Objective:To assess the effectiveness of a 6-month Ba Duan Jin exercise program in improving the balance of community-dwelling older adults.Methods:A two arms, parallel-group, cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in 1 028 community residents aged 60-80 years in 40 communities in 5 provinces of China. Participants in the intervention group (20 communities, 523 people) received Ba Duan Jin exercise 5 days/week, 1 hour/day for 6 months, and three times of falls prevention health education, and the control group (20 communities, 505 people) received falls prevention health education same as the intervention group. The Berg balance scale (BBS) score was the leading outcome indicator, and the secondary outcome indicators included the length of time of standing on one foot (with eyes open and closed), standing in a tandem stance (with eyes open and closed), the closed circle test, and the timed up to test.Results:A total of 1 028 participants were included in the final analysis, including 731 women (71.11%) and 297 men (28.89%), and the age was (69.87±5.67) years. After the 3-month intervention, compared with the baseline data, the BBS score of the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group by 3.05 (95% CI: 2.23-3.88) points ( P<0.001). After the 6-month intervention, compared with the baseline data, the BBS score of the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group by 4.70 (95% CI: 4.03-5.37) points ( P<0.001). Ba Duan Jin showed significant improvement ( P<0.05) in all secondary outcomes after 6 months of exercise in the intervention group compared with the control group. Conclusions:This study showed that Ba Duan Jin exercise can improve balance in community-dwelling older adults aged 60-80. The longer the exercise time, the better the improvement.

Objective:Hypoxia is a common pathological phenomenon,usually caused by insufficient oxygen supply or inability to use oxygen effectively.Hydroxylated and methoxylated flavonoids have significant anti-hypoxia activity.This study aims to explore the synthesis,antioxidant and anti-hypoxia activities of 6-hydroxygenistein(6-OHG)and its methoxylated derivatives. Methods:The 6-OHG and its methoxylated derivatives,including 4',6,7-trimethoxy-5-hydroxyisoflavone(compound 3),4',5,6,7-tetramethoxyisoflavone(compound 4),4',6-imethoxy-5,7-dihydroxyisoflavone(compound 6),and 4'-methoxy-5,6,7-trihydroxyisoflavone(compound 7),were synthesized by methylation,bromination,methoxylation,and demethylation using biochanin A as raw material.The structure of these products were characterized by 1hydrogen-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy(1H-NMR)and mass spectrometry(MS).The purity of these compounds was detected by high pressure chromatography(HPLC).The antioxidant activity in vitro was investigated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical(DPPH)free radical scavenging assay.PC12 cells were divided into a normal group,a hypoxia model group,rutin(1×10-9-1×10-5 mol/L)groups,and target compounds(1×10-9-1×10-5 mol/L)groups under normal and hypoxic conditions.Cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay,the target compounds with excellent anti-hypoxia activity and the drug concentration at the maximum anti-hypoxia activity were screened.PC12 cells were treated with the optimal concentration of the target compound or rutin with excellent anti-hypoxia activity,and the cell morphology was observed under light microscope.The apoptotic rate was determined by flow cytometry,and the expressions of hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)were detected by Western blotting. Results:The structure of 6-OHG and its 4 methylated derivatives were correct,and the purity was all more than 97%.When the concentration was 4 mmol/L,the DPPH free radical removal rates of chemical compounds 7 and 6-OHG were 81.16%and 86.94%,respectively,which were higher than those of rutin,the positive control.The removal rates of chemical compounds 3,4,and 6 were all lower than 20%.Compared with the normal group,the cell viability of the hypoxia model group was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the hypoxia model group,compounds 3,4,and 6 had no significant effect on cell viability under hypoxic conditions.At all experimental concentrations,the cell viability of the 6-OHG group was significantly higher than that of the hypoxia model group(all P<0.05).The cell viability of compound 7 group at 1×10-7 and 1×10-6 mol/L was significantly higher than that of the hypoxia model group(both P<0.05).The anti-hypoxia activity of 6-OHG and compound 7 was excellent,and the optimal drug concentration was 1×10-6 and 1×10-7 mol/L.After PC12 cells was treated with 6-OHG(1×10-6 mol/L)and compound 7(1×10-7 mol/L),the cell damage was reduced,the apoptotic rate was significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the protein expression levels of HIF-1α and VEGF were significantly decreased in comparison with the hypoxia model group(both P<0.01). Conclusion:The optimized synthesis route can increase the yield of 6-OHG and obtain 4 derivatives by methylation and selective demethylation.6-OHG and compound 7 have excellent antioxidant and anti-hypoxia activities,which are related to the structure of the A-ring ortho-triphenol hydroxyl group in the molecule.