Early prenatal exposure to air pollutants and congenital heart disease: a nested case-control study

BACKGROUND@#Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common congenital malformations in humans. Inconsistent results emerged in the existed studies on associations between air pollution and congenital heart disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of gestational exposure to air pollutants with congenital heart disease, and to explore the critical exposure windows for congenital heart disease.@*METHODS@#The nested case-control study collected birth records and the following health data in Tianjin Women and Children's Health Center, China. All of the cases of congenital heart disease from 2013 to 2015 were selected matching five healthy controls for each case. Inverse distance weighting was used to estimate individual exposure based on daily air pollution data. Furthermore, the conditional logistic regression with distributed lag non-linear model was performed to identify the association between gestational exposure to air pollution and congenital heart disease.@*RESULTS@#A total of 8,748 mother-infant pairs were entered into the analysis, of which 1,458 infants suffered from congenital heart disease. For each 10 µg/m3 increase of gestational exposure to PM2.5, the ORs (95% confidence interval, 95%CI) ranged from 1.008 (1.001-1.016) to 1.013 (1.001-1.024) during the 1st-2nd gestation weeks. Similar weak but increased risks of congenital heart disease were associated with O3 exposure during the 1st week and SO2 exposure during 6th-7th weeks in the first trimester, while no significant findings for other air pollutants.@*CONCLUSIONS@#This study highlighted that gestational exposure to PM2.5, O3, and SO2 had lag effects on congenital heart disease. Our results support potential benefits for pregnancy women to the mitigation of air pollution exposure in the early stage, especially when a critical exposure time window of air pollutants may precede heart development.

Joint effects of meteorological factors and PM2.5 on age-related macular degeneration: a national cross-sectional study in China

BACKGROUND@#Weather conditions are a possible contributing factor to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of irreversible loss of vision. The present study evaluated the joint effects of meteorological factors and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on AMD.@*METHODS@#Data was extracted from a national cross-sectional survey conducted across 10 provinces in rural China. A total of 36,081 participants aged 40 and older were recruited. AMD was diagnosed clinically by slit-lamp ophthalmoscopy, fundus photography, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). Meteorological data were calculated by European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) reanalysis and were matched to participants' home addresses by latitude and longitude. Participants' individual PM2.5 exposure concentrations were calculated by a satellite-based model at a 1-km resolution level. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models paired with interaction analysis were performed to investigate the joint effects of meteorological factors and PM2.5 on AMD.@*RESULTS@#The prevalence of AMD in the study population was 2.6% (95% CI 2.42-2.76%). The average annual PM2.5 level during the study period was 63.1 ± 15.3 µg/m3. A significant positive association was detected between AMD and PM2.5 level, temperature (T), and relative humidity (RH), in both the independent and the combined effect models. For PM2.5, compared with the lowest quartile, the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) across increasing quartiles were 0.828 (0.674,1.018), 1.105 (0.799,1.528), and 2.602 (1.516,4.468). Positive associations were observed between AMD and temperature, with ORs (95% CI) of 1.625 (1.059,2.494), 1.619 (1.026,2.553), and 3.276 (1.841,5.830), across increasing quartiles. In the interaction analysis, the estimated relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) and the attributable proportion (AP) for combined atmospheric pressure and PM2.5 was 0.864 (0.586,1.141) and 1.180 (0.768,1.592), respectively, indicating a synergistic effect between PM2.5 and atmospheric pressure.@*CONCLUSIONS@#This study is among the first to characterize the coordinated effects of meteorological factors and PM2.5 on AMD. The findings warrant further investigation to elucidate the relationship between ambient environment and AMD.

Association of time in range with the severity of coronary artery disease in type 2 diabetic patients / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective:To investigate the association of time in range(TIR) with the severity of coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndrome in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods:A total of 216 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease were recruited and undergone anthropometric and biochemical measurements, continuous glucose monitoring, and calculation of SYNTAX score. TIR was defined as the percentage of time within the glucose range of 3.9-10.0 mmol/L during 24 h. Spearman correlation analysis and multivariate linear regression analysis were used to evaluate the correlation factors of SYNTAX score. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association of TIR with the severity of coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndrome. Results:Compared with patients with mild coronary artery disease, TIR in patients with moderate to severe coronary artery disease was lower[(69.4±17.3)% vs (60.8±17.8)%, t=3.0, P=0.003], and HbA 1C of patients with moderate to severe coronary artery disease was higher [(9.6±1.7)% vs (8.8±1.6)%, t=3.3, P=0.001]. SYNTAX score was negatively correlated with TIR ( r=-0.251, P<0.01) and positively correlated with HbA 1C ( r=0.249, P<0.01). Moreover, compared with HbA 1C (standardized coefficients=0.181, P=0.007), TIR (standardized coefficients=-0.192, P=0.004) had a greater influence on SYNTAX score. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that TIR, HbA 1C, duration of diabetes and smoking were independently correlated with SYNTAX score. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that compared with TIR Q1, Q3 and Q4 were independent protective factors for moderate to severe coronary artery disease (respectively, OR=0.61 and 0.59, 95% CI 0.39-0.96 and 0.38-0.94, P=0.014 and 0.009) and acute coronary syndrome (respectively, OR=0.51 and 0.39, 95% CI 0.32-0.95 and 0.26-0.75, P=0.022 and 0.008). Conclusion:TIR was significantly and independently correlated with the severity of coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndrome in type 2 diabetes mellitus after controlling confounding factors. When TIR level was decreased, the severity of coronary artery disease was aggravated, and SYNTAX score and the risk of acute coronary syndrome was increased.

Effect of atractylone on the viability and apoptosis of hepatoma HepG2 cells and related mechanism / 临床肝胆病杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of atractylone on the viability and apoptosis of hepatoma HepG2 cells and its mechanism of action. Methods Hepatoma HepG2 cells were selected and divided into low-, middle-, and high-dose atractylone groups (5, 10, and 20 μmol/L), and the cells in the control group were added with an equal volume of DMSO. MTT colorimetry was used to measure the viability of HepG2 cells after treatment with different concentrations of atractylone; flow cytometry was used to measure the apoptosis rate and mitochondrial membrane potential of HepG2 cells; the DCFH-DA fluorescent probe labeling method was used to measure the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HepG2 cells; Transwell assay was used to evaluate the effect of atractylone on the migration ability of HepG2 cells; Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t -test was used for comparison between two groups. Results After 24 and 48 hours of treatment with atractylone, compared with the control group, the low-, middle-, and high-dose atractylone groups had a tendency of reduction in cell viability (all P < 0.05), with a half inhibitory concentration of 26.19 μmol/L in atractylone treatment of HepG2 cells for 72 hours. The low-, middle-, and high-dose atractylone groups had a significantly higher apoptosis rate than the control group (14.34%/29.32%/50.12% vs 0.32%, all P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the low-, middle-, and high-dose atractylone groups had a significant increase in the fluorescence intensity of ROS in HepG2 cells (all P < 0.05). After 48 hours of treatment with atractylone, compared with the control group, the low-, middle-, and high-dose atractylone groups had a significant reduction in the number of migrated cells (132.67±18.36/57.00±9.26/31.00±2.45 vs 258.11±38.54, P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the low-, middle-, and high-dose atractylone groups had a significant reduction in the expression of the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 and significant increases in the expression of the apoptotic factors Bax and cleaved caspase-3 (all P < 0.05). Conclusion Atractylone can induce the apoptosis and inhibit the migration of HepG2 cells, which provides an experimental basis for further development and utilization of atractylone.

Analgesic and sedative effects of epidural dexmedetomidine injection and its effect on cognitive function / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective@#To observe the analgesic and sedative effect of epidural dexmedetomidine injection in patients undergoing transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) and its effect on postoperative cognitive function.@*Methods@#A total of 60 patients undergoing TURP under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSEA) were randomly divided into dexmedetomidine group and normal saline group. Patients in the dexmedetomidine group were given 0.1 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine injection after epidural anesthesia, and 0.9 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine was added into epidural analgesia pump after operation; patients in the normal saline group were given the same dose of normal saline. The vital signs, visual analogue scale (VAS) and Ramsay sedation score of patients in the two groups at different time points[before intervention (T0), after intervention for 15 min (T1), after intervention for 30 min (T2), after intervention for 45 min (T3), after intervention for 60 min (T4), after surgery for 12 h (T5), after surgery for 36 h (T6)] were recorded. The mini mental state examination (MMSE) of patients in the two groups 1 d before operation and 3 d after operation were recorded.@*Results@#Compared with normal saline group, the VAS scores of patients in dexmedetomidine group were significantly lower at T1-T6 (P < 0.05), and the Ramsay scores were significantly higher (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference of MMSE total score [25.00(23.50, 27.50) scores] in the patients of dexmedetomidine group 3 d after operation but the memory ability score [4.00(3.00, 5.00) scores] was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the language ability score [9.00(8.00, 9.00) scores] was significantly increased (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in MMSE score between the two groups in comparison with that 1 d before operation.@*Conclusions@#Epidural dexmedetomidine injection (1 μg/kg) enhancesd the analgesic effect of ropivacaine and producesd sedative effect. Although there was is no significant effect on the overall cognitive function, it might have some effect on memory function.

Analgesic and sedative effects of epidural dexmedetomidine injection and its effect on cognitive function / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To observe the analgesic and sedative effect of epidural dexmedetomidine injection in patients undergoing transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) and its effect on postoperative cognitive function. Methods A total of 60 patients undergoing TURP under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSEA) were randomly divided into dexmedetomidine group and normal saline group. Patients in the dexmedetomidine group were given 0.1 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine injection after epidural anesthesia, and 0.9 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine was added into epidural analgesia pump after operation;patients in the normal saline group were given the same dose of normal saline. The vital signs, visual analogue scale (VAS) and Ramsay sedation score of patients in the two groups at different time points [before intervention (T0), after intervention for 15 min (T1), after intervention for 30 min (T2), after intervention for 45 min (T3), after intervention for 60 min (T4), after surgery for 12 h (T5), after surgery for 36 h (T6)] were recorded. The mini mental state examination (MMSE) of patients in the two groups 1 d before operation and 3 d after operation were recorded. Results Compared with normal saline group, the VAS scores of patients in dexmedetomidine group were significantly lower at T1-T6 (P<0.05), and the Ramsay scores were significantly higher (P<0.05). There was no significant difference of MMSE total score [25.00(23.50, 27.50) scores] in the patients of dexmedetomidine group 3 d after operation but the memory ability score [4.00(3.00, 5.00) scores] was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the language ability score [9.00(8.00, 9.00) scores] was significantly increased (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in MMSE score between the two groups in comparison with that 1 d before operation. Conclusions Epidural dexmedetomidine injection (1 μg/kg) enhancesd the analgesic effect of ropivacaine and producesd sedative effect. Although there was is no significant effect on the overall cognitive function, it might have some effect on memory function.

The relationship between physical activity and incident hypertension in rural Chinese / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the relationship between physical activity (PA) and the risk of incident hypertension among population in rural areas of China.@*Methods@#The Community Intervention of Metabolic Syndrome in China & Chinese Family Health Study (CIMIC) was conducted in 2007-2008. Data on PA, smoking, drinking, blood pressure and other variables were obtained at baseline. Then the follow-up study of incident hypertension was performed during 2012-2015. A total of 41 457 participants aged ≥18 years and free from hypertension at baseline were included in the final analyses. PA was calculated as metabolic equivalent (MET) for each participant. Cox proportional hazard models were used to explore the relationship of PA with incident hypertension according to the quartiles of PA.@*Results@#A total of 6 780 participants developed hypertension during an average follow up of 5.8 years. The annual incidence of hypertension was 2.80%. Compared to participants in the first quartile of PA, HR (95%CI) of incident hypertension decreased with the level of PA of 0.92 (0.86, 0.99), 0.72 (0.67, 0.77) and 0.70 (0.65, 0.75) for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quartile, respectively (Ptrend<0.001). In subgroup analyses, compared to the first quartile, hazards of hypertension among normotensive participants (systolic blood pressure less than 120 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and diastolic blood pressure less than 80 mm Hg) in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quartile were 0.82 (0.70, 0.95), 0.73 (0.63, 0.85) and 0.78 (0.67, 0.90), respectively (Ptrend=0.002). Among participants with prehypertension (systolic blood pressure from 120 to 139 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure from 80 to 89 mmHg), similar trend for the relationship of PA and incident hypertension was also found with HR (95%CI) of 0.94 (0.87, 1.01), 0.71 (0.65, 0.77) and 0.66 (0.61, 0.71) for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quartile, respectively (Ptrend<0.001).@*Conclusion@#There was linear trend association between PA and incident hypertension. Increased PA in daily life may be a protective factor against hypertension.

Imaging features of acute mesenteric ischemia and its primary diseases / 中华消化外科杂志

Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a lifethreatening disease,with high mortality rate and is easily misdiagnosed.Rapid and acute detection of the AMI and its primary diseases by multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) and computed tomography angiography (CTA) is of great significance.The clinical data of 31 patients with AMI who were admitted to the Xidian Group Hospital from January 2005 to June 2013 were retrospectively analyzed.Stenosis or occlusion of the mesenteric blood vessels,diminished or absent enhancement of the bowel wall are the direct signs of CT,thickening of the bowel wall is the most typical indirect sign of CT.Dilatation or collapse of the bowel lumen and swelling of the mesenterium are the common CT signs.Pneumatosis intestinalis and gas in the portomesenteric vein are reliable CT signs of the Intestinal Infarction.Artery and venous embolism,atherosclerosis,vasculitis,aortitis,strangulated intestinal obstruction and superior mesenteric artery dissection are the possible causes of AMI.

Expression and relativity of DKK-1 andβ-catenin in proximal gastric cancer / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective:To explore the role of DKK-1 andβ-catenin expressions in progression of proximal gastric cancer (PGC). Methods:The expression of DKK-1 andβ-catenin in 61 cases with PGC and para-neoplastic tissues and 20 cases with normal gastric mucosa was detected by immunohistochemistry. The related clinical significance in the cases was studied. Results:The positive expression rate of DKK-1 and the abnormal expression rate ofβ-catenin in the tissue sections of PGC were 34.4%(21/61) and 68.9%(42/61), respectively. The positive expression rate of DKK-1 and the abnormal expression rate ofβ-catenin in para-carcinoma tissues were 8.2%(5/61) and 6.6%(4/61) , respectively. The positive expression rate of DKK-1 and the abnormal expression rate ofβ-catenin in normal gastric mucosa were 15.0%(3/20) and 10.0%(2/20), respectively. The expression rate was significantly higher in PGC than that in the other tissues (P<0.05). The expression of DKK-1 was positively related to that ofβ-catenin in PGC (r=0.454, P<0.05), but not in the others. Conclusion:Higher expressions of DKK-1 and the abnormal expression ofβ-catenin are closely related to the occurrence of PGC.

Expression and purification of hPARP1 by baculovirus system / 生物工程学报

PARP1 is an important part of DNA repair machinery. In recent years, PARP1 as novel anti-cancer therapeutic target has been broadly explored. In this study, we expressed hPARP1 enzyme in the baculovirus system and tested its activity. We inserted hPARP1 gene into the pFastBac1, a baculovirus transfer vector and then transformed it into DH10Bac containing a shuttle vector of Bacmid. After co-transfecting the recombinant plasmid into Sf9 insect cells, the expressed hPARP1 was purified by 3-aminobezamide affinity chromatography. The expression of hPARPI was visualized by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting; the activity of expressed and purified hPARP1 was confirmed by the reaction of consumption of NAD+ by hPARP1 in vitro. After the purification by 3-aminobezamide affinity column, 3.2 mg protein was obtained and its specific activity was 1.988 nmol/(min x microg).