Objective Studies on the relationship between iodine,vitamin A(VA),and vitamin D(VD)and thyroid function are limited.This study aimed to analyze iodine and thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH)status and their possible relationships with VA,VD,and other factors in postpartum women. Methods A total of 1,311 mothers(896 lactating and 415 non-lactating)from Hebei,Zhejiang,and Guangxi provinces were included in this study.The urinary iodine concentration(UIC),TSH,VA,and VD were measured. Results The median UIC of total and lactating participants were 142.00 μg/L and 139.95 μg/L,respectively.The median TSH,VA,and VD levels in all the participants were 1.89 mIU/L,0.44 μg/mL,and 24.04 ng/mL,respectively.No differences in the UIC were found between lactating and non-lactating mothers.UIC and TSH levels were significantly different among the three provinces.The rural UIC was higher than the urban UIC.Obese mothers had a higher UIC and a higher prevalence of excessive TSH.Higher UICs and TSHs levels were observed in both the VD deficiency and insufficiency groups than in the VD-sufficient group.After adjustment,no linear correlation was observed between UIC and VA/VD.No interaction was found between vitamins A/D and UIC on TSH levels. Conclusion The mothers in the present study had no iodine deficiency.Region,area type,BMI,and VD may be related to the iodine status or TSH levels.

Background/Aims:  Rituximab is known to be associated with high hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation rate in patients with resolved HBV infection and hematologic malignancy. However, data regarding HBV reactivation (HBVr) in rheumatic patients receiving rituximab is limited. To assess the HBVr rate in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative patients receiving rituximab for autoimmune diseases in a large real-world cohort. Methods:  From March 2006 to December 2019, 900 patients with negative HBsAg receiving at least one cycle of rituximab for autoimmune diseases in a tertiary medical center in Taiwan were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical outcome and factors associated with HBVr were analyzed. Results: After a median follow-up period of 3.3 years, 21 patients developed HBVr, among whom 17 patients were positive for hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) and four were negative. Thirteen patients had clinical hepatitis flare, while eight patients had HBsAg seroreversion without hepatitis. Old age, anti-HBc positivity, undetectable serum hepatitis B surface antibody level at rituximab initiation and a higher average rituximab dose were associated with a higher HBVr rate. There was no significant difference in the HBVr risk between rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. Among anti-HBc-negative patients, subjects without HBV vaccination at birth had an increased risk of HBVr (4/368, 1.1%) compared with those who received vaccination (0/126, 0%). Conclusions In HBV endemic areas where occult HBV is prevalent, anti-HBc-negative patients, may still be at risk for HBVr after rituximab exposure. HBVr may still be considered in HBsAgnegative patients developing abnormal liver function after rituximab exposure, even in patients with negative anti-HBc.

Objective: To analyze the classification, diagnosis and treatment status of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) in Yunnan province. Methods: This was a retrospective study. Hospitalized patients with PH at Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from January 2012 to December 2019 were enrolled. The clinical data of enrolled patients, including demographic data, comorbidities, targeted drug therapy, echocardiography and right heart catheterization results, were obtained through the electronic medical record system. The composition ratio of PH, diagnosis and treatment were analyzed. Results: A total of 13 590 patients with PH were enrolled, accounting for 3.09% (13 590/440 056) of the total number of hospitalizations during the same period. The composition of PH was predominantly pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (55.50% (7 542/13 590)), followed by pulmonary hypertension (PH) caused by left heart disease (24.16% (3 284/13 590)). Among them, PAH could be subdivided into four types: idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), PAH associated with connective tissue disease, PAH associated with portal hypertension, and PAH associated with congenital heart disease (CHD-PAH), with CHD-PAH as the predominating type (98.09% (7 398/7 542). Patients with PAH were predominantly adolescents. In hospitalized patients with PH, from 2012 to 2019, the proportion of children and adolescents showed a decreasing trend from year to year, and the proportion of middle-aged and older adults showed a significant increasing trend, and the proportion of female patients showed a gradual decreasing trend, and the proportion of patients with comorbid hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, and pneumonia showed an increasing trend. A total of 1 034 patients (7.61% (1 034/13 590)) underwent right heart catheterization. The concordance rate between echocardiographic and right heart catheterization findings was (86.98% (875/1 006)). A total of 2 574 (18.94%) of PH patients were treated with PAH targeted drugs, of which 58.16% (1 497/2 574) were treated with monotherapy. Among the PH patients treated with PAH targeted drugs, the majority of patients were PAH patients (86.44% (2 225/2 574)), and 83.53% (2 150/2 574) patients treated with PAH targeted drugs were CHD-PAH. Conclusions: Hospitalized PH patients in our center between 2012 and 2019 are predominantly CHD-PAH, and the proportion of patients receiving right heart catheterization and targeted drug therapy is relatively low. The percentage of middle-aged and elderly PH patients shows an increasing trend from year to year, as well as the percentage of those with concomitant comorbidities.
Child ; Aged ; Adolescent ; Middle Aged ; Humans ; Female ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; China/epidemiology* ; Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension ; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension/complications* ; Heart Defects, Congenital

