[Investigation and analysis of airborne allergenic pollen in 4 districts and 5 counties of Hohhot City].

Objective: To investigate the species, concentration and seasonal trends of main airborne allergenic pollen in 4 districts and 5 counties of Hohhot City. Methods: The Department of allergy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University conducted a cross-sectional study about monitoring the airborne allergenic pollen from August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022 by the gravitational method in 4 districts and 5 counties of Hohhot City, which include Yuquan District, Xincheng District, Huimin District, Saihan District, Tuoketuo County, Helingeer County, Tumotezuoqi County, Wuchuan County and Qingshuihe County. Daily pollens were counted and identified by optical microscopy, and the data were analyzed. Results: The airborne allergenic pollen was collected every month all year round in 4 districts and 5 counties of Hohhot city. Through the whole year of the total quantity of pollens ranged from 24 850 to 50 154 grains per 1 000 mm2 and two peaks of pollen concentration in air were observed,which happened in spring (from March to May) and in summer and autumn (from July to September). In spring, the main pollens were tree pollens, which principally distributed in Populus pollen (18.29%), Ulmus pollen (8.36%), Pinus pollen (6.20%), Cupressaceae pollen (5.23%), Betulaceae pollen (2.73%), Salix pollen (1.80%) and Quercus pollen (1.16%). In summer and autumn, the main pollens were weed pollens, which mainly included Artemisia pollen (42.73%), Chenopodiaceae pollen or Amaranthaceae pollen (7.46%), Poaceae pollen (2.26%), Humulus pollen or Cannabis pollen (0.60%). Conclusion: There were two peaks of main airborne allergenic pollen in 4 districts and 5 counties of Hohhot City. In the spring peak of pollen, the main airborne pollens were tree pollens. In the summer and autumn peak of pollen, the main airborne pollens were weed pollens. The Artemisia pollen was the most major airborne pollen in this area.

[Inhibition of the TGF-ß/Smad3 signaling pathway by SB431542: A study of the intervention effect of SB431542 on silicotic fibrosis in rats].

Objective: To investigate the intervention effect of SB431542, which inhibits the TGF-ß/Smad3 signaling pathway, on silicotic fibrosis in rats. Methods: A total of 40 specific pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal saline control group, model group, SB431542 inhibitor group, and SB431542 inhibitor control group using a random number table, with 10 rats in each group. All rats except those in the normal saline control group were given non-exposed single intratracheal instillation of free silicon dioxide dust suspension 1 mL (50 mg/mL) ; the rats in the SB431542 inhibitor group were given intraperitoneal injection of SB431542 (5 mg/kg) on days 7 and 30 after dust exposure, those in the SB431542 inhibitor control group were given intraperitoneal injection of SB431542 cosolvent (5 mg/kg) on days 7 and 30 after dust exposure, and those in the normal saline control group were given intratracheal instillation of an equal volume of normal saline (5 mg/kg). On day 60 after dust exposure, the paraffin-embedded section of the right upper lobe of lung was collected for HE staining; the left upper lobe of lung was collected to measure the mRNA levels of fibronectin (FN) , collagen type I (COL-I) , and collagen type III (COL-III) by quantitative real-time PCR; the right inferior lobe of lung was collected to measure the protein levels of FN, COL-I, COL-III, phosphorylated Smad3 (p-Smad3) , and Smad3. Results: Compared with the normal saline control group, the model group had nodules with various sizes in lung tissue, with rupture of some alveolar septa, emphysema changes, and pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, as well as significant increases in the mRNA expression of FN, COL-I, and COL-III and the protein expression of FN, COL-I, COL-III, p-Smad3, and Smad3 in lung tissue (P<0.05) . Compared with the SB431542 inhibitor control group, the SB431542 inhibitor group had a relatively complete structure of lung tissue without marked nodules and with a small amount of exudate in alveolar space and the lumen of bronchioles, as well as significant reductions in the mRNA expression of FN, COL-I, and COL-III and the protein expression of FN, COL-I, COL-III, p-Smad3, and Smad3 in lung tissue (P<0.05) . There were no significant differences in the mRNA expression of FN, COL-I, and COL-III and the protein expression of FN, COL-I, COL-III, p-Smad3, and Smad3 between the model group and the SB431542 inhibitor control group (P>0.05) . Conclusion: SB431542 exerts an intervention effect on silicotic fibrosis by blocking the TGF-ß/Smad3 signaling pathway and reducing the expression of the downstream fibrosis factors FN, COL-I, and COL-III.

Predictive value of serum gamma-glutamyltransferase levels in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Here we assessed the predictive value of gamma-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT) for the prognosis of patients with HCC and compared the γ-GT with other prognostic factors. We retrospectively analyzed outcomes for 858 patients first diagnosed with HCC. Cox univariate and multivariate analyses receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used for the study of significance of prognostic factor. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to assess the value of γ-GT as an HCC prognostic factor in different classifications of Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) or Tumor Node Metastasis (TNM) and different levels of serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP). We showed patient survival rates were significantly associated with γ-GT as well as serum biological markers including absolute neutrophil count (ANC), absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), AFP. A γ-GT ≥ 75 U/L strongly indicated poor prognosis for HCC patients. The survival time of patients with γ-GT ≥ 75 U/L was significantly shorter in advanced BCLC and TNM stages and at any serum AFP level. All these results suggested that baseline γ-GT could effectively aid in determining the prognosis of patients with HCC, and the prognostic value of γ-GT ≥ 75 U/L was superior to that of Child-Pugh class, MELD stage, and serum AFP.

[Screening of serum biomarkers by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation in patients with HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure].

Objective: To investigate the screening of serum biomarkers in patients with HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ). Methods: Gel electrophoresis was used to isolate and remove high-abundant proteins. Each group of peptides was labeled by the iTRAQ reagents and then tested with an UltiMateTM 3000 nanoliter high-performance liquid chromatograph, and a Q-Exactive tandem mass spectrometer. The Protein Discovery software was used to analyze mass spectrometry data and perform bioinformatic analysis for differentially expressed proteins. Results: Ten samples each were included in the HBV-ACLF group and the chronic hepatitis B (CHB) group, and six samples each were included in the HBV-ACLF survival group and the HBV-ACLF death group. Compared with the CHB group, the HBV-ACLF group had 43 differentially expressed proteins, among which 34 were downregulated and 9 were upregulated. Compared with the HBV-ACLF survival group, the HBV-ACLF death group had 33 differentially expressed proteins, among which 18 were upregulated and 15 were downregulated. Conclusion: Keratin,α1-acid glycoprotein, and zinc-α2-glycoprotein identified in the serum may be used as potential biomarkers for predicting the prognosis of patients with HBV-ACLF.

[Prevalence of deep venous thrombosis in burn patients and its influencing factors].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in burn patients, and to explore its influencing factors. METHODS: Clinical data of 2 506 burn patients admitted to our ward from January 2009 to January 2014, conforming to the study criteria, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into DVT group (n=26) and non-DVT group (n=2 480) according to whether or not DVT occurred during hospitalization. The incidence of DVT was calculated. The diagnosis time and type of DVT were recorded. The data of gender, age, depth of burn, total burn area, location of injury, cause of injury, infection of wound, venous transfusion of fluid (hypertonic solution and blood), location of intravenous catheterization, skin grafting, timing of first skin grafting after injury, D-dimer, bedridden duration after injury among patients between two groups were compared with chi-square test and Wilcoxon test. Indexes with statistically significant differences between two groups were selected, and they were processed with multivariate logistic stepwise regression analysis to screen the independent risk factors of DVT. RESULTS: (1) The incidence of DVT was 1.04% (26/2 506). The diagnosis time of DVT was 16-62(40±12)d, and patients diagnosed as having DVT after the 20th day post injury accounted for 92.3% (24/26). All DVT occurred in lower limbs, with 1 case of central type, 24 cases of peripheral type, and 1 case of mixed type. (2) There were no statistically significant differences in gender, location of injury (upper limbs, trunk, head and face), cause of injury, jugular vein catheterization, skin grafting, and timing of first skin grafting after injury among patients between two groups (with χ(2) values from 1.853 to 3.742, Z=3.342, P values above 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in age, depth of burn, total burn area, burn in lower limbs, infection of wound, venous transfusion of hypertonic solution and blood, femoral vein and subclavian vein catheterization, D-dimer, and bedridden duration after injury among patients between two groups (with χ(2) values from 4.569 to 11.324, Z values respectively 7.357 and 7.012, P<0.05 or P<0.01). (3) Age, total burn area, burn in lower limbs, infection of wound, and D-dimer were the independent risk factors of DVT (with odds ratio respectively 2.904, 2.655, 3.574, 2.786, 3.142, 95% confidence interval respectively 1.504-7.652, 1.368-6.594, 1.958-8.511, 1.459-7.001, 1.922-8.062, P values below 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of DVT in burn patients is relatively low; it is diagnosed after the 20th day post injury in most patients, and the overwhelming majority is the peripheral type. Age, total burn area, burn in lower limbs, infection of wound, and D-dimer are the independent risk factors of DVT in burn patients, with which its occurrence could be predicted.

Screening and identification of microsatellite markers associated with cold tolerance in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus.

Tilapia is an important fish cultured in tropical and subtropical areas. Cold sensitivity limits the expansion of tilapia culture into colder regions of the world, and mass mortalities of cultured tilapia have been reported due to severe cold currents in winter. Since the late 1990s, several strains of Nile tilapia have been domesticated to improve the ability to adapt to low temperatures. Previous studies revealed that these varieties were more cold-tolerant than the founder population and overwintered naturally well in ponds in the west-south area of Guangdong Province. In this study, to develop tilapia strains with improved cold tolerance for breeding programs through marker-assisted selection, two microsatellite markers, UNH916 and UNH999, showed complete co-segregation with cold tolerance among the polymorphic microsatellite primers. Our results provide a foundation for identifying resistant gene(s) linked with these markers, as well as identifying simple sequence repeat markers associated with cold tolerance that can be used for maker-assisted selection programs in tilapia breeding to increase the growing range and productivity of tilapia aquaculture.

Investigations into the association between polymorphisms in the interleukin-10 gene and risk of early-onset preeclampsia.

In this case-control study, we assessed the influence of IL-10 -1082A/G and -819T/C on the development of preeclampsia. The IL-10 -1082A/G and -819T/C polymorphisms were assessed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The genotype distributions of the IL-10 -1082A/G and -819T/C polymorphisms in the control subjects were in conformance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE; P = 0.46 and 0.17). Unconditional logistic regression analyses revealed that individuals carrying the CC genotype of IL-10 -819T/C were associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia compared to the TT genotype. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for the CC genotype of IL-10 -819T/C was 1.71 (1.07-3.27) compared to the TT genotype. In conclusion, the results of our study indicated that the IL-10 -819T/C polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia in a Chinese population.

A preliminary investigation of the mechanisms underlying the effect of berberine in preventing high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance in rats.

Berberine exerts insulin resistance-improving effects, the underlying mechanism of which is not well understood. We herein aimed to examine the effects of berberine on mediators of insulin signaling in pancreatic ß- and α- islet cells and hepatocytes using a rat obesity model. Rats were fed the following diets for 22 weeks: normal control (NC); normal+berberine (NC+BBR 200 mg/kg/day); high-fat (HF); HF+BBR(1) (BBR 100 mg/kg/day); HF+BBR(2) (BBR 200 mg/kg/day). Metabolic parameters were assessed and mediators of insulin signaling were quantified by immunohistochemistry. The HF diet significantly increased body weight (BW), visceral fat (VF), the visceral fat to BW ratio (VF/BW), and insulin resistance index in the HF group compared with the NC group. Both doses of BBR significantly reduced HF diet-induced increases in BW, VF, and VF/BW. IR and IRS-1 expression in ß-cells was significantly lower in the HF group, but not the HF+BBR groups, compared with the NC and NC+BBR groups. Glucagon expression in α-cells was significantly higher in the HF group compared with all other groups. IR expression in α-cells was significantly lower in the HF group compared with the NC, NC+BBR, and HF+BBR(2) groups. IR expression in hepatocytes was significantly lower in the HF group compared with all groups. Our preliminary findings suggest that berberine may ameliorate the development of insulin resistance by differentially preventing alterations in expression of IR, IRS-1, and glucagon in ß-cells, α-cells, and hepatocytes.

Research on the molecular mechanism of Seretide treatment to asthma disease.

INTRODUCTION: Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in children. It is attributable to complicated coactions between various genetic factors and environmental allergens. AIM: We attempt to unfold the mechanism of asthmatic disorder and research the molecular mechanism of Seretide on asthmatic disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the GSE31773 microarray datasets downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database, we first screened the differentially expressed genes between healthy control and asthmatic samples cells based on classical t-test and false discovery rate < 0.05 as significant threshold. The underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis. In addition, the crosstalk network of pathways was also constructed. RESULTS: A total of 2011 differentially expressed genes were obtained by comparing asthmatic sample treated with Seretide and healthy controls. A total of 403 differentially expressed genes were collected between asthma samples untreated by Seretide and healthy sample controls. The enriched pathway of differentially expressed genes included signal transduction disorder (such as TGF-beta signaling pathway) and metabolism disorder (such as Phenylalanine metabolism). There were 27 pathway crosstalk pairs among 13 pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings will help to clarify the molecular mechanism of Seretide and offer advices for asthma pathogenesis, Seretide therapy and follow-up treatment.

Rat Dlx5 is expressed in the subventricular zone and promotes neuronal differentiation

The molecular mechanisms and potential clinical applications of neural precursor cells have recently been the subject of intensive study. Dlx5, a homeobox transcription factor related to the distal-less gene in Drosophila, was shown to play an important role during forebrain development. The subventricular zone (SVZ) in the adult brain harbors the largest abundance of neural precursors. The anterior SVZ (SVZa) contains the most representative neural precursors in the SVZ. Further research is necessary to elucidate how Dlx5-related genes regulate the differentiation of SVZa neural precursors. Here, we employed immunohistochemistry and molecular biology techniques to study the expression of Dlx5 and related homeobox genes Er81 and Islet1 in neonatal rat brain and in in vitro cultured SVZa neural precursors. Our results show that Dlx5 and Er81 are also highly expressed in the SVZa, rostral migratory stream, and olfactory bulb. Islet1 is only expressed in the striatum. In cultured SVZa neural precursors, Dlx5 mRNA expression gradually decreased with subsequent cell passages and was completely lost by passage four. We also transfected a Dlx5 recombinant plasmid and found that Dlx5 overexpression promoted neuronal differentiation of in vitro cultured SVZa neural precursors. Taken together, our data suggest that Dlx5 plays an important role during neuronal differentiation.

Rat Dlx5 is expressed in the subventricular zone and promotes neuronal differentiation.

The molecular mechanisms and potential clinical applications of neural precursor cells have recently been the subject of intensive study. Dlx5, a homeobox transcription factor related to the distal-less gene in Drosophila, was shown to play an important role during forebrain development. The subventricular zone (SVZ) in the adult brain harbors the largest abundance of neural precursors. The anterior SVZ (SVZa) contains the most representative neural precursors in the SVZ. Further research is necessary to elucidate how Dlx5-related genes regulate the differentiation of SVZa neural precursors. Here, we employed immunohistochemistry and molecular biology techniques to study the expression of Dlx5 and related homeobox genes Er81 and Islet1 in neonatal rat brain and in in vitro cultured SVZa neural precursors. Our results show that Dlx5 and Er81 are also highly expressed in the SVZa, rostral migratory stream, and olfactory bulb. Islet1 is only expressed in the striatum. In cultured SVZa neural precursors, Dlx5 mRNA expression gradually decreased with subsequent cell passages and was completely lost by passage four. We also transfected a Dlx5 recombinant plasmid and found that Dlx5 overexpression promoted neuronal differentiation of in vitro cultured SVZa neural precursors. Taken together, our data suggest that Dlx5 plays an important role during neuronal differentiation.

A combination of grape seed-derived procyanidins and gypenosides alleviates insulin resistance in mice and HepG2 cells.

This study investigated the effects of grape seed-derived procyanidins (GSP), gypenosides (GPE), and combination procyanidins/gypenosides on insulin resistance in mice and HepG2 cells. ICR mice were randomly divided into 2 control and 4 treatment groups. The control mice were to receive either normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HFD), and the treatment groups were fed high-fat diet with either 80 mg/kg of GSP (GSP80), GPE (GPE80), GSP + GPE (1: 1, GSP40 + GPE40), or 500 mg/kg of metformin for a 6-wk period. All the groups of mice except the normal control were on high-fat diet along with fructose (15%) administered in drinking water throughout the period of treatment. An insulin-resistant HepG2 cell model was developed after 24 h of 5 x 10(-7) mol/L insulin incubation. The treatment of GPE80 could significantly reduce the index of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and increase hepatic glycogen concentration, compared with HFD group (P < 0.05). When GSP and GPE were administered simultaneously, synergic effects were observed in decreasing the HOMA-IR index and serum total cholesterol (TC) level and enhancing glucose tolerance. All treatment groups showed considerable raise of hepatic glucokinase activity (P < 0.05 compared with HFD group). GSP application increased the consumption of extracellular glucose in HepG2 cells. Our data suggest that the combination of GSP and GPE may have functional efficacy in consumers with insulin resistance.