ITIH4 reversed the effects of thrombin on VSMCs stiffness via JNK and ERK signaling pathway.

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMCs) is one of the important cell types in artery. VSMCs stiffening may regulate vascular stiffness and contribute to the development of vulnerable plaques. Thrombin, an enzyme in coagulation system, is involved in pathological processes of atherosclerosis. Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 (ITIH4) plays an important role in regulating inflammation and may have cardiovascular protective effect. Therefore, the elucidation of the mechanisms underlying ITIH4-mediated VSMCs stiffening helps to provide new ideas and potential targets for the diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis. In this study, we used specific ITIH4 expression vector and siRNA methods to transfect VSMCs. Our results found that ITIH4 expression increased VSMCs stiffness, meanwhile, ITIH4 siRNA decreased VSMCs stiffness. ITIH4 increased acetylated α-tubulin and inhibited ERK1/2 and JNK, but not P38 MAPK. ERK inhibitor (PD98059) or JNK inhibitor (SP600125) treatment increased acetylated α-tubulin expression and cell stiffness in VSMCs. ITIH4 was downregulated by thrombin treatment, ITIH4 partly reversed the effect of thrombin on acetylated α-tubulin and VSMCs stiffness. These results indicated that ITIH4 regulated acetylated α-tubulin expression in VSMCs and was against the effects of thrombin on VSMCs stiffness. JNK and ERK signaling pathways were proved to participate in this process.

[Advantage analysis of modified day surgery procedure for concealed penis].

OBJECTIVE: The modified day surgery procedure was compared with traditional inpatient procedure and standard day surgery procedure of concealed penile surgery to investigate its advantages, as well as the feasibility of promoting it in our country. METHODS: Retrospective analyzing the clinical data between 135 cases of the concealed penis in children who underwent modified day surgery (day group) and 101 cases who underwent hospitalization surgery (hospitalization group) at the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University and the results of follow-up.The modified day surgery procedure involves the establishment of dedicated day wards in each surgical department, where the patient's condition is monitored until 8 o'clock the following morning to assess their discharge eligibility.The children's clinical data was divided into two groups to compare clinical parameters, including age at surgery, bleeding volume, operation time, hospitalization expenses, day of hospitalization, and the occurrence of short-term complications before the initial dressing change after surgery.The satisfaction survey of the children was conducted among three distinct groups: the modified day group, the standard day group, and the hospitalization group enabling a comparison of satisfaction levels among these groups. RESULTS: The mean ages of the inpatient and day surgery groups were 8.92±4.42 years old and 11.85±4.43 years old, respectively. No significant differences were observed between these two groups regarding operation time, bleeding volume, and postoperative complications (P>0.05). Compared to the inpatient group, the mean inpatient time and the hospitalization cost of the day group decreased by 69% and 27%, respectively (P<0.05). The patients in the modified procedure group reported the highest satisfaction among the three groups. CONCLUSION: Modified day surgery procedure offers advantages over the standard day surgery procedure and traditional inpatient surgical procedures for the operative treatment of the concealed penis, which makes it suitable for large-scale popularization in China.

ITIH4 is a predictor for coronary thrombus in coronary arteriography patients.

Aim: To explore potential value of inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain-4 (ITIH4) for coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnosis. Patients & methods: We recruited the patients who received coronary arteriography (CAG) examination. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect plasma ITIH4. Results: ITIH4 level was lower expression in CAD patients than that in patients of control group, and was negatively correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP). ITIH4 level is no differences between ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients. However, its expression was significantly correlated with D-Dimer and thrombin time, and the logistic analysis confirmed predictive value of ITIH4 for visible thrombus in coronary. Conclusion: ITIH4 may be a useful biomarker in CAD diagnosis, and to predict visible thrombus in coronary.

What is this summary about? ITIH4 is present in human plasma and related to several diseases. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most popular diseases in the world. We test the diagnosis value of ITIH4 in CAD patients.What were the results? ITIH4 level was lower in CAD patients than that in control patients. ITIH4 was correlated with C-reactive protein. ITIH4 may play a role in clotting system. ITIH4 was also correlated with D-Dimer and thrombin time. ITIH4 level in thrombus patients was lower than that in without thrombus patients. ITIH4 could be used to predict coronary visible thrombus.What do the results mean? ITIH4 may be a useful diagnosis biomarker in CAD patients.

Effect of static pressure on ultrasonic liquid phase exfoliation of few-layer graphene.

Ultrasonic Liquid Phase Exfoliation (LPE) has gathered attention from both scientific and industrial communities for its accessibility and cost-effectiveness in producing graphene. However, this technique has faced challenges such as low yield and long production time. In this study, we developed a cyclic ultrasonication system to exfoliate expanded graphite (EG) by applying static pressure to a flow chamber to address these challenges. Using deionized water (DIW) as solvent and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as dispersion, we obtained graphene slurries with an average lateral size of 7 µm and averaged number of layers of 3.5 layers, after 40 min of ultrasonication. After centrifugation, the yield of single and bilayer graphene was approximately 16 %. The findings showed that regulating hydrostatic pressure can effectively affect the lateral size and number of layers of few-layer graphene. The proposed method is of good potential for scaled-up production of few-layer graphene.

Design and Effect of Resonant Ultrasonic Vibration-Assisted Laser Cladding (R-UVALC) on AlCrFeMnNi High-Entropy Alloy.

The design of the resonant ultrasonic vibration-assisted laser cladding (R-UVALC) setup involved employing finite element analysis (FEA) to simulate the ultrasonic transducer, horn, and workpiece in a resonance state. The impact of R-UVALC on AlCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloys was assessed using various ultrasonic vibration amplitudes of 0, 5, 10, and 15 µm, with a constant frequency of 20 kHz. Ultrasonic vibrations reduced pores and cracks and increased the clad breadth, melt pool wetting angle, and laser-clad layer consistency. The columnar elongated grains in proximity to the substrate surface underwent a size reduction and transformed into grains with a more equiaxed shape with the utilization of ultrasonic vibrations at an amplitude of 5 µm. Laser cladding performed without ultrasonic vibrations yields two phases: face-centered cubic (FCC) and body-centered cubic (BCC). However, when the coating is exposed to ultrasonic vibrations with an amplitude of 5 µm, it forms a solitary body-centered cubic (BCC) phase. The microhardness tripled compared to the substrate, and the most significant microhardness value was achieved at 5 µm of ultrasonic vibration. The friction coefficient was assessed at an ambient temperature, revealing that an ultrasonic amplitude yields the lowest friction coefficient, demonstrating the excellent wear resistance properties of the coating. The analysis of the 3D surface profile of the wear indicates that the use of ultrasonic aid with a 5 µm amplitude leads to reduced depth of scars, and the primary wear mechanism observed is abrasive and oxidative wear with fewer grooves and debris. In addition, XPS analysis revealed the presence of metal components in an oxidized condition, suggesting that the wear process is oxidative in nature. Integrating the R-UVALC setup into a resonance state can significantly enhance the efficiency of the laser cladding process in the laser cladding field.

Binder assisted graphene derivatives as lubricants in copper: Improved tribological performance for industrial application.

Originally derived from graphite, high-quality single-layer graphene is an excellent anti-wear and -friction additive in metal matrix. Here, the tribological performance of 3 different commercialized graphene derivatives (e.g., graphene oxide [GO], reduced graphene oxide [RGO], and graphene nanoplatelet [GNP]) as additives in a Cu matrix, were investigated from an industrial perspective. To increase the interaction of graphene derivatives with Cu particles, and addressing the aggregation problem of the graphene derivatives, different binders (polyvinyl alcohol [PVA] and cellulose nanocrystals [CNC]) were introduced into the system. Benefiting from such a strategy, a uniform distribution of the graphene derivatives in Cu matrix was achieved with graphene loading up to 5 wt %. After high-temperature sintering, the graphene is preserved and well distributed in the Cu matrix. It was found that the GNP-containing sample shows the most stable friction coefficient behavior. However, GO and RGO also improve the tribological performance of Cu under different circumstances.

