[Exploring the factors affecting music-related quality of life in post-lingual deaf adults with cochlear implants]

Objective: To observe the feelings of listening to music and the importance of music in the daily life of post-lingual deaf adults with cochlear implants, and to explore the relevant influencing factors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey study. From January 2021 to August 2021,the Music-Related Quality of Life Scale was used to evaluate the music needs and music experiences of 63 post-lingual deaf adults who met the inclusion criteria, including 27 males and 36 females, aged (40.7±12.3) years, at the time of surgery (36.8±13.1) years, and with a preoperative hearing aid ineffective time of (3.9±5.8) years. Indicators analyzed included age, duration of ineffective preoperative hearing aid wear, preoperative music preference, duration of postoperative cochlear implant use, current hearing aid modality, and auditory rehabilitation outcomes. Whether the six factors mentioned above constituted an influence on the subjects' music listening was investigated using SPSS 25.0 statistical software. Results: All of the observations in the scale were correlated with a single factor. The two sub-dimensions of music experience section were related to the effect of auditory rehabilitation. In the importance section, the effect of auditory rehabilitation was the influential factor of the dimension of "participation importance", and the preoperative enjoyment of music was the relevant influential factor of the dimension of "perceived importance". There was a significant difference between the groups when they were grouped by the above factors (P value<0.05), while there was no statistically significance between the groups when they were grouped by other factors (P value>0.05). Conclusions: Post-lingual deaf adults show the need and attempt to listen to music after cochlear implantation. The effectiveness of auditory rehabilitation and the degree of music preference preoperatively are two important factors that influence music listening in implant recipients. Once the level of auditory communication has been restored to a certain degree, it is important to pay more attention to the needs of music for implant recipients and train them in time, especially for those with music preferences preoperatively.

[Research progress of common respiratory virus receptor binding sites]

Respiratory viral infections are an important public health problem worldwide, with complex mechanisms of infection, and the key to infection lies in the specific binding between respiratory viruses and receptors. This article provides an overview of the progress in the study of receptors for respiratory viruses, such as coronavirus and influenza virus (IV), with a focus on the binding sites of receptors such as angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and sialic acid (SA) to respiratory viruses and the role of receptor diversity in respiratory viral infections. An in-depth study of the binding sites between viruses and receptors will help to understand the molecular mechanism of respiratory viral infections and provide a theoretical basis for disease prevention and control and the development of new therapeutic targets.

[Mediating effects of obesity and metabolic factors in hyperuricemia and prehypertension]

Objective: To assess the mediating effects of obesity and metabolic factors in the relationship between hyperuricemia (HUA) and prehypertension. Methods: A total of 9 399 individuals were selected using a multistage stratified whole-group random sampling method from 90 villages (neighborhood committees) in 30 towns (streets) of 5 districts (counties) in Fuzhou. A total of 4 754 study subjects were included. A linear regression model was used to analyze the association of HUA with obesity and metabolic factors. Single-factor and multi-factor logistic regression models were used to analyze the association of HUA, obesity, and metabolic factors with prehypertension. Mediating effects models were used to analyze the mediating effects of obesity and metabolic factors on the association between HUA and prehypertension. Results: After adjusting for confounders, the association between HUA and cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C, BMI, waist circumference, creatinine, and urea nitrogen were significantly correlated (P<0.001). HUA, waist circumference, BMI, and triglycerides were significantly associated with prehypertension (P<0.001). Waist circumference, BMI, and triglycerides mediated the relationship between HUA and prehypertension, with OR (95%CI) of 1.018 (1.007-1.027), 1.010 (1.002-1.018), and 1.010 (1.003-1.017) (P<0.001), with mediating proportions of 7.76%, 4.31%, and 4.31% respectively. No mediating effect of cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, creatinine, and urea nitrogen was found on the relationship (P>0.05). Conclusions: Waist circumference, BMI, and triglycerides all had mediating effects in the association between HUA and prehypertension. For the general population, weight control, waist circumference, and a high-fat diet should be used to reduce the occurrence of prehypertension.

[Clinical effects of retrograde anterolateral thigh flaps in repairing anterior knee joint wounds under the concept of precise flap surgery]

Objective: To introduce the methods of retrograde anterolateral thigh flaps in repairing anterior knee joint wounds under the concept of precise flap surgery and to explore the clinical effects. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From August 2014 to March 2022, 7 patients with anterior knee joint wounds were treated with retrograde anterolateral thigh flap under the guidance of the concept of precise flap surgery in the 920th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA. Among them, 6 were males and 1 was female, aged 36 to 66 years. The sizes of wounds were 7 cm×5 cm to 15 cm×11 cm after debridement. All the patients were performed with computed tomography angiography (CTA), the donor and recipient sites were evaluated according to the precise flap surgery method, and the optimal pedicle, perforator, and pivot of flaps were chosen. The flap sizes were 10 cm×6 cm to 20 cm×9 cm, and all the donor sites of flaps were sutured directly. The consistency of the intraoperative exploration with preoperative CTA was observed. The flap survival and occurrence of complications were observed after surgery. The color, appearance, texture, and occurrence of complications were followed up. At the last follow-up, the blood supply of flaps was evaluated using the blood circulation evaluation indicators of Chinese Medical Association Hand Surgery Branch's trial criteria for digital replantation function evaluation, and the function of knee joint was evaluated using knee joint scoring system of hospital for special surgery. Results: The flap condition of the intraoperative exploration was completely consistent with that of preoperative CTA. The flaps survived completely after surgery in 6 patients, while necrosis at the edge of the flap occurred in 1 patient, which healed after dressing change. All the flaps were hyperperfused after surgery, and the color of the flaps gradually became normal after 1 week. Follow-up of 7 to 44 months showed that the color, appearance, and texture were well in all the patients, while local osteomyelitis at the proximal tibia occurred in 1 patient. At the last follow-up, all the 7 patients had excellent blood circulation; the function score of knee joint was 69 to 91, which was evaluated as excellent in 3 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in 1 case. Conclusions: The retrograde anterolateral thigh flap has large variations, and the application of precise flap surgery method can accurately understand the variations before surgery, guide the design and cutting of the flaps, thus achieving precise repair of anterior knee joint wounds, with good repair outcome.

[Phonological processes in initial consonants of Putonghua in children in Jiangsu urban areas]

Objective: To explore the phonological processes in initial consonants of Putonghua-speaking children in Jiangsu urban areas. Methods: A status survey was applied. From December 2014 to September 2015, a stratified random sampling method was used to select 958 children aged 1 to 6 years with Putonghua as their mother tongue in the urban area of Nanjing, Changzhou, Yangzhou and Xuzhou to examine their phonological performance. Speech samples were collected by the method of picture naming. The children were divided into 9 age groups (1.5-<2.0, 2.0-<2.5, 2.5-<3.0, 2.5-<3.0, 3.0-<3.5, 3.5-<4.0, 4.0-<4.5, 5.0-<6.0, 6.0-<7.0 years). Descriptive analysis method was used to analyze the phonological processes in initial consonants at different age groups. Results: Among the 958 children, there were 482 boys and 476 girls. The age of the children was (3.8±1.4) years. The number of children in the 9 age groups (1.5-<2.0, 2.0-<2.5, 2.5-<3.0, 2.5-<3.0, 3.0-<3.5, 3.5-<4.0, 4.0-<4.5, 5.0-<6.0, 6.0-<7.0 years) is 100, 110, 110, 114, 114, 114, 111, 119, and 66, separately. The process of substitution was found in the speech of 701 children (73.2%), syllable structure simplification was found in 194 children (20.3%), distortion was found in 41 children (4.3%), and assimilation was found in 17 children (1.8%). Among these 4 types of processes, the occurrence of substitution was highest in all the age groups, ranging from 30.3% (20/66) to 94.5% (104/110). The occurrence of syllable structure simplification ranged from 27.3% (30/110) to 91.0% (91/100) in the age groups of 1.5-<3.0 years and 0.9% (1/114) to 7.9% (9/114) in the age groups of 3.0-<7.0 years. The occurrence of distortion ranged from 7.3% (8/110) to 19.1% (21/110) in the age groups of 1.5-<3.0 years and 0 (0/114) to 2.7% (3/111) in the age groups of 3.0-<7.0 years. The occurrence of assimilation was very low in all age groups, ranging from 0 (0/114) to 3.0% (3/100) among all age groups. For substitution, the occurrence order of mainly individual processes from high to low was listed as follows: retroflexion 35.4% (339/958), deretroflexion 31.6% (303/958), lateralization 27.9% (267/958), stopping 17.8% (171/958), backing 14.2% (136/958), palatalization 10.9% (104/958), fronting 10.6% (102/958), and nasalization 5.8% (56/958). From the 4.0-<4.5 years of age group onwards, the phonological processes in initial consonants all met suppression criteria (the occurrence of processes was reduced to<10%) except retroflexion, deretroflexion, and lateralization. Conclusions: The processes of syllable structure simplification and distortion mainly appears in the early stage of speech sound development, while substitution is the major form of phonological pattern in initial consonants found in developmental speech errors. By 4 years of age, phonological processes in initial consonants almost disappear. The remaining processes that persisted for a longer period of time are retroflexion, deretroflexion, and lateralization.

