Objective Through the detection of the levels of serum betatrophin,anthropometric and biochemical indices,to determine the alteration of betatrophin levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the relationship between betatrophin levels and metabolic indexes such as 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 [25 (OH) D3].Methods The study group was composed of 24 women with PCOS and 20 age-natched healthy women as controls.Following general physical examination of the subjects,anthropometrie measurements were performed (height,weight,waist circumference,hip circumference).Body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio were calculated;25 (OH) D3,Ca2+,fasting blood glucose,fasting insulin,triglycerides,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were also measured and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were evaluated in all subjects.Serum betatrophin levels were examined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Using independent sample T test to compare the differences between groups,the linear correlation analysis was performed to study the correlation of betatrophin with anthropometric and biochemical indices,the influencing factors of betatrophin were analyzed by multiple linear regression.Results Circulating betatrophin levels [(0.341±0.034) ng/ml vs.(0.810±0.162) ng/ml,t=4.271,P＜0.001] and HDL-C [(1.014±0.321) mmol/L vs.(1.419±0.287) mmol/L,t=2.218,P＜0.05] significantly decreased in women with PCOS compared with controls,and BMI [(27.691±4.392) kg/m2 vs.(23.310±4.781) kg/m2,t=-2.073,P＜0.05],fasting blood glucose [(5.950±0.411) mmol/L vs.(4.883±0.314) mmol/L,t=-2.142,P＜ 0.05],HOMA-IR [(4.946 ± 0.741) vs.(3.387± 0.397),t=-2.493,P＜0.05],triglycerides [(1.510± 0.848) mmol/L vs.(1.037±0.402) mmol/L,t=-2.223,P＜0.05],LDL-C [(3.431±0.479) mmol/L vs.(2.396±0.435) mmol/L,t=-2.433,P＜0.05] were obviously increased.Moreover,there was a postive correlation between betatrophin and HOMA-IR (r=0.425,P＜0.05) as well as 25(OH)D3 (r=0.577,P＜0.05) and Ca2+ (r=0.448,P＜0.05),while the betatrophin was negatively related to BMI (r=-0.451,P＜0.05),triglycerides (r=-0.454,P＜0.05),LDL-C (r=-0.551,P＜0.05).Circulating betatrophin levels were higher when 25 (OH) D3 levels were beyond 35 nmol/L in PCOS patients [(0.539±0.092) ng/ml vs.(0.199±0.031) ng/ml,t=3.072,P＜0.001],and the multiple linear regression analysis showed that the main factors affecting the levels of betatrophin were BMI (OR=-0.260),HOMA-IR (OR=0.218),25(OH)D3 (OR=0.238),and glycerol (OR=-0.162).Conclusion It is speculated that betatrophin may be a valuable predictive factor of PCOS because betatrophin is closely associated with insulin resistance,lipid metabolism disorders and the lack of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 in PCOS patients.

Objective:To investigate the effect of metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) in modulat-ing the effects of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) invasion. Methods:Real-time polymerase chain reaction was employed to de-tect the expression of MALAT1 in samples of OSCC post-radical resection, normal oral mucosa samples, and oral squamous cell lines. MALAT1-siRNA was transfected into TSCCa human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. Cell proliferation was determined by methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium reduction assay. Cell migration and invasive ability were evaluated by scratch test and transwell assay. The expression of proteins that regulated invasion and apoptosis were examined using Western blot assay. Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect changes in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated proteins in the cells. Tumor-bearing nude mouse models were established by subcutaneous implantation of TSCCa cells. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect up-regulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 (MMP-2/9). Results:MALAT1 expression was significantly higher in OSCC than in normal tissues (P<0.05). MALAT1 expression was inhibited by transfecting MALAT1-siRNA. After MALAT1 expres-sion was down-regulated in TSCCa cells, proliferation was inhibited and invasion was attenuated, showing significant differences com-pared with the cells transfected with scrambled siRNA and control cells (P<0.05). Expression of N-cadherin and MMP-2/9 were down-regulated in the cells after MALAT1 was knocked down. Tumor growth was significantly slower in the MALAT1-siRNA group than in the control groups. IHC indicated that PCNA and MMP-2/9 expression of tumor tissues were significantly inhibited in MALAT1-siR-NA group. Conclusion:MALAT1 is over-expressed in human OSCC. MALAT1 reduction can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of OSCC cells. Furthermore, MALAT1 may promote OSCC invasion and metastasis by modulating EMT.

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of needle-tract assisted standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for the treatment of complicated upper urinary tract calculi. Methods: The clinical data of 1 562 patients with complicated upper urinary calculi who received standard PCNL from December 2013 to December 2017 at Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University were retrospectively analyzed. There were large residual stones in 256 patients through B-ultrasound exploration after standard PCNL, could′t be detected with nephoscope in standard PCNL tracts. 16 F mini PCNL tract were established in 120 cases for treatment of residual stones, while needle-tract were established in order to guide nephroscope to find residual stones in 126 cases. Needle-tract were transferred to 16 F mini PCNL tract for treatment of residual stones in 10 patients if these residual stones could′t be detected through needle-tract. Operation time, change of hemoglobin level after operation, incidence of postoperative complications, time of hospitalization and rate of stone clearance were measured in two groups. The statistical methods used included t test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and χ² test. Results: There were 1 to 3 mini tracts (M(Q_R): 1(1)) established in the mini tracts group and 1 to 7 needle-tracts (M(Q_R): 3(2)) established in the needle-tract group (Z=-10.57, P=0.000). Compared with mini tract group, the operation time ((62.0±18.0) minutes vs. (84.0±15.5) minutes, t=10.242, P=0.000), hospitalization time ((4.40±0.86) days vs. (5.20±0.81) days, t=7.570, P=0.049), hemoglobin dropped ((1.31±0.47) g/L vs. (2.74±0.63) g/L, t=20.12, P=0.000), and incidence of postoperative complications (7.9% (10/126) vs. 19.2% (23/120), χ²=6.674, P=0.01) of needle-tract group were lower, while postoperative stone clearance rate was higher (89.7% vs. 76.7%, χ²=7.497, P=0.006). No perioperative severe complications such as pleural injury, pneumatothorax, perforation of renal, trauma of abdominal organ occurred in two groups. Conclusion Needle-tract assisted standard PCNL for the treatment of complicated upper urinary calculi can significantly improve stone clearance rate, reduce operation time, decrease risk of kidney and surrounding organs damage.

Objective: To investigate the effect of caffeine citrate administering at different time on outcome and neurodevelopment of premature infants. Methods: A total of 113 preterm infants with gestational age less than 32 weeks and birth weight less than 1 500 g who were hospitalized and treated in the neonatal intensive care unit from January 2018 to June 2018 were enrolled.According to the time when caffeine citrate treatment was started, they were divided into early treatment group(≤1 days) with 53 infants and late treatment group(1 to 10 days) with 60 infants.A retrospective analysis was performed for their clinical data.The perinatal conditions, treatment process and clinical outcomes of the two groups were compared and the neurological development was followed up at 12 months old. Results: Compared with the late treatment group, the early treatment group had a significantly shorter durations of mechanical ventilation time, oxygen therapy time, hospitalization days and a significantly lower incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosusand intraventricular hemorrhage or periventricular leukomalacia, and there were significant differences between two groups(P<0.05, respectively). The neonatal behavioral neurological assessment score in the early treatment group was higher than that in the late treatment group at 40 weeks of gestational age, and there was significant difference between two groups(P<0.05). The mental developmental index at 3 months of corrected age, the mental developmental index and psychomotor developmental index at 12 months were significantly better in the early treatment group than those in the late treatment group, and there were significant differences between two groups(P<0.05, respectively). Conclusion Early use of caffeine citrate can improve the outcome of premature infants and improve the prognosis of nervous system.

By consulting the relevant literature and historical herbal literature,the name,origin and harvesting,efficacy and indications,as well as nature,taste,and meridians of Bunge pricklyash seed were reviewed."Jiaomu"as a medicinal herb name was first recorded in the"Compendium of Materia Medica Annotations",and later generations also used"Jiaomu"as a proper name.Bunge pricklyash seeds are the seeds of the Rutaceae plant Sichuan Bunge pricklyash seed or green Bunge pricklyash seed.They are harvested when they mature in autumn from August to October,and can be processed by net,stir-frying or salt.It can promote diuresis and reduce swelling,treat kidney deficiency and tinnitus,and is mainly used to treat bloating in the abdomen.It is non-toxic or slightly toxic.This article traced the origin of Bunge pricklyash seed,studied the history of medicine,clarified the original traditional Chinese medicine properties of Bunge pricklyash seed,and provided scientific basis for the correct clinical use and the national formulation of quality standards for this herb.

Ferritin is widely present in various organisms and is responsible for storing excess iron to maintain iron balance in vivo.Due to its inherent targeting ability,natural cavity structure,reversible self-assembly,high biocompatibility,and easy modification,ferritin is considered to be an ideal delivery system,which is widely used in many fields.This review summarizes the biological characteristics,functionalization,drug loading strategies,research progress and application prospects of ferritin-based nanocarrier systems in biomedical fields,such as drug delivery,biocatalysis,photodynamic therapy,medical imaging and vaccine research,aiming to provide some reference for related biomedical research based on ferritin delivery systems.

Objective To analyze the concordance of KRAS, NRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA gene mutations detected in plasma and matched tumor tissues in colorectal cancer patients, in order to provide good evidences to support plasma could be a potential surrogate of tumor tissue for gene mutation test. Methods One hundred and seventy?five cases of colorectal cancer were collected at the First Hospital of Jilin University, from October 2016 to October 2017.There were 101 males and 74 females, their ages ranged from 28 to 85 years,with median age of 59 years. The KRAS, NRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA gene mutations in the plasma and paired tumor specimens of all patients were detected by next generation sequencing. Results The results of tissue samples test were gold standard. Comparison of the four genes showed that concordance rates between plasma and tissue samples were 81.1%(Kappa=0.543), 99.4%(Kappa=0.886), 99.4% (Kappa=0.886) and 97.7%(Kappa=0.714) respectively for KRAS, NRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA. The plasma detection rates of these genes were related to tumor stage(P=0.001), but not to gender(P=0.468) and age(P=1.000) of patients. Conclusions The study shows a high concordance of KRAS, NRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA gene mutations in plasma against mutation status in tumor tissue. In colorectal cancer, tumor tissue remains the best specimen for gene detection. However, patients from tumor tissue specimens cannot be obtained, especially those with advanced metastases, plasma can be used instead of tissue to detect the mutation status of KRAS, NRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA to guide targeted therapy.

Alzheimer's disease(AD),the most common progressive neurodegenerative disease in dementia,is also a special lipid disease.From the perspective of modern medicine,cholesterol homeostasis is an important risk factor for AD.Amyloid-beta plaque deposition,neurofibrillary tangles,and large amount of lipid granule accumulation are typical pathological features of AD.From the perspective of TCM,turbidity is the key to the pathogenesis of AD.Phlegm turbid,stasis turbid and turbid toxin are the concrete derivation of turbidity,which are the standard of AD.Cholesterol is the greasy lipid which is produced from of the essence of water and food,the disturbance of cholesterol homeostasis is a typical embodiment of the pathogenesis mechanism of endogenous turbidity.Regulating cholesterol homeostasis by traditional Chinese medicine may be a new direction for the treatment of AD in the future.Focusing on the modern research of cholesterol homeostasis,taking the theory of turbidity as the starting point,this paper analyzed the correlation between the connotation of turbidity theory and the imbalance of cholesterol homeostasis as well as the pathogenesis mechanism,and further elucidated the clinical application results in the treatment of AD from the aspects of phlegm turbid,stasis turbid and turbid toxin,so as to better guide clinical practice and scientific research.

Squamous cell carcinoma, which originates from squamous epithelium or tissue that undergoes squamous epithelial metaplasia, is one of the most common pathological types of solid human carcinoma. Although squamous cell carcinoma can occur in different anatomical locations, its pathogenesis has commonalities and distinctive features. Genetic mutations and abnormal expression of squamous differentiation markers, epigenetic modifications regulating target gene expression, and tumor microenvironment inducing immune escape of cancer cells are all involved in the development of squamous cell carcinoma. At present, great progress has been made in the research on the pathogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma. This article, combined with relevant research in recent years, reviews the pathogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma in terms of genome changes, epigenetic changes, non coding RNA regulation, tumor microenvironment changes and risk factor induction, so as to provide reference for the prevention and treatment of squamous cell carcinoma.

Chronic venous insufficiency(CVI), a prevalent condition within vascular surgery, displays marked variation in prevalence in the world. The management of CVI poses a significant challenge to healthcare systems and profoundly impacts patients′ well-being, warranting heightened attention. Current therapeutic approaches to CVI encompass both non-surgical and surgical interventions. Non-surgical treatments aim to alleviate symptoms through compression and medication, while surgical methods focus on repairing or removing diseased veins to restore normal blood flow. However, the effectiveness of existing treatments remains suboptimal, necessitating further research and the exploration of novel therapeutic schedule. This review article delves into the attributes and characteristics of current treatment modalities for lower extremity venous insufficiency and speculates on potential future trends in management.