[Role of mitochondrial autophagy and the curative effect of rehmannia glutinosa leaves total glycoside capsules on nucleos(t)ide drug-induced renal injury]

Objective: To study the curative effect of rehmannia glutinosa leaves total glycoside capsules and the role of mitochondrial autophagy on nucleos(t)ide drug-induced renal injury. Methods: Adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) was used to construct a hepatitis B virus (HBV) transgenic mouse model for renal injury. Renal function was measured in each group at one and two weeks of modeling. Mitochondrial autophagy indicators were measured at two weeks of modeling in renal tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was used to detect mitochondrial autophagy phenomena in renal tissue. The model was established for two weeks. Mouse with renal injury were treated with rehmannia glutinosa leaves total glycoside capsules or isotonic saline for eight weeks by intragastric administration. Renal function was measured. Renal tissue morphology was observed. Mitochondrial autophagy indicators were detected in renal tissue. The protective effect of different concentrations of verbascoside (the main active ingredient of rehmannia glutinosa capsule) was observed on HK-2 cell damage induced by ADV. HK-2 cells were divided into control, ADV, and ADV plus verbascoside groups. The effects of verbascoside at different times and concentrations were observed on the HK-2 mitochondrial autophagy indicators. Fifty patients with chronic hepatitis B were collected who presented with renal injury after treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogs. The random number method was used to divide 29 cases into a control group that received conventional treatment. The treatment group of 21 cases was treated with rehmannia glutinosa leaves total glycoside capsules on the basis of the control group. Serum creatinine (Scr) and urinary protein were detected at eight weeks.The χ(2) test or t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Compared with the control group, two weeks of modeling in the ADV group induced renal function injury in HBV mice. The expression of autophagy indicators was higher in the renal tissue of the ADV group than that of the control group. Transmission electron microscopy had revealed mitochondrial autophagy in the renal tissue of the ADV group. Compared with the control group, the renal function of HBV mice treated with rehmannia glutinosa leaves total glycoside capsules improved for two months, and the expressions of autophagy indicators were down-regulated.Verbascoside promoted proliferation in ADV-damaged HK-2 cells, and the expression of autophagy indicators was down-regulated compared with the ADV alone group. In 50 patients with renal function injury, the urinary protein improvement was significantly superior in the treatment group than that in the control group, with eighteen and three cases being effective and ineffective in the treatment group and 12 and 17 cases being effective and ineffective in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (χ(2) = 9.975 0, P = 0.001 6). Serum creatinine was decreased in the treatment group compared with the control group, with 11 and 10 cases being effective and ineffective in the treatment group and 12 and 17 cases being effective and ineffective in the control group, with no statistically significant difference (χ(2) = 0.593 5, P = 0.441 1). Conclusion: Rehmannia glutinosa leaves total glycoside capsule can improve the nucleos(t)ide drug-induced renal function injury in chronic hepatitis B, possibly playing a role via inhibiting PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitochondrial autophagy.

[The 503rd case: monoclonal IgM immunoglobulinemia, severe anemia with recurrent fever]

A 42-year-old woman was diagnosed with Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) with fatigue, anemia, and monoclonal IgM immunoglobulinemia 6 years prior. She experienced persistent severe anemia with only transient remission after initial chemotherapy and after multiple chemotherapy regimens and immunosuppressive therapies, which were accompanied by recurrent high fever with severe complications including urinary infection, sepsis and shock, rectal perforation, and severe obstructive jaundice. The anemia was diagnosed as warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia and aplastic crisis with inflammation anemia. She received ibrutinib 140 mg once a day, and her hemoglobin levels returned to normal. WM remained stable in very good partial remission with no infection.

A new isoflavone from the stems of Derris eriocarpa How

A preliminary screening test was performed to discover new antihyperlipidaemic active compounds from the leguminous plant Derris eriocarpa How. A new compound, derris-isoflavone F (1), and derrubone dimethyl ether (6), a known synthetic compound of natural origin, were isolated from the stems of D. eriocarpa alongside eight recognised compounds. To our knowledge, this is the first instance of documenting the identification of compounds 1-10 from this plant. The new compound were evaluated for their antihyperlipidemic and antiproliferative properties. Compound 1 evidently reduced the triglyceride (TG) content in oleic acid-treated HepG2 cells, which validated its efficacy as a potential TG-lowering agent.

[Attention to the prevention and control of allergic diseases in the elderly]

With the global increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases and the rising life expectancy, it is anticipated that the number of elderly patients affected by allergies will also increase. While it was previously believed that allergies primarily affected children and adolescents and diminished with age, epidemiological studies indicate a growing prevalence of allergies in the elderly. Various allergic diseases have similar prevalence rates in the elderly as in the general population, and some, like drug allergies, are even more prevalent in this age group. Allergic diseases in the elderly often present with atypical symptoms, leading to challenges in differential diagnosis and treatment. This paper discusses immunosenescence and the distinct features of allergic diseases in older individuals. The goal is to raise awareness among healthcare providers about allergies in older adults, encourage preventive measures, and improve the quality of life for elderly patients with allergies. By managing allergies better, it can also help with the management of other chronic diseases in the elderly and contribute to better overall health for everyone.

[Exploring effects of natural hyperoxic environment on liver lipid metabolism based on the bile acid-farnesoid X receptor pathway in sub-healthy rats]

