The current situation of childrearing in the elderly and low birth rate showed that the prevention and treatment of infertility risk caused by the decline of male reproductive function are increasingly becoming prominent.The decline of male reproductive function is closely related to the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis,oxygen free radicals,blood-testis barrier,and the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells.Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the kidney stores essence and is in charge of reproduction,and the decline of reproductive function is closely related to the imbalance of yin and yang of the kidney.Therefore,kidney-supplementing method is helpful for treating the decline of reproductive function caused by kidney deficiency.Kidney-supplementing prescriptions were effective on systematically regulating the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis,thus to significantly delay the decline of reproductive function,were effective on removing excessive oxygen free radicals in the body and protecting cells from oxidative damage,and were effective on improving spermatogenesis by restoring the blood-testis barrier and regulating the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells.The representative kidney-supplementing prescriptions for improving the decline of reproductive function caused by kidney deficiency include Wuzi Yanzong Pills,Shenqi Pills,Yougui Pills,Liuwei Dihuang Pills,Zuogui Pills and Guilu Erxian Soft Extract.The above formulas presented no single therapeutic mechanism but multiple-way,multiple-level and multiple-target mechanism,and the formulas can comprehensively regulate the internal environment of the body,so as to achieve the purpose of improving male reproductive function.The kidney-supplementing therapy of traditional Chinese medicine plays an irreplaceable role in the treatment of male reproductive function decline.The in-depth study of its therapeutic mechanism will provide guide for clinical practice and will supply theoretical basis for improving male reproductive function decline.

Objective: To explore the effect of kynurenine pathway on the osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSC). Methods: Unstimulated saliva samples were collected from 19 patients with periodontitis (periodontitis group) and 19 periodontally healthy individuals (health group) in Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University from June to October of 2022. Contents of kynurenine and the metabolites in saliva samples were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The expressions of indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) were further detected by immunohistochemistry in gingival tissues. The PDLSC used in this study were isolated from extracted teeth for orthodontic treatment in Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University from July to November of 2022. Experiments were then conducted using the cells by incubating with (kynurenine group) or without kynurenine (control group) in vitro. Seven days later, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and assays of ALP activity were performed. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was utilized to detect the expressions of osteogenic related genes ALP, osteocalcin (OCN), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), collagen type-Ⅰ (COL-Ⅰ) as well as the kynurenine pathway-associated genes AhR, cytochrome P450 family (CYP) 1A1, CYP1B1. Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of RUNX2, osteopontin (OPN) and AhR proteins on day 10 and alizarin red staining was performed to observe the formation of mineral nodules on day 21 in control group and kynurenine group. Results: Salivary concentrations of kynurenine [8.26 (0, 19.60) nmol/L] and kynurenic acid [11.4 (3.34, 13.52) nmol/L] were significantly higher in the periodontitis group than in the health group [0.75(0, 4.25) nmol/L, 1.92(1.34, 3.88) nmol/L] (Z=-2.84, P=0.004; Z=-3.61, P<0.001). The expression levels of IDO (18.33±2.22) and AhR (44.14±13.63) in gingival tissues of periodontitis patients were significantly higher than that of the health group (12.21±2.87, 15.39±5.14) (t=3.38, P=0.015; t=3.42, P=0.027). In vitro, the ALP activity of PDLSC in the kynurenine group (291.90±2.35) decreased significantly compared with the control group (329.30±19.29) (t=3.34, P=0.029). The mRNA expression levels of ALP, OCN and RUNX2 in the kynurenine group (0.43±0.12, 0.78±0.09, 0.66±0.10) were decreased compared with the control group (1.02±0.22, 1.00±0.11, 1.00±0.01) (t=4.71, P=0.003; t=3.23, P=0.018; t=6.73, P<0.001), while the levels of AhR and CYP1A1 were increased in the kynurenine group (1.43±0.07, 1.65±0.10) compared with those in the control group (1.01±0.12, 1.01±0.14) (t=5.23, P=0.006; t=6.59, P<0.001). No significant difference was observed in COL-Ⅰ and CYP1B1 mRNA levels between groups. The protein levels of OPN, RUNX2 (0.82±0.05, 0.87±0.03) were reduced and that of AhR (1.24±0.14) was increased in the kynurenine group compared with those in the control group (1.00±0.00, 1.00±0.00, 1.00±0.00) (t=6.79, P=0.003; t=7.95, P=0.001; t=3.04, P=0.039). Conclusions: Over-activated kynurenine pathway in periodontitis patients can promote upregulation of AhR and suppress the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSC.

