ObjectiveTo determine endometrial thickness, endometrial volumeand, endometrial and subendometrial blood flows, by using transvaginal two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound examination and to compare the value of all the parameters in the prediction of endometrial receptivity during in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles.MethodsOne hundred and twenty patients undergoing IVF cycles were recruited for this study. Transvaginal 2D and 3D ultrasound examination was performed to determine endometrial thickness, endometrial volume, pulsatility index (PI), resisitance index (RI) , systolic/diastolic ratio (S/D) of endometrial, subendometrial blood flows , vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization flow index (VFI) of endometrial and subendometrial regions by experienced sonographers on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) injection. Statistical comparison was carried out by Mann-Whitney test. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was applied and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Statistic analyses were performed using SPSS 13.0. The two-tailed value of was considered statistically significant.ResultsThere were no significant differences between the pregnant group and non-pregnant group in endometrial thickness, endometrial volume (P>0.05). Patients in the pregnant group had lower PI, RI and S/D of endometrial and subendometrial blood flows than those in the non-pregnant group (Z=-3.811,-3.097,-2.071, P=0.001, 0.001, 0.038), with statisticalsignificant difference. Patients in the pregnant group had higher VI, FI and VFI of endometrial and subendometrial regions than those in the non-pregnant group (Z=-1.970,-2.698,-1.981, P=0.490, 0.007, 0.048;Z=-2.098,-2.090,-2.115,P=0.036, 0.037, 0.034), with statistical significant difference. ConclusionsEndometrial and subendometria blood flows measured by transvaginal 2D and 3D ultrasound can be as a reliable indicator to assess endometrial receptivity and predict the pregnancy outcome. Among all the endometrial and subendometrial blood flow parameters, VI of endometrial and subendometrial are better predicators.

Objective To evaluate the value of virtual touch quantization (VTQ) imaging in diagnosis of IgA nephropathy. Methods The clinical data of 85 patients with IgA nephropathy were analyzed, who were treated in Capital Medical University Affiliate Beijing Chaoyang Hospital from December 2013 to July 2014. The patients who was with critical condition, unable to cooperate and with other pathological types were excluded. Finally 108 kidneys of IgA nephropathy with mesangial cell hyperplasia in 54 cases were included into the study. Meanwhile 108 kidneys in 54 volunteers who took the health physical examination in our hospital were taken as healthy controls. VTQ was performed in middle part of kidney and the measurements of shear wave velocity (SWV) was recorded. The mean SWV of renal parenchyma and collecting system was compared in different groups. Results The mean SWV measurement of renal parenchyma and collecting system in control group were (2.13±0.13) m/s, (1.15±0.02) m/s;the results in IgA nephropathy group were (3.07±0.62) m/s, (1.12±0.29) m/s. The mean SWV of renal collecting system was lower than that of renal parenchyma (t=-14.481, P<0.001). The mean SWV of renal parenchyma and collecting system in IgA Nephropathy group was higher than that in control group (t=-54.01, P<0.001). The renal parenchyma VTQ value positively correlated with the degree of renal insufficiency for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) (F=798.70, P<0.001). The interlobular arterial resistance index (RI) increased gradually with CKD stage, but no statistical differences were found. Conclusion In terms of early diagnosis and clinical staging, VTQ technology has some diagnostic value in evaluation of renal parenchymal damage for patients with IgA nephropathy.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between the results of skin prick test (SPT) of dust mites and serum specific IgE (S-IgE). METHODS A total of 170 patients with allergic rhinitis received SPT and detection of S-IgE of Der p and Der f. The positive rates and grades of S-IgE to different diameters of skin reaction or skin index (SI) were compared. RESULTS The positive rates and grades of S-IgE showed significant differences among different diameters of skin reaction or skin index (SI) patients. The positive rates and grades of S-IgE increased significantly according to the diameters of skin reaction or SI. CONCLUSION There is a significant association between SPT of dust mites and S-IgE.

Objective To investigate the role of endometrial and subendometrial blood flows measured by transvaginal three-dimensional(3D) power Doppler ultrasound in the prediction of endometrial receptivity during in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles. Methods One hundred and twenty patients undergoing IVF-ET cycles were enrolled in this study. Transvaginal 3D power Doppler ultrasound examination was performed on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin injection to determine endometrial thickness,endometrial volume, vascularization index(VI), flow index(FI) and vascularization flow index (VFI) of endometrial and subendometrial regions by experienced sonograpbers. The patients were divided into pregnant group and non-pregnant group according to pregnant outcome. The data between the two groups were compared and analysed. Results There were no significant differences( P ＞0.05) between the pregnant group and non-pregnant group in endometrial thickness, endometrial volume. Endometrial and subendometrial VI,FI, VFI were higher in the pregnant group than those in the non-pregnant group, and statistical comparison had significant difference( P ＜0.05). Conclusions Endometrial and subendometrial blood flows measured by transvaginal 3D power Doppler ultrasound can be as a reliable indicator to assess endometrial receptivity and to predict the pregnancy outcome.

