Objective:To investigate the safety and feasibility of the CHESS endoscpic ruler (CHESS ruler), and the consistency between the measured values and the interpretation values by endoscopic physician experience.Methods:From January 2021 to January 2022, a total of 105 liver cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension were prospectively enrolled from General Hospital, Xixia Branch Hospital, Ningnan Hospital of People′s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (29 cases), and the First People′s Hospital of Yinchuan (25 cases), General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University (18 cases), Wuzhong People′s Hospital (10 cases), the Fifth People′s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (10 cases), Shizuishan Second People′s Hospital (6 cases), Yinchuan Second People′s Hospital (5 cases), and Zhongwei People′s Hospital (2 cases) 8 hospitals. The clinical characteristics of all the patients, including gender, age, nationality, etiolog of liver cirrhosis, and Child-Pugh classification of liver function were recorded. A big gastroesophageal varices was defined as diameter of varices ≥5 mm. Endoscopist (associated chief physician) performed gastroscopy according to the routine gastroscopy procedures, and the diameter of the biggest esophageal varices was measured by experience and images were collected, and then objective measurement was with the CHESS ruler and images were collected. The diameter of esophageal varices of 10 randomly selected patients (random number table method) was determined by 6 endoscopists (attending physician or associated chief physician) with experience or measured by CHESS ruler. Kappa test was used to test the consistency in the diameter of esophageal varices between measured values by CHESS ruler and the interpretation values by endoscopic physician experience.Results:Among 105 liver cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension, male 65 cases and female 40 cases, aged (54.8±12.2) years old, Han nationality 82 cases, Hui nationality 21 cases and Mongolian nationality 2 cases. The etiology of liver cirrhosis included chronic hepatitis B (79 cases), alcoholic liver disease (7 cases), autoimmune hepatitis (7 cases), chronic hepatitis C (2 cases), and other etiology (10 cases). Liver function of 32 cases was Child-Pugh A, Child-Pugh B 57 cases, and Child-Pugh C 16 cases. All 105 liver cirrhosis patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension were successfully measured the diameter of gastroesophageal varices by CHESS ruler, and the success rate of application of CHESS ruler was 100.0% (105/105). The procedure time from the CHESS ruler into the body to the exit of the body after measurement was (3.50±2.55) min. No complications happened in all the patients during measurement. Among 105 liver cirrhosis patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension, 96 cases (91.4%) were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices by the endoscopists. Totally 93 cases (88.6%) were considered as big gastroesophageal varices by CHESS ruler. Eight cases were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices by the endoscopist, however not by the CHESS ruler; 5 cases were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices by the CHESS ruler, but not by the endoscopists; 4 cases were not recognized as big gastroesophageal varices both by the endoscopists and CHESS ruler; 88 cases were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices both by the endoscopists and CHESS ruler. The missed diagnostic rate of big gastroesophageal varices by the endoscopists experience was 5.4% (5/93), and the Kappa value of consistency coefficient between the measurement by the CHESS ruler and the interpretation by endoscopists experience was 0.31 (95% confidence interval 0.03 to 0.60). The overall Kappa value of consistency coefficient by 6 endoscopists measured by CHESS ruler in big gastroesophageal varices diagnosis was 0.77 (95% confidence interval 0.61 to 0.93).Conclusion:As an objective measurement tool, CHESS ruler can make up for the deficiency of subjective judgment by endoscopists, accurately measure the diameter of gastroesophageal varices, and is highly feasible and safe.

Objective:To explore the effects of problem-solving therapy on breastfeeding self-efficacy and psychological status among primiparas, to provide basis for improving the breastfeeding of primipara.Methods:A total of 102 primiparas were divided into experimental group and control group by random number table method, each group contained 51 cases. Finally, 47 cases in the experimental group and 49 cases in the control group completed the study. The control group received routine nursing, while primiparas in the experimental group carried out problem-solving therapy. Before and after 6-week intervention, the effects was assessed by Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (BSES), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and General Well-being Schedule (GWB), respectively.Results:After intervention, the scores of primapara feedig cognition, feeding feeling, feeding skills and BSES total scores were (21.13±2.97) points, (65.47±6.63) points, (31.94±2.59) points, (118.53±8.47) points in the experimental group, significantly higher than (19.43±3.28) points, (61.76±5.20) points, (30.53±2.01) points, (111.71±6.11) points in the control group ( t values were 2.658-4.507, P<0.01); the scores of EPDS were (6.04±1.49) points in the experimental group, significantly lower than (6.92±2.08) points in the control group; the scores of life satisfaction and interest, depression and pleasure, energy, relaxation and tension in General Well-Being (GWB) and total scores were (7.51±1.71) points, (20.19±2.47) points, (21.68±2.32) points, (17.06±2.74) points, (90.45±4.96) points in the experimental group, significanlty higher than (6.41±1.82) points, (18.71±2.98) points, (20.57±1.87) points, (15.78±1.79) points, (84.61±5.26) points in the control group, the difference was statistically significant ( t values were 2.380-5.587, P<0.05 or 0.01). Conclusion:Problem-solving therapy can improve breastfeeding self-efficacy and alleviate postnatal depression as well as enhance subjective well-being of primipara women.

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics and genotyping results of childhood-onset myoclonus dystonia syndrome caused by SGCE variants. Methods: The clinical data of 9 children with SGCE-related myoclonus dystonia syndrome admitted at either the Department of Neurology, Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University or the Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital from May 2018 to October 2019 were collected and the patients were followed up. The definite diagnosis was made on the basis of whole exome sequencing and multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification. The clinical features and gene test results were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Data of 9 patients (4 boys and 5 girls) diagnosed as myoclonus dystonia syndrome caused by SGCE variants were collected. The onset age ranged from 1 year to 3 years and 2 months. The first symptom was myoclonus in 4 cases, while dystonia in the remaining 5 cases. In the course of the disease, 9 cases had myoclonus and 8 had dystonia. Myoclonic jerks were characterized by involuntary jerks in both upper limbs in 8 patients. Six patients had involuntary jerks of lower limbs, resulting in gait instability or even falling. The myoclonus was exacerbated during the fine motor activities, emotional stress or fatigue. Dystonia was characterized by abnormal gait, including 5 cases with right leg dystonia, and 3 cases with the left leg dystonia. Three probands had a positive family history. Intellectual development was normal in all cases. There was no obvious abnormality in video-electroencephalogram (EEG) during both ictal and interictal periods. Electromyography (EMG) and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 9 patients were normal. Nine patients carried SGCE gene variants, including 3 frame shift variants, 2 nonsense variants, 2 missense variants, 1 fragment deletion variant and 1 splice site variant. Seven variants were inherited paternally, and 2 variants were de novo. Madopar was used in 8 patients, and nitrazepam in 4 patients, leading to the decrease in the myoclonus jerks and improvement of gait in 6 and 2 patients, respectively. Conclusions SGCE gene variants can cause myoclonus dystonia syndrome. The onset of the disease may occur at infancy or preschool age, with either myoclonic jerks or dystonia as the initial symptom. Non-epileptic myoclonus is the prominent symptom, with upper limb mainly involved. Most of the patients have the accompanying symptoms of dystonia, and some of them may have spontaneous symptom relief. SGCE gene is imprinted maternally, and the inherited variants of SGCE are paternal in origin.

