Analysis of information labeling in instructions of antitussive and expectorant drugs in 34 children’s medical institutions / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To understand the information labeling of children’s medication in the instructions of antitussive and expectorant drugs commonly used in children’s medical institutions， analyze the existing problems， and propose relevant suggestions. METHODS The instructions for 100 antitussive and expectorant drugs commonly used in 20 tertiary children’s hospitals （centers） and 14 maternal and child health hospitals （centers） with regional representativeness in China were collected， and the information labeling of children’s medication in the instructions was investigated and analyzed. RESULTS There were only 7 kinds of antitussive and expectorant drugs for children， and the others were non-specific drugs for children. Among antitussive and expectorant drugs， tablets accounted for 18.00%， injections for 18.00%， and capsules for 4.00%. Among 100 antitussive and expectorant drugs， 72 （72.00%） labeled the usage and dosage for children， 63 （63.00%） labeled the medication items for children， 59 （59.00%） indicated the information of children in the precautions， and pharmacokinetic parameters for children were absent. Compared with imported antitussive and expectorant drugs or the drugs manufactured by joint ventures， there were many missing labeling of medication information for children with Chinese drugs. Among 63 kinds of drug instructions labeled with medication items for children， various instructions information had little guiding significance. CONCLUSIONS There is a lack of labeling in the instructions of antitussive and expectorant drugs for children， and the proportion of special drugs for children remains low. Pediatric drug information in the instructions has little guiding significance for pediatric medication. Relevant departments should further promote the completeness of pediatric medication information in the instructions of antitussive and expectorant drugs to ensure the rational use of children’s medication.

The effectiveness of endoscopic ultrasonography findings to distinguish benign and malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Accurate evaluation of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is necessary to inform clinical decision-making. But it is still difficult to distinguish benign and malignant IPMN preoperatively. This study aims to evaluate the utility of EUS to predict the pathology of IPMN. METHODS: Patients with IPMN who underwent endoscopic ultrasound within 3 months before surgery were collected from six centers. Logistic regression model and random forest model were used to determine risk factors associated with malignant IPMN. In both models, 70% and 30% of patients were randomly assigned to the exploratory group and validation group, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, and ROC were used in model assessment. RESULTS: Of the 115 patients, 56 (48.7%) had low-grade dysplasia (LGD), 25 (21.7%) had high-grade dysplasia (HGD), and 34 (29.6%) had invasive cancer (IC). Smoking history (OR = 6.95, 95%CI: 1.98-24.44, p = 0.002), lymphadenopathy (OR = 7.91, 95%CI: 1.60-39.07, p = 0.011), MPD > 7 mm (OR = 4.75, 95%CI: 1.56-14.47, p = 0.006) and mural nodules > 5 mm (OR = 8.79, 95%CI: 2.40-32.24, p = 0.001) were independent risk factors predicting malignant IPMN according to the logistic regression model. The sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were 0.895, 0.571, and 0.795 in the validation group. In the random forest model, the sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were 0.722, 0.823, and 0.773, respectively. In patients with mural nodules, random forest model could reach a sensitivity of 0.905 and a specificity of 0.900. CONCLUSIONS: Using random forest model based on EUS data is effective to differentiate benign and malignant IPMN in this cohort, especially in patients with mural nodules.

Targeting Kindlin-2 in adipocytes increases bone mass through inhibiting FAS/PPARγ/FABP4 signaling in mice

Osteoporosis (OP) is a systemic skeletal disease that primarily affects the elderly population, which greatly increases the risk of fractures. Here we report that Kindlin-2 expression in adipose tissue increases during aging and high-fat diet fed and is accompanied by decreased bone mass. Kindlin-2 specific deletion (K2KO) controlled by Adipoq-Cre mice or adipose tissue-targeting AAV (AAV-Rec2-CasRx-sgK2) significantly increases bone mass. Mechanistically, Kindlin-2 promotes peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) activation and downstream fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) expression through stabilizing fatty acid synthase (FAS), and increased FABP4 inhibits insulin expression and decreases bone mass. Kindlin-2 inhibition results in accelerated FAS degradation, decreased PPARγ activation and FABP4 expression, and therefore increased insulin expression and bone mass. Interestingly, we find that FABP4 is increased while insulin is decreased in serum of OP patients. Increased FABP4 expression through PPARγ activation by rosiglitazone reverses the high bone mass phenotype of K2KO mice. Inhibition of FAS by C75 phenocopies the high bone mass phenotype of K2KO mice. Collectively, our study establishes a novel Kindlin-2/FAS/PPARγ/FABP4/insulin axis in adipose tissue modulating bone mass and strongly indicates that FAS and Kindlin-2 are new potential targets and C75 or AAV-Rec2-CasRx-sgK2 treatment are potential strategies for OP treatment.

Study on quantitative detection of bacterial endotoxin in recombinant novel coronavirus vaccine (CHO cell) by micro-dynamic chromogenic / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the feasibility of the micro- dynamic chromogenic method for quantitative detection of bacterial endotoxin in recombinant novel coronavirus vaccine ( CHO cell).Methods The micro-dynamic color method of Limulus reagent was used to establish a bacterial endotoxin standard curve.The dilution factor was determined through interference pre -experiment, the recoverv rate of the endotoxin added to the test so- J lution was determined, and the interference test to complete the quantitative detection test of the bacterial endotoxin content in the test product was performed, and the results were compared with those of the gel-clot method.Results Hie linear range of the concentration of the standard curve was 0.02 to 2.0 EU • mL 1 , and the regression equation of the standard curve was lgT =-0.302 7 lgC +2.858 7( r = 0.998 9).When recombinant novel coronavirus vaccine ( CHO cell) was cliluted 40 times or below, the micro -dynamic chromogenic reagent did not interfere with the bacterial endotoxin agglutination reaction, and the recovery rate was 50% to 200%.The test results were consistent with the gel- clot method.Conclusions The micro-dynamic chromogenic method can be used for the quantitative detection of bacterial endotoxins in recombinant novel coronavirus vaccine ( CHO cell) with accurate results, high sensitivity, and process monitoring.

Therapeutic effect of Panax notoginseng saponins combined with cyclophosphamide in mice bearing hepatocellular carcinoma H22 cell xenograft / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the therapeutic effects of total saponins from Panax notognseng (PNS) combined with cyclophosphamide (CTX) in mice bearing hepatocellular carcinoma H22 cell xenograft.@*METHODS@#We examined the effects of treatment with different concentrations of PNS on H22 cell proliferation for 24 to 72 h in vitro using CCK8 colorimetric assay. Annexin V/PI double fluorescence staining was used to detect the effect of PNS on apoptosis of H22 cells. Mouse models bearing H22 cell xenograft were established and treated with CTX (25 mg/kg), PNS (120, 240 or 480 mg/kg), alone or in combinations. After treatments for consecutive 10 days, the mice were euthanized for examinations of carbon clearance ability of the monocytes and macrophages, splenic lymphocyte proliferation, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-2 (IL-2), serum hemolysin antibody level, blood indicators, and the tumor inhibition rate.@*RESULTS@#Treatment with PNS concentration-dependently inhibited the proliferation and significantly promoted apoptosis of cultured H22 cells (P < 0.01). In the tumor-bearing mouse models, PNS alone and its combination with CTX both resulted in obvious enhancement of phagocytosis of the monocyte-macrophages, stimulated the proliferation of splenic lymphocytes, promoted the release of TNF-α and IL-2 and the production of serum hemolysin antibody, and increased the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. Treatment with 480 mg/kg PNS combined with CTX resulted in a tumor inhibition rate of 83.28% (P < 0.01) and a life prolonging rate of 131.25% in the mouse models (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#PNS alone or in combination with CTX can improve the immunity and tumor inhibition rate and prolong the survival time of H22 tumor-bearing mice.

