Intervention effect of Chuanxiong-Chishao herb pair on circRNA/lncRNA expression profile in a myocardial infarction-atherosclerosis model / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to explore the intervention effect of Chuanxiong-Chishao herb pair(CX-CS) on a myocardial infarction-atherosclerosis(MI-AS) mouse model and investigate its effect on the expression profile of circular RNAs(circRNAs)/long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs) in ischemic myocardium and aorta. Sixty male ApoE~(-/-) mice were randomly assigned to a model group, high-, medium-, and low-dose CX-CS groups(7.8, 3.9, and 1.95 g·kg~(-1)), and a positive drug group(metoprolol 26 mg·kg~(-1) and simvastatin 5.2 mg·kg~(-1)), with 12 mice in each group. Male C57BL/6J mice were assigned to the sham group. The mice in the model group and the groups with drug intervention were fed on a high-fat diet for 10 weeks, followed by anterior descending coronary artery ligation. After that, the mice were fed on a high-fat diet for another two weeks to induce the MI-AS model. The mice in the sham group received normal feed, followed by sham surgery without coronary artery ligation. Mice in the groups with drug intervention received CX-CS or positive drug by gavage for four weeks from the 9th week of high-fat feeding, and those in the model group and the sham group received an equal volume of normal saline. Whole transcriptome sequencing was performed on the heart and aorta tissues of the medium-dose CX-CS group, the model group, and the sham group after administration. The results showed that the medium-and high-dose CX-CS groups showed improved cardiac function and reduced myocardial fibrosis area, and the medium-dose CX-CS group showed significantly reduced plaque area. CX-CS treatment could reverse the expression of circRNA＿07227 and circRNA＿11464 in the aorta of AS model and circRNA expression(such as circRNA＿11505) in the heart of the MI model. Differentially expressed circRNAs between the CX-CS-treated mice and the model mice were mainly enriched in lipid synthesis, lipid metabolism, lipid transport, inflammation, and angiogenesis in the aorta, and in angiogenesis, blood pressure regulation, and other processes in the heart. CX-CS treatment could reverse the expression of lncRNAs such as ENSMUST00000162209 in the aorta of the AS model and TCONS＿00002123 in the heart of the MI model. Differentially expressed lncRNAs between the CX-CS-treated mice and model mice were mainly enriched in lipid metabolism, angiogenesis, autophagy, apoptosis, and iron death in the aorta, and in angiogenesis, autophagy, and iron death in the heart. In summary, CX-CS can regulate the expression of a variety of circRNAs and lncRNAs, and its intervention mechanism in coronary heart disease may be related to the regulation of angiogenesis and inflammation in ischemic myocardium, as well as lipid metabolism, lipid transport, inflammation, angiogenesis in AS aorta.

Current Situation and Influencing Factors of Delay in Seeking Medical Treatment Among Residents in Rural Areas of Sichuan Province / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To understand the current situation and explore the influencing factors of delay in seeking medical treatment for common symptoms of residents in the rural areas of Sichuan province. Methods In July 2019,multi-stage random sampling was carried out in Zigong city,Sichuan province,and the data were collected by face-to-face questionnaire interview.The residents who had lived at hometown for more than half a year in the past year and had seen a doctor in the most recent month were surveyed.Logistic regression was adopted to predict the influencing factors of delay in seeking medical treatment. Results A total of 342 subjects were enrolled,and the incidence of delay in seeking medical treatment was 13.45%(46/342).Compared with the young and middle-aged(<65 years)people,the elderly(≥65 years)people were more likely to have delay in seeking medical treatment (OR=2.187,95%CI=1.074-4.457,P=0.031).The rural residents who gave higher score of the overall quality of township health centers were less likely to have delay in seeking medical treatment (OR=0.854,95%CI=0.735-0.992,P=0.039). Conclusions The occurrence of delay in seeking medical treatment for common symptoms of rural residents in Sichuan province is low.Age and the overall quality evaluation of township health centers affect the occurrence of delay in medical treatment among the rural residents in Sichuan province.Efforts should be made to improve the awareness of disease prevention among the elderly in rural areas.The investment in health resources in township health centers should be increased to strengthen the introduction and training of talents.These measures can improve the health services in township health centers,guide residents to make timely use of health resources,and reduce the occurrence of delay in seeking medical treatment.

Relationship Between Maternal Negative Emotions and Feeding Patterns of Infants Aged 0-6 Months in Remote Rural Areas of Sichuan Province / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To investigate the status of exclusive breastfeeding and bottle feeding in remote rural areas of Sichuan province and explore the relationship between negative emotions of mothers and feeding patterns of infants.Methods Multistage cluster sampling was employed to select the infants aged 0-6 months and their mothers in remote rural areas of Sichuan province.A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect the demographic characteristics of mothers and infants and the basic family information.The Chinese version of Depression Anxiety Stress scale was used to evaluate mothers' negative emotions,and the Breastfeeding Self-efficacy scale to assess the confidence level of mothers' behavior of adhering to exclusive breastfeeding.Results Totally 723 pairs of infants and their mothers were included.The exclusive breastfeeding and bottle feeding rates were 34.16% (247/723) and 57.54% (416/723),respectively.Mothers with depression tendency were less likely to adopt exclusive breastfeeding (OR=0.532,95%CI=0.291-0.974,P=0.041) and more likely to adopt bottle feeding (OR=1.877,95%CI=1.054-3.344,P=0.033).Further subgroup analysis of breastfeeding self-efficacy showed that in the group of low self-efficacy,the mothers with depression tendency were less likely to adopt exclusive breastfeeding (OR=0.461,95%CI=0.236-0.902,P=0.024) and more likely to adopt bottle feeding (OR=1.968,95%CI=1.047-3.701,P=0.036) than the mothers without depression tendency.In the group of high self-efficacy,mothers' depression,anxiety,and stress tendency had no significant correlation with infant feeding patterns (all P>0.05).Conclusions The mothers in the remote rural areas of Sichuan province are more likely to employ bottle feeding than exclusive breastfeeding.The mothers with stronger depression tendency demonstrate lower possibility of exclusive breastfeeding and higher possibility of bottle feeding.Breastfeeding self-efficacy may affect the association between maternal depression and infant feeding patterns.

Factors Associated With Coronary Heart Disease Among Adult Residents in Jinjiang District,Chengdu City / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To analyze the prevalence of coronary heart disease among community residents over 18 years old in Jinjiang district of Chengdu city,Sichuan province,and explore its associated factors,so as to provide a reference for the prevention and control of coronary heart disease in communities.Methods From October 15 to November 10 in 2021,a total of 5220 adult residents from 33 communities in Jinjiang were selected by multi-stage stratified random sampling for face-to-face questionnaire survey,physical examination,and laboratory blood test.Binary Logistic regression was employed to predict the factors associated with coronary heart disease among adult residents in Jinjiang.Results The crude and standard prevalence rates of coronary heart disease among 5220 adult residents were 3.39% and 2.11%,respectively.Logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR=1.068,95%CI=1.051-1.086,P<0.001),depressive symptoms (OR=1.639,95%CI=1.037-2.591,P=0.034),regular exercise (OR=0.584,95%CI=0.378-0.902,P=0.015),elevated blood pressure (OR=3.529,95%CI=2.344-5.312,P<0.001),dyslipidemia (OR=2.152,95%CI=1.291-3.587,P=0.003),and core knowledge score of chronic diseases (OR=1.144,95%CI=1.066-1.228,P<0.001) were associated with coronary heart disease among adult residents in Jinjiang.Conclusions The prevalence of coronary heart disease is high among adult residents in Jinjiang district of Chengdu.The urban residents who are older,have depressive symptoms,lack of exercise,elevated blood pressure,dyslipidemia,and score higher on core knowledge of chronic diseases are prone to coronary heart disease.

