Assessment of quality of life in patients with craniopharyngioma and identification of risk factors for compromised overall wellness

ABSTRACT Objective: Quality of Life (QoL) has been a multifactorial concerning issue in oncology. We aimed to inspect the pre-operative QoL among patients with craniopharyngioma and to explore the potential correlations between parameters of QoL and clinical indices. Subjects and methods: We enrolled a total of 109 patients with craniopharyngioma. We utilized Short Form 36 (SF-36), Symptom Check List-90, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire scale (GAD7), Patient Health Questionnaire Depression (PHQ9) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to prospectively evaluated their QoL. Parameters of QoL along with clinical indices were compared among sub-groups divided according to Puget classification. Correlation analyses and regression analyses were performed to detect influential determinants to self-reported wellness. Results: Patients presented impaired QoL compared with general population ( p < 0.001), as assessed by SF-36. Correlation analyses indicated the detrimental influence resulting from central diabetes insipidus (CDI). Multivariate linear regression unveiled the adverse effect of CDI on Mental Component Summary (coefficient = −13.869, p = 0.007), GAD7 total score (coefficient = 2.072, p = 0.049) as well as PHQ9 total score (coefficient = 3.721, p = 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression verified CDI as a risk factor of developing depressive symptoms (OR = 6.160, p = 0.001). Conclusion: QoL of patients with craniopharyngioma was remarkably compromised before operation. CDI exerted detrimental influences on patients' QoL and it might serve as a marker for early identification of patients at risk of depression.

Awareness of Internetbased sex education and associated factors among middle school students / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To investigate the awareness of Internet based sex education and associated among middle school students, and to provide scientific basis to improve sex education using online resources.@*Methods@#By using stratified cluster random sampling method, 449 students from 8 middle schools in Zhejiang Province were investigated with a self designed questionnaire by Chi square test, Logistic regression, and Importance Performance Analysis (IPA).@*Results@#The awareness of Internet based sex education was 66.59%(299), among which 17.15%(77) chose "WeChat", 7.35%(33) chose "sex education website", and 42.09%(189) chose"video platform" as the primary resources of online sex education, respectively. In the sexual health literacy of middle school students, the correct rate in sexual safety and sexual assault was higher than 40%, with STD transmission and prevention higher than 70%. The correct rate was more than 80% when it came to sexual physiology and sexual development. Logistic regression analysis showed that higher score of sexual health literacy was associated with higher awareness of Internet based sex education ( OR =1.06, 95% CI =1.01-1.11, P <0.05). According to the IPA, the teaching effect and content in area A (the dominant area) had higher scores of importance and satisfaction.The funniness of content in area B (retention area) had a lower importance score and a higher satisfaction score. The practicality and interactivity in area C (opportunity area) had low scores of importance and satisfaction. The curriculum model in area D (improvement area) scored higher in importance and lower in satisfaction.@*Conclusion@#The awareness of Internet based sex education needs to be improved among middle school students. Efforts should be made to improve sexual health literacy. Online platforms providing sex education should focus on improving the relevant course model, strengthening the practicability and interactivity of the course, and continue to maintain the advantage of teaching effect, teaching content and interesting aspects of the course.

Research progress on root position measurement methods in orthodontic treatment using cone beam CT / 口腔疾病防治

@#Root position plays an important role in healthy, stable, and aesthetic orthodontic treatment. In the past, two-dimensional radiographic images were used to assess the accuracy and precision of tooth root positions. In recent years, the use of cone beam CT (CBCT) and its reconstructed images to measure the three-dimensional spatial position and angle of root position has become mainstream. The root position is mainly described by measuring the relationship between the root and adjacent structures in the buccolingual, vertical, and mesiodistal directions as well as the root angle. The thickness of the alveolar bone on the buccolingual side of the root represents the buccolingual position, the vertical height in the alveolar bone and the relationship between apex and maxillary sinus represents the vertical position, the interroot alveolar bone thickness represents the mesiodistal position of the root, and the root angle is mostly based on incisal mandibular plane angle, angulation, torque, and other angles in the traditional two-dimensional measurement. Fitting CBCT and digital model data can be used to monitor the relationship between root and alveolar bone during orthodontic treatment, but a more comprehensive, standardized three-dimensional tooth root position measurement method is required to make full use of the root data provided by CBCT to study the relative optimal position of the tooth root at different anatomical levels, which combines with computer technology to optimize the digital design of orthodontic diagnosis and treatment.

Effect of ω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid on Toll-like Receptors in Patients with Severe Multiple Trauma / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study examined the effects of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-3PUFA) on the expression of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2),toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and some related inflammatory factors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with early-stage severe multiple trauma.Thirty-two patients who were admitted to the Department of Traumatic Surgery,Tongji Hospital (Wuhan,China) between May 2010 and November 2010,and diagnosed as having severe multiple trauma with a injury severity score (ISS) no less than 16,were enrolled in the study and divided into two groups at random (n=16 in each):ω-3PUFA group and control group in which routine parenteral nutrition supplemented with ω-3PUFA or not was administered to the patients in two groups for consecutive 7 days.Peripheral blood from these patients was collected within 2 h of admission (day 0),and 1,3,5 and 7days after the nutritional support.PBMCs were isolated and used for detection of the mRNA and protein expression of TLR2 and TLR4 by using real-time PCR and flow cytometry respectively,the levels of NF-κB by quantum dots-based immunofluorescence assay,the levels of TNF-α,IL-2,IL-6 and COX-2 by ELISA,respectively.The results showed that the mRNA and protein expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in PBMCs was significantly lower in ω-3PUFA group than in control group 5 and 7 days after nutrition support (both P＜0.05).The levels of TNF-α,IL-2,IL-6 and COX-2 were found to be substantially decreased in PBMCs in ω-3PUFA group as compared with control group at 5th and 7th day (P＜0.05 for all).It was concluded that ω-3PUFA can remarkably decrease the expression of TLR2,TLR4 and some related inflammatory factors in NF-κB signaling pathway in PBMCs of patients with severe multiple trauma,which suggests that ω-3PUFA may suppress the excessive inflammatory response meditated by the TLRs/NF-κB signaling pathway.