Study on The Mechanism of Sinomenine Hydrochloride Induced Fibroblast Apoptosis in Rabbits with Adhesive Knee Ankylosis / 生物化学与生物物理进展

ObjectiveThis study aimed to observe the impact of sinomenine hydrochloride on the proliferation of fibroblasts and the mRNA expression of related genes in knee joint adhesion and contracture in rabbits. Additionally, we sought to explore its potential mechanisms in combating knee joint adhesion and contracture. MethodsFibroblasts were cultured in vitro, and experimental groups with varying concentrations of sinomenine hydrochloride were established alongside a control group. Cell proliferation was assessed using the CCK-8 assay. Changes in the mRNA expression of fibroblast-related genes following sinomenine hydrochloride treatment were evaluated using RT-qPCR. The impact of the drug on serum levels of inflammatory cytokines was determined using the ELISA method, and the expression of related proteins was assessed using Western blot. ResultsSinomenine hydrochloride was found to inhibit fibroblast viability, with viability decreasing as the concentration of sinomenine hydrochloride increased. The effects of sinomenine hydrochloride in all experimental groups were highly significant (P<0.05). At the mRNA expression level, compared to the control group, sinomenine hydrochloride led to a significant downregulation of inflammatory cytokines in all groups (P<0.05). Additionally, the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins significantly increased, while Bcl-2 mRNA expression decreased (P<0.05). The mRNA expression levels of the PI3K/mTOR/AKT3 signaling pathway also decreased (P<0.05). At the protein expression level, in comparison to the control group, the levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, and TGF-β were significantly downregulated in the middle and high-dose sinomenine hydrochloride groups (P<0.05). The expression levels of cleaved-PARP, cleaved caspase-3/7, and Bax increased and were positively correlated with the dose, while the expression levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and the PI3K/AKT3/mTOR signaling pathway were negatively correlated with the dose. Sinomenine hydrochloride exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on the viability of rabbit knee joint fibroblasts, which may be associated with the downregulation of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1β, promotion of apoptosis-related proteins cleaved-PARP, cleaved caspase-3/7, and Bax, suppression of Bcl-2 expression, and inhibition of gene expression in the downstream PI3K/AKT3/mTOR signaling pathway. ConclusionSinomenine hydrochloride can inhibit the inflammatory response of fibroblasts in adhesive knee joints and accelerate fibroblast apoptosis. This mechanism may offer a novel approach to improving and treating knee joint adhesion.

Value of Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound in Sentinel Lymph Node after Primary Breast Cancer Resection / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of percutaneous and intravenous contrast-enhanced ultrasound（P-Ⅳ-CEUS） in sentinel lymph nodes（SLNs） after resection of early-stage primary breast cancer. MethodsA retrospective analysis was done on the clinical and imaging data of 42 early breast cancer patients. Following primary tumor resection， all these patients underwent reoperation in our hospital. SLNs were examined by preoperative P-Ⅳ-CEUS and intraoperative sentinel lymph node biopsy（SLNB） was performed by using Methylene blue as a tracer. Then we analyzed the detection and false-negative rate in CEUS and SLNB respectively. By using the surgical pathological results as the gold standard， the diagnostic efficacy of CEUS for SLNs was explored. ResultsThe detection rate and false negative rate of SLNs in percutaneous contrast-enhanced ultrasound （P-CEUS） were 92.9% （39/42） and 7.1% （3/42）， respectively. The detection rate in methylene blue staining was 100% （41/41） and one patient underwent neoadjuvant therapy due to biopsy-confirmed metastasis. The sensitivity， specificity， positive predictive value， negative predictive value and accuracy of P-Ⅳ-CEUS were 66.7% （2/3）， 100% （37/37）， 100% （2/2）， 97.3% （36/37） and 97.4% （38/39）， respectively. ConclusionsP-Ⅳ-CEUS after resection of early-stage primary breast cancer can accurately detect SLNs and characterize their status， which is a reliable clinical basis for reducing invasive SLNB.