A multicenter clinical study of risk factors for abdominal pain and distension in sedation-free colonoscopy / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective:To analyze the risk factors for the most common adverse events, i.e. abdominal pain and distension in sedation-free colonoscopy.Methods:This was a multicenter clinical study, in which clinical data of patients including outpatients and inpatients who underwent selective sedation-free colonoscopy at six gastrointestinal endoscopy centers from July 2017 to December 2019 were collected, including patients' general information, complicating diseases, examination time, examination results, and occurrence of adverse events of abdominal pain and distension. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed to analyze the risk factors for adverse events of abdominal pain and distension during sedation-free colonoscopy.Results:A total of 2 394 patients underwent sedation-free colonoscopy, among whom 690 (28.8%) suffered from abdominal pain, and 1 151 (48.1%) experienced abdominal distension. The results of multivariate logistic analysis showed that overweight ( OR=1.33, 95% CI:1.09-1.62, P=0.005), obesity ( OR=1.55, 95% CI:1.14-2.11, P=0.005) and combination of hypertension ( OR=1.58, 95% CI:1.23-2.02, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for abdominal pain during sedation-free colonoscopy, and overweight ( OR=1.40, 95% CI:1.17-1.68, P<0.001) and combination of hypertension ( OR=1.39,95% CI:1.10-1.76, P=0.006) were independent risk factors for abdominal distension during sedation-free colonoscopy. Conclusion:Obesity, overweight and combination of hypertension are independent risk factors for abdominal pain, and overweight and combination of hypertension are independent risk factors for abdominal distension during sedation-free colonoscopy.

Correlation between serum angiopoietin-2 levels and the severity of community acquired pneumonia in elderly patients / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the expression of serum angiopoietin-2(Ang-2)in elderly community acquired pneumonia(CAP)patients and to evaluate the correlation between Ang-2 levels and the severity of CAP.Methods:As a case-control study, a total of 118 hospitalized elderly CAP patients were selected.According to the severity of CAP, patients were divided into the general pneumonia group( n=67)and the severe pneumonia group( n=51). At the same time, 40 elderly healthy people without pneumonia were selected as the control group.Serum Ang-2, interleukin-6(IL-6), procalcitonin(PCT)and C-reactive protein(CRP)levels were measured, and CURB-65 scores were obtained for patients with CAP. Results:Serum levels of Ang-2, IL-6, PCT and CRP in elderly CAP patients were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant( H=70.698, 25.752, 15.982, 30.588, all P<0.001). Spearman correlation analysis showed that Ang-2 levels were positively correlated with IL-6, PCT, CRP, and CURB-65 scores( r=0.715, 0.531, 0.558, 0.450, all P<0.001). Using Ang-2 as a predictor for severe pneumonia in community-dwelling elderly patients, the area under the ROC curve(AUC)was 0.866(95% CI: 0.809-0.924), the optimal cutoff point was 5.24 μg/L, and the corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 72.5% and 84.1%. Conclusions:Serum Ang-2 levels in elderly patients with CAP are significantly higher than those in healthy people, and are correlated with the severity of CAP.The detection of Ang-2 levels is helpful for early intervention management and improved prognosis of elderly CAP patients.

Predictive value of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and CURB-65 score in elderly patients with community acquired pneumonia / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and CURB-65 score in elderly patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP).Methods:A total of 160 elderly CAP patients who were treated in Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University between January 2019 and March 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the 30-day survival, the patients were divided into the survival group ( n=127) and the death group ( n=33). The general clinical data, blood routine, liver and kidney function, blood sodium, coagulation function, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin were collected, and NLR and CURB-65 scores were calculated. Pass t-test or χ2 test was used to compare the differences of the above indexes between the two groups, and the high-risk factors of 30-day death in elderly CAP patients were screened by multivariate Logistic regression analysis; receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was drawn, and the predictive value of NLR and CURB-65 score on the risk of death was analyzed. Results:Compared with the survival group, the patients in the death group were older and had a higher proportion of neurological diseases and chest tightness symptoms ( P<0.05). The total number of lymphocytes, hemoglobin, and serum albumin were significantly decreased, and the total neutrophil count, blood urea nitrogen, D-dimer, NLR, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin and CURB-65 score were significantly increased in the death group (all P <0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that NLR and CURB-65 score were the independent risk factors of 30-day mortality in elderly CAP patients ( P<0.01). ROC survival curve showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of NLR was 0.823 [95% CI (0.747 ~ 0.900)], the cut-off value was 8.885, and the sensitivity and specificity of prognosis were 84.8% and 74.8%. The AUC of NLR combined with CURB-65 score was 0.872 [95% CI (0.801 ~ 0.942)], the cut-off value was 0.248, and the sensitivity and specificity of prognosis were 84.8% and 84.3%. The combination of the two indexes had better prognostic value than other independent evaluation indexes. Conclusions:NLR and CURB-65 scores are high risk factors of death in elderly CAP patients. The combination of the two indicators can better predict the risk of death.

