Role and mechanism of action of phytoestrogen biochanin A in improving liver fibrosis in ovariectomized mice / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of phytoestrogen biochanin A （BCA） on liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 in female mice with bilateral oophorectomy （ovariectomized） and its mechanism. MethodsA total of 50 ovariectomized Kunming mice were selected and given intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 to establish a model of liver fibrosis， and then according to body weight， they were randomly divided into model group， positive control group， and low-， middle-， and high-dose BCA groups， with 10 mice in each group. In addition， 10 female mice in the same litter were given resection of a small amount of adipose tissue near both ovaries to establish the sham-operation group. The mice in the positive control group were given estradiol 2 mg/kg by gavage， and those in the low-， middle-， and high-dose BCA groups were given BCA by gavage at a dose of 25， 50， and 100 mg/kg， respectively， once a day for 7 consecutive weeks； the mice in the sham-operation group and the model group were given an equal volume of 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution by gavage. The mice were anesthetized and sacrificed after administration to collect samples. Liver index and uterus index were measured； HE staining and Masson staining were used to observe liver histopathological changes； the biochemical analysis was used to measure the activity of aspartate aminotransferase （AST） and alanine aminotransferase （ALT）； ELISA was used to measure the levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in liver tissue， and Western blot was used to measure the relative protein expression levels of collagen Ⅰ， transforming growth factor-beta 1 （TGF-β1）， alpha-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， estrogen receptor beta （ERβ）， and p-NF-κBp65/NF-κBp65 in liver tissue. The t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups； a one-way analysis of various was used for comparison between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups and further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the sham-operated group， the model group had a significant increase in liver index and a significant reduction in uterus index， as well as significant increases in the activities of serum AST and ALT， the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in liver tissue， and the protein expression levels of collagen Ⅰ， TGF-β1， α-SMA， and p-NF-κBp65/NF-κBp65 in liver tissue （all P<0.05）， with no significant change in the expression of ERβ in liver tissue （P>0.05）， and the model group showed significant fibrosis lesions in the liver， such as hepatocyte edema， steatosis， and necrosis with inflammatory cell infiltration and hyperplasia， deposition， and staggered distribution of collagen fibers. Compared with the model group， the low-， middle-， and high-dose BCA groups had significant reductions in liver index， the activities of serum AST and ALT， the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α， and the protein expression levels of collagen Ⅰ， TGF-β1， α-SMA， and p-NF-κBp65/NF-κBp65 in liver tissue （all P<0.05）， with no significant change in uterine index （P>0.05）， as well as a significant increase in the protein expression level of ERβ in liver tissue （P<0.05） and varying degrees of improvement in liver fibrosis lesions. ConclusionBCA can effectively improve CCL4-induced liver fibrosis in ovariectomized female mice， possibly by upregulating ERβ to inhibit the NF-κB signaling pathway and then alleviating inflammatory response.

Spatio-temporal distribution of emerging snail-infested sites in different environmental types in Yunnan Province / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To explore the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of emerging snail-infested sites in different environmental types in Yunnan Province.Methods:The data of snail-infested sites in Yunnan Province from 1950 to 2014 (from Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention), were collected and sorted out, a spatial and temporal database on the distribution of emerging snail-infested sites were established, and the changes in the spatial and temporal distribution of emerging snail-infested sites in different environments types (ditches, tangerines, paddy fields, dry land, beaches and other environments) were studied by using spatial autocorrelation analysis and scanning statistics analysis.Results:From 1950 to 2014, the annual number of emerging snail-infested sites in Yunnan Province reached a peak (1 730) in 1955 and then showed a fluctuating downward trend. From 1993 to 2014, the number of emerging snail-infested sites remained below 100, and increased to 160 and 131, respectively, in 2004 and 2013. The longest mean duration of 43.85 years was recorded for the beaches environment for emerging snail-infested sites, followed by the paddy fields environment with a mean duration of 37.01 years, and the shortest mean duration of 20.44 years for the tangerines environment. Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that there was a positive spatial correlation between the duration of emerging snail-infested sites of different environmental types (global Moran's I ranged from 0.43 to 0.64, P < 0.05). Scanning statistics analysis showed that emerging snail-infested sites of different environmental types had spatial and temporal aggregation ( P < 0.001), with 3- 6 clusters of statistically significant aggregation detected respectively. Conclusion:The emerging snail-infested sites in different environments types in Yunnan Province have spatial and temporal aggregation, and it is necessary to strengthen monitoring and prevention and control of the aggregation areas of different environment types to prevent further spread of the snail.

