Objective: To investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms among college freshmen and analyze their influencing factors, so as to provide insights into the prevention and intervention of depressive symptoms among college students. Methods: The freshmen enrolled in a college of Hunan Province from 2020 to 2022 were recruited, and demographic data, diet and sleep status were collected using questionnaire surveys. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Factors affecting depressive symptoms were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Totally 17 862 questionnaires were allocated, and 16 480 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective rate of 92.26%. There were 3 374 students of 2020 cohort, 7 038 students of 2021 cohort and 6 068 students of 2022 cohort, 6 029 boys (36.58%) and 10 451 girls (63.42%). The prevalence of depressive symptoms among freshmen was 41.37%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that female (OR=1.482, 95%CI: 1.377-1.594), enrolling through the college entrance examination (OR=1.561, 95%CI: 1.384-1.809), depression history (OR=1.990, 95%CI: 1.513-2.618), abnormal marital status of parents (divorced, OR=1.197, 95%CI: 1.064-1.348; other problem, OR=1.401, 95%CI: 1.174-1.672), abnormal diet (mild, OR=2.883, 95%CI: 2.585-3.105; moderate, OR=6.755, 95%CI: 4.653-9.808; severe, OR=38.897, 95%CI: 12.200-124.012) and abnormal sleep (mild, OR=2.785, 95%CI: 2.593-2.992; moderate, OR=9.009, 95%CI: 7.011-11.578; severe, OR=29.281, 95%CI: 14.163-60.536) were associated with increased risk of depressive symptoms among college freshmen. Conclusion The prevalence of depressive symptoms among college freshmen is relatively high, and is influenced by gender, mode of admission, history of depression, parental marital status, diet and sleep.

OBJECTIVETo explore the relation of the anogenital distance (AGD) with cryptorchidism in male newborns.

METHODSThis study included 350 male infants delivered in two community hospitals between September 2013 and September 2014. Within 24 hours after birth, a pediatric surgeon measured the AGD of the neonates and determined whether they had cryptorchidism. According to the testicular position, we divided the undescended testes into three types: upper scrotal, inguinal, and non-palpable.

RESULTSTotally 39 cases of cryptorchidism were found in the 350 newborns. The AGD of the cryptorchidism infants was significantly shorter than that of the normal neonates ([2.01 ± 0.22] vs [2.35 ± 0.19] cm, P < 0.01), and statistically significant differences remained even when preterm and low birth-weight infants were excluded ([2.32 ± 0.14] vs [2.06 ± 0.19] cm; (2.37 ± 0.17) cm vs (2.12 ± 0.12) cm, all P < 0.01). The newborns with higher-position cryptorchidism had a shorter AGD, though with no significant difference (F = 0.434, P > 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the AGD between unilateral and bilateral cryptorchidism ([1.96 ± 0.13] vs [2.02 ± 0.17] cm, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONShorter AGD is associated with a higher incidence of cryptorchidism in male newborns. AGD could serve as a potential biomarker for disruption of androgen action during the male programming window period.

Androgens ; physiology ; Cryptorchidism ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Male ; Perineum ; abnormalities

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of the Artemisia annua plant-derived drug, artesunate, on proliferation of primary rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and to analyze the underlying molecular mechanisms of its anti-fibrogenic effects involving the inhibition of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-b1) expression and secretion in liver.

METHODIsolated, cultured, and activated primary rat HSCs were divided into sixteen groups, including one untreated control group and fifteen artesunate-treated experimental groups with 125, 150, 175, 200 or 225 mumol/L for 24, 48 or 72 hours. The rate of cellular proliferation was measured using the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. TGF-b1 mRNA expression was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and protein expression was evaluated by Western blotting. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate secreted levels of TGF-b1 protein.

RESULTSArtesunate significantly inhibited proliferation of cultured HSCs in a dose- and time-dependent manner (all, P less than 0.01). After 24 hours of exposure, the inhibition ratios of the various artesunate concentrations were: 6.06%+/-1.44% (125 mumol/L), 21.47%+/-5.57% (150 mumol/L), 42.00%+/-7.36% (175 mumol/L), 67.12%+/-4.55% (200 mumol/L), and 79.83%+/-3.67% (225 mumol/L). Artesunate significantly inhibited the TGF-b1 mRNA expression in HSCs, and the higher the drug concentration, the higher the degree of inhibition (all, P less than 0.01). In addition, artesunate significantly inhibited the expression of intracellular and secreted TGF-b1 protein (all, P less than 0.01). In response to artesunate (mumol/L concentrations), the TGF-b1 levels were (164.24+/-6.88) pg/ml (0μmol/L), (102.68+/-4.45) pg/ml (150μmol/L), (86.54+/-5.56) pg/ml (175μmol/L), and (56.55+/-5.66) pg/ml (200μmol/L).

CONCLUSIONArtesunate exerts anti-fibrogenic effects on HSCs in vitro, possibly by reducing the expression, translation and secretion of TGF-b1.

Animals ; Artemisinins ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; drug effects ; secretion ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of different factors (temperature, light and germinating beds) on seed germination of Codonopsis tangshen.

METHODThe general germination method was applied.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe optimum seed germination conditions of C. tangshen were as follows: temperature 25 degrees C, light, germinating-beds top of paper (TP) or between of paper (BP). The first seedling--counting time was the 10th day after beginning the test; the final time was the 18th day. The test also showed that gibberellin notably increased the seed germination rate of C. tangshen.

Codonopsis ; drug effects ; growth & development ; radiation effects ; Germination ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Gibberellins ; pharmacology ; Light ; Paper ; Seeds ; drug effects ; growth & development ; radiation effects ; Temperature ; Time Factors

Objective To understand the pathogenic distribution and epidemiological trend of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD),and provide evidence for the prevention and control of HFMD.Methods Children who were diagnosed with HFMD in a hospital between January and December 2015 were investigated,real time fluorescence PCR was used to detect enterovirus universal type EV,enterovirus 71 (EV71),and Coxsackievirus A16 (CoxA16) in specimens from children with HFMD.Positive rates and distribution of various types of EV among children of different months,genders,age groups,and infection types were analyzed.Results A total of 837 throat swab specimens from HFMD children were collected in 2015,380 (45.40％) of which were EV positive specimens.Virus typing showed that 110 (28.95 ％),7 (1.84 ％),6(1.58 ％),and 257(67.63 ％) were positive specimens for EV71,CoxA16,EV71 + CoxA16,and other types of EV.HFMD had a high prevalence since April,reached a peak in May-June,and remained high incidence in July-December.Positive rates of EV in children of different months were statistically different (P＜0.05).The age of onset was mainly in children under 3 years.Positive rates of EV and constitute ratios of different types of EV in children of different age groups were all statistically different (all P＜0.05).The positive rate of EV in severe HFMD cases was higher than common cases (65.34％ vs 27.06％,P＜0.001).The proportion of severe cases in children with EV71 infection and other types of EV infection were 90.00％ and 60.70％ respectively;children with EV71 + CoxA16 double infection were all severe cases.Constitute of EV types in children with different infection types was statistically different(P＜0.001).Conclusion In 2015,EV infection in hospitalized children with HFMD in this hospital was mainly caused by other types of EV (nonEV71 and non-CoxA16),the high prevalence season,high-risk population under 3 years of age,and severe cases should be paid high attention,prevention and treatment should be performed well.

Human-animal parasitic diseases caused by medical helminths are hazardous to human health. Genetic polymorphism studies on medical helminth populations can not only understand the biological characteristics and genetic structure of their populations, but also help reveal how they adapt to their parasitic environment, thus contributing to deepen our understanding of the epidemiological patterns of parasitic diseases and improve our understanding of accurate prevention and control of parasitic diseases. With the development of molecular biology, molecular markers such as DNA barcodes, simple sequence repeats, and single nucleotide polymorphism markers have been widely used to study the genetic relationships among parasite populations and individuals, and to reveal the genetic variation of parasite populations and the evolution of species origins. In this paper, we systematically review the application of three molecular markers commonly used in the study of genetic polymorphism in medical helminths, with a view to laying the foundation for related research.

Objective To observe the postoperative dynamic changes of body temperature (BT),C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) count.Methods One hundred and two consecutive patients with surgically treated intracranial or spinal lesions,admitted to our hospital from July 2011 to February 2012,were chosen and divided into group A (non infection) and group B (infection) depending on whether postoperative bacterial infections (POBIs) were occurred.Evaluation of postoperative BT and CRP levels,as well as WBC count,was performed.Results WBC and BT levels would elevate in majority of patients with or without POBIs one day after the operation; the difference between the two groups showed no significant difference (P＞0.05).Elevation of BT and WBC levels was noted in 23.8％ and 21.4％ patients from group A and in 88.9％ and 83.3％ patients from group B five days after the operation,with significant difference between the two groups (P＜0.05).Similar results were seen seven day after the operation.Five and seven days after the operation,78 patients (92.8％) and 68 patients (80.9％) still had abnormal CRP level in group A.ROC curve revealed that better diagnostic performance five and seven days after the operation could be found as compared with that one and three days after the operation.Conclusion Elevation of serum CRP,WBC and BT levels can occur in patients with or without POBIs on the first three days of neurosurgical operation; persistent anomalies or secondary elevation could indicate ongoing infection,which needs attention from clinic.

BACKGROUNDObstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is regarded as a disease with strong genetic background and associated with hypoadiponectinemia. It is worthwhile to investigate the possible correlation between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the adiponectin gene and OSAHS.

METHODSWith the TaqMan polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, the SNPs at positions 45 and 276 in the adiponectin gene were determined in Chinese of Han nationality in Nanjing district consisting of 103 OSAHS patients (OSAHS group) and 67 normal controls (control group). The association of adiponectin genotype polymorphisms at positions 45 and 276 with OSAHS was analyzed.

RESULTSNo evidence of a direct association was found between OSAHS and adiponectin genotype SNP at positions 45 and 276 (P > 0.05). However, compared with those OSAHS patients having G/T + T/T genotype at position 276, the OSAHS patients with G/G genotype showed a longer neck circumference, a prolonged duration of the longest apnea event, and an elevated level of blood cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSNo direct association was suggested between OSAHS and adiponectin genotype distribution at positions 45 and 276 in Chinese of Han nationality in Nanjing district. However, in OSAHS patients, those with adiponectin G/G genotype at position 276, seemed to have a higher potential risk in development of OSAHS than those having adiponectin SNP276 G/T + T/T genotype.

Adiponectin ; genetics ; Adult ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; genetics

Cysticercosis is caused by the metacestode form of Taenia solium-Cysticercus cellulosae and it causes great economic losses and threatens the people's health. There are some problems on how to control cysticercosis, in order to resolve the key problem that the native antigen to diagnose and prevent cysticercosis is very limited and is not satisfied, Pichia pastoris Expression System was used to express recombinant P2 protein. The interested P2 gene was got by digesting the pGEM - P2 vector using restriction endonuclease, then it was inserted into the secretory pPIC9K Pichia pastoris expression vector and transformed into E. coli. Positive recombinant plasmids were selected sequenced and named pPIC9K-P2 and it was linearized by Sal I and Bgl II, then the linear DNA transfored into Pichia pastoris GS115 by electroporation. The recombinant expression vector pPIC9K - P2 integrated into GS115 via homologous recombination between the transforming DNA and regions of homology within the genome. The transformants were screened for multicopy recombinants using G418 and were distinguished for Mut phenotypes by MD and MM. Two different phenotypes were generated-HIS+ MUT+ (Methanol utilization plus) and HIS+ MUT(S) (Methanol utilization slow). PCR analysis of the multicopy recombinants indicated that the P2 gene was integrated within the genome of pichia Pastoris. The multicopy recombinants were named GS115/pPIC9K - P2HIS+ MUT+ and GS115/pPIC9K-P2HIS+ MUT(S), both HIS+ MUT+ and HIS+ MUT(S) were induced with methanol. The results of SDS-PAGE and Western blot demonstrated that the culture supernatant of the induced Pichia pastoris contained P2 protein which was accumulated up to 33 % of total proteins in the culture supernant and its molecular weight is 12.6kD. The results of the clinical study indicated that the expression P2 protein could be used to diagnose human cysticercosis and swine cysticercosis as diagnosis antigen.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cysticercosis ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Genome, Fungal ; genetics ; Helminth Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Phosphoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pichia ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Swine ; Taenia ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnosis and managements of hepatic artery complications in orthotopic liver transplantation.

METHODSThe clinical data of 107 consecutive orthotopic liver transplantation patients was reviewed retrospectively to assess the risk factors and the diagnosis and treatment of the vascular complications.

RESULTSThe incidence of the artery related complications in orthotopic liver transplantation was associated with the quality of the donor organ artery and the reconstruction way of donor-recipient artery intimately. The main hepatic artery related complications were hepatic artery thrombosis and stenosis. The incidence of the vascular complications was 6.54%, and the mortality rate was 85.7%.

CONCLUSIONSThe main influence factors of vascular complications were the quality of the donor organ artery and the reconstruction way of donor-recipient artery. The key steps of organ salvaging and the patients' life saving were early diagnosis and treatment of those complications.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Constriction, Pathologic ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Female ; Hepatic Artery ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Thrombosis ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Transplantation, Homologous