Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis

ObjectiveProteoglycan TPG-1 isolated from Trametes robiniophila（Huaier） has proved to have anti-hepatoma activity， and this paper aims to explore the molecular mechanism. MethodHuman hepatoma SK-HEP-1 cells were treated with TPG-1 （0， 0.05， 0.1， 0.25， 0.5， 1 g·L^-1）. Then cell survival was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） and apoptosis by flow cytometry. In addition， expression of genes in SK-HEP-1 cells treated with or without TPG-1 was examined by DNA microarray to preliminarily explore the anti-hepatoma molecular mechanism of TPG-1. ResultTPG-1 inhibited the proliferation of SK-HEP-1 cells as compared with the blank group （P<0.01）. After treatment with 1 g·L^-1 TPG-1 for 48 h， the apoptosis rate of SK-HEP-1 cells increased （P<0.01）， and TPG-1 promoted the cleavage of cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase （Caspase）-3 and Caspase-7， the key mediators of apoptosis （P<0.01）. Additionally， TPG-1 （1 g·L^-1） suppressed the migration of SK-HEP-1 cells （P<0.05）. A total of 971 differentially expressed genes （DEGs） were identified in SK-HEP-1 cells after treatment with TPG-1， with 486 up-regulated and 485 down-regulated. These DEGs were mainly involved in the Gene Ontology （GO） terms of interleukin-6 （IL-6） biosynthesis， antigen processing and presentation， superoxide dismutase activity， positive regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase （MAPKKK） cascade， nature killer （NK） cell chemotaxis， and chemokine biosynthesis， and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathways of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain （NOD）-like receptor signaling pathway， apoptosis， Toll-like receptor signaling pathway， retinoic acid-inducible gene-Ⅰ （RIG-Ⅰ）-like receptor signaling pathway， T-cell receptor signaling pathway， and chemokine signaling pathway. Western blot results showed that TPG-1 （1 g·L^-1） activated mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） signaling pathway in SK-HEP-1 cells （P<0.01）. ConclusionProteoglycan TPG-1 inhibited the proliferation and migration， and induced apoptosis of human hepatoma SK-HEP-1 cells. Up-regulation of MAPK signaling pathway may be responsible for the growth inhibition of human hepatoma SK-HEP-1 cells by TPG-1.

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

Colon ; Dendritic Cell Sarcoma, Follicular/surgery* ; Dendritic Cells, Follicular ; Granuloma, Plasma Cell/diagnostic imaging* ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological, immunophenotypic and molecular features of colorectal amphicrine carcinoma (AC). Methods: Eight cases of colorectal AC were collected at the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital and Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing, China from 2013 to 2020. The histopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular features were analyzed. The relevant literature was reviewed. Results: There were 6 males and 2 females, with an average age of 56 years (range 28-80 years). The tumor sites were as follows: 4 cases in sigmoid colon, 3 cases in rectum, and 1 case in transverse colon. Microscopically, there were three different patterns in the tumors, including nests with collagen hyperplasia, sheets of cells with scant stroma, and glandular or cribriform growth of goblet- or signet ring-like cells. The tumor cells generally had abundant cytoplasm with abundant mucin or eosinophilic granules. The nuclei were oval or irregular with fine chromatin and inconspicuous nucleoli. Mitotic figures were common. Neuroendocrine granules and mucin granules could be identified clearly under electron microscope. All cases showed frequent perineural and lymphovascular invasions, lymphatic metastasis, and advanced stage. Regarding immunohistochemical and specific stains, the tumor cells expressed more than two neuroendocrine markers, particularly CD56 and synaptophysin which were diffusely positive in 7 of the 8 cases. They also showed intracellular mucin in the amphicrine components which was positive for D-PAS. KRAS G12C or NRAS Q61 gene mutations were found in 2 patients. Among the six cases with complete follow-up, four of them died of the disease within three years of the diagnoses, while two were alive without known disease progression. Conclusions: Colorectal AC is a rare, distinct entity with both epithelial and neuroendocrine differentiation. It mainly occurs in the sigmoid colon and rectum. It typically has aggressive clinical courses, dismal prognosis and characteristic histological features and immunophenotype, which highlight the importance of recognizing this entity for clinicians and pathologists.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Carcinoma/pathology* ; China ; Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucins ; Prognosis

