Alcoholic liver disease(ALD)is the most frequent liver disease worldwide,resulting in severe harm to personal health and posing a serious burden to public health.Based on the reported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities of scutellarin(SCU),this study investigated its protective role in male BALB/c mice with acute alcoholic liver injury after oral administration(10,25,and 50 mg/kg).The results indicated that SCU could lessen serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)levels and improve the histopathological changes in acute alcoholic liver;it reduced alcohol-induced malondialdehyde(MDA)content and increased glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),catalase(CAT),and superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity.Furthermore,SCU decreased tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6),and IL-1β messenger RNA(mRNA)expression levels,weakened inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)activity,and inhibited nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain(NOD)-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasome activation.Mechanistically,SCU suppressed cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily E member 1(CYP2E1)upregulation triggered by alcohol,increased the expression of oxidative stress-related nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)pathways,and suppressed the inflammation-related degradation of inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)-α(IκBα)as well as activation of NF-κB by mediating the protein kinase B(AKT)and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)pathways.These findings demonstrate that SCU protects against acute alcoholic liver injury via inhibiting oxidative stress by regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and suppressing inflammation by regulating the AKT,p38 MAPK/NF-κB pathways.

Objective: To evaluate the consistency on the determination of target heart rate by simple calculation method based on resting heart rate and by anaerobic threshold method in cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) for patients with coronary artery disease after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: This study was a diagnostic test. Patients with coronary artery disease who underwent the first PCI in the Department of Cardiology of Peking University People's Hospital from October 2011 to April 2021 were enrolled. Patients were further divided into subgroups according to gender, age (<60 years group and ≥60 years group), with or without myocardial infarction history (myocardial infarction group and angina pectoris group) and whether β blockers were applied. The general clinical data of patients, resting heart rate (RHR) and anaerobic threshold heart rate in CPET were collected through the electronic medical record system. The simple target rate (RHR plus 20 or 30 bpm) and the target rate calculated by anaerobic threshold (anaerobic threshold heart rate minus 10 bpm) were both calculated in each patient. Consistency test of target heart rate derived by above the two methods was shown by intra-class correlation (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots. Results: A total of 439 patients were included, age was (56.2±8.8) years, body mass index was (25.77±2.34) kg/m², there were 382 males (87.0%). The target heart rate determined by anaerobic threshold method was (90.0±11.8)bpm, and the simple target heart rate determined by RHR plus 20 bpm was (91.0±8.4)bpm. There was no significant difference on the target heart rate derived from the two calculation methods (P=0.091). The simple target heart rate determined by RHR plus 30 bpm was (101.0±8.4)bpm, which was significant higher than that determined by anaerobic threshold method (P<0.001). In the following analysis, RHR plus 20 bpm was defined as the simple target heart rate. The ICC value of target heart rate determined by anaerobic threshold and resting rate plus 20 bpm was 0.529(95%CI 0.458-0.593, P<0.001). Bland-Altman plots analysis showed that the ratio of the simple target heart rate and the target heart rate determined by anaerobic threshold method was 1.03±0.11 and the 95% limits of agreement (LOA) were 0.812-1.245. In the subgroup of patients aged<60 years (n=247), the ICC value was 0.492, the ratio by Bland-Altman plots analysis was 1.02±0.11 and LOA was 0.814-1.234; in the subgroup of patients aged ≥60 years (n=192), the ICC value was 0.566, the ratio by Bland-Altman plots analysis was 1.03±0.11 and LOA was 0.810-1.260. In male subgroup(n=382), the ICC value was 0.540, the ratio by Bland-Altman plots analysis was 1.03±0.11 and LOA was 0.813-1.246; in female subgroup(n=57), the ICC value was 0.445, the ratio by Bland-Altman plots analysis was 1.03±0.11 and LOA was 0.810-1.240.In myocardial infarction subgroup (n=186), the ICC value was 0.568, the ratio by Bland-Altman plots analysis was 1.02±0.11 and LOA was 0.810-1.227; in angina pectoris subgroup (n=253), the ICC value was 0.495, the ratio by Bland-Altman plots analysis was 1.04±0.11 and LOA was 0.813-1.260. In the subgroup of patients with β blockers (n=353), the ICC value was 0.520, the ratio by Bland-Altman plots analysis was 1.03±0.11 and LOA was 0.810-1.252; in the subgroup of patients without β blockers (n=86), the ICC value was 0.570, the ratio by Bland-Altman plots analysis was 1.02±0.10 and LOA was 0.821-1.219. Conclusions: The simple target heart rate determined by RHR plus 20 bpm is consistent with the target heart rate determined by anaerobic threshold in patients with coronary artery disease after PCI. But the simple target heart rate determined by RHR plus 20 bpm can't replace the target heart rate determined by anaerobic threshold in this patient cohort.
Adrenergic beta-Antagonists ; Anaerobic Threshold ; Angina Pectoris ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Female ; Heart Rate/physiology* ; Humans ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

To optimize the purification process of gynostemma pentaphyllum saponins (GPS) based on "adjoint marker" online control technology with GPS as the testing index. UPLC-QTOF-MS technology was used for qualitative analysis. "Adjoint marker" online control results showed that the end point of load sample was that the UV absorbance of effluent liquid was equal to half of that of load sample solution, and the absorbance was basically stable when the end point was stable. In UPLC-QTOF-MS qualitative analysis, 16 saponins were identified from GPS, including 13 known gynostemma saponins and 3 new saponins. This optimized method was proved to be simple, scientific, reasonable, easy for online determination, real-time record, and can be better applied to the mass production and automation of production. The results of qualitative analysis indicated that the "adjoint marker" online control technology can well retain main efficacy components of medicinal materials, and provide analysis tools for the process control and quality traceability.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) in the proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) in hypoxia conditions.

