OBJECTIVES: Obtaining informed consent from research participants is an ethical and legal obligation for medical researchers in clinical studies. Electronic informed consent (eIC) is increasingly being adopted in clinical research worldwide. However, there is limited data on Chinese medical researchers' knowledge and attitudes toward eIC. This study aims to investigate their knowledge, attitudes, and influencing factors regarding eIC use in clinical research. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted using stratified random sampling. From June to August 2022, medical researchers from 8 tertiary hospitals were surveyed via an online platform (Wenjuanxing). A self-developed eIC knowledge questionnaire and attitude scale were used to assess participants' understanding and perceptions of eIC. Univariate analysis was employed to explore factors influencing attitude scores and the correlation between knowledge and attitudes. A generalized linear model was used to analyze associations between demographic characteristics and attitude scores, including the frequency of difficulties in using smartphones or computers, preferred device for using eIC, and their interaction effects. Stratified analysis was further performed for significant interactions. RESULTS: A total of 399 valid questionnaires were collected. The mean accuracy rate on the eIC knowledge questionnaire was (94.88±15.50)%. Of the respondents, 74.9% had heard of eIC, and 84.5% preferred using mobile devices over computers to access eIC. The median attitude score was 3.41 (3.18, 3.76), indicating generally positive attitudes. Specifically, 81.7% found eIC more convenient than paper-based consent, 79.7% considered it more efficient, and 51.1% believed it could fully replace paper forms. However, 60.7% expressed concerns about data security and privacy, and 89.7% believed that relevant laws and regulations need improvement. Spearman correlation analysis showed a weak positive correlation between knowledge and attitude scores (r=0.171, P=0.001). Univariate analysis indicated that the frequency of difficulty using devices and preferred device for eIC were significantly associated with attitude scores (P<0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, the generalized linear model demonstrated that participants who occasionally experienced had difficulty using devices had significantly lower attitude scores compared to those who never had difficulty (β=-0.040, 95% CI -0.071 to -0.009, P=0.012). Those who preferred using PCs had significantly lower attitude scores than those who preferred mobile devices (β=-0.066, 95% CI -0.108 to -0.023, P=0.002). Interaction analysis showed a significant interaction analysis showed a significant interaction between age and preferred device (P=0.011), particularly among participants aged ≥45-year (P<0.001). No other interactions were found to be significant (all P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Medical researchers in China generally have a high level of knowledge and positive attitudes toward eIC, though concerns remain regarding data security and privacy. Future promotion of eIC in Chinese clinical research should be grounded in ethical considerations and address the specific needs of older users and mobile device users, while also enhancing researchers' competencies in using digital tools and eIC systems.
Humans ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Informed Consent ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Female ; Male ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Adult ; Biomedical Research ; Research Personnel/psychology* ; Middle Aged ; China

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to reexplore minimum iodine excretion and to build a dietary iodine recommendation for Chinese adults using the obligatory iodine loss hypothesis. METHODS: Data from 171 Chinese adults (19-21 years old) were collected and analyzed based on three balance studies in Shenzhen, Yinchuan, and Changzhi. The single exponential equation was accordingly used to simulate the trajectory of 24 h urinary iodine excretion as the low iodine experimental diets offered (iodine intake: 11-26 μg/day) and to further deduce the dietary reference intakes (DRIs) for iodine, including estimated average requirement (EAR) and recommended nutrient intake (RNI). RESULTS: The minimum iodine excretion was estimated as 57, 58, and 51 μg/day in three balance studies, respectively. Moreover, it was further suggested as 57, 58, and 51 μg/day for iodine EAR, and 80, 81, and 71 μg/day for iodine RNI or expressed as 1.42, 1.41, and 1.20 μg/(day·kg) of body weight. CONCLUSION The iodine DRIs for Chinese adults were established based on the obligatory iodine loss hypothesis, which provides scientific support for the amendment of nutrient requirements.
Humans ; Iodine/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Female ; China ; Young Adult ; Diet ; Adult ; Nutritional Requirements ; East Asian People

Objective To clone the HnGUA gene from Hirudo nipponia and conduct bioinformatics analysis,protein prokaryotic expression analysis and gene differential expression analysis.Methods Based on the transcriptome data of H.nipponia in the previous study,the full-length cDNA of HnGUA was cloned by rapid amplification of cDNA ends(RACE),and bioinformatics analysis was performed.The prokaryotic expression vector was constructed,transformed into Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)competent cells and the expression of recombinant protein was induced by IPTG.The qPCR was used to further analyze the tissue-specific expression of HnGUA.Results The size of HnGUA gene was 504 bp,containing an open reading frame(ORF)of 231 bp and encoding 76 amino acids.Its protein molecular weight and isoelectric point are 8.17 kDa and 4.44,respectively.Multiple sequence alignment analysis showed that HnGUA was highly homologous to genes in other leech species that encode inhibitory proteins.The results of the prokaryotic expression analysis showed that the constructed pET32a-HnGUA vector could be successfully expressed in E.coli BL21(DE3),and the SDS-PAGE results showed that the induced recombinantly expressed HnGUA protein was around 6 kDa,which was basically consistent with the predicted protein size.The results of the Real-time PCR revealed spatial and temporal differences in the expression profiles of HnGUA,with high levels of expression detected in the skin and crop tissues.Conclusion This study represents the first successful cloning of the HnGUA gene from H.nipponia and the expression of the corresponding recombinant protein in E.coli.It provides a foundation for future exploration of the biosynthetic pathways and molecular regulatory mechanisms of active small anticoagulant molecules in leeches.

Objective:To discuss the changes in the levels of chemokine ligand 19(CCL19)and soluble CD163(sCD163)in serum of the patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)during pregnancy,and to clarify their effects on the maternal and infant outcomes.Methods:A total of 180 pregnant SLE patients were selected as SLE group and then divided into successful pregnancy group(n=132)and pregnancy failure group(n=48)based on the maternal and infant outcomes.A total of 180 healthy pregnant women underwent prenatal checks during the same period were randomly selected as control group.The general data of the patients in two groups were collected,and the serum levels of CCL19 and sCD163,along with related serum factors,were detected by kits.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to detect the risk factors for pregnancy failure in the SLE patients,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the effectiveness of serum CCL19 and sCD163 levels in predicting the pregnancy outcomes of the patients in SLE group.Results:Compared with control group,the levels of complements C3 and C4 in the serum of the patients in SLE group were significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),creatinine(CR),anti-cardiolipin antibody(ACA)-IgG,anti-β2 glycoprotein Ⅰ(anti-β2GPⅠ),CCL19,and sCD163 of the patients were significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with successful pregnancy group,the levels of complement C3 and C4 pregnancy of the patients in failure group were significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the levels of ESR,CR,ACA-IgG,anti-β2GPⅠ,CCL19,and sCD163 were significantly increased(P<0.01).The serum levels of CCL19,sCD163,ESR,CR,ACA-IgG,and anti-β2GPⅠ were the risk factors for pregnancy failure of the SLE patients(P<0.05 or P<0.01),while the levels of complement C3 and C4 were the protective factors(P<0.01).The area under the ROC curve(AUC)of the serum CCL19 level for predicting the pregnancy failure of the SLE patients was 0.726,and the AUC of serum SCD163 level for predicting the pregnancy failure of the SLE patients was 0.789;the AUC of combination of both markers for predicting the pregnancy failure of the SLE patients was 0.835.The predictive performance of CCL19 and sCD163 for pregnancy outcomes of the SLE patients was superior to either marker alone(Zcombined-CCL19=3.066,P=0.002;Zcombined-sCD163=2.087,P=0.037).Conclusion:The serum levels of CCL19 and sCD163 in the SLE patients during pregnancy are significantly increased,which may cause the poor outcomes in the patients.

Objective To observe the expression profile of epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)during the differentiation of osteoclasts,and to explore EGFR-related signaling pathways and key genes during the process.Methods Bone marrow derived macrophages were extracted from 24 healthy SPF-grade male C57BL/6 mice(6-8 weeks old,weighing 19～21 g),and then treated with M-CSF and RANKL co-stimulation to establish a model of mouse osteoclast differentiation.TRAP staining and RT-qPCR were used to detect the differentiation status of osteoclasts and the expression level of EGFR.Bioinformatics were employed to systematically identify EGFR-related genes during osteoclast differentiation,and then RT-qPCR and EGFR activation and inhibition models were applied to validate the genes.Results In vitro osteoclast differentiation model showed the EGFR expression level was in a continuous increase during the differentiation of mouse osteoclasts(P＜0.01).RNA-seq data indicated that EGFR expression was significantly associated with multiple signaling pathways,including MAPK pathway(P＜0.05).Weighted correlation network analysis(WGCNA)and protein-protein interaction(PPI)analysis identified co-expression and correlations of EGFR with ATP binding cassette subfamily C member 1(ABCC1)and cell division cycle 37(CDC37)(P＜0.01).The osteoclast differentiation model showed significant increases in the expression levels of ABCC1(P＜0.05)and CDC37(P＜0.01)during differentiation,and activation of EGFR further enhanced the levels(P＜0.01)while EGFR inhibition decreased them(P＜0.05).Conclusion Activation of EGFR signal induces osteoclast differentiation and up-regulates the expression levels of ABCC1 and CDC37.

Objective To observe the clinical effect of Tongyuan Acupuncture combined with Modified Linggui Zhugan Decoction in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)with spleen deficiency and phlegm-damp syndrome.Methods A total of 86 patients with PCOS of spleen deficiency and phlegm-damp type were randomly divided into observation group and control group,43 cases in each group.The control group was treated with Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets combined with Ethinylestradiol and Cyproterone Acetate Tablets.The observation group was treated with Tongyuan Acupuncture combined with Modified Linggui Zhugan Decoction on the basis of the treatment of the control group.Both groups were treated for three consecutive months.After three months of treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated.The changes of sex hormone indexes estradiol(E2),testosterone(T),luteinizing hormone(LH),follicle stimulating hormone(FSH)and prolactin(PRL)expression levels were observed before and after treatment in the two groups.The changes of glucose metabolism levels including insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR),fasting insulin(FINS)and fasting blood glucose(FPG)expression levels were compared before and after treatment between the two groups.Results(1)The total effective rate was 90.70%(39/43)in the observation group and 74.42%(32/43)in the control group.The curative effect of the observation group was superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,HOMA-IR,FINS and FPG in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the improvement of HOMA-IR,FINS and FPG in the observation group was superior to that in the control group,the difference being significant(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the levels of E2,T,LH,FSH and PRL in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the levels of E2,T,LH,FSH and PRL in the observation group were significantly superior to those in the control group,the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion Tongyuan Acupuncture combined with Modified Linggui Zhugan Decoction in the treatment of spleen deficiency and phlegm-damp type of PCOS can effectively improve the sex hormone level of patients and regulate the glucose metabolism of patients.The clinical effect is significant.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Astragaloside Ⅳ liposomes for influenza A virus infection in mice.Methods Fifty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal group(10 mice)and modeling group(40 mice).The modeling group mice were injected with A/PR/8/34(H1N1)influenza virus liquid via nasal drip.The modeling mice were randomly divided into model group,Oseltamivir group,and Astragaloside Ⅳ Liposomes high-and low-dose groups,with 10 mice in each group.The drug was administered by gavage two hours after infection for five days continuously.The appearance of the mice was observed,the body mass,survival condition and lung index as well as viral load in lung were assessed,pathological feature of lung tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining method,and mRNA expression levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1(MCP-1),macrophage inflammatory protein 1β(MIP-1β),and interferon γ(IFN-γ),CXC chemokine ligand 1(CXCL-1),interleukin(IL)-6,and IL-1β in lung tissues were detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)method.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was performed to detect the contents of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor(GM-CSF)and regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted(RANTES)in mouse lung tissue.Results Compared with the normal group,mice in the model group showed significant decrease of body mass,shortened survival time(P＜0.001),significantly increased lung index(P＜0.001),significantly increased viral load in lung(P＜0.001),and significantly increased mRNA expression levels of MIP-1β,IFN-γ,CXCL-1,IL-6,IL-1β and MCP-1 in lung tissue(P＜0.05 or P＜0.001),and the structure destruction of lung tissue could be seen in pathology.Compared with the model group,mice in the Astragaloside Ⅳ liposomes high-dose group showed that the decrease in body mass was slowed down,the survival time and survival rate were higher(P＜0.05),and the lung index was significantly decreased(P＜0.05),the viral load in lung was decreased(P＜0.001)and the mRNA expression levels of MIP-1β,IFN-γ,CXCL-1,IL-6,IL-1β and MCP-1 in lung tissue were decreased,and the alveolar structure was relatively intact,and a little connective tissue hyperplasia was seen.Conclusion Astragaloside Ⅳ liposomes can improve the survival time and reduce the viral load of lung tissue in mice with influenza A virus infection,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the expression of inflammatory factors,thus playing an antiviral role.

