Medicine
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Epimedium has gained widespread clinical application in Traditional Chinese Medicine, with the functions of promoting bone reproduction, regulating cell cycle and inhibiting osteoclastic activity. However, its precise cellular pharmacological therapeutic mechanism on osteoporosis (OP) remains elusive. This study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanism of epimedium in the treatment of OP based on system bioinformatic approach. ⋯ The results of Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis revealed that these targets were positive regulation of cell cycle, cellular response to oxidative stress and positive regulation of cell cycle process as well as cellular senescence, FoxO, PI3K-Akt, and NF-kappa B signaling pathways. Molecular docking showed that epimedium have a good binding activity with key targets. Our study demonstrated the multitarget and multi-pathway characteristics of epimedium on OP, which elucidates the potential mechanisms of epimedium against OP and provides theoretical basis for further drug development.
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Ankyloglossia is a congenital anomaly characterized by a short lingual frenulum and severe form needs release surgery. Our goal in this study was to confirm the long-term safety and efficacy of Z-plasty with genioglossus myotomy compared with traditional Z-plasty alone and to develop a proper measurement tool to validate the postoperative results of release operations for ankyloglossia. Patients were divided in 2 groups, release with Z-plasty only group (group 1) and Z-plasty combined with genioglossus myotomy group (group 2) In group 2, the release of central longitudinal fiber of genioglossus muscle was added in the conventional Z-plasty operative procedure. ⋯ Although there was no significant difference in terms of postoperative measurements between groups in Kotlow class II, group 2 patients in Class III and IV showed greater postoperative functional tongue length. Also, there was no significant complication requiring secondary surgery. Our study demonstrated that adding genioglossus myotomy to a simple Z-plasty is a safe and effective method for improving the tongue mobility required to make lingual sounds, especially in moderate to severe form of ankyloglossia, along with suggestion of a new measurement tool, which can objectively assess tongue mobility with possibility for universal utilization in ankyloglossia release operation.
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Abnormal development of the atrioventricular ring can lead to the formation of a bypass pathway and the occurrence of Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. The genetic mechanism underlying the sporadic form of WPW syndrome remains unclear. Existing evidence suggests that both T-box transcription factor 3 (TBX3) and T-box transcription factor 2 (TBX2) genes participate in regulating annulus fibrosus formation and atrioventricular canal development. ⋯ The data revealed no association between TBX3 rs77412687, TBX3 rs2242442, or TBX2 rs75743672 and WPW syndrome. TBX3 rs1061657 and rs8853 are significantly associated with sporadic WPW syndrome among a Han Chinese population. To verify our results, larger sample sizes are required in future studies.
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Observational Study
Colorectal Cancer Screening Program in Songjiang district, Shanghai between 2015 and 2017: Evaluation of participation rate and the associated factor.
Little is known about the participation rate of newly implemented colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs in China. Our goals were to identify factors associated with nonparticipation for CRC screening in Songjiang District, Shanghai. We analyzed individuals included in an observational cohort study from 4 towns (Xin Qiao, She Shan, Mao Gang, and Zhong Shan) in Songjiang District. ⋯ The factors linked with nonparticipation were; being male (odds ratio [OR] 0.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.82-0.93, P < .01), unmarried (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.64-0.80, P < .01), having a high education level (middle school, OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.74-0.90, P < .01, high school or above, OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.57-0.73, P < .01), absence of chronic disease (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.85-0.96, P < .01), and living in 2 out of the 4 towns covered (Xin Qiao, OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.66-0.78, P < .01, Zhong Shan, OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.26-0.31, P < .01). The current study revealed several associated factors with nonparticipation for the CRC screening in Songjiang district. These findings will help identify target populations that require an individualized approach to increase the participation rate.
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Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is used for predicting the severity of vascular damage and prognosis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in people with hypertension and diabetes mellitus. This correlation study aimed to compare the baPWV with other risk indicators for identification of subclinical vascular disease for primary prevention and to determine the clinical utility of baPWV-guided therapy in improving prognosis in high-risk subjects. We included 4881 subjects who underwent voluntary health examination at Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taiwan between 2014 and 2019. ⋯ The vascular age predicted using baPWV greatly exceeded the chronological age. Plaque formation was significant even in the low-risk group, and its frequency increased with the predicted ASCVD risk. Risk indicators and baPWV are useful predictors of ASCVD, which in conjunction with conventional pharmacotherapy could be useful for primary prevention of plaque formation in subjects with cardiovascular comorbidities.