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of Yiqi Tongmai Powder(Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma,Hirudo,Eupolyphaga Steleophaga,Rhei Radix et Rhizoma)against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CIRI)based on network pharmacology,molecular docking and experimental verification.Methods(1)The active components of Yiqi Tongmai Powder and their action targets were screened by TCMSP,TCMID and ETCM databases,the disease related targets of CIRI were screened by GeneCards,OMIM and TTD disease databases,and the intersection targets of the above targets were obtained through Venny 2.1 online platform,that is,the potential targets of Yiqi Tongmai Powder in the treatment of CIRI.The"drugs-active components-targets"network was constructed by Cytoscape 3.7.1 software,and the potential active components of Yiqi Tongmai Powder in the treatment of CIRI were screened.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)analysis of potential targets was carried out by STRING 11.0 database to screen core targets.The GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment of potential targets were analyzed by Metascape database.AutoDockTools 1.5.7 software was used to verify the molecular docking between the key active components and the core targets.(2)The rat model of CIRI was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion(MCAO/R).SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,Yiqi Tongmai Powder low-dose group(0.27 g·kg-1),Yiqi Tongmai Powder high-dose group(1.08 g·kg-1)and Nimodipine group(30 mg·kg-1),with 10 rats in each group.Pre-administration began three days before the establishment of the model,once a day for seven days.The neurological deficit of MCAO/R rats was evaluated by modified neurological deficit score(mNSS).The volume of cerebral infarction was measured by TTC staining.Nissl staining was used to observe the damage of neurons in brain tissue.ELISA method was used to detect serum inflammatory factors and oxidative stress related indexes.TUNEL staining was used to detect brain tissue apoptosis.Western Blot method was used to detect the protein expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 in brain tissue.Results(1)A total of 46 active components and 178 potential targets of Yiqi Tongmai Powder in the treatment of CIRI were obtained.The key active components such as quercetin,digitalis flavonoids,kaempferol,valine and uracil were analyzed,and the core targets such as TNF,IL-6,STAT3,VEGFA,AKT1,IL-1β,CASP3,TP53,MAPK3 and EGFR were analyzed.The potential targets are involved in inflammation,oxidative stress,cell proliferation and differentiation,apoptosis and other biological processes,including cAMP,NF-κB,PI3K-Akt and other signal pathways.The main active components quercetin,flavonoids of digitalis,kaempferol and valine have good binding activity to target proteins such as TNF,IL-6,STAT3 and VEGFA.(2)Compared with the model group,the neurological deficit score of rats in each treatment group was significantly decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),the area of cerebral infarction was significantly decreased(P＜0.01),and the pathological changes of ischemic necrotic area of brain tissue were improved.The number of neurons in ischemic area of brain tissue was significantly increased(P＜0.01),and the rate of neuronal apoptosis was significantly decreased(P＜0.01).The levels of serum IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α and MDA were significantly decreased,while the activities of SOD and GSH-Px were significantly increased(P＜0.05).The protein expression of Bax in brain tissue were significantly decreased and the protein expression of Bcl-2 significantly increased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Yiqi Tongmai Powder may play an anti-CIRI effect by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress,inhibiting cell apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE To explore the protective effect and possible mechanism of baicalein on hypoxia-induced cortical neuron injury in rats. METHODS The cortical neurons of rats （RN-C cells） were studied and cultured under hypoxic conditions （5%CO2， 94% N2， 1%O2） for 24 hours； the effects of different concentrations of baicalein （0.01， 0.1， 1， 10， 100 μmol/L） on the survival rate of hypoxic RN-C cells were investigated； the effects of baicalein （0.1 μmol/L） on the activities of lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） and superoxide dismutase （SOD）， the content of malondialdehyde （MDA）， migration rate， apoptotic rate， cell cycle and the expressions of cleaved caspase-3， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2） and Bcl-2 X protein （Bax） were all detected. RESULTS Compared with control group， the survival rate of cells in the hypoxia group was significantly reduced （P＜0.01）； 0.01， 0.1 and 1 μmol/L baicalein could reverse survival rate of hypoxia-induced cortical neurons （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Scratch experiments showed that baicalein significantly increased the migration rate of hypoxic RN-C cells （P＜0.01）. Compared with control group， the activity of LDH in the supernatant and the content of MDA in the cells， apoptotic rate and the proportion of cells in G1 phase， were significantly increased in the hypoxia group， while SOD activity and the proportion of cells in G2+S phase was decreased significantly （P＜0.01）. The protein expressions of cleaved caspase-3 were increased significantly， while the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax in cells was significantly reduced （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with hypoxia group， the above indexes were all reversed significantly in baicalein group （P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Baicalein can promote the proliferation and migration of cortical neurons， improve hypoxia-induced cell apoptosis and cell cycle distribution， decrease the activity of LDH in supernatant and the level of cellular lipid peroxidation， and improve antioxidant levels. Its mechanism may be related to regulating the caspase- 3/Bax/Bcl-2 pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of single sperm sequencing in preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disease (PGT-M). METHODS: A Chinese couple with two children whom had died of Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and attended the Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital in June 2020 was selected as the subject. Eleven single sperm samples were isolated by mechanical immobilization and subjected to whole genome amplification. Real-time PCR and Sanger sequencing were used to detect the SMN1 variants in the single sperm samples. Genomic DNA of the wife, her parents and the husband, as well as one single sperm sample harboring the SMN1 variant and two single sperm samples without the variant were used for the linkage analysis. Targeted capture and high-throughput sequencing were carried out to test 100 single nucleotide polymorphisms distributed within 2 Mb up- and downstream the variant site. The haplotypes linked with the SMN1 variants were determined by linkage analysis. Blastocyst embryos were harvested after fertilizing by intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Cells from the trophoblasts of each embryo were biopsied and subjected to whole genome amplification and targeted capture and high-throughput sequencing to determine their carrier status. Chromosomal aneuploidy of wild-type embryos was excluded. An euploid embryo of high quality was transferred. Amniotic fluid sample was taken at 18 weeks of gestation to confirm the status of the fetus. RESULTS: Genetic testing showed that the couple both had deletion of exons 7 ~ 8 of the SMN1 gene. The wife has inherited the deletion from her father, while the husband was de novo. The haplotypes of the husband were successfully constructed by single sperm sequencing. Preimplantation genetic testing has indicated that 5 embryos had harbored the heterozygous variant, 4 embryos were of the wild type, among which 3 were euploid. Prenatal diagnosis during the second trimester of pregnancy has confirmed that the fetus did not carry the deletion. CONCLUSION By single sperm sequencing and PGT-M, the birth of further affected child has been successfully avoided.
Humans ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Child ; Male ; Preimplantation Diagnosis ; East Asian People ; Semen ; Genetic Testing ; Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/genetics* ; Aneuploidy ; Blastocyst/pathology* ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Spermatozoa

Objective:To understand the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during the perioperative period of cervical spine surgery and analyze its risk factors.Methods:A retrospective analysis of 426 cervical spine surgery patients admitted to the from March 2017 to March 2021. The basic information of the patients, including gender, age, body mass index (BMI), underlying diseases, and the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) was calculated based on the underlying diseases.The preoperative serum cardiac troponin I(cTnI) level and the operation-related indicators were collected,including the type of cervical spine surgery, surgical procedure, approach, duration of surgery, duration of anesthesia, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative pain visual analogue scale (VAS), and electrolyte disturbances. Count data were expressed as cases (%), and comparisons between groups were made using the χ 2 test; logistic regression models were applied to perform a multifactorial analysis of the factors influencing the perioperative occurrence of MACE in patients undergoing cervical spine surgery. Results:Among the 426 patients, 54 (12.68%) experienced MACE during the perioperative period, including 4 cases of unstable angina (7.41%), 4 cases of acute myocardial infarction (7.41%), 33 cases of severe arrhythmia (61.11%), and 13 cases of acute heart failure (24.07%). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the older the age group (50-59 years old: odds ratio=1.34, 95% confidence interval: 1.14-1.78; 60-69 years old: odds ratio=1.48, 95% confidence interval: 1.20-1.86; 70-79 years old: odds ratio=1.71, 95% confidence interval: 1.34-2.57; 80-89 years old: odds ratio=1.95, 95% confidence interval: 1.46-2.85), as well as females, CCI scores>3, and preoperative cTnI>0.04 μg/L, postoperative VAS score>5, and electrolyte disorders are all influencing factors for the occurrence of MACE in cervical spine surgery patients during the perioperative period (odds ratios of 1.84, 2.12, 2.34, 2.57, 2.20, 95% confidence intervals of 1.34-2.68, 1.50-3.41, 1.63-3.72, 1.53-4.01, 1.43-3.69, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The incidence of MACE in the perioperative period of cervical spine surgery is relatively high. Elderly age, female, high CCI score, high preoperative serum cTnI, postoperative pain and electrolyte disturbance are independent risk factors for the perioperative period of cervical spine surgery.

