[Changes in Soil Microbial Carbon-Degrading Enzymes and Their Relationships with Carbon Pool Components During the Restoration Process of Robinia pseudoacacia].

To reveal the change in the characteristics of soil microbial C-degrading enzyme activities and the response to the components of C during the restoration process of Robinia pseudoacacia forests in the Loess Plateau, the components of the soil C pool, C-degrading enzyme activities, and microbial metabolic entropy of R. pseudoacacia in different restoration stages were studied, and the response relationship between C-degrading enzymes and soil C components was explored. The results showed that the microbial respiration (MR) first increased and then decreased with the restored years. We found that the microbial metabolic entropy (qCO2) decreased significantly with the restored years, but the microbial entropy (qMB) increased. Soil C-degrading enzymes increased significantly in the early-stage restoration of R. pseudoacacia; however, oxidizing enzymes (PO and PER) and cellobiohydrolase (CBH) decreased in the late stage of restoration. The soil organic C and recalcitrant organic C increased significantly with the restored years; however, there was no significant difference for the labile organic C. Correlation analysis and the partial least squares-path model (PLS-PM) showed that soil C-degrading enzymes and C components were significantly correlated with microbial respiration and entropy (qCO2 and qMB), respectively. The hydrolytic enzyme (BG+CBH) was significantly positively correlated with SOC, microbial biomass C, qMB, and recalcitrant and labile organic C. The oxidizing enzyme (PO+PER) was significantly positively correlated with the soil clay and qCO2. In addition, the recalcitrant organic C was the key driver of soil microbial metabolism affected by vegetation restoration. Overall, the ecosystem of R. pseudoacacia plantations would gradually stabilize with the increase in restored years and significantly increase the sequestration effect of soil C. These results will be helpful to understand the transformation rule and regulation mechanism of the soil C pool in vulnerable habitats and provide scientific basis for the restoration and management of vegetation in the Loess Plateau.

[Expression of thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR1) in gastric cancer and its effect on the growth of gastric cancer cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the expression of thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR1) in gastric cancer tissues and the survival time of patients with gastric cancer and its effect on the growth of gastric cancer cells. METHODS: The expression level of TrxR1 mRNA in gastric cancer tissues and adjacent tissues of 76 patients was determined by real-time PCR assays, and the relationship between the mRNA expression level of TrxR1 and the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of gastric cancer patients was analyzed. Three gastric cancer tissues and adjacent tissues were randomly selected, and the expression of TrxR1 protein was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The expression levels of TrxR1 in human gastric cancer cells line and gastric mucosa epithelial cells were determined by Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR assays. Then, AGS cells were transfected with siRNA sequences to silence the expression of TrxR1. AGS cells were divided into 3 groups according to different processing negative control group: transfected with NC-siRNA, TRXR1 siRNA interference group 1: transfected with TRXR1-siRNA1, TRXR1 siRNA interference 2 group: transfected with TRXR1-siRNA2. The expression of TrxR1 mRNA in AGS cells of each group was detected by Real-time PCR. The proliferation of AGS cells was determined by MTT and colony formation assays following TrxR1 silencing. RESULTS: TrxR1 mRNA and protein expression levels in gastric cancer tissues were significantly up-regulated compared with adjacent tissues, and were mainly located in the cytoplasm. High expression of TrxR1 was associated with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis, and the overall survival time of patients with high expression of TrxR1 was shorter than those with low expression level. TrxR1 mRNA and protein in AGS cells of TRXR1-siRNA1 group and AGS cells of TRXR1-siRNA2 group were significantly reduced compared with NC-siRNA group (P＜0.05). And AGS cell clone formation and proliferation ability were decreased. CONCLUSION: The high expression of TrxR1 in gastric cancer tissues indicates poor prognosis of patients, and the silencing of TrxR1 can inhibit the proliferation of gastric cancer cells.

Precise discovery of a STAT3 inhibitor from Eupatorium lindleyanum and evaluation of its activity of anti-triple-negative breast cancer.

Michael reaction acceptors (MRAs) are a class of active compounds. There is a great prospect to screen STAT3 inhibitors from Eupatorium lindleyanum, furthermore, to discover lead compounds for anti-triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In this study, glutathione (GSH) was employed, and a UPLC-MS screening method was developed to discover MRAs. We screened MRAs which can inhibit STAT3 using a STAT3-dependent reporter system. Six sesquiterpene lactones, including a new compound Eupalinolide O (1), together with five known compounds, Eupalinolide I (2), Eupalinolide K (3), Eupalinolide H (4), Eupalinolide J (5) and Eupalinolide G (6) were isolated. Eupalinolide J was identified as MRA that decreased luciferase activity of STAT3. Preliminary activity assessment showed that Eupalinolide J could inhibit the viability of TNBC cell lines. We demonstrated that Eupalinolide J, which is a natural typical MRA, has a notable inhibition of STAT3 activity and a potential cytotoxic activity against TNBC cell lines.

[Prevalence survey of immature permanent tooth trauma about the clinical visiting and prognosis in Xi'an schoolchildren].

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the clinical visiting and prognosis of schoolchildren in Xi'an after immature permanent tooth trauma and explore the prognostic factors associated with this type of trauma. METHODS: Through cluster and simple random sampling surveys, 4 013 pupils in schools from nine districts and four counties in Xi'an were sampled, respectively. All pupils and their parents were requested to complete a questionnaire, and children who had immature permanent tooth trauma answered a separate questionnaire and underwent oral examinations. The data of the survey were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The amount of valid questionnaire was 3 641. Clinical visiting rate related to immature permanent tooth trauma of Xi'an schoolchildren was low (38.2%). Gender and trauma type were the factors related to clinical visiting for dental trauma concerns. The incidence of poor prognosis was 29.7%. The incidence of poor prognosis of patients with clinical visiting (35.4%) was higher than that of patients without clinical visiting (20.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical visiting rate related to immature permanent tooth trauma in Xi'an schoolchildren is extremely low, and incidence of poor prognosis is high.

[Prevalence survey of dental trauma to immature permanent teeth in Xi'an schoolchildren].

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence rate, distribution, and reasons of immature permanent-tooth trauma in Xi'an were investigated and described, and a scientific basis was provided for the decision-making of health-administration departments. METHODS: Through cluster and simple random sampling survey, 4 013 pupils in schools from nine districts and four counties in Xi'an were sampled. All pupils and their parents were requested to complete a questionnaire. Oral examinations were conducted for children who had immature permanent teeth trauma. The number of trauma teeth and teeth were recorded. Survey data were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of immature permanent dental trauma was 10.5% in Xi'an. No significant differences were observed between districts and counties (P>0.05). The peak age of permanent dental trauma was at 7-9 years old, and the most was at 8 years old (31.5%). The first reason of trauma was falling down (50.9%), and the second reason was crash (36.0%). The most common trauma teeth were maxillary incisors (75.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rate of immature permanent teeth trauma in Xi'an was in the middle of all international levels. Children, who are vulnerable to dental trauma at their age, should be provided with appropriate prevention measures to reduce the incidence of dental trauma.

Reduced Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation in the presence of chitosan-coated iron oxide nanoparticles.

Staphylococcus aureus can adhere to most foreign materials and form biofilm on the surface of medical devices. Biofilm infections are difficult to resolve. The goal of this in vitro study was to explore the use of chitosan-coated nanoparticles to prevent biofilm formation. For this purpose, S. aureus was seeded in 96-well plates to incubate with chitosan-coated iron oxide nanoparticles in order to study the efficiency of biofilm formation inhibition. The biofilm bacteria count was determined using the spread plate method; biomass formation was measured using the crystal violet staining method. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to study the biofilm formation. The results showed decreased viable bacteria numbers and biomass formation when incubated with chitosan-coated iron oxide nanoparticles at all test concentrations. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed increased dead bacteria and thinner biofilm when incubated with nanoparticles at a concentration of 500 µg/mL. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that chitosan-coated iron oxide nanoparticles inhibited biofilm formation in polystyrene plates. Future studies should be performed to study these nanoparticles for anti-infective use.

Tetrazole-Viologen-based Flexible Microporous Metal-Organic Framework with High CO2 Selective Uptake.

A flexible metal-organic framework (FMOF) with functionalized pores was hydrothermally synthesized to improve CO2 affinity and selectivity. The obtained FMOF exhibits a reversible shrinking and swelling framework transformation, which is triggered by the adsorption of CO2 rather than by the adsorption of N2 and CH4. At ambient temperature and an atmospheric pressure, this FMOF shows not only a high CO2 uptake (98 cm(3) g(-1), 19.3 wt %) but also a good calculated adsorption selectivity for CO2 over both CH4 and N2 (CO2/CH4 50:50 v/v: 28.6:1, CO2/N2 15:85 v/v: 210.4:1 calculated by ideal adsorbed solution theory), indicating potential applications in the purification of natural gas and industrial flue gas.

