Research progress on radio-resistance mechanism of nasopharyngeal carcinoma / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is one of the most common malignant head and neck tumors, and radiotherapy is the main treatment. However, radio-resistance is a key cause of local recurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Therefore, overcoming the radio-resistance of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and enhancing the radiosensitivity have become urgent problems in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which also play a key role in improving the overall survival rate of patients. In this article, recent studies on DNA, non-coding RNA (ncRNA), protein and cell behaviors related to radio-resistance of nasopharyngeal carcinoma were reviewed, aiming to provide valuable ideas for clinical treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

A qualitative study on the current situation of hospital-institution-community comprehensive prevention of stroke / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To deeply explore the real work of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of stroke in general hospitals, rehabilitation and pension institutions and community health service centers (stations), and to provide reference for improving the level of comprehensive prevention of stroke in the medical system.Methods:From July to November 2022, face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 18 medical staff in general hospitals, 10 medical staff in rehabilitation and pension institutions, and 8 medical staff in community health service centers (stations) were conducted by phenomenological research methods. Colaizzi 7-step analysis method was used to analyze the interview data, and Nvivo12 software was used to code the interview data.Results:Four themes were extracted: hospitals, institutions and communities all played an important role in the comprehensive prevention of stroke and actively cooperated with each other; the public was still lack of comprehensive prevention awareness and correct cognition of stroke; lack of professional medical resources hindered the development of comprehensive stroke prevention; incomplete collaborative mechanism of comprehensive prevention of stroke in hospitals, institutions and communities.Conclusions:In the current comprehensive prevention of stroke, there are still problems such as weak public awareness of prevention, insufficient professional medical resources, and imperfect coordination mechanism. In view of the advantages of medical institutions at all levels, it is necessary to clarify the responsibilities of the system at all levels and explore efficient and sustainable coordination mechanism, so as to improve the comprehensive prevention level of stroke in the medical system.

Effect of advanced paternal age on reproductive outcomes in IVF cycles of non-male-factor infertility: a retrospective cohort study / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Advanced paternal age has been overlooked, and its effect on fertility remains controversial. Previous studies have focused mainly on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles in men with oligozoospermia. However, few studies have reported on men with semen parameters within reference ranges. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective cohort study analyzing the reproductive outcomes of couples with non-male-factor infertility undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. In total, 381 cycles included were subgrouped according to paternal age (<35-year-old, 35-39-year-old, or ≥40-year-old), and maternal age was limited to under 35 years. Data on embryo quality and clinical outcomes were analyzed. The results showed that fertilization and high-quality embryo rates were not significantly different (all P > 0.05). The pregnancy rate was not significantly different in the 35-39-year-old group (42.0%; P > 0.05), but was significantly lower in the ≥40-year-old group (26.1%; P < 0.05) than that in the <35-year-old group (40.3%). Similarly, the implantation rate significantly decreased in the ≥40-year-old group (18.8%) compared with that in the <35-year-old group (31.1%) and 35-39-year-old group (30.0%) (both P < 0.05). The live birth rate (30.6%, 21.7%, and 19.6%) was not significantly different across the paternal age subgroups (<35-year-old, 35-39-year-old, and ≥40-year-old, respectively; all P > 0.05), but showed a declining trend. The miscarriage rate significantly increased in the 35-39-year-old group (44.8%) compared with that in the <35-year-old group (21.0%; P < 0.05). No abnormality in newborn birth weight was found. The results indicated that paternal age over 40 years is a key risk factor that influences the assisted reproductive technology success rate even with good semen parameters, although it has no impact on embryo development.

