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Background A variety of substances in drinking water are hazardous to human health and there are health risks associated with ingestion of these substances via drinking water. Objective To assess the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks of drinking water in Shijiazhuang from 2014 to 2021. Methods The collection, preservation, and testing of 10529 drinking water samples (including finished water and tap water) in Shijiazhuang were conducted from 2014 to 2021 and followed the Standard examination methods for drinking water (GB/T 5750—2006). The health risks of 15 chemicals in drinking water by oral exposure were assessed using the US Environmental Protection Agency's four-step method combined with Monte Carlo simulation. Results Among the 15 chemicals in drinking water assessed for their health risks at general exposure levels and high exposure levels via oral route in Shijiazhuang from 2014 to 2021, the leading three chemicals and related values of carcinogenic risks for adults were cadmium (1.11×10−4, 2.98×10−4), arsenic (5.88×10−5, 1.56×10−4), and chromium (5.48×10−5, 2.41×10−4), and the leading three chemicals and related values of non-carcinogenic risks were fluoride (3.57×10−1, 6.57×10−1), arsenic (1.31×10−1, 3.47×10−1), and nitrate (1.14×10−1, 5.98×10−1). The health risk values of trichloromethane and aluminum were elevated but still in acceptable ranges. Drinking water-associated health risk values were higher in males than in females, such as the cancer risk for general exposure levels of arsenic in men was 5.76×10−5, compared to 5.72×10−5 in women. The health risk values of cadmium, chromium, fluoride, nitrate, and other chemicals in ground water were higher than those of surface water, and the health risk values of trichloromethane and carbon tetrachloride were lower than those in surface water, such as the non-carcinogenic risk value for general exposure levels of fluoride in groundwater was 3.61×10−1, compared to 2.27×10−1 in surface water. Factors such as water transmission and distribution links, water period, and season affected the health risks of drinking water. The general exposure levels of trichloromethane in tap water had a higher carcinogenic risk of 1.75×10−7 compared with 8.17×10−8 in finished water. The general levels of arsenic exposure was higher in the dry season at 1.36×10−1, compared with 1.26×10−1 in the wet season. Conclusion Except that the carcinogenic risk of cadmium at general exposure levels in Shijiazhuang exceeds the maximum acceptable range recommended by US Environmental Protection Agency, the health risk values of the remaining 14 chemicals are below the maximum acceptable risk. The carcinogenic risk values of arsenic and chromium and the non-carcinogenic risk values of fluoride, arsenic, and nitrate are relatively high, but do not exceed the maximum acceptable ranges. The emphasis should be on the management of drinking water in highly exposed areas and populations.
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In recent years, the medical insurance coverage of China has been increased significantly, and the medical insurance policies have been launched continuously, so the traditional manual audit method is unable to support medical institutions to effectively supervise the medical insurance fund. In view of this situation, a tertiary hospital in Beijing had successfully built an intelligent medical insurance audit system for drugs, diagnosis and treatment projects under key supervision, realized the prior audit and in-process control of the illegal use of medical insurance funds, through the establishment of intelligent audit rules, the design of audit trigger points and the interception level of illegal medical orders, and the establishment of a pre-operational preparation system and continuous improvement mechanism. In March 2021, the hospital officially launched the system. After the application of the system, the amount and quantity of outpatient medical insurance refusal from April to September 2021 were 10 587 yuan and 72 respectively, which decreased by 79.21% and 77.50% compared with the same period in 2020. This system effectively improved the quality and efficiency of medical insurance fund supervision.
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Transporters are traditionally considered to transport small molecules rather than large-sized nanoparticles due to their small pores. In this study, we demonstrate that the upregulated intestinal transporter (PCFT), which reaches a maximum of 12.3-fold expression in the intestinal epithelial cells of diabetic rats, mediates the uptake of the folic acid-grafted nanoparticles (FNP). Specifically, the upregulated PCFT could exert its function to mediate the endocytosis of FNP and efficiently stimulate the traverse of FNP across enterocytes by the lysosome-evading pathway, Golgi-targeting pathway and basolateral exocytosis, featuring a high oral insulin bioavailability of 14.4% in the diabetic rats. Conversely, in cells with relatively low PCFT expression, the positive surface charge contributes to the cellular uptake of FNP, and FNP are mainly degraded in the lysosomes. Overall, we emphasize that the upregulated intestinal transporters could direct the uptake of ligand-modified nanoparticles by mediating the endocytosis and intracellular trafficking of ligand-modified nanoparticles via the transporter-mediated pathway. This study may also theoretically provide insightful guidelines for the rational design of transporter-targeted nanoparticles to achieve efficient drug delivery in diverse diseases.
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Objective:To assess the antibody persistence 3-5 years following vaccination of measles and rubella combined live-attenuated vaccine (MR) at 8 months of age and measles, mumps and rubella combined attenuated live vaccine (MMR) at 18 months of age.Methods:In 2016, 18-month-old children who were vaccinated with one dose of MR vaccine at the age of 8 months were recruited in Hebei Province as group 1; 4-, 5- and 6-year-old children who were vaccinated with one dose of MR vaccine at the age of 8 months and one dose of MMR vaccine at 18 months of age were recruited in Shanxi, Inner Mongolia and Beijing as group 2, group 3 and group 4, respectively. Serum samples were collected to detect IgG antibodies against measles, mumps and rubella by ELISA. Geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) of measles, mumps, and rubella antibodies were compared among groups by analysis of variance or non-parametric test. Seropositive rates were compared among groups by Chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test. Results:A total of 650 children were included in this study. Seropositive rates of measles, mumps and rubella antibodies 30 d after vaccination of 150 18-month-old children with one dose of MMR vaccine were 100%, 91.33% and 100%, respectively, and the GMCs were 1 846.87 mIU/ml, 299.91 IU/ml and 111.33 IU/ml, respectively. Seropositive rates of measles, mumps and rubella antibodies 3-5 years after vaccination one dose of MR vaccine at 8 months of age and one dose of MMR vaccine at 18 months of age were above 94%, 79% and 71%, respectively, and the GMCs were above 830 mIU/ml, 240 IU/ml and 31 IU/ml. No significant difference in the seropositive rates of the three antibodies was observed among groups 2, 3 and 4 ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the GMCs of measles or mumps antibodies among the three groups ( P>0.05), but the differences in the GMCs of rubella antibodies were statistically significant ( P=0.034). Conclusions:Measles, mumps and rubella antibodies persisted for 3-5 years without significant decrease after vaccination one dose of MR vaccine at 8 months of age and one dose of MMR vaccine at 18 months of age.
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Objective@#The Notch signaling pathway is closely related to biliary fibrosis. Previous studies have shown that Astragaloside (AS) can prevent the progression of cholestatic liver fibrosis. The purpose of this study is to observe the effect of AS on the regulation of Notch signaling pathway in biliary fibrosis.@*Methods@#Cholestatic liver fibrosis was established by common bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats. Two weeks after BDL, the rats were randomly divided into a model group (i.e., BDL), an Astragalosides group (AS), and a sorafenib (SORA) positive control group and treated for 3 weeks. Bile duct proliferation and liver fibrosis were determined by tissue staining. Protein and gene expression were determined by immunostaining, immunoblotting and RT-PCR, respectively. Activation of the Notch signaling pathway was evaluated by analyzing expressions of Notch-1, -2, -3, -4, Jagged (JAG)1, Delta like (DLL)-1, -3, -4, Hes1, Numb and RBP-Jκ. Statistical analysis of variance analysis, q test, P < 0.05 showed that the difference was statistically significant.@*Results@#(1) AS significantly reduced the deposition of collagen and the Hyp content of liver tissue (500.15 ± 86.10 vs. 625.72 ± 105.62, P = 0.031), and inhibited the activation of hepatic stellate cells. (2) AS significantly decreased the protein and mRNA expressions of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 (1.02±0.15 vs. 1.89±0.36, P = 0.007; 1.17±0.18 vs. 1.68±0.29, P = 0.013, respectively) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA, 0.41±0.11 vs. 0.72±0.16, P = 0.003; 1.71±0.57 vs. 2.68±0.46, P = 0.008, respectively) compared with BDL group. In contrast, AS significantly enhanced expression of the Smad 7 protein compared with the BDL group (0.72±0.008 vs. 0.33±0.001, P = 0.005). AS also reduced biliary epithelial cell proliferation. AS reduced the mRNA levels of CK7, CK8 and CK18 (1.31±0.39 vs. 2.63±0.82, P = 0.009; 0.71±0.09 vs. 0.87±0.08, P = 0.031; 2.56±0.32 vs. 