Total body fat of 12 male adults were measured by ordinary and modified water displacement method repeatedly. The mean value was 9.37 kg calculated by ordinary method.It was significantly lower than that of 10.07 kg calculated by modified method (p

Objective To compare and analyze the formula composition based on their herbal nature for wind, cold, and dampness arthralgia. Methods The ancient formulas for wind, cold, and dampness arthralgia were searched and the database was established. The top 30 high-frequency herbs were analyzed with frequency, hypothesis testing and association rules. The nature, taste, and meridian distribution were used as the variable quantities for clustering analysis. Results Totally 338 formulas were collected, including 122 formulas for wind arthralgia, 110 formulas for cold arthralgia, and 106 formulas for dampness arthralgia. There are 21 same herbs among the top 30 high-frequency herbs;Tonic herbs were the highest frequently used, followed by the divergence of cold herbs in wind arthralgia, interior-warming herbs in cold arthralgia, and damp-resolving herbs in dampness arthralgia. The frequently used herbs in each kind of formula compared with other two kinds were:Cinnamomi Cortex, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, Notopterygii Rhizome et Radix, Paeoniae Radix and Astrragali Radix in formulas for cold arthralgia, Poria and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma in formulas for dampness arthralgia. Three kinds of formulas are given priority to slight warm, followed by warm and neutral. Classification is clear when most of the formulas were clustered into five classes according to their herbal nature in each kind of formula. Conclusion The three kinds of formulas cross each other but with own characteristics. A variety of data mining methods can be used to analyze scientific connotation of therapeutic principle for arthralgia.

We report here a novel membrane transfer-based DNA detection method, in which alkaline phosphatase labeled gold nanoparticle (AuNP) probes were used as a means to amplify the detection signal. In this method, the capture probe P1, complimentary to the 3' end of target DNA, was immobilized on the chip. The multi-component AuNP probes were prepared by co-coating AuNPs with the detecting probe P2, complimentary to the 5' end of target DNA, and two biotin-labeled signal probes (T10 and T40) with different lengths. In the presence of target DNA, DNA hybridization led to the attachment of AuNPs on the chip surface where specific DNA sequences were located in a "sandwich" format. Alkaline phosphatase was then introduced to the surface via biotine-streptavidin interaction. By using BCIP/NBT alkaline phosphatase color development kit, a colorimetric DNA detection was achieved through membrane transfer. The signal on the membrane was then detected by the naked eye or an ordinary optical scanner. The method provided a detection of limit of 1 pmol/L for synthesized target DNA and 0.23 pmol/L for PCR products of Mycobacterium tuberculosis 16S rDNA when the ratio of probes used was 9:1:1 (T10:T40:P2). The method described here has many desirable advantages including high sensitivity, simple operation, and no need of sophisticated equipment. The method can be potentially used for reliable biosensings.
Colorimetry ; methods ; DNA Probes ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Gold ; chemistry ; Humans ; Metal Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; isolation & purification ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; methods ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; methods

The STandards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials Of Moxibustion (STRICTOM), in the form of a checklist and descriptions of checklist items, were designed to improve reporting of moxibustion trials, and thereby facilitating their interpretation and replication. The STRICTOM checklist included 7 items and 16 sub-items. These set out reporting guidelines for the moxibustion rationale, details of moxibustion, treatment regimen, other components of treatment, treatment provider background, control and comparator interventions, and precaution measures. In addition, there were descriptions of each item and examples of good reporting. It is intended that the STRICTOM can be used in conjunction with the main CONSORT Statement, extensions for nonpharmacologic treatment and pragmatic trials, and thereby raise the quality of reporting of clinical trials of moxibustion. Further comments will be solicited from the experts of the CONSORT Group, the STRICTA Group, acupuncture and moxibustion societies, and clinical trial authors for optimizing the STRICTOM.

