Objective:To design and evaluate the application value of intracavitary-interstitial brachytherapy (IC-ISBT) applicator template for locally advanced cervical cancer.Methods:MRI data of 100 patients with ⅡB-ⅣA stage cervical cancer (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2018 staging system) before and after external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) admitted to Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from March 2019 to September 2020 were collected. The range of primary cervical lesions was retrospectively analyzed and compared. Based on the residual mass of patients, the corresponding high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) was delineated, and the IC-ISBT applicator template was designed and initially applied to cervical cancer patients. Dosimetry analysis and efficacy evaluation were compared between the applicator template-guided ( n=37) and free-hand implantation groups ( n=63). Chi-square test or Fisher exact test was performed for categorical variables, and t-test or U-test for continuous variables. Results:The median distance between the residual tumor margin (clockwise 3, 6, 9, 12 o'clock) and the center of 100 patients with ⅡB-ⅣA stage cervical cancer after EBRT was 16.5, 14.0, 17.0 and 13.0 mm, respectively. The corresponding HR-CTV was superimposed to reconstruct the three-dimensional diagram, and the cylindrical IC-ISBT applicator template with mushroom-like head was designed and manufactured: the longest and shortest diameter of the head was 35 and 20 mm, respectively; the central channel was adapted to the uterine tube, the C1-C12 channels was arranged in inner circle, and the peripheral B1-B5 and A1-A4 pin channels were expanded bilaterally. In terms of dose coverage, there was no significant difference between the HR-CTV D 90% [(635.12±22.65) vs. (635.80±25.84) cGy], bladder D 2 cm3 [(473.79±44.78) vs. (463.55±66.43) cGy)], rectum D 2 cm3 [(396.99±73.54) vs. (408.00±73.94) cGy] and sigmoid colon D 2 cm3 [(293.07±152.72) vs. (311.31±135.77) cGy] between the template-guided and free-hand implantation groups (all P>0.05), but the HR-CTV D 98% was significantly higher [(544.78±32.07) vs. (536.78±32.04) cGy, P=0.007] and the rectum D 1 cm3 and D 0.1 cm3 were significantly lower [(438.62±69.65) vs. (453.97±67.89) cGy, P=0.016; (519.46±70.67) vs. (543.82±81.24) cGy, P=0.001] in the template-guided implantation group. In addition, there was no significant difference in the complete response rate between two groups (86% vs. 83%, P>0.05). Conclusions:This IC-ISBT applicator template is reasonably designed, and the therapeutic efficacy of the template-guided implantation is equivalent to that of free-hand implantation. The dose coverage of the target area meets the clinical demand with a better protection of the organs at risk. The applicator template has the potential to be widely used as a conventional template in clinical practice as the applicator-guided implantation is convenient to operate and repeat.

African herbal medicine is widely utilized with a long history. Most African countries have legalized herbal medicine and established a registration and listing mechanism. The present study firstly described the historical exchange and modern trade of TCM between China and Africa, and briefly described the herbal medicine registration management system of African countries from the regulations and guidelines of herbal medicine management and registration management institutions. Then it compared and analyzed the differences of registration systems in African countries from the following aspects: application materials, registration path, quality control and production, effectiveness evidence and food supplements, as well as summarizing the common points of African herbal medicine registration management. The registration strategy of TCM includes assessing the risk of registered investment, building a multilateral and diversified cooperation network between China and Africa, adhering to integrity and innovation, and promoting the international development of TCM, so as to form a standardized registration path of TCM in Africa and expand the TCM market in Africa.

AIM: To explore the promoting effect of 2-APB on skin wound healing in mice and its potential mechanism. METHODS: KM mice were divided into 5 groups: control group, DMSO group, low (50 mg/L), medium (100 mg/L) and high (200 mg/L) concentration 2-APB group. On the back of each mouse's skin use a circular punch about 1 cm on both sides of the midline of the spine to make a skin wound with a diameter of 10 mm and as deep as the fascia. The control group was only wrapped with gauze and no drugs were applied; the DMSO group was applied 1 g DMSO/Vaseline ointment per day; in the 2-APB group, apply 1 g of 2-APB/Vaseline ointment at a corresponding concentration every day. Pictures were taken the next day to observe the healing, and the material was taken on the 21st day, HE staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of the wound and western blot to detect TRPM7, TGF-β, collagen-I and IL-1β expression. RESULTS: Compared with the control group and the DMSO group, different concentrations of 2-APB could significantly promote skin wound healing in mice (P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in wound healing rate between the DMSO group and the control group group. The results of HE staining showed that, compared with the control group group and the DMSO group, 2-APB could increase the collagen content of the wound and the thickness of the dermis (P<0.01), but there was no significant difference between the DMSO group and the control group group. At the same time, 2-APB could also significantly increase the expression of TGF-β and Col-I on the wound, and inhibit the expression of TRPM7 and IL-1β. CONCLUSION: Different concentrations of 2-APB (50, 100 and 200 mg/L) can promote skin wound healing, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of TRPM7.

