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BACKGROUND@#Many studies have investigated heavy metal exposure could increase the occurrence of congenital heart defects (CHDs). However, there are limited data regarding the relationship between cobalt exposure and CHD occurrence in offspring. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between cobalt exposure in mothers and the risk of CHDs in offspring.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#In order to explore the association between cobalt exposure and occurrence of congenital heart defect (CHD), a case-control study with 490 controls and 399 cases with CHDs in China were developed. The concentrations of cobalt in hair of pregnant woman and fetal placental tissue were measured and processed by a logistic regression analysis to explore the relationship between cobalt exposure and risk of CHDs.@*RESULTS@#The median concentration of hair cobalt in the control and case group was 0.023 ng/mg and 0.033 ng/mg (aOR, 1.837; 95% CI, 1.468-2.299; P < 0.001), respectively. And the median (5-95% range) fetal placental cobalt concentrations were 19.350 ng/g and 42.500 ng/g (aOR, 2.924; 95% CI, 2.211-3.868; P < 0.001) in the control and case groups, respectively. Significant differences in the middle level of cobalt in hair were found in the different CHD subtypes, including septal defects, conotruncal defects, right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (P < 0.001). Dramatically, different cobalt concentrations in fetal placental tissue were found in all subtypes of cases with CHDs (P < 0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The finding suggested that the occurrence of CHDs may be associated with cobalt exposure.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Young Adult , Case-Control Studies , China , Cobalt , Hair , Chemistry , Heart Defects, Congenital , Maternal Exposure , Placenta , Chemistry , Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of Jinlida granules on blood glucose level, physiological index, and the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway in mice. Methods Mice were randomly divided into a positive control group (acarbose group), an experimental group (Jinlida granule group), and a blank control group. The effects of Jinlida granules on blood glucose levels and weights of the mice were measured after single and multiple ingestion of sucrose or starch. The levels of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde were measured in mice via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Changes in serum lipids and other indicators were detected using an automatic biochemical analyzer in order to determine the regulatory effect of Jinlida granules on blood lipid levels and liver and kidney damage. Changes in NF-κB, interleukin (IL) -1β, and IL-6 levels were detected via Western blotting. Results Jinlida granules downregulated postprandial blood glucose levels without reducing body weight in mice. Jinlida granules also reduced serum triglyceride concentration without causing damage to the liver or kidneys in mice, showed protective effects on muscle cells, and may reduce activation of the NF-κB pathway. Conclusion Jinlida granules may contribute to ameliorating diabetes.
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Objective To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Dan Hong in a rat model of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).Methods Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into an experimental group (n=10),aCSM modelgroup (n=10),and acontrol group (n=10).The CSM model group received a Dan Hong injection,while the control and experimental groups received an injection of an equivalent volume of physiological saline.The motor function of the rats was assessed before administration and at 4 weeks after administration,at which time the rats were sacrificed.The expression of cytokines and bcl-2 was detected by ELISA and Westem blotting.Results Four weeks after treatment,the number of oblique plates in the experimental group increased.Additionally,the expression of cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) in the CSM model group was higher and the expression of bcl-2 was lower.Conclusion Dan Hong injection can reduce the inflammatory response and reduce cell apoptosis in CSM.
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OBJECTIVE:To observe clinical efficacy and safety of Qizhi qushi jianpi prescription in the treatment of chronic synovitis of knee joint in middleaged and elderly patients after debridement under arthroscope. METHODS:A total of 80 mid-dleaged and elderly inpatients with chronic synovitis of knee joint were selected and randomly divided into treatment group and con-trol group,with 40 cases in each group. Clinical efficacy,VAS,swelling score of modified Cincinnati knee joint score system, Lysholm score of knee joint function,the occurrence of ADR were observed in 2 groups. RESULTS:Total effective rate of treat-ment group(92.5%)was significantly than that of control group(77.5%),with statistical significance(P0.05). On the first day after surgery,VAS score of 2 groups decreased significantly,and there was statistical signifi-cance compared to before surgery (P<0.05). One month after surgery,VAS score of 2 groups decreased significantly,and the treatment group was significantly lower than the control group,with statistical significance(P<0.05). Swelling score of knee joint 1 month after surgery and Lysholm score 3 months after surgery increased significantly in 2 groups,and the treatment group was significantly higher than the control group,with statistical significance(P<0.05). 5 patients of treatment group suffered from stom-ach discomfort,and the symptom was relieved after adding the ingredient of comforting stomach and removing dampness through diuresis. CONCLUSIONS:Qizhi qushi jianpi prescription is effective for chronic synovitis of knee joint in middleaged and elderly patients after debridement under arthroscope,and can relieve pain, remove swelling and recover knee joint function with good safety.
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ObjectiveTo summarize the value of prenatal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of fetal absent pulmonary valve syndrome (APVS).MethodsBetween January 2010 and January 2014, ifve cases with fetal APVS diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound and conifrmed by autopsy in West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University were reviewed. Four conventional views of fetal echocardiography were used to diagnose APVS, including two-dimentional images, color Doppler lfow imaging (CDFI) and pulsed Doppler lfow spectrum.ResultsTypical signs of fetal APVS in 3 of 5 cases were found: no pulmonary valve was found in the main pulmonary artery, and pulmonary annulus was relatively smaller compared with a tumor-like expansion in pulmonary trunk; “to and fro” sign in the pulmonary trunk were observed steadily by CDFI and “to and fro” spectrum were detected by pulsed Doppler. Another 2 of 5 cases of fetal APVS have no pulmonary expansion, but “to and fro” sign could be detected by color and spectral Doppler, including 1 case with tricuspid atresia and 1 case with Ebstein’s anomaly.ConclusionsPrenatal ultrasonography has important diagnostic value for Fetal APVS. Fetal APVS on prenatal ultrasound has many characteristics and is easy to diagnose. Color and spectral doppler can detect and diagnose fetal APVS effectively.
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Objective To explore the clinical value of transvaginal four-dimensional hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (TVS 4D-HyCoSy)in evaluation of the patency of fallopian tubes. Methods Totally 53 patients underwent SonoVue TVS4D-HyCoSy to observe the tubal patency. Results Among the 106 tubes in 53 patients, TVS 4D-HyCoSy showed 47 unobstructed tubes, 23 obstructed tubes, and 36 partially passable tubes. In unobstructed cases, the fallopian tubes were smooth and regular in morphology, and contrast agents flowed into and dispersed over pelvic cavity rapidly and evenly. In the cases of partially passable tube, fallopian tubes were discontinuous and irregular in morphology, and contrast agents lfowed into and dispersed over pelvic cavity slowly and unevenly. In obstructed cases, there were no or little contrast agents into the fallopian tubes. Compared with the results of laparoscopy, the diagnostic accuracy of TVS 4D-HyCoSy was 94.4%(17/18). Conclusions TVS 4D-HyCoSy is a useful tool in demonstrating the morphological features of fallopian tube, diagnosing intrauterinc adhesion and lesion and assessing the tubal patency.
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Purpose To explore the value of three vessels and trachea view in rapid screening of aortic arch malformations. Materials and Methods 51 fetal subjects who were prenatally diagnosed with aortic arch abnormalities were enrolled, and their diagnoses were confirmed by postnatal echocardiography or autopsy results after induction. Targeted fetal cardiac examinations were conducted under obstetric ultrasound examination conditions, ultrasound images were restored and compared with sonographic features of normal aorta. Results Among the 51 fetus cases with aortic arch anomalies, right-oriented aortic arch with left subclavian artery vagus was shown in 17 cases, left-oriented aortic arch with right subclavian artery vagus in 2 cases, double aortic arch in 2 cases, aortic arch disarticulation in 6 cases, and aortic arch coarctation in 24 cases. Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound was 94.1%. Sonographic changes were displayed in three-vessel or three vessels and trachea view in all cases. Conclusion Three vessels and trachea view plays an important prompt role in ultrasound diagnosis for fetal aortic arch abnormalities. But when it is manifested as the“1oo”sign, it will be rather difficult for the differential diagnosis of aortic arch disarticulation and severe aortic arch coarctation.