[The precision medicine for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome is based on identification of phenotypes].

The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a heterogeneous syndrome characterized by distinct etiologies and complicated pathobiological mechanism. It is difficult to discriminate patients with unique biological features or individual response to specific therapy by traditional definition and subgrouping. Unfortunately, there are few clinical evidences supporting effective drug therapy to ARDS. The sub-phenotype or endotype of ARDS is related to potential mechanism of the syndrome, and is critical to personalized treatment of ARDS. An appropriate sub-phenotype of ARDS may be defined by data-driven assessment of the available data including clinical features, biological biomarkers and respiratory parameters of the patients. Latent class analysis or machine learning has potential to establish new sub-phenotype of ARDS stably, which is helpful to guide precision medicine approach.

[Natural history and disease progression of chronic hepatitis B virus infection].

OBJECTIVE: To better understand and revise the natural history and disease progression of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection through analysis of a single-center large-scale cohort of indivi-duals with chronic HBV infection. METHODS: Patients with chronic HBV infection who had undergone liver biopsy in the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital from January 2014 to October 2020 were retrospectively recruited. Based on patient's hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) states and pathologic diagnosis, they were categorized into four disease progression statuses (or phases according to the old-terminology in the updated guidelines of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), such as European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) 2017, Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Hepatitis B Virus Infection: HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection (immune tolerance), HBeAg-positive CHB (immune active HBeAg positive), HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection (inactive carrier), and HBeAg-negative CHB (immune reactive HBeAg negative). Then the demographic, laboratory tests and liver histological results of the patients in different disease progression stages were compared. Age differences between the two groups were evaluated using Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: A total of 760 eligible patients with a median age of 29 (interquartile range: 16-39) years were enrolled. Among them, 197 were underage individuals (age < 18 years) and 563 were adults; and 456 were males and 304 females. According to the pathological diagnosis, the patients were classified, and in each of the above four natural disease phases there were 173, 329, 95, and 163 individuals, respectively. Further comparison of the ages of the patients of the four disease progression statuses revealed that patients of HBeAg-negative CHB had a median age at 37 years, which was reasonably higher than those with HBeAg-positive CHB in immune active phase (37 vs. 24 years, P < 0.001), but was relatively younger than those with HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection (37 vs. 39 years, P= 0.240). CONCLUSION: According to this study, it could be speculated that HBeAg-negative CHB patients probably not all reactivate from individuals of HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection. Instead, certain HBeAg-negative CHB patients may also come from HBeAg-positive CHB patients who have undergone HBeAg clearance or seroconversion and still remain in the immune active state.

[Research progress in radiomics based on CT and MRI images for prediction of microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma].

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. Microvascular invasion (MVI) is considered the major risk factor for postoperative recurrence and metastasis in HCC. The diagnosis of MVI relies on the postoperative pathological assessment of the tumor tissues. Seeking non-invasive methods and biomarkers for evaluation of MVI before surgery has important clinical implications for guiding surgical treatment and improving patients' survival. Recent studies have reported the applications of radiomics technique in prediction of MVI in HCC and showed promising results. Herein we summarized the research progress in CT- or MRI-based radiomics models for prediction of MVI in HCC to provide helpful thinking for further research in this field.

[Expert consensus on measurement and clinical application of serum HBV RNA in patients with chronic HBV infection].

Since the discovery of circulating hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA in the peripheral blood of patients with chronic hepatitis B in 1996, a growing number of studies have focused on clarifying the biological characteristics and clinical application value of serum HBV RNA. This consensus mainly summarizes the research progress of serum HBV RNA existing profiles, quantitative detection methods, and current clinical applications. In order to better apply this indicator for the clinical management of patients with chronic HBV infection, recommendations on quantitative detection target regions, detection results, and clinical applications are put forward.

[Clinical application of serum Golgi protein 73 in patients with chronic liver diseases].

Golgi protein 73 (GP73) is a transmembrane protein on the Golgi apparatus and can be cut and released into the blood. In recent years, an increasing number of clinical studies have shown that the elevated serum GP73 level is closely related to liver diseases. And thus GP73 is expected to be used as a new serum marker for assessing progress of chronic liver diseases. Herein, the clinical application of serum GP73 in chronic hepatitis, liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma with different etiologies was reviewed based on available literatures; and a research outlook in this field is made.

[Clinical outcomes and influence factors of 435 singleton pregnancies with short cervix].