Objective To investigate the association between Gal-3 and the effect of perindopril on ventricular remodeling in ischemic heart failure rabbit.Methods A rabbit model of ischemic heart failure was made by ligationof the anterior descending branch of the coronary artery.Thirty rabbits were divided into sham operation group,heart failure group and perindopril group.Determination of cardiac function by echocardiography after 4 weeks of treatment respectively;mRNA expression and protein content of Gal-3 were detected by Real-time PCR or Western-blob.Serum Gal-3 level was determinated by ELISA.Results Compared with sham operation group,mRNA expression and protein content of Gal-3,type Ⅰ collagen and type Ⅲ collagen increased and the serum level of Gal-3 increased in heart failure group(P＜0.05);compared with heart failure group,mRNA expression and protein content of Gal-3,type Ⅰ collagen and type Ⅲ collagen decreased and the serum level of Gal-3 was reduced in perindopril group(P＜ 0.05).Gal-3 was negativelycorrelated with heart function(r=-0.925,P＜0.05).Conclusion Effect of perindopril inhibiting myocardial fibrosis,slowing the ventricular remodeling and improving heart function associated with level of Gal-3.

AIM: To investigate the relationship between galectin-3 (Gal-3) and myocardial fibrosis, and to clarify the role of Gal-3 in ventricular remodeling in rabbits with ischemic cardiac insufficiency.METHODS: A rabbit model of ischemic cardiac insufficiency was established by ligation of the anterior descending branch of the coronary artery.The 20 rabbits were randomly divided into sham operation group and cardiac insufficiency group by random number table method.After 4 weeks of coronary artery ligation, the cardiac function was measured by cardiac echocardiogram.Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of Gal-3, type I collagen and type III collagen at mRNA and protein levels in the myocardium.The serum Gal-3 contents were measured by ELISA.HE staining and Masson staining were used to observe the degree of fibrosis development in myocardial tissues after infarction.RESULTS: Compared with sham operation group, the mRNA expression of Gal-3 in cardiac insufficiency group was significantly increased.At the same time, type I collagen, type III collagen and collagen type I/III ratio were also increased significantly.The protein contents of Gal-3, type I collagen and type III collagen were increased significantly.The serum Gal-3 levels were significantly increased.The pathological changes were observed in cardiac insufficiency group as the myocardial cell morphological disorder and marked hyperplasia of fibrous tissue were seen.CONCLUSION: Gal-3 aggravates myocardial fibrosis in rabbits with ischemic cardiac insufficiency, and promotes the ventricular remodeling and the occurrence of heart failure.