Clinical observation of electroacupuncture with different frequencies in treatment of hemiplegic shoulder pain after stroke / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical efficacy on hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) after stroke treated with electroacupuncture (EA) under different frequencies.@*METHODS@#A total of 105 patients with HSP after stroke were randomly divided into a manual acupuncture group (35 cases, 2 cases dropped off), an EA continuous wave group (35 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and an EA disperse-dense wave group (35 cases). The conventional rehabilitation therapy was delivered in the three groups. Additionally, acupuncture was applied to Jianyu (LI 15), Jianzhen (SI 9), Jianliao (TE 14) and Jianqian (Extra) etc. on the affected side in the manual acupuncture group. In the EA continuous wave group and the EA disperse-dense wave group, besides the treatment as the manual acupuncture group, the electric stimulation was attached to two pairs of acupoints, i.e. Jianyu (LI 15) and Jianliao (TE 14), and Quchi (LI 11) and Shousanli (LI 10), with 15 Hz continuous wave, and 2 Hz/ 100 Hz disperse-dense wave, respectively. The treatment was given once daily, 5 times a week, for 4 weeks consecutively. The score of visual analogue scale (VAS) before treatment and after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, as well as the passive range of motion (PROM) of shoulder forward flexion and PROM of shoulder abduction, muscle strength of the upper limb, the score of modified Barthel index (MBI) and the score of Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) before and after treatment were observed in each group.@*RESULTS@#Compared with before treatment, VAS scores were reduced after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment in each group (P<0.05); and VAS scores after 4 weeks of treatment were lower than those after 2 weeks of treatment (P<0.05). After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, VAS score in either the EA continuous wave group or the EA disperse-dense wave group was lower compared with the manual acupuncture group (P<0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, VAS score in the EA disperse-dense wave was lower than that of the EA continuous wave group (P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, PROM of the shoulder forward flexion and abduction on the affected side after treatment was enlarged (P<0.05), the muscle strength of the upper limb was increased (P<0.05), and the scores of MBI and FMA were increased (P<0.05) in the patients of each group. After treatment, in the EA continuous wave group and the EA disperse-dense wave group, PROM of the shoulder forward flexion on the affected side was higher (P<0.05), the muscle strength of the upper limb was stronger (P<0.05) when compared with the manual acupuncture group; and the scores of MBI and FMA in the EA disperse-dense wave group were higher than those of the manual acupuncture group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Electroacupuncture is superior to manual acupuncture in the analgesic effect and comprehensive rehabilitation effect in the patients with HSP after stroke. The therapeutic effect obtained by electroacupuncture with 2 Hz/100 Hz disperse-dense wave is better than that with 15 Hz continuous wave.

Association of Dietary Diversity with Growth and Development of Children in Multi-ethnic Rural Areas of Sichuan Province / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To understand the growth and dietary diversity status of children in multi-ethnic areas of Sichuan province,and to explore the associations of dietary diversity with growth and development indicators. Methods Children of 18-36 months old and their primary caregivers were selected with multi-stage cluster random sampling method from rural areas of Han,Tibetan,and Yi ethnic groups in Sichuan province. The sociodemographic information of children and their caregivers was collected using self-designed questionnaire.The dietary diversity score(DDS)was calculated according to the criteria in the Guidelines for Measuring Household and Individual Dietary Diversity released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.The body height(length)and body weight of each child were measured by standard equipment for anthropological measurement,and the height for age Z score(HAZ),weight for age Z score(WAZ),and weight for height Z score(WHZ) were calculated.Multivariate linear regression was performed to analyze the relationship between dietary diversity and growth indicators of children. Results A total of 1092 children were enrolled in this study,and the prevalence of stunting(HAZ<-2),underweight(WAZ<-2),and wasting(WHZ<-2)was 21.1%,4.9%,and 2.5%,respectively.The children had the mean DDS of 4.8±1.7,and 45.3% of children had poor dietary diversity(DDS≤4).The children of Han ethnic group(5.8±1.4)had higher DDS than those of Tibetan ethnic group(4.9±1.6)and Yi ethnic group(3.9±1.6)(P<0.001).The results of multivariate linear regression indicated that DDS was positively correlated with HAZ(β=0.206,95%CI=0.158-0.254,P<0.001)after adjustment of sex,age,birth weight,preterm birth,and parental body height.After further adjustment of family fixed assets,ethnic group,caregiver's type,and caregiver's education background,the correlation between DDS and HAZ remained significant(β=0.077,95%CI=0.026-0.128, P=0.003). Conclusions The children in the multi-ethnic rural areas of Sichuan province showed troublesome growth and development status and low dietary diversity,which were conspicuously different between ethnic groups,especially in the rural areas of Yi ethnic group.The dietary diversity was positively associated with HAZ.It is recommended to carry out nutrition and health education according to the local dietary characteristics and thus improve the growth and development of children in multi-ethnic rural areas in Sichuan.

Evaluation of Accuracy and Influencing Factors for Diagnosis of Two Chronic Diseases by Primary Healthcare Providers in Sichuan Rural Areas Based on Standardized Patients / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective We used standardized patients to evaluate the accuracy and explore the influencing factors of the diagnosis of unstable angina pectoris and type 2 diabetes by primary healthcare providers in Sichuan rural areas,aiming to provide a scientific basis for improving the diagnosis accuracy of primary healthcare providers for the two chronic diseases. Methods A multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling method was adopted to select 100 villages from 50 townships in 5 districts/counties in Zigong city,Sichuan province. General and internal medicine practioners who were on duty on the survey day were enrolled in the survey.Two rounds of data collection were conducted.In the first round,the basic information of providers from township health centers and village clinics was collected.One month after the the first survey,standardized patients were used to collect the information related to the diagnosis of unstable angina pectoris and type 2 diabetes by rural primary providers.Logistic regression was carried out to analyze the factors influencing the diagnosis accuracy. Results A total of 172 rural primary healthcare providers were enrolled in the survey,who completed 186 standardized patient visits and showed the correct diagnosis rate of 48.39%.Specifically,the correct diagnosis rates of unstable angina pectoris and type 2 diabetes were 18.68%(17/91) and 76.84%(73/95),respectively.The providers with medical practitioner qualifications were more likely to make correct diagnosis(OR=4.857,95%CI=1.076-21.933, P=0.040).The providers who involved more necessary consultation and examination items in the diagnosis process had higher probability of correct diagnosis(OR=1.627,95%CI=1.065-2.485, P=0.024).Additionally,the providers were more likely to make a correct diagnosis for type 2 diabetes than for unstable angina pectoris(OR=6.306,95%CI=3.611-11.013, P<0.001). Conclusions The overall diagnosis accuracy of unstable angina pectoris and type 2 diabetes was relatively low among primary healthcare providers in Sichuan rural areas.The training of diagnosis process can be taken as a key for improving providers' practice ability so as to increase the diagnosis accuracy of chronic diseases.

Comedications and potential drug-drug interactions with direct-acting antivirals in hepatitis C patients on hemodialysis

Background/Aims@#Direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) have been approved for hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis. Nevertheless, the complicated comedications and their potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with DAAs might limit clinical practice in this special population. @*Methods@#The number, class, and characteristics of comedications and their potential DDIs with five DAA regimens were analyzed among HCV-viremic patients from 23 hemodialysis centers in Taiwan. @*Results@#Of 2,015 hemodialysis patients screened in 2019, 169 patients seropositive for HCV RNA were enrolled (mean age, 65.6 years; median duration of hemodialysis, 5.8 years). All patients received at least one comedication (median number, 6; mean class number, 3.4). The most common comedication classes were ESRD-associated medications (94.1%), cardiovascular drugs (69.8%) and antidiabetic drugs (43.2%). ESRD-associated medications were excluded from DDI analysis. Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir had the highest frequency of potential contraindicated DDIs (red, 5.6%), followed by glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (4.0%), sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (1.3%), sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (1.3%), and elbasvir/grazoprevir (0.3%). For potentially significant DDIs (orange, requiring close monitoring or dose adjustments), sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir had the highest frequency (19.9%), followed by sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (18.2%), glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (12.6%), sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (12.6%), and elbasvir/grazoprevir (7.3%). Overall, lipid-lowering agents were the most common comedication class with red-category DDIs to all DAA regimens (n=62), followed by cardiovascular agents (n=15), and central nervous system agents (n=10). @*Conclusions@#HCV-viremic patients on hemodialysis had a very high prevalence of comedications with a broad spectrum, which had varied DDIs with currently available DAA regimens. Elbasvir/grazoprevir had the fewest potential DDIs, and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir had the most potential DDIs.

Effect of Laptm4b Deletion on Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells Homeostasis in Mice / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of lysosomal-associated protein transmembrane-4 Beta(Laptm4b) deletion on hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) homeostasis in mice.@*METHODS@#The hematopoietic system specific Laptm4b-deficient mice were constructed. The number and proportion of HSPCs (LSK, LT, ST, MPP, etc) in Laptm4b-deficient mice were analyzed by flow cytometry. Single SLAM-HSC cell was sorted by flow sorter and cultured in vitro to measure the effect of Laptm4b deletion on the colony forming ability of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). The effect of Laptm4b-deficient on the reconstitution ability of HSCs in mice was detected by competitive transplantation experiment of SLAM-HSC cells.@*RESULTS@#Laptm4b deficiency could moderately upregulate the proportion of T cells in the peripheral blood of the mice, but showed no significant effect on the proportion and number of HSPCs. Laptm4b deletion showed no effect on the reconstruction ability of HSCs after competitive transplantation, but it could inhibit the colony formation of HSCs in vitro.@*CONCLUSION@#LAPTM4B may play a role in HSCs under the proliferation stress. Laptm4b-deficient in mice hematopoietic system showed no significant effect on the HSPCs homeostasis maintenance and reconstruction ability.

