Search

Objectives To describe the influence of the socioeconomic development on worldwide age-standardized incidence and mortality rates, as well as mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) and 5-year net survival of urologic cancer patients in recent years. Methods The Human Development Index (HDI) values were obtained from the United Nations Development Programme, data on age-standardized incidence/mortality rates of prostate, bladder and kidney cancer were retrieved from the GLOBOCAN database, 5-year net survival was provided by the CONCORD-3 program. We then evaluated the association between incidence/MIR/survival and HDI, with a focus on geographic variability as well as temporal patterns during the last 6 years. Results Urologic cancer incidence rates were positively correlated with HDIs, and MIRs were negatively correlated with HDIs. Prostate cancer survival also correlated positively with HDIs, solidly confirming the interrelation among cancer indicators and socioeconomic factors. Most countries experienced incidence decline over the most recent 6 years, and a substantial reduction in MIR was observed. Survival rates of prostate cancer have simultaneously improved. Conclusion Development has a prominent influence on urologic cancer outcomes. HDI values are significantly correlated with cancer incidence, MIR and survival rates. HDI values have risen along with increased incidence and improved outcomes of urologic caner in recent years.

P2-type layered manganese oxides are recognized as one of the most compelling cathode candidates for sodium-ion batteries, but these materials suffer from the intrinsic structural Jahn-Teller distortion and oxygen loss, which causes limited rate capability and long-cycle fading under a wide potential window. Here we demonstrate a new approach to realize a simultaneous enhancement on both rate performance and long-term duration over a wide potential window through dilute La lattice doping and perovskite surface modification. We reveal for the first time through both DFT calculations and experimental results, that the La-doping and perovskite LCM surface decoration can efficiently suppress oxygen loss by providing O 2p holes and oxygen vacancies, and meanwhile enhance the electronic and ionic conductivity. The as achieved LNCM/LCM (LaNa0.06Co0.06Mn0.88O3/ Na0.56Co0.17Mn0.8La0.03O2) demonstrates a record high rate performance of 20C (1C=180 mA g−1) and outstanding cycling performance of 300 cycles (70% capacity retention) at a wide potential range (1.5-4.4V), which outperform the state-of-the-art Mn-based layered oxides. We confirm the reversible solid solution reaction during the charge/discharge process using the operando synchrotron XRD analysis. This work demonstrates an applicable approach to realize significant improvement on both rate capability and cycle stability without sacrificing the potential window.

Many countries have undertaken large and high-profile payment-for-ecosystem-services (PES) programs to sustain the use of their natural resources. Nevertheless, few studies have comprehensively examined the impacts of existing PES programs. Grassland Ecological Compensation Policy (GECP) is one of the few pastorally focused PES programs with large investments and long duration, which aim to improve grassland quality and increase herder income. Here we present empirical evidence of the effects of GECP on grassland quality and herder income. Through a thorough and in-depth econometric analysis of remote sensing and household survey data, we find that, although GECP improves grassland quality (albeit to only a small extent) and has a large positive effect on income, it exacerbates existing income inequality among herders within their local communities. The analysis demonstrates that the program has induced herders to change their livestock production behavior. Heterogeneity analysis emphasizes the importance of making sure the programs are flexible and are adapted to local resource circumstances., China has introduced a payment-for-ecosytsem-services program called GECP which is focused on pastoral communities in grassland areas. Here, the authors combine remote sensing and household survey data to find small improvement in grassland quality and a significant positive effects on the income of herders.

Age-related functional decline is a physiological phenomenon that occurs in all organ systems. However, the acceleration and early occurrence of this process are observed in cardiovascular pathologies, including hypertension. This study aimed to investigate SIRT1–PTEN signaling in aortic tissue from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and changes in SIRT1 and PTEN expression following treatment with Pinggan-Qianyang decoction (PGQYD) and explore the mechanism involved in the treatment of hypertensive vascular aging with traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, we used two rat models: spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) at 14 and 64 weeks of age and WKY rats at 64 weeks of age. The degree of irritability and rotation tolerance time were evaluated to determine the effects of PGQYD on animal behavior. The morphology of the thoracic aorta was examined by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining and electron microscopy. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and anti-superoxide anion content were detected. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) staining was used to observe the thoracic aorta during vascular aging. RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence, and Western blot analysis were performed to detect changes in the mRNA and protein expression of p53, p21, SIRT1, and PTEN in rat aortic tissues. Behavioral tests and histological and morphological analyses showed the remarkable amelioration of vascular aging after PGQYD treatment compared with that in the older SHRs. Moreover, PGQYD significantly decreased vascular aging in SHRs, as indicated by reduced SA-β-Gal staining, NADPH oxidase activity, and p53 and p21 expression, and increased anti-superoxide anion and SOD content. Furthermore, PGQYD increased SIRT1 and PTEN expression, but the downregulated expression of SIRT1 induced by a SIRT1 inhibitor abolished the PGQYD-induced antiaging effects on gene expression and antioxidant activity and enhanced PTEN expression. PGQYD could ameliorate vascular aging effects in SHRs, which may have been mediated via the regulation of SIRT1–PTEN signaling in aortic tissue.

Objective To investigate the value of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and lymph node metastasis in predicating distant metastasis in patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LD-SCLC). Methods Clinical pathological data of LD-SCLC patients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between August 2009 and October 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The age, gender, smoking, TNM, NSE, NLR, chemotherapy cycle, radiotherapy, surgery and new metastasis of lymph nodes of 47 cases with distant metastasis and 47 cases without distant metastasis in 1 year were compared. Finally, factors influencing distant metastasis were determined as the predictors. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve model was established based on logistic regression analysis of the factors obtained. Results Distant metastasis mainly involved brain (17/47), liver (17/47) and bone (17/47). Univariate analysis showed that patients with new lymph node metastasis, high NSE, pretreatment hilar lymph node metastasis and NLR were more prone to have distant metastasis. Multivariate analysis showed that new lymph node metastasis, high NSE, NLR and pretreatment hilar lymph node metastasis were independent predictors. The predictive model established using these predictors had an AUC of 0.872 (95%CI: 0.803-0.941), a sensitivity of 76.60% and a speciality of 80.85%. Conclusion The new lymph node metastasis, NLR and NSE are predictors of distant metastasis, and thus, may have a profound impact on treatment decision making. Patients with lower NLR and NSE expression levels and less new metastasis of lymph nodes have a lower distant metastasis rate.

BACKGROUND: Larotrectinib and entrectinib are FDA-approved therapies for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase gene fusion (TRK fusion-positive...

This article explores the relationship between land size and productivity in the livestock sector. Household panel data from pastoral areas in northwestern China were analysed. Results suggest an inverse relationship (IR) between land size and the number of livestock per ha. IR can be largely explained by labour input intensity, which is negatively correlated with land size. We find that household’s labour demand is not separable from household’s labour supply and households’ decisions to rent land and hire labour for grazing are significantly related to the labour–land endowment ratio. These findings are consistent with the Chayanovian explanation that labour input intensity varies with farm size due to unobserved interhousehold variation in shadow wage rates. In addition, participation in the labour market does not significantly influence the IR for the employer, while the practice of land renting reduces, but does not eliminate, the IR for the lease. These findings point towards the potential for using factor markets to optimise pasture‐based livestock production scale, and the need to promote the factor market development to achieve efficiency in resource use.

Based on the data of the National Statistical Yearbook from 2012 to 2019, the spatial pattern and changes of human resources in Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM) in China were measured to the main factors affecting the spatial distribution of human resources in TCM by means of agglomeration degree analysis and spatial autocorrelation analysis, as well as the spatial econometric model. Results indicate as this: (1) The spatial distribution of human resources of TCM in China is not balanced, and the regional differences are significant. (2) TCM human resources have significant spatial autocorrelation and agglomeration characteristics, and the spatial aggregation patterns are the type of “low-high” and “low-low” mainly. (3) Per capita health care expenditure is the most important economic environment factor, and the number of consultations in TCM-type health institutions is the most critical health care factor.

This paper aim at analyzing the innovation efficiency and ability of pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in Jilin Province. Methods: Factor analysis was used to divide the innovation indicators of pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in Jilin Province from 2010 to 2018 into four(4) dimensions, which cover incentive effect, innovation vitality, innovation ability and R&D investment. The weights of the four(4) dimensions in innovation efficiency were presented based on radar chart. Results: The innovation efficiency of the pharmaceutical industry in Jilin Province continued to improve. However the overall comprehensive capabilities were converging and there were shortcomings. Incentive effect and innovation vitality have a positive effect on innovation efficiency, as well as having a certain driving force on innovation ability, but there is a slow decline. The contribution of innovation efficiency can be judged by sorting the internal indicators of each dimension based on the eigenvector algorithm of radar chart. Conclusion: The comprehensive ability of innovation efficiency of the pharmaceutical industry in Jilin Province has been continuously improving. It is the phenomenon that exists in the way of innovation capital investment promoting innovation ability. The comprehensive ability of innovation efficiency has shortcomings and is converging year by year, which is inversely related to innovation investment and innovation vitality.

Objective. The purpose of the study is to explore the spatial distribution pattern and evolution characteristics of Chinese Traditional medicine human resources in order to provide a scientific basis for the construction of TCM talents. Methods. Spatial auto-correlation and relative development rate were used to measure the spatial distribution pattern and change characteristics of human resources in TCM. Results. The number of TCM human resources in China increased year by year from 2012 to 2019, but the ratio of TCM physicians to TCM pharmacists was unbalanced. Global Moran’s I showed that the human resources of TCM in China presented spatial auto-correlation, and the Moran index of all indicators showed a decline, and then an increasing trend. Local Moran’s I showed that the characteristics of TCM human resource aggregation were obvious, and the aggregation mode changed greatly. Conclusion. The distribution of human resources in TCM of China is unevenly distributed, and there is obvious regional agglomeration in some provinces. Improving the rationality of the distribution of human resources in Chinese medicine in China can promote balanced development among regions.

Soil pollution due to toxic elements (TEs) has been a core environmental concern globally, particularly in areas with developed industries. In this study, we sampled 300 surface (0–0.2 m) soil samples from Yuyao City in eastern China. Initially, the geo-accumulation index, potential ecological risk index, single pollution index, and Nemerow composite pollution index were used to evaluate the soil contamination status in Yuyao City. Ordinary kriging was then deployed to map the distribution of the soil TEs. Subsequently, indicator kriging was utilized to identify regions with high risk of TE pollution. Finally, the positive matrix factorization model was used to apportion the sources of the different TEs. Our results indicated that the mean content of different TEs kept the order: Zn &gt, Cr &gt, Pb &gt, Cu &gt, Ni &gt, As &gt, Hg ≈ Cd. Soil pollution was mainly caused by Cd and Hg in the soil of Yuyao City, while the content of other TEs was maintained at a safe level. Regions with high TE content and high pollution risk of TEs are mainly located in the central part of Yuyao City. Four sources of soil TEs were apportioned in Yuyao City. The Pb, Hg, and Zn contents in soil were mainly derived from traffic activities, coal combustion, and smelting. Meanwhile, Cu was mainly sourced from industrial emissions and atmospheric deposition, Cr and Ni mainly originated from soil parental materials, and Cd and As were produced by industrial and agricultural activities. Our study provides important implications for improving the soil environment and contributes to the development of efficient strategies for TE pollution control and remediation.

Clinical trials in the era of precision cancer medicine aim to identify and validate biomarker signatures which can guide the assignment of individually optimal treatments to patients. In this article, we propose a group sequential randomized phase II design, which updates the biomarker signature as the trial goes on, utilizes enrichment strategies for patient selection, and uses Bayesian response-adaptive randomization for treatment assignment. To evaluate the performance of the new design, in addition to the commonly considered criteria of type I error and power, we propose four new criteria measuring the benefits and losses for individuals both inside and outside of the clinical trial. Compared with designs with equal randomization, the proposed design gives trial participants a better chance to receive their personalized optimal treatments and thus results in a higher response rate on the trial. This design increases the chance to discover a successful new drug by an adaptive enrichment strategy, i.e., identification and selective enrollment of a subset of patients who are sensitive to the experimental therapies. Simulation studies demonstrate these advantages of the proposed design. It is illustrated by an example based on an actual clinical trial in non-small-cell lung cancer.

Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy is a novel cellular immunotherapy that is widely used to treat hematological malignancies, including acute leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Despite its remarkable clinical effects, this therapy has side effects that cannot be underestimated. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is one of the most clinically important and potentially life-threatening toxicities. This syndrome is a systemic immune storm that involves the mass cytokines releasing by activated immune cells. This phenomenon causes multisystem damages and sometimes even death. In this study, we reported the management of a patient with recurrent and refractory multiple myeloma and three patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia who suffered CRS during CAR-T treatment. The early application of tocilizumab, an anti-IL-6 receptor antibody, according to toxicity grading and clinical manifestation is recommended especially for patients who suffer continuous hyperpyrexia, hypotensive shock, acute respiratory failure, and whose CRS toxicities deteriorated rapidly. Moreover, low doses of dexamethasone (5-10 mg/day) were used for refractory CRS not responding to tocilizumab. The effective management of the toxicities associated with CRS will bring additional survival opportunities and improve the quality of life for patients with cancer.

In 2008, as part of a national experiment, Chengdu prefecture implemented ambitious property rights reforms including complete registration of all land together with measures to ease transferability and eliminate migration restrictions. Results from a difference‐in‐difference analysis of the National Statistics Bureau's regular household survey suggest that the reforms increased consumption and income, in particular for less wealthy and less educated households, with estimated benefits well above the cost of implementation. Local labour supply increased with the young shifting towards agriculture and the old towards off‐farm employment. The reforms also contributed to higher agricultural yields and profits through three channels, namely: (i) greater rental market activity that transferred land to more productive producers; (ii) substitution of purchased inputs for labour; and (iii) a shift out of grains towards vegetables, corn, and oilseeds all of which offer higher levels of profitability. All of these findings are consistent with the notion that, without reforms, imperfections in factor markets undermined investment and functioning of land and labour markets, preventing high‐value peri‐urban land from being used most effectively and reducing job creation.

As part of a national experiment, in 2008, Chengdu prefecture launched a series of property rights reforms, among them complete registration of all land and measures to ease transferability and eliminate labour market restrictions. A comparison of villages inside and outside the prefecture's border using a difference‐in‐difference approach suggests that the reforms have reduced administrative reallocations; aligned land use closer to economic incentives, mainly through market transfers; and stimulated enterprise startups. These results, most of which are more pronounced for villages closer to Chengdu city, illuminate the potential gains from factor market reform.

Using data from the Living Standards Measurement Study in Malawi, we examine the spillover effects of tobacco farms on children’s labor supply, education, and health. To address potential endogeneity, the share of tobacco farms in a community is instrumented by the change in tobacco buyers following termination of the intermediate buyer system. We find that, as tobacco cultivation is labor-intensive, children in communities with more tobacco growers spend more time as casual laborers and are less likely to advance to the next grade. Adverse health effects, measured by the likelihood of suffering from illnesses related to green tobacco sickness, are estimated to be larger than previously documented. This affects not only “working-age” children but also children too young to work on tobacco farms. Moreover, exposure to large-scale tobacco cultivation is estimated to reduce the height-for-age z-score of children aged 6–60 months. These findings highlight the importance of raising awareness and taking measures to protect children against green tobacco.

For measuring the optical parameters of biological tissues accurately and rapidly, this study built an optical parameters measurement system based on near-infrared (NIR) Diffuse Photon Density Waves (DPDW) technology using frequency sweep modulation. The transmitted swept optical amplitude and phase can be nonlinearly fitted according to the physical diffusive approximation equation then to obtain the absorption coefficient and reduced scattering coefficient of the tissue phantoms, respectively. The experimental results of the 20 Intralipid solutions show that the average absolute errors of μ a and μ s ′ are 0.066 cm−1 and 0.716 cm−1, respectively, and the correlation coefficients between the measured and true values were 0.965 and 0.989, respectively. The experimental results of the 3 solid phantoms show that the average absolute errors of μ a and μ s ′ are 0.1140 cm−1 and 0.0023 cm−1, respectively. Therefore, the DPDW technology with frequency sweep modulation can detect the optical parameters of the tissue phantoms accurately and quickly, and it would be optimized for tissue tomography imaging and blood components noninvasively detection in vivo.

To investigate the clinical value of the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) response following transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Data on patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer B staging system were analyzed. An AFP response was defined as a decrease in AFP of more than 20% after a TACE session. The association between AFP response and treatment outcome regarding imaging response and overall survival (OS) was explored. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to identify independent risk factors for OS after TACE.Of the enrolled 376 patients with elevated serum AFP20 ng/mL, 214 (57%) with AFP responses were identified. AFP responders had improved median survival than non-responders (20 vs. 12 months, P = 0.002). AFP response was significantly correlated with imaging response (P 0.001). The Cox proportional hazards model revealed that AFP response was an independent factor for OS (hazard ratio, 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.45-0.78; P 0.001). In stratified analyses, an AFP response achieved improved survival in patients with tumor diameters ≤5 cm, diameters5 cm, tumor number ≤3 and without underlying cirrhosis.The AFP response indicates enhanced survival after TACE in patients with intermediate-stage BCLC.

Background Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has demonstrated proven efficacy in some hematologic cancers. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of LCAR-B38M, a dual epitope-binding CAR T cell therapy directed against 2 distinct B cell maturation antigen epitopes, in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) multiple myeloma (MM). Methods This ongoing phase 1, single-arm, open-label, multicenter study enrolled patients (18 to 80 years) with R/R MM. Lymphodepletion was performed using cyclophosphamide 300 mg/m2. LCAR-B38M CAR T cells (median CAR+ T cells, 0.5 × 106 cells/kg [range, 0.07 to 2.1 × 106]) were infused in 3 separate infusions. The primary objective is to evaluate the safety of LCAR-B38M CAR T cells; the secondary objective is to evaluate the antimyeloma response of the treatment based on the general guidelines of the International Myeloma Working Group. Results At data cutoff, 57 patients had received LCAR-B38M CAR T cells. All patients experienced ≥ 1 adverse events (AEs). Grade ≥ 3 AEs were reported in 37/57 patients (65%); most common were leukopenia (17/57; 30%), thrombocytopenia (13/57; 23%), and aspartate aminotransferase increased (12/57; 21%). Cytokine release syndrome occurred in 51/57 patients (90%); 4/57 (7%) had grade ≥ 3 cases. One patient reported neurotoxicity of grade 1 aphasia, agitation, and seizure-like activity. The overall response rate was 88% (95% confidence interval [CI], 76 to 95); 39/57 patients (68%) achieved a complete response, 3/57 (5%) achieved a very good partial response, and 8/57 (14%) achieved a partial response. Minimal residual disease was negative for 36/57 (63%) patients. The median time to response was 1 month (range, 0.4 to 3.5). At a median follow-up of 8 months, median progression-free survival was 15 months (95% CI, 11 to not estimable). Median overall survival for all patients was not reached. Conclusions LCAR-B38M CAR T cell therapy displayed a manageable safety profile and demonstrated deep and durable responses in patients with R/R MM. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03090659; Registered on March 27, 2017, retrospectively registered Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13045-018-0681-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

BACKGROUND The goal of this study was to observe the effect of the apoptosis of Kupffer cells (KCs) selectively induced by zoledronate liposomes following the hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in the rat liver transplantation model and to explore its mechanisms. MATERIAL AND METHODS The rat liver transplantation model was established using the improved Kamada method. Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: no liver transplantation or drug treatment (Group A); donor rats were injected with 1 mL normal saline through the tail vein for 3 continuous days before transplantation, and the donor liver was preserved in cold for 2 hours (Group B); donor rats were injected with 1 mL zoledronate liposomes (0.001 mg/mL) through the tail vein for 3 continuous days before transplantation, and the donor liver was preserved in cold for 2 hours (Group C). At 24 hours after transplantation, the receiving rats were sacrificed for sampling. RESULTS Compared with Group C and Group A, the bile secretion flow was dramatically decreased in Group B, whereas the serum liver function index [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), glutamate aminotransferase (AST), and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT)] was significantly increased (P

