Abstract Objective: This study aimed to develop and internally validate a prediction model for estimating the risk of spontaneous abortion in early pregnancy. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 9,895 pregnant women who received prenatal care at a maternal health facility in China from January 2021 to December 2022. Data on demographics, medical history, lifestyle factors, and mental health were collected. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to develop the prediction model with spontaneous abortion as the outcome. The model was internally validated using bootstrapping techniques, and its discrimination and calibration were assessed. Results: The spontaneous abortion rate was 5.95% (589/9,895) 1. The final prediction model included nine variables: maternal age, history of embryonic arrest, thyroid dysfunction, polycystic ovary syndrome, assisted reproduction, exposure to pollution, recent home renovation, depression score, and stress score 1. The model showed good discrimination with a C-statistic of 0.88 (95% CI 0.87‒0.90) 1, and its calibration was adequate based on the Hosmer-Lemeshow test (p = 0.27). Conclusions: The prediction model demonstrated good performance in estimating spontaneous abortion risk in early pregnancy based on demographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors. Further external validation is recommended before clinical application.

ABSTRACT Objective: To explore the effect of ischemic postconditioning on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion-induced acute lung injury (ALI). Methods: Forty adult male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham operation group (SO group), myocardial ischemia-reperfusion group (IR group), ischemic preconditioning group (IPRE group) and ischemic postconditioning group (IPOST group) (10 mice in each group). Anterior descending coronary artery was blocked for 60 min and then reperfused for 15 min to induce myocardial IR. For the IPRE group, 3 consecutive cycles of 5 min of occlusion and 5 minutes of reperfusion of the coronary arteries were performed before ischemia. For the IPOST group, 3 consecutive cycles of 5 min reperfusion and 5 minutes of occlusion of the coronary arteries were performed before reperfusion. Pathological changes of lung tissue, lung wet-to-dry (W/D) weight ratio, inflammatory factors, oxidative stress indicators, apoptosis of lung cells and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) protein were used to evaluate lung injury. Results: After myocardial IR, lung injury worsened significantly, manifested by alveolar congestion, hemorrhage, structural destruction of alveolar septal thickening, and interstitial neutrophil infiltration. In addition, lung W/D ratio was increased, plasma inflammatory factors, including interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-17A, were increased, malondialdehyde (MDA) activity of lung tissue was increased, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was decreased after myocardial IR. It was accompanied by the increased protein expression levels of ERS-related protein glucose regulatory protein 78 (GRP78), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) homologous protein (CHOP), and caspase-12, and the increased apoptotic indices of lung tissues. Conclusion: IPOST can effectively improve myocardial IR-induced ALI by inhibiting ERS-induced apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells.

RESUMO: Com a transferência gradual de enorme força de trabalho jovem e de meia idade do campo agrícola para os setores não agrícolas, o papel negativo da fragmentação da terra (LF), relacionada à segurança alimentar, está cada vez mais refletido no processo de modernização agrícola. Enquanto isso, os papéis positivos da lavoura combinada dos agricultores na produção estão surgindo gradualmente. Com base no histórico acima, o objetivo deste estudo é explicar a relação entre o plantio direto dos agricultores, LF e eficiência da produção agrícola (APE). O estudo usou dados do levantamento e o modelo SFA-QR para investigar empiricamente os efeitos da FL e do plantio direto dos agricultores sobre o APE. Além disso, este artigo analisou o efeito moderador do plantio combinado dos agricultores na relação entre LF e APE. Os resultados demonstram que: (1) A lavoura combinada dos agricultores melhora significativamente o APE, especialmente em domicílios de baixa e média eficiência; (2) LF tem um impacto negativo na APE, especialmente em domicílios de baixa e média eficiência; (3) A lavoura combinada pode aliviar os efeitos adversos do LF no APE. Nesse sentido, o trabalho também propõe algumas sugestões para enfrentar os efeitos adversos da FL e promover o plantio combinado dos agricultores na produção.

ABSTRACT: With the gradual transfer of an enormous young and middle age labor force from agricultural field to non-agricultural sectors, the negative role of land fragmentation (LF), which is related to food security, is increasingly reflecting in the process of agricultural modernization. Meanwhile, the positive roles of farmers’ combined-tillage in production are gradually emerging. Based on the above background, this study explained the relationship among farmers’ combined-tillage, LF and agricultural production efficiency (APE). The study used survey date and the SFA-QR model to empirically investigate the effects of LF and farmers’ combined-tillage on APE. Furthermore, this article analyzed the moderating effect of farmers’ combined-tillage on the relationship between LF and APE. The results demonstrated that: (1) Farmers combined-tillage improves the APE significantly, especially on low and medium efficiency households; (2) LF has a negative impact on APE, especially on low and medium efficiency households; (3) Combined-tillage could alleviate the adverse effects of LF on APE. In this regard, the paper also proposed some suggestions to face the adverse effects of LF and promote farmers’ combined-tillage in production.

ABSTRACT Purpose: Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MIRI) leads to myocardial tissue necrosis, which will increase the size of myocardial infarction. The study examined the protective effect and mechanism of the Guanxin Danshen formula (GXDSF) on MIRI in rats. Methods: MIRI model was performed in rats; rat H9C2 cardiomyocytes were hypoxia-reoxygenated to establish a cell injury model. Results: The GXDSF significantly reduced myocardial ischemia area, reduced myocardial structural injury, decreased the levels of interleukin (IL-1β, IL-6) in serum, decreased the activity of myocardial enzymes, increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione in rats with MIRI. The GXDSF can reduce the expression of nucleotide- binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain containing nod-like receptor family protein 3 (NLRP3), IL-1β, caspase-1, and gasdermin D (GSDMD) in myocardial tissue cells. Salvianolic acid B and notoginsenoside R1 protected H9C2 cardiomyocytes from hypoxia and reoxygenation injury and reduced the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and IL-6 in the cell supernatant, decreasing the NLRP3, IL-18, IL-1β, caspase-1, and GSDMD expression in H9C2 cardiomyocytes. GXDSF can reduce the myocardial infarction area and alleviate the damage to myocardial structure in rats with MIRI, which may be related to the regulation of the NLRP3. Conclusions: GXDSF reduces MIRI in rat myocardial infarction injury, improves structural damage in myocardial ischemia injury, and reduces myocardial tissue inflammation and oxidative stress by lowering inflammatory factors and controlling focal cell death signaling pathways.

Abstract Tea polysaccharides was one of the active ingredients of Qingzhuan dark tea, which had antioxidant, anti-tumor, and immune-enhancing effects. The complexation of metal ions of tea polysaccharides was one of the current research hotspots. It can combine the advantages of tea polysaccharides and their complexed trace metal elements, and had great potential development. In this study, the trace element-copper required by the human body was used for complexation with Qingzhuan dark tea polysaccharides, and the structure was characterized by various chemical methods. The copper complexes of Qingzhuan dark tea polysaccharides were characterized by UV spectroscopy, FT-IR, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, AFM and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The tests results show that it was successfully complexed with tea polysaccharides. Meanwhile, the Qingzhuan dark tea polysaccharides copper complex compound (termed TPS-Cu) showed higher scavenging activity of hydroxyl radical and ABTS free radical than the tea polysaccharides (termed TPS). Therefore, TPS-Cu can be used as a potentially effective and stable copper supplement and preventive agent.

Abstract This work studied the effects of different time and temperature combinations [100 °C for 50 min (T1), 110 °C for 50 min (T2), 118 °C for 50 min (T3) and 121 °C for 30 min (T4)] of sterilization on the sensory quality and lipid oxidation of Dezhou braised chicken. Compared to T1, T3 and T4 groups, the T2 group had the highest colour and lower hardness. The principal component analysis (PCA) of the electronic-tongue results showed that there were distinct differences in taste between the treatment groups. Free amino acids (FAA) analysis showed that the T2 group had the highest amino acid contents. In summary, the T2 might be a more reasonable sterilization condition for Dezhou braised chicken, due to its positive effects on maintaining sensory quality. The results of this study could guide Dezhou braised chicken industry to produce better quality products.

Abstract This study aimed to perform a meta-analysis comparing the efficacy and safety of gefitinib in combination with chemotherapy versus gefitinib alone in patients with advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). We searched databases for clinical studies that reported the efficacy or safety of gefitinib plus chemotherapy in comparison with gefitinib alone. Raw data from included studies were extracted and pooled to calculate the Odds Ratio (OR) for Objective Response Rate (ORR) and Disease Control Rate (DCR), the Hazard Ratio (HR) for Progression-Free Survival (PFS) and Overall Survival (OS), and OR for complication ≥ Grade 3. A total of 10 studies containing 1,528 patients with NSCLC were identified and included in the analysis. Gefitinib plus chemotherapy showed significantly better efficacy in improving ORR (OR = 1.54; 95% CI [Confidence Interval], 1.13‒2.1; p = 0.006), DCR (OR = 1.62; 95% CI 1.14‒2.29; p = 0.007), PFS (HR=1.67; 95% CI 1.45‒1.94; p < 0.001) and OS (HR = 1.49; 95% CI 1.2‒1.87; p < 0.001) as compared with gefitinib alone. Consistent results were observed in the sub-population with positive EGFR mutation. The combination of gefitinib with chemotherapy had a significantly higher risk of complication (≥ Grade 3) with an OR of 3.29 (95% CI 2.57‒4.21; p < 0.001). The findings in the present study suggest that the combination of gefitinib with chemotherapy can provide better disease response and survival outcomes for patients with advanced NSCLC.

Abstract Objectives: The incidence of cerebellar Glioblastoma Multiforme (cGBM) is rare. Database like TCGA have not distinguish cGBM from GBM, our knowledge on cGBM gene expression characteristics is limited. The expression status of Oligodendrocyte Lineage Transcription factor 2 (OLIG2) and its clinical significance in cGBM is still unclear. Methods: The clinical data and tissue specimens of 73 cGBM patients were retrospectively studied. The association between OLIG2 expression level and the demographic characteristics of cGBM patients was identified by the Chi-Square test. The survival curves were drawn by Kaplan-Meier analysis. The independent prognostic factors was calculated according to Cox regression analysis. Results: The OLIG2 high expression was observed in about 57.5% (42/73) of the cGBM patients. Patients with high OLIG2 expression levels had a higher alive ratio at the end of follow-up (alive ratio: 70.6% vs. 29.4%, p = 0.04). The median survival time was 21 months and 13 months for high and low expression of OLIG2 (p < 0 .05). Univariate analysis and Multivariate analysis indicated that EOR (HR = 3.89, 95% CI 1.23−12.26, p = 0.02), low OLIG2 expression (HR = 5.26, 95% CI 1.13−24.59, p = 0.04), and without adjuvant therapy (HR = 4.95, 95% CI 1.22−20.00, p = 0.03) were independent risk factors for the OS of cGBM patients. Conclusion: High expression level of OLIG2 could be used as an independent favorable prognosis indicator in cGBM patients and be recognized as a characteristic biomarker of cGBM.

Pilot trials have suggested that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may reduce limb spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS). We carried out the current meta-analysis to synthesize currently available evidence regarding such correlation. Up to November 2022, five international electronic databases (Cochrane CENTRAL, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CINAHL) and four Chinese electronic databases (CBM, CNKI, WanFang Data, and VIP) were systematically searched to identify randomized trials comparing active rTMS and sham stimulation in patients with MS-related spasticity. Two reviewers independently selected studies and extracted data on study design, quality, clinical outcomes, and time points measured. The primary outcome was clinical spasticity relief after intervention. Secondary outcomes included spasticity at the follow-up visit 2 weeks later and post-treatment fatigue. Of 831 titles found, we included 8 studies (181 participants) in the quantitative analysis. Pooled analyses showed that rTMS therapy was associated with significant spasticity relief in the early post-intervention period [standardized mean differences (SMD): -0.67; 95%CI: -1.12 to -0.21], but there was insufficient evidence for rTMS in reducing spasticity at the follow-up visit 2 weeks later (SMD: -0.17; 95%CI: -0.52 to 0.17) and fatigue (SMD: -0.26; 95%CI: -0.84 to 0.31). This evidence supports the recommendations to treat MS-related spasticity with rTMS, but underlines the need for further large randomized trials.

