The study aims to observe the effects and explore the mechanisms of Buyang Huanwu Decoction and Astragali Radix-Angelicae Sinensis Radix combination in the treatment of the inflammatory response of mice with atherosclerosis(AS) via the Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88(MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) signaling pathway. Male ApoE~(-/-) mice were randomly assigned into a model group, a Buyang Huanwu Decoction group, an Astragali Radix-Angelicae Sinensis Radix combination group, and an atorvastatin group, and male C57BL/6J mice of the same weeks old were used as the control group. Other groups except the control group were given high-fat diets for 12 weeks to establish the AS model, and drugs were administrated by gavage. Aortic intimal hyperplasia thickness, blood lipid level, plasma inflammatory cytokine levels, M1/M2 macrophage markers, and expression levels of proteins in TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway in the vessel wall were measured to evaluate the effects of drugs on AS lesions and inflammatory responses. The results showed that the AS model was successfully established with the ApoE~(-/-) mice fed with high-fat diets. Compared with the control group, the model group showed elevated plasma total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-c) levels(P<0.05), thickened intima(P<0.01), and increased plasma tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-6(IL-6) levels(P<0.01). Moreover, the model group showed increased expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1) and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)(P<0.01), inhibited expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS) and cluster of differentiation 206(CD206)(P<0.01), and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB inhibitor alpha(IκBα), and NF-κB in the vessel wall(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, Buyang Huanwu Decoction and Astragali Radix-Angelicae Sinensis Radix combination lowered the plasma TC and LDL-c levels(P<0.01), alleviated the intimal hyperplasia(P<0.01), and reduced the plasma TNF-α and IL-6 levels(P<0.05). Moreover, the two interventions promoted the expression of eNOS and CD206(P<0.05), inhibited the expression of VCAM-1 and iNOS(P<0.01), and down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of TLR4, MyD88, IκBα, and NF-κB(P<0.05) in the vessel wall. This study indicated that Buyang Huanwu Decoction and Astragali Radix-Angelicae Sinensis Radix combination could delay the progression of AS, inhibit the polarization of vascular wall macrophages toward M1 type, and attenuate vascular inflammatory response by inhibiting the activation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in the vascular wall. Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix were the main pharmacological substances in Buyang Huanwu Decoction for alleviating the AS vascular inflammatory response.
Mice ; Male ; Animals ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism* ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/metabolism* ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Hyperplasia ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Atherosclerosis/genetics* ; Apolipoproteins E/therapeutic use* ; RNA, Messenger

BACKGROUND: Delivery room resuscitation assists preterm infants, especially extremely preterm infants (EPI) and extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI), in breathing support, while it potentially exerts a negative impact on the lungs and outcomes of preterm infants. This study aimed to assess delivery room resuscitation and discharge outcomes of EPI and ELBWI in China. METHODS: The clinical data of EPI (gestational age [GA] <28 weeks) and ELBWI (birth weight [BW] <1000 g), admitted within 72 h of birth in 33 neonatal intensive care units from five provinces and cities in North China between 2017 and 2018, were analyzed. The primary outcomes were delivery room resuscitation and risk factors for delivery room intubation (DRI). The secondary outcomes were survival rates, incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and risk factors for BPD. RESULTS: A cohort of 952 preterm infants were enrolled. The incidence of DRI, chest compressions, and administration of epinephrine was 55.9% (532/952), 12.5% (119/952), and 7.0% (67/952), respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that the risk factors for DRI were GA <28 weeks (odds ratio [OR], 3.147; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.082-4.755), BW <1000 g (OR, 2.240; 95% CI, 1.606-3.125), and antepartum infection (OR, 1.429; 95% CI, 1.044-1.956). The survival rate was 65.9% (627/952) and was dependent on GA. The rate of BPD was 29.3% (181/627). Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors for BPD were male (OR, 1.603; 95% CI, 1.061-2.424), DRI (OR, 2.094; 95% CI, 1.328-3.303), respiratory distress syndrome exposed to ≥2 doses of pulmonary surfactants (PS; OR, 2.700; 95% CI, 1.679-4.343), and mechanical ventilation ≥7 days (OR, 4.358; 95% CI, 2.777-6.837). However, a larger BW (OR, 0.998; 95% CI, 0.996-0.999), antenatal steroid (OR, 0.577; 95% CI, 0.379-0.880), and PS use in the delivery room (OR, 0.273; 95% CI, 0.160-0.467) were preventive factors for BPD (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Improving delivery room resuscitation and management of respiratory complications are imperative during early management of the health of EPI and ELBWI.
Birth Weight ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; China/epidemiology* ; Delivery Rooms ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Extremely Premature ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Pregnancy

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is emerging as a global health threat and shows a higher risk for men than women. Thus far, the studies on andrological consequences of COVID-19 are limited. To ascertain the consequences of COVID-19 on sperm parameters after recovery, we recruited 41 reproductive-aged male patients who had recovered from COVID-19, and analyzed their semen parameters and serum sex hormones at a median time of 56 days after hospital discharge. For longitudinal analysis, a second sampling was obtained from 22 of the 41 patients after a median time interval of 29 days from first sampling. Compared with controls who had not suffered from COVID-19, the total sperm count, sperm concentration, and percentages of motile and progressively motile spermatozoa in the patients were significantly lower at first sampling, while sperm vitality and morphology were not affected. The total sperm count, sperm concentration, and number of motile spermatozoa per ejaculate were significantly increased and the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm was reduced at the second sampling compared with those at first in the 22 patients examined. Though there were higher prolactin and lower progesterone levels in patients at first sampling than those in controls, no significant alterations were detected for any sex hormones examined over time following COVID-19 recovery in the 22 patients. Although it should be interpreted carefully, these findings indicate an adverse but potentially reversible consequence of COVID-19 on sperm quality.
Adult ; Asthenozoospermia/virology* ; COVID-19/physiopathology* ; China ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones/blood* ; Humans ; Male ; Progesterone/blood* ; Prolactin/blood* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Semen/physiology* ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa/physiology* ; Time Factors

Objective To determine the prevalence rate of elevated fasting plasma glucose(FPG)in residents of Liaoning Province and to identify the risk factors, which will help to effectively prevent/alleviate the occurrence and development of diabetes for reduction of socioeconomic burden. Methods A multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling method was used to investigate the residents of 3 towns and 3 rural areas in Liaoning Province. A total of 53 497 adults(aged 35-75 years)were surveyed by questionnaires and the risk or protective factors were analyzed by logistic regression method. Results The prevalence rate of elevated FPG was 24.7% with 23.2% in males and 26.0% in females, respectively. The results of multivariate logistic regression showed that age increase, female, high education, occupation(except farmers), alcohol drinking, obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were risk factors of FPG(P < 0.05 or P < 0.001). Conclusion The prevalence of elevated FPG is high in the study population aged 35-75 years in Liaoning. It is necessary to strengthen the intervention in this part of the population in order to reduce the incidence of diabetes mellitus.

Objective:To investigate the effect of Relative Bedrest Condition Morita Therapy(RBCMT) on the improvement of depression and anxiety symptoms and personality in patients with recurrent depression disorder.Methods:Seventy patients with recurrent depressive disorder hospitalized in Kailuan Mental Health Center were randomly divided into study group and control group( n=35 in each group) from June to October, 2019.The study group was given RBCMT on the basis of conventional treatment and nursing.The Eysenck personality questionnaire (EPQ), Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) and Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) were used to assess the clinical symptoms and personality characteristics of the patients and to analyze and compare them. Results:(1) EPQ score in each dimension: There were significant differences within group among different time in introverted and extroverted dimension (study group: baseline: 46.14±10.99, the fifth weekend: 50.43±8.86, the eighth weekend: 53.86±7.08, F=6.291, P=0.003.Control group: baseline: 45.29±8.99, the fifth weekend: 48.29±8.31, the eighth weekend: 50.29±7.57, F=3.211, P=0.044) and neuroticism dimension score (study group: baseline: 60.14±5.49, the fifth weekend: 53.29±4.53, the eighth weekend: 50.57±4.33, F=36.809, P<0.001.Control group: baseline: 60.29±6.18, the fifth weekend: 55.86±6.00, the eighth weekend: 53.14±5.30, F=13.353, P<0.001) among different time points in the group.Neuroticism scores between the two groups at the same time were statistically significant(the fifth weekend: F=4.095, P=0.047, the eighth weekend: F=4.940, P=0.030). After 8 weeks of inclusion, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the score of introverted and extroverted dimension ( F=4.157, P=0.045). There was no significant difference in the score of spiritual quality dimension at different time within the group or at the same time point between the groups.(2)HAMD score: There were statistically significant differences within group among different time(study group: baseline: 32.00±4.04, the fifth weekend: 15.23±5.01, the eighth weekend: 9.31±3.15, F=282.376, P<0.001.Control group: baseline: 31.91±4.59, the fifth weekend: 17.86±5.11, the eighth weekend: 11.17±3.64, F=195.019, P<0.001), and the differences between the two groups at the same time were statistically significant (the fifth weekend: F=4.724, P=0.033, the eighth weekend: F=5.205, P=0.026). (3)HAMA score: There were statistically significant differences within group among different time(study group: baseline: 18.69±8.87, the fifth weekend: 10.34±5.34, the eighth weekend: 7.97±2.98, F=28.679, P<0.001.Control group: baseline: 18.60±8.02, the fifth weekend: 13.31±6.35, the eighth weekend: 10.37±4.86, F=14.241, P<0.001). The difference between the two groups at the same time point was statistically significant (the fifth weekend: F=4.161, P=0.045, the eighth weekend: F=8.315, P=005). (4)Multiple linear regression results indicated that RBCMT ( β=-0.312, t=-2.360, P=0.022) and introverted and extroverted dimension personality ( β=-0.334, t=-2.355, P=0.022) were the influencing factors of HAMA. Conclusion:Compared with the conventional treatment, the Relative Bedrest Condition Morita Therapy can reduce the anxiety symptoms and improve the depressive symptoms by enhancing the extraversion personality characteristics of the patients.

PURPOSE: The International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula's definition of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) has recently been updated. This study aimed to identify risk factors for POPF in patients having pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and to generate a nomogram to predict POPF. METHODS: Data on 298 patients who underwent PD from March 2012 to October 2017 was retrospectively reviewed and POPF statuses were redefined. A nomogram was constructed using data from 220 patients and validated using the remaining 78 patients. Independent risk factors for POPF were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses. A predictive nomogram was established based on the independent risk factors and was compared with existing models. RESULTS: Texture of the pancreas, size of the main pancreatic duct, portal vein invasion, and definitive pathology were the identified risk factors. The nomogram had a C-index of 0.793 and was internally validated. The nomogram performed better (C-index of 0.816) than the other most cited models (C-indexes of 0.728 and 0.735) in the validation cohort. In addition, the nomogram can assign patients into low- (less than 10%), intermediate- (10% to 30%), and high-risk (equal or higher than 30%) groups to facilitate personalized management. CONCLUSION The nomogram accurately predicted POPF in patients having PD.

AIM:To investigate the role of Krüppel-like factor 17(KLF17)in nude mouse xenograft model, and to explore the target genes regulated by KLF 17, the target gene functions and the signaling pathways involved.ME-THODS:The KLF17 was stably up-regulated in human lung adenocarcinoma A 549 cells and down-regulated in human lung adenocarcinoma H322 cells by lentiviral infection.BLAB/c nu/nu nude mice(n=11)were divided into KLF17 up-regual-tion group(n=5)and KLF17 down-regulation group(n=6).The right and left bodies of the nude mice were subcutane-ously injected with KLF17-up-/down-regulating cells and the counterpart empty vectors were used as control cells,respec-tively.The effects of KLF17 on the growth of the cell-derived xenografts in nude mice were analyzed.The mRNA and pro-tein expression levels of KLF17 in xenograft tumor tissues were analyzed by real-time PCR and immunohistochemical stai-ning,respectively.Transcriptome sequencing was used to explore the differentially expressed genes in the xenograft tumors derived from KLF17-up-regulating A549 cells,and the functions of the potential target genes were analyzed using the lung adenocarcinoma data from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database.Gene Ontology and KEGG PATHWAY enrichment analyses were performed to analyze the functions of the differentially expressed genes and the involved signal pathways.RE-SULTS:The growth rate of KLF17-up-regulating A549 cell-derived xenograft tumors in the nude mice was significantly lower than that in empty control group(P<0.05),while the growth rate and the weight of KLF 17-down-regulating H322 cell-derived xenograft tumors in nude mice were significantly higher than those in empty control group(P<0.01 and P<0.05,respectively).In the A549 cell-derived xenograft tumor model,the KLF17 mRNA and protein were significantly in-creased in KLF17 up-regualtion group.The transcriptome sequencing showed the potential target genes regulated by KLF 17 were ras homolog family member V(RHOV)and coronin 1C(CORO1C).Ten-year cumulative survival time of the patients with lung adenocarcinoma from TCGA database was significantly different between high and low expression of RHOV and CORO1C at mRNA level.Increased expression levels of RHOV and CORO1C were correlated with short survival time in the patients with lung adnocarcinoma.The results of Gene Ontology and KEGG PATHWAY enrichment analyses indicated that the target genes(differentially expressed genes)regulated by KLF17 were related to the stimulation response,growth and adhesion of tumor cells,and participated in chemotaxis-,adhesion-and extracellular matrix receptor-related signaling path-ways.CONCLUSION:KLF17 inhibits the xenograft tumor growth in nude mice,and inhibits the oncogenes such as RHOV and CORO1C.The target genes regulated by KLF17 participate in the regulation of tumor adhesion-and growth-related sig-naling pathways.