Stable isotopic analysis of water utilization characteristics of four xerophytic shrubs in the Hobq Desert, Northern China.

Quantitative identification of water utilization characteristics of xerophytic shrubs is an important prerequisite for the selection and optimization of a regional artificial sand-fixing vegetation system. In this study, a hydrogen (δD) stable isotope technique was used to study the changes in water use characteristics of four typical xerophytic shrubs, Caragana korshinskii, Salix psammophila, Artemisia ordosica, and Sabina vulgaris in the Hobq Desert under light (4.8 mm after 1 and 5 days) and heavy (22.4 mm after 1 and 8 days) rainfall events. Under light rainfall, C. korshinskii and S. psammophila primarily used the 80-140 cm layer of soil water (37-70%) and groundwater (13-29%), and the water use characteristics did not change significantly after the light rainfall event. However, the utilization ratio of A. ordosica to soil water in the 0-40 cm layer increased from less than 10% on the first day after rain to more than 97% on the fifth day after rain, whereas the utilization ratio of S. vulgaris to soil water in the 0-40 cm layer also increased from 43% to nearly 60%. Under heavy rainfall, C. korshinskii and S. psammophila still used the 60-140 cm layer (56-99%) and groundwater (~15%), while the main water utilization depth of A. ordosica and S. vulgaris expanded to 0-100 cm. Based on the above results, C. korshinskii and S. psammophila primarily use the soil moisture of the 80-140 cm layer and groundwater, while A. ordosica and S. vulgaris use the soil moisture of the 0-100 cm layer. Therefore, the co-existence of A. ordosica and S. vulgaris will increase the competition between artificial sand-fixing plants, while the combination of the two plants with C. korshinskii and S. psammophila will avoid competition between artificial sand-fixing plants to some extent. This study provides important guidance for regional vegetation construction and sustainable management of an artificial vegetation system.

Value of Continuous Video EEG and EEG Responses to Thermesthesia Stimulation in Prognosis Evaluation of Comatose Patients after Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical value of video-electroencephalography (VEEG) and thermal stimulus on evaluating the prognosis of comatose patients after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. METHODS: Twenty eight comatose patients with cardiopulmonary resuscitation were included in the department of ICU of the First Teaching Hospital of Fujian Medical University from February 2013 to March 2016. Of the included 28 patients, 20 cases died (death group) and 8 cases survived (survival group) after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The VEEG, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and APACHE II score were recorded and compared between the death and survival group. The prediction value of death for VEEG, GCS and APACHE II were evaluated through sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). RESULTS: GCS and APACHEH II score were statistical different between the death and survival group (P<0.05). With the increase of VEEG grading, the mortality rate of patients increased significantly (P<0.05). Predicting value of mortality for GCS, VEEG and APACHEH II were 57.69%, 61.54% and 71.43% respectively without statistical difference (P>0.05). The death prediction sensitivity and specificity for GCS were 67.0% and 85.0%, for APACHEH II were 95.1% and 85.0%, for VEEG were 100.0% and 85.2%. VEEG has the highest sensitivity, Specificity, coincidence rate and Kappa vale compared to GCS, and APACHEH II. CONCLUSION: Video-electroencephalography is a useful tool for predicting the death risk for patients who received cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

A novel biological sources consistency evaluation method reveals high level of biodiversity within wild natural medicine: A case study of Amynthas earthworms as "Guang Dilong"

For wild natural medicine, unanticipated biodiversity as species or varieties with similar morphological characteristics and sympatric distribution may co-exist in a single batch of medical materials, which affects the efficacy and safety of clinical medication. DNA barcoding as an effective species identification tool is limited by its low sample throughput nature. In this study, combining DNA mini-barcode, DNA metabarcoding and species delimitation method, a novel biological sources consistency evaluation strategy was proposed, and high level of interspecific and intraspecific variations were observed and validated among 5376 Amynthas samples from 19 sampling points regarded as "Guang Dilong" and 25 batches of proprietary Chinese medicines. Besides Amynthas aspergillum as the authentic source, 8 other Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) were elucidated. Significantly, even the subgroups within A. aspergillum revealed here differ significantly on chemical compositions and biological activity. Fortunately, this biodiversity could be controlled when the collection was limited to designated areas, as proved by 2796 "decoction pieces" samples. This batch biological identification method should be introduced as a novel concept regarding natural medicine quality control, and to offer guidelines for in-situ conservation and breeding bases construction of wild natural medicine.

The role and mechanism of gut microbiota in the occurrence of colorectal cancer / 中华消化外科杂志

Colorectal cancer is a common malignant tumor of the digestive system, accoun-ting for about 10% of all new cancer cases worldwide. In recent years, a large number of studies have proved that gut microbiota and its metabolites play an important role in the occurrence of colorectal cancer, and different pathogenic models can explain for the pathogenic mode of different gut microbiota. The authors review the role and mechanism of gut microbiota in colorectal cancer.

Growth factor composite scaffolds for bone defect repair via immediate implantation of bone defects / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Nerve growth factor has been shown to play an important role in bone healing, but little is reported on the effect of growth factor composite scaffolds via the immediate implantation in the repair of canine bone defects. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the effect of nerve growth factor composite scaffolds via the immediate implantation for the repair of canine bone defects. METHODS:Nerve growth factor composited strontium apatite scaffolds were prepared. Canine mandibular defect models were established and divided into three groups, fol owed by implanted with composite scaffold (experimental group), strontium apatite (positive control group), or nothing (blank control group). The three-dimensional CT reconstruction and hematoxylin-eosin staining of canine mandibular bone defects were observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the blank control group, there were few new bones surrounding bone defect. Trabecular bones spread from the defect center to the surrounding tissues in the experimental and positive control groups. The bone density, volume, thickness, and implant-bone contact were significantly increased, while the trabecular separation was significantly decreased in the experimental group compared with the positive control and blank control groups (P<0.05), and al above indicators in the positive contro group were significantly higher than those in the blank control group (P<0.05). Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that in the experimental group, there were a large number of new bones that contacted with the surrounding bones closely, and trabecular bones arranged regularly. In the positive control group, newborn osteoid, trabeculare, and a smal amount of debris were found. In the blank control group, few new bones were connected with the surrounding bones untightly and trabecular bone arranged irregularly. These results indicate that the nerve growth factor composite scaffold can promote the bone regeneration in the canine bone defects after immediate implantation.

Titanium core/bone morphogenetic protein composite materials used to repair alveolar bone defects after immediate implant placement / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Now experimental and clinical research on suitable bone substitutes for alveolar bone defects after dental implantation is an issue of concern.OBJECTIVE:To study the therapeutic effect of titanium core/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) composite material on alveolar bone defects after immediate implant placement.METHODS:Twenty-four New Zealand rabbits were randomly assigned into normal group (no intervention),experimental group or control group.Animal models of bone femoral greater trochanter defect were made in the experimental and control groups.Dental implant and titanium core/BMP composite material were implanted in the experimental group,while dental implant and titanium core were implanted in the control group.Percentage of CD4+,CD8+ T lymphocytes,natural killer cell activity and interleukin 2 level were detected at postoperative 4 weeks;bone mineral density and osteogenesis around the implant were detected at postoperative 16 weeks through X-ray and histological examinations.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:X-ray results showed that the bone mineral density in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.05).Histological results showed that in the experimental group,different degrees of cell lysis around the composite,more bone cells and bone matrices were found,implant-bone osseointegration formed well,and red-dyed mature bone tissues were detective inside the implant.Compared with the experimental group,lower number of bone cells and fibrocytes were found in the control group.Additionally,the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes,natural killer cell activity and interleukin 2 level in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P ＜ 0.05).To conclude,the titanium core/BMP composite material can effectively repair alveolar bone defects after immediate implant placement to guide the growth of bone cells.

