Objective To understand current prevalence of fluorosis, of drinking tea type in Pengyang County of Ningxia to offer scientific basis for preventing and curing, monitoring, health education. Methods Four towns were chosen as investigating spots in Pengyang County of Ningxia in 2007, from each 50 children aged 8-12 year old and 50 adults who either had tea or did not were investigated. Dean method was used to measure dental fluorosis of children and adult; meanwhile fluoride content in water, urine and drinking tea was tested using the fluoride ionic electrode method and that in brick tea using water immersion electrode method. χ2 testing, analysis of variance, u test, q test were performed. Results In adult drink tea group, control group, and children, the detaction rate of dental fluorosis were respectively 24.75%(99/400),9.5%(38/400)and 15.96%(71/445), obviously higher in drink tea group than the control group(χ2= 32.73, P<0.05). Urine average concentration of fluoride was (3.38±2.37), (2.09±1.33 ). (1.41±0.67)mg/L, obviously higher in drink tea group than the control group(u= 9.49, P<0.05). In 4 investigation spots tea fluoride averaged at (3.63±2.05)mg/L, fluoride content in drinking water was averagely (1.01±0.49) mg/L, with that of Wangwa Town [(1.31±0.33)mg/L] exceeding the national standard for drinking water (1.0 mg/L), where dental fluorosis rate was higher and fluoride content was higher than that in 3 other investigation spots (P<0.05). Conclusions Residents in Pengyang County in Ningxia who drink brick tea can cause accumulation of fluorine to poison in Ningxia, leading to fluorosis of drinking tea type; Wangwa Town have both drink tea and water fluorine poison.

ObjectiveTo investigate the short-term effect of health education intervention on the recovery of new schizophrenia patients. Methods82 patients were randomly divided into observation group, in which patients accepted routine antipsychotic medication, general nursing and system health education intervention, and control group, in which patients accepted antipsychotic medication and general nursing. Brief psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) were used to assess the effects. ResultsThere was no difference in the score of every factor before intervention (P>0.05), but it became different after intervention (P<0.01 or P<0.05). ConclusionHealth education intervention can improve the effect on schizophrenia.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with traction therapy for lumbar disc herniation, providing the basis for future research strategies. Randomized control trials. (RCT) of acupuncture combined with traction therapy for lumber disc herniation at home and abroad from 2000 to 2013 were searched, analysis and evaluation of literature and strength of evidence were based on the principles and methods of Evidence-based Medicine. The total effective rate and curative rate were considered as primary outcome measures; pain improvement, quality of life, relapse rate and adverse effects were considered as secondary outcome measures. Seventeen RCTs were identified, Meta-analysis showed that (1) total effective rate and curative rate: acupuncture combined with traction therapy was better than single therapy (acupuncture or traction); (2) pain improvement: acupuncture combined with traction therapy was better than traction therapy; (3) relapse rate: current evidence could not support the conclusion that acupuncture combined with traction therapy was better than traction therapy. Acupuncture combined with traction therapy for lumbar disc herniation was effective. However, the included studies were with high risk of bias, important outcome measures such as quality of life, relapse rate and adverse effects were not found in most of the studies. Current evidence has not yet been able to fully reflect acupuncture combined with traction therapy for lumbar disc herniation is better than single therapy, so more RCTs of higher quality are needed to further confirm its efficacy and safety.
Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; therapy ; Traction ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Xinfeng Capsule (XC) on lipoprotein metabolism of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

METHODSTotally 180 RA patients were assigned to the experimental group and the control group by random digit table, 90 in each group. Patients in the experimental group took XC (three pills each time, three times daily), while those in the control group took Methotrexate Tablet (four tablets each time, once per week). One month consisted of one therapeutic course and all patients were treated for two therapeutic courses. A healthy control group consisting of 60 patients was also set up. Changes of lipoprotein indices, clinical efficacy, lipid metabolism, joint symptoms and signs, activity indicators were observed, and correlation analyses were performed.

RESULTSCompared with the healthy control group, expression levels of prealbumin (PA), globulin (GLO), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), apolipoprotein Al (Apo-A1) were lowered in RA patients (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Correlation analyses showed that PA was negatively correlated with joint tenderness, morning stiffness time, disease activity score (DAS-28), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, respectively. Total protein (TP) was negatively correlated with joint tenderness. GLO was negatively correlated with joint tenderness and DAS-28. HDL was negatively correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and endothelin (ET)-1. Apo-Al was negatively correlated with joint pain; Apo-B was negatively correlated with CRP; LDL was negatively correlated with morning stiffness time (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Compared with before treatment, expression levels of PA, HDL, Apo-A1 , Apo-B, and serum IL-10 contents increased, and expression levels of ESR, CRP, IL-6, ET-1 , joint pain, joint swelling, morning stiffness time, and DAS-28 decreased in the experimental group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). PA increased more after treatment than before treatment in the control group (P <0. 01). There was statistical difference in joint symptoms (except joint tenderness) and activity indices (except ET-1) in the control group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Compared with the control group after treatment, PA and HDL increased, ET-1 and duration of morning stiffness decreased in the experimental group (all P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONSLipoprotein metabolic disorder exists in RA patients, and it is associated with disease activity. XC could obviously improve lipoprotein metabolism and joint symptoms.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-6 ; Lipoproteins ; Lipoproteins, HDL ; metabolism ; Methotrexate

OBJECTIVETo study the molecular mechanism of curcumin in human esophageal carcinoma cell line (EC109).

METHODSEC109 cells were cultivated in vitro. When 80%-90% confluence was reached, they were treated with curcumin in different concentrations (15-120 µmol/L). The effects on cell proliferation were examined by CCK-8 colorimetry. The ultrastructure of EC109 cells were detected with transmission electron microscope(TEM). The cells apoptosis was observed with laser confocal microscope(LCM) by AnnexinV-FITC/PI double staining. The proteins level of PTEN, AKT, GSK3β and Caspase 3 were tested by flow cytometry(FCM) .

RESULTSCCK-8 test showed that curcumin could inhibit the proliferation of EC109 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. TEM and LCM examinations indicated that curcumin could make EC109 cells apoptosis. The data of FCM showed that curcumin could increase the expression of PTEN, GSK3β and Caspase 3, decreased the expression of AKT.

CONCLUSIONThe effects of curcumin on inhibiting proliferation and promoting apoptosis of EC109 cells were related with increased expression of PTEN and inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Curcumin ; pharmacology ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta ; Humans ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; metabolism ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

Objective To prepare quercetin liposomes and establish a method for determination of its entrapment efficiency.Methods The film dispersion-homogenizing method was used to prepare quercetin liposomes.The formulation was optimized on the basis of orthogonal design and its entrapment efficiency was performed by the protamine sedimentation method.Results The optimal conditions were found to be cholesterol-egg phospholipid=1:3,quercetin-vehicle = 1:40,homogenization pressure 103.4 MPa for three times.The average entrapment efficiency of the optimized nano-liposomes was 92.1%.Conclusion The film dispersion-homogenizing method could be used to prepare quercetin liposomes.The protamine sedimentation method is convenient,accurate,and suitable for the determination of the entrapment effi- ciency of quercetin liposomes.

Background Inherited retinal degeneration,one of the major causes of blindness worldwide,comprises a large number of disorders characterized by a slow and progressive retinal degeneration.Interleukin-1 (IL-1)was recognized to be involved in inherited retinal degeneration.Whether IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) can arrest retinal degeneration is worthy of investigation.Objective This study was to investigate the effects of IL-1ra on photoreceptor apoptosis in Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats.Methods The use of the animals complied with the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.The SPF RCS rats aged 9,15,16,25,30,35,40,50 and 60 postnatal days were collected,with 9 rats for each age group.Retinal sections were used for the TdT-mediated biotin-dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) cell apoptosis assay.1 μl of IL-1ra (1.8 g/L) was intravitreally injected in the right eyes of 9 RCS rats aged 15 postnatal days and PBS was used in the same way in the fellow eyes.The injection procedure was repeated on the 20 th and 25 th day,respectively.The rats were sacrificed on the 30 th day and retinal sections were prepared for the TUNEL assay.The differences in the percentage of the positive cellular nuclei area among different ages of rats were compared by one-way ANOVA,and the differences in retinal layer thickness between IL-1ra injection group and PBS injection group were assessed by paired t test.Results Photoreceptor apoptosis appeared in 20-day-old RCS rats and progressed and peaked in 30 and 35-day-old rats and then reduced,showing a significant difference among rat of various age groups (F=28.020,P＜0.01).Images from TUNEL assay showed a weaker and less TUNEL staining in the IL-1ra injected eyes than the PBS injected eyes in 30-day-old rats.The total area and relative area of TUNEL positive nuclei were (223.052±153.092) μm2 and (2.206±1.531) ％ in the IL-1ra injected group,and those in PBS injected group were (1235.050±359.767) μm2 and (7.269± 1.624) ％,with a significant difference between them (t =4.370,t=3.250,P＜0.01).The cone and rod thickness was (15.324±9.035) μm in the IL-1ra injected group and (49.566±4.605)μm in the PBS injected group,showing a significant difference (t =22.674,P＜0.01).However,no significant difference was seen in the outer nuclear layer thickness between the two groups (t =0.268,P＞0.05).Conclusions IL-1 participates in the pathogenesis and development of inherited retinal degeneration of RCS rats.The use of IL-1ra might be a potential approach in the treatment of inherited retinal degeneration.

AIM:To evaluate the clinical therapeutic efficacy of the Qi ming granule for macular edema ( ME ) in diabetic patients after phacoemulsification.
METHODS:In this was a prospective clinical comparison study, 57 diabetic patients ( 76 eyes ) who underwent phacoemulsification were recruited and divided into two groups:treatment group (34 eyes) and control group (42 eyes) . All the patients in treatment group were given oral administration Qi ming granule (4. 5g, tid) and vitamin C ( 0. 1g, tid ) for 6mo postoperatively, while vitamin C ( 0.1g, tid ) for the controls. General clinical examinations, including blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin, as well as comprehensive standardized ophthalmic examinations were performed. Optical coherence tomography ( OCT ) were used to detect macular edema incidence and measure central field retinal thickness.
RESULTS: No significant difference was found in the levels of blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, course of disease, and macular thickness between the two groups during the initial visits. At the 6th month, 2 eyes ( 6%) eyes had clinically apparent macular edema in treatment group, while 6 ( 14%) eyes had clinically apparent macular edema in control group (P=0. 285). The central subfield retinal thickness values were significantly lower in the treatment group ( 211. 76±41. 21μm ) than those in control group (278. 36±48. 94μm) (P<0. 01).
CONCLUSION:Qi ming granule can significantly reduce the incidences of macular edema and suppresses increasing retinal thickening after phacoemulsification in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To learn the health literacy level and its influencing factors among junior high school students in Jiaxing, so as to provide basis for health promotion of adolescents. Methods: The junior high school students who had been studying and living in Jiaxing for more than six months were selected by multistage cluster random sampling method. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect general information and health literacy level (including basic knowledge and concept, healthy lifestyle and behaviors, and basic skills) of these selected students. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors for health literacy. Results : Of 1 773 questionnaires collected, 1 738 were valid, accounting for 98.03%. The level of health literacy in the junior high school students in Jiaxing was 22.84% ( 95%CI: 20.87%-24.82% ), The levels of basic knowledge and concept, healthy lifestyle and behaviors, and basic skills were 55.29% ( 95%CI: 52.95%-57.63% ), 21.75% ( 95%CI: 19.81%-23.69% ), 53.05% ( 95%CI: 50.70%-55.40%), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the second grade and above ( OR: 1.609-1.835, 95%CI: 1.195-2.459 ), mother's educational level of technical secondary school/senior high school and above ( OR: 1.965-1.976, 95%CI: 1.276-3.357 ), and self-rated academic achievement of medium and above ( OR: 1.881-2.441, 95%CI: 1.359-3.335 ) were the promoting factors for health literacy level of junior high school students; self rated health status as unhealthy ( OR=0.254, 95%CI: 0.089-0.721 ) was an obstructive factor. Conclusions The health literacy level of the junior high school students in Jiaxing was 22.84%. The level of healthy lifestyle and behaviors was the lowest in three aspects. Grade, mother's educational level, self-rated academic performance and self-rated health status may have impacts on health literacy level of junior high school students.

This project is targeted on exploring some improving approaches to isolate and culture the microorganisms which are difficult to be isolated and cultured through the conventional ways. The results showed that betaine, sodium pyruvate, SOD and catalase are helpful for increasing the total number and variety of isolated strains. A kind of combined method was also used to isolate the micro-colony which can not be seen by naked eyes on the plates. Totally 52 Actinomycetes and 103 bacteria and 17 fungi were obtained from 4 soil samples using the above methods. 4. 325% microorganisms were obtained as positive strains to inhibit the growth of some kinds of test bacteria, which is higher than the percent using generally isolated ones. These microbial natural products may remain an important resource for the drug discovery.