MicroRNA-665 Regulates Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells by Targeting TGFBR1.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the heavy health burdens worldwide. Aberrant proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contributes to the occurrence and development of CAD. This study aimed at exploring differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) and their regulatory mechanisms in the development of CAD.The miRNA expression profile of GSE28858 was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) between CAD and healthy control samples were analyzed using limma package in R. Target genes of DEmiRNAs were predicted, and a miRNA-target gene network was constructed. The relationship between miR-665 and transforming growth factor beta receptor 1 (TGFBR1) was selected for further analysis. The interaction between miR-665 and TGFBR1 was confirmed by dual luciferase reporter assay. Effects of miR-665 on cell viability and apoptosis of VSMCs were evaluated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Besides, western blot assays for BCL2L11 and caspase 3 were also conducted.A total of 38 upregulated miRNAs and 28 downregulated miRNAs were identified. The expression level of miR-665 was significantly downregulated in patients with CAD. TGFBR1 was proved to be a target gene of miR-665. Besides, ectopic expression of miR-665 obviously inhibited VSMC growth and promoted VSMC apoptosis. TGFBR1 overexpression in VSMCs transfected with miR-665 mimic could restore the effect of miR-665 on the proliferation and apoptosis of VSMCs.MiR-665 might participate in the proliferation and apoptosis of VSMCs by targeting TGFBR1.

Efficacy and safety of Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycosides for diabetic kidney disease: an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

BACKGROUND: Recently, several systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) of Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside (TWP) have reported significant benefits on diabetic kidney disease (DKD). However, the adoption of TWP for DKD remains uncommon. This study aimed to evaluate and summarize the current evidence on TWP for DKD. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, SINOMED, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI database, Wan Fang database, and VIP database, up to June 4, 2022. SRs of TWP on DKD were included. Two authors independently assessed eligibility, extracted data, and graded the quality of evidence. We appraised the reporting and methodological quality of the included studies based on the PRISMA statement and AMSTAR 2. RESULTS: We included 19 SRs and MAs. Seventeen MAs of proteinuria were identified; all suggested TWP exhibited anti-proteinuria function on DKD. Of these, only 2 were graded as moderate quality of evidence. Eighteen MAs estimated the reno-protective effect of TWP; nine of them showed that TWP improved renal function, including 2 MAs rated as moderate quality of evidence. Eleven SRs showed the serum albumin level was elevated in the TWP group. Of those, four were rated as moderate quality of evidence. Fourteen MAs of the incidence of adverse events were included. Twelve MAs indicated TWP increased the risk of adverse events, of which 4 were graded with moderate quality of evidence. Twenty of the 27 items in the PRISMA checklist were adequately reported with more than 75% compliance among the included SRs, while five of the 12 items in the PRISMA checklist for abstract were found to have less than 50% compliance. The overall reporting quality of SRs published in English was higher than that in Chinese. The methodological quality of the included SRs appraised by AMSTAR-2 ranged from critically low to moderate. CONCLUSION: TWP appears effective for DKD on improving proteinuria and increasing the level of serum albumin, accompanied by a higher risk of adverse events. The evidence would be more credible and valuable to guide decision if the quality of the SRs and primary studies is improved. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42021249560.

Weighed Gene Coexpression Network Analysis Screens the Potential Long Noncoding RNAs and Genes Associated with Progression of Coronary Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a type of heart disease with a high morbidity rate. This study is aimed at identifying potential biomarkers closely related to the progression of CAD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A microarray dataset of GSE59867 was downloaded from a public database, Gene Expression Omnibus, which included 46 cases of stable CAD without a history of myocardial infarction (MI), 30 cases of MI without heart failure (HF), and 34 cases of MI with HF. Differentially expressed long noncoding RNAs (DElncRNAs) and mRNAs (DEmRNAs) were identified by the limma package, and functions of DEmRNAs were annotated by Gene Ontology and KEGG pathways. In addition, weighed gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to construct a coexpression network of DEmRNAs, and a disease-related lncRNAs-mRNAs-pathway network was constructed. Finally, the datasets of GSE61145 and GSE57338 were used to verify the expression levels of the above highly correlated candidates. RESULTS: A total of 2362 upregulated mRNAs and 2816 downregulated mRNAs, as well as 235 upregulated lncRNAs and 113 downregulated lncRNAs were screened. These genes were significantly enriched in "cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction," "RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway," and "natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity." Five modules including 1201 DEmRNAs were enriched in WGCNA. A coexpression network including 19 DElncRNAs and 413 DEmRNAs was constructed. These genes were significantly enriched in "phosphatidylinositol signaling system," "insulin signaling pathway," and "MAPK signaling pathway". Disease-related gene-pathway network suggested FASN in "insulin signaling pathway," DGKZ in "phosphatidylinositol signaling system," and TNFRSF1A in "MAPK signaling pathway" were involved in MI. CONCLUSION: FASN, DGKZ, and TNFRSF1A were revealed to be CAD progression-associated genes by WGCNA coexpression network analysis.

