Objective To investigate the predictive value of color Doppler ultrasound parameters for fetal growth restriction (FGR) induced by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in high-altitude regions. Methods Pregnant women with gestational hypertension who were treated between July 2020 and June 2022 at the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University (with altitude of 2, 300 meters, were divided into group A1 with 19 cases and group A2 with 51 cases according to occurrence of FGR), Yushu People's Hospital (with altitude of 3, 700 meters, were divided into group B1 with 25 cases and group B2 with 47 cases according to occurrence of FGR), and Civil Aviation Clinical Medical College of Peking University (plain region, control group with 71 cases) were enrolled in this study. All pregnant women in each group underwent fetal color Doppler ultrasound examination of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and umbilical artery (UA) blood flow parameters, including pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), systolic/diastolic ratio (S/D), peak systolicvelocity (PSV), and cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) at 28 weeks of gestation were detected. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for FGR in pregnant women with gestational hypertension. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to analyze the predictive value of color Doppler parametersfor FGR. Results The UA blood flow parameters (PI, RI, S/D, PSV) of the fetuses in groups A1, A2, B1, and B2 were significantly higher than those in the control group, while the MCA blood flow parameters (PI, RI, S/D, PSV) and CPR were significantly lower (P < 0.05). Among the five groups, group B1 had the highest UA blood flow parameters (PI, RI, S/D, PSV) and the lowest MCA blood flow parameters (PI, RI, S/D, PSV) and CPR (P < 0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that high altitude of residence and umbilical cord abnormalities were independent risk factors for FGR in pregnant women with gestational hypertension (P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the areas under the curves for the combined prediction of FGR in pregnant women with gestational hypertension at altitudes of 2, 300 meters and 3, 700 meters using color Doppler multi-parameters were 0.906 and 0.917, respectively, indicating a significantly higher predictive performance compared to individual parameter (P < 0.05). Conclusion Color Doppler ultrasound parameters of UA and MCA bloodflow during the second trimester of pregnancy demonstrate good predictive value for FGR induced by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in high-altitude regions at different altitudes, and the predictive performance is even higher when multiple parameters are combined.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanism of Yiqi huoxue decoction （YQHX） on lumbar disc herniation in rats. METHODS Rats were randomly divided into sham operation group， model group， NF-κB inhibitor group （QNZ group， 1 mg/kg）， YQHX group （9.1 g/kg） and combination group （YQHX+QNZ group， the same dose as each single drug group）， with 10 rats in each group. Except for sham operation group， lumbar disc herniation model of rats was induced in other groups； administration groups were given QNZ intraperitoneally or/and YQHX intragastrically， once a day， for 8 consecutive weeks. The severity of intervertebral disc herniation was evaluated in each group； the pathological changes of intervertebral discs and the changes of autophagy of nucleus pulposus cells were all observed； the level of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in serum， and the ratios of Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B interacting protein 3 （BNIP3） and Beclin-1 positive cells in intervertebral disctissues were detected； the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） p65， the expressions of tumor necrosis factor receptor- associated factor-2 （TRAF-2）， TRAF-3， BNIP3 and LC3B protein， and mRNA expressions of NF-κB p65， LC3B， p62，BNIP3 and Beclin-1 were determined. RESULTS Compared with model group， Pfirrmann grading score decreased significantly，the pathological injury of intervertebral disc tissue was relieved in YQHX group； the number of autophagosomes in nucleus pulposus cells increased； serum level of TNF-α and mRNA expression of p62 in intervertebral disc tissue decreased significantly； the ratios of BNIP3 and Beclin-1 positive cells， the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65， the expressions of TRAF-2， TRAF-3， BNIP3 and LC3B protein as well as the mRNA expressions of NF- κB p65， LC3B， BNIP3 and Beclin-1 decreased significantly in intervertebral disc tissues （P＜0.05）. The changes of above indexes in YQHX group were reversed partly in YQHX+QNZ group. CONCLUSIONS YQHX promotes the elevation of autophagy level of intervertebral discs， slows down the inflammatory response and the progression of lumbar disc herniation by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of color Doppler ultrasound for fetal intrauterine distress(FIUD)in high-risk puerperae in plateau areas.Methods A total of 130 puerperae in plateau areas and 130 puerperae in plain areas were enrolled.According to presence or absence of FIUD in different areas,they were divided into the plateau distress group(47 cases),the plateau normal group(83 cases),the plain distress group(31 cases)and the plain normal group(99 cases).All cases underwent blood flow detection of middle cerebral artery(MCA)and umbilical artery(UA)before delivery,and cerebral-placental ratio(CPR)was calculated.The incidence of FIUD was compared between high-risk puerperae in plateau area and in plain area.Gestational age,birth weight,cesarean section rate and blood spectrum parameters of MCA and UA were compared between the four groups.The predictive value of color Doppler ultrasound parameters for FIUD was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.Results The incidence rates of FIUD and severe FIUD were higher in patients of plateau areas than those in plain areas(36.15%,13.85%vs.23.85%,4.62%,P＜0.05).Compared with the plateau distress group,gestational age and birth weight were increased in the plateau normal group and the plain distress group(P＜0.05).Compared with the plateau distress group,PI,RI,S/D and CPR of MCA were increased,while PI,RI and S/D of UA were decreased in the plateau normal group and the plain distress group(P＜0.05).Results of ROC curve analysis showed that overall performance advantage of S/D of UA was the most obvious in the diagnosis of FIUD in high-risk puerperae in plateau areas.The diagnostic sensitivity of RI of MCA was the highest,and the diagnostic specificity of CPR was the highest(P＜0.05).Conclusion Color Doppler ultrasound has good diagnostic value for FIUD in high-risk puerperae in plateau areas,which can be applied as an effective clinical screening means for FIUD.

Objective To demonstrate the changes in flexor digitorum and extensor digitorum tension in the affected hands with shear-wave elastography (SWE) before and after manual digitorum sensory stimulation (MDSS) in hemiplegic patients with stroke. Methods A total of 51 hemiplegic post-stroke inpatients in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine in Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University from April to June, 2020, underwent MDSS completed by a researcher who used a bare thumb and index finger to squeeze each nail bed as well as the sides of each fingertip in the affected hand. The stimulation intensity was the minimum that could cause finger extension without obvious pain, and the interval between two stimulations was five to ten seconds. Muscular tension of the flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor digitorum profundus, flexor pollicis longus and extensor digitorum were assessed with modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and shear-wave velocity (SWV) of SWE on the affected side before and immediately after MDSS. MAS score was -1 as low muscular tension. Results The MAS scores of all the muscles significantly reduced after MDSS (|Z| > 2.843, P < 0.001); while the changes of SWV were not significantly in all the muscles with initially MAS score of 0 or -1 (t < 1.052, P > 0.05), and it reduced in those muscles with initial MAS scores of one to three (t > 2.672, P < 0.05). The SWV were positively correlated with the MAS scores both before and after MDSS (r > 0.334, P < 0.05). Conclusion MDSS can effectively, immediately, and safely relieves muscle spasms of the flexor digitorum and facilitate active finger extension in the affected hand for hemiplegic patients with stroke. SWE is useful for quantitatively and objectively evaluating muscular tension in the affected hand for hemiplegic patients with stroke.

Objective:To investigate the safety and effectiveness of Willis covered stent in patients having carotid artery rupture during transnasal endoscopic pituitary tumor resection.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed. Six patients having carotid artery rupture during transnasal endoscopic pituitary tumor resection admitted to the 3 hospitals from May 2016 to December 2019 were chosen; their clinical data were collected. The surgical processes and complications were concluded, and the prognoses were evaluated by modified Rankin scale (mRS).Results:One patient was treated with intraoperative simple tamponade compression for hemostasis, and died for massive intracranial hemorrhage 2 weeks after surgery. Five patients were occluded by Willis covered stents; the occluded success rate was 100% but ophthalmic arteries were blocked in all. During the perioperative period, diabetes insipidus occurred in one patient and incomplete oculomotor paralysis occurred in one patient; 5 patients were followed up for 3-12 months: MRI indicated subtotal resection of tumor in 4 patients and total resection in one patient, no new bleeding or ischemic stroke events occurred in these 5 patients, and the prognosis was good.Conclusion:Willis covered stent is safe and effective in patients having carotid artery rupture during transnasal endoscopic pituitary tumor resection.

