Epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of Blastocystis hominis infection among children with diarrhea under five years of age in Guangzhou City / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of Blastocystis hominis infection among children with diarrhea under five years of age in Guangzhou City. Methods Children with diarrhea under 5 years of age admitted to Guangzhou Children’s hospital, Guangzhou Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital and Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center during the period between January 1 and December 31, 2020, were enrolled. Participants’ demographics, living environments and health status were collected using questionnaire surveys. Stool samples were collected from participants and nucleic acid was extracted. B. hominis infection was identified using PCR assay and sequence alignment, and the factors affecting B. hominis infection among children with diarrhea under 5 years of age were identified using univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results A total of 684 children with diarrhea under 5 years of age were enrolled, including 468 male children and 216 female children, with a mean age of (1.79 ± 1.12) years. The overall prevalence of B. hominis infection was 4.97% [34/684, 95% confidential interval (CI): (3.59%, 6.86%)] among participants, and there was no significant difference in the prevalence of B. hominis infection between children with chronic [7.52% (20/266), 95% CI: (4.92%, 11.33%)] and acute diarrhea [3.35% (14/418), 95% CI: (2.01%, 5.54%)] (χ2 = 5.983, P = 0.014). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified keeping pet [odds ratio (OR) = 6.298, 95% CI: (2.711, 14.633)], drinking non-tap water [OR = 4.522, 95% CI: (1.769, 11.561)], lactose intolerance [OR = 4.221, 95% CI: (1.043, 17.087)], antibiotic use [OR = 0.125, 95% CI: (0.017, 0.944)] and chronic diarrhea [OR = 2.172, 95% CI: (1.018, 4.637)] as factors affecting B. hominis infection among children with diarrhea under 5 years of age in Guangzhou City. Conclusions B. hominis infections is detected in children with diarrhea under five years of age in Guangzhou City. Improving home environments and pet-keeping hygiene is recommended to reduce the likelihood of B. hominis infection among children.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and the risk of idiopathic central precocious puberty in girls

Abstract Introduction Prior studies have found inconsistent results regarding the relationship between vitamin D status and Idiopathic Central Precocious Puberty (ICPP). Objective To assess the role of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 [OH]D) levels in ICPP development. Method The authors retrospectively collected data from 221 girls with ICPP and 144 healthy girls between January 2017 and December 2019. The participants' serum 25(OH)D levels were measured using an automatic chemiluminescence method, and the association between serum 25(OH)D levels and the risk of ICPP was assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Odds Ratios (OR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI) were calculated as effect estimates. Results Serum 25(OH)D levels in the ICPP group were significantly lower than those in healthy controls (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that girls with insufficient vitamin D levels (OR = 0.201; 95% CI 0.094-0.428; p < 0.001) and sufficient vitamin D levels (OR = 0.141; 95% CI 0.053-0.375; p < 0.001) both had a lower risk of ICPP than girls with vitamin D deficiency. Moreover, the authors found that the height (p = 0.014), weight (p = 0.014), breast stage (p = 0.010), mother's height (p < 0.001), and luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone ratio (p = 0.010) in girls with ICPP could be associated with levels of vitamin D. Conclusion This study found that a low serum 25(OH)D level is an independent risk factor for ICPP, and several characteristics of girls with ICPP could be affected by their vitamin D status.

Aflatoxins and fungal community distribution during harvesting and processing of Platycladi Semen / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to analyze aflatoxins content and fungal community distribution in the harvesting and processing of Platycladi Semen, and explore the key link that affects aflatoxins contamination. The related Platycladi Semen samples of different maturity periods(cone non-rupture period, early rupture, and complete rupture period) and different processing periods(before drying, during 2-d drying, during 7-d drying, before and after seed scale removal, before and after peeling, 1 d after color sorting, and 7 d after color sorting) were collected for identifying the fungal community composition on sample surface by ITS amplicon sequencing. Then the content of aflatoxins B_1, B_2, G_1 and G_2 was determined by HPLC-MS/MS. The results showed that during the harvesting of Platycladi Semen from cone non-rupture to complete rupture, aflatoxins were only detected in the seed scale and seed coat, with aflatoxin G_2 in the seed scale and aflatoxin B_1 in the seed coat. During the drying, with the prolongation of drying time, aflatoxins B_1 and G_2 were detected simultaneously in the seed scale, aflatoxin B_1 in the seed coat, and low-content aflatoxin B_1 in the seed kernel. During subsequent processing, the aflatoxin content in seed kernel during subsequent processing was slighted increased. As demonstrated by fungal detection, Aspergillus flavus was not present during the harvesting of Platycladi Semen, but present during the drying and processing. Its content in the seed coat during the drying process was relatively higher. In short, Platycladi Semen should be harvested as soon as possible after it becomes fully mature. Drying process is the key link of preventing aflatoxin contamination. It is advised to build a sunlight room or adopt similar settings, standardize the operations in other processes, and keep the surrounding environment clean to minimize aflatoxin contamination.

