Larger hydroxyapatite aggregation from Ca2+ adhesion in ANAMMOX granular sludge caused by high dissolved oxygen.

Anaerobic ammonia oxidation (ANAMMOX), a sustainable biological process, is promising to remove NH4+-N from municipal sewage. In this study, results showed that the anammox granular sludge morphology changes with the alternation of dissolved oxygen (DO), mainly attributing to the adhesion of calcium ions (Ca2+) to the surface of sludge particles. Diverse characterization methods revealed that gray adhesions in the form of hydroxyapatite covered the original holes on the anammox granular sludge surface, including scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), digital camera images, Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Ex-situ degradation of NH4+-N and NO2--N yielded diverse outcomes. The protein to polysaccharide ratio (PN/PS) in the total extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) across 4 size groups demonstrated a decrease under O2 exposure. Microbial community analysis indicated norank_f_A4b and Nitrolancea being the most abundant genus under O2 exposure at day 1 and day 100, respectively. These findings offer an effective strategy to prevent size-larger granular sludge from deteriorating through changing DO and Ca2+ in municipal wastewater in ANAMMOX.

Diagnostic Value of Structural MRI in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

ObjectiveTo explore the role of structural MRI in the diagnosis of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 （SCA3） and further evaluate its correlation with disease severity and disease duration. MethodsWe prospectively enrolled 81 genetically diagnosed SCA3 patients ［59 symptomatic （sym-SCA3） and 22 pre-symptomatic （pre-SCA3）］ and 35 age- and sex-matched healthy controls （HCs）. MRI structural images （3D T1 MPRAGE） and clinical data of all subjects were collected. Three observers with different radiological experience measured the width of the superior， middle and inferior cerebellar peduncle （SCP， MCP and ICP）， the anterior-posterior diameters of the pons and spinal cord at the levels of the foramen magnum and upper edge of the 3rd-5th cervical vertebra. One observer performed the measurements again 2 months later to assess for the intra- and inter-observer reliability， respectively. One-way ANOVA， rank-sum test， ROC curve and Random Forest were used to evaluate the diagnostic value of the above metrics for SCA3， and the correlation between the metrics and clinical variables was analyzed. ResultsNot depending on the radiological experience， the metrics based on morphological MRI showed high intra- and inter-observer reliability， among which bilateral superior and middle cerebellar peduncles performed best. The diameters of bilateral SCP， MCP， ICP， pons and spinal cord （except spinal cord at the level of the upper edge of the 5th cervical vertebra） decreased successively in HCs， pre-SCA3 and sym-SCA3 with a statistical difference （P<0.017）. ROC analysis revealed that the left MCP had the highest diagnostic value for pre-SCA3 （AUC=0.911）， with sensitivity， specificity and a cut-off value of 85.7%， 95.5% and 10.15 mm， respectively. In contrast， the right SCP had the highest diagnostic value for sym-SCA3 （AUC=0.999）， with sensitivity， specificity and a cut-off value of 100%， 98.3% and 2.62 mm， respectively. The Random Forest model based on the above metrics also had high diagnostic efficiency （AUC= 0.970， specificity=93.1%）， and the left MCP contributed the most. Correlation analysis showed that the above metrics had a significantly or moderately negative correlation with the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia （SARA） and disease duration （P<0.05）. ConclusionNot depending on radiological experience， measurements of brain structure based on morphological MRI are reliable， which can help diagnose SCA3 and predict disease severity and duration. The left MCP and the right SCP perform best for predicting pre-SCA3 and sym-SCA3， respectively. Therefore， the structural MRI is recommended for assisting the clinical diagnosis of SCA3.

Regulatory Effect of Qingzhenfang on Cellular Immune Function of Patients with Chronic Urticaria / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Qingzhenfang for plasmoby （chronic urticaria）， and to investigate its effect on cellular immune function. Method:One hundred and thirty-two cases patients were divided into control group and observation group evenly according to random number table. The 60 patients in control group finished the study because of 6 cases of dropout， loss of follow-up and withdrawal， and 62 patients in observation group finished the study. Patients in both groups got Yiebastine tablets， 10-20 mg/time， 1 time/day. Patients in control group additionally got Piminxiao capsule， 4 grains/time， 3 times/day， while patients in observation additionally got Qingzhenfang， 1 dose/day. The treatment continued for 8 weeks in both groups. Before the treatment， and at the second， fourth， and eighth week after treatment， scores of urticaria activity for 7 days （USA7） and total symptom score （TSS） were graded. Before and after treatment， scores of chronic urticaria quality of life scale （CU-Q2oL） and syndrome of rheumatic fever were graded. A follow-up of 3 months was conducted for the patients whose score of USA7 was less than 7 to record the recurrence. Complement 3 and 4 （C3， C4）， CD4⁺， CD8⁺ cells were detected， and Th17/ CD4⁺ and Treg/ CD4⁺， CD4⁺/CD8⁺ and Th17/Treg were calculated. Levels of peripheral blood interleukin-10 （IL-10）， IL-17 and IL-23 were detected， and safety was evaluated after the treatment. Result:At the second， fourth and eighth week after the treatment， scores of USA7， TSS， CU-Q2oL and syndrome of rheumatic fever in observation group were lower than those in the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Levels of C3， C4， CD4⁺， Treg， CD4⁺/CD8⁺and IL-35 in observation group were higher than those levels detected in control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， while levels of CD8⁺， Th17， Th17/Treg， IL-10， IL-17 and IL-23 were lower than those in the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Recurrence rate was 25.58% （11/43） in observation group， lower than 48.48% （16/33） in control group （<inline-formula><alternatives><mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M2"><mml:msup><mml:mrow><mml:mi>χ</mml:mi></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mn mathvariant="normal">2</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:msup></mml:math><graphic specific-use="big" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="alternativeImage/19F4CEA3-4719-4fe6-AFE8-81E481AA497E-M002.jpg"><?fx-imagestate width="3.30199981" height="3.64066648"?></graphic><graphic specific-use="small" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="alternativeImage/19F4CEA3-4719-4fe6-AFE8-81E481AA497E-M002c.jpg"><?fx-imagestate width="3.30199981" height="3.64066648"?></graphic></alternatives></inline-formula>=4.276， <italic>P</italic><0.05）， and the clinical efficacy in observation group was superior to that in control group （<italic>Z</italic>=2.021， <italic>P</italic><0.05）. Conclusion:Yaoyi Qingzhenfang can control the degree of disease and improve the quality of life for patients with chronic urticaria， with superior clinical efficacy. In addition， it can reduce recurrence rate， increase the levels of C3， C4， regulate cellular immune function， and reduce immune inflammatory response， so it is worthy of further clinical research and use.

MRN complex is an essential effector of DNA damage repair / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Genome stability can be threatened by both endogenous and exogenous agents. Organisms have evolved numerous mechanisms to repair DNA damage, including homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Among the factors associated with DNA repair, the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) complex (MRE11-RAD50-XRS2 in

Overexpression of lncRNA MT1JP Mediates Apoptosis and Migration of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Regulating miR-24-3p.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effects of the long non-coding (lnc) RNA MT1JP on the apoptosis and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with liver cancer admitted to the Second People's Hospital of Liaocheng were included in this study. We transfected hepatocellular carcinoma cells with MT1JP and miR-24-3p and assessed their expression and effects on apoptosis and migration. Correlations were verified using a dual-luciferase reporter and RNA-binding protein coimmunoprecipitation. RESULTS: The expression of MT1JP was downregulated (P < 0.05), whereas that of miR-24-3p was upregulated in liver cancer. Serum MT1JP levels were correlated with tumor size, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), TNM stage, differentiation, and lymph node metastasis. Both MT1JP overexpression and miR-24-3p inhibition inhibited cellular proliferation and migration and increased apoptosis rates. They significantly downregulated expression of the cell migration-associated proteins matrix metalloproteinase -2, -9 (MMP-2, MMP-9) (P < 0.05). They upregulated the expression of Bcl-2-related X protein (Bax) and cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinases (Caspase-3 and -9) proteins that are involved in apoptosis. They decreased expression of B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2; P < 0.05). A target relationship between MT1JP and miR-24-3p was identified using dual-luciferase gene reporter assays and RNA-binding protein coimmunoprecipitations. MT1JP overexpression significantly downregulated miR-24-3p expression (P < 0.05). MT1JP and miR-24-3p expression were negatively correlated in liver cancer tissues (r = -0.561, P < 0.001; Pearson χ2 tests). Rescue experiments showed that upregulating miR-24-3p expression could counteract MT1JP overexpression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. CONCLUSION: MT1JP, even when expressed at low levels, participates in the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of liver cancer cells by regulating miR-24-3p.

Test method for health-related physical fitness of college students in mobile internet environment.