Objective: To investigate the clinical outcomes of different treatment options on singleton short cervix and its influence factors. Methods: Totally 435 cases of singleton pregnancies who were diagnosed with short cervix (≤25 mm) between 12 to 33+6 gestational weeks in Peking University First Hospital from January 2018 to December 2018 were enrolled, including 21 cases with cervical length <10 mm, 414 cases with cervical length between 10 to 25 mm. The onset time was <24 gestational weeks in 106 cases, while 104 cases were at 24-29+6 gestational weeks and 225 cases of ≥30 gestational weeks. Gestational outcomes including delivery before 37 weeks, delivery before 34 weeks, neonatal birth weight (NBW) and adverse neonatal outcome (ANO) were compared among three treatment groups: rest group, progesterone group and cerclage group. Influence factors were also investigated. Results: (1) The incidence of short cervix in pregnancy was 7.07% (435/6 155), while 106 cases were at <24 gestational weeks (1.72%, 106/6 155), 104 cases (1.69%, 104/6 155) at 24-29+6 gestational weeks and 225 cases (3.66%, 225/6 155) at ≥30 gestational weeks. (2) In the group of cervical length <10 mm, rate of delivery before 37 and 34 weeks were 62% (13/21) and 57% (12/21) respectively. One case of progesterone treatment underwent miscarriage. Compared with rest group (n=8), delivery weeks [28.5 (25.0-40.0) vs 37.0 (28.0-40.0), P=0.020] and NBW [1 245 g (630-3 830 g) vs 2 648 g (1 560-3 830 g), P=0.028] were higher in cerclage group (n=9), while ANO was not statistically different (P>0.05). (3) In the group of cervical length ≥10 mm before 24 gestational weeks, the delivery weeks, incidence of delivery before 34 weeks, adjusted incidence of delivery before 37 weeks, NBW and ANO were not statistically different (P>0.05) among rest group (n=36), progesterone group (n=26) and cerclage group (n=34). In vitro fertilization (OR=11.97, 95%CI: 1.88-76.44, P=0.009), infection (OR=46.03, 95%CI: 5.12-413.58, P=0.001), sludge on sonography (OR=9.87, 95%CI: 1.69-57.60, P=0.011) and history of short cervix (OR=7.24, 95%CI: 1.04-50.24, P=0.045) were independent risk factors of preterm birth. (4) In the group of cervical length ≥10 mm and gestational weeks between 24-29+6, the delivery weeks, incidence of delivery before 37 weeks, incidence of delivery before 34 weeks, NBW and ANO were not statistically different (P>0.05) among rest group (n=52), progesterone group (n=34) and cerclage group (n=9). Infection was an independent risk factor of preterm birth (OR=56.40, 95%CI: 4.67-680.61, P=0.002). (5) Outcomes of 223 cases were relatively good in the group of cervical length ≥10 mm beyond 30 gestational weeks. The incidence of delivery before 34 weeks was 6.3% (14/223). The delivery weeks, incidence of delivery before 37 and 34 weeks, NBW and ANO were not statistically different (P>0.05) among 3 groups. Infection (OR=10.91, 95%CI: 2.21-53.96, P=0.003) and history of preterm birth (OR=8.63, 95%CI: 1.25-59.65, P=0.029) were independent risk factors of preterm birth. Conclusions: Short cervix is a common complication of pregnancy. Cervical cerclage is related with better outcome for patients with cervical length <10 mm. Neither progesterone nor cervical cerclage improves pregnancy outcome for >10 mm cervical length patients comparing with rest. Infection, sludge, in vitro fertilization, history of short cervix and history of preterm birth are independent risk factors of preterm birth in short cervix pregnancies.

[A prospective multi-center clinical investigation of HIV-negative pulmonary cryptococcosis in China].

Objective: To investigate the current status of the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary cryptococcosis in respiratory medicine and improve the understanding of the clinical characteristics of HIV-negative pulmonary cryptococcosis in China. Methods: A prospective multi-center open cohort study was designed to screen for pulmonary cryptococcosis in the general wards and intensive care units of the Department of Respiratory Diseases in 22 hospitals. The HIV-negative patients with positive cryptococcal etiological diagnosis based on smear culture, antigen detection and histopathology were enrolled in the study. The clinical data of enrolled patients were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 457 cases of pulmonary cryptococcosis were enrolled, among which 3.28% (15/457) were disseminated infections. The case fatality rate was 0.88% (4/457). The majority of the cases were diagnosed by histopathological examinations (74.40%, 340/457) and cryptococcus antigen detection (37.64%, 172/457). Patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis accounted for 2.04‰ (457/223 748) of the total hospitalized patients in the Department of Respiratory Diseases during the same period, and the ratio was the highest in south and east China. Meanwhile, 70.24% (321/457) of the patients had no underlying diseases, while 87.75% (401/457) were found to have immunocompetent status. Cough and expectoration were the most common clinical symptoms in patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis. However, 25.16% (115/457) of the patients had no clinical symptom or physical signs. In terms of imaging features on pulmonary CT, multiple pulmonary lesions were more common than isolated lesions, and there were more subpleural lesions than perihilar or medial lesions. Morphologically, most of the lesions were middle-sized nodules (1-5 cm) or small-sized nodules (3 mm to 1 cm). The sensitivity of serum cryptococcus antigen test was 71.99% (203/282). Moreover, antigen-positive patients differed from antigen-negative patients in terms of basic immune status, clinical symptoms, imaging features and infection types. Meanwhile, immunocompromised patients differed from immunocompetent patients in terms of clinical symptoms, physical signs, infection-related inflammation indicator levels, imaging features, serum cryptococcus antigen positive rate and prognosis. Conclusions: The majority of cases of HIV-negative pulmonary cryptococcosis in China had no underlying disease or immunocompromised status, and the overrall prognosis was favorable. However, early diagnosis of HIV-negative pulmonary cryptococcosis remains challenging due to the complicated manifestations of the disease.

[Role of NF-κB p65 and related cytokines in rats with liver function injury induced by dibutyl phthalate and benzo (a) pyrene].

Objective: To explore the role of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 and related cytokines in rats with liver function injury induced by dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and benzo (a) pyrene (BaP) , in order to provide support for enriching the mechanism of liver injury induced by DBP and BaP. Methods: In September to December of 2019, a total number of 160 specific pathogen free Sprague Dawley rats were numbered in order of sex and body weight, then using the statistical table of random numbers, they were randomly divided into eight groups and each group consists of twenty animals (10 male and 10 female rats) , including blank control group, vehicle control group (given corn oil) , DBP 50 mg/kg (DBP(50)) group, DBP 250 mg/kg (DBP(250)) group, BaP 1 mg/kg (BaP(1)) group, BaP 5 mg/kg (BaP(5)) group, DBP 50 mg/kg plus BaP 1 mg/kg (DBP(50)+BaP(1)) group and DBP 250 mg/kg plus BaP 5 mg/kg (DBP(250)+BaP(5)) group, then DBP and BaP were administered to rats as a homogenous mixture in corn oil by gavage. After exposure for 90 days, liver was separated to test the mRNA and protein expression levels of NF-κB p65 by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Then serum of rats was collected to detect the levels of CXCL-13, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, and the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) , aspartate aminotransferase (AST) , albumin (ALB) and total protein (TP) were detected by Reitman-Frankel assay. Results: The protein expression of NF-κB p65 in BaP(1) group was not statistically significant, but the mRNA and protein expression levels of NF-κB p65 in the liver tissues of rats in other exposure group were higher than those in the blank control group (P<0.05) , and the expression levels of NF-κB p65 increased more obvious in the DBP and BaP co-exposed groups than those in the low and high dose groups that single-exposed to DBP and BaP (P<0.05) . The serum levels of CXCL-13 and IL-6 of rats in other group were obviously higher than those of the blank control group except for the BaP(1) group, and the increase was more obvious in the high-dose group that co-exposed to DBP and BaP (P<0.05) . While the level of TNF-α in each exposure group was higher than those in the blank control group and the levels of TNF-α in the DBP and BaP co-exposed groups were strongly augmented compared to those in the low and high dose groups that single-exposed to DBP and BaP (P<0.05) . What's more, compared with the blank control group, the level of ALT in each exposure group was increased significantly. Except for the BaP(1) group, the levels of AST in other exposed groups were increased (P<0.05) , and the levels of ALT and AST in the DBP and BaP co-exposed groups were significantly elevated in comparison to the low and high dose groups that single-exposed to DBP and BaP (P<0.05) . On the contrary, the level of ALB in each exposure group was significantly lower than that in the blank control group, especially decreased significantly in the DBP and BaP co-exposed group (P<0.05) . The level of TP decreased only in the high-dose group that single and co-exposed to DBP and BaP, and the decrease was more significant in the DBP and BaP co-exposed group (P<0.05) . When DBP exposed alone, Pearson correlation analysis showed that NF-κB p65 protein expression level was positively correlated with IL-6, TNF-α and ALT (r=0.762, 0.951, and 0.924, P<0.05) . After BaP exposed alone, the NF-κB p65 protein expression level was positively correlated with TNF-α and ALT (r=0.911 and 0.910, P<0.05) . When DBP and BaP exposed together, NF-κB p65 protein expression level was positively correlated with CXCL-13, IL-6, TNF-α, ALT and AST (r=0.711, 0.764, 0.955, 0.903 and 0.827, P<0.05) . In addition, Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between TNF-α and ALT (r=0.833 and 0.894, P<0.05) when DBP or BaP exposed alone. Furthermore, when DBP and BaP exposed together, CXCL-13, IL-6 and TNF-α were positively correlated with ALT (r= 0.871, 0.925 and 0.942, P<0.05) , and also positively correlated with AST (r=0.910, 0.892 and 0.890, P<0.05) . Conclusion: Single and co-exposed to DBP and BaP may regulate the abnormal secretion of related cytokines by upregulating the expression level of NF-κB p65 in rat liver tissue, thus leading to hepatocyte injury in rats, and the damage effect may be enhanced when DBP and BaP are exposed together.

[Plunging ranula presenting as a giant retroauricular mass: A case report].

Plunging ranula is rare and manifests as the submandibular or submental cystic mass, without intra-oral abnormality. It usually causes misdiagnosis and malpractice. This article reported a case of plunging ranula that appeared as a massive mass located behind the left ear. A 6-year-old child presented with recurrent left retroauricular swelling over six months without obvious inducement. The mass showed repeatedly swelling and persistent skin ulcers. Physical examinations described a fluctuant, nontender mass behind the left ear whose size was about 5 cm×5 cm×3 cm. The skin upon the surface of the mass was thin and red, and overflowed yellow slimelike contents. Computed tomography (CT) showed an extensive cystic lesion in the left neck. After local incision and drainage the mass was shrink. With the primary clinical diagnosis of branchial cyst, the patient underwent mass resection through postauricular incision. During the operation, the fistula was traced to the area around the sublingual gland, and the postoperative pathology report demonstrated cystic spaces occurring in soft tissue without lymphoid tissue. One month postoperatively, the patient presented the "egg-white", wire-drawing transparent viscous fluid outflowing from the left external auditory canal, indicating that the fluid in the external auditory canal originated from the sublingual gland and the disease was the plunging ranula presenting as a giant left retroauricular mass. We readmitted the patient to the hospital and the ipsilateral sublingual gland was completely removed in the mouth under general anesthesia. No clinical evidence of recurrence was found at the end of 9 months follow-up. So far, there is no literature reporting plunging ranula behind ear. This case report describes the clinical manifestation, diagnosis, and differential diagnosis and treatment of a case of plunging ranula, and reveals that, other than the submandibular or submental, plunging ranula also could be found in retroauricular region. The plunging ranula is difficult to fully confirm through a clinical character, and usually easy to be misdiagnosed as other tumors, like lymphatic malformation, venous malformations, etc. Radiographic examination and/or puncture fluid observation are required for identification. "Egg-white", wire-drawing mucous secretion is the most important characteristic in clinical diagnosis of sublingual gland cyst. However, if sublingual gland resection, i.e. removal of the source of cyst fluid is performed, a good prognosis can be achieved.

[Analysis of sugammadex for antagonistic neuromuscular block in patients with radical resection of lung cancer under thoracoscope].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of sugammadex for antagonistic neuromuscular block in patients with radical resection of lung cancer under thoracoscope. Methods: One hundred patients undergoing radical resection of lung cancer under thoracoscope in Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March to September in 2019, were randomly divided into control group (group C) and sugammadex group (group S). All patients were anaesthetized (induced and maintained) with intravenous target-controlled infusion of propofol and remifentanil, and intermittent intravenous injection of the neuromuscular block of rocuronium. During the operation, the bispectral index (BIS) was used to monitor the depth of anesthesia, and the neuromuscular block was assessed with TOF. Single-lung mechanical ventilation and double-lumen endotracheal intubation were carried out, and patient-controlled analgesia after operation were enforced. Patients in group C received neostigmine (2 mg) combined with atropine (0.5-1.0 mg) after thoracic closure, while patients in group S received sugammadex (2 mg/kg) at TOF count (≥2) after thoracic closure, and then double-lumen endotracheal tubes were extubated according to extubation indications. At these time points: T(0) (immediate before anesthesia induction), T(1) (immediate before tracheal intubation), T(2) (immediately after thoracic closure), T(3) (1 h after operation), T(4) (6 h after operation), T(5) (24 h after operation), T(6)(48 h after operation), the heart rate(HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded, QT interval (V3 ECG) were measured and calculated, indicators of liver function [alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase(AST)], renal function [blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cre)] and clotting function [thrombin time (TT), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and fibrinogen (FIB)] were detected. The duration of operation, postoperative conditions within 48 hours after operation(the time of tracheal tube extubation, respiratory suppression/dysfunction, allergy, nausea and vomiting, itching of skin, abnormal sensation), pathological types and the postoperative hospital stay were recorded. Results: There were no significant differences of the age, sex ratio, body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grading ratio, duration of operation, pathological types and the postoperative hospital stay, HR, MAP and QT interval between two groups (all P>0.05). There were no remarkable differences of the levels of serum histamine, ALT, AST, BUN, Cre, TT, PT, APTT and FIB before and after administration of neuromuscular blockade antagonists (neostigmine or Sugammadex) in the same group patients (all P>0.05), also no significant differences between group C and group S at the same time points (all P>0.05). Average time of tracheal tube extubation in group S [(3.7±1.3) min] was sharply shorter than that in group C [(14.5±4.4) min, t=2.266, P<0.05)]. There were no patients with allergy, skin itching, sensory abnormality in these two groups. There were no significant difference of the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting between these two groups. There were 5 patients with respiratory depression in group C and no respiratory depression patient in group S, the difference was statistically significant between these two groups (χ(2)=5.263, P<0.05). Conclusion: Sugammadex is effective for antagonizing the neuromuscular blockade of rocuronium in patients with radical resection of lung cancer under thoracoscope, and can shorten the time of tracheal tube extubation after surgery.

[Analysis of clinical characteristics and risk factors of cytomegalovirus reactivation in immunocompetent patients in respiratory intensive care unit].

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation in immunocompetent patients in respiratory intensive care unit (RICU). Methods: Clinical data of immunocompetent patients whose serum CMV-DNA was monitored during hospitalization in the RICU of Peking University First Hospital from July 2014 to July 2018 were collected and reviewed in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into the CMV reactivation group and non reactivation group. Demographics, clinical features, and outcomes of patients in the two groups were analyzed. The multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent risk factors for CMV reactivation. Results: Of the 81 patients, 11 (13.6%) were in the reactivation group and 70 (86.4%) were in the non reactivation group. Length of RICU stay were longer in the group with CMV reactivation compared to patients without CMV reactivation [54(50, 68) vs 32(17, 43) d, P=0.012]. Baseline demographic and disease characteristics, rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia, duration of mechanical ventilation and mortality were similar in the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that blood transfusion (OR=11.481, 95%CI: 1.154-114.201; P=0.037) and corticosteroids use (OR=13.952, 95%CI: 2.301-84.609; P=0.004) were independent risk factors for CMV reactivation. Conclusions: CMV reactivation is associated with a longer stay in the RICU in immunocompetent patients, blood transfusion and corticosteroids use constitute risk factors.

[Clinical characteristics of human adenovirus type 7 pneumonia and genetic characteristics of human adenovirus type 7].

Objective: To better understand the clinical features of human adenovirus type 7 (hAdV7) pneumonia and to identify whether there is a variation in the genome of the strain (CHN/BeiJing/2018) isolated during the small-scale epidemic. Method: Forty-two patients were diagnosed with hAdV7 pneumonia between October 27th, 2017 and February 28th, 2018. They were all males with an average age of (21±2) years. Demographic and clinical data were reviewed and analyzed in detail. The nucleic acid of the epidemic strain was extracted from a bronchoalveolar lavage fluid sample. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was then performed and sequences were compared with other hAdV7 strains distributed globally. Phylogenetic tree analysis was conducted based on whole genome sequences of the epidemic strain. Results: Thirty-eight cases with hAdV7 pneumonia presented with influenza-like symptoms (90.5%) at the onset and 36 cases developed fever (85.7%), followed by cough (97.6%), expectoration (90.5%) and chest pain (28.6%). Five cases presented with tonsillitis(11.9%) and 4 had transient hemoptysis (9.5%), while 3 patients reported dyspnea (7.1%). Moist rales were only heard in 3 patients (7.1%). Notably elevated creatine kinase (CK) concentrations were observed in 8 patients (19.1%), but all returned to normal after treatment. Four cases developed hypoxemia (9.5%), but none of them progressed to respiratory failure or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Chest CT imaging showed bilateral patchy parenchymal opacities with a random distribution with or without consolidation. Ten patients were co-infected with influenza virus (23.8%), while 32 patients developed atypical pneumonia (76.2%). Genomic analysis revealed that the strain isolated during this epidemic was 99% similar to the known hAdV7 strains (19BOVLB/Volgograd/Rus/2014 and 0901HZ/ShX/CHN/2009). Phylogenetic tree analysis suggested that the strain was closely related to the hAdV7 strain isolated in Jingmen China in 2012. Conclusions: Cases with hAdV7 pneumonia were generally mild. Symptomatic treatment was sufficient for a favorable prognosis. A good genome stability of the hAdV7 strain was observed, indicating that hAdV7 could remain stable for a long period and cause continuing sporadic cases and clusters.

