An Analysis of Environment-, Individual-, and Tumor-Related Factors Impacting Hypovitaminosis D in Patients with Malignant Tumors.

Vitamin D (VD) plays a regulatory role in tumor occurrence and development, although the factors influencing serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) levels in patients with cancer have not been studied. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate circulating levels of 25(OH)D3 and factors influencing the VD status in patients with malignant tumors. Adult patients with malignant tumors who had undergone assessments of serum 25(OH)D3 at Beijing Cancer Hospital from January 2019 to July 2022 were included. A multiple logistic regression model was applied to explore the associations of patient characteristics, environment, and disease characteristics with 25(OH)D3 levels. Among the 1,076 included patients, the median 25(OH)D3 serum concentration was 16.25 ng/mL. VD deficiency and the combined VD insufficiency and sufficiency were observed in 811 (75.37%) and 265 (24.63%) patients, respectively. Latitude, season, sex, body mass index, and type of cancer were associated with VD concentration/status in patients with malignant tumors. 25(OH)D3 concentrations were significantly higher in patients with thyroid cancer and significantly lower in patients receiving tumor-related treatment than in untreated patients. Surprisingly, we observed 25(OH)D3 serum concentration was lower in patients receiving nutritional supplementation than in those receiving no nutritional supplements. Patients with malignant tumors are at high risk of VD deficiency.

A study of the relationship between human infection with avian influenza a (H5N6) and environmental avian influenza viruses in Fujian, China.

BACKGROUND: Avian influenza A (H5N6) virus poses a great threat to the human health since it is capable to cross the species barrier and infect humans. Although human infections are believed to largely originate from poultry contaminations, the transmissibility is unclear and only limited information was available on poultry environment contaminations, especially in Fujian Province. METHODS: A total of 4901 environmental samples were collected and tested for Avian Influenza Virus (AIV) from six cities in Fujian Province through the Fujian Influenza Surveillance System from 2013 to 2017. Two patient-related samples were taken from Fujian's first confirmed H5N6 human case and his backyard chicken feces in 2017. Chi-square test or Fisher's exact probability test was used to compare the AIV and the viral subtype positive rates among samples from different Surveillance cities, surveillance sites, sample types, and seasons. Phylogenetic tree analysis and molecular analysis were conducted to track the viral transmission route of the human infection and to map out the evolutions of H5N6 in Fujian. RESULTS: The overall positive rate of the H5 subtype AIVs was 4.24% (208/4903). There were distinctive differences (p < 0.05) in the positive rates in samples from different cities, sample sites, sample types and seasons. The viruses from the patient and his backyard chicken feces shared high homologies (99.9-100%) in all the eight gene segments. Phylogenetic trees also showed that these two H5N6 viruses were closely related to each other, and were classified into the same genetic clade 2.3.4.4 with another six H5N6 isolates from the environmental samples. The patient's H5N6 virus carried genes from H6N6, H5N8 and H5N6 viruses originated from different areas. The R294K or N294S substitution was not detected in the neuraminidase (NA). The S31 N substitution in the matrix2 (M2) gene was detected but only in one strain from the environmental samples. CONCLUSIONS: The H5 subtype of AIVs has started circulating in the poultry environments in Fujian Province. The patient's viral strain originated from the chicken feces in his backyard. Genetic reassortment in H5N6 viruses in Fujian Province was indicated. The H5N6 viruses currently circulating in Fujian Province were still commonly sensitive to Oseltamivir and Zanamivir, but the resistance against Amantadine has emerged.

[Pathogens and clinical features of preterm infants with sepsis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pathogen composition and clinical features of preterm infants with sepsis, and to provide a basis for early identification and treatment of sepsis in preterm infants. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 371 preterm infants with sepsis who had a positive blood culture between January 2014 and May 2018. According to the time of onset, the preterm infants were divided into an early-onset group (an age of onset of <7 days) with 73 preterm infants and a late-onset group (an age of onset of ≥7 days) with 298 preterm infants. The two groups were compared in terms of pathogen composition and clinical features (initial symptoms, laboratory examination results at the time of onset, comorbidities, and prognosis). RESULTS: There was a higher proportion of infants with Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in the late-onset group (P<0.05), while there was a higher proportion of infants with Escherichia coli, Streptococcus agalactiae or Listeria infection in the early-onset group (P<0.05). The early-onset group had a significantly higher proportion of infants with dyspnea than the late-onset group (P<0.05). Compared with the late-onset group, the early-onset group had significantly shorter time to negative conversion of blood culture, duration of antibiotic use before infection, and indwelling time of deep venous catheterization (P<0.05), and the late-onset group had a significantly higher incidence rate of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis than the early-onset group (P<0.05). The early-onset group had a significantly higher rate of treatment withdrawal than the late-onset group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Preterm infants with sepsis lack typical clinical manifestations and laboratory examination results at the time of onset. There are certain differences in pathogen composition and clinical features between preterm infants with early- and late-onset sepsis. Possible pathogens for sepsis should be considered based on age in days at the time of onset and related clinical features.

Sleep Deprivation and Late Bedtime Impair Sperm Health Through Increasing Antisperm Antibody Production: A Prospective Study of 981 Healthy Men.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sleep duration and bedtime on sperm health, and the possible mechanism involved. MATERIAL AND METHODS We randomly divided 981 healthy Chinese men into groups according to research-set bedtimes (A=8-10 PM, B=after 10 PM, and C=after midnight) and sleep durations: group 1=<6.0 h (short), group 2=7.0-8.0 h (average), and group 3=>9.0 h (long). Sperm morphology, count, survival, and motility were examined according to sleep patterns. Antisperm antibody (ASA) production in semen was determined. RESULTS Sperm counts and their survival rates were lower in the short sleepers as compared to others within each group (all P<0.01). The lower counts and survival rates were observed in different bedtimes, with significant differences found between measurements of C1 vs. A1 and C2 vs. A2 or B2 (all P<0.05 or 0.01). Semen motility was lower in the short sleepers as compared to the average and long sleepers (all P<0.01). There were differences in the bedtime-related results between measurements of C1 vs. A1 or B1 (P<0.05 or 0.01). Additionally, the population proportion for the ASA-positive participates and incidence of the ASA-expressed population obviously increased in the short sleepers as compared to others within each group (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Short and long sleep durations and late bedtime were associated with impaired sperm health in the study cohort, partly through increasing ASA production in the semen.

Antitumor activity of the pachymic acid in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antitumour efficacy of pachymic acid (PA), which is a fungal extract component, on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells CNE-1, CNE-2. METHODS: We have chosen NPC cell line CNE-2 for the study, and the cells were treated with PA before the detection. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the proliferative ability, and Annexin V-PI double staining was used for the detection of apoptosis rate; and the nucleus damage was detected by transmission electron microscope, the protein expression of the DNA damage pathway were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: PA can significantly inhibited proliferation of CNE-1, CNE-2 cells. The proportion of apoptotic cells of all cell lines gradually increased in a dose-dependent manner induced by PA, P < 0.05. Meanwhile, the nucleus could be caused morphological changes and the expression of DNA damage-related proteins was upregulated by PA in CNE-2. CONCLUSIONS: PA can significantly inhibit cell proliferation and increase the apoptosis rates and may induce the apoptosis of the human NPC cells.

Serum CRP and urinary trypsin inhibitor implicate postoperative cognitive dysfunction especially in elderly patients.

PURPOSE: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) characterized as the decline of memory and executive function after major surgery is not well illustrated. The aim of this study is to discover whether inflammatory cytokines and urinary trypsin inhibitor (uTi) contribute to the development of POCD. METHOD: Sixty-three patients undergoing lumber discectomy and 47 age-matched control volunteers were involved in this study. The level of C-reaction protein (CRP) and uTi/urine creatinine (Ucr) was measured by immunoturbidimetry and enzyme-inhibition assay, respectively. Meanwhile, ELISA was involved to detect the level of IL-6, IL-10, MMP-9 in serum. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test was used to determine the cognitive decline of the patients and age-matched controls. RESULT: In POCD group, the level of IL-6, IL-10, CRP, MMP-9 in serum and uTi /Ucr in urine was significantly higher than that in the group without POCD. The POCD was more frequently observed in elderly group than in the middle-aged group (43.75% versus 19.35%, p = 0.038). After logistic regression analysis adjusted by the age, only serum CRP at 72 h postoperation and urinary uTi /Ucr at 24 h postoperation were the independent risk factors of POCD. CONCLUSION: Age-related increasing proinflammatory postoperation may result in higher occurrence of POCD in the elderly. Additionally, patients with extremely high concentrations of CRP in serum at 72 h postoperation and uTi /Ucr in urine at 24 h postoperation are more likely to experience POCD, especially in the elderly.

[HPLC Fingerprint and Active Components Determination of Polygala tenuifolia Root Bark and Root].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the difference between Polygala tenuifolia root bark and root using HPLC fingerprint analysis and active components determination. METHODS: Three main characteristic components including tenuifolin, polygalaxanthone III, and 3, 6'-disinapoly sucrose in different Polygala tenuifolia samples were determined by HPLC. The fingerprint methods were optimized. Then, the similarity evaluation and multivariate statistical analysis were applied in the post-processing data analysis. RESULTS: There was a high similarity in 15 batches of Polygala tenuifolia samples and its similarity coefficient was greater than 0. 9. The Polygala tenuifolia root bark and root could be clearly separated by the cluster analysis and/or the principal component analysis due to significant differences of the contents of polygalaxanthone III and 3 ,6'-disinapoly sucrose. In addition, the result of scatter plot showed that there was a high variation of tenuifolin content among all samples. The contents range of polygalaxanthone III and 3,6'-disinapoly sucrose in root bark varied relatively slight,while the content range of polygalaxanthone III in roots varied largely. Moreover,the stacked plots suggested that it was not reasonable to evaluate the quality of Polygala tenuifolia only by a single ingredient. Conclusion:The content of 3 ,6'-disinapoly sucrose varies more largely than the other two active components in Polygala tenuifolia root bark and root. Polygala tenuifolia root bark and root should be selected for different clinical treatment to ensure the accuracy of its clinical use.

[Effects of caffeine citrate on myelin basic protein in neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of caffeine citrate on myelin basic protein (MBP) expression in the cerebral white matter of neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) and the related mechanism. METHODS: Forty-eight seven-day-old Sprague-Dawley neonatal rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups: sham operation (n=16), HIBD (n=16) and HIBD+caffeine citrate (n=16). The rats in the HIBD and HIBD+caffeine citrate groups were subjected to left common carotid artery ligation, and then were exposed to 80 mL/L oxygen and 920 mL/L nitrogen for 2 hours to induce HIBD. The rats in the sham operation group were only subjected to a sham operation, without the left common carotid artery ligation or hypoxia exposure. Caffeine citrate (20 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally before hypoxia ischemia (HI) and immediately, 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours after HI. The other two groups were injected intraperitoneally with an equal volume of normal saline at the corresponding time points. On postnatal day 12, the expression of MBP in the left subcortical white matter was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the levels of adenosine A1 receptor mRNA and A2a receptor mRNA in the left brain were detected by real-time PCR. RESULTS: The expression of MBP in the left subcortical white matter in the HIBD group was lower than in the sham operation group (P<0.05). The MBP expression in the HIBD+caffeine citrate group was significantly higher than in the HIBD group, but was still lower than the sham operation group (P<0.05). Real-time PCR showed that the adenosine A1 receptor mRNA expression was significantly higher in the HIBD group than in the sham operation group, and it was significantly lower in the HIBD+caffeine citrate group than in the HIBD group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Caffeine citrate can improve brain white matter damage following HIBD in neonatal rats and the protection mechanism might be related with the down-regulation of adenosine A1 receptor expression.

