Potent Antibody Response Elicited by a Third Booster Dose of Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine in Healthy Subjects.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine has been used worldwide on a large scale because of its potent ability to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and the antibody response induced by the vaccine needs to be elucidated. Thus, we conducted a prospective trial in healthy subjects to observe the antibody response after three doses of inactivated vaccines. Our results showed that neutralizing antibody (NAb) levels were significantly higher after the booster vaccination compared to the second, a 4.9-fold increase, with the peak occurring at 28 days. The NAb level could be maintained for a longer period after the third vaccination, with higher levels still observed after 3 months. We did not observe significantly higher levels of SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific immunoglobulin G (S-IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) after the third vaccination compared with the second vaccination; this was especially true for SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific immunoglobulin M (S-IgM), which was barely expressed. Notably, those who did not undergo NAb seroconversion after two doses of the vaccine produced high and long-lasting NAb after the third vaccination, confirming that they were not completely unresponsive to the vaccine. The NAb titer in younger subjects (aged 20-40 years) rose 3.4-fold compared with older subjects (aged 40-60 years) after the second vaccination, but the difference was narrowed after the third vaccination (2.8-fold increase). In addition, the levels of antibodies in older men were 3.4-fold lower than those in the older women after the third vaccination. Overall, this study elucidates the dynamic change in antibodies after three doses of vaccination, which provides a reference for the improvement of vaccination strategies.

Breastfeeding Practices and Associated Factors in Shanghai: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The status of breastfeeding practices remains unsatisfactory across China, but regional differences persist. However, disaggregated data for specific provinces are limited. This representative survey determined the status of breastfeeding and factors associated with breastfeeding practices in Shanghai. The questionnaire was designed in compliance with indicators for assessing infant and young child-feeding practices defined by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). A total of 2665 children aged two years and younger (0-730 days) were investigated, among whom 1677 were aged under six months. The early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) rate was 60.3%. Among children aged under six months, 43.4% were exclusively breastfed (EBF). The univariate regression analysis showed that the EBF rate was influenced by multiple factors, including individual, socioeconomic, workplace and employment, and health system. The subsequent multivariate analysis suggested that mothers with a higher rate of EBF shared the following characteristics: intention to breastfeed during pregnancy, breastfeeding knowledge, and higher satisfaction with support through the healthcare system after delivery. The rate of EBF in Shanghai is over 40%, and supporting breastfeeding requires measures at multiple levels, including individual attributes, women's work and employment conditions, breastfeeding knowledge, and health services.

Positive psychological suggestions improve the self-efficacy, social functioning and mood of patients undergoing replantation.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the effect of positive psychological suggestions on self-efficacy and social functioning of patients undergoing replantation. METHODS: The clinical data of 80 patients treated with replantation in our hospital were retrospectively selected and divided into two groups according to the different intervention methods. The control group (n=40) received conventional healthcare interventions, and the study group (n=40) received additionally positive psychological suggestions. The changes of self-efficacy, quality of life and moods were compared between the two groups before intervention, as well as at 7 d, 15 d, 30 d and 60 d after intervention. The effect of positive psychological suggestions on the incidence of complications and satisfaction rate of nursing intervention was also analyzed. RESULTS: At 15 d, 30 d and 60 d after intervention, patients in the study group had higher self-efficacy scores, lower scores of the Social Functioning Deficit Scale as well as lower scores of Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and Self-Rating Depression Scale than those in the control group (P<0.05). The total scores of social support in the study group were higher than those in the control group 60 d after intervention (P<0.05). In addition, the SL-90 scale scores in the study group were lower than those in the control group 60 d after intervention (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Positive psychological suggestions could improve the self-efficacy, social functioning and mood of patients undergoing replantation.

Study on the Effects of Kuanxiong Aerosol on the Isolated Artery and Rabbits Acute Myocardial Ischemia Model.

BACKGROUND: Kuan Xiong aerosol (KXA) is a Chinese herbal compound used to regulate qi-flowing to relieve pain and improve angina. However, only a few pharmacological studies on this traditional Chinese medicine preparation have been reported to confirm these activities. OBJECTIVES: This article aims to observe the effect of resisting acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) in vivo and dilating vessel in vitro of KXA. METHODS: The AMI model involves intravenously injecting the pituitary (2 U.kg-1) into the ear of rabbits. Electrocardiograph (ECG) T waves were then recorded after administration, and the falling range was calculated. Following this, the level of serum Cardiac troponin T (cTn-T) and the histopathology of the cardiac muscle tissue were evaluated. In vitro, the effect of KXA on vasodilation of isolated aortic rings that had been pre-contracted with KCl (30 mM) was observed. RESULTS: It was found that KXA reduced ECG ST-T waves and serum cTn-T in the rabbit AMI model, protecting myocardial tissue from fracturing and loss of myocardial fibers and inhibiting inflammatory cell infiltration, cavitation degeneration, and karyopyknosis of the myocardial matrix. Furthermore, the administration of 0.215, 1.075, and 2.150 mg.mL-1 of KXA resulted in significant relaxation of the aortic rings at a rate of 69.63 %, 90.14 %, and 118.72 % (p < 0.01) in the untreated ones, and a second shrinkage ratio of 20.17 %, 4.29 %, and 4.54 % (p < 0.01) in the untreated ones, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that KXA protects against AMI, contributes to the dilation of blood vessels, and has long-acting effectiveness.