We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of single-course initial regimens in patients with low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). In this trial (NCT01823315), 276 patients were analyzed. Patients were allocated to three initiated regimens: single-course methotrexate (MTX), single-course MTX + dactinomycin (ACTD), and multi-course MTX (control arm). The primary endpoint was the complete remission (CR) rate by initial drug(s). The primary CR rate was 64.4% with multi-course MTX in the control arm. For the single-course MTX arm, the CR rate was 35.8% by one course; it increased to 59.3% after subsequent multi-course MTX, with non-inferiority to the control (difference -5.1%,95% confidence interval (CI) -19.4% to 9.2%, P = 0.014). After further treatment with multi-course ACTD, the CR rate (93.3%) was similar to that of the control (95.2%, P = 0.577). For the single-course MTX + ACTD arm, the CR rate was 46.7% by one course, which increased to 89.1% after subsequent multi-course, with non-inferiority (difference 24.7%, 95% CI 12.8%-36.6%, P < 0.001) to the control. It was similar to the CR rate by MTX and further ACTD in the control arm (89.1% vs. 95.2%, P =0.135). Four patients experienced recurrence, with no death, during the 2-year follow-up. We demonstrated that chemotherapy initiation with single-course MTX may be an alternative regimen for patients with low-risk GTN.
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects* ; Dactinomycin/adverse effects* ; Female ; Gestational Trophoblastic Disease/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Methotrexate/therapeutic use* ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To study the protective effect and mechanism of Saussurea involucrata flavone capsule on the myocardial tissue of mice in simulated plateau hypoxia environment. Methods 64 Balb/c mice were randomly divided into normal control group, hypoxia model group, positive control group and Xuelian flavonoid capsule group. Myocardial tissue was observed microscopically and ultra-structurally, and the changes of hypoxia-related indexes were detected. The changes in the transcription levels of hypoxia-related genes were detected by RT-PCR, and the changes in the protein expressions of hypoxia-related genes were detected by Western blotting to study the mechanism of action of Xuelian flavone capsules. Results Saussurea involucrata flavone capsule had significantly alleviated the pathological damage to the myocardium of mice caused by simulated altitude hypoxia, increased the activity of T-AOC in myocardial tissue, reduced the accumulation of LD, and also reduced the expression levels of HIF-1α and VEGF mRNA in myocardial tissue, increased the SOD, CAT mRNA and protein expression levels. Conclusion Saussurea involucrata flavone capsule have good anti-altitude hypoxia effect, which could protect myocardial tissue structure and function, regulate energy metabolism, and improve antioxidant capacity. The mechanism might be related to improving the antioxidant capacity, regulating energy metabolism, and affecting the protein expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, SOD and CAT mRNA in high altitude hypoxic mice.

Objective:To investigate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on clinical pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) during frozen-thawed embryo transfer.Methods:A total of 650 patients with PCOS who received routine in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment for frozen-thawed embryo transfer from June 2014 to June 2019 in Tianjin Central Hospital of Gynecology Obstetrics were retrospectively analyzed. According to BMI, PCOS patients were divided into group A (18.5≤BMI<23 kg/m 2, n=253), group B (23≤BMI<25 kg/m 2, n=167), and group C (BMI≥25 kg/m 2, n=230). The general information, clinical pregnancy outcomes, pregnancy complications, the incidence of macrosomia and low-birth-weight infants were compared in the three groups, and the influencing factors of neonatal birth weight were analyzed. Results:The embryo implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and ongoing pregnancy rate all showed downward trend with the increase of BMI, but the differences were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). The live birth rate in group C [47.0% (108/230)] was significantly lower than those in groups A and B, with statistical significance ( χ2 =7.43, P=0.024). The late miscarriage rate was higher in group C [9.4% (13/139)] than in groups A and B ( χ2 =7.66, P=0.022). The birth rates of macrosomia in groups B [22.2% (16/72)] and group C [21.1% (16/76)] were significantly higher than that in group A, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 =14.15, P=0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of gestational diabetes between the three groups ( χ2 =3.81, P=0.149). The incidence of hypertension disorders complicating pregnancy increased with the increase of BMI, and the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Regression analysis showed that macrosomia was significantly associated with maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weeks, and the risk of macrosomia increased by 15% (95% CI: 3%-28%) for every increase in maternal BMI. Conclusions:The embryo implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and ongoing pregnancy rate of PCOS patients in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles show downward trend with the increase of BMI. Obese patients with PCOS have a significant increase in late miscarriage rate and a significant decrease in live birth rate. The incidence of hypertension disorders complicating pregnancy in PCOS patients in the obese group has an increasing trend, and the birth rate of macrosomia has increased significantly. Therefore, it is recommended that obese women with PCOS lose weight scientifically before pregnancy to improve pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.