[Comprehensive treatment of 335 patients with pyriform sinus carcinoma by surgery via the paraglottic space approach]

Objective: To report the experience in comprehensive surgical treatment of pyriform sinus carcinoma via the paraglottic space approach. Methods: Three hundred and thirty-five cases with pyriform sinus carcinoma (according to UICC 2012 criteria, stage Ⅰ, 12 cases; Ⅱ, 36; Ⅲ, 79; Ⅳ, 208; T1, 26; T2, 139; T3, 121; T4, 49; cN0, 83; cN1, 61; cN2a-b, 118; cN2c, 71; cN3, 2) treated between 2006 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 323 males and 12 females. Age aged from 36 to 80 years old with a median of 60 years old. There was no case with distant metastasis. All patients received modified neck dissection, including unilateral in 240 patients and bilateral in 95 patients. Pharyngoesophageal defects were reconstructed with directly suture in 246 cases, pectoralis major musculocutaneous flaps in 74 cases, and laryngotracheal flaps in 15 cases. Three hundred and nineteen patients received postoperative radiotherapy (55-65 Gy). Results: The overall 3 and 5 year survival rates were 68.6% (230/335) and 52.1%(139/267), respectively. The cervical lymph node metastases were found in 265 (79.1%) patients. Pathologic findings showed that all patients had squamous cell carcinoma. Laryngeal functions (voice, respiration and deglutition) were completely restored in 277 (82.7%) patients. Conclusions: The oncological efficacy of surgery via the paraglottic space approach is sure for pyriform sinus carcinoma, especially suitable for the early and medium-term lesions. The function of the larynx can retain after surgery, with the decreased incidences of cough and pharynx fistula.

Circular RNA circ-LDLRAD3 as a biomarker in diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

AIM

To analyze the diagnostic value of a circular RNA (circRNA), circ-LDLRAD3, in pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

Expression levels of circ-LDLRAD3 were tested in both cells and clinical samples; the latter included 30 paired pancreatic cancer tissues and adjacent non-tumorous tissues, 31 plasma samples from patients with pancreatic cancer, and 31 plasma samples from healthy volunteers. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to measure expression levels of circ-LDLRAD3 in cells and clinical samples; then, the relationship between clinicopathological factors of patient samples and expression of circ-LDLRAD3 in pancreatic cancer was analyzed. The diagnostic value of circ-LDLRAD3 was verified by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

RESULTS

Circ-LDLRAD3 was up-regulated in pancreatic cancer cell lines (P < 0.01), pancreatic cancer tissues (P < 0.01), and plasma samples from patients with pancreatic cancer (P < 0.01). High expression of circ-LDLRAD3 was significantly associated with venous invasion, lymphatic invasion, and metastasis. The area under the ROC curve of circ-LDLRAD3 alone or combination with CA19-9 was 0.67 and 0.87, respectively, with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.5738 (alone) and 0.7049 (alone), and 0.8033 (combination) and 0.9355 (combination), respectively.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that circ-LDLRAD3 may be a biomarker in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

[Comparison of three different types of donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for intermediate and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome]

Objective: To investigate three different types of donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for intermediate and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) . Methods: Between August 2001 and May 2015, 167 consecutive patients with MDS in intermediate and high-risk who underwent allogeneic HSCT were analyzed retrospectively. Results: With the median follow up of 60 (12-177) months, The total 5-year DFS was 67.8% (95%CI 60.0%-75.6%) . Among three different types of donor, 5-year DFS rates were 68.0% (95%CI 54.1%-81.9%) in MSD-HSCT vs 77.4% (95%CI 62.1%-92.7%) in MUD-HSCT vs 64.0% (95% CI 52.4%-75.6%) in Haplo-HSCT (P=0.632) , respectively. Univariate analysis showed that median disease course before HSCT was the influencing factor of DFS (P=0.018) . Five-year relapse and TRM had no correlation with the above-mentioned factor. Conclusions: Haplo-HSCT for intermediate and high-risk MDS achieved similar effect produced by MUD or MSD, Haplo-HSCT could be used as an important alternative donor. allo-HSCT must be performed on intermediate and high-risk MDS patients as early as possible after diagnosis.

[Bleeding control of periodontal mechanical therapy for patients taking aspirin]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the feasibility of periodontal mechanical therapy for chronic periodontitis and coronary heart disease patients with low dose of aspirin.

METHODS

Sixty nine chronic periodontitis patients with coronary heart disease were randomly selected as the experimental group (medication group, group A), the control group (withdrawal group, group B) including 20 chronic periodontitis patients with coronary artery disease, stopping the drug for one week and another control group with 50 chronic periodontitis patients (group C). The three groups were examined with pocket probing, and received supragingival scaling, subgingival scaling, and root planning. Local bleeding after operation was observed. In 30 minutes after periodontal mechanical treatment, there was still a need to take some hemostatic measures (containing the oxidized cellulose putting in the periodontal pocket, gauze oppressing, and suturing). Nd:YAG laser was used to stop bleeding 60 minutes after operation.

RESULTS

At baseline, there was no significant difference in the three groups, as to the plaque index(PLI), the probing depth (PD), and the attachment loss (AL). The bleeding index (BI)in group A was significantly higher than that in group C (P=0.024), higher than that in group B (P=0.088). The platelet maximum aggregation rate (Agg(max)) was detected in some subjects. The average Agg(max) value group A was 15.2%, which was much greater than that in group B (60.7%) and group C (62.5%). The three groups were all safe in the treatment of periodontal therapy. There were five cases of active bleeding in group A, one case in group B and one case in group C in 30 minutes after operation. In 60 minutes after operation, there was one case of bleeding actively in group A. Nd:YAG laser was used to stop bleeding successfully.

CONCLUSION

The chronic periodontitis and coronary heart disease patients with long-term oral administration of low dose of aspirin can be safely treated with periodontal mechanical treatment, and the effect of local hemostasis is positive without stopping the drug.

[Effect of minimal residual disease monitoring by multiparameter flow cytometry pre-conditioning on prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

Objective: To investigate the effect of minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring by multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) pre-conditioning on prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia in first complete remission (CR(1)-AML) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) , and to explore the value of MRD monitoring by MFC in the prognosis evaluation on allo-HSCT in CR(1)-AML. Methods: Between April 2012 and March 2015, consecutive 186 patients with CR(1)-AML who underwent allo-HSCT were analyzed retrospectively. MRD in BM before conditioning was detected by eight-color MFC. Any level of residual disease was considered to be MRD positive. Results: ①Of 186 patients, MRD was negative in 151 patients, positive in 35 patients (<1% in 25 patients and 1% to 3% in 10 patients) . ② With the median follow up of 18 (5-41) months, two-year DFS was 80.0% (95%CI 68.5%-92.3%) . Univariate analysis showed that MRD positive patients had lower DFS[62.9% (95%CI 50.6%-75.2%) vs 88.9% (95%CI 76.6%-100.0%) , P<0.001], higher relapse[11.4% (95%CI 4.1%-29.0%) vs 3.3% (95% CI 0.6%-20.9%) , P=0.003] and higher NRM [25.7% (95% CI 8.1%-43.3%) vs 7.9% (95% CI 1.3%-26.5%) , P=0.001] after HSCT compared with that of MRD negative patients. Secondary AML showed lower DFS than primary AML [60.0% (95% CI 42.4%-76.6%) vs 86.0% (95% CI 68.4%-100.0%) , P=0.004]. ③Multivariate analysis indicated that MRD positive pre-HSCT was the independent risk factor on DFS [HR=4.565 (95%CI 2.918-9.482) , P<0.001], relapse [HR=5.854 (95%CI 1.538-22.288) , P=0.010] and NRM [HR=3.379 (95%CI 1.361-8.391) , P=0.009] after allo-HSCT in CR(1)-AML. Conclusion: MRD positive pre-conditioning was the only negative impact factor for patients with CR(1)-AML after allo-HSCT. MRD by MFC can be used to assess the prognosis of CR(1)-AML after allo-HSCT.

