Objective To investigate the risk factors for bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD)in twin preterm infants with a gestational age of<34 weeks,and to provide a basis for early identification of BPD in twin preterm infants in clinical practice.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the twin preterm infants with a gestational age of<34 weeks who were admitted to 22 hospitals nationwide from January 2018 to December 2020.According to their conditions,they were divided into group A(both twins had BPD),group B(only one twin had BPD),and group C(neither twin had BPD).The risk factors for BPD in twin preterm infants were analyzed.Further analysis was conducted on group B to investigate the postnatal risk factors for BPD within twins.Results A total of 904 pairs of twins with a gestational age of<34 weeks were included in this study.The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with group C,birth weight discordance of>25%between the twins was an independent risk factor for BPD in one of the twins(OR=3.370,95%CI:1.500-7.568,P<0.05),and high gestational age at birth was a protective factor against BPD(P<0.05).The conditional logistic regression analysis of group B showed that small-for-gestational-age(SGA)birth was an independent risk factor for BPD in individual twins(OR=5.017,95%CI:1.040-24.190,P<0.05).Conclusions The development of BPD in twin preterm infants is associated with gestational age,birth weight discordance between the twins,and SGA birth.

Objective:To investigate the short-term efficacy and safety of Donafenib as postoperative adjuvant therapy for patients with high risk of recurrence after radical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:The propensity score matching (PSM) and retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 157 HCC patients with high risk of recurrence after radical resection who were admitted to 6 medical centers, including The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University et al, from June 2021 to February 2023 were collected. There were 128 males and 29 females, aged (59±10)years. Of 157 patients, 101 cases undergoing Donafenib as postoperative adjuvant therapy were divided into the the Donafenib group, and 56 cases under-going no systemic postoperative adjuvant therapy were divided into the control group. Observation indicators: (1) PSM and comparison of general data of patients between the two groups after matching; (2) postoperative treatment; (3) follow-up and survival of patients; (4) analysis of risk factors affecting recurrence-free survival of patients. PSM was done based on the principle of optimal perfect matching, with the clamp value of 0.5, and the Donafenib group and the control group were matched at a ratio of 1.25∶1. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range). Count data were described as absolute numbers and/or percentages, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. Comparison of ordinal data between groups was conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis H test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rates and draw survival curves, and the Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. The COX proportional hazard model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Results:(1) PSM and comparison of general data of patients between the two groups after matching. Of 157 patients, 126 cases were successfully matched, including 70 cases in the Donafenib group and 56 cases in the control group, respectively. The elimination of tumor number confounding bias ensured comparability between the two groups after PSM. (2) Postoperative treatment. After PSM, of 70 patients in the Donafenib group, there were 23 cases receiving Donafenib monotherapy, 26 cases combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), 14 cases combined with immunotherapy, and 7 cases combined with TACE+immunotherapy. Of 56 patients in the control group, there were 37 cases receiving postoperative follow-up alone and 19 cases combined with TACE. (3) Follow-up and survival of patients. All 157 patients were followed up, and the follow-up time of the 101 patients in Donafenib group and the 56 patients in control group were 10.1(range, 6.3-14.6)months and 22.2(range, 15.1-25.5)months, respectively. During the follow-up period, 70 patients in the Donafenib group experienced treatment-related adverse reactions, inclu-ding 8 cases of grade 3 adverse reactions, 23 cases of grade 2 and 39 cases of grade 1 adverse reactions, respectively. After PSM, the postoperative 12-, 18-month recurrence-free survival rates were 83.7%, 83.7% in the 70 patients of Donafenib group and 67.8%, 58.9% in the 56 patients of control group, respectively, showing a significant difference in the postoperative recurrence-free survival time between the two groups ( hazard ratio=0.395, 95% confidence interval as 0.176-0.888, P<0.05). (4) Analysis of risk factors affecting recurrence free survival of patients. Results of multivariate ana-lysis showed that microvascular invasion, vascular thrombus, clinical stage as ⅢA were independent risk factors affecting recurrence-free survival in patients with high risk of recurrence after radical resection of HCC ( hazard ratio=2.181, 2.612, 2.612, 95% confidence interval as 1.028-4.629, 1.128-6.047, 1.128-6.047, P<0.05), Donafenib as postoperative adjuvant therapy was an independent protective factor affecting recurrence-free survival in patients with high risk of recurrence after radical resection of HCC ( hazard ratio=0.457, 95% confidence interval as 0.227-0.920, P<0.05). Results of further analysis showed that after PSM, there were significant differences in the postoperative recurrence-free survival time in patients with different clinical factors, including male, age ≥60 years, tumor diameter >5 cm, positive microvascular invasion, positive hepatitis B virus infection, alpha fetoprotein <200 μg/L, between the Donafenib group and the control group ( hazard ratio=0.283, 0.202, 0.174, 0.345, 0.273, 0.180, 95% confidence interval as 0.114-0.707, 0.044-0.937, 0.038-0.794, 0.128-0.929, 0.091-0.819, 0.052-0.620, P<0.05). Conclusion:Donafenib as postoperative adjuvant therapy can effectively reduce the short-term recurrence rate in patients with high risk of recurrence after radical resection of HCC, with good safety and tolerance.

Objective:To survey the knowledge, attitudes, and practice about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among general practitioners in Sichuan province.Methods:From October to November 2020, a questionnaire survey on knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) among 104 general practitioners who participated in the training of the comprehensive prevention and control of COPD organized by Sichuan Provincial Health Commission. The content of the questionnaire included the basic information and the KAP status of COPD. The descriptive analysis, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis H were used for statistical analysis. Results:A total of 104 questionnaires were distributed and 102 were returned with a response rate of 98.1%. General practitioners with different ages, professional titles, visits of COPD patients each month, and whether or not to refer COPD patients to higher-level hospitals were not significantly different in the scores of knowledge( U=1 276.00, H=0.78, U=1 074.00, U=589.00), attitude( U=1 141.50, H=1.75, U=1 090.00, U=585.00), and practice( U=1 221.00, H=0.31, U=1 163.00, U=499.50) (all P>0.05). In knowledge part the highest correctness rate was "quitting smoking is the most powerful interventions affecting the natural disease course of COPD" (100.0%, 102/102); the lowest was that"the main objective examination for judging the airflow limitation of COPD patients is the lung function test"(5.9%, 6/102). In the part of the attitude, the highest positive rate was "educating patients to quit smoking and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke" (65.7%,67/102); the lowest positive rate was "provide exercise guidance to patients "(43.1%, 44/102) and " be responsible for long-term treatment follow-up" (43.1%, 44/102). In the part of practice, the highest behavioral rate was "when receiving patients with COPD, actively pay attention to the treatment of comorbid diseases" (95.1%, 97/102); the lowest behavioral rate was "when patients with COPD were seen at the clinic, and the patients were advised of the best time to use the inhaler" (65.7%, 67/102). Conclusions:The study indicates that the relevant departments need to increase the intensity of knowledge training for general practitioners in Sichuan province. General practitioners should continuously improve their education, prevention, and treatment ability and implement the primary responsibilities for COPD management.

This study was designed to explore the effect and mechanism of miR-206/miR-613 on the expression of OATP1B1 gene. Bioinformatic analysis was used to predict the potential miRNAs target sites in 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of OATP1B1 mRNA. The expression level of miR-206/miR-613 and OATP1B1 mRNA and protein was determined with RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively. Luciferase assay was used to explore the exact mechanism of the effect of miR-206/miR-613 on the expression of OATP1B1 mRNA and protein. The results showed that the seed sequences of miR-206/miR-613 has perfect complementary with 3'-UTR of OATP1B1 mRNA in terms of sequence specificity. The secondary structure between miR-206/miR-613 and 3'-UTR of OATP1B1 mRNA was rather stable. The OATP1B1 protein level was down-regulated by 24.7%, 38.8% by overexpression of miR-206/miR-613. The expression was up-regulated by 25%, 38.2% by inhibition of miR-206/miR-613. However, overexpression or inhibition of miR-206/miR-613 had no effect on the expression of OATP1B1 mRNA. The luciferase activity of pMIR/OATP1B1-WT luciferase reporter gene was decreased by 35% and 30% through overexpression of miR-206/miR-613. The expression was increased by 33.1% and 32.5% through inhibition of miR-206/miR-613. When the binding sites in the 3'-UTR of OATP1B1 mRNA complementary with miR-206/miR-613 was mutated, overexpression or inhibition of miR-206/miR-613 had no effect on the luciferase activity. Collectively, miR-206/miR-613 post-transcriptionally regulates the expression of OATP1B1 protein by directly targeting the 3'-UTR of OATP1B1 mRNA.

This study was aimed to explore the role and mechanism of IFN-γ in the regulation of hemopoiesis in mice. Murine IFN-γ fragment was amplified from murine splenic cells with RT-PCR and plasmid pCDH1-mIFN-γ-EF1-copGFP (pCDH-mIFN-γ-GFP) was constructed. Plasmids pCDH-mIFN-γ-GFP and pCDH1-EF1-copGFP (pCDH-GFP) together with packaging plasmids pPACK-A, pPACK-B and pPACK-C were respectively transfected into 293T cells by using a method of calcium phosphate precipitation to produce lentivirus. Bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) from male C57BL/6J mice were transfected with the lentiviral vector pCDH expressing mIFN-γ and green fluorescent protein (GFP). The cells were cultured in M3434 semi-solid medium for colony formation assay and transplanted into lethally-irradiated mice through caudal vein injection, and the peripheral blood cell counts and GFP were monitored regularly after transplantation. The results showed that lentiviral vector pCDH-mIFN-γ-GFP was constructed successfully and 293T cells transfected with mIFN-γ secreted mIFN-γ. Transfection of mIFN-γ into BMMNC decreased colony formation, colony number of the mIFN-γ group was significantly less than that of the control group. The recovering of circulating blood cell parameters in mIFN-γ transplantation group was significantly later than control group. GFP positive cells could be detected in the peripheral blood at 8 weeks after transplantation. It is concluded that mIFN-γ may inhibit the colony-forming capacity of transduced BMMNC and delay the hematopoietic reconstitution.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Genetic Vectors ; Hematopoiesis ; drug effects ; genetics ; Interferon-gamma ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Plasmids ; Transfection

OBJECTIVEThe traditional decoction method of Dachengqi Tang is that "First boiling Magnolia officinalis and Citrus aurantium with a pipeful of water, taking out five litres from the decoction, removing residues, adding rheum officinale, boiling again, taking out two litres from it, removing residues, adding mirabilite, boiling it with low fire". According to it, residues of M. officinalis and C. aurantium should be removed after decocting. This essay aims to study the content of anthraquinones, in order to proof whether the removal of residues of M. officinalis and C. aurantium is scientific.

METHODThe traditional method was adopted to prepare Dachengqi Tang. Decoction A (original method) was obtained by removing residues of M. officinalis and C. aurantium, whereas decoction B was obtained without removing residues of M. officinalis and C. aurantium. The content of anthraquinones of both methods was determined with HPLC.

RESULTThe content of both combined and free anthraquinones in decoction A was higher than that of decoction B. The content of total anthraquinones in residues of decoction A was lower than that of residue B.

CONCLUSIONThe traditional decoction method of removing residues of M. officinalis and C. aurantium from Dachengqi Tang is scientific, because it improves the dissolution rate of effective ingredients, which provides a theoretical basis for effective substances of the drug.

Anthraquinones ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Citrus ; chemistry ; Drug Compounding ; Magnolia ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Reproducibility of Results

