Early predicting indicators of conversion from mild to moderate in overseas-imported COVID-19 cases.

BACKGROUND: Due to the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in foreign countries and regions, many overseas people arrive in China by air. Currently, most of the new cases of COVID-19 were imported from overseas. Here, we evaluated the predictive effect of the level of blood albumin (ALB) and serum prealbumin (PA) level in overseas-imported cases on the conversion of mild COVID-19 to moderate and its value in guiding nutritional support for these travelers. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed serum levels of ALB and PA of 193 patients with imported COVID-19 admitted to the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center at the time of admission on April 8, 2020. RESULTS: Since the first overseas-imported case was admitted to Shanghai on March 5, 2020, 195 overseas-imported cases have been treated in the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center. The disease was mild or moderate. A total of 193 patients (111 males and 82 females) entered our analysis and the disease was moderate in 108 patients and mild in 85 patients. Patients were aged 6 to 66 years (mean: 28 years). There was a strong negative correlation between the proportion of moderate type and ALB (P=0.0073); thus, patients with a lower level of ALB were more likely to be diagnosed with moderate type. The correlation coefficient was close to 0 in the scatter plot, indicating that there was no linear correlation between PA and the diagnosis of moderate type (P>0.05). There was a strong negative correlation between age and ALB level (P<0.001), while length of hospital stay did not show a linear correlation with ALB or PB levels (both P>0.05). Therefore, older patients had lower levels of ALB and were more likely to develop moderate COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: The serum ALB level can be an early predictive indicator for the conversion of mild COVID-19 to moderate in cases imported overseas and may guide nutritional support.

Assessment of the Clinical Utility of Circulating Tumor Cells at Different Time Points in Predicting Prognosis of Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Numerous studies have elucidated that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have significant prognostic value in various solid tumors. However, the prognostic value of CTCs in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) remains controversial. The current study was performed to investigate the prognostic significance of different time points of CTCs in SCLC. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were retrieved for eligible studies. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to investigate the association between CTCs level and overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in SCLC. Furthermore, subgroup analyses, sensitivity analysis, Begg's and Egger's tests were also conducted. RESULTS: Sixteen cohort studies with 1103 participants were eligible for this meta-analysis. Our results revealed that higher pretreatment CTCs level was significantly correlated with worse OS in SCLC no matter CellSearch (HR, 2.95; 95%CI, 1.56-5.58; P = .001) or other methods (HR, 2.37; 95%CI, 1.13-4.99; P = .023) was used to detect CTCs. Higher pretreatment CTCs status detected by CellSearch was associated with shorter PFS (HR, 3.75; 95%CI, 2.52-5.57; P < .001), while there was no significant association when other methods were adopted to CTC detection (HR, 2.04; 95%CI, .73-5.68; P = .172). Likewise, we observed that higher post-therapy CTCs level detected by both CellSearch (HR, 2.99; 95%CI, 1.51-5.93; P = .002) and other methods (HR, 4.79; 95%CI, 2.03-11.32; P < .001) was significantly correlated with decreased OS in SCLC. However, higher post-therapy CTCs count detected by CellSearch was not correlated with worse PFS (HR, 1.80; 95%CI, .83-3.90; P = .135). Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the pooled data were still stable after eliminating studies one by one. However, significant publication bias was observed between pretreatment CTCs level detected by CellSearch and OS of SCLC. CONCLUSION: Dynamic monitoring of CTCs level could be a non-invasive and effective tool to predict the disease progression and prognosis in patients with SCLC.