Real world analysis of third-line treatment with anlotinib in combination with radiotherapy for extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of anlotinib combined with radiotherapy as a third-line treatment regimen for extensive stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) in a real-world background.Methods:Forty ES-SCLC patients enrolled in a single center of Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University in China between November 2018 and July 2021 were treated with radiotherapy added on anlotinib as a third-line treatment regimen. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), safety, and quality of life were analyzed, and the survival status was statistically analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method.Results:Among the 40 patients, partial remission, stable disease, and progressive disease was confirmed in 7, 24 and 9 patients, respectively. The obtained objective remission rate (ORR) was 18%, the disease control rate (DCR) was 78%, and median PFS and median OS were 4.5 months and 9 months, respectively. The most common adverse reactions included fatigue (28%), bleeding (20%), anorexia (13%), and hand-foot syndrome (8%). Most of them were grade 1-2 in severity, 4 cases were documented as ≥grade 3, and no grade 5 toxicity was recorded.Conclusions:In the real world, radiotherapy added on anlotinib as a third-line regimen can prolong PFS and OS of the ES-SCLC patients, and the adverse reactions are generally tolerated. This combination treatment regimen is worthy of further investigation.

Analysis of long-term efficacy of radiotherapy for elderly patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the long-term efficacy of radiotherapy for elderly patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.Methods:Clinical data of 118 elderly patients aged ≥65 years with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated with radiotherapy alone or concurrent chemoradiotherapy in Cancer Hospital affiliated to Xinjiang Medical University from January 2013 to January 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were randomly divided into the radiotherapy alone ( n=57) and concurrent chemoradiotherapy groups ( n=61). The effective rate, survival rate, adverse reactions and causes of death were compared between two groups. Rate and constituent ratio were used to describe the categorical variables, and Pearson Chi-square test was used for univariate analysis. Results:The effective rate (68.4% vs. 86.9%, P=0.016) and incidence of adverse reactions (21.1% vs. 50.9%, P<0.001) between radiotherapy alone and concurrent chemoradiotherapy groups were significantly differed. The 1-year overall survival rate significantly differed between two groups (75.4% vs. 91.8%, P=0.016), while no significant differences were observed in the 3-year overall survival rate (36.8% vs. 42.7%, P=0.088) and 5-year overall survival rate (10.7% vs. 18.0%, P=0.746). The main cause of death in two groups was recurrence combined with distant metastasis. Conclusion:Compared with the radiotherapy alone, concurrent chemoradiotherapy can significantly improve the effective rate and survival rate for elderly patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, whereas it may increase the incidence of adverse reactions.

The recent deposition of persistent organic pollutants and mercury to the Dasuopu glacier, Mt. Xixiabangma, central Himalayas.

High mountains may serve as condensers for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and the ice/snow core can provide long-term records of atmospheric deposition of pollutants. In this study, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in firn core from Dasuopu Glacier were analyzed and the seasonal variation and deposition flux of these pollutants were investigated. PCB 28 was always detected in samples from different firn core layers and concentrations of PCB 28 were in the range of 0.09-0.3 ng/l. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and total DDTs (p-p'-DDD and p-p'-DDT) were not always detected and were only present in some samples. No p-p'-DDE and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) were detected above the level of determination limits. Concentrations of HCB ranged from 0.04 to 0.07 ng/l, and total DDTs were in the range of 0.15-0.3 ng/l. Total glacier PAHs was below 26 ng/l. The levels of OCPs and PAHs in Dasuopu glacier were roughly similar to values from the European mountain areas but lower than those from Lys glacier (Italy) and glacier from Rocky Mountain. Hg concentration (2-35 ng/l) in firn core samples was higher than that of remote region of Arctic. PCB 28 didn't show obvious variation in different seasons, however for major PAH compounds higher values were observed in summer than in winter. With regard to Hg, it displayed winter maximum. Deposition flux of OCPs, PAHs and mercury showed similar results with maximum flux occurring in the 2000s. After 2000/2001, deposition flux decreased and reflected the possible decrease of emissions of these atmospheric pollutants in the adjacent region.

Clinical study of antinib combined with radiotherapy in the treatment of third-line extensive small cell lung cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: To explore whether the survival benefit of the third-line extensive small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) will be obtained by the combination of anlotinib and radiotherapy, and evaluate the safety of this treatment regimen. Methods: Twenty-seven patients with ES-SCLC who received third-line treatment with less than three metastatic organs at the Cancer Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from November 2018 to July 2021 were collected and treated with radiotherapy based on anlotinib. Kaplan-Meier curve was used to estimate the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), descriptive statistical analysis was used to evaluate the safety, and European organisation for research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire-core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) was used to evaluate the quality of life. Results: The follow-up cut-off date was July 1, 2021, and the follow-up time ranged from 4.8 to 31.0 months, with a median follow-up time of 10.2 months for the entire group. Among the 27 patients, 4 achieved partial remission, 17 had stable disease and 6 had progression of disease. The objective remission rate (ORR) was 14.8%, and the disease control rate (DCR) was 77.8%. Median PFS and the median OS were 5 months and 11 months, respectively. The most common adverse reactions included fatigue (33.3%, 9/27), anorexia (14.8%, 4/27), bleeding (14.8%, 4/27) and hand-foot syndrome (11.1%, 3/27). Most of them were grade 1 to grade 2, 3 cases were more than grade 3, and there was no grade 5 toxicity recorded. After radiotherapy combined with amlotinib treatment, patients showed improvement in general health, somatic functioning, social functioning, and emotional functioning (all P<0.05). Conclusion: For the third-line ES-SCLC patients, radiotherapy based on the anlotinib can significantly prolong their PFS and OS, and the adverse reactions can be tolerated.

Clinical study of antinib combined with radiotherapy in the treatment of third-line extensive small cell lung cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: To explore whether the survival benefit of the third-line extensive small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) will be obtained by the combination of anlotinib and radiotherapy, and evaluate the safety of this treatment regimen. Methods: Twenty-seven patients with ES-SCLC who received third-line treatment with less than three metastatic organs at the Cancer Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from November 2018 to July 2021 were collected and treated with radiotherapy based on anlotinib. Kaplan-Meier curve was used to estimate the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), descriptive statistical analysis was used to evaluate the safety, and European organisation for research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire-core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) was used to evaluate the quality of life. Results: The follow-up cut-off date was July 1, 2021, and the follow-up time ranged from 4.8 to 31.0 months, with a median follow-up time of 10.2 months for the entire group. Among the 27 patients, 4 achieved partial remission, 17 had stable disease and 6 had progression of disease. The objective remission rate (ORR) was 14.8%, and the disease control rate (DCR) was 77.8%. Median PFS and the median OS were 5 months and 11 months, respectively. The most common adverse reactions included fatigue (33.3%, 9/27), anorexia (14.8%, 4/27), bleeding (14.8%, 4/27) and hand-foot syndrome (11.1%, 3/27). Most of them were grade 1 to grade 2, 3 cases were more than grade 3, and there was no grade 5 toxicity recorded. After radiotherapy combined with amlotinib treatment, patients showed improvement in general health, somatic functioning, social functioning, and emotional functioning (all P<0.05). Conclusion: For the third-line ES-SCLC patients, radiotherapy based on the anlotinib can significantly prolong their PFS and OS, and the adverse reactions can be tolerated.

Gradient distribution of persistent organic contaminants along northern slope of central-Himalayas, China.

High mountains may serve as condenser for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and the vegetation in remote areas has been used as a means to characterized atmospheric concentrations of air pollutants. In this study, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Himalayan spruce needle samples from Zhangmu-Nyalam region (central-Himalayas) were analyzed and the altitudinal gradient of these pollutants was investigated. Total HCHs and DDTs concentration in needles were in the range of 1.3-2.9 ng g(-1) dry weight and 1.7-11 ng g(-1) dry weight, which were lower than concentrations reported in spruce needles from Alps, however higher than concentrations in conifer needles from mountain areas of Alberta. Total Himalayan spruce needle PAHs was below 600 ng g(-1) and fluorene, phenanthrene and acenaphthene were abundant individual compounds measured. The ratios of alpha-HCH/gamma-HCH in pine needles were similar with the usual values for technical HCH, implying technical HCHs might be used in this region. The high ratios of o-p'-DDT/p-p'-DDT and no p-p'-DDE measured in this study led to the suspicion that a new source of o-p'-DDT and/or p-p'-DDT existed in this region. In addition, higher ratios of low molecular weight-/high molecular weight-PAHs in this region indicated that petroleum combustion, vehicle emission and low-temperature combustion might be the major contributions of PAH source. To examine the POPs distillation, the analyte concentrations were correlated with altitude. The more volatile OCPs, alpha-HCH, gamma-HCH, aldrin and alpha-endosulfan positively correlated with altitude, however, less volatile OCPs (DDT and DDD) inversely related with elevation. Almost all PAHs detected in this area showed positive correlations with altitude. It is worthy to note that heavy PAHs (Benzo[k] fluoranthene and Benzo[a]anthracene) displayed positive correlation, which implied the sources of PAHs were near the sampling sites. The distillation of POPs was strongly affected by the proximity between sampling sites and contaminant sources. If the contaminant sources are close to the mountains, it may be the dominant factor that controls the concentration gradient.

Design, synthesis, and activity study of α-conotoxin A10LPnIA fluorescent probe / 药学学报

italic>α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous systems, and is closely related to a variety of neurological diseases and inflammation response. α-Conotoxin [A10L]PnIA, as an antagonist targeting α7 nAChR, plays an important role in studying the physiological and pathological processes involved in α7 nAChR. [A10L]PnIA was labeled with fluorescein 5-carboxytetramethylrhodamine, and the active peptide ([A10L]PnIA-F) was obtained by a two-step oxidative folding procedure in vitro. The Xenopus oocyte expression system and the two-electrode voltage clamp technique were used to identify the potency of [A10L]PnIA-F fluorescent peptide, and its cytotoxicity was detected by mouse macrophages and CCK8 method. The molecular weight of [A10L]PnIA-F fluorescent peptide was identified by mass spectrometry as 2 077.28 Da, which was consistent with the theoretical value. Electrophysiological determination of its half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for α7 nAChR is 17.32 nmol·L-1, which is consistent with [A10L]PnIA (IC50, 13.84 nmol·L-1). The cytotoxicity test results showed that within the concentration range of 5 nmol·L-1 to 10 μmol·L-1, there was no significant inhibition on the growth of mouse macrophages. The results showed that the α-conotoxin fluorescent probe [A10L]PnIA could provide pharmacological tools for the research of α7 nAChR-related neurophysiological and pathological mechanisms.

Expression of Twist1, SIRT1, FGF2 and TGF-β3 genes and its regulatory effect on the proliferation of placenta, umbilical cord and dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the mRNA level of cell proliferation-related genes Twist1, SIRT1, FGF2 and TGF-β3 in placenta mesenchymal stem cells (PA-MSCs), umbilical cord mensenchymals (UC-MSCs) and dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells (DP-MSCs).@*METHODS@#The morphology of various passages of PA-MSCs, UC-MSCs and DP-MSCs were observed by microscopy. Proliferation and promoting ability of the three cell lines were detected with the MTT method. Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) was used to determine the mRNA levels of Twist1, SIRT1, FGF2, TGF-β3.@*RESULTS@#The morphology of UC-MSCs and DP-MSCs was different from that of PA-MSCs. Proliferation ability and promoting ability of the PA-MSCs was superior to that of UC-MSCs and DP-MSCs. In PA-MSCs, expression level of Twist1 and TGF-β3 was the highest and FGF2 was the lowest. SIRT1 was highly expressed in UC-MSCs. With the cell subcultured, different expression levels of Twist1, SIRT1, FGF2, TGF-β3 was observed in PA-MSCs, UC-MSCs and DP-MSCs.@*CONCLUSION@#Up-regulated expression of the Twist1, SIRT1 and TGF-β3 genes can promote proliferation of PA-MSCs, UC-MSCs and DP-MSCs, whilst TGF-β3 may inhibit these. The regulatory effect of Twist1, SIRT1, FGF2 and TGF-β3 genes on PA-MSCs, UC-MSCs and DP-MSCs are different.

Optic disc drusen: a review / 中华眼底病杂志

Optic disc drusen (ODD) is an acellular deposit located in front of the cribriform of the optic disc. ODD has been much underdiagnosed due to few obvious clinical symptoms. These clinical symptoms are easily confused with optic disc edema caused by systemic high-risk diseases. The current mainstream view is that optic nerve fiber axon metabolism is disordered, leading to intracellular mitochondrial calcification. After axon chronic disintegration, calcified mitochondria continuously release outside the cell, resulting in a much higher concentration of extracellular calcium than inside the cell. The continuous deposit and accumulation of extracellular calcification fuse to small calcified corpuscles, which lead to ODD formation. OCT enhanced deep imaging can detect ODD sensitively, and its image feature is a weak reflection core completely or partially surrounded by a strong reflection edge. ODD is one of the common causes for optic disc crowding. During adolescence, the accumulating calcified bodies buried in the deep optic disc gradually extrude and migrate to the superficial optic disc, which turn into superficial ODD. As a consequence, part of these ODD patients rapidly progress during adolescence and generally become stable in adulthood with anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, or other vascular complications.

Analysis of the attitude and behavior in research of the stomatological professional postgraduates / 中华医学科研管理杂志

Objective:To explore the attitude and behavior of scientific research in professional postgraduates majoring in stomatology in Peking University, proposing suggestions to improve the quality of scientific research training.Methods:150 professional postgraduates of stomatology including the 8-year program stomatological students (the postgraduate stage) of Peking University School of Stomatology were involved in the survey, information including the types of and attitudes to scientific research, the evaluation of research environments, the understanding of the relationship with their mentors, and the expected working institutions after graduation was collected by questionnaires.Results:A total number of 131 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective rate of 87.3%. In terms of the type of research work, 70 (53.4%) were engaged in basic research and 30 (22.9%) in clinical research. In terms of attitudes towards scientific research training, 69 (52.7%) respondents agreed that scientific research and clinical practice promoted each other. The Likert scores of scientific research interest, ability, and pressure were 3.13 ± 0.84, 3.04 ± 0.84, and 4.14±0.71. The evaluation of laboratory conditions (3.30±0.92), scientific research funding (3.54±1.06), scientific research atmosphere (3.89±0.85), and reward and punishment mechanisms (3.82±0.76) were positive. The evaluations of scientific research training courses (2.89±0.88) and scientific training time (2.79±0.94) were negative. The average score of the rapport level between postgraduates and their mentors was 4.29±0.77, and 111 respondents (84.7%) had a correct understanding of the guiding relationship. Sixty-six respondents (50.4%) expected to engage in clinical and scientific research in stomatological schools and 61 (46.6%) expected to engage in clinical work only, after graduation.Conclusions:The scientific research for graduate students of stomatology in Peking University is mainly basic research, and the research pressure is relatively high. It is recommended to choose research topics in combination with clinical practice, clarify the significance of scientific research, optimize the scientific research environment and facilities, strengthen the tailored guidance of mentors, and to fulfill the " holistic training (Three All-round Education)" in professional postgraduate training.

Effect of cryptotanshinone on ferroptosis-related gene expression in lung cancer cells / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effects of cryptotanshinone on cell viability Aim To investigate the effects of cryptotanshinone on cell viability and ferroptosis-related gene expression in A549 and A549/DDP cells, and to explore its possible mechanisms. Methods A549 and A549/DDP cells were treated with different concentrations of CTS. Cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay. The mRNA levels of TFR1, DMT1, IREB2, HSPB1, VDAC2, VDAC3 and GPX4 were measured by qPCR, and the protein levels of TFR1 were measured by Western blot. Results The cell viability was down-regulated by CTS in A549 and A549/DDP cells, while the cisplatin-resistant A549/DDP cells were more susceptible to CTS. After CTS treatment, the mRNA levels of ferroptosis-related genes showed different degrees of change. The mRNA levels of HSPB1 and GPX4 increased in A 5 4 9 cells , of which the mRNA levels of IREB2, VDAC2 and VDAC3 were reduced and the mRNA levels of TFR1 and DMT1 exhibited no significant change. The mRNA levels of TFR1 and IREB2 increased in A549/DDP cells, while the mRNA levels of VDAC3 decreased, and the expression levels of DMT1, HSPB1, VDAC2 and GPX4 did not changesignificantly. Conclusions Cryptotanshinone may inhibit the proliferation of lung cancer A549 and A549/DDP cells, and affect the expression of ferroptosis-re-lated genes.

Mercury distribution in the foliage and soil profiles of the Tibetan forest: processes and implications for regional cycling.

Remote forests are considered a pool of Mercury (Hg) in the global Hg cycle. However, notably few studies have investigated the fate of Hg in the Tibetan forest. In this study, fifty-two foliage samples and seven litter/soil profiles were collected throughout the Tibetan forest. The concentrations of total Hg (THg) in foliage were positively correlated with longitude and negatively correlated with altitude, indicating that the emission of Hg is expected to decrease with increasing distance from emission sources to the Tibetan forest. The deposition flux of THg in the Tibetan forest (with an air-to-forest ground flux of 9.2 µg/m(2)/year) is ∼2 times the flux in clearings, which is suggestive of enhanced Hg deposition by the forest. The depositional Hg is eventually stored in the forest soil, and the soil acts as a net 'sink' for Hg.

Atmospheric transport and accumulation of organochlorine compounds on the southern slopes of the Himalayas, Nepal.

Studies have been devoted to the transport and accumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in mountain environments. The Himalayas have the widest altitude gradient of any mountain range, but few studies examining the environmental behavior of POPs have been performed in the Himalayas. In this study, air, soil, and leaf samples were collected along a transect on the southern slope of the Himalayas, Nepal (altitude: 135-5100 m). Local emission occurred in the lowlands, and POPs were transported by uplift along the slope. During the atmospheric transport, the HCB proportion increased from the lowlands (20%) to high elevation (>50%), whereas the proportions of DDTs decreased. The largest residue of soil POPs appeared at an altitude of approximately 2500 m, and may be related to absorption by vegetation and precipitation. The net deposition tendencies at the air-soil surface indicated that the Himalayas may be a 'sink' for DDTs and PCBs.

The blood lead level and its relationship with behavior in school-age children from rural areas of Chongqing / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective@#To explore the blood lead level and its relationship with behavior in school-age children from rural areas of Chongqing.@*Methods@#A total of 697 students from grades 3 to 6 in the fall semester of 2014 from 14 rural townships in one district of Chongqing was selected by using the random cluster sampling method. Blood were sampled to analyze the lead level. Neurobehavioral tests were performed to determine their personal cognitive and memory ability. Questionnaires and physical examinations were administered to obtain the information of confounding factors. All students were divided into Q1-Q4 groups according to the quartile of their blood lead level. The relationship between the blood lead level and behavior was analyzed by multivariate logistic regression model and restricted spline regression model.@*Results@#The mean age of 697 students was (10.07±1.36) years old, and the median (interquartile range) of their blood lead level was 44.31 (35.42) μg/L. Multivariate logistic regression model showed that after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index and maternal culture level, compared with Q1 group, the OR (95%CI) values of high digit symbol substitution test (DSST) scores and high overall memory quotient (MQ) scores in Q3 group were 1.65 (1.01-2.70) and 2.10 (1.21-3.62), and the OR (95%CI) value of high long term memory (LTM) scores in Q4 group was 0.53 (0.31-0.92). The results of the restricted spline regression model showed that the dose-response curves between the blood lead level and MQ/LTM test scores were both parabolic (P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#The blood lead level of school-age children from rural areas of Chongqing is the same as that from other areas of China, but slightly higher than that from other areas of Chongqing. Children with higher blood lead level have poor long-term memory ability.

Persistent organic pollutants in the Tibetan surface soil: spatial distribution, air-soil exchange and implications for global cycling.

There are limited data on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the soils of the Tibetan Plateau. This paper presents data from a survey of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in 40 background surface (0-5 cm) soils of the Tibetan Plateau. Soil concentrations (pg/g, dw) ranged as follows: DDTs, 13-7700; HCHs, 64-847; HCB, 24-564; sum of 15 PCBs, 75-1021; and sum of 9 PBDEs, below detection limit -27. Soil DDT, HCB, PCB and PBDE concentrations were strongly influenced by soil organic carbon content. HCH concentrations were clearly associated with the proximity to source regions in south Asia. The air-soil equilibrium status of POPs suggested the Tibetan soils may be partial "secondary sources" of HCB, low molecular weight PCBs and HCHs and will likely continue to be "sinks" for the less volatile DDE and DDT.

The association between aflatoxin exposure and primary hepatocellular carcinoma risks: a case-control study in Chongqing / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the association between aflatoxin exposure and primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) development.@*Methods@#From December 2013 to May 2016, we selected 214 patients newly diagnosed with PHC as cases, and 214 patients as controls from three hospitals in Chongqing. Cases were confirmed with PHC diagnosis standard. And cases caused by clear reasons such as drug-induced liver injury, alcoholic liver damage, fatty liver and gallstones etiology, were excluded. Controls were included with no cancer and no digestive system disease, and recruited simultaneously with cases. Cases and controls were frequency-matched (1∶1) by same gender and age (±3 years). Peripheral blood and random urine samples were collected and analyzed for serum HBsAg status by biochemistry analyzer, and serum AFB1-ALB adduct and urinary AFB1-N7-GUA adduct by ELISA. Basic information, living habits and history of disease for patients were obtained by questionnaires. We used wilcoxon rank sum test to compare the median of serum AFB1-ALB adduct and urinary AFB1-N7-GUA adduct in cases and controls. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess risk factors for PHC, and synergism index (S) of aflatoxin with other factors was estimated by the method of Andersson.@*Results@#There was no significant difference in age between PHC cases (50.74±9.67) years and controls (51.15±9.90) years. Logistic regression showed that the odds ratio of HBV infection for PHC development was 46.3 (95% CI: 23.3-88.0). There was a significant difference in median concentrations of serum AFB1-ALB adduct (cases vs controls: 146.23 vs 74.42 ng/g albumin, P<0.001), but no difference in median concentrations of urinary AFB1-N7-GUA adduct was observed (cases vs controls: 0.17 vs 0.14 ng/mg creatinine, P<0.210). The odd ratios for PHC risk after adjustment were 1.9 (95%CI: 1.1-3.4) for AFB1-ALB adduct, and 2.1 (95%CI: 1.0-4.2) for AFB1-N7-GUA adduct. Moreover, we observed a positive interaction of aflatoxin exposure with HBV, alcohol drinking, and diabetes. The S was 4.7 (95%CI: 2.8-7.9), 3.5 (95%CI: 1.0-12.0), and 12.4 (95%CI: 1.8-84.2), respectively for serum AFB1-ALB adduct with each of the three factors mentioned, and was 1.9 (95%CI:1.1-3.1), 2.0 (95%CI: 1.1-3.6), and 2.0 (95%CI: 1.1-3.6), respectively for urinary AFB1-N7-GUA adduct with each of the three factors mentioned.@*Conclusion@#HBV was still the main risk factor, and AFB1 exposure was also an independent risk factor for PHC in Chongqing. There was a positive interaction of aflatoxin with HBV, alcohol drinking, and diabetes.