Correlation of serum homocysteine and cystatin C levels with prognosis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction patients.

Objective: This study investigated the relationship of serum homocysteine (Hcy) and cystatin C (Cys C) levels with the prognosis of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Methods: A total of 178 patients with HFpEF who were admitted to our hospital between December 2019 and November 2020 were included. Patients were grouped based on their serum Hcy and Cys C levels: high Hcy level, normal Hcy level, high Cys C level, and normal Cys C level.

Identification of particle distribution pattern in vertical profile via unmanned aerial vehicles observation.

Below the boundary layer, the air pollutants have been confirmed to present the decreasing trend with the height in most situaitons. However, the disperiosn rate of air pollutants in the vertical profile is rarely investigated in detail, especially through in-situ measurement. With this consideration, we employed an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with portable monitoring equipments to scrutinize the vertical distribution of PM.

From basic to clinical: Anatomy of Denonvilliers' fascia and its application in laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer.

The total mesorectal excision (TME) approach has been established as the gold standard for the surgical treatment of middle and lower rectal cancer. This approach is widely accepted to minimize the risk of local recurrence and increase the long-term survival rate of patients undergoing surgery. However, standardized TME causes urogenital dysfunction in more than half of patients, thus lowering the quality of life of patients.

 (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae), a new species from Hainan Island, China.

, a new species of Orchidaceae from Hainan Island, China, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to , and with dwarf habits, scarcely opening flowers, elongated fruit stems, curved and fleshy perianth tubes and similar columns and lips, but can be easily distinguished from them by having a pair of lateral wings bent outwards at the apex of the column and lateral wings with acuminate tips lower than the anther. According to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, the new species is assessed as Endangered (EN).

Oocytes With Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum Aggregates May Not Impact Blastocyst Euploidy Rate.

Objective: To investigate whether the euploidy rate of blastocysts derived from smooth endoplasmic reticulum aggregates (SERa) positive cycles and oocytes are impacted.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: A total of 601 preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) cycles with at least one oocyte retrieved in our center between April 2017 and May 2021 were initially included in the study.

Sensitivity of Sniffer Dogs for a Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease: A Diagnostic Accuracy Study.

Background: The diagnostic criteria for Parkinson's disease (PD) remain complex, which is especially problematic for nonmovement disorder experts. A test is required to establish a diagnosis of PD with improved accuracy and reproducibility.

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the sensitivity and specificity of tests using sniffer dogs to diagnose PD.

Percutaneous Transforaminal Endoscopic Debridement and Drainage with Accurate Pathogen Detection for Infectious Spondylitis of the Thoracolumbar and Lumbar Spine.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to analyze the clinical outcomes of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic debridement and drainage (PTEDD) with accurate pathogen detection for patients with infectious spondylitis of the thoracolumbar and lumbar spines.

Methods: From January 2017 to February 2019, a consecutive series of 43 patients with infectious spondylitis of the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine were surgically treated with PTEDD. Organism culture, next-generation DNA sequencing, and pathological examination of the sample extracted from the infectious site were performed for accurate microbiological diagnosis.

NOVA1 promotes SMN2 exon 7 splicing by binding the UCAC motif and increases SMN protein expression.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare hereditary neuromuscular disease with a high lethality rate in infants. Variants in the homologous genes survival of motor neuron (SMN)1 and SMN2 have been reported to be SMA pathogenic factors. Previous studies showed that a high inclusion rate of SMN2 exon 7 increased SMN expression, which in turn reduced the severity of SMA.

Association of Long-term Ambient Fine Particulate Matter (PM) and Incident CKD: A Prospective Cohort Study in China.

Rationale & Objective: Increasing evidence has linked ambient fine particulate matter (ie, particulate matter no larger than 2.5 μm [PM]) to chronic kidney disease (CKD), but their association has not been fully elucidated, especially in regions with high levels of PM pollution. This study aimed to investigate the long-term association of high PM exposure with incident CKD in mainland China.

Optimal Follow-Up Duration for Assessment of Birth Defects After Fertilization-Embryo Transfer: A Multicenter 5-Year Cohort Study in China.

Objective: To investigate the impact of a 5-year follow-up on the incidence of identified birth defects in children conceived using assisted reproductive technologies (ART).

Methods: A 5-year cohort study was performed in three ART centers from January 2013 to October 2018. 1,543 women with 1,985 infants who delivered successfully or underwent termination of pregnancy due to malformations were recruited in this study.

Case Report: Identification of Germline Chimerism in Monochorionic Dizygotic Twins.

Monochorionic twins are generally considered to be monozygotic, as monochorionic dizygotic (MCDZ) twins are extremely rare in natural pregnancies. Several studies have reported this rare occurrence, and most of these pregnancies have been conceived by assisted reproductive technology (ART). These reports mostly focused on MCDZ twin pregnancies and the childhood development of the twins; a follow-up into adulthood and the effect on their reproduction has not been reported.

Analysis of core genes for colorectal cancer prognosis based on immune and stromal scores.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies.An early diagnosis and an accurate prognosis are major focuses of CRC research. Tumor microenvironment cells and the extent of infiltrating immune and stromal cells contribute significantly to the tumor prognosis.

Oocytes With Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum Aggregates Are Not Associated With Impaired Reproductive Outcomes: A Matched Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: To investigate whether the reproductive outcomes of oocytes with smooth endoplasmic reticulum aggregates (SERa) are impaired.

Methods: A total of 2893 intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles were performed between January 2010 and December 2019 in our center. In 43 transfer cycles, transferred embryos were totally derived from SERa+ oocytes.

The rs34713741 Polymorphism Is Associated with Susceptibility to Colorectal Cancer and Gastric Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.

The selenoprotein S () gene has been suggested to be an important factor in the development of multiple diseases, including gastric cancer (GC) and colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the association between the gene rs34713741 polymorphism and risk of GC and CRC is inconclusive. Thus, we aimed to investigate the relationship between this polymorphism and the susceptibility to GC and CRC through a meta-analysis.

Polymorphism rs6478109 in the gene contributes to the susceptibility to Crohn's disease but not ulcerative colitis: a meta-analysis.

Objective: Polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor superfamily 15 () gene contribute to susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, associations between rs6478109, rs7869487, and rs7865494 polymorphisms and IBD remain unclear.

Methods: Eligible articles were retrieved from the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CNKI databases through 20 March 2020.

Embryo retention significantly decreases clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate: a matched retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To investigate the embryo retention (ER) rate in embryo transfer (ET) cycles and its effects on reproductive outcomes.

Design: Matched retrospective cohort study.

Setting: A tertiary hospital-based reproductive medicine center.

Elevated triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio increased risk of hyperuricemia: a 4-year cohort study in China.

Purpose: Previous studies revealed that high serum uric acid (SUA) levels correlated with increased triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio. However, evidence is lacking regarding whether TG/HDL-C is an independent risk factor or just a simple marker of hyperuricemia. We aimed to investigate the relationship between TG/HDL-C and the risk of hyperuricemia in Chinese population.

Associations of vitamin D with novel and traditional anthropometric indices according to age and sex: a cross-sectional study in central southern China.

Purpose: Vitamin D insufficiency and obesity are recognized as worldwide concerns and have been linked with each other. New anthropometric indices reflect visceral obesity better than traditional anthropometric indices. Our aim was to identify the specific correlations of novel and traditional anthropometric indices with 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations by sex and age.

Proteomics and single-cell RNA analysis of Akap4-knockout mice model confirm indispensable role of Akap4 in spermatogenesis.

Sperm fibrous sheath, a unique cytoskeletal structure, is implicated in various sperm physiological functions, such as sperm maturation, motility and capacitation. AKAP4 has been described to be required for structural and functional integrity of the fibrous sheath. We generated Akap4-knockout mice line using CRISPR-Cas9 system.

Pulsed xenon ultraviolet and non-thermal atmospheric plasma treatments are effective for the disinfection of air in hospital blood sampling rooms.

Background And Objectives: Non-thermal atmospheric plasma treatment and pulsed xenon ultraviolet (PX-UV) treatment are widely used in disinfection of hospital environments. However, their effectiveness has not been evaluated against a comparator. The objective of this study is to evaluate their effectiveness in the disinfection of pathogens in the air in hospital blood sampling rooms.

The genetic association between EGF A61G polymorphism (rs4444903) and risk of colorectal cancer: An update meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

Background: Colorectal cancer was a complex disease with multiple causative factors including genetic and environmental factors, as well as the interaction of the 2 factors. Relationship between epidermal growth factor (EGF) A61G polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk has been widely investigated previously, whereas results derived from these studies were inconclusive and controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the EGF A61G polymorphism and colorectal cancer using a meta-analysis of existing literature.

Abdominal surgery in patients with essential thrombocythemia: A case report and systematic review of literature.

Introduction: Essential thrombocythemia/thrombocytosis (ET) is characterized by increased bleeding and thrombosis risk during the perioperative period. We report the case of a woman with ET and sigmoid colon cancer, in whom the postoperative course was complicated by anastomotic bleeding. A systematic review was conducted to seek guidance for the management of such patient in the perioperative period.