[Study on the association of dietary patterns of Shaanxi women of childbearing age during pregnancy with adverse pregnancy outcomes from 2010 to 2012]

Objective: To analyze the types of dietary patterns of women during pregnancy in Shaanxi and their association with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods: Data were derived from a cross-sectional program named "The prevalence and risk factors of birth defects in Shaanxi Province" from July to November in 2013. A multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used to extract 15 980 women of childbearing age who met the inclusion exclusion criteria from Shaanxi Province. The questionnaire obtained information such as the pregnancy outcome and the food intake of the study subjects during pregnancy. The dietary pattern was extracted by factor analysis, and the each dietary pattern of subjects were divided into T(1)-T(3) groups according to the factor score. The effects of each dietary pattern on major adverse pregnancy outcomes were estimated by unconditional logistic regression model. Results: Four dietary patterns were established:vegetarian pattern, balanced pattern, traditional pattern, and processing pattern. The multivariate logistic regression model results showed that compared with the vegetarian pattern T(2) group, the T(1) group had lower risk of low birth weight (OR=0.56, 95%CI: 0.41-0.83), and the T(3) group had higher risk of low birth weight in offspring (OR=2.32, 95%CI: 1.59-3.89); compared with the traditional pattern T(2) group, the T(3) group had higher risk of premature (OR=2.62, 95%CI: 1.58-5.01); compared with the balanced pattern T(2) group, the T(3) group had a lower risk of spontaneous abortion (OR=0.73, 95%CI: 0.36-0.89); compared with the processing pattern T(2) group, the T(3) group had a higher risk of spontaneous abortion (OR=1.97, 95%CI: 1.36-3.34) and higher risk of stillbirth (OR=2.96, 95%CI: 1.49-6.26), and the T(1) group had a lower risk of stillbirths in offspring (OR=0.52, 95%CI: 0.33-0.83). Conclusion: The women of childbearing age in Shaanxi have different dietary patterns, and there may be a correlation between dietary patterns and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Multimodal X-ray imaging of grain-level properties and performance in a polycrystalline solar cell

The factors limiting the performance of alternative polycrystalline solar cells as compared with their single-crystal counterparts are not fully understood, but are thought to originate from structural and chemical heterogeneities at various length scales. Here, it is demonstrated that multimodal focused nanobeam X-ray microscopy can be used to reveal multiple aspects of the problem in a single measurement by mapping chemical makeup, lattice structure and charge collection efficiency simultaneously in a working solar cell. This approach was applied to micrometre-sized individual grains in a Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ polycrystalline film packaged in a working device. It was found that, near grain boundaries, collection efficiency is increased, and that in these regions the lattice parameter of the material is expanded. These observations are discussed in terms of possible physical models and future experiments.

[Retrospective cohort study on the correlation between high value of lactic acid and risk of death in 127 patients with extensive burn during shock stage]

