OBJECTIVE To explore whether pachymic acid （Pac） regulates mitochondrial autophagy mediated by the PTEN- induced kinase 1 （PINK1）/Parkin RBR E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase （Parkin） signaling pathway to alleviate myocardial injury in coronary heart disease （CHD） rats. METHODS SD rats were divided into control （Con） group， CHD group， Pac low-dose group （Pac-L group）， Pac high-dose group （Pac-H group）， Pac-H+PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway inhibitor group （Pac-H+3-MA group）， with 10 rats in each group. Except for the Con group， CHD models were established in the remaining groups of rats. After successful modeling， the rats in each group were intraperitoneally injected with the corresponding drugs or normal saline. After continuous intervention for 4 weeks， the left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）， left ventricular end-diastolic volume （LVEDV）， left ventricular end-systolic volume （LVESV）， and mean arterial pressure （MAP） of the rats were detected. The levels of creatine kinase isoenzyme （CK-MB）， lactate dehydrogenase （LDH）， cardiac troponin I （cTnI）， and cardiac troponin T （cTnT） in the serum， as well as the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-10 （IL-10）， IL-1β， reactive oxygen species （ROS）， malondialdehyde （MDA） in the myocardial tissue， and the activities of catalase （CAT） and superoxide dismutase （SOD）， as well as the expression levels of p62， cleaved caspase-3， Parkin， PINK1 proteins and the ratio of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅱ （LC3Ⅱ）/LC3Ⅰ ratio were measured. The morphology of myocardial tissue and mitochondrial autophagic vesicles were observed， and the number of mitochondrial autophagic vesicles per unit area and the rate of cardiomyocyte apoptosis were counted. RESULTS Compared with CHD group， LVEF， MAP， IL-10 levels， CAT and SOD activities， p62， Parkin， PINK1 protein expressions， LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio， the numbers of mitochondrial autophagic vesicles per unit area in the Pac-L and Pac-H E-mail：hzdpft@163.com groups were increased significantly （P＜0.05）； the levels of LVEDV， LVESV， CK-MB， LDH， cTnI， cTnT， TNF-α， IL-1β， ROS and MDA， cell apoptosis rates， and protein expression of cleaved caspase-3 were all decreased significantly （P＜0.05）； and the changes in various indicators were more pronounced in the Pac-H group （P＜0.05）； both groups showed varying degree of improvement in myocardial histopathological morphology. Compared with the Pac-H group， the aforementioned indicators in rats from the Pac-H+3-MA group were all significantly reversed （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Pac may promote mitochondrial autophagy in cardiomyocytes of CHD rats by activating the PINK1/ Parkin signaling pathway， thereby reducing inflammatory responses and oxidative stress and improving myocardial injury.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and economic burden of palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) in China.Methods:A population-based retrospective study was conducted using the data from China′s Urban Basic Medical Insurance data from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2016. International Classification of Diseases code and diagnoses in Chinese for PPP were used to identify cases and estimate the prevalence, incidence, and cost. Subgroup analyses were performed according to age and sex, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the robustness of the results. Age-adjusted prevalence rates were calculated based on the 2010 national census data.Results:The crude prevalence and incidence rate of PPP in 2016 were 2.730/100 000 (95% CI: 2.218/100 000-3.242/100 000) and 1.556/100 000 (95% CI: 1.154/100 000-1.958/100 000), and the prevalence rate of females (2.910/100 000) was higher than that of males (2.490/100 000, χ2=97.48, P=0.001). The incidence rate of females (1.745/100 000) was also higher than that of males (1.418/100 000, χ2=85.02, P=0.001). The age peak of incidence and prevalence of patients with PPP was in the 30-39-year age group and a small peak existed in the 0-3-year age group among people under 20 years old. From 2012 to 2016, the average number of visits was (2.44±0.04) per patient, and the total per-capita cost per year was (982.40±39.19) yuan. Conclusion:In 2016, the prevalence and incidence rate of PPP in China were higher in females than in males, and the highest age peak was in the 30-39-year age group.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and economic burden of palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) in China.Methods:A population-based retrospective study was conducted using the data from China′s Urban Basic Medical Insurance data from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2016. International Classification of Diseases code and diagnoses in Chinese for PPP were used to identify cases and estimate the prevalence, incidence, and cost. Subgroup analyses were performed according to age and sex, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the robustness of the results. Age-adjusted prevalence rates were calculated based on the 2010 national census data.Results:The crude prevalence and incidence rate of PPP in 2016 were 2.730/100 000 (95% CI: 2.218/100 000-3.242/100 000) and 1.556/100 000 (95% CI: 1.154/100 000-1.958/100 000), and the prevalence rate of females (2.910/100 000) was higher than that of males (2.490/100 000, χ2=97.48, P=0.001). The incidence rate of females (1.745/100 000) was also higher than that of males (1.418/100 000, χ2=85.02, P=0.001). The age peak of incidence and prevalence of patients with PPP was in the 30-39-year age group and a small peak existed in the 0-3-year age group among people under 20 years old. From 2012 to 2016, the average number of visits was (2.44±0.04) per patient, and the total per-capita cost per year was (982.40±39.19) yuan. Conclusion:In 2016, the prevalence and incidence rate of PPP in China were higher in females than in males, and the highest age peak was in the 30-39-year age group.

