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Background: To adapt the scientific evaluation tool for the confusion evaluation of health rumors and to test this tool to the confusion evaluation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related health rumors on Chinese online platforms during the outbreak period of COVID-19in China. Methods: The design of our study was systematic evaluation of COVID-19-related health rumors. Retrieved from 7 rumor-repellent platforms, rumors about COVID-19 were collected during the publication from December 1, 2019, to February 6, 2020, and their origins were traced. Researchers evaluated rumors using the confusion evaluation tool in 6 dimensions(creators, evidence selection, evidence evaluation, evidence application, backing and publication platform, conflict of interest). Items were scored using a seven-point Likert scale. The scores were converted into percentages, and the median of rumors from different sources was compared with rank-sum test. Results: Our research included 127 rumors. Scores were converted to percentages, median and interquartile range are used to describe the data. The median score: creators 25.00%(interquartile range, IQR, 16.67-37.50%), evidence selection 27.78% (IQR, 13.89-44.44%),evidence evaluation 33.33% (IQR, 25.00-45.83%), evidence application 36.11% (IQR, 22.22-47.22%), backing and publication platform 8.33% (IQR, 4.17-20.83%), conflict of interest75.00% (IQR, 50.00-83.33%). Almost 40% rumors came from WeChat and the rumors with the lowest scores were concentrated on the WeChat platform. The rumors about prevention methods have relatively lower scores. Conclusion: Most rumors included were not highly confusing for evaluators of this project.WeChat is the "worst-hit area" of COVID-19 related health rumors. More than half rumors focus on the description of prevention methods, which reflects the panic, anxiety and blind conformity of the public under public health emergencies., (© 2021 The Author(s).)

The generalizability (external validity) of clinical trials has long been a concern for both clinical research community as well as the general public. Results of trials that do not represent the target population may not be applicable to the broader patient population. In this study, we used a previously published metric Generalizability Index for Study Traits (GIST) to assess the population representativeness of colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment trials. Our analysis showed that the quantitative eligibility criteria of CRC trials are in general not restrictive. However, the qualitative eligibility criteria in these trials are with moderate or strict restrictions, which may impact their population representativeness of the real-world patient population.

Erythropoietin (Epo) induces erythrocytosis by suppressing erythroid progenitor cell apoptosis through the Janus-activated kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway. Since apoptosis contributes to cisplatin (CP)-induced nephrotoxicity and Epo receptors (EpoR) are expressed in the kidney, we examined the role of antiapoptosis in recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo)-mediated renal protection. In human renal proximal tubular epithelial (RPTE) cells in culture, rHuEpo, but not inactive rHuEpo (I-rHuEpo), the receptor-binding sites of which are mutated, caused a significant reduction in CP-induced apoptosis at > or = 100 U/ml. rHuEpo, but not I-rHuEpo, increased STAT5 and Akt/PKB phosphorylation, demonstrating functional EpoR expression on RPTE cells. Furthermore, the JAK2 inhibitor tyrphostin AG-490 attenuated rHuEpo protection, suggesting a role of the JAK-STAT pathway in rHuEpo-mediated antiapoptosis. In rats, intravenous administration of 5,000 U/kg rHuEpo, but not an equivalent peptide mass of I-rHuEpo, before a single 5.5 mg/kg iv injection of CP, significantly increased hematocrit (Hct) and reduced the CP-induced increase in serum creatinine. Serum creatinine on day 4 was 3.4 +/- 0.3, 1.9 +/- 0.3, and 3.5 +/- 0.4 mg/dl in the CP, CP + rHuEpo, and CP + I-rHuEpo groups, respectively. Similarly, darbepoietin-alpha (DA), a hyperglycosylated analog of rHuEpo with prolonged in vivo activity when injected at 25 microg/kg iv before CP, significantly increased Hct and reduced serum creatinine. Renal clearance studies based on glomerular filtration rate and renal blood flow confirmed the significant renal protection by DA against CP. Tubular apoptosis and necrosis were significantly reduced in the kidneys of the CP + DA vs. the CP + saline group. Moreover, the equalization of Hct by venesection did not abrogate the DA-mediated renal protection. Administration of DA 48 h after CP injection also conferred significant renal protection. Thus our experiments confirm a role for erythropoiesis-stimulating proteins, including the new analog DA, in limiting CP-induced nephrotoxicity and suggest that antiapoptosis via the Epo-EpoR interaction is an important mechanism for renal protection.