Intervention control of aerobic exercise in maintaining quality of life and pulmonary hypertension in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension is a serious complication in the treatment of maintenance hemodialysis patients, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients and threatens their life safety. Prevention, treatment and improvement of pulmonary hypertension are of great significance to improve the quality of life of patients. AIM: To investigate the intervention and control of pedal-powered bicycle in maintaining quality of life and pulmonary hypertension in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: 73 patients with maintenance hemadialysis combined with pulmonary arterial hypertension at a hemodialysis center in a certain hospital from May 2021 to May 2022 are selected. Patients are divided into two groups, 37 cases in the control group (group C) and 36 cases in the intervention group (group I). Patients are divided into two groups, group C is treated with oral administration of betaglandin sodium combined with routine nursing care. Based on group C, group I conducts power cycling exercises. RESULTS: After treatment, group I patients had higher muscle strength, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey scores, and Kidney Disease Targets Areas scores; The 6-minute walk distance test index level was higher and the Borg score was lower; The group I had lower systolic blood pressure, greater vital capacity, higher positive emotion, lower systolic pulmonary artery pressure index level, higher arterial partial oxygen pressure level, lower pulmonary vascular resistance index level, and higher blood oxygen saturation level [158.91 ± 11.89 vs 152.56 ± 12.81, 1795.01 ± 603.18 vs 1907.20 ± 574.15, 24.00 (22.00, 29.00) vs 24.00 (22.00, 28.00), P < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: Aerobic exercise combined with Western medicine treatment can effectively improve patients' pulmonary hypertension, alleviate their negative emotions, and enable them to achieve a higher level of quality of life.

Loneliness and suicide risks in the general population before and during first-year COVID-19 in Taiwan.

PURPOSE: Loneliness is a critical issue affecting the general population. Current evidence from national surveys of loneliness is scarce. The study aimed to examine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of loneliness and its associating suicide risks in Taiwan. METHODS: Four annual telephone interview surveys were performed by the Taiwan Suicide Prevention Center in 2015-2017 and 2020 during COVID outbreak. Each year the sample was randomly selected by stratifying the general public in different geographical areas and fulfilled a questionnaire collecting information including loneliness, psychological distress, and suicide risk assessment. All the data were analyzed using SPSS25 analysis. RESULTS: A total of 8460 participants were recruited. The average prevalence of loneliness was 12.6 %. Feelings of loneliness was significantly correlated with psychological distress and most risk factors relating to suicide. The odds of loneliness for lifetime suicidal ideation, lifetime suicide attempt, and future suicide intent were 4.9, 5.1, and 9.2, respectively. During the COVID-19 period, loneliness and suicidality demonstrated a noteworthy decline trend, whereas "no one trustworthy to talk to" was the only item that showed significant increase under the pandemic and also impacted on loneliness. CONCLUSION: Nearly one in ten Taiwanese people felt lonely before and during COVID-19. Loneliness was closely linked with various suicide risk factors such as lifetime suicide ideation and attempt or future intention. Although psychological distress and suicide risk were not increased during COVID-19, maintaining trustful relationships to seek support appeared to be critical to prevent the risks of loneliness or suicide.

Prevalence of bullying victimization and its association with self-perceived health, psychopathology, and suicidality: A nationwide population-based survey in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: The current study aimed to assess the prevalence of bullying victimization (BV) and its association with psychopathology and suicidality in a nationwide general population. METHODS: The target population were all the people living in Taiwan, the study samples were obtained by the following processes. A computer-assisted telephone interview was performed to identify potential respondents using telephone numbers selected with the stratified proportional randomization method. Self-reported data were evaluated. Moreover, data obtained using the validated Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS-5) and Concise Mental Health Checklist (CMHC) were used to evaluate psychopathological symptoms and overall suicidal risks, respectively. Results were further analyzed using the chi-square tests and logistic regression model. RESULTS: In total, 1930 respondents from a national general population survey were included in the analysis. The weighted prevalence of lifetime BV in the general population was 13.5%. Based on the chi-square analysis, individuals exposed to BV were at high risk for psychopathology (a BSRS-5 score of ≥6 (x2 = 45.5, P ≤ .001) and high BSRS-5 scores for all five items). Bullying exposure was significantly associated with lifetime suicide ideation and suicide attempt (x2 = 85.7, P ≤ .001; x2 = 17.0, P ≤ .001, respectively). The help-seeking behavior of respondents exposed to bullying did not differ significantly (x2 = 4.6, P = .327). CONCLUSION: Bullying exposure is associated with recent psychopathology and lifetime suicidality. Multifactorial interactive processes contribute to long-term harmful health implications in adulthood. Nevertheless, further research on the relevant mechanisms associated with bullying and potential interventions that can decrease morbidity must be conducted.

