Objective: To investigate the effects of long-term hyperglycemia on renal pathology of type 1 diabetic mellitus(T1DM) cynomolgus monkeys by establishing streptozotocin(STZ)-induced T1DM. Methods: Eight 4-year-old male cynomolgus monkeys were randomly divided into control and model groups. Four cynomolgus monkeys were used in the control group, and four cynomolgus monkeys were injected with streptozotocin to create a T1DM model. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and periodic acid-Schiff(PAS) staining were used to observe renal pathological changes.The histological characteristics and changes were observed under transmission electron microscope. Morphometric measurements were used to analyze the glomerular area, the thickness of the glomerular basement membrane, the proportion of glomerular podocyte foot processes and the average area of foot processes. Results: In comparison to the control group, the model group showed pathological changes in the kidneys, including increased glomerular area(P<0.01), thickened basement membrane, capillary loop compression, disordered arrangement of endothelial cell fenestrations, proliferation of mesangial cells, mesangial expansion, accumulation of mesangial matrix glycoproteins, a decrease in the number of foot processes(P<0.001), a decrease in the average size of the foot processes(P<0.05), widened podocyte slit diaphragm, and an increase in the number of fused foot processes(P<0.001). Conclusion Cynomolgus monkeys with T1DM suffer from renal pathological changes due to long-term hyperglycemia.

Despite the availability of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Korea, need remains for pangenotypic regimens that can be used in the presence of hepatic impairment, comorbidities, or prior treatment failure. We investigated the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir–velpatasvir and sofosbuvir–velpatasvir–voxilaprevir for 12 weeks in HCV-infected Korean adults. Methods: This Phase 3b, multicenter, open-label study included 2 cohorts. In Cohort 1, participants with HCV genotype 1 or 2 and who were treatment-naive or treatment-experienced with interferon-based treatments, received sofosbuvir–velpatasvir 400/100 mg/day. In Cohort 2, HCV genotype 1 infected individuals who previously received an NS5A inhibitor-containing regimen ≥ 4 weeks received sofosbuvir–velpatasvir–voxilaprevir 400/100/100 mg/day. Decompensated cirrhosis was an exclusion criterion. The primary endpoint was SVR12, defined as HCV RNA < 15 IU/mL 12 weeks following treatment. Results: Of 53 participants receiving sofosbuvir–velpatasvir, 52 (98.1%) achieved SVR12. The single participant who did not achieve SVR12 experienced an asymptomatic Grade 3 ASL/ALT elevation on day 15 and discontinued treatment. The event resolved without intervention. All 33 participants (100%) treated with sofosbuvir–velpatasvir–voxilaprevir achieved SVR 12. Overall, sofosbuvir–velpatasvir and sofosbuvir–velpatasvir–voxilaprevir were safe and well tolerated. Three participants (5.6%) in Cohort 1 and 1 participant (3.0%) in Cohort 2 had serious adverse events, but none were considered treatment-related. No deaths or grade 4 laboratory abnormalities were reported. Conclusions: Treatment with sofosbuvir–velpatasvir or sofosbuvir–velpatasvir–voxilaprevir was safe and resulted in high SVR12 rates in Korean HCV patients.

During the carcinoma transformation of colitis， the imbalance of “metabolic-immune interaction” resulted from abnormal energy and metabolic substrates flow and direction was the key process， which caused by intercellular metabolic competition. Based on traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） theory and clinical research， we found that “fire failing to warm earth” is the key pathogenesis of colon-cancer transformation. “Fire” was a synonym for TCM to understand the energy metabolism， combined modern medical research findings， we thought energy metabolism disorders was a microcosmic manifestation of the “fire decline”， while abnormal immune function was the biological basis of “earth deficiency”. The imbalance between “metabolism-immune interaction” and the “fire failing to warm earth” pathogenesis of colitis-cancer transformation demonstrated the different understanding of the same pathological mechanism between western medicine and TCM. For treatment， it could be effectivce to delay the transformation of colitis-cancer by synergistically regulated the energy metabolism - “replenish fire” and enhanced the immune function - “nourish earth”， which was called the methods of replenishing fire to nourish earth.