ROS production in homogenate from the body wall of sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus under UVA irradiation: ESR spin-trapping study.

Sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus (S. japonicus) shows a strong ability of autolysis, which leads to severe deterioration in sea cucumber quality during processing and storage. In this study, to further characterize the mechanism of sea cucumber autolysis, hydroxyl radical production induced by ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation was investigated. Homogenate from the body wall of S. japonicas was prepared and subjected to UVA irradiation at room temperature. Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) spectra of the treated samples were subsequently recorded. The results showed that hydroxyl radicals (OH) became more abundant while the time of UVA treatment and the homogenate concentration were increased. Addition of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, EDTA, desferal, NaN3 and D2O to the homogenate samples led to different degrees of inhibition on OH production. Metal cations and pH also showed different effects on OH production. These results indicated that OH was produced in the homogenate with a possible pathway as follows: O2(-) → H2O2 → OH, suggesting that OH might be a critical factor in UVA-induced S. japonicus autolysis.

Brain tumor-targeted delivery and therapy by focused ultrasound introduced doxorubicin-loaded cationic liposomes.

Brain tumor lacks effective delivery system for treatment. Focused ultrasound (FUS) can reversibly open BBB without impacts on normal tissues. As a potential drug carrier, cationic liposomes (CLs) have the ability to passively accumulate in tumor tissues for their positive charge. In this study, FUS introduced doxorubicin-loaded cationic liposomes (DOX-CLs) were applied to improve the efficiency of glioma-targeted delivery. Doxorubicin-loaded CLs (DOX-CLs) and quantum dot-loaded cationic liposomes (QD-CLs) were prepared using extrusion technology, and their characterizations were evaluated. With the advantage of QDs in tracing images, the glioma-targeted accumulation of FUS + CLs was evaluated by fluorescence imaging and flow cytometer. Cell survival rate, tumor volume, animal survival time, and brain histology in C6 glioma model were investigated to evaluate the glioma-targeted delivery of FUS + DOX-CLs. DOX-CLs and QD-CLs had suitable nanoscale sizes and high entrapment efficiency. The combined strategy of FUS introduced CLs significantly increased the glioma-targeted accumulation for load drugs. FUS + DOX-CLs showed the strongest inhibition on glioma based on glioma cell in vitro and glioma model in vivo experiments. From MRI and histological analysis, FUS + DOX-CLs group strongly suppressed the glioma progression and extended the animal survival time to 81.2 days. Among all the DOX treatment groups, FUS + DOX-CLs group showed the best cell viability and highest level of tumor apoptosis and necrosis. Combining the advantages of BBB reversible opening by FUS and glioma-targeted binding by CLs, ultrasound introduced cationic liposomes could achieve glioma-targeted delivery, which might be developed as a potential strategy for future brain tumor therapy.

Color tunable and near white-light emission of two solvent-induced 2D lead(II) coordination networks based on a rigid ligand 1-tetrazole-4-imidazole-benzene.

Two new lead(II) coordination polymers, [Pb(NO3)(tzib)]n (1) and [Pb(tzib)2]n (2), were successfully synthesized from the reaction of a rigid ligand 1-tetrazole-4-imidazole-benzene (Htzib) and lead(II) nitrate in different solvents. The obtained polymers have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, which show that both polymers feature 2D layer structures. The inorganic anion nitrate in 1 shows a µ2-κO3:κO3 bridging mode to connect adjacent lead ions into a zigzag chain, and then the organic ligands tzib(-) join the neighboring chains into a 2D layer by a µ3-κN1:κN2:κN6 connection mode. In 2, there are two different bridging modes of the tzib(-) ligand: µ3-κN1:κN2:κN6 and µ3-κN1:κN6 to coordinate the lead ions into a 2D layer structure. Interestingly, both polymers displayed broadband emissions covering the entire visible spectra, which could be tunable to near white-light emission by varying excitation wavelengths.

Gelatin nanoparticle-mediated intranasal delivery of substance P protects against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced apoptosis: an in vitro and in vivo study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the protective role of intranasally administered substance P-loaded gelatin nanoparticles (SP-GNPs) against 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo, and to provide a new strategy for treating brain pathology, such as Parkinson's disease. METHODS: SP-GNPs were prepared by a water-in-water emulsion method, and their stability, encapsulating efficiency, and loading capacity were evaluated. PC-12 cells were used to examine the enhancement of growth and inhibition of apoptosis by SP-GNPs in vitro using MTT assays. In the in vivo study, hemiparkinsonian rats were created by intracerebroventricular injection of 6-OHDA. The rats then received intranasal SP-GNPs daily for 2 weeks. Functional improvement was assessed by quantifying rotational behavior, and the degree of apoptosis was assessed by immunohistochemical staining for caspase-3 in the substantia nigra region. RESULTS: PC-12 cells with 6-OHDA-induced disease treated with SP-GNPs showed higher cell viability than their untreated counterparts, and cell viability increased as the concentration of substance P (SP) increased, indicating that SP could enhance cell growth and inhibit the cell apoptosis induced by 6-OHDA. Rats with 6-OHDA-induced hemiparkinsonism treated with SP-GNPs made fewer rotations and showed less staining for caspase-3 than their counterparts not treated with SP, indicating that SP protects rats with 6-OHDA-induced hemiparkinsonism from apoptosis and therefore demonstrates their functional improvement. CONCLUSION: Intranasal delivery of SP-GNPs protects against 6-OHDA-induced apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo.

Silencing miR-106b improves palmitic acid-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance in skeletal myocytes.

MicroRNA­106b (miR­106b) is reported to correlate closely with skeletal muscle insulin resistance. In the current study the effect of miR­106b on palmitic acid (PA)­induced mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance was investigated in C2C12 myotubes via the silencing of miR­106b. MiR­106b expression was increased under PA treatment, while miR­106b loss of function improved insulin sensitivity by upregulating its target mitofusin­2 (Mfn2) in C2C12 myocytes. Furthermore, miR­106b loss of function partly improved mitochondrial morphological lesions and increased the levels of mitochondial DNA and intracellular adenosine triphosphate that had been impaired by PA exposure in C2C12 myocytes. MiR­106b loss of function attenuated the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and upregulated the expression levels of the estrogen­related receptor (ERR)­α/peroxisome proliferative activated receptor γ coactivator (PGC)­1α/Mfn2 axis under PA exposure. In addition, miR­106b negatively regulated skeletal muscle mitochondrial function and insulin sensitivity under PA­induced insulin resistance by targeting Mfn2, which may be associated with reduced ROS and upregulation of the ERR­α/PGC­1α/Mfn2 axis.

Metformin prevents LYRM1-induced insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes via a mitochondrial-dependent mechanism.

We previously proposed that LYR motif containing 1 (LYRM1)-induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production contributes to obesity-related insulin resistance. Metformin inhibits ROS production and promotes mitochondrial biogenesis in specific tissues. We assessed the effects of metformin on insulin resistance in LYRM1-over-expressing 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Metformin enhanced basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation, reduced IRS-1 and Akt phosphorylation and ROS levels, and affected the expression of regulators of mitochondrial biogenesis in LYRM1-over-expressing adipocytes. Metformin may ameliorate LYRM1-induced insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction in part via a direct antioxidant effect and in part by activating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-PGC1/NRFs pathway.

Knockdown of LYRM1 rescues insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by FCCP in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

LYR motif-containing 1 (LYRM1) was recently discovered to be involved in adipose tissue homeostasis and obesity-associated insulin resistance. We previously demonstrated that LYRM1 overexpression might contribute to insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction. Additionally, knockdown of LYRM1 enhanced insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial function in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We investigated whether knockdown of LYRM1 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes could rescue insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by the cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenyl-hydrazone (FCCP), a mitochondrion uncoupler, to further ascertain the mechanism by which LYRM1 is involved in obesity-associated insulin resistance. Incubation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with 1 µM FCCP for 12 h decreased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, reduced intracellular ATP synthesis, increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, impaired insulin-stimulated Glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) translocation, and diminished insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and serine phosphorylation of Protein Kinase B (Akt). Knockdown of LYRM1 restored insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, rescued intracellular ATP synthesis, reduced intracellular ROS production, restored insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation, and rescued insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and serine phosphorylation of Akt in FCCP-treated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. This study indicates that FCCP-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance are ameliorated by knockdown of LYRM1.

[Study on distribution characteristics and potential ecological risk of soil heavy metals in the Yellow River beach region in Kaifeng City].

The distributions, soil environment status and potential ecological risk of heavy metals were studied in beach soil of returning the cropland into Yellow River beach region in Kaifeng by the Nemerows and Håkansons methods. The results showed that (1) as Among the average contents of the five heavy metals Pb, Cr, Hg, As and Cd, the highest was the average content of Cr, and the lowest was the average content of Pb and Hg. In addition to Hg, the coefficients of variation of other heavy metals were relatively small, indicating that the content of heavy metals was quite different at different sites, and to some extent, relecting that Hg, As and Pb were the major elements polluting the soil, among which, Pb pollution was the pollution with universality. There was little difference in the contents of Cr and Cd from village to village the coefficient of variation was small, and the contents were below the national standard level. (2) There was significant difference in the spatial distribution of soil heavy metal elements in the upper, the middle and lower sections of the study area. The upper section was clean, the middle section was slightly polluted, and the lower section was enriched with pollutants. (3) The distribution of heavy metals in the beach region inside and outside the levees of Yellow River was closely related to the distribution of the residential regions. In the upper section of the beach region (southwest), the population was large and the contents of heavy metals were high. The contents of heavy metals were lower in the near river zone than outside the levees of Yellow River. And the heavy metal contents in the middle and lower section were higher than those outside the levees of Yellow River, while the lower section (northwest) showed a tendency of pollution enrichment. (4) In the view of the average individual potential ecological risk index of heavy metals (E(r)i), the potential ecological risk of Hg reached intense levels, and the potential ecological risk of Pb's contribution to the integrated risk was 50.5%, which was the heavy metal with highest ecological risks. Cd and Pb had a moderate ecological risk, while As and Cr had minor ecological risk. Ecological hazards of heavy metals ranked in the ascending order of Hg > Pb > As > Cd > Cr. (5) The ecological hazard of the heavy metals was ranked in the order Hg > Cd > As > Pb > Cr. Based on the potential ecological risk level corresponding to the RI values, it was shown that there was moderate potential ecological risks of heavy metals in the Yellow River beach region in Kaifeng.

Selection of high efficient transdermal lipid vesicle for curcumin skin delivery.

Curcumin shows effective anti-inflammatory activities but is seldom used in clinic because of its poor solubility in water and vulnerablity to sunshine ultraviolet effect. Novel lipid vesicles have been developed as carriers for skin delivery. In this paper, lipid vesicles-propylene glycol liposomes (PGL), Ethosomes and traditional liposomes, were prepared as curcumin carriers respectively. Their morphology, particle size and encapsulation efficiency and drug release behavior in vitro were evaluated. Transdermal efficiency and deposition quantity in abdominal skin were also measured with Franz diffusion device. Carrageenan-induced paw edema was established to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect. From the result, the particle size order of lipid vesicles was: PGL (182.4 ± 89.2 nm)Ethosomes>traditional liposomes. PGL had the best encapsulation efficiency of 92.74 ± 3.44%. From anti-inflammatory experiment, PGL showed the highest and longest inhibition on the development of paw edema, followed by Ethosomes and Traditional liposomes. With the elevated entrapment efficiency, good transdermic ability and sustained-release behavior, PGL may represent an efficient transdermal lipid vesicle for skin delivery.

Altered miRNA expression is associated with differentiation, invasion, and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in patients from Huaian, China.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the leading malignancy in Huaian, China. Recently, emerging studies have suggested that an aberrant microRNA (miRNA) expression signature exists in ESCC. However, there is discordant information available on specific miRNA expression in patients from different regions. In this study, we identified 12 miRNAs that are differentially expressed in patients with ESCC from Huaian, China. Among these miRNAs that displayed unique miRNA expression signatures, miR-1, miR-29c, miR-100, miR-133a, miR-133b, miR-143, miR-145, and miR-195 were downregulated, and miR-7, miR-21, miR-223, and miR-1246 were upregulated in cancerous tissue compared with the adjacent normal tissue. Bioinformatics analyses identified the major biological processes and signaling pathways that are targeted by these differentially expressed miRNAs. Accordingly, miR-29c, miR-100, miR-133a, and miR-133b were found to be involved in invasion and metastasis of ESCC, and miR-7 and miR-21 were found to be related to the differentiation of ESCC. Thus, our data present new evidence for the important roles of miRNAs in ESCC.

An adolescent presenting with malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the testis: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Malignant fibrous histiocytoma is a very common subtype of soft-tissue sarcoma in middle and late adulthood. However, malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the testis is very rare in adolescents. CASE PRESENTATION: We report here the case of a 14-year-old Han Chinese boy, who presented with left scrotal mass lasting for 20 days along with distending pain for 5 days. A physical examination revealed a chicken egg-sized, firm, well-defined mass and unclear epididymis. A B-scan ultrasonography of the left scrotum displayed a 9.0×5.2×4.5cm medium- or low-echoic lobulated mass, which suggested a left testicular neoplasm. A fine needle aspiration cytology examination revealed that the cells obtained from the patient's testicular neoplasm were composed of myxoid spindle, and ovoid cells with nuclear atypia and mitotic activity, and arranged in a whirlpool or storiform pattern. Under histological examination, the tumor cells were arranged in a storiform pattern, which displayed mucoid matrix degeneration, and grew invasively. Consequently, a histopathological diagnosis suggested myxofibrosarcoma (or myxoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma). CONCLUSIONS: An ultrasonic examination combined with fine needle aspiration cytology should be helpful for the initial differential diagnosis of testicular malignant fibrous histiocytoma. However, the final confirmation relies on histopathological examination. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the testis in an adolescent.

Multiple system morbidities associated with children with snore symptom.

OBJECTIVE: To exam the relationship between snoring and morbidities of multiple systems in children. STUDY DESIGN: Children with snoring were enrolled and divided into primary snorer (PS) group and obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) group based on polysomnography. The healthy children served as the control group. The growth parameters, maxillofacial malformations, blood chemistry, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram were recorded and intelligence testing was performed in the enrolled children who were ≥6 years old. RESULTS: The weight and height were similar in the control group (n = 60) and the PS group (n = 63), but lower in the OSAHS group (n = 89; P < 0.001). Occurrence of adenoidal face and dental malocclusion in the OSAHS and the PS group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.001). Compared with the control group, the OSAHS group had a lower serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level; and a possible higher pulmonary artery pressure based on the echocardiogram (P < 0.001). All the above parameters in the PS group were similar to those in the control group. Full-scale IQ and performance IQ of the OSAHS group was lower (P < 0.001), attention deficits were significantly higher in the OSAHS group (P < 0.001), but were similar in the PS group when compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: OSAHS in children is associated with delayed growth, maxillofacial malformations, impaired cognitive functions, abnormalities in lipid metabolism, and changes in pulmonary artery pressures. PS children also have higher incidence of maxillofacial malformations but have a normal growth and normal cognitive functions.

[Observation and multifactor analysis of refractory medium-severe heart failure by micro-inflammation modification in uremic patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic strategies and prognostic factors of refractory medium-severe heart failure in uremic patients. METHODS: A single center, self control clinical research was conducted, and the data consisted of 30 uremic patients with refractory medium-severe heart failure undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD), who received routine combined modality therapy and Xuebijing injection (to modify micro-inflammation). The systolic function of the left ventricle was compared before and after therapy. Multiple linear regression models were established to predict the improvements of systolic function of ventricle. Relationship between the accumulated dose of Xuebijing injection and changes of C-reactive protein (ΔCRP) was observed. RESULTS: The values of left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF), fractional shortening (FS), and stroke volume (SV) after therapy were improved compared with those before therapy [LVEF: 0.42±0.07 vs. 0.34±0.04, FS: (21.07±3.83)% vs. (16.33±2.43)%, SV: 66.83±7.00 ml vs. 52.20±7.62 ml, all P<0.01]. In terms of cardiac output (CO), there was no statistical difference before and after therapy (4.77±0.65 L/min vs. 4.49±0.68 L/min, P>0.05). In the multiple linear regression models of ΔLVEF, ΔFS and ΔSV, the independent variables that affect dependent variables included age, ΔCRP, changes of hemoglobin (ΔHb), accumulated dose of Xuebijing injection, changes of HCO(3)(-) (Δ HCO(3)(-)), changes of serum creatinine (ΔSCr), Hb and CRP after therapy, the factors and weights of which had slight variation on accordance with different dependent variables. There was significant positive correlation between accumulated dose of Xuebijing injection and ΔCRP (r=0.561, P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Xuebijing injection can improve heart function in uremic patients by modifying micro-inflammation, whose accumulated dose and therapeutic effect show positive correlation. In addition the improvement of heart failure has something to do with age, ΔHb, Hb after therapy, the correction of acidosis and dialysis sufficiency.