Objective To establish an HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of 10 components in the active parts of Uygur medicine Dracocephalum Moldavica L.Methods The determination was performed on a Shim-pack ODS(4.6 mm×250 mm,5 um)column with the mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile(A)-0.5%formic acid(B)in aqueous solution in a gradient elution mode(0-30 min,17%A;30-60 min,17%→ 28%A;60-78 min,28%A)at a flow rate of 1.0 mL·min-1.The temperature of the chromatographic column was 35℃and the detection was monitored by a UV detector at 330 nm.Results Cof-feic acid,p-coumalic acid,cynaroside,luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide,apigenin 7-O-glucuronide,rosmarinic acid,diosmetin7-O-β-D-glucuronide,salvianolic acid A,tilianin,apigenin were well separated under this chromatographic condition,and the linear relation-ship were good in the concentration range examined(r＞0.999 2).The overall recoveries ranged from 91.83%to 106.43%with the RSD ranging from 0.38%to 2.22%.Conclusion The established content determination method is highly accurate and reproduci-ble,and suitable for the analysis and quality control of the active parts of Dracocephalum Moldavica L.

To perform a comprehensive analysis of the pathogenic causes of a food poisoning case in a district of Wuhan Cit-y,we investigated the molecular epidemiological relationships among pathogenic bacteria,to aid in traceability analysis of food-borne disease outbreaks,as well as clinical diagnosis and treatment.The pathogenic bacteria in this food poisoning case were i-solated and identified according to GB789.4-2016.The isolated strains were subjected to genotyping with pulsed field gel elec-trophoresis(PFGE).Drug resistance gene analysis,multi-locus sequence typing(MLST),and genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis(wgSNP)were conducted via whole genome sequencing(WGS).The evolutionary tree for cluster analy-sis was constructed in fasttree software.Drug susceptibility testing was conducted with the broth microdilution method.A total of 12 strains of Salmonella were detected in seven anal swab samples and two fecal samples from the case,as well as three anal swab samples from unaffected individuals.The serotype of the strains was Salmonella typhimurium.The strain exhibited severe multiple drug resistance,including resistance to amikacin,ampi-cillin,cefazolin,gentamicin,piperacillin,and tetracycline,but susceptibility to other antibiotics.The coincidence rate between drug resistance genes and drug resistance phenotypes was high.PFGE revealed that nine strains from this food poisoning case were highly homologous.WGS revealed that the MLST type was ST19,and varying numbers of SNPs(1-6)were present a-mong strains.The phylogenetic tree revealed nine isolated strains forming a distinct cluster,differing from other Salmonella strains in the database and belonging to a novel clonal branch.The single nucleotide site in the strains was highly homologous to that of GCF in Jiangxi_020221795.1.The food poisoning case was caused by Salmonella typhimurium ST19,and all nine iso-lated strains originated from the same source.The chef is closely connected to this food poisoning case.This strain of Salmo-nella typhimurium belongs to a new clonal branch and exhibits multiple drug resistance.

Objective:To explore the prognostic value of MUC13 expression in gastric cancer(GC)patients and its impact on the biological behavior of GC cells.Methods:Comprehensive anal-ysis of the expression pattern of MUC genes in GC tissues based on the TCGA database to screen for differentially expressed genes.Spearman correlation analysis determined the correlation of ex-pression between MUC genes in GC tissues.Gene Ontology(GO)functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway(KEGG)enrichment analysis were used to explore the potential biological functions of MUC genes.Univariate COX regression analysis was performed to explore the relationship between all differentially expressed MUC genes and the prog-nosis of GC patients to screen out MUC genes that were significantly related to the prognosis of GC.Clinical GC tissue samples were used to further verify the expression of MUC13 through im-munofluorescence,and its relationship with the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of GC was analyzed.siRNA was used to silence the expression of MUC13 in GC cells,and the effect of MUC13 on cell proliferation,migration and invasion was analyzed through CCK-8,colony forma-tion and Transwell experiments.Results:Among all MUC members,the expression levels of MUC1,MUC2,MUC3A,MUC4,MCU5B,MUC12,and MUC13 were significantly upregulated in GC tissues(P＜0.05).There are certain interactions between these MUC genes,and they are mainly en-riched in pathways related to digestive system processes,epithelial structure maintenance,apical plasma membrane,saliva secretion,etc.Importantly,upregulation of MUC13 in GC tissues indicates poor patient prognosis(Log-rank P＜0.05).In addition,MUC13 expression was significantly correlat-ed with the age(P＜0.001)of GC patients and tumor size(P=0.035).Further cell function experiments showed that after silencing MUC13,the proliferation ability of GC cells was significantly reduced(P＜0.05),while their migration and invasion abilities were not significantly affected(P＞0.05).Con-clusions:Highly expressed MUC13 is closely related to the poor prognosis of gastric cancer,par-ticipates in the regulation of tumor progression and is a potential therapeutic target and prognostic marker for gastric cancer.