With in-depth research and development of dermoscopy, the dermoscopic features including perifollicular pigments, perilesional pigments, pigment network structure, satellite phenomenon and "tapioca sago" appearance, micro-Koebner phenomenon and comet tail-like phenomenon have provided a basis for the evaluation of vitiligo activity. This review summarizes progress in the evaluation of vitiligo activity with dermoscopy in recent years, aiming to promote the application of dermoscopy in the assessment of vitiligo activity.

Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is a clinically effective therapy in anemia, for example in patients with malignancies (Shander et al., 2020), bleeding (Odutayo et al., 2017), and preoperative anemia (Padmanabhan et al., 2019). The past few decades have witnessed a shortage of blood for transfusion due to limited health insurance coverage for blood use and the rapid expansion of hospitals (Chen et al., 2011; Shi et al., 2014). Blood donation levels may easily be affected by general changes in the environment, policy, major events such as disasters, and public sentiment (Hu et al., 2019). Meanwhile, the transfusion of allogeneic RBC is a double-edged sword, increasing the possibility of infectious and immunological complications, and also leading to higher morbidity and mortality after transfusion (Frank et al., 2012). Considering that the continual shortfall has been increasingly prominent, identifying the factors associated with RBC transfusion could help blood transfusion departments to improve their supply of blood products as well as their inventory management (O'Donnell et al., 2018).

Objective:To study the prognostic impact of prognostic nutritional index (PNI) before radiotherapy in clinical stage Ⅲ esophageal cancer patients.Methods:We retrospectively reviewed 125 esophageal cancer patients with clinical stage Ⅲ undergoing definitive radiotherapy in Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from 2013 to 2017. The PNI and nutritional risk index (NRI) were calculated before radiotherapy. The optimal cutoff value of PNI was determined by time-dependent receiver operating characteristics (ROC) at 49.925.The patients were divided into low PNI group(PNI<49.925) and high PNI group (PNI≥49.925). Based on NRI, the patients were divided into normal NRI group (NRI≥100) and abnormal NRI group (NRI<100). Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) and to perform univariate analysis. The mutlivariate analysis was performed by Cox regression model.Results:PNI was positively correlated with hemoglobin ( r=0.505, P<0.001) and NRI ( r=0.594, P<0.001). The 1-, 3- and 5-year OS rates in the low PNI group were significantly lower than those of the high PNI group (67.5%, 27.3%, 11.4% vs. 85.4%, 45.8%, 27.4%, respectively, χ2=8.569, P<0.05). Moreover, the 1-, 3- and 5-year PFS rates in the low PNI group were obviously higher than those in the high PNI group (59.7%, 23.2%, 4.9% vs. 79.2%, 35.4%, 24.9%, respectively, χ2=6.715, P<0.05). Univariate analysis showed that GTV, radiotherapy dose, chemotherapy, albumin, NRI and PNI were significantly correlated with OS and PFS (OS: χ2=6.822, 4.326, 4.474, 13.123, 8.846, 8.569, P<0.05: PFS: χ2=7.869, 4.636, 5.874, 10.911, 8.544, 6.715, P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that GTV, radiotherapy dose and PNI were independent prognostic factors for OS ( P<0.05). And GTV, radiotherapy dose, chemotherapy and PNI were independent prognostic factors for PFS ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The PNI before radiotherapy is a significant and independent predictor for survival of clinical stage Ⅲ esophageal cancer patients. Based on simple and inexpensive standard laboratory measurements, PNI could be a promising prognostic biomarker for esophageal cancer patients.

Objective:To investigate the possible mechanism of learning and memory damage induced by arsenic exposure through studying the effects of arsenic exposure on levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tyrosine kinases B (TrkB) in hippocampus of offspring mice at different developmental stages.Methods:Twenty-four pregnant Kunming mice were divided into control (distilled water) group and 15, 30 and 60 mg/L sodium arsenite (NaAsO 2) groups according to random number table method, six mice in each group. The pregnant mice were exposed to NaAsO 2 until weaning. After weaning, the offspring mice were still exposed to NaAsO 2 through drinking water till postnatal day (PND) 40. Morris water maze was used to determine the effects of arsenic exposure on learning and memory ability in PND 40 mice. The body weight of the mice was measured at PND 10, 20 or 40, and brain tissues were taken after the mice were sacrificed and the hippocampus was isolated. The levels of BDNF and TrkB mRNA in the hippocampus of offspring mice were measured by Real-time PCR. Results:There was significant difference in body weight of PND 20 offspring mice among the control, 15, 30 and 60 mg/L NaAsO 2 groups [(14.42 ± 1.88), (13.50 ± 1.38), (13.00 ± 1.14), (11.75 ± 0.82) g, F = 4.000, P < 0.05], the body weight of offspring mice in 60 mg/L NaAsO 2 group decreased significantly than that in control group( P < 0.05); there was significant difference in body weight of PND 40 offspring mice among groups [(38.58 ± 2.35), (37.17 ± 1.78), (35.67 ± 1.69), (33.83 ± 1.47) g, F = 7.248, P < 0.05], the body weights of offspring mice in 30 and 60 mg/L NaAsO 2 groups were significantly lower than that in control group, and the body weight of PND 40 offspring mice in 60 mg/L NaAsO 2 group was significantly lower than that in 15 mg/L NaAsO 2 group ( P < 0.05); the results of Morris water maze showed that there were significant differences in the escape latency of offspring mice among groups since 3 - 5 days of training ( F = 3.380, 6.788, 7.240, P < 0.05), the escape latency of offspring mice in NaAsO 2 groups [(67.76 ± 6.45), (71.47 ± 12.19), (73.96 ± 10.42), (58.63 ± 9.24), (60.20 ± 3.74), (67.96 ± 15.41) s] was significantly longer than that in control group [(52.83 ± 8.33), (43.39 ± 8.98) s] since 4 - 5 days of training ( P < 0.05); on the other hand, in the probe trail, there was significant difference in time spent in the target quadrant of offspring mice among groups ( F = 5.709, P < 0.05), time spent in the target quadrant of offspring mice in 30 and 60 mg/L NaAsO 2 groups [(18.85 ± 3.97), (16.90 ± 1.62) s] was significantly less than that in control group [(24.48 ± 3.18) s, P < 0.05]; there was significant difference in BDNF mRNA levels (1.00 ± 0.05, 0.98 ± 0.06, 0.85 ± 0.06, 0.68 ± 0.03) of PND 20 mice among groups ( F = 9.368, P < 0.05), BDNF mRNA level of mice exposed to 60 mg/L NaAsO 2 was significantly lower than that in control, 15 and 30 mg/L NaAsO 2 groups ( P < 0.05); there was significant difference in BDNF mRNA levels (1.00 ± 0.03, 0.75 ± 0.02, 0.76 ± 0.03, 0.73 ± 0.06) of PND 40 mice among groups ( F = 3.998, P < 0.05), and that of PND 40 mice exposed to NaAsO 2 decreased significantly than that in control group ( P < 0.05); there was significant difference in TrkB mRNA levels (1.00 ± 0.08, 0.71 ± 0.02, 0.73 ± 0.02, 0.68 ± 0.09) of PND 20 mice among groups ( F = 16.158, P < 0.05), and that of PND 20 mice exposed to NaAsO 2 were significantly lower than that in control group ( P < 0.05). Conclusion:Arsenic exposure could decrease the mRNA levels of BDNF and TrkB in the hippocampus of offspring mice, which may affect the ability of learning and memory.

