Nomogram Predicts Prognostic Factors for Head and Neck Cutaneous Melanoma: A Population-Based Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The head and neck cutaneous melanoma (HNCM) accounts for 20% of newly diagnosed melanoma. Research on prognostic models for their survival yet remains largely unexplored. This study employed a nomogram approach to develop and validate a predictive model for both overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) in patients with HNCM. METHODS: This study analyzed the HNCM patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2014 from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. To identify independent prognostic factors for HNCM, we integrated results from univariate Cox regression analysis, random survival forests, and LASSO regression with cross-validation. A nomogram was designed and validated based on the identified characteristics to predict the 3-, 5-, and 8-year OS and DSS of patients with HNCM. RESULTS: Age, Stage, Ulceration, Thickness, Chemotherapy, lymph node metastasis, and Radiation were identified as independent prognostic factors. The nomogram achieved a satisfactory performance with C-indices of 0.824(DSS) and 0.757(OS) in the training cohort and 0.827(DSS) and 0.749(OS) in the validation cohort, respectively. The area under the curves for the OS at 3, 5, and 8 years were 0.789, 0.788, and 0.794 for the training cohort, and 0.778, 0.776, and 0.795 for the validation cohort, respectively. For DSS, the area under the curves at 3, 5, and 8 years were 0.859, 0.842, and 0.828 in the training cohort, and 0.864, 0.844, and 0.834 in the validation cohort, respectively. The calibration curve showed that there was a strong correlation between the observed outcomes and the predicted survival probability. CONCLUSIONS: This study established and validated predictive nomograms for HNCM patients with robust predictive performance.

Effects of inorganic mulching on soil hydrothermal environment and tomato characters in the presence of unheated greenhouse cultivation.

The present study was conducted by cultivating tomato (Solanum lycopersicum 'Provence') using varied inorganic mulching to investigate soil hydrothermal environment and tomato characters under unheated greenhouse cultivation in the cold zone of China. A total of 6 different treatments were adopted: no mulching (control), white film mulching (white film), black film mulching (black film), the white film with hole mulching (white hole), the black film with hole mulching (black hole), and snake skin bag mulching (snake skin). Inorganic mulching treatment significantly improved soil temperature and moisture, water use efficiency, tomato yield, and reduced soil water consumption. There was no significant difference observed in the variation of daily mean soil temperature between different mulching treatments, and the variation was in the range of 1.95-2.20 °C, which was significantly lower compared with the control (3.42 °C). The daily mean soil moisture varied significantly after different mulching treatments, with the highest level achieved by snake skin (23.37%), followed by black hole (22.55%), white hole (22.08%), white film (21.48%), black film (20.12%), and control (18.78%) in descending order. According to the research results, plastic-hole mulching, which include white hole and black hole treatments, performed better in maintaining soil temperature and moisture.

A Novel, Efficient Method to Isolate Chicken Primordial Germ Cells from Embryonic Blood Using Cell Culture Inserts.

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) play a crucial role in preserving poultry genetic resources and conducting transgenic research. A system for the rapid isolation of PGCs from single chicken embryonic blood was established in this paper. We found that PGCs can migrate to the lower layer of chicken embryonic fibroblasts (CEFs) through pores smaller than their diameter, while blood cells cannot, when co-cultured with CEFs of passages two to three. Based on the characteristics of PGCs, we developed a new PGC isolation method (cell culture insert/CEF adhesion method) that utilizes a 3 µm cell culture insert and CEFs of passages two to three. Using this method, approximately 700 PGCs can be isolated from the blood of a single chicken embryo at Hamburger and Hamilton (H&H) stage 17 of development. The separation rate achieved was 87.5%, with a separation purity of 95%. The separation rate of this method was 41.4% higher than the common Percoll density gradient centrifugation method and 33.6% higher than lysis with ACK buffer. PGCs isolated from embryonic blood could proliferate 37-fold within 2 weeks when cultured in a feeder-free culture system. They also continued to express the SSEA-1 and DAZL proteins and retained the ability to migrate in vivo. Overall, PGCs separated using cell culture inserts/CEF adhesion method retain their stem cell characteristics and migration ability. PGCs also exhibit good proliferation efficiency, making them suitable for subsequent transgenic experiments or genetic resource preservation.

Effects of organic mulching on moisture and temperature of soil in greenhouse production of tomato under unheated greenhouse cultivation in the cold zone of China.

In the cold zone of China, winter is cold and long and has a short duration of sunshine. Unheated earthen-wall solar greenhouses are used for tomato production in winter in this region. This was an experimental investigation of different organic mulching materials (newspaper, bran, and grass) on the soil temperature, soil moisture, tomato yield, fruit quality, and water use efficiency. Organic mulching variously improved soil temperature, soil moisture, water use efficiency, and tomato yield, which is very important for greenhouse winter cultivation in this cold zone. Organic mulching regulated the soil temperature, with daily soil temperature ranges of bran, newspaper, and grass treatments being 1.6, 1.9, and 2.1°C lower than for bare land, respectively. Compared to bare land, newspaper mulching had little effect on soil temperature and fruit quality, but increased soil moisture (14.1%) and water use efficiency (WUE: WUEb, 31.3%; WUEy, 30.6%), and greatly increased yield (81.8%) and biomass (82.7%); bran mulching greatly increased soil temperature, moisture (16%), and WUE (WUEb, 60.1%; WUEy, 44.3%) and increased biomass (30.2%) and yield (17.3%); grass mulching greatly increased soil temperature and moisture (20.9%) and increased biomass (17.9%), yield (11.2%), and WUE (WUEb, 20.5%; WUEy, 13.6%). In addition, organic mulching had a good water retention effect on soil layer above 30 cm. The total soil water consumption during tomato growth was in the following order: newspaper (103 mm) > bare (74 mm) > grass (73 mm) > bran (60 mm). Soil water consumption mainly occurred in the 0- to 10-cm soil layers.

Relationship of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels with Sarcopenia and Body Composition in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Paired Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVES: Sarcopenia is a leading health problem among older adults. However, few studies have explored the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels, sarcopenia, and body composition in older Chinese individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of serum 25(OH)D levels with sarcopenia, sarcopenia indices, and body composition in community-dwelling older Chinese adults. DESIGN: Paired case-control study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This case-control study enrolled 66 older adults newly diagnosed with sarcopenia (sarcopenia group) and 66 older adults without sarcopenia (non-sarcopenia group) after screening in the community. METHODS: The definition of sarcopenia was based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 criteria. Serum levels of 25(OH)D were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs. Spearman's correlation was used to examine the correlations among sarcopenia indices, body composition, and serum 25(OH)D. RESULTS: Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in the sarcopenia group (29.08 ± 15.11 ng/mL) than in the non-sarcopenia group (36.28 ± 14.68 ng/mL) (P < .05). Vitamin D deficiency was associated with an increased risk of sarcopenia (OR, 7.75; 95% CI, 1.96-30.71). Serum 25(OH)D levels in men were positively correlated with skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) (r = 0.286; P = .029) and negatively correlated with gait speed (r = -0.282; P = .032). Serum 25(OH)D levels in women were positively correlated with SMI (r = 0.450; P < .001), skeletal muscle mass (r = 0.395; P < .001), and fat-free mass (r = 0.412; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Serum 25(OH)D levels were lower in older adults with sarcopenia than those in adults without sarcopenia. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with increased risk of sarcopenia, and serum 25(OH)D levels were positively correlated with SMI.

Hydrological characteristics of different organic materials mulches.

The study aims to find the properties of three organic mulch varieties and their effects on soil moisture and crop growth. Three organic mulches: newspaper, grass, and bran were selected as the research objects, and were analyzed through double-ring infiltration and water loss tests so that water permeability and water-holding capacity of the three mulching materials could be figured out. The results showed the descending order of the three mulching treatments and non-treatment by the infiltration rate of the soil: newspaper > bare ground > grass > bran. In terms of the water-holding capacity, the three organic mulches can be ranked from high to low as newspaper, grass, and bran; by the cumulative water loss as newspaper, grass, and bran; and by water-retention capacity as bran, grass, and newspaper, respectively. By conducting regression analysis, it is found that the water-holding capacity of the mulches is related to water immersion time and the amount of water absorbed and that there is a significant logarithmic relationship between the amount of water loss and water losing time. The fitting results of the three mulches are good. Besides, a power-function relationship exists between water absorption rate and immersion time, and between water loss rate and water loss time. The water infiltration of the soil under the newspaper mulching treatment is the best, as the newspaper can help to improve soil moisture and weaken surface runoff under flood irrigation and heavy rain. Bran possesses the strongest capacity for water retention, which is beneficial to soil moisture retention in areas where sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation, and light to moderate rain prevail. The research results can provide a basis for improving the moisture-utilization efficiency in farmlands by using organic mulches.

Combined Treatment of Salinity Stress and Fruit Thinning Effect on Tomato.

This was an experimental investigation of the combined treatments of salinity (SAL) stress and fruit thinning (FT) on the growth, yield, fruit quality, and water use efficiency (WUE) of tomatoes with non-soil cultivation. The experiment was carried out in a plastic tunnel, Japan. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cv. Momotaro seedlings were transplanted in a randomized complete block (RCB) manner with six plants/treatment, and an overall 36 plants in 18 pots (2 plants/pot). The experiment involved varying SAL treatment (no-SAL, moderate SAL, and serious SAL, with electroconductivity of 0.8, 3.0, and 4.5 dS m-1, separately) and FT treatment (NT: no thinning and 3FT: three-fruit treatment). The tomato growth, yield, and WUE were significantly suppressed with increasing SAL. In comparison, FT treatment had less effect on tomato growth and water consumption. Either SAL stress or FT treatment significantly improved fruit quality. The combined treatment proved better than single treatment of either SAL stress or FT, avoided the subsize fruit following SAL stress treatment, reduced fruit cracking found with FT treatment, and greatly improved fruit quality. The SAL thresholds of WUEs in relation to biomass, yield, and marketable yield were approximately 3.0 dS m-1 under these soilless conditions. Path analysis showed that biomass and water consumption were important indexes affecting yield. Logistic equation fitting showed that SAL stress tended to inhibit and delay plant growth; however, FT tended to advance and shorten the period of plant growth.

Association between weight change and risk of metabolic abnormalities in non-overweight/obese and overweight/obese population: A retrospective cohort study among Chinese adults.

Objectives: To explore the effects of weight change on the risk of metabolic abnormalities in the Chinese population. Methods: A total of 1895 metabolically healthy adults aged 21-78 years completed anthropometric and biological measurements at baseline (2012) and at an eight year follow-up (2020). Based on absolute weight change and relative weight change, the participants were split into five classes. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for the risk of metabolic abnormalities using stable weight as the reference group. Stratified analysis was used to explore this relationship in participants with different baseline body mass index (BMI) levels. Results: During the follow-up period, 35.41% of the participants retained a stable weight, and 10.71% had metabolic abnormalities. After covariate adjustment, for every kilogram gained over eight years, the risk of developing metabolic abnormalities increased by 22% (RR: 1.094; 95% CI: 1.063-1.127). Compared with stable weight participants, weight gain of 2-4 Kg and weight gain ≥ 4 Kg exhibited significantly higher risks of metabolic abnormalities, with RR of 1.700 (95% CI 1.150-2.513) and 1.981 (95% CI 1.372-2.859), respectively. A weight gain of ≥ 4 Kg had an opposite effect on the overweight/obesity and non-overweight/obesity groups, with an increased risk of metabolic abnormalities only in the non-overweight/obesity group (RR, 2.291; 95% CI, 1.331-3.942). Moreover, weight loss ≥ 4 Kg significantly reduced the risk of metabolic abnormalities only among overweight/obese adults (RR 0.373; 95% CI 0.154-0.906). Similar results were observed in relative body weight change analyses. Conclusions: Long-term excessive body weight gain is positively associated with an increased risk of metabolic abnormalities among adults with non-overweight/obesity, whereas long-term body weight loss is a protective factor for metabolic health among adults with overweight/obesity.

Efficacy of group reminiscence therapy based on Chinese traditional festival activities (CTFA-GRT) on loneliness and perceived stress of rural older adults living alone in China: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the efficacy of group reminiscence therapy based on Chinese traditional festival activities (CTFA-GRT) to mediate the loneliness and perceived stress of older adults living alone in rural China. The results can provide a scientific foundation for improving psychological health. METHOD: A randomized controlled trial of 64 (aged 65.70 ± 3.69 years) Chinese rural older adults living alone was conducted. They were randomly divided into either an eight-month intervention group or a control group. The perceived stress scale (PSS) and the UCLA loneliness scale (UCLA-LS) evaluated the perceived stress and loneliness of the two groups at three different times. A repeated-measures analysis of variance model was used to compare each outcome measure of the two groups. RESULTS: The CTFA-GRT yielded a benefit for the perceived stress and loneliness of rural older adults living alone in the intervention group. Combined with a simple effects test, the PSS and UCLA-LS of those in the intervention groups significantly decreased at eight months after the baseline (F PSS = 23.540, F UCLA-LS = 40.159; all P < 0.01). In addition, the sustainable effect of this program lasted three months after the intervention (F PSS = 65.756, F UCLA-LS = 60.983; all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The CTFA-GRT significantly decreased the perceived stress and loneliness of rural older adults living alone in China.

ω3PUFAs improve hepatic steatosis in postnatal overfed rats and HepG2 cells by inhibiting acetyl-CoA carboxylase.

Postnatal overfeeding can lead to persistent increases in hepatic lipid synthesis and the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adulthood. The ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3PUFAs) exhibit beneficial effects on NAFLD. Here, we employed a rat model and an in vitro HepG2 cell model to investigate whether fish oil (FO) affects hepatic lipid synthesis due to postnatal overfeeding. Male Sprague-Dawley were divided into litter sizes of three (small litters, SLs) or 10 (normal litters, NLs) on postnatal day 3 and were fed standard chow or FO diet beginning on postnatal week 3 to generate NL, SL, NL-FO, and SL-FO groups. The results indicated that the FO diet reduced the postnatal overfeeding-induced body weight gain and NAFLD characteristics (such as serum and liver triglyceride (TG) and hepatic steatosis). In addition, FO restored the expression of hepatic lipid metabolism-related genes (including SCD1, FASN, CPT1, LPL, ACC, and SREBP-1c) in SL-FO rats. Specifically, the activity and expression pattern of ACC were consistent with SREBP-1c. Furthermore, HepG2 cells were treated with oleic acid (OA), followed by eicosapentenoic acid (EPA), with or without SREBP-1c siRNA. The cellular lipid droplets, TG content, and the expression of ACC (by 75%) and SREBP-1c (by 45%) were increased by OA stimulation (p < .05), which was inhibited by EPA treatment. However, the effect of EPA treatment was abolished when SREBP-1c was silenced. In conclusion, ω3PUFAs-rich diet may be an effective way to reverse the developmental programming of hepatic lipid synthesis, at least partially, by inhibiting ACC through modulating SREBP-1c.

Duodenal adenocarcinoma with skin metastasis as initial manifestation: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Duodenal adenocarcinoma (DA) with skin metastasis as initial manifestation is clinically rare. In this study, we report a rare case of skin metastasis of DA. CASE PRESENTATION: An 84-year-old male patient developed multiple ecchymoses on the trunk and lower extremities. Physical examination showed that the ecchymosis was dark red and had a hard texture, but showed no bulging, rupture, or tenderness. The skin biopsy implied skin metastatic adenocarcinoma. After an endoscopic duodenal biopsy, the patient was finally diagnosed with DA with skin metastasis. The patient received two courses of oral treatment of Tegafur (40 mg, bid d1-d14). However, the patient stopped taking Tegafur because of its poor effect and received Chinese medicine as a replacement treatment. Unfortunately, he was lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis of DA metastasis is of significant importance as prognosis of these patients is poor.

Association among blood BPDE-DNA adduct, serum interleukin-8 (IL-8) and DNA strand breaks for children with pulmonary diseases.

Exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) may be a risk factor for pulmonary diseases. To investigate the correlations among B[a]P exposure level, DNA strand breaks and pulmonary inflammation, we recruited 83 children diagnosed with pulmonary diseases and 63 healthy children from Guangzhou, China. Results showed that the levels of Benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide (BPDE) DNA adduct in blood and IL-8 in serum in case group were significantly higher than those in control group (p < 0.01). Moreover, levels of atmospheric B[a]P in case group was about twice of those in control group, which was consistent with the levels of BPDE-DNA adduct in blood. Significant positive correlations were observed among the levels of BPDE-DNA adduct, IL-8 and DNA strand breaks (p < 0.05). Our findings indicate that environmental air is an important exposure source of B[a]P and higher B[a]P exposure may contribute to the occurrence of pulmonary inflammation and lead to high health risks.

A brief discussion on evidence-based clinical research of traditional Chinese medicine.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the focus of the development of Chinese medicine, but at present there is no internationally recognized clinical efficacy evaluation system, which prevents TCM going abroad. Evidence-based medicine (EBM) research methods have achieved good results in the evaluation of TCM, but there are still some problems. How to use EBM methods in accordance with China's national conditions and develop evidence-based TCM that meets its own characteristics is the key to the current discussion. METHODS: Search websites such as PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data and VIP by computer, and search papers related to evidence-based clinical research of TCM. RESULTS: A total of 15 high quality representative research papers published in internationally renowned journals were selected for example, including 4 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to Chinese medicine, 9 RCTs related to acupuncture, and 2 observational studies on the safety of TCM. CONCLUSIONS: EBM method is suitable for clinical research of TCM. There are differences between "disease" and "syndromes" in the use of TCM. Based on the further standardization of syndromes and classification of TCM, modern clinical research methods can be reasonably applied. However, the quality of clinical research related to TCM is not high, and there is a lack of research related to the safety of it, which should be paid attention to and improved in future research.

The effects of the wenyang huoxue method on coronary heart disease heart failure: A protocol for systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Coronary heart disease (CHD) has become the primary cause of heart failure (HF). Wenyang Huoxue method can significantly improve cardiac function in patients with CHD complicated with HF, but it has not been systematically evaluated for efficacy and safety. METHODS: We will search China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Wanfang database, China Biomedical Literature Database, China Science Journal Database PubMed, Excerpt Medica Database, and Cochrane library. Clinical trial registrations, potential grey literature, related conference abstracts, and reference lists of identified studies will also be retrieved. The electronic database will be searched for literatures published from January 2000 to September 2019. Based on the heterogeneity test, data integration is performed using a fixed effect model or a random effects model. Changes in total effective rate in cardiac function will be assessed as primary outcome. 6-minute walk test, left ventricular ejection fraction, and plasma brain natriuretic peptide will be assessed as secondary outcomes. RevMan 5.3.5 will be used for meta-analysis. RESULTS: This study will provide a high-quality comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Wenyang Huoxue method for treating patients with CHD complicated with HF. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review will determine whether Wenyang Huoxue method provides evidence for effective intervention in patients with CHD complicated with HF. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials does not require ethical recognition, and the results of this paper will be published in an open access, internationally influential academic journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42016025957.

[Efficacy of Shensong Yangxin Capsules in treating bradycardia combined with premature beat: a systematic review and Meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials].

To analyze the efficacy and safety of Shensong Yangxin Capsules in treatment of bradycardia combined with premature beat. Databases, such as CNKI, VIP, WanFang, SinoMed, PubMed, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials were retrieved by computers for relevant randomized controlled trials of Shensong Yangxin Capsules in treatment of bradycardia combined with premature beat. Two researchers independently screened out the literatures, extracted data according to the inclusion criteria, and applied the Risk of Bias assessment tool in assessing the methodological quality. The Cochrane systematic evaluation software RevMan 5.3 was used for data analysis. Totally 9 randomized controlled trials including 706 subjects were included. The intervention measure was the single administration with Shensong Yangxin Capsules, and the control measure was the blank control. The results showed that Shensong Yangxin Capsules had an obvious effect on average heart rate(MD=6.59, 95%CI[3.87, 9.31], I~2=90%), premature beat efficacy(RR=1.72, 95%CI[1.53, 1.93], I~2=0%), heart rate efficacy(RR=1.74, 95%CI[1.40, 2.17], I~2=47%), and objective efficacy(RR=1.50, 95%CI[1.31, 1.70], I~2=31%). Eight studies reported safety events, with no significant adverse reaction. In conclusion, the single administration with Shensong Yangxin Capsules may have a certain effect in improving heart rate, controlling premature beats and alleviating clinical symptoms in patients with bradycardia combined with premature beat, with no obvious adverse reaction. Shensong Yangxin Capsules can be used in clinic. This potential conclusion needs to be confirmed in future trials using rigorous methodology.

[Discussion on design of clinical trial scheme for doctor-patient co-construction of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine under concept of narrative medicine].