Research progress of acupuncture and moxibustion for the enhanced synergism of chemotherapy. / é’ˆç¸ååŒåŒ–ç–—å®žçŽ°å¢žæ•ˆçš„ç ”ç©¶è¿›å±•.

The application of acupuncture and moxibustion in alleviating the adverse effects of chemotherapy drugs has been widely recognized at home and abroad, but the studies have been rarely summarized for the enhanced anti-tumor effect and its mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion to synergize the chemotherapy drugs. This paper reviewed the clinical and basic studies on the synergism of chemotherapy with acupuncture and moxibustion in recent years. It was found that chemotherapy synergized with acupuncture and moxibustion can suppress cancer to a certain extent and improve the quality of life in patients. The effect mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with chemotherapy drugs is related to promoting tumor cell apoptosis, improving the immune and vascular microenvironment, and advancing chemotherapy drug enrichment on the affected area. It provides the evidences and ideas for enhancing the effect of chemotherapy by delivering acupuncture and moxibustion as an adjuvant therapy.

Synergistic antitumor activity of baicalein combined with almonertinib in almonertinib-resistant non-small cell lung cancer cells through the reactive oxygen species-mediated PI3K/Akt pathway.

Introduction: Almonertinib is an important third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) exhibiting high selectivity to EGFR-sensitizing and T790M-resistant mutations. Almonertinib resistance is a major obstacle in clinical use. Baicalein possesses antitumor properties, but its mechanism of antitumor action against almonertinib-resistant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unelucidated. Methods: CCK-8 assay was used to examine the survival rate of H1975/AR and HCC827/AR cells following treatment for 24 h with different concentrations of baicalein, almonertinib or their combination. The changes in colony formation ability, apoptosis, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels of the treated cells were analyzed using colony formation assay and flow cytometry. Western blotting was performed to detect the changes in protein expressions in the cells. The effects of pre-treatment with NAC on proliferation, apoptosis, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway were observed in baicalein- and/or almonertinib-treated cells. A nude mouse model bearing subcutaneous HCC827/AR cell xenograft were treated with baicalein (20 mg/kg) or almonertinib (15 mg/kg), and the tumor volume and body mass changes was measured. Results: Both baicalein and almonertinib represses the viability of HCC827/AR and H1975/AR cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Compared with baicalein or almonertinib alone, the combined application of the two drugs dramatically attenuates cell proliferation; triggers apoptosis; causes cleavage of Caspase-3, PARP, and Caspase-9; downregulates the protein expressions of p-PI3K and p-Akt; and significantly inhibits tumor growth in nude mice. Furthermore, baicalein combined with almonertinib results in massive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and preincubation with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (ROS remover) prevents proliferation as well as inhibits apoptosis induction, with partial recovery of the decline of p-PI3K and p-Akt. Discussion: The combination of baicalein and almonertinib can improve the antitumor activity in almonertinib-resistant NSCLC through the ROS-mediated PI3K/Akt pathway.

A novel tissue-engineered corneal epithelium based on ultra-thin amniotic membrane and mesenchymal stem cells.

Currently, in vitro cultured corneal epithelial transplantation is effective in treating limbal stem cell dysfunction (LSCD). Selecting carriers is crucial for constructing the corneal epithelium through tissue engineering. In this study, the traditional amniotic membrane (AM) was modified, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were inoculated into the ultra-thin amniotic membrane (UAM) stroma to construct a novel UAM-MSC tissue-engineered corneal epithelial carrier, that could effectively simulate the limbal stem cells (LSCs) microenvironment. The structure of different carriers cultured tissue-engineered corneal epithelium and the managed rabbit LSCD model corneas were observed through hematoxylin-eosin staining. Cell phenotypes were evaluated through fluorescence staining, Western blotting, and RT-qPCR. Additionally, cell junction genes and expression markers related to anti-neovascularization were evaluated using RT-qPCR. Corneal epithelium cell junctions were observed via an electron microscope. The tissue-engineered corneal epithelium culture medium was analyzed through mass spectrometry. Tissue-engineered corneal epithelial cells expanded by LSCs on UAM-MSCs had good transparency. Simultaneously, progenitor cell (K14, PNCA, p63) and corneal epithelial (PAX6) gene expression in tissue-engineered corneal epithelium constructed using UAM-MSCs was higher than that in corneal epithelial cells amplified by UAM and de-epithelialized amniotic membrane. Electron microscopy revealed that corneal epithelial cells grafted with UAM-MSCs were closely connected. In conclusion, the UAM-MSCs vector we constructed could better simulate the limbal microenvironment; the cultured tissue-engineered corneal epithelium had better transparency, anti-neovascularization properties, closer intercellular connections, and closer resemblance to the natural corneal epithelial tissue phenotype.