[Effects of thermal cycling on mechanical properties of resin-ceramic composites].

Objective: To investigate the influence of thermal cycling on the mechanical properties of resin-ceramic composites. Methods: The different groups of resin-ceramic composites A (Lava Ultimate, 3M ESPE, USA), B (block HC, Shofu, Japan), C (Hyramic, Upcera, China), D (Vita Enamic, Vita, German), and the feldspar ceramic E (Mark Ⅱ, Vita, German) were included in this study. The properties of these groups (with 30 samples in each group), including flexural strength, flexural modulus and Vickers hardness were tested before and after thermal cycling (0, 10 000 and 20 000 cycles, respectively). The data were statistically analyzed. Results: Before thermal cycling, the flexural strength of groups A, B and C [(166.28±13.78) MPa, (170.21±11.36) MPa and (202.04±16.55) MPa] were higher than those of groups D and E [(137.09±8.83) MPa and (119.35±5.98) MPa], and the flexural modulus [(62.39±3.40) GPa] and Vickers hardness [(406.97±14.73) HV] of E group were higher than those of other groups (P<0.05). The flexural strength, flexural modulus and Vickers hardness of groups D and E did not change after thermal cycling (all P>0.05), while those of groups A, B and C decreased (all P<0.05). Conclusion: After thermal cycling, the mechanical properties of the A, B and C groups decreased, while those of the groups D and E were stable.

[Effect of Benzidine Test on DNA Analysis of Bloodstain].

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effect of benzidine test and related reagents on DNA analysis of bloodstain. METHODS: A total of 970 bloodstain filter paper samples with 1 µL venous blood were collected, and 10 of them acted as control samples. After benzidine test and related reagent processing, DNA of 960 samples was extracted by Chelex-100 and silica bead methods and then multiplex amplified by AmpFℓSTR™ Identifiler™ Plus PCR kits. The results of STR typing were compared between different groups. RESULTS: DNA were extracted immediately after benzidine test. Totally STR loci （3.80±1.34） were detected by silica bead method, while no STR loci were obtained by Chelex-100 method. Thirteen samples （21.7%） with whole STR typing results were obtained by drying after benzidine test, and the STR locus number （12.90±1.49） which obtained by silica bead method was much higher than by Chelex-100 method （4.70±1.96） （P<0.05）. When DNA was extracted immediately after the addition of glacial acetic acid, the STR locus number was （9.40±2.09） by silica bead method, but no STR typing result was obtained by Chelex-100 method. All 15 STR loci could be obtained by only adding glacial acetic acid after drying and only adding tetramethylbenzidine alcoholization liquid or 3% hydrogen peroxide liquid. CONCLUSIONS: Benzidine test has significant influence on DNA analysis of bloodstain. The Chelex-100 method is not suitable for the DNA extraction of bloodstain after benzidine test. Drying after benzidine test and silica bead methods can effectively enhance the STR locus number of bloodstain.

Expression profile of eukaryotic translation initiation factor and matrix metalloproteinase 9 in endometrial cancer tissue.

The aim of the present study was to provide a novel method for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of endometrial cancer by the determination of the characteristic expression of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) and the enzyme matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) in endometrial cancer tissue. Three types of endometrial tissue specimens were selected (including 20 cases of normal endometrial tissue specimens, 15 cases of hyperplastic endometrial tissue specimens and 45 cases of endometrial cancer tissue specimens). The expression of eIF4E and MMP9 in the specimens was examined by immunohistochemistry and their corresponding levels were statistically analyzed. The positive expression rates of eIF4E and MMP9 in endometrial cancer specimens were 64.44% and 66.67% respectively, which were higher than those noted in hyperplastic endometrial tissue specimens and normal endometrial tissue specimens (p less than 0.05). The comparisons between the groups indicated that the expression levels of eIF4E and MMP9 in the endometrial cancer specimens were increased compared with those noted in the normal endometrial tissue specimens (p less than 0.0167). In endometrial cancer specimens, the positive expression rates of eIF4E and MMP9 were related to the endometrial cancer stages as determined by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), tumor cell differentiation degree and lymphatic metastasis (p less than 0.05) classifications. eIF4E expression was positively related to MMP9 expression in endometrial cancer specimens. High expression levels of eIF4E and MMP9 proteins were noted in endometrial cancer specimens, which were correlated with FIGO stages, histological grade and degree of lymphatic metastasis. Thus, endometrial cancer and malignant biological behavior may be connected to the high expression of eIF4E and MMP9. The positive correlation between eIF4E and MMP9 expression in endometrial cancer specimens suggests their potential up-regulation during carcinogenesis.

Expression and clinical significance of ARTN and MMP-9 in endometrial carcinoma.

The aim of this study was to detect the differential expression of Artemin (ARTN) and matrix metallopeptidase protein 9 (MMP-9) in endometrial carcinoma (EC) and to assess their clinical significance in order to provide insight into the pathological mechanism of tumor infiltration and metastasis in EC. A total of 48 patients who had undergone surgery for EC at the School of Medicine and Affiliated Hospital of HeBei University of Engineering between July 2015 and July 2016 were included in the study. The 48 patients were classified into 3 groups according to tumor stage: 27 patients with EC stage I, 12 patients with EC stage II and 9 patients with EC stage III. The samples collected from each patient included fresh normal endometrial tissue, endometrial simple hyperplastic tissue and endometrial atypical hyperplastic tissue. The transcription levels of ARTN and MMP-9 mRNA in each group were investigated using RT-PCR. The expression levels of ARTN and MMP-9 protein in each group were examined using Western blotting. Spearman’s correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the expression levels of ARTN and MMP-9 proteins and EC tissue type. RT-PCR and Western blotting assays revealed that the expression levels of ARTN and MMP-9 were increased in normal endometrial tissue, simple hyperplastic tissue, atypical hyperplastic tissue and EC of stages I, II and III. The differences noted were statistically significant (P less than 0.05). Furthermore, Western blot analysis indicated that the expression levels of ARTN and MMP-9 proteins in lymphatic metastatic tissues were higher than those in non-lymphatic metastatic tissues (P less than 0.05). The expression levels in the infiltration tissues of the deep muscular layer were higher than those noted in the light muscular layer (P less than 0.05). The expression levels of ARTN and MMP-9 proteins were positively correlated (P less than 0.05). The data suggest that ARTN and MMP-9 are involved in the occurrence, development, invasion and metastasis of EC, and play a synergistic role in the development of EC and lymphatic metastasis.

Residue depletion of amoxicillin and its major metabolites in eggs.

The depletion of amoxicillin (AMO) and its major metabolites, amoxicilloic acid (AMA) and amoxicillin-diketopiperazine-2',5'-dione (DIKETO) in the albumen, yolk and whole egg was studied after the oral dose of AMO (25 and 50 mg/kg body weight) to laying hens once per day for five consecutive days. Egg samples were prepared by a simple liquid-liquid extraction procedure with acetonitrile and saturated methylene chloride and analysed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The results showed that AMO, AMA and DIKETO residues were mainly distributed in the yolk, where particularly high concentrations of AMO and DIKETO were found, whereas the albumen contained high concentrations of AMA. This distribution suggested that AMO and DIKETO were depleted slowly in yolk, whereas AMA was depleted slowly in albumen. The amount of AMO residue positively correlated with the dose, and the theoretical withdrawal times, which were calculated based on the residue level falling below a safe limit, were 5.21 and 7.67 days at AMO doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg, respectively. Moreover, the theoretical withdrawal times for all residues in the whole egg were 8.00 and 9.11 days at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg, respectively. Our findings suggested that 9 days was an appropriate withdrawal time for the use of AMO in laying hens.

[Subnational analysis of probability of premature mortality caused by four main non-communicable diseases in China during 1990-2015 and " Health China 2030" reduction target].