Association between socioeconomic status and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Jiangsu province, China: a population-based study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common public health problem worldwide. Recent studies have reported that socioeconomic status (SES) is related to the incidence of COPD. This study aimed to investigate the association between SES and COPD among adults in Jiangsu province, China, and to determine the possible direct and indirect effects of SES on the morbidity of COPD.@*METHODS@#A cross-sectional study was conducted among adults aged 40 years and above between May and December of 2015 in Jiangsu province, China. Participants were selected using a multistage sampling approach. COPD, the outcome variable, was diagnosed by physicians based on spirometry, respiratory symptoms, and risk factors. Education, occupation, and monthly family average income (FAI) were used to separately indicate SES as the explanatory variable. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were introduced to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for examining the SES-COPD relationship. A pathway analysis was conducted to further explore the pulmonary function impairment of patients with different SES.@*RESULTS@#The mean age of the 2421 participants was 56.63 ± 9.62 years. The prevalence of COPD was 11.8% (95% CI: 10.5%-13.1%) among the overall sample population. After adjustment for age, gender, residence, outdoor and indoor air pollution, body weight status, cigarette smoking, and potential study area-level clustering effects, educational attainment was negatively associated with COPD prevalence in men; white collars were at lower risk (OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.43-0.83) of experiencing COPD than blue collars; compared with those within the lower FAI subgroup, participants in the upper (OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.49-0.97) tertiles were less likely to experience COPD. Such negative associations between all these three SES indicators and COPD were significant among men only. Education, FAI, and occupation had direct or indirect effects on pulmonary function including post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), FEV1, FVC, and FEV1 percentage of predicted. Education, FAI, and occupation had indirect effects on pulmonary function indices of all participants mainly through smoking status, indoor air pollution, and outdoor air pollution. We also found that occupation could affect post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC through body mass index.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Education, occupation, and FAI had an adverse relationship with COPD prevalence in Jiangsu province, China. SES has both direct and indirect associations with pulmonary function impairment. SES is of great significance for COPD morbidity. It is important that population-based COPD prevention strategies should be tailored for people with different SES.

A comparative study of dose distribution of prostate IMRT between IMRT and VMAT models using knowledge-based planning / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To compare the dosimetric difference between knowledge-based planning (KBP) volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) models for predicting the dose distribution during IMRT, aiming to investigate the feasibility of VMAT model to predict the IMRT plans.Methods:Fifty prostate cancer patients who had completed radiotherapy were selected. Manual planning was performed on each selected patient to generate the corresponding IMRT and VMAT plans. The IMRT and VMAT manual plans of the 40 randomly-selected patients were adopted to generate the KBP VMAT and IMRT models. The remaining 10 patients were utilized to predict IMRT plans. VMAT library-derived IMRT model (V-IMRT) and IMRT library-derived IMRT model (I-IMRT) were generated. Dosimetric parameters related to organ-at-risks (OARs) and planning target volume (PTV) were statistically compared among the manual IMRT (mIMRT), V-IMRT and I-IMRT plans.Results:Compared with the mIMRT plan, I-IMRT could significantly better control D max of the PTV ( P=0.039), whereas V-IMRT and I-IMRT plans could better protect the bladder and bilateral femoral heads (both P<0.05). V-IMRT plan could better protect the D max of bilateral femoral heads and the D 15% of the right femoral head (both P<0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in other OARs and PTV (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with the manual plans, KBP IMRT plan has significant advantages in protecting the OARs. KBP VMAT and IMRT models are both feasible in clinical practice, which yield equivalent accuracy for predicting IMRT plan.

