Objective To measure the serum levels of vitamin D,total immunoglobulin E (tIgE),interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-6 in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD),to evaluate the association between vitamin D and severity of AD,and to investigate the role of vitamin D in inflammatory and immunoregulatory processes during the occurrence of AD.Methods Peripheral blood samples were collected from 37 patients with AD (AD group) and 30 healthy controls (control group).The serum levels of vitamin D,tIgE,and IL-6 were measured by chemiluminescent sandwich enzyme immunoassay,and those of IL-4 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The severity of AD was assessed by the SCORing atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) score.The t test or Mann-Whitney U test was performed to assess the differences in vitamin D,tIgE,IL-4 and IL-6 levels between the AD group and control group,chi-square test to compare the proportion of patients with vitamin D deficiency,insufficiency and sufficiency,and Pearson's correlation analysis or Spearman's correlation analysis to evaluate the correlations between the SCORAD score and serum levels of vitamin D,tIgE,IL-4 and IL-6.Results Compared with the control group,the AD group showed significantly decreased serum levels of vitamin D (24.77 ± 9.29 vs.28.98 ± 6.87 μg/L,t =2.015,P =0.048),but significantly increased serum levels of tIgE (137.68 [37.59-414.53] vs.45.16 [14.56-112.12] IU/ml,Z =-3.399,P =0.001),IL-4 (8.86 ± 4.83 vs.4.78 ± 3.07 ng/L,t =4.147,P ＜ 0.001) and IL-6 (6.53 [3.99-15.30] vs.4.58[2.85-8.17] ng/L,Z =-2.173,P =0.030).Among patients with AD,the SCORAD score was negatively correlated with serum levels of vitamin D (r =-0.505,P =0.001),positively correlated with those of tIgE (r =0.531,P =0.001) and IL-4 (r =0.519,P =0.001),but uncorrelated with those of IL-6 (r =-0.139,P =0.411).There were significant differences in the proportion of patients with vitamin D deficiency,insufficiency and sufficiency between the AD group and control group (x2 =8.762,P =0.013).AD patients with vitamin D deficiency showed significantly increased serum levels of tIgE (2846.87 [319.02-7300.00] IU/ml) and IL-4 ([16.37-2.05] ng/L) compared with those with vitamin D insufficiency (110.07 [26.20-501.48] IU/ml,P =0.045;[8.28 ± 4.48] ng/L,P =0.011) and those with vitamin D sufficiency (123.93 [91.61-273.68] IU/ml,P =0.024;[8.00 ± 4.63] ng/L,P =0.041).In addition,serum levels of IL-6 were also higher in patients with vitamin D deficiency than in those with vitamin D sufficiency (15.10 [8.49-30.72] vs.6.22 [4.47-9.47] ng/L,P =0.011].Conclusions Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency exists in patients with AD.Vitamin D deficiency is correlated with high serum levels of tIgE,IL-4 and IL-6,and the severity of AD is closely correlated with increased serum levels of tIgE and IL-6 as well as decreased serum levels of vitamin D.

Objective To explore the relationship between birth weight and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS).Methods A population cohort study was carried out among 561 adults who were born in 1956,1960 or 1964 in Jinzhong City of Shanxi Province in August 2008 and October 2012.All the participants were required to fill in a questionnaire survey,take physical examinations and laboratory tests.Height,body weight,waist circumference,blood glucose,triglyceride and blood pressure were recorded.Their mothers were interviewed through phone call.Results One hundred individuals were finally qualified,including 42 men and 58 women.Thirty-nine and 41 MS patients were detected in 2008 and 2012,respectively.Prevalence of MS showed statistically significant difference among those born in 1964,1960 or 1956(2008:x2 =6.41,P ＜ 0.05; 2012:x2 =8.14,P ＜ 0.05).The average body weight of babies born in 1960 ((2.9 ± 0.6) kg) was significantly lower than those born in 1964 ((3.2 ±0.4) kg) or 1956 ((3.3 ±0.5) kg) (t values were 5.88 and 6.32,respectively; both P ＜0.05).The rate of poor nutrition during pregnancy was significantly higher in 1960 (68.9％) than in 1956 (28.6％) and 1964 (45.2％) (x2 values were 14.15 and 4.39,respectively; both P ＜ 0.05).In Pearson correlation analysis,coefficient of birth weight and post-MS was-0.106,the coefficient of nutrition during pregnancy and post-MS was -0.005.Conclusions The non-low birth weight children whose mothers had pregnancy malnutrition show higher prevalence of MS in adult.It could be important to carry out health management among children whose mother has experienced pregnancy malnutrition.

Objective: To establish a microwave digestion-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry assay for simultaneous determination of multiple elements in placenta. Methods: Fresh placental tissues were dried at 60 ℃ for 15 h and ground into power. Then, 0.3 g homogenized samples were digested in a microwave digestion system. The interference from mass spectrometry was removed using the kinetic energy discrimination model in the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and the baseline interference was removed by online internal standards. The contents of 17 elements were determined in placental specimens using the established microwave digestion -inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry assay, including V, Ni, Co, Fe, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn, As, Sn, Sb, Ba, Se, Cd, Pb, Hg and Tl. Results: Good linearity was shown for V, Ni, Co, Cr, As, Se, Cd, Pb and Tl at 1 to 50 µg/L, Fe at 100 to 5 000 µg/L, Zn, Cu, Mn and Ba at 10 to 500 µg/L, Sn and Sb at 0.1 to 5 µg/L, and Hg at 0.2 to 2 µg/L, with all correlation coefficients of 0.999 8 and higher. The detection limits of these 17 elements ranged from 0.5 to 100 μg/kg, with relative standard deviations of 2.1% to 6.5%, and recovery rates of 83.3% to 110.0%. The determination results of 17 elements were all within the normal reference range defined in the certified reference materials of chicken (GBW10018). Conclusions The microwave digestion-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry established based on optimized pretreatments and mass spectrometry detection conditions, is feasible for simultaneous determination of multiple elements in placenta.

Objective To study the protective mechanism of astragaloside on skin photoaging. Methods BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups: model group irradiated with ultraviolet rays (UV), model plus matrix group pretreated with the matrix before UV irradiation, model plus astragaloside group pretreated with astragaloside 0.08% cream before UV irradiation, normal control group received no irradiation or pretreatment. After 4-week irradiation, the mice were sacrificed, and skin tissues were resected from the back of these mice. Then, reverse transeription PCR (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry were performed to detect the mRNA and protein expression of TGF-βR Ⅱ and Smad 7, respectively. Gray scale ratio was used to represent the mRNA levels of TGF-βR Ⅱ and Smad 7. Results There was a significant difference in the mRNA level (F = 80.98, 736.80, respectively, both P < 0.01) and protein positivity rate (F = 45.36,132.25, respectively,both P < 0.01) of TGF-βR Ⅱ and Smad 7 among the 4 groups. The mRNA level and protein positivity rate of TGF-βR Ⅱwere 0.2588±0.0283 and (28.20 ± 5.24)% respectively in the model group, significantly lower than those in the normal control group[0.5688 ± 0.0439, (53.00 ± 4.72)%, both P < 0.01] and model plus astragaloside group [0.3767 ± 0.0374, (41.64 ± 2.59)%, both P< 0.01]; on the contrary, the mRNA level and protein positivity rate of Smad 7 in the model group [0.8637 ± 0.0514, (82.06 ± 2.18)%] were significantly higher than those in the normal control group [0.5900 ± 0.0585, (47.50±3.81)%, both P < 0.01] and model plus astragaloside group [0.7131 ± 0.0410, (64.36 ± 2.62)%, both P< 0.01]. In the model plus astragaloside group, the mRNA level and protein positivity rate of TGF-βR Ⅱ were significantly higher than in the model plus matrix group [0.2653 ± 0.0456, (28.74 ± 2.28)%, both P < 0.01], while those of Smad 7 were statistically lower than in the model plus matrix group [0.8553 ± 0.0575, (82.62 ± 4.02)%, both P < 0.01]. However,no significant difference was observed in the mRNA level or protein positivity rate of TGF-βR Ⅱ or Smad 7 between the model group and model plus matrix group (all P > 0.01). Conclusion Astragaloside can prevent skin photoaging by the alteration of TGF-β pathway via up-regulating TGF-βR Ⅱ expression and down-regulating Smad 7 expression.

Alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase (alpha-GPO) from Enterococcus casseli flavus was successfully isolated and purified by using polyethylene glycol (PEG)/(NH4)2SO4 aqueous two-phase system (ATPS). The results showed that the chosen PEG/(NH4)2SO4 ATPS could be affected by PEG molecular weight, pH, concentration of PEG and (NH4)2SO4, and inorganic salt as well as additional amount of crude enzyme. After evaluating these influencing factors, the final optimum purification strategy was formed by 16.5% (m/m) PEG2000, 13.2% (m/m) (NH4)2SO4, pH 7.5 and 30% (m/m) additive crude enzyme, respectively. The NaCl was a negative influencing factor which would lead to lower purification fold and activity recovery. These conditions eventually resulted in the activity recovery of 89% (m/m), distribution coefficient of 1.2 and purification fold of 7.0.
Ammonium Sulfate ; chemistry ; Glycerolphosphate Dehydrogenase ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Weight ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Water

Objective To observe the effect of peripheral blood microRNA-182 (miR-182) combined with interleukin-17 (IL-17) in the early diagnosis of cerebral infarction (CI) in patients with eclampsia. Methods A prospective non-randomized controlled study was conducted. The patients with eclampsia admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of Liaocheng People's Hospital from January 1st, 2013 to September 30th 2016 were enrolled. Cerebral imaging was conducted in 7 days after admission to make a definite diagnosis of the occurrence of CI, excluding patients with cerebral hemorrhage. Patients were divided into CI group and non-CI group. Twenty healthy women of childbearing age were selected as control group. Peripheral venous blood of all patients with eclampsia at 1 day after admission, the expression of miR-182 was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), regulatory T cells (Treg) and T helper 17 cells (Th17) ratio was detected by flow cytometry, and the level of plasma IL-17 was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pearson method was used to analyze the correlation between the indexes. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to analyze the diagnostic value of each index for CI in patients with eclampsia. Results In the 30 patients with eclampsia, there were 13 cases of CI, including 10 case of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) and 3 cases of arterial thrombus; 17 cases of non-CI, including 15 cases of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) and 2 cases without obvious abnormalities. Compared with control group, the levels of miR-182, Th17% and IL-17 in non-CI group and CI group were significantly higher, and the Treg% was significantly lower. The levels of parameters mentioned above were further increased in CI group than those in non-CI group [miR-182 (2-ΔΔCt): 2.35±0.79 vs. 1.75±0.56, Th17%: (5.16±1.89)% vs. (3.93±1.92)%, IL-17 (ng/L):37.45±6.20 vs. 26.65±5.13, all P < 0.05]. Pearson correlation analysis showed that miR-182 was positively correlated with Th17% and IL-17 (r1 = 0.761, r2 = 0.842, both P < 0.01). ROC curves showed that when the cut-off value of miR-182 was 2.88, the diagnosis sensitivity of preeclampsia CI was 84.6%, the specificity was 82.4%, and area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.816 [95%CI confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.641-0.992]; when cut-off value of IL-17 was 34.44 ng/L, diagnosis of preeclampsia CI the sensitivity was 71.5%, the specificity was 85.3%, and AUC was 0.773 (95%CI = 0.602-0.945); when miR-182 was combined with IL-17, the diagnosis sensitivity was 92.3%, specificity was 83.6%, and AUC was 0.896 (95%CI = 0.759-1.032). Conclusions To some extent the expression of miR-182 and IL-17 in peripheral blood can predict the occurrence of CI in early stage. When the two are used together, the predictive value is better.

Health impact assessment（HIA）is an evidence-based methodology to assess the potential impacts of a policy,program or project and to make recommendations for health improvement. HIA can promote the cooperation between health and non-health sectors,raise the awareness about health in decision-makers,increase the participation of stakeholders and change health inequality. This paper reviews the international studies into HIA from 2000 to 2018,providing reference for HIA development in China.

OBJECTIVETo establish the seed quality grading standard of artificial tuber of Pinellia ternata.

METHODHundred-grain weight, moisture content, germination rate, viability, single-grain diameter, purity and visual form of mature artificial tuber seed from tissue culture of P. ternate were determined. The key indicator and reference indicators for artificial tubers quality grading were defined statistically by SPSS analysis.

RESULTGermination rate and viability were the primary indicators, hundred-grain weight, moisture content and purity were important reference indicators.

CONCLUSIONThe quality of each grade should reach the following requirements: for first grade, hundred-grain weight > 10 g, moisture content > 70%-80% , germination rate > 80%, viability > 85%, single-grain diameter > 0.7 cm, purity > 80%; for second grade, hundred-grain weight 8-10 g, moisture content > 70%-80%, germination rate 60%-80%, viability 70%-85%, single-grain diameter 0.3-0.7 cm, purity 75%-80%; moisture content > 70%-80%, and the others don't reach second grade was the third grade.

Germination ; Pinellia ; chemistry ; physiology ; Plant Tubers ; chemistry ; physiology ; Quality Control ; Seeds ; chemistry ; physiology

Objective: To learn the human resource development of provincial,municipal and county-level centers for disease control and prevention（CDCs）in Zhejiang Province from 2010 to 2017,and to provide evidence for optimizing human resource allocation . Methods: We obtained the human resource data of CDCs in Zhejiang Province from national information system for disease control and prevention,and analyzed the changes in the number of permanent staffs,the number of permanent staffs per ten thousand permanent residents as well as the composition of the age,education level,professional background and title in provincial,municipal and county-level CDCs from 2010 to 2017 . Results: The number of the permanent staffs of CDCs in Zhejiang Province increased from 4 592 to 4 835 from 2010 to 2017. In 2017,the number of permanent staffs in overall,provincial,municipal and county-level CDCs per ten thousand permanent residents were 0.855,0.068,0.186 and 0.600,respectively,all of which did not meet the standard. The main age group of CDC staffs changed from 25-34 years old in 2010 to 35-44 years old in 2017. The staffs of overall,provincial,municipal and county-level CDCs mainly had Bachelor's degrees in 2010,while the staffs of provincial CDCs mainly had Master's degrees and above in 2017. The percentages of staffs who had Bachelor's degrees and above in overall,provincial,municipal and county-level CDCs in 2017 increased to 75.12%,90.36%,80.76% and 71.65%,respectively. The CDC staffs were mainly public health professionals,and the percentage increased from 2010 to 2017. The percentages of public health and laboratory medicine professionals in overall,provincial,municipal and county-level CDCs in 2017 increased to 71.56%,79.17%,70.14% and 71.15%,respectively. The CDC staffs mainly had intermediate title,and the percentage of senior title in overall,provincial,municipal and county-level CDCs in 2017 increased to 25.58%,38.80%,32.99% and 21.79%,respectively . Conclusion From 2010 to 2017,the structure of education level,professional background and title of CDC staffs in Zhejiang Province were further optimized,but there was a lack of permanent staffs and a decrease in the staffs under 35 years old.

Objective: To investigate sexual behavior and related factors among middle school students in Chengdu,and to provide a reference for improving the content and the way of their sexual health education. Methods: Stratified cluster sampling was used to select 935 students from 11 schools in Chengdu. A self-designed questionnaire was implemented to estimate sexual behavior and related factors. Results: Thirty-six (3.9%) students reported sexual behavior during the past year. The difference between boys (5.6%) and girls (1.7%) was of statistical significance(χ2=9.79，P<0.01). 77.8% (28/36) of all the participants reported first sexual contact experience, 2.4% (22/935) reported homosexual behavior. Five out of 935 students had experienced unplanned pregnancy, four of them chose to have an abortion. Multivariate Logistic regression showed that masturbation experience, talking about sex-related things with friends, asking for help from friends when in sex-related troubles positively with higher risk of sextual behavior(OR=6.67,0.30,0.28,P<0.05). Conclusion There are multiple types of unsafe sexual behavior among middle school students in Chengdu. Strategies including positive behavior support, peer education, sustainable environment and youth-friend services are essential for health education in the future.