Mechanistic insight into the synergy between platinum cluster and indium particle dual cocatalysts for enhanced photocatalytic water splitting.

Photocatalytic H2 production is envisioned as a promising pillar of sustainable energy conversion system to address the energy crisis and environmental issues but still challenging. Herein, a strategy is proposed to design a dual-metal cocatalysts consisting of Pt nanoclusters (Pt NCs) and In nanoparticles (In NPs) anchored on polymeric carbon nitride (Pt-In/CN) for boosting photocatalytic water splitting. As expected, the designed Pt-In/CN photocatalyst exhibits an impressive H2 production rate of 6.49 mmol·h-1·g-1 with an apparent quantum yield (AQY) of 33.56 % at 400 nm, which is 2.8- and 11.2-fold higher than those of the Pt/CN and In/CN, respectively. Combining experimental characterization with theoretical calculation demonstrates the synergistic mechanisms underpinning the enhanced photocatalytic activity. The Pt NCs and In NPs serve as photogenerated electron and hole trapping sites, respectively, which achieves the spatial separation of charge carriers and induces the polarized surface charge distribution, thus fostering optimal adsorption behavior of intermediates. More importantly, the p-block In NPs modulate the electronic microenvironment of Pt NCs to attenuate the adsorption behavior of H* intermediates for accelerated H2 evolution kinetics. This work unveils a versatile strategy to regulate the electronic structures of dual-metal sites with synergy by establishing charge transfer mechanism for dual-metal cocatalysts.

Enhanced Spin-Polarized Electric Field Modulating p-Band Center on Ni-Doped CdS for Boosting Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution.

It is a challenge to regulate charge separation dynamics and redox reaction kinetics at the atomic level to synergistically boost photocatalytic hydrogen (H2 ) evolution. Herein, a robust Ni-doped CdS (Ni-CdS) photocatalyst is synthesized by incorporating highly dispersed Ni atoms into the CdS lattice in substitution for Cd atoms. Combined characterizations with theoretical analysis indicate that local lattice distortion and S-vacancy of Ni-CdS induced by Ni incorporation lead to an increased dipole moment and enhanced spin-polarized electric field, which promotes the separation and transfer of photoinduced carriers. In this contribution, charge redistribution caused by enhanced internal electric field results in the downshift of the S p-band center, which is conducive to the desorption of intermediate H* for boosting the H2 evolution reaction. Accordingly, the Ni-CdS photocatalyst shows a remarkably improved photocatalytic performance with an H2 evolution rate of 20.28 mmol g-1  h-1 under visible-light irradiation, which is 5.58 times higher than that of pristine CdS. This work supplied an insightful understanding that the enhanced polarization electric field governs the p-band center for efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution activity.

Influences of El Niño-Southern Oscillation on summertime ozone pollution over central-eastern China during 1950-2014.

Summertime ozone pollution has become increasingly severe over many parts of China in recent years. Due to lack of historical ozone observations, few studies have analyzed the linkage between natural climate variability and ozone levels for a long time series. This study uses the simulation datasets from CMIP6 to explore the effects of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on summertime (June/July/August) surface ozone concentrations in central-eastern China (CEC; 20°N-42°N, 100°E-123°E) during the period of 1950-2014. Our results show that, after excluding the emission-related trend, the detrended summertime daily mean surface ozone concentrations averaged over CEC in El Niño years (30.69 ppb) are higher than those in La Niña events (29.34 ppb). Compared to the summertime mean ozone of 1950-2014 (30.25 ppb), the maximum anomalies in CMIP6 are 2.88 ppb (9.52% higher) and - 5.52 ppb (18.25% lower) in El Niño and La Niña years, respectively. In addition, the summertime MDA8 ozone of CEC is significantly correlated with the central-eastern equatorial Pacific SST (5°N-5°S, 170°W-120°W) (R = 0.29, P-value = 0.02). Such ozone increases/declines in El Niño/La Niña years are also found in satellite observations of OMI ozone. The results show that the ENSO affects the large-scale circulations over central-eastern China, which regulate the regional atmospheric stability and meteorological conditions (including horizontal wind fields, geopotential height, vertical velocity, surface air temperature, and precipitation) to influence the efficiency of ozone photochemical formation and transport. Our study makes better estimation and attribution of future surface ozone pollution in China.