The prognostic value of pretreatment prognostic nutritional index in patients with small cell lung cancer and it's influencing factors: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies identified that pretreatment prognostic nutritional index (PNI) was significantly associated with the prognosis in various kinds of malignant tumors. However, the prognostic value of PNI in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) remains controversial. We performed the present meta-analysis to estimate the prognostic value of PNI in SCLC and to explore the relationship between PNI and clinical characteristics. METHODS: We systematically and comprehensively searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science for available studies until April 17, 2020. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the correlation between PNI and overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in SCLC. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were applied to evaluate the relationship between clinical features and PNI in SCLC. RESULTS: A total of nine studies with 4,164 SCLC patients were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled data elucidated that lower PNI status was an independent risk factor for worse OS in SCLC (HR =1.43; 95% CI: 1.24-1.64; P<0.001), while there was no significant correlation between PNI status and PFS (HR =1.44; 95% CI: 0.89-2.31; P=0.134). We also found that Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≥2 (OR =2.72; 95% CI: 1.63-4.53; P<0.001) and extensive-stage (ES) disease (OR =1.93; 95% CI: 1.62-2.30; P<0.001) were risk factors for low PNI, while prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) (OR =0.53; 95% CI: 0.40-0.69; P<0.001) was a protective factor for low PNI. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that low PNI status was closely correlated with the decreased OS in SCLC. Surveillance on PNI, amelioration of nutritional and immune status, and timely initiation of PCI may improve the prognosis of SCLC.

ROS/p53/miR­335­5p/Sp1 axis modulates the migration and epithelial to mesenchymal transition of JEG­3 cells.

Differential expression of microRNA (miR)­335­5p, a key tumor suppressor, has been detected in pre­eclampsia (PE) placentas. However, the role of miR­335­5p in the pathogenesis of PE and the factor modulating its aberrant expression remain unknown. The present study used JEG­3 cells in vitro to investigate these mechanisms. The role of miR­335­5p in proliferation, apoptosis and migration of JEG­3 cells was investigated using MTT, Annexin V­FITC/PI, Transwell migration and wound healing assays, respectively. miR­335­5p expression levels were analyzed using reverse transcription­quantitative PCR. The expression levels of E­cadherin, N­cadherin, Snail, specificity protein 1 (Sp1) and p53 were assessed using western blot analysis. Cell viability analysis was performed using the Cell Counting Kit­8 assay. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were detected using a 2,7­dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate assay. The present results suggested that miR­335­5p did not affect the proliferation or apoptotic rate of JEG­3 cells. Overexpression of miR­335­5p significantly inhibited the migration of JEG­3 cells, decreased the expression levels of Sp1, N­cadherin and Snail, and increased E­cadherin expression. Sp1 silencing produced similar results in JEG­3 cells. H2O2 significantly increased the intracellular ROS levels and miR­335­5p expression, whereas N­acetyl­cysteine pretreatment prior to H2O2 treatment reversed the increases in miR­335­5p expression. Knockdown of p53 significantly decreased the expression levels of miR­335­5p in JEG­3 cells and in H2O2­treated cells. The present results suggested that miR­335­5p expression levels in trophoblast cells could be increased by ROS in a p53­dependent manner, leading to the downregulation of Sp1 and subsequent inhibition of epithelial to mesenchymal transition and cell migration. The present results may provide novel evidence on the etiology of PE.

The relationship between inflammatory factor expression and blood pressure and urinary protein in the placenta of gestational hypertension rats.

The association between inflammatory factor expression and blood pressure with urinary protein in the placenta of pregnant women with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) was investigated to provide a new vision for the clinical prevention and treatment of PIH. Rats were used as animal models and were randomly divided into three groups (control, hypertension and treatment groups) on day 15 of pregnancy with 20 rats in each group. The 10% hypoxia-induced PIH group was induced with administration of an anti-hypertensive drug, and the treatment group was giventreprostinil for one week after the 10% hypoxia-induced PIH. On the 21st day, the experiment was terminated and the placenta was taken to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α, respectively. Pearson's correlation analysis demonstrated the correlation between IL-6 and TNF-α with blood pressure and urinary protein. The blood pressure and urinary protein concentrations in the hypertension group were significantly higher than that in the control group, and the expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the hypertension group were significantly higher (P<0.05). The treatment group significantly reduced inflammatory cytokines and blood pressure and urinary protein levels (P<0.05). Pearson's correlation analysis showed that IL-6 and TNF-α were positively correlated with blood pressure and urinary protein concentration. The blood pressure and urinary protein concentration in PIH rats and the expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly higher, and IL-6 and TNF-α were positively correlated with blood pressure and urine protein concentration.

