ObjectiveTo investigate the genetic polymorphism and structure of 47 autosomal microhaplotypes in the Han population in Changshu City, Jiangsu Province, and to evaluate the forensic efficiencies and forensic parameters. MethodsThe DNA library of unrelated individual samples was prepared according to MHSeqTyper47 kit manual and sequenced on the MiSeq FGx platform. Microhaplotype genotyping and sequencing depth statistics were processed using MHTyper. The genetic information of samples was then evaluated. The fixation index and genetic distance between the Jiangsu Changshu population and the reference populations in the 1000 Genomes Project phase 3 (1KG) were calculated, and forensic parameters were evaluated. ResultsThe fixation index and genetic distance between the Han population in Changshu, Jiangsu, and the CHB (Han Chinese in Beijing, China) reference population in 1KG were the lowest. The effective allele number (A_e) of each locus is also the closest between the two populations. The combined matching probability (CMP) of the Changshu Han population is close to the 5 populations of the East Asian reference super-population in 1KG, which is 1.25×10^-36, and the combined probability of exclusion reached 0.999 999 999 964 1. ConclusionThis study reported the genetic polymorphism and allele frequency of 47 microhaplotypes in a Han population in Changshu City, Jiangsu Province. This information provides a data basis for 47 microhaplotypes in forensic applications. In addition, the polymorphism differences between the 1KG reference population and the Han population in Changshu, Jiangsu were compared, and the genetic structure of 47 microhaplotypes in the Han population in Changshu, Jiangsu was revealed. In general, the reference data of the East Asian super-population in 1KG is more in line with the genetic characteristics of Han population in Changshu, Jiangsu.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at investigating the carrier rate of, and molecular variation in, α- and β-globin gene mutations in Hunan Province. METHODS: We recruited 25,946 individuals attending premarital screening from 42 districts and counties in all 14 cities of Hunan Province. Hematological screening was performed, and molecular parameters were assessed. RESULTS: The overall carrier rate of thalassemia was 7.1%, including 4.83% for α-thalassemia, 2.15% for β-thalassemia, and 0.12% for both α- and β-thalassemia. The highest carrier rate of thalassemia was in Yongzhou (14.57%). The most abundant genotype of α-thalassemia and β-thalassemia was -α ^3.7/αα (50.23%) and β ^IVS-II-654/β ^N (28.23%), respectively. Four α-globin mutations [CD108 (ACC>AAC), CAP +29 (G>C), Hb Agrinio and Hb Cervantes] and six β-globin mutations [CAP +8 (C>T), IVS-II-848 (C>T), -56 (G>C), beta nt-77 (G>C), codon 20/21 (-TGGA) and Hb Knossos] had not previously been identified in China. Furthermore, this study provides the first report of the carrier rates of abnormal hemoglobin variants and α-globin triplication in Hunan Province, which were 0.49% and 1.99%, respectively. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates the high complexity and diversity of thalassemia gene mutations in the Hunan population. The results should facilitate genetic counselling and the prevention of severe thalassemia in this region.
Humans ; beta-Thalassemia/genetics* ; alpha-Thalassemia/genetics* ; Hemoglobinopathies/genetics* ; China/epidemiology* ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing

Attapulgite(ATP), as a fertilizer slow-release agent and soil conditioner, has shown remarkable effect in improving the utilization rate of fertilizer and the yield and quality of agricultural products and Chinese medicinal materials. This study aims to explore the effect of ATP on the growth and root quality of Angelica sinensis. To be specific, Mingui 1 was used, and through the pot(soil culture) experiment in the Dao-di producing area, the effects of conventional chemical fertilizer added with ATP on the morphology, photosynthesis, soil respiration, and content of ferulic acid and volatile oil in roots of Mingui 1 were detected. The underlying mechanism was discussed from the perspective of source-sink relationship. The results showed that ATP, via the fertilizer slow-release effect, could meet the needs of A. sinensis for nutrients at the root expansion stage, improve the net photosynthetic rate of leaves and aboveground biomass of plants, and promote the transfer and accumulation of nutrients from the aboveground part(source) to the underground root(sink) in advance during the dry matter accumulation period of roots, so as to improve the root weight per plant. ATP can increase the content of total ferulic acid(the sum of free ferulic acid and coniferyl ferulate), the main effective component of Angelicae Sinensis Radix, by promoting the synthesis of ferulic acid in the roots and the transformation to coniferyl ferulate. However, it had little effect on the content of volatile oil. ATP had certain influence on soil respiration, which needs to be further explored from root activity, rhizosphere microorganisms, and soil microorganisms. This study can lay a basis for soil remediation and improvement and ecological cultivation of A. sinensis.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Angelica sinensis/chemistry* ; Coumaric Acids ; Fertilizers/analysis* ; Magnesium Compounds ; Oils, Volatile/chemistry* ; Plant Roots/chemistry* ; Silicon Compounds ; Soil

Objective:To evaluate the intestinal function in rats with exertional heat stroke (EHS) and explore the protective role of Ruifuping pectin (RFP) against heat related intestinal mucosal injury.Methods:One hundred and twenty healthy special pathogen free (SPF) male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normothermic control group, EHS model group, hyperthermic plus drinking water group (H 2O+EHS group) and hyperthermic plus pectin group (RFP+EHS group) with 30 rats in each group. The rats in the H 2O+EHS group and RFP+EHS group were given water 20 mL/kg or RFP 20 mL/kg orally for 5 days during adaptive training period. After 1 week, the temperature control range was adjusted to (37±1)℃ using the temperature control treadmill, and the rat model of EHS was reproduced by one-time high temperature exhaustive exercise. No rehydration intervention was given during the training adaptation period in the EHS model group. The rats in the normothermic control group were maintained to room temperature (25±2)℃ and humidity (55±5)% without other treatment. Behavior tests including withdraw response, righting, and muscle strength were performed immediately after onset of EHS. Blood of inferior vena cava was collected, and the serum inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukins (IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10)] and activity of diamine oxidase (DAO) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The intestinal mucosa was collected, after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and Chiu score was performed to assess EHS induced pathological changes under light microscope. Results:The rats in the EHS model group had behavioral, inflammatory and pathological changes, such as delayed withdraw response and righting, decreased forelimb pulling, increased inflammatory index, and obvious intestinal mucosal injury, which indicated that the reproduction of the EHS model was successful. There was no significant difference in above parameters between the H 2O+EHS group and the EHS model group except that the inflammatory index in the RFP+EHS group was improved. Compared with the EHS model group, the withdraw reflex to pain and righting after RFP pretreatment in the RFP+EHS group were significantly improved (righting score: 1.4±0.2 vs. 0.3±0.2, withdraw reflex to pain score: 1.0±0.1 vs. 0.2±0.1, both P < 0.05), the muscle strength was significantly increased (N: 13.0±0.5 vs. 8.2±0.6, P < 0.01). The levels of pro-inflammatory factors in the RFP+EHS group were significantly lower than those in the EHS model group [TNF-α (ng/L): 67.5±9.2 vs. 194.3±13.7, IL-6 (ng/L): 360.0±54.1 vs. 981.2±84.4, IL-1β (ng/L): 33.7±9.0 vs. 88.7±6.1, all P < 0.01], while the level of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 was higher than that in the EHS model group (ng/L: 208.7±10.5 vs. 103.7±7.0, P < 0.01). The degree of intestinal mucosal injury in the RFP+EHS group was less severe than that in the EHS model group, and the Chiu score and DAO were significantly lower than those in the EHS model group [Chiu score: 1.5±0.2 vs. 3.8±0.0, DAO (U/L): 83.7±6.7 vs. 128.7±10.5, both P < 0.05]. Conclusions:High temperature training can damage the intestinal barrier function, and induce endotoxemia and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in rats. Oral prophylactic RFP can protect the intestinal barrier function, alleviate SIRS, and promote the recovery of basic nerve reflex and muscle strength after the occurrence of EHS in rats.

To investigate the practicability of establishing zebrafish lipid-lowering drug screening model and the effect of berberine (BBR) on hyperlipidemic zebrafish. Three-month-old zebrafishes were fed with 4% cholesterol for 0, 2, 4, 8, 14, 20, 25, 30 days, and the level of total cholesterol in serum was measured. Zebrafish were randomly divided into four groups: the control group, the high cholesterol diet group, the 0.01% simvastatin-treated group, the 0.1% berberine-treated group and the 0.2% berberine-treated group. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) in serum were measured; the expression of hepatic HMGCR, LDLR and CYP7A1a mRNA expressions were detected by real time PCR. Oil red O staining was performed to observe the changes in fat content in the liver. According to the result, the level of serum TC in the 4% cholesterol diet group significantly was higher than that of the normal control group in a time-dependent manner and reached a stable level at the 20th day. The BBR group showed significant decreases in the levels of TC, TG and LDL-c, HMGCR mRNA expression and fat content and increases in LDLR and CYP7A1a mRNA. The hyperlipidemia zebrafish model was successfully established by feeding with 4% cholesterol for 20 days. The findings lay a foundation for further screenings on lipid-lowering drugs.
Animals ; Berberine ; administration & dosage ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Triglycerides ; metabolism ; Zebrafish ; metabolism

This work was mainly studied the effects of the four alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma on the mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro and preliminarily discussed the regulating mechanisms. The effect of alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma on the vitality of macrophages was measured by the MTT assay. The effect of alkaloids on the phagocytosis of macrophages was determined by neutral red trial and respiratory burst activity was tested by NBT. The expressions of respiratory-burst-associated genes influenced by alkaloids were detected by qRT-PCR. The conformation change of membrane protein in macrophages by the impact of alkaloids was studied by fluorospectro-photometer. Results showed that the four alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma could increase the phagocytosis of macrophages in different level and berberine had the best effect. Berberine, coptisine and palmatine had up-regulation effects on respiratory burst activity of mouse peritoneal macrophages stimulated by PMA and regulatory activity on the mRNA expression of PKC, p40phox or p47phox, whereas the epiberberine had no significant influence on respiratory burst. Moreover, alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma could change the conformation of membrane protein and the berberine showed the strongest activity. The results suggested that the four alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma might activate macrophages through changing the conformation of membrane protein of macrophages and then enhanced the phagocytosis and respiratory burst activity of macrophages. Furthermore, the regulatory mechanism of alkaloids on the respiratory burst activity of macrophages may be also related to the expression level of PKC, p40phox and p47phox.
Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; drug effects ; Mice ; Phosphoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Kinase C ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rhizome ; chemistry

In this study, a new parameter, S phase cell percentage (S fraction) normalized BrdU (SFN-BrdU) incorporation rate, was introduced to detect S arrest. The results showed a positive linear correlation between the BrdU incorporation rate and the S fraction in unperturbed 16HBE cells. Theoretical analysis indicated that only S arrest could result in a decrease in the SFN-BrdU incorporation rate. Additionally, the decrease in SFN-BrdU incorporation rate and the activation of DNA damage checkpoints further demonstrated that S arrest was induced by diethyl sulfate treatment of 16HBE cells. In conclusion, SFN-BrdU incorporation rate can be used to detecting S arrest.
Bromodeoxyuridine ; pharmacokinetics ; Cell Proliferation ; DNA Damage ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; S Phase ; S Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints

OBJECTIVETo investigate the current demands for professional continuing medical education (CME) in ophthalmic nurses and their influential factors, and to provide evidence for properly setting the curriculum of professional CME for nurses.

METHODSQualitative and quantitative analysis was performed on 60 nurses in an ophthalmic hospital by questionnaire survey and group interview.

RESULTSOf the nurses surveyed, 49 (81.7%) thought the training time of professional CME needs to be adjusted, 40 (66.7%) referred to the training pattern, and 53 (88.3%) the training contents. The demanded courses of training mainly included professional nursing knowledge, professional nursing skills, and ophthalmic knowledge. Most nurses considered the influential factors for training were unreasonable training time and lack of applicability of some courses.

CONCLUSIONTo improve the quality of professional CME for ophthalmic nurses, the training curriculum should be designed in consideration of ophthalmic characteristics, different work experiences of nurses, and different nursing positions, the training time should be arranged properly, and various training patterns should be adopted flexibly.

Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Education, Nursing, Continuing ; Female ; Humans ; Needs Assessment ; Nurses ; Ophthalmology ; education ; Young Adult

The different biological functions were studied in mouse bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells isolated by differential time attachment to obtain the optimal adherent time in this study. Density gradient centrifugation-isolated bone marrow mononuclear cells were seeded on the fibronectin-coated dish. The 1-day cultured unattached cells were seeded on the second dish for 2 more days. Then unattached cells in the second dish were seeded on the third dish. The cells on 3 dishes were defined as 1-day adherent cells, 3-day adherent cells and 3-day unattached cells, respectively. After 20-day culture, the biological functions, such as the percentage of biomarkers, the ability of adhesion, and the ability of forming tubes in vitro were analyzed. The results showed that the percentages of positive CD34, FLK-1, and CD34/FLK-1 expressions in 1-day attached cells were significantly increased compared to those in the 3-day adherent or unattached cells (P < 0.01), which showed the strongest adhesion ability. The expression of eNOS in 1- or 3-day adherent cells was significantly higher than that in 3-day unattached cells (P < 0.01). The expression of VEGF in 3-day adherent cells was significantly higher than that in 1-day adherent cells or 3-day unattached cells (P < 0.01). These results suggest the biological functions of 1-day adherent cells are significantly stronger than that of 3-day adherent or unattached cells. VEGF expression in 3-day adherent cells is higher than that in 1-day adherent cells or 3-day unattached cells. The expression of eNOS in 1-day adherent cells or 3-day adherent cells is higher than that in 3-day unattached cells. The optimal adherent time to obtain mouse bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells is 1-3 d.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Separation ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; metabolism ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Time Factors ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism