Clinical characteristics of children with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infection in Kunming / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of hospitalized children infected with the Omicron variant in Kunming after the withdrawal of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) and analyze the risk factors of severe cases. Methods: Clinical data was retrospectively collected from 1 145 children with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection who were hospitalized in six tertiary grade A hospitals in Kunming from December 10th, 2022 to January 9th, 2023. According to clinical severity, these patients were divided into the general and severe SARS-CoV-2 groups, and their clinical and laboratory data were compared. Between-group comparison was performed using t-test, chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test. Spearman correlation test and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to determine the risk factors of severe illness. Results: A total of 1 145 hospitalized patients were included, of whom 677 were male and 468 female. The age of these patients at visit was 1.7 (0.5, 4.1) years. Specifically, there were 758 patients (66.2%) aged ≤3 years at visit and 387 patients (33.8%) aged >3 years. Of these children, 89 cases (7.8%) had underline diseases and the remaining 1 056 cases (92.2%) had no combined diseases. Additionally, of all the patients, 319 cases (27.9%) were vaccinated with one or two doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, 748 cases (65.3%) had acute upper respiratory tract infection (AURTI), and six cases died (0.5%). A total of 1 051 cases (91.8%) were grouped into general SARS-CoV-2 group and 94 cases (8.2%) were grouped into severe SARS-CoV-2 group. Compared with the general cases, the severe cases showed a lower rate of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and younger median age, lower lymphocyte count, as well as proportions of CD8+T lymphocyte (36 cases (38.3%) vs. 283 cases (26.9%), 0.5 (2.6, 8.0) vs. 1.6 (0.5, 3.9) years, 1.3 (1.0, 2.7) ×109 vs. 2.7 (1.3,4.4)×109/L, 0.17 (0.12, 0.24) vs. 0.21 (0.15, 0.16), respectively, χ2=4.88, Z=-2.21,-5.03,-2.53, all P<0.05). On the other hand, the length of hospital stay, proportion of underline diseases, ALT, AST, creatine kinase isoenzyme, and troponin T were higher in the severe group compared to those in the general group ((11.6±5.9) vs. (5.3±1.8) d, 41 cases (43.6%) vs. 48 cases (4.6%), 67 (26,120) vs. 20 (15, 32) U/L, 51 (33, 123) vs. 44 (34, 58) U/L、56.9 (23.0, 219.3) vs. 3.6 (1.9, 17.9) U/L, 12.0 (4.9, 56.5) vs. 3.0 (3.0, 7.0) ×10-3 pg/L,respectively, t=-20.43, χ2=183.52, Z=-9.14,-3.12,-6.38,-3.81, all P<0.05). Multivariate regression analysis indicated that increased leukocyte count (OR=1.88, 95%CI 1.18-2.97, P<0.01), CRP (OR=1.18, 95%CI 1.06-1.31, P<0.01), ferritin (OR=1.01, 95%CI 1.00-1.00, P<0.01), interleukin (IL)-6 (OR=1.05, 95%CI 1.01-1.08, P=0.012), D-dimer (OR=2.56, 95%CI 1.44-4.56, P<0.01) and decreased CD4+T lymphocyte (OR=0.84, 95%CI 0.73-0.98, P=0.030) were independently associated with the risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 in hospitalized children with Omicron infection. Conclusions: After the withdrawal of NPI, the pediatric inpatients with Omicron infection in Kunming were predominantly children younger than 3 years of age, and mainly manifested as AURTI with relatively low rate of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and mortality. Elevated leukocyte counts, CRP, ferritin, IL-6, D-dimer, and decreased CD4+T lymphocytes are significant risk factors for developing severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Application of supraclavicular fasciocutaneous island flap for reconstruction after removal of tumors in parotid and auricle area / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of supraclavicular fasciocutaneous island flap (SIF) for repairing the defect of parotid or auricle regions after tumor resection. Methods: From February 2019 to June 2021, 12 patients (11 males and 1 female, aged 54-77 years old), of whom 4 with parotid adenoid cystic carcinoma and 8 with auricular basal cell carcinoma underwent reconstruction surgery for postoperative defects in the parotid gland area and auricular area with SIF in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Size of the SIF, time for harvesting SIF, neck lymph node dissection and postoperative complications were recorded. Results: The flap areas were (6-9) cm × (8-13) cm, and the harvesting time for SIF ranged from 40 to 80 min, averaging 51.7 min. The donor sites were directly closed. All patients underwent ipsilateral levels Ⅰ-Ⅲ neck dissection, with 4 cases undergoing additional level Ⅳ neck dissection and 2 cases undergoing level Ⅳ-Ⅴ neck dissection. Of the 12 SIF, 10 were completely survival and 2 had flap arterial crisis with partial flap necrosis, in addition, 1 had donor site wound dehiscence. With follow-up of 10-42 months, there were no tumor recurrences in 10 patients, 1 patient was lost to follow-up at 10 months postoperatively, and 1 patient experienced local tumor recurrence at 11 months after surgery and died 15 months later. Conclusion: SIF is an easily harvested flap with good skin features matching the skin in parotid and auricle regions and less damage to donor site, and this flap has no need for microvascular anastomosis technique. SIF is feasible and effective for repairing defects in parotid and auricle area.