Characteristics and clinical role of bronchoscopy in diagnosis of childhood endobronchial tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Endobronchial tuberculosis (EBTB) is the most frequent complication of primary pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in children. The aim of the study was to analyze characteristics and clinical role of bronchoscopy in diagnosis of childhood EBTB. METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive study was undertaken in 157 children with EBTB undergone flexible bronchoscopy (FB) between January 2006 and June 2014. RESULTS: The median age of the enrolled patients was 3.4 years, with 73.2% of patients under five years old. The most common subtype was tumorous type (145/157, 92.4%). If only involved bronchus were considered, the common affected sites were right middle lobe bronchus (49/228, 21.5%), left upper lobe bronchus (41/228, 18.0%), right upper lobe bronchus (41/228, 18.0%), right main bronchus (35/228, 15.4%), respectively. Children younger than five years old were at higher risk to have multiple endobronchial lesions (P=0.044), with an odds ratio of 2.313 (95% confidence interval: 1.009-5.299). Before the bronchoscopy, only 16 (10.2%) patients were highly suspected of EBTB, while the others were diagnosed as PTB without EBTB (69.4%), or misdiagnosed as pneumonia or foreign body aspiration (20.4%) on admission. CONCLUSIONS: The patients under five years old are at high risk to progress to EBTB and have multiple endobronchial lesions. The most frequent subtype of EBTB in children is tumorous type. The lesions are seen in the right bronchial system more frequently. FB should be performed to detect the endobronchial lesions in suspected patients as soon as possible.

Rapid diagnosis of childhood pulmonary tuberculosis by Xpert MTB/RIF assay using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

In order to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the Xpert MTB/RIF assay on childhood pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), we evaluated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of Xpert MTB/RIF assay using BALF in comparison with acid-fast bacilli (AFB) microscopy and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) culture for diagnosing childhood PTB using Chinese "composite clinical reference standard" (CCRS) as reference standard. Two hundred fifty-five children with suspected PTB were enrolled at Beijing Children's Hospital from September 2010 to July 2013. Compared with Chinese CCRS, the sensitivity of AFB microscopy, MTB culture, and Xpert MTB/RIF assay was 8.4%, 28.9%, and 53.0%, respectively. The specificity of three assays was all 100%. Xpert MTB/RIF assay could detect 33.9% of cases with negative MTB culture, and 48.7% of cases with negative AFB microscopy. Younger age (<3 years), absence of BCG scar, and contact with TB patient were found significantly associated with a positive result of Xpert MTB/RIF assay. In conclusion, Xpert MTB/RIF assay using BALF can assist in diagnosing childhood PTB much faster when fiberoptic bronchoscopy is necessary according to the chest radiograph.

Expression and clinicopathological significance of Mel-18 mRNA in colorectal cancer.

Mel-18 is a member of the polycomb group (PcG) of proteins, which are chromatin regulatory factors that play an important role in oncogenesis. This study was designed to investigate the clinical and prognostic significance of Mel-18 in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. For this purpose, expression of Mel-18 mRNA was evaluated in 82 primary CRC and paired noncancerous mucosa samples by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. We found that overall Mel-18 mRNA expression in the CRC tissue was significantly lower than in the noncancerous mucosal tissue (p = 0.007, Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test). Mel-18 was conversely correlated with the pathological classifications (p = 0.003 for T, p < 0.001 for N, and p = 0.015 for M classifications, respectively) and clinical AJCC stage (p < 0.001). Furthermore, CRC patients with a higher level of Mel-18 showed prolonged disease-free survivals (DFS) (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, the diminished Mel-18 expression may be a risk factor for the patients' 3-year DFS (HR = 1.895; 95 % CI 1.032, 3.477; p = 0.039). It was therefore concluded that the lower Mel-18 expression might contribute to the CRC development/progression.

Protective effect of cytosolic phospholipase A2 inhibition against inflammation and degeneration by promoting regulatory T cells in rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) is the rate-limiting enzyme that initiates the production of various inflammatory mediators. Previous studies have shown that inhibiting cPLA2 exerts a neuroprotective effect on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) by ameliorating the severity of the disease and influencing Th1 and Th17 responses. However, it remains unclear whether treatment with a cPLA2 inhibitor will influence the regulatory T cells (Tregs) that play a critical role in maintaining immune homeostasis and preventing autoimmune diseases. In this study, the cPLA2 inhibitor AX059 reduced the onset and progression of EAE in Lewis rats. In addition, this effect was accompanied by activation of Tregs and alterations in the expression of their various cytokines. The study therefore demonstrated that Tregs are involved in the immunomodulatory effect mediated by cPLA2 inhibition. These findings may have clinical application in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Inactivation of Akt by arsenic trioxide induces cell death via mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic signaling in SGC-7901 human gastric cancer cells.

Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) has been recognized as a potential chemotherapeutic agent, yet the details concerning its mechanism of action in solid cancers remain undetermined. The present study assessed the role of Akt in the cell death induced by As2O3. The MTT assay showed that As2O3 suppressed the proliferation of SGC-7901 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Characteristic apoptotic changes were observed in the As2O3­treated cells by Hoechst 33342 staining, and FACS analysis showed that As2O3 caused dose-dependent apoptotic cell death. As2O3 activated caspase-3 and -9, and PARP cleavage in a dose-dependent manner. Compromised mitochondrial membrane potential and an increased protein level of Bax indicated involvement of mitochondia. As2O3 decreased the levels of p-Akt (Ser473), p-Akt (Thr308) and p-GSK-3ß (Ser9), suggesting that As2O3 inactivated Akt kinase. In addition, LY294002 (a PI3 kinase inhibitor) augmented the apoptosis induced by As2O3. These results demonstrated that inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling was involved in As2O3-induced apoptosis of gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells.

Hepatocyte growth factor regulates HLX1 gene expression to modulate HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells.

BACKGROUND: Paracrine signaling of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) cytokine plays an important role in survival and invasion ability of placental trophoblasts. However, the intracellular factors and biological pathways underlying these responses remain unclear. METHODS: This study investigated whether HGF affected the expression of homeobox gene HLX1, which is principally expressed in reproductive tissues and in some immune cells, and evaluated the implications of such in the HGF-induced human trophoblast cell line HTR-8/SVneo. RESULTS: HGF was found to up-regulate both HLX1 mRNA and protein levels. Transient transfection of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting HLX1 abrogated its induction by HGF. Functionally, HLX1 siRNA not only reduced the growth and invasion capacities of HTR-8/SVneo cells at the basal level, but also inhibited these responses induced by HGF treatment. CONCLUSIONS: HLX1 is an essential downstream signaling component of HGF that leads to growth and invasiveness of trophoblast cells.

[Analysis of the perinatal outcome of the early severe preeclampsia women treated with Compound Danshen Injection and low molecular weight heparin].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of using Compound Danshen Injection (CDI) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) on early severe preeclampsia women. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was carried out in 95 patients with early severe preeclampsia from October 2008 to January 2011. They were assigned to 3 groups based on anticoagulant drugs. The routine therapy of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) was given to the MgSO4 group (40 cases); the MgSO4 + CDI was given to those in the CDI group (23 cases), the MgSO4 + LMWH group was given to those in the LMWH group (32 cases). The general data of all patients were collected to analyze their effects on labor, postpartum hemorrhage, reasons for terminating the pregnancy, and maternal complications. RESULTS: (1) The average gestational week (weeks) of terminating the pregnancy was 31.7 +/- 1.9 in the MgSO4 group, 33.0 +/- 1.8 in the CDI group, and 32.8 +/- 1.7 in the LMWH group. The average weight of newborn babies (g) was 1 450.5 +/- 402.3 in the MgSO4 group, 1 582.2 +/- 332.5 in the CDI group, and 1 590.0 +/- 340.1 in the LMWH group. There was no obviously difference in the average gestational weeks or the average weight of newborn babies among the three groups. (2) The way of terminating the pregnancy was uterine-incision delivery. The main reasons for operation were sequenced as maternal complications, unsatisfied control of the blood pressure, and fetal distress. (3) The maternal complications in the three groups were sequenced as renal failure (12 cases), placental abruption (9 cases), hemolysis, increased liver enzymes and low platelet (HELLP) syndrome (8 cases). Sixteen (40.0%) had complications in the MgSO4 group, 12 (52.2%) in the CDI group, and 15 (46.9%) in the LMWH group. No statistic difference existed among the 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: LMWH and CDI were helpful to improving the therapeutic effects of severe preeclampsia patients. They did not increase adverse drug reactions. They seemingly had effects on prolonging the gestational week.

