Objective To analyze the distribution characteristics and influencing factors of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in elderly population in order to direct the early diagnosis and prevention of arteriosclerosis in the elderly.Methods A total of 927 cases of elderly residents were randomly selected from 19 villages in Shengze area,Jiangsu Province.The indexes such as age,gender,height,weight,waist circumference,hip circumference and blood pressure were collected through standardized questionnaire and physical examination.The biochemical indicators including serum bilirubin,creatinine,uric acid,fasting blood glucose and blood lipids were measured,and baPWV was tested by automatic arteriosclerosis measurement system.Results The differences in age,systolic blood pressure,heart rate,serum bilirubin,creatinine,uric acid,triglycerides levels and baPWV were statistically significant between the male and female (all P＜0.05).BaPWV rised with the increase of age.Overall,baPWV was faster in the female than in male (P＜0.01).Blood pressure (r=0.36,0.59,P＜0.001),age (r=0.26,0.30,P＜0.001) and heart rate (r=0.30,0.33,P＜ 0.001) were correlated with baPWV,while uric acid had a correlation with baPWV (r=0.12,0.21,P＜0.01).A correlation was found between total cholesterol and baPWV (r=0.09,0.11,P＜0.05) Multi-variable linear stepwise regression analysis showed that systolic blood pressure,heart rate and age were the influencing factors for baPWV,of which systolic blood pressure had the greatest influence on baPWV (β＞0.5,P＜0.001).Conclusions With the increase of age,the baPWV shows rising trend.The monitor of baPWV may be useful in the elderly,especially in females.Blood pressure control,especially the control of systolic blood pressure can slow the progression of atherosclerosis.

Objective:To investigate mechanisms underlying the signal crosstalk of VEGF-IL-6-STAT3 between cutaneous melanoma cells and vascular endothelial cells.Methods:EC-304 vascular endothelial cells were divided into 3 groups: control group cultured in conventional endothelial cell-conditioned medium, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) group cultured in endothelial cell-conditioned medium containing 50 μg/L VEGF 165, A375 co-culture group co-cultured with a melanoma cell line A375. After 24-, 48- and 72-hour treatment, the culture medium was collected, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect the level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) . Cultured A375 cells were divided into 4 groups: control group receiving conventional culture in Dulbecco′s modified Eagle′s medium (DMEM) , A375+ EC-304 group co-cultured with EC-304 cells, A375+ EC-304+ IL-6 group co-cultured with EC-304 cells in DMEM containing 50 μg/L IL-6 (an agonist of the signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 [STAT3] pathway) , A375+ EC-304+ JSI-124 group co-cultured with EC-304 cells in DMEM containing 1 μmol/L JSI-124 (a STAT3 pathway inhibitor) . After 24-, 48- and 72-hour treatment, cells were collected, and Western blot analysis, cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay and Transwell invasion assay were performed to determine the protein expression of STAT3 and phosphorylated (p) -STAT3, cellular proliferative activity and invasive activity, respectively. Two-way analysis of variance and t test were used for statistical analysis. Results:The level of IL-6 significantly increased in the culture medium of EC-304 cells in the VEGF group and A375 co-culture group compared with the control group ( FVEGF = 29.63, P < 0.001; FA375 = 11.09, P = 0.020) . Compared with the control group, the A375+ EC-304 group showed significantly enhanced protein expression of p-STAT3 in A375 cells ( P < 0.001) , increased cell activity ( P < 0.001) , and increased number of invasive cells (152.66 ± 16.04 vs. 86.13 ± 7.24, t= 4.43, P < 0.001) ; compared with the A375+ EC-304 group, the A375+ EC-304+ IL-6 group showed significantly increased protein expression of p-STAT3 ( P < 0.001) , enhanced cell activity ( P < 0.001) , and increased number of invasive cells (187.34 ± 14.38, t= 2.17, P < 0.001) ; compared with the A375+ EC-304 group, the A375+ EC-304+ JSI-124 group showed significantly decreased protein expression of p-STAT3 ( P < 0.001) , decreased cell activity ( P < 0.001) , and decreased number of invasive cells (124.92 ± 8.72, t=-1.86, P < 0.001) . Conclusion:There is a signal crosstalk of VEGF-IL-6-STAT3 between cutaneous melanoma cells and vascular endothelial cells, which may play an important role in the proliferation and invasion of A375 cells.

Objective To observe the implementation of national food safety standard for “Iodine Concentration in Edible Salt”(GB 26878-2011) and its effectiveness on iodine nutritional status of key populations. Methods Information of iodine concentration in edible iodized salt of various provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities, including Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps) was collected using Baidu Searching Engine through the establishment of key words. Sal t samples were collected in Tianjin City and Aksu Region of Xinjiang , and the salt iodine concentration in both places was 30 mg/kg. In Tianjin, Hongqiao, Tanggu and Hangu, Beichen were selected as representatives of the downtown areas, the coastal areas and the suburbs, respectively and counties of Baodi and Ji were iodine deficiency areas in history. Sampling work was carried out from August 2012 to March 2013 in Tianjin. In Aksu, Yatuoer Township and Charqi Town in Baicheng County, Aotebeixi and Aketuohai Townships in Wushen County were chosen as iodine deficiency areas, and the survey was carried out from January to September 2013 . Random urine samples of school-age children ( 8 - 10 years old ) , pregnant women and lactating women were collected; urinary iodine was measured following the Method for Determination of Iodine in Urine by As3+-Ce4+ Catalytic Spectrophotometry(WS/T 107-2006) and iodine in edible iodized salt was measured following the General Test Method in Salt Industry Determination of Iodideion ( GB/T 13025 . 7-1999 ) . Results Fourteen of the provinces(autonomous regions and municipalities, including the Corps of Xinjiang) chose 25 mg/kg as their iodine concentration in edible iodized salt and 13 provinces chose 30 mg/kg. Besides, there were another 5 provinces providing 30 mg/kg particularly for pregnant women and lactating women while 25 mg/kg for other populations. In Tianjin, the medians of iodine concentration in edible iodized salt were ranged from 24.4 - 32.1 mg/kg in retail stores and 26.4 mg/kg at households. The household coverage rate of iodized salt and the proportion of households using adequately iodized salt were 78.5%(168/214) and 62.6%(134/214), respectively. The median ranges of urinary iodine were 178.2 - 183.9 μg/L in school children, 124.3 - 130.9 μg/L in pregnant women and 72.7 - 109.5 μg/L in lactating women. In Aksu, the medians of iodine concentration in edible iodized salt were 27.1 and 26.5 mg/kg in retail stores and households, respectively. The household coverage rate of iodized salt and the proportion of households using adequately iodized salt were 100.0% (363/363) and 98.9%(359/363), respectively. The median ranges of urinary iodine were 174.8 - 293.0, 154.9 - 230.0 and 135.8 - 239.3 μg/L among school children, pregnant women and lactating women, respectively. The median of iodine concentration in a special edible iodized salt sample reached 49.1 mg/kg, and qualified rate was 0(0/11) in Aksu. Conclusions All provinces , municipalities and autonomous regions ( including the Corps of Xingjiang ) in China have adjusted the iodine content in edible iodized salt in accordance with GB 26878-2011. However, in Tianjin the household iodine concentration in edible salt is lower than the local standards; the household coverage rate of iodized salt and the proportion of households using adequately iodized salt are lower than the national standards; pregnant women and lactating women are at risk of mild iodine deficiency.

Accurate preoperative staging of gastric cancer is of great significance for choosing an optimal therapeutic schedule and for evaluating the prognosis. Accurate preoperative preparation can avoid unnecessary treatment and help with selecting optimal treat-ment modalities. In recent years, the preoperative staging of gastric cancer has been greatly improved owing to the use of diagnostic methods such as endoscopic ultrasonography, multi-slice spiral computed tomography, positron emission computed tomography, and staging laparoscopy, among other such modalities. However, all diagnostic methods are associated with advantages and limitations. Thus, a combination of various diagnostic modalities is essential for accurate preoperative staging. This paper reviews the research progress in the aforementioned diagnostic methods for preoperative staging.

Objective:To investigate the association between cancer fatalism and optimistic attitudes among colorectal cancer patients, and how the above linkage is moderated by the involvement of patients′ opinions, the family members′ opinions and the physicians′ opinions in treatment decision-making.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 64 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer and awaiting radical colorectal cancer surgery in the Department of General Surgery of Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, from January 2021 to December 2021. There were 38 males and 26 females, aged (61.2±13.0) years from 30 to 84 years. Cancer fatalism, optimism attitudes, and the involvement of patients′ opinions, the family members′ opinions and the physicians′ opinions in treatment decision-making were assessed. The patients′ cancer fatalism beliefs were measured by the " Chance" subscale of the Form C of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC-C), optimism attitudes were assessed by the Chinese version of the revised Life Orientation Test (CLOT-R), and the influence of patients′, family members′, and physicians′ opinions in the medical decision-making process was measured by a self-designed single factor scale. Measurement data of normal distribution were expressed as mean±standard deviation ( ± s). Measurement data of skewed distribution were expressed as M( Q1, Q3). Spearman correlation analysis and Chi-square test was used to examine the association between the main outcome variable (patients′ optimistic attitudes) and demographic and clinical characteristics. Interaction was examined by hierarchical linear regression analysis combined with simple slope tests. Results:Cancer fatalism was negatively associated with patients′ optimistic attitudes ( r=-0.35, P<0.01). Optimistic attitude of patients was significantly and negatively correlated with the influence of family members′ opinions on medical decision-making ( r=-0.25, P<0.05). There were significant positive correlations between the influence of patients′ and family members′ opinions ( r=0.50, P<0.01), family members′ and physicians′ opinions ( r=0.67, P<0.01), and physicians′ and patients′ opinions ( r=0.38, P<0.01) in medical decision making. Hierarchical linear regression analysis showed a negative association between cancer fatalism and optimism ( β=-0.32, P=0.01). This association was further moderated by the involvement of family members′ opinions ( β=-0.56, P<0.01) and the involvement of physicians′ opinions ( β=-0.36, P=0.04) in medical decision-making. Simple slope tests revealed that the negative impact of fatalistic attitudes on patients′ optimism attitudes may be potentiated when family members′ opinions have high influence on medical decision-making, while the negative impact may be buffered to some extent when physicians′ opinions have high influence on medical decision-making. Conclusions:Cancer fatalism had a negative effect on patients′ optimism. The high influence of physicians in treatment decision-making buffered the negative effect of cancer fatalism on optimism; the high influence of family members in treatment decision-making potentiated the negative effect of cancer fatalism on optimism. In the process of doctor-patient communication and shared decision-making, for patients with strong fatalistic attitudes, consideration should be given to appropriately increasing direct informational communication between physicians and patients and reducing excessive family intervention in medical decision-making, so as to enhance patients′ autonomy for treatment, promote optimism, and reduce the negative effects of cancer fatalism.

To compare the diagnostic value between the thyroid imaging reporting and data system ( TIRADS) and ultrasound ( US ) patterns of 2015 American Thyroid Association ( ATA ) guidelines in the differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. 639 patients in Jiangsu province who were scheduled for ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy or thyroidectomy were recruited for the retrospective study. All of them were categorized based on TIRADS and ultrasound patterns of ATA ( 2015 ) guidelines. The receiver operating characteristic curve was established to assess and compare the diagnostic value of the two models. Results:( 1 ) 639 patients with 847 thyroid nodules were included in this study, 510 females and 129 males. The mean age was (46. 77 ±12.98)yearsold. (2)818nodulescouldbeclassifiedaccordingtoTIRADS. ThemalignancyratesofTIRADS2,3, 4A, 4B, 5 were 0, 15. 9%, 49. 1%, 78. 8% ,and 100%, respectively. (3) Ultrasound patterns of ATA could be assigned to 793 nodules. The malignancy rates of nodules with very low, low, intermediate, high suspicion for malignancy were 6. 2%, 10. 3%, 24. 9% and 70. 1%, respectively. (4) Ultrasound patterns of ATA had higher specificity (77. 9%) compared to TIRADS. The sensitivity and area under curve of ultrasound patterns of ATA were lower than those of TIRADS, though, not significant. Ultrasound patterns of ATA(2015) guidelines may yield higher specificity in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules, while TIRADS classification may offer a relatively higher sensitivity and area under curve.

Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the hearing performance of a new transcutaneous bone conduction hearing aid.Methods One hundred and nine patients with conductive or mix hearing loss and eleven patients with single sided sensorineural hearing loss from four tertiary referral centers were tested under unaided and aided conditions with the sound processors on testbands.Free field test was performed to obtain the hearing thresholds and speech recognition thresholds in quiet.Adverse events were also documented by a self-reported questionnaire.Results ①Conductive or mixed hearing loss patients:for aged≥6 yrs subgroup,the bone conduction PTA average of aided sides was 18.55±8.99 dB HL.For aged<6 yrs subgroup, the bone conduction ABR hearing threshold average was 18.33±8.36 dB HL.②Statistically significant improvements in free field hearing thresholds were seen when compared aided hearing with unaided outcomes.The average PTA (pure tone average in free field) was measured at 32.21±10.00, 37.33±14.15, and 34.38±10.76 dB HL respectively in conductive or mixed hearing loss aged≥6 yrs subgroup;aged<6 yrs subgroup and SSD subgroup.③In aided situations;speech recognition thresholds in quiet were significantly better compared to unaided situation in patients aged≥6yrs.④None of patients presented adverse events related to the devices.Conclusion The Sophono bone conduction hearing aid has satisfactory hearing performance and can be considered an alternative device for patients with conductive or mix hearing loss or with SSD.

Objective:To compare and analyze rhizome and main root of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (GRR); To provide the basis of whether removing the rhizome of Ginseng (RG) when processing by checking whole consistency of chromatographic fingerprints from rhizome and main root of GRR.Methods:The chromatographic consistency of different parts of GRR samples was compared using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC); HPLC was used to determine the fingerprint of different parts of GRR, and combining it with the reference substance for common peak identification and similarity analysis; differences were analyzed using principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA).Results:In the HPTLC spectrum, the characteristic spectra of rhizome and main root of GRR and whole GRR were similar, and there was a clear total of 7-9 spots. HPLC fingerprints of RRR presented 13 common peaks, and identified 6 peaks, including ginsenoside Rg1&Re (mixed), Rf, Rb1, Rc, Ro and Rd; the similarity of all samples ranged from 0.842 to 0.993; the differences in peak areas comprehensively contributed to the similarity differences between samples, with head being the main influence; ginsenoside Ro, Rb1 and other six components were differential markers, and the relative content in the head of GRR is significantly higher than that in the main root. Conlusions 　The analysis of differential profiling of chemical constituents showed that the chemical substances are almost the same between the head and the main root. The processing of GRR to remove head will result in the loss of ginsenosides, the overall effective component of GRR. Considering the human and resource costs, it was suggested that the whole root of GRR, instead of removing its rhizome, could be used in classical and traditional prescriptions.

Objective:To compare the effect of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)on pulmonary transplantation(LTx)in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF)complicated with pulmonary hypertension(PH).Methods:From January 2017 to December 2020, clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 112 IPF patients complicated with PH undergoing LTx assisted by venous ECMO(VV-ECMO group, n=68)or venous arterial ECMO(VA-ECMO group, n=44). Gender, age, mechanical ventilation time, oxygenation index, cold ischemic time, preoperative gender, age, smoking history, PO 2, PCO 2, PH degree, NYHA cardiac function grade, right cardiac function, ejection fraction(EF)and complications(hypertension & diabetes)of two groups were compared. Intraoperative approach, operative duration, ECMO transfer time, blood loss, blood transfusion, urine volume, postoperative blood transfusion, mechanical ventilation time, ICU stay time, re-thoracotomy, pulmonary infection, primary graft dysfunction(PGD)and renal insufficiency were recorded. And the effects of two different diversion modes on early postoperative complications and short-term outcomes of LTx were further analyzed by multiple factors. Cox proportional risk model was employed for comparing VV-ECMO and VA-ECMO flow patterns with factors related to recipient survival after transplantation. Results:The preoperative PO 2 of 58.3(51.3, 72.0)mmHg was significantly lower in VV-ECMO bypass group than that of 73.2(63.3, 96.8)mmHg in VA-ECMO group and the difference was statistically significant( P<0.006). Compared with VV-ECMO group, 24(54.5%), 15(34.1%)and 22(50.0%)had NYHA class Ⅲ, severe PH and preoperative right heart enlargement in VA-ECMO group respectively and the differences were statistically significant compared with 17(25.0%), 6(8.8%)and 16(23.5%)in VV-ECMO group( P<0.05 for all). No significant inter-group differences existed in postoperative PGD, postoperative mechanical ventilation time(≥3 d), pulmonary infection, postoperative thoracotomy ratio, postoperative renal insufficiency, ICU stay, hospital stay and other aspects( P>0.05). And 6-month postoperative survival rates of VV-ECMO and VA-ECMO groups were 80.9% and 61.4%, respectively and no significant inter-group difference existed in short-term survival rate(6 months)after adjustment by multivariate Cox regression model( P>0.05). Multivariate statistics indicated that the risk of delayed postoperative withdrawal was 14.452-fold higher in VV-ECMO group than in VA-ECMO group and the inter-group difference was statistically significant(95% CI: 2.448-85.323, P=0.03). Conclusions:No differences exist in postoperative complications or short-term survival rate between IPF recipients with mild PH on VV-ECMO mode and IPF recipients with severe PH on VA-ECMO mode. VV-ECMO flow reversal can delay the transplant back-off time.

Objective:To study the expression of zonula occludens-1(ZO-1) in neonates with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and to explore the effects of disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT), a compound extracted from human milk, on the intestinal barriers in rat model of NEC.Methods:(1) Human study: From Feb 2013 to Dec 2020, the pathological samples of ileum tissue from 21 neonates (12 patients with NEC and 9 with intestinal atresia) from Pathology Department of our hospital were collected. The expressions of ZO-1 in these samples were examined using immunohistochemistry (IHC) method. (2) Animal study: A total of 28 newborn rats were randomly assigned into control group ( n=8), NEC group ( n=10) and DSLNT+NEC group ( n=10). Experimental NEC model was established based on hypoxia (95%N 2 10 min) /cold exposure (4 ℃ 10 min) three times a day for consecutive 3 days. DSLNT+NEC group were fed with formula+DLSNT (300 μmol/L) during hypoxia/cold exposure. All the surviving rats were sacrificed at the end of the experiment (72 h) and the terminal ileum tissues were collected. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining was used to evaluate tissue damage and Western blotting was used to determine the expressions of ZO-1. (3) Cellular study: Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to establish a cellular inflammation model in human intestinal epithelial cell lines (Caco-2) and DSLNT (300 μmol/L) was applied to this model. Thiazolyl blue assay was used to examine cell viabilities and immunofluorescence assay was used to detect ZO-1 expression. The effects of DSLNT on cell growth and tight junctions of Caco-2 cells were analyzed. Results:(1)Human study: The villi of mucous layer of the lesion were damaged in NEC patients. ZO-1 expressions at the epithelial junction of NEC patients were decreased compared with intestinal atresia patients and non-lesion intestines of NEC patients. (2)Animal study: Apical extrusion, necrosis and shedding of epithelial cell were seen at the lesions in NEC group. The expression of ZO-1 in NEC group was significantly lower than the control group and DSNLT+NEC group ( P<0.05).DSNLT+NEC group had higher survival rates (8/10 vs. 6/10) and lower ileum inflammatory pathological scores [2.0(1.0, 2.8) vs. 3.5(3.0, 4.0)] than NEC group. (3) Cellular study: Caco-2 cells exposed to LPS showed inhibited cell growth and decreased ZO-1 immunofluorescence staining. Caco-2 cells in the DSLNT+LPS group showed better viability than LPS group and were comparable with the control group. The expression of ZO-1 was significantly increased in the DSLNT+LPS group. Conclusions:Tight junction injury of the intestinal epithelial cell is an important characteristic of NEC. ZO-1 is a potential target for the prevention and treatment of NEC. DSLNT may protect the neonatal intestines by modulating the expression of ZO-1 and keeping tight junction integrity.