Immobilisation remediation of arsenic-contaminated soils with promising CaAl-layered double hydroxide and bioavailability, bioaccessibility, and speciation-based health risk assessment.

Arsenic (As)-contaminated soil poses great health risk to human mostly through inadvertent oral exposure. We investigated CaAl-layered double hydroxide (CaAl-LDH), a promising immobilising agent, for the remediation of As-contaminated Chinese soils. The effects on specific soil properties and As fractionation were analyzed, and changes in the health risk of soil As were accurately assessed by means of advanced in vivo mice model and in vitro PBET-SHIME model. Results showed that the application of CaAl-LDH significantly increased soil pH and concentration of Fe and Al oxides, and effectively converted active As fractions into the most stable residual fraction, guaranteeing long-term remediation stability. Based on in vivo test, As relative bioavailability was significantly reduced by 37.75%. Based on in vitro test, As bioaccessibility in small intestinal and colon phases was significantly reduced by 25.65% and 28.57%, respectively. Furthermore, As metabolism (reduction and methylation) by the gut microbiota inhabiting colon was clearly observed. After immobilisation with CaAl-LDH, the concentration of bioaccessible As(Ⅴ) in the colon fluid was significantly reduced by 61.91%, and organic As (least toxic MMA(V) and DMA(V)) became the main species, which further reduced the health risk of soil As. In summary, CaAl-LDH proved to be a feasible option for immobilisation remediation of As-contaminated soils, and considerable progress was made in relevant health risk assessment.

Influences of coexisting aged polystyrene microplastics on the ecological and health risks of cadmium in soils: A leachability and oral bioaccessibility based study.

Whether coexisting microplastics (MPs) affect the ecological and health risks of cadmium (Cd) in soils is a cutting-edge scientific issue. In this study, four typical Chinese soils were prepared as artificially Cd-contaminated soils with/without aged polystyrene (PS). TCLP and in vitro PBET model were used to determine the leachability (ecological risk) and oral bioaccessibility (human health risk) of soil Cd. The mechanisms by which MPs influence soil Cd were discussed from direct and indirect perspectives. Results showed that there was no significant difference in the leachability of soil Cd with/without aged PS. Additionally, aged PS led to a significant decrease in the bioaccessibility of soil Cd in gastric phase, but not in small intestinal phase. The increase in surface roughness and the new characteristic peaks (e.g., Si-O-Si) of aged PS directly accounted for the change in Cd bioaccessibility. The change in organic matter content indirectly accounted for the exceptional increase in Cd bioaccessibility of black soil with aged PS in small intestinal phase. Furthermore, the changes in cation exchange capacity and Cd mobility factor caused by aged PS explained the change in Cd leachability. These results contribute to a deeper understanding about environmental and public health in complicated emerging scenarios.

Clinical effect of ultrasound-guided nerve block and dexmedetomidine anesthesia on lower extremity operative fracture reduction.

BACKGROUND: Lower extremity fractures are mainly treated by surgical reduction, but this operation is often affected by the patient's level of agitation and the type of anesthesia used. The main treatment for lower-extremity fractures is operative reduction. However, operations can often be affected by both agitation and the degree of anesthesia. Therefore, it is of great importance to develop an effective anesthesia program to effectively ensure the progress of surgery. AIM: To discuss the effect of ultrasound-guided nerve block combined with dexmedetomidine anesthesia in lower extremity fracture surgery. METHODS: A total of 120 hospital patients with lower extremity fractures were selected for this retrospective study and divided into an observation group (n = 60) and a control group (n = 60) according to the anesthesia scheme; the control group received ultrasound-guided nerve block; the observation group was treated with dextromethomidine on the basis of the control group, and the mean arterial pressure, heart rate (HR), and blood oxygen saturation were observed in the two groups. RESULTS: The mean arterial pressure of T1, T2 and T3 in the observation group were 94.40 ± 7.10, 90.84 ± 7.21 and 91.03 ± 6.84 mmHg, significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The observation group's HR at T1 was 76.60 ± 7.52 times/min, significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05); The observation group's HR at T2 and T3 was 75.40 ± 8.03 times/min and 76.64 ± 7.11 times/min, significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The observation group's visual analog score at 2 h, 6 h and 12 h after operation was 3.55 ± 0.87, 2.84 ± 0.65 and 2.05 ± 0.40. the recovery time was 15.51 ± 4.21 min, significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Six hours post-anesthesia, epinephrine and norepinephrine in the observation group were 81. 10 ± 21.19 pg/mL and 510. 20 ± 98.27 pg/mL, significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05), and the mini-mental state exam score of the observation group was 25. 51 ± 1.15, significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided nerve block combined with dexmedetomidine has a good anesthetic effect in the operation of lower limb fractures and has little effect on the hemodynamics of patients.

MiR-21-3p Inhibits Adipose Browning by Targeting FGFR1 and Aggravates Atrial Fibrosis in Diabetes.

A relationship between excess epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been reported. Browning of EAT may be a novel approach for the prevention or treatment of AF by attenuating atrial fibrosis. Previous studies have identified microRNA-21 (miR-21) as a regulatory factor in atrial fibrosis. The present study examined the role of different subtypes of miR-21 in adipose browning and atrial fibrosis under hyperglycemic conditions. Wild type and miR-21 knockout C57BL/6 mice were used to establish a diabetic model via intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. A coculture model of atrial fibroblasts and adipocytes was also established. We identified miR-21-3p as a key regulator that controls adipocyte browning and participates in atrial fibrosis under hyperglycemic conditions. Moreover, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) 1, a direct target of miR-21-3p, decreased in this setting and controlled adipose browning. Gain and loss-of-function experiments identified a regulatory pathway in adipocytes involving miR-21a-3p, FGFR1, FGF21, and PPARγ that regulated adipocyte browning and participated in hyperglycemia-induced atrial fibrosis. Modulation of this signaling pathway may provide a therapeutic option for the prevention and treatment of atrial fibrosis or AF in DM.

miR-146a attenuates apoptosis and modulates autophagy by targeting TAF9b/P53 pathway in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

Clinical therapy of doxorubicin (DOX) is limited due to its cardiotoxicity. miR-146a was proved as a protective factor in many cardiovascular diseases, but its role in chronic DOX-induced cardiotoxicity is unclear. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the role of miR-146a in low-dose long-term DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Experiments have shown that DOX intervention caused a dose-dependent and time-dependent cardiotoxicity involving the increased of apoptosis and dysregulation of autophagy. The cardiotoxicity was inhibited by overexpressed miR-146a and was more severe when miR-146a was downgraded. Further research proved that miR-146a targeted TATA-binding protein (TBP) associated factor 9b (TAF9b), a coactivator and stabilizer of P53, indirectly destroyed the stability of P53, thereby inhibiting apoptosis and improving autophagy in cardiomyocytes. Besides, miR-146a knockout mice were used for in vivo validation. In the DOX-induced model, miR-146a deficiency made it worse whether in cardiac function, cardiomyocyte apoptosis or basal level of autophagy, than wild-type. In conclusion, miR-146a partially reversed the DOX-induced cardiotoxicity by targeting TAF9b/P53 pathway to attenuate apoptosis and adjust autophagy levels.

Patient-doctor concordance of perceived mental health service needs in Chinese hospitalized patients: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: To assess the subjective concordance on mental health service needs in hospitalized patients between patients and doctors in China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in one day. All hospitalized inpatients from selected departments of West China Hospital were recruited as potential participants. A questionnaire set including demographic variables and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) questionnaires were completed by the included patients. They and their doctors in-charge were asked if they perceived that the patients needed mental health services. RESULTS: The overall response rate in patients was 84.25% and the final sample consisted of 1,273 patients. Among those, 605 patients (47.53%) themselves believed that they needed mental health services, whereas only 345 patients (27.10%) were deemed to be in need of mental health services only by their doctors. Kappa statistics showed that the concordance rate between patients and doctors was low in the total patient group (kappa =0.055) and in the group of patients with significant depression or anxiety (kappa =0.080). A logistic regression analysis showed that the ward where the patients were treated was related to a consistent recognition of mental health needs (OR =1.667). CONCLUSIONS: The concordance between Chinese inpatient perception and doctor evaluation of mental health service needs for these patients was low. Therefore, it seems necessary to develop effective strategies to improve the detection rate, such as the use of screening-instruments and the training of health professionals in the detection of psycho-social distress.

Why is the recognition rate of psychological distress under-estimated in general hospitals? A cross-sectional observational study in China.

This study aimed to investigate the recognition rate of psychological distress in general hospitals in China and to examine the main associated factors.Using a cross-sectional study design, the questionnaires were administered to a total of 1329 inpatients from a tertiary hospital. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-15) and the Whiteley-7 (WI-7) were used to assess patients' mental health status. Two subjective questions were used to identify the awareness of psychological distress in patients and doctors.The frequency of psychological distress measured by the questionnaires was high in our sample (53.4%). However, the recognition rates of both patients (34.9%) and by doctors (39.1%) was low. The concordance rate between patients and doctors of whether the patient had psychological distress or not was extremely poor (Kappa = 0.089, P = .001). Factors associated with the poor concordance rate included patients' annual household income and clinically significant self-reported symptoms of anxiety and hypochondriasis.The recognition rate of psychological distress was underestimated and this may be related to a lack of awareness of mental disturbances and patients' low annual household income.

Resveratrol suppresses doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by disrupting E2F1 mediated autophagy inhibition and apoptosis promotion.

The clinical use of doxorubicin (DOX) is limited by cardiotoxicity, involving the dysregulation of autophagy and apoptosis in the myocardium, which were partly reversed by resveratrol (RSV) supplement. However, a definitive mechanisms accounting for DOX's cardiotoxicity and the protective role of RSV remain poorly defined. The aim of the present study was to clarify the specific role of E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1) in regulating autophagy and apoptosis in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity as well as the protective effects of RSV. Autophagy and apoptosis were successfully induced by the serum deprivation strategy in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. DOX inhibited autophagy through activating E2F1/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway and further induced apoptosis by activating E2F1/AMP-activated protein kinase α2 (AMPKα2) pathway in starved H9C2 cells. And RSV supplement showed increased autophagy and decreased apoptosis, accompanied with inhibitory effect on E2F1/mTORC1 as well as E2F1/AMPKα2 pathway. Moreover, the favorable effect of RSV on autophagy and apoptosis was dependent on E2F1. The same result was observed in the mouse model of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity in both non-myocardial ischemia and myocardial ischemia condition. Injection with DOX and RSV in combination, resulted in a reduced apoptotic ratio and activated autophagy process compared with the DOX treatment alone. In conclusions, RSV, which has been suggested to attenuate DOX-induced cytotoxicity, significantly blocks induction of E2F1/mTORC1 and E2F1/AMPKα2 pathway by DOX, leading to acceleratory autophagy and inhibitory apoptosis. And E2F1 plays a key role for the protective effect of RSV.

Prevalence and strong association of high somatic symptom severity with depression and anxiety in a Chinese inpatient population.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of the high somatic symptom severity (HSSS) and its associations with sociodemographic factors, depression, and anxiety has not been surveyed in inpatient populations at general hospitals. METHODS: A sample including 1329 inpatients in a Chinese general hospital was surveyed using Chinese version of 15-item patient health questionnaire (PHQ-15), 9-item patient health questionnaire, and generalized anxiety disorder 7-item scale. RESULTS: A total of 27.8% (n = 369) of the participants had HSSS (PHQ-15 ≥ 10). The multivariate regression showed that HSSS was significantly associated with depression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.219), anxiety (aOR, 5.810), or depression or anxiety (aOR, 5.338) but neither with sex, age, marital status, education status, household income, nor 7 kinds of physical disease systems. DISCUSSION: The symptom profile and high prevalence of HSSS, and its association with clinically significant depression and anxiety in this inpatient population were mostly consistent to that documented by studies in other populations.

The development and validation of Huaxi emotional-distress index (HEI): A Chinese questionnaire for screening depression and anxiety in non-psychiatric clinical settings.

BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety among general hospital patients are common and under-recognized in China. This study aimed toward developing a short questionnaire for screening depression and anxiety in non-psychiatric clinical settings, and to test its reliability and validity. METHODS: The item pool which included 35 questions about emotional distress was drafted through a comprehensive literature review. An expert panel review and the first clinical test with 288 general hospital patients were conducted for the primary item selection. The second clinical test was performed to select the final item in 637 non-psychiatric patients. The reliability and validity of the final questionnaire were tested in 763 non-psychiatric patients, in which 211 subjects were interviewed by psychiatrists using Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Multiple data analysis methods including principal components analysis (PCA), item response theory (IRT), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to select items and validate the final questionnaire. RESULTS: The series selection of items resulted in a 9-item questionnaire, namely Huaxi Emotional-distress Index (HEI). The Cronbach's α coefficient of HEI was 0.90. The PCA results showed a unidimensional construct. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.88 when compared with MINI interview. Using the optimal cut-off score of HEI (≥11), the sensitivity and specificity were 0.880 and 0.766, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The HEI is considered as a reliable and valid instrument for screening depression and anxiety, which may have substantial clinical value to detect patients' emotional disturbances especially in the busy non-psychiatric clinical settings in China.

[The study of osteogenic differentiation in canine bone marrow stromal cell induced by point mutant type of HIF-1α].

PURPOSE: To evaluate osteogenesis in canine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs) transduced by point mutant HIF-1α. METHODS: Lenti-WT (wild type HIF-1α), Lenti-MT (mutant type HIF-1α), and Lenti-LacZ (the control group) were constructed with LR recombination system. And then Lenti-LacZ, Lenti-WT and Lenti-MT were used to transduce canine BMSCs. After transduction, total RNA and protein were extracted at 0 , 1 , 4 , 7, 14 d and 21 d, respectively. The mRNA and protein expression of osteogenic factors were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot in vitro under normoxic conditions.To further prove osteogenic differentiation of HIF-1α mediated BMSCs, the BMSCs were inoculated into 6-well plate (2×10(5)/well) and then the expression of calcium nodules was measured using Alizarin red staining(ARS) at 14 d and 21 d, respectively. RESULTS: At MOI=9, the transduced efficiency of BMSCs was up to 90%. After target gene being transduced to BMSCs, the mRNA and protein expression of osteogenic factors were significantly up-regulated at 4d, reached peak at 14-21 d and maintained a state of high expression (P<0.05). ARS results showed that the target gene can induce BMSCs to the osteogenic differentiation in normoxic conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Under normoxic conditions in vitro, mutant HIF-1α can stabilize the expression and maintain a high level of activity. Lenti-MT can significantly improve the osteogenic activity of canine BMSCs.

[Study of infective efficiency of two adenovirus vectors to rBMSC and its mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the infective efficiency of Ad5/EGFP versus AdF35/EGFP to rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSC) and understand its mechanism. METHODS: rBMSC were isolated from rat bone marrow by density gradient method. The expressions of CD90, CD29, CD44, CD34, CD11b and CD45 on the surface of rBMSC were measured by flow cytometry. The EGFP-carrying Ad5 and AdF35 were infected into rBMSC respectively. The effect of Ad5/EGFP and AdF35/EGFP with different MOIs to rBMSC was tested by MTT. Infected rBMSC were observed by fluorescence microscopy. The infective efficiency and mean fluorescence intensity were determined by flow cytometry after a cellular infection for 1 - 9 days. The expressions of CAR and CD46 on rBMSC were measured by real-time PCR. RESULTS: The expressions of CD90, CD29 and CD44 on rBMSC were positive while those of CD34, CD11b and CD45 were negative. When MOI

[Research on the mechanism of ginsenoside Rh2 reversing the resistance of lung adenocarcinoma cells to cisplatin].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of ginsenoside Rh2 in reversing the resistance of lung adenocarcinoma cells to cisplatin. METHODS: In the Rh2, DDP and DDP + Rh2 group A549DDP cells were treated with Rh2, cisplatin, cisplatin + Rh2 respectively for 48 hours. In the control group the A549DDP cells were not treated with any kind of drugs. The state of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP) was evaluated by ultra violate spectrofluorometer. Concentration of calcium in cells, membrane potential of mitochondrion and apoptosis cells were determined by flow cytometry. The expression of cyt-c and Caspase-3 was estimated by Western blots. Cellular shapes were observed by fluorescent microscopy. RESULTS: The concentrations of calcium were similar among the former three groups, but was obviously increased in the Rh2 + DDP group (t = 22.47, P < 0.01). A(540) of mitochondrion among the former three groups were not different, but decreased significantly in the Rh2 + DDP group (t = 8.21, P < 0.01). The membrane potentials of mitochondrion showed no difference in the former groups, that was remarkably lower in the Rh2 + DDP group than in the control group (chi(2) = 46.01, P < 0.01). There was little expression of cty-c and Caspase-3 in the former groups, but high expression of those in the Rh2 + DDP group. Fluorescence was distributed equally on the cells nucleus in the former groups. In the Rh2 + DDP group many cell nucleus shrank or were distorted. The apoptosis rate of the cells was 6.32%, 7.24%, 7.41% and 21.96% in the four groups respectively. Which in Rh2 + DDP group was higher than that in the control group (t = 10.92, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The effect of ginsenoside Rh2 reversing resistance of lung adenocarcinoma A549DDP cells to cisplatin can be performed by apoptotic mitochondria pathway.

[Detection of plasma level of placental growth factor from patients with coronary artery disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the plasma placental growth factor (P1GF) level of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), and the correlation between plasma P1GF level and coronary lesion severity. METHODS: The study population consisted of 48 patients with CAD (proved by angiography, CAD group) and 28 normal controls (control group). Plasma P1GF was determined by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The lesion severity of coronary artery was assessed by Gensini coronary scoring system, the correlation between plasma P1GF level and coronary lesion severity was evaluated. RESULTS: The plasma PIGF level in CAD group was significantly higher than that in the control group C(9. 16+/-4. 09) ng/L vs (3. 64+/-1. 90) ng/L, P< 0. 01). A significant positive correlation was found between coronary lesion severity score and plasma P1GF level (r=0. 78, P<0. 01). CONCLUSION: The detection of plasma PIGF may be helpful to the early diagnosis of CAD and the evaluation of coronary lesion severity.

[Clinical value comparison between chemiluminescent immunoassay and immunoradiometric assay in detecting TSH in serum].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical value between chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) and immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) in detecting TSH in patients with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. METHODS: The TSH levels in serums were detected by CLIA and IRMA in 112 normal persons, 120 hyperthyroidism patients and 58 hypothyroidism patients. RESULTS: CLIA was significantly correlated with IRMA (r = 0.98, P < 0.01). CLIA had higher coincidence rate than IRMA in the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, and CLIA was more accurate and repetitive than IRMA. CONCLUSION: CLIA is more valuable than IRMA in diagnosing both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.