial effects on attention, language, orientation, visual perception, organization of visual movement, and logical questioning in patients with MCI. Furthermore, the observed effects are long-term changes.</p>

Inhibitory effects of blockage of intermediate conductance Ca(2+)-activated K (+) channels on proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The roles of intermediate conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel (IKCa1) in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were investigated. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of IKCa1 protein in 50 HCC and 20 para-carcinoma tissue samples. Real-time PCR was used to detect the transcription level of IKCa1 mRNA in 13 HCC and 11 para-carcinoma tissue samples. The MTT assay was used to measure the function of IKCa1 in human HCC cell line HepG2 in vitro. TRAM-34, a specific blocker of IKCa1, was used to intervene with the function of IKCa1. As compared with para-carcinoma tissue, an over-expression of IKCa1 protein was detected in HCC tissue samples (P<0.05). The mRNA expression level of IKCa1 in HCC tissues was 2.17 times higher than that in para-carcinoma tissues. The proliferation of HepG2 cells was suppressed by TRAM-34 (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 μmol/L) in vitro (P<0.05). Our results suggested that IKCa1 may play a role in the proliferation of human HCC, and IKCa1 blockers may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for HCC.

Inhibitory effects of blockage of intermediate conductance Ca(2+)-activated K (+) channels on proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The roles of intermediate conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel (IKCa1) in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were investigated. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of IKCa1 protein in 50 HCC and 20 para-carcinoma tissue samples. Real-time PCR was used to detect the transcription level of IKCa1 mRNA in 13 HCC and 11 para-carcinoma tissue samples. The MTT assay was used to measure the function of IKCa1 in human HCC cell line HepG2 in vitro. TRAM-34, a specific blocker of IKCa1, was used to intervene with the function of IKCa1. As compared with para-carcinoma tissue, an over-expression of IKCa1 protein was detected in HCC tissue samples (P<0.05). The mRNA expression level of IKCa1 in HCC tissues was 2.17 times higher than that in para-carcinoma tissues. The proliferation of HepG2 cells was suppressed by TRAM-34 (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 μmol/L) in vitro (P<0.05). Our results suggested that IKCa1 may play a role in the proliferation of human HCC, and IKCa1 blockers may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for HCC.

Significance of Changes of Serum Beta 2-Microglobulin,Cytocine Levels in Childhood Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To study the changes and significance of serum beta 2-microglobulin(?2-MG),cytocine interleukin-2(IL-2) in the clinical progress of childhood idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura(ITP).Methods One hundred and ten patients of childhood ITP were chosen for the test group(70 cases of primary ITP and 40 cases of recurrent ITP),and 110 normal children for the control group.Levels of serum ?2-MG and IL-2 were determined by radioimmunoassay kit and analysed with two sample t-test.Results Among the patients,the serum IL-2 levels were significantly lower and serum ?2-MG levels were significantly higher than those in control group(P0.05).Conclusion Determining serum IL-2 and ?2-MG levels has important significance to reflect the progress of disease and direct treatment.

Study on meteorological factors-based neural network model of malaria / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In order to provide reliable data for strategies development on prevention, a meteorological factors-based predicating model for malaria forecast was studied.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data on malaria occurrence and climate changes from 1994 to 1999 in counties in Yunnan province was collected and analyzed with software packages of FoxPro 6.0 and Excel 5.0. The forecasting model for malaria occurrence was established, using the Neural Network Toolbox of Matlab 6.1 software package. In the studies of forecasting model, data of malaria and meteorological factors from 1994 to 1999 in Honghe state in Yunnan province was chosen. The meteorological factors included average monthly pressure, air temperature, relative humidity, monthly maximum air temperature, minimum air temperature, rainfall, rainday, evaporation and sunshine hours in the study. The established forecasting model was also tested and verified.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The BP network model was established according to data of diseases and meteorological factors from Honghe state in Yunnan province. After training the neural network for 100 times, the error of performance decreased from 3.23608 to 0.035862. Verified by fact data of malaria, the efficiency of malaria forecasting was 84.85%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Neural network model was effective for forecasting malaria. It showed advantages as: strong ability for analysis, lower claim for data, convenient and easy to apply etc. Neural network model might be used as a new method for malaria forecasting.</p>

The supportive effect of primary bone marrow stromal cell layers on retroviral-mediated transduction of human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells / 中国实验血液学杂志

To elucidate the effect of established primary bone marrow stromal layers on the gene transduction of human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSC/HPC), mononuclear cells (MNC) from adult bone marrow were isolated by centrifugation on Ficoll-Hypaque gradients and plated in stromal culture medium. The cells were incubated until passage 4 to establish primary stromal layers. The HSC/HPC prestimulated by cytokines were transduced by retroviral supernatant containing mdr1 gene in presence of irradiated stroma-contact support. Transduced cells were plated in a colony-forming unit assay with and without vincristine (VCR) to assess the efficiency of transduction. Individual colonies were also analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of provirus. The results showed that the mixed adherent cell layers were formed when adult bone marrow stromal cells were incubated for four to six weeks, mainly being composed of fibroblasts. In the presence of stroma-contact support, the average of gene transduction efficiency in marrow-derived progenitors increased 2.1 to 3.3 folds measured by colony-forming assay and/or PCR, significantly higher than those without support of stroma. It is concluded that the presence of bone marrow stroma support in combination with cytokine facilitates augmenting the extent of retroviral-mediated gene transduction.

Aldehyde-dehydrogenase gene-transduced hematopoietic cell line K562 overcomes the cytoxicity of cyclophosphamide in vitro / 中国实验血液学杂志

The identification of genes inducing resistance to anticancer chemotherapeutic agents and their introduction into hematopoietic cells represents a promising approach to overcome bone marrow toxicity, the limiting factor for most high-dose chemotherapy regimens. Because resistance to cyclophosphamide has been correlated with increased levels of expression of the aldehyde-dehydrogenase (ALDH1) gene in tumor cells lines in vitro, this study tested whether ALDH1 overexpression could directly induce cyclophosphamide resistance. Results showed that a retroviral vector was used to transduce full-length human ALDH1 cDNA into human hematopoietic cell line K562 that was then tested for resistance to 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide (4-HC), an active analogue of cyclophosphamide. Overexpression of the ALDH1 gene resulted in a significant increases in cyclophosphamide resistance in transduced K562 cells (50% inhibition concentration, IC50 = 10 micro mol/L). These findings indicate that ALDH1 overexpression is sufficient to induce cyclophosphamide resistance in vitro and provide a basis for testing the efficacy of ALDH1 gene transduction to protect bone marrow cells from high-dose cyclophosphamide in vivo.