[Effect of urinary Tamm-horsfall protein concentration changes under centrifugation and its association with urolithiasis formation in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the concentration changes of Tamm-Horsefall protein (THP) under centrifugation in rat urine and discuss its association with urolithiasis formation. METHODS: A total of 40 Wistar rats were divided randomly into 4 groups of flying with stone (A), flying without stone (B), stone without flying (C) and control (D). After centrifugation, the THP concentrations of each group were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Then urinary system was dissected, stained with hematoxylin & eosin and observed under electron microscopy to examine the distribution and number of each section. The SPSS 13.0 software was used for data analyses. RESULTS: Group A showed significant difference in THP concentrations with groups C and D ( (11 ± 4) vs (15 ± 6), (17 ± 4) ng/ml, P = 0.037 and 0.005).No statistically significant difference existed between groups A and B ((11 ± 5) ng/ml, P = 0.998) or groups C and D (P = 0.422). Group B had significant difference in THP concentrations with groups D (P = 0.036). Regarding the number of stones in ureter, Group A had statistically significant difference with B (P = 0.029).However, there was no difference in the number of bladder stones.In kidney stones, there was significant difference (P = 0.029) on "+ +" rating. CONCLUSION: Centrifugation may reduce the urinary concentration of THP so as cause urolithiasis formation in rats.

Relative peripheral refraction and its role in myopia onset in teenage students.

AIM: To characterize peripheral refraction and its relationship with myopia development in a selected group of male teenage Chinese students. METHODS: This 2-year prospective cohort study randomly enrolled 85 non-myopic boys (age, 14-16y) from the Experimental Class of Air Force in China. Cycloplegic peripheral refraction was examined at 0°, ±10°, and ±20° along the horizontal visual field in the right eye at the baseline and 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: The incidence of myopia at the 2-year follow-up was 15.29% (13/85). The baseline central refraction (CR) and peripheral refraction at ±10° were significantly lower in students who developed myopia than in those who did not (P<0.05). Relative peripheral refraction (RPR) did not differ between students with and without myopia (P>0.05). At the 2-year follow-up, the RPR at ±10° and 20° nasal was significantly more hyperopic in the myopic group than in the non-myopic group. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the change in CR was significantly correlated with the changes in RPR at 20° nasal, 10° nasal, and 20° temporal. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that the baseline CR [odds ratio (OR): 0.092, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.012-0.688, P=0.020] and the baseline RPR at 10° nasal (OR: 0.182, 95%CI: 0.042-0.799, P=0.024) were significantly correlated with incident myopia (Omnibus test, χ 2=10.20, P=0.006). CONCLUSION: CR change is significantly correlated with changes in RPR, and students who develop myopia have more relative peripheral hyperopia. More baseline CR and relative peripheral hyperopia at 10° nasal are protective of myopia onset.

Screening novel biomarkers for metabolic syndrome by profiling human plasma N-glycans in Chinese Han and Croatian populations.

N-glycans play an essential role in biological process and are associated with age, gender, and body mass parameters in Caucasian populations, whereas no study has been reported in Chinese populations. To investigate the correlation between N-glycan structures and metabolic syndrome (MetS) components, we conducted a population-based study in 212 Chinese Han individuals. The replication study was performed on 520 unrelated individuals from a Croatian island Korcula. The most prominent observation was the consistent positive correlations between different forms of triantennary glycans and negative correlations between glycans containing core-fucose with MetS components including BMI, SBP, DBP, and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) simultaneously. Significant differences in a number of N-glycan traits were also detected between normal and abnormal groups of BMI, BP, and FPG, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, the level of monosialylated glycans (structure loadings = -0.776) was the most correlated with the MetS related risk factors, especially with SBP (structure loadings = 0.907). Results presented here are showing that variations in the composition of the N-glycome in human plasma could represent the alternations of human metabolism and could be potential biomarkers of MetS.

Nonsuicidal self-injury in undergraduate students with major depressive disorder: The role of psychosocial factors.

BACKGROUND: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is related to childhood abuse, family relationships, interpersonal relationships, personality, but the interaction between them is still unclear, and how they interact in major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: Collected data from 444 undergraduate degree students with MDD participated. Used the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Interpersonal Relationship Comprehensive Diagnostic Scale, and Family Assessment Device to assess the patients' psychosocial factors. NSSI behavior was assessed through interviews. Use the Chi-square test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Kruskal-Wallis H-test, Distance Correlation, Structural Equation Mode for data analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 34.2% of patients with MDD had a history of NSSI. MDD patients with a history of NSSI had significant differences in psychoticism, neuroticism, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, troubles in conversation, ability to make friends and family roles. Among these factors, psychoticism was most related to NSSI, and child abuse, interpersonal relationships and family roles played a variety of roles in mediating the relationship with NSSI. CONCLUSIONS: Psychosocial factors affect the occurrence of NSSI through chain intermediary effects.

Relationships Between Haloes and Objective Visual Quality in Healthy Eyes.

Purpose: To determine the normal values and relationships between haloes and objective optical quality in healthy eyes. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, haloes, pupillary responses to light, and objective optical quality were measured with the optical quality analysis system (OQAS) and a vision monitor (MonCv3) in 138 right eyes of 138 healthy young men with mean spherical equivalent of 0.32 ± 0.47 D. Results: The mean disc halo size was 77.17 ± 25.03 arcmin. The mean objective optical quality values were as follows: objective scatter index (OSI), 0.58 ± 0.33; Strehl ratio (SR), 0.21 ± 0.05; modulation transfer function cutoff, 36.27 ± 7.98 cpd; OQAS value (OV)100%, 1.21 ± 0.27; OV20%, 0.91 ± 0.23; and OV9%, 0.59 ± 0.16. Disc halo size correlated independently with OSI (P < 0.001) and minimum pupil size (P = 0.003) by forward stepwise regression analysis (disc halo size = 16.60 + 26.24 × OSI + 11.34 × minimum pupil size; R2 value = 17.7%; F = 14.52; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Reference values for disc halo size and objective optical quality in healthy young subjects were established. Eyes with worse objective vision quality exhibited larger haloes. Translational Relevance: The study provided the knowledge and the relationships of OQAS and halo measurements from a well-defined group of healthy young subjects. Both measurements are useful in clinical practice to help quantify the vision quality and complement each other.

Investigation of a family cluster outbreak of COVID-19 indicates the necessity of CT screening for asymptomatic family members in close contact with confirmed patients.

BACKGROUND: To investigate whether asymptomatic close-contact family members of patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) should immediately undergo CT screening in addition to the viral nucleic acid test. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of a family cluster of 8 individuals, of whom 1 family member (Patient 3) had an epidemiologic history of having visited Guangzhou from Hubei Province on January 20, 2020. Her father (Patient 1) developed a fever and respiratory system symptoms and was confirmed COVID-19-positive on February 4-5, 2020 at Zengcheng People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China. Seven close-contact family members of the patients were then screened for COVID-19 on February 5-6 at the hospital. The CT imaging manifestation and laboratory tests of this family cluster were investigated and reported. RESULTS: Five (62.5%) of the 8 family members were confirmed COVID-19-positive. Except for Patient 1, who had fever, cough, fatigue, and dizziness, the remaining four (4/5, 80%) COVID-19-positive family members (Patients 2-5) had no clinical symptoms. Among the 5 patients, 2 had leukopenia (2/5, 40%), 1 had low absolute neutrophil counts (1/5, 20%), and 2 had increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (2/5, 40%). Ground-glass opacity (GGO) was found on chest CT imaging in all 5 patients (5/5, 100%), with interlobular septal thickening. Thickened blood vessel shadows were seen in 3 patients (3/5, 60%). The 3 COVID-19-negative family members (Family Members 1-3) did not have CT abnormalities, and they showed negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results twice. CONCLUSIONS: CT screening is necessary in close-contact family members of a confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia case, regardless of the presence of clinical symptoms.

Risk Factors for Incident Myopia among Teenaged Students of the Experimental Class of the Air Force in China.

BACKGROUND: In recent decades, the prevalence rate of myopia has markedly increased, especially among teenagers. Our purpose was to determine the incidence of myopia and identify the related risk factors among schoolchildren in the experimental classes of the Air Force in China. METHODS: In May 2015, this 3-year prospective cohort study enrolled 522 boys (age, 14-16 years) attending grade 10 in 16 high schools in 15 cities in China. Cycloplegic refraction was examined using retinoscopy in both eyes at the baseline and follow-up (3 years). A detailed questionnaire was completed by the students at the 3-year follow-up and included questions on parental myopia and on the total time spent doing near work and outdoor activities each week. RESULTS: The incidence of myopia at the 3-year follow-up was 27.01% (141/522, 95% confidence interval (CI): 23.38% to 30.98%). The refractive change was -0.46 D (95% CI: -0.49 to -0.42 D). More hyperopic or less myopic baseline refraction, outdoor activity time per week ≥14 h (odds ratio (OR) = 0.464, 95% CI: 0.227 to 0.950), and reading/writing distance ≥ 30 cm (OR = 0.505, 95% CI: 0.270 to 0.944) were significant protective factors against incident myopia. Near-work time ≥28 h per week was a significant risk factor (OR = 2.579, 95% CI: 1.314 to 5.061). Parental myopia, age at the start of primary school, continuous reading/writing for ≥1 h, sleep duration per week <49 h, and one or more dietary biases were not significant risk factors (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: A more hyperopic baseline refraction, more time spent outdoors, and longer writing/reading distance were protected against myopia onset, while more near-work time was a risk factor.

Refractive Change and Incidence of Myopia Among A Group of Highly Selected Senior High School Students in China: A Prospective Study in An Aviation Cadet Prerecruitment Class.

Purpose: To assess the incidence rate of myopia, refractive change, and the effects of influencing factors on a group of highly selected senior high school students in an Aviation Cadet prerecruitment class in China. Methods: A total of 800 nonmyopic, male, Grade 9 students aged 14- to 16-years old with cycloplegic refraction of -0.25 or greater diopters (D) to 1.75 D or less in both eyes were enrolled in May 2016. During their senior high school studies, students had one 20-minute physical training period a day, and they were encouraged to participate in outdoor activities during class recess without any time limits. The first follow-up was 8 months after enrollment when they were in Grade 10, and the second follow-up was 1 year after the first follow-up when they were in Grade 11. Comprehensive ocular examinations and a detailed questionnaire, which included questions about outdoor activity time, parental myopia, and near work, were completed at each follow-up. Results: The average spherical equivalent refraction (SER) of the right eyes was 0.39 ± 0.44 D at baseline, 0.16 ± 0.41 D at the first follow-up, and -0.10 ± 0.38 D at the second follow-up. The cumulative refractive change was -0.50 D (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.53 to -0.47). The cumulative incidence rate of myopia was 15.5% (124/800). Incident myopia was significantly associated with outdoor activity for more than 1 versus less than 0.5 hr/d (odds ratio [OR] = 0.272, 95% CI, 0.132-0.560), baseline refraction (OR = 0.079, 95% CI, 0.041-0.153), maternal myopia (OR = 2.251, 95% CI, 1.160-4.368), longer class time (OR =3.215, 95% CI, 1.088-9.499), frequent, continuous, and long time reading/writing (OR = 1.620, 95% CI, 1.022-2.570), and shorter reading/writing distance (OR = 1.828, 95% CI, 1.065-3.140). In multiple linear regression model, having outdoor activity for more than 1 hr/d was protective from cumulative SER decrease. A higher baseline refraction together with longer reading/writing time, frequent, continuous, and longtime reading/writing, and shorter reading/writing distance were risk factors for SER decrease. Conclusions: In this cohort of highly selected, nonmyopic students, longer outdoor activity time was a protective factor for both incident myopia and refractive change of myopic shift. The risk factors for incident myopia included lower hyperopic baseline refraction, more near work, and maternal myopia. The risk factors for refractive change of myopic shift included more hyperopic baseline refraction and more near work.

Abnormal Methylation of Imprinted Genes and Cigarette Smoking: Assessment of Their Association With the Risk of Male Infertility.

Male infertility is a complicated disease with causes generally split into 2 broad categories: genetic factors and environmental factors. The present study was designed to investigate the association between the methylation patterns of H19 and SNRPN imprinting control region (ICR) and male infertility and to assess the gene-environment interactions between environmental factors and methylation patterns. A total of 205 DNA samples from 48 oligozoospermia (OZ), 52 asthenozoospermia (AZ), 55 teratozoospermia (TZ) patients, and 50 normozoospermia (NZ) men were analyzed. The mean methylation level of H19-ICR in OZ (80.40% ± 12.74%) and AZ patients (81.17% ± 13.18%) was significantly lower than methylation in men with NZ (88.51% ± 10.54%, P<.001, P<.001, respectively). The mean methylation level of SNRPN-ICR in AZ patients (7.74% ± 5.71%) and TZ patients (9.33% ± 5.48%) was significantly higher than in NZ men (6.32% ± 3.54%, P<.001, P<.001, respectively). Among environmental factors, smoking was correlated with OZ (odds ratio [OR] = 5.12, 95% CI: 2.05-12.83), AZ (OR = 5.65, 95% CI: 2.13-14.99), and TZ (OR = 5.54, 95% CI: 2.21-13.89). Gene-environment interaction analysis revealed that hypomethylation of H19-ICR in OZ patients and hypermethylation of SNRPN-ICR in AZ and TZ patients were significantly associated with an increased the risk of infertility in men who were smokers (OR = 15.30, 95% CI: 1.13-207.97; OR = 13.20, 95% CI: 1.21-143.57; OR = 10.59, 95% CI: 1.04-107.39, respectively). This study demonstrated that hypomethylation of H19-ICR and hypermethylation of SNRPN-ICR are associated with male infertility, and the risk is potentiated by smoking.

Meta-analysis of studies on breast cancer risk and diet in Chinese women.

OBJECTIVE: A meta-analysis was carried out to summarize published data on the relationship between breast cancer and dietary factors. METHODS: Databases in Chinese (China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI], China Biology Medicine [CBM], WanFang, VIP) and in English (PubMed and Web of Science) were searched for articles analyzing vegetable, fruit, soy food and fat consumption and breast cancer risk published through June 30, 2013. Random effects models were used to estimate summary odds ratios (OR) based on high versus low intake, and subgroup analysis was conducted according to region, study design, paper quality and adjustment for confounding factors to detect the potential source of heterogeneity. Every study was screened according to the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria, evaluated in accordance with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RevMan 5.2 software was used for analysis. RESULTS: Of 785 studies retrieved, 22 met inclusion criteria (13 in Chinese and 9 in English), representing 23,201 patients: 10,566 in the experimental group and 12,635 in the control group. Thirteen included studies showed vegetables consumption to be a relevant factor in breast cancer risk, OR = 0.77 (95% CI [confidence interval] 0.62-0.96). Eleven studies showed fruits consumption to be relevant, OR = 0.68 (95% CI 0.49-0.93). Significant differences were also found between those who consumed soy foods, OR = 0.68 (95% CI 0.50-0.93) and those who ate a high-fat diet, OR = 1.15 (95% CI 1.01-1.30). CONCLUSION: This analysis confirms the association between intake of vegetables, fruits, soy foods and fat and the risk of breast cancer from published sources. It's suggested that high consumption of vegetables, fruits and soy foods may reduce the risk of breast cancer, while increasing fat consumption may increase the risk.

Factor XIII-A Val34Leu polymorphism might beassociated with myocardial infarction risk: an updated meta-analysis.

Although many epidemiologic studies have investigated the FXIII-A Val34Leu polymorphism and their associations with myocardial infarction (MI), definite conclusions can't be drawn. To clarify the effects of FXIII-A Val34Leu polymorphism on the risk of MI, a meta-analysis was performed. Related studies were identified from PubMed, Springer Link, Ovid, Chinese Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Chinese Biology Medicine (CBM) till 10 August 2014. Pooled ORs and 95% CIs were used to assess the strength of the associations. A total of 12 studies including 3139 MI cases and 6343 healthy controls were involved in this meta-analysis. A significantly decreased MI risk was found (adjusted OR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.60-0.82, P < 0.00001). In the subgroup analysis by age, significantly decreased risks were found in the young population (OR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.54-0.91, P = 0.008) and old population (OR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.50-0.80, P = 0.0001). In the subgroup analysis by gender, significantly decreased risks were found in male (OR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.34-0.88, P = 0.01) and female (OR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.55-0.95, P = 0.02). When we limited the meta-analysis to studies that controlled for confounders such as age, sex, BMI, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and fibrinogen, a significant association between FXIII-A Val34Leu polymorphism and MI risk remained. This meta-analysis provides the evidence that FXIII-A Val34Leu polymorphism may significant associated with the MI risk.

Application of vertebral artery ultrasonography in enlistment-age male student pilots.

The aim of this study was to investigate the vertebral artery (VA) morphology of enlistment-age male student pilots with ultrasound to provide a basis for early diagnosis of potentially asymptomatic cervical vertigo. Ultrasound results of the origin position, diameter and hemodynamics of the VA in 935 cases of student pilots with a mean age of 18.0 y were analyzed. The inner diameters of both sides of the VA differ: the left is larger than the right statistically (p < 0.001). Moreover, the peak systolic velocity of the left VA is significantly greater than that of the right (p < 0.001). Congenital VA anomalies in age-appropriate male student pilots included inner diameter variation, course variation and origin position variation. The incidence of course variation or origin position proportion was low (3.46%, 32/925), and origin position variation was often accompanied by inner diameter variation or course variation. This study confirms that there are a variety of congenital abnormalities in the vertebral arteries of enlistment-age male student pilots, and a VA diameter <2.5 mm may be a reasonable criterion for diagnosis of VA hypoplasia.

Ginkgo biloba extract and aspirin synergistically attenuate activated platelet-induced ROS production and LOX-1 expression in human coronary artery endothelial cells.

AIM: In the present study, we investigated whether the therapeutic dosages of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) and Aspirin (ASP) might synergistically suppress oxidative stress through regulating the expressions of LOX-1 and phosphorylated p38MAPK (p-p38MAPK) in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) ex vivo. METHODS: HCAECs were stressed with activated platelets (2×10(8)/ml) and followed by ASP (1, 2 or 5 mmol/l), EGb (4, 40 or 400 µg/ml) and combinational (1 mmol/l ASP and 40µg/ml EGb) treatments in three groups for 12 h. Superoxide anion in HCAECs was measured with H2DCF-DA probe. The expressions of LOX-1 and p-p38MAPK were examined by Western blot. RESULTS: After stimulation of activated platelets, intracellular superoxide anion was increased about 3-folds in HCAECs. Both ASP and EGb reduced superoxide anion in HCAECs in a dosage dependent manner. Combinational administration of ASP and EGb showed synergistic effect. By Western blot analysis, we were able to show that activated platelets markedly enhanced the expressions of LOX-1 and p-p38MAPK. Both ASP and EGb only inhibited LOX-1 expression in a concentration-dependent manner, but not p-p38MAPK. As expected, the combination of ASP and EGb markedly reduced not only the expression of LOX-1 but also the phosphorylation of p38MAPK. CONCLUSIONS: Both EGb and ASP attenuate the oxidative stress of HCAECs stimulated by activated platelets ex vivo. It appears that the synergistic effect of EGb and ASP may correlate with the inhibition of ROS production, LOX-1 expression and p38MAPK phosphorylation.

Semen quality analysis of military personnel from six geographical areas of the People's Republic of China.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the determinants of semen quality in a large sample of military personnel from different geographical areas of the People's Republic of China. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Six representative geographical regions in China: Beihai, Lhasa, Germu, Xinzhou, Huhehaote, and Mohe. PATIENT(S): 1,194 army personnel aged 18 to 35 years at the time of their inclusion in the study, sampled between 2007 and 2009. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Semen volume (in milliliters), sperm concentration (in millions per milliliter), percentage of motile spermatozoa, total sperm count (in millions), and relative risk of subfertility. RESULT(S): The median values were 3.0 mL for semen volume, 39.4×10(6) per mL for sperm concentration, 120.1×10(6) for total sperm count, 15.8% for sperm rapid progressive motility, 30.1% for sperm progressive motility, and 43.9% for total motility. We found that 88.3% of the servicemen had at least one semen parameter below normal values according to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations (1999), and 62.5% according to WHO recommendations (2010). Season, average altitude, and duration of sexual abstinence all were statistically significantly associated with semen quality. CONCLUSION(S): The men had markedly lower mean sperm concentrations, sperm counts, and sperm motility compared with WHO recommendations. Possible contributory factors included diet, lifestyle, climate, and altitude.