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Dan Qi,1– 9 Xi Zhang,1– 8 Fangli Li,10 Shengrui Zhao,2– 8 Qiumin Wang,1– 8 Wen Liu,2– 8 Lei Yan,1– 8 Yanbo Du1– 8 1State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 2National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 3Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 4Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 5Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 6Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 7Research Unit of Gametogenesis and Health of ART-Offspring, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2021RU001), Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 8Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 9Weifang People’s Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 10Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Public Health Clinical Center Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Yanbo Du, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 1 301 173 4515, Email duyanboivf@163.comPurpose: The objective of this study was to assess reproductive outcomes of D6 blastocysts transferred on day 6 in comparison to those transferred on day 7 of progesterone exposure in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles.Patients and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 2029 D6 single blastocysts from the first frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles of patients at the Hospital for Reproductive Medicine Affiliated to Shandong University from February 2017 to January 2020. Participants were divided into Group A (blastocyst transferred on the 6th day of progesterone exposure, n=1634) and Group B (blastocyst transferred on the 7th day of progesterone exposure, n=395).Results: The live birth rate was comparable between Group A and Group B (38.7% versus 38.7%, P=0.999). Subgroup analysis revealed a significantly higher preterm birth rate in D6 single blastocysts transferred on the 7th day than in those transferred on the 6th day of progesterone exposure for natural cycle frozen-thawed embryo transfer (5.2% versus 11.3%, P=0.020). After adjustment for potential confounders, the differences in the preterm birth rate in natural cycles persisted (adjusted odds ratio 2.347, 95% confidence interval 1.129– 4.877, P=0.022).Conclusion: In frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles, transferring on the 6th or 7th day of progesterone exposure of D6 blastocysts did not affect the live birth rate; however, when a natural cycle protocol is adopted, the possible preterm risk of transferring D6 blastocysts on the 7th day of progesterone exposure should be noted.Keywords: frozen-thawed embryo transfer, blastocyst transfer, endometrium preparation, live birth rate

Zhihao Zhao,1,&ast; Diya Qi,1,&ast; Zeqing Zhang,2,&ast; Xin Du,3 Fengyun Zhang,2 Ruicong Ma,4 Yi Liang,1 Yuewu Zhao,1 Ying Gao,1 Yu Yang2 1Department of Cardiology, the Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou First People’s Hospital, Xuzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Cardiology, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou First People’s Hospital, Xuzhou, People’s Republic of China; 4Graduate School, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Ying Gao, Department of Cardiology, the Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou First People’s Hospital, Xuzhou, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-13951461302, Email xzyygaoying@163.com Yu Yang, Department of Cardiology, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-15651359875, Email xuzhouyangyu@163.comPurpose: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between inflammatory cytokines and the risk of heart failure (HF) readmission in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).Patients and Methods: We enrolled 429 patients with HFpEF admitted to the cardiology department in our hospital from January 2020 to July 2022. The patients were divided into the readmission or non-readmission groups according to whether they were readmitted for heart failure within 1 year of discharge. The clinical features and laboratory date of the subjects were collected and analyzed. Multivariate cox regression analysis was used to identify predictors of HF readmission. In addition, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the prognostic value of each factor.Results: The levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α, NT-proBNP, heart rate, total cholesterol and NYHA class were significantly higher in the readmission group than in the non-readmission group (p < 0.05). IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α, NT-proBNP, heart rate and NYHA class were identified as independent predictors of HF readmission.Conclusion: Inflammatory markers, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17 and TNF-α were related to the HF readmission in patients with HFpEF.Keywords: heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, inflammation, cytokine, readmission, risk assessment

Daoda Qi,1,&ast; Yang Chen,1,&ast; Chengyi Peng,1 Yuan Wang,2 Zihao Liang,2 Jingjing Guo,1 Yan Gu1 1Department of Geriatrics, The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China; 2Clinical Research Center, The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Yan Gu; Jingjing Guo, Department of Geriatrics, The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 25 83626297, Email guyan703@foxmail.com; guojingjing0017@126.comBackground and Objective: Timely recognition of risk factors for early progression in older adult patients with COVID-19 is of great significance to the following clinical management. This study aims to analyze the risk factors and create a nomogram for early progression in older adult patients with COVID-19 in the Omicron era.Methods: A total of 272 older adults infected with COVID-19 admitted from December 2022 to February 2023 were retrospectively recruited. Risk factor selection was determined using the logistic and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. A nomogram was then created to predict early progression, followed by the internal validation and assessment of its performance through plotting the receiver operating characteristic (ROC), calibration, and decision curves.Results: A total of 83 (30.5%) older adult patients presented an early progression on chest CT after 3– 5 days of admission under standard initiate therapy. Six independent predictive factors were incorporated into the nomogram to predict the early progression, including CRP > 10 mg/L, IL-6 > 6.6 pg/mL, LDH > 245 U/L, CD4+ T-lymphocyte count < 400/μL, the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) score ≤ 40 points, and the Mini Nutritional Assessment Scale-Short Form (MNA-SF) score ≤ 7 points. The area under the curve (AUC) of the nomogram in discriminating older adult patients who had risk factors in the training and validation cohort was 0.857 (95% CI 0.798, 0.916) and 0.774 (95% CI 0.667, 0.881), respectively. The calibration and decision curves demonstrated a high agreement in the predicted and observed risks, and the acceptable net benefit in predicting the early progression, respectively.Conclusion: We created a nomogram incorporating highly available laboratory data and the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) findings that effectively predict early-stage progression in older adult patients with COVID-19 in the Omicron era.Keywords: early progression, CGA, nomogram, COVID-19, omicron era

Liu C, Zhang Z, Qi D. Onco Targets Ther. 2019;12:6181–6189 We, the Editors and Publisher of OncoTargets and Therapy, have retracted the following article. Following publication of the article, concerns were raised about the duplication of images from Figure 2D with images from other unrelated articles. Specifically, Images for Figure 2D have been duplicated with images for Figure 2A; Figure 2C and Figure 2D from Zhuo E, Cai C, Liu W, Li K, Zhao W. Downregulated microRNA‑140‑5p expression regulates apoptosis, migration and invasion of lung cancer cells by targeting zinc finger protein 800. Oncology Letters. 2020;20:390. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2020.12253; Li M, Song SW, Ge Y, Jin JY, Li XY, Tan XD. The Ras-ERK signaling pathway regulates acetylated activating transcription factor 2 via p300 in pancreatic cancer cells. Ann Transl Med. 2020;8(19):1234. https://doi.org/10.21037/atm-20-5880 and Jin L, Jiang X, He G, et al. SNHG20 knockdown suppresses proliferation, migration and invasion, and promotes apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer through acting as a miR-154 sponge. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2019;112:108648. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2019.108648, respectively. In addition, images for Figure 2F and 2G have been duplicated. The authors did not respond to our queries and were unable to provide an explanation for the duplicated images or provide data for the study. As verifying the validity of published work is core to the integrity of the scholarly record, we are therefore retracting the article and the authors were notified of this. We have been informed in our decision-making by our editorial policies and COPE guidelines. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as “Retracted”.