Effect of relative humidity on drying characteristic and quality of Panacis Quinquefolii Radix / 中草药

Objective: Taking Panacis Quinquefolii Radix (PQR) as study object, the drying characteristic and quality was investigated under constant relative humidity (RH) and step-down RH drying method in order to provide foundation for improving drying efficient and quality of PQR. Methods: At drying temperature 55 ℃, the effect of constant RH (20%, 30%, and 40%), step-down RH, when RH 40% was kept for 1, 5, and 9 h and then decreased to 20%, and continuously dehumidification drying conditions on drying characteristic, moisture effective diffusion coefficient, rehydration ratio, shrinkage ratio, total ginsenoside content and microstructure were investigated. Results: With constant RH drying condition, the lower the RH was, the higher the drying rate was. When RH was 20%, the drying time was shortened by 6.8% compared with RH of 40%. With step-down RH drying condition, when RH 40% was held for 5 h and then decreased to 20%, the drying time was shortened by 3.4% compared with dehumidification drying method. Also, a transient increasing drying rate phase was appeared. Moisture effective diffusion coefficient ranged from 1.49 × 10-10 to 2.50 × 10-10 m2/s. Rehydration ratio mainly depended on the damage degree of the PQR cellular structure and the moisture content before rehydrating. Additionally, the rehydration ratio and shrinkage ratio increased with the increase of RH. High RH was benefit for reserving and transferring of ginsenoside content. The microstructure results showed that under continuous dehumidification drying process, the PQR surface was crusted so that the drying time was prolonged and rehydration ratio was decreased. On the other hand, step-down RH drying method was benefit for porous structure formation, which was helpful for shortening drying time and improving rehydration ratio. When RH 40% was kept for 5 h and then decreased to 20%, the comprehensive score of this drying condition achieved its maximum value as (0.61 ± 0.01). Such drying condition was regarded as the best drying process with the rehydration ratio, shrinkage ratio and total ginsenoside content of 2.23 ± 0.12, 0.26 ± 0.06, and (5.01 ± 0.04)%, respectively. Conclusion: Step-down RH drying method can improve PQR drying efficient and quality and such conclusion provided theoretical foundation and technical support for how to adjust RH during hot air drying of PQR.

Drying characteristics of Chaenomeles sinensis with different drying methods based on Dincer model / 中草药

Objective: Based on Dincer model, the drying characteristic of Chaenomeles sinensis under different drying condition was investigated in order to provide theoretical foundation for applying Dincer model to analyze heat and mass transfer during Chinese herbs drying process and select suitable drying technology and process. Methods: C. sinensis slice of thickness 12 mm was dried by the three different drying methods, namely air impingement drying, medium and short infrared waved drying and pulsed vacuum drying. Also, 9, 12 and 15 mm C. sinensis slices were dried under air impingement drying method. The drying characteristic, color value, rehydration ration, vitamin C (VC), general flavone, and microstructure were studied. Results: At the same drying temperature, the drying rate sorted in order of size was air impingement drying, medium and short infrared waved drying and pulsed vacuum drying and the drying activation energy was 43.10, 36.95 and 20.37 kJ/mol in corresponding. Decreasing slice thickness enhanced drying rate. The Weibull distribution model simulation result showed that the scale parameter α ranged from 47.85 to 324.51. Smaller α value meant short drying time. The shape parameter β was between 1.218 7 and 1.290 8 under air impingement drying as well as medium and short infrared waved drying method, which showed that drying was falling rate process controlled by internal moisture diffusion. However, the shape parameter β was between 1.218 7 and 1.290 8 under pulsed vacuum drying method, which illustrated that drying was controlled both by internal moisture diffusion and surface moisture evaporation. The calculated moisture diffusion coefficient was ranged from (1.66 × 10-8) to (1.13 × 10-7) m2/s and decreased as α increased. The Dincer model simulation result showed that the lag factor (G) was range from 1.135 6 to 1.337 6, which declared that there was a short raising rate drying period during the initial drying process. Heat transfer Biot number (Bi) value was between 1.171 4 and 136.041 2 and decreased as drying temperature increased. Effective moisture diffusion (Deff) value calculated by Diner model was range from (3.26 × 10-9) to (6.33 × 10-8) m2/s. At the same drying temperature, (Deff) value was larger than (D*), but smaller than (Dcal). Mass transfer (k) was ranged from (9.02 × 10-6) to (8.82 × 10-5) m/s and increased as drying temperature increased. Air impingement drying method was suitable for C. sinensis slice drying, and drying temperature of 60 ℃ and thickness of 12 mm was the most optimum drying process. Under above drying circumstance, the drying time, brightness L*, color difference value ΔE, VC, general flavone and rehydration ratio were 5 h, 62.80 ± 1.70, 19.62 ± 2.60, (1.107 8 ± 0.005 0) mg/g, (36.74 ± 0.60) mg/g and 7.11 ± 0.24, respectively. Conclusion: Such investigation result can provide theoretical foundation for applying Dincer model to describe heat and mass transfer characteristics during Chinese herbs drying and filtrating suitable C. sinensis slice drying method and process.

Soil-transmitted nematode infections and influencing factors in pupils from rural areas of Yi Ethnicity in Butuo County, Sichuan Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To understand the current situation of soil-transmitted nematode infections and influencing factors of pupils in rural areas of Yi Ethnicity in Butuo County, Sichuan Province, so as to provide the evidence for the prevention and control of soil-transmitted nematode infections. Methods In 2016, the pupils of 2 villages in Butuo County were selected by the multi-stage random sampling method, and the relevant information was obtained by questionnaires, including social demographic information, diet and hygiene habits and acknowledge of parasitic disease prevention. The soil-transmitted nematode infections were examined by Kato-Katz technique. The results were statistically analyzed by the single factor analysis and multivariate logistic regression methods. Results A total of 160 pupils were investigated in this survey. The soil-transmitted nematodes included Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm. The overall infection rate was 89.38%, and the multi-infection rate was 54.55%. The infection rates of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura were higher. The infection densities were mild (75.68%) or moderate (22.97%). The logistic regression analysis showed that the protective factor of soil-transmitted nematode infections was the knowledge about correct diet and health habits notified by teachers (OR = 0.67), but the risk factor was drinking unboiled water (OR = 19.26). Conclusions The infection rate of nematodes is still high in the pupils in rural areas of Yi Ethnicity in Butuo County, Sichuan Province. Therefore, we should strengthen the prevention and control of soil-transmitted nematode infections, especially A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infections, and mostly develop the teachers’function in health education.

Soil-transmitted nematode infections and influencing factors in pupils from rural areas of Yi Ethnicity in Butuo County, Sichuan Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To understand the current situation of soil-transmitted nematode infections and influencing factors of pupils in rural areas of Yi Ethnicity in Butuo County, Sichuan Province, so as to provide the evidence for the prevention and control of soil-transmitted nematode infections. Methods In 2016, the pupils of 2 villages in Butuo County were selected by the multi-stage random sampling method, and the relevant information was obtained by questionnaires, including social demographic information, diet and hygiene habits and acknowledge of parasitic disease prevention. The soil-transmitted nematode infections were examined by Kato-Katz technique. The results were statistically analyzed by the single factor analysis and multivariate logistic regression methods. Results A total of 160 pupils were investigated in this survey. The soil-transmitted nematodes included Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm. The overall infection rate was 89.38%, and the multi-infection rate was 54.55%. The infection rates of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura were higher. The infection densities were mild (75.68%) or moderate (22.97%). The logistic regression analysis showed that the protective factor of soil-transmitted nematode infections was the knowledge about correct diet and health habits notified by teachers (OR = 0.67), but the risk factor was drinking unboiled water (OR = 19.26). Conclusions The infection rate of nematodes is still high in the pupils in rural areas of Yi Ethnicity in Butuo County, Sichuan Province. Therefore, we should strengthen the prevention and control of soil-transmitted nematode infections, especially A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infections, and mostly develop the teachers’function in health education.

Effect of TLR gene polymorphisms on primary immune response to hepatitis B vaccine in Han children of Guangxi / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To explore the association between Toll-like receptors(TLR) gene polymorphisms and the primary immune response level to Hepatitis B Vaccine in Han children in Guangxi. Methods A total of 513 Han children aged 8-9 months were collected from the department of pediatrics in the Maternal and Child Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Nanning Maternal and Child Health Hospital from 2014 to 2016. Peripheral venous blood of each study object was collected to detect HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe, anti-HBc and HBV DNA. The polymorphisms of 10 sites of TLR gene were detected by SNPscanTM multiple SNP typing techniques. The association between allele, genotype of TLR gene and anti-HBs levels were analyzed by non-conditional logistic regression. Results The genetic polymorphism of TLR3 gene rs13126816 was related to immune response after primary Hepatitis B immunization in Han children in Guangxi (OR=1.79，95% CI: 1.11-2.89, P=0.018). The anti-HBs level of children with A/A genotype［238.04(519.75) mIU/L］and G/A genotype［347.96(619.68) mIU/L］were significantly lower than those with G/G genotype［489.08(854.76) mIU/L］, and the differences were statistically significant (all P0.05). Conclusions The allele A of TLR3 gene rs13126816 may be the influencing factor for the low response of primary immune response to Hepatitis B Vaccine in Han children.

Vacuum pulsed drying characteristics of Lycii Fructus based on Weibull distribution model / 中草药

Objective To mitigate Lycii Fructus surface crust and save drying time during drying process, vacuum pulsed drying technology was applied to dry Lycii Fructus so as to investigate moisture diffusion regulation and build the drying model. Methods The effect of different drying temperature (50, 55, 60, and 65 ℃), vacuum pressure holding time (5, 10, 20, and 30 min), and atmosphere pressure holding time (2, 4, and 8 min) on drying characteristics, moisture diffusion coefficients and drying activation energy was explored in vacuum pulsed drying process. Weibull model distribution was used to simulate and analyze Lycii Fructus drying curves. Results All the drying temperature, atmosphere pressure holding time, and vacuum pressure time holding time had significant influence on drying time. When drying temperature, atmosphere pressure holding time, and vacuum pressure time holding time was 60 ℃, 4 min, and 10 min, respectively, the minimum drying time was achieved to be 284 min. Weibull distribution model can be well described the vacuum pulsed drying process of Lycii Fructus. The scale parameter was related to drying time and decreased as drying temperature increased. The drying temperature, atmosphere pressure holding time, and vacuum pressure time holding time had little influence on the shape parameter. The shape parameter was associated with drying method. The moisture diffusion coefficient and activation energy were calculated to be 2.02 × 10-8-3.56 × 10-8 m2/s and 36.27 kJ/mol, respectively. Conclusion Weibull distribution model can well describe the moisture diffusion regulation of vacuum pulsed drying process of Lycii Fructus. The drying result had a great significance for predicting, controlling and optimizing drying process. On the other hand, the research could provide technical basis for industrial drying of Lycii Fructus by vacuum pulsed drying technology.

Non-surgical treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion without blood stasis:a serum proteomic analysis / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Proteomics is a well studied research method, but its application in the non-surgical treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion (LIDP) is little reported. OBJECTIVE: To screen the differentially expressed proteins in patients with LIDP but without blood stasis before and after non-surgical treatment by proteomics. METHODS: Sixty patients with LIDP but without blood stasis were selected, and treated with non-surgical treatment for 4 weeks. The differentially expressed proteins were screened and identified by iTRAQ combined with LC-MS/MS. The bioinformatics analysis of the identified proteins was carried out, and the curative effectiveness was investigated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with those before treatment, the Visual Analogue Scale scores were significantly (P ＜ 0.05), the Japanese Orthopedic Association scores were significantly increased decreased (P ＜ 0.05), and the excellent and good rate reached 95.0% post-treatment. A total of 300 differentially expressed proteins were screened and 25 significantly expressed proteins were identified (P ＜0.05). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that nine of the significantly expressed proteins were enriched to 15 KEGG signaling pathways. These results suggest that the use of Western medicine non-surgical treatment for the LIDP without blood stasis can achieve satisfactory results. Besides, complement C1qA, cDNA protein (FLJ60724), complement C4B frameshift mutation, cDNA protein (FLJ53025), mannose binding protein C, apolipoprotein B, hemoglobin α-1 globin chain variant, hemoglobin β subunit and cDNA protein (FLJ76254) may be the potential serum markers of the non-surgical treatment for the LIDP without non-blood stasis.

Effects of ZNF331 overexpression on human colon cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis / 军事医学

Objective To investigate the effects of ZNF331 overexpression on proliferation and apoptosis of human colon cancer cell HCT116, and the relevant apoptotic mechanism.Methods The lentivirus vector of overexpressed ZNF331,Flag-pLV-Neo-ZNF331,was constructed and packaged.HCT116/p53 +/+(wild type p53)and HCT116/p53 -/-(deficient p53)cells were infected.Clones with ZNF331 overexpression were identified by Western blotting.Cell proliferation assay,colony formation assay and flow cytometry analysis were used to examine the effects of ZNF 331 on cell proliferation and apoptosis.Immunoprecipitation,luciferase reporter gene assay and real-time PCR were performed to detect interactions between ZNF331 and p53, p53 transcriptional activity and the expression of p 53 apoptotic target genes, respectively.Results The lentivirus vector of overexpressed ZNF 331 was successfully generated.Stable clones of ZNF331 overexpression were established.ZNF331 showed no significant effect on cell proliferation of HCT 116/p53 +/+, but inhibited cell proliferation of HCT116/p53 -/-(P<0.01).ZNF331 could interact with p53,dose-dependently inhibit the transcriptional activity of p53 and downregulate the mRNA levels of pro-apoptotic p53 target genes, Puma and p53AIP1 (P<0.05).ZNF331 could suppress p53-induced apoptosis(P <0.01).Conclusion The influence of ZNF331 overexpression on colon cancer cell proliferation is dependent on p 53 status.ZNF331 overexpression can suppress colon cancer cell apoptosis by interacting with p 53 and inhibiting the transcriptional activity of p 53.

Birth seasonality in Korean Prader-Willi syndrome with chromosome 15 microdeletion

PURPOSE: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a well-known genetic disorder, and microdeletion on chromosome 15 is the most common causal mechanism. Several previous studies have suggested that various environmental factors might be related to the pathogenesis of microdeletion in PWS. In this study, we investigated birth seasonality in Korean PWS. METHODS: A total of 211 PWS patients born from 1980 to 2014 were diagnosed by methylation polymerase chain reaction at Samsung Medical Center. Of the 211 patients, 138 were born from 2000-2013. Among them, the 74 patients of a deletion group and the 22 patients of a maternal uniparental disomy (UPD) group were compared with general populations born from 2000 using the Walter and Elwood method and cosinor analysis. RESULTS: There was no statistical significance in seasonal variation in births of the total 211 patients with PWS (chi2=7.2522, P=0.2982). However, a significant difference was found in the monthly variation between PWS with the deletion group and the at-risk general population (P<0.05). In the cosinor model, the peak month of birth for PWS patients in the deletion group was January, while the nadir occurred in July, with statistical significance (amplitude=0.23, phase=1.2, low point=7.2). The UPD group showed the peak birth month in spring; however, this result was not statistically significant (chi2=3.39, P=0.1836). CONCLUSION: Correlation with birth seasonality was identified in a deletion group of Korean PWS patients. Further studies are required to identify the mechanism related to seasonal effects of environmental factors on microdeletion on chromosome 15.

Growth changes in infants born of adolescent mothers; results of a national cohort study in Taiwan

Adolescent pregnancy and childbirth are associated with increased risk and challenges for both mothers and birth outcomes. To investigate the associations of growth change over time with parenting factors and to compare the differences between children born to adolescent and adult mothers in Taiwan, The dataset retrieved from Taiwan birth cohort study [TBCS] was collected by interviews using structured questionnaires, birth certificate and Passport of Well-baby Care of each child. Changes in body weight, body height and head circumference from birth to 18 months, as well as other variables were assessed by statistical analysis. There were 4.13% births born to adolescent mothers in 2005. Higher ratios of breastfeeding and working were found among adult mothers [p<0.001]. Significantly higher percentage of adolescent mothers caregave their infants up to 18 months [p<0.001]. Children born to adolescent mothers were associated with statistically significant lower body weight [p<0.001], body height [p<0.001] and head circumference [p<0.001] in spite of velocity and slop of growth patterns were similar over time. Breastfeeding did not significantly affected growth rate during the first 6 months. Generalized estimated equation models showed that gender and preterm birth were predictive factors for birth outcomes [both p<0.001] and correlated to changes over time. Adolescent childbearing was associated with preterm birth and lower body weight, body height and head circumference from birth to 18 months. The changes in growth and development among children born to adolescent mothers remain to be followed and evaluated with the TBCS

Does Type I Truly Dominate Hepatic Glycogen Storage Diseases in Korea?: A Single Center Study / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: There are no studies of hepatic glycogen storage diseases (GSDs) other than type I and III in Korea. We aimed on investigating the characteristics of hepatic GSDs in Korea diagnosed and followed at a single center. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients who were diagnosed as GSD and followed at Samsung Medical Center from January, 1997 to December, 2013. Clinical manifestations, laboratory results, treatment, and prognosis were investigated. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were included in the study. The types of 17 patients were confirmed by enzyme activity tests and/or gene analysis. GSD Ia was diagnosed in 7 patients (33.3%), Ib in 1 patient (4.8%), III in 2 patients (9.5%), IV in 1 patient (4.8%), and IX in 6 patients (28.6%). Types other than GSD I constituted 52.9% (9/17) of the patients diagnosed with a specific type of hepatic GSD. The median age at presentation was 2 years. Hepatomegaly was observed in 95.2%, elevated liver transaminases in 90.5%, and hyperlactacidemia in 81.0% of the patients. The duration for follow-up was 77+/-62.0 months. Uncooked corn starch was initiated in all the patients. No mortality was observed during the follow-up period, and liver transplantation was performed in 14.3%. CONCLUSION: Types other than GSD I comprised more than half of the patients diagnosed with a specific type of hepatic GSD. Clinical suspicion and thorough evaluation of hepatic GSDs in Korea should be focused not only on GSD I, but also on other types.