Comparative performance of agricultural productivity in 44 SSA countries for a period of 59 years (1961-2019): A Malmquist productivity index approach.

We investigate the extent and nature of productivity growth in Sub-Saharan African countries using non-parametric frontier techniques. In this work, we examine agricultural total factor productivity (TFP) change in 44 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), covering a period of fifty-nine (59) years (1961-2019). We make use of data drawn from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Due to the non-availability of reliable input price data, the study uses data envelopment analysis (DEA) to derive Malmquist productivity indices. The results demonstrate a decline in agricultural TFP growth in the region from 1961 to 2019. This notwithstanding, a general average growth was seen in some of the conventional inputs measured (land, labour, capital, and fertilizer) which are the main drivers of growth in the region. This finding implies that the increase in agricultural output over the past five decades in SSA is mainly due to an increased use of conventional inputs over time, including land, and not due to an increase in the ratio of output over inputs. As a generally acceptable and preferred indicator of technical and efficiency changes, we use TFP to calculate the Malmquist productivity index (MPI).

To establish a method of serum detection by Raman spectroscopy for the diagnosis of gastric cancer / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective:To establish a method of serum detection by Raman spectroscopy for the diagnosis of gastric cancer.Methods:Between April and November 2019, 110 patients with gastric cancer [73 males, 37 females, age (57.4±10.3) years] and 74 patients with colorectal cancer [48 males and 26 females, aged (58.3±12.2) years] were collected at the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Military Medical University, along with 100 healthy subjects [59 males and 41 females, aged (55.6±10.61) years] during the same period. Fasting venous blood serum samples were collected from the subjects. A Raman spectrometer XploRA PLUS was used in this experiment, with an excitation light source of 532 nm, a field of view of 100 times, and a spectrum range of 200-2 000 cm -1, etc. The serum samples were detected by nondestructive and non-contact rapid detection, and the Raman spectra of serum samples were collected. Using the Raman spectrum acquisition and processing supporting software LabSpec6 to smooth, baseline, and normalize the obtained Raman spectrum. Multivariate statistical analysis software SIMCA14.1 were applied to import and analyze the obtained Raman spectrum data by principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and other methods for statistical analysis. An operating characteristic curve (ROC) was constructed to evaluate the model analysis effect between serum samples of healthy people and those with gastric cancer. Serum samples from the colorectal cancer group were used to verify the reliability of the model. Results:Six Raman peaks with good repeatability were detected in serum samples in health and gastric cancer group, and peaks were located at 1 001.17, 1 154.63, 1 337.89, 1 446.85, 1 515.33, and 1 658.34 cm -1, respectively. Raman intensities at six Raman peaks were significantly different between healthy and gastric cancer groups. At the displacement of 1 001.17, 1 154.63, and 1 515.33 cm -1, the Raman intensity in the healthy group was higher than that in the gastric cancer group. At 1 337.89, 1 446.85, and 1 658.34 cm -1 displacement, the Raman intensity of the gastric cancer group was higher than that of the healthy group. An OPLS-DA model was constructed to analyze the serum samples of the healthy group and the gastric cancer group. In the model, R 2 is the fitting power, and Q 2 is the predictive ability. The closer the values of R 2 and Q 2 are to 1, the better the performance of the model, and the obtained model's R 2X(cum)=0.809, R 2Y(cum)=0.819, Q 2(cum)=0.758. ROC characteristic curve was drawn based on the OPLS-DA model. The area under the curve (AUC) of the gastric cancer group was 0.998. Six peaks with good repeatability were detected in the serum Raman spectra of gastric cancer stage Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ, which were located at the displacement of 1 001.85, 1 155.07, 1 338.36, 1 445.75, 1 515.92, and 1 657.68 cm -1, respectively, and at the displacement of 1 155.07 and 1 515.92 cm -1. The Raman intensity of gastric cancer stage Ⅳwas significantly higher than that of gastric cancer stages Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ. Conclusions:According to the model reliability verification, the healthy group, gastric cancer group and colorectal cancer group can also be effectively separated based on OPLS-DA results; it showed a good performance in separating the healthy group from the gastric cancer group. It is possible to detect serum samples from healthy people and gastric cancer patients unlabeled by combining Raman spectroscopy and the OPLS-DA method in multivariate statistics.

Identification of a genetic variant underlying familial cases of recurrent benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vertigo in humans, yet the molecular etiology is currently unknown. Evidence suggests that genetic factors may play an important role in some cases of idiopathic BPPV, particularly in familial cases, but the responsible genetic variants have not been identified. In this study, we performed whole exome sequencing [including untranslated regions (UTRs)] of 12 families and Sanger sequencing of additional 30 families with recurrent BPPV in Caucasians from the United States (US) Midwest region, to identify the genetic variants responsible for heightened susceptibility to BPPV. Fifty non-BPPV families were included as controls. In silico and experimental analyses of candidate variants show that an insertion variant rs113784532 (frameshift causing truncation) in the neural cadherin gene PCDHGA10 (protocadherin-gamma A10) is an exceedingly strong candidate (p = 1.80x10-4 vs. sample controls; p = 5.85x10-19 vs. ExAC data; p = 4.9x10-3 vs. NHLBI exome data). The mutant protein forms large aggregates in BPPV samples even at young ages, and affected subjects carrying this variant have an earlier onset of the condition than those without [average 44.0±14.0 (n = 16) versus 54.4±16.1 (n = 36) years old, p = 0.054]. In both human and mouse inner ear tissues, PCDHGA10 is expressed in ganglia, hair cells and vestibular transitional epithelia. Fluorescent RNA in situ hybridization using mouse inner ear tissues shows that expression increases with age. In summary, our data show that a variant in the PCDHGA10 gene may be involved in causing or aggravating some familial cases of recurrent idiopathic BPPV.

Functional cooperation between two otoconial proteins Oc90 and Nox3.

BACKGROUND: Otoconia-related vertigo and balance deficits are common in humans, but the molecular etiology is unknown at present. OBJECTIVE: In order to study mechanisms of otoconia formation and maintenance, we have investigated whether otoconin-90 (Oc90), the predominant otoconial constituent protein, and the NADPH oxidase Nox3, an essential regulatory protein for otoconia formation, are functionally interlinked. METHODS: We performed balance behavioral, electrophysiological, morphological and molecular cellular analyses. RESULTS: Double heterozygous mutant mice for Oc90 and Nox3 show severe imbalance, albeit less profound than double null mutants. In contrast, single heterozygous mutant mice have normal balance. Double heterozygous mice have otoconia defects and double null mice have no otoconia. In addition, some hair bundles in the latter mice go through accelerated degeneration. In vitro calcification analysis in cells stably expressing these proteins singly and doubly shows much more intense calcification in the double transfectants. CONCLUSIONS: Oc90 and Nox3 augment each other's function, which is not only critical for otoconia formation but also for hair bundle maintenance.

Epidemiological investigation and intergenerational clinical characteristics of 24 COVID-19 patients associated with supermarket cluster

ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological and intergenerational clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients associated with cluster, so as to understand the rules of the patients associated with cluster of this outbreak and provide help for the prevention and control of COVID-19. MethodsAll close contacts of the patient were screened since the first supermarket employee with COVID-19 was identified. A retrospective analysis was made on the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the confirmed cases admitted to the designated hospitals for centralized treatment. The patients were divided into two groups according to the first generation (supermarket employees, group A) and the second or third generation (family members or friends of supermarket employees, group B), and the similarities and differences between the two groups were compared. ResultsA total of 24 COVID-19 patients were diagnosed, with an average age of 48 {+/-}1.73 years. The mean duration from onset to release form quarantine was 21.04{+/-} 6.77 days, and the onset time was concentrated in 5-11 days after the first patient was diagnosed. Among all the patients, 23 patients were moderate, among which 7 patients (29.17%) were asymptomatic. Symptoms of symptomatic patients were cough (75.00%), low fever (62.50%), shortness of breath (41.67%), sore throat (25.00%), gastrointestinal symptoms (25.00%), fatigue (20.83%), etc. Biochemical examination on admission showed that the white blood cell count < 4.0x109/L (29.17%) and the lymphocyte count <1.1x109/L (58.33%). The lymphocyte count of 50.00% of the patients was [≤] 0.6 x 109/L. On admission, chest CT showed pneumonia (100%) with bilateral infiltration (75.00%). Treatment: antiviral drug (100%), Chinese medicine (100%), common oxygen therapy (45.83%). There were 11 cases in group A (first generation, 11 cases) and 13 cases in group B (second generation, 11 cases; third generation, 2 cases). In group B, there were more males, from onset to admission later, more patients had underlying diseases, and more patients were treated with albumin (P<0.05). However, there was no statistical difference between the two groups in other clinical indicators, including the duration from onset to release form quarantine(P>0.05). There was no improvement in granulocyte count in all patients, as well as in groups A and B, between admission and release from quarantine(P>0.05). ConclusionThe clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients associated with cluster were similar to those of other COVID-19 patients, but there were some special features. The severity of the disease was similar and there was intergenerational spread. There was no difference in clinical characteristics between generations. Asymptomatic infections occurred in a proportion of patients and could cause spread.

