Source analysis and health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in atmospheric PM2.5 in a district of Taizhou City from 2019 to 2021 / 环境与职业医学

Background Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), one of the main components of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), have a certain impact on ambient air quality, and long-term exposure to PAHs may pose potential health risks to human beings. Objective To identify the distribution characteristics and sources of PAHs in atmospheric PM2.5 in a district of Taizhou City from 2019 to 2021, and to evaluate the health risks of PAHs to the population in the area through the inhalation pathway. Methods From 2019 to 2021, air PM2.5 sampling was carried out at a state-controlled surveillance point in a district of Taizhou City for 7 consecutive days on the 10th-16th of each month, the sampling time was 24 h·d−1, and the sampling flow rate was 100 L·min−1. PM2.5 mass concentration was calculated by gravimetric method. A total of 16 PAHs were determined by ultrasonic extraction-liquid chromatography. Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare the distribution charac teristics of PAHs concentrations by years and seasons, characteristic ratio and principal component analysis (PCA) was used to analyze their sources, and a lifetime carcinogenic risk (ILCR) model was used to assess the health risk of PAHs. Results From 2019 to 2021, the annual average concentrations [M (P25, P75)] of ∑PAHs in atmospheric PM2.5 in the selected district of Taizhou City were 6.52 (2.46, 10.59), 8.52 (4.56, 12.29), and 3.72 (1.51, 7.11) ng·m−3, respectively, and the annual benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) excess rates (national limit: 1 ng·m−3) were 27.38% (23/84), 47.62% (40/84), and 19.04% (16/84), respectively, both presenting 2020> 2019 > 2021 (P<0.001, P<0.05). The ∑PAHs concentration distribution showed a seasonal variation, with the highest value in winter and the lowest value in summer (P<0.05). Among the atmospheric PM2.5 samples, the proportion of 5-ring PAHs was the highest, the proportion of 2-3-ring PAHs was the lowest; the proportion of 2-4-ring PAHs showed a yearly upward trend, and the proportion of 5-6-ring PAHs showed yearly downward trend (P<0.05). The characteristic ratio and PCA results suggested that the sources of sampled PAHs were mainly mixed sources such as dust, fossil fuel (natural gas), coal combustion, industrial emissions, and motor vehicle exhaust emissions. The ILCR (RILCR) of PAHs by inhalation for men, women, and children were 1.83×10−6, 2.35×10−6, and 2.04×10−6, respectively, and the annual average RILCR was 2.07×10−6, all greater than 1×10−6. Conclusion For the sampled time period, the main sources of PAHs pollution in atmospheric PM2.5 in the target district of Taizhou City are dust, fossil fuel (natural gas), coal combustion, industrial emissions, motor vehicle emissions, etc., and PAHs may have a potential carcinogenic risk to local residents.

