Domestic and foreign studies have shown that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution is a major factor affecting human health. In addition to the direct impact on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, PM2.5 exposure during pregnancy can directly affect the growth and development of offspring, manifested as cardiopulmonary dysfunction and cognitive disorder, various adverse pregnancy outcomes, abnormal organ development, and congenital defects. However, the mechanism underlying the developmental toxicity of PM2.5 is still unclear. This article reviews PM2.5-induced developmental toxicity based on epidemiological investigation and toxicological studies, which will provide references for further studies.

Objective:To explore the correlation between white matter lesions (WML) at different locations and cognitive function.Methods:The cognitive function of 68 patients with WML in Beijing Electric Power Hospital from January 2019 to May 2020 were assessed with Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA), and the extent of WML were assessed with age-related white matter changes rating scale(ARWMCRs). Correlation between the ARWMCRs scores of different locations and the scores of all locations and the scores of cognitive function, as well as the relationship between the ARWMCRs scores of different locations and each subitem of cognitive function were analyzed.Results:In 68 patients with WML, the degree of lesions in different parts from heavy to light was frontal area, parietooccipital area, basal ganglia area and temporal area, and no white matter lesions were found in infratentorial area. Except the basal ganglia region, the ARWMCRs scores in other regions and the total score were negatively correlated with MoCA score, among which, the ARWMCRs score in left frontal area, right frontal area, left parietal pillow and right parietal pillow region had the strongest correlation with MoCA score( rs=- 0.388, - 0.479, -0.418, -0.502, all P<0.01).In WML patients, the left frontal area was negatively correlated with language, abstraction and orientation ( rs=- 0.479, - 0.324, - 0.288, all P<0.01).The ARWMCRs score in right frontal area was negatively correlated with visual spatial and executive function, memory, language, abstraction, and orientation ( rs=- 0.324, -0.272, -0.459, -0.382, -0.352, all P<0.05). The ARWMCRs score in left parietal occipital region was negatively correlated with visual spatial and executive function and memory ( rs =-0.287、- 0.270, all P<0.05). The ARWMCRs score in right parietal occipital region was negatively correlated with memory, language, abstraction and orientation ( rs=-0.366, -0.289, -0.260, - 0.307, all P<0.05).The ARWMCRs score in left temporal region was negatively correlated with language, abstraction and orientation ( rs=- 0.248, -0.372, - 0.608, all P<0.05).The ARWMCRs score in right temporal region was negatively correlated with abstraction and orientation ( rs=- 0.525, -0.465, all P<0.01).The ARWMCRs score in right basal ganglia was negatively correlated with orientation and memory ( rs=- 0.455, - 0.275, all P<0.01), while The ARWMCRs score in left basal ganglia was not correlated with MoCA subitems. Conclusions:The frontal area and parietal occipital area are the most serious lesions in WML patients, and the lesions in these two areas also cause the widest range of cognitive impairment.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of sesamin (Ses) on pulmonary vascular remodeling in rats with monocrotaline ( MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH).

METHODTotally 48 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed adaptively for one week and then divided into the normal control group, the MCT group, the MCT +Ses (50 mg x kg(-1)) group and the MCT + Ses (100 mg x kg(-1)) group, with 12 rats in each group. The PH rat model was induced through the subcutaneous injection with MCT(60 mg x kg(-1)). After the administration for four weeks, efforts were made to measure the right ventricular systolic pressure( RVSP) and mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) through right jugular vein catheterization, and isolate right ventricle( RV) and left ventricle( LV) +septum (S) and measure their length to calculate RV/ ( LV + S) and ratio of RV to tibial length. Pathologic changes in arterioles were observed by HE staining. Masson's trichrome stain was used to demonstrate changes in collagen deposition of arterioles. The alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) expression in pulmonary arteries was measured by immunohistochemisty. The total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in pulmonary arteries were determined by the colorimetric method. The protein expressions of collagen I, NOX2 and NOX4 were analyzed by Real-time PCR and Western blot.

RESULTAfter the administration for 4 weeks, Ses could attenuate RVSP and mPAP induced by MCT, RV/ (LV + S) and ratio of RV to Tibial length, alpha-SMA and collagen I expressions and remodeling of pulmonary vessels and right ventricle. Meanwhile, Ses could obviously inhibit the expressions of NOX2, NOX4 and MDA content and increase T-AOC.

CONCLUSIONSesamin could ameliorate pulmonary vascular remodeling induced by monocrotaline in PH rats. Its mechanism may be related to expressions of NOX2 and NOX4 expression and reduction in oxidative stress injury.

Animals ; Dioxoles ; administration & dosage ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Lignans ; administration & dosage ; Lung ; blood supply ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Male ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Monocrotaline ; adverse effects ; NADPH Oxidase 2 ; NADPH Oxidase 4 ; NADPH Oxidases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Artery ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vascular Remodeling ; drug effects

Objective To explore the effects of human neuromelanin (NM) and doparmine melanin (DAM) on ferritin mRNA expression under oxidative stress in dopaminergic neuronal cells and glial cells. Methods SK-N-SH and U373 were chosen as models of human neuronal and glial cells.Fenton reagent (FR) was used as a direct inducer of oxidative stress,and human neuromelanin (NM) or dopamine melanin (DAM) were added to the cultures at the same time. Iron chelator desferrioxamine (DFO) was added in some experiments parallel.The changes of ferfitin mRNA expression were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. Results Ferritin mRNA in SK-N-SH cells were significantly up-regulated with FR or FR+DAM treatment than untreated cells,and FR+DAM induced more Ferritin mRNA expression than FR+hNM did.These differences are significant (P＜0.05).With DFO,ferritin mRNA expressions in FR, NM,FR+NM, DAM treated SK-N-SH cells were decreased significantly comparing to DFO free cultures(P＜0.05).While in U373 cells,the expressions of Ferritin mRNA had no significant differences with or without FR,NM, DAM, FR+NM or FR+DAM treatment (P＜0.05).Furthermore,Ferritin mRNA expressions showed no significant differences in U373 cells with or without DFO treatment(P＜0.05). Conclusions Ferritin has a protective effect on cells,DAM could not used to produce PD model.

This study was purposed to explore the caspase-independent apoptosis pathway in human multiple myeloma cell RPMI8226 induced by arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)). MTT method was used to analyze the proliferation inhibition rate; flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis rate; Western blot was used to determine the expressions of BCL-2 and Caspase-3 in RPMI8226 cells. The results showed that As(2)O(3) (0.1 - 20 µmol/L) significantly inhibited the proliferation of RPMI8226 (P < 0.05) in concentration- and time-dependent manner. Compared with the group treated with As(2)O(3) (10 µmol/L) alone, the apoptosis rate of zVAD-fmk (20 µmol/L) and As(2)O(3) combined treated group did not change. Compared with the group treated with As(2)O(3) (10 µmol/L) alone, zVAD-fmk (20 µmol/L) combined with As(2)O(3) (10 µmol/L) treatment group showed significant increase of expressions of Caspase-3 and BCL-2. It is concluded that As(2)O(3) can inhibit the proliferation of RPMI8226 cells. As(2)O(3) can induce apoptosis of RPMI8226 cells, and a caspase-independent process probably exist in As2O3-inducing RPMI8266 cells apoptosis.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oxides ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical features of 128 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients infected through blood transmission who were coinfected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV).

METHODSThe prevalence, liver functions, and some immunological profiles of 128 AIDS patients coinfected with HBV and HCV were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSAmong the 128 AIDS patients, 107 (83.6%) were coinfected with HCV, among which 40 (31.3%) patients had abnormal liver functions or liver damage and 15 (11.7%) patients experienced hepatitis symptoms. Three (2.3%) AIDS patients were singly coinfected with HBV, and all of them had abnormal liver functions and hepatitis symptoms. Seven (5.5%) patients were coinfected with HIV/HCV/HBV and none of them had abnormal liver functions or hepatitis symptoms. Eleven (8.6%) patients were only infected with HIV.

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of blood-transmitted HIV patients coinfected with HCV is higher than with HBV. The clinical outcomes of HIV coinfection with HCV and HBV are different.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; complications ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Comorbidity ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; Hepatitis C ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Transfusion Reaction

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of enteral nutrition (EN) in patients underwent open-abdomen managements.

METHODSTwenty-one patients who received at least 3 days of EN after opening the peritoneal cavity between January 2003 and November 2006 were included in this study. Energy expenditure and actual caloric and protein intake were determined in some patients. The levels of serum protein and nitrogen balance before and after the EN were analyzed. Other related complications were also evaluated.

RESULTSAverage daily total caloric intake was 93% - 95% of estimated needs. The EN support was administered (8.8 +/- 5.5) d after opening the abdominal cavity and lasted for (51.5 +/- 33.6) d. Initial serum protein levels were low and below normal but increased in all of the patients after the EN. The average nitrogen balance was (-28.6 +/- 5.4) g/d. Diarrhea, gastric reflux, vomiting and abdominal distention occurred in 67%, 23%, 9.5% and 23% of the patients, respectively. All the complications were managed well.

CONCLUSIONSEN support could be effectively and safely given in patients requiring opening peritoneal cavity management.

Abdomen ; surgery ; Adult ; Enteral Nutrition ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peritoneal Cavity ; surgery ; Postoperative Care ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

In this study, 17 kinds of Dendrobium species of Fengdous including 39 individuals were collected from 4 provinces. Mitochondrial gene sequences co I, nad 5, nad 1-intron 2 and chloroplast gene sequences rbcL, matK amd psbA-trnH were amplified from these materials, as well as nrDNA ITS. Furthermore, suitable sequences for identification of Dendrobium species of Fengdous were screened by K-2-P and P-distance. The results showed that during the mentioned 7 sequences, nrDNA ITS, nad 1-intron 2 and psbA-trnH which had a high degree of variability could be used to identify Dendrobium species of Fengdous. However, single fragment could not be used to distinguish D. moniliforme and D. huoshanense. Moreover, compared to other combined fragments, new type combined fragments nrDNA ITS+nad 1-intron 2 was more effective in identifying the original plants of Dendrobium species and could be used to identify D. huoshanense and D. moniliforme. Besides, according to the UPGMA tree constructed with nrDNA ITS+nad 1-intron 2, 3 inspected Dendrobium plants were identified as D. huoshanense, D. moniliforme and D. officinale, respectively. This study identified Dendrobium species of Fengdous by combined fragments nrDNA ITS+nad 1-intron 2 for the first time, which provided a more effective basis for identification of Dendrobium species. And this study will be helpful for regulating the market of Fengdous.
DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Dendrobium ; classification ; genetics ; Genes, Chloroplast ; Genes, Plant ; Introns ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture for treatment of sudden hearing loss and to compare with western medicine therapy.

METHODSSixty cases were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture group and a medication group, 30 cases in each group. The electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture at Tinghui (GB 2), Yifeng (TE 17), Hegu (LI 4), Xiaxi (GB 43), Zhongzhu (TE 3), etc. and the medication group with intravenous dripping of 6% low molecule dextran 500 mL with ATP and coenzyme A, and oral administration of Nimodipine, Gold Theragan. Whole blood specific viscosity, plasma specific viscosity, hematocrit and fibrinogen before and after treatment and their therapeutic effects were observed.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 86.7 in the electroacupuncture group and 60.0% in the medication group with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05), the former being better than the latter; there were significant differences in whole blood specific viscosity, plasma specific viscosity, hematocrit and fibrinogen before and after treatment in the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05), and with no significant difference in the medication group (P>0.05) before and after treatment, and with a significant difference in whole blood specific viscosity, plasma specific viscosity and fibrinogen between the two groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture has a significant therapeutic effect on sudden hearing loss, which is better than that of the medication, and the mechanism is possibly related with regulative action on indexes of blood rheology.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sudden ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo study the bonding characteristic of Titanium and RG experiment porcelain.

METHODS5 specimens with a size of 10 mm x 5 mm x 1.4 mm were cast from pure titanium. Then 1 mm of RG experiment opaque and body porcelain were fused on the surface of the titanium specimens. The interface of titanium and porcelain was analyzed with a scanning electron microscope with energy-despersive spectrometry; 6 metal specimens with the size of 25 mm x 3 mm x 0.5 mm were cast from Ni-Cr alloy and a uniform thickness of 1 mm of VMK 99 porcelain was veneered on the central area of 8 mm x 3 mm 18 metal specimens as the same size were cast from pure titanium. The uniform thickness of 1 mm of VITA TITANKERAMIK porcelain, of Noritake super porcelain Ti-22 and of RG experiment porcelain were veneered on every 6 specimens respectively in the central area of 8 mm x 3 mm. The specimens were subjected to a three-point bending test on a load-test machine with a span of 20 mm, then the failure loads were recorded and statistically analysised. The RG porcelain/titanium crown was fabricated by fusing RG opaque porcelain and body porcelain to cast titanium substrate crown.

RESULTSThe SEM results show no porosity and crackle were found in the interface. The energy-dispersive spectrometry show that there are Si, Ti and O in the 1 micro m layer between porcelain and titanium, which suggesting titanium and experiment porcelain bonding well. The three point test showed the fracture force for the combinations of titanium/VITA TITANKERAMIK porcelain, titanium/Noritake super porcelain Ti-22 and titanium/RG experiment porcelain were (7.233 +/- 2.539) N, (5.533 +/- 1.199) N and (6.316 +/- 1.433) N respectively. There were not statistically significant differences among them (t test, P < 0.01). The fracture force for the Ni-Cr alloy/VMK99 porcelain combination (12.733 +/- 3.297) N was significantly greater than those of the cast titanium/porcelain (t test, P > 0.05). The crown was translucent with no crack.

CONCLUSIONRG porcelain is well compatible with titanium.

Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Metal Ceramic Alloys ; chemistry ; Titanium ; chemistry