Understanding Zhongyong Using a Zhongyong Approach: Re-examining the Non-linear Relationship Between Creativity and the Confucian Doctrine of the Mean.

Zhongyong, a central theme of Confucian thought, refers to the "doctrine of the mean," or the idea that moderation in all things is the optimal path. Despite considerable interest in the relationship between zhongyong and creativity, especially in China, studies of this relationship have not yielded consistent results. Based on a review of the literature, we hypothesized that this inconsistency arises from the dual nature of zhongyong itself, which has both a positive side, promoting creativity, and a negative side, inhibiting creativity. We also hypothesized that the negative side of zhongyong takes the form of excessive zhongyong. Indeed, the observations that every coin has two sides and that too much of a good thing is as bad as too little are core principles of zhongyong in traditional Chinese culture. To test these hypotheses, we conducted two empirical studies (measuring explicit and implicit zhongyong personality, respectively) to examine the relationships between positive and negative zhongyong and creativity (measured in terms of creative personality, divergent thinking, and convergent thinking). The results of both studies revealed an interaction between positive zhongyong and negative zhongyong, indicating that only a moderate level of zhongyong is conducive to creativity; both deficiency and excess are harmful. We discuss the implications of these results, suggesting that a zhongyong approach can help to clarify non-linear relationships between things, and recommending to re-assess the creativity of Chinese culture from a neutral and objective outlook. This paper deepens understanding of zhongyong and offers clear insights into creativity from an in-depth cultural perspective.

An Investigation on the Academic Burden of Chinese Students Ranging from Primary Schools to Universities Based on a Word Association Test in Guangdong Province.

China's basic education and higher education are currently facing policies aimed at reducing and increasing the academic burden, respectively. In this context, we first review and assess the methods of measuring students' academic burden and then apply the implicit association test for the first time to the academic burden of Chinese students from primary school to university under a unified framework. The results demonstrates that students' academic burden increases with the school stage, and thus university students face a greater burden than primary and high school students, and that learning attitude fully mediates the relationship between objective and subjective views of academic burden. These results suggest the three policy approaches of implementing a management system for classifying academic burden, considering how to improve students' learning quality, and developing their mental health education, thus providing a reference and inspiration for research and practice in the field of academic burden.

Reliability and Validity of the Chinese Version of the Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Objective To study the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire (LYMQOL) in lymphedema patients. Methods LYMQOL was translated into Chinese. The Chinese version of the LYMQOL was distributed with the official Wechat account "Lymphedema Channel" to lymphedema patients who were recruited from October 28

Transthyretin Regulated by linc00657/miR-205-5p Promoted Cholesterol Metabolism by Inducing SREBP2-HMGCR and Inhibiting LXRα-CYP7A1.

BACKGROUND: Transthyretin functions as a serum transport protein for retinol. Transthyretin has been found associated with amyloid diseases and it is an important nutrition indicator. For this study, we aimed to investigate the up and down stream molecular mechanisms of Transthyretin in cholesterol metabolism. METHODS: We have recruited 237 fatty liver patients to evaluate the serum Transthyretin and its association with cholesterol and other clinical characteristics. And then Transthyretin was up and down regulated by plasmids to investigate its downstream mechanisms in vitro. RESULTS: Linc00657 (NORAD) and miR-205-5p were further confirmed as upstream mechanisms to regulate Transthyretin. High level Transthyretin patients tended to have higher cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level than low level Transthyretin patients. Moreover, Transthyretin expressed higher in LO2 than that in QSG7701. Furthermore, Transthyretin negatively regulated CYP7A1, LXRα and ABCG 5/8 and positively regulated HMGCR and SREBP2. Linc00657 expressed lower in LO2 than that in QSG7701 and miR-205-5p expressed higher in LO2 than that in QSG7701. Furthermore, we found that linc00657 negatively regulated miR-205-5p and Transthyretin in vitro. And, up regulation of miR-205-5p in linc00657-LO2 cell line could reverse the inhibitory effects of linc00657 on Transthyretin. CONCLUSION: Transthyretin regulated cholesterol metabolism mainly through inhibiting LXRα-CYP7A1 and promoting SREBP2-HMGCR. And linc00657 could negatively regulate Transthyretin by inhibiting miR-205-5p, providing novel therapeutic targets for decreasing serum cholesterol level. Besides, Transthyretin could be a potential novel biomarker for predicting liver function along with AST and ALT.

Survival analysis for male ductal and lobular breast cancer patients with different stages.

AIM: We aimed to investigate risk factors and current treatment effects in male breast cancer patients. METHODS: Kaplan-Meier plot, log-rank test, COX model, nomograms and propensity score matching were used. RESULTS: Among stage I-III patients, surgery was associated with better prognosis. In subgroup analysis, performing surgery and no radiation or chemotherapy led to worse prognosis in research group. Among stage IV patients, chemotherapy correlated with better prognosis and radiation led to better breast cancer-specific survival. In addition, brain and liver metastasis correlated with worse prognosis; and lung correlated with worse breast cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSION: For stage I-III patients, surgery and chemotherapy were recommended. And not applying radiation or chemotherapy could be carefully considered for ER(+) HER-2(-) patients. For stage IV patients, chemotherapy and radiation were commended.

Applications of Chest Wall Reconstructive Materials / 中国医学科学院学报

Chest wall reconstruction is a key approach to restoring the structure and function of the defective chest wall after tumor excision. While autologous flaps have been ideal materials for soft tissue reconstruction,the optimal skeletal reconstructive material still remains controversial. Currently,besides autologous bones,non-biodegradable materials have been used widely,which offer sufficient strength and stability but with some inevitable complications. Many studies have explored the clinical applications of biodegradable materials and the improvements in their characteristics,and some of these materials may be clinically feasible. This article reviews the recent advances in the applications of reconstructive materials.

Body Contouring After Bariatric Surgery / 中国医学科学院学报

While overweight and obesity have gradually became global concerns. Bariatric surgery is an effective and safe option for improving quality of life and alleviating psychosocial distress in obese individuals. However,body contouring is required to solve skin problems associated with massive weight loss after bariatric surgery. This article reviews the indications,importance,and postoperative complications of body contouring after bariatric surgery.

A systemic review of autologous fat grafting survival rate and related severe complications / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Clinical application of autologous fat grafting (AFG) is quickly expanding. Despite the widely acceptance, long-term survival rate (SR) of AFG remains a question not yet solved. Meanwhile, although rare, severe complications related to AFG including vision loss, stroke even death could be seen in the literature.</p><p><b>DATA SOURCES</b>A comprehensive research of PubMed database to June 2013 was performed according to guidelines of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Fat Graft Task Force Assessment Methodology. Articles were screened using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria.</p><p><b>STUDY SELECTION</b>Data collected included patient characteristics, surgical technique, donor site, recipient site, graft amount, and quantified measurement methods. Patient cohorts were pooled, and SR was calculated. All the severe complications were also summarized according to the different clinical characteristics.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of 550 articles, 16 clinical articles and 10 animal studies met the inclusion criteria and provided quantified measurement methods. Totally, 596 patients were included. SR varied from 34% to 82% in breast and 30-83% in the facial area. Nude mice were applied to investigate human fat grafting SR (38.3-52.5% after 15 weeks). Rabbits were commonly used to study animal AFG SR (14.00-14.56% after 1-year). Totally, 21 severe complications were reported, including death (2), stroke (10), vision loss (11, 8 of which accompanied with stroke), sepsis (3), multiple abscess (1) and giant fat necrotic cyst (2). Ten of these complications happened within 10 years.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There is no unified measurement method to evaluate fat graft SR until now and no clinical evidence to show better SR according to different donor and recipient cite. Body mass index change between pre- and postoperation may be the bias factor in evaluating fat SR. Fat embolisms of the ophthalmic artery and the middle cerebral artery are the most severe complication of AFG and still lack of effective treatment.</p>

