Objective To investigate the correlation of the 24?hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure (SBP) and carotid intima?media thickness(CIMT) in the elderly. Methods A total of 2 464 who were more than or equal to 60 years old participants were selected with random sampling in accordance with the inclusion criteria from the retired workers in Tangshan Kailuan Company. Dynamic blood pressure monitoring, neck vascular ultrasound and other examination were performed for the participants. . Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to analyze correlation between the SBP of 24?hour, daytime and nightime with CIMT, respectively. Results ( 1) The observation population was divided into three groups according to the tertiles of SBP of 24?hour, daytime and nightime, respectively. With the levels of different SBPs inceasing, CIMT values thickened markedly ( P<0. 01 ) . ( 2 ) Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding factors,the SBP of 24?hour,daytime and nightime associated with CIMT positively and linearly(P<0. 05),and regression coefficient(95%CI) were 0. 022(0. 009-0. 035), 0. 021(0. 008-0. 035), 0. 019 ( 0. 006-0. 032) respectively. In addition,clinic SBP step into the multivariable linear regression,and regression coefficient ( 95%CI ) were 0. 016 ( 0. 003-0. 029 ) , 0. 016 ( 0. 003-0. 030 ) , 0. 019 ( 0. 007-0. 032 ) , respectively. Conclusion The effect of increased 24?hour ambulatory SBP on CIMT was greater than the clinic SBP. Active monitoring of 24 h ambulatory blood pressure and maintaining a low level of blood pressure is essential for preventing and delaying atherosclerosis.

Objective To evaluate the inhibitory effect of geniposide on the oxidative damage to in vitro cultured human melanocytes,and to explore the role of PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in this inhibitory effect.Methods Epidermal melanocytes were isolated from the circumcised foreskin of healthy adolescent males,and then subjected to culture.Melanocytes at passage 2-3 were divided to six groups:control group receiving no treatment,geniposide group treated with 125 μmol/L geniposide alone,LY294002 group treated with 5 μmol/L LY294002 alone,H2O2 group treated with 250 μmol/L H2O2 alone,geniposide + H2O2 group firstly treated with 125 μmol/L geniposide for 24 hours followed by 4-hour treatment with 250 μmol/L H2O2,and geniposide + LY294002 + H2O2 group treated with 125 μmol/L geniposide for 24 hours,then with 5 μmol/L LY294002 for 1 hour,followed by 4-hour treatment with 250 μmol/L H2O2.After the above treatment,methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was performed to evaluate the cellular proliferative activity,Western blot analysis to determine the protein expression of Akt,phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt),heme oxygenase1 (HO-1) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx-1),and flow cytometry to detect the level of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS),and biochemical methods were used to evaluate the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT).Statistical analysis was carried out by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for intergroup comparison,and Student-Newman-Keuls-q (SNK-q) test for multiple com-parisons.Results Compared with the control group,the H2O2 group showed significantly decreased cellular proliferative activity (P ＜ 0.01),protein expression of p-Akt (P ＜ 0.01),HO-1 (P ＜ 0.01) and GPx-1 (P ＜ 0.05),SOD activity (P ＜ 0.01) and CAT activity (P ＜ 0.01),but significantly increased ROS level (P ＜ 0.01).Compared with the H2O2 group,the geniposide + H2O2 group showed significantly increased cellular proliferative activity (72.98％ ± 8.92％ vs.50.53％ ± 10.85％,P ＜ 0.05),up-regulated protein expression of p-Akt (P ＜ 0.05),HO-1 (P ＜ 0.01) and GPx-1 (P ＜ 0.01),increased SOD activity (6.82 ±1.03 U/mg vs.1.29 ± 0.43 U/mg,P ＜ 0.05) and CAT activity (46.08 ± 4.16 U/mg vs.18.71 ± 3.09 U/mg,P ＜0.05),but decreased ROS level (1 284.33 ± 110.64 vs.2 158.00 ± 222.75,P ＜ 0.01).The proliferative activity of melanocytes was significantly lower in the geniposide + LY294002 + H2O2 group (44.35％ ±14.85％) than in the geniposide + H2O2 group (P ＜ 0.05).In addition,the geniposide + LY294002 + H2O2 group showed significantly decreased protein expression of p-Akt (P ＜ 0.01),HO-1 (P ＜ 0.05) and GPx-1 (P ＜ 0.01),SOD (1.31 ± 0.65 U/mg,P ＜ 0.05) and CAT activity (23.25 ± 5.56 U/mg,P ＜ 0.05),but significantly increased ROS level (1 668.00 ± 62.03,P ＜ 0.05)compared with the geniposide + H2O2 group.Conclusion Through the PI3K-Akt pathway,geniposide can promote the protein expression of HO-1 and GPx-1 in melanocytes,enhance SOD and CAT activity,and antagonize the oxidative damage of melanocytes.

Purpose/Significance To analyze the characteristics of organ representation of anatomical ontologies,and to provide ref-erences for the research and construction of ontology in other fields.Method/Process The similarities and differences of three mainstream anatomical ontologies of SNOMED CT(SCT),Uberon and the foundational model of anatomy ontology(FMA)in terms of organ classifi-cation methods and term mapping are compared.Result/Conclusion Among the three main types of anatomical ontologies,SCT and Uberon are mainly classified according to the function of organs,while FMA is mainly classified according to the anatomical morphology of organs.The concept of organs in FMA and Uberon is the same as the concept of entire organs in SCT,and the representation forms of paired organs in SCT,Uberon and FMA are similar.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of propofol on proliferation of neural stem cells (NSCs) in mice and the role of specificity protein-1 (Sp-1)-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway.Methods:Primary NSCs harvested from both the cortices and hippocampus of C57BL/6 mouse embryos were identified by immunofluorescent staining of Nestin.NSCs at passages 3-6 were divided into 3 groups ( n=21 each) using a random number table method: normal saline control group (C group), propofol group (P group) and propofol plus Sp1 inhibitor plicamycin group (PP group). Propofol at a final concentration of 10 μmol/L was added in group P. Propofol at a final concentration of 10 μmol/L and plicamycin at a final concentration of 100 nmol/L were added in group PP.The equal volume of normal saline was added in group C. The medium was replaced after 6 h of incubation and the cells were continuously incubated.The proliferation of NSCs was assessed by direct cell counting at 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 h after the end of treatment with drugs.At 6 h after the end of treatment with drugs, the expression of Sp1 and EGFR mRNA was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and the expression of Sp1, Akt and phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) by Western blot. Results:Compared with group C, the count of NSCs was significantly increased at 48, 60 and 72 h after treatment with drugs, and the expression of EGFR mRNA, Sp1 protein and mRNA and p-Akt was up-regulated in group P ( P<0.05 or 0.01), and no significant change was found in each parameter in group PP ( P>0.05). Compared with group P, the count of NSCs was significantly decreased at 48 and 60 h after treatment with drugs, and the expression of EGFR protein and mRNA and p-Akt was down-regulated in group PP ( P<0.05 or 0.01). Conclusions:Propofol can promote the proliferation of NSCs, and the mechanism may be related to activation of Sp1-EGFR-Akt signaling pathway in mice.

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic and predictive value of ultrasonic cardiac output monitor (USCOM) in premature infants with hemodynamic significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA).Methods:A total of 165 preterm infants with gestational age less than 34 weeks and within 72 hours after birth in the Neonatal Medical Center of Children′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2018 to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the echocardiograph (ECHO) results within 72 hours after birth, clinical manifestations and oral administration of Ibuprofen, premature infants were divided into non-patent ductus arteriosus (non-PDA group, 77 cases), non-hsPDA group (59 cases), and hsPDA group (29 cases). USCOM was performed within half of an hour after ECHO.During the course of oral medication of Ibuprofen in the hsPDA group, USCOM was repeatedly examined every 24 hours.ECHO and USCOM were re-examined within 24 hours after the course of oral medication of ibuprofen.Results:Compared with non-hsPDA group and non-PDA group, the gestational age [(31.51±1.62) weeks, (32.09±1.27) weeks vs.(30.82±1.61) weeks, F=8.425, P<0.001], birth weight [(1 154.49±192.55) g, (1 195.58±182.02) g vs.(1 094.66±153.69) g, F=3.366, P=0.037] and the mean blood pressure [(38.37±2.20) mmHg, (38.53±2.37) mmHg vs.(30.52±2.31) mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa, F=142.860, P<0.001]were significantly lower in hsPDA group.On the contrary, the heart rate[(129.68±7.11) times/min, (130.34±7.27) times/min vs.(164.76±7.65) times/min, F=271.790, P<0.001], B-type natriuretic peptide[(203.76±108.68) ng/L, (152.43±54.24) ng/L vs.(3 385.31±856.26) ng/L, F=931.30, P<0.001] and left artrium/aorta (1.32±0.12, 1.29±0.09 vs.1.60±0.12, F=84.970, P<0.001)were significantly higher.Among the USCOM parameters, left ventricular cardiac output [(0.40±0.08) L/min, (0.40±0.08) L/min vs.(0.51±0.04) L/min, F=26.760, P<0.001], cardiac index (CI) [(3.76±0.48) L/(min·m 2), (3.54±0.30) L/(min·m 2) vs.(4.43±0.36) L/(min·m 2), F=56.060, P<0.001], stroke volume[(3.75±0.28) mL, (3.70±0.23) mL vs.(4.22±0.36)mL, F=40.170, P<0.001], stroke volume index [(34.42±2.66) mL/m 2, (34.47±3.29) mL/m 2vs.(38.45±3.32) mL/m 2, F=20.080, P<0.001], peak ejection velocity [(1.12±0.12) m/s, (1.11±0.10) m/s vs.(1.23±0.09) m/s, F=14.890, P<0.001] and corrected flow time [(379.02±22.69) ms, (376.51±27.95) ms vs.(403.69±39.04) ms, F=10.120, P<0.001]were significantly higher in hsPDA group, while systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) [(1 109.49±115.67) ds·cm -5·m 2, (1 070.01±133.55) ds·cm -5·m 2vs.(861.31±115.22) ds cm -5m 2, F=41.130, P<0.001]was significantly lower than that of non-hsPDA and non-PDA group.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of CI and SVRI for predicting hsPDA were 0.916 and 0.905, respectively.The sensitivity and specificity of CI>4.05 L/(min·m 2) for predicting hsPDA was 0.828 and 0.860, respectively, which was 0.660 and 1.000 for SVRI<1 002.5 ds·cm -5·m 2.The sensitivity and specificity of combining CI and SVRI for predicting hsPDA was 0.966 and 0.949, respectively. Conclusions:USCOM has a good diagnostic and predictive value for hsPDA in premature infants.The combined application of CI and SVRI can improve the predictive value, and help formulate the early diagnostic and treatment strategy for PDA in premature infants

The clinical data of a newborn with Kleefstra syndrome combined with SLC2A1 gene mutation in the Department of Newborn Infants, Children′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were retrospectively analyzed.The laboratory examination, genetic characteristics, diagnosis and treatment progress were analyzed.This is the first report of a newborn with Kleefstra syndrome combined with SLC2A1 gene mutation, presenting with an early-onset epilepsy.Gene analysis is the most reliable method to make a definitive diagnosis.

Objective:To study the risk factors of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) in extremely preterm infants (EPI).Method:From July 2017 to April 2020, EPI (gestational age <28 weeks) admitted to the Department of Neonatology of our hospital were included and analyzed retrospectively. According to whether hsPDA existed or not, the infants were assigned into non-hsPDA group and hsPDA group. Demographic findings and possible risk factors of hsPDA were collected.The cumulative fluid overload (FO) within 3 days after birth was calculated. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to determine the risk factors of hsPDA.Result:A total of 79 infants with gestational age of (27.0±0.9) weeks and birth weight of (987±173)g were enrolled, including 23 cases in non-hsPDA group and 56 cases in hsPDA group. Univariate analysis showed that thrombocytopenia ( P=0.044), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) treated with pulmonary surfactant (PS) ( P=0.006) and high FO level ( P=0.002) were associated with hsPDA. Multivariate analysis showed that RDS treated with PS ( OR=5.933, 95% CI 1.360~25.883, P=0.018) and high FO level ( OR=1.261, 95% CI 1.063~1.496, P=0.008) were independent risk factors for hsPDA in EPIs. ROC curve analysis showed that the cut-off value of FO was -0.2%, with 85.7% sensitivity and 56.5% specificity distinguishing the presence of hsPDA (AUC=0.712, Youden index=0.422). Conclusion:High level of FO within the first 3 days of life and RDS treated with PS are independent risk factors for hsPDA in EPI. After PS treatment, hemodynamic changes of infants with RDS should be monitored closely. During early fluid management of EPI, FO should be strictly monitored to avoid high FO level.

BACKGROUND: Patients with mass-forming pancreatitis (MFP) or pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presented similar clinical symptoms, but required different treatment approaches and had different survival outcomes. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in differentiating MFP from PDAC. METHODS: A literature search was performed in the PubMed, EMBASE (Ovid), Cochrane Library (CENTRAL), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Weipu (VIP), and WanFang databases to identify original studies published from inception to August 20, 2021. Studies reporting the diagnostic performances of CEUS and CECT for differentiating MFP from PDAC were included. The meta-analysis was performed with Stata 15.0 software. The outcomes included the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (+LR), negative likelihood ratio (-LR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves of CEUS and CECT. Meta-regression was conducted to investigate heterogeneity. Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted to indirectly compare the overall diagnostic performance. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies with 2115 pancreatic masses were included. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of CEUS for MFP were 82% (95% confidence interval [CI], 73%-88%; I2  = 0.00%) and 95% (95% CI, 90%-97%; I2  = 63.44%), respectively; the overall +LR, -LR, and DOR values were 15.12 (95% CI, 7.61-30.01), 0.19 (95% CI, 0.13-0.29), and 78.91 (95% CI, 30.94-201.27), respectively; and the area under the SROC curve (AUC) was 0.90 (95% CI, 0.87-92). However, the overall sensitivity and specificity of CECT were 81% (95% CI, 75-85%; I2  = 66.37%) and 94% (95% CI, 90-96%; I2  = 74.87%); the overall +LR, -LR, and DOR values were 12.91 (95% CI, 7.86-21.20), 0.21 (95% CI, 0.16-0.27), and 62.53 (95% CI, 34.45-113.51), respectively; and, the SROC AUC was 0.92 (95% CI, 0.90-0.94). The overall diagnostic accuracy of CEUS was comparable to that of CECT for the differential diagnosis of MFP and PDAC (relative DOR 1.26, 95% CI [0.42-3.83], P  > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS CEUS and CECT have comparable diagnostic performance for differentiating MFP from PDAC, and should be considered as mutually complementary diagnostic tools for suspected focal pancreatic lesions.
Humans ; Contrast Media ; Bayes Theorem ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods* ; Pancreatic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/diagnostic imaging* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Pancreatitis/diagnostic imaging* ; Ultrasonography/methods*