Efficacy and safety of endoscopic diaphragm incision in children with congenital duodenal diaphragm / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of endoscopic diaphragm incision in pediatric congenital duodenal diaphragm. Methods: Eight children with duodenal diaphragm treated by endoscopic diaphragm incision in the Department of Gastroenterology of Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center from October 2019 to May 2022 were enrolled in this study. Their clinical data including general conditions, clinical manifestations, laboratory and imaging examinations, endoscopic procedures and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Among the 8 children, 4 were males and 4 females. The diagnosis was confirmed at the age of 6-20 months; the age of onset was 0-12 months and the course of disease was 6-18 months. The main clinical manifestations were recurrent non-biliary vomiting, abdominal distension and malnutrition. One case complicated with refractory hyponatremia was first diagnosed with atypical congenital adrenal hyperplasia in the endocrinology department. After treatment with hydrocortisone, the blood sodium returned to normal, but vomiting was recurrent. One patient underwent laparoscopic rhomboid duodenal anastomosis in another hospital but had recurred vomiting after the operation, who was diagnosed with double duodenal diaphragm under endoscope. No other malformations were found in all the 8 cases. The duodenal diaphragm was located in the descending part of the duodenum, and the duodenal papilla was located below the diaphragm in all the 8 cases. Three cases had the diaphragm dilated by balloon to explore the diaphragm opening range before diaphragm incision; the other 5 had diaphragm incision performed after probing the diaphragm opening with guide wire. All the 8 cases were successfully treated by endoscopic incision of duodenal diaphragm, with the operation time of 12-30 minutes. There were no complications such as intestinal perforation, active bleeding or duodenal papilla injury. At one month of follow-up, their weight increased by 0.4-1.5 kg, with an increase of 5%-20%. Within the postoperative follow-up period of 2-20 months, all the 8 children had duodenal obstruction relieved, without vomiting or abdominal distension, and all resumed normal feeding. Gastroscopy reviewed at 2-3 months after the operation in 3 cases found no deformation of the duodenal bulbar cavity, and the mucosa of the incision was smooth, with a duodenal diameter of 6-7 mm. Conclusion: Endoscopic diaphragm incision is safe, effective and less invasive in pediatric congenital duodenal diaphragm, with favorable clinical applicability.

A Study of Urodynamic Parameters at Different Bladder Filling Stages for Predicting Upper Urinary Tract Dilatation / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

Purpose@#To identify more accurate predictors of upper urinary tract dilatation (UUTD) in neurogenic bladder (NB) children, we studied the relationship among urodynamic parameters at different bladder filling stages, detrusor leak point pressure (DLPP) and UUTD. @*Methods@#A total of 158 children (3–16 years) with NB were included and then divided into 2 groups according to whether their NB diagnosis was complicated with UUTD: the UUTD group (39 patients) and those without UUTD group (control group, 119 patients). The bladder filling phase was divided into 3 equal parts: the early, middle, and end filling stages. The bladder compliance (BC) and detrusor pressure (△Pdet) at each phase and DLPP at the end filling stage were recorded. @*Results@#A BC8 cm H2O in the early stage, 20 cm H2O in the middle stage and 25 cm H2O in the end stage are more sensitive than △Pdet >40 cm H2O in the end stage (82%, 85%, 85%, vs. 49%). A DLPP cutoff value of 20 cm H2O showed higher sensitivity for predicting UUTD than 40 cm H2O. @*Conclusions@#Low BC and a high △Pdet in the middle and end filling stages are more accurate factors than classic indicators for predicting UUTD. In addition, a DLPP value of >20 cm H2O in the end bladder filling stage shows high sensitivity.