ABSTRACT To address the problem of the low accuracy and poor robustness of modeling methods for imbalanced data sets of pig behavior identification and classification, the three commonly used re-sampling methods of under-sampling, SMOTE and Borderline-SMOTE are compared, and an adaptive boundary data augmentation algorithm AD-BL-SMOTE is proposed. The activity of the pigs was measured using triaxial accelerometers, which were fixed on the backs of the pigs. A multilayer feed-forward neural network was trained and validated with 21 input features to classify four pig activities: lying, standing, walking, and exploring. The results showed that re-sampling methods are an effective way to improve the performance of pig behavior identification and classification. Moreover, AD-BL-SMOTE could yield greater improvements in classification performance than the other three methods for balancing the training data set. The overall major mean accuracy of lying, standing, walking, and exploring by pigs A, B and C was significantly improved by using AD-BL-SMOTE, reaching 91.8%, 93.0% and 96.0%, respectively.

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the risk factors for predicting atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs) detected by cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). Methods: A total of 140 patients with CIED in our hospital from June 2013 to June 2018 were included and were followed up to observe whether they had AHREs. AHRE are defined as atrial rate ≥ 175 times/minute, lasting > 5 minutes, and reviewed by an experienced electrophysiologist with unclear clinical diagnosis. The patients fasted for 12 hours after implantation, and blood samples were collected for biochemical, lipid, and whole blood count detection. Follow-up was regular after discharge to record follow-up data of each patient and conduct statistical analysis. Results: One hundred and forty patients were implanted with dual-chamber pacemakers, their median age was 70 years old, 44.29% were male, 27 patients had AHRE within one year, and AHRE incidence rate was 19.29%. The microcytic to hypochromic (M/H) ratio was calculated for all AHRE patients and compared with the patients without AHRE; the M/H value of AHRE patients was significantly higher. Throughout the entire follow-up period, a total of 44 patients developed AHRE; when adjusted by multivariate analysis, only M/H ratio ≥ 4.5 vs. < 4.5 had statistical significance, and the adjusted hazard ratio value was 4.313 (1.675-11.105). Conclusion: As an indicator, M/H ratio may play an important role in the occurrence and development of atrial fibrillation and can be used as a predictor of AHRE in patients with CIED.

RESUMO Antecedentes: A acupuntura é um tratamento para a dor neuropática, mas seu mecanismo permanece obscuro. Estudos anteriores mostraram que a analgesia foi induzida em ratos com dor neuropática quando o conteúdo de adenosina da medula espinhal aumentou após a eletroacupuntura (EA); no entanto, o mecanismo por trás desse aumento induzido por eletroacupuntura não foi esclarecido. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar o papel que a ecto-5'-nucleotidase desempenha na analgesia induzida por EA para dor neuropática. Métodos: Realizamos eletroacupuntura no ponto de acupuntura de Zusanli no sétimo dia após estabelecer um modelo de rato de dor neuropática induzida por lesão de constrição crônica. Observamos o limiar de retirada mecânica e o limiar de dor térmica, e detectamos a expressão de ecto-5'-nucleotidase na medula espinhal usando Western blot. Modelos de ratos com lesão de constrição crônica foram injetados intraperitonealmente com α, β-metilenadenosina 5'-difosfato, um inibidor de ecto-5'-nucleotidase, 30 min antes da eletroacupuntura. O conteúdo de adenosina da medula espinhal foi detectado por meio de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. Por último, o agonista do receptor de adenosina A1 N6-ciclopentiladenosina foi injetado por via intratecal no edema lombar dos ratos, e a retirada mecânica e os limiares de dor térmica foram reavaliados. Resultados: Analgesia e aumento da expressão de ecto-5'-nucleotidase e conteúdo de adenosina na medula espinhal foram observados 1 h após a eletroacupuntura. α, β-metilenadenosina 5'-difosfato foi capaz de inibir a sobrerregulação do conteúdo de adenosina e analgesia induzida por eletroacupuntura. Após administração de N6-ciclopentiladenosina, a analgesia induzida por eletroacupuntura foi restaurada. Conclusões: Nossos resultados sugerem que a eletroacupuntura em Zusanli pode produzir analgesia em modelos de ratos com lesão de constrição crônica, possivelmente por meio do aumento da expressão de ecto-5'-nucleotidase induzida por eletroacupuntura, levando ao aumento da expressão de adenosina na medula espinhal.

