OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects of saponins from Tribulus terrestris (STT) on liver cancer cell line BEL-7402.

METHODMTT, SRB, Wright staining, acridine orange staining, flow cytometry, and Immunofluorescence microscopy were used to evaluate the effects of STT on BEL-7402 cell line.

RESULTSMT had potent inhibitory effect on BEL-7402 cell line in a concentration-dependent manner. BEL-7402 cells exibited typical morphological alteration of apoptosis when sub-G1 peak could be seen. The expression of Bcl-2 was decreased in STT treated cells as compared with untreated control cells.

CONCLUSIONSTT exerts its cytotoxic effect on BEL-7402 cells by inducing apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Saponins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Tribulus ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the seroprevalence of anti-HAV IgG in adults of 4 cities in China.

METHODSSerum samples were collected from 2390 local residents aged between 20 to 88 years from Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan and Guangzhou. The anti-HAV IgG in sera was detected with a microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA).

RESULTSThe anti-HAV IgG seroprevalence in female of 30 to 39 years in Beijing (64.58%, 62/96) was higher than that in male (45.57% 36/79)) (x(2) = 6.358, P = 0.012). It increased with age in adults of Beijing and Guangzhou. The rates were 54.22 % (90/166), 56.00% (98/175) and 67.18% (88/131) for the 20-, 30- and 40-49 age groups in Beijing (x(2) = 4.76, P = 0.03); and 52.83% (56/106), 52.50% (63/120), 82.46% (94/114), 89.80% (88/98) and 96.77% (60/62) for the 20-, 30-, 40-, 50- and 60-88 age groups in Guangzhou, respectively (x(2) = 72.58, P less than 0.01). This trend was not found in Shanghai and Wuhan (x2 = 0.96, 2.99; P = 0.33, 0.08 respectively). The seroprevalence rates of anti-HAV IgG in the 20 to 39 age group of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Wuhan were 55.13% (188/341), 63.93% (429/671), 52.65% (119/226) and 78.37% (308/393), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe seroprevalence rates of anti-HAV IgG in young adults aged 20 to 39 years of the four cities are relatively low, and HAV vaccination should be suggested for the susceptible population of this age group in China.

Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hepatitis A ; epidemiology ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis A Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis A Virus, Human ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Sex Distribution ; Urban Population ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between expression of A-kinase anchoring protein 95 (AKAP95) and protein expression of cyclin E1 and cyclin D1 in lung cancer tissue.

METHODSFifty-one cases of lung cancer were included in the study. The protein expression of AKAP95, cyclin E1, and cyclin D1 were measured by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe protein expression of cyclin E1 in lung cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in para-cancerous tissues (positive rate: 75.56%vs 20%, P < 0.01); its expression showed no relationship with histopathological type, lymph node metastasis, and cellular differentiation (P > 0.05). The protein expression of cyclin D1 in lung cancer tissues was higher than that in para-cancerous tissues (positive rate: 69.39% vs 14.29%); its expression showed a significant relationship with histopathological type (P < 0.05). The expression of AKAP95 was correlated with the protein expression of cyclin E1 and cyclin D1 in lung cancer tissues (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCyclin E1 and cyclin D1 are highly expressed in lung cancer tissue, suggesting that they play an important role in the development and progression of lung cancer. The protein expression of cyclin E1 has no relationship with cellular differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and histopathological type of lung cancer, and the protein expression of cyclin D1 has a significant relationship with histopathological type. The expression of AKAP95 is correlated with the protein expression of cyclin E1 and cyclin D1 in lung cancer tissue.

A Kinase Anchor Proteins ; metabolism ; Adult ; Aged ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Cyclin E ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism

Objective To study the clinical significance of the method of three perpendicular planes plus special planes in diagnosing fetal cleft lip /palate by prenatal ultrasound .Methods The approach of three perpendicular planes and special planes were used in diagnosing 110 cases of cleft lip/palate.The sonogram features in each section were analyzed and the outcomes were recorded during follow-up.Results On prenatal ultrsound ,110 cases were examined with three perpendicular planes method .The coronary section could be displayed at 100%cases (110 cases), sagittal section 76.4%cases (84 cases),transverse section 96.4%cases (106 cases) and parasagittal section 25.5%cases (28 cases).With special planes method,74 cases were examined .The section through pyriform aperture could be displayed in 47 cases,in 45 cases on the section through the lower lip/lower jaw/submandibular triangle ,and in 16 cases on the section through the cheek.Combining the three perpendicular planes and special planes methods ,94.5%(104/110) cases could be diagnosed definitely.Six cases (5.5%,6/110) were missed because of fetal position or oligoamnios . Conclusions The method of three perpendicular planes plus special planes is effective in prenatal ultrasound diagnosing cleft lip/palate,which is of great help in improving prenatal diagnostic accuracy of fetal cleft lip/palate.

OBJECTIVETo study the prevalence of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and its high risk factors in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

METHODSFrom January 2003 to March 2005, a total number of 11,163 persons aged > or =14 years Zhuang minority living in Guangxi (from Guinan, Guizhong and Guibei) were surveyed. Questionnaire was administered to draw information. Polysomnography(PSG) and in-home polygraphy were performed on participants being studied and who had reported snoring.

RESULTSAmong all the surveyed people, 2940reported snoring with a prevalence of 27.3%. 448 (320 males and 128 females) people reported OSAHS with prevalence as 4.3% (5.9% in males and 2.5% in females). From 14 to 60 year olds, the prevalence of snoring and OSAHS increased with age. Among those above 60 years of age, both the prevalencerates ofsnoring and OSAHS werereduced with age. Among all the study population, 260 (21.6%) had habitual OSAHS a nd 188 (10.8%) hadoccasional OSAHS. The high risk factors of OSAHS were: position during sleep, disease of nose, drinking alcohol, smoking, gender, body mass index (BMI) and age.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence rates of snoring and OSAHS were 27.3% and 4.3% respectively. From 14 to 60 years of age, the prevalence rates of snoring and OSAHS were increasing with age while from 60 years of age on, the prevalence of snoring and OSAHS reduced with age. The prevalence rates of snoring and OSAHS in males were higher than females. The high risk factors of OSAHS were position during sleep,disease of nose, drinking, smoking,gender, BMI and age.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; epidemiology ; Snoring ; epidemiology

Child ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; pathology ; Lymphedema ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Noonan Syndrome ; diagnosis ; genetics

Objective:To predict the therapeutic targets and related signaling pathways of quercetin in the treatment of heart failure （HF） by network pharmacology and molecular docking methods，and further clarify its mechanisms through in vitro cell model. Method:The pharmacological targets of quercetin were obtained by SwissTargetPrediction and Targetnet databases； the heart failure related targets were obtained by Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man（OMIM），GeneCards and Therapeutic Target Database（TTD） databases； the protein-protein interaction（PPI） network was analyzed by STRING database（Search Tool for Recurring Instances of Neighbouring Genes），and the PPI network diagram of quercetin for heart failure target was established. Cytoscape 3.7.2 software was used for analyzing and screening the anti-heart failure network nodes of quercetin，and the obtained targets were enriched with gene ontology （GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） analysis by DAVID database. In order to explore the mechanism of quercetin in the treatment of heart failure，we used cell model to verify the function in heart failure treatment. Results:The predicted results showed that there were 23 targets for the treatment of heart failure，such as Matrix Metallopeptidase-9（MMP-9），androgen receptor（AR），coagulation factor 2（F2），insulin like growth factor 1 receptor（IGF1R），epidermal growth factor receptor（EGFR），janus kinase-2（JAK2），cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A member 1（CYP19A1），estrogen receptor-1（ESR1），tumor necrosis factor（TNF），protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type C（PTPRC） and cytochrome P450 family 17 subfamily A member 1（CYP17A1） etc. The results suggest that quercetin may play a role in the treatment of heart failure by intervening in the physiological processes of cardiovascular cell proliferation and metabolism，regulating hypoxia-inducible factor 1 （HIF-1）signaling pathway and steroid hormone biosynthesis. Conclusion:Quercetin has the characteristics of multi-target，multi-channel and multi-channel in the treatment of heart failure. It may play a role in the treatment of heart failure by regulating MMP-9，EGFR and other key genes，participating in the biological process of cardiac and vascular cell proliferation and metabolism.