Objective To explore the impact of different doses of dexmedetomidine on the anesthetic sedative and analgesic effect of anesthesia agents in hysterectomy of patients with uterine fibroids under laparoscopy.Methods 90 patients with uterine fibroids with ASA class Ⅰ or Ⅱ who were going to undergoing general intravenous anesthesia laparoscopic hysterectomy were selected and they were divided into group A (dexmedetomidine 0.4μg·kg-1·h-1,n=30) and group B (dexmedetomidine 0.2μg·kg-1·h-1,n=30) and group C (no dexmedetomidine,n=30) by digital random method.The analgesia effect (VAS score) of group A,group B and group C preoperation and postoperative 1h,12h and 24h,and the sedation (Ramsay sedation score) were compared.General information,postoperative blood pressure,heart rate,pulse oxygen saturation,postoperative patients'' satisfaction on analgesic effect and the sedation effect and adverse reactions of the three groups were also compared.Results Age,body mass index and other basic information of three groups had no statistically significant differences (all P＞0.05).The preoperative VAS score of the three groups also had no statistically significant difference (F=0.625,P＞0.05).Postoperative 12h,24h,the VAS scores of group A and group B were lower than those of C group,which of group A were lower than group B (F=11.250,P＜0.05,F=21.181,P＜0.05).The Ramsay sedation score was higher than that of C group[(3.67±0.18) vs.(2.13±0.11)].The satisfaction of group A was significantly higher than group B and group C (96.67％ vs.73.33％,46.67％,χ2=25.953).The Ramsay sedation score and satisfaction were higher than those of group B (all P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in blood pressure (F=0.362,P＞0.05),pulse oxygen saturation (F=0.978,P＞0.05) and heart rate among the three groups before and after operation (F=1.268,P＞0.05).There was no obvious adverse reaction in the three groups.Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can promote anesthetic sedative and analgesic effect of anesthesia agents in hysterectomy of patients with uterine fibroids under laparoscopy,and the dose 0.4μg·kg-1·h-1 of dexmedetomidine has better effect,feasibility and safety,it is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective To observe the expression pattern of galectin-3 in heart failure rabbits after myocardial infarction and to explore the effect of galectin-3 on myocardial fibrosis and ventricular remodeling.Methods The left anterior descending coronary arterys of the rabbits were ligatured for model preparation.Twenty male rabbits were randomly divided into control group and experimental group.The control group was treated by thoracotomy.Cardiac function were detected by cardiac uhrasonography before and after 2,4,6 weeks.Serum samples were collected and galectin-3 level of the samples were further tested with ELISA before and after 2,4,6 weeks.The expression of myocardial fibrosis was detected by Masson staining in the experimental group and the control group at 6 weeks after operation.galectin-3 and collagen Ⅰ,collagen Ⅲ mRNA level of myocardial of the infracted zone were determinated via Real-Time PCR after 6 weeks operation.Calculate the ratio of collagen Ⅰ and collagenⅢ.Left ventricular mass were analysis and left ventricular hypertrophy index was calculated.Results Compared with the control group,the EF,EDD and LVPWD of the experimental group at 2,4 and 6 weeks after operation were significantly different(P ＜ 0.01).Serum galectin-3 level of the experimental group more than control group (P ＜0.05).correlation analysis showed that serum galectin-3 level was negatively correlated with EF (r =-0.84,P =0.009),and positively correlated with EDD(r =0.905,P =0.020).The mRNA expression of galectin-3,collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ were significantly increased in the experimental group(P ＜0.01).The mRNA expression of galectin-3,collagen Ⅰ and collagenⅢ were all higher in the experimental group than that in the non-infarcted area (P ＜ 0.01).The left ventricular mass and left ventricular hypertrophy index of the experimental group were significantly higher than control group (P ＜ 0.01).Under the optical microscope,the myocardial cells in the experimental group were disordered,necrosis,edema,hypertrophy and thickening of myocardial fibers.Microvascular wall thickening and visible around a large number of blue-green collagen fibers and surrounded by segmented myocardial cells,myocardial interstitial fibrosis,collagen deposition and accompanied by a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration.Conclusion Galectin-3 reflects the degree of myocardial fibrosis in heart failure,and is involved in the pathophysiology of ventricular remodeling,but the mechanism remains unclear.

