A cross-sectional survey study on the correlation analysis of nutritional status and intestinal flora in patients with esophageal cancer.

Objective: This study aims to examine the nutritional status of individuals diagnosed with esophageal cancer and compare the nutritional indicators and intestinal flora between malnourished and non-malnourished patients. The findings aim to contribute to the early prevention of malnutrition and the development of interventions targeting the intestinal flora to treat esophageal cancer. Methods: An 80-patient sample of hospitalized individuals with esophageal cancer was selected from the radiotherapy department of our hospital between July 2021 and July 2022 to evaluate NRS2002 scores and PG-SGA scores. This cross-sectional analysis aimed to examine the disparities in dietary nutrient intake, blood indicators, body composition, and fecal intestinal flora between malnourished and non-malnourished patients with esophageal cancer. Additionally, we randomly selected 40 cases to predict and analyze the relationship between intestinal flora and malnutrition. Results: The incidence of nutritional risk and malnutrition in patients with esophageal cancer was 62.5% and 60%, respectively. The low intake of carbohydrates and dietary fiber in the malnutrition group was statistically significant compared to those in the non-malnutrition group (P < 0.05). The albumin (ALB) level was lower in the malnutrition group than in the non-malnutrition group, while the C-reactive protein (CRP) level was higher; these differences were also statistically significant (P < 0.05). The basal metabolic rate, phase angle, body cell mass, muscle mass, skeletal muscle index, and fat-free mass index in the malnutrition group all decreased compared to the non-malnutrition group. The extracellular water/total body water was higher than that in the non-malnutrition group, which was also statistically significant (P < 0.05). As shown by 16S rDNA sequencing of fecal intestinal flora, there was no significant difference in α and ß diversity between the malnutrition and non-malnutrition groups; at the genus level, significant differences were observed for Selimonas, Clostridioides, Dielma, Lactobacillus, and [Eubacterium]_siraeum_group. However, Dielma, Sellimonas, and Clostridioides were significantly lower in the malnutrition group than in the non-malnutrition group, while Anaerococcus, Atopobium, Eubacterium_siraeum_group, and Lactobacillus were significantly higher in the malnutrition group. Correlation analysis between different genera and clinical indicators showed that Lactobacillus was positively correlated with ALB, dietary energy, intracellular water/total body water (ICW/TBW), phase angle (PA), muscle mass (MM), skeletal muscle mass (SMM), body cell mass (BCM), basal metabolic rate (BMR), appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM), total body water (TBW), fat-free mass index (FFMI), skeletal muscle index (SMI), fat-free mass (FFM), Weight, body mass index (BMI) (r > 0, P < 0.05), but negatively correlated with PG-SGA score, NRS2002 score, and extracellular water/total body water (ECW/TBW) (r < 0, P < 0.05). Based on PG-SGA, there was only a low accuracy for identifying nutrient deficiency (most areas under curve (AUC) values fell within 0.5 to 0.7, or even lower), with Lachnoclostridium's AUC being 0.688 (CI = 0.518-0.858) and Lactobacillus_salivarius_g_Lactobacillus's AUC being 0.257 (CI = 0.098-0.416). A KEGG functional analysis based on 16S data indicated potential differences affecting glucose metabolism pathways and the synthesis or division of DNA, influencing the onset, development, and prognosis of esophageal cancer patients. Conclusion: Esophageal cancer patients are more likely to be malnourished. The nutritional status of these patients is closely linked to the intake of carbohydrates and fiber, albumin levels, inflammation levels, and lean body mass. Furthermore, the patient's intestinal flora composition plays a significant role in their nutritional well-being. Consequently, modulating the intestinal flora holds promise as a potential therapeutic approach for addressing malnutrition in esophageal cancer patients. Clinical trial registration: ChiCTR2100048141.

Determinants of Social Commerce Usage and Online Impulse Purchase: Implications for Business and Digital Revolution.

Since their introduction in the early 2000s, the use of social networking websites has exploded. Many businesses are seeing increased revenue due to their social commerce strategy. Despite the popularity of social commerce websites, some consumers are still hesitate to use them. This study aims to evaluate the factors that influence the adoption of social commerce. A sample of 721 Chinese We Chat users took part in the research. The findings reveal that social capital mediates the positive effect of social commerce adoption and perceived ease of use (PERU) on techno-stress and online impulse purchasing. Likewise, information overloading mediates the positive effect of social commerce adoption and PERU on techno-stress and online impulse purchasing. The findings have implications for both practice and research in understanding social commerce adoption in emerging economies.

