Evaluation of efficiency of different anti-cysticercus antibody test kits for serodiagnosis of cysticercosis / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of four anti-cysticercus IgG, IgG4 or IgM antibody test kits (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA) by different manufacturers, so as to provide insights into the epidemiological investigation and clinical detection of cysticercosis. Methods Forty serum samples from cerebral cysticercosis patients, 100 serum samples from healthy volunteers, 30 serum samples from paragonimiasis skrjabini patients, 17 serum samples from cystic echinococcosis and 19 serum samples from subcutaneous or cerebral sparganosis patients were collected and detected using anti-cysticercus IgG, IgG4 or IgM antibody test kits (brand A) and the anti-cysticercus IgG antibody test kit (brand B). The sensitivity, specificity and false negative rate of the four kits for detection of cysticercosis were estimated. Results The anti-cysticercus IgG, IgG4 or IgM antibody test kits (brand A) showed 95.00% (38/40), 87.50% (35/40), 7.50% (3/40) sensitivities and 98.00% (98/100), 100.00% (100/100) and 100.00% (100/100) for detection of cysticercosis, while the anti-cysticercus IgG antibody test kit (brand B) presented a 75.00% (30/40) sensitivity and 100.00% (100/100) specificity for detection of cysticercosis. The sensitivity for detection of cysticercosis was significantly higher by the anti-cysticercus IgG antibody test kit (brand A) than by the anti-cysticercus IgG antibody test kit (brand B) (χ2 = 6.28, P < 0.05); however, no significant difference was seen in the specificity by two kits (χ2 = 2.01, P > 0.05). The four ELISA kits showed overall false positive rates of 37.88% (25/66), 22.73% (15/66), 62.12% (41/66) and 15.15% (10/66) for detection of paragonimiasis, echinococcosis and sparganosis (χ2 = 37.61, P < 0.05), and the anti-cysticercus IgG antibody test kit (brand A) presented the highest overall false positive rate for detection of paragonimiasis, echinococcosis and sparganosis (χ2 = 7.56, P’ < 0.008), while a higher overall false positive rate was seen for detection of paragonimiasis, echinococcosis and sparganosis by the anti-cysticercus IgG antibody test kit (brand A) than by the anti-cysticercus IgG antibody test kit (brand B) (χ2 = 8.75, P’ < 0.008). The four ELISA kits showed false positive rates of 40.00% (12/30), 16.67% (5/30), 76.67% (23/30) and 13.33% (4/30) for detection of paragonimiasis (χ2 = 32.88, P < 0.05) and 21.05% (4/19), 26.32% (5/19), 73.68% (14/19) and 15.79% (3/19) for detection of sparganosis (χ2 = 19.97, P < 0.05), and the highest false positive rates were found by the anti-cysticercus IgM antibody test kit (brand A) for detection of paragonimiasis and sparganosis (all P’ < 0.008). However, the four ELISA kits showed comparable false positive rates of 52.94% (9/17), 29.41% (5/17), 23.53% (4/17) and 17.65% (3/17) for detection of echinococcosis (χ2 = 8.24, P > 0.05). In addition, the anti-cysticercus IgM anti-body test kit (brand A) showed false positive rates of 76.67% (23/30), 23.53% (4/17) and 73.68% (14/19) for detection of paragonimiasis, echinococcosis and sparganosis (χ2 = 14.537, P < 0.05), with the lowest false positive rate seen for detection of echinococcosis (χ2 = 14.537, P’ < 0.014), while no significant differences were seen in the false positive rate for detection of paragonimiasis, echinococcosis and sparganosis by other three ELISA kits (all P > 0.05). Conclusions The four anti-cysticercus IgG, IgG4 or IgM antibody test kits exhibit various efficiencies for serodiagnosis of cysticercosis. The anti-cysticercus IgG antibody test kit (brand A) has a high sensitivity for serodiagnosis of cysticercosis; however, it still needs to solve the problems of cross-reaction with other parasitic diseases and stability.

Epidemiological investigation on a visceral leishmaniasis case in Zhengzhou City of Henan Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To perform an epidemiological investigation on a case with visceral leishmaniasis in Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, and to identify the source of infection, so as to illustrate the transmission chain and assess the risk of local leishmaniasis transmission. Methods The medical data were collected from a case with visceral leishmaniasis in Zhengzhou City, and the patient’s bone marrow smears were detected by microscopy. Serum anti-Leishmania antibody test and PCR assay were performed among high-risk residents and all dogs in the village where the patient lived. Sandflies were captured using light traps and artificial traps, and the captured female Phlebotomus chinensis was subjected to PCR assay. The internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) gene was amplified with a nested PCR assay using the genomic DNA extracted from visceral leishmaniasis patients, positive dogs and sandflies, and the sequences were aligned with those download from NCBI. In addition, a phylogenetic tree was created based on the ITS1 gene. Results The visceral leishmaniasis patient had recurrent irregular fever, reduced complete blood counts, low hemoglobin, and a large number of Leishmania amastigotes in bone marrow smears, and was therefore diagnosed as visceral leishmaniasis. Both rk39 rapid diagnostic test and PCR assay tested negative among 324 residents living neighboring the patient’s residence, while 21.39% (43/201) dogs were positive for rk39 rapid diagnostic test and 13.93% (28/201) positive for PCR assay. There were 17 female Ph. chinensis tested positive for Leishmania (0.82%) by PCR assay, and the ITS gene sequences from visceral leishmaniasis patients, positive dogs and sandflies shared a 100% homology with L. infantum. The Leishmania species was therefore characterized as L. infantum. Conclusions L. infantum infection occurs in visceral leishmaniasis patients, dogs and sandflies in Zhengzhou City, indicating a complete transmission chain and a high transmission risk of visceral leishmaniasis by L. infantum. Intensified control measures are required to prevent local transmission of leishmaniasis in Zhengzhou City.

Detection, isolation, and characterization of a novel impurity from several folic acid products / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Folic acid belongs to the group of water-soluble B vitamins and naturally exists in multiple forms in a wide variety of foods such as legumes, vegetables, liver, and milk (Iyer and Tomar, 2009; Lyon et al., 2020). It is involved in many biochemical reactions critical for cell division, such as purine and pyrimidine biosynthesis, DNA/RNA biosynthesis, and amino acid metabolism (Iyer and Tomar, 2009). Mammals cannot synthesize folic acid and thus they must acquire it from food. Although folic acid is ubiquitous in foods, folic acid deficiency still often occurs due to various causes such as unhealthy diet (Hildebrand et al., 2021; Iimura et al., 2022), disease-related malabsorption (Arcot and Shrestha, 2005), medication-related depletion (Arcot and Shrestha, 2005), or vitamin B12 deficiency (Fishman et al., 2000). Folic acid deficiency has been associated with several health problems, such as anemia (Carmel, 2005; Bailey and Caudill, 2012), cancer (Duthie, 1999), cardiovascular diseases (Wald et al., 2002), neural tube defects in newborns (van der Put et al., 2001), neuropsychiatric dysfunction (Shea et al., 2002), depression (Falade et al., 2021), inflammatory diseases (Suzuki and Kunisawa, 2015; Jones et al., 2019), and eye diseases (Sijilmassi, 2019). To prevent folic acid deficiency, its daily intake (400 μg/d) has been recommended for adults in the European Union, and its increased intake (600 μg/d) is advised for women before and during pregnancy (FAO/WHO, 2002; IOM, 2004). The New Zealand government mandated the fortification of non-organic wheat flour with folic acid in July 2021, and the UK government mandated the fortification of non-wholemeal wheat flour with folic acid in September 2021 (Haggarty, 2021).

Susceptibility of Anopheles sinensis to insecticides in Puyang City, Henan Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the susceptibility of Anopheles sinensis to malathion, deltamethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin in Puyang City, Henan Province, so as to provide the scientific basis for local malaria vector control. Methods An. sinensis was captured from Puyang County, Puyang City of Henan Province in September 2018 and July 2020, and the susceptibility of field captured An. sinensis to malathion, deltamethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin was tested using the filter-paper bioassay recommended by WHO. The insecticide resistance level was assessed based on the WHO criteria. Results In 2018 and 2010, the half knock-down times (KT50) of malathion were 91.08 min and 40.95 min for An. sinensis, with knock-down rates of 37.50% and 60.87% 60 min post-exposure to malathion and 24-hour mortality rates of 90.91% and 100%, respectively, and the insecticide resistance levels were moderately resistant (M) and susceptible (S). The KT50 of deltamethrin were 415.56 min and 341.19 min for An. sinensis in 2018 and 2020, with knock-down rates of 22.92% and 16.98% 60 min post-exposure to malathion and 24-hour mortality rates of 22.92% and 16.98%, and the insecticide resistance levels were all resistant (R). The KT50 of lambda-cyhalothrin were 164.22 min and 236.22 min for An. sinensis in 2018 and 2020, with knock-down rates of 30.39% and 38.30% 60 min postexposure to malathion and 24 h mortality rates of 19.60% and 21.28%, respectively, and the insecticide resistance levels were all R. Conclusion An. sinensis is relatively susceptible to malathion but has developed high-level resistance to deltamethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin in Puyang City, Henan Province..

Evaluation on vascular access-interventional therapy of hemodialysis under ultrasound in day surgery mode / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect on ultrasound-guided vascular access-interventional therapy of hemodialysis in day surgery mode.Methods:Hemodialysis patients with vascular access dysfunction who underwent ultrasound-guided interventional therapy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from September 1, 2018 to October 31, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic and clinical data were collected by electronic medical record system and telephone follow-up. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the patency rate of vascular access.Results:A total of 421 cases of ultrasound-guided vascular access intervention were performed in 269 patients. The technical success rates of stenosis, chronic occlusion and acute occlusion lesion were 98.8%, 90.6% and 86.4%, respectively, and 406 cases (96.4%) of 246 patients were clinically successful. The postoperative brachial artery blood flow was 821(627, 1 029) ml/min, which was significantly higher than 309(202, 453) ml/min before the operation ( Z=-13.547, P<0.001). No serious complications occurred during and after the operation. At 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after operation, the primary patency rate was 74%, 59%, 48% and 45%, respectively, the assisted primary patency rate was 94%, 91%, 88% and 82%, and the secondary patency rate was 96%, 93%, 91% and 86%. Compared with the conventional inpatient surgery mode, the total cost of the day surgery mode was significantly reduced [12 067(10 051, 13 198) yuan vs 14 986(12 411, 20 643) yuan, Z=-13.185, P<0.001], and the hospital stay was significantly shortened [5.1(3.5, 6.9) h vs 73.4(31.6, 146.6) h, Z=-13.348, P<0.001]. Conclusion:It is safe and effective to perform interventional therapy for vascular access malfunction under ultrasound in day surgery mode, which can save cost and time of hospitalization, and can be carried out in hospitals with relevant conditions.

Drug-resistant gene polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum isolated from Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea in 2018 and 2019 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the genetic polymorphisms of Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance protein 1 (PfMDR1), chloroquine resistance transporter (PfCRT) and Kelch 13 (PfK13) genes in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, so as to provide insights into the development of the malaria control strategy in local areas. Methods A total of 85 peripheral blood samples were collected from patients with Plasmodium falciparum infections in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea in 2018 and 2019, and genomic DNA was extracted. The PfMDR1, PfCRT and PfK13 genes were amplified using a nested PCR assay. The amplification products were sequenced, and the gene sequences were aligned. Results There were no mutations associated with artemisinin resistance in PfK13 gene in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, while drug-resistant mutations were detected in PfMDR1 and PfCRT genes, and the proportions of PfMDR1_N86Y, PfMDR1_Y184F and PfCRT_K76T mutations were 35.29% (30/85), 72.94% (62/85) and 24.71% (21/85), respectively. Conclusion There are mutations in PfMDR1, PfCRT and PfK13 genes in P. falciparum isolates from Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea.

Application of web problem-based learning in electrocardiography teaching / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective To explore the effect of web problem-based learning in electrocardiography (ECG) teaching.Methods 100 clinical medical students from Grade 2014 were randomly selected and divided into two groups,with 50 in each.The control group received traditional methods in ECG teaching,while the WPBL teaching method was conducted in experimental group.The effect of ECG teaching in two groups were evaluated and analyzed by test scores and questionnaire survey.Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and were compared by t-test.Categorical variables were expressed as counts and percentages.Counting data were test by Chi-square.Results Comparing with control group,students in the experimental group performed better on independent learning capability,interesting of learning ECG,ability to analyze and solve problems,team cooperation,self-presentation and presentation skills (P＜0.05).The average experimental score in experimental group was higher than that in control group [(32.91 ± 3.56) vs.(27.38 ± 4.63),P＜0.05].There were no significant differences of theoretical scores between the two groups [(54.16 ± 3.87) vs.(52.84 ± 4.56),P＞0.05].Conclusion WPBL teaching could improve medical students' interest in electrocardiogram learning and cultivates their ability of active learning and problem solving,which is worthy of promotion.

Research progress of the autophagy role in angiogenesis / 基础医学与临床

The autophagy is a process of cell survival by lysosomal degradation of damaged organelles and macromo-leular materials. It plays an important role in stable environment. The autophagy of cells is persisted in the patho-physiology of angiogenesis. However,To explore the development of the angiogenesis based on autophagy,is the clinical treatment ideas of the vascular disease.

Research progress of the autophagy role in angiogenesis / 基础医学与临床

The autophagy is a process of cell survival by lysosomal degradation of damaged organelles and macromo-leular materials. It plays an important role in stable environment. The autophagy of cells is persisted in the patho-physiology of angiogenesis. However,To explore the development of the angiogenesis based on autophagy,is the clinical treatment ideas of the vascular disease.

A study of root canal morphology in maxillary third molars using cone-beam computed tomography / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@#This study investigated root canal morphology in maxillary third molars by CBCT to provide an anatomical guideline for clinical treatment.@*Methods@#CBCT images of 397 maxillary third molars were collected. The root canal morphology was analysed, including the number of roots and the type of canals.@*Results @# In 397 maxillary third molars, three roots were the most frequently type, accounting for 43.07% and the fused root teeth were the second, accounting for 40.30%. For the root canal type, three canals were the most common, accounting for 47.86%, followed by single canal, accounting for 28.21%. According to the Vertucci root canal classification, 89.6% of the root canals were typeⅠ, the rest were typeⅡ, typeⅢ, type Ⅴ, and other types of root canals which were difficult to deal with in clinical treatment.@*Conclusion @#The root canal morphology of the maxillary third molar is various and the root canal system was complicated.

Advances in study of anticancer properties of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus / 中国中药杂志

A commonly used Chinese crude drug Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus has been shown to possess good anticancer activities and related properties such as antioxidation, nitrite scavenging, nitrosamine synthesis blocking and immune enhancement, and has been widely used as an effective auxiliary drug in the treatment of some malignant tumors. This paper systematically reviews the advances in the study of anticancer-related activities of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus's various components such as raw juice, extracts, saponins, volatile oil, polysaccharides, nitrogen compounds, etc.

Brief discussion on "Sanli acupoint for du-fu diseases" / 中国针灸

The connotations of "du-fu" and "Sanli" in "Sanli acupoint for du-fu diseases" are discussed in this paper, which can provide theoretical foundation for the clinical application of "Sanli acupoint for du-fu diseases". Based on ancient literature combined with related theories in the Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Classic), a deep discussion is performed through the relationship between Zusanli (ST 36) and stomach, indication and mechanism of Zusanli (ST 36) on du-fu diseases and comparison between Zusanli (ST 36) and Shousanli (LI 10). It is believed that "du" should be pronounced as "dŭ", meaning stomach, and it indicates that Zusanli (ST 36) is closely related to stomach and spleen when it is used for du-fu diseases; "fu" means abdomen area, including liver-gallbladder, spleen, stomach-intestine, kidney, uterus, triple energizer; "sanli' means exclusively the acupoint of Zusanli (ST 36).

Observations on the Efficacy of Electroacupuncture at Huatuo Jiaji Points plus Acupuncture Point Injection in Treating Postherpetic Neuralgia / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture at Huatuo jiaji points plus acupuncture point injection in treating postherpetic neuralgia.Methods Sixty-two patients with postherpetic neuralgia were randomly allocated to a treatment group of 32 cases and a control group of 30 cases. The treatment group received electroacupuncture at Huatuo jiaji points plus acupuncture point injection and the control group, oral administration of carbamazepine tablets, vitamin B1 and vitamin B12. The pre-treatment and post-treatment clinical symptom score and VAS score were recorded in the two groups and the clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.Results The total efficacy rate was 93.8% in the treatment group and 66.7% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01). There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in clinical symptom item scores (pain, pruritus, burning sensation and sleep) in the two groups (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant pre-/post-treatment difference in the VAS score in the two groups (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in pre-/post-treatment VAS score difference value between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Huatuo jiaji points plus acupuncture point injection is an effective way to treat postherpetic neuralgia.

A lignin glycoside and a nortriterpenoid from Kadsura coccinea / 中国天然药物

AIM@#To study the chemical constituents of the roots and stem bark of Kadsura coccinea.@*METHOD@#Compounds were isolated by column chromatography on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20, and finally purified by prep-HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D- and 2D-NMR, and HR-ESI-MS.@*RESULTS@#Two compounds were determined as (7'S,8'S,8R)-(8β,8'α)-dimethyl-4,4'-dihydroxy-5,3'-dimethoxy-5'-cyclolignan glucoside (1) and micrandiactone H (2), respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#Compunds 1 and 2 are new and neither showed inhibitory effects on nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 macrophages.

Analysis of 105 cases of pregnancy -induced hypertension patients with Ⅲphase of retinopathy / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

To explore the related risk factors and outcome in pregnancy- induced hypertension patients with Ⅲ phase of retinopathy. ●METHODS: A total of 105 pregnancy - induced hypertension patients with Ⅲ phase of retinopathy in our hospital from Januany 2012 to December 2013 were enrolled. Clinical date of them were collected to analyze. ●RESULTS: The occurrence of pregnancy - induced hypertension patients with Ⅲ phase of retinopathy were positively correlated with the course of the disease, blood pressure, proteinuria, and it was higher occurred in cold winter and spring, timely termination of pregnancy and appropriate hormone therapy can promote the recovery of vision, and improve outcomes of pregnancy. ●CONCLUSlON: The occurrence of pregnancy - induced hypertension patients with Ⅲ phase of retinopathy associated with season and disease severity. Timely treatment can restore normal vision, improve maternal and neonatal prognosis. Routine examination of fundus examination should be used as the pregnancy induced hypertension syndrome.

New research progress of microRNAs in retinoblastoma / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

Retinoblastoma(RB)is the most common intraocular malignancy of children with extremely poor prognosis. MicroRNAs are small non-coding single-stranded RNAs in eukaryotic cells, which regulate the expression of gene by mRNA degradation or translation inhibition. MicroRNAs, acting as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes, are associated with the occurrence and development of RB directly, which is vital for the early diagnosis and clinical targeted therapy of RB. This review summarized the expression of microRNAs in RB and the related mechanism.

