A fluorescent probe based on cyclochalcone for detecting peroxynitrite.

A novel cyclic chalcone fluorescent probe C-PN was synthesized to detect ONOO-. After reaction with peroxynitrite, the double bond of C-PN in the cyclic chalcone structure was disconnected, which caused the change of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) effect, emitting blue fluorescence and quenching orange red fluorescence. Visible to the naked eye, the color of the probe solution changed. The probe showed low sensitivity (detection limit = 20.2 nm), short response time (less than 60 s) at low concentration of ONOO-, good visibility, and good selectivity and stability for ONOO-.

[Relationship Between Urbanization and Carbon Emissions in the Chang-Zhu-Tan Region at the County Level].

Urbanization is a major source of carbon emissions. A quantitative study on the dynamic relationship between urbanization and its morphological characteristics and carbon emissions is crucial for formulating urban carbon emission reduction policies. Based on the carbon metabolism model, the carbon emissions at the country level in Chang-Zhu-Tan from 1995 to 2020 were calculated. The Tapio decoupling model was used to explore the decoupling relationship between the carbon emissions of Chang-Zhu-Tan and urban land, and a geographically and temporally weighted regression(GTWR) model was used to analyze the impact mechanism of urban spatial morphology on carbon emissions. The following conclusions were drawn:① carbon emissions at the county level in the study area formed a clustered distribution centered on the city jurisdiction and showed a trend of diffusion from year to year. Compared with those in 1995, there were seven new high carbon emission districts in 2020, all of which belonged to Changsha. ② From 1995-2020, the research area as a whole changed from mainly strong decoupling to mainly dilated negative decoupling, and the spatial decoupling state fluctuated back and forth between the decoupling and negative decoupling. By 2020, except for the seven regions with the uncoupling state regressing, all of them reached the uncoupling state or were close to the uncoupling state. ③ Urban patch area(CA), urban patch number(NP), and patch combination degree(COHESION) were positively correlated with urban carbon emissions, whereas landscape shape index(LSI), maximum patch index(LPI), and Euclidean distance mean(ENN_MN) were negatively correlated with urban carbon emissions, and the impact of different urban form indicators on carbon emissions had significant spatial heterogeneity.

Exploring the Molecular Mechanism of Niuxi-Mugua Formula in Treating Coronavirus Disease 2019 via Network Pharmacology, Computational Biology, and Surface Plasmon Resonance Verification.

BACKGROUND: In China, Niuxi-Mugua formula (NMF) has been widely used to prevent and treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the mechanism of NMF for treating COVID-19 is not yet fully understood. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the potential mechanism of NMF for treating COVID-19 by network pharmacology, computational biology, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) verification. METHODS: The NMF-compound-target network was constructed to screen the key compounds, and the Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) tool was used to screen the preliminary key genes. The overlapped genes (OGEs) and the preliminary key genes were further analyzed by enrichment analysis. Then, the correlation analysis of immune signatures and the preliminary key genes was performed. Molecular docking and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation assays were applied to clarify the interactions between key compounds and key genes. Moreover, the SPR interaction experiment was used for further affinity kinetic verification. RESULTS: Lipid and atherosclerosis, TNF, IL-17, and NF-kappa B signaling pathways were the main pathways of NMF in the treatment of COVID-19. There was a positive correlation between almost the majority of immune signatures and all preliminary key genes. The key compounds and the key genes were screened out, and they were involved in the main pathways of NMF for treating COVID-19. Moreover, the binding affinities of most key compounds binding to key genes were good, and IL1B-Quercetin had the best binding stability. SPR analysis further demonstrated that IL1B-Quercetin showed good binding affinity. CONCLUSION: Our findings provided theoretical grounds for NMF in the treatment of COVID19.

Clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes for parapharyngeal metastases of well-differentiated thyroid cancer during 131 I therapy and follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: Parapharyngeal metastases (PPM) are rarely observed in patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC). Radioiodine (131 I) therapy has been the main treatment for metastatic and recurrent DTC after thyroidectomy. This study was performed to evaluate the clinicopathological features and long-term outcomes associated with survival of patients with PPM at the end of follow-up. DESIGN: In total, 14,984 consecutive patients with DTC who underwent 131 I therapy after total or near-total thyroidectomy from 2004 to 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours v1.1 and logistic regression analysis. The disease status was determined using dynamic risk stratification. Disease-specific survival (DSS) was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method and a Cox proportional hazards model. PATIENTS: Seventy-five patients with PPM from WDTC were enroled in this study. Their median age at the initial diagnosis of PPM was 40.2 ± 14.1 years, and the patients comprised 32 men and 43 women (male:female ratio, 1.00:1.34). Of the 75 patients, 43 (57.33%) presented with combined distant metastases. Fifty-seven (76.00%) patients had 131 I avidity and 18 had non-131 I avidity. At the end of follow-up, 22 (29.33%) patients showed progressive disease. Sixteen of the 75 patients died; of the remaining 59 patients, 6 (8.00%) had an excellent response, 6 (8.00%) had an indeterminate response, 10 (13.33%) had an biochemical incomplete response, and 37 (49.33%) had a structural incomplete response. Multivariate analysis confirmed that age at initial PPM diagnosis, the maximal size of PPM, and 131 I avidity had significant effects on progressive disease of PPM lesions (p = .03, p= .02, and p < .01, respectively). The 5- and 10-year DSS rates were 98.49% and 62.10%, respectively. Age of ≥55 years at initial diagnosis of PPM and the presence of concomitant distant metastasis were independently associated with a poor prognosis (p = .03 and p = .04, respectively). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effect for PPM was closely associated with 131 I avidity, age at initial PPM diagnosis, and maximal size of PPM at the end of follow-up. Age of ≥55 years at initial diagnosis of PPM and the presence of concomitant distant metastasis were independently associated with poor survival.

[Spatiotemporal Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Environment Emergency Incident in China from 1991 to 2018].

Research on the spatiotemporal characteristics and influencing factors of environmental emergency incidents in China in recent decades can improve the effectiveness and accuracy of risk supervision of environmental emergency incidents. Based on the data of environmental emergency incidents in 31 provincial regions in China from 1991 to 2018, this study used spatial autocorrelation analysis and a geographically and temporally weighted regression model to analyze the spatial dependence of environmental emergency incidents and the temporal and spatial heterogeneity of influencing factors. The results showed that: ① there was a significant positive spatial correlation between environmental emergency incidents during 1991-1994 and 2001-2014, and the spatial agglomeration was gradually increasing, that is, environmental emergency incidents existed in the provinces of China; clearly, the space depended on the characteristics and was not completely random. ② There was an unbalanced development pattern of environmental emergency incidents in China. The provinces with "L-L" agglomeration were concentrated in the western and northeastern regions, and the number increased and then decreased; by contrast, the ones with "H-H" agglomeration shifted from the east and south to the central and western regions, and the number increased following the decrease. The role of environmental emergency incident in different provincial regions in the spatial agglomeration was different and constantly changing. ③ The effects of various influencing factors on environmental emergency incidentshad obvious temporal and spatial heterogeneity in different periods and different provinces. The impact of the level of economic development on environmental emergency incidents was shown as a "negative-positive-negative" pattern. The impact of industrial structure on environmental emergency incidents was shown as a "negative-positive" pattern. The overall impact of pollution emissions on environmental emergency incident presented a "positive-negative-positive" pattern. Environmental letters and visits had a positive impact on the occurrence of environmental emergency incidents. The negative impact of the legal environment on environmental emergency incidents was gradually weakening. The negative impact of pollution control on environmental emergency incidents at the provincial level has gradually become apparent.

Measurement Properties of the Simplified Chinese Version of the Lumbar Spine Instability Questionnaire for Patients With Low Back Pain in Mainland China.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study. OBJECTIVE: To develop a simplified Chinese version of Lumbar Spine Instability Questionnaire (SC-LSIQ) and test its measurement properties. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The LSIQ has been translated into several languages. Different versions of LSIQ have proved good reliability and validity in evaluating patients with low back pain. However, there is no simplified Chinese version of LSIQ (SC-LSIQ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The SC-LSIQ has been translated into a simplified Chinese version according to a standard procedure. A total of 155 patients with low back pain completed the SC-LSIQ along with Oswestry Disability Index, Roland-Morris disability questionnaire, Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, and visual analogue scale (VAS). The internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and validity of SC-LSIQ were then calculated to evaluate the measurement properties of SC-LSIQ. RESULTS: The results of SC-LSIQ demonstrated that there was no ceiling or floor effect detected. The Cronbach α coefficient of 0.911 determined a well internal consistency. The intraclass correlation coefficient (0.98) presented an excellent reliability of SC-LSIQ. The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) showed that the SC-LSIQ was excellent correlated to Oswestry Disability Index (r=0.809), Roland-Morris disability questionnaire (r=0.870), and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (r=0.945,). Furthermore, it moderately correlated to visual analogue scale (r=0.586). CONCLUSION: The SC-LSIQ features good internal consistency, reliability, and validity for evaluating Chinese patients with LBP. Results suggest that the SC-LSIQ can be appropriately applied to patients with LBP in routine clinical practice.

Clinical value of plasma scaffold protein SEC16A in evaluating hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of plasma scaffold protein SEC16A level and related models in the diagnosis of hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis (HBV-LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC). Methods: Patients with HBV-LC and HBV-HCC and a healthy control group diagnosed by clinical, laboratory examination, imaging, and liver histopathology at the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University between June 2017 and October 2021 were selected. Plasma SEC16A level was detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was detected using an electrochemiluminescence instrument. SPSS 26.0 and MedCalc 15.0 statistical software were used to analyze the relationship between plasma SEC16A levels and the occurrence and development of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. A sequential logistic regression model was used to analyze relevant factors. SEC16A was established through a joint diagnostic model. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the model for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis. Pearson correlation analysis was used to identify the influencing factors of novel diagnostic biomarkers. Results: A total of 60 cases of healthy controls, 60 cases of HBV-LC, and 52 cases of HBV-HCC were included. The average levels of plasma SEC16A were (7.41 ± 1.66) ng/ml, (10.26 ± 1.86) ng/ml, (12.79 ± 1.49) ng /ml, respectively, with P < 0.001. The sensitivity and specificity of SEC16A in the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma were 69.44% and 71.05%, and 89.36% and 88.89%, respectively. SEC16A, age, and AFP were independent risk factors for the occurrence of HBV-LC and HCC. SAA diagnostic cut-off values, sensitivity, and specificity were 26.21 and 31.46, 77.78% and 81.58%, and 87.23% and 97.22%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for HBV-HCC early diagnosis were 80.95% and 97.22%, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis showed that AFP level was positively correlated with alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBil), and γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) with P < 0.01, while the serum SEC16A level was only slightly positively correlated with ALT and AST in the liver cirrhosis group (r = 0.268 and 0.260, respectively, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Plasma SEC16A can be used as a diagnostic marker for hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. SEC16A, combined with age and the AFP diagnostic model with SAA, can significantly improve the rate of HBV-LC and HBV-HCC early diagnosis. Additionally, its application is helpful for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the progression of HBV-related diseases.

The prospect and challenge of liquid biopsy in the diagnosis and treatment of chest malignancy / 中华预防医学杂志

In recent years, the incidence of chest malignant tumors in China has increased year by year, which has seriously threatened the health problems of people. Among them, early screening and intervention of patients with chest malignancies is the key to cancer prevention. Early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment as the "three early prevention" of clinical practice are conducive to improve the survival rate of tumor patients. As a non-invasive and real-time reflection of tumor status, liquid biopsy has gradually received attention in clinical diagnosis and treatment. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and exosomes as liquid biopsy "Three carriages" are not only widely used in the diagnosis, monitoring and prognostic evaluation of chest malignancies, but also face many unknown challenges. In this article, the application of liquid biopsy in chest malignancies in recent years is elaborated in detail, which provides a reference for the formulation of clinical tumor prevention and diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Impact of immunosuppression intensified conditioning regimen for patients with strong positive pre-transplantation donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSAs) undergoing haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To explore the efficacy of immunosuppression intensified conditioning regimen in patients who have strongly positive donor-specific Anti-HLA antibodies (DSAs) and received a haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) . Methods: Clinical data of 10 patients with strongly positive pretransplant DSAs (defined as MFI ≥10000) were retrospectively analyzed in this study. All of them received a haplo-HSCT in the Hematology Department of Shanghai Zhaxin Traditional Chinese & Western Medicine Hospital. Results: ① Of all ten patients, three were males, and seven were females, with a median age of 53.5 (36-64) years. Of the 10 patients, three were diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, two were myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), two were chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), two were in an accelerated phase of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-AP), and one was primary myelofibrosis (PMF). ② Conditioning regimen consisted of fludarabine (Flu) /busulfan (Bu) combined with whole-body irradiation (TBI) /cyclophosphamide (Cy). ③ On the seventh day after transplantation, the median pretransplant DSA level was MFI 15 999 (10 210-23 417) and 10 787 (0-22 720). ④ Eight patients acquired hematopoietic reconstitution; the median time of neutrophil engraftment was 14 (10-16) days; and 18 (14-20) days for platelet engraftment. After a median follow-up of 12.5 (1.5-27) months, primary graft failure was found in one patient and another with poor graft function. Seven patients remained in a disease remission state, and all were DSA-negative. Conclusions: An intensified immunosuppression conditioning regimen can efficiently decrease the level of donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSAs), leading to good short-term efficacy.

Skinfold thickness of adults of Dong people in Guizhou Province / 解剖学报

[Abstract] Objective To study the development degree of subcutaneous fat of Guizhou dong adult. Methods The human body measurements, in October 2015 and November 2018 to Guizhou Rongjiang treble Dongzhai Miao and Dong autonomous county of Dong adult biceps skinfold, triceps skinfold, subscapular skinfold, suprailiac skinfold, supraspinale skinfold, calf skinfold six skinfold were performed, including 951 cases (male 333, female 618). Results The skinfold thickness of the trunk of Dong adults in Guizhou was greater than that of the limbs. The maximum values of the six skinfolds of male and female were found in 45-59 years old group. The minimum values of the biceps skinfold, suprailiac skinfold, supraspinale skinfold and calf skinfold of male were found in 20-44 years old group, and the minimum values were found in 60-80 years old group of female. Subscapular skinfold, suprailiac skinfold and calf skinfold were positively correlated with age in males (0. 01 < P < 0. 05), while biceps skinfold, triceps skinfold, subscapular skinfold and calf skinfold were negatively correlated with age in females (P < 0. 01). There were statistically significant differences in the 6 skinfolds between the sexes. The skinfold of females was all thicker than that of males. The percentage of body fat of female was higher than that of male. The result of cluster analysis of 13 ethnic groups showed that the six skin fold thicknesses of Dong were all smaller than those of northern ethnic groups, and close to those of southern ethnic groups. Conclusion The subcutaneous fat development in Dong is relatively high, which is similar to that in Zhuang and Dong nationalities. The skinfold thickness of Dong nationality has the characteristics of southern ethnic groups.

Effect of combined administration of intravenous and topical tranexamic acid on perioperative blood loss in elbow arthrolysis / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of combined administration of intravenous and topical tranexamic acid on perioperative blood loss in elbow arthrolysis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of 31 patients who had undergone elbow arthrolysis due to elbow stiffness from April 2019 to November 2020 at Department of Orthopaedic Trauma, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital. An observational group of 15 patients were subjected to combined administration of intravenous and topical tranexamic acid while a control group of 16 patients to no administration of tranexamic acid. In the observational group, 15 mg/kg of tranexamic acid was injected intravenously 5 to 10 minutes before surgery and 1.0 g of tranexamic acid was injected locally in the area of anterior and posterior joint capsules after incision was closed while drainage tubes were clamped for 2 hours before release. In the control group, there was no special operative procedure while drainage tubes were also clamped for 2 hours before release. The 2 groups were compared in terms of blood loss on day 1 and day 3 after operation, drainage volume on day 1 after operation, total drainage volume, time for indwelling drainage tube, complications, and Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) at 3 months after operation.Results:There were no statistically significant difference in preoperative general data between the 2 groups, showing they were comparable ( P>0.05).On day 1 and day 3 after operation, the blood loss was respectively (533.4±318.3) mL and (792.0±375.6) mL in the observational group, and respectively (866.4±480.5) mL and (1,403.0±636.5) mL in the control group, showing significantly differences between the 2 groups ( P<0.05). The drainage volume on day 1 after operation was (151.3±90.1) mL in the observational group and (235.0±126.1) mL in the control group, showing a significant difference between the 2 groups ( P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in total drainage volume or time for indwelling drainage tube between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). There were no such complications as thromboembolic events in either group. There was no significant difference in MEPS between the 2 groups at 3 months after operation ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Combined administration of intravenous 15 mg/kg and topical 1.0 g tranexamic acid may reduce blood loss on day 1 and day 3 after operation and drainage volume on day 1 after operation, and may not increase the risk of thromboembolic events, but cannot reduce total drainage volume or time for indwelling drainage tube. Application of tranexamic acid may not affect early elbow joint function after operation.

[Analysis of Multi-scale Spatio-temporal Differentiation Characteristics of PM2.5 in China from 2011 to 2017].

It is of great significance for joint prevention and control of air pollution to understand the spatial and temporal differentiation characteristics and regional driving factors of PM2.5 in China. In this study, from a multi-scale perspective, the spatial pattern analysis and geographical detectors are used to explore the spatial and temporal distribution pattern and causes of PM2.5 pollution in China mainland from 2011 to 2017. The results show that:① the annual average PM2.5 concentration is relatively stable from 2011 to 2017, and there is no obvious trend. The change characteristics of regional PM2.5 are similar to those of national PM2.5, showing a "W" shaped fluctuation. Overall, the order of pollution degree from high to low is:central, eastern, western, and northeastern. ② From the spatial pattern analysis results, we can see that the high-value cluster mainly appears in east China, middle China, and southwest of Xinjiang, while the low-value cluster appears in Qinghai-Tibet, Yunnan, Guizhou, Plateau, and Daxinganling regions. ③ The results of geographic detector analysis show that the population factor is the leading factor nationally; meanwhile, the industrial, energy consumption, and traffic factors all contribute to the distribution pattern of PM2.5 in varying degrees. Regionally, besides the population factor, the proportion of secondary production and urban green space rate have the greatest impact on the northeast, the industrial smoke and dust and road area in the east, and the total industrial electricity and buses in the central area. The impact of social and economic factors does not significantly affect the PM2.5 in the western region.

Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Preclinical Target Organ Damage Among Adults in Ghana: Findings From a National Study.

Background Although sub-Saharan Africa has a high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), there remains a lack of systematic and comprehensive assessment of risk factors and early CVD outcomes in adults in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods and Results Using a stratified multistage random sampling method, we recruited 1106 men and women, aged >18 years, from the general population in Ghana to participate in a national health survey from 2016 to 2017. In Ghanaian adults, the age-standardized prevalence of known CVD risk factors was 15.1% (95% CI, 12.9%-17.3%) for obesity, 6.8% (95% CI, 5.1%-8.5%) for diabetes mellitus, 26.1% (95% CI, 22.9%-29.4%) for hypertension, and 9.3% (95% CI, 7.1%-11.5%) for hyperuricemia. In addition, 10.1% (95% CI, 7.0%-13.2%) of adults had peripheral artery disease, 8.3% (95% CI, 6.7%-10.0%) had carotid thickening, 4.1% (95% CI, 2.9%-5.2%) had left ventricular hypertrophy, and 2.5% (95% CI, 1.5%-3.4%) had chronic kidney disease. Three CVD risk factors appeared to play prominent roles in the development of target organ damage, including obesity for peripheral artery disease (odds ratio [OR], 2.22; 95% CI, 1.35-3.63), hypertension for carotid thickening (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.22-3.08), and left ventricular hypertrophy (OR, 5.28; 95% CI, 2.55-12.11) and hyperuricemia for chronic kidney disease (OR, 5.49; 95% CI, 2.84-10.65). Conclusions This comprehensive health survey characterized the baseline conditions of a national cohort of adults while confirming the prevalence of CVD risk factors, and early CVD outcomes have reached epidemic proportions in Ghana. The distinct patterns of risk factors in the development of target organ damage present important challenges and opportunities for interventions to improve cardiometabolic health among adults in Ghana.

