Objective To investigate changes in the urinary metabolite profiles of children exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)during critical brain development and explore their potential link with the intestinal microbiota. Methods Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine ten hydroxyl metabolites of PAHs(OH-PAHs)in 36-month-old children.Subsequently,37 children were categorized into low-and high-exposure groups based on the sum of the ten OH-PAHs.Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to identify non-targeted metabolites in the urine samples.Furthermore,fecal flora abundance was assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing using Illumina MiSeq. Results The concentrations of 21 metabolites were significantly higher in the high exposure group than in the low exposure group(variable importance for projection>1,P<0.05).Most of these metabolites were positively correlated with the hydroxyl metabolites of naphthalene,fluorine,and phenanthrene(r=0.336-0.531).The identified differential metabolites primarily belonged to pathways associated with inflammation or proinflammatory states,including amino acid,lipid,and nucleotide metabolism.Additionally,these distinct metabolites were significantly associated with specific intestinal flora abundances(r=0.34-0.55),which were mainly involved in neurodevelopment. Conclusion Higher PAH exposure in young children affected metabolic homeostasis,particularly that of certain gut microbiota-derived metabolites.Further investigation is needed to explore the potential influence of PAHs on the gut microbiota and their possible association with neurodevelopmental outcomes.

The latest epidemiological data suggests that the situation of adult diabetes in China is severe, and metabolic diseases have become significant chronic illnesses that have a serious impact on public health and social development. After more than six years of practice, the National Metabolic Management Center(MMC) has developed distinctive approaches to manage metabolic patients and has achieved a series of positive outcomes, continuously advancing the standardized diagnosis and treatment model. In order to further improve the efficiency, based on the first edition, the second edition guideline was composed by incorporating experience of the past six years in conjunction with the latest international and domestic guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of long-term and low dose ionizing radiation on ocular lens opacities of residents living in areas with high natural radiation background(HNRB) in Yangjiang City, China. METHODS: A total of 483 Han residents from Yangjiang City(HNRB area) and 517 from Enping City(control area) were selected as study subjects using a cluster random sampling method. Questionnaire survey and lens examination were carried out. The risk factors of lens opacity and its severity were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of lens opacity, cortical opacity and posterior subcapsular opacity in HNRB area were higher than those in control area(60.7% vs 51.6%, 53.4% vs 46.8%, 21.9% vs 9.3%, all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in karyotype turbidity between HNRB area and control area(52.4% vs 47.6%, P>0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors including age, gender, cardiovascular/metabolic diseases, smoking, alcohol drinking and tea drinking, the unconditional logistic regression analysis results showed that the risk of ocular opacity, cortical opacity and posterior subcapsular opacity in residents of HNRB area was higher than that in control area(all P<0.05). Multivariate disordered logistic regression analysis results showed that residents in the HNRB area had a higher risk of grade two karyotype turbidity than grade one karyotype turbidity(P<0.01). Ordered logistic regression analysis results showed that residents in HNRB area had an increased risk of developing severe cortical turbidity(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Long-term and low dose ionizing radiation exposure may increase the risk of ocular lens opacity, especially cortical and posterior subcapsular cataract, and affect the severity of the disease.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of abdominal acupoint thread embedding therapy based on "brain-intestinal connection" combined with donepezil hydrochloride tablets and oral donepezil hydrochloride tablets alone for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) and observe its effects on amyloid precursor protein (APP) and β-amyloid protein METHODS: Sixty patients with AD were randomly divided into an observation group (30 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a control group (30 cases, 3 cases dropped off). The patients in the control group were treated with donepezil hydrochloride tablets (5 mg per day); based on the treatment in the control group, the patients in the observation group were treated with abdominal acupoint thread embedding therapy at Zhongwan (CV 12), Xiawan (CV 10), Huaroumen (ST 24), Wailing (ST 26), Daheng (SP 15), etc., once every 10 days. Both groups were treated for 2 months. The mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Alzheimer's disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog), activity of daily living scale (ADL), neuropsychiatric inventory questionnaire (NPI) as well as the serum levels of APP and Aβ RESULTS: After treatment, the MMSE scores in the two groups were higher than those before treatment ( CONCLUSION The abdominal acupoint thread embedding therapy based on the theory of "brain-intestinal connection" combined with donepezil hydrochloride tablets can improve cognitive function, self-care ability of daily life and mental behavior, and reduce the serum levels of APP and Aβ
Acupuncture Points ; Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy* ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor ; Brain ; Donepezil ; Humans ; Peptide Fragments

Objectives: To evaluate the changes of left atrial volume (LAV) and the maximum ostial cross-sectional area (CAS) of pulmonary vein (PV) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients after circumferential pulmonary vein isolation radiofrequency catheter ablation (CPVA-RFCA) and to explore their relationship to AF recurrence by enhanced cardiac MRI evaluation. Methods: Our research included in 2 groups: Control group, n=20 healthy subjects and AF group, n=78 patients whom were classified into 2 subgroups as Paroxysmal AF subgroup, n=46 and Persistent AF subgroup, n=32; 66 patients received CPVA-RFCA and based on 6 months post-operative recurrence, they were divided into another set of 2 groups: AF recurrent subgroup, n=17 and Non-AF recurrent subgroup, n=49. Pre- and 6 months post-operative maximum ostial CSA of PV were measured by enhanced cardiac MRI, LAV were obtained by 3D reconstruction and the differences were compared between AF group and Control group, Paroxysmal AF subgroup and Persistent AF subgroup, AF recurrent subgroup and Non-AF recurrent subgroup; their relationships to AF recurrence were studied.Results: Compared with Control group, AF group had increased LAV and elevated ostial CSA of superior PV (SPV), both P<0.05. Compared with Paroxysmal AF subgroup, Persistent AF subgroup had increased LAV and elevated ostial CSA of SPV, both P<0.05. Compared with pre-operative condition, at 6 months after the operation, Non-AF recurrent subgroup showed reduced ostial CSAs in left SPV (LSPV), right SPV (RSPV), right inferior PV (RIPV) and decreased LAV, all P<0.05;while AF recurrent subgroup showed expanded RSPV and increased LAV,allP<0.05.Post-operative reductions of LAV and ostial CSA of SPV had close correlation; multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that LAV (HR=1.05, P<0.01)and ostial CSA of RSPV(HR=1.09,P=0.05)were related to AF recurrence after RFCA. Conclusions: CAPV-RFCA could reverse left atrial and PV remodeling in AF patients, LAV and ostial CSA of RSPV were related to post-operative AF recurrence.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical features of mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) in children.

METHODSThe clinical data of 8 children with MERS were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThe mean age of onset was 5 years and 2 months (range 10 months to 12 years). The major clinical features included a history of prodromal infection, and among these children, 5 had pyrexia and 4 had vomiting. Of all the children, 6 were manifested as convulsion and 3 each were manifested as disturbance of consciousness and paroxysmal paropsia. Cranial diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed high signals in the splenium of the corpus callosum. Among these children, one child had symmetric and multiple long T1 and long T2 signals in the bilateral centrum semiovale and part of the temporal white matter. MRI reexamination performed after 5-30 days showed the disappearance of abnormal signals in all the children. The children were followed up for 3 months to 2 years, and no child experienced abnormal neurodevelopment.

CONCLUSIONSThe development of MERS in children is closely associated with infection. MERS is characterized by high signals in the splenium of the corpus callosum on cranial diffusion-weighted MRI. Most children have good prognosis.

Brain Diseases ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Corpus Callosum ; pathology ; Encephalitis ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Shenbei Guchang capsules in treatment of diarrhea type irritable bowel syndrome (yang deficiency of spleen and kidney) under widely used conditions, an open, multicenter, controlled, phase Ⅳ clinical trial was conducted in the drug clinical trial centers of 16 domestic hospitals. 2 123 patients from June 10, 2011 to November 29, 2012 were enrolled in the trial. Drug clinical trial was approved by Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital Ethics Committee before implementation. Before the start of trial, subjects were selected according to the research scheme and inclusion criteria, then they would step into the 14 d study after signing Informed Consent Form. All subjects were treated according to the research scheme, evaluated the conditions and filled in CFR sheet, to provide the evaluation data and information on safety and efficacy of Shenbei Guchang capsules. Shenbei Guchang capsules were used to treat diarrhea type irritable bowel syndrome in widely used conditions (2 123 cases), and 2 029 cases of them entered FAS set, cure+markedly effective in 1 921 cases, with a comprehensive curative effect rate of 94.68%; 2 010 cases of them entered PPS set, cure+markedly effective in 1 906 cases, with a comprehensive curative effect rate of 94.83%. The primary symptoms of IBS were abdominal pain and diarrhea. After treatment, both abdominal pain and diarrhea were improved, with significant differences (P<0.000 1). There were significant differences in traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores on both post-treatment day 7 and day 14 as compared with the conditions before treatment (P<0.000 1). 35 cases of adverse events occurred during the trial with an incidence of 1.65%, including 12 cases of drug-related adverse events (adverse reaction) with an incidence of 0.57%, mainly manifested as nausea, abdominal distension and dry mouth, most of which would be spontaneously relieved without any measures. No serious adverse events occurred. The commercially available Shenbei Guchang capsules are proved safe and effective for the treatment of diarrhea type irritable bowel syndrome (yang deficiency of spleen and kidney) under widely used conditions (2 123 cases), and can be continued for clinical promotion and application.

The present study is to determine the flavonoid glycosides, terpene lactones, biflavones, gingko acid and procyanidins of ginkgo pollen. UPLC-TQ-MS technology was used for the determination of 24 kinds of resource chemical composition in ginkgo pollen qualitatively and quantitatively. The results shows that the contents of rutin, quercetion 3-O-[4-O-(α-L-rhamnosyl )-β-D-glucoside] and kaempferolis were 120.9, 114.0, 222.1 μg x g(-1). In this paper, the contents of 24 kinds of chemical components of ginkgo pollen were determinated by UPLC-TQ-MS for the first time. This method is simple and quick, which will be benefit for recycling utilization of ginkgo pollen.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Mass Spectrometry ; Pollen ; chemistry ; Proanthocyanidins ; analysis ; Rutin ; analysis ; Terpenes ; analysis

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of the DNA methylation inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR) and histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) on DLC-1 gene transcription regulation and molecular biological behaviours in the human multiple myeloma RPMI-8226 cells. The cells were treated respectively with 5-Aza-CdR and TSA alone, or the both combination; the cell proliferation and apoptosis, DLC-1 expression, the protein expression of Ras homolog family member A (RhoA) and Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) were examined by CCK-8 method, RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. The results showed that the 5-Aza-CdR and TSA had cell growth inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects in dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Compared with a single drug (5-Aza-CdR or TSA alone), the effects were significantly enhanced after treatment with the combination of 5-Aza-CdR and TSA (P < 0.05). DLC-1 was weakly expressed in the control group; the treatment with 5-Aza-CdR alone enhanced its re-expression dose-dependently (P < 0.05). Compared with 5-Aza-CdR alone, 5-Aza-CdR plus TSA enhanced DLC-1 re-expression significantly.Compared with the control, 5-Aza-CdR and TSA significantly decreased RhoA and Rac1 protein expression (P < 0.05). It is concluded that 5-Aza-CdR and TSA can effectively reverse DLC-1 expression of RPMI-8226 cells; TSA has a synergistic effect on its re-expression. 5-Aza-CdR and TSA have significant cell growth inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects on RPMI-8226 cells. These effects may be related to the inhibition of Rho/Rho kinase signalling pathway.
Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Azacitidine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; GTPase-Activating Proteins ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Humans ; Hydroxamic Acids ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Multiple Myeloma ; genetics ; pathology ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDMany recipients of implantable cardiac electronic devices have atrial fibrillation (AF) occurrences after device implantation, even if there is no previous history of AF, and some of the episodes are asymptomatic. The purpose of this study was to evaluate trends in AF burden following early AF detection in patients treated with pacemakers equipped with automatic, daily Home Monitoring function.

METHODSBetween February 2009 and December 2010, the registry recruited 701 pacemaker patients (628 dual-chamber, 73 biventricular devices) at 97 clinical centers in China. Daily Home Monitoring data transmissions were analyzed to screen for the AF burden. In-office follow-ups were scheduled for 3 and 6 months after implantation. Upon first AF (i.e., mode-switch) detection in a patient, screening of AF burden by Home Monitoring was extended for the next 180 days.

RESULTSAt least one episode of AF was observed in 22.9% of patients with dual-chamber pacemakers and in 28.8% of patients with biventricular pacemakers. The first AF detection in a patient occurred, on average, about 2 months before scheduled follow-up visits. In both pacemaker groups, mean AF burden decreased significantly (P < 0.05) over 180 days following first AF detection: from 12.0% to 2.5% in dual-chamber and from 12.2% to 0.5% in biventricular pacemaker recipients. The number of patients with an AF burden >10% per month was significantly reduced over 6 months of implantation in both dual chamber (38 patients in the first month vs. 21 patients in month 6, P < 0.05) and biventricular (7 patients in the first month vs. 0 patient in months 4-6, P < 0.05) pacemaker recipients.

CONCLUSIONSAutomatic, daily Home Monitoring of patients treated with cardiac pacemakers allows early detection of AF, and there is a gradual and significant decrease in AF burden.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Atrial Fibrillation ; prevention & control ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pacemaker, Artificial ; adverse effects