Analysis of the investigation results of iodine content in drinking water in Jiangsu Province in 2017 / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To investigate the iodine content distribution of drinking water in Jiangsu Province.Methods:In 2017, the iodine content in drinking water of residents in townships (streets, hereinafter referred to as townships) of Jiangsu Province was investigated. Administrative villages (neighborhood committees, hereinafter referred to as administrative villages) of Jiangsu Province were selected as units for the investigation of townships with the median water iodine greater than 10 μg/L. Delimitation criteria: the median iodine content of water < 40 μg/L was iodine deficiency area, 40-100 μg/L was suitable iodine area, and > 100 μg/L was high iodine area.Results:A total of 1 285 townships were surveyed in 101 counties (cities, districts) in 13 cities, and the median water iodine in townships was 7.28 μg/L. Among them, there were 875 townships with median water iodine < 10 μg/L, accounting for 68.09%; 315 townships 10-< 40 μg/L, accounting for 24.51%; 56 townships 40-100 μg/L, accounting for 4.36%; 39 townships > 100 μg/L, accounting for 3.04%. The water iodine survey at the administrative village level was conducted in 5 864 administrative villages in 410 townships in 6 cities. Among them, 769 administrative villages with median water iodine < 10 μg/L, accounting for 13.11%; 3 558 administrative villages 10 - < 40 μg/L, accounting for 60.68%; 613 administrative villages 40 - 100 μg/L, accounting for 10.45%; and 924 administrative villages > 100 μg/L, accounting for 15.76%.Conclusion:According to the water iodine, there are iodine deficiency, suitable iodine and high iodine areas in Jiangsu Province, mainly in iodine deficiency areas.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Exhaled Breath from COVID-19 Patients Ready for Hospital Discharge

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought an unprecedented crisis to the global health sector1. When recovering COVID-19 patients are discharged in accordance with throat or nasal swab protocols using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the potential risk of re-introducing the infection source to humans and the environment must be resolved2,3,4. Here we show that 20% of COVID-19 patients, who were ready for a hospital discharge based on current guidelines, had SARS-CoV-2 in their exhaled breath ([~]105 RNA copies/m3). They were estimated to emit about 1400 RNA copies into the air per minute. Although fewer surface swabs (1.3%, N=318) tested positive, medical equipment frequently contacted by healthcare workers and the work shift floor were contaminated by SARS-CoV-2 in four hospitals in Wuhan. All air samples (N=44) appeared negative likely due to the dilution or inactivation through natural ventilation (1.6-3.3 m/s) and applied disinfection. Despite the low risk of cross environmental contamination in the studied hospitals, there is a critical need for strengthening the hospital discharge standards in preventing re-emergence of COVID-19 spread.

Eosinopenia Phenotype in Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Multi-center Retrospective Study from Anhui, China

BackgroundCoronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has become a global unprecedented pandemic infecting more than one millon people, which is declared by WHO as a international public health emergency. Eosinopenia may predict a poor prognosis of COVID-19. However, to date, there is no detailed analysis of the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients with eosinopenia. Research questionThe aim of this study was to describe clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients with eosinopenia. Study Design and MethodsThis was a multi-center retrospective study conducted in three tertiary hospitals. A total of 59 patients with COVID-19 were reviewed from January 23, 2020 to March 10, 2020. We described clincial characteristics of patients with COIVD-19 and eosinopenia phenotype. ResultsThe median age of patients with COVID-19 was 39 years old, and 32 (54,2%) were male. Patients with severe type had higher proportions of dyspnea (50%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (50%) compared with mild or moderate patients. Laboratory findings indicated that lower counts of lymphocyte and eosnophils were observed in patients with severe type. Cough, sputum, and fatigue were more common symptoms in eosinopenia patients compared with non-eosinopenia patients. High proportion of comorbidities was observed in eosinopenia patients. Laboratory findings indicated that lymphocyte counts (median: 101 cells/l) in eosinopenia patients were significantly less than those of non-eosinopenia patients (median: 167 cells/l, p<0.001). The use of corticosteroids therapy in COVID-19 patients with eosinopenia were notably higher than those in patients with non-eosinopenia (50% vs 13.8%, respectively, p=0.005). Compared with parameters in non-eosinopenia patients, eosinopenia patients were more inclined to have less lymphocyte counts (OR value 6.566, 95%CI[1.101-39.173], p=0.039). InterpretationEosinopenia are very common in COVID-19 patient, particularly in severe patients. Common symptoms included fever, cough, sputum, and fatigue are frequent in eosinopenia patients. Eosinopenia may represent a novel phenotype in COVID-19, which needs further investigation.

