The pathologic changes of cerebral tissues in hypothyroidism and the molecular mechanism of brain development influenced by lower thyroid hormone levels are reviewed.

Objective To evaluate the strength of tobacco control at or below county-level governments of Zhejiang Province,to explore the strategies and measures on tobacco control,and promote a smoke-free government.Methods By multistage stratified random sampling method,12 government ageucies were selected in 4 counties.The information of tobacco control strength and smoke-free environment creation was collected by interview and field observation,and the scores were calculated by using the percentage assignment method.An intercept suuvey was carried out in four counties and there were 405 civil servants under investigation.The data were analyzed by frequency statistic and correlation analysis.Results The smoking rate of civil servants was 17.8％,and the secondhand smoking rate was 61.9％;84.7％ of civil servants adnmitted the harm of smoking and 96.8％ admitted the harm of secondhand smoking.Support for forbidding the cigarette advertisements was highest and increasing the cigarette price was the weakest.The scores of smoke-free environment creation of project counties showed that the average score was 50.60,Zhuji and Luqiao got a maximum score of 57.14,Haiyan got a minimum score of 42.86.The scores of tobacco control strength showed that the average score was 82.35,Zhuji got a maximum score of 92.16,followed by Luqiao,Jiande and Haiyan counties,82.35,80.39 and 74.51 respectively.The scores of tobacco control strength,include policy,political will,capacity,and tobacco control efforts were the highest in Zhuji county.The results of correlation analysis showed that the total score of tobacco control strength had significant association with the score of smoke-free environment creation,smoking rate of civil servants,and approval rate of anti smoking in public places (P＜0.05).Conclusion The overall situation of tobacco control strength at or below county-level governments of Zhejiang province is good,but there is a relative shortage of smoke-free environment creation.Civil servants master the knowledge related to tobacco and support tobacco control policy.We should further promote the construction of smoke-free government.More effective smoking control measures should be conducted in order to raise the strength of tobacco control and finally implement the tobacco control legislation.

Objective To understand the prevalence of tobacco use among college students in different populations by sex,age and major,and to provide evidence for smoking control and health decision.Methods A total of 4 638 college students selected in 21 colleges through stratified multi-stage cluster sampling from Zhejiang Province were surveyed by using questionnaire analysis.Indicators such as tried smoking,current smoking,and secondhand smoke exposure,etc.,were calculated by weight on age proportions from the numbers of college students in Zhejiang.Results The prevalence of tried smoking and currcut smoking among college students were 29.72％ and 10.57％,respectively.The prevalence of tried smoking was 46.52％ for men,18.25％ for women;28.57％ for undergraduate,31.53％ for junior college;the prevalence of current smoking was 18.86％ for men,3.86％ for women;8.88％ for undergraduate,13.23％ for junior college students.The snoking rate in college students increased with age,the group of ≥21 Years was the highest (37.87％,16.09％).The lowest level of smoking was medical student (21.76％,2.19％).The prevalence of secondhand smoke exposure in outdoor and indoor places,and dormitory among students were 65.49％,60.33％,and 23.66％,respectively.In the past 30 days,college students have seen tobacco advertisement (47.38％),smoking scenes (60.20％),and got tobacco related gifts (10.40％),free tobacco products (8.93％);college students have seen information about tobacco control (60.50％),cigarette pack warning labels (58.45％),and learned the tobacco knowledge in class in the past 12 months (14.03％).Conclusion Current prevalence of smoking in college students in Zhejiang province remained at a high level,the rate of secondhand smoke exposure is high and in college students there was lack of tobacco control education in class.The results indicated that the policy about tobacco control in school was not enough and the task of health promotion should be taken more arduously.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects and mechanisms of cordycepin,an effective component of cordyceps militaris, on renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) and its related eIF2α/TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.

METHODFirstly, 15 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups,the control group (Group A), the model group (Group B) and the cordycepin-treated group (Group C). After renal interstitial fibrotic model was successfully established by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), the mice in Group C were intraperitoneally administrated with cordycepin(5 mg x kg(-1) d(-1)) and the ones in Group A and B were administrated with physiological saline for 5 days. At the end of the study, the obstructed kidneys were collected and detected for the pathological changes of RIF, and the mRNA expressions of collagen type I (Col I) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the kidney by Northern blot. Secondly, after renal tubular epithelial (NRK-52E) cells cultured in vitro were exposed to transforming growth factor (TGF) -β with or without cordycepin, the mRNA expressions of Col I and collagen type IV( Col IV) by Northern blot, and the protein expressions of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α), phosphorylated eIF2α ( p-eIF2α), Smad2/3 and phosphorylated Smad2/3 (p-Smad2/3) were tested by Western blot.

