Benchmark Dose Assessment for Coke Oven Emissions-Induced Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number Damage Effects / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#The study aimed to estimate the benchmark dose (BMD) of coke oven emissions (COEs) exposure based on mitochondrial damage with the mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) as a biomarker.@*METHODS@#A total of 782 subjects were recruited, including 238 controls and 544 exposed workers. The mtDNAcn of peripheral leukocytes was detected through the real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Three BMD approaches were used to calculate the BMD of COEs exposure based on the mitochondrial damage and its 95% confidence lower limit (BMDL).@*RESULTS@#The mtDNAcn of the exposure group was lower than that of the control group (0.60 ± 0.29 vs. 1.03 ± 0.31; P < 0.001). A dose-response relationship was shown between the mtDNAcn damage and COEs. Using the Benchmark Dose Software, the occupational exposure limits (OELs) for COEs exposure in males was 0.00190 mg/m 3. The OELs for COEs exposure using the BBMD were 0.00170 mg/m 3 for the total population, 0.00158 mg/m 3 for males, and 0.00174 mg/m 3 for females. In possible risk obtained from animal studies (PROAST), the OELs of the total population, males, and females were 0.00184, 0.00178, and 0.00192 mg/m 3, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#Based on our conservative estimate, the BMDL of mitochondrial damage caused by COEs is 0.002 mg/m 3. This value will provide a benchmark for determining possible OELs.

Associations between sugar sweetened beverage intake and emotional and behavioral problems in preschoolers / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the consumption of sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) and its association with behavioral problems in Chinese preschool children, and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention of behavioral problems of children.@*Methods@#A total of 7 634 children aged 3-6 years were chosen from kindergartens in 3 cities (Yangzhou, Xuzhou, Zhenjiang) in the lower reaches of Yangtze River using method of cluster sampling during October to November in 2017. Parental or guardian questionnaires were used to obtain information regarding child consumption of SSBs. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to assess children s emotional and behavioral problems. Multivariate Logistic regression model was used to explore the association between different SSBs intake frequency and children s behavioral problems.@*Results@#A total of 5 509(72.2%) consumed SSBs less than once a day, 830(10.9%) reported SSBs consumption once a day, and 1 295(16.9%) had 2 times or more intake of sugar sweetened beverages per day. After adjusting for confounding factors including age, sex, BMI, family financial status, parental education, screen time, sleep duration, and physical activities duration, multiple Logistic regression model revealed that intake of SSBs once a day was associated with an increased risk of hyperactivity disorder ( OR =1.26, 95% CI =1.01-1.57) and SDQ total difficulties ( OR =1.44, 95% CI =1.14-1.82) in boys and with an increased risk of emotional symptoms ( OR=1.34, 95%CI =1.02-1.76), conduct problems ( OR=1.53, 95%CI =1.18-2.00), hyperactivity disorder ( OR=1.79, 95%CI =1.42-2.27) and prosocial behavior ( OR=1.48, 95%CI =1.14-1.91) in girls. Intake of SSBs≥2 times per day was associated with an increased risk of emotional symptoms ( OR=1.28, 95%CI =1.02-1.59) and SDQ difficulties ( OR=1.30, 95%CI =1.07-1.58) in boys and not with behavioral problems in girls.@*Conclusion@#Sex differences are observed with respect to the association between SSBs intake and behavioral problems in preschoolers, but no significant dose response relationship was observed. More longitudinal studies are needed to further explore the association between SSBs intake and behavioral problems in preschool children as well as the underlying physiological mechanisms in future.

Evaluation of the efficacy of cevimeline in improving the clinical symptoms of patients with primary Sjögren′s syndrome / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@# To investigate the clinical efficacy of cevimeline as a pharmacotherapeutic approach to stimulating gland activity in improving the symptoms and signs of primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS).@*Methods@#Sixty-three patients diagnosed with pSS who attended the Affiliated Huai'an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2018 to September 2019 were included in this trial. They were randomly assigned to the therapeutic group and control group. All patients were recalled at baseline and after 2 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. Measurement of salivary and lacrimal flow as well as evaluation of subjective symptoms was performed at the follow-up. @*Results@# Fifty-eight patients completed the trial and were included in the statistical analysis. There was a significant difference between the two groups in the measurement of salivary and lacrimal flow at the second week and third month (P < 0.05). Improvement in subjective symptoms of oral, ocular and gland was detected at the third month (P < 0.05). At the sixth month, compared with the control group, only the salivary gland symptom score of the treatment group was statistically significant (P < 0.05). @*Conclusion@#Cevimeline has good specificity and safety and can increase salivary and lacrimal flow and improve subjective symptoms of pSS in a short time.

Screening and bioinformatic analysis of differentially expressed miRNAs in serum of patients with pneumoconiosis / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To screen the differentially expressed microRNA(miRNA) in the serum of patients with occupational pneumoconiosis(hereinafter referred to as pneumoconiosis), and explore their potential target genes and related transcription factors using bioinformatics analysis. METHODS: The pneumoconiosis and miRNA related reports were searched from the Google academic website. The miRNA sequencing or high-throughput microarray data sets based on the serum samplings of pneumoconiosis patients(case group) and normal healthy individuals(control group) were selected to screen for the differentially expressed miRNAs. Serum samples of patients with occupational silicosis and healthy controls were collected, and the relative expression of miRNAs was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction to verify the differential expression of miRNAs. The target genes of the differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted in the database of miRWalk, analyzed by Gene Ontology(GO) enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) signaling pathway prediction. The transcription factor analysis of target genes was carried out by the database for annotation. RESULTS: Seven differentially expressed miRNAs were screened out and verified. Among them, five were up-regulated and two were down-regulated. GO enrichment analysis and KEGG signaling pathway prediction showed that the up-regulated differentially expressed miRNAs were mainly related to RNA polymerase Ⅱ promoter transcription and extracellular matrix, and were mainly involved in the occurrence and development of pulmonary fibrosis through adhesion plaque, protein digestion and absorption, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B and transforming growth factor-β signaling pathways. The down-regulated differentially expressed miRNAs were mainly related to the transcription of RNA polymerase Ⅱ promoter and the activity of DNA sequence specific transcription factors, that were mainly involved in the occurrence and development of pulmonary fibrosis through the signaling pathway of related hormone release. Transcription factor annotation results showed that SMAD family member 3, proto-oncogene JUN, forkhead box O1, early growth factor 1, β-catenin and other transcription factors may have an important relationship with the occurrence and development of pneumoconiosis. CONCLUSION: The seven miRNAs were differentially expressed in the serum of patients with pneumoconiosis. These miRNAs could be used as potential biomarkers for understanding the pathogenesis, the early diagnosis and treatment pneumoconiosis.

Effects of NF-κB/NOX1 signaling pathway in TNF-α-induced apoptosis of A549 cells / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB)/amide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 1(NOX1) signaling pathway in tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) induced apoptosis of A549 cells. METHODS: i) A549 cells were stimulated with TNF-α at the concentrations of 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 nmol/L. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the cell viability to screen the optimal stimulating concentration of TNF-α. ii) A549 cells at logarithmic growth stage were randomly divided into four groups, the control group, the TNF-α group, the BAY11-7082(NF-κB inhibitor) group and the TNF-α+BAY11-7082 group. The cells in the control group were not treated. The TNF-α and BAY11-7082 groups were stimulated with 0.50 nmol/L TNF-α and 5 μmol/L BAY11-7082, respectively. The TNF-α+BAY11-7082 group was stimulated by both TNF-α and BAY11-7082. After 24 hours of culture, the cell survival rate was detected by CCK-8 assay. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptotic rate, and Western blotting was used to detect the relative expression of NF-κB(p65) and NOX1 proteins. RESULTS: i) When A549 cells were stimulated with TNF-α at the concentration of 0.50 nmol/L, the cell proliferative activity was reduced and the cell apoptosis was promoted. This concentration was selected as the stimulation dose of TNF-α in subsequent experiments. ii) The survival rate of A549 cells in the TNF-α group decreased(P<0.05), the apoptotic rate and the protein expressions of NF-κB(p65) and NOX1 increased in TNF-α group(all P<0.05) compared with the control group. In BAY11-7082 group, the survival rate and the relative expression of NF-κB(p65) and NOX1 of A549 cells were decreased(all P<0.05), and the apoptotic rate of A549 cells was increased(P<0.05) compared with the control group. A549 cells in TNF-α+BAY11-7082 group changed from a long spindle shape to an irregular one. The cell survival rate increased(P<0.05), the apoptotic rate and the relative expression of NF-κB(p65) and NOX1 decreased(all P<0.05) compared with the TNF-α group. CONCLUSION: NF-κB/NOX1 signaling pathway is involved in A549 cells apoptosis induced by TNF-α.