METHODSThe following groups in this study were set up: control group, hypoxia group, 50 micromol/L CQ + hypoxia group, 50 micromol/L CQ group. The viability of PASMCs in every group was detected by MTT assay. Autophagic vacuoles in the cells were observed by MDC staining. Protein expression of microtubule associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) was measured by Western blot. Migration of PASMCs was detected by wound healing assay.

RESULTSCompared with control group, no effect on the viability of PASMCs was observed treated by CQ alone. In 1% hypoxia group, cell viability increased significantly compared with that in control group. The number of autophagic vacuoles and the rate of cell migration and also protein expression of LC3-II were also markedly increased. Compared with hypoxia group, addition of CQ increased the number of autophagic vacuoles and the levels of LC3-II protein, but decreased the proliferation and migration of PASMCs.

CONCLUSIONHypoxia could activates autophagy and contributes to proliferation and migration of PASMCs, and autophagy inhibitor CQ could decrease the effect of hypoxia on PASMCs through inhibiting autophagy process.

Autophagy ; drug effects ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cell Movement ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; Chloroquine ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; drug effects ; Pulmonary Artery ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution characteristics and influencing factors of mental workload of teachers in primary schools.

METHODSNational Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) was used to assess the mental workload levels for 397 teachers of primary schools in a city.

RESULTSThe mental workload (64.34+10.56) of female teachers was significantly higher than that (61.73+ 9.77) of male teachers (P<0.05). The mental workload (65.66+10.42) of "-35" years old group was the highest. When age of teachers was younger than 35 years old, there was a positive correlation between the mental workload and age (r=0.146, P<0.05). When age of teachers was older than 35 years old, there was a negative correlation between the mental workload and age (r=-0.190, P<0.05). The teachers with higher education level felt higher mental workload (unstandardized coefficients B=1.524, standardized coefficients /=0.111, P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between the mental workload and working hours per day (unstandardized coefficients B =4.659, standardized coefficients/3 =0.223, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONMental workload of the teachers in primary schools is closely related to age, educational level and work hours per day. Work hours per day is an important risk factor for mental workload. Reducing work hours per day (8 hours) is an effective measure of alleviating the mental workload of teachers in primary schools.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Faculty ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Schools ; Stress, Psychological ; epidemiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Workload ; psychology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo provide scientific basis data for revising the national hygiene criteria of "Classification of hazard conditions of productive dust" (GB5817-86).

METHODSThe data of the retrospective study and the field survey data were analyzed with correlation and regression analysis. The product of total dust concentration of respiratory exposure (mg/m(3)), total ventilation during exposure (m(3)/d per psrson), and level of free SiO(2) in dust (%) was the respiratory exposure dose of free SiO(2) (mg per day per person) which was used as dose criteria value of classification of hazard degree of dust.

RESULTSUsing free SiO(2) exposure dose and the dose-effect relationship, the hazard degrees of the dust were divided into 5 grades: 0, I, II, III, IV (0 - 8.0, 8.1 - 12.0, 12.1 - 16.0, > 24.1 mg per day per person).

CONCLUSIONThe exposure dose of free SiO(2) is closely related to the pathogenesis of silicosis. Using the exposure dose of free SiO(2) as the classification indicator of hazard degree of dust is reliable, simple and easy to execute.

China ; Dust ; analysis ; Hazardous Substances ; analysis ; Humans ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Occupational Exposure ; standards ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Safety Management ; standards

ObjectiveTo explore the factors that delayed the diagnostic process and resulted in misdiagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),in order to look for solution. MethodsThe records of 99 cases with ALS from 1999 to 2003 in our hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical characteristics and diagnostic process on the patients were statistically analyzed.ResultsThe time needed to confirm diagnosis was (13.1±7.5) months. There was a positive correlation between the time when EMG was performed and the time the diagnosis was made. 58.6% of patients were initially misdiagnosed in other hospitals. The most common misdiagnosis was cervical spondylosis. The misdiagnosis more likely occured in the patients of 40-59 years old. The misdiagnosis rate in the patients with initial lower extremities symptoms was higher than that with initial bulbar and upper extremities symptoms. The misdiagnosis more likely occured in patients with early cervical MRI.ConclusionThe major causes of misdiagnosis are unfamiliarity of the physician with the disease,misleading findings or misinterpretation of neuro-radiological or neuro-physiological findings.