CT radiomic features reproducibility of virtual non-contrast series derived from photon-counting CCTA datasets using a novel calcium-preserving reconstruction algorithm compared with standard non-contrast series: focusing on epicardial adipose tissue.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the reproducibility of computed tomography (CT) radiomic features (RFs) about Epicardial Adipose Tissue (EAT). The features derived from coronary photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) angiography datasets using the PureCalcium (VNC) and conventional virtual non-contrast (VNC) algorithm were compared with true non-contrast (TNC) series.

Methods: RFs of EAT from 52 patients who underwent PCCT were quantified using VNC, VNC, and TNC series.

A review on the research progress and application of compressed hydrogen in the marine hydrogen fuel cell power system.

The urgency to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from maritime vessels has intensified due to the increasingly stringent directives set forth by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). These directives specifically address energy efficiency enhancements and emissions reduction within the shipping industry. In this context, hydrogen is the much sought after fuel for all the global economies and its applications, for transportation and propulsion in particular, is crucial for cutting down carbon emissions.

Tai Chi for anxiety and depression symptoms in cancer, stroke, heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Many middle-aged and older adults have more than one chronic health condition. It is therefore important to explore the effectiveness of interventions for multiple chronic conditions. Tai Chi is widely used in China and other countries, and many studies have examined the effect of Tai Chi on anxiety and depression.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Kashi Region, Northwestern China.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and the risk factors of COPD in the Uyghur population in the Kashi region.

Methods: From August 2018 to March 2019, we recruited participants of Uyghur ethnicity and aged ≥40 years old from the Kashi region using a combined cluster sampling and random sampling method. We collected potential risk factors using questionnaire, and conduced lung function using a portable pulmonary function instrument.

Therapeutic mechanism of Toujie Quwen granules in COVID-19 based on network pharmacology.

Background: Chinese medicine Toujie Quwen granule (TJQW) has proven to be effective in the treatment of mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases by relieving symptoms, slowing the progression of the disease, and boosting the recovery of patients. But the bioactive compounds and potential mechanisms of TJQW for COVID-19 prevention and treatment are unclear. This study aimed to explore the potential therapeutic mechanism of TJQW in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) based on an integrated network pharmacology approach.

Shegan-Mahuang Decoction ameliorates asthmatic airway hyperresponsiveness by downregulating Th2/Th17 cells but upregulating CD4+FoxP3+ Tregs.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Shegan-Mahuang Decoction (SMD), also named Yakammaoto or Shegan-Mahuang Tang, is a classic formula of traditional Chinese medicine with nine herbs, including Asarum sieboldii Miq., Aster tataricus L.f.

Astragaloside IV ameliorates intermittent hypoxia-induced inflammatory dysfunction by suppressing MAPK/NF-κB signalling pathways in Beas-2B cells.

Purpose: Intermittent hypoxia is a characteristic pathological change in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) that can initiate oxidative stress reaction and pro-inflammatory cytokine release. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect and protective mechanism of Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) in intermittent hypoxia-induced human lung epithelial Beas-2B cells.

Methods: Human lung epithelial Beas-2B cells were exposed to intermittent hypoxia or normoxia in the absence or presence of AS-IV.

Endoscopic Surgery versus External Ventricular Drainage Surgery for Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage.

The efficacy and applied value of endoscopic hematoma evacuation vs. external ventricular drainage (EVD) in the treatment of severe ventricular hemorrhage (IVH) were explored and compared. From Jan.

Tuberculous peritonitis and pleurisy accompanied by pulmonary cryptococcosis: A case report.

Although the infectious diseases tuberculosis (TB) and cryptococcosis both cause formation of single or multiple nodules in immunodeficient hosts, cases of co-infection of these diseases are rarely seen. We report a patient who was co-infected with TB and cryptococcosis. A male patient with no clinical evidence of immunodeficiency presented with a 3-week history of abdominal distension accompanied by oedema of recurring lower extremities.

Anti-inflammatory effects of rosmarinic acid-4-O-β-D-glucoside in reducing acute lung injury in mice infected with influenza virus.

Rosmarinic acid-4-O-β-D-glucoside (RAG) is a dicaffeoyl phenolic compound isolated from Sarcandra glabra (Thunb.) Nakai. Preliminary studies show that RAG has significant anti-inflammatory properties and can alleviate ear swelling in mice and the paw swelling in rats.

Salvianolic acid B attenuates oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced endothelial cell apoptosis through inhibition of oxidative stress, p53, and caspase-3 pathways.

Objective: To investigate the effect of salvianolic acid B (Sal B) on oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) apoptosis and the possible mechanism.

Methods: HUVECs were divided into 6 groups, including control group, ox-LDL group, vitamin C group (positive control), and 5, 10 and 20 μg/mL Sal B groups. Cell viability of HUVECs was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.

Epb41l3 suppresses esophageal squamous cell carcinoma invasion and inhibits MMP2 and MMP9 expression.