On the construction of private class learning community based on intelligent teaching platform and analysis of its application effects / 中华医学教育探索杂志

In order to improve the effectiveness of private class inquiry with the development of information teaching, the smart teaching platform has been established, with instructional management, curriculum setting, teacher preparation, classroom application, supervision and monitoring modules. Taking the platform as the medium, the small class inquiry learning community of entity curriculum is constructed between students and the teachers. In the eight-year medical teaching, the content of learning cycle is designed according to the entity curriculum, which is issued on cloud platform before class, in class and after class. Students learn basic concepts by themselves in the learning community, explore the application of knowledge under the guidance of teachers, and expand knowledge in class or after class. After having test in teaching procedure, the small class learning community based on smart teaching cloud platform has a submission rate, interaction rate and score rate of more than 90%. It can not only make full use of the advantages of information-based teaching resources, but also build face-to-face learning community in the course teaching, reflecting the emotional interaction of personalized teaching. It's suggested that new approaches to teaching should be student-centered and activity-based, engaging students actively in the learning process, which can promote students' autonomous learning ability and innovative thinking ability.

Optimization of the medium and fermentation condition for the Penicillium aurantiocandidum Z12 strain with molluscicidal actions against Oncomelania hupensis / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To optimize the culture and fermentation conditions of the Penicillium aurantiocandidum Z12 strain, a fungal strain with molluscicidal actions against Oncomelania hupensis, so as to provide the basis for the research and development of molluscicidal active substances from the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain and its fermentation broth and large-scale fermentation. Methods The carbon source, nitrogen source and mineral salts were identified in the optimal culture medium for the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain with a single-factor experiment to determine the best fermentation condition for the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain. Factors that significantly affected the growth of the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain were identified using the Plackett-Burman design, and the best range of each factor was determined using the steepest climb test. Response surface analyses of temperature, pH value, seeding amount and liquid-filling quantity were performed using the Box-Behnken design to create a regression model for fermentation of the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain to identify the optimal culture medium. Results Single-factor experiment preliminarily identified the best culture medium and conditions for the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain as follows: sucrose as the carbon source at approximately 20 g/L, tryptone as the nitrogen source at approximately 5 g/L, K2HPO4 as the mineral salt at approximately 5 g/L, initial pH at approximately 8, temperature at approximately 28 °C, seeding amount at approximately 6%, and liquid-filling quantity at approximately 50 mL/100 mL. Plackett-Burman design showed that factors that significantly affected the growth of the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain included temperature (t = −5.28, P < 0.05), seeding amount (t = 5.22, P < 0.05), pH (t = −4.30, P < 0.05) and liquid-filling quantity (t = −4.39, P < 0.05). Steepest climb test showed the highest mycelial growth at pH of 7.5, seeding amount of 8%, and liquid-filling quantity of 40 mL/100 mL, and this condition was selected as the central point of response surface analysis for the subsequent optimization of fermentation conditions. Response surface analyses using the Box-Behnken design showed that the optimal conditions for fermentation of the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain included sucrose at 15 g/L, tryptone at 5 g/L, K2HPO4 at 5 g/L, temperature at 28.2 °C, pH at 7.5, seeding amount at 10%, and liquid-filling quantity at 35.8 mL/100.0 mL, resulting in 0.132 g yield of the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain. Conclusion The optimal culture condition for the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain has been identified, and the optimized culture medium and fermentation condition may effectively improve the fermentation yield of the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain.

Application of ANSYS Fatigue Analysis in Type Selection and Evaluation of Bone Plate / 医用生物力学

Objective By comparing the fatigue strength of type A and type B locking compression plates (LCP) in distal femoral plate, a theoretical evaluation method was provided for type selection of bone plate when testing its bending strength and fatigue performance. Methods Through bending strength performance test and fatigue performance test on bone plates with different types, combined with ANSYS Workbench, the finite element analysis on total deformation, von Mises stress and fatigue service life of bone plates were conducted. Results The fatigue strength of type A plate was 30.7% higher than that of type B plate, the stress of type A plate was lower than that of type B plate, and the minimum fatigue service life of type A plate was 17% higher than that of type B plate. Conclusions The fatigue performance of type A plate is better than that of type B plate, so the failure possibility of type A plate was lower than that of type B plate.The results provide references for assisting selection of different bone plates when testing the performance of two newly developed bone plates.

Corticostriatal Neurons in the Anterior Auditory Field Regulate Frequency Discrimination Behavior / 神经科学通报·英文版

The anterior auditory field (AAF) is a core region of the auditory cortex and plays a vital role in discrimination tasks. However, the role of the AAF corticostriatal neurons in frequency discrimination remains unclear. Here, we used c-Fos staining, fiber photometry recording, and pharmacogenetic manipulation to investigate the function of the AAF corticostriatal neurons in a frequency discrimination task. c-Fos staining and fiber photometry recording revealed that the activity of AAF pyramidal neurons was significantly elevated during the frequency discrimination task. Pharmacogenetic inhibition of AAF pyramidal neurons significantly impaired frequency discrimination. In addition, histological results revealed that AAF pyramidal neurons send strong projections to the striatum. Moreover, pharmacogenetic suppression of the striatal projections from pyramidal neurons in the AAF significantly disrupted the frequency discrimination. Collectively, our findings show that AAF pyramidal neurons, particularly the AAF-striatum projections, play a crucial role in frequency discrimination behavior.

Clinical Study of Cytomegalovirus Infection after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the risk factors of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and refractory CMV infection (RCI) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and their influences on survival.@*METHODS@#A total of 246 patients who received allo-HSCT from 2015 to 2020 were divided into CMV group (n=67) and non-CMV group (n=179) according to whether they had CMV infection. Patients with CMV infection were further divided into RCI group (n=18) and non-RCI group (n=49) according to whether they had RCI. The risk factors of CMV infection and RCI were analyzed, and the diagnostic significance of Logistics regression model was verified by ROC curve. The differences of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) between groups and the risk factors affecting OS were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#For patients with CMV infection, the median time of the first CMV infection was 48(7-183) days after allo-HSCT, and the median duration was 21 (7-158) days. Older age, EB viremia and gradeⅡ-Ⅳacute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) significantly increased the risk of CMV infection (P=0.032, <0.001 and 0.037, respectively). Risk factors for RCI were EB viremia and the peak value of CMV-DNA at diagnosis≥1×104 copies/ml (P=0.039 and 0.006, respectively). White blood cell (WBC)≥4×109/L at 14 days after transplantation was a protective factor for CMV infection and RCI (P=0.013 and 0.014, respectively). The OS rate in CMV group was significantly lower than that in non-CMV group (P=0.033), and also significantly lower in RCI group than that in non-RCI group (P=0.043). Hematopoietic reconstruction was a favorable factor for OS (P<0.001), whereas CMV-DNA≥1.0×104 copies/ml within 60 days after transplantation was a risk factor for OS (P=0.005).@*CONCLUSION@#The late recovery of WBC and the combination of EB viremia after transplantation are common risk factors for CMV infection and RCI. CMV-DNA load of 1×104 copies/ml is an important threshold, higher than which is associated with higher RCI and lower OS risk.

Association between dietary pattern and cognitive function of elderly in Tianjin / 上海预防医学

ObjectiveTo determine the association of dietary diversity and dietary pattern with cognitive function in elderly in community. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted to randomly select 143 elderly people over 65 years old in Wangdingdi Community of Tianjin. Self-designed questionnaire was used and then dietary diversity index was calculated. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Chinese Revised （WAIS-RC） was used to measure intelligence quotient （IQ） to assess cognitive function. Factor analysis and multivariate linear regression model were used to extract dietary patterns and determine the association of dietary diversity index and dietary patterns with cognitive function， respectively. ResultsFactor analysis revealed four dietary patterns， which were meat and cereal dietary pattern， fish and poultry milk dietary pattern， bean vegetable dietary pattern， and egg dietary pattern. Multivariate linear regression showed that egg dietary pattern was significantly associated with performance IQ （P<0.05）， suggesting that egg dietary pattern may have a protective effect on IQ of the elderly. There was no significant association between dietary diversity and cognitive function in the elderly （P>0.05）. ConclusionEgg dietary pattern may protect cognitive function in the elderly. Therefore， the elderly should increase the intake of eggs in daily diet.

Cap-assisted endoscopic sclerotherapy and procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids for internal hemorrhoids: a randomized controlled study / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of cap-assisted endoscopic sclerotherapy (CAES) and procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids (PPH) for internal hemorrhoids.Methods:This study was a prospective double-blind controlled clinical one. A total of 80 patients with internal hemorrhoids who visited Baoding No.1 Central Hospital from March 2018 to March 2020 and met the inclusion and did not meet exclusion criteria, were randomly divided into CAES group ( n=40) and PPH group ( n=40) by random number table method, and received corresponding treatment respectively. The perioperative indices of the two groups were compared, including intraoperative blood loss, operation time, visual analogue scale (VAS) score at 24 and 48 hours after operation, length of hospital stay, treatment costs, time to return to normal life, and curative rates. The complications within 3 months after operation and the 1-year recurrence after operation were also compared between the two groups. Results:The operation was successfully completed in all patients. The intraoperative blood loss (0.54±0.15 mL VS 7.32±2.17 mL) and treatment cost (6 249.53±435.67 yuan VS 7 832.96±526.74 yuan) in CAES group were significantly lower than those in PPH group ( t=19.714, P<0.05; t=14.650, P<0.05). The length of hospital stay (3.53±0.94 d VS 5.18±1.36 d) and time to return to normal life (5.26±1.28 d VS 7.17±2.09 d) in CAES group were significantly lower than those in PPH group ( t=6.312, P<0.05; t=4.929, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in operation time between the two groups ( t=0.977, P>0.05). The VAS scores at 24 h (2.64±0.70 points VS 3.59±0.93 points) and 48 h (1.28±0.31 points VS 2.16±0.57 points) after operation in CAES group were significantly lower than those in PPH group ( t=5.162, P<0.05; t=8.578, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the curative rate [90.0% (36/40) VS 97.5% (39/40)] between CAES group and PPH group ( χ2=0.853, P=0.356). During the follow-up period within 3 months after the operation, the incidence of urinary retention [0.0% (0/40) VS 15.0% (6/40)] and pain [2.5% (1/40) VS 22.5% (9/40)] in CAES group was significantly lower than those in PPH group ( χ2=4.504, P<0.05; χ2=7.314, P<0.05). No other complications occurred in the 80 patients. After 1 year of follow-up, the recurrence rate of CAES group was 7.5% (3/40), which was not statistically different from that in PPH group [5.0% (2/40), χ2=0.180, P>0.05]. Conclusion:As a new minimally invasive technique for the treatment of internal hemorrhoids, CAES has similar curative rate and 1-year recurrence rate to PPH. Compared with PPH, CAES shows the advantages of less trauma, less pain, faster recovery and lower cost.

