Objective : To investigate the role of hepatic long-chain non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 in key genes associated with glucose metabolism disorder induced by p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p′-DDE). Methods: Human embryonic liver CCC-HEL-1 cells were divided into the DMSO group, 0.1 μmol/L p,p′-DDE group, 1 μmol/L p,p′-DDE group, 10 μmol/L p,p′-DDE group, small interference RNA (siRNA)+DMSO group and siRNA+10 μmol/L p,p′-DDE group. The promoter region methylation, mRNA expression and protein expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α), forkhead box transcription factor O1 (FoxO1) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF2) were detected in CCC-HEL-1 cells using the bisulfite method, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay and BCA assay, respectively. The changes in H19 mRNA expression, the methylation of associated genes in the promoter region and transcriptional expression were compared in CCC-HEL-1 among groups. Results: Exposure to p,p′-DDE alone at different doses resulted in an increase in H19 expression, and the H19 mRNA expression was higher in the 10 μmol/L p,p′-DDE group than in the DMSO group [(1.31±0.25) vs. (1.02±0.22); P<0.05]. Lower methylation of the HNF4α gene in the pro moter region [(38.59±32.77)% vs. (61.43±24.64)%; P<0.05] and higher HNF4α mRNA expression [(1.33±0.26) vs. (1.03±0.28); P<0.05] were detected in the 10 μmol/L p,p′-DDE group than in the DMSO group, while no significant differences were detected between the two groups in terms of the methylation of FoxO1 and IGF2 genes in the promoter region, FoxO1 and IGF2 mRNA and protein expression (P>0.05). Following siRNA-induced H19 knockdown, higher methylation of the HNF4α gene in the promoter region [(71.33±22.23)% vs. (38.59±32.78)%; P<0.05], lower HNF4α mRNA expression [(0.71±0.17) vs. (1.33±0.26); P<0.05], higher methylation of FoxO1 gene in the promoter region [(47.73±34.24)% vs. (25.09±25.35)%; P<0.05] and higher IGF2 mRNA [(1.39±0.25) vs. (0.80±0.20); P<0.05] were found in the siRNA+DMSO group than in the 10 μmol/L p,p′-DDE group, and higher IGF2 protein expression was detected in the siRNA+DMSO group than in the DMSO group [(1.03±0.11) vs. (0.74±0.12); P<0.05]. Conclusion Hepatic H19 may alter HNF4α, FoxO1 and IGF2 transcription and expression through mediating the methylation of genes in the promoter region, thereby playing a role in p,p′-DDE-induced glucose metabolism disorders.

Objective : To investigate the effects of the exposure of sludge from sewage treatment plants and microplastic extracted from sludge on the oxidative stress levels in zebrafish, so as to put insights into the research into the impact of sludge and microplastics on human health. Methods : Adult wild AB zebrafish were exposed to five groups of sludge (0, 12.5, 25, 50 and 75 g/L) and four groups of microplastics extract from sludge (0, 240, 480, 960/L), with 24 zebrafish in each group. The color, activity and death of zebrafish were observed every day. The contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected 0 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 96 h and 7 d post-exposure. A two-factor ANOVA was used to analyze the effects of different concentrations and time of exposure on the indicators above. Results : Under 75 g/L sludge exposure, zebrafish began to show mortality at 72 h and all died after 7 d. The zebrafish in the other sludge groups and all microplastic groups had normal color and activity, and no mortality was observed. Sludge concentration interacted with exposure time to affect SOD, CAT, GSH and MDA (P<0.05). With increasing sludge concentration and exposure time, SOD decreased, MDA increased, CAT increased first and then decreased, GSH decreased first and then increased, and GSH continued to decrease since 24 h in the 75 g/L group. The microplastic concentration interacted with exposure time to affect SOD and GSH (P<0.05), but not CAT or MDA (P>0.05). With increasing microplastic concentration and exposure time, SOD and MDA increased, CAT increased first and then decreased, the GSH was slightly increased at 24 h and decreased after 72 h. Conclusion Both sludge and microplastics extracted from sludge can induce oxidative stress damage in zebrafish, and exposure time and concentration can interact to affect oxidative stress levels. The microplastics extracted from sludge have less effect on oxidative stress levels in zebrafish than sludge.

AIM: To induce rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) into cardiomyocytes and investigate the influence of serum coming from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) rat on the procedure. METHODS: The passage 3 BMSC were divided into six groups: groupⅠwas control group; groupⅡwas induced with 5-azacytidine; group Ⅲ was induced with 5-azacytidine and serum from AMI rat; group Ⅳ was induced with 5-azacytidine and serum from normal rat; group V and group Ⅵ were induced with serum from AMI rat or normal rat. The cardiac troponin T, GATA-4 and desmin were detected 30 days after induction. RESULTS: After inducing by 5-azacytidine, 5-azacytidine and two kinds of serum, some cells in the three groups differentiated into cardiac like cells. The expressions of cardiac troponin T, GATA-4 and desmin were positive in cells differentiated from BMSC. The troponin T expression in control group and group inducing by AMI serum alone were negative but GATA-4 and desmin expressed weakly. Some cells induced with 5-azacytidine and serum were slowly beating 2 weeks after induction, but the cells induced with 5-azacytidine alone was not beating.CONCLUSION: Serum from AMI can not induce BMSC to differentiate into cardiomyocytes, but it promotes BMSC differentiate into cardiomyocytes induced by 5-azacytidine and facilitate the differentiated cells to mature.

AIM: To investigate the effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilized bone marrow stem cells on treatment of the myocardial infarction in experimental rats. METHODS: Three hours after injected with isoprenaline(ISO) interaperitoneally to develop acute ischemic model, rats' bone marrow stem cells were mobilized by G-CSF and migrated to the site of myocardial infarction. The hearts were harvested from 24 hours to 2 weeks after administration of ISO for histopathological examination. RESULTS: 24 hours after administration of ISO , myocardial infarct zones scattered in the pallium of the control group ,there were a large amoumt of inflammatory cells infiltration around the infarct zones and majority of them were neutrophils. The infarction in the G-CSF treatment group was milder, majority of the infiltrative cells were monocytoid; 48 hours after administration of ISO, infarct zones expanded greatly in control group, while that of the G-CSF treatment group increased just mildly; 2 weeks after administration of ISO, there was no significant scar in the G-CSF treatment group. We also found the regeneration of myocytes in the pallium. CONCLUSION: G-CSF treatment protected the ischemic myocardium and it may be used to treat the acute myocardial infarction.

Objective: To determine the impact of urination behavior of overactive bladder in female operating room nurses. Methods: A total of 381 female operating room nurses were recruited from three first-class hospitals in Nanjing by convenience sampling method. They were investigated with Chinese version of OAB symptom score scale and Chinese version of urinary behavior scale. The relationship between urination behavior and overactive bladder was analyzed. Results: The total score of overactive bladder female in operating room nurses was 10.05±3.28. There were significant positive correlations between score of urination behavior and score of overactive bladder. Regression analysis showed that the factor scores of urination behavior such as urinary behavior, no urine urination behavior could independently explain 41.3% of the variance for overactive bladder after controlling demographic variables. Conclusion Clinical managers should focus on the shortcomings of urination behavior of female operating room nurses, and take effective measures to to improve the symptoms of overactive bladder in female operating room nurses.

Objective:To understand the concentration level of radon and its progeny in outdoor air in Beijing area and to analyze the related variation pattern and influencing factors.Methods:The continuous measurement device for radon and its progeny concentration is used for the one-year continuous measurement at three points in different directions in Beijing area.Results:The annual concentration average value was (10.9±4.9) Bq/m 3 for radon and (5.8±3.4) Bq/m 3 for its progeny (equilibrium equivalent radon concentration EEC) in outdoor air in Beijing with the annual average value of 0.52±0.19 for equilibrium factor F. Clear diurnal variations of the concentrations of radon and its progeny was observed. Conclusions:The result of one-year continuous measurement show that the concentrations of radon and its progeny in the outdoor air in Beijing area are close to the world average, lower than the typical values in China given by grab sampling measurement. The daily variation pattern of radon and its progeny concentrations is similar to those at home and abroad. The seasonal variation pattern features local climate in Beijing.