Circulating tumor cell phenotype detection based on epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers combined with clinicopathological risk has potential to better predict recurrence in stage III breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The potential value of detecting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) CTCs in early breast cancer, especially during the neoadjuvant therapy period, requires further investigation. We analyzed dynamic CTC phenotype status, to improve recurrence risk stratification for patients with stage III breast cancers. METHODS: We enrolled 45 patients with stage III breast cancers from 2 clinical trials undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy and utilized the CanPatrol CTC enrichment technique pre- and post-chemotherapy to identify CTC phenotypes, including epithelial CTCs, biphenotypic epithelial/mesenchymal CTCs, and mesenchymal CTCs, in peripheral blood samples. Kaplan-Meier analyses were conducted to explore the prognostic value of dynamic change of CTC count and the proportion of CTCs with different phenotypes. Then, redefine the risk stratification based on CTC status and clinicopathological risk in combination. RESULTS: Increased proportion of M + CTCs was a high-risk CTC status that was associated with decreased DFS (HR, 3.584; 95% CI, 1.057-12.15). In a combined analysis with clinicopathological risk, patients with high-risk tumors had an elevated risk of recurrence compared to patients with low-risk tumors (HR, 4.482; 95% CI, 1.246-16.12). The recurrence risk could be effectively stratified by newly defined risk stratification criteria, with 5-year DFS of 100.0%, 77.3%, and 50.0%, respectively, for low-risk, mid-risk, and high-risk patients (P = 0.0077). Finally, in the ROC analysis, the redefined risk stratification demonstrated higher predictive significance with an AUC of 0.7727, compared to CTC status alone (AUC of 0.6751) or clinicopathological risk alone (AUC of 0.6858). CONCLUSION: The proportion of M + CTCs increased after neoadjuvant chemotherapy indicating a higher risk of tumor recurrence. Combining CTC status with clinicopathological risk has potential to redefine the risk stratification of stage III breast cancers and provide improved predictions of relapse.

Current study on diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease by targeting amyloid b-protein.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), also known as senile dementia, is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system and is characterized by insidious onset and a chronic progressive course. It is the most common type of senile dementia. Studies have proved that the deposition of amyloid b (Ab) in the brain is one of the initiating factors correlated to the pathology of AD, and it acts as one of the critical factors leading to the onset of AD. A large number of long-term studies have shown that Ab may be a therapeutic target for a breakthrough in the treatment of AD. This review elucidates the important role of Ab in the development of AD, current research on the role of Ab in AD pathogenesis, and treatment of AD by targeting Ab.

Tuning Anomalous Floquet Topological Bands with Ultracold Atoms.

The Floquet engineering opens the way to create new topological states without counterparts in static systems. Here, we report the experimental realization and characterization of new anomalous topological states with high-precision Floquet engineering for ultracold atoms trapped in a shaking optical Raman lattice. The Floquet band topology is manipulated by tuning the driving-induced band crossings referred to as band inversion surfaces (BISs), whose configurations fully characterize the topology of the underlying states. We uncover various exotic anomalous topological states by measuring the configurations of BISs that correspond to the bulk Floquet topology. In particular, we identify an unprecedented anomalous Floquet valley-Hall state that possesses anomalous helical-like edge modes protected by valleys and a chiral state with high Chern number.

HBXIP blocks myosin-IIA assembly by phosphorylating and interacting with NMHC-IIA in breast cancer metastasis

Tumor metastasis depends on the dynamic balance of the actomyosin cytoskeleton. As a key component of actomyosin filaments, non-muscle myosin-IIA disassembly contributes to tumor cell spreading and migration. However, its regulatory mechanism in tumor migration and invasion is poorly understood. Here, we found that oncoprotein hepatitis B X-interacting protein (HBXIP) blocked the myosin-IIA assemble state promoting breast cancer cell migration. Mechanistically, mass spectrometry analysis, co-immunoprecipitation assay and GST-pull down assay proved that HBXIP directly interacted with the assembly-competent domain (ACD) of non-muscle heavy chain myosin-IIA (NMHC-IIA). The interaction was enhanced by NMHC-IIA S1916 phosphorylation via HBXIP-recruited protein kinase PKCβII. Moreover, HBXIP induced the transcription of PRKCB, encoding PKCβII, by coactivating Sp1, and triggered PKCβII kinase activity. Interestingly, RNA sequencing and mouse metastasis model indicated that the anti-hyperlipidemic drug bezafibrate (BZF) suppressed breast cancer metastasis via inhibiting PKCβII-mediated NMHC-IIA phosphorylation in vitro and in vivo. We reveal a novel mechanism by which HBXIP promotes myosin-IIA disassembly via interacting and phosphorylating NMHC-IIA, and BZF can serve as an effective anti-metastatic drug in breast cancer.

Application and consideration of esophagogastric anastomosis with seromuscular flap tech-nique in laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy / 中华消化外科杂志

In the past few years, there has seen an increase in the detection rate of early upper gastric cancer. Early upper gastric cancer is of good prognosis. How to further enhance the postoperative quality of life of patients has increasingly become an issue of concern. This has naturally given rise to function-preserving proximal gastrectomy. However, due to its damage to the original structure of cardia and its vicinity, proximal gastrectomy is prone to postoperative reflux. To prevent postoperative reflux, various ways of digestive tract reconstruction have emerged one after another, but the optimal way thereof remains controversial. Therefore, reducing postoperative reflux through an appropriate way of digestive tract reconstruction has been taken as a focus of proximal gastrectomy. Esophagogastric anastomosis with seromuscular flap technique, as a way of digestive tract reconstruction, builds an "artificial cardia" on the basis of guarantee of normal entry of food into the digestive tract, and functions against postoperative reflux. For its good anti-reflux effect, eso-phagogastric anastomosis with seromuscular flap technique has gradually become a research focus. On top of the latest research progress at home and abroad and relevant evidence-based medicine, the authors provide on the principles, key points, improvement, postoperative status, and applica-tion of esophagogastric anastomosis with seromuscular flap technique in laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy.

Characteristics of new corneal biomechanical parameters in different degrees of myopia / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To study the characteristics of new corneal biomechanical parameters in different degrees of myopia and analyze the correlation of the new parameter stress-strain index(SSI).METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 366 adult patients(718 eyes)with different degrees of myopia who received treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Dali University from October 2021 to November 2021, aged 18-50 years, and the spherical equivalent(SE)was -0.50～-16.75D. The axial length(AL)of the eye was measured by IOL master, and the new corneal biomechanical parameters, central corneal thickness(CCT)and intraocular pressure(IOP)were measured by corneal visualization Scheimpflug technology(Corvis ST). The subjects were categorized into low myopia, moderate myopia and high myopia groups according to SE. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and Pearson correlation.RESULTS: The ratio of the thinnest corneal thickness to horizontal thickness change rate(ARTh)and SSI were statistically significant(P<0.001), while the remaining parameters were not statistically significant(P>0.05). SSI was positively correlated with age(r=0.102, P=0.006), SE(r=0.361, P<0.001), IOP(r=0.175, P<0.001), CCT(r=0.098, P=0.009), SPA1(r=0.182, P<0.001), negatively correlated with AL(r=-0.331, P<0.001), IR(r=-0.545, P<0.001)and had no correlation with other corneal biomechanical parameters(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: With the increase of myopia degree and the elongation of the axial length, the SSI value becomes smaller and the corneal hardness decreases. SSI may be a helpful corneal biomechanical indicator for future research on myopia.

Considerations for the development of adult vaccination in China / 中华预防医学杂志

Adult vaccination is an important component of the life-course immunization for all. Strengthening adult vaccination in China contributes to shrinking immunization gaps between regions and groups, enhancing the overall immunity of our population, and promoting health equity and social prosperity. Chinese adults bear the heavy burden of vaccine preventable diseases such as influenza, pneumococcal diseases and shingles, and have low coverage of vaccines against those diseases, so it is necessary to make efforts to improve adult vaccination development. This article focuses on elaborating the values of adult vaccination, introducing the current status of adult vaccination abroad, and analyzing the challenges and existing foundations for China to provide adult vaccination, and makes suggestions for the building and development of adult vaccination.

Current status of vaccination services for adults in urban and rural areas of nine provinces in China from 2019 to 2021 / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective: To understand the current situation of vaccination services for adults in China, explore how to establish a stable and efficient vaccination service system for adults, and provide reference for formulating corresponding policies. Methods: The vaccination information systems of nine provinces in China were used to obtain information on urban and rural vaccination of influenza vaccine, 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23), and human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) from 2019 to 2021. The indicator, vaccination rate/full vaccination rate, was used for statistical description. Results: The vaccination rate/full vaccination rate of the three vaccines in eastern China was generally higher than that in central and western China. The vaccination rate/full vaccination rate in urban areas was generally higher than that in rural areas. From 2019 to 2021, the vaccination rates of influenza vaccine among people aged 60 years and above in urban and rural areas were 2.96%, 6.29%, 6.14% and 1.29%, 2.58%, 2.94%, respectively. The vaccination rates of the PPV23 among people aged 60 years and above in urban and rural areas increased year by year, with rates of 0.38%, 1.05%, 1.15% and 0.14%, 0.49%, 0.59%, respectively. From 2019 to 2021, the HPV coverage of female adults aged 27-45 years in urban and rural areas increased year by year, with rates of 0.46%, 0.93%, 1.88% and 0.17%, 0.40%, 1.08%, respectively. Conclusion: The vaccination rates of influenza vaccine,PPV23 vaccine and HPV vaccine for adults in China are relatively low, with higher rates in the eastern region than in the central and western regions, and higher rates in urban areas than in rural areas. It is recommended to formulate corresponding health and economic policies and explore a suitable vaccination service system for adults in China to improve vaccination rates.

Considerations for the development of adult vaccination in China / 中华预防医学杂志

Adult vaccination is an important component of the life-course immunization for all. Strengthening adult vaccination in China contributes to shrinking immunization gaps between regions and groups, enhancing the overall immunity of our population, and promoting health equity and social prosperity. Chinese adults bear the heavy burden of vaccine preventable diseases such as influenza, pneumococcal diseases and shingles, and have low coverage of vaccines against those diseases, so it is necessary to make efforts to improve adult vaccination development. This article focuses on elaborating the values of adult vaccination, introducing the current status of adult vaccination abroad, and analyzing the challenges and existing foundations for China to provide adult vaccination, and makes suggestions for the building and development of adult vaccination.

Current status of vaccination services for adults in urban and rural areas of nine provinces in China from 2019 to 2021 / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective: To understand the current situation of vaccination services for adults in China, explore how to establish a stable and efficient vaccination service system for adults, and provide reference for formulating corresponding policies. Methods: The vaccination information systems of nine provinces in China were used to obtain information on urban and rural vaccination of influenza vaccine, 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23), and human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) from 2019 to 2021. The indicator, vaccination rate/full vaccination rate, was used for statistical description. Results: The vaccination rate/full vaccination rate of the three vaccines in eastern China was generally higher than that in central and western China. The vaccination rate/full vaccination rate in urban areas was generally higher than that in rural areas. From 2019 to 2021, the vaccination rates of influenza vaccine among people aged 60 years and above in urban and rural areas were 2.96%, 6.29%, 6.14% and 1.29%, 2.58%, 2.94%, respectively. The vaccination rates of the PPV23 among people aged 60 years and above in urban and rural areas increased year by year, with rates of 0.38%, 1.05%, 1.15% and 0.14%, 0.49%, 0.59%, respectively. From 2019 to 2021, the HPV coverage of female adults aged 27-45 years in urban and rural areas increased year by year, with rates of 0.46%, 0.93%, 1.88% and 0.17%, 0.40%, 1.08%, respectively. Conclusion: The vaccination rates of influenza vaccine,PPV23 vaccine and HPV vaccine for adults in China are relatively low, with higher rates in the eastern region than in the central and western regions, and higher rates in urban areas than in rural areas. It is recommended to formulate corresponding health and economic policies and explore a suitable vaccination service system for adults in China to improve vaccination rates.

Advances in the research of plant-derived natural products against retinoblastoma.

Retinoblastoma (RB) is a highly aggressive ocular tumor, and due to socioeconomic and medical constraints, many children receive treatment only in the metaphase and advanced clinical stages, resulting in high rates of blindness and disability. Although several approaches exist in the treatment of RB, some children with the disease do not have satisfactory results because of various factors. Plant-derived natural products have shown definite therapeutic effects in the treatment of various tumors and are also widely used in the study of RB. We review plant-derived natural products used in the study of anti-RB to provide ideas for the clinical application of these drugs and the development of new therapeutic drugs.

Analysis of the potential role of fission yeast PP2A in spindle assembly checkpoint inactivation.

As a surveillance mechanism, the activated spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) potently inhibits the E3 ubiquitin ligase APC/C (anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome) to ensure accurate chromosome segregation. Although the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) has been proposed to be both, directly and indirectly, involved in spindle assembly checkpoint inactivation in mammalian cells, whether it is similarly operating in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomycer pombe has never been demonstrated. Here, we investigated whether fission yeast PP2A is involved in SAC silencing by following the rate of cyclin B (Cdc13) destruction at SPBs during the recovery phase in nda3-KM311 cells released from the inhibition of APC/C by the activated spindle checkpoint. The timing of the SAC inactivation is only slightly delayed when two B56 regulatory subunits (Par1 and Par2) of fission yeast PP2A are absent. Overproduction of individual PP2A subunits either globally in the nda3-KM311 arrest-and-release system or locally in the synthetic spindle checkpoint activation system only slightly suppresses the SAC silencing defects in PP1 deletion (dis2Δ) cells. Our study thus demonstrates that the fission yeast PP2A is not a key regulator actively involved in SAC inactivation.

Clinical efficacy of laparoscopic-assisted intersphincteric resection with different surgical approaches for low rectal cancer / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic-assisted inters-phincteric resection (ISR) with different surgical approaches for low rectal cancer.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 90 patients with low rectal cancer who were admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from January 2016 to December 2020 were collected. There were 58 males and 32 females, aged (60±9)years. Of 90 patients, 60 cases underwent laparoscopic assisted ISR with transpelvic approach, 30 cases underwent laparoscopic assisted ISR with transabdominal and transanal mixed approach. Observation indicators: (1) clinicopathological characteristics of patients with transpelvic approach and mixed approach; (2) intraoperative and postoperative conditions of patients with transpelvic approach and mixed approach; (3) postoperative complications of patients with transpelvic approach and mixed approach; (4) follow-up. Follow-up was conducted by telephone interview and outpatient examination once every 3 months within postoperative 3 years, once every six months in the postoperative 3 to 5 years and once a year after postoperative 5 years to detect tumor recurrence and metastasis, and survival of patients.Follow-up was up to March 2021 or patient death. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and the t test was used for comparison between groups. Measurement data with skewed distribution were expressed as M(range), and comparison between groups was conducted using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were expressed as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was performed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data was analyzed by the non-parametric rank sum test. Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curves and calculate survival rates, and survival analysis was performed by the Log-Rank test. Results:(1) Clinicopathological characteristics of patients with transpelvic approach and mixed approach. The sex (males, females), distance from the distal margin of tumor to anal margin were 34, 26, (4.5±0.5)cm for patients with transpelvic approach, versus 24, 6, (3.5±0.5)cm for patients with mixed approach, respectively, showing significant differences between them ( χ2=4.75, t=8.35, P<0.05). (2) Intraoperative and postoperative conditions of patients with transpelvic approach and mixed approach. The operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, distance from the postoperative anastomosis to anal margin were (187±9)minutes, 50(range, 20?200)mL, (3.4±0.7)cm for patients with transpelvic approach, versus (256±12)minuets, 100(range, 20?200)mL, (2.6±0.7)cm for patients with mixed approach, showing significant differences between them ( t=?26.99, Z=?2.48, t=4.67, P<0.05). None of the 90 patients had a positive distal margin. The stoma reversal rates of patients with transpelvic and mixed approach were 93.3%(56/60) and 90.0%(27/30), respectively. Of the 60 patients with transpelvic approach, 3 cases had no stoma reversal due to anastomotic complications, and 1 case was not yet to the reversal time. Of the 30 patients with mixed approach, 2 cases had no stoma reversal due to anastomotic complications, and 1 case was not yet to the reversal time. The 1-, 3-month Wexner scores after stoma reversal were 15(range, 12?17), 12(range, 10?14) for patients with transpelvic approach, versus 16(range, 14?18), 14(range, 12?16) for patients with mixed approach, showing significant differences between them ( Z=?4.97, ?5.49, P<0.05). The 6-month Wexner score after stoma reversal was 10(range, 9?12) for patients with transpelvic approach, versus 11(range, 8?12) for patients with mixed approach, showing no significant difference between them ( Z=?1.59, P>0.05). (3) Postoperative complications of patients with transpelvic approach and mixed approach. The complications occurred to 16 patients with transpelvic approach and 9 patients with mixed approach, respectively, showing no significant difference between them ( χ2=0.11, P>0.05). Cases with postoperative anastomotic fistula, cases with anastomotic bleeding, cases with anastomotic stenosis, cases with intestinal obstruction, cases with incision infection, cases with urinary retention, cases with pelvic infection, cases with pulmonary infection, cases with incisional hernia, cases with chylous fistula, cases with abdominal and pelvic abscess were 5, 2, 1, 7, 0, 1, 5, 3, 1, 1, 1 for patients with transpelvic approach, versus 6, 3, 2, 2, 2, 1, 2, 3, 1, 1, 1 for patients with mixed approach, showing no significant difference between them ( P>0.05). The same patient could have multiple postoperative complications. (4) Follow-up. All the 90 patients were followed up for 27(range, 6?62)months. The follow-up time of 60 patients with transpelvic approach was 27(range, 8?62)months. The follow-up time of 30 patients with mixed approach was 28(range, 6?53)months. Of the 60 patients with transpelvic approach, 3 cases had local recurrence, 4 cases had liver metastasis, 3 cases had lung metastasis, and all of them survived with tumor. Of the 30 patients with mixed approach, 1 case had local recurrence, 2 cases had liver metastasis, 1 case had lung metastasis, and all of them survived with tumor. There was no death. The 3-year disease-free survival rates of patients with transpelvic approach and mixed approach were 84.7% and 87.9%, respectively, showing no significant difference between them ( χ2=0.39, P>0.05). Conclusions:Lapa-roscopic assisted ISR via transpelvic approach or mixed approach for low rectal cancer are safe and feasible. Compared with transanal mixed approach, the transpelvic approach of laparoscopic-assisted ISR has shorter operation time, less volume of intraoperative blood loss and longer distance from the postoperative anastomosis to anal margin.