Prevalence and Correlates of Prescription Drug Misuse in a Nationwide Population Survey in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Prescription drug misuse (PDM) is a critical mental health issue relating to psychiatric morbidity. This study investigated the prevalence of PDM and its associated psychopathology and psychosocial factors in the general population in Taiwan. METHODS: The survey randomly selected a representative sample >15 year-olds using the stratified proportional randomization method. The measurements included demographic variables, previous experience with PDM, self-rated physical and mental health, health self-efficacy, risk factors for suicidality, and psychological distress. RESULTS: The weighted one-year prevalence of PDM was 8.5% (n = 180) among 2126 participants. Those with psychological distress and lifetime suicide ideation (23.3%) or suicide attempts (5.0%) were significantly associated with PDM. PDM was also prevalent among those with poorer self-rated health and lower self-efficacy. Insomnia (OR = 1.52), depression (OR = 1.77), and low self-efficacy (OR = 2.29) had higher odds of PDM after adjustment in the logistic regression model. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals who misused prescription drugs had a higher prevalence of psychological distress and suicidality and lower levels of self-rated health. Prescription drug misuse problems should be screened for early prevention when prescribing medications for people with insomnia, depression, or lower perceived health beliefs or conditions.

Sex-Specific Moderation Effect of Age on the Associations Between Insomnia Symptoms and Various Psychological Distresses.

BACKGROUND: Insomnia is closely related to psychological distress. This study aims to examine the role of age and sex in the association between various psychological distresses and insomnia symptoms. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: This population-based study used data provided by cumulative respondents of the annual survey of the Taiwan Suicide Prevention Center between 2006 and 2019. Potential respondents were aged ≥15 years and were selected by a stratified proportional randomization method according to the distribution of population size, sex, and age in different geographic areas of Taiwan. The Five-Item Brief Symptom Rating Scale was used to measure insomnia symptoms and four psychological distresses: depression, anxiety, hostility, and inferiority. The independent relationship between insomnia symptoms with depression, anxiety, hostility, and inferiority was further examined according to age and sex. RESULTS: A total of 28,649 participants were included (women, 50.2%). The four types of psychological distress correlated differentially with insomnia symptoms. Concerning interaction effects, sex moderated the interaction effects between age with depression, anxiety, and hostility. In men, and not in women, age moderated the relationship between insomnia symptoms and all four psychological distresses. Specifically, the effect sizes of the associations between insomnia symptoms and depression, anxiety, and hostility showed an age-dependent decreasing trend in men. CONCLUSION: The associations between psychological distresses and insomnia symptoms varied in strength and according to age in a sex-specific manner.

Adherence to World Health Organization guideline on suicide reporting by media in Taiwan: A surveillance study from 2010 to 2018.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Significant associations between suicide behaviors and inappropriate suicide reports in the media have been reported. The study aimed to examine the quality of long-term suicide reports under surveillance by the Taiwan Suicide Prevention Center (TSPC). METHODS: The TSPC conducted daily surveillance with timely feedback and interactive approaches with the media professionals. To examine the reporting trends under the surveillance, daily adherence to the 12-item World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines was analyzed for print media published between 2010 and 2018, and for online media in 2017 and 2018. The trend analysis using the Cochran-Armitage test was performed to estimate the significance of adherence changes. RESULTS: In total, 5529 print reports and 16,445 person-event items from online media were reviewed. The number of suicide reports in print newspapers markedly decreased while it increased for online media. Surveillance of print media showed statistical significance of the improvement of reporting adherence to all guideline items except one item ("Do not publish photo or suicide notes"). Adherence rates were high (∼90%) for 6 of the 12 items over the study duration. Marked improvement was observed in three items: reporting details, giving simplistic reasons, and providing helpline resources. However, both "Highlight the alternatives to suicide" and "Work closely with health authorities to present the facts" items had the lowest adherence. Online media had similar findings and adherence profile as the print media. CONCLUSION: The quality of suicide reports significantly improved in most WHO guideline items. Development of psychiatric-media liaisons may be beneficial for further improvement.