The observational research based on big data in healthcare has attracted increasing attention, with the control and evaluation of residual confounding being the critical issue that needs to be solved urgently. This review summarized the methods for statistical adjustment and sensitivity analysis of residual confounding in the association analysis with a multicenter database. Based on individual-level data, the residual confounding can be adjusted in each subcenter using methods such as regression discontinuity design, while the pooled estimate can be obtained as a weighted average. Based on the center-level results, the Bayesian Meta-analysis method can adjust the pooled estimates. The sensitivity analysis of residual confounding can also be carried out using center-level data to calculate the E-value, p^(q), T^(r,?q) and G^r,?q. The abovementioned methods should be selected reasonably according to the requirements for practical applications, advantages, and disadvantages. For example, the use of subcenter individual data for residual confounding adjustment usually needs strict study design and frequent coordination; the Bayesian Meta-analysis is based on some strong assumptions; the interpretation of the results in the sensitivity analysis, such as E-value requires professional judgment to assess the risk of residual confounding. Therefore, the methods for controlling and evaluating residual confounding in association analysis based on multicenter databases still need further development and improvement.

Objective:To investigate the correlations between perfused lung volumes, visual scores (using perfusion SPECT/CT) and right-heart catheter (RHC) hemodynamic parameters in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).Methods:A total of 51 consecutive CTEPH patients (17 males, 34 females, age (59±12) years) in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University between March 2015 and July 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent lung perfusion SPECT/CT imaging and RHC examinations. Perfused lung volumes were determined using threshold-based (15%-85%) segmentation. Visual semiquantitative scoring in each lung segment was performed using Begic method. RHC hemodynamic parameters including pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), pulmonary arterial diastolic pressure (PADP), mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), pulmonary arteriolar wedge pressure (PAWP), pulmonary vessel resistance (PVR), cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI) were recorded. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlations between perfused lung volumes, visual scores and hemodynamic parameters.Results:There were significant correlations between perfused lung volumes (30%-70% threshold) and mPAP ( rs values: from -0.414 to -0.302, all P<0.05). Among them, perfused lung volumes under the threshold of 40% and 45% were moderately correlated with mPAP ( rs values: -0.414, -0.412, both P<0.05). Perfused lung volume (40% threshold) was moderately negatively correlated with PASP, PADP ( rs values: -0.402, -0.440, both P<0.05), and slightly negatively correlated with PVR ( rs=-0.352, P<0.05). Visual scores were slightly positively correlated with the PADP ( rs=0.311, P<0.05), while there was no correlation between visual scores and other RHC hemodynamic parameters ( rs values: from -0.201 to 0.275, all P>0.05). Conclusion:Perfused lung volumes based on threshold-based segmentation in lung perfusion SPECT/CT imaging can accurately reflect hemodynamic status and may provide useful information for severity assessment of CTEPH.

Objective:To understand the current status of foreign dual-degree programs of Medical Doctor (MD) and Master of Public Health (MPH) and provide evidence-based decision-making reference for promoting the education of high-level applied public health talents in China.Methods:The list of involved institutions and information of foreign MD-MPH dual-degree programs was collected through literature retrieval, online information searching, and additional survey of key figures. We extracted the details of each project regarding professional fields, core competence, length of schooling, teaching and learning arrangement, internship eligibility, and graduation assessment. Python 3.8.0 was used for data cleaning, and the occurrence frequency of related items in each dimension was calculated.Results:A total of 99 MD-MPH programs from 104 foreign institutions were included, among which 97.1% of them were implemented in universities from the United States. The School of Public Health provided 42.4% (42/99) of the programs. Epidemiology was the major discipline set up among most programs, accounting for 12.0% (29/241) of all the specialties involved. Epidemiological research methods, health policy management and practice, and public health practice were the top 3 core competencies to be mastered. Of the 99 programs, 87 gave information on the length of the program, of which 74.7% (65/87) were five years, 6.9% (6/87) were four years, and 18.4% (16/87) included both 4-year and 5-year programs.Conclusions:The international MD-MPH programs were sophisticated and mainly organized by the School of Public Health alone or in conjunction with the School of Medicine. Epidemiology is the core course and competence objective, with a length of 4-5 years. Through learning experience from international MD-MPH programs and the Chinese unique medical development background, China should optimize its medical education system to develop a suitable talent training strategy for MD-MPH dual-degree programs in the new era.

