Secondhand smoke exposure of children at home and prevalence of parental smoking following implementation of the new tobacco control law in Macao.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate secondhand smoke exposure (SHS) of children at home and the prevalence of parental smoking after implementation of the new tobacco control law in Macao. This study explored whether the smoking ban in public places in Macao has decreased the prevalence of smoking or led to increased SHS exposure of children at home. As smokers cannot smoke in public places any more, they may smoke at home more frequently; a displacement effect of smoke-free legislation. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. METHODS: This study surveyed 337 fathers and 538 mothers. Questions from a subset of key questions from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (2nd edition) were applied to assess the SHS exposure of children and the prevalence of parental smoking since the smoking ban. A classification tree analysis was used to analyse the factors increasing SHS exposure of children. RESULTS: The prevalence of SHS exposure in children at home was 41.3%. The prevalence rates of paternal and maternal smoking were 43.7% and 3.8%, respectively. Compared with data reported by the Health Bureau of Macao SAR in 2011, the prevalence of parental smoking and the prevalence of SHS exposure of children at home have not decreased since the smoking ban. Analysis of the factors increasing the prevalence of SHS exposure of children indicated that fathers with an education level below high school were more likely to contribute to this increase, compared with fathers with a high school education or more (48.2% vs 32.4%, respectively). In addition, fathers represented the majority of smokers at home, accounting for 92.0% of 415 smoking parents. The prevalence of paternal smoking (82.0%) in the group of children with SHS exposure was much higher than that in the unexposed group (16.7%, Chi-squared test = 367.199, P = 0.000). The SHS exposure of children increased consistently with the decrease in paternal education level. This was consistent with the increasing prevalence of paternal smoking as paternal education level decreased. SHS exposure was most common among children whose fathers had an education level below high school and whose mothers were aged ≤29 years (75.0%). CONCLUSIONS: This study did not find any decline in the prevalence of parental smoking after the smoking ban. These parents were more likely to smoke at home after the ban, leading to more frequent SHS exposure for their children.

[Assessment right atrial function in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus by speckle tracking and three-dimensional echocardiography].

Objective: To evaluate right atrial function in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with normal pulmonary pressure by using two dimensional-speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI) and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography(RT-3DE). Methods: A totoal of 40 patients with SLE and 40 control subjects were collected between December 2011 and May 2014 from Ningbo Medical Treatment Center Lihuili Hospital. Right atrial global longitudinal strain (RAGLS) and all kinds of right atrium volume index (RAVI) were detected. Relationship between tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion(TAPSE), tricuspid annulus systolic peak velocity (S'), right ventricular myocardial performance index (RVMPI), ETV/e'TV and the right atrium parameters were analyzed. Results: SLE group's right atrium maximal volume index(RAVImax)(33.5±11.1) ml/m2, right atrium minimal volume index (RAVImin)(13.2±4.5) ml/m2, right atrium presystolic volume index (RAVIpre) (2.57±10.2) ml/m2, right atrium total emptying volume index(RAVIt)(20.2±8.1)ml/m2, right atrium active emptying volume index (RAVIa)(12.5±7.5) ml/m2) were increased .But right atrium passive emptying volume index(RAVIp)( 7.8±2.7) ml/m2 and right atrial global longitudinal strain (RAGLS) (38.2%±7.7% ) were decreased (both P<0.05). RAGLS was positive correlated with S' and TAPSE, the r value were 0.565 and 0.445 respectively (both P<0.01). ETV/e'TV was positive correlated with RAVIpre, RAVIa, the r value were 0.469 and 0.481 respectively (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Detecting right atrial function by 2D-STI and RT-3DE could diagnose right atrial dysfunction in early stage of SLE patients with normal pulmonary pressure. The method is simple, has significant clinical value.

Protective effects of sialylated oligosaccharides in immune complex-induced acute lung injury.

Using sialyl Lewisx (SLX) oligosaccharides derived from fucosyl transferase-expressing cells or generated synthetically, the ability of these compounds to protect against acute lung damage after deposition of immunoglobulin (Ig)G or IgA immune complexes has been determined. The synthetic compounds were tetra- and pentasaccharide derivates of SLX as well as the nonfucosylated forms of SLX as controls. In the IgG immune complex model of lung injury, which is E-selectin dependent, SLX preparations provided dose-dependent protective effects, as assessed by changes in lung vascular permeability and hemorrhage. Protective effects were associated with diminished tissue accumulation of neutrophils in lungs (as assessed by myeloperoxidase). Morphological assessment revealed reduced physical contact of neutrophils with the pulmonary vascular endothelium and reduced tissue accumulation of neutrophils. In the model of IgA immune complex-induced lung injury, which does not involve participation of neutrophils and is independent of the requirement for E-selectin, SLX preparations were not protective. These data suggest that, in neutrophil-mediated and E-selectin-dependent lung injury, SLX preparations provide significant, protective effects against inflammatory vascular injury. The ability to achieve antiinflammatory outcomes in vivo with appropriate oligosaccharides suggests a new approach to the blocking of acute inflammatory responses.

[Analysis on epidemiological and temporal-spatial distribution characteristics of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Shandong province, 2010-2016].

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological and temporal-spatial distribution characteristics of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Shandong province during 2010-2016 and provide references for developing prevention and control measures. Methods: Based on the data of Infectious Disease Reporting Information System in China, the incidence and temporal-spatial distribution of HFRS in Shandong from 2010 to 2016 were analyzed by spatial autocorrelation and space-time scan statistics. Results: A total of 9 114 HFRS cases were reported in Shandong during this period. The cases were mainly distributed in age group 30-70 years, and the male to female ratio of the cases was 2.63 ∶ 1. Most cases were farmers. The higher incidence rate was reported in southeastern Shandong, while the lower incidence rate was reported in northwestern Shandong. Among the epidemic periods, the highest incidence rate was 1.87/100 000 in 2013. The results of spatial autocorrelation and space-time scanning indicated that the high-high clusters of HFRS were concentrated in southeastern Shandong and then spread to central Shandong. The cluster mainly occurred from the end of 2011 to the first half of 2015. Both the incidence rate and the cluster decreased in 2016. Conclusions: The epidemic and cluster of HFRS still existed in Shandong from 2010 to 2016. The key areas for the prevention and control of HFRS were in southeastern and central Shandong.

Role of H1 receptors and P-selectin in histamine-induced leukocyte rolling and adhesion in postcapillary venules.

The objective of this study was to define the nature, magnitude, and mechanisms of histamine-induced leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions in postcapillary venules of the rat mesentery using intravital microscopic techniques. Superfusion of the mesentery with histamine (10(-7)-10(-5) M) resulted in a dose-related increase in the number of rolling leukocytes, a reduction in rolling velocity, and an increased clearance of FITC-labeled rat albumin from blood to superfusate. The histamine-induced recruitment of rolling leukocytes and increased albumin clearance were prevented by histamine H1 (hydroxyzine, diphenhydramine) but not H2 (cimetidine) receptor antagonists. Because histamine induces expression of the adhesion molecule P-selectin in cultured endothelial cells, a monoclonal antibody directed against rat P-selectin and soluble sialyl-LewisX oligosaccharide (the carbohydrate ligand to P-selectin) were also tested as inhibitors. Both were effective in preventing the histamine-induced recruitment of rolling leukocytes, but neither agent attenuated the increased albumin clearance. These observations suggest that (a) histamine recruits rolling leukocytes and increases albumin leakage in postcapillary venules via H1 receptor activation, (b) histamine-induced recruitment of rolling leukocytes is mediated in part by P-selectin expressed on the endothelial cell surface, and (c) the histamine-induced vascular albumin leakage is unrelated to leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion. Our results are consistent with the view that histamine may act as a mediator of acute inflammatory reactions.

The Rrop GTPase switch turns on polar growth in pollen.

Pollen-tube growth not only represents an essential stage of plant reproduction but also provides an attractive model for studying cell polarity and morphogenesis. For many years, pollen-tube growth has been known to require a tip-focused Ca2+ gradient and dynamic F actin, but the way that these are controlled remained a mystery until recently. Rop appears to be activated at growth sites by a tip-localized growth cue, acting as a central switch that controls the polar growth of pollen tubes, probably having its effect through phosphoinositides and Ca2+. These findings have begun to shed light on the molecular basis of pollen-tube growth and cell morphogenesis in plants.

Association of CD59 and CFH polymorphisms with acute anterior uveitis in Chinese population.

PurposeCD59 complement regulator and complement factor H (CFH) have important roles in complement activation pathways, which are known to affect the development of uveitis. The present study was performed to investigate whether an association exists between CD59 and CFH genetic polymorphisms and acute anterior uveitis (AAU).MethodsA total of 600 individuals (300 patients diagnosed with AAU and 300 healthy controls) were recruited for this case-control study. Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CD59 (rs831626, rs12272807, rs831625, rs11585, and rs12576440) and CFH-rs1065489 were genotyped using Sequenom MassARRAY technology. Allele and genotype frequencies were statistically compared between patients and controls using χ2 test. Analyses were stratified for gender, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27, and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) status.ResultsNo significant association was found between any of the six polymorphisms and AAU. In HLA-B27-negative AAU patients, the frequencies of the G allele and GG homozygosity were lower in CD59-rs831626 when compared with controls (P=0.032). There were also significant decreases in the frequencies of T allele and TT homozygosity in CFH-rs1065489 in AAU patients with AS compared with controls (P=0.002). Furthermore, the frequencies of the T allele and TT homozygosity in CFH-rs1065489 were lower in the AAU male patients with AS compared with controls (P=0.015).ConclusionOur results revealed that SNPs CD59-rs831626 and CFH-rs1065489 were associated with the susceptibility of AAU. The influence on AAU could be gender specific and dependent on the HLA-B27 and AS status. No positive results were found in the overall group.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Ancherythroculter kurematsui (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae).

Ancherythroculter kurematsui (A. kurematsui) is a unique small-size freshwater fish in southwest China. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of A. kurematsui was determined (GenBank accession number is KU234534). The mitochondrial genome sequence of A. kurematsui was a circular molecule with 16,621 bp in length, and contained 37 typical animal mitochondrial genes including 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and a control region (D-loop). Four nucleotide compositions and their relative proportions of the entire mitogenome was 27.69% C, 16.16% G, 31.21% A and 24.93% T, with an A + T and G + C contents being 56.14% and 43.86%, respectively.

Characterization of neurons of the nucleus tractus solitarius pars centralis.

Esophageal sensory afferent inputs terminate principally in the central subnucleus of the tractus solitarius (cNTS). Neurons of the cNTS comprise two major neurochemical subpopulations. One contains neurons that are nitric oxide synthase (NOS) immunoreactive (-IR) while the other comprises neurons that are tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-IR. We have shown recently that TH-IR neurons are involved in esophageal-distention induced gastric relaxation. We used whole cell patch clamp techniques in rat brainstem slices combined with immunohistochemical and morphological reconstructions to characterize cNTS neurons. Postrecording reconstruction of cNTS neurons revealed two morphological neuronal subtypes; one group of cells (41 out of 131 neurons, i.e., 31%) had a multipolar soma, while the other group (87 out of 131 neurons, i.e., 66%) had a bipolar soma. Of the 43 cells in which we conducted a neurochemical examination, 15 displayed TH-IR (9 with bipolar morphology, 6 with multipolar morphology) while the remaining 28 neurons did not display TH-IR (18 with bipolar morphology, 10 with multipolar morphology). Even though the range of electrophysiological properties varied significantly, morphological or neurochemical distinctions did not reveal characteristics peculiar to the subgroups. Spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSC) recorded in cNTS neurons had a frequency of 1.5 +/- 0.15 events s(-1) and an amplitude of 27 +/- 1.2 pA (Vh = -50 mV) and were abolished by pretreatment with 30 muM AP-5 and 10 muM CNQX, indicating the involvement of both NMDA and non-NMDA receptors. Some cNTS neurons also received a GABAergic input that was abolished by perfusion with 30-50 muM bicuculline. In conclusion, our data show that despite the heterogeneity of morphological and neurochemical membrane properties, the electrophysiological characteristics of cNTS neurons are not a distinguishing feature.

Structure--activity relationships of sialyl Lewis x-containing oligosaccharides. 1. Effect of modifications of the fucose moiety.

Leukocyte adhesion to the vasculature is mediated by E-, P-, and L-selectins. The natural ligands for E- and P-selectins have not been fully characterized but have been shown to contain the tetrasaccharide sialyl Lewis x structure (SLe(x)). To determine the importance of the fucose moiety of SLe(x), various analogs of SLe(x) containing modifications thereof were prepared and tested as inhibitors of E-selectin-mediated cell adhesion. Cellular experiments indicate that replacement of the hydroxyl groups of fucose by hydrogen abrogated E-selectin binding. However, the arabinose analog of fucose (CH3 delta H) inhibited cell adhesion but was 5-fold less potent than native SLe(x). This data suggests that modifications of fucose on SLe(x) are generally deleterious toward E-selectin binding.

Selective gastric projections of nitric oxide synthase-containing vagal brainstem neurons.

Nitric oxide has been proposed to act as an intercellular messenger in central brainstem circuits controlling gastrointestinal motility. In particular, a subpopulation of preganglionic vagal neurons of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus have been shown to be reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADPH)-diaphorase positive; NADPH-diaphorase positive preganglionic fibers are also known to make contact with enteric neurons in the stomach. No studies, however, have correlated the neurochemical phenotype of preganglionic vagal neurons to their stomach target. The purpose of this study was to identify the subpopulation of nitric oxide synthase positive vagal neurons projecting to the stomach. Fluorescent retrograde tracers were injected in the fundus, corpus or antrum (Rhodamine beads) or painted on the anterior gastric branch of the vagus (DiI); five to 15 days later the brainstem was processed for nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity. Of the 532 DiI-labeled neurons from the vagal anterior gastric branch, 25 (4.7%, n=5 rats) were co-localized with nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity. Of the neurons labeled following injection of rhodamine beads in the antrum (N=231 neurons, n=5 rats) or corpus (N=166 neurons, n=4 rats) only three neurons showed nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity (two in antrum and one in corpus, respectively). Conversely, 26 of 222 neurons (12%, n=7 rats) labeled following injection of rhodamine in the fundus showed nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity. These results provide evidence for a discrete phenotypic subpopulation of vagal motoneurons that project to the gastric fundus, and suggest that these neurons may be the ones involved in the receptive relaxation reflex.

Etorphine inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in SK-N-SH cells: involvement of pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins.

Opiates have been used extensively in the treatment of pain but with the severe side effect of addiction, which is believed to be related to opiates' direct (primary) or indirect (secondary) neurotoxicity. In this study, the effects of opioids on cell growth and apoptosis have been examined in human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-SH. Etorphine, a wide-spectrum and potent agonist of opioid receptors, was found to significantly inhibit cell growth and to induce apoptosis. The inhibitory and apoptotic activities of etorphine followed a dose- and time-dependent manner. The more specific agonists of opioid receptors such as morphine, [D-Ala2, N-Me-Phe4, Gly5-ol]-enkephalin (DAGO), [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]-enkephalin (DPDPE), dynorphin A and nociceptin/orphanin FQ did not show similar toxic activities under the same conditions. In addition, the effects of etorphine could not be blocked by the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone, suggesting that the effects of etorphine might not be mediated by a classical opioid receptor. However, pretreatment of SK-N-SH cells with pertussis toxin (PTX) blocked the inhibition of cell growth and apoptosis induced by etorphine, indicating the involvement of PTX-sensitive G proteins in the processes. It was also shown that etorphine-induced apoptosis was prevented by actinomycin D (AD) and interleukin-1beta converting enzyme inhibitor I. Interestingly, etorphine was similarly potent to inhibit growth of pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells but less effective in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and C6 glioma cells. We propose that inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis may be one mechanism of opioid neurotoxicity.

Patterns of innervation of sympathetic vascular neurons by peptide-containing primary sensory fibers.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a specific organization of the primary sensory innervation on to identified vascular neurons in the inferior mesenteric ganglion (IMG) in guinea-pig. Retrograde tracers were placed intraluminally in inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) or inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) in vitro to identify ganglionic neurons as arterial, venous or unlabeled neurons. The distribution of primary sensory nerve fibers containing calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and substance P immunoreactivity (SP-IR) was compared before and after treatment with capsaicin. In control animals the density of immunoreactivity varied both with the transmitter and the type of neuron innervated. The density of immunoreactivity for all the three substances was reduced by capsaicin treatment. The degree of reduction of immunoreactivity in the fibers varied with the transmitter and the type of neuron. The density of CGRP and SP immunoreactive fibers was greatest around unlabeled neurons; 78% of the CGRP fibers were of primary sensory origin and all of the SP fibers were primary sensory. Around arterial neurons 44% of the CGRP fibers were of primary sensory origin and around venous 68% were primary sensory. NOS positive innervation around venous neurons was denser than around arterial neurons and all of it was completely (97%) eliminated by capsaicin, indicating that it was solely of primary sensory origin. We conclude that the primary sensory fibers innervating the IMG are differentially distributed to arterial and venous neurons and that the pattern of distribution is characteristic for each sensory neurotransmitter.

Guanethidine evokes vasodilatation in guinea pig mesenteric artery by acting on sensory nerves.

In precontracted, endothelium-free guinea pig mesenteric artery rings, in which adrenergic vasoconstrictor responses had been eliminated, guanethidine (1-30 microM) produced a vasodilatation of 69.3+/-4.4%. The vasodilatation was reduced 89% by capsaicin (10 microM) or 55% by tetrodotoxin (10 microM), indicating mediation of this effect by primary sensory nerves. The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (100 microM, 30 min) but not its stereoisomer reduced the guanethidine vasodilatation by 70%. Blockade of monoamine uptake with ouabain (25 microM, 15 min) or cocaine (5 microM, 5 min) reduced the guanethidine-induced vasodilatation by 85 and 67%, respectively. These results suggest that guanethidine produced vasodilatation by being transported into capsaicin-sensitive primary sensory nerves where it functioned as a substrate for nitric oxide synthase to generate a vasodilatory substance.

[Expression of opioid-receptor-like receptor (ORL1) gene in rat brain].

In situ hybridization with a digoxigenin-labeled oligonucleotide probe was used to investigate the expression of opioid-receptor-like receptor (ORL1) gene in rat brain. It was observed that ORL1 mRNA is widely expressed in many regions of rat brain, particularly in cerebral cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, septum, habenula, periaqueducted gray, raphe nuclei and locus coeruleus structure. These findings suggest that ORL1 receptor may participate in modulating a number of physiological functions in the brain in addition to pain.

[Intercropping techniques for Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino].

By the grey correlational analysis and AHP method, the economic, ecological and social benefits of some combination models for intercropping Gynostemma pentaphyllum are evaluated. As a result of the evaluation optimal combination models and management measures are presented.

[Agronomic standardization of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino].

In this paper, the simulation models for 3 main agronomic measures, plants/mu, cuttage date and supplement of nitrogen that affect the yield and economic effect of Genostemma:pentaphyllum, are analyzed by the quadratic orthogonal rotative regression design. As a result of the analysis optimal agronomic combination models are suggested.

[Systematic concept and development model for the production base of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Madino].

Based on the theories and methods of systematic engineering, the economic, ecological and social benefits of the whole set of regenerating techniques for Gynostemma pentaphyllum are evaluated comprehensively under the consideration of modern agroforestry and stereoscopic agriculture. As a result of the evaluation an optimal model of artificial complex ecosystem circulation for the agricultural-forestry-medicinal materials in the production base of Gynostemma pentaphyllum is selected.

Validity of interferon-γ-release assays for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis in haemodialysis patients.

Haemodialysis patients are at higher risk of developing active tuberculosis (TB) infection. However, tuberculin skin tests (TST) have limitations and the diagnostic usefulness of interferon-γ-release assays (IGRAs) remains unclear in immunocompromised hosts including haemodialysis patients. Haemodialysis patients were enrolled from a dialysis centre in Korea, an intermediate TB-burden country with a high bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination rate. The QuantiFERON-Gold TB In tube test (QFT) and the T-SPOT TB test (TSPOT) were performed, along with the TST. We stratified patients to low- and high-risk groups, according to the risk factors for latent TB. Association between each of the three diagnostic tests and the risk of latent TB was analysed. One hundred and sixty-seven patients were enrolled. The positive rates for the TST, the QFT and TSPOT were 23.5, 45.9 and 60.4%, respectively. Previous BCG vaccination increased the TST-positive rate in the low-risk group (OR 4.438), whereas it affected neither QFT nor TSPOT. The positive QFT rates were 41.2 and 62.5% in the low- and high-risk groups, respectively. The QFT was associated with the high-risk group (OR 2.578), whereas the TST was not. The positive TSPOT rates were 58.9 and 65.7% in the low- and high-risk groups, respectively. The frequency of indeterminate results was higher for the QFT (12.6%) compared with the TSPOT (4.8%). In conclusion, the IGRAs can be useful for the diagnosis of latent TB infection in haemodialysis patients.