One-Pot CuI/DBU-Catalyzed Carboxylative Cyclization toward Oxazolidinones Using Recyclable Molecular Sieves as Efficient Promoters for Fixation of CO2 in Water Medium.

An efficient one-pot synthesis of oxazolidinones was developed through CuI/DBU/MS joint system-catalyzed carboxylative cyclization of arylacetylene, arylaldehyde, and arylamine in water medium under a 1 atm carbon dioxide (CO2) atmosphere. The 4 Šmolecular sieves (MSs) were added to improve CO2 capture and facilitate carboxylation to give the products in high yields. The CuI/DBU/MS system is robust and highly effective for the reactions with different substrates, and some target products were obtained in an excellent yield of ∼96%, with no side products in the final step.

Immunophenotypes associated with bipolar disorder and lithium treatment.

Immune dysfunction is implicated in the etiology of bipolar disorder. The single-nucleotide polymorphism rs17026688 in the gene encoding glutamate decarboxylase-like protein 1 (GADL1) has been found to be associated with lithium response in Han Chinese patients with bipolar I disorder (BDI). However, whether patients with GADL1 polymorphisms have different immunophenotypes is unknown. To address this issue, differences in the immune profiles based on analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were compared among BDI patients and healthy controls who lack or carry the T allele of rs17026688. BDI patients had significantly higher percentages of total T cells, CD4+ T cells, activated B cells, and monocytes than healthy controls, suggesting that immunologic imbalance might be involved in BDI development or progression. Treatment of BDI patients-derived PBMCs with lithium in vitro increased the percentage of CD14+ monocytes and dendritic cells, suggesting that lithium plays an immunomodulatory role in CD14+ monocytes and dendritic cells. Among BDI patients, non-T carriers had a significantly higher percentage of CD11b+/CD33lo/HLA-DR- myeloid-derived suppressor cells than T carriers. Moreover, only T carriers exhibited differential sensitivity to lithium therapeutic use with respect to the percentage of myeloid cells. These findings suggest that rs17026688 polymorphisms in GADL1 are associated with immune dysfunction in BDI patients.

Lithium and GADL1 regulate glycogen synthase kinase-3 activity to modulate KCTD12 expression.

Potassium channel tetramerization domain containing 12 (KCTD12), the auxiliary GABAB receptor subunit, is identified as a susceptibility gene for bipolar I (BPI) disorder in the Han Chinese population. Moreover, the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs17026688 in glutamate decarboxylase-like protein 1 (GADL1) is shown to be associated with lithium response in Han Chinese BPI patients. In this study, we demonstrated for the first time the relationship among lithium, GADL1, and KCTD12. In circulating CD11b+ macrophage cells, BPI patients showed a significantly higher percentage of KCTD12 expression than healthy controls. Among BPI patients, carriers of the 'T' allele (i.e., CT or TT) at site rs17026688 were found to secrete lower amounts of GADL1 but higher amounts of GABA b receptor 2 (GABBR2) in the plasma. In human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, lithium treatment increased the percentage of KCTD12 expression. Through inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3), lithium induced cyclic AMP-response element binding protein (CREB)-mediated KCTD12 promoter activation. On the other hand, GADL1 overexpression enhanced GSK-3 activation and inhibited KCTD12 expression. We found that lithium induced, whereas GADL1 inhibited, KCTD12 expression. These findings suggested that KCTD12 may be an important gene with respect to neuron excitability and lithium response in BPI patients. Therefore, targeting GSK-3 activity and/or KCTD12 expression may constitute a possible therapeutic strategy for treating patients with BPI disorder.

The histone deacetylase HDA19 controls root cell elongation and modulates a subset of phosphate starvation responses in Arabidopsis.

The length of root epidermal cells and their patterning into files of hair-bearing and non-hair cells are genetically determined but respond with high plasticity to environmental cues. Limited phyto-availability of the essential mineral nutrient phosphate (Pi) increases the number of root hairs by longitudinal shortening of epidermal cells and by reprogramming the fate of cells in positions normally occupied by non-hair cells. Through analysis of the root morphology and transcriptional profiles from transgenic Arabidopsis lines with altered expression of the histone deacetylase HDA19, we show that in an intricate interplay of Pi availability and intrinsic factors, HDA19 controls the epidermal cell length, probably by altering the positional bias that dictates epidermal patterning. In addition, HDA19 regulates several Pi-responsive genes that encode proteins with important regulatory or metabolic roles in the acclimation to Pi deficiency. In particular, HDA19 affects genes encoding SPX (SYG1/Pho81/XPR) domain-containing proteins and genes involved in membrane lipid remodeling, a key response to Pi starvation that increases the free Pi in plants. Our data add a novel, non-transcriptionally regulated component of the Pi signaling network and emphasize the importance of reversible post-translational histone modification for the integration of external signals into intrinsic developmental and metabolic programs.

The paralogous R3 MYB proteins CAPRICE, TRIPTYCHON and ENHANCER OF TRY AND CPC1 play pleiotropic and partly non-redundant roles in the phosphate starvation response of Arabidopsis roots.

Phosphate (Pi) deficiency alters root hair length and frequency as a means of increasing the absorptive surface area of roots. Three partly redundant single R3 MYB proteins, CAPRICE (CPC), ENHANCER OF TRY AND CPC1 (ETC1) and TRIPTYCHON (TRY), positively regulate the root hair cell fate by participating in a lateral inhibition mechanism. To identify putative targets and processes that are controlled by these three transcription factors (TFs), we conducted transcriptional profiling of roots from Arabidopsis thaliana wild-type plants, and cpc, etc1 and try mutants grown under Pi-replete and Pi-deficient conditions using RNA-seq. The data show that in an intricate interplay between the three MYBs regulate several developmental, physiological and metabolic processes that are putatively located in different tissues. When grown on media with a low Pi concentration, all three TFs acquire additional functions that are related to the Pi starvation response, including transition metal transport, membrane lipid remodelling, and the acquisition, uptake and storage of Pi. Control of gene activity is partly mediated through the regulation of potential antisense transcripts. The current dataset extends the known functions of R3 MYB proteins, provides a suite of novel candidates with critical function in root hair development under both control and Pi-deficient conditions, and challenges the definition of genetic redundancy by demonstrating that environmental perturbations may confer specific functions to orthologous proteins that could have similar roles under control conditions.

Safety assessment of ovarian cryopreservation and transplantation in nude mice bearing human epithelial ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Nude mice with orthotopic transplantation of human ovarian epithelial cancer were used to investigate screening criteria for paraneoplastic normal ovarian tissue and the security of the freezing and thawing for ovarian tissue transplantation. METHODS: Expression of CK-7, CA125, P53, survivin, MMP-2/TIMP- 2 in paraneoplastic normal ovarian tissues were detected by RT-PCR as well as immunohistochemistry. The tissues of the groups with all negative indicators of RT-PCR, all negative indicators of immunohistochemistry, negative expression of CK-7, CA125 and survivin, positive expression of CK-7, CA125 and survivin, cancer tissues and normal ovarian tissues of nude mice were used for freezing and thawing transplantation, to analyze overt and occult carcinogenesis rates after transplantation. RESULTS: When all indicators or the main indicators, CK-7, CA125 and survivin, were negative, tumorigenesis did not occur after transplantation. In addition the occult carcinogenesis rate was lower than in the group with positive expression of CK-7, CA125 and survivin (P<0.01). After subcutaneous and orthotopic transplantation of ovarian tissues, rates did not change (P>0.05). There was no statistical significance among rates after transplantation of ovarian tissues which were obtained under different severity conditions (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Negative expression of CK-7, CA125 and survivin can be treated as screening criteria for security of ovarian tissues for transplantation. Immunohistochemical methods can be used as the primary detection approach. Both subcutaneous and orthotopic transplantation are safe. The initial severity does not affect the carcinogenesis rate after tissue transplantation. Freezing and thawing ovarian tissue transplantation in nude mice with human epithelial ovarian carcinoma is feasible and safe.

Gold nanomaterials: preparation, chemical modification, biomedical applications and potential risk assessment.

Gold nanomaterials (Au NMs) have attracted increasing attention in biomedicine due to their facile preparation, multifunctional modifications, unique optical and electrical properties, and good biocompatibility. The physicochemical properties of Au NMs at nanoscale, like size, shape, surface chemistry, and near field effects, are rendering Au NMs potent candidates in biomedicine. Thus, risk assessment of negative effects of Au NMs on biological systems is becoming urgent and necessary for future applications. In this review, we summarize up-to-date progresses on the preparation and modification of Au NMs and their biomedical applications, including biosensor, bioimaging and phototherapy, gene/drug delivery. Finally, we discuss the potential risk of Au NMs to biological systems, which is instructive for rationally designing and preparing nanomaterials for safe applications in nanomedicine.

