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

Purpose: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) delivers cytotoxic drugs intra-arterially and induces ischemic necrosis by arterial embolization. Embolization is achieved using a variety of agents that differ widely in particle size and range, deformation, and in vivo arterial distribution. The clinical significance of these differences has not been thoroughly characterized. The present study is to compare the efficacy of Embosphere and Embozene microspheres in TACE therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study includes 108 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who received TACE/doxorubicin with Embozene (70 patients) or Embosphere (38 patients) at a single medical center. Patient outcomes, including liver function, tumor size, tumor response, and complications after treatment, were analyzed. The change in total target lesion size and tumor response was evaluated according to embolization agent and clinical characteristics. Results: The postoperative glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (mean, 194.5 vs. 147.5; p=0.032) and bilirubin (mean, 1.11 mg/dL vs. 0.73 mg/dL; p=0.016) were higher among patients treated with Embozene, the decrease in the number (55.86±25.55% vs. 41.81±38.51%, p=0.027) and size (56.37±25.91 mm vs. 43.44±37.89 mm, p=0.001) of liver tumors relative to baseline was greater in these patients than in those treated with Embosphere. These greater antitumor effects were achieved using lower doses of doxorubicin than for treatment with Embozene. Minor complications were more common among patients treated with Embosphere than with Embozene. Conclusion These results suggest that Embozene is more efficacious than Embosphere for HCC treatment using TACE/doxorubicin.

Objective Studies are rarely reported on the effect of short peptides of the pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) on the proliferation of human cutaneous squamous (SCL-1) cells. The purpose of this study is to investigate segmented cloning and expression of the PEDF protein and observe its effect on the proliferation of human SCL-1 cells. Methods The target genes of PEDF1, PEDF2 and PEDF3 were amplified by PCR and the recovered fragments subjected to double digestion of NheⅠ and Hind Ⅲ and inserted into the pET28a(+) plasmid. The product was transformed into human E coli BL21 and induced to express, followed by isolation and purification of the fusion protein. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the proliferation of the SCL-1 cells with PEDF1, PEDF2 and PEDF3 at 100, 400, 800 and 1000 nmol/L at 24, 48 and 72 hours. Results The prokaryotic expression vectors of PEDF1, PEDF2 and PEDF3 were successfully constructed, and their fusion proteins prepared, with the molecular weight of 18 000, 17 000 and 13 000, respectively. The proliferation of the SCL-1 cells was significantly decreased in the 800 and 1000 nmol/L PEDF3 groups compared with that in the 0 nmol/L PEDF3 group at 24 hours (0.16 ± 0.03 and 0.78 ± 0.07 vs 1.00 ± 0.00, P < 0.05), inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner in the 400, 800 and 1000 nmol/L PEDF3 groups at 48 hours (P < 0.05), markedly lower in the 800 and 1000 nmol/L PEDF3 groups at 72 hours (0.53 ± 0.05 and 0.51 ± 0.05) than in the in the 400 and 0 nmol/L PEDF3 groups (0.60 ± 0.05 and 1.00 ± 0.00) (P < 0.05). Conclusion The PEDF fusion proteins were successfully segmentally cloned and expressed and PEDF3 inhibited the proliferation of SCL-1 cells, which has paved the ground for further screening of active functional short peptides of PEDF.

Objective To prepare F7 thermosensitive liposome and evaluate its physicochemical properties, then investigate its cytotoxicity against tumor cells in vitro. Methods The F7 thermosensitive liposome was prepared by the pH gradient active drug loading method using dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine myristoyl lyso-phosphocholine and 1, 2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-methoxy (polyethylene glycol)-2000 as membrane materials. The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading were determined for the F7 thermosensitive liposome by HPLC. The phase transition temperature of F7 thermosensitive liposome was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry;the liposome morphology was observed by atomic force microscopy;the drug release of liposome was examined by dialysis;and the particle size and zeta potential were measured through Malvern particle size analyzer. The cytotoxicity of F7 and F7 thermosensitive liposome was determined by the MTT method, and the freeze-drying process was optimized using the designexpert software. Results The encapsulation efficiency of F7 thermosensitive liposomes was (97.56±0.22) ％, and the drug loading ratio was (1.51±0.01) ％. The phase transition temperature of F7 thermosensitive liposome was 39.9℃, the zeta potential was (-15.10±0.85) mV, the particle size was (86.94±1.21) nm, and the poly disperse coefficient was 0.17±0.01. Compared with the F7 injection, the F7 thermosensitive liposomes showed a stronger, dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the growth of lung cancer H1299 and breast cancer MCF-7 cells. The freeze-dried powder of liposomes dissolved well with the encapsulation efficiency of 95％ and the particle size of approximately 130 nm. Conclusion The F7 thermosensitive liposome prepared by the pH gradient active drug loading method has high encapsulation efficiency and good stability. The preparation method is simple and feasible for further development of the F7 preparation.

