Iodine nutritional status and intelligence level of children in Nangqian County, Qinghai Province after 9 years of iodine supplemention / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To follow up the iodine nutrition and intellectual development of school children aged 8-10 years old in Nangqian County of Qinghai Province after 9 years of the implementation of iodine deficiency disorders intervention measures with iodine supplement as the main measure.Methods:In order to improve the iodine nutritional status of the population in Nangqian County, free iodized salt distribution, health education and other intervention measures for iodine deficiency disorders were implemented for 9 consecutive years since 2013. In May 2012 (before iodine supplementation) and September 2021 (after iodine supplementation), the same 5 townships (towns) were selected, and children aged 8-10 years old (half male and half female, age balanced) born locally in the central primary school of each township (town) were selected as the survey subjects. Household edible salt samples and random urine samples were collected for salt iodine and urinary iodine detection; the second revised version of the Chinese Combined Raven's Test (rural version) was used to assess the intelligence quotient (IQ) of children. The Flynn effect (FE) gain was used to adjust IQ, the corrected IQ = (IQ starting point value - current year's IQ value) - FE gain (calculated by 0.74/year). The differences of salt iodine and urinary iodine related indexes, IQ value and corrected IQ were compared before and after iodine supplementation.Results:After iodine supplementation, the coverage rate of iodized salt reached 100.00% (300/300), and the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt reached95.00% (285/300), the median urinary iodine increased to 157.20 μg/L, and all indexes met the elimination standard of iodine deficiency disorders. The IQ value of children aged 8-10 years old after iodine supplementation was 99.00 ± 14.90, significantly higher than that before iodine supplementation (82.00 ± 13.20, F = 156.82, P < 0.001). The FE gain in 9 years was 6.66, and the actual IQ gain of children aged 8-10 years old after iodine supplementation was 10.34. There were statistically significant differences in IQ value before and after iodine supplementation in male and female children ( F = 78.84, 78.88, P < 0.001). After iodine supplementation, there was a statistically significant difference in IQ value between children in the 8-year-old group and the 10-year-old group ( P = 0.010). There were statistically significant differences in IQ value before and after iodine supplementation in 8, 9 and 10 years old groups ( F = 55.23, 65.79, 36.85, P < 0.001). Conclusion:Intervention measures for iodine deficiency disorders, mainly iodine supplement, can significantly improve the iodine nutrition status of children aged 8-10 years old, and significantly promote the intellectual development of children.

Bioassay-guided isolation of α-Glucosidase inhibitory constituents from Hypericum sampsonii / 中国天然药物

This study employed the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity model as an anti-diabetic assay and implemented a bioactivity-guided isolation strategy to identify novel natural compounds with potential therapeutic properties. Hypericum sampsoniiwas investigated, leading to the isolation of two highly modified seco-polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols (PPAPs) (1 and 2), eight phenolic derivatives (3-10), and four terpene derivatives (11-14). The structures of compounds 1 and 2, featuring an unprecedented octahydro-2H-chromen-2-one ring system, were fully characterized using extensive spectroscopic data and quantum chemistry calculations. Six compounds (1, 5-7, 9, and 14) exhibited potential inhibitory effects against α-glucosidase, with IC50 values ranging from 0.050 ± 0.0016 to 366.70 ± 11.08 μg·mL-1. Notably, compound 5 (0.050 ± 0.0016 μg·mL-1) was identified as the most potential α-glucosidase inhibitor, with an inhibitory effect about 6900 times stronger than the positive control, acarbose (IC50 = 346.63 ± 15.65 μg·mL-1). A docking study was conducted to predict molecular interactions between two compounds (1 and 5) and α-glucosidase, and the hypothetical biosynthetic pathways of the two unprecedented seco-PPAPs were proposed.

Pharmacological Activities and Mechanisms of Hirudin and Its Derivatives - A Review.

Hirudin, an acidic polypeptide secreted by the salivary glands of Hirudo medicinalis (also known as "Shuizhi" in traditional Chinese medicine), is the strongest natural specific inhibitor of thrombin found so far. Hirudin has been demonstrated to possess potent anti-thrombotic effect in previous studies. Recently, increasing researches have focused on the anti-thrombotic activity of the derivatives of hirudin, mainly because these derivatives have stronger antithrombotic activity and lower bleeding risk. Additionally, various bioactivities of hirudin have been reported as well, including wound repair effect, anti-fibrosis effect, effect on diabetic complications, anti-tumor effect, anti-hyperuricemia effect, effect on cerebral hemorrhage, and others. Therefore, by collecting and summarizing publications from the recent two decades, the pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetics, novel preparations and derivatives, as well as toxicity of hirudin were systematically reviewed in this paper. In addition, the clinical application, the underlying mechanisms of pharmacological effects, the dose-effect relationship, and the development potential in new drug research of hirudin were discussed on the purpose of providing new ideas for application of hirudin in treating related diseases.

Investigation on dietary iodine intake of people in different areas of Qinghai Province / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To investigate the dietary iodine intake of people in different areas of Qinghai Province, and to provide the basis for scientific iodine supplementation and continuous elimination of iodine deficiency hazards.Methods:From 2018 to 2019, according to administrative division, natural geographical regions, population distribution and economic development level of Qinghai Province, a total of 14 survey sites were selected. One village was selected from each survey site, and 20 households were selected from each village, the salt samples and 24 h urine samples of all family members were collected to detect salt iodine and urinary iodine. One drinking water sample was collected at the five directions of east, west, south, north and middle of each village to detect water iodine. Salt iodine was detected by direct titration, urinary iodine and water iodine were detected by arsenic-cerium catalytic spectrophotometry. At the same time, the 3-day weighing method was used to investigate the diet, the daily dietary iodine intake per capita (the result was expressed as average) and the proportion of dietary iodine in urinary iodine were calculated, the daily dietary iodine intake per capita of different production modes (agricultural region and pastoral region), different geographical environment (Hehuang Valley, Qaidam Basin, Qilian Mountain and Qingnan Plateau), different nationalities (Han, Tibetan, Hui, Mongolian, Tu, Salar) and different economic levels (< 8 000, 8 000 -, 10 000 -, ≥12 000 Yuan) were compared.Results:A total of 999 people from 280 families were surveyed, including 511 males and 488 females. The median water iodine of each survey site was less than 10 μg/L, all of which were environmentally iodine-deficient areas. A total of 280 salt samples were collected, the median salt iodine was 26.0 mg/kg, and the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was 100% (280/280). A total of 999 urine samples were tested, and the median urinary iodine of people was 192.5 μg/L, which was at an appropriate level of iodine. There was no statistically significant difference ( t =-1.599, P > 0.05) in the daily dietary iodine intake per capita (28.53, 33.44 μg) of people in agricultural region ( n = 643) and pastoral region ( n = 356). The daily dietary iodine intake per capita (25.38, 33.30, 32.98, 34.79 μg) of people in Hehuang Valley ( n = 448), Qaidam Basin ( n = 125), Qilian Mountain ( n = 157), and Qingnan Plateau ( n = 269) were compared, the difference was statistically significant ( F = 2.883, P < 0.05); among them, the daily dietary iodine intake per capita in Hehuang Valley was lower than that in Qingnan Plateau ( P < 0.05). The daily dietary iodine intake per capita of different nationalities were compared, the difference was statistically significant ( F = 3.647, P < 0.05), Salar ( n = 68) and Tibetan ( n = 239) were higher (37.21 and 32.21 μg). The daily dietary iodine intake per capita (38.97, 17.01, 30.86, 33.14 μg) of annual per capita disposable income < 8 000 ( n = 194), 8 000-( n = 221), 10 000-( n = 302), ≥12 000 Yuan ( n = 282) were compared, the difference was statistically significant ( F = 9.407, P < 0.05). The proportions of dietary iodine in urinary iodine of various population ranged from 5.35% to 15.54%. Conclusions:The iodine nutrition of people in Qinghai Province is suitable, the dietary iodine intake of people is closely related to geographical environment, nationality and economic level. But the proportion of dietary iodine in urinary iodine is relatively low, the consumption of iodized salt is still the main way for people to intake iodine, and it is also the main measure to continuously eliminate the harm of iodine deficiency in Qinghai Province.

Iodine content in drinking water and drawing of water iodine distribution map in Qinghai Province / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To understand the water iodine content in Qinghai Province and draw a distribution map of water iodine, so as to provide a basis for scientific supplementation of iodine and continuous elimination of iodine deficiency hazards.Methods:In 2017, in all counties (cities, districts) in Qinghai Province, with townships (towns, streets, referred to as townships) as the unit, the residents' drinking water samples were collected, water iodine content was tested, the median water iodine was calculated, and the water iodine distribution map of Qinghai Province was drew.Results:Totally 1 836 drinking water samples were collected in 392 townships, the median water iodine was 1.7 μg/L. Townships that had the median water iodine < 5 μg/L, in the range of 5 to 10 μg/L and > 10 μg/L accounted for 80.6% (316/392), 17.1% (67/392) and 2.3% (9/392), respectively. Among all townships, the highest of the median water iodine was 24.8 μg/L. Based on the results, water iodine distribution map of Qinghai Province, water iodine distribution map of Xining City and water iodine distribution map of Haidong City were compiled.Conclusions:Iodine deficiency is widespread throughout natural environment in Qinghai Province. Hence, salt iodization measures to prevent iodine deficiency disorders should be implemented continuously. According to the water iodine distribution map, the people should be guided to supplement iodine scientifically.

Relationship between mechanism underlying electro-acupuncture-induced improvement of postoperative cognitive dysfunction and mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis in hippocampal neurons of aged rats / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective To evaluate the the relationship between the mechanism underlying electroacupuncture (EA)-induced improvement of postoperative cognitive dysfunction and mitochondrion-depend-ent apoptosis in hippocampal neurons of aged rats.Methods Seventy-two healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 18 months,weighing 500-550 g,were divided into 3 groups (n =24 each) using a random number table method:control group (group C),operation group (group O) and group EA.EA was performed at Baihui and Dazhui acupoints for 30 min using disperse-dense waves,with a frequency 2/15 Hz and intensity 1 mA,once a day for 5 consecutive days in group EA.Laparotomy was performed under 3％sevoflurane anesthesia after the end of EA stimulation in O and EA groups.Morris water maze test was performed on 1 day before operation and 3 and 7 days after operation to assess the cognitive function.Rats were sacrificed after the end of Morris water maze test,brains were removed,and hippocampal tissues were obtained for detection of apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons and expression of hippocampal caspase-3 and cytochrome c (Cyt c) by Western blot.Results Compared with group C,the escape latency was significantly prolonged after operation,the frequency of crossing the original platform was reduced,the apoptotic rate of hippocampal neurons was increased,and the expression of caspase-3 and Cyt c was up-regulated in O and A groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group O,the escape latency was significantly shortened after operation,the frequency of crossing the original platform was increased,the apoptotic rate of hippocampal neurons was decreased,and the expression of caspase-3 and Cyt c was down-regulated in EA group (P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which EA improves postoperative cognitive dysfunction may be related to inhibiting mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis in hippocampal neurons of aged rats.

Pre-treatment with nimodipine and 7.5% hypertonic saline protects aged rats against postoperative cognitive dysfunction via inhibiting hippocampal neuronal apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of pre-treatment with nimodipine and 7.5% hypertonic saline (HS) on postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in aged rats. METHODS: Healthy Sprague-Dawley aged rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups: POCD group, nimodipine group, HS group, and nimodipine+HS group. Rats in POCD group received normal saline injection and then splenectomy 30min later under 1.8% isoflurane inhalation for 2h. In remaining groups, rats received injection of 1mg/kg nimodipine (i.p) and/or 4ml/kg 7.5% HS (i.v) and then splenectomy. Morris water maze test was performed before and after surgery. The hippocampus was harvested for the detection of neuronal apoptosis rate (AR), cytoplasmic calcium ([Ca2+]i), Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA expression and hippocampal neuronal ultrastructure. RESULTS: When compared with POCD group, the latency to escape, neuronal AR, [Ca2+]i, Bax mRNA expression and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio reduced dramatically, but the times of crossing the platform and Bcl-2 mRNA expression increased significantly (P<0.05) in nimodipine group, NS group and nimodipine+HS group. In addition, the latency to escape, neuronal AR, [Ca2+]i, Bax mRNA expression and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio reduced markedly, but the times of crossing the platform and Bcl-2 mRNA expression increased significantly in nimodipine+HS group as compared to nimodipine group and NS group (P<0.05). Hippocampal neuronal ultrastructure damage was observed in all 4 groups, but it was the mildest in nimodipine+HS group. CONCLUSION: Pre-treatment with both nimodipine and 7.5% HS exerts better protective effects, which is related to the inhibition of hippocampal neuronal apoptosis.