[Comparison of prognosis of elderly patients with gastric and colorectal tumors receiving different nutritional support treatments].

Objective: To compare the prognosis of elderly patients with gastric and colorectal cancer treated with different nutritional support methods. Methods: Elderly patients with gastrointestinal tumors who received surgical treatment in Beijing Hospital from January 2019 to June 2020 were retrospectively included and divided into malnourished group and non-malnourished group according to the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM). The patients were divided into parenteral nutrition (PN) group, enteral nutrition (EN) group and enteral+parenteral nutrition (EN+PN) group according to the nutritional support. The prognosis of patients with different nutritional support treatment was compared. Results: A total of 426 elderly patients with gastric and colorectal tumors underwent surgical treatment were included, including 287 males and 139 females, aged 65-91 (72±6) years. There were 186 cases in malnourished group and 240 cases in non-malnourished group. A total of 257 patients received nutritional support therapy, including 108 cases in PN group, 48 cases in EN group and 101 cases in EN+PN group. The body mass index (BMI) of malnutrition group was lower than that of non-malnutrition group [(20.5±3.4) vs (23.7±2.8) kg/m2, P<0.001], and the score of nutritional risk screening 2002 (NRS 2002) [M (Q1, Q3)] was higher than that of non-malnutrition group [4 (4, 5) vs 2 (2, 3) points, P<0.001]. The total hospitalization time of patients in EN group was shorter than that in PN group and EN+PN group [(11.9±4.0) vs (16.5±6.5) and (19.2±7.1) d, all P<0.001]. The total hospitalization time in PN group was shorter than that in EN+PN group [(16.5±6.5) vs (19.2±7.1) d, P=0.005]. The total incidence of complications in EN group was lower than that in PN group [0 vs 9.3% (10/108), P=0.030] and EN+PN group [0 vs 19.8% (20/101), P<0.001]. The incidence of total complications in PN group was lower than that in EN+PN group [9.3% (10/108) vs 19.8% (20/101), P=0.030]. Conclusion: Among the three nutritional supportive treatment modalities: EN, PN, and EN+PN, patients receiving EN support treatment have a shorter total hospitalization time and a lower complication rate.

[Predictive value of cervical length measured by transvaginal ultrasound during the second and the third trimester of pregnancy for preterm birth in twin pregnancies].

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of cervical length (CL) measured by transvaginal ultrasound for preterm birth <32 weeks, <34 weeks in twin pregnancies in the second and the third trimester of pregnancy. Methods: A total of 490 twin pregnant women with CL measured by transvaginal ultrasound during the second trimester of pregnancy (20-24 weeks) and the third trimester of pregnancy (28-32 weeks) delivered in Peking University Third Hospital, and Tongzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2014 to December 2017 were collected, and 161 cases out of which were measured by CL during both the second trimester and the third trimester of pregnancy. Based on the measured gestational weeks, 427 cases were in the second trimester group and 224 cases in the third trimester group. The predictive value of CL for preterm birth was evaluated by calculating the optimal cut-off point with sensitivity and specificity. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between CL and preterm birth after adjusting for confounding factors (age of pregnant women, chorionic status, mulipara, assisted reproductive pregnancy and pre-pregnancy body mass index). Results: (1) The median CL of pregnant women in the second trimester group and the third trimester group were 36 mm (33-40 mm) and 28 mm (18-33 mm) respectively. In the second trimester group, 151 cases (35.4%, 151/427) were preterm birth and 276 cases (64.6%, 276/427) were full-term birth; the median CL of preterm and full-term pregnant women were 34 mm (30-37 mm) and 37 mm (34-40 mm), respectively, with significant difference (P<0.01). In the third trimester group, 100 cases (44.6%, 100/224) were preterm birth and 124 cases (55.4%, 124/224) were full-term birth; the median CL of preterm and full-term pregnant women were 22 mm (15-30 mm) and 31 mm (23-34 mm), respectively, with significant difference (P<0.01). (2) Prediction of preterm birth <32 weeks and <34 weeks was performed with CL in the second trimester group. The area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve were 0.78 (95%CI: 0.70-0.86) and 0.71 (95%CI: 0.64-0.79), respectively. The optimal cut-off points were 36.5 mm and 33.5 mm, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, CL was inversely associated with preterm birth <32 weeks and <34 weeks of gestation. (3) Prediction of preterm birth <32 weeks and <34 weeks were performed with CL in the third trimester group. The area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve were 0.86 (0.75-0.96) and 0.75 (0.67-0.84), respectively. The optimal cut-off points were 17.5 mm and 18.5 mm, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, CL was inversely associated with preterm birth at <32 weeks and <34 weeks of gestation. Conclusions: CL measured by transvaginal ultrasound in the second and the third trimester is a good predictor for preterm birth of twin pregnancy. CL≤36.5 mm and ≤33.5 mm at 20-24 weeks of gestation could predict preterm birth <32 weeks and <34 weeks respectively. CL≤17.5 mm and ≤18.5 mm at 28-32 weeks of gestation could predict preterm birth <32 weeks and <34 weeks respectively.

[Application of cervical lifting suture in hemostasis of placenta previa with increta and percreta].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of cervical lifting suture in treatment of placenta previa with increta and percreta. Methods: From January 2016 to June 2017, 65 cases (0.78%, 65/8 322) were diagnosed placenta previa with increta and percreta by prenatal ultrasonic score system and confirmed by intraoperative findings in the department of obstetrics and gynecology of Peking University Third Hospital. Totally 62 cases (0.75%, 62/8 322) were included, because 3 cases underwent hysterectomy with placenta in situ. According to ultrasonic score system, 62 cases were divided into two groups, score 5-9 group (n=42, 67.7%) and score≥10 group (n=20, 32.3%) , cervical lifting suture techniques were all performed in cesarean sections. Demographic and clinical data were collected and compared. Results: (1) There were no significant differences between two groups in age, gravidity, parity, cesarean section history ratio and gestational week of termination (all P>0.05) . (2) In score≥10 group, the median intraoperative bleeding volume was 4 000 ml (1 200-13 000 ml) , while in score 5-9 group, it was 1 600 ml (700-10 000 ml) , intraoperative blood transfusion volume was 2 000 ml (800-8 800 ml) in score≥10 group, while 1 200 ml (0-8 000 ml) in score 5-9 group. The median operation time was 240 minutes (108-1 200 minutes) in score≥10 group, significantly higher than that in score 5-9 group, which was 135 minutes (69-335 minutes; all P< 0.05). In 8 cases for hysterectomy (12.9%,8/62) , 3 cases in score 5-9 group, 5 cases in score≥10 group. (3) In score≥10 group, the rate of postoperative ICU registration was 80% and mean hospitalization time was (6.3±1.7) days, were significantly different, compared with those in score 5-9 group, which were 26%, (4.9±1.9) days. No serious postpartum complications were found in both groups, and there were no significant differences in Apgar score and weight of newborns (all P>0.05) . Conclusion: Cervical lifting suture in placenta previa with increta and percreta could significantly reduce postpartum hemorrhage and retain uterine.

Association between interleukin-10 polymorphisms and sepsis: a meta-analysis.

Genetic association studies of the cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) and sepsis have provided inconsistent results. This work attempts to further quantitatively assess the association of three widely evaluated polymorphisms of IL-10 (-592C/A, -819C/T, -1082A/G) with sepsis susceptibility through a meta-analysis. A search of Pubmed, Web of Science and EMBASE databases was performed. Overall, the three polymorphisms have no strong association with sepsis risk. Subgroup analysis by ethnicity showed there was association between sepsis susceptibility with -592C/A in Caucasians (A vs. C: OR 0·78, 95% CI 0·62-1·00, P = 0·05; AA + CA vs. CC: OR 0·75, 95% CI 0·56-1·00, P = 0·05), and with -1082A/G in Asians (G vs. A: OR 1·41, 95% CI 1·04-1·91, P = 0·03; GG + AG vs. AA: OR 2·11, 95% CI 1·07-4·16, P = 0·03). This meta-analysis suggests that -592C/A and -1082A/G polymorphisms are associated with sepsis susceptibility in Caucasian, and Asian populations, respectively.

Syntheses and luminescent properties of a copolymer of terbium-p-aminobenzoic acid-methacrylic acid and styrene.

A reactive Tb(III) complex with p-aminobenzoic acid (p-ABA) and methacrylic acid (MAA) as ligands was synthesized. A novel copolymer was synthesized by free radical copolymerization of styrene and the reactive Tb(III) complex in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (AIBN) as the initiator. IR and UV/Vis spectra indicate that the copolymer exhibited absorption from polystyrene and the complex. Thermogravimetric analysis indicates that the copolymer remained stable up to 357°C and the thermal stability was significantly improved in comparison with polymer matrix and the Tb(III) complex. The luminescent intensity of the synthetic terbium macromolecular complexes increased with increasing complex monomer content. Moreover, concentration quenching was not observed.

Interleukin-10 gene promoter polymorphism and risk of liver cirrhosis.

We conducted a hospital-based case-control study to assess the association between IL-10-592 A/C, IL-10-819 C/T, and IL-10-1082 A/G polymorphisms and the risk of liver cirrhosis in a Chinese population. This 1:1-matched case-control study included 192 patients from the Chinese PLA General Hospital. Genotypes of IL-10-592 A/C, IL-10-819 C/T, and IL-10-1082 A/G were detected by polymerase chain reaction amplification-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Conditional regression analysis showed that individuals carrying the IL-10-1082 G allele had an only slightly increased risk of liver cirrhosis, with an adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 2.14 (0.97-1.68). However, we did not identify a significant association between polymorphisms in IL-10-592 A/C and IL-10-819 C/T and the risk of liver cirrhosis. These findings may provide important clues for future studies of early detection screening of liver cirrhosis.

Proton pump inhibitor use and risk of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

We used a meta-analysis approach to investigate the association between proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use and risk of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in cirrhotic patients. We searched Ovid Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to identify eligible studies. We included studies that compared cirrhotic patients who did or did not use PPIs. The primary outcome was SBP, and the secondary outcome was overall bacterial infection. Results were pooled using random-effect models. This process led to identification of 12 journal articles and 5 conference abstracts. The pooled data showed that PPI use in patients with cirrhosis and ascites was significantly associated with an increased risk of SBP [odds ratio (OR) = 2.17; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.46-3.23; P < 0.05; I2 = 85.6%] and overall risk of bacterial infection (OR = 1.98; 95%CI = 1.36-2.87; P < 0.05; I2 = 0). Subgroup analysis revealed that journal articles and studies reporting adjusted effect estimates demonstrated that PPI users had a significantly increased risk of SBP (OR = 2.13; 95%CI = 1.61-2.82; P < 0.05; I2 = 29.4%; and OR = 1.98; 95%CI = 1.42-2.77; P < 0.05; I2 = 67%, respectively). In conclusion, PPI use increased the risk of SBP and overall bacterial infection in patients with cirrhosis and ascites. PPIs should be administered after careful assessment of the indications in cirrhotic patients. Future well-designed prospective studies are warranted to clarify the dose relationships and to compare infection risks associated with different classes of PPIs.

Graphene Bragg gratings on microfiber.

Graphene Bragg gratings (GBGs) on microfiber are proposed and investigated in this paper. Numerical analysis and simulated results show that the mode distribution, transmission loss, and central wavelength of the GBG are controllable by changing the diameter of the microfiber or the refractive index of graphene. Such type of GBGs with tunability may find important applications in optical fiber communication and sensing as all-fiber in-line devices.

Graphene enhanced evanescent field in microfiber multimode interferometer for highly sensitive gas sensing.

Graphene based new physics phenomena are leading to a variety of stimulating graphene-based photonic devices. In this study, the enhancement of surface evanescent field by graphene cylindrical cladding is observed, for the first time, by using a graphene-coated microfiber multi-mode interferometer (GMMI). It is found theoretically and experimentally that the light transmitting in the fiber core is efficiently dragged by the graphene, hence significantly enhancing the evanescent fields, and subsequently improving the sensitivity of the hybrid waveguide. The experimental results for gas sensing verified the theoretical prediction, and ultra-high sensitivities of ~0.1 ppm for NH(3) gas detection and ~0.2 ppm for H(2)O vapor detection are achieved, which could be used for trace analysis. The enhancement of surface evanescent field induced by graphene may pave a new way for developing novel graphene-based all-fiber devices with compactness, low cost, and temperature immunity.

Graphene-based D-shaped fiber multicore mode interferometer for chemical gas sensing.

In this Letter, a graphene-coated D-shaped fiber (GDF) chemical gas sensor is proposed and demonstrated. Taking advantage of both the graphene-induced evanescent field enhancement and the in-fiber multimode interferometer, the GDF shows very high sensitivity for polar gas molecule adsorptions. An extinction ratio of up to 28 dB within the free spectrum range of ~30 nm in the transmission spectrum is achieved. The maximum sensitivities for NH3 and H2O gas detections are ~0.04 and ~0.1 ppm, respectively. A hybrid sensing scheme with such compactness, high sensitivity, and online monitoring capabilities may pave the way for others to explore a series of graphene-based lab-on-fiber devices for biochemical sensing.

Mannose-binding lectin polymorphisms and the risk of sepsis: evidence from a meta-analysis.

Several studies have evaluated the association between mannose-binding lectin (MBL) polymorphisms and sepsis. However, the results are inconclusive and conflicting. To better understand the roles of MBL polymorphisms in sepsis, we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis. All relevant studies were searched from PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Knowledge databases, with the last report up to 7 May 2013. Twenty-nine studies addressing four MBL polymorphisms (-550G/C, -221G/C, structure variant A/O, Gly54Asp) were analysed for susceptibility to sepsis and one study for sepsis-related mortality. Overall, significant associations between structure variant A/O and susceptibility to sepsis were observed for AO + OO vs. AA [odds ratio (OR) 1·27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·05-1·52, P = 0·01] and O vs. A (OR 1·19, 95% CI 1·02-1·40, P = 0·03). In subgroup analysis based on age group, increased risk was found in the paediatric group in the dominant model (OR 1·72, 95% CI 1·16-2·56, P = 0·007). Moreover, there was a slight association between the +54A/B polymorphism and susceptibility to sepsis in Caucasians (recessive model: OR 10·64, 95% CI 1·24-91·65, P = 0·03). However, no association was observed for -550G/C and -221G/C polymorphisms both overall and in subgroup analysis. For sepsis-related mortality, only one study suggested AO/OO was associated with in-hospital mortality in pneumococcal sepsis patients after controlling for confounding variables. Our meta-analysis indicated that MBL structure variants might be associated with susceptibility to sepsis but further studies with a large sample size should be conducted to confirm these findings.

Screening of PAX8 mutations in Chinese patients with congenital hypothyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a neonatal endocrine disease with an incidence of 1:2000 to 1:4000 worldwide. In about 85% of patients CH is secondary to thyroid dysgenesis, but its pathogenesis remains unclear. Thyroid transcription factors, such as paired box transcription factor 8 (PAX8), play an important role in thyroid organogenesis and development. AIM: To screen PAX8 mutations in Chinese CH patients and characterize the features of PAX8 mutations in China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 300 CH patients in Shandong Province, China, and genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. Using PCR and direct sequencing, exon 3 and exon 4 of PAX8 were analyzed. RESULTS: Analysis of PAX8 in 300 CH patients revealed heterozygous missense mutations or variations in two unrelated patients; one was a known missense mutation G92A, resulting in an arginine to histidine substitution at codon 31, the other was a missense variation G122T, resulting in the substitution of a glycine at position 41 by a valine residue. The patient with the R31H mutation had CH with thyroid hypoplasia, while the patient with the G41V variation had CH with a eutopic and normal-sized thyroid gland. CONCLUSION: We report a heterozygous missense mutation and a variation in PAX8 in two out of 300 unrelated Chinese CH patients, showing that the PAX8 mutation rate is very low in CH patients in China.

Microstructure and photoluminescence studies of Sb-doped SnO2 zigzag nanobelts.

SnO2 zigzag nanobelts were successfully Sb-doped by a simple vapor deposition method. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize these Sb-doped nanobelts. The Sb doping in SnO2 nanobelts was confirmed by Energy Dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It is found that there is no apparent lattice distance difference between the pure SnO2 and the 0.705 at% Sb doped SnO2 nanobelts. A slight blue-shift in the photoluminescence (PL) spectra was shown with the increase of Sb doping concentration and a reasonable explanation was given.

Dimethylamine and diet.

Forty-six different foods eaten by six healthy male volunteers were investigated as potential sources of the aliphatic secondary amine, dimethylamine. None that were representatives from the fruit and vegetable, meat, dairy and grain produce categories afforded any measurable elevation in urinary dimethylamine output following ingestion. All of the statistically significant increases occurred after consumption of fish and seafoods. However, within this category a wide variation was observed. The highest values were obtained for coley, squid and whiting with cod, haddock, sardine, skate and swordfish also producing substantial increases. Freshwater trout, plaice and prawns gave no discernable effect. It seems that not all fish and seafoods may be treated equally with regards to human dimethylamine exposure and that the situation is more complicated than at first appears.

Biofeedback exercise improved the EMG activity ratio of the medial and lateral vasti muscles in subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is usually due to weakness of vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) resulting in abnormal patellar tracking. One of the objectives of rehabilitation is to strengthen the VMO so as to counterbalance the vastus lateralis (VL) action during normal activities. This study compared the effects of an 8-week exercise program with and without EMG biofeedback on the relative activations of VMO and VL. Twenty-six subjects with PFPS were randomly allocated into an "exercise" group (Group 1) and a "biofeedback+exercise" group (Group 2). Both groups performed the same exercise program but subjects in Group 2 received real time EMG biofeedback information on the relative activations of VMO and VL during the exercises. After 8 weeks of training, Group 1 had insignificant changes in their VMO/VL EMG ratio (p=0.355), whereas Group 2 had significantly greater VMO/VL EMG ratio (p=0.017) when performing normal activities throughout a 6-h assessment period. The present result reveals that the incorporation of an EMG biofeedback into a physiotherapy exercise program could facilitate the activation of VMO muscle such that the muscle could be preferentially recruited during daily activities.

[Giant cell reparative granuloma originating from the paranasal sinus: a case report].

A 40-year-old man presented with a 10-year history of nasal obstruction of his left nose, a 1-year history of headache and orbital pain. Radiologically, an extensive paranasal sinus mass was seen. Superiorly ,the cribriform plate was demineralized, and the lesion had intracranial extension with mild mass effect over the basal frontal lobes. Histologic examination revealed a central giant cell reparative granuloma. After endoscopic removal, the patient was symptom free at the 2-month follow-up.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of coxsackievirus B1.

Preparations of coxsackievirus B1 (CVB1) derived from an infectious cDNA clone have been crystallized in multiple crystal forms. Using high intensity synchrotron radiation, an orthorhombic form of the crystals was shown to diffract X-rays to at least 2.9 A resolution. The unit cell has a primitive lattice with dimensions a = 323 A, b = 450 A, and c = 522 A. A crystallographic asymmetric unit of these CVB1 crystals probably contains an entire virus particle, implying the presence of 60-fold non-crystallographic redundancy. This CVB1 crystal form appears to be suitable for high-resolution structure determination by X-ray crystallography.

Studies on the discontinuous N-oxidation of trimethylamine among Jordanian, Ecuadorian and New Guinean populations.

Whilst the majority of individuals within a British white population are able to convert greater than 90% of their dietary-derived trimethylamine to its N-oxide, outliers exist who show varying degrees of impairment. Such individuals excrete unoxidized trimethylamine in their urine and, if sufficiently compromised, may experience malodour problems (Fish-Odour Syndrome). Little information concerning this polymorphic N-oxidation process is available in other ethnic groups and the present study explores Jordanian, Ecuadorian and New Guinean populations. Subjects with a relative deficiency in N-oxidation were found in all three groups, with 1.7% (2/116) Jordanian, 3.8% (3/8) Ecuadorian and 11.0% (11/100) New Guinean excreting 80% or less of their total trimethylamine as the N-oxide. Two subjects from the Ecuadorian population (4% and 33% total trimethylamine as the N-oxide) exhibited frank trimethylaminuria. These observations suggest that a compromised ability to N-oxidize trimethylamine is detectable in several ethnic groups and that this polymorphic phenomenon may have a widespread existence.