Objective To investigate the relationship between serum L-carnitine and its related metabolites[trimethylamine(TMA)and trimethylamine N-oxide(TMAO)]levels and gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)in the second trimester of pregnant women in Shanghai.Methods A case-control study was conducted in 280 pregnant women between 18 and 23 weeks of gestation from January 2018 to January 2021.Among them,134 cases of GDM were the case group(GDM),and 146 cases with normal blood glucose(BG)were the control group(Con).Serum L-carnitine,TMA and TMAO levels were quantified by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.Logistic regression analysis,stratified analysis and linear regression were used to explore the relationship between L-carnitine,TMA and TMAO levels and GDM and glucolipid metabolism.Results Serum L-carnitinelevelwas significantly lower in GDM group than that in Con group(P<0.01).After adjusting for confounders,logistic regression showed a 70%reduction in the risk of GDM in the group with highest tertile of L-carnitine compared with the group with lowest tertile(OR 0.30,95%CI 0.15～0.63).The risk of GDM decreased by 14%for each 1 μmol/L increase in serum L-carnitine(OR 0.86,95%CI 0.80～0.93).Serum L-carnitine was negatively correlated with 1 hPG(r=-0.21,P<0.01)and 2 hPG(r=-0.15,P<0.05),respectively,TMA was negatively correlated with 2 hPG(r=-0.21,P<0.01).Conclusions Higher serum L-carnitine level may be negatively associated with GDM.Serum L-carnitine and TMA levels were negatively correlated with blood glucose levels.

Objective To analyze the burden of pneumoconiosis in China through comparison with the United States, Germany and the world based on GBD 2017 data, and to provide references for direction and reform measures for the Pneumoconiosis Prevention and Control Battle and the Occupational Health Protection Action in China. Methods The indexes of disease burden for pneumoconiosis in China, the United States, Germany and the Global level from 1990 to 2017 on the basis of GBD 2017 was obtained, and epidemiological characteristics and trends of pneumoconiosis were analyzed to compare the differences in the disease burden of pneumoconiosis. The main reasons for pneumoconiosis were analyzed, and the strategies for the improvement of prevention and control policies were discussed. Results From 1990 to 2017, the prevalence of pneumoconiosis in China rose from 12.96/100 000 to 20.45/100 000, an increase of 57.79%. The years lived with disability rose from 1.95/100 000 to 3.05/100 000, with an increase of 56.41%. In 2017, the YLL/DALY of China's pneumoconiosis was 82.60%, and the years of life lost caused by premature death was still the main component of China's pneumoconiosis disease burden. In 2017, the standardized DALY rate and standardized YLL rate of occupational exposure to silicon in China accounted for 66.19% and 72.62% of the total burden of environmental occupational factors, respectively, which were higher than the United States (30.24%, 35.06%) and Germany (52.17%, 52.65%) ), as well as the world (50.95%, 54.80%). From 1990 to 2017, the standardized DALY rate of pneumoconiosis in China, the United States, Germany, and the world all showed a downward trend, with a decrease of 51.99%, 37.69%, 58.33%, and 48.20%, respectively. However, in 2017, the standardized DALY rate of China (12.57/100 000) was still higher than the United States (4.10/100 000), Germany (3.45/100 000), and the world (6.32/100 000). Conclusion Until at least 2017, the disease burden of pneumoconiosis in China was still higher than that of the United States, Germany and the world. It is necessary to learn from the experience of countries with better prevention and control effects, strengthen laws and regulations, and focus on dust control to prevent pneumoconiosis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of matrine on the proliferation, tumor cell stemness, β-catenin transcriptional activity and AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) HepG2 and Huh7 cells. METHODS: The proliferation and colony formation ability of HepG2 and Huh7 cells treated with 200, 400, and 800 μg/mL matrine were evaluated with MTT assay and colony formation assay, respectively. Real-time quantitative PCR was performed to detect the mRNA expressions of CD90, epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) and CD133, and dual-luciferase assay was used to detect the transcriptional activity of β-catenin in the treated cells. The effects of matrine on the expressions of protein kinase B (AKT), P-AKT, GSK-3β, P-GSK-3β, P-β-catenin and β-catenin proteins in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were assessed using Western blotting. RESULTS: Matrine inhibited the proliferation of the two HCC cell lines in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The half-inhibitory concentrations of matrine were 2369, 1565 and 909.1 μg/mL at 24, 48 and 72 h in HepG2 cells, respectively, and were 1355, 781.8, and 612.8 μg/mL in Huh7 cells, respectively. Matrine concentrationdependently suppressed colony formation of the HCC cells, producing significant inhibitory effects at 400 μg/mL < 0.01) and 800 μg/mL < 0.001) in HepG2 cells and at 200 μg/mL < 0.05), 400 μg/mL < 0.01), and 800 μg/mL < 0.001) in Huh7 cells. Matrine at 400 and 800 μg/mL significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of CD90, EpCAM and CD133 and the transcriptional level of β-catenin in both HepG2 and Huh7 cells < 0.05 or 0.01). Matrine at 400 and 800 μg/mL also significantly decreased the protein levels of β-catenin, P-AKT and P-GSK-3β and increased the phosphorylation level of β-catenin in both of the cell lines. CONCLUSIONS Matrine inhibits the proliferation, colony formation, and the expressions of tumor stem cell markers CD90, EpCAM and CD133 in both HepG2 and Huh7 cells probably by inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and the transcriptional activity ofβ-catenin.