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of main chronic diseases and explore its influencing factors among urban residents in Liaoning Province. Methods Using multistage stratified and cluster random sampling method, 30 953 urban residents of 14 districts were investigated with a standard questionnaire and physical examination. The logistic regression was applied to explore the influencing factors of main chronic diseases. Results The prevalence rate of chronic diseases was 39.25% and the standardized prevalence rate was 32.29%. The top three chronic diseases were hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia, and the standardized prevalence rates were 21.13%, 9.48% and 5.25%. The results of the logistic regression analysis showed that the three chronic diseases shared older age(OR: 1.266-7.325)and overweight or obesity(OR:1.107-2.982)as the risk factors .In addition, there existed certain interactions among hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia(OR: 2.424-3.121). Conclusion Hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia which shared older age, overweight and obesity as the risk factors are the main chronic diseases to damage the health of urban residents in Liaoning. The corresponding prevention and treatment strategies should be taken based on the key groups and related influencing factors.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes, prognosis, delayed toxicity of Hodgkin's lymphoma with extranodal Involvement.

METHODSThirty patients newly diagnosed as Hodgkin's lymphoma with extranodal involvement from April 2008 to September 2014 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSTwenty-seven patients suffered from the advanced-stage diseases, their major pathological changes were nodular sclerosis and mixed cellular type, the most commonly involeved extranodal sites were the lung and bones, followed by the liver, stomach and intestine. The common clinical presentation was assotiated with the involved organs. Multivariate analysis showed that albumin and the international prognostic score (IPS) were independent prognostic factors for 5-year DFS rate, the 5-year OS rate was only associated with IPS. Out of 20 patients received chemotherapy, 10 received the combined modality therapy. At the median follow-up of 51 months, the estimated 5-year OS and PFS rates were 89.3% and 78.9%, respectively. Delayed toxicities were observed in 3 patients, including Ewing's sarcoma of llium, hyperplasia of mammary glands and diabetes millitus. 5 patients kept fertility, no interstitial lung disease, lung cancer and cardiovascular disease occurred. It was not found that patients died from the treatment-related complications.

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic strategies for the Hodgkin's lymphoma patients with extranodal involvement should be similar to normal Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Hodgkin Disease ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

This paper aims to explore a comprehensive assessment method combined traditional Chinese medicinal material specifications with quantitative quality indicators. Seventy-six samples of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix were collected on market and at producing areas. Traditional commercial specifications were described and assigned, and 10 chemical components and volatile oils were determined for each sample. Cluster analysis, Fisher discriminant analysis and correspondence analysis were used to establish the relationship between the traditional qualitative commercial specifications and quantitative chemical indices for comprehensive evaluating quality of medicinal materials, and quantitative classification of commercial grade and quality grade. A herb quality index (HQI) including traditional commercial specifications and chemical components for quantitative grade classification were established, and corresponding discriminant function were figured out for precise determination of quality grade and sub-grade of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix. The result showed that notopterol, isoimperatorin and volatile oil were the major components for determination of chemical quality, and their dividing values were specified for every grade and sub-grade of the commercial materials of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix. According to the result, essential relationship between traditional medicinal indicators, qualitative commercial specifications, and quantitative chemical composition indicators can be examined by K-mean cluster, Fisher discriminant analysis and correspondence analysis, which provide a new method for comprehensive quantitative evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine quality integrated traditional commodity specifications and quantitative modern chemical index.