Junnan Peng,* Rui Tang,* Di Qi, Qian Yu, Hao Hu, Wen Tang, Jing He, Daoxin Wang Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Daoxin Wang; Jing He, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 76 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400010, People’s Republic of China, Email wangdaoxin0163@163.com; miss_hejing@126.comBackground: Eosinophils play an essential role in the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We aimed to assess the association between the baseline blood eosinophils, eosinophil changes during the first week in the intensive care unit (ICU) and short-term patient outcomes.Methods: All patients meeting the Berlin definition of ARDS from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV database were retrospectively analyzed. We used logistic regression, Kaplan–Meier survival and random forest analysis to determine the association between the baseline eosinophils and short-term mortality. Then the trends in eosinophils over time were compared between the survivors and non-survivors using a generalized additive mixed model (GAMM), which is a common approach used for analysis of repeated measurement data. Area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the predictive value.Results: A total of 1685 patients were included, and the 30-day mortality was 25.1%. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that patients with high baseline eosinophils (> 0.3%) had lower 30-day mortality (p < 0.001). Random forest model selected the baseline eosinophils as an important factor associated with 30-day mortality. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified high baseline eosinophils as an independent factor for 30-day mortality (OR 0.743, 95% CI 0.568– 0.970). The GAMM result showed that the levels of eosinophils were increased in both survival and non-survival groups, and the between-group differences increased over time, with an average of 0.154 daily after adjusting for confounders. The AUC of changes in eosinophils within the first week was significantly higher than that of baseline eosinophils.Conclusion: There is a negative association between the baseline eosinophils and short-term mortality in ARDS patients, and the differences in eosinophils increased over time between the survivors and non-survivors. Higher increase in eosinophils is associated with decreased short-term mortality, and dynamic monitoring of eosinophils could better predict the survival of ARDS patients.Keywords: ARDS, eosinophils, 30-day mortality, generalized additive mixed model, change

Min Wang,1,2,&ast; Dongyue Wang,1,&ast; Jingzhi Zuo,3 Tianyu Liu,4 Zheng Niu,5 Juan Xie,1 Dunyi Qi2 1Department of Anesthesiology, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China; 3Emergency Department, Yichang Central People’s Hospital, Yichang, Hubei, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Anesthesiology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Anesthesiology, Zhangjiagang First People’s Hospital, Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Dunyi Qi, Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China, Email qdy6808@163.comPurpose: Prophylactic intravenous nalbuphine was administered to observe its median effective dose (ED50) in reducing pain after undergoing laparoscopic total hysterectomy. To investigate the effect of different doses of nalbuphine on postoperative analgesia and adverse reactions in patients.Patients and Methods: The 120 patients undergoing laparoscopic total hysterectomy were divided into 6 groups: group C (control) and group P (5 different doses of nalbuphine) with 20 patients per group. The doses of nalbuphine in group P were in an equally proportional series (groups P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5 received doses of 0.280, 0.200, 0.140, 0.100, and 0.070 mg/kg, respectively), diluted to 20 mL with saline and administered 5 min before the induction of anesthesia. A similar volume (20 mL) of saline was administered to group C 5 min before the induction of anesthesia. The numeric rating scale (NRS) of patients during awakening and after surgery, the number of postoperative salvage analgesia, and the occurrence of postoperative adverse effects were recorded.Results: The ED50 (95% confidence interval (CI)) of nalbuphine in preventing pain during the awakening period in patients calculated using the point-slope method was 0.125 (0.108, 0.145) mg/kg. NRS scores differed among the 6 groups at 30 min and 1 h after extubation (P < 0.001; P < 0.001). Pairwise comparisons between groups revealed that, at 30 min after extubation, compared with group P1, the NRS scores of groups P4, P5, and C were higher (P = 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001); compared with group P2, groups P5 and C had higher NRS scores (P = 0.011, P = 0.001). At 1 h after extubation, the NRS scores of groups P1 and P2 were lower than that of group P4 (P = 0.046, P = 0.036). Compared with the control, only the group P1 had a lower cough score (P = 0.009) and there were no differences in the other groups. There were no differences in sedation score at 10 min after extubation, the incidence of adverse events at 24 h postoperatively, or the number of remedial analgesics at 24 h postoperatively (P > 0.05).Conclusion: The ED50 (95% CI) of nalbuphine as a prophylactic in reducing pain during recovery was 0.125 (0.108, 0.145) mg/kg. Compared with the control, nalbuphine at doses of 0.140, 0.200, and 0.280 mg/kg prevented pain during the awakening period. Among these doses, 0.280 mg/kg was determined to be the best, the occurrence of cough was less during extubation and the postoperative analgesic effect was good. However, it is necessary to pay attention to the occurrence of adverse reactions.Keywords: gynecology, laparoscopy, preventive analgesia, nalbuphine, ED50