FGL1: a novel biomarker and target for non-small cell lung cancer, promoting tumor progression and metastasis through KDM4A/STAT3 transcription mechanism.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is characterized by a high incidence rate and poor prognosis worldwide. A deeper insight into the pathogenesis of NSCLC and identification of novel therapeutic targets are essential to improve the prognosis of NSCLC. In this study, we revealed that fibrinogen-like protein 1 (FGL1) promotes proliferation, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells. Mechanistically, we found that Stat3 acts as a transcription factor and can be recruited to the FGL1 promoter, enhancing FGL1 promoter activity. Lysine-specific demethylase 4A (KDM4A) interacts with Stat3 and facilitates the removal of methyl groups from H3K9me3, thereby enhancing Stat3-mediated transcription of FGL1. Furthermore, we observed that Stat3 and KDM4A promote NSCLC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion partly by upregulating FGL1 expression. Additionally, the expression of FGL1 was significantly higher in cancer tissues (n = 90) than in adjacent non-cancerous tissues (n = 90). Furthermore, patients with high FGL1 expression had a shorter overall survival (OS) compared to those with low FGL1 expression. We measured the expression levels of FGL1 on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in 65 patients and found that patients with a dynamic decrease in FGL1 expression on CTCs exhibited a better therapeutic response. These findings suggest that the dynamic changes in FGL1 expression can serve as a potential biomarker for predicting treatment efficacy in NSCLC. Overall, this study revealed the significant role and regulatory mechanisms of FGL1 in the development of NSCLC, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for patients with NSCLC. Future studies should provide more personalized and effective treatment options for patients with NSCLC to improve clinical outcomes.

Deepening the Action on Salt Reduction in China-suggestions on strategy and implementation plan / 中华预防医学杂志

Excessive sodium/salt intake is the leading dietary risk factor for the loss of healthy life in the Chinese population. The "Healthy China 2030" Action Plan set the goal of reducing salt intake by 20% by 2030. However, salt intake in China is still at a very high level in the world, with adults reaching 11 g/d, more than twice the recommended limit of 5 g/d. The current policies and action plans of China have targeted catering workers, children, adolescents, and home chefs in salt, oil, and sugar reduction actions. However, there are still obvious deficiencies in the coordinated promotion and implementation. This study, therefore, proposed a set of comprehensive strategies (named CHRPS that is composed of communication and education, salt reduction in home cooking, salt reduction in restaurants, reducing salt content in pre-packaged food, and surveillance and evaluation) and key implementation points for further deepening the salt reduction action in China. These strategies were developed based on the main sources of dietary sodium for Chinese residents, the status of "knowledge, attitude and practice" in salt reduction, evidence of effective intervention measures, existing policies and requirements, and the salt reduction strategies of the World Health Organization and experience from some other countries. As a scientific reference, the CHRPS strategies will help the government and relevant organizations quickly implement salt reduction work and facilitate the earlier realization of China's salt reduction goal.

Effect of TSG on GSK3β，PKA and PP2A of APP/PS1/Tau Triple-transgenic Mice Dementia Model / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of tetrahydroxy stilbene glycoside （TSG） on the expression of glycogen synthase kinase 3<italic>β </italic>（GSK3<italic>β</italic>）， cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase （PKA） and Serine/threonine phosphatase 2A（PP2A） in the brain of amyloid precursor protein/presenilin-1/Tau （APP/PS1/Tau） triple-transgenic mice dementia model. Method:A total of forty-five 8-month-old APP/PS1/Tau transgenic mice were randomly divided into model group， positive control group （Huperzine-A， 0.15 mg·kg^-1）， low， medium and high dose TSG groups （TSG， 0.033，0.1，0.3 g·kg^-1）， with 9 mice in each group， and another nine C5B7L/6J mice of the same age were selected as normal control group. After 60 days of intragastric administration， the general structure of hippocampal neurons was observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， immunohistochemical （IHC） was used to detect the expression of PKA protein in the brain of mice in each group， the mRNA expression levels of GSK3<italic>β</italic>， PKA and PP2A were detected by real time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， and protein expression levels of GSK3<italic>β</italic> and PP2A were detected by Western blot. Result:Compared with the normal control group， the apoptosis level of neurons in the model group was significantly increased， the protein and mRNA expression levels of GSK3<italic>β</italic> and PKA were significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）， and the protein and mRNA expression levels of PP2A were significantly decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， the apoptosis level of neurons in each treatment group was significantly down-regulated， the protein and mRNA expression levels of GSK3<italic>β</italic> and PKA were significantly down-regulated （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）， and the protein and mRNA expression levels of PP2A were significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:The mechanism of TSG in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease （AD） may be related to lowering the transcription and expression of GSK3<italic>β</italic> and PKA， increasing the transcription and expression of PP2A.

LncRNA-599554 sponges miR-15a-5p to contribute inductive ability of dermal papilla cells through positive regulation of the expression of Wnt3a in cashmere goat

BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), as post-transcriptional regulators, were thought to function in the inductive property of dermal papilla cells (DPCs) in cashmere goat. Previously, lncRNA-599554 was identified in secondary hair follicle (SHF) of cashmere goat, but its functional significance is unknown. RESULTS: In the present investigation, we verified that lncRNA-599554 had significantly higher expression at the anagen dermal papilla of cashmere goat SHF than that at telogen. Based on overexpression and knockdown techniques, we found that lncRNA-599554 contributes the inductive property of DPCs of cashmere goat, which was assessed by detecting the changes in the expression of several typical indictor genes in DPCs including ET-1, SCF, Versican, ALP, Lef1 and Ptc-1. Based on RNA pull-down assay, we verified that lncRNA-599554 directly interacted with chi-miR-15a-5p. Also, we showed that lncRNA-599554 positively regulated the Wnt3a expression in DPCs but which did not appear to involve its modulating of promoter methylation. Based on the use of Dual-luciferase reporter assays, our data indicated that lncRNA-599554 regulated the Wnt3a expression through chi-miR-15a-5p-mediated post-transcriptional level. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that lncRNA-599554 contributes the inductive property of DPCs in cashmere goat which might be achieved through sponging chi-miR-15b-5p to promote the Wnt3a expression. The results from the present investigation provided a novel insight into the functional mechanism of lncRNA-599554 in the SHF regeneration of cashmere goat along with the formation and growth of cashmere fiber.