According to folk usage of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx., the present study was designed to determine the feasibility of the stems and leaves of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx. as a new medicinal resource. Fourteen alkaloids in mother roots, fibrous roots, stems, and leaves of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx. were measured by HPLC-MS/MS. And multivariate analysis methods, such as clustering analysis and principal component analysis, were applied to analyze the difference among various parts. In addition, the acute toxicity, analgesia, and anti-inflammatory tests were carried out. The results suggested that the contents of alkaloids in mother roots and fibrous roots were approximate, but those of leaves and stems were different from mother roots and fibrous roots. The results of the acute toxicity testing demonstrated the toxicity of fibrous root was strongest, and mother roots were slightly less toxic than fibrous roots. The stems and leaves were far less toxic than mother and fibrous roots. In addition, the analgesia and inflammatory tests showed the effects of the various tissues had no difference each other. These results provided a basis for developing new complementary and alternative treatments for rheumatoid arthritis patients. Simultaneously, the approach may also turn wastes into treasure and promote the development of circular economy.
Aconitum ; chemistry ; Alkaloids ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

The underground cane of Schizocapsa plantaginea (Hance) has long been used by Chinese ethnic minority as a constituent of anti-cancer formulae. Saponins are abundant secondary metabolic products located in the underground cane of this plant. The potential therapeutic effects of total saponins isolated from Schizocapsa plantaginea (Hance) (SSPH) on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were tested in vitro in human liver cancer cell lines, SMMC-7721 and Bel-7404. Apoptosis and cell cycle arrest were determined using flow cytometry, caspase activation was determined by ELISA, and PARP, cleaved PARP, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) expression and phosphorylation were measured using Western blotting analysis. In vivo anti-HCC effects of SSPH were verified in nude mouse xenograft model. SSPH exerted markedly inhibitory effect on HCC cell proliferation in time- and concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, SSPH significantly induced apoptosis through caspase-dependent signaling and arrested cell cycle at G/M phase. These anti-proliferation effects of SSPH were associated with up-regulated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (Erk1/2) and c-jun-NH2-kinase-1/2 (JNK1/2) and reduced phosphorylation of p38MAPK. Furthermore, inhibitors of ERK, UO126, and JNK, SP600125 inhibited the anti-proliferation effects by SSPH, suggesting that Erk and JNK were the effector molecules in SSPH induced anti-proliferative action. During in vivo experiments, SSPH was found to inhibit xenograft tumor growth in nude mice, with a similar mechanism in vitro. Our study confirmed that SSPH exerted antagonistic effects on human liver cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Molecular mechanisms underlying SSPH action might be closely associated with MAPK signaling pathways. These results indicated that SSPH has potential therapeutic effects on HCC.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; toxicity ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Dioscoreaceae ; chemistry ; Heterografts ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Plant Tubers ; chemistry ; Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1 ; metabolism ; Saponins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; toxicity

OBJECTIVEAlthough many studies have examined the effects of ambient temperatures on mortality, little evidence is on health impacts of atmospheric pressure and relative humidity. This study aimed to assess the impacts of atmospheric pressure and relative humidity on mortality in Guangzhou, China.

METHODSThis study included 213,737 registered deaths during 2003-2011 in Guangzhou, China. A quasi-Poisson regression with a distributed lag non-linear model was used to assess the effects of atmospheric pressure/relative humidity.

RESULTSWe found significant effect of low atmospheric pressure/relative humidity on mortality. There was a 1.79% (95% confidence interval: 0.38%-3.22%) increase in non-accidental mortality and a 2.27% (0.07%-4.51%) increase in cardiovascular mortality comparing the 5th and 25th percentile of atmospheric pressure. A 3.97% (0.67%-7.39%) increase in cardiovascular mortality was also observed comparing the 5th and 25th percentile of relative humidity. Women were more vulnerable to decrease in atmospheric pressure and relative humidity than men. Age and education attainment were also potential effect modifiers. Furthermore, low atmospheric pressure and relative humidity increased temperature-related mortality.