Relationship between obesity and insomnia among adults / 预防医学

Objective@#To investigate the association between obesity and insomnia among adults, so as to provide insights into obesity control and sleep health improvements among adult populations. @*Methods@#Sixteen communities were randomly sampled from Longgang District, Shenzhen City using a multistage cluster sampling method, and permanent residents at ages of 18 years and older living in these communities were recruited as study subjects. Subjects' gender, age, educational level and marital status were collected using a self-designed questionnaire, and the body mass index ( BMI) was calculated. The sleep quality was evaluated using the Insomnia Severity Index ( ISI ), and the correlation between obesity and insomnia was evaluated using a multivariable logistic regression model.@*Results@#A total of 10 434 questionnaires were allocated, and 9 425 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 90.33%. The respondents included 3 448 men ( 36.58% ) and 5 977 women ( 63.42% ), and 6 940 respondents ( 73.63% ) were at ages of 18 to 44 years. There were 778 respondents with underweight ( 8.25% ), 5 522 with normal weight ( 58.59% ), 2 209 with overweight ( 23.44% ) and 916 with obesity ( 9.72% ). Among all respondents, 1 149 respondents were detected with insomnia, with a detection rate of 12.19%, including 839 subjects with mild insomnia ( 8.90% ), 247 subjects moderate insomnia ( 2.62% ) and 63 subjects with severe insomnia ( 0.67% ). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed a statistically significant correlation between obesity and insomnia ( OR=2.179, 95%CI: 1.824-2.603 ).@*Conclusions@#There is a significant correlation between obesity and insomnia. Body weight management and sleep health education shall be intensified among adults.

Epidemiological trends of schistosomiasis in Poyang County of Jiangxi Province from 2004 to 2020 based on the Joinpoint regression model / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To analyze the dynamic changes of schistosomiasis in Poyang County of Jiangxi Province from 2004 to 2020, so as to provide insight into the development of the schistosomiasis elimination strategy. Methods Schistosomiasis control data were captured from Poyang County from 2004 to 2020, and the epidemiological data of schistosomiasis were collected from national schistosomiasis surveillance sites in Poyang County from 2005 to 2020. The endemic status of schistosomiasis was analyzed in Poyang County from 2004 to 2020, and a Joinpoint regression analysis was performed to investigate the trends of schistosomiasis in Poyang County from 2004 to 2020. Results The sero-prevalence and egg-prevalence of human Schistosoma japonicum infections reduced from 24.39% (24 976/102 397) and 4.53% (259/5 721) in 2004 to 5.37% (2 421/45 100) [annual percent change (APC) = average annual percent change (AAPC) = −8.64%] and 0 (0/3 963) in 2020 (APC = AAPC = −32.07%) in Poyang County, and the trends were both significant (both P < 0.01). The sero-prevalence of S. japonicum infections reduced from 1.21% (294/24 332) in bovines in 2013 to 0.58% (35/5 999) in 2020 in Poyang County, with one turning point (AAPC = −8.20%, P > 0.05). There were no townships or villages with emerging snail habitats in Poyang County from 2004 to 2020, and there were three turning points of trend in the proportion of snail areas detected in total snail areas (AAPC = −2.30%, P > 0.01). The sero-prevalence and adjusted prevalence of S. japonicum infections reduced from 60.82% (742/1 220) and 10.16% (124/1 220) in local residents in 2005 to 5.73% (70/1 221) and 0 in 2020 in national schistosomiasis surveillance sites of Poyang County, and the trends for sero-prevalence (APC = AAPC = 17.47%, P < 0.01) and adjusted prevalence of S. japonicum infections (APC = AAPC = −44.92%, P < 0.01) were both statistically significant. S. japonicum infections were identified in 10 (2005) and 2 local livestock (2007), with prevalence of 10.00% (10/100) and 13.33% (2/15), respectively, and S. japonicum infections were detected in snails in 2008 and 2009; however, no positive samples of mixed O. hupensis were detected by loop-mediated isothermal amplification. Conclusions The endemic situation of schistosomiasis control had remarkably reduced in Poyang County from 2004 to 2020; however, there are still challenges for consolidating schistosomiasis control achievements and even elimination of schistosomiasis.

