Objective To establish and evaluate a mouse model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)induced by cigarette smoke(CS).Methods Forty BALB/c mice were divided randomly into a control group and a CS group.Mice in the CS group were subjected to passive smoking for 20 weeks and a COPD model was established.Morphological changes in the organs and lung,heart,liver,and kidney fibrosis were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and Masson staining.Lung,cardiac,and brain cognitive function were evaluated by pulmonary function testing,small-animal ultrasound,and Morris water maze trials.Tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-6 and IL-1β levels in lung and brain tissues were detected by ELISA.Liver and renal functions were measured by biochemical method.Results The alveolar septum was narrowed or broken in mice in the CS group,and the adjacent alveolar cavity was enlarged and fused,consistent with the pathological changes of COPD.Neuronal degeneration and necrosis were observed in the hippocampus,but there were no significant morphological changes in other organs.Masson staining showed no obvious fibrosis in the lung,heart,liver,or kidney in CS-group mice.The result of pulmonary function tests showed that the forced expiratory volume in 0.1 second/forced vital capacity(FEV 0.1/FVC)and dynamic compliance were significantly decreased in the CS group compared with the control group,while airway resistance was obviously increased.Cognitive impairment in mice in the CS group was confirmed in the Morris water maze trial.TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β levels in lung and brain tissues were higher in the CS group compared with the control group.There were no significant differences in cardiac,liver,and renal functions between the groups.Conclusions A mouse model of COPD can be established by CS exposure for 20 weeks.Lung histomorphology,lung function,brain cognitive function,and levels of inflammatory factors can be used as indicators to evaluate the success of the model.

Objective To establish and evaluate a mouse model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)induced by cigarette smoke(CS).Methods Forty BALB/c mice were divided randomly into a control group and a CS group.Mice in the CS group were subjected to passive smoking for 20 weeks and a COPD model was established.Morphological changes in the organs and lung,heart,liver,and kidney fibrosis were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and Masson staining.Lung,cardiac,and brain cognitive function were evaluated by pulmonary function testing,small-animal ultrasound,and Morris water maze trials.Tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-6 and IL-1β levels in lung and brain tissues were detected by ELISA.Liver and renal functions were measured by biochemical method.Results The alveolar septum was narrowed or broken in mice in the CS group,and the adjacent alveolar cavity was enlarged and fused,consistent with the pathological changes of COPD.Neuronal degeneration and necrosis were observed in the hippocampus,but there were no significant morphological changes in other organs.Masson staining showed no obvious fibrosis in the lung,heart,liver,or kidney in CS-group mice.The result of pulmonary function tests showed that the forced expiratory volume in 0.1 second/forced vital capacity(FEV 0.1/FVC)and dynamic compliance were significantly decreased in the CS group compared with the control group,while airway resistance was obviously increased.Cognitive impairment in mice in the CS group was confirmed in the Morris water maze trial.TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β levels in lung and brain tissues were higher in the CS group compared with the control group.There were no significant differences in cardiac,liver,and renal functions between the groups.Conclusions A mouse model of COPD can be established by CS exposure for 20 weeks.Lung histomorphology,lung function,brain cognitive function,and levels of inflammatory factors can be used as indicators to evaluate the success of the model.

Objective:To explore the method of fertility preservation in severe β-thalassemia prepubertal boys who cannot produce sperm before gonadotoxicity therapy.Methods:Three cases of severe β-thalassemia patients who were going to undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) were reported. They were received testis cryopreservation by slow-rate freezing. The necessity of fertility preservation in prepubertal boys and the methods of fertility persevation, testicular cryopreservation and the downstream techniques were stated.Results:Totally 31, 31, 20 pieces of testicular tissue were frozen by slow-rate freezing in three boys respectively and the freezing process went smoothly.Conclusion:The cryopreservation of testicular tissue can preserve the fertility of severe β-thalassemia prepuberty boys who will receive HSCT, leaving hope for offspring.

Objective:To explore the method of fertility preservation in severe β-thalassemia prepubertal boys who cannot produce sperm before gonadotoxicity therapy.Methods:Three cases of severe β-thalassemia patients who were going to undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) were reported. They were received testis cryopreservation by slow-rate freezing. The necessity of fertility preservation in prepubertal boys and the methods of fertility persevation, testicular cryopreservation and the downstream techniques were stated.Results:Totally 31, 31, 20 pieces of testicular tissue were frozen by slow-rate freezing in three boys respectively and the freezing process went smoothly.Conclusion:The cryopreservation of testicular tissue can preserve the fertility of severe β-thalassemia prepuberty boys who will receive HSCT, leaving hope for offspring.

Objective:To analyze the effect of Croton leaf on ERK1/2 pathway in hippocampal of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.Methods:A total of 216 SD male rats were divided into sham operation group, model group, nimodipine group, low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups of croton leaf according to random nubmer table method, with 36 rats in each group. The MACO model of rats was prepared by the method of wire embolization. The high, medium and low dose groups were intragastrated with the water decoction 0.06 g/ml, 0.12 g/ml and 0.18 g/ml of Croton leaf; nimodipine group was intragastrated with nimodipine suspension 1.08 g/L; sham operation group and model group were intragastrated with equal volume of normal saline. Garcia JH score was used to conduct neurological function score, and HE staining was used to observe the morphology of hippocampal neurons after 7 days of continuous administration. Apoptosis of hippocampal CA3/DG region was detected by TUNEL assay. Western Blot was used to detect the expression of ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 proteins.Results:Compared with the model group at simultaneous point, the neurological function scores of low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups of Croton leaf increased ( P<0.01), the number of apoptotic cells decreased ( P<0.01), the expression of p-ERK1/2 / ERK1/2 [1 d: (0.22±0.03, 0.34±0.02, 0.46±0.01 vs. 0.19±0.02); 3 d: (0.38±0.02, 0.50±0.02, 0.68±0.02 vs. 0.27±0.02); 7 d: (0.29±0.03, 0.43±0.02, 0.59±0.02 vs. 0.21±0.03)] in hippocampus of the low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups of Croton leaf significantly increased ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Croton leaf could regulate the expression of ERK1/2 pathway protein upward, effectively improve the neural function and resist the apoptosis of hippocampal CA3/DG area of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Objective:To investigate the normal range of exhaled nitric oxide in healthy children aged 6-18 in Jinan.Methods:The healthy school children aged 6-18 in Jinan from October 11 to 26, 2017 were selected for questionnaire survey, physical examination and exhaled nitric oxide test.The levels of mouth exhaled nitric oxide at the flow rate of 50 mL/s (FeNO 50) and mouth exhaled nitric oxide at the flow rate of 200 mL/s(FeNO 200), alveolar nitric oxide (CaNO), and nasal exhaled nitric oxide at the flow rate of 10 mL/s(FnNO 10) were measured by the electroche-mical method.The distributions of FeNO 50, FeNO 200, CaNO and FnNO 10 were analyzed, and their correlations with gender, age, height and body mass index (BMI) were discussed by the multiple linear regression model. Results:A total of 772 healthy children were enrolled in this study, including 364 males and 408 females, with a median age of 12.1(11.8-12.3) years old, a median height of 154.8(153.6-156.0) cm, and a median BMI of 20.3 (20.0-20.6) kg/m 2. The measured values of FeNO 50, FeNO 200, CaNO and FnNO 10 fluctuated in the range of 3.0-168.0 ppb, 2.0-44.0 ppb, 0.5-44.2 ppb and 0-1 253.0 ppb, respectively.FeNO 50, FeNO 200 and CaNO values showed skewed a distribution, and their 95% upper limits were 35.0 ppb, 13.3 ppb and 8.5 ppb, respectively.The geometric mean(95% CI) of FeNO 50 in males (95% CI)[14.6 (13.7-15.5) ppb] was significantly higher than that in females [13.3(12.7-14.0) ppb], and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=1.470, P=0.027). The multiple linear regression results suggested that, FeNO 50 was positively correlated with age and height ( β=0.023, 0.007, respectively, all P<0.05), and negatively correlated with BMI ( β=-0.016, P<0.05). The geometric mean (95% CI) of FeNO 200in males[7.1 (6.8-7.4) ppb] was significantly higher than that in females[6.4 (6.1-6.6) ppb], and the difference was statistically significant( Z=1.747, P=0.004). The multiple linear regression results suggested that, FeNO 200 was positively correlated with height ( β=0.005) and negatively correlated with gender(female β=-1.126) (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference between male and female in CaNO, which had no correlation with gender, age, height and BMI (all P>0.05). FnNO 10 showed a normal distribution, with a mean value of 456.2 ppb, 95% CI of 29.3-863.4 ppb.The geometric mean (95% CI) of FnNO 10 in males [408.7 (377.1-443.0) ppb] was significantly higher than that in females [368.8 (339.0-401.3) ppb], and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=1.722, P=0.005). The multiple linear regression results indicated that FnNO 10 was related to gender ( β=-36.098, P<0.05), and not correlated with age, height and BMI (all P>0.05). Conclusions:The normal ranges of FeNO 50, FeNO 200, CaNO and FnNO 10 in healthy children aged 6-18 in Jinan are 3.0-35.0 ppb, 2.0-13.3 ppb, 0.5~8.5 ppb and 29.3-863.4 ppb, respectively.FeNO 50 is correlated with age, height and BMI.FeNO 200 is correlated with gender and height.CaNO and FnNO 10 are not correlated with age, height or BMI.