Umbilical hernia repair in conjunction with abdominoplasty / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the feasibility and clinical benefits of umbilical hernia repair in conjunction with abdominoplasty.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The incision was designed in accord with abdominoplasty. The skin and subcutaneous tissue was dissected toward the costal arch, and then the anterior sheath of rectus abdominus was exposed. After exposure and dissection of the sac of umbilical hernia, tension-free hernioplasty was performed with polypropylene mesh. After dissecting the redundant skin and subcutaneous tissue, the abdominal wall was tightened.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Between May 2008 and May 2011, ten patients were treated in the way mentioned above. The repair of umbilical hernia and the correction of abdominal wall laxity were satisfactory. There was no recurrence of umbilical hernia, hematoma, seroma or fat liquefaction.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Through careful selection of patients, repair of umbilical hernia and body contouring could be achieved simultaneously.</p>

Relationship between left ventricular hypertrophy and blood pressure load and circadian rhythm in hypertension / 医学研究生学报

Objective: To investigate the association between the left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and blood pressure load (BPL) and circadian rhythm in hypertensive patients. Methods:Sixty patients with hypertension were studied by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring ( ABPM) and colour Doppler echocardiography. Results: Daytime、 nighttime and 24-hour systolic blood pressure load (d-SBPL、n-SBPL、24h-SBPL) in hypertensive patients with LVH were significantly higher than those without LVH[(88.4?11.6) vs (79. 8?13. 4) ,P

Clinical implications of increased expression of CD40L in patients with acute coronary syndromes / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate clinical implications of expression of CD40L in monocytes and changes in serum soluble CD40L in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixteen control and 56 patients, including 24 with stable angina (SA), 20 with unstable angina (UA) and 12 with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) enrolled in this study. Expression of CD40L in monocytes was analyzed by flow cytometry and sCD40L levels were measured by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Expression of CD40L in monocytes and serum levels of sCD40L in UA and AMI patients were higher than in SA patients and controls. In patients with AMI, sCD40L levels showed no significant increase when compared to patients with UA, while AMI patients had a peak level of sCD40L at 24 hours after AMI. PTCA induced a marked rise in sCD40L levels in all patients, while CD40L expression in monocytes showed no difference between patients with PTCA, before and after.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Enhanced level of serum sCD40L may be a reliable prognostic indicator for ACS and may represent a marker of coronary disease activity.</p>

Exploration of the interventional diagnosis and treatment for atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To determine the prevalence of renal artery stenosis (RAS) and the efficacy of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) and stenting in patients with documented coronary artery disease.Methods Selective renal artery angiography or abdominal digital subtraction angiography was performed immediately after coronary angiography to detect and quantify RAS in 200 consecutive patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. Eight severe stenotic renal arteries in 7 patients were treated with PTRA and stenting. All the lesions are considered to be atherosclerotic. Results RAS (defined as ≥50% diameter stenosis) was detected in 21 of 200 patients (10.5%) and 19 of 99 patients with coronary artery disease (19.2%) who had at least one coronary artery of ≥50% diameter stenosis. Procedure success rate was 100% in the 7 patients received PTRA and stenting. Blood pressure control improved in 74.1% patients with hypertension. Angiographic follow up was done in 3 patients in 3 to 9 months and no restenosis was found in the vessels.Conclusions It is necessary to routinely perform RAS for the patients with coronary artery discase undergoing coronary angiography to identify RAS, especially in those associated with hypertension, so as to diagnose and treat RAS in early stage. PTRA and stenting carries high success rate and appears to be an effective and safe treatment for RAS.

Current research on cell transplantation for cardiovascular diseases / 第二军医大学学报

The current pharmacotherapy is inadequate in preventing the progression of ventricular remodeling and congestive heart failure. Cellular cardiomyoplasty, through cell transplantation or regeneration of cardiomyocytes is a potential therapeutic approach to prevent left ventricular remodeling and the development of congestive heart failure after myocardial infarction. Recent research has focused on stem cells, which are undifferentiated pluripotent cells and can differentiate into a wide variety of cells including cardiac myocytes and endothelial cells. The majority data on stem cell transplantation were preclinical animal studies, all showing that stem cell therapy may replace lost heart muscle (myogenesis) and enhance cardiovascular revascularization (angiogenesis and vasculogenesis). These findings have been rapidly applied to human trials, but there were many questions remain to be solved. Although the results are interesting and safe, early phase Ⅰ clinical studies are small in scale and very preliminary. Data from large, randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the short- and long-term effects of cellular cardiomyoplasty.

The change of coronary circulating TNF-α level in patients with coronary heart disease after PTCA and its significance / 第二军医大学学报

Objective:To observe the effect of percutaneous tr ansluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) on coronary circulating tumor necrosis fa ctor-α (TNF-α) activity. Methods: Plasma TNF-α levls were measured with radioimmunoassay and bioactive assay respectively. Result s: Plasma TNF-α activity in femoral artery (AO) was significantly incr eased immediately after PTCA ［(15.86±3.75) U/ml vs （41.32±4.36） U/ml， P<0.01］, and plasma TNF-α activity in coronary sinus was remarkably incre ased immediately after PTCA　［(16.72±4.14） U/ml vs （65.61±6.25） U/ml, P<0.01］. There was no change in plasma TNF-α activity in AO 24 h after PT CA ［(18.32±5.12） U/ml vs （15.86±3.75） U/ml, P>0.05］. Conclu sion: The increase in plasma TNF-α activity after PTCA may be associat ed with the injury of coronary artery caused by PTCA, suggesting that TNF-α ma y be involved in the coronary occlusion and the development of coronary restenos is after PTCA.

Effects of preinfarction angina pectoris on severe ventricular arrhythmia and QTd in patients with first acute myocardial infarction / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To observe the effects of angina pector is on severe ventricular arrhythmia and QTd in patients with first acute myocard ial infarction(AMI). Methods: One hundred and eight-four cases of first AMI were divided into 2 groups: PA group, angina pectoris occurred with in 24 h before AMI onset (n=58), NPA group, no preceeding angina pectori s occurred (n=126). Occurrence of complications and QTd were investigated du ring hospitalization. Results: The basic clinical characteristic s, coronary risk factors, medication before infarction, treatments after admissi on with antiarrhythmic agents, site of infarction, successful rate of thrombolys is and peak CK, CK-MB were not statistically different. Early QTd in PA group and NPA group were (56.22±18.40) ms vs (84.45±21.90) ms, respectively, P <0.05, late QTd in PA group and NPA group were (50.67± 16.34) ms vs (64.1 8(16.41) ms, respectively, P<0.05. Comparison with NPA group, incidence of severe ventricular arrhythmia, heart failure, cardiogenic shock and rate of car diac mortality in-hospital was lower in PA group. Conclusion: P reinfarction angina pectoris can significantly reduce the incidence of severe ve ntricular arrhythmia and QTd in the patients with first AMI, sugges ting that these favorable effects might be associated with protective effects of ischemic preconditioning on myocardium and ventricular pump function and improv ement of repolarizative asynchronism in ventricular myocardium.

Effects of pravastatin on atherosclerotic plaque and cardiovascular events in pa tients with coronary disease / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To investigate the effects of pravastatin o n atherosclerotic plaque and cardiovascular events. Methods: Fifty- seven patients with coronary artery disease (44 male and 13 female, 58.4±11.3 y ears) were randommized into pravastatin and control groups. The patients in prav astatin group were administered 10 mg of pravastatin from the night of coronary angiography day. After 7.3 months (mean) of follow-up, plasma lipid parameters and coronary angiograph were repeated. Results: (1) A favorable effect on plasma lipid parameters was found. After administration, total choles terol(TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride(TG) red uced by 15.0% (P<0.01), 18.0% (P<0.01) and 6.0%, respectively. High den s ity lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) increased by 10.6%. However, in control grou p, TC and LDL-C showed a tendency to reduce, but no significant difference was found between those of pre- and post-administration. (2)There was no significa nt difference in luminal diameter between pre- and post-administration in both groups. (3) Cardiovascular events in pravastatin group was significantly lower than those in control (P<0.05). (4) Pravastatin had no significant effect on HR, BP and left ventricular ejection fraction in both groups. Conclusio n: Pravastatin can stabilize coronary atherosclerostic plaque and reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events by improving plasma lipid parameters.

Effect of probucol on adhesion of human monocytic line THP-1 induced by oxidiz ed low density lipoprotein / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To determine the eff ect of probucol on adhesion of human monocytic line THP-1 induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL). Methods: THP-1 cells were induced by oxLDL in vitro. The CD11b, CD54 expressions and adhesion to human umbilic al vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were measured after treatment with probucol at different concentrations by flow cytometry and β-nitrophenyl N-acetyl-β-D -glucosminide test. Results: Probucol inhibited the adhesion of oxLDL-induced THP-1 cells to HUVEC and down regulated the expression of CD11b in a dose dependent manner (P<0.01), but there was no inhibition on exp ression of CD54. Conclusion: Probucol can inhibit adhesion and a ggregation of monocyte-macrophages to endothelium in circulation, and may have anti-inflammatory action.

Relationship between the levels of serum hepatocyte growth factor and coronary atherosclerosis and clinical severity of essential hypertension / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To investigate the relationship between serum HGF levels and clinical severity of essential hypertension (EH). Methods: The serum HGF concentrations of 44 patients with EH were measur ed by ELISA. Results: The serum HGF levels in patients with EH w ere higher than that in control. Furthermore, the serum HGF levels of EH patient s with coronary atherosclerosis (CAS) were significantly higher than those of EH patients without CAS ［(920.8±250.0） pg/ml vs （747.9±132.1） pg/ml, P <0.01］ or control ［（643.8±98.2） pg/ml, P<0.01)］.The changes of HGF l evel were correlated with the clinical courses (r=0.63, P<0.01) and stag es (r=0.69, P<0.01) of hypertension. Conclusion: HGF may be considered as a new index for the severity of hypertension and an useful bio chemical parameter for estimating the development of atherosclerosis.

Effect of balloon angioplasty on plasma ET and TNF-α levels and tissue endothe lin immunoreactivity in experimental atherosclerotic rabbits / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To assess the effect of balloon angiopl asty on circulating endothelin (ET) and TNF-α levels and tissue endothelin in experimental atherosclerosis in rabbits. Methods: After 20 New Z ealand rabbits had a high cholesterol diet for at least 8 weeks, successful ball oon angioplasty was performed in rihgt iliac arteries in 18 rabbits. Circulatin g levels of ET and TNF-α were measured before as well as immediately and 24 h after balloon angioplasty. Tissue endothelin immunoreactivity in atherosclerotic iliac artery wall after balloon angioplasty was assessed by immunohistochemica l technique. Results: Plasma levels of ET and TNF-α were signi ficantly increased immediately after ballon angioplasty (76.40±13.58)pg/ml vs (92.67±11.38) pg/ml and (31.35±6.23) U/ml vs (56.26±7.37) U/ml, resp ectively (P<0.05) .There was no change in plasma ET and TNF-α levels 24 h after balloon angioplasty (77.13±12.87) pg/ml vs (76.40±13.58) pg/ml and (33.41±6.79) U/ml vs (31.35±6.23) U/ml， respectively (P>0.05). T issue endothelin immunoreactiuvity was markedly increased in right iliac artery wall after balloon angioplasty than that in opposite iliac artery wall. Conclusion: The increase of plasma ET, TNF-α levels and tissue ET-IR in iliac artery wall after balloon angioplasty may be associated with the injury of l ocal vascular intima, suggesting that ET and TNF-α may take part in the corona ry constriction and the development of coronary restenosis after percutaneous tr ansluminal coronary angioplasty.

The change of coronary circulating TNF-α level in patients with coronary heart disease after PTCA and its significance / 第二军医大学学报

Objective:To observe the effect of percutaneous tr ansluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) on coronary circulating tumor necrosis fa ctor-α (TNF-α) activity. Methods: Plasma TNF-α levls were measured with radioimmunoassay and bioactive assay respectively. Result s: Plasma TNF-α activity in femoral artery (AO) was significantly incr eased immediately after PTCA ［(15.86±3.75) U/ml vs （41.32±4.36） U/ml， P<0.01］, and plasma TNF-α activity in coronary sinus was remarkably incre ased immediately after PTCA　［(16.72±4.14） U/ml vs （65.61±6.25） U/ml, P<0.01］. There was no change in plasma TNF-α activity in AO 24 h after PT CA ［(18.32±5.12） U/ml vs （15.86±3.75） U/ml, P>0.05］. Conclu sion: The increase in plasma TNF-α activity after PTCA may be associat ed with the injury of coronary artery caused by PTCA, suggesting that TNF-α ma y be involved in the coronary occlusion and the development of coronary restenos is after PTCA.