Predictive factors for glucocorticoid therapy in children with eosinophilic gastroenteritis / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the predictive factors for glucocorticoid therapy by analyzing the association between the clinical features and treatment regimens in children with eosinophilic gastroenteritis.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 182 children with eosinophilic gastroenteritis who were admitted to Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center from January 2012 to December 2020. According to whether glucocorticoids were used, these children were divided into a glucocorticoid treatment group and a control group. The two groups were compared in terms of age, history of allergy, clinical symptoms, laboratory examination results, endoscopic findings, and pathological results of gastrointestinal mucosa. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for the results with statistical significance.@*RESULTS@#Of the 182 children, 36 (19.8%) received glucocorticoid therapy. The rates of hematochezia, anemia, and mucosal ulceration/luminal stenosis under endoscopy and the mucosal eosinophil infiltration count were significantly higher in the glucocorticoid treatment group than those in the control group (@*CONCLUSIONS@#Mucosal ulceration/luminal stenosis under endoscopy or a significant increase in the mucosal eosinophil infiltration count based on pathology suggests that glucocorticoid therapy can be considered in children with eosinophil gastroenteritis.

The Interaction between Aptamer and Beclomethasone Based on High Resolution Mass Spectrometry and Molecular Docking / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

Beclomethasone is an effective glucocorticoid, and beclomethasone-aptamer is a short single-stranded DNA with affinity and specificity to beclomethasone. The interaction between them is still unclear. The study of the interaction between aptamers and beclomethasone has a certain significance for the application of aptamers. In this study, high-resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (FT-MS) and molecular docking simulation technology were used to study the interaction between aptamer and beclomethasone. Firstly, under the optimized conditions of high-resolution mass spectrometry parameters, the complex of aptamer and beclomethasone was detected by the negative ion scanning mode with the electrospray ion source. Based on the results of high-resolution mass spectrometry, most of the compounds were -8-valent ions, and their dissociation constant K

Meso-scale Discovery Assay Detects the Changes of Plasma Cytokine Levels in Mice after Low or High LET Ionizing Irradiation / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objective@#To obtain precise data on the changes in the levels of 29 cytokines in mice after high or low linear energy transfer (LET) irradiation and to develop an accurate model of radiation exposure based on the cytokine levels after irradiation.@*Methods@#Plasma samples harvested from mice at different time points after carbon-ion or X-ray irradiation were analyzed using meso-scale discovery (MSD), a high-throughput and sensitive electrochemiluminescence measurement technique. Dose estimation equations were set up using multiple linear regression analysis.@*Results@#The relative levels of IL-6 at 1 h, IL-5 and IL-6 at 24 h, and IL-5, IL-6 and IL-15 at 7 d after irradiation with two intensities increased dose-dependently. The minimum measured levels of IL-5, IL-6 and IL-15 were up to 4.0076 pg/mL, 16.4538 pg/mL and 0.4150 pg/mL, respectively. In addition, dose estimation models were established and verified.@*Conclusions@#The MSD assay can provide more accurate data regarding the changes in the levels of the cytokines IL-5, IL-6 and IL-15. These cytokines could meet the essential criteria for radiosensitive biomarkers and can be used as radiation indicators. Our prediction models can conveniently and accurately estimate the exposure dose in irradiated organism.

Prevalence of Congenital Heart Disease Amongst Schoolchildren in Southwest China

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of congenital heart disease inYunnan, China which has diverse ethnic groups. Methods: This cross-sectional studyenrolled 244,023 children from 2010 to 2015. To diagnose CHD, a conventional physicalexamination was used to screen suspicious cases, which were further confirmed byechocardiography. Results: A total of 1695 children were diagnosed with CHD. Theestimated prevalence was 6.94%. Atrial septal defects were the most common cardiacabnormalities. A higher prevalence of CHD was observed with preterm birth, low birthweight, maternal age ≥35 years, and high-altitude regions. The prevalence also showeddifferences between diverse ethnic groups. Conclusion: The prevalence of CHD in Chinamay have ethnic differences.

Application of percutaneous pie-crusting deep medial collateral ligament release for posterior horn surgery of medial meniscus / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To explore clinical and radiographic effects of percutaneous pie-crusting deep medial collateral ligament release in patients with posterior horn tear of medial meniscus combined with tight medial compartment.@*METHODS@#From January 2012 to December 2016, 35 patients with medial meniscus posterior horn injury were treated with percutaneous pie crusting deep medial collateral ligament release technique, including 21 males and 14 females, aged from 21 to 55 years old with an average of (39.1±6.5) years old. Degree of meniscus extrusion were recorded before and 24 months after operation. The knee valgus stress test was performed to evaluate stability of medial collateral ligament, and compared difference between healthy and affected side. Lysholm and IKDC functional scores were compared before and 24 months after operation.@*RESULTS@#All patients were followed up from 27 to 60 months with an average of (36.7±6.8) months. All patients were underwent operation, the wound healed well without complications. Operative time ranged from 0.5 to 1.2 h with an average of (0.8±0.4) h. Nineteen patients were performed partial meniscectomy, 16 patients were performed repair suture. Convex of meniscus before operation was (1.5±0.7) mm, and (1.7±0.4) mm after operation;had no statistical difference(@*CONCLUSION@#For patients with medial meniscus tear of posterior horn combined with tight medial compartment, percutaneous pie-crusting deep medial collateralligament release could improve medial compartment space, and Knee valgus instability and meniscus extrusion are not affected.

Analysis of the status and influencing factors of oncology nurses′ organizational silence / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To explore the level of oncology nurses’ organizational silence and its influencing factors.Methods:Totally, 278 oncology nurses were recruited to fill out the General Information Questionnaire, Nurses’ Organizational Questionnaire, Perceived Social Support Scale and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale short version.Results:The score of Nurses’ Organizational Questionnaire was (51.27±17.28), the score of acquiescent silence was (15.91±5.42), the score of defensive silence was (15.83±6.29), the score of prosocial silence was (11.03±4.16) and the score of indifferent silence was (8.50±3.46). The perceived social support and psychological reliance were negatively associated with nurses’ organizational silence ( r values were -0.364, -0.497, all P<0.01). The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that age, degree of education, perceived social support and psychological reliance were the influencing factors of oncology nurses’ organizational silence (all P<0.05), which could explain 45.00% of the variation. Conclusions:The level of oncology nurses’ organizational silence is at a medium level, which should be improved. Nursing managers should pay attention to the phenomenon of oncology nurses’ organizational silence, and take appropriate interventions to break the phenomenon, so as to improve the job satisfaction and work efficiency of nurses’.

Three-dimensional Culture of Human Airway Epithelium in Matrigel for Evaluation of Human Rhinovirus C and Bocavirus Infections / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#Newly identified human rhinovirus C (HRV-C) and human bocavirus (HBoV) cannot propagate in vitro in traditional cell culture models; thus obtaining knowledge about these viruses and developing related vaccines are difficult. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a novel platform for the propagation of these types of viruses.@*METHODS@#A platform for culturing human airway epithelia in a three-dimensional (3D) pattern using Matrigel as scaffold was developed. The features of 3D culture were identified by immunochemical staining and transmission electron microscopy. Nucleic acid levels of HRV-C and HBoV in 3D cells at designated time points were quantitated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Levels of cytokines, whose secretion was induced by the viruses, were measured by ELISA.@*RESULTS@#Properties of bronchial-like tissues, such as the expression of biomarkers CK5, ZO-1, and PCK, and the development of cilium-like protuberances indicative of the human respiration tract, were observed in 3D-cultured human airway epithelial (HAE) cultures, but not in monolayer-cultured cells. Nucleic acid levels of HRV-C and HBoV and levels of virus-induced cytokines were also measured using the 3D culture system.@*CONCLUSION@#Our data provide a preliminary indication that the 3D culture model of primary epithelia using a Matrigel scaffold in vitro can be used to propagate HRV-C and HBoV.

