Applications of Nanoparticles in Agriculture Improvement- A Review

The field of nanotechnology is quickly developing and emerging since it has enormous potential for various human uses. With their unique, size-based physical and chemical attributes, nonmaterials generated and engineered through nanotechnology have many applications in biomedicine and agriculture. Theranostics is a branch of nanomedicine that uses small, highly surface-area nanoparticles to diagnose and treat diseases. Nanomaterials have a wide range of uses in agriculture, from fertilizers that improve soil nutrient uptake by plants to nano pesticides that control a variety of pests, including fungi, phytophagous insects, and weeds, increasing food output. Agriculture and food security are intimately connected, and many researchers are interested. Agriculture production depends on many difficulties due to the severe effects of climate change, water problems and changing the distribution of insect pests. Meanwhile, it faces tremendous challenges in maintaining food security for a massive population amid declining resources. Research is actively exploring the use of nonmaterial in agriculture due to their tremendous promise. Despite their good qualities, nonmaterial present risks to the environment and human health, necessitating risk assessment studies. Green nonmaterial synthesis may lessen the usage of toxic agrochemicals that pollute the environment and enter biological systems, providing an environmentally safe, environmentally friendly, and economically advantageous option. In this critical evaluation, nanoparticles are used in agriculture.

Comparative study of blackboard presentation and PowerPoint presentation in student’s seminar

Background: With the advancement of technology young generation i.e. students are friendlier with the electronic media for communication and understanding the concept. While some students still think that the older method such as use of blackboard is the better way for understanding or explains the concept. There are various studies were conducted to understand the perception of students regarding various teaching and learning media in overall curriculum but very few are conducted in students led seminar. Aim and Objectives: To compare the perception of students to the blackboard presentation and to the power point presentation in students led seminar. Material and Methods: A pre-designed, pretested self-administered questionnaire was prepared regarding perception of students on blackboard and PowerPoint presentation in learning process. Total 15 parameters were included in the questionnaire. Results: In this study 54% of students prefer the PowerPoint presentation (PPT) over the blackboard presentation (46%) as the best teaching method in the seminar. With the PPT presentation better demonstrations of clinical conditions and important points can be recalled during summarization of the topic. Blackboard teaching stimulates the interest and more stress on important point is given. Students and presenter’s interaction is better in Blackboard presentation. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that seminar delivered using PPT was more appreciated and preferred by the students.

A-study-on-improved-patient-outcomes-in-septic-shock-with-use-of-hydrocortisone

Management of sepsis is a time critical procedure; the consequences of improperly managed sepsis and septic shock can cause multiple organ dysfunction and death. The aim of this study was to evaluate of the role of hydrocortisone. Ÿ Sepsis is dened as life-threatening condition causing multi-organ dysfunction by a dysregulated host response to infection. Septic shock is a subset of sepsis with circulatory and cellular or metabolic dysfunction associated with a higher risk of mortality . Ÿ Sepsis is said to effect the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis, causing a relative adrenal insufficiency resulting in cardiovascular instability, metabolic disorders, and a sustained pro- inammatory state. Ÿ The role of pro-inammatory pathways suggests a potential use for corticosteroids as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of sepsis and septic shock . The Surviving Sepsis campaign guidelines recommend that if adequate uid resuscitation and vasopressors have not restored the hemodynamic stability, it was postulated in limited data to use inj hydrocortisone 100mg i/v 8 hourly for 7 days . Ÿ There was an improvement in the overall survival and reduction in the mortality and morbidity of patients, as observed by early weaning off from vasopressor support, reduction in total leucocyte counts and

Clinical and genetic analysis of five pedigree with maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 2 / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical and molecular genetic characteristics of patients with maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 2(MODY2).Methods:Clinical data and laboratory results were collected from five MODY2 patients and their family members diagnosed in the Department of Endocrinology, Genetics, and Metabolism of Xi ′an Children′s Hospital in the recent two years. Whole exome sequencing was carried out on every proband to identify potential variants, then the suspected variants were verified with Sanger sequencing in family numbers.Results:Among the 5 probands, except for proband 4 who presented with polydipsia and polyuria, hyperglycemia in the rest of the children was accidentally identified. Urine routine, urinary protein, and blood lipid of the five probands were all normal, and HbA 1C was between 5.96% and 8.15%. Moreover, an important discovery in this study was that proband 5 had insulin resistance(IRS), which was different from previous studies. It was confirmed by genetic analysis that a glucokinase(GCK) gene variant existed in every MODY2 pedigree. There were four GCK variants in this study, including c. 146C>T(p.T49I), c. 1237T>G(p.Y413D), c. 683C>T(p.T228M) and c. 952G>T(p.G318W), among which the C. 1237T>G(P.y413d) and C. 952G>T(P.G318W) had not been reported till now. All probands received lifestyle intervention, and the blood glucose control was relatively stable. Conclusion:There is MODY2 patient complicated with IRS. MODY2 patients can be controlled well by lifestyle interventions. In addition, we discovered two novel variants of GCK, which extend the mutation spectrum of this gene.

Study of extracting key plane of 11-13 + 6 weeks normal fetal palate by three-dimensional ultrasound based on artificial intelligence / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To explore the feasibility of extracting the key plane of the normal fetal palate on the 11-13 + 6 week from tomography ultrasonography imaging based on artificial intelligence. Methods:The fetal volume datas of 235 cases of 11-13 + 6 week normal fetal were collected from the Department of Ultrasound in the Luohu District People′s Hospital of Shenzhen and Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital from May 2020 to April 2021. The data acquisition was completed by sonographers A and B by using the GE Voluson E10 color Doppler ultrasound diagnostic instrument. All datas were marked offline by sonographer C. Tomographic imaging was performed on all included data by sonographer D, the tomographic images were saved and the time-consuming was recorded, and the datas of the sonographer group were obtained. The labeled data were randomly divided into the training set and test set for model transfer learning and testing.The 4-fold cross-validation was adopted to record the test set image output by the model and the time consumption to obtain the intelligent group data. A senior sonographer performed image analysis on the two groups of data images. The feasibility of the intelligent model was verified by comparing the score of the plane of retronasal triangle(RTP), the acquisition rate of RTP, the acquisition rate of the fault, and the time-consuming difference between the sonographer group and the intelligent group. Results:①There was no significant difference in the overall distribution of RTP scores between the sonographer group and intelligent group [5 (5, 6) points vs 5 (5, 6) points, Z=0.355, P=0.722]. The RTP acquisition rate of the sonographer group and intelligent group was not statistically significant (78.72% vs 76.60%, χ 2=0.55, P=0.458). The consistency and correlation of RTP obtained by the two groups were high (Kappa=0.645, φ=0.646, both P<0.001). ②The effective layers of the sonographer group were 9 (8, 9) and the intelligent group was 8 (7, 9). The fault acquisition rate of the doctor group was higher than that of the intelligent group (78.72% vs 68.51%, χ 2=12.52, P=0.001). The consistency and correlation of the two groups in obtaining faults were media (Kappa=0.503, φ=0.521, both P<0.001). ③The time-consuming of the intelligent group was significantly lower than that of the sonographer group [1.50 (1.23, 1.75)s vs 26.94 (22.28, 30.48)s, Z=11.440, P<0.001]. Conclusions:This research model can quickly and accurately realize the extraction and tomography of the key plane of the normal fetal palate on the 11-13 + 6 week.

Self-assembly of CXCR4 antagonist peptide-docetaxel conjugates for breast tumor multi-organ metastasis inhibition

As a representative chemotherapeutic drug, docetaxel (DTX) has been used for breast cancer treatment for decades. However, the poor solubility of DTX limits its efficacy, and the DTX based therapy increases the metastasis risk due to the upregulation of C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) expression during the treatment. Herein, we conjugated CXCR4 antagonist peptide (CTCE) with DTX (termed CTCE-DTX) as an anti-metastasis agent to treat breast cancer. CTCE-DTX could self-assemble to nanoparticles, targeting CXCR4-upregulated metastatic tumor cells and enhancing the DTX efficacy. Thus, the CTCE-DTX NPs achieved promising efficacy on inhibiting both bone-specific metastasis and lung metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer. Our work provided a rational strategy on designing peptide-drug conjugates with synergistic anti-tumor efficacy.

