An unusually high prevalence of allergic rhinitis at high altitudes in 6-7 year old children - An epidemiological study.

Objectives: To compare the epidemiology and disease patterns of allergic rhinitis (AR) at 2 different altitudes in children aged 6-7 years, and subsequently to compare with and augment data from international studies. Materials and methods: This is a multistage, clustered and stratified random sample study. The study area comprises 2 distinct areas within Yunnan Province, China. Low altitude was represented by Xishuangbanna Prefecture (XB), while high altitude was represented by Diqing Prefecture (DiQ). Each study area was subdivided into 3 sub-areas, and children aged 6-7 years were randomly sampled based on proportion-weighted sampling. The area studied includes the well-known area of Shangri-La city. Questionnaires were distributed and jointly completed by study participants and their parents or guardians, under the guidance of professional medical staff. Results: 2796 valid questionnaires out of 2933 distributed were obtained (survey response rate 95.3%). The prevalence of AR is statistically significantly higher at high altitude (DiQ, 36.0%, 95%CI 33.2-38.8) as compared to low altitude (XB, 19.7%, 95%CI 17.8-21.6) (p < 0.001). Both areas studied had a greater prevalence of AR compared to international data. In both XB and DiQ, male gender, history of early antibiotic use, urban place of birth and place of residence, presence of smokers within the same household, family history of allergic diseases (such as atopic dermatitis), as well as higher parental educational level were all associated with a higher prevalence of AR (p < 0.05). In DiQ, the prevalence of AR in Han ethnicity was greater than that of ethnic minorities (p < 0.05). In XB, being a single child was associated with an increased prevalence of AR compared to those who had siblings (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study found that the prevalence of AR is relatively greater at higher altitudes. Genetic and environmental factors both play an important role in the pathogenesis of AR. While altitude may be an important environmental factor, confounding factors may include humidity, temperature and distribution pattern of common aeroallergens.

[Effect of "Buqi Yixue" needling on neurological function and nerve conduction velocity in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of "Buqi Yixue "needling on clinical symptoms, neurological function and nerve conduction velocity in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. METHODS: Eighty-six patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy numbness and pain were equally randomized into control group and treatment group. The patients of the control group received basic treatment and oral administration of Cilostazol (50 mg/time, 2 times/d) and Epalrestat (50 mg/time, 3 times/d). The patients of the treatment group received acupuncture stimulation of Danzhong (CV17), Qihai (CV6), Pishu (BL20), Quchi (LI11), etc., for 30 min, once every day, on the basic treatment. The treatment was conducted for 8 successive weeks. The scores of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) symptoms, Toronto clinical scoring system (TCSS) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) were detected before and after the treatment. RESULTS: After the treatment, the scores of TCM symptoms and TCSS were considerably decreased (P<0.05), and the NCV was significantly increased (P<0.05) in both groups compared with those of their own pre-treatment. The the-rapeutic effect of the treatment group was significantly superior to that of the control group in lowering the scores of TCM symptoms and TCSS, and in up-regulating the NCV (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: "Buqi Yixue" needling is effective in improving clinical symptoms and increasing NCV in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Effect of willed movement training on neurorehabilitation after focal cerebral ischemia and on the neural plasticity-associated signaling pathway.

Neurorehabilitation training is a therapeutic intervention for the loss of neural function induced by focal cerebral ischemia, however, the effect varies depending on the neurorehabilitation exercises. Willed movement (WM) training is defined as task­oriented training, which increases enthusiasm of patients to accomplish a specific task. The current study was performed to the evaluate effect of WM training on neurorehabilitation following focal cerebral ischemia, and further investigate the influence on neural plasticity­associated signaling pathway. Sprague­Dawley rats following temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) were randomly divided into four groups: tMCAO (no rehabilitation training), CR (control rehabilitation), EM (environmental modification) and WM groups. Rats in the CR group were forced to exercise (running) in a rotating wheel. In the WM group, food was used to entice rats to climb on a herringbone ladder. Herringbone ladders were also put into the cages of the rats in the CR and EM groups, however without the food attraction. WM group exhibited an improvement in neurobehavioral performance compared with other groups. TTC staining indicated an evident reduction in brain damage in the WM group. There were increased synaptic junctions following WM training, based on the observations of transmission election microscopy. Investigation of the molecular mechanism suggested that WM training conferred the greatest effect on stimulating the extracellular signal­related kinase (ERK)/cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element­binding protein 1 (CREB) pathway and glutamate receptor 2 (GluR2)/glutamate receptor interacting protein 1­associated protein 1 (GRASP­1)/protein interacting with C­kinase 1 (PICK1) cascades among groups. Collectively, the improvement of neurobehavioral performance by WM training following tMCAO is suggested to involve the ERK/CREB pathway and GluR2/GRASP­1/PICK1 cascades. The present study provided a preliminary foundation for future research on the therapeutic effect of WM training against stroke­induced neuron damage.

MiR-223/PAX6 Axis Regulates Glioblastoma Stem Cell Proliferation and the Chemo Resistance to TMZ via Regulating PI3K/Akt Pathway.

Chemotherapy is a standard strategy for glioma, while chemoresistance remains a major therapeutic challenge in current clinical practice. Our present study was aimed to determine whether inhibition of the miR-223/paired box 6 (PAX6) pathway could increase the sensitivity of glioma to Temozolomide. An elevated level of miR-223 was observed in glioma tissues. Exogenous miR-223 promoted cell survival when exposed to Temozolomide (TMZ), while miR-223 inhibition could reverse this process. The RNA and protein levels of PAX6 were significantly decreased by exogenous miR-223, and the 3'-untranslated region of PAX6 was shown to be a target of miR-223. Besides, it has also been reported that PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is pivotal to regulate glioma growth and proliferation. In the present study, we revealed that miR-223/PAX6 axis regulated the growth, invasion, and chemo resistance of glioblastoma stem cells to TMZ via regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, which present a novel potential therapy for intervention of glioblastoma. Taken together, our findings shed new light on the miR-223/PAX6 pathway in glioma and this pathway might modulate the sensitivity of glioma to TMZ via regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3452-3461, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

STAT3 signal that mediates the neural plasticity is involved in willed-movement training in focal ischemic rats.

Willed-movement training has been demonstrated to be a promising approach to increase motor performance and neural plasticity in ischemic rats. However, little is known regarding the molecular signals that are involved in neural plasticity following willed-movement training. To investigate the potential signals related to neural plasticity following willed-movement training, littermate rats were randomly assigned into three groups: middle cerebral artery occlusion, environmental modification, and willed-movement training. The infarct volume was measured 18 d after occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect the changes in the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) mRNA and protein, respectively. A chromatin immunoprecipitation was used to investigate whether STAT3 bound to plasticity-related genes, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), synaptophysin, and protein interacting with C kinase 1 (PICK1). In this study, we demonstrated that STAT3 mRNA and protein were markedly increased following 15-d willed-movement training in the ischemic hemispheres of the treated rats. STAT3 bound to BDNF, PICK1, and synaptophysin promoters in the neocortical cells of rats. These data suggest that the increased STAT3 levels after willed-movement training might play critical roles in the neural plasticity by directly regulating plasticity-related genes.

Endoscopic surgery of cavernous sinus tumors originating from the extradura.

In the present study, we explored the effects of various endoscopic approaches in patients with cavernous sinus (CS) tumors. Five endoscopic approaches, including the endoscopic transseptal transsphenoidal approach, extended endoscopic transseptal transsphenoidal approach, extended transnasal transmaxillary approach, extranasal extended maxillary sinus approach, and endoscopic transnasal transpterygoid approach, were selected for the resection of CS tumors from 36 patients. Thirty gross total tumors and 6 subtotal tumors were removed. After a follow-up period of 6 months to 3 years, 30 patients were determined to be recurrence-free, and 2 patients had unchanged residual tumors. One patient with a recurrent pituitary adenoma underwent a second surgery, and 1 patient with chordoma died because of an intracavernous carotid artery rupture 18 months after the operation. Various endoscopic approaches tailored to the origin and extent of the CS tumor were proven efficacious for the maximal and precise removal of CS tumors while avoiding vital structures.

Genetic diversity and systematic evolution of Chinese domestic ducks along the Yangtze-Huai River.

To investigate the population structure and systematic evolution of the domestic duck in China, we sequenced the 667 bp mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop control region of 106 ducks from nine breeds along the Yangtze-Huai River. Of the total analyzed sites, 34 (5.1%) were polymorphic due to transitions, transversions, insertions, and deletions. Nucleotide content was 25.6% A, 33.3% C, 15.2% G, and 25.9% T. In total, 31 haplotypes were identified in the target region; of these, the major haplotype was A7, and nine haplotypes were shared by the tested ducks. The haplotype diversity (Hd) and average nucleotide diversity (Pi) were 0.798% and 0.28%, respectively. Hd was highest in the Jingjiang shelduck, followed by the Youxian and Enshi shelducks, and it was lowest in the Wendeng black duck. Nucleotide diversity (Dxy) among the nine breeds ranged from 0.139 to 0.433%, and the Kimura 2-parameter distances were 0.0013-0.0044. Molecular variance indicated that a very high proportion of the insignificant genetic variance was attributable to variations within breeds. Phylogenetic analysis of 31 haplotypes revealed only one distinct maternal lineage in the tested ducks, and no evidence was found of a contribution of the Anas zonorhyncha group B haplotype to the maternal origin of Chinese domestic duck breeds along the Yangtze-Huai.

[The relationship of P47phox C923T (Ala308Val) polymorphism to cerebral infarction and its effect on plasma lipid levels].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between C923T (Ala308Val) polymorphism in the exon10 of P47(phox) gene and cerebral infarction and to evaluate the effect of C923T polymorphism on plasma lipid levels. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 110 patients with cerebral infarction, 100 sex and age-matched healthy controls, and 102 members of 10 cerebral infarction pedigrees 19 of which were cerebral infarction patients. The polymorphism in P47(phox) gene was determined by PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing. Plasma lipid levels were measured by routine methods. RESULTS: Three gene types, CC, CT, and TT were found in the C923T (Ala308Val) polymorphism site. No statistically significant differences were found in the frequencies of genotypes and alleles of C923T polymorphism between the controls and cerebral infarction patients (all P > 0.05). The serum levels of triglyceride of cerebral infarction patients and controls with the CT genotype were markedly higher than those of the cerebral infarction patients and controls with the CC genotype (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is no association between the C923T polymorphism and cerebral infarction. C923Tpolymorphism is associated with plasma lipid metabolism.

[The relationship between the exon 10 of the p47(phox) polymorphism and stroke and the effect of the polymorphism on plasma lipid].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between C923T (Ala308Val) polymorphism in exon 10 of protein 47000 phagocyte oxidase(p47(phox)) gene and stroke and to evaluate the effect of C923T (Ala308Val) polymorphism on plasma lipid levels in Hunan Hans population. METHODS: Hunan Han population C923T (Ala308Val) polymorphism in p47phox gene was determined by PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing in 100 healthy controls, 220 patients with stroke, and 10 stroke pedigrees. Plasma lipid levels were measured by routine methods. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found in frequencies of genotypes and alleles of C923T (Ala308Val) polymorphism between the controls and stroke patients (P > 0.05). The serum levels of triglyceride in cerebral infarction patients and controls with CT genotype were markedly higher than those with CC genotype (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is no association between C923T (Ala308Val) polymorphism and stroke in Hunan Hans; C923T (Ala308Val) polymorphism is associated with plasma lipid metabolism in Hunan Han population with cerebral infarction.

[Molecular genetic diversity of Fujian domestic duck breeds].

By using 28 micro-satellite markers with better polymorphism, this paper studied the genetic diversity of four Fujian provincial domestic duck breeds Jinding, Putian black, Liancheng white, and Shanma. According to the alleles frequencies, the polymorphic information content, average heterozygosity, anaqular genetic distance (DA) and Nei' s standard genetic distance (DS) for each breed were calculated. Based on DA and DS, four dendrograms were obtained by neighbor-joining (NJ) and UPGMA methods. The results showed that the average heterozygosity of the four duck breeds was 0. 5353, indicating that the protection of the genetic diversity of these breeds should be strengthened. The orders of the two types of genetic distances among the breeds were accordant, and the dendrograms were the same, reflecting that much more micro-satellite loci should be adopted to obtain more universal conclusions when the genetic diversity was analyzed. The phylogenetic relationships among the four duck breeds were in accordance with their economic types and ecological localities.