Objective: To analyze the classification, diagnosis and treatment status of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) in Yunnan province. Methods: This was a retrospective study. Hospitalized patients with PH at Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from January 2012 to December 2019 were enrolled. The clinical data of enrolled patients, including demographic data, comorbidities, targeted drug therapy, echocardiography and right heart catheterization results, were obtained through the electronic medical record system. The composition ratio of PH, diagnosis and treatment were analyzed. Results: A total of 13 590 patients with PH were enrolled, accounting for 3.09% (13 590/440 056) of the total number of hospitalizations during the same period. The composition of PH was predominantly pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (55.50% (7 542/13 590)), followed by pulmonary hypertension (PH) caused by left heart disease (24.16% (3 284/13 590)). Among them, PAH could be subdivided into four types: idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), PAH associated with connective tissue disease, PAH associated with portal hypertension, and PAH associated with congenital heart disease (CHD-PAH), with CHD-PAH as the predominating type (98.09% (7 398/7 542). Patients with PAH were predominantly adolescents. In hospitalized patients with PH, from 2012 to 2019, the proportion of children and adolescents showed a decreasing trend from year to year, and the proportion of middle-aged and older adults showed a significant increasing trend, and the proportion of female patients showed a gradual decreasing trend, and the proportion of patients with comorbid hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, and pneumonia showed an increasing trend. A total of 1 034 patients (7.61% (1 034/13 590)) underwent right heart catheterization. The concordance rate between echocardiographic and right heart catheterization findings was (86.98% (875/1 006)). A total of 2 574 (18.94%) of PH patients were treated with PAH targeted drugs, of which 58.16% (1 497/2 574) were treated with monotherapy. Among the PH patients treated with PAH targeted drugs, the majority of patients were PAH patients (86.44% (2 225/2 574)), and 83.53% (2 150/2 574) patients treated with PAH targeted drugs were CHD-PAH. Conclusions: Hospitalized PH patients in our center between 2012 and 2019 are predominantly CHD-PAH, and the proportion of patients receiving right heart catheterization and targeted drug therapy is relatively low. The percentage of middle-aged and elderly PH patients shows an increasing trend from year to year, as well as the percentage of those with concomitant comorbidities.
Child ; Aged ; Adolescent ; Middle Aged ; Humans ; Female ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; China/epidemiology* ; Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension ; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension/complications* ; Heart Defects, Congenital

AIM: To explore the differences of corneal biomechanical parameters, serum Leptin and extracellular superoxide dismutase(ecSOD)levels in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR)or proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR).METHODS: This article is a prospective study. A total of 118 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)and diabetic retinopathy(DR)who were admitted to our hospital from May 2020 to May 2022 were selected, and they were divided into NPDR group(n=57)and PDR group(n=61)according to the degree of lesion. Another 54 patients with T2DM but no retinopathy and 52 healthy individuals were set as NDR group and control group. Then the differences in the corneal biomechanics measured with [central corneal thickness(CCT), intraocular pressure(IOP), spherical equivalent(SE), the first applanation time(A1T), the first applanation length(A1L), deformation amplitude(DA)] and serum Leptin and ecSOD levels were analyzed, and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the high-risk factors affecting the occurrence of PDR.RESULTS: The CCT, IOP and A1T in PDR and NPDR groups were higher than those in control and NDR groups, and DA was lower than those in control and NDR groups(all P<0.05), and the CCT, IOP and A1T in the PDR group were higher than those in the NPDR group(all P<0.05). The levels of serum Leptin and ecSOD in PDR group, NPDR group and NDR group were higher than those in the control group(all P<0.05). The course of DM, CCT, IOP, A1T, and serum Leptin and ecSOD levels between NPDR group and PDR group were statistically significant(all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis denoted that DM course, CCT, IOP, A1T, Leptin, and ecSOD are risk factors that affect the occurrence of PDR, while DA is a protective factor that affects the occurrence of PDR(all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: CCT, IOP and levels of serum Leptin and ecSOD in PDR patients were significantly increased compared to those in the NPDR patients, while DA was significantly reduced. Furthermore, CCT, IOP, A1T and levels of serum Leptin and ecSOD were risk factors affecting the occurrence of PDR, while DA was a protective factor affecting the occurrence of the PDR.

Based on the dual needs of analgesia and anti-inflammation in trauma treatment, this study uses acetaminophen and moxifloxacin hydrochloride as active pharmaceutical ingredients and develops a composite bilayer tablet with a dual-phase drug release system by using binder jet 3D printing technology. Due to the complexity of the 3D printing process, there is an interaction between the various parameters. Through the optimization of the process, the relationship between the key process parameters can be determined more intuitively. In this study, the process of extended-release tablets was optimized to maintain the mechanical properties of the tablets while realizing the regulation of release. The full-factor experimental design of three central points 2³ was used to analyze the factors that significantly affect the quality attributes of extended-release tablets and the interaction between factors. The optimal extended-release process parameters were obtained by the response optimizer: the inkjet quantity of the printing ink was 10 (about 13.8 pL), the powder thickness was 180 μm, and the running speed was 360 mm·s^-1. The in vitro of release of 3D printed composite bilayer tablets showed that the in vitro of release of 3D printed tablets and commercially available tablets conformed to the Ritger-Peppas release model. The results of porosity showed that the immediate-release layer of the preparation has many pores and large pore size, and the dissolution of the immediate release layer within 15 min was greater than 85%. The internal pore size of the extended release layer is large, but it can still release slowly for up to 8 h, the mechanism may be related to the extended release of HPMC gelation. On the basis of verifying the rationality of the design goal of 3D printed composite bilayer tablets, this study also provides a theoretical basis for the preparation of 3D printing complex preparations.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prospective association between cumulative resting heart rate (cumRHR) and rapid renal function decline (RRFD) in a cohort of individuals aged 60 and older. METHODS: In the Tianjin Chronic Kidney Disease Cohort Study, the individuals who underwent three consecutive physical examinations between 2014 and 2017, with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) greater than 60 mL/min per 1.73 m² and aged 60 years or older were enrolled. A total of 27,564 patients were prospectively followed up from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2020. The 3-year cumRHR was calculated. The primary outcome was RRFD, defined as an annualized decline in eGFR of 5 mL/min per 1.73 m² or greater. Logistic and restricted spline regression models and subgroup analysis were used to investigate the association of cumRHR with RRFD after adjusting for all confounders. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 3.2 years, a total of 4,347 (15.77%) subjects developed RRFD. In fully-adjusted models, compared with the lowest quartile of cumRHR, the odds ratio (OR) for the highest was 1.44 (1.28-1.61), P < 0.001. Furthermore, each 1-standard deviation (27.97 beats/min per year) increment in cumRHR was associated with a 17% (P < 0.001) increased risk of RRFD, with a linear positive correlation (P for non-linear = 0.803). Participants with a 3-year cumRHR ≥ 207 (beats/min) * year (equivalent to ≥ 69 beats/min per year in 3 years) were found to be at a higher risk of RRFD. CONCLUSIONS The cumRHR is significantly associated with a higher risk of RRFD among older adults. These results might provide an effective goal for managing and delaying the decline of renal function in the older adults.

Salvia miltiorrhiza is a commonly used bulk medicinal material in China. Due to the increasing demand in recent years, the planting area is expanding. In the artificial cultivation of S. miltiorrhiza, continuous cropping obstacles are prominent, which has seriously restrained the growth of S. miltiorrhiza, resulted in serious root diseases, and affected the yield and quality of medicinal materials. The pathogen infection can induce plant resistance. Previously, this research group isolated Fusarium oxysporum and Verticillium dahlia from the roots of diseased S. miltiorrhiza. In this study, 7 days after inoculation of S. miltiorrhiza with F. oxysporum(Foc group) and V. dahlia(Vd group), the incidence rates in S. miltiorrhiza were 48% and 26%, respectively. Both the two pathogens significantly reduced the aboveground biomass of S. miltiorrhiza. Five days after inoculation, the activities of defensive enzymes, such as peroxidase(POD), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase(PAL), superoxide dismutase(SOD), and polyphenol oxidase(PPO) reached the peak. The enzyme activity of the Foc group was significantly higher than that of the Vd group. Three days after inoculation, the expression of defense genes SmPDF2.1 and SmPR10 peaked and then decreased. The results showed that F. oxysporum and V. dahlia showed pathogenicity to S. miltiorrhiza and could strongly induce systemic resistance. In terms of the above indexes, F. oxysporum was superior to V. dahlia.
Salvia miltiorrhiza ; Verticillium ; Dahlia ; Virulence ; Fusarium

UDP-glucose: flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase (UF3GT) uses flavones, dihydroflavonol or anthocyanin as the acceptor and uridine 5′-diphosphate-sugar as the donor to catalyze the production of flavonoid 3-O-glycoside compounds. Based on sequence homology and transcriptome data, we screened and cloned a UF3GT gene named CtUF3GT (GenBank No. OM948976) from safflower. Biological information analysis demonstrate that CtUF3GT has highly conserved PSPG motif. The open reading frame of CtUF3GT is 1 446 bp, encoding 481 amino acids, with a presumed molecular weight of 52.36 kD and a theoretical isoelectric point of 5.33. Multiple sequence alignment indicate that CtUF3GT has a high homology with UF3GT from Asteraceae, and phylogenetic analysis showed that CtUF3GT clusters with functional identified UF3GTs from other species. The purified recombinant protein glucosylated kaempferol and quercetin to biosynthesis of kaempferol 3-O-glucoside and quercetin 3-O-glucoside, respectively. And CtUF3GT prefered to use kaempferol as substrate. qRT-PCR analysis showed that the UF3GT gene was most highly expressed in flowers, followed by leaves, with very low expression in bracts and stems, and no expression in roots. The expression of UF3GT gene showed a trend of increasing and then decreasing at different stages of flower development. The expression of CtUF3GT gene in safflower with different flower color was highly significant (P < 0.01) at S1, S2, S5, S6 and S7 stages of flower development, in which the expression of CtUF3GT in white safflower was 5.3 and 3.1 times higher than that in red safflower at S6 and S7 stages. This study lays the foundation for further exploring the role of CtUF3GT in the mechanism of safflower flavonoid secondary metabolite biosynthesis and accumulation.

A method to measure the antibody-dependent cell-mediated phagocytosis (ADCP) potency of anti-CD38 mAb was developed based on design of experiment (DoE) with a Jurkat/NFAT/CD32a-FcεRIγ transgenic cell line as the effector cell, the Daudi cell line as the target cells, and luciferase as the detection system. The DoE method was used for optimization of experimental parameters and methodological validation. The results show that anti-CD38 mAb exhibits a dose-response relationship with the following four-parameter equation: y = (A - D) / [1 + (x / C)^B] + D. Several experimental parameters were optimized by statistical experimental design and determined as follows: the working concentration of anti-CD38 mAb was 800-20.81 ng·mL^-1, the density of the target cells was 7.5×10⁴ per well, and the density of effector cells was 2.5×10⁴ per well, with an induction time of 6 h. The method showed good specificity. The recovery rate for samples from 5 different groups showed that the relative potencies of anti-CD38 mAb were (59.97 ± 4.74) %, (82.44 ± 5.15) %, (110.69 ± 11.71) %, (129.23 ± 5.22)% and (162.15 ± 3.66) %. The recoveries ranged from 103% to 120% and the RSDs of the above results were all less than 11%. The linear detection range was 50%-150%. Based on DoE design, this method for measuring ADCP potency of anti-CD38 mAb was optimized and validated with good specificity, repeatability and accuracy. This method can be used for evaluation of ADCP biological activity of anti-CD38 mAbs.