Toilets dominate environmental detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus in a hospital

BackgroundRespiratory and faecal aerosols play a suspected role in transmitting the SARS-CoV-2 virus. We performed extensive environmental sampling in a dedicated hospital building for Covid-19 patients in both toilet and non-toilet environments, and analysed the associated environmental factors. MethodsWe collected data of the Covid-19 patients. 107 surface samples, 46 air samples, two exhaled condensate samples, and two expired air samples were collected were collected within and beyond the four three-bed isolation rooms. We reviewed the environmental design of the building and the cleaning routines. We conducted field measurement of airflow and CO2 concentrations. FindingsThe 107 surface samples comprised 37 from toilets, 34 from other surfaces in isolation rooms (ventilated at 30-60 L/s), and 36 from other surfaces outside isolation rooms in the hospital. Four of these samples were positive, namely two ward door-handles, one bathroom toilet-seat cover and one bathroom door-handle; and three were weakly positive, namely one bathroom toilet seat, one bathroom washbasin tap lever and one bathroom ceiling-exhaust louvre. One of the 46 air samples was weakly positive, and this was a corridor air sample. The two exhaled condensate samples and the two expired air samples were negative. InterpretationThe faecal-derived aerosols in patients toilets contained most of the detected SARS-CoV-2 virus in the hospital, highlighting the importance of surface and hand hygiene for intervention. FundingThe work were partially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (no 41977370), the Research Grants Council of Hong Kongs (no 17202719) (no C7025-16G), and Scientific Research Fund of Jiangsu Provincial Department of Health (no S21017002).

Investigation and Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes with 144 Cases of COVID-19 Patients in Anhui Province / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To analyze the general situation and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome characteristics in patients with coronavirus disease-2019（COVID-19） in Anhui province, and to provide a basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Method:The 144 cases of COVID-19 patients in Anhui province were collected from designated hospitals by means of multi-center cross-sectional epidemiological survey. The TCM syndrome information collection table of patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia was created to collect the general data, etiology and pathogenesis, pulse and signs, syndrome type and frequency statistics of the patients, and then summarize and analyze the main symptoms and syndrome distribution characteristics of patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia. Result:The mean age of 144 patients with COVID-19 infection was （43.54±15.91） years old, and the number of males was larger than the number of females (9/7). The age distribution and gender difference of the patients were statistically significant (P<0.05). 36.11%（52/144） of the patients had a history of travel/residence in Wuhan/Hubei province, and 63.89% (92/144) of the patients had a history of close contact with the confirmed patients. The main clinical manifestations included fever, cough, diarrhea, fatigue and poor tolerance. Light red tongue and red tongue were dominant in tongue quality, with mainly greasy coating, slippery pulse, rapid pulse and soft pulse were the main types of pulse. The main types of syndrome differentiation were the common type (76.38%, 110/144), most of which were demonstrated as dampness obstructing the lung and spleen (56.25%, 81/144). There was no significant difference in gender composition and age distribution between two groups. Conclusion:The pathogenesis of COVID-19 patients in Anhui province is closely related to the lung and spleen, and the dampness caused by pathogen of the epidemic virus is the main pathological factor of disease, which is in line with characteristics of dampness epidemic in TCM, also can see concurrently "heat, poison, stasis" for a characteristic.

Effects of kca3.1 on biological function and differentiation of endothelial progenitor cells / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of KCa3.1 channel on the function of EPCs. METHODS: The gene expression of KCa3.1, vWF and CD31 on EPCs were detected by qRT-PCR. CCK-8 kit, cell adherent method and Matrigel were used to detect the changes of cell proliferation, adhesion and in vitro angiogenesis; cell immunofluorescence or fluorescence activated cell sorter(FACS) was used to detect the protein expression of KCa3.1, vWF, CD31, integrin β1, integrin β3 separately. RESULTS: Blocking the function of KCa3.1 or interfering with the expression of KCa3.1 can attenuated EPC function of proliferation, adhesion and angiogenesis, but it can promote the differentiation of EPCs. Overexpression or activation of KCa3.1 channel can enhance EPCs proliferation, adhesion and angiogenesis but decrease the level of differentiation. The expression of integrin β1 on EPCs was attenuated with blocking KCa3.1 channel, but the expression effect was reversible by the activator. CONCLUSION: The alteration of KCa3.1 channel function or expression affect the biological characteristics and differentiation of EPCs.

Dosimetric comparison of static intensity-modulated radiation therapy and volumetric modulated arc therapy in lymphoma patients received mediastinal radiation / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Objective To compare target dosimetric distribution and normal tissue radiation between different static intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)plans and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT),and to identify the best IMRT plan for lymphoma patients needed mediastinal radiation. Methods A total of 11 patients with lymphoma who received first course radiotherapy in the mediastinal region after che-motherapy in Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College from March 2017 to January 2019 were included in the study. There were 8 males and 3 fe-males,2 patients were in Ann Arbor stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ,and 9 cases in Ⅲ-Ⅳ stage. There were 6 patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)and 5 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Patients with HL and NHL were given prescript doses of 36 Gy and 50 Gy,respectively. Three plans were designed for each patient:static 5F-IMRT,7F-IMRT and VMAT plan. The target dosimetric distribution,normal tissue radiation dose,and effi-ciency of each plan were evaluated. Results The mean conformity index (CI)and homogeneity index (HI) values of plan target volume (PTV)in 5F-IMRT,7F-IMRT,VMAT plan were 0. 64 ± 0. 06,0. 67 ± 0. 05, 0. 76 ± 0. 04 (F = 17. 045,P < 0. 001)and 1. 07 ± 0. 01,1. 07 ± 0. 01,1. 09 ± 0. 01 (F = 9. 258,P =0. 001),respectively. VMAT showed significantly better CI than two static IMRT plans (both P < 0. 001),but worse HI (both P < 0. 001). The lungs low dose irradiation volume (V (V 5 )and high dose irradiation volume 30 )in 5F-IMRT,7F-IMRT,VMAT plan were (43. 98 ± 7. 77)％,(42. 71 ± 4. 98)％,(55. 92 ± 8. 16)％(F = 8. 281,P = 0. 001)and (8. 19 ± 2. 97)％,(8. 25 ± 2. 87)％,(7. 53 ± 3. 16)％ (F = 0. 140,P =0. 870),respectively. The volume of low dose irradiation in lungs of VMAT plan was significantly higher than 5F-IMRT and 7F-IMRT plans (both P < 0. 001),while high dose volume was no significant difference. The left and right breast low dose irradiation volume (V 4 )in 5F-IMRT,7F-IMRT and VMAT plan were (24. 29 ± 8. 14)％,(23. 87 ± 7. 70)％,(80. 17 ± 22. 92)％ (F = 14. 505,P = 0. 005)and (22. 12 ± 13. 28)％, (21. 13 ± 13. 01)％,(81. 77 ± 20. 76)％ (F = 13. 938,P = 0. 006),respectively. VMAT showed signifi-cantly higher breast low dose irradiation volume than static IMRT plan (both P < 0. 05). The number of monitor units and treatment time in 5F-IMRT,7F-IMRT,VMAT plan were (1622 ± 281)MU,(1729 ± 286)MU, (411 ± 75)MU (F = 105. 277,P < 0. 001)and (6. 79 ± 0. 93)min,(7. 42 ± 0. 95)min,(4. 98 ± 0. 00)min (F = 29. 545,P < 0. 001),respectively. VMAT showed significantly less monitor units than static IMRT (both P < 0. 001)and shorter treatment time (both P < 0. 001). Conclusion For lymphoma patients who have the indication of mediastinal radiotherapy,VMAT is highly efficient and has no definite dose advan-tage,the static 5F-IMRT or 7F-IMRT plan has good conformal and uniform target area,and some organs at risk exposure is even lower.