[Revision rate of periprosthetic joint infection post total hip or knee arthroplasty of 34 hospitals in China between 2015 and 2017: a multi-center survey]

Objective: To investigate the rate of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) revision surgeries and clinical information of hip-/knee- PJI cases nationwide from 2015 to 2017 in China. Methods: An epidemiological investigation. A self-designed questionnaire and convenience sampling were used to survey 41 regional joint replacement centers nationwide from November 2018 to December 2019 in China. The PJI was diagnosed according to the Musculoskeletal Infection Association criteria. Data of PJI patients were obtained by searching the inpatient database of each hospital. Questionnaire entries were extracted from the clinical records by specialist. Then the differences in rate of PJI revision surgery between hip- and knee- PJI revision cases were calculated and compared. Results: Total of 36 hospitals (87.8%) nationwide reported data on 99 791 hip and knee arthroplasties performed from 2015 to 2017, with 946 revisions due to PJI (0.96%). The overall hip-PJI revision rate was 0.99% (481/48 574), and it was 0.97% (135/13 963), 0.97% (153/15 730) and 1.07% (193/17 881) in of 2015, 2016, 2017, respectively. The overall knee-PJI revision rate was 0.91% (465/51 271), and it was 0.90% (131/14 650), 0.88% (155/17 693) and 0.94% (179/18 982) in 2015, 2016, 2017, respectively. Heilongjiang (2.2%, 40/1 805), Fujian (2.2%, 45/2 017), Jiangsu (2.1%, 85/3 899), Gansu (2.1%, 29/1 377), Chongqing (1.8%, 64/3 523) reported relatively high revision rates. Conclusions: The overall PJI revision rate in 34 hospitals nationwide from 2015 to 2017 is 0.96%. The hip-PJI revision rate is slightly higher than that in the knee-PJI. There are differences in revision rates among hospitals in different regions.

[Postoperative rehabilitation effect and influence factors of adult prelingual deafness with cochlear implant]

Objective: To investigate whether pre-lingual deafness adult caused by inadequate auditory compensation in childhood can benefit from cochlear implants and the related influencing factors. Methods: A total of 26 prelingual deafness as experimental group [11 males and 15 females, the age of operation was (24.5±5.7) years] and 13 postlingual deafness as control group [5 males and 8 females, the age at the time of operation was (42.2±11.4) years] were recruited. Objective assessment included hearing threshold and speech recognition rate tests while wearing cochlear implants. Subjective assessment used Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire to assess hearing-related quality of life of subjects. The changes of hearing ability in the prelingual deafness group before and after operation and the differences with the postlingual deafness group were compared, and the correlation between speech recognition ability and the age diagnosed as severe or profound deafness, the age of hearing aid invalid, and duration of wearing cochlear implant were analyzed as factor indicators. All statistical results were analyzed by SAS 9.4 software. Results: In terms of objective indicators, the speech recognition rate of pre-lingual deafness was significantly lower than that of post-lingual deafness [(35.4±28.0)% vs (80.9±8.0)%,t=7.67, P<0.001], while there was no statistical difference in hearing threshold between the two groups [(34.8±4.0) dB HL vs (33.1±3.7) dB HL, t=1.30, P>0.05]. The indicators in the subjective questionnaire showed that the prelingual deafness group was only weaker in advanced sound perception, confidence and total mean score than the post-lingual deafness group (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in other aspects(P>0.05), meanwhile, all indicators of the prelingual deafness group were significantly improved compared with the preoperative level (P<0.001). There was a moderate positive correlation between the hearing quality and the speech recognition rate in the prelingual deafness group(r=0.51, P=0.008). The regression analysis showed that the invalid age of hearing aid was the exact influencing factor of speech recognition rate. Conclusions: Certain prelingual deaf adults can adapt to cochlear implants and obtain different degrees of auditory assistance. Compared with the improvement of objective auditory ability assessment, the patient who received cochlear implantation gain more improvement in auditory related quality of life subjectively. The ineffective age of preoperative hearing aid is an important factor, which needs to be aroused sufficient preoperative attention.

Artemisia ordosica Polysaccharide Alleviated Lipopolysaccharide-induced Oxidative Stress of Broilers via Nrf2/Keap1 and TLR4/NF-κB Pathway

Artemisia ordosica is one of the main shrubby perennials belonging to Artemisia species of Asteraceae and could be used in folk Chinese/Mongolian medicine to treat symptoms of various inflammatory ailments. The present study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of dietary Artemisia ordosica polysaccharide (AOP) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced oxidative stress in broilers via Nrf2/Keap1 and TLR4/NF-κB pathway. A total of 192 1-day-old Arbor Acres male broilers were randomly allotted to four treatments with 6 replicates (n = 8): (1) CON group, non-challenged broilers fed basal diet; (2) LPS group, LPS-challenged broilers fed basal diet; (3) AOP group, non-challenged broilers fed basal diet supplemented with 750 mg/kg AOP; (4) LPS+AOP group, LPS-challenged broilers fed basal diet supplemented with 750 mg/kg AOP. The trial included starter phase (d 1-14), stress period Ⅰ (d 15-21), convalescence Ⅰ (d 22-28), stress period Ⅱ (d 29-35) and convalescence Ⅱ (d 36-42). During stress period Ⅰ (on d 15, 17, 19 and 21) and stress period Ⅱ (on d 29, 31, 33 and 35), broilers were injected intra-abdominally either with LPS solution or with an equal amount of sterile saline. The results showed that dietary AOP supplementation alleviated LPS-induced reduction in antioxidant enzyme activity and excessive production of ROS, 8-OHdG and PC in serum of broilers challenged with LPS. Moreover, dietary AOP supplementation alleviated the decrease of T-AOC and activities of SOD, CAT and GPx in liver of broilers challenged with LPS by increasing expression of Nrf2, and inhibiting over-expression of Keap1 both at gene and protein level. Additionally, dietary AOP supplementation decreased the over-production of IL-1β and IL-6 in liver of broilers challenged by LPS through decreasing mRNA expression of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB P65, IL-1β and IL-6, and alleviating the increase of protein expression of TLR4, IKKβ, NF-κB P65, IL-1β, IL-6, and the decrease of protein expression of IkBα. In conclusion, dietary AOP supplementation could alleviate LPS-induced oxidative stress through Nrf2/Keap1 and TLR4/NF-κB pathway.

