Development and internal validation of a clinical prediction model for spontaneous abortion risk in early pregnancy

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to develop and internally validate a prediction model for estimating the risk of spontaneous abortion in early pregnancy. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 9,895 pregnant women who received prenatal care at a maternal health facility in China from January 2021 to December 2022. Data on demographics, medical history, lifestyle factors, and mental health were collected. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to develop the prediction model with spontaneous abortion as the outcome. The model was internally validated using bootstrapping techniques, and its discrimination and calibration were assessed. Results: The spontaneous abortion rate was 5.95% (589/9,895) 1. The final prediction model included nine variables: maternal age, history of embryonic arrest, thyroid dysfunction, polycystic ovary syndrome, assisted reproduction, exposure to pollution, recent home renovation, depression score, and stress score 1. The model showed good discrimination with a C-statistic of 0.88 (95% CI 0.87‒0.90) 1, and its calibration was adequate based on the Hosmer-Lemeshow test (p = 0.27). Conclusions: The prediction model demonstrated good performance in estimating spontaneous abortion risk in early pregnancy based on demographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors. Further external validation is recommended before clinical application.

Diagnosis and treatment strategies for patients with refractory recurrent aphthous ulcer and systemic diseases / 口腔疾病防治

@#Recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU) is one of the most common diseases of the oral mucosa. At present, no effective method is available for RAU treatment, especially for refractory RAU, which significantly affects patients’ oral health and quality of life. Research shows that combination with systemic diseases greatly increases the difficulty of curing refractory RAU, making conventional oral ulcer treatment harder to perform effectively. This is probably because dentists commonly only focus on handling oral ulcers but neglect to think about the etiology of oral ulcers from a holistic perspective. Thus, we summarized some conditions of refractory RAU accompanied by systemic diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, iron deficiency anemia, diabetes mellitus, Behçet’s disease, Reiter’s syndrome, sprue syndrome, Sutton syndrome, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. We also outlined the treatment principles of these patients. To be specific, on the one hand, dentists should cooperate with the relevant specialists to treat the systemic diseases, while on the other hand they should take measures including topical/general use of medicine, local physical therapy, Traditional Chinese medicine treatment, and psychotherapy for RAU management. This paper aims to provide clinicians with a more comprehensive understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of refractory RAU, in order to make personalized treatment plans for patients and improve the clinical efficacy of refractory RAU.

Influencing factors of negative conversion time of nucleic acid detection in 228 patients infected with Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 in Shanghai / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective To analyze and compare the effects of different clinical characteristics on the negative conversion time of nucleic acid detection after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant infection, and to provide a scientific basis for the isolation and treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods　The epidemiological and clinical data of 228 mild SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infected patients diagnosed in Shanghai were retrospectively collected from April 27, 2022 to June 8, 2022 in Wujiaochang designated Hospital, Yangpu District, Shanghai. The negative conversion time of nucleic acid detection was used as the outcome variable, and the patients were divided into A (≤18 days) and B (>18 days). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the influencing factors of the negative conversion time of nucleic acid detection. Results　The mean nucleic acid conversion time of 228 patients was (18.7±12.1) d, with the median time of 18 (2-46) d. Among them, 120 patients in group A had an average nucleic acid conversion time of (13.2±2.0) d, and 108 cases in group B had an average nucleic acid conversion time of (20.8±1.3) d. Univariate analysis showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the effects of hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes, hypokalemia, malignant tumors, neuropsychiatric diseases, chronic digestive diseases on the negative nucleic acid conversion time (P>0.05); however, there were significant differences in the effects of combined cerebrovascular disease, leukopenia, chronic respiratory system diseases and vaccination on the negative nucleic acid conversion time (P<0.05). Further multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the combination of chronic respiratory diseases and non-vaccination were significant risk factors for prolongation of negative nucleic acid conversion time (P<0.05). Conclusions The results of this study show that gender, age and whether hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypokalemia, malignant tumor, neuropsychiatric disease and chronic digestive disease have no significant effect on the nucleic acid conversion time, whereas chronic respiratory disease and no vaccination are significantly correlated with the prolongation of nucleic acid conversion time in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-infected patients.

Adjacent proximal proper digital artery transposition for extrinsic perfusion pressure in treatment of avulsion and rupture of digit / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective:To explore indications for replantation of proximal proper digital artery and establishing extrinsic arterial perfusion pressure in the treatment of special type of severed digits with avulsion over 12.0 hours of warm ischemia, and to analyse the factors that affected the survival rate of the replanted digits.Methods:From September 2014 to January 2022, 8 patients with severed digits and prolonged warm ischemia were treated by transposition of adjacent digital artery together with the technique of extrinsic arterial perfusion pressure in the Department of Wrist and Hand Surgery, the Orthopaedic Hospital in Sichuan Province. During the operation, the defected proximal proper digital artery was reconstructed and repaired with vein graft, one side of the digital artery was repaired with an inverted "Y" vein graft, and one side of "Y" vein was bridged and anastomosed to repair the original digital artery. On the other side, the adjacent proximal proper digital arteries were transpositioned and anastomosed to gain an extrinsic arterial perfusion pressure, which increased the distal haemodynamic and reconstituted the blood supply. Of the 8 patients (9 severed digits) : 1 had severed index and middle fingers, 2 had severed index fingers, 4 had severed thumbs and 1 had severed little finger. All the patients were males, aged 16-63 years old, at 37.6 years old in average. Warm ischemia time of the severed digits were 12.3-20.6 hours, with 17.4 hours in average. The survival rate of replanted digits was observed after surgery. Postoperative follow-ups were conducted through telephone or WeChat reviews.Results:Follow-up time was 6-26 months, at 8.3 months in average. Retrospective analysis was performed. Vascular compromises occurred in 3 patients 4 digits (arterial insufficiency in 1 digit, venous congestion in 3 digits), skin necrosis occurred in 1 patient (1 digit) and digit necrosis in 1 patient (1 digit). Overall, 8 of the 9 replanted digits survived. According to the Replantation Function Evaluation Standard of Hand Surgery Association of Chinese Medical Association, the digit function after replantation was evaluated at excellent in 6 digits, good in 1 digit and poor in 1 digit.Conclusion:For a severed digit with an ischemia time over 12.0 hours, the survival rate can be improved by transposition of an adjacent digital artery to provided extrinsic arterial perfusion pressure.

Neural network analysis of the correlation between malnutrition-induced stomatitis and vitamin B12 and folic acid / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@# A model was built by neural network analysis to study the relationship between different degrees of vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency and malnutrition-induced stomatitis.@*Methods@# Data from 30 healthy volunteers and 30 patients with malnutrition-induced stomatitis were collected. The distribution of lesions, the number of affected sites and clinical manifestations were recorded, and the severity was scored. The levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid in the peripheral blood of the two groups were simultaneously measured. The SPSS software was used to analyze the correlation between vitamin B12 and folic acid levels in the peripheral blood of patients with malnutrition-induced stomatitis and healthy volunteers, and the MATLAB software package was used to analyze the data via a neural network.@*Results@#The levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid significantly correlated with the grade of malnutrition-induced stomatitis. Simultaneous B12 and folic acid deficiency linearly correlated with the occurrence and severity of malnutrition-induced stomatitis. Based on this correlation, a thermogram model of malnutrition-induced stomatitis was constructed.@*Conclusion@# Malnutrition-induced stomatitis is closely related to vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency. Their synergistic effect may promote the occurrence and development of malnutrition-induced stomatitis. The construction of the malnutrition-induced stomatitis model aids the targeted etiological treatment of patients with moderate and severe deficiency to prevent malnutrition-induced stomatitis.

