A method for durian precise fertilization based on improved radial basis neural network algorithm.

Introduction: Durian is one of the tropical fruits that requires soil nutrients in its cultivation. It is important to understand the relationship between the content of critical nutrients, such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in the soil and durian yield. How to optimize the fertilization plan is also important to the durian planting. Methods: Thus, this study proposes an Improved Radial Basis Neural Network Algorithm (IM-RBNNA) in the durian precision fertilization. It uses the gray wolf algorithm to optimize the weights and thresholds of the RBNNA algorithm, which can improve the prediction accuracy of the RBNNA algorithm for the soil nutrient content and its relationship with the durian yield. It also collects the soil nutrients and historical yield data to build the IM-RBNNA model and compare with other similar algorithms. Results: The results show that the IM-RBNNA algorithm is better than the other three algorithms in the average relative error, average absolute error, and coefficient of determination between the predicted and true values of soil N, K, and P fertilizer contents. It also predicts the relationship between soil nutrients and yield, which is closer to the true value. Discussion: It shows that the IM-RBNNA algorithm can accurately predict the durian soil nutrient content and yield, which is benefited for farmers to make agronomic plans and management strategies. It uses soil nutrient resources efficiently, which reduces the environmental negative impacts. It also ensures that the durian tree can obtain the appropriate amount of nutrients, maximize its growth potential, reduce production costs, and increase yields.

A meta-analysis of cognitive and functional outcomes in severe brain trauma cases.

Background: Severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are an important health issue worldwide, which are associated with harmful side effects. This meta-analysis investigates the cognitive and functional outcomes in severe brain trauma cases. It assesses the impact on memory, verbal and visual abilities, attention, learning, and the presence of depression. The study provides a comprehensive overview of the consequences of severe brain trauma injury on cognitive and functional domains. Objective: The main objective of the current comprehensive meta-analysis study is to assess and analyze the impact of severe TBI on functional and cognitive outcomes, including verbal, visual, attention, learning, memory, and emotional stability. Methods: We collected data from three online databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase. Case-control trials related to severe TBI association with cognitive and functional outcomes were included. Verbal strength, visual functions, learning abilities, attention, memory, and depression were considered primary outcomes. Results: We have included 13 case-control studies with 1,442 subjects in this meta-analysis, which provide adequate data to determine the pooled effect size for targeted outcomes. The effect of severe TBI on the inducement of depression and impairment of memory, verbal, visual, attention, and learning abilities compared to the control group showed statistically significant outcomes (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Severe TBI is strongly associated with impaired cognitive and functional abilities, including visual and verbal disabilities, impaired memory, depression inducement, attention deficits, and learning disabilities.

Diversity, community structure, and abundance of nirS-type denitrifying bacteria on suspended particulate matter in coastal high-altitude aquaculture pond water.

Denitrifying bacteria harboring the nitrate reductase S (nirS) gene convert active nitrogen into molecular nitrogen, and alleviate eutrophication in aquaculture water. Suspended particulate matter (SPM) is an important component of aquaculture water and a carrier for denitrification. SPM with different particle sizes were collected from a coastal high-altitude aquaculture pond in Maoming City, China. Diversity, community structure, abundance of nirS-type denitrifying bacteria on SPM and environmental influencing factors were studied using high-throughput sequencing, fluorescence quantitative PCR, and statistical analysis. Pseudomonas, Halomonas, and Wenzhouxiangella were the dominant genera of nirS-type denitrifying bacteria on SPM from the ponds. Network analysis revealed Pseudomonas and Halomonas as the key genera involved in the interaction of nirS-type denitrifying bacteria on SPM in the ponds. qPCR indicated a trend toward greater nirS gene abundance in progressively larger SPM. Dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and SPM particle size were the main environmental factors influencing changes in the nirS-type denitrifying bacterial community on SPM in coastal high-altitude aquaculture pond water. These findings increase our understanding of the microbiology of nitrogen cycle processes in aquaculture ecosystem, and will help optimize aquatic tailwater treatment strategies.

Roadway rock burst prediction based on catastrophe theory.

