Trend of Mortality Due to Congenital Anomalies in Children Younger Than 5 Years in Eastern China, 2012-2021: Surveillance Data Analysis.

BACKGROUND: As one of the leading causes of child mortality, deaths due to congenital anomalies (CAs) have been a prominent obstacle to meet Sustainable Development Goal 3.2. OBJECTIVE: We conducted this study to understand the death burden and trend of under-5 CA mortality (CAMR) in Zhejiang, one of the provinces with the best medical services and public health foundations in Eastern China. METHODS: We used data retrieved from the under-5 mortality surveillance system in Zhejiang from 2012 to 2021. CAMR by sex, residence, and age group for each year was calculated and standardized according to 2020 National Population Census sex- and residence-specific live birth data in China. Poisson regression models were used to estimate the annual average change rate (AACR) of CAMR and to obtain the rate ratio between subgroups after adjusting for sex, residence, and age group when appropriate. RESULTS: From 2012 to 2021, a total of 1753 children died from CAs, and the standardized CAMR declined from 121.2 to 62.6 per 100,000 live births with an AACR of -9% (95% CI -10.7% to -7.2%; P<.001). The declining trend was also observed in female and male children, urban and rural children, and neonates and older infants, and the AACRs were -9.7%, -8.5%, -8.5%, -9.2%, -12%, and -6.3%, respectively (all P<.001). However, no significant reduction was observed in children aged 1-4 years (P=.22). Generally, the CAMR rate ratios for male versus female children, rural versus urban children, older infants versus neonates, and older children versus neonates were 1.18 (95% CI 1.08-1.30; P<.001), 1.20 (95% CI 1.08-1.32; P=.001), 0.66 (95% CI 0.59-0.73; P<.001), and 0.20 (95% CI 0.17-0.24; P<.001), respectively. Among all broad CA groups, circulatory system malformations, mainly deaths caused by congenital heart diseases, accounted for 49.4% (866/1753) of deaths and ranked first across all years, although it declined yearly with an AACR of -9.8% (P<.001). Deaths due to chromosomal abnormalities tended to grow in recent years, although the AACR was not significant (P=.90). CONCLUSIONS: CAMR reduced annually, with cardiovascular malformations ranking first across all years in Zhejiang, China. Future research and practices should focus more on the prevention, early detection, long-term management of CAs and comprehensive support for families with children with CAs to improve their survival chances.

Taurine alleviated hepatic steatosis in oleic acid-treated-HepG2 cells and rats fed a high-fat diet.

Taurine has been proven in many trials to alleviate the symptoms of metabolic associated fatty liver disease. Here its protective effect for hepatic steatosis and modulation of AMP-activated protein kinase and insulin signaling pathway were investigated. Steatotic HepG2 cell established with oleic acid (0.05 mmol/L), treated with taurine (5 mmol/L), dorsomorphin (10 µmol/L) for 24 h. Sprague Dawley rats were divided into regular and high-fat diet (HFD) groups, and their corresponding taurine (70 or 350 mg/kg BW/d) groups, fed for 8 weeks. In steatotic cell, taurine reduced the TG concentration and SREBP-1c, PPARγ, FAS, ACC, SCD1 protein levels, decreased phosphorylation of mTOR, IRS1 (Ser302), increased phosphorylation of AMPKα, LKB1, PI3K, Akt, ACC. While dorsomorphin eliminated taurine's TG-lowering effect. In HFD-fed rats, taurine reduced liver TG, serum TG, ALT, AST, IL-1ß, IL-4, TNF-α. The effects of taurine on the main factors of fatty acid synthesis were mostly consistent with cell experiments, and the reduction of microRNAs (451, 33, 291b) was aligned with the improvement in LKB1 and AMPK expression in HFD rats. Taurine alleviated steatosis-induced inhibition of IRS1-PI3K-Akt pathway, but suppressed its positively regulated downstream factor mTOR. In parallel, taurine reduced steatosis by activating LKB1-AMPKα pathway via phosphorylation and no-phosphorylation manner, then inhibiting SREBP-1c directly or by suppressing mTOR phosphorylation.

[Effects of different field processing methods on volatile components of Chuanxiong Rhizoma: an exploration based on headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry].

The volatile oil of Chuanxiong Rhizoma(CX) is known as an effective fraction. In order to seek a suitable method for processing CX and its decoction pieces, this study selected 16 volatile components as indices to investigate how different processing methods such as washing/without washing, sun-drying, baking, oven-drying and far-infrared drying at different temperatures affected the quality of CX and its decoction pieces(fresh CX was partially dried, cut into pieces, and then dried) by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS), cluster analysis, principal component analysis and comprehensive weighted scoring. The results showed that the rapid washing before processing did not deteriorate the volatile components of CX. Considering the practical condition of production area, oven-drying was believed to be more suitable than sun-drying, baking, and far-infrared drying. The CX decoction pieces with a thickness of 0.3-0.4 cm were recommended to be oven-dried at 50 ℃. The integrated processing(partial drying, cutting into pieces, and drying) did not cause a significant loss of volatile components. For the fresh CX, the oven-drying at 60 ℃ is preferred. The temperature should not exceed 60 ℃, and drying below 60 ℃ will prolong the processing time, which will produce an unfavorable effect on volatile components. This study has provided the scientific evidence for field processing of CX, which is conducive to realizing the normalization and standardization of CX processing in the production area and stabilizing the quality of CX and its decoction pieces.

MiR-124 inhibits the migration and invasion of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells by suppressing integrin αV expression.

Tumor metastasis is the major cause of cancer-related death especially in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although microRNAs have been implicated in tumor development, the roles of miR-124 in HCC metastasis are still not well understood. We conducted functional analysis in this study to investigate miR-124. We observed that miR-124 significantly retarded the wound healing and migration of HCC SMMC-7721 and BEL-7404 cells. Further analysis indicated miR-124 directly targeting the transcriptional factor Sp1 which is an important transcription factor for the integrin αV subunit gene transcription. Co-transfection of miR-124 with the luciferase reporter containing Sp1 3' untranslated region (UTR) significantly suppressed the luciferase activities. While mutation of the binding site of miR-124 in Sp1 mRNA 3'UTR completely abrogated the suppression of miR-124. Overexpression of miR-124 resulted in robust downregulation of Sp1 and integrin αV expression at either mRNA or protein level. Ectopic expression of miR-124 in HCC dramatically repressed the wound healing and migration in vitro and tumor metastasis in mouse experiments. Our findings demonstrated that miR-124 played as an important role in regulation of integrin αV expression in HCC, and reintroduction of miR-124 might be an alternative therapeutic strategy for controlling integrin αV expression in HCC.

Vimentin is important in the neural differentiation of PC12 cells promoted by sialylation.

Sialic acid modification is a kind of post-translational modification. To investigate the regulation effect of sialic acid on neural differentiation, we used CycloManN propanyl perac (CycloManN pro), a metabolic precursor of sialic acid, to treat PC12 cells. We noted that CycloManN pro indeed robustly promoted global sialylation detected by MAL II lectin blot in PC12 cells. Simultaneously, we interestingly found that the neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells was significantly promoted by the CycloManN pro treatment. The profile analysis of sialylated proteins showed that a protein band at 55KD was greatly enhanced especially in PC12L cells after CycloManN pro treatment. After enrichment with lectin MAL II, the proteins in this band were analyzed by mass spectrometry. The results showed that 23 proteins were in the band, but the score of vimentin was the highest among them. To investigate further the role of vimentin in the process of neurite differentiation, vimentin construct was transfected into PC12 cells. We interestingly observed that ectopic expression of vimentin significantly enhanced the neurite outgrowth induced by CycloManN pro. However, after three potential glycosylation sites (Ser-7, Thr-33, Ser-34:) of vimentin were mutated to alanine, overexpression of the mutated vimentin completely lost the enhancement activity for the neural differentiation even in the presence of CycloManN pro. Taken together, our study demonstrated that vimentin was important in the induction of neural differentiation by CycloManN pro.

[Study on Variety Test of Salvia miltiorrhiza New Variety "Zhongdan 1"].

Objective: The new varieties of Salvia miltiorrhiza were bred by the variety comparison test. Methods: Taking these varieties of CDS1,CDS2,CDS3,CDS4,CDS5 as the test varieties, which bred by system seletion from abundant germplasm resources,the conventional variety as the control, the test were arranged in Ximeishan, Linjiagou, Shiya, Hexing Village of Zhongjiang county in 2010 and 2011. And the new varieties from the growth cycle,line of characters,yield, quality and other aspects of Salvia miltiorrhiza were evaluated. Results: CDS2 had the highest yield which was significantly higher than the control group. The growth period were 250 ~ 270 days,the seed germination were early,and the plants were taller. And the medicine merchandise traits were better, the salvianolic acid and the tanshinone were significantly higher. CDS2 was named as the "Zhongdan 1"by crop variety Committee of Sichuan province in2012,which identified by technology field in 2011. Conclusion: "Zhongdan 1"is a new variety through the certification authority validation,which has a great popularization value in the production.

Enantioselective synthesis of α-alkenyl α-amino acids via N-H insertion reactions.

A new highly enantioselective route to α-alkenyl α-amino acid derivatives, which are important naturally occurring compounds with attractive bioactivity and synthetic utility, was developed using a N-H insertion reaction of vinyldiazoacetates and tert-butyl carbamate cooperatively catalyzed by achiral dirhodium(ii) carboxylates and chiral spiro phosphoric acids under mild, neutral conditions. This reaction has a broad substrate scope, a fast reaction rate (turnover frequency > 6000 h-1), a high yield (61-99%), and excellent enantioselectivity (83-98% ee). The chiral spiro phosphoric acid, which is proposed to realize the enantioselectivity of the insertion reaction by promoting the proton transfer of a ylide intermediate by acting as a chiral proton shuttle catalyst, can suppress several usual side reactions of vinyldiazoacetates and broaden the applications of these versatile carbene precursors in organic synthesis. To our knowledge, it is the first highly enantioselective carbene insertion reaction of vinyldiazoacetates with heteroatom-hydrogen bonds in which the heteroatom has lone-pair electrons.

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract prevents DDP-induced testicular toxicity in rats.

Oxidative stress has been proven to be involved in cisplatin (DDP)-induced toxicity. The aim of the present study was to investigate a possible protective role of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) in DDP-induced spermiotoxicity. GSPE at 200 mg kg(-1) d(-1) and 400 mg kg(-1) d(-1) was orally administered for 15 consecutive days, starting 10 days before a single intraperitoneal dose of DDP (7 mg kg(-1)). Results revealed that testicular and epididymal weight, epididymal sperm count, motility and morphology, the activities of GSH-Px and SOD, and GSH levels were significantly decreased whereas the level of MDA was significantly increased in the DDP group rats. GSPE treatment significantly attenuated the harmful effects of DDP-induced lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, loss of genital organ weight, as well as function of reproductive organs. These changes were restored to near normal levels by GSPE at 400 mg kg(-1) d(-1). In conclusion, GSPE has dose dependent protective effects against DDP-induced rat testicular toxicity.

Enantioselective palladium-catalyzed insertion of α-aryl-α-diazoacetates into the O-H bonds of phenols.

A palladium-catalyzed asymmetric O-H insertion reaction was developed. Palladium complexes with chiral spiro bisoxazoline ligands promoted the insertion of α-aryl-α-diazoacetates into the O-H bond of phenols with high yield and excellent enantioselectivity under mild reaction conditions. This palladium-catalyzed asymmetric O-H insertion reaction provided an efficient and highly enantioselective method for the preparation of synthetically useful optically active α-aryl-α-aryloxyacetates.

[Effects of acidic soil improvement on active-state Cd content in soil and Cd content in Ligusticum chuanxiong].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the method to reduce the Cd content in Ligusticum chuanxiong, and to offer the reference for planting Ligusticum chuanxiong with low Cd content. METHODS: A field experiment was carried out to improve the acidic Cd-contaminated soils by different quicklime application, and the effect of quicklime on the percentage of active-state Cd in soil and Cd content in Ligusticum chuanxiong was examined. RESULTS: Quicklime could reduce the percentage of active-state Cd in soil by increase the acid soil pH value,and as a result, significantly reduce Cd content in Ligusticum chuanxiong. A highly significant negative correlation was found be- tween the Cd content in Ligusticum chuanxiong and quicklime application rate(P =0. 008). Compared with the blank group, Cd content in Ligusticum chuanxiong was reduced by 27. 66%, 24. 87% and 46. 20%, with 750, 1 125 and 1 500 kg/hm2 quicklime application, respectively; while with 1 500 kg/hm2 quicklime application, the soil pH value increased significantly and kept steadily, and the percentage of active-state Cd in soil showed a regular trend which was decreased firstly and increased subsequently. CONCLUSION: Cd content in Ligusticum chuanxiong can be reduced significantly by quicklime application,and the effect of high application of quicklime on Cd content in Ligusticum chuanxiong, soil pH values and percentage of active-state Cd in soil is more effective and steady.

[Study on variety test of Iris tectorum new variety of CSG1].

OBJECTIVE: Iris tectorum new varieties of CSG1, CSG2, CSG4, CSG5, CSG6, CSG7, CSG8 and CSG9 were bred by system selection from abundant germplasm resources. METHODS: Taking conventional variety as the control, comparison test for these new varieties was arranged in Shuangliu, Zhongjiang, Maoxian, Renshou and Anxian in Sichuan. Plot yields were measured after harvesting, yields per mu were calculated and the data were analyzed with DPS 9.50 software. RESULTS: CSG1 had the highest yield which was significantly higher than the control and other varieties. This new variety had passed through the field identification by Sichuan Provincial Crop Variety Approval Committee in 2013 and would be applied for approval in 2014. CONCLUSION: CSG1 is the first batch of Iris tectorum new variety identified by domestic authority and has great promotion potential.

The effect of taurine on cholesterol metabolism.

The elevated plasma cholesterol level, in particular, LDL cholesterol is regarded as an important risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. A number of studies provide the evidence that taurine has the efficient action to reduce plasma and liver cholesterol concentrations, especially to decrease VLDL and LDL cholesterol in hypercholesterolemia animal induced by high cholesterol diet. Cholesterol lowering effect of taurine is actually involved in the regulatory mechanism of cholesterol and bile acid homeostasis that mediated by CYP7A1, which has become a biomarker for cholesterol metabolism and itself is also regulated by several factors and nuclear receptors. This review summarizes the change of cholesterol concentration in metabolism observed in feeding studies of hypercholesterolemia animal dealing with taurine, and then, addresses the possible metabolic and molecular mechanisms of cholesterol lowering effect by taurine in three aspects, cholesterol clearance from blood circulation, bioconversion of cholesterol to bile acid in liver, and excretion of cholesterol and bile acid from intestine.

[The relation of asbestosis to human 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosidase polymorphism and DNA damage in peripheral lymphocytes].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relation of asbestosis to human 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosidase (hOGG1) genotype and DNA damage, the investigation of hOGG1 polymorphism distribution and DNA strand breakages in peripheral lymphocytes was carried on in occupational population. METHODS: A total 101 asbestos-exposed workers and 141 controls were investigated. The DNA damage level was obtained by single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) and hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism by PCR-RELP. RESULTS: (1) A significant increase in the exposed group was observed in comet scores at basal (34.8 +/- 16.8), H2O2-induced (136.7 +/- 36.0) and 4 hours after repair (51.0 +/- 18.7) as compared with the control group (P < 0.01). And the scores in H2O2-induced (147.0 +/- 30.8) and 4 hours after repair (56.9 +/- 21.4) were significantly higher in asbestosis workers than in non-asbestosis ones (125.7 +/- 38.2 and 44.9 +/- 15.4, P < 0.01). (2) There was no differences of the genotype distribution between the asbestos group and the control group (chi(2) = 0.22, P = 0.89). A significant difference in the distribution of this polymorphism (Ser/Ser, Ser/Cys, Cys/Cys) between asbestosis group (25.5%, 51.0%, 23.5%) and the non-asbestosis group (48.0%, 36.0%, 16.0%) was observed (chi(2) = 6.023, P < 0.05). The comet scores at H2O2-induced and 4 hours after repair were higher in asbestosis subjects than in non-asbestosis ones (P < 0.05). (3) After adjusting ages, sex, smoking and drinking status, the odds ratios of the Cys allele for asbestosis were 0.66 (95% CI = 0.38 - 1.13) in the exposed subjects. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that the asbestos occupational exposure might induce DNA damage and the augment on susceptivity of H2O2 oxidation and the fall of the capacity of repairing DNA damage might be one of the mechanisms to induce asbestosis among subjects with the Cys allele.

[Effects of medullary ischemia on respiratory and blood pressure induced by ligating basilar artery in cat].

AIM: Observations on medullary ischemia region, the morphology of neurons and changes of respiration and blood pressure were made, in order to give evidences on how medullary ischemia affects respiration and circulation and give some advices on how to protect from it. METHODS: Using cats as the experimental animals, the different parts of the basilar artery trunk were ligated. The changes in the density of blood vessels, the morphology of neurons in the brainstem, the electromyogram (EMG) of the diaphragm and the blood pressure of the femoral artery were investigated. RESULTS: The density of blood vessels notably decreased in the medulla after ligating the basilar artery trunk. The ischemic range induced by ligation of the different parts of the basilar artery trunk overlapped, mainly locating in the medulla rostral to the obex. The soma were swelled and the Nissl bodies decreased in some of neurons in the ischemic region of medulla. The duration of inspiration (T1) and expiration (TE) shortened, respiratory frequency (RF) increased, and mean blood pressure (MBP) decreased in the experimental groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is an obvious overlap of the areas in which blood supplied by different parts of the basilar artery trunk. Medullary ischemia can involve in changes of respiration and blood pressure. The ischemic damage of neurons in the medulla might be the structural basis of the changes in the respiratory and circulatory functions.