Pharmacological properties and mechanisms of Notoginsenoside R1 in ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Panax notoginseng is an ancient Chinese medicinal plant that has great clinical value in regulating cardiovascular disease in China. As a single component of panax notoginosides, notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1) belongs to the panaxatriol group. Many reports have demonstrated that NGR1 exerts multiple pharmacological effects in ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, acute renal injury, and intestinal injury. Here, we outline the available reports on the pharmacological effects of NGR1 in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. We also discuss the chemistry, composition and molecular mechanism underlying the anti-I/R injury effects of NGR1. NGR1 had significant effects on reducing cerebral infarct size and neurological deficits in cerebral I/R injury, ameliorating the impaired mitochondrial morphology in myocardial I/R injury, decreasing kidney injury molecule-1 and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in renal I/R injury and attenuating jejunal mucosal epithelium injury in intestinal I/R injury. The various organ anti-I/R injury effects of NGR1 are mainly through the suppression of oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum stress and promotion of angiogenesis and neurogenesis. These findings provide a reference basis for future research of NGR1 on I/R injury.

Initiation timing effect of levothyroxine treatment on subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy.

The aim of this study is to estimate the timing impact on levothyroxine replacement among pregnant women with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). Ninety-eight pregnant women diagnosed as SCH in the first trimester were randomly divided into three groups: Group A, instantly initiated levothyroxine after diagnosis; Group B, administrated treatment in the second trimester, and Group C, received no prescription. Incidence of pregnancy complications and pregnancy outcomes were compared among three groups and subgroup analysis were performed stratified with TPO status in Group B. Group A exhibited lower rate of pregnancy complications (9.7%) and adverse outcome (3.2%) than Group B (41.9% and 32.3%) and Group C (64.5% and 38.7%). But the late initiation treatment group shared a comparable complication and maternal outcome with untreated women (p = .075 and .596, respectively). After stratified with TPOAb status in Group B, TPOAb+ women experienced a remarkable lower complication (14.2%) and adverse outcome rate (7.1%) compared with negative subjects (64.7% and 45%, respectively). Our data suggest that levothyroxine administrated in the first trimester was associated with decreased risk of adverse obstetric event. Additionally, pregnant women with TPOAb positive could also benefit from thyroid hormone therapy even initiated in the second trimester.

Inhalable microorganisms in Beijing's PM2.5 and PM10 pollutants during a severe smog event.

Particulate matter (PM) air pollution poses a formidable public health threat to the city of Beijing. Among the various hazards of PM pollutants, microorganisms in PM2.5 and PM10 are thought to be responsible for various allergies and for the spread of respiratory diseases. While the physical and chemical properties of PM pollutants have been extensively studied, much less is known about the inhalable microorganisms. Most existing data on airborne microbial communities using 16S or 18S rRNA gene sequencing to categorize bacteria or fungi into the family or genus levels do not provide information on their allergenic and pathogenic potentials. Here we employed metagenomic methods to analyze the microbial composition of Beijing's PM pollutants during a severe January smog event. We show that with sufficient sequencing depth, airborne microbes including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and dsDNA viruses can be identified at the species level. Our results suggested that the majority of the inhalable microorganisms were soil-associated and nonpathogenic to human. Nevertheless, the sequences of several respiratory microbial allergens and pathogens were identified and their relative abundance appeared to have increased with increased concentrations of PM pollution. Our findings may serve as an important reference for environmental scientists, health workers, and city planners.

A correlation study between prostate necrosis rate calculated by 3D Slicer software and clinical efficacy of prostatic artery embolization, along with an analysis of predictors of clinical success after prostatic artery embolization.

PURPOSE: To analyze the correlation between the prostate necrosis rate at 1-month after prostatic artery embolization (PAE) and the clinical efficacy at 1-year after PAE, and to explore potential predictors of clinical success after PAE for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: The prostate magnetic resonance imaging data at 1-month after PAE were imported into 3D Slicer software for calculating the prostate necrosis rate and thus analyzing the relationship between the prostate necrosis rate at 1-month after PAE and the efficacy score ratio at 1-year after PAE. The 151 patients with PAE technical success were divided into a clinical success group (n = 126) and a clinical failure group (n = 25). Independent predictors of clinical success after PAE were analyzed by multifactorial logistic regression, and the predictive performance of each factor was evaluated by applying the receiver operating characteristic curve and the area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: There was a linear negative correlation between the prostate necrosis rate at 1-month after PAE and the efficacy score ratio at 1-year after surgery (P < 0.001). In the clinical success group, both the initial prostate volume (PV) and the prostate necrosis rate at 1-month after PAE were significantly higher than in the clinical failure group (P < 0.001), and acute urinary retention (AUR) and adenomatous-dominant BPH were also associated with clinical success (P < 0.05). Multifactorial logistic regression analysis revealed that larger initial PV, a higher prostate necrosis rate at 1-month after surgery, and AUR were independent predictors of clinical success after PAE. The AUC values for these three indicators and their combination were 0.720, 0.928, 0.599, and 0.951, respectively, in which the prostate necrosis rate at 1-month after PAE demonstrating a high predictive value. CONCLUSION: The higher the prostate necrosis rate at 1-month after PAE, the better the clinical efficacy at 1-year after PAE is likely to be, and the prostate necrosis rate at 1-month after PAE is expected to become a predictor of clinical success after PAE.

Effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy combined with isokinetic strength training on spastic calf triceps in patients after a stroke: a double-blinded randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the antitetanic effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) combined with isokinetic strength training (IST) on calf triceps spasm in patients after a stroke. METHODS: Forty-five patients with hemiplegia after a stroke and lower extremity spasms were randomly assigned into three groups: a control group (n = 15), an ESWT group (n = 15) and an ESWT+IST group (n = 15). All patients agreed to conventional rehabilitation therapy, while the ESWT and ESWT+IST groups received ESWT of 2.0-3.0 bar once a week for four weeks. In addition, the ESWT+IST group underwent four weeks of ankle IST. All groups were assessed using the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and surface electromyography before and after four weeks of treatment. The ankle passive movement of all groups was measured using the BIODEX isokinetic system at angular velocities of 60°/s, 120°/s, 180°/s and 240°/s. RESULTS: After four weeks of treatment, compared with the control group, the ESWT+IST groups showed a significant reduction in MASscores (P = 0.030). The ESWT+IST group had significantly lower MAS scores than the baseline (P = 0.002), while the ESWT group did not show a significant difference (P = 0.072). The average electromyography (AEMG) analysis demonstrated a significant difference among the groups after four weeks (P = 0.001), with the ESWT+IST group having lower AEMG values compared with the control group (P < 0.001) and the ESWT group (P = 0.042). Peak resistive torque significantly decreased in both the ESWT and ESWT+IST groups at all velocities (60°/s: P = 0.030, 120°/s: P = 0.039, 180°/s: P = 0.030 and 240°/s: P = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy combined with IST can significantly improve calf triceps spasm in patients after a stroke.

Livelihood sustainability and community based co-management of forest resources in China: changes and improvement.

Community-based co-management (CBCM) has been applied in some communities near natural reserves in China. This paper uses Gansu Baishuijiang National Natural Reserve in China as a case study for livelihood improvements under CBCM projects. We demonstrate change from 2006 to 2010 in five classes of livelihood capital (social, human, natural, physical and financial capitals), illustrating the effectiveness of CBCM projects. Specifically, there are increases in mean family income and improvements in forest conservation. However, some problems in the design and implementation of CBCM projects remain, including the complicated social and political relationship between government and community, social exclusion and uneven application of benefits within communities, and the lack of integration of indigenous cultures and traditional beliefs. Attention for special groups in community and improving the design of CBCM Projects. Study shows that under the cooperation of government, CBCM projects and local community residents, the harmonious development of sustainable livelihood improvement and forest resources conservation will be an important trend in the future.

Effect of superselective prostatic artery embolization on benign prostatic hyperplasia.

PURPOSE: To investigate the safety and effectiveness of superselective prostatic artery embolization (PAE) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: Sixty-five patients diagnosed with BPH in Fujian Provincial Hospital between December 2014 and July 2019 were included. Patients with ineffective drug treatment after 6 months, who refused surgery, or who were unsuitable for surgery were included. We observed postoperative complications, followed up at 1, 3, and 6 months, compared clinical symptoms, and monitored changes in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostatic volume (PV) before and after treatment. RESULTS: Of the 65 patients, 58 (89.23%) successfully received PAE; 44 and 14 bilateral and unilateral embolization, respectively. Clinical efficacy was 94.83% (55/58) after the 6-month follow-up. Postoperative PV, International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life, maximum flow rate, and post-void residual significantly improved after 6 months (P < 0.05). One month after PAE, the serum total PSA increased by 1.47 (10.84/7.37) times and dropped 3 months later to a level lower than that before surgery (P < 0.05). Six months after PAE, the degree of relief from obstructive symptoms was more apparent than that of irritative symptoms. No serious complications were observed after PAE. CONCLUSION: PAE was safe and effective for the treatment of BPH. The efficacy of bilateral PAE was better than that of unilateral PAE.

National surveillance on soil-transmitted helminthiasis in the People's Republic of China.

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are widely distributed and remain a public health problem in the People's Republic of China. Altogether, 301 counties across 30 regions were investigated during the national surveillance on STHs carried out in 2016 based on the modified Kato-Katz thick smear method to examine faecal samples. A total of 305 081 people were investigated with 7 366 (2.4%) found to be infected. The infection rates were the following: hookworm 1.4%, Ascaris lumbricoides 0.8% and Trichuris trichiura 0.5%. Having established that the STHs infection rate is relatively low, it is time to move towards elimination. The national surveillance system is essential for providing basic data and formulation of useful control strategies towards achieving this goal.

Assessment of health education products aimed at controlling and preventing helminthiases in China.

BACKGROUND: Helminthiases have placed a huge burden of disease on the population in China. However, widespread control activities have led to significant achievements. As health education has been widely disseminated and plays an important role in the control and elimination of these diseases, we collected health education products aimed at controlling and preventing helminthiases in China. We analyzed their characteristics and assessed their quality. METHODS: Firstly, health education products aimed at controlling and preventing helminthiases were collected from a diverse range of organizations. Secondly, the expert brainstorming and Delphi methods were applied to establish an evaluation system, which was then used to assess the collected products systematically. Those deemed excellent were awarded. Characteristics - including type, source, targeted disease(s), targeted population, and languages - of the collected products and the awarded products were presented here. RESULTS: In total, 96 health education products on helminthiases were collected from 53 organizations. Most products belonged to either the graphic design (47) or daily-use (24) category. Seventy were collected from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and 20 from institutes or control stations of parasitic diseases, primarily at the provincial and county levels. Regarding disease targets of the products, 67 focused on a single helminthiasis, 25 on multiple helminthiases, and the remaining four on non-specific diseases. Of the 67 single helminthiasis-focused products, most targeted schistosomiasis (37), followed by echinococcosis (16). The majority of products (79) targeted the general population, while 11 targeted students specifically. Regarding languages, 86 products were only in Chinese, while the other ten were in both Chinese and the minority languages of China. Out of these ten products, one targeted schistosomiasis and the other nine targeted echinococcosis. Thirty-four products were awarded. The characteristics of the awarded products were similar to those of the collected products. CONCLUSIONS: A diverse range of health education products have been designed and applied for the prevention and control of helminthiases in China. Many products have good features such as specifying the targeted diseases and populations. However, there are significant gaps in terms of both the quantity and quality of products pertaining to some of the diseases. Experiences from the awarded products could be drawn upon to design more products aimed at a range of different helminthiases.

[Zero-fluoroscopy catheter ablation for idiopathic premature ventricular contractions from the aortic sinus cusp].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of a completely nonfluoroscopic approach to radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) using CARTO3 and ablation with conventional fluoroscopic guidance for treatment of idiopathic premature ventricular contractions from the aortic sinus cusp (ASC-PVCs). METHODS: From April 2013 to October 2015, we prospectively enrolled 52 consecutive patients with ASC-PVCs scheduled for either CARTO3 mapping-guided zero-fluoroscopy ablation (group A, n=23) or conventional fluoroscopic ablation (group B, n=29). The success rates, rates of complications, rates of recurrences, number of radiofrequency applications, procedure time, mapping time and fluoroscopy time were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: s No significant differences were found in the success rates between the 2 groups [22/23 (96%) vs 24/29 (83%), P=0.21]. No major complications occurred during the procedures in either group. There was no significant difference with regard to the procedure time between the two groups (79.6∓8.8 vs 77.4∓7.2 min, P=0.332). The procedure was completed without any fluoroscopy use in group A, while the mean fluoroscopy time in group B was 23.1∓6.0 min. Group A showed a shorter mapping time than group B (4.3∓1.7 vs 7.8∓2.6 min, P<0.01) with significantly fewer radiofrequency applications (4.8∓1.1 vs 7.9∓3.2, P<0.01). The recurrence rates were comparable between the two groups over a follow-up period of 5 to 20 months. CONCLUSION: Compared with the conventional fluoroscopic technique, the zero-fluoroscopy approach can shorten the total procedure time and the ablation time with significantly reduced RF applications to eliminate ionizing radiation exposure in RFCA. RFCA guided by CARTO3 system without fluoroscopy is feasible, safe, and effective for treatment of ASC-PVCs.

[Analysis of capability of examining helminthes: National technique competition of parasitic disease diagnosis in 2013].

OBJECTIVES: To understand the ability of worm detection of staff of centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) in China, so as to promote the ability construction. METHODS: In each province, four competitors were selected from the institutions of parasitic diseases control to attend the National Technique Competition for Parasitic Disease Diagnosis and the results of competition were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The average scores of microscopic identification and slide preparation of all the 124 competitors were 27.3 and 7.6 respectively and the scores were increased significantly (t = 3.169, 5.009, both P < 0.05) compared to those in 2012. The average detection rate of helminthes was 62.7%, and it was increased significantly (χ2 = 28.630, P < 0.05) compared to that in 2012. The scores of competitors of different genders, ages, and profession titles were significantly different (t = 1.400, 2.080, F = 2.366-3.864, all P < 0.05). The scores of competitors of provinces with the control task of parasites were higher than those without any control task (t = 6.650, 4.630, both P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The competition has enhanced the ability of staff of CDCs, especially for the young staff. However, the ability of detection for soil transmitted helminth eggs should be intensified. Monitoring sites should be established in low endemic areas of parasites and provinces without the prevention and control task and the training for the professional staff should be strengthened.