[Predictive value of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio on myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients]

Objective: To explore the predictive value of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients. Methods: In this single-center retrospective cohort study, we collected and analyzed data form 133 severe COVID-19 patients admitted to Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University (Eastern District) from January 30 to February 18, 2020. Patients were divided into myocardial injury group (n=29) and non-myocardial injury group (n=104) according the presence or absence of myocardial injury. The general information of patients was collected by electronic medical record database system. All patients were followed up for 30 days, the organ injury and/or dysfunction were monitored, the in-hospital death was compared between the two groups, and the disease progression was reevaluated and classified at 14 days after initial hospitalization. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors of myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients. The ROC of NLR was calculated, and the AUC was determined to estimate the optimal cut-off value of NLR for predicting myocardial injury in severe cases of COVID-19. Results: There was statistical significance in age, respiratory frequency, systolic blood pressure, symptoms of dyspnea, previous chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease history, white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, C-reactive protein, platelet counting, aspartate transaminase, albumin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, urea, estimated glomerular filtration rate, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, D-dimer, CD3⁺, CD4⁺, partial pressure of oxygen, partial pressure of CO₂, blood oxygen saturation, other organ injury, clinical outcome and prognosis between patients with myocardial injury and without myocardial injury (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that NLR was a risk factor for myocardial injury (OR=1.066，95%CI 1.021-1.111，P=0.033). ROC curve showed that NLR predicting AUC of myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients was 0.774 (95%CI 0.694-0.842), the optimal cut-off value of NLR was 5.768, with a sensitivity of 82.8%, and specificity of 69.5%. Conclusion: NLR may be used to predict myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients.

[The relationship between maternal pregnancy-related anxiety and executive function in preschool children: a cohort study]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between pregnancy-related anxiety and executive function in preschool children. Methods: From October 2008 to October 2010, pregnant women and live births were enrolled in the study. The expectant pregnant women and their live singleton fetuses were recruited from the antenatal care clinic of Ma'anshan maternal and Child Health Care Hospital. The cohort was followed up from April 2014 to June 2015. A total of 3 556 pairs of maternal and child were included in the final analysis. The questionnaire was used to collect the relevant information of pregnant women and the follow-up data of children. Pregnancy-related anxiety was assessed by using the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire, and the executive function of preschool children was assessed by using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool (BRIEF) (Parent Version). Bi-nominal logistic regression was used to analyze the effect of pregnancy-related anxiety on executive function in preschool children. Results: The average age of 3 556 pregnant women was (26.78±3.42) years old, and the average age of preschool children was (4.32±0.46) years old. The proportion of primipara, only child and urban children was 94.96% (3 375/3 556), 91.37% (3 249/3 556) and 88.98% (3 164/3 556), respectively. The prevalence of pregnancy-related anxiety in the 1(st) and 3(rd) trimester was 17.60% (626/3 556) and 6.30% (224/3 556) respectively. The prevalence of abnormal global executive composite was 8.54% (304/3 556). The prevalence of anxiety in both trimesters was 7.68% (273/3 556). After controlling for confounding factors such as monthly family income, education years of parents, maternal age, pre-pregnancy weight, previous adverse pregnant outcomes, number of pregnancy, pregnant complications, the main residence of the children in the past six months, and Z score of birth weight, compared with the group without pregnancy-related anxiety in either 1(st) or 3(rd) trimester, pregnancy-related anxiety in the 1(st) trimester increased the risk of preschool children's abnormality in inhibition, working memory, planning/organization and global executive composite, and the OR (95%CI) value was 1.52 (1.08-2.13), 1.41 (1.14-1.74), 1.62 (1.13-2.33), and 1.60 (1.18- 2.17), respectively. Anxiety in the 3(rd) trimester increased the risk of children's abnormality in inhibition and global executive composite, and the OR (95%CI) value was 1.90 (1.15-3.12) and 1.69(1.05-2.71). Pregnancy-related anxiety in both trimesters increased the risk of abnormality in inhibition, working memory, planning/organization, and global executive composite in preschool children, and the OR (95% CI) value was 2.41 (1.61-3.62), 2.19 (1.66-2.88), 1.80 (1.11-2.92), and 2.41 (1.65-3.52), respectively. Conclusion: The exposure to pregnancy-related anxiety during pregnancy increases the risk of executive dysfunction in preschool children.

[The humor characteristics of young epileptic patients and its correlation with depression]

Objective: To explore the characteristics of humor in young adult epileptic patients and examine the relationship between humor and depression. Methods: We recruited 55 young adult epileptic patients who visited outpatient clinic of the Department of Neurology of Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College between October 2018 and March 2019 and 44 healthy controls to complete the multidimensional humor scale (MSHS), humor style questionnaire (HSQ) and Beck depression scale-Ⅱ (BDI-Ⅱ), and compared their differences between the two groups. Results: The results showed that the young adult patients with epilepsy (PWEs) were affected in humor creation, coping with humor and the totally scores of MSHS. The scores of humor creation, coping with humor and the totally scores of MSHS in the young epilepsy patients were 25.3±5.9, 16.7±5.0 and 61±10, which were significantly lower than those in the control group 29.8±6.1, 21.1±2.6 and 71±8. As for the humor style, self-defeating humor scores in PWEs were higher than controls 14±5 vs 9±3, and the self-enhancing humor scores were lower than controls 18±7 vs 23±6. The scores of BDI-Ⅱ in PWEs were significantly higher than those of normal controls 13±7 vs 6±4. Pearson's correlation test showed that the scores of BDI-Ⅱ were negatively correlated with humor creation, coping with humor, the totally scores of MSHS and self-enhancing humor scores (r=-0.566--0.721, P<0.05), while it was positively correlated with self-defeating humor scores (r=0.818, P<0.05). Among the clinically relevant factors, the scores of BDI-Ⅱ were correlated with seizure control and gender. Multiple stepwise linear regression showed that coping with humor, self-defeating and self-enhancing humor scores were closely related with depression in young epileptic adults. Conclusion: The young adults with epilepsy are affected in sense of humor and humor style, which are closely related with depression.

Overexpression of paralogues of the wheat expansin gene TaEXPA8 improves low-temperature tolerance in Arabidopsis

Low temperature is one of the important factors limiting wheat yield in cold regions. Expansins are nonenzymatic proteins that loosen cell walls and play important roles in diverse biological processes related to cell wall modification, including development and stress tolerance. Many studies have shown that expansins are involved in resistance to various abiotic stresses, such as heat and drought. However, the role of expansins in response to low-temperature stress remains unclear. Based on our previous transcriptome data of a winter wheat cultivar Dongnongdongmai 2 (DN2), we found that one of the expansin genes, TaEXPA8, was significantly induced by low temperature, indicating a role for TaEXPA8 in cold resistance. In this study, the paralogous TaEXPA8 genes TaEXPA8-A, TaEXPA8-B and TaEXPA8-D were cloned by RT-PCR. These three genes were then transformed into Arabidopsis by the floral dip method. Expression patterns of TaEXPA8 genes in different tissues and in response to several abiotic stresses and hormones were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The results showed that TaEXPA8-A and TaEXPA8-B were expressed mainly in roots, while TaEXPA8-D was expressed predominantly in flowers. TaEXPA8 genes were induced by low-temperature and drought. The overexpression of TaEXPA8-B and TaEXPA8-D enhanced low-temperature resistance and had increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activity and soluble protein, MDA and proline content. In summary, our study suggested that the expansins TaEXPA8-B and TaEXPA8-D are involved in the response to low temperature and possibly play a role in cold resistance by activating the protective enzyme system.

