Objective To investigate the genetic polymorphisms of Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance protein 1 (PfMDR1), chloroquine resistance transporter (PfCRT) and Kelch 13 (PfK13) genes in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, so as to provide insights into the development of the malaria control strategy in local areas. Methods A total of 85 peripheral blood samples were collected from patients with Plasmodium falciparum infections in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea in 2018 and 2019, and genomic DNA was extracted. The PfMDR1, PfCRT and PfK13 genes were amplified using a nested PCR assay. The amplification products were sequenced, and the gene sequences were aligned. Results There were no mutations associated with artemisinin resistance in PfK13 gene in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, while drug-resistant mutations were detected in PfMDR1 and PfCRT genes, and the proportions of PfMDR1_N86Y, PfMDR1_Y184F and PfCRT_K76T mutations were 35.29% (30/85), 72.94% (62/85) and 24.71% (21/85), respectively. Conclusion There are mutations in PfMDR1, PfCRT and PfK13 genes in P. falciparum isolates from Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea.

Aim To study the therapeutic effect of 35% and 70% ethanol elution sites of Gardeniae Fructus extract on 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)/ethanol induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in rats, and to identify the chemical composition of the active elution site using mass spectrometry. Methods The UC model induced by TNBS was used in rats, and the different eluted parts were administered by gavage at a dose of 2. lg/kg for 7 days. Body weight measurement , disease activity index (DAI) score, and pathological score of colon tissues were compared. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) , superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde ( MDA ) , nitric oxide ( NO ) , tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) , interleukin in mouse colon tissue -6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 (3 (IL-ip) levels were compared among groups. Liquid-mass spectrometry was used to identify the chemical components of the parts with better efficacy. Results Compared with model group, the weight loss in 35% elution site group was significantly improved, the DAI and histopathology scores were markedly reduced, and the contents of MPO, NO, MDA, TNF-a, IL-6 and IL-1(3 in tissues were apparently reduced. SOD content increased significantly (P <0. 01). A total of 19 chemical components were identified by LC-MS, 11 of which were iri- doids. Conclusions The 35% elution site of Gardeni- a has obvious therapeutic effect on UC rats, and the iridoid component may be the material basis for its function.

OBJECTIVE: To study the value of body fat mass measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in predicting abnormal blood pressure and abnormal glucose metabolism in children. METHODS: Stratified cluster sampling was used to select the students aged 6-16 years, and a questionnaire survey and physical examination were performed. The BIA apparatus was used to measure body fat mass. Body mass index (BMI), body fat mass index (FMI), and fat mass percentage (FMP) were calculated. Fasting blood glucose level were measured. RESULTS: A total of 14 293 children were enrolled, among whom boys accounted for 49.89%. In boys and girls, the percentile values (P, P, P, P, P, P, P, P) of FMI and FMP fitted by the LMS method were taken as the cut-off values. Based on the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the P values with a better value in predicting abnormal blood pressure and blood glucose metabolism were selected as the cut-off values for excessive body fat. When FMI or FMP was controlled below P, the incidence of abnormal blood pressure or abnormal glucose metabolism may be decreased in 8.25%-43.24% of the children. CONCLUSIONS The evaluation of obesity based on FMI and FMP has a certain value in screening for hypertension and hyperglycemia in children, which can be further verified in the future prevention and treatment of obesity and related chronic diseases in children.
Adipose Tissue ; Adolescent ; Blood Pressure ; Body Composition ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Electric Impedance ; Female ; Glucose ; Humans ; Male