Objective · To obtain the latest data on phospholipid composition of human milk in Shanghai and compare the differences in phospholipid composition at different lactation stages. Methods · Healthy postpartum women who delivered full-term infants in the Obstetrical Department of Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine between April and July, 2016 were enrolled. The colostrum, transitional milk, and mature milk were collected at Day 3, 10, and 45 after delivering babies, respectively. Human milk fat was extracted with Folch's method and phospholipids were separated with solid phase extraction (SPE). The phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, and sphingomyelin were quantitatively analyzed with HPLC/VWD. The differences in phospholipid composition at different lactation stages were compared with univariate analysis of variance and Games-Homell test. Results · One hundred women who provided at least one breast milk sample were enrolled. A total of 70 colostrum samples, 96 transitional milk samples, and 82 mature milk samples were collected. The total phospholipid content of mature milk [(281.93±118.54) μg/g] was significantly lower than that of colostrum [(381.99±205.90) μg/g]. At all lactation stages, the relative content of phosphatidylcholine was the highest (53.74%-59.36%), followed by sphingomyelin (28.12%-32.74%). The relative content of phosphatidylethanolamine was constant (P=0.617), the relative content of phosphatidylcholine gradually decreased (P=0.000), and that of sphingomyelin gradually increased (P=0.000) during the lactation. Conclusion · Sphingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine are major components of human milk phospholipids. The amount of phospholipids varies during the lactation. The total amount of phospholipids is lower in mature milk than in colostrum and transitional milk. The relative content of phosphatidylethanolamine is consistent at all lactation stages, the relative content of phosphatidylcholine gradually decreases, and that of sphingomyelin gradually increases.

BACKGROUND:The kidney tissues easily affected exercise ischemia reperfusion, increased free radicals and inflammation, resulted in abnormal renal function after acute exercise. OBJECTIVE:To observe the influence of Blackcurrant Extract on the structure of kidney and expression of tumor necrosis factor-α and nuclear factor-κB at 24 hours after exhaustiveexercise. METHODS:A total of 30 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=10). Rats in the Blackcurrant Extract group were intragastricaly administered 0.44 g/kg Blackcurrant Extract. Rats in the quietness control group and 24-hour exhaustive exercise group were intragastricaly given an equal volume of distiled water for 6 consecutive weeks. Rats in the 24-hour exhaustive exercise group and Blackcurrant Extract group received no swimming motion until exhaustion fatigue after final intragastric administration. Twenty-four hours later, samples were obtained. Kidney tissue morphology and ultrastructure were observed by electron microscopy and light microscopy. Protein expression of tumor necrosis factor-α and nuclear factor-κB was detected using immunohistochemistry. Tumor necrosis factor-αmRNA and nuclear factor-κB mRNA expression was detected using RT-PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the quietness control group, tumor necrosis factor-α protein and nuclear factor-κB protein expression in the kidney was higher in the 24-hour exhaustive exercise group, and tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA and nuclear factor-κB mRNA expression was significantly increased (P < 0.01). Compared with the 24-hour exhaustive exercise group, tumor necrosis factor-α protein and nuclear factor-κB protein expression was lower in the Blackcurrant Extract group, and nuclear factor-κB mRNA expression was significantly decreased (P < 0.05); tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA expression was significantly reduced (P < 0.01). Kidney in the 24-hour exhaustive exercise group showed obvious morphological changes and ultrastructural damage. The structure of the kidney in the Blackcurrant Extract group tended to be normal. Results suggested that Blackcurrant Extract can repair the kidney tissue injury, reduce the expression of inflammatory factors, and prevent inflammatory damage in the kidney at 24 hours after exhaustive exercise.