3.41±0.39, P = 0.010, respectively) and reduced the positive areas of CK19 and OV6 (62 337.17±21 873.38 vs. 22 5472.67±26 933.63, P = 0.000; 92 237.43±15 894.11 vs. 171 298.13±61 761.37, P = 0.000, respectively). (3) The mRNA expression of Notch-2, -3, -4 and JAG1 were significantly reduced in the AS group compared to the BDL group (1.07±0.19 vs. 1.51±0.28, P = 0.044; 0.99±0.24 vs. 1.18±0.10, P = 0.043; 1.36±0.42 vs. 3.40±0.44, P = 0.048; 2.62±0.43 vs. 3.73±0.83, P = 0.046, respectively). In contrast, the mRNA level of Numb was clearly enhanced after AS treatment (0.90±0.05 vs. 0.75±0.11, P = 0.019). In addition, consistent with the mRNA levels, the protein expressions of Notch-2, -3, -4 and JAG1 were reduced significantly (1.27±0.18 vs. 1.71±0.26, P = 0.004; 0.99±0.11 vs. 4.38±0.60, P = 0.001; 1.76±0.32 vs. 4.01±0.74, P = 0.002; 1.62±0.33 vs. 2.74±0.63, P = 0.002) and the Numb protein level was increased significantly (1.50±0.15 vs. 0.85±0.11, P = 0.001) in AS group compared with BDL group.@*Conclusion@#AS may prevent cholestatic liver fibrosis via inhibition of the Notch signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting the abnormal proliferation of biliary epithelial cells. Results indicate that AS may be a potential treatment for cholestatic liver disease.
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Objective@#To investigate differentiation direction of hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) in cholestatic liver fibrosis (CLF), and the role of Notch signaling pathway in the differentiation of HPCs.@*Methods@#A CLF rat model was established by bile duct ligation (BDL) followed by monitoring changes of Notch signal pathway and the cellular origin of proliferating cholangiocytes. After intraperitoneal injection of DAPT (a Notch signaling inhibitor) after bile duct ligation, the progress of liver fibrosis and the proliferation of cholangiocytes after inhibition of the Notch pathway were analyzed.@*Results@#Data showed that bile duct proliferation gradually increased along with inflammatory cell infiltration and proliferating bile duct cells surrounded by abundant collagen in the BDL group. Immunostaining confirmed markedly increased expression of CK19, OV6, Sox9 and EpCAM. In addition, RT-PCR results showed that Notch signaling pathway was activated significantly. Once the Notch signaling pathway was inhibited by DAPT, bile duct proliferation markedly suppressed along with significantly decreased the mRNA expression of CK19, OV6, Sox9 and EpCAM, compared with BDL group [(10.2±0.7) vs. (22.3±0.8), (7.6±1.5) vs. (18.1±3.7), (1.4±0.4) vs. (4.1±1.1), (1.3±0.3) vs. (5.0±1.4), respectively, P<0.01]. Moreover, liver fibrosis was also reduced significantly.@*Conclusion@#Notch signaling activation is required for HPCs differentiation into cholangiocytes in CLF and inhibition of the Notch signaling pathway may offer a therapeutic option for treating CLF.
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We conducted purification of filamentous temperature-sensitive protein Z of Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (S.suis 2) and measured its GTPase activity.The ftsz gene in the genome of the Chinese 05ZYH33 strain of S.suis 2 was successfully amplified using PCR,and then the ftsz gene was cloned into prokaryotic expression plasmid pET28a,and the recombinant plasmid pET28a-ftsz was transformed into E.coli BL21.After induction by IPTG,the isolated FtsZ protein was analyzed with SDS-PAGE.Then the recombinant protein was purified by Ni2+-NTA affinity chromatography.The rabbit serum was harvested after immunization with recombinant FtsZ protein,and was analyzed by indirect ELISA and Western blotting.The GTPase activity of FtsZ was measured with the malachite green method.Results showed that successfully constructed recombinant plasmid pET28a-ftsz and the recombinant protein with high purity was obtained;Western blot result indicated that FtsZ could react with the His-tag antibody and the rabbit serum;the polyclonal antibody titer of the rabbit serum reached 1 ∶ 13 107 200;FtsZ have GTPase activity.We successfully prepared S.suis 2 recombinant protein FtsZ having GTPase activity and high titer antiserum would be useful for the further study of S.suis 2 cell division mechanism.
