Advances of Akkermansia muciniphila in regulating host functions / 中国中药杂志

Akkermansia muciniphila, abbreviated as AKK and found in 2004, is an oval-shaped gram-negative bacterium isolated from a human feal. A. muciniphila is widely present in the intestinal tract of human. Its specialization in mucin degradation makes it a key organism at the mucosal interface between the lumen and host cells. More and more studies have shown that it can play the role of probiotics. Notably, declined levels of A. muciniphila have been observed in patients with diabetes, liver disease, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, neurodegenerative diseases, etc. In addition, A. muciniphila combined with traditional Chinese medicine, exhibited higher effect on regulating host functions, but the underlying mechanism was still unclear, requiring further in-depth research. Therefore, the aims of this review are to summarize the main effects of A. muciniphila on host health and its relationship with traditional Chinese medicine, summarize the main problems, and provide a reference for the further research of A. muciniphila and traditional Chinese medicine.

Health literacy of junior high school students in Jiaxing and its influencing factors / 预防医学

Objective@#To learn the health literacy level and its influencing factors among junior high school students in Jiaxing, so as to provide basis for health promotion of adolescents. @*Methods@#The junior high school students who had been studying and living in Jiaxing for more than six months were selected by multistage cluster random sampling method. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect general information and health literacy level (including basic knowledge and concept, healthy lifestyle and behaviors, and basic skills) of these selected students. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors for health literacy.@*Results @#Of 1 773 questionnaires collected, 1 738 were valid, accounting for 98.03%. The level of health literacy in the junior high school students in Jiaxing was 22.84% ( 95%CI: 20.87%-24.82% ), The levels of basic knowledge and concept, healthy lifestyle and behaviors, and basic skills were 55.29% ( 95%CI: 52.95%-57.63% ), 21.75% ( 95%CI: 19.81%-23.69% ), 53.05% ( 95%CI: 50.70%-55.40%), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the second grade and above ( OR: 1.609-1.835, 95%CI: 1.195-2.459 ), mother's educational level of technical secondary school/senior high school and above ( OR: 1.965-1.976, 95%CI: 1.276-3.357 ), and self-rated academic achievement of medium and above ( OR: 1.881-2.441, 95%CI: 1.359-3.335 ) were the promoting factors for health literacy level of junior high school students; self rated health status as unhealthy ( OR=0.254, 95%CI: 0.089-0.721 ) was an obstructive factor.@*Conclusions@#The health literacy level of the junior high school students in Jiaxing was 22.84%. The level of healthy lifestyle and behaviors was the lowest in three aspects. Grade, mother's educational level, self-rated academic performance and self-rated health status may have impacts on health literacy level of junior high school students.

Increased elastic modulus of the synovial membrane in a rat ACLT model of osteoarthritis revealed by atomic force microscopy

This study aimed to explore changes in nanoscale elastic modulus of the synovium using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in addition to investigate changes in synovial histomorphology and secretory function in osteoarthritis (OA) in a rat anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) model. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to sham control and ACLT OA groups. All right knee joints were harvested at 4, 8, or 12 weeks (W) after surgery for histological assessment of cartilage damage and synovitis in both the anterior and posterior capsules. AFM imaging and nanoscale biomechanical testing were conducted to measure the elastic modulus of the synovial collagen fibrils. Immunohistochemistry was used to visualize the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in the synovium. The OA groups exhibited progressive development of disease in the cartilage and synovium. Histopathological scores of the synovium in the OA groups increased gradually. Significant differences were observed between all OA groups except for the posterior 4W group. The synovial fibril arrangement in all OA groups was significantly disordered. The synovial fibrils in all ACLT OA groups at each time point were stiffer than those in the sham controls. OA rats displayed a significantly higher expression of IL-1β and MMP3 in the anterior capsule. In summary, synovial stiffening was closely associated with joint degeneration and might be a factor contributing to synovitis and increased production of proinflammatory mediators. Our data provided insights into the role of synovitis, particularly stiffening of the synovium, in OA pathogenesis.

Antidiabetic activity of Callicarpa nudiflora extract in type 2 diabetic rats via activation of the AMPK-ACC pathway

Objective: To evaluate the antidiabetic effect of Callicarpa nudiflora extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: The chemical constituents in Callicarpa nudiflora extract were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. Callicarpa nudiflora extract (0.15 and 0.3 g/kg) was orally administered to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats for 42 d. The effects of Callicarpa nudiflora extract on body weight, blood glucose, serum insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C and HDL-C were investigated, and its effect on liver and pancreatic pathology was assessed by histopathological analysis. Moreover, the expression levels of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4), phospho-AMPK/AMPK, and p-acetyl-coA carboxylase (P-ACC)/ACC in the skeletal muscles and liver were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Results: A total of 34 compounds, including 8 iridoids, 14 phenylpropanoids, and 12 flavonoids, were identified from Callicarpa nudiflora extract. Callicarpa nudiflora extract significantly reduced blood glucose and significantly restored all other biochemical parameters to near normal levels, including serum insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C, and HDL-C. Callicarpa nudiflora extract improved insulin resistance and reversed the damage in the liver and pancreas caused by diabetes. Furthermore, Callicarpa nudiflora extract increased the expression levels of phospho-AMPK, GLUT4, P-ACC, and insulin receptor substrate-1 and decreased the expression level of PPAR毭 in diabetic rats.Conclusions: Callicarpa nudiflora extract improved oral glucose tolerance, lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, and reversed the diabetes-related damage in the liver and pancreas by activating the AMPK-ACC pathway.

Effects of NO on T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of spontaneously hypertensive rats / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective To investigate whether NO can relieve hypertensive cerebrovascular and renal injury by regulating the ratio of peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets and reducing proinflammatory cytokine release . Methods Twelve-week SHR and WKY rats were randomly divided into three groups :WKY group ,SHR group and SHR+NO intervention group ,with 6 rats in each group .Rats in SHR+ NO intervention group were injected intraperitoneally with sodium nitroprusside according to 10 μg/(kg · d) for 4 weeks ,while WKY group and SHR group were injected intraperitoneally with an equal amount of saline for 4 weeks .After measuring the tail artery blood pressure ,basilar artery and renal pathological changes were observed by HE staining ;the rates of CD4+ /CD8+ and CD4+ CD25+ T cells were detected by flow cytometry ;and the expression of TNF-α was detected by ELISA .Results The expressions of CD4+ /CD8+ and TNF-αin SHR group were significantly higher than those in WKY group (P<0 .01) while the rate of CD4+ CD25+ in SHR group was significantly lower than that in WKY group (P<0 .01) .The expressions of CD4+ /CD8+ and TNF-α in SHR+ NO intervention group were significantly lower than those in SHR group whereas the rate of CD4+ CD25+ was significantly higher than that in SHR group (P<0 .05) .Conclusion NO can improve the target organ damage caused by hypertension by regulating the peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets ratio and reducing the release of proinflammatory factors .

Research progress on chemical constituents in Callicarpa nudiflora and their pharmacological activities / 中草药

Callicarpa nudiflora is the genuine medicinal material in Hainan province, and is successfully approved as a new variety in Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2015. Based on a detailed investigation on the literature reports at home and abroad from 1996 to 2016, we have found that the principal chemical constituents were recognized as phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpenoids, diterpenoids, iridoids, sterols, etc. The biological activities of chemical constituents from C. nudiflora were mainly studied on the hemostasis, anti-inflammation, anti-bacterial, immune-strengthening, and cytotoxic activities. The present paper systematically summarized the previously phytochemical work of C. nudiflora, and the biological activities were also reviewed briefly. The current paper provides the references for the further quality control, pharmacological action study, and utilization of this medicinal plant.

Chemical constituents of ethyl acetate fraction from seed melon (Citrulluslanatus ssp. vulgaris var. megalaspermus) / 中国中药杂志

In this paper, the chemical composition of ethyl acetate parts of seed melon were studied by using ethanol re-flux method, extraction method, and isolated by column chromatography oversilica gel and Sephadex LH-20 and HPLC. The structures of the separated compounds were identified by physical-chemical methods and spectral data such as MS, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, etc. 12 compounds were got from the plant including one new compound, 4-hydroxymet-hyl-2-methoxyphenyl 1-O-β-D-[6'-O-(4″-hydroxybenzoyl)-glucopyranoside] (1) and 11 known compounds, uracil (2), thymine (3), 2'-deoxyuridine (4), 7,8-dimethylalloxazine (5), indole-3-carboxylic acid (6), β-adenosine (7), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (8), p-coumaric acid (9), cucumegastigmanesⅠ (10), 3'-methoxyl-quercetin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (11) and 3,3'-dimethyloxy-4,4'-dihydroxy-9,9'-monoepoxy lignan (12).

Anatomic characteristics of the vessels in the spermatic cord of the varicocele patient: A laparoscopic study / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the numbers and locations of spermatic veins, testicular arteries, and lymphatic vessels in the spermatic cord of the varicocele patient under the laparoscope.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-seven varicocele patients received laparoscopic ligation of spermatic veins, during which we recorded the numbers and observed the locations of spermatic veins, testicular arteries, and spermatic lymphatic vessels.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During the surgery, we identified 3.3 ± 1.2 spermatic veins, 1.4 ± 0.9 testicular arteries, and 4.3 ± 1.1 spermatic lymphatic vessels. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two side in the numbers of the spermatic veins, testicular arteries and spermatic lymphatic vessels (P > 0.05). The testicular arteries were seen on the exterior of the spermatic veins and winding around them, while the spermatic lymphatic vessels mostly between the veins.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The spermatic veins, testicular arteries, and lymphatic vessels in the spermatic cord of the varicocele patient have their specific anatomic characteristics. Laparoscopic identification of these vessels may contribute to the surgical treatment of varicocele.</p>

Chemical constituents from Callicarpa nudiflora and their cytotoxic activities / 中国中药杂志

The chemical consitituents from cytotoxic fraction of the Callicarpa nudiflora extract were isolated and purified by a combination of HP-20 macroporous resin, silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies. The structures were elucidated on the basis of the spectroscopic data and comparison of their spectroscopic data with reported data. The cytotoxicity was evaluated by the MTT assay. The 50% and 70% EtOH elutions of EtOH-extract showed significant cytotoxic activities, leading to the isolation of twelve compounds, which were identified as luteoloside(1), lutedin-4'-O-β-D-glucoside(2), 6-hydroxyluteolin-7-O-β-glucoside(3), lutedin-7-O-neohesperidoside(4), rhoifolin (5), luteolin-7, 4'-di-O-glucoside (6), forsythoside B (7), acteoside (8), alyssonoside (9), catalpol(10), nudifloside(11), and leonuride(12). Compounds 3-6, 10 and 12 were isolated from this genus for the first time, and compound 9 was isolated from this plant for the first time. The cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that flavonoids 1-6, in various concentrations, showed monolithic proliferation inhibitory activities against Hela, A549 and MCF-7 cell lines. Compounds 3, 5 and iridoid glycoside 11 possessed higher cytotoxicacivities. In short, flavonoids are the main components of cytotoxic extract from C. nudiflora, while phenylethanoid glycosides are the predominant ingredient but inactive to cancer cell lines. In addition, the minor iridoid glycoside expressed weak cytotoxic activity.

Allelopathic effects of aqueous extracts from Panax notoginseng on three maize varieties (Zea mays) / 中国中药杂志

It has been showed that there were obvious obstacle effects of Panax notoginseng replanting. Crop rotation was the main effective technique to overcome the obstacle. To find a reasonable crop rotation system for P. notoginseng, aqueous extracts from root, stem and leaf of P. notoginseng were analyzed for allelopathic effect on three maize varieties (which are often grown in regions where P. notoginseng grown). The main results were as follows: (1) Allelopathic effect of P. notoginseng stem and leaf extracts on the three other tested plants was stronger than that of root extracts; (2) Corn was more vulnerable to the effects of allelochemicals at seedling stage than at germination stage, and the corn root was more sensitive than aerial part to allelochemicals; (3) Lusan No. 3 and Yunrui No. 1 showed resistance to P. notoginseng allelopathy, with respective comprehensive sensitivity indexes (M3) of - 0.089 3 and -0.159 2, while Bainuo No. 1 is sensitive at M3 = -0.261 0. It then can be concluded that Lusan No. 3 and Yunrui No. 1 may be an alternative rotation plants for overcoming P. notoginseng continuous cropping obstacle.

Efficiency of multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification combined with short tandem repeat linkage analysis for the prenatal diagnosis for Duchenne muscular dystrophy / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficiency of multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) combined with short tandem repeat (STR) linkage analysis for the prenatal diagnosis for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Gender of the fetus was first determined by the presence of Y chromosome sex-determining gene (SRY). Subsequently, combined MLPA and STR linkage analysis were applied for the probands, pregnant women and fetuses in 45 affected families.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 45 families, 31 SRY-positive fetuses were identified, among whom six were diagnosed with DMD. For 14 SRY-negative fetuses, four were diagnosed as carriers. The remainders were normal.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MLPA can detect mutations in the exons of dystrophin gene, whilst STR linkage analysis can determine whether the fetus has inherited the maternal X chromosome bearing the mutant gene. As the result, the method can detect affected fetuses in which no exonic mutations are detected with MLPA. By combining the two methods, the diagnostic rate for DMD can be greatly improved.</p>