Research progress on the effect of sleep on obesity among adults / 预防医学

Abstract@#Obesity is a major global public health problem. Long-term sleep deprivation has been identified as a major risk factor of obesity among adults, and oversleeping is found to correlate with the increased risk of obesity. Based on systematic reviews, meta-analysis and prospective cohort studies of the association between sleep and obesity among adults published during the period between 2017 and April, 2022, this review summarizes the direct impact of sleep on obesity among adults, the improvements of adult obesity by sleep and the immune, endocrine, energy metabolism, dietary habit and psychological mechanisms of obesity affected by sleep, so as to provide insights into the development of interventions against adult obesity.

Otologic disorders and management strategies in Turner syndrome / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To analyze the incidence and risk factors of otologic disorders in patients with Turner syndrome (TS), so as to provide management strategies for ear health. Methods: This study is a prospective study based on questionnaires and a cross-sectional study. The TS patients who visited our hospital from 2010 January to 2021 March were included (A total of 71 patients with TS were included in this study. the age of TS diagnosed was 3- to 11-year-old, age of visiting ENT department was 4- to 27-year-old) and the incidence of otologic diseases in different age groups was investigated by questionnaires. The cross-sectional study included ear morphology and auditory function assessment, and further analysis of the risk factors that related to ear disease. Prism was used for data analysis. Results: The investigation found that the incidence of acute otitis media in patients aged 3-6 and 7-12 years was higher than that of patients over 12 years old, which was 33.8%(24/71), 42.9%(30/70)and 23.5%(8/34), respectively; 21.1% (15/71) of patients were recurrent acute otitis media in patients aged 3-6 years, and about 46.6% (7/15)of them persisted beyond 6-year. The prevalence of otitis media with effusion in the three groups was 32.4%(23/71), 34.3%(24/70)and 38.2%(13/34), respectively; the recurrence rate of tympanocentesis was 100%(7/7), 42.9%(3/7)and 50.0%(1/2), which was significantly higher than that of grommet insertion. For age groups of 3-6 and 7-12 years, the prevalence of acute otitis media and secretory otitis media was lower in the X chromosome structure abnormal patients; while for patients older than 12 years, otitis media with effusion was the highest prevalence in Y-chromosome-containing karyotypes. In addition, the prevalence of acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion in patients with other system diseases were increased significantly. A cross-sectional study found that 7.0% (5/71)of the lower auricular, 4.2% (3/71)of the external auditory canal narrow, and 38.0% (27/71)of the tympanic membrane abnormality. 35.2%(25/71) had abnormal hearing, including 17 cases of conductive deafness, 6 cases of sensorineural hearing loss, and 2 cases of mixed deafness. The rest of the patients had normal hearing, but 6 of them had abnormalities in otoacoustic emission. Eustachian tube function assessment found that the eustachian tube dysfunction accounted for 38%(27/71). Hearing loss and abnormal Eustachian tube function were not significantly related to karyotype(Chi-square 2.83 and 2.84,P value 0.418 and 0.417), but significantly related to other system diseases(Chi-square 13.43 and 7.53,P value<0.001). Conclusions: The incidence of TS-related otitis media and auditory dysfunction is significantly higher than that of the general population. It not only occurs in preschool girls, but also persists or develops after school age. Accompanied by other system diseases are risk factors for ear diseases. Clinicians should raise their awareness of TS-related ear diseases and incorporate ear health monitoring into routine diagnosis and treatment.

Identification of factors affecting Oncomelania hupensis density in Eastern Dongting Lake regions / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the impact of water pollutants, water levels and meteorological factors on the Oncomelania hupensis density in Eastern Dongting Lake regions, so as to provide insights into schistosomiasis control. Methods O. hupensis snails were surveyed using a systematic sampling method in snail-infested marshlands in Eastern Dongting Lake regions from 2007 to 2014, and data pertaining to water pollutants, water levels and meteorological factors were collected. The duration of submergence and the date of the start of submergence were calculated. The snail density and its influencing factors were descriptively analyzed, and a linear mixed model was generated to examine the impacts of variables on the snail density. In addition, smooth curves were fitted to investigate the relationship between snail density and variables. Results The snail density appeared a fluctuation in Eastern Dongting Lake regions during the period from 2007 to 2014, with the highest density on October, 2010 (52.79 snails/0.1 m2) and the lowest density on January 2009 (2.15 snails/0.1 m2). Linear mixed-model analysis showed that permanganate index, total phosphorus and the date of the start of submergence affected the snail density (t = 6.386, −2.920 and −3.892, all P values < 0.01). Smooth curve analysis revealed that the associations of the snail density with the permanganate index and total phosphorus appeared an approximately quadratic curve. After the end of April, the earlier date of the start of submergence resulted in a higher snail density. Conclusion Permenganate index, total phosphorus and the date of the start of submergence affect the O. hupensis snail density in Eastern Dongting Lake regions.

Biomechanical Comparison of Novel and Traditional LCP Fixation for Femoral Shaft Fractures / 医用生物力学

Objective To compare biomechanical properties of the traditional and novel locking compression plate （LCP） for treating femoral shaft fracture, so as to provide theoretical basis for selecting more effective bone plate. Methods The bending strength and fatigue tests on the plate were performed, and the finite element analysis on deformation, stress and life of the plate were conducted by using ANSYS Workbench. Results The average bending yield load and bending strength of the novel LCP were 1.4 times of that of the traditional LCP, and the average cycle times of the novel and traditional LCP were 106 and 47 091, respectively. The difference of service life for two LCPs was 33.8%. ConclusionsThe failure probability of the novel LCP is smaller than that of the traditional LCP, and the novel LCP has more effective biomechanical stability.

One new coumarin from seeds of Herpetospermum pedunculosum / 中国中药杂志

This paper aims to investigate the chemical constituents of the seeds of Herpetospermum pedunculosum. One new coumarin and two known lignans were isolated from the ethanolic extract of the seeds of H. pedunculosum with thin layer chromatography(TLC), silica gel column chromatography, Sephedax LH-20 chromatography, Semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography and recrystallization, etc. Their structures were elucidated as herpetolide H(1), phyllanglaucin B(2), and buddlenol E(3) by analysis of their physicochemical properties and spectral data. Among them, compound 1 was a new compound, and compounds 2 and 3 were isolated from this genus for the first time. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity test showed that herpetolide H had certain NO inhibitory activity for LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells, with its IC_(50) value of(46.57±3.28) μmol·L~(-1).

Investigation on reproductive characteristics of Polygonatum cyrtonema / 中国中药杂志

The study is aimed to investigate the reproductive biology characteristics of Polygonatum cyrtonema, especially including phenology, flower bud differentiation, flowering timing, floral traits, pollen vigor and stigma receptivity. The results showed that P. cyrtonema forms inflorescence before the leaves spread. In the wild, P. cyrtonema is mainly pollinated by insects such as bumblebees, with a seed setting rate of 65.12%. The seed setting rate of indoor single plant isolation or self-pollination enclosed by parchment paper bag is 0, indicating that it is self-incompatible. In Lin'an city, seedlings begin to emerge from mid-March to early April(the temperature is higher than 7.5 ℃), buds begin to emerge from the end of March to mid-April, and then undergo the full bloom stage from mid-to-late April, and the final flowering stage from the end of April to mid-May. The whole flowering period lasts 36 to 45 days. There are obvious differences in the phenology of different provenances. The flowers come into bloom from the base to the top along the aboveground main axis, which usually contain 4-22 inflorescences with(2-) 4-10(-21) flowers per inflorescence. The flowering pe-riod for a single plant is 26-38 days. The single flower lasts about 20-25 days from budding to opening and withers 2 days after pollination, and then the ovary will gradually expand. If unpollinated, it will continue to bloom for 3-5 days and then wither. Flower development period is significantly related to pollen vigor and stigma remittance. The pollen viability is the highest when the flower is fully opened with anthers gathering on the stigma, and the receptivity is the strongest when the stigma protrudes out of the perianth and secretes mucus. The fruits and seeds ripen in October, and proper shading can ensure the smooth development and maturity of the seeds. This study provides a basis for the hybrid breeding and seed production of P. cyrtonema.

