Objective To investigate changes in the urinary metabolite profiles of children exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)during critical brain development and explore their potential link with the intestinal microbiota. Methods Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine ten hydroxyl metabolites of PAHs(OH-PAHs)in 36-month-old children.Subsequently,37 children were categorized into low-and high-exposure groups based on the sum of the ten OH-PAHs.Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to identify non-targeted metabolites in the urine samples.Furthermore,fecal flora abundance was assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing using Illumina MiSeq. Results The concentrations of 21 metabolites were significantly higher in the high exposure group than in the low exposure group(variable importance for projection>1,P<0.05).Most of these metabolites were positively correlated with the hydroxyl metabolites of naphthalene,fluorine,and phenanthrene(r=0.336-0.531).The identified differential metabolites primarily belonged to pathways associated with inflammation or proinflammatory states,including amino acid,lipid,and nucleotide metabolism.Additionally,these distinct metabolites were significantly associated with specific intestinal flora abundances(r=0.34-0.55),which were mainly involved in neurodevelopment. Conclusion Higher PAH exposure in young children affected metabolic homeostasis,particularly that of certain gut microbiota-derived metabolites.Further investigation is needed to explore the potential influence of PAHs on the gut microbiota and their possible association with neurodevelopmental outcomes.

BACKGROUNDMitofusin-2 (MFN2), a well-known mitochondrial fusion protein, has been shown to participate in innate immunity, but its role in mediating adaptive immunity remains poorly characterized. In this study, we explored the potential role of MFN2 in mediating the immune function of T lymphocytes.

METHODSWe manipulated MFN2 gene expression in Jurkat cells via lentiviral transduction of MFN2 small interfering RNA (siRNA) or full-length MFN2. After transduction, the immune response and its underlying mechanism were determined in Jurkat cells. One-way analysis of variance and Student's t-test were performed to determine the statistical significance between the groups.

RESULTSOverexpression of MFN2 enhanced the immune response of T lymphocytes by upregulating Ca2+ (359.280 ± 10.130 vs. 266.940 ± 10.170, P = 0.000), calcineurin (0.513 ± 0.014 vs. 0.403 ± 0.020 nmol/L, P = 0.024), and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFATs) activation (1.040 ± 0.086 vs. 0.700 ± 0.115, P = 0.005), whereas depletion of MFN2 impaired the immune function of T lymphocytes by downregulating Ca2+ (141.140 ± 14.670 vs. 267.060 ± 9.230, P = 0.000), calcineurin (0.054 ± 0.030 nmol/L vs. 0.404 ± 0.063 nmol/L, P = 0.000), and NFAT activation (0.500 ± 0.025 vs. 0.720 ± 0.061, P = 0.012). Furthermore, upregulated calcineurin partially reversed the negative effects of MFN2 siRNA on T cell-mediated immunity evidenced by elevations in T cell proliferation (1.120 ± 0.048 vs. 0.580 ± 0.078, P = 0.040), interleukin-2 (IL-2) production (473.300 ± 24.100 vs. 175.330 ± 12.900 pg/ml, P = 0.000), and the interferon-γ/IL-4 ratio (3.080 ± 0.156 vs. 0.953 ± 0.093, P = 0.000). Meanwhile, calcineurin activity inhibitor depleted the positive effects of overexpressed MFN2 on T cells function.

CONCLUSIONSOur findings suggest that MFN2 may regulate T cell immune functions primarily through the Ca2+-calcineurin-NFAT pathway. MFN2 may represent a potential therapeutic target for T cell immune dysfunction-related diseases.

OBJECTIVETo examine the relationship between overweight or obesity and the risk of the various hypertension hemodynamic subtypes in Yi farmers and migrants.

METHODSA cross-sectional study of 2 358 Yi farmers and 1 392 Yi migrants was carried out in the Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture, Sichuan, China in 2007.

RESULTSThe standardized prevalence of overweight in female Yi farmers (6.22%) was higher than in males (3.15%), whereas in Yi migrants 31.56% of males and 18.78% of females were overweight. The standardized prevalence of obesity was 0 and 0.61% in male and female Yi farmers, compared to 3.91% and 5.57% in male and female Yi migrants, respectively. For both genders the standardized prevalence of ISH, IDH, and SDH was higher in Yi migrants than Yi farmers. Overweight and obese Yi men and women had a higher risk for IDH and SDH (P<0.001) than non-overweight/obese individuals. However, an association of overweight or obesity with ISH was observed only in men.

CONCLUSIONYi migrants have substantially higher proportion of overweight and obese individuals, as well as individuals affected by ISH, IDH, and SDH, than do Yi farmers. Overweight and obesity are significant risk factors for the development of hypertension in Yi people.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; China ; epidemiology ; Diastole ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertension ; ethnology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; ethnology ; physiopathology ; Overweight ; ethnology ; physiopathology ; Systole ; Young Adult

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Logistic Models ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Radiography, Thoracic ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic mucous resection with transparent cap (EMR-Cap) and endoscopic multi-band mucosectomy (MBM) in the treatment of early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesion.

METHODSA retrospective study was performed to review 30 EMR-Cap cases from December 2008 to December 2009 and 32 MBM cases from January 2010 to January 2011 of early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions. The differences between these two techniques in efficacy, safety, and cost were compared.

RESULTSIn EMR-Cap group, the median resection time was 26(10-56) min and median procedure time was 43(22-81) min, significantly longer than those in MBM group [10(7-18) min and 32(28-45) min, P=0.036 and 0.038, respectively]. There were no significant differences between the two groups in total thickness and depth of resected lesions (P>0.05). In EMR-Cap group, the median cost was significantly higher than that of MBM group [(5466±354) vs. (4014±368) RMB, P=0.008)].

CONCLUSIONSEMR-Cap and MBM are minimally invasive, safe and effective methods in the treatment of early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions. Compared to the EMR-Cap, MBM is simple with shorter treatment time and lower cost.

Aged ; Endoscopy ; methods ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucous Membrane ; surgery ; Precancerous Conditions ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo retrospectively analysis the curative effect of wrist scaphoid bone fracture,and explore the causes and preventive methods of misdiagnosis.

METHODSFrom September 2007 to September 2010,16 patients with wrist scaphoid bone fractures were treated with plaster cast and cannulated screws fixation. There were 10 males and 6 females,ranging in age from 26 to 44 years with an average of 35 years. Among them, 12 cases manifested swelling pain of radial lateral wrist, tenderness at snuffbox area, wrist pain aggravated when stretching wrist joint, thumb or forefinger; 4 cases manifested no obviously symptoms and limited movement; 9 cases were early diagnosed; 5 cases were treated by plaster cast; 4 cases were treated with cannulated screws fixation; Among 7 cases with misdiagnosis, there were 4 cases without obvious symptoms and they were dealt with activating blood to dissipate swelling and pain process in preliminary stage. Four cases were treated with plaster cast and 3 cases with cannulated screws fixation.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up from 3 months to 39 months (averaged 21 months). Among 16 patients, 9 cases were early diagnosis, 7 cases were misdiagnosis and the rate of misdiagnosis was 43.8%. Seven cases with screws fixation were no wound infection. There was 1 case with occurred chronic pain and declining wrist mobility in both plaster cast and screw group, and both of them were misdiagnosed. According to curative effect rating criteria,these 2 cases were classified into moderate, other 14 cases were excellent.

CONCLUSIONWrist scaphoid bone fracture are easy to misdiagnose, so early diagnosis and treatment is particularly important. The main causes of misdiagnosis are nonspecific symptoms at early stage, combination with other injuries, lack of knowledge and ignorance of the further examination. Therefore, detailed inquiries and particular examination, multi-dimensional radiography and CT scan or MRI scan are the main measures for prevention.

Adult ; Bone Screws ; Casts, Surgical ; Diagnostic Errors ; prevention & control ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Scaphoid Bone ; injuries

Objective To evaluate the clinical feature of patients with atrial septal defects (ASD)and the safety and efficacy of transcatheter closure of ASD in elderly patients.Methods Between May 2000and June 2010,82 patients aged (64.5 + 3.8)years underwent attempted transcatheter ASD closure.Right heart catheterization was performed before intervention.Echocardiography was made at 1 day,1,3,6 months after the procedure.The pre- and post-closure clinical feature,pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and cardiac function were evaluated.Results In 82 patients,37 (45.1％) patients were associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension ( PAH ).The systolic PAP and mean PAP [ (44.1 ± 12.4) mm Hg ( 1mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) and (25.2 + 6.8) mm Hg,respectively ] were measured by right heart catheterization before the procedure.One patient was unsuitable for closure because of severe PAH.The remaining 81patients underwent successful ASD closure without major complications.After closuring,systolic PAP decreased from (52.7 ± 10.3 )mm Hg to (31.8 ± 6.3) mm Hg ( P ＜ 0.05 ),and mean PAP descended from (30.9 ± 4.7 ) mm Hg to (21.8 ± 3.4) mm Hg( P ＜ 0.05 ) in the 36 patients with PAH.The cardiac function improved post procedure.There were 6 new-onset atrial fibrillations during follow up.Conclusions ASD in elderly patients are commonly associated with PAH.Transcatheter ASD closure is safe and effective in the majority of elderly patients.

OBJECTIVETo explore the difference on the prevalence and the risk factors of type 2 diabetes(T2DM) between Yi farmer and immigrants in Liangshan, Sichuan province.