Clinical characteristics and reasons of different duration from onset to release from quarantine for patients with COVID-19 Outside Hubei province, China.

ObjectiveTo find out more characteristics and rules of COVID-19 by analyzing the clinical course of COVID-19 patients in a region outside Hubei province. Methods37 cases diagnosed adult COVID-19 cases of general characteristics, history of epidemiology, chronic underlying diseases, clinical symptoms and complications, chest CT, biochemical monitoring, severity assessment, treatment and outcome were retrospectively analyzed, and according to the duration from onset to release from quarantine were divided into [≤]20 -day group and > 20 -day group, compare the similarities and differences between the two groups. ResultsAmong the 37 patients, 5 were mild, 30 were moderate, 1 was severe and 1 was critical. All the patients were released from quarantine without death. The average duration from onset to release from quarantine was 20.2{+/-}6.6 days, The average length of stay from onset to hospitalization was 4.1{+/-}3.7 days, and hospitalization duration average 16.1 {+/-}6.2 days. The average age was 44.3{+/-}1.67 years. 78.4% of cases were caused by exposure to a confirmed patient or the workplace of a confirmed patient. The main symptoms were cough (67.6%), fever (62.2%), shortness of breath (32.4%), fatigue (24.3%), sore throat (21.6%,) vomiting or diarrhea (21.6%). The white blood cell count was decreased in 27.0% of the patients, and the lymphocyte count was decreased in 62.2% of the patients, of which 43.5% patients were [≤]0.6x109/L. On admission, 86.5% of patients with chest CT showed pneumonia, including some asymptomatic patients. 68.8% of patients showed bilateral infiltration. In the > 20-day group, the average age was 49.9{+/-}1.38 years old, and the duration from onset to hospitalization was 5.5{+/-}3.9 days. Compared with the [≤] 20-day group, the age was older and duration was longer, P < 0.05. All the 7 asymptomatic patients were [≤]20 -day group. When 37 patients were released from quarantine, the white blood cell count of 16.2% patients was < 4.0x109/L, and the lymphocyte count of 59.5% patients was <1.1x109/L, and the absolute count of white blood cells and lymphocytes was 5.02{+/-}1.3 4x109/L and 1.03{+/-}0.34x109/L respectively, compared with those on admission, P > 0.05. ConclusionThe majority of COVID-19 cases in the study area were mild and moderate, with good clinical outcomes. There were some special characteristics in the clinical process. The reasons of duration from onset to release from quarantine were complex. There was no significant change in the number of granulocytes at the time of release from quarantine compared to the time of admission.

Analysis of drug consumption in medical service for Dominica and Dominican in Harmonious Mission -2018 / 药学实践杂志

Objective To analyze the drug consumption in medical service for Dominica and Dominican in Harmonious Mission -2018, and provide reference for future drug supply services in similar countries. Methods Data of the drugs used during the medical service of the two countries were extracted from the computer system, which were summarized and analyzed. Results Ranking first in drug consumption in medical service for Dominica and Dominican was external drugs. Chinese traditional medicines were very popular in both two countries. There were great similarities and unique characteristics in the drug consumption during medical service between the two countries, orthopedic drugs, digestive system drugs, ophthalmic drugs and dermatological drugs were frequently used drugs. Conclusion The drug consumption in medical service was closely associated with the national conditions. Therefore, in order to prepare medicines reasonably in future overseas medical service, disease distribution of the country which would be visited and drug consumption in the similar country which had been visited before should be concerned.