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of transperitoneal robot assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP) versus extraperitoneal single port RARP.Methods:A retrospective analysis was perfoumed on 142 cases of RARP from July 2019 to June 2020 in Robotic Minimally Invasive Center of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, including 82 cases(Group A) , aged 70.0(65.6-78.0), undergoing transperitoneal RARP and 60 cases(Group B), aged 68.2 years old(60.1-79.2), undergoing extraperitoneal single port RARP. For group A, PSA was 12.9(5.6-64.0) ng/ml, with 26 cases of less than 10 ng/ml(31.7%), 40 cases of 10-20 ng/ml(48.8%), and 16 cases of more than 20 ng/ml(19.5%), the Gleason score was 7.2(6.0-10.0), with 14 cases(17.1%) of ≤6, 56 cases(68.3%) of 7, and 12 cases(14.6%) of ≥8, and the prostate volume was 61.3(29.0-112.0) ml. There were 49 cases with BMI≤25 kg/m 2, accounting for 59.8%, and 33 cases with BMI>25 kg/m 2, accounting for 40.2%. There were 17 cases(20.7%) of T 1, 44 cases(53.7%) of T 2 and 21 cases(25.6%) of T 3. The proportion of lymph node dissection was 17.1%, and 4 cases(4.9%)had a history of operation. For group B, the PSA was 12.2(1.0-42.6)ng/ml, with 20 cases (33.3%) of <10 ng/ml, 31 cases(51.7%)of 10-20 ng/ml, and 9 cases (15%) of >20 ng/ml. Gleason score was 7.1(6.0-9.0), with 12 cases (20.0%) of ≤6, 42 cases (70.0%) of 7, and 6 cases (10.0%)of ≥8. Prostate volume was 42.4(31.2-72.8)ml on average. There were 37 cases (61.7%) with BMI≤25 kg/m 2, and 23 cases (38.3%)with BMI >25 kg/m 2 . There were 17 cases(28.3%)of T 1, 32 cases(53.3%)of T 2 and 11 cases(18.3%)of T 3.The proportion of lymph node dissection was 11.7% and 4 cases (6.7%) had a history of operation.There was no statistically significant difference in term of age, PSA level, Gleason score, BMI, clinical stage, proportion of lymph node dissection or history of operation between the two groups( P>0.05), but there was statistically significant difference for prostate volume( P<0.05). All operations were performed by the same operator. Four different ways of bladder neck and urethral dissociation was selected according to the intraoperative conditions in Group A, include VIP style, T-shape incision style, VIP plus T-shape incision style or the style along the lateral side of the bladder neck. Small and single anterograde incision stripping of bladder neck was routinely performed in the Group B. Postoperative follow-up was performed to compare the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, bladder neck and urethral anastomosis time, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative exhaust time, postoperative complications, positive rate of surgical margin, indwelling time of urinary catheter, urinary continence satisfaction rate of immediately after operation, 3 months and 6 months after operation, wound healing and aesthetics. Results:All of the operations were successfully completed under robot-assisted laparoscopy, and there was no conversion to open surgery. The operation time was 56.0(45.0-112.0) min in the Group A and 65.4(55.5-96.8) min in the Group B, and there was no statistically significant difference( P>0.05). The intraoperative blood loss was 76.2(30.0-120.5) ml and 55.6(45.5-114.6) ml, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant( P>0.05). The time of bladder neck urethral anastomosis was 18.9(12.6-25.6) min and 16.2(10.7-19.3) min, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant( P>0.05). The postoperative hospital stay days were 9.3(8.0-16.0) d and 8.4(7.0-13.0) d, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant( P>0.05). The postoperative exhaust time was 1.3(0.7-3.0) d and 3.4(2.0-7.0) d, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant( P<0.05). There was 1 case of anastomotic fistula with ureteral injury in Group A, and no serious complication in Group B, and the difference was not statistically significant( P>0.05). The number of positive surgical margin in the two groups was 13(15.9%)and 9(15.0%)respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant( P>0.05). The indwelling time of urinary catheter after operation was 9(7-21) d and 6(4-8) d, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant( P<0.05). The number of patients with satisfactory urinary continence immediately after surgery, 3 months and 6 months after surgery in the two groups were 8(9.8%), 51(62.2%), 62(75.6%) and 17(28.3%), 43(71.7%) and 54(90.0%), respectively. The differences were statistically significant( P<0.05). The total incision lengths in the two groups were 12.1(10.4-13.4) cm and 5.6(5.0-6.0) cm, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant( P<0.05). Conclusions:The extraperitoneal single port RARP is safe and feasible, and the postoperative effect is similar to that of transperitoneal RARP. It has the advantages of shorter recovery time, higher urinary continence satisfaction rate, neater and more beautiful incision. The long-term therapeutic effect needs further confirming by prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To screen the DNA methylation loci associated with the age of Han males in northern China and to construct an age estimation model. METHODS: Twenty-one candidate methylation loci were screened. The DNA methylation levels of 476 blood samples from Chinese Han males were detected for 21 amplicons using EpiTYPER technology platform, and data on 153 DNA methylation loci were obtained. RESULTS: After correlation analysis, 8 age-related DNA methylation loci were finally screened. CpG1, CpG2, CpG4, CpG7, CpG8 were located on TRIM59, RASSF5, Clorf132, CSNK1D, ELOVL2,CpG5, CpG6 on PDE4C, and CpG3 on chr17:21452808. Based on the 8 loci, 352 samples were used for model construction. A multivariate linear regression age estimation model was constructed （R²=0.93）, with mean absolute deviation （MAD） of 2.69 years old. When 109 samples were used for model validation, the MAD was 3.80 years old. The test was repeated 3 times in 15 new samples, with MADs of 4.08, 4.68 and 3.93 years old, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The age estimation model on Han males in northern China constructed in this study can be used to estimate the age of victims and suspects and to narrow the scope of investigation, and therefore has practical application value.
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; Asian People ; Child, Preschool ; China ; CpG Islands ; DNA Methylation ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Linear Models ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; Metalloproteins ; Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins ; Tripartite Motif Proteins