Detection and prenatal diagnosis for RS1 gene mutations in two Chinese families with X-linked juvenile retinoschisis / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify potential mutations of retinoschisis 1 (RS1) gene responsible for X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS) in two Chinese families.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The 6 exons and flanking intronic regions were analyzed with PCR and direct sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Two RS1 mutations were identified in the two families, which included 1 frameshift mutation (c.573delG, p.Pro192fs) and 1 missense mutation (c.626G>A, p.Arg209His).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Two RS1 mutations have been identified, among which Pro192fs mutation is discovered for the first time in Chinese population. Above results may enrich our understanding of the clinical manifestations of XLRS and facilitated early diagnosis and genetic counseling for the disease.</p>

Analysis of CYP17A1 gene mutation in a child patient with 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17, 20-lyase deficiency / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze CYP17A1 gene mutations in a child patient with 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17, 20-lyase deficiency (17OHD), and to review characteristics of CYP17A1 gene mutations in Chinese patients with 17OHD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data were collected. PCR and DNA sequencing were performed to detect mutations in the patient.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patient has presented classical features of 17OHD including hypertension, hypokalemia, decreased sex hormones and plasma cortisol, and elevated blood adrenocorticotrophic hormone. A compound heterozygous mutation c.987C>A and c.985del was detected in the CYP17A1 gene, which resulted in two premature stop codons at positions 328 and 417.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A compound mutation, c.987C>A and c.985del, has been identified in a patient with 17OHD. Among CYP17A1 gene mutations identified in Chinese patients, missence mutations have been most common, and exons 5 and 8 have been the mutation hotspots.</p>

Phenylpropanoids and diphenylethene compounds from roots and rhizomes of Smilax scobinicaulis / 中国中药杂志

The chemical constituents were separated and purified from the roots and rhizomes of Smilax scobinicaulis by various chromatographic methods including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20. Their structures were obtained and identified as resveratrol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), resveratrol (2), 8-viniferin (3), ethyl caffeate (4), 1-0-caffeoylglycerol (5), 1-O-p-coumaroylglycerol (6), 1-0-feruloylglycerol (7), grossamide (8), moracin M (9) on the analysis of spectroscopic data. Compound 1 was a new compound and compounds 3-5, 8,9 were separated from this plant for the first time.

Significance of detecting free DNA from maternal plasma for the diagnosis of fetal chromosomal aneuploidies / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the feasibility and accuracy of detecting numerical chromosomal abnormalities by high-flux sequencing analysis of free fetal DNA from maternal plasma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>High-flux sequencing was applied to analyze fetal chromosome sequence copy numbers in 153 pregnant women. Fetal karyotyping was also carried out on amniocentesis samples.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Six cases were detected with fetal chromosomal abnormalities by high-flux sequencing analysis, among which five were confirmed by karyotyping to be chromosomal aneuploidies (47,XYY; 45,X; 47,XY,+18; 47,XY,+21 and 47,XY,+13), 1 case was confirmed to be structural rearrangement, i.e., 46,XY,der(13;21)(q10;q10),+21. Furthermore, 3 chromosomal polymorphisms (one 46,XY,21p+ and two 46,XY,Yqh-) were identified. The two methods yielded similar results on fetal chromosome copy number detection.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High-flux sequencing analysis of free DNA derived from maternal plasma is efficient for detecting fetal chromosomal aneuploidies, and is non-invasive, highly sensitive and specific. It therefore has a broad application in antenatal diagnosis.</p>

Effects of TNF-α on ICAM-1 and LFA-1 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of children with febrile seizures / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of TNF-α on ICAM-1 and LFA-1 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of children with febrile seizures (FS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixteen children with FS and 16 age- and gender-matched healthy children were enrolled. The samples of PBMC from FS children were randomized into two groups with or without TNF-α treatment (TNF-α concentration 1.0 ng/mL). PBMC were purified and cultured with a conventional method in vitro. The expression of ICAM-1 and LFA-1 in PBMC was determined by flow cytometry (FCM).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>ICAM-1［(20±9)% vs (14±7)%)］and LFA-1［(43±16)% vs (30±16)%］expression in PBMC in the untreated FS group was significantly higher than that in the normal control group (P<0.05). Compared with the untreated FS group, the treatment with TNF-α remarkably increased the ICAM-1 expression［(27±11)%］(P<0.05). PBMC LFA-1 expression［(52±21)%］in the TNF-α-treated group was higher than that in the untreated FS group, although there were no statistical differences between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>TNF-α treatment may increase LFA-1 and ICAM-1 expression in PBMC of children with FS.</p>

X-ray analysis on 114 patients with moderate endemic skeletal fluorosis by treatment of Guo's Chinese herbal / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the X-ray features of bone damage in patients with moderate endemic skeletal fluorosis and the changes of X-ray after treatment with herbal therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From 2007.12 to 2009.8,114 patients with moderate endemic skeletal fluorosis were randomly divided into treatment group and control group by central randomization system. There were 60 patients in treatment group including 26 males and 34 females,aged from 39 to 60 years with an average of (51.68 +/- 4.98) years; There were 54 patients in control group included 30 males and 24 females, aged from 39 to 60 years with an average of (52.15 +/- 4.86) years. Both treatment and control groups were treated with basic treatment including calcium supplementation and preparation stage with herb decoction. Patients were orally given 600 mg Caltrate everyday for calcium suptrointestinal function and promoting the digestion and absorption of herb decoction for 3 days. Patients in treatment group were rally given Guo's Maqian decoction(200 ml,twice daily) for 8 weeks. Eight weeks later,Guo 's Maqian decoction was replaced y Guokangning capsule (0.44 g per cansule,2 capsules,three times daily) for 4 weeks. The treatment course lasted 12 weeks. The time for followed-up after treatment was 24 weeks. When the treatment finished, 7 experts on orthopaedics and radiology evaluated and statistically analyzed the X-ray features pre and post treatment,using expert evaluation scale (including the appearance and changes of osteosclerosis,osteoporosis softening,joint changes close to the bone and mixed changes) designed referring endemic skeletal fluorosis X-ray findings and sub-degree standard(WS192-2008).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All X-ray features of endemic skeletal fluorosis appeared in the X-ray of the 114 patients with moderate endemic skeletal fluorosis. Osteosclerosis: 4 cases in forearm, 7 in calf,4 in pelvis,4 in lumbar vertebrae ;Osteoporosis and bone softening: 23 cases in forearm patients, 23 in calf, 5 in pelvis, 8 in lumbar vertebrae; Mixed changes: 6 cases in forearm, 9 in calf, 10 in pelvis, 1 in lumbar vertebrae patients; oint changes: 107 cases in forearm, 47 in calf, 28 in pelvis, 19 in lumbar vertebrae. There were X-ray no changes before and after the treatment in all of parts in control group. In treatment group, there were only 2 patients showed extraperiostealin and joint changes after the treatment, in which one showed better ossification of interosseous membrane of leg and another one showed disappearance of the lateral hyperplasia of the left pelvic acetabulum. There were no changes between before and after treatment in X-ray of all parts in the rest patiens of the treatment group. There was no significant difference between before and after treatment in both groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is no obvious improvement in radiology of patients with skeletal fluorosis treated by Guo's therapy.</p>

Effect and mechanism of emodin on cholestatic hepatitis / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of emodin on cholestatic hepatitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rats were divided into 5 groups: 1 group was untreated, the other 4 groups were treated with alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT), ANIT and emodin, ANIT and ursodeoxycholic acid, or ANIT and dexamethasone, respectively. At 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after the treatment, NF-kappa B, early growth response factor-1 (Egr-1), cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 1 (CINC-1), macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1),tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were assayed by immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR , western-blot and ELISA. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide Dismutase(SOD) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were assayed by thiobarbituric acid method, xanthine oxidase method and colorimetric method, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Compared to the controls, emodin had a notable effect on total bilirubin (TB), direct bilirubin (DB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) at all time points (all P less than 0.05). Compared to ursodeoxycholic acid, emodin had a notable effect on TB and DB at 24 h after the treatments, however, after 48 h, emodin had a notable effect only on TB (all P less than 0.05). Compared to Dexamethasone, emodin had a notable effect on TB at 48 h time point, and it had a notable effect on ALT at all time points (all P less than 0.05). (2) The nuclei NF-kappa B p65 staining was significantly increased at 24 h and 48 h after ANIT treatment (all P less than 0.05), and emodin treatment could block the increase (all P less than 0.05). (3) Egr-1 mRNA level was not affected by emodin treatment (P more than 0.05); levels of CINC-1, MIP-2 mRNA and ICAM-1 protein were significantly decreased after emodin treatment (all P less than 0.05). (4) The levels of TNF alpha and IL-6 were decreased after emodin treatment(all P less than 0.05). (5) The levels of MDA at all time points and MPO at 24 h, 48 h time points were notably down-regulated by emodin treatment, while the level of SOD was markedly elevated at all time points after emodin treatment (all P less than 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Emodin treatment can reduce the levels of TB, DB and ALT in ANIT induced-cholestatic hepatitis. The effect may be due to inhibition of NF-kappa B signal pathway.</p>

Correlation of plasma adiponectin and components of metabolic syndrome / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the relationship of adiponectin and the components of metabolic syndrome (MS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cluster random sampling was applied in two districts of Shanghai. Two communities were selected. After investigating and physical examination, 235 MS subjects were obtained. Correlation analysis and principle components regression analysis were used to analyze the relationship between adiponectin and components of MS (waist circumference, blood pressure, blood glucose and lipid).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Adiponectin in male was (2.82 +/- 1.73) microg/ml, lower than in female [(5.12 +/- 3.51) microg/ml] with statistical difference (Z = -5.25, P = 0.00). Adiponectin levels [(4.38 +/- 3.23) microg/ ml] correlated with abdominal obesity, including waist circumference [(93.37 +/- 7.76) cm] (r(s) = - 0.18, t(r) = -2.79, P = 0.01) and waist hip ratio (0.91 +/- 0.05) (r(s) = -0.28, t(r) = -4.44, P = 0.00), but did not correlate significantly with body mass index (BMI) [(26.85 +/- 3.10) kg/m2] (r(s) = -0.10, t(r) = - 1.45, P = 0. 15). Adiponectin correlated negatively with insulin resistance related indexes, including fasting glucose [(5.48 +/- 1.72) mmol/L] (r(s) = -0.13, t(r) = -2.00, P = 0.05), fasting insulin [(11.52 +/- 5.34) mU/L] (r(s) = -0. 15, t(r) = - 2.31, P = 0.02), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (2.90 +/- 2.07) (r(s) = -0.17, t(r) = -2.63, P = 0.01) and triglyceride [(2.11 +/- 1.24) mmol/L] (r(s) = -0.24, t(r) = -3.77, P = 0.00). The correlations were not observed between adiponectin with total cholesterol [(5.01 +/- 1.19) mmol/L] ( r(s) = -0.05, t(r) = -0.78, P = 0.44), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) [(1.21 +/- 0.32) mmol/L] (r(s) = 0.06, t(r) = 0.93, P = 0.36), systolic blood pressure [(131.40 +/- 14.93) mm Hg, 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa] (r(s) = -0.02, t(r) = -0.34, P = 0.73) and diastolic blood pressure [(86.77 +/- 9.14)mm Hg] (r(s) = -0.02, t(r) = -0.27, P = 0.78).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Adiponectin should correlate negatively with abdominal obesity and insulin resistance, but not directly correlate with blood pressure in MS.</p>

Characteristics of infrasound and its influence on workers in working environment of certain thermoelectricity works and department / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the characteristics of infrasound and its effects on the workers at power plants.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The audible noise and infrasound in three thermoelectricity plants were measured and by using Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90), the subjective sensation, and the physiological indices were compared between exposed workers and controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The infrasound levels were different at different measure sites of the three thermoelectricity works ranging from 40 to 98 dB. There was still 40 approximately 80 dB infrasound even when the soot blower stopped running. Different apparatus produced different infrasound levels with the highest ranging from 62 to 115 dB. A single frequency (16 Hz) infrasound was produced in certain department during working hour with sound pressure levels of 110 to 120 dB, but the audible noise sound pressure level was less than 70 dB. There was no significant difference in the indices representing vision fatigue and neurobehaviour function between exposed workers and controls. Workers at certain department experienced evident subjective sensation of neurobehavioral dysfunction, and the scores of somatization, depression, hostility, phobic anxiety, and psychotism in the SCL-90 were significantly higher in the exposed group than in the control and the norm in China (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Infrasound is ubiquitous in the working environment, but usually, the noise levels are less than 120 dB. In some special production department, there is persistent infrasound above 110 to 120 dB. No obvious health effects are found among those who are exposed to infrasound below 100 dB. However, the workers who are chronically exposed to infrasound above 110 to 120 dB present notable subjective sensation of autonomic neurobehavioral dysfunction, and their psychological health status is not as good as those in the control and those in the domestic normal pattern.</p>