Effect of cocaine-and amphetamine-regulated transcription peptide on synaptic formation in cultured cortical neurons subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide (CART) on the synapse structure of mice cortical neuron subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD).Methods:Primary neurons of the embryonic cerebral cortex obtained from healthy and clean Kunming mice at gestational age of 16-17 d were cultured. They were divided into control group, CART group, OGD group, and OGD+ CART group. 0.4 nmol/L CART 55-102 was added and cultured for 12 h after OGD treatment in the OGD+ CART group; the CART group was given the same dose of CART 55-102. The neuronal mortality was measured by the flow cytometry. The changes of synaptic structure were observed by immunofluorescence analysis, and the axon length and synapsin Ⅰ positive area were quantitatively analyzed. Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were used to identify the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA and protein expression. Results:Compared with the control group, the mortality of neurons in the OGD group was significantly increased, the neuronal synapse growth was significantly inhibited, the positive area of synapsin Ⅰ was significantly reduced, and the expression levels of BDNF mRNA and protein were significantly down-regulated (all P<0.05). Compared with the OGD group, adding CART 55-102 significantly reduced the mortality of OGD neurons ( P<0.05), reversed the inhibitory effect of OGD on neuronal synapse growth, significantly increased the length of neuron axons and the positive area of synapsin Ⅰ (all P<0.05), and significantly up-regulated BDNF mRNA and protein expression levels (all P<0.05). Conclusion:CART can protect the synaptic structure of mice cortical neuron subjected to OGD, and its mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of BDNF expression.

Efficacy and safety of Buyang Huanwu Decoction for early-stage diabetic nephropathy: a Meta-analysis / 中国中药杂志

Buyang Huanwu Decoction(BHD) has the effect in benefiting Qi and activating blood circulation,and is the representative prescription for benefiting Qi and activating blood. At present,it is used for treatment of early diabetic nephropathy. However,its efficacy and safety remained to be verified. Therefore,this study aims to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of Buyang Huanwu Decoction for early-stage diabetic nephropathy. Data of randomized controlled trials(RCTs) of Buyang Huanwu Decoction for earlystage diabetic nephropathy were collected through the retrieval of electronic databases,including PubMed,EMbase,the Cochrane Library,CBM,CNKI,VIP and Wan Fang Data from inception to September 16,2018. Two reviewers independently screened out literatures,extracted data,and assessed the risk of bias. And then Meta-analysis was conducted by Rev Man 5. 3 software. A total of 15 RCTs involving 1 402 patients were included. The results of Meta-analysis indicated that Buyang Huanwu Decoction and conventional treatment group(combination treatment group) were superior to conventional treatment group in reducing 24 h urinary albumin excretion rates(MD =-40. 23,95% CI[-71. 25,-9. 21],P = 0. 01) and total cholesterol(MD =-0. 75,95% CI[-1. 02,-0. 48],P <0. 000 01). The effects of the two groups in reducing serum creatinine were similar(MD =-1. 48,95%CI[-4. 48,1. 53],P = 0. 34).However,the reduction of triglyceride was affected by the course of treatment. The effects were similar in less than or equal to eight weeks(MD =-0. 33,95%CI[-0. 97,0. 31],P = 0. 31),whereas the combination group was superior to the conventional treatment group in 12 weeks(MD =-0. 30,95%CI[-0. 58,-0. 22],P = 0. 03) and more than or equal to 16 weeks(MD =-0. 49,95% CI[-0. 9,-0. 08],P= 0. 02). There were no significant difference in adverse events between the two groups(OR= 1. 38,95%CI[0. 28,6. 8],P = 0. 69). The results showed that combination treatment group has a significantly higher efficacy on early diabetic nephropathy.The above conclusion shall be verified with more high-quality RCTs because of the low quality of the included studies.

Exosomes and ischemic stroke / 国际脑血管病杂志

Exosomes are a kind of extracellular vesicles, which contain abundant proteins, RNA, and lipids. They are source-specific and target-specific, and can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and used as biomarkers of diseases and drug carriers. Studies in recent years have shown that exosomes play an important role in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke. During cerebral ischemia, endothelium-derived exosomes can cause damage to the blood-brain barrier, while exosomes secreted by astrocytes and oligodendrocytes have neuroprotective functions. The exosomes from mesenchymal stem cells can be engineered to promote post-stroke nerve repair and improve neurological deficits. This article reviews the research progress of the correlation between exosomes and ischemic stroke.