Inhibitory effect of ZhuJing pill variant formula medicated serum on H 2O 2-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of human RPE cells and its mechanism / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective:To study the effect of ZhuJing pill variant formula medicated serum on hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells and its mechanism. Methods:Thirty female SPF grade SD rats aged 2 months old were selected.The rats were randomized into blank control group and Zhujing pill variant formula group according to random number table method, with 15 in each group, which were intragastrically administered with normal saline and ZhuJing pill variant formula solution for 7 days accordingly to prepare blank control serum and medicated serum.ZhuJing pill variant formula medicated serum was prepared with SD rats.ARPE-19 cells were divided into normal control group, model control group, blank serum group as well as 2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0% medicated serum groups, SB216763 group and SB216763+ medicated serum group.Normal and blank control groups were cultured in normal culture medium, while the other six groups were cultured in blank rat serum medium, medicated serum medium of corresponding concentration, 10 μmol/L SB216763 medium and 10 μmol/L SB216763+ 10.0% medicated serum medium, respectively.Normal control group was routinely cultured, while the other groups were routinely cultured for 24 hours, and then added with H 2O 2 with the final concentration of 200 μmol/L for 24 hours.Cell viability was assessed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and cell migration ability was detected by Transwell assay.Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was detected by dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) assay, and MDA level was identified by sulfhydryl barbituric acid assay.The expression levels of Nrf2 pathway related proteins including nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1) and EMT-related proteins including transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2), protein kinase B (AKT), glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), snail family zinc finger 1 (SNAIL1), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin) in cells were measured by western blot assay.The use and care of animals complied with Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals. Results:There was no significant difference in cell survival rate among blank serum group, 2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0% medicated serum groups ( F=0.163, P>0.05). The cell survival rates were (100.50±5.91)%, (60.87±4.30)%, (73.27±4.46)%, (80.73±5.67)% and (89.90±4.97)% in normal control group, model control group, 2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0% medicated serum groups, and the number of migrating cells was (84.67±8.33), (222.33±13.58), (215.67±10.02), (174.67±10.60), (143.67±8.02) and (107.67±6.66) pcs/visual field in normal control group, model control group, blank serum group, 2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0% medicated serum groups, respectively, with significant differences among the groups ( F=26.628, 99.289; both at P<0.01). The contents of ROS and MDA in model control group were significantly increased in comparison with normal control group (both at P<0.01). The contents of ROS and MDA of 2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0% medicated serum groups were significantly decreased in comparison with model control group (all at P<0.01). The relative expression levels of SNAIL1, α-SMA, TGF-β2, p-AKT and p-GSK-3β proteins were significantly higher and the relative expression level of E-cadherin protein was significantly lower in model control group compared with normal control group, 2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0% medicated serum groups (all at P<0.05). Compared with normal control group, the relative expression level of cytoplasmic Nrf2 in model control group was decreased, while the relative expression levels of nuclear Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO-1 were increased, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05). Compared with model control group, the relative expression levels of cytoplasmic Nrf2 in 2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0% medicated serum groups were reduced, and the relative expression levels of nuclear Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO-1 were enhanced, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.01). Compared with model control group, the relative expression level of cytoplasmic Nrf2 in SB216763 group was decreased, and the relative expression level of nuclear Nrf2 was increased, and the differences were statistically significant (both at P<0.05). Compared with SB216763 group, the relative expression levels of cytoplasmic Nrf2, SNAIL1 and α-SMA in SB216763+ medicated serum group were decreased, and the relative expression levels of nuclear Nrf2 and E-cadherin protein were increased, and the differences were statistically significant (both at P<0.05). Conclusions:ZhuJing pill variant formula medicated serum can inhibit H 2O 2-induced EMT in ARPE-19 cells.The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of AKT/GSK-3β pathway and the activation of Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Skipping breakfast and physical fitness among school-aged adolescents

OBJECTIVES: This study explored the relationship between skipping breakfast and physical fitness in a group of school-aged adolescents in China. METHODS: This cross-sectional study from the Chinese National Surveillance on Students' Constitution and Health (CNSSCH) survey in Ningbo, China, used a standardized questionnaire to assess the frequency of breakfast consumption. Physical fitness was measured through standing long jump, 50-m sprint, 1,000 (or 800)-m run, and vital capacity tests. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between the frequency of breakfast consumption and physical fitness. RESULTS: Our study included a total of 1,849 school-aged adolescents (aged 15.53±1.80 years). Among boys, non-breakfast-skippers had good scores for 50-m sprints, 1,000-m run, and vital capacity tests when compared with breakfast skippers (all p<0.05). Among girls, non-breakfast-skippers had a good scores for the standing long jump test compared with breakfast skippers (p=0.003). The multiple linear regression model showed that not skipping breakfast was positively associated with vital capacity (β=-173.78, p=0.004) and inversely associated with 50-m sprint (β=-0.12, p=0.018) and 1,000-m run times (β=-8.08, p=0.001) in boys. CONCLUSION: The results of this cross-sectional study revealed that skipping breakfast might be associated with lower physical fitness in Chinese adolescents aged 13-18 years, especially boys. Breakfast consumption should be promoted among Chinese school-aged boys.

Tumor volume of resectable gastric adenocarcinoma on multidetector computed tomography: association with N categories

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the gross tumor volume of resectable gastric adenocarcinoma on multidetector computed tomography could predict the presence of regional lymph node metastasis and could determine N categories. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 202 consecutive patients with gastric adenocarcinoma who had undergone gastrectomy 1 week after contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography were retrospectively identified. The gross tumor volume was evaluated on multidetector computed tomography images. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine whether the gross tumor volume could predict regional lymph node metastasis, and the Mann-Whitney U test was performed to compare the gross tumor volume among N categories. Additionally, a receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to identify the accuracy of the gross tumor volume in differentiating N categories. RESULTS: The gross tumor volume could predict regional lymph node metastasis (p<0.0001) in the univariate analysis, and the multivariate analyses indicated that the gross tumor volume was an independent risk factor for regional lymph node metastasis (p=0.005, odds ratio=1.364). The Mann-Whitney U test showed that the gross tumor volume could distinguish N0 from the N1-N3 categories, N0-N1 from N2-N3, and N0-N2 from N3 (all p<0.0001). In the T1-T4a categories, the gross tumor volume could differentiate N0 from the N1-N3 categories (cutoff, 12.3 cm3), N0-N1 from N2-N3 (cutoff, 16.6 cm3), and N0-N2 from N3 (cutoff, 24.6 cm3). In the T4a category, the gross tumor volume could differentiate N0 from the N1-N3 categories (cutoff, 15.8 cm3), N0-N1 from N2-N3 (cutoff, 17.8 cm3), and N0-N2 from N3 (cutoff, 24 cm3). CONCLUSION: The gross tumor volume of resectable gastric adenocarcinoma on multidetector computed tomography could predict regional lymph node metastasis and N categories.

Inhibition of naringenin complex with β-cyclodextrin on experimental choroidal neovascularization in rats / 中华实验眼科杂志

Background Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) leads to blindness in many fundus diseases.Study showed that naringenin suppresses CNV,but it presents with poor bioavailability because of its poor solubility in water.β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) can increase the water-solubility of drugs, however, whether the inhibitory effect of naringenin on CNV can be improved after clathrated with β-CD remains unclear.Objective This study was to compare the inhibitory effects of naringenin with naringenin/β-CD compounds on CNV in rats.Methods Naringenin/β-CD clathrate compounds were prepared with saturated solution,the solubility of naringenin in water was calculated based on standard curve.Thirty-two male Brown Norway rats were randomized into normal control group, model control group, naringenin group and naringenin/β-CD group.Laser-induced CNV models were created in the right eyes of rats from the model control group, naringenin group and naringenin/β-CD group.Naringenin and naringenin/β-CD clathrate compounds were intraperitoneally injected at a dose of 20 mg/kg in the rats of naringenin group and naringenin/β-CD group since the day after modeling, respectively, once per day for 4 weeks, and equal volume of DMSO was injected in the same way in the model control group.Fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (FITC-D) was injected via rat hypoglossal vein for the preparation of flatmounts of choroid in the fourth week,and the areas of CNV were measured and compared among the groups.The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-choroid-sclera tissues were isolated from the rats, and the relative expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) , cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2),phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K),p38mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9 mRNA and their proteins in RPE-choroid-sclera tissue were detected using real-time PCR and Western blot.Results The solubility of naringenin in water increased by 11.8 folds after encapsulated with β-CD.The CNV areas in the model control group, naringenin group and naringenin/β-CD group were (34.56± 1.67), (20.90± 1.47) and (13.20± 1.38) × 103 μm2 , respectively, showing significant reduces in the naringenin group and naringenin/β-CD group compared with the model control group (t =3.973 ,P＜O.05;t =5.532, P＜0.01) ,and the CNV area in the naringenin/β-CD group was significantly smaller than that in the naringenin group (t =3.605,P＜0.05).The relative expression levels of VEGF, COX-2, PI3K, p38MAPK, MMP-2, MMP-9 mRNA and their proteins were significantly declined in the normal control group,naringenin group and naringenin/β-CD group in comparison with the model control group (all at P＜0.05).In addition, the expression levels of VEGF mRNA and COX-2 mRNA and their proteins were significantly lower in the naringenin/β-CD group than those in the naringenin group (all at P＜0.05).Conclusions The naringenin/β-CD clathrate compounds can improve the water solubility of naringenin and enhance their inhibitory effect on rats CNV.The inhibitory effect of naringenin on rats CNV probably is associated with anti-inflammatory pathway.