RESULTIn vivo, cordycepin alleviated RIF in model mice, including improving fibrotic pathological characteristics and mRNA expressions of Col I and α-SMA. In vitro, cordycepin induced the high expression of p-elF2α, and inhibited the expressions of p-Smad2/3, Col I and Col IV induced by TGF-β in NRK-52E cells.

CONCLUSIONCordycepin attenuates RIF in vivo and in vitro, probably by inducing the phosphorylation of eIF2α, suppressing the expression of p-Smad2/3, a key signaling molecule in TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway, and reducing the expressions of collagens and α-SMA in the kidney.

Actins ; analysis ; Animals ; Deoxyadenosines ; pharmacology ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Phosphorylation ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Smad Proteins ; physiology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects and molecular mechanisms of rhein on reducing starvation-induced autophagic protein expression in renal tubular epithelial ( NRK-52E) cells.

METHODHank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) was used to induce NRK-52E cells to be in the state of starvation. After the intervention of HBSS for 0, 0.5,1, 2 and 6 hours, firstly, the protein expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3 I/II), which is a key protein in autophagy, was detected. Secondly, the protein expressions of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and phosphorylated-mTOR Ser2448 (p-mTOR S2448) were examined. And then, after the co-treatment of rhein (5 mg x L(-1)) and HBSS (1 mL) without or with mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin (100 nmol x L(-1)), the protein expressions of LC3 I/II, mTOR and p-mTOR S2448 were tested, respectively.

RESULTHBSS could induce the up-regulation of LC3 II and the down-regulation of p-mTOR S2448 at protein expression level in NRK-52E cells. The co-treatment of rhein and HBSS could reversely regulate the protein expressions of LC3 II and p-mTOR S2448 in NRK-52E cells significantly. The co-treatment of rapamycin, rhein and HBSS could recover the level of LC3 II protein expression in HBSS-intervened NRK-52E cells.

CONCLUSIONHBSS induces autophagy in renal tubular epithelial cells by inhibiting mTOR signaling pathway activation. Rhein reduces the autophagic protein expression in renal tubular epithelial cells through regulating mTOR signaling pathway activation, which is the possible effects and molecular mechanisms.

Animals ; Anthraquinones ; pharmacology ; Autophagy ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Isotonic Solutions ; pharmacology ; Kidney Tubules ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo demonstrate the effects and mechanisms of Qifu decoction( QFD) on renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) in model rats with yang-deficiency syndrome.

METHODThe rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, the Sham group (Group A), the Model group (Group B), the Qifu decoction group (Group C) and the Enalapril group (Group D). The RIF model was established by adenine administrated and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) of the left ureter. After the model was successfully established, the rats in Group C and D were administrated with QFD or the Enalapril suspension,while the rats in Group A and B were administrated with distilled water. All rats were administrated for 3 weeks. Before administration and at the end of week 1, 2 and 3, the rats were weighted, and 24 h urinary protein excretion (Upro), urinary β2-microglobulin (Uβ2-MG) and urinary N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) were examined, respectively. All rats were killed after administration for 3 weeks. Blood and renal tissues were collected, renal morphology and tubulointerstitial morphology were evaluated, respectively. Serum cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr) and uric acid (UA) were detected, respectively. The protein expressions of E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), onnective tissue growth factor (CTGF) extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2(ERK1/2) and phosphorylated-ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) in kidney were evaluated, respectively.

RESULTQFD ameliorated serum cAMP level and the rate of cAMP/cGMP, attenuated urinary β2-MG level, NAG level and renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis, increased E-cadherin protein expression, and reduced α-SMA, TGF-β1, CTGF and p-ERK1/2 protein expressions in the kidney. However, QFD had no influence on renal function in vivo. In addition, these effects were better than those of the model rats treated by Enalapril.

CONCLUSIONQFD could alleviate yang-deficiency parameters, as well as urinary β2-MG level and NAG level in model rats induced by adenine administration and UUO. Moreover, QFD could improve EMT and RIF by up-regulating E-cadherin protein expression, and down-regulating α-SMA, TGF-β1, CTGF and p-ERK1/2 protein expressions, the key molecular in ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Kidney Diseases ; drug therapy ; pathology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ureteral Obstruction ; complications ; Yang Deficiency ; complications

In chronic kidney disease (CKD), inflammatory responses during the progression of renal tissue and tissue injury related causes its progression to end-state renal disease. Among them, nuclear factor (nuclear factor, NF)-kappaB signaling pathway by regulating the corresponding nuclear expression of target gene transcription, as well as affecting the synthesis of inflammatory mediators, induction of inflammation lead to kidney damage and renal fibrosis. Some single herbs and their extracts (such as Astragali Radix, Scutellariae Radix, Ginkgo Folium) and some traditional Chinese medicine (such as Danggui Buxue decoction, Qilian decoction) can reduce the inflammatory damage induced by renal tissue NF-kappaB signaling pathway and delay the progression of CKD.
Animals ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

Objective To explore the determinants of willingness to quit smoking among pre-pregnancy male smokers, and to provide evidence for smoking cessation strategies. Methods An intercept survey was carried out in four cities in Zhejiang, and there were 552 pre-pregnancy male smokers from 1401 newly wedded couples under investigation. Result The pre-pregnancy male smoking rate was 39.82%, and only 6.88%of pre-pregnancy male smokers were categorized as highly nicotine-dependent. The rate of recent willingness to quit smoking was 50.54%, and reasons for quitting were as follows:a planned pregnancy (62.50%), an example for children (47.70%), and objections from family members (45.22%). The tobacco knowledge among pre-pregnancy male smokers is relatively poor, only 49.64% of smokers were aware 8 points in 11 questions; 88.75% of smoker's wives supported their husband to quit smoking. The associated factors of smoking cessation include: tobacco knowledge (OR=0.38), health self-assessment well (OR=1.90), wife's willing for husband to quit smoking (OR=2.87). Conclusion Compared to ordinary people, the proportion of intention to quit smoking was higher in pre-pregnancy male smokers. To strengthen health education and make wife initiating in husband's quitting programs would be more effective.

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation factors of acute paraquat intoxication prognosis.

METHODSThe early paraquat concentration in plasma and urine, leukocyte count, hepatic and renal function, amylase, electrolyte and the parameters of arterial blood gas were analyzed retrospectively in 111 patients with acute paraquat intoxication.

RESULTS43 cases (38.7%) of all the 111 patients survived and the other 68 cases (61.3%) died. The patient, whose paraquat concentration was not more than 8.0 µg/ml in plasma and 276.0 µg/ml in urine, could survive. But some patients could die, only if there was no paraquat found in plasma. The paraquat levels in plasma and urine were significantly lower in survivors [(0.82 ± 1.70), (28.12 ± 51.17) µg/ml] than in nonsurvivors [(9.32 ± 12.04), (384.53 ± 597.93) µg/ml, respectively] (P < 0.01). The levels of leukocyte count, serum creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and amylase were significantly higher in nonsurvivors than in survivors (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). In addition, metabolic acidosis was easier to appear in nonsurvivors. The multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the paraquat concentration in plasma and urine, leukocyte count, creatinine and base excess were all related to survival.

CONCLUSIONThe higher paraquat concentration in plasma and urine, leucocytosis, renal dysfunction and metabolic acidosis are all important factors for the prognosis of paraquat intoxication.

Acidosis ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; Leukocytosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paraquat ; blood ; poisoning ; urine ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

Objective To learn the smoke-free environment and smoking status at or below county-level governments of Zhejiang Province, and to promote a smoke-free government.Methods By multi-stage random sampling method, 4 cities were selected in Zhejiang Province, then 4 counties were selected in 4 cities, finally12 governments were selected in 4 counties.With the methods of field observation,interview and questionnaire survey,smoke-free environment and smoking behavior , tobacco related knowledge of civil servants were investigated.Results A total of 12 governments and 405 civil servants were investigated.The smoke-free environment of 12 governments were relatively well.The total smoking rate of civil servants was 17.78%, and the highest was 26.67% in Jiande City, and the lowest were 9.00% in Zhuji City.For the civil servants ,male(26.62%), aged 50-(40.74%),divorced or widowed(40.00%),graduation of technical secondary school (33.33%),cadre of section rank(57.14%),above 20 years' work(28.81%),smoking anywhere at home(50.00%), smoking in certain areas at work(22.95%)were significantly higher.The rate of cognition on the hazards of smoking was lower among the smokers than that of non-smokers (P<0.05).The rate of agreement on MPOWER tobacco control strategies and smoking bans in public places were lower among the smokers than that of non-smokers (P<0.05).Non-conditional logistic regression analysis showed that age of 30-39(OR=9.87,95%CI:1.45-67.29),50-(OR=9.87,95%CI:1.45-67.29), smoking anywhere at home(OR=12.28,95%CI:2.95-51.18),and smoking in certain areas at home(OR=6.57,95%CI:3.07-14.08) may be the risk factors about smoking behavior.Conclusion The situation of smoking control at or below county-level governments in Zhejiang Province was good, and smoking rates has declined.But tobacco related knowledge and behavior of civil servants were relatively insufficient.Aiming at the problems found in the investigation, it is necessary to strengthen education on smoking control among civil servants, and to promote a smoke-free government.