Age-associated spinal stenosis in the turquoise killifish.

Aging triggers spinal degeneration, including common spinal stenosis, which causes back and leg pain in older individuals, significantly impacting their quality of life. Here, we explored aging traits in turquoise killifish spines, potentially offering a model for age-linked spinal stenosis in humans. Aged turquoise killifish exhibited body shape deformation and increased vertebral collapse, which was further accelerated by spawning. High-resolution CT scans revealed suppressed cortical bone thickness and hemal arch area in vertebrae due to spawning, and osteophyte formation was observed in both aged and breeding fish populations. Scale mineralization mirrored these changes, increasing with age but being suppressed by spawning. The expression of sp7, sox9b, axin1, and wnt4a/b genes can be utilized to monitor age- and reproduction-dependent spine deformation. This study demonstrates that turquoise killifish and humans share certain phenotypes of age-related vertebral abnormalities, suggesting that turquoise killifish could serve as a potential model for studying human spinal stenosis.

Associations between residential greenness and the predicted 10-year risk for atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease among Chinese adults.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to build environments, especially residential greenness, offers benefits to reduce the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD). The 10-year ASCVD risk is a useful indicator for long-term ASCVD risk, but the evidence on the association and potential pathway of residential greenness in mitigating its development remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the associations between residential greenness and the 10-year predicted ASCVD risks, and potentially mediation effect on this association by air pollution, body mass index (BMI) and physical activity (PA). METHODS: The baseline of the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort (CMEC) study, enrolling 99,556 adults during 2018-2019, was used in this cross-sectional study. The participants' 10-year ASCVD risks were predicted as low-, moderate-, and high-risk groups, based on the six risk factors: age, smoking, hypertension, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and high total cholesterol (TC). The 3-year mean value within the circular buffer of 500 m and 1000 m of Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI500m and EVI1000m) were used to assess greenness exposure. Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between residential greenness and the 10-year ASCVD risks. Stratified analyses by sex, age and smoking status were performed to identify susceptible populations. Causal mediation analysis was used to explore the mediation effects of air pollution, BMI and PA. RESULTS: A total of 75,975 participants were included, of which 17.9 % (n = 13,614) and 5.6 % (n = 4253) had the moderate and high 10-year ASCVD risks, respectively. Compared to the low-risk group, each interquartile increase in EVI500m and EVI1000m reduced the ASCVD risk of the moderate-risk group by 4 % (OR = 0.96 [0.94, 0.98]) and 4 % (OR = 0.96 [0.94, 0.98]), respectively; and reduced the risk of the high-risk group by 8 % (OR = 0.92 [0.90, 0.96]) and 7 % (OR = 0.93 [0.90, 0.97]), respectively. However, the increased greenness did not affect the ASCVD risk of the high-risk group when compared to the moderate-risk group. Effects of residential greenness on the ASCVD risk were stronger in women than in men (p < 0.05), and were not observed in those aged ≥55. PA and BMI partially mediated the association between greenness and the 10-year ASCVD risk. CONCLUSIONS: ASCVD prevention strategies should be tailored to maximize the effectiveness within the groups with different ASCVD risks, better at early stages when the ASCVD risk is low.

Clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological and molecular genetic characteristics and prognosis of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).Methods:The clinicopathological data of 152 DLBCL patients receiving consultation and routine physical examination in Peking University Third Hospital and Peking University School of Basic Medicine from January 2008 to December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of CD10, bcl-6, MUM1, GCET1, FOXP1. EB virus encoded small RNA (EBV-EBER) was detected by using in situ hybridization. The aberrations of bcl-2, bcl-6 and c-myc genes were detected by using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to screen double-hit lymphoma (DHL). Kaplan-Meier method was used to make survival analysis.Results:Among 152 cases of DLBCL, the ratio of male to female was 1.49:1, the median age of onset was 59 years (7-90 years), and 79 cases (52.0%) were primary lymph nodes. The median overall survival (OS) time of all cases was 16 months (1-101 months). The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year OS rates were 70.2%, 44.7%, 30.3%, respectively. The OS of R-CHOP treatment group was better than that of CHOP treatment group and untreated group ( P = 0.001). Among all 137 patients receiving double-hit histochemistry score (DHS), there were 56 cases with 0 score, 57 cases with 1 score, 24 cases with 2 scores; and the difference in the OS of different DHS score groups ( P = 0.311). FISH detection showed that among 29 cases achieving results of c-myc gene detection, there were 2 cases of splitting gene and 3 cases of gene amplification; among 26 cases achieving results of bcl-2 gene detection, 2 cases had bcl-2 gene amplification; among 26 cases achieving results of bcl-6 gene detection, 2 cases had bcl-6 gene amplification and 3 cases had splitting gene. It was found that myc and bcl-2 genes were amplified simultaneously in 1 case, accompanied with bcl-6 gene splitting, which was called triple-hit lymphoma. In DHS 0-score group, 1 case of double gene abnormality was found, and 1 case of single gene abnormality was found in group 1-score; in group 2-score, 5 cases were single gene abnormality and 1 case was three gene abnormality, so the gene abnormality was inconsistent with the protein expression. Conclusions:The incidence of DHL in DLBCL patients in China is low. The major gene abnormalities are c-myc or bcl-2, bcl-6 single gene abnormalities.

Ethnic disparities in the association between ambient air pollution and risk for cardiometabolic abnormalities in China.

BACKGROUND: Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution has been associated with cardiometabolic abnormalities (CAs), which, however, may be stronger in vulnerable populations, such as minorities. The variation of the association between ambient air pollution and CAs between the majority (Han) and minority populations in China have been poorly studied. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to estimate and compare the Hans' and minorities' risks for CAs associated with long-term exposure to ambient air pollution in Southwest China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on the basis of the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort. CAs were defined by the presence of at least three pre-defined metabolic dysfunctions (central obesity, elevated triglycerides, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and elevated fasting glucose). The concentrations of ambient air pollutants, including particulate matters (PM1, PM2.5, and PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), were generated from random forest models on the basis of multi-source data. One- and two-pollutant regression models were fit to assess associations between air pollutant exposure and CA risks. Sensitivity analyses were performed to examine the robustness of the associations. RESULTS: The final sample included 51,037 Hans and 28,702 minority participants. The prevalence of CAs was 25.0%, slightly higher in the minorities (25.5%) than the Hans (24.4%). The higher risks for CAs in the overall population were associated with each 10 µg/m3 increase in the exposure to PM1 (OR = 1.07 [1.05-1.09]), PM2.5 (OR = 1.11 [1.06-1.17]), PM10 (OR = 1.04 [1.03-1.06]), and NO2 (OR = 1.04 [1.03-1.07]). Compared to the Hans, the higher risks for CAs were observed in the minorities for PM1 (OR = 1.35 [1.18-1.53]), PM2.5 (OR = 1.61 [1.34-1.93]), and PM10 (OR = 1.15 [1.07-1.23]). The associations of metabolic dysfunctions (CA components) with ambient air pollution also varied between the Han and minority populations. CONCLUSIONS: The associations between exposure to ambient air pollution and CA risks were stronger in the minorities than Hans. Our findings provide a better understanding of ethnic disparities in CA risks when being exposed to ambient air pollution in China, which also have important implications for other low- and middle-income countries where less health resources (e.g., cohort populations) are available to conduct such studies.

Comparing the Climatic and Landscape Risk Factors for Lyme Disease Cases in the Upper Midwest and Northeast United States.

Lyme disease, recognized as one of the most important vector-borne diseases worldwide, has been increasing in incidence and spatial extend in United States. In the Northeast and Upper Midwest, Lyme disease is transmitted by Ixodes scapularis. Currently, many studies have been conducted to identify factors influencing Lyme disease risk in the Northeast, however, relatively few studies focused on the Upper Midwest. In this study, we explored and compared the climatic and landscape factors that shape the spatial patterns of human Lyme cases in these two regions, using the generalized linear mixed models. Our results showed that climatic variables generally had opposite correlations with Lyme disease risk, while landscape factors usually had similar effects in these two regions. High precipitation and low temperature were correlated with high Lyme disease risk in the Upper Midwest, while with low Lyme disease risk in the Northeast. In both regions, size and fragmentation related factors of residential area showed positive correlations with Lyme disease risk. Deciduous forests and evergreen forests had opposite effects on Lyme disease risk, but the effects were consistent between two regions. In general, this study provides new insight into understanding the differences of risk factors of human Lyme disease risk in these two regions.

Molecular Identification of Bupleurum chinense Seeds Based on DNA Barcoding Technology / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To establish a molecular identification method for Bupleurum chinense seeds based on ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence, ensuring the species authenticity of the cultivated seeds of B. chinense. Method:A total of 59 seeds samples of B. chinense and its main cultivated species, marketed B. chinense were collected. The effect of different sampling amounts and different water bath conditions on DNA extraction quality of the seeds was investigated, a DNA extraction method for seeds of Bupleurum was established. Their ITS sequences were obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bidirectional sequencing. In addition, 34 ITS sequences of main cultivated Bupleurum species, such as B. chinense, B. scorzonerifolium, B. falcatum and B. smithii, were downloaded from GenBank to enrich identification database of B. chinense seeds. The neighbor-joining (NJ) dendrogram were constructed by MEGA-X 10.0.5 software to investigate the the species identification ability of ITS sequences for B. chinense seeds. And DNA barcoding identification of marketed B. chinense seeds was conducted based on BLAST method and NJ dendrogram method. Result:In total, 59 ITS sequences were obtained. ITS sequences of B. chinense could be divided into six haplotypes, including seven variable sites. The NJ dendrogram indicated that all the haplotypes of B. chinense could form independent branches, which could be distinguished from other cultivated species of Bupleurum in the collected samples, and possessed the ability to identify species of B. chinense seeds. Based on ITS sequence barcoding identification, 3 of the 19 marketed B. chinense seeds were B. falcatum with a counterfeit rate of 15.8%. Conclusion:DNA barcoding technology based on ITS sequence can accurately and reliably identify B. chinense seeds and its adulterants, providing reference for the standardization construction of Chinese medicinal materials seeds.

Apoptotic bone marrow CD34+ cells in cirrhotic patients.

AIM: To access the frequency and level of apoptotic CD34+ cells isolated from the marrow fluid of patients with post-hepatitis cirrhosis. METHODS: The frequency of bone marrow CD34+ cells and apoptotic bone marrow CD34+ cells in 31 in-patients with post-hepatitis cirrhosis (cirrhosis group), and 15 out-patients without liver or blood disorders (control group) was calculated by flow cytometry. Parameters were collected to evaluate liver functions of patients in cirrhosis group. RESULTS: The percentage of normal bone marrow CD34+ cells was 6.30% ± 2.48% and 1.87% ± 0.53% (t = 3.906, P < 0.01) while that of apoptotic marrow CD34+ cells was 15.00% ± 15.81% and 5.73% ± 1.57% (t = 2.367, P < 0.05) in cirrhosis and control groups, respectively. The percentage of apoptotic marrow CD34+ cells was 6.25% ± 3.30% and 20.92 ± 18.5% (t = 2.409, P < 0.05) in Child-Pugh A and Child-Pugh B + C cirrhotic patients, respectively. The percentage of late apoptotic marrow CD34+ cells was positively correlated with the total bilirubin and aspartate aminotransferase serum levels in patients with cirrhosis. CONCLUSION: The status of CD34+ marrow cells in cirrhotic patients may suggest that the ability of hematopoietic progenitor cells to transform into mature blood cells is impaired.

A Study on Elementary Schoolchildren's Knowledge, One's Value and Consumption Pattern for Rice Foods in Changwon and Gimhae City

The informations concerning knowledge, value and consumption pattern for rice foods of elementary schoolchildren (630 boys and 550 girls in 5th or 6th grade) were investigated in Changwon and Gimhae of Gyeongnam province. They were asked based on knowledge, one's value and intake frequence of rice foods by questionnaries. Menus for 3 days including 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day were taken from 136 students (77 boys and 59 girls) in two Elementary Schools in Changwon and Gimhae to know intake reality of rice product. The purpose of this survey was to find the way of encouraging rice intake and preference which now seemed to be low because of simplified, westernized eating habits, and to provide basic information needed for inheriting and improving our traditional cooked rice centered eating culture. The results are summarized as follows. The knowledge of rice was positively correlated to the one's value (r=0.365, p<0.001) and the preference (r=0.132, p<0.001), the one's value was positively correlated to preference (r=0.409, p<0.001). The score of knowledge for rice was 12.8 points out of 20, the girls get points(13.12) significantly higher than the boys (12.53) (p<0.01). One's value about rice foods was 37.35 points out of 50 what is relatively high. They have eaten cooked rice type food for 2.24 times per day. Both boys and girls in Changwon and Gimhae area were having cooked rice type food significantly more during weekdays compared to weekends (p7lt;0.001) by 3 days food record. According the results, we can see the possibility that schoolchildren can be encouraged to eat more rice foods by nutritional education to go with the development of various programs.

Nutritional Education Status and Recognition of the Importance of Elementary School Dietitians in the Gyeongnam Area / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was carried out to investigate the nutritional education status and the recognition of the importance of elementary school dietitians (N=183) in the Gyeongnam area. The results are summarized as follows. All subjects took part in nutritional education program, but the educational methods were passive, as in the case of "home correspondence" (80.8%) and "bulletin board poster" (16.4%), and the education frequency was very low as in "one time/month" (90.2%). The subjects thought "as an independent subject" (41.5%) and "as a related subjects" (35.1%) were suitable teaching venues for the nutritional education. They were very low in individual counseling (4.5%) for school children because of "lack of opportunity" (42.2%) and "heavy work load" (24.1%). However, most of the subjects wished that nutritional counseling could offered in the future (95.5%). The parents' experience of nutritional education was also low (34.3%). Information sources for nutritional education were mainly the "internet" (53.1%) and "re-educational materials" (25.0%). The available instructional materials included "printed materials" (96.7%), "exhibition bulletin materials" (70.3%) and "electronic materials" (46.4%). The preferred education materials were "exhibition bulletin materials" (32.2%), "printed materials" (29.2%), and "electronic materiaThis study was carried ls" (27.7%). However, materials they wished to purchase were "electronic materials" (54.5%) and "cubic materials" (26.0%). These results show a difference between the preferred materials and the possessed materials. Most school dietitians (98.4%) recognized the necessity of nutritional education with respect to "good table manners" (42.0%), "correction of food prejudices" (30.3%), and "proper nutrition for growth" (21.0%). Although they had a great interest in nutritional education, they had difficulty in cutting their learning into practice because of "heavy work load" (30.9%), "lack of a systematic curriculum" (25.2%), and "lack of a educational opportunity" (22.8%). Ninety five percent of subjects wished to have nutrition education taught as an independent subject. They pointed out "kindergarten" (60.0%) and "lower grades in elementary school" (33.9%) as the optimal starting times for nutritional education and "school dietitians" (91.3%) as suitable teachers for these programs. The required topics chosen by the subjects for nutritional education for children were "proper eating habits" (54.2%) and "nutritional problem" (31.5%). The dietitians thought "food prejudices" (44.7%), "eat too much processed and instant foods" (36.5%), and "obesity" (11.8%) were the most common nutritional problems among elementary school children. These results suggest the necessity of solving the nutritional problems in children by developing a nutritional education program. Along with this program, if dietitian assisted programs for parents were developed, the effects of nutritional education could definitely be increased.

Effect of Nutrition Education Program on Nutrition Knowledge, Dietary Diversity of Elementary School Children / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to promote health for elementary school children. It was conducted with a 7 week program focused on the teaching of the food tower and evaluation of its educational effects. Subjects consisted of 75 boys and girls (control group : 37, treatment group : 38) in the 4th grade of elementary school. The results showed as follows. The proportion of boys was a little higher than that of girls. Of their mothers age, the thirties and forties were 66.7% and 33.3%, respectively. 61.3% of mothers had jobs and 86.7% of mothers prepared meals. The average of the anthropometric data of the 2 groups show were all in the normal range. The degree of nutritional knowledge in treatment group after education was significantly increased in all concepts, however, the degree of the control group appeared to show significant increase in only two concepts, such as "snack" and "one-sided diet". The diversity of dietary intake was investigated to evaluate the educational effect using food picture cards. The treatment group showed significant increase in all food groups except "cooked rice", "potatoes" and "fruits", but the control group showed no significant change. The level of nutrition knowledge has a significant correlation with the diversity of the food intake in the treatment group. The preferred lesson for children were "games", "doll playing" and "role playing". The impressive lesson contents were "diverse food intake without one-sided diet", "eating breakfast everyday", "choosing good snacks for health" and "eating less procesed food". These findings indicate that a well-designed program for nutrition education can help to change food habits, and that childrens education helps them to grow and to live as healthy adults. The performance of an educational program for preventive nutrition is more beneficial for children than for the adults based on the cost reduction and effect of this education.

Effect of Nutrition Education Program on Nutrition Knowledge, Dietary Diversity of Elementary School Children / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to promote health for elementary school children. It was conducted with a 7 week program focused on the teaching of the food tower and evaluation of its educational effects. Subjects consisted of 75 boys and girls (control group : 37, treatment group : 38) in the 4th grade of elementary school. The results showed as follows. The proportion of boys was a little higher than that of girls. Of their mothers age, the thirties and forties were 66.7% and 33.3%, respectively. 61.3% of mothers had jobs and 86.7% of mothers prepared meals. The average of the anthropometric data of the 2 groups show were all in the normal range. The degree of nutritional knowledge in treatment group after education was significantly increased in all concepts, however, the degree of the control group appeared to show significant increase in only two concepts, such as "snack" and "one-sided diet". The diversity of dietary intake was investigated to evaluate the educational effect using food picture cards. The treatment group showed significant increase in all food groups except "cooked rice", "potatoes" and "fruits", but the control group showed no significant change. The level of nutrition knowledge has a significant correlation with the diversity of the food intake in the treatment group. The preferred lesson for children were "games", "doll playing" and "role playing". The impressive lesson contents were "diverse food intake without one-sided diet", "eating breakfast everyday", "choosing good snacks for health" and "eating less procesed food". These findings indicate that a well-designed program for nutrition education can help to change food habits, and that childrens education helps them to grow and to live as healthy adults. The performance of an educational program for preventive nutrition is more beneficial for children than for the adults based on the cost reduction and effect of this education.