The correlation between the classification of atrophic glossitis and changes of vitamin B12, folic acid and blood cell parameters / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@# To investigate the classification of atrophic glossitis and to study the correlation between the classification and changes of VitB12, folic acid (FOL) and blood cell parameters@*Methods@#A total of 70 patients with atrophic glossitis (AG) were divided into complex type and simple type according to whether they had ulcer or erosion on the tongue mucosa or not. Another 65 healthy subjects during the same period were collected as the control group. The levels of vitamin B12, FOL and blood cell parameters were statistically analyzed using SPSS 25.0 software package.@*Results@#The levels of vitamin B12, red blood cell count (RBC) (3.52 ± 0.69) × 1012·L-1, hemoglobin (HGB)(11.97 ± 1.70) g·dL-1, white blood cell count (WBC) (4.85 ± 1.16) × 109·L-1, neutrophil count (NEUT) (2.76 ± 0.99) × 109·L-1, lymphocyte count (LYMPH) (1.48 ± 0.44) × 109·L-1 in complex type AG group were lower than those in simple type AG group (P<0.05). The levels of mean red blood cell volume (MCV) (104.90 ± 11.13) fL, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) (34.83 ± 4.56) pg, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (331.09 ± 13.60) g·L-1 were higher than those in the simple type AG group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in FOL content between these two groups (P>0.05). The levels of VitB12, MCV, MCH, MCHC, WBC, lymph and neut were correlated with the classification of atrophic glossitis (P < 0.05). @*Conclusion@#VitB12 deficiency was more apparent in complex AG, especially in large cell anemia, which correlated with the levels of WBC, NEUT, and LYMPH.

Effect of Yangqing Chenfei Formula on epithelial-mesenchymal transition in silicon dioxide-induced silicosis rats / 中国职业医学

@# Objective Yangqing Chenfei Formula - To investigate the effect of (YCF) on epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) Methods in lung tissues of silicosis model rats. Specific pathogen free adult male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, tetrandrine group and YCF group, with eight rats in each group. The rats in the model group, tetrandrine group and YCF group were intratracheally injected with 1.00 mL of silica suspension with a mass concentration of 50.0 g/L, and the rats in the control group were given an equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution. On the 15th day after modeling, the tetrandrine group was given tetrandrine at a dose of 27.0 mg/kg body weight, the YCF group was given YCF with a dose of 8.91 g/kg body weight, while both the control group and model group were given 2.00 mL 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Gavage wasperformed twice a day in the morning and evening for 14 days. On day 29 of the experiment, after evaluating the tidal volume, - functional residual volume (FRC) and vital capacity of rats in each group, lung tissues were collected, and hematoxylin eosin staining and Masson staining were performed to examine the histopathological changes, and the fibrosis score was evaluated. - - Hydroxyproline level was detected by colorimetry. The expression of type Ⅰ collagen (COL Ⅰ), type Ⅲ collagen (COL Ⅲ), - - - - - - E cadherin (E Cad), N cadherin (N Cad) and α smooth muscle actin (α SMA) protein was detected by immunohistochemistry. - The expression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) and fibroblast specific protein 1 (FSP 1) was detected by Results immunofluorescence. The lung structure was intact and the alveolar structure was normal in the control group. The alveolar structure was destroyed, the alveolar wall was thickened, and cellular nodules were observed/n the model group. The lung tissue lesions of rats in the tetrandrine group and YCF group were reduced compared with that in the model group, and there was no difference in the degree of lesions between the two groups. The tidal volume, FRC and vital capacity of rats in model P< - P< group decreased (all 0.05), the relative expression of E Cad protein in lung tissue decreased ( 0.05), the fibrosis score and - - - - the level of hydroxyproline, the protein relative expression of COL Ⅰ, COL Ⅲ, N Cad and α SMA in lung tissue increased (all P< - 0.05), while the fluorescence intensity of EpCAM protein decreased, and that of FSP 1 protein increased compared with the P< control group. The tidal volume, FRC and vital capacity of rats in tetrandrine and YCF groups increased (all 0.05), the fibrosis - - - score and the level of hydroxyproline, the protein relative expression of COL Ⅰ, N Cad and α SMA in lung tissue decreased (all P< - P< 0.05), the relative expression of E Cad protein in lung tissues increased ( 0.05), while the EpCAM protein fluorescence - intensity increased and FSP 1 protein fluorescence intensity decreased compared with the model group. The relative expression - P< Conclusion of N Cad protein in lung tissues of YCF group was lower than that of the tetrandrine group ( 0.05). YCF can - improve the lung function, alleviate collagen deposition in lung tissues, and inhibit the epithelial mesenchymal transition in silicosis model rats, and then attenuates the progression of silicotic fibrosis.

Clinical analysis of 19 cases of oral mucosal malignant melanoma / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@#To investigate the clinicopathological features, treatment and prognosis of oralmucosal malignant melanoma to provide a reference for clinical practice.@*Methods@#Data from 19 patients with oralmucosal malignant melanoma were collected, and their clinical manifestations, treatment methods and follow-up results were retrospectively analyzed. @*Results@#Among the 19 patients, 11 cases (58%) had lesions in the gingiva, 7 cases (37%) had lesions in the palate, and 1 case (5%) had lesions in the tongue, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Eight patients had regional lymph node metastasis with a metastasis rate of 42%, of which 4 cases had multiple site metastasis, and the total number of regional lymph node metastasis sites was 15. Among the 19 patients, 3 cases received only surgery, 4 cases received cryotherapy, and 12 cases received combined surgery, cryotherapy and biological immunotherapy. Pathological examination showed malignant melanoma. The positive rates of S-100, HMB-45 and Melan-A were 95%, 89% and 84%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with lesions less than 5 cm2 had a higher survival rate (P < 0.05).@*Conclusions@# Oral malignant melanomas usually present as black lesions in the oral mucosa, which are prone to metastasis in early stage. The area of lesions may affect the prognosis of the disease. Therefore, the large range of black lesions or masses should be the alert for the clinicians. Oral malignant melanoma patients are usually treated with combined treatment with surgery, cryotherapy and biological immunotherapy.

Analysis of pathogenic factors and clinical manifestations of 55 subjects with contact stomatitis / 口腔疾病防治

Objective @#To investigate the pathogenic factors and clinical manifestations of contact stomatitis, and to provide references for its clinical diagnosis and prevention. @*Methods@#The data of 55 subjects with contact stomatitis were analyzed retrospectively, including age, gender, pathogenic factors, type of lesions and site of occurrence.@*Results@#Among the 55 patients, contact stomatitis occurred at all ages, 19 were male, 36 were female, and the ratio of males to females was 1∶1.89. Among 55 patients, 78.18% (43/55) were caused by oral mucosal contact with dental materials: amalgam fillings accounted for 52.73% (29/55), metal crowns accounted for 9.09% (5/55), removable denture plastic bases accounted for 9.09% (5/55), resin fillings accounted for 5.45% (3/55), and alginate impression materials accounted for 1.82% (1/55); 21.82% (12/55) were caused by oral mucosal contact with food and daily necessities. The clinical manifestations of contact stomatitis include lichenoid reaction, erythema and erosion. The most common site of contact stomatitis was the cheek, followed by the tongue, and the lips, and the gingival and palatal areas were relatively rare. In the buccal mucosa, the incidence of lichenoid reaction was 55% (22/40), which was higher than that of erosion (20%) and erythema (25%), and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). For tongue, lip, gingiva and palate, there was no significant difference in the incidence of the three lesion types（P > 0.05）.@*Conclusion@#Contact stomatitis occurred at all ages, and there are more female patients than males with contact stomatitis. Dental materials, especially metal and acrylic materials (such as the plastic base of removable dentures, resin fillings, adhesives, and self-setting plastics), are the main pathogenic factors. In buccal mucosa, the incidence of lichenoid reaction is higher.