METHODSA representative sample of 2878 Yi people (including 1549 farmers and 1329 immigrants) aged from 16 to 76 was selected by the method of multistage and cluster sampling in Liangshan, Sichuan province, China, during 2007 - 2008. The samples were divided into 5 groups by the factor of age (16-, 25-, 35-, 45- and 55-76). The standardized prevalence of T2DM was calculated by the national census data in 2000. Logistic regression analysis was used to study the related risk factors of T2DM.

RESULTSThe prevalence of Yi farmer was 4.33% (67/1549) (male: 6.15% (42/683), female: 2.89% (25/866)), and that of Yi migrants was 9.03% (120/1329) (male: 11.31% (88/778), female: 5.81% (32/551)). The standardized prevalence (SP) was calculated by the data of national census 2000. The SP of Yi farmer was 5.97%in male, and that of the female was 2.40%. The SP of Yi migrant was 10.25% in male, and that of the female was 6.29%. For Yi people, sex (male versus female, OR = 1.69, 95%CI: 1.02 - 2.81), age (versus the group aged 16- and 25-, group aged 35 to 54: OR = 5.04, 95%CI: 2.93 - 8.69; group aged above 54: OR = 6.19, 95%CI: 3.23 - 11.86), hypertension (versus normal group, borderline hypertension value: OR = 1.61, 95%CI: 1.08 - 2.38; hypertension group: OR = 2.40, 95%CI: 1.37 - 4.22), smoking (OR = 1.55, 95%CI: 1.01 - 2.37), triglyceride (TG) level (OR = 1.65, 95%CI: 1.10 - 2.46) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level (OR = 1.64, 95%CI: 1.13 - 2.37) were the positive factors correlated with T2DM, and drinking (the alcohol volume from 22.67 to 52.50 g/d ) was negative factor (OR = 0.53, 95%CI: 0.30 - 0.95) correlated with T2DM.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of T2DM in Yi immigrants was higher than that in Yi farmers;sex, age, blood pressure, smoking, TG, HDL-C, drinking were influencing factors of T2DM.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; epidemiology ; Ethnic Groups ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the biomechanics of treatment for lumbar spondlolisthesis using nail-grooved tail steel plate and WDFC (Wendeng Fusion Cage) implant.

METHODSThere were nine permanent waist-sacrum wet bone (L3-S3) in 1 to 2 clay-cold hours including 6 men and 3 women. They were seldom separated into 3 groups, which were fixed by nail-grooved fail plus WDFC. The model was separate into two kinds for single and across. With electrometry, deal experiment date with Graftool software. Each piece should be tested twice respectively.

RESULTSThe single and across segment non-destructive compression experiment. No-mid-compression from 0 to 750 N,the related coefficient and curves had no obvious change on inclined rate. In the single segment curvedly serial experiment, the stress at all point measured by two sides steel plate-was mostly linear growth. In the across segment curvedly serial experiment, the inclined rate become big and appear anisomerous.

CONCLUSIONIt's proved by biomechanics that the steel plates with single furrow and cylinder wing plus WDFC has a good stability to cure lumbar vertebra slips.

Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Nails ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; Spondylolisthesis ; physiopathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo analyze the risk factors for early arrhythmias after transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect (PVSD).

METHODSA total of 358 patients [161 males, aged from 3 to 54, mean (10.9 +/- 8.1) years, body weight from 12 to 90, mean (32.8 +/- 17.2) kg] who underwent transcatheter closure of PVSD from August 2002 to February 2006 were included in this retrospective analysis. Electrocardiogram was performed daily after transcatheter closure for seven days. Relationships between arrhythmias and those risk factors such as the defect characteristics and the device size and types were explored by logistic regression analysis. Left ventriculography showed 195 out of 358 patients with PVSD were complicated with membranous aneurysm. The PVSD diameter ranged from 2 to 18 (6.5 +/- 3.1) mm in left ventricular side and from 2 to 12 (4.2 +/- 2.3) mm in right ventricular side. A total of 140 nonsymmetrical and 218 symmetrical occluders with diameter 4 to 18 (8.1 +/- 2.5) mm were used to close those defects.

RESULTSProcedure was successful in all patients. Early arrhythmias after transcatheter closure of PVSD were observed in 135 (37.7%) patients and serious cardiac arrhythmias in 23 (6.4%) patients. The early arrhythmias after transcatheter closure of PVSD were significantly correlated with device size [> or = (8.6 +/- 2.7) mm] and type (nonsymmetrical device), the span between the defect and tricuspid (< or = 3 mm), and the presence of aneurysm.

CONCLUSIONLarger device size, nonsymmetrical device, narrow span between the defect and tricuspid and the presence of aneurysm are the risk factors for early arrhythmias after transcatheter closure of PVSD.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; etiology ; Cardiac Catheterization ; adverse effects ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult