Objective To determine the effect of iron deficiency on hemoglobin A2(HbA2) expression in patients with β-thalassemia.Methods The participants were recruited from the out-patient clinics of the Pediatrics Department and Obstetrics Department of Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical College and from some β-thalassemia major families.Blood samples from the participants were used for blood smear tests and hemoglobin electrophoresis and to analyze serum ferritin (SF),3 alpha-globin gene deletions,and 17 beta-globin point mutations.Results Of the 408 individuals,304 were assigned to group A (normal controls),26 to group B (iron deficiency),56 to group C (β-thalassemia),and 22 to group D (β-thalassemia combined with iron deficiency). The results for the comparison of the mean HbA2 values among pairs of groups were as follows: group A vs group B,q=5.074 7,P<0.05; group A vs group C,q=37.650 8,P<0.05; group A vs group D,q=16.043 0,P<0.05;group C vs group D,q=7.682 9,P<0.05; Group B vs group D,q=15.806 6,P<0.05. There were no significant correlation between SF and HbA2 in all 4 groups.Conclusions Iron deficiency decreased the HbA2 level in both controls and individuals with β-thalassemia. HbA2 levels decreased significantly in individuals with both β-thalassemia and iron deficiency as compared with β-thalassemia group alone. However,they remained significantly higher than both the control and iron-deficient groups. Therefore,the elevation of HbA2 could be used to diagnose β-thalassemia reliably even in the presence of iron deficiency.

Objective:To study the anatomical correlation between dental arch and the volume of upper airway in patients with obstruc-tive sleep apnea hypoventilation syndrome(OSAHS). Methods: Dental arch architecture and upper airway volume were measured by cone beam CT(CBCT) in the subjects with OSAHS(n=22) and without OSAHS(n=19). The correlation between dental arch and the supper airway volume in OSAHS patients was analyzed. Results:The length of the upper dental arch and the height of palate in OSAHS patients were larger than those of the controls(All, P<0. 05). Cross-sectional area of nasopharynx and retropalatal and the total volume of upper airway were negatively correlated with the palatal height and upper dental arch length(P<0. 05), while positively correlated with upper dental arch of molar regions(P<0. 05). Conclusion:The abnormal shape of upper dental arch is related to the airway vol-ume of nasopharynx and retropalatal region in patients with OSAHS.

Objective: To replace esophageal defects with artificially composed biodegradable materials and non-biodegradable materials. Met hods: A two-layered tube consisting of a collagen-chitosan sponge and an inner polyurethane stent was used to replace 5 cm esophageal segmental defect s in 15 dogs. The inner polyurethane stent was removed endoscopically at weekly intervals from 2 or 4 weeks. Results: Partial regeneration of es ophageal epithelia was observed in 5 dogs at week 2, and progressing constricti on occurred and the dogs became unable to swallow within 1 month. In the 10 dog s that the polyurethane stent was removed at week 4, regenerated esophageal tiss ue successfully replaced the defects, and complete epithelization was observed 1 month after surgery. Complete regeneration of esophageal mucosa structures, inc luding mucosal smooth muscle and mucosal glands were observed 3 months after surgery, and partial regeneration of esophageal muscle tissue was also observed 6 months after surgery. Conclusion: Our artificial prosthesis i n reconstruction of the cervical esophagus segment in dogs is feasible. Through temporary polyurethane tube, collagen-chitosan sponge provides a three-dimensi onal structure suitable for the regeneration and sufficient degradation time for the complete regeneration of esophagus.

Objective:To investigate the influence of bundled ligation of the pancreatic stump on postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) of distal pancreatectomy (DP).Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinical data of 60 patients with diseases in pancreatic body and tail who underwent DP in the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University from January 2011 to August 2018 were collected. There were 24 males and 36 females, aged from 19 to 68 years, with a median age of 45 years. Of the 60 patients, 36 cases undergoing dissection of pancreas with Endo-GIA stapler were allocated into non-bundled group, and 24 cases undergoing bundled ligation of the pancreatic stump with No.10 or No.7 suture at the site over 1 cm of the resection site before dissection of pancreas were allocated into bundled group. Observation indicators: (1) postoperative situations; (2) analysis of risk factors for POPF of DP. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the t test or ANOVA test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M (range).Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test. Univariate analysis was conducted using the chi-square test and multivariate analysis was conducted using the Logistic regression model. Results:(1) Postoperative situations: the amylase concentration, cases with biochemical fistula, cases with grade B pancreatic fistula, cases with complications, time to extubation, duration of postoperative hospital stay, total hospital expenses were (2 629±592)U/L, 14, 5, 7, (11.9±0.7)days, (13.6±0.7)days, (49 430±1 626)yuan in non-bundled group and (683±312)U/L, 3, 1, 2, (9.7±0.6)days, (11.3±0.5)days, (44 767±1 163)yuan in bundled group, respectively. There were significant differences in the amylase concentration, cases with biochemical fistula, time to extubation, duration of hospital stay, total hospital expenses between the two groups ( t=2.528, χ2=1.512, t=2.341, 2.311, 2.111, P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the cases with grade B pancreatic fistula or cases with complications between the two groups ( χ2=1.512, 1.394, P>0.05). (2) Analysis of risk factors for POPF of DP. Results of univariate analysis showed that tumor diameter and bundled ligation of the pancreatic stump were related factors of patients undergoing pancreatic fistula after DP ( χ2=4.462, 5.061, P<0.05). Results of multivariate analysis showed that bundled ligation of the pancreatic stump was an independent influencing factor of patients undergoing pancreatic fistula after DP ( odds ratio=0.187, 95% confidence interval as 0.037-0.954, P<0.05). Conclusions:Bundled ligation of the pancreatic stump was an independent influencing factor of patients undergoing pancreatic fistula after DP. Bundled ligation of the pancreatic stump can effectively reduce the incidence of POPF, especially biochemical fistula, the time to extubation, duration of postoperative hospital stay and total hospital expenses, and promote patient recovery after DP.

Objective: To investigate the mortality and disease burden of diabetes in Hangzhou City from 2013 to 2021, so as to provide insights into improving diabetes prevention and control strategies. Methods: Data on morbidity and mortality of diabetes in Hangzhou City from 2013 to 2021 were collected through the Chronic Disease and Death Cause Monitoring System of Hangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the crude and age-standardized mortality (standardized by the population of the Seventh National Population Census in China in 2020) were calculated. Data on the prevalence of diabetes were collected from the China Chronic Disease and Risk Factors Surveillance (CCDRFS), and the burden of disease was evaluated by calculating years of life lost (YLL), years lived with disability (YLD) and disability-adjusted years (DALY) with reference to the methodology of the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD). The trends in mortality and disease burden of diabetes were evaluated with the average annual percent change (AAPC). Results: There were 8 686 deaths of diabetes in Hangzhou City from 2013 to 2021, with the average annual crude mortality of 13.17/105 and age-standardized mortality of 10.89/105. The crude mortality of diabetes showed a tendency towards a rise (AAPC=2.62%, P<0.05), while the trend in age-standardized mortality was not significant (P>0.05). The crude and age-standardized mortality of diabetes were higher in women than in men (14.11/105 vs. 12.21/105, 12.16/105 vs. 9.71/105; both P<0.05); however, the crude mortality in men increased more rapidly (men: AAPC=4.46%, P<0.05; women: AAPC=1.09%, P>0.05). The YLL, YLD and DALY of diabetes were 155.42, 1 246.73 and 1 402.15 thousand person-years, and the rates of YLL, YLD and DALY were 2.36, 18.90 and 21.25 person-years per thousand, respectively. The rates of YLL, YLD and DALY appeared a tendency towards a rise (AAPC=1.57%, 6.03% and 7.11%, all P<0.05). Higher rates of DALY and more remarkable increase were seen in men than in women (P<0.05; AAPC=8.37%, 5.54%, both P<0.05). Conclusions The mortality of diabetes in Hangzhou City from 2013 to 2021 is high, and the burden of disease, especially disability, is growing rapidly, with the burden of disease being more serious in men.

OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic effects between the Hwato neuro and muscle stimulator (SXDZ-100) and the regular electronic stimulator (SDZ-II) on chronic functional constipation.

METHODSSixty-four cases of chronic functional constipation were randomly divided into a (SXDZ-100) observation group (n = 33) and SDZ-II control group (n = 31). For the SXDZ-100 group, under the considerations of patients' endurance, Zhigou(TE 6) and Tianshu (ST 25), Zusanli (ST 36) and Shangjuxu (ST 37) were punctured and then the courle of acupoints on the same side were connected with SXDZ-100 apparatus in reinforcing and reducing by twirling and rotating manipulation wave for 30 min, while in the control group SDZ-II apparatus was applied in the same way mentioned above with disperse-dense wave at frequency of 1Hz/20Hz for 30 min. By means of clinical therapeutic effect evaluation and clinical symptom score, the contrast between two groups can be made.

RESULTSAlthough the total effective rates were both 100.0%, the rate of short term effects in SXDZ-100 group (54.6%, 18/33) is significantly higher than that in SDZ-II group (29.0%, 9/31) (P < 0.05). After the treatment, the clinical symptom scores in both groups decreased significantly (both P < 0.05). And the therapeutic effective indices of the SXDZ-100 group were significantly higher than those of the SDZ- II group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of Hwato neuro and muscle stimulator (SXDZ-100) on chronic functional constipation is superior to that of a regular electronic stimulator (SDZ-II).

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Chronic Disease ; therapy ; Constipation ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Young Adult

The formulations of pramipexole hydrochloride sustained-release tablets were screened by single factor test and optimized by Box-Behnken design. The effects of the viscosity and content of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, as well as the insoluble sustained-release material combined with HPMC K100M on the in vitro release behavior were investigated. After single factor screening, a three-factor, three-level Box-Behnken design was used for optimization using the contents of HPMC K100, Eudragit RSPO and Eudragit L100 as independent variables, and the cumulative release at different time as responses. The optimal range of the three-factor optimized by Box-Behnken design, one of the optimized formulations was achieved with HPMC K100M of 101. 5 mg, Eudragit RSPO of 98 mg, and Eudragit L100 of 13. 7 mg, and the observed responses of the optimized formulation were very close to the predicted values. The in vitro drug release mechanism of the tablet was studied by drug released model fitted with different equations. The results explained that Eudragit RSPO promoted the release of the pramipexole hydrochloride, while Eudragit L100 blocked the release, and there was an antagonism between them. In conclusion, the drug release behavior of optimized formulations prepared by Eudragit RSPO/L100 was stable, less pH-dependent, which improved the drug bioavailability in vivo.

[ ABSTRACT] AIM: To investigate the protective effect of autophagy on oxidized low density lipoprotein ( ox-LDL)-induced macrophage apoptosis and the underlying molecular mechanisms .METHODS:The RAW264.7 macropha-ges were pretreated with 3 mmol/L 3-methyladenine (3-MA), 1 μmol/L rapamycin (Rap) or 4 mmol/L 4-phenylbutyric acid ( PBA) respectively for 1 h and then treated with ox-LDL (100 mg/L) for 12 h.The cell viability and apoptosis were determined by MTT assay and flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, respectively.The activities of lactate de-hydrogenase ( LDH) in the medium and caspase-3 in the cells were determined by detection kits .The protein levels of bec-lin-1 (a molecular marker of autophagy ), glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78, an endoplasmic reticulum stress marker) and C/EBP homologous protein ( CHOP, a key-signaling component of endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis ) were examined by Western blot .Microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3, another molecular marker of autoph-agy) was observed under laser scanning confocal microscope .RESULTS: Treatment of the RAW264.7 macrophages with ox-LDL at 100 mg/L for 12 h resulted in significant decrease in cell viability , and dramatic elevation in LDH leakage , cell apoptosis and caspase-3 activity, which were promoted by 3-MA (an autophagy inhibitor) and inhibited by Rap (an autoph-agy inducer ) .ox-LDL induced autophagy in the macrophages as assessed by beclin-1 upregulation and frequent granulation of LC3, which were inhibited by 3-MA and promoted by Rap.Interestingly, 3-MA enhanced, while Rap blocked, the CHOP upregulation induced by ox-LDL.Moreover , PBA ( endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitor ) significantly inhibited ox-LDL-induced GRP78 upregulation and autophagy as determined by the attenuation of beclin-1 upregulation and frequent granula-tion of LC3.CONCLUSION: Endoplasmic reticulum stress mediates ox-LDL-induced autophagy in macrophages , and moderates activation of autophagy may protect macrophages from ox-LDL-induced apoptosis by inhibiting CHOP expression .

OBJECTIVETo investigate the facial aging analysis of 1200 Han adult people in Dalian with iris diameter, so as to provide reference for facial rejuvenation in Han people.

METHODS1200 facial digital photographs from the second-generation ID card of China were stratified randomly selected as the research sample, excluding facial deformity, tattooing eyebrow, tattooing lid margin, ptosis, lip grain and eyebrow deformity cases, as well as the cases whose join point of upper eyelid and lower eyelid not exposed at the nasal side. These photos were divided into six cohorts: female aged 18, 38, and 68 years old; and male aged 18, 38, and 68 years old, with 200 cases in each cohort. The individual iris diameter was divided into 20 equal parts in each photograph, with each part marked one unit as individual iris diameter ruler. Ten values were made from a horizontal plane between the medial canthus to ten points at one face ( the line between two medial canthus is used as the horizontal line, circumocular and facial soft tissue were measured with individual iris diameter ruler on the photographs), then the results were analyzed with Adobe Photoshop software.

RESULTSThere are statistically significant differences in eyebrow height (36.42 ± 4.22 unit in 18 years old male group, 40.22 ± 6.90 unit in 38 years old male group, 34.83 ± 9.39 unit in 68 years old male group; 37.59 ± 6.72 unit in 18 years old female group, 41.09 ± 5.15 unit in 38 years old female group, 36.84 ± 9.45 unit in 68 years old female group), palpebral fissure height, physiognomic external canthus height, palpebral fissure width, pupil height and other items (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS(1) The brow position rises to the peak level at middle age (38 years old group), then drops down gradually with aging. (2) The physiognomic external canthus moves towards the nasal side and caudal side with aging. (3) Eyeball moves towards caudal side with aging. (4) The soft tissue around bilateral angle of mouth, nasal tip and submaxilla moves towards caudal side with aging. (5) The measurement of individual iris diameter ruler can apply to analyze the aging changes of facial soft tissue, and is more suitable for the case when facial photographs are taken at different distances.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aging ; China ; ethnology ; Cohort Studies ; Eye ; anatomy & histology ; Eyebrows ; anatomy & histology ; Face ; anatomy & histology ; Female ; Humans ; Iris ; anatomy & histology ; Lip ; anatomy & histology ; Male ; Nose ; anatomy & histology ; Photography ; Rejuvenation ; Sex Factors

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between the immune response of anti-tetrodotoxin vaccine, including its dose-response, and to select optimal immunization dose so as to enhance antitoxic effect of the anti-tetrodotoxin vaccine.

METHODSTetrodotoxin (TTX) was coupled to Tachypleus tridentatus hemocyanin (TTH) chemically to form artificial antigen (TTX-TTH), and with which Balb/c mice were immunized. Influence of different immunization doses [100 microg as the higher (H) and 25 microg as the lower (L) dose group] on the protective effects of TTX vaccine was compared. The quality of antisera and effects of vaccine in anti-TTX poisoning were observed.

RESULTSThe sera antibody quality increased more quickly in group L than that in group H after immunization. The dose at which the half of immunized mice survived when challenged once with TTX were 16 x LD (1 LD = 13.5 microg/kg, i.p.) in group L and 11 x LD in group H. When TTX was used time and again, the half of immunized mice could tolerate as high as 40 x LD and 22 x LD of accumulated dose, and the maximum tolerable cumulated dose was 104 x LD and 90 x LD for group L and H respectively. The scheme L was better both in antibody quality and effect of protecting against TTX toxicity than that in scheme H.

CONCLUSIONSThe experimental vaccine of TTX could effectively protect animal from TTX intoxication. The lower immunization dose in this study is selected as the optimal immunization scheme.

Animals ; Antibodies ; blood ; Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hemocyanins ; immunology ; Horseshoe Crabs ; Immune Sera ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Tetrodotoxin ; immunology ; toxicity ; Toxicity Tests ; Vaccination ; methods ; Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; immunology