Objective: To analyze the relationship between serum lactic acid value and risk of death in patients with extensive burn during shock stage and the related influencing factors. Methods: Clinical data of 127 patients (111 males and 16 females) with extensive burn admitted to Institute of Burn Research of the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from January 2009 to December 2013 and Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns of the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from January 2016 to December 2018, who met the admission criteria, were retrospectively analyzed. The patients aged 21 to 62 years, with total burn area more than 50% total body surface area. All patients were treated with antishock therapy after admission. (1) According to the treatment outcome, the patients were divided into survival group (n=98) and death group (n=29). The gender, age, total burn area, partial-thickness burn area, full-thickness burn area, abbreviated burn severity index (ABSI), admission time after injury, number of patients with inhalation injury, number of patients with acute renal failure, and serum lactic acid values on admission and at post admission hour (PAH) 12, 24, 36, and 48 were recorded. (2) According to the optimal positive cut-off value of serum lactic acid 48 hours after admission, the patients were divided into high lactic acid group and normal lactic acid group. Age, gender, total burn area, indexes at PAH 48 including urea nitrogen, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, white blood cell count, platelet count, lymphocyte count, prothrombin time (PT), hematocrit value, oxygenation index, respiratory index (RI), the alveolar-arterial oxygen partial pressure difference, mean arterial pressure (MAP) at PAH 48, the average urine volume within 48 hours after admission, the total volume of intravenous fluid infusion within 48 hours after admission, the volume of fluid infusion per kilogram of body mass within the first 24 hours after admission, the volume of fluid infusion per one percent of body surface area per kilogram of body mass within the first 24 hours after admission, the volume of urine per kilogram of body mass per hour within the first 24 hours after admission, and the percentage of hospital death were recorded. Data were processed with t test, chi-square test, and Fisher's exact probability test. Cox regression analysis was used to screen independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) of serum lactic acid value at PAH 48 of 127 patients was drawn to predict patients' death and determine the optimal positive cut-off value. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen independent risk factors causing increase of serum lactic acid. Results: (1) There were significantly statistical differences in total burn area, full-thickness burn area, and ABSI of patients between survival group and death group (t=6.257, 4.476, 5.727, P<0.01), while other indexes between the two groups were close. (2) The serum values of lactic acid of patients in death group on admission and at PAH 12, 24, 36, and 48 were (4.00±0.28), (4.50±0.26), (4.02±0.31), (3.48±0.22), (3.40±0.19) mmol/L, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in survival group [(3.30±0.21), (3.20±0.19), (2.33±0.17), (1.85±0.18), (1.50±0.09) mmol/L, t=14.552, 29.603, 38.133, 40.648, 74.973, P<0.05 or P<0.01]. (3) Cox regression analysis showed that the serum value of lactic acid at PAH 48 was the independent risk factor affecting the prognosis of patients, with risk ratio of 1.853 and 95% confidence interval of 1.342-2.559, P<0.01. (4) The total area under ROC of serum value of lactic acid at PAH 48 to predict death of 127 patients was 0.811, with 95% confidence interval of 0.699-0.924, P<0.01. The optimal positive cut-off value of serum value of lactic acid was 1.75 mmol/L, with sensitivity of 75.0% and specificity of 79.5% for predicting death. (5) There were significantly statistical differences in total burn area, ALT, AST, ALP, PT, total serum bilirubin, total volume of intravenous fluid infusion within 48 hours after admission, volume of fluid infusion per kilogram of body mass within the first 24 hours after admission, and percentage of hospital deaths of patients between high lactic acid group (n=34) and normal lactic acid group (n=93), t=3.592, 6.797, 10.367, 2.089, 2.880, 4.517, 2.984, 4.044, χ(2)=58.498, P<0.05 or P<0.01, while other indexes were close between the two groups. (6) Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that AST and total serum bilirubin were independent risk factors for increase of serum lactic acid, with odds ratios of 1.021 and 1.064 and 95% confidence intervals of 1.001-1.040 and 1.001-1.132, P<0.05. Conclusions: Serum value of lactic acid at PAH 48 can independently predict the death of patients with extensive burns. Liver injury is an important risk factor causing hyperlacticemia during burn shock stage. Widespread increase of vascular permeability and large amount of fluid resuscitation are the core factors leading to aggravation of abdominal organ injury.

Systemic disruption of the homeostasis of transfer RNA isopentenyltransferase causes growth and development abnormalities in Bombyx mori

Isopentenylation at A37 (i⁶ A37) of some transfer RNAs (tRNAs) plays a vital role in regulating the efficiency and fidelity of protein synthesis. However, whether insects, which are well known for their highly efficient protein synthesis machinery, employ this regulatory mechanism remains uninvestigated. In the current study, a candidate tRNA isopentenyltransferase (IPT) gene with three alternative splicing isoforms (BmIPT1-BmIPT3) was identified in Bombyx mori (silkworm). Only BmIPT1 could complement a yeast mutant lacking tRNA IPT. Phylogenetic analysis showed that silkworm tRNA IPT is conserved in the Lepidoptera. BmIPT was expressed in all B. mori tissues and organs that were investigated, but was expressed at a significantly higher level in silk glands of the fourth instar compared to the first day of the fifth instar. Interestingly, BmIPT was expressed at a significantly higher level in the domesticated silkworm, B. mori, than in wild Bombyx mandarina in multiple tissues and organs. Knock-down of BmIPT by RNA interference caused severe abnormalities in silk spinning and metamorphosis. Constitutive overexpression of BmIPT1 using a cytoplasmic actin 4 promoter in B. mori raised its messenger RNA level more than sixfold compared with nontransgenic insects and led to significant decreases in the body weight and cocoon shell ratio. Together, these results confirm the first functional tRNA IPT in insects and show that a suitable expression level of tRNA IPT is vital for silk spinning, normal growth, and metamorphosis. Thus, i⁶ A modification at position A37 in tRNA probably plays an important role in B. mori protein synthesis.

[Association between family history and the risk of hypertension in rural districts of Hanzhong in Shaanxi province]

Objective: To understand the prevalence of hypertension and quantitative relationship between family history and the risk of hypertension among rural residents living in Hanzhong District, Shaanxi province. Methods: A multistage random sampling survey was conducted. Data on the characteristics related to hypertension were collected and physical examination was conducted. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between family history and hypertension. Results: A total number of 2 817 rural residents aged 18-80 with complete information were recruited. The crude prevalence of hypertension was 33.7%. Results from the logistic regression analysis showed that the OR was 2.06 (95% CI: 1.70-2.50) between family histories with or without hypertension. When the first-degree relatives were with the degrees of family history of hypertention as Ⅰ, Ⅱ or Ⅲ, the OR values of hypertension appeared as 1.83 (95% CI: 1.47-2.27), 2.94 (95% CI: 2.09-4.13) and 4.48 (95% CI: 2.17-9.27) respectively. Either father or mother having the positive family history of hypertension, the corresponding OR values appeared as 2.50 (95% CI: 1.84-3.40), 1.61(95% CI: 1.22-2.12) seen in mothers. However, when both father and mother having the family history of hypertention, the OR value was seen 2.82 (95%CI: 1.76-4.51) in the mothers. Conclusion: Family history appeared as a risk factor for hypertension. The number of first-degree relatives with positive family history showed a dose-response relationship to the occurrence of hypertension. Family history in both father or mother might further affect the incidence of hypertension.

Molecular cloning of WIF1 and HMGA2 reveals ear-preferential expression while uncovering a missense mutation associated with porcine ear size in WIF1

Considerable diversity exists in porcine ear size, which is an important morphological feature of pig breeds. Previously, we localized four crucial candidate genes-high mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2), LEM domain-containing 3 (LEMD3), methionine sulfoxide reductase B3 (MSRB3) and Wnt inhibitory factor 1 (WIF1)-on Sus Scrofa chromosome 5 affecting porcine ear size, then cloned LEMD3 and MSBR3. In this study, we performed rapid amplification of cDNA ends to obtain full-length cDNA sequences of 2338-bp WIF1 and 2998-bp HMGA2. Using quantitative real-time PCR, we revealed that WIF1 expression was highest in ear cartilage of 60-day-old pigs and that this is therefore a better candidate gene for ear size than HMGA2. We further screened coding sequence variants in both genes and identified only one missense mutation (WIF1:c.1167C>G) in a conserved epidermal growth factor-like domain from the mammalian WIF1 protein. The protein-altering mutation was significantly associated with ear size across the Large White × Minzhu hybrid and Beijing Black pig populations. When WIF1:c.1167C>G was included as fixed effect in the model to re-run a genome-wide association study in the Large White × Minzhu intercross population the P-value of the peak SNP on SSC5 from re-running the genome-wide association study dropped from 2.45E-12 to 7.33E-05. Taken together, the WIF1:c.1167C>G could be an important mutation associated with ear size. Our findings provide helpful information for further studies of the molecular mechanisms controlling porcine ear size.

[Effects of platelet-rich plasma on the survival of ultra-long dorsal random flaps in rats]

Objective: To observe the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the survival of ultra-long dorsal random flaps in rats. Methods: Sixteen male Sprague Dawley rats aged 6 to 8 weeks (the same below) were sacrificed to collect whole blood of 9 to 10 mL from each rat, and PRP was prepared by modified APPLE method. The platelet count of retained whole blood and PRP detected by automated blood cell analyzer showed that PRP was made successfully. The other thirty-two rats were collected and divided into PRP group and control group according to the random number table, with 16 rats in each group. One rectangular ultra-long random flap with area of 8 cm×2 cm was made on the back of each rat and replanted in situ. The equidistant 3 points were designed on both sides of the flap of each rat. Rats in PRP group were injected with 0.1 mL PRP from dermis and subcutaneous tissue of each injection point, while rats in control group were injected with the same volume of normal saline. Eight rats in each group were sacrificed at post operation hour (POH) 24 and on post operation day (POD) 7. On POD 7, survival of flaps of rats in 2 groups was observed, and the survival rates of flaps were calculated. On POD 7, the proximal, middle, and distal flaps of rats in 2 groups were collected, and histological changes of the flaps of rats in 2 groups were observed with hematoxylin-eosin staining. At POH 24 and on POD 7, flaps in 3 to 4 cm to pedicles were taken to detect mRNA expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor AA (PDGF-AA) and PDGF-BB by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and to determine content of nitric oxide by nitrate reductase method. Data were processed with t test. Results: (1) On POD 7, flaps of rats in PRP group were dry without purulent exudate, and covered with scab, and the pink new skin emerged after scab fell off. On POD 7, flaps of rats in control group were with a large amount of inflammatory exudates, 1/2 to 2/3 of flaps at the distal were with necrosis and covered by scab which was not easy to be stripped. The survival rate of flap of rats in PRP group was (67±6)%, significantly higher than (52±10)% of rats in control group (t=1.94, P<0.05). (2) There were no obvious inflammatory cell infiltration and a number of microvessels, and fibrous tissue arranged neatly in the proximal flaps of rats in PRP group. There were a few of inflammatory cell infiltration and a number of microvessels, and fibrous tissue arranged slightly disorderly in the middle flaps of rats in PRP group. There were many more inflammatory cell infiltration and microvessels, a small amount of vascular embolism, and fibrous tissue arranged disorderly in the distal flaps of rats in PRP group. There were a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration and a few of microvessels, and fibrous tissue arranged disorderly in the proximal, middle, and distal flaps of rats in control group. (3) At POH 24 and on POD 7, mRNA expressions of VEGF, PDGF-AA, and PDGF-BB of rats in PRP group were significantly higher than those of rats in control group (t=6.46, 5.61, 2.88, 10.18, 6.10, 7.67, P<0.001). (4) At POH 24, content of nitric oxide in flap of rats in PRP group was (5.0±0.9) μmol/g, significantly higher than (3.4±0.9) μmol/g of rats in control group (t=19.14, P<0.001). On POD 7, content of nitric oxide in flap of rats in PRP group was (3.3±0.8) μmol/g, which was close to (3.0±0.6) μmol/g of rats in control group (t=2.93, P>0.05). Conclusions: PRP can improve the survival rate of ultra-long dorsal random flap in rats, which may be related to regulation of angiogenesis related factors, increase of nitric oxide content, and inhibition of excessive apoptosis of cells of PRP, so as to alleviate ischemical reperfusion injury and improve microcirculatory disturbance.

Association of Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Frailty among Chinese Elders: A Cross-Sectional Study in Three Cities

OBJECTIVES

To examine the association of FVI and frailty in Chinese elders.

DESIGN

A sectional study was conducted in three cities (Shanghai, Zhengzhou, and Baoji) in China from June 2017 to June 2018.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 5699 participants from 49 districts were included in the current study by two-stage sampling methods.

MEASUREMENTS

Frailty was measured by a validated Chinese version of the FRAIL scale. FVI per day was measured by two single questions.

RESULTS

The sample proportion with sufficient fruit intake was 36.7%, and 44.7% reported sufficient vegetable intake. The sample proportions that were robust, pre-frail, and frail were 43.6%, 38.3%, and 18.1%, respectively. Compared with low FVI, after including covariates, the odds ratio (OR) of frailty was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.73-0.97) for moderate fruit intake and 0.81 (95% CI: 0.70-0.94) for enough fruit intake; the OR of frailty was 0.83 (95% CI: 0.68-0.91) for moderate vegetable intake and 0.77 (95% CI: 0.64-0.93) for enough vegetable intake.

CONCLUSION

High FVI was negatively associated with the OR of frailty in Chinese elders. This finding implies it is important to promote FVI among adults to prevent frailty.

[Evaluation of strain indexes and prognosis of patients with cardiac amyloidosis with preserved LVEF by three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging]

Objective: To evaluate the patients with Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) and Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) by using the strain indexes of three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging(3D-STI) technique, and to evaluate the prognosis. Methods: A total of 32 patients with pathologically confirmed cardiac amyloidosis and 34 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and 16 normal controls were enrolled from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University College of Medicine from June, 2013 to January, 2018.The color Doppler echocardiography and three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography were used to measure strain indexes of each group, and the Logistic regression equation was used to analyze the index differences.The cut-off values were analyzed using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC), and Kaplan-Meier and Cox were used for survival regression analysis. Results: The globe radial strain (GRS) (16%±7% vs 23%±9%), left ventricular wall peak time difference (PSD) (52 ms±17 ms vs 77 ms±25 ms), Sokolow-Lyon index (20 mm±6 mm vs 34 mm±14 mm) were significantly different between cardiac amyloidosis group and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy group by 3D-STI, which had high sensitivity and specificity by Logistic regression analysis.The area under the ROC curve of GRS was 0.725, PSD was 0.812, Sokolow-Lyon index was 0.832.In addition, the area strain and atrial septal thickness were significant prognostic factors according to survival regression analysis. Conclusions: For the differential diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis with preserved LVEF, unlike echocardiographic parameters, the 3D-STI strain indicators could be used to differentiate cardiac amyloidosis from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, reflecting obvious diagnostic advantages.When combined with area strain and atrial septal thickness, 3D-STI strain indicators could be used to predict the survival prognosis, which are important in clinical practice.

[Expression of IRX1 in cervical cancer and its correlation with clinical stage of cervical cancer]

Objective: To study the expression of IRX1 (Iroquois homeobox gene) in cervical cancer and its correlation with clinical stage of cervical cancer. Methods: A total of 61 patients with cervical cancer from January 2015 to January 2017 were enrolled in this study, of which 15 were classified as phase Ⅰ of cervical cancer, 22 patients were classified as phase Ⅱ, 19 cases were classified as phase Ⅲ, 5 cases were classified as phase Ⅳ followed FIGO staging criteria.The expression of IRX1 protein in Hela, C4-1 and Siha cell lines were detected by Western blot compared with the normal human cervical epithelial cells HCerEpiC.Collected cancerous tissue of cervical cancer as experimental samples, the expression of IRX1 mRNA in cancer tissues and paracancerous tissue were detected by qPCR.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of IRX1 in different stages of cervical cancer, the correlation between IRX1 expression and clinical stage was analyzed. Results: The results of Western blot showed that IRX1 expression in cervical cancer cells were higher than that in normal cervical epithelial cells, and the results of qPCR also showed that the expression of IRX1 increased with the stage of cancer at the gene level.The difference was statistically significant.The expression of IRX1 in the nucleus and cytoplasm were detected by immunohistochemistry.Immunohistochemical results showed that the higher the stage of cancer was, the higher the expression rate of IRX1 was. Conclusion: IRX1 expression is associated with the clinical stage of cervical cancer, suggesting that IRX1 may be involved in the development and progression of cervical cancer.IRX1 is expected to be a new molecular target for the diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer. This study will provide a new theoretical basis for the treatment of cervical cancer.

[Measurement of rifampicin concentrations in tuberculous pleural effusion before and after combination treatment with oral and local rifampicin]

Objective: To investigate the changes of rifampin concentrations in pleural effusion before and after combination treatment with oral and pleural administration of rifampicin by electro-phonophoresis(EP). Methods: A self-control study was performed in 32 cases of tuberculous pleurisy treated in the Second Department of Respiratory Medicine of Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical College between September 2016 and January 2018. Based on the weight of each patient, an oral administration of isoniazid (0.3-0.4 g/d), rifampicin (0.45-0.60 g/d),ethambutol(0.75 g/d),and pyrazinamide (1.0-1.5 g/d) were given. After a 5-day traditional anti-tuberculosis treatment, an additional EP treatment was applied by penetrating chest wall to deliver 3 ml of rifampicin. The concentration of rifampicin in 5 ml pleural effusion was measured at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8h after applying EP treatment using high performance liquid chromatography. The measurement data were analyzed by using statistic software SPSS 20.0. The results were expressed by x±s and t test was conducted, with a statistical significance of P<0.05. Results: The average concentration of rifampicin in pleural effusion was (2.2±1.1) μg/ml by oral rifampicin alone. The concentration of rifampicin was (2.7±1.1) μg/ml, (3.0±1.4) μg/ml, (3.2±1.2) μg/ml, (2.8±1.2) μg/ml and (1.3±1.1) μg/ml, respectively, at 0.5 h, 1, 2, 4, 8 h after combining local EP treatment. The results indicated that combining local EP treatment significantly increased the drug concentration in pleural effusion, which lasted for about 5 hours. Conclusions: By applying rifampicin into pleural cavity through EP treatment with penetration of the chest wall, the concentration of rifampicin in pleural effusion of patients with tuberculous pleurisy could be increased. Combined with oral administration of rifampicin, this treatment could prolong the effective drug concentration in pleural effusion, which was beneficial to the bactericidal effects of rifampicin.

[Predictive value of typical cataplexy+ DQB1*0602 positive to hypocretin-1 reduction in cerebrospinal fluid in patients with narcolepsy]

Objective: To discusses the predictive value of typical cataplexy+ HLA-DQB1*0602 positive to hypocretin-1 (HCRT-1) reduction in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients with narcolepsy. Methods: A total of 165 narcoleptic patients, who were diagnosed at the Sleep Center of Peking University People's Hospital and Peking University International Hospital from March 2003 to March 2017, were recruited. The CSF HCRT-1 level and DQB1*0602 were measured in all the subjects. The narcoleptic patients were divided into two groups: typical cataplexy+ DQB1*0602 positive were CH group, and others who were not typical cataplexy and DQB1*0602 positive simultaneously were NCH group. The HCRT-1 level in CSF was declared to have a serious reduction when HCRT-1≤110 ng/L. According to this standard, the CH group and NCH group were subdivided into sub-groups and the data was analyzed to investigate the predictive value of typical cataplexy+ HLA-DQB1*0602 positive to HCRT-1 reduction. Results: There were 142 patients in CH group, including 137 patients with HCRT-1 reduction and 5 patients without. There were 23 patients in NCH group, including 15 patients with HCRT-1 reduction and 8 patients without. The positive predictive value of typical cataplexy+ DQB1*0602 positive for the reduction of HCRT-1 in CSF was 96.5%. Typical cataplexy+ DQB1*0602 positive had a good consistency with the HCRT-1 reduction in CSF (χ(2)=26.7, P<0.001). Conclusion: Typical cataplexy+ DQB1*0602 positive has a good predictive value to the HCRT-1 reduction in CSF in patients with narcolepsy.

[Association between congenital heart disease and medication taken during pregnancy among women of childbearing age]

