Objective To optimize the preparation process of hydroxysafflor yellow A(HSYA)nanoparticle and conduct in vitro release evaluation.Methods HSYA nanoparticles were prepared with PLGA as carrier by modified compound emulsion method.The optimal preparation process of the experiment was selected by Plackett-Burman and Box-Behnken response surface method.The nanoparticles were characterized by using particle size analyzer,TEM scanning electron microscope,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR),X-ray diffraction(XRD).Frozen(4℃)storage stability,stability in physiological medium,lyophilized protective agent and in vitro release rate were investigated.Results The optimal process prescription of nanoparticle is as follow:pH value is 6.95,the dosage is 2.8 mg,and carrier dosage is 18.2 mg.The size of nanoparticles obtained at optimum condition is(176.4±1.29)nm,the polydiseperse index(PDI)is 0.152±0.014,the Zeta potential is(-17.6±0.46)mV,the encapsulation rate is(78.5±0.49)％,drug loading is(7.3±0.07)％.These nanoparticles showed round and good dispersion.Good stability in 4℃ storage environment and different physiological media of nanoparticles were observed.The best lyophilized protective agent was 1％glucose and the in vitro release rate of nanoparticles at 48 hours was 85％.Conclusion The optimization method is reasonable and reliable.The obtained nanoparticles have good stability and sustained-release effect.The in vitro release behavior conformed to first-order kinetic model.

Objective To evaluate factors associated with prognosis of tonsil squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) patients and analyze the competing risks of death in TSCC patients. Methods Data tonsil malignant tumors cases diagnosed between 1975 and 2020 were obtained from the SEER database, and records confirmed as squamous cell carcinoma were selected. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to investigate the relationships of gender, race, age, marital status, year of diagnosis, lesion location, pathological evidence, treatment regimen with overall survival rate as well as cause-specific mortality outcomes. The competing risks of cause-specific death outcomes among TSCC patients with different clinical characteristics were assessed. Results This study included 14, 805 TSCC patients, including 11, 650 males, accounting for 78.69%. 93.99% of TSCC cases were diagnosed after the age of 45, with the highest incidence occurring in 45 to 64 age group. Radiotherapy was the most commonly used treatment modality (81.78%), compared to surgery (49.47%) and chemotherapy (47.10%). By the end of the follow-up period, 8, 003 (54.06%) TSCC patients had died, with a median survival time of 2.33 years. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that the HR (95%CI) for TSCC-related deaths among patients not receiving surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy were 2.101 (1.972 to 2.239), 1.829 (1.702 to 1.966) and 1.023(0.951 to 1.100), respectively, compared to those who did receive these treatments; the HR (95%CI) for deaths due to other causes were 1.630 (1.513 to 1.756), 1.438 (1.318 to 1.570) and 1.328 (1.212 to 1.456), respectively. Compared to patients < 45 years old, the HR (95%CI) for TSCC-related deaths among patients ≥65 years old were 2.218 (1.933 to 2.545), and for deaths due to other causes were 6.178 (5.133 to 7.436). Conclusion Radiotherapy, surgery and chemotherapy all contribute to improving the prognosis of TSCC patients. For elderly TSCC patients, particular attention should be paid to non-TSCC-related death risks.

