Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor use during early pregnancy and congenital malformations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies of more than 9 million births.

Background: In 2005, the FDA cautioned that exposure to paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), during the first trimester of pregnancy may increase the risk of cardiac malformations. Since then, the association between maternal use of SSRIs during pregnancy and congenital malformations in infants has been the subject of much discussion and controversy. The aim of this study is to systematically review the associations between SSRIs use during early pregnancy and the risk of congenital malformations, with particular attention to the potential confounding by indication.

Mechanical and Thermal Conductivity Properties of Enhanced Phases in Mg-Zn-Zr System from First Principles.

In this paper, the mechanical properties and minimum thermal conductivity of ZnZr, Zn₂Zr, Zn₂Zr₃, and MgZn₂ are calculated from first principles. The results show that the considered Zn-Zr intermetallic compounds are effective strengthening phases compared to MgZn₂ based on the calculated elastic constants and polycrystalline bulk modulus , shear modulus , and Young's modulus . Meanwhile, the strong Zn-Zr ionic bondings in ZnZr, Zn₂Zr, and Zn₂Zr₃ alloys lead to the characteristics of a higher modulus but lower ductility than the MgZn₂ alloy.

The Effect of Alloying Elements on the Structural Stability, Mechanical Properties, and Debye Temperature of Al₃Li: A First-Principles Study.

The structural stability, mechanical properties, and Debye temperature of alloying elements X (X = Sc, Ti, Co, Cu, Zn, Zr, Nb, and Mo) doped Al₃Li were systematically investigated by first-principles methods. A negative enthalpy of formation Δ is predicted for all Al₃Li doped species which has consequences for its structural stability. The Sc, Ti, Zr, Nb, and Mo are preferentially occupying the Li sites in Al₃Li while the Co, Cu, and Zn prefer to occupy the Al sites.

Handgrip strength is positively related to blood pressure and hypertension risk: results from the National Health and nutrition examination survey.

Background: Isometric handgrip resistance exercise, a nonpharmacological lifestyle modification, has been recommended as a first-line treatment for hypertension. This study aimed to examine the relationship of handgrip strength to blood pressure and the risk of hypertension.

Methods: The responses and examination of 4597 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analyzed in this study.

High-performance Cu nanoparticles/three-dimensional graphene/Ni foam hybrid for catalytic and sensing applications.

A novel hybrid of Cu nanoparticles/three-dimensional graphene/Ni foam (Cu NPs/3DGr/NiF) was prepared by chemical vapor deposition, followed by a galvanic displacement reaction in Ni- and Cu-ion-containing salt solution through a one-step reaction. The as-prepared Cu NPs/3DGr/NiF hybrid is uniform, stable, recyclable and exhibits an extraordinarily high catalytic efficiency for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) with a reduction rate constant K = 0.056 15 s, required time ∼30 s and excellent sensing properties for the non-enzymatic amperometric hydrogen peroxide (HO) with a linear range ∼50 μM-9.

Development of Asian Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Survival Prediction Model Using an Innovative Method of Bayesian Network.

We constructed a novel prognostic model using an innovative method of Bayesian Network (BN) to predict Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer survival status within 5 years after operation in the Asian population. The proposed BN model could present the relationship between prognostic factors and showed the highest performance among other machine learning (ML) algorithms.

Application of latent class analysis in assessing the competency of physicians in China.

Background: The physicians' competency is an important public health issue around the world. Several international organizations have taken the lead in examining the competencies required to be a physician. The purpose of this study is to identify subgroups of physicians' competency based upon the importance results of competency evaluation and provide a scientific basis for the qualitative research of the competency of physicians.

The Cardiovascular Effect of Systemic Homocysteine Is Associated with Oxidative Stress in the Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla.

It has been demonstrated that homocysteine (HCY) is a significant risk factor of hypertension, which is characterized by overactivity of sympathetic tone. Excessive oxidative stress in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), a key region for control of sympathetic outflow, contributes to sympathetic hyperactivity in hypertension. Therefore, the goal of the present study is to determine the effect of systemic HCY on production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the RVLM.

The impact of prenatal exposure to air pollution on childhood wheezing and asthma: A systematic review.

Background And Objectives: There has been no clear consensus about whether prenatal exposure to air pollution contributes to the development of wheezing and asthma in children. We conducted a systematic review to analyze the association between exposure to different pollutants during pregnancy and the development of childhood wheezing and asthma.

Methods: We systematically reviewed epidemiological studies published through June 6, 2017 available in the MEDLINE and Web of Science databases.

Analysis of Requirements for Developing an mHealth-Based Health Management Platform.

Background: Studies have consistently shown that mobile and Web-based apps have positive impacts on people's daily lifestyles, health management, and disease treatment. As the development of medical and health informatization in China has evolved, different kinds of mobile-based apps for individuals and hospitals have been developed by software vendors. However, doubts and challenges posed by the media have prevented these apps from having a stable and substantial user base.

Fluoxetine and congenital malformations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

Aims: To investigate the safety of fluoxetine use during pregnancy, and to better understand the relationship between maternal fluoxetine use during the first trimester and congenital malformations in infants.

Methods: PubMed and Web of Science databases were systematically searched from inception to 21 March 2016. Additional studies were identified in a manual search of the reference lists.

Zhibitai and low-dose atorvastatin reduce blood lipids and inflammation in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Atorvastatin decreases blood lipids but is associated with side effects. Zhibitai is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat blood lipid disorders. The objective of this study is to evaluate the lipid-lowering effect, antiinflammatory effect, and adverse events of zhibitai combined to atorvastatin in patients with coronary heart diseases (CHDs).

A Competency Model for Clinical Physicians in China: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: Around the world, regulatory bodies have taken the lead in determining the competencies required to become a physician. As a first step in addressing this project, it was decided to develop a set of core competencies that were unique to China and that might serve as a basis for medical education. The purpose of this paper was to construct a competency model for clinical physicians in China.

[Research progress in pharmacological effects of Uncaria Hook on Alzheimer disease models].

The most common neurodegenerative disease, Alzheimer disease (AD) constitutes the majority of all senile dementia cases. Extending life expectancy contributes to the increased incidence of AD, which is a serious threat to the quality of life of the elderly. The etiology and pathogenesis of AD are not absolutely clear.

Linezolid is Associated with Improved Early Outcomes of Childhood Tuberculous Meningitis.

Background: Linezolid serves as an important component for the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis although there is little published data about linezolid use in children, especially in childhood tuberculous meningitis (TBM).

Methods: In this study, we retrospectively reviewed records of childhood TBM patients who started treatment between January 2012 and August 2014. A total of 86 childhood TBM patients younger than 15 years old were enrolled.

Identifying the competencies of doctors in China.

Background: China adopted a Flexnerian model as its medical institutions developed over the recent past but the political, social, and economic environment has changed significantly since then. This has generated the need for educational reform, which in other countries, has largely been driven by competencies-oriented models such as those developed in Canada, and the United States. Our study sought to establish the competencies model, relevant to China, which will support educational reform efforts.

Efficacy and tolerability of coenzyme A vs pantethine for the treatment of patients with hyperlipidemia: A randomized, double-blind, multicenter study.

Background: New, safer, and more effective agents to treat hyperlipidemia and thereby prevent cardiovascular events are under research.

Objective: To evaluate the lipid-lowering effects and safety of a natural hypolipidemic compound, coenzyme A (CoA) capsule, in Chinese patients with moderate dyslipidemia, compared with pantethine.

Methods: Overall, 216 subjects (124 males and 92 females; age, 18-75 years) with moderate dyslipidemia (triglyceride [TG], 2.

[Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: a report of four cases with literature review].

Objective: To understand the clinical characteristics of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) so as to diagnose and treat the disease earlier.

Method: A retrospective study was conducted on ABPA patients diagnosed in the Second Department of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from April 2010 to March 2014. The literature of children's ABPA retrieved from the databases at home and abroad in recent 10 years were analyzed.

Effects of fluoride on microtubule ultrastructure and expression of Tubα1a and Tubβ2a in mouse hippocampus.

Axonal and dendrictic degenerations were observed in non-skeleton fluorosis as the neurological manifestations. Microtubules, composed of the assembled tubulin dimers, are the essential cytoskeleton of axon and dendron. However, the effect of fluoride (F) on microtubules status and tubulin dimer expression in central nerves system remains largely unknown.

MicroRNA-143/-145 in Cardiovascular Diseases.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an essential role in the onset and development of many cardiovascular diseases. Increasing evidence shows that miRNAs can be used as potential diagnostic biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases, and miRNA-based therapy may be a promising therapy for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The microRNA-143/-145 (miR-143/-145) cluster is essential for differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and determines VSMC phenotypic switching.

[Advance in studies on neuroprotective mechanism of Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis].

The Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine. In recent years, many studies have revealed its prominent neuroprotection function. The active ingredients in Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis could protect the nervous system in a multi-path and multi-target manner.

Special function of nestin(+) neurons in the medial septum-diagonal band of Broca in adult rats.

Nestin(+) neurons have been shown to express choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the medial septum-diagonal band of Broca in adult rats. This study explored the projection of nestin(+) neurons to the olfactory bulb and the time course of nestin(+) neurons in the medial septum-diagonal band of Broca in adult rats during injury recovery after olfactory nerve transection. This study observed that all nestin(+) neurons were double-labeled with ChAT in the medial septum-diagonal band of Broca.

Transformation of the education of health professionals in China: progress and challenges.

In this Review we examine the progress and challenges of China's ambitious 1998 reform of the world's largest health professional educational system. The reforms merged training institutions into universities and greatly expanded enrolment of health professionals. Positive achievements include an increase in the number of graduates to address human resources shortages, acceleration of production of diploma nurses to correct skill-mix imbalance, and priority for general practitioner training, especially of rural primary care workers.

{4-Amino-N'-[(2-oxidonaphthalen-1-yl)methyl-idene]benzohydrazidato}di-methyl-tin(IV).

In the title compound, [Sn(CH3)2(C18H13N3O2)], the Sn(IV) ion is coordinated by one N and two O atoms from the tridentate 4-amino-N'-[(2-oxidonaphthalen-1-yl)methyl-idene]benzohydrazidate(2-) ligand and two C atoms from methyl ligands in a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometry. The dihedral angle between the naphthalene ring system and the benzene ring is 19.2 (2)°.

Curcumin amorphous solid dispersions: the influence of intra and intermolecular bonding on physical stability.

We have investigated the physical stability of amorphous curcumin dispersions and the role of curcumin-polymer intermolecular interactions in delaying crystallization. Curcumin is an interesting model compound as it forms both intra and intermolecular hydrogen bonds in the crystal. A structurally diverse set of amorphous dispersion polymers was investigated; poly(vinylpyrrolidone), Eudragit E100, carboxymethyl cellulose acetate butyrate, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and HPMC-acetate succinate.