Objective: To analyze the survival of newly diagnosed malignant tumors in cancer registration areas of Hubei Province from 2013 to 2015. Methods: From January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015, all newly diagnosed malignant tumors were collected from cancer registration areas in Hubei Province, and patients were followed up using a combination of active and passive methods. Cancer survival was analyzed using the strs package in Stata software. Observed and expected survival were calculated using the life table and Ederer Ⅱ methods, and the difference in survival rate of patients with different sex, age, urban and rural areas and different cancer species was compared. Results: From 2013 to 2015, 83 987 new malignant tumors were diagnosed in cancer registration areas in Hubei Province, including 45 742 males (54.46%) and 38245 females (45.54%). The overall 5-year relative survival rate was 41.46%, 34.43% for men and 49.63% for women. With the increase of age, the observed survival rate and relative survival rate of patients of different genders showed a decreasing trend. The 5-year relative survival rate of patients with malignant tumors was 47.58% in urban areas and 26.58% in rural areas. The observed survival rate and relative survival rate in rural areas were significantly lower than those in urban areas. The overall 5-year relative survival rates for common malignancies were 20.61% for lung cancer, 15.36% for liver cancer, 22.89% for esophageal cancer, 34.92% for gastric cancer, and 54.87% for colorectal cancer. In addition, the 5-year relative survival rates of common malignant tumors in women were 78.65% for breast cancer and 52.55% for cervical cancer. Conclusions: In Hubei Province, the survival rate of malignant tumors is different among different genders, regions, age groups and cancer species. Prevention and treatment and health education should be strengthened for malignant tumor patients in rural areas and those with high incidence and low survival rate such as liver cancer and lung cancer, and relevant strategies should be formulated according to the gender and age distribution characteristics of different cancer species.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Liver Neoplasms ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/epidemiology* ; Lung Neoplasms ; China/epidemiology* ; Urban Population ; Incidence ; Survival Analysis ; Rural Population ; Registries

Objective: To analyze the survival of newly diagnosed malignant tumors in cancer registration areas of Hubei Province from 2013 to 2015. Methods: From January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015, all newly diagnosed malignant tumors were collected from cancer registration areas in Hubei Province, and patients were followed up using a combination of active and passive methods. Cancer survival was analyzed using the strs package in Stata software. Observed and expected survival were calculated using the life table and Ederer Ⅱ methods, and the difference in survival rate of patients with different sex, age, urban and rural areas and different cancer species was compared. Results: From 2013 to 2015, 83 987 new malignant tumors were diagnosed in cancer registration areas in Hubei Province, including 45 742 males (54.46%) and 38245 females (45.54%). The overall 5-year relative survival rate was 41.46%, 34.43% for men and 49.63% for women. With the increase of age, the observed survival rate and relative survival rate of patients of different genders showed a decreasing trend. The 5-year relative survival rate of patients with malignant tumors was 47.58% in urban areas and 26.58% in rural areas. The observed survival rate and relative survival rate in rural areas were significantly lower than those in urban areas. The overall 5-year relative survival rates for common malignancies were 20.61% for lung cancer, 15.36% for liver cancer, 22.89% for esophageal cancer, 34.92% for gastric cancer, and 54.87% for colorectal cancer. In addition, the 5-year relative survival rates of common malignant tumors in women were 78.65% for breast cancer and 52.55% for cervical cancer. Conclusions: In Hubei Province, the survival rate of malignant tumors is different among different genders, regions, age groups and cancer species. Prevention and treatment and health education should be strengthened for malignant tumor patients in rural areas and those with high incidence and low survival rate such as liver cancer and lung cancer, and relevant strategies should be formulated according to the gender and age distribution characteristics of different cancer species.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Liver Neoplasms ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/epidemiology* ; Lung Neoplasms ; China/epidemiology* ; Urban Population ; Incidence ; Survival Analysis ; Rural Population ; Registries

Objective: To investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and sexual development in Chinese children. Methods: A nationwide multicenter and population-based large cross-sectional study was conducted in 13 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of China from January 2017 to December 2018. Data on sex, age, height, weight were collected, BMI was calculated and sexual characteristics were analyzed. The subjects were divided into four groups based on age, including ages 3-<6 years, 6-<10 years, 10-<15 years and 15-<18 years. Multiple Logistic regression models were used for evaluating the associations of BMI with sexual development in children. Dichotomous Logistic regression was used to compare the differences in the distribution of early and non-early puberty among normal weight, overweight and obese groups. Curves were drawn to analyze the relationship between the percentage of early puberty and BMI distribution in girls and boys at different Tanner stages. Results: A total of 208 179 healthy children (96 471 girls and 111 708 boys) were enrolled in this study. The OR values of B2, B3 and B4+ in overweight girls were 1.72 (95%CI: 1.56-1.89), 3.19 (95%CI: 2.86-3.57), 7.14 (95%CI: 6.33-8.05) and in obese girls were 2.05 (95%CI: 1.88-2.24), 4.98 (95%CI: 4.49-5.53), 11.21 (95%CI: 9.98-12.59), respectively; while the OR values of G2, G3, G4+ in overweight boys were 1.27 (95%CI: 1.17-1.38), 1.52 (95%CI: 1.36-1.70), 1.88 (95%CI: 1.66-2.14) and in obese boys were 1.27 (95%CI: 1.17-1.37), 1.59 (95%CI: 1.43-1.78), and 1.93 (95%CI: 1.70-2.18) (compared with normal weight Tanner 1 group,all P<0.01). Analysis in different age groups found that OR values of obese girls at B2 stage and boys at G2 stage were 2.02 (95%CI: 1.06-3.86) and 2.32 (95%CI:1.05-5.12) in preschool children aged 3-<6 years, respectively (both P<0.05). And in the age group of 6-10 years, overweight girls had a 5.45-fold risk and obese girls had a 12.54-fold risk of B3 stage compared to girls with normal BMI. Compared with normal weight children, the risk of early puberty was 2.67 times higher in overweight girls, 3.63 times higher in obese girls, and 1.22 times higher in overweight boys, 1.35 times higher in obese boys (all P<0.01). Among the children at each Tanner stages, the percentage of early puberty increased with the increase of BMI, from 5.7% (80/1 397), 16.1% (48/299), 13.8% (27/195) to 25.7% (198/769), 65.1% (209/321), 65.4% (157/240) in girls aged 8-<9, 10-<11 and 11-<12 years, and 6.6% (34/513), 18.7% (51/273), 21.6% (57/264) to 13.3% (96/722), 46.4% (140/302), 47.5% (105/221) in boys aged 9-<10, 12-<13 and 13-<14 years, respectively. Conclusions: BMI is positively correlated with sexual development in both Chinese boys and girls, and the correlation is stronger in girls. Obesity is a risk factor for precocious puberty in preschool children aged 3-<6 years, and 6-<10 years of age is a high risk period for early development in obese girls.
Adolescent ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China/epidemiology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity/epidemiology* ; Overweight/epidemiology* ; Puberty ; Puberty, Precocious ; Sexual Development

OBJECTIVE: Through showing the full picture of double-arm controlled clinical research and systematic review evidence in the field of orally administrated Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for treatment of lung cancer, to provide a reference for future clinical research and to indicate a direction for future systematic reviews. METHODS: A comprehensive search of clinical controlled studies was performed regarding orally administered CHM treatment for lung cancer published from January 1970 to September 2020. The language was restricted to Chinese and English. Relevant data were extracted, the quality of systematic reviews was evaluated, and the research evidence was visually displayed. RESULTS: Randomized controlled trials were the most common type of research design. The research sample sizes were typically small. Oral CHM showed certain curative advantages in treating lung cancer. The key stages in oral CHM intervention for lung cancer are chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and late palliative treatment. The advantageous outcomes of oral CHM treatment of lung cancer are the short-term efficacy, quality of life, and adverse reactions. The perioperative stage, overall survival, pharmacoeconomic evaluation, and Chinese medicine decoctions are weak research areas. CONCLUSIONS CHM has staged and therapeutic advantages in treating lung cancer. The overall methodological quality is poor, and the level of evidence requires improvement. It is necessary to carry out large-scale, standardized, and higher-quality research in the superior and weak areas of CHM treatment of lung cancer.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Quality of Life ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Systematic Reviews as Topic