In order to improve transformation efficiency of phytosterols into 9α-hydroxylation of 4-androstene-3,17-dione (9α-OH-AD) by Mycobacterium sp. LY-1, we studied the strains breeding using atmospheric and room temperature plasma (ARTP) technology and optimized their conversion process. A high production strain named C33 with a good genetic stability was selected and the product molar yield reached to 15.5%, 34.8% higher than that of original strain with 15 g/L phytosterols. Furthermore, the fermentation medium was optimized through the design of orthogonal experiment. Besides, oil-water bidirectional transformation system was set up to improve the 9α-OH-AD molar yield of mutant strain C33. With adding 12 mL soybean oil to each 1 g phytosterols, the molar yield of 9α-OH-AD reached 47.0%, which increased twice than that of control (15.5%).

Objective To investigate the relationship between the plasma galectin-3 level and the severity of cerebral artery atherosclerosis as well as the prognosis of patients with large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) stroke.Methods According to the TOAST classification,105 patients with LAA stroke,50 patients with small artery occlusion (SAO) stroke,33 patients with asymptomatic cerebral artery stenosis,and 60 healthy controls were enrolled.The plasma galectin-3 level was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.According to the number of cerebral arteries with atherosclerosis,the LAA group was divided into single-branch lesions group (n =30),double-branch lesions group (n =30) and multi-branch lesions group (n =45).Plasma galectin-3 levels were compared among the three subgroups,and the associations between galectin-3 and the severity of cerebral atherosclerosis were analyzed.The LAA group patients were followed up for three months,and the value of galectin-3 on predicting the prognosis of patients with LAA stroke was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores.Results The plasma galectin-3 level in LAA group ((13.64 ± 3.08) ng/ml) was significantly higher than in SAO group ((12.20 ± 2.88) ng/ml) and control group ((11.89 ± 2.93) ng/ml;t =2.790,3.617,P =0.006,0.000).Besides,the plasma galectin-3 level in asymptomatic stenosis group ((13.94 ± 2.89) ng/ml) was significantly higher than in SAO group and control group (t =2.695,3.238,P =0.009,0.002).However,the differences between asymptomatic stenosis group and LAA group,SAO group and control group were not statistically significant.In LAA group,the plasma galectin-3 level in multi-branch lesions group ((15.02 ±2.94) ng/ml) was significantly higher than in double-branch lesions group ((13.47 ± 2.88) ng,/ml) and single-branch lesions group ((11.73 ± 2.43) ng/ml;t =2.261,5.080,P =0.027,0.000).The plasma galectin-3 level in double-branch lesions group was significantly higher than in single-branch lesions group (t =2.532,P =0.014).The plasma galectin-3 level and the range of atherosclerosis and mRS scores were positively correlated (r =0.433,0.629;P =0.000,0.000).The area under the ROC curve of plasma galectin-3 level and prognosis was 0.812 (95％ CI O.726-0.897,P =0.000).Conclusions The plasma galectin-3 level was found associated with the severity of cerebral artery atherosclerosis,but not with acute onset of LAA and SAO stroke.Galectin-3 may be involved in the inflammatory pathogenesis and development of cerebral atherosclerosis,and may have the potential to become a plasma marker for evaluating the severity of cerebral artery atherosclerosis and judging the prognosis of patients with LAA stroke.

ObjectiveTo explore the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients with primary aldosteronism(PA) and the correlation with plasma aldosterone concentration. MethodsThe incidence of MS was retrospectively analyzed in 216 patients with PA from October 2008 to July 2010. Results( 1 ) The prevalence of MS was 47. 69％ in the patients with PA. As the individual components of MS, the incidence of overweight/obesity,raised blood triglyceride ( TG ) level, impaired glucose regulation ( IGR), lowered high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ( HDL-C), and diabetes mellitus( DM ) was 51.13％, 22. 52％, 19.62％, 3.82％, and 2.94％, respectively. (2)The most common combination of MS components was overweight/obesity+high TG, followed by overweight/obesity+ lowered HDL-C, and overweight/obesity + DM, with the incidence of 35. 19％,15.74％, and 11.57％,respectively. (3) The incidence of overweight/obesity and IGR was raised progressively with the increasing plasma aldosterone level. (4) The prevalence of MS was significantly lower in Han patients (45.3％) than in Uygur ( 64. 0％ ), but higher than in Kazakh (42. 9％, both P＜0. 05 ). ConclusionsThe prevalence of MS in patients with PA was high. The prevalences of MS and its components were gradually rising with plasma aldosterone level.