[Association between elective cesarean delivery and duration of breastfeeding in Ma'anshan City from 2013 to 2014]

Objective: To analyze the correlation between elective cesarean delivery and duration of breastfeeding in Ma'anshan city from 2013 to 2014. Methods: From May 2013 to September 2014, a total of 3 474 pregnant women with the first prenatal checkup were recruited from Ma'anshan maternal and child health care hospital. Finally, 3 109 pregnant women were included after exclusion of those with terminated pregnancies, adverse birth outcomes, twin or multiple pregnancies, breech traction, breech midwifery and loss of delivery information. Demographic data of pregnant women, mode of delivery and breast feeding of children were collected through questionnaires and hospital records. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between elective cesarean delivery and duration of breastfeeding in children, with the mode of delivery as independent variable and the duration of breastfeeding as dependent variable. Results: The age of 3 109 subjects was (26.6±3.6) years old, the rate of vaginal delivery was 51.1% (1 589), and the rate of elective cesarean delivery was 46.4% (1 443), among which the rate of non-indicative elective cesarean delivery was 26.4% (820), the rate of indicative elective cesarean delivery was 20.0% (623), and the rate of emergency cesarean delivery was 2.5% (77). The proportion of breastfeeding lasting until 4, 12 and 18 months was 45.0% (1 348/2 998), 23.7% (702/2 962) and 5.2% (154/2 944), respectively. After adjusting the confounding factors, compared with vaginal delivery, the OR (95%CI) values of breastfeeding for 4 months in indicative elective cesarean delivery and non-indicative elective cesarean delivery women were 0.870(0.714-1.059), 0.795(0.665-0.949), and the OR (95%CI) values of breastfeeding for 12 months were 0.772(0.611-0.975), 0.755(0.610-0.934), respectively. Conclusion: Elective cesarean delivery may result in shorter duration of breastfeeding in children.

[Three-level logistic analysis related to influencing factors on condom use among female sex workers aged 35 years and above in Qingdao]

Objective: To analyze the influencing factors on condom use among 35-years-or-older female sex workers (OFSWs) in Qingdao by using the three-level logistic model. Methods: From March to June 2014, OFSWs were recruited in Qingdao, using respondent-driven sampling. Related information on OFSWs and their recent five sexual partners (not including husband) were obtained by conducting a questionnaire survey on OFSWs. A Three-level logistic regression model was conducted to analyze the influencing factors of condom use between OFSWs and their sexual partners. Results: A total of 420 OFSWs participated the survey as well as information on 2 100 sexual partners. Results from the empty model showed that the use of condoms among OFSWs having an aggregation that related to the levels of working sites and their own behaviors. Results from the three-levels of logistic model analysis showed that, OFSWs that having had junior middle school education (OR=1.450, 95%CI: 1.054-1.994)/high school education or above (OR=2.264, 95%CI: 1.215-4.222), knowing the function of condom use (OR=2.004, 95%CI: 1.273-3.154) would have higher rates of condom use. OFSWs with higher score of attitude on condom use (OR=0.796, 95%CI: 0.745-0.849), having had syphilis infections in the past (OR=0.657, 95%CI: 0.478-0.902) would have lower rate of condom use. For the sexual partners, the rate of condom use among OFSWs' regular partners were higher than that of OFSWs' boyfriends (OR=15.291, 95%CI: 8.441-27.700; OR=29.032, 95%CI: 15.413-54.682). Conclusion: Condom use of OFSWs was affected by behaviors of both OFSWs themselves and their sexual partners. Prevention and control programs should focus on OFSWs and their sexual partners at the same time. The key intervention contents should include target populations as: OFSWs with low level of education, having had infections of syphilis, those who do not use condoms with their trusted partners.

[Expression and significance of STOX1 in villi and placenta at different stages of normal gestation]

Objective: To investigate the expression and significance of STOX1 in different stages of gestation villi and placenta. Methods: Totally 137 cases of normal villi and placenta of pregnant women were collected from the Department of Obstetrics of Shanghai Pudong Hospital from October 1(st) 2015 to February 28(th) 2018, including 64 cases of early pregnancy (early pregnancy group) which consists of 32 cases of 5-7(+6) weeks gestation (early pregnancy group A) and 32 cases of 8-11(+3) weeks gestation (early pregnancy group B), 28 cases of 14-26 weeks gestation(middle pregnancy group) and 45 cases of 37-41 weeks gestation (late pregnancy group). The expression and localization of STOX1 mRNA and protein in placenta were evaluated by RT-qPCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results: (1)STOX1 was positively expressed in the cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts as well as interstitial and vascular endothelial cells of all groups. (2)STOX1 mRNA expression in each group was significantly different (P<0.05), the lowest was in the early pregnancy group A(0.007 8±0.000 4), which increased along with the progression of gestational age(P<0.05),and reached the highest level in the third trimester(0.064 4±0.001 3). (3)The protein level of STOX1 in different stages of normal pregnancy was 0.53±0.20 in early pregnancy group A;0.62±0.37 in early pregnancy group B;0.70±0.03 in middle pregnancy group and 0.81±0.04 in late pregnancy group respectively; which was positively related with the progression of gestational age (P<0.05). Conclusion: The expressions of STOX1 is gradually increasing along with the normal pregnancy progression, suggesting that it might be involved in proliferation, differentiation and infiltration and (or) apoptosis of trophoblast cells and the development of the placenta.

[Qualitative pathological assessment of liver fibrosis regression after antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B]

Objective: To investigate the methods for qualitative pathological assessment of dynamic changes in liver fibrosis/cirrhosis after antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), since antiviral therapy can partially reverse liver fibrosis and cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B and semi-quantitative, rather than qualitative, pathological assessment is often used for the research on liver fibrosis regression. Methods: Previously untreated CHB patients with liver fibrosis and cirrhosis were enrolled, and liver biopsy was performed before treatment and at 78 weeks after the antiviral therapy based on entecavir. The follow-up assessment was performed once every half a year. Based on the proportion of different types of fibrous septum, we put forward the new qualitative criteria called P-I-R classification (predominantly progressive, predominantly regressive, and indeterminate) for evaluating dynamic changes in liver fibrosis. This classification or Ishak fibrosis stage was used to evaluate the change in liver fibrosis after treatment and Ishak liver inflammation score was used to evaluate the change in liver inflammation after treatment. Results: A total of 112 CHB patients who underwent liver biopsy before and after treatment were enrolled, and among these patients, 71 with an Ishak stage of ≥3 and qualified results of live biopsy were included in the final analysis. Based on the P-I-R classification, 58% (41/71) were classified as predominantly progressive, 29% (21/71) were classified as indeterminate, and 13% (9/71) were classified as predominantly regressive; there were no significant differences between the three groups in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, HBeAg positive rate, HBV DNA, and liver stiffness (P < 0.05). After treatment, the proportion of predominantly progressive, indeterminate, or predominantly regressive patients changed to 11% (8/71), 11% (8/71), and 78% (55/71), respectively. Among the 35 patients who had no change in Ishak stage after treatment, 72% (25/35) were classified as predominantly regressive and had certain reductions in the Laennec score, percentage of collagen area, and liver stiffness. Conclusion: This new P-I-R classification can be used to assess the dynamic changes in liver fibrosis after antiviral therapy in CHB patients.

Visible light communication using dual camera on one smartphone

Dual camera is becoming increasingly prevalent among smartphone camera schemes these days. This paper demonstrates a system prototype by using the color and monochrome cameras on one smartphone simultaneously for visible light communication. To achieve this, we propose a novel dual-modulation scheme. The baseband signal is firstly modulated by color ratio modulation-color shift keying (CRM-CSK) to broadcast color ratio information that can be distinguished by the color camera. Next to it, gray level modulation (GLM) is utilized to generate CRM symbols with gray levels that can be distinguished by the monochrome camera. Our experiment shows a significant improvement in the downlink data rate of the optical camera communication (OCC) using a single light source.

Pre-protective effects of dietary chitosan supplementation against oxidative stress induced by diquat in weaned piglets

The protective effects of chitosan (CS) supplementations on oxidative stress induced by diquat in weaned piglets were investigated. A total of 36 crossbreed piglets with an average live body weight (BW) of 8.80 ± 0.53 kg were weaned at 28 ± 2 days and randomly divided into six dietary treatments (n = 6): control (basal diet), negative control (10 mg diquat/kg BW injected to piglets fed with basal diet), and basal diet treatments containing either 250, 500, 1000, or 2000 mg/kg of CS administered to piglets injected with 10 mg diquat/kg BW. The experiment conducted for 21 days which consisted of pre-starter period (14 days) and starter period (7 days). BW, feed intake, and fecal consistency were monitored. Blood samples were collected to determine antioxidative and immune parameters. CS supplementation improved the growth performance and decreased fecal score of piglets from days 1 to 14. Diquat also induced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses by decreasing the activities of antioxidant and regulating cytokines. But dietary CS alleviated these negative effects induced by diquat that showed decreasing serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines but increasing activities of antioxidant enzymes and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Results indicated that CS attenuated the oxidative stress of piglets caused by diquat injection.

[Epidemiological characteristics and relevant factors on the comorbidity of hyperactivity behavior and allergic diseases in preschool children]

Objective: To understand the epidemiological characteristics and relevant factors on the comorbidity of hyperactivity behavior and allergic disease among preschool children in urban areas of Ma'anshan city. Methods: During April 2014 to April 2015, 91 kindergartens over 3 years old were investigated. In the investigation, 16 439 questionnaires were distributed to parents, and 15 291 valid questionnaires were collected. Conners abbreviated symptom questionnaire (brief symptom questionnaire) was filled out by parents to assess the children's hyperactive behaviors. Information of allergic disease history was reported by parents, including allergic dermatitis/eczema, food/drug allergy, allergic rhinitis and asthma. Multivariate unconditional logistic regression was used to analyze the relevant factors of comorbidity of hyperactivity behavior and allergy diseases. Results: The average age of the 15 291 children were (4.5±1.0) years old, among which 53.7% (8 218/15 291) were boys. The prevalence of hyperactive behaviors was 8.6%(1 317/15 291), and the comorbidity rate of hyperactivity and allergic deseases was 1.7% (258/15 291). After confounding factors including gender, age, delivery mode, father's age and pregnancy complications adjusted, poor sleep quality (OR=4.45, 95%CI: 2.85-6.94), long duration of watching TV at weekend (OR=1.39, 95%CI: 1.00-1.94) and poor eating behavior (OR=1.78, 95%CI: 1.07-2.98) were relevant factors of the comorbidity of hyperactivity and allergic diseases. Conclusion: The prevalence of comorbidity of hyperactivity behavior and allergic disease among preschool children in urban areas of Ma'anshan city was not high. Poor night sleep quality, long duration of watching TV and frequently picky eating were relevant factors of the comorbidity of hyperactive behaviors and allergic diseases.

[Potential interaction effect on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder between mother's educational level and preschoolers' dietary pattern]

Objective: To explore the interaction effect between mother's educational level and preschoolers' dietary pattern on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: In 2014, there were 16 439 children aged 3-6 years old from 91 kindergartens in Ma'anshan municipality of China. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and the 10-item Chinese version of the Conners' Abbreviated Symptom Questionnaire (C-ASQ) were administered to assess the usual dietary intake and symptoms on ADHD. Social-demographic information was collected through questionnaires. Unconditional logistic regression was used to analyze the multiplication interaction effect between mother's educational level and preschoolers' dietary pattern on ADHD. Excel software was used to analyze the additive interaction effect of mother's educational level and preschoolers'dietary pattern on ADHD. Results: Results showed that factors as: mother's low educational level[aOR=1.31 (1.13-1.52)], scores related to preschoolers in the top quintile of "food processing" [aOR=1.31 (1.16-1.48)] and "snack" [aOR=1.45 (1.29-1.63)]patterns showed greater odds while preschoolers in the top quintile of "vegetarian" [aOR=0.80 (0.71-0.90)]showed less odds for having ADHD symptoms. Both multiplication and additive interactions were observed between mothers with less education. The processed dietary patterns (OR=1.17, 95%CI: 1.11-1.25), relative excess risk of interaction (RERI), attributable proportion (AP) and the interaction index (SI) appeared as 0.21, 0.13 and 1.47, respectively. Multiplication interaction was observed between levels of mother's low education and the snack dietary pattern (OR=1.21, 95%CI: 1.14-1.29), with RERI, AP and SI as 0.49, 0.26 and 2.36, respectively. However, neither multiplication interaction or additive interaction was noticed between levels of mother's low education and the vegetarian dietary pattern (OR=0.97, 95%CI: 0.92-1.03), with RERI, AP and SI as 0.09, 0.05 and 1.15, respectively. Conclusions: Levels of mother's low education presented a risk factor for ADHD symptoms in preschool children. Both multiplication interaction and additive interaction were observed between mother's low education levels and the processed dietary pattern. Multiplication interaction was noticed between mother's education levels and the snack dietary pattern but not with the vegetarian dietary pattern.

Analysis on the local structures for 3d1 impurities (Ti3+ and V4+ ) in KTiPO4

Making use of the perturbation formulae for 3d¹ ions (Ti³⁺ and V⁴⁺ ) under orthorhombically compressed octahedra, the spin Hamiltonian parameters (g factors: g_x , g_y , g_z and hyperfine structure constants: A_x , A_y , A_z ) and local structures of the 3d¹ impurity centres C₁ , C₂ , and C₃ in KTiOPO₄ crystals are theoretically analyzed in a consistent way. The remarkable local distortions (i.e., the relative axial compression ratios 11.2%, 7.0%, and 5.5% along Z axis and the relative planar bond length variation ratios 15.9%, 7.0%, and 6.0%) are obtained for the [Ti2O₆ ]^9- cluster on Ti2 site and [VO₆ ]^8- clusters on Ti1 and Ti2 sites, respectively, in view of the Jahn-Teller effect. The above local orthorhombic distortion parameters in the impurity centres are found to be more significant than the host Ti1 and Ti2 sites in pure KTiOPO₄ . The sequences (C₁  > C₂  > C₃ ) of the local orthorhombic distortion parameters ρ and τ are in accordance with those of the axial and perpendicular anisotropies Δg and δg of g factors, respectively.

[Dietary patterns among preschoolers and its association with education level of the parents]

Objective: To identify the dietary patterns among preschoolers in Ma'anshan, and to investigate its association with the education levels of the parents. Methods: A total of 16 439 children aged 3-6 were recruited from 91 kindergartens in Ma'anshan city to participate in the study. Food frequency and socio-demographic information were collected through questionnaire survey. Dietary data was collected using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and principal-components analysis was used to derive the dietary patterns. Ordinal multinomial logistic regression was employed to explore the association between the education level of parents and the dietary patterns. Results: Five dietary patterns- "processed" , "beverage" , "snack" , "protein" and "vegetarian" were identified. Data showed that the total variance was 48.02% and the cumulative proportion of processed reached 24.78%. Low educational level of the father was positively associated with both "beverage" (OR=1.36, 95%CI: 1.15-1.63) and "snack" dietary pattern (OR=1.21, 95%CI: 1.01-1.43). Low educational level of mother was positively associated with the "processed" (OR=1.31, 95%CI: 1.09-1.57) and "beverage" dietary pattern (OR=1.48, 95%CI: 1.23-1.77), and showed a negative correlation with "protein" (OR=0.62, 95%CI: 0.52-0.74) and "vegetarian" dietary pattern (OR=0.72, 95%CI: 0.60-0.86). Conclusion: Findings from this study showed that preschoolers in Ma'anshan tend to choose unhealthy dietary pattern. Dietary pattern was directly influenced by the parents, and especially the education level of the mothers.

[Percentile curves on growth among breastfed 1-4 year olds in 8 urban areas]

Objective: To construct the growth percentile curves of weight-, length/height-, head circumference and BMI for 1 to 4 year-olds who had been breastfed in urban areas. Methods: Data was from the longitudinal study on 1 025 breastfed children aged 1 to 4 years, in 8 urban areas during 2008-2012. MLwiN2.25 was selected to construct the multi-level models of weight-for-age,length for-age, head circumference-for-age and BMI-for-age. The models included many growth relevant factors including gender, age, family and social demographic characteristics, perinatal factors, parent biological characteristics, dietary patterns and diseases of childen. Based on these models, predicted values (P(3), P(15), P(50), P(85), P(97)) were estimated to fit the percentiles reference curves. Results: The percentiles reference curves of weight-, length/height, head circumferenceand BMI-for-age for the 1-4 year-olds who had been breastfed in the urban areas were developed. Differences of all the indicators between boys and girls were statistically significant (P<0.001). Weight, length/height, head circumference and BMI were higher in boys than those in girls, with an average differences as 0.56-0.76 kg, 0.89-1.12 cm, 0.64-0.91 cm and 0.31-0.52 kg/m(2). Conclusion: The percentiles reference curves on growth, constructed by the longitudinal observational data and scientific method, were important in reflecting the development of breastfed children in urban areas.

