Ambient fine particulate matter and cardiopulmonary health risks in China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

In China, the level of ambient fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) pollution far exceeds the air quality standards recommended by the World Health Organization. Moreover, the health effects of PM 2.5 exposure have become a major public health issue. More than half of PM 2.5 -related excess deaths are caused by cardiopulmonary disease, which has become a major health risk associated with PM 2.5 pollution. In this review, we discussed the latest epidemiological advances relating to the health effects of PM 2.5 on cardiopulmonary diseases in China, including studies relating to the effects of PM 2.5 on mortality, morbidity, and risk factors for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. These data provided important evidence to highlight the cardiopulmonary risk associated with PM 2.5 across the world. In the future, further studies need to be carried out to investigate the specific relationship between the constituents and sources of PM 2.5 and cardiopulmonary disease. These studies provided scientific evidence for precise reduction measurement of pollution sources and public health risks. It is also necessary to identify effective biomarkers and elucidate the biological mechanisms and pathways involved; this may help us to take steps to reduce PM 2.5 pollution and reduce the incidence of cardiopulmonary disease.

Ginsenoside Rgl regulates autophagy through AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway and delays brain aging in mice / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the mechanism by which ginsenoside Rgl regulates autophagy anrl delays brain aging in mice through AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.Methods C57BL/6J male mice were ran¬domly divided into four groups, namely brain aging model group ,control group, Rgl anti-aging group,auto¬phagy activator Rapamycin anti-aging group.After the modeling was completed, the test of each experimental index would be carried out on the next day.Morris wa¬ter maze experiment was used to detect the learning and memory ability of mice.Paraffin sections of the hippocampus were prepared, HE , Nissl and immunohis- tochemical staining were used to observe the morpholo¬gy of hippocampal neurons, the number of neurons and Nissl bodies was counted, and autophagy-related proteins p62 , ATG5 , ULK1 were detected.Brain tissue homogenates were prepared to detect the aetivity of brain tissue acetylcholinesterase ( AChE ).Western blot was userl to detect brain tissue autophagy-related proteins LC3II, P62, beclinl, P-AMPK/AMPK, P- mTOR/mTOR and apoptosis protein P53.Results Water maze test showed that Rgl and Hap significantly improved the learning and memory abilities of brain-ag¬ing mice.HE and Nissl staining showed that Rgl and Rap decreased necrotic cells and increased the number of Nissl bodies in the hippocampus of brain-aging mice.Immunohistochemistry staining showed that Rgl and Rap decreased the expression of neuronal autoph- agv protein P62 in hippocampus and increased the ex-pression of ATG5 and ULK1.Rgl and Rap decreased the activity of AhcE in brain-aging mice.Western blot showed that Rgl and Rap increased autophagy-related proteins LC3II, Beclinl , P-AMPK/AMPK, but de¬creased the expression of P-mTOR/mTOR, P62, P53.Conclusions Ginsenoside Rgl can effectively antago¬nize the aging effect of D-gal on mouse brain.The pos¬sible mechanism is related to the regulation of autoph- agv by Rgl through AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.

Chronic Toxicity of Tanreqing Injection in Beagle Dogs / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the possible toxicity of long-term intravenous injection of Tanreqing injection in Beagle dogs， so as to provide experimental data for its clinical safe medication. Method:A total of 32 Beagle dogs （16 males and 16 females） were randomly divided into the low- （2.5 mL·kg^-1）， medium- （5.0 mL·kg^-1）， and high-dose （10.0 mL·kg^-1） Tanreqing injection groups and control group according to their body mass indices， with eight dogs in each group. In the waking state， the dogs were treated with intravenous injection of corresponding drugs into the medial cephalic vein of forelimb for 13 weeks， followed by four-week drug withdrawal. After the observation of general condition， body mass， and food consumption， the Beagle dogs were subjected to electrocardiography， ophthalmoscopy， hematological examination， serum biochemistry， and blood coagulation test in the middle of medication （week 6）， at the end of medication （week 13）， and during recovery （week 17）. Then the gross anatomy was conducted for calculating the major organ coefficients and observing the histopathological changes. Result:No obvious toxic reaction was found in each group， but the decreased fibrinogen and increased Kupffer's cells phagocytizing yellow-brown pigment in hepatic sinusoids were observed in the high-dose Tanreqing injection group following three months of medication. Reduction of fibrinogen was not observed in recovery period， but Kupffer's cells that phagocytized yellow-brown pigment still existed. Conclusion:The intravenous injection of Tanreqing injection at 2.50 mL·kg^-1（low dose）， 5.00 mL·kg^-1 （medium dose） or 10.00 mL·kg^-1（high dose） for three months in Beagle dogs resulted in no obvious toxic reaction. However， it is still suggested to test the liver function and blood coagulation after long-term administration of high-dose Tanreqing injection.

Effect of Modified Erchentang on Expression of IL-19,IL-20R1,IL-20R2 in Bronchioles of Rats with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To observe the effect of modified Erchentang on the expression of interleukin-19 (IL-19), interleukin-20 (IL-20)and their receptor IL-20R1, IL-20R2 in bronchioles of rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to explore the molecular mechanism of modified Erchentang on anti-inflammatory of COPD. Method: The model of rat with COPD was established by cigarette smoke combined with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The experimental rats were randomly divided into 6 groups:normal group, model group, modified Erchentang high, medium and low dose group, and Jizhitangjiang group. Normal group and model group fed with normal saline 4 mL · d-1, modified Erchentang high, middle, low dosage group(20,10,5 g · kg-1 · d-1).The dosage of Jizhitangjiang group was 12 g · kg-1 · d-1, all groups were given intragastric administration for 14 days, twice a day. To observe the general situation of rats.To evaluate the pulmonary function of rats. To detect the contents of IL-10, IL-19 and IL-20 in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).To observe the pathological changes of bronchiole tissue by light microscopy.To detect the expression of IL-20R1 and IL-20R2 in bronchiole tissue by immunohistochemistry. Result: Compared with normal group, peak expiratory flow(PEF), forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC in model group were significantly increased (PPP1 and in bronchioles tissue significantly increased (P1, FVC, FEV1/FVC of Jizhitangjiang group, modified Erchentang high, medium and low dosage group were significantly increased(PPP1 and IL-20R2 in bronchioles tissue was significantly decreased (PConclusion: Modified Erchentang can improve the lung function and protect the tissue structure of bronchioles in COPD rats, which may be related to the inhibition of the expression of IL-19, IL-20 and their receptor IL-20R1, IL-20R2 in bronchioles of rats with modified Erchentang.

Improving the detection method for tin and its compounds in workplace air / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To improve the standard detection method of tin and its compounds in the air of workplace.METHODS: During the sample preparation,the amount of sulfuric acid for air filter membrane digestion was reduced from its original 0. 5 m L( the standard method of flame atomic absorption spectrometry) to 0. 2 m L and no acid-driving after the membrane was digested. The amount of sulfuric acid given to the series of standards was the same as that of the membrane digestion. The samples were detected by the flame atomic absorption spectrometry method. RESULTS: The improved method showed a good linear range of tin as 0. 0-80. 0 mg / L,the regression equation was

Effect of chronic arsenic exposure on mouse brain tissue and serum metabolomics / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of chronic arsenic exposure on cerebral cortex and serum metabolics of mice and explore the mechanism of arsenic neurotoxicity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twelve 3-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned into exposure group and control group and exposed to sodium arsenite (50 mg/L) via drinking water and deionized water for 12 weeks, respectively. After the exposure, arsenic level in the cerebrum was determined by hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The metabolites in the cerebral cortex and serum were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to analyze the difference of the metabolites between the exposure and the control groups. Online tools for analyzing metabolic pathways were used to identify the related metabolites pathways.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Arsenic content in the brain of exposure group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The mice exposed to arsenic had a higher level of citric acid, phenylalanine, tyrosine, histidine and lysine in the cerebral cortex (P<0.05). Serum levels of serine, glycine, proline, aspartate and glutamate were significantly higher while α-ketoglutaric acid level was significantly lower in the exposure group than in the control group (P<0.05). PCA analysis showed a significant difference in cerebral cortex and serum metabolites between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chronic arsenic exposure may affect the function of the central nervous system by interfering with amino acid metabolism and tricarboxylic acid cycle, which may be one of the mechanisms of arsenic neurotoxicity.</p>

Pulsatile blood flow in arteries: An analytical and numerical study based on the Womersley algorithm / 医用生物力学

Objective To conduct a comprehensive study on pulsatile blood flow in arteries by proposing a convenient theoretical research system for hemodynamics. Methods Based on Womersley algorithm for fully developed pulsatile flow, numerical algorithm was introduced to establish the solving and analytical system of hemodynamics based on flow rate in arteries during one cardiac cycle. The flow rate of carotid artery in pig was measured under three blood flow states: the ideal state with a sinusoidal inflow waveform, the normal physiological state and the enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) state for comprehensive hemodynamic research. Results Important hemodynamic parameters such as the axial speed vector, the wall shear stress (WSS), and the oscillatory shear index (OSI) during one cardiac cycle under the mentioned three flow states were solved respectively. The waveform of flow rate had a certain effect on WSS distributions and OSI level; the EECP performance obviously resulted in a significant increase in the level of WSS (WSS peak in particular) and OSI. Conclusions The solving system developed in this paper can be used for hemodynamics study conveniently and effectively. One of the most important hemodynamic mechanisms that lead to EECP’s good clinical effect may lie in its promotion to WSS level under physiological state, but the effect of OSI on endothelial function of the artery might much smaller than WSS itself; therefore, OSI may not be an ideal hemodynamic index for predicting the lesion of atherosclerosis.

Effect of modified wuhua decoction on skin barrier function in facial corticosteroid addictive dermatitis patients / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical efficacy of modified Wuhua Decoction (WHD) on corticosteroid addictive dermatitis (CsAD) and in improving patients' facial skin barrier function.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-five patients were randomly assigned to two groups, the 38 in the treated group treated with WHD together with oral administration of levocetirizine tablet, while the 37 in the control group treated with levocetirizine tablet alone in the same way, 30 days as a course. Skin erythema dose (ED) and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) of patients were measured before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Five cases in the treated group and 7 cases in the control group were dropped out. The total effective rate was 69.7% (23/33 cases) in the treated group and 10.0% (3/30 cases) in the control group respectively, with the score of objective symptoms reduced from 5.48 +/- 1.60 before treatment to 1.24 +/- 1.62 after treatment and the score of subjective symptoms reduced from 7.06 +/- 1.54 to 1.55 +/- 1.72 in the treated group, while in the control group, the two indexes reduced from 5.57 +/- 1.25 to 3.27 +/- 1.55 and from 6.77 +/- 1.36 to 3.07 +/- 1.36 respectively, showing significant difference between the two groups and the efficacy in the treated group was better than that in the control group (P <0.01). Skin ED decreased significantly in the treated group after treatment, and insignificantly in the control group. TEWL began to decrease on the 15th day in the treated group, while it was unchanged in the control group; on the 30th day, although a decrease was shown in both groups, its reduction was lower in the treated group (P <0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>WHD has significant clinical efficacy on CsAD, it could reduce the skin ED and quickly recover the injured facial skin barrier function.</p>

Clinical effect of treatment for clearing heat, detoxicating and nourishing Yin on patients with glucocorticosteroid induced facial dermatitis and its effect on skin barrier function / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical efficacy of treatment for clearing heat, detoxicating and nourishing Yin (abbr. as CHM) on glucocorticosteroid (GCS) induced facial dermatitis, and its effect in repairing skin barrier function.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and fifteen patients were randomly assigned into two groups, 68 in the treated group treated with CHM and 47 in the control group treated by oral administration of loratadine 10 mg once a day and ketotifen 1 mg once every night. The volume of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) of patients was measured before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The effective rate was 77.9% (53/68) and 14.9% (7/47) in the treated group and the control group respectively, showing significant difference between the two groups, and it was better in the treated group than that in the control group (P < 0.01). The decrease of TEWL in the treated group was also superior to that in the control group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chinese herbal treatment for clearing heat, detoxicating and nourishing Yin has significant clinical efficiency on GCS induced facial dermatitis and in repairing the skin barrier function.</p>

Three-dimensional changes of maxilla after rapid maxillary expansion / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate three-dimensional changes of maxilla after rapid maxillary expansion (RME).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ten patients treated with RME were included in the study. Spiral CT images were used to evaluate three-dimensional changes of the maxilla. A three-dimensional reference frame was set up.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) ANS, PNS' and PNS displaced downward and forward. ANS-PNS plane rotated clockwise in the mid-sagittal plane. ANS-PNS' plane, which represents the real position of maxilla, was not changed in the mid-sagittal plane. The palatal suture was expanded in taper shape and two halves of the maxilla rotated in the frontal plane. (2) The maxillary suture was opened wider in the middle and narrower at both ends, which was like a spindle.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Three-dimensional changes were found after RME treatment. Spiral CT was useful in the three-dimensional evaluation of maxilla.</p>