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Objectives: The incidence of multiple primary lung cancer (MPLC) has increased in recent years. The risk factors of MPLC are not well studied, especially in the Asian population. This case-control study investigated the association between a family history of cancer and MPLC risk. Methods: We used data from people who surgically confirmed MPLC with at least 2 nodes of Fujian Medical University Union Hospital and matched 1:2 normal individuals as controls between 2016 and 2017. Information on age, sex, lifestyle, personal history, and family history of cancer was collected using a self-administered questionnaire, and odds ratios (OR) were estimated using unconditional logistic regression. Results: We included 2 104 patients. In total, 321 patients with histologically confirmed MPLC and 642 healthy controls were studied. The significantly higher ratio of current smokers was observed for the cases than the controls (54.1% vs. 30.0%). A family history of LC in first-degree relatives of the cases reported a significantly higher proportion than in the controls (15.3% vs. 8.6%). Family history of all cancers and LC significantly increased the risk of MPLC (OR = 1.64, P = 0.009 and OR = 2.59, P = 0.000, respectively). The multivariate analysis identified a significantly increased risk of MPLC (OR = 2.45, P = 0.000) associated with parents and siblings influenced by LC history. The younger age (aged < 55 years) of LC cases at diagnosis exhibited a significantly increased risk of MPLC (OR = 2.39, P = 0.000). A significant association with a family history of LC was found for male squamous carcinoma and male adenocarcinoma (OR = 1.59, p = 0.037 and OR = 1.64, p = 0.032, respectively). A positive association with LC history was only observed for female adenocarcinoma (OR = 2.23, p = 0.028). The risk of MPLC was not significantly associated with A family history of cancers in non-smokers (OR = 0.91, P = 0.236). Ever-smokers with a positive family history of cancer or LC had a significantly elevated risk of MPLC (OR = 4.01, P = 0.000 and OR = 6.49, P = 0.000, respectively). We also observed a very elevated risk for smokers with no family history (OR = 3.49, P = 0.000). Such a positive association was also observed in ever-smokers with no family history of LC (OR = 3.55, P = 0.000). Adenocarcinoma in females was prevalent and significantly associated with a family history of LC in risk of MPLC compared with other histologic subtypes. Conclusions: Our findings suggest an association between a family history of LC and MPLC risk among an Asian population. Smoking status and family history of LC have a synergistic effect on MPLC. These findings indicate that MPLC exhibits familiar aggregation and that inherited genetic susceptibility may contribute to the development of MPLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rubia cordifolia L. (Rubiaceae), one of the traditional anti-rheumatic herbal medicines in China, has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) since ancient times. Purpurin, an active compound of Rubia cordifolia L., has been identified in previous studies and exerts antibacterial, antigenotoxic, anticancer, and antioxidant effects. However, the efficacy and the underlying mechanism of purpurin to alleviate RA are unclear. In this study, the effect of purpurin on inflammation was investigated using macrophage RAW264.7 inflammatory cells, induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rat was established to explore the effect of purpurin on joint damage and immune disorders; the network pharmacology and molecular docking were integrated to dig out the prospective target. Purpurin showed significantly anti-inflammatory effect by reducing the content of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β and increasing IL-10. Besides, purpurin obviously improved joint injury and hypotoxicity in the liver and spleen and regulated the level of FOXP3 and CD4+/CD8+. Furthermore, purpurin reduced the MMP3 content of AIA rats. Network pharmacology and molecular docking also suggested that MMP3 may be the key target of purpurin against RA. The results of this study strongly indicated that purpurin has a potential effect on anti-RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The syenite of the Yangyugou was formed in the early Silurian (438.9 ± 3.3 Ma). • Barytocalcite is the main carrier of REE and Ba at the Yangyugou REE deposit. • The Yangyugou complex may have originated from Ba-rich fluid metasomatic lithospheric mantle. The Qinling Orogenic Belt (Central China) is a world-class rare earth element (REE) metallogenic belt in which REE deposits are mainly hosted by alkaline rocks and/or carbonatites. The newly discovered Yangyugou REE deposit, hosted by alkaline complexes in this belt, is unusual because the REE mineralization mainly takes the form of Ba- and REE-bearing minerals, such as barytocalcite. In this study, we present whole-rock major and trace elements, zircon geochronology, Hf isotopes, and mineral geochemistry to investigate the enrichment of REE and Ba and origin of this deposit. The REE-bearing alkaline complex at the Yangyugou deposit consists of syenite and carbonatite. Carbonatite exhibits higher concentrations of REE and Ba compared to syenite. The concentrations of REE and BaO in the carbonatite can be up to 6214 ppm and 22.4 wt%, respectively, and exhibit a positive correlation. The carbonatite contains numerous Ba-rich minerals, primarily comprising barytocalcite and a smaller amount of bazirite. The REE concentrations of barytocalcite range from 3059 to 10032 ppm, and the Ba concentration can be as high as 