A heavy metal-associated protein (AcHMA1) from the halophyte, Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt., confers tolerance to iron and other abiotic stresses when expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Many heavy metals are essential for metabolic processes, but are toxic at elevated levels. Metal tolerance proteins provide resistance to this toxicity. In this study, we identified and characterized a heavy metal-associated protein, AcHMA1, from the halophyte, Atriplex canescens. Sequence analysis has revealed that AcHMA1 contains two heavy metal binding domains. Treatments with metals (Fe, Cu, Ni, Cd or Pb), PEG6000 and NaHCO3 highly induced AcHMA1 expression in A. canescens, whereas NaCl and low temperature decreased its expression. The role of AcHMA1 in metal stress tolerance was examined using a yeast expression system. Expression of the AcHMA1 gene significantly increased the ability of yeast cells to adapt to and recover from exposure to excess iron. AcHMA1 expression also provided salt, alkaline, osmotic and oxidant stress tolerance in yeast cells. Finally, subcellular localization of an AcHMA1/GFP fusion protein expressed in tobacco cells showed that AcHMA1 was localized in the plasma membrane. Thus, our results suggest that AcHMA1 encodes a membrane-localized metal tolerance protein that mediates the detoxification of iron in eukaryotes. Furthermore, AcHMA1 also participates in the response to abiotic stress.

[Determination of the carboxyl content of oxidized starch by fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy].

In the present study, the carboxyl content of oxidized starch was determined by FTIR spectroscopy. Standard curve was drawn in which the ordinate was carboxyl content determined by national standard method with the ratio of carbonyl absorbance to the key of C-H absorbance in FTIR spectroscopy as the abscissa. The ratio of absorbance of unknown oxidized starch tested by FTIR spectroscopy was obtained, The carboxyl content was calculated by standard curve, and then compared with the carboxyl content determined by national standard method, and the deviation is between 2% and 4%. In order to improve the accuracy of the experiment, standard sample was selected to draw standard curve to better ensure that the carboxyl content of the unknown oxidized starch is in the range of standard curve calculation limit, and deviates from the limit of standard curve. Compared with the carboxyl content determined by national standard method, testing with FTIR spectroscopy is simple, easy to operate, and of high efficiency and better accuracy. So, it is significant to forecast the carboxyl content of oxidized starch by FTIR spectroscopy.

[Effects of erythropoietin on neuronal proliferation and apoptosis in neonatal rats after infection-induced brain injury].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of erythropoietin (EPO) on the neuronal proliferation and apoptosis in neonatal rats after infection-induced brain injury and the neuroprotective mechanism of EPO in neonatal rats with infection-induced brain injury. METHODS: Twenty-six two-day-old neonatal rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (intraperitoneally given an equal volume of normal saline), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group (intraperitoneally given LPS 0.6 mg/kg), and EPO group (intraperitoneally given LPS 0.6 mg/kg and EPO 5 000 U/kg). These groups were injected with respective drugs for 5 consecutive days. Meanwhile, each group was intraperitoneally injected with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) (50 mg/kg) once a day for 5 consecutive days. The expression of BrdU and cleaved Caspase-3 in the hippocampal dentate gyrus was detected by immunohistochemistry at 24 hours after the last injection. RESULTS: The number of neuronal cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus in the LPS and EPO groups was significantly greater than in the control group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the LPS and EPO groups. The EPO group had a significantly higher number of BrdU-positive cells in the subgranular zone of hippocampal dentate gyrus than the LPS group (51±9 vs 29±6; P<0.05), but a significantly lower number of BrdU-positive cells than the control group (51±9 vs 67±12; P<0.05). The EPO group had a significantly lower number of cleaved Caspase-3-positive cells in the subgranular zone of hippocampal dentate gyrus than the LPS group (27.9±1.5 vs 34.0±1.3; P<0.05), but a significantly higher number of cleaved Caspase-3-positive cells than the control group (27.9±1.5 vs 21.0±1.7; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: EPO can promote hippocampal neuronal proliferation and reduce neuronal apoptosis in neonatal rats after infection-induced brain injury.

[Spectroscopic diagnosis of dielectric barrier discharge in long gap under low presssure].

In the present paper, a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma was generated at low pressure in a DBD device with the eletrode distance of 10cm and using Ar as working gas. The changes in electronic temperature and density in the discharge cavum were studied by means of emission spectrometry. The changes in electronic temperature measured by using corona model were obtained. The variations in electronic density were analyzed using 750.4 nm line intensity. It was found that the plasma electronic temperature and density is various at different positions in the discharge cavum. With the measuring point moving from cathode to anode, the electronic temperature firstly increases slowly, then decreases quickly. While the electronic density increases slowly at first, and then rapidly.

The risk factors for miscarriage of viable intrauterine pregnancies in patients with heterotopic pregnancy after surgical intervention.

To summarize the clinical characteristics and explore the risk factors for miscarriage of a viable intrauterine pregnancy following surgical intervention in patients with heterotopic pregnancy (HP). A total of 106 women diagnosed with HP that underwent surgical intervention in the Women's Hospital School of Medicine Zhejiang University between January 2014 and December 2021 were included in this retrospective study. They were divided into a miscarriage group (n = 13) and an ongoing pregnancy group (n = 93) according to the outcomes of the HP within 2 weeks after surgery. Data regarding clinical characteristics, surgical conditions, postoperative recovery, and complications were collected and compared between the groups. Logistic multivariate analysis was performed to explore the risk factors for miscarriage in patients with HP within 2 weeks of surgical intervention. Among the 106 women with HP, 80 had tubal HP, 8 had cornual HP, and 18 had interstitial HP. Eighty-seven (82.1%) patients developed clinical symptoms that manifested primarily as abnormal vaginal bleeding and/or abdominal pain, whereas 19 (17.9%) patients had no clinical symptoms. The mean gestational age on the day of surgery was 7.2 weeks (inter-quartile range, 6.4-8.3). The miscarriage rate within 2 weeks of surgical intervention was 12.3% in patients with HP. Compared to the ongoing pregnancy group, the miscarriage group had a higher body mass index, earlier gestational age at treatment, and higher volume of hemoperitoneum (P < .05 for all). Logistic multivariate analysis indicated that the women with a hemoperitoneum volume > 200 mL had significantly higher risk of miscarriage after adjusting covariates [OR (odds ratio) = 5.285, 95% CI (confidence interval) (1.152-24.238), P < .05]. Hemoperitoneum volume was independently associated with miscarriage of viable intrauterine pregnancies in patients with HP within 2 weeks of surgical intervention.

Analysis on the Effect of Radiofrequency Ablation and Electrocautery in the Treatment of Vaginal Intraepithelial Neoplasia.

Objective: This research intends to investigate the clinical efficacy of radiofrequency ablation and electrocautery in treating grade I or II vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN). Methods: This is a single-center retrospective study, which collected the clinical data of 100 patients with VaIN diagnosed by colposcopy and pathological biopsy in the Gynecology and Cervical Center of Xiangzhu Branch of the Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region between January 2020 and June 2021. Patients were divided into the study group (radiofrequency ablation treatment) and the control group (electrocautery) according to differences in treatment approaches. 6- and 12-month follow-ups were performed on all patients. Gynecological examination results, liquid-based thin-layer cytology (TCT), negative conversion of human papillomavirus (HPV), curative effects, and prognosis were recorded. Results: All patients completed regular follow-ups that lasted for 6 and 12 months. The 6- and 12-month cure rates of the study group were 76.0% and 92.0%, respectively, and the data in the control group were 70.0% and 82.0%, respectively. In terms of the 6- and 12-month negative conversion rates of HPV, the data in the study group were 68.0% and 78.0%, versus 60% and 68% in the control group, respectively. The lesion duration rate showed no statistical significance between the study group (8.0%) and the control group (P > 0.05). The analysis of postoperative follow-up complications revealed that the study group had a statistically lower overall incidence of vaginal bleeding, excessive vaginal discharge, vaginal burning sensation, and decreased vaginal elasticity than the control group (8.0% vs. 24.0% P < 0.05). Conclusion: Both radiofrequency ablation and electrocautery have obvious clinical effects in patients with grade I or II VaIN, but the former contributed to fewer operative complications and a good prognosis, which deserves clinical promotion.

Three new cadinene-type sesquiterpenoids from the aerial parts of Ageratina adenophora.

Three new cadinene sesquiterpenoids 1-3, were isolated from the aerial sections of Ageratina adenophora using various chromatographic techniques. Their structures were characterised by comprehensive spectroscopic investigations (including 1D, 2D-NMR and HRMS), and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The cytotoxic activity of new compounds 1-3 were evaluated by testing in vitro tumour growth inhibitory rate against five human tumour cell lines, HL-60, A-549, SMMC-7721, MDA-MB-231, and SW480.

Cathepsin B cleavable novel prodrug Ac-Phe-Lys-PABC-ADM enhances efficacy at reduced toxicity in treating gastric cancer peritoneal carcinomatosis: an experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) is effective in gastric cancer treatment, but with severe dose-dependent toxicities. A novel prodrug of doxorubicin (Ac-Phe-Lys-PABC-ADM) is designed to deliver free doxorubicin relying on cathepsin B and reduce side effects. The authors examined the antitumor effect and toxicities of Ac-Phe-Lys-PABC-ADM against gastric cancer peritoneal carcinomatosis. METHODS: SGC-7901 gastric cancer cell line was used for the study. The in vitro study investigated the effects of doxorubicin and Ac-Phe-Lys-PABC-ADM on cell growth dynamics and cell cycle. The in vivo study investigated the efficacy and toxicity of Ac-Phe-Lys-PABC-ADM on a nude mice model of peritoneal carcinomatosis, with doxorubicin as positive control. RESULTS: In the in vitro study, Ac-Phe-Lys-PABC-ADM had a lower dose-dependent inhibitory effect on SGC-7901 cells. In the in vivo study of control, doxorubicin, and Ac-Phe-Lys-PABC-ADM groups, the median experimental peritoneal carcinomatosis indexes were 6, 1.5, and 1, respectively (P = .004); the body weights were 24.32 ± 1.40 g, 18.40 ± 2.97 g, and 23.61 ± 0.80 g, respectively (P = .000). Biochemical studies showed that Ac-Phe-Lys-PABC-ADM had significantly lower toxicities on the bone marrow, liver, kidney, and particularly heart. Histopathological studies of the control, doxorubicin, and Ac-Phe-Lys-PABC-ADM groups found significant myocardium toxicities in 3, 7, and 4 animals, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Ac-Phe-Lys-PABC-ADM could be an effective molecular targeting drug to treat gastric cancer peritoneal carcinomatosis with enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicity.

Effects of a combination of oral anti-diabetes drugs with basal insulin therapy on ß-cell function and glycaemic control in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Oral anti-diabetes drugs plus basal insulin (OAD + insulin) therapy in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes might improve ß-cell function and result in extended glycaemic remission. This randomised trial compared the effect on ß-cell function and diabetes remission rate between oral drug alone or with addition of basal insulin. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-nine patients, aged 35-50 years, were enrolled between June 2005 and June 2009. For initial correction of hyperglycaemia, patients with fasting plasma glucose ≥9.0 mmol/L and HbA(1c) ≥ 9.0%, were randomly assigned to therapy with oral drugs + insulin or oral drugs alone. Treatment was stopped after normoglycaemia was maintained for 3 months. Patients were then followed-up with diet and physical exercise. Blood glucose, HbA(1c) and insulin were measured prior to treatment and at 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: More patients achieved target glycaemic control in the oral drugs + insulin group [98.3% (58 of 59)] in less time [(10.4 ± 2.5) days] than those in the oral drug group [95.7% (67 of 70) and (12.4 ± 3.4) days]. At 1-year follow-up, more patients maintained target glycaemia without any drugs in the oral drug + insulin group than in the oral drug group [37.9% (22 of 58) vs 20.9% (14 of 67)]. Both treatments improved homeostasis model assessment-ß (HOMA-ß) and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) significantly. They had similar effects on insulin resistance [lg(HOMA-IR): (0.50 ± 0.09) vs (0.48 ± 0.09), p = 0.23]. However, oral drugs + insulin could recover ß-cell function much more than OAD alone could [lg(HOMA-ß): (2.17 ± 0.14) vs (2.11 ± 0.13), p = 0.03]. CONCLUSION: In newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, therapy with oral drugs + insulin has had favourable outcomes on recovery and maintenance of ß-cell function and protracted glycaemic remission compared with treatment with oral drugs alone.

[Comparison of in vitro anti-oxidative activities among Siwu Decoction Serial Recipes, their composed crude herbs, and main aromatic acids, as well as their dose-effect correlation].

OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare the in vitro anti-oxidative activities among Siwu Decoction Serial Recipes, their composed crude herbs, and main aromatic acids they contained. METHODS: Their anti-oxidative activities (including Siwu Decoction and correlated recipes such as Taohong Siwu Decoction, Xiangfu Siwu Decoction, Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction, and Xiongqiong Decoction, 16 kinds of crude herbs, and main aromatic acids they contained) were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical clearance method. RESULTS: The selected five decoctions showed obvious activities of scavenging free radicals. Siwu Decoction was better than other decoctions in scavenging free radicals and Xiongqiong Decoction was the least. Among the 16 kinds of crude herbs, red peony root, white peony root, safflower, ligustici chuanxiong, common aucklandia root showed the strongest activities, while peach seed showed the poorest activities. Among aromatic acids, gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid showed obvious anti-oxidative activities in scavenging free radicals, showing obvious dose-effect correlation. p-hydroxybenzoic acid, benzoic acid, and cinnamic acid showed no activities on scavenging free radicals (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Siwu Decoction and aromatic acids contained in correlated decoctions played significant roles in anti-oxidative activities.

[Risk factors for periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage in premature infants treated with mechanical ventilation].

OBJECTIVE: To study risk factors for periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage (PVH-IVH) in premature infants treated with mechanical ventilation. METHODS: A total of 205 premature infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and treated with mechanical ventilation between January 2009 and December 2011 were enrolled. They were classified into PVH-IVH and non-PVH-IVH groups according to the results of head ultrasonography performed at 3 to 7 days after birth. Single factor and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to identify risk factors for PVH-IVH. RESULTS: Single factor analysis indicated 9 factors associated with the development of PVH-IVH, including a gestational age of <32 weeks, a birth weight of <1500 g, intrauterine distress, severe asphyxia, vaginal delivery, maternal perinatal infection, premature rupture of membranes (PROM) at ≥8 hours, mechanical ventilation duration of ≥7 days and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a birth weight of <1500 g (OR=2.665), intrauterine distress (OR=2.177), severe asphyxia (OR=5.653), maternal perinatal infection (OR=4.365) and VAP (OR=2.299) were independent risk factors for the development of PVH-IVH (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Very low birth weight, intrauterine distress, severe asphyxia, maternal perinatal infection and VAP are closely associated with an increased risk of PVH-IVH in premature infants treated with mechanical ventilation. These clinical risk factors should be given more attention in the prevention of PVH-IVH.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the predictive power of MTHFR polymorphisms for pemetrexed drug efficacy and toxicity in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

We conducted a meta-analysis to determine if MTHFR polymorphisms are effective biomarkers for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patient survival and pemetrexed (PEM) treatment toxicity. Because of data heterogeneity, fixed or random effects models were chosen, and pooled HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. No correlation between MTHFR 677 C > T polymorphism and progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS) was detected in NSCLC patients; however, patients with the T allele benefited more than those with the wild-type allele. Two papers reported hematologic toxicity of single-agent PEM treatment in patients with the MTHFR 677 C > T polymorphism. However, data on MTHFR polymorphisms and toxicity could not be combined, even though publication bias and sensitivity analysis results were stable and reliable. We conclude that the MTHFR 677 C > T polymorphism could not predict PEM efficacy in NSCLC patients; however, the T allele may increase the risk of haematological toxicity. A large-scale clinical trial is recommended.