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Abstract Background Sex and reproductive status differences exist in both non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and body composition. Our purpose was to investigate the relationship between body composition and the severity of liver steatosis and fibrosis in NAFLD in different sex and reproductive status populations. Methods This cross-sectional study included 880 patients (355 men, 417 pre-menopausal women, 108 post-menopausal women). Liver steatosis and fibrosis and body composition data were measured using FibroScan and a bioelectrical impedance body composition analyzer (BIA), respectively, and the following parameters were obtained: liver stiffness measurement (LSM), controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), percent body fat (PBF), visceral fat area (VFA), appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), fat mass (FM), fat free mass (FFM), and FFM to FM ratio (FFM/FM). Multiple ordinal logistic regression (MOLR) was used to analyze the independent correlation between body composition indicators and liver steatosis grade and fibrosis stage in different sex and menopausal status populations. Results Men had higher WC, ASM, ASMI, FFM, and FFM/FM than pre- or post-menopausal women, while pre-menopausal women had higher PBF, VFA, and FM than the other two groups (p

A high-salt diet often leads to a local intrarenal increase in renal hypoxia and oxidative stress, which are responsible for an excess production of pathogenic substances. Here, Wistar Kyoto/spontaneous hypertensive (WKY/SHR) rats fed a high-salt diet developed severe proteinuria, resulting from pronounced renal inflammation, fibrosis and tubular epithelial cell apoptosis. All these were mainly non-pressure-related effects. Hsp90β, TGF-β, HIF-1α, TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1 were shown to be highly expressed in response to salt loading. Next, we found that Hsp90β might play the key role in non-pressure-related effects of salt loading through a series of cellular signalling events, including the NF-κB, p38 activation and Bcl-2 inactivation. Hsp90β was previously proven to regulate the upstream mediators in multiple cellular signalling cascades through stabilizing and maintaining their activities. In our study, 17-dimethylaminoethylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-DMAG) or Hsp90β knockdown dramatically alleviated the high-salt-diet-induced proteinuria and renal damage without altering blood pressure significantly, when it reversed activations of NF-κB, mTOR and p38 signalling cascades. Meanwhile, Co-IP results demonstrated that Hsp90β could interact with and stabilize TAK1, AMPKα, IKKα/β, HIF-1α and Raptor, whereas Hsp90β inhibition disrupted this process. In addition, Hsp90β inhibition-mediated renal improvements also accompanied the reduction of renal oxidative stress. In conclusion, salt loading indeed exhibited non-pressure-related impacts on proteinuria and renal dysfunction in WKY/SHR rats. Hsp90β inhibition caused the destabilization of upstream mediators in various pathogenic signalling events, thereby effectively ameliorating this nephropathy owing to renal hypoxia and oxidative stress.

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of compound plant essential oils on the production performance and egg quality of laying hens. A total of 13 664 Dawu Jinfeng laying hens with similar body weight and late laying period (362~368 days of age ) were randomly divided into two groups, a control group and a compound plant essential oil group, with four replicates in each group and 1 708 laying hens in each replicate. The laying hens in the control group were fed a basal diet, and the laying hens in the compound plant essential oils group were fed a basal diet supplemented with compound plant essential oils. The trial period was 14 days. The results showed that compared with the control group, the laying rate of laying hens in the compound plant essential oils group was significantly increased (P<0.05), the average egg weight showed an increasing trend (P>0.05), the sand shell egg rate was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the feed to egg ratio was decreased (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the egg yolk ratio of the compound plant essential oils group was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the eggshell intensity had a rising trend. The egg yolk color, hardness, and wetness in the compound plant essential oils group were significantly increased (P<0.05). The study indicates that adding compound plant essential oils to the diet can increase the production performance and egg quality of laying hens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop the birth weight curve of singleton neonates with a gestational age of 24-42 weeks, and to investigate the regional differences of the birth weight curve. Methods A total of 11 maternal and child health hospitals with more than 7 000 neonates delivered annually were selected in 11 cities of China (Haikou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Liuzhou, Guilin, Quanzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, Changsha, Ningbo, and Lianyungang), and all live singleton neonates delivered in the 11 hospitals from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2020 were enrolled for the development of birth weight curves. Results A total of 93 720 singleton neonates with a gestational age of 24-42 weeks from the 11 cities were included in the study. The reference values of the 3rd-97th percentiles of birth weight of singleton neonates for the total of the 11 cities and for each of the 11 cities were established, and the birth weight percentile curves were drawn. The birth weight curve level of singleton neonates in Shenzhen and Quanzhou was almost the same as the