Objectives: To investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of tinnitus in Sichuan and Chongqing. Methods: We designed a tinnitus epidemiological questionnaire. The multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling methods was applied to obtain study subjects in six areas (Nanchong, Jiangjin, Fengdu, Yunyang, Suining and Ya'an), which were selected for epidemiological investigation. Home visit completion of epidemiological questionnaires was conducted. The trained investigators guided the respondents to fill in the tinnitus epidemiological questionnaires, and the epidemiological status of six areas on prevalence and risk factor was investigated. SPSS 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Sampling population were 10 289, in which 9 273 were valid questionnaires. There were 4 281 males and 4 992 females, with an average age of 47.3 years, among which 34.83% (3 230/9 273) had tinnitus. 3.99% (370/9 273) were diagnosed with bothersome tinnitus. In a multivariable logistic regression mod, the following factors were associated with onsetting of tinnitus: sleep disorder [Odds Ratio(OR)=3.74] and noise exposure(OR=1.99). The risk of disease was lowest in the age of 30-40 years old, while the risk of disease was higher for people under 30 and over 40. In another multivariable logistic regression mode, the following factors were associated with having bothersome tinnitus: older people were more likely to suffer from tinnitus, sleep disorders (OR=4.68) and noise exposure (OR=1.56). Conclusions: The prevalence of tinnitus in Sichuan and Chongqing is about 34.83%, but most of the tinnitus is short-lived and has low loudness, which will not affect the patients. Only a small number of patients with tinnitus (3.99%) persist and affect their health and need treatment. The occurrence and exacerbation of tinnitus may be related to sleep, age, and noise exposure.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tinnitus/epidemiology*

Objective: Huidouba (HDB) is a Chinese folk medicine used to treat diabetes in Sichuan Province, China. Therefore, we investigated the anti-diabetic effects of HDB and its underlying mechanisms. We hypothesized that HDB treatment could enhance glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, and thus prevent a hyperglycemia state. Methods: To test the hypothesis, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice and db/db mice, widely used models of hyperglycemia and insulin-resistant diabetes, were either treated with HDB, metformin, or acarbose. Blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance test, insulin tolerance test, pancreatic histopathology and serum biochemistry were detected to assess the hypoglycemic effect of HDB. Results: HDB treatments were found to show the effect in reducing glucose levels. HDB also resulted in a significant reduction in body weight and food intake in the STZ-induced diabetic mouse model. Furthermore, it significantly improved glucose and insulin tolerance in the two diabetic mouse models. Importantly, insulin, glucagon, pancreatic polypeptide, and somatostatin immunohistochemistry revealed that HDB treatment improved the function and the location of the cells in the islets compared with the other two treatments. HDB treatment resulted in significant restoration of islet function. Our results illustrated the underlying mechanism of HDB in the progression of diabetes, and HDB can be an effective agent for the treatment of diabetes. Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that HDB can reduce blood glucose levels in STZ-induced hyperglycemic mice and db/db mice.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of recombinant adult serine protease inhibitor from Trichinella spiralis (TsadSPI) on sepsis-associated acute kidney injury in mice. Methods A total of 18 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the sham-operation group, the model group, and the TsadSPI treatment group, of 6 mice in each group. Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury was modeled in the model group and TsadSPI treatment group by cecal ligation puncture (CLP), while mice in the sham-operation group were only given exploratory laparotomy without ligation or perforation of the cecum. After 30 min of CLP, mice in the sham-operation group and the model group were intraperitoneally injected with PBS (100 μL), and mice in the TsadSPI treatment group were intraperitoneally injected with PBS (100 μL) containing TsadSPI (2 μg). At 12 h following modeling, the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine (Cr) and urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured to assess the liver and kidney functions, and the changes of the mouse kidney structure were observed using HE staining. In addition, the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) p65 expression was determined in kidney tissues using immunohistochemical staining. Results At 12 h following CLP, there were significant differences in the serum levels of ALT (F = 41.031, P < 0.001), AST (F = 54.757, P < 0.001), Cr (F = 24.142, P < 0.001) and BUN (F = 214.849, P < 0.001) among the three groups, and higher levels of ALT, AST, Cr and BUN were measured in model group than in the sham-operation group (P < 0.001), while lower ALT, AST, Cr and BUN levels were found in the TsadSPI treatment group than in the model group (P < 0.001). HE staining showed severe mouse kidney injuries following CLP, and TsadSPI treatment resulted in remarkable alleviation of the injury. ELISA measured significant differences in the TNF-α (F = 47.502, P < 0.001) and IL-6 levels (F = 222.061, P < 0.001) among the three groups, and showed a remarkable reduction in the TNF-α and IL-6 levels in the TsadSPI treatment group as compared to those in the model group (P < 0.001). In addition, there were significant differences in serum IL-10 (F = 16.227, P < 0.001) and TGF-β levels (F = 52.092, P < 0.001) among the three groups, and higher IL-10 and TGF-β levels were seen in the TsadSPI treatment group than in the model group (P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical staining showed greater MyD88 expression and a higher nuclear positive rate of NF-κB p65 in kidney tissues in the model group than in the TsadSPI treatment group. Conclusions TsadSPI may reduce the MyD88 expression and nuclear positive rate of NF-κB p65 in mouse kidney tissues to up-regulate the expression of immunomodulatory factors and down-regulate the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby protecting sepsis-associated acute kidney injury.

Objective To evaluate the significance of liver biopsy and B ultrasonograpgy in the diagnosis of fatty liver. Methods The results of 62 patients with liver steatosis diagnosed by liver puncture biopsy but not by B-ultrasonograpgy were contrastively analyzed and combined with liver function, blood lipids, blood glucose, and body mass index. Results The 62 cases which were not diagnosed as fatty liver by B-ultrasonograpgy were proved to be 5％-33％liver steatosis after liver puncture biopsy. Among the 62 cases, 23 cases were indicated by the B-ultrasonograpgy that the liver parenchyma echo did not see abnormalities, 18 cases showed the liver parenchyma echo slightly was enlarged, 17 cases showed the liver parenchyma echo density was a bit enhanced and 4 cases were diffuse liver damage,which respectively were 37.01％、29.03％、27.42％and 6.45％. Pathologically it indicated that 45 cases were 5％≤liver steatosis≤19％. Among the 45 cases, 18 cases were indicated by the B-ultrasonograpgy that the liver parenchyma echo was not seen abnormalities, 8 cases showed the liver parenchyma echo slightly was enlarged, 17 cases showed the liver parenchyma echo density was a bit enhanced, and 2 cases were diffuse liver damage, and the change of ultrasound was mainly showed by the liver parenchyma echo not seen abnormalities and the enhanced liver parenchyma echo density. Pathologically it indicated that 17 cases were 20％≤liver steatosis≤33％, 6 cases were indicated by the B-ultrasonograpgy that the liver parenchyma echo did not see abnormalities, 5 cases showed the liver parenchyma echo slightly was enlarged, 5 cases showed the liver parenchyma echo density was a bit enhanced, and 1 case was diffuse liver damage, and the change of ultrasound was mainly showed by the liver parenchyma echo not seen abnormalities, the slightly enlarged liver parenchyma echo and the enhanced liver parenchyma echo density. By analyzing the influence to the ultrasound changes by patients' liver function, body mass index, blood fat and blood sugar, and with logistic regression analysis through a disorderly classification, it was found that the larger value of the glutamine transferase, alkaline phosphatase, body mass index, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, the higher possibility of diffuse liver damage, and the higher level of fatty degeneration, the higher possibility of diffuse liver damage. Conclusion In the diagnosis of fatty liver, when the fatty degeneration is below 1/3, B-ultrasonic examination can't show characteristic changes of fatty liver. It should be closely observed or take liver puncture biopsy to make a definite diagnosis of fatty liver.

Objective To investigate the role of Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) and the relative signal molecules in sensing the mechanical stimulation from tensile strain and regulating the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).Methods Physiological cyclic strain with magnitude of 10％ and at frequency of 1.25 Hz was applied to VSMCs in vitro by using the strain loading system.The proliferation level of VSMCs was analyzed by BrdU ELISA;the expression level of ROCK1,phosphorylations of protein kinase C (PKC) α/β Ⅱ,protein kinase D (PKD) and extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) in VSMCs modulated by cyclic strain were detected with Western blotting;the expression of ROCK1 was specifically repressed by using RNA interference (RNAi).Results Compared with the static control,10％ cyclic strain significantly decreased the expression of ROCK1 and phosphorylations of PKD and ERK.The phosphorylation of PKCα/βⅡ decreased significantly under 10％ cyclic strain for 12 h,but returned to normal level after loading for 24 h.Repressed expression of ROCK1 with RNAi significantly down-regulated VSMC proliferation,suppressed phosphorylations of PKCα/βⅡ and PKD,but no obvious changes were found in phosphorylation of ERK.Conclusions Physiological cyclic strain with magnitude of 10％ may repress the phosphorylation of PKCα/βⅡ and PKD via inhibiting the expression of ROCK1,and subsequently affects VSMC proliferation and maintains vascular hemostasis.The investigation on intracellular mechanotransduction network of VSMCs under mechanical stimulation of cyclic strain may contribute to studying the physiological and pathological mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases.

Objective To investigate the role of rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) and the relative signal molecules in sensing the mechanical stimulation from tensile strain and regulating the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Methods Physiological cyclic strain with magnitude of 10% and at frequency of 1.25 Hz was applied to VSMCs in vitro by using strain loading system. The proliferation level of VSMCs was analyzed by BrdU ELISA; the expression level of ROCK1, phosphorylations of protein kinase C (PKC) α/β II, protein kinase D (PKD) and extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) in VSMCs modulated by cyclic strain were detected with Western blotting; the expression of ROCK1 was specifically repressed by using RNA interference (RNAi). Results Compared with the static control, 10% cyclic strain significantly decreased the expression of ROCK1 and phosphorylations of PKD and ERK. The phosphorylation of PKCα/βII was decreased significantly under 10% cyclic strain for 12 h, but returned to normal level after 24 h-loading. Repressed expression of ROCK1 with RNAi significantly down-regulated VSMC proliferation, suppressed phosphorylations of PKCα/βII and PKD, but no obvious change was found in phosphorylation of ERK. Conclusions Physiological cyclic strain with magnitude of 10% may repress the phosphorylation of PKCα/βII and PKD via inhibiting the expression of ROCK1, which subsequently affect VSMC proliferation and maintain vascular hemostasis. The investigation on intracellular mechanotransduction network of VSMCs under mechanical stimulation of cyclic strain may contribute to the physiological and pathological mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical features of mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) in children.

METHODSThe clinical data of 8 children with MERS were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThe mean age of onset was 5 years and 2 months (range 10 months to 12 years). The major clinical features included a history of prodromal infection, and among these children, 5 had pyrexia and 4 had vomiting. Of all the children, 6 were manifested as convulsion and 3 each were manifested as disturbance of consciousness and paroxysmal paropsia. Cranial diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed high signals in the splenium of the corpus callosum. Among these children, one child had symmetric and multiple long T1 and long T2 signals in the bilateral centrum semiovale and part of the temporal white matter. MRI reexamination performed after 5-30 days showed the disappearance of abnormal signals in all the children. The children were followed up for 3 months to 2 years, and no child experienced abnormal neurodevelopment.

CONCLUSIONSThe development of MERS in children is closely associated with infection. MERS is characterized by high signals in the splenium of the corpus callosum on cranial diffusion-weighted MRI. Most children have good prognosis.

Brain Diseases ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Corpus Callosum ; pathology ; Encephalitis ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To investigate SNP and distribution of haplotypes in differentially methylated region (DMR) upstream of H19 gene in Chinese Korean nationality in order to provide basic data for forensic application and population genetics research. METHODS: One hundred and one blood samples from unrelated Chinese Korean individuals and 14 blood samples from 5 Chinese Korean intergenerational families which known genetic relationship were collected. The SNP in DMR upstream of H19 gene were investigated by PCR-cycle sequencing and McrBC digestion followed by PCR. The haplotypes detected by parentally imprinted allele (PIA) method and relevant genetic parameters were calculated. RESULTS: Thirteen SNPs (rs10840167, rs2525883, rs12417375, rs4930101, rs2525882, rs2735970, rs2735971, rs11042170, rs2735972, rs10732516, rs2071094, rs2107425, and rs4930098) and five haplotypes were detected in 1 174 bp target product in DMR upstream of H19 gene, with 9 SNPs having high discrimination power as good genetic markers. The average gene diversity (GD) of haplotypes was 0.714. The maternal haplotype was confirmed correctly by PIA method from McrBC-digested products of genomic DNA. CONCLUSION High polymorphisms exist in DMR upstream of H19 gene in Chinese Korean nationality. And determination of the maternal haplotype could furthermore enhance the forensic identification efficiency of imprinted gene.
Asian People/genetics* ; China ; DNA/genetics* ; DNA Methylation ; DNA Primers ; Forensic Genetics/methods* ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; Republic of Korea/ethnology* ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

ObjectiveTo explore the attentional biases in male alcohol dependent (AD) patients and the correlations between the attentional bias and alcohol-related factors.MethodsA total of 30 recently detoxified male individuals with alcoholism were compared with 37 healthy controls ( HC ) on the Chinese Emotional Stroop Task using negative,neutral,and alcohol-related words.ResultsThe comparison between AD group( ( 1382.13 ±323.38) ms,( 1365.76 ±313.03)ms,( 1433.20 ±342.23) ms,respectively) and HC group( (797.27 ±216.97)ms,( 794.11 ± 209.41 ) ms,(799.40 ± 215.82 ) ms respectively) on the reaction time of neutral,negative and alcohol-related words were significant ( t =8.822,P ＜ 0.001 ; t =8.922,P ＜ 0.001 ; t =9.234,P ＜ 0.001 ).The error number of of the neutral and negative- related words of the patients ( ( 3.70 ± 2.56) time,( 4.23 ± 2.53 ) time)was worse than that of HC group( ( 2.11 ± 1.87 ) time,( 1.92 ± 1.82 ) time) ( t =2.939,P =0.005 ; t =4.355,P ＜0.01 ).Error number of the alcohol- related words between two groups were not significant;Its alcohol-related words attentional bias negative correlation to the age of initial alcohol use(P＜ 0.05 ),and positive correlation to continue drinking and score of self-rating depression scale (P＜0.05).Age of addiction and the score of self-rating anxiety scale enter the regression equation of alcohol-related words.ConclusionThese results demonstrate that alcoholics have attentional bias in alcohol-related words and reward-related brain regions may be associated with craving among male patients with attentional bias.

Objective To establish a model of chronic periodontitis(CP) accompanied with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in SD rats and investigate the relationship between chronic periodontitis and COPD. Methods Equal gender SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, A: control group, B: CP group, C: COPD group, D: COPD with CP group (n = 10, respectively). Each group was subjected to its predesigned intervention to establish a specific disease model. After 10 weeks, animals were sacrificed. The level of alveolar bone loss, lung function measurement, and the histopathological changes of periodontal and lung tissues were examined. The serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α level was detected by enzymelinked immunoabsorbent assay kits. Results Bleeding index (BI) levels of group A and C were (0.25±0.04) and (1.30 ±0.25),respectively. Attachment loss was (0.43 ±0.02) and (0.51 ±0. 02) mm. BI levels in group B and D were significantly higher than those in group A and C. Forced expiratory volume in 0. 2 second to forced vital capital ratio(FEV0.2/FVC) values in group B, C and D were significantly lower than that in group A. Pulmonary function were worse in group D than that in group C(P＜0. 05). The levels of serum TNF-α, a sensitive indicator of both diseases, were increased in all test groups compared with the control, and increased most in group D. Conclusions The chronic periodontitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease model was established in SD rat. The chronic periodontitis may be a risk factor for promoting and inducing COPD.