ß 2 -Microglobulin Participates in the Development of Vestibular Schwannoma by Regulating Nuclear Factor-κB.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Vestibular schwannoma (VS), the most common intercranial schwannoma, originates from the sheath of the vestibular nerve. The growth rate of VS varies greatly, with the tumor enlarging gradually, which can compress the peripheral nerve tissue and reveal corresponding symptoms. This study was aimed to elucidate the growth mechanism of VS by analyzing cellular changes at protein, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), and other molecular levels. METHODS: We determined mRNA and protein levels of ß 2 -microglobulin (ß 2 -M) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in tumors of different sizes using the real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. The relationship between these factors was verified in VS primary cells cultured in vitro, and the potential role of ß 2 -M and NF-κB in VS growth was elucidated. RESULTS: In the secretions of freshly isolated tumor tissue cultured for 72 h, the concentration of ß 2 -M was positively correlated with the tumor diameter. Furthermore, tumors with larger diameter showed higher expressions of ß 2 -M and NF-κB at protein and mRNA level. ß 2 -M treatment resulted in elevated protein expression of NF-κB and also its phosphorylated form in vitro. CONCLUSION: ß 2 -M may participate in VS growth by regulating NF-κB and act as a key regulatory molecule in VS tumor growth.

Development of rabbit meniscus acellular matrix.

OBJECTIVE: To prepare a rabbit meniscus acellular matrix scaffold and explore the histomorphological and biomechanical properties of the scaffold. METHODS: Rabbit meniscuses were collected and acellularized using a modified eight-step detergent process with hydrogen peroxide, distilled water, Triton X-100, and sodium deoxycholate. Its color and texture were observed. Histomorphological assessment was performed using routine hematoxylin-eosin stain, toluidine blue stain, Saffron stain, Hoechst-33258 stain, and immunohistochemical staining of collagen I. The ultrastructure of the specimens was observed with inverted phase contrast microscopy. Transient recovery rate of deformation, maximal recovery rate of deformation, and maximal compressive strength were tested to determine the biomechanical properties of the scaffold. RESULTS: The processed meniscus was milk-white in color with loose structure. It histologically appeared cell-free, stained positively for collagen I, and had abundant micropores according to phase-contrast microscopy. The transient recovery rate of deformation was (76.65∓4.61)%, the maximal recovery rate of deformation was 100%, and the maximal compressive strength was (4.51∓0.69) N when the specimens were compressed 40%. CONCLUSIONS: The rabbit meniscus acellular matrix scaffold, with numerous micropores, is easy to be recovered from deformation and suitable for the adhesiveness and growth of breeding cells. This scaffold can be used as an ideal implant for future tissue engineering of the meniscus.

The Role of MicroRNAs in Therapeutic Resistance of Malignant Primary Brain Tumors.

Brain tumors in children and adults are challenging tumors to treat. Malignant primary brain tumors (MPBTs) such as glioblastoma have very poor outcomes, emphasizing the need to better understand their pathogenesis. Developing novel strategies to slow down or even stop the growth of brain tumors remains one of the major clinical challenges. Modern treatment strategies for MPBTs are based on open surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. However, none of these treatments, alone or in combination, are considered effective in controlling tumor progression. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 18-22 nucleotide long endogenous non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by interacting with 3'-untranslated regions (3'-UTR) of mRNA-targets. It has been proven that miRNAs play a significant role in various biological processes, including the cell cycle, apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, etc. Over the last decade, there has been an emergence of a large number of studies devoted to the role of miRNAs in the oncogenesis of brain tumors and the development of resistance to radio- and chemotherapy. Wherein, among the variety of molecules secreted by tumor cells into the external environment, extracellular vesicles (EVs) (exosomes and microvesicles) play a special role. Various elements were found in the EVs, including miRNAs, which can be transported as part of these EVs both between neighboring cells and between remotely located cells of different tissues using biological fluids. Some of these miRNAs in EVs can contribute to the development of resistance to radio- and chemotherapy in MPBTs, including multidrug resistance (MDR). This comprehensive review examines the role of miRNAs in the resistance of MPBTs (e.g., high-grade meningiomas, medulloblastoma (MB), pituitary adenomas (PAs) with aggressive behavior, and glioblastoma) to chemoradiotherapy and pharmacological treatment. It is believed that miRNAs are future therapeutic targets in MPBTs and such the role of miRNAs needs to be critically evaluated to focus on solving the problems of resistance to therapy this kind of human tumors.

Nature-inspired dimerization as a strategy to modulate neuropeptide pharmacology exemplified with vasopressin and oxytocin.

Vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) are cyclic neuropeptides that regulate fundamental physiological functions via four G protein-coupled receptors, V1aR, V1bR, V2R, and OTR. Ligand development remains challenging for these receptors due to complex structure-activity relationships. Here, we investigated dimerization as a strategy for developing ligands with novel pharmacology. We regioselectively synthesised and systematically studied parallel, antiparallel and N- to C-terminal cyclized homo- and heterodimer constructs of VP, OT and dVDAVP (1-deamino-4-valine-8-d-arginine-VP). All disulfide-linked dimers, except for the head-to-tail cyclized constructs, retained nanomolar potency despite the structural implications of dimerization. Our results support a single chain interaction for receptor activation. Dimer orientation had little impact on activity, except for the dVDAVP homodimers, where an antagonist to agonist switch was observed at the V1aR. This study provides novel insights into the structural requirements of VP/OT receptor activation and spotlights dimerization as a strategy to modulate pharmacology, a concept also frequently observed in nature.

High temperature-mediated disturbance of carbohydrate metabolism and gene expressional regulation in rice: a review.

Global warming has induced higher frequencies of excessively high-temperature weather episodes, which pose damage risk to rice growth and production. Past studies seldom specified how high temperature-induced carbohydrate metabolism disturbances from both source and sink affect rice fertilization and production. Here we discuss the mechanism of heat-triggered damage to rice quality and production through disturbance of carbohydrate generation and consumption under high temperatures. Furthermore, we provide strong evidence from past studies that rice varieties that maintain high photosynthesis and carbohydrate usage efficiencies under high temperatures will suffer less heat-induced damage during reproductive developmental stages. We also discuss the complexity of expressional regulation of rice genes in response to high temperatures, while highlighting the important roles of heat-inducible post-transcriptional regulations of gene expression. Lastly, we predict future directions in heat-tolerant rice breeding and also propose challenges that need to be conquered in the future.

Statistical Analysis of the Apparent Diffusion Coefficient in Patients with Clinically Mild Encephalitis/Encephalopathy with a Reversible Splenial Lesion Indicates That the Pathology Extends Well beyond the Visible Lesions.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether the genu of the corpus callosum is involved in patients with clinically mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) type I. METHODS: Twenty-three cases of clinically confirmed MERS I were analyzed retrospectively, and MRI features of the lesion were observed. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the same region of interests in lesions at the splenium and genu of the corpus callosum were measured before and after treatment (i.e., four groups), and the average ADC values were calculated. Paired t-tests were used to compare the ADC values of lesions in the splenium and genu before and after treatment. Independent sample t-tests were used to compare the values in the splenium and genu after treatment. RESULTS: The mean ADC values of the splenium before and after treatment were 0.448 ± 0.124 and 0.790 ± 0.070 × 10-3 mm2/s, respectively, showing significant difference (P < 0.01). The mean ADC values in the genu before and after treatment were 0.783 ± 0.067 and 0.829 ± 0.070 × 10-3 mm2/s, respectively, also showing significant difference (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the ADC values between the splenium and genu after treatment (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The genu showed a slight restriction in diffusion in the acute stage of type I MERS. After treatment, this diffusion restriction diminished as it typically does in the splenium. Our results indicate that the pathology in MERS extends well beyond the visible lesions.

Harmine suppresses bladder tumor growth by suppressing vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2-mediated angiogenesis.

Angiogenesis is a vital step during the process of oncogenesis of a lot of tumors, with no exception in bladder cancer. One of the useful strategies for the development of new drugs against cancer is targeting angiogenesis. In the present study, we found that a small-molecule natural product, which belonged to the ß-carboline alkaloid, named harmine, could strongly inhibit tumor angiogenesis thus exhibiting its ideal treatment efficacy in bladder cancer. In vivo study verified that harmine had the effect of inhibition on human bladder tumor xenograft growth. The inhibitory effect of harmine to bladder cancer growth was coordinated by the effects shown on angiogenesis. To further explore the pharmacological activities of harmine, we tested harmine's influence on blood vessel formation and found that harmine effectively blocked the microvessel sprouting in rat aortic ring assay when stimulated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Furthermore, harmine inhibited human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation as well as chemotactic motility, and when we treated HUVEC cell with harmine, the formation of capillary-like structures was also restrained. Moreover, harmine induced bladder cancer cell apoptosis through triggering the caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway and the downstream vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) kinase pathway was down-regulated, thus suppressing tumor development signals. Herein, our study demonstrated that natural product harmine might have potential in curing human bladder tumor because of its pharmacological function on tumor angiogenesis, trigged by VEGFR2 signaling pathways.

Efficacy of 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 electrolyte solution for fluid therapy in patients undergoing meningioma resection / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 electrolyte solution for fluid therapy in the patients undergoing meningioma resection.Methods:Ninety-two American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients of either sex, aged 18-64 yr, with body mass index of 18-30 kg/m 2, with expected operation duration>3 h, undergoing elective meningioma resection, were divided into 2 groups ( n=46 each) using a random number table method: lactated Ringer′s solution (LR) group and HES group. LR was infused throughout operation in group LR, and 6% HES was intravenously infused in group HES, with the maximum dose not exceeding 50 ml/kg, and the excess part was supplemented with LR. Goal-directed fluid therapy was used to maintain stroke volume variation<13% and mean arterial pressure 70-90 mmHg. Arterial blood gas analysis was performed immediately before anesthesia induction (T 0), when 1 000 and 2 000 ml of fluid were infused (T 1, 2), and at the end of surgery (T 3) to record electrolyte and acid-base balance indexes. Thromboelastogram was simultaneously monitored. The occurrence of electrolyte disorder, acid-base imbalance and abnormal coagulation function and consumption of norepinephrine were recorded. Patients were followed up at 3 and 7 days after surgery, and the Chinese quality of recovery-15 scores were recorded. The hospitalization time and occurrence of brain edema, pulmonary edema, nausea and vomiting were recorded. Results:In group L and group H, 4 cases and 6 cases were excluded due to prolonged operation time, and 42 cases and 40 cases were finally included, respectively. Compared with LR group, the plasma Na + concentration was significantly increased at T 3, the plasma Cl - concentration and pH value were increased at T 1-3, the plasma Ca 2+ concentration was decreased at T 2, 3, reaction time was increased at T 3, coagulation time was increased and maximum amplitude was decreasedat T 2, 3, and coagulation Angle was decreased at T 1-3( P<0.05). No electrolyte disorder and abnormal coagulation function was found in the two groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the consumption of norepinephrine, postoperative Chinese quality of recovery-15 score, length of hospital stay and incidence of alkalosis, pulmonary edema, brain edema, and nausea and vomiting between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The efficacy of liquid therapy is comparable between HES and LR in the patients undergoing meningioma resection.

Analysis of the expression and clinical significance of prostate cancer tissue-specific lncRNAs based on bioinformatics databases / 现代泌尿外科杂志

【Objective】 To explore the expression and clinical significance of prostate cancer tissue-specific lncRNAs. 【Methods】 The gene differences of 492 prostate cancer tissues and 152 adjacent tissues in TCGA and GEO genomic databases were analyzed with bioinformatics methods. A total of 5 lncRNAs were screened out, and their specificity in prostate tissues and impact on the prognosis of patients were analyzed. 【Results】 The 5 lncRNAs included PCAT14, PCA3, CTBP1-AS, DRAIC, and GPC5-AS1. PCAT14 and PCA3 were specifically expressed in prostate cancer tissues, and elevated expression was related to the prognosis. Moreover, they were well correlated with prostate cancer-specific antigens such as KLK3, AMACR, SLC45A3, and so on. GO function enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the differential expression of PCA3 was closely related to phagocytosis, cell recognition, defense response to bacteria, immunoglobulin complex, Golgi apparatus, antigen binding, chemokine receptor binding, white matter digestion and absorption, renin-angiotensin system and other signaling pathways, while the differential expression of PCAT14 was closely related to the activity of Golgi apparatus and ion channels, renin secretion, cAMP signaling pathway, and gonadotropin secretion-related signaling pathway. 【Conclusion】 PCA3 and PCAT14 are specifically expressed in prostate cancer tissues, not in normal tissues, which can be used as potential indicators for the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Rat cardiac fibroblasts inhibit gap junction between cardiomyocytes through increasing matrix metalloproteinase 2 activity / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To investigate the effect of conditioned medium from hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R)-treated rat cardiac fibroblasts(CFs)on gap junction between cardiomyocytes and determine whether its mechanism is related to matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2)activity.METHODS:(1)H9c2 cells were randomly divided into five groups:con-trol group,normal group,ARP-100 group,H/R group,and H/R+ARP-100 group.Scrape loading/dye transfer assay was used to assess the gap junction function.Western blot was used to detect the expression and phosphorylation levels of Cx43.Gelatin zymography assay was performed to measure MMP2 activity.(2)SD rats were randomly divided into control group,ARP-100 group,ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)group,and I/R+ARP-100 group,with 8 rats in each group.Micro-electrode array technology was used to record the type and duration of arrhythmia.Immunohistochemistry experiment was performed to assess expression levels and distribution of Cx43 in myocardial tissues.RESULTS:Compared with the con-trol group,the H/R group showed decreased protein expression of Cx43(P＜0.01),narrowed distance of lucifer yellow dif-fusion(P＜0.01),and increased MMP2 activity(P＜0.01).ARP-100 attenuated H/R-induced gap junction dysfunction(P＜0.05).The arrhythmia score was also reduced after perfusion with ARP-100(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:H/R-treated rat CFs can inhibit gap junction between cardiomyocytes,and its mechanism may involve increased MMP2 activity.

Effects of 2-dodecyl-6-methoxycyclohexa-2,5-diene-l ,4-dione on resisting hepatic fibrosis induced by CC14 in rats and its mechanisms via TGF-pi/Smads signaling pathway / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effects of 2-dode-cyl-6-methoxycyclohexa-2 , 5-diene-l, 4-dione ( DM-DD) on resisting hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride ( CC14 ) in rats and the underlying mechanisms , with a specific focus on the TGF-pi/Smads signaling pathway. Methods The hepatic fibrosis model was replicated using 50% CC14. Various parameters, including levels of aspartate transferase ( AST) , ala-nine transferase ( ALT ) , albumin/globulin ( A/G ) , total protein (TP) , total bilirubin (T-BIL) , hyaluron-ic acid ( HA ) , laminin ( LN ) , collagen type Ж ( Col Ж) , and collagen type IV(ColIV) in the blood, were measured. Liver tissue lesions and fiber formation were observed using HE and Masson staining. The expression levels of a smooth muscle actin (a-SMA) , collagen type I ( Col I ) , transformed growth factor (TGF-pi), Smad2, and Smad7 proteins were assessed using immunohistochemistry. a-SMA, Coll, TGF-pi, and Smad7 mRNA levels in liver tissue were measured by RT-PCR. Additionally, the expression levels of TGF-pi, Smad4, and Smad7 proteins in liver tissue were determined by Western blot. Results In comparison to the normal control group, the model group exhibited significantly elevated levels of AST, ALT, TP, T-BIL, HA, LN, Col Ш and Col IV in serum. But A/G level notably decreased. Successful modeling was confirmed by the presence of extensive fiber formations observed through HE and Massonstaining in liver tissue. The DMDD administration group demonstrated a notable decrease levels of AST, ALT, TP, T-BIL, HA, LN, Col III, and CollV, but A/G was significantly elevated when compared to the model group. Furthermore, a-SMA, Coll, TGF-f31, Smad2 and Smad4 mRNA and protein levels in the DMDD administration group were significantly reduced, while Smad7 significantly declined. HE and Masson staining results reflected a marked reduction in fibrous hyper-plasia. Conclusion DMDD exhibits a protective effect against CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis, and its mechanism appears to be associated with the TGF-fJl/ Smads signaling pathway.

Correlation between Combined Urinary Metal Exposure and Grip Strength under Three Statistical Models: A Cross-sectional Study in Rural Guangxi / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between urinary metals copper (Cu), arsenic (As), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) and grip strength.@*METHODS@#We used linear regression models, quantile g-computation and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to assess the relationship between metals and grip strength.@*RESULTS@#In the multimetal linear regression, Cu (β = -2.119), As (β = -1.318), Sr (β = -2.480), Ba (β = 0.781), Fe (β = 1.130) and Mn (β = -0.404) were significantly correlated with grip strength ( P < 0.05). The results of the quantile g-computation showed that the risk of occurrence of grip strength reduction was -1.007 (95% confidence interval: -1.362, -0.652; P < 0.001) when each quartile of the mixture of the seven metals was increased. Bayesian kernel function regression model analysis showed that mixtures of the seven metals had a negative overall effect on grip strength, with Cu, As and Sr being negatively associated with grip strength levels. In the total population, potential interactions were observed between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn ( P interactions of 0.003 and 0.018, respectively).@*CONCLUSION@#In summary, this study suggests that combined exposure to metal mixtures is negatively associated with grip strength. Cu, Sr and As were negatively correlated with grip strength levels, and there were potential interactions between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn.

Evolution of acupuncture techniques for jin diseases and the rise and fall of jingjin doctrine / 中国针灸

It has the important enlightenment and reference significance for the inheritance and innovation of jin (sinew/fascia) diseases and its theoretic basis, jingjin (muscle region of meridian) doctrine by sorting out the origin of the acupuncture techniques for jin diseases and exploring the root of its rise and fall. Using context analysis, overall investigation and practice test, the paper elaborates the basic concepts, e.g. needling techniques for jin, jingjin, jinji (muscular contracture) and jiejin (knotted tendon), and jingjin doctrine. In particular, the three key concepts, i.e. fanzhen jieci (heating after needling), yizhi weishu (feelings from patients and acupuncture operators) and yitong weishu (the worst painful sites of muscle spasm) are deeply investigated. These three concepts, involved in the treatment of jingjin disorders, treatment principles and methods, are of a great controversy in the current academic circle. The author clarified the category of needling for jin disease and main needling techniques, investigated specially the origin of fanzhen jieci and guancifa (repeated needling directly on the foci), and explored the evolution of the needling methods that had been controversial or neglected for a long time, i.e. neire cifa (technique for inducing heat inside for cold obstruction), guancifa, tiaocifa (inserting the needles around the foci), fencifa (intramuscular needling) and mucifa (deep puncturing to the peritoneum or on front-mu points). Finally, from the relationship between jin and mai (meridian), and the differences between dry needling and acupuncture technique for jin diseases, the author explored the crucial problems and countermeasures urgently required in the future development of jingjin doctrine so as to provide the references for the theoretical innovation of acupuncture- moxibustion science.

On acupoints / 中国针灸

Acupoint is the basis of acupuncture. To elaborate the theory of acupuncture, the structure and function of acupoint should be clarified in advance. By exploring the discussion upon the classification, distribution and structure of acupoint in Huangdi Neijing (Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor), qi zheng lun (on meridian points and extra points), jie jiao lun (on convergence of joints) and guan ji lun (on three-dimensional structure of acupoint) are extracted. Based on whether located on the fixed sites, acupoints are classified into meridian points and extra points, while the meridian points are divided into 4 categories, i.e maishu, gukong, qixue and muxue. The convergence of joints illustrates the principal rule of acupoint distribution. The density of the major and key acupoints is proportional to the size and the complexity of function of joints. Acupoint is recognized as a three-dimensional structure in consideration of its external distribution on the body surface and the substances inside the body, which can be explored and examined. In addition, the relationship between meridian points and extra points, the significance of meridian points in different conditions, and the approaches to acupoint study are deeply discussed and analyzed. The crucial problems and the way for solving them are proposed for the future study to provide the references to the inheritance and innovation of acupuncture.

Research progress of occupational hazards in plywood manufacturing / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Occupational disease hazards in plywood manufacturing mainly include wood dust, formaldehyde, phenol, ammonia, noise, terpene, microorganisms, etc. The exposure is complex with multiple factors accompanied or coexisted. In the production process, these factors are exceeded, and mass occupational disease hazard events occurred among workers. Exposure to wood dust, formaldehyde, terpene, etc., put workers at increased risk of cancer. This article provides a review of this issue in order to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of occupational disease hazards in plywood manufacturing.

Treatment of palbociclib in hormone receptor positive breast cancer: a real-world study and efficacy prediction model / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: To summarize the clinical use of palbociclib and evaluate its efficacy and safety in hormone-receptor (HR)-positive advanced breast cancer patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 66 HR-positive metastatic breast cancer patients treated with palbociclib and endocrine therapy at the Department of Oncology in the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University between 2018 and 2020. We evaluated the factors affecting the efficacy of palbociclib using Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test for survival analysis and Cox regressions for multivariate analysis. Nomogram model was built for predicting prognosis among HR-positive breast cancer patients who received palbociclib. Concordance index (C-index) and calibration curve were used for internal validation to assess the predictive ability and conformity of the model. Results: Of the 66 patients treated with palbociclib, 33.3%(22), 42.4%(28) and 24.2%(16) patients were treated without endocrine therapy, first-line endocrine therapy, second-line or above endocrine therapy after recurrence, respectively. 36.4%(24) patients had hepatic metastasis, 16.7% (11) patients were sensitive to previous endocrine therapy, 27.3%(18/66) patients had primary resistance to endocrine therapy, while 56.1% (37) patients had secondary resistance to endocrine therapy. The overall response rate was 14.3% (95% CI: 6.7%, 25.4%) and clinical benefit rate was 58.7% (95% CI: 45.6%, 71.0%). Better clinical outcomes were associated with non-hepatic metastasis (P=0.001), sensitive/secondary resistant to previous endocrine therapy (P=0.004), no or only one line of chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer (P=0.004), recent pathological confirmation of immunohistochemical analysis (P=0.025). Hepatic metastasis (P=0.005) and primary resistance to endocrine therapy (P=0.016) were the independent risk factors of progression free survival. The C-index of predictive probability for the nomogram constructed from the patient clinical characteristics (whether liver metastasis, whether primary endocrine resistance, lines of chemotherapy after metastasis, lines of endocrine therapy, number of metastatic sites, and time to last immunohistochemistry) to predict the progression-free survival at 6 and 12 months for patients was 69.7% and 72.1%, respectively. The most common adverse events were hematologic toxicities. Conclusions: Our report indicates that palbociclib combined with endocrine therapy for HR-positive recurrent metastatic breast cancer is effective and safe; patients with hepatic metastases and primary resistance to endocrine therapy have worse prognoses and are independent risk factors for progression after palbociclib therapy. The constructed nomogram could help predict the survival and guide the use of palbociclib.

Current status of lymph node dissection in pyloric-preserving gastrectomy for early gastric cancer / 中华胃肠外科杂志

With the gradual increase in the diagnosis rate of early gastric cancer, clinicians must consider prevention of gastric anatomical structure and physiological function while ensuring the radical treatment of the tumor. Pylorus-preserving gastrectomy is a function- preserving operation that preserves the pylorus, inferior pyloric vessel, and the vagus nerve in patients with early middle gastric cancer. One of the major controversies at present is the thoroughness of limited lymph node dissection for pyloric-preserving gastrectomy. Various studies have reported that the lymph node metastasis rate of early middle gastric cancer was low, especially in the suprapyloric region, inferior pylorus and the upper pancreatic region. Partial lymph node dissection is required for vascular and neurological protection, which is also safe and feasible in studies reported by major centers. Many clinical studies have been carried out in Japan and Korea, and postoperative follow-up has gradually increased evidence, providing the basis for the safety of lymph node dissection. In large case studies comparing pylorus- preserving gastrectomy with traditional distal gastrectomy, the incidence of postoperative morbidity, such as dumping syndrome, bile reflux esophagitis, weight loss, and malnutrition is low. Sentinel lymph node navigation technology is gradually applied to the diagnosis and treatment of early gastric cancer, and its clinical application value still needs further research.

Recovery of Lost Color and Depth Frames in Multiview Videos.

In this paper, we consider an integrated error concealment system for lost color frames and lost depth frames in multiview videos with depths. We first proposed a pixel-based color error-concealment method with the use of depth information. Instead of assuming that the same moving object in consecutive frames has minimal depth difference, as is done in a state-of-the-art method, a more realistic situation in which the same moving object in consecutive frames can be in different depths is considered. In the derived motion vector candidate set, we consider all the candidate motion vectors in the set, and weight the reference pixels by the depth differences to obtain the final recovered pixel. Compared with the two state-of-the-art methods, the proposed method has average peak signal-to-noise ratio gains of up to 8.73 and 3.98 dB, respectively. Second, we proposed an iterative depth frame error-concealment method. The initial recovered depth frame is obtained by depth-image-based rendering from another available view. The holes in the recovered depth frame are then filled in the proposed priority order. Preprocessing methods (depth difference compensation and inconsistent pixel removal) are performed to improve the performance. Compared with a method that uses the available motion vector in a color frame to recover the lost depth pixels, the hybrid motion vector extrapolation method, the inpainting method and the proposed method have gains of up to 4.31, 10.29, and 6.04 dB, respectively. Finally, for the situation in which the color and the depth frames are lost at the same time, our two methods jointly perform better with a gain of up to 7.79 dB.