Lujia Dong,1,&ast; Di Liu,2,&ast; Dongshuai Jing,1 Huihui Xu,1 Chenxiao Zhang,1 Donglei Qi,1 Dechun Liu1 1Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, and College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang City, Henan Province, 471003, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, and College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang City, Henan Province, 471003, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Dechun LiuDepartment of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, and College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, No. 24 Jinghua Road, Jianxi District, Luoyang City, Henan Province, 471003, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail liudechunluoyang@163.comBackground: ALDOA-related specific transcript (ARST) is a recently identified long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) that suppresses glioma progression, while its role in other cancers is unclear. This study explored the role of ARST in colorectal cancer (CRC).Methods: The present study included 60 CRC patients, 60 patients with colon polyps (CP), 60 colitis patients, 60 hemorrhoid patients and 60 healthy controls. All participants were subjected to the collection of plasma, and paired CRC and non-tumor tissues were collected from CRC patients. All samples were subjected to RNA isolation and RT-qPCR to detect the expression of ARST. ROC curve and survival curve analysis were performed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic values of plasma ARST for CRC.Results: The expression levels of ARST were lower in CRC plasma samples compared to that in the patient groups and controls (p < 0.01), while other patient groups and controls showed no significant difference. The expression levels of ARST were also lower in CRC tissues compared to that in non-tumor tissues (p < 0.01). Plasma expression levels of ARST effectively distinguished CRC patients from other patients and controls. The expression levels of ARST were closely correlated with patients’ survival. Chi-squared test analysis showed that ARST was closely associated with patients’ distant metastasis but not tumor size.Conclusion: ARST is downregulated in CRC, and it might be applied in the diagnosis and prognosis of CRC.Keywords: ALDOA-related specific transcript, colorectal cancer, diagnosis, prognosis

Junnan Peng, Qian Yu, Shulei Fan, Xingru Chen, Rui Tang, Daoxin Wang, Di Qi Department of Respiratory Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Daoxin Wang; Di QiDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 76 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400010, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail wangdaoxin0163@163.com; qidi0126@126.comBackground: Readmission after hospital discharge is common among patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Predictive biomarkers of readmission would facilitate stratification strategies and individualized prognosis. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the utility of type 2 biomarkers (eosinophils, periostin, and YKL-40) and a type 1 biomarker (CXCL9) in predicting readmission events in patients with AECOPD.Methods: This is a prospective observational study design. Blood levels of eosinophils, periostin, YKL-40, and CXCL9 were measured at admission. The clinical outcomes were 12-month COPD-related readmission, time to COPD-related readmission, and number of 12-month COPD-related readmissions. These outcomes were analyzed using logistic and Cox regression models and Spearman’s rank test.Results: A total of 123 patients were included, of whom 51 had experienced at least one readmission for AECOPD. High levels of eosinophils (≥ 200 cells/μL or 2% of the total white blood cell count, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] =3.138, P=0.009) and YKL-40 (≥ 14.5 ng/mL, aOR =2.840, P=0.015), as well as low CXCL9 levels (≤ 30.1 ng/mL, aOR =2.551, P=0.028), were associated with an increased COPD-related readmission. The highest relative readmission rate was observed in patients with both high eosinophil and YKL-40 levels. Moreover, high eosinophil and YKL-40 levels were associated with a shorter time to first COPD-related readmission and an increased number of 12-month COPD-related readmissions.Conclusion: High blood eosinophil and YKL-40 levels, as well as low CXCL9 levels, have predictive utility for the 12-month COPD-related readmission rate. Using eosinophils and YKL-40 together allows more precise identification of patients at high risk of COPD-related readmission.Keywords: COPD, exacerbation, readmission, biomarker, prospective observational

