Circadian rhythms are core regulatory mechanisms that evolved to align biological functions with the Earth's rotation. These rhythms are conserved across organisms from unicellular life to multicellular species and play essential roles in metabolism, immune responses, and sleep-wake cycle. Circadian disruptions are strongly associated with various diseases. Over the past decades, genetic studies in Drosophila and mice have identified key conserved clock genes and uncovered transcription-translation feedback loops governing circadian regulation. Additionally, rhythmic neurons in the brain integrate complex neural circuits to precisely regulate physiological and behavioral rhythms. This review highlights recent advances in understanding the neuronal circuit mechanisms of rhythmic neurons in the Drosophila brain and discusses future directions for translating circadian rhythm research into chronomedicine and precision therapies.
Animals ; Circadian Rhythm/genetics* ; Neurons/physiology* ; Drosophila/physiology* ; Brain/physiology* ; Nerve Net/physiology*

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)in the treatment of male im-mune infertility(MII)by meta-analysis.Methods:We retrieved randomized controlled trial(RCT)on the treatment of male im-mune infertility with traditional Chinese medicine from the databases of WanFang,Chinese Biomedical Literature,Cochrane Library,Weipu,PubMed and CNKI,and performed methodological quality assessment of the RCTs identified and statistical analysis and evalua-tion of the publication bias using the RevMan5.4 software.Results:Totally,25 RCTs(2 563 cases)were included in this study.Compared with Western medicine alone in the treatment of MII,TCM achieved a significantly higher total effectiveness rate(OR=6.35,95% CI:4.96-8.13,P<0.000 01),negative conversion rate of seminal plasma anti-sperm antibodies(OR=4.52,95% CI:2.72-7.51,P<0.000 01),negative rate of serum anti-sperm antibodies(OR=2.98,95% CI:2.23-3.96,P<0.000 01),sperm concentration(MD=15.56,95% CI:11.32-19.79,P<0.000 01),grade a sperm motility(MD=3.85,95% CI:1.91-5.79,P=0.000 01),grade a+b sperm motility(MD=13.77,95% CI:7.06-20.48,P<0.000 1),sperm viability(MD=10.32,95% CI:6.78-13.86,P<0.000 01)and pregnancy rate(OR=3.53,95% CI:2.68-4.63,P<0.000 01),but a lower rate of adverse reactions(OR=0.06,95% CI:0.01-0.23,P<0.000 01).There was no statistically significant difference in the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm between TCM and Western medicine alone in the treatment of MII(MD=-7.53,95% CI:-15.50-0.44,P=0.06).Conclusion:TCM has a definite effectiveness and high safe in the treatment of male immune infertility.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the early outcome of vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) technique in treating early-onset scoliosis.

METHODSThis study recruited 11 early-onset scoliosis patients (8 boys and 3 girls) who received VEPTR treatment from December 2006 to July 2011 with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. The average age at initial surgery was (7 ± 3) years (range, 3.1 to 9.8 years). VEPTR device, either rib to rib or rib to lumbar, was implanted at initial surgery. During the regular post-operative follow-ups, expansion surgeries were scheduled at an interval of 6 to 12 months. Measurements of primary curve magnitude, apical vertebral translation, thoracic height and T(1)-S(1) height were performed on radiographs, and were compared between those of preoperatively, postoperatively, and at latest follow-up through paired-t tests.

RESULTSAll patients had a mean follow-up of (32 ± 11) months. Totally 41 surgeries were performed, averagely 3.7 surgeries per patient; and 30 expansion surgeries were carried out, averagely 2.7 surgeries per patient. The average interval for each expansion surgery was 8 months. From preoperatively to latest follow-up, the Cobb angle of primary curves was averagely corrected from 78° ± 18° to 55° ± 11° (t = 4.931, P < 0.05), and apical vertebral translation and thoracic kyphosis displayed slight improvement. Average thoracic height increased from (13.3 ± 2.0) cm to (17.2 ± 2.4) cm (t = 8.365, P < 0.001), and average T(1)-S(1) height from (24.4 ± 3.8) cm to (32.5 ± 5.3) cm (t = 9.080, P < 0.001). After initial surgery with VEPTR instrumented, gains in thoracic height and T(1)-S(1) height per expansion surgery averaged (0.8 ± 0.3) cm and (1.8 ± 0.4) cm, respectively. Eight complications occurred in 6 patients, including rib cradle dislodgements, displayed infection, intraoperative pleura rupture and loosening of lumbar pedicle screws.

CONCLUSIONSVEPTR technique proves to be an effective way of preventing curve progression in early-onset scoliosis patients while allowing growth of spine and chest. Yet, indications for such a technique need to be strictly selected because of the relatively high complication rate.

Age of Onset ; Bone Substitutes ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Ribs ; Scoliosis ; surgery ; Spine ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Titanium ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the incidence of thoracic curve decompensation or proximal adding-on phenomenon after anterior selective fusion of thoracolumbar or lumbar curve in Lenke type 5 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), and to identify its risk factors.

METHODSFrom June 2001 to December 2008, 130 Lenke type 5 AIS patients with a Cobb angle of 40° - 73° treated with anterior selective thoracolumbar or lumbar fusion, and with a minimum 2-year postoperative regular follow-up were recruited in this study. The average age, Cobb angle and Risser sign of all patients was 14.8 ± 1.6 years, 46° ± 6° of major thoracolumbar or lumbar curve (TL or L), 25° ± 7° of proximal thoracic curve and 0-5, respectively. The patients were grouped according to the relationship between the upper instrumented vertebrae (UIV) and the upper end vertebrae (UEV), the patients' Risser sign and the relationship between UIV and C(7) plumb line (C(7)PL). The radiographic data of the patients were compared between patients with and without proximal adding-on by using t test, and the incidence of proximal adding-on was analyzed in terms of determination of UIV and Risser sign to identify the risk factors of this phenomenon by using Fisher's exact test.

RESULTSEleven patients were identified with proximal adding-on, thus the incidence of it was 8.5%. At last follow-up postoperatively, the average Cobb angle of TL or L and proximal thoracic curve was 9° ± 4° and 11° ± 5°, respectively. Moreover, the incidence of adding-on in Rissex sign grade 0 to 1 (3/8) was higher than that of grade 2 to 3 (12.1%) and grade 4 to 5 (4.5%). In addition, the incidence of adding-on in UIV lower than UEV group (20.6%) was obviously higher than that of UIV higher than or equal to UEV group (4.2%). The incidence of adding-on for patients with C(7)PL falls away from UIV (19.5%) were obviously higher than that of patients with C(7)PL falls between the pedicle and lateral margin of UIV (3.6%) and between bilateral pedicles of UIV (3.0%). Each group showed significant difference for the incidence of adding-on by Fisher's exact test (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThere exists the risk of proximal thoracic curve decompensation, with a not low rate, after anterior selective fusion for major TL or L curve AIS. The determination of UIV relative to UEV and the skeletal maturity of the patient are the two factors closely associated with the presence of such a phenomenon.

Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Scoliosis ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; adverse effects ; methods ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the association between genetic polymorphism of serum amyloid protein A1 (SAA1) with carotid intima media thickness in a healthy Han Chinese population of Xinjiang.

METHODSA total of 449 healthy Han Chinese participating the cardiovascular risk survey between June 2007 and September 2009 were included, the genotypes of the SAA1 were detected by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The mean IMT of the right and left common carotid arteries were measured by B-mode ultrasonography.

RESULTS(1) There was strong linkage disequilibrium between rs12218 and rs2229338 (D' = 0.89). (2) The carotid common IMT (CC-IMT) and the carotid bulb IMT (CB-IMT) were similar between the AA genotype (wild genotype) and the GGFAG genotype (mutational genotype) in rs2229338 of SAA1 gene. (3) CC-IMT [(0.081 ± 0.071) cm vs (0.068 ± 0.019) cm, P = 0.01] was significantly thicker in CC + CT genotype (mutational genotype) group than in TT genotype (wild genotype) of rs12218 group and the difference remains significant after adjustment for age, gender, blood pressure, waist circumference, creatinine and high density lipoprotein cholesterol. CB-IMT [(0.085 ± 0.038) cm vs. (0.081 ± 0.052) cm, P = 0.36] was similar between CC + CT genotype and TT genotype of rs12218 groups.

CONCLUSIONOur results suggested that the genetic polymorphism of SAA1 might be linked with IMT and rs12218 mutation could serve as a promoting factor for IMT in Han Chinese people.

Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Female ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Serum Amyloid A Protein ; genetics

Objective To investigate carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and the correlated risk factors in Han, Uygur, Hazakh residents over 35 years old of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Method Cross-sectional and cluster sampling random selected method was carried out for residents over 35 years old in Han, Uygur, Hazakh population of Xinjiang to investigate IMT and correlated risk factors. Results IMT of Han, Uygur, Hazakh residents over 35 years old of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region was (0. 0761 ± 0. 0283 ) cm, (0. 0663 ± 0. 0262) cm, and (0. 0781 ± 0. 0274 ) cm, respectively. There were significantly difference between various nationality( all P ＜0. 05 ). IMT was thicker in male Han people than in female Han people [(0. 0807 ± 0. 0288 )cm vs. (0. 0717 ± 0. 0270 ) cm, P ＜ 0. 01] and in male Uygur than in female Uygnr residents [(0. 0706 ±0. 0270)cm vs. (0. 0633 ±0. 0252)cm, P ＜0. 01]and in male Hazakh and female Hazakh residents [(0. 0794 ± 0. 0280) cm vs. (0. 0768 ± 0. 0268 ) cm, P ＜ 0. 01].Linear correlation analysis showed that age ( r = 0. 176, P ＜ 0. 05 ), systolic blood pressure ( r = 0. 168, P ＜ 0. 05 ), diastolic blood pressure ( r = 0. 167, P ＜ 0. 05 ), fasting blood glucose ( r = 0. 053, P ＜ 0. 05 ), total cholesterol(r = 0.097,P ＜ 0.05) and ankle brachial index (r = 0.067, P ＜ 0.05) were significantly correlated with IMT. Conclusions Our results showed that IMT was thicker in Hazakh residents than in Han and Uygnr residents. IMT was closely related to known cardiovascular risk factors including age,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol and ankle brachial index level.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the genetic polymorphisms of rs2229338 and rs12218 loci of serum amyloid protein A1 (SAA1) gene in healthy Chinese Han and Uighur populations of Xinjiang.

METHODSThe genotypes of the SAA1 gene were detected in 316 Uighur and 362 Han healthy individuals by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

RESULTSThe genotype distributions of both populations were in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (both P>0.05). The frequencies of AA, AG and GG genotypes of the rs2229338 locus were 76.6%, 23.4%, and 0 in the Uighurs, and 91.7%, 7.7% and 0.6% in the Hans. There was significant difference in distribution of genotypes between the two populations (P<0.01). The frequencies of CC, CT and TT genotypes of the rs12218 locus were 10.1%, 47.5%, and 42.4% in Uighurs, and 3.3%, 34.3% and 62.4% in Hans. There was also significant difference in distribution of genotypes between the two populations (P<0.01). The A-C and G-T haplotypes were more frequent in the Uighur but the A-T haplotype was more common in the Han population, respectively (both P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe mutational frequencies of the tagging SNPs in rs2229338 and rs12218 loci of theSAA1 gene in the Uighurs may be higher than those in Hans.

Alleles ; Amyloid ; genetics ; metabolism ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; ethics ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; ethics ; genetics ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Protease Nexins ; genetics ; Serum Amyloid A Protein ; genetics

Objective To investigate the prevalence and distributing feature of overweight and obesity in Han, Uygur and Hazakh population in adults from Xinjiang. Methods Four-stage selected random samples with maternal age at 35 or over were used to analyze the prevalence and distributing feature of self-reported congestive heart failure in different nationalities, age, sex. The sampled adult population were collected from 6 localities(Urumqi, Kelamayi, Fukang, the Turfan Basin locality, Hetian locality, Yili Hazakh autonomous prefecture), 23 municipalities and 7 locality and 5 autonomous counties in Xinjiang. Results 16 460 people were surveyed. The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were 36.1% and 26.9% in Han, Uygur and Hazakh population in Xinjiang,respectively from February, 2007. The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were 41.4% and18.4% in Han population, 34.9% and 28.9% in Uygur population, but 32.8% and 40.1% in Hazakh population. The prevalence rate of overweight and obesity was higher in males(x2= 135.00, P＜0.05).The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were different between different ethnic groups(x2=338.232, P＜0.05). The prevalence of overweight was highest in Han population, with the highest seen in Hazakh population. The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were increasing with age (x2=246.80,P＜0.05). The overweight rate in 45-54 year olds and the obesity rate in 55-64 year olds reached their peak values. Results from logistic regression model analyses indicated that the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Xinjiang were statistically associated with age, educational level, jobs, smoking and alcohol consumption. Conclusion The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were much higher in the population of Xinjiang but different among ethnicities. The prevalence of overweight was the highest in Han male population and the rate of obesity in Hazakh male population was the highest.

Objective To investigate the relationship between stroke and ankle-brachial index (ABI), pulse wave velocity (PWV) in Han, Uighur, and Kazakh populations of Xinjiang. Methods Data was from the investigation of cardiovascular risk survey (CRS) program among different nationalities in Xinjiang from October 2007 to March 2010. A total of 14 618 samples aged over 35 with complete data dimension were surveyed. Results ( 1 ) There were 633 patients with stroke, including 258 Hans (4.48%), 247 Uighurs (5.18%), and 128 Kazakhs (3.13%). The incidence of stroke was significant different in the three ethnic groups (P＜0.001). (2)Compared to the Han population, the incidence of stroke was higher ( OR= 1.304) in Uighur but lower (OR=0.794) in Kazakh. (3) PWV was significant different between stroke and non-stroke patients. After adjustment for age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, triglyceride, total cholesterol and other risk factors, the difference remained significant, indicating that PWV (OR=1.001, P＜0.001) might associate with the occurrence of stroke. Conclusion The results of this study showed that the incidence of stroke was significantly different in the three ethnic groups. PWV might associate with the occurrence of stroke.

Objective To investigate the prevalence and distributing feature of chronic heart failure (CHF) in adult population of Xinjiang. Methods Four-stage random sampling method was used to analyze the prevalence and distributing feature of self-reported congestive heart failure among different nationalities in adult (35 years and over) population of Xinjiang. Sampling was collected from 6 localities ( Urumqi, Kelamayi, Fukang, Turfan Basin, Hetian, Yili Hazakh). Results A total of 8459 adults were surveyed. The prevalence of CHF was 1.26% in this cohort The prevalence of CHF was 0.89% , 1. 11% and 2. 14% * in Han, Uygur and Hazakh population, respectively ( * P <0. 05 vs. Han and Uygur). The risk of CHF was higher in the males than in the females ( 1. 61% vs. 0. 93% , u = 2. 79, P < 0. 05 ) . The prevalence of CHF increased in proportion with aging and was 0. 29% , 0. 60% , 1. 32% , 2. 55% and 4. 10% in 35 - 44, 45 - 54, 55 - 64, 65 - 74, 75 years and over age groups, respectively. Common complications of CHF were hypertension ( 63. 55% ), coronary heart disease ( 42. 99% ) , diabetes (18.69%), valvular heart disease (5.61%) and atrial fibrillation (4.67%). Conclusion The prevalence of CHF in Xinjiang was higher than the average level in China (0. 9% ) and was the highest in the Hazakh population.