Objective: To carry out the 4^th round of third-party evaluation on the implementation and effect of the 1^st year of the 2^nd Phase National Healthcare Improvement Initiative(abbreviated as Initiative)since 2015. Methods: The 4^th round of the evaluation survey adopted the same methods, organization and execution, and technical roadmap as the former three rounds of evaluations. Results: The 4^th round of evaluation was carried out from 18 March to 9 April, 2019 at 185 public hospitals in 31 provinces(autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government)and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.Facility survey, health professional survey and patient survey were conducted at each of the sample health facilities. A total of 120 782 valid questionnaires were collected from 144 non-psychiatric health facilities, 16 246 valid questionnaires were obtained from 41 psychiatric health facilities, and 252 cases of outstanding departments/hospitals in healthcare improvement were also collected. The average overall scoring of the 12 dimensions to assess Initiative implementation at 144 non-psychiatric health facilities was 84.4%. The overall outpatient satisfaction scoring was 91.1%, 96.7%for the inpatients. The overall inpatient satisfaction(family members inclusive) at 41 psychiatric health facilities was 93%. Areas remaining to be improved include day-surgery, telemedicine and medical social work. Compared with technical services, non-technical care should be further strengthened. The compensation, workload and work environment of the healthcare providers are still to be improved. Conclusions The implementation of the Initiative by health facilities has been greatly improved. The percentage of health facilities and patients who had positive perceptions of improved doctor-patient relationship has been increasing. Patient care experiences at public hospitals have been generally improved, and the implementation of promoting traditional Chinese Medicine practices also made progress. However, work satisfaction of healthcare providers was found to be rather low, compared to the high level of patient satisfaction.

Objective To investigate the roles of TrkA and TrkB in radiation-induced hippocampal neurogenesis impairment.Methods Fifty-six rats were randomized into radiation group and sham control group.Radiation group received whole brain irradiation at a single dose of 10 Gy.The hippocampus were separated from rats in day 1,day 3,day 14 and 1 month after irradiation.Western blot and RT-PCR were applied to detect the protein levels and mRNA levels.Golgi staining was used to observe the dendritic spine of hippocampus.Immunofluorescence was performed to detect neural precursor's proliferation.Results Compared with control group,the numbers of dendritic spine significantly decreased after irradiation and its shape change obviously.Immunofluorescence showed a significant decrease in neural precursor's proliferation comparing with control group (t =6.49,P ＜ 0.05).Protein level of TrkA expression increased (t =2.64,3.06,4.80,2.64,P ＜ 0.05),while the levels of TrkB protein expression decreased significantly (t =4.59,3.06,2.81,2.57,P ＜ 0.05).The mRNA level of TrkA expressions increased (t =4.57,3.06,5.39,5.86,P ＜ 0.05),while the mRNA level of TrkB decreased (t =14.87,11.69,4.98,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions As a signaling pathways downstream of NGF and BDNF,TrkA and TrkB may play an important role in radiation-induced neurogenesis impairment.

Recently the studies on mosquito genomics, transcriptomics and small RNAomics developed rapidly with the novel biotechnologies of the next generation sequencing techniques. The genome sequences of several important vector mosquitoes including Anopheles gambiae, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Aedes aegypti have been published. The genome sizes vary among the different species of mosquitoes and are consistent with the number of the repeat regions. The released genome sequences facilitate gene cloning and identification as for OBP, OR and dsx genes. Transcriptomics provides a useful tool for functional analyses of the mosquito genes, and using this technique, the molecular basis of mosquito blooding, gland proteins and diapauses have been explored. Studies on small RNAomics suggest important roles of miRNAs and piRNAs in ovary development, blood digestion, and immunity against virus infection. The studies on mosquito omics have generated a big data platform for investigation of vector biology and vector-transmitted disease prevention.
Aedes ; genetics ; Animals ; Anopheles ; genetics ; Culex ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Genome, Insect ; Genomics ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; MicroRNAs