Long-term bidirectional association between asthma and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A big data cohort study.

Background: Previous studies have argued that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with asthma. However, reliable evidence to verify this association has not yet been reported. Objectives: To investigate the bidirectional association between asthma and ADHD through a 12-year big data cohort study. Methods: The independent variable group was extracted from 3.5 million individuals randomly sampled by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). In Study 1, the incidence of ADHD according to asthma was evaluated, while in Study 2, the incidence of asthma according to ADHD was analyzed. Propensity score (PS) matching with several variables was used to obtain a control group. Measurements and main results: In Study 1, the asthma group included 131,937 individuals and the non-asthma group included 131,937 individuals. The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for ADHD in the asthma group was 1.17 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-1.23]. In subgroup analysis, the aHRs for ADHD of individuals in the subgroups male sex, 0-5 years old, 6-10 years old, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) 1, and CCI > 2 were significant (aHR: 2.83, 1.70, 1.79, 1.09, 1.15, 1.06, and 1.49, respectively). In Study 2, ADHD was found to significantly affect asthma in all age groups (aHRs of the subgroups 0∼60 and 0∼17 years old were 1.10 and 1.09, respectively). In the 0∼17 years old subgroup, the association of ADHD with asthma was greater with younger age (aHRs of the subgroups 0∼5 and 6∼10 years old were 2.53 and 1.54, respectively). Conclusion: From long-term follow-up, the incidence of ADHD was 1.17 times higher in the asthma group than in the control group. The incidence of asthma was 1.10 times higher in the ADHD group than in the control group. Asthma and ADHD have a bidirectional relationship, and childhood asthma and ADHD should be rigorously managed.

Antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity, and mechanism of action of pleurocidin against drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

The abuse of antibiotics has resulted in the emergence of multi-drug-resistant bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus is a frequent cause of infections, and antibiotic-resistant S. aureus has become a serious problem. Antimicrobial peptides play an important role in innate immunity and are attracting increasing attention as alternative antibiotics. In a previous study, pleurocidin, derived from winter flounder, was identified as a 25-amino acid antimicrobial peptide with no cytotoxicity toward mammalian cells and low hemolytic activity. In the present study, pleurocidin was observed to exhibit antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, especially against drug resistant S. aureus. Pleurocidin retained its antibacterial activity against drug resistant S. aureus in the presence of a physiological salt concentration. Membrane depolarization assays and propidium iodide uptake indicated that pleurocidin kills bacteria by damaging the integrity of the bacterial membrane. DNA binding assays revealed that pleurocidin binds to DNA. Thus, pleurocidin targets not only the bacterial membrane, but also their DNA. S. aureus biofilms have become a serious problem because of increased resistance to antibiotics. Therefore, we investigated the effect of pleurocidin on biofilm inhibition and eradication using crystal violet staining and microscopic observation. Pleurocidin inhibited and eradicated biofilms at low concentrations. Taken together, the results suggested that pleurocidin is a promising candidate therapeutic agent to treat drug-resistant bacteria and biofilm-related infections.

Comparative analysis of the antioxidant and anticancer activities of chestnut inner shell extracts prepared with various solvents.

BACKGROUND: The chestnut inner shell (CIS) has long been used as a medicinal herb for strengthening the antioxidant in the cosmetic industry. However, little is known about the antioxidant and anticancer effects of the CIS. RESULTS: The antioxidant and anticancer effects of CIS extracts (CISEs) were investigated by the use of various methods and cancer cell lines, respectively. The total polyphenol content of CISEs using ethanol, methanol, butanol, ethyl acetate and water were 53.30, 43.98, 32.16, 26.79 and 11.53 mg gallic acid equivalents g(-1), respectively. The CISEs using ethanol and methanol exhibited high antioxidant activities in the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, ß-carotene bleaching and ferric reducing ability of plasma assays; the effects were equivalent to those of butylated hydroxytoluene. All CISEs at 2.5 mg mL(-1) were shown to have a cytotoxic effect over 50%, and the CISE using ethyl acetate at 0.6 mg mL(-1) was proved to have 90% cytotoxic effect against the tested cancer cells. CONCLUSION: The ethanol and methanol CISEs had potent antioxidant effects, and the ethyl acetate CISE had the highest cytotoxicity. These results suggest that CISEs could be used as functional ingredients for antioxidant and anticancer effects in foods as extraction solvents.

Osteopenia occurs in older women in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China：relationship of serum leptin level with bone mineral density and related indicators / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Some studies have demonstrated that there is a clear correlation between osteocyte differentiation and leptin. Animal experiments have also confirmed that leptin indirectly inhibits the formation of osteoblasts through the central nervous system, but it also has some influences on the anabolism in bone microenvironment of osteoblasts. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the variation of serum leptin levels in older female patients with osteopenia, and the relationship between serum leptin levels, bone mineral density and related biochemical indexes of bone turnover. METHODS: The older female patients, aged≥ 60 years, who had lived in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region for more than 30 years, were selected. Among these patients, 74 had osteoporosis, 111 had osteopenia, and 191 had normal bone mass. Serum leptin levels, bone alkaline phosphatase and other indicators of the patients were detected using enzyme-linked immunoassay method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the normal group, the body mass index value and leptin level were significantly lower in the osteoporosis group (P < 0.01) and in the osteopenia group (P < 0.05). The bone mineral densities of al parts of patients in the osteoporosis group were lower than those in the osteopenia and normal groups (P < 0.01), and the bone mineral density value of patients in the ostopenia group was significantly lower than that in the normal group (P < 0.01). The serum leptin levels of older female patients with osteoporosis were significantly positively correlated with the bone mineral density value of the anteroposterior lumbar spine and the left hip bone (r=0.870,r=0.468,P < 0.01). The serum leptin levels of older female patients with osteopenia were significantly positively correlated with the bone mineral density value of the anteroposterior lumbar spine and the left hip (r=0.477, r=0.467,P < 0.01). The serum leptin levels of older female patients with osteoporosis were significantly positively correlated with body mass index (r=0.502,P < 0.01). These results suggest that reduced levels of serum leptin may play an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis and osteopenia in older female patients in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.

Correlation between blood lipid levels and bone mineral density in men with hypertension in Xinjiang / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that there is a certain correlation between blood lipid levels and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, but their correlation in men is an open question, which has been less reported. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between blood lipid levels and bone mineral density in Han and Uygur men with hypertension in Urumqi of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, as wel as correlation of blood lipid levels with osteoporosis and osteopenia and difference between ethnics. METHODS: A total of 193 male patients with hypertension were categorized into Uygur (n=73) and Han (n=120) groups. Each group was subdivided into osteoporosis or osteopenia group and non-osteoporosis group. Bone mineral density and blood lipid level were analyzed and compared between groups. The correlation between osteoporosis and risk factors was analyzed using logistic regression method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In Uygur hypertension men with osteoporosis or osteopenia, total cholesterol level was positively correlated with the bone mineral density of the femoral neck (r=0.43,P=0.01) and Ward's area (r=0.42, P=0.01); while there were no relationships between blood lipid levels and bone mineral density in Han hypertension men. When a Logistic regression analysis was performed, only total cholesterol level was found to be associated with the presence of osteoporosis or osteopenia after adjustment for body mass index, age and ethnics (OR=1.48,P=0.03). The blood lipid level is associated with bone mineral density in Han and Uygur men with hypertension from Urumqi of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which can affect the presence of osteoporosis.

[Prokaryotic expression and polyclonal antibody preparation of human novel gene CTRP4].

AIM: To further investigate the biological function of human novel gene CTRP4 by constructing the prokaryotic expression vector of human CTRP4, inducing the expression of and purifying hCTRP4-his protein in E.coli, and preparing polyclonal antibody against human CTRP4. METHODS: Human CTRP4 gene was amplified by PCR, digested with enzymes, and subcloned into a his-tagged prokaryotic expression vector to generate a recombinant plasmid named pET-32a-hCTRP4. The pET-32a-hCTRP4 was transformed into E.coli BL21(DE3). The hCTRP4-his fusion protein was induced by IPTG, purified by Ni-NTA purification system, and analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The recombinant vector pcDNA3.1-myc/his(-)B-hCTRP4 expressing full-length human CTRP4 and purified prokaryotic protein hCTRP4 were used to immunize BALB/c mice to produce polyclonal antibody. The anti-serum was purified and the characteristics of the antibody were identified by ELISA, Western blotting, immunofluorescence cytochemistry and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The prokaryotic expression vector of pET-32a-hCTRP4 was constructed successfully. hCTRP4-his fusion protein was expressed in E.coli BL21(DE3) after IPTG induction. The titer of the anti-serum reached 1:20 000, and its specificity was proved by Western blotting. The results of immunofluorescence cytochemistry and immunohistochemistry indicated that CTRP4 was mainly localized in the cytoplasm of hepatic cells. CONCLUSION: hCTRP4-his fusion protein can be successfully expressed in E.coli. A specific polyclonal antibody against human CTRP4 has been successfully prepared.

A Família e Educação em Saúde

O Curso de Pós-graduação em Atenção Básica em Saúde da Família, na modalidade a distância, em Mato Grosso do Sul, faz a opção metodológica de trabalhar de forma permanente o contexto real de práticas em que seus estudantes trabalhadores estão inseridos. O curso ­ que tem seu sistema instrucional baseado na Educação à Distância ­ tem o objetivo de formar profi ssionais médicos, enfermeiros e cirurgiões-dentistas integrantes das Equipes de Saúde da Família. É organizado por meio de um conjunto de cadernos, apresentados em diferentes mídias e utiliza ferramentas interativas. A Unidade de Ensino III deste curso intitula-se: A Família e Educação em Saúde e é composta por dois módulos de aprendizagem: Módulo 1 - Promoção da Saúde e Intersetorialidade na Abordagem Familiar. Módulo 2 - A Família no contexto da Atenção Primária à Saúde. O Módulo 1, Promoção da Saúde e Intersetorialidade na Abordagem Familiar, traz a discussão de como fazer abordagens de promoção e educação em saúde dirigidas ao indivíduo, à família e à comunidade. O módulo está organizado em seis seções: a primeira discute a interface Promoção de Saúde/ Educação em Saúde e a infl uência do processo histórico na compreensão do binômio Saúde/Doença. A segunda seção apresenta a evolução do processo de educação em Saúde. A terceira seção traz a discussão da necessidade de realizar Promoção em Saúde para melhorar a qualidade de vida da população. A quarta seção traz a discussão do papel do profi ssional de saúde como agente facilitador no processo de Educação em Saúde. Na seção cinco discute-se a Educação em Saúde e ações interdisciplinares. E a seção seis mostra as técnicas de Educação em saúde. O módulo tem o objetivo dar a você, desta forma, ferramentas para escolher a melhor estratégia de abordagem no processo de educação em saúde de acordo com a situação local, fatores de risco e população-alvo, além de ajudá-lo a planejar a realização de uma proposta promotora/educadora em saúde. O módulo 2: A Família no Contexto da Atenção Primária à Saúde está dividido em cinco seções. A primeira seção apresenta as políticas voltadas à atenção das famílias. A segunda seção discute conceito de família, as funções e estrutura das famílias e as transformações da família contemporânea. A terceira seção discute as situações de vulnerabilidade a que as famílias estão expostas e apresenta as etapas para se trabalhar com famílias. A quarta seção traz as tecnologias de abordagem familiar. E, fi nalmente, a quinta seção discute as ferramentas para se realizar a abordagem familiar. Com a apresentação e discussão destes conteúdos você terá a oportunidade de fazer uma refl exão a respeito de seus conhecimentos e começar a aplicar estas ferramentas na atenção de sua população. Este módulo tem os seguintes objetivos: promover a mudança do foco de atenção das equipes de saúde da família e a atenção às doenças para uma abordagem centrada no indivíduo e sua família. Estes dois módulos são fundamentais para que você tenha instrumentos efi cazes para manter e recuperar a saúde de sua comunidade. Efetivar o conceito que a estratégia de saúde da família apresenta é muito mais amplo que atender os doentes de sua área. A estratégia de saúde da família só cumprirá sua fi nalidade a partir do momento que sua população adscrita seja capaz de construir um modo de vida saudável garantindo a saúde de todos os membros da comunidade.

Integralidade na Atenção à Saúde

O Planejamento em Saúde, entendido como ação social, é um processo que visa à transformação de uma situação em outra melhor, por isso pode ser um forte aliado da Equipe de Saúde da Família e do Gestor, uma vez que disponibiliza ferramentas e tecnologias importantes para a identifi cação dos problemas e na defi nição de intervenções efi cientes e efi cazes.Para a equipe apropriar-se de conteúdos que facilitem a compreensão do Planejamento como ação social transformadora, o módulo foi organizado em 5 seções: Planejamento em Saúde / Análise Estratégica das condições de saúde / Elaboração do Plano de Ação / Monitoramento e Avaliação das Ações de Saúde / Sistema de Planejamento do SUS. Esperamos oferecer material de leitura, oportunidades de refl exão junto com os companheiros de caminhada e atividades práticas que permitam intervenções críticas que visam à transformação. Sabemos que no dia a dia de trabalho estudar, muitas vezes, exige um enorme esforço.