Continuous quality improvement project to reduce the downtime of medical linear accelerators: A case study at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital.

Objective: To analyse and continually improve existing issues in the quality improvement process of medical linear accelerators (LINACs) and enhance the quality control management of LINACs.

Methods: Data were collected from eight LINACs (sourced from three manufacturers) at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital using Excel diaries between January 2019 and December 2020. The data description and analysis were performed using the analytic hierarchy process, SPSSAU and Excel software, and mean-time-to-repair (MTTR)/mean-time-between-failure (MTBF) metrics.

Clinical significance of regulatory T cells and T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood in neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.

The impact of the immune response on the therapeutical efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer remains largely unknown. To characterize the role of regulatory T cells (CD4CD25CD127Treg), T lymphocyte subsets (CD3, CD4, CD4/CD8) and NK cells in neoadjuvant chemotherapy, we investigated the correlation patterns of these immune cell subsets with the progression of breast cancer. A total of 120 breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy in Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Hospital from May 2019 to November 2021 were retrospectively collected as the breast cancer group, and 46 healthy women were selected as the control group.

Correlation analysis of sperm DNA fragmentation index with semen parameters and the effect of sperm DFI on outcomes of ART.

Routine semen analysis provides limited information about a man's male reproductive potential and can not always fully explain male infertility. Many male infertilities are caused by sperm DNA defects that routine semen quality analyses fail to detect. In this study, we analyzed the association of sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) with the semen routine, sperm morphology, in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Laboratory detection of SARS-CoV-2: A review of the current literature and future perspectives.

Nowadays, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), whose infectivity is awfully strong, has been a major global threat to the public health. Since lung is the major target of SARS-CoV-2, the infection can lead to respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), multiple organ failure (MOF), and even death. The studies on viral structure and infection mechanism have found that angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a pivotal enzyme affecting the organ-targeting in the RAS system, is the receptor of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Potential effects of COVID-19 on reproductive health: a mini review.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is now a major public health problem worldwide. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infectivity is extremely strong. One major target of the virus is the lung, which can lead to death due to the development of respiratory distress syndrome and even multiple system organ failure.

Astragaloside IV prevents endothelial dysfunction by improving oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse aortas.

Oxidative stress serves a role in endothelial dysfunction exhibited by patients with diabetes mellitus. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is a major active ingredient of Radix Astragali, which is considered to exhibit vasoprotective effects through unknown mechanisms. Thus, the current study was performed to investigate the protective effects of AS-IV in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced endothelial dysfunction and to explore whether antioxidant mechanisms were involved.

Effect and mechanisms of reproductive tract infection on oxidative stress parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation, and semen quality in infertile males.

Recent years have seen a rising incidence of male infertility, mostly caused by the decline of sperm quality. The ratio of infertile males to infertile females has escalated from 3:7 in 2013 to current 5:5, which turns male infertility into the research focus of reproductive medicine. This study aimed to clarify the effect of reproductive tract infection by ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) and chlamydia trachomatis (CT) on the DNA integrity and routine semen parameters of infertile males.

Pathogenesis of COVID-19 and the quality control of nucleic acid detection.

The new coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) epidemic spread rapidly throughout the world. Considering the strong infectivity and clustering of COVID-19, early detection of infectious cases is of great significance to control the epidemic. Nucleic acid testing (NAT) plays an important role in rapid laboratory diagnosis, treatment assessment, epidemic prevention and control of COVID-19.

Application of leukocyte subsets and sperm DNA fragment rate in infertile men with asymptomatic infection of genital tract.

Background: About 15% of male infertility is due to genital tract infection and inflammation, some of them have no clinical symptoms, but manifested as leukocytospermia (LCS). Leukopenia will lead to functional impairment of male sperm and integrity damage of sperm morphology. A large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by leukocytes can damage sperm nuclear DNA.

The application of quality control circle to improve the quality of samples: A SQUIRE-compliant quality-improving study.

Since its application in medical institutions in China, quality control circle (QCC) has gained achievements in medical care and thus earned more attention from the administrative department of health.In order to improve the quality of laboratory specimens, we launched a QCC activity to solve the problems and evaluate the effect of it. The data of 30,105 unqualified specimens in our hospital were collected from February to June 2017.

High BRAFV600E mutation frequency in Chinese patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma increases diagnostic efficacy in cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules.

To estimate the BRAFV600E mutation frequency in Chinese patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and the diagnostic value of BRAFV600E mutation status in thyroid nodules with indeterminate TBSRTC categories.A total of 4875 consecutive samples for thyroid ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and BRAF mutation analysis were collected from patients at Jiangsu Province Hospital on Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine. Among all the cases, 314 underwent thyroidectomy.

Biological functions of circular RNAs and their roles in occurrence of reproduction and gynecological diseases.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a large class of non coding endogenous RNAs in eukaryotic that are formed through 3'-5' ligation of a single RNA molecule. According to the different sources of the sequences, circRNA can be divided into three types: exon circRNA (ecRNA), intron circRNA (ciRNA), and exon-intron circRNA. Accumulating studies have shown that circRNAs are abundant, diverse, stable, and cell or tissue specific expression, etc.

Comparison of a Newly Developed HPV Genotyping Assay (Mojin HPV Kit) with Cobas 4800 HPV Test for Detection of High-Risk HPV in Specimens Collected in SurePath Solution.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) detection based on cervical cytology specimens is useful for cervical cancer screening. The aim of this study was to compare Mojin HPV kit (a newly developed HPV genotyping assay) with the Cobas 4800 HPV test in detecting high-risk (HR) HPV.

Methods: A total of 347 cervical exfoliated cell specimens were tested using the Mojin HPV kit and Cobas 4800 HPV test.

Correlation between plasma ferritin level and gestational diabetes mellitus and its impact on fetal macrosomia.

Aims/introduction: To explore the relationship between plasma iron levels and gestational diabetes mellitus, as well as its impact on macrosomia.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively compared ferritin level and other characteristics between pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and pregnant women without GDM. The correlation between the levels of plasma ferritin, glucose and hemoglobin was explored.

Advances of Long Noncoding RNAs-mediated Regulation in Reproduction.

Objective: Advances in genomics and molecular biology have led to the discovery of a large group of uncharacterized long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Emerging evidence indicated that many lncRNAs function in multiple biological processes and its dysregulation often causes diseases. Recent studies suggested that almost all regulatory lncRNAs interact with biological macromolecules such as DNA, RNA, and protein.

Improvement of Huangqi Decoction on Endothelial Dysfunction in 5/6 Nephrectomized Rats.

Background/aims: Endothelial dysfunction is a major factor in the progression of chronic kidney disease, which correlates with oxidative stress and NO deficiency. Huangqi decoction (HQD) is a potential anti-oxidant ingredient in renoprotection. However, the underlying mechanisms remained identified.

Effects of Huang Qi Decoction on Endothelial Dysfunction Induced by Homocysteine.

Vascular endothelial dysfunction can be induced by homocysteine (Hcy) through promoted oxidative stress. Huang Qi decoction (HQD) is a traditional Chinese medical formula and its components possess antioxidant effect. The study herein was therefore designed to investigate the effects of HQD at different dosage on endothelial dysfunction induced by Hcy.

Efficacy and safety of bevacizumab plus erlotinib versus bevacizumab or erlotinib alone in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Bevacizumab and erlotinib inhibit different tumour growth pathways, and both exhibit beneficial effects in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the efficacy of bevacizumab in combination with erlotinib remains controversial. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to compare combination treatment with bevacizumab and erlotinib to bevacizumab or erlotinib monotherapy in the treatment of NSCLC.

Towards bio monitoring of toxic (lead) and essential elements in whole blood from 1- to 72-month old children: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Minerals such as zinc, copper, selenium, calcium, and magnesium are essential for normal human development and functioning of the body. They have been found to play important roles in immuno-physiologic functions. The study is to evaluate the distribution and correlation of nonessential (lead) and essential elements in whole blood from 1- to 72-month old children.

Towards prenatal biomonitoring in Nanjing, China: lead and cadmium levels in the duration of pregnancy.

Background: Prenatal lead and cadmium exposure will not only influence the mother' organ systems, but also will provide an environment that may influence the fetus and neonate in a harmful way.In the present study, we detected the blood lead levels (BLLS) and cadmium levels for the duration of pregnancy and 6-12 weeks after delivery and to analyze the influencing factors of BLLs in healthy pregnant women.

Methods: A cohort study survey was carried out.

[Homing of CFSE-labeled antigen-specific CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells in islets transplantation].

Aim: To observe the distribution and proliferation of the antigen-specific CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T (Treg ) cells and investigate the potential mechanism of antigen-specific CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells on the suppression of rejection for allogenetic islet transplantation in vivo.

Methods: Antigen-specific CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells were generated by the addition of multiple intravenous injections of ICR mice splenocytes in vivo. After labeled by CFSE, 8x10(5) antigen-specific Treg cells were injected via tail vein with islets transplantation.

Effect of taurine-conjugated ursodeoxycholic acid on endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis induced by advanced glycation end products in cultured mouse podocytes.

Background: Activations of death receptors and mitochondrial damage are well-described common apoptotic pathways. Recently, a novel pathway via endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been reported.

Methods: We assessed the role of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) in inhibition of ER stress and its protective effect on advanced glycation end products (AGEs)-induced apoptosis in murine podocytes.

Chronic activation of neutral ceramidase protects beta-cells against cytokine-induced apoptosis.

Aim: To investigate the activity and expression of neutral ceramidase (N-CDase) in the insulin-secreting cell line INS-1 and its role in the cellular response to cytokines.

Methods: HPLC, Western blotting, and quantitative real-time PCR were performed to detect the activity and expression of N-CDase in INS-1 cells treated with a cytokine mixture (5 ng/mL interleukin-1beta, 10 ng/mL TNF-alpha, and 50 ng/mL interferon-gamma). The expression and activity of N-CDase in the INS-1 cells were specifically inhibited using N-CDase-siRNA transfection.