To explore the adaptive mechanisms of plateau zokor (Myospalax baileyi) to the enduring digging activity in the hypoxic environment and of plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) to the sprint running activity, the functional differences of malate-aspartate shuttle system (MA) in liver of plateau zokor and plateau pika were studied. The ratio of liver weight to body weight, the parameters of mitochondria in hepatocyte and the contents of lactic acid in serum were measured; the open reading frame of cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase (MDH1), mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (MDH2), and the partial sequence of aspartate glutamate carrier (AGC) and oxoglutarate malate carrier (OMC) genes were cloned and sequenced; MDH1, MDH2, AGC and OMC mRNA levels were determined by real-time PCR; the specific activities of MDH1 and MDH2 in liver of plateau zokor and plateau pika were measured using enzymatic methods. The results showed that, (1) the ratio of liver weight to body weight, the number and the specific surface of mitochondria in hepatocyte of plateau zokor were markedly higher than those of plateau pika (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), but the content of lactic acid in serum of plateau pika was significantly higher than that of plateau zokor (P < 0.01); (2) MDH1 and MDH2 mRNA levels as well as their enzymatic activities in liver of plateau zokor were significantly higher than those of plateau pika (P < 0.01 or 0.05), AGC mRNA level of the zokor was significantly higher than that of the pika (P < 0.01), while no difference was found at OMC mRNA level between them (P > 0.05); (3) mRNA level and enzymatic activity of MDH1 was significantly lower than those of MDH2 in the pika liver (P < 0.01), MDH1 mRNA level of plateau zokor was markedly higher than that of MDH2 (P < 0.01), but the activities had no difference between MDH1 and MDH2 in liver of the zokor (P > 0.05). These results indicate that the plateau zokor obtains ATP in the enduring digging activity by enhancing the function of MA, while plateau pika gets glycogen for their sprint running activity by increasing the process of gluconeogenesis. As a result, plateau pika converts the lactic acid quickly produced in their skeletal muscle by anaerobic glycolysis and reduces dependence on the oxygen.
Adaptation, Physiological ; physiology ; Adenosine Triphosphate ; metabolism ; Altitude ; Animals ; Aspartic Acid ; metabolism ; Cloning, Molecular ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; analysis ; metabolism ; Lactic Acid ; blood ; Lagomorpha ; classification ; physiology ; Liver ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Malate Dehydrogenase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Malates ; metabolism ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo compare the diagnostic value of (18)F-FDG PET-CT with abdomen contrast CT in the diagnosis of peritoneal metastases.

METHODSBetween January 2008 and May 2011, imaging results of 97 patients with suspicious peritoneal metastases were retrospectively reviewed, and all the patients underwent both abdomen contrast CT and (18)F-FDG PET-CT imaging. Final diagnosis was made by histopathology or follow up.

RESULTSSeventy-seven patients were verified as peritoneal metastases after pathological examination(n=88) or follow up(n=9), while the other 20 patients were absent. The sensitivity of (18)F-FDG PET-CT was 90.9%(70/77), the specificity 85.0%(17/20), and the accuracy 89.7%(87/97). There were 3 false positive and 7 false negative. The sensitivity of contrast CT was 66.2%(51/77), the specificity 80.0%(16/20), and the accuracy 69.1%(67/97). There were 4 false positive and 26 false negative. The difference in diagnostic accuracy was statistically significantly between these two methods(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe diagnostic value of (18)F-FDG PET-CT is significantly higher than that of abdominal enhanced CT for peritoneal metastases.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peritoneal Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; secondary ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of interleukin 6 gene (IL-6) promoter region 634C/G (rs1800796) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with the genetic susceptibility to endometriosis (Ems) in south Han Chinese women.

METHODSA case-control study was performed in 432 Ems patients and 499 control women to evaluate the SNP of IL-6 634C/G by using a fluorescent quantitative PCR-based high resolution melting (HRM) method.

RESULTSThere were statistical significances in the IL-6 634C/G alleles, whether or not to carry allele G and genotype distributions between Ems patients and control women (P=0.032, 0.014 and 0.045, respectively). Allele C enhanced the risk of Ems 1.057 times while allele G reduced the risk of Ems 0.835 time. Carrying allele G reduced the risk of Ems 0.822 time, whereas not carrying allele G enhanced the risk of Ems 1.143 times. Compared with genotype CC, the risk of Ems with genotype CG reduced 0.704 time (95% CI: 0.533-0.931). There was no significant difference in whether or not carrying allele G distribution between Ems patients and control women (P=0.729).

CONCLUSIONThe present study demonstrated significant association between the SNP of IL-6 634C/G and genetic susceptibility to Ems in south Han Chinese women.

Alleles ; Case-Control Studies ; Endometriosis ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in cytochrome P450 17 (CYP17) and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα ) genes with the risk of endometriosis among southern Chinese women.

METHODSTwo SNPs rs743572 (CYP17 gene 34T/C) and rs9322331 (ERα gene -397T/C) were genotyped by high resolution melting curve in 432 endometriosis patients and 499 matched controls.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in the genotype frequencies of the two loci between endometriosis patients and the control subjects (P> 0.05). And there was no significant interaction effect of these two genes on the disease either.

CONCLUSIONCYP17 gene and ERα gene may not be genetic risk factors for endometriosis among southern women in China.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Endometriosis ; genetics ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk Factors ; Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase ; genetics