Objective: To compare the results obtained from the computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) systems of the two fully-automated commercial sperm quality analyzers, Hamilton-Thorn IVOS Ⅱ (IVOS Ⅱ) and Spanish Sperm Class Analyzer (SCA). METHODS: A total of 99 semen samples were collected in the Center of Reproduction of Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital from September 2018 to October 2018 and, according to the sperm concentration, divided into groups A (<15 ×10⁶/ml), B (15－50 ×10⁶/ml) and C (>50 ×10⁶/ml). IVOS Ⅱ, SCA and manual microscopy were used for the examination of each sample, followed by comparison of the sperm concentration, sperm motility and percentage of progressively motile sperm (PMS) obtained from IVOS Ⅱ and SCA. RESULTS: The sperm concentrations derived from IVOS Ⅱ and SCA were significantly higher than that from manual microscopy in group A (［10.24 ± 4.60］ and ［10.20 ± 5.11］ vs ［8.45 ± 4.15］ ×10⁶/ml, P < 0.05), but showed no statistically significant difference in group B (［30.95 ± 11.84］ and ［31.81 ± 12.90］ vs ［29.14 ± 10.65］ ×10⁶/ml, P > 0.05) or C (［102.14 ± 45.97］ and ［109.48 ± 46.32］ vs ［104.74 ± 41.87］ ×10⁶/ml, P > 0.05). Significant differences were not observed between IVOS Ⅱ and SCA in the percentage of PMS (［24.21 ± 14.62］% vs ［23.92 ± 15.42］%, P > 0.05) or sperm motility (［37.48 ± 19.34］% vs ［37.69 ± 16.61］%, P > 0.05) in group B, nor in group C (PMS: ［30.80 ± 12.06］% vs ［32.98 ± 16.10］%, P > 0.05; sperm motility: ［44.50 ± 15.62］% vs ［47.26 ± 17.46］%, P > 0.05). Both the percentage of PMS and sperm motility obtained from IVOS Ⅱ were remarkably lower than those derived from SCA in group A (PMS: ［18.54 ± 12.96］% vs ［22.90 ± 12.88］%, P < 0.05; sperm motility: ［26.97 ± 14.05］% vs ［34.90 ± 15.18］%, P < 0.05). IVOS Ⅱ and SCA both showed a high repeatability (CV <15%), and the former exhibited an even higher one than the latter, in detection of sperm concentration, sperm motility and the percentage of PMS. CONCLUSIONS IVOS Ⅱ and SCA both had a good consistency in the results of sperm concentration, motility and progressive motility, but showed a poor comparability with low-concentration semen samples.

AIM:To investigate the changes of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase(SCAD)in hypertensive vascular remodeling and to explore the relationship between SCAD and vascular remodeling in hypertension.METHODS:The spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR;24 weeks old)and Wistar rats(24 weeks old)were used as experimental con-trol groups.The SHR and Wistar rats of 16 weeks old were trained by swimming as experimental groups.The systolic pres-sure was measured periodically.The thickness of vascular wall and the diameter of the vascular lumen were measured.The contents of ROS and ATP,the enzyme activity of SCAD, and the expression of SCAD at mRNA and protein levels in the aorta were determined.The free fatty acid in the serum and aorta was also measured.RESULTS:Compared with Wistar group,the diameter of vascular lumen decreased in SHR group.The thickness of vascular wall,the ratio of vascular wall and the diameter of vascular lumen,and the blood pressure in SHR group were increased significantly(P<0.05).Com-pared with SHR group,the diameter of vascular lumen increased in SHR +swim group.The thickness of vascular wall,the ratio of vascular wall and the diameter of vascular lumen,and the blood pressure in SHR +swim group were decreased sig-nificantly.Compared with control group, the expression of SCAD at mRNA and protein levels, the enzyme activity of SCAD,and the content of ATP were decreased in SHR group.However,the free fatty acid in the serum and aorta,and the content of ROS in the aorta were increased in SHR group.The expression of SCAD at mRNA and protein levels,the en-zyme activity of SCAD,the content of ATP were increased in Wistar +swim group and SHR +swim group.However, the free fatty acid in serum and aorta,and the content of ROS in the aorta were decreased in Wistar +swim group and SHR+swim group.CONCLUSION: Decrease in SCAD expression may be associated with hypertensive vascular remodeling. Swimming training can reverse hypertensive vascular remodeling by increasing the expression of SCAD in the aorta.

