OBJECTIVE： To establish the method for content determination of total flavonoids from Combretum alfrdii， and to optimize the extraction technology of total flavonoids from C. alfrdii. METHODS： Using aluminium trichloride as， chromogenic agent， UV spectrum was adopted to determine the content of total flavonoids from C. alfrdii. Based on single factor test， ethanol volume fraction， material-liquid ratio， extraction time， extraction temperature and times were selected as investigation factors， and the content of total flavonoids was selected as response value， Plackett-Burman design was used to screen the factors that had significant influence on the content of total flavonoidsfrom C. alfrdii. Then steepest climbing test was adopted to confirm the optimum valuing range； the extraction technology of total flavonoids was optimized by Box-Behnken response methodology. RESULTS： The linear range of total flavonoids were 0.012-0.036 mg/mL （r＝0.999 9）； RSDs of precision， stability and repeatability tests were less than 3％； the recovery ranged from 92.98％ to 99.86％ （RSD＝2.71％， n＝6）. The optimal extraction technology included that 60％ ethanol， material-liquid ratio of 1 ∶ 34 （g/mL）， extracting for 3 times， lasting for 60 min， extraction temperature of 80 ℃. Under this technology， average content of total flavonoids from C. alfrdii was 2.71％ （RSD＝1.69％， n＝6）， and the relative error was 2.65％ compared with predicted value of the model （2.64％）. CONCLUSIONS： Established method is stable and reproducible， and can be used for content determination of total flavonoids from C. alfrdii. The optimized extraction method is stable and feasible.

In more recent times, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measurements have formed an important part of assessing the quality of routine care in general practice. For a measure to have clinical usefulness it must not only be valid, appropriate, reliable, responsive, and capable of being interpreted, but it must also be simple, fast to complete, easy to score, and provide useful clinical data. The Two-step method of choosing appropriate measures is introduced. Then through comparison of generic instruments with disease-specific instruments, we can conclude that sometimes a combination of generic and disease-specific HRQOL measures may be more appropriate for monitoring changes in a patient's health status due to an intervention.
Family Practice ; Humans ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Quality Assurance, Health Care ; Quality of Life

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the correlation of the expression of homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2) with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and apoptosis in cervical cancer.

METHODSFormalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissue samples from 50 cervical cancers and 15 normal uterine cervix cases were obtained. Apoptosis was quantified by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and the expression of HIPK2 as well as HPV by immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTSHIPK2 protein expression was detected in 88.0% (44/50) of cervical cancers and 6.7% (1/15) of normal cervical tissues. HPV was found in 78.0% (39/50) of cervical cancers and 20.0% (3/15) of normal cervical tissue samples. The expression of HIPK2 protein was significantly and positively correlated with HPV presence (r=0.467, P<0.01), but negatively with apoptotic index (r=-0.370, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONHIPK2 protein expression is positively correlated with HPV infection, but negatively with apoptotic index in cervical cancers. Therefore, HIPK2 may be involved in the mechanism of apoptosis in cervical cancer and may play an important role in cervical carcinogenesis.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Carrier Proteins ; metabolism ; Cervix Uteri ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Papillomaviridae ; Papillomavirus Infections ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology

Purpose: Brain metastases from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have been successfully treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Metastases to extra-cranial sites may be treated with similar success using stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), where image-guidance allows for the delivery of precise high-dose radiation in a few fractions. This paper reports the authors’ initial experience with image-guided SBRT in treating primary and metastatic RCC. Materials and methods: The image-guided Brainlab Novalis stereotactic system was used. Fourteen patients with 23 extra-cranial metastatic RCC lesions (orbits, head and neck, lung, mediastinum, sternum, clavicle, scapula, humerus, rib, spine and abdominal wall) and two patients with biopsy-proven primary RCC (not surgical candidates) were treated with SBRT (24-40 Gy in 3-6 fractions over 1-2 weeks). All patients were immobilised in body cast or head and neck mask. Image-guidance was used for all fractions. PET/CT images were fused with simulation CT images to assist in target delineation and dose determination. SMART (simultaneous modulated accelerated radiation therapy) boost approach was adopted. 4D-CT was utilised to assess tumour/organ motion and assist in determining planning target volume margins. Results: Median follow-up was nine months. Thirteen patients (93%) who received SBRT to extra-cranial metastases achieved symptomatic relief. Two patients had local progression, yielding a local control rate of 87%. In the two patients with primary RCC, tumour size remained unchanged but their pain improved, and their renal function was unchanged post SBRT. There were no significant treatment-related side effects. Conclusion: Image-guided SBRT provides excellent symptom palliation and local control without any significant toxicity. SBRT may represent a novel, non-invasive, nephron-sparing option for the treatment of primary RCC as well as extra-cranial metastatic RCC.

OBJECTIVEFor heart functional parameters, we commonly used normal range. The reference values and predict formulas of heart functional parameters and their relationships with individual characteristics are still lack.

METHODSLeft ventricular (LV) volumes (end-diastolic volume and end-systolic volume), stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF) and cardiac output (CO) were measured by cardiac CT angiography (CAT) in 1 200 healthy Caucasian volunteers, men 807 and women 393, and age 20-90yr. The results are analyzed by high-accuracy three-dimensional imaging technology, and then measured the dynamic changes of the volumes of each atriam and ventricule during their contractions and relaxations. The gender, age, height and weight were analyzed by multiple linear regression to predict LV functional parameters.

RESULTSExcept the LVEF was lower in man than in women (P < 0.001), all other LV functional parameters of EDV, ESV, SV, FE and CO were higher in man (P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression indicated that age, gender, height and weight are all independent factors of EDV, ESV and SV (P < 0.001). CO could be significantly predicted by age, gender and weight (P < 0.001), but not height (P > 0.05). The predict equation for CO (L x min(-1)) = 6.963+0.446 (Male) -0.037 x age (yr) +0.013 x weight (kg).

CONCLUSIONAge, gender, height and weight are predictors of heart functions. The reference values and predict equations are important for noninvasive and accurate evaluation of cardiovascular disease and individualized treatment.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Body Height ; Body Weight ; Cardiac Output ; Female ; Heart ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reference Values ; Sex Factors ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVESto verify the feasibility and reliability of the electronic version of Chinese SF-36 based on the Quality-of-Life-Recorder.

DESIGNA crossover randomized controlled trial, comparing a paper-based and an electronic version of the Chinese SF-36, was conducted. According to generated random numbers, interviewees were asked to fill out either the electronic version or the paper version first. The second version was filled in after a pause of at least 10 min.

SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTSOne group of 100 medical students at the School of Medicine of Zhejiang University and the other group of 50 outpatients at a clinic for general practice in Hangzhou City (China) were eventually recruited in this study.

RESULTSThe acceptance of the electronic version was good (60% of medical students and 84% of outpatients preferred the electronic version). At the level of eight-scale scores, the mean-difference for each scale (except for general health) between the two versions was less than 5%. At the level of 36 questions, the percentage of "exact agreement" ranged within 64%-99%; the percentage of "global agreement" ranged within 72%-99%; 77% of the kappa coefficients demonstrated "good/excellent agreement" and 23% of the kappa coefficients demonstrated "medium agreement".

CONCLUSIONThis study, for the first time, can provide empirical basis for the confirmation of the feasibility and reliability of the electronic version of the Chinese SF-36 and may provide an impulse towards widespread deployment of the Quality-of-Life-Recorder in Chinese populations.

Adult ; China ; Cross-Over Studies ; Electronics ; instrumentation ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Time Factors

INTRODUCTION: There is a lack of guidelines or formal systematic synthesis of evidence for nutrition therapy in older critically ill patients. This study is a scoping review to explore the state of evidence in this population. METHOD: MEDLINE and Embase were searched from inception until 9 February 2022 for studies that enrolled critically ill patients aged ≥60 years and investigated any area of nutrition therapy. No language or study design restrictions were applied. RESULTS: Thirty-two studies (5 randomised controlled trials) with 6 topics were identified: (1) nutrition screening and assessments, (2) muscle mass assessment, (3) route or timing of nutrition therapy, (4) determination of energy and protein requirements, (5) energy and protein intake, and (6) pharmaconutrition. Topics (1), (3) and (6) had similar findings among general adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Skeletal muscle mass at ICU admission was significantly lower in older versus young patients. Among older ICU patients, low muscularity at ICU admission increased the risk of adverse outcomes. Predicted energy requirements using weight-based equations significantly deviated from indirect calorimetry measurements in older vs younger patients. Older ICU patients required higher protein intake (>1.5g/kg/day) than younger patients to achieve nitrogen balance. However, at similar protein intake, older patients had a higher risk of azotaemia. CONCLUSION Based on limited evidence, assessment of muscle mass, indirect calorimetry and careful monitoring of urea level may be important to guide nutrition therapy in older ICU patients. Other nutrition recommendations for general ICU patients may be used for older patients with sound clinical discretion.
Adult ; Humans ; Aged ; Critical Illness/therapy* ; Enteral Nutrition ; Nutritional Support ; Nutritional Requirements ; Intensive Care Units ; Energy Intake

Heavy metal is one of pollutants existed widely in the environment, its relationship with cardiovascular disease has attracted more and more attention. In this review, the concentrations of heavy metals, including lead, cadium and asenic, in the body from several national surveillance networks and the epidemiological studies on the effects of the exposure of three heavy metals on cardiovascular system were summarized. It is suggested to strengthen nationwide surveillance for body concentrations of heavy metals in general population in order to provide baseline data for quantitative evaluation of the risk of heavy metal exposure on cardiovascular disease.
Cadmium ; Cardiovascular Diseases/chemically induced* ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Environmental Pollutants/toxicity* ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Humans ; Lead/toxicity* ; Metals, Heavy/toxicity* ; Neoplasms ; Research/trends*

Heterosexual transmission has become the main route of HIV transmission in China. As the main body of commercial heterosexual transmission, female sex workers (FSW) have a high-risk behavior of inconsistent condom use that increase the risk of HIV infection and spread. This review summarizes associated factors of condom use among FSW such as demographic characteristics, condom negotiation, sexual partner type, sexual intercourse, violence and HIV testing, which can provide reference for the future prevention and research among the FSWs.
Adult ; China ; Coitus ; Condoms/statistics & numerical data* ; Female ; HIV Infections/prevention & control* ; Heterosexuality ; Humans ; Male ; Research/trends* ; Safe Sex ; Sex Work ; Sex Workers ; Sexual Partners

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of super-antigen (SAg) of group A Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS), isolated from patients with scarlet fever or pharyngeal infections in Beijing between 2015-2017. Methods: Throat swab specimens from patients with scarlet fever or pharyngeal infections were collected and tested for GAS. Eleven currently known SAg genes including SpeA, speC, speG, speH, speI, speJ, speK, speL, speM, smeZ and ssa were tested by real-time PCR while M protein genes (emm genes) were amplified and sequenced by PCR. Results: A total of 377 GAS were isolated from 6 801 throat swab specimens, with the positive rate as 5.5%. There were obvious changes noticed among speC, speG, speH and speK in three years. A total of 45 SAg genes profiles were observed, according to the SAgs inclusion. There were significant differences appeared in the frequencies among two of the highest SAg genes profiles between emm1 and emm12 strains (χ(2)=38.196, P<0.001; χ(2)=72.310, P<0.001). There also appeared significant differences in the frequencies of speA, speH, speI and speJ between emm1 and emm12 strains (χ(2)=146.154, P<0.001; χ(2)=52.31, P<0.001; χ(2)=58.43, P<0.001; χ(2)=144.70, P<0.001). Conclusions: Obvious changes were noticed among SAg genes including speC, speG, speH and speK from patients with scarlet fever or pharyngeal infections in Beijing between 2015-2017. SAg genes including speA, speH, speI and speJ appeared to be associated with the emm 1 and emm 12 strains. More kinds of SAg genes profiles were isolated form GAS but with no significant differences seen in the main SAg genes profiles, during the epidemic period.
Antigens, Bacterial/genetics* ; Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins ; Bacterial Proteins ; Beijing/epidemiology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Exotoxins ; Female ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; Pharyngitis/microbiology* ; Pharynx/microbiology* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/microbiology* ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Scarlet Fever/microbiology* ; Streptococcal Infections ; Streptococcus pyogenes/isolation & purification* ; Superantigens/genetics*