Chengjun Liu, Zuwang Zhang, Dongdong QiThoracic Surgery, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401331, People’s Republic of ChinaBackground: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been considered as key regulators of cancer biology. However, the functional role of hsa_circ_0023404 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its regulatory mechanism are still almost unknown.Methods: The expression of hsa_circ_0023404, miR-217 and zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The role of hsa_circ_0023404 in NSCLC progression was determined using cell count kit-8 assay, transwell migration and invasion assay. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to assess the interaction of hsa_circ_0023404, miR-217 and ZEB1 in NSCLC cells.Results: The expression of hsa_circ_0023404 was upregulated in NSCLC tissues, as well as in NSCLC cell lines. High hsa_circ_0023404 expression predicted short overall survival in NSCLC. Functionally, knockdown of hsa_circ_0023404 inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of NSCLC cells. In the further molecular mechanism study, hsa_circ_0023404 was shown to interact with miR-217/ZEB1 axis to contribute to the growth of NSCLC cells.Conclusion: hsa_circ_0023404 promotes the proliferation, migration and invasion of NSCLC cells by regulating miR-217/ZEB1 axis, providing a fresh perspective on circRNAs in NSCLC development.Keywords: hsa_circ_0023404, microRNA-217, Zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1, non-small cell lung cancer

Shudong Gu,1,* Haibin Liang,2,* Donghui Qi,3 Liyan Mao,4 Guoxin Mao,1 Li Qian,1 Shu Zhang5 1Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; 2Department of General Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; 3Medical College of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; 4Department of Endoscopic Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive Diseases, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; 5Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China *These authors contributed equally to this work Background: Kinesin family member 26B (KIF26B) plays a key role in the development and progression of many human cancers. However, the role and underlying mechanisms of KIF26B in breast cancer cells remain unknown. Materials and methods: In this study, we inhibited the expression of KIF26B in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells using lentivirus-delivered shRNA. Results: Lentivirus-mediated KIF26B knockdown significantly suppressed cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion. Furthermore, cell cycle analyses revealed that the percentage of cells in the G0/G1 phase was significantly increased in KIF26B knockdown cells. Moreover, the knockdown of KIF26B significantly promoted cell apoptosis via the upregulation of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax. Conclusion: Our data indicate that KIF26B plays a pivotal role in tumor growth and metastasis in breast cancer cells and may be a potential therapeutic target for treating breast cancer. Keywords: KIF26B, breast cancer cell, proliferation, migration, invasion

Qaidam Cashmere goat is one of the few animals that can survive in the harsh environment of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the adjacent alpine areas. It has a strong adaptability, thus shaping the genetic diversity of goat phenotype, morphology, physiology and other aspects. However, the molecular basis behind these genetic mechanisms remains unclear. Here, we conducted genome-wide studies of genetic variation in two different morphologies and geographical coordinates in indigenous Chinese goats to identify selective signaling in genomic regions. In the present study, we resequenced 10 high-altitude Chinese indigenous goat breeds and compared them with low-altitude goats. By combining p and Fst values, we identified 1277 overlapping selection regions that may contribute to the wool fiber traits, reproductive performance, and high-altitude adaptation of goats. Candidate genes enriched in selected regions are associated with the phenotypes in cashmere fiber traits (IGFBP3, TNF, ROCK1, WNT10B, KITLG), reproduction traits (CAMK2D, IL-18, ESR1, ANAPC13), body size (POMC), hypoxic adaptation (TH, ACER1, GNB1, HIF1A) and disease (IL-10). This study provided valuable genetic information for the basis of biological characteristics and genetic improvement of breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lingling Ding,1–3 Jiawei Li,1,2 Rui Huang,1,2 Zhidong Liu,1,2 Chunhua Li,1–3 Shaozi Yao,1,2 Jinyan Wang,1,2 Dongli Qi,1,2 Nan Li,1,2 Jiaxin Pi1,21Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2Engineering Research Center of Modern Chinese Medicine Discovery and Preparation Technique, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 3Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, People’s Republic of ChinaAbstract: Targeted delivery by the folate ligand is an effective way to enhance an anti-breast carcinoma effect, due to its high affinity for the folate receptor, which is overexpressed in many tumor cells. In this study, we firstly synthesized a folic acid (FA)-targeted and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified TiO2 nanocarrier. Then, an FA-PEG-TiO2 nanoparticle (NP) codelivery system loaded with curcumin and salvianolic acid B were prepared by emulsion evaporation–solidification at low temperature. The obtained folate-targeted NPs (FA-NPs) showed more cytotoxicity on MCF7 cells and MDA-MB-231 cells than a nontargeted NP group. Apart from a synergistic anti-breast cancer effect with curcumin, salvianolic acid B protects the cardiovascular system from oxidative injury by the TiO2 nanocarrier. With coumarin 6 as a fluorescent probe to observe cellular uptake of NPs, the results of in vitro cellular uptake demonstrated FA-NPs exhibited higher cellular uptake and accumulation in MCF7 cells and MDA-MB-231 cells than nontargeted NPs. Then, in vivo biodistribution of NPs was further qualitatively and quantitatively confirmed by in vivo imaging. More importantly, the animal study further suggested that FA-NPs had significantly stronger antitumor effects via receptor-mediated targeted delivery. Consequently, FA-PEG-TiO2 NPs loaded with curcumin and salvianolic acid B could be a promising drug-delivery system to treat breast cancer. Keywords: breast cancer, codelivery, curcumin, FA-PEG-TiO2, nanoparticles, salvianolic acid B