average level of the 11 cities; the birth weight curve level of singleton neonates in Haikou, Guangzhou, Guilin, and Liuzhou was slightly lower than the average level of the 11 cities; the birth weight curve level of singleton neonates in Chongqing, Chengdu, and Changsha was slightly higher than the average level of the 11 cities; the birth weight curve level of singleton neonates in Ningbo and Lianyungang was higher than the average level of the 11 cities. The average birth weight curve level of singleton neonates in the 11 cities were very close to that of China Neonatal Cooperation Network in 2011-2014. Conclusions The reference values of the 3rd-97th percentiles of birth weight of singleton neonates for the total of the 11 cities and for each of the 11 cities are developed, which can be used as a reference for evaluating the intrauterine growth of singleton neonates in the region. The level of intrauterine growth of neonates in some cities is different from the national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple phenolic compounds in the extract of Erigeron breviscapus synergistically contribute to the neurovascular protective effects. We conducted a phase I and pharmacokinetic study with the phenolic compound-enriched product extracted from Erigeron breviscapus, Erigerontis hydroxybenzenes injection (EHI), in healthy Chinese volunteers. A randomized, open-label, single-center, double-arm, dose-escalation study of EHI was conducted. The tolerability of intravenously EHI administrated in single- or multiple-dose (once daily for 7 days) was studied in 40 healthy Chinese volunteers and the pharmacokinetics of EHI was studied in additional 10 volunteers. The tolerated dose of intravenous infusion of EHI in healthy Chinese volunteers was 6 vials (equivalent to 90 mg bioactive phenolic compounds). The main limitations to dose escalation of EHI were transit changes in electrocardiogram and mild, transit increase in alanine aminotransferase. After intravenous administration of EHI, the average systemic clearance of multiple phenolic compounds of scutellarin, 1,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, and 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid were 131, 29, 262, 112 L/h for male volunteers and 202, 28, 252, 117 L/h for female volunteers. The intervention of intravenous infusion of EHI in healthy Chinese volunteers was generally tolerated. The findings from this study provide data on the tolerability and pharmacokinetics of the extract from Erigeron breviscapus and support further trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of mortality in the gynecologic malignant tumor. 80% of patients are already in the middle or late stage of ovarian cancer when presenting with symptoms. Qualitative and location diagnosis in the early stages of the cancer is one of the key factors to improve the survival rate of patients. Nano-scale contrast agent has the characteristic of the strong blood vessels penetrating ability and confocal imaging. Tumor-specific targeting microbubbles could be generated by conjugating tumor-specific antibodies or ligands into the surface of the microbubbles which can results in selectively accumulation, long resident time in cancer tissue, so it can generate a significantly enhanced signal in the target area. Tumor-specific targeting microbubbles entrapped therapeutic genes or drug could be destroyed by ultrasonic wave and released genes or drug in the target site, which results in improving treatment effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To develop the birth weight curves of the Chinese Han (26-41 weeks of gestation) and Zhuang (28-41 weeks of gestation) singleton neonates in 11 cities of China, as well as the birth weight means of full-term neonates of 14 Chinese ethnic groups., Methods: The live singleton neonates who were born in 11 maternal and child health care hospitals from 11 cities of China between January 2017 and December 2020 were classified according to the mother's ethnic group. Birth weight means were calculated for the full-term neonates of each ethnic group. For the Han and Zhuang singleton neonates with a large sample size, the Lambda-Mu-Sigma (LMS) method was used to establish the birth weight percentile curves of the Han and Zhuang singleton neonates with different gestational ages., Results: A total of 105 365 live singleton neonates were included, among whom the Han neonates had the highest number of 84 851 (26-41 weeks of gestation), followed by the Zhuang neonates (12 803 neonates with a gestational age of 28-41 weeks). The neonates of the other Chinese ethnic groups enrolled were live full-term singleton neonates, with a sample size of more than 100 neonates for each ethnic group. The 3rd-97th percentile curves of birth weight were established for the Han singleton neonates with a gestational age of 26-41 weeks and the Zhuang singleton neonates with a gestational age of 28-41 weeks. The birth weight curves of the Han singleton neonates at each gestational age were higher than those of the Zhuang singleton neonates. Birth weight means (3 199-3 499 g) and standard deviations were determined for 14 Chinese ethnic groups, i.e., Li, Mulao, Zhuang, Yao, Dong, Miao, Han, Buyi, Mongolian, Tujia, Yi, Hui, Man, and Korean ethnic groups. The Li ethnic group had the lowest birth weight, followed by the Mulao, Zhuang, Yao, Dong, Miao, Han, Buyi, Mongolian, Tujia, Yi, Hui, Man, and Korean ethnic groups., Conclusions: The 3rd-97th percentile curves of birth weight are developed for the Han (26-41 weeks of gestation) and Zhuang (28-41 weeks of gestation) singleton neonates in 11 cities of China, and birth weight means are determined for the full-term neonates of 14 Chinese ethnic groups in 11 cities of China, which provides a reference for evaluating the intrauterine growth of neonates in these ethnic groups.

Objectives: To develop the birth weight curve of twin neonates with a gestational age of 25-40 weeks, and to investigate the regional differences of the birth weight curve., Methods: A total of 11 maternal and child health care hospitals with more than 7 000 neonates delivered annually were selected in 11 cities of China (Haikou, Guangzhou, Liuzhou, Guilin, Quanzhou, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Chengdu, Changsha, Ningbo, and Lianyungang), and all live twin neonates delivered in the 11 hospitals from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2020 were enrolled for the development of birth weight curves., Results: A total of 17 256 twin neonates with a gestational age of 25-40 weeks from the 11 cities were included in the study. The reference values of the 3rd-97th percentiles of birth weight of twin neonates for the total of the 11 cities and for each of the 11 cities in China were established, and the birth weight percentile curves were drawn. The birth weight curve level of twin neonates in Liuzhou was lower than the average level of the 11 cities; the birth weight curve level of twin neonates in Ningbo was higher than the average level of the 11 cities; the birth weight curve level of twin neonates in Lianyungang was obviously higher than the average level of the 11 cities; the birth weight curve level of twin neonates in other 8 cities was almost the same as the average level of the 11 cities., Conclusions: The reference values of the 3rd-97th percentiles of birth weight of twin neonates for the total of the 11 cities and for each of the 11 cities are developed, which can be used as a reference for evaluating the intrauterine growth of twin neonates in the region. The level of intrauterine growth of twin neonates in some cities is different from the average level of the 11 cities of China.

Objectives: To develop the birth weight curve of singleton neonates with a gestational age of 24-42 weeks, and to investigate the regional differences of the birth weight curve., Methods: A total of 11 maternal and child health hospitals with more than 7 000 neonates delivered annually were selected in 11 cities of China (Haikou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Liuzhou, Guilin, Quanzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, Changsha, Ningbo, and Lianyungang), and all live singleton neonates delivered in the 11 hospitals from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2020 were enrolled for the development of birth weight curves., Results: A total of 93 720 singleton neonates with a gestational age of 24-42 weeks from the 11 cities were included in the study. The reference values of the 3rd-97th percentiles of birth weight of singleton neonates for the total of the 11 cities and for each of the 11 cities were established, and the birth weight percentile curves were drawn. The birth weight curve level of singleton neonates in Shenzhen and Quanzhou was almost the same as the average level of the 11 cities; the birth weight curve level of singleton neonates in Haikou, Guangzhou, Guilin, and Liuzhou was slightly lower than the average level of the 11 cities; the birth weight curve level of singleton neonates in Chongqing, Chengdu, and Changsha was slightly higher than the average level of the 11 cities; the birth weight curve level of singleton neonates in Ningbo and Lianyungang was higher than the average level of the 11 cities. The average birth weight curve level of singleton neonates in the 11 cities were very close to that of China Neonatal Cooperation Network in 2011-2014., Conclusions: The reference values of the 3rd-97th percentiles of birth weight of singleton neonates for the total of the 11 cities and for each of the 11 cities are developed, which can be used as a reference for evaluating the intrauterine growth of singleton neonates in the region. The level of intrauterine growth of neonates in some cities is different from the national level.