Objective: To investigate the current status, temporal trend and achieving Health China 2030 reduction target of probability of premature mortality caused by four main non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, tumour, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease in China both at national and provincial level during 1990 to 2015. Methods: Using the results of Global Burden of Disease study 2015 (GBD 2015), according to the method of calculating premature mortality probability recommended by WHO, the current status and temporal trend by different gender from 1990 to 2015 were calculated, analyzed, and compared. Referring to " Health China 2030" target of reduction 30% of probability of premature mortality caused by major NCDs, we evaluated the difficulty of achieving the reduction target among provinces (not including Taiwan). Results: From 1990 to 2015, the probabilities of premature mortality in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, tumour, and chronic respiratory disease were all declined consistently for both men and women in China, the total of four main NCDs decreased from 30.69% to 18.54% with higher decreasing in women (from 25.97% to 12.40%) than that in men (from 34.94% to 24.19%). In 2015, the top five provinces in terms of probability of premature mortality caused by four main NCDs were Qinghai (28.81%), Tibet (25.88%), Guizhou (24.67%), Guangxi (23.56%), and Xinjiang (23.21%) in turn, while the top five provinces with the lowest probability were Shanghai (8.40%), Beijing (9.39%), Hong Kong (10.10%), Macao (10.31%), and Zhejiang (11.70%). If achieving the " Health China 2030" target, the probabilities of premature mortality in Qinghai and Tibet with the highest probability should decline to about 20.17%, and 18.12%, respectively in 2030, while 5.88%, and 6.57% in Shanghai and Beijing, respectively. From 1990 to 2015, the probability of premature mortality of four main NCDs declined by 2.00% a year on average, the top five provinces with the fastest decline were Beijing (3.48%), Shanghai (3.24%), Zhejiang (2.81%), Fujian (2.75%), and Guangdong (2.67%), and 11 provinces including these five provinces could achieve the " Health China 2030" target by the usual rate of decline, while other 22 provinces could not achieve the target, they need greater rate of decline in order to achieve the target. Conclusion: From 1990 to 2015, the probabilities of premature mortality of four main NCDs were declined consistently in China both at national and provincial level, compared with women, the men had higher probabilities and declined slower, there were significant different in probabilities of premature mortality and their change speed among provinces. Based on the results from 1990 to 2015, there were about two thirds of the provinces, which the task of achieving the Health China 2030 target will be daunting.

[Estimation of the impact of risk factors control on non-communicable diseases mortality, life expectancy and the labor force lost in China in 2030].

Objective: To estimate the impact of risk factors control on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) mortality, life expectancy and the numbers of labor force lost in China in 2030. Methods: We used the results of China from Global Burden of Disease Study 2013, according to the correlation between death of NCDs and exposure of risk factors and the comparative risk assessment theory, to calculate population attributable fraction (PAF) and disaggregate deaths of NCDs into parts attributable and un-attributable. We used proportional change model to project risk factors exposure and un-attributable deaths of NCDs in 2030, then to get deaths of NCDs in 2030. Simulated scenarios according to the goals of global main NCDs risk factors control proposed by WHO were constructed to calculate the impact of risk factors control on NCDs death, life expectancy and the numbers of labor force lost. Results: If the risk factors exposure changed according to the trend of 1990 to 2013, compared to the numbers (8.499 million) and mortality rate (613.5/100 000) of NCDs in 2013, the death number (12.161 million) and mortality rate (859.2/100 000) would increase by 43.1% and 40.0% respectively in 2030, among which, ischemic stroke (increasing by 103.3% for death number and 98.8% for mortality rate) and ischemic heart disease (increasing by 85.0% for death number and 81.0% for mortality rate) would increase most quickly. If the risk factors get the goals in 2030, the NCDs deaths would reduce 2 631 thousands. If only one risk factor gets the goal, blood pressure (1 484 thousands NCDs deaths reduction), smoking (717 thousands reduction) and BMI (274 thousands reduction) would be the most important factors affecting NCDs death. Blood pressure control would have greater impact on ischemic heart disease (662 thousands reduction) and hemorrhagic stroke (449 thousands reduction). Smoking control would have the greatest effect on lung cancer (251 thousands reduction) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (201 thousands reduction). BMI control would have the greatest impact on ischemic heart disease (86 thousands reduction) and hypertensive heart disease (45 thousands reduction). If the risk factors exposure changed according to the trend of 1990 to 2013, in 2030, the life expectancy of Chinese population would reach to 79.0 years old, compared to 2013, increasing by 3.3 years old, the labor force at the age of 15-64 years old would loss 1.932 million. If the risk factors get the goals in 2030, life expectancy would increase to 81.7 years old and the number of labor force lost would decrease to 1.467 million. Blood pressure, smoking and BMI control would have much greater impact on life expectancy (4.9, 4.0 and 3.8 years old respectively) and labor force lost (630 thousands, 496 thousands and 440 thousands respectively). Conclusion: Risk factors control would play an important role in reducing NCD death, improving life expectancy of residents and reducing loss of labor force. Among them, the control of blood pressure raising, smoking and BMI raising would have a greater contribution to the improvement of population health status.