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Fish oil is an important nutrient component in rainbow trout bone, and the optimization of extraction by enzymatic hydrolytic method is of great significance.This study selected the alkaline protease as the hydrolytic enzyme, and optimized the process conditions of enzymatic hydrolysis of rainbow trout fish using single factor analysis method.Effects of several factors on the extraction of fish oil were studied, including the ratio of material to liquid, pH, enzymatic hydrolysis time, enzymatic hydrolysis temperature and amount of enzyme.Fatty acids were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).Results showed that the optimum extraction parameters of enzymatic hydrolysis were as follows: 2000 U/g alkaline protease, ratio of material to liquid of 1∶1 (w/w), pH 7.5, and extraction at 55℃ for 3h.It was found that the main composition of rainbow trout bone oil was unsaturated fatty acid with the content of 80.4% (w/w).The relative content of monounsaturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid was about 76.9% (w/w) and 23.1% (w/w), respectively.The total content of EPA and DHA was 3.4% (w/w).This study optimized the extraction method of rainbow trout fish oil, analyzed and identified the main volatile compounds, and identified the main substances contributing to fish oil flavor.The method thus was of significance for the analysis and identification of fish oil products.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the preventive effect of low-intensity ultrasound on osteoradionecrosis of jaws (ORNJ).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-five canines were randomly divided into experimental group (n=20) and control group (n=5). The canines in experimental group received radiation exposure, and then were randomly subdivided into group A (n=10) and group B (n=10). Control group did not undergo radiotherapy. One month after radiotherapy, the fourth mandibular premolars of all animals were extracted. Group B was immediately treated by low-intensity ultrasound for twenty days, group A and control group did not receive any treatment. Two months after tooth extraction, the formation of ORNJ was determined and the occurrence rate of ORNJ was compared between group A and B. The microstructure of the mandible and changes in microvascular density in group A and B were evaluated and compared with those of control group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All animals in group B and group A developed ORNJ after prophylactic ultrasound was applied for twenty days. Although the imaging examination of bony density of group A and B were lower than normal animals in control group, bone density in group B was significantly better than group A. Micro-CT showed that the trabecular bone volume fraction, trabecular thickness, bone surface/bone volume and trabecular number in group B were respectively (0.187±0.029)%, (0.160±0.039) µm, (12.536±2.558)/mm, (1.227±0.192)/mm, which were all greater than group A [(0.103±0.014)%, (0.069±0.013) µm, (5.598±0.731)/mm, (0.522±0.064)/mm)] (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Although the preventive application of low intensity ultrasound can not prevent the formation of ORNJ, but can significantly improve the symptoms of ORNJ.</p>
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Animals , Dogs , Bone Density , Radiation Effects , Jaw Diseases , Mandible , Osteoradionecrosis , Radiation Injuries, Experimental , Random Allocation , Tooth Extraction , Ultrasonic Therapy , Methods , X-Ray MicrotomographyABSTRACT
Objective To establish a regional medical information sharing platform used to promote the sharing of regional medical data such as electronic medical records( EMR) and medical images in order to improve medical services. Methods With reference to results and experience of the domestic and foreign research and by virtualizing re-establish-ment of the existing medical information resources,a regional medical information sharing platform was established based on cloud computing, SOA,and Web services, and then the heterogeneous information systems in different medical institutions were integrated.Results A novel cloud platform solution was proposed for clinical information exchange between medical institutions based on Web services that exchanged data and ensured the data security and privacy using XML encryption and compression.The prototype developed in a cloud environment was put into use in dozens of military hospitals to enable the sharing of clinical information.Conclusion This cloud computing platform has the advantages of dynamic scalability, distributed and ubiquitous access.It is highly feasible and practical for regional medical informatization.
