Objective: To investigate the factors associated with the patient's adherence to screening in the five years before the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) related to chronic hepatitis B ( CHB ), so as to provide reference for improving the screening rate. Methods: From June 2016 to April 2018, the patients with newly diagnosed HCC and a history of CHB for more than five years in Southwest Hospital in Chongqing were interviewed. The information about socio-demographic characteristics, health status, medical care and HCC screening in the past five years were collected. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors associated with adherence to screening. Results: Among 420 participants, 140 ( 33.33% ) adhered to HCC screening, 124 ( 29.53% ) had irregular/incomplete screening, while 156 ( 37.14% ) never had screening. The proportion of early-stage HCC at diagnosis was significantly higher in patients who adhered to screening ( 77.14% ) than that in patients who had irregular/incomplete screening (35.48%) or no screening ( 12.82% ) and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05 ). The multivariate analysis demonstrated that five factors were significantly associated with patient's adherence to screening, including education level of high school and above ( OR=2.346, 95%CI: 1.370-4.017), family history of HCC ( OR=2.795, 95%CI: 1.457-5.362 ), history of chronic diseases ( OR=3.860, 95%CI: 2.052-7.262), acceptance of antiviral therapy ( OR=17.816, 95%CI: 9.702-32.716 ) and specialized clinic visits ( OR=8.332, 95%CI: 1.588-43.710 ). Conclusions Adherence to screening is conducive to the early detection of HCC, but the screening rate is low in the patients with CHB. Education level, history of HCC, health status and medical status are significantly related to screening adherence.

Objective To study the protective mechanism of astragaloside on skin photoaging. Methods BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups: model group irradiated with ultraviolet rays (UV), model plus matrix group pretreated with the matrix before UV irradiation, model plus astragaloside group pretreated with astragaloside 0.08% cream before UV irradiation, normal control group received no irradiation or pretreatment. After 4-week irradiation, the mice were sacrificed, and skin tissues were resected from the back of these mice. Then, reverse transeription PCR (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry were performed to detect the mRNA and protein expression of TGF-βR Ⅱ and Smad 7, respectively. Gray scale ratio was used to represent the mRNA levels of TGF-βR Ⅱ and Smad 7. Results There was a significant difference in the mRNA level (F = 80.98, 736.80, respectively, both P < 0.01) and protein positivity rate (F = 45.36,132.25, respectively,both P < 0.01) of TGF-βR Ⅱ and Smad 7 among the 4 groups. The mRNA level and protein positivity rate of TGF-βR Ⅱwere 0.2588±0.0283 and (28.20 ± 5.24)% respectively in the model group, significantly lower than those in the normal control group[0.5688 ± 0.0439, (53.00 ± 4.72)%, both P < 0.01] and model plus astragaloside group [0.3767 ± 0.0374, (41.64 ± 2.59)%, both P< 0.01]; on the contrary, the mRNA level and protein positivity rate of Smad 7 in the model group [0.8637 ± 0.0514, (82.06 ± 2.18)%] were significantly higher than those in the normal control group [0.5900 ± 0.0585, (47.50±3.81)%, both P < 0.01] and model plus astragaloside group [0.7131 ± 0.0410, (64.36 ± 2.62)%, both P< 0.01]. In the model plus astragaloside group, the mRNA level and protein positivity rate of TGF-βR Ⅱ were significantly higher than in the model plus matrix group [0.2653 ± 0.0456, (28.74 ± 2.28)%, both P < 0.01], while those of Smad 7 were statistically lower than in the model plus matrix group [0.8553 ± 0.0575, (82.62 ± 4.02)%, both P < 0.01]. However,no significant difference was observed in the mRNA level or protein positivity rate of TGF-βR Ⅱ or Smad 7 between the model group and model plus matrix group (all P > 0.01). Conclusion Astragaloside can prevent skin photoaging by the alteration of TGF-β pathway via up-regulating TGF-βR Ⅱ expression and down-regulating Smad 7 expression.

OBJECTIVE To develop a macroarray method to detect pathogens in cerebrospinal fluid.METHODS According to the bacterial 16S rRNA genes,designed 10 kinds of specific probes and a pair of universal primers that can amplify rRNA gene of all bacteria.The tailed probes were spotted onto a nylon membrane.DNA was isolated from each pathogen,and subjected to UP-PCR to amplify target fragments,which were labeled with bio-16-dUTP at the same time.All those denatured fragments were hybridized to the probes on nylon membrane and visualized by AKP labeled avidin.The sensitivity and specificity of the system were detected.A total of 32 CSF samples,which were verified the bacterial infection by the routine method,were tested by this method.RESULTS It was sensitive to 10 CFU/ml when detecting Escherichia coli.Every kind of pathogens only reacted to its corresponding probes fixed on nylon membranes,which showed high specificity.The result of identifying 32 CSF clinical specimens accorded with that of routine method.CONCLUSIONS The method can screen out common pathogens in CSF sensitively and exactly.

Objective To investigate the risk factors, clinical and angiographic features of women aged 50 or less with coronary artery disease(CAD). Methods One hundred and seventy-three female CAD patients comifrmed by coronary angiographic aged 50 or less were classiifed as group A, while another 494 non-CAD women aged 50 or less as group B. The differences in CAD risk factors, clinical and angiographic features between the 2 groups were analyzed. Results There were more women with diabetes, positive CAD family history, dyslipidemia or hypertension (especially diastolic hypertension) in group A than in group B. Patient in group A had higher diastolic pressures and serum glucose level than those in group B but both groups had similar body weights, systolic pressures and menopause ages. The serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were higher in patients in group A than those in group B while high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and apolipoprotein A levels were lower in group A. The low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) and apolipoprotein B were higher in group A than in group B but without signiifcance. There were more women with positive urine protein in group A than in group B. In group A, more than 50%of patients were with single diseased artery while another 15%with slight coronary artery atherosclerosis or even normal arteries. Most of the lesions were found in left anterior descending artery (LAD) and its branches. Conclusions Risk factors of CAD included diabetes, positive CAD family history, dyslipidemia, hypertension(especially diastolic hypertension) and positive urine protein in women aged 50 or less Menopause alone, without other CAD risk factors, would not lead to CAD. Single vessel disease was more commonly found in this group of patients.

Post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder after adult solid organ transplant (SOT), affecting 10% to 40% of recipients. PTDM has been associated with increased mortality, heightened risk of infections, graft-related complications and cardiovascular diseases, all of which seriously threaten the quality of life and long-term survival of recipients. According to recent studies and the domestic healthcare system, this consensus provides a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, screening and diagnosis, treatments, prevention strategies, cardiovascular risk factor management and microvascular complications associated with PTDM, in order to further standardize the diagnosis and treatment of PTDM. The objective is to standardize the comprehensive management of PTDM with the aim of enhancing the long-term quality of life and clinical outcomes for SOT recipients.

OBJECTIVETo establish a new method of multiplex semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect pathogens in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

METHODSAccording to the analysis of the conservative and variable regions in bacterial 16S rRNA genes, we designed universal primers for all bacteria and specific primers for most gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. All primers were added into the same reaction systems successively of a two-step PCR assay to amplify the different bacterial DNA in CSF, and the results were compared with common culture method with sensitivity and the specificity both detected at the same time.

RESULTSBoth gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria amplified DNA fragment about 1,032 bp after first-step amplification with universal primers. In the second step, specific fragments of 336 bp and 127 bp were amplified in gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria respectively besides fragments of 1,032 bp; The detection limit for E. coli was 8 cfu/ml. The comparison of 62 CSF samples detected by both multiplex semi-PCR and conventional culture method revealed sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative values of 93.8%, 95.7%, 88.2%, and 97.8% respectively for PCR.

CONCLUSIONThe result suggested that the multiplex semi-nested PCR we established was sensitive, specific and rapid method for clinical laboratory to detect pathogens in CSF.

Cerebrospinal Fluid ; microbiology ; DNA Primers ; genetics ; DNA Probes ; genetics ; DNA, Bacterial ; cerebrospinal fluid ; isolation & purification ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; RNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; genetics ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Staphylococcus aureus ; genetics ; isolation & purification

BACKGROUND:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels are crucial for bone and cartilage development and regeneration at a celular level. Insufficient quantity and functional impairment of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels is widely considered to be one of osteoarthritis causes. OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between the functional status of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels and disease progression in osteoarthritis patients.METHODS: Thirty patients with osteoarthritis were enroled from July 2013 to October 2014, and divided into control, mild osteoarthritis, and severe osteoarthritis groups, with 10 cases in each group. 5 mL bone marrow from the femur or tibia was extracted from each patient to isolate and culture bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels. Proliferation ability of cels at passage 3 was detected using cel counting kit-8; toluidine blue staining was performed at 14 days after chondrogenic induction; real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of Aggrecan and Col2A1 in the control group after chondrogenic induction. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Afterin vitro culture, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels grew adherently in polygonal and fusiform shape with multiple processes at uniform size. The cytoplasm contained larger particles and the nuclei were ovoid. Most of cels were in cel division phase. The proliferation ability was strongest in the control group and weakest in the severe osteoarthritis group. Cels from the three groups were al at plateau phase after 1 week culture. At 14 days after chondrogenic induction, the cels were polygonal and quasi-circular, and purple metachromatic granules distributed outside of the cytoplasm. The expression of Aggrecan and Col2A1 in the control group displayed an overexpression trend. These findings indicate that the functional status of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels from osteoarthritis patients is negatively correlated with the severity of disease, which can influence the disease progression in osteoarthritis patients.

Radix Codonopsis an edible Chinese herb, is resourceful and distributed widely in China. The research on its germplasm resources and utilization has been reviewed in this paper. For germplashm resources, the works of collection, arrangement, evaluation and the selected breeding need to be carried out urgently. It is necessary that unofficial Dangshen and aerial parts of all medicinal Dangshen should be utilized extensively. The effective ingredient obtained by tissue culture will provide a new resource.
Codonopsis ; chemistry ; classification ; growth & development ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Plant Structures ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristics of the spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection (SISMAD) on computed tomography angiography (CTA).

METHODSTwenty-five patients with unexplained acute abdominal pain received CTA.

RESULTSFour cases with the SISMAD were found and all were male with a mean age of (45.3±6.7) years. Two patients had hypertension history. CT showed enlarged diameter of the superior mesenteric artery with dissection in 4 cases, intimal flap and visible false lumen in 2 cases, ulcer-like laceration in 1 case, and intramural hematoma in 1 case. The proximal lacerations or entries were all at the proximal segment of the superior mesenteric artery. CTA classifications were type Ia (n=2), IIb (n=1), and III (n=1). Two patients underwent repeated CTA when discharged, and progressive changes were discovered.

CONCLUSIONCTA can clearly show the characteristics of the superior mesenteric artery dissection, confirm the diagnosis, and provide an important basis for the classification and follow-up observation.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; diagnostic imaging ; Angiography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior ; diagnostic imaging ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEThe study was to describe the breastfeeding status of children under the age of three in counties of western China and to provide evidence to the government for decision-making on intervention.

METHODSA cross-sectional study with probability-proportional-to-size (PPS) sampling method was used. The information on breastfeeding was obtained through memory of the mothers. Fourteen thousand and seventy-seven children were studied. Data on breastfed status in counties of western China was compared with those of the children from the survey of the counties of western China in 2001.

RESULTSThe breastfeeding rate of children under 3 years old in western China was 96.5%. However, the overall breastfed rate of children under 6 months were only 33.4%, with rates of 11.4% and 22.0% on exclusively and predominantly breastfed groups respectively. Timely first-suckling rate was 43.5% with the continued breastfeeding rate (1 year) as 64.9%, but the continued breastfeeding rate (2 year) was only 9.7%. Reasons causing mothers to wean would include according to her own intention and to be able to attend the physical labor while exclusive breastfeeding under 6 months was for the growth and development of children, which might reduce the two-week prevalence of diarrhea. Major risks of exclusive breastfeeding of children under 6 months were seen as: level of education of the mothers, economic depression of the counties and mother's nationality (if as minority).

CONCLUSIONMost of the children were ever or being breastfed at the time of interview with timely first-suckling took place earlier than in 2001. However continued breastfeeding did not last long. During these five years, the exclusive breastfeeding rate had been at low level, especially at the economic depression and the minority area.

Breast Feeding ; epidemiology ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Weaning