Effects of long-term noise exposure during sleep on liver circadian clock and lipid metabolism / 环境与职业医学

Background Long-term exposure to noise during sleep may has adverse effects on metabolic system, and liver lipid metabolism is closely related to circadian clock genes. Objective To investigate the effects of long-term noise exposure during sleep on liver circadian clock and lipid metabolism in mice and its related mechanism. Methods Twenty C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into two groups: a noise exposure group and a control group with 10 mice in each group. The mice in the noise exposure group were exposed to white noise at 90 dB sound pressure level (SPL) for 30 consecutive days, 8 h a day, from 9:00 to 17:00. The mice in the control group were exposed to background noise ≤40 dB SPL. After noise exposure, the animals were neutralized at 14:00 (ZT6) and 2:00 (ZT18), 5 animals at each time spot, and the liver tissues were collected. Total cholesterol and triglyceride in liver were determined by cholesterol oxidase method and glycerol phosphate oxidase method respectively. The expressions of circadian clock genes (Clock, Bmal1, Rev-erbα, and Rev-erbβ) and lipid metabolism genes (Srebp1c, Hmgcr, Fasn, Lxrα, Acc1, and Chrebp) in liver were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. Results Compared with the control group, the content of total cholesterol in liver in the noise exposure group increased by 48% (P<0.05) and the content of liver triglyceride increased by 61% (P<0.05) at ZT18. The mRNA expression levels of circadian clock genes Clock and Bmal1 in the noise exposure group was significantly increased at ZT18 and decreased at ZT6 (P<0.05). The mRNA expression level of Rev-erbα decreased at both ZT6 and ZT18 (P<0.05). The mRNA expression level of Rev-erbβ had no significant change at ZT6 and ZT18. The mRNA expression levels of liver lipid metabolism related genes Srebp1c, Hmgcr, Chrebp, and Lxrα in the noise exposure group were higher than those in the control group at ZT18 (P<0.05). The mRNA expression levels of Acc1 and Fasn showed no significant change at ZT6, then an upward trend at ZT18, but no significant difference between the two time spots (P>0.05). Conclusion Long-term noise exposure during sleep can cause circadian clock and lipid metabolism disorders in mice. Among them, suppression of key circadian clock genes may be associated with Rev-erbα-mediated upregulation of the nuclear receptors Srebp1c and Chrebp for lipid synthesis and deposition in the liver, resulting in lipid metabolism disorder.

Incidence and prognosis of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain: a national multi-center survey of 35 566 population / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.

Clinical and genetic characteristics of 9 rare cases with coexistence of dual genetic diagnoses / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To analyze the clinical and genetic characteristics of pediatric patients with dual genetic diagnoses (DGD). Methods: Clinical and genetic data of pediatric patients with DGD from January 2021 to February 2022 in Peking University First Hospital were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Results: Among the 9 children, 6 were boys and 3 were girls. The age of last visit or follow-up was 5.0 (2.7,6.8) years. The main clinical manifestations included motor retardation, mental retardation, multiple malformations, and skeletal deformity. Cases 1-4 were all all boys, showed myopathic gait, poor running and jumping, and significantly increased level of serum creatine kinase. Disease-causing variations in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene were confirmed by genetic testing. The 4 children were diagnosed with DMD or Becker muscular dystrophy combined with a second genetic disease, including hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, spinal muscular atrophy, fragile X syndrome, and cerebral cavernous malformations type 3, respectively. Cases 5-9 were clinically and genetically diagnosed as COL9A1 gene-related multiple epiphyseal dysplasia type 6 combined with NF1 gene-related neurofibromatosis type 1, COL6A3 gene-related Bethlem myopathy with WNT1 gene-related osteogenesis imperfecta type XV, Turner syndrome (45, X0/46, XX chimera) with TH gene-related Segawa syndrome, Chromosome 22q11.2 microduplication syndrome with DYNC1H1 gene-related autosomal dominant lower extremity-predominant spinal muscular atrophy-1, and ANKRD11 gene-related KBG syndrome combined with IRF2BPL gene-related neurodevelopmental disorder with regression, abnormal movement, language loss and epilepsy. DMD was the most common, and there were 6 autosomal dominant diseases caused by de novo heterozygous pathogenic variations. Conclusions: Pediatric patients with coexistence of double genetic diagnoses show complex phenotypes. When the clinical manifestations and progression are not fully consistent with the diagnosed rare genetic disease, a second rare genetic disease should be considered, and autosomal dominant diseases caused by de novo heterozygous pathogenic variation should be paid attention to. Trio-based whole-exome sequencing combining a variety of molecular genetic tests would be helpful for precise diagnosis.