ABSTRACT Background: Acupuncture is a treatment for neuropathic pain, but its mechanism remains unclear. Previous studies showed that analgesia was induced in rats with neuropathic pain when their spinal cord adenosine content increased after electroacupuncture (EA); however, the mechanism behind this electroacupuncture-induced increase has not been clarified. Objective: This study aimed to determine the role that ecto-5’-nucleotidase plays in EA-induced analgesia for neuropathic pain. Methods: We performed electroacupuncture at the Zusanli acupoint on the seventh day after establishing a rat model of neuropathic pain induced through chronic constriction injuries. We observed the mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal pain threshold and detected the expression of ecto-5’-nucleotidase in the spinal cord using Western blot. Chronic constriction injury rat models were intraperitoneally injected with α,β-methyleneadenosine 5'-diphosphate, an ecto-5’-nucleotidase inhibitor, 30 min before electroacupuncture. The adenosine content of the spinal cord was detected using high-performance liquid chromatography. Lastly, the adenosine A1 receptor agonist N6-cyclopentyladenosine was intrathecally injected into the lumbar swelling of the rats, and the mechanical withdrawal and thermal pain thresholds were reevaluated. Results: Analgesia and increased ecto-5’-nucleotidase expression and adenosine content in the spinal cord were observed 1 h after electroacupuncture. α,β-methyleneadenosine 5'-diphosphate was able to inhibit upregulation of adenosine content and electroacupuncture-induced analgesia. After administration of N6-cyclopentyladenosine, electroacupuncture-induced analgesia was restored. Conclusions: Our results suggest that electroacupuncture at Zusanli can produce analgesia in chronic constriction injury rat models, possibly via the increased ecto-5’-nucleotidase expression induced through electroacupuncture, thus leading to increased adenosine expression in the spinal cord.

Abstract To study the long-term clinical efficacy of protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc with percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD). A statistics was conducted on 108 patients who had been treated with percutaneous laser disc decompression, the intervertebral height of related lesion spaces of patients in different time points after treatment and the intervertebral height ratio was calculated respectively; moreover, a statistics was conducted on VAS evaluation of patients in different time points, and the long-term efficacy after treatment with percutaneous laser disc decompression was evaluated with statistical method. The patients with follow-up period after operation respectively up to 5, 8 and 10 years and those in 3 years after operation were analyzed statistically in intervertebral height ratio and VAS scoring, and the difference was without significant statistical significance. Single-factor was analyzed to the factors likely to influence the effect of operation to get the authenticity of influence of age, disease duration and disease stage on the postoperative efficacy. Percutaneous laser disc decompression was featured by safety, efficacy and fewer complications in treatment of protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc, and also it had no obvious influence on the spinal stability, and long-term postoperative efficacy was stable.

Abstract In this study, we aimed to compare clinical efficacy of laparoscopic surgery and open surgery for colorectal cancer in the Huaihe River Basin in China. A total of 92 patients with colorectal cancer were selected as subjects. Patients were divided into control group (open surgery, n = 27 cases) and test group (laparoscopic surgery, n = 28 cases). Our results showed that the duration of operation (122.54 ± 14.85) min and length of incision (4.51 ± 1.065) cm were shorter in the experimental group than those in the control group. The intraoperative blood loss of the experimental group was (161.12 ± 10.694) ml, which was less than that of the control group (218.53 ± 15.369) ml (P < 0.05). Patients in the experimental group have higher Five-year survival rate and lower incidence of postoperative complications than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). In conclusion, in the treatment of colorectal cancer, laparoscopic surgery has a better clinical effect than open surgery, which is worthy of clinical application.