Objectives:To systematically analyze the framework and contents of World Health Organization (WHO) policy and action strategies on rehabilitation using the theory of WHO health service components, to explore the theoretical bases, methodology, framework and core elements of WHO's international rehabilitation policy. Methods:WHO has launched rehabilitation-related policy documents, mainly including Rehabilitation in Health Systems, Rehabilitation in Health Systems: Guide for Action, Rehabilitation Indicator Menu: a tool accompanying the Framework for Rehabilitation Monitoring and Evaluation (FRAME), Template for Rehabilitation Information Collection (TRIC): a tool accompanying the Systematic Assessment of Rehabilitation Situation (STARS), and established systems of international rehabilitation policy architecture system. Using content analysis, this study analyzed in detail the theoretical basis and methodology of international rehabilitation policy, the policy framework, and the core elements of the action strategy and priority areas of rehabilitation service development in perspective of WHO six building blocks of health system, namely leadership and governance, financing, human resources for health, service delivery, medical technology, and health information systems. Results:WHO rehabilitation policy is developed based on WHO's theories of person-centered health services, social determinants of health, and functioning, disability and health of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. WHO rehabilitation policy recognized that the development of rehabilitation was an important pathway achieving United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals 3, ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, i.e. Unlversal Health Coverage. This paper systematically analyzed WHO's international policy framework, action strategies, and development areas, content and priorities in six major areas: leadership and governance, financing, human resources for health, service delivery, medicine and technology, and health information systems. WHO rehabilitation policies advocates to develop national rehabilitation plans, to establish and improve rehabilitation leaderships and the development of mechanism and capacity of rehabilitation governance, to develop multiple approaches of rehabilitation financing, to integrate rehabilitation into health service system, provides different levels of rehabilitation services in the health service continuum, and to build networks of service delivery, to train professionals, to foster rehabilitation information system within health system, to enhance service quality and service coverage, to focus on key areas and priority programs to meet the diverse needs of different populations, and achieve universal health coverage; to include assistive technology into the rehabilitation service system as a field of medicine and technology; and to collect information on functioning and rehabilitation needs, outcomes and impacts of rehabilitation services in the health information system, and conduct evidence-based researches on rehabilitation systems. Conclusion:The framework and contents of WHO's international rehabilitation policies have systematically reviewed at the macro, meso, and micro levels with the perspective of WHO six building blocks of the health system. The goal of rehabilitation development is to achieve universal rehabilitation coverage. The conceptual theories of rehabilitation are based on the theories of people-centered health services and social determinants of health. Rehabilitation is an important initiative to achieve the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The international rehabilitation health policy system is built on six major areas of rehabilitation: leadership and governance, rehabilitation financing, rehabilitation human resources, rehabilitation service delivery, rehabilitation-related medicine and technology, and rehabilitation and health information system. The policy and action strategies for rehabilitation development, as well as specific implementation paths and methods, at macro, meso and micro levels: theory and policy, policy action, and implementation methods and tools have been reviewed and discussed. The implementation of the WHO rehabilitation policies advocates to take the following actions: strengthening the leadership, governance, planning and coordination capacity of rehabilitation services; constructing a reasonable rehabilitation financing mechanism and raising necessary funds for rehabilitation; improving the training and guarantee mechanism of rehabilitation human resources; enhancing the professional capacity of rehabilitation personnel, improving the capacity of rehabilitation service delivery and improving service quality; improving the quality and accessibility of assistive products and assistive technology services; establishing health information system covering functioning, disability and rehabilitation, and conducting scientific researches on rehabilitation.

Objective:Considering the efficacy of Gegen Qinliantang （GQT） in releasing exterior and clearing interior to alleviate dampness-heat dysentery， we analyzed the mechanism of the chloroform extract of GQT in alleviating enterotoxicity caused by irinotecan to provide an experimental basis for the development of GQT. Method:Kunming mice （n=60） were randomly divided into a blank group， a model group， a loperamide group （positive drug of loperamide hydrochloride capsule， 0.4 mg·kg^-1）， and high- （2.3 g·kg^-1） and low-dose （1.16 g·kg^-1） GQT chloroform extract groups. The mouse model of delayed diarrhea was established by intraperitoneal injection of irinotecan hydrochloride （CPT-11， 55 mg·kg^-1） for four consecutive days， meanwhile， the mice in the blank group only received the same volume of normal saline. Corresponding drugs were administered by gavage on the fifth day， respectively， while the ones in the blank group and model group were given distilled water for five consecutive days. The general condition of mice in each group was observed， and diarrhea indexes of mice were recorded. Pathological changes in colon tissues of mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， interleukin （IL）-1β， cyclooxygenase （COX）-2， intercellular adhesion molecule （ICAM）-1， glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA） and nitric oxide （NO） levels in colon tissues were detected with the assay kits. Furthermore， the expression levels of Kelch sample epoxy chloropropane associated protein 1 （Keap1）， nuclear factor E₂ related factor 2 （Nrf2）， tight junction protein-1 （ZO-1）， heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） and tight junction protein （Occludin） were detected by Western blot. Result:Compared with the blank group， the model group showed declined body weight and reduced contents of GSH-Px and SOD （P<0.01）， whereas increased diarrhea indexes and TNF-α， IL-1β， COX-2， ICAM-1， MDA and NO levels （P<0.01）. Abundant inflammatory cells and colonic mucosa with defects， swelling， bleeding， and inflammatory exudation were revealed by HE staining in the mice of the model group. The expression levels of Keap1， Nrf2， ZO-1， HO-1 and Occludin in colon tissues significantly declined （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the loperamide group and the high- and low-dose GQT chloroform extract groups exhibited improved weight loss， reduced diarrhea indexes， diminished TNF-α， IL-1β， COX-2， ICAM-1， MDA and NO， and elevated GSH-Px and SOD. HE staining indicated that the cells were compactly arranged with clear nuclei in the high- and low-dose GQT chloroform extract groups， and the expression levels of Keap1， Nrf2， HO-1， Occludin， and ZO-1 were up-regulated. Conclusion:GQT chloroform extract may alleviate CPT-11-induced delayed diarrhea by regulating inflammation and oxidative stress for enhancing the intestinal barrier function. These findings are expected to provide a reference for exploring the toxicity-attenuating effect of Chinese medicinals on chemotherapy drugs and for developing famous classical formulas.

Cochlear Implantation ; Genes, Neurofibromatosis 2 ; Humans ; Neurofibromatosis 2/surgery* ; Neuroma, Acoustic/surgery* ; Sequence Deletion

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) among Chinese children aged 12-17 years. METHODS: A semi-quantitative 72-food item FFQ was developed for children aged 12-17 years. The reliability and validity of this FFQ were evaluated against 24-h dietary recalls (24 h DRs) to measure the consumption of foods and nutrients. We administered two FFQs and three DRs to children (N = 160) over a period of 1 month to evaluate the reliability and validity. Reliability was examined by quartile agreement and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), and validity was examined by quartile agreement, Bland-Altman plots and correlation with DRs. RESULTS: For reliability, the ICCs between the two FFQs ranged from 0.21 to 0.76 for foods and nutrients, and the quartile agreement ranged from 70.0% to 95.0% in the same or adjacent quartiles. Spearman's correlation coefficients of foods and nutrients between the second FFQ and the 24 h DRs ranged from -0.04 to 0.59. The Bland-Altman plots demonstrated good agreement across the range of intakes among nutrients. The quartile agreement ranged from 50.0% to 100.0%, with infrequent misclassification. CONCLUSION The FFQ assessment of dietary intakes demonstrated acceptable relative validity and high reproducibility for Chinese children aged 12-17 years.
Adolescent ; Child ; Diet Records ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Reproducibility of Results ; Surveys and Questionnaires