Development and validation of nomogram models for predicting postoperative prognosis of early-stage laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the postoperative prognosis in patients with early-stage laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) in association with the preoperative blood markers and clinicopathological characteristics and to develop nomograms for individual risk prediction. METHODS: The clinical data of 353 patients with confirmed early-stage LSCC between 2009 and 2018 were retrospectively retrieved from the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University. All patients were randomly divided into the training and testing groups in a 7:3 ratio. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed, followed by the construction of nomograms to predict recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Finally, the nomograms were verified internally, and the predictive capability of the nomograms was evaluated and compared with that of tumour T staging. RESULTS: Univariate and multivariate analyses identified platelet counts (PLT), fibrinogen (FIB), and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were independent factors for RFS, and FIB, systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and haemoglobin (HGB) were independent prognostic factors for OS. The nomograms showed higher predictive C-indexes than T staging. Furthermore, decision curve analysis (DCA) revealed that the net benefit of the nomograms' calculation model was superior to that of T staging. CONCLUSIONS: We established and validated nomograms to predict postoperative 1-, 3- and 5-year RFS and OS in patients with early-stage LSCC based on significant blood markers and clinicopathological characteristics. These models might help clinicians make personalized treatment decisions.

An improved method for sensitive quantification of isoprenoid diphosphates in the astaxanthin-accumulating Haematococcus pluvialis.

A sensitive method has been established to simultaneously determine the concentrations of isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP), geranyl diphosphate (GPP), farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) in H. pluvialis under different environments. This method increased the extraction efficiency of isoprenoid diphosphates through releasing isoprenoid diphosphates using Tissue Lyser. This is the first report on the efficient extraction method of metabolites in H. pluvialis cells, being suitable for all algae and plants with thick cell wall. The concentrations of isoprenoid diphosphates were measured on poroshell EC-C18 column by UHPLC-MS/MS with the LODs of 0.015, 0.027, 0.022 and 0.076 pmol for DMAPP, GPP, FPP and GGPP, respectively. It is the most sensitive method for the determination of isoprenoid diphosphates in any sample to date. Using this method, the profile of isoprenoid diphosphates was analyzed and cisoid isomers of FPP and GGPP, (Z, Z)-FPP and (Z, Z, Z-GGPP) were found firstly in H. pluvialis.

RNAi mediated knockdown of RpL11, RpS2, and tra-2 led to reduced reproduction of Phytoseiulus persimilis.

Phytoseiulus persimilis is one of the most important biological control agents of spider mites. Multiple studies have been conducted on factors affecting its reproduction, but limited research on related molecular mechanisms has been carried out. In this study, RNA interference of three genes, ribosomal protein L11 (RpL11), ribosomal protein S2 (RpS2), and transformer-2 (tra-2), to newly emerged females were performed through oral delivery of double-stranded RNA, and knockdown of target genes was verified using qRT-PCR analysis. When RpL11 or RpS2 was interfered, 42 and 30% P. persimilis individuals either laid no egg or had no egg hatched, whereas the remaining females had their oviposition duration reduced by 31.8 and 49.9%, fecundity reduced by 48.1 and 67.8%, and egg hatching rate reduced by 20.4 and 22.4%, respectively. In addition, offspring sex ratios were significantly male biased especially at low fecundities. When tra-2 was interfered, no significant difference in fecundity was detected, but egg hatching rate reduced by 30.6%. This study verified the possibility of RNA interference in Phytoseiidae through oral delivery, and indicated that RpL11 and RpS2 are involved in egg formation, whereas tra-2 is involved in embryo development in P. persimilis. Phytoseiid mites have different sex determination pathways compared to insects. The present study provides data and evidence at molecular biological level for future research on reproduction and sex determination of phytoseiid mites.

Anti-glycation and anti-hardening effects of microencapsulated mulberry polyphenols in high-protein-sugar ball models through binding with some glycation sites of whey proteins.