Relationship between physical fitness and energy balance related behaviors of primary school students in Shaanxi Province / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the relationship between physical fitness and energy balance related behaviors (EBRBs), and their influencing factors among primary school students, so as to provide a scientific basis for the improvement of physical fitness in primary school students.@*Methods@#By using a random sampling method, a total of 1 451 pupils aged 10-12 were selected from 8 regions of Shannxi Province (Fengxiang, Weibin, Danfeng, Shangzhou, Huazhou, Linwei, Gaoling, Weiyang). According to the total score of physical fitness test, pupils were divided into the excellent good physical fitness group and the pass failed group. The students EBRBs and their influencing factors were investigated cross sectionally, and the Mann-Whitney U test and stepwise linear regression analysis were used to explore the relationship between physical fitness and EBRBs.@*Results@#Breakfasts behavior( r = 0.061 ) and physical activity behavior( r =0.105) among primary school students were positively correlated with total physical scores, with the excellent good physical fitness group (757.56, 768.57)were higher than that of the pass failed group(710.93, 705.67) ( Z= -2.41, -2.69, P <0.05). The screen behavior ( r =-0.065) was negatively correlated with the total physical fitness scores, with the excellent good physical fitness group (681.96) was significantly lower than the pass failed group(747.04) ( Z=2.78, P < 0.05 ). There was no statistically significant correlation between the frequency of beverage behavior and the total score of physical fitness ( P >0.05). The excellent good physical fitness group scored(762.22, 761.19, 758.82, 756.00, 761.20, 755.57, 761.52, 759.48, 781.78) higher than the pass failed group(708.70, 709.19, 710.32, 711.67, 709.19, 711.88, 709.04, 710.01, 699.36) including health beliefs, parental norms and parental role models for breakfast behaviors, and preferences, self efficacy, and self regulation for physical activities, as well as self efficacy, parental role models, family rules for screen behavior ( Z=-2.40, -2.78, -2.35, -2.48, -2.52, -2.27, -2.35, -2.22, -3.65, P <0.05).@*Conclusion@#The physical fitness of primary school students is affected by EBRBs. Parents should model positive behaviors in the family, promote the health behavior of primary school students, improve the physical health of primary school students health.

Relationship between physical fitness and energy balance related behaviors of primary school students in Shaanxi Province / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the relationship between physical fitness and energy balance related behaviors (EBRBs), and their influencing factors among primary school students, so as to provide a scientific basis for the improvement of physical fitness in primary school students.@*Methods@#By using a random sampling method, a total of 1 451 pupils aged 10-12 were selected from 8 regions of Shannxi Province (Fengxiang, Weibin, Danfeng, Shangzhou, Huazhou, Linwei, Gaoling, Weiyang). According to the total score of physical fitness test, pupils were divided into the excellent good physical fitness group and the pass failed group. The students EBRBs and their influencing factors were investigated cross sectionally, and the Mann-Whitney U test and stepwise linear regression analysis were used to explore the relationship between physical fitness and EBRBs.@*Results@#Breakfasts behavior( r = 0.061 ) and physical activity behavior( r =0.105) among primary school students were positively correlated with total physical scores, with the excellent good physical fitness group (757.56, 768.57)were higher than that of the pass failed group(710.93, 705.67) ( Z= -2.41, -2.69, P <0.05). The screen behavior ( r =-0.065) was negatively correlated with the total physical fitness scores, with the excellent good physical fitness group (681.96) was significantly lower than the pass failed group(747.04) ( Z=2.78, P < 0.05 ). There was no statistically significant correlation between the frequency of beverage behavior and the total score of physical fitness ( P >0.05). The excellent good physical fitness group scored(762.22, 761.19, 758.82, 756.00, 761.20, 755.57, 761.52, 759.48, 781.78) higher than the pass failed group(708.70, 709.19, 710.32, 711.67, 709.19, 711.88, 709.04, 710.01, 699.36) including health beliefs, parental norms and parental role models for breakfast behaviors, and preferences, self efficacy, and self regulation for physical activities, as well as self efficacy, parental role models, family rules for screen behavior ( Z=-2.40, -2.78, -2.35, -2.48, -2.52, -2.27, -2.35, -2.22, -3.65, P <0.05).@*Conclusion@#The physical fitness of primary school students is affected by EBRBs. Parents should model positive behaviors in the family, promote the health behavior of primary school students, improve the physical health of primary school students health.

Relationship between physical fitness and energy balance related behaviors of primary school students in Shaanxi Province / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the relationship between physical fitness and energy balance related behaviors (EBRBs), and their influencing factors among primary school students, so as to provide a scientific basis for the improvement of physical fitness in primary school students.@*Methods@#By using a random sampling method, a total of 1 451 pupils aged 10-12 were selected from 8 regions of Shannxi Province (Fengxiang, Weibin, Danfeng, Shangzhou, Huazhou, Linwei, Gaoling, Weiyang). According to the total score of physical fitness test, pupils were divided into the excellent good physical fitness group and the pass failed group. The students EBRBs and their influencing factors were investigated cross sectionally, and the Mann-Whitney U test and stepwise linear regression analysis were used to explore the relationship between physical fitness and EBRBs.@*Results@#Breakfasts behavior( r = 0.061 ) and physical activity behavior( r =0.105) among primary school students were positively correlated with total physical scores, with the excellent good physical fitness group (757.56, 768.57)were higher than that of the pass failed group(710.93, 705.67) ( Z= -2.41, -2.69, P <0.05). The screen behavior ( r =-0.065) was negatively correlated with the total physical fitness scores, with the excellent good physical fitness group (681.96) was significantly lower than the pass failed group(747.04) ( Z=2.78, P < 0.05 ). There was no statistically significant correlation between the frequency of beverage behavior and the total score of physical fitness ( P >0.05). The excellent good physical fitness group scored(762.22, 761.19, 758.82, 756.00, 761.20, 755.57, 761.52, 759.48, 781.78) higher than the pass failed group(708.70, 709.19, 710.32, 711.67, 709.19, 711.88, 709.04, 710.01, 699.36) including health beliefs, parental norms and parental role models for breakfast behaviors, and preferences, self efficacy, and self regulation for physical activities, as well as self efficacy, parental role models, family rules for screen behavior ( Z=-2.40, -2.78, -2.35, -2.48, -2.52, -2.27, -2.35, -2.22, -3.65, P <0.05).@*Conclusion@#The physical fitness of primary school students is affected by EBRBs. Parents should model positive behaviors in the family, promote the health behavior of primary school students, improve the physical health of primary school students health.

Central nervous system post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder: a case report / 中华神经科杂志

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a solid organ or hematopoietic stem cells transplant associated syndrome, and central nervous system PTLD(CNS-PTLD) is extremely rare. A case of CNS-PTLD occurring after 24 years of kidney transplant was reported, and pathological examination proved it to be diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Cerebrospinal fluid next generation sequencing and pathological examination supported that Epstein-Barr virus infection was associated with it.

Effects of high frequency flash stimulation on the capacity of learning memory and autonomous exploratory in young rats / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effects of 40 Hz and 70 Hz frequency flash stimulation on the ability of learning memory and autonomous exploratory in young rats.Methods:Twenty-seven SPF grade male SD rats aged 19-21 days were divided into control group (Ctr group), 40 Hz group and 70 Hz group with 9 in each group according to the random number table.The rats in Ctr group were not given flash stimulation, while rats in the 40 Hz and 70 Hz group were received 40 Hz, 70 Hz flash stimulation (1.5 h/d for 39 days), respectively.The Morris water maze experiment was used to assess the learning and memory ability of rats, and the open field experiment was used to evaluate the ability of autonomous exploratory of rats.Nissl staining was used to assess the morphology of Nissl bodies in the hippocampus CA1 region of the rats.The local field potentials (LFPs) collected from the primary visual cortex (V1 area) region by electrophysiological experiments was used to verify the synchronization of flash evoked neural oscillations.SPSS 23.0 software was used for statistical analysis.The repeated measures ANOVA and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze normal distribution measurement data, and LSD and Tamhane tests were used for further pairwise comparison.The Kruskal-Wallis test was used for non-normal distribution measurement data.Results:(1) The flash stimulation of 40 Hz and 70 Hz both can effectively caused synchronization of neural oscillations in the primary visual cortex of healthy young rats.(2) The results of repeated measures ANOVA analysis showed that there was no interaction effect of grouping and time in the escape latency of young rats in the Morris water maze positioning navigation phase( F=1.326, P>0.05 ). The escape latency had time main effect ( F=40.025, P<0.05), but no grouping main effect ( F=2.039, P>0.05). With the increase of learning days, the escape latency of young rats in each group decreased significantly.There was no interaction effect of grouping and time in the total distance of young rats ( F=2.029, P>0.079). It had time main effect ( F=32.052, P<0.05), but not grouping main effect ( F=2.390, P>0.05) on total distance.With the increase of learning days, the total distance of young rats in each group significantly shortened.On the 6th day of the Morris water maze experiment, there was no statistically significant difference among groups in terms of time in the target quadrant and the number of crossing platforms ( F=2.511, 0.802, both P>0.05). The results of the open field experiment showed that the total distance traveled in the center of young rats in each group was statistically significant ( H=8.935, P<0.05), the total distance traveled in the center in the 70 Hz group (3.80 (2.25, 6.93) m)was significantly longer than that in the 40 Hz group (0.80 (0.72, 1.46) m), P<0.05). The percentage of time spent in the center was statistically significant in the three groups ( H=11.050, P<0.05). Young rats in the 70 Hz group spent significantly higher percentage of time in the center(3.20(2.43, 8.30)) than those in the 40 Hz group (0.95 (0.37, 1.06 ), P<0.05 ). (3) Nissl staining results showed that Nissl bodies in the hippocampal CA1 area of young rats in Ctr, 40 Hz and 70 Hz group were all arranged neatly and tightly, no edema was found in the surrounding stroma, and no obvious inflammatory cell infiltration was found. Conclusion:70 Hz frequency flash stimulation may promote the ability of learning memory and autonomous exploratory of young rats.

