[The relationship between the comprehensive blood inflammation indexes and stage I pneumoconiosis and its combined lung infections].

Objective: To analyze the comprehensive blood inflammation index of the patients with stage I pneumoconiosis complicated with pulmonary infection, and to explore its value in predicting the patients' disease. Methods: In September 2023, 83 patients with stage I pneumoconiosis who were treated in Tianjin Occupational Diseases Precaution and Therapeutic Hospital from November 2021 to August 2023 were selected and divided into non-infected group (56 cases) and infected group (27 cases) according to whether they were combined with lung infection. Workers with a history of dust exposure but diagnosed without pneumoconiosis during the same period were selected as the control group (65 cases) . By referring to medical records and collecting clinical data such as gender, age, occupational history, past medical history, hematology testing, the differences in the comprehensive blood inflammation indexes among the three groups were compared, ROC curve was drawn, and the relationship between comprehensive blood inflammation indexes and stage I pneumoconiosis and its combined lung infection was analyzed. Results: There were significtant differences in the number of neutrophils (N) , the number of lymphocytes (L) , the number of monocytes (M) , C-reactive protein (CRP) , the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) , the monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR) , the platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) , the systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) , the systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) , the aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI) , the derived neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) , the neutrophil to lymphocyte and platelet ratio (NLPR) , and the C-reactive protein to lymphocyte ratio (CLR) (P<0.05) . Compared with the control group, MLR, SIRI and AISI in the non-infected group were significantly increased (P<0.05) . NLR, MLR, PLR, SII, SIRI, AISI, dNLR, NLPR, CLR were significantly increased (P<0.05) . Compared with the non-infected group, NLR, PLR, SII, SIRI, AISI, dNLR, NLPR and CLR were significantly increased in the infected group (P<0.05) . ROC analysis showed that NLR, MLR, PLR, SII, SIRI and AISI had a certain predictive capability for stage I pneumoconiosis (P<0.05) , among which MLR had the highest efficacy, with an AUC of 0.791 (95% CI: 0.710-0.873) , the cut-off value was 0.18, the sensitivity was 71.4%, and the specificity was 78.5%. NLR, MLR, PLR, SII, SIRI, AISI, dNLR, NLPR and CLR all had a certain predictive capability forstage I pneumoconiosis combined lung infection (P<0.05) , among which CLR had the highest efficacy, with an AUC of 0.904 (95%CI: 0.824~0.985) , the cut-off value was 5.33, sensitivity was 77.8%, specificity was 98.2%. Conclusion: The comprehensive blood inflammation index may be an auxiliary predictor of stage I pneumoconiosis and its combined lung infections.

[Effect of high flow nasal catheter oxygen to prevent hypoxemia in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography surgery in aged].

Objective: To explore the effect of high-flow nasal catheter oxygen inhalation in preventing hypoxemia during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) surgery in elderly patients. Methods: From September 2021 to September 2022, 116 elderly patients (aged ≥ 70 years) who underwent elective ERCP in the Northern Theater General Hospital were prospectively selected, then divided into general nasal catheter oxygen inhalation group [group C, 31 males and 27 females, aged (79.8±6.4) years] and high-flow nasal catheter oxygen inhalation group [group H, 33 males and 25 females, aged (81.4±6.7) years], with 58 patients in each group. All patients were monitored for anesthesia by target-controlled infusion of propofol and remifentanil. The main outcome index was the incidence of intraoperative subclinical hypoxemia (90% ≤ SpO2 < 95%, duration >5 s), hypoxemia (75% < SpO2 < 90%, 5 s < duration ≤ 60 s) and severe hypoxemia (SpO2 < 75% or SpO2 < 90%, duration > 60 s). Secondary observation measures were SpO2 from T0 to T5 (T0, before anesthesia induction; T1, immediately after anesthesia induction; T2, endoscopic introduction; T3, duodenal papula intubation; T4, endoscopic withdrawal; T5, postoperative awakening), the arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2), carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO2) and pH at T0, 15 min after the induction and T5. Results: The incidence of intraoperative subclinical hypoxemia in group C and group H was 12.0% (7/58) and 3.4% (2/58) respectively, which showed no significant statistical difference (P=0.165) from each other. The incidence of intraoperative hypoxemia in group H was 8.6% (5/58), which was significantly lower than 31.0% (18/58) of group C (P=0.003). Neither group had intraoperative severe hypoxemia. SpO2 of group H were (98.2±0.9)%, (98.2±0.9)%, (97.8±1.7)% and (97.7±1.7)% at T1, T2, T3, T4, which were higher than (96.8±2.1)%, (96.4±3.0)%, (96.1±2.9)% and (96.4±3.4)% in group C (all P<0.05). PaO2 at 15 min after induction in group H was (240.5±46.7) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), which was higher than that of group C (170.6±33.4) mmHg (P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in pH and PaCO2 between the two groups of patients at each timepoint. Conclusion: High flow nasal catheter oxygen can effectively reduce the incidence of hypoxemia in ERCP in elderly patients.

["Double Grooves-Double Rings" technique of transurethral Thulium laser enucleation of the prostate: learning curve of single surgeon].

Objective: To evaluate the learning curve of the "Double Grooves-Double Rings" (DGDR) technique of transurethral Thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by a single surgeon. From June 2021 to July 2022, 84 patients mean age (69.0±8.0) years,preoperative prostate volume (90.9±40.3)ml with BPH underwent ThuLEP in the Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital.Performed by a single surgeon who had no experience of transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) and any laser surgeries. The case scatter plots with the best fitting line were drawn to analyze the learning curve. According to the date of the surgeries, the patients were equally divided into three learning stages (28 patients for each group). The T-PSA,prostate volume,operative time,enucleation time, enucleation efficiency,catheter indwelling time, hemoglobin drop and perioperative complications (including re-TURP, blood transfusion, stress incontinence≥3 months and urethral stricture) were compared among the groups. The learning curve was divided into three stages, and the cutting point was shown on the 14th case. Except the prostate volume [stage1 (75.7±30.7) ml, stage2 (93.40±39.6)ml, stage3 (103.5±46.2) ml, P<0.05], there was no significant difference of the baseline data between three groups (P>0.05). Compared with those of stage 1(100.6±24.7) min,(0.55±0.22) g/min, a statistically significant improvement was observed in both of the operative time and the enucleation efficiency among stage 2[(84.5±36.6) min, (0.87±0.33) g/min and stage 3 (71.2±26.3) min, (1.27±0.45) g/min, P<0.05]. The learning curve of the DGDR technique for ThuLEP can be divided into three stages. A ThuLEP beginner can preliminarily master this technique after completing 14 cases.

Analysis of risk factors for stone remnants and recurrence after lateral decubitus percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the risk factors for stone remnants and recurrence after lateral decubitus percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), providing insights to enhance the stone-free rate and reduce the stone recurrence rate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 356 patients with renal or upper ureteral stones who underwent lateral decubitus PCNL from January 2015 to August 2022. Among them, 271 patients had complete clinical and follow-up data. General clinical information, perioperative data, and follow-up data were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for stone remnants and recurrence after lateral decubitus PCNL. RESULTS: The stone-free rate after lateral decubitus PCNL was 88.6% (195/271), and the stone recurrence rate within three years was 28.1% (76/271). Stone size (p<0.001) and stone co-infection (p=0.047) were identified as independent risk factors for stone remnants after lateral decubitus PCNL. Multiple stones (p=0.003) were an independent risk factor for stone recurrence after lateral decubitus PCNL. CONCLUSIONS: Stone size and stone co-infection are independent risk factors for stone remnants after lateral decubitus PCNL. Multiple stones are an independent risk factor for stone recurrence after lateral decubitus PCNL.

[Mechanism of nerve growth factor promotes angiogenesis and skeletal muscle fiber remodeling in a mouse hindlimb ischemic model].

Objective: To explore the mechanism of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the skeletal muscle fiber remodeling in ischemic limbs during therapeutic angiogenesis. Methods: Eighteen female mice with SPF grade, 6 weeks old and 25-30 g weighed were randomly allocated to sham-operated group (n=6), blank control group (n=6) and NGF gene transfection group (n=6). The left hindlimb ischemia models were established by ligating the femoral artery in blank control group and NGF gene transfection group. Seven days after the operation, mice in the three groups were separately injected with normal saline, empty plasmids, and NGF plasmids. Gastrocnemius of left hindlimbs was harvested after the blood perfusion assessment of the ischemic limb on the 21st postoperative day. The gastrocnemius muscle specimens were stained with HE, CD31 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunohistochemistry staining, the mRNA expressions of myosin heavy chain-Ⅰ(MHC-Ⅰ), MHC-Ⅱa and MHC-Ⅱb were measured by real-time PCR, and the protein level of NGF and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-ß/δ (PPAR ß/δ) were detected by Western blot. The expression of cytochrome C oxidase (COX), isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: On the 21st day after operation, the blood perfusion of the ischemic limb in NGF gene transfection group was (195.70±9.99)PU, which was lower than that in sham-operated group (312.15±17.32)PU (P=0.001), while it was higher than that in blank control group (82.11±8.55)PU (P=0.001). The degree of muscle atrophy in the NGF gene transfection group was lower than that in the blank control group. The capillary density of NGF gene transfection group (0.34±0.05) was higher than that of sham-operated group (0.11±0.03) and blank control group (0.27±0.04) (P<0.05). The endothelial cell proliferation index in NGF gene transfection group (0.39±0.19) was significantly higher than that in sham-operated group (0.18±0.01) and blank control group (0.25±0.14) (P<0.05). The expression of NGF, PPAR ß/δ, COX, IDH, ATP, and MHC-Ⅰ mRNA in NGF gene transfection group were significantly higher than those in sham-operated group and blank control group (P<0.05). Conclusions: NGF gene transfection can promote angiogenesis in the ischemic limbs of mice, increase the blood perfusion, and thus induce the remodeling of skeletal muscle fibers to type Ⅰ. This process may be related to NGF-induced PPAR ß/δ expression and promote the cellular aerobic metabolism in skeletal muscle.

Updating species diversity of Colletotrichum, with a phylogenomic overview.

The genus Colletotrichum includes important plant pathogens, endophytes, saprobes and human pathogens. Even though the polyphasic approach has facilitated Colletotrichum species identification, knowledge of the overall species diversity and host distribution is largely incomplete. To address this, we examined 952 Colletotrichum strains isolated from plants representing 322 species from 248 genera, or air and soil samples, from 87 locations in China, as well as 56 strains from Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Turkey, and the UK. Based on morphological characteristics and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses, the strains were assigned to 107 species, including 30 new species described in this paper and 18 new records for China. The currently most comprehensive backbone tree of Colletotrichum, comprising 16 species complexes (including a newly introduced C. bambusicola species complex) and 15 singleton species, is provided. Based on these analyses, 280 species with available molecular data are accepted in this genus, of which 139 have been reported in China, accounting for 49.6 % of the species. Colletotrichum siamense, C. karsti, C. fructicola, C. truncatum, C. fioriniae, and C. gloeosporioides were the most commonly detected species in China, as well as the species with the broadest host range. By contrast, 76 species were currently found to be associated with a single plant species or genus in China. To date, 33 Colletotrichum species have been exclusively reported as endophytes. Furthermore, we generated and assembled whole-genome sequences of the 30 new and a further 18 known species. The most comprehensive genome tree comprising 94 Colletotrichum species based on 1 893 single-copy orthologous genes was hence generated, with all nodes, except four, supported by 100 % bootstrap values. Collectively, this study represents the most comprehensive investigation of Colletotrichum diversity and host occurrence to date, and greatly enhances our understanding of the diversity and phylogenetic relationships in this genus. Taxonomic novelties: New species: Colletotrichum arecacearum F. Liu, Z.Y. Ma & L. Cai, Colletotrichum bicoloratum F. Liu, W.P. Wu & L. Cai, Colletotrichum bromeliacearum F. Liu & L. Cai, Colletotrichum buxi F. Liu, W.P. Wu & L. Cai, Colletotrichum chamaedoreae F. Liu, W.P. Wu & L. Cai, Colletotrichum crousii F. Liu, Z.Y. Ma & L. Cai, Colletotrichum danxiashanense F. Liu, W.P. Wu & L. Cai, Colletotrichum diversisporum F. Liu, W.P. Wu & L. Cai, Colletotrichum diversum F. Liu & L. Cai, Colletotrichum dolichoconidiophori F. Liu, W.P. Wu & L. Cai, Colletotrichum iris F. Liu & L. Cai, Colletotrichum monsterae F. Liu, W.P. Wu & L. Cai, Colletotrichum multiseptatum F. Liu, W.P. Wu & L. Cai, Colletotrichum nageiae F. Liu, W.P. Wu & L. Cai, Colletotrichum obovoides F. Liu & L. Cai, Colletotrichum parabambusicola F. Liu, W.P. Wu & L. Cai, Colletotrichum paraendophytum F. Liu, W.P. Wu & L. Cai, Colletotrichum reniforme F. Liu, Z.Y. Ma & L. Cai, Colletotrichum schimae F. Liu, W.P. Wu & L. Cai, Colletotrichum shivasii F. Liu & L. Cai, Colletotrichum sinuatum F. Liu, W.P. Wu & L. Cai, Colletotrichum subacidae F. Liu, Z.Y. Ma & L. Cai, Colletotrichum subsalicis F. Liu & L. Cai, Colletotrichum subvariabile F. Liu, W.P. Wu & L. Cai, Colletotrichum syngoniicola F. Liu, Z.Y. Ma & L. Cai, Colletotrichum telosmae F. Liu, W.P. Wu & L. Cai, Colletotrichum tibetense F. Liu & L. Cai, Colletotrichum variabile F. Liu, W.P. Wu & L. Cai, Colletotrichum zhaoqingense F. Liu & L. Cai, Colletotrichum zhejiangense F. Liu, W.P. Wu & L. Cai. Citation: Liu F, Ma ZY, Hou LW, Diao YZ, Wu WP, Damm U, Song S, Cai L (2022). Updating species diversity of Colletotrichum, with a phylogenomic overview. Studies in Mycology 101: 1-56. doi: 10.3114/sim.2022.101.01.

[Changes of GSH-PX activity and γ-GCS mRNA expression in serum of workers exposed to manganese].

Objective: To explore the changes of γ-GCS mRNA expression and GSH-PX in serum of workers exposed to manganese in order to provide scientific basis for early diagnosis of manganese poisoning. Methods: In June 2017, a total of 180 workers from a motorcycle manufacturer were selected by stratified random sampling, including 115 welders as the exposure group and 65 administrative office workers as the Control Group, the exposure group was divided into high exposure group (43 persons) and low exposure group (72 persons) according to whether the exposure group exceeded the standard limit. The levels of γ-gcs Mrna expression and GSH-Px activity in serum were determined by Occupational Health Survey, and the differences of γ-gcs Mrna expression and GSH-Px activity among different groups were analyzed. Results: Compared with the control group, the serum GSH-Px activity was lower and the serum γ-GCS mRNA expression level was higher in the exposed group (F=370.52, 275.95, P<0.01) . Compared with the control group, there was significant difference in γ-GCS mRNA expression level and GSH-Px activity (F=0.475、1.06, P<0.01; F=48.53、111.70, P<0.01) . The concentrations of manganese in air, welding dust and urine were positively correlated with the level of γ-GCS mRNA (r=0.71, 0.50, 0.31, P<0.01) The serum GSH-Px activity was negatively correlated with the concentrations of manganese in air, welding dust and urine (r=-0.80, -0.52, -0.30, P< 0.01) , There was no correlation between Serum γ-GSH-Px activity and age and years of exposure (P>0.05) . Conclusion: Serum γ-GCS mRNA expression level and GSH-Px activity level can be used as early biomarkers of manganese poisoning. The concentrations of manganese in workplace air, welding dust and urine manganese in workers are the influencing factors.

Development of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of novel chicken orthoreovirus.

A novel avian orthoreovirus (N-ARV) variant characterized with obvious arthritis and synovial inflammation, was isolated from Shandong, China in May 2016. It caused chicken poor growth and enormous economic losses to the poultry industry of China. However, there are few effective methods for detecting the antibody levels of N-ARV. In this study, a viral structural protein σC was expressed using the prokaryotic expression vector pET32a (+). The target protein was obtained by inducing for 6 hours at an IPTG concentration of 0.6mM. The optimal dilution of the coating antigen and serum antibody were determined to be 1000 fold and 10 fold respectively. A specificity test showed that there was no positive reactivity between N-ARV and other pathogens, and when the positive serum was diluted 100 times detection results were still checkable. The repeatability of this method was determined by the inter assay and intra assay tests with variability ranging from 4.85% to 7.93%. In conclusion, this indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) will be useful for large-scale serological surveys and monitoring antibody levels in N-ARV infection.

[The incidence and causes of Tapia syndrome after posterior cervical spine surgery under oral tracheal intubation general anesthesia].

Objective: To observe the incidence of Tapia syndrome after posterior cervical spine surgery under oral tracheal intubation general anesthesia and to explore the risk factors for its occurrence. Methods: The data of patients suffered from Tapia syndrome after posterior cervical spine surgery under oral tracheal intubation general anesthesia from June 2018 to May 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. The type of procedure, surgeon, age and gender were selected as matching factors, 4 patients without Tapia syndrome were selected as control group for each case. The radiological parameters including mandibular-vertebral distance, thyroid-vertebral distance, thyroid cartilage-vertebral distance, and C2-C7 lordotic Cobb angle were measured on lateral radiographs of the cervical spine. The above parameters were measured on neutral, over-flexion and over-extension radiographs. The difference between the Tapia group and the control group were analyzed. Results: There were 9 patients (0.37%) suffered from Tapia syndrome after posterior cervical spine surgery under oral tracheal intubation general anesthesia in 2 431 patients, and it happened in 0.67 days (0-2 days) after the operation. There were 3 males and 6 females with a mean age of (61±5) years. The clinical manifestations was tongue extension deviation in 8 cases (88.9%), dysarthria in 6 cases (66.7%), dysphagia in 3 cases (33.3%), tongue stiffness in 3 cases (33.3%), hoarseness in voice and pharyngeal discomfort in 1 case (11.1%). All of the symptoms were relieved in all patients at 3 months postoperative follow-up. In neutral position, the mandibular-vertebral distance was (7.19±3.96) mm in the control group and it was (3.98±3.01) mm in Tapia group (P<0.05). From neutral position to hyperflexion position, the distance between mandible and vertebral body was reduced from 3.98 mm to 1.95 mm in the Tapia group and decreased for 51.0%, and it decreased from 7.19 mm for 31.8% to 4.90 mm in the control group. Conclusions: The incidence of Tapia syndrome after posterior cervical spine surgery under oral tracheal intubation general anesthesia is low. A smaller mandibular-vertebral distance on pre-operative cervical spine lateral view radiograph maybe a risk factor for Tapia syndrome after posterior cervical surgery under oral tracheal intubation general anesthesia.

The expression profile of miR-222b-5p/MAPK10 in spleens of SPF chickens infected with REV-SNV at 28-42 dpi.

Reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) is an avian oncogenic retrovirus that causes atrophy of immune organs, such as the spleen, thymus, and bursa of Fabricius, leading to severe immunosuppression. However, there is limited information describing the genes or microRNAs (miRNAs) that play a role in replicating REV-spleen necrosis virus (SNV). Our previous miRNA and RNA sequencing data showed that the expression of gga-miR-222b-5p was significantly upregulated in REV-SNV-infected chicken spleens of 7, 14, and 21 dpi compared to non-infected chicken spleens, but mitogen-activated protein kinase 10 (MAPK10), which is related to innate immunity, had the opposite expression pattern. To understand chicken cellular miRNA function in the virus-host interactions during REV infection, we used quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) to determine whether the expression of gga-miR-222b-5p and MAPK10 in the spleen of specific-pathogen-free chickens at 28, 35, and 42 dpi was consistent with the first 3 time points, and dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to determine the targeting relationship between gga-miR-222b-5p and MAPK10. Results show that MAPK10 was downregulated at all 3 time points; however, significant difference (p⟨0.01) was noted only at 35 dpi. Moreover, the expression of gga-miR-222b-5p was upregulated; however, significant difference (p⟨0.01) was observed only at 28 and 35 dpi. A dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that MAPK10 is a direct target of gga-miR-222b-5p. This study suggests that gga-miR-222b-5p may target MAPK10 to promote the REV-SNV-induced tumorigenesis via the RLRs signaling pathway.

[The correlation between the severity of uncovertebral joints degeneration and heterotopic ossification after single-level artificial cervical disc replacement].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between the severity of uncovertebral joints degeneration and heterotopic ossification (HO) after single-level artificial cervical disc replacement (ACDR). Methods: From January 2005 to January 2016, 70 patients who had undergone single-level ACDR in Peking University Third Hospital and had at least 5 years follow-up were included in this study. There were 35 males and 35 females with an average age of (42±8) years (range, 25-62 years). Cervical spine A-P X-rays were taken to assess the degeneration of uncovertebral joints and lateral X-rays were taken to assess the degeneration of intervertebral space. Cervical spine lateral and the flexion-extension X-rays at 5 years follow up were taken to assess HO. Degeneration of uncovertebral joints were evaluated by the classification system set-up in Peking University Third Hospital. Kellgren&Lawrence grading system was used to evaluate the degeneration of intervertebral space. HO was evaluated by the McAfee grading standards. The data were collected before surgery and at 5-years follow-up, then the correlation between degeneration of uncovertebral joints, degeneration of intervertebral space and HO was analyzed with Spearman non-parametric test. Results: The average follow-up time of 70 patients was (62.7±4.8) years (range, 52-74 months). There was a significant positive correlation between preoperative uncovertebral joints degeneration and HO after ACDR (r=0.585, P<0.01). There was a significant positive correlation between preoperative intervertebral space degeneration and HO (r=0.557, P<0.01). There was a significant positive correlation between preoperative intervertebral space degeneration and preoperative uncovertebral joints degeneration (r=0.727, P<0.01). Conclusion: There is a significant positive correlation between preoperative uncovertebral joints degeneration and HO after ACDR.

MiR-193a-5p suppresses cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis by regulating HOXA7 in human ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women in the world. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) were identified as a group of regulators that played important roles in the progression of cancer development. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the functional mechanism of microRNA-193a-5p (miR-193a-5p) in human ovarian cancer. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the RNA levels of miR-193a-5p and homeobox genes A7 (HOXA7). Western blot assay was performed to determine the protein level of HOXA7. The interaction between miR-193a-5p and HOXA7 was predicted by online software starBase v3.0, and then verified by the dual luciferase reporter assay. The cell proliferation and apoptosis rate were examined by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and colony formation assay as well as flow cytometry analysis. We found out that the expression level of miR-193a-5p was decreased in human ovarian cancer tissues and cells. The overexpression of miR-193a-5p inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in human ovarian cancer. Interestingly, miR-193a-5p reduced the expression of HOXA7 by binding to 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of HOXA7 mRNA. As expected, the knockdown of HOXA7 also suppressed cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis in human ovarian cancer. Besides, the upregulation of HOXA7 reversed the effect of miR-193a-5p on human ovarian cell proliferation and apoptosis. Our findings confirmed that miR-193a-5p inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis through the downregulation of HOXA7 in human ovarian cancer, providing a theoretical value for the therapy of human ovarian cancer.

Safety, feasibility, and effect of an enhanced nutritional support pathway including extended preoperative and home enteral nutrition in patients undergoing enhanced recovery after esophagectomy: a pilot randomized clinical trial.

The aims of this pilot study are to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of conducting an enhanced nutritional support pathway including extended preoperative nutritional support and one month home enteral nutrition (HEN) for patients who underwent enhanced recovery after esophagectomy. We implemented extended preoperative nutritional support and one month HEN after discharge for patients randomized into an enhanced nutrition group and implemented standard nutritional support for patients randomized into a conventional nutrition group. Except the nutritional support program, both group patients underwent the same standardized enhanced recovery after surgery programs of esophagectomy based on published guidelines. Patients were assessed at preoperative day, postoperative day 7 (POD7), and POD30 for perioperative outcomes and nutritional status. To facilitate the determination of an effect size for subsequent appropriately powered randomized clinical trials and assess the effectiveness, the primary outcome we chose was the weight change before and after esophagectomy. Other outcomes including body mass index (BMI), lean body mass (LBM), appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), nutrition-related complications, and quality of life (QoL) were also analyzed. The intention-to-treat analysis of the 50 randomized patients showed that there was no significant difference in baseline characteristics. The weight (-2.03 ± 2.28 kg vs. -4.05 ± 3.13 kg, P = 0.012), BMI (-0.73 ± 0.79 kg/m2 vs. -1.48 ± 1.11 kg/m2, P = 0.008), and ASMI (-1.10 ± 0.37 kg/m2 vs. -1.60 ± 0.66 kg/m2, P = 0.010) loss of patients in the enhanced nutrition group were obviously decreased compared to the conventional nutrition group at POD30. In particular, LBM (48.90 ± 9.69 kg vs. 41.96 ± 9.37 kg, p = 0.031) and ASMI (7.56 ± 1.07 kg/m2 vs. 6.50 ± 0.97 kg/m2, P = 0.003) in the enhanced nutrition group were significantly higher compared to the conventional nutrition group at POD30, despite no significant change between pre- and postoperation. In addition, European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 scores revealed that enhanced nutritional support improved the QoL of patients in physical function (75.13 ± 9.72 vs. 68.33 ± 7.68, P = 0.009) and fatigue symptom (42.27 ± 9.93 vs. 49.07 ± 11.33, P = 0.028) compared to conventional nutritional support. This pilot study demonstrated that an enhanced nutritional support pathway including extended preoperative nutritional support and HEN was feasible, safe, and might be beneficial to patients who underwent enhanced recovery after esophagectomy. An appropriately powered trial is warranted to confirm the efficacy of this approach.

[Surgical treatment of severe congenital cervical kyphosis].

Objective: To investigate the surgical treatment of severe congenital cervical kyphosis. Methods: The clinical data of patients with severe congenital cervical kyphosis (Cobb>40°) treated in Peking University Third Hospital from March 2004 to March 2018 were retrospectively summarized. In this series, 8 cases were enrolled, included 4 males and 4 females; the patients were 5-45 years old. According to the etiology, 4 patients were diagnosed with vertebral body underdevelopment, 2 with vertebral insufficiency, 1 with cervical spine congenital fusion and 1 with C(2) spinous process mecism. Five cases were treated with traction before final surgical correction. The surgical strategy was anterior correction or posterior correction or combined procedure in regards to different situation. The curvature of cervical angle was measured by two-line Cobb method, and the cervical kyphosis angle was measured on lateral radiographs in the neutral and extended position at the pre-operation and post-operation in each patient. The correction rate and evaluated Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scoring for the function of spinal cord were also measured. The data before and after the operation were compared with t test. Results: In this series, the average kyphotic Cobb angle was 67°±18° and 8°±8° before and after surgical correction, respectively (t=8.471,P<0.05).The final correction rate was 87%±13%.The JOA score improved from 11.1±2.7 to 14.0±1.5 (t=-2.656, P<0.05) at the end of follow up. Conclusions: The pre-correction by cervical spine traction and final surgical correction by anterior, posterior or combined approaches of internal fixation and fusion can achieve good results and reduce risk and difficulty in operation for severe congenital cervical spine kyphosis with vertebral body underdevelopment without vertebral insufficiency and cervical spine congenital fusion. The final surgical correction by one-stage anterior, posterior or combined approaches of internal fixation and fusion can achieve good results for severe congenital cervical spine kyphosis with vertebral insufficiency and/or cervical spine congenital fusion.

[Cancer epidemics and the cancer prevention and control strategies in the United States: a review study].

In the past two decades,the United States made an impressed progress in the prevention and control of cancer that the overall morbidity and mortality of cancer had shown a downward trend, while China had seen an opposite trend. Cancer, one of the major public health concerns in China, has imposed an enormous burden onthe society and individuals. Therefore,in order to scientifically formulate cancer prevention and control policies, it is essential to make a comprehensive understanding of the practical experience in the field of cancer prevention and control from the United States. This article reviews the relevant literature on cancer trends as well as the prevention and control strategies in the United States,depictsthe cancer epidemic situation in the United States in the past 30 years, and summarizes the influencing factors, strategies and intervention experiences that lead to the improvement of cancer epidemic. It highlights the policy support, surveillance and intervention adopted by the United States for the cancer prevention and control. This article is expected to provide some implications and reference for the cancer prevention and control in China.

Fusarium incarnatum-equiseti complex from China.

The Fusarium incarnatum-equiseti species complex (FIESC) is shown to encompass 33 phylogenetic species, across a wide range of habitats/hosts around the world. Here, 77 pathogenic and endophytic FIESC strains collected from China were studied to investigate the phylogenetic relationships within FIESC, based on a polyphasic approach combining morphological characters, multi-locus phylogeny and distribution patterns. The importance of standardised cultural methods to the identification and classification of taxa in the FIESC is highlighted. Morphological features of macroconidia, including the shape, size and septum number, were considered as diagnostic characters within the FIESC. A multi-locus dataset encompassing the 5.8S nuclear ribosomal gene with the two flanking internal transcribed spacers (ITS), translation elongation factor (EF-1α), calmodulin (CAM), partial RNA polymerase largest subunit (RPB1) and partial RNA polymerase second largest subunit (RPB2), was generated to distinguish species within the FIESC. Nine novel species were identified and described. The RPB2 locus is demonstrated to be a primary barcode with high success rate in amplification, and to have the best species delimitation compared to the other four tested loci.