Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis

Objective:To determine the therapeutic effect of in vitro cultivation of bezoar on a mouse model adding disease with syndrome of coronavirus pneumonia with Yidu Xifei syndrome. Method:BALB/c mice were randomly divided into six groups according to their weight grade： normal group， HCoV-229E infection group， cold and damp group， a mouse model combining disease with syndrome of coronavirus pneumonia with Yidu Xifei syndrome， and high and low dose group of in vitro cultivation of bezoar. The combination model of human coronavirus pneumonia with Yidu Xifei syndrome mice was established by the method of cold dampness condition stimulation+coronavirus HCoV-229E infection. In vitro cultivation of bezoar （0.128，0.064 g·kg^-1） was administrated by gavage for 3 days from the day of infection. The observation indexes included： general state observation of mice， inhibition rate of lung index and lung index of mice. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the viral load in the lung tissues of mice. Serum levels of motilin（MTL）， gastrin （GAS）， and cytokines interleukin（IL）-10，IL-6， tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α）and interferon-γ（IFN-γ） in lung tissue of mice were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）. The percentages of CD4⁺ T lymphocytes，CD8⁺ T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes in the blood of mice were determined by flow cytometry. Result:The high and low dose group of in vitro cultivation of bezoar can significantly improve the general condition of model mice. Compared with blank group， model group mice lung index increased significantly （P<0.01）， nucleic acids significantly increased expression of lung tissue in mice （P<0.01）， significantly higher serum MTL content in mice， GAS content significantly decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）， lung tissue cells in the immune factor TNF-α， IL-10 and IL-6 were significantly increased （P<0.01）， peripheral blood lymphocyte CD4⁺ T cells in mice， The percentages of CD8⁺ T cells and B cells were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， in vitro cultivation bezoar mice lung index of high and low dose group were significantly lower （P<0.01）， the lung tissue of mice express nucleic acid decreased significantly （P<0.01）， MTL content decreased significantly （P<0.01）， the lung tissue of mice in the IL-6， IL-10， the TNF-α， IFN-γ levels were significantly lower （P<0.01）， in vitro cultivation bezoar high dose group can significantly increase the CD4⁺ T cell percentage （P<0.05）， in vitro cultivation bezoar can to a certain extent reduce model mice lung inflammatory exudation， pulmonary interstitial edema， as well as blood stasis symptoms. Conclusion:In vitro cultivation of bezoar has a significant therapeutic effect on a mice model adding disease with syndrome of coronavirus pneumonia with Yidu Xifei syndrome. It can be treated by reducing the lung index of the model mice， improving the pathological damage of the lung tissue， adjusting the immune effective and inhibiting the clearing of inflammatory factors， and to provide a laboratory basis for clinical medication.

Adolescent ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Puberty ; Self-Injurious Behavior ; epidemiology ; Sex Characteristics ; Sex Factors ; Students ; statistics & numerical data ; Violence ; statistics & numerical data

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to evaluate the hepatotoxicity, metabolic disturbance activity and endocrine disrupting activity of mice treated by Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE).

METHODSIn this study, Balb/C mice were treated orally by gavage with various doses of DBDPE. After 30 days of treatment, mice were sacrificed; blood, livers and thyroid glands were obtained, and hepatic microsomes were isolated. Biochemical parameters including 8 clinical chemistry parameters, blood glucose and hormone levels including insulin and thyroid hormone were assayed. The effects of DBDPE on hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) levels and activities and uridinediphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT) activities were investigated. Liver and thyroid glands were observed.

RESULTSThere were no obvious signs of toxicity and no significant treatment effect on body weight, or liver-to-body weight ratios between treatment groups. The levels of ALT and AST of higher dose treatment groups were markedly increased. Blood glucose levels of treatment groups were higher than those of control group. There was also an induction in TSH, T3, and fT3. UDPGT, PROD, and EROD activities were found to have been increased significantly in the high dose group. Histopathologic liver changes were characterized by hepatocyte hypertrophy and cytoplasmic vacuolization. Our findings suggest that DBDPE can cause a certain degree of mouse liver damage and insufficiency.

CONCLUSIONDBDPE has the activity of endocrine disruptors in Bal/C mice, which may induce drug-metabolizing enzymes including CYPs and UDPGT, and interfere with thyroid hormone levels mediated by AhR and CAR signaling pathways. Endocrine disrupting activity of DBDPE could also affect the glucose metabolism homeostasis.

This study was conducted to do exposure assessment of the possible migration of antimony trioxide (Sb2O3) from Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) food contact materials (FCM). Consumption Factor (CF) and Food-type Distribution Factor (fT) were calculated from survey data with reference to the US FDA method. The most conservative migration conditions were obtained by testing Sb migration from PET FCM based on the Chinese national standard of GB/T 5009.101-2003[1]. Migration levels of Sb from PET FCM were tested and migration levels of Sb2O3 were obtained through molecular weight conversion between Sb and Sb2O3. Exposure assessment of Sb2O3 was undertaken. The Chinese Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) of Sb2O3 resulted from PET FCM was 90.7 ng p-1d-1.
Antimony ; analysis ; China ; Environmental Exposure ; Food Contamination ; analysis ; Food Packaging ; standards ; Humans ; Polyethylene Terephthalates

OBJECTIVETo investigate the potential involvement of DMT1 (IRE) protein in the brain vascular system in vivo during Pb exposure.

METHODSThree groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to Pb in drinking water, among which two groups were concurrently administered by oral gavage once every other day as the low and high Fe treatment group, respectively, for 6 weeks. At the same time, the group only supplied with high Fe was also set as a reference. The animals were decapitated, then brain capillary-rich fraction was isolate from cerebral cortex. Western blot method was used to identify protein expression, and RT-PCR to detect the change of the mRNA.

RESULTSPb exposure significantly increased Pb concentrations in cerebral cortex. Low Fe dose significantly reduced the cortex Pb levels, However, high Fe dose increased the cortex Pb levels. Interestingly, changes of DMT1 (IRE) protein in brain capillary-rich fraction were highly related to the Pb level, but those of DMT1 (IRE) mRNA were not significantly different. Moreover, the consistent changes in the levels of p-ERK1/2 or IRP1 with the changes in the levels of DMT1 (IRE).

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that Pb is transported into the brain through DMT1 (IRE), and the ERK MAPK pathway is involved in DMT1 (IRE)-mediated transport regulation in brain vascular system in vivo.

Animals ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cation Transport Proteins ; drug effects ; genetics ; physiology ; Cerebral Cortex ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Dietary Supplements ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Iron ; administration & dosage ; metabolism ; Lead ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; physiology ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Information regarding decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) effects on hepatotoxicity and metabolism is limited. In the present study, Wistar rats were given oral DBDPE at different doses. DBDPE induced oxidative stress, elevated blood glucose levels, increased CYP2B2 mRNA, CYP2B1/2 protein, 7-pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase (PROD) activity, and induced CYP3A2 mRNA, CYP3A2 protein, and luciferin benzylether debenzylase (LBD) activity. UDPGT activity increased with its increasing exposure levels, suggesting that oral DBDPE exposure induces drug-metabolizing enzymes in rats via the CAR/PXR signaling pathway. The induction of CYPs and co-regulated enzymes of phase II biotransformation may affect the homeostasis of endogenous substrates, including thyroid hormones, which may, in turn, alter glucose metabolism.
Animals ; Bromobenzenes ; toxicity ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; enzymology ; etiology ; Female ; Flame Retardants ; toxicity ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Toxicity Tests

BACKGROUNDData on the epidemiology of hypertension in Chinese non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in the non-dialysis CKD patients through a nationwide, multicenter study in China.

METHODSThe survey was performed in 61 tertiary hospitals in 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China (except Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan). Trained physicians collected demographic and clinical data and measured blood pressure (BP) using a standardized protocol. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg, and/or use of antihypertensive medications. BP < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg were used as the 2 thresholds of hypertension control. In multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for sex and age, we analyzed the association between CKD stages and uncontrolled hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients.

RESULTSThe analysis included 8927 non-dialysis CKD patients. The prevalence, awareness, and treatment of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients were 67.3%, 85.8%, and 81.0%, respectively. Of hypertensive CKD patients, 33.1% and 14.1% had controlled BP to < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg, respectively. With successive CKD stages, the prevalence of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients increased, but the control of hypertension decreased (P < 0.001). When the threshold of BP < 130/80 mmHg was considered, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension in CKD 2, 3a, 3b, 4, and 5 stages increased 1.3, 1.4, 1.4, 2.5, and 4.0 times compared with CKD 1 stage, respectively (P < 0.05). Using the threshold of < 140/90 mmHg, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased in advanced stages (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of hypertension Chinese non-dialysis CKD patients was high, and the hypertension control was suboptimal. With successive CKD stages, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased.

Adult ; Aged ; Awareness ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; complications

Adolescent ; Adult ; Dust ; analysis ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Industry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; Quartz ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDArrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a heritable cardiac disease predominantly caused by mutations in desmosomal protein genes. Previous genetic analyses of the Chinese ARVC population are limited to small size and restriction to a single gene. This study was aimed to investigate the genotype in a large series of Chinese patients with ARVC through comprehensively screening nine ARVC-causing genes.

METHODSA total of 100 unrelated ARVC patients and 300 age, gender and ethnicity matched healthy controls were genetically tested with multiplexing targeted resequencing for nine previously reported ARVC-causing genes, including plakophilin-2, desmoplakin, desmoglein-2, desmocollin-2, plakoglobin, transforming growth factor beta-3, transmembrane protein 43, desmin and Lamin A/C.

RESULTSFifty-nine mutations were identified in 64% of the patients, among which, 93% were located in desmosomal protein genes. Plakophilin-2 mutations accounted for 54% of the total and 58% of the desmosomal mutations, with a truncating mutation type making up about 2/3 of the plakophilin-2 mutations. Only four mutations were found in non-desmosomal genes; two in transmembrane protein 43 and two in transforming growth factor beta-3. Two of them (one of each gene) appeared as single missense mutations. No mutation was identified in desmin or Lamin A/C. Multiple mutations were found in 23% of the patients, with plakophilin-2 being found in 57% of the multi-mutation carriers.

CONCLUSIONSPlakophilin-2 was the most common gene mutation that was identified in Chinese ARVC patients. Non-desmosomal genes should be added to desmosomal protein genes when performing molecular genetic screening in patients with suspected ARVC.

Adult ; Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Desmin ; genetics ; Desmoglein 2 ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Plakophilins ; genetics ; Young Adult ; gamma Catenin ; genetics