4-Hydroxychalcone attenuates AngII-induced cardiac remodeling and dysfunction via regulating PI3K/AKT pathway.

Cardiac remodeling encompasses structural alterations such as hypertrophy, fibrosis, and dilatation, alongside numerous cellular and molecular functional aberrations, constituting a pivotal process in the advancement of heart failure (HF). 4-Hydroxychalcone (4-HCH) is a class of naturally occurring compounds with variable phenolic structures, and has demonstrated the preventive efficacy in hyperaldosteronism, inflammation and renal injury. However, the role of 4-HCH in the regulation of cardiac remodeling remains uncertain.

Endoscopic management of delayed bleeding after polypectomy of small colorectal polyps: two or more clips may be safe.

Background: The resection of small colorectal polyps (≤10 mm) is routine for endoscopists. However, the management of one of its main complications, namely delayed (within 14 days) postpolypectomy bleeding (DPPB), has not been clearly demonstrated. We aimed to assess the role of coloscopy in the management of DPPB from small colorectal polyps and identify the associated factors for initial hemostatic success.

To what extent should the intestinal be resected proximally after radiotherapy: hint from a pathological view.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) is associated with post-operative anastomotic complications in rectal-cancer patients. Anastomosis involving at least one non-irradiated margin reportedly significantly reduces the risk of post-operative anastomotic complications in radiation enteritis. However, the exact scope of radiotherapy on the remaining sigmoid colon remains unknown.

Diverting colostomy is an effective and reversible option for severe hemorrhagic radiation proctopathy.

Background: Severe chronic radiation proctopathy (CRP) is difficult to treat.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of colostomy and stoma reversal for CRP.

Methods: To assess the efficacy of colostomy in CRP, patients with severe hemorrhagic CRP who underwent colostomy or conservative treatment were enrolled.

[Clinical application of whole exome sequencing in monogenic hereditary disorders in critically ill newborns].

Objective: To explore the value and significance of the clinical application of whole exome sequencing (WES) in monogenic hereditary disorders in critically ill newborns.

Methods: The critically ill newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit with suspected hereditary diseases or unclear clinical diagnosis from June 2016 to December 2018 were enrolled. The whole blood samples from both newborns and parents were collected for WES.

[Levels of blood free carnitine in preterm infants with different gestational ages and birth weights].

Objective: To examine blood concentrations of free carnitine (FC) in preterm infants with different gestational ages (GA) and birth weights (BW).

Methods: A total of 3 368 preterm infants were enrolled as subjects. According to GA, they were divided into extremely preterm birth (EPTB) group (GA <28 weeks; n=39), very preterm birth (VPTB) group (28 ≤GA <32 weeks; n=405), moderately preterm birth (MPTB) group (32 ≤GA <34 weeks; n=507), and late preterm birth (LPTB) group (34 ≤GA <37 weeks; n=2 417); according to BW, they were divided into extremely low birth weight (ELBW) group (BW <1 000 g; n=36), very low birth weight (VLBW) group (1 000 g ≤BW <1 500 g; n=387), low birth weight (LBW) group (1 500 g ≤BW <2 500 g; n=1 873), and normal birth weight (NBW) group (2 500 g ≤ BW <4 000 g; n=1 072).

[A clinical study of growth and metabolism of small for gestational age infants].

Objective: To study the differences in growth and metabolism between small for gestational age (SGA) infants and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants.

Methods: A total of 1 370 preterm infants were enrolled in this study. According to the association between gestational age and birth weight, they were divided into SGA group with 675 infants and AGA group with 695 infants.

Efficacy and complications of argon plasma coagulation for hemorrhagic chronic radiation proctitis.

Background: Chronic radiation proctitis (CRP) is a complication which occurs in 1%-5% of patients who undergo radiotherapy for pelvic malignancies. Although a wide range of therapeutic modalities are available, there is no literature to date showing any particularly appropriate therapeutic modality for each disease stage. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is currently recommended as the first-choice treatment for hemorrhagic CRP, however, its indication based on long-term follow-up is still unclear.

Pregnancy induced hypertension and outcomes in early and moderate preterm infants.

Objective: To identify the effect of pregnancy induced hypertension on neonatal outcomes in early and moderate preterm infants of gestational age less than 34 weeks.

Study Design: Prospectively collected data in 773 premature deliveries less than 34 weeks from 10 centers in China between July 2014 and July 2016 were analyzed in this cohort study. Univariate and Multivariate regression analyses were conducted to exam the effect of pregnancy induced hypertension on neonatal outcomes, including mortality to discharge, intrauterine growth restriction, severe brain injury, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, early onset of sepsis and retinopathy of prematurity.

Exploring the formation and electronic structure properties of the g-CN nanoribbon with density functional theory.

The optical properties and condensation degree (structure) of polymeric g-CN depend strongly on the process temperature. For polymeric g-CN, its structure and condensation degree depend on the structure of molecular strand(s). Here, the formation and electronic structure properties of the g-CN nanoribbon are investigated by studying the polymerization and crystallinity of molecular strand(s) employing first-principle density functional theory.

Investigation of correlation between mutational status in key EGFR signaling genes and prognosis of stage II colorectal cancer.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between mutations of key genes in the EGFR signaling pathway and the prognosis of stage II colorectal cancer patients without chemotherapy.

Materials & Methods: The incidence of KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA mutations and deficient DNA mismatch repair were assessed in 160 stage II colorectal cancer patients who had been treated by radical operation without adjuvant chemotherapy.

Results: Mutations in KRAS, BRAF or PIK3CA were associated with poor prognosis, while the deficient DNA mismatch repair status was not associated with the prognosis.

Colostomy is a simple and effective procedure for severe chronic radiation proctitis.

Aim: To assess the efficacy and safety of diverting colostomy in treating severe hemorrhagic chronic radiation proctitis (CRP).

Methods: Patients with severe hemorrhagic CRP who were admitted from 2008 to 2014 were enrolled into this study. All CRP patients were diagnosed by a combination of pelvic radiation history, clinical rectal bleeding, and endoscopic findings.

Novel and Effective Almagate Enema for Hemorrhagic Chronic Radiation Proctitis and Risk Factors for Fistula Development.

Radiation proctitis is a common complication after radiotherapy for pelvic malignant tumors. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of novel almagate enemas in hemorrhagic chronic radiation proctitis (CRP) and evaluate risk factors related to rectal deep ulcer or fistula secondary to CRP. All patients underwent a colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis of CRP and symptoms were graded.

Formalin irrigation for hemorrhagic chronic radiation proctitis.

Aim: To assess the efficacy and safety of a modified topical formalin irrigation method in refractory hemorrhagic chronic radiation proctitis (CRP).

Methods: Patients with CRP who did not respond to previous medical treatments and presented with grade II-III rectal bleeding according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events were enrolled. Patients with anorectal strictures, deep ulcerations, and fistulas were excluded.

The prognostic role of BRAF mutation in metastatic colorectal cancer receiving anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies: a meta-analysis.

Background: BRAF mutation has been investigated as a prognostic factor in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) undergoing anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies (moAbs), but current results are still inconclusive. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the relationship between BRAF mutation status and the prognosis of mCRC patients treated with moAbs.

Methods: Eligible studies were identified by systematically searching Pubmed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Knowledge, and OVID.

Cardiomyocyte progenitors in a canine pulmonary vein model of persistent atrial fibrillation.

Background: This study aimed to discover the pathogenesis of focal atrial fibrillation (AF) originating from pulmonary veins by observing the histological structure and special cells in the canine pulmonary vein model of persistent atrial fibrillation.

Methods: The pulmonary veins and the sinus node were obtained from 10 mongrel dogs (5 AF and 5 control group). Light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry were applied to transverse sections of each pulmonary vein and sinoatrial node.

[Nutrition status of premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit and risk factors of extrauterine growth retardation].

Objective: To study the nutrition status of premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and risk factors of extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR).

Methods: The clinical data of 110 premature infants who were admitted to the NICU from August 2007 to September 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The possible factors influencing the nutrition status were analyzed.

The effect of early and intensive statin therapy on ventricular premature beat or nonsustained ventricular tachycardia in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: To evaluate the prognostic value of early and intensive lipid-lowering treatment on ventricular premature beat or nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI], non-STEMI, and unstable angina pectoris).

Hypothesis: Provided that early and intensive lipid-lowering treatment can reduce ventricular premature beat or non-sustained ventricular tachycardia after ACS.

Methods: A total of 586 patients with ACS were randomly divided into 2 groups: group A (with conventional statin therapy, to receive 10 mg/day atorvastatin, n = 289) and group B (early and intensive statin therapy, 60 mg immediately and 40 mg/day atorvastatin, n = 297).

The effect of early and intensive statin therapy on ventricular premature beat or non-sustained ventricular tachycardia in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Our study's aim was to evaluate the prognostic value of early and intensive lipid-lowering treatment on ventricular premature beat or non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) after acute coronary syndrome (STEMI, non-STEMI, and unstable angina pectoris).

Methods: Some 586 patients with acute coronary syndrome were randomly divided into two groups: Group A (with conventional statin therapy, to receive 10 mg/day atorvastatin, n = 289) and Group B (given early and intensive statin therapy, 60 mg immediately and 40 mg/day atorvastatin, n = 297). The frequency of ventricular premature beat and NSVT was recorded via Holter monitoring after hospitalization (24 h and 72 h).