Intestinal Dendritic Cells Are Altered in Number, Maturity and Chemotactic Ability in Fulminant Hepatic Failure

Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) is defined as rapid acute liver injury, often complicated with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). The precise onset of FHF with SBP is still unknown, but it is thought that SBP closely correlates with a weakened intestinal barrier. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in forming the intestinal immune barrier, therefore the number, maturity and chemotactic ability of intestinal DCs were studied in FHF. Mouse intestinal and spleen DCs were isolated by magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) and surface markers of DCs, namely CD11c, CD74, CD83 and CD86, were identified using flow cytometry. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were performed to detect the distribution and expression of CC-chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) and CC-chemokine receptor 9 (CCR9), as well as their ligands-CC-chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21) and CC-chemokine ligand 25 (CCL25). Real-time PCR was used to detect CCR7 and CCR9 mRNA, along with their ligands-CCL21 and CCL25 mRNA. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the markers CD74, CD83 and CD86 of CD11c+DCs were lower in the D-galactosamine (D-GalN) group and were significantly decreased in the FHF group, while there were no significant changes in the expression of these markers in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group. Immunohistochemistry results showed that staining for CCR7 and CCR9, as well as their ligands CCL21 and CCL25, was significantly weaker in the D-GalN and FHF groups compared with the normal saline (NS) group or the LPS group; the FHF group even showed completely unstained parts. Protein expression of CCR7 and CCR9, as well as their ligands- CCL21 and CCL25, was also lower in the D-GalN group and decreased even more significantly in the FHF group. At the gene level, CCR7 and CCR9, along with CCL21 and CCL25 mRNA expression, was lower in the D-GalN group and significantly decreased in the FHF group compared to the NS and LPS groups, consisting with the protein expression. Our study indicated that intestinal DCs were decreased in number, maturity and chemotactic ability in FHF and might contribute to a decreased function of the intestinal immune barrier in FHF.

Microstructure and Ultrastructure Alterations in the Pallium of Immature Mice Exposed to Cadmium

The aim of this study was to investigate microstructure and ultrastructure alterations in the pallium of immature mice exposed to cadmium. Forty immature mice were randomly divided into control, 1/100 LD₅₀ (1.87 mg/kg, low), 1/50 LD₅₀ (3.74 mg/kg, medium), and 1/25 LD₅₀ (7.48 mg/kg, high) dose groups. After oral cadmium exposure for 40 days, the pallium of mice was obtained for microstructure and ultrastructure studies. The results showed that both microstructure and ultrastructure alterations of the pallium were observed in all treated mice and the most obvious alterations were in the high dose group. Microstructural analysis showed seriously congested capillary in the pia mater of the pallium in the high cadmium group. Meanwhile, vacuolar degenerate or karyopyknosis presented in some neurocytes, capillary quantity, and the number of apoptotic cells increased, some neurocytes became hypertrophy, the pia mater separated from the cortex, and local hemorrhage and accompanied inflammatory cell infiltration were also observed. Ultrastructural analysis showed that rough endoplasmic reticulum was expanded, heterochromatin marginalized, perinuclear space distinctly broadened, swelling and vacuolization mitochondria appeared, synapse was swelling, presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes presented fusion, and most of mitochondrial cristae were ambiguous. The results indicated that cadmium exposure for 40 days induced dose-dependent microstructure and ultrastructure alterations in pallium of immature mice.

Constituents from Polygonatum sibiricum and their inhibitions on the formation of advanced glycosylation end products

A new saponin, isonarthogenin 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-galactopyranoside (1), together with twelve known compounds, were isolated from the rhizomes of Polygonatum sibiricum. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by analysis of their 1D/2D NMR and MS data. Among them, phenol compounds 4-7 and 9-10 showed significant inhibitions against the formation of advanced glycosylation end products, with IC50 values of 0.091 ± 0.0021, 0.10 ± 0.041, 0.014 ± 0.0027, 0.11 ± 0.011, 0.13 ± 0.045, and 0.055 ± 0.019 μM, respectively. The results will promote exploiting potential medicinal use of these compounds in the prevention of diabetic complications and supporting Polygonatum sibiricum as a functional food for healthy and medicinal diet.

[Determination of trace cobalt and tungsten in human urine by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry]

OBJECTIVE

To establish a method to determine cobalt and tungsten in human urine by ICP-MS.

METHODS

Both Co and W were linear within 0.05~10.00 ng/ml with r>0.999. Spike experiment showed that both Co and W received good recovery rate, which were 90%~97%. Intra-assay precisions were 3.2%~5.1% for Co and 2.2%~4.1% for W, inter-assay precisions were 4.4%~5.2% for Co and 3.7%~4.5% for W.

CONCLUSION

The method by using ICP-MS to determine urine Co and W was fast, accurate and with low matrix effect. It could meet the requirement in GBZ/T 210.5-2008.

[Determination of trace cobalt in human urine by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometr]

OBJECTIVE

To establish a method to determine cobalt in human urine by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.

METHODS

Urine with 2% nitric acid diluted two-fold, to quantify the curve, graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric detection.

RESULTS

Co was linear within 2.5~40.0 ng/ml with r>0.999. Spike experiment showed that Co received good recovery rate, which was 90.8%~94.8%. Intra-assay precisions were 3.2%~5.1% for Co, inter-assay precisions were 4.4%~5.2% for Co.

CONCLUSION

The method by using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometr to determine urine Co was fast, accurate and with low matrix effect. It could meet the requirement in GBZ/T 210.5-2008.

[The circumferential decompression by posterior transpedicular osteotomy and segmental instrumentation with interbody fusion for thoracic ossification of posterior iongitudinal ligament]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the efficacy of the circumferential decompression with posterior transpedicular osteotomy and segmental instrumentation with interbody fusion for thoracic ossification of posterior Iongitudinal ligament (T-OPLL).

METHODS

From May 2012 to June 2015, 16 consecutive patients underwent posterior transpedicular osteotomy and segmental instrumentation with interbody fusion.Osteotomy range was depended by length and types of OPLL.Patient's data included level, clinical presentation, blood loss, length of surgery, complications, VAS, JOA, and Frankel grading system before and after the surgery. All data were collected, retrospectively.

RESULTS

The follow-up period was (30±19) months (range from 12 to 50 months). The operation time was (261.6±51.3) min (range from 190 to 310 min). The blood loss was (980.3±370.5) ml (range from 600 to 2 100 ml). All patients were well treated with posterior compression and segmental instrumentation with interbody fusion.The VAS score was (4.2±0.2) in all patients at a week, improving to (2.7±0.1) points at 3 months, (2.4±0.2) at 1 year, and (2.0±0.1) at last fellow-up.The statistical analysis of the results showed a significant improvement of pain at 3 months (P<0.05) when compared to the preoperative status.The preoperative JOA score was (4.2±1.7) in all patients, improving to (7.8±2.5) points at 3 months, (8.5±2.7) at 1 year, and (9.0±1.0) at last fellow-up.The mean recovery rate for the total JOA score was (72%±8%). Differences in the overall JOA Scores showed significant postoperative improvement.Frankel grade improved by either 1 or 2 grades in 16 patients at the last follow-up.None of the patients showed any signs of instrument migration or failure during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that the procedure achieved a total resection of the ossified posterior longitudinal ligament.The treatment method with posterior transpedicular osteotomy and circumferential decompression was found to be safe, effective, reliable, and technically feasible.

Pressure-Induced Electronic Transition in Black Phosphorus

In a semimetal, both electrons and holes contribute to the density of states at the Fermi level. The small band overlaps and multiband effects engender novel electronic properties. We show that a moderate hydrostatic pressure effectively suppresses the band gap in the elemental semiconductor black phosphorus. An electronic topological transition takes place at approximately 1.2 GPa, above which black phosphorus evolves into a semimetal state that is characterized by a colossal positive magnetoresistance and a nonlinear field dependence of Hall resistivity. The Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations detected in magnetic field reveal the complex Fermi surface topology of the semimetallic phase. In particular, we find a nontrivial Berry phase in one Fermi surface that emerges in the semimetal state, as evidence of a Dirac-like dispersion. The observed semimetallic behavior greatly enriches the material property of black phosphorus and sets the stage for the exploration of novel electronic states in this material.

Effect of cadmium exposure on the histopathology of cerebral cortex in juvenile mice