Objective: To investigate association between childhood abuse and self-esteem among children in Sichuan. Methods: A total of 700 students aged 10-16 years from four cities of Sichuan were selected through stratified random sampling method. All the participants were investigated with Screen Questionnaire of Child Abuse(SQCA), the Self-esteem Scale (SES) and the E-Prime based Implicit-Association Test(IAT). Results: The prevalence of childhood abuse in Sichuan is 11.3%(65/574). Among them, 55.4% reported one type of abuse experience, 29.2% reported two types and 15.4% reported 3 or more types of abusive experiences. The average level of explicit self-esteem for the total sample children (x〖TX-*3〗=28.92, higher than 26) was in the medium level. For children with abuse experiences, explicit (t=-2.56, P<0.05) and implicit self-esteem (t=-2.40, P<0.05) was significantly lower than average level of the total sample. Educational background of primary caregivers was positively associated with explicit self-esteem(P<0.05). Gender and childhood abuse entered in the final regression model for implicit self-esteem(F=6.11, P<0.01), and childhood abuse negatively correlated with implicit self-esteem(t=-2.83, P<0.01). Conclusion Children with abuse experiences are more likely to have low implicit self-esteem.

Ebola virus disease , which can cause ebola hemorrhagic fever , is a potent zoonotic infectious virus disease . In 2014 , Ebola virus spread across West Africa and it has become a new major threat to global public health .This article summarizes the structural features of Ebola virus , transmission characteristics , interactions ,animal models .

Detection of pathogenic microorganisms has been a hot research field of microbiology.Conventional detection methods,such as isolation and culture, PCR technology, ELISA and genomic sequencing,are all time-consuming and com-plex.Because of the advantages of quick-testing, accuracy, safety and efficiency, spectroscopy has become a new non-inva-sive testing technology and has witnessed rapid development in pathogen detection and disease diagnosis.This article intro-duces three types of common spectroscopy technologies ( laser excitation fluorescence spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy) , and also explains how they work in the detection of pathogenic microorganisms.

OBJECTIVETo assess the association of S447X mutation and Hind III polymorphism in the lipoprotein lipase gene with dyslipidemia of the metabolic syndrome in patients with essential hypertension.

METHODSA total of 983 patients were randomly selected from those with hypertension (diagnosed in the Community-based Comprehensive Studies on Prevention and Control of Hypertension Project in China) and those not treated with anti-hypertensive medications for at least in 2 weeks immediately before blood collection. Among them were 389 subjects with dyslipidemia and 594 subjects without dyslipidemia. The definition of dyslipidemia in patients with hypertension was used only when triglyceride or HDL-cholesterol was at abnormal level. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to determine Ser447stop mutation and Hind III polymorphism in LPL gene.

RESULTSLinkage disequilibrium between the two sites was observed, with three major haplotypes identified: H+S, H-S, and H-X. The LPL gene S447X mutation and H-X haplotype were significantly associated with dyslipidemia (OR=0.547, 95%CI: 0.348-0.859 for S447X mutation; OR=0.537, 95%CI: 0.328-0.880 for H-X haplotype) in male, both by themselves and after adjustment for age, body mass index, smoking, alcohol intake, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, education and serum glucose. The LPL H- carriers and H-S haplotype were significantly associated with dyslipidemia (OR=0.575, 95%CI: 0.358-0.923) in female after multivariate adjustment. Moreover, compared with the H+S haplotype, the H-X haplotypes were associated with significantly lower TG and Log (TG/HDL-C) levels in both men and women, and with higher HDL-C levels in women; whereas no significant difference was observed between the H-S and H+S haplotype. Compared with the H-S haplotype, the H-X haplotypes had significant effect on the HDL-C levels in women.

CONCLUSIONThe LPL H-X haplotype was one of the protective factors of dyslipidemia of metabolic syndrome in hypertensive patients. It is significantly associated with low triglyceride, log triglyceride-to-HDL-cholesterol ratio and high HDL-cholesterol levels. S447X mutation does not explain all the effect associated with the Hind III polymorphism, although the effect on serum lipids associated with the H-X haplotype appeared to be mainly mediated by the S447X mutation. It is possible that some functional mutations in the LPL gene besides the S447X mutation are in linkage disequilibrium with the Hind III polymorphism.

Aged ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Dyslipidemias ; blood ; complications ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Lipoprotein Lipase ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Triglycerides ; blood