Objective: To analyze the relationship between medication taken during pregnancy and congenital heart disease of the newborns. Methods: A large cross-sectional survey was conducted between August and November 2013. A questionnaire survey was conducted among the childbearing aged women, selected through multistage stratified random sampling in Shaanxi from 2010 to 2013. All of the childbearing aged women under study were in pregnancy and with definite pregnancy outcomes. Multivariable Poisson regression was conducted for data analyses. Results: A total of 28 680 cases were included in this study. The proportion of medication taken at any time during pregnancy was 16.0%, and the prevalence of congenital heart disease among the newborns was 67.9/10 000. After adjustment for factors as general demographic characteristic, history of heart disease and drug allergy and the situation of disease during pregnancy of these women, results from the multivariable Poisson regression showed that, factors as taking drugs (RR=1.95, 95%CI: 1.42- 2.68), cold medicine (RR=1.68, 95%CI: 1.07-2.64), antibiotics (RR=1.90, 95%CI: 1.25-2.90), salicylates (RR=5.01, 95%CI: 1.84-13.64) and antifungal drugs (RR=10.22, 95%CI: 3.25-32.19) during pregnancy were all related to congenital heart disease, and with the history of taking cold medicine (RR=1.90, 95%CI: 1.01-3.61), antibiotics (RR=2.18, 95%CI: 1.17-4.06), salicylates (RR=6.07, 95%CI: 1.45-25.41), antifungal drugs (RR=21.01, 95%CI: 4.17-105.87) and other drugs (RR=2.31, 95%CI: 1.19-4.47) during early pregnancy. These factors were with higher risks for congenital heart disease. Conclusion: Women of childbearing age who took cold medicine, antibiotics, salicylic acid drugs, antifungal drugs and other drugs during early pregnancy would increase the risks related to congenital heart diseases.

Expression and significance of peripheral myeloid-derived suppressor cells in chronic hepatitis B patients

BACKGROUND

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) exert their suppressive effects on multiple immune response and contribute to the development of many diseases. However, limited data is available on the involvement of MDSCs in human chronic HBV infection.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether the progression of chronic HBV infection was associated with imbalance of MDSCs.

METHODS

The percentages of MDSCs, regulatory T (Treg), Th1 and Tc1 cells in the peripheral blood from chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and healthy controls (HC) were determined by flow cytometry. Plasma levels of IL-10, TGF-β and IFN-γ were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The potential association of the frequencies of MDSCs with clinical parameters was assessed.

RESULTS

The percentages of MDSCs and Treg cells were significantly higher in CHB patients than those in HC. The percentages of MDSCs were negatively correlated with Th1 cells. Increased plasma IL-10 level and decreased IFN-γ level were found in CHB patients compared with HC. Moreover, the frequencies of MDSCs and plasma IL-10 levels were positively correlated with serum HBV DNA loads, as well as liver function impairment.

CONCLUSION

The expanded peripheral MDSCs may contribute to poor viral clearance and disease progression during chronic HBV infection.

Rapid Determination of Cocaine and Its Metabolite Benzoylecgonine in Hair by LC-MS/MS

OBJECTIVES

To establish a rapid determination method with LC-MS/MS for cocaine and its metabolite benzoylecgonine in hair.

METHODS

Deuterated internal standards （cocaine-D₃ and benzoylecgonine-D₈） were added to the decontaminated hair. After the extraction by ultrasonication with methanol, the compounds were separated by the Restek Allure PFP propyl column, and cocaine and benzoylecgonine were simultaneously analysed in multiple reaction monitoring mode.

RESULTS

The cocaine and benzoylecgonine in hair showed a good linearity in the range of mass fraction between 0.02 and 10.00 ng/mg with the limits of detection of 0.01 ng/mg.

CONCLUSIONS

The developed method is simple and rapid with a good selectivity, which is suitable for the determination of cocaine and its metabolite benzoylecgonine in hair.

[A propensity score-matched study on relationship between maternal respiratory infection in early pregnancy and gestational age]

Objective: To explore the association between maternal respiratory infection in early pregnancy and gestational age of single live birth. Methods: A face to face questionnaire survey was conducted among child bearing aged women in 30 counties (district) of Shaanxi province selected through stratified multistage sampling. Propensity score (PS) matched (1∶1) analysis was used to match participants with respiratory infections to those without respiratory infections. A multilevel linear model was used to investigate the association between respiratory infections and gestational age. Through the control of the confounders step by step, three models were established in this study: model 1 for the variable of respiratory infections before PS matching, model 2 was adjusted for variables in model 1 plus some other individual differences of mother and baby, and model 3 for the variable of respiratory infections after PS matching. Results: Of 28 848 child bearing aged women surveyed, 3 676 (12.74%) had respiratory infections in early pregnancy. After PS matching, 2 762 pairs were matched. Analysis with model 1 indicated that a decrease of 0.111 week (P<0.001) in gestational age was associated with a respiratory infection during the first trimester. Analysis with model 2 and model 3 indicated that a decrease of 0.058 week (P=0.025) and a decrease of 0.076 week (P=0.036) were associated with respiratory infection during the first trimester, respectively. Conclusion: The respiratory infection during the first trimester was associated with the decrease of the gestational age of newborn.

