AIM: To assess the effect of raloxifene, a selective estrogen modulator, on the transcriptional activity of estrogen responsive element (ERE) in vascular endothelial cells. METHODS: Vascular endothelial cells were transfected with ERE-TK-Luc reporter plasmid and PRL-SV40 control plasmid via FuGENE 6. The activities of firefly luciferase and renilla luciferase were measured with dual-luciferase reporter assay system. The transcriptional activity in transfected cells treated with raloxifene was compared with that in untreated cells. Furthermore, raloxifene was used to cotreat the cells with estradiol (E_2) and the influence of raloxifene to the effect of E_2 was assessed. RESULTS: Compared to untreated cells, the luciferase activity in cells treated with raloxifene decreased and showed significance at concentration of 10~(-7)mol/L (P

Objective To investigate the effect of raloxifene on the mRNA expression of endothelin-1 in vascular endothelial cells and assess the role of estrogen receptor. Methods Bovine carotid endothelial cells were pretreated with 10nM raloxifene for 24 hours, then total RNA was harvested and Northern blotting was performed to investigate the effect of raloxifene on the mRNA expression of endothelin-1. Furthermore, estrogen receptor inhibitor, 100nM ICI 182 780 was used to pretreat the cells together with raloxifene and the expression of endothelin-1 was observed too. Results The mRNA expression of endothelin-1 in bovine carotid endothelial cells was inhibited significantly by pretreatment with raloxifene and this effect could be blocked by ICI182 780 (0.16?0.05 vs 0.39?0.07, P

Objective To investigate the relationship between the expressions of angiotensin converting enzyme 2(ACE2)/ACE mRNA in myocardium-nephors and the blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).Method A total of 18 male of 12 weeks old SHRs and 18 male of 12 weeks old Wistar Kyoto(WKY)rats were got for the experimental study.Nine SHRs and 9 WKY rats were randomly taken out as controls and sacrificed for detecting the mRNA expressions and protein of ACE2 and ACE.Other halves of rats of both groups were fed for 12 weeks and then sacrificed for detecting of the same biomarkers as in controls.The mRNA expressions of ACE2 and ACE were determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR.The protein level of ACE2 and ACE were determined by immunohistochemistry.Results Systolic blood pressure(SBP)in SHRs of 12 and 24 weeks old increased compared with that in WKY(all P＜0.01).SBP in SHRs of 24 weeks old increased compared with that in SHRs of 12 weeks old(P＜0.01).The cardiac and renal expressions of ACE2 mRNA in SHRs of 12 and 24 weeks old were all significantly lower than those in WKY rats(P＜0.01).The expressions of ACE mRNA in SHRs of 12 and 24 weeks old were all significantly higher than those in WKY rats(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The cardiac and renal expression of ACE2 mRNA in SHRs of 24 weeks old was significantly lower than that in SHRs of 12 weeks(P＜0.01).The myocardial and renal expression of ACE mRNA in SHRs of 24 weeks old was significantly higher than that in 12 SHRs of weeks old(P＜0.01).The positive reactions of ACE2 protein found in kidney displayed in brown colur.The ACE2 proetin appeared in uniform distribution of brown granules in WKY rats and comparatively scanty distribution of brown granule in SHRs.Conclusions There are correaltions between the expressions of ACE2/ACE mKNA as well as protein and blood pressure.

Objective To investigate the relation between lesions of medullary infarction and clinical symptoms and signs.Methods Eleven patients with medullary infarction confirmed by MRI were identified.Their clinical presentations and the relation between clinical presentation and location of lesion in MRI were assessed and analyzed.Results Among the 11 patients,5 cases suffered from lateral medullary infarction,6 medial medullary infarction(including two cases of bilateral infarction).Regarding clinical symptoms,common symptoms in lateral medullary infarction are blurred speech,dizziness,choking water,swallowing difficulties and facial numbness;in medial medullary infarction are limb weakness and blurred speech.The common signs of lateral medullary infarction are dysarthria,sensory disturbance,Horner sign and facial paralysis;in medial medullary infarction are paralysis of limbs and peripheral paralysis of the tongue.Conclusion Clinical manifestations are vailed depending on the sites of medullary infarction.MRI is helpful in diagnosing of medullary infarction.

Background The operation mode of automobile manufacturing industry (AMI) makes workers have different degrees of occupational stress and burnout, which may lead to negative emotions and depressive symptoms. Objective To study the relationship between occupational stress, job burnout, and depressive symptoms in AMI workers. Methods In this study, 1300 workers from a Guangzhou AMI company were selected as subjects by cluster random sampling method. Occupational stress, job burnout, and depressive symptoms of the workers were assessed by using the Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) questionnaire, the Maslach Burnout Inventory general survey questionnaire, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, respectively. Hierarchical regression was used to analyze the effects of occupational stress and job burnout on depressive symptoms in AMI workers. Mediating effect model was used to analyze the mediating effect of job burnout on the relationship between occupational stress and depressive symptoms. Results There were 1300 questionnaires distributed, 1228 valid questionnaires collected, with a 94.5% recovery rate. The ERI ratio of 1228 AMI workers was 1.06±0.72, and the positive rate of occupational stress was 37.3% (458/1228). The score of job burnout was 2.18±1.37, and the positive rate of job burnout was 62.6% (769/1228). The score of depressive symptoms was 10.27±6.42, and the positive rate of depressive symptoms was 47.1% (578/1228). The dimensional scores of effort and over-commitment in occupational stress as well as emotional exhaustion and depersonalization in job burnout of AMI workers were positively correlated with the depressive symptom scores (r_s=0.415, 0.571, 0.573, 0.593, P＜0.05). The dimensional scores of reward and personal achievement were negatively correlated (r_s=−0.454, −0.339, P＜0.05). The percentages of variance in depressive symptoms score explained by occupational stress and job burnout were 26.7% and 16.6%, respectively. Job burnout had a partial mediating effect between the three dimensions of occupational stress and depressive symptoms, and the mediating effect values were −0.2832 (95%CI: −0.3250– −0.2434), 0.3553 (95%CI: 0.3071–0.4041), and 0.4193 (95%CI: 0.3681–0.4725), respectively. Conclusion AMI workers' occupational stress affects job burnout, but also indirectly affects depressive symptoms. Job burnout partially mediates the association between occupational stress and depressive symptoms. Reducing occupational stress and burnout levels of AMI workers may alleviate depressive symptoms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Tafamidis functions to delay the loss of function in transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP), which is a rare inherited amyloidosis with progressive sensorimotor and autonomic polyneuropathy. This systematic literature review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of tafamidis in TTR-FAP patients, with the aim of improving the evidence-based medical evidence of this treatment option for TTP-FAP. METHODS: A systematic search of the English-language literature in five databases was performed through to May 31, 2018 by two reviewers who independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. We extracted efficacy and safety outcomes and performed a meta-analysis. Statistical tests were performed to check for heterogeneity and publication bias. RESULTS: The meta-analysis identified six relevant studies. The tafamidis group showed smaller changes from baseline in the Neuropathy Impairment Score–Lower Limbs [mean difference (MD)=−3.01, 95% confidence interval (CI)=−3.26 to −2.75, p < 0.001] and the Norfolk Quality of Life-Diabetic Neuropathy total quality of life score (MD=−6.67, 95% CI=−9.70 to −3.64, p < 0.001), and a higher modified body mass index (MD=72.45, 95% CI=69.41 to 75.49, p < 0.001), with no significant difference in total adverse events [odds ratio (OR)=0.69, 95% CI=0.35 to 1.35, p=0.27]. The incidence of adverse events did not differ between tafamidis and placebo treatment except for fatigue (OR=0.13, 95% CI=0.02 to 0.72, p=0.02) and hypesthesia (OR=0.16, 95% CI=0.03 to 0.92, p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review and meta-analysis has demonstrated that tafamidis delays neurologic progression and preserves a better nutritional status and the quality of life. The rates of adverse events did not differ between the patients in the tafamidis and placebo groups. Tafamidis might be a safer noninvasive option for patients with TTR-FAP.
Amyloid Neuropathies ; Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial* ; Amyloidosis ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Body Mass Index ; Extremities ; Fatigue ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Incidence ; Nutritional Status ; Polyneuropathies ; Population Characteristics ; Prealbumin* ; Publication Bias ; Quality of Life

Objective To objectively study the current progress of China Healthcare Improvement Initiative, and its effectiveness and shortcomings for further improvement. Methods Questionnaires were customized by expert consultation and pre-investigation, and distributed by the National Health Commission in April 2018 to the hospitals.Data of 5 469 hospitals were recovered and analyzed with a statistics software for descriptive analysis.Results Implementation progress of the five working systems varied with regions, and rooms of improvement were found in such aspects as outpatient appointment, clinical pathway management and social work system.In 2017, the proportion of outpatient appointments of 5 469 hospitals averaged 19.1%.Progress of the ten major service models also varied, as defects were found in such service models as continuous medical service, intelligent service, and interconnection service.In 2017, only 6.7% of the 5 469 hospitals had put in place hierarchical integrated clinical pathways within their medical alliances.Conclusions Improvement of the medical services calls for not only the efforts of medical institutions themselves, but also top-level design by the local health authorities. In particular, an online information platform should be established for the whole region, to unify the information standards and processes, and corresponding mechanisms and system support are needed.