Prevention and treatment of age-related macular degeneration by extract of Fructus lycii and its constituents lutein/zeaxanthin: an in vive and in vitro experimental research / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the in vivo inhibition of extract of Fructus lycii (FL) on the expressions of cathepsin B (Cat B) and cystatin C (Cys C) in high-fat diet and hydroquinone (HQ) induced model mice with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and to explore the in vitro effects of lutein and zeaxanthin on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2,) induced expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2) on ARPE-19 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty female 8-month-old C57BL/6 mice were recruited in this research. Ten mice fed with regular diet was taken as the age control group. The rest 40 mice were fed with high fat diet for 6 months, followed by adding HQ (0. 8%) in the drinking water for 3 consecutive months. Then the modeled mice were randomly divided into the model control group (n =10), the high (at the daily dose of 3.75 g/kg), middle (at the daily dose of 2.50 g/kg), and low dose (at the daily dose of 1.25 g/kg) FL groups, 10 in each group. The extract of FL at each dose was respectively administered to mice by gastrogavage for 3 successive months. By the end of the experiment, the mice were killed and their eyeballs were removed. The protein expressions of Cat B and Cys C were observed by immunohistochemical assay. The mRNA and protein expressions of Cat B and Cys C were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot respectively. The drug concentrations of H2O2, lutein, and zeaxanthin were screened and detected using the activity of cell proliferation. The protein expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were detected using Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the age control group, the mRNA and protein expressions of Cat B and Cys C were significantly higher in the in vivo model control group (P <0.05, P <0.01). The mRNA expressions of Cat B and Cys C were weaker in the middle and high dose FL groups than in the model control group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). In in vitro cells, lutein and zeaxanthin could down-regulate the protein expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in H202 induced ARPE-19 cells (P <0. 05, P <0. 01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Extract of FL could down-regulate the high protein expressions of Cat B and Cys C in high-fat diet and HQ induced model mice. Lutein and zeaxanthin could down-regulate the protein expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in H202 induced ARPE-19 cells.</p>

The diameter of the originating vein determines esophageal and gastric fundic varices in portal hypertension secondary to posthepatitic cirrhosis

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether and how the diameter of the vein that gives rise to the inflowing vein of the esophageal and gastric fundic varices secondary to posthepatitic cirrhosis, as measured with multidetector-row computed tomography, could predict the varices and their patterns. METHODS: A total of 106 patients with posthepatitic cirrhosis underwent multidetector-row computed tomography. Patients with and without esophageal and gastric fundic varices were enrolled in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. Group 1 was composed of Subgroup A, consisting of patients with varices, and Subgroup B consisted of patients with varices in combination with portal vein-inferior vena cava shunts. The diameters of the originating veins of veins entering the varices were reviewed and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The originating veins were the portal vein in 8% (6/75) of patients, the splenic vein in 65.3% (49/75) of patients, and both the portal and splenic veins in 26.7% (20/75) of patients. The splenic vein diameter in Group 1 was larger than that in Group 2, whereas no differences in portal vein diameters were found between groups. In Group 1, the splenic vein diameter in Subgroup A was larger than that in Subgroup B. A cut-off splenic vein diameter of 8.5 mm achieved a sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 58.1% for predicting the varices. For discrimination of the varices in combination with and without portal vein-inferior vena cava shunts, a cut-off diameter of 9.5 mm achieved a sensitivity of 66.7% and specificity of 60.0%. CONCLUSION: The diameter of the splenic vein can be used to predict esophageal and gastric fundic varices and their patterns.