Application of pushing endoscopic submucosal dissection in large area of early cancer and precancerous lesions of cardia / 中华消化内镜杂志

To explore the application value of pushing endoscopic submucosal dissection (PESD) in treatment of large area of early cardiac cancer or precancerous lesions. Form January 2017 to January 2020, patients diagnosed as having early cardiac cancer or high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia with largest lesion diameter greater than 2.0 cm at the Baoding NO.1 Central Hospital were enrolled in the study. Patients who received PESD with water-injected knife were included in the PESD group (26 cases), and compared with those who received conventional ESD with common mucosal incision (the conventional ESD group, 17 cases) at the same period. The procedure time, the complete resection rate of lesions and the incidence of complications were analyzed.There were no difference in lesion size between the two groups ( P>0.05). The procedure time of PESD group was 53.7±18.2 min, which was 91.5±26.5 min in the conventional ESD group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001). In the PESD group, 7 cases (26.9%) had intraoperative hemorrhage. In the conventional ESD group, 8 cases (47.1%) had intraoperative bleeding, and 2 (11.8%) had intraoperative perforation. There were significant differences in the incidence of hemorrhage and perforation between the two groups (all P<0.001). Compared with conventional ESD, PESD can effectively improve the dissection speed, reduce the incidence of complications, and make endoscopic surgery safer and faster.

An intervention study on the effects of vitamin D 3 on cognitive function and blood inflammatory cytokines in patients with Alzheimer's disease / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To assess the effects of a 12-month vitamin D 3 intervention on cognitive function and blood inflammatory cytokines in subjects with Alzheimer's disease(AD). Methods:Two hundred and ten AD patients were randomly divided into the intervention and control groups, with 105 patients in each group.The intervention group received vitamin D 3 800 U/day and the control group received a placebo for 12 months.Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to evaluate the effects of vitamin D and placebo on cognitive performance and blood inflammatory cytokines at baseline, month 6 and month 12. Results:During the follow-up, serum 25(OH)D 3( F=712.086, P<0.001)and 1, 25(OH) 2D 3( F=372.038, P<0.001)concentrations in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the control group.Changes in FSIQ, VIQ and PIQ between the groups, between different time points and with interaction between the variables taken into account were statistically significant(all P<0.001). Compared with the control group, interleukin-6(IL-6)( F=341.344, P<0.001)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)( F=9.580, P<0.001)levels in the intervention group were significantly decreased, and the ratio of Aβ40 to Aβ42 was increased( F=4.617, P=0.010). There were interaction effects between group and time.Except for intervention effects, the baseline concentration of 25(OH)D 3 was positively correlated with scores of FSIQ( β=0.016, P=0.031)and VIQ( β=0.017, P=0.031). Conclusions:Daily oral vitamin D 3 supplementation(800 U/day)for 12 months may improve cognitive function and change inflammatory cytokines in elderly patients with AD.

Analysis of malnutrition status among primary and middle school students in poor rural areas of Chongqing from 2013 to 2019 / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To evaluate the malnutrition status and analyze the changing trends of nutritional status among primary and middle school students in poor rural areas of Chongqing from 2013 to 2019, and to provide scientific bases for formulating measures to improve students' nutrition status. Methods In 12 poor rural areas in Chongqing, a random sampling was adopted. At least 10% of elementary and middle schools were randomly selected in each area each year. At least 40 students were sampled in each grade to measure their height and weight. The nutritional status of the students was evaluated and the changing trend of nutritional status in the five years from 2013 to 2019 was analyzed. Results From 2013 to 2019, the prevalence rate of malnutrition showed a downward trend. The prevalence rate of malnutrition of boys was higher than that of girls. The prevalence rate of growth retardation decreased more significantly than that of emaciation. Conclusion The status of malnutrition among students in poor areas of Chongqing had been improved, but had not been eliminated yet. Further attention should be paid to the changes of students' nutritional status and timely measures should be taken to improve the students' nutritional and health status.