In order to quantitatively calculate the critical depth and critical load of mines affected by rock burst, and to achieve effective prevention and control of rock burst in coal mines, this paper proposes a mechanical model for predicting the occurrence of rock burst in coal mine roadways based on catastrophe theory. Additionally, a theoretical calculation formula for initiating rock burst is derived. The first step was to establish a mechanical analysis model, which directly correlated with the in-situ stress, physical and mechanical characteristics of the coal-rock mass, and engineering structural parameters. Following this, a mechanical instability criterion was derived for the key load-bearing circle within the surrounding rock of the roadway. In the final step, the critical depth and load for rock burst initiation were verified for 25 distinct coal mines in China that were prone to rock burst hazards. The research results demonstrate that the discrepancy between the theoretically calculated critical depth and the actual measured statistical values was less than 35%. In addition, the difference between the theoretically determined critical depth and the value calculated by Pan Yishan was less than 32%. Notably, the ratio of the theoretically calculated critical load to the uniaxial compressive strength of the coal-rock mass ranged from 0.38 to 1.93. This aligns with empirical data on rock burst occurrences, as set out in the engineering classification standards for rock masses. These research outcomes substantiated the practical utility of the proposed theory, thereby laying a robust theoretical groundwork for the quantitative control of rock burst.

A paper-based ratiometric fluorescent sensor for NH3 detection in gaseous phase: Real-time monitoring of chilled chicken freshness.

A ratiometric fluorescence sensor platform with easy-to-use and accurate is nanoengineered for NH3 quantitative detection and visual real-time monitoring of chicken freshness using smartphones. The ratiometric fluorescent probe formed by combining the zinc ion complex and carbon dots has a double-emitted fluorescence peak. The fluorescence intensity of the complex changed can be clearly observed with the increase of the concentration of ammonia solution under 365 nm wavelength excitation. In order to detect NH3 concentration in gaseous phase, a portable paper-based sensor was designed. The sensor had a good linear relationship with NH3 concentration ranging from 10.0 to 90.0 µmol/L and the LOD value was 288 nM. This fluorescent paper-based sensor was used to check the freshness of chicken breast refrigerated at 4 °C, revealed observable shifts from blue to green. The fluorescent paper-based sensor can detect NH3 concentration in real time and simplify the monitoring process of meat freshness while ensuring accuracy and stability.

Iodine nutritional status of population before and after system reform of salt industry in Gansu Province / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To understand the impact of system reform of salt industry on iodine nutrition of people in Gansu Province, and to provide a scientific basis for policy adjustment of relevant departments. Methods The investigation period (2014-2021) was divided into two sub-periods: before system reform of salt industry (2014-2016) and after system reform of salt industry (2017-2021). Thirty counties were selected according to the method of “population proportional probability sampling (PPS)” in 2014. According to the iodine deficiency disease monitoring program of Gansu Province, from 2016 to 2021, children aged 8-10 years and pregnant women were taken as research objects to collect urine samples for urine iodine detection. Children in 2014 and 2018 were selected to measure thyroid volume. Results A total of 90 989 children urine iodine samples were investigated, and the median urinary iodine (MUI) of children was 194.70µg/L; 7 663 and 83,326 children's urinary iodine samples were investigated in the two periods, the MUI was 180.73 µg/L and 196.00 µg/L, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). A total of 44 741 pregnant women's urinary iodine samples were investigated, and the MUI of pregnant women was 176.50 µg/L; 4 480 and 40 261 pregnant women's urinary iodine samples were investigated in the two periods, the MUI was 160.61 µg/L and 178.10 µg/L, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The thyroid volume of 1 555 children and 8 509 children was investigated in the two periods, the median thyroid volume was 2.70 mL and 2.55 mL , respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The rates of goiter in children were 3.15% and 1.26%, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion The iodine nutrition of people in Gansu Province has not fluctuated significantly after the reform of salt industry system and has maintained an appropriate level. It is necessary to pay attention to the potential risk of insufficient iodine nutrition level and thyroid health of key populations such as children and pregnant women and strengthen health education of scientific iodine supplementation.

