This paper briefly introduces the basic principle, application scenarios and main steps of subpopulation treatment effect pattern plot (STEPP), and summarizes the theoretical basis of its combined application with propensity score matching (PSM) in cohort study data for the heterogeneity analysis on the association between exposure and outcome risk. In this paper, the combined application of PSM and STEPP in cohort study data is summarized by simulation of "cohort study of the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in cancer patients with different infusion catheter types". The absolute risk value and relative risk value of VTE in the peripherally inserted central catheter group and the central venous catheter group in subpopulations are introduced, as well as the results of heterogeneity analysis among subpopulations. The limitations and research prospects of the combined application of PSM and STEPP are discussed to provide reference for researchers in practical application.

Objective:To explore the effect of dyslipidemia on the clinical outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (ICSI-ET) in infertility patients receiving donor eggs.Methods:A total of 118 patients were selected to receive egg donors and ICSI-ET at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between April 2007 and December 2020. According to the levels of triacylglycerol, serum cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), and low density lipoprotein, they were divided into dyslipidemia group (35 cases) and normal blood lipids group (83 cases). The influence of body mass index (BMI) and age was adjusted by 1∶1 propensity score matching, and the general condition and clinical outcome of the two groups were analyzed retrospectively. Finally, the relationship between lipid composition and clinical outcome was analyzed according to patients′ age and BMI.Results:(1) Comparing the pre-matching dyslipidemia group with the normal blood lipids group, the BMI of the dyslipidemia group was significantly higher than that of the normal blood lipids group [(23.5±2.4) vs (22.4±2.7) kg/m 2], and the embryo implantation rate was significantly lower than that of the normal blood lipids group [13.6% (8/59) vs 27.3% (36/132)], the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05). (2) There were no significant differences in years of infertility, number of pregnancies, number of abortions, number of transplanted embryos, protocol of endometrial preparation, endometrial thickness on transplantation day and high quality embryo rate between the two groups, through propensity score matching (all P>0.05). The biochemical pregnancy rate [28.6% (10/35)], embryo implantation rate [13.6% (8/59)] and live birth rate [20.0% (7/35)] in dyslipidemia group were significantly lower than those in the normal blood lipids group ( P<0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate was lower than that of the normal blood lipids group ( P>0.05). (3) The results of stratified analysis showed that the level of HDL in the clinically non-pregnant group was significantly lower than that in the pregnant group in patients ≤ 35 years old [(1.5±0.3) vs (1.8±0.5) mmol/L; P<0.05]. In the overweight recipient patients, the level of HDL of the clinically non-pregnant group was lower than that of the pregnant group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Dyslipidemia significantly reduces the biochemical pregnancy rate, embryo implantation rate and live birth rate in patients with receiving donor eggs. Especially in patients aged ≤35 years old, the reduction of HDL is closely related to adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT ) is known to be involved in airway remodeling and fibrosis of bronchial asthma. However, the molecular mechanisms leading to EMT have yet to be fully clarified. The current study was designed to reveal the potential mechanism of microRNA-21 (miR-21) and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) affecting EMT through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE cells) were transfected with miR-21 mimics/inhibitors and PARP-1 plasmid/small interfering RNA (siRNA). A dual luciferase reporter assay and biotin-labeled RNA pull-down experiments were conducted to verify the targeting relationship between miR-21 mimics and PARP-1. The migration ability of 16HBE cells was evaluated by Transwell assay. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting experiments were applied to determine the expression of Snail, ZEB1, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin, and PARP-1. The effects of the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 on the migration of 16HBE cells and EMT were investigated. Overexpression of miR-21 mimics induced migration and EMT of 16HBE cells, which was significantly inhibited by overexpression of PARP-1. Our findings showed that PARP-1 was a direct target of miR-21, and that miR-21 targeted PARP-1 to promote migration and EMT of 16HBE cells through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Using LY294002 to block PI3K/AKT signaling pathway resulted in a significant reduction in the migration and EMT of 16HBE cells. These results suggest that miR-21 promotes EMT and migration of HBE cells by targeting PARP-1. Additionally, the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway might be involved in this mechanism, which could indicate its usefulness as a therapeutic target for asthma.

Objective:To explore the promoted role of calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) overexpression in proliferation and differentiation of immature white matter progenitor cells after ischemia in vitro. Methods:Periventricular white matter cells from 5-d-old rats were cultured in vitro and divided into control group, oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) group, OGD+gadolinium chloride (GdCl 3) group, and OGD+ CaSR silenced group. CaSR expression was agitated by GdCl 3, and CaSR gene expression was inhibited by gene silencing. CaSR mRNA levels 24, 48 and 72 h, and 7 and 14 d after OGD were detected by real-time fluorescence quantification-PCR (RT-qPCR); cell proliferation 48 h after OGD was detected by inverted microscope, and cell differentiation 24, 48, and 72 h, and 7 and 14 d was detected by double immunofluorescence staining. Results:(1) CaSR mRNA expressions: CaSR mRNA expressions in OGD group 48 and 72 h and 7 d after OGD were statistically higher than those in control group ( P<0.05). Forty-eight and 72 h, and 7 and 14 d after OGD, CaSR mRNA expressions in OGD+GDCL 3 group were statistically higher than those in control group and OGD group ( P<0.05); the CaSR mRNA expressions in the OGD+CaSR silenced group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05). (2) Cell proliferation and differentiation: 48 h after OGD, the cell sphere diameter of OGD group ([75.26±26.07] μm) was significantly increased as compared with that of control group ([57.96±18.92] μm, P<0.05); the cell sphere diameter of OGD+GdCl 3 group ([91.92±21.82] μm) was significantly increased as compared with that of control group and OGD group ( P<0.05); and the cell sphere diameter of OGD+ CaSR silenced group ([24.09±8.34] μm) was significantly shorter than that of control group and OGD group ( P<0.05). At 48 and 72 h after OGD, the number of O4 +/CaSR + olidoendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) in OGD group was significantly larger than that in control group, that in OGD+GdCl 3 group was significantly larger than that in control group and OGD group, and that in OGD+ CaSR silenced group was significantly smaller than that in control group and OGD group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:CaSR overexpression could promote the proliferation and differentiation of progenitor cells to OPCs.

Objective:To explore the correlation between the index of hemodynamics in perinatal period and retinopathy of prematurity(ROP), so as to provide basis for the better prevention and treatment of ROP.Methods:From May 2017 to April 2019, the preterm infants were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University at birth and were hospitalized for more than 2 weeks, gestational age ≤ 35 weeks and birth weight ≤ 2 500 g. They were selected as the study objects.The perinatal data including heart rate, blood pressure, patent ductus arteriosus, ventricular septal defect, and NT-proBNP level on the 1 st, 7 th and 14 th day, respectively after birth were collected.They were divided into ROP group and non ROP group according to the results of the retinopathy screening report.The influencing factors of ROP were screened out by univariate analysis and multivariate regression analysis. Results:A total of 1 119 subjects were included, 105 infants with ROP were detected, and the prevalence of ROP was 9.4%.Among them, 12 cases of pre-threshold lesion type 1 and threshold lesions required treatment, accoun-ting for 1.07% of screened preterm infants .Univariate analysis and multivariate regression analysis revealed that gestational age, birth weight, total oxygen therapy time, and intrauterine growth restriction were all factors affecting ROP, and 2 hemodynamic related indicators, such as the level of NT-proBNP in plasma on the 14 th day after birth, and placenta previa or abruption were also related to ROP( OR=0.604, 0.647, 1.276, 2.361, 1.688 and 2.506, respectively, all P<0.05). Conclusion:The hemodynamic changes in perinatal period may be involved in the formation of ROP, and it is necessary to further clarify its mechanism.

Objective: To analyze the risk factors of adverse neurodevelopmental prognostic in very /extremely low birth weight infants (VLBWI/ELBWI). Methods: The 24 hours VLBWI/ELBWI admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit between January 2016 and October 2016 were enrolled.These infants were followed up and neurodevelopmental evaluation was performed at a corrected age of 12 months by using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development Ⅱ (BSID-Ⅱ). According to the neurodevelopmental outcomes, they were divided into normal and abnormal neurodeve-lopment groups.The data of prenatal, intrapartum and postpartum periods in the two groups were compared.Potential risk factors of neurodevelopmental impairment were analyzed with Logistic stepwise regression. Results: A total of 167 VLBWI/ELBWI were enrolled, among which 14 cases died during hospitalization or after giving up treatment.At the corrected age of 12 months, 140(91.5%) infants completed follow-up and 13(8.5%) were lost to follow-up.Among 140 infants who completed neurodevelopmental evaluation at the corrected age of 12 months, there were 86 males, 54 females, and in which 28 cases had extremely low birth weight, 112 cases with very low birth weight, with gestational age of (30.4±2.2) weeks (25.3-36.0 weeks). There were one hundred and twenty-five cases with normal neurodevelopmental outcomes and 15 cases with abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes.The results of univariate analysis showed that birth weight<1 000 g, exposure to antenatal steroids, N -terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) ≥35 000 ng/L and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in the two groups were statistically significant(P<0.05). Logistic stepwise regression showed that NT-proBNP level≥35 000 ng/L may independently predict neurodevelopmental impairment among VLBWI/ELBWI (OR=22.774, 95%CI: 3.079-168.425, P=0.002). Exposure to antenatal steroids may be a protective factor for neurodevelopmental impairment (OR=0.125, 95%CI: 0.020-0.782, P=0.026). Conclusions Plasma NT-proBNP level ≥35 000 ng/L may independently predict neurodevelopmental impairment among VLBWI/ELBWI.Antenatal corticosteroids may be the protective factor of poor neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Objective To explore the relationship between renal volume and function in the preterm and term newborns at different gestational ages.Methods This study was conducted at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October 2016 to March 2018.A total of 626 newborns with different gestational ages were included and the renal volume was determined by ultrasonography.Blood samples were taken for laboratory tests to detect renal function including urea,creatinine,uric acid and estimated glomerular filtration rate.Results A total of 352 preterm and 274 full term newborns were enrolled at birth.The mean gestational age of the neonates was (36.0 ± 3.5) weeks and the mean birth weight was (2.59 ±0.77) kg.The mean renal volume of the preterm infants was (19.57 ±4.30) cm3 and estimated glomerular filtration was (21.68 ± 5.99) mL/(min · 1.73 m2);the mean renal volume of the term infants was(23.03 ± 3.80) cm3 and estimated glomerular filtration was(46.60 ± 10.21) mL/(min · 1.73 m2).The renal volume and estimated glomerular filtration of term infants was significantly greater compared to the preterm infants (t =12.96,33.10,all P ＜ 0.001).The renal volume was highly linear positively correlated with gestational age,birth weight and birth length (r =0.546,0.605,0.592,all P ＜ 0.001).The renal volume was highly linear positively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration(r =0.396,P ＜ 0.001).The renal volume was negatively correlated with urea,creatinine and uric acid(r =-0.210,-0.280,-0.176,all P ＜ 0.001).Conclusions The renal volume increases with gestational age and birth weight in neonates.Estimated glomerular filtration increases with renal volume in neonates.The preterm infants have immaturity kidney size and poor development so that they need special medical care.