37.4 wt%. The barytocalcite is the primary carrier of REE and Ba in the Yangyugou carbonatite. Zircons from the syenite have a 206Pb/238U weighted mean age of 438.9 ± 3.3 Ma (MSWD = 1.08). The ε Hf(t) values of these zircons range from −8.28 to −3.17, with two-stage Hf model ages of 1.61–1.93 Ga. Apatite from the syenite has initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.70906 to 0.70984. Our study indicates that syenite-carbonatite complex was probably derived from the enriched mantle that has been metasomatized by a Ba-rich fluid, and that the early Silurian alkaline magmatism may be related to the opening of the Erlangping back-arc basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The imbalance in healthcare between urban and rural areas is still a problem in China. In recent decades, China has aimed to develop telemedicine. We assessed the implementation, utilization, and cost-effectiveness of a large telemedicine program across western China. Materials and Methods: In 2002-2013, a government-sponsored major telemedicine program was established by West China Hospital of Sichuan University (hub), covering 249 spoke hospitals in 112 cities throughout western China and in 40 medical expertise areas. We analyzed the cross-sectional data from 11,987 consultations conducted at West China Hospital using the telemedicine network over a 12-year period. The types of diseases as well as the diagnosis and treatment changes were assessed. We also performed a cost-savings analysis and a one-way sensitivity analysis. Results: Of the 11,987 teleconsultations, we noted that neoplasms (19.4%), injuries (13.9%), and circulatory diseases (10.3%) were the three most common diagnoses. Teleconsultations resulted in a change of diagnosis in 4,772 (39.8%) patients, and 3,707 (77.7%) of them underwent major diagnosis changes. Moreover, it led to a change of treatment in 6,591 (55.0%) patients, including 3,677 (55.8%) changes not linked to diagnosis changes. The telemedicine network resulted in an estimated net saving of $2,364,525 (if the patients traveled to the hub) or $3,759,014 (if the specialists traveled to the spoke hospitals). Conclusions: The introduction of telemedicine in China, linking highly specialized major hospitals (hub) with hundreds of small rural hospitals (spoke), can greatly improve the quality, efficiency, and costeffectiveness of healthcare delivery and utilization. This new Internet-based healthcare model should be utilized more widely in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dried flowers and buds of Sophora japonica are used as a medicinal herb in China, Japan and Korea to treat bleeding hemorrhoids and hematemesis. This article presents an overview of the effects of Sophora japonica on cerebral infarction based on literature searched from Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Library and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Sophora japonica contains both anti-hemorrhagic and anti-hemostatic substances. Sophora japonica reduces cerebral infarction partly as a result of its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. Previous studies found that Sophora japonica reduced the size of cerebral infarction and neurological deficits and reduced microglial activation, interleukin-1β release and number of apoptotic cells in ischemia-reperfusion injured Sprague-Dawley rats. Further study is required to determine the relationship between Sophora japonica-mediated reduction in cerebral infarction size and the effects of Sophora japonica on platelet aggregation and cardiovascular function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With recent institutional changes in China, the Chinese government at all levels seems to attach increasing importance to communicating with publics via public relations. How, then, has public relations been adopted as a governmental communication practice? This study attempts to address this issue through a survey of 68 Chinese government officials from three groups: one from Jiangsu Province, one from Henan Province, and one from the Federations for Women at both central and local governments. The respondents, mostly young and well educated, described their understanding, perception, and application of government public relations in their work within the context of recent transformations in public administration in China. The survey results show an evolutionary change: the Chinese government has moved slowly but surely away from propaganda to public relations. However, whilst these respondents tended to define government public relations as an ideal in terms of relationship building associated with the two-way symmetric model, in practice, they often handled the media relations by following only the one-way or asymmetric model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ulcerative colitis (UC), as an autoimmune disease, has been troubling human health for many years. Up to now, the available treatments remain unsatisfactory. Rhizoma Coptidis has been widely applied to treat gastrointestinal diseases in China for a long time, and coptisine (COP) is identified as one of its major active components. This study aimed to evaluate the bioactivity of COP on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mice colitis and clarify the potential mechanism of action. The results revealed that COP treatment markedly alleviated DSS-induced clinical symptoms by relieving body weight loss and the disease activity index (DAI) score. Specifically, the colon length in the COP (50 and 100 mg/kg) groups were obviously longer than that in the DSS group (7.21 ± 0.34, 8.59 ± 0.45 cm vs. 6.71 ± 0.59 cm, P < 0.01). HE staining analysis revealed that COP treatment significantly protected the integrity of intestinal barrier and alleviated inflammatory cells infiltration. Western blot assay confirmed that COP notably improved the intestinal epithelial barrier function by enhancing the expressions of colonic tight junction proteins and inhibited the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins. In addition, COP treatment remarkably suppressed the levels of colonic myeloperoxidase (MPO), adhesion molecules and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17), while enhanced IL-10 and TGF-β. The mechanism anti-inflammatory of COP might be related to inhibiting the phosphorylation of IκBα, and the translocation of NF-κB p65 from cytoplasm to nucleus. In summary, the study indicated that COP ameliorated DSS-induced colitis, at least partly through maintaining the integrity of intestinal epithelial barrier, inhibiting apoptosis and inflammatory response. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the risk factors for asthma in children in Hefei, China and to provide a strategy for asthma control in this region., Methods: A total of 400 children with a confirmed diagnosis of asthma, as well as 400 children of comparable age, sex, living environment, and family background, who had no respiratory diseases, were selected for a case-control study. A survey questionnaire survey was completed for all children. The obtained data were subjected to univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine the risk factors for asthma., Results: The logistic regression analysis showed that a family history of allergy, allergic rhinitis, infantile eczema, no breastfeeding, air-conditioning and passive smoking were the risk factors for asthma in children, with odds ratios of 9.63, 7.56, 4.58, 2.16, 1.73, and 1.55 respectively., Conclusions: In order to reduce the incidence of asthma, we should advocate breast feeding, promote outdoor activities, keep ventilation natural, prevent passive smoking and cure allergic rhinitis.

Objective: To investigate the cumulative prevalence rate, distribution characteristics, epidemic seasons, predisposing factors and current treatment situation of childhood asthma in Hefei City, China., Methods: In the investigation, stratified cluster random sampling as well as centralized access and separate home visits were applied, and primary screening forms were filled out. Further confirmation was sought in the primary positive cases, according to the diagnostic criteria for asthma. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the cumulative prevalence rate, current treatment situation and predisposing factors for childhood asthma as well as the distribution characteristics of asthma in children of different ages and sexes., Results: The cumulative prevalence rate of childhood asthma was 5.92%, and there was no significant difference between males and females (6.33% vs 5.42%; P>0.05). The cumulative prevalence rate was highest (8.25%) in children aged 3-6 years. Of the children with acute asthma attack, 42.0% suffered attacks during periods of seasonal transition, and 34.4% suffered attacks at midnight. Among the 552 children with a confirmed diagnosis of asthma, 533 (96.6%) developed asthma due to respiratory tract infection and 312 (56.5%) due to weather change. Most asthmatic children (513/552, 92.9%) received treatment with antibiotics, and 492 asthmatic children (89.1%) were treated with systemic hormones., Conclusions: The cumulative prevalence rate of childhood asthma is 5.92% in Hefei, and the peak age of onset is 3-6 years. Acute asthma attack occurs mostly during periods of seasonal transition and at midnight. Respiratory tract infection and weather change are the main predisposing factors for childhood asthma. Antibiotics and systemic hormones are still widely used in the treatment of asthma.

Background: Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disease seriously endangering the health of children. But disease awareness and self-management skills are relatively poor in children; parents play an important role in the control of childhood asthma., Objective: To investigate the status of asthma control and severity of asthma in children and to identify impact factors., Methods: We studied 1 tertiary hospital in each of the 29 provinces. A total of 2,960 parents with children with asthma who visited those hospitals were selected for the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) questionnaire survey, and separated into the controlled asthma group and uncontrolled asthma group according to children's asthma conditions in the past 12 months. Multivariate analysis was carried out based on the answers to 28 tested factors., Results: In the past 12 months, 66.0% of children with asthma had asthma attacks, 26.8% visited an emergency room, and 16.2% were hospitalized. The total cost for asthma was significantly higher in the uncontrolled group than controlled group (χ(2) = 23.14, P < .01). Twelve protective factors of asthma control were founded, such as older age of children, long disease course, high KAP scores of parents, compliance with using nasal steroids, and knowledge of "3 or more times recurrent wheezing suggesting asthma." The risk factors were eczema and family history of asthma., Conclusion: Children's asthma is poorly controlled. The cost of asthma is significantly higher in uncontrolled asthma than in controlled. The age of children, course of asthma, personal history of allergy, family history of asthma, parents' education level, and parents' KAP are factors that affect asthma control., (Copyright © 2012 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)