Improving health-related physical fitness plays an important role in enhancing the comprehensive physical fitness of college students. The traditional test of health-related physical fitness is characterized by complicated operations and low efficiency. A set of test methods for health-related physical fitness of college students based on an intelligent mobile terminal is designed in this work. The intelligent test method calculates the health-related physical fitness level of users through image acquisition and analysis by combining intelligent terminal software and test items of key elements. To verify the validity of the proposed method, a total of 116 college students (59 males and 57 females) aged between 18 and 22 are chosen as test respondents. The health-related physical fitness of respondents is tested and compared by using the traditional and proposed methods. The traditional test method reports the cardiorespiratory fitness scores of 69.6 ± 9.5 (M) and 77.1 ± 9.9 (F), and the proposed method reports 70.9 ± 9.7 (M) and 77.7 ± 9.8 (F). Twenty samples are chosen randomly to calculate the correlation coefficients r = 0.944 (M) and 0.965 (F) and significance p = 0.145 (M) and 0.489 (F). The flexibility fitness scores in the traditional method are 74.6 ± 11.9 (M) and 73.3 ± 11.5 (F), and the scores of the proposed method are 74.8 ± 11.5 (M) and 75.0 ± 11.2 (F). Twenty samples are chosen randomly to calculate r = 0.944 (M) and 0.938 (F) and p = 0.941 (M) and 0.098 (F). In the proposed method, muscle strength/muscular endurance fitness and a body composition module are tested by the traditional method, and test data are input into an artificial input system. The experimental results verify the accuracy of the proposed method in evaluating the health-related physical fitness of college students. Application of the proposed method can effectively reduce the cost of physical fitness testing, increase the convenience of testing, and direct substantial attention to the health-related physical fitness of college students.

Selective inhibition of endothelin receptor A improves white matter le-sions in hypertensive rats / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To observe whether selective inhibition of endothelin receptor A(ETRA)improves white matter lesions(WMLs),and explore the mechanism.METHODS:Sprague-Dawley rats(n=33)were randomly divided into sham operation group(n=9),treatment group[stroke-prone renovascular hypertensive rats-modified 2 vessel occlu-sion(RHRSP-modified 2VO)+ambrisentan(n=12)]and placebo group[RHRSP-modified 2VO +vehicle(n =12)].Drug and vehicle administration was performed from 17th to 20th week and monitoring of systolic arterial pressure was performed weekly.Morris water maze test was conducted to evaluate the function of cognition.The protein levels of en-dothelin-1(ET-1)in the cortex,corpus callosum and caudate putamen were quantitatively analyzed respectively.The se-verity of WMLs and the relationship between ET-1 and vessels were observed by the method of histopathology.RESULTS:The difference of systolic arterial pressure between treatment group and placebo group was not significant.The animals in treatment group exhibited shorter escape latency(P<0.05),more times of crossing platform(P<0.05), lower level of ET-1 in corpus callosum and caudate putamen(P<0.05),respectively,improved WMLs severity(P<0.05)and lower binding level of ET-1 to vessels compared with the placebo group.CONCLUSION: Selective inhibition of endothelin receptor A improves the severity of WMLs and ameliorates the cognitive function.

Pathological Changes in APP/PS-1 Transgenic Mouse Models of Alzheimer's Disease Treated with Ganoderma Lucidum Preparation.

Objective To explore the efficacy of ganoderma lucidum preparation(Ling Zhi) in treating APP/PS-1 transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease(AD).Methods APP/PS-1 transgenic mice of 4 months were randomly divided into model group,ganoderma lucidum treatment groups,including high [2250 mg/(kg·d)] and middle [750 mg/(kg·d)] dose groups,i.e.LZ-H and LZ-M groups,and the positive control group(treated with donepezil hydrochloride [2 mg/(kg·d)]).In addition,C57BL/6J wild mice were selected as normal group.The animals were administered for 4 months.Histopathological examinations including hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining,immunohistochemistry,special staining,and electron microscopy were applied,and then the pathological morphology and structures in different groups were compared. Results The senile plaques and neurofibrillar tangles in the cerebrum and cerebellum were dissolved or disappeared in LZ-H and LZ-M groups.Decrease of amyloid angiopathy was found in LZ-H and LZ-M groups.The immature neurons appeared more in hippocampus and dentate nucleus of LZ-H and LZ-M groups than those in AD model and donepezil hydrochloride groups(hippcampus:F=1.738,P=0.016;dentate nucleus:F=1.924,P=0.026),and these immature neurons differentiated to be neurons.More Purkinje cells loss occurred in AD model mice than that in LZ-H and LZ-M groups(F=9.46,P=0.007;F=9.46,P=0.010).The LZ-H and LZ-M groups had more new neuron stem cells grown up in cerebellum.Electromicroscopic examination showed the hippocampal neurons in LZ-H and LZ-M group were integrated,the nuclear membrane was intact,and the mitochondria in the cytoplasm,endoplasmic reticulum,Golgi bodies,microtubules,and synapses were also complete.The microglial cell showed no abnormality.No toxicity appeared in the pathological specimens of mice treated with ganoderma lucidum preparation.Conclusion The ganoderma lucidum preparation can dissolve and decline or dismiss the senile plaques and neurofibrillar tangles in the brain of AD mice and also reduce the amyloid angiopathy.

[Effect of Qishen Yiqi droplet on adenylate contents in myocardium of cor pulmonale rats].

Cor pulmonale rat models were induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of monocrotaline(MCT), and the sham group received a single intraperitioneal injection of normal saline. After the model rats received intragastric administration of Qishen Yiqi droplet(QS) for 6 weeks, the contents of adenylate(ATP, ADP and AMP) in right myocardial tissues were measured by HPLC, and then the metabolism changes in myocardium of cor pulmonale rats with QS were investigated. The results showed that ATP, ADP, and AMP were well separated, with a good linearity within a certain range of concentration; and the recovery rates were within the range of 90%-108%. As compared with model group, the level of ATP was significantly elevated in high-dose treatment group; ADP contents showed an increasing trend and AMP contents showed a decreasing trend, indicating that QS could significantly improve energy metabolism system in myocardium. By using the HPLC, a qualitative and quantitative analysis method was given for the determination of ATP, ADP and AMP contents in myocardium, providing a method for energy metabolism measurement in biological samples.

Pathological Changes in APP/PS-1 Transgenic Mouse Models of Alzheimer's Disease Treated with Ganoderma Lucidum Preparation / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To explore the efficacy of ganoderma lucidum preparation(Ling Zhi) in treating APP/PS-1 transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease(AD).Methods APP/PS-1 transgenic mice of 4 months were randomly divided into model group,ganoderma lucidum treatment groups,including high [2250 mg/(kg·d)] and middle [750 mg/(kg·d)] dose groups,i.e.LZ-H and LZ-M groups,and the positive control group(treated with donepezil hydrochloride [2 mg/(kg·d)]).In addition,C57BL/6J wild mice were selected as normal group.The animals were administered for 4 months.Histopathological examinations including hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining,immunohistochemistry,special staining,and electron microscopy were applied,and then the pathological morphology and structures in different groups were compared. Results The senile plaques and neurofibrillar tangles in the cerebrum and cerebellum were dissolved or disappeared in LZ-H and LZ-M groups.Decrease of amyloid angiopathy was found in LZ-H and LZ-M groups.The immature neurons appeared more in hippocampus and dentate nucleus of LZ-H and LZ-M groups than those in AD model and donepezil hydrochloride groups(hippcampus:F=1.738,P=0.016;dentate nucleus:F=1.924,P=0.026),and these immature neurons differentiated to be neurons.More Purkinje cells loss occurred in AD model mice than that in LZ-H and LZ-M groups(F=9.46,P=0.007;F=9.46,P=0.010).The LZ-H and LZ-M groups had more new neuron stem cells grown up in cerebellum.Electromicroscopic examination showed the hippocampal neurons in LZ-H and LZ-M group were integrated,the nuclear membrane was intact,and the mitochondria in the cytoplasm,endoplasmic reticulum,Golgi bodies,microtubules,and synapses were also complete.The microglial cell showed no abnormality.No toxicity appeared in the pathological specimens of mice treated with ganoderma lucidum preparation.Conclusion The ganoderma lucidum preparation can dissolve and decline or dismiss the senile plaques and neurofibrillar tangles in the brain of AD mice and also reduce the amyloid angiopathy.