Objective: To investigate patients' perception of service quality at hospitals in nine Chinese cities and propose some measures for improvement. Methods: The ServQual scale method was used in a survey involving patients at outpatient and in-patient facilities in Shanghai, Chongqing, Chengdu, Nanning, Guilin and Laibin of Guangxi, Honghezhou of Yunnan, Wulumuqi of Xinjiang and Zhongshan of Guangdong. The data collected were entered and analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, factor analyses, reliability analyses, productmoment correlations, independent-sample t-tests, One-way ANOVA and regression analyses. Results: The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value for the factor analysis of the scale was 0.979. The Cronbach's α for the reliability analysis was 0.978. All the Pearson correlation coefficients were positive and statistically significant. Visitors to out-patient facilities reported more positive perception than visitors to in-patient facilities on tangibles (t = 4.168, P < 0.001) and reliability (t = 1.979, P < 0.05). Patients of 60 years of age and above reported more positive perception than those between 40 and 49 on reliability (F = 3.311, P = 0.010), assurances (F = 2.751, P < 0.05) and empathy (F = 4.009, P = 0.003). For the five dimensions of the scale, patients in Laibin, Guangxi reported the most positive perceived service quality, followed by patients in Shanghai. On the other hand, patients in Chongqing and Nanning and Guilin of Guangxi reported relatively poor perceptions of service quality. Standardized regression coefficients showed statistically significant (P < 0.001) positive values for all ServQual dimensions. Empathy (β = 0.267) and reliability (β = 0.239) most strongly predicted perception of service quality. Conclusions: Chinese patients perceived service quality as satisfactory. Hospitals in various regions of China should enhance their awareness and ability to serve their patients.