Introduction and objective To improve the complete remission (CR) rate of newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients and alleviate the severe side effects of double induction chemotherapy, we combined a standard regimen with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) priming chemotherapy to compose a new double induction regimen for AML patients who failed to achieve CR after the first course. Patients and methods Ninety-seven patients with AML who did not achieve CR after the first course of standard chemotherapy were enrolled. Among them, 45 patients received G-CSF priming combined with low-dose chemotherapy during days 20–22 of the first course of chemotherapy, serving as priming group, 52 patients were administered standard chemotherapy again, serving as control group. Results Between the two groups there were no differences in the French–American–British (FAB) classification, risk status, the first course of chemotherapy, blood cell count or blasts percentage of bone marrow before the second course. But the CR rate was significantly higher and the adverse effect was much lower in the priming group than the control group. Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that WBC level before the second course and the selection of the second chemotherapy regimen were two independent factors for long survival of patients. Discussion These results elucidate that standard chemotherapy followed by G-CSF priming new double induction chemotherapy is an effective method for AML patients to improve CR rate and reduce adverse effects.

Ingestion of button batteries occurs in about ten persons per one million persons each year, with most of them children, and one in every 1000 battery ingestions leads to serious injuries. This study aimed to describe the clinical features and outcome of ingestion or inhalation of button batteries in children spanning a decade from January, 2006 to December, 2016 at a tertiary care hospital. We reviewed the clinical records of children who sought treatment for inhaled or ingested button batteries at our hospital during the study period. Data on gender, age, time from ingestion to treatment, site of impaction, imaging findings, and outcomes were retrieved and analyzed. We identified 116 pediatric cases of ingestion or inhalation of button batteries. Their mean age was 26 months. The time from ingestion or inhalation of button batteries to treatment was 0.5 hours to 2 weeks. Ninety-seven (83.6%) button batteries were located in the nasal cavity, 13 (11.2%) in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract including 6 in the esophagus, and 7 in the stomach and lower GI tract, and 6 (5.2%) in the auditory tract. Twenty-one (21.6%) children with nasal button batteries had preoperative septal perforations and one (1.0%) had postoperative septal perforation. One child with esophageal button battery developed esophageal stricture and one died of sudden cardiac arrest perioperatively. One child had auditory damages in the right tympanic membrane and ossicles. Inhalation or ingestion may occur in the nasal cavities, the esophagus and GI tract and the auditory tract. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are required for a satisfactory outcome and ingested or inhaled button batteries require different treatment protocols.

Recent studies have confirmed that β-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs) are expressed on the surface of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, and that the sympathetic nervous system can regulate bone metabolism by activating them. β-AR blockers (BBs) are commonly used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in the elderly. It is important to investigate whether BBs have a beneficial effect on bone metabolism in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, so as to expand their clinical application. This article reviews the effects of BB on bone metabolism and the progress of clinical research.

The Shanghai and Shenzhen 300 Index covers the epitome of 60% of the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets, and is a high-level summary of the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets. If we can predict the closing price of the Shanghai and Shenzhen 300 Index, it will guide the investment of the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets, promote the sound development of the stock market, and improve the overall economic strength of the country. For the study of nonlinear systems, neural networks have unique advantages, especially BP neural networks, which can train, learn and predict complex data. In this paper, BP neural network is used to establish the BP neural network model of the Shanghai and Shenzhen 300 Index. The opening price, the highest price and the lowest price of the Shanghai and Shenzhen 300 Index are used as input variables, and the closing price is taken as the output variable to study and predict the closing of the Shanghai and Shenzhen 300 Index. Through the model results, it is found that the BP neural network model can better simulate the Shanghai and Shenzhen 300 Index and achieve the effect of predicting the Shanghai and Shenzhen 300 Index. Applying BP neural network model to nonlinear estimation of the Shanghai and Shenzhen 300 Index, solving nonlinear problems, can promote the healthy development of China’s stock market.

Rationale & Objective Regional variation in chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence in patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has not been well characterized. Study Design Spatial and temporal comparative analysis. Setting & Participants MarketScan databases were used to identify patients with CKD overall and subgroups of patients with CKD with and without T2DM in the United States. Outcomes Spatial patterns in CKD prevalence based on year, regional clusters of CKD between years, and characteristics of patients in high-prevalence states. Analytical Approach Geomapping was used to visualize the state-level data of CKD prevalence generated from 2013 to 2018. We used univariate local indicators of spatial association (LISA) to evaluate geographic differences in prevalence, differential LISA for changes in CKD prevalence over time, and the χ2 test to identify patient characteristics in the top-20th percentile states for the prevalence of CKD. Results In univariate LISA, low-low clusters, in which a state has a low CKD prevalence and the surrounding states have a below-average CKD prevalence, were observed in the northwest region throughout the study period, regardless of the T2DM status, indicating a consistently low prevalence of CKD clustered in these areas. High-high clusters were observed, regardless of the T2DM status, in the southeast region in more recent years, suggesting an increased CKD prevalence in this region. Limitations Health care insurance enrollment might not have been representative of the United States; the estimates were based on claims data that likely underestimated the true prevalence. Conclusions Geographic disparities in CKD prevalence appear increasingly magnified, with an increase in the southeastern region of the United States. This increase is especially problematic because patients with CKD in high-prevalence states experience a greater likelihood of chronic conditions than those in the rest of the United States., Graphical abstract

Background Fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes (FCPD), an uncommon form of secondary diabetes, is caused by chronic nonalcoholic calcific pancreatitis and primarily occurs in tropical countries. Objective To present our first-hand experiences in the diagnosis and management of FCPD in two patients from a non-tropical location. Case report Two male Chinese patients (29 and 32 years old) presented with poor insulin function, negative islet cell and glutamate decarboxylase antibodies, and no spontaneous ketosis or abdominal pain. A careful clinical assessment was made and the results were correlated with laboratory findings. Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography scans further revealed pancreatic calcification, calculi, and pancreatic duct dilation. Differential diagnosis confirmed FCPD and excluded the potential misdiagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. FCPD in these patients was managed with insulin and symptomatic treatment with close monitoring. At the time of submission of this report, the first patient was stable at his last follow-up, but the second had been re-hospitalized for worsening symptoms. Conclusion Early differential diagnosis of FCPD based on clinical examination and biochemical and radiological investigations, in tandem with insulin therapy, can help manage FCPD effectively.

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) represents the leading cause of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) worldwide. While variation in T2D prevalence in the U.S. is well established, regional variation in the prevalence of CKD in patients with or without (w/o) T2D is less well characterized and may inform targeted implementation of risk-reducing interventions. Objective: We explored regional variations in the prevalence of CKD in patients with or w/o T2D in the U.S. Method: Data from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2017 from an employer-based claims database (MarketScan) was used for this analysis. Continuously enrolled patients aged ≥18 years diagnosed with CKD with or w/o T2D were identified using International Classification of Disease diagnosis codes. We estimated overall CKD, CKD+T2D, and CKD w/o T2D prevalence for each year from 2013 to 2017. Geo-mapping was used to visualize the prevalence of CKD. Univariate and differential local indicators for spatial analyses (LISA) were performed to describe the geographic differences of CKD prevalence. Results: The overall prevalence of CKD doubled from 1.50% in 2013 to 3.11% in 2017. Within the CKD population, 46.3% had T2D in 2017. The prevalence of CKD+T2D increased from 0.70% in 2013 to 1.44% in 2017. From 2013 to 2017, low-low clusters from univariate LISA were consistently observed in the Northwest regions (e.g., MT, WY) (P Conclusion: This study provides real-world evidence of regional variations in CKD prevalence in the U.S. Additionally, this study identified lower CKD prevalence than previously cited in the literature, which may indicate major under-coding in the employer-based claims database. Further characterization of CKD patients with or w/o T2D could help understand these variations. Disclosure X. Feng: None. R. Farej: Employee; Self; Bayer U.S. F. Xia: None. A.S. Gaiser: None. S. Kong: None. J. Elliott: None. S. Lindemann: None. R. Singh: None.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients following transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).Time to progression (TTP) and cancer-specific mortality (CSM) in competing risk model were compared in patients with (n = 289) or without (n = 763) T2DM. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to reduce bias between the two groups. Multivariate competing risk regression was used to evaluate independent risk factors for TTP and CSM.The T2DM group showed significantly worse 5-year TTP and CSM rates than the non-T2DM group both in the whole cohort (n = 1052) and the PSM cohort (n = 514) (81.3% vs. 70.9%, P 0.001, and 61.5% vs. 49.3%, P = 0.006; 81.4% vs. 68.6%, P = 0.003, and 61.7% vs. 43.2%, P = 0.014, respectively). Multivariate competing risk regression identified T2DM as an independent risk factor for TTP and CSM before and after PSM (hazard ratio: 1.37 [95% confidence interval: 1.07-1.77] and 1.36 [1.05-1.75]; 1.29 [1.04-1.60] and 1.24 [1.02-1.52], respectively). T2DM worsened the long-term outcomes of patients in the cirrhosis subgroup but not those in the noncirrhosis subgroup.T2DM worsened the long-term survival of intermediate-stage HCC patients who underwent TACE, especially in patients with cirrhosis.

Identifying the counterparts of submillimetre (submm) galaxies (SMGs) in multiwavelength images is a critical step towards building accurate models of the evolution of strongly star-forming galaxies in the early Universe. However, obtaining a statistically significant sample of robust associations is very challenging due to the poor angular resolution of single-dish submm facilities. Recently, a large sample of single-dish-detected SMGs in the UKIDSS UDS field, a subset of the SCUBA-2 Cosmology Legacy Survey (S2CLS), was followed up with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), which has provided the resolution necessary for identification in optical and near-infrared images. We use this ALMA sample to develop a training set suitable for machine-learning (ML) algorithms to determine how to identify SMG counterparts in multiwavelength images, using a combination of magnitudes and other derived features. We test several ML algorithms and find that a deep neural network performs the best, accurately identifying 85 per cent of the ALMA-detected optical SMG counterparts in our cross-validation tests. When we carefully tune traditional colour-cut methods, we find that the improvement in using machine learning is modest (about 5 per cent), but importantly it comes at little additional computational cost. We apply our trained neural network to the GOODS-North field, which also has single-dish submm observations from the S2CLS and deep multiwavelength data but little high-resolution interferometric submm imaging, and we find that we are able to classify SMG counterparts for 36/67 of the single-dish submm sources. We discuss future improvements to our ML approach, including combining ML with spectral energy distribution-fitting techniques and using longer wavelength data as additional features., 19 pages, 5 figures. Updated to match version accepted by MNRAS

It is widely accepted that thyroid hormones (THs), secreted from the thyroid, play important roles in energy metabolism. It is also known that THs also alter the functioning of other endocrine glands; however, their effects on pancreatic function have not yet been reviewed. One of the main functions of the pancreas is insulin secretion, which is altered in diabetes. Diabetes, therefore, could be related to thyroid dysfunction. Earlier research on this subject focused on TH regulation of pancreas function (such as insulin secretion) or on insulin function through TH-mediated increase of energy metabolism. Afterwards, epidemiological investigations and animal test research found a link between autoimmune diseases, thyroid dysfunction, and pancreas pathology; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that THs also play important roles in pancreas development and on islet pathology, both in diabetes and in pancreatic cancer. Therefore, an overview of the effects of thyroid and THs on pancreas physiology and pathology is presented. The topics contained in this review include a summary of the relationship between autoimmune thyroid dysfunction and autoimmune pancreas lesions and the effects of THs on pancreas development and pancreas pathology (diabetes and pancreatic cancer).

We use data from the complete computerization of agricultural leases in Malawi, a georeferenced farm survey, and satellite imagery to document challenges and opportunities of land-based investment in novel ways. Covering some 1.35 million hectares or about 25% of the country’s arable area, agricultural estates are an important part of Malawi’s rural economy. However, the analysis shows that 70% of these estates have expired leases, reducing government revenue from ground rent by up to US$35 million or 5% of the total public spending annually. The low quality of spatial records, as indicated by the fact that some 140,000 hectares under estates are subject to overlapping claims could preclude the land market participation, especially under longer-term contracts. Data from a 2006/07 survey suggest that estates’ yield, productivity, and intensity of land use are below those of small farms. While the recently passed land laws create a basis for low-cost systematic demarcation and registration of rights to customary land, our analysis suggests that, to maximize their likely contribution to increasing productivity and welfare rather than conflict, such efforts need to be preceded by a clarification of boundaries and lease status of existing estates and ideally a more detailed study of the reasons underpinning the low productivity.

