Weather and Birth Weight: Different Roles of Maternal and Neonatal GPR61 Promoter Methylation / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objectives@#It is unclear whether G protein-coupled receptor 61 (GPR61) affecting body weight, plays a role in the association between birth weight and weather. This study aimed to assess the effects of prenatal weather and GPR61 on birth weight.@*Methods@#A total of 567 mother-newborn pairs were recruited in Houzhai Center Hospital during 2011-2012. We detected the maternal and neonatal GPR61 promoter methylation levels, and obtained meteorological and air pollution data.@*Results@#A positive association was observed between maternal and neonatal GPR61 methylation levels, and both of them were affected by precipitation, relative humidity (RH) and daily temperature range (DTR). Birth weight was associated negatively with RH and positively with DTR ( P < 0.05). A significant association was observed between birth weight and neonatal GPR61 methylation. We observed that maternal GPR61 methylation seemed to modify associations between weather and birth weight ( P interaction < 0.10), while neonatal GPR61 methylation mediated the effects of RH and DTR on birth weight ( P < 0.05).@*Conclusions@#Our findings revealed the significant associations among prenatal weather, GPR61 methylation and birth weight. Maternal GPR61 methylation may modify the susceptibility of birth weight to prenatal weather conditions, while neonatal GPR61 methylation may be a bridge of the effects of prenatal RH and DTR on birth weight.

Effects of Outdoor Temperature on Blood Pressure in a Prospective Cohort of Northwest China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objective@#The relationship between outdoor temperature and blood pressure (BP) has been inconclusive. We analyzed data from a prospective cohort study in northwestern China to investigate the effect of outdoor temperature on BP and effect modification by season.@*Methods@#A total of 32,710 individuals who participated in both the baseline survey and the first follow-up in 2011-2015 were included in the study. A linear mixed-effect model and generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) were applied to estimate the association between outdoor temperature and BP after adjusting for confounding variables.@*Results@#The mean differences in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) between summer and winter were 3.5 mmHg and 2.75 mmHg, respectively. After adjusting for individual characteristics, meteorological factors and air pollutants, a significant increase in SBP and DBP was observed for lag 06 day and lag 04 day, a 0.28 mmHg (95% @*Conclusions@#This study demonstrated a significant negative association between outdoor temperature and BP in a high-altitude environment of northwest China. Moreover, BP showed a significant seasonal variation. The association between BP and temperature differed by season and individuals' demographic characteristics (age, gender, BMI), unhealthy behaviors (smoking and alcohol consumption), and chronic disease status (CVDs, hypertension, and diabetes).

Establishment and verification of preeclampsia risk assessment model / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To analyze the risk factors affecting pre-eclampsia, to establish a pre-eclampsia risk assessment model, and to assess the risk of pre-eclampsia early. Methods A face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted for all women who gave birth in the Department of Obstetrics, the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from March 2012 to September 2016. A total of 10 319 qualified questionnaires were collected to exclude 9 623 cases of other hypertensive diseases related to pregnancy. A total of 70% of the subjects were randomly selected as training samples to analyze the influencing factors of pre-eclampsia, and a Logistic regression model was established. The remaining 30% of the objects are used as test samples to verify the effect of the model. Results Logistic regression model was established with training samples. Logit P=-2.517-0.696×Pre-pregnancy lean +0.200 ×Pre-pregnancy overweight +0.944×Pre-pregnancy obesity -1.995×Residential in city -0.409×Folic acid supplemented before pregnancy +1.323×Twin and multiple pregnancy +1.708× History of previous pregnancy hypertension. Homer-Lemeshow test P=0.377. Model AUC=0.767 (95%CI:0.747-0.786, P<0.001). Using the test sample to verify the model, the model sensitivity was 81.68%, the specificity was 75.05%, the positive likelihood ratio was 3.27, and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.24. The test sample model AUC = 0.771 (95%CI=0.763-0.790,P<0.001). Conclusion This study establishes a simple and effective pre-eclampsia risk assessment model with controllable factors. The model has good fit and sensitivity and specificity.