Background Corneal refractive surgery has significant effects on corneal biomechanical properties.However,there are few study on large scale population with corneal biomechanical properties in the myopic population before corneal refractive surgery.Objective This study was to evaluate the change of corneal biomechanical properties and influence factors in myopic eyes using ocular response analyzer (ORA).Methods A prospective cohort study was carried out in Beijing Tongren Eye Center from April 2010 to January 2011.Corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) were detected using ORA in 1 792 eyes of 896 myopic subjects who were going to receive corneal refractive surgery under the informed consent.According to different spherical equivalent (SE) the eyes were grouped into-0.25-＜-3.0 D group,-3.0-＜-6.0 D group,-6.0-＜-9.0 D group,-9.0-＜-12.0 D group,-12.0-＜-15.0 D group and ≥-15.0 D group and according to different central corneal thickness (CCT),the eyes were grouped into ＜500 μm group,500-＜550 μm group,550-＜600 μm group and≥600 μm group.The CH value and CRF value in different SE groups or different CCT groups were compared,and the factors influencing CH and CRF were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis.Results The mean CH and CRF value were (9.84±1.52)mmHg (1 mmHg =0.133 kPa) and (10.46±1.71) mmHg,respectively in the myopic eyes.The CH values were (10.35±1.53),(10.07±1.55),(9.81±1.46),(9.71±1.59),(9.35±1.55) and (9.23±1.28) mmHg in the-0.25-＜-3.0 D group,-3.0-＜-6.0 D group,-6.0-＜-9.0 D group,-9.0-＜-12.0 D group,-12.0-＜-15.0 D group and ≥-15.0 D group,respectively,showing a significant difference among the groups (F=20.69,P＜0.01),and the CH values in the-6.0-＜-9.0 D group,-9.0-＜-12.0 D group,-12.0-＜-15.0 D group and ≥-15.0 D group were significantly lower than those in the-6.0-＜-9.0 D group,-9.0-＜-12.0 D group (all at P＜0.01).There was no significant difference in the CRF values among different SE groups (F =0.65,P =0.49).CH and CRF values were increasing with the raise of CCT,with evidently differences among the CCT＜500 μm group,500 μm ≤ CCT＜550 μm group,550 μm≤ CCT＜600 μm group and CCT≥ 600 μm group (CH:F=110.99,P＜0.01;CRF:F =84.35,P＜0.01),and the CH and CRF values were significantly higher in the 550 μm ≤ CCT＜600 μm group and CCT ≥600 μm group than those in the CCT＜500 μm group (all at P＜0.01).CH showed a positive correlation with SE (r =0.24,P＜0.01),and no significant correlation between CRF and SE (r =0.03,P =0.20).The CH and CRF showed the positive correlations with the CCT (r=0.42,0.57,both at P＜0.01).In addition,CH and CRF values increased as the increases of SE,corneal curvature (CC) and CCT values,with the regression equation of CH =-7.87+0.08SE+0.16CC+0.02CCT (R2=0.26,P＜0.01) and CRF=-11.42+0.14CC+0.03CCT (R2=0.34,P＜0.01),respectively.The CH and CRF did not change with the age and gender in the subjects.Conclusions Corneal biomechanical properties including CH and CRF were positively correlated with CCT,CC and SE.

This study is aiming to establish an efficient metabolite extraction method for exploration of molecular mechanisms of desiccation tolerance of the resurrection plant Boea hygrometrica using a metabolomics approach. The extracts of metabolite in B. hygrometrica using methanol solution (method A) and methanol-chloroform-water solution (method B) were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The total numbers of chromatographic peaks, extraction efficiency, retention time and the peak stability were compared. The results showed that for fresh materials, the total chromatographic peak number of method B is more than that of method A; the extraction efficiency of nine representative metabolites by method B is higher than that by method A; the comparison of 10 random chromatographic peaks revealed that the relative standard deviation (RSD) values of the retention time are less than 1% for both methods, whereas the RSD values of the extraction efficiency is different. The percentage of peaks that owned RSD values of the extraction efficiency higher than 10% is 50% for method A and 100% for method B. In addition, method B was also efficient for dry materials from B. hygrometrica. The number of chromatographic peaks, RSD value of retention time and extraction efficiency of dry materials was similar to that of fresh materials using method B, but decreased sharply using method A. Putting together, our study provided evidence that method B is an efficient extraction method for further analysis of metabolites from this resurrection species.
Chemical Fractionation ; methods ; Chloroform ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Magnoliopsida ; chemistry ; Metabolome ; Metabolomics ; Methanol ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Solvents

OBJECTIVETo investigate miR-20a expression in human glioma and normal brain tissues and its effect on the proliferation of glioma cells in vitro.

METHODSThe expression of miR-20a was detected in human normal brain tissues and glioma tissues by real-time RT-PCR. miR-20a mimics were synthesized and transfected into U251 cells via liposome, and the cell proliferation were detected using MTT assay and flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe glioma tissues showed significantly up-regulated expression of miR-20a compared with normal brain tissues (P=0.035). The expression level of miR-20a was higher in high-grade than in low-grade gliomas. miR-20a mimics significantly enhanced the proliferation of U251 cells and the percentage of S-phase cells.

CONCLUSIONmiR-20a shows potent effect in promoting the growth of glioma cells, suggesting its important role in the pathogenesis of human glioma.

Adult ; Brain Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Glioma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Young Adult