Search

Background/objectives The assessment of nutritional status and the quality of life in patients with gastric cancer has become one of the important goals of current clinical treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess the nutritional status in hospitalized gastric cancer patients by using patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) and to analyze the influence of nutritional status on the patients’ quality of life (QOL). Methods We reviewed the pathological diagnosis of gastric cancer for 2322 hospitalized patients using PG-SGA to assess their nutritional status and collected data on clinical symptoms, the anthropometric parameters (height, weight, body mass index (BMI), mid-arm circumference (MAC), triceps skin-fold thickness (TSF), and hand-grip strength (HGS). We also collected laboratory data (prealbumin, albumin, hemoglobin) within 48 h after the patient was admitted to the hospital. The 30-item European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) was used for QOL assessment in all patients. Results By using PG-SGA, we found 80.4% of the patients were malnourished (score ≥ 4) and 45.1% of the patients required urgent nutritional support (score ≥ 9). In univariate analysis, old age (> 65 years, p

Mailuoshutong pill (MLSTP) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO, Buerger's disease) which is a segmental non-atherosclerotic inflammatory occlusive disorder. However, the mechanism and quality standards of MLSTP have not been sufficiently studied.This work aims to investigate the potential mechanisms and quality markers (Q-markers) of MLSTP treating TAO based on the chinmedomics strategy.The therapeutical effect of MLSTP on TAO rats was evaluated by changes in body weight and clinical score, regional blood flow velocity and perfused blood vessel distribution, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, serum metabolic profile. Moreover, both endogenous metabolites and exogenous components were simultaneously detected in serum based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with a Q Exactive hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS), and multivariate analysis was applied to identify the biomarkers, as well as the dynamic changes of metabolites were observed to explore the mechanism of action of MLSTP. In addition, the pharmacodynamic material basis were identified by correlation analysis between biomarkers and absorbed constituents. Finally, the Q-markers of MLSTP were determined according to the screening principles of Q-marker and validated the measurability.MLSTP treatment alleviated disease severity of TAO, reduced inflammatory infiltration, and ameliorated vascular function. 26 potential biomarkers associated with glutamate metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism and so on were identified. Besides, 27 prototypical components were identified in serum, 16 of which were highly correlated with efficacy and could serve as the pharmacodynamic material basis of MLSTP against TAO. In addition, 7 compounds, namely, sweroside, chlorogenic acid, calycosin-7-glucoside, formononetin, paeoniflorin, liquiritigenin and 3-butylidenephthalide, were considered as potential Q-markers of MLSTP. Ultimately, the measurability of the seven Q-markers was validated by rapid identifcation and quantifcation.This study successfully clarified the therapeutic effect and Q-markers of MLSTP by chinmedomics strategy, which is of great significance for the establishment of quality standards. Furthermore, it provides a certain reference for the screening of Q-markers in TCM prescriptions.

Objective: To investigate the effect of magnesium sulfate combined with labetalol on the apoptosis and invasion molecule expression in placenta as well as maternal endothelial function of patients with severe preeclampsia. Methods: A total of 68 patients with severe preeclampsia who were treated in the hospital between October 2015 and August 2017 were chosen as the research subjects and divided into study group (n=34) and control group (n=34) by random number table method. Control group received magnesium sulfate therapy on the basis of conventional therapy, and study group received magnesium sulfate combined with labetalol therapy on the basis of conventional therapy. The differences in the expression of apoptosis and invasion molecules in placenta tissue as well as the levels of maternal endothelial function indexes were compared between the two groups. Results: Fas, Bax and Caspase-3 mRNA expression in the placenta tissues of study group were lower than those of control group whereas Bcl-2 mRNA expression was higher than that of control group; GPR30, LAMA4 and MEST mRNA expression in placenta tissues were lower than those of control group whereas CDKN1C mRNA expression was higher than that of control group; 24 h before delivery, maternal serum ET-1 and vWF levels of study group were lower than those of control group whereas NO level was higher than that of control group (P

Background Obesity worsens asthma control partly through enhanced airway neutrophilia, altered lung mechanics and comorbidities, including obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease and depression. Although controversial, obesity may also cause poorer outcomes in acute asthma. IL-17 is associated with neutrophilic inflammation, steroid resistance and severe asthma, but its importance in the association between asthma and obesity is unknown. Objective To investigate the role of IL-17 in obese asthma in both acute and stable settings. Methods Both stable (n = 177) and acute (n = 78) asthmatics were recruited and categorized into lean (n = 77 and 39 respectively), overweight (n = 41 and 17 respectively) and obese (n = 59 and 22 respectively) groups and compared for clinical characteristics, including sputum and plasma IL-17 protein concentrations, sputum cellularity, spirometry and comorbidities. Correlations of IL-17 expression with other measures were explored. Results In stable subjects, airway neutrophilia and IL-17 concentrations were most prominent in the obese, and correlated positively with each other. Significant increase in plasma IL-17 levels was also noted and associated with elevated depressive symptoms in obesity. In acute asthma, IL-17 expression, like most other clinical measures, was similar among lean, overweight and obese groups, but was higher in acute versus stable asthma subjects, with sputum IL-17 correlating positively with sputum neutrophils and negatively with FEV 1 and plasma IL-17 showing a positive connection to airway eosinophilia during exacerbation. Conclusions IL-17 contributes to worse disease control in obese asthma through enhancing airway neutrophilia and depression, and may implicate in asthma exacerbations. Effects of adiposity on acute asthma remain uncertain.

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the protective effects of polysaccharides from (PGL) Ganoderma lucidum on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. Our study demonstrated that treatment with PGL of 100-300mg/kg for 28 days led to significant reduction in the pulmonary index, inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition in rats with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, which was associated with increased levels of glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase and decreased contents of malondialdehyde and hydroxyproline in the lung. These results indicated that PGL played a positive protective role in the pulmonary fibrosis and its possible mechanism was to improve lung antioxidant ability.

The level of the systemic inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) is elevated in many patients with malignant disease and may be related to nutritional status.To analyze the association between serum CRP levels in patients with malignant tumors and their nutritional status.A total of 3,692 cases were analyzed and the serum CRP levels were determined using an immunometric assay. Nutritional status was assessed by using patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA). The biochemical evaluation of prealbumin (PA), albumin (ALB), cholesterol (CHOL), and triglycerides (TG) were assayed within 48 h admission to the hospital. The association between serum CRP concentration and the nutritional status, the stage of the tumor and other factors was analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Elevated serum CRP was observed in 47.6% (1,548/3,269) of patients compared with the reference value, and the median CRP concentration was 18.29 mg/l. Patient serum CRP concentrations in the malnourished group (PG-SGA B + C) were higher than in the well-nourished (PG-SGA A) patients (P 0.05). The serum CRP level was related to the patients' age, gender, tumor stage, and was affected by hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, diabetes, but it has no effect on hypertension. The CRP high patients had lower PA and ALB levels, lower Karnofsky performance status scores, and higher PG-SGA scores (P 0.05), and there was no relationship with CHOL and TG levels. Weight loss in the previous 1 mo was seen with CRP positive patients (P 0.05).Almost 50% of malignant tumor patients had elevated serum CRP levels indicating a systemic inflammatory state. The nutritional status was worse in cancer patients with higher concentrations of serum CRP. The level of CRP was associated with the tumor stage, and, as stage is a prognostic factor, so can CRP be used as a prognostic maker in malignant tumors patients.

Hand grip strength (HGS) has emerged as a predictor of the nutritional status. However, many factors may modify the malnutrition-HGS association. This study explored the nutritional assessment value and determinants of HGS in patients hospitalized with cancer.In this multicenter, retrospective, observational study (11,314 patients), the Receiver operator characteristic curve was used to observe HGS and nutritional status sensitivity/specificity. Sex; age; height; weight; mid-upper arm circumference (MAMC); Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) score; Karnofsky score; physical function (PF) domain; cognitive function (CF) domain; global health and quality of life (QL) domain of EORTC QLQ-C30 (a quality of life instrument designed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer); and albumin, prealbumin, and hemoglobin levels were included in a Stepwise analysis model to identify the factors influencing HGS.HGS showed a very low diagnostic value and accuracy for identifying severe malnourishment (area under the curve, 0.615-0.640; p0.01). HGS positively correlated with sex; height; weight; MAMC; Karnofsky score; QL, PF, and CF domains; and hemoglobin and prealbumin levels (Beta= 0.02-0.42, p=0.05), and negatively with age (Beta=-0.19, p0.01). However, the PG-SGA score was excluded because of its very limited contribution to HGS variability.HGS is a mutifactorial index. The use of HGS cutoff values to identify malnutrition is markedly challenging. Thus, HGS may be of limited use as a predictor of nutritional status.

ContextCardiac troponins have become the gold standard for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the general population; however, their diagnostic accuracy for hemodialysis (HD) patients presenting with chest pain or dyspnea is uncertain.ObjectiveTo examine the diagnostic accuracy of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) assay for AMI in HD patients.DesignIn this prospective study, we enrolled 670 consecutive stable HD patients presenting with chest pain or dyspnea on routine predialysis therapy in the nephrology department. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to examine the diagnostic accuracy of hs-cTnT levels at enrollment in HD patients presenting with chest pain or dyspnea, and the dynamic change in these levels after 3 hours.ResultsAcute myocardial infarction was the adjudicated final diagnosis in 12% of HD patients. Among patients with a final diagnosis other than AMI, 97% had a plasma hs-cTnT concentration above the 99th percentile. At the time of enrollment, the area under the ROC curve of hs-cTnT levels for diagnosis of AMI was 0.68 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.62–0.74; P < .001) with a cutoff value of 107.7 ng/L; the relative change after 3 hours was 0.90 (95% CI, 0.82–0.96, P < .001) with a cutoff value of 24%, and the absolute change was 0.88 (95% CI, 0.82–0.94, P < .001) with a cutoff value of 32.6 ng/L. The prognostic value for 40-day mortality varied with the magnitude of elevation in hs-cTnT levels.ConclusionsTracking the dynamic change in hs-cTnT levels during the short term significantly increased this measure's diagnostic accuracy for AMI in HD patients.

Two novel heptanornemoralisin-type diterpenoids nornemoralisins A (1) and B (2), together with two known compounds nemoralisin (3) and nemoralisin A (4), were isolated from the stem bark and leaves of Aphanamixis polystachya (Wall.) R. Parker. Their structures were established through comprehensive analyses of NMR spectroscopic data and high resolution mass spectrometric (HR-ESI-MS) data. The absolute configurations of carbon stereocenters were elucidated by circular dichroism (CD) analyses. The four compounds were tested for their potential cytotoxic effects against ACHN, HeLa, SMMC-7721, and MCF-7 cell lines. Nornemoralisins A (1) and B (2) exhibited significant cytotoxicity on ACHN with an IC50 value of 13.9 ± 0.8 and 10.3 ± 0.4 μM, respectively, and other compounds failed to reveal obvious cytotoxicity on the tested cell lines, compared to positive control vinblastine (IC50, 28.0 ± 0.9 μM).

The micro-morphology and metal elements composition of Inhalable particles (PM10) in Huaian typical zone were studied in this paper using scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). PM10samples were collected for 24 h using high-volume air sampler from Qinghe zone. The SEM analysis showed that mineral particles with regular shapes were popular in PM10in Qinghe district. The composition of metal elements analysis showed that enrichment factor of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, As of are greater than 10, the results indicate that these elements mainly come from anthropogenic pollution. PM10in Huaian typical zone was more sourced from industrial pollution than other sources.

A new method is proposed to treat attapulgite by freeze-dying and heating process. The photos of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) on treated attapulgite show higher dispersion properties. TG and DSC curves of raw attapulgite and treated attapulgite indicated the contents of adsorption water, zeolite water and complexing water in the treated attapulgite are less than that of raw attapulgite. The test results of Nickel adsorption indicated the adsorption mechanism could be better described by pseudo-second order model and the thermodynamic curve of adsorption could be described with Langmuir model.

The goal of this paper was to study the micro-morphology and mineral composition of PM10 in Nan jing typical areas were studied using scanning electronic microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM/EDS). Samples were collected as PM10 for 24 h using high-volume air sampler from Dachang and Shanxilu area. The SEM/EDS analysis showed that mineral particles with regular shapes were popular in PM10 in Dachang District, and mineral particles with irregular shapes were popular in PM10 in Shanxilu area respectively. The composition of mineral particles with regular shapes were mainly carbon ates, sulphates, and aluminosilicates, while mineral particles with irregular shapes were mainly soot aggregates, biomass and primitive minerals.

Using Palygorskite as matrix, chitosan(CTS) as functional monomer, and introducing the ion-imprinting technique to the synthesis process, a new Cd2+-IIP was prepared for selective separation of Cd2+ from aqueous solution was prepared. The static method was adopted to study the adsorption capacity of Cd2+-IIP for Cd2+, and the effects of contact time, pH value, adsorbent dosage and temperature of the initial solution on the adsorption characters of Cd2+ were investigated. Experiment results indicated that the adsorption was rapid during the first 20 minuts and equilibrium were attained within 70 minutes. The Cd2+-IIP had higher adsorption capacity to Cd2+ than other different ions. There were less difference in the adsorption capacity between different dosages of Cd2+-IIP, but the adsorption capacity of Cd2+ adsorbed onto Cd2+-IIP decreased with increasing the dosages.Under the optimum conditions, the ions-imprinted polymer offered a fast adsorption of Cd2+ and the maximum capacity was 18.20 mg/g.

A new method is proposed to treat attapulgite by freeze-dying and heating process. The treated attapulgite presents good adsorption properties. The best adsorption conditions were studied by a series of tests on attapulgite’s adsorption on Cu2+ ion. The photos of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) on treated attapulgite show the higher dispersion property, and the IR spectroscopy of treated attapulgite exhibits the lessening of adsorption water, zeolite water and coordinate water contents. At room temperature, the best adsorption conditions are pH = 4±0.2 and the solid to liquid ratio is about 3 g/L. After 40 min, the adsorption experiments achieved balance status, the most adsorption mass is about 39.43 mg/g.

Attapulgite is a natural rod-like nanomaterial. The surface of natural attapulgite nanoparticles was cleaned, modified with silane coupling agent 3-aminpropyltriethoxysilane (KH550). The structure and morphology of the modified attapulgite were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM). The methane absorption capacity of the modified attapulgite was recorded by intelligent gravimetric analyzer. SEM revealed that 3-aminpropyltriethoxysilane was modified on the surface of rod-like attapulgite nanoparticles. The 3-aminpropyltriethoxysilane can obviously increase the methane absorption capacity of the nanoparticles almost about twice. This result may provide the attapulgite nanoparticles a new way to industrial application.

By using Palygorskite as matrix and introducing the surface ion-imprinting concept to the synthesis process, a Palygorskite-supported organic–inorganic hybrid polymer for selective separation of Pb2+ from aqueous solutio was prepared. The prepared polymer was characterized with techniques of SEM, XRD and FT-IR. The effects of contact time, pH value and temperature of the initial solution on the adsorption characters of Pb2+ were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, the ions-imprinted polymer offered a fast kinetics for the adsorption of Pb2+ and the maximum capacity was 4.51 mg/g. And the pseudo-second order model bestly described the kinetics of adsorption of Pb2+ onto the as-prepared materials.

1, 10-phenanthroline and triethylamine modified palygorskites were prepared by microwave irradiation, and characterized with FT-IR technique. The effects of contact time, adsorbent dosage, and pH value of the initial solution on the adsorption characters of Mn2+ were investigated. The adsorption of Mn2+ from aqueous solutions using 1, 10-phenanthroline or triethylamine modified palygorskites were investigated. Experiment results indicated that 1,10-phenanthroline and triethylamine molecules have been successfully grafted to palygorskite. The adsorption was rapid during the first 5 minuts and equilibrium were attained within 60 minutes in the initial concentration of Mn2+ of 50 and 100 mg•L-1, and fast adsorption in the first 10 minutes and slowly increased with the contact time due to the adsorption of palygorskite. The 1, 10-phenanthroline modified palygorskites had higher adsorption capacity than triethylamine modified palygorskites. Compared with natural palggorskites, the Mn2+ ions adsorption capacities of palggorskite modified by 1, 10-phenanthroline or triethylamine were significantly improved. There were less difference in the adsorption capacity between different dasages of 1, 10-phenanthroline modified palygorskites, but the adsorption capacity of Mn2+ adsorbed onto triethylamine modified palygorskites decreased with increasing the dosages. A Lagergren pseudo-second order model best described the kinetics of adsorption of Mn2+ onto the modified palygorskites.

To evaluate the incidence and risk factors of ROP (retinopathy of prematurity) through a prospective multicenter study.Eleven children's or maternalchild hospitals participated in a collective network. All infants of birth weight2000 g, born in or transferred to one of the participating centers from January 1st 2005 to February 28th 2006 were recruited. Timely ophthalmologic examinations were performed. The relevant data at baseline and endpoints were collected at each unit.A total of 882 preterm infants fulfilled the screening criteria and 752 finished a followup. And 123 infants (16.4%) had some degree of ROP. Infants with ROP had a lower gestational age, birth weight and a longer duration of oxygen versus those without ROP [(30.82 +/- 0.20) weeks vs (32.56 +/- 0.09) weeks, (1430 +/- 25) g vs (1636 +/-10) g, (11.6 +/- 1.4) d vs (4.4 +/- 0.3) d]. Through a univariate analysis, birth weight, gestational age, asphyxia, oxygen duration5 days, apnea, surfactant usage, pneumonia, anemia, blood transfusion, acidosis and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) were associated with ROP (P0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that birth weight (OR = 0.998), apnea (OR = 1.653) and blood transfusion (OR = 1.763) were independent risk factors for ROP.Asphyxia, oxygen duration5 days, surfactant usage, anemia, acidosis and NRDS, lower birth weight, apnea and blood transfusion may improve the risks of ROP.

To prepare resveratrol solid lipid nanoparticles (Res-SLN) and investigate its physical and chemical speciality and anticancer effects in vitro.Res-SLN was prepared by the solvent emulsification-evaporation method. Its morphology, particle size and zata potential were examined by transmission electron microscope and laser granularity equipment. Its entrapment efficiency, drug loading, release concentration were determined by HPLC. Its anticancer effect of Res-SLN in vitro were studied by MTT.Res-SLN assumed spherical shape. Its distribution of diameter was even with average particle size of 96. 7 nm, zata potential was--16.3mV, drug loading was (7.95 +/- 0.21)%, entrapment efficiency was (91.34 +/- 0.18)%; Res-SLN could retard drug release in vitro and its cytotoxicity was significantly higher than that of oridonin solution against HepG2 cells.Res-SLN has high entrapment efficiency and drug loading, uniform particle size, and can retard drug release in vitro and enhance anticancer effect.

Poor growth is a common problem in premature neonates. No sufficient attention has been paid to the nutrition deficit and extrauterine growth retardation in premature neonates in China. The present study aimed to assess the incidences of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) in premature neonates in Shanghai area and their correlated factors.Data of the neonates discharged between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2004 from 5 hospitals (Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Pediatric Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, and Shanghai International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital) were reviewed. The criteria of exclusion were cases who died or had a malformed appearance, the mother had endocrine or metabolic diseases. The criteria for enrollment were (1) gestational age37 weeks, (2) admitted less than 24 hours after birth and discharged from the same hospital, (3) duration of hospitalization wasor = 7 days. The growth values on discharge of each patient were compared to the expected values based on the intrauterine growth data and postmenstrual day on discharge. Growth retardation was defined as measured growth values (weight, head circumference)or = 10th percentile of the values (growth expectation based on estimated postmenstrual age). In each specific group, the number of neonates withor = 10(th) percentile for each growth parameter was counted and the percentages of patients who had valuesor = 10(th) percentile on birth and discharge were calculated. The growth curves used for assessing birth weight and head circumference for different gestational age neonates were those published in 1986. All the data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software package. The risk factors for extrauterine growth retardation on weight and head circumference were estimated with logistic regression model.The subjects included 1196 premature neonates in the five hospitals (734 boys and 462 girls). The incidence of IUGR was 22.7% and 19.2% assessed by weight and head circumference, respectively. The incidence of EUGR was 49.7% and 23.1% assessed by weight and head circumference, respectively. Assessment of IUGR in accordance with the birth weight and head circumference in the five hospitals showed no significant correlation between IUGR and non-IUGR by birth weight (chi(2) = 4.944) and head circumference (chi(2) = 0.017) respectively. Whereas the assessment of EUGR in accordance with weight and head circumference showed a significant correlation between EUGR and non-EUGR by weight on discharge (chi(2) = 28.109), but no significant correlation was found between EUGR and non-EUGR by head circumference on discharge (chi(2) = 0.275). In specific birth weight groups, the lower the weight, the higher the incidence of IUGR and EUGR by the weight and head circumference. The incidence of EUGR in VLBWI was 78.9% and 50.0% assessed by weight and head circumference, respectively. Assessed by weight, significant correlation was observed between EUGR and non-EUGR in birth weight (t = 18.674), hospitalization duration (Z = -8.790) and the median number of day for total using EN (Z = -4.650); but by the head circumference, significant correlation was observed in head circumference at birth (t = 9.555), hospitalization duration (Z = -3.930) and the median number of day for total using EN (Z = -3.004). The relationship between EUGR and some risk factors was analyzed with Logistic regression model. Assessed by the weight, the following 4 factors were related to EUGR: sex (chi(2) = 10.351), gestation age at birth (chi(2) = 56.275), birth weight (chi(2) = 102.126) and different hospital (chi(2) = 4.773). Assessed by the head circumference, the following 2 factors were correlated: gestation age at birth (chi(2) = 10.322) and head circumference (chi(2) = 10.620).This study showed that the incidence of EUGR in premature neonates was significantly higher than the data reported in other countries. The incidence of EUGR increased with the decreased birth weight. Different nutritional support had influence on EUGR.