Gene Polymorphisms of Patients with Lymphoma-Associated Hemophagocytic Syndrome in Longyan area, Fujian Province / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the gene polymorphisms of patients with lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic syndrome in Longyan area, Fujian province.@*METHODS@#A total of 125 patients with lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic syndrome in Longyan, Fujian province, admitted to Longyan First Hospital from May 2017 to November 2020 were selected. Peripheral venous blood was collected from all the patients, and the genotypes of perforin 1 (PRF1) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene loci were detected by PCR-fluorescence probe method, and the correlation between PRF1 and IL-10 gene polymorphisms and lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic syndrome was analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The mutation frequencies of PRF1 gene loci rs885821 (C>T), rs885822 (C>T), rs1889490 (G>A) in patients with lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic syndrome were 10.40%, 78.8% and 64.4%, respectively. The mutation frequencies of rs1800872 (A>C), rs1800871 (C>T) and rs1800896 (G>A) of IL-10 loci were 56.0%, 45.2% and 77.6%, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#PRF1 and IL-10 gene loci were polymorphic in patients with lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic syndrome in Longyan area, Fujian province. Alleles C and G of PRF1 and IL-10 were risk factors, and alleles T and A were protective factors.

Efficacy of epithelial-off accelerated corneal cross-linking in the treatment of advanced keratoconus / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the efficacy of epithelial-off accelerated corneal cross-linking(CXL)in the treatment of advanced keratoconus.METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on data collected from 32 patients(43 eyes)with advanced keratoconus who underwent epithelial-off accelerated CXL at Ningxia Eye Hospital from April 2020 to December 2021. Slit-lamp, intraocular pressure, uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), corrected visual acuity, specular microscope, Pentacam and Corvis ST were tested before and at 1, 3 and 6mo after surgery. Preoperative and postoperative corneal condition, UCVA, best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and the values of corneal endothelial, maximum keratometry(Kmax), thinnest corneal thickness(TCT), anterior and posterior surfaces of the cornea K1, K2, biomechanically corrected intraocular pressure(bIOP), applanation time 1(A1T), applanation length 1(A1L), applanation velocity 1(A1V), applanation time 2(A2T), applanation length 2(A2L), applanation velocity 2(A2V), highest concavity deformation amplitude(HCDA), radius at highest curvature(HCR), highest concavity peak distance(HCPD)and stiffness parameter at first applanation(SP-A1)were recorded.RESULTS: There were differences between UCVA(LogMAR; 1.06±0.49, 0.78±0.39)and BCVA(LogMAR; 0.48±0.34, 0.38±0.29)before and at 6mo after surgery(P&#x003C;0.05), but there were no differences in corneal endothelial cells(2917.39±288.38 vs. 2959.19±336.27 cells/mm2, P=0.477). There were differences among Kmax, TCT, anterior surface K1 and K2 and posterior surface K1 before and after surgery(P&#x003C;0.05), and all increased at 1mo after surgery then returned to preoperative level at 3mo after surgery, while there was no difference in the posterior K2. Furthermore, there were statistical significance in A1T, HCPD and SP-A1 before and after surgery(P&#x003C;0.05), while there were no statistical significance in A1L, A1V,A2T, A2L, A2V, HCDA, HCR and bIOP(P&#x003E;0.05).CONCLUSION: Epithelial-off accelerated CXL can prevent the progression of keratoconus within half year after surgery, and it has certain safety.

Relationship of college students’ risk perception of COVID-19 and their anxiety and depression: A moderated mediation model / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

【Objective】 To explore the effects of perceived risk of COVID-19 of college students on their anxiety and depression, as well as the roles of attention to negative information and perceived social support, so as to provide theoretical basis for colleges and universities to formulate corresponding intervention measures. 【Methods】 By the convenience sampling method, totally 1 404 college students from Shaanxi and Henan provinces were investigated online by using General Information Questionnaire, Perceived Risk of COVID-19 Pandemic Scale, Attention to Negative Information Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Perceived Social Support Scale. SPSS 20.0 was used for data analysis, Pearson correlation method was used to explore the correlation between variables. The mediating effect of attention to negative information and the moderating effect of perceived social support were analyzed by PROCESS. 【Results】 The scores of anxiety and depression of the 1 404 college students included in the study were 4.03±4.48 and 6.21±5.41, respectively. The detection rate of anxiety symptom was 29.9%, and that of depression symptom was 44.4%. The risk perception of COVID-19 epidemic of the college students was positively correlated with attention to negative information (r=0.373, P<0.001), anxiety (r=0.227, P<0.001), and depression (r=0.226, P<0.001). Anxiety (r=0.553, P<0.001) and depression (r=0.497, P<0.001) were positively correlated with attention to negative information, while perceived social support was negatively correlated with the risk perception of the COVID-19 (r=-0.154, P<0.001), attention to negative information (r=-0.259, P<0.001), anxiety (r=-0.321, P<0.001) and depression (r=-0.278, P<0.001). The risk perception of COVID-19 affected the anxiety and depression of the students mainly through the mediating effect of attention to negative information. The total effect of risk perception of COVID-19 and anxiety was 0.227, and the mediating effect accounted for 80.18% of the total effect. The total effect of risk perception of COVID-19 and depression was 0.228, and the mediating effect accounted for 90.35% of the total effect. Perceived social support played a moderating role in the last half of this mediating model. 【Conclusion】 Risk perception of COVID-19 indirectly affects the occurrence of anxiety and depression in college students through attention to negative information, and perceived social support plays a moderating role in this mediating model. The findings suggest that when a risk event occurs, colleges and universities should pay attention to guiding students to adjust their attentional bias to external information, and give students enough care and support to improve their mental health.

Mediating role of organization climate between volunteer service motivation and work engagement in volunteers / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

【Objective】 To explore the mediating effect of different organizational climate on volunteer service motivation and work engagement among volunteers during the COVID-19 epidemic. 【Methods】 The Volunteer Service Motivation Scale, Organizational Climate Scale, and Work Input Scale were used to investigate relevant contents among volunteers from Shaanxi, Hubei and Henan provinces who participated in prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic by convenient sampling method. Pearson correlation analysis was applied to explore the correlation among volunteer service motivation, organizational climate and work engagement. The Bootstrap method was used to analyze the mediating role of organizational climate between volunteer service motivation and work engagement. 【Results】 The scores of volunteer service motivation, organizational climate, and work engagement of the 834 volunteers were 72.45±13.66, 24.03±4.65, and 51.59±10.04, respectively. Volunteer service motivation was positively correlated with work engagement (r=0.556, P<0.001) and organizational climate (r=0.604, P<0.001). Organizational climate was positively correlated with work engagement (r=0.632, P<0.001). Organizational climate played a mediating role between volunteer service motivation and work engagement (effect value=0.278, accounting for 47.0% of the total effect). 【Conclusion】 Volunteer service motivation indirectly affects work engagement through organizational climate, indicating that volunteer team managers can improve their work engagement level by improving the organizational climate.

Current situation and influencing factors of HPV vaccine hesitancy among parents of primary and secondary school girls in Guangyuan / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To investigate HPV vaccine hesitancy and influencing factors among parents of primary and secondary schools in Guangyuan, and to provide scientific countermeasures for reducing the hesitancy rate of HPV vaccine in parents. Methods Using stratified multi-stage cluster random sampling, 1,018 parents of girls in primary and secondary schools in Guangyuan were selected for a questionnaire survey from March to July 2021. The data were analyzed by Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression model. Results The hesitancy rate of HPV vaccine in parents was 42.95%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that families with low economic income, parents who believed that HPV vaccination would have long-term side effects, and be unsafe and expensive, and parents who concerned with the effect of HPV vaccine on the prevention of cervical cancer and insufficient supply of first doses of vaccine, had positive effects on HPV vaccine hesitancy (OR = 2.02, 1.44, 3.13, 1.53, 3.76, and 2.43, respectively, P < 0.05). Conclusion HPV vaccine hesitancy rate is high among parents of primary and secondary schools in Guangyuan. It is necessary to fully promote school education and increase the publicity of HPV vaccine to improve parents' awareness of HPV vaccine. Government departments need to make an overall plan to reduce vaccine costs and ensure sufficient vaccine quantity, so as to reduce parents' hesitation to vaccinate their children with HPV vaccine.

Effects of primary preventive treatment under endoscope for esophageal and gastric varices on bleeding rate and its relevant factors / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To investigate the effects of primary preventive treatment under endoscope for esophageal and gastric varices on bleeding rate and its relevant factors. Methods: 127 cases with liver cirrhosis accompanied with esophageal and gastric varices without bleeding history were included in the endoscopic and non-endoscopic treatment group, respectively. Informed consent was obtained from both groups. Gastric varices (Lgf) and esophageal varices (Leg) were diagnosed according to LDRf classification criteria, and the corresponding treatment scheme was selected according to the recommended principle of this method.The incidence rate of bleeding from ruptured esophageal varices were observed at 3, 6 months, and 1, and 2 years in the treated and the untreated group, and the patients with different Child-Pugh scores were followed-up for 2 years. Gender, age, etiology, varicose degree, Child-Pugh grade, platelet count, prothrombin activity, portal vein thrombosis, collateral circulation, portal vein width and other factors affecting the bleeding rate were assessed. Measurement data were described as mean ± standard deviation (x¯±s), and qualitative data of categorical variables were expressed as percentage (%), and χ2 test was used. Results: 127 cases were followed up for 2 years. There were 55 cases in the endoscopic treatment group (18 cases underwent band ligation, 2 cases underwent band ligation combined with tissue adhesive embolization, 28 cases underwent sclerotherapy, and 7 cases underwent sclerotherapy combined with tissue adhesive embolization). Recurrent bleeding and hemorrhage was occurred in 5 (9.1%) and 28 cases (38.9%), respectively (P<0.05). In addition, there were 72 cases in the untreated group (P<0.05). Severe varicose veins proportions in treated and untreated group were 91.1% and 85.1%, respectively (P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in liver cirrhosis-related medication and β-blocker therapy between the treated and untreated group (P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the bleeding rate between the different treated groups (P>0.05). The bleeding rates at 3, 6 months, 1, and 2 years in endoscopic treated and untreated group were 2.00% vs. 2.59% (P>0.05), 2.30% vs. 5.88% (P>0.05), 3.10% vs. 7.55% (P>0.05) and 4.00% vs. 21.62% (P<0.05), respectively. All patients with Child-Pugh grade A, B and C in the treated and the untreated group were followed-up for 2 years, and the bleeding rates were 1.8% vs. 8.1% (P<0.05), 1.1% vs. 9.4% (P<0.05) and 9.1% vs. 10.1% (P>0.05), respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the rupture and bleeding of esophageal and gastric varices, varices degree, Child-Pugh grade and presence or absence of thrombosis formation in portal vein (P<0.05); however, no statistically significant differences in gender, age, etiology, platelet count, prothrombin activity, collateral circulation and portal vein width (P>0.05). There was no intraoperative bleeding and postoperative related serious complications in the treated group. Conclusion: The risk of initial episodes of bleeding from esophageal and gastric varices is significantly correlated with the varices degree, Child-Pugh grade, and portal vein thrombosis. Primary preventive treatment under endoscope is safe and effective for reducing the long-term variceal bleeding risk from esophageal and gastric varices.

Atractylenolide Ⅰ improves acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury in mice by inhibiting MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway / 中国中药杂志

This study explored the protective effect of atractylenolide Ⅰ(AO-Ⅰ) against acetaminophen(APAP)-induced acute liver injury(ALI) in mice and its underlying mechanism. C57 BL/6 J mice were randomly divided into a control group, an APAP group(500 mg·kg~(-1)), a low-dose combination group(500 mg·kg~(-1) APAP + 60 mg·kg~(-1) AO-Ⅰ), and a high-dose combination group(500 mg·kg~(-1) APAP + 120 mg·kg~(-1) AO-Ⅰ). ALI was induced by intraperitoneal injection of APAP(500 mg·kg~(-1)). AO-Ⅰ by intragastric administration was performed 2 hours before APAP treatment, and the control group received the same dose of solvent by intragastric administration or intraperitoneal injection. The protective effect of AO-Ⅰ against APAP-induced ALI was evaluated by detecting alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) levels in the plasma and H&E staining in liver tissues of mice. The malondialdehyde(MDA) and glutathione(GSH) content and catalase(CAT) activity in mouse liver tissues were detected to evaluate the effect of AO-Ⅰ on APAP-induced oxidative stress in the liver. The proteins in the liver p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38 MAPK), c-jun N-terminal kinase(JNK), and nuclear factor kappa-B p65(NF-κB p65) signaling pathways were measured by Western blot, and the liver inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and interleukin-6(IL-6) were detected by real-time PCR. Compared with the APAP group, the combination groups showed reduced APAP-induced ALT level and liver MDA content, potentiated liver CAT activity, and elevated GSH content. Mechanistically, AO-Ⅰ treatment significantly inhibited APAP-up-regulated MAPK phosphorylation and NF-κB p65, and significantly reduced the transcriptional activities of IL-1β and IL-6, downstream targets of NF-κB p65. AO-Ⅰ can improve APAP-induced ALI and the underlying mechanism is related to the inhibition of the MAPK/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway in APAP-challenged mice.