Multi-site analysis of acute effects of air pollutants combination exposure on mortality in Jiangsu Province, China / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective@#To explore the acute effect of fine particulate matters (PM2.5), O3, NO2 on daily non-accidental mortality, cardiovascular disease mortality and respiratory mortality data in thirteen cities of Jiangsu province.@*Methods@#Daily average concentrations of non-accidental mortality, cardiovascular disease mortality, respiratory mortality data and environmental data were collected from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017 in thirteen cities of Jiangsu Province. Daily air quality, mortality and meteorology data were collected from the Information System of Air Pollution and Health Impact Monitoring of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. We used generalized additive model to evaluate the association between daily concentrations of air pollutants and mortality at single-city level and multi-city level, after adjusting the long-term and seasonal trend, as well as meteorological factors and the effect of "days and weeks" . A multivariate Meta-analysis with random effects was applied to estimate dose-response relationship between air pollutants and mortality.@*Results@#At multi-city level, per interquartile range increase of PM2.5, O3, NO2 was associated with an increase of 1.10% (95%CI: 0.66%, 1.54%), 0.59% (95%CI: 0.18%, 1.00%), 2.00% (95%CI: 1.29%, 2.72%) of daily non-accidental mortality respectively; 1.01% (95%CI: 0.63%, 1.38%), 0.66% (95%CI: 0.02%, 1.30%), 1.62% (95%CI: 1.00%, 2.23%) of daily cardiovascular mortality respectively; 1.09% (95%CI: 0.35%, 1.82%), 0.44% (95%CI: -0.29%, 1.16%), 2.75% (95%CI: 1.42%, 4.08%) of daily respiratory mortality respectively. The air pollutants effect varied across different cities. The strongest effect of PM2.5 was current day (excess risk (ER)=1.10%, 95%CI: 0.66%, 1.54%)), the strongest effect of O3 was 2-day lag (ER=1.82%, 95%CI: 0.69%, 2.97%) and the strongest effect of NO2 was 1-day lag (ER=2.09%, 95%CI: 1.34%, 2.83%) of daily non-accidental mortality respectively.@*Conclusion@#The increases of PM2.5 and NO2 concentration could result in the increases of daily non-accidental mortality, cardiovascular disease mortality and respiratory mortality. O3 could result in the increases of daily non-accidental mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality. The acute effects for non-accidental mortality from high to low were NO2, PM2.5 and O3, and the strongest effect of PM2.5 was current day. O3 and NO2 had lagged effects.

Biocompatibility and Immunotoxicology of the Preclinical Implantation of a Collagen-based Artificial Dermal Regeneration Matrix.

OBJECTIVE: Graft rejection, with the possibility of a violent immune response, may be severe and life threatening. Our aim was to thoroughly investigate the biocompatibility and immunotoxicology of collagen-based dermal matrix (DM) before assessment in clinical trials. METHODS: DM was subcutaneously implanted in BALB/c mice in two doses to induce a potential immune response. The spleen and lymph nodes were assessed for shape, cell number, cell phenotype via flow cytometry, cell activation via CCK8 kit, Annexin V kit, and Ki67 immunostaining. Serum samples were used to measure antibody concentration by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Local inflammation was analyzed by histology and immunohistochemistry staining. Data analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA and non-parametric tests. RESULTS: Our data illustrate that the spleen and lymph node sizes were similar between the negative control mice and mice implanted with DM. However, in the high-dose DM (DM-H) group, the total cell populations in the spleen and lymph nodes, T cells and B cells in the spleen had slight increases in prophase, and the low-dose DM (DM-L) group did not display gross abnormities. Moreover, DM-H initiated moderate cell activation and proliferation in the early phase post-immunization, whereas DM-L did not. Neither DM-H nor DM-L implantation noticeably increased IgM and IgG serum concentrations. Examination of the local cellular response revealed only benign cell infiltration and TNF-α expression in slides of DM in the early phase. CONCLUSION: Overall, DM-H may have induced a benign temporary acute immune response post-implantation, whereas DM-L had quite low immunogenicity. Thus, this DM can be regarded as a safe product.

Three-Dimensionally Printed Silk-Sericin-Based Hydrogel Scaffold: A Promising Visualized Dressing Material for Real-Time Monitoring of Wounds.

A wound dressing which can be convenient for real-time monitoring of wounds is particularly attractive and user-friendly. In this study, a nature-originated silk-sericin-based (SS-based) transparent hydrogel scaffold was prepared and evaluated for the visualization of wound care. The scaffold was fabricated from a hybrid interpenetrating-network (IPN) hydrogel composed of SS and methacrylic-anhydride-modified gelatin (GelMA) by 3D printing. The scaffold transformed into a highly transparent hydrogel upon swelling in PBS, and thus, anything underneath could be easily read. The scaffold had a high degree of swelling and presented a regularly macroporous structure with pores around 400 µm × 400 µm, which can help maintain the moist and apinoid environment for wound healing. Meanwhile, the scaffolds were conducive to adhesion and proliferation of L929 cells. A coculture of HaCaT and HSF cells on the scaffold showed centralized proliferation of the two cells in distributed layers, respectively, denoting a promising comfortable environment for re-epithelialization. Moreover, in vivo studies demonstrated that the scaffold showed no excessive inflammatory reaction. In short, this work presented an SS-based transparent hydrogel scaffold with steerable physical properties and excellent biocompatibility through 3D printing, pioneering promising applications in the visualization of wound care and drug delivery.