[Analysis on the iron status and associated factors during the first trimester of pregnancy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of dietary and underlying factors on the iron status of women in early pregnancy and to provide evidence for preventing iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia, thereby reducing the incidence of associated adverse outcomes. METHODS: From November to December 2018, women in the first trimester of pregnancy (< 12 weeks gestation) who established prenatal records at the Shunyi District Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Beijing, were enrolled in this study, in which 388 participants were accessed for data including demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, parity, biomarkers reflecting iron status, and food-frequency questionnaire. SPSS 26.0 were used for statistical analysis. Dietary patterns were extracted using principal component analysis, and factor scores of each dietary pattern were calculated. Two-sided Fisher exact probability test and one-way ANOVA were conducted to access differences in iron status among the groups, and the differences were significant if P < 0.05. Iron deficiency was defined as serum ferritin(SF) < 30 µg/L. To analyze the potential role of dietary factors on iron deficiency during the first trimester, the collected data listed above were adopted as independent factors for the cross-sectional Logistic regression. We used Logistic regression to analyze the potential effects of baseline characteristics and dietary factors on iron status. RESULTS: Among the 388 participants included in the analysis, 121 (32.2%) were iron deficient, in which 107 (27.6%) were iron depletion (ID), 8 (2.1%) were iron deficiency erythropoiesis (IDA), 6(1.5%) were iron deficiency anemia. The mean SF concentration was (50.4±35.3) µg/L. Multiparity(OR=3.9, 95%CI: 1.81-8.42, P=0.001)was a risk factor for iron deficiency during early pregnancy. No significant iron status differences were found among the participants with different educational levels and anthropometric measurements. In contrast, age (OR =0.96, 95%CI: 0.94-0.97, P < 0.001) was a protective factor. For multiparas, taking iron-containing supplements might have a protective effect for iron deficiency (OR=0.27, 95%CI: 0.09-0.83, P=0.022). The balance-diet pattern (OR=0.81, 95%CI: 0.66-1.00, P=0.054) only showed a marginally significant effect. CONCLUSION: Increasing attention should be paid to the iron status of pregnant multiparas and young pregnant women. For those women of reproductive age with the risk factors listed above, especially for multiparas, iron-containing supplements should be recommended to prevent gestational iron deficiency. The effect of the "balance" dietary pattern on iron status in the first trimester and following requires further research and discussion.

Investigation on knowledge level about rational use of antimicrobial drugs among pharmacists in medical institutions in Shanxi province, China.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pharmacist's knowledge about rational use of antimicrobials in Shanxi of China, so as to find out the problems and provide support for the management of antimicrobials. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted, which included the basic information of the respondents, the basic knowledge about antimicrobial management and the related knowledge about antimicrobial drugs. SPSS 25.0 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 462 pharmacists were investigated. The average score of the knowledge related to rational use of antimicrobials was 10.49 ± 4.05. It showed that the hospital type, grade, pharmacist's education, professional title and years of experience had effect on the pharmacist's knowledge level about antimicrobial drugs (P < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that hospital grade and pharmacist's education were the main influencing factors (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Pharmacists have insufficient knowledge about the rational use of antibacterial drugs. It is essential to strengthen the training in management regulations and application of antibacterial drugs.

[Sex difference in height growth and blood pressure change among Beijing school-age children and adolescents: a ten-year longitudinal study].