Effect of noise on morphological structure and functions of rat liver / 环境与职业医学

Background Noise can cause not only auditory system injury, but also liver damage. However, the biomarkers and pathological mechanism of noise-induced liver injury are not clear yet. Objective To observe the effect of noise on the morphological structure and functions of rat liver. Methods A total of 30 Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal control group, a low noise exposure group [(95 dB sound pressure level (SPL)], and a high noise exposure group (105 dB SPL). After 30 days of noise exposure, blood was collected, and livers were harvested and fixed. The pathological changes of livers were observed. The levels of biochemical indicators of liver function, blood glucose, and blood lipid were measured. Serum metabolites were detected by ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS). Differential metabolite markers and metabolic pathways were identified. Results Compared with the control group, the body weight gain decreased in the low noise group and the high noise group after noise exposure (P<0.001, P<0.05). The pathological results showed that noise caused the rat livers’ morphological and structural damage at various degrees, and damage of the high noise exposure group was more serious. Compared with the control group, the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, and glycosylated serum protein in the low noise exposure group were increased (P<0.05), but the total bile acid level was decreased (P<0.05). The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, and glycosylated serum protein in the high noise group exposure were increased (P<0.05), but the glucose level was decreased (P<0.05). In the serum metabolomics analysis, 11 differential metabolites were screened out in the low noise exposure group, which were mainly enriched in 3 pathways (thiamine metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, and bile secretion) related to liver metabolism. Four differential metabolites were screened out in the high exposure noise group, which were mainly enriched in four significantly different metabolic pathways (insulin signaling pathway, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, bile secretion, and insulin secretion). All the metabolic pathways involved in bile acid secretion and metabolism. Conclusion Nosie exposure can not only damage the liver structure of rats, but also affects the metabolism functions of liver. The mechanism may be related to bile acid secretion metabolic pathway.

Effects of noise exposure on structure and functional prediction of intestinal microbiota in rats / 环境与职业医学

Background Noise has multiple negative effects on the organism, and gut microbes are influenced by the environment and are closely associated with the development of diseases. Currently, the effects of chronic noise exposure on intestinal microbiota are poorly understood. Objective To investigate the effects of noise exposure on the structure of rat gut microbiota and to make predictions of gut microbiota function. Methods Male Wistar rats (6 weeks old, 160-180 g) were randomly divided into control, NE_95dB, and NE_105dB groups, 10 rats in each group. Rats in the NE_95dB and the NE_105dB groups were exposed to noise at 95 dB sound pressure level (SPL) and 105 dB SPL, respectively, 4 h per day for consecutive 30 d, while the control group was exposed to background noise. Feces were collected after the last noise exposure for intestinal microbiota detection. Based on the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing method, the diversity and structure of microbiota in rat intestinal contents were analyzed and compared. Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) was applied to predict functions of the identified intestinal microbiota genes. Results Significant differences were found in the microbial structure of the rat gut after the designed noise exposure. In the α diversity results, there was a statistically significant difference in the Chao1 index between the NE_95dB group and the NE_105dB group (P=0.02), while there were no statistically significant differences in the Shannon and Simpson indexes between the noise exposure groups and the control group (P>0.05). The β diversity analysis results showed significant differences in species abundance between the control group and the noise exposure groups (P=0.001). Further species analysis results showed that the relative abundances of the Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group (P<0.05) and Peptococcaceae_unclassified (P<0.01) at the genus level were significantly higher in the NE_105dB group, and the relative abundance of Parasutterella (P<0.05) was significantly higher in the NE_95dB group compared to the control group. In addition, the Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group (P<0.05) was also significantly higher in the NE_105dB group compared to the NE_95dB group. The PICRUSt functional prediction analysis results showed that there were eight differential pathways between the control group and the NE_95dB group, in which D-arginine and D-ornithine metabolism, ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, carotenoid biosynthesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism, mineral absorption, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway and non-homologous end-joining were significantly down-regulated, and nucleotide metabolism was significantly up-regulated. There were 38 differential pathways between the control group and the NE_105dB group. Among them, D-arginine and D-ornithine metabolism, and mineral absorption were the differential metabolic pathways in both noise exposure groups, and both were down-regulated relative to the control group. Conclusion Chronic noise exposure could alter structure of rat gut microbiota and may affect metabolic functions of multiple microbiota genes.

Preliminary observation on the differential expression of metformin in preventing noise-induced hearing loss in inner ear protein group of rats / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To study the protective effects of metformin on noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and its differential protein omics expression profile. Methods: In January 2021, 39 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group, noise exposure group and metformin+noise exposure group, with 13 rats in each group. Rats in the noise exposure group and metformin+noise exposure group were continuously exposed to octave noise with sound pressure level of 120 dB (A) and center frequency of 8 kHz for 4 h. Rats in the metformin+noise exposure group were treated with 200 mg/kg/d metformin 3 d before noise exposure for a total of 7 d. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) was used to test the changes of hearing thresholds before noise exposure and 1, 4, 7 d after noise exposure in the right ear of rats in each group. Tandem mass tag (TMT) quantitative proteomics was used to identify and analyze the differentially expressed protein in the inner ear of rats in each group, and it was verified by immunofluorescence staining with frozen sections. Results: The click-ABR thresholds of right ear in the noise exposure group and metformin+noise exposure group were significantly higher than those in the control group 1, 4, 7 d after noise exposure (P<0.05) . The click-ABR threshold of right ear in the metformin+noise exposure group were significantly lower than that in the noise exposure group (P<0.05) . Compared with the noise exposure group, 1035 up-regulated proteins and 1145 down-regulated proteins were differentially expressed in the metformin+noise exposure group. GO enrichment analysis showed that the significantly differentially expressed proteins were mainly involved in binding, molecular function regulation, signal transduction, and other functions. Enrichment analysis of KEGG pathway revealed that the pathways for significant enrichment of differentially expressed proteins included phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt) signaling pathway, focal adhesion, diabetic cardiomyopathy, mitogen, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Immunofluorescence experiments showed that compared with the noise exposure group, the fluorescence intensity of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) in the metformin+noise exposure group was increased, and the fluorescence intensity of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (eIF4EBP1) was decreased. Conclusion: Noise exposure can lead to an increase in rat hearing threshold, and metformin can improve noise-induced hearing threshold abnormalities through multiple pathways and biological processes.

Mirror visual feedback training can improve the upper extremity functioning of children with spastic hemiplegia / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of mirror visual feedback training on upper limb function and muscle tension in children with spastic hemiplegia resulting from cerebral palsy (SHCP).Methods:Seventy-six children aged 2-5 with SHCP were randomly divided into a control group of 33 and a treatment group 34. All were given routine occupational therapy, physical therapy, massage and physical agents. Each therapy session lasted 30 minutes daily, 5 times a week over 3 weeks as a course of treatment. There was a one week interval after each of 6 courses, so the total treatment lasted 6 months. The treatment group was additionally trained with mirror visual feedback with the same schedule. Before, as well as after 3 and 6 months of treatment, each patient′s upper limb motor function, fine motor function and muscle tone were evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer motor function assessment scale (FMA), the Peabody fine motor development scales (PDMS-FM), the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and integrated electromyograms (iEMGs).Results:There were no significant differences between the two groups before treatment. After both 3 and 6 months significant improvement was observed in both groups′ average FMA score, PDMS-FM total score, grip, and visual motor integration. At both points the treatment group′s averages were significantly better than those of the control group. The average MAS and iEMG results, however, were not significantly different at either time point.Conclusions:For children with spastic hemiplegia caused by cerebral palsy, mirror visual feedback training can effectively improve upper limb functioning, but it cannot reduce their muscle tone.

Epidemiological investigation of allergic rhinitis in central cities and countrysides of Inner Mongolia region / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) in 3 central cities (Chifeng, Hohhot, Ordos) and the surrounding rural areas of Inner Mongolia region, and to look for possible risk factors related to the disease. Methods: From March to October of 2019, a multi-stage stratified random sampling epidemiological survey was conducted in Chifeng, Hohhot, Ordos and rural areas. The AR-related factors of the population were obtained in the form of face-to-face questionnaire survey, and the skin prick test (SPT) was taken for the participants. AR disease was diagnosed according to the "Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis (2015, Tianjin)". The daily airborne pollen situation in the three regions was monitored during the same period. SPSS 23.0 was used to analyze all survey results. Results: A total of 6 818 questionnaires were recovered, with 6 393 valid questionnaires. The self-reported prevalence of AR was 27.72% (1 772/6 393) and the confirmed prevalence of AR was 17.10% (1 093/6 393). The prevalence of perennial AR was 1.83% (117/6 393) while the prevalence of seasonal AR was 15.27% (976/6 393). The prevalence of AR diagnosed in females was higher than that in males (19.19% vs 15.34%, χ²=16.594, P<0.001) and the prevalence of females in the two age groups of 36-45 years and 46-55 years was significantly higher than that of males (18.17% vs 9.73%, 14.13% vs 7.25%, χ2 value was 23.848, 18.772, respectively, all P<0.001). The prevalence of confirmed diagnoses in ethnic minorities was higher than that of Han nationality, and the prevalence of confirmed diagnoses in urban areas was higher than that in rural areas (23.13% vs 16.20%, 27.27% vs 9.71%, χ2 value was 24.516, 336.024, respectively, all P<0.001). The main nasal symptoms of AR patients were sneezing (91.31%), nasal congestion (85.91%) and nasal itching (85.00%). The most common concomitant disease of AR was allergic conjunctivitis (73.99%). Asthma (OR=6.629), food allergy (OR=3.236), drug allergy (OR=1.786), application of antibiotics (OR=1.553), recent home decoration (OR=2.307), and smoking (OR=1.322) were the AR related risk factors. The highest proportion of SPT positive reactions was Artemisia annua (80.15%). The peak period of clinical symptoms of AR patients in Inner Mongolia region was July to September, which was consistent with the second peak period of airborne pollen monitoring. Conclusions: The prevalence of AR in central cities and the surrounding rural areas of Inner Mongolia region is 17.10%, and Artemisia species is the most important pollen allergen in this area. History of asthma, food allergy, drug allergy, antibiotic use, home decoration and smoking history are the related risk factors for AR.

Zero profile anchored spacer(ROI-C) for the treatment of cervical spondylosis with osteoporosis / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical efficacy of zero-profile anchored spacer (ROI-C) in treating cervical spondylosis with osteoporosis.@*METHODS@#From May 2013 to May 2018, a total of 145 patients with cervical spondylosis were treated by ROI-C through anterior cervical spine approach. Among them, 31 patients were aged ≥60 years and had osteoporosis by bone density measurement, and they were retrospectively analyzed. Including 9 males and 22 females, aged 60-84 years old with an average of (69.12±7.65) years. There were 23 cases of single-segment fusion, 6 cases of two-stage fusion, and 2 cases of three-stage fusion;and 41 devices of ROI-C fusion was placed in the patients. Operation time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded;Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores and visual analogue scale(VAS) were respectively used to evaluate the neurological function and neck pain before and after operation. The cervical curvature (expressed as Cobb angle), the height of the intervertebral space at the surgical segment, and the intervertebral fusion were observed at postoperative and follow-up periods were observed by image data.@*RESULTS@#All patients were followed up for 12-24(15.6±4.4) months after operation. The operation time were from 75 to 113 (101.33±10.25) min and intraoperative blood loss were from 14 to 51 (33.18 ± 16.56) ml. Among these 23 patients with fusion of single segment, the operation time were 75 to 98 (85.47±8.70) min and intraoperative blood loss were 14 to 30(21.18±6.56) ml. JOA scores of all included patients were increased from 9.66±2.12 preoperatively to 14.36±1.24 at the final follow-up (@*CONCLUSION@#Anterior cervical approach with ROI-C for the treatment of elderly patients with cervical spondylosis and osteoporosis had reliable clinical effect, short operation time, less intraoperative blood loss, and can effectively restore cervical curvature and intervertebral space height, and has advantages of fewer complications and higher successful rate of fusion.

Biocatalysis of formaldehyde to L-xylose / 生物工程学报

It is of great significance to use biosynthesis to transform the inorganic substance formaldehyde into organic sugars. Most important in this process was to find a suitable catalyst combination to achieve the dimerization of formaldehyde. In a recent report, an engineered glycolaldehyde synthase was reported to catalyze this reaction. It could be combined with engineered D-fructose-6-phosphate aldolase, a "one-pot enzyme" method, to synthesize L-xylose using formaldehyde and the conversion rate could reach up to 64%. This process also provides a reference for the synthesis of other sugars. With the increasing consumption of non-renewable resources, it was of great significance to convert formaldehyde into sugar by biosynthesis.

Transcriptome analysis of the hippocampus in environmental noise-exposed SAMP8 mice reveals regulatory pathways associated with Alzheimer's disease neuropathology

BACKGROUND@#Chronic noise exposure is one environmental hazard that is associated with genetic susceptibility factors that increase Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. However, the comprehensive understanding of the link between chronic noise stress and AD is limited. Herein, we investigated the effects of chronic noise exposure on AD-like changes in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8).@*METHODS@#A total of 30 male SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into the noise-exposed group, the control group, and aging group (positive controls), and mice in the exposure group were exposed to 98 dB SPL white noise for 30 consecutive days. Transcriptome analysis and AD-like neuropathology of hippocampus were examined by RNA sequencing and immunoblotting. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real-time PCR were used to further determine the differential gene expression and explore the underlying mechanisms of chronic noise exposure in relation to AD at the genome level.@*RESULTS@#Chronic noise exposure led to amyloid beta accumulation and increased the hyperphosphorylation of tau at the Ser202 and Ser404 sites in young SAMP8 mice; similar observations were noted in aging SAMP8 mice. We identified 21 protein-coding transcripts that were differentially expressed: 6 were downregulated and 15 were upregulated after chronic noise exposure; 8 genes were related to AD. qPCR results indicated that the expression of Arc, Egr1, Egr2, Fos, Nauk1, and Per2 were significantly high in the noise exposure group. These outcomes mirrored the results of the RNA sequencing data.@*CONCLUSIONS@#These findings further revealed that chronic noise exposure exacerbated aging-like impairment in the hippocampus of the SAMP8 mice and that the protein-coding transcripts discovered in the study may be key candidate regulators involved in environment-gene interactions.

Primary Study of Henan Cerebral Palsy Register and Rehabilitation Management System / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To introduce the construction of Henan Cerebral Palsy Register and Rehabilitation Management System (HCPRRMS) and to explore the construction project of regional register and surveillance of cerebral palsy. Methods:The construction process, registration content and preliminary results of HCPRRMS were systematically introduced. Results:HCPRRMS was independent developed in 2014. Since March, 2015, the system has been used to register information of patients with cerebral palsy in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Until September, 2019, a total of 23 child rehabilitation institutions had used the registration management system. There were 1357 patients with cerebral palsy registered in this system, in which 936 cases (68.98%) were male, 501 cases (36.92%) were with gestational weeks < 37, 443 cases (32.65%) were with birth weight < 2500 g, and 430 cases (31.69%) were born with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Among them, the spastic cerebral palsy patients (1117 cases, 86.74%) accounted for the highest proportion. There was significant difference among types of cerebral palsy and the classification of GMFCS. A total of 1117 patients with cerebral palsy showed MRI-identified brain abnormalities, in which, periventricular leukomalacia accounted for the most (480 cases). For the complications, epilepsy accounted for 14.44% (196 cases), vision impairment accounted for 8.03% (109 cases), hearing impairment accounted for 11.64% (158 cases). Among 769 cases aged more than two years, language-speech dysfunction accounted for 52.66% (424 cases); and among 216 cases aged more than four years, mental retardation accounted for 37.96% (82 cases). Conclusion:HCPRRMS could help to understand the risk factors, clinical characteristics, and complications of cerebral palsy.