Given that wind power has received so much public financial support, it is important not only to understand its overall impact but also who receives the benefits and who bears the costs. One important aspect is to quantitatively evaluate the potential impact of wind power development on local economies. This study conducts an ex post econometric assessment of the effect of wind power installation on local economy in China, using a national county-level dataset between 2005 and 2011. We find that installed wind power capacity has a small and statistically significant positive effect on GDP but negatively affect local fiscal income. Based on our results, an additional 1 MW wind power installation (per capita) would bring 2246 RMB increase in GDP per capita over the year 2005 and 2011. The annual benefits is about 321 RMB ($45)increase in GDP per person, which is much lower than the estimates for U.S. case. We further explore why China's wind power development did not benefit local economy as much as the case of U.S.

Daily electricity consumption forecasting of home appliances can improve the accuracy and efficiency of the operation of home energy management systems. In this paper, an improved bidirectional long short memory network (BILSTM) model for predicting daily electricity consumption of household air conditioning is proposed. Firstly, and the “mutual information” is used to analyze the correlation between the daily electricity consumption of air conditioning and some environmental factors. Second, the environmental factors with strong correlation with the daily electricity consumption of air conditioning are selected as the influence factors, and these influence factors and the electricity data are taken as the characteristic input of the network. Finally, the improved bidirectional LSTM load prediction model which has been trained is used to forecast the daily electricity consumption of air conditioning. The experimental results show that the improved bidirectional LSTM network proposed in this paper can predict the daily electricity consumption of air conditioning in short term, and the maximum relative error of the predicted result is less than 5%.

We apply a partial adjustment model to investigate the driving factors of the regional disparity of China's wind power development. We have three major findings. First, similar to many industries, wind power shows an agglomeration effect, that is, existing installed capacity attracts new addition of capacity. Second, demand factors including both local demand, indicated by variables in the local economy, and demand outside the region, indicated by transmission capacity, do not significantly affect the location choice of wind power farms. Lastly, governmental supporting measures have heterogeneous effects on different regions. They are most effective in wind resource rich regions but have little impact in other regions.

Background Prenatal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure causes hypertension in rat offspring through an unknown mechanism. Here, we investigated the role of the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in hypertension induced by prenatal LPS exposure and also explored whether adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) can ameliorate the effects of prenatal LPS exposure in rat offspring. Methods Sixty-four pregnant rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 16 in each), namely, a control group and an LPS group, which were intraperitoneally injected with vehicle and 0.79 mg/kg LPS, respectively, on the 8th, 10th, and 12th days of gestation; an ADSCs group, which was intravenously injected with 1.8 × 107 ADSCs on the 8th, 10th, and 12th days of gestation; and an LPS + ADSCs group, which received a combination of the treatments administered to the LPS and ADSCs groups. Results Prenatal LPS exposure increased blood pressure, Ang II expression, Ang II-positive, monocyte and lymphocyte, apoptotic cells in the kidney, and induced renal histological changes in offspring; however, the LPS and control groups did not differ significantly with respect to plasma renin activity levels, Ang II levels, or renal function. ADSCs treatment attenuated the blood pressure and also ameliorated the other effects of LPS-treated adult offspring. Conclusions Prenatal exposure to LPS activates the intrarenal RAS but not the circulating RAS and thus induces increases in blood pressure in adult offspring; however, ADSCs treatment attenuates the blood pressure increases resulting from LPS exposure and also ameliorates the other phenotypic changes induced by LPS treatment by inhibiting intrarenal RAS activation.

BACKGROUND Differentiation of malignant from benign liver tumors remains a challenging problem. In recent years, mass spectrometry (MS) technique has emerged as a promising strategy to diagnose a wide range of malignant tumors. The purpose of this study was to establish classification models to distinguish benign and malignant liver tumors and identify the liver cancer-specific peptides by mass spectrometry. MATERIAL AND METHODS In our study, serum samples from 43 patients with malignant liver tumors and 52 patients with benign liver tumors were treated with weak cation-exchange chromatography Magnetic Beads (MB-WCX) kits and analyzed by the Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Then we established genetic algorithm (GA), supervised neural networks (SNN), and quick classifier (QC) models to distinguish malignant from benign liver tumors. To confirm the clinical applicability of the established models, the blinded validation test was performed in 50 clinical serum samples. Discriminatory peaks associated with malignant liver tumors were subsequently identified by a qTOF Synapt G2-S system. RESULTS A total of 27 discriminant peaks (p

There is increasing evidence that mothers' exposure to stress before or during pregnancy is linked to an incidence of psychiatric disorders in offspring. However, a few studies have estimated the role of sex in the detrimental effects of pre-gestational stress on the offspring rats at early adolescence. Sex differences regarding the metabolism of gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate in the right hippocampus were investigated by MRS when the offspring rats reached 30 days. Additionally, the impact of pre-gestational stress exposed on an additional short-term acute stressor, such as forced swim, was examined in the male and female offspring rats. Our findings showed female offspring rats were more vulnerable to stressful conditions for either pre-gestational stress or acute stress in early adolescence, and had decreased GABA/Cr+PCr and Glu/Cr+PCr in the right hippocampus. Interestingly, in response to forced swim, male offspring rats whose mothers were exposed to pre-gestational stress were more affected by the short-term acute stressor and this was manifested by change of Glu/GABA and Glu/Gln in the right hippocampus. These data indicated that although female offspring rats were more vulnerable to pre-gestational stress from their mothers than males, in response to an additional acute stressor they showed better response. Therefore, both sexually dimorphic manner and combination of stressful procedures should be carefully considered in the study of stress-related psychiatric disorders in early adolescence.

Summary Almost a decade after a spike in land demand following the 2007–08 commodity boom, evidence on impacts of this phenomenon remains limited and mostly case study based. We show that information on location and start data of large farms, combined with existing smallholder farm surveys, allows to complement this with a difference-in-difference approach to systematically assess spillovers from large farm establishment. Illustrative application to Mozambique suggests positive short-term effects from newly established large farms on adoption of agricultural practices and input use by small farms less than 50 km from newly established large operations. Robustness checks for crop farms only also suggest job creation in the proximity of newly established crop, but not livestock farms. Yet, large farm establishment decreased perceived well-being within a 25-km band and, in the time horizon considered here, did not lead to better access to output markets, cultivation of larger areas or, once other factors are controlled for, higher yields. This allows us to reject the notion of negative spillovers from large farm establishment but casts doubt on the wisdom of large unconditional subsidies to attract investors. In addition to drawing policy conclusions for Mozambique, we highlight the methodology’s wider applicability and scope for expansion.

Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, is a prevalent disease that severely affects the physical and mental health of the elderly. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial (mt)DNA deletion mutation are considered as major factors in the pathophysiology of age-related hearing loss. The 4977-bp deletion in human mtDNA (common deletion, corresponding to the 4834-bp mtDNA deletion in rats) is suggested to be closely associated with the pathogenesis of age-related hearing loss. Superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), an isoform of SOD that is exclusively expressed in the intracellular mitochondrial matrix, plays a crucial role in oxidative resistance against mitochondrial superoxide. Previous research has shown that methylation of the promoter region of the SOD2 gene decreased the expression of SOD2 in marginal cells (MCs) extracted from the inner ear of rats subjected to D-galactose-induced mtDNA4834 deletion. However, the relationship between SOD2 methylation and mtDNA4834 deletion under oxidative stress remains to be elucidated. Herein, an oxidative damage model was established in the extracted MCs using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which increased the methylation level of SOD2 and the copy number of mtDNA4834 mutation in MCs. Decreasing the methylation level of SOD2 using 5-azacytidine, a DNA methylation inhibitor, reduced oxidative stress and the copy number of mtDNA4834 mutation and inhibited H2O2-induced apoptosis. The present work demonstrates that decreasing the methylation of SOD2 suppresses the mtDNA4834 deletion in MCs under oxidative stress and provides potential insights to the intervention therapy of aging-related hearing loss.

Background Even though China launched a series of measures to alleviate several financial burdens (including health insurance scheme, increased government investment, and so on), the economic burden of health expenditure has still not been alleviated. Out-of-pocket payments (OPPs) show not only a time correlation but also some degree of spatial correlation. The aims of the current study were thus to identify the spatial cluster of OPPs, to investigate the main factors affecting variation, and to explore the spatial spillover sources of China’s OPP. Methods Global and local spatial autocorrelation tests were validated to identify the spatial cluster of OPPs using the panel data of 31 provinces in China from 2005 to 2016. The Spatial Durbin Model, established in this paper, measured the spatial spillover effect of OPPs and analyzed the possible spillover sources (demand, supply, and socio-economic factors. Results OPPs were found to have a significant and positive spatial correlation. The results of the Spatial Durbin Model showed the direct and indirect effects of demand, supply, and socio- economic factors on China’s OPPs. Among the demand factors, the direct and indirect correlation (elasticity) coefficients were positive. Among the supply factors, the direct and indirect effects of the share of primary health beds on residents’ OPPs were negative. The ratio of health technicians in hospitals to those in primary health institutions on per capital OPPs had a significant indirect effect. Among the socio-economic factors, the direct effects of GDP, government health expenditure, and urbanization on OPPs were found to be positive. There were no significant indirect effects of socio-economic factors on OPPs. Conclusion This paper finds that China’s OPPs are not randomly distributed but, overall, present a positive spatial cluster, even though a series of measures have been launched to promote health equity. Socio-economic factors and those associated with demand were found to be the main influences of variation in OPPs, while demand was seen to be the driver of the positive spatial spillover of OPPs, whereby effective supply could inhibit these positive spillover effects. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12913-019-4451-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Automatic head posture recognition is essential in the human-centered AI applications such as counting watching people in a bus or lift advertising system. A partially-occluded head posture estimation algorithm based on a histogram of gradient orientation (HoG) in a pyramid setting is proposed. We first apply face detection to a 2D image, and then divide the detected face region into two sub-regions, mouth and eye areas, to predict whether there is an occlusion in these two sub-regions individually. According to the predicted occlusion status, pyramid HoG features are extracted from non-occluded face sub-region. Finally, a support vector machine is applied for model training. Experimental results show that our proposed method has high accuracy, speed, and robustness in terms of illumination, shadow, occlusion, and complex background. The average recognition accuracy on the CMU-PIE dataset is 95.24% (94.22% with full mouth area occlusion), and that on the CAS-PEAL-R1 dataset is 95.61%. In addition, the contribution of the eye area is significantly bigger than that of the mouth area. Our method has potential commercial values and broad application prospects for intelligent human-machine interaction.

Background and objectives The survival rate of patients with advanced oesophageal cancer is very low and can vary significantly, even among patients with the same TNM stage. It is important to look for indicators that are economical and readily available to predict overall survival. The aim of this study was to determine whether lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) could be potential predictors of survival in patients with advanced oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Methods Differences in survival among 204 patients with advanced oesophageal cancer who underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy were collected and analysed. Univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses were used to investigate the association between blood inflammatory markers and patient survival before treatment. Results Univariate COX regression analyses showed that a history of alcohol use, neutrophil count, LMR, NLR, tumour length, and N stage were significantly associated with the survival of tumour patients receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Multivariate COX regression analysis showed that NLR and LMR were predictors of outcome in tumour patients receiving chemoradiotherapy. According to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the AUC of LMR and NLR was 0.734 and 0.749, and the best cutoff point for LMR and NLR was 3.03 and 2.64, respectively. Conclusions LMR and NLR can be used to predict the survival of patients with advanced oesophageal cancer receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy, thereby providing clinicians with suggestions for further treatment options.

Background The bone marrow microenvironment provides an optimal substrate for multiple myeloma (MM) initiation and progression. The soluble component of MM niche is dynamic with the disease states of MM. We formerly employed proteomic profiling to construct a MM model. Four peptides constituting the model were selected by supervised neural network algorithm (SNN). Methods 62 Newly diagnosed (ND) MM and 64 healthy controls (HCs) were picked up for validating the distinguishing capability of the SNN model. Nano-liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry was used for peptide identification. MM in different disease states and HCs were choosed for peptides relative intensities comparison. Western blot and ELISA were employed to validate the variability. Results The sensitivity and specificity of the independent testing data set for blind validation were 93.55% and 92.19%. The relative intensities of three out of the four peptides were increased in ND and refractory and relapse patients but decreased to that level of HCs in complete remission and very good partial remission patients. Relative intensity of the remaining peptide was negatively associated with MM remission. The peptides sequencing results showed that they were derived from dihydropyrimidinase-like 2, fibrinogen alpha chain, platelet factor 4 and alpha-fetoprotein. Conclusions The potential value of the four peptides in monitoring MM treatment response was arised from their close correlation with MM disease states.

Although human genetic studies have implicated many susceptible genes associated with plasma lipid levels, their physiological and molecular functions are not fully characterized. Here we demonstrate that orphan G protein-coupled receptor 146 (GPR146) promotes activity of hepatic sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2) through activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway, thereby regulating hepatic very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) secretion, and subsequently circulating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) levels. Remarkably, GPR146 deficiency reduces plasma cholesterol levels substantially in both wild-type and LDL receptor (LDLR)-deficient mice. Finally, aortic atherosclerotic lesions are reduced by 90% and 70%, respectively, in male and female LDLR-deficient mice upon GPR146 depletion. Taken together, these findings outline a regulatory role for the GPR146/ERK axis in systemic cholesterol metabolism and suggest that GPR146 inhibition could be an effective strategy to reduce plasma cholesterol levels and atherosclerosis.

Frequent loss of expression of platelet factor 4 (PF4) in multiple myeloma (MM) was revealed in several previous researches. The predictive analysis of serum PF4 level in newly diagnosed MM has not been well elucidated. This study is to assess if serum PF4 could be a prognostic factor in predicting treatment response and survival of MM treated with thalidomide and VAD regimens.Sera of 122 MM were gained pre- and post-treatment of chemotherapy and oral thalidomide. Serological PF4 measurements were performed by ELISA. Kaplan-Meier method was employed for survival analysis. Log rank test was used significance analysis. Multivariate analysis of overall survival used Cox-regression.Our data showed that the median serum PF4 concentration was negatively associated with MM response and a significant correlation between serum PF4 level and unfavorable clinical features (β2-microglobulin, ISS stage, del17p and creatinine). MM with lower serum PF4 concentration at diagnosis were prone to gain complete remission and very good partial remission after two courses of chemotherapy. Besides del17p, β2-microglobulin, treatment response, the low serum PF4 concentration was an independent variable associated with a poor overall survival by univariate analysis and multivariate analysis.We speculate serum PF4 is a promising response and prognostic factor in newly diagnosed MM treated with thalidomide and VAD regimens.

Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA in tissue is a biomarker of lung cancer, but hTERT mRNA in sputum had not been successfully detected with conventional reverse transcription PCR methods. Here, we developed a novel PCR protocol: Template-Ready PCR (TRPCR), to detect sputum hTERT mRNA, in which probes serve as templates of amplification. While free probes and dsDNA were removed in template preparation through aspiration and restriction digestion, probes that formed into heterocomplex with target RNA remained intact for PCR amplification. By fishing out the heterocomplex and amplifying the probes, TRPCR achieved sensitivity higher than reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). ROC curve of sputum hTERT mRNA by TRPCR assay showed the discrimination in high sensitivity and specificity between patients with lung cancer and lung cancer-free donors at the PCR Ct cutoff of 33. We further validated this approach through TRPCR assay of sputum from 858 lung cancer patients and 480 non-malignant pulmonary disease patients. 722 (84.2%) cases from 858 with lung cancer patients were detected as positive, whereas 461 (96.0%) cases from 480 non-malignant pulmonary disease patients were detected as negative, suggesting that TRPCR assay of sputum hTERT mRNA can serve as a non-invasive molecular diagnosis of lung cancer.

Background: The aim of this study was to detect the expression of long noncoding RNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 18 (SNHG18) andsemaphorin 5A (SEMA5A) genes in multiple myeloma (MM) patients and to explore the correlation of the expression of these genes with the clinical characteristics and prognosis of MM patients. Methods: Forty-seven newly diagnosed MM, 18 complete remission MM, 13 refractory/relapse MM, and 22 iron deficiency anemia (serving as control) samples were extracted at the Department of Hematology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xian Jiaotong University between January 2015 and December 2016. The clinical features of the MM patients are summarized. Real-time quantitative PCR was performed to analyze the relative expression levels of the SNHG18 and SEMA5Agenes. The clinical characteristics and overall survival (OS) of the MM patients were statistically analyzed while measuring different levels of SNHG18 and SEMA5Agene expression. At the same time, the correlation between the expression of SNHG18 and SEMA5A was also analyzed. Results: The analysis confirmed that SNHG18 and its possible target gene SEMA5A were both highly expressed in newly diagnosed MM patients. After analyzing the clinical significance of SNHG18 and SEMA5A in MM patients, we found that the expression of SNHG18 and SEMA5A was related to the Durie-Salmon (DS), International Staging System (ISS), and Revised International Staging System (R-ISS) classification systems, and the Mayo Clinic Risk Stratification for Multiple Myeloma (mSMART; p < 0.05). Moreover, we observed a significant difference in OS between the SNHG18/SEMA5A high expression group and the low expression group. We found a positive correlation between SNHG18 and SEMA5A expression (r = 0.709, p < 0.01). Surprisingly, the expected median OS times of both the SNHG18 and SEMA5Ahigh expression groups were significantly decreased, which was in contrast to those of both the SNHG18 and SEMA5Alow expression groups and the single-gene high expression group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: High expression of both SNHG18 and SEMA5A is associated with poor prognosis in patients with MM.

Background The real-world incidence of chronic liver damage after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is unclear. LiverT, a retrospective, observational study, assessed liver function deterioration after a single TACE in real-world hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients in US practice. Methods Eligible HCC patients identified from Optum’s integrated database using standard codes as having had an index TACE between 2010 and 2016 with no additional oncologic therapy in the subsequent 3 months. At least one laboratory value (bilirubin, albumin, aspartate transaminase [AST], alanine transaminase [ALT], international normalized ratio [INR]) was required at baseline and the acute (≤29 days after TACE) and chronic (30–90 days after TACE) periods. Due to lack of universally accepted liver function deterioration criteria, clinically meaningful changes in laboratory parameters were pre-defined by authors (FP, RM, and SO). Results Of the 3963 TACE patients, 572 were eligible for analyses. Deterioration of liver function from baseline occurred in the acute period and persisted in the chronic period (bilirubin 30 and 23%, albumin 52 and 31%, AST 44 and 25%, ALT 43 and 25%, INR 25 and 15%, respectively). In a subgroup analysis, a higher proportion of patients with diabetes had deterioration in AST and ALT. Conclusions A clinically meaningful proportion of real-world HCC patients had deterioration of liver function-related laboratory values 30–90 days after a single TACE in modern US practice. Future electronic health record research may help determine causality. The present findings highlight the need for the careful selection of patients for TACE, which is important to help optimize the benefit of the overall HCC treatment course. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-019-5989-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Acute infectious laryngitis is commonly occurred among children. Our study sought to investigate the effect of inhaled budesonide on among children with acute infectious laryngitis.A total of 92 children with acute infectious laryngitis were randomly allocated to either the study (46 cases, treated with inhaled budesonide) and control group (46 cases, treated with dexamethasone). The disappearance time of symptoms, therapeutic effect and adverse reactions were observed in the two groups.The therapeutic effect was significantly better in the study group than in the control group (97.83% vs 82.61%). After 3 days of treatment, the disappearance time of symptoms, such as hoarseness/barking cough, singing sound in the throat, three-concave sign and dyspnea in the study group was significantly less than that in the control group (P 0.05). The levels of IL-4, IL-17, MMP-9, IL-33, IFN-γ and IgE in the two groups decreased, and evidently lower levels were found in the study group as compared to the control group (P 0.05).Inhaled budesonide exerted obvious better effect in terms of reducing serum inflammatory factors and improving the quality of life with safety profile.