Background: The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of prelabour rupture of membranes (PROM) in China and to assess the association between clinical practice following the guidelines and early neonatal infections., Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 15926 deliveries in ShenZhen Baoan Women's and Children's Hospital, Xibei Women's and Children's Hospital and Chengdu Women's and Children's Hospital between August 1, 2017, to March 31, 2018. Clinical data were collected for each participant. The epidemiology of PROM was described. The association between PROM with early neonatal infectious outcomes and the influence of the implementation of the guideline on early neonatal infectious outcomes were assessed., Findings: The incidence of PROM was 18•7%. PROM was showed to be a risk factor for neonatal infectious diseases (adjusted OR 1•92, 95%CI 1•49~2•49, p <0•0001), early-onset pneumonia (EOP) (adjusted OR 1•81, 95%CI 1•29~2•53, p =0•0006) and early-onset sepsis(EOS) (adjusted OR 14•56, 95%CI 1•90~111•67, p =0•01) for term neonates. For term neonates born from mother with PROM, induction of labor according to the guideline was a protective factor for neonatal diseases(adjusted OR 0•50, 95%CI 0•25~1•00, p =0•00498) and EOP(adjusted OR 0•32, 95%CI 0•11~0•91, p =0•03). For preterm neonates born from mother with PROM, using antibiotics according to the guideline showed to be protective for neonatal infectious diseases (adjusted OR 0•14, 95%CI 0•09~0•23, p <0•0001) and EOP (adjusted OR 0•08, 95%CI 0•04~0•14, p <0•0001)., Interpretation: Our study showed the risk of PROM for infectious diseases (including EOP and EOS) and the benefit of the usage of antibiotics according to the guideline for infectious diseases and EOP for preterm neonates., Funding: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Capital Medical Development Research Fund of Beijing., Competing Interests: We declare no competing interests., (© 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3 (CDKN3) has been reported to promote tumor genesis. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible mechanisms of silence of CDKN3 exerting the suppressive role on epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). To study the potential function of CDKN3 enrolled in the regulation of ovarian tumor, we monitored the EOC cells SKOV3 and HO8910 behaviors including proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis and invasion. First, we found that CDKN3 was frequently over-expressed in EOC. Functional studies showed that silence of CDKN3 inhibited cancer cell proliferation by promoting cell cycle progression in G1 phase, decreased cell invasion and promoted EOC cells apoptosis. Western blot analysis of CDKN3-silence cells revealed down-regulation of DNA-replication and cell cycle related proteins. And, a significant correlation level of CDKN3 was observed which has been demonstrated to be a novel oncogene. These findings indicated that CDKN3 might serve as a useful potential target for treatment of ovarian cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the major dietary factors of kidney stones in Bao'an District of Shenzhen City and provide a scientific base for further effective prevention of kidney stones., Methods: Following the process of stratified cluster random sampling in Bao'an district, a cross-sectional study (July-Aug, 2000) was conducted for collecting the base-line data on kidney stones from a population of permanent residents who were over 15 years old, exclusive of those who had had kidney stones or could not correctly respond to the questionnaire review. Then, a follow-up survey (July-Sept, 2002) for incident kidney stone cases was carried out among those residents. The methods for measurement included questionnaire and face-to-face interview, clinical examination and abdominal ultrasonography. All the investigators and interviewers were trained for the field work. And the data processing, dataset and analyses were performed using Visual-Fox 6.0 and SAS 6.12. The risk factors of kidney stoned were comprehensively analyzed for dietary, life style, and family history of stones. The statistical analyses included case-control comparison, factor analysis, correlation analysis, cluster analysis and logistic regression., Results: There were 305 kidney stones patients among 4552 follow-up members, the cumulative incidence of 2 years was 6.92%. The kidney stones were associated with the factors: menopause, RR=2.433; family history of stones, RR=1.544; sea foods, the RR (5-7 times/week vs < or = 1-2 times/month) was 9.032; fruits, the RR (< or = 1-2 times/month vs > or = 1-2 times/week) was 2. 249; sweet foods, the RR (5-7 times/week vs 1-2 times/week) was 2. 568; bean and bean products, the RR (5-7 times/week and < or = 1-2 times/month vs 1-2 times/week) was 2.184 and 1.689., Conclusion: Changing the inappropriate habitual eating patterns and generalizing the use of proportioning dietary should be the main measures to prevent kidney stones.