EPB41L3 may play a role as a metastasis suppressor by supporting regular arrangements of actin stress fibres and alleviating the increase in cell motility associated with enhanced metastatic potential. Downregulation of epb41l3 has been observed in many cancers, but the role of this gene in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. Our study aimed to determine the effect of epb41l3 on ESCC cell migration and invasion.

Puerarin inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in human glioblastoma cell lines.

Puerarin has been widely used in clinical treatment and experiment research and is considered to exert an anticancer effect recently. The present study investigated the anticancer activity of puerarin in U251 and U87 human glioblastoma cells. The cells were treated with puerarin at various concentrations for different times.

MicroRNA-19a promotes glioma cell growth by repressing LRIG1.

Growing evidence indicates that deregulation of miRNAs contributes to the development of glioma. In present study, we found that the level of miRNA-19a was significantly elevated in glioma tissues and cell lines. Moreover, down-regulation of miRNA-19a dramatically repressed glioma cell growth in vitro and in vivo.

Analysis on the Chinese medicine syndromes and demographic characteristics of patients with influenza-like illness in clinics of China.

Objective: To investigate Chinese medicine (CM) patterns and epidemiological characters of patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) syndromes in clinics in China.

Methods: A prospective multi-center observational epidemiology survey on the clinical CM patterns of ILI and its prevalence was conducted from September 2009 to April 2010. A unified survey questionnaire was developed for data collection of ILI symptoms and CM patterns.

The tree shrew provides a useful alternative model for the study of influenza H1N1 virus.

Background: The influenza pandemics have resulted in significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Animal models are useful in the study of influenza virus pathogenesis. Because of various limitations in current laboratory animal models, it is essential to develop new alternative animal models for influenza virus research aimed at understanding the viral and host factors that contribute to virus infection in human.

Chinese patients with gastric cancer need targeted adjuvant chemotherapy schemes.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common cancers in China. Adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) is a routine auxiliary treatment for GC recommended by the guidelines issued in 2011 by the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China, but the relevant credible consequences in China have been insufficient because of China's late start and ethical concerns.

Methods: A series of databases, including Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Chinese database of the National Knowledge Infrastructure and the VIP database, were searched by 2 reviewers independently for studies investigating AC for GC through March 2012.

A prospective comparison of the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza A virus and seasonal influenza A viruses in Guangzhou, South China in 2009.

Comparisons of the clinical characteristics of contemporaneous pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza A virus (A(H1N1)pdm09)- and seasonal influenza viruses-infected patients are important for both clinical management and epidemiological studies. A prospective multicenter observational study was conducted using a preestablished sentinel surveillance system in Guangzhou, China during 2009. In this study, the clinical presentations of patients with either acute respiratory infection or community-acquired pneumonia were recorded, and nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected for detection of respiratory virus strains using cell cultures or real-time reverse transcription/real-time polymerase chain reaction.

[A pathogenic and clinical study of 882 cases of adult influenza-like illness in Guangzhou].

Objective: This study was undertaken to describe the viral etiology and clinical features in patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) in Guangzhou.

Methods: The nasopharyngeal and throat swabs were collected from 882 patients presenting with ILI between January and September, 2009. Viral pathogens were cultured and identified by immunofluorescence technique using the Shell-Vial method.

[The analysis of arch form before and after orthodontic treatment on patients with Angle II(1) malocclusion].

Purpose: To compare and analyze the changes in the arch form after orthodontic treatment for patients with Angle II1 malocclusion by Beta function in the description of arch form.

Methods: 17 patients (6 males,11 females ) with Angle II1 malocclusion were selected, with an average age of 13.8 years.

Expression of Toll-like receptor 4 in rat liver during the course of carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury.

Background And Aim: It has recently been reported that Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is involved in cellular responses to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and early liver injury induced by LPS. The aim of the present study was to investigate the alterations of TLR4 gene expression in liver tissues and Kupffer cells during the course of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced chronic liver injury and fibrosis and its role in liver injury.

Methods: Rats were induced with liver injury and fibrosis by CCl(4) administered subcutaneously twice weekly for up to 8 weeks.

[Expression of endotoxin receptors on hepatic stellate cells during their activation].

Objective: To investigate the role of endotoxin receptor expression in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

Methods: HSCs were isolated from normal rats and the expression of endotoxin receptors on quiet HSCs and in vitro activated HSCs was determined using RT-PCR and immunocytochemical staining methods. A rat model of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis was established.

[Changes of upper airway of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients after the treatment of Silensor snoreguard].

Objective: To investigate the changes of upper airway of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients after the treatment of Silensor snoreguard.

Methods: 42 patients with OSAS were treated with dental appliance. Cephalometric analysis was carried out to compare the changes of upper airway before and after the treatment.

Correlation between ultrasonographic and pathologic diagnosis of liver fibrosis due to chronic virus hepatitis.

Aim: To evaluate the validity of ultrasonographic and pathologic diagnosis of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

Methods: The liver fibrosis status in 324 patients was evaluated by both needle biopsy and ultrasonography. Liver fibrosis was divided into S0-S4 stages.