[Analysis of genetic diversity of Sichuan indigenous chicken breeds using microsatellite markers].

Thirty microsatellite markers with medium or high polymorphisms were selected to detect the genetic diversity of 8 indigenous chicken breeds in Sichuan. According to the allele frequencies of 30 microsatellite sites, mean heterozygosity (H), polymorphism information content (PIC) and DA genetic distances were calculated for each breeds. The results showed that 24 of 30 microsatellite sites were highly polymorphic, so the 24 microsatellite markers were effective markers for analysis of genetic relationship among chicken breeds. The mean heterozygosity of 8 chicken breeds was all over 0.5. The highest was the Luning chicken (0.681), and the lowest was the Jiuyuan Dark chicken. The high diversity of 8 chicken breeds might be caused by the traffic obstruction(geographic isolation). The results of the heterozygosity were consistent with that of PIC. UPGMA tree was completed through analysis of DA genetic distances. Emei Dark chicken, Miyi chicken, Luning chicken and Jiuyuan Dark chicken were the first group: Miyi chicken and Luning chicken were grouped firstly, then Emei Dark chicken were grouped with them in shorter time distances, and Jiuyuan Dark chicken were grouped with them at last. Shimiancao Ke chicken Xingwen Silky chicken and Muchuan Silky were the second group: Xingwen Silky chicken and Muchuan Silky were grouped firstly, and then Shimiancao Ke chicken was grouped with them. Liangshangya Ying chicken had its own branch. The result of UPGM was consistent with the genesis, breeding history, differentiation and location of 8 chicken breeds.

Effects of problem-oriented willed-movement therapy on motor abilities for people with poststroke cognitive deficits.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cognitive deficits after stroke are common and interfere with recovery. One purpose of this study was to determine whether the motor abilities of subjects who have poststroke cognitive deficits and who have received problem-oriented willed-movement (POWM) therapy will improve more than the motor abilities of subjects in the reference group who have received neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT). Another purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between cognitive function and motor abilities for both groups. SUBJECTS: The subjects recruited for this study were 36 men and 11 women with various degrees of poststroke cognitive deficits. METHODS: A randomized block design was used to assign the subjects to 2 groups. Cognitive function and motor ability were evaluated with the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement (STREAM). Both groups received physical therapy 5 or 6 times per week in 50-minute sessions. RESULTS: The STREAM scores improved after treatment in both groups. Main group effects were found for the lower-extremity (F=4.58, P< .05) and basic mobility (F=27.49, P< .01) subscales of the STREAM. Pretest cognitive function showed a positive relationship with posttest motor ability in the NDT group (r = .446, P< .05). However, the relationship between pretest cognitive function and posttest motor ability had no statistical significance in the POWM group (r = .101, P= .630). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that, regardless of a person's cognitive function, POWM intervention is effective in improving lower-extremity and basic mobilities and indicates the need to use relatively intact cognitive function or perceptual function, or both, to improve motor rehabilitation for people with cognitive function deficits.

[Rapid determination of metallothioneins in foods by capillary zone electrophoresis].

A rapid method for the analysis of metallothioneins (MT) in foods by capillary zone electrophoresis(CZE) was developed. Two isomers of MT (MT1, MT2) in foods were separated and determined. After a series of optimization, the separation and determination of MT1 and MT2 were obtained within 10 min by using the phosphate buffer system consisting of 0.02 mol/L Na2HPO4 and 0.02 mol/L NaH2PO4 (pH 7.0), and UV detection at 200 nm. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the minimum detectable limit was 1 mg/L, and the added standard recoveries of MT1, MT2 in foods were found to be in the range of 82.0%-93.4%. The relative standard deviations (RSD) were found to be lower than 10%. Therefore, with this simple and rapid method, the contents of two isomers in foods can be determined by external standard method after sample pretreatment.