Vitamin E Succinate inhibits growth and induces apoptosis of prostate cancer cell line PC-3 / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To study the inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effect of vitamin E succinate (VES) on androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line PC-3 in vitro. Methods: VES was dissolved with ethanol to obtain VES solution. PC-3 cells of logarithmic growth phase were treated with various concentrations of VES solution (25, 50, 75, 100, and 125mg/L); cells in control group were treated with 1.25% ethanol. MTT method was used to measure the viability and inhibitory rate of cells in each group 24h, 48h and 72h after VES treatment; flow cytometry was employed to determine the apoptosis rate of the PC-3 cells. Results: The viability of cells in the experimental groups was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The viability of cells in the experimental groups was negatively correlated with the concentration and exposure period of VES solution; the viability of cells in the control group was positively correlated with the exposure period of VES solution. The apoptosis rate of cells in the experimental groups was much higher than that in the control group; the rate in the experimental group was positively correlated with the concentration and exposure period of VES solution. The optimal induction of apoptosis was achieved af ter 48 h exposure to 75 mg/L VES solution, with a apoptosis rate above 80%. Conclusion: VES can inhibit the proliferation of PC-3 cells and can induce apoptosis of them, which casts new lights on prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.

Prevalence and risk factors of prehypertensive status in people from the rural area of Lanxi county,Heilongjiang province / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To access the prevalence of prehypertensive stage and its associated risk factors in rural inhabitants from Lanxi county in Heilongjiang province.Methods Through cluster multistage and random sampling methods,local people aged≥15 years old in Lanxi county were selected.A survey on blood pressure and associated risk factors wasearried out.Overnight fasting blood specimen of people aged≥35 years old Was collected.Chi square test,t-test and logistic regression analyses were then performed.Results 5272 residents were surveyed including 2539 male and 2733 female subjects.The overall prevalence of prehypertension Was 36.34％.The prevalence of prehypertension appeared to be higher in males(39.50％)than in females(33.41％)(X2=58.9887,P<0.0001),The prevalence of prehypertension decreased with increasing age in men≥25 years old(x=96.0698,P<0.0001),and in women≥35 years old(X2=11.5784,p=0.0208).Data from multivariable logistic regression showed that being male.Aged(≥55 years old),with waist circumference As≥85 cm for men and≥80 cm for women.BMI≥25.0 kg/m2 and fasting plasma glucose≥7.0 mmol/L were risk factors of prehypertension while high.Density Iipoprotein cholesterol<0.9 mmol/L was shown as a protective factor(OR=0.740,P=0.0036).Dose-response relationships were seen between prehypertension and age,BMI and FPG.Conclusion Prehypertension Was popular in the rural area,with high prevalence seen in teenagers.Programs on prehypertension prevention should start from teenagers.Risk factors of prehypertension increased when people became age 55 or older.There was a need to monitot BP more often and to eontror BP through non-drug methods.

Effects of wide band frequency noise on NMDAR1(zeta 1), NMDAR2A(epsilon 1) subunit and ABR threshold in the different area of brain of AD rats poisoned by glutamic acid / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the change of NMDAR1 (zeta 1) subunit expression in temple cortex, frontal lobe, hippocampus and cerebellum of three different group rat after 98 dB wide frequency noise exposure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Western Blot and RT-PCR technique, combined with auditory brainstem response (ABR) measurement.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Expressions of NMDAR1 (zeta 1) subunit in frontal cortex, temple cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum have no difference, but AD model rat is much weaker than the control group. (2) Expression of NMDAR2A (epsilon 1) in temple cortex for physiological saline groups rat have a mostly increase (plus noise), moreover, those are weakest expression in hippocampus. NMDAR1 (zeta 1) subunit in cerebellum have highest expression, moreover, it is weakest in temple cortex. (3) NMDAR1 (zeta1), NMDAR2A (epsilon 1) subunit expression in hippocampus for three groups rat have a down-regulation after adding noise. (4) NMDAR1 (zeta 1), NMDAR2A (epsilon 1) subunit mRNA expression in control group have no remarkable difference in different cortex. (5) Expressions of NMDAR2A (epsilon 1) in frontal temple cortex, hippocampus for AD model rat are less than that of other groups, weakest in cerebellum, weaker in frontal.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Wide band frequency noise can reduce the expression of NMDAR1 (zeta 1) subunit in hippocampus and cerebellum of AD model rat, however, the way of regulation is not in the mRNA level. Wide band frequency noise can inhibit the expression of NMDAR2A (epsilon 1) in hippocampus, temple cortex of AD model rat, which has been regulated by mRNA level and have cortex area difference.</p>