Explore Effect of Jieyu Qutan Huazhuo Prescription on Gut-liver Axis of Rats with High-fat Diet Based on 16S rDNA Sequencing / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To study the effect of Jieyu Qutan Huazhuo prescription（JQHP） on the gut microbiota of rats with high-fat diet，and to explore the effect of Chinese medicine on the regulation of gut microflora and the restoration of gut-liver axis balance. Method:Seventy male SPF Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group of 10 and a model group of 60. Mice in the normal group were fed with normal diet and mice in the model group were fed high-fat diet. After 12 weeks，the model group was randomly divided into 6 groups with 10 animals in each group，namely the model group，Xuezhikang group，Liputuo group，and low，medium and high-dose groups of JQHP. The JQHP low-dose，medium-dose and high-dose rats were intragastrically daministered with 0.4，0.8，1.6 g·kg^-1，respectively， rats in Liputuo group with Liputuo 2 mg·kg^-1，rats in Xuezhikang group with Xuezhikang 0.1 g·kg^-1. The rats in the normal group and the model group were intragastrically administered with the same amount of distilled water. Stool were collected after continuous gavaging for 8 weeks，16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed，blood was collected from the abdominal aorta to detect blood lipids，and the liver tissue and ileum tissue were collected for hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining for pathomorphological observation. Result:Compared with the normal group，the total cholesterol （TC），triglyceride （TG），and low-density lipoprotein （LDL-C） in the model group were significantly increased，while the high-density lipoprotein （HDL-C） was decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group，TC and TG values were decreased significantly in Xuezhikang group （<italic>P</italic><0.01），HDL-C value was increased （<italic>P</italic><0.05），and in the Liputuo group TC and TG were decreased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group，the middle-dose group of JQHP had a certain alleviating effect on liver steatosis and could reduce the infiltration of inflammatory cells. The JQHP could improve the proliferation of lymphoid tissues in the ileal structure，and the middle-dose group has the most significant effect. The results of Shannon curve showed that compared with the normal group，the middle-dose group of JQHP increased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group，the middle and high-dose group of JQHP increased （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the middle-dose group of JQHP，the other drug group decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Principal component diversity analysis（PCA） showed that the diversity and abundance in the middle-dose JQHP group were higher than those in other drug groups. In linear discriminant analysis（LDA），compared with the normal group，Bacteroidia，Ruminococcaceae，<italic>Bacteroides </italic>S24-7，and <italic>Rumenococcus </italic>UCG-005 were down-regulated in the model group（<italic>P</italic><0.01），while the orders of Desulfovibrionales，Erysipelotrichales and<italic> </italic>Lachnospiraceae were up-regulated in the model group （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group，the Bacteroidia，Ruminococcaceae，<italic>Bacteroides</italic> S24-7，and <italic>Rumencoccus</italic> UCG-005 in the middle-dose JQHP group were increased （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01），and the orders of Erysipelotrichales were decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the middle-dose JQHP group，Bacteroidia，Ruminococcaceae，<italic>Bacteroides</italic> S24-7，and <italic>Rumencoccus</italic> UCG-005 in other drug groups were reduced（<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01），and the order of Erysipelotrichales and Lachnospiraceae were increased （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:JQHP can regulate the abundance and diversity of the gut microbiota，improve the state of liver tissue and ileum mucosa，regulate blood lipid levels，and restore the normal intestinal ecological environment. It may be related to the regulation of inflammation-related gut microbiota in order to restore the balance of the gut-liver axis，and the middle-dose JQHP group has the best effect.

Mechanism of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction in treatment of myocardial infarction based on network pharmacology and molecular docking / 中国中药杂志

To explore the action mechanism of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction in treating myocardial infarction based on network pharmaco-logy and molecular docking. Active components and corresponding targets of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction were obtained through Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database(TCMSP), and related targets of myocardial infarction were obtained through GeneCards, DisGeNET, and OMIM databases. Then the intersection targets were obtained by integrating the drug targets and disease targets. The "active component-target" network was constructed by Cytoscape software, and protein-protein interaction(PPI) network was drawn using STRING platform. Protein cluster analysis was carried out using MCODE. GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis were carried out using DAVID database and ClueGO, and molecular docking was carried out using Autodock Vina and Pymol. Finally, 226 active components of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction were obtained, 257 corresponding targets, 1 340 targets of myocardial infarction, and 109 drug and disease intersection targets were obtained. From GO enrichment analysis, 208 biological process terms, 38 molecular function terms, and 33 cellular component terms were obtained. From KEGG pathway analysis, NF-κB signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, and other related pathways were obtained. The molecular docking results showed that the main active components(quercetin, kaempferol, β-sitosterol, luteolin, stigmasterol and baicalein) of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction in the treatment of myocardial infarction had good binding properties with the core proteins IL6, ALB, VEGFA, TNF, MAPK3 and CASP3. The results suggested that Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction may play a role in the treatment of myocardial infarction by reducing the inflammatory response, reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting cell apoptosis, and promoting angiogenesis.

Xuefu Zhuyu Oral Liquid () Prevents Apoptosis of Ischemic Myocardium Cells in Rats by Regulating SIRT1 and Its Pathway-Related Genes / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the changes of ischemic myocardial cells apoptosis in rats following intervention with Xuefu Zhuyu Oral Liquid (, XFZY), as well as changes of protein expression of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) and SIRT1 pathway-related genes.@*METHODS@#H9c2 rat myocardial cells were divided into 6 groups: control group, oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) group, SIRT1 siRNA group, OGD+SIRT1 siRNA group, OGD+XFZY group, and OGD+SIRT1 siRNA+XFZY group. Quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the concentration variations of SIRT1 and its pathway-related genes and corresponding protein expression after XFZY intervention and SIRT1 transfection.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, the mRNA and protein expressions of SIRT1 were decreased obviously, while the mRNA and protein levels of P53, FoxO1, FoxO3, FoxO4 and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-ΚB) were increased in the OGD group, SIRT1 siRNA group, and OGD+SIRT1 siRNA group (P<0.01). Compared with the OGD group and OGD+SIRT1 siRNA group, the treatment of XFZY inhibited the decline in SIRT1 mRNA and protein expressions (P<0.01), and down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of P53, FoxO1, FoxO3, FoxO4 and NF-ΚB, respectively (P<0.05 or P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#XFZY could prevent myocardial cells apoptosis probably by increasing the mRNA and protein expressions of SIRT1 and inhibiting the mRNA and protein expressions of P53, NF- K B, FoxO1, FoxO3 and FoxO4.

Impact of PDCA cycle on contraceptive methods after induced abortion in female college students / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the effect of plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle on contraceptive methods after induced abortion in female college students.@*Methods@#A total of 456 unmarried female college students who underwent artificial abortion in Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province from January 2018 to May 2019 were selected. These students were randomly divided into control group (n=228) and intervention group(n=228). Students from the control group accepted Post Abortion Care (PAC) service, while the intervention group accepted the management of PDCA cycle on basis of PAC services.@*Results@#In the intervention group, the rate of highly effective contraception immediately after abortion and six months after abortion were 91.23% and 71.17% respectively, while in the control group were 82.89% and 60.00%, the intervention group was higher than the control group(χ2=7.03, 5.98, P<0.05). The rate of unsafe contraceptive in the intervention group six months after abortion was 3.60%, while in the control group was 20.00%, the intervention group was lower than the control group(χ2=28.35, P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#The PDCA cycle can effectively improve the utilization rate of high efficiency contraceptive methods after induced abortion in college students, reduce the rate of unsafe contraceptive six months after abortion, and it is helpful to reduce the incidence of short-term unplanned pregnancy after abortion.

Evaluation of the post-abortion care services for unmarried female college students’ reproductive health effect / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To understand the influence of post-abortion care (PAC) on the reproductive health of unmarried female college students,and to provide scientific basis for reproductive health education.@*Methods@#A total of 486 unmarried female college students who received artificial abortion voluntarily due to unwanted pregnancy and had complete follow-up data were investigated by questionnaires before and six months after the operation from July 2017 to June 2018 in the Tongde hospital of Zhejiang Province.@*Results@#There were 248 patients with abortion history, including 15 patients with abortion frequency ≥3 times.72 cases of high-risk abortion, the high-risk factors were re-abortion within half a year and the number of abortion ≥3 times; After PAC intervention, the awareness rate on menstruation and ovulation knowledge, scientific contraceptive knowledge, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases knowledge(types of diseases,raltes of transmission and preventive measures), and the harm of abortion knowledge(short-term and longterm complications), was higher than before(χ2=21.42, 69.65, 71.09, 52.80, 63.25, 187.59, 356.02, P<0.05). Before intervention, only 53.7% (261/486) of female college students used medium and low efficiency contraceptive measures, only 0.4% (2/486) were high-efficiency contraceptive measures. After intervention, all of them used contraceptive measures, The rate of effective contraceptive measures in the immediate and six months after operation was 85.4% (415/486) and 68.3% (332/486) respectively, which was significantly higher than before(χ2=786.10, P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#PAC service for female college students can improve awareness rate of sexual and reproductive health, enhance effective contraceptive measures, reduce the risk of repeated abortion.

Effect of reproductive health education on health literacy of hospitalized female adolescents / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the effect of reproductive health education on health literacy of hospitalized female adolescents,and to provide reference for the protection of their physical and mental health.@*Methods@#A total of 102 female adolescents who were hospitalized in department of gynaecology from January 2019 to December 2019 were selected for reproductive health education and questionnaire survey.@*Results@#There were 65 cases of unplanned pregnancy (4 cases of tubal pregnancy), 18 cases of gynecological tumor (1 case of ovarian malignancy), 11 cases of gynecological inflammation (1 case of tubal abscess), and 8 cases of abnormal uterine bleeding (2 cases of blood transfusion).Eighty-six patients (84.3%) were treated surgically, 7 cases had their ovaries and/or fallopian tubes removed. After reproductive health education,health literacy of menstruation and ovulation, reproductive organ tumor, gynecological inflammation(inducing factors,clinical manifestations,harmfulness), harm of premature sexual life, scientific contraception, sexually transmitted diseases(types,transmission routes,preventioe measures), abortion hazard(short-term and longterm complications) and necessity of health examination improved significantly(χ2=14.8, 25.1, 15.7, 30.6, 18.6, 25.9, 31.1, 17.8, 19.1, 15.2, 40.1, 58.6, 69.8, P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#The lack of reproductive health knowledge of female hospitalized adolescents may lead to unplanned pregnancy, tumor, inflammation and abnormal uterine bleeding.Reproductive health education can significantly improve the health literacy of female adolescents and ensure their physical and mental health.

Evaluation of the teaching environment among the primary and secondary schools in China / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To evaluate the current status of the primary and secondary schools’ teaching environment in China and associated factors,and to provide the support for making differentiated interventional stategies.@*Methods@#Data regarding to information of the primary and secondary schools was obtained by random inspection from the National Health and Family Planning Commission in 2018. Chi-square test was used to compare differences of qualified rates between groups. Spearman correlation analyses was applied to examine the correlations among population density, per capita GDP and qualified rates.@*Results@#Among the total of 37 531 schools, the overall qualified rate of teaching environmental sanitation of primary and secondary schools in 2018 was 59.1%. The qualifying rate in urban areas (60.3%) was higher than that of rural areas (59.4%) and towns (56.7%). Primary schools (59.8%) had higher qualifying rates than junior high schools (58.2%) and senior high schools (51.8%). In terms of each evaluation item, the qualifying rates of school furniture equipment including desks and chairs were the lowest, while the qualifying rates of dormitory ventilation ranked highest. Large variations among provinces were observed for the qualifying rates for school furniture equipment, as well as blackboard illumination. Those provinces with higher per capita GDP and higher population density had higher the qualifying rates for school furniture equipment.@*Conclusion@#The overall qualifying rate of Chinese primary and secondary schools’ teaching environment is low. Among all the evaluation measures, qualifying rates of dormitory ventilation are relatively good, while school furniture equipment needs to be improved. Notably, strengthened and targeted management should be applied to improve schools’ teaching environment in new era.

Bioinformatic analysis on differentially expressed genes in A549 cells exposed to silica dust / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the differentially expressed genes(DEGs), and screen the key genes and signaling pathways in human lung epithelial A549 cells exposed to silica dust using bioinformatics and gene chip. METHODS: The GSE30215 gene expression profiles of A549 cells exposed to silica dust were downloaded from Public Gene Expression Omnibus database developed by the National Center for Biotechnology Information. The DEGs were screened by using GEO2 R analysis tools. Then, the DEGs were imported into the biological information annotation database for Gene Ontology(GO) functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. The protein-protein interaction(PPI) network was constructed with the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes database and visualized using the software Cytoscape. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR) was used to verify the expression of key DEGs in A549 cells. RESULTS: Of the 52 DEGs screened, 45 were up-regulated and 7 were down-regulated. The results of GO analysis showed that the DEGs were mainly distributed in extracellular region, associated with regulating biological functions such as chemotaxis, transcription factor activity and so on. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that these DEGs were mainly involved in the tumor necrosis factor(TNF) signaling pathway and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain like receptor signaling pathway. The top 10 key DEGs screened by PPI network were C-C motif chemokine ligand(CCL)2, prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2, interleukin 6, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand(CXCL) 8, CXCL2, jun proto-oncogene, colony stimulating factor 2(CSF2), CCL20, TNF-α induced protein 3(TNFAIP3), and CXCL5. Real-time quantitative PCR results revealed that the changes of key genes were in consistent with the screening results, except the CCL2. CONCLUSION: We found 10 key DEGs that are related to the toxicity caused by exposure to silica dust in A549 cells by bioinformatics. Among them, CSF2, CCL20 and TNFAIP3 may provide new research direction for the mechanisms of the development of multiple pulmonary fibrotic diseases including pneumoconiosis.

Analysis on differentially expressed microRNAs for TGF-β1-induced trans-differentiation in MRC-5 cells / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differentially expressed microRNAs(miRNAs) in human embryonic lung fibroblast MRC-5 cells stimulated by transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) using microarray chip, and screen for key genes and signaling pathways of fibroblast trans-differentiation. METHODS: The miRNA expression gene chip dataset GSE43992 on TGF-β1 stimulated MRC-5 cells were downloaded from high-throughput Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO) database of National Center for Biotechnology Information of the United States. The R language Limma package was used to screen the differentially expressed miRNAs. Corresponding target genes were predicted by miRWalk database performed by Gene Ontology(GO) functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) signaling pathway enrichment analysis. The protein-protein interaction(PPI) network was constructed by the search tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes database. RESULTS: A total of five differentially expressed miRNAs were identified, including four up-regulated miRNAs and one down-regulated miRNA; and 42 corresponding differentially expressed target genes were predicted. GO analysis indicated that the target genes were significantly enriched in collagen catabolic process, extracellular matrix organization, membrane organization, collagen fibril organization, and cellular response to amino acid stimulus. The results of KEGG pathway analysis showed that the signaling pathways corresponding to miRNAs and target genes were mainly concentrated in 18 signaling pathways, that were mainly related to the age-ethnic signaling pathways and protein digestion and absorption miRNAs in tumors and diabetic complications. The core genes transfected into the myofibroblasts by the three fibroblasts screened by the PPI network were threonine kinase 1, estrogen receptor 1 and β-catenin. CONCLUSION: Five differentially expressed miRNAs, 42 target genes, 18 signaling pathways, and 3 core genes related to TGF-β1-induced MRC-5 cell trans-differentiation were screened. It can provide new reference for the treatment and research of many diseases including pneumoconiosis and pulmonary fibrosis.

Hotspots analysis on pneumoconiosis research in China,2001-2017 / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the hotspots and related situations of pneumoconiosis research in China from 2001 to2017. METHODS: China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang Data were used to retrieve relevant literature on China's pneumoconiosis research from 2001 to 2017. Bibliometrics was used to analyze the distribution of publication time,regions,hotspots,authors and their institutions,carrier journals,keywords,etc. RESULTS: A total of 10 208 literature articles on pneumoconiosis research were screened. The number of published literature in 2001-2017 showed an upward trend year by year( P < 0. 01). Provinces in the Eastern area have the largest number of publications. The areas that have the largest number of publications were in Shandong Province,Beijing City and Hebei Province,followed by Anhui Province,Guangdong Province,Jiangsu Province,Liaoning Province,Shanxi Province and Henan Province. Beijing City,Hebei Province,Tianjin City,Liaoning Province,Anhui Province,Jiangsu Province,Hubei Province and Shanghai City are the hotspots for research on pneumoconiosis. The publications were seen in 1 173 journals. Five occupational medical professional periodicals such as Occupation and Health,Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases,China Occupational Medicine,Chinese Journal of Industrial Medicine and Industrial Health and Occupational Diseases publish' the most literature on pneumoconiosis research,accounting for 26. 99% of the effective literature.Occupational disease prevention institutions and hospitals are the main organizations for publishing literatures. The focuses of pneumoconiosis research are silicosis and coal worker's pneumoconiosis,etc. CONCLUSION: Generally,the literature on the research of pneumoconiosis in China from 2001 to 2017 is increasing and is focus on some specific hotspots.Pneumoconiosis research has been specialized. An important carrier for publishing research results has been formed.

The effects of NOX1 and NF-κB on TNF-α induced oxidative damage in A549 cells / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of nicotinamide adenine dinucleoside phosphate oxidases 1(NOX1) and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) in tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)-induced oxidative damage in A549 cells. METHODS: i) TNF-α was used to stimulated A549 cells at the concentrations of 0.0, 10.0, 25.0 and 50.0 μg/L. Cell inhibition rate in each group was tested by CCK-8 assay to select the appropriate concentration. ii) A549 cells in logarithmic growth phase were divided into blank control group, solvent control group, TNF-α group, diphenylene iodine(DPI) group and TNF-α+DPI group for NOX1 inhibitor experiment. Logarithmic growth phase A549 cells were divided into blank control group, TNF-α group, BAY11-7082 group and TNF-α+BAY11-7082 group for NF-κB inhibitor experiment. The relative expression of NOX1 and p65 protein in each group was detected by Western blot method. The relative expression of intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS) were detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: i) The inhibition rate of A549 cells increased with the increase of TNF-α dose(P<0.05), and 25.0 μg/L was selected as the stimulation dose of TNF-α in subsequent experiments. ii) The relative expression of NOX1, p65 protein and ROS in the TNF-α group was higher than that in the blank control group, solvent control group and DPI group, respectively(P<0.05). The above indexes in TNF-α+DPI group were lower than that in TNF-α group(P<0.05), but higher than that in DPI group(P<0.05). The relative expression of NOX1, p65 protein and ROS in the TNF-α group were higher than that in the blank control group and the BAY11-7082 group(P<0.05), while the above indicators in the TNF-α+BAY11-7082 group were lower than that in the TNF-α group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Inhibition of NOX1 or NF-κB can alleviate the oxidative damage induce by TNF-α in A549 cells.

Serum levels of melatonin may contribute to the pathogenesis of heart failure in children with median age of 1 year / Níveis séricos da melatonina podem contribuir para a patogênese de insuficiênciacardíaca em crianças com idade média de 1 ano

Abstract Objective: Melatonin has a protective role in adults with cardiovascular disease, but the effects of melatonin in children with cardiac dysfunction are not well understood. This study was designed to explore the variations in melatonin, myeloperoxidase, and caspase-3 levels in children suffering from heart failure. Methods: Seventy-two pediatric patients with heart failure and twelve healthy children were enrolled in this study. A modified Ross scoring system was used to evaluate clinical cardiac function. Patients with a score of >2 points were included in the study and were divided into three groups according to severity of heart failure: mild (score: 3-6), moderate (score: 7-9), and severe (score: 10-12). Echocardiographic parameters, laboratory data, and serum levels of melatonin, myeloperoxidase, and caspase-3 were measured and analyzed in all patients. Results: Compared with patients with mild and moderate heart failure, patients in the severe heart failure group had significantly decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (p < 0.001), and significantly increased serum melatonin levels (p = 0.013) and myeloperoxidase levels (p < 0.001). Serum melatonin levels were positively correlated with serum caspase-3 levels (p < 0.001). The optimal cutoff values of serum melatonin levels for the diagnosis of severe heart failure and primary cardiomyopathy in pediatric patients with heart failure were 54.14 pg/mL and 32.88 pg/mL, respectively. Conclusions: Serum melatonin and myeloperoxidase levels were increased in children with severe heart failure. It is likely that increasing melatonin levels may act as a compensatory mechanism in pediatric children with heart failure.

Resumo Objetivo: A melatonina possui um papel protetor em adultos com doença cardiovascular, porém os efeitos da melatonina em crianças com disfunção cardíaca não são bem entendidos. O estudo foi projetado para explorar a variação nos níveis de melatonina, mieloperoxidase e caspase 3 em crianças que sofrem de insuficiência cardíaca. Métodos: 72 pacientes pediátricos com insuficiência cardíaca e 12 crianças saudáveis foram inscritos no estudo. Um sistema de classificação de Ross modificada foi utilizado para avaliar a função cardíaca clínica. Os pacientes com escore de > 2 pontos foram incluídas no estudo e foram divididos em três grupos de acordo com a gravidade da insuficiência cardíaca: leve (escore: 3-6), moderada (escore: 7-9) e grave (escore: 10-12). Os parâmetros ecocardiográficos, dados laboratoriais e níveis séricos de melatonina, mieloperoxidase e caspase 3 foram medidos e analisados em todos os pacientes. Resultados: Em comparação com os pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca de gravidade leve e moderada, os pacientes no grupo de insuficiência cardíaca grave apresentaram redução significativa da fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (p < 0,001) e aumento significativo nos níveis séricos de melatonina (p = 0,013) e níveis de mieloperoxidase (p < 0,001). Os níveis séricos de melatonina foram positivamente correlacionados com os níveis séricos de caspase 3 (p < 0,001). Os valores de corte ideais dos níveis séricos de melatonina para diagnóstico de IC e cardiomiopatia primária em pacientes pediátricos com insuficiência cardíaca foram 54,14 pg/mL e 32,88 pg/mL, respectivamente. Conclusões: Os níveis séricos de melatonina e mieloperoxidase mostraram aumento em crianças com insuficiência cardíaca grave. Especulamos se o aumento nos níveis de melatonina pode agir como um mecanismo compensatório em crianças pediátricas com insuficiência cardíaca.

The role of heme oxygenase-1 on oxidative stress injury induced by zinc oxide nanoparticles in human umbilical vein endothelial cells line EA.hy926 cells / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective@#To explore the effect of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) on level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) in Human umbilical vein endothelial cells line EA.hy926.@*Methods@#The EA.hy926 cells in logarithmic growth phase were incubated with 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 mg/L ZnO-NPs respectively. The ROS level, reflected by mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), was examined by flow cytometer after 4 hours exposure, the protein expression of HO-1 which was determined by Western Blot after exposed to ZnO-NPs for 24 hours. Cells incubated with 15.0 mg/L were set as the ZnO-NPs group; a blank control group was set at the same time. Cells were pretreated with HO-1 inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPPIx) and HO-1 activator cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPPIx), they were classified as ZnPPIx group and CoPPIx group. 15 mg/L ZnO-NPs was chosen to conduct the experiment of HO-1 activation and inhibition. Cells were classified as ZnPPIX+ ZnO-NPs group and CoPPIx+ ZnO-NPs group after pretreated with 10 μmol/L ZnPPIx or CoPPIx for 1 h, added 15 mg/L ZnO-NPs to cell culture medium. In all groups ROS levels were detected after exposed to ZnO-NPs for 4 hours, the protein expression of HO-1 was detected after exposed to ZnO-NPs for 24 hours.@*Results@#With the increased dose of ZnO-NPs, levels of ROS and HO-1 in EA.hy926 cells were clearly elevated (the MFI of 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 mg/L ZnO-NPs incubated groups was 22 627.22±718.27, 24 726.47±568.52, 31 141.75±1 312.24, 39 824.82±4 774.74, 50 569.03±1 497.63 respectively, and HO-1 relative expression were 0.16±0.01, 0.19±0.02, 0.16±0.01, 0.23±0.02, 0.92±0.06 respectively). HO-1 expression in ZnPPIx pretreatment group decreased compared with ZnO-NPs group (1.05±0.05 vs. 1.12±0.01, P<0.05), meanwhile ROS level enhanced (62 683.95±2 589.59 vs. 53 654.53±2 229.01, P<0.05). However, CoPPIx pretreatment had higher HO-1 level and lower level of ROS compared with ZnO-NPs group (HO-1: 1.74±0.11 vs. 0.22±0.03, P<0.05; ROS: 32 845.04±993.48 vs. 53 654.53±2 229.01, P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#Exposure to ZnO-NPs significantly induced ROS generation in EA.hy926 cells in a dose-dependent manner. HO-1 regulated ZnO-NPs-induced oxidative stress.

Role of exosomes in virus infection / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

With the discovery of exosomes,new pathways of intercellular information and material exchange mediated by exosomes are attracting more and more attention from researchers. The process of exo-some production overlaps with many viral assembly and outflow pathways,suggesting that exosomes may be related to viral infections. In vitro experiments also show that exosomes play a very important role in viral in-fections. On one hand,exosomes can transfer viral nucleic acids and proteins,and may change microenviron-ment to promote the spread of infection. On the other hand,exosomes can induce immune responses by activa-ting antiviral pathways or transferring antiviral molecules. Do they promote or suppress the spread of infec-tion? What are the factors that affect their functions? In this paper,we review the role of exosomes in viral in-fection in order to provide a reference for better understanding the process of viral infection and immune re-sponses,and to provide a new train of thoughts for the prevention,diagnosis and treatment of viral diseases.

Pharmacological effects and clinical applications of Zingiber officinale and its processed products / 中国中药杂志

Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, Zingiberis Rhizoma, ginger juice, Zingiberis Rhizoma Praeparatum and roasted ginger are derived from the rhizome of Zingiber officinale. They are commonly used herbs in clinical application, but their processing methods are completely different, leading to different properties and flavors, meridian distributions, and efficacy characteristics from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In order to distinguish the clinical applications of different processed gingers, it's advisable to learn from Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases. Almost half of the prescriptions in the book contain Zingiber officinale, involving Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, Zingiberis Rhizoma, ginger juice, Zingiberis Rhizoma Praeparatum and other species. In addition, many researches have confirmed that the contents of chemical compositions contained in different processed gingers were not exactly the same, and their pharmacological effects were also different, thus their applications could not be confused. However, physicians often encounter drug shortage or improper processing in clinical practice, contributing to the current chaotic use of different processed gingers. Therefore, this paper aims at sorting out the sources, processing methods, and chemical compositions, comparing their properties, flavors, meridian distributions, and pharmacological effects, and summarizing the efficacy characteristics and application rules in TCM theory of different processed products, with the hope to provide theoretical foundations for their reasonable use.