Objective To explore the value of the 7th and 8th edition AJCC TNM staging systems for hepatocellular cancer about disease free survival (DFS) after surgery.Methods Clinical data of hepatocellular cancinoma patients were analyzed retrospectively.The difference of the two staging systems in predicting DFS were compared by Kaplan-Meier analytical method and ROC test.Results Based on AJCC 7th edition,there were 114 phase Ⅰ patients,64 phase Ⅱ patients,18 phase Ⅲ patients,4 phase Ⅳ patients,while based on 8th edition,there were 33 phase ⅠA patients,85 Ⅰ B patients,60 phase Ⅱ patients,18 phase Ⅲ patients and 4 phase Ⅳ patients.There was a significant difference in the survival curve between the two stages (x2 =31.177,40.073,P ＜ 0.01).At the same time,the area under the ROC curve in the 8th edition was better than that in the 7th edition.In addition,in the 8th edition the DFS curve of phase ⅠA was superior to that of phase Ⅰ in 7th edition,and to that of phase ⅠB in the 8th edition (x2 =5.701,P =0.017;x2 =7.865,P =0.005).There was no significant difference between that of phase Ⅰ in the 7th edition and that of phase ⅠB in the 8th edition (~ =0.753,P =0.385).Conclusion The value of the 8th AJCC TNM staging in evaluating postoperative DFS is better than the 7th stage,especially for stage I patients.

{L-End}Objective To analyze the prevalence of multi-site work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and their influencing factors among workers in the chemical pharmaceutical industry. {L-End}Methods A total of 563 workers from three chemical pharmaceutical factories in Guangzhou City were selected as the research subjects using the judgment sampling method. The prevalence of multi-site WMSDs in the past 12 months was investigated using the electronic questionnaire of Chinese Version of Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire. {L-End}Results The prevalence of multi-site WMSDs in the research subjects was 30.0% (169/563). The results of multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that workers who smoked regularly/frequently and those who had their hands above shoulder level for long periods of time had a lower risk of multi-site WMSDs than those who never/occasionally smoked (all P≤0.05). Workers with a high school, secondary specialty, college degree, or above had a lower risk of multi-site WMSDs than those with a middle school education or below (all P<0.05). The longer the daily working hours, the higher the risk of multiple WMSDs (all P<0.05). Workers with regular/frequently work shifts had a lower risk of multi-site WMSDs than those with none/occasional work shifts (P<0.05). {L-End}Conclusion The prevalence of multi-site WMSDs among workers in the chemical pharmaceutical industry is relatively high. The influencing factors are individual factors, unreasonable work organization and poor ergonomics factors.

{L-End}Objective To investigate the current status of long working hours of food-delivery workers from food-delivery platform, and analyze its impact on their health such as occupational stress, depressive symptoms, insomnia symptoms, fatigue accumulation, and life satisfaction. {L-End}Methods A total of 2 145 food-delivery workers from two food-delivery platforms in Guangzhou City were selected as the research subjects using convenience sampling method. The occupational stress, depressive symptoms, insomnia symptoms, fatigue accumulation, and life satisfaction were investigated using the Core Occupational Stress Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items, Self-sleep Management Questionnaire, Self-diagnosis Questionnaire of Fatigue Accumulation of Workers, and World Health Organization Five-item Well Being Index. {L-End}Results The median and the 25th and 75th percentiles of weekly working hours were 63 (49,77) hours. And 92.2% (1 978/2 145) of workers, who worked more than 40 hours per week, were long working hours workers. While 70.1% (1 504/2 145) workers, who worked 55 hours or more per week, were ultra-long working hours workers. The detection rate of occupational stress, depressive symptoms, insomnia symptoms, fatigue accumulation, and low life satisfaction was 30.1%, 27.5%, 34.7%, 40.8%, and 75.1%, respectively. The longer the weekly working hours of the research subjects, the higher the detection rate of occupational stress and fatigue accumulation (all P<0.01). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that ultra-long working hours (weekly working hours ≥55 hours) was the influencing factor of occupational stress and fatigue accumulation after excluding the influence of confounding factors among workers (all P<0.05). {L-End}Conclusion The food-delivery workers of food-delivery platforms generally work long hours. Ultra-long working hours is a risk factor for occupational stress and fatigue accumulation among these workers.