Cadmium, a heavy metal, is a toxic environmental and industrial pollutant. Exposure to cadmium can lead to the toxic effects in a variety of tissues, also including the brain. The present study investigated the effect of cadmium exposure on the histopathology of cerebral cortex in juvenile mice. Juvenile mice were randomly divided into control, low (1.87 mg/kg), medium (3.74 mg/kg), and high (7.48 mg/kg) dose groups. After cadmium exposure by drinking water for 10 days, the cerebral cortex was obtained for histopathology studies. The medium and high dose of cadmium, rather than low dose, could induce the histopathology alterations of cerebral cortex in a dose-dependent manner. In the high-dose group, microstructure significantly showed pia mater encephali divorcing from cerebral cortex layer, serious hyperemia of blood capillary in pia mater encephali and cerebral cortex, broadening vessel peripheral clearance, a large number of eosinophil leukocyte infiltrating around blood vessel, vacuolar degeneration in part granule cells, and obviously increasing apoptotic cells. Ultrastructure obviously displayed marginalized heterochromatin, incomplete or fused nuclear membranes, broadened perinuclear space, ambiguous mitochondria cristae, decreased synaptic cleft, and fused presynaptic and postsynaptic membrane. Our results revealed that cadmium at the middle and high dose could induce obvious microstructure and ultrastructure alterations of cerebral cortex in juvenile mice, which may be one important mechanism of cadmium neurotoxicity.

Intestinal dendritic cells change in number in fulminant hepatic failure

AIM: To investigate the change in intestinal dendritic cell (DC) number in fulminant hepatic failure (FHF).

METHODS: An animal model of FHF was created. Intestinal CD11b/c was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect intestinal integrin-α mRNA expression. Intestinal CD83, CD86, CD74, CD3 and AKT were detected by immunohistochemistry, Western blot and PCR. Phosphorylated-AKT (p-AKT) was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.

RESULTS: In the FHF group [D-galactosamine (D-Galn) + lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group], the mice began to die after 6 h; conversely, in the D-Galn and LPS groups, the activity of mice was poor, but there were no deaths. Immunohistochemistry results showed that in FHF, the expression of CD11b/c (7988400 ± 385941 vs 1102400 ± 132273, P < 0.05), CD83 (13875000 ± 467493 vs 9257600 ± 400364, P < 0.05), CD86 (7988400 ± 385941 vs 1102400 ± 13227, P < 0.05) and CD74 (11056000 ± 431427 vs 4633400 ± 267903, P < 0.05) was significantly increased compared with the normal saline (NS) group. Compared with the NS group, the protein expression of CD11b/c (5.4817 ± 0.77 vs 1.4073 ± 0.37, P < 0.05) and CD86 (4.2673 ± 0.69 vs 1.1379 ± 0.42, P < 0.05) was significantly increased. Itg-α (1.1224 ± 0.3 vs 0.4907 ± 0.19, P < 0.05), CD83 (3.6986 ± 0.40 vs 1.0762 ± 0.22, P < 0.05) and CD86 (1.5801 ± 0.32 vs 0.8846 ± 0.10, P < 0.05) mRNA expression was increased significantly in the FHF group. At the protein level, expression of CD74 in the FHF group (2.3513 ± 0.52) was significantly increased compared with the NS group (1.1298 ± 0.33), whereas in the LPS group (2.3891 ± 0.47), the level of CD74 was the highest (P < 0.05). At the gene level, the relative expression of CD74 mRNA in the FHF group (1.5383 ± 0.26) was also significantly increased in comparison to the NS group (0.7648 ± 0.22; P < 0.05). CD3 expression was the highest in the FHF group (P < 0.05). In the FHF, LPS and D-Galn groups, the expression of AKT at the protein and mRNA levels was elevated compared with the NS group, but there was no statistical significance (P > 0.05). The p-AKT protein expression in the FHF (1.54 ± 0.06), LPS (1.56 ± 0.05) and D-Galn (1.29 ± 0.03) groups was higher than that in the NS group (1.07 ± 0.03) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: In FHF, a large number of DCs mature, express CD86, and activate MHC class II molecular pathways to induce a T cell response, and the AKT pathway is activated.

Effect of hyperoxia on pulmonary SIgA and its components, IgA and SC

Purpose

Oxygen therapy (hyperoxia) is essential for the treatment of some neonatal critical care conditions. The lung is the primary target for the changes induced by hyperoxia. Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), IgA and secretory component (SC) reflect the local immunity in the respiratory tract induced by hyperoxia.

Methods

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry staining, Western blot and Real-time PCR were used to detect the levels of cytokines, IgA and SIgA in bronchoalveolar lavage as well as IgA and SC/pIgR in pulmonary tissue.

Results

The levels of IgA and SIgA in BAL fluid were gradually increased following neonatal rat development. Compared with air-inhaling group, in the hyperoxia group IgA, SIgA and other cytokines except IL-1 in BAL fluid were significantly elevated on the 3rd, 5th and 7th days, but on the 10th day TNF-α, SIgA and IgA rapidly decreased. In the hyperoxia group, both the protein expression of SC/pIgR and the mRNA expression of SC/pIgR were remarkably increased on the 3rd, 5th and 7th days, but were significantly decreased on the 10th day, respectively. Conclusion: The large amount of SIgA, IgA and SC in the early period of hyperoxia might protect the lungs of the neonatal rats against acute pulmonary injury, however, in the late period of hyperoxia, the abruptly drop of SIgA and its component might lead to pulmonary immunity abnormality. In hyperoxia, the increased expression of cytokines might contribute to the expression of IgA and SC.

[Study on the chemical constituent from the dichloromethane extract of the pine needle of Cedrus deodara (II)]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents of the dichloromethane extract from pine needles of Cedrus deodara.

METHODS

The chemical constituents were isolated and purified from the dichloromethane extract of pine needles by chromatography on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of spectral data and chemical properties.

RESULTS

Seven compounds were isolated and their chemical structures were identified as ferulic acid (1), osthole (2), beta-phenylacrylic acid (3), paeonol (4), beta-sitosterol (5), magnolol (6) and honokiol (7).

CONCLUSION

Compounds 1 - 4, 6 and 7 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Periodontal disease and risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis of observational studies

BACKGROUND

Many epidemiological studies have found a positive association between periodontal disease (PD) and risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but this association is varied and even contradictory among studies. We performed a meta-analysis to ascertain the relationship between PD and COPD.

METHODS

PubMed and Embase database were searched up to January 10, 2012, for relevant observational studies on the association between PD and risk of COPD. Data from the studies selected were extracted and analyzed independently by two authors. The meta-analysis was performed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software.

RESULTS

Fourteen observational studies (one nested case-control, eight case-control, and five cross-sectional) involving 3,988 COPD patients were yielded. Based on random-effects meta-analysis, a significant association between PD and COPD was identified (odds ratio = 2.08, 95% confidence interval = 1.48-2.91; P<0.001), with sensitivity analysis showing that the result was robust. Subgroups analyses according to study design, ethnicity, assessment of PD/COPD, and adjusted/unadjusted odds ratios also revealed a significant association. Publication bias was detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on current evidence, PD is a significant and independent risk factor of COPD. However, whether a causal relationships exists remains unclear. Morever, we suggest performing randomized controlled trails to explore whether periodontal interventions are beneficial in regulating COPD pathogenesis and progression.

[Study on the chemical constituents from Patrinia scabra]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents from Patrinia scabra Bunge.

METHODS

Chemical constituents were isolated and purified by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical evidence.

RESULTS

Seven compounds were isolated and purified. Their structures were identified as villosol (I), patriscabrol (II), protocatechuic acid (III), beta-daucosterol (IV), oleic acid (V), beta-sitosterol (VI), erucic acid (VII).

CONCLUSION

Compounds I, III, V, VII are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Epidemiologic survey on hospitalized neonates in China

OBJECTIVE

To carry out a nationwide epidemiologic survey on the neonates in urban hospitals with an attempt to understand the disease spectrum and treatment outcomes of hospitalized neonates in China.

METHODS

The clinical data of 43,289 hospitalized neonates from 86 hospitals in 47 Chinese cities (22 provinces) between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2005 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

The male:female ratio was 1.73:1. Premature infants accounted for 26.2% of the hospitalized neonates, which was higher than that reported in 2002 (19.7%). The top three diseases during the neonatal period were jaundice, pneumonia, and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. The incidences of pneumonia, meconium aspiration syndrome, and bilirubin encephalopathy in term infants were higher than those in premature infants, while the incidences of asphyxia, respiratory distress syndrome, and pulmonary hemorrhage in term infants were lower than those in premature infants. The incidences of asphyxia, small for gestational age infant, and wet lung were higher in neonates whose mother had pregnancy induced hypertension. The outcomes of these hospitalized neonates included: recovered, 63.9%; improved, 27.3%; discharged due to the family's own decisions, 7.6%, and died, 1.2%. Nearly half (46.4%) of the neonatal death occurred within 24 hrs after admission.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of premature birth shows an increasing trend among hospitalized neonates. Since the neonatal deaths mainly occur within 24 hrs after admission, monitoring during this period should be enhanced.