Objective:To evaluate the value of endovascular recanalization and hybrid recanalization for chronic internal carotid artery occlusion(COICA), and to evaluate its feasibility, safety, success rate, and clinical outcomes.Methods:Totally 35 patients who received endovascular recanalization or hybrid recanalization with symptomatic COICA were enrolled from January 2019 to December 2019 in Department of Cerebrovascular Disease,Zhengzhou University People′s Hospital. The clinical characteristics, treatment strategies, success rate, and major events of the patients were analyzed retrospectively.Results:Thirty of 35 patients were successfully recanalized. Among them, hybrid recanalization was performed in 3 cases, carotid endarterectomy was performed in 1 case, and endovascular recanalization was performed in 26 cases, 5 patients failed because they could not reach the distal true cavity. Among the successful patients, 5 patients had operation-related complications, 3 patients had embolism cerebral infarction, 1 patient had hyperperfusion cerebral hemorrhage, 1 patient still had transient ischemic attack after operation. All patients were followed up clinically, 2 patients had reoccurrence of obstruction, 2 patient had restenosis, the remaining patients had no hemodynamic stenosis or reocclusion.Conclusion:In highly-selected cases, intracavitary recanalization for symptomatic COICA is feasible, relatively safe and effective.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between microRNA (miRNA) differential expression and quality of embryo. METHODS: The miRNA expression profiles of 8 blastocysts were detected by a TaqMan microRNA array, and miRNAs with a stable expression were selected. Additional blastocysts were selected, and the candidate miRNA was detected by real-time PCR. Meanwhile, chromosomal abnormalities of the embryos were detected by using next-generation sequencing, and the results were compared. RESULTS: The expression of mir-720, mir-372, mir-886-3p and mir-512-3p was higher than that of miR-145, which suggested that mir-720, mir-372, mir-886-3p and mir-512-3p are related to early embryo development. The expression of miR-145 and mir-886-3p were significantly lower in the normal chromosome group. With the threshold values of above 9 and 3 for the relative expression of miR-145 and mir-886-3p, respectively, there was no embryo without a chromosomal abnormality. CONCLUSION There is a correlation between the expression level of specific miRNA and chromosomal abnormalities of embryos, which may be used as a novel biomarker for embryo selection.

Objective To understand the distribution of novel coronaviruses in the external environment of confirmed COVID-19 cases. Methods Environmental surface swab specimens such as bed rails, doorknob, closestool, hand washing sink, table, locker,ward pager, mobile phone, cup, clothes, were collected from the sentinel hospital of COVID-19, and samples were collected for the nucleic acid detection by RT-PCR. Results A total of 150 environmental samples were collected from 30 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 6 samples were determined to be novel coronaviruses postive (positive rate 4.00%). The total 14 mobile phone showed 3 novel coronaviruses positive.Among the 30 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 6 cases (positive rate 20.00%)were found novel coronaviruses in the external environment. Conclusions Novel coronaviruses exists in external environment of confirmed COVID-19 cases, which indicates the potential risk of COVID-19 infection.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2019.01.013.].

Bicyclol is a synthetic drug for hepatoprotection in clinic since 2004. Preliminary clinical observations suggest that bicyclol might be active against hepatitis C virus (HCV) with unknown mechanism. Here, we showed that bicyclol significantly inhibited HCV replication and in hepatitis C patients. Using bicyclol as a probe, we identified glycolipid transfer protein (GLTP) to be a novel restrictive factor for HCV replication. The GLTP preferentially bound host vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein-A (VAP-A) in competition with the HCV NS5A, causing an interruption of the complex formation between VAP-A and HCV NS5A. As the formation of VAP-A/NS5A complex is essential for viral RNA replication, up-regulation of GLTP by bicyclol reduced the level of VAP-A/NS5A complex and thus inhibited HCV replication. Bicyclol also exhibited an inhibition on HCV variants resistant to direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) with an efficacy identical to that on wild type HCV. In combination with bicyclol, DAAs inhibited HCV replication in a synergistic fashion. GLTP appears to be a newly discovered host restrictive factor for HCV replication, Up-regulation of GLTP causes spontaneous restriction of HCV replication.