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Background Indoor air pollution is an important risk factor affecting health of the respiratory system. Studies on indoor air pollution in China are mostly limited to the central and eastern regions, and there are few studies in the rural areas of northwest China. Objective To explore the influencing factors of lung ventilation function and its relationship with indoor air pollution in rural areas of Gansu Province based on a cross-sectional investigation. Methods A total of 399 subjects were selected from four villages in Baiyin and Yuzhong of Gansu Province. Questionnaires were used to collect demographic information, lifestyle, disease history, fuel use, and other information, and physical and functional tests were ordered such as height, weight, and lung function. The Indoor Air Pollution (IAP) exposure index was calculated based on smoking, fuel type, and weekly ventilation. IAP > 5 was defined as a high level of indoor air pollution. Lung function indexes included forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, forced vital capacity as a percentage of predicted value (FVC%), and forced expiratory volume in the first second as a percentage of predicted value (FEV1%), which were used to determine pulmonary ventilation dysfunction. Logistic regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between indoor air pollution and pulmonary ventilation function, and subgroup analysis was further conducted according to home address and BMI , in order to identify the high-risk population of pulmonary ventilation dysfunction. Results The mean age of the subjects was (56.75±7.31) years old; 155 subjects (38.85%) had normal pulmonary ventilation function, and the other 244 subjects (61.14%) had impaired pulmonary ventilation function; about 89.97% of the subjects were exposed to high level of indoor air pollution (IAP > 5). We found that IAP > 5 (OR=2.327, 95%CI: 1.089-4.974) and use of bituminous coal as the main heating fuel in winter (OR=3.467, 95%CI: 1.197-10.037) increased the risk of pulmonary ventilation dysfunction after adjusting for age, BMI, residence, gender, smoking, drinking, and cardiovascular disease. The subgroup analysis results showed that no ventilation in the living room/bedroom (OR=3.460, 95%CI: 1.116-10.268) increased the risk of pulmonary ventilation dysfunction in Baiyin. Heating with coal stoves and Chinese Kang in the bedroom (OR=2.092, 95%CI: 1.030-4.247) and cooking in the bedroom in winter ( OR =2.954, 95% CI : 1.046-8.344) also increased the risk of pulmonary ventilation dysfunction in the residents with BMI≤24 kg·m−2. IAP > 5 (OR=3.739, 95%CI: 1.147-12.182) was associated with a significantly increased risk of pulmonary ventilation dysfunction in the BMI > 24 kg·m−2 subgroup. Conclusion The pulmonary ventilation function of rural residents in Gansu is poor, which is negatively correlated with indoor air pollution. Coal use, overweight, cooking in bedroom, and use of coal stoves and Chinese Kang for heating may increase the risk of pulmonary ventilation dysfunction, while room ventilation is a beneficial factor.
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Objective:To investigate the regulatory effects of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) on the activity of superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) and apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).Methods:HUVECs were taken as the research object.The endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) short hairpin RNA(shRNA) lentivirus was employed to transfect HUVECs to knock down eNOS.HUVECs were divided in 4 groups: the scramble group, the eNOS shRNA group, the eNOS shRNA + sodium nitroprusside(SNP) group and the eNOS shRNA+ SNP+ tris (2-carboxyethyl) phosphine hydrochloride (TCEP) group.The protein expressions of eNOS and SOD1 dimer/monomer in cells were detected by western blot.The activity of SOD was detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The NO content in cells was detected with NO fluorescence probe.The level of superoxide anion in HUVECs was detected with dihydropyridine (DHE). The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay was adopted to detect the apoptosis of HUVECs in situ.Results:Compared with the scramble group, the endogenous NO content (2.690±0.420 vs.15.029±2.193, P<0.01), eNOS protein expression (1.000±0.778 vs.3.141±0.199, P<0.01), SOD1 dimer/monomer ratio (4.6±1.0 vs.7.6±2.0, P<0.05) and SOD activity [(0.432±0.254) Carmen′s unit/10 4 cell vs.