Early assessment of circulating exosomal lncRNA-GC1 for monitoring neoadjuvant chemotherapy response in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: The timing of surgery for patients with gastric cancer (GC) who undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy (neoCT) was mainly guided by serial radiologic imaging. However, an earlier assessment was indispensable to avoid delayed treatment for nonresponders and excessive toxicity for responders. Our previous study has identified circulating extracellular vesicles-derived lncRNA-GC1 as a biomarker for early detection and monitoring progression of GC. However, the potential role of neoCT remains poorly understood. METHODS: In this explorative biomarker analysis, we conducted a multi-cohort study to examine longitudinal levels of circulating extracellular vesicles-derived lncRNA-GC1 in 798 patients enrolled in the RESONANCE study (NCT01583361). Both circulating extracellular vesicles-derived lncRNA-GC1 and traditional gastrointestinal biomarkers were assessed at defined time nodes. Computed tomography (CT) scans were performed before treatment and 8-10 weeks and assessed based on the RECIST criteria. RESULTS: Circulating extracellular vesicles-derived lncRNA-GC1 could be detected in 96.3% of patients at baseline, and significant reductions were observed before cycle 2 (P<0.0001). Levels of circulating extracellular vesicles-derived lncRNA-GC1 showed a stronger correlation with tumor burden and exhibited earlier dynamic changes than the traditional gastrointestinal biomarkers during the first cycle of neoCT. Strong agreement was observed between circulating extracellular vesicles-derived lncRNA-GC1 response (reduction >50%) and radiographic response (Cohen's κ, 0.704). Importantly, circulating extracellular vesicles-derived lncRNA-GC1 maintained predictive value in two external cohorts. Patients with circulating extracellular vesicles-derived lncRNA-GC1 response showed superior disease-free survival [hazard ratio (HR), 0.6238; 95% CI, 0.4095-0.9501; P=0.0118] and overall survival (HR, 0.6131; 95% CI, 0.4016-0.9358; P=0.0090). CONCLUSION: Circulating extracellular vesicles-derived lncRNA-GC1 is an early marker of neoCT efficacy and predicts superior survival in GC patients treated with neoCT.

Short-term efficacy assessment of transarterial chemoembolization combined with radioactive iodine therapy in primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is an effective treatment for primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC). Radioactive iodine therapy has been used in the treatment of advanced PHC, especially in patients with portal vein tumor thrombosis. However, data on the therapeutic effect of TACE combined with radioactive iodine therapy in PHC are scarce. AIM: To investigate the clinical efficacy of TACE combined with radioactive iodine implantation therapy in advanced PHC via perfusion computed tomography (CT). METHODS: For this study, 98 advanced PHC patients were recruited and divided randomly into the study and control groups. Patients in the study group were treated with TACE combined radioactive iodine implantation therapy. Patients in the control group were treated with only TACE. The tumor lesion length, clinical effect, serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and CT perfusion parameters were compared before and after therapy, and statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in tumor length and serum AFP between the study and control groups (P > 0.05) before treatment. However, the tumor length and serum AFP in the study group were lower than those in the control group 1 mo and 3 mo after therapy. After 3 mo of treatment, the complete and partial remission rate of the study group was 93.88%, which was significantly higher than the control group (77.55%) (P < 0.05). Before treatment, there were no significant differences between the two groups on the perfusion CT variables, including the lesion blood volume, permeability surface, blood flow, hepatic artery flow and mean transit time (P > 0.05). After 3 mo of treatment, all perfusion CT variables were lower in the study group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The survival time of patients in the study group was 22 mo compared to 18 mo in the control group, which was significantly different [log rank (Mantel-Cox) = 4.318, P = 0.038]. CONCLUSION: TACE combined with radioactive iodine implantation in the treatment of advanced PHC can inhibit the formation of blood vessels in tumor tissue and reduce the perfusion level of tumor lesions, thereby improving the clinical efficacy and prolonging the survival time of patients.