Experience of the support of medicine in Harmonious Mission -2018 / 药学实践杂志

Objective Through the statistics of drug consumption in the task of Harmonious Mission -2018, sort out the process of medication supply of overseas medical services, analyze and evaluate the medication supply services. Methods Count the types and quantities of medicines consumed by marine hospitals in the Harmonious Mission-2018, analyze whether the preparation of medicines is sufficient, effective, and economically reasonable, and find way to improve the process of medicine supply in overseas medical services. Results Statistics on the consumption of drugs in the Harmonious Mission-2018 show that the number of drugs consumed accounted for 68.21% of the total kinds of medicine carried, that the total amount of drugs consumed accounted for 40.61% of the total costs of medicine carried, and that the total number of boxes of drugs consumed (the number of the smallest packages) accounted for 21.72% of the total number of boxes of medicine carried. Conclusion The medicine support services in the Harmonious Mission-2018 was sufficient and effective. But, the workflow and the processes of the services still need to be further improved.

Preparation and Quality Evaluation of Breviscapine Gastric Adhesive Tablets / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To prepar e Breviscapine gastric adhesive tablets ，to optimize the formulation and to evaluate the quality. METHODS ：HPMC K 100M and carbomer 934P were used as bioadhesives and skeleton materials ，and lactose was used as filler，and magnesium stearate was used as glidant and lubricant to prepare Breviscapine gastric adhesive tablets by direct powder pressing method. The comprehensive scores of scores of accumulative release rate of Breviscapine gastric adhesive tablets in pH 6.8 PBS at 2，6，12 h（Q2 h，Q6 h，Q12 h，with scutellarin meter ，by HPLC method ）and in vitro adhesion force of gastric tissue were evaluated by weighting method. Taking this scores as indexes，L9（34）orthogonal test design was used to optimize the amount of HPMC K 100M，carbomer 934P and lactose in Breviscapine gastric adhesive tablets and validation tests were conducted. The properties，identification，weight difference ，fragility，release and the content of scutellarin of the gastric adhesive tablets were determined. RESULTS ：The optimal prescription of Breviscapine gastric adhesive tablets were 42％ breviscapine，10％ HPMC K100M，3％ carbomer 934P and 45％ lactose. The verification test results show that the Q2 h，Q6 h，Q12 h of 3 batches of Breviscapine gastric adhesive tablets were 20.36％，48.55％，and 87.00％ ；the average in vitro adhesion force of gastric tissue was 31.36 g/cm2；the average comprehensive score was 70.23（RSD＝1.84％，n＝3）. The gastric adhesive tablets were light yellow，tasteless or slightly salty ；the peak time was consistent with that of scutellarin control ；its weight difference were ±6％， the fragility was 0.54％，and the Q12 h was 83.51％（RSD＝2.14％，n＝6）. The content of scutellarin was 288.47 mg/g（RSD＝ 0.70％，n＝3）. CONCLUSIONS ：Breviscapine gastric adhesive tablets is prepared successfully ，and its quality evaluation conforms to the requirements of Chinese Pharmacopoeia （2015 edition）.

Study on the Preparation of Brucine Bilayer Polymer Soluble Microneedle and Its in vitro Transdermal Perme- ability under Different Drug Loading Modes / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To prepare Brucine （shorted for “Bru”）bilayer polymer soluble microneedles ，and to investigate their in vitro transdermal permeation characteristics under different drug loading modes. METHODS ：Taking the degree of difficulty of microneedle film uncovering ，array integrity ，bubble amount ，needle shape ，tip hardness and backing toughness as the indexes ， tip and backing materials were screened. The swelling method and drying method of matrix were screened using the morphology of microneedles as index. The double-layer polymer soluble microneedle was prepared by two-step method ，then it was characterized and evaluated in the safety. The in vitro transdermal permeation characteristics of tip-loaded ，backing-loaded and full-loaded Bru bilayer polymer soluble microneedles were investigated by Franz diffusion cell. The in vitro skin penetration curve was drawn ，and the cumulative permeability amount （Q）and cumulative permeability rate were calculated. RESULTS ：The optimal preparation technology of bilayer polymer soluble microneedles included chondroitin sulfate （CS）and polyvinylpyrrolidone K 30（PVP K 30） （1∶1，m/m）as tip materials ，15％ polyvinyl alcohol （PVA）as backing material ，matrix swelling in the refrigerator at 4 ℃ for 1 h，and drying at room temperature for 24 h in dryer. Prepared microneedle array was complete and had good mechanical properties，and could successfully puncture aluminum foil and rat skin. After microneedle treatment ，the skin could return to its original state within 6 h. The results of in vitro transdermal test showed that microneedle drug delivery could greatly increase the cumulative transdermal permeability amount of GNYL Bru，and the tip material could dissolve and release the drug within 10 min； the tip-loaded microneedle was basically released within 8 h，Q8h was 102.185 μg/cm2 and the cumulative permeability rate reached 94.05％ ； the drug cumulativepermeability rate of backing-loaded and full-loaded microneedlesexceeded 50％ within 8 h and exceeded 90％ within 48 h；Q48h were 840.77 and 1 156.73 μg/cm2，showing sustained-release characteristics. CONCLUSIONS ：Bru bilayer polymer soluble microneedles with hard tip and tough backing material are successfully prepared to achieve effective transdermal delivery and sustained release through full-loaded mode.