Dianjun Qi,1 Liang Feng,2 Jian Li,3 Bing Liu,4 Qingfu Zhang5 1Department of General Practice, 2Department of Breast Surgery, 3Department of Radiology, 4Department of Anorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, 5Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences of China Medical University, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China Abstract: Primary adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the trachea with thyroid invasion is very rare. In this report, we present a 46-year-old man with primary ACC of the trachea with thyroid invasion. ACC invasion of the thyroid is very rare and is easily misdiagnosed. The patient sought consultation due to a 6-month history of dysphagia and associated dyspnea. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan obtained at the time of admission revealed bilateral thyroid masses and tracheal wall thickening. The thyroid masses were fused to the trachea and the esophagus without discernible borders, intraoperatively. Frozen pathology suggested poorly differentiated cancer, and a bilateral partial thyroidectomy was performed. Postoperative pathology revealed primary tracheal ACC with thyroid invasion. The patient died 1 month after surgery. We have also summarized the literature on the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of thyroid-invasive ACC. Keywords: trachea, adenoid cystic carcinoma, thyroid

This study examined the correlates of symptoms of depressed mood among adolescents in 2 dramatically different cultures (n = 502 in Tianjin, People's Republic of China; n = 201 in greater Los Angeles). Gender, stressful life events, perceived parental warmth, and conflict with parents were associated in the expected direction with depressive symptoms in each cultural setting. As predicted, regression analyses showed that the quality of family relationships and grades in school had significantly stronger associations with depressive symptoms among Chinese youths than among U.S. youths, whereas gender differences in depressive symptoms were greater among the U.S. youths. Peer warmth moderated the effects of particular risk factors for depressive symptoms in each cultural setting.

Jia-run Yang, Dong Han, Zheng-xue Qiao, Xue Tian, Dong Qi, Xiao-hui QiuDepartment of Medical Psychology, Public Health Institute of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, People’s Republic of ChinaObjectives: Previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggest that depression can be effectively treated by omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the clinical applicability of the combination of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which are the two major bioactive types of PUFAs, in depressed women.Methods: RCTs that compared the combination of DHA and EPA to placebo for short-course treatment of depression in women were systematically reviewed up to March 2015. Outcome measurement was the standardized difference in means in clinical measure of depression severity. Random effect model was performed. Meta-regression analysis was performed to assess the effects of baseline depression scores.Results: Data were obtained from eight RCTs. In these RCTs, 182 patients received placebo and 185 patients received DHA and EPA. The pooled standardized difference in mean was 0.65 with 95% CI = [0.18, 1.12]. There was no relation between the efficacy and the baseline depression scores. The sensitivity analysis found that the combination of EPA and DHA as monotherapy yielded a standardized difference in means of 0.65 (95% CI =0.41, 0.90) without heterogeneity.Discussion: These results indicate a beneficial effect of the combination of EPA and DHA on depressed mood in women compared with placebo. The clinical applicability of EPA and DHA showed greater promise and should be further explored.Keywords: depression, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, PUFAs, docosahexaenoic acid, DHA, eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA