School Connectedness and Adolescent E-cigarette Susceptibility in an Urban Sample of Middle and High School Students.

Adolescent school connectedness generally protects from risk behaviors such as tobacco use; however, its relationship to e-cigarette use is unclear. This study examines the relationship between adolescent school connectedness and e-cigarette susceptibility in a diverse longitudinal sample. This secondary analysis of a school-based intervention surveyed 608 middle (66%) and high school (34%) students from 10 schools at 3 time points over 1 year. At baseline, respondents had a mean age of 14 years, 54% were female, and 71% were BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). Logistic regression models examined unadjusted and adjusted associations between school connectedness (both baseline and concurrent) and e-cigarette susceptibility over time. E-cigarettes represented the most prevalent form of current nicotine-containing product use in spring 2019 (2.3%), and most respondents reported no e-cigarette susceptibility (69%). E-cigarette susceptibility remained relatively stable during the study. Higher baseline school connectedness levels were associated with lower odds of e-cigarette susceptibility over time. Similarly, higher concurrent school connectedness scores were associated with lower odds of e-cigarette susceptibility over time: spring 2019 (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.32, 0.47), fall 2019 (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.34, 0.72), and spring 2020 (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.47, 0.87). Findings were similar for middle and high school students and did not differ significantly after adjusting for other covariates. Adolescents' school connectedness appears to protect from e-cigarette susceptibility over time, underscoring the importance of promoting positive school experiences to reduce adolescent risk e-cigarette use.

Hmong Stroke Knowledge Survey.

The Hmong are an ethnic group from Southeast Asia who migrated in large numbers to the United States after the end of the Vietnam War and are now clustered in several parts of the country, including our city. Based on a retrospective review of medical records and on our anecdotal experience, we suspected that there was a gap in stroke knowledge in our Hmong patients. This stroke knowledge survey was intended to uncover any knowledge gaps within the Hmong community before engaging in community awareness activities. Not only did the survey identify a knowledge gap, it also revealed significant linguistic and cultural gaps that we believe are important to share with the reader.

Acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid promotes sciatic nerve repair after injury: molecular mechanism.

Previous studies showed that acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA), the active ingredient in the natural Chinese medicine Boswellia, can stimulate sciatic nerve injury repair via promoting Schwann cell proliferation. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, we performed genomic sequencing in a rat model of sciatic nerve crush injury after gastric AKBA administration for 30 days. We found that the phagosome pathway was related to AKBA treatment, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in the neurotrophic factor signaling pathway was also highly up-regulated. We further investigated gene and protein expression changes in the phagosome pathway and neurotrophic factor signaling pathway. Myeloperoxidase expression in the phagosome pathway was markedly decreased, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, nerve growth factor, and nerve growth factor receptor expression levels in the neurotrophic factor signaling pathway were greatly increased. Additionally, expression levels of the inflammatory factors CD68, interleukin-1ß, pro-interleukin-1ß, and tumor necrosis factor-α were also decreased. Myelin basic protein- and ß3-tubulin-positive expression as well as the axon diameter-to-total nerve diameter ratio in the injured sciatic nerve were also increased. These findings suggest that, at the molecular level, AKBA can increase neurotrophic factor expression through inhibiting myeloperoxidase expression and reducing inflammatory reactions, which could promote myelin sheath and axon regeneration in the injured sciatic nerve.

Based on proteomics to explore the mechanism of mecobalamin promoting the repair of injured peripheral nerves.

Mecobalamin is commonly used in the adjuvant intervention of various peripheral nerve injuries. Actin cytoskeleton plays a role in the regeneration of myelin and axon. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the possibility of mecobalamin regulating actin cytoskeleton in repairing nerve injury. In this study, a crush injury on the right sciatic nerve of two groups of rats (12 in each group) was established. The control group was only given normal saline (i.g.), and the intervention group was given mecobalamin 1 mg/kg (i.g.). The rats were sacrificed on 28th day and the injured nerves were collected for proteomics. The result shows that regulation of actin cytoskeleton pathway changed significantly. The expression of protein Vav1 was verified by Western blot and immunofluorescence. In the intervention group, the nerve fiber structure was complete, the axons were dense and symmetrical, and the myelin sheath was compact and uniform in thickness. The positive rate of myelin basic protein and ßⅢ-tubulin was higher than that in the control group. The findings of the study show that mecobalamin regulates the actin cytoskeleton in the repair of nerve damage and upregulates Vav1 in the regulation of actin cytoskeleton pathway.

Reproducibility Analysis of Iodine Concentrations of Abdominal Parenchymal Organs Based on Spectral CT / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To investigate the intra-and inter-observer reproducibility of iodine concentrations of abdominal parenchymal organs based on spectral CT.Methods The water-free iodine images of the venous phase were retrospectively obtained from 50 patients with abdominal dynamic spectral CT scans.The iodine concentrations were measured in the left,right and caudate lobes of liver,spleen,pancreas and bilateral kidneys.Intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC)and Bland-Altman plot were employed to analyze the intra-and inter-observer reproducibility.Results The intra-observer ICCs of the left,right and caudate lobes of liver,spleen,pancreas,and left and right kidneys were 0.938(0.894,0.965),0.932(0.884,0.961),0.939(0.895,0.965),0.947(0.909,0.970),0.912(0.851,0.949),0.946(0.906,0.969)and 0.907(0.842,0.946),which indicated good intra-observer reproducibility.The inter-observer ICCs of the left,right and caudate lobes of liver,spleen,pancreas,and left and right kidneys were 0.947(0.909,0.970),0.927(0.875,0.958),0.943(0.902,0.968),0.956(0.924,0.975),0.934(0.887,0.962),0.927(0.875,0.958)and 0.892(0.818,0.937),which indicated good inter-observer reproducibility.Bland-Altman plots presented that more than 95% points of the intra-observer differences located within 95% CI of limits of agreement for the caudate lobe of liver,spleen,pancreas and bilateral kidneys,which was same as inter-observer differences of the caudate lobe of liver,spleen and right kidney.Conclusion The iodine concentration measurement based on the spectral CT presented good intra-and inter-observer reproducibility for the caudate lobe of liver and spleen.

Hmong Cross-Cultural Adaptation of Stroke Educational Material.

BACKGROUND: The presence of significant cultural and language barriers can affect timely, effective dissemination of stroke education for Hmong patients. Our aim was to design stroke educational material suitable for the Hmong community, using culturally sensitive strategies and patient education best practices. METHODS: We collaborated with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association to adapt existing English educational material for use among Hmong patients. A team of experts in stroke care, patient education, and interpreter services-along with Hmong community members and health care providers-modified the original documents for health literacy and cultural relevance. The revised materials were translated into Hmong. Final edits were made using feedback from the Hmong community. RESULTS: Eight patient education documents on stroke-related topics were disseminated throughout our health care system and shared with various regional community partners for Hmong patients. DISCUSSION: Incorporating cultural humility principles is key to providing effective patient education tools for reducing disparities and engaging at-risk populations in disease prevention.

Optimal Mono-energy in Mono-energetic Spectral Computed Tomography of Enhanced Renal Cortex in Cortical Phase Based on Iodine Concentration / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To identify the optimal mono-energetic enhanced spectral CT for renal cortex in cortical phase based on the iodine concentration. Methods Fifty patients with normal renal function received the abdominal enhanced spectral CT examination.The iodine concentration and CT values of the multiple mono-energetic spectral images were measured on renal cortex in cortical phase,and the correlation between the iodine concentration and the CT values and the coefficient of variation(CV)were analyzed. Results The correlation analysis demonstrated that the correlation coefficient was 0.994,0.994,0.993,0.987,0.976,0.960,and 0.938 between mono-energetic spectral CT images(40-100 keV with interval 10 keV,respectively)and iodine concentration(all

MRI Histogram Texture Feature Analysis of the Optic Nerve in the Patients with Optic Neuritis / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Objective To evaluate the optic nerve impairment using MRI histogram texture analysis in the patients with optic neuritis.Methods The study included 60 patients with optic neuritis and 20 normal controls. The coronal T2 weighted imaging (T2WI) with fat saturation and enhanced T1 weighted imaging (T1WI) were performed to evaluate the optic nerve. MRI histogram texture features of the involved optic nerve were measured on the corresponding coronal T2WI images. The normal optic nerve (NON) was measured in the posterior 1/3 parts of the optic nerve. Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA was used to compare the difference of texture features and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were performed to evaluate the diagnostic value of texture features for the optic nerve impairment among the affected optic nerve with enhancement (ONwEN), affected optic nerve without enhancement (ONwoEN), contralateral normal appearing optic nerve (NAON) and NON.Results The histogram texture Energy and Entropy presented significant differences for ONwEN vs. ONwoEN (both P=0.000), ONwEN vs. NON (both P=0.000) and NAON vs. NON (both P<0.05). ROC analysis demonstrated that the area under the curve (AUC) of histogram texture Energy were 0.758, 0.795 and 0.701 for ONwEN vs. ONwoEN, ONwEN vs. NON and NAON vs. NON, AUC of Entropy were 0.758, 0.795 and 0.707 for ONwEN vs. ONwoEN, ONwEN vs. NON and NAON vs. NON.Conclusions The altered MRI histogram texture Energy and Entropy could be considered as a surrogate for MRI enhancement to evaluate the involved optic nerve and normal-appearing optic nerve in optic neuritis.

Note: A compact low-vibration high-performance optical shutter for precision measurement experiments.

The optical shutter is an important component for atom-interferometry-based precision measurements. To decrease its vibration noise and improve its performance, we present a compact design with a direct current motor and a photodetector inserted in a compact aluminum structure. The photodetector in the blade is driven by the motor to move either in or out of the way of the laser beam. This design can suppress laser intensity fluctuation down to 0.26% over 6 h in the method of sample and hold proportional-integral-derivative feedback. It is also quiet via an electrical braking process which not only reduces its vibration noise by an order of magnitude but also quickens and stabilizes its switching performance. The shutter has a switching time of 0.8 ms and an activation delay of 8 ms with low jitters. Besides, the shutter can work for over ten million cycles normally and reliably.

Enhanced Diffuse Reflectance and Microstructure Properties of Hybrid Titanium Dioxide Nanocomposite Coating.

In this research, we studied enhanced diffuse reflectance that can be achieved by excitations of multiple-scattering in a hybrid micro-structured titanium dioxide coating. Conventional approaches to obtain diffuse reflection structure rely heavily on exciting the scattering of randomly textured surface, whereas here, we reveal numerically and experimentally that, besides interface scattering, bulk scattering of ordered-disordered hybrid structure can be also employed to obtain highly efficient diffuse reflector. The diffuse reflectance over the measured wavelength region increases significantly with thickness, while angle and polarization-dependent specular reflections are suppressed. These results show the potential to be used as a highly efficient diffuse reflector or for applications in various advanced fields of photonics related to light extractions and diffusers.

The dysregulation of tRNAs and tRNA derivatives in cancer.

Transfer RNAs (tRNAs), traditionally considered to participate in protein translation, were interspersed in the entire genome. Recent studies suggested that dysregulation was observed in not only tRNAs, but also tRNA derivatives generated by the specific cleavage of pre- and mature tRNAs in the progression of cancer. Accumulating evidence had identified that certain tRNAs and tRNA derivatives were involved in proliferation, metastasis and invasiveness of cancer cell, as well as tumor growth and angiogenesis in several malignant human tumors. This paper reviews the importance of the dysregulation of tRNAs and tRNA derivatives during the development of cancer, such as breast cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma, aiming at a better understanding of the tumorigenesis and providing new ideas for the treatment of these cancers.

[Video-urodynamic characteristics and management in complete cervical and thoracic spinal cord injury patients].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the video-urodynamic characteristics and management in complete cervical and thoracic spinal cord injury patients. METHODS: Video-urodynamic examination was performed in 113 patients with complete cervical and thoracic spinal cord injury from January 2008 to May 2010. And their characteristics, managements and 3-year follow-up outcomes were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Among them, there were detrusor overactivity (n = 82, 72.57%), detrusor areflexia (n = 31, 27.43%), detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia (n = 71, 62.83%), low-compliance (n = 59, 52.21%), reflux (n = 6, 5.31%) and ultrasonic uronephrosis (n = 12, 10.62%). According to the result of the video-urodynamic examination, detrusor overactivity patients chose oral anticholinergic agents, botulinum toxin type A injection method, detrusor areflexia patients chose regular intermittent catheterization for bladder training. During a 3-year follow-up, there were cystic calculus (n = 2) and urinary infection (n = 7).No special complication occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The video-urodynamic characteristics vary in complete cervical and thoracic spinal cord injury patients. The major symptoms include detrusor overactivity, detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia and low-compliance bladder. Proper management is essential for protecting upper urinary tract and preventing urinary system complication.

[Spatial distribution characteristics of China cotton fiber quality and climatic factors based on GIS].

By using geographical information system (GIS), the cotton fiber quality data from 2005 to 2011 and the daily meteorological data from 1981 to 2010 at 82 sites (counties and cities) in China major cotton production regions were collected and treated with spatial interpolation. The spatial information system of cotton fiber quality in China major cotton production regions was established based on GIS, and the spatial distribution characteristics of the cotton fiber quality and their relationships with the local climatic factors were analyzed. In the northwest region (especially Xinjiang) of China, due to the abundant sunlight, low precipitation, and low relative humidity, the cotton fiber length, micronaire, and grade ranked the first. In the Yangtze River region and Yellow River region, the specific strength of cotton fiber was higher, and in the Yangtze River region, the cotton fiber length and specific strength were higher, while the micronaire and grade were lower than those in the Yellow River region. The cotton fiber quality was closely related to the climate factors such as temperature, sunlight, rainfall, and humidity.

[Clinical observation of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and overactive bladder].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical efficacy of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and overactive bladder (OAB). METHODS: From May 2007 to May 2010, a total of 37 patients diagnosed BPH and OAB were treated by holmium laser enucleation of the prostate. After a mean follow-up of 4.9 months postoperatively, indices such as International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL) score, maximum flow rate (Qmax), residual urine volume and video urodynamics were monitored and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The mean preoperative IPSS and QOL score were 29.6 ± 5.2 and 4.3 ± 0.9, and decreased to 4.6 ± 1.2 and 1.2 ± 1.0 postoperative. The mean Qmax was (6 ± 3) ml/s preoperative and increased to (21 ± 5) ml/s postoperative. Preoperative average residual urine volume was (167 ± 11) ml, decreased to (41 ± 18) ml after operation. During follow-up, 86.5% patients' symptoms and quality of life improved continuously, however 13.5% patients existed residual postoperative OAB symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: When BPH with OAB patients exist bladder outlet obstruction, bladder outlet obstruction should be relieved first then OAB symptoms can be relieved in majority of patients, but some patients have residual symptoms.

[Neuromodulation for treatment for neurogenic bowel dysfunction].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy of neuromodulation (including sacral neuromodulation and dorsal penile/clitoral nerve neuromodulation) for the treatment to neurogenic bowel dysfunction due to spinal cord injury. METHODS: From January 2006 to April 2008, 9 patients with neurogenic constipation after spinal cord injury underwent the therapy of neuromodulation, 1 patient underwent the therapy of sacral neuromodulation, 8 patients underwent the therapy of dorsal penile/clitoral nerve neuromodulation. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated and followed up by means of Wexner constipation score. RESULTS: One patient received permanent electrode and neurostimulator implantation and constipation were improved continuously. A significant improvement in the Wexner constipation score was observed compared with the preoperative baseline level (preoperative baseline: median 22; after implantation: median 9). Four patients were effective after the therapy of dorsal penile/clitoral nerve neuromodulation. Wexner constipation score decrease from 19 to 11 after 12 weeks dorsal penile/clitoral nerve neuromodulation. Patients also showed a significant improvement in their symptoms and quality of life during follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Sacral neuromodulation and dorsal penile/clitoral nerve neuromodulation may be effective for some neurogenic constipation. However there are no methods successfully identify the candidate who will be beneficial before the procedure. Good quality research data are needed to evaluate the effects of sacral neuromodulation and dorsal penile/clitoral nerve neuromodulation for these conditions.

[Video-urodynamic studies on 1800 patients with neurogenic bladder].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the Video-urodynamic characteristics of various neurogenic bladder. METHODS: A total of 1800 patients with neurogenic bladder were included in our study from December 2002 to June 2008. All patients underwent Video-urodynamic studies. Urodynamic data was collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Urodynamic study showed detrusor overactivity in 71%, of which 60% with uninhibited sphincter relaxation, and acontractile detrusor in 29% stroke patients. No upper urinary tract deterioration was found in all 42 stroke patients. Detrusor overactivity without sphincter dyssynergia was found in 70% patients with head trauma. Seven patients with Parkinson disease showed detrusor overactivity, of which 3 with delayed sphincter relaxation. Detrusor overactivity was found in 91% and detrusor sphincter dyssynergia in 83% supra-sacral spinal cord injured patients. Acontractile detrusor was found in 73% patients with conus medullaris and cauda equina injury. Overall, upper urinary tract changes were found in 12% and vesicoureteral reflux in 4% spinal cord injured patients. Urodynamic study showed acontractile detrusor in 81%, reduced compliance in 86%, upper urinary tract changes in 55% and vesicoureteral reflux in 33% patients with myelodysplasia. Most patients (92%) with protruded lumbar disc showed detrusor areflexia. Normal bladder compliance was found in 88% patients with protruded lumbar disc. Urodynamic study showed reduced bladder sensation in 81% and detrusor under-activity in 76% patients with diabetic urinary bladder disease. CONCLUSIONS: Video-urodynamic study can provide the most detailed information about the bladder dysfunction. It is the most valuable examination before treatment of patients with neurogenic bladder.

[Effects of transforming growth factor-beta1 gene therapy on bone rarefaction around endosseous implant].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) gene therapy on bone defect and bone rarefaction around endosseous implant. METHODS: The primary cultured bone marrow derived stroma cells (BMSCs) was transfected by plasmid pCDNA3.1(+) -TGF-beta1, and was adhered with polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) for constructing TGF-beta1 gene-modified artificial bone. The model of rats with placed titanium implants in the proximal metaphyses of the tibiae after ovariectomy was made. The TGF-beta1 gene-modified artificial bone (experimental group), BMSCs-PLGA compound artificial bone (control group) and nothing (blank control group) were placed in the bone defect around implant. The tibiae were examined by decalcified sections with immunohistochemical method and histological analysis methods at intervals of 4 and 8 weeks after implant surgery in order to detect the expression of TGF-beta1 in new bone adjacent to the implant and the healing of the bone defect around the implant. RESULTS: The expression level of TGF-beta1 of experimental group was higher than that of control group and blank control group at the 4th week. The histological analysis indicated that the gene-modified artificial bone had stronger osetogenic potential than others. CONCLUSION: TGF-beta1 gene-modified artificial bone promotes the repair of the bone defect around titanium implants in osteoporotic rats.

[Protective mechanisms of radix salviae miltiorrhizae against chronic alcoholic liver injury in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective mechanisms of Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae (RSM) on chronic alcoholic liver injury in mice. METHODS: The chronic alcoholic liver injury mouse model was established. The morphologic change of hepatic tissue was observed with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining; the levels of toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) mRNA in hepatic tissue and hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA were determined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique; and the expression of TLR-4 protein was determined by immunohistochemistry method. RESULTS: RSM could alleviate the fatty degeneration and adiponecrosis of hepatic cells induced by alcohol, down-regulate the expressions of TLR-4 mRNA and HO-1 mRNA, and significantly decrease the number of TLR-4 positive cells. CONCLUSION: RSM could prevent liver injury from alcohol by way of influencing TLR-4 signal transcription.