Controversy and consensus of laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy for early gastric cancer / 中华消化外科杂志

In recent years, the detection rate of early gastric cancer in China has increased. Early gastric cancer has a good prognosis, and how to further improve the postoperative quality of life for patients has become an increasingly concerned problem in the treatment of early gastric cancer. Therefore, function preserving gastrectomy has emerged. Function preserving gastrectomy aims to reduce the resection scope and preserve part of the gastric function on the premise of radical tumor resection. As a representative of function preserving gastrectomy, pylorus-preserving gastrec-tomy is suitable for early gastric cancer in middle segment. Compared with distal gastrectomy, laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy not only has the advantage of less trauma, but also can reduce the incidence of postoperative dumping syndrome, bile reflux gastritis and gallstones, and improve postoperative nutritional status. However, the practice of pylorus-preserving gastrectomy is still in controversial. Based on the new Japanese guidelines for the treatment of gastric cancer, and combined with the latest domestic and foreign research trends and relevant evidence-based medicine basis, the authors review the definition and indications, safety, advantages, technical points, digestive tract reconstruction methods, postoperative complications and other aspects of laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy.

Effect of Andrographis paniculata polysaccharide on human retinoblastoma Y79 cell proliferation and apoptosis.

AIM: To explore the effect of the Andrographis paniculata (A. paniculata) polysaccharide on the proliferation and apoptosis of human retinoblastoma (RB) Y79 cells and its mechanism. METHODS: The refined A. paniculata polysaccharide was obtained using techniques such as water extraction, ethanol precipitation, and decompression concentration. The inhibition effect of the A. paniculata polysaccharide on the proliferation of Y79 cells was detected by cell proliferation assay. Flow cytometry was used for the detection of cell apoptosis rate and cycle change. Real-time qunatitative polymerase chain reaction (RT qPCR)and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of cell apoptosis signal pathway-related factors (caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9) and cell cycle signal pathway-related factors (CDK1 and cyclinB1) at the transcriptional and translational levels. RESULTS: Infrared and ultraviolet spectrum scanning showed that the extracted drug was a polysaccharide with high purity. After being treated with different concentrations of A. paniculata polysaccharide for different periods of time, the Y79 cells showed different degrees of proliferation inhibition. Flow cytometric observations showed that the cell apoptosis rate and the proportion of cells blocked in the G2/M phase were significantly increased after A. paniculata polysaccharide treatment. Further analysis revealed that the mRNA and protein expression of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 in the A. paniculata polysaccharide treatment groups increased significantly compared with that in the control groups, while the expression of CDK1 and cyclinB1 decreased significantly. CONCLUSION: The A. paniculata polysaccharide could inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of Y79 cells. Its possible mechanism is via the upregulation of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 expression in the cell apoptotic signaling pathway and the downregulation of CDK1 and cyclinB1 expression in the cell cycle signaling pathway.

[Effects of Different Organic Materials on Absorption and Translocation of Arsenic and Cadmium in Rice].

A pot experiment was carried out to study the impacts of five organic materials (rape straw, broad bean stalk, peat, pig manure compost, and biochar) on the availability of arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) in soil, the amount of iron plaque on the root surface, as well as the uptake and translocation of As and Cd in rice grown in an As/Cd co-contaminated yellow paddy soil. The results indicated that the application of organic materials significantly increased the contents of the soil organic matter and the yield of rice. The application of broad bean stalk, peat, pig manure compost, and biochar remarkably increased the soil pH, while the application of rape straw exerted no significant influence. The addition of organic matter reduced the available Cd content by 34.77%-82.69%. However, the effects of organic materials on the availability of As varied with the organic materials. The soil-available As content was significantly increased by the application of pig manure compost and biochar, while it was significantly decreased by adding rape straw and peat. The application of organic materials increased As and Cd contents in the Fe plaques on rice root surface by 28.49%-94.86% and 17.73%-151.03%, respectively. It also reduced the As and Cd contents in brown rice by 27.04%-82.51% and 15.87%-79.45%, respectively. The largest decrease was observed in the biochar treatment. The application of organic materials also remarkably reduced the translocation efficiency of Cd from the root-stem-leaf-grain and that of As from the stem to grain. The correlation analysis revealed that the soil pH, available Cd, and Cd content in the Fe plaques are the major factors influencing the accumulation of Cd in the rice grain. Furthermore, the soil pH, soil organic matter, and As content in the Fe plaques are the major factors influencing the accumulation of As in the rice grain. Therefore, it has been concluded that organic materials could influence the uptake and translocation of As and Cd in rice through changing the soil pH, organic matter content, and As and Cd contents in the Fe plaques.

What is required to prevent a second major outbreak of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 upon lifting the metropolitan-wide quarantine of Wuhan city, China

BackgroundThe Chinese government implemented a metropolitan-wide quarantine of Wuhan city on 23rd January 2020 to curb the epidemic of the coronavirus COVID-19. Lifting of this quarantine is imminent. We modelled the effects of two key health interventions on the epidemic when the quarantine is lifted. MethodWe constructed a compartmental dynamic model to forecast the trend of the COVID-19 epidemic at different quarantine lifting dates and investigated the impact of different rates of public contact and facial mask usage on the epidemic. ResultsWe estimated that at the end of the epidemic, a total of 65,572 (46,156-95,264) individuals would be infected by the virus, among which 16,144 (14,422-23,447, 24.6%) would be infected through public contacts, 45,795 (32,390-66,395, 69.7%) through household contact, 3,633 (2,344-5,865, 5.5%) through hospital contacts (including 783 (553-1,134) non-COVID-19 patients and 2,850 (1,801-4,981) medical staff members). A total of 3,262 (1,592-6,470) would die of COVID-19 related pneumonia in Wuhan. For an early lifting date (21st March), facial mask needed to be sustained at a relatively high rate ([≥]85%) if public contacts were to recover to 100% of the pre-quarantine level. In contrast, lifting the quarantine on 18th April allowed public person-to-person contact adjusted back to the pre-quarantine level with a substantially lower level of facial mask usage (75%). However, a low facial mask usage (<50%) combined with an increased public contact (>100%) would always lead a significant second outbreak in most quarantine lifting scenarios. Lifting the quarantine on 25th April would ensure a smooth decline of the epidemics regardless of the combinations of public contact rates and facial mask usage. ConclusionThe prevention of a second epidemic is viable after the metropolitan-wide quarantine is lifted but requires a sustaining high facial mask usage and a low public contact rate.

Clinical efficacy between modified Overlap anastomosis and traditional auxiliary incision anastomosis in laparoscopic total gastrectomy / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective:To intestigate the clinical efficacy between modified Overlap anastomosis and traditional auxiliary incision anastomosis in laparoscopic total gastrectomy.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 115 patients with gastric cancer who were admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from January 2016 to December 2018 were collected. There were 62 males and 53 females, aged from 27 to 83 years, with a median age of 62 years. Of 115 patients, 51 patients undergoing totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy with modified Overlap anastomosis using linear stapler were divided into modified Overlap group and 64 patients undergoing laparoscopic assisted total gastrectomy with traditional auxiliary incision anastomosis using circular stapler were divided into traditional assisted group. Observation indicators: (1) surgical situations; (2) postoperative situations; (3) anastomotic complications; (4) follow-up. Follow-up using outpatient examination or telephone interview was conducted to detected tumor recurrence and survival of patients up to December 2019. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the t test. Count data were represented as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ranked data was analyzed using the rank sum test. Results:(1) Surgical situations: the operation time, time of esophagojejunostomy, volume of intraoperative blood loss, the number of lymph node dissected, length of proximal incisional margin and length of auxiliary incision of the modified Overlap group were (234.0±11.0)minutes, (29.4±2.1)minutes, (53±14)mL, 42±13, (2.0±0.3)cm and (5.1±0.4)cm, respectively. The above indicators of the traditional assisted group were (231.0±11.0)minutes, (29.2±2.2)minutes, (50±13)mL, 40±10, (2.2±0.4)cm and (8.2±0.4)cm, respectively. There was significant difference in the length of auxiliary incision between the two groups ( t=-43.098, P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the operation time, time of esophagojejunostomy, volume of intraoperative blood loss, the number of lymph node dissected, length of proximal incisional margin between the two groups ( t=1.168, 0.460, 0.990, 1.127, -1.926, P>0.05). (2) Postoperative situations: cases with mild, moderate, severe pain (postoperative pain degree), time to first flatus, time to initial fluid diet intake, duration of postoperative hospital stay of the modified Overlap group were 40, 9, 2, (2.9±1.0)days, (4.8±2.2)days, (11.7±2.8)days, respectively. The above indicators of the traditional assisted group were 31, 27, 6, (3.9±1.4)days, (6.5±2.5)days, (13.0±3.1)days, respectively. There were significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( Z=-3.217, t= -4.344, -3.888, -2.261, P<0.05). (3) Anastomotic complications: cases with anastomotic leakage, cases with anastomotic bleeding, cases with anastomotic stenosis of the modified Overlap group were 1, 1, 0, respectively. The above indicators of the traditional assisted group were all 1. There was no significant difference in the above indicators between the two groups ( P>0.05). Cases with anastomotic leakage were cured after the treatment of enteral nutritional support through nasogastric catheterization, which were confirmed by gastroenterography. Cases with anastomotic bleeding were improved by active hemostatic therapy. Cases with anastomotic stenosis were improved after the symptomatic treatment of anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling. (4) Follow-up: 109 of the 115 patients were followed up. Forty-eight of 51 patients in the modified Overlap group were followed up for 15.0-45.0 months, with a median follow-up time of 33.5 months. Sixty-one of 64 patients in the traditional assisted group were followed up for 16.0-46.0 months, with a median follow-up time of 27.0 months. There was no tumor recurrence in the modified Overlap group. One patient in the traditional assisted group had tumor recurrence with liver metastasis and survived with tumor. There was no significant difference in tumor recurrence rate between the two groups ( P>0.05). There was no patient died during the follow-up. Conclusion:Compared with traditional auxiliary incision anastomosis, patients undergoing total laparoscopic total gastrectomy with modified Overlap anastomosis have small incision, good postoperative recovery.

The application of adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction Veo in detection of pulmonary nodule by ultralow dose chest CT / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To explore the best percentage of adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction Veo (ASiR-V)in detection of pulmonary nodule by chest ultralow dose CT (ULDCT).Methods 81 patients with pulmonary nodule detected by chest low dose CT (LDCT)underwent a local ULDCT scan at the center of the nodule with a range of 3 cm scan length.LDCT was performed with the mode of the Assist kV (120/100 kV)/Smart mA with noise indices of 14.1 HU and reconstructed with ASiR-V 50% algorithm.ULDCT was acquired at a tube potential of 120 kV and tube current-time product of 2.8 mAs and reconstructed with ASiR-V 50%,70% and 90%algorithms.Subjective and obj ective image qualities,sensitivities of detection and diameter of nodule among all ULDCT images were compared.Results Compared with the radiation dose of LDCT [(0.9 9±0.3 6)mSv],a 90.2% decrease was seen with the ULDCT, for which the calculated mean effective radiation dose was (0.097±0.007)mSv.The noise values of fat and paravertebral muscle for ULDCT reconstructed with ASiR-V 90% were 12.33±1.86 and 14.82±2.6,which were significantly lower than those in the group of ASiR-V 50% (1 9.73±1.98, 21.19±2.46)and the group of ASiR-V 70% (15.79±1.82,17.71±2.50)(P＜0.05).The subjective scores of images reconstructed with ASiR-V 70% (4.13±0.47)were the highest,which were slightly higher than those in 90%groups (4.03±0.38)(P＜0.05).No significant differences for overall sensitivity of nodule detection were observed among the ULDCT reconstructed with ASiR-V 50%(86.42%),ASiR-V 70%(87.04%)and ASiR-V 90% (88.89%)(P＞0.05).The mean nodule diameter measurements were (6.4±2.0)mm,(5.9±2.2)mm,(6.0±2.2)mm and (6.1 ±2.2)mm for LDCT and ULDCT (ASiR-V 50%,70% and 90%),respectively with P＞0.05.Conclusion At extremely low exposure levels,ASiR-V can obviously improve the image qualities of ULDCT,and 90% is the best percentage for lung algorithm reconstruction with a high sensitivity of pulmonary nodule detection.

Effect of Yanghe decoction serum on the proliferation of breast cancer stem cells / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of Yanghe decoction serum on the proliferation of breast cancer stem cells HMLER90hi and its mechanism. Methods Twenty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into low,medium and high dose groups containing drug serum and control group, in order to prepare the Yanghe decoction serum and blank serum. After 24 hours of drug intervention,the effects of each group on the proliferation of HMLER90hi cells at 24 h,48 h,and 72 h were detected by MTT assay. The expression of EphA4 and p50 mRNA in each group were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Results Compared with the blank control group,the cell proliferation activity of each dose group of Yanghe decoction significantly decreased at 24 h (0.818 ± 0.061, 0.706 ± 0.073, 0.587 ± 0.052 vs. 0.928 ± 0.075), 48h (0.760 ± 0.047, 0.638 ± 0.056, 0.510 ± 0.059 vs. 0.973 ± 0.095), and 72 h (0.672 ± 0.102, 0.508 ± 0.092, 0.448 ± 0.048vs.1.023 ± 0.099) (P<0.05 orP<0.01), respectively. After 24 h of drug intervention, compared with the control group, the expression of EphA4 mRNA (0.54 ± 0.07, 0.54 ± 0.07, 0.33 ± 0.04 vs.0.68 ± 0.09) significantly decreased, and p50 mRNA (0.69 ± 0.10, 0.54 ± 0.08, 0.41 ± 0.06vs. 0.85 ± 0.13) significantly decreased in each dose group of Yanghe decoction (P<0.05 orP<0.01).ConclusionsTheYanghe decoction can inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer stem cell HMLER90hi,and its mechanism may be related to its inhibition of the conduction of the juxtacrine pathway of monocyte macrophage.