Identification and experimental validation of KMO as a critical immune-associated mitochondrial gene in unstable atherosclerotic plaque.

BACKGROUND: The heightened risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events is associated with the increased instability of atherosclerotic plaques. However, the lack of effective diagnostic biomarkers has impeded the assessment of plaque instability currently. This study was aimed to investigate and identify hub genes associated with unstable plaques through the integration of various bioinformatics tools, providing novel insights into the detection and treatment of this condition. METHODS: Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) combined with two machine learning methods were used to identify hub genes strongly associated with plaque instability. The cell-type identification by estimating relative subsets of RNA transcripts (CIBERSORT) method was utilized to assess immune cell infiltration patterns in atherosclerosis patients. Additionally, Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) was conducted to investigate the potential biological functions, pathways, and mechanisms of hub genes associated with unstable plaques. To further validate the diagnostic efficiency and expression of the hub genes, immunohistochemistry (IHC), quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were performed on collected human carotid plaque and blood samples. Immunofluorescence co-staining was also utilized to confirm the association between hub genes and immune cells, as well as their colocalization with mitochondria. RESULTS: The CIBERSORT analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in the infiltration of CD8 T cells and an obvious increase in the infiltration of M0 macrophages in patients with atherosclerosis. Subsequently, two highly relevant modules (blue and green) strongly associated with atherosclerotic plaque instability were identified. Through intersection with mitochondria-related genes, 50 crucial genes were identified. Further analysis employing least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression and support vector machine recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) algorithms revealed six hub genes significantly associated with plaque instability. Among them, NT5DC3, ACADL, SLC25A4, ALDH1B1, and MAOB exhibited positive correlations with CD8 T cells and negative correlations with M0 macrophages, while kynurenine 3-monooxygenas (KMO) demonstrated a positive correlation with M0 macrophages and a negative correlation with CD8 T cells. IHC and RT-qPCR analyses of human carotid plaque samples, as well as ELISA analyses of blood samples, revealed significant upregulation of KMO and MAOB expression, along with decreased ALDH1B1 expression, in both stable and unstable samples compared to the control samples. However, among the three key genes mentioned above, only KMO showed a significant increase in expression in unstable plaque samples compared to stable plaque samples. Furthermore, the expression patterns of KMO in human carotid unstable plaque tissues and cultured mouse macrophage cell lines were assessed using immunofluorescence co-staining techniques. Finally, lentivirus-mediated KMO silencing was successfully transduced into the aortas of high-fat-fed ApoE-/- mice, with results indicating that KMO silencing attenuated plaque formation and promoted plaque stability in ApoE-/- mice. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that KMO, a mitochondria-targeted gene associated with macrophage cells, holds promise as a valuable diagnostic biomarker for assessing the instability of atherosclerotic plaques.

[Changes in pulmonary function in infants and young children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes in pulmonary function in infants and young children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP). METHODS: A total of 196 hospitalized children (at age of 0-36 months) who were diagnosed with MPP from January 2014 to June 2018 were enrolled as study subjects. A total of 208 children (at age of 0-36 months) with pneumonia not caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection during the same period of time were enrolled as controls (non-MPP group). A retrospective analysis was performed for their clinical data. The two groups were compared in the pulmonary function on the next day after admission and on the day of discharge. The children with MPP were followed up to observe pulmonary function at weeks 2 and 4 after discharge. RESULTS: Compared with the non-MPP group, the MPP group had significant reductions in the ratio of time to peak tidal expiratory flow to total expiratory time (TPTEF/TE), ratio of volume to peak tidal expiratory flow to total expiratory volume (VPTEF/VE), inspiratory-to-expiratory time ratio, and tidal expiratory flow at 25% remaining expiration on the next day after admission and on the day of discharge (P<0.05). In addition there were significant increases in the ratio of peak tidal expiratory flow to tidal expiratory flow at 25% remaining expiration, respiratory rate, effective airway resistance, and plethysmographic functional residual capacity per kilogram (P<0.05). Compared with the normal reference values of pulmonary function parameters, both groups had reductions in VPTEF/VE and TPTEF/TE on the next day after admission; on the day of discharge, the MPP group still had reductions in VPTEF/VE and TPTEF/TE, while the non-MPP group had normal values. The MPP group had increases in VPTEF/VE and TPTEF/TE from the day of discharge to weeks 2 and 4 after discharge (P<0.05), but TPTEF/TE still did not reach the normal value at week 4 after discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Airway obstruction is observed in infants and young children with acute MPP or non-MPP, and the children with MPP have a higher severity of airway obstruction and a longer time for improvement, with a certain degree of airway limitation in the recovery stage.

Protective effects and mechanisms of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid on intestinal injury and macrophage polarization in peritoneal dialysis rats.

AIM: This study was conducted to investigate the chronic injury of peritoneal glucose injection on the peritoneum and intestine and the protective effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-3PUFA) during peritoneal dialysis (PD). METHODS: Peritoneal dialysis animal models were established by intraperitoneal injection of 4.25% glucose for 28 days. Protein expression in ileum and peritoneum was measured by immunofloresence and immunohistochemistry. Protein expression in macrophages was measured by Western blot. Fibrosis was analyzed by Masson staining. RESULTS: Peritoneal dialysis significantly increased the structural injury and decreased junction-related protein ZO-1 and occludin expression in ileum, the expression of proteins relating to the activation of M2 (Erg2, IRF4), but not M1 (CD38, IRF5) macrophages. PD significantly increased the expression of TGF-ß1, VEGF and ALK5 protein in peritoneal tissues. PD significantly increased fibrosis (Masson staining) and the expression of fibroblast marker α-SMA in peritoneal tissues. Injection of macrophage clean reagent and ω-3PUFA significantly inhibited M2 activation, and decreased Masson staining, α-SMA, TGF-ß1, VEGF and ALK5 protein expression in peritoneal tissues in PD treated rats. ω-3PUFA injection significantly decreased PD-induced injury in ileum and normalized the expression of ZO-1 and occludin in the ileum of PD rats. CONCLUSION: Omega-3 fatty acids can provide a protective role on PD-induced peritoneal fibrosis and injury of the intestine.

[Readmission of children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia in the first 2 years of life: a clinical analysis of 121 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features of readmitted children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in the first 2 years of life. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 242 children with BPD who were readmitted due to recurrent lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in the first 2 years of life. RESULTS: Among all the 242 children with BPD, 115(47.5%) had wheezing, and the children aged 1-2 years had a significantly higher incidence rate of wheezing than those aged less than 1 year (P<0.05). Chest imaging was performed for 193 children, among whom 31 (16.1%) had hyperlucent areas. Pulmonary function examination showed that the BPD children had significantly lower TV/kg, TPEF/TE, VPEF/VE, TEF50 and TEF75, and significantly higher respiratory rate than the controls without respiratory disease (P<0.05). Bronchoscopy was performed for 28 children, among whom 21 (75%) had airway dysplasia. All the 242 children used inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and experienced no treatment-related adverse reactions. Six children were given intravenous infusion of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) and experienced no infusion-related events or adverse reactions, among whom one child successfully stopped oxygen therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence rate of wheezing increases with the increase in age in children with BPD who are readmitted due to LRTI. Pulmonary function examination shows small airway obstruction, reduced expiratory flow rate in case of low lung capacity, and increased respiratory rate, and most children have airway dysplasia. ICS can be used to inhibit inflammatory response in the acute stage. Infusion of hUCB-MSCs is safe and feasible and may bring some benefits to the recovery from BPD.

[Expression of BMP2/Smad1/Runx2 Signal Pathway in Renal Artery of Rat with Vascular Calcification].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the activation and its role of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2)/Smad1/Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) signal pathway in renal artery of rat models with vascular calcification. METHODS: Twenty four male SD rats were randomly divided into control group and calcification group. Rat vascular calcification model was constructed by administration of vitamin D3 plus nicotine. Vascular calcification was confirmed by Von Kossa staining and calcium content was detected by calcium assay. Real time-PCR was applied to detect the expression of BMP2, Smad1, Runx2 mRNA, and immunohistochemistry was used to measure the protein levels of BMP2, Smad1, Runx2, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). RESULTS: Von Kossa staining showed a large number of black granules deposited in renal artery. Calcium content in calcification group was significantly higher than that in normal group. Compared with the control group, the expressions of BMP2, Smad1 and Runx2 mRNA in renal artery were increased in calcification group. The protein levels of BMP2, Smad1 and Runx2 were higher while the expression of α-SMA was lower in calcification group than those in control group. The correlation analysis was found a positivie correlation between the calcium content and BMP2 mRNA (r = 0.655, P < 0.05), Smad1 mRNA (r = 0.735, P < 0.05), Runx2 mRNA (r = 0.734, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The expression of BMP2/Smad1/Runx2 signal pathway was strongly correlated with the severity of vascular calcification, which may be involved in the occurrence and development of vascular calcification.

[Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Estimation Models for Pasture Quality].

Crude protein (CP), crude fat (CFA) and crude fiber (CFI) are key indicators for evaluation of the quality and feeding value of pasture. Hence, identification of these biological contents is an essential practice for animal husbandry. As current approaches to pasture quality estimation are time-consuming and costly, and even generate hazardous waste, a real-time and non-destructive method is therefore developed in this study using pasture canopy hyperspectral data. A field campaign was carried out in August 2013 around Qinghai Lake in order to obtain field spectral properties of 19 types of natural pasture using the ASD Field Spec 3, a field spectrometer that works in the optical region (350-2 500 nm) of the electromagnetic spectrum. In additional to the spectral data, pasture samples were also collected from the field and examined in laboratory to measure the relative concentration of CP (%), CFA (%) and CFI (%). After spectral denoising and smoothing, the relationship of pasture quality parameters with the reflectance spectrum, the first derivatives of reflectance (FDR), band ratio and the wavelet coefficients (WCs) was analyzed respectively. The concentration of CP, CFA and CFI of pasture was found closely correlated with FDR with wavebands centered at 424, 1 668, and 918 nm as well as with the low-scale (scale = 2, 4) Morlet, Coiflets and Gassian WCs. Accordingly, the linear, exponential, and polynomial equations between each pasture variable and FDR or WCs were developed. Validation of the developed equations indicated that the polynomial model with an independent variable of Coiflets WCs (scale = 4, wavelength =1 209 nm), the polynomial model with an independent variable of FDR, and the exponential model with an independent variable of FDR were the optimal model for prediction of concentration of CP, CFA and CFI of pasture, respectively. The R2 of the pasture quality estimation models was between 0.646 and 0.762 at the 0.01 significance level. Results suggest that the first derivatives or the wavelet coefficients of hyperspectral reflectance in visible and near-infrared regions can be used for pasture quality estimation, and that it will provide a basis for real-time prediction of pasture quality using remote sensing techniques.

[Significance of exhaled nitric oxide measurement in remitting childhood asthma with concurrent remitting rhinitis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of exhaled nitric oxide in the severity evaluation of asthmatic children with remitting rhinitis. METHODS: A total of 214 asthmatic children were randomly allocated to a untreated control and a conventional treatment group. Patients in each of the two subclasses were classified as asthma with concurrent rhinitis and asthma without concurrent rhinitis. Values of the 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (PC20FEV1) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were measured. RESULTS: The PC20FEV1 level was significantly higher in untreated asthma patients without rhinitis than in those with concurrent rhinitis (P<0.05), while FeNO was not significantly different between these two groups (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in both FeNO and PC20FEV1 between treated asthma patients with and without concurrent rhinitis (P>0.05). PC20FEV1 was significantly increased (P<0.05) but FeNO was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in asthma patients with concurrent rhinitis after conventional treatment. In asthmatic children without concurrent rhinitis, treatment significantly decreased the level of FeNO (P<0.05) but had not effect on PC20FEV1 (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Exhaled nitric oxide measurement may be useful in the severity evaluation of asthmatic children with remitting rhinitis.

Establishment and validation of a predictive nomogram for severe pleural effusion in liver cancer patients after hepatectomy.

This study aims to develop and validate a predictive nomogram for severe postoperative pleural effusion (SPOPE) in patients undergoing hepatectomy for liver cancer. A total of 536 liver cancer patients who underwent hepatectomy at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery I of the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2022, were enrolled in a retrospective observational study and comprised the training dataset. Lasso regression and logistic regression analyses were employed to construct a predictive nomogram. The nomogram was internally validated using Bootstrapping and externally validated with a dataset of 203 patients who underwent liver cancer resection at the Department of General Surgery III of the same hospital from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022. We evaluated the nomogram using the receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis. Variables such as drinking history, postoperative serum albumin, postoperative total bilirubin, right hepatectomy, diaphragm incision, and intraoperative blood loss were observed to be associated with SPOPE. These factors were integrated into our nomogram. The C-index of the nomogram was 0.736 (95% CI: 0.692-0.781) in the training set and 0.916 (95% CI: 0.872-0.961) in the validation set. The nomogram was then evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis. The nomogram demonstrates good discriminative ability, calibration, and clinical utility.

Effects of heat-inactivated Lactobacillus gasseri TMC0356 on metabolic characteristics and immunity of rats with the metabolic syndrome.

The present study investigated the potential health-promoting effects of heat-inactivated Lactobacillus gasseri TMC0356 (TMC0356) on the metabolic syndrome (MS) and the probable mechanisms underlying these effects using an MS rat model. For the purpose of the study, sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: a control group fed a conventional diet, an MS model group fed a high-fat and high-salt (HFS) diet and three TMC0356 test groups (low-, medium- and high-dose groups) fed an HFS diet supplemented with TMC0356 at 41.8, 83.5 and 167.0 mg/kg body weight (BW) per d, respectively. Food intake and BW were measured weekly. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profiles and blood pressure (BP) were measured at 0, 5, 10 and 15 weeks. Organ coefficients, immune cell counts and serum insulin, adiponectin, C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6, TNF-α, IgG and secretory IgA levels were measured at the 15th week after diet intervention. The HFS diet increased the BW, liver or fat:BW ratio, FBG, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, adiponectin, serum LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol levels and BP (P< 0.01). Average food and energy intakes in the three TMC0356 groups were significantly lower than those of the MS model group. All the metabolic indices, except BP, were markedly improved (P< 0.05) by oral administration of low and medium doses of TMC0356. The thymus index in the medium-dose group and lymphocyte, CRP, IL-6, TNF-α and IgG levels in all the three TMC0356 groups were significantly increased (P< 0.05 or P< 0.01) compared with those in the MS model group. These results suggest that TMC0356 can improve the metabolic characteristics of MS rats by suppressing appetite. Additionally, the enhancement of inflammatory immune response may be, at least in part, the mechanism underlying the health-promoting effects of TMC0356 on the MS.

Floating Mat Formation Makes Zizania latifolia More Competitive under the Conditions of Continuous Significant Water Level Rise.

Water level rise is considered an environmental filter for the growth and reproduction of aquatic plants in lakes. Some emergent macrophytes can form floating mats, enabling them to escape from the negative effects of deep water. However, an understanding of which species can be uprooted and form floating mats easily and what factors affect these tendencies remains greatly elusive. We conducted an experiment to determine whether the monodominance of Zizania latifolia in the emergent vegetation community in Lake Erhai was related to its floating mat formation ability and to try to find the reasons for its floating mat formation ability during the continuous increase in water level over the past few decades. Our results showed that both the frequency and biomass proportion of Z. latifolia were greater among the plants on the floating mats. Furthermore, Z. latifolia was more likely to be uprooted than the other three previously dominant emergent species due to its smaller angle between the plant and the horizontal plane, rather than the root:shoot or volume:mass ratios. The dominance of Z. latifolia in the emergent community in Lake Erhai is due to its easier ability to become uprooted, allowing it to outperform other emergent species and become the single dominant emergent species under the environmental filter of deep water. The ability to uproot and form floating mats may be a competitive survival strategy for emergent species under the conditions of continuous significant water level rise.

