Adult ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; blood ; genetics ; Pneumoconiosis ; blood ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

In this study, we investigate the bioaccessibility of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, As, Cd and Hg) in wild Artemisia annua and use target hazard quotients (THQ) proposed by US Environmental Protection Agency to assess the health risk under the heavy metal exposure. The results showed that the bioaccessibility of Cu, Pb, As, Cd and Hg in A. annua are 0.77, 0.66, 0.46, 0.68 and 0, respectively, and that the value of THQ for adults and children were 0.030 and 0.025 calculated by risk assessment model. The results indicated that the heavy metals in A. annua were not able to be completely absorbed by human body and that their contents were in a safe range. In this study, by combining the bioavailability of heavy metal and health risk assessment, we assessed the security of heavy metals of wild A. annua, which will provide reference for the standard of heavy metals for medicinal materials.
Artemisia annua ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Consumer Product Safety ; Drug Contamination ; Humans ; Metals, Heavy ; analysis ; metabolism ; Risk Assessment ; Soil Pollutants ; analysis ; metabolism

Objective To study the prevalence rate and influential factors of diabetes among residents aged over 15 in Hubei province to provide evidences for diabetes control .Methods Through stratified cluster sampling ,20 cities and counties ,including 100 blocks and towns ,200 communities and villages were sampled .Household survey was carried out from October to November , 2013 .Data was analyzed with SPSS18 .0 .Results In total ,28 555 eligible residents were surveyed ,among which 823 (2 .88% ) self‐reported being diagnosed as diabetes .The prevalence rate for urban and rural residents were found as 4 .37% and 1 .83% respective‐ly ,that of male and female as 2 .61% and 3 .13% respectively .Residents aged 65 and above reported highest prevalence rate (6 .61% ) while those from 25 to 34 years old had the lowest (0 .06% ) .Multiple logistic regression analysis yielded results that ru‐ral‐urban residence ,age ,occupational status ,type of medical insurance ,alcohol drinking and obesity were influential factors of diabe‐tes .Conclusion Prevalence rate of diabetes among residents aged over 15 in Hubei province was at a relatively lower level and there were differences between population subgroups .

The study was to investigate the proliferation and apoptosis effect of nociceptin/orphanin FQ (OFQ) on 562 cells in vitro. Inhibition of K562 cells proliferation was measured by MTT assay. Morphological assessment of apoptosis was performed with Wright staining and transmission electron microscope. The apoptosis peak was measured by flow cytometry. DNA fragmentation was visualized by agarose gel electrophoresis. The results showed that OFQ time-dependently and no-dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of K562 cells at concentrations of 10(-6) - 10(-13) mol/L. Discrete maximum of cytolytic activity was detected at concentrations of 10(-6) - 10(-7), 10(-9), 10(-12) mol/L. Compared with the control group K562 cells, the cells treated with OFQ at concentration of 10(-9) mol/L for 72 hours showed typical characteristics of apoptosis under transmission electron microscope. Apoptosis peak was found by FCM at concentration of 0, 10(-7), 10(-8), 10(-9) mol/L of OFQ for 72 hours, apoptosis rates were 0%, 22.8%, 23.8% and 26.5% respectively. DNA agarose gel electrophoresis revealed nuclear fragmentation (DNA ladder). It is concluded that OFQ can inhibit the proliferation of K562 cells and induce the apoptosis in K562 cells.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Opioid Peptides ; pharmacology ; Receptors, Opioid ; agonists

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided modified brachial plexus block at costoclavicular space (CCS) for forearm surgery.Methods:Eighty patients of both sexes, aged 18-75 yr, with body mass index of 18-30 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ, scheduled for elective forearm surgery from September 2020 to May 2021 in our hospital, were randomized into 2 groups ( n=40 each) using a random number table method: single-injection control group (group C) and double-injection modified group (group T). Single-injection was performed in the anterior chamber of CCS in group C, double-injection was performed in the anterior and posterior chambers of CCS in group T, and the solution injected in both groups was a mixture (20 ml) of 1.0% lidocaine and 0.375% ropivacaine.The effect of block, onset time of block, completion time of block and duration of block for each nerve branch and anesthesia-related adverse reactions were recorded at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 min after injection of local anesthesia. Results:Compared with group C, the rate of motor block of radial nerve at 5-20 min after injection of local anesthesia, the rate of sensory block of musculocutaneous nerve and radial nerve at 10 and 15 min after injection of local anesthesia, the rate of motor block of median nerve at 15-30 min after injection of local anesthesia and the rate of sensory and motor block of ulnar nerve at 20-30 min after injection of local anesthesia were significantly increased, and the onset time and completion time of block were shortened in group T ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the duration of block and anesthesia-related adverse reactions ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Ultrasound-guided modified brachial plexus block at CCS provides better efficacy for forearm surgery.

Plant can produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in normal physiological activity. However, ROS can increase dramatically by environmental stress. The increase may break the ROS balance in the plant. To control ROS levels in plants, an antioxidant system is needed to protect the cell. This paper introduced the types and functions of antioxidant enzymes, and studied the effects of plant and environmental factors on the activities of antioxidant enzymes. At last, the paper discussed the research hot fields of the effect of environmental stress on antioxidant enzymes, and gave the research strategies to the problems which happened in the studies.
Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Ecosystem ; Oxidative Stress ; Plant Proteins ; metabolism ; Plants ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the genotype frequencies of peroxisome proliferators-activated -receptors-gamma C161-->T gene and its possible association with the metabolic syndrome and dietary intakes.

METHODSThe PCR-PFLP method was used to detect the polymorphism of PPARgammaC161-->T gene of 224 adults with metabolic syndrome and 224 normal adults in Shanghai. Their physical examinations, dietary investigation and the serum biochemistry were analyzed.

RESULTS(1) The genotype frequencies of PPARgamma C161-->T CC, CT and TT were 32.4%, 49.6% and 18.0% respectively, which were in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. There was no significant difference in the distribution of genotypes or allele between the metabolic syndrome group and the control group, and the result was the same between male and female subjects. (2) The levels of body mass index,waist width and hip width were significantly different among three genotypes groups. Subjects of the CT genotype had the highest levels. (3) There was significant difference in the negative correlation with the intake of protein and serum TG levels in the metabolic syndrome group.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggested PPARgamma gene C161-->T should be associated with body mass index, waist width and hip width. It might contribute to the heterogeneity in diet response to TG.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Alleles ; Causality ; China ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; genetics ; Diet ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; genetics ; PPAR gamma ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic

BACKGROUNDTraditional Chinese medicine has been used widely for many years in China to treat acute pancreatitis. We have investigated the effects of Dachengqi decoction on intestinal mucosal permeability and outcome in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

METHODSForty patients with sustained SAP that required admission to the surgical intensive care unit were enrolled prospectively in the study. All of these patients were divided randomly into the Dachengqi decoction group (n = 20) and control group (n = 20) on admission. Intestinal permeability was assessed by measuring absorption of two metabolically inert markers, lactulose (L) and mannitol (M), which were administered orally. Serum concentrations of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) and the ratio of lactulose to mannitol in urine (L/M) were detected in all patients.

RESULTSCompared with those in the control group, urinary L/M ratio decreased significantly in the Dachengqi decoction group on the 7th day after admission (P = 0.001). Also, serum concentrations of LPS were reduced on the 5th and 7th day after admission (P = 0.006, P = 0.008, respectively). Incidence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and pancreatic infection was significantly lower in the Dachengqi decoction group compared with those in the control group (P = 0.038,P = 0.025, respectively).

CONCLUSIONDachengqi decoction may promote the recovery of intestinal mucosal permeability and decrease the incidence of MODS and pancreatic infection in patients with SAP.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Intestinal Mucosa ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the changes of the copy numbers of mtDNA in peripheral blood mono-nucle- ar cell(PBMC) and the disordered of antioxidant capacity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

METHODSThe Ficoll Hypaque method was used to isolate the PBMC from blood specimens. The ND1 gene of the mitochondrial was amplified by real-time PCR; meantime β-actin was served as a quantitative standard marker; the difference of mtDNA copy number in PBMC was compared between HCC and healthy control group. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PBMC was determined by flow cytometry. The change of total antioxidant capacity (T- AOC) of plasma was detected by the biochemistry examination.

RESULTSThe copy numbers of ND1 gene in PBMC of HCC was 73% that of the healthy control group,which suggested a decrease of the copy numbers of mtDNA in HCC. The levels of ROS of PBMC in HCC was (417. 82 ± 110.62) and (301.82 ± 75.54) in control group, which showed that the levels of ROS of PBMC in HCC were significant higher than that in control group (P < 0.01).Plasma T-AOC in HCC was (1.30 ± 0.85), and (3.20 ± 1.62) in control. The T-AOC of plasma of HCC was significantly lower than in control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThere was a certain relationship between the decrease of the copy numbers of mtDNA and the disordered antioxidant capacity in hepatocellular carcinoma, which may be associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Actins ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; genetics ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo approach the long term safety and efficacy of transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR, holmium: YAG) combined with off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) compared with OPCAB alone in patients with ischemic cardiac disease.

METHODSBetween 1999 and 2005, 80 patients with diffusely diseased target vessels from two centers in Beijing were enrolled to the study and randomized to receive either TMLR/OPCAB (n = 40) or OPCAB (n = 40) operation. Baseline demographics and operative characteristics were similar between groups. Follow-up (mean 3.4 +/- 1.7 years) included CCS angina class and NYHA classification assessments, 6 minutes walking test (6MWT) and echocardiography.

RESULTSPerioperative mortality was 5% in both groups. No death occurred during follow up. At the end of follow-up, patients at both groups experienced significant improvement on angina score compared with baseline, and angina score was also significantly lower (1.21 +/- 0.42 vs. 1.57 +/- 0.87, P = 0.03) and 6MWT-distance significantly increased (518.0 +/- 65.5 m vs. 473.8 +/- 65.8m, P = 0.006) in OPCAB/TMLR group than that in the OPCAB group. Fewer patients developed recurrent severe angina and received re-CABG/PCI in OPCAB/TMLR group than that in the OPCAB (1 vs. 6 cases, P = 0.113). NYHA and LVEF were similar between the groups at the end of follow up.

CONCLUSIONOur study showed that the addition of TMLR to OPCAB is superior in improving angina and exercise tolerance, but there is no further improvement in cardiac function compared to OPCAB alone.

Aged ; Angioplasty, Laser ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; Coronary Disease ; therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Revascularization ; methods ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies