Correlation between Insulin Resistance and Microalbuminuria Creatinine Ratio in Postmenopausal Women.

Objective: To study the relationship between insulin resistance and urinary microalbumin creatinine ratio in postmenopausal women. Methods: The selected research group comprised 104 postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes who were admitted to the Department of Endocrinology in the green card center at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University between 2017 and 2019 inclusive. Ninety-eight postmenopausal women with the normal blood glucose metabolism hospitalized in the same period were used as the control group. The age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin (FINS), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) were analyzed. The insulin resistance index (HOMR-IR) was calculated, and the correlation between IR and UACR was analyzed. Results: Levels of HOMA-IR, SBP, HbA1c, HDL-C, LDL-C, TC, TG, FPG, FINS, and UACR in the study group were higher than those in the control group, and a significant difference was found between the groups (P < 0.05). The level of DBP in the study group was lower than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that UACR was positively correlated with HOMA-IR and HbA1c (r = 0.254, r = 0.565, P < 0.01). Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis further showed that HOMA-IR and age were positively correlated with UACR (P < 0.05). Conclusion: There is a correlation between IR and UACR in postmenopausal women. IR is an independent risk factor for UACR.

Selection of Reference Genes for Quantitative Real-Time PCR in Aquatica leii (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) Under Five Different Experimental Conditions.

Aquatic fireflies are important indicators of the quality of freshwater environments and key models for research on insect adaptation to freshwater environments. For these investigations, gene expression analyses using quantitative real-time PCR are heavily dependent on reliable reference genes. In this study, based on a transcriptome assembly and annotation for the aquatic firefly Aquatica leii at the adult and larval stages, 10 candidate reference genes (α-tubulin, ß-tubulin, ß-actin, EF1A, SDHA, UBQ, GST, GAPDH, RPS31, and RPL13A) were identified for analyses of expression stability. Quantitative real-time PCR analyses for each candidate reference genes in A. leii was conducted for four developmental stages, four adult tissue types, two adult sexes, and two ecological stressors [adults exposed to five temperatures and larvae exposed to four concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene]. Results were evaluated by three independent algorithms (geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper) and one comparative algorithm (RefFinder). The expression stability of candidate reference genes in A. leii differed under various conditions. Reference genes with the most stable expressions levels in different tissues, temperatures, sexes, developmental stages, and concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene were α-tubulin, GST, ß-actin, ß-tubulin, and α-tubulin, respectively. Furthermore, the optimal normalization factors (NFs) for the quantification of the expression levels of target genes by quantitative real-time PCR analyses of A. leii were identified for each experimental group. In particular, NF = 2 for different tissues (α-tubulin + ß-tubulin), different sexes (ß-actin + EF1A), and larvae exposed to different concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene (α-tubulin + EF1A); NF = 3 for developmental stages (GST + GAPDH + SDHA) and adults exposed to different temperatures (ß-tubulin + EFA + GST). In addition, we surveyed the expression profiles of two target genes (CYP3A and CSP8) in larvae exposed to different concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene and in different adult tissues. The results further validated the reliability of the reference genes. The optimal reference genes for various experimental conditions identified in these analyses provide a useful tool for ecological studies of aquatic fireflies.

PBDEs and Dechlorane Plus in the environment of Guiyu, Southeast China: A historical location for E-waste recycling (2004, 2014).

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs, tri-to hepta-BDEs) and Dechlorane Plus (DP) in multiple samples (soil, sediment, road dust, and PM2.5 particles) in historical locations of our previous work in Guiyu (electronic-waste recycling town) in southeastern China were investigated in 2014. Ten years later, PBDEs and DP were detected in 100% of the samples. Æ©3-7PBDEs were still relatively great, ranging from 1.2 × 101 to 2.1 × 103 ng/g dry weight (dw) in soil, 2.1 to 3.2 × 103 ng/g dw in sediment, 1.0 × 101 to 1.1 × 104 ng/g dw in road dust, which were a little less than or close to those measured in 2004. However, Æ©3-7PBDEs in PM2.5 (5.0 × 102 to 8.4 × 102 pg/m3) were significantly lower in 2014. BDE-47, -99, -153, and -183 were predominant congeners, which were also predominant PBDEs reported in Guiyu (2006-2008). Greater proportions of lesser-brominated BDEs were predominant in PM2.5 than other samples. DP was detected in 100% of the samples collected with high levels. Total syn-DP and anti-DP concentrations were 3.8 to 2.1 × 103 ng/g dw in soil, 1.1 × 103 to 7.2 × 103 ng/g dw in sediment, 1.4 × 101 to 1.1 × 103 ng/g dw in road dust, and 1.8 × 102 and 1.7 × 102 pg/m3 in PM2.5. Most of the fractions of anti-DP (fanti) (70%-80%) were consistent among samples. The health risk assessment showed that hazard indexes (HIs) of PBDEs or DPs for child or adult were all lower than 0.16.

End-of-life (EoL) mobile phone management in Hong Kong households.

A questionnaire survey and interviews were conducted in households and end-of-life (EoL) mobile phone business centres in Hong Kong. Widespread Internet use, combined with the rapid evolution of modern social networks, has resulted in the more rapid obsolescence of mobile phones, and thus a tremendous increase in the number of obsolete phones. In 2013, the volume of EoL mobile phones generated in Hong Kong totalled at least 330 tonnes, and the amount is rising. Approximately 80% of electronic waste is exported to Africa and developing countries such as mainland China or Pakistan for recycling. However, the material flow of the large number of obsolete phones generated by the territory's households remains unclear. Hence, the flow of EoL mobile phones in those households was analysed, with the average lifespan of a mobile phone in Hong Kong found to be just under two years (nearly 23 months). Most EoL mobile phones are transferred to mainland China for disposal. Current recycling methods are neither environmentally friendly nor sustainable, with serious implications for the environment and human health. The results of this analysis provide useful information for planning the collection system and facilities needed in Hong Kong and mainland China to better manage EoL mobile phones in the future.

Characteristics of PM2.5, CO2 and particle-number concentration in mass transit railway carriages in Hong Kong.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels, carbon dioxide (CO2) levels and particle-number concentrations (PNC) were monitored in train carriages on seven routes of the mass transit railway in Hong Kong between March and May 2014, using real-time monitoring instruments. The 8-h average PM2.5 levels in carriages on the seven routes ranged from 24.1 to 49.8 µg/m3, higher than levels in Finland and similar to those in New York, and in most cases exceeding the standard set by the World Health Organisation (25 µg/m3). The CO2 concentration ranged from 714 to 1801 ppm on four of the routes, generally exceeding indoor air quality guidelines (1000 ppm over 8 h) and reaching levels as high as those in Beijing. PNC ranged from 1506 to 11,570 particles/cm3, lower than readings in Sydney and higher than readings in Taipei. Correlation analysis indicated that the number of passengers in a given carriage did not affect the PM2.5 concentration or PNC in the carriage. However, a significant positive correlation (p < 0.001, R 2 = 0.834) was observed between passenger numbers and CO2 levels, with each passenger contributing approximately 7.7-9.8 ppm of CO2. The real-time measurements of PM2.5 and PNC varied considerably, rising when carriage doors opened on arrival at a station and when passengers inside the carriage were more active. This suggests that air pollutants outside the train and passenger movements may contribute to PM2.5 levels and PNC. Assessment of the risk associated with PM2.5 exposure revealed that children are most severely affected by PM2.5 pollution, followed in order by juveniles, adults and the elderly. In addition, females were found to be more vulnerable to PM2.5 pollution than males (p < 0.001), and different subway lines were associated with different levels of risk.

Measurement and health risk assessment of PM2.5, flame retardants, carbonyls and black carbon in indoor and outdoor air in kindergartens in Hong Kong.

Indoor air pollution is closely related to children's health. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and dechlorane plus (DP) transmitted through indoor PM2.5 and dust, along with carbonyl compounds and black carbon (BC) aerosol were analysed in five Hong Kong kindergartens. The results showed that 60% of the median PM2.5 levels (1.3×101 to 2.9×101µg/m3 for indoor; 9.5 to 8.8×101µg/m3 for outdoor) in the five kindergartens were higher than the guidelines set by the World Health Organization (2.5×101µg/m3). Indoor PM2.5 mass concentrations were correlated with outdoor PM2.5 in four of the kindergartens. The PBDEs (0.10-0.64ng/m3 in PM2.5; 0.30-2.0×102ng/g in dust) and DP (0.05-0.10ng/m3 in PM2.5; 1.3-8.7ng/g in dust) were detected in 100% of the PM2.5 and dust samples. Fire retardant levels in the air were not correlated with the levels of dust in this study. The median BC concentrations varied by >7-fold from 8.8×102ng/m-3 to 6.7×103ng/m-3 and cooking events might have caused BC concentrations to rise both indoors and outdoors. The total concentrations of 16 carbonyls ranged from 4.7×101µg/m3 to 9.3×101µg/m3 indoors and from 1.9×101µg/m3 to 4.3×101µg/m3 outdoors, whilst formaldehyde was the most abundant air carbonyl. Indoor carbonyl concentrations were correlated with outdoor carbonyls in three kindergartens. The health risk assessment showed that hazard indexes (HIs) HIs of non-cancer risks from PBDEs and DPs were all lower than 0.08, whilst non-cancer HIs of carbonyl compounds ranged from 0.77 to 1.85 indoors and from 0.50 to 0.97 outdoors. The human intake of PBDEs and DP through inhalation of PM2.5 accounted for 78% to 92% of the total intake. The cancer hazard quotients (HQs) of formaldehyde ranged from 4.5E-05 to 2.1E-04 indoors and from 1.9E-05 to 6.2E-05 outdoors. In general, the indoor air pollution in the five Hong Kong kindergartens might present adverse effects to children, although different schools showed distinct pollution levels, so indoor air quality might be improved through artificial measures. The data will be useful to developing a feasible management protocol for indoor environments.

Determination of benzyl glucosinolate in Lepidium meyenii from different regions by HPLC / 中国中药杂志

The content of benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) which as the enzymatic hydrolysis product of benzyl glucosinolate through thioglucosidase was determined by HPLC. The content of benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) which as the enzymatic hydrolysis product of benzyl glucosinolate through thioglucosidase was determined by HPLC. The chromatography condition was as follows: Kaseisorb LC ODS 2000 (4.6 mm x 150 mm, 5 min) column with the mobile phase of acetonitrile(A)-water( B) under gradient elution (0-5 min, 3%-8% A; 5-9 min, 8%-48% A; 9-23 min, 48%-62% A; 23-28 min, 62%-99% A); the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1) with 10 microL injection volume; detection wavelength was 246 nm and temperature of column was 40 degrees C. The content of benzyl glucosinolate was in the range of 10.76-17.91 g x L(-1). The method is simple, accurate and good reproducibility which can be used for the determination of benzyl glucosinolate in Lepidium meyenii, effectively.

The Discussion on the General Microbiology Course Arrangement for Pharmacy Specialty in Higher Vocational Colleges / 微生物学通报

Based on the teaching fact and feature of pharmacy specialty. In this article, curriculum location of general microbiology about object, character, function, content design for the higher vocational colleges were disscused. The result would provide some gist to reform teaching methods for microbiology course.

Characterization and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in sediments of Haihe River, Tianjin, China.

In this study sediment samples were collected from 13 sites of Haihe River in Tianjin City, China, sixteen of priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) listed in USEPA were analyzed by means of GC-MS. The total concentrations of PAH ranged from 774.81 to 255371.91 ng/g dw, and two to four rings of PAHs were dominant in sediment samples. Molecular ratios, such as phenanthrene/anthracene, fluoranthene/pyrene and low-molecular-weight PAH /high-molecular-weight PAH, were used to study the possible sources of pollution. It indicated a mixed pattern of parolytic and petrogenic inputs of PAHs in sediments in Haihe River. The petrogenic PAHs may be mainly derived from the leakage of refined products, e.g., gasoline, diesel fuel and fuel oil vehicle traffics or gas stations from urban area. The pyrolytic PAHs might be from the discharge of industrial wastewater and the emission of atmospheric particles from petrochemical factories. In addition, the levels of PAHs in the urban and industrial areas are far beyond the values reported from other rivers and marine systems reported. This situation may be due to polluted discharging from some petrochemical industrial manufactories and worse traffic conditions in Tianjin.

Study on skin toxicology and penetration enhancement of skin absorption of volatile oil extracted from tender branchers of Camellia oleifera / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the toxicity on skin and penetration effect of volatile oil from tender branchers of Camellia oleifera on nitrendipine, baicalin, nimesulide for percutaneous obsorption.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Acute skin toxicity, irritation and allergy on rats were tested, and mouse skin in vitro was applied for studying the effects of different concentrations of volatile oil in nitrendipine, baicalin, nimesulide on drug permeation.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Different dosage volatile oil had no acute toxicity, irritation or hypersensitive effects. Compared to azone, more powerful enhancement effects of volatile oil at different concentration on nitrendipine, baicalin, nimesulide were very obvious.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This paper firstly reported the results of experiment about the toxicity to skin and penetr-ation effect of volatile oil from tender branches of C. oleifera.</p>