Monascus-fermented rice is a natural food and traditional Chinese medicine. Besides its wellknown effectiveness in lowering blood lipids, Monascus-fermented rice is also beneficial for decreasing blood pressure, preventing osteoporosis, and lowering blood sugar. This article reviews recent advances in its non-anti-hyperlipemic effects and their potential mechanisms.

Objective To study the effects of compound preparations which contain docosahexenoic acid (DHA),soybean lecithin,and vitamin A on memory ability of children and to compare the difference between two compound preparations that contain DHA from marine algae and from fish oil.Methods Totally 160 11-12-year-old healthy children who were studying in a primary school in Baoshan District of Shanghai were enrolled in this study.All the subjects signed the informed consent form.Subjects were randomly divided into three groups with random numbers:marine algae DHA group(n=53),fish oil DHA group(n=53),and control group(n=54).Subjects in the marine algae DHA group were given compound preparation which contained DHA form marine algae,soybean lecithin,and vitamin A;subjects in fish oil DHA group were given compound preparation which contained DHA form fish oil,soybean lecithin,and vitamin A.The dose of DHA(200 mg DHA per capsule)and other components in the two groups was equal.Subjects in the control group were given a placebo with same appearance.The trial lasted 30 days.Each subject took a capsule per day.Immediately before and after the trial,subjects were tested by using the clinical memory scale compiled by the Institute of Clinical Psychology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.Results Before the trial.there was no difference amongthree groups in terms of all items of clinical memory scale or memory quotient(all P>0.05).After the trial,except for associative learning(both P>0.05),the other items of the clinical memory scale and memory quotient in both marine algae DHA group and fish oil DHA group were significantly higher than those of control group(all P<0.05).No significant difference was noted between the marine algae DHA group and fish oil DHA group for all items of the clinical memory scale or memory quotient(all P>0.05).Conclusions DHA compounds can impreve the memory ability of children.DHAs with different sources have similar effect on memory ability.

Alpha-lipoic acid is a potent antioxidant.Its protective effects on oxidative stress induced by diabetes and othe factors are mainly achieved via its antioxidant property.Such effects have been observed in cardiovascular system,kidney,and liver.This article reviews the recent advances in the anti-oxidation mechanisms and protective effects of alpha-lipoic acid in peripheral organs.

Objective To investigate the clinical features and treatments of pituitary abscess.Method The clinical data of 6 patients with pituitary abscess were examed along with a review of the literature.Results Of 6 patients,headache was presented in 5 patients,hypopituitarism in 4 patients,visual disturbance and/or bitemporal hemianopsia in 4 patients and fever in 1 patient.MRI and CT images showed a cystic sellar lesion with ring enhancement in 5 patients.Preoperative diagnosis of pituitary abscess was made in 2 patients,pituitary adenomas in 3 patients and craniopharyngiomas in 1 patient.All cases were treated surgically by transsphenoidal approach in 5 patients and transscranial in 1 patient.Followed with postoperative antibiotics therapy for 3 weeks,the symptoms were improved postoperatively in all cases.Followed up 8 months to 10 years,1 patient who underwent craniotomy recurred and wag cured by via transsphenoidal surgery.Conclusions The pituitary abscess is easily misdiagnosed.The cystic pituitary lesion should be considered the possibility of pituitary abscess.Transsphenoidal surgery and proper perioperative antibiotics therapy are the keys to the treatment of pituitary abscess.

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the progression of diabetes mellitus. As a potent antioxidant, alpha-lipoic acid is able to clear free radicals and alleviate oxidative damages and therefore has been widely applied in the clinical management of diabetes mellitus. This article summarizes the clinical application of alpha-lipoic acid in alleviating diabetes mellitus-related oxidative damages, protecting vascular lesions, treating diabetic polyneuropathies, and modulating insulin sensitivity.