Objective: To explore sex difference in height growth and blood pressure (BP) change among Beijing school-age children and adolescents. Methods: Using physical examination data of 70 769 school-age children and adolescents from primary to high school during 2009-2018 in Shunyi District, a longitudinal dataset was formed with completed anthropometrical measurements of height and blood pressure (BP) after individual information linkage. Age-specific height, BP, growth rate of height and BP as well BP growth rate based on age at peak height velocity (PHA) were calculated. Linear mixed-effects model was used to identify sex disparity in the growth rates of height and BP. Results: Height and BP increased with age in both boys and girls, and the mean height and BP of boys were always higher than those of girls, except age group from 10 to 11 years. Sex disparity existed in growth rates of height and BP (P<0.001), which was demonstrated by the interaction item of"sex x age"in linear mixed-effects model. The PHA of boys was 12 years old, which was 2 years later than that of girls, about 10 years old. The curves of BP growth rate with age showed double peaks in both boys and girls. Boys reached the peak BP velocity at 13 years old, 3 years lagging behind that of girls who reached the peak at 10 years old. However, the peak of height and BP velocity of boys were higher than that of girls. The change of BP was highly synchronized in time with the increase of height, after adjusting for the growth rate of height by PHA. BP velocity increased with age before onset of puberty till PHA and then declined. Conclusion: Sex disparity in height growth and BP change among school-age children and adolescents is persistent and significant and the change of BP is highly synchronized in time with the increase of height.

[Association of blood pressure and left ventricular mass in children from the PROC cohort study].

Objective: To explore the association between blood pressure (BP) and the left ventricular mass (LVM) in children aged 6-8 years. Methods: The participants were from the community-based census-like design child cohort on sensitization, puberty, obesity and cardiovascular risk (PROC) conducted in six public non-boarding primary schools in Shunyi District, Beijing. Repeated three measurements on anthropometrical, M-mode and 2-dimensional (2D) echocardiographic imaging (2D/M ECHO) and blood biochemical assay, and BP measurements were carried out at baseline and follow-up from October 2018 to June 2019. A total of 1 659 children who had repeated BP measurements and cardiac structure information were included in this study. The average value of last two measurements of BP was determined as BP value for analysis. Formula recommended by Devereux was used to calculate the mass of left ventricle. Robust linear regression models were used to explore the association between BP and LVM in different groups. Results: The average age of all patients was (7.10±0.29) years old, including 832 boys (50.15%). Of all, 83.54% (1 386/1 659) were grouped as normal BP with average LVM (58.54±13.33) g, and 16.46% (273/1 659) as elevated BP group with LVM (63.84±15.78) g (P<0.001). The LVM of the normal BP group was lower than elevated BP group in overall participants, boys and girls (P<0.005). Univariate analysis showed that systolic BP was associated with LVM in overall, boys and girls (P<0.001) respectively. While diastolic BP was associated with LVM in overall and girls (P<0.03). Multivariable analysis indicated that the associations between systolic BP and LVM were observed in overall, boys and girls (P<0.05) with the ß (95%CI)=0.14 (0.08, 0.21), 0.18 (0.08, 0.27) and 0.12 (0.03, 0.22), respectively. However, the associations of diastolic BP and LVM were not significant. Conclusion: Systolic BP is highly associated with LVM and elevated BP could increase the LVM in children. Boys with elevated BP present a larger LVM and might indicate higher risk of left ventricular hypertrophy in adulthood.

[Association between trunk fat index and carotid intima-media thickness among children aged 6-8 years old in Beijing].

Objective: The study is to explore the association between trunk fat index (TFI) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) among children aged 6-8 years old in Shunyi District, Beijing. Methods: The participants were enrolled from the child cohort on sensitization, puberty, obesity and cardiovascular risk (PROC) conducted in Shunyi District, Beijing from October 2018 to June 2019. The PROC used a community-based census-like design, and all eligible first-grade children from six public non-boarding primary schools in urban area were approached. Finally, a total of 1 503 children with written informed consent from parents and had complete data of TFI and cIMT were included for the present study. Sequential baseline surveys including anthropometric measurements, laboratory testing and ultrasonography measurement were conducted to collect the data on height, weight, body composition, blood pressure, serum lipids and cIMT. Linear regression was used to determine the predictors of cIMT, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the cut-off value of TFI to identify children with high cIMT, and analysis of covariance was used to evaluate the post-consistency classification of cIMT by TFI. Results: The age of 1 503 participants was (6.7±0.3) years, and 752 boys accounted for 50.0%. The average cIMT was (0.358±0.024) and (0.355±0.023) mm, and the M (P25, P75) of TFI was 0.70 (0.22, 1.78) and 0.74 (0.23, 1.52) kg/m2 for boys and girls, respectively. The detection rates for boys and girls of high cIMT were 2.1% and 3.3%, respectively. Linear regression analysis showed that height, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), TFI were positively correlated with cIMT in boys (P values<0.05). And height, SBP, triglyceride (TG), TFI were positively correlated with cIMT, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was negatively correlated with cIMT in girls (P values<0.05). ROC curve analysis indicated that the best cut-off values for TFI to identify children with high cIMT were 1.78 and 1.14 kg/m2, at P75 and P66 for boys and girls, respectively. After grouped with the cut-off value of TFI and adjusted for age, height, SBP, DBP, TG, HDL-C, multivariable covariance analysis showed a consistent cut-off of inter-group cIMT mean by TFI groups (P values<0.005). Conclusion: TFI is associated with cIMT, which underscore its application potential in identifying early vascular structural damage.