Role of oligodendrocytes in ischemic white matter injury: cell-cell interaction / 国际脑血管病杂志

Oligodendrocytes are the major glial cells in the white matter of brain. Under normal circumstances, they form myelin sheaths around axons, which are conducive to rapid nerve conduction.After cerebral ischemia, the death of oligodendrocytes increases, leading to white matter dysfunction. White matter repair is associated with the ability of proliferation and mature differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells. However, oligodendrocyte proliferation and differentiation may not be the only mechanism of white matter damage repair. Existing studies have shown that white matter repair requires synergistic action among neurons, glial cells and vascular endothelial cells in the whole neurovascular unit.

Chloride channels and ischemic stroke / 国际脑血管病杂志

Ischemic stroke is one of the diseases with the highest morbidity and disability.Hypertension is recognized as the most important independent risk factor for ischemic stroke.Vascular remodeling during the development of hypertension is the pathological basis of causing ischemic stroke.Studies have shown that vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and apoptosis will lead to vascular remodeling.In addition,cerebral ischemia-reperfusion can result in neuronal damage and apoptosis.Recent research has shown that vascular remodeling and neuronal apoptosis are associated with chloride channels.At least 3 chloride channels including volume regulated chloride channel,calcium activated chloride channel and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator are involved in these processes.This article reviews the roles of the 3 chloride channels in vascular remodeling,neuronal apoptosis,and ischemic stroke.

High-mobility group protein B1 and ischemic stroke / 国际脑血管病杂志

High mobility group protein box 1 (HMGB1) is a typical nonhistone chromosomal protein. It has many celular functions in nucleus. Studies in recent years have showed that HMGB1 can be released to the outside of cels to exert a wide range of cytological effects. Ischemic stroke is one of the diseases with the highest morbidity and disability. More and more evidence has shown that HMGB1 plays a variety of important roles in the occurrence and development process of ischemic stroke. This article reviews the roles of HMGB1 in ischemic stroke.

Effect of Xinfeng Capsule on AS Patients and Their Serum Immunoglobulin Subtypes and Peripheral Lymphocyte Autophagy / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Xinfeng Capsule (XFC) on ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients' symptoms and signs, serum immunoglobulin levels, peripheral blood lymphocyte autophagy protein, autophagy gene, and to explore its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 59 AS patients were assigned to the treatment group (39 cases) and the control group (20 cases) according to random digit table. Patients in the treatment group received XFC, 0.5 g each pill, three pills each time, 3 times per day, while those in the control group received sulfasalazine (SASP), 0.25 g per tablet, 4 tablets each time, twice per day. Three months consisted of one therapeutic course. Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) were statistically calculated. Serum immunoglobulins (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA , SIgA, and IgM) were detected using ELISA. Changes of Beclin1, LC3-II, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were detected using Western blot. Serum autophagy related genes such as Atg1, Atg5, Atg12, Atg13, and Atg17 were detected using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The correlation between immunoglobulin subtypes and autophagy gene in AS patients using Spearman correlation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with before treatment, BASDAI, IgG1, lgG3, and IgA decreased (P < 0.01); PI3K, Akt, and mTOR protein expressions decreased (P < 0.01); ATG1, ATG12, ATG13, and ATG17 mRNA expressions decreased, ATG5 mRNA expression increased (P < 0.01) in the treatment group. But BASDAI, IgG1, and IgA levels decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); PI3K, Akt, and mTOR protein expressions decreased (P < 0.05); ATG1 and ATG13 mRNA expressions decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in the control group. Compared with the control group, BASDAI, IgG1, and IgA levels decreased (P < 0.05); PI3K, Akt, mTOR protein expressions decreased (P < 0.01); ATG12 and ATG17 mRNA expression decreased, ATG5 mRNA expression increased (P < 0.01) in the XFC group. Correlation analysis showed AS patients' IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgA, SIgA, IgM had negative correlation with ATG17; IgG4 and ATG17 were positively correlated (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>XFC could elevate clinical efficacy of AS patients and enhance their autophagy, which might be achieved by acting on PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal, affecting autophagy gene and autophagy protein expression, taking part in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of lymphocyte B, and strengthen humoral immunity.</p>