Clinical and genetic analysis of an infant with permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus due to novel variant of insulin gene / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the genetic basis for an infant with permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus (PNDM).@*METHODS@#Clinical data of the child was collected. Targeted capture-next generation sequencing was carried out to identify the potential variants. Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing of her family members.@*RESULTS@#The child was a 4-month-and-26-day female featuring onset of ketoacidosis accompanied with fasting blood glucose of 24.4 mmol/L, positive urine glucose, decreased serum C-peptide, HbA1c of 9.58%, and negative diabetes autoantibody. Genetic testing revealed that she has carried a heterozygous c.314T>G (p.L105R) variant of the INS gene. Sanger sequencing verified that neither of her parents has carried the same variant, which was also unreported in the literature. The variant was classified as likely pathogenic based on the ACMG guidelines.@*CONCLUSION@#The c.314T>G (P.L105R) variant of the INS gene probably underlay the genetic etiology in this child. Genetic testing should be conducted for children with suspected PNDM for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Neuroprotective potential of cannabidiol: Molecular mechanisms and clinical implications / 中西医结合学报

Cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychotropic phytocannabinoid that was once largely disregarded, is currently the subject of significant medicinal study. CBD is found in Cannabis sativa, and has a myriad of neuropharmacological impacts on the central nervous system, including the capacity to reduce neuroinflammation, protein misfolding and oxidative stress. On the other hand, it is well established that CBD generates its biological effects without exerting a large amount of intrinsic activity upon cannabinoid receptors. Because of this, CBD does not produce undesirable psychotropic effects that are typical of marijuana derivatives. Nonetheless, CBD displays the exceptional potential to become a supplementary medicine in various neurological diseases. Currently, many clinical trials are being conducted to investigate this possibility. This review focuses on the therapeutic effects of CBD in managing neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. Overall, this review aims to build a stronger understanding of CBD and provide guidance for future fundamental scientific and clinical investigations, opening a new therapeutic window for neuroprotection. Please cite this article as: Tambe SM, Mali S, Amin PD, Oliveira M. Neuroprotective potential of Cannabidiol: Molecular mechanisms and clinical implications. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(3): 236-244.

Clinical and genetic analysis of a patient with primary distal renal tubular acidosis due to variants of ATP6V0A4 gene / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the clinical features and genetic etiology of a patient with primary distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA).@*METHODS@#A child who was diagnosed with primary dRTA at the Xi'an Children's Hospital in April 2021 due to poor appetite and persistent crying was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the patient was collected. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out for the child. Candidate variants were validated by Sanger sequencing of his family members.@*RESULTS@#The child, a 1-month-and-18-day male, had featured poor appetite, persistent crying, poor weight gain and dehydration. Laboratory examination has suggested metabolic acidosis, hyperchloremia, hypokalemia, abnormal alkaline urine and anemia. Ultrasonographic examination of the urinary system revealed calcium deposition in renal medulla. DNA sequencing revealed that he has harbored compound heterozygous variants of the ATP6V0A4 gene, namely c.1363dupA (p.M455NfsX14) and c.2257C>T (p.Q753X), which were respectively inherited from his father and mother. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, both variants were classified as pathogenic (PVS1+PM3+PM2_Supporting).@*CONCLUSION@#The compound heterozygous variants of c.1363dupA (p.M455NfsX14) and c.2257C>T (p.Q753X) of the ATP6V0A4 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of primary dRTA in this patient. Discovery of the c.2257C>T (p.Q753X) variant has also expanded the mutational spectrum of the ATP6V0A4 gene.

Study of Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Obese Women

Background: Obesity in Indian women had increased from 10.6% to 14.8% in India. Mothers who are overweight or obese during pregnancy and childbirth cause significant antenatal, intrapartum, postpartum and also neonatal complications. Aim and Objective: The present study aimed to explore various maternal and fetal outcomes influenced by maternal obesity. The objective was to find the effect of obesity on maternal and perinatal outcome among obese pregnant women compared to those of normal weight. Methods: The study was conducted in antenatal women attending antenatal outpatient department of of Obstetrics and Gynecology in a teriary care referral hospital in Mumbai. Results recorded in simple percentages. Results: Eighteen percent cases developed gestational diabetes mellitus during their antenatal period and 15% developed gestational hypertension. 44% patients underwent lower segment caesarean section. The need for induction of labour and caesarean section was found to be 37% which is significantly higher. Increased NICU admissions due to hypoglycemia or congenital malformations,prematurity was found to be on a higher side. Conclusions: It was clearly evident from the present study that maternal obesity had adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Maternal obesity was strongly associated with antenatal complications like gestational diabetes mellitus, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia and increase in need for induction of labour and operative interference.

