The Association of Folic Acid, Iron Nutrition during Pregnancy and Congenital Heart Disease in Northwestern China: A Matched Case-Control Study.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between folic acid and iron nutrition during pregnancy and congenital heart disease (CHD) in the offspring. Methods: Conditional logistic regression models and nonlinear mixed-effects models were used to analyze the effects of folic acid and iron nutrition during pregnancy on CHD in offspring. Results: After adjusting for confounders, folic acid or iron supplementation during pregnancy reduced the risk for fetal CHD (OR = 0.60 (0.45, 0.82) or 0.36 (0.27, 0.48)). Similarly, dietary iron intake during pregnancy (≥29 mg/d) was associated with a reduced risk of fetal CHD (OR = 0.64 (0.46, 0.88)). Additionally, compared with women who only supplemented folic acid (OR = 0.59 (0.41, 0.84)) or iron (OR = 0.32 (0.16, 0.60)), women who supplemented both folic acid and iron had lower risk for newborns with CHD (OR = 0.22 (0.15, 0.34)). Similarly, compared with women who only supplemented folic acid (OR = 0.59 (0.41, 0.84)) or higher dietary iron intake (≥29 mg/d) (OR = 0.60 (0.33, 1.09)), women who supplemented both folic acid and higher dietary iron intake (≥29 mg/d) had lower risk for the newborn with CHD (OR = 0.41 (0.28, 0.62)). The combined effects were significant in the multiplication model (OR = 0.35 (0.26, 0.48) or 0.66 (0.50, 0.85)) but not in the additive model. Conclusions: Our study found that folic acid and iron nutrition during pregnancy were associated with a reduced risk of CHD in the offspring and confirmed a statistically significant multiplicative interaction between folic acid and iron nutrition on the reduced risk of CHD in offspring.

Biomimetic polyurethane/TiO2 nanocomposite scaffolds capable of promoting biomineralization and mesenchymal stem cell proliferation.

Scaffolds with extracellular matrix-like fibrous morphology, suitable mechanical properties, biomineralization capability, and excellent cytocompatibility are desired for bone regeneration. In this work, fibrous and degradable poly(ester urethane)urea (PEUU) scaffolds reinforced with titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nTiO2) were fabricated to possess these properties. To increase the interfacial interaction between PEUU and nTiO2, poly(ester urethane) (PEU) was grafted onto the nTiO2. The scaffolds were fabricated by electrospinning and exhibited fiber diameter of <1µm. SEM and EDX mapping results demonstrated that the PEU modified nTiO2 was homogeneously distributed in the fibers. In contrast, severe agglomeration was found in the scaffolds with unmodified nTiO2. PEU modified nTiO2 significantly increased Young's modulus and tensile stress of the PEUU scaffolds while unmodified nTiO2 significantly decreased Young's modulus and tensile stress. The greatest reinforcement effect was observed for the scaffold with 1:1 ratio of PEUU and PEU modified nTiO2. When incubating in the simulated body fluid over an 8-week period, biomineralization was occurred on the fibers. The scaffolds with PEU modified nTiO2 showed the highest Ca and P deposition than pure PEUU scaffold and PEUU scaffold with unmodified nTiO2. To examine scaffold cytocompatibility, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were cultured on the scaffold. The PEUU scaffold with PEU modified nTiO2 demonstrated significantly higher cell proliferation compared to pure PEUU scaffold and PEUU scaffold with unmodified nTiO2. The above results demonstrate that the developed fibrous nanocomposite scaffolds have potential for bone tissue regeneration.

Value-added conversion of waste cooking oil and post-consumer PET bottles into biodiesel and polyurethane foams.

A sustainable process of value-added utilization of wastes including waste cooking oil (WCO) and post-consumer PET bottles for the production of biodiesel and polyurethane (PU) foams was developed. WCO collected from campus cafeteria was firstly converted into biodiesel, which can be used as vehicle fuel. Then crude glycerol (CG), a byproduct of the above biodiesel process, was incorporated into the glycolysis process of post-consumer PET bottles collected from campus to produce polyols. Thirdly, PU foams were synthesized through the reaction of the above produced polyols with isocyanate in the presence of catalysts and other additives. The characterization of the produced biodiesel demonstrated that its properties meet the specification of biodiesel standard. The effect of crude glycerol loading on the properties of polyols and PU foams were investigated. All the polyols showed satisfactory properties for the production of rigid PU foams which had performance comparable to those of some petroleum-based analogs. A mass balance and a cost analysis for the conversion of WCO and waste PET into biodiesel and PU foams were also discussed. This study demonstrated the potential of WCO and PET waste for the production of value-added products.

Effect of topical calcineurin inhibitors as monotherapy or combined with phototherapy for vitiligo treatment: a meta-analysis.

Vitiligo is a common skin disease for which immunomodulating calcineurin inhibitors have been considered reasonable treatment. We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane central register of controlled trials databases for articles published prior to September 2014. Thirteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. After pooling the trials, we concluded that calcineurin inhibitors showed a better therapeutic effect on vitiligo than placebo, according to lesion report (RR = 2.62, 95%CI, 1.39-4.93, p = 0.003) and patient report (RR = 1.42, 95%, 0.87-2.31, p = 0.157). Subgroup analysis was performed to determine whether the combination with phototherapy was a source of heterogeneity. The trial sequence analysis indicated that the results of combined therapy by lesion report were reliable and conclusive. However, in the patient report trials, the frequency of lesions on the hand and foot was higher, and the effect of combined therapy was still not significant. Calcineurin inhibitors showed a better therapeutic effect than placebo in the treatment of vitiligo with phototherapy. However, the typical UV-resistant sites (i.e., hand and foot) were still difficult to cure even with combined therapy. Because of concerns about photocarcinogenesis, the clinical application of combined therapy should be explored with caution.

[Radix hedysari extract promotes peripheral nerve regeneration].

Treatment of peripheral nerve injury is a major challenge in clinical practice. With advances in molecular biology and development of microsurgical techniques and tissue engineering, peripheral nerve repair procedures have been greatly improved. In the last 10 decades, most treatments for peripheral nerve injury in animal models have achieved histological and functional recovery, the treatments in humans, however, produce insufficient recovery, especially for proximal nerve injury. Increasing attention has been paid to the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for promoting peripheral nerve regeneration, since these remedies often display effective clinical outcome, minor side effects and effectiveness for multiple targets. Although TCM has complex ingredients and the specific pharmacological mechanisms for their effectiveness are still unclear, an effective clinical outcome is welcomed by many clinicians. In the past 20 years, we have made a series of detailed studies including the toxicity tests, pharmacodynamic tests, pharmacological experiments etc, about a new traditional formula which mainly contains the Radix hedysari, Epimedium etc. RESULTS have shown that this formula is safe to be used in both animals and humans with no toxicity and adverse effect, and systemic administration of this formula could enhance the peripheral nerve regeneration.

Erythroderma: A clinical-etiological study of 82 cases.

Erythroderma is an uncommon skin disorder characterized by generalized reddening and scaling of over 90% of the skin. It represents a maximal stage of skin irritation induced by several skin diseases such as psoriasis, contact dermatitis, drug reactions, and mycosis fungoides. Data including the clinical symptoms, laboratory examinations and skin biopsies were collected from 82 erythroderma patients admitted to our hospital in the period between Jan.1st, 2003 and Dec.31st, 2008. According to clinical findings, laboratory findings and biopsy results, the most common causative factors were pre-existing dermatoses (72.0%), followed by drug reactions (17.0%), idiopathic causes (6.1%) and malignancies (4.9%). Among the pre-existing dermatoses, psoriasis is the most common etiology (30.5%). We also found hypereosinophilic syndrome, sarcoidosis and dermatomyositis could be causes of erythroderma. In the drug-induced group, Chinese traditional herbal medicines were probably the most frequently implicated drugs in our series, with 9 of the 14 cases (64.3%). Follow-up information was obtained for 65 patients, and most of our patients had improved symptoms after treatment. In our series we found a high percentage of erythroderma secondary to pre-existing dermatoses and a low percentage of erythroderma secondary to malignancy. Among drugs as an etiological group, Chinese traditional herbal medicines were the most frequent drugs. From our follow-up study, the prognosis of most patients with erythroderma is relatively good.

Effects of Hedysari polysaccharides on regeneration and function recovery following peripheral nerve injury in rats.

It has been demonstrated that aqueous extract of Radix Hedysari Prescription and modified Radix Hedysari Prescription could improve the regeneration of injured peripheral nerve. Radix Hedysari is a main component in these two formulas. We hypothesized that Hedysari polysaccharides (HPS), a main active ingredient, could also enhance peripheral nerve regeneration after nerve injury in adult animals. In the present study, we examined the effects of HPS on sciatic nerve regeneration for 6 weeks following clamping in rats (administrated orally of 2 ml HPS liquid daily, 0.25 g/ml). The results showed that HPS was able to enhance sciatic function index (SFI) value, tibial function index (TFI) value, peroneal nerve function index (PFI) value, conduction velocity, and the number of regenerated myelinated nerve fibers, suggesting the potential clinical application of HPS for the treatment of peripheral nerve injury in humans.

[Primary study on effect of various components of modified formula radix hedysari on peripheral nerve regeneration].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of icariin and mixed prescription of icariin, radix hedysari polysaccharide, and liquid extracted from earthworm on peripheral nerve regeneration. METHODS: Twenty male SD rats weighing (200 +/- 10) g were selected and randomized into four groups (n=5 per group): sham operated group (group A), model group (group B), icariin group (group C), and mixed liquid group (group D). In group A, the left sciatic nerves of the rats were only exposed, and treated at fixed time from the following day with the NS (2 mL/d). In groups B, C, D, the models were made by clamping sciatic nerve and treated with NS, icariin and mixed liquid, respectively (2 mL/d). The general state of animals was observed after the treatment daily. The nerve function index, motor nerve conductive velocity and the amorphous and number of myelinated sciatic nerve fibers were measured at 21 days. RESULTS: Animals in various groups were all in good state. After 21 days, the weights of rats in groups A, B, C and D were (366.9 +/- 14.0), (370.1 +/- 16.3), (373.3 +/- 19.6) and (374.0 +/- 11.4) g, respectively, and there was no significant difference among these groups (P > 0.05). For sciatic function index, there was no significant difference between group A and group D (P > 0.05), between group B and group C (P > 0.05), while there was significant difference between group B and group D (P < 0.05). For tibial function index, there was significant difference between group A and groups B, C, D (P < 0.05), there was no significant difference between group B and groups C, D (P > 0.05). For peroneal function index, there was no significant difference between group A and groups C, D (P > 0.05), between group B and groups C, D (P > 0.05). The sciatic motor nerve conductive velocities of group A, B, C and D were (45.0 +/- 2.9), (8.0 +/- 2.6), (13.4 +/- 6.8), and (19.6 +/- 9.3) m/s, respectively, there was no significant difference between group B and group C (P > 0.05), and there was significant difference between group A and groups B, C, D and between group B and group D (P < 0.05). The size of individual myelinated sciatic nerve fibers of regenerated nerves in groups B, C, and D was significantly smaller than that in group A. Comparing with group A, the number of myelinated sciatic nerve fibers in groups B, C, and D was 93.3% +/- 35.6%, 90.6% +/- 37.1%, and 115.4% +/- 40.6%, respectively, but there was no significant difference among four groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Icariin and mixed prescription are safe. The improving peripheral nerve regeneration effect of mixed prescription is more obvious than that of icariin, indicating the comprehensive study of modified formula radix hedysari is necessary to find the effective part or mixture of effective compounds with fixed percentage.

Unilateral linear capillaritis: two unusual Chinese cases.

Unilateral linear capillaritis (ULC) is a rare special variation of pigmented purpuric dermatosis (PPD), which is characterized clinically by linear or segmental distribution of pigmented purpuric macules located predominantly on the lower extremities and showing a favorable prognosis. In this case report, we describe two unusual cases of ULC, in one male and one female patient, with unilateral lesions involving the upper extremities that loosely follow the dermatome lines. Biopsy results revealed a common histopathology feature to PPD without heavy band-like infiltration in the upper dermis. On review 20 months after the onset, the eruptions of Patient 1 had spontaneously faded from parts of the affected area. Meanwhile, after a period of 18 months post onset, the eruptions of Patient 2 had became less visible after treatment with PUVA for 2 months, leaving a faded pigmentation.