Objective To explore the testis development and epididymis in the preterm and term newborns so as to provide the scientific evidence for early clinical diagnosing early.Methods From October 2016 to March 2018,456 hospitalized neonates at Department of Neonatology,the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were recruited within 7 days at birth in this study.In these patients,224 cases were preterm newborns and 232 cases were term newborns.These gestational ages of newborns at birth were (36.18 ± 3.13) weeks (27-41 +6 weeks) and weighted (2.66 ± 0.67) kg(0.90-3.82 kg).The size of the testis and epididymis were measured by ultrasonography.Results The mean testicular volume of the preterm was (0.24 ± 0.07) mL.The mean length of epididymal head,thickness of epididymal head and body and tail of the preterm newborns were (4.17 ±0.59) mm,(2.58 ±0.39) mm,(1.78 ± 0.26) mm,(1.91 ± 0.24) mm,respectively.The mean testicular volume of the term newborns was (0.38 ± 0.13) mL,the mean length of epididymal head,thickness of epididymal head and body and tail of the term newborns were (4.49 ± 0.45) mm,(2.78 ± 0.34) mm,(1.95 ± 0.20) mm,(1.99 ± 0.16) mm,respectively.The mean testicular volume,length of epididymal head,thickness of epididymal head and body and tail of the preterm newborns were significantly lower compared with the term newborns (t =12.810,8.261,6.819,8.058,3.591,all P ＜0.001).The mean testicular volume of the newborns were highly linear positively correlated with gestational age,birth weight and birth length (r =0.538,0.591,0.533,all P ＜ 0.001).In the preterm newborns at postmenstrual age (PMA) of 37 weeks,the mean testicular volume,length of epididymal head,thickness of epididymal head and body and tail of the preterm newborns had no significant difference between the 2 groups (t =1.561,0.863,0.282,1.732,1.147,all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The testicular volume,the length of epididymal head,thickness of epididymal head and body increase with gestational age,birth weight and birth length in early neonates.The growth of reproductive system in the preterm newborns at PMA 37 weeks catch-up with term newborns.If this catch-up growth was incomplete at PMA 37 weeks,special attention should be given to monitor underlying diseases.

Magnesium ion (Mg²⁺ ) plays an important role in maintaining the life and health of the body.In preterm infants, the protective effect of prenatal Mg²⁺ supplementation on the nervous system of preterm infants has been widely recognized.Researchers begin to pay attention to the effects of serum Mg²⁺ level on the development of nervous system and effects of prenatal exposure to Mg²⁺ on the non-nervous system in preterm infants.The effects of Mg²⁺ on the development of neural and non-neural system in preterm infants were summarized.

Chronic low-back pain (CLBP) is one of the most common pain conditions. Current clinical guidelines for low-back pain recommend acupuncture for CLBP. However, there are very few high-quality acupuncture studies on CLBP in older adults. Clinical acupuncture experts in the American Traditional Chinese Medicine Association (ATCMA) were interested in the recent grant on CLBP research announced by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. The ATCMA experts held an online discussion on the subject of real-world acupuncture treatments for CLBP in older adults. Seven participants, each with more than 20 years of acupuncture practice, discussed their own unique clinical experience while another participant talked about the potential mechanism of acupuncture in pain management. As a result of the discussion, a picture of a similar treatment strategy emerged across the participants for CLBP in older adults. This discussion shows that acupuncture may have complicated mechanisms in pain management, yet it is effective for the treatment of chronic pain involving maladaptive neuroplasticity; therefore, it should be effective for CLBP in older adults.