Combining the anion gap with the sequential organ failure assessment score to evaluate the short-term prognosis of patients in the cardiac intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: We attempted to determine the predictive ability of the first-day Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score in the cardiac intensive care unit, as well as a new score combining the anion gap (AG) with the SOFA score (SOFA-AG). METHODS: Information was obtained from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III (MIMIC III 1.4) database. We plotted the relationship between the maximum first-day AG and 90-day mortality after admission to the care unit. Patients were divided into five groups based on the hazard ratio (HR) and assigned scores of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 points. We compared the area under the curve (AUC) for the receiver-operating characteristic curve of the SOFA and that of the SOFA-AG. RESULTS: A total of 1316 patients were identified and divided into the following five groups: AG 8 to <16 mmol/L; AG 16 to <17 mmol/L; AG 17 to <19 mmol/L; AG 19 to <21 mmol/L; and AG ≥ 21 mmol/L. The SOFA-AG score had a greater AUC than the SOFA score at 7 days (0.770 vs. 0.711; P < 0.001), 14 days (0.751 vs. 0.692; P < 0.001), 28 days (0.741 vs. 0.684; P < 0.001), and 90 days (0.727 vs. 0.667; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The SOFA score showed moderate predictive value only for 7-day mortality after admission to the cardiac intensive care unit, but the SOFA-AG score had improved predictive ability for up to 90 days after admission.

Optimizing anaerobic technology by using electrochemistry and membrane module for treating pesticide wastewater: Chemical oxygen demand components and fractions distribution, membrane fouling, effluent toxicity and economic analysis.

Optimization in performance and membrane fouling of an electrochemical anaerobic membrane bioreactor (R1) for treating pesticide wastewater was investigated and compared with a conventional anaerobic membrane bioreactor (R2). The maximum COD removal efficiency of R2 was 80.1%, 80.0%, 67.4%, 61.1% with HRT of 96, 72, 48 and 24 h, which of R1 was enhanced to 84.7%, 84.3%, 82.0% and 66.3%. These results demonstrated that the optimum HRT of R1 was shortened to 48 h, which of R2 required 72 h. R1 reduced the contents of particulate and colloidal COD, and the fraction of COD converted to sludge was 5.0-8.2% lower than that of R2. The fouling rate was 0.99-1.44 kPa/d and reduced by 31.0%-38.5% compared with R2. Detoxification was enhanced by 7.8-47.7% with the assistance of bio-electrochemistry. Ultimately, ensuring similar performance, R1 achieved a 65.6% improvement in environmental benefit, a 26.3% and 38.9% reduction in unit capital and operating costs.

Predict overall survival of spinal conventional chordoma: Development and assessment of a new predictive nomogram.

OBJECTIVE: To predict the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate in patients with conventional chordoma of the spine PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Registry was used to identify patients with conventional chordoma of the spine from 1994 to 2013. The entire cohort(n = 294) was randomly divided into training (n = 147) and validation (n = 147) cohorts to construct a nomogram. We used the univariate Log-rank test and multivariate Cox model to examine the independent prognostic factors associated with OS. These prognostic factors were integrated to construct a nomogram through R studio. The predictive and validating capacity of the nomogram was calculated by Harrell's concordance index (C-index) and calibration curves. RESULTS: A total of 294 patients were identified with conventional chordoma of the spine. The patients' age at diagnosis, tumor size, EOD (extent of disease), and treatment were independent prognostic factors and associated with OS. These prognostic factors were incorporated to construct a nomogram. The concordance index for the nomogram was 0.771 and 0.732 in the training cohort and validation cohort, respectively. Internal and external calibration curves for 5-year OS showed excellent matching between nomogram prediction and observed outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study provide population-based estimates of patients with conventional chordoma of the spine. Using this nomogram, surgeons can classify patients into different risk groups and achieve individualized treatment.

Patient-Reported Treatment Satisfaction with Dabigatran versus Warfarin in Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation in China.