Objective: To investigate the effect of natural hyperoxic environment on liver lipid metabolism and liver function based on the bile acid-farnesoid X receptor pathway in sub-healthy rats. Methods: Forty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group (n = 10) and sub-healthy model group (n = 30). The control group was fed a normal diet, and the model group was fed a high-fat-sugar diet with limited daily activities for 5 weeks. The sub-healthy model was successfully established and the feeding conditions were restored. The hyperoxic intervention group (healthy group) were placed in a natural hyperoxic environment for 7 days. The rats feeding status in the spontaneous recovery group were unchanged. The appearance and exhaustive swimming time were compared before and after in healthy rats. Peripheral blood was collected for biochemical measurement. The fluorescence intensity of FXR and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α (PPAR α) in liver tissue was detected by fluorescence double staining. Real-time fluorescent semi-quantitative PCR and Western blot were used to detect the RNA and protein expression condition of bile acid-FXR signaling pathway related indicators (FXR, PPARα, and SREBP-1c) in liver tissues. Results: Compared with the control group, the model group had gained body weight, and the vitality was decreased, while triglycerides [TG, (1.18 ± 0.20) mmol/L vs. (0.65 ± 0.12) mmol/L] and total cholesterol [TC, (1.23 ± 0.29) mmol/L vs. (1.00 ± 0.25) mmol/L] level was increased, (P < 0.05), which suggests the presence of hepatic steatosis. TG and TC level in the healthy group and spontaneous recovery group were lower than the model group, and the differences between the healthy group and the model group were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the expression of FXR and PPARα in the liver of the healthy and the spontaneous recovery group was enhanced, while the expression of the sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) was decreased. FXR and PPARα mRNA levels in the healthy group and the model group were (9.27 ± 0.26 vs. 6.77 ± 0.20), and (9.71 ± 0.21 vs. 7.09 ± 0.24), P < 0.01, respectively. Compared with the model group, spontaneous recovery group mRNA levels were 7.99 ± 0.30 and 8.44 ± 0.28, P < 0.05, respectively. FXR and SREBP-1c protein levels between the healthy group and the model group were (1.30 ± 0.19 vs.0.43 ± 0.28), and (1.56 ± 0.22 vs. 2.43 ± 0.19), P < 0.01, respectively. Compared with the model group, the FXR and SREBP-1c protein levels of the spontaneous recovery group were 0.81 ± 0.33 vs. 2.10 ± 0.38, P < 0.05, respectively. In addition, natural hyperoxic environment had enhanced liver lipid metabolism and improved lipid disorders. Conclusion: The natural hyperoxic environment have the ability to regulate liver lipid metabolism and can improve mild hyperlipidemia to a certain extent.

[Association between hyperuricemia and incidence risk for cardiometabolic abnormity in children]

Objective: To investigate the relationships between hyperuricemia and the incidence risk for cardiometabolic abnormity in children. Methods: Data were obtained from School-based Cardiovascular and Bone Health Promotion Program. In 2017, a total of 15 391 children aged 6-16 years in Beijing were selected through stratified cluster sampling at baseline survey. Follow-up investigation was conducted in 2019. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationships of uric acid quartiles and change in uric acid levels with incidence risks for cardiometabolic abnormity (hypertension, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia). Results: A total of 8 807 children (4 376 boys, 4 431 girls) were included in the analysis, the average age of the children was (11.1±3.3) years at baseline survey. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of incidence risk for hypertension in the third and fourth quartiles of the UA were 1.39 (1.11-1.75) and 1.56 (1.19-1.81), respectively. The ORs and 95% CIs of risk for high LDL-C in the second, third and fourth quartiles were 1.88 (1.16-3.05),1.98 (1.23-3.17) and 2.25 (1.42-3.57). The uric acid level increased by one standard deviation, the risk increased by 17% for hypertension and 27% for high LDL-C. The uric acid level increased by 10 μmol/L, the risk increased by 2.1% for hypertension and 2.9% for high LDL-C. The gender-stratified analysis showed that the similar results. The ORs and 95% CIs were 1.32 (1.09-1.60) and 1.50 (1.05-2.16) for hypertension, 1.90 (1.38-2.60) and 2.96 (1.58-5.52) for high TC, 1.78 (1.26-2.51) and 2.84 (1.60-5.03) for high LDL-C in the groups of newly diagnosed hyperuricemia and persistent hyperuricemia. Conclusions: Higher uric acid level was associated with increased incidence risks for hypertension, abnormal TC and LDL-C. Maintaining optimal uric acid level by children might contribute to the early prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

[Change in obesity status and development of cardiometabolic disorders in school-age children]

Objective: To analyze the influence of obesity status on the development of cardiometabolic disorders in school-age children. Methods: Information about children's body weight, body height and cardiovascular risk factors were collected in baseline survey in 2017 and follow-up survey in 2019. The school-age children were divided into four groups based on their baseline and follow-up obesity status, i.e. sustained non-obesity group, restored obesity group, newly classified obesity group, and persistent obesity group. Analysis of covariance was used to compare the difference of change in levels of cardiometabolic factors among the four groups. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between obesity status and the incidence risk of cardiometabolic disorders. Results: The present study included 11 379 school-age children (boys accounting for 49.6%). During the 2 years, the incidence of obesity was 3.2% (95%CI: 2.9%-3.5%) with the restoration ratio of obesity of 4.4% (95%CI: 4.0%-4.8%). Compared with the sustained non-obesity group, increases in SBP, DBP, TG, LDL-C and non-HDL-C were much higher in newly classified obesity group and persistent obesity group, but lower in restored obesity groups except for DBP (all P<0.05). In addition, the incidence risk of hypertension, high glucose, dyslipidemia and cardiometabolic disorders (≥2 risks) were much higher in newly classified and persistent obese children than in sustained non-obese children. No difference was found in incidence risks of most cardiovascular disorders between restored obese children and sustained non-obese children, except for hypertension and cardiometabolic risks. Conclusion: Both newly classified obesity and persistent obesity increased the incidence risks for multi cardiovascular disorders, while these risks could be reduced when non-obese status restore.

[Incidence and risk factors of pediatric fractures in school-age children and adolescents in Beijing]

Objective: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of pediatric fracture in school-age children and adolescents in Beijing. Methods: A total of 12 056 students with complete fracture data of 2017 baseline survey and 2019 follow-up survey of School-based Cardiovascular and Bone Health (SCVBH) Promotion Program in Beijing were selected as study subjects. Logistic regression model was used to analyze associations of fracture incidence with age, BMI, fracture history and lifestyle. Results: The 2-year accumulative incidence rate of pediatric fracture was 3.1% (95%CI: 2.8%-3.4%) in school-age children and adolescents in Beijing, which was much higher in boys (4.1%) than in girls (2.1%) and increased with age in boys but decreased with age in girls. Fractures mainly occurred at upper-limb (69.0%), no gender and age specific significant in fracture sites were observed. Fracture history was the risk factor for fracture incidence in both boys and girls (boys: RR=1.81, 95%CI: 1.18-2.64; girls: RR=3.11, 95%CI: 1.74-5.13). In addition, higher duration and frequency of moderate to vigorous physical activities (≥120 min/day) and frequent consumption of sugar sweetened beverage (≥1 time/week) were also found to increase fracture risk in boys. Conclusion: The incidence of pediatric fracture was associated with gender, age, fracture history and lifestyle habits in school-age children and adolescents in Beijing. Targeted strategies are needed to prevent childhood fracture.

