Background::The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been rapidly growing in Chinese populations in recent decades, and the shift in eating habits is a key contributing factor to this increase. Eating out of home (EOH) is one of the major shifts in eating habits during this period. However, the influence of EOH on the incidence of T2DM among Chinese urban workers is unknown.Methods::The cross-sectional study involved an analysis of 13,904 urban workers recruited from 11 health examination centers in the major cities of China to explore the relationship between EOH and T2DM between 2013 September and 2016 March.Results::Average weekly EOH frequency ≥10 times was positively associated with increased incidence of T2DM in the sampled population (OR: 1.31 [1.11-1.54], p < 0.01), most notably in participants ≤45 years old (OR: 1.41[1.11-1.80], p < 0.01]) and in males (OR:1.26 [1.06-1.51], p < 0.01). An EOH frequency of 5 times/week appears as a threshold for a significant increase in the odds of T2DM. Weekly EOH frequency ≥5 times was associated with increased odds of T2DM in a dose-response manner in the total population and almost all subgroups ( poverall association < 0.05 and pnonlinearity ≤ 0.05). Conclusion::This study showed that a frequency of EOH (≥5 times/week) was associated with a frequency-dependent increase in the odds of T2DM urban workers in China. More nutrition promotion is needed to improve the eating behavior of Chinese urban workers to reduce T2DM risk.

Objective:To investigate and summarize the imaging and pathological features of non-acute occlusion following flow diverter (FD) implantation in animal models.Methods:Four experimental pigs (experimental group) that experienced non-acute occlusion (occlusion time exceeding 24 hours) within the FD stent implanted in the common carotid artery, and 19 pigs (control group) that did not experience stent occlusion during the same period were involved. Using an interventional approach under digital subtraction angiography (DSA), the 4 occluded FD lumens were mechanically opened. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and histopathological examinations were performed to evaluate the intraluminal composition and characteristics of the occlusive tissues. These findings were compared with non-occluded FD stents to summarize the imaging and pathological changes within the occluded FD lumen.Results:The occlusion times of the FD stents in the 4 experimental pigs were 16 weeks, 20 weeks, 20 weeks, and 24 weeks postoperatively. All occluded stents were successfully recanalized under DSA, with a technical success rate of 4/4. Among the 19 non-occluded FD stents, OCT and IVUS revealed uniform (16 stents) or non-uniform (3 stents) neointimal coverage of the stent struts, presenting as homogeneous high/slightly high signal intensity or medium echogenicity. Histopathological examination indicated that the neointima was primarily composed of smooth muscle cells and a small amount of fibrous connective tissues. In contrast, the 4 occluded FD stents demonstrated excessive neointimal proliferation and plaque formation, leading to luminal loss, as shown by OCT and IVUS. The occlusion tissues predominantly presented as homogeneous high signal intensity with weak attenuation (fibrous plaques) on OCT, with some regions showing blurred low signal intensity and strong attenuation (lipid plaques). IVUS presented homogeneous echogenicity (fibrous plaques) and hypoechogenic zones (lipid plaques). Histopathological examination showed that the occlusion tissues mainly consisted of smooth muscle cells, fibrous connective tissues, and lipids, accompanied by numerous foam cells and a minor presence of inflammatory cells.Conclusions:Histopathological examinations confirm that non-acute occlusion of FD is mainly caused by excessive hyperplasia of intima along with the formation of fibrous plaques and lipid plaques. OCT and IVUS have typical finding in imaging that can assist in determining the cause of stent occlusion as well as the lesion's nature, thereby providing crucial guidance for subsequent clinical treatment and drug selection.

Background::The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been rapidly growing in Chinese populations in recent decades, and the shift in eating habits is a key contributing factor to this increase. Eating out of home (EOH) is one of the major shifts in eating habits during this period. However, the influence of EOH on the incidence of T2DM among Chinese urban workers is unknown.Methods::The cross-sectional study involved an analysis of 13,904 urban workers recruited from 11 health examination centers in the major cities of China to explore the relationship between EOH and T2DM between 2013 September and 2016 March.Results::Average weekly EOH frequency ≥10 times was positively associated with increased incidence of T2DM in the sampled population (OR: 1.31 [1.11-1.54], p < 0.01), most notably in participants ≤45 years old (OR: 1.41[1.11-1.80], p < 0.01]) and in males (OR:1.26 [1.06-1.51], p < 0.01). An EOH frequency of 5 times/week appears as a threshold for a significant increase in the odds of T2DM. Weekly EOH frequency ≥5 times was associated with increased odds of T2DM in a dose-response manner in the total population and almost all subgroups ( poverall association < 0.05 and pnonlinearity ≤ 0.05). Conclusion::This study showed that a frequency of EOH (≥5 times/week) was associated with a frequency-dependent increase in the odds of T2DM urban workers in China. More nutrition promotion is needed to improve the eating behavior of Chinese urban workers to reduce T2DM risk.

Objective:To investigate and summarize the imaging and pathological features of non-acute occlusion following flow diverter (FD) implantation in animal models.Methods:Four experimental pigs (experimental group) that experienced non-acute occlusion (occlusion time exceeding 24 hours) within the FD stent implanted in the common carotid artery, and 19 pigs (control group) that did not experience stent occlusion during the same period were involved. Using an interventional approach under digital subtraction angiography (DSA), the 4 occluded FD lumens were mechanically opened. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and histopathological examinations were performed to evaluate the intraluminal composition and characteristics of the occlusive tissues. These findings were compared with non-occluded FD stents to summarize the imaging and pathological changes within the occluded FD lumen.Results:The occlusion times of the FD stents in the 4 experimental pigs were 16 weeks, 20 weeks, 20 weeks, and 24 weeks postoperatively. All occluded stents were successfully recanalized under DSA, with a technical success rate of 4/4. Among the 19 non-occluded FD stents, OCT and IVUS revealed uniform (16 stents) or non-uniform (3 stents) neointimal coverage of the stent struts, presenting as homogeneous high/slightly high signal intensity or medium echogenicity. Histopathological examination indicated that the neointima was primarily composed of smooth muscle cells and a small amount of fibrous connective tissues. In contrast, the 4 occluded FD stents demonstrated excessive neointimal proliferation and plaque formation, leading to luminal loss, as shown by OCT and IVUS. The occlusion tissues predominantly presented as homogeneous high signal intensity with weak attenuation (fibrous plaques) on OCT, with some regions showing blurred low signal intensity and strong attenuation (lipid plaques). IVUS presented homogeneous echogenicity (fibrous plaques) and hypoechogenic zones (lipid plaques). Histopathological examination showed that the occlusion tissues mainly consisted of smooth muscle cells, fibrous connective tissues, and lipids, accompanied by numerous foam cells and a minor presence of inflammatory cells.Conclusions:Histopathological examinations confirm that non-acute occlusion of FD is mainly caused by excessive hyperplasia of intima along with the formation of fibrous plaques and lipid plaques. OCT and IVUS have typical finding in imaging that can assist in determining the cause of stent occlusion as well as the lesion's nature, thereby providing crucial guidance for subsequent clinical treatment and drug selection.

OBJECTIVE To study the protective effects of ligustrazine-scutellarein twin drug ST-11 on rat adrenal medullary pheochromocytoma PC12 cell injury induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion （OGD/R） and its mechanism. METHODS PC12 cells were divided into blank group， model group， nimodipine group （positive control， 5 μmol/L） and different concentration groups of ST-11 （5， 10， 20 μmol/L）. After 24 hours of pre-administration intervention， all the other groups except the blank group were cultured in glucose-free DMEM culture medium containing 10 mmol/L Na2S2O4 for 4 hours with glucose deficiency and hypoxia. After 4 hours of glucose and oxygen re-introduction， the survival rate of cells in each group， the contents of lactate dehydrogenase （LDH）， catalase （CAT）， glutathione （GSH）， malondialdehyde （MDA） and superoxide dismutase （SOD） in cell supernatant， apoptosis rate， the levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS） and mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP）， the protein expressions of B-cell lymphoma 2 related X protein （Bax）， B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2） and caspase-3 were all detected in each group. RESULTS Compared with blank group， the cell survival rate， the contents of CAT， GSH and SOD in cell supernatant， MMP level， relative expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-2/Bax ratio in model group decreased significantly （P＜0.05）， while the contents of LDH and MDA， ROS level， apoptosis rate， relative expressions of Bax and caspase-3 were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. Compared with model group， above indexes of ST-11 groups （except for the protein expression of caspase-3 in 5 μmol/L ST-11 group） were reversed signifi-cantly （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ST-11 has a certain protec-tive effect on OGD/R-injured PC12 cells， and its effects may be related to reduction of oxidative stress and inhibition of cell apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE:To study the effects of Tanshinone capsules on glucose and lipid metabolism and serum sex hormone level in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS:90 female SD rats were randomly divided into normal group (distilled water),model group (distilled water),positive control group (metformin 200 mg/kg) and Tanshinone capsules low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose groups(30,60,90 mg/kg),with 15 rats in each group. Those groups were induced PCOS mod-el except for normal group;after modeling,those groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically for consecutive 28 d,once a day. The ovulation rate was compared before intervention and 28 d after intervention. Body weight,fat wet weight,fasting insulin (FINS),fasting blood-glucose (FPG),AUC of glucose,HOMA-IR,ISI,serum levels of FSH,LH and T were detected. RE-SULTS:Compared with normal group,anovulation,body weight,fat wet weight,FINS,FPG,AUC of glucose,HOMA-IR, FSH,LH and T were all increased significantly in model group,while ISI decreased significantly(P<0.05). Compared with mod-el group,ovulation rate and ISI of positive control group and Tanshinone capsules groups were increased significantly after interven-tion, while body weight (except for Tanshinone capsules low-dose group), fat wet weight (except for Tanshinone capsules low-dose group),FINS,FPG,AUC of glucose,HOMA-IR,FSH,LH and T were all decreased significantly(P<0.05),especial-ly in Tanshinone capsules high-dose group and positive control group. CONCLUSIONS:Tanshinone capsules can regulate glucose and lipid metabolism and serum sex hormone secretion disorder in PCOS rats.

Objective To investigate the effect of Bunao capsule on learning,memory and antioxidative abilities of rats with Alzhheimer’s disease(AD)induced by D-galactose combined with amyloid β-protein(Aβ25-35 ),and provide experimental basis for the prevention and treatemtn of AD. Methods A total of 90 SD male rats were randomly divided into model control group,piracetam group,sham operated group,Bunao capsule(0.79,1.58,3.15 g·kg-1 )groups(n= 15 each).The rat models were established by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose and injection of Aβ25-35 into the bilateral lateral cerebral ventricle.Then rats were given corresponding drugs by gavage in different groups for 8 weeks.The learning and memory abilities were meseured by Morris water maze test.The morphology of brain cells was observed by HE staining.The activities of glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)and superoxide dismutase( SOD),and the malondialdehyde( MDA)contents in the brain tissues were measured by spectrophotometry. Results The target quadrant residence time was(20.39±7.75)s and(20.82±5.09)s in Bunao capsule (1.58,3.15 g·kg-1 )groups,which were significantly increased as compared with that in model control group[(12. 35 ± 6.95)s](P<0.01).Brain nerve cell morphology in Bunao capsule(1.58,3.15 g·kg-1 )groups was obviously improved as compared with that in model control group,and was close to that in sham operated group.The activities of GSH-Px and SOD were significantly increased,and MDA contents decreased in Bunao capsule groups as compared with those in model control group (P<0.01). Conclusion Bunao capsule can dose-dependently improve the learning,memory and antioxidative abilities of AD rats.The mechanism may involve upregulation of antioxidative enzyme activities and removal of oxidative products.

AIM:To investigate the changes of histone modifications during the activation of primarily cultured rat hepatic stellate cells ( HSCs) and the relationship between histone modification patterns andα-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, and to explore the roles of histone modifications in the activation of HSCs.METHODS:The rat HSCs were isolated by in situ perfusion of collagenase combined with density gradient centrifugation, cultured in vitro and identi-fied by immunofluorescence staining.The morphological features of the cells were observed under inverted microscope.The changes of desmin and α-SMA during the activation of HSCs were detected by immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting.The levels of histone 3 lysine 4 dimethylation (H3K4me2), histone 3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2), his-tone 3 lysine 9 acetylation (acH3K9) and histone 4 lysine 12 acetylation (acH4K12) in quiescent HSCs and activated HSCs were determined by Western blotting.RESULTS: The morphology of HSCs shifted from a quiescent phenotype to highly activated myofibroblast during the culture.Immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting showed that the expres-sion levels of α-SMA and desmin were increased over time and reached maximum at 15 d.According to the results of cell morphology and immunofluorescence staining, the cells cultured for 24 h and 15 d were quiescent and activated HSCs, re-spectively.Compared with quiescent HSCs, there were higher H3K4me2 and lower H3K9me2, acH3K9 and acH4K12 modification levels in activated HSCs ( P<0.01 ) .CONCLUSION: Histone modifications show anomalous expression during the activation of primarily cultured rat HSCs.Histone modifications may contribute to the transdifferentiation of HSCs and the development of hepatic fibrosis.

In the present study,healthy adults who had been residing at the average altitudes of 6,2260,and 2800 m for 10 years were recruited,and the number of red blood cells,the levels of hemoglobin,and HbA1C were tested.The results showed that the level of HbA1C in altitude 2800 m group was higher compared with the other 2 groups(5.80％ ± 0.50％ vs 5.39％ ± 0.47％,P＜0.05 ).Therefore,this difference should be considered when diagnosis and treatment for diabetes mellitus were made in the region.

Objective To investigate the genetic relation between Cryptococcus neoformans var.the clinical strains in MLMT - 13 genotype and the environmental strains in MLMT - 36 genotype. Methods Multilocus microsatellite typing (MLMT) method was applied for the genotype analysis in our study.Through this method, we recognized two genotypes that distinguish a majority of clinical and environmental strains. In order to compare virulence between the two types, we chose to infect BALB/c mice (6 weeks,female) with 9 MLMT-13 strains and 10 MLMT-36 strains intravenously. Results Forty( 17 clinical and 23 environmental isolates) were analyzed. Of 17 clinical strains, 9 belonged to a major type of MLMT-13 (52.9%). They were mainly isolated from clinical specimens. About 43.5% of strains from the environment belong to a major type of MLMT-36, which are indigenous to environments and which were not isolated from clinical samples. The mortality rate and pathological changes of the above mice were observed during two months after injection. The results showed that the mortality rate of mice infected with MLMT-13 strains was 100%, while the mortality rate with MLMT-36 strains was 7. 5%. The pathological sections showed that lesions of MLMT-13 infected mice appeared in the brain, lungs, liver and kidneys, while the lesions of MLMT-36 infected mice only appeared in the brain. Most brains of MLMT-13 infected mice were distorted,and both the number and size of lesions in such brains were much larger than those of MLMT-36 infected mice. Conclusion Our study illustrated the virulent difference between MLMT-13 and MLMT-36, which are isolated from patients and environment respectively. The results inferred that some genetic changes, such ss microsatellite repeats, might occur between environmental and clinical isolates through their environmental adaptation progress.