Blood lead level in Chinese adults with and without coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: The Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy study found that edetate disodium (disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) chelation therapy significantly reduced the incidence of cardiac events in stable post-myocardial infarction patients, and a body of epidemiological data has shown that accumulation of biologically active metals, such as lead and cadmium, is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, limited studies have focused on the relationship between angiographically diagnosed coronary artery disease (CAD) and lead exposure. This study compared blood lead level (BLL) in Chinese patients with and without CAD. METHODS: In this prospective, observational study, 450 consecutive patients admitted to Beijing Anzhen Hospital with suspected CAD from November 1, 2018, to January 30, 2019, were enrolled. All patients underwent coronary angiography, and an experienced heart team calculated the SYNTAX scores (SXscore) for all available coronary angiograms. BLLs were determined with atomic absorption spectrophotometry and compared between patients with angiographically diagnosed CAD and those without CAD. RESULTS: In total, 343 (76%) patients had CAD, of whom 42% had low (0-22), 22% had intermediate (23-32), and 36% had high (≥ 33) SXscore. BLLs were 36.8 ± 16.95 µg/L in patients with CAD and 31.2 ± 15.75 µg/L in those without CAD (P = 0.003). When BLLs were categorized into three groups (low, middle, high), CAD prevalence increased with increasing BLLs (P < 0.05). In the multivariate regression model, BLLs were associated with CAD (odds ratio (OR): 1.023, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.008-1.039; P = 0.0017). OR in the high versus low BLL group was 2.36 (95% CI: 1.29-4.42,P = 0.003). Furthermore, BLLs were independently associated with intermediate and high SXscore (adjusted OR: 1.050, 95% CI: 1.036-1.066; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: BLLs were significantly associated with angiographically diagnosed CAD. Furthermore, BLLs showed excellent predictive value for SXscore, especially for complex coronary artery lesions.

Magnesium supplementation enhances mTOR signalling to facilitate myogenic differentiation and improve aged muscle performance.

Magnesium (Mg2+), as an essential mineral, supports and sustains the health and activity of the organs of the human body. Despite some clinical evidence on the association of Mg2+ deficiency with muscle regeneration dysfunction and sarcopenia in older-aged individuals, there is no consensus on the action mode and molecular mechanism by which Mg2+ influences aged muscle size and function. Here, we identified the appropriate Mg2+ environment that promotes the myogenic differentiation and myotube hypertrophy in both C2C12 myoblast and primary aged muscle stem cell (MuSC). Through animal experiments, we demonstrated that Mg2+ supplementation in aged mice significantly promotes muscle regeneration and conserves muscle mass and strength. Mechanistically, Mg2+ stimulation activated the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling, inducing the myogenic differentiation and protein synthesis, which consequently offers protections against the age-related decline in muscle regenerative potential and muscle mass. These findings collectively provide a promising therapeutic strategy for MuSC dysfunction and sarcopenia through Mg2+ supplementation in the elderly.

[Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into neuron-like cells after induction with B27-supplemented serum-free medium].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the capacity and efficiency of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUCMSCs) to differentiate into neuron- like cells after induction with B27- supplemented serum- free medium. METHODS: HUCMSCs at passage 4 were cultured for 14 days with serum-containing medium (SCM) (group A), SCM supplemented with 20 ng/mL nerve growth factor (NGF) and 10 ng/mL basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) (group B), serum-free medium (SFM) (group C), or SFM supplemented with 20 ng/mL NGF and 10 ng/mL bFGF. The culture medium were changed every 3 days and the growth of the neurospheres was observed using an inverted microscope. The cell markers were analyzed with flow cytometry and the expressions of nestin, neuron- specific enolase (NSE), neurofilament heavy polypeptide (NEFH), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were quantified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. RESULTS: Before induction, HUCMSCs expressed abundant mesenchymal stem cell surface markers including CD29 (99.5%), CD44 (49.6%) and CD105 (77.7%). Neuron-like cells were observed in the cultures on days 7, 10, and 14, and the cell differentiation was the best in group D, followed by groups C, B and A. In all the 4 groups, the cellular expressions of nestin and GFAP gradually lowered while those of NEFH and NSE increased progressively. The expressions of GFAP, NEFH, nestin and NSE were significantly different between group A and the other 3 groups (P < 0.001 or 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: B27-supplemented SFM effectively induces the differentiation of HUCMSCs into neuron- like cells, and the supplementation with cytokines (NGF and bFGF) strongly promotes the cell differentiation.

Population Genetics of Calotropis gigantea, a Medicinal and Fiber Resource Plant, as Inferred from Microsatellite Marker Variation in two Native Countries.

Calotropis gigantea is well known for its aesthetic, medicinal, pharmacological, fodder, fuel, and fiber production potential. Unfortunately, this plant species is still undomesticated, and the genetic information available for crop improvement is limited. For this study, we sampled 21 natural populations of C. gigantea from two key areas of its natural distribution range (Bangladesh and China) and genotyped 379 individuals using nine nuclear microsatellite markers. Population genetic diversity was higher in Bangladesh than that observed in Chinese populations. Overall, a moderate level of genetic diversity was found (Na = 3.73, HE = 0.466), with most of the genetic variation detected within populations (65.49%) and substantial genetic differentiation (FST = 0.345) between the study regions. We observed a significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances (r = 0.287, P = 0.001). The Bayesian clustering, UPGMA tree, and PCoA analyses yielded three distinct genetic pools, but the number of migrants per generation was high (NM = 0.52-2.78) among them. Our analyses also revealed that some populations may have experienced recent demographic bottlenecks. Our study provides a baseline for exploitation of the genetic resources of C. gigantea in domestication and breeding programs as well as some insights into the germplasm conservation of this valuable plant.

Conditions affecting the release of thorium and uranium from the tailings of a niobium mine.

Determinations of the mobility of metals from tailings is a critical part of any assessment of the environmental impacts of mining activities. The leaching of thorium and uranium from the tailings of different processing stages of a niobium mine was investigated for several pH, ionic strengths and concentrations of natural organic matter (NOM). The pH of the leaching solution did not have a noticeable impact on the extraction of Th, however, for pH values below 4, increased U mobilization was observed. Similarly, only a small fraction of Th (0.05%, ≤15 µg kg-1) and U (1.22%, ≤6 µg kg-1) were mobilized from the tailings in the presence of environmentally relevant concentrations of Ca, Mg or Na. However, in the presence of 10 mg L-1 of fulvic acid, much higher concentrations of ca. 700 µg kg-1 of Th and 35 µg kg-1 of U could be extracted from the tailings. Generally, colloidal forms of Th and dissolved forms of U were mobilized from the tailings, however, in the presence of the fulvic acid, both dissolved and colloidal forms of the two actinides were observed. Single Particle ICP-MS was used to confirm the presence of Th (and U) containing colloids where significant numbers (up to 107 mL-1) of Th and U containing colloids were found, even in 0.2 µm filtered extracts. Although mass equivalent diameters in the range of 6-13 nm Th and 6-9 nm for U could be estimated (based upon the presence of an oxyhydroxide), most of the colloidal mass was attributed to larger (>200 nm) heterocomposite particles.

[Efficacy of Shangbai ointment in alleviating pain in patients with acute ankle joint lateral collateral ligament injury: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Shangbai ointment in relieving pain in patients with acute ankle joint lateral collateral ligament injury. METHODS: Fifty patients with unilateral ankle injury were randomized into Shangbai ointment treatment group and control group (n=25). The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores, ankle joint circumference, Kofoed score and self-rated lower limb function were recorded before and at 3, 7, and 14 days after the treatment. RESULTS: The baseline data were comparable between the two groups. The VAS pain score and swelling elimination in the treatment group were better than those in the control group at 3, 7, and 14 days after treatment; the Kofoed ankle score was higher in the treatment group than in the control group at 7 and 14 days after treatment. The patients in the treatment also reported better self-rated lower limb function than those in the control group at 7 and 14 days after the treatment. CONCLUSION: Shangbai ointment treatment can rapidly relieve pain in patients with acute ankle joint lateral collateral ligament injury and improve the functional scores of the joint.

Ontogenetic establishment of order-specific nuclear organization in the mammalian thalamus.

The thalamus connects the cortex with other brain regions and supports sensory perception, movement, and cognitive function via numerous distinct nuclei. However, the mechanisms underlying the development and organization of diverse thalamic nuclei remain largely unknown. Here we report an intricate ontogenetic logic of mouse thalamic structures. Individual radial glial progenitors in the developing thalamus actively divide and produce a cohort of neuronal progeny that shows striking spatial configuration and nuclear occupation related to functionality. Whereas the anterior clonal cluster displays relatively more tangential dispersion and contributes predominantly to nuclei with cognitive functions, the medial ventral posterior clonal cluster forms prominent radial arrays and contributes mostly to nuclei with sensory- or motor-related activities. Moreover, the first-order and higher-order sensory and motor nuclei across different modalities are largely segregated clonally. Notably, sonic hedgehog signaling activity influences clonal spatial distribution. Our study reveals lineage relationship to be a critical regulator of nonlaminated thalamus development and organization.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of an endemic monotypic genus Hagenia (Rosaceae): structural comparative analysis, gene content and microsatellite detection.

Hagenia is an endangered monotypic genus endemic to the topical mountains of Africa. The only species, Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F. Gmel, is an important medicinal plant producing bioactive compounds that have been traditionally used by African communities as a remedy for gastrointestinal ailments in both humans and animals. Complete chloroplast genomes have been applied in resolving phylogenetic relationships within plant families. We employed high-throughput sequencing technologies to determine the complete chloroplast genome sequence of H. abyssinica. The genome is a circular molecule of 154,961 base pairs (bp), with a pair of Inverted Repeats (IR) 25,971 bp each, separated by two single copies; a large (LSC, 84,320 bp) and a small single copy (SSC, 18,696). H. abyssinica's chloroplast genome has a 37.1% GC content and encodes 112 unique genes, 78 of which code for proteins, 30 are tRNA genes and four are rRNA genes. A comparative analysis with twenty other species, sequenced to-date from the family Rosaceae, revealed similarities in structural organization, gene content and arrangement. The observed size differences are attributed to the contraction/expansion of the inverted repeats. The translational initiation factor gene (infA) which had been previously reported in other chloroplast genomes was conspicuously missing in H. abyssinica. A total of 172 microsatellites and 49 large repeat sequences were detected in the chloroplast genome. A Maximum Likelihood analyses of 71 protein-coding genes placed Hagenia in Rosoideae. The availability of a complete chloroplast genome, the first in the Sanguisorbeae tribe, is beneficial for further molecular studies on taxonomic and phylogenomic resolution within the Rosaceae family.

Study on the effect of massage therapy combined with medications on MGD / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To study the effect of tarsal gland massage combined with medication in treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).METHODS:Totally 100 patients (189 eyes) with MGD were selected in our hospital from December 2014 to December 2016.The patients were randomly divided into control group and observation group.Patients in the control group were treated with routine drugs,while the patients in the observation group were treated with routine massage.We observed and compared the clinical efficacy of two groups of patients before treatment,1 wk,1 and 3mo after treatment for the subjective symptoms,tear film break-up time,tear secretion test,ocular surface disease index,corneal staining score of the patients in the 3 groups.RESULTS:The total effective rate of the observation group was 93.6％,which was significantly higher than that of the control group (P＜ 0.05).Two groups of patients after treatment of subjective symptoms,ocular surface disease index,corneal staining score decreased,tear break-up time,Schirmer test was increased compared with before treatment (P＜0.05).The decrease of subjective symptoms,ocular surface disease index,corneal staining score,the increase of tear film break-up time,tear secretion test in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:Massage combined with medication can improve the clinical efficacy of MGD.

Association of Individual Characteristics with Teleoperation Performance.

BACKGROUND: A number of space activities (e.g., extravehicular astronaut rescue, cooperation in satellite services, space station supplies, and assembly) are implemented directly or assisted by remote robotic arms. Our study aimed to reveal those individual characteristics which could positively influence or even predict teleoperation performance of such a space robotic arm. METHODS: There were 64 male volunteers without robot operation experience recruited for the study. Their individual characteristics were assessed, including spatial cognitive ability, cognitive style, and personality traits. The experimental tasks were three abstracted teleoperation tasks of a simulated space robotic arm: point aiming, line alignment, and obstacle avoidance. Teleoperation performance was measured from two aspects: task performance (completion time, extra distance moved, operation slips) and safety performance (collisions, joint limitations reached). The Pearson coefficients between individual characteristics and teleoperation performance were examined along with performance prediction models. RESULTS: It was found that the subjects with relatively high mental rotation ability or low neuroticism had both better task and safety performance (|r| = 0.212 ∼ 0.381). Subjects with relatively high perspective taking ability or high agreeableness had better task performance (r = -0.253; r = -0.249). Imagery subjects performed better than verbal subjects regarding both task and safety performance (|r| = 0.236 ∼ 0.290). Compared with analytic subjects, wholist subjects had better safety performance (r = 0.300). Additionally, extraverted subjects had better task performance (r = -0.259), but worse safety performance (r = 0.230). CONCLUSIONS: Those with high spatial cognitive ability, imagery and wholist cognitive style, low neuroticism, and high agreeableness were seen to have more advantages in working with the remote robotic arm. These results could be helpful to astronaut selection and training for space station missions. Pan D, Zhang Y, Li Z, Tian Z. Association of individual characteristics with teleoperation performance. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(9):772-780.

[Effects of icariin on the proliferation, differentiation and maturation of rat calvarial osteoblasts in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of icariin on the proliferation, differentiation and maturation of rat calvarial osteoblasts (ROB). METHODS: Segregated neonatal SD rat skull,enzyme digestion to obtain ROB. The culture medium was replaced every three days. Serial subcultivation proceeded when cells covered with 80% culture dish. Icariin was added into the culture at 1 x 10(-4), 1 x 10(-5), 1 x 10(-6), 1 x 10(-7) mol/L respectively. MTT method was adopted in proliferation analysis. The activity of ALP was assayed after 9 days' induced. Optimal concentration icariin was added into the medium, then the osteogenic differentiation markers including mineralized bone nodules, CFU-F(ALP) were compared between the icariin-added group and the control. Total RNA was isolated and the gene expressions of Runx-2 and Osterix were investigated by Real Time RT-PCR. Total protein was also isolated and the secretion of collagen I was examined by Western-blot. RESULTS: The ROB proliferation was inhibited by icariin in a dose-dependent manner. But it evidently led to osteogenic process and maturation. 1 x 10(-5) mol/L was the best concentration. Icariin improved the secretion of collagen I, CFU-F(ALP) amounts and mineralized nodules significantly. It also enhanced the mRNA level of Runx-2 and Osterix. CONCLUSION: The icariin with final concentration of 1 x 10(-5) mol/L can enhance the osteogenic differentiation and maturation of ROB significantly, suggesting that icariin has the activity of inducing bone formation, it has the potential to be developed into a new drug of anti-osteoporosis.

[Aflatoxin contamination of Chinese herbal medicine in China and its potential management strategies].

The mould phenomenon occurred commonly in the cultivation, processing and storage period of medicinal materials, which may result in production of mycotoxins. Mycotoxin contaminations caused by fungi are major issues related to the quality and safety of Chinese herbal medicine. This review summarized the work published in aflatoxins contamination of Chinese herbal medicine in China through the previous decade. The conclusion to be drawn from this survey is that aflatoxin exposure remains an important aspect of Chinese herbal medicine safety which needs to be paid great attention. We raised some points that should be focused on in future. The strategies of changing environment to suppress growth of toxin-producing fungus, so as to reduce aflatoxins are the most practical and effective ways, while biological control in the field production is a promising approach.

Effect of Xuefu Zhuyu Capsule (血府逐瘀胶囊) on the symptoms and signs and health-related quality of life in the unstable angina patients with blood-stasis syndrome after percutaneous coronary intervention: A Randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Compared with Shengmai Capsule (生脉胶囊, SM), the study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Xuefu Zhuyu Capsule (血府逐瘀胶囊, XFZY) on the symptoms and signs and health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) in the unstable angina (UA) patients with blood-stasis syndrome (BSS) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: A randomized, double-blinded, double-dummy, and placebo-controlled trial was applied. Ninety patients, diagnosed as UA and BSS after successful PCI, were enrolled and equally randomized into three groups, XFZY group, SM group, and placebo group, and administered with the corresponding medications respectively for four weeks. The clinical symptoms and signs (CSS), electrocardiography (ECG), and BSS scores were recorded and compared among groups during and after the treatment. Short-form 36 (SF-36) and Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) were applied to assess the HR-QOL in each group before and after the treatment. Safety indexes (blood routine and liver and kidney function tests) were also examined at the beginning and after the treatment. RESULTS: Eighty-six patients completed the whole study. After the treatment, the total effective rates of the XFZY group in ameliorating CSS and ECG were 76.7% and 60.0%, respectively, which were obviously higher than those in SM (CSS: 53.3%; ECG: 36.7%) and the placebo (CSS: 43.3%; ECG: 30.0%) groups. After one week's treatment, BSS scores slightly decreased in each group, but no significant differences were found among three groups (P>0.05). After four weeks' treatment, BSS scores in the XFZY group decreased to a lower level compared with SM (P <0.05) and the placebo (P <0.01) groups. After the treatment, the efficacy of XFZY group in improving body pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), society functioning (SF), role emotional (RE), angina stability (AS), angina frequency (AF), and treatment satisfaction (TS) were better than those in the placebo group (P <0.05,P <0.01). Meanwhile, the dimensions of BP, GH, SF, AS, AF, and TS were better improved than those in the SM group P <0.05). No obvious adverse reaction was found during and after the treatment except one case in the XFZY group reporting of stomach discomfort. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with SM Capsule treatment, a short-term treatment with XFZY Capsule exhibits better efficacy on CSS and BSS scores, and HR-QOL in UA patients with BSS after PCI. However, its long-term efficacy and safety still needs further investigation.

[A randomized double-blinded controlled trial of Xuefu Zhuyu Capsule on short-term quality of life in unstable anginal patients with blood-stasis syndrome after percutaneous coronary intervention].

BACKGROUND: With the wide application of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), it is a popularly concerned problem within clinical doctors to promote the patients' early recovery and improve their health related quality of life (HR-QoL). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Xuefu Zhuyu (XFZY) Capsule, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine for activating blood circulation, in improving HR-QoL in unstable angina (UA) patients with blood-stasis syndrome after PCI, and to make a comparison with Shengmai (SM) Capsule. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: The study was performed at Rescue Center of Emergency, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, China Capital University of Medical Science from March 2008 to February 2009. Using a randomized, double-blinded, double-dummy and placebo controlled study design, ninety patients diagnosed as UA and concomitant blood stasis syndrome after successful PCI therapy were enrolled and randomized into three groups: XFZY group, SM group and placebo group, and the patients were administered with the corresponding medications for 4 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Short-Form 36 (SF-36) and Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) were applied to assess the HR-QoL in each group before and after the treatment. RESULTS: A total of 90 patients were recruited and 4 cases of them withdrew from the study during the treatment period indicating a 4.4% of dropping rate. After the treatment, several domains of scores in SF-36 and SAQ were significantly increased in three groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). The efficacy of XFZY Capsule in improving body pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), social function (SF), role emotional (RE), angina stability (AS), angina frequency (AF), as well as treatment satisfaction (TS) was better than that of placebo (P<0.05, P<0.01). Meanwhile, the dimensions of BP, GH, SF, AS, AF, TS were improved as compared with those in the SM group (P<0.05). No obvious adverse reaction was found during and after the treatment with the exception of one case in XFZY group reporting of discomfort in the stomach. CONCLUSION: Compared with SM Capsule, a short-term treatment of XFZY Capsule exhibits better efficacy in improving HR-QoL in UA patients with blood-stasis syndrome after PCI. However, its long-term efficacy and safety needs further investigation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier, NCT00817024.

[Determination of arsenic and selenium in the industrial sulphur].

In this paper, the method of determining arsenic and selenium in the industrial sulphur sample has been studied. Carbon tetrachloride-boromine was used to dissolve the sulphur sample in classical methods, which is complex and harmful, and a little arsenic and selenium will be lost. In this paper, nitric acid and perchloric acid were used to dissolve the sulphur sample, which was simple, and scarcely arsenic and selenium were lost. Under the selected conditions, determination of arsenic and selenium can be determined simultaneously by HG-ICP-AES. The determination limits of arsenic and selenium are 0.6 ng.mL-1 and 0.7 ng.mL-1, respectively, the relatively standard deviations(RSD) (n = 8) are 2.1% for arsenic and 1.9% for selenium, respectively, and the recoveries are 99.6% for arsenic and 101% for selenium, respectively, which was a very satisfying result.