Establishment of a nomogram model for predicting liver cirrhosis with esophagogastric variceal bleeding based on aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index and platelet-albumin-bilirubin score / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index （APRI） and platelet-albumin-bilirubin （PALBI） score in predicting the risk of esophagogastric variceal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis. MethodsA total of 119 patients with liver cirrhosis who were admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from May 2021 and June 2022 were enrolled， and clinical data， routine blood test results， serum biochemistry， and coagulation test results were collected from all patients. According to the presence or absence of esophagogastric variceal bleeding， the patients were divided into non-bleeding group with 59 patients and bleeding group with 60 patients， and a comparative analysis was performed for the two groups. The independent samples t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups； the chi-squared test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors for esophagogastric variceal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis and establish a nomogram predictive model. ResultsThe male patients accounted for 75.00% in the bleeding group and 40.68% in the non-bleeding group， and there was a significant difference in sex composition between the two groups （χ2=14.384， P<0.001）. Chronic hepatitis B was the main etiology in both the bleeding group and the non-bleeding group （53.33% vs 38.98%）， and there was no significant difference in composition ratio between the two groups （χ2=2.464， P=0.116）. Compared with the non-bleeding group， the bleeding group had a significantly higher activity of AT-IIIA （t=3.329， P=0.001） and significantly lower levels of PLT， TBil， Ca， TC， and TT （all P<0.05）. There were significant differences in APRI and PALBI between the two groups （χ2=6.175 and 19.532， both P<0.05）. The binary logistic regression analysis showed that APRI （odds ratio ［OR］=0.309， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 0.109‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.881， P=0.028）， PALBI （OR=7.667， 95%CI： 2.005‍ ‍—‍ ‍29.327， P=0.003）， Ca （OR=0.001， 95%CI： 0.000‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.141， P=0.007）， TC （OR=0.469， 95%CI： 0.226‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.973， P=0.042）， and TT （OR=0.599， 95%CI： 0.433‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.830， P=0.002） were independent influencing factors for esophagogastric variceal bleeding in liver cirrhosis. A nomogram model was established based on the above factors and had an index of concordance of 0.899 and a well-fitted calibration curve. ConclusionAPRI and PALBI have a good value in predicting esophagogastric variceal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis， and the nomogram model established based on this study can predict the incidence rate of esophagogastric variceal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Proteomic analysis and validation of DNA repair regulation in the process of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the role and mechanism of DNA repair regulation in the process of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） recurrence. MethodsHCC tissue samples were collected from the patients with recurrence within two years or the patients with a good prognosis after 5 years， and the Tandem Mass Tag-labeled quantification proteomic study was used to analyze the differentially expressed proteins enriched in the four pathways of DNA replication， mismatch repair， base excision repair， and nucleotide excision repair， and the regulatory pathways and targets that play a key role in the process of HCC recurrence were analyzed to predict the possible regulatory mechanisms. The independent samples t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups； a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsFor the eukaryotic replication complex pathway， there were significant reductions in the protein expression levels of MCM2 （P=0.018）， MCM3 （P=0.047）， MCM4 （P=0.014）， MCM5 （P=0.008）， MCM6 （P=0.006）， MCM7 （P=0.007）， PCNA （P=0.019）， RFC4 （P=0.002）， RFC5 （P<0.001）， and LIG1 （P=0.042）； for the nucleotide excision repair pathway， there were significant reductions in the protein expression levels of PCNA （P=0.019）， RFC4 （P=0.002）， RFC5 （P<0.001）， and LIG1 （P=0.042）； for the base excision repair pathway， there were significant reductions in the protein expression levels of PCNA （P=0.019） and LIG1 （P=0.042） in the HCC recurrence group； for the mismatch repair pathway， there were significant reductions in the protein expression levels of MSH2 （P=0.026）， MSH6 （P=0.006）， RFC4 （P=0.002）， RFC5 （P<0.001）， PCNA （P=0.019）， and LIG1 （P=0.042） in recurrent HCC tissue. The differentially expressed proteins were involved in the important components of MCM complex， DNA polymerase complex， ligase LIG1， long patch base shear repair complex （long patch BER）， and DNA mismatch repair protein complex. The clinical sample validation analysis of important differentially expressed proteins regulated by DNA repair showed that except for MCM6 with a trend of reduction， the recurrence group also had significant reductions in the relative protein expression levels of MCM5 （P=0.008）， MCM7 （P=0.007）， RCF4 （P=0.002）， RCF5 （P<0.001）， and MSH6 （P=0.006）. ConclusionThere are significant reductions or deletions of multiple complex protein components in the process of DNA repair during HCC recurrence.