[Clinical analysis of bronchial foreign bodies in 246 children].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characters of bronchial foreign bodies in children and the utilization of bronchoscope in the treatment of bronchial foreign bodies. METHODS: A total of 246 children were diagnosed with bronchial foreign bodies at our hospital during January 2000 until August 2009. Under local mucosal anesthesia, a bronchoscope was inserted through nasal cavity into bronchi. After identifying the site of foreign body, grasping forceps was guided through bronchoscope to remove the foreign body from airway. RESULTS: Among 246 cases, hard nut and skin of melon seed were found (n = 230, 93.5%). The most common site of foreign body was in right lower lobe bronchi (n = 98, 38.9%). The average operative frequency was 1.9 +/- 1.3 and one-time extraction ratio 58.5% (n = 144). The one-time extraction ratio of patients with foreign body obstructed in main bronchi (91.1%), right middle lobe (60.0%) and right lower lobe (55.1%) was higher than others. The operation frequency of using basket grasping forceps (1.4 +/- 0.9) was lower than those using tooth type forceps (2.1 +/- 1.4). And the difference was significant (P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: For bronchial foreign body in pediatric patients, hard nut and skin of melon seed are the most common foreign bodies. The right and left lower lobe bronchi are the predilection site. Foreign body in main bronchus is the easiest to be removed by grasping forceps. For massive foreign bodies, basket grasping forceps fares better than tooth grasping forceps.

Five serum proteins identified using SELDI-TOF-MS as potential biomarkers of gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to detect serum proteomic patterns in gastric cancer serum samples using Surface-enhanced Laser Desorption/ionization-Time-of-flight-Mass Spectrometry ProteinChip array technology, to screen biomarker candidates, to build diagnostic models and to evaluate their clinical significance. METHODS: Serum samples from patients with gastric cancer and normal healthy control subjects (n = 125) were analysed using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization technology. The spectra were generated on weak cation exchange (WCX2) chips, and protein peak clustering and classification analyses were established using Ciphergen Biomarker Wizard and Biomarker Pattern software, respectively. The diagnostic models were developed and validated by discriminant analysis. In addition, the results of the surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization model were compared with the biomarkers carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 199 in a subset of samples using a microparticle enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Five protein peaks at 2046, 3179, 1817, 1725 and 1929 m/z were automatically chosen as components of the best biomarker pattern for diagnosis of gastric cancer. In addition, we identified a single protein peak at 4665 m/z, which could distinguish between stage I/II and stage III/IV gastric cancer with a specificity and sensitivity of 91.6% (11/12) and 95.4% (21/22), respectively. When this biomarker was validated in the second set of samples, the specificity and sensitivity were 91.7% (11/12) and 86.3% (19/22), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that serum surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization protein profiling can distinguish patients with gastric cancer, and in particular stage I/II patients, from normal subjects with a relatively high sensitivity and specificity. Surface-enhanced Laser Desorption/ionization-Time-of-flight-Mass Spectrometry is a potential new diagnostic tool for the screening of gastric cancer.