The effects of metformin on glucolipid metabolic disorders and liver lipid deposition caused by clozapine in rats / 预防医学

Objective To study the effect of metformin on glucolipid metabolic disorders and liver lipid deposition caused by clozapine in rats.Methods From 1 d to 4 d,Clozapine 5 mg·kg -1 ·d -1 was gavaged,and the dose increased to 25 mg·kg -1 ·d -1 from the 5th day.Metformin 100 mg·kg -1 ·d -1 or 400 mg·kg -1 ·d -1 or simvastatin 1 mg· kg -1 ·d -1 was gavaged from the 15th day.The total period of dosing was 8 weeks.Body mass,fasting blood sugar (FBS) and postprandial 2 hours blood glucose (2hPBG)were measured at baseline,3 d,1 week,2 weeks,4 weeks,6 weeks and 8 weeks.At the end of the 8th week,serum cholesterol (TC),triglyceride (TG),low density lipoprotein (LDL -C), high density lipoprotein (HDL -C),fructosamine (FA)and insulin (IRS)were measured and liver HE staining was done.Results There were no significant differences of the measured indexes between control group and metformin group at the all test points.By the end of the 6th and 8th week,compared with control group,the body mass,FBS,2hPBG,IRS, FA,TC,TG and LDL -C were significantly increased in clozapine group (P <0.05 ),while HDL -C decreased in clozapine group (P <0.05).Compared with clozapine group,body mass,FBS,2hPBG,IRS,FA,TC,TG and LDL -C were significantly decreased by metformin or simvastatin administration (P <0.05),while HDL -C increased(P <0.05).Rat liver cells in clozapine group were not neat around the small blood vessels;there were more white fat cells and hepatocellular lipid calm far away from the blood vessels.However,in other groups,there were moderate white fat cells, and there were not much hepatocellular lipid calm far away from the blood vessels.Conclusion Metformin could effectively prevent and treat weight gain,glucolipid metabolic disorder and liver lipid deposition caused by clozapine.

[Association of Ureaplasma urealyticum infection with bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very low birth weight infants with respiratory distress syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection in the lower respiratory tract and the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). METHODS: Seventy-three VLBW infants diagnosed with neonatal RDS, who had received at least one dose of pulmonary surfactant, as well as mechanical ventilation, and were hospitalized for over 28 days, were recruited. Endotracheal aspirates were obtained from the lower respiratory tract and examined by real-time PCR to detect UU DNA. The infants were divided into UU infection and non-UU infection groups according to examination results. Clinical characteristics and the incidence of BPD were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the non-UU infection group, the UU infection group had a higher rate of maternal vaginal delivery, higher incidence of recurrent nosocomial pulmonary infection and premature rupture of membranes (PROM), and longer durations of PROM, oxygen supplementation, and hospital stay; in addition, the UU infection group had higher plasma IgM level, leukocyte count, and neutrophil count within 3 hours after birth. Among 73 VLBW infants, 45 developed BPD; the incidence of BPD in the UU infection group was 90% (19/21), versus 50% (26/52) in the non-UU infection group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: UU infection in the lower respiratory tract increases the incidence of BPD in VLBW infants with RDS.

Observation of long-term efficacy and life quality in allergic rhinitis treated with acupoint catgut embedding therapy combined with acupuncture-moxibustion therapy / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the impacts of acupoint catgut embedding therapy and acupuncture-moxibustion therapy on the long-term efficacy and patient's life quality in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-nine patients were randomized into the combined acupuncture-moxibustion and acupoint catgut embedding therapy group (combined therapy group, 36 cases) and an acupuncture-moxibustion group (33 cases). In the acupuncture-moxibustion group, acupuncture was applied at Yingxiang (LI 20), Shangyingxiang (EX-HN 8), Yintang (GV 29), Shangxing (GV 23), Tongtian (BL 7) and Zusanli (ST 36). Moxibustion was applied at Zusanli (ST 36), Feishu (BL 13), Dazhui (GV 14) and Fengmen (BL 12). In the combined therapy group, on the basis of the treatment as acupuncture-moxibustion group, the catgut embedding therapy was applied at Feishu (BL 13), Fengmen (BL 12), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Qihai (CV 6). The treatment duration was 4 weeks in the two groups. The clinical efficacy of allergic rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) score were observed before and after treatment as well as in the 4-weeks follow-up after the end of treatment respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The markedly effective rate was 72.7% (24/33) in the combined therapy group and 48.4% (15/31) in the acupuncture-moxibustion group after treatment. The efficacy was similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). It was 57.6% (19/33) in the combined therapy group and was 22. 6% (7/31) in the 4-week follow-up after treatment, indicating the long-term efficacy in the combined therapy group was superior to that in the acupuncture-moxibustion group (P<0. 05). Scores of RQLO after treatment and in 4-week follow-up after treatment in both groups were improved as compared with those before treatment (all P < 0.05). In 4-week follow-up, the improvements in sleep and affection in the combined therapy group were superior to the acupuncture-moxibustion group (3.27 +/- 3.23 vs 4.61 +/- 3.56, 3.48 +/- 3.67 vs 5.81 +/- 4.15, both P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The acupoint catgut embedding therapy combined with acupuncture-moxibustion therapy are safe and effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and display the more roles in the long-term efficacy.</p>

Association of Ureaplasma urealyticum infection with bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very low birth weight infants with respiratory distress syndrome / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship between Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection in the lower respiratory tract and the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-three VLBW infants diagnosed with neonatal RDS, who had received at least one dose of pulmonary surfactant, as well as mechanical ventilation, and were hospitalized for over 28 days, were recruited. Endotracheal aspirates were obtained from the lower respiratory tract and examined by real-time PCR to detect UU DNA. The infants were divided into UU infection and non-UU infection groups according to examination results. Clinical characteristics and the incidence of BPD were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the non-UU infection group, the UU infection group had a higher rate of maternal vaginal delivery, higher incidence of recurrent nosocomial pulmonary infection and premature rupture of membranes (PROM), and longer durations of PROM, oxygen supplementation, and hospital stay; in addition, the UU infection group had higher plasma IgM level, leukocyte count, and neutrophil count within 3 hours after birth. Among 73 VLBW infants, 45 developed BPD; the incidence of BPD in the UU infection group was 90% (19/21), versus 50% (26/52) in the non-UU infection group (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>UU infection in the lower respiratory tract increases the incidence of BPD in VLBW infants with RDS.</p>

Effects of feeding patterns after hospital discharge on increase rates of growth indices in preterm and low-birth-weight infants within 3 months after birth / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of post-discharge formula (PDF) for preterm infants, breast milk (BM) and term infant formula (TF) on increase rates of body weight, length and head circumference in preterm and low-birth-weight infants (PLBWIs) from discharge to 3 months after birth, and to provide a reference for the choice of feeding pattern for PLBWIs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 407 PLBWIs discharged from the newborn departments of ten hospitals in Guangzhou City and Foshan City in Guangdong Province, China were chosen for this study. According to feeding pattern, they were assigned to three groups: PDF-fed (n=258), BM-fed (n=58) and TF-fed (n=91). Their body weight, length and head circumference were measured at 3 months after birth, and the increase rates of growth indices relative to baseline values (at birth) were calculated and compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At 3 months after birth, the PDF-fed group had significantly greater body weight, length and head circumference than the BM-fed and TF-fed groups (P<0.05). The increase rates of body weight and length were significantly higher in the PDF-fed group than in the BM-fed and TF-fed groups (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Compared with those fed with BM and TF after discharge, the PDF-fed PLBWIs have higher increase rates of body weight and length and show greater body weight and length at 3 months after birth. However, further study is needed to investigate the long-term effects.</p>

[Migraine without aura treated by comprehensive auricular acupuncture: a multicentral controlled study].

OBJECTIVE: To assess objectively the efficacy of migraine without aura treated by comprehensive auricular acupuncture. METHODS: Ninty patients of migraine without aura from three centers were selected as the observation subjects. Thirty cases from each center were treated with the comprehensive auricular acupuncture. This therapy included the retroauricular venous bleeding on the ears, the autologous blood injection at Fengchi (GB 20) and Yanglingquan (GB 34) and bleeding at the Nie (temporal), Zhen (occiput), Yidan (pancreas), Shenmen, Pizhixia (subcortex) and Neifenmi (endocrine) of auricular point. The therapy was applied once every 7-10 days. The continuous 3 treatments made one session. RESULTS: At the end of one session for the patients in three centers, the headache scores were reduced apparently as compared with those before treatment (all P< 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in comparison among three centers (all P>0.05). The clinical total effective rates were 93.3% (28/30), 90.0% (27/30) and 93.3% (28/30) in three centers separately. There was no obvious difference in the efficacy in comparison among three centers (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The comprehensive auricular acupuncture reduces apparently the headache score for migraine without aura and relieves the clinical symptoms of migraine. It is the simple and effective therapy for migraine without aura.

Interleukin 7 and its receptor promote cell proliferation and induce lymphangiogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the mechanism of interleukin 7/interleukin 7 receptor (IL-7/IL-7R) in promoting cell proliferation and inducing lymphangiogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in vivo and in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunohistochemical study for IL-7, IL-7R, cyclin D1 and vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D) was carried out in NSCLC tissues from 95 patients. The relationship between IL-7/IL-7R expression and various parameters was analyzed. The mechanism of IL-7/IL-7R in promoting cell proliferation and inducing lymphangiogenesis was studied by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, reverse transcriptase-PCR, Western blot, co-immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation and nude mice experiments with xenograft tumors.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>IL-7 (63.2%, 60/95), IL-7R (61.1%, 58/95), cyclin D1 (52.6%, 50/95) and VEGF-D (58.9%, 56/95) showed that high level of expression in NSCLC. IL-7/IL-7R over-expression correlated with cyclin D1 expression (P < 0.01, P < 0.01), VEGF-D expression (P < 0.01, P < 0.01), increased lymphovascular density (P = 0.005, P = 0.013), advanced clinical stage (P = 0.008, P = 0.005) and presence of lymph node metastasis (P < 0.01, P < 0.01). IL-7/IL-7R could promote proliferation of A549 cell, increase cyclin D1 and VEGF-D expression, and enhance c-Fos/c-Jun expression and phosphorylation, resulting in formation of heterodimer. Furthermore, IL-7/IL-7R could induce binding of c-Fos/c-Jun to cyclin D1/VEGF-D promoters and regulate their transcription. IL-7/IL-7R could also promote proliferation and lymphangiogenesis of lung cancer xenograft tumors.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>IL-7/IL-7R promotes c-Fos/c-Jun expression and activity in NSCLC. This further facilitates cyclin D1 expression and accelerates proliferation of cells and VEGF-D-induced lymphovascular formation.</p>

Expression of SOCS3 and Pyk2 and their correlation in non-small cell lung cancer / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of SOCS3 and Pyk2 and their correlations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression of SOCS3 and Pyk2 was detected in 100 cases of NSCLC, human bronchial epithelial cells (HBE) and 6 lung cancer cell lines by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. The methylation status of SOCS3 was investigated in A549 cells by methylation-specific PCR. A549 cells were either treated with a demethylation agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza) or transfected with three SOCS3 mutants with various functional domains deleted. Besides, the cells were pretreated with a proteasome inhibitor β-lactacystin where indicated. The effects of SOCS3 on Pyk2 expression, Pyk2 Tyr 402 and ERK1/2 phosphorylations were assessed by Western blot. RT-PCR was used to estimate Pyk2 mRNA levels. Transwell experiments were performed to evaluate cell migration.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SOCS3 (43.0%, 43/100) and Pyk2 (65.0%, 65/100) were expressed in NSCLC. A significant negative correlation was found between SOCS3 and Pyk2 in both NSCLC tissues and cell lines. SOCS3 was aberrantly methylated and 5-aza restored SOCS3 expression. Transfection studies indicated that exogenous SOCS3 interacted with Pyk2, and both Src homology 2 (SH2) and kinase inhibitory region (KIR) domains contributed to Pyk2 binding. Furthermore, SOCS3 was found to inhibit Pyk2-associated ERK1/2 activity in A549 cells. SOCS3 possibly promoted degradation of Pyk2 in a SOCS-box-dependent manner and interfered with cell migration.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The data indicates that SOCS3 definitely plays roles in regulating Pyk2 signaling, and cell motility. Decreased SOCS3 induced by methylation may confer a migration advantage to A549 cells.</p>

The effect of birth weight and early growth on body fat composition and insulin sensitivity / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of birth weight and early growth on body fat composition and insulin sensitivity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The birth and growth data of 258 children of 6 to 7 years old in Guangzhou were collected from Jun.2009 to Feb. 2010. Physical and laboratory examination were preformed, which included body weight, body height and body fat composition index (body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat (PBF), waist circumference to height ratio (WtHR), etc). Fasting blood glucose and insulin were measured. The homeostasis model assessment model for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated. According to birth weight, the children were divided into three groups from light to heavy: BW-I, BW-II, BW-III group. Then according to change in weight SDS between 0 and 36 months, the children were divided into three groups: changers up (CU), non-changers (NC), changers down (CD) group. The effect of birth weight and early growth on body fat composition and insulin sensitivity were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Change in weight SDS between 0 and 36 months was higher in BW-I group (1.06 ± 1.29) than in the BW-II group (-0.19 ± 0.94) and BW-III group (-0.10 ± 1.20) (all P values < 0.01). Birth weight of the CU group ((2.90 ± 0.47) kg) was lower than that of the NC group ((3.22 ± 0.34) kg) and the CD group ((3.57 ± 0.37) kg) (all P values < 0.01). The body fat composition index of BMI, PBF and WtHR were higher in the BW-III group ((16.35 ± 2.13) kg/m(2), (17.03 ± 5.88)%, (0.479 ± 0.033)) than in the BW-I group ((15.46 ± 2.06) kg/m(2), (14.06 ± 5.25)%, (0.459 ± 0.032)) and BW-II group ((15.47 ± 1.58) kg/m(2), (14.09 ± 5.01)%, (0.460 ± 0.025)) (P < 0.01), while there was no significant difference between the BW-I group and the BW-II group (P > 0.05). The body fat composition index of BMI, PBF and WtHR were higher in the CU group ((16.44 ± 2.20) kg/m(2), (16.51 ± 5.78)%, (0.473 ± 0.034)) than in the NC group ((15.62 ± 1.74) kg/m(2), (14.49 ± 5.30)%, (0.463 ± 0.030)) and the CD group ((15.26 ± 1.85) kg/m(2), (14.24 ± 5.54)%, (0.462 ± 0.031)) (all P values < 0.05). In the CU group, BMI, PBF and WtHR were higher in the BW-III-CU group ((18.76 ± 2.56) kg/m(2), (22.19 ± 8.28)%, (0.512 ± 0.029)) than in the BW-I-CU group ((16.04 ± 2.14) kg/m(2), (15.54 ± 5.28)%, (0.467 ± 0.034)) and BW-II-CU group ((16.70 ± 1.36) kg/m(2), (17.12 ± 4.44)%, (0.474 ± 0.017)) (all P values < 0.05), while there was no significant difference between the BW-I-CU group and the BW-II-CU group (P > 0.05). HOMA-IR was higher in the CU group (1.27 ± 0.44) than in the NC group (1.08 ± 0.31) and the CD group (1.00 ± 0.36) (all P values < 0.01). In the CU group, HOMA-IR was higher in the BW-III-CU group (1.69 ± 0.48) than in the BW-I-CU group (1.21 ± 0.41) and the BW-II-CU group (1.27 ± 0.44) (all P values < 0.01), while there was no significant difference between the BW-I-CU and BW-II-CU group (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>According to birth weight tertile, both lower birth weight individuals with more weight change-up growth postnatal early and higher birth weight individuals had greater body fat composition in childhood. They were high-risk people of insulin resistance.</p>

[Effects of shivering on airway rewarming].

AIM: To investigate the effects of shivering on airway rewarming. METHODS: The hypothermic dog model without shivering was established by immersing an anesthetized dog in cold water and administering atracurium to inhibit the dog shivering. The model dog respired warm fully humidified (40-45 degrees C, RH 99.9%) air and room temperature air(19 +/- 1 degrees C, RH 30% - 75%) to rewarm each for 2 hours, the priority of different temperature air respired was arranged randomly. After rewarming for 4 hours, the relaxed dog breathed warm humidified air by positive pressure ventilation in order to restore its spontaneous respiratory. Then the dog continued to respire warm humidified air spontaneously until the esophageal (Te) and rectal temperature (Tr) of the dog achieved the same degrees as the dog was immersed in the water. The metabolic heat production was detected by indirect calorimetry during the experiment. RESULTS: (1) When the shivering was inhibited, inhaling warm humidified air for 2 hours made the Tr and Te of the dogs increase 0.26-0.39 degrees C and 0.44-1.11 degrees C per hour respectively, inhaling air at room temperature for 2 hours made Tr and Te of the dogs decrease 0.24-0.51 degrees C and 0.58-0.67 degrees C per hour, respectively. And the changes in Tr and Te of the dogs were unrelated to the priority of inhaling air at different temperature. (2) When the dog with shivering respired spontaneously warm humidified air, the rewarming rates of Tr and Te were 2.26-2.33 degrees C/h and 1.96-2.38 degrees C/h respectively, quicker than those of the dogs whose shivering was inhibited. (3) Compared with metabolic heat production of the unshivering dog respiring warm humidified air by positive pressure ventilation, that of the shivering dog respiring warm humidified air spontaneously increased outstandingly, shivering thermogenesis made the rewarming rates increased obviously. CONCLUSION: Airway rewarming is a method conducive to rewarming of hypothermia. When the body is shivering, the metabolic heat production increases obviously, that makes the rewarming rate increase markedly. So the shivering must be inhibited in order to eliminate the interference of shivering thermogenesis when the effects of airway rewarming are detected.