Impact of group cognitive behavioral therapy counseling on cognitive control among college students with high obsessive compulsive traits / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the effect of group cognitive behavioral therapy (GCBT) on cognitive control among college students with high obsessive compulsive traits, to provide basic information for the psychological counseling intervention for college students.@*Methods@#From March to April 2019, 687 students were conveniently selected from 2 universities in Hefei. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 58 students with high obsessive traits were selected and divided into experimental group ( n =29) and control group ( n =29) by random number table method. The experimental group received cognitive behavioral group counseling for 4 weeks (1.5 h each time, twice a week), while the control group receive no intervention. The Obsessive Compulsive Inventory Revised (OCI-R), Stroop Color Word Test (SCWT), Digital Span Test (DST), and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WSCT) were used to assess in two groups at baseline and 4 weeks later.@*Results@#After 4 weeks, the scores of OCI-R in the GCBT group (10.28±7.22) was lower than that of in the control group (15.90±10.20) ( t=2.42, P<0.05). Before and after intervention, compared with the control group [(21.89±6.63, 20.52±7.37)s, (8.62±4.43, 8.04±4.84)s] in Stroop C and Stroop interfere effects (SIE), the GCBT group [(22.14±4.92, 16.81±3.43)s, (8.36±3.87, 4.82±1.86)s], the interaction of time group was statistically significant ( F =14.60, 10.54, P <0.05). Compared with the control group (6.21±1.35, 6.55±1.45)times, the scores of DST reverse in the GCBT group (6.31±1.44, 7.24±1.38) times were statistically significant ( F=3.96, P <0.05).@*Conclusion@#It suggests that cognitive behavioral group counseling can improve the inhibitory control and working memory of college students with high obsessive compulsive traits, but does not change the cognitive flexibility.

Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines: landscape of global studies and potential risks / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

With the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the importance of vaccines in epidemic prevention and public health has become even more obvious than ever. However, the emergence of multiple severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variants worldwide has raised concerns about the effectiveness of current COVID-19 vaccines. Here, we review the characteristics of COVID-19 vaccine candidates in five platforms and the latest clinical trial results of them. In addition, we further discuss future directions for the research and development of the next generation of COVID-19 vaccines. We also summarize the serious adverse events reported recently after the large-scale vaccination with the current COVID-19 vaccines, including the thromboembolism caused by the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

Seroprevalence of IgM and IgG Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in Asymptomatic People in Wuhan: Data from a General Hospital Near South China Seafood Wholesale Market during March to April in 2020 / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and G (IgG) antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic people in Wuhan. This was a cross-sectional study, which enrolled 18,712 asymptomatic participants from 154 work units in Wuhan. Pearson Chi-square test,

Immunogenicity and safety of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 inactivated vaccine in healthy adults: randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#The significant morbidity and mortality resulted from the infection of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) call for urgent development of effective and safe vaccines. We report the immunogenicity and safety of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, KCONVAC, in healthy adults.@*METHODS@#Phase 1 and phase 2 randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trials of KCONVAC were conducted in healthy Chinese adults aged 18 to 59 years. The participants in the phase 1 trial were randomized to receive two doses, one each on Days 0 and 14, of either KCONVAC (5 or 10 μg/dose) or placebo. The participants in the phase 2 trial were randomized to receive either KCONVAC (at 5 or 10 μg/dose) or placebo on Days 0 and 14 (0/14 regimen) or Days 0 and 28 (0/28 regimen). In the phase 1 trial, the primary safety endpoint was the proportion of participants experiencing adverse reactions/events within 28 days following the administration of each dose. In the phase 2 trial, the primary immunogenicity endpoints were neutralization antibody seroconversion and titer and anti-receptor-binding domain immunoglobulin G seroconversion at 28 days after the second dose.@*RESULTS@#In the phase 1 trial, 60 participants were enrolled and received at least one dose of 5-μg vaccine (n = 24), 10-μg vaccine (n = 24), or placebo (n = 12). In the phase 2 trial, 500 participants were enrolled and received at least one dose of 5-μg vaccine (n = 100 for 0/14 or 0/28 regimens), 10-μg vaccine (n = 100 for each regimen), or placebo (n = 50 for each regimen). In the phase 1 trial, 13 (54%), 11 (46%), and seven (7/12) participants reported at least one adverse event (AE) after receiving 5-, 10-μg vaccine, or placebo, respectively. In the phase 2 trial, 16 (16%), 19 (19%), and nine (18%) 0/14-regimen participants reported at least one AE after receiving 5-, 10-μg vaccine, or placebo, respectively. Similar AE incidences were observed in the three 0/28-regimen treatment groups. No AEs with an intensity of grade 3+ were reported, expect for one vaccine-unrelated serious AE (foot fracture) reported in the phase 1 trial. KCONVAC induced significant antibody responses; 0/28 regimen showed a higher immune responses than that did 0/14 regimen after receiving two vaccine doses.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Both doses of KCONVAC are well tolerated and able to induce robust immune responses in healthy adults. These results support testing 5-μg vaccine in the 0/28 regimen in an upcoming phase 3 efficacy trial.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx (No. ChiCTR2000038804, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=62350; No. ChiCTR2000039462, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=63353).

Meta-analysis on effectiveness of live attenuated influenza vaccine against seasonal influenza in children / 中华流行病学杂志

To evaluate the effectiveness of live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) in the prevention of seasonal influenza in children aged 2-17 years. Literature retrieval of case-control studies on the effectiveness of LAIV against seasonal influenza in children published from January 2003 to November 2018 was conducted through Web of Science, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases. The Stata 13.1 software was used for Meta-analysis. A total of 14 studies were included in this study, and all were test-negative design (TND) studies. Our Meta-analysis showed that the effectiveness of LAIV in children was 49 (95: 40-57). Subgroup analysis found that the protection rate of LAIV was 35 against influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 (95: 5-56), 35 against influenza A (H3N2) (95: 21-46), and 71 against influenza B (95: 55-82). The protection rates of trivalent LAIV and quadrivalent LAIV in children were 56 (95: 48-63) and 44 (95: 27-57), respectively. The protection rates of LAIV in Europe and North America were 65 (95: 47-77) and 46 (95: 36-55), respectively. LAIV has a certain preventive effect on seasonal influenza in children aged 2-17 years.

Genome-wide identification of the Sec-dependent secretory protease genes in Erwinia amylovora and analysis of their expression during infection of immature pear fruit / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

The general secretory (Sec) pathway represents a common mechanism by which bacteria secrete proteins, including virulence factors, into the extracytoplasmic milieu. However, there is little information about this system, as well as its associated secretory proteins, in relation to the fire blight pathogen Erwinia amylovora. In this study, data mining revealed that E. amylovora harbors all of the essential components of the Sec system. Based on this information, we identified putative Sec-dependent secretory proteases in E. amylovora on a genome-wide scale. Using the programs SignalP, LipoP, and Phobius, a total of 15 putative proteases were predicted to contain the N-terminal signal peptides (SPs) that might link them to the Sec-dependent pathway. The activities of the predicted SPs were further validated using an Escherichia coli-based alkaline phosphatase (PhoA) gene fusion system that confirmed their extracytoplasmic property. Transcriptional analyses showed that the expression of 11 of the 15 extracytoplasmic protease genes increased significantly when E. amylovora was used to inoculate immature pears, suggesting their potential roles in plant infection. The results of this study support the suggestion that E. amylovora might employ the Sec system to secrete a suite of proteases to enable successful infection of plants, and shed new light on the interaction of E. amylovora with host plants.

Progress in research of clinical trials of herpes zoster vaccines / 中华疾病控制杂志

Herpes zoster (HZ) is more common in middle-aged and elderly people, and is caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV) that is latent in sensory ganglia. In recent years, due to various reasons, especially the aging of China's population has become more serious, the incidence of HZ in China has risen sharply. Although HZ is self-limited, its complications will still reduce the quality of life of patients and increase the economic burden of patients' families and society. In order to reduce the incidence and improve the quality of life of the elderly in their later years, the development of safe and effective HZ vaccine may be an important and effective measure. This article aims to make a brief review of the progress in research for clinical trials of HZ vaccines, so as to provide a reference for the use of HZ vaccine and the prevention and control of HZ disease in China.

The great contribution of vaccination to the prevention and control of communicable diseases in China / 中华疾病控制杂志

During the past 70 years since the founding of New China, Chinese public health especially the prevention and control of infectious diseases have made remarkable achievements, which benefited from the vaccination. This study is to summarize the progress of immunization and vaccines, the achievements and contributions of vaccines including polio vaccine, hepatitis B vaccine, diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis combined vaccine, measles vaccine and hepatitis A vaccine to the prevention and control of infectious diseases in China in the past 70 years and to review the research and development of innovative vaccines in China in recent years, which may provide clues for the development of the expanded programe on immunization in China in the future.

A dynamic model of hand foot and mouth disease in Jiangsu Province based on EV71 vaccination / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To establish a dynamic model of hand foot and mouth disease in Jiangsu Province, analyze the epidemic of hand foot and mouth disease in Jiangsu, predict the trend of this disease and simulate the effect of EV71 vaccination on the control of hand foot and mouth disease caused by EV71. Methods A compartmental model of hand foot and mouth disease was constructed.A group of differential equations was established. The incidence data of hand foot and mouth disease was used to fit the model and calculate the basic reproduction number of this disease in Jiangsu. Then, vaccination was added to the model and the incidence of hand foot and mouth disease under different vaccination coverage rates was simulated. Results The basic reproduction numbers of hand foot and mouth disease in Jiangsu between 2013 and 2016 were 1.31 (IQR:0.99-1.48), 1.37 (IQR:0.97-1.52), 1.34 (IQR:1.00-1.61) and 1.38 (IQR:1.00-1.76) , respectively. With the increase of immunization coverage of EV71 vaccine, the cases of hand foot and mouth disease caused by EV71 decreased accordingly. When the annual immunization rate of EV71 vaccine was maintained at a high level (75%), the annual incidence of hand foot and mouth disease caused by EV71 after 5 years reduced to 10% of that in the same year when there was no vaccination. Conclusions The epidemic trend of hand foot and mouth disease in Jiangsu is stable from 2013 to 2016. Vaccination plays an important role in controlling hand foot and mouth disease caused by EV71.

Structural equation model analysis of mental health influencing factors in family caregivers of schizophrenic patients / 中华疾病控制杂志

@# Objective The structural equation model was used to analyze the influencing factors of mental health of family caregivers with schizophrenia, so as to provide scientific basis for targeted intervention measures. Methods On the basis of investigating the social dysfunction of schizophrenia patients and their family function, social support and mental health status, structural equation model was used to analyze the factors affecting mental health of caregivers and their effect indexes, the main fitting parameters included compare the fitted indices(CFI), goodness of fit index (GFI), the adjusted goodness of fit index(AGFI), normed fit index(NFI) and approximate error root mean square(RMSEA). Result The total score of psychological self-rating scale of carers was higher than that of normal people(all P<0.05). Only 19.0% of home care providers with schizophrenia felt no or little burden, 33.0% mild burden and 48.0% heavy burden. Structural equation model fitting index for: 2(58)=47.440, P=0.838, 2/df=0.818, the main fitting parameters GFI=0.968、AGFI=0.943, CFI=1.000, NFI=0.973, RMSEA=0.000, model fitting effect was good. The total effects of social support, family care, patient social function and care burden on the mental health of family caregivers were -0.016, -0.197, 0.114 and 0.118, respectively. Conclusions The family caregivers of schizophrenia have serious mental health problems, and the burden of care is heavy. improving social support, family care and social function of patients is an effective way to improve their care burden and mental health level.

Photoselective Vaporesection of the Prostate with an End-firing Lithium Triborate Crystal Laser / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Photoselective vaporization of the prostate is a technique that is widely used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and has pronounced advantages compared to the traditional transurethral resection of the prostate. Following the recent introduction of end-firing lithium triborate lasers, we have created a new technique called photoselective vaporesection of the prostate (PVRP). This study described our initial experience using the PVRP technique for the treatment of BPH.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This prospective study included a total of 35 patients with BPH who underwent PVRP from August 2013 to July 2014. The chief clinical parameters were obtained and evaluated during the perioperative period and follow-up, including the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL) score, maximum urinary flow rate, and prostate volume. All variables were evaluated for statistically significant differences compared to baseline values using the analysis of variance.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean subgroup IPSS and QoL scores significantly improved during follow-up; the respective decreases in IPSS storage score, IPSS voiding score, IPSS nocturia score, and QoL score were 75.3%, 83.6%, 51.4%, and 71.7%, respectively (all P < 0.001 compared with baseline). Three patients were diagnosed with prostate cancer based on postoperative pathological examinations. There were no serious perioperative complications.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The PVRP technique demonstrates satisfactory short-term clinical outcomes and perioperative safety in the treatment of BPH.</p>

Aripiprazole for drug-induced sexual dysfunction in schizophrenic males / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the clinical effects of aripiprazole on sexual dysfunction induced by amisulpride or risperidone in male patients with schizophrenia.@*METHODS@#This study included 75 male patients with drug-induced secondary sexual dysfunction after treated with amisulpride or risperidone for first-episode schizophrenia between October 2014 and October 2016. We substituted aripiprazole for amisulpride or risperidone, gradually increased the dose from 10 to 30 mg/d within 2 weeks, and maintained 30 mg/d from the 3rd week. At 4 and 8 weeks after medication, we evaluated the sexual function of the patients, measured the levels of serum prolactin (PRL) and testosterone (T), obtained the scores of the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS), recorded adverse reactions, and compared the parameters with those before aripiprazole administration.@*RESULTS@#Compared with pre-aripiprazole administration, the patients showed significant increases after 4 weeks of medication in the sexual function score (24.3 ± 2.1 vs 32.6 ± 3.6, P 0.05). In comparison with pre-aripiprazole administration, the PANSS score was significantly decreased at 4 weeks after medication (62.1 ± 4.9 vs 57.2 ± 5.5, P <0.05) and even lower at 8 weeks (51.2 ± 5.2) (P <0.05). The incidence rates of medication-related excitation, dizziness, insomnia, and loss of appetite were 6.7%, 5.3%, 4.0% and 1.3% respectively, and no other serious adverse reactions were observed.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Aripiprazole is effective for the treatment of drug-induced sexual dysfunction in schizophrenic men by continuously alleviating their positive and negative symptoms and meanwhile improving their sexual function and restoring their sexual hormone levels.

Content of neutrophil elastase in EPS and seminal plasma: A combined predictor in the diagnosis of type IIIA prostatitis with secondary infertility / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the value of the content of neutrophil elastase (NE) in the expressed prostatic secretion (EPS) and seminal plasma (SP) as a combined predictor in the diagnosis of type IIIA prostatitis with secondary infertility.@*METHODS@#This study included 62 fathers (group A) and 67 infertile men (group B), all with type IIIA prostatitis, and another 57 controls with no genitourinary tract disease (group C). We measured the NE contents in the EPS and SP, obtained the results of routine semen and EPS examinations and Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (CPSI), and calculated the ratio of EPS NE/SP NE by binary logistic regression analysis.@*RESULTS@#The combined predictor of type IIIA prostatitis with secondary infertility was SP NE-2 × EPS NE. Among the 129 patients with type IIIA prostatitis, the combined predictor was correlated strongly negatively with the WBC count in the EPS (r = －0.914, P 0.05). The mean values of the combined predictor in groups A, B, and C were －2 238 (95% CI: －2 595 to －2 054), －1 511 (95% CI: －1 778 to －1 307), and －148 (95% CI: －181 to －118), respectively, with statistically significant differences between the cases and controls as well as between groups A and B (P <0.01). The area under the ROC curve of the combined predictor for the diagnosis of type IIIA prostatitis with secondary infertility was 0.71 (P <0.001).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The content of neutrophil elastase in the EPS combined with that in the seminal plasma contributes to the diagnosis of type IIIA prostatitis with secondary infertility, which is superior to either the neutrophil elastase content in the EPS or that in the seminal plasma used alone.

Establishment and Preliminary Application of the Gene Chip Detection Method of Human Pneumosis Virus / 现代检验医学杂志

Objective To establish human metapneumovirus(hMPV)nucleotide rapid,specific and sensitive gene chip detec-tion method,and provide effective diagnostic methods for hMPV detection and diagnosis in shenzhen area.Methods The flu-orescence PCR primer of hMPV was designed for the highly conservative regional gene sequence of hMPV virus.Application of array probe design software designer 4.20 hMPV oligonucleotide detection probe design,oligonucleotide probe sample points to aldehyde slides on the preparation of hMPV gene chip,and parallel compared with conventional reverse tran-scriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),the sensitivity,specificity and repeatability,and was used to evaluate the clinical applicability of the samples.Results hMPV gene chip method to detect hMPV specificity was 96.23%(230/239), the sensitivity was 2.0×101/μl,linear range was 2.0×101~2.0×107/μl,and the repeatability was good.Initial tests in shenzhen area 300 clinical specimens on a nasopharyngeal swab,gene chip method detection rate was 20.3%(61/300),sig-nificantly higher than the conventional RT-PCR method 9.7%(29/300),the difference was statistically significant between the sensitivity of two methods(χ2=39.205,P<0.05).The results were consistent in two methods(kappa=0.360 7).Con-clusion Established hMPV microarray assay,gene chip method to detect hMPV has high specificity and sensitivity,wide linear range and detection.The popularity of hMPV monitoring for laboratory provides a new detecting technology and early diagnosis.

Studies on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of Ophiocordyceps xuefengensis / 中国中药杂志

The macroscopic characteristics, tissue, caterpillar body wall and powder of Ophiocordyceps xuefengensis in different batch numbers were observed and researched by the macroscopic and microscopic identification methods. The result shows that the morphology, size, abdominal annulations of caterpillar, etc. of 0. xuefengensis are the macroscopic identification characteristics, the caterpillar body surface mycelium, body wall sculpture and crochets on abdominal legs are the microscopic identification characteristics. These characters are stable and regular discriminant features, which are proved to be the identification basis of O. xuefengensis. In addition, The characters such as crochets on abdominal legs arrange in two parallel ellipse rings, the inner crochets are long strip, and the external toes are unciform, are specific.

Synthesis, characterization, and anti-cancer activity of emodin-Mn(II) metal complex / 中国天然药物

To synthesize and characterize a novel metal complex of Mn (II) with emodin, and evaluate its anti-cancer activity. The elemental analyses, IR, UV-vis, atomic absorption spectroscopy, TG-DSC, (1)H NMR, and (13)C NMR data were used to characterize the structure of the complex. The cytotoxicity of the complex against the human cancer cell lines HepG2, HeLa, MCF-7, B16, and MDA-MB-231 was tested by the MTT assay and flow cytometry. Emodin was coordinated with Mn(II) through the 9-C=O and 1-OH, and the general formula of the complex was Mn(II) (emodin)2·2H2O. In studies of the cytotoxicity, the complex exhibited significant activity, and the IC50 values of the complex against five cancer cell lines improved approximately three-fold compared with those of emodin. The complex could induce cell morphological changes, decrease the percentage of viability, and induce G0/G1 phase arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells. The coordination of emodin with Mn(II) can improve its anticancer activity, and the complex Mn(II) (emodin)2·2H2O could be studied further as a promising anticancer drug.

Effects of IVF versus ICSI on the outcomes of elective blastocyst culture / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of different fertilization methods on the outcomes of elective blastocyst culture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of elective blastocyst culture for 1 153 cycles of IVF and 205 cycles of ICSI performed between january 2009 and December 2012.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total number of 14 748 embryos in the IVF group and 2 655 embryos in the ICSI group underwent sequential blastocyst culture, with 7 871 blastocysts formed in the former and 1 210 in the latter. No cycles were canceled for no blastocyst formation in either of the two groups. The rates of quality embryos, blastocyst formation and embryo utilization were significantly higher in the IVF than in the ICSI group (64.77 vs 58.72%, 53.37 vs 45.57%, and 60.06 vs 52.17%, all P < 0.05), but the rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy and abortion showed no significant differences between the two groups (48.94 vs 51.43%, 49.03 vs 52.02%, and 11.69% vs 15.56, all P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>With the same inclusion criteria of selective blastocyst culture, IVF has a lower risk of cycle cancellation due to no blastocyst formation and therefore may effect higher rates of blastocyst formation and embryo utilization than ICSI. Our study suggested that appropriate inclusion criteria of selective blastocyst culture should be laid down according to different fertilization methods.</p>

EphA2 mediated vascular endothelial growth factor expression via the p38 MAPK signaling pathway in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the regulatory effect of erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular receptor (EphA2) on the expression of VEGF protein, a pro-angiogenic factor, via p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) signaling pathway in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck(SCCHN) in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SCCHN Tu686 cells were transfected with EphA2 overexpression vector pEGFP-N1-EphA2. Western blot was used to detect the expression of p38 MAPK and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to assay of VEGF. SB203580 as a inhibitor of p38 MAPK signaling pathway was used.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of VEGF protein was significantly up-regulated in Tu686 cells transfected with EphA2 overexpression vector (535.31 ± 45.71) pg/ml, when compared with Tu686 cells transfected with empty vector (400.99 ± 33.50) pg/ml and Tu686 cells with no transfection (385.30 ± 33.50) pg/ml (F = 17.091, P < 0.01). The expression of phosphorylated p38 MAPK was obviously increased in Tu686 cells with EphA2 overexpression. SB203580 inhibited the expressions of VEGF and phosphorylated p38 MAPK proteins in Tu686 cells with EphA2 overexpression.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EphA2 can regulate the expression of VEGF protein and stimulate p38 MAPK signaling pathway.</p>