The comparison between traditional Chinese medicine Jinzhen oral liquid (JZOL) and Western medicine in treating children with acute bronchitis (AB) showed encouraging outcomes. This trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of the JZOL for improving cough and expectoration in children with AB. 480 children were randomly assigned to take JZOL or ambroxol hydrochloride and clenbuterol hydrochloride oral solution for 7 days. The primary outcome was time-to-cough resolution. The median time-to-cough resolution in both groups was 5.0 days and the antitussive onset median time was only 1 day. This randomized controlled trial showed that JZOL was not inferior to cough suppressant and phlegm resolving western medicine in treating cough and sputum and could comprehensively treat respiratory and systemic discomfort symptoms. Combined with clinical trials, the mechanism of JZOL against AB was uncovered by network target analysis, it was found that the pathways in TRP channels like IL-1β/IL1R/TRPV1/TRPA1, NGF/TrkA/TRPV1/TRPA1, and PGE2/EP/PKA/TRPV1/TRPA1 might play important roles. Animal experiments further confirmed that inflammation and the immune regulatory effect of JZOL in the treatment of AB were of vital importance and TRP channels were the key mechanism of action.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the dynamic changes of chest CT images of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: Fifty-two cases of COVID-19 were admitted in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. The consecutive chest CT scans were followed up for all patients with an average of 4 scans performed per patient during the hospitalization. The shortest interval between each scan was 2 days and the longest was 7 days. The shape, number and distribution of lung shadows, as well as the characteristics of the lesions on the CT images were reviewed. RESULTS: The obvious shadows infiltrating the lungs were shown on CT images in 50 cases, for other 2 cases there was no abnormal changes in the lungs during the first CT examination. Ground-glass opacities (GGO) were found in 48 cases (92.3%), and 19 cases (36.5%) had patchy consolidation and sub-consolidation, which were accompanied with air bronchi sign in 17 cases (32.7%). Forty one cases (78.8%) showed a thickened leaflet interval, 4 cases (7.6%) had a small number of fibrous stripes. During hospitalization, GGO lesions in COVID-19 patients gradually became rare,the fibrous strip shadows increased and it became the most common imaging manifestation. The lesions rapidly progressed in 39 cases (75.0%) within 6-9 days after admission. On days 10-14 of admission, the lesions distinctly resolved in 40 cases (76.9%). CONCLUSIONS The chest CT images of patients with COVID-19 have certain characteristics with dynamic changes, which are of value for monitoring disease progress and clinical treatment.
Betacoronavirus ; isolation & purification ; China ; Coronavirus Infections ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Disease Progression ; Humans ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the dynamic changes of chest CT images of patients with corona virus disease-19 (COVID-19). METHODS: Fifty-two cases of COVID-19 were admitted in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. The consecutive chest CT scans were followed up for all patients with an average of 4 scans performed per patient during the hospitalization. The shortest interval between each scan was 2 days and the longest was 7 days. The shape, number and distribution of lung shadows, as well as the characteristics of the lesions on the CT images were reviewed. RESULTS: The obvious shadows infiltrating the lungs were shown on CT images in 50 cases, for other 2 cases there was no abnormal changes in the lungs during the first CT examination. Ground-glass opacities (GGO) were found in 48 cases (92.3%), and 19 cases (36.5%) had patchy consolidation and sub-consolidation, which were accompanied with air bronchi sign in 17 cases (32.7%). Forty one cases (78.8%) showed a thickened leaflet interval, 4 cases (7.6%) had a small number of fibrous stripes. During hospitalization, GGO lesions in COVID-19 patients gradually became rare, the fibrous strip shadows increased and it became the most common imaging manifestation. The lesions rapidly progressed in 39 cases (75.0%) within 6-9 days after admission. On days 10-14 of admission, the lesions distinctly resolved in 40 cases (76.9%). CONCLUSIONS The chest CT images of patients with COVID-19 have certain characteristics with dynamic changes, which are of value for monitoring disease progress and clinical treatment.

BACKGROUND: Measuring result of the lower limb alignment is often influenced by various factors, such as femoral bowing angle (FBA) in different positions.OBJECTIVE: To measure the FBA and femoral valgus correction angle (VCA) in different positions after CT reconstruction of lower limb model, and simulating X-ray examination, and to explore the rule of FBA affecting lower limb alignment.METHODS: Twenty patients undergoing CT angiography of lower extremity artery were enrolled, three-dimensional reconstruction of low limb was established on Mimics13.0 software based on CT data, and the FBA in standard posture was determined. All patients were divided into groups A (FBA > 2°), B (2° > FBA > 0°), C (0° > FBA > -2°) and D (FBA <-2°) (n=5 per group). Then each model was revolved through the vertical axis from 20° of internal rotation to 20° of external rotation by 2° for one motion, and 21 three-dimensional images were transformed into two-dimensional images to obtain the X-ray images of low limb. FBA and VCA in different positions were measured.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The outcome measurements showed that FBA tended to be decreased in internal rotation and increased in external rotation. (2) VCA tended to be increased in external rotation and decreased in internal rotation. (3) FBA was positively correlated with VCA in the different positions (P < 0.01). (4) These results suggest that FBA can be altered with rotation and even expose influence on VCA. The bigger FBA is, the more influence on the lower limb alignment. Therefore, it is advisable to conduct the full length X-ray of lower limb in a standard posture, especially for the patients with larger FBA.

Objective:To monitor the dynamic changes in coagulation function and assess their clinical significance in patients with gas-tric cancer by using thromboelas to gram (TEG). Methods:A total of 178 patients with gastric cancer from March 2014 to May 2015 in Xinxiang Central Hospital were selected as the experimental group. The patients were grouped based on different tumor stages, inva-sion depths, and lymph node metastasis. The TEG results of all patients were dynamically monitored before and after operation, and 60 healthy persons were selected as normal control group. Blood coagulation change was analyzed by comparing the TEG test results. Results:Compared with those of the control group, the TEG parameters of the experimental group showed significantly decreased R and K values, as well as significantly increased Angle, CI, and MA values, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). In the experimental group, the K values were significantly decreased after operation, whereas Angle, MA, and CI were significantly in-creased (P<0.05). No significant changes were observed in R, LY30, and others. TEG values were significantly different in the compari-son of values for tumor patients with different stages, different tumor infiltration degrees, and with or without lymphatic metastasis. Conclusion:Blood hypercoagulability in the perioperative period was observed in patients with gastric cancer and was positively corre-lated with tumor stages, tumor infiltration degrees, and lymphatic metastasis. Dynamic monitoring of gastric cancer perioperative TEG can provide valuable information for clinical treatment, improve the safety of gastric cancer surgery, and reduce postoperative compli-cations associated with active clinical significance.

BACKGROUNDThe acetabular teardrop is often used to guide acetabular component placement in total hip arthroplasty (THA). Placing the lower acetabular component aspect at the same level as the lower teardrop edge was assumed to restore the hip center of rotation. Here we radiographically analyzed the relationship between cup center and normal contralateral acetabulum center height on unilateral THA using this placement method.

METHODSA total of 106 unilateral THA cases with normal contralateral acetabula were reviewed and the vertical and horizontal distances in relation to the lower acetabular teardrop edge from both hip joint centers, cup inclination, and anteversion were measured radiographically. The paired t-test was used to compare left and right hip center heights. Scatter plots and Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to evaluate differences in hip center heights, cup anteversion, inclination angles, and medialized cup center distance compared to the contralateral hip joint.

RESULTSCup center height was significantly greater (P < 0.01) than contralateral hip joint center height (93.4% in the 0-5 mm range, 6.6% >5 mm). There was a weak correlation between hip center height difference and inclination (r = 0.376, P < 0.01) and between difference and anteversion (r = 0.310, P < 0.01) but no correlation between difference and outer cup diameter (r = 0.184, P = 0.058) or difference and medialized cup center distance (r = -0.098, P = 0.318).

CONCLUSIONSAlthough this method did not exactly replicate anatomic hip center height, the clinical significance of cup center height and anatomic hip center height differences is negligible. This acetabular component placement method has high simplicity, reliability, and stability.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; methods ; Hip Joint ; surgery ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies

Adult ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Female ; Hallucinogens ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Motion Perception ; drug effects ; N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the dynamic levels of serum Golgi protein 73(GP73) in patients prior to and after the onset of liver cancer, and to explore the related factors.

METHODSFrom 2007 to 2012, a periodical screening program was carried out in a group of high risk population with positive Hepatitis B surface antigens (HBsAg) , twice a year. Their serum specimens from every screening time point were kept in Qidong Biobank until liver cancer was diagnosed. Thirty-nine patients with liver cancer were recruited for the study, each of them at least had three times of specimens collected as well as B ultrasound scan (BUS) exam results at onset of disease and within 30 months before diagnosed, amongst 6 time points. In total, there were 162 specimens collected to test GP73 by double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analyses of time series and differences among groups were performed by stata software 10.

RESULTSThe average value of 39 patient's GP73 at the time point of liver cancer onset was (126.77 ± 73.73) µg/L, while the values at the other five time points prior to the onset were (128.32 ± 81.18) , (129.97 ± 83.62) , (127.38 ± 80.10) , (135.52 ± 97.88) and (138.24 ± 93.58) µg/L, respectively, with no significant difference (F = 0.07, P = 0.997). No obvious changing trends of GP73 were observed among the 39 liver cancer cases at the 6 time points. All 162 samples were divided into two groups: without hepatic cirrhosis (63 samples) and with cirrhosis (99 samples) according to findings of B-ultrasonic wave; whose average GP73 values were separately (97.16 ± 51.39) and (151.20 ± 91.68) µg/L. The difference showed statistical significance (F = 18.22, P < 0.01). Furthermore, if we grouped the samples by the average value of GP73 at 130.19 µg/L, then there were only 1/14 of the subjects without hepatic cirrhosis having higher GP73 values, but 12 of the 25 subjects with hepatic cirrhosis having higher GP73 values. The difference showed statistical significance (P = 0.013). The results of Linear regression model also showed that there was no correlation between GP73 and time series (t = 0.75, P = 0.455), but significant correlation between GP73 and hepatic cirrhosis (t = 4.30, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONNo significant changes of the dynamic levels of GP73 could be found among the liver cancer patients within 30 months prior to the onset of disease. GP73 values of the patients with liver cancer may depend on their background of hepatic diseases; and hepatic cirrhosis might be one of the main influencing factors or confounding factors.

Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; Membrane Proteins ; blood ; Retrospective Studies