[Changes of brain oxidative stress induced by nano-alumina in ICR mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the brain oxidative stress injury induced by nano-alumina particles in ICR mice. METHODS: Sixty male ICR mice were randomly divided into 6 groups: control group, solvent control group, 100 mg/kg micro-alumina particles group, 3 groups exposed to nano-alumina particles at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg. The mice were exposed by nasal drip for 30 days. Then levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in brain tissues of mice were detected. RESULTS: There was no difference of SOD activity in mouse brain between control group [(17.32 +/- 6.23)U/gHb] and 50 mg/kg nano-alumina particles group [(17.89 +/- 1.82) U/gHb]. The SOD activity [(4.93 +/- 2.30)U/gHb] in 200 mg/kg nano-alumina particles group was significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0.05). The MDA levels in 3 nano-alumina particles groups were (0.76 +/- 0.13), (1.00 +/- 0.30) and (1.16 +/- 0.39)nmol/ml, respectively, which were significantly higher than that [( 0.24 +/- 0.09)nmol/ml] in control group (P < 0.05). The GSH levels in 3 nano-alumina particles groups were (0.72 +/- 0.08), (0.55 +/- 0.19) and (0.61 +/- 0.20)mg/gpro, respectively, which were significantly lower than that [(1.55 +/- 0.34)mg/gpro]] in control group (P < 0.05). The CAT activity in 50 and 100 mg/kg nano-alumina particles groups were (10.40 +/- 3.84) and (10.40 +/- 2.00)U/mgpro, respectively, which were significantly higher than that [(5.79 +/- 0.96) U/mgpro] in control group (P < 0.05). The CAT activity [(3.25 +/- 1.04)U/mgpro] in 200 mg/kg nano-alumina particles group was significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0.05 ). CONCLUSION: Nano-alumina particles can induce the oxidative stress damage in brain tissues of mice.

Dorsal and volar 2.4-mm titanium locking plate fixation for AO type C3 dorsally comminuted distal radius fractures.

PURPOSE: In this retrospective, nonrandomized, single-surgeon study, we evaluated the clinical outcomes of dorsal and volar locking plate fixation for AO type C3 dorsally comminuted distal radius fractures. METHODS: We treated 41 consecutive patients who had sustained AO C3 dorsally comminuted fractures of the distal radius with 2.4-mm titanium locking plates between 2006 and 2008. Patients in group 1 (n = 22) were treated with dorsal locking plates, and those in group 2 (n = 19) with volar locking plates. We evaluated clinical outcomes at an average of 37 months and performed statistical analysis using the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: No significant difference was noted between the 2 groups in terms of radial inclination, volar tilt, and ulnar variance. At the 3- and 6-month follow-up, group 1 showed better clinical results with respect to wrist extension, grip strength, and Gartland and Werley score, whereas group 2 showed better wrist flexion during this period. The range of motion and grip strength progressively leveled out between the 2 groups, and no significant differences were observed at the 9- and 12-month assessments. One patient in group 1 had short-term complex regional pain syndrome, and 4 patients in group 2 had temporary median nerve numbness. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with dorsal or volar locking plates can provide satisfactory radiographic and functional outcomes for AO type C3 dorsal comminuted distal radius fractures. The dorsal plate group showed an earlier recovery of wrist extension, grip strength, and functional score at the 3- and 6-month follow-up owing to direct reduction as well as fragmental-specific fixation of the dorsal fracture fragments. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

[The effect of inhalable titanium dioxide on the oxidative stress among occupational population].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhalable titanium dioxide exposure level and make an assessment of its oxidative effect on occupational exposed population. METHODS: A total of 7 workers occupationally exposing to inhalable titanium dioxide were recruited into the study. The basic information and occupational history were collected by interview, while their blood sample (10 ml for each subject) were collected before and after the investigation, respectively. Pre- and post-work shift urine samples (60 ml for each subject) were collected for 29 days consecutively. The daily personal titanium dioxide exposure level, temperature and relative humidity were detected too. Urinary 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were detected by ELISA and latex immunoturbidimetric assay, respectively. RESULTS: The mean concentration of air inhalable titanium dioxide was (1.194 ± 1.015) mg/m(3). Serum hs-CRP level before and after the investigation was (1.13 ± 1.08), (1.33 ± 1.01) mg/L, respectively. No statistical significance was observed between hs-CRP level before and after the investigation (t = -0.848, P = 0.425). Pre- and post-work shift urinary 8-OHdG was (3.51 ± 1.39), (3.65 ± 1.06) µmol/mol Cr, respectively. A positive correlation was found between the concentration of inhalable titanium dioxide and the changes of 8-OHdG level (r = 0.192, t = 2.09, P = 0.039). Linear mixed-effect models, adjusted by work shift, years of employment, age, body mass index, smoking status, temperature and relative humidity, showed no significant exposure-respond trend between the inhalable titanium dioxide concentration and 8-OHdG level (ß = 0.288, t = 1.940, P = 0.055). CONCLUSION: Our findings do not support the potential link between occupationally exposure to inhalable titanium dioxide and high induction of DNA oxidative stress.

[Effect of nano-TiO(2) intratracheal instillation on lipid metabolism of AopE gene-knockout mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of nano-TiO(2) intratracheal instillation on the progression of dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-knockout mice. METHODS: The nano-TiO(2) was ultrasound with phosphate-buffered saline solutions (PBS) into its suspension for exposure. A total of 46 specific pathogen free (SPF) level of 11-week-old male apolipoprotein E-knockout mice were randomly divided into groups by their body weights: non-treatment group (8 mice), PBS control group (9 mice), high dose group (1.0 mg/ml, 10 mice), medium dose group (0.5 mg/ml, 10 mice), and low dose group (0.1 mg/ml, 9 mice). Except the non-treatment group, mice from other groups were intratracheally instilled with 0.05 ml each time, twice a week. After exposure of 6 weeks, viscera index, blood TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, and organic lipid ratio were assessed as biomarkers. Artery and aortic root issues were assessed by histopathology. RESULTS: After 5 weeks exposure, mice body weights in high dose group ((29.7 ± 1.9) g) started to drop, compared to PBS control ((31.3 ± 1.9) g, t = -1.58, P < 0.05) and low dose group ((31.4 ± 1.4) g, t = -1.17, P < 0.05); after 6 weeks, high dose group ((28.8 ± 1.5) g) was lower than PBS control ((30.4 ± 1.9) g, t = -1.60, P < 0.05), non-treatment group ((30.2 ± 1.3) g, t = -1.43, P < 0.05) and low dose group ((30.6 ± 1.0) g, t = -1.83, P < 0.05). TC levels of non-treatment, PBS control, high dose group, medium dose group and low dose group were (2.92 ± 1.18), (3.12 ± 0.73), (4.19 ± 1.86), (3.46 ± 0.72) and (2.57 ± 0.64) mmol/L, respectively; TG levels were (0.39 ± 0.13), (0.39 ± 0.08), (0.60 ± 0.21), (0.55 ± 0.19) and (0.41 ± 0.11) mmol/L, respectively; HDL-C levels were (1.67 ± 0.45), (1.54 ± 0.67), (0.93 ± 0.50), (1.02 ± 0.48) and (1.31 ± 0.64) mmol/L; TG levels of high dose group were higher than that of non-treatment group (t = 1.27, P = 0.03) and low dose group (t = 1.62, P = 0.01); TG levels of medium dose group was higher than PBS control (t = 0.16, P = 0.04), and TC levels of high dose group were higher than PBS control (t = 0.22, P = 0.01), non-treatment group (t = 0.22, P = 0.04) and low dose group (t = 0.20, P = 0.03), and HDL-C levels of high dose group were lower than PBS control (t = -0.61, P = 0.04) and non-treatment group (t = -0.74, P = 0.04); organic lipid ratio of each group were (2.27 ± 0.51)%, (2.06 ± 0.53)%, (2.90 ± 0.50)%, (2.60 ± 0.23)%, (2.24 ± 0.45)%; high dose group were higher than PBS control (t = 0.85, P = 0.00), non-treatment group (t = 0.64, P = 0.03) and low dose group (t = 0.67, P = 0.01); medium dose group was higher than PBS control (t = 0.54, P = 0.02). The plaque lipid content and calcium content which showed the progression of atherosclerosis and plaque rupture were elevated in medium and high dose groups. CONCLUSION: Intratracheal instillation of nano-TiO(2) can induce dyslipidemia and accelerate the development of atherosclerosis and plaque rupture in ApoE-/-mice.

[Influence of intranasal instilled titanium dioxide nanoparticles on monoaminergic neurotransmitters of female mice at different exposure time].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of intranasal instilling titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on monoaminergic neurotransmitters at different-time exposure. METHODS: CD female mice were intranasally instilled three different-sized (25 nm, 80 nm and 155 nm) TiO, suspension every other day in a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight. The control group was instilled the same volume of Milli-Q water. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to analyze the titanium contents in murine brain after exposure to TiO2 particles 2 days, 10 days, 20 days and 30 days. The monoaminergic neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA), 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), and homovanillic (HVA), were determined by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with electrochemical detector. RESULTS: After exposure to TiO, nanoparticles 10 days, the titanium contents in murine brain were increased, the titanium content in the 25 nm group was up to (1059.3 +/- 293.5) ng/g. In 20 days, the titanium content decreased slowly with the metabolism of titanium in vivo, but it kept at a high level, the content decreased to (654.7 +/- 269.2) ng/g in the 25 nm group. After exposure to TiO2 nanoparticles 30 days, the titanium contents had no obviously change. Because of the accumulation of TiO, in the brain, the contents of NE and 5-HT increased significantly after exposure to 80 nm and 155 nm TiO, nanoparticles 20 days, while the decreased contents of DA, DOPAC, HVA and 5-HIAA were observed. CONCLUSION: The inhaled TiO2 nanoparticles could be translocated to and deposited in murine brain after absorbing by nasal mucosa, and further influence the releases and metabolisms of monoaminergic neurotransmitters in brain.

[Rapid analysis of methylmercury and total mercury in biological samples by ultrasonic-assisted solvent extraction coupled with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry].

The analytical method for the determination of total mercury and methylmercury in biological samples was studied using ultrasonic-assisted solvent extraction coupled with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Various extraction conditions like solvent types and concentrations, different assisted methods, and ultrasonic radiation time were optimized. Samples were digested with 6 mol x L(-1) HCl, ultrasonicated for 2 hours, extracted by organic solvent, then back-extracted by water and directly measured after dilution. With the optimized method, the total mercury and methylmercury were simultaneously measured. The detection limit was 0. 01 ng x mL(-1) , the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 3. 44%, the linearity of calibration curve of mercury was in the concentrations of 0-50 ng x m(L-1), and the recovery of mercury given by standard addition method was 80%-97%. Mercury in five different biological standard reference materials was determined by the described method. The experimental results were in good agreement with the certified values. The proposed method takes the advantage of ultrasonic-assisted extraction, micro-solvent extraction, and ICP-MS, which is especially suitable for the analysis of mercury in different biological samples.

Genome scan of Han Chinese schizophrenia families from Taiwan: confirmation of linkage to 10q22.3.

OBJECTIVE: Genome-wide linkage analyses of schizophrenia have identified several regions that may harbor schizophrenia susceptibility genes, but given the complex etiology of the disorder, it is unlikely that all susceptibility regions have been detected. To address this issue, the authors ascertained 606 Han Chinese families comprising 1,234 affected members. METHOD: Probands with schizophrenia were recruited from six data collection field research centers in Taiwan. Each proband underwent a diagnostic screen with supplemental medical records and a semistructured interview. Following this screen, the authors administered the Mandarin Chinese version of the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies. Best-estimate final diagnoses were made by two board-certified psychiatrists. The genotyping was conducted by the Center for Inherited Disease Research, with 386 markers spaced at an average of 9-centimorgan (cM) intervals. Empirical simulations were generated to determine genome-wide significance. RESULTS: The authors found five regions with nonparametric linkage z scores 2.0 or greater. These were the following: 2.08 was reached for D1S551 (113.7) cM at 1p31.1 and 2.31 for D2S410 (125.2 cM) at 2q14.1; 2.00 was reached for D4S2361 (93.5 cM) at 4q21.23, and 2.07 for D15S1012 (36 cM) at 15q14, the largest nonparametric linkage z score was 2.88 for D10S2327 (100.92 cM) at 10q22.3. CONCLUSIONS: Our 10q22.3 finding at 100.9 cM is consistent with a previously reported nonparametric linkage score of 4.27 at 107.2 cM on chromosome 10, although it did not attain genome-wide significance in this study.