Study of glycemic fluctuation impact on angiopoietin-2 and endoplasmic reticulum stress in type 2 diabetes complicated with acute phase of acute coronary syndrome / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective To investigate the changes in angiopoietin 2 and endoplasmic reticulum stress,and the prognosis of acute phase of coronary syndrome (ACS) in type 2 diabetic patients with glycemic fluctuations.Methods Seventy-eight cases of consecutive diabetic patients with ACS within 7 days were enrolled.Another 78 cases of non-diabetic patients with ACS were selected as control.Risk assessment with global acute coronary events (GRACE) score in patients with ACS,dynamic blood glucose monitoring system (CGMS) for three days,realtime PCR analysis of angiopoietin-2,within the reticulum stress-related heavy chain binding protein (Bip),inositol kinase demand Ⅰ (IREI),endoplasmic reticulum class should PKR kinase (PERK),oxygen-regulated protein 150 (ORP150),activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6),X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1)mRNA expression change,phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2oα (p-eIF2α) by western blotting angiopoietin-2,parameters were compared between the two groups.Correlation analysis with GRACE score ; while angiopoietin-2 parameters and glycemic fluctuation,endoplasmic reticulum stress-related genes correlation analysis were made.Results (1) ACS group average daily blood glucose fluctuations(MAGE),mean absolute difference daytime blood glucose (MODD),and postprandial blood glucose fluctuation (MPPGE) and the maximum amplitude of glycemic excursions (LAGE) were significantly higher [MAGE(5.13 ± 1.19) vs (3.19 ± 0.55) mmol/L,MODD (2.59 ± 0.72) vs (1.72 ± 0.63) mmol/L; MPPGE (3.51 ± 1.01) vs (2.58 ± 0.55) mmol/L and LAGE (7.75 ± 2.39) vs (4.34 ± 0.85) mmol/L,all P＜0.05].(2)In ACS group angiopoietin-2,endoplasmic reticulum associated genes Bip,IREI,PERK,ORP150,ATF6,XBP1,and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) mRNA expression levels as compared with the control group were statistically significant(all P＜0.05) ; Angiopoietin-2,protein p-eIF2α were higher(P＜0.05).(3) In the ACS group with pearson correlation analysis,angiopoietin-2 and MAGE,LAGE,MPPGE correlation (r =0.432,0.279,0.386,all P＜0.05),Bip and MAGE,LAGE,MPPGE correlation(r =0.783,0.589,0.887,all P＜ 0.05) ; IREI and MAGE,LAGE,MPPGE,MODD correlation (r =0.567,0.783,0.569,0.823,all P＜0.05) ; PERK and MAGE,MPPGE,MODD correlation(r =0.687,0.902,0.709,all P＜0.05) ; ORP150 and MAGE,LAGE,MPPGE,MODD correlation(r=0.779,0.871,0.775,0.689,all P＜0.05) ; ATF6 and MAGE,LAGE,MPPGE,MODD correlation(r =0.873,0.675,0.893,0.884,all P＜0.05),while XBP1 with no correlation with glycemic fluctuations (P＞0.05).(4) The endoplasmic reticulum stress gene was related to MCP-1 and blood glucose fluctuation parameters.(5) Multiple Logistic regression analysis revealed that LAGE,MPPGE,Bip,IREI,PERK,ORP150,ATF6 were risk factors affecting angiopoietin-2,and angiopoietin-2,ages,MAGE,homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance,Bip,ATF6 were risk factors affecting GRACE.(6) The ejection fractions of the ACS patients showed negative correlation with MAGE and LAGE,multiple linear regression analysis showed that age,HOMA-IR,Ang-2,and MAGE,Bip,ATF6 established the linear regression relation with ejection fraction.Conclusion Glycemic fluctuations cause angiopoietin-2 to rise and lead to increased endoplasmic reticulum stress and affect the prognosis of diabetic patients with ACS.

The short-term effects of particulate matter on lung function of college students in autumn and winter in Wuhan / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effects of indoor and outdoor PM2.5 (fine particulate matter, particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 µm) on lung function of college students in autumn and winter in Wuhan.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this panel study, 37 college students (excluded subject of respiratory disease and smoking history) aged 19 - 21 were investigated by cluster sampling in a university in Wuhan. The follow-up study lasted for 28 days in total, including two study periods, Oct. 29 to Nov. 11, 2009 (autumn) and Dec. 23, 2009 to Jan.5, 2010 (winter), the peak expiratory flow (PEF) of the college students were measured daily in the morning and evening in the university. PM10 and PM2.5 were monitored indoors and outdoors. The effects of PM on lung function of college students were analyzed by using generalized estimating equation (GEE).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Average daily concentrations of indoor, outdoor PM2.5 in autumn were (91.3 ± 43.7) and (104.2 ± 49.4) µg/m(3) respectively, while in winter the concentrations of indoor and outdoor PM2.5 were (110.6 ± 42.3) and (143.5 ± 51.2) µg/m(3). The single pollutant model showed that in winter, the evening PEF decrement was significantly associated with increasing outdoor PM2.5. With an increase of 10 µg/m(3) outdoor PM2.5, the PEF measured in the evening decreased 1.27 L/min (95%CI: 0.02 - 2.52 L/min, respectively). Meanwhile, the results showed that 2-days lagged outdoor PM2.5 was also significantly associated with morning PEF. An increase of 10 µg/m(3) 2-days lagged outdoor PM2.5 caused the decrease of 1.82 L/min (95%CI: -3.53 - -0.11 L/min) of PEF measured in the morning. Controlling the influence of gaseous pollutants and building the two pollutants models, the results indicated that no significant changes of PEF of students being exposed to PM2.5 on same day (lag 0) were observed. However, under consideration of SO2 effect, significant association between an increase of 10 µg/m(3) 2-days lagged outdoor PM2.5 and changes of morning PEF (-1.81 L/min, 95%CI: -3.51 - -0.11 L/min, P = 0.037) was found. The relationship between changes of concentrations and PEF was not observed in autumn in this study.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In our panel study, exposure to outdoor PM2.5 is significantly associated with PEF among college students in winter, but not in autumn.</p>

Atorvastatin reduces myocardial fibrosis in a rat model with post-myocardial infarction heart failure by increasing the matrix metalloproteinase-2/tissue matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor-2 ratio / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The cholesterol-lowering statin drugs have some non-lipid-lowering effects, such as inhibiting myocardial remodeling. However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated to establish a rat model of heart failure, and the rats were divided into a sham operation (SO) group, myocardial infarction model (MI) group, and MI-atorvastatin group. Changes in hemodynamic parameters were recorded after the final drug administration. Histological diagnosis was made by reviewing hematoxylin and eosin (HE) stained tissue. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to determine the expressions of type I and type III collagen, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and tissue matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor-2 (TIMP-2). Further, primary rat cardiac fibroblasts were cultured and the MTT assay was performed to determine the effect of atorvastatin on cardiac fibroblast proliferation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The model of heart failure was established and the results of HE staining and Masson's trichrome staining revealed that the rats in the heart failure group showed obvious hyperplasia of fibrotic tissue, which was significantly reduced in the atorvastatin group. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that the MI group showed a significantly increased expression of type I and type III collagen, MMP-2, and TIMP-2, but a significantly reduced MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio. Compared with the MI group, the atorvastatin group showed significantly reduced expression of type I and III collagen, unchanged expression of MMP-2, significantly reduced expression of TIMP-2, and an increased MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio. We further found that atorvastatin significantly inhibited the Ang II-induced fibroblast proliferation and the expression of type I and type III collagen in cardiac fibroblasts while increasing the MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These data suggest that atorvastatin can inhibit cardiac fibroblast proliferation and enhance collagen degradation by increasing the MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio, thereby inhibiting the formation of myocardial fibrosis in rats with heart failure after myocardial infarction.</p>

Effects of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate on expression of NF-κB,MMP-2 and collagen remodeling after myocardial infarction in rats / 重庆医学

Objective Toinvestigatetheeffectsofpyrrolidinedithiocarbamate(PDTC)onexpressionofNF-κB,MMP-2andleft ventricular collagen remodeling following acute myocardial infarction in rats .Methods The myocardial infarction model in rat was induced by ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery .12 adult Sprague-Dawley rats survived 24 for h after acute myocardial infarction were randomly divided into the myocardial infarction (MI) group and the PDTC-treated(PD) group .Six rats were desig-nated as sham-operated group(SH group) .The PD group was intraperitoneally injected with PDTC (80 mg · kg -1 · d-1 ) for 28 d , the MI group and SH group were given normal saline as control .On 28 d ,the cardiac function of left ventricle was measured by ech-ocardiography .The infarct size was evaluated .The total collgen ,typeⅠcollgen ,typeⅢcollgen ,and Ⅰ /Ⅲ collgen ratio were quanti-fied histomorphometry .The mRNA and protein levels of NF-kappaBp65 and MMP-2 were determined by reverse transcription-poly-merase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and by Western blot ,respectively .Results Compared with the SH group ,the values of the total collgen ,typeⅠcollgen ,typeⅢcollgen ,and Ⅰ /Ⅲ collgen ratio in the MI group and the PD group were significantly increased ,the differen had statistical significance (P<0 .01) .The values of the total collgen ,typeⅠcollgen ,typeⅢcollgen ,and Ⅰ /Ⅲ collgen ratio in the PD group were notably decreased than those in the MI group(P<0 .01) .Moreover ,the mRNA and protein levels of NF-kap-paBp65 and MMP-2 in the PD group were lower than those in the MI group ,the difference had statistical significance(P<0 .01) . Conclusion Left ventricular collagen remodeling following acute myocardial infarction could be improved by PDTC to some extent , which mechanism could be related with inhibiting NF-kappaB activation and down -regulating the expression of MMP-2 in rats .