Xinfeng capsule for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis patients with decreased pulmonary function--a randomized controlled clinical trial / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the effectiveness and safety of Xinfeng Capsules (XFC) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with decreased pulmonary function.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This was a randomized controlled clinical trial of 80 RA patients. Participants were assigned to the trial group (40 cases) and the control group (40 cases) by block randomization. The trial group was treated with XFC, three pills each time three times daily for 2 months. The control group was treated with tripterygium glycoside (TPT), two pills each time three times daily for 2 months. Both groups were followed up after 2 months. The clinical effects, changes in joint and pulmonary function, and quality of life before and after treatment were observed; safety indices were also evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Pain, swelling, tenderness, and duration of morning stiffness of joints were obviously decreased after treatment in both the trial and the control groups compared with baseline (P<0.01). Compared with before treatment, hand grip strength increased significantly after treatment in the trial group (P=0.0000); pulmonary function parameters such as forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), 50% of the expiratory flow of forced vital capacity (FEF50), carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLco) were increased (P<0.01 or P<0.05); measures of quality of life such as role-physical, body pain, vitality and mental health were also improved after treatment in the trial group (all P<0.05). Joint swelling in the trial group decreased compared with the control group (P=0.0043), while hand grip strength was increased after treatment (P=0.0000). The increase in FEF50, DLco, and the dimensions of quality of life such as vitality and mental health were all significantly greater in the trial group than the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>XFC not only relieved joint pain in RA patients, but also significantly improved the ventilation and diffusion function of the lungs. Therefore, XFC could improve the whole body function and enhance the quality of life of RA patients.</p>

Exploration of the mechanism of xinfeng capsule in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis based on B and T lymphocyte attenuator and oxidative stress / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore changes of B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), malondialdehyde (MDA) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients, and the effect of Xinfeng Capsule (XFC) on them.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 120 AS patients were assigned to two groups according to random digit table method, the XFC group (3 XFC pills each time, 3 times a day) and the SASP group (4 SASP tablets each time, twice a day), 60 in each group. All patients were treated for 3 months. Another 60 healthy subjects were recruited as a healthy control group. The expression frequency and activation levels of BTLA were detected using flow cytometry. Serum oxidative stress indices (such as SOD and CAT, TAOC, ROS, RNS, MDA) and contents of cytokines [tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), IL-1β, IL-4, and IL-10] were detected using enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was detected using Westergren method. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) was detected using HITACHI 7060 type automatic biochemical analyzer. Clinical efficacies of ASAS 20 and BASDAI50 were assessed using VAS. Correlation analysis between scoring for quality of life and BTLA expression frequency was performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Clinical efficacies of ASAS 20 and BASDAI50 were significantly better in the XFC group than in the SASP group (P < 0.01). (2) Compared with the healthy control group, BTLA expressions in the peripheral blood of AS patients decreased significantly (P <0. 05); SOD, CAT, and TAOC values significantly decreased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); ROS, RNS, and MDA values significantly increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); TNF-α, IL-1β, ESR, and Hs-CRP values significantly increased (P < 0.01); IL-4 and IL-10 values decreased significantly (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). (3) Compared with pre-treatment in the same group, BTLA/CD19 + B, BTLA/CD24 + B, SOD, TAOC, IL-4, SF-36 [physical functioning (PF), social functioning (SF), role limitation due to physical problems (RP), role limitation due to emotional problems (RE), body pain (BP), mental health (MH), vitality (VT), general health (GH)] were significantly elevated; ROS, MDA, TNF-α, ESR, Hs- CRP, VAS, BASDAI and BASFI, BAS-G were significantly lower in the peripheral blood of the two groups after treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Better effect was shown in the XFC group in elevating BTLA/CD19+ B, BTLA/CD24 + B, SOD, TAOC, IL-10, BP, MH, VT, and SF; and lowering ROS, IL-1β, MDA, TNF-α, ESR, Hs-CRP, VAS, BASDAI, BASFI, and BAS-G (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). (4) Pearson correlation analysis showed, BTLA/CD19 + B expression of the peripheral blood was positively correlated with SOD, CAT, TAOC, IL-4, IL-10, GH, RP, BP, and SF (r = 0.431, 0.325, 0.318, 0.316, 0.348, 0.314, 0.358, 0.318, 0.326, respectively, P < 0.05, P < 0.01), while it was negative correlated with ROS, MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β, ESR, VAS, and BASDAI (r = -0.342, -0.368, -0.334, -0.354, -0.324, -0.372, -0.342, respectively, P < 0.05, P < 0.01). BTLA/CD24 B expression of the peripheral blood was positively correlated with SOD, TAOC, IL-4, IL-10, GH, RP, BP, SF, RE, MH, VT (r = 0.358, 0.352, 0.372, 0.436, 0.435, 0.326, 0.352, 0.345, 0.326, 0.343, 0.332, respectively, P < 0.05, P < 0.01), while it was negative correlated with ROS, RNS, MDA, ESR, Hs-CRP, VAS, BASDAI, and BASFI (r = -0.447, -0.336, -0.405, -0. 395, -0. 358, -0.436, -0.338, -0.425, respectively, P < 0.05, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>XFC could improve BTLA expression in the peripheral blood of AS patients, negatively regulate activation and proliferation of B cells, and reduce abnormal immune responses and oxidative stress injury, thereby effectively alleviating joint stiffness and pain.</p>