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Objective To explore the relationship between serum uric acid and fasting blood glucose ( FBG) in newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes in regard to different genders. Methods In 282 patients of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes(208 males and 74 females), detection of serum FBG, uric acid, creatinine, transaminases, blood lipids, etc were determined. FBG9. 0 mmol/L in 50 cases ( 31 males and 19 females). Results (1)Serum uric acid showed statistically significant difference in regard to sex[Male:(325. 82±92. 26)μmol/L, Female:(292. 26±76. 19)μmol/L, P<0. 01]. (2) FBG and serum uric acid were negatively related(r=-0. 316, P<0. 01). (3) FBG and serum uric acid were negatively related both in male(r=-0. 320, P<0.01)andinfemale(r=-0.291,P<0.05). (4)Multiplestepwiseregressionanalysisshowedthatthethreegroups of FBG and serum uric acid showed regression relationship in male and female patients(P<0. 01). Conclusion With the increased FBG, serum uric acid was decreased in both males and females. Therefore, serum uric acid might serve as a potential biomarker of glucose metabolism.
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Objective To evaluate the efficacy of solifenacin with or without tamsulosin in patients with overactive bladder (OAB).Methods Fifty-three patients with OAB were randomly divided into two groups (group A 27 patients, group B 26 patients).The patients received either solifenacin 5 mg/day in group A or combined with Tamsulosin 0.2 mg/day in group B for two weeks.During the treatent period all the patients recorded voiding and adverse events in a diary.The symptoms of urgency, frequency, incontinence were evaluated by OABSS scores at the begining and end of the therapy period.The results of the efficacy and safety were analyzed by using SPSS 13.0.Results The OABSS scores at the begining and end for the two groups were significantly different ( P ＜ 0.01 ).In both groups the efficacy was obvious.The OABSS scores at the end of the therapy between group A and B were significantly different (P ＜0.05 ).The efficacy of group B was better than that of group A.Conclusion The efficacy of solifenacin combined with tamsulosin was better than solifenacin alone in OAB.
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Objective To evaluate and compare open and retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy.Methods Clinical data of 30 cases undergoing open adrenalectomy and 119 cases undergoing retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery were retrospectively analyzed. The 2 groups were compared in terms of these aspects: operation duration, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative analgesic use, time to remove drainage tube, time to resume eat, postoperative hospitalization time, complications, and tumor recurrence. In open surgery group, tumor diameter was between 0.5 cm -10.8 cm, 4.57 cm in average. 18 tumors were located on the left side and 12 tumors on the right side. In laparoscopic group, tumor diameter was between 0.8 cm -14.5 cm, 2.78 cm in average. 59tumors were located on the left side and 60 tumors on the right side. Patients in open surgery group were followed up for 6-72 months and retroperitoneal laparoscopic group 4-20 months. Results Open adrenalectomy were successful in all the 30 cases. 12 cases in laparoscopic surgery group converted to open surgery among whom 8 cases were due to poor visibility, 1 case due to renal artery injury, 1 case due to large tumor size, 1 case because of diaphragmatic injury and 1 case because of pleural injury. Laparoscopic surgery was superior to open surgery in terms of operation duration, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative analgesic use, time to start food taking, time to remove drainage tube, and postoperative hospitalization time. The difference had statistical significance (P ＜0.05 ). Conclusion Retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy has advantages such as less trauma, less blood loss, and shorter recovery time, which make this procedure the modern golden standard for treatment of benign adrenal neoplasm.
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Objective To improve the organization and management of the hospital,optimize the medical processes,improve medical quality and reduce medical costs.Methods A method of using multi-agent technology to hospital complex system modeling and simulation was introduced.The theory of complex system and its modeling method were simply introduced and the complex system characteristic and the medical processes of hospital were analyzed.Results The technology and fundation of multi-agent modeling were summarized.The steps of modeling and simulation for complex system of hospital were presented.The swarm simulation platform and the detail design of agent model in hospital were also presented.Conclusion It is proposed that the simulation research of hospital should use the methodology of multi-agent-based modeling and simulation,which is the research method of complex system.
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Objective To investigate the role of Fas antigen,Fas ligand(FasL)and soluble Fas(sFas)in the pathogenesis of vitiligo.Methods The expression of Fas and FasL on peripheral blood lym-phocyte(PBLC)was detected by flow cytometry.Serum sFas was quantitated using a dual antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay(ELISA).Results The expression of Fas and FasL was significantly de-creased in patients with vitiligo vulgaris(43.45%and58.40%)than those in normal controls(58.30%and64.65%)(P