Objective To determine activity concentrations of natural and artificial radionuclides in the surface soils in Huhhot city,measure environmental radiation level,and evaluate risks to residents health.Methods Radionuclides in 48 surface soil samples were determined by means of the high purity germanium γ spectrometer;environmental radiation level was measured using an environment γ dose rate meter;comparison was made of average activity concentrations in soils between domestically and globally;and the radiation dose to the local residents was estimated by using the methods recommended by UNSCEAR and reported in the related literatures.Results The average values for specific activity of 238U,232Th,226 Ra,40K and137 Cs in the surface soil samples in Huhhot city were (29.29 ± 12.95),(39.33±4.34),(29.77 ±3.21),(650.49 ±62.21) and (1.62 ± 1.53) Bq/kg,respectively;the measured air absorbed dose rate was (86.32 ± 11.92) nGy/h;the annual effective dose to local residents from outdoor γ radiation was 79.27 μSv/year.Conclusions The specific activities of radionulcides in soils and the environmental radiation in surface soil in Huhhot city were at a normal background level,with low risks to health of the local residents.

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics of the inpatients suffering from dengue fever in order to provide references for better diagnosis and treatment.Methods The clinical data of 158 dengue fever patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from July 23rd to October 31st, 2014 during the 2014 epidemic in Guangzhou area were retrospectively analyzed, including general clinical manifestations, conventional examinations, pathogenesis, and prognosis.Results The mean age of the 158 patients was (56±20) years, with half of them over 60 years old (79 cases). Among them, 94 (59.49%) were male.① The common manifestations included fever (100%), headache (70.89%), myalgia/bone soreness (62.03%), and skin rash (54.43%). Bleeding and plasma leakage were found in 25.95% and 14.56% of the patients respectively.② Laboratory examination:leucopenia (75.32%) and thrombocytopenia (77.85%) were found, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were elevated in 57.59% and 77.85% of the patients respectively. However, elevation of blood hematocrit was rare (1.27%).③ It was found that in the acute phase (0 - 5 days of the onset), serum dengue virus antibody IgM (DF-IgM) was positive in 63.54% of the patients (61/96), and 92.62% (113/122) of patients were dengue virus RNA (DENA-RNA) positive.④ The rate of comorbidity in this study was 55.06% (87/158), including hypertension (27.22%) and type 2 diabetes (15.82%), which were the two most common co-morbidities.⑤ All the patients were given supportive therapy to prevent complications. They were also isolated for more than 5 days after onset, and at least for 24 hours after subsidence of fever in addition.⑥ The criteria for the diagnosis of severe dengue were fulfilled in 18 patients (11.39%). One patient died of massive hemorrhage from gastro-intestinal tract, and 1 patient voluntarily left hospital with untreated multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Another 2 patients of dengue fever died from primary cardio-cerebrovascular disease, and the remaining 154 patients (97.47%) fully recovered with supportive therapy and complication prevention measures.Conclusions The clinical manifestations of inpatients with dengue fever in this study were typical, and they manifested a higher incidence of severe illness. DENA-RNA could be a sensitive indicator for early pathogenic diagnosis. With symptomatic and supportive therapy, most patients had a good outcome. However, early diagnosis and clinical interventions of severe dengue still need further studies.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of emergency bedside-echocardiography in neonatal intensive care unit.Methods Six hundred and sixty-eight infants with cardiac pathological murmurs,cyanosis and shortness of breath were detected by emergency bedside echocardiography (Sonosite Micromax 1 portable ultrasound or Philips iE33 ultrasonic systems) during January 2007 to July 2011.The accuracy of emergency bedside-echocardiography in the diagnosis of neonatal heart diseases was evaluated according to the results of surgical exploration.Results Among 668 enrolled neonates with the mean age of (7.2±1.3) d,there were 347 males and 321 females,and 309 term infants [mean gestational age (39.1±0.6) weeks (37.0～42.1 weeks)] and 359 premature infants [mean gestational age (33.7±0.91) weeks (28.9～36.9 weeks)].Totally,507 cases were found cardiac abnormality by emergency bedside-echocardiography,including 268 cases of patent ductus arteriosus (232 premature and 36 term infants),115 congenital heart disease,99 persistent fetal circulation and 25 arrythmia.Surgeries were performed on 54 infants and invasive therapy was performed on one infant,and none of them received CT,magnetic resonance imaging or invasive examinations before operation; among which,51 surgeries successed and 4 infants died.Other 452 infants were treated with medications,392 infants recovered and discharged,26 infants did not recover,14 cases died and 20 cases left the hospital before recovery.The accuracy rate of Micromax 1 portable ultrasound in diagnosing congenital heart diseases was 94.5％ (52/55),while 96.4 ％ (53/55) for philips iE33 ultrasonic systems.Conclusions Emergency bedside-echocardiography could provide instant and valuable information of cardiovascular system,which would be helpful in making quick clinical decisions.

Objective To compare the diagnostic value of MR examination with fast imaging employing steady state acquisition (FIESTA) and single shot fast spin echo (SSFSE) sequences for normal fetal thymuses.Methods Totally 366 normal fetuses were examined using MRI with FIESTA and SSFSE sequences,and the anatomy and MR manifestations of thymuses were observed.Kappa analysis and x2 test were performed.The transverse area (TA) and transverse diameter (TD) were measured on the "three vessel" level,while the superoinferior diameter (SID) was measured on the sagittal level.The mean value of these parameters at different gestational were calculated,and the regression equations of each parameter and gestational age were fitted.Results Two doctors had good agreements with the images of FIESTA and SSFSE sequences (Kappa=0.745,0.802,both P＜0.01).The clear rate of FIESTA and SSFSE sequences was 86.34％ (632/732) and 37.70％ (276/732) respectively,and the differences were significant (x2 =367.520,P＜0.001).The thymic size increased with the gestational age,and the regression equations and correlation coefficients were:TA =-5.80 + 0.35 ×gestational (r=0.820,P＜0.01),TD=-14.59+1.63×gestational (r=0.817,P＜0.01),and SID=-9.63+1.44×gestational (r=0.778,P＜0.01).Conclusion The subtle structure and contour of fetal thymus showed with FIESTA sequence are clearer than those of SSFSE sequence.MRI can clearly show fetal thymus after 22 weeks of pregnancy.

Objective To explore the value of prenatal MRI signs in diagnosis of placenta accreta.Methods MRI data of 163 pregnant women with suspected placenta accreta were retrospectively reviewed.According to the results of cesarean section,they were divided into placenta accreta group (n =136) or without placenta accreta group (n =27).The differencesof MRI signs between the two groups were compared.Taking cesarean section results as the gold standard,the sensitivity,specificity,positive and negative predictive value of MRI signs were calculated,respectively.Results Uterine bulging,abnormal vessels and hypointense T2WI bands at junction of placental and myometrium,as well as uterine recess had statistical differences between the two groups (all P＜0.05).No statistical difference of placental heterogeneity,focal interruptions in myometrial wall,uterine penetration and parametrium implantation nor protrusion of placenta into cervix was found between the two groups (all P＞0.05).The MRI signs of uterine penetration and parametrium implantation,uterine recess,protrusion of placenta into cervix yielded a specificity and positive predictive value of 100％,respectively.Conclusion Prenatal MRI has high efficacy in the diagnosis of placenta accrete.Placenta accrete should be highly suspected especially in the presence of uterine penetration and parametrium implantation,uterine recess and protrusion of placenta into the cervix.

Hyperhidrosis is a disease in which excessive sweat is secreted,resulting in an abnormal increase in systemic or local perspiration.In traditional Chinese medicine,hyperhidrosis belongs to the category of sweating disease.It is caused by an imbalance between yin and yang and abnormal excretion of body fluid.Many doctors treat the sweating disease from the perspective of heart,lung,and kidney;in contrast,we discuss the etiology and pathogenesis of hyperhidrosis from the perspective of liver and spleen,explain the significance of harmonizing the liver and spleen to improve the sweating disease,and put forward the key pathogenic factors of stagnation liver qi and spleen deficiency,and disharmony between nutrient qi and defensive qi,and the imbalance between yin and yang are the key pathogenic factor.Most of the clinical treatment start from the liver and spleen.The main treatment principle is based on soothing the liver and relieving depression,invigorating the spleen and nourishing blood,and regulating and harmonizing the nutrient qi and defensive qi,paying attention to the relationship between qi and blood in zangfu organs,invigorating the spleen and replenishing qi to consolidate its foundation,soothing the liver and relieving depression to regulate its qi,and invigorating qi and blood and perspiration.Treatment can be supplemented with Xiaoyao Powder plus-minus,mainly to strengthen liver wood and spleen soil,acquire nourishment,smooth qi,nourish the five zang,reconcile qi and blood,enhance physical strength and peace of mind,ensure sufficient qi to arrest sweating,coordinate the liver and spleen,balance the ascending and descending phases,and harmonize the five zang organs.

Objective To investigate the preparation and evaluation of animal models of depression associated with autoimmune thyroiditis,and to verify the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway based on this condition.Methods 32 NOD.H-2H4 mice were randomly divided into a normal(N)group,depression(DP)group,autoimmune thyroiditis with depression(AIT+DP)group,autoimmune thyroiditis(AIT)group,with 8 animals in each group.The N group was fed normally,the DP group was subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)for 5 weeks,the AIT group was given 0.05％sodium iodide water to establish an autoimmune thyroiditis model,and the AIT+DP group was subjected to 5 weeks of CUMS to establish the AIT animal model.We evaluated whether the mouse autoimmune thyroiditis model had been successfully prepared by observing the thyroid tissue structure,lymphocyte infiltration,and serum TGAb and TPOAb levels.Changes in body weight,sugar water preference rate,open field behavior(central quadrant time,central quadrant time proportion,standing rate,frequency of defecation,and hair grooming time),and hippocampal pathological changes were used to evaluate the depression status of the mice.When the model mice met the above-mentioned indicators related to depression and autoimmune thyroiditis,the AIT+DP animal model was considered successfully prepared.Results Compared with the levels in the N group,the AIT group's and AIT+DP group's serum TGAb and TPOAb levels were significantly increased(P＜0.01),and a large number of inflammatory cells had infiltrated the thyroid gland.The central quadrant time and central quadrant time proportion,standing rate,frequency of defecation,and hair grooming time were reduced to varying degrees in the DP group and AIT+DP group.In addition,the numbers of glial cells in the cerebral cortex increased and neuronal cells decreased,accompanied by some nuclear atrophy,and the expression levels of NLRP3,IL-1β,Caspase-1,and GSDMD-N significantly increased,especially in the AIT+DP group(P＜0.01).Conclusions 0.05％sodium iodide water and CUMS create autoimmune thyroiditis with depression model animals that better simulate the external performance and internal index changes of the diseases.These mice can provide an animal model reference for research into autoimmune thyroiditis with depression.

Objective To explore the effects of Buzhong Yiqi Decoction on PKCβ/Erk1/2/NF-κB signaling pathway in mice with autoimmune thyroiditis(AIT);To explore the mechanism of Buzhong Yiqi Decoction in the treatment of AIT.Methods Totally 808-week-old NOD.H-2h4 mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,TCM group and selenium yeast tablet group,with 20 mice in each group.The control group was fed with distilled water,and the other groups were given 0.05%sodium iodide for 8 weeks to establish AIT mice model.The medication groups were administered by gavage with corresponding drugs for 8 weeks.The morphology of thyroid tissue was detected by HE staining,ELISA was used to detected the contents of serum TGAb and TPOAb,RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of PKCβ,Erk1/2,NF-κBp65,RORγt and IL-17 mRNA in thyroid tissue,the protein expressions of PKCβ,Erk1/2,NF-κBp65,RORγt and IL-17 in thyroid tissue were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the control group,there were a large number of lymphocyte infiltration in thyroid tissue,and serum TGAb and TPOAb contents significantly increased(P<0.001),the expression of PKCβ,Erk1/2,NF-κBp65,RORγt and IL-17 mRNA and protein in thyroid tissue were significantly increased(P<0.001).Compared with the model group,the infiltration of lymphocytes in thyroid tissue of mice in TCM group and selenium yeast tablet group were alleviated,the contents of serum TGAb and TPOAb were significantly decreased(P<0.001),the mRNA and protein expressions of PKCβ,Erk1/2,NF-κBp65,RORγt and IL-17 in thyroid tissue were significantly decreased(P<0.001).There was no statistical significance in the indexes of TCM group and selenium yeast tablet group(P>0.05).Conclusion Buzhong Yiqi Decoction can regulate PKCβ/Erk1/2/NF-κB pathway,reduce inflammation in AIT mice and improve thyroid lymphocyte infiltration.

Objective: To study the correlation of lifestyle characteristics with thyroid nodules in a population-based sample of centenarians in Hainan. Methods: The study was based on China Hainan Centenarian Cohort Study (CHCCS) conducted in 18 cities and counties in Hainan province from 2014 to 2016. A group of multidisciplinary team interviewed and examined local centenarians with structured questionnaires and ultrasonography procedures. A total of 918 centenarians were analyzed after excluding those who refused ultrasonographic examinations or had relevant missing data. Thyroids of centenarians were examined by 3-year experienced sonographer, details on lifestyle characteristics and dietary habits were collected by standard procedure. Results: Of the 918 centenarians, 683 (74.4%) had thyroid nodules under the ultrasonography procedures. The prevalence of thyroid nodules in different group of areca nut consumption varied significantly (P<0.05). In multivariate logistic regression model, the results showed female and areca nut intake were independently associated with thyroid nodules in centenarians (P<0.05). Conclusions The modifiable variables including areca nut intake as well as non-modifiable such as gender are independent determinants of thyroid nodules in centenarians. Further studies are warranted to explore and verify these associations in populations with different ranges of age.

Objective:To investigate the effects of caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome on the Leptospira interrogans ( L. interrogans)-induced secretion of inflammatory cytokines in J774A.1 cells. Methods:Murine mononuclear macrophage cells (J774A.1) were infected with L. interrogans strain 56601. Expression of caspase-11, IL-1β, IL-1α and IL-18 at mRNA level in J774A.1 cells were detected by real-time RT-PCR. The levels of caspase-11, IL-1β, IL-1α and IL-18 in the culture supernatants of J774A.1 cells were detected by ELISA. Results:Real-time RT-PCR showed that caspase-11 expression at mRNA level was 5.12, 14.21, 8.94, 14.06, 18.58 and 0.93 times of that in uninfected cells after 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h of L. interrogans infection, and respectively decreased to 0.10, 0.07, 0.10, 0.09, 0.07 and 0.45 times after caspase-11 inhibitor intervention ( P<0.05). Expression of IL-1β, IL-1α and IL-18 at mRNA level was significantly increased after infection ( P<0.05). After the intervention with caspase-11 inhibitor, IL-1β mRNA decreased to 0.05, 0.03, 0.02, 0.05, 0.06 and 0.02 times ( P<0.05); IL-1α mRNA decreased to 0.14, 0.07, 0.15, 0.10, 0.03 and 0.06 times ( P<0.05); IL-18 mRNA decreased to 0.08, 0.10, 0.16, 0.18, 0.10 and 0.07 times ( P<0.05). ELISA results showed that the expression of caspase-11, IL-1β, IL-1α and IL-18 at protein level was significantly increased. After the intervention with caspase-11 inhibitor, caspase-11 level decreased to 43.07, 41.64, 51.96, 86.56, 105.36, and 129.95 pg/ml ( P<0.05); IL-1β level decreased to 15.01, 14.19, 68.02, 31.20, 173.13 and 104.98 pg/ml ( P<0.05); IL-1α level decreased to 12.14, 15.40, 38.01, 21.97, 24.48 and 27.09 pg/ml ( P<0.05); IL-18 level decreased to 96.27, 102.21, 85.34, 116.28, 155.36 and 114.03 pg/ml ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome was involved in the mediation of IL-1β, IL-1α and IL-18 secretion in mouse mononuclear macrophages after L. interrogans infection.