Spatial correlation between the prevalence of dental fluorosis and the chemical elemental composition of drinking water sources in a typical coal-fired pollution fluorosis area / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To investigate the spatial distribution characteristics and correlation between the prevalence of dental fluorosis and the chemical elemental composition of drinking water sources in coal-fired fluorosis areas. Methods: Based on the survey data on the prevalence of dental fluorosis at CDC in Guizhou Province in 2022, 274 original surface drinking water sources were collected in typical coal-fired fluorosis areas, and fluoride (F), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), cadmium (Cd), barium (Ba), lead (Pb) 17 elements; apply Moran's I index, Getis-Ord Gi* hotspot analysis of the global spatial autocorrelation of chemical elements in drinking water and the degree of aggregation of each element on the local area, and correlation analysis with the prevalence of dental fluorosis in the region. Results: Except for Cu, Zn, and Cd, global spatial autocorrelation Moran's I was negative, and all other elements were positive. F, Ca, Al, Ti, As, Mo, Cd, and Cu elements showed high values of aggregation in the southeastern low-altitude area; Mg, Ba, Pb, Cr, Mn, and Fe elements were mainly aggregated in the central altitude terrain transition area, Zn and Se elements in water sources are significantly positively correlated with the prevalence of dental fluorosis (P<0.05). In contrast, F, Mg, Al, Ti, As, Mo, Cd, Ba, and Pb elements negatively correlate (P<0.05). Elements in the central region were high-high aggregation, as a hot spot aggregation area with high disease incidence, while F, Al, Mn, Mo, Cd, and Ba elements in the western region were low-low aggregation, as a cold spot aggregation area with a low incidence of fluorosis. Conclusions: The risk of population fluoride exposure in surface drinking water sources is shallow. However, the chemical element content of drinking water sources in coal-fired polluted endemic fluorosis areas has prominent spatial geographical distribution characteristics. There is a significant spatial aggregation effect with the prevalence of dental fluorosis, which may play a synergistic or antagonistic effect on the occurrence and prevalence of dental fluorosis.

Monocyte dysfunction in decompensated cirrhosis is mediated by the prostaglandin E2-EP4 pathway.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Infection is a major problem in advanced liver disease secondary to monocyte dysfunction. Elevated prostaglandin (PG)E2 is a mediator of monocyte dysfunction in cirrhosis; thus, we examined PGE2 signalling in outpatients with ascites and in patients hospitalised with acute decompensation to identify potential therapeutic targets aimed at improving monocyte dysfunction. METHODS: Using samples from 11 outpatients with ascites and 28 patients hospitalised with decompensated cirrhosis, we assayed plasma levels of PGE2 and lipopolysaccharide (LPS); performed quantitative real-time PCR on monocytes; and examined peripheral blood monocyte function. We performed western blotting and immunohistochemistry for PG biosynthetic machinery expression in liver tissue. Finally, we investigated the effect of PGE2 antagonists in whole blood using polychromatic flow cytometry and cytokine production. RESULTS: We show that hepatic production of PGE2 via the cyclo-oxygenase 1-microsomal PGE synthase 1 pathway, and circulating monocytes contributes to increased plasma PGE2 in decompensated cirrhosis. Transjugular intrahepatic sampling did not reveal whether hepatic or monocytic production was larger. Blood monocyte numbers increased, whereas individual monocyte function decreased as patients progressed from outpatients with ascites to patients hospitalised with acute decompensation, as assessed by Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-DR isotype expression and tumour necrosis factor alpha and IL6 production. PGE2 mediated this dysfunction via its EP4 receptor. CONCLUSIONS: PGE2 mediates monocyte dysfunction in decompensated cirrhosis via its EP4 receptor and dysfunction was worse in hospitalised patients compared with outpatients with ascites. Our study identifies a potential drug target and therapeutic opportunity in these outpatients with ascites to reverse this process to prevent infection and hospital admission. LAY SUMMARY: Patients with decompensated cirrhosis (jaundice, fluid build-up, confusion, and vomiting blood) have high infection rates that lead to high mortality rates. A white blood cell subset, monocytes, function poorly in these patients, which is a key factor underlying their sensitivity to infection. We show that monocyte dysfunction in decompensated cirrhosis is mediated by a lipid hormone in the blood, prostaglandin E2, which is present at elevated levels, via its EP4 pathway. This dysfunction worsens when patients are hospitalised with complications of cirrhosis compared with those in the outpatients setting, which supports the EP4 pathway as a potential therapeutic target for patients to prevent infection and hospitalisation.

Modified transfer of proximal interphalangeal joint from the second toe for reconstruction of proximal interphalangeal joint of finger / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of the modified transfer of the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) from the second toe in the treatment of a finger PIPJ defect.Methods:A total of 13 patients with finger PIPJ defects caused by traumatic injury were enrolled from May, 2017 to March, 2020. All the PIPJ defects had primary traumatic repairs. The causes of injury: 5 patients were caused by strangulation, 4 by chainsaw, 2 by strangulation and 2 by crushing. Of which, 7 patients had index finger injury, 3 middle fingers and 3 ring fingers. The operations were carried out 3-7 months after the first stage of treatment. The grafting of the PIPJ of the second toe with modified vascular anastomosis were performed. The ipsilateral second toe was taken in 10 patients, and the contralateral second toe in 3 patients. The grafted joints all carried observation skin islands, with an area of 1.0 cm×1.5 cm-1.0 cm×2.0 cm. All the secondary bone defects in the donor site of the toe were reconstructed with iliac bone grafts, and the length of the iliac bone strips was 4.0-6.0 cm. At the same time, the island flap on the fibular side of the great toe was removed and repaired at the donor site, with an area of 1.1 cm×1.6 cm - 1.1 cm×2.1 cm. Early postoperative rehabilitation was performed. The patients were followed-up through outpatient visits, telephone and WeChat interviews.Results:All the 13 finger PIPJ and donor site island flaps survived. Bone healing were observed in all patients with the healing time in 8-12(average 10) weeks. Three patients with severe adhesion of joint and tendon were treated with secondary release. All the patients were followed-up for 10 - 18 months without degeneration of PIPJ. Active range of motion of PIPJ ranged: 45°-90° in flexion and 0°-10° in extension, the average motion activity was 66.3°. Seven patients were in excellent, 4 in good and 2 in fair, according to the function assessment proposed by the Society of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association. The appearance on donor site was good and the walking was normal in the longterm follow-up. Only one linear scar was left in the ilioinguinal donor site without obvious discomfort.Conclusion:It was possible to use the modified transfer of the PIPJ from the second toe in the treatment of a finger PIPJ defect. An iliac bone graft and an island flap of the first toe transfer can preserve the appearance and function of the toes.

Direct synthesis of ultrafine tetragonal BaTiO3 nanoparticles at room temperature.

A large quantity of ultrafine tetragonal barium titanate (BaTiO3) nanoparticles is directly synthesized at room temperature. The crystalline form and grain size are checked by both X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The results revealed that the perovskite nanoparticles as fine as 7 nm have been synthesized. The phase transition of the as-prepared nanoparticles is investigated by the temperature-dependent Raman spectrum and shows the similar tendency to that of bulk BaTiO3 materials. It is confirmed that the nanoparticles have tetragonal phase at room temperature.

Optical properties of transparent copper nanorod and nanowire arrays embedded in anodic alumina oxide.

Transparent copper nanorod/nanowire arrays and anodic alumina oxide composite films have been prepared by alternating current electrodeposition, and their linear optical properties have been systematically characterized by absorption spectra. In the experimental spectra, there exist transverse and longitudinal resonance peaks, which are caused by the surface-plasmon resonance along the diameter and the length of the copper nanorods, respectively. The transverse resonance peak is affected by the diameter and aspect ratio of the nanorod. The longitudinal resonance peak appears at longer wavelength when a polarized light illuminates the film with an angle of incidence of about 70 degrees , where the angle is defined with respect to the surface normal. Moreover, the longitudinal resonance mode is sensitive to the polarization direction when compared with the transverse resonance mode.

Analyzing core-shell structured zinc doped MgO Wrapped Ba(1-x)Sr(x)TiO3 nanoparticles.

BST nanoparticles were directly synthesized from solution at 70 degrees C and then wrapped with zinc doped MgO in solution. This core-shell structure was analyzed by a conjunction of XRD, HRTEM, and FE-SEM. The lattice cell parameter of BST core was found to have shrinkage. The lattice cell mismatch between core and shell creates a variation of lattice cell parameter of BST core and we proposed a new method to estimate it by the XRD peak broadening effect. Two possible modes of matching the BST core and MZO shell were suggested and mode II was assigned to our core-shell structure by the observation of HRTEM and analysis of XRD data. Un-grown BST nanoparticles can also be observed by FE-SEM in fracture grains of the ceramics, which was sintered at 1350 degrees C.

Demonstration of carbonic anhydrase Ⅲ for 25 000 protein decreased in skeletal muscle of myasthenia gravis / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To demonstrate the carbonic anhydrase Ⅲ (CAⅢ) for 25 000 protein decreased in skeletal muscle of myasthenia gravis (MG). Methods The protein molecular properties responsible to antibodies against 25 000 protein and CAⅢ were analyzed by a combination method of two-dimensional electrophoresis and immuno-Western blot. Competitive binding reactions of the antibodies to the purified 25 000 protein and muscular homogenate were observed by using immuno-Dot blot and immuno-Western blot, respectively. The expression of CAⅢ from normal and MG muscles was detected by immuno-Western blot. Results Combination analysis of two-dimensional electrophoresis and immuno-Western blot showed that the protein of immunological responsible to antibodies against 25 000 protein and CAⅢ had an identical molecular mass and isoelectric point. Competitive binding reactions proved that 25 000 protein and CAⅢ were the same substance, either by immuno-Dot blot or by immuno-Western blot. In addition, a much similar result was obtained when the levels of 25 000 protein from normal and MG muscles were detected by antibodies against 25 000 protein and (CAⅢ) by immuno-Western blot. Conclusion 25 000 protein decreased in the MG skeletal muscle was proved to be just a known protein CAⅢ, which made a basis for further exploring the relationship of CAⅢ deficiency and MG pathogenesis.