Dissolving mechanism of strain P17 on insoluble phosphorus of yellow-brown soil

Strain P17 was a bacterial strain identified as Bacillus megaterium isolated from ground accumulating phosphate rock powder. The fermentation broth of strain P17 and the yellow-brown soil from Nanjing Agricultural University garden were collected to conduct this study. The simulation of fixed insoluble phosphorous forms after applying calcium superphosphate into yellow-brown soil was performed in pots, while available P and total P of soil were extremely positive correlative with those of groundwater. Then the dissolving effect of strain P17 on insoluble P of yellow-brown soil was studied. Results showed that Bacillus megaterium strain P17 had notable solubilizing effect on insoluble phosphates formed when too much water-soluble phosphorous fertilizer used. During 100 days after inoculation, strain P17 was dominant. Until the 120th day, compared with water addition, available P of strain P17 inoculation treated soil increased by 3 times with calcium superphosphate addition. Besides available P, pH, activity of acid and alkaline phosphatase and population of P-solubilizing microbes were detected respectively. P-solubilizing mechanism of P-solubilizing bacteria strain P17 seems to be a synergetic effect of pH decrease, organic acids, phosphatase, etc.

Aortic valve replacement in Chinese adults (1990-2009): A single center retrospective study / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To investigate the etiological spectrum of aortic valve diseases and the early prognosis of Chinese adults undergoing aortic valve replacement during 1990-2009. Methods: The clinical data of 927 patients, who received aortic valve replacement in Changhai Hospital during 1990-2009, were retrospectively analyzed. Results: It was showed that the major causes of the aortic valve replacement included congenital disease and degenerative conditions, with the proportions of rheumatic and infectious etiologies gradually decreased while those of degenerative and congenital etiologies kept increasing. The latter ten years witnessed a significantly decreased duration of postoperative ventilation, time in the intensive care unit (ICU) and length of postoperative hospital stay compared with those of the first ten years (P<0.05). The overall in-hospital mortality was 4.7% (44 of 927 patients) in our study, showing no gender difference. The in-hospital mortality in the latter 15 years was significantly lower than that of the first 5 years (P<0.05). Conclusion: The causes of aortic valve disease in China have changed over the past 20 years, and the in-hospital mortality of adults undergoing aortic valve replacement has decreased than before.

Effects of electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) on inflammatory cytokines in a rat model of smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / 中西医结合学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Improvement in lung function was reported after acupuncture treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Because an immune response imbalance could be seen in COPD, we hypothesize that electroacupuncture (EA) may play a role in regulating inflammatory cytokines and contribute to lung protection in a rat model of smoke-induced COPD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A COPD model using male Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to cigarette smoke was established. The rats were randomly divided into four groups (control, sham, COPD, and COPD plus EA), and COPD model was evaluated by measuring pulmonary pathological changes and lung function. EA was applied to the acupuncture point Zusanli (ST36) for 30 min/d for 14 d in sham and COPD rats. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was used to measure levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and malonaldehyde (MDA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control rats, COPD rats had significant changes in lung resistance (RL) and lung compliance (CL) (both P<0.01), bronchi and bronchiole airway obstruction (P<0.01), and levels of MDA, TNF-α, and IL-1β (P<0.01). There were no significant differences between the control and the sham groups. Compared with the COPD rats, the COPD plus EA rats had decreased RL and increased CL (both P<0.05), and reduced bronchi and bronchiole airway obstruction (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively), while levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MDA in BALF were lowered (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). However, TNF-α and IL-1β levels of the EA group rats remained higher than those of the control group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EA at ST36 can reduce lung injury in a COPD rat model, and beneficial effects may be related to down-regulation of inflammatory cytokines. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may prolong the clinical benefit of EA.</p>

Efficiency of multi-round fluorescence in situ hybridization and its influencing factors in preimplantation genetic diagnosis / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficiency of multi-round fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and its influencing factors in preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 48 couples accepted PGD because of various reasons: 24 with Robertsonian translocations, 16 with reciprocal translocations, 2 with pericentric inversions, one with advanced maternal age who had a previous liveborn of Down syndrome, 3 suffered from sex chromosome abnormalities and 2 repeated spontaneous miscarriages. After 72 retrieval cycles, 432 cleavage stage embryos with more than six cells were biopsied on day three. Only intact nuclei (396) were hybridized in order to verify the chromosomal status of the individual embryos. If previous FISH has failed to give conclusive results while the nuclei remained undamaged, the nuclei were hybridized once again. A total of 870 times of hybridization were conducted to 396 nuclei. Signal identification rates of each round as well as the influence of different probes to the hybridization efficiency were compared. Factors leading to inconclusive FISH results were analyzed as well.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Five hundred and thirty five out of 870 hybridizations gave identifiable signals (61.5%). The second and third round FISH showed the best signals with an identification rate of 71.8% and 77.4%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of the first round (52.8%, P < 0.01), the fourth round (55.8%, P < 0.05, P < 0.01), the fifth round (54.5%, P < 0.05) and the sixth round (27.3%, P < 0.01). The identification rate of centromere specific probe signals (CEP group) was 80.3% and the former three rounds in this group got the best quality of signals with an identification rate of 85.7%, 85.1% and 88.0%, respectively, which was significantly higher than that of the latter three rounds. The identification rate of other probe was much lower than with the CEP probe (55.2% vs. 80.3%, P < 0.01) and the best quality of signal in this group was achieved in the fifth round (72.7%), followed by the second round (66.1%) and the third round (63.8%). The identification rate of the first round (50.3%) and the sixth round (22.2%) were significantly lower compared with the second round (P < 0.01). During the 6 rounds of FISH, 335 hybridizations did not give conclusion results (38.5%, 335/870). The main cause of unidentification was weak signals (20.9%, 182/870). Other common factors included background interference (7.6%, 66/870) and failed hybridization (6.1%, 53/870). Rare causes included nucleus damage (1.8%, 16/870), nucleus loss (1.1%, 10/870) and signal split/overlap (0.9%, 8/870).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Multi-round FISH can improve the utility of single nucleus in PGD and the former three rounds have the highest efficiency. The hybridization effect of CEP is better than other probe. Poor signal quality is the common cause of unidentification results.</p>