Ghana attaches great importance to the use of traditional medicine. Over the years, Ghana has successively promulgated laws and policies on traditional medicine, which has laid a legal foundation for the research, registration and sales of its herbal products. This article briefly describes the regulation system of herbal and food supplements in Ghana, and sorts out the registration path of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) products as herbal and food supplements. We also briefly analyze the registration information. We believe that TCM products can open the Ghanaian market as food supplements, so as to promote the registration of herbal medicines. TCM enterprise should controlling TCM registration risks, and strengthening the cooperation between the Chinese and Ghana governments. TCM enterprise can leveraging on the advantages of TCM theory and experience, and strengthening cooperation with Ghana's traditional medicine. This article provide advices for the registration and listing of TCM products in Ghana, expanding the market of TCM in Ghana which finally expands to West Africa and the entire African countries.

This paper analyzes the registration regulations and guidelines of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) products in South Africa, summarizes the registration path of TCM products in South Africa, analyzes the Common Technical Document (CTD) data required for registration from the aspects of quality control, safety and effectiveness, and discusses the registration strategy of TCM products in South Africa. This paper suggests that the strategies could include effective management and control of the registration risk of TCM and steady promotion of the products; TCM enterprises can first register low-risk TCM products, then open the South African TCM market, and promote the registration of high-risk TCM products after accumulating some experience; TCM enterprises need to have the awareness of promoting the inheritance, innovation and development of TCM, increase the investment in clinical trials of TCM products, and supplement the clinical effectiveness and safety data of TCM products; Strengthen the quality control of TCM and build an international brand of TCM.

Objective　It is important to distinguish between motor and sensory fascicles of the peripheral nerves for nerve alignment in surgery.No biomarkers currently are available for identification of motor or sensory fascicles.The objective of this study is to search the specific proteins between sensory and motor fascicles of peripheral nerves and provide biomarkers for the identification of functional fascicles of peripheral nerves.Methods　The normal state of motor branch and saphenous nerve of femoral nerve in Wistar rats,and at 8 hours and 8 days after Sunderland V injury were respectively sampled.Five mm long samples were taken from the distal side of the broken end,and a total of 18 groups of proteins were isolated from 6 samples.After purification and quantification,differential gel electrophoresis (DIGE) was used to label the proteins,gel image was scanned,and image analysis software (DeCyder) was used to compare and identify the differentially expressed proteins in each group.Protein spots with more than 1.5 times of difference in expression were selected to prepare glue-cutting,enzyme-cutting and spot target.PMF chromatogram was analyzed and identified by MALDI-TOF-PRO mass spectrometer,and the results of proteomics were analyzed and compared by RT-PCR.Chi-square tests and t-tests were performed for comparison between motor or sensory nerve groups.Results　The data identified 6 proteins that were differentially expressed between motor and sensory fascicles (>1.5-fold,P<0.05),including Annexin V,neurofilament light polypepticle,TEC kinase,serine protease inhibitor A3N,Peroxiredoxin-2,and TPM1.The proteomic results were consistent with the mRNA expression levels of these genes as determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.Conclusion　There were significant differences in proteomic expression between the peripheral sensory and motor fascicles,and Annexin V can be used as a high-difference marker protein to distinguish the peripheral sensory from motor fascicles.

Purpose: Drug resistance is one of the main causes of chemotherapy failure in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and extensive biological studies into chemotherapy drug resistance are required. Materials and Methods: In this study, we performed lncRNA microarray, in vitro functional assays, in vivo models and cDNA microarray to evaluate the impact of lncRNA in SCLC chemoresistance. Results: The results showed that KCNQ1OT1 expression was upregulated in SCLC tissues and was a poor prognostic factor for patients with SCLC. Knockdown of KCNQ1OT1 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, chemoresistance and promoted apoptosis of SCLC cells. Mechanistic investigation showed that KCNQ1OT1 can activate transforming growth factor-β1 mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in SCLC cells. Conclusion Taken together, our study revealed the role of KCNQ1OT1 in the progression and chemoresistance of SCLC, and suggested KCNQ1OT1 as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in SCLC clinical management.

The Genome Sequence Archive (GSA) is a data repository for archiving raw sequence data, which provides data storage and sharing services for worldwide scientific communities. Considering explosive data growth with diverse data types, here we present the GSA family by expanding into a set of resources for raw data archive with different purposes, namely, GSA (https://ngdc.cncb.ac.cn/gsa/), GSA for Human (GSA-Human, https://ngdc.cncb.ac.cn/gsa-human/), and Open Archive for Miscellaneous Data (OMIX, https://ngdc.cncb.ac.cn/omix/). Compared with the 2017 version, GSA has been significantly updated in data model, online functionalities, and web interfaces. GSA-Human, as a new partner of GSA, is a data repository specialized in human genetics-related data with controlled access and security. OMIX, as a critical complement to the two resources mentioned above, is an open archive for miscellaneous data. Together, all these resources form a family of resources dedicated to archiving explosive data with diverse types, accepting data submissions from all over the world, and providing free open access to all publicly available data in support of worldwide research activities.

Objective:To explore the effect of systemic use of amoxicillin and metronidazole during mechanical therapy on the clinical parameters of the first molars and periodontal microorganisms in subgingival plaque and saliva in patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP).Methods:A total of 23 GAgP patients were recruited from Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from January 2006 to December 2009 and then randomly divided into two groups according to random number table: 12 patients received scaling and root planning (SRP) only and 11 patients received SRP combined with systemic administration of antibiotics (amoxicillin and metronidazole for a week after supragingival scaling). Clinical examination of periodontal parameters and collection of saliva and pooled subgingival plaque samples from mesial-buccal sites of 4 first molars were performed before initial therapy and 2, 4 and 6 months respectively after mechanical therapy, and saliva samples were also collected 2 weeks after therapy. Eight different periodontal microorganisms were detected in these samples by PCR. In addition, semiquantitative analysis of red complex microorganisms [ Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Tannerella forsythia (Tf), Treponema denticola (Td)] was performed. Results:Both therapies led to significant decrease of the plaque index (PLI), probing depth (PD) and bleeding index (BI) from mesial-buccal sites of first molars. Meanwhile the PD of antibiotics group [(4.21±1.50), (4.00±1.54), (3.84±1.89) mm of 2, 4 and 6 months respectively after therapy] was significantly lower than the SRP group [(5.29±1.27), (5.30±1.34), (4.98±1.36) mm of 2, 4 and 6 months respectively after therapy] at 3 different time points after mechanical therapy ( P<0.05). In the antibiotics group, the quantities of Pg, Tf and Td in subgingival plaque samples (the median quantity decreased to 0.0 ng at 2, 4 and 6 months after therapy) and saliva samples (the median quantity of Tf and Td decreased to 0.0 ng at 2, 4 and 6 months after therapy ( P<0.05), and the median quantity of Pg decreased to 16.3, 59.6 and 22.4 ng at 2, 4 and 6 months respectively after therapy) significantly decreased at 3 different time points after mechanical therapy compared with before therapy ( P<0.05). While in the SRP group, there were no significant changes in the quantities of Tf and Td in saliva at 2, 4 and 6 months after mechanical therapy ( P>0.05) , and the quantities of Tf and Td in subgingival plaque significantly decreased only at 2 months after therapy ( P<0.05). Conclusions:SRP combined with systemic administration of amoxicillin and metronidazole could achieve greater improvement in PD of first molars and better control of the amounts of red complex microorganisms in the saliva and subgingival plaque of GAgP patients over a 6-month period.

OBJECTIVETo explore the learning curve of transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) for rectal cancer.

METHODSClinical data of 60 rectal cancer patients undergoing taTME from July 2014 to April 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the sequence of operation date, 60 patients were divided into four groups (A, B, C, D) with 15 cases in each group. General information and perioperative, especially the operative indexes were compared among four groups.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in age, sex, preoperative staging, BMI, tumor size among four groups (all P>0.05). The distance from tumor to anal verge in A group was(6.7±2.5) cm, which was significantly different with B group (4.6±1.2) cm, C group (4.5±1.0) cm and D group (4.0±1.0) cm (P=0.000, P=0.000, P=0.001). Ratio of receiving neoadjuvant therapy was 0, 60.0%(9 cases), 26.7%(4 cases) and 26.7%(4 cases) in A, B, C, D groups respectively with significant difference (P=0.004). Ratio of receiving complete taTME was 73.3%(11/15) in A group, 26.7%(4/15) in B group, 13.3%(2/15) in C group and 26.7%(4/15) in D group, while other patients underwent laparoscopy-assisted procedures. This ratio of A group was significantly higher as compared to B, C, D groups (P=0.003). The operation time was significantly different among four groups [A group (223.0±105.2) minutes, B group (299.0±131.0) minutes, C group(278.0±44.8) minutes, D group (246.0±34.0) min, P=0.035]. Fluctuation of operation time was more common in A and B groups, which became stable in C and D groups. Though intra-operative blood loss was not significantly different among four groups [A group (249.0±559.6) ml, B group (288.0±568.1) ml, C group (87.0±43.3) ml, D group (69.0±64.5) ml, P=0.225], but it presented a decline trend in C and D groups. Number of harvested lymph node from postoperative pathological specimen was 10.9±5.9 in A group, 9.6±2.7 in B group, 15.8±4.8 in C group, and 14.2±5.1 in D group, with significant difference among groups (P=0.008; A group vs. C group, P=0.010; B group vs. C group, P=0.002; B group vs. D group, P=0.021). There were no significant differences in specimen length, postoperative complication rate, distal margin distance and hospital stay.

CONCLUSIONA well-skilled laparoscopic colorectal surgeon, by following the standard surgical procedures, are likely to overcome the learning curve smoothly after performing approximately 30 cases of taTME for rectal cancer.

Abdomen ; Aged ; Anal Canal ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Learning Curve ; Length of Stay ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; Rectal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies