Research progress on effect and mechanism of diesel exhaust particles on asthma / 环境与职业医学

As a source of traffic-related air pollution, diesel particulate matter (DPM) associate with a variety of lung-related diseases, but there is no systematic review of the relationship between DPM and the development and progression of asthma. This article reviewed the relationship between DPM and asthma, the effect and mechanism of DPM on airway inflammation and remodeling in asthma, and illustrated that DPM exposure may participate in airway inflammation and remodeling through oxidative stress, immune regulation and regulation of lung and intestinal microecology, so as to promote the development and progression of asthma.

Pulmonary dysfunction and risk factors in residents of a rural community / 中国基层医药

Objective:To observe the changes of pulmonary function and its influential factors in residents of a rural community and investigate the prevention and control measures.Methods:A survey was made in residents from a rural community in Qingdao who received public health services from September 2017 to December 2019. The demographic data, behavioral and medical history information were collected. Forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second were measured. The factors that affect lung function were analyzed using univariate analysis and multivariate analysis.Results:This survey involved 5184 residents consisting of 2199 (42.4%) males and 2985 (57.6%) females. 1322 (25.5%) residents had pulmonary dysfunction. Univariate analysis showed that residents aged ≥ 60 years had a higher risk for developing pulmonary dysfunction than residents aged < 60 years (26.1% vs. 14.3%, χ2 = 19.34, P < 0.001), and male residents had a higher risk for developing pulmonary dysfunction than female residents (32.9% vs. 20.0%, χ2 = 110.74, P < 0.001). With the increase in body mass, the incidence of pulmonary dysfunction gradually decreased. The proportion of residents with pulmonary dysfunction with low body mass was higher than that in residents with normal body mass and high body mass (43.4% vs. 27.8% or 22.8%, χ2 = 8.86, 17.63, P = 0.003, < 0.001). The proportion of residents with pulmonary dysfunction was higher in those with a history of chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, or obstructive pulmonary disease than in those without such a history (68.3% vs. 23.2%) χ2 = 263.33, P < 0.001). The proportion of residents with pulmonary dysfunction was significantly higher in smokers, whether or not had quit smoking than in non-smokers (35.1%, 36.3% vs. 22.8%, χ2 = 48.83, 86.46, both P < 0.001). The proportion of residents with the normal pulmonary function was not related to the exposure history of dust and chemical poisons and the family history of respiratory diseases ( χ2 = 0.38, 2.29, P = 0.535, 0.130). Multivariate analysis showed that age ≥ 60 years, male sex, low body mass, smoking, and a history of respiratory system diseases were the independent risk factors for pulmonary dysfunction. Among smokers, the number of cigarettes smoked was higher in smokers with pulmonary dysfunction than those with normal pulmonary function ( t = -2.39, P = 0.009). Conclusion:There are many risk factors for pulmonary dysfunction. Primary medical service institutes should carry out pulmonary function testing and formulate targeted prevention strategies, which help realize early detection and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Awareness and application of common clinical guidelines in primary care among primary care providers in Qingdao city / 中华全科医师杂志

Objective:To survey the awareness of common primary care clinical guidelines among primary care providers in Qingdao city.Methods:A questionnaire survey on the awareness of common clinical guidelines in primary care was conducted in August 2020 among 659 providers (293 males and 366 females) from 81 primary medical institutions in Qingdao city. The contents of the questionnaire included the general information of primary physicians, the frequency of using the guidelines, the level of understanding of the guidelines, the effect of guidelines in clinical work, the attitudes towards promoting the guidelines, and the interest in learning the guidelines and the way of learning.Results:A total of 659 valid questionnaires were recovered with a recovery rate of 100.0%. The results showed that 14.7% (97/659) practitioners applied the guidelines in most cases, and 31.6% (208/659) frequently used. There were significant differences in use frequency among providers with different practice types, professional titles, education background, practice locations and institutions ( P<0.01). Among participants, 15.2% (100/659) did not know about primary care guidelines, 63.3% (417/659) knew but did not learned guidelines, 21.5% (142/659) knew and studied guidelines carefully. The top five of the learned guidelines (114, 80.3%) were bronchial asthma (113, 79.6%), type 2 diabetes (108, 76.1%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (101, 71.1%), and chronic cor pulmonale (83, 58.5%). Most participants who learnt the guidelines viewed the guidelines as quite helpful or very helpful, the score of usefulness for professional knowledge was the highest (4.44±0.60). Most of participants (94.2%, 621/659) thought it was necessary to develop primary care guidelines; and the major factors affecting the promotion were lack of training (79.8%, 526/659), difficulties in access (46.7%, 308/659) and ignorance or neglect (23.2%, 153/659).Most practitioners (93.8%, 618/659) were interested in learning primary care clinical guidelines, and the expected ways of training were online teaching (70.0%, 420/618), training courses(58.3%, 360/618) and special lectures (55.2%, 341/618). Conclusion:The current situation of learning clinical guidelines among primary care providers in Qingdao is not satisfactory, but they are willing to learn the guidelines for improving clinical practice. We should strengthen the training and promotion of primary care guidelines among primary care providers in the future.

Establishment and verification of risk prediction model for postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To establish the risk prediction models for postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery and to evaluate the predictive efficacy.Methods:A total of 685 patients of both sexes, aged 65-90 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status Ⅰ-Ⅳ, who underwent non-cardiac elective surgery requiring tracheal intubation during general anesthesia in general surgery, orthopedics, urology, hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery in our hospital from January 2020 to December 2020, were selected.Patients were assigned to the training set and validation set at a ratio of 7∶3 using a simple random sampling method.The clinical data of patients in the perioperative period were collected, and the patients were followed up within 1-7 days after operation (or before discharge), and the occurrence of POD was recorded.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors for POD.The risk prediction model for POD was established based on the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis of the training set, a nomogram and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were drawn, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated.The validation set was used to verify the prediction model and assess the efficacy of the risk prediction model for POD.Results:A total of 653 patients were enrolled in this study, 139 patients developed POD, and the incidence was 21.3%.The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that advanced age, high ASA physical status classification, low preoperative Mini-Mental State Examination score, complication with diabetes mellitus, low years of education, high preoperative Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scale score, long anesthesia time and high numerical rating scale score after operation were independent risk factors for POD in elderly patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.The risk prediction model for POD was established based on the independent risk factors mentioned above.The AUC of the training set was 0.981, the Youden index was 0.881, the sensitivity was 95.95%, and the specificity was 92.92%; the AUC of the validation set was 0.939, the Youden index was 0.795, the sensitivity was 94.44%, and the specificity was 85.09%.Conclusion:The risk prediction model for POD established based on age, ASA physical status classification, history of diabetes melittus, years of education, preoperative Mini-Mental State Examination score, preoperative Pittsburgh sleep quality index scale score, anesthesia time and postoperative numerical rating scale score has good predictive efficacy in elderly patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

Value of α-synuclein concentration in cerebrospinal fluid in predicting postoperative delirium / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To investigate the value of α-synuclein (α-syn) concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in predicting postoperative delirium (POD).Methods:One thousand patients underwent elective surgery with combined epidural-spinal anesthesia in our hospital from January 2018 to September 2020 were selected.The epidural puncture was performed at L 3, 4 interspace, and 2 ml of CSF was collected after the needle reaching the subarachnoid space.The concentrations of α-syn, β-amyloid (Aβ)40, Aβ42, total tau protein (T-tau), and phosphorylated tau protein (P-tau) in CSF were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The concentrations of α-syn in CSF and occurrence of POD in patients of different ages were recorded.Patients were divided into POD group and non-POD group according to whether POD occurred, and frequency matching (1∶1) was performed based on five matching variables of age, ASA physical status, education level, duration of operation, and intraoperative blood loss. Results:Eight hundred and forty-one patients were finally included in the study, and the incidence of POD was 15.0%. There were 126 cases in POD group and 126 cases in non-POD group after matching. The concentrations of α-syn in CSF and incidence of POD were gradually increased with age ( P<0.05). Compared with non-POD group, the concentrations of α-syn, T-tau and P-tau in CSF were significantly increased, the concentrations of Aβ40 and Aβ42 were decreased, Aβ40/P-tau, Aβ42/P-tau, Aβ42/Aβ40 and P-tau/T-tau were decreased in POD group ( P<0.05). After confounding factors were corrected by logistic regression analysis, increased concentrations of α-syn, p-tau, and T-tau in CSF were risk factors for POD ( P<0.05). Increased concentrations of Aβ40 and Aβ42 in CSF and increased Aβ40/P-tau and Aβ42/P-tau were protective factors for POD ( P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the concentration of α-syn in CSF was negatively correlated with Aβ40 and Aβ42 concentrations and positively correlated with P-tau and T-tau concentrations ( P<0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of concentrations of α-syn in CSF predicting POD was 0.895, Youden index was 0.664, sensitivity was 80.00%, and specificity was 86.36% ( P<0.001). Conclusion:The concentration of α-syn in CSF is related to the occurrence of POD, and it provides higher accuracy in predicting POD.

Relationship between cholinergic biomarkers and postoperative delirium in elderly patients / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between cholinergic biomarkers and postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly patients.Methods:The patients, aged 65-85 yr, weighing 50-80 kg, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ-Ⅲ, underwent total knee/hip arthroplasty under combined spinal-epidural block in our hospital from July 2018 to September 2019, were collected.The baseline clinical data of patients were collected, and cubital venous blood samples 5 ml were collected before anesthesia to detect plasma concentrations of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The neuropsychological testing was performed on 1 day before operation, following admission to the recovery room after surgery, and on 1, 3 and 7 days (or before discharge) after surgery.The patient′s cognitive function was assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) before surgery.Confusion Assessment Method and Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale were used to evaluate the occurrence of postoperative delirium (POD) after surgery.The patients were divided into POD group (P group) and non-POD group (NP group) according to whether POD occurred.Logistic regression was used to analyze the related risk factors for POD.Results:There were 349 cases in NP group and 57 cases in P group, and the incidence of POD was 14.0%.Compared with NP group, the age of patients, preoperative coexisting underlying diseases (≥3 types), plasma ChAT, TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations were increased, and plasma AChE and BuChE concentrations were decreased in P group ( P<0.05). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that changes in plasma AChE, BuChE, and ChAT concentrations and older age were independent risk factors for POD ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The development of POD is related to the preoperative changes in plasma AChE, BuChE and ChAT concentrations in elderly patients.

Relationship between tea drinking habit and postoperative delirium in elderly patients / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between the tea drinking habit and postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly patients.Methods:Two hundred and ninety-two patients, aged 65-85 yr, weighing 50-80 kg, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ-Ⅲ, undergoing elective knee/hip arthroplasty under spinal-epidural anesthesia in our hospital, were enrolled in this study.The patient′s cognitive function was assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination at 1 day before operation.Peripheral venous blood samples were collected before anesthesia, and the concentrations of caffeine and tea polyphenols in plasma were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.In the anesthesia recovery room after operation and at 1, 3 and 7 days after operation (or before discharge), neuropsychological tests were performed, and the Delirium Rating Scale was used to recognize POD developed.The patients were divided into POD group (P group) and non-POD group (NP group) according to whether POD occurred after operation.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the variables of which P values were less than 0.05. Results:There was no significant difference in age, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, concentrations of caffeine and tea polyphenols in plasma between P group and NP group ( P<0.05). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that age was an independent risk factor for POD, and concentrations of caffeine and tea polyphenols in plasma and tea drinking habits were protective factors for reducing the occurrence of POD in elderly patients. Conclusion:Tea drinking habit is a protective factor for reducing the occurrence of POD in elderly patients.

Tea consumption and risk of Parkinson’s disease: A meta-analysis

@#The results of studies on the association between tea consumption and Parkinson’s disease (PD) have been inconsistent. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform an updated meta-analysis to better resolve any association between tea consumption and PD. We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library– from their commencement to November 2016 – for qualified studies that evaluated the associations between tea drinking and risk of PD. A total of nine case–control studies and three prospective cohort studies were included. The meta-analysis showed that tea consumption was associated with a reduced risk of developing PD(OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.69–0.98) when case–control studies and prospective cohort trials were considered together. Subgroup analysis on the category of tea consumption and risk of PD showed that black tea was not associated with PD (OR: 0.89; 95% CI, 0.64–1.24; I2 =0.0%), but other kinds of tea was associated with a reduced risk of developing PD (OR: 0.67; 95% CI, 0.48–0.95; I2 =0.0%). Subgroup analysis on the dose of tea consumption and PD risk showed that drinking more than one cup of tea daily was associated with a reduced risk of developing PD in case–control studies (OR: 0.38; 95% CI, 0.22–0.66; I2 =0.0%). No indication of publication bias was found. In conclusion, the current evidence showed that tea consumption was associated with a reduced risk of developing PD. The results of our subgroup analysis suggested that people who drinking more than one cup of non-black tea daily might have a reduced risk of developing PD

Cyclic tensile stress effects on the expression of connective tissue growth factor in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have found that cyclic tensile stress can induce the proliferation of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts in a certain time. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of cyclic tensile stress on the expression of connective tissue growth factor in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts, and to clarify the role of JNK, p38MAPK, PI3K pathway in the cyclic tensile stress-induced expression of connective tissue growth factor in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts. METHODS:Human periodontal ligament fibroblasts culturedin vitro were given stimulation of cyclic tensile stress in vitro for 1, 6, 12, 24 hours using multi-channel cel stretch stress loading system (experimental group). Control group was set up and not given any stimulation at the same time. The cels under stress application for 12 hours were given specific inhibitors of JNK, p38MAPK, PI3K respectively at the beginning, and were compared with those with no inhibitors. The concentrations of connective tissue growth factor in the culture supernatant were measured by ELISA. The mRNA expression of connective tissue growth factor in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts was detected by real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group, the expression of connective tissue growthfactor in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts under cyclic tensile stress began to increase at 1 hour, increased manifestly at 6 hours, reached the peak at 12 hours, and then decreased at 24 hours. The expression of connective tissue growth factor was reduced by the specific inhibitors of JNK, while the specific inhibitors of p38 MAPK, PI3K had not the same effect. In a certain time, the cyclic tensile stress can induce a time-dependent increase in mRNA and protein levels of connective tissue growth factor. Along with the extending of time, the expression of connective tissue growth factor begins to decrease. Cyclic tensile stress can regulate expression of connective tissue growth factor in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts via the JNK pathway.

RET proto-oncogene mutation analysis in a pedigree with multiple endocrine neoplasia 2A / 中华泌尿外科杂志

ObjectiveTo discuss the clinical diagnosis and treatment of multiple endocrine neoplasia ( MEN ) 2A, and report the mutation of the RET proto-oncogene in a pedigree of three patients with MEN 2A.MethodsBilateral adrenalectomy was performed on two of the three patients with hypertension and bilateral adrenal-conserving adrenal pheochromocytoma resection was performed on the other patient. All three patients were treated by total thyroidectomy and neck lymphadenectomy. Twelve family members were recruited to the study. Peripheral blood was collected and total genomic DNA was prepared for polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR products of exon 10 and exon 11 of the RET proto-oncogene were purified and a direct DNA sequence analysis was performed.ResultsThe pathological diagnosis of the specimens was bilateral adrenal pheochromocytoma and medullary thyroid carcinoma in all the three patients. There was no tumor recurrence or distant metastasis after 1.5 - 5 years of follow-up. A missense mutation of TGC (Cys)to CGC (Arg) at codon 634 in exon 11 of the RET proto-oncogene was detected in all three patients. Genetic screening identified two mutation carriers in the other members of this pedigree.ConclusionGenetic mutation screening and surgical intervention may be helpful to the members of high-risk families.