With the continuous improvement of modern medical technology, medical practice has become more and more procedural. The medical process is often dominated by doctors, while the value orientation of patients is often ignored, lacking effective communication between doctors and patients. In response to this phenomenon, Charon R proposed the concept of narrative medicine, which has been recognized by all walks of life. In recent years, the value of medical humanism has attracted more attention, and the research on narrative medicine at home and abroad is increasing gradually. But at present, most of the research on narrative medicine is in terms of theory, lacking clinical research. How to make narrative medicine applied in the real world is the focus of current research. Following the concept of narrative medicine, and taking the study on doctor-patient parallel medical record to evaluate the real clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and Western medicine(WM) in the treatment of digestive diseases as an example, this study is to explore the design contents and key points of the clinical trial scheme of doctor-patient co-construction of TCM and WM under narrative medicine, and discuss the activity form and clinical efficacy evaluation method under narrative medicine. Clinical trial design includes four aspects: medicine, ethics, statistics and trial management. This study explored the design of the doctor-patient co-construction clinical trial scheme under narrative medicine from both theoretical and practical aspects, providing reference for the design and research of future doctor-patient co-construction scheme, and expecting to establish a better efficacy evaluation method of TCM and WM.

[Babaodan Capsules for viral hepatitis: systematic review of clinical efficacy and safety and Meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials].

To systemically analyze the efficacy and safety of Babaodan Capsules in treatment of viral hepatitis. Databases such as CNKI,Wan Fang Date,VIP,Sino Med,PubMed,and Cochrane Library were electronically searched for relevant randomized controlled trials about Babaodan Capsules in the treatment of viral hepatitis,from database establishment to November 11,2018. Two researchers independently screened the literature and extracted data according to the inclusion criteria. GRADE system was used to evaluate evidence quality,and we used the Cochrane Rev Man 5. 3 software for Meta-analysis. Six randomized controlled trials including 520 subjects were included. Babaodan Capsules combined with conventional treatment were used as intervention measures,and the conventional treatment was used as the control measures. The results showed Babaodan Capsules combined with conventional treatment had better efficacy on reducing the total bilirubin( MD =-16. 25,95% CI[-19. 86,-12. 63]),alanine aminotransferase( MD =-26. 62,95% CI[-41. 18,-12. 06]),total bile acid( MD=-46. 02,95%CI[-49. 18,-42. 85]) and improving clinical efficiency( RR = 1. 34,95%CI[1. 13,1. 59]) than conventional treatment alone. In addition,Babaodan Capsules combined with conventional treatment can delay the progression of liver fibrosis to some extent. Qualitative analysis showed that the combined treatment regimen was more effective in relieving clinical symptoms. There was no significant difference between the two regimens in increasing albumin and prothrombin activity. Babaodan Capsules combined with conventional treatment showed no adverse reactions. In summary,for patients with viral hepatitis,the combination of Babaodan Capsules and conventional treatment has more advantages in reducing total bilirubin,alanine aminotransferase and total bile acid and is more effective in improving clinical symptoms as compared with conventional Western medicine,with no serious adverse reactions. Its clinical application with syndrome differentiation method can be considered. However,due to the limited number and quality of the original researches,more multi-center,high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed for further verification.

[Efficacy and safety of Wenxin Granules in treatment of chronic heart failure with atrial fibrillation: a systematic review].

This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Wenxin Granules in the treatment of chronic heart failure with atrial fibrillation. Databases,such as CNKI,Wan Fang Date,VIP,PubMed,Cochrane Library,were electronically retrieved for relevant randomized controlled trials of Wenxin Granules in the treatment of chronic heart failure with atrial fibrillation. Two researchers independently screened out the literatures,extracted data according to the inclusion criteria,and conducted a quality assessment by the risk bias assessment tool in the Cochrane evaluation manual. Cochrane systematic evaluation software Rev Man 5. 3 was used for data analysis. Totally 11 randomized controlled trials,including 941 subjects. The intervention measures were the conventional treatment recommended by the guidelines combined with Wenxin Granules; and the control measures were the conventional treatment recommended by the guidelines alone. The results showed that compared with conventional treatment alone,Wenxin Granules combined with conventional treatment can better reduce the BNP level in patients with heart failure with atrial fibrillation( MD =-258. 18,95% CI[-464. 06,-52. 30],P= 0. 01) or NT-proBNP level,better improve left ventricular ejection fraction( MD = 6. 72,95%CI[4. 61,8. 84],P<0. 000 01),I~2= 65%,And the ventricular rate decreased more significantly( MD =-11. 66,95% CI[-15. 79,-7. 54],P<0. 000 01),and the cardiac function was improved more efficiently( RR = 1. 20,95%CI [1. 11,1. 31],P<0. 000 1),I~2= 23%.In conclusion,compared with the single administration of conventional Western medicine,the combined administration of Wenxin Granules has better effects in reducing the level of BNP or NT-proBNP,slowing down the ventricular rate,and improving the left ventricular ejection fraction,with fewer adverse reactions. However,due to the small sample size and the low quality of literatures included in this systematic review,it is shall be carefully applied in clinic. More rigorous randomized controlled trials shall be conducted to determine the efficacy of Wenxin Granules in improving cardiac function in the treatment of chronic heart failure with atrial fibrillation.

Association of PAHs and BTEX exposure with lung function and respiratory symptoms among a nonoccupational population near the coal chemical industry in Northern China.

Emissions (particularly aromatic compounds) from coal industries and biomass fuels combustion lead to high health risks for neighboring residents. To investigate the association of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and 1,2-dimethylbenzene (BTEX) exposure with lung function and respiratory symptoms among adults and children near the coal-chemical industry in Northern China, adults and children from a county dotted with coal chemical industry were chosen as subjects for investigation (investigated area, IR). The control group consisted of adults and children from an agricultural county (control area, CR). The environmental and urinary PAH and BTEX levels of adults and children were determined by isotope dilution liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The Mann-Whitney U test and multivariate linear regression models were used to analyze the relationship between pollutant exposure and the respiratory system. The results showed that in an ambient environment, levels of PAHs and BTEX in the IR were significantly higher than those in the CR. Particularly, the concentration profiles for air samples were IR > CR and indoor > outdoor. Both for adults and children, the geometric (GM) concentrations of urinary PAHs and BTEX from the IR were significantly higher than those measured in the CR. Additionally, the urinary PAH exposure level profiles of smokers were higher than those of nonsmokers, indicating that indoor air and smoking were both important nonoccupational exposure sources. The decline of the forced expiratory in the first second (FEV1, %) and the forced expiratory middle flow rate (FEF25%) in children were associated with increasing urinary PAH metabolite levels (p < 0.05). The increase in urinary 1-OHN, 3-OHPhe, 4-OHPhe and 1-OHP levels could be linked to a decrease in FEV1 (r = -0.179, p < 0.05) and FEF25% with the coefficient of -0.166, -0.201 and -0.175 (p < 0.05), respectively. Medical examinations and lung function tests indicated that residents in the IR had higher occurrences of chest inflammation or declining lung function than residents in the CR. Moreover, exposure to PAHs and BTEX could decrease child lung function, though decreased lung function was not observed in adults. Both urinary monitoring and lung function data showed that children were more sensitive to PAH and BTEX exposure than adults.

Neonatal overfeeding induced glucocorticoid overexposure accelerates hepatic lipogenesis in male rats.

BACKGROUND: Postnatal overfeeding activates tissue glucocorticoid (GC) activity by up-regulating 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11ß-HSD1) and increasing sensitivity to high-fat (HF) diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of postnatal overfeeding on GC regulation and lipogenesis in the liver and to observe the impact of GC on hepatocyte lipid metabolism. METHODS: In vivo, Male Sprague-Dawley rat pup litters were adjusted to litter sizes of three (small litter, SL) or ten (normal litter, NL) on postnatal day 3 and then given standard chow from postnatal week 3 (W3) to W13. In vitro, HepG2 cells were stimulated by GC, mifepristone (Mi) or GC + Mi within 48 h, followed by sodium oleate (OA) intervention (or not) for 24 h. Intracellular lipid droplets, triglyceride (TG) concentrations and gene expression related to lipid metabolism were measured in hepatic tissues or HepG2 cells. RESULTS: In vivo, weight gain in the body and liver and TG concentrations in the liver were significantly increased in the SL rats compared to the NL rats at W3 and W13 (p < 0.05); mRNA expression of hepatic 11ß-HSD1, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC), stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1), fatty acid synthase (FASN) and their nuclear transcription factor, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) (p < 0.05), was also increased. In vitro, intracellular lipid droplets and TG content in HepG2 cells increased under stimulation with GC or OA (p < 0.05); the increase was more significant following treatment with GC and OA together (p < 0.05). The ACC, SCD1, FASN and SREBP-1c mRNA expression changes were highly similar to the changes in TG content in cells. All the changes induced by GC disappeared when the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) was blocked by Mi. CONCLUSIONS: Postnatal overfeeding induced GC overexposure through 11ß-HSD1 up-regulation in the liver. GC activated hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL) via GR and led to hepatic lipid accumulation, which increased the risk of NAFLD during adulthood.