High Expression of KIFC1 in Glioma Correlates with Poor Prognosis

Objective@#: Kinesin family member C1 (KIFC1), a non-essential kinesin-like motor protein, has been found to serve a crucial role in supernumerary centrosome clustering and the progression of several human cancer types. However, the role of KIFC1 in glioma has been rarely reported. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the role of KIFC1 in glioma progression. @*Methods@#: Online bioinformatics analysis was performed to determine the association between KIFC1 expression and clinical outcomes in glioma. Immunohistochemical staining was conducted to analyze the expression levels of KIFC1 in glioma and normal brain tissues. Furthermore, KIFC1 expression was knocked in the glioma cell lines, U251 and U87MG, and the functional roles of KIFC1 in cell proliferation, invasion and migration were analyzed using cell multiplication, wound healing and Transwell invasion assays, respectively. The autophagic flux and expression levels matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) were also determined using imaging flow cytometry, western blotting and a gelation zymography assay. @*Results@#: The results revealed that KIFC1 expression levels were significantly upregulated in glioma tissues compared with normal brain tissues, and the expression levels were positively associated with tumor grade. Patients with glioma with low KIFC1 expression levels had a more favorable prognosis compared with patients with high KIFC1 expression levels. In vitro, KIFC1 knockdown not only inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of glioma cells, but also increased the autophagic flux and downregulated the expression levels of MMP2. @*Conclusion@#: Upregulation of KIFC1 expression may promote glioma progression and KIFC1 may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker and possible therapeutic target for glioma.

Drug resistance and genetic diversity of clinical strains of Helicobacter pylori in the Qiannan Prefecture and Guiyang City,and their relationships with diseases / 中国人兽共患病学报

To understand Helicobacter pylori's drug resistance,genetic diversity,and relationship with clinical diseases in the Guiyang and Qiannan minority areas of Guizhou Province,we collected samples through endoscopy,and isolated and cul-tured H.pylori.The drug resistance and genotype characteristics were determined.The differences in different regions and dis-ease types were compared,and the structural characteristics of H.pylori and mixed infections with different strains of H.py-lori in Qiannan Prefecture were analyzed.A difference in the composition ratio of EPYIA typing in the cagA variable region was observed between the two areas(P=0.012),and the composition ratio of the vacA genotype differed(P=0.000).A total of 94.6％(53/56)new sequences of H.pylori strains from two regions were obtained by MLST.The rate of infection by H.pylori mixed with different strains was 44.4％in Qiannan Pre-fecture,and no significant difference was observed in the com-position of H.pylori mixed infections among patients with dif-ferent clinical diseases(P=0.349).Differences in EPI YA typ-ing and the vacA genotype composition ratio in the cagA varia-ble region of H.pylori were observed between the Qiannan Prefecture and Guiyang City.

Research progress in the metabolism of branched-chain amino acids and obesity related insulin resistance / 中国糖尿病杂志

Obese patients may have abnormal metabolism of branched-chain amino acids(BCAA).Elevated levels of BCAA can lead to insulin resistance(IR)through various mechanisms,which may make it a sensitive indicator for predicting the occurrence of diabetes mellitus.This article reviews the research progress on the correlation between BCAA metabolism,obesity and IR.

Influence of Pre-treatment Lymphocyte/Monocyte Ratio and Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio on the Prognosis of Patients with Extranodal NK/T-Cell Lymphoma / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the influence of lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on the prognosis of patients with extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL).@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 203 patients with ENKTL admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2011 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The ROC curve determined the limit values of LMR and NLR; Categorical variables were compared using a chi-square test, expressed as frequency and percentage (n,%). Continuous variables were expressed as medians and extremes and compared with the Mann-Whitney U test; Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of different grouped LMR and NLR patients were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and compared with log-rank tests. The COX proportional risk regression model was used to perform one-factor and multi-factor analysis of PFS and OS.@*RESULTS@#The optimal critical values of LMR and NLR were determined by the ROC curve, which were 2.60 and 3.40, respectively. LMR≤2.60 was more likely to occur in patients with bone marrow invasion (P=0.029) and higher LDH (P=0.036), while NLR≥3.40 was more likely to occur in patients with higher ECOG scores (P=0.002), higher LDH (P=0.008), higher blood glucose (P=0.024), and lower PLT (P=0.010). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that PFS and OS of patients in the high LMR group were significantly better than the low LMR group, while PFS and OS in the low NLR group were significantly better than the high NLR group. The results of multivariate COX analysis showed that EBV-DNA positive (P=0.047), LMR≤2.60 (P=0.014), NLR≥3.40 (P=0.023) were independent risk factors affecting PFS in patients with ENKTL. LMR≤2.60 (P<0.001), NLR≥3.40 (P=0.048), and high β2-MG (P=0.013) were independent risk factors affecting OS in patients with ENKTL.@*CONCLUSION@#Low LMR and high NLR before treatment are associated with poor prognosis in patients with ENKTL, which also can be used as an easily testable, inexpensive, and practical prognostic indicator in the clinic.

Application of a sleep electroencephalogram in the diagnosis of epilepsy in children / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the significance of sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of childhood epilepsy.Methods:The clinical data of 56 children with epilepsy diagnosed in The Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Huainan from February 2020 to February 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The relationship between the positive rate of epileptiform discharge under sleep EEG monitoring and its location and sleep phase was analyzed.Results:Of the 56 children, 36 (64%) children had normal results of routine awake EEG monitoring, and 20 (36%) children had abnormal results. Among the 56 children, 9 (16%) children had normal sleep and 47 (84%) had abnormal sleep. The difference in EEG monitoring results between the awake and asleep states was statistically significant ( χ2 = 27.08, P < 0.001). Among abnormal EEG in 47 patients, paroxysmal abnormality (epileptiform discharge) was found in 44 patients and non-specific abnormality was found in 3 patients. Among the 44 children with epileptic discharges, 5 (11%) had epileptic discharges during wakefulness, 11 (25%) children had epileptic discharges during a sleepless period, and 28 (64%) had epileptic discharges during a slight sleep period. EEG epileptiform discharges occurred in the central temporal region in 9 (21%) patients, temporal region in 8 (18%) patients, parieto-occipital region in 1 (2%) patient, frontal region in 5 (11%) patients, and the frontotemporal region in 6 (14%) patients. Generalized discharges were found in 14 (32%) patients, and generalized hypsarrhythmia was found in 1 (2%) patient. Conclusion:Children with clinically highly suspected epilepsy should be reexamined by sleep EEG if the routine awake EEG, monitoring results are normal, to reduce the rates of misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis in children with epilepsy.

Prevalence and influencing factors of abnormal spinal curvature in primary and secondary school students in Shandong Province in 2020 / 中华预防医学杂志

In 2020, the prevalence of abnormal spinal curvature among 54 079 students in Shandong Province was 1.54%. The multivariate logistic regression model analysis showed that, compared with those in primary school, economically underdeveloped areas, and non-residential schools, students in middle and high schools, economically average areas, and residential schools had a higher risk of abnormal spinal curvature, with OR (95%CI) values of 2.029 (1.662-2.476), 2.746 (2.208-3.416), 2.237 (1.740-2.875) and 2.057 (1.705-2.483), respectively. Compared with those in economically underdeveloped areas, who were underweight, who had seat adjustments≤1 time per academic year, and who had physical education classes≤1 per week, students in economically developed areas, who were normal weight, overweight, and obese, who had seat adjustments≥2 times per academic year, and who had physical education classes 2-3 or≥4 per week, had a lower risk of abnormal spinal curvature, with OR (95%CI) values of 0.690 (0.521-0.915), 0.722 (0.546-0.955), 0.535 (0.389-0.735), 0.383 (0.274-0.535), 0.835 (0.711-0.980), 0.561 (0.474-0.663) and 0.491 (0.315-0.766), respectively.

Prevalence and influencing factors of abnormal spinal curvature in primary and secondary school students in Shandong Province in 2020 / 中华预防医学杂志

In 2020, the prevalence of abnormal spinal curvature among 54 079 students in Shandong Province was 1.54%. The multivariate logistic regression model analysis showed that, compared with those in primary school, economically underdeveloped areas, and non-residential schools, students in middle and high schools, economically average areas, and residential schools had a higher risk of abnormal spinal curvature, with OR (95%CI) values of 2.029 (1.662-2.476), 2.746 (2.208-3.416), 2.237 (1.740-2.875) and 2.057 (1.705-2.483), respectively. Compared with those in economically underdeveloped areas, who were underweight, who had seat adjustments≤1 time per academic year, and who had physical education classes≤1 per week, students in economically developed areas, who were normal weight, overweight, and obese, who had seat adjustments≥2 times per academic year, and who had physical education classes 2-3 or≥4 per week, had a lower risk of abnormal spinal curvature, with OR (95%CI) values of 0.690 (0.521-0.915), 0.722 (0.546-0.955), 0.535 (0.389-0.735), 0.383 (0.274-0.535), 0.835 (0.711-0.980), 0.561 (0.474-0.663) and 0.491 (0.315-0.766), respectively.

Configuration and the safe use of standardized parenteral nutrient solution for preterm infants / 中国新生儿科杂志

Objective:To study the configuration and safety of standardized parenteral nutrition solution for premature infants.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was used to the premature infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of the West China Second Hospital within 24 hours after birth, 28~34 weeks gestational age, and began parenteral nutrition within 48 hours after birth from June 2015 to November 2018. Electrolytes, blood sugar, phlebitis and venous catheter-related infection during the use of parenteral nutrient fluids were collected, and divided into standardized parenteral nutrient solution group and individualized parenteral nutrient solution group according to the types of parenteral nutrient fluids used. Data analysis is realized by using EmpowerStats statistical software based on R language.Results:A total of 840 premature infants were collected, among them, 541 cases of standardized parenteral nutrition solution group and 299 cases of individual parenteral nutrition solution group. Compared with the individual parenteral nutrition solution group, the incidence of hyperglycemia was 6.3% (34/541) vs. 21.7% (65/299), OR=0.491, 95% CI 0.268~0.899. The incidence of hypokalemia was 13.5% (73/541) vs. 59.9% (179/299), OR=0.137, 95% CI 0.090~0.208. The incidence of hypercalcemia was 25.9% (140/541) vs. 62.8% (188/299), OR=0.249, 95% CI 0.162~0.383. The incidence of hypophosphatemia was 0.2% (1/541) vs. 2.7% (8/299), OR=0.076, 95% CI 0.008~0.686. All the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05) .There was no significant difference in the incidence of catheter-related infections between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Standardized parenteral nutrition is safer in maintaining blood glucose, blood potassium and calcium and phosphorus metabolism in premature infants.

Isoleucine and energy metabolism / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

The prevalence of energy metabolism-related metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, fatty liver, and cardiovascular diseases, is trending upwards over years. Not only glucose and lipid metabolism but also amino acid metabolism are involved in the pathogenesis, among which branched-chain amino acids are most widely studied. Isoleucine is an important branched-chain amino acid. Its relevance to metabolic diseases has caught more attention in recent years. This review is to highlight advances in isoleucine and energy metabolism.

Randomized controlled trial outcome indicators of traditional Chinese medicine for gastrointestinal dysfunction in sepsis in recent two years / 中国中药杂志

The purpose of the study is to analyze the outcomes of randomized controlled trial(RCT) of Chinese herbal medicine formula(CHMF) in the treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunction in sepsis in recent two years. We systematically searched four Chinese databases, three English databases, and two clinical trial registries to analyze the reports of outcome indicators of clinical trials, and evaluated the risk of bias by using the ROB tool of Cochrane Collaboration. After screening, 55 clinical RCTs were included. The results showed that the current clinical studies of gastrointestinal dysfunction in sepsis reported the efficacy and safety indicators. The efficacy indicators included APACHE Ⅱ scores, gastrointestinal dysfunction scores, bowel sound scores, and inflammatory indicator such as C-reactive protein and procalcitonin. The safety indicators mainly include gastrointestinal reactions, skin reactions, and other adverse events and adverse reactions. However, there was no distinction between primary and secondary outcomes. The relevant indicators of health economics were not reported, and the quality of research methodology was poor. Therefore, we suggest that future researchers should be well prepared in the top-level design stage and actively construct the core outcome set, so as to improve the quality of clinical trials.

Interaction study of the antibacterial peptide urumin with the H1N1 HA protein of influenza A virus / 药学学报

Influenza A virus (H1N1) seriously affects the health of human and disrupts the development of global economic. The antimicrobial peptide urumin specifically binds to the conserved stem of the hemagglutinin (HA) protein of H1N1 virus, but its binding site and the mechanism of action are not clear. In this study, we investigated the possible binding sites and key amino acids for the interaction of urumin with HA protein by molecular docking and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) experiments, suggesting that HA residues His32 (HA1), Asp19 (HA2), and Trp21 (HA2) are the key residues for the interaction of HA with urumin. Urumin's Arg4, Asn9, and Cys16 were associated with HA protein residues Asp19 (HA2), Trp21 (HA2), His32 (HA1), and Asn53 (HA2) form hydrogen bonding interactions, and Trp12 forms an aromatic π-stacking interaction with His32 (HA1) of HA, these interactions maintain the binding of urumin to HA protein. Wild-type HA and its alanine mutant [alanine substitutions His32 (HA1), Asp19 (HA2), and Trp21 (HA2)] were expressed in 293T cells. ELISA experiments showed that the affinity ability of urumin with HA wild-type was significantly higher than that of HA alanine mutant, suggesting that His32 (HA1), Asp19 (HA2), and Trp21 (HA2) may be the key residues for HA to interact with urumin. This study provides a theoretical and experimental basis for further modification and application of urumin.

Study on middle-aged and elderly people′ willingness for family doctor contracting and its influencing factors / 中华医院管理杂志

Objective:To investigate the middle-aged and elderly people′ willingness for family doctor service contracts and its influencing factors, and to provide feasible suggestions for the implementation and promotion of family doctor services.Methods:Stratified random sampling method was adopted to select middle-aged and elderly people aged 45 in 6 urban areas of Xuzhou city for questionnaire survey to investigate their illness, medical treatment and their willingness to contract a family doctor. The data acquired were analyzed with statistical description, univariate analysis( χ2 test), and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results:Among the 927 valid questionnaires were recovered, 272(29.34%)of them intended to contract a family doctor, and 655(70.66%)had no such intention. Results of multivariate logistic regression showed that the influencing factors of the middle-aged and elderly people′ willingness of contracting family doctors were age, occupation, self-rated health, treatment status within two weeks, chronic diseases, referral experience and their knowledge of family physician contract system.Conclusions:Middle-aged and elderly people at large are not willing to sign up for family doctors. It is recommended to focus the publicity efforts on those who are relatively younger age, farming and healthier, enhancing their awareness of the service, and encouraging them to support the dual-referral policy. These efforts are expected to promote the coordinated progress of both dual referral and family doctor contract service, hence achieving the national coverage of the family doctor system.

Expression and clinical significance of lysophosphatidic acid receptor 5 protein in breast cancer / 中国基层医药

Objective@#To investigate the expression and clinical significance of lysophosphatidic acid receptor 5 (LPA5) protein in breast cancer tissues.@*Methods@#The specimens of breast cancer tissues and adjacent tissues of 80 breast cancer patients from January 2015 to December 2016 in the First People's Hospital of Yongkang were selected in the study.The expression of LPA5 in breast cancer tissues and adjacent tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry.The clinical case characteristics of patients were collected.@*Results@#The positive expression rate of LPA5 in breast cancer tissues(72.5%) was higher than that in adjacent tissues(8.75%)(χ2=67.394, P<0.05). The positive rate of LPA5 in clinical stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ(91.3%) was higher than that in stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ(64.9%)(χ2=5.725, P<0.05). The positive rate of LPA5 in patients with lymph node metastasis(94.7%) was higher than that in patients without lymph node metastasis(52.4%)(χ2=17.951, P<0.05). The positive rate of LPA5 in patients with intravascular tumor thrombus(92.3%) was higher than that in patients without intravascular tumor thrombus (63.3%)(χ2=7.580, P<0.05). The expression of LPA5 in breast cancer tissues was not related to age and tumor diameter (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the positive expression rates of LPA5 in the breast cancer tissues among luminal type, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2) overexpressing type and triple negative type (P>0.05). The disease-free survival rate(86.3%) and overall survival rate(87.5%) of patients with negative expression of LPA5 in breast cancer tissues were higher than those in breast cancer tissues with positive expression (65.0%, 66.3%)(χ2=4.517, 4.328, all P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#LPA5 expression is up-regulated in breast cancer tissues, and LPA5 may be involved in the development and progression of breast cancer, which is closely related to the prognosis of breast cancer.

Effects of patient participation -based dietary intervention on nutritional status for patients with severe burns / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To explore the influence of patient participation-based dietary intervention on nutritional status for patients with severe burn.Methods:From September 2017 to January 2019, 60 severe burn patients hospitalized in the department of burn and plastic surgery of Qingdao Municipal Hospital were recruited and divided into the experimental group ( n=30) and the control group ( n=30) according to the random number table method. The control group received a regular diet. While the experimental group received a patient participation-based dietary intervention(PPDI), The wound healing time and the value of nutritional status index, such as height, body mass index(BMI), serum albumin, serum prealbumin, in the two groups on admission, at 2 weeks after intervention, 4 weeks after intervention were compared. The nutritional knowledge questionnaire of burn patients and "3-day diet diary" were used for investigation. Results:The score of nutritional knowledge showed no significant difference between the two groups before intervention. After intervention, the score of nutritional knowledge in the experimental group was 21.40±2.42, significantly higher than that in the control group (19.00±2.26) ( t value was 3.975, P<0.01). For time effect and between-group effect, there were significant difference in serum albumin between two groups ( F values were 9.232, 4.651, P<0.05); the time effect and between-group effect of serum prealbumin were statistically significant ( F values were 11.592, 6.228, P < 0.05). The wound healing time in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( t value was -3.801, P<0.01). Conclusions:Patient participation-based dietary intervention can effectively enhanced the level of nutritional knowledge, improved nutritional status, shortened wound healing time among patients with severe burn.

Expression and clinical significance of lysophosphatidic acid receptor 5 protein in breast cancer / 中国基层医药

Objective To investigate the expression and clinical significance of lysophosphatidic acid receptor 5 (LPA5) protein in breast cancer tissues.Methods The specimens of breast cancer tissues and adjacent tissues of 80 breast cancer patients from January 2015 to December 2016 in the First People's Hospital of Yongkang were selected in the study.The expression of LPA5 in breast cancer tissues and adjacent tissues was determined by immunohisto-chemistry.The clinical case characteristics of patients were collected.Results The positive expression rate of LPA5 in breast cancer tissues (72.5%) was higher than that in adjacent tissues (8.75%) (χ2 ＝67.394,P＜0.05).The positive rate of LPA5 in clinical stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ(91.3%) was higher than that in stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ(64.9%)(χ2 ＝5.725, P＜0.05).The positive rate of LPA5 in patients with lymph node metastasis (94.7%) was higher than that in patients without lymph node metastasis (52.4%)(χ2 ＝17.951,P＜0.05).The positive rate of LPA5 in patients with intravascular tumor thrombus ( 92.3%) was higher than that in patients without intravascular tumor thrombus (63.3%)(χ2 ＝7.580,P＜0.05).The expression of LPA5 in breast cancer tissues was not related to age and tumor diameter (P＞0.05).There were no significant differences in the positive expression rates of LPA 5 in the breast cancer tissues among luminal type ,human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2) overexpressing type and triple negative type (P＞0.05).The disease-free survival rate(86.3%) and overall survival rate (87.5%) of patients with negative expression of LPA5 in breast cancer tissues were higher than those in breast cancer tissues with positive expression (65.0%,66.3%)(χ2 ＝4.517,4.328,all P＜0.05).Conclusion LPA5 expression is up-regulated in breast cancer tissues,and LPA5 may be involved in the development and progression of breast cancer ,which is closely related to the prognosis of breast cancer.

Effects of Dingkun Dan combined with Western medicine on endometrial β-catenin, VEGF and MMP-9 mRNA expression in rats with multiple lesions / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of Dingkun Dan on endometrial receptivity in rats with multiple lesions. Forty SD female rats with regular sexual cycle were randomly divided into 5 groups, control group, model group, progynova group, Dingkun Dan group and combination group. The thin endometrium model of kidney-yang deficiency was established in all the other rats except normal control group. The rats in normal control group were free to drink and eat; the rats in the model group were administered with distilled water; the rats in the progynova group were treated with progynova; rats in Dingkun Dan group were treated with Dingkun Dan, and the rats in combination group were treated with Dingkun Dan and progynova. After 15 days, serum levels of OPN, VEGF and MMP-9 were measured by ELISA. HE staining, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR were used to analyze endome-trial morphology, endometrial thickness and the treatment mechanism of Dingkun Dan. As compared with the control group, the serum levels of OPN, VEGF and MMP-9 in the model group were significantly increased(P<0.01). As compared with the model group, the serum levels of OPN and MMP-9 were decreased in Dingkun Dan group(P<0.05, P<0.01). As compared with the control group, endometrial stromal cells were fewer, the endometrium glands and blood vessels were sparse, and the endometrium was thinner significantly in the model group(P<0.01). As compared with the model group, there were more endometrial glands, rich intimal vessels, and dense stromal cells in various treatment groups, and the endometrium were thickened significantly in the treatment groups(P<0.01). As compared with the control group, the expression area of CK19 in the model group was decreased significantly(P<0.01). As compared with the model group, the expression area of CK19 in each treatment group was increased significantly(P<0.05). As compared with the control group, endometrial β-catenin and MMP-9 mRNA expression levels were increased significantly in the model group(P<0.05), while VEGF mRNA expression was decreased(P<0.05). As compared with the model group, MMP-9 mRNA expression was decreased significantly in the progynova group and the combination group(P<0.05). Dingkun Dan combined with progynova can improve endometrial receptivity by up-regulating expression of β-catenin, VEGF mRNA and down-regulating the expression of MMP-9 mRNA in the injury rats.

Pathogenicity of an FAdV-4 isolate to chickens and its genomic analysis / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Fowl adenovirus serotype 4 (FAdV-4) strain SD1511 was isolated from chickens with severe inclusion body hepatitis and hydropericardium syndrome in Shandong Province, China. The isolate was cultured in primary chicken embryo kidney cells. A study of pathogenicity indicated that SD1511 readily infected 7-35-d-old chickens by intramuscular injection and intranasal and oral routes, causing 50%-100% mortality. The 35-d-old chickens suffered more severe infection than 7- and 21-d-old chickens with mortality highest in the intramuscular injection group. The serum from surviving chickens showed potent viral neutralizing capability. The complete genome of SD1511 was sequenced and analyzed. The strain was found to belong to the FAdV-4 cluster with more than 99% identity with the virulent FAdV-4 strains isolated in China in recent years except for some distinct variations, including deletions of open reading frame 27 (ORF27), ORF48, and part of ORF19. Our findings suggest that SD1511 might be used as a prototype strain for the study of pathogenesis and vaccine development.

Analysis of awareness of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and related behavior among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Changsha / 中华疾病控制杂志

@# Objective To understand the awareness of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and characteristics of sexual behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Changsha City. Methods By a snowball sampling method, volunteers were recruited in two social public welfare organizations in Changsha (Qingcai and Zhongda Sunshine) and interviewed by anonymous electronic questionnaires. Data were analyzed using software SPSS 19.0. Results Among 150 MSM, the overall awareness rate of HIV/ AIDS-related knowledge was 86.0% (129/150). For different demographic characteristics, higher age group, higher education level and higher income groups had significantly higher rates of awareness about HIV/AIDS related knowledge, compared with the reference groups, respectively. For the sexual behaviors, 32.7% of the investigated MSM population had their first MSM sexual intercourse at age of <18 years old, the rate of ≥18 years old group was significantly higher than the <18 years old group (2=4.315, P=0.038), 46.7% of the MSM population had more than 1 sexual partner during the past six months, the ratio of MSM used condoms in the sexual intercourse occasionally or never was 29.3% and 6.7%, respectively. Conclusions Young age, relatively low educational level and low income MSM in Changsha had a relative low awareness of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge. MSM in Changsha City had first MSM sexual intercourse at a very younger age. There is an urgent need to take well-targeted measures to improve the HIV/AIDS-related knowledge with special MSM population, and develop effective intervention measures for the high-risk sexual behaviors among MSM.

Tongxinluo Improves Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mouse Heart Function / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>Background</b>Our previous studies have shown that Tongxinluo (TXL), a compound Chinese medicine, can decrease myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, protect capillary endothelium function, and lessen cardiac ventricle reconstitution in animal models. The aim of this study was to illuminate whether TXL can improve hypercholesterolemia-impaired heart function by protecting artery endothelial function and increasing microvascular density (MVD) in heart. Furthermore, we will explore the underlying molecular mechanism of TXL cardiovascular protection.</p><p><b>Methods</b>After intragastric administration of TXL (0.1 ml/10 g body weight) to C57BL/6J wild-type mice (n = 8) and ApoE-/- mice (n = 8), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood glucose levels in serum were measured. The parameters of heart rate (HR), left ventricular diastolic end diameter, and left ventricular systolic end diameter were harvested by ultrasonic cardiogram. The left ventricular ejection fraction, stroke volume, cardiac output, and left ventricular fractional shortening were calculated. Meanwhile, aorta peak systolic flow velocity (PSV), end diastolic flow velocity, and mean flow velocity (MFV) were measured. The pulsatility index (PI) and resistant index were calculated in order to evaluate the vascular elasticity and resistance. The endothelium-dependent vasodilatation was evaluated by relaxation of aortic rings in response to acetylcholine. Western blotting and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were performed for protein and gene analyses of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Immunohistochemical detection was performed for myocardial CD34 expression. Data in this study were compared by one-way analysis of variance between groups. A value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.</p><p><b>Results</b>Although there was no significant decrease of cholesterol level (F = 2.300, P = 0.240), TXL inhibited the level of triglyceride and VLDL (F = 9.209, P = 0.024 and F = 9.786, P = 0.020, respectively) in ApoE-/- mice. TXL improved heart function of ApoE-/- mice owing to the elevations of LVEF, SV, CO, and LVFS (all P < 0.05). TXL enhanced aortic PSV and MFV (F = 10.774, P = 0.024 and F = 11.354, P = 0.020, respectively) and reduced PI of ApoE-/- mice (1.41 ± 0.17 vs. 1.60 ± 0.17; P = 0.037). After incubation with 10 μmol/L acetylcholine, the ApoE-/- mice treated with TXL aortic segment relaxed by 44% ± 3%, significantly higher than control group mice (F = 9.280, P = 0.040). TXL also restrain the angiogenesis of ApoE-/- mice aorta (F = 21.223, P = 0.010). Compared with C57BL/6J mice, the MVD was decreased in heart tissue of untreated ApoE-/- mice (54.0 ± 3.0/mmvs. 75.0 ± 2.0/mm; F = 16.054, P = 0.010). However, TXL could significantly enhance MVD (65.0 ± 5.0/mmvs. 54.0 ± 3.0/mm; F = 11.929, P = 0.020) in treated ApoE-/- mice. In addition, TXL obviously increased the expression of VEGF protein determined by Western blot (F = 20.247, P = 0.004).</p><p><b>Conclusions</b>TXL obviously improves the ApoE-/- mouse heart function from different pathways, including reduces blood fat to lessen atherosclerosis; enhances aortic impulsivity, blood supply capacity, and vessel elasticity; improves endothelium-dependent vasodilatation; restraines angiogenesis of aorta-contained plaque; and enhances MVD of heart. The molecular mechanism of MVD enhancement maybe relate with increased VEGF expression.</p>

Improved stability and oral bioavailability of Ganneng dropping pills following transforming lignans of herpetospermum caudigerum into nanosuspensions / 中国天然药物

The present study was designed to improve storage stability and oral bioavailability of Ganneng dropping pills (GNDP) by transforming lignans of Herpetospermum caudigerum (HL) composed of herpetrione (HPE) and herpetin (HPN) into nanosuspension (HL-NS), the main active ingredient of GNDP, HL-NS was prepared by high pressure homogenization and lyophilized to transform into solid nanoparticles (HL nanoparticles), and then the formulated HL nanoparticles were perfused into matrix to obtain NS-GNDP by melting method. For a period of 3 months, the content uniformity, storage stability and pharmacokinetics test in vivo of NS-GNDP were evaluated and compared with regular GNDP at room temperature. The results demonstrated that uniformity of dosage units of NS-GNDP was acceptable according to the criteria of Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2015J. Physical stability of NS-GNDP was investigated systemically using photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), zeta potential measurement, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). There was a slight increase in particles and PI of HL-NS re-dispersed from NS-GNDP after storage for 3 months, compared with new formulated NS-GNDP, which indicated a good redispersibility of the NS-GNDP containing HL-NS after storage. Besides, chemical stability of NS-GNDP was studied and the results revealed that HPE and HPN degradation was less when compared with that of GNDP, providing more than 99% of drug residue after storage for 3 months. In the dissolution test in vitro, NS-GNDP remarkably exhibited an increased dissolution velocity compared with GNDP and no distinct dissolution difference existed within 3 months. The pharmacokinetic study showed that HPE and HPN in NS-GNDP exhibited a significant increase in AUC, C and decrease in T when compared with regular GNDP. These results indicated that NS-GNDP possessed superiority with improved storage stability and increased dissolution rate and oral bioavailability.