(1.000±0.116) Carmen′s unit/10 4 cell, P<0.01] were significantly decreased, while the level of intracellular superoxide anion (11.180±1.560 vs.6.146±1.007, P<0.01) and HUVECs apoptosis [75.0 (55.0, 100.0)% vs.0 (0, 0)%, P<0.01] were significantly increased in the eNOS shRNA group.Compared with the eNOS shRNA group, the content of endogenous NO (16.705±0.116 vs.2.690±0.420, P<0.01), the ratio of SOD1 dimer/monomer (7.3±2.0 vs.4.6±1.0, P<0.05) and the activity of SOD [(0.737±0.060) Carmen′s unit/10 4 cell vs.(0.432±0.254) Carmen′s unit/10 4 cell, P<0.05] were significantly increased, while the level of superoxide anion (6.897±1.648 vs.11.180±1.560, P<0.01) and the HUVECs apoptosis [0 (0, 0)% vs.75.0 (55.0, 100.0)%, P<0.01] were significantly decreased in the eNOS shRNA+ SNP group.Compared with the eNOS shRNA + SNP group, the ratio of SOD1 dimer/monomer (4.4±0.9 vs.7.3±2.0, P<0.05) and the activity of SOD [(0.214±0.084) Carmen′s unit/10 4 cell vs.(0.737±0.060) Carmen′s unit/10 4 cell, P<0.01] were significantly decreased, while the level of superoxide anion (10.917±1.552 vs.6.897±1.640, P<0.01) and the apoptosis level of HUVECs[63.6 (55.0, 90.0)% vs.0 (0, 0)%, P<0.01] were significantly increased in the eNOS shRNA+ SNP+ TCEP group.However, there was no significant difference in the NO content (16.112±0.926 vs.16.705±0.116, P>0.05). Conclusions:Endogenous NO could effectively antagonize the apoptosis of endothelial cells by increasing the cysteine-dependent SOD1 dimer/monomer ratio, enhancing SOD activity and inhibiting the accumulation of reactive oxygen species.
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Research has shown mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel gene SCN2A to be associated with developmental delays and infantile seizures in patients with early-onset epileptic encephalopathies (EOEEs). Here, we report the case of an infant with a de novo SCN2A mutation with EOEE who had medically refractory seizures that improved with a ketogenic diet (KD) implemented at an age less than 2 months. On the day of his birth, the infant presented with a pattern of convulsions with dozens of episodes per day. An initial video electroencephalogram revealed poor reactivity of background activity, with multiple partial episodes starting from the right temporal region, and abnormal electrical activity in the right hemisphere. The seizures previously were not controlled with successive therapy with phenobarbital, topiramate, and levetiracetam. Genetic testing revealed the presence of a mutation in the SCN2A gene (c.4425C>G, p.Asn1475Lys). The infant’s seizures decreased significantly with a combination of KD and medication. The present case exemplifies the potential for personalized genomics in identifying the etiology of an illness. Furthermore, the KD appears to feasible in infants younger than 2 months and might elicit good responses to EOEE associated with SCN2A mutation.
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Objective To explore the effect of different concentrations of endothelin-1 (ET-1)on the en-dogenous nitric oxide (NO)and hydrogen sulfide (H2S)pathways of vascular smooth muscle cells (A7r5 cell lines)in rats.Methods A7r5 cell lines were divided into the control group and the experimental group.ET-1 at a concentra-tion of 10 -8-10 -6 mol/L was added into the experimental group,and as for the control group,the same volume of sterile phosphate buffered saline (PBS)buffer solution was added.The content of NO and H2S in A7r5 cell lines was detected by fluorescent NO probe and H2S probe after ET-1 stimulation for 48 h,respectively.The content of NO in the supernatant was measured by NO assay kit at 48 h of the incubation.The content of H2S in the supernatant was measured by polarographic H2S sensor at 48 h of the incubation. The expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2),endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3),cystathionine -γ -lyase (CSE),cystathionine -β -synthase (CBS)and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)were detected by the Western blot method.Results The rela-tive fluorescence intensity of the content of NO in the A7r5 cell lines of ET-1 10 -8,10 -7 and 10 -6mol/L groups (0. 078 ± 0. 080,0.075 ± 0.002,0.056 ± 0.009)was markedly lower than that in the control group(0.094 ± 0. 061), and the differences were statistically significant(F＝15.248,P＜0.05);Compared with the control group[(2. 131 ± 0. 484)μmol/L],the content of NO in the supernatant of the experimental groups [(1.391 ± 0.134 )μmol/L, (1.219 ± 0. 280)μmol/L,(1.116 ± 0.181)μmol/L]was significantly decreased,and the differences were statistically significant(F＝20.833,P＜0.01);NOS2 protein expression(0.457 ± 0.097,0.462 ± 0.116,0.438 ± 0.180)was decreased markedly compared with that of the control group(0.721 ± 0.222),and the differences were statistically sig-nificant(F＝6.196,P＜0.01),but the expression of NOS3 showed no significant differences(F＝2.669,P＞0.05). The relative fluorescence intensity of the content of H2S in the A7r5 cell lines of ET-1 10 -8,10 -7 and 10 -6mol/L groups (0.063 ± 0.002,0.056 ± 0.008,0.042 ± 0.009)was markedly lower than that in the control group (0.082 ± 0. 006),and the differences were statistically significant(F ＝16.297,P＜0.01);Compared with the control group [(29.439 ±4.236)μmol/L],the content of H2S in the supernatant of the experimental groups [(17.516 ±5.144) μmol/L,(14.481 ± 4.885)μmol/L]was significantly decreased,and the differences were statistically significant (F＝12.518,P ＜0.01).CBS protein expression(0.359 ± 0.096,0.270 ± 0.038,0.174 ± 0.051)was decreased markedly compared with that of the control group(0.707 ± 0.107),and the differences were statistically significant (F＝20.833,P＜0.01),and the expression of CSE showed no significant differences(F＝0.708,P＞0.05).The data showed that PCNA protein expression in the 10 -7mol/L ET-1 group(0.686 ± 0.180)significantly increased com-pared with that of the control group(0.437 ± 0.191),and the difference was statistically significant (t＝ -2.840,P＜0.01).Conclusion ET-1 stimulation can lead to the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and down-regu-late its endogenous NO and H2S pathways.
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Objective To investigate the protective effect of prenatal astaxanthin treatment against cognitive impairment in adult offspring induced by exposure to maternal seizures in utero.Methods Female adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups:control group,astaxanthin group,kindling group and kindling+astaxanthin group.Each rat was implanted with electrodes.Those in the kindling and kindling+astaxanthin groups were kindled once a day by electrical stimulation of the amygdala.All rats were allowed to mate after one week's amygdala kindling.Rats in the kindling and kindling+astaxanthin groups continued to be treated with electrical stimulation every 48 hours from gestational day 1 to 20,and those in the astaxanthin and kindling+astaxanthin groups were injected intraperitoneally with 30 mg/(kg · d) of astaxanthin simultaneously.Naturally delivered offspring were raised till 12 weeks of age.Morris water maze test was performed to assess the cognitive function of adult offspring.Changes in the morphology of hippocampus were observed with Nissal's staining and transmission electron microscope.Expression of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (CREB) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in adult offsprings' hippocampus tissues at protein and mRNA levels were determined using Western-blotting and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.Analysis of variance and LSD test were used as statistical methods.Results Morris water maze test showed that from the 3rd day to the 5th day,the kindling group had significantly longer escape latency [(36.33 ±7.85),(28.80± 8.41),(29.50± 11.72) s] than the control [(28.90±7.46),(17.59±9.12),(10.40±3.69) s] and kindling+astaxanthin groups [(28.30±5.75),(18.37±3.39),(15.23±6.63) s] (F=3.601,9.811 and 14.226,all P＜0.05).In probe trials,the kindling group had significantly fewer platform crossings as compared with the control and kindling+astaxanthin groups [(4.40± 1.71) vs (7.20± 1.62) and (6.50±1.84) times,F=6.586,P=0.001].The kindling group spent dramatically less time in the target quadrant than the control and kindling+astaxanthin groups [(27.35±7.63) vs (58.29± 10.48) and (40.41 ± 7.06) s,F=25.825,P＜0.001].Nissl staining showed that hippocampal neurons of offspring in the control group were normal,but there was hippocampal damage in the kindling group and the damage was more severe than that in the kindling+astaxanthin group.Electron microscope observation showed that neurons and synapses in the hippocampal CA1 area of offspring in the control group were normal.However,obvious damage to neurons and synapses was induced in the kindling group and that was worse than the damage induced in the kindling+astaxanthin group.Expression of CREB and BDNF protein in the kindling group (0.19±0.06and 0.32 ±0.04,respectively) were significantly lower than those in the control (0.81 ±0.11 and 0.93 ± 0.04,respectively) and kindling+astaxanthin groups (0.60± 0.07 and 0.80±0.06,respectively) (F were 34.015and 71.074,both P＜0.001).Moreover,the kindling group showed decreased expression of CREB and BDNF mRNA (0.48 ± 0.11 and 0.43± 0.08,respectively) as compared with the control (1.02± 0.65 and 0.99± 0.09,respectively) and kindling+astaxanthin groups (0.89±0.15 and 0.96±0.13,respectively) (F were 13.447 and 21.912,both P＜0.01).Conclusion Treatment with astaxanthin could ameliorate the cognitive impairment and pathological damage in hippocampus of adult offspring induced by exposure to maternal seizures in utero through regulating the CREB-BDNF signal pathway.
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Objective To explore the changes in the endogenous sulfur dioxide (SO2) pathway in the myocardial hypertrophy induced by the angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ) in mice.Methods Fourteen healthy C57BL mice,9 weeks old,were randomly divided into control group(n =7) and Ang Ⅱ group(n =7),and capsule osmotic pump with pre loaded 9 g/L saline and Ang Ⅱ was implanted into the back of each mouse subcutaneously.Mter 2 weeks,the mice were executed.The heart weight/body weight (HW/BW) and the left heart weight/full heart weight (LVW/HW) of the mice were measured.The microstructure of the cardiac myocyte was observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining under the microscope.The expression of myocardial alpha myosin heavy chain (α-MHC) was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot methods.SO2 enzymes aspartate aminotransferase 1 (AAT1) and AAT2 protein expression were detected by Western blot method.Myocardial SO2 content and AAT activity were measured by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection and colometric method.Results Compared with control group,the HW/BW and LVW/HW in mice of Ang Ⅱ group were significantly increased (all P ＜ 0.O1),the cardiac myocytes were hypertrophy,and α-MHC positive staining in the cytoplasm of myocardium was weakened.Moreover,Western blot data showed that α-MHC protein expression in heart tissue of Ang Ⅱ-treated mice was decreased significantly (allP ＜ 0.05).Simultaneously,the data showed that AAT2 protein expression,SO2 content and AAT activity in heart tissue of Ang Ⅱ-treated mice were also decreased markedly[(1.093 ±0.131) μ mol/g protein vs.(0.737 ±0.233) μmol/g protein,P ＜ 0.05;(7.979 ± 1.317) U/rmg protein vs.(6.470 ± O.516) U/mg protein,P ＜ 0.01].Furthermore,there was a negative correlation between LVW/HW and cardiac SO2 content in heart tissue (r =-0.56,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Myocardial endogenous SO2/AAT2 pathway is down-regulated in the development of myocardial hypertrophy induced by Ang Ⅱ in mice.
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Background Giant idiopathic macular hole (IMH) severely affects visual acuity and increases operative difficulty during the surgery,so modifying or optimizing the operation method is helpful for improving the prognosis.Objective This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safty of vitrectomy combined with free internal limiting membrane transplantation for large IMH.Methods A prospective serial cases-observational study was carried out under the informed consent of each patient.Forty-two eyes of consecutive 42 patients with IMH of mean diameter (814.31±112.95)μm were included in the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2013 to November 2015.All the eyes received vitrectomy combined with free internal limiting membrane transplantation and 12％ C3F8 filling.The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (LogMAR),inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) defect range,external limiting membrane defect range,retinal thickness at macular fovea were measured with slit lamp microscope,indirect ophthalmoscope and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) before surgery and 1,3,6 and 12 months after surgery.Results IMH complete closure in 97.6％ eyes (41/44) at 12 months after surgery.BCVA was improved after operation and showed a significant difference among various time points (F =28.032,P＜0.001).The IS/OS defect range was (1 112.00±45.44),(859.00±84.55),(649.00±52.47),(486.00±46.88) and (320.00±45.13) μm before surgery and 1,3,6 and 12 months after surgery,showing a significant difference among different time points (F=38.761,P＜0.001),and the IS/OS defect range was gradually shrinked after operation compared with that before operation (all at P＜0.05).The mean defect range of external limiting membrane was (1 038.00 ±39.63),(748.00±64.12),(585.00±48.88),(438.00±42.84) and (265.00±28.97)μm before surgery and 1,3,6 and 12 months after surgery,with a significant difference among various time points (F=36.459,P＜0.001),and the mean defect range of external limiting membrane was evidently reduced (all at P＜0.05).The foveal retinal thickness value was increased at 3,6 and 12 months after surgery,which was significantly higher than that 1 month after surgery (all at P＜0.05).The high reflect signal was faded away at 3 months after operation,indicating that implanted internal limiting membrane was decomposed and metabolized.Conclusions Vitrectomy combined with autologous internal limiting membrane transplantation seems to be safe and effective for large IMH.
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Objective To observe the different changes of macular microstructure in patients with large idiopathic macular hole (IMH) treated with vitrectomy combined with internal limiting membrane (ILM) transplantation or not.Methods Forty eyes in 40 consecutive patients with giant IMH (≥500 μm) were included in the study.Twenty eyes received vitrectomy with ILM transplantation (ILM transplantation group) and others with ILM peel off (ILM removal group).During the operation,a proper size of the ILM was removed and filled in the bottom of the macular hole.The age,duration of disease and the ocular laterality of the two groups of patients were not statistically significant (P＞0.05).Minimum resolution angle in logarithmic (logMAR) best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and frequency domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scan were examined.There was no statistically significant difference in logMAR BCVA,average defect diameter of photoreceptor ellipsoid (IS/OS) and average defect diameter of external limiting membrane (ELM) between two groups (t=0.128,1.452,1.321;P＞0.05).The logMAR BCVA and SD-OCT were examined on 1,3,6,12 months postoperatively.Results On 1 month after the surgery,there was no statistically significant difference in logMAR BCVA,average defect diameter of IS/OS and average defect diameter of ELM between two groups (t=1.226,1.435,1.018;P＞0.05).On 3,6,12 months after the surgery,compared with ILM removal group,the logMAR BCVA (t=2.059,2.871,2.415) increased and the average defect diameter of IS/OS (t =2.070,2.110,2.121) and ELM (t =2.034,3.647,3.556) significantly reduced in ILM transplantation group (P＜0.05).On 1 month after the surgery,there was statistically significant difference in CRT between two groups (t=2.113,P＜0.05).On 3,6,12 months after the surgery,there was no statistically significant difference in CRT between two groups (t=0.428,0.847,0.849;P＞0.05).Conclusion Compared with vitrectomy combined with ILM peeling surgery,the diameter of IS/OS and ELM defect were significantly decreased after vitrectomy combined with ILM transplantation in the patients with large IMH.
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Described in this paper are the strategies for medical college and university libraries in MOOC environment on the basis of an investigation of the cognition, needs and obstructions in MOOC learning, and needs of service for MOOC in libraries, such as strengthening the popularization and resource development of MOOC, providing service of MOOC resources, carrying out innovative service for MOOC with medical information literacy construction as its starting point, reconstructing information commons in library, and opening up MOOC learning places.
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Objective This study was to examine the expression of tyrosine kinase receptor(TKRs)C-kit,C-abl and PDGFR?,in ovary carcinoma.Methods The expression of C-kit,C-abl and PDGFR? in tumor tissue of 60 specimens of ovary carcinoma and normal fissue of 20 specimens of overy was examined by immunohistochemistry SP method.Results Immunoreactivity was detected in 79% of the tumor to at least one TKR.The total positive expression rate of C-kit,C-abl and PDGFR? in ovary carcinoma was 58.3%,70%,73.3%,respectively.The positive expression rate of C-kit and PDGFR? is significantly higher in tumor tissues than in normal tissues(P
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Objective:To design the mode of supervision, forwarn and communication system in barrier enviroment of laboratory animal. Methods and Results:Distribution inspect system of industrial computer center was used for live monitoring,displaying,reserving, printing temperature humidity,pressure,difference and ammonia density,according to necessity.The upper and low limit of parameter was set up according to national standard of laboratory animal,if parameter surpass the limit,it will warn the people on duty in multiple spots.Working and animal illumination were established respectively on the basis of illuminace light period of standard,the switch of working illumination was controlled by the people,but the later was controlled, automatically and slowly in order to disinterfere with physiology activity of animal.The mode of moniter add video together with multiple pickup camera in cable television were used,which binded wirh the intellectual industral control group.The communication system was designed using miniature program control changer and terminal telephone, which joined the unit inner telephone to communicate with outside. The double and stereophonic was used to install background music in this enviroment,which was timely played with suitable volume. Conclusion:This system provided the method for the administration of laboratory animal standardization?mathematics and informatics.