Comparative, observational study of the use of artesunate injections along with standard-of-care treatment versus only standard-of-care treatment in moderate and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome cases of COVID-19-positive infections

Introduction: COVID-19 is a type of coronavirus disease belonging to the family Coronaviridae. In late December 2019, this virus emerged from Wuhan, Hubei province, China, and resulted in an outbreak in China and expanded globally. In India, the mortality rate today was 521,691 till the date-time of writing this article. Several therapeutic agents have been evaluated for the treatment of COVID-19. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based comparative, observational study of the use of artesunate injections with standard-of-care (SOC) treatment (group A) versus only SOC (group B) treatment in moderate- to-severe cases of COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients, on a total of 130 patients (comparative group of 65 patients each). The study was done on hospitalized COVID-19-positive moderate and severe cases of ARDS from October 2020 to June 2021 at MGM Hospital and Research Centre, CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Results: One hundred and thirty patients were divided into two groups of 65 each; group A was compared with group B; group A received SOC with artesunate injections and group B received only SOC treatment. The mean age of patients in group A was 57.3 ± 12.5 years (standard deviation [SD]: 54.2–60.3) and in group B was 55.8 ± 12.5 years (SD: 52.8–58.9). Diabetes mellitus was the most comorbid condition. The inflammatory markers, respiratory rate, and SpO2 improved in group A as compared to group B. The proportion of patients progressing to noninvasive and invasive ventilation was more in group B as compared to group A (P < 0.05). About 93.8% of patients (61 patients) recovered in group A compared with 72.3% of patients (47 patients) who recovered in group B. The overall death in group A was 6.2% (four patients) and 27.7% (18 patients) in group B (P < 0.05), indicating the proportion of dead patients is significantly more where only SOC treatment was given. Conclusions: Artesunate injection administration accelerated recovery in our patients with moderate and severe COVID-19 disease by controlling hyperimmune response. The clinical improvement was seen by decreased levels of inflammatory markers, reduced respiratory rate, and improved oxygen saturation and showed significant survival in group A compared with group B. Artesunate injections were given 2 mg/kg body weight diluted in 1 mL 5% sodium bicarbonate solution as a bolus followed by 1 mg/kg body weight after 6 h and 2 mg/kg body weight with 1 mL sodium bicarbonate solution for next 2 days at an interval of 24 h. Patients tolerated the injections well and recovery improved, so artesunate can be considered a therapeutic option in moderate and severe cases of COVID-19 ARDS.

A STUDY OF PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH BLUNT ABDOMINAL INJURY WITH SPLENIC TRAUMA AND THEIR OUTCOME.

INTRODUCTION - Spleen injuries are among the most frequent trauma-related injuries. At present, they are classified according to the anatomy of the injury. The optimal treatment strategy, however, should keep into consideration the hemodynamic status, the anatomic derangement, and the associated injuries. The management of splenic trauma patients aims to restore the homeostasis and the normal physiopathology with a multidisciplinary team. Thus, the study to determine the presentation of a patient and further its investigation management and outcome is necessary. OBJECTIVE: To study all the cases (investigation and outcome) of blunt abdominal trauma with splenic laceration with its incidence , mode of presentation, grade, management and factors responsible for morbidity and mortality. MATERIALAND METHODS:Astudy was conducted in our tertiary care hospital on 22 patients presented with blunt abdominal trauma with splenic injury in emergency department during July 2019 to June 2021. RESULTS: In our retrospective study , all the patients underwent primary radiological and pathological investigation with 36% having associated limb injuries (fractures);4.5% with ckd , 9% with thoracic injury, 40% amongst 20-40 age group , 86% being male, 59.5% resulted from RTA, 31.5 % resulted from fall from height,0% with assault, 4.5% along with head injury, 9% with associated rib fracture,0% patient with free gas under diaphragm ; 9% with grade 1, 22% with grade 2, 31.5% grade 3 , 13.5% grade 4, 22%grade 5 splenic injuries. 91% patients underwent splenectomy and were given vaccination 15 days post operatively against capsulated organisms.9% patients were managed conservatively. Patients were followed up for 6 months postoperatively with 4.5% mortality rate. CONCLUSION: Splenic injury is most common solid organ injury in blunt abdominal trauma in 20- 40 years age group majority male and results maximally by RTA; associated with limb fractures commonly with liver as associated solid organ injured. Aggressive resuscitation and emergency laparotomy (splenectomy) yields excellent outcome

STUDY OF MEDICAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL- A RETRO-PROSPECTIVE STUDY.

Background: Medical termination of pregnancy is de?ned as termination of pregnancy before the age of viability of foetus under any grounds of Medical termination of pregnancy Act 1971.The Medical Termination Bill 2020, passed in March 2020 amends to increase the upper limit for termination to 24 weeks for certain categories of women. Also the bill allows unmarried women termination of pregnancy for contraceptive failure. Safe and legal abortions are considered a key intervention to improve women’s health and quality of life. The current study is to assess the perception of eligible women on MTP services in cases of unwanted pregnancies amid determine the indications, complications and the contraceptive method used along with the procedure. Results: In the present study 60% patients belonged to the age group of 20-30. 41% patients had undergone termination due to failure of contraception,26% patients had multiple congenital anomalies,23.5% patients had maternal medical condition that could cause grave injury to physical and mental health of the mother making termination necessary.9% patients had termination due to social reasons. 53% patients had undergone medical abortion with Misoprostol alone compared to 19% who had undergone termination with combined Mifepristone and Misoprostol. Conclusions: It is needed that more number of females need to be counselled to adopt one or other method for contraception at time of termination to avoid further unwanted pregnancies.Medical termination of pregnancy with mifepristone and misoprostol is a safe, simple and effective approach. It permits greater privacy to the patients. Wide spread use of medical abortion may reduce number of deaths due to traumatic illegal termination of pregnancies Misoprostol, Mifepristone

Restoration of Immune Privilege in Human Dermal Papillae Controlling Epithelial-Mesenchymal Interactions in Hair Formation

BACKGROUND@#Hair follicles are among a handful of organs that exhibit immune privilege. Dysfunction of the hair follicle immune system underlies the development of inflammatory diseases, such as alopecia areata. @*METHODS@#Quantitative reverse transcription PCR and immunostaining was used to confirm the expression of major histocompatibility complex class I in human dermal papilla cells. Through transcriptomic analyses of human keratinocyte stem cells, major histocompatibility complex class I was identified as differentially expressed genes. Organ culture and patch assay were performed to assess the ability of WNT3a conditioned media to rescue immune privilege. Lastly, CD8? T cells were detected near the hair bulb in alopecia areata patients through immunohistochemistry. @*RESULTS@#Inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma were verified to induce the expression of major histocompatibility complex class I proteins in dermal papilla cells. Additionally, loss of immune privilege of hair follicles was rescued following treatment with conditioned media from outer root sheath cells. Transcriptomic analyses found 58 up-regulated genes and 183 down-regulated genes related in MHC class I? cells. Using newborn hair patch assay, we demonstrated that WNT3a conditioned media with epidermal growth factor can restore hair growth. In alopecia areata patients, CD8? T cells were increased during the transition from mid-anagen to late catagen. @*CONCLUSION@#Identification of mechanisms governing epithelial and mesenchymal interactions of the hair follicle facilitates an improved understanding of the regulation of hair follicle immune privilege.

Analysis of clinical phenotype and genotype of cerebral dysgenesis, neuropathy, ichthyosis, and palmoplantar keratoderma syndrome caused by a novel variant of SNAP29 gene / 中华神经科杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinial phenotype and genetic characteristics of a child with cerebral dysgenesis, neuropathy, ichthyosis, and palmoplantar keratoderma (CEDNIK) syndrome and to improve the clinicians′ understanding of this disease.Methods:Clinical data of the child with CEDNIK syndrome diagnosed in Department of Endocrinology, Genetics and Metabolism, Xi′an Children′s Hospital in June 2020 were collected. Whole exome sequencing was carried out to identify the potential variants of SNAP29 gene. Suspected variants were verified by Sanger sequencing of family numbers. The literature about the cases of CEDNIK syndrome were reviewed.Results:The proband is a boy, who was aged 1 year and 4 months, had the manifestations of psychomotor retardation, microcephaly, feeding difficulties, severe malnutrition, recurrent respiratory tract infection, binocular esotropia, sensorineural deafness, cutaneous ichthyosis and keratosis, left cryptorchidism. Brain magnetic resonance imaging indicated congenital dysplasia. Whole exome sequencing identified a homozygous variant of c.383dupT (p.E129Rfs *5) in the SNAP29 gene of the proband, and the heterozygous variation was observed at the same locus in his parents, which conformed to the autosomal recessive inheritance. This mutataion was determined as a pathogenic mutation according to the guidelines of American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. Literature retrieval showed currently a total of 29 cases of CEDNIK syndrome were reported, containing 8 types of SNAP29 gene mutation. However, there was no Chinese case reported. And the c.383dupT (p.E129Rfs *5) mutation found in this study was a novel one which had not been reported yet. Conclusion:The phenotype of the proband is generally consistent with the CEDNIK syndrome and the novel c.383dupT (p.E129Rfs *5) mutation of SNAP29 gene is the genetic cause.

Clinical and genetic analysis of five patients with familial male-limited precocious puberty / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective:To analyze the clinical and genetic characteristics of five patients with familial male-limited precocious puberty(FMPP).Methods:The clinical data, laboratory and imaging results of the five patients with FMPP were collected. Whole exome sequencing was carried out to identify the potential variants. Suspected variants were verified by Sanger sequencing of family numbers.Results:Of the five patients, four were children and one was an adult. All the four children presented to hospital with premature sexual development at age less than 4 years. Serum testosterone was elevated, luteinizing hormone(LH) and follicle stimulating hormone(FSH) basal values were at prepubertal levels, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH) stimulation test suggested peripheral precocious puberty. Genetic analysis revealed the mutations of LHCGR genes in all the five patients. Patients 1, 2, 3, and 4 carried the same heterozygous mutation c. 1713G>C(p.M571I), and the patient 5 carried the c. 1741T>C(p.C581R)variation. The four children were treated with anti-androgen preparations and the third-generation aromatase inhibitors, all of which were effective.Conclusion:The c. 1713G>C mutation of LHCGR gene is a novel one which expands the mutation spectrum of LHCGR gene. Combined treatment with bicaluamide and the third generation aromatase inhibitors can improve clinical symptoms and delay epiphyseal closure in children with FMPP.

Expression and functional SNP loci screen of ATM from coal worker's pneumoconiosis / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To detect of gene expression and genotype of the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) from coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) , It is explored whether CWP is related to ATM gene. Methods: In October 2020, the relevant information of 264 subjects who received physical examination or medical treatment in the Department of occupational diseases of Guiyang public health treatment center from January 2019 to September 2020 was collected. Through the occupational health examination, 67 healthy people with no history of exposure to occupational hazards were selected as the healthy control group; The coal miners with more than 10 years of coal dust exposure history and small shadow in the lung but not up to the diagnostic criteria were the dust exposure control group, a total of 66 people; The patients with the same history of coal dust exposure and confirmed stage I were coal worker's pneumoconiosis stage I group, a total of 131 people. The expression of ATM was detected by QRT PCR. ATM rs189037 and rs1801516 were genotyped by massarray. Results: There was significant difference in the expression of ATM among the groups (P<0.05) ; Compared with the healthy control group, the expression of ATM in the dust exposed control group was significantly increased (P<0.05) . With the occurrence and development of CWP, the GG of rs189037 wild type decreased, the GA of mutant heterozygote and AA of homozygote increased, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05) ; Rs1801516 wild type GG and mutant heterozygote GA had no significant changes (P>0.05) . There were significant differences in age, neutrophils and basophils among rs189037 groups (all P<0.05) . There were no significant differences in blood pressure, eosinophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, smoking and drinking history among rs189037 groups (all P>0.05) . Compared with wild-type GG, the or of mutant heterozygotes and homozygotes increased, but the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05) . Conclusion: ATM gene may be one of the early activation genes of CWP and rs189037 may be the functional loci which affects gene expression. ATM gene is related to inflammatory response, Neutrophils and basophils have an impact on the development of CWP.

Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of silver diamine fluoride, chlorhexidine varnish with conventional fluoride varnish as a caries arresting agent. An in vivo sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis study

Introduction: Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is employed as an adjunct cariostatic agent in the management of dental caries in high-risk population. Other than fluorides, chlorhexidine (CHX) is the most potent antimicrobial and efficacious agent against Streptococcus mutans. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate and differentiate the efficacy of 38% silver diamine fluoride, CHX varnish, and fluoride varnish on carious primary teeth. Materials and Methods: Ninety children having a count of ?1 carious lesion were recruited. Thirty-eighty percent silver diamine fluoride or fluoride varnish and CHX varnish were topically applied on the lesion. The primary outcome measured was the arrest of carious lesion (lesion rendered inactive as per the Nyvad criteria) after a follow-up of 14–21 days. Dental biofilm sample was obtained from each child and subsequently assessed for microbial composition by colony-forming unit method before and after treatment followed by protein analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis method. Results: Average proportion of arrested caries lesions in the SDF group was higher followed by CHX and fluoride varnish groups. Decreased total protein amount was found in SDF group. This proves that there is decrease in microbial load posttreatment in SDF group. Conclusion: Thirty-eight percent SDF is more effective than CHX varnish and fluoride varnish in arresting dentin carious lesions in young children.

A novel dammarane-type saponin from Gynostemma pentaphyllum and its neuroprotective effect / 中国中药杂志

One new and two known dammarane-type saponins were isolated from the leaves of Gynostemma pentaphyllum using various chromatographic methods. Their structures were identified by HR-ESI-MS,~( 1)H-NMR, ~(13)C-NMR, 2 D-NMR spectra as 2α,3β,12β,20,24(S)-tetrahdroxydammar-25-en-3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-20-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside(1, a new compound, namely gypenoside J5) and 2α,3β,12β,20,24(R)-tetrahdroxydammar-25-en-3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-20-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside(2) and 2α,3β,12β,20-tetrahydroxy-25-hydroperoxy-dammar-23-en-3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)][β-D-glucopyranosyl]-20-O-[β-D-xylopyranosyl(1→6)]-β-D-glucopy-ranoside(3), respectively. Compounds 1 and 2 were a pair of C-24 epimers. All compounds showed weak cytotoxicity agxinst H1299, HepG2, PC-3, SH-SY5 Y cancer cell lines. However, they exerted protective effect against SH-SY5 Y cellular damage induced by H_2O_2 dose-dependently, of which compound 1 displayed the strongest antioxidant effect. The present study suggested that G. pentaphyllum has antioxidative potential and the saponins from G. pentaphyllum are considered as the active compounds with neuroprotecitve effect.

Regulation of Hypnotic Active Components of Cnidii Fructus on Melatonin Synthesis Rate-limiting Enzyme AANAT in Rats with PCPA-induced Insomnia / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the effects of Cnidii Fructus hypnotic active components （CHC） on the behaviors of rats with p-chlorophenylalanine （PCPA）-induced insomnia and melatonin （MT） synthesis rate-limiting enzyme arylalkylamine <italic>N</italic>-acetyltransferase （AANAT）， and explore the protective mechanism of CHC on the pineal gland. Method:Male SD rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into a blank control group， a model group， a MT group， and high-， medium-， and low-dose CHC groups with 10 rats in each group. Except for the blank control group， other groups received 4.5% PCPA suspension at 10 mL·kg^-1， intragastric administration， for two consecutive days. After PCPA model of insomnia was established， normal and model groups were gavaged at the same volume of 2% Tween-80， MT control group （10 mg·kg^-1）， CHC was high， medium and low （60， 30， 15 mg·kg^-1）， 10 mL·kg^-1， once a day， for consecutive 7 days. Four days after administration， open field， elevated cross maze， and pentobarbital sodium-induced sleep tests were conducted， respectively. Serum MT was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mRNA expression level of AANAT was determined by real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The expression of AANAT protein in the pineal gland was detected by Western blot. Result:Compared with the results in the blank control group， the total distance of open field activity and standing times and duration in the central area were increased （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）， the proportions of open arm entry （OE%） and open arm time （OT%） were decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， and the sleep latency was prolonged （<italic>P</italic><0.01） in the model group. Compared with the model group， no significant difference was observed in the low-dose CHC group， while other groups exhibited reduced total distance of activity （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）， elevated OE% （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， shortened sleep latency， and prolonged sleep time （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the serum MT in the blank control group， that in the model group was decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， no significant difference was observed in the low-dose CHC group， while other groups displayed increased serum MT （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. The mRNA and protein expression of AANAT was decreased in the model group as compared with that in the blank control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， the MT group and the high-dose CHC group showed up-regulated expression （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Conclusion:CHC improved the behavioral indexes of PCPA-induced insomnia， increased the synthesis and secretion of MT in pineal cells， and elevated the serum MT level， which was related to the up-regulation of the mRNA and protein expression of AANAT in the pineal gland.