Keratoconus (KC) is a common cornea ectatic disorder characterized by myopia,irregular astigmatism and other visual impairment caused by corneal thinning and cone-shaped protrusion.With a wide range of effects,the etiology of this disease is unknown,and genetic factors may be involved in its pathogenesis.This paper summarizes the research progress on KC genetic etiology for reviewing the selected candidate genes and loci based on traditional/genome-wide linkage studies,genome-wide association studies and central corneal thickness in recent years.Genetic studies on KC pathogenesis will advance our understanding of this disease and further promote the development of potential therapies.

OBJECTIVETo determine the best cutoff value and reference standard of obese indexes and to compare their diagnostic value in screening, predicting and diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in male adults by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC).

METHODSA total of 1110 male adults were included and cross-sectional study was adopted. Four parameters including: body mass index (BMI), neck circumference (NC), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were studied. The correlativity between apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and BMI, NC, WC and WHR were analyzed by pearson correlation test. ROC curve was used to assess the diagnostic value and determine their best cutoff value to predict OSAHS and reference standard to screen/diagnose it. Their conformity in predicting OSAHS was analyzed by area under curve (AUC). SPSS software version 13.0 was used for statistical analysis and P< or =0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.

RESULTS(1) All of the fourindexes (BMI, NC, WC and WHR) showed a significantly positive correlation with AHI in adult male patients, with their Pearson coefficients as 0.373, 0.276, 0.291 and 0.127, respectively, and their P value were all below 0.001; (2) The best cutoff value of BMI, NC and WC in predicting OSAHS were 26.5 kg/m2 , 39 cm, 95 cm, and their corresponding sensitivity rates were 54%, 57% and 64% while rates of specificity as 73%, 65% and 53%; (3) BMI was better than other two indexes in predicting OASHS in adult male patients; (4) The value of BMI, NC and WC in screening OSAHS among adult male patients with 90% sensitivity and 10% rate of missed diagnosis as 23 kg/m2, 35 cm, 85 cm; (5) The value of BMI, NC and WC in screening OSAHS in adult male patients with 90% specificity and 10% misdiagnosis rate as 29 kg/m2, 43 cm, 105 cm, respectively.

CONCLUSIONBMI seemed better in predicting OSAHS in male adults than NC, WC and WHR. The best cutoff values to predict OSAHS of BMI, NC and WC were 26.5 kg/m2, 39 cm and 95 cm, respectively. Their reference standards to screen OSAHS were 23 kg/m2, 35 cm and 85 cm while 29 kg/m2, 43 cm and 105 cm to predict OSAHS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Body Mass Index ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; complications ; Predictive Value of Tests ; ROC Curve ; Reference Standards ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; complications ; diagnosis ; Waist Circumference ; Waist-Hip Ratio ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo summarize the effectiveness of Chinese and Western integrative medicine in treating medium and advanced lung cancer, and to provide guidelines for clinical application.

METHODSFor this metaanalysis, a comparative search of Chinese medicine data in Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Chinese BioMedical Literature Database (CBM) was undertaken to identify articles related to randomized comparative research of Chinese and Western integrative medicine in treating medium and advanced lung cancer between 1996 to 2006. Quality of life (QOL) was estimated using RevMan 4.2 software for data processing, adopting the odd ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTSThrough meta-analysis of 10 qualified articles, the results were as follows: the merging effectiveness of QOL [OR=3.80, 95% CI (2.65, 5.47)]; the rate of survival [OR=3.44, 95% CI (2.04, 5.80)]; the tumor response rate [OR=1.88, 95% CI (1.37, 2.58)]; the tumor developing rate [OR=0.33, 95% CI (0.23, 0.48)]. Significant differences existed between the Chinese and Western integrative medicine treatment group and the Western treatment group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSChinese and Western integrative medicine treatment of medium and advanced lung cancer has shown to improve patients' QOL and survival rate; it also can control tumor development in the short term.

Carcinoma ; epidemiology ; pathology ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Disease Progression ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; methods ; Lung Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; pathology ; therapy ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Neoplasm Staging ; Publication Bias ; statistics & numerical data ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; statistics & numerical data ; Treatment Outcome ; Western World

BACKGROUNDThe CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing family (CMTM) is a novel family of proteins linking chemokines and TM4SF. Different members exhibit diverse biological functions. In this study, the effect of intracellular CMTM2 on regulating human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) transcription was evaluated.

METHODSThe effects of CMTM2 on regulating full-length HIV-1 provirus and the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR)-directed transcription were assessed by luciferase assay. Transcription factor assays, using the luciferase reporter plasmids of AP-1, CRE, and NF-κB were conducted to explore the signaling pathway(s) that may be regulated by CMTM2. The potential relationship between CMTM2 and the transcription factor AP-1 was further analyzed by Western blotting analyses to investigate the effect of CMTM2 on PMA-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation.

RESULTSThe results from the current study revealed that CMTM2 acts as a negative regulator of HIV-1 transcription. CMTM2 exerted a suppressive action on both full-length HIV-1 provirus and HIV-1 LTR-directed transcription. Transcription factor assays showed that CMTM2 selectively inhibited basal AP-1 and CREB activity. Co-expression of HIV-1 Tat, a potent AP-1 and CREB activator, can not reverse CMTM2-mediated AP-1 and CREB inhibition, suggesting a potent and specific effect of CMTM2 on negatively regulating these two signaling pathways.

CONCLUSIONIntracellular CMTM2 can negatively regulate HIV-1 transcription, at least in part, by targeting the AP-1 and CREB pathways. Exploring the mechanisms further may lead to new ways to control HIV-1 replication.

Chemokines ; physiology ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; antagonists & inhibitors ; HIV Long Terminal Repeat ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; Humans ; Intracellular Space ; metabolism ; Jurkat Cells ; MARVEL Domain-Containing Proteins ; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate ; pharmacology ; Transcription Factor AP-1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Transcription, Genetic ; U937 Cells

OBJECTIVETo investigate the incidence of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in early esophageal carcinoma and the techniques of dissection.

METHODSStandard three-field dissection was performed in patients with small superficial esophageal carcinoma detected by endoscopy from 1993 - 2007. The lymph node metastases in different regions were identified by histopathology. The survival rate of the cases was analyzed.

RESULTSA total of 149 patients with early esophageal carcinoma were identified by postoperative pathological examination. The overall lymph node metastasis (LNM) rate was 22.8%, and the degree of LNM was 2.4% in all fields. Most lymph node metastases from upper thoracic esophageal carcinoma were found in cervical and the right upper mediastinal nodes. The LNM from middle thoracic esophageal carcinoma were approximately equal in the cervical, mediastinal, and abdominal lymph nodes, and abdominal lymph node metastasis predominated in lower thoracic esophageal carcinoma. The metastatic rate of LNM adjacent to the right recurrent laryngeaal nerve was the highest (44.1%). Significant differences were shown among the rates of LNM in relation to different macroscopic pattern, depth of invasion and differentiation of tumor (P < 0.01), but not to the longitudinal length of tumor (P > 0.05). The overall 5-year survival rate was 77.9%. It was 87.0% in patients without LNM, and 47.1% in those with LNM.

CONCLUSIONLymph node metastasis in early esophageal carcinoma is in a high frequency. Patients with tumor invasion into the mucosa or lamina propria but without lymph node metastasis may undergo a local operation such as endoscopic mucosectomy and have a good prognosis. Patients with tumor invasion into the muscularis mucosae or submucosa should be treated with radical surgery with three-field lymphadenectomy, especially, to dissect the lymph nodes adjacent to the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Abdomen ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; surgery ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Mediastinum ; Middle Aged ; Mucous Membrane ; pathology ; Neck ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Survival Rate

Objective To investigate the relationship between hemoglobin and blood pressure of pregnant women in Zhoushan islands, so as to provide scientific evidence for the etiological study of gestational hypertension. Methods A retrospective study was conducted among 1 383 pregnant women who received perinatal care in Zhoushan Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Zhejiang Province from January 2017 to June 2018. Pregnant women were monitored for hemoglobin content and blood pressure in the early, middle and late pregnancy. The multivariate linear regression was used to analyze the relationship between hemoglobin content and blood pressure in different pregnancy. Results The incidence of anemia in early, middle and late pregnancy was 7.74%, 25.45% and 15.76% respectively. The multivariate linear regression showed that hemoglobin levels during pregnancy had effects on systolic blood pressure in early, middle and late pregnancy, and the earlier hemoglobin levels were monitored, the more obvious the effect on systolic blood pressure was.With the increase of hemoglobin level, systolic blood pressure increased, such as the effect of hemoglobin on systolic blood pressure in early pregnancy, mid-pregnancy and late pregnancy. Hemoglobin of first trimster had the greatest effect (β=0.10, P<0.001), Hemoglobin of second trimester had no obvious effect, and that of third trimester had the second effect (β=0.04, P=0.027).Hemoglobin levels and diastolic blood pressure levels were similar to their relationship with systolic blood pressure. Conclusions Hemoglobin levels during pregnancy have significant effects on systolic and diastolic blood pressure in first, second and third trimsters of pregnancy. Regular measurement of hemoglobin levels during pregnancy can improve the health of pregnant women.