Positive correlation between NLR and PLR in 10,458 patients with endometriosis in reproductive age in China.

OBJECTIVE: The platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), which can be easily measured from whole blood counts, are composite reflections of significant inflammatory response pathways. However, the relationship between PLR and NLR in patients with ovarian endometriosis is only partially supported by clinical evidence. This study aimed at identifying useful markers for early diagnosis by examining the relationship between PLR and NLR in patients with ovarian endometriosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 2015 and December 2022, we gathered clinical data of 10,458 endometriosis patients who visited the Gynecology Division of the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University. All statistical analyses were performed using the R statistical package. RESULTS: The results of the univariate analysis, smoothed curve fitting, multiple regression analysis, and subgroup analysis revealed that NLR was always positively correlated with PLR. Further analysis based on the curve fitting threshold effect revealed a significant positive correlation between NLR and PLR when NLR < 2.07 (ß: 34.49). Furthermore, when NLR > 2.07, there was a significant positive correlation between NLR and PLR (ß: 16.93). CONCLUSIONS: The finding that NLR and PLR have a positive correlation confirms that inflammation plays a role in the pathogenesis of ovarian endometriosis. Therefore, PLR and NLR could be used as new biomarkers for the diagnosis of endometriosis.

Semen quality pattern and age threshold: a retrospective cross-sectional study of 71,623 infertile men in China, between 2011 and 2017.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to provide information on the semen quality pattern of infertile men and age thresholds for semen parameters in China. METHODS: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study investigating 71,623 infertile men from the Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC Xiangya in Hunan, China, from 2011 to 2017. The Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Kendall test, linear regression model and joinpoint regression were used. RESULTS: Although erratic changes were observed in the median semen parameters (sperm concentration 40.1-52.1 × 106/ml, total sperm count 117.8-153.1 × 106, sperm progressive motility 33.4-38.1%) during the 7 years of observation, no significant decrease in semen quality was found, and 47.88% of infertile men showed normal semen parameters according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. According to the joinpoint regression analysis, sperm progressive motility appeared to decrease earlier than the sperm concentration and total sperm count (at 28, 58, and 42 years of age, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence of a deterioration in semen quality among infertile men in Hunan, China. Semen parameters decreased with increasing age, with turning points noted at different ages. Semen parameters are not absolute evidence for the assessment of male fertility potential. Therefore, we believe that, among semen parameters, the sperm concentration is the best predictor of fertility for ART, followed by motility. Decreased sperm motility may affect natural pregnancy, but it is not necessary for successful IVF.

Analysis of the effect of bacterial lysate and the immunologic mechanism in treating infant bronchiolitis.

OBJECTIVE: We studied the effect of bacterial lysate and the immunologic mechanism in treating infant bronchiolitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 124 infants were diagnosed with bronchiolitis were consecutively selected and randomly divided into control group and observation group, with 62 cases in each group. Conventional therapies were administered in the control group, while bacterial lysates were administered in the observation group. Therapeutic effects were compared after 14 days. RESULTS: In the control group, the total effective rate experienced prominent increase and the healing period was shortened. The differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Comparison of the reverse reactions in two groups showed no statistical difference (p > 0.05). Levels of serum IFN-γ, IL-4, NF-κB and KBD-1 after treatment showed no prominent changes in the control group. Levels of IFN-γ and Hbd-1 increased while levels of IL-4 and NF-κB decreased in the observation group; the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Comparisons of the indexes above mentioned after treatment in the two groups showed significant differences (p < 0.05). Levels of IgA, IgG and IgM after treatment in the control group showed no changes, as well as the level of IgM in the observation group. Levels of IgA and IgG after treatment in the observation group prominently increased and were higher than that in the observation group; the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Bacterial lysate can improve the therapeutic effect of infant bronchiolitis; it can also improve the level of certain cytokines, immunoglobulins, and strengthening immunity.

[An analysis of various diseases and hearing screening in NICU infants].

Objective:It is the first time to study the hearing screening results in NICU infants in Heilongjiang province,to analyze the various diseases and hearing loss distribution in NICU infants.Method:Three hundred and thirty four newborns(668 ears) in NICU received hearing screening with TEOAE and AABR test.We compared the results of different risk factors.Result:The failed ratio of different diseases in NICU are as follow: premature infants 61%,hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HIE) 35%,neonatal infectious pneumonia 30%,neonatal sepsis 30%,neonatal aspiration pneumonitis 36%,neonatal jaundice 29%.Conclusion:The positive ratio of preterm infants was 61%,which is higher than the other diseases in NICU infants of Heilongjiang province.Both TEOAE and AABR failure have a high incidence of abnormal hearing status.Neonatal jaundice,neonatal infectious pneumonia and premature infants diseases are the high risk factors of auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder(ANSD) in NICU infants of Heilongjiang.

Nurse-led educational interventions on cancer pain outcomes for oncology outpatients: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Cancer pain management is still unsatisfactory, although some effective guidelines exist. Educational interventions are reported to be useful in pain relief for oncology outpatients. AIM: The aims of this systematic review were to evaluate the effects of nurse-led educational interventions on improving cancer pain outcomes for oncology patients, and to establish an effective cancer pain protocol for clinical nursing practice in China. METHODS: A three-step search strategy was utilized. Eight databases were searched using the standards provided by the Joanna Briggs Institute that guided article selection, critical appraisal, data collection and data synthesis. RESULTS: A total of 1093 studies were identified through a literature search. Only six studies complied with the inclusion criteria and were found to be methodologically sound. In general, the included studies indicated positive results pertaining to patient's knowledge and attitudes towards analgesics and cancer pain management and decreased pain intensity. Studies reported minimal effects of intervention on anxiety, depression, satisfaction regarding cancer pain management and patient's quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Educational interventions were reported as effective methods to improve cancer pain outcomes. Analysis of the six included studies demonstrated the overall positive effects of nurse-led educational interventions for improving cancer pain management. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY: The results suggest that an effective cancer pain protocol for improving cancer pain management can be established in China.

Reference intervals of bone turnover markers determined by using their curve-fitting valley for adult females in China.

SUMMARY: The reference values for bone turnover markers (BTMs) have a significant role in the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of metabolic bone disease. This study proposes that the peak value of bone mineral density and the trough value for the BTM curve can be used to determine the reference range of BTM. INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to determine the reference intervals of BTMs for adult females in China with an attempt to reference the peak bone mineral density (BMD) with the corresponding BTM valley. METHODS: This study included 546 premenopausal and 394 postmenopausal women. The levels of several BTMs were determined, and the BMD was measured using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: The BTMs of postmenopausal women were 17-96 % higher than premenopausal women. The change of BTM with age presented an optimal goodness-of-fit according to the cubic regression model (R (2) = 0.074-0.346, all P = 0.000). All kinds of BTM levels were positively correlated with age in premenopausal women aged 27-56 years old (r = 0.167-0.502, P = 0.023-0.000). Except for uCTX, the BTM reference value determined using a curve-fitting valley was significantly lower than the reference values for premenopausal women. The BTM reference values determined in this study were also significantly different from the reference values given by the manufacturers of the reagents used. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the changes of level with age of BTMs in Chinese women present an optimal goodness-of-fit according to the cubic regression model. The fitting valley corresponds to the BMD fitting peak and may possibly be an effective means of determining the BTM reference intervals.

Ecology of parasite Sycophilomorpha sp. on Ficus altissima and its effect on the fig-fig wasp mutualism.

Figs and their pollinating wasps are a classic example of an obligate mutualism. In addition, figs are parasitized by a suite of non-mutualistic wasps whose basic ecology is largely undescribed. Sycophilomorpha (subfamily Epichrysomallinae) fig wasps are ovule gallers and the genus contains only 1 described species. An undescribed Sycophilomorpha species parasitized Ficus altissima at Xishuangbana, Southwestern China. The wasp was observed ovipositing on the tiny immature figs that were still concealed beneath the involucral bracts. A Sycophilomorpha wasp oviposited on more than 1 fig and spent long time-periods to lay large clutches on a single fig. The wasps naturally occurred on all 7 sampled trees, but the occurrence of wasps was significantly different among trees, crops and months. These wasps were able to prevent unpollinated figs from being aborted, and their offspring were able to develop in the figs that otherwise had no pollinator wasps or seeds. The Sycophilomorpha wasp had a detrimental effect on the fig-fig wasp mutualism. Figs in which Sycophilomorpha wasps were present, produced significantly fewer seeds, pollinators and cheaters. However, the abundance of Sycophilomorpha in a fig was only significantly negatively correlated with pollinator production and not seed or cheater production. Our study illustrates a previously unknown fig wasp niche and expands our understanding of factors that can affect the fig-fig wasp interaction.

Age-related changes in biochemical markers of bone turnover and gonadotropin levels and their relationship among Chinese adult women.

UNLABELLED: The relationship between the levels of gonadotropic hormones and bone metabolism in Chinese adult women is unclear. Our research shows that a significant positive correlation exists between the levels of gonadotropic hormones and various bone turnover indicators. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) has been found to have a greater influence on all types of bone turnover indicator than luteinizing hormone (LH). Further, FSH has a greater influence on bone formation indicators than on bone resorption indicators. INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum FSH and LH and biochemical markers of bone turnover in native Chinese adult women. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 694 healthy Chinese women aged between 20 and 82 years. Serum FSH, LH, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin (OC), N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen, C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen, urinary NTX, urinary CTX, and urinary deoxypyridinoline (uDPD) were determined. RESULTS: All types of bone turnover indicator were significantly positively correlated with FSH (r = 0.164-0.626, all P = 0.000) and LH (r = 0.130-0.618, all P = 0.013-0.000). The correlation coefficient between serum FSH and BAP was the highest (r = 0.626), and that between serum FSH and uDPD was the lowest (r = 0.164). The serum gonadotropic hormone levels were higher; concentrations of bone turnover indicators were higher. The extent of the influence of FSH on various bone turnover indicators was approximately seven to 20 times greater than that of LH on these indicators. FSH could explain 43% and 22% of the changes in BAP and OC, respectively; whereas, LH could explain only 2.1% and 1.1%, respectively. FSH could explain approximately 1.9-11.8% of the changes in bone resorption indicators; however, LH had almost no effect on them. CONCLUSIONS: Gonadotropic hormone levels are correlated with the rate of bone turnover in Chinese women: the higher the serum gonadotropic hormone levels in circulation, the higher the levels of bone turnover indicators. FSH has a greater influence on all types of bone turnover indicator than LH; moreover, it has a greater influence on bone formation indicators than on bone resorption indicators.

Effects of the sample size of reference population on determining BMD reference curve and peak BMD and diagnosing osteoporosis.

UNLABELLED: Establishing reference databases generally requires a large sample size to achieve reliable results. Our study revealed that the varying sample size from hundreds to thousands of individuals has no decisive effect on the bone mineral density (BMD) reference curve, peak BMD, and diagnosing osteoporosis. It provides a reference point for determining the sample size while establishing local BMD reference databases. INTRODUCTION: This study attempts to determine a suitable sample size for establishing bone mineral density (BMD) reference databases in a local laboratory. METHODS: The total reference population consisted of 3,662 Chinese females aged 6-85 years. BMDs were measured with a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry densitometer. The subjects were randomly divided into four different sample groups, that is, total number (Tn) = 3,662, 1/2n = 1,831, 1/4n = 916, and 1/8n = 458. We used the best regression model to determine BMD reference curve and peak BMD. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the full curves between the four sample groups at each skeletal site, although some discrepancy at the end of the curves was observed at the spine. Peak BMDs were very similar in the four sample groups. According to the Chinese diagnostic criteria (BMD >25% below the peak BMD as osteoporosis), no difference was observed in the osteoporosis detection rate using the reference values determined by the four different sample groups. CONCLUSIONS: Varying the sample size from hundreds to thousands has no decisive effect on establishing BMD reference curve and determining peak BMD. It should be practical for determining the reference population while establishing local BMD databases.

Thermal nociception in adult Drosophila: behavioral characterization and the role of the painless gene.

Nociception, warning of injury that should be avoided, serves an important protective function in animals. In this study, we show that adult Drosophila avoids noxious heat by a jump response. To quantitatively analyze this nociceptive behavior, we developed two assays. In the CO2 laser beam assay, flies exhibit this behavior when a laser beam heats their abdomens. The consistency of the jump latency in this assay meets an important criterion for a good nociceptive assay. In the hot plate assay, flies jump quickly to escape from a hot copper plate (>45 degrees C). Our results demonstrate that, as in mammals, the latency of the jump response is inversely related to stimulus intensity, and innoxious thermosensation does not elicit this nociceptive behavior. To explore the genetic mechanisms of nociception, we examined several mutants in both assays. Abnormal nociceptive behavior of a mutant, painless, indicates that painless, a gene essential for nociception in Drosophila larvae, is also required for thermal nociception in adult flies. painless is expressed in certain neurons of the peripheral nervous system and thoracic ganglia, as well as in the definite brain structures, the mushroom bodies. However, chemical or genetic insults to the mushroom bodies do not influence the nociceptive behavior, suggesting that different painless-expressing neurons play diverse roles in thermal nociception. Additionally, no-bridge(KS49), a mutant that has a structural defect in the protocerebral bridge, shows defective response to noxious heat. Thus, our results validate adult Drosophila as a useful model to study the genetic mechanisms of thermal nociception.

[Clinical classification and the operative curative effects of microendoscopic discectomy in the elderly lumbar disc herniation].

OBJECTIVE: To study the value of the classification of the elderly lumbar disc herniation(LDH) as an indication of microendoscopic discectomy(MED). METHODS: Based on the pathological features of the elderly LDH, eighty-one patients over fifty years old (Group A) were proved to be intraspinal complications by traditional operation and were divided into I and II types which were compared with what were seen in the operation. Sixty-two patients over 50 years old (Group B) were treated with MED and reviewed retrospectively, and their curative effects were compared with their types. RESULTS: A general intraspinal narrowness rate of Group A was 62.07% in Type I, 107.69% in Type II (P < 0.01). Group B was all followed up (mean 10 months). According to the macnnab criterion, the satisfactory rate was 100% in Type I, 75% in Type II (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The clinical classification of the elderly LDH makes a significant effect on the treatment of MED, can be used as an indication of MED, and can be popularized in clinic.

Retardation of pain development: a case of recovery from congenital insensitivity to pain.

Congenital analgesia is a rare genetic disorder. We report here that a 12-year-old boy was able to recover from congenital insensitivity to pain. Neurological examinations revealed that there was a 'stocking' distribution of pain decrement on the lower extremities under the patient's knee joints. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of his brain showed gyrus thinning with sulcus widening at both sides of the parietal lobe. Southern blot hybridization probed with cDNAs of various opioid receptors did not detect any significant abnormality. Our results suggest that this rare case may not be genetically determined.