Association of the levels of heavy metals and trace elements during pregnancy with congenital heart defects in offspring: a prospective cohort study. / å­•æœŸé‡é‡‘å±žå ƒç´ å’Œå¾®é‡å ƒç´ æ°´å¹³ä¸Žå­ä»£å ˆå¤©æ€§å¿ƒè„ç— ç›¸å ³æ€§çš„å‰çž»æ€§é˜Ÿåˆ—ç ”ç©¶.

OBJECTIVES: To study the association of the levels of heavy metals and trace elements during pregnancy with congenital heart defects (CHD) in offspring, and to establish a model for predicting the probability of CHD based on the levels of heavy metals and trace elements during pregnancy. METHODS: Based on the prospective birth cohort study in Gansu Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital in 2010-2012, a nested case-control study was conducted for the follow-up observation of 14 359 pregnant women. Among the pregnant women, 97 pregnant women whose offspring were diagnosed with CHD during follow-up were enrolled as the CHD group, and 194 pregnant women whose offspring had no CHD were selected as the control group. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to measure the levels of heavy metals and trace elements in maternal blood samples and fetal umbilical cord blood samples. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between heavy metal and trace elements and CHD in offspring. A nomogram model for predicting the probability of CHD in offspring was established based on the levels of heavy metals and trace elements during pregnancy. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the CHD group had significantly higher levels of aluminum (Al), natrium (Na), calcium (Ca), titanium (Ti), selenium (Se), strontium (Sr), stannum (Sn), stibium (Sb), barium (Ba), and thorium (Th) in maternal blood samples (P<0.05), as well as significantly higher levels of Al, zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), kalium (K), Ca, Ti, chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), Se, Sr, argentum (Ag), cadmium (Cd), Sn, and plumbum (Pb) in umbilical cord blood (P<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the increase in the Sb level in maternal blood was associated with the increase in the risk of CHD in offspring [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=4.81, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.65-14.07, P=0.004], while in umbilical cord blood, the high levels of Al (aOR=4.22, 95%CI: 1.35-13.16, P=0.013), Mg (aOR=8.00, 95%CI: 1.52-42.08, P=0.014), and Pb (aOR=3.82, 95%CI: 0.96-15.23, P=0.049) were significantly associated with the risk of CHD in offspring. The levels of Al, Th, and Sb in maternal blood and levels of Al, Mg, and Pb in umbilical cord blood were included in the predictive model for CHD in offspring based on the levels of heavy metals and trace elements during pregnancy, and the calibration curve of the nomogram predictive model was close to the ideal curve. CONCLUSIONS: Increases in the levels of Al, Th, Sb, Mg, and Pb during pregnancy may indicate the increase in the risk of CHD in offspring, and the nomogram predictive model based on these indices can be used to predict the probability of CHD in offspring.

Exploiting the Surface-Enhanced IR Absorption Effect in the Photothermally Induced Resonance AFM-IR Technique toward Nanoscale Chemical Analysis.

The photothermally induced resonance AFM-IR technique (denoted as PTIR) is a promising and still developing analytical method that can provide nanoscale chemical and topographical information. Herein, by taking advantage of a customized PTIR system with either top-down or bottom-up incidence mode for a quantum cascade laser (QCL), we explore how the surface-enhanced IR absorption (SEIRA) effect due to the Au-coated AFM tip and/or substrate may affect the PTIR signals from 25 to 580 nm thick p-nitrobenzoic acid (PNBA) samples, as a function of sample thickness, incidence mode, laser polarization, and Au film morphology. By analysis of the νas(NO2) band intensity, it is revealed that the SEIRA effect may increase the PTIR signals by 1.5-8.3 times, with that from the Au-coated substrate being greater than that from the Au-coated tip. Nevertheless, the overall PTIR signal goes up monotonically over the entire thickness range for the top-down incidence mode, while it increases and then decreases with the sample thickness for the bottom-up incidence mode. The p-polarized laser enhances the PTIR signal more than does the s-polarized laser, especially on the Au-coated substrate. The significant loss of the PTIR signal of a PNBA sample corroborates the substantial loss of the SEIRA effect of an annealed Au film. The present work may promote the application of the SEIRA effect to the PTIR technique and provides hints for developing the PTIR technique into a more versatile analytical tool.

