Objective This study aimed to evaluate the associations of serum folate and/or vitamin B12 concentrations with obesity among Chinese children and adolescents. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted including 3,079 Chinese children and adolescents,aged 6 to 17 years,from Jiangsu,China.Anthropometric indices,such as,children's body mass index(BMI),BMI z-scores,waist circumference,and waist-to-height ratio were utilized.Multivariable linear regression and generalized additive models were used to investigate the associations of serum folate and vitamin B12 levels with anthropometric indices and odds of obesity. Results We observed that serum vitamin B12 concentrations were inversely associated with all anthropometric indices and the odds of general obesity[odds ratio(OR)= 0.68;95%confidence interval(CI)= 0.59,0.78]and abdominal obesity(OR = 0.68;95%CI = 0.60,0.77).When compared to participants with both serum vitamin levels in the two middle quartiles,those with both serum folate and vitamin B12 levels in the highest quartile were less prone to general(OR = 0.31,95%CI = 0.19,0.50)or abdominal obesity(OR = 0.46,95%CI = 0.31,0.67).Conversely,participants with vitamin B12 levels in the lowest quartile alongside folate levels in the highest quartile had higher odds of abdominal obesity(OR = 2.06,95%CI = 1.09,3.91). Conclusion Higher serum vitamin B12 concentrations,but not serum folate concentrations,were associated with lower odds of childhood obesity.Children and adolescents with high levels of vitamin B12 and folate were less likely to be obese.

Objective: To analyze the morbidity and mortality trends of thyroid cancer in China from 1990 to 2019, explore the causes of the trends, and predict morbidity and mortality in the future. Methods: The morbidity and mortality data of thyroid cancer in China from 1990 to 2019 were collected from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease database. The Joinpoint regression model was used to describe the change trends. Based on the morbidity and mortality data from 2012 to 2019, a grey model GM (1,1) was constructed to predict the trends in the next ten years. The model was tested by the posterior error method and residual test method. Results: In all populations, men and women, the AAPC values of the crude morbidity rates were 4.15% (95%CI: 3.86%-4.44%, P<0.001), 5.98% (95%CI: 5.65%-6.31%, P<0.001) and 3.23% (95%CI: 2.94%-3.53%, P<0.001) respectively, the AAPC values of age-standardized morbidity rates were 2.47% (95%CI: 2.12%-2.83%, P<0.001), 3.98% (95%CI: 3.68%-4.29%, P<0.001), 1.65% (95%CI: 1.38%-1.93%, P<0.001), the AAPC values of crude mortality rates were 2.09% (95%CI: 1.92%-2.25%, P<0.001), 3.68% (95%CI: 3.45%-3.90%, P<0.001), 0.60% (95%CI: 0.50%-0.71%, P<0.001). The age-standardized mortality rates in men showed a fluctuating trend of first decrease (1990-1994), then increase (1994-2012), and then decrease (2012-2019) (AAPC=1.35%, 95%CI: 1.16%-1.53%, P<0.001). The age-standardized mortality rate in women continuously decreased (AAPC=-1.70%, 95%CI: -1.82%- -1.58%, P<0.001). The GM (1,1) models can be used for medium and long-term predictions. The results of the residual test show that the average relative error values of all models are less than 10.00%, the prediction accuracy values are more than 80.00%, and the prediction effects are good. The results of the posterior error method show that all the prediction results are good except the qualified prediction of the age-standardized morbidity rate in men. In 2029, the crude morbidity rates would increase to 3.57/100 000, 2.78/100 000, and 4.40/100 000, respectively, and the age-standardized incidence rates would increase to 2.38/100 000, 1.89/100 000, and 2.88/100 000, respectively, the crude mortality rates would increase to 0.57/100 000, 0.62/100 000 and 0.53/100 000, and the age-standardized mortality rates would decrease to 0.33/100 000, 0.42/100 000 and 0.27/100 000 in all population, men and women in China. Conclusions: The overall, gender- specific age-standardized mortality rates showed downward trends in the last decade or so, and the prediction results showed that it might further decline. However, the crude morbidity rates, age-standardized and crude mortality rates have been on the rise, and the population aging is becoming increasingly serious in China, which requires close attention and targeted prevention and control measures.
Male ; Humans ; Female ; Morbidity ; Thyroid Neoplasms/epidemiology* ; Aging ; China/epidemiology*

Objective To investigate the population dynamics and Echinococcus infections in small rodents around human settlement in Yushu City, Qinghai Province. Methods Rodents were captured using the mouse trap method in pastures from Batang Township and Longbao Township of Yushu City, Qinghai Province on May, August and October, 2018. The body weight and snout-vent length of all captured rodents were measured, and the species was identified according to the rodent morphology. Genomic DNA was extracted from rodent liver specimens and lesion specimens, and the mitochondrial cox1 gene of Echinococcus was amplified using PCR assay for identification of parasite species. In addition, the tissue specimens positive for PCR assay were sampled for pathological examinations. The prevalence of Echinococcus infections was estimated in rodents, and a phylogenetic tree was created based on Echinococcus cox1 gene sequences. Results A total of 285 small rodents were captured, including 143 Ochotona curzoniae (50.2%), 141 Lasiopodomys fuscus (49.5%), and 1 Neodon irene (0.3%), and there was a remarkable variation in habitat selection among these three rodent species. The number of L. fuscus correlated positively with vegetation coverage (r = 0.350, P = 0.264), with the greatest number seen in August, and the number of O. curzoniae negatively with vegetation coverage (r = −0.371, P = 0.235), with the highest number seen in August and the lowest number in May. The female/male ratios of O. curzoniae and voles were 1:0.96 and 0.82:1, respectively. The body weight (r = 0.519, P < 0.01) and snout-vent length (r = 0.578, P < 0.01) of O. curzoniae showed a tendency towards a rise with month, while the body weight (r = −0.401, P < 0.01) and snout-vent length (r = −0.570, P < 0.01) of voles presented a tendency towards a reduction with month. No Echinococcus infection was detected in voles, while 2.1% prevalence of E. shiquicus infection was seen in O. curzoniae. Phylogenetic analysis revealed consistent sequences of cox1 gene from E. shiquicus in Yushu City of Qinghai Province and Shiqu County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province. Conclusions The small rodents around the human settlement in Yushu City of Qinghai Province mainly include O. curzoniae and L. fuscus, with the greatest numbers seen in May and August, respectively. Following the concerted efforts for echinococcosis control, the prevalence of Echinococcus infections is low in small rodents around the human settlement in Yushu City; however, there is still a risk of echinococcosis transmission.

Pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 has seriously threatened human life and health worldwide and caused a large number of deaths. Viral infection and acute inflammation are important causes of death, so it is particularly important to combine antiviral therapy with anti-inflammatory therapy. Glycyrrhizic acid, the main component of the glycyrrhizic root extract, has a wide range of pharmacological effects as well as high efficiency and low toxicity, its preparation has been widely used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis and other diseases. Glycyrrhizic acid can regulate the expression and release of a variety of cytokines and play a significant anti-inflammatory effect. At the same time, glycyrrhizic acid also showed significant inhibition towards a variety types of viruses. Therefore, the potential application of glycyrrhizic acid as COVID-19 treatment should be explored.

There are various examination methods for cardiovascular diseases. Non-invasive diagnosis and prognostic information acquisition are the current research hotspots of related imaging examinations. Positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a new advanced fusion imaging technology that combines the molecular imaging of PET with the soft tissue contrast function of MRI to achieve their complementary advantages. This article briefly introduces several major aspects of cardiac PET/MRI in the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerosis, ischemic cardiomyopathy, nodular heart disease, and myocardial amyloidosis, in order to promote cardiac PET/MRI to be more widely used in precision medicine in this field.
Heart/diagnostic imaging* ; Heart Diseases/diagnostic imaging* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Multimodal Imaging ; Positron-Emission Tomography

This research investigated the effect of parthenolide on the proliferation and migration of human breast cancer cells and explored the molecular mechanism of that effect. Surface plasmon resonance and fluorescence resonance energy transfer melting were used to detect the binding and stabilizing ability of PTL and G-quadruplex. MTT assays were used to determine the effect of PTL on the proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. A wound healing assay was performed to detect the migration of MCF-7. The results indicate that PTL shows good binding and stabilizing activities with c-myc G-quadruplex with a K_D = 13.1 μmol·L^-1. PTL inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells with an IC₅₀ of 21.3 μmol·L^-1 (24 h), 14.5 μmol·L^-1 (48 h) and 9.1 μmol·L^-1 (72 h). PTL inhibited MCF-7 breast cancer cell proliferation and migration and down-regulated the transcription and expression level of c-myc by targeting G-quadruplex.

Objective To Analyze the change trend of the incidence and mortality of breast cancer in Chinese women from 2005 to 2013 in the Chinese Cancer Registry Annual Report in order to provide references for the implement of the prophylaxis and treatment of breast cancer. Methods Extracted all the records of the incidence and mortality of breast cancer in Chinese women from 2005 to 2013, applied the Joinpoint regression model to analyze the change trend of the incidence and mortality of breast cancer in Chinese women. Results The incidence levels of breast cancer among urban women in China was higher than that in rural from 2005 to 2013, the change trend of urban incidence was stable(t=-0.2, P=0.828), the rural incidence showed an increasing trend(t=7.8, P<0.001). The peaks of urban and rural incidence were in the age group of 50- and the age group of 45- respectively.The mortality of breast cancer among urban women in China was higher than that in rural from 2005 to 2013, the change trend of urban mortality was stable(t=0.8, P=0.458), and the rising trend of rural mortality was obvious(t=3.3, P=0.014). The mortality of urban women began to rise after the age of 30, accelerating to rise after the age of 75, the mortality of rural women began to rise after the age of 30, the change tended to be stable at the age of 55-69, and began to rise after the age of 70 again. Conclusions The incidence and mortality of breast cancer among urban women in China were all higher than that in rural from 2005 to 2013, the rising trend of the incidence and mortality of breast cancer among rural women was obvious, so the prophylaxis and treatment measures of breast cancer should be actively formulated and perfected.

BACKGROUND: Jefferson fracture associated with unstable odontoid fracture is rare, and little reported.Occipito-cervical fusion is the commonly used treatment method, but it causes a severe loss of the motion of cervical vertebrae, which affects the patients' quality of life, so the curative effect is poor.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and therapeutic efficacy of atlantoaxial transpedicular screw fixation for Jefferson fracture associated with unstable odontoid fracture, so as to avoid occipito-cervical fusion and preserve the motion of the atlanto-occipital joint.METHODS: Fifteen patients with Jefferson fracture associated with unstable odontoid fracture from March 2010 to August 2015, were treated with atlantoaxial transpedicular screw fixation. There were 13 cases of Anderson type II and 2 cases of Anderson shallow type lll odontoid fracture, as well as 5 cases combined with transverse atlantal ligament rupture. All patients underwent skull traction after admission, as well as three-dimensional CT was applied preoperatively to determine the atlas pedicle screw trajectory and chose suitable screws. Atlantoaxial transpedicular screw was placed and atlantoaxial joint was reduced under general anesthesia. Bone graft fusion of atlantoaxial joint was applied only for the transverse atlantal ligament.The pain and neurologic function were evaluated by the Visual Analog Scale and the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale before and after operation. The range of motion of the atlanto-occipital joint was observed during follow-up.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The mean operation time was (150±41) minutes (120-270 minutes). The mean blood loss was (246±95) mL (160-500 mL). (2) Atlantoaxial transpedicular screws were successfully placed in all patients. No spinal and nerve root injury, or vertebral artery injury occurred intraoperatively. The atlantoaxial achieved good reduction. (3) The follow-up time was 12-36 months. There were nine cases of incomplete spinal cord injury, and 7 cases of obviously improved neurologic function. The visual analog scale scores were significantly improved at 1 year postoperatively, from preoperative (8.15±0.62) to postoperative (1.2±1.4) (P < 0.05). (4) All fractures and bone grafts were healed without loosening or rupture of the screws. The range of motion of the atlanto-occipital joint was (14.6±2.8)° postoperatively. (5) To conclude, atlantoaxial transpedicular screw fixation is effective for Jefferson fracture combined with unstable odontoid fracture, which not only exhibits a high rate of bone healing and stable fixation, but also avoids the occipital-cervical fusion and preserves occipito-atlantal motion.

Through introducing mutations into ribosomes by obtaining spontaneous drug resistance of microorganisms, ribosome engineering technology is an effective approach to develop mutant strains that overproduce secondary metabolites. In this study, ribosome engineering was used to improve the yield of butenyl-spinosyns produced by Saccharopolyspora pogona by screening streptomycin resistant mutants. The yields of butenyl-spinosyns were then analyzed and compared with the parent strain. Among the mutants, S13 displayed the greatest increase in the yield of butenyl-spinosyns, which was 1.79 fold higher than that in the parent strain. Further analysis of the metabolite profile of S13 by mass spectrometry lead to the discovery of Spinosyn α1, which was absent from the parent strain. DNA sequencing showed that there existed two point mutations in the conserved regions of rpsL gene which encodes ribosomal protein S12 in S13. The mutations occurred a C to A and a C to T transversion mutations occurred at nucleotide pair 314 and 320 respectively, which resulted in the mutations of Proline (105) to Gultamine and Alanine (107) to Valine. It also demonstrated that S13 exhibited genetic stability even after five passages.
Genetic Engineering ; Macrolides ; metabolism ; Point Mutation ; Ribosomal Proteins ; genetics ; Ribosomes ; metabolism ; Saccharopolyspora ; metabolism