Assembling between polyphenols and proteins has been freshly spotlighted. We studied the antiglycation and anti-hardening effects of microencapsulated mulberry polyphenols (MMPs) in a high-protein-sugar ball (HPSB) model during storage using multi-dimensional approaches, including UPLC-ESI-MS/MS, SDS-PAGE, MALDI-TOF-MS, FTIR, and a molecular docking study. It was found that MMPs significantly relegated the browning development, AGEs, and/or CML levels of HPSB after 45 d of storage at 45 °C. MMPs also downgraded the protein insolubility, aggregation, oligomerization, and glycoxidation during late-storage. A molecular docking scrutiny proved that cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside and quercetin 3-O-rutinoside interacted with whey proteins subunits via H-bonding and π-π interactions. This binding blocked some glycation residues of whey proteins especially lysyl residues, namely Lys5, 16, 60, 69, 93, 94, and 122. Our data disclosed that MMPs could be valorized as promising antiglycative ingredients to mitigate AGEs-generation and other subsequent unwanted changes in protein-rich food matrices.

Spatial optimization mode of China's rural settlements based on quality-of-life theory.

This paper studies the optimization mode of the spatial organization of rural settlements based on the two-way interactive mechanism between the space of rural settlements and quality-of-life theory. It examines three main aspects: the integration of spatial function, the optimization of spatial structure, and the regulation of spatial scale. In this paper, we built an optimization mode and framework of spatial organization, called the road-oriented mode of rural settlements, based on quality-of-life theory. We systematically analyzed the mode's conceptual connotation, construction principles, frame, type, and spatial scale. At the same time, this paper realized the reasonable proportion and optimized combination of internal spatial type in settlements and focused on a reasonably sized scale of a single settlement and the distance scale between settlements. Our findings can be used as insight into the theoretical development of the spatial structure of rural areas. Results also provide a scientific basis for future spatial optimization and integration of rural settlements to improve quality of life.

[Investigation of Oncomelania hupensis snails in Anhui Province in 2016].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the status of Oncomelania hupensis snails in Anhui Province in 2016, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the 13th Five-Year Plans for Schistosomiasis Control. METHODS: In 2016, a snail survey was conducted in Anhui Province according to the National Programme of the Oncomelania Snail Survey, covering all snail habitats or historical snail habitats and suspected environments of snail breeding, and the results of the survey were analyzed. RESULTS: In 2016, 22 848 environments were surveyed, and no schistosome-infected snails were found. There were 17 927 historical snail habitats in whole province, among which, the environments without changes, changed partly and changed completely accounted for 71.2%, 19.3% and 9.5%, respectively. The area of historical snail habitats was 1.410 billion m2. There were 4 830 environments with snail habitats covering an area of 0.265 billion m2 in 38 counties of 7 cities, including newly emerging area of 1 287.65 hm2 and reemerging area of 1 375.32 hm2. The density of living snails was 0.392 0 snails/0.1 m2, and the rate of frame with living snails was 12.93%. The type of marshland and lake regions, and the type of hilly and mountainous regions accounted for 22.4% and 77.6% of number of snail habitats, and accounted for 86.7% and 13.3% of areas of snail habitats, respectively. Among the different types of vegetation in snail habitats, grass was superior owe to accounting for 82.2% of the number of snail habitats, 57.3% of the area with snail habitats, and the highest density of living snails (0.413 9 snails/0.1 m2). Among the different types of environments in snail habitats, the ditch was superior owe to accounting for 56.8% of the number of snail habitats, the highest density of living snails (0.570 3 snails/0.1m2) and the highest rate of frame with living snails (18.57%), and the beach was superior owe to accounting for 87.8% of the area with snail habitats. In Anhui Province, the first year of snails and schistosome-infected snails being found was 1950 and 1952, respectively, and the latest year of schistosome-infected snails being found was 2012. The map showed that the most environments with snail habitats were distributed along the Yangtze River in Anhui Province. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, the investigation has built the database and map of snail spatial distribution, which truly reflect the historic and current status of snail distribution in Anhui Province and can provide the evidence for formulating the 13th Five-Year Plans for Schistosomiasis Control and improving the schistosomiasis prevention and control work in the future.

The availability, price and affordability of antidiabetic drugs in Hubei province, China.

Based on the high prevalence and undiagnosed rate of diabetes mellitus in China in recent years, the aim of this work was to evaluate the availability, price and affordability of pharmacotherapy for diabetes in public hospitals in Hubei province, China. In 2016, a cross-sectional survey was conducted using World Health Organization/Health Action International (WHO/HAI) methodology. Information on the availability and prices of 20 antidiabetic drugs was collected from 34 public hospitals representing three levels of care. Of the 20 antidiabetic drugs, 70.6% were below 50% availability. Total availability of the 20 drugs was higher in secondary and tertiary hospitals than in primary hospitals. All three hospital levels had higher availability of essential than non-essential antidiabetic medicines. The median markup ratios of originator brands (OBs) and lowest-price generics (LPGs) were 15.6% and 2.1%, respectively. The median potential saving ratio of using generics was 31.3%. Overall, the median affordability of 31 antidiabetic drugs ranged from 1.2 to 8.5 days of disposable income for residents with three income levels. After insurance reimbursement, the increase in the proportion of affordable drugs in urban and rural areas averaged 35.5% and 12.9%, respectively. The proportion of drugs with low availability and low affordability dropped from 54.8% to 38.7%. However, 41.7% of urban diabetic patients and 74.0% of rural diabetic patients remained unable to afford the drugs surveyed. Higher income and generic substitution are factors facilitating affordability. In Hubei province, the overall availability of 20 antidiabetic drugs was low, especially in primary hospitals. The affordability of most drugs surveyed was also low. Current health insurance can greatly improve affordability for urban residents with middle or high income. Policy changes should focus on the supply, pricing and clinical use of antidiabetic drugs and special health insurance plan for low income population with diabetes.

[Application of infrared camera technique in investigation of wild animals as infectious source of schistosomiasis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the species and activities of wild animals infected with schistosome in hilly and mountain areas by using an infrared camera technique, so as to provide the evidence for the surveillance of schistosomiasis in these areas. METHODS: Six infrared cameras were selected and placed in 6 environments of the risk monitoring points of schistosomiasis in Shitai County in Anhui Province. The species and activities of the wild animals in the 6 environments were observed through the photographs and videos taken by the cameras. RESULTS: Through 5 day's monitoring, 3 wild mammals, such as voles, hares and wild boars, were found in 4 monitoring environments, of which voles were found at 2 environments with snails, and hares, wild boars and voles were found in 2 environments adjacent to environments with snails respectively. The monitoring showed that the vole activity was most frequent in the monitored environment. CONCLUSIONS: The use of infrared camera technique has a good effect in the investigation of wild animal infectious source of schistosomiasis, and it is also suitable for the monitoring work in other types of environments.

[A case report of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in Leshan City].

This paper reports one case of gastric antral ulcer due to Strongyloides stercoralis infection in Leshan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital.

[Serological survey on Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women with history of adverse pregnancy in Bazhou area, Hebei Province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the Toxoplasma gondii infection status in pregnant women with history of adverse pregnancy and risk factors in Bazhou area, Hebei Province. METHODS: A total of 302 pregnant women with the history of adverse pregnancy were chosen as respondents (an experimental group) in the hospital from March 2012 to December 2015, and 197 pregnant women without the history of adverse pregnancy as a control group. TOX-IgG and TOX-IgM were detected by using ELISA in two groups. The risk factors of Toxoplasma infection were surveyed by questionnaires. RESULTS: The total positive rate of Toxoplasma antibodies was 28.15% (85/302) in the experimental group, which was significantly higher than that [9.64%(19/197)] in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 24.76, P＜0.05). The positive rates of TOX-IgM, TOX-IgG and TOX-IgM + TOX-IgG were 6.95% (21/302), 18.54% (56/302), and 2.65% (8/302) respectively in the experimental group, which were higher than 2.03% (4/197), 7.61% (15/197), and 0% (0/197) respectively in the control group (χ2 = 6.07, 11.67, 3.76, all P＜0.05). The questionnaire survey showed that the proportions of keeping pets, cutting board regardless, liking to eat hot pot or barbecue, eating raw meat, often eating in the restaurant in the pregnant women with Toxoplasma infection were higher than those in the pregnant women without Toxoplasma infection, and the differences were statistically significant (χ2 = 22.57, 3.96, 5.87, 7.40, 4.86, all P＜0.05), and therefore, the above unhealthy habits may be important risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Toxoplasma infection could lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, the above-mentioned unhealthy habits should be avoided, especially during pregnancy period.

Complete remission of two patients with recurrent and wide spread extramammary Paget disease obtained from 5-aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy and imiquimod combination treatment.

BACKGROUND: Extramammary Paget disease (EMPD) is an uncommon malignant neoplasm affecting apocrine gland-bearing skin which usually occurs in the anogenital area of patients older than 50 years. However, as EMPD in old men develops in penoscrotal area and sometimes asymptomatic, in situ or dermal invasion is usually widely spread before a confirmed diagnosis was made. Skin graft is needed after surgery. Both photodynamic therapy (PDT) and topical use of imiquimod reported effective for EMPD. METHODS: Two patients with recurrent and wide spread at penoscrotal and groin area were diagnosed EMPD by biopsy and histopathological and immunohistochemical examination. We use 6 cycles of 20% 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) photodynamic therapy guided by 5-ALA induced porphyrin fluorescence. After PDT, patients were treated by topical use of imiquimod to prevent the recurrence. RESULTS: After 6 cycles of PDT and imiquimod treatments, the patients' examination showed total remission. At the end of the 6 and 12 months, biopsy and pathology examination remain no signal of recurrence. No clinical recurrence after 24 and 36 months' follow up. CONCLUSION: The combination treatment with 20% PDT and imiquimod acquired complete remission in treatment for recurrent and wide spread extramammary Paget disease in two patients.

[Isolation and identification of Streptococcus mutans strains with different genotype from clinical samples].

OBJECTIVE: To identify Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) strains from clinical samples. METHODS: Plaque samples from caries-active and caries-free sites on enamel surfaces were obtained and cultivated for S. mutans isolation. Morphology, biochemistry, automatic microorganism analysis system and polymerase chain reaction using primers homologous to surface protein antigen I/II (spaP), glucosyltransferase B (gtfB) and dextranase (dexA) were used to identify S. mutans. Genotype of isolated S. mutans was determined by arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Forty-six strains of S. mutans were obtained from the 32 subjects and were identified as S. mutans by biochemistry, automatic microorganism analysis system and polymerase chain reaction. Five identical genotypes were found by arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction. CONCLUSION: Forty-one strains of S. mutans with different genotype were obtained from clinical samples.

Relationship between high density of peritumoral lymphatic vessels and biological behavior of cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis in cervical squamous carcinoma. METHODS: Eighty cases of invasive cervical squamous cancer were selected as objects of our study. Double immunohistochemical staining with antibodies against lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 and Ki-67 was used to label the lymphatic vessels and mark the proliferative lymphatic vessels in cervical squamous cancer. The peritumoral lymphatic vessel density and intratumoral lymphatic vessel density was assessed. The lymphatic vessels proliferation index was evaluated by calculating Ki-67 proliferation index (PI) to reflect the lymphangiogenesis of cervical squamous cancer. Then the correlation between lymphangiogenesis and clinicopathologic features of cervical squamous cancer was analyzed. RESULTS: The LVD of cervical cancer (15.23 ± 3.6) was clearly higher than that of the adjacent normal cervical subepithelial tissues (9.9 ± 2.5, P < 0.001). The peritumoral lymphatic vessel density of cervical cancer (18.75 ± 4.3) was significantly higher than the intratumoral lymphatic vessel density of cervical cancer (11.71 ± 4.9, P < 0.001). Lymphatic PI (LPI) of cervical cancer (0.258 ± 0.07) was higher than that of the adjacent normal cervical subepithelial tissues (0.068 ± 0.08, P < 0.001). The peritumoral lymphatic vessel PI of cervical cancer (0.324 ± 0.06) was notably higher than the intratumoral lymphatic vessel PI of cervical cancer (0.232 ± 0.06, P < 0.001). Peritumoral lymphatic vessel density and peritumoral lymphatic vessel were clearly associated with the lymph node metastasis (P = 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively) and lymphovascular space invasion (P = 0.024 and P = 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The high density of peritumoral lymphatic vessels is a potential predictor of more aggressive phenotype of cervical squamous cancer.

[Effects of Solenopsis invicta invasion on the diversity of spider communities in a corn field].

By using pitfall trapping and ocular estimation, this paper studied the effects of Solenopsis invicta invasion on the diversity of spider communities in a corn field. A total of 16 spider species belonging to 8 families were recorded. In the plot S. invicta invaded, there were 10 spider species of 6 families, among which, 5 species of 4 families were in pesticide-treated plot, and 11 species of 8 families were in control plot. The spiders were dominated by wandering species, mainly belonging to the families Salticidae and Oxyopidae, and the dominant species were Oxyopex sertatus, Myrmarachne joblotii, and Myrmarachne sp. In the plot S. invicta invaded, the population quantity of S. invicta began to increase steadily from the late whorl stage of corn, with the peak (225 individuals) through the earring stage, but decreased steadily thereafter, with the decrement of the spiders of genus Oxyopex reached 79.2%, while the population quantity of the spiders of genus Myrmarachne had no significant change. With the growth of corn, the species number, diversity index, and evenness index of the spiders in S. invicta-invaded and pesticide-treated plot decreased and the predominant indices increased gradually, while the situation in control plot was in adverse. It was concluded that due to the S. invicta invasion in corn field, the community structure of spiders changed.

Genetic diversity and population structure of 10 Chinese indigenous egg-type duck breeds assessed by microsatellite polymorphism.

The genetic structure and diversity of 10 Chinese indigenous egg-type duck breeds were investigated using 29 microsatellite markers. The total number of animals examined were 569, on average 57 animals per breed were selected. The microsatellite marker set analysed provided 177 alleles (mean 6.1 alleles per locus, ranging from 3 to 10). All populations showed high levels of heterozygosity with the lowest estimate of 0.539 for the Jinding ducks, and the highest 0.609 observed for Jingjiang partridge ducks. The global heterozygote deficit across all populations (FIT) amounted to -0.363. About 10% of the total genetic variability originated from differences among breeds, with all loci contributing significantly. An unrooted consensus tree was constructed using the NeighborNet tree based on the Reynold's genetic distance. The structure software was used to assess genetic clustering of these egg-type duck breeds. Clustering analysis provided an accurate representation of the current genetic relations among the breeds. An integrated analysis was undertaken to obtain information on the population dynamics in Chinese indigenous egg-type duck breeds, and to better determine the conservation priorities.

Reliability and validity of the GMFM-66 in 0- to 3-year-old children with cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the reliability and validity of a 66-item version of the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66) to assess the gross motor functions of children <3 yrs old with cerebral palsy. DESIGN: 298 valid samples were obtained from 171 children with cerebral palsy (male 126, female 45, mean age 19 mos, age range 3-36 mos) measured with GMFM-88. Then a 73-item version of GMFM (GMFM-73) special for these children was obtained by Rasch analysis. GMFM-66 score and GMFM-73 scores of each sample were obtained. The reliability and validity of GMFM-66 were evaluated by analyzing the correlation between the scores and between the change scores of these two GMFM versions. The relative precision of GMFM-73 vs. GMFM-66 was also analyzed. RESULTS: The test-retest reliability and interscorer reliability of GMFM-66 were both high. The ICC scores were 0.9666 and 0.9782, respectively. Significant correlations were found between the scores (r = 0.9848, P < 0.001) and between the change scores (r = 0.8700, P < 0.001) of these two versions of GMFM. A 14% less gain in relative precision was achieved when using GMFM-73 vs. GMFM-66. CONCLUSION: Results indicated that the GMFM-66 had good reliability and validity in assessing the gross motor functions of children <3 yrs old with cerebral palsy. The GMFM-73 derived in the present study did not function significantly better for young children than GMFM-66.