Objective To explore the effects of intensive therapy program on gross motor function of children with spastic cerebral palsy.Methods Thirty 3-15 year old children with spastic cerebral palsy and level Ⅰ-Ⅲ in gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) were randomly divide into 2 groups.The trial group adopted intensive therapy program for treatment,including functional dynamic suit and universal exercise unit combined with functional movement training.The control group adopted core stability training for treatment.Children in two groups took a 1-month training program for 3 hours per day and 5 days per week.The pediatric evaluation of gross motor function measure (GMFM-66) and peabody developmental motor scale (PDMS-2) were administered before and after treatment.Results The scores of GMFM-66 as well as the stationary and locomotion scores of PDMS-2 in both groups showed significant differences within group (P ＜ 0.01) after treatment.For the scores of GMFM and PDMS-2 between two groups,no significant differences were found.Conclusions The intensive therapy program can improve the gross motor function of children with spastic cerebral palsy and gain the same effects as core stability training,which can provide a novel and effective intervention for children with cerebral palsy.

Objective To explore the effects of intensive therapy program on gross motor function of children with spastic cerebral palsy. Methods Thirty 3-15 year old children with spastic cerebral palsy and level I-III in gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) were randomly divide into 2 groups. The trial group adopted intensive therapy program for treatment, including functional dynamic suit and universal exercise unit combined with functional movement training. The control group adopted core stability training for treatment. Children in two groups took a 1-month training program for 3 hours per day and 5 days per week. The pediatric evaluation of gross motor function measure (GMFM-66) and peabody developmental motor scale (PDMS-2) were administered before and after treatment. Results The scores of GMFM-66 as well as the stationary and locomotion scores of PDMS-2 in both groups showed significant differences within group (P<0.01) after treatment. For the scores of GMFM and PDMS-2 between two groups, no significant differences were found. Conclusions The intensive therapy program can improve the gross motor function of children with spastic cerebral palsy and gain the same effects as core stability training, which can provide a novel and effective intervention for children with cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of aqueous extract of several kinds of herbs on human platelet aggregation and expression of P-selectin in vitro.

METHODSBlood was collected from volunteers. Effects of the prepared water extracts of herbs on platelet aggregation were monitored on a Packs-4 aggregometer. The fluorescence intensity of water extracts of Caulis Spatholobi, Flos Carthami and Rhizoma Curcumae on the expression of P-selectin in human platelets of healthy persons was measured with flow cytometry.

RESULTSOut of several herbs investigated, Flos Carthami and Rhizoma Curcumae potently inhibited platelet aggregation after incubation with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for 15 min. Caulis Spatholobi Flos Carthami and Rhizoma Curcumae inhibited adenosine-5'-diphosphate (ADP) or platelet activating factor (PAF)-induced platelet aggregation in PRP in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast to Flos Carthami and Rhizoma Curcumae, Caulis Spatholobi could not inhibit thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. Despite its inability to inhibit thrombin-induced platelet aggregation in PRP, Caulis Spatholobi had a greater anti-aggregating activity in PRP induced by ADP or PAF. Caulis Spatholobi and Flos Carthami showed significant inhibitory effects on the expression of P-selectin.

CONCLUSIONSCaulis Spatholobi, Flos Carthami and Rhizoma Curcumae have potent anti-platelet properties, and their inhibitory actions are mediated via different mechanisms. Caulis Spatholobi inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation but not by thrombin, indicating that its mechanism of action might be independent of the thromboxane pathway. The effect of Caulis Spatholobi and Flos Carthami were associated with suppressing the expression of P-selectin.

Adult ; Blood Platelets ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Curcuma ; chemistry ; Fabaceae ; chemistry ; Humans ; P-Selectin ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Platelet Function Tests ; Water ; chemistry ; Young Adult