[Association of vitamin D nutritional status with calcaneal bone mineral density in school-age children: a prospective cohort study]

Objective: To investigate the relationships between vitamin D nutritional status and the calcaneal bone mineral density (BMD) in children. Methods: Data were obtained from School-based Cardiovascular and Bone Health Promotion Program. In 2017, a total of 15 391 children aged 6-16 years in Beijing selected through stratified cluster sampling were included in the baseline survey. A follow-up investigation was conducted in 2019. The questionnaire survey, detection of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level and ultrasound measurement of calcaneal BMD were conducted. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationships between baseline vitamin D nutritional status and the follow-up calcaneal BMD. Results: A total of 10 914 children aged (11.5±3.3) years (boys accounting for 49.6%) were included in the analysis. The average 25(OH)D level was (35.4±12.0) nmol/L, and the deficiency rate was 36.1%. After the adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol use status, dairy products intake, vitamin D supplement, calcium supplement, physical activity, pubertal development, and baseline calcaneal BMD Z-score, for per 10 nmol/L increase in 25(OH)D, the follow-up calcaneal BMD Z-score increased by 0.01(P=0.041), and the OR(95%CI) of decreased calcaneal BMD Z-score after 2 years was 0.96 (0.93-1.00)(P=0.030). Compared with vitamin D adequacy, the follow-up calcaneal BMD Z-score of children with vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency decreased by 0.03(P=0.307) and 0.06 (P=0.046), and the risk of decreased calcaneal BMD Z-score after 2 years increased by 15%(P=0.037) and 21%(P=0.006), respectively (P for trend<0.05). Conclusions: Vitamin D nutritional status was closely related to calcaneal BMD, and children with adequate vitamin D nutritional status tended to obtain higher BMD. Children and adolescents are encouraged to maintain sufficient vitamin D levels, strengthen nutrition and exercise to promote bone health.

[Association of vitamin D nutritional status with body muscle mass in school-age children adolescents]

Objective: To investigate the association between vitamin D nutritional status and the body muscle mass in children. Methods: Data were obtained from School-based Cardiovascular and Bone Health Promotion Program. In 2017, a total of 15 391 children aged 6-16 years in Beijing were selected through stratified cluster sampling in baseline survey. A follow-up investigation was conducted in 2019. The questionnaire survey and the detection of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level were conducted. The bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) apparatus was used to measure body muscle mass, and muscle mass index (MMI) was calculated. Multivariable linear models were used to analyze the association of vitamin D nutritional status with the baseline and follow-up MMI measures. Results: A total of 10 890 children aged (11.5±3.3) years(boys accounting for 49.6%) were included in the analysis. The average 25(OH)D level was (35.4±12.0) nmol/L, with an adequacy ratio of 11.1%. After multivariate linear regression adjustment for age, sex, body fat mass, smoking status, alcohol use status, dairy supplement, calcium supplement, physical activity, and pubertal development, no statistically significant association between vitamin D nutritional status and baseline MMI level was observed (P>0.05). For the follow-up MMI, the Z-score increased by 0.008 (P=0.058) for per 10 nmol/L increase in 25(OH)D, which were 0.002 (P=0.815) and 0.037 (P=0.031) higher in children with insufficient and adequate vitamin D than those with vitamin D deficiency, respectively (P for trend =0.089). Subgroup analysis showed that in the normal BMI group, for per 10 nmol/L increase in 25 (OH) D, the MMI at baseline survey and MMI Z-score at follow-up of children with adequate vitamin D and increased by 0.019 and 0.014, respectively (both P<0.05). Conclusions: Vitamin D nutritional status was related to muscle mass in children, and children with adequate vitamin D tended to obtain higher MMI. Children and adolescents are encouraged to maintain sufficient vitamin D levels, strengthen nutrition and exercise to promote body health.

[Study on the association between vitamin D and body fat distribution in children and adolescents]

Objective: To investigate the association of vitamin D with distribution of body fat in children and adolescents. Methods: Data were obtained from the baseline survey of School-based Cardiovascular and Bone Health Promotion Program in 2017. Multiple linear regression and multinomial logistic regression models were applied to analyze the relationships of body mass index (BMI), fat mass index (FMI), trunk fat mass index (TFMI), appendicular fat mass index (AFMI), and visceral fat area(VFA) with vitamin D level and status in children and adolescents. Results: A total of 11 960 children and adolescents were included in the analysis (boys accounting for 49.7%). The average age and serum vitamin D level of study population were (11.0±3.3) years and (35.0±11.9) nmol/L, respectively. The deficiency rate of vitamin D was 37.2%. Gender-specific associations of BMI, FMI, TFMI, and AFMI with vitamin D level were found (P for interaction <0.05): they were inversely associated with vitamin D level in boys (BMI: β=-0.56; FMI: β =-0.59; TFMI: β=-0.60; AFMI: β=-0.59; all P<0.05), but not in girls (P>0.05). VFA was positively associated with vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in both boys and girls, and the risks of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency all increased by 17%(95%CI: 9%-25%) for per increment of standard deviation in VFA. Conclusions: The higher level of visceral fat was associated with the lower vitamin D levels in children. Abdominal obese children and boys with excessive body fat are the key population in the prevention and control of vitamin D deficiency.

Phloretin flavonoid exhibits selective antiproliferative activity in doxorubicin-resistant gastric cancer cells by inducing autophagy, inhibiting cell migration and invasion, cell cycle arrest and targeting ERK1/2 MAP pathway

PURPOSE

Studies have shown that Phloretin exerts anticancer effects on several types of cancer cells. Nonetheless, the anticancer effects of Phloretin have not been fully explored against the human gastric cancer cells. Therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate the anticancer effects of Phloretin against the human gastric cancer cells.

METHODS

Cell proliferation was evaluated by WST-1 assay while cell cycle analysis was carried out by flow cytometry. The effects on cell migration and invasion were evaluated by wound healing assay and transwell assays, respectively. Electron microscopy and western blot methods were used to study effects on autophagy and ERK1/2/MAPK signalling pathway.

RESULTS

The results showed that Phloretin inhibited the proliferation rate of the human SNU-1 gastric cancer cells and showed an IC50 of 18 µM. However, Phloretin showed very high IC50 (80 µM) against the normal GES-1 normal gastric cells. Electron microscopy showed that Phloretin triggered autophagy in the SNU-1 gastric cancer cells which was accompanied by enhancement in the expression of LC3B II and Beclin 1. Cell cycle analysis showed that Phloretin caused accumulation of the SNU-1 cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle triggering G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. The G0/G1 arrest of SNU-1 cells was also associated with depletion of cyclin D1 and D2 expression. Wound healing and transwell assays showed that Phloretin suppressed the migration of the SNU-1 gastric cancer cells, suggestive of the anti-metastatic potential of this molecule. Finally, this molecule also blocked the ERK1/2/MAPK signalling pathway in SNU-1 cells in a concentration-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

Phloretin may prove beneficial as a promising drug candidate for gastric cancer treatment provided further studies are carried out on it, especially toxicological studies.

[Characteristics of cardiovascular health of children and adolescents aged 6-16 years in Beijing during 2017-2018]

Objective: To describe the status of cardiovascular health (CVH) of children and adolescents aged 6-16 years in Beijing during 2017-2018. Methods: The school-based Cardiovascular and Bone Health Promotion Program(SCVBH) was conducted from November 2017 to January 2018. 15 391 children and adolescents aged 6-16 years were selected from grade 1 to 4 in 8 primary schools, grade 1 in 21 middle schools and senior grade 1 in one twelve-year education school in Dongcheng, Fangshan, Miyun and Haidian Districts of Beijing by using a cluster sampling method. Seven cardiovascular health indicators, including smoking, body mass index, dietary intake, physical activity, blood pressure, blood glucose, and total cholesterol, were categorized as poor, intermediate, and ideal according to American Heart Association (AHA) criteria. The status of CVH was evaluated according to the criteria of the ideal CVH related behaviors and factors defined by AHA. Results: The proportion of children and adolescents with an ideal smoking, dietary intake and physical activity indicators reached 99.2%(4 982/15 108), 19.7%(2 921/14 805), 17.8% (2 499/14 056), respectively. The proportion of children and adolescents with 7 and 4-5 ideal cardiovascular health indicators was 1.7%(209/12 560) and 65.1%(8 176/12 560). The proportion of children and adolescents with 4-7 ideal cardiovascular health indicators, 2-4 ideal health behavior indicators and 2-3 ideal health factors was significantly higher in urban than that in rural all P values<0.001. The proportion of females with 4-7 ideal cardiovascular health indicators, 2-4 ideal health behavior indicators and 2-3 ideal health factors was significantly higher than that in males (all P values<0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of ideal cardiovascular health of children and adolescents aged 6-16 years in Beijing during 2017-2018 was very low, particularly for healthy dietary intake and physical activity. Effective public health interventions should be implemented to improve the status of cardiovascular health of them.

[The association between body fat distribution and calcaneal bone mineral density in children and adolescents aged 6-16 years in Beijing]

Objective: To understand the association between body fat distribution and calcaneal bone mineral density (BMD) in children and adolescents aged 6-16 years in Beijing. Methods: Children and adolescents were selected in 30 schools (8 primary schools, 21 middle schools and one 12-year education school) from Dongcheng, Tongzhou, Fangshan and Miyun districts of Beijing by using a stratified cluster sampling method from November 2017 to January 2018. A total of 15 030 students in grade 1 to 4 of primary school, grade 1 of junior and senior middle school were enrolled after excluding subjects who were not able to participate into this study due to trauma or other uncomfortable physical conditions or with missing key values or with diabetes and kidney diseases. Questionnaire survey, body composition and calcaneus bone mineral density were conducted. The relation of fat mass percentage (FMP), trunk to total fat ratio (TrTFR), trunk to limb fat ratio (TrLFR), limb to total fat ratio (LTFR) and viscera to total fat ratio (VTFR) with calcaneus BMD were assessed using the multivariate linear regression models after adjusting for possible confounding effects. The central fat distribution types were divided into 4 groups including type 1: both trunk fat and visceral fat greater than the sex-and age-specific internal P(75); type 2: barely trunk fat greater than P(75); type 3: barely visceral fat greater than P(75); type 4: both trunk fat and visceral fat greater than P(75). The central fat distribution types were included into the model in the form of dummy variables to analyze its relationship with calcaneal BMD. The sex-and age-specific z-scores of fat distribution indicators and BMD were calculated. Results: A total of 15 030 participants aged (11.4±3.3) years (50.2% boys) were involved in the analysis. In both genders, after adjusting for age, height, lean mass index, smoking, drinking, physical activity, milk intake, vitamin D and calcium supplementation, FMP, TrTFR, TrLFR and VTFR were negatively correlated with calcaneal BMD (all P value<0.05), while LTFR was positively associated with calcaneal BMD (all P values<0.05). Compared to the central fat distribution type 1, the regression coefficients (95% CI) of type 2, 3 and 4 were -0.253 (-0.418, -0.087), -0.385 (-0.567, -0.204) and -0.428 (-0.487, -0.369) in boys, respectively; the regression coefficients (95% CI) of type 3 and 4 were -0.158 (-0.301, -0.015) and -0.226 (-0.290, -0.163), respectively. Conclusion: Body fat distribution and central fat distribution in children and adolescents were correlated with calcaneus bone mineral density.

[The association between blood lipids and calcaneus bone mineral density in children and adolescents aged 6-16 years in Beijing]

Objective: To investigate the association between blood lipid and calcaneus bone mineral density (BMD) in children and adolescents aged 6-16 years in Beijing. Methods: Children and adolescents were selected in 30 schools (8 primary schools, 21 middle schools and one 12-year education school) from Dongcheng, Tongzhou, Fangshan and Miyun districts of Beijing by using a stratified cluster sampling method from November 2017 to January 2018. A total of 14 303 students in grade 1 to 4 of primary school, grade 1 of junior and senior middle school were enrolled after excluding subjects who were not able to participate into this study due to trauma or other uncomfortable physical conditions or with missing key values or with diabetes and kidney diseases. Questionnaire survey, blood lipid and calcaneus BMD were conducted. Multivariate linear regression was applied to quantify the association between calcaneal BMD as a dependent variable and blood lipid level as an independent variable after adjusting for the potential confounding factors. Furthermore, quantile regression was used to analyze the association between blood lipid level and different percentiles (P(25), P(50) and P(75)) of ultrasonic velocity values of bone mineral density, and parallel test was conducted for regression coefficients of different percentiles. Results: A total of 14 303 participants aged (11.4±3.3) years (49.9% boys) were involved in the analysis. The mean age of 14 303 participants was (11.0±3.3) years. 7 142 boys accounted for 49.9%. The mean±SD of calcaneal BMD, total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were (1 540.9±33.8) m/s, (3.90±0.76), (2.18±0.62), and (1.40±0.32) mmol/L, respectively. The P(5)0 (P(25), P(75)) of triglyceride (TG) was 0.69 (0.49-0.94) mmol/L. After the adjustment of age, height, smoking, drinking, vitamin D and calcium supplementation, dairy intake, physical activity, FMI, and MMI, a significantly inverse association (P<0.05) between TG level and calcaneus BMD was observed in both genders, which the regression coefficients (95%CI) in boys and girls were -0.064 (-0.085, -0.044) and -0.073 (-0.094, -0.053), respectively. Conclusion: The level of BMD was associated with TG in boys and girls. Therefore, it is important to prevent children from hypertriglyceridemia for the bone health promotion.

[The baseline characteristics of School-based Cardiovascular and Bone Health Promotion Program in Beijing]

Objective: To describe the baseline characteristics of School-based Cardiovascular and Bone Health Promotion Program(SCVBH) in Beijing. Methods: Children and adolescents were selected in 30 schools (8 primary schools, 21 middle schools and one 12-year education school) from Dongcheng, Tongzhou, Fangshan and Miyun districts of Beijing by using a stratified cluster sampling method. 15 391 students in grade 1 to 4 from primary schools, grade 1 from junior and senior high schools were enrolled in the investigation with an exclusion of students who were not able to participate due to trauma or other uncomfortable physical conditions. The baseline survey including a questionnaire survey, physical examination and blood biochemical test was conducted from September 2017 to January 2018. Obesity, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, lipid, bone density and grip were evaluated. Results: The prevalence of obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia (impaired fasting glucose and diabetes), dyslipidemia, lower bone density were 22.3%(3 394), 14.8%(2 248), 10.4%(1 490), 20.3%(2 919) and 2.1%(316) in total respectively, and 27.2%(2 081), 16.3%(1 244), 12.8%(922), 22.2%(1 595) and 1.2%(94) for boys, 17.3%(1 313), 13.3% (1 004), 7.9%(568), 18.4%(1 324) and 2.9%(229) for girls. Boys had higher prevalence of obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia and lower prevalence of low bone density than girls (all P values <0.05) The mean of body mass index, systolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose and grip of boys were significantly higher than that of girls (all P values <0.05).The mean of body mass index, systolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose and grip of boys were significantly higher than that of girls (all P values <0.05), the mean of fat mass percentage, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol of boys were significantly lower than those of girls (all P values <0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of risk factors of chronic cardiovascular disease was high and the low bone density was appearing in children and adolescents in this study. The promotion of cardiovascular and bone health should be implemented in children and adolescents.

[Progress of different drug delivery route of vancomycin for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis]

Chronic osteomyelitis (COM) is an infectious disease caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the main characteristics of COM including local dead bone formation, soft tissue infection, and repeatedly attacks. As a sensitive antibiotic, vancomycin plays an important role in the therapy of COM caused by MRSA. Currently, drug treatment is divided into systemic and topical, systemic medication is given priority to intravenous drug delivery; local drug application including local delivery device and local antibiotics lavage and regional arterial perfusion. In practice, its validity depends on whether free drug concentration of vancomycin has riched the effective concentration in the organization. Nevertheless, low concentration lead to treatment failure and even induce drug-resistance bacteria, meanwhile high concentration may cause acute renal failure. So when using vancomycin for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis, both drug resistance and renal toxicity is as the same important as the effectiveness. Systemic administration is a targeting weak way and has many complications; topical medicate effect on the lesion can be targeted, it would be an effective way in the future treatment of COM. Different methods of delivering vancomycin have great influence on local drug concentration, which makes it become the most important factor on local drug concentration of COM.

Changes in the fatty acid composition and regulation of antioxidant enzymes and physiology of juvenile genetically improved farmed tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.), subjected to short-term low temperature stress

We evaluated the effect of cold shock on the fatty acid composition, antioxidant enzymes, and physiological responses of genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT). Experimental GIFT tilapia, a warm-water teleost, were initially acclimated at 28°C and then transferred directly to 13°C. Stress responses were monitored for 120h. There was a significant change in all parameters in response to the cold stressor (P<0.05). Serum cortisol levels increased from 336.93ng/ml to a peak of 1165.31ng/ml 24h after the initial cold shock, and declined rapidly thereafter. Serum glucose and cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the low temperature group than the control group at 120h (P<0.05). Acute low temperature stress enhanced superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione levels in the liver of GIFT tilapia. The GIFT tilapia were able to selectively metabolize fatty acids for energy needs during the early period of exposure to low-temperature stress. During this time, they primarily used saturated fatty acids for energy. However as the duration of the stressor and loss of muscle fat increased, the fish began to metabolize long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Increased malondialdehyde was produced by oxidation of these fatty acids leading to oxidative damage. Our results provide insight into the changes in fatty acid metabolism physiology that allow GIFT tilapia juveniles to adapt to short-term cold stress.

Leaf transcriptome analysis and development of SSR markers in water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis)

Water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis) is an important aquatic crop in China; however, transcriptomic and genomic data in public databases are limited. To identify genes and development molecular markers, high-throughput transcriptome sequencing was applied to generate transcript sequences from water chestnut leaf. More than 24 million reads were obtained, trimmed, and assembled into 40,796 contigs with an average length of 616.6 bp. Sequence similarity analyses against 4 public databases (NR, GO, KEGG, KOG) revealed 17,628 contigs that could be annotated with gene descriptions, conserved protein domains, or gene ontology terms. Among the important metabolic pathways, 27 genes were related to starch synthesis and 13 genes were in the steroid synthetic pathway. In addition, 2570 cDNA simple sequence repeats were identified as potential molecular markers in our contigs. One hundred pairs of polymerase chain reaction primers were designed and used for validation of the amplification. The results revealed that 87 primer pairs were successfully amplified in initial screening tests. Overall, this transcriptome dataset and these markers can serve as a platform for further gene expression studies, functional genomic studies, and marker-assisted selection in E. dulcis.

Silencing profilin-1 inhibits gastric cancer progression via integrin β1/focal adhesion kinase pathway modulation

AIM: To investigate the role of profilin-1 (PFN1) in gastric cancer and the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS: Immunohistochemical analysis, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were performed to detect PFN1 expression in clinical gastric carcinoma and adjacent tissues, and the association of PFN1 expression with patient clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed. PFN1 was knocked down to investigate the role of this protein in cell proliferation and metastasis in the SGC-7901 cell line. To explore the underlying mechanisms, the expression of integrin β1 and the activity of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and the downstream proteins extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), AKT and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were measured through Western blot or qRT-PCR analysis. Fibronectin (FN), a ligand of integrin β1, was used to verify the correlation between alterations in the integrin β1/FAK pathway and changes in tumor cell aggressiveness upon PFN1 perturbation.

RESULTS: Immunohistochemical, Western blot and qRT-PCR analyses revealed that PFN1 expression was higher at both the protein and mRNA levels in gastric carcinoma tissues compared with the adjacent tissues. In addition, high PFN1 expression (53/75, 70.4%) was correlated with tumor infiltration, lymph node metastasis and TNM stage in gastric cancer, but not with gender, age, location, tumor size, or histological differentiation. In vitro experiments showed that PFN1 knockdown inhibited the proliferation of SGC-7901 cells through the induction G₀/G₁ arrest. Silencing PFN1 inhibited cell migration and invasion and down-regulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP9. Moreover, silencing PFN1 reduced the expression of integrin β1 at the protein level and inhibited the activity of FAK, and the downstream effectors ERK1/2, P38MAPK, PI3K, AKT and mTOR. FN-promoted cell proliferation and metastasis via the integrin β1/FAK pathway was ameliorated by PFN1 silencing.

CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that PFN1 plays a critical role in gastric carcinoma progression, and these effects are likely mediated through the integrin β1/FAK pathway.

Three new species of Trichoderma with hyaline ascospores from China

Collections of Trichoderma having hyaline ascospores from different areas of China were examined. Using combined analyses of morphological data, culture characters and phylogenetic information based on rDNA sequences of partial nuc translation elongation factor 1-α encoding gene (TEF1-α) and the gene encoding the second largest nuc RNA polymerase subunit (RPB2), three new species, Trichoderma applanatum, T. oligosporum and T. sinoluteum, were discovered and are described. Trichoderma applanatum produces continuous flat to pulvinate, white to cream stromata with dense orange or pale brown ostioles, and simple acremonium-like to verticillium-like conidiophores, belongs to the Hypocreanum clade and is closely related to T. decipiens. Trichoderma oligosporum forms reddish brown stromata with a downy surface, hyaline conidia and gliocladium-like conidiophores, and is closely related to but distinct from T. crystalligenum in the Psychrophila clade. Trichoderma sinoluteum, as a member of the Polysporum clade, is characterized by pale yellow stromata, white pustulate conidiomata, pachybasium-like conidiophores, and hyaline conidia. Differences between the new species and their close relatives are discussed.

Changes in tau phosphorylation levels in the hippocampus and frontal cortex following chronic stress

Studies have indicated that early-life or early-onset depression is associated with a 2- to 4-fold increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). In AD, aggregation of an abnormally phosphorylated form of the tau protein may be a key pathological event. Tau is known to play a major role in promoting microtubule assembly and stabilization, and in maintaining the normal morphology of neurons. Several studies have reported that stress may induce tau phosphorylation. The main aim of the present study was to investigate possible alterations in the tau protein in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and then re-exposed to CUMS to mimic depression and the recurrence of depression, respectively, in humans. We evaluated the effects of CUMS, fluoxetine, and CUMS re-exposure on tau and phospho-tau. Our results showed that a single exposure to CUMS caused a significant reduction in sucrose preference, indicating a state of anhedonia. The change in behavior was accompanied by specific alterations in phospho-tau protein levels, but fluoxetine treatment reversed the CUMS-induced impairments. Moreover, changes in sucrose preference and phospho-tau were more pronounced in rats re-exposed to CUMS than in those subjected to a single exposure. Our results suggest that changes in tau phosphorylation may contribute to the link between depression and AD.

IMM-H004, a novel coumarin derivative compound, protects against amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity through a mitochondrial-dependent pathway

We have investigated the effect of IMM-H004 (7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-4-methyl-3-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-2H-chromen-2-one), a coumarin derivative, on the amyloid beta (Aβ)-induced neurotoxicity in primary culture cortical neurons and pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Our results showed that treatment with IMM-H004 markedly reduced the number of apoptotic cells after exposure to Aβ25-35 or Aβ1-42, determined by MTT, TUNEL staining and Flow cytometry. Further study indicated that IMM-H004 significantly inhibited Aβ-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis by reversing Aβ-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, including MMP (mitochondrial membrane potential) decrease, reactive oxygen species production, and mitochondrial release of cytochrome c. IMM-H004 can regulate the interaction between Bax and Bcl-2, decreased levels of p53 and active caspase-3 protein induced by Aβ25-35. Furthermore, IMM-H004 also reduced translocation of AIF (apoptosis-inducing factor) induced by Aβ25-35. These results demonstrated that IMM-H004 was capable of protecting neuronal cells from Aβ-induced degeneration through a mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway. The results of this study lend further credence to the notion that IMM-H004 is a 'multipotent therapeutic agrent' that reduces toxic levels of brain Aβ, and holds the potential to protect neuronal mitochondrial function in Alzheimer's disease.

Simultaneous blockade of costimulatory signals CD28-CD80 and CD40-CD154 combined with monoclonal antibody against CD25 induced a stable chimerism and tolerance without graft-versus-host disease in rat

BACKGROUND

The conditioning regimen to induce chimerism for immune tolerance is usually accompanied by high toxicity and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Our aim was to explore a nontoxic strategy for the induction of mixed chimerism by pretreatment with anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody (mAb), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 immunoglobulin (CTLA4Ig) and anti-CD154 mAb.

METHODS

A total of 30 Lewis recipient rats (RT1l) were randomly divided into control (A and B) and treated (C, D and E) groups. Recipients serving as controls were without any pretreatment (group A) or pretreated with anti-CD25 mAb, CTLA4Ig and anti-CD154 mAb on days 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 without bone marrow transplantation (BMT; group B). In the treated groups, the recipients were pretreated with anti-CD25 mAb and CTLA4Ig (group C), with anti-CD25 mAb and anti-CD154 mAb (group D) or with anti-CD25 mAb, CTLA4Ig and anti-CD154 mAb (group E) on days 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 plus BMT [2 × 10(8) unmodified whole bone marrow cells from Brown Norway donor rats (RT1n)] on day 0. Full-thickness skin grafts from donor-specific Brown Norway rats were grafted to the dorsal thoracic wall of Lewis recipients on day 8. GVHD was assessed after BMT, and chimerism and T cell apoptosis on days 7, 21, 35 and 49 were detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

GVHD was not observed in any groups. On days 7, 21 and 35, hematopoietic chimerism was present and maintained in the recipients of the 3 treated groups (groups C, D and E), and thereafter disappeared on day 49. The rate of chimerism in group E was significantly higher compared to that in group C on day 7 and that in group C or D on day 21, but there was no significant difference on day 35 among the 3 groups. The rate of T cell apoptosis in group C, D or E was significantly higher than in group A or B on days 14, 21 and 35. The grafted skin survival in group C, D or E was longer than in group A or B, and survival was significantly longer in group E than in group C or D.

CONCLUSION

Preconditioning with anti-CD25 mAb, CTLA4Ig and anti-CD154 mAb could effectively induce chimerism and immune tolerance without GVHD in a major histocompatibility complex-disparate rat model. This strategy may be attractive for induction of transplantation tolerance. T cell apoptosis is one of the important considerations in tolerance induction.

Experience of urgent reconstruction of electrical injuries

Although there have been great advances in the treatment of electrical injuries in the last 20 years, the extremity loss ratio in electrical injuries remains at an unacceptably high level. The primary reason for this is the progressive tissue necrosis and enlargement of the necrosis in the wound. The goal in this study is to examine possible ways to break the necrotic malignancy circle and save the form and function of damaged extremities. As a result of systematic experimental and clinical research, a comprehensive urgent reconstruction alternative for electrical injuries has been proposed. The alternative includes the following principles: debriding the wound as early as possible after injury; preserving as much as possible the vital tissue structures, such as nerve, vessels, joints, tendons, and bone, even when they have undergone devitalization or local necrosis; transplanting these vital tissues during the first surgery if the functional reconstruction requires; nourishing the wound bed by covering with tissue flaps that have rich blood supply; improving flap survival by continuous irrigations with a compound medicine beneath the flaps for a 24- to 72-hour period after surgery; providing general treatment with vasoactive agents and antibiotics. This paper summarizes our experience of using this method in the treatment of 105 electrical injury patients (a total of 309 wounds) in the time period from 1 January 1986 to 31 December 1996. Satisfying results were obtained, with the extremity loss ratio decreasing to 7% as compared to 41.5% during the 10 years preceding 1984 at the same hospital. Thus, the urgent comprehensive reconstruction alternative presented here is an effective and workable method to manage electrical injuries.

Cardiovascular effects of injection of argipressin into lateral septal nuclei in rats

AIM

To determine whether argipressin (Arg) plays a role in central neural control of cardiovascular function by acting on the lateral septal nuclei (LSN).

METHODS

Measuring mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) responses followed microinjection of Arg into the LSN of rats anesthetized with urethane.

RESULTS

Arg (100, 200, and 400 ng) injected into the LSN produced a dose-dependent hypertension and tachycardia. Maximal changes of MAP were 0.9 +/- 0.6, 2.3 +/- 1.3, 4.0 +/- 1.4 kPa, respectively; maximal changes of HR were 12 +/- 27, 50 +/- 33, and 89 +/- 27 bpm, respectively. Pretreatment of the LSN with a vasopressin 1 type antagonist d (CH2)5Tyr(Me) Arg abolished the MAP and HR responses produced by injection of Arg. Peripheral alpha-adrenergic blockade with phentolamine blocked the hypertension responses to injection of Arg into the LSN.

CONCLUSION

Arg acts in the region of the LSN to exert a central action on the cardiovascular system that is mediates by stimulation of sympathetic outflow.

[Index for deep burn injuries: (2). Analysis of 117 cases]

A trial to index for deep burn injuries (IDBI) on the basis of 304 burn sites in 117 patients was reported in this paper. Based on the index, a gradation of IDBI from Type I to Type V was developed. Further analysis of the 117 cases suggested that the IDBI might provide a reliable numerical indication system for the early diagnosis, guide for repair, prognosis as well as further study in the field of the deep burn injuries.

[Injury score for deep burns--(1) Structure and functions of extremity]

The investigation of the structure, functions and functional loss ratio of the burn injuries was carried out in twelve cross sections of the extremities in this paper. The basic structure-function constants of the vessel, nerve, tendon, muscle, bone joint capsule and ligament were obtained from the investigation and converted into index. We hope that the index would provide a reliable numerical indication system for the early diagnosis and repair of the deep burn injuries.

[Early repair of burned cranium]

Early repair was done on 10 patients, of whom there was necrosis of either the outer or both outer and inner tables of the skull as a result of deep burn injuries. Multiple drill holes were made through the necrotic cranial bones until bleeding occurred on 7 PBD. The wounds were immediately covered with skin flaps. A continuous drip of lidocaine, chloramphenicol and normal saline was instituted underneath the flaps. The results after one to five years follow-up were satisfactory.

Successful treatment of a severe electrical injury involving the stomach

Apparently no report of the survival of a child with severe electrical injuries involving the stomach has been published. We successfully treated a 5-year-old boy with such injuries in August 1991. Our effective treatment included: (1) resection of the necrosis of the stomach immediately after admission; (2) active excision of all surrounding necrotic tissues with conservation of any piece of healthy tissue, including partial degenerative tissues; (3) early coverage of all exposed areas; (4) general comprehensive supportive therapy, and (5) local application of a saline solution containing chloromycetin and lidocaine.

Identification of basement membrane zone antigens defined by antibodies that react to both the epidermal and dermal side of 1 M sodium chloride split skin

Some individuals have basement membrane zone (BMZ) antibodies that react to both the epidermal and dermal side of skin split with 1 M NaCl. To examine the significance of this combined staining pattern, we tested sera from 185 different, sequential, patients with BMZ antibodies for reactivity to normal human skin split with 1 M NaCl. Six sera (3.2%) stained both the epidermal and dermal sides of split skin, 173 (93.5%) stained only the epidermal side, and 6 (3.2%) only the dermal side. All six sera with a combined staining pattern yielded the same pattern when tested with three different specimens of skin, indicating that this pattern is reproducible. By immunoblot analysis, five (83%) of the six combined staining sera reacted to a 160-kD antigen present only in epidermal extracts of normal skin, one reacted in addition to a 230-kD epidermal antigen, and one did not react to either epidermal or dermal extracts. In contrast, five (83%) of the six sera with dermal staining reacted to a 290-kD antigen present only in dermal extracts. Eighteen (90%) of twenty representative epidermal staining sera reacted to a 230-kD epidermal antigen and seven (35%) sera (five with the 230-kD antibody and two without) also reacted to the 160-kD epidermal antigen. Affinity purified antibody to the 160-kD antigen defined by combined staining sera reacted to the BMZ of normal human skin. These results indicate that the combined staining pattern on 1 M NaCl split skin is due to the presence of a distinctive antibody response directed predominantly to a 160-kD BMZ antigen located on the epidermal side of the split skin and to an as yet unidentified BMZ antigen located on the dermal side.

[Experimental electric injuries: repair and histology]

66 rats were submitted to bilateral hindlimb high-voltage electric injuries. When palliative debridement, followed by flap transplantation, was done within 48 hours after the injury, both the external appearance and functions were restored satisfactorily. On the contrary, when radical debridement or skin grafting with split thickness skin was done, all the limbs lost their functions. The results suggest that early palliative debridement and good coverage with skin flap are feasible in the treatment of electric burns.

[Early repair of deep burns of the foot]

Early repair of 11 feet of 10 burned patients over four-year period was presented. The injured or necrosed vessel, tendon, nerve and bone joint were retained during debridement and covered with different kind of flaps including free flap. The good appearances and functions were obtained in 9 feet, one ankle joint showed slightly disability and five digits of the rest feet were amputated. The characteristics of the burned foot was also discussed in this paper.

Increasing flap survival: a new method

A new method of continuous irrigation beneath a flap with special irrigation was designed to attempt to improve flap survival in 42 animals. In each animal experimental and control flaps were symmetrically designed using two flanks or limbs (total number of flaps, 154). The flap length survival in the 77 experimental flaps ranged from 18 to 88% greater than that in the control flaps. Bacterial cultures of the secretions from all flaps suggested that this method has a practical value in preventing and controlling the infections that would result in flap necrosis.

[Observation of oral glucose-insulin releasing test in liver cirrhosis]

In order to investigate the disorders of carbohydrate metabolism and insulin secretion as well as their correlation in patients with liver cirrhosis, we performed an oral glucose tolerance test on 30 patients with liver cirrhosis proven by history, clinical findings, liver function test, radioisotope liver scanning, ultrasonic examination, gastroscopy, barium esophagogram and liver biopsy, compared with 20 healthy controls. Blood glucose and immunoreactive insulin were determined in both groups at 60 min intervals for 180 min. Results showed marked glucose intolerance with peak value 60 min after glucose load in cirrhotic patients with normal fasting blood glucose. Plasma IRI levels were significantly higher in cirrhotic patients than in normal subjects after glucose load (P less than 0.05), especially 180 min after (P less than 0.01). Twelve of 30 cases (40%) showed an abnormal OGTT curve. Of the 12 cases seven (23.3%) showed a diabetic OGTT curve, five (16.7%) an impaired OGTT curve. While eighteen of 30 cases (60%) showed an abnormal OGIRT curve. Among the 18 cases one (3.3%) presented hypersecretic OGIRT curve, twelve (40.0%) with delayed and prolonged peak, and five (16.7%) with hypersecretic OGIRT curve and delayed, prolonged peak.

Reduction of enteric infectious disease in rural China by providing deep-well tap water

Enteric infectious disease (EID), defined here as bacillary dysentery, viral hepatitis A, El Tor cholera, or acute watery diarrhoea, is an important public health problem in most developing countries. This study assessed the impact on EID of providing deep-well tap water (DWTW) through household taps in rural China. For this purpose, we compared the incidence of EID in six study villages (population, 10,290) in Qidong County that had DWTW with that in six control villages (population 9397) that had only surface water. Both the bacterial counts and chemical properties of the DWTW met established hygiene standards for drinking water. The incidence of EID in the study region was 38.6% lower than in the control region; however, the introduction of DWTW supplies did not significantly affect the incidence of bacillary dysentery. These results indicate that the construction and use of DWTW systems with household taps is associated with decreased incidences of El Tor cholera, viral hepatitis A, and acute watery diarrhoea. Since high construction costs have led many authorities to question the value of DWTW, we carried out a cost-benefit analysis of the programme. The cost of constructing a DWTW system averaged US $36,000 at 1983 prices, or US $10.50 per capita. The combined capital and operating costs of a DWTW system were US $1.46 per capita per annum over its 20-year estimated life. The benefits derived from reductions in cost of illness and savings in time to fetch water were 2.2 times the costs at present values Capital outlays were recouped in a 3.6-year payback period and the provision of DWTW proved highly beneficial in both economic and social terms.

The epidemiology of childhood burns in Jiamusi, China

The causes and severities of burning injury were analysed in 1006 children admitted to our department over a 11-year period. A substantial number of patients were less than 5 years old. Proportionally more boys and less girls were injured. More of the accidents occurred in summer and winter and less during the spring and autumn; more occurred in the rural and mountain areas than in the cities. In the younger children 88 per cent of the injuries occurred at home while eating and drinking, only a few burns happening in kindergarten and school. This report suggests which methods of prevention should be stressed.

Studies on the phenomenon of latent propagated sensation along the channels. II. Investigation on the lines of LPSC on the twelve main channels

Applying an electric impulse at the Jing points and then tapping on the skin surface along the lines perpendicular to the channels, latent PSC of 12 channels was examined respectively on 200 patients at an acupuncture clinic. Of the cases examined, 68.5% were found to have positive latent PSC. No prominent difference was found among the 12 main channels. In patients with higher sensitivity of latent PSC and in those with marked PSC as well, the traces of latent PSC can be located simply by tapping (i.e. without electric impulsation at the Jing points), and the width of the sensitive lines is about 0.5 cm. Furthermore, in cases with marked PSC, the latent sensation lines were always found to be a continuation of the marked ones. These facts indicate that the latent PSC is a common meridian phenomenon in a large number of individuals.

Studies on the phenomenon of latent propagated sensation along the channels. I. The discovery of a latent PSC and a preliminary study of its skin electrical conductance

By combining electrical impulse stimuli with mechanical ones, we are able to trace out a new line of feeling, coincident with the classical channel course. Impulse stimulation was carried out at the Jing point of the Large Intestine or Stomach channel, namely Shangyan or Lidui. With a small rubber nipple, light taps were applied on the skin along the lines perpendicular to the channel and crossing over the acupuncture points; a specific propagational numb feeling at the points of the channel could be found. By linking up these points of specific feeling, an imaginary line which is exactly the classical Large Intestine or Stomach channel can be traced out. This line is called the "latent propagational sensation line along the channels" because, unless through tapping, no prominent sensation of propagation could be felt. Employing an impulsive electrical generator and an all-wave commutating circuit linked to a micro-ammeter, the skin conductance was measured over the latent PSC of the Large Intestine channel lying between the wrist and 5 cm above the elbow joint. Results were compared to those locations of 1 cm apart from the channel course, i.e. the control sites devoid of acupuncture points or channels. At most acupuncture points or any site of the channel course on all of the 10 subjects under examination, there was greater electrical conductance maxima than there was at control sites. This fact indicates that not only the acupuncture points, but the entire course of latent PSC are also of higher electrical conductance.