Chinese Medicine Syndrome Differentiation for Early Breast Cancer: A Multicenter Prospective Clinical Study.

Background: Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome differentiation is one of the fundamental principles that guide the practice of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM). CHM has been widely used among breast cancer patients. Contemporary literature varies in syndrome diagnosis, and there is a need to standardize syndrome differentiation according to the different stages of breast cancer treatment. This multicenter clinical study aims to identify the CM syndromes and the clinical signs and symptoms in women with early breast cancer. Methods: Participants who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were interviewed during the five treatment stages: preoperative, postoperative, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and endocrine therapy. Patient demographic data and CM syndrome (as recorded by the treating CM clinicians in medical records) were gathered. Signs and symptoms were analyzed using descriptive statistics to derive the standardized CM syndromes using hierarchical cluster analysis. Results: The analysis included 964 interviews with 620 participants enrolled between April 29, 2020 and May 30, 2021 from eight participating hospitals in China. The two most frequent syndromes recorded in medical records were dual deficiency of qi and blood, and dual deficiency of qi and yin during all but the preoperative stage. The symptoms of lassitude, lack of strength, and insomnia were common in all but the preoperative stage. Cluster analysis identified two clusters in the preoperative stage that most closely resembled the syndrome diagnoses of liver stagnation with congealing phlegm, and dual deficiency of the liver and kidney. Two clusters-dual deficiency of qi and blood, and dual deficiency of qi and yin-were common to multiple treatment stages. The syndrome cluster of spleen and stomach disharmony existed in both the postoperative and chemotherapy stages. Cluster analysis of the radiation therapy stage identified the unique syndrome of yin deficiency with fire toxin, while the endocrine therapy included the syndromes of liver depression and kidney deficiency. Conclusions: This multicenter clinical study showed consistency between results from cluster analysis and the most common syndromes recorded in the medical records. Findings from this clinical study will be further validated in a Delphi study to standardize CM syndromes for various stages of breast cancer treatment. Clinical Trial Registration: www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx, identifier ChiCTR2000032497.

[Application of modified designed bilobed latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap in chest wall reconstruction of locally advanced breast cancer patients].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of the modified designed bilobed latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap in chest wall reconstruction of locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) patients. METHODS: Between January 2016 and June 2019, 64 unilateral LABC patients were admitted. All patients were female with an average age of 41.3 years (range, 34-50 years). The disease duration ranged from 6 to 32 months (mean, 12.3 months). The diameter of primary tumor ranged from 4.8 to 14.2 cm (mean, 8.59 cm). The size of chest wall defect ranged from 16 cm×15 cm to 20 cm×20 cm after modified radical mastectomy/radical mastectomy. All defects were reconstructed with the modified designed bilobed latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps, including 34 cases with antegrade method and 30 cases with retrograde method. The size of skin paddle ranged from 13 cm×5 cm to 17 cm×6 cm. All the donor sites were closed directly. RESULTS: In antegrade group, 2 flaps (5.8%, 2/34) showed partial necrosis; in retrograde group, 6 flaps (20%, 6/30) showed partial necrosis, 5 donor sites (16.7%, 5/30) showed partial necrosis; and all of them healed after dressing treatment. The other flaps survived successfully and incisions in donor sites healed by first intention. There was no significant difference in the incidence of partial necrosis between antegrade and retrograde groups ( χ 2=2.904, P=0.091). The difference in delayed healing rate of donor site between the two groups was significant ( P=0.013). The patients were followed up 15-30 months, with an average of 23.1 months. The appearance and texture of the flaps were satisfactory, and only linear scar left in the donor site. No local recurrence was found in all patients. Four patients died of distant metastasis, including 2 cases of liver metastasis, 1 case of brain metastasis, and 1 case of lung metastasis. The average survival time was 22.6 months (range, 20-28 months). CONCLUSION: The modified designed bilobed latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap can repair chest wall defect after LABC surgery. Antegrade design of the flap can ensure the blood supply of the flap and reduce the tension of the donor site, decrease the incidence of complications.

The Integrated Analyses of Driver Genes Identify Key Biomarkers in Thyroid Cancer.

AIM: Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer, the incidence rate has continuously increased worldwide. However, there are still lack of effective molecular biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. The study was conducted to identify driver genes that may serve as potential biomarkers for the disease. METHODS: The computational tools oncodriveCLUST, oncodriveFM, icages and drgap were used to detect driver genes in thyroid cancer using somatic mutations from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Integrated analyses were performed on the driver genes using multiomics data from the TCGA database. RESULTS: A set of 291 driver genes were identified in thyroid cancer. BRAF, NRAS, HRAS, OTUD4, EIF1AX were the top 5 frequently mutated genes in thyroid cancer. The weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified 4 coexpression modules. The modules 1-3 were significantly associated with patients' tumor size, residual tumor, cancer stage, distant metastasis and multifocality. SEC24B, MET and ITGAL were the hub genes in the modules 1-3 respectively. Hierarchical clustering analysis of the 20 driver genes with the most frequent copy number changes revealed 3 clusters of PRAD patients. Cluster 1 tumors exhibited significantly older age, tumor size, cancer stages, and poorer prognosis than cluster 2 and 3 tumors. 16 genes were significantly associated with number of lymph nodes, tumor size and pathologic stage, such as IL7 R, IRS1, PTK2B, MAP3K3 and FGFR2. CONCLUSIONS: The set of cancer genes and subgroups of patients shed insight on the tumorigenesis of thyroid cancer and open up avenues for developing prognostic biomarkers and driver gene-targeted therapies in thyroid cancer.

Association of Red Blood Cell Indices with Mild Cognitive Impairment in Chinese Elderly Individuals: A Matched Case-control Study.

BACKGROUND: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents an intermediate and modifiable stage between normal aging and dementia. There is an urgent need for simple, non-invasive testing of MCI by blood biomarkers. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the association of red blood cell (RBC) indices with MCI, and select the best hematologic characteristic for detection of MCI in elderly Chinese. METHODS: Matched case-control study was carried out with 85 pairs of MCI subjects and healthy controls. The matching criteria was age, gender and education attainment. All samples were analyzed for RBC indices, including hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and red cell distribution width-standard deviation (RDW-SD). A conditional logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between RBC indices and MCI. The diagnostic efficacy of the biomarkers was evaluated by receiver operating characteristics (ROC). RESULTS: Among all RBC indices, there were significant differences in HGB (124.82 ± 7.89 vs. 133.93 ± 4.52, P < 0.001) and RDW-SD (45.29 ± 2.03 vs. 41.34 ± 4.41, P < 0.001) between two groups. In the logistic regression model, after adjustment for lifestyle factors and comorbidities, significant statistically associations have been found between higher HGB and lower risk of MCI (adjusted OR: 0.831; 95% CI: 0.773-0.893), higher RDW-SD and a higher risk of MCI (adjusted OR: 1.575; 95% CI: 1.326- 1.872). ROC analysis suggested that the largest area under the ROC curve (AUC) was found with the combination of HGB and RDW-SD (AUC = 0.842), followed by HGB(AUC = 0.795), and finally by modest RDW-SD (AUC = 0.777). Combination of HGB <131 g/L and RDW-SD >43.4 fL yielded a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 89%, overall diagnosis efficiency of which were better than HBG and RDW-SD alone. CONCLUSION: Lower HGB and higher RDW-SD alone were significantly found to be associated with increased risk of MCI, and offered modest sensitivity and specificity as a diagnostic marker. The combination of HGB and RDW-SD was more sensitive and had higher classification accuracy for differentiating MCI from healthy controls. Further prospective research is needed to clarify whether HGB in combination with RDW-SD may be a potential diagnostic tool for early diagnosis of AD.

Relationship between folate, vitamin B12, homocysteine, transaminase and mild cognitive impairment in China: a case-control study.

To explore the association between the levels of serum folate, vitamin B12, and homocysteine (Hcy), transaminase and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Chinese elderly. A case-control study was implemented between April and October 2016. Elderly participants aged ≥60 with and without MCI (n = 118 separately) were recruited from Community Health Center of Binhai New Area in Tianjin. Spearman's correlation analysis indicated that Hcy was significantly positively correlated with alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and negative correlations were found among Hcy, Mini-Mental Status Examination score, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised by China intelligence quotient, folate and vitamin B12. The associations among MCI and folate, vitamin B12, Hcy and transaminase were assessed using multivariate logistic regression analyses. Lower folate levels and higher Hcy and ALT and AST levels were associated with MCI risk adjusted for multiple covariates. Increased ALT, AST, Hcy levels and lower folate levels were independently associated with the risk of MCI.

Development of a high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for identifying common adulterant content in saffron (Crocus sativus L.).

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to develop an efficient and reliable method for estimating common adulterants in saffron by detecting their characteristic components to warrant its efficacy and regular use as a highly valuable medicinal herb. METHODS: A selective and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method was developed to estimate the common adulterants in saffron from corn stigma, chrysanthemum and safflower through the simultaneous determination of specific constituents including allantoin, chlorogenic acid (ChA) and hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA). Peak identification of each target compound was confirmed from product ions obtained using multiple reaction monitoring triggered enhanced product ions mass chromatogram. Method validation in terms of linearity, sensitivity, reproducibility, accuracy and stability was systematically performed according to official guidelines. KEY FINDINGS: Satisfactory separation of the three components was achieved on a C18 column (4.6 × 250 mm, 5 µm) with methanol-acetonitrile-ammonium acetate (3.0 mm) as the mobile phase at gradient elution. The identification of these specific constituents was accomplished using the multiple reaction monitoring mode in combination with enhanced product ion supplementary confirmation. The established method was validated in terms of linearity, sensitivity, reproducibility, accuracy and recovery, which were found satisfactory for sensitive detection of the three target compounds. CONCLUSIONS: By detecting the specific constituents allantoin, ChA and HSYA in one run, the adulterants of corn stigma, chrysanthemum and safflower can be effectively identified and estimated in saffron. This is the first report on developing a simple, sensitive and operational method for the identification and estimation of common adulterants of saffron, that was forwarded for broaden application.

Association of Leukocyte Telomere Length with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease: Role of Folate and Homocysteine.

BACKGROUND: Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is associated with the aging process and age-related degenerative diseases. The relation of peripheral blood LTL to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the role of folate and homocysteine (Hcy) in this relation remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the association between LTL and the risks of MCI/AD, and to explore whether folate and Hcy may play a role in this association. METHODS: This case-control study included 129 MCI subjects, 131 AD patients and 134 healthy controls. LTL was assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. Serum folate levels were tested by chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay, and serum Hcy levels were measured using the enzymatic cycling method. Data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression and multivariable linear regression with adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS: The mean LTL was 1.56 ± 0.25 in controls, 1.44 ± 0.23 in MCI, and 1.28 ± 0.28 in AD patients (p< 0.01). In multivariate logistic regression, subjects in the longest LTL tertile had lower OR for MCI (OR 0.246; 95% CI 0.101-0.597) and AD (OR 0.123; 95% CI 0.044-0.345) in comparison to subjects in the shortest tertile. Shorter LTL was dose-dependently related to the ORs of MCI and AD. Further, serum folate concentration was positively associated with LTL (p < 0.01), while serum Hcy level was negatively associated with LTL (p < 0.05). In stratified analyses, LTL-MCI/AD association varied by serum folate and Hcy level. CONCLUSIONS: Shorter LTL is associated with the risks of MCI/AD. Folate and Hcy might play an important role in this association.

Effects of Folic Acid and Vitamin B12, Alone and in Combination on Cognitive Function and Inflammatory Factors in the Elderly with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Single-blind Experimental Design.

BACKGROUND: Folate and vitamin B12 are well-known as essential nutrients that play key roles in the normal functions of the brain. Inflammatory processes play at least some role in the pathology of AD. Effective nutritional intervention approaches for improving cognitive deficits that reduce the peripheral inflammatory cytokine levels have garnered special attention. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to determine whether supplementation with folic acid and vitamin B12, alone and in combination improves cognitive performance via reducing levels of peripheral inflammatory cytokines. METHODS: 240 participants with MCI were randomly assigned in equal proportion to four treatment groups: folic acid alone, vitamin B12 alone, folic acid plus vitamin B12 or control without treatment daily for 6 months. Cognition was measured with WAIS-RC. The levels of inflammatory cytokines were measured using ELISA. Changes in cognitive function or blood biomarkers were analyzed by repeatedmeasure analysis of variance or mixed-effects models. This trial has been registered with trial number ChiCTR-ROC-16008305. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the folic acid plus vitamin B12 group had significantly greater improvements in serum folate, homocysteine, vitamin B12 and IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1. The folic acid plus vitamin B12 supplementation significantly changed the Full Scale IQ (effect size d = 0.169; P = 0.024), verbal IQ (effect size d = 0.146; P = 0.033), Information (d = 0.172; P = 0.019) and Digit Span (d = 0.187; P = 0.009) scores. Post hoc Turkey tests found that folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation was significantly more effective than folic acid alone for all endpoints. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of oral folic acid plus vitamin B12 in MCI elderly for six months can significantly improve cognitive performance and reduce the levels of inflammatory cytokines in human peripheral blood. The combination of folic acid and vitamin B12 was significantly superior to either folic acid or vitamin B12 alone.

Association of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio with Mild Cognitive Impairment in Elderly Chinese Adults: A Case-control Study.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of cognitive impairment in previous studies. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a reliable measure of systemic inflammation. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between NLR and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and further to explore the diagnostic potential of the inflammatory markers NLR for the diagnosis of MCI in elderly Chinese individuals. METHODS: 186 MCI subjects and 153 subjects with normal cognitive function were evaluated consecutively in this study. Neutrophil (NEUT) count and Lymphocyte (LYM) count were measured in fasting blood samples. The NLR was calculated by dividing the absolute NEUT count by the absolute LYM count. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the potential association between NLR and MCI. NLR for predicting MCI was analyzed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: The NLR of MCI group was significantly higher than that of subjects with normal cognitive function (2.39 ± 0.55 vs. 1.94 ± 0.51, P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that higher NLR was an independent risk factor for MCI (OR: 4.549, 95% CI: 2.623-7.889, P < 0.001). ROC analysis suggested that the optimum NLR cut-off point for MCI was 2.07 with 73.66% sensitivity, 69.28% specificity, 74.48% Positive Predictive Values (PPV) and 68.36% negative predictive values (NPV). Subjects with NLR ≥ 2.07 showed higher risk relative to NLR < 2.07 (OR: 5.933, 95% CI: 3.467-10.155, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The elevated NLR is significantly associated with increased risk of MCI. In particular, NLR level higher than the threshold of 2.07 was significantly associated with the probability of MCI.

Effects of folic acid supplementation on cognitive function and Aß-related biomarkers in mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Observational studies have frequently reported that low blood folate concentrations are associated with poor cognitive performance. Our previous studies have shown the potential beneficial effect on the metabolite levels of methionine cycle and peripheral blood inflammatory cytokines from 6- and 12-month folic acid supplementation on cognitive function in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This study aims to continue exploring the effect of 24-month folic acid supplementation on cognitive function and pathological mechanism in MCI. METHODS: 180 individuals with MCI were identified and randomly divided into intervention (folic acid 400 µg/day, n = 90) and convention (n = 90) groups. Cognitive function (WAIS-RC) and blood Aß-related biomarkers were measured at baseline and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equation. This trial has been registered with Trial Number: ChiCTR-TRC-13003227. RESULTS: During the follow-up, scores of full scale IQ, verbal IQ, and subdomains of Information and Digit Span were significantly higher in the intervention group than those in the convention group (P < 0.05). In the intervention group, blood homocysteine, S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), Aß-42, and the expression of APP-mRNA were decreased (P < 0.05), while S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), SAM/SAH ratio, and the expression of DNA methyltransferase mRNA were increased (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Folic acid supplementation appears to improve cognitive function and reduce blood levels of Aß-related biomarkers in MCI. Larger-scale double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trials of longer duration are needed.

Yanghe Huayan decoction inhibits the capability of trans-endothelium and angiogenesis of HER2+ breast cancer via pAkt signaling.

Background: Yanghe Huayan Decoction (YHD), a traditional Chinese medicine, is one of the most common complementary medicine currently used in the treatment of breast cancer (BC). It has been recently linked to suppress precancerous lesion and tumor development. The current study sought to explore the role of YHD on trans-endothelium and angiogenesis of BC. Methods: HER2+ BC cells were treated with YHD, Trastuzumab, or the combination in vitro and in vivo to compare the effects of them on trans-endothelium and angiogenesis features. The present study also investigated the potential molecular mechanism of YHD in inhibiting angiogenesis of BC. Results: YHD significantly suppressed the invasion and angiogenesis of BC cells via elevated pAkt signaling. Administration of YHD in vivo also strikingly repressed angiogenesis in tumor grafts. Conclusion: YHD could partially inhibit and reverse tumorigenesis of BC. It also could inhibit Akt activation and angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo Its effect was superior to trastuzumab. Thus it was suitable for prevention and treatment of BC.

Plasma Homocysteine and Serum Folate and Vitamin B12 Levels in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease: A Case-Control Study.

Homocysteine (Hcy) is a risk factor for brain atrophy, cognitive impairment, and dementia. Vitamin B12 and folate are cofactors necessary for the methylation of Hcy. However, there is some debate regarding the differing levels of plasma Hcy and serum folate and vitamin B12 among healthy controls, patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aimed to evaluate how the levels of plasma Hcy and its biological determinants, folate and vitamin B12, are related to MCI and AD in older Chinese adults. This is a case-control study including 112 subjects with MCI, 89 AD patients and 115 healthy controls. Diagnosis of AD was made according to the NINCDS-ADRDA and MCI with modified Petersen's criteria. Serum folate and vitamin B12 concentrations were analyzed by radioimmunoassay, and plasma Hcy was assessed by a high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence method. Multivariate analysis of regression was used to examine the odds ratio (OR) of MCI or AD with Hcy or vitamin levels. Results have shown that serum folate and vitamin B12 levels were significantly lower, but the plasma Hcy level was higher, in patients with MCI and AD than in healthy controls. Multivariate regression analyses showed that subjects in the lowest folate tertile had significantly higher adjusted ORs for MCI (OR: 3.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12, 8.07) and AD (3.42; 95% CI: 1.15, 8.34) compared to subjects in the highest tertile. The highest Hcy tertile was significantly associated with MCI (adjusted OR: 2.81; 95% CI: 1.15, 4.73) and AD (adjusted OR: 3.64; 95% CI: 1.13, 9.04) compared to the lowest tertile. No association existed between low vitamin B12 levels and AD or MCI (p > 0.05). Low blood levels of folate and vitamin B12 and elevated Hcy levels were associated with MCI and AD in older Chinese adults, and the association was stronger for AD.

Folic acid supplementation improves cognitive function by reducing the levels of peripheral inflammatory cytokines in elderly Chinese subjects with MCI.

This study aimed to evaluate whether folic acid supplementation would improve cognitive performance by reducing serum inflammatory cytokine concentrations. This RCT was performed in Tianjin, China. Participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were randomly assigned to the folic acid (400 µg/day) or conventional treatment groups. Neuropsychological tests were administered, and folate, homocysteine, vitamin B12, IL-6, TNF-α, Aß-42, and Aß-40 were measured at baseline and at 6- and 12-month time points.152 participants (folic acid: 77, conventional: 75) completed the trial. Significant improvements in folate (ηp2 = 0.703, P = 0.011), homocysteine (ηp2 = 0.644, P = 0.009), Aß-42 (ηp2 = 0.687, P = 0.013), peripheral IL-6 (ηp2 = 0.477, P = 0.025), TNF-α (ηp2 = 0.709, P = 0.009) levels were observed in folic acid group compared with conventional group. Folic acid supplementation improved the Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (P = 0.028; effect size d = 0.153), Information (P = 0.031; d = 0.157) and Digit Span (P = 0.009; d = 0.172) scores at 12 months compared with conventional treatment. Based on these findings, daily oral administration of a 400-µg folic acid supplement to MCI subjects for 12 months can significantly improve cognitive performance and reduce peripheral inflammatory cytokine levels.

Prevalence of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Its Subtypes among Chinese Older Adults: Role of Vascular Risk Factors.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and its subtypes among Chinese older adults, and the contribution of vascular risk factors (VRF) and vascular disorders to MCI remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of MCI and its different subtypes, and clarify the role of VRF and vascular diseases in the occurrence of MCI. METHODS: A random sample of 5,214 nondementia (DSM-IV) individuals aged ≥65 years underwent neuropsychological assessments and clinical examinations. MCI, including amnestic MCI-single domain (aMCI-SD), amnestic MCI-multiple domains (aMCI-MD), nonamnestic MCI-single domain (naMCI-SD), and nonamnestic MCI-multiple domains (naMCI-MD), was defined according to modifications of the Petersen criteria. VRF (smoking, obesity, and diabetes) and vascular disorders (myocardial infarction, atrial xFB01;brillation, stroke, and hypertension) were assessed based on information through self-report and medical records. Data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of MCI was 11.33% (95% CI: 8.21-14.43), and that of aMCI-SD, aMCI-MD, naMCI-SD, and naMCI-MD was 4.48% (95% CI: 2.24-6.74), 2.09% (95% CI: 0.80-3.38), 4.22% (95% CI: 1.38-7.08), and 0.53% (95% CI: 0.32-0.75), respectively. The prevalence of MCI is higher in women than in men. Multivariate logistic regression analysis shows that VRF and vascular diseases were significantly related to increase the odds of MCI and its specific subtype. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MCI is almost 11% among Chinese older adults. VRF and vascular disorders are associated with MCI, especially naMCI.

[Analysis on water-soluble inorganic ions in the atmospheric aerosol of Xinglong].

Size-segregated aerosol samples were collected using Andersen cascade sampler from Sep. 2009 to Aug. 2010 in Xinglong, a regional atmospheric background station. The water-soluble inorganic ions were analyzed by IC. The result showed that the annual concentrations of the total water-soluble inorganic ions were (89.66 +/- 47.66), (54.44 +/- 34.08) and (44.39 +/- 29.95) microg x m(-3) in TSP, PM2.1 and PM1.1 respectively. SO4(2-), NO3(-), Ca(2) and NH4(+) were the dominant contributors of water-soluble inorganic ions. The total water-soluble inorganic ions in PM2.1 accounted for 61% of TSP. The total water-soluble inorganic ions in PM1.1 accounted for 50% and 82% in TSP and PM2.1, respectively. The seasonal variations of the total water-soluble inorganic ion concentration in TSP, PM2.1 and PM1.1 were the same, following the order of summer > autumn > springs > winter. The mean molar ratio of NH4(+) to SO4(2-) was larger than 2, indicating that NH4(+) was not completely neutralized by SO4(2-). NH4(+) -SO4(2-) and NH4(+) -NO3(-) concentrations were strongly correlated (R2 0.96 and 0.87), indicating that NH4(+) was mainly present as (NH4) 2SO4 and NH4NO3.

Neurochemical plasticity of nitric oxide synthase isoforms in neurogenic detrusor overactivity after spinal cord injury.

Nitric oxide (NO) participates in the neural pathways controlling the lower urinary tract (LUT). Expression of NO synthase (NOS) can be upregulated after spinal cord injury (SCI), and altered NOS activity may participate in resulting LUT dysfunction. To investigate distribution of NOS-immunoreactivity (NOS-IR) in neurons of rats following SCI and the possible effects of NOS inhibitors. Expression of neuronal and inducible NOS-IR in lumbosacral spinal cord was assessed in rats. Cystometry was performed to examine effects of intrathecal injection of NOS inhibitor. There was increased expression of neuronal NOS-IR after trauma. Maximum bladder capacity was increased by neuronal NOS (nNOS) inhibitors. Upregulation of nNOS may facilitate emergence of the spinal micturition reflex following SCI; nNOS inhibitor suppressed SCI-induced urinary incontinence by increasing bladder capacity. Our results indicate manipulation of NO production could help treat LUT dysfunction after SCI.

[Progress of diagnosis and treatment of precancerous pathological lesions of mammary cancer].

Prevention and treatment of mammary cancer has been taken into great account recently. "Mutistage developing mode" provides the basis for interrupting and reversing precancerous changes. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown effects on precancerous changes through inhibiting angiogenesis, promoting apoptosis, modulating endocrine system and restraining oncogene expression. It was stressed in this review that TCM should study the precancerous change of mammary cancer from the aspects of recognizing the essence of precancerous changes of mammary cancer, formulating the standard of TCM diagnosis and treatment, widening the aim of treatment, and focusing on the mechanism of Chinese herbal medicine in intervening it.