Impact of systolic blood pressure on outcome of patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To investigate the impact of different levels of systolic blood pressure on all-cause, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: This is a prospective cohort study. Patients with AF or atrial flutter diagnosed by 12 lead electrocardiogram during physical examination of Kailuan Group employees from July 2006 to December 2017 or previously diagnosed with AF in an inpatient setting at a level 2A hospital or above were eligible for the study. Baseline clinical characteristics including age, gender, systolic blood pressure were collected. According to the level of systolic blood pressure, patients were divided into systolic blood pressure<120 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)group, 120 mmHg ≤ systolic blood pressure<140 mmHg group, and systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg group. The time of first diagnosis with AF was defined as the start of follow-up and the final follow-up ended at December 2018. Primary endpoint was all-cause death. Related information was obtained through the social security system or inpatient medical records. The cause of death was defined according to the International Classification of Diseases disease (ICD-10) codes by professional medical stuffs. Multifactorial Cox proportional risk model was used to analyze the relative risk ratios for the occurrence of death in different systolic blood pressure level groups. The relationship between systolic blood pressure levels and mortality in the patients with AF was analyzed by using natural spline function curves. Results: A total of 1 721 patients with AF were enrolled (average age=(67.0±9.0) years), patients were followed up for (6.3±3.8) years. 544 out of 1 721 patients with AF died during the follow-up period (31.61%). The cumulative incidence rate of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular death was 26.13%, 25.59%, 36.96% and 14.86%, 11.87%, 19.76% respectively in the systolic blood pressure<120 mmHg, 120 mmHg ≤ systolic blood pressure<140 mmHg and systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg groups. The cumulative incidence rate of all-cause, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular death was significantly higher in the group with systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg than in 120 mmHg ≤ systolic blood pressure<140 mmHg group (P<0.05). Compared with 120 mmHg ≤ systolic blood pressure<140 mmHg group, multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models showed that the HRs (95%CI) for all-cause, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular death were 1.47 (1.20 to 1.79) and 1.69 (1.27 to 2.26) for the group with systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg (P<0.05). In contrast, the HRs (95%CI) for all-cause, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular death in the systolic blood pressure<120 mmHg group were 0.99 (0.73-1.35) and 1.24 (0.82-1.89), respectively, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05). The natural spline curve showed that there was a "U" relationship between systolic blood pressure levels and all cause death and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular death in this patient cohort. Systolic blood pressure greater than or less than 123 mmHg was associated with increased risk of death of AF patients in this cohort. Conclusion: Compared with systolic blood pressure<120 mmHg and systolic blood pressure≥140 mmHg group, the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular death is the lowest in AF patients with 120 mmHg ≤ systolic blood pressure<140 mmHg in this cohort.

The Expression of CD40/CD40L in MM Patients and Its Significance to the Prognosis of MM Patients / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the expression of CD40/CD40L in multiple myeloma(MM) patients and its influence on prognosis.@*METHODS@#Thirty patients with MM treated in Cangzhou People's Hospital from May 2016 to June 2017 were selected and divided into MM group, then 30 healthy people with a physical examination in our hospital at the same time were selected as the normal group. The serum CD40/CD40L levels of the patients in the two groups was detected by flow cytometry, and its correlation with the lymphocyte population, pathological grade and prognostic significance of MM patients was anaysis.@*RESULTS@#The expression of CD40 in serum of the patients in MM group was significantly higher than those in normal group (P0.05). The levels of CD40 and CD40L in the patients before and after chemotherapy showed no difference(P>0.05). The levels of Ts and NK cells in the patients of MM group were lower than those in normal group (P0.05). The CD40 level was correlated with the serum total B lymphocyte level of the patients in MM group (r=0.877, P=0.005). There was a correlation with CD40L and Th cells in the serum of MM patients (r=-0.783, P=0.035). The expression of serum CD40 in the patients at phase III-IV was higher than those of the patients at phase I-II, the levels of serum CD40L in MM patients at different periods showed no significant difference(P>0.05). The survival rate of MM patients with high CD40 expression was lower than that of MM patients with low CD40 expression (χ@*CONCLUSION@#The increasing of CD40 level in MM patients is related to the pathological grade of the patients. Chemotherapy can reduce the level of CD40. The increasing of CD40 is an important factor for the poor prognosis of MM patients. CD40L level is not meaningful for MM treatment and prognosis.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the First-Time Fathers Questionnaire in China.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to cross-culturally adapt and validate the First-Time Fathers Questionnaire (FTFQ) in the cultural context of China. DESIGN: Prospective validation study. SETTING: The study was conducted in four public hospitals in Hangzhou, a southeast coastal city of China. PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred and nineteen first-time fathers (mean age=30.45 years, SD=3.44, range 22-46) whose partners had given birth between July 20 and October 10, 2019. METHODS: The instrument "First Time Fathers Questionnaire (FTFQ)" was translated and culturally adapted to the Chinese context according to the methodological criteria of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomic and Outcomes Research. The construct-related validity of the instrument was tested through EFA and CFA. Content validity was evaluated with an analysis of the expert judgment. Reliability was assessed based on the internal consistency. RESULTS: Four domains were identified: "Worry", "Information", "Emotional Support", and "Acceptance", with 19 items and adequate internal reliability (0.86, 0.80, 0.86, and 0.72, respectively) and a total variance of 64.65%. The CFA model showed there is a good fit for the data: X2/df =1.20; RMSA = 0.03; CFI = 0.99; and NFI = 0.93. Additionally, each item achieved an I-CVI ≧0.83, and the S-CVI/Ave = 0.90. KEY CONCLUSIONS: The Chinese version of the FTFQ is a valid and reliable instrument to assess first-time fathers' experience of childbirth in China. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study provides a validated questionnaire that is suitable for the Chinese cultural context. It contributes to the knowledge of first-time fathers' experience of childbirth and facilitate further actions to improve paternal satisfaction and behavior as labour companion.

Toll-like receptor 2/4 inhibitors can reduce preterm birth in mice.

OBJECTIVES: Preterm birth (PTB) occurs in 5% to 18% of newborns. However, the underlying inflammatory mechanisms have not been elucidated. METHODS: We established a mouse model of infection-associated PTB. Physical signs in pregnant mice with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment were observed, and the frequencies of Toll-like receptor (TLR)2- and TLR4-positive CD11b+ cells were analyzed. Cytokine levels in plasma and pathological changes were assessed following LPS treatment. A rescue experiment was used to probe potential immunologic mechanisms underlying PTB. RESULTS: Lymphocyte infiltration could be observed in the placentas of mice following intrauterine injection with LPS. The percentage of inflammatory cells decreased 12 hours after treatment. Moreover, TLR2 and TLR4 expression in peripheral blood cells was significantly increased 4 hours after intraperitoneal injection of LPS. Peak TLR2 and TLR4 expression in peripheral blood cells occurred 8 hours post-treatment. TLR4 and TLR-2/4 inhibitors reduced levels of interleukin-10, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α in peripheral blood and delayed PTB. CONCLUSIONS: TLR2 and TLR4 inhibition could play important roles in PTB.

Investigation on seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infections among neonates in Fujian Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infections among neonates in Fujian Province, so as to provide insights into the development of interventions for the prevention and control of congenital toxoplasmosis. Methods A total of 1 045 neonates delivered in Fujian Province from 2017 to 2018 were recruited, including 387 preterm infants and 658 full-term infants. Umbilical cord blood was sampled from all neonates, and the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody was detected and compared between preterm and full-term infants. In addition, elbow venous blood samples were collected from neonates’mothers, and the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody was detected and compared between preterm and full-term infants’mothers. Results The overall seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody was 9.38% among the 1 045 neonates in Fujian Province. The seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody was 18.35% in the 387 preterm infants, and there was no significant difference in the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody between male and female infants (17.69% vs. 18.75%, χ2 = 0.07, P > 0.05). The seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody was 4.10% in the 658 full-term infants, and there was no significant difference in the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody between male and female infants (4.14% vs. 4.08%, χ2 = 0, P > 0.05). In addition, the overall seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody was 15.02% in all neonates’ mothers, and the seroprevalence was significantly greater in preterm infants’mothers than in full-term infant’s mothers (20.93% vs. 11.55%, χ2 = 16.79, P < 0.01). Conclusions The seroprevalence of T. gondii infections is significantly higher in preterm infants and their mothers than in full-term infants and their mothers. Prenatal detection of T. gondii infections and health education pertaining to toxoplasmosis prevention and control knowledge are required to be strengthened to effectively reduce the incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis.

Progress of researches on the use of ultrasound in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

The patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis have unapparent early symptoms due to invasive and slow growth, and the disease is usually at an advanced stage upon diagnosis, which has a poor prognosis. Early diagnosis of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis is therefore of great importance. The advances in the ultrasound techniques continues to improve the accuracy for the diagnosis of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis, and ultrasound plays a critical role in the treatment and assessment of therapeutic efficacy for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. This paper mainly reviews the application of ultrasound in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.

Correlation between expression of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor α in knee joint fluid and histopathology / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To study the correlation between the expression levels of four inflammatory factors (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor α [TNF-α]) in knee joint fluid and the related histopathology. Methods Before the joint surgery, the knee joint fluid was extracted from 31 patients. The expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in knee joint fluid were examined by cytometric bead array, and the pathological feature of synovial tissues was analyzed. According to the histopathological diagnosis, the patients were divided into osteoarthritis (OA), revision after prosthesis replacement (RPR), pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) groups. According to the content of hemosiderin in the synovial tissue, they were divided into hemosiderin deposition group and non-hemosiderin deposition group. According to the infiltration of inflammatory cells in synovial tissue, they were divided into inflammatory cell infiltration group and noninflammatory cell infiltration group. According to the color of knee joint fluid, they were divided into blood joint fluid group and non-blood joint fluid group. Results There were nine male and 22 female patients with an average age of (63.60±9.19) years, including 12 left knees and 19 right knees. There were 18 cases with OA, five with RPR, five with PVNS and three with RA. The levels of four inflammatory factors in the knee joint fluid of OA group were the lowest, which were significantly different from the other three groups (all P0.05). The level of IL-6 in knee joint fluid of RA group was significantly higher than that of PVNS group, but significantly lower than that of RPR group, and the differences between the three groups were significant (all P0.05). Conclusion IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α are expressed in various joint diseases and the expressions are related to their pathological features, which can help further understand the pathogenesis and development of some joint diseases, so as to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis, treatment and basic research.

Association of Body Mass Index and Risk Stratification of Thyroid Nodules in a Multi-center Healthy Population / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To investigate the relationship between body mass index(BMI)and risk levels of thyroid nodules in a multi-center healthy population. Methods A total of 6070 subjects were enrolled from five medical physical examination centers in China from January 2015 to December 2017. All the participants'general information and parameters were recorded. Thyroid nodules were detected by color Doppler ultrasonography. All ultrasound doctors received uniform training before study. Results Among all the subjects,5773(95.1%;with 4274 nodules identified in 2833 subjects)were from northern China and 297(4.9%,with 183 nodules identified in 158 subjects)from central China(χ=1.923,P=0.092). The nodules were single in 1479 of 2991 subjects(49.4%)and multiple in 1512 subjects(50.6%). Nodules larger than 1 cm accounted for 13.3% and nodules smaller than 1 cm accounted for 86.7%. Compared with the non-thyroid nodule group,the thyroid nodule group had significantly more women(χ=156.36,P=0.000),older age(t=-18.768,P=0.000),and higher fasting blood glucose(FBG) level(t=-3.808,P=0.000). Among all the nodules,the prevalence rates of benign,very-low-risk,low-risk,moderate risk,and high risk were 4.5%,6.6%,85.0%,0.1%,and 3.7%,respectively,according to the ATA guidelines. Notably,there were 4291 nodules at moderate or lower risks and 166 nodules at high risk. Compared with the former,patients with high-risk nodules had significantly lower BMI(χ=25.161,P=0.000)and high FBG(t=3.357,P=0.000). Multivariate non-conditional Logistic regression showed low BMI(OR=2.900,95%CI:1.461-5.783,P=0.002)and high FBG level(OR=0.803,95%CI:0.675-0.955,P=0.013)were independent risk factors for high-risk nodules. Compared with subjects with normal weight or obese populations,subjects with low BMI had significantly higher detection rate of high-risk nodules(χ=25.16,P=0.000). In ≥55 year-old group,significantly more high-risk nodules were detected in low BMI group(χ=44.868,P=0.000). Conclusion Low weight is associated with high-risk thyroid nodules among people ≥55 years old.

Comparison of effects of different levels of cordyceps militaris power on non-specific immune function of immunodeficient mice / 中国药理学通报

Aim: To compare the immunomodulatory effects of Super V Cordyceps Militaris (Super V CM) and I star Cordyceps Militaris (I star CM) powder on the immune suppression induced by dexamethasone in mice. Methods: Fifty male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into five groups; control and model group, Super V CM (1 g · kg-1) group, I star CM (1 g · kg-1) group and Cordyceps capsule (1 g · kg-1) group. Apart from control group, mice of the remaining groups were injected with dexamethasone 20 mg · kg-1 on 22nd and 23rd day of the experiment. Dissection was performed 24h after the last administration, then blood routine and viscera index, the function of NK cells and abdominal macrophages and the cytokine secretion levels were analyzed. Results: Dexamethasone could significantly decrease the body mass, organ index and cellular function of immune cells in mice. The Super V CM and I star CM had significant improvement in all aspects of the immunodeficiency induced by dexamethasone. Super V CM was significantly superior to I star CM in terms of improving the spleen index, enhancing the killing ability of NK cells, and improving the secretion level of TNF-a by macrophages. Conclusion: The effect of Super V CM is better than that of I star CM in enhancing non-specific immunity.

Effects of PEDF on proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of squamous lung carcinoma cells in high-glucose environment / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective: To study the effects of pigment epithelial-derived factor (PEDF) on the proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of squamous lung carcinoma cells in high-glucose environment so as to explore the significance of PEDF in the development, prognosis and treatment of lung cancer associated with diabetes. Methods: SK-MES-1 lung squamous carcinoma cells were cultured and divided into negative control group; high-glucose group; and PEDF+high glucose groups 1, 2 and 3. The cell morphological changes were observed under the inverted microscope. Then proliferation inhibition rates of SK-MES-1 cells in all the groups were observed by MTT assay. The cell cycle and cell apoptosis rates were detected by flow cytometry. The number of penetration cells was determined by cell invasion experiment. Expression of VEGF in culture supernatant in each group was detected by ELISA. Results: ① Compared with that in the negative control group, the proliferation inhibition rate and apoptosis rate in high-glucose group were low, the percentage of cells blocked in G0/G1 phase was decreased, the number of penetration cells was increased and the concentration of VEGF was increased (P<0.05). ② With the increase of PEDF intervention concentration, the proliferation inhibition rate and apoptosis rate in each group increased, the percentage of G0/G1 phase increased, the number of penetration cells decreased, and the concentration of VEGF decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion: ① The development of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung is promoted in high glucose. ② PEDF can inhibit the proliferation of lung squamous cell carcinoma cells in high-glucose environment, promote early apoptosis and reduce the invasiveness in the concentration-dependent manner. PEDF is predicted to be a target therapeutic drug for lung cancer complicated with diabetes mellitus.

Clinical analysis of 83 cases of perineal Ⅲ-Ⅳ degree laceration / 中国实用妇科与产科杂志

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reasons and prevention and treatment measures of acute third-and fourthdegree obstetric lacerations.METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 83 cases of acute third-and fourth-degree obstetric lacerations in the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from 2010 to 2016 was performed.RESULTS:(1)The incidence of 3 rd or 4 th degree laceration was 0.394%(83/21 083),which was 0.433%(72/16 620)in primiparas and 0.246%(11/4463)in multiparous women,there being a statistical difference(P<0.05).(2)The incidence of 3 rd or 4 th degree laceration was significantly increased in the group with episiotomy than without episiotomy[0.583%(48/8229)vs.0.272%(35/12 854),P<0.05].(3)The incidence of 3 rd or 4 th degree laceration was significantly increased in the group with Forceps delivery than without Forceps deliery[3.120%(37/1186)vs.0.231%(46/19 897),P<0.05].(4)In patients with forceps delivery,the incidence of 3 rd or 4 th degree laceration was 2.911%(28/962)in episiotomy group and 4.018%(9/224)in without episiotomy group,there being a significant difference(P<0.05).(5)The incidence of 3 rd or 4 th degree laceration was significantly increased in the macrosomia group than in the non-macrosomia group[1.225%(11/898)vs.0.357%(72/20 185),P<0.05].(6)The incidence of 3 rd or 4 th degree laceration was significantly increased in the prolonged second stage group than in the normal second stage group[2.381%(24/1008)vs.0.294%(59/20 075),P<0.05].CONCLUSION: The incidence of third-and fourth-degree obstetric lacerations is increased in primiparous women,episiotomy,forceps delivery,forceps delivery without episiotomy,big fetal weight and prolonged second stage.