C-Reactive Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Nanoporous ZnO was used as a carrier to prepare drug solid dispersion, the mechanism of which to improve the drug dissolution was also studied. Nanoporous ZnO, obtained through chemical deposition method, was used as a carrier to prepare indomethacin and cilostazol solid dispersions by melt-quenching method, separately. The results of scanning electron microscope, surface area analyzer, fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimeter and X-ray diffraction showed that drugs were implanted into nanopores of ZnO by physical adsorption effect and highly dispersed into nanopores of ZnO in amorphous form, moreover, these nanopores strongly inhibited amorphous recrystallization in the condition of 45 degrees C and 75% RH. In addition, the results of the dissolution tested in vitro exhibited that the accumulated dissolutions of indomethacin and cilostazol solid dispersions achieved about 90% within 5 min and approximately 80% within 30 min. It was indicated in this study that the mechanism of drug dissolution improvement was associated with the effects of nanoporous ZnO carrier on increasing drug dispersion, controlling drug in nanopores as amorphous form and inhibiting amorphous recrystallization.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning ; Drug Carriers ; Indomethacin ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Nanostructures ; Phosphodiesterase 3 Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Solubility ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; Tetrazoles ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; X-Ray Diffraction ; Zinc Oxide ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between respiratory diseases onset and the meteorological factors in the same period and in a specific environment. METHODS METHODS: By using the data of daily incidence of respiratory diseases obtained from Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2007, and the data of 16 items of meteorological factors (such as the average, maximum, and minimum temperatures, etc., including meteorological factors derived) obtained from the Beijing Municipal Meteorological Observatory, mathematical statistical methods were applied to achieve the non-linear correlation analysis, or the correlation test, between the incidence of respiratory diseases and the time-related meteorological factors.

RESULTSThe simple correlation coefficients of the relationship between the incidence of respiratory diseases and 9 meteorological elements, including the average values of temperature, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, degree of comfort, precipitation, vapor pressure, low cloud cover, change of vapor pressure, and change of wind speed, were all greater than 0.8286, in which one of the relationship between the incidence of respiratory diseases and the maximum temperature is as high as 0.9670. Statistical tests showed R>Rα=0.05 and F>Fα=0.05.

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of respiratory diseases was closely correlated to meteorological factors, such as air temperature, vapor pressure, precipitation, wind speed, etc. To a certain extent, this conclusion confirmed the scientificity and objectivity of the theory of five evolutive phases and six climatic factors (Wu Yun Liu Qi ) in Huang Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine).

Air ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Humidity ; Incidence ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Meteorological Concepts ; Respiratory Tract Diseases ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Statistics as Topic ; Steam ; Time Factors ; Wind

Objective To explore the relationship between gene polymorphism of neuropeptide Y (NPY) promoter and cerebral stroke subtypes according to TOAST (Trail of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment) criteria in Chinese Han population. Methods The gene polymorphisms at position of-399T/C, -883Tgins/del and -602G/T in NPY promoter were detected by PCR method and gene sequencing in 190 cases of large-artery atherosclerosis stroke (LAA), 260 cases of small-artery occlusion (SAO), 60 cases of cardioembolism stroke (CE), 29 cases of stroke of other demonstrated etiology (ODE),10 cases of stroke of other undemonstrated etiology (UE) and 423 healthy control subjects. The PCR products were directly sequenced. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to analyze the relationship between gene polymorphism of NPY promoter and cerebral stroke subtypes according to TOAST by removing the confounding variables. Results Significant differences in the frequency of genotype CC and allele C at position of-399T/C were noted between the patients with SAO and controls (P=0.046, P=0.010). Compared with the control group, patients with LAA and SAO were more likely having high level of uric acid, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and heard disease (P＜0.05). No statistic differences in the frequency of genotype DD and allele D at position of-883Tgins/del were noted between patients with SAO and controls (P=0.0605, P=0.155). Gene polymorphisms of-399T/C,-883Tgins/del and -602G/T did not associate with an increased risk of having LAA, CE, ODE and UE.Conclusions The gene polymorphisms of promoter in position of-399T/C gene maybe associate with the happening of SAO; allele C at the position of-399T/C may raise the risk of the disease. There is no relationship between the gene polymorphisms of promoter at position of-399T/C, -883Tgins/del, -602G/T and the patients with LAA, CE, ODE and UE. High level of uric acid, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and heard disease history are the risk factors of LAA and SAO.

The effects of acute cooling/rewarming on cardiac K(+) currents and membrane potential were investigated. Membrane potential and current were assessed with whole-cell patch-clamp technique in current- and voltage-clamp modes. When the temperature of bath solution was decreased from 25 °C; to 4 °C, the transient outward current (I(to)) was completely abolished, the sustained outward K(+) current (I(ss)) at +60 mV and the inward rectifier K(+) current (I(K1)) at -120 mV were depressed by (48.5±14.1)% and (35.7±18.2)%, respectively, and the membrane potential became more positive. After the temperature of bath solution was raised from 4 °C; to 36 °C;, the membrane potential exhibited a transient hyperpolarization and then was maintained at a stable level. In some myocytes (36 out of 58), activation of the ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channels after rewarming was observed. The rewarming-induced change in the membrane potential was inhibited by the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase inhibitor ouabain (100 μmol/L), and the rewarming-elicited activation of K(ATP) channels was inhibited by the protein kinase A inhibitor H-89 (100 μmol/L). Moreover, decrease of the temperature from 25 °C; to 4 °C; did not induce any significant change in cell volume when the cell membrane potential was clamped at 0 mV. However, significant cell shrinkage with spots was observed soon after rewarming-induced activation of K(ATP) channels. These data demonstrate that acute cooling/rewarming has a profound influence on the membrane potential and K(+) currents of ventricular myocytes, and suggest that activation of K(ATP) channels may play a role in cardiac cooling/rewarming injury.
Animals ; Cold Temperature ; Isoquinolines ; pharmacology ; KATP Channels ; metabolism ; Membrane Potentials ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Rats ; Rewarming ; Sulfonamides ; pharmacology

Objective To assess the level of sulfur dioxide(SO2) residues in sea shrimps on the market and to evaluate the health risk of the SO2 exposure of Wenzhou population by eating sea shrimp .Method SO2 residues in 246 sea shrimp samples collected from Wenzhou market from 2015 to 2016 were analyzed. The point assessment method was used to evaluate the risk of SO2 exposure for consumers,using the data of residents' consumption survey in 2008 in Zhejiang Province.Results The median of SO2 residual in the whole shrimp and the shrimp without shell were 20.05 mg/kg and 10.65 mg/kg respectively(P<0.05). The over-standard rate of SO2 for the whole shrimp and the shrimp without shell were 19.11% and 5.69%(P<0.05) respectively. The average exposure of SO2 in general population by eating the whole shrimp and the shrimp without shell were 0.0459 mg/kg BW and 0.0076 mg/kg BW respectively. However,the exposure of SO2 in high-consuming population (>P97.5) by eating the whole shrimp and the shrimp without shell were 0.1142 mg/kg BW and 0.0189 mg/kg BW respectively. The exposure level of SO2 in men were lower than in women. Conclusion The health risk of the SO2 exposure by eating sea shrimp in general population and high-consuming population is in a low level in Wenzhou.

Objective To investigate the knowledge, attitude, behavior about Dietary Guidelines for Chinese (2007) among elderly residents in 2 communities in Wenzhou City, and to exoplore the appropriate method for dietary intervention for elderly people. Methods A questionnaire survey was carried out in 784 people aged 50 years and above in two communities in Wenzhou from December, 2014 to January, 2015 about Dietary Guidelines for Chinese (2007) .The awareness of knowledge, attitude and behavior about nutrition were recorded, and multiple linear regressions were taken to evaluate the impression of knowledge. Results The awareness rate of knowledge was 58.28%, and the awareness about 'Which is the healthiest way to cook?' was the hot question (89.29%) while 'Which disease can be prevented by eating iodized salt?' was not (0.89%) . And 53.06% of respondents interested in nutrient knowledge, and 14.54% of them thought they had learned the knowledge about nutrition, and 39.54% of them thought knowledge had impact on health, and 76.53% of them would like to change their unhealthy dietary behavior. About 50.89% of respondents got knowledge about nutrition from TV or radio programs. Intake frequency about vegetables and fish were 88.01% and 62.63%respectively, while intake frequency about milk and milk products and beans and their products were 21.43% and 15.43%respectively. Multiple linear regression promoted that, female, a high degree of education, less number of offspring, people who had married, people whose income came from social insurance had positive impact on the awareness rate of knowledge. Conclusion The awareness rate of knowledge among elderly people was low, and intake frequency about milk and milk products and beans and their products were efficient. But they would like to change their unhealthy behavior. Long-term education about nutrition should be taken for elderly people.

Since ancient times， delaying aging， health， and longevity have been the universal wish of people. Nowadays， China gives top strategic priority to the development of people's health. How to maintain a healthy life and slow down the aging of the human body is a problem worthy of our attention. Human aging can be shown as cell senescence from the microscopic level. Cell senescence is a process in which cell proliferation and differentiation and physiological function gradually decline. It is a normal physiological function responsible for the removal of damaged cells and is the regeneration and recovery of tissues after injury or acute stress. Aging is an irresistible natural law. Although it is inevitable， it is possible to delay aging. Energy metabolism is an important basis of cell function， in which cells use nutrients such as sugar and fat to produce adenosine triphosphate （ATP）. Mitochondria serve as the cell's power stations， where sugars， fats， and amino acids are eventually oxidized to release energy. Mitochondrial function decreases with age. Changes in mitochondrial dynamics， reactive oxygen species content， autophagy， and metabolites can cause dysfunction of electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation， and induce mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the internal causes of many aging-related diseases， such as neurodegenerative diseases， Alzheimer′s disease， and atherosclerosis. Chinese medicine with few side effects and rich ingredients and health care moxibustion with safety and efficacy have been widely applied to the field of anti-aging. This study reviewed the effect of mitochondrial function on cell senescence， and retrieved， analyzed， and summarized research papers on the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） and moxibustion in delaying aging by affecting mitochondrial function， which is expected to provide new insights for further research in this field.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of baldrinal of Valeriana jatamansi on the expression of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) and tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) mRNA and levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in colon of rats with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and to explain its therapeutic mechanism on IBS through 5-HT pathway. Fifty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: blank group, model group, baldrinal high, medium and low dose groups, and pinaverium bromide group, n=9 in each group. The IBS rat models were established by using unpredictable chronic stress for 3 weeks followed by 1-hour acute restraint stress (CAS) after 7 days of rest and independent feeding. CRF expression was detected by IHC-P; TPH1 mRNA expression was detected by using RT-PCR and the 5-HT level was measured by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). The results indicated that the method of chronic stress with acute restrain stress method and independent feeding could lead to the increase in expressions of CRF and TPH1 mRNA and levels of 5-HT in IBS rats(P<0.05). The expressions of CRF, TPH1 mRNA and 5-HT in baldrinal groups were significantly lower than those in model group(P<0.05). The experimental results showed that IBS could result in increase in the expressions of CRF, TPH1 mRNA and levels of 5-HT, and the baldrinal of V. jatamansi could improve the symptoms of IBS by reducing the expressions of CRF, TPH1 mRNA and levels of 5-HT in colon of rats.

BACKGROUNDNontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (NONFH) is a debilitating disease that represents a significant financial burden for both individuals and healthcare systems. Despite its significance, however, its prevalence in the Chinese general population remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of NONFH and its associated risk factors in the Chinese population.

METHODSA nationally representative survey of 30,030 respondents was undertaken from June 2012 to August 2013. All participants underwent a questionnaire investigation, physical examination of hip, and bilateral hip joint X-ray and/or magnetic resonance imaging examination. Blood samples were taken after overnight fasting to test serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. We then used multivariate logistic regression analysis to investigate the associations between various metabolic, demographic, and lifestyle-related variables and NONFH.

RESULTSNONFH was diagnosed in 218 subjects (0.725%) and the estimated NONFH cases were 8.12 million among Chinese people aged 15 years and over. The prevalence of NONFH was significantly higher in males than in females (1.02% vs. 0.51%, χ2 = 24.997, P < 0.001). Among NONFH patients, North residents were subjected to higher prevalence of NONFH than that of South residents (0.85% vs. 0.61%, χ 2 = 5.847, P = 0.016). Our multivariate regression analysis showed that high blood levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and non-HDL-cholesterol, male, urban residence, family history of osteonecrosis of the femoral head, heavy smoking, alcohol abuse and glucocorticoid intake, overweight, and obesity were all significantly associated with an increased risk of NONFH.

CONCLUSIONSOur findings highlight that NONFH is a significant public health challenge in China and underscore the need for policy measures on the national level. Furthermore, NONFH shares a number of risk factors with atherosclerosis.

Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Femur Head Necrosis ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult