Body mass index (BMI) has been increasing globally in recent decades. Previous studies reported that BMI was associated with sex hormone levels, but the results were generated via linear regression or logistic regression, which would lose part of information. Quantile regression analysis can maximize the use of variable information. Our study compared the associations among different regression models. The participants were recruited from the Center of Reproductive Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University (Changchun, China) between June 2018 and June 2019. We used linear, logistic, and quantile regression models to calculate the associations between sex hormone levels and BMI. In total, 448 men were included in this study. The average BMI was 25.7 (standard deviation [s.d.]: 3.7) kg m^-2; 29.7% (n = 133) of the participants were normal weight, 45.3% (n = 203) of the participants were overweight, and 23.4% (n = 105) of the participants were obese. The levels of testosterone and estradiol significantly differed among BMI groups (all P < 0.05). In linear regression and logistic regression, BMI was associated with testosterone and estradiol levels (both P < 0.05). In quantile regression, BMI was negatively associated with testosterone levels in all quantiles after adjustment for age (all P < 0.05). BMI was positively associated with estradiol levels in most quantiles (≤80^th) after adjustment for age (all P < 0.05). Our study suggested that BMI was one of the influencing factors of testosterone and estradiol. Of note, the quantile regression showed that BMI was associated with estradiol only up to the 80^th percentile of estradiol.
Male ; Humans ; Body Mass Index ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; Regression Analysis ; Estradiol ; Testosterone

Platelets are reprogrammed by cancer via a process called education, which favors cancer development. The transcriptional profile of tumor-educated platelets (TEPs) is skewed and therefore practicable for cancer detection. This intercontinental, hospital-based, diagnostic study included 761 treatment-naïve inpatients with histologically confirmed adnexal masses and 167 healthy controls from nine medical centers (China, n = 3; Netherlands, n = 5; Poland, n = 1) between September 2016 and May 2019. The main outcomes were the performance of TEPs and their combination with CA125 in two Chinese (VC1 and VC2) and the European (VC3) validation cohorts collectively and independently. Exploratory outcome was the value of TEPs in public pan-cancer platelet transcriptome datasets. The AUCs for TEPs in the combined validation cohort, VC1, VC2, and VC3 were 0.918 (95% CI 0.889-0.948), 0.923 (0.855-0.990), 0.918 (0.872-0.963), and 0.887 (0.813-0.960), respectively. Combination of TEPs and CA125 demonstrated an AUC of 0.922 (0.889-0.955) in the combined validation cohort; 0.955 (0.912-0.997) in VC1; 0.939 (0.901-0.977) in VC2; 0.917 (0.824-1.000) in VC3. For subgroup analysis, TEPs exhibited an AUC of 0.858, 0.859, and 0.920 to detect early-stage, borderline, non-epithelial diseases and 0.899 to discriminate ovarian cancer from endometriosis. TEPs had robustness, compatibility, and universality for preoperative diagnosis of ovarian cancer since it withstood validations in populations of different ethnicities, heterogeneous histological subtypes, and early-stage ovarian cancer. However, these observations warrant prospective validations in a larger population before clinical utilities.
Humans ; Female ; Blood Platelets/pathology* ; Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics* ; Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology* ; China

Astragali Radix(AR)is a clinically used herbal medicine with multiple immunomodulatory activities that can strengthen the activity and cytotoxicity of natural killer(NK)cells.However,owing to the complexity of its composition,the specific active ingredients in AR that act on NK cells are not clear yet.Cell membrane chromatography(CMC)is mainly used to screen the active ingredients in a complex system of herbal medicines.In this study,a new comprehensive two-dimensional(2D)NK-92MI CMC/C18 column/time-of-flight mass spectrometry(TOFMS)system was established to screen for potential NK cell acti-vators.To obtain a higher column efficiency,3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane-modified silica was synthesized to prepare the NK-92MI CMC column.In total,nine components in AR were screened from this system,which could be washed out from the NK-92MI/CMC column after 10 min,and they showed good affinity for NK-92MI/CMC column.Two representative active compounds of AR,isoastragaloside Ⅰ and astragaloside Ⅳ,promoted the killing effect of NK cells on K562 cells in a dose-dependent manner.It can thus suggest that isoastragaloside Ⅰ and astragaloside Ⅳ are the main immunomodulatory compo-nents of AR.This comprehensive 2D NK-92MI CMC analytical system is a practical method for screening immune cell activators from other herbal medicines with immunomodulatory effects.

Tianma(the tuber of Gastrodia eleta) is a widely used and pricy Chinese herb. Its counterfeits are often found in herbal markets, which are the plant materials with similar macroscopic characteristics of Tianma. Moreover, the prices of Winter Tianma(cultivated Tianma) and Spring Tianma(mostly wild Tianma) have significant difference. However, it is difficult to identify the true or false, good or bad quality of Tianma samples. Thus, a total of 48 Tianma samples with different characteristics(including Winter Tianma, Spring Tianma, slice, powder, etc.) and 9 plant species 10 samples of Tianma counterfeits were collected and analyzed by HPLC-DAD-MS techniques. After optimizing the procedure of sample preparation, chromatographic and mass-spectral conditions, the HPLC chromatograms of all those samples were collected and compared. The similarities and Fisher discriminant analysis were further conducted between the HPLC chromatograms of Tianma and counterfeit, Winter Tianma and Spring Tianma. The results showed the HPLC chromatograms of 48 Tianma samples were similar at the correlation coefficient more than 0.848(n=48). Their mean chromatogram was simulated and used as Tianma HPLC fingerprint. There were 11 common peaks on the HPLC chromatograms of Tianma, in which 6 main peaks were chosen as characteristic peaks and identified as gastrodin, p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, parishin A, parishin B, parishin C, parishin E, respectively by comparison of the retention time, UV and MS data with those of standard chemical compounds. All the six chemical compounds are bioactive in Tianma. However, the HPLC chromatograms of the 10 counterfeit samples were significantly different from Tianma fingerprint. The correlation coefficients between HPLC fingerprints of Tianma with the HPLC chromatograms of counterfeits were less than 0.042 and the characteristic peaks were not observed on the HPLC chromatograms of these counterfeit samples. It indicated the true or false Tianma can be identified by either the similarity or characteristic peaks on HPLC fingerprint. Comparing the Winter Tianma with Spring Tianma showed that the HPLC chromatograms of 15 winter Tianma samples and 11 spring Tianma samples were similar at the mean correlation coefficient of 0.908. But the intensity of the characteristic peaks were different between the two groups of Tianma samples, i.e. the intensity of gastrodin, paishin A and C in winter Tianma was lower than those in spring Tianma. The Winter Tianma and Spring Tianma could be discriminated by either the Fisher unstandardized discrimination function or Linear discriminant function, based on the peak areas of 11 common peaks on HPLC chromatograms as variate.

Objective: To study the characteristics of attentional bias to emotional stimulus in medical workers of emergency department and explore the relationship between the emotional Stroop effect and mood states, thus providing a reference to the assessment and intervention of emergency medical workers’ mental health. Methods: Two kinds of emotional Stroop tasks with words and pictures and the Profile of Mood States (POMS) were administered to thirty-six medical workers of emergency department and thirty-six medical workers of other departments. Results: The reaction time to negative and positive words and pictures were all higher than the reaction time to neutral stimulus, thus showing the significant Stroop effect in medical workers. The Stroop effect to negative emotional stimulus in medical workers of emergency department was significantly smaller than that in medical workers of other departments, while the difference of Stroop effect to positive stimulus was not significant between the two groups. Correlation analyses revealed that the correlations between Stroop effect size to positive pictures and tension and angry of POMS were all negatively significant (r value was -0.314 and -0.330 respectively) , and the correlation between Stroop effect size to negative pictures and fatigue was negatively significant (r=-0.303) . Conclusions There is a significant emotional Stroop effect in medical workers. Although the ability of anti-interference to emotional stimulus in medical workers of emergency department was better than medical workers of the other departments, the long-term avoidance to negative emotional stimulus was still has a negative effect on the mood states of individuals.

OBJECTIVETo explore the grey matter volume (GMV) changes in neuromyelitis optica (NMO) patients using a voxel-based morphometry method.

METHODSWhole brain structural images were acquired in 16 NMO patients and 16 gender-and age-matched healthy controls. Comparison of GMV between the two groups was analyzed by VBM8 toolbox of statistical parametric mapping 8.

RESULTCompared with the controls, NMO patients showed decreased GMV in the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, occipital lobe, limbic lobe, optic tract, caudate nucleus, thalamus, and cerebellum (all P < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONSRegional atrophy of grey matter is found in NMO patients. Voxel-based morphometry can reveal brain volume changes sensitively.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gray Matter ; pathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neuromyelitis Optica ; pathology ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of cefaze-done injection ( CZD) compared with cefazolin injection ( CZL) in the treatment of acute bacterial respiratory infections.Methods Eligible subjects were divided randomly to receive 2.0 g cefazedone injection or cefazolin injection twice a day for 7 to 14 days.Efficacy and safety evaluation were done in accordance with the clinical trial protocol.Results Two hundred and sixty patients in 11 hospitals were en-rolled, 126 in CZD group( trial) and 134 in CZL group( control).There were no statistical differences in basic conditions between two groups( P >0.05 ).Cure rates of CZD group and CZL group were 95.5% and 94.9% in PPS ( P>0.05 ).Bacteria clearance rates of CZD group and CZL group were100% and 91.7% in BPPS and the total cure rates of CZD group and CZL group were 94.4% and 91.7% in BPPS, respectively ( P>0.05).Ten out off 126 patients in CZD group and 14 out off 134 in CZL group developed adverse events( AE ).Six and eleven events in CZD group and CZL group
were evaluated to be related with study drugs.One case in CZL group developed severe AE , which was considered not related with study drug.Conclusion Cefazedone injection is safe and effective in the treatment of respiratory infections.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic mucous resection with transparent cap (EMR-Cap) and endoscopic multi-band mucosectomy (MBM) in the treatment of early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesion.

METHODSA retrospective study was performed to review 30 EMR-Cap cases from December 2008 to December 2009 and 32 MBM cases from January 2010 to January 2011 of early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions. The differences between these two techniques in efficacy, safety, and cost were compared.

RESULTSIn EMR-Cap group, the median resection time was 26(10-56) min and median procedure time was 43(22-81) min, significantly longer than those in MBM group [10(7-18) min and 32(28-45) min, P=0.036 and 0.038, respectively]. There were no significant differences between the two groups in total thickness and depth of resected lesions (P>0.05). In EMR-Cap group, the median cost was significantly higher than that of MBM group [(5466±354) vs. (4014±368) RMB, P=0.008)].

CONCLUSIONSEMR-Cap and MBM are minimally invasive, safe and effective methods in the treatment of early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions. Compared to the EMR-Cap, MBM is simple with shorter treatment time and lower cost.

Aged ; Endoscopy ; methods ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucous Membrane ; surgery ; Precancerous Conditions ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the in vitro and in vivo osteogenic capability of adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs).

METHODSASCs were isolated from New Zealand white rabbits and determined by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, von Kossa staining and alizarin red staining. Some specific markers of osteogenic differentiation, including ALP, osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN) were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In vivo, demineralized bone matrix (DBM)-ASCs composites were implanted into the rabbit calvarial defects created at each side of the longitudinal midline. After 6 weeks, histologic properties of the transplants were analyzed.

RESULTSASCs were successfully induced into osteogenesis. ALP staining, von Kossa staining and alizarin red staining showed positive results. The expressions of ALP, OCN and OPN were detected in ASCs after cultivation in osteogenic medium. Extensive new bone was observed in the defects transplanted with DBM-ASCs composites.

CONCLUSIONASCs have the potential to differentiate into osteogenic lineage and DBM-ASCs constructs are a promising method for regeneration in bone defects.

Adipose Tissue ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Osteogenesis ; Rabbits ; Stromal Cells

OBJECTIVEStudies showed elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) of displaced midclavicular fractures has excellent outcomes, as well as high complication rates and specific problems. The aim was to discuss ESIN of midshaft clavicular fractures.

METHODSTotally 60 eligible patients (aged 18-63 years) were randomized to either ESIN group or non-operative group between January 2007 and May 2008. Clavicular shortening was measured after trauma and osseous consolidation. Radiographic union and complications were assessed. Function analysis including Constant shoulder scores and disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) scores were performed after a 15-month follow-up.

RESULTSESIN led to a signifcantly shorter time to union, especially for simple fractures. In ESIN group, all patients got fracture union, of which 5 cases had medial skin irritation and 1 patient needed revision surgery because of implant failure. In the nonoperative group, there were 3 nonunion cases and 2 symptomatic malunions developed requiring corrective osteotomy. At 15 months after intramedullary stabilization, patients in the ESIN group were more satisfied with the appearance of the shoulder and overall outcome, and they benefited a lot from the great improvement of post-traumatic clavicular shortening. Furthermore, DASH scores were lower and Constant scores were significantly higher in contrast to the non-operative group.

CONCLUSIONESIN is a safe minimally invasive surgical technique with lower complication rate, faster return to daily activities, excellent cosmetic and better functional results, restoration of clavicular length for treating mid-shaft clavicular fractures, resulting in high overall satisfaction, which can be regard as an alternative to plate fixation or nonoperative treatment of mid-shaft clavicular fractures.

Adult ; Clavicle ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Humans ; Nails ; Titanium ; Treatment Outcome