[Previous medical or surgical abortions and subsequent risk of preterm birth: a birth cohort study]

Objective: To understand the association between medical abortion (MA) or surgical abortion (SA) and the risk of preterm birth (PTB) in subsequent pregnancy. Methods: The prospective cohort study was conducted in Ma'anshan, Anhui province. The information about demographic characteristics and previous MA or SA of 3 474 pregnant women were collected before 14 gestational weeks. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to compare the rates of preterm birth based on the history of previous MA or SA, and 3 256 live births were included in the analysis. Results: The PTB rate and spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) rate were 4.12% (n=134) and 2.49% (n=81) respectively. Previous MA was associated with an increased risk of total PTB (RR=2.00, 95%CI: 1.04-3.85 for one MA and RR=3.58, 95%CI: 1.04-12.30 for two or more MAs) and sPTB (RR=2.51, 95% CI: 1.23-5.15). The risk of PTB in women with one SA (RR=0.67, 95%CI: 0.42-1.01) or more SA (RR=0.97, 95%CI: 0.51-1.85) did not differ significantly compared with the women with no history of SA. Conclusion: This study suggests that medical abortion could increase the risk of PTB or sPTB.

Helicity-dependent photocurrent induced by the in-plane transverse electric current in an InAs quantum well

We report the observation of a new type of helicity-dependent photocurrent induced by an in-plane transverse direct electric current in an InAs quantum well. The amplitude of the photocurrent depends linearly on the transverse current. Moreover, the observed incident azimuth-angle dependence of this photocurrent is different from that induced by the circular photogalvanic effect. This new photocurrent appears as a result of an asymmetrical carrier distribution in both the conduction and valence bands induced by the transverse current. The photoexcited carrier density created by interband transition processes is thus modulated and leads to the observed new azimuth-angle dependence. The observed efficient generation of the helicity-dependent photocurrent offers an effective approach to manipulate electron spins in two-dimensional semiconductor systems with the added advantage of electrical control of the spin-related photocurrent in spintronic applications.

[Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and fetal outcomes: a prospective birth cohort study]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relations between the second and third trimesters intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and the fetal outcomes, in order to provide medical advice for early detection and intervention on ICP.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was conducted in Ma' anshan, Anhui, China (Ma'anshan Birth Cohort, MABC). Pregnant women within 14 weeks of gestation were consecutively recruited when standards were met. Anthropometrics were collected in early pregnancy. Maternal serum total bile acid level (TBA) was collected in the second and third trimesters, and women were viewed as cases if the results were accorded with clinical diagnosis. Logistic regressions were conducted to examine the associations of the second and third trimester ICP, and fetal outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 2 978 pregnant women were included in this study. The rate of ICP was 6.5% (n=196), and the rates of the second and third trimesters were 1.4% (n=43) and 5.1% (n=153) respectively. After controlling for potential confounders, we found that ICP from both the second and third trimesters could increase the risks of preterm birth, low birth weight (LBW), fetal distress and meconium-stained amniotic fluid.OR values (95% CI) were 6.42 (2.59-15.93) and 3.73 (2.07-6.72) for preterm birth while 6.52 (2.19-19.45) and 4.90 (2.43-9.90) for LBW, 2.91 (1.27-6.67) and 1.88 (1.11-3.19) for fetal distress and 2.34 (1.19-4.61) and 1.66 (1.11-2.48) for meconium-stained amniotic fluids, respectively. The risk of adverse fetal outcomes caused by the second trimester ICP appeared significantly higher than the third trimester ICP.

CONCLUSION

ICP from the second and third trimesters significantly increased the risk of adverse fetal outcomes, suggesting that clinicians should put more attention to the second trimester ICP. Both early detection and intervention were of great importance in reducing the adverse fetal outcomes.

[Characteristics of social supportive network serving the older female sex workers in Qingdao]

OBJECTIVE

To overview the status of social support on older female sex workers (OFSWs) in Qingdao and to better understand the characteristics of this egocentric social support networks.

METHODS

Ucinet 6 software was used to analyze the characteristics of egocentric social networks which involving 400 OFSWs who were recruited by respondent-driven sampling (RDS) method in Qingdao during March 2014 to June. Structural equation model (SEM) was used for data analysis, fitted test and estimation.

RESULTS

A total of 400 OFSWs of Qingdao nominated 1 617 social supportive members, and the average size of egocentric social networks of OFSWs was (4.0 ± 1.5). Among all the alter egos (social support network members of the egos), 613 were female sex workers fellows, accounted for the most important part of all the social ties (37.91%). Characteristics of small size and non-relative relationships were seen more obviously among OFSWs with non-local registration and the ratings of emotional support (4.42±2.38) was significantly lower than the tangible support (5.73 ± 1.69) (P<0.05). Result of the SEM showed that homogeneity, joint strength and the network structure were significantly related to the ratings of average support. The total standard effects of which were 0.110, 0.925 and -0.069 respectively. It seemed that homogeneity can affect the degree of support, both directly and indirectly.

CONCLUSION

OFSWs in Qingdao tended to ask for social support from friends who were also female sex workers. Stronger the joint strength between egos and alters, greater the homogeneity between the two was seen. Tighter relations among the alter egos, higher degree of average social support of the egos were acquired.

Cardiac failure of the twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence pump twin during the first-trimester: a case report

This article reports a case of prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis and monitoring of the twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence pump twin and describes progression of the disorder to a severe heart failure and fetal death. Genetic analyses were also performed for both fetuses by array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH).

The role of the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) "missing self" model in unrelated donor HSCT: a meta-analysis

Some studies have found that donor-recipient killer cell immunoglobulin g-like receptor (KIRs) ligand compatibility or incompatibility influences the prognosis of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation between unrelated individuals, although the conclusions of these studies are controversial. We performed a meta-analysis concerning unrelated donor transplantation with donor-recipient KIRs compatible or incompatible. A higher 5-year overall survival rate (odds ratio [OR] = 1.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03 to 3.61, P = .04) was found in KIR-mismatched transplantations; however, no difference was observed in the incidence of grade 2 to 4 acute graft-vs-host disease (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.71 to 1.24, P = .64), 5-year relapse rate (OR = 1.05, CI = 0.75 to 1.47, P = .77), or transplantation/treatment-related mortality (OR = 0.61, CI = 0.15 to 2.51, P = .50). Our meta-analysis confirmed that incompatibility in KIR ligands favors 5-year overall survival rate but has no effect on the incidence of grade 2 to 4 acute graft-vs-host disease, relapse, or transplantation/treatment-related mortality.

A meta-analysis of bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of ovarian cancer

INTRODUCTION

Angiogenesis plays an important role in the biology of ovarian cancer. The clinical efficacy and side effects of bevacizumab, the vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor, on survival and toxicity in women with this ovarian cancer, was not conclusive. We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis in order to clarify the efficacy of bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of ovarian cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched the electronic database of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and CNKI for clinical controlled trials of comparing bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy and chemotherapy alone in the treatment of ovarian cancer. The primary outcomes of eligible studies included median progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicities such as enterobrosis, hypertension, albuminuria, congestive heart failure (CHF), neutrophils, thrombosis, and bleeding. The Hazard ratio (HR) and relative risk were used for the meta-analysis and were expressed with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). All the statistical analyses were carried out by  Stata 11.0 software (http://www.stata.com; Stata Corporation, College Station, TX, USA).

RESULTS

We included 5 studies with 1798 cases in the bevacizumab combined with the chemotherapy group and 1810 subjects in the chemotherapy alone group. The pooled results showed that bevacizumab + chemotherapy compared with chemotherapy alone can significant prolong the median PFS (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.46-0.82; P < 0.05) but not the OS (HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.59-10.9; P > 0.05); the toxicity analysis showed that the enterobrosis, hypertension, albuminuria, neutrophils, thrombosis, and bleeding were significantly increased in the bevacizumab + chemotherapy group compared with chemotherapy alone (Pall < 0.05). But the CHF risk between the two groups was not statistical different (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy prolonged the median PFS in patients with ovarian cancer but also increase the risk of developing enterobrosis, hypertension, albuminuria, neutrophils, thrombosis, and bleeding.

Closing the knowledge gap in secondhand smoke exposure among children: employment of a five-minute household survey in China

OBJECTIVE

The 2010 Global Burden of Disease study unexpectedly reports no health burden associated with secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in children 5-17 years of age. One possible reason for this error is that children under 13 years of age are not considered in standard community surveys of SHS exposure. This study aims to use a 5-min household survey to estimate the prevalence of SHS exposure among children in urban and rural China.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

METHODS

A multi-stage stratified sample of 1120 urban and rural households with 3073 residents from the Ningbo, China, was identified and one adult member from each household was administered a brief survey about the demographic characteristics and smoking status of all household residents.

RESULTS

Adjusting for the sampling design and clustering within households, 63% of children less than 7 years of age, 53% of the children 7-12 years of age, and 54% of the children 13-17 years of age were living in households with daily smokers. Controlling for the number of male residents, significantly more households with daily smokers were located in rural areas (p < 0.001) and the average education level of adults in households with daily smokers was significantly lower than that among adults in households without daily smokers (p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

The heavy household exposure of children in China to SHS is an unrecognized public health problem that demands urgent policy and programmatic responses. The brief household survey developed for this study is an easy method for monitoring the prevalence of SHS exposure of children over time that could be useful in community-based tobacco control initiatives.

Efficiency of dispersive wave generation from a dual-frequency beat signal

The emission of dispersive waves (DWs) by temporal solitons can be described as a cascaded four-wave mixing process triggered by a pair of monochromatic continuous waves (CWs). We report experimental and numerical results demonstrating that the efficiency of this process is strongly and nontrivially affected by the frequency detuning of the CW pump lasers. We explain our results by showing that individual cycles of the input dual-frequency beat signal can evolve as higher-order solitons whose temporal compression and soliton fission govern the DW efficiency. Analytical predictions based on the detuning dependence of the soliton order are shown to be in excellent agreement with experimental and numerical observations.

CIAPIN1 gene silencing enhances chemosensitivity in a drug-resistant animal model in vivo

Overexpression of cytokine-induced apoptosis inhibitor 1 (CIAPIN1) contributes to multidrug resistance (MDR) in breast cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of CIAPIN1 gene silencing by RNA interference (RNAi) as a treatment for drug-resistant breast cancer and to investigate the effect of CIAPIN1 on the drug resistance of breast cancer in vivo. We used lentivirus-vector-based RNAi to knock down CIAPIN1 in nude mice bearing MDR breast cancer tumors and found that lentivirus-vector-mediated silencing of CIAPIN1 could efficiently and significantly inhibit tumor growth when combined with chemotherapy in vivo. Furthermore, Western blot analysis showed that both CIAPIN1 and P-glycoprotein expression were efficiently downregulated, and P53 was upregulated, after RNAi. Therefore, we concluded that lentivirus-vector-mediated RNAi targeting of CIAPIN1 is a potential approach to reverse MDR of breast cancer. In addition, CIAPIN1 may participate in MDR of breast cancer by regulating P-glycoprotein and P53 expression.

Protective effect of ischaemic preconditioning in total knee arthroplasty

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the genomic response induced by ischaemic preconditioning (IPC) in muscle biopsies taken from the operative leg of total knee arthroplasty patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The gene expression profile GSE21164 was extracted from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Patients undergoing primary knee arthroplasty were randomized to control and treatment (IPC) groups. Muscle biopsies were taken from the quadriceps muscle of the operative knee at the immediate onset of surgery (T0) and at 1 hour into surgery (T1). Limma package of R language was used to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between control and treatment group. To find out specific genes, DEGs at T0 were compared with DEGs at T1. Scansite was used to find out the binding domain for specific DEGs. Functional enrichment analysis was done by DAVID.

RESULTS

Of the genes queried on the Affymetrix Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 microarray, we identified 263 (T0) and 266 (T1) DEGs compared to the control group. Down-regulation of DEGs related with regulation neuron apoptosis was observed at T1. The most significant function of DEGs at T0 was related with neurological system process. The most specific DEG was FAM125B at T0 and T1 time points. Its common binding domain was SH3.

CONCLUSIONS

The protective effect of IPC was associated with altered expression of genes involved in neurological system process and regulation of neuron apoptosis. The dynamic expression of FAM125B can be a supervised marker during the surgery. IPC may be of potential benefit in this and other musculoskeletal conditions.

Generalized dispersive wave emission in nonlinear fiber optics

We show that the emission of dispersive waves in nonlinear fiber optics is not limited to soliton-like pulses propagating in the anomalous dispersion regime. We demonstrate, both numerically and experimentally, that pulses propagating in the normal dispersion regime can excite resonant dispersive radiation across the zero-dispersion wavelength into the anomalous regime.

Cascaded Bragg scattering in fiber optics

We report on a theoretical and experimental study of cascaded Bragg scattering in fiber optics. We show that the usual energy-momentum conservation of Bragg scattering can be considerably relaxed via cascade-induced phase-matching. Experimentally we demonstrate frequency translation over six- and 11-fold cascades, in excellent agreement with derived phase-matching conditions.

Cascaded phase matching and nonlinear symmetry breaking in fiber frequency combs

We report theoretical, numerical, and experimental studies of cascaded phase matching in fiber frequency combs and show how this mechanism is directly connected to the dynamics of supercontinuum generation. In particular, linking cascaded four-wave mixing with direct higher-order nonlinear processes allows us to derive a simple phase matching condition that governs nonlinear symmetry breaking in the presence of higher-order dispersion. We discuss how this mechanism provides a physical interpretation of soliton-induced Cherenkov radiation and associated spectral recoil in terms of phase-matched frequency mixing pumped by bichromatic pump pairs in the soliton spectrum. Theoretical and numerical predictions are confirmed via experiments using both quasicontinuous wave and picosecond pulse excitation.

High conversion efficiency fiber optical parametric oscillator

We present a χ(3) fiber parametric oscillator with high conversion efficiency from the input pump wave to the output parametric sidebands. By introducing an intracavity filter detuned from the oscillator's phase-matched frequency conversion efficiencies considerably higher than those possible when operating at the phase-matched frequency are demonstrated. Experimentally we are able to obtain a total internal conversion efficiency in excess of 93% from the pump to the Stokes and anti-Stokes sidebands.

Spectral amplitude and phase measurement of a 40 GHz free-running quantum-dash modelocked laser diode

We present a linear self-referenced measurement of the spectral amplitude and phase of a free-running quantum-dash modelocked laser diode. The technique is suitable for measuring optical signals with repetition rates up to 100 GHz. In contrast to many other linear techniques it requires no external electronic clock synchronized to the signal under test. Using this method we are able to compensate for the intracavity dispersion of the diode to demonstrate 500 fs pulses at a repetition rate of 39.8 GHz. We also use the technique to characterize the dependence of the diode's intracavity dispersion on the applied current.

Multiwatt level output powers from a tunable fiber optical parametric oscillator

We present an all-fiber high average power fiber optical parametric oscillator based on standard telecommunications dispersion-shifted fiber. The output of the oscillator is continuously tunable out to ±28 THz from the pump wavelength. The average power of the oscillator's output is in excess of 1.9 W in each sideband out to ±25 THz detuning. Between 5 and 14 THz detuning, the average power of the Stokes output is in excess of 3.8 W.

Gain statistics of a fiber optical parametric amplifier with a temporally incoherent pump

We present an investigation of the statistics of the gain fluctuations of a fiber optical parametric amplifier pumped with a temporally incoherent pump. We derive a simple expression for the probability distribution of the gain of the amplified optical signal. The gain statistics are shown to be a strong function of the signal detuning and allow the possibility of generating optical gain distributions with controllable long-tails. Very good agreement is found between this theory and the experimentally measured gain distributions of an incoherently pumped amplifier.

Gain spectrum of an optical parametric amplifier with a temporally incoherent pump

We experimentally investigate the performance of a fiber optic parametric amplifier pumped with a temporally incoherent pump. The measured gain curves are compared with both a simple theory capable of predicting the maximum attainable mean incoherent parametric gain and full numerical simulations of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation. Parametric gain slopes seven times higher than that of an equivalent coherently pumped parametric amplifier are reported.

Long-wavelength emission InAs quantum dots grown on InGaAs metamorphic buffers

In this work, InAs quantum dots (QDs) grown on a linear graded InGaAs metamorphic buffer layer by molecular beam epitaxy have been investigated. The growth of the metamorphic buffer layers was carefully optimized, yielding a smooth surface with a minimum root mean square of roughness of less than 0.98 nm as measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM). InAs QDs were then grown on the buffer layers, and their emission wavelength at room-temperature is 1.49 microm as measured by photoluminescence (PL). The effects of post-growth rapid thermal annealing (RTA) on the optical properties of the InAs QDs were investigated. After the RTA, the PL peak of the QDs was blue-shifted and the full width at half maximum decreased.

Widely tunable photonic crystal fiber Fabry-Perot optical parametric oscillator

We present a widely tunable low-threshold chi(3) optical parametric oscillator. The oscillator cavity is formed by butt coupling dichroic mirrors to either end of a highly nonlinear index-guiding photonic crystal fiber. This yields a singly resonant Fabry-Perot oscillator with a high feedback fraction for the resonant parametric sideband. The tuning range of the output parametric sideband stretches from 23 to 164 THz above the pump frequency. The threshold power of the oscillator is only 15 W.

[The effect of LPC on the pacemaker current I(f) in ischemic myocardium and the influence of ISO on it]

AIM

To observe the effect of LPC on the pacemaker current I(f) in ischemic myocardium and if the effect could be reversed by ISO.

METHODS

By using two microelectrode voltage clamp technique to measure and compare the amplitude of I(f) of ischemic myocardium in the presence of LPC and LPC add ISO.

RESULTS

Ischemia decreased the amplitude of I(f) at all membrane potential levels. Adding LPC 2 x 10(-5) mol/L to the ischemia-like solution, the amplitude of I(f) decreased further (n = 5, P < 0.05), it means that LPC aggravated the inhibitory effect of "ischemia" on the pacemaker activity. Adding LPC 2 x 10(-5) mol/L and ISO 1 x 10(-6) mol/L together to the ischemia-like solution, the amplitude of I(f) increased significantly at membrane potential -90 mV to - 120 mV (n = 8, P < 0.05) compared with ischemia condition, but still did not reach the levels before ischemia.

CONCLUSION

In acute myocardial ischemia condition, toxic metabolite LPC accentuated its inhibitory effect on pacemaker current I(f), a local release and accumulation of catecholamine could not completely reverse their inhibitory effect.

[The effect of ginkgolide B on action potential, L-type calcium current and delayed rectifier potassium current in ischemic guinea pig ventricular myocytes]

AIM

To study the effect of ginkgolide B from Ginkgo leave on action potential (AP), L-type calcium current (I(Ca) - L) and delayed rectifier potassium current (I(K)) in normal and ischemic guinea pig ventricular myocytes.

METHODS

With the standard microelectrode technique to record action potential and whole-cell variant patch-clamp technique to record calcium and potassium current.

RESULTS

(1) Under normal condition, ginkgolide B shortened APD and had no effect on RP, AP and V(max). Ginkgolide B also increased I(K) in a concentration dependent manner and had no significant effect on I(Ca) - L (2) Under ischemia condition, it was observed that shortening of APD, APA, decrease V(max) and depolarization of RP was induced by ischemia, but ginkgolide B could attenuate above--mentioned changes. (3) Under ischemia condition, I(Ca) - L and I(K) were inhibited, perfusion with ischemia solution containing ginkgolide B could reverse the decrease of I(Ca) - L and I(K).

CONCLUSION

Ginkgolide B had protective effect on ischemic myocardium to prevent ischemic arrhythmia.

Integrin ?2?1 modulates EGF stimulation of Rho GTPase-dependent morphological changes in adherent human rhabdomyosarcoma RD cells

The ability of cells to undergo shape changes is essential for diverse cellular functions including cell growth, differentiation, and movement. The present study examines how an integration of the function of alpha2beta1 integrin with that of the receptor for epidermal growth factor (EGFR) modulates EGF-stimulated morphological changes in human rhabdomyosarcoma RD transfectant cells. Upon EGF stimulation, RD transfectant cells that lacked alpha2beta1 integrin expression (RDpF) underwent contraction; in contrast, expression of alpha2beta1 on RD cells (RDX2C2) resulted in transient cell spreading. Integrin alpha2 cytoplasmic domain played a critical role in the observed alpha2beta1-mediated conversion from a cell rounding to a cell spreading phenotype. Thus, the expression of an alpha2 cytoplasmic domain deletion variant (X2C0) or a chimeric alpha2beta1 containing the cytoplasmic domain of alpha4 (X2C4) or alpha5 (X2C5), instead of alpha2, failed to mediate spreading upon EGF stimulation. Using dominant negative (DN) mutants of RhoGTPases, results revealed that RhoA activation was required for both EGF-stimulated responses of cell rounding and spreading, Cdc42 functioned in the re-spreading of cells after undergoing EGF-stimulated contraction, and Rac1 was required in alpha2beta1-mediated RD cell spreading. Therefore, alpha2beta1 integrin function can switch the Rho GTPase-dependent cell shape changes in RD cells from an EGF-stimulated cell contraction to a spreading morphology. Together, results show that integrin alpha2 cytoplasmic domain plays an indispensable role in the ability of integrin alpha2beta1 to modulate EGF stimulation of Rho-GTPase-dependent morphological changes in RD cells.

[Effect of daphnetin on the exo-erythrocytic stage of rodent malaria]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the activity of daphnetin(DPNT) against the exo-erythrocytic stage of rodent malaria.

METHODS

Groups of ten male ICR mice were infected by intraperitoneal injection with sporozoites of P. yoelii. Mice were administered daphnetin 0.5 hr postinfection on d0 and once per day for three additional consecutive days(d1-d3) by the i.g. route. The effects of daphnetin at various dosages and those of the combination of daphnetin with primaquine were assessed by the number of mice with negative Giemsa-stained slides from tail blood on the seventh day after infection and by the average number of red blood cells (RBC) infected in 1,000 RBC observed on the eleventh or twelfth day after infection. We also observed the effect of daphnetin on the concentration of Hb in ICR mice.

RESULTS

Daphnetin exhibited no detectable antimalarial effect on the exo-erythrocytic stage of P. yoelii, while the antimalarial efficacy of DPNT 50 mg/(kg.d) combined with 5 mg/(kg.d) PQ, was comparable to PQ 10 mg/(kg.d) x 4 d i.g. in mice infected with sporozoites of P. yoelii. The concentration of Hb in ICR mice administered with DPNT 50 mg/(kg.d) x 4 d decreased on the eighth day after administration.

CONCLUSION

Daphnetin alone showed no anti-exoerythrocytic activity in vivo. The combination of DPNT 50 mg/(kg.d) with PQ 5 mg/(kg.d) showed promising antimalarial efficacy comparable to that of PQ 10 mg/(kg.d). Administration of DPNT caused anemia in ICR mice.