Prediction of trends for fine-scale spread of Oncomelania hupensis in Shanghai Municipality based on supervised machine learning models / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To predict the trends for fine-scale spread of Oncomelania hupensis based on supervised machine learning models in Shanghai Municipality, so as to provide insights into precision O. hupensis snail control.@*METHODS@#Based on 2016 O. hupensis snail survey data in Shanghai Municipality and climatic, geographical, vegetation and socioeconomic data relating to O. hupensis snail distribution, seven supervised machine learning models were created to predict the risk of snail spread in Shanghai, including decision tree, random forest, generalized boosted model, support vector machine, naive Bayes, k-nearest neighbor and C5.0. The performance of seven models for predicting snail spread was evaluated with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), F1-score and accuracy, and optimal models were selected to identify the environmental variables affecting snail spread and predict the areas at risk of snail spread in Shanghai Municipality.@*RESULTS@#Seven supervised machine learning models were successfully created to predict the risk of snail spread in Shanghai Municipality, and random forest (AUC = 0.901, F1-score = 0.840, ACC = 0.797) and generalized boosted model (AUC= 0.889, F1-score = 0.869, ACC = 0.835) showed higher predictive performance than other models. Random forest analysis showed that the three most important climatic variables contributing to snail spread in Shanghai included aridity (11.87%), ≥ 0 °C annual accumulated temperature (10.19%), moisture index (10.18%) and average annual precipitation (9.86%), the two most important vegetation variables included the vegetation index of the first quarter (8.30%) and vegetation index of the second quarter (7.69%). Snails were more likely to spread at aridity of < 0.87, ≥ 0 °C annual accumulated temperature of 5 550 to 5 675 °C, moisture index of > 39% and average annual precipitation of > 1 180 mm, and with the vegetation index of the first quarter of > 0.4 and the vegetation index of the first quarter of > 0.6. According to the water resource developments and township administrative maps, the areas at risk of snail spread were mainly predicted in 10 townships/subdistricts, covering the Xipian, Dongpian and Tainan sections of southern Shanghai.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Supervised machine learning models are effective to predict the risk of fine-scale O. hupensis snail spread and identify the environmental determinants relating to snail spread. The areas at risk of O. hupensis snail spread are mainly located in southwestern Songjiang District, northwestern Jinshan District and southeastern Qingpu District of Shanghai Municipality.

Analysis of the new WHO guideline to accelerate the progress towards elimination of schistosomiasis in China / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

On February 2022, WHO released the evidence-based guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis, with aims to guide the elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem in disease-endemic countries by 2030 and promote the interruption of schistosomiasis transmission across the world. Based on the One Health concept, six evidence-based recommendations were proposed in this guideline. This article aims to analyze the feasibility of key aspects of this guideline in Chinese national schistosomiasis control program and illustrate the significance to guide the future actions for Chinese national schistosomiasis control program. Currently, the One Health concept has been embodied in the Chinese national schistosomiasis control program. Based on this new WHO guideline, the following recommendations are proposed for the national schistosomiasis control program of China: (1) improving the systematic framework building, facilitating the agreement of the cross-sectoral consensus, and building a high-level leadership group; (2) optimizing the current human and livestock treatments in the national schistosomiasis control program of China; (3) developing highly sensitive and specific diagnostics and the framework for verifying elimination of schistosomiasis; (4) accelerating the progress towards elimination of schistosomiasis and other parasitic diseases through integrating the national control programs for other parasitic diseases.

Influenza-associated excess mortality in Zhejiang Province from 2016 to 2019 / 预防医学

Objective@#To estimate the influenza-associated excess mortality (IEM) in Zhejiang Province from 2016 to 2019, so as to provide insights into estimates of mortality burden due to influenza. @* Methods@#The data pertaining to all-cause death and influenza surveillance in Zhejiang Province from 2016 to 2019 were retrieved from Zhejiang Provincial Cause of Death Registration System and Influenza Surveillance System to create distributed lag non-linear models (DLNMs). The year-, influenza subtype- and age-specific IEM rates were estimated.@*Results@#The overall IEM was 18.67/105 (95%CI: 15.32/105-21.97/105) in Zhejiang Province from 2016 to 2019, with the lowest in 2016 (14.19/105, 95%CI: 12.00/105-16.37/105) and the highest in 2018 (22.92/105, 95%CI: 19.23/105-26.56/105). The IEM rates of influenza A (H1N1), influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B were 9.32/105 (95%CI: 7.65/105-10.98/105), 5.68/105 (95%CI: 4.24/105-7.11/105), and 3.66/105 (95%CI: 2.13/105-5.18/105). The greatest IEM was seen among residents at ages of 65 years and older (142.91/105, 95%CI: (115.99/105-169.55/105, followed by among individuals at ages of 15 to 64 years (2.74/105, 95%CI: 1.87/105-3.61/105), and the lowest was seen among individuals under 15 years of age (0.41/105, 95%CI: -0.33/105-1.14/105). @*Conclusions@#From 2016 to 2019, the highest IEM was seen in Zhejiang Province in 2018, and the elderly residents at ages of 65 years and above presented the greatest IEM, with influenza A (H1N1) as the predominant influenza subtype. Influenza surveillance and vaccination is recommended to be reinforced.

Clinical Efficacy and Mechanism of Xiao Qinglongtang in Treating Chronic Heart Failure with Cold Phlegm in Lung / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Xiao Qinglongtang on chronic heart failure with cold phlegm in lung， and explore its mechanism of action. Method:A total of 87 patients with definite chronic heart failure were divided into observation group and control group by random number table method．The two groups received routine western medicine at the same time. Forty-two cases in observation group were treated with Xiao Qinglongtang based on western medicine， and 45 cases in control group received the same dose of placebo. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks， and then their cardiac function， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome score and efficacy were compared before and after treatment. Left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） were measured in both groups before and after treatment. The changes of standard deviation of NN intervals （SDNN）， square root of the mean squared differences of successive NN intervals （RMSSD）， high frequency （HF） and low frequency （LF） that reflect autonomic nerve function indexes in heart rate variability （HRV） after treatment were compared between two groups. The changes of inflammatory indicators such as interleukin-6 （IL-6） and highly sensitive C reaction protein （hs-CRP） were detected. Result:After treatment， the total effective rate for cardiac function in observation group was higher than that in control group （P<0.05）. The TCM symptom scores were improved after treatment in both groups （P<0.05）， and the total effective rate in observation group was higher than that in control group （P<0.01）. After treatment， LVEF levels significantly increased （P<0.01） and NT-proBNP levels significantly decreased （P<0.01） in both groups， and the effect in observation group was more obvious （P<0.01）. After treatment， SDNN， RMSD， HF and LF indicators in HRV were all higher than those before treatment in both groups （P<0.01）， and the improvement in observation group was more significant than that in control group （P<0.01）. The levels of IL-6 and hs-CRP decreased after treatment in both groups （P<0.01）， and the level of observation group was significantly lower than that of control group （P<0.01）. Conclusion:Xiao Qinglongtang has certain clinical efficacy in treating chronic heart failure with cold phlegm in lung as it can improve the clinical symptoms of patients， regulate autonomic nervous balance， and inhibit inflammatory factors， providing new clinical ideas to treat chronic heart failure in TCM.

Sacubitril/valsartan reduces susceptibility of atrial fibrillation by reversing structural remodeling of atrial in spontaneously hypertensive rats / 中国药理学通报

Aim To observe the effects of sacubitril/valsartan (Sac/Val, LCZ696) on atrial remodeling and atrial fibrillation (AF) susceptibility in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods Twenty-four 7-week-old male SHR were randomly divided into SHR group, SHR + Val group (30 mg · kg

Effect of Exercise on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Systemic Inflammation and Skeletal Muscle Dysfunction: A Systematic Review / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective To systematically review the effects of exercise on systemic inflammation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and skeletal muscle dysfunction. Methods The literature about the effect of exercise on COPD systemic inflammation and skeletal muscle dysfunction were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang data, until June, 2021, supplemented by reference review and manual retrieval. Results A total of 192 literatures were retrieved and eight were included, involving 245 subjects. The comprehensive results showed that exercise could decrease the level of pro-inflammatory factors and increase the level of anti-inflammatory factors. Exercise can improve the motor ability and skeletal muscle structure of patients with COPD. Exercise can improve systemic inflammation of COPD, which is related to the mode, intensity and duration of exercise. Exercise may affect ubiquitin-protease, insulin-like growth factors -1/phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/Akt and other pathways by regulating the inflammatory response, and improve skeletal muscle dysfunction. Conclusion Exercise has certain effect on reducing systemic inflammation and improving skeletal muscle dysfunction.

Effect of Exercise on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Systemic Inflammation and Skeletal Muscle Dysfunction: A Systematic Review / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective To systematically review the effects of exercise on systemic inflammation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and skeletal muscle dysfunction. Methods The literature about the effect of exercise on COPD systemic inflammation and skeletal muscle dysfunction were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang data, until June, 2021, supplemented by reference review and manual retrieval. Results A total of 192 literatures were retrieved and eight were included, involving 245 subjects. The comprehensive results showed that exercise could decrease the level of pro-inflammatory factors and increase the level of anti-inflammatory factors. Exercise can improve the motor ability and skeletal muscle structure of patients with COPD. Exercise can improve systemic inflammation of COPD, which is related to the mode, intensity and duration of exercise. Exercise may affect ubiquitin-protease, insulin-like growth factors -1/phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/Akt and other pathways by regulating the inflammatory response, and improve skeletal muscle dysfunction. Conclusion Exercise has certain effect on reducing systemic inflammation and improving skeletal muscle dysfunction.

Utilization of oral health services for school-age children in Xiangfang District of Harbin / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To investigate the oral health service demands and utilization among school-age children in Xiangfang district of Harbin, and to explore the related influencing factors.@*Methods@#A total of 7 944 children aged 6-11 were investigated for oral health status through questionnaire survey in Xiangfang District, Harbin. Descriptive analysis, Chi-square test, nonparametric test and Logistic regression were used to analyze the oral health service demands and utilization of school-age children.@*Results@#The rate of caries, unfilled caries, malocclusion and traumatic dental injuries were 89.7%, 60.7%, 59.3% and 12.5%, respectively. In the past 12 months, 53.8% of children had toothache. The rate of seeking medical treatment in stomatology department was 31.6%, with the primary reason being treatment (47.6%), while the rate of preventive dental treatment was 15.6%. Multivariate analysis showed that girls, father s education being high school or technical secondary school, father s education higher or equal to junior college, poor oral health evaluation, high score on oral knowledge and oral attitude, brushing teeth once a day, brushing teeth twice a day or more, having attended oral health courses, having toothache experience, having dental trauma experience, suffering from dental caries were more likely to visit the oral clinics (OR=1.11，1.17，1.50，0.80，1.07，1.21，1.60，2.27，1.28，1.49，1.54，1.67, P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#In Xiangfang District of Harbin, there is a large demand for oral health services for school-age children, however, both of the utilization rate and the preventive medical treatment rate is low. Many factors affect the utilization of oral health services for children. It is suggested that targeted measures should be taken to improve the utilization level of school-age children s health resources.

A strategy for population pharmaceutical quality assessment based on quality by design / 药物分析学报

From a regulatory perspective,drug quality consistency evaluation must concern different processes used for the same drug.In this study,an assessment strategy based on quality by design(QbD)was developed for population pharmaceutical quality evaluation.A descriptive analysis method based on QbD concept was first established to characterize the process by critical evaluation attributes(CEAs).Then quantitative analysis method based on an improved statistical process control(SPC)method was established to investigate the process indicators(PIs)in the process population,such as mean distri-bution,batch-to-batch difference and abnormal quality probability.After that rules for risk assessment were established based on the SPC limitations and parameters.Both the SPC parameters of the CEAs and the risk of PIs were visualized according to the interaction test results to obtain a better understanding of the population pharmaceutical quality.Finally,an assessment strategy was built and applied to generic drug consistency assessment,process risk assessment and quality trend tracking.The strategy demon-strated in this study could help reveal quality consistency from the perspective of process control and process risk,and further show the recent development status of domestic pharmaceutical production processes.In addition,a process risk assessment and population quality trend tracking provide data-based information for approval.Not only can this information serve as a further basis for decision-making by the regulatory authority regarding early warnings,but it can also reduce some avoidable adverse reactions.With continuous addition of data,dynamic population pharmaceutical quality is meaningful for emergencies and decision-making regarding drug regulation.

Current status and parental awareness regarding children s first permanent molar in Harbin / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To understand current status of children s first permanent molar in Harbin, to investigate parental awareness regarding children s first permanent molar as well as Pit and Fissure sealant, and to provide new ideas for caries prevention in the first permanent molar and Pit and Fissure sealant.@*Methods@#In October 2019, 11 540 children in the region were examined and their parents were given questionnaires.@*Results@#The prevalence of dental caries was 37.72%. The DMFT was 1.11, the germination rate was 86.98%, and Pit and Fissure sealants rate was 36.93%. About 16.8% of the parents were aware of the eruption time of first permanent molar, and 35.33% didn t know first permanent molar, 19.39% of the parents had a clear understanding of Pit and Fissure sealants time and 32.77% of the parents were not aware of Pit and Fissure sealants. The prevalence of caries was higher in children (35.55%, 32.77%) whose parents did not know the first permanent molar and the pit and fissure sealants.High income level, high education level and urban parents had a higher degree of knowledge about fossa closure( χ 2=98.35, 192.16, 172.31, P <0.05).@*Conclusion@#Prevalence of dental caries is higher in children in Harbin, and the awareness of Pit and Fissure sealants is lower in parents. Relevant organizations should strengthen the publicity and education of oral health knowledge for parents.

Current status and challenges for taeniasis and cysticercosis control in China / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

In the WHO new road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021—2030, the disease-specific targets are classified into control, elimination as a public health problem, elimination and eradication, and taeniasis and cysticercosis are targeted for control. The overall prevalence of taeniasis and cysticercosis is low in China, and varies remarkably in regions and populations; however, there are many challenges for elimination of taeniasis and cysticercosis in China. Based on previous taeniasis and cysticercosis control programs, developing a sensitive taeniasis and cysticercosis surveillance-response system, updating criteria for diagnosis of taeniasis and cysticercosis, proposing a national guideline for treatment of taeniasis and cysticercosis, and strengthening interdisciplinary and intersectoral communications and collaborations are urgently needed under the One Health concept.

The Clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with decompensated schistosomiasis cirrhosis or decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis in ICU / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:Intensive physicians have relatively insufficient knowledge and experience in treating patients with decompensated schistosomiasis cirrhosis (DSC) admitted in intensive care unit (ICU), but are relatively familiar with patients with decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis (DAC). For this purpose, the clinical characteristics and prognosis of these patients were compared and analyzed.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed from January 2013 to May 2019 in our hospital and Quzhou People’s hospital. The demographic data, laboratory examination, liver function, Child-Pugh classification, complications of cirrhosis, ultrasonic imaging gastroscopy manifestations were recorded and analyzed. In addition, the treatments and prognosis were also compared.Results:A total of 30 patients (12 males and 18 females) with DSC (aged 57-88) and 31 patients with DAC (aged 41-75) were collected. Compared with patients with DAC, DSC patients were more likely to have coronary heart disease, lower proportion of hyponatremia and lower need of ventilator support. Although the incidences of jaundice and hepatic encephalopathy were significantly reduced ( P<0.05), but parameters of liver function and coagulation were no significant differences in both groups ( P>0.05). B-mode ultrasound of liver in patients with DSC displayed more proportion of patchy and diffuse echo changes and liver volume reduction ( P<0.05), whereas the manifestations of gastroscope in both groups were similar. No significant difference in main treatment measures like uses of somatostatin and three-chamber and two-capsule tube was observed. After treatment, the stop time of gastrointestinal bleeding was similar between groups of DAC and DSC [1.25 (0.5-4.125) days vs. 1.75 (1-2.375) days] ( P>0.05). In addition, the length of ICU stay in DAC group was similar to DSC group [(4.96±3.58) days vs. (3.82±1.99) days], so did the 28-day mortality [14.29% (2/14) vs. 18.18% (2/11)] (both P>0.05). Conclusions:In genenal, patients with decompensated schistosomiasis cirrhosis have the similar clinical characteristics, major biochemical indicators and accessory examination results like ultrasound and gastroscopic examinations to patients with decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis. After timely treatments, both of these patients could achieve a good prognosis.

Involvement of Src kinase in the down-regulation of ultra-rapid delayed rectifier K(+)current induced by tumor necrosis factor-α in cardiomyocytes / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To investigate whether inflammatory factor tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is involved in the electrical remodeling of cardiomyocytes by regulating ultra-rapid delayed rectifier K(+) current (I(kur)) and the role of Src kinase. Methods: H9c2 cells, embryonic cardiomyocytes of rat, were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) and atrium-derived HL-1 cells were cultured in Claycomb medium. Both H9c2 and HL-1 cells were cultured at 37 ℃ with 5% CO(2). Cells cultured in normal conditions without additional treatment served as control group. Experimental groups were treated with different concentration of TNF-α (25 or 50 or 100 ng/ml) for 24 hours. To study whether Src specific inhibitor PP1 could abrogate the effect of TNF-α, cells were pre-treated with 10 μmol/L PP1 for 1 hour, followed by TNF-α (100 ng/ml) for 24 hours. Western blot and the whole cell patch clamp technique were used to detect the protein expression of Kv1.5 and Src and I(kur) in each group. Results: (1) In H9c2 cells, high concentration of TNF-α treatment (100 ng/ml) significantly reduced the Kv1.5 protein expression compared with control group and TNF-α 25 ng/ml group (both P<0.05). Compared with control group, the expression of p-Src protein was higher in 25 ng/ml, 50 ng/ml, 100 ng/ml TNF-α group (all P<0.05), but there was no statistical difference in the expression of Src protein among groups (P>0.05). In addition, the current density of I(kur) was decreased in 50 ng/ml, 100 ng/ml TNF-α group (both P<0.05). Furthermore, the expression of Kv1.5 protein and the current density of I(kur) were increased in PP1+TNF-α group compared with TNF-α 100 ng/ml group (both P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the expression of Kv1.5 protein and the current density of I(kur) between the control group and PP1+TNF-α group (both P>0.05). (2) In atrium-derived HL-1 cells, the expression of Kv1.5 protein was reduced in 100 ng/ml TNF-α group compared with control group and TNF-α 25 ng/ml group (both P<0.01). In addition, the expression of p-Src protein was increased in TNF-α 100 ng/ml group compared with control group (P<0.05), but there was no statistical difference in the protein expression of Src among groups (P>0.05). The expression of Kv1.5 protein was increased in PP1+TNF-α group compared with TNF-α 100 ng/ml group (P<0.05). Conclusion: TNF-α is involved in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation, probably via decreasing I(kur) current density in atrium-derived myocytes through the activation of Src kinase.

Association between bile acid metabolism and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have not shown any correlation between bile acid metabolism and bone mineral density (BMD) in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Thus, the current study evaluated the association between bile acid levels as well as BMD and bone turnover marker levels in this group of women. METHODS: This single-center cross-sectional study included 150 postmenopausal Chinese women. According to BMD, the participants were divided into three groups: osteoporosis group, osteopenia group, and healthy control group. Serum bile acid, fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19), and bone turnover biomarker levels were assessed. Moreover, the concentrations of parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D], procollagen type I N-peptide (P1NP), and beta-CrossLaps of type I collagen containing cross-linked C-terminal telopeptide (β-CTX) were evaluated. The BMD of the lumbar spine and proximal femur were examined via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: The serum total bile acid levels in the osteoporosis and osteopenia groups (5.28±1.56 and 5.31±1.56 umol/L, respectively) were significantly lower than that in the healthy control group (6.33±2.04 umol/L; p=0.002 and 0.018, respectively). Serum bile acid level was positively associated with the BMD of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip. However, it negatively correlated with β-CTX concentration. Moreover, no correlation was observed between bile acid and P1NP levels, and the levels of the other biomarkers that were measured did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: Serum bile acid was positively correlated with BMD and negatively correlated with bone turnover biomarkers reflecting bone absorption in postmenopausal women. Thus, bile acid may play an important role in bone metabolism.

Identification of the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network of antler growth centers

Antler growth is a unique event compared to other growth and development processes in mammals. Antlers grow extremelyfast during the rapid growth stage when growth rate peaks at 2 cm per day. Antler growth is driven by a specificendochondral ossification process in the growth center that is in the distal region of the antler tip. In this study, we usedstate-of-art RNA-seq technology to analyze the expression profiles of mRNAs and miRNAs during antler growth. Ourresults indicated that the expression levels of multiple genes involved in chondrogenesis and endochondral ossification,including Fn1, Sox9, Col2a1, Acan, Col9a1, Col11a1, Hapln1, Wwp2, Fgfr3, Comp, Sp7 and Ihh, were significantlyincreased at the rapid growth stage. Our results also indicated that there were multiple differentially expressed miRNAsinteracting with differentially expressed genes with opposite expression patterns. Furthermore, some of the miRNAs,including miR-3072-5p, miR-1600, miR-34-5p, miR-6889-5p and miR-6729-5p, simultaneously interacted with andcontrolled multiple genes involved in the process of chondrogenesis and endochondral ossification. Therefore, we established a miRNA-mRNA regulatory network by identifying miRNAs and their target genes that were differentially expressedin the antler growth centers by comparing the rapid growth stage and the initial growth stage

Sericin regulates proliferation of human gastric cancer MKN45 cells through autophagic pathway / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of sericin on the proliferation of human gastric cancer MKN45 cells and explore the underlying molecular mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MKN45 cells were transfected by LC3 double fluorescent autophagic virus, and the positive cells screened by puromycin were divided into blank group, sericin group and sericin∓3-MA group. After incubation with sericin for 48 h, the cells were examined for proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle using CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. Cell autophagy was detected by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fluorescent inverted microscope, and the autophagy-related markers including LC3, p62 and Beclin proteins were detected with Western blotting. Nude mice bearing gastric cancer xenograft were treated with normal saline or sericin injections (n=5) and the changes in the tumor volume and weight were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the blank group, MKN45 cells with sericin treatment showed significantly inhibited proliferation both in vitro and in nude mice. Autophagosomes were observed in sericin-treated cells under TEM and fluorescent inverted microscope. Sericin treatment of the cells significantly increased the cell apoptosis (P<0.01), caused obvious cell cycle arrest in G/M phase (P<0.01), up-regulated the expressions of both LC3-2 and Beclin, and down-regulated the expression of p62. The autophagy inhibitor 3-MA obviously antagonized the effects of sericin on cell apoptosis, cell cycle and autophagic protein expressions.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Sericin can inhibit the proliferation of human gastric cancer MKN45 cells by regulating cell autophagy to serve as potential anti-tumor agent.</p>

Clinical Characteristics and Treatment of Spontaneous Osteonecrosis of Medial Tibial Plateau: A Retrospective Case Study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>Background</b>In a small proportion of cases, spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee (SONK) involves the medial tibial plateau (MT). Here, we introduced the clinical characteristics of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the MT and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) as the favorable treatment for this situation based on a retrospective case study.</p><p><b>Methods</b>Patients with spontaneous osteonecrosis of the MT, confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine (China) from March 2015 to June 2016, were included as a case serial and analyzed retrospectively. All patients underwent Oxford Medial UKA. The characteristics of their lesions, corresponding treatment, and results of follow-up were presented. The lesion scores and grade were determined according to the criteria of Ficat and Arlet.</p><p><b>Results</b>In total, 22 patients (5 men, 17 women; mean age, 64.1 years) with spontaneous osteonecrosis of the MT were analyzed. The lesion stages assessment showed that 3 (14%) were Stage II, 10 (45%) were Stage III, 7 (32%) were Stage IV, and 2 (9%) were Stage V. In the sagittal plane, 7 (32%) were in the anterior region (MTa) and 15 (68%) were central (MTc). The lesion volume averaged 2.24 ± 0.79 cm (range: 1.57-3.08 cm). Seventeen patients (77%) had Level III posterior medial meniscus root tears (MMRTs). All the patients underwent UKA. Average follow-up was 30.0 ± 6.4 months with a range of 23.0-38.0 months. The visual analog scale score was 7.78 ± 0.67 before surgery while decreased to 2.22 ± 1.09 at the final follow-up (P < 0.001). The Hospital for Special Surgery scores of pre-/post-surgery were 65.67 ± 5.45 and 84.10 ± 4.20, respectively (P < 0.001).</p><p><b>Conclusions</b>SONK often occurs in the anterior and central tibial plateau due to abnormal stresses. Most of the patients had Level III posterior medial meniscus root tears. MRI is recommended for suspected cases to identify SONK at an early stage. The use of the Oxford Medial UKA for SONK of the MT is reliable both immediately and at follow-up.</p>