The alleviation effect and its mechanism of Niuhuang Jiedu prescription on realgar-induced genotoxicity in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Realgar (As2S2 or As4S4) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) containing arsenic. Existing studies have shown that it has genotoxicity under long-term use with large doses. Niuhuang Jiedu (NHJD) is a Chinese medicine prescription containing realgar and seven other TCMs. Whether the multiple TCMs combination in NHJD can reduce the genotoxicity induced by realgar in equivalent doses is still unknown. AIM OF THE STUDY: To research the effect of NHJD on realgar's genotoxicity and the possible mechanism involved based on the arsenic methylation metabolic pathway. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six groups (control, realgar (0.8 g/kg), NHJD (12.48 g/kg), as well as Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch (GU), Scutellaria baicalensis Georg (SB), Rheum palmatum L (RP) plus equivalent doses of realgar, respectively) were set up. ICR mice were intragastric administered for 12 weeks. First, genotoxicology tests were conducted to evaluate the effect of NHJD, GU, SB, and RP on reducing realgar's genotoxicity. The inorganic arsenic (iAs), dimethyl arsenic acid (DMA), and monomethyl arsenic acid (MMA) were determined by HPLC-AFS, and the iAs%, MMA%, DMA%, primary methylation index (PMI), etc. Were calculated. Meanwhile, the S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) and arsenate reductase (ARR) levels, the arsenic (+3)methyltransferase (As3MT), purine-nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), glutathione S-transfer omega1 (GSTO1) gene expression were detected, aimed to explore the possible alleviation mechanisms of NHJD. RESULTS: The combination of multiple TCMs in NHJD decreased the levels of MN‰, SPA%, and DNA damage caused by realgar, with similar effects observed when SB, RP, and GU were used separately with realgar. Notably, the iAs% significantly decreased, while DMA% and PMI notably increased in the NHJD and realgar + SB (or RP) groups compared to the realgar-only group (P < 0.05). Increases in SAM and ARR levels were observed across various groups, but only the ARR increase in the NHJD group was statistically significant. Moreover, significant increases in As3MT mRNA and GSTO1 mRNA were noted in the NHJD group, and PNP mRNA levels significantly rose in the realgar + SB group. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that NHJD could attenuate the genotoxic effects of realgar. The botanicals SB, RP, and GU within NHJD may be key contributors to this effect. Enhancements in arsenic methylation capabilities through increased levels of SAM and ARR and elevated gene expressions of As3MT, PNP, and GSTO1 suggest potential mechanisms behind these findings.

Research progress of early screening and clinical prevention services for high-risk population with cardiovascular diseases / 公共卫生与预防医学

Cardiovascular diseases are preventable and controllable, and the disease burden caused by them can be reduced after preventive intervention. Attentions should be paid to the prevention of disease causes. For high-risk population, it is necessary to conduct early screening of cardiovascular diseases, control risk factors, reduce exposure level, prevent and control the occurrence or progression of diseases. Clinical prevention services are to evaluate risk factors of health in clinical sites, which can prevent diseases by personalized intervention measures. Clinical prevention services for high-risk population with cardiovascular diseases are generally at a low level in China. This article reviews the early screening, risk factors and clinical prevention services for high-risk population with cardiovascular diseases.

Proteomic characteristics of six snake venoms from the Viperidae and Elapidae families in China and their relation to local tissue necrosis.

Patients envenomed by snakes from the Viperidae and Elapidae families in China often have varying degrees of local tissue necrosis. Due to the relative clinical characteristics of local tissue necrosis and ulceration following envenoming, this study has analyzed the proteome of six snake venoms from the Viperidae and Elapidae family, and the toxin profiles of each snake were compared and correlated with the clinical manifestations that follow cytotoxic envenoming. Deinagkistrodon acutus and Naja atra envenomation induce severe ulceration, which is absent in Bungarus multicinctus envenomation and mild in the other three vipers. It is interesting to note that the proportion of c-type lectins (CTL) (20.63%) in Deinagkistrodon acutus venom was relatively high, which differs from the venom of other vipers. In addition, three-fingered toxin (3FTx) (2.15%) is present in the venom of Deinagkistrodon acutus, but has not been detected in the remaining three vipers. Snake venom metalloprotease (SVMP) (34.4%-44.7%), phospholipase A2 (PLA2) (9.81%-40.83%), and snake venom serine protease (SVSP) (9.44%-16.2%) represent the most abundant families of toxin in Viperidae venom. The Elapidae venom proteome was mainly composed of neurotoxins and cytotoxins, including 3FTx (39.28%-60.08%) and PLA2 (8.24%-58.95%) toxins, however, the proportion of CRISPS (26.36%) in Naja atra venom was relatively higher compared to Bungarus multicinctus venom. Significant differences in SVMP, SVSP, and 3FTx expression levels exist between the Viperidae and the Elapidae family. The main toxins responsible for the development of tissue necrosis and ulcerations following Viperidae envenoming are hematotoxins (SVSMP, SVSP) and myotoxins (PLA2). Deinagkistrodon acutus venom contains high levels of CTL and traces of 3FTx, leading to more severe local necrosis. However, Naja atra venom can also cause severe local necrosis through the effects of myotoxin (3FTx, CRISP, PLA2). Bungarus multicinctus venom does not contain myotoxins, resulting in pure systemic neurological manifestations no obvious necrosis of local tissue in patients.

Factors Influencing Long-Term Behavioral Intervention Outcomes in Preschool Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Southeast China.

Introduction: Previous studies have demonstrated the long-term effectiveness of behavioral interventions for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in preschool children. We continue to design a case‒control study to further investigate the factors influencing the long-term effect of behavioral intervention. Methods: From May 2020 to August 2021, children who were newly diagnosed with ADHD and not receiving any treatment received a one-year behavioral intervention. A total of 86 children completed the behavioral intervention and assessment. Results: 50 children (58.140%) were in the effective group, and 36 children (41.860%) were in the ineffective group. Attention retention time (OR=0.559, 0.322-0.969), Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham total score (OR=1.186, 1.024-1.374) at baseline, performance score for parents (OR=0.631, 0.463-0.859), and teacher coordination (OR=0.032, 0.002-0.413) were the influencing factors of behavioral intervention effects. The area under the receiver operating curve was 0.979 (p<0.001). The comprehensive nomogram model showed that the discrimination and mean absolute error were 0.979 and 0.023, respectively. Discussion: During behavioral intervention, the implementation skills of parents should be evaluated in a timely manner. The behavioral intervention effect can be predicted based on a child's attention retention time at baseline, teacher involvement, behavioral scale score, and performance score for parents, which can guide clinicians in adjusting personalized treatment plans and provide a basis for clinical decision-making. The treatment of ADHD in preschool children requires a systematic framework that integrates family, school, and society.

Real-World Prescribing Patterns for Hypertensive Children in China from 2018 to 2021: A Cross-Sectional Multicenter Study.

Background: Pediatric hypertension become an early marker of cardiovascular diseases, but their antihypertensive drug use patterns are rarely known. Purpose: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of pediatric hypertension and the use of antihypertensive drugs in the real world in China. Methods: In this study, the demographic, diagnosis, and medication prescription data including the antihypertensive drug types and comorbidities, were analyzed. The antihypertensive drugs use were evaluated according to the Chinese guidelines for hypertension. Results: 1301 prescriptions (number of visits) containing 1880 antihypertensive medical orders were collected. The average number of antihypertensive drugs per prescription was 1.45 (±0.75). The patients aged 16 to 18 (70.18%) accounted for the highest proportion. Kidney diseases (33.28%) were the most common comorbidities. Calcium channel blocker (CCB), angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), and ß receptor blocker (BB) were the most used antihypertensive drugs. The most frequent monotherapy was CCB, while that of two and three drugs combination were ARB+CCB and ARB+BB+CCB, respectively. Metoprolol (11.44%), nifedipine (10.64%), amlodipine (10.59%), valsartan (6.12%) were the most commonly used antihypertensive drugs. The utilization rate of fixed compound preparations was 7.34%. However, the percentage of recommended antihypertensive drugs was just 14.20%, while the recommended drug combination was 84.93% according to the guidelines. Conclusion: For the first time ever we reported the antihypertensive prescription analysis in children in a large area of China. Our data provided new insights into the epidemiological characteristics and drug use in hypertensive children. We found that the guidelines for medication management in hypertensive children were not routinely followed. The wide use of antihypertensive drugs in children and those with weak clinical evidence raised concerns regarding its rational use. The findings could lead to more effective management of hypertension in children.

Nitrite and nitrate in meat processing: Functions and alternatives.

Meat and meat products are important foods in the human diet, but there are concerns about their quality and safety. The discovery of carcinogenic and genotoxic N-nitroso compounds (NOCs) in processed meat products has had serious negative impacts on the meat industry. In order to clarify the relationship between the use of nitrite or nitrate and the safety of meat or meat products, we reviewed NOCs in meat and meat products, the origin and safety implications of NOCs, effects of nitrite and nitrate on meat quality, national regulations, recent publications concerning the using of nitrite and nitrate in meat or meat products, and reduction methods. By comparing and analyzing references, (1) we found antioxidant, flavor improvement and shelf-life extension effects were recently proposed functions of nitrite and nitrate on meat quality, (2) the multiple functions of nitrite and nitrate in meat and meat products couldn't be fully replaced by other food additives at present, (3) we observed that the residual nitrite in raw meat and fried meat products was not well monitored, (4) alternative additives seem to be the most successful methods of replacing nitrite in meat processing, currently. The health risks of consuming processed meat products should be further evaluated, and more effective methods or additives for replacing nitrite or nitrate are needed.

Effect of 4 °C and ice temperature on umami-enhancing nucleotides of conditioned pork.

To study new methods to delay the umami taste attenuation of the conditioned pork, the ice temperature of pork, the content of nucleotides, lactic acid, pyruvate, glycogen, and activity of key endogenous enzymes were determined for the conditioned pork stored at 4 °C and ice temperature. The results indicated that the ice temperature of the pork ham bicipital muscle was -1.4 °C. The content of umami-enhancing nucleotides in pork stored at 4 °C decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing aging time, but all umami-enhancing nucleotides in pork stored at ice temperature were decreased significantly (p < 0.05), but the decrease rates were lower than those in pork stored at 4 °C. A possible reason for this was that the storage temperature influenced the activity of endogenous enzymes and glycolysis. Ice temperature storage was an effective method to inhibit the decrease in umami taste nucleotides in conditioned pork.

Value of atherogenic index of plasma in predicting metabolic associated fatty liver disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus / 临床肝胆病杂志

Objective To investigate the association between atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and metabolic associated fatty liver (MAFLD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods A total of 375 patients with T2DM who were hospitalized and treated in Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, from September 2021 to September 2022 were enrolled, and according to the presence or absence of MAFLD, they were divided into T2DM+MAFLD group with 245 patients and T2DM group with 130 patients. Related clinical data were recorded, and AIP was calculated. According to the quartiles of AIP, the patients were divided into Q1 group (AIP≤0.20), Q2 group (0.20 0.48). The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups, and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups; the trend chi-square test was used for the trend analysis of categorical data. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the effect of AIP on MAFLD, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) were used to assess the value of the indicators such as AIP, body mass index (BMI), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in predicting T2DM with MAFLD. Results Compared with the T2DM group, the T2DM+MAFLD group had significant increases in BMI, systolic pressure, uric acid, fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, ALT, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, and AIP and a significant reduction in high-density lipoprotein (all P < 0.05). The trend chi-square test showed that the prevalence rate of MAFLD in T2DM patients tended to increase with the increase in AIP level ( χ trend 2 =20.338, P < 0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with the Q1 group, the Q4 group had a significant increase in the risk of MAFLD (odds ratio =2.396, 95% confidence interval: 1.018-5.640, P =0.045). The ROC curve analysis showed that the diagnostic model of AIP combined with BMI and ALT had the best diagnostic performance (AUC=0.816), with a sensitivity of 70.2% and a specificity of 78.5% at the optimal cut-off value of 0.670. Conclusion AIP is an independent risk factor for MAFLD in T2DM patients, and AIP combined with BMI and ALT has a good predictive value for T2DM with MAFLD.

Genetic background of idiopathic neurodevelopmental delay patients with significant brain deviation volume / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Significant brain volume deviation is an essential phenotype in children with neurodevelopmental delay (NDD), but its genetic basis has not been fully characterized. This study attempted to analyze the genetic factors associated with significant whole-brain deviation volume (WBDV).@*METHODS@#We established a reference curve based on 4222 subjects ranging in age from the first postnatal day to 18 years. We recruited only NDD patients without acquired etiologies or positive genetic results. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical exome sequencing (2742 genes) data were acquired. A genetic burden test was performed, and the results were compared between patients with and without significant WBDV. Literature review analyses and BrainSpan analysis based on the human brain developmental transcriptome were performed to detect the potential role of genetic risk factors in human brain development.@*RESULTS@#We recruited a total of 253 NDD patients. Among them, 26 had significantly decreased WBDV (<-2 standard deviations [SDs]), and 14 had significantly increased WBDV (>+2 SDs). NDD patients with significant WBDV had higher rates of motor development delay (49.8% [106/213] vs . 75.0% [30/40], P  = 0.003) than patients without significant WBDV. Genetic burden analyses found 30 genes with an increased allele frequency of rare variants in patients with significant WBDV. Analyses of the literature further demonstrated that these genes were not randomly identified: burden genes were more related to the brain development than background genes ( P  = 1.656e -9 ). In seven human brain regions related to motor development, we observed burden genes had higher expression before 37-week gestational age than postnatal stages. Functional analyses found that burden genes were enriched in embryonic brain development, with positive regulation of synaptic growth at the neuromuscular junction, positive regulation of deoxyribonucleic acid templated transcription, and response to hormone, and these genes were shown to be expressed in neural progenitors. Based on single cell sequencing analyses, we found TUBB2B gene had elevated expression levels in neural progenitor cells, interneuron, and excitatory neuron and SOX15 had high expression in interneuron and excitatory neuron.@*CONCLUSION@#Idiopathic NDD patients with significant brain volume changes detected by MRI had an increased prevalence of motor development delay, which could be explained by the genetic differences characterized herein.

Glutamyl transpeptidase trajectories and new-onset metabolic syndrome: A cohort study / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective:To explore the association between glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) trajectories and new-onset metabolic syndrome to provide insights for the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome.Methods:A total of 3 209 subjects who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study cohort of physical examination population. The GGT levels before follow-up were classified by R LCTMtools program into 3 GGT trajectory groups: low-stable group, medium-stable group and high-stable group. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the correlation between different GGT trajectories and new-onset metabolic syndrome.Results:At the end of follow-up in 2020, the cumulative incidence of metabolic syndrome was 7.0%, and the incidence of metabolic syndrome in the low-stable group, medium-stable group and high-stable group were 3.9%, 11.4%, and 15.0%, respectively, showing a growth trend ( P<0.001). After adjusting for multiple confounding factors by Cox proportional hazards regression model, the risk of metabolic syndrome in medium-stable group and high-stable group increased in the total population. The hazard ratios (95% CI)for the high stable group in males and the medium-stable group in females were 1.67(1.07-2.60) and 3.29(1.14-9.53), respectively, compared with their respective low-stable group. Conclusion:Elevated longitudinal trajectory of GGT is a risk factor for new-onset metabolic syndrome, the risk of metabolic syndrome in the total population increased with the increase of long-term GGT level. It is recommended to maintain the long-term level of GGT at about 28 U/L in males and 14 U/L in females, respectively, to achieve the goal of early prevention of metabolic syndrome.

Characterization of an IDS pathogenic variant in a family with mucopolysaccharidosis type Ⅱ / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective:To identify the genetic variation in a mucopolysaccharidosis type Ⅱ(MPS Ⅱ)family, and conduct a functional study of iduronate-2-sulfatase(IDS): c.323A>C.Methods:A five-generation MPS Ⅱ family of 83 individuals including 4 patients from northern China was collected. Urine mucopolysaccharide and Alder-Reilly body were tested to assist the clinical diagnosis of MPS Ⅱ. IDS enzyme activity was detected on core family members. By the whole exome sequencing of a MPS Ⅱ patient in this family and bioinformatics analysis, the variant was screened and further identified by PCR-Sanger sequencing. Finally, to validate the function of the variant in vitro, the wild-type IDS overexpression plasmid(pCMV-hIDS-WT)and the IDS overexpression plasmid carrying the mutation site(pCMV-hIDS-c.323A>C)were transfected into COS-7 cells and the IDS activity was detected. Results:The proband(Ⅳ3)and Ⅳ4 were diagnosed as MPS Ⅱ by urine mucopolysaccharide, Alder-Reilly body, and IDS enzyme activity tests. Ⅳ3, Ⅳ4, Ⅲ19, and Ⅲ32 were determined to carry IDS: c.323A>C missense variant through the whole-exome sequencing, and diagnosed as MPS Ⅱ. Meanwhile, Ⅱ2, Ⅱ4, Ⅱ8, Ⅱ12, Ⅱ14, Ⅲ5, Ⅲ7, Ⅳ14 in the MPS Ⅱ family carried IDS: c.323A>C missense variant, and were excluded as MPS Ⅱ. The in vitro experiment in COS-7 cells showed that the missense mutation led to a significant decrease in IDS enzyme activity. Conclusion:The variant IDS: c.323A>C: p.Y108S significantly decreases the activity of IDS enzyme in vivo and in vitro, and it is identified as a pathogenic variant for MPS Ⅱ.

The reliation between trajectory of triglyceride glucose index combined with body mass index and new-onset non-alcoholic fatty liver disease / 中华健康管理学杂志

Objective:To investigate the correlation between the trajectory of triglyceride-glucose index multiplied by body mass index (TyG×BMI) and the incidence of new-onset non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Methods:It was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 2 304 subjects who underwent health examinations at the Health Management Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 2017 to 2019 were included as the study population. Based on the TyG×BMI values from the health examinations, a latent class modeling approach was used to determine four distinct TyG×BMI trajectory groups: low-stable, moderate-stable, high-stable, and extremely high-stable group. The incidence of NAFLD was followed-up during the 2020 and 2021 health examinations for each group. The differences in NAFLD incidence among different TyG×BMI trajectory groups were compared using the log-rank test, and the correlation between different TyG×BMI trajectories and the incidence of new-onset NAFLD was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression models.Results:The incidence of NAFLD increased with the elevation of TyG×BMI trajectories. The cumulative incidence rates of NAFLD for the low-stable, moderate-stable, high-stable, and extremely high-stable groups was 13.00%, 16.70%, 20.10% and 26.60%, respectively, with statistically significant differences ( χ2=35.155, P<0.01). Compared with the low-stable group, the high-stable and extremely high-stable groups had higher risks of NAFLD (HRs for high-stable group was 1.564, 1.428, 1.426, 1.289, respectively; HRs for extremely high-stable group was 2.121, 1.670, 1.659, 1.607, respectively; all P<0.05). After adjusting for various confounding factors such as gender, waist circumference, BMI, blood glucose, blood lipids and liver function in model 4, the risks of NAFLD for the high-stable and extremely high-stable groups were still 1.389 and 1.607 times higher than that in the low-stable group (95% CIs: 1.035-1.864, 1.207-2.140). Conclusion:The risk of NAFLD increases with the elevation of TyG×BMI trajectories, suggesting that TyG×BMI can serve as a predictive index for NAFLD.

The mediation effect of triglyceride glucose index on the risk of thyroid nodule in visceral obese population / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective:To investigate the mediation effect of triglyceride glucose index(TyG) on the relation between thyroid nodules and visceral fat area.Methods:A total of 9 324 individuals at the Health Management Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2017 to December 2021 were selected, and the basic information, biochemical indicators, color ultrasound of thyroid were also collected. According to the cut-off value of visceral fat area(VFA) of 100 cm 2 and body mass index(BMI) of 24 kg/m 2, they were divided into four groups: VFA(-)BMI(-), VFA(-)BMI(+ ), VFA(+ )BMI(-), and VFA(+ )BMI(+ ). Chi-square test was used to compare the incidence rate among the four groups, and multivariate logistic regression analysis to indentify influencing factors. TyG and VFA were quartiled, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the effects of TyG and VFA on thyroid nodules. The regression coefficient test was used to analyze whether TyG mediated the association between VFA and thyroid nodules. Results:Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that compared with VFA(-)BMI(-) group, the VFA(+ )BMI(-) group had the highest risk of thyroid nodules( OR=1.283, 95% CI 1.064-1.546, P=0.009), followed by VFA(+ )BMI(+ ) group( OR=1.245, 95% CI 1.028-1.508, P=0.025). When using TyG and VFA Q1 group as reference, the Q4 group showed an increased risk of thyroid nodule by 1.584 times(95% CI 1.208-2.077, P=0.001) and 1.573 times(95% CI 1.249-1.982, P<0.001), respectively. Mediation analysis indicated that VFA had a direct impact on the incidence rate of thyroid nodules( β=0.162, 95% CI 0.140-0.186, P<0.001). TyG partially mediated the effect of VFA on the incidence rate of thyroid nodules( β=0.103, 95% CI 0.087-0.121, P<0.001), accounting for 38.87% of the total effect. Conclusions:VFA is an independent risk factor for thyroid nodules regardless of BMI. Among individuals with visceral obesity but normal BMI, the incidence rate of thyroid nodules was the highest. In addition, TyG partially mediates the risk of thyroid nodules in patients with visceral obesity. The evaluation of visceral obesity might be of great significance in the early screening and prevention of thyroid nodules.

Comparison of Nutrition and Flavor Characteristics of Five Breeds of Pork in China.

To characterize the quality of widely consumed pork in China, the chemical compositions and other indexes of five breeds of pork were compared. The results indicated that the moisture content, sensory flavor, and overall acceptability of Pipa pork (PPP) were superior to other breeds. The fat content and essential amino acids (EAA) of Yihao native pork (YNP) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in other breeds. The protein content, the total amount of amino acids, and perceptible flavor of Tibetan black pork (TBP) were higher than in other breeds. The protein nutrition profiles of manor black pork (MBP) and TBP were better than in others. The equivalent umami concentration (EUC) value of white pork (WP) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in others; however, the health risk of its fatty acid content was higher. There were unique protein and flavor chemicals in YNP, TBP, and PPP, which may be useful for distinguishing their authenticity.

Target RNA expression omics approach to reveal the liver detoxification effect induced by Chinese medicine prescription Niu Huang Jie Du against realgar overexposure to mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Niu Huang Jie Du prescription (NHJD) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) widely used in patients suffering from excessive inner fire toxin (Huo Du Nei Sheng) syndrome, such as sore throat, gingival swelling, and pain, mouth and tongue sores, etc. This formula contains realgar (As4S4) which is one of the 28 toxic medicinal materials promulgated by the Chinese Ministry of Health. Many studies reported its toxicity on the liver and kidney, and the detoxification effect of NHJD. However, its detoxification mechanism is still unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: To clarify the detoxification mechanism of NHJD to realgar, this study evaluated the detoxification effect of NHJD on realgar exposure in mice, and analyzed differences in mRNA expression profiles in liver tissues and associated functional predictions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: ICR mice were administered with NHJD, realgar, and CMC-Na as blank control for 12 weeks, respectively. Liver injury was evaluated by histopathologic examination and liver mRNA gene were sequenced by Illumina. Differentially expressed gene, functionally enrichment and protein association network analysis were conducted. RESULTS: 43 genes were screened out, among which 15 genes in the realgar group were decreased, but the extent of the decline has been restored in the NHJD group. The remaining 28 genes have exactly the opposite trends. Functional module analysis revealed that those detoxification function-related genes were primarily for positive regulation of glutathione metabolism, P450 on the metabolism of exogenous compounds, oxidative stress and immune-related, etc. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that realgar mainly causes liver damage by changing the common enzymes of drug metabolism, especially the expression of genes related to CYPs, GSTs family, oxidative stress, and complement immunity, while the TCM prescription NHJD has a regulatory effect on the abnormal expression of corresponding genes. Our results will provide some clues for the detoxification mechanism of arsenic-containing TCM prescriptions.

Storage Stability and Flavor Change of Marinated Pork.

To evaluate the storage stability and flavor changes of marinated pork treated with chili and pepper essential oils, the contents of total sulfhydryl, malondialdehyde, total volatile base nitrogen (TVBN), Ca2+ATPase activity, and total viable counts of marinated pork were determined. Further, the non-volatile (umami, numb, and spicy) and volatile flavor compounds of marinated pork were analyzed. Based on the results, the chili and pepper essential oils had limited effects on the storage stability of marinated pork. However, these essential oils could inhibit the oxidation of lipids and proteins and reduce the number of microorganisms and TVBN in marinated pork within 6 days. The non-volatile flavors of the marinated pork decreased as the refrigeration time increased. It was concluded that the decomposition of umami-enhancing nucleotides (GMP, IMP, XMP), the number of flavor substances (hydroxyl-α-sanshool, hydroxyl-ß-sanshool), and spicy (capsaicin) tasting compounds caused the decrease in non-volatile flavors.

Preoperative Clinical Characteristics Predict Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Lymph Node Metastasis and Overall Survival in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study With External Validation.

Background: Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) lymph node metastasis (LNM) is not rare in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We aimed to develop and externally validate a preoperative nomogram using clinical characteristics to predict RLN LNM in patients with ESCC and evaluate its prognostic value. Methods: A total of 430 patients with ESCC who underwent esophagectomy with lymphadenectomy of RLN LNs at two centers between May 2015 and June 2019 were reviewed and divided into training (center 1, n = 283) and external validation cohorts (center 2, n = 147). Independent risk factors for RLN LNM were determined by multivariate logistic regression, and a nomogram was developed. The performance of the nomogram was assessed in terms of discrimination, calibration, clinical usefulness, and prognostic value. The nomogram was internally validated by the bootstrap method and externally validated by the external validation cohort. Results: Multivariate analysis indicated that clinical T stage (P <0.001), endoscopic tumor length (P = 0.003), bioptic tumor differentiation (P = 0.004), and preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level (P = 0.001) were significantly associated with RLN LNM. The nomogram had good discrimination with the area under the curve of 0.770 and 0.832 after internal and external validations. The calibration curves and decision curve analysis confirmed the good calibration and clinical usefulness of this model. High-risk of RLN LNM predicted by the nomogram was associated with worse overall survival in the external validation cohort (P <0.001). Conclusion: A nomogram developed by preoperative clinical characteristics demonstrated a good performance to predict RLN LNM and prognosis for patients with ESCC.

A prospective study of the decision tree prediction model for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in preschool children. / å­¦é¾„å‰å„¿ç«¥æ³¨æ„ç¼ºé™·å¤šåŠ¨éšœç¢å†³ç­–æ ‘é¢„æµ‹æ¨¡åž‹çš„å‰çž»æ€§ç ”ç©¶.

OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical value of attention time combined with behavior scale in the screening of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in preschool children. METHODS: A total of 200 preschool children with ADHD diagnosed in Fujian Maternal and Child Health Hospital from February 2019 to March 2020 were enrolled as the ADHD group. A total of 200 children who underwent physical examination in the hospital or kindergartens during the same period were enrolled as the control group. Attention time was recorded. Chinese Version of Swanson Nolan and Pelham, Version IV Scale-Parent Form (SNAP-IV) scale was used to evaluate symptoms. With clinical diagnosis as the gold standard, the decision tree analysis was used to evaluate the clinical value of attention time combined with behavior scale in the screening of ADHD. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the ADHD group had significantly higher scores of SNAP-IV items 1, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, and 22 (P<0.05) and a significantly shorter attention time (P<0.05). The variables with statistically significant differences between the two groups in univariate analysis were used as independent variables to establish a decision tree model. The accuracy of the model in predicting ADHD was 81%, that in predicting non-ADHD was 69%, and the overall accuracy was 75%, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.816 (95% CI: 0.774-0.857, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The decision tree model for screening ADHD in preschool children based on attention time and assessment results of behavior scale has a high accuracy and can be used for rapid screening of ADHD among children in clinical practice.

Gasdermin E and neoplasms / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Gasdermin E is closely related to neoplasms, which is involved in the occurrence and development of neoplasms through gene methylation, gene mutation or other ways. Pyroptosis mediated by gasdermin E is involved in drug therapy of various neoplasms, which provides a new theoretical basis for drug therapy of neoplasms. The study of gasdermin E aims to deepen the understanding of neoplasms and provide a new perspective for the prevention and treatment of neoplasms.

A cohort study on the correlation between fasting plasma glucose trajectories and new-onset carotid plaque / 中华健康管理学杂志

Objective:To investigate the correlation between fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and new-onset carotid plaque through latent class trajectory models.Methods:A total of 953 observation objects came from the first affiliated hospital of Zhengzhou University in accordance with the inclusion criteria. According to the FPG values of the observed subjects during the annual physical examination from January 2017 to December 2019, the following four different FPG trajectories groups were determined by latent class trajectory modelling tools: the low-stable group, the medium stable group, the medium-high stable group, and the high stable group. Carotid plaque incidence in each group was followed up in 2020 to compare the differences of the cumulative incidences of the four groups. The Cox proportional risk regression model was used to analyze the correlation between different FPG trajectories and new-onset carotid plaque.Results:The incidence of carotid plaque increased with the increase of FPG trajectories by 11.13%, 19.70%, 23.44%, 23.81%, respectively, with significance ( P<0.001). After adjusting gender, age, BMI and other confounding factors with the cox proportional risk regression model, the risk of carotid plaque in the FPG medium stable group, medium and high stable group, high-stable group was still 1.895 (95% CI: 1.296-2.769), 2.273 (95% CI: 1.241-4.161), 2.527 (95% CI: 1.219-5.241) times of the low stable group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:The long-term high FPG levels are independent risk factors for the incidence of carotid plaque, and controlling FPG at a low level steadily can reduce the risk of carotid plaque.