OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence of extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) and its risk factors in very preterm infants (VPIs) during hospitalization in China. METHODS: A prospective multicenter study was performed on the medical data of 2 514 VPIs who were hospitalized in the department of neonatology in 28 hospitals from 7 areas of China between September 2019 and December 2020. According to the presence or absence of EUGR based on the evaluation of body weight at the corrected gestational age of 36 weeks or at discharge, the VPIs were classified to two groups: EUGR group (n=1 189) and non-EUGR (n=1 325). The clinical features were compared between the two groups, and the incidence of EUGR and risk factors for EUGR were examined. RESULTS: The incidence of EUGR was 47.30% (1 189/2 514) evaluated by weight. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher weight growth velocity after regaining birth weight and higher cumulative calorie intake during the first week of hospitalization were protective factors against EUGR (P<0.05), while small-for-gestational-age birth, prolonged time to the initiation of total enteral feeding, prolonged cumulative fasting time, lower breast milk intake before starting human milk fortifiers, prolonged time to the initiation of full fortified feeding, and moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia were risk factors for EUGR (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS It is crucial to reduce the incidence of EUGR by achieving total enteral feeding as early as possible, strengthening breastfeeding, increasing calorie intake in the first week after birth, improving the velocity of weight gain, and preventing moderate-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia in VPIs.
Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Gestational Age ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Objective To explore the role and mechanism of forkhead box proteinO3a activates Fas ligand on renal tubular epithelial cell ( RTC ) apoptosis induced by renal ischemia /reperfusion ( I/R ) . Methods The model by clamping renal pedicles for 45 minutes follow-ing reperfusion was established.The protein expression of forkhead box proteinO3a and Fas ligand were examined by western blotting.Apoptosis of RTC was assessed by TdT -mediated dUTP nick -end Labeling (TUNEL) method and transmission electron microscopic (TEM).Renal function was assessed by biochemical automatic analyzer .Results The protein expression level of forkhead box proteinO 3a and Fas ligand was increased significantly following renal I /R at 1 h.RTC nucleus was shrinking, crushing followed renal I /R, and a significant increase in the number of TUNEL -positive cells following renal I /R was displayed com-pared with the sham group.The level of blood urea nitrogen(BUN) and serum creatinine ( Scr) was increased significantly compared with the sham group (P <0.05,P <0.01).Conclusion FoxO3a could be acti-vated during renal I /R, and then up -regulated FasL protein expression , facilitated renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis , in turn, aggravated renal I /R injury in rats.

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between c-kit and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha(PDGFRA) gene mutation features and the prognosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST).

METHODSClinicopathological, genetic testing and follow-up informations of patients admitted to the Shanxi Tumor Hospital from June 2000 to January 2009 were collected. The survival was calculated and univariate analysis was conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate analysis was conducted by the Cox regression method.

RESULTSThe 5-year disease-free survival rate was 61.5% and the 5-year overall survival rate was 67.4%. The 5-year disease-free survival rates of patients without disease among those with c-kit exon 11 mutation (n=77), c-kit exon 9 mutation(n=4), and PDGFRA exon 18 mutation (n=2) were 63.4%, 14.3% and 100%, and the 5-year overall survival rates were 70.8%, 50.0% and 100%, respectively. In the patients with c-kit exon 11 mutation, the 5-year disease-free survival rates among those with point mutations(n=26), deletion mutations(n=44), and duplication mutations(n=7) were 87.1%, 44.9% and 80.0%, and the 5-year overall survival rates were 88.1%, 57.0% and 100%, respectively. There were significant differences in overall survival among different factors. Multivariate analysis showed that gene mutation was not the independent factor of prognosis(P=0.492).

CONCLUSIONSIn GIST patients undergoing surgery without imatinib treatment, mutated genotype is better than wild type in terms of prognosis. Gene mutation is not the independent factor of prognosis in GIST patients.

DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; genetics ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; genetics ; Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha ; genetics

OBJECTIVE: To optimize low copy number (LCN) DNA analysis methods for forensic STR genotyping. METHODS: Two groups of DNA sample, extracted using either Magnetic bead method or Chelex-100 methods, were previously amplified with a Identifiler PCR Amplification kit, but no genotype was detected. The DNA samples were concentrated using either a drying method or the Microcon-100 method, then amplified using an miniFiler PCR Amplification kit and genotyped. RESULTS: Among the 127 DNA samples, 47 samples, previously extracted using the Magnetic bead method, were genotyped with 36% success rate. Eighty samples, previously extracted using the Chelex-100 method, were genotyped with 30% success rate. CONCLUSION The application of sample concentration methods and miniFiler kit can improve the success rate of LCN STR analysis.
Blood Stains ; DNA/analysis* ; DNA Fingerprinting/methods* ; DNA Primers ; Forensic Genetics/methods* ; Genotyping Techniques/methods* ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; Saliva/chemistry* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Specimen Handling/methods* ; Templates, Genetic

BACKGROUNDDue to the quick rhythm of life and work pressure, more and more people suffer from sleep quality problems. In this study, we investigated the effect of electroacupuncture on sleep quality of chronic insomniacs and the safety of electroacupuncture therapy.

METHODSFour courses of electroacupuncture treatment were applied to 47 patients. With pre-treatment and post-treatment self-control statistical method, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) scores were used for evaluating sleep quality. Polysomnogram was used for detecting insomniacs' changes in sleep architecture. The safety of electroacupuncture was evaluated by monitoring the self-designed adverse events and side effects during treatment and post-treatment.

RESULTSElectroacupuncture considerably improved insomniacs' sleep quality and social function during the daytime. Electroacupuncture had certain repairing effect on the disruption in sleep architecture. At the same time, electroacupuncture prolonged slow wave sleep (SWS) time and relatively rapid eye movement sleep (REM sleep) time. There was no hangover, addiction or decrements in vigilance during the daytime (incidence rate was 0). However, insomnia rebound rate was about 23% within one month.

CONCLUSIONSThese results suggest that electroacupuncture has beneficial effect on sleep quality improvement in the patients with chronic insomnia, which may be associated with repairing sleep architecture, reconstructing sleep continuity, as well as prolonging SWS time and REM sleep time. Electroacupuncture treatment for chronic insomnia is safe. Therefore, electroacupuncture therapy could be a promising avenue of treatment for chronic insomnia.

Adult ; Aged ; Electroacupuncture ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Sleep, REM

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of age distribution of measles and related policies on measles vaccines (live; MV) in infants through analyzing the antibody levels of comparison in maternal-infant pairs. Transition of immunity in infants was also studied to provide theoretic basis for measles immunization strategy and to reduce the incidence of month-old infants. Methods In cities of Ningbo, Harbin, and Jinan from Zhejiang, Heilongiiang and Shandong provinces, data was collected from 2004 to 2007 and analyzed regarding the epidemic situation of measles. Studies on maternal-transferred measles antibody were carried our sero-epidemiologically. Results Most of the measles cases were found among babies younger than 12 months,and the incidence of < 1 year olds had been increasing.The distribution was dominated by 5-8 month olds in infant measles cases. The positive rate and GRMT of measles antibody in newborns were 89.3 percent and 738.93. The positive rate of the measles antibody and GMRT of the 6-month infant were 6.9 % and 6.89, while 6.7 % and 3.69 in 8-month infant. There wasa declining trend of the positive rate of the measles antibody during the newborns to 8-month infant. The positive rate and GRMT of measles antibody in mothers were 84.3 percent and 516.94. Mother's measles antibodies mainly to be at low and moderate level, which accounted for 50.4 percent and 30.3 percent respectively, the correlation coefficient between mother and infant was 0. 840. Conclusion Maternal-transferred measles antibody decreased as the growth of infants. The positive rates of measles antibody were quite low in 6-month and 8-month olds which were the age range that needs most attention.

OBJECTIVETo explore the quality of life and related social support among people living with HIV/AIDS with related factors.

METHODS331 people living with HIV/AIDS and 148 of their family members were selected using a typical sampling method. Questionnaires on general conditions, tables on history of infection, generic quality of life inventory-74 (GQOLI-74) and social support scale (SSS) were used.

RESULTSData from one-way analysis suggested that people living with HIV/AIDS and their family members with the different sexs, different villages and different cultural backgrounds had differences in GQOLI-74 scores (P < 0.05) while people living with HIV/AIDS with the different villages had differences in SSS scores (P < 0.05). Results from Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that being elderly and negative life events were negatively associated with social support (P < 0.05), while factors as more advanced educational background, harmonious neighborhood relationship and having bother pouring nature were the predictive factors (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMany factors might affect dimensions of quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS and their family members in rural areas of northern Anhui. Community care and social support of HIV/AIDS should still be greatly enhanced in the countryside of China. A community care mode based on family and neighborhood was expected to be developed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; complications ; ethnology ; psychology ; China ; Cultural Characteristics ; Family Relations ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Quality of Life ; Social Support

OBJECTIVESTo study the cellular immune response to HSP70-HBcAg(18-27) complex in HBV transgenic mice.

METHODHSP70-HBcAg(18-27) complex was reconstituted in vitro, then it was injected into HBV transgenic mice to observe the cellular immune response. At the same time, we investigated whether HSP70-HBcAg(18-27) complex could generate antigen specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in spleen cells.

RESULTSOur results demonstrated that HSP70-HBcAg(18-27) complex increased levels of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the spleens and peripheral blood of HBV transgenic mice, and the complex also activated dendritic and natural killer cells.

CONCLUSIONHSP70-HBcAg(18-27) complex has an immunological antigenicity in raising the immunoresponse to chronic HBV infection in HBV transgenic mice. HSP70-HBcAg(18-27) complex might be considered as a candidate for further studies on its role as a therapeutic vaccine against chronic HBV infection in humans.

Animals ; Female ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Spleen ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safty of the humanized anti-epidermal factor receptor monoclonal antibody h-R3 in combination with radiotherapy for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

METHODSTotally, 137 patients from 7 medical center around China were randomly divided into combined therapy group or control group. There was no difference in Karnofsky performance score between two groups. All patients in both groups received radical conventionally fractionated radiotherapy to the total dose of D(T) 70-76 Gy. For the combined therapy group, h-R3 was added at a dose of 100 mg i.v. weekly for 8 weeks started at the beginning of radiotherapy.

RESULTSOf the 137 eligilbe patients, 70 were in the combined therapy group treated by h-R3 plus radiotherapy and 67 in the control group by radiotherapy alone. The intent-to-treat (ITT) population consisted of 130 patients, while the per-protocol (PP) population was composed of 126 patients. The efficacy was assessed respectively at three point of time: the end of treatment, the 5th- and 17th-week after treatment. The complete response (CR) of the combined therapy group was significantly higher than that of the control group in both ITT and PP (ITT: 65.63%, 87.50%, 90.63% versus 27.27%, 42.42%, 51.52%; PP: 67.21%, 90.16%, 93.44% versus 27.69%, 43.08%, 52.31%; P < 0.05, respectively). The most common h-R3-related adverse reactions were fever (4.3%), hypotension (2.9%), nausea (1.4%), dizziness (2.9%) and rash (1.4%), which could be reversible if treated properly. Radiotherapy combined with 100 mg h-R3 i. v. weekly was tolerable and did not aggravate the side effects of radiation. The quality of life in the combined therapy group was comparable to that in the control group.

CONCLUSIONThis phase 1 multicenter clinical trial shows that h-R3 in combination with radiotherapy is effective and well-tolerated for the treatment of locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Fever ; etiology ; Humans ; Hypotension ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Neoplasm Staging ; Quality of Life ; Radiotherapy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; immunology ; Remission Induction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the epidemiological and molecular typing features of the pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica strains isolated in China,using pulsed field gel electrophoresis(PFGE) and standardized PFGE method as well as typing database of Yersinia enterocolitica.

METHODSPFGE analysis was performed as Laboratory Directions for molecular subtyping of Salmonella by PFGE (PulseNet,USA) with some modifications and the results of PFGE were analyzed by BioNumerics soft (Version 4.0, Applied Maths BVBA, Belium).

RESULTS114 O:3 Yersinia enterocolitica strains were typed by 25 patterns to have found that K6GN11C30012 (50 strains), K6GN11C30015(19 strains) and K6GN11C30016(10 strains) were the major patterns. K6GNllC30012 had 92.2% cluster similarity with K6GN11C30009-K6GN11C30023. This clone included 91.23% strains of 114 0:3 Yersinia enterocolitica strains. 51 0:9 Yersinia enterocolitica strains were typed by 14 patterns; K6GN11C90004 (22 strains) and K6GN11C90010 (13 strains)were the major patterns. K6GN11C90004 had 81.8% cluster similarity with K6GN11C90010 patterns. The major patterns of 0:3 and 0:9 serotypes were quite different.

CONCLUSIONO:3 Yersinia enterocolitica strains might originate from the same clone and had very few variation in different years and provinces but O:9 Yersinia enterocolitica strains from two different clones with some changes.

China ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Humans ; Yersinia enterocolitica ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification