Background: and Purpose Performing the differential diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and multiple-system atrophy of parkinsonian type (MSA-P) is challenging. The oculomotor performances of patients with PD and MSA-P were investigated to explore their potential role as a biomarker for this differentiation. Methods: Reflexive saccades and smooth pursuit were examined in 56 patients with PD and 34 with MSA-P in the off-medication state. Results: Patients with PD and MSA-P had similar oculomotor abnormalities of prolonged and hypometric reflexive saccades. The incidence rates of decreased reflexive saccadic velocity and saccadic smooth pursuit were significantly higher in MSA-P than in PD (p<0.05 for both). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that slowed reflexive saccades (odds ratio [OR]=8.14, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.45–45.5) and saccadic smooth pursuit (OR=5.27, 95% CI=1.24–22.43) were significantly related to MSA-P. Conclusions The distinctive oculomotor abnormalities of saccadic smooth pursuit and slowed reflexive saccades in MSA-P may serve as useful biomarkers for discriminating MSA-P from PD.

African herbal medicine is widely utilized with a long history. Most African countries have legalized herbal medicine and established a registration and listing mechanism. The present study firstly described the historical exchange and modern trade of TCM between China and Africa, and briefly described the herbal medicine registration management system of African countries from the regulations and guidelines of herbal medicine management and registration management institutions. Then it compared and analyzed the differences of registration systems in African countries from the following aspects: application materials, registration path, quality control and production, effectiveness evidence and food supplements, as well as summarizing the common points of African herbal medicine registration management. The registration strategy of TCM includes assessing the risk of registered investment, building a multilateral and diversified cooperation network between China and Africa, adhering to integrity and innovation, and promoting the international development of TCM, so as to form a standardized registration path of TCM in Africa and expand the TCM market in Africa.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the predictors of successful weaning off extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) after extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR). METHODS: The clinical data of 56 patients with cardiac arrest who underwent ECPR in Hunan Provincial People's Hospital (the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University) from July 2018 to September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether ECMO was successfully weaning off, patients were divided into the successful weaning off group and the failed weaning off group. The basic data, duration of conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CCPR, the time from cardiopulmonary resuscitation to ECMO), duration of ECMO, pulse pressure loss, complications, and the use of distal perfusion tube and intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for weaning failure of ECMO. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (41.07%) were successfully weaned from ECMO. Compared with the successful weaning off group, patients in the failed weaning off group were older (years old: 46.7±15.6 vs. 37.8±16.8, P < 0.05), higher incidence of pulse pressure loss and ECMO complications [81.8% (27/33) vs. 21.7% (5/23), 84.8% (28/33) vs. 39.1% (9/23), both P < 0.01], and longer CCPR time (minutes: 72.3±19.5 vs. 54.4±24.6, P < 0.01), shorter duration of ECMO support (hours: 87.3±81.1 vs. 147.7±50.8, P < 0.01), and worse improvement in arterial blood pH and lactic acid (Lac) levels after ECPR support [pH: 7.1±0.1 vs. 7.3±0.1, Lac (mmol/L): 12.6±2.4 vs. 8.9±2.1, both P < 0.01]. There were no significant differences in the utilization rate of distal perfusion tube and IABP between the two groups. Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the factors affecting the weaning off ECMO of ECPR patients were pulse pressure loss, ECMO complications, arterial blood pH and Lac after installation [pulse pressure loss: odds ratio (OR) = 3.37, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 1.39-8.17, P = 0.007; ECMO complications: OR = 2.88, 95%CI was 1.11-7.45, P = 0.030; pH after installation: OR = 0.01, 95%CI was 0.00-0.16, P = 0.002; Lac after installation: OR = 1.21, 95%CI was 1.06-1.37, P = 0.003]. After adjusting for the effects of age, gender, ECMO complications, arterial blood pH and Lac after installation, and CCPR time, showed that pulse pressure loss was an independent predictor of weaning failure in ECPR patients (OR = 1.27, 95%CI was 1.01-1.61, P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS Early loss of pulse pressure after ECPR is an independent predictor of failed weaning off ECMO in ECPR patients. Strengthening hemodynamic monitoring and management after ECPR is very important for the successful weaning off ECMO in ECPR.
Humans ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Blood Pressure ; Retrospective Studies ; Perfusion ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Objective:To compare the difference between breast bracket combined with polyurethane foam and single polyurethane foam in the accuracy of immobilization, providing a better immobilization for breast cancer radiotherapy.Methods:Fifty breast cancer patients who received radiotherapy in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from March 2021 to July 2021 were selected. Among them, 25 patients were immobilized with polyurethane foam (foam group), and the other 25 patients were immobilized with polyurethane foam combined with breast bracket (combination group). All patients were scanned by CBCT once a week to obtain setup errors in the SI, LR and AP directions for t-test. The formula M PTV=2.5 Σ+0.7 σ was used to calculate the margin of the planning target volume(M PTV). Results:The setup errors in the foam group were SI (2.0±3.26) mm, LR (0.88±2.76) mm, AP (1.22±3.55) mm, Rtn -0.24°±0.85°, Pitch 0.16°±1.11°, Roll -0.32°±1.05°, and the M PTV were 6.75 mm, 8.46 mm and 8.73 mm, respectively. The setup errors in the combination group were SI (1.0±3.01) mm, LR (0.62±2.74) mm, AP (1.82±3.21) mm, Rtn 0.64°±0.59°, Pitch 0.71°±1.22°, Roll 0.29°±0.73°, and the M PTV were 6.35 mm, 7.47 mm, and 7.61 mm, respectively. After comparing the setup errors in the three-dimensional directions between two groups, the t value of LR, SI, AP and Rtn, Pitch, Roll was -4.304, -2.681, 1.384, and -9.457, -3.683, -5.323, respectively. And the differences in the LR, SI, Rtn, Pitch and Roll directions were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The immobilization effect of polyurethane foam combined with breast bracket is better and the M PTV is also smaller than those of polyurethane foam alone. Therefore, it is recommended to use polyurethane foam combined with breast bracket for immobilization in breast cancer radiotherapy.

Ghana attaches great importance to the use of traditional medicine. Over the years, Ghana has successively promulgated laws and policies on traditional medicine, which has laid a legal foundation for the research, registration and sales of its herbal products. This article briefly describes the regulation system of herbal and food supplements in Ghana, and sorts out the registration path of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) products as herbal and food supplements. We also briefly analyze the registration information. We believe that TCM products can open the Ghanaian market as food supplements, so as to promote the registration of herbal medicines. TCM enterprise should controlling TCM registration risks, and strengthening the cooperation between the Chinese and Ghana governments. TCM enterprise can leveraging on the advantages of TCM theory and experience, and strengthening cooperation with Ghana's traditional medicine. This article provide advices for the registration and listing of TCM products in Ghana, expanding the market of TCM in Ghana which finally expands to West Africa and the entire African countries.

This paper analyzes the registration regulations and guidelines of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) products in South Africa, summarizes the registration path of TCM products in South Africa, analyzes the Common Technical Document (CTD) data required for registration from the aspects of quality control, safety and effectiveness, and discusses the registration strategy of TCM products in South Africa. This paper suggests that the strategies could include effective management and control of the registration risk of TCM and steady promotion of the products; TCM enterprises can first register low-risk TCM products, then open the South African TCM market, and promote the registration of high-risk TCM products after accumulating some experience; TCM enterprises need to have the awareness of promoting the inheritance, innovation and development of TCM, increase the investment in clinical trials of TCM products, and supplement the clinical effectiveness and safety data of TCM products; Strengthen the quality control of TCM and build an international brand of TCM.

Objective:To explore the role of N 6-methyladenosine (m6A) and its regulator METTL3 in the non-coding RNA of endometrial cancer.Methods:The expression levels of m6A and METTL3 were quantified in 20 paired carcinoma and adjacent clinical tissue samples from patients at from Jul. 2016 to Dec. 2020. HEC-1-A cell lines were constructed with METTL3 overexpression and knockdown. Western blot was used to detect the phosphorylation levels of key molecules in METTL3 and Akt/mTOR. The quantitative detection of mRNA levels were used qRT-PCR. The binding level of m6A to its receptor DGCR8 was determined by RNA immunoprecipitation.Results:The results of the m6A RNA methylation quantification kit showed that m6A (1.0±0.15) vs (1.7±0.34) ( P<0.01) and METTL3 levels were elevated in endometrial cancer cells, and METTL3 (1.0±0.13) vs (2.5±0.45) ( P<0.05) levels were elevated in endometrial cancer cells. Western blot and qRT-PCR detection of miR-17-92 cell clusters overexpressing METTL3, METTL3 overexpression significantly increased m6A modification on pri-miR-17-92 ( P<0.05) . Phosphorylation levels of AKT/mTOR pathway-related proteins were upregulated. In addition, RIP test results indicated that the binding of DGCR8 to pri-miR-17-92 was significantly facilitated. Conclusion:METTL3 modification of m6A facilitates the processing of pri-miR-1792 into the miR-17-92 clusters via m6A/DGCR8-dependent mechanism, which in turn activated the AKT/mTOR pathway.

Purpose: Drug resistance is one of the main causes of chemotherapy failure in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and extensive biological studies into chemotherapy drug resistance are required. Materials and Methods: In this study, we performed lncRNA microarray, in vitro functional assays, in vivo models and cDNA microarray to evaluate the impact of lncRNA in SCLC chemoresistance. Results: The results showed that KCNQ1OT1 expression was upregulated in SCLC tissues and was a poor prognostic factor for patients with SCLC. Knockdown of KCNQ1OT1 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, chemoresistance and promoted apoptosis of SCLC cells. Mechanistic investigation showed that KCNQ1OT1 can activate transforming growth factor-β1 mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in SCLC cells. Conclusion Taken together, our study revealed the role of KCNQ1OT1 in the progression and chemoresistance of SCLC, and suggested KCNQ1OT1 as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in SCLC clinical management.

The Genome Sequence Archive (GSA) is a data repository for archiving raw sequence data, which provides data storage and sharing services for worldwide scientific communities. Considering explosive data growth with diverse data types, here we present the GSA family by expanding into a set of resources for raw data archive with different purposes, namely, GSA (https://ngdc.cncb.ac.cn/gsa/), GSA for Human (GSA-Human, https://ngdc.cncb.ac.cn/gsa-human/), and Open Archive for Miscellaneous Data (OMIX, https://ngdc.cncb.ac.cn/omix/). Compared with the 2017 version, GSA has been significantly updated in data model, online functionalities, and web interfaces. GSA-Human, as a new partner of GSA, is a data repository specialized in human genetics-related data with controlled access and security. OMIX, as a critical complement to the two resources mentioned above, is an open archive for miscellaneous data. Together, all these resources form a family of resources dedicated to archiving explosive data with diverse types, accepting data submissions from all over the world, and providing free open access to all publicly available data in support of worldwide research activities.

Objective:To explore the correlation and interaction between epidermal growth factor (EGF) rs2237051 and peroxidase proliferators activate receptor-α (PPAR-α) rs4253623 polymorphisms and the susceptibility of generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP).Methods:Two hundred and nineteen Chinese patients with GAgP were enrolled from the patients of the Department of Periodontology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from January 2001 to December 2015. The control group comprised 138 periodontally healthy volunteers recruited from the staff and students of the Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. The EGF rs2237051 and PPAR-α rs4253623 polymorphisms were genotyped using time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Logistic regression models were conducted to analyze the correlation between the EGF rs2237051 and PPAR-α rs4253623 variants with GAgP. The likelihood ratio test was used to analyze whether there was an interaction between the two polymorphisms in the susceptibility of GAgP. The interaction model adopted was the multiplication model.Results:The mean ages of GAgP group (male:87; female:132) and control group (male: 53; female: 85) were (27.3±4.5) years and (27.1±4.2) years respectively and there was no significant difference in age and gender distribution between the two groups. For EGF rs2237051, the frequency of AA genotype in the GAgP group [49.5% (107/216)] was significantly higher than that in the control group [37.7% (52/138)], and the frequency of AG/GG genotype in the GAgP group [50.5% (109/216)] was significantly lower than that in the control group [62.3% (86/138)]( P<0.05). Compared with AA genotype, individuals with AG/GG genotype had a 39% lower risk of GAgP after adjustment of age and gender ( OR: 0.61, 95 %CI: 0.40-0.95, P<0.05). For PPAR-α rs4253623, the frequency of AA genotype in the GAgP group [76.2% (160/210)] was significantly higher than that in the control group [65.9%(81/123)], and the frequency of AG/GG genotype in the GAgP group [23.8% (50/210)] was significantly lower than that in the control group [34.1%(42/123)] ( P<0.05). Compared with AA genotype, individuals with AG/GG genotype had a 40% lower risk of GAgP after adjustment of age and gender ( OR: 0.60, 95 %CI: 0.36-0.98, P<0.05). EGF rs2237051 and PPAR-α rs4253623 showed a significant interaction in the susceptibility to GAgP. Compared with AA genotype, the risk of GAgP in individuals with both AG/GG genotypes of EGF rs2237051 and PPAR-α rs4253623 was reduced by 66% ( OR: 0.34, 95 %CI: 0.17-0.66, P<0.01). Conclusions:EGF rs2237051 and PPAR-α rs4253623 are correlated with GAgP susceptibility, and there is a significant interaction between them in the susceptibility of GAgP. The G allele of the two loci has a protective effect on the disease of GAgP.