Correlation between MMP-2 gene polymorphism and cataract susceptibility.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) gene polymorphism and cataract. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 104 cataract patients and 100 healthy subjects were enrolled and assigned to the observation group and control group, respectively. General clinical data of the enrolled subjects were collected. The inflammatory factors were detected, and the rs243865 polymorphism of MMP-2 gene was detected using the TaqMan-MGB probe. RESULTS: The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1ß, C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor-1α (TNF-1α) in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (p<0.05). There were significant differences in the genotype and allele distribution frequency between the two groups (p<0.05). In the genetic model analysis, the additive model was remarkably different between the two groups (p<0.05). However, the recessive model and dominant model were not different between the two groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Cataract is correlated with inflammatory factors, and the rs243865 polymorphism of MMP-2 gene has a correlation with the incidence of cataract.

[Expression and correlation of Fra-1 and HMGA1 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the expressions of Fra-1 and HMGA1 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and their correlation. Methods: Immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymer chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to detect the expressions of HMGA1 and Fra-1 in laryngeal squamous carcinoma tissues in 47 cases and para-carcinoma tissues in 21 cases(the First Hospital of Shijiazhuang). The relationship between the gene expressions in carcinoma tissues and clinopathological parameters such as pathological grade, clinical stage, lymph metastasis, age and anatomic site and the relevance of the two gene expressions were analyzed. SPSS 13.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results: The positive expression rates of Fra-1 and HMGA1 proteins in laryngeal squamous cancer tissue were 48.9% and 53.2%, which were respectively higher than the rates of 19.0% for Fra-1 (χ(2)=5.416, P<0.05) and of 23.8% for HMGA1 (χ(2)=5.083, P<0.05) in adjacent tissues. The expression of Fra-1 gene was correlation with pathological grade, clinical stage and lymph metastasis (t values were -1.079, -1.066 and -1.067, all P<0.05), but not with age and anatomic site (t values were -1.068 and -1.054, both P>0.05). The expression of HMGA1 gene was correlation with pathological grade, clinical stage, lymph metastasis and age (t values were -1.112, -1.065, -1.009 and -1.066, all P<0.05), but not with anatomic site (t=-1.036, P>0.05). The expressions of Fra-1 and HMGA1 gene were positively correlation (r=0.672, P<0.05). Conclusions: In laryngeal squamous cancer, Fra-1 and HMGA1 are excessive expression, with a positive correlation between the expressions of both genes.

Study in Agaricus subgenus Minores and allied clades reveals a new American subgenus and contrasting phylogenetic patterns in Europe and Greater Mekong Subregion.

Within Agaricus subg. Minores, A. sect. Minores remains a little-studied section due generally to its delicate sporocarps often lacking taxonomically relevant morphological characters. To reconstruct the section, using the recent taxonomic system based on divergence times, and to evaluate the species diversity of A. sect. Minores in the Greater Mekong Subregion, 165 specimens were incorporated in phylogenetic analyses. A dated tree based on nuclear ITS, LSU and tef1-α sequence data allowed us to better circumscribe A. subg. Minores and to propose a new subgenus, A. subg. Minoriopsis, which is only known from tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. A larger tree based on ITS sequences indicated that, with 81 phylogenetic species, the reconstructed section Minores is now one of the largest sections in the genus. Within A. subg. Minores, a new section, A. sect. Leucocarpi, and eleven new species are described from the Greater Mekong Subregion. Thirty-eight species of A. sect. Minores from this region of Asia were distributed in multiple clades that successively diverged over the past 24 million years. In contrast, species reported from Europe mostly grouped in a single non-tropical clade, suggesting a major species diversification following the middle Miocene climatic optimum.

[Expression of Fra-1 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma].

Objective:To investigate expressions of Fra-1 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Method:Using immunohistochemical method and RT-PCR detecting 47 cases of laryngeal squamous carcinoma tissues and 21 cases of para-carcinoma tissues with the level of protein and mRNA, we analyzed the relationship of the genes expression and clinical parameters. Result:The level of protein positive expression of Fra-1 genes in laryngeal squamous cancer tissue were higher than adiacent tissues (P<0.05). The expression of Fra-1 protein in laryngeal squamous cancer tissue were significant correlation with the clinical stages, lymph metastasis, smoking. They had no significant correlation with the pathological grade, age, anatomic zonation. The mRNA level expression of Fra-1 genes in laryngeal squamous cancer tissue were higher than adjacent tissues (P<0.01). The expression of Fra-1 gene in the mRNA level was correlated with pathologic stage, clinical stage, lymph metastasis, and smoking, but wasn't correlated with age and anatomic zonation. Conclusion:In laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, the expression of Fra-1 gene are overexpressed. Fra-1 may play a role in the occurrence and development of the laryngeal cancer.

[Association between coping styles and non-suicidal self-injury among undergraduate students in Wuhan].

Objective: This study aimed to explore the association of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and the coping styles in college undergraduate students. Methods: Cluster sampling techniques was used to recruit freshmen students from two universities in Wuhan. Brief COPE scale was used to measure the coping skills at the baseline study. Non-suicidal self-injury was studied one year later through a follow-up program. Results: The incidence of NSSI among college students was 2.3%. Students who reported NSSI had higher scores on Self-Blame dimension than those who did not. Results from the multivariate analysis showed that factors as: self-blame coping (OR=1.30, 95%CI:1.06-1.59), religion (OR=3.55, 95%CI: 1.50-8.38) and maternal education level (OR=2.46, 95%CI:1.25-4.84) were related to NSSI. Conclusion: Coping styles were found to be related to non-suicidal self-injury behavior in undergraduate students. Passive coping such as self-blaming, seemed to have increased the risk of NSSI.

A new species of bird's nest fungi: characterisation of Cyathus subglobisporus sp. nov. based on morphological and molecular data.

Recent collections of bird's nest fungi (i.e. Crucibulum, Cyathus, Mycocalia, Nidula, and Nidularia species) in northern Thailand resulted in the discovery of a new species of Cyathus, herein described as C. subglobisporus. This species is distinct by a combination of ivory-coloured fruiting bodies covered with shaggy hairs, plications on the inner surface of the peridium and subglobose basidiospores. Phylogenetic analyses based on ITS and LSU ribosomal DNA sequences using neighbour-joining, maximum likelihood and weighted maximum parsimony support Cyathus subglobisporus as a distinct species and sister to a clade containing C. annulatus, C. renweii and C. stercoreus in the Striatum group.

[lambda N gene expression regulated by the leader sequence].

It was reported recently that changing the TIR (translational initiation region) of lambda N gene resulted in the increasing expression of lambda N gene and it was regulated at translational level. According to the alignment, the leader sequence of lambda N gene had three parts: a code region for ORF lambda N, the upstream sequence of ORF lambda N and 17 bp of spacer between ORF lambda N and downstream of lambda N gene. ORF lambda N is an open reading frame located at upstream of lambda N gene coding a peptide of 19 amino acids. To study the mechanism of regulation of lambda N gene expression, three serials of plasmids with mutant leader region of lambda N gene were constructed. (1) pMC1403-XT, in which the start codon or the partial code of ORF lambda N was connected with lacZ to obtain the ORF lambda N-lacZ fusion gene and in which the ORF lambda N-lacZ expression was under the control of a strong trp/lac promoter; (2) The ORF lambda N mutants in which the termination codon TAA was introduced into ORF lambda N at different positions by site-directed mutagenesis to preterminate the ORF lambda N on plasmid pMC1403N; (3) Mutants in which a deletion was located at upstream ORF lambda N in the ORF lambda N mutants above. The results obtained from determination of the beta-galactosidase activity in the transformants harboring the different plasmids showed that the ORF lambda N-lacZ expression was suppressed by the ORF lambda N code region and the lambda N expression was increased in both the second and third serials of mutants. At the same time the results from RNA-DNA dot hybridization showed that the lambda N gene expression was regulated at translational level. Therefore it was predicted that the reason of relatively low expression for lambda N gene in pMC1403N was due to the low efficiency of ORF lambda N translation. There are two ways to increase the expression of lambda N gene. One is to preterminate the translation of ORF lambda N at a suitable position to decrease the ORF lambda N effects on downstream lambda N gene translation; the other is to change the upstream sequence of ORF lambda N to improve its translation efficiency.

Phenotypic recombination between bean common mosaic and bean common mosaic necrosis potyviruses in vivo.

The US-5 strain of bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) and the NL-8 strain of bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV) are both seedborne potyviruses in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L). They have contrasting and highly stable biological characteristics which are genetically controlled. BCMV strain US-5 belongs to pathogenicity group IV. BCMNV strain NL-8 belongs to pathogenicity group III. The two strains have contrasting serological characteristics: NL-8 is serotype A; US-5 is serotype B. When these two strains were maintained separately or as a mixture for more than three years (39 serial transfers) or in more than 100 plants of either of two susceptible hosts, we were unable to isolate a single virus strain that exhibited mutant-like or recombinant-like characteristics. However, within 28 days (during the 1st passage) after these 2 strains were inoculated to opposite primary leaves of bean plants that were susceptible to one virus and resistant to the other, we were able to recover 17 strains that clearly possessed recombinations of various phenotypic characteristics from each of the two "parental" viruses. Three types of phenotypic characteristics were recombined singly or in combination during a single passage in vivo: 1) Biological characteristics known to be controlled by genes for pathogenicity; 2) Serotype; and 3) Temperature-induced hypersensitive vascular necrosis. Each of the phenotypic recombinant strains contained only pathogenicity genes or serological characteristics found in one or both parents. In no case did we isolate a strain that could be described as a random mutation or one that contained pathogenicity or serological characteristics which were not found in at least one parent strain. This is the first known demonstration of phenotypic recombinations between distinct potyviruses in vivo. Implications for the evolution of new virus strains through the use of resistant cultivars and its impact on breeding programs and bean seed production are discussed.

Determination of sperm acrosin activity for evaluation of male fertility.

AIM: To investigate a simple method for assaying acrosin activity for the evaluation of male fertility. METHODS: The acrosin activity of 7.5 x 10(6) sperm without seminal plasma and acrosin activity inhibitors was assayed using N-alpha-benzoyl-DL-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BAPNA) and detergent (Triton X-100) as substrate. RESULTS: The acrosin activity of 60 normal fertile men (35 +/- 10 microIU/10(6) sperm ) was higher than that of 168 infertile men (16 +/- 8 microIU/10(6) sperm) (P < 0. 01). It was indicated that there was a significant positive correlation between the acrosin activity and the sperm motility (r > or = 0.6534, P < 0.01) and a significant negative correlation between the sperm malformed rate and the WBC number (r < or = -0.5426, P < 0.01). The temperature and time of incubation and the sperm concentration could influence the assay results. CONCLUSION: Acrosin activity is an important index for the evaluation of male fertility. The approach developed by the authors is a simple method for the determination of acrosin activity.

[Non-operative regions extradural hematoma: a review of 5 cases].

The authors report five patients who developed non-operative regions extradural hematoma following removal of intracranial tumors (3 cases) or cystiform diseases (2 cases). 3 cases developed on the left hemicerebrum. 2 cases formed on the bilateral. 4 cases were supratentorial operations, one inferior tentorial. The causative mechanisms of hematoma formation were attributed to a rapid fall in intracranial pressure, an increased blood velocity and the patient's position during the operation. Unexplained cerebral swelling during operation or delayed post-operative recovery should be intensely investigated by CT scanning. An emergency operation is indicated when the hematoma volume is more than 30ml.

[Late radiation brain necrosis: a brain tumor like mass].

7 cases of late radiation brain necrosis, most of them were diagnosed as intracranial brain tumor at admission, were reported. Histological confirmation was obtained on 4 cases through craniotomy. Generally this disease is occurred 1 to 3 years after radiation therapy. CT and MR image show a low-density (Long T1) with variable mass effect. It is generally not possible to differentiate it from brain tumor on radiological and clinical grounds. Steroid therapy and drugs which promote brain cell metabolism and provide nourishment for nerve tissue have been effective in the treatment of this disease. 3 to 4 weeks after medication, symptoms recovered remarkably and long -term prognosis was good. In this article, we have a discussion about the treatment and diagnosis of this disease.

[Blood and urine prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin F2 alpha in patients with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer].

The blood and urine prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), Prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) in 106 cases of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer were investigated by RIA. Meanwhile, the relationship among PGE2, PGF2 alpha and the Syndromes of TCM were approached. The result showed: In comparing with the normal control, the blood and urine PGE2 of 106 cases were obviously higher (P < 0.01), but PGF2 alpha was not (P > 0.05). The urine PGE2 and PGF2 alpha of moderate gastritis were markedly higher than those of mild gastritis (P < 0.05), but there were no significant difference between blood PGE2, PGF2 alpha of moderate gastritis and those of mild gastritis (P > 0.05). The blood PGE2, PGE2/PGF2 alpha ratio of Dampness-Heat in Spleen-Stomach Syndrome and the blood PGE2/PGF2 alpha ratio of incoordination between Liver and Stomach Syndrome were higher than those of Spleen Stomach Deficiency Syndrome in all the cases (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control, both the decreased amplitude of blood PGE2/urine PGE2 and increased amplitude of blood PGF2 alpha/urine PGF2 alpha ratio showed as following: Spleen-Stomach Deficiency Syndrome > incoordination between Liver and stomach Syndrome > Dampness-Heat in Spleen-Stomach Syndrome. This study suggested: (1) There was a close relation between PGE2 and chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer; (2) There was no correlation between blood PGE2, PGF2 alpha and urine PGE2, PGF2 alpha; (3) PG was possibly a useful objective parameter to the Syndrome Differentiation in TCM.

Neonatal and maternal outcome in low-pelvic and midpelvic operative deliveries.

A retrospective analysis of low-pelvic and midpelvic operative deliveries (according to the new definitions by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 1989) matched with cesarean section deliveries of similar station was undertaken. In all vaginally delivered groups there was significantly decreased maternal morbidity, maternal hospital stay, and estimated blood loss. In the midpelvic deliveries, there was a significant increase in the frequency of neonatal resuscitation and an increase in base deficit for the umbilical artery. In both the midforceps and low-forceps groups, there was a significant increase of neonates with cord arterial pH less than 7.10, and an increase of base deficit, even when cases of fetal distress were eliminated. The midforceps group also had an increased rate of admission to the intensive care nursery and an increase in the risk of significant birth trauma. In considering a midforceps or midvacuum operative delivery, the potential associated risks to the neonate must be balanced against the benefits to the mother.