The Uptake and Distribution Evidence of Nano- and Microplastics in vivo after a Single High Dose of Oral Exposure / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#Tissue uptake and distribution of nano-/microplastics was studied at a single high dose by gavage in vivo.@*METHODS@#Fluorescent microspheres (100 nm, 3 μm, and 10 μm) were given once at a dose of 200 mg/(kg∙body weight). The fluorescence intensity (FI) in observed organs was measured using the IVIS Spectrum at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h after administration. Histopathology was performed to corroborate these findings.@*RESULTS@#In the 100 nm group, the FI of the stomach and small intestine were highest at 0.5 h, and the FI of the large intestine, excrement, lung, kidney, liver, and skeletal muscles were highest at 4 h compared with the control group ( P < 0.05). In the 3 μm group, the FI only increased in the lung at 2 h ( P < 0.05). In the 10 μm group, the FI increased in the large intestine and excrement at 2 h, and in the kidney at 4 h ( P < 0.05). The presence of nano-/microplastics in tissues was further verified by histopathology. The peak time of nanoplastic absorption in blood was confirmed.@*CONCLUSION@#Nanoplastics translocated rapidly to observed organs/tissues through blood circulation; however, only small amounts of MPs could penetrate the organs.

Adult patients with tetanus in Anhui Province of China from 2013 to 2022: A retrospective study.

Tetanus is a highly fatal infectious disease with an incubation period of 7 to 8 days. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for death in tetanus patients, develop a nomogram model for predicting mortality risk. This retrospective study included tetanus patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit department between January 2013 and December 2022. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on their final outcome, namely death group and survival group. Risk factors associated with mortality were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Finally, a nomogram model was developed using the rms package. A total of 91 patients were enrolled in this study, including 54 males and 37 females. The average age of the tetanus patients was 52.88 ±â€…16.56 years, with a mean incubation period of 8.51 ±â€…3.97 days. The foot was the most common injury site (42.86%), and metal product stabbing was the leading cause of injury (48.78%). Ventilator-associated pneumonia was the most frequent complication (21.98%). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that Ablett classification (odds ratio [OR], 21.999; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.124-117.352), white blood cell count (OR, 6.033; 95%CI, 1.275-28.552), and autonomic nervous dysfunction (OR, 22.663; 95%CI, 4.363-117.728) as independent risk factors for tetanus patients. The C-index of the nomogram model was 0.942, with an area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve at 0.942 (95%CI, 0.871-0.905). Ablett classification, white blood cell count, autonomic nervous dysfunctions were associated with the prognosis of patients with tetanus. The nomogram model developed based on risk factors has high accuracy.

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 depletion suppresses de novo fatty acid synthesis and mitochondrial ß-oxidation in castration-resistant prostate cancer cells.

Cancer cells, including those of prostate cancer (PCa), often hijack intrinsic cell signaling to reprogram their metabolism. Part of this reprogramming includes the activation of de novo synthesis of fatty acids that not only serve as building blocks for membrane synthesis but also as energy sources for cell proliferation. However, how de novo fatty acid synthesis contributes to PCa progression is still poorly understood. Herein, by mining public datasets, we discovered that the expression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase alpha (ACACA), which encodes acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1), was highly expressed in human PCa. In addition, patients with high ACACA expression had a short disease-free survival time. We also reported that depletion of ACACA reduced de novo fatty acid synthesis and PI3K/AKT signaling in the human castration-resistant PCa (CRPC) cell lines DU145 and PC3. Furthermore, depletion of ACACA downregulates mitochondrial beta-oxidation, resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction, a reduction in ATP production, an imbalanced NADP+/NADPhydrogen(H) ratio, increased reactive oxygen species, and therefore apoptosis. Reduced exogenous fatty acids by depleting lipid or lowering serum supplementation exacerbated both shRNA depletion and pharmacological inhibition of ACACA-induced apoptosis in vitro. Collectively, our results suggest that inhibition of ectopic ACACA, together with suppression of exogenous fatty acid uptake, can be a novel strategy for treating currently incurable CRPC.

Analysis on key points of ethics review of horizontal scientific research projects: Based on the ethics review management system of horizontal scientific research projects in a tertiary hospital / 中华医学科研管理杂志

Objective:This paper aims to promote the standardization of ethics review of horizontal scientific research projects and improve the ethics review quality by analyzing the current ethics review practice in a certain tertiary hospital, identifying common problems during the review process, illustrating relevant causes and proposing corresponding solutions.Methods:Through introducing the current situation of ethics review of horizontal scientific research projects in a tertiary level hospital, the differences between the main points of ethics review of horizontal scientific research projects and government-funded scientific research projects were analyzed, so as to sort out the common problems and possible causes in the process of ethics review of horizontal scientific research projects, and then explore the possible corresponding solutions.Results:Based on the characteristics of horizontal research projects, ethics review should focus on their scientific and social values, potential conflicts of interest, protection of subjects′ rights and interests, and whole-process management and quality assurance. At present, there are still many problems, such as a large number of projects, but not many projects with high research value, inadequate project process management, and ineffective implementation of ethics review opinions.Conclusions:The hospital should further improve the management system of horizontal scientific research project approval, bring in more comprehensive review regarding to both scientific and ethics review, engage more experts at the outset of project funding decision-making, set up ethics specialists, strengthen the process management of horizontal scientific research projects, strengthen ethical publicity and education, and improve the ethical awareness of researchers to fully protect the rights and interests of subjects and promote the high-quality development of clinical research.

Analysis of disease burden of occupational pneumoconiosis in Gansu Province from 2010 to 2020 / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: Through comparative analysis of the disease burden of occupational pneumoconiosis in Gansu Province from 2010 to 2020, the main influencing factors are screened, and scientific basis is provided for rational allocation of limited health resources, precise management and policy implementation. Methods: In August 2021, survey and collect information on surviving occupational pneumoconiosis patients and dead occupational pneumoconiosis patients diagnosed in Gansu Province from 2010 to 2020, and analyze and calculate indicators such as morbidity, mortality, and disability adjusted of life years (DALY). Analyzing the influencing factors of disease burden usirrg multiple linear regression. Results: From 2010 to 2020, the average annual incidence of occupational pneumoconiosis in Gansu Province was 0.9992/100000, the average annual mortality was 0.897/100000, the cumulative case fatality rate was 25.75%, and the cumulative DALY was 28932.96 person-years. The first stage of occupational pneumoconiosis was the highest among DALY loss (19920.14 person-years), and the DALY loss was positively correlated with the stage of occupational pneumoconiosis. Among occupational pneumoconiosis in Gansu Province, silicosis (13753.66 person-years) and coal worker's pneumoconiosis (13414.73 person-years) caused the highest disease burden, followed by cement pneumoconiosis and asbestos lung. Period, length of service, type of disease, and region are all influencing factors of DALY loss (P<0.05). Conclusion: From 2010 to 2020, the DALY losses caused by occupational pneumoconiosis in Gansu Province showed a fluctuating decrease, with the composition of DALY mainly changing from the loss of life years due to premature death to the loss of years due to injury and disability.

Clinical effect of surgical treatment for lung metastasis and prognostic risk factor analysis: A single-center cohort study / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To compare the clinical effects of lobectomy and sublobar resection in the treatment of lung metastasis and to analyze the factors affecting patient prognosis. Methods    A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 165 patients with pulmonary metastasis who underwent thoracic surgery at the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between March 2010 and May 2021, including 67 males and 98 females, with a median age of 52 (44, 62) years. According to the operation methods, patients were divided into a lobectomy group and a sublobar resection group. The clinical data of the patients were compared between the two groups. The Cox proportional hazard model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Results    The 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 60.0% and 34.3%, respectively, and the median survival time was 24 months. The 3- and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 39.4% and 23.7%, respectively. Compared with the lobectomy group, the sublobar resection group had shorter operation time for pulmonary metastases (P<0.001), less intraoperative blood loss (P<0.001), less drainage volume on the first day after surgery (P<0.001), less incidence of prolonged air leak (P=0.004), shorter drainage tube indwelling time (P=0.002), and shorter postoperative hospital stay (P=0.023). The disease-free survival time after sublobar resection and lobectomy was 26 months and 24 months, respectively, with no statistical difference (P=0.970). The total survival time of the two groups was 73 months and 69 months, respectively, with no significant difference (P=0.697). Multivariate analysis showed that sex [HR=0.616, 95%CI (0.390, 0.974), P=0.038], disease-free interval [HR=1.753, 95%CI (1.082, 2.842), P=0.023], and postoperative adjuvant therapy [HR=2.638, 95%CI (1.352, 5.147), P=0.004] were independent influencing factors for disease-free survival of patients who underwent pulmonary metastasectomy. Disease-free interval [HR=2.033, 95%CI (1.062, 3.894), P=0.032] and preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level [HR=2.708, 95%CI (1.420, 5.163), P=0.002] were independent factors influencing the overall survival of patients in this group. Conclusion    Sublobar resection provides a safe and effective treatment option for patients with pulmonary metastasis on the premise of ensuring R0 resection of lung metastasis. Sex, disease-free interval, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level, and adjuvant therapy after pulmonary metastasectomy are the independent influencing factors for the prognosis.

Inhibitory Effect of Jinkui Shenqi Pills on Glucocorticoid-Enhanced Axial Length Elongation in Experimentally Myopic Guinea Pigs / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the underlying mechanism of inhibition by Jinkui Shenqi Pills (JKSQP) on glucocorticoid-enhanced axial length elongation in experimental lens-induced myopia (LIM) guinea pigs.@*METHODS@#Sixty 2-week old male guinea pigs were randomly divided into 4 groups with 15 guinea pigs in each group, according to the random numbers generated by SPSS software: control, LIM, saline and JKSQP groups. The control group includes animals with no treatment, while the guinea pigs in the other 3 groups received lens-induced myopization on the right eyes throughout the experiment (for 8 weeks). The saline and JKSQP groups were given daily intraperitoneal injections of 10 mg/kg hydrocortisone for 2 consecutive weeks at the same time, and then orally administered either saline or JKSQP [13.5 g/(kg•d) for 6 consecutive weeks. Body weight, anal temperature and animal appearance were observed and recorded to evaluate the GC-associated symptoms. The ocular parameters, including refraction and axial length, were measured by streak retinoscopy and A-scan ultrasonography, respectively. The levels of plasma hormones associated with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA), including free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, estradiol and testosterone, were measured by radioimmunoassay, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, the mRNA and protein expressions of retinal amphiregulin (AREG) was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively.@*RESULTS@#JKSQP effectively increased body weight and anal temperature, improved animal appearance and suppressed axial length elongation in glucocorticoid-enhanced myopic guinea pigs with normalization of 4 HPAA-associated plasma hormones (all P<0.05). The plasma level of cAMP was significantly increased, whereas the plasma level of cGMP and the mRNA and protein expressions of retinal AREG were decreased after treatment with JKSQP (all P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#JKSQP exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on axial length elongation with decreased expression of AREG in the retina, and normalized 4 HPAA-associated plasma hormones and the expression of cAMP and cGMP in GC-enhanced myopic guinea pigs.

Efficacy of Chinese Herbal Medicines on Pregnancy Outcomes in Patients with Endometriosis in Long-Term Management: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the factors related to pregnancy of endometriosis and whether Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) can improve pregnancy outcomes in patients with endometriosis in long-term management.@*METHODS@#This multicenter cohort study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of endometriosis patients with fertility needs from January 2019 to November 2019. A total of 252 patients with endometriosis from 5 level-III Grade A hospitals in Beijing were included in this study. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed for the relevant factors. The propensity score matching (PSM) function of SPSS software was used to match the CHMs group with the non-CHMs group. The pregnancy rate and live birth rate were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The results of univariate analysis showed that age, disease course, presence of infertility, presence of adenomyosis, time after surgery or use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a), use of CHMs and follow-up time were influencing factors of pregnancy in endometriosis patients (P<0.05). The results of multivariate analysis showed that age, presence of adenomyosis, time after surgery or use of GnRH-a, use of CHMs and follow-up time were independent factors affecting pregnancy in endometriosis patients, among which, age ⩾35 years old, presence of adenomyosis and follow-up time >6 months were independent risk factors (OR=0.445, 0.348, 0.140, respectively, P<0.05), time after surgery or use of GnRH-a ⩽6 months and use of CHMs were independent protective factors (OR=3.839, 3.842, respectively, P<0.05). After PSM, 99 pairs of two groups were matched successfully. The pregnancy rate of the CHMs group was higher than that of the non-CHMs group [55.56% (55/99) vs. 36.36% (36/99), P<0.05]. The live birth rate of the CHMs group was higher than that of the non-CHMs group [49.49% (49/99) vs. 35.35% (35/99), P<0.05].@*CONCLUSION@#CHMs can effectively improve clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate of patients with endometriosis in the chronic disease management.

Effects of Platycodonis Radix-Curcumae Rhizoma on oral nanoparticle uptake and in vitro inhibition against breast cancer metastasis / 中国中药杂志

This study combined the herbal pair Platycodonis Radix-Curcumae Rhizoma(PR-CR) possessing an inhibitory effect on tumor cell proliferation and metastasis with the active component of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) silibinin-loaded nanoparticles(NPs) with a regulatory effect on tumor microenvironment based on the joint effect on tumor cells and tumor microenvironment to inhi-bit cell metastasis. The effects of PR-CR on the cellular uptake of NPs and in vitro inhibition against breast cancer proliferation and metastasis were investigated to provide an experimental basis for improving nanoparticle absorption and enhancing therapeutic effects. Silibinin-loaded lipid-polymer nanoparticles(LPNs) were prepared by the nanoprecipitation method and characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The NPs were spherical or quasi-spherical in shape with obvious core-shell structure. The mean particle size was 107.4 nm, Zeta potential was-27.53 mV. The cellular uptake assay was performed by in vitro Caco-2/E12 coculture cell model and confocal laser scanning microscopy(CLSM), and the results indicated that PR-CR could promote the uptake of NPs. Further, in situ intestinal absorption assay by the CLSM vertical scanning approach showed that PR-CR could promote the absorption of NPs in the enterocytes of mice. The inhibitory effect of NPs on the proliferation and migration of 4T1 cells was analyzed using 4T1 breast cancer cells and co-cultured 4T1/WML2 cells, respectively. The results of the CCK8 assay showed that PR-CR-containing NPs could enhance the inhibition against the proliferation of 4T1 breast cancer cells. The wound healing assay indicated that PR-CR-containing NPs enhanced the inhibition against the migration of 4T1 breast cancer cells. This study enriches the research on oral absorption of TCM NPs and also provides a new idea for utilizing the advantages of TCM to inhibit breast cancer metastasis.

Progress in surgical treatment of pulmonary metastases / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Lung is one of the most common metastatic organs of carcinomas. Pulmonary metastasectomy has become a common procedure in thoracic surgery and its effectiveness has been demonstrated by many researches. Once the malignant tumor is combined with lung metastasis, which belongs to the category of advanced tumor, surgical resection is only a palliative treatment to reduce the tumor load. However, there are still some controversies among the surgical indications, preoperative examinations, surgical methods and resection ranges, lymph node management, recurrence and re-resection of metastatic tumor and prognostic factors. This article reviews pulmonary metastasectomy from the above aspects.

Effect of Morus alba extract sanggenon C on growth and proliferation of glioblastoma cells / 中国中药杂志

Glioblastoma is the most common primary cranial malignancy, and chemotherapy remains an important tool for its treatment. Sanggenon C(San C), a class of natural flavonoids extracted from Morus plants, is a potential antitumor herbal monomer. In this study, the effect of San C on the growth and proliferation of glioblastoma cells was examined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay and 5-bromodeoxyuridinc(BrdU) labeling assay. The effect of San C on the tumor cell cycle was examined by flow cytometry, and the effect of San C on clone formation and self-renewal ability of tumor cells was examined by soft agar assay. Western blot and bioinformatics analysis were used to investigate the mechanism of the antitumor activity of San C. In the presence of San C, the MTT assay showed that San C significantly inhibited the growth and proliferation of tumor cells in a dose and time-dependent manner. BrdU labeling assay showed that San C significantly attenuated the DNA replication activity in the nucleus of tumor cells. Flow cytometry confirmed that San C blocked the cell cycle of tumor cells in G_0/G_1 phase. The soft agar clone formation assay revealed that San C significantly attenuated the clone formation and self-renewal ability of tumor cells. The gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA) implied that San C inhibited the tumor cell division cycle by affecting the myelocytomatosis viral oncogene(MYC) signaling pathway. Western blot assay revealed that San C inhibited the expression of cyclin through the regulation of the MYC signaling pathway by lysine demethylase 4B(KDM4B), which ultimately inhibited the growth and proliferation of glioblastoma cells and self-renewal. In conclusion, San C exhibits the potential antitumor activity by targeting the KDM4B-MYC axis to inhibit glioblastoma cell growth, proliferation, and self-renewal.