Humans ; Asthma/drug therapy* ; Biological Therapy

CRISPR-Associated Protein 9 ; Gene Editing ; CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics*

Objective:To assess the significance of counting the number of caudal vertebral ossification centers (OCN) below fetal terminal conus medullaris in the screening for closed spina bifida and tethered cord syndrome (TCS).Methods:The OCN was counted in 961 normal fetuses(normal group) between 17 and 41 gestational weeks and in 140 fetuses with closed spina bifida or tethered cord syndrome(abnormal group) from Jan.2013 to Dec.2020 in Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Women and Children′s Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University and Maternity and Child Health Care of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The OCN was counted in the dorsal mid-sagittal section of fetal caudal spine.The reliability and agreement test were evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficients in another 50 normal fetuses. The OCN was compared between two groups. ROC curve and the cut-off value were constructed and calculated.Results:In normal group, the N increased with the growing of gestational age.In the subgroup of 17-20 weeks, the OCN ranged from 5 to 7 in most fetuses. In the others subgroups, the OCN was equal to or greater than 6 in 99.9% cases and more than 6 in 97.1% cases. In abnormal group, OCN was less than 7 in 93.0% fetuses and less than 6 in 82.8% cases. There were statistical differences between the two groups except for the subgroup of 17-20 gestational weeks( P<0.05). With the cut-off value of 6.5, the specificity and sensitivity were 93.0% and 94.3% respectively for predicting the presence of closed spinal dysraphism or TCS. Conclusions:OCN is a simple way to evaluate the position of conus medullaris and to screen for the skin-covered spine dysraphism or TSC. OCN is more than 6 in most normal fetuses. Further evaluation of spine is required in fetuses with N less than or equal to 6.

Objective:To explore the experience of teachers from Guangdong and Macao in nursing teaching cooperation, the existing problems in current teaching cooperation and suggestions for improvement.Methods:From January to April 2021, using descriptive qualitative method to conduct in-depth among eight clinical tutors from The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University who teach Macao nursing students, and four teachers from Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macao using the purposive sampling method. And adopted content analysis for data analysis.Results:A total of 4 themes and 2 sub-themes were analyzed: the positive impact of cross-border teaching cooperation projects including developed the nursing business of the two places and deepened the cooperative relationship between the two places; limiting the depth and breadth of knowledge transfer because of the short cross-border learning time; the imbalance between students′ abilities and teachers′ expectations; expectations for homogeneous internships for heterogeneous groups.Conclusions:Cross-border nursing teaching cooperation is an important promoter for the development of nursing education between Guangdong and Macao, but there are still deficiencies in cooperation, and it is necessary for the two places to strengthen the construction of a sharing platform for teaching resources to promote the development of nursing education in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

AIM: To observe the effects of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) of radiation-induced lung injury rats by Kiwi fruit essence (unsaturated fatty acid of actinidia chinesis planch seed oil). METHODS: According to random number table, 90 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the control group, model group, 60 mg/kg unsaturated fatty acid of actinidia chinesis planch seed oil intervention group, 120 mg/kg unsaturated fatty acid of actinidia chinesis planch seed oil intervention group, 240 mg/kg unsaturated fatty acid of actinidia chinesis planch seed oil intervention group, 18 animals were included in each group. Except for the control group, rats in the remaining groups were constructed by 6MV-X-ray 18Gy full chest radiation, one week before modeling, the rats in the last 3 groups were given (60, 120, 240) mg/kg unsaturated fatty acid of actinidia chinesis planch seed oil. The first two groups were given 0.9% sodium chloride solution by gavage, once a day in each rat. 14 days, 28 days, and 56 days after radiation, the rats were randomly sacrificed and their chests were cut, and ave lung tissue was saved. HE and Masson staining were performed to observe the pathological changes, and the content of SOD, GSH-Px, MPO was determined. The expression of TGF-β1 was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, (60, 120, 240) mg/kg unsaturated fatty acid of actinidia chinesis planch seed oil significantly reduced the degree of lung alveolitis and radiation pulmonary fibrosis, reduced the content of hydroxyproline (HYP), MPO, increased the antioxidant enzymes SOD and GSH-Px content, down-regulated the expression of TGF-β1.There were significant differences in the above-mentioned indicators among the intervention groups of (60, 120, 240) mg/kg unsaturated fatty acid of actinidia chinesis planch seed oil group, and it was positively correlated with dosage. CONCLUSION: Unsaturated fatty acid of actinidia chinesis planch seed oil has a preventive effect on radiation-induced lung injury, and its mechanism may be related to the reduction of oxidative stress damage and down-regulation of TGF-β1 expression.

Objective: To explore the indication and surgery scope for laparoscopic extraperitoneal lymphadenectomy in locally advanced cervical cancer. Methods: Laparoscopic extraperitoneal lymphadenectomy was initially performed on patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. The results of preoperative computed tomography (CT) images and serum level of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) were analyzed, and the diagnostic efficiencies of the minimum axial diameter (MAD) of lymph node on CT≥0.5 cm, ≥1.0 cm, serum level of SCC-Ag alone or combined to predict the extraperitoneal lymph node metastases were compared. The high-risk factors of common iliac lymph node (CILN) and para-aortic lymph node (PALN) metastases were also analyzed. Results: The lymph node metastasis rate of 81 patients who received the laparoscopic extraperitoneal lymphadenectomy was 59.3% (48/81). The CILN and/or PALN metastasis rate was 24.7%(20/81), and among them, the MAD of CILN and/or PALN ≥0.5 cm on CT images were in only 7 patients. The threshold of SCC-Ag for evaluating lymph node metastasis was 4.8 ng/ml. The accuracy, specificity and Youden index of SCC-Ag≥4.8+ MAD≥1.0 cm group for predicting lymph node metastasis were 78.3%, 100% and 0.6, respectively, and were significantly higher than 57.9%, 12.1% and 0.1 of MAD≥0.5 cm group, 71.1%, 75.8% and 0.4 of MAD≥1.0 cm group, 65.0%, 57.7% and 0.3 of SCC-Ag≥4.8 ng/ml group and 68.3%, 65.4% and 0.4 of SCC-Ag≥4.8 ng/ml+ MAD≥0.5 cm group (P<0.05). All of the 21 patients in SCC-Ag≥4.8 ng/ml+ MAD≥1.0 cm group were detected to occur lymph node metastases, and the metastasis rate of CILN and/or PALN was 38.1%. While only 4 cases of 17 patients in SCC-Ag<4.8 ng/ml+ MAD<1 cm group were confirmed to occur CILN metastases. The difference of lymph node metastasis rate between these two groups was statistically significant (P<0.001). The pathological type, the number of PLN with MAD≥1.0 cm, at least one of the PLN MAD≥1.0 cm and/or MAD of CILN and/or PALN was 0.5~1.0 cm were associated with the CILN and/or PALN metastases (all P<0.05). Conclusions Those patients with MAD≥1.0 cm+ SCC-Ag≥4.8 ng/ml and with high-risk factors of CILN and/or PALN metastases should undergo laparoscopic extraperitoneal lymphadenectomy to provide explicit guidance for the subsequent therapy. However, the incidence of lymph node metastasis of patients with SCC-Ag<4.8 ng/ml combined with MAD<1.0 cm is low, therefore these patients can accept concurrent chemoradiotherapy directly.

BACKGROUND: Peanut allergy is an increasing problem in Singapore and strict avoidance is difficult as peanut is ubiquitous in Asian cuisine. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of peanut oral immunotherapy (OIT) in children with obvious peanut allergy in Singapore. METHODS: This was an open-label study of peanut OIT in children living in Singapore, with 2 weekly dose escalation until final maintenance dose of 3,000 mg of peanut protein and a maintenance phase of 12 months. An oral food challenge was performed at 6 months to assess for desensitisation and at 4 weeks after discontinuation of OIT having completed 12 months of maintenance therapy to assess for possible sustained unresponsiveness. The adverse events were monitored using the symptom diaries. RESULTS: Nine subjects were started on OIT, with 7 managing to complete maintenance phase of therapy. Of these 7, all were able to tolerate at least 3,000 mg of peanut protein by 6 months of maintenance therapy, showing that the OIT was effective. Of these 7, 3 patients complied with the 4-week abstinence period after completion of OIT before another peanut challenge; 2 of the 3 subjects showed a significant decrease from the initial ability to tolerate 3,000 mg of peanut protein. Side effects were mainly gastrointestinal in nature and were more common during the updosing phase than the maintenance phase. No episodes of anaphylaxis were observed in this study. CONCLUSION: Peanut OIT seemed to be effective and safe in our cohort of Singaporean children.
Anaphylaxis ; Arachis ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Child ; Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunotherapy ; Peanut Hypersensitivity ; Pilot Projects ; Probiotics ; Singapore

Objective To explore the indication and surgery scope for laparoscopic extraperitoneal lymphadenectomy in locally advanced cervical cancer. Methods Laparoscopic extraperitoneal lymphadenectomy was initially performed on patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. The results of preoperative computed tomography (CT) images and serum level of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC?Ag) were analyzed, and the diagnostic efficiencies of the minimum axial diameter (MAD) of lymph node on CT≥0.5 cm,≥1.0 cm, serum level of SCC?Ag alone or combined to predict the extraperitoneal lymph node metastases were compared. The high?risk factors of common iliac lymph node (CILN) and para?aortic lymph node ( PALN) metastases were also analyzed. Results The lymph node metastasis rate of 81 patients who received the laparoscopic extraperitoneal lymphadenectomy was 59.3%(48／81). The CILN and／or PALN metastasis rate was 24.7%(20／81), and among them, the MAD of CILN and／or PALN ≥0.5 cm on CT images were in only 7 patients. The threshold of SCC?Ag for evaluating lymph node metastasis was 4.8 ng／ml. The accuracy, specificity and Youden index of SCC?Ag≥4.8+MAD≥1.0 cm group for predicting lymph node metastasis were 78.3%, 100% and 0.6, respectively, and were significantly higher than 57.9%, 12.1% and 0.1 of MAD≥0.5 cm group, 71.1%, 75.8% and 0.4 of MAD≥1.0 cm group, 65.0%, 57.7% and 0.3 of SCC?Ag≥4.8 ng／ml group and 68.3%, 65.4% and 0.4 of SCC?Ag≥4.8 ng／ml+MAD≥0.5 cm group ( P＜0.05). All of the 21 patients in SCC?Ag≥4.8 ng／ml+MAD≥1.0 cm group were detected to occur lymph node metastases, and the metastasis rate of CILN and／or PALN was 38.1%. While only 4 cases of 17 patients in SCC?Ag＜4.8 ng／ml+MAD＜1 cm group were confirmed to occur CILN metastases. The difference of lymph node metastasis rate between these two groups was statistically significant (P＜0.001).The pathological type, the number of PLN with MAD≥1.0 cm, at least one of the PLN MAD≥1.0 cm and／or MAD of CILN and／or PALN was 0.5～1.0 cm were associated with the CILN and／or PALN metastases ( all P＜0.05). Conclusions Those patients with MAD≥1.0 cm+SCC?Ag≥4.8 ng／ml and with high?risk factors of CILN and／or PALN metastases should undergo laparoscopic extraperitoneal lymphadenectomy to provide explicit guidance for the subsequent therapy. However, the incidence of lymph node metastasis of patients with SCC?Ag＜4.8 ng／ml combined with MAD＜1.0 cm is low, therefore these patients can accept concurrent chemoradiotherapy directly.

Objective To explore the indication and surgery scope for laparoscopic extraperitoneal lymphadenectomy in locally advanced cervical cancer. Methods Laparoscopic extraperitoneal lymphadenectomy was initially performed on patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. The results of preoperative computed tomography (CT) images and serum level of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC?Ag) were analyzed, and the diagnostic efficiencies of the minimum axial diameter (MAD) of lymph node on CT≥0.5 cm,≥1.0 cm, serum level of SCC?Ag alone or combined to predict the extraperitoneal lymph node metastases were compared. The high?risk factors of common iliac lymph node (CILN) and para?aortic lymph node ( PALN) metastases were also analyzed. Results The lymph node metastasis rate of 81 patients who received the laparoscopic extraperitoneal lymphadenectomy was 59.3%(48／81). The CILN and／or PALN metastasis rate was 24.7%(20／81), and among them, the MAD of CILN and／or PALN ≥0.5 cm on CT images were in only 7 patients. The threshold of SCC?Ag for evaluating lymph node metastasis was 4.8 ng／ml. The accuracy, specificity and Youden index of SCC?Ag≥4.8+MAD≥1.0 cm group for predicting lymph node metastasis were 78.3%, 100% and 0.6, respectively, and were significantly higher than 57.9%, 12.1% and 0.1 of MAD≥0.5 cm group, 71.1%, 75.8% and 0.4 of MAD≥1.0 cm group, 65.0%, 57.7% and 0.3 of SCC?Ag≥4.8 ng／ml group and 68.3%, 65.4% and 0.4 of SCC?Ag≥4.8 ng／ml+MAD≥0.5 cm group ( P＜0.05). All of the 21 patients in SCC?Ag≥4.8 ng／ml+MAD≥1.0 cm group were detected to occur lymph node metastases, and the metastasis rate of CILN and／or PALN was 38.1%. While only 4 cases of 17 patients in SCC?Ag＜4.8 ng／ml+MAD＜1 cm group were confirmed to occur CILN metastases. The difference of lymph node metastasis rate between these two groups was statistically significant (P＜0.001).The pathological type, the number of PLN with MAD≥1.0 cm, at least one of the PLN MAD≥1.0 cm and／or MAD of CILN and／or PALN was 0.5～1.0 cm were associated with the CILN and／or PALN metastases ( all P＜0.05). Conclusions Those patients with MAD≥1.0 cm+SCC?Ag≥4.8 ng／ml and with high?risk factors of CILN and／or PALN metastases should undergo laparoscopic extraperitoneal lymphadenectomy to provide explicit guidance for the subsequent therapy. However, the incidence of lymph node metastasis of patients with SCC?Ag＜4.8 ng／ml combined with MAD＜1.0 cm is low, therefore these patients can accept concurrent chemoradiotherapy directly.

Objective: To introduce the laparoscopic type C1 hysterectomy based on the anatomic landmark of the uterus deep vein and its branched and to evaluate its feasibility and safety for cervical cancer and its effect to bladder function and to provide some reference to simplify the surgical procedures of laparoscopic type C1 hysterectomy. Methods: The clinicopathologic data of the patients with stage ⅠA2~ⅡB cervical cancer and who underwent the laparoscopic C1 hysterectomy based on anatomic landmark of the uterus deep vein and its branches between March 2010 and December 2015 was retrospectively analysed. Results: A total of 99 patients received laparoscopic type C1 hysterectomy based on the anatomic landmark of the uterus deep vein and its branches, in which 93 patients reserved unilateral or bilateral pelvic autonomic nerve successfully, the other 6 patients were transfered to receive type C2 hysterectomy due to adhesions, bleeding or the low possibility of curative resection. The failure rate of the surgery was 6.1% (6/99). The average age of these 93 patients was 44.4±8.2 years (range 25~61 years) and there was one case of stage ⅠA2, 84 stage ⅠB1, 2 stage ⅠB2, 5 stage ⅡA1 and 1 stage ⅡB. The number of patients with squamous cell carcinoma was 67, adenocarcinoma was 19, adenosquamous carcinoma was 3, small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma was 3 and mixed type was 1. The average operation time was 4.1±0.5 h, the average amount of intraoperative blood loss was 103.8±84.0 ml and the mean number of excisional pelvic lymph nodes was 29.7±8.9. There was no patient with positive parametrial margin, positive vaginal margin or intraoperative ureteral injury. The postoperative catheter extraction time was 20.3±8.4 d. The median follow-up time was 20 months (rang 5~44 months), the long-term bladder dysfunction rate was 8.6% (8/93). The numbers of locally uncontrolled and distantly metastasis case were both one and both patients died. The fatality rate were 2.2% (2/93). The two-year disease-free survival and overall survival rate were 97.6% and 96.2%, respectively. Conclusion Laparoscopic type C1 hysterectomy based on the anatomic landmark of the uterus deep vein and its branches is a safe and feasible treatment method for cervical cancer and it provides a new approach for simplifying the surgical procedures of laparoscopic type C1 hysterectomy.