Analysis of 25 (OH) D levels in children aged 0-12 years in Quanzhou area / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To study the serum level of 25 (OH)D in children aged 0-12 years in Quanzhou,Fujian Province.Methods The clinical data at serum levels of 25(OH) D in children aged 0-12 years old in Quanzhou Women and Children's Hospital were analyzed retrospectively from January 1,2016 to May 31,2017.The nutritional status of vitamin D in children at different genders,age and seasons were analyzed.All the subjects were divided into ＜1 year old group,1-3 years old group,＞ 3-6 years old group,and ＞ 6 years old group.Results A total of 5 830 children aged 0-12 years were included in this study.The serum 25 (OH) D level was (68.85 ± 22.53) nmol/L,and among them there were 4 682 cases (80.31％) of vitamin D abundant,723 cases (12.40％) of vitamin D insufficient,425 cases (7.29％) of vitamin D deficiency,and 0 case of both vitamin D overdose and poisoning.The levels of vitamin D in children in different seasons were different,and the levels of serum 25 (OH) D in summer[(76.20 ± 22.25)nmol/L] were significantly higher than those in other 3 seasons [vitamin D in spring,autumn and winter was (68.35 ±22.08) nmol/L,(62.35 ± 21.88) nmol/L,(66.13 ± 21.78) nmol/L,respectively],and the differences were all statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.01).There was no significant difference in the serum levels of 25 (OH)D in children of different genders in both ＜ 1 year old group and 1-3 year old group [(88.45 ± 28.20) nmol/L vs.(82.60 ± 20.33)nmol/L,(79.28 ± 18.98) nmol/L vs.(78.68 ± 21.80) umol/L] (all P ＞ 0.05),while the levels of which were higher in boys in both ＞ 3-6 years old group and ＞ 6 years old group than those in girls [(64.63 ± 19.53) nmol/L vs.(59.78 ± 17.88) nmol/L,(57.63 ± 16.65) nmol/L vs.(51.00 ± 15.58) nmol/L],and the differences were all statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.01).The levels of serum 25 (OH) D decreased gradually with age [vitamin D in ＜ 1 year old group,1-3 year old group,＞ 3-6 years old group,＞ 6-years old group were (84.08 ± 26.93) nmol/L,(78.43 ± 22.50) nmol/L,(64.43 ± 19.55) nmol/L,(59.20 ± 19.00) nmol/L],and the differences were all statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions The serum levels of 25 (OH) D in children aged 0-12 years in Quanzhou area are comparatively fine.Vitamin D supplementation in children over 3 years old should not be ignored.

Clinical Observation of 654-2 Acupoint Injection at Zusanli Combined with Shiatsu at Neiguan Acupoint for Colonoscopy Analgesia / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of 654-2 acupoint injection at Zusanli combined with shiatsu at Neiguan acupoint for colonoscopy analgesia. Methods Totally 140 patients underwent colonoscopy were divided into observation group and control group according to the random number table method, with 70 cases in each group. The observation group were given 654-2 acupoint injection at Zusanli (5 mg each side) combined with shiatsu at Neiguan acupoint (the patient to feel the acid, swelling, hemp began to check, until colonoscopy to return to the ileocecum, stop pressing), and the control group were given 654-2 muscle injection (10 mg) 10 min before colonoscopy. The pain scores, checking time and patients'' satisfaction degree of the two groups were compared, and serum beta-endorphin (β-EP) and substance P (SP) level of the two groups before and after examination were compared. Results The pain degrees during colonlscope inserting and passing the sigmoid, splenic flexure of colon of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.001); testing time was less than that of the control group (P<0.001); patient satisfaction scores were higher than those of the control group (P<0.001); serum β-EP level after examination was higher than that of the control group (P<0.001); SP level was lower than that of the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion 654-2 acupoint injection at Zusanli combined with shiatsu at Neiguan acupoint for colonoscopy analgesia can adjust the serum levels of β-EP and SP, with obvious analgesic effect, which can shorten the testing time.

A comparison of cyclophosphamide versus tacrolimus in terms of treatment effect for idiopathic membranous nephropathy: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN), which is considered one of the most common causes of nephrotic syndrome in adult patients, is frequently managed with immunosuppressive agents. Both tacrolimus (TAC) and cyclophosphamide (CTX) are recommended as immunosuppressive agents in the management of IMN. However, profound effects and moderate evidence on the two drugs remains poorly defined at this period. The meta-analysis aims to summarize current best evidence on the efficacy as well as safety of TAC and CTX among IMN patients. METHODS: We searched the publications on comparison of the safety and efficacy of TAC versus CTX for IMN up to April 2018. After rigorous reviewing on the quality, the data was extracted from eligible trials. All trials analyzed the summary hazard ratios (HRs) of the endpoints of interest. RESULTS: Moderate-strong evidence indicated that tacrolimus and cyclophosphamide had comparable effects on remission rate (either CR or PR) (p > 0.05). No significant differences were found in the following parameters: the rates of diarrhea, glucose intolerance (or diabetes mellitus), gastrointestinal syndrome, as well as hypertension because of adverse effects (p > 0.05). However, patients with TAC therapy had a higher chance to develop urinary tract infection (p = 0.010) and tremor (p = 0.006). Additionally, remarkably higher risk existed in leukopenia among the CTX group as compared with the TAC group (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis presents a comprehensive assessment of current available evidence for the therapy of IMN, indicating a comparable remission rate with both TAC and CTX, while the long-term effects are needed for further verification. Nevertheless, different adverse effect profiles of two groups need careful consideration. Remarkably higher rates of urinary tract infection and tremor were observed among TAC group, while higher risk of leukopenia was found among CTX group. Further research into the treatment efficacy of both drugs is warranted to confirm the present conclusions

ANTECEDENTES Y OBJETIVOS: La nefropatía membranosa idiopática (NMI), que se considera una de las causas más comunes del síndrome nefrótico en pacientes adultos, se trata con frecuencia con inmunodepresores. Tanto el tacrolimus (TAC) como la ciclofosfamida (CTX) se recomiendan como inmunosupresores en el tratamiento de la NMI. Sin embargo, los efectos profundos y la evidencia moderada de los 2 fármacos continúan estando mal definidas en este período. El metaanálisis pretende resumir la mejor evidencia actual sobre la eficacia y la seguridad del TAC y la CTX entre los pacientes con NMI. MÉTODOS: Se realizaron búsquedas de publicaciones sobre comparación de seguridad y eficacia del TAC frente a la CTX para la NMI hasta abril de 2018. Después de una revisión rigurosa de la calidad, los datos se extrajeron de los ensayos idóneos. Todos los ensayos analizaron los cocientes de riesgo instantáneos resumidos de los criterios de valoración de interés. RESULTADOS: La evidencia moderada-sólida indicó que el TAC y la CTX tuvieron efectos comparables en la tasa de remisión (remisión completa o remisión parcial) (p > 0,05). No se encontraron diferencias importantes en los siguientes parámetros: tasas de diarrea, intolerancia a la glucosa (o diabetes mellitus), síndrome gastrointestinal, así como hipertensión por efectos adversos (p > 0,05). Sin embargo, los pacientes con TAC como tratamiento tuvieron mayor probabilidad de desarrollar infección urinaria (p = 0,010) y temblor (p = 0,006). Además, existía un riesgo notablemente mayor de leucopenia entre el grupo que tomaba CTX que en el grupo que tomaba TAC (p = 0,03). CONCLUSIÓN: Este metaanálisis presenta una evaluación exhaustiva de la evidencia disponible actualmente sobre el tratamiento de la NMI, que indica una tasa de remisión comparable con TAC y CTX, mientras que los efectos a largo plazo son necesarios para una comprobación adicional. Sin embargo, el perfil de diferentes efectos adversos de 2 grupos debe considerarse cuidadosamente. Se observaron tasas notablemente más altas de infección urinaria y temblor entre el grupo que tomaba TAC, mientras que se encontró mayor riesgo de leucopenia entre el grupo que tomaba CTX. Es necesaria investigación adicional sobre la eficacia del tratamiento de ambos fármacos para confirmar las conclusiones actuales

Outline of the report on cardiovascular disease in China, 2010 / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Major and profound changes have taken place in China over the past 30 years. Rapid socioeconomic progress has exerted a great impact on lifestyle, ranging from food, clothing, working and living conditions, and means of transportation to leisure activities and entertainment. At the same time, new health problems have emerged, and health services are facing new challenges. Presently, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are among the top health problems of the Chinese people, and pose a serious challenge to all engaged in the prevention and control of these diseases. An epidemic of CVD in China is emerging as a result of lifestyle changes, urbanization and longevity. Both national policy decision-making and medical practice urgently need an authoritative report which comprehensively reflects the trends in the epidemic of CVD and current preventive measures. Since 2005, guided by the Bureau of Disease Prevention of the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China and the National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases of China, nationwide experts in the fields of epidemiology, clinical medicine and health economics in the realms of CVD, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease, completed the Report on Cardiovascular Diseases in China every year. The report aims to provide a timely review of the trend of the epidemic and to assess the progress of prevention and control of CVD. In addition, as the report is authoritative, representative and readable, it will become an information platform in the CVD field and an important reference book for government, academic institutes, medical organizations and clinical physicians. This publication is expected to play a positive role in the prevention and control of CVD in China. We present an abstract from the Report on Cardiovascular Diseases in China (2010), including trends in CVD, morbidity and mortality of major CVDs, up-to-date assessment of risk factors, as well as health resources for CVD, and a profile of medical expenditure, with the aim of providing evidence for decision-making in CVD prevention and control programs in China, and of delivering the most authoritative information on CVD prevention and control for all citizens.

Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Tiotropium Bromide Inhalation and Oral Doxofylline Treatment of Moderate to Severe Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study compared the efficacy and safety of tiotropium bromide inhalation powder (spiriva) and doxofylline oral tablet (doxofylline) in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).A multi-center,randomized,double-blind,double-dummy,parallel-controlled study involved 127 eligible stable moderate to severe COPD patients treated with inhaled tiotropium dry powder (18 μg/day) or oral doxofylline tablets (0.2 g/time,2 times a day) for 12 and 24 weeks.Before and after treatment for 12 weeks and 24 weeks,respectively,pulmonary function,6-min walking distance and dyspnea index were recorded.The results showed that in both tiotropium group and doxofylline groups,after 12-week treatment,FEV1,FEV1/FVC％ and 6-min walk distance were significantly higher than those before the medication,while dyspnea index decreased as compared with that before treatment.After 24-week treatment,a slight improvement in the measures was observed as compared with that of 12-weeks treatment,but the difference was not statistically significant.With both 12-week and 24-week treatment,the effect of tiotropium was slightly better than that of doxofylline tablets,with the difference being statistically insignificant.The major adverse events in the tiotropium group and doxofylline group were observed in 9 cases (9.9％) and 12 cases (12.9％),respectively,and no statistically significant difference was found between them.We are led to conclude that both tiotropium at 18 μg a day and doxofylline tablets at 0.2 g/day (two times a day) are effective and safe for the treatment of COPD.

Plasma proteomic analysis in male normotensive, prehypertensive and hypertensive subjects / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the plasma proteome among male normotensive, prehypertensive, and hypertensive subjects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Plasma proteome was analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis combined with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry in this case-control study among well matched male normotensive, prehypertensive and hypertensive subjects (n = 26 each).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results showed that there were 22 differentially expressed protein spots among the protein samples derived from the 3 groups which corresponded to 18 proteins associated with inflammation and immunity, lipid metabolism, transport, coagulation and fibrinolysis, cell proliferation and apoptosis, and antioxidation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Proteins were differentially expressed in male subjects with various blood pressure levels.</p>

Association between the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and Insulin resistance / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To explore the association between risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and insulin resistance in a cross-sectional study.Methods An investigation on risk factors of CVD was carried out using stratified-random sampling method among 1475 participants in Beijing.Homeostasis model assessment index(HOMA) was calculated to assess the insulin resistance in 1359 non-diabetic subjects aged 25-64 years.Insulin resistance was defined as HOMA index (fasting glucose in mmol/L×fasting insulin in mU/L/22.5) in the top quartile of the studied population.Results The degree of correlation between risk factors and natural logarithm of HOMA index in descending order were glucose,body mass index (BMI),triglyceride ( TG ),waist circumstance,high density lipoprotein- cholesterol (HDL-C),uric acid,diastolic blood pressure,systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol(TC) (all P＜0.01 ).After adjusting factors as sex and age,glucose (r=0.49),BMI(r=0.44),TG (r=0.44),waist circumstance (r=0.41),uric acid (r=0.33) and HDL-C (r=-0.32),the systolic blood pressure (r=0.20),diastolic blood pressure (r=0.18) and TC (r=0.16) were independently correlated with HOMA index (P＜0.001).Sex(OR=1.75) ,low HDL-C(OR= 1.80),hyperuricemia(OR=2.11 ),high TG(OR=2.14) and central obesity(OR=2.68)appeared to be independently correlated to insulin resistance in multiple logistic regression analysis.Conclusion The risk factors of CVD as low HDL-C,high TG,central obesity and hyperuricemia were independently correlated to insulin resistance.