[Treatment efficacy of Solitaire stent- and LVIS stent-assisted coil embolization for intracranial wide-neck carotid aneurysm].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety, efficacy and complications of LVIS stent-assisted coil embolization and Solitaire stent-assisted coil embolization for management of intracranial wide-neck carotid aneurysms. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 86 patients with intracranial wide-neck carotid aneurysm treated in our hospital between June, 2016 and June, 2019. Forty-three of the patients received LVIS stent-assisted coil tamponade and the other 43 received Solitaire stentassisted coil tamponade. Arteriography was performed during, immediately after, and at 3 months after the surgery. The immediate embolization rate, surgical complications (vascular spasm, acute thrombus, coil escape, and bleeding), and the recurrence rate were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: In the LVIS stent group, 37 aneurysms were completely embolized, 5 were nearly fully embolized, and 1 was partially embolized, as compared with the numbers of 35, 6, and 2 in the Solitaire stent group, respectively. Surgery-related complications occurred in 5 patients in LVIS stent group and 3 in Solitaire stent group. Follow-up digital subtraction angiography (DSA) at 3 months after the operation revealed 4 recurrent aneurysms, including 1 in LVIS group and 3 in Solitaire stent group. All the patients had favorable outcomes that did not differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Stent-assisted spring coils can achieve a high rate of complete and near-total embolization for intracranial aneurysms and is associated with a low incidence of neurological complications and favorable prognosis of the patients. The embolization rate, complications and recurrence rate are comparable between LVIS stent and Solitaire stent.

NORAD accelerates chemo-resistance of non-small-cell lung cancer via targeting at miR-129-1-3p/SOX4 axis.

Substantial researches indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) exerted profound effects on chemo-resistance in cancer treatment. Nonetheless, the role of NORAD in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. In the present study, we chose NSCLC cell lines H446 and A549 to explore the function of non-coding RNA activated damage (NORAD) in response to cisplatin (DDP) resistance of NSCLC. Experimental data manifested that NORAD was up-regulated in DDP-resistant NSCLC tissues and cells. NSCLC patients with high NORAD expression suffered a poor prognosis. NORAD knockdown resensitized H446/DDP and A549/DDP to DDP. Besides, NORAD acted as a molecular sponge of miR-129-1-3p. MiR-129-1-3p showed a low level of expression in DDP-resistant NSCLC tissues. Moreover, miR-129-1-3p overexpression impaired DDP resistance in H446/DDP and A549/DDP cells. SOX4 was the downstream target of miR-129-1-3p. Especially, SOX4 overexpression offset the effects of NORAD silence on H446/DDP and A549/DDP cells resistance to DDP. NORAD knockdown resensitized H446/DDP and A549/DDP to DDP in NSCLC via targeting miR-129-1-3p/SOX4 axis, offering a brand-new target for NSCLC chemo-resistance.

Si/a-C Nanocomposites with a Multiple Buffer Structure via One-Step Magnetron Sputtering for Ultrahigh-Stability Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes.

Large volume expansion and serious pulverization of silicon are two major challenges for Si-based anode batteries. Herein, a high-mass-load (3.0 g cm-3) silicon-doped amorphous carbon (Si/a-C) nanocomposite with a hierarchical buffer structure is prepared by one-step magnetron sputtering. The uniform mixing of silicon and carbon is realized on the several-nanometer scale by cosputter deposition of silicon and carbon. The boundary of the primary particles, made up of nanocarbon and nanosilicon, and the boundary of the secondary particles aggregated by the primary particles can provide accommodation space for the volume expansion of silicon and effectively buffer the volume expansion of silicon. Meanwhile, the continuous and uniformly distributed amorphous carbon enhances the conductivity of the Si/a-C nanocomposites. Typically, the 20% Si/a-C cell shows a superior initial discharge capacity of 845.3 mAh g-1 and achieves excellent cycle performance of up to 1000 cycles (609.4 mAh g-1) at the current density of 1 A g-1. Furthermore, the 20% Si/a-C cell exhibits a high capacity of 602.8 mAh g-1 with the stable discharge/charge rate performance in several extreme conditions (-40-70 °C). In view of the validity and mass productivity of the magnetron sputtering, a potential route for the industrial preparation of the Si/a-C anode nanocomposites is therefore highlighted by this study.

Effects of preconception counseling on maternal health care of migrant women in China: a community-based, cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Migrants have long been a disadvantaged group in China's health care system, especially in terms of maternal health care. Many studies have explored the factors associated with a lack of maternal health care and found many determinants, including social, economic, behavioral, and environmental factors. However, studies focusing on factors associated with maternal health care have rarely examined preconception counseling (PCC). This study explored factors related to PCC uptake among migrant women, and investigated the association between PCC and maternal health care in migrant women. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July to December 2011, in Nanhai, Guangdong Province, and Pinghu, Zhejiang Province, China. A total of 1,012 migrant women who had their most recent pregnancy within 1 year of the survey answered a standardized interviewer-administered questionnaire about maternal health care. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Only 208 (20.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 18.1-23.1%) of 1,012 migrant women had received PCC. Younger age, having more than one child, lack of knowledge of maternal health care and inter-province migration were predictors of a lack of PCC. PCC was associated with higher consumption of folic acid supplements during the preconception period (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.65, 95% CI: 1.66-4.23). Among migrants who were resident in Nanhai or Pinghu for less than 5 years, PCC was related to better quality prenatal care (AOR = 3.07, 95% CI: 1.79-5.24). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of PCC among migrant women was low (20.6%, 95% CI: 18.1-23.1%). Positive associations were found between the receipt of PCC and preconception folic acid supplements and quality prenatal care. Future studies focusing on maternal health care should pay attention to PCC and explore the effects of PCC on maternal health care through intervention studies. Continued efforts to increase PCC in migrants should target specific age groups (20-24 years), families with more than one child, and women who have migrated between provinces, as well as provide in-depth knowledge of maternal health care.

Disparity of anemia prevalence and associated factors among rural to urban migrant and the local children under two years old: a population based cross-sectional study in Pinghu, China.

BACKGROUND: Number of internal rural to urban migrant children in China increased rapidly. The disparity of anemia prevalence among them and children of local permanent residents has been reported, both in big and middle-size cities. There has been no population-based study to explore the associated factors on feeding behaviors in small size cities of China. This study aimed to identify whether there was a difference in the prevalence of anemia between children of rural to urban migrant families and local children under 2 years old in a small coastal city in China, and to identify the associated factors of any observed difference. METHODS: A community-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted in Pinghu, a newly-developing city in Zhejiang Province, China, among the caregivers of 988 children (667 who were identified as children of migrants and 321 locals) aged 6-23 months. Disparity of anemia prevalence were reported. Association between anemia prevalence and socio-economic status and feeding behaviors were explored among two groups respectively. RESULTS: Anemia prevalence among the migrant and local children was 36.6% and 18.7% respectively (aPR 1.86, 95% CI 1. 40 to 2.47). Results from adjusted Poisson models revealed: having elder sibling/s were found as an associated factor of anemia with the aPR 1.47 (95% CI 1.16 to 1.87) among migrant children and 2.58 (95% CI 1.37 to 4.58) among local ones; anemia status was associated with continued breastfeeding at 6 months (aPR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.14) and lack of iron-rich and/or iron-fortified foods (aPR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.89) among the migrant children but not among local ones. CONCLUSION: Anemia was more prevalent among migrant children, especially those aged 6-11 months. Dislike their local counterparts, migrant children were more vulnerable at early life and seemed sensitive to feeding behaviors, such as, over reliance on breastfeeding for nutrition after aged 6 months, lack of iron-rich and/or iron-fortified foods. Future strategies to narrow the gap of anemia prevalence between the migrant and local children should target more susceptible groups and through improvement of feeding practices among younger children in those kinds of newly-developing areas of China.

[The culture and identification of rat testis Leydig cell].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a primary culture method of rat testis Leydig cell. METHODS: The primary rat Leydig cells were treated with or without 4 U/ml human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and testosterone in culture medium was detected by radioimmunoassay. The morphology and biological characteristics of Leydig cell were observed. RESULTS: The culture cells were highly homogeneous, proliferative and had a high differentiation rate. The high purified Leydig cells were verified by their dynamic morphological changes and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase delta4-delta5 isomerase (3beta-HSD) histochemical staining. The testosterone secretion induced by hCG significantly increased (P < 0.05) 24 hours after inoculation than that induced without hCG in the control. CONCLUSION: It suggests that the Leydig cell cultured in vitro may secrete high concentration of testosterone, and this study laid the basis of androgen replacement therapy for partial androgen deficiency in aging male.