Relationship between behavior and lifestyle of left-behind children and anxiety symptoms in Shangrao City / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To analyze the correlation between behavior and lifestyle factors and anxiety symptoms of left-behind children, and to provide evidence for mental health intervention of left-behind children.@*Methods@#1 188 children aged from 13 to 18 (617 non-left-behind children and 571 left-behind children) in B County of Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province were evaluated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). Meanwhile, physical activity, TV watching time, computer usage time, dietary behavior, sleep and other behavioral lifestyle factors of left-behind children were investigated by questionnaire.@*Results@#The detection rate of anxiety among left-behind children (66.0%) was higher than that of non-left-behind children (60.5%). The detection rates of mild, moderate, and severe anxiety were 26.3%, 15.4% and 24.3%, respectively. Under the condition of controlling age and gender, Logistic regression analysis showed that left-behind childrens anxiety symptoms and computer usage time>3 h/d (mild anxiety, OR=3.00, 95%CI=1.27-4.16; moderate anxiety, OR=4.09, 95%CI=1.55-10.78; severe anxiety, OR=3.44, 95%CI=1.46-8.11), mobile phone usage time >3 h/d (mild anxiety, OR=4.93, 95%CI=2.71-8.94; moderate anxiety, OR=5.93, 95%CI=2.98-11.79; severe anxiety, OR=7.11, 95%CI=3.85-13.15), skipping breakfast behavior (moderate anxiety, often skipping, OR=6.09, 95%CI=1.59-23.36; severe anxiety, often skipping, OR=5.49, 95%CI =1.68-7.97, sometimes eat breakfast, OR=2.68, 95%CI=1.10-6.53) was positively correlated; with appropriate sleeping time (moderate anxiety, OR=0.28, 95%CI=0.13-0.60) was negatively correlated.@*Conclusion@#The unhealthy behavior and lifestyle of left-behind children may be a potential risk factor for anxiety symptoms.

Preventive effect on menstrual migraine treated with subgaleal acupoint injection with metoclopramide / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the differences in clinical effect on menstrual migraine between subgaleal acupoint injection with metoclopramide and oral administration of medication.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-four patients of menstrual migraine were randomized into a subgaleal acupoint injection group and a medication group, 32 cases in each one. In the subgaleal acupoint injection group, the acupoint injection started 10 days before menstruation. Eight acupoints on the head were selected and injected alternatively in two groups, once every 2 days, 4 treatments made one session and 3 sessions (3 menstrual cycles) were required. In the medication group, flunarizine was applied with oral administration, 2.5 mg each time, once every night. The duration of treatment was 3 months. The analgesic effect, frequency and time of pain attack were observed in 3 and 6 months after treatment in the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, VAS scores were lower than those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05), the attack frequency and pain time were all reduced as compared with those before treatment (all P<0.01). After treatment, VAS score, the frequency and time of pain attack in the subgaleal acupoint injection group were improved significantly as compared with the medication group (all P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The subgaleal acupoint injection with metoclopramide achieves the superior preventive effect in clinical treatment of menstrual migraine as compared with flunarizine.</p>

Treatment of teenage varicocele by transumbilical mini pure single-port laparoscopic Palomo's surgery: a report of 78 cases / 国际外科学杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical superiority of transumbilical mini pure single-port laparoscopic Palomo's surgery on the treatment of primary teenage varicocele.Methods All operations were successfully completed using mini pure single-port laparoscopic Palomo's surgery.Its clinical effects were evaluated by the operative time,blood loss volume,intra-or post-operative complications,and hospital stay.Six to eighteen months after surgery,follow-up was made in 78 patients.Results All the operations were successful.The operation time was 5-15 (mean 8) minutes,the intra-operative loss blood was 1-5 (mean 1.5) mL,and the post-operative hospital stay was 2-4 (mean 3) days.No intra-operative or post-operative complications happened.Sperm analysis of 95％ patients came back to normal in 6-18 months.Conclusions The transumbilical mini pure single-port laparoscopic Palomo's technique has more obvious superiority and it is worthy of clinical application and generalized widely.

Comprehensive therapy of the infant urinary calculus induced by melamine / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective To explore the comprehensive therapy of infants with urinary calculus induced by melamine.Methods Clinical data of 228 infants(aged from 4 months to 3 years,mean age 11 months)with urinary calculus induced by melamine were analyzed. Bilateral renal calculi were found in 144 cases and one-side renal calculus in 54 cases,of which the diameter ranged from 0.5-2.5 cm.Ureteral calculi with moderate to severe hydronephrosis were found in 15 cases,of which the diameter ranged from 0.4-1.1 cm. Bladder calculi with urinary retention were found in 5 cases and urethral calculi with urinary retention in 10 cases,of which the diameter ranged from 0.5-1.3 cm. All the urinary calculi were confirmed by B-uhrasound examination and CT. Group 1 : Of the 15 cases with acute renal failure, 13 underwent shattering and dissolving renal and ureternal calculus by pelvis clysis with alkalinity drug, detaining double J tubes through ureteroscope. After operation, these patients were treated with alkalinity drugs. Two cases were treated by percutaneous nephrostomy guided by B ultrasound and underwent shattering and dissolving renal calculus by intermittent pelvis clysis with alkinity drug. Group 2:15 cases of ureteral calculus with serious nephrohydrops underwent shattering and detaining double J tubes through ureteroscope, then treated with alkalinity drug. Group 3:15 cases of infant bladder and urethral caleus with acute urinary retention were treated by EMS through ureterscope per urethra. Group 4: The rest 183 cases without urinary obstruction received 1-8 week'surine alkalization therapy. Among them, 113 cases received sodium bicarbonate 0.15 g twice per day,23 cases received potassium sodium hydrogen citrate 2.4g/d, and 47 cases received 10% potassium citrate solution 5 ml 3 times per day. Sixty-one cases who were of no effect with alkalinity drug were treated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and dissolving calculus with sodium bicarbonate. During treatment with alkalinity drug, urine Ph was observed by urine analysis once per day.When it exceeded 7.5, alkalinity drug. Was withdrawn. All the patients were followed up for 1 to 3 months. Statistical analysis was done with the SPSS 13.0 software. ResultsHyperdiuresis emerged 12-24 h after operation in group 1. The duration of hyperdiuresis was 24-72 h with the urine volume of 800-2500 ml/24h. Urine volume revived gradually 48--96h after operation while serum BUN and Cr revived 1-5 d after operation. Four cases with renal and ureteral calculus became almost stone-free in 1-2 weeks and 14 cases became completely stone-free in 2-4 weeks after operation. Patients of group 2 became completely stone-free in 1-2 weeks. Patients of group 3 were cured by one EMS session through ureterscope per urethra and smooth urination was seen immediately after operation. No retained calculus in the bladder and urethra was found by B ultrasound 3 days later. In the sodium bicarbonate group, 4 cases became completely stone-free in 2 weeks, 18 cases in 4 weeks, 15cases in 13 weeks. The stones lessened and faded in 34 cases and had no changes in 42 cases. In the potassiun sodium hydrogen citrate group, 4 cases became completely stone-free in 1 weeks, 7 cases in 2 weeks, 10 cases in 4 weeks, 2 cases in 6 weeks. In the potassium citrate group, 3 cases became completely stone-free in 1 weeks, 5 cases in 2 weeks, 16 cases in 4 weeks, 11 cases in 8 weeks. The stones lessened and faded in 8 cases in 8 weeks and had no changes in 4 cases. The efficacy of the sodium bicarbonate group was significantly different with the efficacy of the citrate group (P=0. 001). No significant difference was found between the potassium sodium hydrogen citrate group and the potassium citrate solution group(P=0. 372). ConclusionsConservative treatment should be employed mainly in the earlier stage for the infant urinary calculus induced by melamine . When the diagnosis of acute renal failure, moderate to severe hydronephrosis and acute lower urinary tract obstruction are established, surgical intervention should be the main method to relieve obstruction, protect renal function and resume normal rnicturition. With the development of the characteristics of the stones later,the oral dissolution therapy with alkalirtity drug could not dissolve the calculi and ESWL should be employed.

Exploitation and Application of Medical Service Management Information System for Field Medical Point / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To strengthen the capability of emergent supply in field medical point.Methods The common application program was designed by using PowerBuilder.The database program was Oracle.Results The assistant conduction and management of information were realized including the information of staff,war materials,equipment,wounded soldiers in the field medicine.Conclusion Information management system in field hospital can rapidly and accurately provide all kinds of information for users.It can be extensively applied in all levels of field hospitals.

Insights into the practical effectiveness of RT-PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 from serologic data, a cohort study

BackgroundVirologic detection of SARS-CoV-2 through Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) has limitations for surveillance. Serologic tests can be an important complementary approach. ObjectiveAssess the practical performance of RT-PCR based surveillance protocols, and the extent of undetected SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Shenzhen, China. DesignCohort study nested in a public health response. SettingShenzhen, China; January-May 2020. Participants880 PCR-negative close-contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases and 400 residents without known exposure (main analysis). Fifty-seven PCR-positive case contacts (timing analysis). MeasurementsVirological testing by RT-PCR. Measurement of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in PCR-negative contacts 2-15 weeks after initial testing using total Ab ELISA. Rates of undetected infection, performance of RT-PCR over the course of infection, and characteristics of seropositive but PCR-negative individuals were assessed. ResultsThe adjusted seropositivity rate for total Ab among 880 PCR-negative close-contacts was 4.1% (95%CI, 2.9% to 5.7%), significantly higher than among residents without known exposure to cases (0.0%, 95%CI, 0.0% to 1.0%). PCR-positive cases were 8.0 times (RR; 95% CI, 5.3 to 12.7) more likely to report symptoms than the PCR-negative individuals who were seropositive, but otherwise similar. RT-PCR missed 36% (95%CI, 28% to 44%) of infected close-contacts, and false negative rates appear to be highly dependent on stage of infection. LimitationsNo serological data were available on PCR-positive cases. Sample size was limited, and only 20% of PCR-negative contacts met inclusion criteria. ConclusionEven rigorous RT-PCR testing protocols may miss a significant proportion of infections, perhaps in part due to difficulties timing testing of asymptomatics for optimal sensitivity. Surveillance and control protocols relying on RT-PCR were, nevertheless, able to contain community spread in Shenzhen. Funding sourceBill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Special Foundation of Science and Technology Innovation Strategy of Guangdong Province of China, and Key Project of Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission, Shenzhen, China

Evolving Epidemiology and Effect of Non-pharmaceutical Interventions on the Epidemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Shenzhen, China

Previous studies have demonstrated the characteristics of patients with 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, the effect of non-pharmaceutical interventions on the epidemic in Shenzhen, China remains unknown. Individual data of 417 cases were extracted from the epidemiological investigations and the National Infectious Disease Information System between January 1, 2020 and February 29, 2020. On the basis of important interventions, the epidemic was divided into four periods (January 1-15, January 16-22, January 23-February 5 and after February 6). We used a susceptible-exposed-infectious-asymptomatic-recovered model to evaluate the effect of interventions. Results suggested that about 53.7% were imported from Wuhan. The median age was 47 years and 52.8% were women. Severity risk increased with age and associated with male and co-existing disorders. The attack rate peaked in the third period and drastically decreased afterwards across sex, age groups and geographic regions. Children younger than 5 years showed a higher attack rate than those aged of 6~19. The effective reproductive number decreased from 1.44 to 0.05 after the highest level emergency response since January 23. Overall, the non-pharmaceutical interventions have effectively mitigated the COVID-19 outbreak in Shenzhen, China. These findings may facilitate the introduction of public health policies in other countries and regions.

Epidemiology and Transmission of COVID-19 in Shenzhen China: Analysis of 391 cases and 1,286 of their close contacts

BackgroundRapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Wuhan prompted heightened surveillance in Shenzhen and elsewhere in China. The resulting data provide a rare opportunity to measure key metrics of disease course, transmission, and the impact of control. MethodsThe Shenzhen CDC identified 391 SARS-CoV-2 cases from January 14 to February 12, 2020 and 1286 close contacts. We compare cases identified through symptomatic surveillance and contact tracing, and estimate the time from symptom onset to confirmation, isolation, and hospitalization. We estimate metrics of disease transmission and analyze factors influencing transmission risk. FindingsCases were older than the general population (mean age 45) and balanced between males (187) and females (204). Ninety-one percent had mild or moderate clinical severity at initial assessment. Three have died, 225 have recovered (median time to recovery is 21 days). Cases were isolated on average 4.6 days after developing symptoms; contact tracing reduced this by 1.9 days. Household contacts and those travelling with a case where at higher risk of infection (ORs 6 and 7) than other close contacts. The household secondary attack rate was 15%, and children were as likely to be infected as adults. The observed reproductive number was 0.4, with a mean serial interval of 6.3 days. InterpretationOur data on cases as well as their infected and uninfected close contacts provide key insights into SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology. This work shows that heightened surveillance and isolation, particularly contact tracing, reduces the time cases are infectious in the community, thereby reducing R. Its overall impact, however, is uncertain and highly dependent on the number of asymptomatic cases. We further show that children are at similar risk of infection as the general population, though less likely to have severe symptoms; hence should be considered in analyses of transmission and control.