Background::Asthma imposes a large healthcare burden in China and the United States (US). However, the trends of asthma mortality and the relative risk factors have not been comparatively analyzed between the countries. The aim of this study was to compare the mortality and risk factors between China and the US.Methods::The deaths, and mortality rates of asthma in China and the US during 1990–2019 were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The age–period–cohort model was used to estimate these mortality rates based on a log-linear scale with additive age, period, and cohort effects. The population attributable fractions of risk factors for asthma were estimated.Results::In 1990–2019, the asthma mortality rate was higher in China than in the US. The crude and age-standardized asthma mortality rates trended downward in both China and the US from 1990 to 2019. The decline in mortality was more obvious in China. Mortality gap between the two countries was narrowing. A sex difference in asthma mortality was observed with higher mortality in males in China and females in the US. The age effects showed that mortality increased with age in adults older than 20 years, particularly in the elderly. Downward trends were generally observed in the period and cohort rate ratios in both countries, with China experiencing a more obvious decrease. Smoking and high body mass index (BMI) were the leading risk factors for asthma mortality in China and the US, respectively. Mortality attributable to occupational asthmagens and smoking decreased the most in China and the US, respectively.Conclusions::In 1990–2019, the asthma mortality rate was higher in China than in the US; however, the mortality gap has narrowed. Mortality increased with age in adults. The improvements in asthma death risk with period and birth cohort were more obvious in China than in the US. Smoking, high BMI, and aging are major health problems associated with asthma control. The role of occupational asthmagens in asthma mortality underscores the importance of management and prevention of occupational asthma.

Objective This study uses whole-genome methylation capture sequencing technology to screen differential sites and regions of gene methylation in mouse liver and colon under simulated weightlessness conditions to reveal the specific impact of weightlessness on gene methylation.Methods Six 8-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomized into the tail suspension group and the control group,with 3 in each.The 3 mice in the tail suspension group recieved tail suspension for simulated weightlessness for 42 days.After the experiment,DNA was extracted from liver and colon tissue and analyzed using genome-wide methylation capture sequencing technology.Results DNA analysis of liver tissue showed that a total of 7 517 differentially methylated sites and 997 differentially methylated regions were found,involving 4 892 genes.DNA analysis of colon tissue revealed 70 340 differentially methylated sites and 12 004 differentially methylated regions,affecting 12 877 genes.GO and KEGG path analysis revealed that these differentially methylated genes were mainly involved in protein binding,cell adhesion,cell activation,and various metabolic pathways.Conclusion This study successfully identified differential methylation sites and regions in mouse liver and colon under simulated weightlessness conditions through high-throughput sequencing technology.These findings help to further understand the impact of long-term space residence on biological gene methylation.It provides new research ideas for the prevention and early treatment of space flight-related diseases.

With the increasing maturity and progress of China's space technology,astronauts can stay longer in the space station and complete more complex space experiments and tasks.In the Microgravity(MG)environment of space,the digestive system of astronauts is inevitably affected,especially the liver and colon,and there are many physiological and pathological changes.MG can affect liver metabolic function,cell proliferation and differentiation,oxidative stress response and inflammatory factor levels.MG can disrupt the intestinal barrier of the colon,intestinal flora and microecology,intestinal immunity,and the gut-liver axis.However,the existing studies on the effects of MG on liver and colon are not completely clear,and there is a lack of reliable diagnostic indicators for the pathological changes of both.Therefore,in order to explore the damage mechanism of MG on liver and colon and ensure the digestive system health of astronauts,this paper reviews the research progress on the effects of MG on liver and colon.

Objective To construct and evaluate the rat model of thyroid nodule liver-qi depression syndrome with the combination of disease and syndrome,so as to lay a foundation for the exploration of the mechanism and clinical research of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of thyroid nodule.Methods 36 rats were randomly divided into three groups.The model was induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)stimulation combined with propylthiouracil(PTU).The rats in the blank group were fed with saline at the dose of 1 mL·100 g-1·d-1,and the rats in the PTU group were fed with 0.1%PTU solution at the dose of 1 mL·100 g-1·d-1.The rats in the CUMS+PTU group were fed with CUMS stimulation in a single cage and intragastric administration of 0.1%PTU solution according to the dose of 1 mL·100 g-1·d-1,and the modeling time lasted for 6 weeks.After the establishment of the model,the model of combination of disease and syndrome was evaluated comprehensively by means of animal behavior detection,ultrasonic image,apparent morphology observation,pathological staining and serum hormone index detection.Results Compared with control group and PTU group,the total distance in the open field was significantly shortened,the sucrose preference rate was significantly decreased,and the swimming suspension time was significantly prolonged in the CUMS+PTU group,showing obvious symptoms of liver qi stagnation.In addition,compared with the other two groups,the thyroid gland of CUMS+PTU group showed obvious enlargement and nodule formation,thyroid index significantly increased,and thyroid follicular epithelial cells showed a high phase of proliferation.In terms of hormone levels,compared with control group,the serum levels of free triiodothyronine(FT3)and free thyroxine(FT4)in CUMS+PTU group were significantly lower,while the level of thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH)was significantly higher,which was in line with the current evaluation criteria of thyroid nodule model.Conclusion The method of CUMS stimulation combined with PTU drug induction can successfully prepare the rat model of thyroid nodule liver-qi depression syndrome,and the comprehensive evaluation method is stable and reliable,which is helpful to improve the scientific nature of the disease-syndrome combination model.

The characteristic genetic abnormality of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs), a heterogeneous group of tumors found in various organs, remains to be identified. Here, based on the analysis of the splicing variants of an oncogene Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) in The Cancer Genome Atlas datasets that contain 9193 patients of 33 cancer subtypes, we found that Box 6/Box 7-containing FAK variants (FAK^6/7) were observed in 7 (87.5%) of 8 pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinomas and 20 (11.76%) of 170 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs). We tested FAK variants in 157 tumor samples collected from Chinese patients with pancreatic tumors, and found that FAK^6/7 was positive in 34 (75.6%) of 45 pancreatic NENs, 19 (47.5%) of 40 pancreatic solid pseudopapillary neoplasms, and 2 (2.9%) of 69 PDACs. We further tested FAK splicing variants in breast neuroendocrine carcinoma (BrNECs), and found that FAK^6/7 was positive in 14 (93.3%) of 15 BrNECs but 0 in 23 non-NEC breast cancers. We explored the underlying mechanisms and found that a splicing factor serine/arginine repetitive matrix protein 4 (SRRM4) was overexpressed in FAK^6/7-positive pancreatic tumors and breast tumors, which promoted the formation of FAK^6/7 in cells. These results suggested that FAK^6/7 could be a biomarker of NENs and represent a potential therapeutic target for these orphan diseases.
Female ; Humans ; Alternative Splicing ; Breast Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/pathology* ; Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/therapeutic use* ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics* ; Neuroendocrine Tumors/genetics* ; Oncogenes ; Pancreatic Neoplasms/metabolism*

Objective:To explore the effect of the location and size of region of interest (ROI) on the measurement of liver fat by means of quantitative computed tomography (QCT).Methods:A total of 98 subjects who were examined with QCT for bone mineral density examination from December 25, 2019 to January 17, 2020 were recruited continuously from the Department of Health Management of Henan Provincial People′s Hospital. The liver fat content was measured by QCT workstation. The ROI was located respectively in the left lobe, the right anterior lobe and the right posterior lobe of the liver, and it was measured independently by the A measurer and B measurer. The central position of the ROI was fixed and the diameter was increased, and it was measured by the A measurer. In this study, Friedman test was used to compare the differences of measurement results in different positions or sizes of ROI, and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) was used to evaluate the repeatability of inter-measurers.Results:There was a significant difference for liver fat content under different positions of ROI (χ2=62.306, P<0.001), but no difference under different seizes of ROI (χ2=1.088, P=0.581). The ICC values of the inter-measurers repeatability analysis of the A measurer and B measurer in the left lobe, right anterior lobe and right posterior lobe of the liver were 0.847, 0.917 and 0.874, all more than 0.75, and the reproducibility was good. Conclusions:When QCT technique is applied to the measurement of liver fat content, the location conditions of ROI may affect results, so it is necessary to select multiple ROI in the whole liver for measurement. The inter-measurers repeatability of QCT in different parts of the liver is good.

Objective:To provide support for the clinical application of quantitative computed tomography (QCT) in the measurement of liver fat content, this study evaluated the intra-observer and inter-observer reproducibility of liver fat content measured by QCT in a population receiving physical examinations.Methods:From April to July 2019, 291 people were consecutively selected who underwent QCT examination in the health management department of Henan Provincial People′s Hospital. There were 214 males (73.5%) and 77 females (26.5%), aged 48.7±11.0. We measured liver fat content by QCT workstation. Three observers (A, B, C) measured their liver fat content independently, then observer A performed re-testing two weeks later. The mean value of the two measurements from observer A was taken as the final result. Measurement data were described by mean±SD. Intra-observer and inter-observer reproducibility were assessed using intra-class correlation coefficients ( ICC). Results:The first measurement result for observer A was 10.46±5.55 and the second measurement for observer A was 10.66±5.59, resulting in a final value of 10.56±5.51. The measurement results of observers B and C were 10.70±5.45 and 10.86±5.77, respectively. The ICC value of liver fat content values measured by the three observers was 0.960 (95% CI: 0.951-0.967, P<0.001) and the ICC value of liver fat content values for the two measurements of observer A was 0.953 (95% CI: 0.941-0.962, P<0.001). The ICC values were>0.75, so reproducibility of results was good. Conclusions:If the measurement method is consistent, the results for liver fat content measured by a conventional CT scanner and QCT workstation will have good reproducibility between and within observers, and will also have certain clinical application prospects.

Epigenetic changes frequently occur in human colorectal cancer. Genomic global hypomethylation, gene promoter region hypermethylation, histone modifications, and alteration of miRNA patterns are major epigenetic changes in colorectal cancer. Loss of imprinting(LOI) is associated with colorectal neoplasia. Folate deficiency may cause colorectal carcinogenesis by inducing gene-specific hypermethylation and genomic global hypomethylation. HDAC inhibitors and demethylating agents have been approved by the FDA for myelodysplastic syndrome and leukemia treatment. Non-coding RNA is regarded as another kind of epigenetic marker in colorectal cancer. This review is mainly focused on DNA methylation, histone modification, and microRNA changes in colorectal cancer.
Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; CpG Islands ; genetics ; DNA Methylation ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Folic Acid Deficiency ; genetics ; Genomic Imprinting ; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors ; metabolism ; Histone Deacetylases ; metabolism ; Histones ; metabolism ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; RNA, Untranslated ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the replantation methods and clinical results of amputated fingertip.

METHODSFrom October 2007 to June 2011, 18 fingers of 13 cases were replanted with anastomosis of palm vein and retaining the nail, including 9 males and 4 females,with an average age of 26 years old ranging from 17 to 45 years old. The time from injury to therapy was from 30 min to 5 h, time of broken finger ischemia was from 1.5 to 7 h. All broken fingers were preservation under normal temperature.

RESULTSAll fingers were survived, no vascular crisis happened. All cases were followed up from 3 to 24 months with an average of 14 months. The length and shape of replanted fingers were similar to that of the healthy side. The new nails were smooth, the function was perfect,the sense of pain and touched sensation had been recovered. Their two-piont discriminations ranged from 3 to 6 mm with an average of 5 mm. According to the assessment standard of Chinese Medical Association of Hand Surgery, the results were excellent in 14 cases, good in 3 cases, poor in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONFingertip replantation with anastomosis of palm vein and retaining the nail is regained satisfactory appearance and function of the digits with a high survival rate.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Female ; Fingers ; surgery ; Hand ; blood supply ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nails ; surgery ; Replantation ; methods ; Veins ; surgery ; Young Adult

Objective To summarize and analyze the clinical characteristic of blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS).Methods The clinical data of four cases treated since 2001 and 30 BRBNS cases reported by domestic literature were retrospectively analyzed.The clinical manifestation,family history,endoscopy and imageology examination,site of lesions,treatment and follow up were analyzed.Results The male to female ratio was 1.8∶1 and median age was 19.5 years.A total of 33 cases (97.1％) presented with gastrointestinal bleeding,median age of gastrointestinal bleeding detected was 9.0 years.Among the 33 cases,anemiawas found as the primary symptom in nine cases (27.3％),and one case complicated with intussusception and intestinal necrosis accompanied with abdominal pain.Two cases have family history.Gastroscopy (85.3 ％) and colonoscopy(73.5 ％) were mainly examinations for detection.Lesions mainly involved skin (100.0％) and digestive tract (97.1％),and the locations of the lesion in digestive tract was stomach (64.7％),small intestine (64.7％),colon (58.8％),esophagus (29.4％).Treatment methods included symptomatic treatment,endoscopic therapy and surgery.Banding ligation and polypectomy resection were common endoscopic therapies.Gastrointestinal bleeding did not recur in six cases with endoscopic therapy and four cases receiving surgery during short-term follow up.Conclusions BRBNS lesions mainly involve skin and digestive tract,mostly complicated with gastrointestinal bleeding.For gastrointestinal bleeding,so far endoscopic therapy and surgery are the effective therapies.