Silencing of ATP2B1-AS1 contributes to protection against myocardial infarction in mouse via blocking NFKBIA-mediated NF-κB signalling pathway.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is an acute coronary syndrome that refers to tissue infarction of the myocardium. This study aimed to investigate the effect of long intergenic non-protein-coding RNA (lincRNA) ATPase plasma membrane Ca2+ transporting 1 antisense RNA 1 (ATP2B1-AS1) against MI by targeting nuclear factor-kappa-B inhibitor alpha (NFKBIA) and mediating the nuclear factor-kappa-B (NF-κB) signalling pathway. An MI mouse model was established and idenepsied by cardiac function evaluation. It was determined that ATP2B1-AS1 was highly expressed, while NFKBIA was poorly expressed and NF-κB signalling pathway was activated in MI mice. Cardiomyocytes were extracted from mice and introduced with a series of mouse ATP2B1-AS1 vector, NFKBIA vector, siRNA-mouse ATP2B1-AS1 and siRNA-NFKBIA. The expression of NF-κBp50, NF-κBp65 and IKKß was determined to idenepsy whether ATP2B1-AS1 and NFKBIA affect the NF-κB signalling pathway, the results of which suggested that ATP2B1-AS1 down-regulated the expression of NFKBIA and activated the NF-κB signalling pathway in MI mice. Based on the data from assessment of cell viability, cell cycle, apoptosis and levels of inflammatory cytokines, either silencing of mouse ATP2B1-AS1 or overexpression of NFKBIA was suggested to result in reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and expression of inflammatory cytokines, as well as enhanced cardiomyocyte viability. Our study provided evidence that mouse ATP2B1-AS1 silencing may have the potency to protect against MI in mice through inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis and inflammation, highlighting a great promise as a novel therapeutic target for MI.

Comprehensive analysis of the chemical constituents in sulfur-fumigated Lonicerae Japonicae Flos using UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometry.

Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (LJF), a kind of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), has functions of detoxifying and evacuating heat. In the study, a method based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with linear ion trap-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS) was developed for the chemical constituent analysis of organic acids, flavonoids, iridoids and new-generated compounds in sulfur-fumigated LJF (SF-LJF). Based on the accurate mass measurement (< ± 5 ppm), chromatographic behavior and diagnostic product ions (DPIs), 113 constituents were unambiguously or tentatively characterized from SF-LJF extract, including 46 chlorogenic acids, 19 flavonoids, 29 iridoid glycosides and 19 newly-generated compounds (including 17 sulfur-containing derivatives). In addition, 5-CQA (5-caffeoylquinic acid, chlorogenic acid) was chosen to be sulfur-fumigated for the result validation. It was found that the most significant change of LJF after sulfur fumigation was the occurrence of sulfate or sulfite esterification reactions, which resulted in the emergence of many new sulfur-containing components. Our results demonstrated that the established method was a useful and efficient analytical tool to comprehensively characterize the material basis of SF-LJF, and also an excellent guidance of quality control about LJF.