BACKGROUND: Anti-coagulant therapy satisfaction for patients with atrial fibrillation is a critical issue, which impacts on their treatment adherence and clinical outcomes. The disadvantages of long-term warfarin treatment are well-described, and novel oral anti-coagulants have become an alternative option. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared patient-reported treatment satisfaction with dabigatran versus warfarin in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients in China. Treatment satisfaction was assessed using the Anti-Clot Treatment Scale (ACTS) questionnaire, which included a 12-item ACTS Burdens scale and a 3-item ACTS Benefits scale. RESULTS: Among 834 patients, 246 patients (29.5%) were taking dabigatran and the others were on warfarin. Propensity score matching was employed to identify 182 patient pairs with balanced baseline characteristics. The global ACTS Burdens score and the global ACTS Benefits score were comparable between the dabigatran and warfarin groups (44.86 ± 3.95 vs. 44.28 ± 3.51, p = 0.423; 11.49 ± 2.92 vs. 11.42 ± 3.03, p = 0.194, respectively). The monthly cost of dabigatran was significantly higher compared with that of warfarin due to a lack of insurance coverage (USD 176.78 ± 9.15 vs. USD 2.49 ± 0.76, p = 0.000). The discontinuation rate of dabigatran was significantly higher than warfarin at the 6-month follow-up (33.5% vs. 19.2%, p = 0.003). Adjusted logistic regression showed that dabigatran was associated with a significant greater odds of non-persistence (odds ratio: 2.13, 95% confidence interval: 1.27-3.59, p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Dabigatran therapy in patients with NVAF in China associated with no improvement in satisfaction and a higher discontinuation rate compared with warfarin therapy largely due to increased economic burden.

In-hospital direct costs for thromboembolism and bleeding in Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: Limited data are available on the direct costs of hospitalization owing to thromboembolism and bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in China. Such data are essential for policy development, service planning, and cost-effectiveness analysis of new therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to provide detailed data regarding in-hospital direct costs for these patients, compare the costs at different scenarios, and identify independent factors that may predict the costs. METHODS: We collected data regarding in-hospital direct costs among patients with AF who were hospitalized owing to ischemic stroke (IS), transient ischemic attack (TIA), intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), or major gastrointestinal bleeding. All data were collected from 7 representative tertiary referral hospitals and 3 secondary care hospitals from December 2009 to October 2014. RESULTS: In total, 312 eligible patients with thromboembolism and 143 patients with major bleeding were identified, and their hospital charts were reviewed. The median in-hospital direct costs were 17,857 Chinese Yuan (CNY) for IS and 16,589 CNY for TIA (equivalent to 2907 US dollars and 2701 US dollars, respectively). For patients with major bleeding, the costs were 27,924 CNY for ICH and 18,196 CNY for major gastrointestinal bleeding (equivalent to 4546 US dollars and 2962 US dollars, respectively). The direct costs were mainly driven by medications, which accounted for approximately 33.4%-36.1% in different groups of patients. The direct costs were highly related to the hospital level and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores in patients with thromboembolism; in patients with ICH, the factors included hospital level, warfarin treatment before admission, and prior hospitalization for stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Given the high prevalence, AF-related thromboembolism and bleeding impose considerable economic burden on the Chinese society. Efforts to improve the management of AF may confer substantial economic benefits.

A comparison of a self-locking stand-alone cage and anterior cervical plate for ACDF: Minimum 3-year assessment of radiographic and clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: The self-locking stand-alone cage has been clinically applied in treating cervical degenerative disc disease (CDDD). However, no long-term clinical and radiographic studies have been performed so far. This retrospective study was designed to analyze and compare the efficacy and outcomes of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) using self-locking stand-alone cages and cages with the anterior cervical plating system. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 98 consecutive patients were recruited in this study. Patients in the cage group were given stand-alone self-locking cages, and patients in the plate group were treated with cages and anterior plate fixation. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss and complications were recorded. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the JOA scoring system, Neck Disability Index and Odom's criteria. The cervical lordosis, subsidence and cervical fusion status were assessed by X-ray and computed tomography. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 39.7 months in the cage group and 42.2 months in the plate group. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative dysphagia, sore throat and adjacent segment degeneration in the cage group were significantly less than those in the plate group (p < 0.05). All the patients in both groups achieved complete interbody fusion. Postoperative JOA and NDI scores in both groups were obviously improved compared with the preoperative ones. The postoperative cervical lordosis was effectively restored in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The self-locking stand-alone cage for ACDF could effectively restore the cervical physiological curvature, cause few complications, and lead to satisfactory outcomes. Therefore, it could be used as an effective and reliable treatment for the CDDD.

Reconstruction left atrium and isolation pulmonary veins of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation using single contact force catheter with zero x-ray exposure: A CONSORT Study.

BACKGROUND: Conventional ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is associated with radiation risks for patients and laboratory staff. Three-dimensional (3D) mapping system capable of showing contact force (CF) and direction of catheter tip may compensate for nonfluoroscopic safety issues. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of zero x-ray exposure during reconstruction left atrium (LA) and ablation. METHODS: Single, CF catheter, and 3D mapping system were used to reconstruct LA and isolate pulmonary veins (PV) in all patients. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups after LA angiography. In group 1, reconstruction LA and isolation PV was performed with the help of 3D system (without x-ray), whereas in group 2, x-ray and 3D system were utilized to reconstruct LA and ablate PV antrum. After ablation, Lasso catheter was used to confirm the PV isolation. All patients were followed up to 12 months. RESULTS: A total of 342 PAF patients were continuously enrolled. The basic clinical characteristics between the 2 groups had no significant difference. Parameters related to the procedure, average procedure time, ablation procedure time, average contact force (CF) applied, the percentage of time within CF settings, and average power applied during radiofrequency application showed no significant difference between the 2 groups. In group 1, the average fluoroscopy time before LA reconstruction was similar to that in group 2 (2.8 ±â€Š0.4 vs. 2.4 ±â€Š0.6 minutes, P = .75). The average fluoroscopy time during ablation was significantly lower than that in group 2 (0 vs. 7.6 ±â€Š1.3 minutes, P < .001). The total x-ray exposure dose of the procedure in group 1 was significantly lower than that in group 2 (19.6 ±â€Š9.4 vs. 128.7 ±â€Š62.5 mGy, respectively, P < .001). Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that there were no statistical differences in the probability of freedom from atrial arrhythmia (AF/AFL/AT) recurrence at 12 months between group 1 and group 2 (P = .152). The success rate after a single ablation procedure and without drugs (Class I/III AAD) at 12 months was not significantly different between the 2 groups (67.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 62%-79.5% in group 1 and 68.9%, 95% CI: 63%-80.7% in group 2, P = .207). Procedural-related adverse events showed no significant different incidence between group 1 and group 2. A multivariate logistic regression analysis of risk factors was performed to evaluate the effectiveness outcome, which demonstrated that the percentage of CF (within the investigator-selected work ranges) during therapy was significantly associated with positive outcomes (odds ratio: 3.68; 95% CI: 1.65-10.6, P = .008), whereas the LA dimension was negatively associated with effectiveness outcomes (odds ratio: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.52-0.84, P = .016). CONCLUSIONS: Reconstruction LA and isolation PV ablation using single CF-assisted catheter without x-ray exposure was both safe and effective. CF was positively associated with effective outcomes and LA dimensions negatively with effective ones.

Activation of SRY accounts for male-specific hepatocarcinogenesis: Implication in gender disparity of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Sex affects the risk, treatment responses and outcome of many types of cancers. The mechanism of gender disparity in development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains obscure. Sex-determining region on Y chromosome (SRY) was overexpressed in approximate 84% male patient HCC. Moreover, we are the first to generate a liver-specific transgenic (TG) murine model with overexpression of the male specific gene SRY. Subject to a single intraperitoneal injection N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) at day 14, TG and wildtype (WT) mice of both genders were sacrificed at different time points (6-13.5 months). Overexpression of SRY in male TG and ectopic expression of SRY in female TG livers promoted DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis compared to age- and sex-matched WT. This accelerated tumorigenesis in TG of both genders was a consequence of increased injury and inflammation, fibrosis, and compensatory enhancement in hepatocytes proliferation secondary to activation of downstream targets Sox9 and platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα)/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and c-myc/CyclinD1. In conclusion, activation of SRY and its downstream Sox9 and PDGFRα pathways are commonly involved in male hepatocarcinogenesis, which provides novel insights into gender disparity and sex-specific therapeutic strategies of HCC.