BACKGROUNDThe emergency department (ED) has a pivotal influence on the management of acute heart failure (AHF), but data concerning current ED management are scarce. This Beijing AHF Registry Study investigated the characteristics, ED management, and short- and long-term clinical outcomes of AHF.

METHODSThis prospective, multicenter, observational study consecutively enrolled 3335 AHF patients who visited 14 EDs in Beijing from January 1, 2011, to September 23, 2012. Baseline data on characteristics and management were collected in the EDs. Follow-up data on death and readmissions were collected until November 31, 2013, with a response rate of 92.80%. The data were reported as median (interquartile range) for the continuous variables, or as number (percentage) for the categorical variables.

RESULTSThe median age of the enrolled patients was 71 (58-79) years, and 46.84% were women. In patients with AHF, coronary heart disease (43.27%) was the most common etiology, and myocardium ischemia (30.22%) was the main precipitant. Most of the patients in the ED received intravenous treatments, including diuretics (79.28%) and vasodilators (74.90%). Fewer patients in the ED received neurohormonal antagonists, and 25.94%, 31.12%, and 33.73% of patients received angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-blockers, and spironolactone, respectively. The proportions of patients who were admitted, discharged, left against medical advice, and died were 55.53%, 33.58%, 7.08%, and 3.81%, respectively. All-cause mortalities at 30 days and 1 year were 15.30% and 32.27%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSSubstantial details on characteristics and ED management of AHF were investigated. The clinical outcomes of AHF patients were dismal. Thus, further investigations of ED-based therapeutic approaches for AHF are needed.

Either cetuximab or bevacizumab can improve the survival of patients with metastastic colorectal cancer (mCRC) if administered combided with cytotoxic agents. However, the effect of two or more target agents in combination is uncertain in these patients. Here, we reported a patient with mCRC successfully treated by a combination of target agents after the failure of chemotherapy. The patient received palliative resection of primary tumor followed by 9 cycles of postoperative XELOX regimen, cytokine-induced killer cell (CIK)-based biotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine, particle implantation in the lung metastatic lesions. The tumor progressed 20 months after the standard treatments. Then, the regimen cetuximab, bevacizumab and cefitinib was applied. During the treatment with targeted agents, grade IV acne-like rash and relatively severe parionychia of the toes occurred. Both of them recovered smoothly. The PET-CT reexamination at 40 days after the target treatment showed that the metabolism of mediastinal lymph nodes basically recovered to a normal level. The combination of multiple targeted agents obtained a progression-free survival(PFS) of 11 months and the patient with a good quality of life during this period.
Adenocarcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; pathology ; secondary ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Bevacizumab ; Catheter Ablation ; Cetuximab ; Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells ; immunology ; Deoxycytidine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Fluorouracil ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunotherapy, Adoptive ; Liver Neoplasms ; secondary ; surgery ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; surgery ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multimodal Imaging ; Neoplasm Staging ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Quality of Life ; Quinazolines ; therapeutic use ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Sigmoid Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo analyze the preoperative risk factors on liver transplant recipients with acute renal failure(ARF), and to evaluate renal replacement therapy (RRT) as a transitonary therapy before liver transplantation.

METHODSLiver transplant recipients with acute renal failure treated with renal replacement therapy between January 1st, 2001 and January 1st, 2008 in our center were retrospected. Clinical characteristics, the kinds of RRT and prognosis were analyzed; Logistic regression was applied to analyze the parameters that can forecast the motality of the liver transplant recipients with acute renal failure.

RESULTSOf the patients who received RRT, 30% survived to liver transplantation, 67.5% died while waiting for liver transplantation. The dead had a higher multiple organ dysfunction score (MODS), and lower mean arterial pressure than those survived to liver transplantation. There was no significant difference in the duration of RRT between continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) patients and hemodialysis patients. CRRT patients had a higher MODS, lower mean arterial pressure, lower serum creatinine than hemodialysis patients. Lower mean arterial pressure was statistically associated with higher risk of mortality.