Assessment of Sagittal Spinopelvic Balance in a Population of Normal Chinese Children.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study of 257 normal children at a single center from July 2016 to November 2018 was performed. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the spinopelvic parameters in a population of normal children and adolescents in mainland China. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Values for sagittal parameters of the spine vary significantly by ages and different population. No study has yet quantified the normal measures for children and adolescents in China, or how these measures compare with other populations. METHODS: Pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope, pelvic tilt, thoracic kyphosis (TK, T5-T12), lumbar lordosis (LL, L1-S1), and sagittal vertical axis were measured and evaluated by whole spine AP&lateral X-ray images. RESULTS: A total of 257 subjects, including 116 boys (45%) and 141 girls (55%) aged 3 to 12 years, were enrolled. Correlation matrix analysis demonstrated that sagittal balance is strongly correlated with age and Risser sign, including PI, a reported fixed parameter. Further investigation showed that PI could be expressed by the equation PI = 26.243+1.153×age. CONCLUSION: PI was not a fixed but a dynamic parameter in the population under 12-year old. Indeed, PI increases with age and bone maturity in childhood. We also found lower PI, pelvic tilt, and sacral slope compared with published studies of adolescents in other countries. These results may aid in the treatment of patients with spinal deformity, to help them achieve a certain degree of sagittal spinopelvic balance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2.

Adefovir Dipivoxil plus Chinese Medicine in HBeAg-Positive Chronic Hepatitis B Patients: A Randomized Controlled 48-Week Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a 48-week course of adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) plus Chinese medicine (CM) therapy, namely Tiaogan Jianpi Hexue () and Tiaogan Jiedu Huashi () fomulae, in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive Chinese patients. METHODS: A total of 605 HBeAg-positive Chinese CHB patients were screened and 590 eligible participants were randomly assigned to 2 groups in 1:1 ratio including experimental group (EG, received ADV plus CM) and control group (CG, received ADV plus CM-placebo) for 48 weeks. The major study outcomes were the rates of HBeAg and HBV-DNA loss on week 12, 24, 36, 48, respectively. Secondary endpoints including liver functions (enzymes and bilirubin readings) were evaluated every 4 weeks at the beginning of week 24, 36, and 48. Routine blood, urine, and stool analyses in addition to electrocardiogram and abdominal B scan were monitored as safety evaluations. Adverse events (AEs) were documented. RESULTS: The combination therapy demonstrated superior HBeAg loss at 48 weeks, without additional AEs. The full analysis population was 560 and 280 in each group. In the EG, population achieved HBeAg loss on week 12, 24, 36, and 48 were 25 (8.90%), 34 (12.14%), 52 (18.57%), and 83 (29.64%), respectively; the equivalent numbers in the CG were 20 (7.14%), 41 (14.64%), 54 (19.29%), and 50 (17.86%), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between these group values on week 48 (P<0.01). No additional AEs were found in EG. Subgroup analysis suggested different outcomes among treatment patterns. CONCLUSION: Combination of CM and ADV therapy demonstrated superior HBeAg clearance compared with ADV monotherapy. The finding indicates that this combination therapy may provide an improved therapeutic effect and safety profile (ChiCTR-TRC-11001263).

Adefovir Dipivoxil plus Chinese Medicine in HBeAg-Positive Chronic Hepatitis B Patients: A Randomized Controlled 48-Week Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the effects of a 48-week course of adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) plus Chinese medicine (CM) therapy, namely Tiaogan Jianpi Hexue () and Tiaogan Jiedu Huashi () fomulae, in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive Chinese patients.@*METHODS@#A total of 605 HBeAg-positive Chinese CHB patients were screened and 590 eligible participants were randomly assigned to 2 groups in 1:1 ratio including experimental group (EG, received ADV plus CM) and control group (CG, received ADV plus CM-placebo) for 48 weeks. The major study outcomes were the rates of HBeAg and HBV-DNA loss on week 12, 24, 36, 48, respectively. Secondary endpoints including liver functions (enzymes and bilirubin readings) were evaluated every 4 weeks at the beginning of week 24, 36, and 48. Routine blood, urine, and stool analyses in addition to electrocardiogram and abdominal B scan were monitored as safety evaluations. Adverse events (AEs) were documented.@*RESULTS@#The combination therapy demonstrated superior HBeAg loss at 48 weeks, without additional AEs. The full analysis population was 560 and 280 in each group. In the EG, population achieved HBeAg loss on week 12, 24, 36, and 48 were 25 (8.90%), 34 (12.14%), 52 (18.57%), and 83 (29.64%), respectively; the equivalent numbers in the CG were 20 (7.14%), 41 (14.64%), 54 (19.29%), and 50 (17.86%), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between these group values on week 48 (P<0.01). No additional AEs were found in EG. Subgroup analysis suggested different outcomes among treatment patterns.@*CONCLUSION@#Combination of CM and ADV therapy demonstrated superior HBeAg clearance compared with ADV monotherapy. The finding indicates that this combination therapy may provide an improved therapeutic effect and safety profile (ChiCTR-TRC-11001263).

Epidemic trend of hepatitis B in 18 ethnic minorities of Yunnan Province from 2009 to 2018 / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To analyze the epidemic trend of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 18 minority nationalities in Yunnan Province from 2009 to 2018, so as to explore the ethnic differences in the incidence of HBV in Yunnan Province. Methods Based on the reported incidence data of hepatitis B in China's disease prevention and control information system from 2009 to 2018, descriptive epidemiology method was used to describe and analyze the incidence of hepatitis B in different ethnic groups, and K-means clustering method was used to explore and analyze the annual average incidence of hepatitis B in different ethnic groups. Results From 2009 to 2018, the average incidence of hepatitis B in Yunnan Province was 44.26/100 000, which was much lower than the overall level of China every year; the average incidence of hepatitis B in ethnic groups was 41.27/100 000, slightly lower than the overall level of Yunnan every year. The prevalence of hepatitis B was different in different ethnic groups. The average incidence of Wa was significantly higher than others (95.26/100 000), and Jingpo was the lowest (22.51/100 000). According to the incidence of hepatitis B, different ethnic groups were divided into three categories: high incidence ethnic group, middle incidence ethnic group and low incidence ethnic group. Conclusion There are ethnic differences in the incidence of hepatitis B in Yunnan Province. The incidence of hepatitis B in some ethnic groups is higher than that in the whole country all the year round, which is the key population in the prevention and control of hepatitis B.

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound promotes spinal fusion by regulating macrophage polarization.

BACKGROUND: Spinal fusion is considered the gold standard procedure for treating spinal degeneration, tumors, and trauma. An inflammatory response is an important part of bone repair. We investigated the polarization change of inflammatory macrophages (M1) and resident macrophages (M2) during low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) treatment. METHODS: Thirty male Sprague Dawley rats (age: 12 weeks; weight: 300 g) were used in the study. A rat spinal fusion model was established by surgical procedures. LIPUS treatment (20 min. d, 5 d/wk) was begun 3 days after surgery. The rats were randomly divided into a control group (5 subgroups, 3 rats in each subgroup) and LIPUS group (5 subgroups, 3 rats in each subgroup), and sacrificed on day 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 after spinal fusion surgery for further evaluation. Bone volume was measured by micro-CT, fusion region was examined by histological analyses, types of macrophages in the fusion area were examined by immunohistochemical staining. Raw264.7 cells and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) were used in cell experiments. Cells were divided into a control group and LIPUS group. Flow cytometry was used to examine the rate of resident macrophages, and real-time PCR was used to examine the mRNA expression of anti-inflammation genes. RESULTS: LIPUS promoted spinal fusion and stimulated the transition of F4-80+/Mac-2+ (M1) to F4-80+/Mac-2- (M2), leading to the early appearance of resident macrophages. Cell experiments showed CD206+ macrophages (M2) were significantly increased after LIPUS treatment. M2-related genes and anti-inflammation factors (Arg-1, PPAR-γ, and IL-4) were increased after LIPUS treatment. CONCLUSION: The earlier transition from inflammatory to resident macrophage might be one reason for the positive effect of LIPUS on spinal fusion.