[Expression of pituitary tumor transforming gene and C-myc gene in patients with multiple myeloma].

The study was purposed to explore the expressions of pituitary tumor transforming gene and c-myc gene in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and its relationship with pathogenesis of MM. Expressions of pituitary tumor transforming gene and c-myc gene mRNA in BMMNC from 33 patients with MM and 10 normal controls were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that the expressions of pituitary tumor transforming gene and c-myc gene mRNA were significantly higher in MM patients those that in normal controls (p<0.05). The expression of pituitary tumor transforming gene mRNA was significantly correlated with the expression of c-myc gene (r=0.801, p<0.05). In conclusion, the overexpressions of pituitary tumor transforming gene and c-myc gene may be related to the pathogenesis and progression of MM.

[Studies on chemical constituents from Pteris multifida].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the chemical constituents of Pteris multifida. METHODS: All compounds were isolated and purified by normal column chromatography, paper thin layer chromatography and sephadex chromatography. The chemical structures were mainly elucidated by ESI mass and NMR spectra. RESULTS: Seven compounds were isolated from the methanol extracts of Pteris multifida. In addition to a glycoside of sesquiterpene pterosin C-3-O-beta-D-glucoside(1), six flavonoids were isolated from S. barbata as fouows: apigenin(2), luteolin(3), apigenin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside(4), apigenin-7-O-beta-D-glucosyl-4'-O-alpha-L-rhanrnoside(5), apigenin-4'-O-alpha-L-rhanrnoside(6) and luteolin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside(7). CONCLUSION: Compound(2), (3) and (5), (6) are isolated from Pteris multifida for the first time.

New prenylchalcones from the hops of Humulus lupulus.

Two new prenylchalcones, xanthohumol C and D, together with two known prenylchalcone derivatives, xanthohumol (1) and 5''-(2''-hydroxyisopropyl)-dihydrofurano-[2'',3''-b]-4,4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-chalcone (4) were isolated and identified from the hops of Humulus lupulus L. The structures of xanhohumol C and D were elucidated as 5''-hydroxy-6'',6''-dimethyl-dihydropyrano-[2'',3''-b]-4,4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-chalcone (2) and 5''-hydroxy-6'',6''-dimethyl-dihydropyrano-[2'',3''-b]-4',6'-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-chalcone (3) on the basis of HRFAB-MS, 1D and 2D NMR (HMQC, HMBC) spectroscopic data. Among the new prenylchalcones, compound 2 showed marginal cytotoxic activity against human stomach carcinoma BGC-823 and human hepatic carcinoma HepG2 cells.

[Chemical constituents from the tuber of Cremastra appendiculata].

To study the chemical constituents of "Shan-Ci-Gu" (the tuber of Cremastra appendiculata (D. Don) Makino), the compounds were isolated with silica gel and reverse phase silica gel as well as Sephadex column chromatographic method. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of modern spectra technology. Seven compounds were isolated and identified as 5-methoxybibenzyl-3, 3'-di-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), militarine (2), loroglossin (3), protocatechuic acid (4), succinic acid (5), gastrodin (6), and daucosterol (7). Compound 1 is a new compound. Compounds 2 -6 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

[Study on drug release in vitro and rat intestinal absorption of resveratrol nanoliposomes].

OBJECTIVE: To study the release feature of Res-nanoliposomes in vitro and clarify the difference in absorption of Res-nanoliposomes from varied intestinal segments and the absorptive mechanism in vivo. METHOD: Dialytic method was used to determine resveratrol release rate of Res-nanoliposomes in vitro. An in situ rat perfusion method was used to investigate the intestinal absorption of Res-nanoliposomes. RESULT: Resveratrol release from nanoliposomes in vitro fitted the log-normal distribution equation and had a property of sustained release. Compared with other intestinal segments, significantly high percentage of Res-nanoliposomes was absorbed in ileum (P < 0.001). The absorption rate constants (ka) of Res-nanoliposomes in intestine were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: Res-nanoliposomes could sustain to release drug in vitro. The absorption was a first-order process with the passive diffusion mechanism. The Res-nanoliposomes could promote the absorption of Res in rat small intestine.

[Studies on flavones in of Lavandula augustifolia].

OBJECTIVE: To study on the chemical constituents of Lavandula augustifolia. METHOD: The compounds were extracted with 95% ethyl alcohol, isolated by various column chromatography and identified by spectroscopic methods. RESULT: Seven flavanoids were isolated and identified as apigenin (1), ladanein (2), apigenin-7-O-beta-D-(6'-p-hydoxy-cinnamoyloxy) -mannoside (3), luteolin (4), apigenin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside (5), luteolin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside (6), 5, 4'-dihydroxy flavonoid-7-O-beta-D-pyranglycuronate buthyl ester (7). CONCLUSION: All of these seven compounds were obtained from this plant for the first time.

[Preliminary study of multivariable model in predicting response to immunosuppressive therapy in patients with aplastic anemia].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential usefulness of a multivariable model in predicting the response to immunosuppressive therapy (IST) in patients with aplastic anemia (AA), and its application to the clinical practice. METHODS: PB T cells subpopulation and BM T cells intracellular IFN-gamma and IL-4 were serially analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM) before and during treatment. HLA-DRB1 * 1501 phenotype was analyzed by PCR-SSP. The predictive potentials of different parameter combinations for clinical responsiveness were statistically assessed. RESULTS: In all evaluated parameters, CD8+ cell intracellular IFN-gamma had the relatively best diagnostic value with sensitivity and specificity of 94.3% and 62.5%, and positive and negative predictive value of 84.6% and 83.3% respectively. Positive CD8+ cell intracellular IFN-gamma plus Tc1/Tc2 < 50 could increase the positive predictive value to 92.3%. A multivariable model consisting of absolute neutrophil count (ANC), BM T cell intracellular IFN-gamma, Tc1/Tc2 ratio and HLA-DRB * 1501 phenotype of the patients was finally established. CONCLUSION: The multivariable model is superior to each of the single parameters in terms of predictive power of IST therapeutic outcome, and its higher accuracy and the clinical application make it potentially useful in practice.

[Protective effect of epimedium flavonoids injection on experimental myocardial infarction rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of epimedium flavonoids Injection (EFI) on experimental acute myocardial infarction (AMI) rats. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, the acute myocardial infarction model was established by ligating left anterior descending branch of coronary artery (LAD). After operation, the rats in the sham-operation and model group were intravenous injected with 5% glucose injection, those in the positive medicine group were intravenous injected with nitroglycerin 0.3mg/kg, while rats in the low-, middle- and large-dose EFI group were intravenous injected with TFE in a dose of 10, 20, 40 mg/kg respectively. ECG was monitored before and after coronary artery ligation, and after treatment at different time points. At the same time, the millivolt of ST and ST-T segment were measured. The changes of serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were determined, and the myocardial infarcted area was detected by MTT respectively 3 h after LAD. Results After intravenous injection of EFI in a dose of 10, 20, 40 mg/kg, the myocardial infarcted area of AMI rats could be decreased in different degree, the activity of serum CPK, LDH and the content of MDA decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), while the activity of serum SOD increased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). It could began to lower the elevated ST-T segment 5 min after medication and the action could last for 3 h (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: EFI has a protective effect against acute myocardial ischemia caused by LAD, and the effect is quickly initiated.

Anti-lipid peroxidation and protection of liver mitochondria against injuries by picroside II.

AIM: To investigate the anti-lipid peroxidation and protection of liver mitochondria against injuries in mice with liver damage by picroside II. METHODS: Three animal models of liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4): 0.1 mL/10 g, ip), D-galactosamine (D-GalN: 500 mg/kg, ip) and acetaminophen (AP: 0.15 g/kg, ip) were respectively treated with various concentrations of picroside II (5, 10, 20 mg/kg, ig). Then we chose the continuously monitoring method (recommended by International Clinical Chemistry League) to analyze serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) values, Marland method to detect the activity of manganese-superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver mitochondria, TBA colorimetry to determine the content of malonicdialdehyde (MDA) in liver tissue, DTNB method to evaluate the activity of glutathioneperoxidase (GSH-Px) and Lowry method to detect protein level in liver tissue. Meanwhile, effects of picroside II on the activity of ATPase and swelling extent of mitochondria in hepatocytes damaged by AP were also evaluated. RESULTS: Picroside II could significantly prevent liver toxicity in the three models of liver damage. It decreased the high levels of ALT and AST in serum induced by the administration of CCl(4), D-GalN and AP, reduced the cellular damage of liver markedly, and appeared to be even more potent than the positive control drug of biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate pilules (DDB). In groups treated with different doses of picroside II, compared to the model group, the content of MDA in serum decreased evidently, whereas the content of SOD and GSH-Px increased in a dose-dependent manner, and the difference was statistically significant. Further, in the study of AP model, picroside II inhibited AP-induced liver toxicity in mice, enhanced the activity of ATPase, improved the swelling extent of mitochondria and helped to maintain a normal balance of energy metabolism. CONCLUSION: Picroside II can evidently relieve hepatocyte injuries induced by CCl(4), D-GalN and AP, help scavenge free radicals, protect normal constructions of mitochondria membrane and enhance the activity of ATPase in mitochondria, thereby modulating the balance of liver energy metabolism, which might be part of the mechanisms of hepatoprotective effects of picroside II.

Inhibitory effect of picroside II on hepatocyte apoptosis.

AIM: To investigate the influence of picroside II on hepatocyte apoptosis and its mechanism. METHODS: Morphological changes and quantification of apoptotic cells were determined under transmission electron microscopy and flow cytometry respectively. DNA fragmentation was visualized by agarose gel electrophoresis. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) was used to analyze the expression of bcl-2 and bax genes. The content of manganese-superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver mitochondria was detected by the Marland method. The content of malonic aldehyde (MDA) and the protein level in liver tissue were determined by thiobarbituric acid colorimetry and Lowry method. RESULTS: Picroside II decreased the levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in the serum resulting from acute-liver injured mice induced with D-GalN and LPS; it also reduced the content of MDA, and thus, enhanced the activity of SOD. Picroside II 10 mg/kg was found to protect hepatocytes against apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner; it up-regulated the expression of bcl-2 genes, thus increased the bcl-2/bax ratio. CONCLUSION: Picroside II can protect hepatocytes against injury and prevent hepatocytes from apoptosis. It might by upregulating the bcl-2 gene expression and antioxidation.

[Studies on the flavonoids in herb from Scutellaria barbata].

OBJECTIVE: To study flavonoids in Scutellaria barbata and elucidate their structures. METHOD: Compounds were isolated and purified by normal column chromatography, paper thin layer chromatography and Sephadex chromatography. The chemical structures were elucidated by ESI mass and NMR spectra. RESULT: Five flavonoids were isolated from S. barbata and identified as apigenin (1), luteolin (2), ethyl-7-O-apigenin-glucuronate (3), apigenin-7-O-beta-glucoside (4), and apigenin-7-O-neohesperidoside (5), in addition to benzyaldehyde (6). CONCLUSION: Flavonoidglycoside (3), (4) and (5) were isolated from S. barbata for the first time.