Editor's Highlight: Development of an In vitro Assay Measuring Uterine-Specific Estrogenic Responses for Use in Chemical Safety Assessment.

A toxicity pathway approach was taken to develop an in vitro assay using human uterine epithelial adenocarcinoma (Ishikawa) cells as a replacement for measuring an in vivo uterotrophic response to estrogens. The Ishikawa cell was determined to be fit for the purpose of recapitulating in vivo uterine response by verifying fidelity of the biological pathway components and the dose-response predictions to women of child-bearing age. Expression of the suite of estrogen receptors that control uterine proliferation (ERα66, ERα46, ERα36, ERß, G-protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER)) were confirmed across passages and treatment conditions. Phenotypic responses to ethinyl estradiol (EE) from transcriptional activation of ER-mediated genes, to ALP enzyme induction and cellular proliferation occurred at concentrations consistent with estrogenic activity in adult women (low picomolar). To confirm utility of this model to predict concentration-response for uterine proliferation with xenobiotics, we tested the concentration-response for compounds with known uterine estrogenic activity in humans and compared the results to assays from the ToxCast and Tox21 suite of estrogen assays. The Ishikawa proliferation assay was consistent with in vivo responses and was a more sensitive measure of uterine response. Because this assay was constructed by first mapping the key molecular events for cellular response, and then ensuring that the assay incorporated these events, the resulting cellular assay should be a reliable tool for identifying estrogenic compounds and may provide improved quantitation of chemical concentration response for in vitro-based safety assessments.

Uptake of evidence-based statin therapy among atrial fibrillation patients in China: A report from the CAFR (Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry) Study.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, and hence, statin therapy is indicated in majority of AF patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed data from the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry (CAFR) involving 11,496 AF patients from 2011 to 2014. Practice patterns of statin therapy and factors associated with statin underuse were analyzed. Based on the 2013 ACC/AHA cholesterol management guidelines, statins should be recommended for 67.4% (7720/11,461) of AF participants in CAFR, but only 43.4% (3352/7720) with appropriate indications were taking statins. Statin underuse in AF patients was independently associated with male sex, tertiary hospital treatment, outpatient attendance, and absence of 'high risk' cardiovascular risk factors (overweight, diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke/transient ischemic attack/peripheral embolism and hypertension). CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of Chinese AF patients had indications for statin therapy. Evidence-based statin prescribing was suboptimal in this population. Greater efforts should be made to improve a holistic approach to cardiovascular risk management in the Chinese AF population.

Investigating polymorphisms by bioinformatics is a potential cost-effective method to screen for germline mutations in Chinese familial adenomatous polyposis patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate germline mutations of the APC, MUTYH and AXIN2 genes in Chinese patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), and further assess the value of bioinformatics in screening the pathogenic changes predisposing to FAP. APC genes from 11 unrelated FAP patients in Yunnan province in China were firstly examined by exon-specific DNA sequencing. For samples without already known pathogenic changes predisposing to FAP in the APC gene, whole-gene sequencing of MUTYH and AXIN2 was performed. Mutational analysis of each gene was performed by bioinformatics. Eleven different types of APC polymorphisms were observed in the cohort of families analyzed. Of these polymorphisms, four were missense substitutions (V1822D, V1173G, P1760H and K2057), one was a nonsense substitution (S1196X), and six were silent substitutions (Y486Y, T449T, T1493T, G1678G, S1756S and P1960P). One missense mutation (Q335H) and two intronic substitutions (c.264+11G>A and c.420+35A>G) were detected in the MUTYH gene, and four synonymous mutations (I144I, P455P, P462P and L688L) and three intonic mutations (c.1060-77G>T, c.1060-287A>G and c.1060-282 A>G) of the AXIN2 gene were observed. In addition to the already reported pathogenic mutations, by using function assessment tools and databases, the synonymous substitutions observed in the APC gene of our samples were predicted to affect splicing regulation in the translation of mRNA, while the missense mutations observed in the APC gene and MUTYH gene were predicted to be disease-related polymorphisms; however, no functional effect of the mutations was observed in the AXIN2 gene. Comprehensive screening for germline mutations in APC, MUTYH and AXIN2 genes followed by prediction of pathogenicity using bioinformatic tools contributes to a cost-effective way of screening germline mutations in Chinese familial adenomatous polyposis patients.

Self-rated health and health-related quality of life among Chinese residents, China, 2010.

BACKGROUND: Self-rated health (SRH) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) are two outcome measures used to assess health status. However, little is known about population-based SRH and HRQOL in China. METHODS: Data from the 2010 China Chronic Disease and Risk Factor Surveillance, a nationally representative sample of 98,658 adults (≥18-year-old) residing in China, were analyzed. SRH was assessed by asking "Would you say that, in general, your health is very good, good, general, poor, or very poor?" HRQOL was assessed by asking "For about how many days during the past 30 days was your health not good due to physical illnesses, injuries, or mental unhealthy?". RESULTS: Overall, 6.3 % of participants rated their health as poor or very poor. The prevalence of poor/very poor health increased with advancing age ranging from 2.0 % in the 18-24 year-olds to 14.9 % in those ≥75 years-old, while it decreased with education levels from 13.0 % in illiterates/those with some primary school education to 2.2 % in college graduates or above. Additionally, women were more likely than men to rate their health as poor or very poor (7.2 % vs. 5.4 %). The reported rate of poor/very poor health was higher in western region residents compared to those in the east (7.4 % vs. 5.3 %). The mean numbers of self-reported physically unhealthy days, injury-caused unhealthy days, or mentally unhealthy days during the past 30 days were 1.48, 0.20, and 0.54, respectively. Older adults had more physically unhealthy days than the younger ones ranging from 2.92 days in those ≥ 75 year-old to 0.95 days in 18-24 year-olds. Women had more physically unhealthy days and mentally unhealthy days than men (1.72 vs. 1.23; 0.62 vs. 0.46, respectively). The highest mean number of physically unhealthy days (2.32) was reported by illiterates or those with some primary school education. The highest mean number of mentally unhealthy days (0.86) reported by college graduates or above. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial variations existed in SRH and HRQOL among age groups, gender groups, education groups, and across regions in China. Considering these disparities will be important when developing health policies and allocating resources.

Quantitative assessment of acute kidney injury by noninvasive arterial spin labeling perfusion MRI: a pilot study.

The kidneys are essential for maintaining homeostasis, are responsible for the reabsorption of water, glucose and amino acids, and filter the blood by removing waste. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a syndrome characterized by the rapid loss of renal excretory function and the accumulation of end metabolic products of urea and creatinine. AKI is associated with the later development of chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease, and may eventually be fatal. Early diagnosis of AKI and assessments of the effects of treatment, however, are challenging. The pathophysiological mechanism of AKI is thought to be the imbalance between oxygen supply and demand in the kidneys. We have assessed the ability of arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), without the administration of contrast media, to quantify renal blood flow (RBF) non-invasively. We found that RBF was significantly lower in AKI patients than in healthy volunteers. These results suggest that ASL perfusion MRI, a noninvasive measurement of RBF, may be useful in the early diagnosis of AKI.

[Self-rated health status among Chinese residents, China, 2010].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the self-rated health status among Chinese residents in 2010. METHODS: Data was from the Non-communicable Disease & Risk Factor Surveillance in China, 2010. A total of 98 638 adults aged ≥ 18 years were included in the study. Self-rated health was assessed by four questions: (1) Would you assess your health status as very good or good, general (not good/not poor), poor or very poor? (2) How many days was your health not good for physical illness during the past 30 days? (3) How many days was your health not good for injury during the past 30 days? (4) How many days was your health not good for mental illness, which include stress and problem with emotions depression during the past 30 days? After being weighed according to complex sampling scheme and post-stratification, the sample was used to estimate the prevalence of self-rated health. The Rao-scott χ(2) test with different samples was adopted for comparison among groups. RESULTS: In total, 57.5% (95%CI:55.5%-59.5%) of the participants rated their health as being either very good or good, 36.2% (95%CI:34.5%-37.8%) as general, and only 6.3% (95%CI:5.7%-6.9%) as poor or very poor; In different age groups and gender, the differences were statistically significant (χ(2) values were 1179.88, 85.36, both P values were < 0.05) . The reported rate of poor or very poor health increased significantly with advancing age ranging from 2.0% (95%CI:1.5%-2.4%)in 18-24 year-old group to 14.9% (95%CI:12.6%-17.2%) in ≥ 75 year-old group; Females were more likely than males to rate their health as poor or very poor , respectively (7.2%; 95%CI 6.5%-7.9% and 5.4%; 95%CI:4.9%-5.9%). During the past 30 days 18.5% (95%CI:17.1%-19.8%) of the participants was not in good health for physical illness. The reported rate of physical illness increased significantly with advancing age (χ(2) = 211.99, P < 0.01), and it was the lowest in 25-34 year-old group (15.4%; 95%CI:13.7%-17.0%), and the highest in ≥ 75 year-old group (28.3%; 95%CI:24.9%-31.6%) . It was statistically higher among females (21.1%; 95%CI:19.5%-22.6%) compared to males (15.9%; 95%CI:14.6%-17.3%) (χ(2) = 231.81, P < 0.01); the reported rates of physical illness were 17.4% (95%CI:15.3%-19.5%) among residents in the east region, 17.2% (95%CI:14.7%-19.6%) in the middle region, and 21.5% (95%CI:18.7%-24.4%) in the western region(χ(2) = 6.75, P < 0.01). During the past 30 days 2.7% (95%CI:2.3%-3.2%) of the participants was not in good health for injure. The reported rate of injure decreased significantly with advancing age (χ(2) = 25.54, P < 0.01), and it was the highest in 18-24 year-old group (3.8%; 95%CI:2.6%-5.0%), and the lowest in 35-44 year-old group (2.3%; 95%CI:1.8%-2.7%) . It was statistically higher among males (3.0%; 95%CI:2.4%-3.5%) compared to females (2.5%; 95%CI:2.1%-2.9%) (χ(2) = 8.89 P < 0.01) ; the reported rates of injure were 2.3% (95%CI:1.9%-2.7%) among residents in the east region , 2.1% (1.7%-2.4%) in the middle region, and 4.1% (95%CI:2.6%-5.6%) in the west region (χ(2) = 16.26, P < 0.01). During the past 30 days 10.0% (95%CI:8.8%-11.3%) of the participants was not in good health for mental illness. The reported rate of mental illness decreased significantly with advancing age (χ(2) = 92.14 P < 0.01), and it was the highest in 18-24 year-old group (12.9%; 95%CI: 10.6%-15.2%), and the lowest in ≥ 75 year-old group (5.7%; 95%CI: 4.4%-7.0%) .It was statistically higher among females (10.8%; 95%CI:9.5%-12.1%) than males (9.2%; 95%CI:7.9%-10.5%) (χ(2) = 21.59, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The self-rated health status among Chinese residents was good in 2010. Substantial variation exists in self-rated health status across age groups, between genders, and across regions. Considering these disparities will be important for developing health policy and allocating resources.

Novel and simple route to fabricate 2D ordered gold nanobowl arrays based on 3D colloidal crystals.

In this study, we present a new method to fabricate large-area two-dimensionally (2D) ordered gold nanobowl arrays based on 3D colloidal crystals by wet chemosynthesis, which combines the advantages of a very simple preparation and an applicability to "real" nanomaterials. By combination of in situ growth of gold nanoshell (GNSs) arrays based on three-dimensional (3D) colloidal silica crystals, a monolayer ordered reversed GNS array (2D ordered GNS array) was conveniently manufactured by an acrylic ester modified biaxial oriented polypropylene (BOPP). 2D ordered gold nanobowl array with adjustable periodic holes, good stability, reproducibility, and repeatability could be obtained when the silica core was etched by HF solution. The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enhancement factor (EF) of this 2D ordered gold nanobowl array could reach 1.27 × 10(7), which shows high SERS enhancing activity and can be used as a universal SERS substrate.