In vitro isolation and cultivation of human axillary dermal papilla cells / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To investigate an efficient rapid method for the isolation and cultivation of human axillary dermal papilla cells.Methods Skin specimens with hair follicles were obtained from the axillary area of patients who received bromhidrosis surgery in the Department of Dermatology of the First Affiliated Hospital to Army Medical University from October 2015 to May 2016.The axillary dermal papilla cells were isolated by two-step enzyme digestion method,one-step digestion method and micro-dissection method separately.Then,axillary dermal papilla cells were cultured and identified.Differences in the operative procedure,separation efficiency and adhesion efficiency of dermal papilla cells,cell emigration duration,total operation duration and actual operation duration were compared among the above 3 methods.Results Compared with the one-step digestion method and micro-dissection method,the two-step enzyme digestion method showed simpler operative procedure,more than 30％ separation rate and 96％ adhesion rate of dermal papilla cells after 1 week.Moreover,the cell emigration duration was shortened by 3-4 days by the two-step enzyme digestion method.The two-step enzyme digestion method also showed longer total operation duration,but shorter actual operation duration compared with the one-step digestion method and micro-dissection method,as well as lower contamination rate compared with the micro-dissection method.Cultured axillary dermal papilla cells grew in an aggregative pattern in the early stage,but grew in a nonaggregative pattern after 6 passages.Immunofluorescence assay showed positive staining for laminin and collagen Ⅳ in axillary dermal papilla cells.Conclusion The modified two-step enzyme digestion method is a kind of simple,efficient and rapid method for the isolation of human axillary dermal papilla cells,and axillary dermal papilla cells can be harvested through this method by using a few specimens.

Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of myocardial infarction: existing problems, effects and prospects / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells, because of convenient acquisition, will not bring pain and adverse effects to the fetus and their parturient. The success rate of culture is high. It has good application prospects in the treatment of myocardial infarction. OBJECTIVE: To review the new progress of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells transplantation in the treatment of myocardial infarction. METHODS: A computer-based online search of PubMed and Wanfang databases was performed to retrieve the related articles published from 1991 to 2017. We reviewed the initial data and the quotations from each document. Finally, we included randomized controlled animal experiments or clinical studies concerning human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of myocardial infarction. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells will become a new alternative source of cells in the treatment of myocardial infarction, with extremely broad prospects. However, there is no mature conclusion about the convenient route, optimal number of transplanted cells, optimal timing, differentiation, homing and evaluation after transplantation, which limits the clinical application of these cells.

Clinical Significance of Coagulation Indicators and their Correlation with Inflammatory Factors in Critical Patients with Thromboembolism / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the levels of coagulation indicators [thrombomodulin(TM)/ thrombin-antithrombin complexes(TAT)/ α-plasmin inhibitor-plasmin complexes(PIC)/ tissue plasminogen activator-inhibitor complexes(t-PAIC) /D-Dimer(D-D)/fibrin degradation products(FDP)] in the critical patients with thromboembolism, analyse their correlation with inflammatory factor (procalcitonin/C reactive protein/ interleukin-6), and explore the diagnostic significance of coagulation indicators for these patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The serum levels of the coagulation indicators (TM/TAT/PIC/t-PAIC/D-D /FDP) and inflammatory factors (PCT/IL-6/CRP) were detected in the patient group with critical thromboembolism (n= 38) and critical patient group without thromboembolism as control (n= 81) . The correlation of coagulation indicators with inflammatory factors was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The values of TM/TAT/PIC/D-D/FDP in thromboembolism group were statistically significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). However, the t-PAIC values were not significantly different (P>0.05), and 3 inflammatory factors (PCT/CRP/IL-6) in thromboembolism patients were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). The correlation analysis suggested that the correlation coefficients of TM with PCT, CRP and IL-6 were 0.288, 0.249 and 0.270, respectively (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The critical patients with thromboembolism show an obviously higher systemic inflammatory response, and accompany with coagulation dysfunction. There is a network relationship between inflammation and coagulation, the interaction of inflammatory factors with coagulation indicators promotes thromboembolism and inflammation.</p>

Cancer cell-cell interaction: Notch-1 signaling pathway and its regulation mechanisms / 医用生物力学