Nickel-exposed workers in China: a cohort study / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

There are more than 50 000 workers in Jinchuan Group Co, Ltd (JNMC). Since all staff in JNMC are eligible for a medical examination every two years, only 23 484 nickel-exposed subjects who participated in medical examination were included in this study. Their data, collected from June 22, 2011 to September 28, 2012, in a comprehensive epidemiological survey and during medical examinations, permitted an extensive evaluation of the relation between metal exposure, gene, epigenetics and risk of human diseases. Their lifestyle investigation showed that the overall prevalence of current smokers, alcohol drinkers, and tea drinkers was 39.1%, 19.7%, and 55.2%, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension, allergic rhinitis and cholecystitis , the top 3 prevalent diseases, was 11.7%, 11.0%, and 8.9%, respectively.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Chinese nickel-exposed workers / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) was investigated in Chinese nickel-exposed workers. A total of 35 104 subjects were enrolled in this study. The age-adjusted prevalence of MS, BMI⋝25, diabetes, hypertension, and abnormal lipid was 13.9%, 29.5%, 12.8%, 27.5%, and 47.1%, respectively. The prevalence of BMI⋝25, hyperglycemia, and hypertension increased with the age of males and females, and was higher in males than in females (37.1% vs 21.5%, 15.9% vs 12.1%, 35.0% vs 24.3%, 54.3% vs 40.4%).

A single institution, retrospective study of treatment experience in primary mediastinal germ cell tumors: elucidating the significance of systemic chemotherapy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Primary malignant germ cell tumors (GCTs) of mediastinum are rare neoplasms. We introduce our institutional experience in managing patients with primary malignant GCTs of the mediastinum, focusing on the analysis of therapeutic modalities.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective review was done in 39 consecutive patients with mediastinal malignant GCTs treated in our institution between 1991 and 2007.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 39 patients were enrolled in this study with a median age of 27 years. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates of the whole population were 60.2% and 57.7%, respectively. Stratified by the histology, 18 patients (46.2%) had seminoma and 21 patients (53.8%) had nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCTs). The 5-year OS rate of patients with seminoma was 87.4% as compared with 36.7% in patients with NSGCTs (P = 0.0004). The 5-year PFS rate was also significantly higher in seminoma patients (87.4% vs. 31.6%, P = 0.003). For 19 patients with NSGCTs managed with multi-modality treatment, chemotherapy exposure appeared to impact the prognosis. The 5-year OS rate was 44.9% in patients with chemotherapy exposure as compared with 20.0% in patients without it (P = 0.43).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our study confirmed the significance of systemic chemotherapy in the treatment of primary mediastinal GCTs.</p>

Characteristics and risk factors of lymph node metastases in esophageal carcinoma / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the status of lymph node metastases (LNM) of esophageal carcinoma and to identify the risk factors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 308 patients who underwent esophagectomy with three-field lymphadenectomy during January 2006 and December 2010 were reviewed. Characteristics of LNM were studied.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average number of dissected lymph nodes was 35.6 ± 14.5 in 308 patients. There were 197 patients(64%) had LNM. Logistic regression analysis showed that lymphatic vessel invasion(P=0.019) and deep tumor invasion(P<0.001) were risk factors of LNM. The highest LNM site was paratracheal node(25.0%). The incidence of cervical LNM was 14.1% in the middle thoracic carcinoma, higher than that of upper thoracic (7.3%) and lower thoracic (8.3%). Rate of LNM was lower in upper thoracic carcinomas than that in middle or lower ones(P=0.001). No significant difference of LNM was found among upper, middle and lower thoracic carcinoma for cervical or thoracic nodes. Lymphatic vessel invasion(P<0.001) and metastases in paratracheal lymph nodes (P=0.014) were risk factors for cervical LNM.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>LNM of esophageal carcinoma can be found in both directions vertically and skipped metastasis. Paratracheal lymph nodes involvement is an indicator for cervical lymphadenectomy in thoracic esophageal carcinoma.</p>

Retinoic acid protects neonatal rats from hyperoxia-induced lung injury through down-regulating connective tissue growth factor / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism of retinoic acid (RA)　protection　against hyperoxia-induced lung injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into three groups (n=30 each): air control group (exposed to air) and hyperoxia groups (exposed to 85% oxygen) with and without RA treatment. The RA-treated hyperoxia group received an intraperitoneal injection of RA (500 μg/kg) daily. Lungs were removed by tnoracotomy 4, 7 and 14 days after exposure. Radical alveolar counts (RAC) were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining under a light microscope. The mRNA level of CTGF in lungs was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression of CTGF protein in lungs was detected by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>With the prolonged hyperoxia exposure, the lungs developed inflammatory cell infiltration, alveolar structure disorders, a decrease in the number of alveoli, and alveolar interstitial thickening in the hyperoxia groups with and without RA treatment. Pathological changes in the RA-treated hyperoxia group were less severe than the untreated hyperoxia group. The CTGF mRNA and protein expression were up-regulated in the hyperoxia groups with and without RA treatment 7 and 14 days after exposure compared with the air control group. Significantly decreased CTGF mRNA and protein expression were noted in the RA-treated hyperoxia group compared with the untreated hyperoxia group 14 days after exposure.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The expression of CTGF mRNA and protein increases in neonatal rats with hyperoxia-induced lung injury. RA may provide protections against the lung injury possibly through down-regulating CTGF expression.</p>

Children's dental fluorosis and estrogen receptor α gene Xba I polymorphism / 中国地方病学杂志

Objectives To explore the relationship between polymorphism in estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)gene Xba I and child dental fluorosis.Methods Qiulou township of Kaifeng and Sunying township of Tongxu counties of Henan province were chosen as the investigation spots in 2006.An area of water drinking endemic fluorosis(high fluoride area)and a non-endemic area(control area)were chosen in every spot,where dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 years old were examined and diagnosed by using the Dean method.The children in the high fluoride areas were divided into dental fluorosis group and control group of the endemic areas according to dental fluorosis status,and the children in the control areas as control gruop of non-endemic areas.The Xba I polymorphism in the ERα gene was genotyped using the PCR-RFLP procedure.The fluoride levels in the urine samples from the three groups were detected by fluoride ion selective electrode and over standard rate of the urine was counted.Results The prevalence rate of dental fluorosis in high fluoride areas was 51.7%(74/143)and the community fluorosis index was 1.310.No dental fluorosis case was checked out in the control and the community fluorosis index was 0.021.The over standard rate of urine fluoride in dental fluorosis group[84.6%(121/143)]was significantly higher than that of control in non-endemic area[9.6%(9/94);χ2=125.95,P<0.01].The frequency distribution of ERα Xba I genotype was XX 6.8%(5/74),xx 36.5%(27/74),xx 56.8%(42/74)in dental fluorosis group;XX 15.9%(11/69),Xx 37.7%(26/69),xx 46.4%(32/69)in the eontrol of the endemic areas;XX 14.9%(14/94),Xx 43.6%(41/94),xx 41.5%(39/94)in children from the control in non-endemic area,respectively.No significant difference was found among the three groups(χ2= 3.450, P > 0.05). Allele frequency of ERα Xba I genotypes was X 22.7%(30/132), x 77.3%(102/132) in dental fluorosis group and X 35.5%(39/110),x 64.5% (71/110) in the control in endemic area when urine fluorosis of children was exceeding standard and significant difference was found in this two groups(χ2 = 4.768, P < 0.05; OR = 0.535,95% CI:0.305 - 0.941). Conclusion Children who carried X allele frequency of ERα Xba I genotypes have a lower risk of dental fluorosis when children with high-loaded fluoride status.

Serum calciotropic hormone levels, and dental fluorisis in children exposed to different concentrations of fluoride and iodine in drinking water / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>High fluoride exposure can result in dental fluorosis. Fluoride and iodine are coexistent in the drinking water of areas in China and may affect the prevalence of dental fluorosis and osteogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum calciotropic hormone level, and dental fluorisis in children exposed to different concentrations of fluoride and iodine in drinking water.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A pilot study was conducted in three villages located in the Kaifeng and Tongxu counties of Henan Province, China in 2006. Children aged 8 to 12 years, born and raised in the three villages were recruited. The fluoride levels in the samples of urine from these children were detected by fluoride ion selective electrode. Calcitonin and osteocalcin levels in the serum, and serum calcium were measured by radioimmunassay and flame atomic absorption spectrometry, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fluoride levels in urine were significantly lower in children from control area (CA) as compared with those from the high fluoride & iodine areas (HFIA) and the high fluoride area (HFA) (P < 0.05 respectively), and no statistically significant difference was found between the children from HFIA and HFA. Additionally, calcitonin levels in the serum were significantly lower in children from CA and HFA as compared with that from HFIA (P < 0.05 respectively), and osteocalcin levels in the serum was lower in children from CA than those from HFIA (P < 0.05). No statistically significant difference in serum osteocalcin concentrations was found between children from HFA and HFIA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This study provides an evidence that iodine exposure may modify the serum calciotropic hormone levels related to fluorine exposure.</p>

CT-guided hookwire localization of small solitary pulmonary nodules in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) provides a minimally invasive approach to resect small solitary pulmonary nodules (SSPN). The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of preoperative CT-guided hookwire localization for SSPN in VATS.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Hookwire was used to localize 26 SSPN under CT guidance in 24 patients (14 male, 10 female, age range 21-61 years, mean 52.3 years), preoperatively, and wedge resection was performed through VATS. The lesion size, distance from the lesion to parietal pleura, the time of localization and complications were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the 26 pulmonary nodules were preoperatively detected and localized with hookwire under CT-guidance. The mean lesion size was 10.05 +/- 3.08 mm in diameter, and the mean distance from lesion to parietal pleura was 10.09 +/- 2.62 mm. The mean localization time was 20.18 +/- 7.16 min, and then the nodules were removed by VATS within 18 +/- 6.65 min. The major complication of CT-guided hookwire localization was mild pneumothorax in 6 patients (25.0%), but no one needed chest tube drainage. The dislodgment of hookwire was found in only one patient (4.2%) during the operation, but the lesion was still successfully resected under VATS. Of those patients, 8 were confirmed to have a primary NSCLC by rapid pathologic diagnosis during VATS wedge resection, and then VATS lobectomies were performed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The preoperative CT-guided hookwire localization for small solitary pulmonary nodules is an effective and safe technique to assist VATS resection of the nodules.</p>

Sexual physiology and psychology of male college students and their clinical significance / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand the sexual physiology and psychology of male college students and to provide schools, families and the society with reference for the sexual physiological and psychological education among college students as well as for the diagnosis and treatment of their sexual psychological disorders in Jiangsu.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>An investigation was conducted by using a questionnaire on sexual physiology and psychology among randomly selected 3786 male college students from 18 universities in Jiangsu.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>As regards sexual education, 5.49% of the subjects were satisfied with their schools, 78.18% wanted it to be strengthened and 68.36% obtained their sexual knowledge from the internet. Concerning sexual physiology, 68.78% experienced their first spermatorrhea at the age of 12-15. As for sexual psychology, 85.79% loved a certain female inwardly, and 70.99% experienced love affairs. With regard to sexual activity, 25.54% had sexual experience.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>College students nowadays are relatively open in sexual ideology, immature in sexual psychology and lacking in sexual knowledge, while schools are inefficient in sexual education. Their sexual health calls for joint attention from schools, families and the society, particularly schools, which need to establish special offices for research and education on sexual health.</p>

Comparison of mini-probe endoscopic ultrasonography with computed tomography in preoperative staging of esophageal cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare mini-probe endoscopic ultrasonography (MCUS) with computed tomography (CT) in preoperative T and N staging of esophageal cancer, and to find out the MCUS parameters to judge lymph node metastasis for esophageal cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-five patients received both MCUS and CT preoperatively, on both of which the T and N stages were determined. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predicting value and negative predicting value were compared with the postoperative pathological results.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The accuracy of MCUS was 85.7% in T staging and 85.7% and 80.0% in N staging by the two different methods, which were 45.7% and 74.3%, respectively, by CT.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MCUS is better than CT in preoperative staging for esophageal cancer. The ratio of short to long axis (S/L) combined with short axis is a useful way to determine lymph node metastasis.</p>

Pattern of lymph node metastasis in patieats with squamous cell carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus and its significance in lymphadenectomy / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective To explore the pattern of lymph node metastasis in patitsen with squamous cell carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus and its significance in lymphadenectomy.Methods The clinical data of 230 patients who received radical esophagectomy with three-field lymphadenectomy was analyzed.The metastatic sites of lymph nodes were correlated with tumor location by chi-square test.Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between clinic pathoingical factors and lymph node metastasis.Results Lymph node metastases were found in 133 of the 230 patients(57.8%).The average number of resected lymph nodes was 25.3? 11.4 per patient(range 11～71).The rates of lymph node metastasis were 41.6%,19.44%and 8.3%in the neck,thoracic medi- astinum and abdominal cavity for patients with upper thoracic esophageal carcinoma,33.3%,34.7%and 14%for patients with mid- die thoracic esophageal carcinoma and 36.4 %,34.1%and 43.2 %for patients with lower thoracic esophageal carcinoma.No signifi- cant difference in cervical or thoracic metastatic rate was observed among upper,middle and lower thoracic carcinoma.The difference in lymph node metastatic rate for nodes in the abdominal cavity was significant among upper,middle and lower thoracic carcinoma. The lower thoracic esophageal cancers were more likely to metastasize to the abdominal cavity.Logistic-regression showed depth of tu- mor invasion and angiolymphatic invasion were factors influencing lymph node metastasis.Conclusion Cervical and mediastinal node dissection should be performed independently from tumor location.Abdominal node dissection should be conducted more vigorously for lower thoracic esophageal cancer than of other locations.Patients with greater tumor grade,depth of tumor invasion and angiolymphatic invasion were more prone to develop lymph node metastasis.