Investigation and analysis on the living habits of young and middle-aged patients with recurrent aphthous ulcer in Nanjing / 口腔疾病防治

Objective @#To explore the potential association between particular living habits and recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU), and provide some references for RAU prevention among the young and middle⁃aged. @*Methods@#The mul⁃ tistage random sampling method was adopted to select 850 young and middle⁃aged people in Nanjing. The disease sta⁃ tus and living habits of young and middle⁃aged people with RAU in Nanjing were investigated by a questionnaire, and the influencing factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.@*Results@# The preva⁃ lence of RAU was 20.5% among 799 individuals, including 357 men and 442 women. The risk of RAU at medium and low stress levels was 0.533 times and 0.419 times that at high stress levels, respectively (P < 0.05), indicating that high stress was an independent risk factor for RAU. The risk of RAU in patients with low exercise levels was 1.513 times that in patients with high exercise levels (P < 0.05), indicating that high exercise levels were a protective factor for RAU. There were no statistically significant differences in age, sex, smoking, drinking or bedtime (P > 0.05). @*Conclu⁃ sion@#Multivariate logistic regression showed that mental stress and physical activity were independent influencing fac⁃ tors for the development of RAU. The living habits of RAU patients and RAU susceptible populations should be treated with corresponding interventions to prevent RAU.

Study on the correlation between common diseases of oral mucosa and psychological factors / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@#To explore the relationship between psychological factors and recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU), oral lichen planus (OLP), and burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment of the disease.@*Methods@#From July to October 2018, 50 patients with common RAU, refractory RAU, OLP and BMS were selected as the observation group, and 50 healthy participants without major systemic diseases and oral mucosal diseases matched for age and sex served as the control group. The psychological status of the subjects in each group was investigated by questionnaires, including the generalized anxiety disorder 7-item scale(GAD-7) and the patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).@*Results@#Compared with the control group, the PHQ-9 scores in the refractory RAU, common RAU, OLP and BMS groups were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05), and the GAD-7 scores in the refractory RAU, OLP and BMS groups were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). In the RAU group, the GAD-7 score of intractable RAU was higher than that of common RAU (P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in the PHQ-9 score (P > 0.05).@*Conclusion @#RAU, OLP and BMS are common psychosomatic diseases presented by patients in the Department of Oral Mucosal Diseases. Their occurrence and development are related to the psychological status of patients. A tendency toward anxiety is significantly more common among refractory RAU patients than common RAU patients.

Oral verrucous xanthoma in adolescents: a case report and literature review / 口腔疾病防治

Objective @# To explore the etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of verruciform xanthoma (VX) in adolescents to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.@*Methods @#The clinical data of a case of a palatal mass in a juvenile were analyzed, and the related literature was reviewed.@*Results@#The palatal mass was proven to be VX by histopathological examination. Surgical resection was performed, and the prognosis was good. A review of the literature shows that VX is a rare benign mucosal skin lesion of an unknown etiology, with an incidence of approximately 0.025%-0.094%; VX is mostly found in middle-aged people, with no significant difference by sex. The clinical manifestations are similar to those of a variety of diseases, such as squamous papilloma, verruca vulgaris, fibroma, warty carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which are not easy to distinguish and require histopathological diagnosis. The treatment of choice is surgical excision, with a low recurrence rate.@*Conclusion@#In the clinical experience of solitary mucosal masses in juveniles, it is necessary to send biopsy for pathological examination and avoid overtreatment.

Characterization and bioactivities of a novel polysaccharide obtained from Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis

ABSTRACT Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis is a type of red alga that contains seaweed polysaccharide agar. In this study, a novel non-agar seaweed polysaccharide fraction named GCP (short of crude polysaccharide obtained from Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis) was isolated from Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis. Structural analysis showed that GCP shows triple helical chain conformation when dissolved in water and has many branches and long side chains. Also, 1→3 linkage is the major linkage and the sugar structures are galactopyranose configurations linked by β-type glycosidic linkages. Two macromolecular substance fractions (GCP-1 and GCP-2) were purified by DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow column chromatography. Moreover, a splenocyte damage assay and splenocyte proliferation assay were used to analyse the bioactivities of GCP, GCP-1 and GCP-2. It was demonstrated that polysaccharides could protect splenocyte damaged by H2O2; GCP-2 shows a greatest protection rate, that is, 92.8%, which significantly enhanced the splenocyte proliferation, and GCP showed the highest proliferation rate, 9.30%. The results suggested that this type of novel non-agar polysaccharide displayed remarkable antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities and early alkali treatment could decrease the activities. It may represent a potential material for health food and clinical medicines.

Application of enriched bone marrow compound with fibrin glue in repairing old radial bone defect in rabbits / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the feasibility of using enriched bone marrow (BM) compound with fibrin glue (FG) in repairing old radial bone defect.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 36 New Zealand rabbits were equally randomized into three groups: simple FG group, BM+FG group, and enriched BM+FG group. A 1.5-cm segmental bone defect was made at the left radial in each animal. After one month, the defect was implanted with the engineered bone. Before implantation, a compound of enriched BM with FG underwent electron microscopy, long-term culture, and bacteriological culture. Four, 8, and 12 weeks after operations, the osteogenetic effect was evaluated using X-ray observation, HE staining, or Van Gieson staining, and a semi-quantitative analysis was performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Electron microscopy showed enriched BM were compatible well with FG. No bacterial contamination or oncogenicity was observed after long-term culture. X-ray showed the repair effectiveness was significantly higher in BM+FG group and enriched BM+FG group than in simple FG group. Eight and 12 weeks after surgery, the Yang scores were significantly higher in enriched BM+FG group than in BM+FG group [(9.348±0.364évs.(7.984±0.229éìF=40.167ìP=0.001; (12.664±0.388)vs. (10.584±0.836é, F=20.3647ìP=0.004]. In addition, the Yang's scores at bone defects in BM+FG group and enriched BM+FG group were higher at the 12(th) week than in the 8(th) week. (F=36.004ìP=0.001; F=155.141ìP=0.000; respectively)The bone defects were repaired at varied degrees were histologically observed in BM+FG group and enriched BM+FG group during the observations.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Implantation of BM+FG or enriched BM+FG are effective in repairing old radial bone defects, while simple FG shows not such effect.</p>

Lentivirus packaging, concentration and infection of CD34~+ cells from umbilical blood / 军事医学科学院院刊

Objective:To methodologically establish the lentivirus granule packaging, concentration and infection against CD34~+ cells from umbilical blood. Methods:The lentivirus system of the 3~(rd) generation was used to produce the virus. Ultrafiltration and ultracentrifugation were employed to concentrate virus. Several treatments were used to improve virus infection including in vitro amplification culture, facilitation of rest cells into cell cycle, promotion of cell adhesion and immobilization during infection, and repeat infection methods. Results:CD34~+ cells were not obviously changed by checking the expression level of CD34 marker on the cell surface after 48 h culture. After two-step concentration, virus titer was increased up to 5.06×10~7/ml, and the infection rate against CD34~+ cells from umbilical blood was increased up to 37.7%.Conclusion:Lentivirus supernatant with over 10~7/ml titer can be obtained using the above methods. Efficient infection against CD34~+ cells from umbilical blood can be achieved.

Feasibility of packaging screening for cervical cancer, breast cancer, and reproductive tract infection in a rural area in China / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the prevalence of cervical cancer, breast cancer, and reproductive tract infection (RTI) among women living in a county of China, identify these women's recognition about these three diseases and their attitude toward the screening, and evaluate the feasibility of the packaging screening program in rural areas in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this cross-sectional study, women aged 30-59 living in Xiangyuan County, Shanxi Province, were surveyed by questionnaires and screened with visual inspection of cervix, breast clinic examination, and combined clinical examination and laboratory tests for RTI.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally 630 women underwent interviews and packaging screening. The prevalences of cervical precancerous lesion, breast benign disease, and RTI were 0.2%, 14.0%, and 53.2%, respectively. No cancer case was found. The percentages of women knowing cervical cancer, breast cancer, and RTI as common diseases in women were 70.5%, 63.5%, and 52.9% after health education. Up to 92.5% of women preferred packaging screening to screening for single disease; however, they were not willing to pay the screening at current high cost.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The prevalences of breast benign disease and RTI are relatively high among women in rural areas in China. The women's recognition about these three diseases is moderately good. The packaging screening program is well accepted and feasible in rural areas.</p>

Surgical management of traumatic intracranial pseudoaneurysms: A report of 12 cases.

Aims: To investigate the characteristics and surgical treatment of traumatic intracranial pseudoaneurysms. Materials and Methods: Twelve patients with traumatic intracranial pseudoaneurysms were operated on in our hospital between 2000 and 2006. Their clinical characteristics, radiological features and surgical techniques were analyzed retrospectively. Four traumatic cavernous segment pseudoaneurysms underwent trapping of the internal carotid artery and others underwent "neck reinforcement and clipping" or "crevasse clipping". Results: Nine patients were excellent or good and two patients were poor when they discharged. One patient died of postoperative cerebral infarction. Nine patients underwent follow-up (three months to seven years) and rebleeding was not seen in them. Conclusions: The surgical treatment of traumatic intracranial pseudoaneurysms is risky and difficult and individualized surgical option is necessary. Understanding the compensation of intracranial blood circulation, preoperative "Matas test" if it is necessary, perioperative hemodynamics testing and the application of revascularization techniques, will help reduce surgical risk and achieve a good surgical outcome.

Assignment of human sprouty 4 gene to chromosome segment 5q32 approximately 33 and analysis of its pattern of expression.

The human sprouty 4 (SPRY4) gene was localized to chromosome band 5q32 approximately 33 by screening the Stanford radiation hybrid G3 panel using a SPRY4-specific primer pair for PCR. Northern blot analysis revealed two different mRNAs (5 kb and 2 kb) in liver, skeletal muscle, heart, lung, kidney, spleen, placenta and small intestine. Reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis showed that SPRY4 was expressed in all tested tissues to different levels.

Mitogenic effects of growth and differentiation factors on rat liver stem cell WB-F344 in vitro / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between the proliferation, differentiation of rat hepatic stem like cell line WB-F344 and cytokines in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>(3)H thymidine labelling of new synthesized DNA was used to examine the mitogenic responsiveness of WB-F344 cells to cytokines, western blot was used to study the expression of cytokines receptors on hepatic stem cells, and apoptotic cells were detected by Flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>WB-F344 cells showed a proliferative response to the cytokines of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), Insulin at the dose of 80 ng/ml, and the relative cpm values are 982.95, 906.32, 863.98 and 968.67 respectively, while non response to interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) at the same dose, and an inhibition or apoptosis response to transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) at 80 ng/ml with a 26.89% apoptotic rate. Western blot showed that there were HGF, EGF, FGF, TGF-beta receptors expressed on WB-F344 cells. When WB-F344 cells were cultured in the differential system (DMEM, 10% Fcs, HGF 10 to approximately 50 ng/ml, EGF 20 ng/ml, Insulin 1 microg/ml, Dex 1 micromol/L), the cells could differentiated into hepatocytes. In addition, HGF could scattered WB-F344 cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The proliferation and differentiation of liver stem cells are regulated by various cytokines which may play an important role when liver is damaged seriously.</p>