Objective: To compare the surgical outcome of robotic thyroidectomy through transoral approach and the bilateral breast-axillary approach. Methods: Retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of patients who performed transoral robotic thyroidectomy (TORT group) or bilateral breast-axillary approach (BABA group) in the Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, the 960th Hospital of People's Liberation Army from July 2020 to May 2022. Both groups received lobectomy with lymph node dissection of the central region. A total of 100 cases were included in the study, including 48 cases in the TORT group and 52 cases in the BABA group. The propensity score matching method was used for 1∶1 matching of patients between the 2 groups, with a match tolerance of 0.03. There were 31 patients in each group successfully matched. In the TORT group, there were 5 males and 26 females, aged (33.2±7.9) years (range: 21 to 53 years). While there were 4 males and 27 females in the BABA group, aged (34.6±9.2) years (range: 19 to 58 years). The t test, Mann-Whitney U test, χ² test or Fisher exact test were used to compare the clinical efficacy between the two groups. Results: All the patients successfully completed robotic thyroid surgery without conversion to open surgery. Compared with BABA group, the TORT group had longer operation time ((211.3±57.2) minutes vs. (126.2±37.8) minutes, t=6.915, P<0.01), shorter drainage tube retention time ((5.4±1.0) days vs. (6.4±1.2) days, t=-3.544, P=0.001), shorter total hospital stay ((6.6±1.2) days vs. (7.4±1.3) days, t=-2.353, P=0.022), and higher cosmetic score (9.46±0.25 vs. 9.27±0.26, t=2.925, P=0.005). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the number of lymph nodes dissection, metastasis in the central compartment, and the incidence of postoperative complications (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Compared with the bilateral breast-axillary approach, the transoral vestibular approach of robotic thyroidectomy is also safe and effective. It shows similar surgical results to the bilateral breast-axillary approach in strictly selected patients, but the postoperative recovery speed is much faster, and the hospital stay is shorter. Transoral robotic thyroidectomy is a more recommended surgical method for patients with high aesthetic demand.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Robotic Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Thyroid Neoplasms/surgery* ; Thyroidectomy/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Neck Dissection/methods* ; Axilla/pathology* ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To describe the current status and trends in the outcomes and care practices of extremely preterm infants at 22-25 weeks' gestation age from the Chinese Neonatal Network (CHNN) from 2019 to 2021. Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from the CHNN cohort of very preterm infants. All 963 extremely preterm infants with gestational age between 22-25 weeks who were admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICU) of the CHNN from 2019 to 2021 were included. Infants admitted after 24 hours of life or transferred to non-CHNN hospitals were excluded. Perinatal care practices, survival rates, incidences of major morbidities, and NICU treatments were described according to different gestational age groups and admission years. Comparison among gestational age groups was conducted using χ² and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Trends by year were evaluated by Cochran-Armitage and Jonckheere-Terpstra tests for trend. Results: Of the 963 extremely preterm infants enrolled, 588 extremely preterm infants (61.1%) were male. The gestational age was 25.0 (24.4, 25.6) weeks, with 29 extremely preterm infants (3.0%), 88 extremely preterm infants (9.1%), 264 extremely preterm infants (27.4%), and 582 extremely preterm infants (60.4%) at 22, 23, 24, and 25 weeks of gestation age, respectively. The birth weight was 770 (680, 840) g. From 2019 to 2021, the number of extremely preterm infants increased each year (285, 312, and 366 extremely preterm infants, respectively). Antenatal steroids and magnesium sulfate were administered to 67.7% (615/908) and 51.1% (453/886) mothers of extremely preterm infants. In the delivery room, 20.8% (200/963) and 69.5% (669/963) extremely preterm infants received noninvasive positive end-expiratory pressure support and endotracheal intubation. Delayed cord clamping and cord milking were performed in 19.0% (149/784) and 30.4% (241/794) extremely preterm infants. From 2019 to 2021, there were significant increases in the usage of antenatal steroids, antenatal magnesium sulfate, and delivery room noninvasive positive-end expiratory pressure support (all P<0.05). Overall, 349 extremely preterm infants (36.2%) did not receive complete care, 392 extremely preterm infants (40.7%) received complete care and survived to discharge, and 222 extremely preterm infants (23.1%) received complete care but died in hospital. The survival rates for extremely preterm infants at 22, 23, 24 and 25 weeks of gestation age were 10.3% (3/29), 23.9% (21/88), 33.0% (87/264) and 48.3% (281/582), respectively. From 2019 to 2021, there were no statistically significant trends in complete care, survival, and mortality rates (all P>0.05). Only 11.5% (45/392) extremely preterm infants survived without major morbidities. Moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (67.3% (264/392)) and severe retinopathy of prematurity (61.5% (241/392)) were the most common morbidities among survivors. The incidences of severe intraventricular hemorrhage or periventricular leukomalacia, necrotizing enterocolitis, and sepsis were 15.3% (60/392), 5.9% (23/392) and 19.1% (75/392), respectively. Overall, 83.7% (328/392) survivors received invasive ventilation during hospitalization, with a duration of 22 (10, 42) days. The hospital stay for survivors was 97 (86, 116) days. Conclusions: With the increasing number of extremely preterm infants at 22-25 weeks' gestation admitted to CHNN NICU, the survival rate remained low, especially the rate of survival without major morbidities. Further quality improvement initiatives are needed to facilitate the implementation of evidence-based care practices.
Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Infant, Extremely Premature ; Gestational Age ; Magnesium Sulfate/therapeutic use* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Infant, Premature, Diseases/epidemiology* ; Infant, Newborn, Diseases ; Steroids ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; China/epidemiology*