Allergic diseases such as allergic asthma, allergic der-matitis, allergic rhinitis, are polygenic diseases, involving the interaction between the environment, genes and immunity. In the past few decades, the incidence rate of allergic diseases in-creased predominantly and influenced the quality of people's lives seriously, so looking for new targets for the prevention and treat-ment of allergic diseases and drugs with less adverse reaction be-comes a hot topic for researchers. MicroRNAs(miRNAs)are a class of endogenous non-coding small RNAs that mediate nega-tively posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression by targe-ting specific mRNA sequences to inhibit the translation of mR-NAs. They are widely involved in the biological processes of cell differentiation, immune response and tumor development. The study shows that miRNAs can control the occurrence and devel-opment of allergic diseases. Studying the regulatory role of miR-NAs in allergic diseases has important implications for exploring the immunopathological mechanisms and discovering new thera-peutic targets of drugs.

Objective To investigate the level of health literacy of residents in Jing′an District of Shanghai, providing basis for the intervention programs of health literacy. Methods By using Probability Proportionate to Size Sampling method, 1 760 residents aged 15-69 were surveyed through face-to-face interviews. Results The overall level of adjusted health literacy of Jing′an District was 31.89%.The health literacy level of basic health concepts and knowledge, health lifestyle and behaviors, and health related skills were 46.30%, 27.02%, 43.44%, respectively.The 6 health issues regarding awareness of health literacy from high to low were safety and first aid (65.49%), scientific attitude towards health(60.75%), health information literacy(56.86%), chronic diseases prevention (34.22%), basic medical care(31.10%), and infectious diseases prevention (24.28%).People of 65-69 years old had the lowest health literacy level (χ²=22.03, P < 0.05).Those with collage degree or above had higher health literacy level (χ²=43.54, P < 0.05).In terms of occupation, civil servant had higher health literacy level(χ²=22.78, P < 0.05). Conclusion The level of health literacy in Jing′an District is on a steady rise, however, intensive intervention is needed for residents with lower health literacy.

Objective To evaluate the methods in early warning of schistosomiasis and elimination of snails in an ecological public forest in Yexie Town of Songjiang District, and provide the basis for monitoring and controlling snails in forest land in the future. Methods The monitoring data of snails, schistosomiasis and snail elimination in the public forest were collected to evaluate the effect of controlling snails. Results The area with existence of snails was found to be 10.47 hm², and it was decreased by 98.28% after three times of snail elimination.A total of 1 904 serological tests was performed (test rate of 88.76%) with the positive rate of 0.16%.Pathogenic test result was negative in 3 subjects examined.Serological samples of 11 dogs and 1 sheep were all negative for the test.None of the 1 480 live snails tested was found to be positive in infection.The awareness rate of schistosomiasis control knowledge and behavior formation in 275 students were 98.2% and 95.3%, respectively. Conclusion The snails in the public forest in Yexie Town have been effectively controlled, but there are still scattered living snails.The measures in eliminating and monitoring of snails should be continued and strengthened.

Bronchial asthma is a kind of respiratory disease which affects people 's life quality seriously. Many factors in-volved in the occurrence and development of such disease, of which the aberrant expression of E-cad plays a critical role in it. Research found that E-cad is an important cell adhesion molecu-lar, and its main function is to maintain the structural integrity of cells and participate in the improvement of airway remodeling as well as restoration of immune function. Further study showed that the role of mucosal barrier of airway epithelial cells in bronchial asthma patients was often damaged. Moreover, the protein ex-pression of E-cad decreased significantly in mucosal molecular, which suggested that the abnormal expression of E-cad was in-volved in the development of bronchial asthma. A review on the relations between the abnormal expression of E-cad protein and bronchial asthma has been discussed in this paper, also it in-cludes the discussion about the mechanisms of E-cad’ s disorder-induced bronchial asthma as well as explores the strategies of bronchial asthma treatment, which may provide references for the follow-up research and clinical treatment.

OBJECTIVE To explore the potential effect and mechanisms of protopanaxadiol deriva-tive 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenethyl)-3-(3-dehydroxyl-20(s)-protopa- naxadiol-3b-yl)-urea (DDPU) in the treatment of Alzheimer disease.METHODS ELISA assay was performed in both HEK293-APPswe and CHO-APP cells to demonstrate the efficacy of DDPU in reducing Ab level.SH-SY5Y,primary neurons and astrocyte cellswereused to study the regulation of DDPU against the signaling pathways involved in Aβ/ER-stress pathology. APP/PS1 transgenic mice wereusedto study the regulation of DDPU against ADL and cognitive deficits. APP/PS1 transgenic mice were randomly placed into three groups (n=10):The two 6-month transgenic groups were administrated with 30 mg·kg-1DDPU or vehicle and the 6-month non-transgenic group was administrated with vehicle for 100 days by intraperitonealinjec-tion.After 100-day administration,nest construction assay and Morris water maze(MWM)assay were applied to evaluate the daily living activities and cognitive abilities of the mice with continuous DDPU treatment. Upon completion of behavior assays, mice were euthanized, and the brains were removed and bisected in mid-sagittal plane.The right hemispheres were frozen and stored at-80°C,and the left hemispheres were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde. RESULTS DDPU effectively improved learning and memory impairments in APP/PS1 transgenic mice, and the underlying mechanisms have been inten-sively investigated. DDPU reduced Ab production by inhibiting the PERK/eIF2a signaling-mediated BACE1 translation, while promoted Ab clearance as a PI3K inhibitor thus negatively regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in promotion of autophagy.Moreover,DDPU also exhibited neuroprotective effect by attenuating ER stress. Therefore, all findings have clearly demonstrated the crosstalk between Ab and ER stress, and confirmed that targeting ER stress should be a potential target for innovative anti-AD drug development,while highlighted the potential of DDPU in the treatment of AD.

Objective To investigate the potential roles of chromogranin A in pathogenesis of asthmatic inflammation,and to assess the regulation of montelukast on chromogranin A expression.Methods The rat asthma model was established with ovalbumin,and they were allocated to three groups,named asthma group,control group and montelukast group.The expressions of chromogranin A protein and mRNA at lung tissue were detected by immunohistochemisty or real-time PCR methods,and positive expression intensity of chromogranin A protein was assayed by optical density.The correlation between chromogranin A protein and mRNA was also analyzed.Results The expression levels of chromogranin A protein in asthma group(0.34 ±0.05 optical density)was significantly higher than that in control group (0.21 ±0.06 optical density)(P<0.01 ).The expression levels of chromogranin A mRNA in asthma group (4.02 ±0.95 relative quantity value)was significantly higher than that in control group(P<0.01 ).The expression levels of chromogranin A protein in montelukast group(0.28 ±0.04 optical density)was dramatically lower than that in asthma group (0.34 ±0.05 optical density)(P<0.05),while there were no statistical significance of chromogranin A mRNA(3.67 ±0.78 relative quantity value)between those two groups(P>0.05 ).But levels of mRNA was positively correlated with protein of chromogranin A (r=0.635,P<0.01).Conclusion Expressions of chromogranin A protein and mRNA at lung tissue were increased in asthmatic rats,and the results demonstrated that chromogranin A perhaps participated in the pathogenesis of asthma inflammation,but this function of chromogranin A protein could be down regulated by montelukast.

BACKGROUNDSchizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe, debilitating, and complex psychiatric disorder with multiple causative factors. An increasing number of studies have determined that rare variations play an important role in its etiology. A somatic mutation is a rare form of genetic variation that occurs at an early stage of embryonic development and is thought to contribute substantially to the development of SCZ. The aim of the study was to explore the novel pathogenic somatic single nucleotide variations (SNVs) and somatic insertions and deletions (indels) of SCZ.

METHODSOne Chinese family with a monozygotic (MZ) twin pair discordant for SCZ was included. Whole exome sequencing was performed in the co-twin and their parents. Rigorous filtering processes were conducted to prioritize pathogenic somatic variations, and all identified SNVs and indels were further confirmed by Sanger sequencing.

RESULTSOne somatic SNV and two somatic indels were identified after rigorous selection processes. However, none was validated by Sanger sequencing.

CONCLUSIONSThis study is not alone in the failure to identify pathogenic somatic variations in MZ twins, suggesting that exonic somatic variations are extremely rare. Further efforts are warranted to explore the potential genetic mechanism of SCZ.

Adult ; Exome ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Schizophrenia ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Twins, Monozygotic ; genetics

BACKGROUNDClarifying the risk factors for postoperative complications and taking measures to minimize these complications will improve the outcomes in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). This study aimed to systemically explore the risk factors for short-term postoperative complications in Chinese UC patients undergoing ileocolorectal surgery.

METHODSForty-nine UC patients undergoing proctocolectomy or ileostomy were retrospectively enrolled. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to reveal the risk factors among the clinical, laboratory, and surgical variables as well as preoperative medications.

RESULTSTwenty-two (44.9%) patients who suffered from at least one short-term postoperative event had more severe hypoalbuminemia (P = 0.007) and an increased prevalence of preoperative corticosteroid usage (prednisone more than 20 mg daily or equivalent) for more than 6 weeks (59.1% vs. 25.9%, P = 0.023) compared with patients without short-term postoperative complications. Based on the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) values of these two risk factors were 1.756 (0.889-3.470, P = 0.105) and 3.233 (0.916-11.406, P = 0.068), respectively. In 32 severe UC patients, prolonged preoperative hospital stay worsened the short-term postoperative outcomes.

CONCLUSIONSPreoperative corticosteroids usage and hypoalbuminemia worsened the short-term outcomes following ileocolorectal surgery in Chinese UC patients.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; adverse effects ; Adult ; Colectomy ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; complications ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Risk Factors

Objective:To determine the epidemiological characteristics and incidence trends of sexually transmitted diseases （STD） in Mengla County of Yunnan Province， and provide evidence for future prevention and control of STD. Methods:STD case information from 2005 to 2017 was extracted from the National Notifiable Infectious Disease Report Information System. Data were collected by year and disease type，and the incidence rate， epidemic characteristics and suspicious contact history of STD were statistically analyzed. Results:A total of 1 251 STD cases were reported in Mengla county from 2005 to 2017， including 490 gonorrhea， 483 syphilis， 216 condyloma acuminatum， 16 genital chlamydial infection and 46 genital herpes. The average annual incidence of STD was 35.57/100 000. The majority of STD cases were 20-29 years old （n=541，43.25%）， married （n=603，48.20%）， Han people （n=638，50.10%）， with education of middle school （n=536，42.85%）， and occupation of farmers （n=702， 56.12%）. The 42.61% of STD cases had non-marital sexual contact history， in which the proportion was significantly higher among male （55.05%） than female （28.98%）. In addition， the proportion of non-marital sex among STD cases increased gradually by year and significantly differed. Conclusion:The epidemic status of STD in Mengla county is relatively low. However， STD incidence increased gradually by year， which warrants more and specific measures on the STD control and prevention.