OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical treatment outcomes and the changes of the outcomes over time in extremely preterm twins in Guangdong Province, China. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for 269 pairs of extremely preterm twins with a gestational age of <28 weeks who were admitted to the department of neonatology in 26 grade A tertiary hospitals in Guangdong Province from January 2008 to December 2017. According to the admission time, they were divided into two groups: 2008-2012 and 2013-2017. Besides, each pair of twins was divided into the heavier infant and the lighter infant subgroups according to birth weight. The perinatal data of mothers and hospitalization data of neonates were collected. The survival rate of twins and the incidence rate of complications were compared between the 2008-2012 and 2013-2017 groups. RESULTS: Compared with the 2008-2012 group, the 2013-2017 group (both the heavier infant and lighter infant subgroups) had lower incidence rates of severe asphyxia and smaller head circumference at birth (P<0.05). The mortality rates of both of the twins, the heavier infant of the twins, and the lighter infant of the twins were lower in the 2013-2017 group compared with the 2008-2012 group (P<0.05). Compared with the 2008-2012 group, the 2013-2017 group (both the heavier infant and lighter infant subgroups) had lower incidence rates of pulmonary hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage (P-IVH), and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) and a higher incidence rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS There is a significant increase in the survival rate over time in extremely preterm twins with a gestational age of <28 weeks in the 26 grade A tertiary hospitals in Guangdong Province. The incidences of severe asphyxia, pulmonary hemorrhage, PDA, P-IVH, and NRDS decrease in both the heavier and lighter infants of the twins, but the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia increases. With the improvement of diagnosis and treatment, the multidisciplinary collaboration between different fields of fetal medicine including prenatal diagnosis, obstetrics, and neonatology is needed in the future to jointly develop management strategies for twin pregnancy.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/epidemiology* ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Extremely Premature ; Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To study the molecular mechanism of PI3K-Ⅲ like functional domain inducing programmed cell death of leukemia cell line K562. METHODS: The purified PI3K-Ⅲ like functional domain protein was obtained by Pichia pastoris expression system. MTT assay and colony-forming assay were used to detect the effects of PI3K-Ⅲ like functional domain protein on K562 cell proliferation. The effects of PI3K-Ⅲ like functional domain protein on apoptosis and cell cycle of on K562 cells were detected by flow cytometry. The ultrastructural changes were detected by transmission electron microscopy. The expression of caspase-3 was detected by ELISA. The protein expressions of ATG4B, Beclin-1, Bcl-2 and LC3-II were evaluated by Western blot. RESULTS: PI3K-Ⅲ like functional domain protein could inhibit the proliferation and clony formation of K562 cells, which was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). In the experimental group, apoptosis and autophagosome were shown in K562 cells. The proportion of cells in G₀/G₁ phase increased significantly, while in S phase decreased significantly. Cell growth mostly stagnated in G₀/G₁ phase, which was significantly different from the control group (P<0.05). With the increase of concentration, the expression of caspase-3 protein increased significantly compared with the control group (r=0.966, P<0.05). The expression of ATG4B and beclin-1 appeared from increase to decrease, LC3-II increased while Bcl-2 decreased at different time points. CONCLUSION PI3K-Ⅲ like functional polypeptide could induce programmed cell death of leukemia cell K562. Beclin-1/Bcl-2 and caspase pathway may be involved in this way, which suggesting meant autophagy and apoptosis may work together at the same time.
Apoptosis ; Beclin-1/pharmacology* ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Leukemia ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the combination of Naoxintong Capsule with standard care could further reduce the recurrence of ischemic stroke without increasing the risk of severe bleeding. METHODS: A total of 23 Chinese medical centers participated in this trial. Adult patients with a history of ischemic stroke were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio using a block design to receive either Naoxintong Capsule (1.2 g orally, twice a day) or placebo in addition to standard care. The primary endpoint was recurrence of ischemic stroke within 2 years. Secondary outcomes included myocardial infarction, death due to recurrent ischemic stroke, and all-cause mortality. The safety of drugs was monitored. Results were analyzed using the intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS: A total of 2,200 patients were enrolled from March 2015 to March 2016, of whom 143 and 158 in the Naoxintong and placebo groups were lost to follow-up, respectively. Compared with the placebo group, the recurrence rate of ischemic stroke within 2 years was significantly lower in the Naoxintong group [6.5% vs. 9.5%, hazard ratio (HR): 0.665, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.492-0.899, P=0.008]. The two groups showed no significant differences in the secondary outcomes and safety, including rates of severe hemorrhage, cerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage (P>0.05). CONCLUSION The combination of Naoxintong Capsule with standard care reduced the 2-year stroke recurrence rate in patients with ischemic stroke without increasing the risk of severe hemorrhage in high-risk patients. (Trial registration No. NCT02334969).
Adult ; Humans ; Secondary Prevention/methods* ; Ischemic Stroke ; Stroke/prevention & control* ; Cerebral Hemorrhage/complications* ; Double-Blind Method ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors

Objective To investigate the current prevalence of human soil-borne nematode infections in Yunnan province, so as to provide the scientific evidence for formulating the soil-borne nematodiasis control strategy in the province. Methods In 2015, a total of 20 survey sites were sampled in 10 counties (cities) of Yunnan Province using the stratified cluster random sampling method. Stool samples were collected from all local permanent residents at ages of one year and older in each survey site, and the soil-borne nematode eggs were identified using the modified Kato-Katz technique and the egg number was counted. In addition, the hookworm species was identified using the filter-paperculture method, and Enterobius vermicularis eggs were detected using the cellophane tape method in children at ages of 3 to 6 years. Results A total of 5 067 residents received stool examinations, and 950 residents were detected with soil-borne nematode infections, with an overall prevalence rate of 18.75%. The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichura and hookworm was 7.52%, 8.47% and 9.02%, respectively. Among 446 children detected using the cellophane tape method, 5 children were detected with E. vermicularis infections. Among the 160 residents with hookworm infections, there were 139 residents with Necator americanus infections (86.88%), 16 with A. duodenale infections (10.00%) and 5 with mixed infections (3.12%). Mild A. lumbricoides (67.98%, 259/381), T. trichura (88.58%, 380/429) and hookworm infections (94.53%, 432/457) were predominant. Among the four ecological zones, the highest prevalence of human soilborne nematode infections was found in the East Tibet-South Sichuan Ecological Zone (31.79%), and among the 10 survey counties (cities), the greatest prevalence was seen in Gongshan Derung and Nu Autonomous County (50.13%), while the lowest prevalence was found in Ninglang Yi Autonomous County (0.40%). The prevalence of human soil-borne nematode infections was 5.67% (43/759), 26.67% (610/2 287) and 14.70% (297/2 021) in high-, moderate- and low-economic-level regions, respectively. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of human soil-borne nematode infections in terms of ecological regions, survey counties (cities) or economic development levels (χ² = 342.20, 814.60 and 201.34, all P < 0.05). There was no significantdifference in the prevalence of human soil-borne nematode infections between male (18.21%, 441/2 422) and female residents (19.24%, 509/2 645) (χ² = 0.89, P > 0.05), and soil-borne nematode infections were detected in residents at all age groups, with the greatest prevalence found in residents at ages of 1 to 9 years (25.88%). In addition, the highest prevalence of soil-borne nematode infections was seen in residents with the Dulong Ethnic Minority (82.09%), in preschool children (25.06%) and in illiterate residents (24.80%), and there was no age-, ethnicity-, occupation- or education level-specific prevalence of soil-borne nematode infections detected (χ² = 46.50, 1 016.96, 36.33 and 52.43, all P < 0.05). Conclusions The prevalence of human soil-borne nematode infections remains high in Yunnan Province. The management of soil-borne nematodiasis requires to be reinforced among low-age children, farmers, old people and residents with low educations levels or ethnic groups.

Objective To study a method for monitoring multichannel electrode-scalp contact impedances in electrical impedance tomography (EIT), and to provide support for exploring the impact of contact impedances on imaging and the suppression method.Methods A reference electrode was introduced for the system,placed on the back of the neck or the top of the head. In the spare time of boundary voltage signal acquisition phase, the method of two electrodes was adopted to measure the electrical impedance between each imaging electrode and reference electrode, which was used to analyze the characteristics of multichannel contact impedances.Based on the existing EIT hardware system,the module for monitoring multichannel contact impedance was implemented.Results The calibration board test showed that the measurement error of this method was less than 1‰,and the maximum relative fluctuation of the measurement result within 10 hours was less than 1‰. Preliminary human test indicated that this method had the ability to obtain two kinds of information about spatial consistency and temporal stability of 16-channel contact impedances. Conclusion This method has high accuracy and stability,so it meets the requirements of monitoring multichannel contact impedances in brain EIT.

Objective To analyze the difference of teaching modes of course of digital signal processing for the undergraduates and postgraduates.Methods The teaching modes were compared from the aspects of educational objective,teaching content, teaching method,examination mode and etc.Results Differentiated teaching modes contributed to the satisfactory education of the undergraduates and postgraduates. Conclusion The differentiated teaching modes for the undergraduates and postgraduates provide references for the high-level education in universities and colleges of science and technology. [Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2018,39(5):87-89,102]

OBJECTIVETo summarize long-term outcomes of childhood lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) with protocol CCCG-97 and -2002.

METHODSFrom November 1998 to October 2010, 70 consecutive newly diagnosed childhood LBL (5 B-LBL and 65 T-LBL) were enrolled in this study, in which 22 received CCCG-97 and 48 CCCG-2002 protocols. St.Jude staging system was adopted. Patients were divided into three risk groups based on clinical stage and serum LDH, and received chemotherapy with different intensity. The factors, which were possibly associated with the prognosis, were analyzed. The survival rates were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTSThe patients were 1.5 to 14 years old with the median age of 8 years old. They were evaluated as stage I-II for 6 , stage III41, and stage IV23 (15 were BM positive and 8 multiple bone metastases). Until Dec.31th, 2011,the mean follow-up was 62.5 months (range, 14 to 161 months) with the median follow-up of 48 months. 1-year overall survival (OS) was 74.3%, and 5- year event-free survival (EFS) 64.1% (abundance as event). Thirteen patients were complicated with serious condition during chemotherapy and 1 died of complication. Univariate analysis indicated that delayed and/or non-completed response on days 33 and 63 of induction was the unfavorable prognostic factor.

CONCLUSIONPrimary LBL usually located in the mediastinum. 90% of the patients was at advanced stage III-IV at first presentation. The 5-year EFS was 64.1%. Patients not achieved CR at days 33 and 63 at the end of induction was a poor prognostic factor.

Adolescent ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To observe the expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) in the unstable plaque of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS),and the impact of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) on the EMMPRIN expression in macrophages.Methods The EMMPRIN expression was detected by immunohistochemistry in 11 unstable plaques from patients with ACS.Protein expression of EMMPRIN was evaluated by Western blot on macrophages differentiated from THP-1 which were stimulated with LTB4 in the absence or presence of LTB4 antagonist U75302.There are 8 study groups:1-THP-1,2 -8-the macrophages derived from THP-1,2 - 6- macrophages were stimulated by LTB4 (0,10-10,10-9,10-8 and 10-7mol/L) for 24 h,7 -8-the macrophages were pretreated by 10-6 mol/L or 10-7 mol/L U75302 2 h before the LTB4 ( 10-7 mol/L) stimulation.Results Abundant EMMPRIN expression was detected in macrophages and smooth muscle cells of unstable plaques from ACS patients.As to the THP-1 derived macrophages,EMMPRIN expression was significantly upregulated in a concentration-dependent manner in LTB4 stimulated groups,which was significantly higher in group 3 -6 than in the THP-1 group ( group 1 ) and macrophages group ( group 2 ) ( all P ＜ 0.05 ) and pretreatment with U75302 significantly reduced the LTB4 induced upregulation of EMMPRIN in a dose-dependent manner (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion EMMPRIN expression is enhanced in macrophages and smooth muscle cells on unstable coronary artery plaques from ACS patients.LTB4 could stimulate EMMPRIN expression on THP-1 derived macrophages suggesting that LTB4 and EMMPRIN might be both involved in the formation and progression of unstable plaques,future studies are warranted to explore if LTB4 and EMMPRIN antagonists are effective or not for treating patients with ACS.

Methanotrophs can catalyze hydroxylate of methane and some hydrocarbon. Which play an important role in mitigating global warming and have also potential significance for industrial applications or bioremediation. A high activity of hydroxylase, a crucial component in sMMO, from Methylosinus trichosporium IMV 3011 has been purified to homologues by using chromatographic techniques. The molecular weight of the hydroxylase determined by gel filtration is 201.3 kD, and SDS-PAGE showed that hydroxylase consists of three subunits(alpha beta gamma) with molecular weights of 58kD, 36kD and 23kD respectively, drawing a comparison both methods indicated that the hydroxylase is a homodimer with an (alpha beta gamma)2 configuration. Purified hydroxylase has a pI at 5.2 judged by thin layer isoelectric focusing. The purified hydroxylase contains 3.02 mol of iron per mol of protein. The stability pH for the hydroxylase in solution is 5.8-8.0 and the stability temperature is below 35 degrees C. The cells form show a long, bent, and rod-shaped with even surface observed by scanning electron microscopy.
Chemical Phenomena ; Enzyme Stability ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Iron ; metabolism ; Methylosinus trichosporium ; enzymology ; Microscopy, Electron ; Oxygenases ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Spectrometry, Fluorescence ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet ; Temperature

Objective To study hemodynamics of cerebral blood flow in newborns with asphyxia.Method Bilateral cerebral electrical admittance plethysmogram(BCEAP) was used to explore characteristics of cerebral blood flow in 20 healthy newborns and 20 newborns with asphyxia respectively from first to fourth day after birth.Results Both the ratio of Hs to b-S(Hs/ b-S) and index of admittance differential loop(ADL) Ⅰ+Ⅱ decreased significantly in newborns with asphyxia compared to normal control from first to fourth day after birth(P