The ergonomic analysis of different holding gun methods for standing guard soldiers / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To study the effects of different holding gun methods and gun weight on health when standing guard, and propose a way to support the health of long-term standing guard soldiers.@*Methods@#We created different percentile mannequins by Classic JACK, and adjusted the standing guard posture based on its standards for soldiers. The pressure on lumbar L4/L5 and moment on ankles and knees were analysied for different holding gun methods and gun weight. Then the mathematical models of joint load, gun weight and body mass index were studied by multiple regression analysis.@*Results@#Holding gun methods and gun weight influence the force characteristics on ankles, knees and lumbar L4/L5. Holding gun with a brace and hands applying downward force -2 kgf could significantly reduce lumbar L4/L5 pressure. When the hand force is -5, -3, -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2 kgf, and the weight of the gun is 0, Lumbar vertebrae L4/L5 joint pressure of people with different body mass index(P1, P5, P55, P95, P99) are the smallest, respectively 269, 281, 321, 408, 444 N, and the same change trend occurs when the weight of the gun is 2, 4, and 8 kg.The moment on ankles and knees were less with the same holding gun method and the hands downward force ranged from 0 to -4 kgf, and the higher the body mass index is, the more the hands downward force needed to make the moment on ankles and knees zero. That is, the moment on ankles could be zero when the hands downward force ranged from -1 to -3 kgf, the moment on knees could be zero when the hands downward force ranged from -1.1 to -3.7 kgf.@*Conclusion@#To reduce the pressure on lumbar L4/L5 and moment on ankles and knees, so as to cut down occupational risk of long-standing operation, we advise the long-term standing guard soldiers holding gun with a brace and hands applying downward force -2 kgf.

Construction of cochlear progenitor cells with recombinant short-hairpin RNA lentiviral vector inhibiting the expression of the β-catenin gene / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To construct a recombinant short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) lentiviral vector targeting the β-catenin gene in cochlear precursor cells (CPCs) in mice, and to investigate its inhibitory effect.@*Methods@#PCR was used for the multiplication of the β-catenin gene, and shRNA oligo was designed based on the β-catenin gene to construct an interference vector. Gateway Technology was used to construct shRNA lentiviral vector which carried the β-catenin gene, and then 293FT cells were transfected with the constructed lentiviral vector and helper plasmids pLV/helper-SL3, pLV/helper-SL4, and pLV/helper-SL5. The virus supernatant was collected to obtain viral particles, and then mouse CPCs were transiently infected with the recombinant lentivirus with four different concentrations (0, 5, 10, and 20 μl) . The shRNA control group was established. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to investigate the inhibitory effect of shRNA β-catenin lentiviral vector on β-catenin.@*Results@#The recombinant shRNA β-catenin lentiviral vector was successfully constructed, and the virus titers of shβ-catenin and shβ-catenin-control were 5.05×107 and 4.34×107, respectively. The results of in vitro experiments showed that in CPCs transfected with four different concentrations of recombinant lentivirus, the content of β-catenin protein gradually decreased with the increase in concentration, and there was a significant difference between groups (P<0.05) ; the CPCs transfected with shβ-catenin had significantly lower mRNA expression of β-catenin than those in the shβ-catenin-control group (P<0.05) .@*Conclusion@#The constructed lentiviral vector targeting the β-catenin gene has a high infection efficiency, and the successful construction of lentiviral vectors provides a technical support for analyzing the role of β-catenin in the differentiation of CPCs into auditory hair cells.

Effects of ethylbenzene on cell injury and mitochondrial membrane potential of CPCs / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To investigate the effects of ethylbenzene on growth morphology、proliferation ability and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of cochlear progenitor cells (CPCs) , and to lay a foundation for the mechanism of hearing loss induced by ethylbenzene.@*Methods@#We can use the fluorescence microscopy to identify the original CPCs isolated from the newborn rats, and followed by the addition of different concentrations of ethylbenzene (0, 15, 30, 45 μmol/L) for 24 hours. The morphological changes of cell injury were observed by inverted optical microscope. The proliferation ability of cells was detected by MTT colorimetry, and the change of MMP was detected by fluorescent probe JC-1.@*Results@#The results of CPCs identification showed the expression of Myosin VIIa and Epsin positive; The results observed by inverted optical microscope showed all groups of CPCs morphological changes compared with the control group; MTT results showed that the decreased significantly proliferation ability of CPCs groups compared with the control group and a dose effect relationship with statistically significant difference (P<0.05) ; JC-1 test results showed the decreased significantly mitochondrial membrane potential in the treated group compared with the control group, and there was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05) .@*Conclusion@#Ethylbenzene may cause damage to CPCs, inhibition of cell proliferation and decrease of MMP in rats.