Notch-1 signaling pathway is responsible for cell differentiation, development, proliferation and apoptosis. Recent studies show that Notch-1 signaling pathway is also involved in cancer progression, including cell invasion, motility and cancer metastasis. Activation of Notch-1 signaling pathway can directly or indirectly induce cell proliferation and migration. In tumor cells, activation of Notch-1 facilitates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), keeps its mesenchyme characteristics and induces cell adhesion. Notch-1 signaling pathway also cross-talks with other pathways to regulate cell fate, such as PI3K/Akt, NF-κB pathways. The evidence shows that aberrant Notch-1 activation has been found in different solid tumors, which participates in regulating tumor metastasis. In this review, the Notch structure and function, Notch-1 signal and tumorigenesis, tumor metastasis via Notch-1 signaling, and Notch-1 signaling targeted-therapy were comprehensively summarized. To clarify the roles of Notch-1 signal pathway in tumor metastasis and its regulatory mechanisms as well as the current treatment strategies for Notch-1 signal pathway will provide references for studies on pathomechanism and clinical treatment of cancers.

Primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type: a study of clinicopathology, immunophenotype and gene rearrangement / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinicopathologic features, immunophenotype and gene rearrangement of primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type (PCLBCL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seven cases of PCLBCL were enrolled into the study. Clinicopathologic analysis, immunohistochemical staining and gene rearrangement for IgH and Igκ were undertaken in the study.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the seven cases were male, and the median age was 72 years. Patients usually presented with multiple purple tumors, nodules, papules and infiltrative plaques. Two patients had a history of leg injury before onset, and one had mosquito bites. Histologically, the tumor involved the dermis and subcutis with dense and diffuse infiltrative pattern composing of centroblasts and/or immunoblasts. Immunohistochemical staining showed that seven cases (7/7) expressed CD20, six (6/6) expressed bcl-2, four (4/4) expressed MUM-1, four (4/5) expressed CD79a, four (4/5) expressed PAX-5 and four (4/6) expressed bcl-6, respectively. All cases did not express CD3ε, CD45RO, CD10 and CD30. IgH gene rearranged bands were detected in three (3/6) cases and Igκ was detected in one (1/5) case. Six of the seven cases died and the remaining patient, who was 44-year-old, was alive after 22 months of follow-up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>PCLBCL is rare, predominantly affects elderly male patients. PCLBCL has poor prognosis and high mortality, but younger patients seem to have better prognosis. Some cases had a history of trauma or mosquito bites. The relationship between the history and the onset of PCLBCL needs further evaluation.</p>

Irradiation Response of Adipose-derived Stem Cells under Three-dimensional Culture Condition / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Adipose tissue distributes widely in human body. The irradiation response of the adipose cells in vivo remains to be investigated. In this study we investigated irradiation response of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) under three-dimensional culture condition.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>ASCs were isolated and cultured in low attachment dishes to form three-dimensional (3D) spheres in vitro. The neuronal differentiation potential and stem-liked characteristics was monitored by using immunofluoresence staining and flow cytometry in monolayer and 3D culture. To investigate the irradiation sensitivity of 3D sphere culture, the fraction of colony survival and micronucleus were detected in monolayer and 3D culture. Soft agar assays were performed for measuring malignant transformation for the irradiated monolayer and 3D culture.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 3D cultured ASCs had higher differentiation potential and an higher stem-like cell percentage. The 3D cultures were more radioresistant after either high linear energy transfer (LET) carbon ion beam or low LET X-ray irradiation compared with the monolayer cell. The ASCs' potential of cellular transformation was lower after irradiation by soft agar assay.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These findings suggest that adipose tissue cell are relatively genomic stable and resistant to genotoxic stress.</p>

Dimethyl Sulfoxide Suppresses Mouse 4T1 Breast Cancer Growth by Modulating Tumor-Associated Macrophage Differentiation / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: The universal organic solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) can be used as a differentiation inducer of many cancer cells and has been widely used as a solvent in laboratories. However, its effects on breast cancer cells are not well understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect and associated mechanisms of DMSO on mouse breast cancer. METHODS: We applied DMSO to observe the effect on tumors in a mouse breast cancer model. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) were tested by flow cytometry. Ex vivo tumor microenvironment was imitated by 4T1 cultured cell conditioned medium. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to detect interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-12 expression in medium. To investigate the cytotoxicity of DMSO on TAMs, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays were performed. RESULTS: We found that DMSO produced tumor retardation when injected into mouse peritoneal cavities in a certain concentration range (0.5-1.0 mg/g). Furthermore, as detected by flow cytometry, TAM subtypes were found to be transformed. We further imitated a tumor microenvironment in vitro by using 4T1 cultured cell conditioned medium. Similarly, by using low concentration DMSO (1.0%-2.0% v/v), TAMs were induced to polarize to the classically activated macrophage (M1-type) and inhibited from polarizing into the alternatively activated macrophage (M2-type) in the conditioned medium. IL-10 expression in tumors was reduced, while IL-12 was increased compared with the control. Furthermore, we reported that 2.0% (v/v) DMSO could lead to cytotoxicity in peritoneal macrophages after 48 hours in MTT assays. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that DMSO could exert antitumor effects in 4T1 cancer-bearing mice by reversing TAM orientation and polarization from M2- to M1-type TAMs. These data may provide novel insight into studying breast cancer immunotherapy.

Expression pattern of genes involved in tropane alkaloids biosynthesis and tropane alkaloids accumulation in Atropa belladonna / 中国中药杂志

Atropa belladonna is a medicinal plant and main commercial source of tropane alkaloids (TAs) including scopolamine and hyoscyamine, which are anticholine drugs widely used clinically. Based on the high throughput transcriptome sequencing results, the digital expression patterns of UniGenes representing 9 structural genes (ODC, ADC, AIH, CPA, SPDS, PMT, CYP80F1, H6H, TRII) involved in TAs biosynthesis were constructed, and simultaneously expression analysis of 4 released genes in NCBI (PMT, CYP80F1, H6H, TRII) for verification was performed using qPCR, as well as the TAs contents detection in 8 different tissues. Digital expression patterns results suggested that the 4 genes including ODC, ADC, AIH and CPA involved in the upstream pathway of TAs, and the 2 branch pathway genes including SPDS and TRII were found to be expressed in all the detected tissues with high expression level in secondary root. While the 3 TAs-pathway-specific genes including PMT, CYP80F1, H6H were only expressed in secondary roots and primary roots, mainly in secondary roots. The qPCR detection results of PMT, CYP80F1 and H6H were consistent with the digital expression patterns, but their expression levels in primary root were too low to be detected. The highest content of hyoscyamine was found in tender stems (3.364 mg x g(-1)), followed by tender leaves (1.526 mg x g(-1)), roots (1.598 mg x g(-1)), young fruits (1.271 mg x g(-1)) and fruit sepals (1.413 mg x g(-1)). The highest content of scopolamine was detected in fruit sepals (1.003 mg x g(-1)), then followed by tender stems (0.600 mg x g(-1)) and tender leaves (0.601 mg x g(-1)). Both old stems and old leaves had the lowest content of hyoscyamine and scopolamine. The gene expression profile and TAs accumulation indicated that TAs in Atropa belladonna were mainly biosynthesized in secondary root, and then transported and deposited in tender aerial parts. Screening Atropa belladonna secondary root transcriptome database will facilitate unveiling the unknown enzymatic reactions and the mechanisms of transcriptional control.

Epidemiological survey of childhood asthma in Kunming City, China / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the prevalence of childhood asthma, and to find the distribution characteristics, precipitating factors, diagnosis and treatment status, and to provide scientific data for improving the prevention and management of asthma in children in Kunming City, China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Children were selected by random cluster sampling. A standardized preliminary questionnaire was used for screening out possible patients in the survey. Diagnosis of asthma was confirmed by diagnostic criteria in suspected asthmatic children. Asthmatic children were further asked for past diagnosis and treatment with the questionnaire of asthma in children.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total asthma incidence rate was 1.40%. The prevalence of asthma in male and female children was 1.89% and 0.88% respectively (P<0.05). Children aged 0-5 years old had a higher prevalence of asthma (1.69%) than that of school-age children (6-14 years old, 1.21%). In all asthmatic children, 51.3% were previously diagnosed with classical asthma or cough variant asthma, 26.0% were suffered attacks from December to February, and 54.0% were suffered attacks at midnight or dawn. Respiratory tract infection (87.3%) was the most common triggers of asthma exacerbation. Antibiotics were used in 80.0%, bronchodilators in 66.0%, inhaled corticosteroid in 64.0%. A peak flow meter for monitoring lung function was used in 17% of asthmatic children over 5 years old.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The prevalence of asthma is associated with age and gender in children aged 0-14 years old in Kunming City. Acute asthma attack occurs mostly in winter and at midnight or dawn. Respiratory tract infection is the most common trigger of asthma exacerbation. Nearly a half of patients with asthma had not been diagnosed with asthma in the early stage. Most asthmatic children use antibiotics and only two-thirds use bronchodilators or inhaled corticosteroid in the treatment. The treatment and management of asthma in children awaits improvement as well.</p>

Enhancement of artemisinin biosynthesis in transgenic Artemisia annua L. by overexpressed HDR and ADS genes / 药学学报

Artemisnin is a novel sesquiterpene lactone with an internal peroxide bridge structure, which is extracted from traditional Chinese herb Artemisia annua L. (Qinghao). Recommended by World Health Organization, artemisinin is the first-line drug in the treatment of encephalic and chloroquine-resistant malaria. In the present study, transgenic A. annua plants were developed by overexpressing the key enzymes involved in the biosynthetic pathway of artemisinin. Based on Agrobacterium-mediated transformation methods, transgenic plants of A. annua with overexpression of both HDR and ADS were obtained through hygromycin screening. The genomic PCR analysis confirmed six transgenic lines in which both HDR and ADS were integrated into genome. The gene expression analysis given by real-time quantitative PCR showed that all the transgenic lines had higher expression levels of HDR and ADS than the non-transgenic control (except ah3 in which the expression level of ADS showed no significant difference compared with control); and the HPLC analysis of artemisinin demonstrated that transgenic A. annua plants produced artemisinin at significantly higher level than non-transgenic plants. Especially, the highest content of artemisinin was found in transgenic line ah70, in which the artemisinin content was 3.48 times compared with that in non-transgenic lines. In summary, overexpression of HDR and ADS facilitated artemisinin biosynthesis and this method could be applied to develop transgenic plants of A. annua with higher yield of artemisinin.

Enhancement of tropane alkaloids production in transgenic hair roots of Atropa belladonna by overexpressing endogenous genes AbPMT and AbH6H / 药学学报

Atropa belladonna L. is the officially medicinal plant species and the main commercial source of scopolamine and hyoscyamine in China. In this study, we reported the simultaneous overexpression of two functional genes involved in biosynthesis of scopolamine, which respectively encoded the upstream key enzyme putrescine N-methyltransferase (PMT; EC 2.1.1.53) and the downstream key enzyme hyoscyamine 6beta-hydroxylase (H6H; EC 1.14.11.11) in transgenic hair root cultures of Atropa belladonna L. HPLC results suggested that four transgenic hair root lines produced higher content of scopolamine at different levels compared with nontransgenic hair root cultures. And scopolamine content increased to 8.2 fold in transgenic line PH2 compared with that of control line; and the other four transgenic lines showed an increase of scopolamine compared with the control. Two of the transgenic hair root lines produced higher levels of tropane alkaloids, and the content increased to 2.7 fold in transgenic line PH2 compared with the control. The gene expression profile indicated that both PMT and H6H expressed at a different levels in different transgenic hair root lines, which would be helpful for biosynthesis of scopolamine. Our studies suggested that overexpression of A. belladonna endogenous genes PMT and H6H could enhance tropane alkaloid biosynthesis.