Analysis of appropriate ecological environment of Himalayan marmot based on remote sensing and geographic information system in Qinghai province / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective To assess the quantitative relationship between the distribution of Himalayan marmot and its ecological environment,the terrain,the temperature and the precipitation,using remote sensing and geographic information system in Qinghai province.Methods The distribution of Himalayan marmot was located by Google Earth and ArcGIS software and by using field survey data provided by Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.The corresponding ecological environment of marmot including terrain,temperature and precipitation were derived from the spatial information datasets.All results were processed according to the overlay and statistics analysis using ArcGIS software.Results Seventy-seven point twenty-seven percent(153/198) of Himalayan marmot were distributed in the area of elevation between 3000 and 4000 meters.The number of marmot reached the highest when the slope was between 0 and 17 degrees,and aspect range was between 91 and 270 degrees,180 degree was as south direction.During the period with the maximum temperature of the warmest month of 14.3-17.5 ℃,17.6-20.8 ℃ and 20.9-24.0 ℃,the distribution of marmot reached 95％(186/198) of the total area.Meanwhile,most of the marmot were presented in the area with average precipitation of 46-108 mm.Conclusions A quantitative analysis of appropriate ecological environment of Himalayan marmot in a large scope is carried uul successfully using remote sensing and geographic information system.The study indicates that spatial information technology has important applications in plague prevention and control.

The antiepileptic role of 3α-androstanediol on the epileptic rats induced by pentylenetetrazole / 生理学报

The influence of 3α-androstanediol (3α-diol) on twitch and electroencephalogram (EEG) of the epileptic rats induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) has been observed in this experiment in order to comprehensively explore the role of 3α-diol on epileptic attack from the aspects of behavior and EEG. Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were evenly and randomly divided into 4 groups: the normal and supplied with oil epileptic (N+oil+PTZ) group, the normal and supplied with 3α-diol epileptic (N+3α-diol+PTZ) group, the gonadectomized and supplied with oil epileptic (GDX+oil+PTZ) group and the gonadectomized and supplied with 3α-diol epileptic (GDX+3α-diol+PTZ) group. The changes of the behavior and EEG of epileptic rats in every group were recorded and analyzed. The results of behavior observation showed that the latency to clonic seizure and tonic-clonic seizure was shortened and the number of tonic-clonic seizure was increased significantly in the GDX+oil+PTZ group in comparison with N+oil+PTZ group (P < 0.05); comparing GDX+3α-diol+PTZ group with GDX+oil+PTZ group, or N+3α-diol+PTZ group with N+oil+PTZ group, we found that the latency to clonic seizure and tonic-clonic seizure became prolonged significantly, and the number of clonic seizure and tonic-clonic seizure was decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The results of EEG showed that the latency to epileptic waves was cut and the number of epileptic waves was augmented significantly in the GDX+oil+PTZ group in comparison with N+oil+PTZ group (P < 0.05); comparing GDX+3α-diol+PTZ group with GDX+oil+PTZ group, or N+3α-diol+PTZ group with N+oil+PTZ group, we found that the latency to epileptic waves became lengthened significantly, the number of epileptic waves was reduced significantly and the percentage of change of TP (total power of spectrum) was lessened significantly (P < 0.05). These results indicate that 3α-diol has an antiepileptic activity in the gonadectomized and normal epileptic rats.

Validation of the EuroSCORE and the STS-PROM in adult patients undergoing aortic valve replacement / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective The aim of the study was to analyze the predictive value of the European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation score (EuroSCORE) and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk of mortality (STS-PROM) in -dult patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR).Methods We carried out a retrospective statistical analysis on 521 adult patients undergoing AVR between 1999 and 2008 in Changhai hospital.Patients with concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting were also included.Excluded from this study were patients having surgery for congenital heart defects,aneurysm of thoracic aorta and atrial fibrillation.Operative mortality was defined as death before discharge from the hospital.The mortality risk calculation of EuroSCORE and STS-PROM for aortic valve procedures was performed by the online available EuroSCORE or STS score calculator.Based on the additive EuroSCORE risk calculation,patients were divided into low-risk,medium-risk and high-risk groups.The valuation of three different algorithms depended on the assessment of two features:calibration and discrimination.A comparison of observed and predicted mortality rates was also performed.Results A total of 521 patients were identified as having undergone aortic valve replacement.In-hospital mortality was 4％ (21 cases) overall.The expected mortality for the additive,logistic EuroSCORE and the STS-PROM was 3.36％,2.82％ and 1.25％,respectively.The observed to expected ratio was 1.2 for additive EuroSCORE,1.43 for logistic EuroSCORE and 3.23 for STS-PROM.The STS-PROM underpredicted observed mortality significantly ( P ＜ 0.01 ) and showed poor calibration in predicting in-hospital mortality in the entire cohort,medium- and high-risk subgroups.The logistic EuroSCORE underpredicted observed mortality in the mediumrisk subgroup ( P ＜ 0.05 ).EuroSCORE underpredicted in-hospital mortality in the high-risk subgroup with the observed-expected mortality rate of 1.84 for additive EuroSCORE and 1.46 for logistic EuroSCORE.The EuroSCORE in three subgroups showed poor discrimination in predicting mortality as well as the STS-PROM did in the medium- and high-risk subgroups ( ROC ＜ 0.7).Conclusion Both the EuroSCORE and the STS-PROM give an imprecise prediction for individual operative risk in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement in our study.These algorithms seem unsuitable to identify a high-risk patient population undergoing isolated AVR.It is necessary to construct a risk stratification model for valve surgery according to the profiles of Chinese patients.

Effect of xinfeng capsule on the cardiac function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the changes in cardiac function of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and: to observe the effect of xinfeng capsule ( XFC) on them.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-eight RA patients were: randomly assigned to two groups by a lottery: 38 patients in the treatment group treated orally with XFC, 3 capsules, thrice a day, and 30 in the control group treated with fengshi gutong capsule (FSGTC), 4 capsules, twice a day, 30 days as one course of treatment, and two courses were given for both groups. A normal control (NC) group including 20 healthy subjects was set up. The clinical efficacy was compared between the two treated groups. The changes in cardiac function, including early diastolic peak flow velocity (E), late diastolic peak flow velocity (A), left ventricular fraction shortening (FS), and E/A, as well as uric acid (UA), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), α-acid glycoprotein (α-AGP), and hypersensitive C-reaction protein (hs-CRP), were observed. The regulation T cell was determined with flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The total effective rate in the treatment group and the control group was 92.1%: (35/38) and 70.0% (21/30), respectively. Significant difference was shown between them (P<0.05). (2) <Compared with those of the NC group, E peak, E/A ratio, and FS of RA patients were lower (P<0.01), while <A peak was higher (P<0.01). Moreover, A peak of the treatment group after treatment was significantly lower <(P<0.05) and E/A ratio was significantly higher (<P<0.05) as compared with those of the control group. (3) The <improvement in the treatment group in reducing UA and hs-CRP was superior to those of the control group (P<0.05). In addition, the improvement in α-AGP, CD4 <CD4(+)CD25 CD25(+) Treg, and CD4 CD4(+)CD25 CD25(+)CD127 CD127(-)Treg of the treatment group was obvious as compared with the control group, although the difference was not statistically significant.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The descendent of cardiac function exists in RA patients. XFC could improve cardiac: function of RA patients, which is superior to FSGTC. Its mechanism may be related to its effect on raising CD4 CD4(+)CD25 CD25(+)Treg and CD4 CD4(+)CD25 CD25(+)CD127(-) Treg cells, decreasing UA, α-AGP, and hs-CRP levels, reducing immune inflammation, adjusting the overall balance of immune response, and thus improving the cardiac function of RA patients.</p>