Medical virtual simulation experimental teaching platform has the characteristics of high openness and sharing, overcoming resource constraints, diversified teaching methods and so on. Applying the virtual simulation platform to general surgery teaching, students can break through the constraints of the textbooks, and perform immersive practical operations on the network by watching experimental videos, and simulating virtual instrument, and experimental materials online, so as to improve their hands-on skills and increase their interest in learning.

Objective To compare the efficacy of early and delayed removal of debridement implant for infection after internal fixation of tibial fracture.Methods A retrospective case control study was conducted on the clinical data of 27 patients with tibial fractures who received plate or screw internal fixation admitted to the East Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University from March 2005 to September 2016.There were 21 males and six females,aged 18-81 years [(41.6 ± 14.3)years].According to the treatment methods,the patients were divided into the delayed implant removal group (Group A,10 patients) and the early implant removal group (Group B,17 patients).Group A was given debridement and anti infection treatment followed by continuous dressing change,and the implant was removed after the fractures were healed.Group B was given debridement and implant removal after one month of anti infection treatment and continuous dressing change when the infection was not clearly controlled.Patients with stable fracture ends were given only negative pressure closed drainage (VSD),and those with instable fracture ends were given external fixation and VSD.The time from infection to implant removal,the time of infection control,the fracture nonunion rate,the chronic bone infection rate,the knee joint function score of the American Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS),and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle hindfoot scale were compared between the two groups.Results All patients were followed up for 13-47 months,with the average of 28.4 months.There were significant differences between Group A and Group B in terms of the time from infection to implant removal [(49.9 17.1) weeks ∶ (19.3 ± 9.2) weeks],the time of infection control [(85.3 ±78.3)days∶ (6.3 ±2.8)days],fracture nonunion rate (30％ ∶ 0),and the chronic osteomyelitis incidence (30％ ∶ 0) (all P ＜0.05).No significant differences were found in HSS knee joint function score and AOFAS ankle hindfoot scale between the two groups (both P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion For patients with postoperative infection after internal fixation for tibial fracture,early thorough debridement and implant removal can quickly control the infection and reduce the incidence of nonunion and osteomyelitis.

INTRODUCTION: Advanced breast cancer (ABC) remains common in Singapore. In 2019, 22.1% of breast cancer patients presented with ABC in our institution. Despite increasing affluence and the advent of national mammographic screening, the incidence of ABC has not changed significantly. This suggests inherent differences in women who present late. We aim to explore the socio-economic background, knowledge and attitudes of women who present with ABC. METHODS: Between December 2013 and July 2015, 100 patients who presented consecutively with ABC in a tertiary institution in Singapore were recruited to participate in an interviewer-led questionnaire exploring psychosocial and economic issues. RESULTS: Among the 100 patients, 63 and 37 presented with stages 3 and 4 breast cancer respectively. Median age was 57 (27-86), 52% had at least secondary education, 53% had no formal employment and 71% were married; 88% were aware of breast cancer symptoms, 82% were aware that mammography can help detect cancer, 82% believed that current treatment modality for breast cancer is effective, 96% had never undergone a mammography and 52.9% felt mammograms were unnecessary. A total of 64% presented symptomatic from the breast tumour, with a median duration of 3 months. Many of the patients were aware of breast cancer symptoms and the utility of mammography. However, a group of patients did not comply with screening. This may be due to poor understanding about breast screening and detection in its asymptomatic phase. CONCLUSION Further public education to improve understanding of breast cancer and screening mammography may help to improve rates for earlier detection of breast cancer.

In order to understand the difference and expression of genes in CEK cells before and af-ter baicalin interferes with IBV,further reveal and analyze the mechanism of baicalin interfering IBV replication in CEK cells in vitro.After IBV infected CEK cells for 2 h,9.75 mg/L baicalin liq-uid was added to interfere with CEK cells,which was recorded as the baicalin(H-IBV)group,and three replicate wells were set in the control group and the IBV(IBV)infection group.After 36 h culture,cell samples were collected and subject to transcriptome for sequencing.The results showed that there were 102 differentially expressed genes in H-IBV group compared with IBV in-fection group,among which 48 genes weresignificantly up-regulated and 54 genes were significantly down-regulated.Through functional annotation in GO and KEGG databases,it was found that dif-ferentially expressed genes were mainly annotated in biological processes such as cellular proces-ses,biological regulation,metabolism,and secondary pathways such as viral infectious diseases,signal transduction and interaction.Retinol metabolism pathway,phospholipid transfer to mem-brane,IL-27 mediated signaling pathway,MDA5/RIG-I and Toll-like receptor signaling pathway were significantly enriched in CEK cells,and the production of type Ⅰ interferon and interferon al-pha and the process of antiviral infection were also positively regulated.There were more differen-tial genes enriched in nucleic acid catalysis,immune system,and reaction,and interbiological reac-tion.Through the STRING network interaction map,it was found that most immune-related genes could form a 36-node interaction network centered on IRF7,TLR3 and STAT1.Therefore,com-pared with IBV group,the differentially expressed genes after baicalin treatment were mainly an-notated and enriched in the biological process,and the immune system and response were en-hanced,mainly through the positive regulation of IRF7 in the MDA5/RIG-I receptor signaling pathway and the inhibition of TLR3 signal transduction in the Toll-like receptor signaling path-way.Positive regulation of IL-27 mediated pathway and regulation of JAK-STAT signaling path-way were supplemented by activation of the expression of IRF7,TLR3,STAT1 and other related genes,and interaction with corresponding downstream proteins to promote the expression of IFN-α and regulatory cytokines,coupled with negative regulation of viral(defense)response and viral processes.Thus,baicalin interferes with IBV replication in CEK cells.

Objective:To establish a three-level clinical grade human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) bank, including seed cell bank (SCB), master cell bank (MCB) and working cell bank (WCB), and provide hUC-MSCs with controllable quality for clinical research and application.Methods:247 human umbilical cord tissues were isolated, cultured, amplified, subcultured and frozen in GMP laboratory, and the biological characteristics, safety and stability of hUC-MSCs were tested in accordance with the requirements of relevant quality management control specifications.Results:247 strains of hUC-MSCs were isolated and prepared. The prepared hUC-MSCs have good purity and homogeneity without tumorigenicity, show good differentiation ability in biological efficacy, and have strong immunosuppressive effect in the process of co-culture with immune cells. These cells have passed the quality check of National Institute for Food and Drug Control. In this study, a three-level hUC-MSCs bank was established, and it was included into the National Stem Cell Translational Resource Center.Conclusions:A three-level clinical hUC-MSCs bank was successfully established and preliminarily applied to clinical research, which effectively promoted the standardized development of clinical stem cell resource bank and the clinical transformation and application of stem cells in China.

The mechanisms underlying autophagic defects in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) remain largely unknown. We aimed to elucidate the roles of hepatic cyclooxygenase 1 (COX1) in autophagy and the pathogenesis of diet-induced steatohepatitis in mice. Human nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) liver samples were used to examine the protein expression of COX1 and the level of autophagy. Cox1^Δhepa mice and their wildtype littermates were generated and fed with 3 different NASH models. We found that hepatic COX1 expression was increased in patients with NASH and diet-induced NASH mice models accompanied by impaired autophagy. COX1 was required for basal autophagy in hepatocytes and liver specific COX1 deletion exacerbated steatohepatitis by inhibiting autophagy. Mechanistically, COX1 directly interacted with WD repeat domain, phosphoinositide interacting 2 (WIPI2), which was crucial for autophagosome maturation. Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated rescue of WIPI2 reversed the impaired autophagic flux and improved NASH phenotypes in Cox1^Δhepa mice, indicating that COX1 deletion-mediated steatohepatitis was partially dependent on WIPI2-mediated autophagy. In conclusion, we demonstrated a novel role of COX1 in hepatic autophagy that protected against NASH by interacting with WIPI2. Targeting the COX1-WIPI2 axis may be a novel therapeutic strategy for NASH.