Gastrodia elata and parishin ameliorate aging induced 'leaky gut' in mice: Correlation with gut microbiota.

BACKGROUND: The aging-induced decrease in intestinal barrier function contributes to many age-related diseases. Studies on preventive measures for "leaky gut" may help improve the quality of life of geriatric patients. The potent anti-aging effect of Gastrodia elata and parishin, which is one of its active ingredients, has been reported previously. However, their effects on the gut remain elusive, and the effect of parishin on mammals has not been studied. METHODS: We used quantitative RT-PCR, western blotting, immunohistochemical analysis, and 16S rRNA sequencing to investigate the effect of G. elata and parishin on the intestinal barrier function of D-Gal-induced aging mice. RESULTS: G. elata and parishin prevented the decrease in tight junction protein (TJP) expression and morphological changes, modulated the composition of fecal microbiota to a healthier state, and reversed the translocation of microbial toxins and systemic inflammation. The correlation analyses showed that TJP expression and systemic inflammation were significantly positively or negatively correlated with the composition of fecal microbiota after G. elata and parishin administration. Additionally, TJP expression was also correlated with systemic inflammation. Moreover, G. elata and parishin administration reversed the decreased or increased expression of aging-related biomarkers, such as FOXO3a, SIRT1, CASPASE3 and P21, in the gut. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that G. elata and parishin could prevent gut aging and ameliorate the "leaky gut" of aged mice and that the underlying mechanism is related to the mutual correlations among barrier function, fecal microbiota composition, and inflammation.

Guanylate binding protein 5 accelerates gastric cancer progression via the JAK1-STAT1/GBP5/CXCL8 positive feedback loop.

Guanylate binding protein 5 (GBP5) is a member of the interferon (IFN)-inducible large guanosine triphosphate hydrolases (GTPase) family that regulates cell-autonomous immunity and malignant tumor transformation. However, its specific roles and underlying mechanisms GBP5 in gastric cancer (GC) remain unknown. In this study, we aimed to determine the role GBP5 and underlying mechanism of GBP5 in GC cell progression. Potential oncogenic roles of GBP5 in GC as well as its relationship with the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) were comprehensively evaluated using bioinformatics analysis. Protein expression levels of GBP5 and their correlation with clinicopathological features of patients were assessed using immunohistochemistry. In addition, diverse in vitro functional experiments were performed to identify the functions of GBP5 in GC. Downstream targets of GBP5 were identified using RNA-sequencing analysis and verified using western blotting or quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis in different cell lines. GBP5 expression is commonly upregulated and promotes the proliferation and migration of GC cells. Mechanistically, GBP5 was regulated by the IFNγ-Janus kinase (JAK1)-signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) axis and induced CXCL8 expression. Interestingly, GBP5-induced CXCL8 regulated the JAK1-STAT1 signaling pathway to form a positive feedback loop. Moreover, GBP5 is closely related to the TIME and may be used as a biomarker for predicting the efficacy of immunotherapy. Our findings revealed a new JAK1-STAT1/GBP5/CXCL8 pathway and highlighted the value of GBP5 as a predictive biomarker and novel target for GC intervention.

Metavirome of 31 tick species provides a compendium of 1,801 RNA virus genomes.

The increasing prevalence and expanding distribution of tick-borne viruses globally have raised health concerns, but the full repertoire of the tick virome has not been assessed. We sequenced the meta-transcriptomes of 31 different tick species in the Ixodidae and Argasidae families from across mainland China, and identified 724 RNA viruses with distinctive virome compositions among genera. A total of 1,801 assembled and complete or nearly complete viral genomes revealed an extensive diversity of genome architectures of tick-associated viruses, highlighting ticks as a reservoir of RNA viruses. We examined the phylogenies of different virus families to investigate virome evolution and found that the most diverse tick-associated viruses are positive-strand RNA virus families that demonstrate more ancient divergence than other arboviruses. Tick-specific viruses are often associated with only a few tick species, whereas virus clades that can infect vertebrates are found in a wider range of tick species. We hypothesize that tick viruses can exhibit both 'specialist' and 'generalist' evolutionary trends. We hope that our virome dataset will enable much-needed research on vertebrate-pathogenic tick-associated viruses.

The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and its association with lifestyle/dietary habits among university faculty and staff in Chengdu.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in different university categories and its association with lifestyle/dietary habits. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 9 378 faculty members and staff who participated in an annual health checkup at three universities selected by random cluster sampling. Demographic, anthropometric, biochemical indices and abdominal ultrasound measurements were collected. A nested case-control study was conducted with 200 NAFLD cases and 200 controls matched by gender, age (±3 years), and university. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of NAFLD was 10.3% (13.7% in males and 6.8% in females). The prevalence was significantly higher in the science and engineering university (22.1%) than in the comprehensive universities with (6.4%) and without (10.9%) medical colleges. Obesity/overweight, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and family history of NAFLD were independently associated with higher risk of NAFLD, as were frequent consumption of desserts and salty/spicy foods. Using nutritional supplements was a protective factor against NAFLD. Intake of coarse cereals, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, and milk was significantly lower, and intake of red meat, viscera, candies and pastries, cooking oil, and total energy was significantly higher in participants with NAFLD than in controls. CONCLUSION: Science and engineering university faculty and staff are key targets for NAFLD prevention. NAFLD is closely associated with age, gender, university type, metabolic diseases, and lifestyle/dietary habits.

[Effects of selenium and zinc on the proliferation of human esophageal cancer cell line studied by serophysiology].

OBJECTIVE: The effect of serum from rats supplemented with selenium and zinc on the proliferation of human esophageal cancer cell line Eca109 was observed by serophysiology. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into seven groups. Eight rats in each group were fed with basic feeds (deprived of both selenium and zinc). The experimental rat groups were supplemented with selenium or zinc at low or high dosage intragastrically for 30 days Serum selenium and zinc content of rats was measured by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GFAAS) and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (FAAS). MTT assay,3H-TDR incorporation and flow cytometry were used to explore the effect of serum from different rat groups on the growth and proliferation of cancer cell line Ecal09 cells. RESULTS: (1) The content of serum zinc in the high zinc group was the highest and the content of serum zinc was the lowest in basic diet group. The content of serum selenium in high selenium and high zinc group was the highest and the content of serum selenium was the lowest in the basic diet group. (2) In comparing the growth of control cancer cell group cultured with calf serum, the growth of cancer cells cultured with the serum from high selenium and high zinc rats was inhibited in culturing for 72 h, but the growth of normal liver cells were also inhibited. The growth of cancer cells were promoted by serum from other groups. (3) Both MTT assay and 3H-TDR incorporation test showed that the DNA synthesis in cancer cells was inhibited by the serum from high selenium and high zinc group, but the DNA synthesis of normal liver cells was also inhibited by this type of serum. The result of DNA synthesis in other cell groups was closed to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Low serum selenium and zinc might promote the growth of EC cell. Elevating the content of serum selenium and zinc by increasing selenium and zinc intake might inhibit EC cell proliferation.

[Case-control study of the relationship between children's moderate-severe asthma and development indicators].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between moderate-severe asthma and development in children. METHODS: A total of 389 children in the state of moderate-severe persistent asthma were enrolled, which were divided into moderate (226 cases) and severe group (163 cases). According to age, each group was divided into three groups: 3-year-old (85 cases and 63 cases), 5-year-old (76 cases and 52 cases) and 7 to 10 year-old (65 cases and 48 cases). Meanwhile, 298 healthy children in the same age group were enrolled as control, of which 3-year-old were 96 cases, 5-year-old were 92 cases and 7 to 10 year-old were 110 cases. Height, weight and lung function were measured respectively. RESULTS: 3-year-old of severe group, the value of height, the value of weight, the percentage of height, the percentage of weight, the SDS of height, the SDS of weight [(98.54 ± 7.75) cm, (14.87 ± 2.46) kg, 50.30% ± 16.31%, 50.27% ± 18.29%, 0.11 ± 0.66, 0.06 ± 0.49, respectively] were lower than the moderate group of the same age group ((103.58 ± 5.48) cm, (16.60 ± 2.21) kg, 65.80% ± 18.54%, 65.10% ± 18.92%, 0.46 ± 0.53, 0.45 ± 0.54, respectively) and the control group ((105.60 ± 6.29) cm, (17.82 ± 2.82) kg, 72.37% ± 11.37%, 71.92% ± 2.82%, 0.66 ± 0.62, 0.66 ± 0.52), the difference was significant (F values were 7.295, 8.034, 15.246, 10.745, 8.026, 10.864, respectively, P < 0.05).5-years of severe group, the value of height, the value of weight, the percentage of height, the percentage of weight, the SDS of height, the SDS of weight ((110.10 ± 7.36) cm, (18.76 ± 3.20) kg, 45.86% ± 18.92%, 41.69% ± 12.50%, -0.95 ± 0.42, -0.23 ± 0.34, respectively) were lower than the moderate group of the same age group ((117.76 ± 6.35) cm, (21.63 ± 2.75) kg, 61.81% ± 20.75%, 61.79% ± 18.92%, 0.36 ± 0.62, 0.38 ± 0.56) and the control group ((119.90 ± 5.78) cm, (22.80 ± 3.07) kg, 68.97% ± 18.59%, 66.27% ± 18.35%, 0.57 ± 0.65, 0.48 ± 0.63), the difference was significant (F values were 8.351, 7.864, 15.037, 13.921, 12.116, 11.725, respectively, P < 0.05).7 to 10 years-old of severe group, the value of height, the value of weight, the percentage of height, the percentage of weight, the SDS of height, the SDS of weight ((123.50 ± 9.52) cm, (23.82 ± 5.72) kg, 45.81% ± 15.51%, 42.63% ± 14.91%, -0.06 ± 0.48, -0.02 ± 0.61, respectively) were lower than the moderate group of the same age group ((129.1 ± 8.41) cm, (26.70 ± 5.72) kg, 66.84% ± 16.09%, 64.07% ± 18.58%, 0.48 ± 0.46, 0.42 ± 0.49) and the control group ((131.87 ± 7.71) cm, (28.06 ± 6.01) kg, 71.44% ± 12.70%, 69.64% ± 16.20%, 0.60 ± 0.43, 0.60 ± 0.51), the difference was significant(F values were 6.136, 6.678, 57.316, 37.893, 37.210, 34.152, respectively, P < 0.05). 3-, 5-, 7 to 10 year-old of moderate group, the value of height, the value of weight, the percentage of height, the percentage of weight, the SDS of height, the SDS of weight dropped compared to the control group of the same age, but no significant difference was found (t values were -2.008, -1.988, -1.810, -1.879, -1.713, -1.844, -1.904, -2.019, -1.605, -1.017, -1.411, -0.713, -1.881, -1.896, -1.746, -1.906, -1.523, -1.864, respectively, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The height and weight of children with severe asthma were lower than those of normal children or with moderate asthma.

[Energy zero balance study on the energy intake of healthy adults engaged in light physical activities in southern China].

OBJECTIVE: Using an energy zero balance method to investigate and analyze the level of dietary energy intake of healthy adults in southern China, in order to provide basic data for revising Chinese energy DRIs. METHODS: A total of 32 healthy adults engaged in light physical activities were recruited randomly. The food intake of each subject including meals and snacks was weighed and made records at same days intervals in a period of 2 month (covering Monday to Sunday of a week). The energy intake was calculated and adjusted with the change of body weight according to the energy balance principle. RESULTS: The average total energy intake of subjects in energy zero balance was (8.895 +/- 1.535) MJ/d, (10.070 +/- 1.150) MJ/d for male and (7.719 +/- 0.765) MJ/d for female. CONCLUSION: The energy intake of healthy adults at zero balance could be measured at same days intervals within a 2 month period. The method was convenient, economical, available and practicable.

[Energy expenditure of healthy adults engaged in light activities in Southern China measured by energy balance method].

OBJECTIVE: To measure the energy expenditure of healthy adults engaged in light activities in southern China, and to provide reference database for revising Chinese RNI. METHODS: Thirty four healthy adults eligible for the energy metabolic experiment were selected. A 3-day recycled dietary prescription was designed. The food intake of all foods per person per meal were weighed and recorded, and the energy intake from diets was determined by chemical analysis. The energy expenditure was calculated by combining the change of body weight and dietary consumption. RESULTS: The average energy intake was (8424 +/- 1616) kJ/d [(2013 +/- 386) kcal/d], which was (9990 +/- 798) kJ/d [(2388 +/- 191) kcal/d] for men and (7032 +/- 384)kJ/d [(1681 +/- 92) kcal/d] for women. The average change of body weight of all subjects in 16 days was reduced 0.02 kg, the men increased 0.15 kg, and the women decreased 0.17 kg. According to the energy balance principle, the ultimate energy expenditure of healthy adults in southern China was (8468 +/- 1762) kJ/d [(2024 +/- 421) kcal/d], the men was (9680 +/- 1759) kJ/d [(2314 +/- 420) kcal/d], and the women was (7391 +/- 827) kJ/d [(1767 +/- 198) kcal/d]. CONCLUSIONS: The energy expenditure of healthy adult male engaged in light activities in southern China was 9680 +/- 1759 kJ/d [(2314 +/- 420 kcal/d)], and that of female was 7391 +/- 827 kJ/d [(1767 +/- 198 kcal/d)]. The energy expenditure of men and women measured in this study were 86kcal and 333kcal lower than the Chinese energy RNI (2400kcal and 2100 kcal) established in 2000.

[Fluorescence characteristics of different chlorophyll a concentration in Lake Taihu].

The spectral reflectance and water qualities of 27 stations were acquired in the lake Taihu during the months from May to August, 2008 when blue algal bloomed. Based on the fluorescence characteristics analysis of different chlorophyll a concentration, it was obvious that the position and height of fluorescence peak both have a positive correlation with chlorophyll a concentration, and the correlation coefficients between chlorophyll a concentration and position and half width of fluorescence peak are larger than those of the reference baseline and the normalized height of fluorescence. Estimating of chlorophyll a concentration in case 2 water using fluorescence characteristics is obviously better than the empirical algorithm based on blue to green ratio. Moreover, the common algorithm based on near infrared band to red band ratio is essentially consistent with the normalized height method.

Effect of the prophylactic use of antibiotics on wound infection after cleft lip surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of preoperative prophylactic use of antibiotics on wound infection in patients with cleft lip. METHODS: Aretrospective study was conducted on the clinical data of 1 361 patients who underwent one-stage cleft lip repair in the Department of Cleft Lip and Palate in West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, from January 2015 to November 2018. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether prophylactic antibiotics were used or not. There were 594 patients in the prevention group, including 373 unilateral incomplete cleft lip (UICL) patients, 157 unilateral complete cleft lip (UCCL) patients, 25 bilateral incomplete cleft lip (BICL) patients, 39 bilateral complete cleft lip (BCCL) patients. There were 767 patients in the non-prophylactic group, including 482 UICL patients, 211 UCCL patients, 31 BICL patients, 43 BCCL patients. The relationship between preoperative and postoperative leukocyte count, preoperative and postoperative body temperature, and postoperative wound infection were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed in the leukocyte count and body temperature between both groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative prophylactic use of antibiotics has no significant effect on the incidence of postoperative infection in patients undergoing cleft lip repair.