The Price of Immune Responses and the Role of Vitamin D in the Inner Ear.

OBJECTIVE: In this review the authors discuss evidence from the literature concerning vitamin D and temporal bone diseases (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo [BPPV], Menière's disease [MD], vestibular neuritis, idiopathic facial paralysis, idiopathic acute hearing loss). Common features shared by Menière's disease, glaucoma, and the possible influence by vitamin D are briefly discussed. DATA SOURCES, STUDY SELECTION: Publications from 1970 until recent times have been reviewed according to a keyword search (see above) in PubMed. CONCLUSIONS: MD, BPPV, vestibular neuritis, idiopathic facial paralysis, idiopathic acute hearing loss may all have several etiological factors, but a common feature of the current theories is that an initial viral infection and a subsequent autoimmune/autoinflammatory reaction might be involved. Additionally, in some of these entities varying degrees of demyelination have been documented. Given the immunomodulatory effect of vitamin D, we postulate that it may play a role in suppressing an eventual postviral autoimmune reaction. This beneficial effect may be enhanced by the antioxidative activity of vitamin D and its potential in stabilizing endothelial cells. The association of vitamin D deficiency with demyelination has already been established in other entities such as multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalitis. Mice without vitamin D receptor show degenerative features in inner ear ganglia, hair cells, as well as otoconia. The authors suggest further studies concerning the role of vitamin D deficiency in diseases of the temporal bone. Additionally, the possible presence and degree of demyelination in these entities will have to be elucidated more systematically in the future.

The technical development and application prospects of CRISPR/Cas9 in laboratory medicine / 中华检验医学杂志

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated nuclease 9 (CRISPR/Cas9),a cluster of regularly spaced short palindromic repeats,is a natural immune defense system for bacteria and archaea to identify themselves and exogenous invading DNA fragments,protecting them from viruses.In recent years,CRISPR/Cas9 has become a revolutionary gene editing tool.Its specific targeted spot-cutting ability also plays an important role in nucleic acid detection,bacterial typing,etc.,and has shown great application potential in the field of medical testing.Based on the latest researches,this paper reviews the progress of CRISPR/Cas9 application in the new techniques of nucleic acid detection,pathogen typing and bacterial evolution in laboratory medicine,and also summarizes the application prospect of CRISPR technology in the field of laboratory medicine.

Content Determination of Aflatoxin G 2，G1，B2 and B 1 in Qinghuo Tablets （Capsules）by HPLC-post-column Photochemical Derivatization and Its Safety Evaluation / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE： To establish a method for content determination of aflatoxin （AF） G2， G1， B2 and B1 in Qinghuo tablets （capsules）， and to evaluate the safety of the preparation. METHODS： HPLC-post-column photochemical derivatization was adopted， and 266 batches of Qinghuo tablets （capsules） from 37 manufacturers as sample. The determination was performed on Agilent C18 column with mobile phase consisted of water-acetonitrile-methanol （V/V/V， gradient elution） at the flow rate of 1.0   mL/min. The column temperature was set at 40 ℃. Excitation wavelength and emission wavelength of fluorescence detector were 360 and 450 nm. RESULTS： The linear ranges of AF G2， AF G1， AF B2 and AF B1 were 10.197-101.97 （r＝0.999 7）， 10.197-101.97 （r＝0.999 6）， 9.958 6-99.586 （r＝0.999 1）， 9.999 0-99.990 （r＝0.998 3） pg， respectively. RSDs of precision （n＝6）， reproducibility （n＝6） and stability tests （12 h， n＝5） were all lower than 3.0％. The detection limits were 0.80， 4.00， 0.80 and 4.00 pg， respectively. The quantitation limits were 1.60， 8.00， 1.60 and 8.00 pg， respectively. The recoveries were 85％-90％， 85％-90％， 55％-65％， 65％-75％ （RSD＝1.8％-4.7％， n＝6）. AF G2， AF G1， AF B2 and AF B1 were not detected in 266 batches of samples. CONCLUSIONS： This method is suitable for the determination of AF in Qinghuo tablets （capsules）. Although AF was not detected in the sample， it is advisable to add the determination of AF so as to improve its safety.

Vitamin D supplementation may improve symptoms in Meniere's disease.

In the last 4 years the authors observed a trend that correcting vitamin D deficiency in newly diagnosed cases of Meniere's disease decreased the necessity of the ablative therapy with intratympanic gentamicin. According to their hypothesis, vitamin D supplementation may indeed have a beneficial effect in Meniere's disease if the symptoms are caused by a local postviral autoimmune reaction. Vitamin D has a strong immunomodulatory role, one of which is the regulation of the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators. The authors suggest further epidemiological studies to decide if there is a connection between vitamin D deficiency and Meniere's disease.

Regulation of microRNA -22 on glycometabolism of hematopoietic stem cell TF - 1 and its molecular mecha-nism / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To study the regulation of microRNA - 22(miR - 22)on glycometabolism of hemato-poietic stem cell TF - 1 and its molecular mechanism. Methods TF - 1 cells were cultured for 2 h under hypoxic con-ditions. The expression levels of Glut4 and miR - 22 was detected by quantitative real-time PCR(qRT - PCR). The sgRNA vector of the miR - 22 gene was constructed and miR - 22 gene of TK - 1 cells was knocked out by the CRISPR/ Cas9 technique. Overexpression vectors were constructed,and miR - 22 knocked - out cells were introduced to overexpress miR - 22,the expression of miR - 22 was detected by qRT - PCR and the expression levels of Glut4 and PPAR - γ were detected by qRT - PCR and Western blot. Results Compared with the control group,the expression of miR - 22 in TF - 1 cells decreased (0. 015 ± 0. 000 vs. 0. 056 ± 0. 001)and the expression of Glut4 (0. 351 ± 0. 038 vs. 0. 152 ± 0. 005)and PPAR - γ (0. 421 ± 0. 017 vs. 0. 248 ± 0. 008)increased,when TF - 1 cells were cultured for 2 h under hypoxic conditions,and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0. 05). Compared with the control group,the expression levels of Glut4 (0. 019 ± 0. 00 vs. 0. 008 ± 0. 000)and PPAR - γ (0. 038 ± 0. 001 vs. 0. 019 ± 0. 000)were significantly increased after miR - 22 gene silencing,and they were significantly decreased (Glut4:0. 005 ± 0. 000 vs. 0. 008 ± 0. 000;PPAR - γ:0. 137 ± 0. 000 vs. 0. 019 ± 0. 000)after overexpression of miR - 22,and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0. 05). Conclusions It suggests that miR - 22 ex-erts a negative regulation on glycometabolism of hematopoietic stem cell TF - 1 by downregulating the expression of PPAR - γ. A new regulatory factor of TF - 1 glycometabolism and the mechanisms are identified,which has provided new ideas for the targeted medication of diseases induced by hematopoietic stem cell dysfunction.

Needle-stick injuries among health care workers and protective strategies in a hospital / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To investigate the condition and causes of needle-stick injuries among health care workers(HCWs), and explore effective strategies for preventing needle-stick injuries.Methods Needle-stick injuries recorded by healthcare-associated infection management department in a hospital between January 2013 and December 2015 were surveyed retrospectively.Results 164 HCWs suffered needle-stick injuries, including 71 (43.29%) doctors, 81 (49.39%) nurses, and 12 (7.32%) other HCWs.The number of injuries in 2013, 2014, and 2015 were 47(28.66%), 54(32.93%),and 63(38.41%)respectively.152(92.68%), 9(5.49%),and 3(1.83%)injuries were caused by contaminated medical instruments, uncertain-contaminated medical instruments, and non-contaminated medical instruments.Among 164 cases of needle-stick injuries, 67(40.85%) occurred in operating rooms, 141 (85.98%) were finger injuries;the main causes of needle stick injuries were carelessness, busy work and nonstandard manipulation(n=115, 70.12%), most doctors suffered needle stick injuries due to the lack of experience (52.11%), most nurses suffered needle stick injuries due to carelessness, busy work and nonstandard manipulation(93.83%).Conclusion Needle stick injuries among HCWs increased year by year, strategies should be implemented to reduce the occurrence of needle injuries, including strengthening occupational protection consciousness among HCWs, strengthening construction of healthcare-associated infection management system, and improving medical environment.

Teaching practice of patent application for scientific research of the medical postgraduates / 中华医学教育探索杂志

To enhance the scientific research participation of the medical postgraduates, and pro-mote core competitiveness of the medical colleges, based on analysis of the necessity of patent application in medical colleges postgraduate, we constructed the teaching teams including the medical professors, patent engineers, graduate teaching manager, and science and technology managers. The problem-based learning (PBL) and case-based learning (CBL) as teaching methods were used in practice. The patent courses included the reference search and analysis, basic knowledge of patent law, and patent application training module were constructed; and the teaching effect were evaluated and optimized through the scores of the patent basic theory test, research output, and the training of the patent application. The patent course of the medi-cal postgraduates provides a reference for cultivating the compound talents have scientific research innova-tion and patent application capability.

Clinical application of the computer-aided movable and measurable ankle-foot orthosis / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: The traditional ankle-foot orthosis focuses on the protection, correction, stability, and compensation;therefore, it is important to explore a new rehabilitation method for ankle joint dysfunction.OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of computer-aided movable and measurable ankle-foot orthosis that designed by the Department of Rehabilitation in Longgang Central Hospital of Shenzhen on postoperative dysfunction after ankle fracture.METHODS: Fifty-two patients with ankle fractures at 3 weeks after internal fixation were selected and equivalently randomized into two groups. Both groups received conventional oral medication and rehabilitation therapy. In addition,the patients in control group were given joint mobilization treatment, while those in experimental group were given computer-aided movable and measurable of ankle-foot orthosis, 20 minutes daily, 6 days weekly for consecutive 4 weeks. The efficacy was evaluated by muscle strength, active range of motion, Kofoed ankle score and visual analogue scale on computer at baseline, 7, 14, and 28 days after training.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) There were no significant differences in baseline data and ankle function scores between two groups before training (P > 0.05), and all above indicators were significantly improved in both two groups at 4 weeks after training (P 0.05). To conclude, the unique ankle-foot orthosis can reduce postoperative pain, enhance muscle strength and improve ankle mobility after ankle fracture.

Spatiotemporal differences in otoconial gene expression.

Otoconia are minute biocrystals composed of glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and CaCO3 , and are indispensable for sensory processing in the utricle and saccule. Otoconia abnormalities and degeneration can cause or facilitate crystal dislocation to the ampulla, leading to vertigo and imbalance in humans. In order to better understand the molecular mechanism controlling otoconia formation and maintenance, we have examined the spatial and temporal expression differences of otoconial genes in the mouse inner ear at developmental, mature and aging stages using whole transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) and quantitative RT-PCR. We show that the expression levels of most otoconial genes are much higher in the utricle and saccule compared with other inner ear tissues before postnatal stages in C57Bl/6J mice, and the expression of a few of these genes is restricted to the embryonic utricle and saccule. After the early postnatal stages, expression of all otoconial genes in the utricle and saccule is drastically reduced, while a few genes gain expression dominance in the aging ampulla, indicating a potential for ectopic debris formation in the latter tissue at old ages. The data suggest that the expression of otoconial genes is tightly regulated spatially and temporally during developmental stages and can become unregulated at aging stages. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 106:613-625, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Analysis of pathogen in bronchoalveolar lavage lfuid and its clinical features in 80 children with lobar pneumonia / 临床儿科杂志

Objective To investigate the pathogenic types and clinical features of children with lobar pneumonia. Methods Eighty children with lobar pneumonia diagnosed from April 2013 to May 2015 were enrolled. Bronchoalveolar lavage lfuid (BALF) of patients were collected. FQ-PCR was used to detect and analyze pathogens in BALF. Results In 80 cases, 59 cases were Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and 2 cases were Chlamydia pneumoniae, 12 cases were Streptococcus pneumoniae, 1 case was Klebsiella pneumoniae, 8 cases were adenovirus, 1 case was respiratory syncytial virus, 14 cases were of mixed infection. The prevalence of MP lobar pneumonia in children of 7-14 years old age group were higher than that of other age groups. Conclusions The pathogen of children with lobar pneumonia varied from Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, bacteria, virus and so on, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae was the common pathogen in lobar pneumonia.