CONCLUSIONThough mortality was high, RRT helps part (30%) of patients survive to liver transplantation. Therefore, considering the high mortality without transplantation, RRT is acceptable for liver transplant recipients with ARF.

Acute Kidney Injury ; etiology ; mortality ; therapy ; Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Liver, Artificial ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Regression Analysis ; Renal Dialysis ; methods ; Renal Replacement Therapy ; mortality ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Severity of Illness Index ; Survival Analysis

Objective To investigate the status of endemic fluorosis in Boxing County in Shandong Province at present,and to provide the scientific evidence for making strategies in prevention and control.Methods Children aged 8-12 years old and adults above 30 years old were selected from 8 endemic fluorosis villages in 2 fluorosis of children aged 8-12 years old were diagnosed by Dean method and skeletal fluomsis diagnosed by clinic and X-Rays.Results Eight villages in 2 towns were chosen underwent epidemiological investigation.Eight villages had water fluoride content＞4.50 mg/L.the highest water fluoride content was 5.78 mg/L.The total rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8-12 years old WaS 90.70%(195/215),the index of dental fluorosis was 2.15 and the rate of dental damage was 24.65%(53/215).The rate of skeletal fluorosis detected by clinic and X-rays in adults older than 30 years old were 30.71%(78/254)and 16.54%(42/254),respectively.The averaged fuoride level in urine wa8 over 1.50 mg/L in 98.95%(189/191)of children aged 8-12 years old and in 97.92%(235/240)adults older than 30 years old,with the highest respectively being 14.50 mg/L and 17.99 mg/L.Conclusions In Boxing County in Shandong Province,endemic fluorosis is not effectively controlled.So endemic fluorosis control mfist be strengthened.

OBJECTIVETo analyse the efficacy and safety of thalidomide (Thal) for patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODSEffectiveness and adverse events of 102 MM patients treated with thalidomide at a median dosage of 200 mg/d. Thirteen cases were treated with Thal alone (group A), and 105 case with Thal in combination with other therapeutic agents (group B) were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULT1) The response rate (RR) (CR + PR) was 65.4% for induction therapy in 52 cases and 45.5% for salvage therapy in 66 cases. RR in group B was higher than that in group A (58.1% versus 23.1/%, P= 0.017), and the non-response/progress (NR) rate was lower (15.2% versus 46.2%, P= 0.015). In group B, the NR rate was lower in 50 cases of newly diagnosed MM than in 55 cases of refractory or relapsed MM (6.0% versus 23.6%, P=0.012). In group B, RR between Thal+VAD or M, regimen (72 cases) and Thal + MP regimen (33 cases) was not statistically significant (62.5% versus 48.5%, P >0.05). 2) The median duration of response maintenance was 15.5 (1.0-58.0) months in 21 cases. 3) Among 97 patients with follow-up data, the estimated median duration of OS was 44 months in a median follow-up duration of 20 months and the accumulative time for use of Thal was 8 months. In univariate analysis,the accumulative duration for use of Thal 6 months, hemoglobin > or = 100 g/L and bone marrow megakaryocytes > 20 per smear were associated with longer OS (P = 0.0014, 0.0101, 0.019, respectively). 4) Multivariate analysis suggested that the accumulative time for use of Thal and bone marrow megakaryocytes > 20 were independent good prognostic factors for OS (P = 0.006, 0.036, respectively). 5) The adverse events of Thal were mostly endurable, the rate of thrombus events was lower than that reported in literature.

CONCLUSIONThalidomide alone or combined with chemotherapy is an useful therapy for MM. The accumulative time for use longer than 6 months may improve survival.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; drug therapy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Thalidomide ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome