Objective To observe the relationship between serum bilirubin levels of elderly heart failure patients and type, clinical symptom and prognosis of the heart failure. To explore the pathophysiological role of heme oxygenase 1/CO bilirubin system in the pathogenesis of the heart failure. Methods Serum total bilirubin and direct bilirubin and indrect bilirubin levels of 57 inpatients admitted to our depatment because of heart failure from April 1998 to June 2000 were examined in the second day, first and second week after admission, respectively. Results (1) Compared with the recovery stage of the heart failure, the serum total bilirubin levels during the heart failure attack increased by 52 9% and 78 9%, respectively than the first and second week after the attack(26 1 ?mol/L vs 17 4 ?mol/L and 14 6 ?mol/L, P

Objective : To investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice on e-cigarette use among college students in Guiyang City, so as to provide insights into tobacco control health education among colleges and universities. Methods College students were sampled from full-time colleges and universities in Guiyang City using a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method from March to May in 2022. Students' knowledge, attitude and practice on e-cigarette use were collected using a questionnaire designed based on the 2019 China National Youth Tobacco Survey Questionnaire, and factors affecting the attempt to use e-cigarette were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model. Methods: College students were sampled from full-time colleges and universities in Guiyang City using a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method from March to May in 2022. Students' knowledge, attitude and practice on e-cigarette use were collected using a questionnaire designed based on the 2019 China National Youth Tobacco Survey Questionnaire, and factors affecting the attempt to use e-cigarette were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results : Totally 2 800 questionnaires were recovered, including 2 694 valid questionnaires, with an effective recovery rate of 96.21%. The respondents included 687 males (25.50%) and 2 007 females (74.50%). The total score of knowledge on e-cigarette use was (2.95±1.02) points, and there were low proportions of knowing that e-cigarettes contained hazardous substances, including nicotine and tar (59.06%) and knowing that e-cigarette use may cause diseases (53.27%). The total score of attitudes towards e-cigarette use was (5.09±2.36) points, and 93.50% of respondents did not use e-cigarettes given by companions. There were 132 students with attempts to use e-cigarettes (4.90%), and there were 29 current e-cigarette users (1.08%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified age of 20 years and lower (OR=0.438, 95%CI: 0.267-0.719), living in rural areas (OR=0.458, 95%CI: 0.264-0.794), thinking that e-cigarettes are addictive (OR=0.449, 95%CI: 0.217-0.928), and thinking that e-cigarette smoking is harmful (OR=0.263, 95%CI: 0.131-0.527) as factors protecting from e-cigarette use, and monthly living expenses of more than 2 000 Yuan (OR=2.995, 95%CI: 1.135-7.902), cigarette smoking (OR=19.826, 95%CI: 11.385-34.527), and using companions' e-cigarettes (OR=9.141, 95%CI: 5.534-15.101) and thinking that people around me support my use of e-cigarettes (OR=2.673, 95%CI: 1.426-5.013) were risk factors for e-cigarette use among college students. Conclusions There is a low awareness rate of e-cigarette use among college students in Guiyang City, and the majority oppose e-cigarette use, with a low proportion of attempt to use e-cigarettes. Age, source of students, monthly living expenses, e-cigarette smoking, knowledge on e-cigarette use and use of companions' e-cigarettes may affect the attempt to use e-cigarettes.

Objective The study was to investigate the spectrum and incidence of the hot-spot deafness gene mutations from non-syndromic hearing loss(NSHL)in Guizhou province.Methods Genomic DNAs of 356 patients of NSHI in Guizhou were obtained from peripheral blood and a deafness gene test chip was used to screen nine hot spot mutation in the gene GJB2,SLC26A4,GJB3 and mitochondria 12SrRNA.Results Eighty-eight (24.72%)out of 356 patients were found carrying at least one pathogenic gene mutation.Among them,40 patients with the GJB2 mutations were found(11.24%),including 19 cases(5.34%)of homozygous matutions,5 cases(1.40%)of com-pound heterozygous mutations,and 15 cases(4.21%)of single heterozygous mutations.Twenty-nine patients with the SLC26A4 mutations were found (8.15%),including 9 cases(2.53%)of homozygous mutations and 19 cases (5.34%)of single heterozygous mutations.Homogenic mitochondrial 12SrRNA 1555A>G mutations were in 10 patients(2.81%)and 1494C>T mutations in 10 patients (0.56%),and heterogeneous mitochondrial 12SrRNA 1555A>G mutations in 7 patients(1.97%).GJB3 gene c.538C>T heterozygous mutations was found in 1 patients. Conclusion The mutations of GJB2 and SLC26A4 gene are two major pathogenic genes for patients with NSHL in Guizhou province.Our study provides a theoretical basis for the early diagnosis,genetic counseling and treatment of deafness.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the genetic mechanism of maternal nonsyndromic inherited sensorineural hearing loss(SNHL), to identify the incidence of the 7445(G) mutation in such pedigrees and sporadic patients with SNHL, and to provide the theoretical evidence for the diagnosis of this disease.

METHODSBlood samples were obtained from 2 pedigrees and 14 sporadic patients with SNHL. DNA was extracted from the isolated leukocytes. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragments were amplified by PCR. The 1555(G), 3243(G) and 7445(G) mutation was detected by Alw 26 I, Apa I and Xba I restriction endonuclease digestion respectively. The sequence of 12S rRNA, tRNA(Leu(UUR)) and tRNA(Ser(UCN)) was examined.

RESULTSRestriction endonuclease digestion analysis showed that 12 individuals from 2 pedigrees carried homoplasmic 7445(G) mutation, which was of maternal inheritance. Six individuals from 2 pedigrees and 14 sporadic patients did not have 7445(G) mutation. All individuals did not have 1555(G) and 3243(G) mutation. The sequence analysis further showed that none of them carried homoplasmic 1555(G) and 3243(G) mutation, 12 individuals had (nt)7445 A--> G substitution in tRNA(Ser(UCN)) gene.

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of 7445(G) mutation in such pedigrees is higher than that in sporadic patients. Screening for mtDNA 7445(G) mutation combined with 1555(G) examination is of much value to clinical use.

DNA Mutational Analysis ; methods ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Pedigree ; Point Mutation ; RNA, Transfer, Ser ; genetics

Objective:To evaluate the effect of rat cardiac fibroblasts (RCF) on the expression of connexin43 (Cx43) in H9c2 cells during hypothermic hypoxia/reoxygenation.Methods:H9c2 cells cultured in vitro were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) using the random number table method: control group (group C), hypothermic hypoxia/reoxygenation group (group HHR), RCF co-culture group (group Co) and RCF co-culture plus hypothermic hypoxia/reoxygenation group (group Co+ HHR). Group C was incubated at 37℃ in 5% CO 2 + 95% air for 5 h. Group HHR was incubated at 4 ℃ in 5% CO 2 + 95% N 2 for 1 h and then at 37 ℃ in 5% CO 2 + 95% air for 4 h. In group Co and group Co+ HHR, H9c2 cells 0.3×10 5 cells/well were inoculated in the lower chamber and RCF 0.6×10 5 cells/well in the the upper chamber of a transwell ? culture dish.Group Co was incubated at 37 ℃ in 5% CO 2 + 95% air for 5 h. Group Co+ HHR was incubated at 4℃ in 95% N 2 + 5% CO 2 for 1 h, and then incubated at 37 ℃ in 5% CO 2 + 95% air for 4 h. The mortality rate of H9c2 cells was measured by trypan blue staining, the expression of Cx43 and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) by immunofluorescence, and the expression of Cx43, phosphorylated Cx43, ERK1/2 and phosphorylated ERK1/2 by Western blot. Results:Compared with group C, the mortality rate of H9c2 cells was significantly increased, the expression and phosphorylation of Cx43 were decreased, and the expression and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 were increased in group HHR ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the mortality rate of H9c2 cells or expression and phosphorylation of Cx43 and ERK1/2 in group Co ( P>0.05). Compared with group Co, the mortality rate of H9c2 cells was significantly increased, and the expression and phosphorylation of Cx43 and ERK1/2 were decreased in group Co+ HHR ( P<0.05). Compared with group HHR, the mortality rate of H9c2 cells was significantly increased, and the expression and phosphorylation of Cx43 and ERK1/2 were decreased in group Co+ HHR ( P<0.05). Conclusions:RCFs can decrease the expression and activity of Cx43 in H9c2 cells during hypothermic hypoxia/reoxygenation, and the mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of ERK1/2 expression and inhibition of ERK1/2 activity.