[Multi-center study of motherwort injection to prevent postpartum hemorrhage after caesarian section].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of motherwort (herba leonuri/leonurus heterophyllus sweet) injection for preventing postpartum hemorrhage after caesarian section. METHODS: The prospective study was designed as a randomized and single blind multi-center research matched with positive agent as controls from Apr 2007 to Aug 2007. 440 women underwent caesarian section (CS) indicated by obstetric factors were enrolled from 15 teaching hospitals in China and assigned into three groups: group of motherwort: 147 cases were administered by motherwort 40 mg uterine injection during CS and 20 mg intramuscular injection per 12 hours 3 times after CS; group of motherwort+oxytocin: 144 cases were administered by motherwort 40 mg and oxytocin 10 U uterine injection during CS and motherwort 20 mg intramuscular injection per 12 hours 3 times after CS and group of oxytocin: 149 cases were administered by oxytocin 10 U uterine injection and oxytocin 10 U+5% glucose 500 ml intravenously injection during operation and oxytocin 10 U intramuscular injection per 12 hours 3 times after CS. The following clinical parameter were collected and analyzed: (1) The amount of blood loss during operation, at 2, 6, 12, 24, 48 hours after operation. (2) The total amount of blood loss in 24 hours after CS and the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage. (3) The change of level of hemoglobin (Hb) and counting of red blood cell (RBC) from prepartum to postpartum. (4) Adverse reaction. RESULTS: (1) The mean amount of blood loss during operation were (368+/-258) ml in group of motherwort, (255+/-114) ml in group of motherwort+oxytocin and (269+/-141) ml in group of oxytocin, which exhibited significant difference among three groups (P<0.01). Meanwhile, no statistical different amount of blood loss among three groups were observed at 2, 6, 12, 24, 48 hours after CS. (2) The amount of blood loss of postpartum at 24 hours were (480+/-276) ml in group of motherwort, (361+/-179) ml in group of motherwort+oxytocin, (381+/-179) ml in group of oxytocin, which showed significant difference among 3 groups (P<0.01). (3) The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage were 32.0% (47/147) in group of motherwort, 11.1% (16/144) in group of motherwort+oxytocin, and 18.8% in (28/149) in group of oxytocin. When comparing the lowest rate of postpartum blood loss in group of motherwort+oxytocin and the highest rate in group of motherwort, it displayed statistical difference (P<0.01). (4) The decreased level of RBC and Hb were shown that RBC (0.3+/-0.5)x10(12)/L and Hb (9+/-13) g/L in group of motherwort, RBC (0.2+/-0.4)x10(12)/L and Hb (6+/-10) g/L in group of motherwort+oxytocin and RBC (0.2+/-0.4)x10(12)/L and Hb (7+/-30) g/L in group of oxytocin respectively. However, the comparison of different value of RBC and Hb in group of oxytocin and motherwort+oxytocin showed significant difference (P<0.05). (5) Two cases with allery reaction was observed. CONCLUSION: It is safe and efficacious that combined use of motherwort injection and oxytocin was to prevent postpartum hemorrhage during or after caesarian section.

CHFR promoter hypermethylation and reduced CHFR mRNA expression in ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer is one of the most common cancers and can be treated with microtubule-targeting drugs. Checkpoint with forkhead and ring finger domains (CHFR) is a protein implicated in cancer sensitivity to microtubule-targeting drugs. Whereas CHFR downregulation, often with CHFR promoter hypermethylation, has been identified in a large number of tumor types, it has not been in ovarian cancer. We therefore searched for CHFR downregulation in primary ovarian tumors. METHODS: Fresh ovarian cancer tissues from 53 patients (test) and normal ovarian tissues from 21 patients (control) were tested for CHFR promoter hypermethylation and CHFR mRNA levels. RESULTS: The CHFR promoter was hypermethylated in 20.75% (11/53) of the ovarian cancers and none (0/21) of the normal controls. The normal controls had a mean mRNA level of 1.89 relative fluorescence units (RFU) with a range of 0.04-24.78 RFU. The cancer tissues had a mean mRNA level of 0.77 RFU with a range of 0.00-68.75 RFU. The median value of the cancer group was significantly lower than that of the control group (p=0.0067). Those cancer samples that had hypermethylated CHFR promoters also had low (n=3) or undetectable (n=8) CHFR mRNA levels. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to previous reports, we found that alterations in CHFR mRNA and CHFR methylation can be frequently found in ovarian cancers. CHFR hypermethylation was strongly associated with the loss of CHFR mRNA expression. CHFR downregulation in ovarian tumors may be clinically relevant as a staging biomarker, as an indicator of sensitivity to microtubule-targeting drugs, and as a future drug target.

[Measurement of pulmonary function with body plethysmograph in infants].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the alterations of pulmonary function in infants with respiratory diseases. METHODS: A total of 900 infants with respiratory diseases were recruited and pulmonary function measured in 30 healthy infants. The tests were performed in the sleeping infants with sedation. Tidal breathing flow-volume (TBFV) loops were recorded when infants were breathing quietly. Passive flow-volume technique was used to obtain static respiratory system compliance and resistance. Functional residual capacity was measured by body plethysmograph. RESULTS: The TBFV loop showed proximate round or oval curve in healthy infants. The shape and parameters of TBFV loop had significant differences in infants with respiratory diseases as compared with healthy controls. The TBFV loop displayed a concave expiratory curve and ratio of time to reach tidal peak flow to total expiratory time, the expiratory volume till peak flow divided by the total expiratory volume significantly decreased in infants with small airway obstruction. The expiratory or inspiratory curve showed a plateau and the ratio of mid-expiratory to mid-inspiratory flow was less than 60% or over 150% in infants with upper airway obstruction. The TBFV loop turned narrow and lung volume decreased in infants with restrictive diseases. CONCLUSION: The TBFV loop show proximate round or oval curve in healthy infants. Pulmonary function has significant differences between healthy controls and infants with respiratory diseases. Pulmonary function test is useful in the assessment of respiratory diseases.

[The interaction between microsomal epoxide hydrolase polymorphisms and indoor pollution in non small cell lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the interaction between indoor air pollution and mEH gene polymorphisms. METHODS: Blood samples from 222 non small cell lung cancer patients and 222 healthy people were characterized by PCR and PCR-RFLP methods. The interaction coefficients were determined through unconditional logistic regression model. RESULTS: Significant differences in the positive rate of mEH-exon3 mutant and the heterozygote were found between case and control groups (chi(2) = 7.046, P = 0.030). But no significant difference was found in mEH-exon4 non-wild-type between groups (chi(2) = 2.674, P = 0.263). mEH-exon3 mutant (OR = 1.99; 95% CI = 1.21, 3.25) could significantly increase the risk of lung cancer. After adjusted by confounding variables, significant interactions were found between the use of coal-wall stove and the non-wild type mEH gene. The interaction coefficients were increased with the duration of exposure and quantity of coal consumed. The super multiplication models were established between non-wild type mEH gene and the exposure to soot or oil fume during cooking. The interaction coefficients were 2.75 and 7.34 respectively for exon3 and exon4. No interaction was found between non-wild type mEH gene and irritation of eye or throat during cooking. CONCLUSION: Through the molecular epidemiological techniques, we confirmed indoor air pollution that caused by coal burning was a noticeable lung cancer risk factor. The interaction between the polymorphisms of mEH gene and the indoor air pollution plays an important role in the carcinogenesis of lung.

[Study on prevalence and risk factors of sleep disorder among Chinese children aged 0 to 23 months in city].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and main influences on sleep disorder among Chinese children aged 0 to 23 months, as to providing scientific interventions for infant sleep disorder. METHODS: All 7601 children under two years old were selected by stratifying samples from twelve cities in China. The objects' parents were surveyed with questionnaire. All data were analyzed with SPSS statistical software. RESULTS: The total incidence of sleep disorders at 0 to 23 months was 21.94%. The main problems were difficulty falling asleep, nighttime waking and snoring. Feeding manner, sleep environment, sleep-associated habits and medical conditions were all influences on infant's sleep disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Enhancing sleep health education to change parents' nurturing modes should be an important role in preventing infant sleep disorders.