CONCLUSIONBoth low atmospheric pressure and relative humidity are important risk factors of mortality. Our findings would be helpful to develop health risk assessment and climate policy interventions that would better protect vulnerable subgroups of the population.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Atmospheric Pressure ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Humidity ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThe left atrial appendage (LAA) is an important source of thrombus formation. We investigated the feasibility of the recently developed real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT3D-TEE) method in assessment of the morphology and function of the LAA.

METHODSNinety-six consecutive patients (58 males with a mean age of (43.4 ± 12.5) years) who were referred for 2-dimensional (2D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) underwent additional RT3D-TEE. LAA morphology was visualized in multiple views. Orifice size, depth, volumes and ejection fraction (EF) of the LAA, were measured.

RESULTSAll the patients underwent RT3D-TEE examination without complications. Ninety-two patients (95.8%) had adequate images for visualization and quantitative analysis of the LAA. The LAA exhibited great variability with respect to relative dimensions and morphology. LAA orifice area was (3.8 ± 1.2) cm(2) with a diameter of (2.4 ± 0.9) cm × (1.4 ± 0.6) cm. The mean depth of the LAA was (2.9 ± 0.7) cm. End-diastolic volume (EDV-LAA), end-systolic volume (ESV-LAA) and EF of the LAA were (6.2 ± 3.7) ml, (4.1 ± 2.8) ml, and 0.35 ± 0.16, respectively. EDV-LAA, ESV-LAA and the orifice area of the LAA in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) were larger than those without AF, whereas the EF was smaller in the AF patients.

CONCLUSIONSDefining LAA morphology and quantitative analysis of the size and function of the LAA with superior quality and resolution of images using RT3D-TEE is feasible. This technique may be an ideal tool for guidance of the LAA occlusion procedure. Determination of LAA volumes and volume-derived EF by RT3D-TEE provides new insights into the analysis of LAA function.

Adult ; Atrial Appendage ; diagnostic imaging ; Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

In order to investigate the transmission risk of H5N1 avian influenza viruses (AIV) from sewage in Changsha poultry markets, the evolution relationship and molecular characteristics of non-structural (NS) genes of H5N1 AIV from sewage were analyzed. Nine H5N1 AIV environmental sewage specimens were collected from Changsha poultry markets. The NS genes were amplifyed by PCR and then sequenced with TA cloning. Amino acid(aa) sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree analysis were conducted by Lasergene and Mega5 software. Eight NS genes TA cloning were constructed successfully. Phylogenetic tree indicated that they were belonged to the allele A subgroup. Aa homology analysis showed 90.1% 92.5% identity in NS1 proteins and 91.0% - 92.6% identity in NS2 proteins compared with reference viruses of the allele A (A/chicken/ Hubei/ w h/ 1999). The homologies of the amino sequences of NS1 and NS2 in this study were 93.8%-100.0% and 98.4%-100.0%, respectively. The C terminal of all eight H5N1 NS1 proteins from sewage in poultry markets carried a ESEV of PL motif and the 92 amino acids were E, furthermore, the 80 to 84aa were missed which were the characteristics of highly pathogenic AIV. The NS genes of H5N1 AIV from sewage in poultry markets have molecular characteristics of highly pathogenic and have the potential risk of H5N1 virus spreading.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza in Birds ; transmission ; virology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Poultry ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Sewage ; virology ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics

Objective To detect the expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α),glucose transporter protein-1 (GLUT-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human laryngeal carcinoma tissue,and to study the relationship between hypoxia and HIF-1α,GLUT-1,VEGF in human laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cells and to explore the effect of HIF-1α,GLUT-1 and VEGF as endogenous hypoxic markers on laryngeal carcinoma.Methods The expression levels of HIF-1α,GLUT-1 and VEGF were detected in 35 cases of laryngeal carcinoma by SP immunohistochemical methods and in Hep-2 cells by SP immunocytochemical methods.The relationship between HIF-1 α and GLUT-1,VEGF protein expression was analyzed.Results Of the 35 cases,16 cases expressed HIF-1α,16 cases expressed GLUT-1,19 cases expressed VEGF.The expression of HIF-1α and VEGF were closely correlated with pathologic grading and lymphnode metastasis.GLUT-1 was correlated with lymphnode metastasis.The expression levels of HIF-1 α,GLUT-1 and VEGF in Hep-2 cells under hypoxic condition were higher than those under normoxiccondition.Conclusion HIF-1α may promote the expression of GLUT-1 and VEGF in laryngeal carcinoma,furthermore promote tumor angiogenesis,invasion,and metastasis of the laryngeal carcinoma.