Objective: To explore the influence of body mass index (BMI) on postoperative complications and survival in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) using propensity score matched (PSM) methods. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 533 patients with ESCC who were admitted for thoracic surgery in Shandong Provincial Hospital, between January 2011 and December 2012. After conducting PSM methods to balance the covariates, the incidence of postoperative complications and sur-vival rate were compared between the two groups. The effects of BMI on postoperative complications and survival were analyzed with multivariate Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard analyses, respectively. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Mei-er curves and Log-rank test. Results: After adjusting the PSM and confounding variables, the two groups were well matched (146 pa-tients each) without significant differences in baseline characteristics. The incidence of wound infection and respiratory system compli-cations in the H-BMI group (BMI≥25 kg/m2) were significantly higher than those in the N-BMI group (18.5-25 kg/m2) (P<0.05). H-BMI was an independent risk factor for wound infection and respiratory system complications. In the present study, no significant differ-ence was observed in the 3-year overall survival between H-BMI and N-BMI patients (54.1% vs. 47.8%, P=0.212). Patients with H-BMI had significantly better 5-year overall survival than those with N-BMI (39% vs. 25%, P=0.016). The subgroup analysis showed that pa-tients with H-BMI had a better overall survival than those with N-BMI in stages Ⅰ-Ⅱ (47.3% vs. 29.0%, P=0.032). However, this difference was not significant when patients were stratified into stages Ⅲ and Ⅳ (24.5% vs. 16.7%, P=0.393). Conclusions: H-BMI appears not to decrease the overall survival of patients with ESCC. Therefore, ESCC in patients with H-BMI can receive surgical treatment safely, but proper intraoperative management and close postoperative monitoring should be performed.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of peer support interventions on exclusive breastfeeding among primiparous women. Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reportedthe effectiveness of peer support interventions on exclusive breastfeeding among primiparous women were retrieved in several electronic databases. Data were analyzed using RevMan 5.3 software after quality assessment and data extraction. Results A total of 9 RCTs which included 1435 patients were incorporated in this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that peer support interventions could increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding(OR=2.84, 95％CI2.22-3.64, P<0.01), increase duration of exclusive breastfeeding(WMD=43.66, 95％CI28.04-59.27, P<0.01). Subgroup analysis showed that peer support increased the rate of exclusive breastfeeding atone month(OR=1.84,95％CI1.24-2.73, P<0.01), three months(OR=2.28, 95％CI1.67-3.12, P<0.01)and six months(OR=3.42,95％CI2.46-4.76, P<0.01) of postpartum. Conclusions Peer support interventions could increase exclusive breastfeeding rate and duration of exclusive breastfeeding. It is worth being popularized.

Renal cell carcinoma is one of the ten multiple cancers, and its incidence rate and mortality rate have been increasing in more than 20 years. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common histopathological subtype. Cyclic ribonucleic acids (circRNAs) are noncoding ribonucleic acids, which are widely distributed with diverse cellular functions and have organ- and tissue-specific expression patterns. Recent studies have shown that circRNAs are abnormally expressed in ccRCC and play an important role in the occurrence and development of ccRCC. However, there are few researches and related mechanisms of circRNAs regulating the biological behavior of ccRCC. Therefore, the paper mainly describes the research progress of circRNAs regulating the biological behavior of ccRCC and discusses its potential as a biomarker for early diagnosis and prognosis of ccRCC and targeted therapy.

Objective:To investigate the changes in adaptive phenotypes of Yersinia pestis ( Yp) during successive passages in macrophages. Methods:A Yp strain of 201-MI was induced by 50 successive passages of Yp 201 strain in Raw264.7 cells. Phenotypic characteristics of 201 and 201-MI strains were compared by analyzing their survival rates in macrophages, growth curves, biofilm formation abilities, acid and hydrogen peroxide-stress tolerance, and virulence to mammal cells (Raw264.7 and HeLa cells) and mice. Results:Comparing with 201 strain, 201-MI strain showed various phenotypic changes, including higher survival rate in Raw264.7 cells, faster growth in iron-deficient medium, higher tolerance to acid and hydrogen peroxide, decreased biofilm formation ability, and less damages to Raw264.7 and HeLa cells. More-over, 201-MI strain showed decreased virulence to mice in both subcutaneous and intraperitoneal challenges. Preliminary comparative genomics analysis revealed some indel and nonsense mutations in 201-MI strain, which might account for its phenotype changes.Conclusions:After successive passages in macrophages, Yp showed some phenotypic changes, which might reflect its adaptive evolution under the pressure of macrophages. Detailed multi-omics analysis would be of great help to understand the underlying genetic mechanisms of these changes, and the related Yp-macrophage interaction processes as well.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of evodiamine(Evo)on atopic dermatitis(AD)in rat models by regulating the cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP)/protein kinase A(PKA)/cAMP response ele-ment binding protein(CREB)signaling pathway.Methods A rat model of AD was established by administration of multiple doses of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene(DNCB).The animals were randomly divided into AD group,Evo-low-dose(Evo-L,5 mg/kg)group,Evo-high-dose(Evo-H,10 mg/kg)group,Evo-H+H-89(5 mg/kg)group and dexamethasone(0.1 mg/kg)group.Normal rats were used as the control group and then the degree of skin damage of rats in each group was scored.Abdominal blood was taken to detect the levels of interleukin-4(IL-4),cAMP,and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in serum;Skin lesion tissue was collected to detect pathological change,counting of mast cells,PKA/CREB related protein expression and expression of IL-4 and TNF-α mRNA in the tissue.Results Compared with control group,the level of cAMP in serum,the expression of p-PKA/PKA,and p-CREB/CREB in skin lesions of AD group were reduced,the severity score of skin lesions,level of IL-4 and TNF-α,epidermal thickness,number of mast cells and mRNA expression of IL-4 and TNF-α in skin lesion tissues were all significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with AD group,the level of cAMP in serum,the expression of p-PKA/PKA,and p-CREB/CREB in skin lesions in Evo-L group,Evo-H group,and dexamethasone group were increased,the severity score of skin lesions,level of IL-4 and TNF-α,epidermal thickness,number of mast cells,and mRNA expression of IL-4 and TNF-α in skin lesion tissues all reduced(P＜0.05).Compared with the Evo-H group,the level of cAMP in serum,the expression of p-PKA/PKA,and p-CREB/CREB in skin lesions in Evo-H+H-89 group was reduced and the severity score of skin lesion,level of IL-4 and TNF-α,epidermal thickness,num-ber of mast cells,and mRNA expression of IL-4 and TNF-α in skin lesion tissues significantly increased(P＜0.05).Conclusions Evo inhibits inflammatory response and pathological damage through regulation of cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway in AD rat models.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy in optimizing painless transesophageal echocardiography in elderly patients.Methods:Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅱ patients, regardless of gender, aged 60-75 yr, with body mass index of 18.5-23.9 kg/m 2, were randomized into 2 groups ( n=30 each) by a random number table method: group HFNC and conventional ventilation group (group C). Pure oxygen 10 L/min was inhaled for 3 min preoxygenation using the HFNC device in group HFNC. Group C inhaled pure oxygen at 6 L/min for 3 min preoxygenation via a nasal cannula. Sufentanil 0.1 μg/kg and remazolam 0.25-0.30 mg/kg were intravenously injected in turn. Group HFNC was connected to a high-flow humidification oxygen therapy device and inhaled pure oxygen at 60 L/min (37℃, FiO 2 100%). The flow rate of pure oxygen was maintained at 6 L/min (FiO 2 100 %) in group C. The patients were placed in left lateral decubitus position, esophageal ultrasound was performed after the eyelash reflex disappeared, and remazolam 0.1 mg/kg was intravenously injected intermittently when bucking and body movement were induced by operation stimulation. The occurrence of hypoxia-related adverse events, mandibular intervention and ventilation-related adverse events was observed during examination. The operation time, time of emergence from anesthesia and consumption of remazolam were recorded. Results:Compared with group C, the incidence of severe hypoxia and rate of mandibular intervention were significantly decreased (7%/0 and 53%/17%, P<0.05), the lowest intraoperative SpO 2 was increased ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the operation time, time of emergence from anesthesia and consumption of remazolam in group HFNC ( P>0.05). No ventilation-related adverse events occurred in both groups. Conclusions:HFNC can markedly optimize the ventilation management of elderly patients undergoing painless transesophageal echocardiography.

Objective:To improve understanding of autosomal dominant Coffin-Siris syndrome(CSS) caused by ARID2 variant via analyzing the clinical manifestations and genetic characteristics of this rare disease. Methods:Whole-exome sequencing was performed in a patient with CSS and her parents in Children′s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, and genotype and phenotype were further analyzed.Results:The 2-month-old girl was admitted to hospital due to repeated vomiting for more than a month and one-time vaginal bleeding. She presented with severe malnutrition, special facial features, premature development of bilateral breasts, hymen protrusion, and vaginal bleeding. Gene sequencing revealed a de novo heterozygous frameshift mutation(c.1919delC, p. P640Lfs*7) in ARID2 gene, and no variant identified with her parents. It has been reported that the clinical manifestations of CSS caused by ARID2 variant are heterogeneous varing, mainly characterized by growth retardation, mental retardation, and feeding difficulties, accompanied by skeletal deformities, behavioral abnormalities, and visual impairment. Endocrine abnormalities are seldomly reported.Conclusion:For patients presenting growth retardation, special facial features, feeding difficulties, and unexplained vaginal bleeding, rare genetic syndrome should be considered and genetic testing be carried out. This is a novel variant(c.1919delC, p.P640Lfs*7) in ARID2.

Bone age can objectively reflect the human body growth and accurately assess the physical development level.Bone age assessment plays an important role in the growth and development, disease diagnosis and the monitoring of therapeutic efficacy in children and adolescents.In recent years, the artificial intelligence technology has been developed continuously.Applying artificial intelligence technology is expected to realize the automatic assessment of bone age.At present, the artificial intelligence technology of bone age assessment is mainly based on the deep learning (DL) algorithm.Although there have been many research on DL and bone age assessment, most are still in the experimental stage.This study reviews the research and progress of artificial intelligence technology based on DL applied to bone age assessment, aiming to provide reference and research ideas for relevant staff.

Polyethylene (PE) is the most abundantly used synthetic resin and one of the most resistant to degradation, and its massive accumulation in the environment has caused serious pollution. Traditional landfill, composting and incineration technologies can hardly meet the requirements of environmental protection. Biodegradation is an eco-friendly, low-cost and promising method to solve the plastic pollution problem. This review summarizes the chemical structure of PE, the species of PE degrading microorganisms, degrading enzymes and metabolic pathways. Future research is suggested to focus on the screening of high-efficiency PE degrading strains, the construction of synthetic microbial consortia, the screening and modification of degrading enzymes, so as to provide selectable pathways and theoretical references for PE biodegradation research.
Polyethylene/metabolism* ; Bacteria/metabolism* ; Plastics/metabolism* ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; Microbial Consortia