HIV incidence is rapidly increasing with age among young men who have sex with men in China: a multicentre cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVES

The HIV epidemic is worsening among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China, especially among those who are younger than 25 years old [younger MSM (YMSM)]. The aim of the study was to compare the prevalences of HIV incidence and recent HIV infection as well as factors associated with recent HIV infection in YMSM and older MSM (OMSM).

METHODS

A multicentre cross-sectional survey was conducted among 4496 MSM recruited from seven Chinese cities. YMSM were defined as those aged < 25 years. Data on demographics and sexual behaviours were collected using structural questionnaires. Blood samples were tested for recent HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections.

RESULTS

Among the participants, 1313 were YMSM and 3183 were OMSM. Compared with OMSM, YMSM had a higher prevalence of recent HIV infection [5.4% (71 of 1313) for YMSM vs. 3.6% (115 of 3175) for OMSM; P = 0.006] and a higher HIV incidence [11.8 per 100 person-years (PY) (95% confidence interval (CI) 9.0-14.5) for YMSM vs. 7.6 per 100 PY (95% CI 6.3-9.0) for OMSM]. The incidence increased with age among YMSM, especially between the ages of 16 and 21 years. In contrast, the incidence declined with age among OMSM. Anal bleeding, recreational drug use, syphilis and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) infection were independent risk factors for recent HIV infection among YMSM. The prevalence of all these risk factors increased with age between the ages of 16 and 21 years. Anal bleeding (19.8%) and recreational drug use (19.5%) had the highest adjusted population attributable fractions (aPAFs) among YMSM. The highest aPAFs of anal bleeding (27.4%) and syphilis infection (25.5%) were found between the ages of 19 and 21 years.

CONCLUSIONS

The HIV incidence in Chinese YMSM was significantly higher than that in OMSM. YMSM aged 16-21 years had an extremely high risk of recent HIV infection.

[Effect of interpregnancy interval of childbearing aged women on birth weight of single live birth neonates]

Objective: To understand the effect of interpregnancy interval (IPI) of childbearing aged women on the birth weight of single live birth neonates in Shaanxi province. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among the childbearing aged women selected through multistage stratified random sampling in Shaanxi during 20l0-2013, all the childbearing aged women had definite pregnancy outcomes. The interpregnancy interval of the childbearing aged women and the birth weight of the newborns were used as the independent variables and dependent variables respectively in multiple linear regression model and quantile regression model, and confounding factors were controlled. Results: A total of 13 063 women at childbearing age and their infants were investigated. The incidence of low birth weight and macrosomia was 3.54% and 7.62% respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that there was no significant difference in birth weight among different IPI group and control group. Quantile regression analysis showed when birth weight was at 5 percentiles, the difference in birth weight between newborns whose mothers had short interpregnancy interval (<12 months) and those in control group was significant, when the birth weight was ≥90 percentiles, the birth weights of newborns whose mothers had long interpregnancy interval (60-119 months) were higher than those in control group, the difference was significant. As the increase of the percentiles of birth weight, the extent of changes gradually increased. Conclusion: The analysis indicated that both short (<12 months) and long (60-119 months) interpregnancy interval would had negative effects on birth weights of newborns. Therefore, planning for pregnancy is important for having a good perinatal outcome.

LOH12CR1 is a Novel Tumor Suppressor Inhibiting Tumor Growth Through Deregulation of G1/S Checkpoint in Human Colorectal Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of 12p12-13 has been frequently found in various types of cancer. LOH12CR1 is one of the seven critical genes located within the 12p12-13 region. The protein encoded by LOH12CR1 is involved in the function of lysosomes and its other functions are still unclear.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential roles of LOH12CR1 in the development of colorectal cancer.

METHODS

A total of 174 colorectal cancer tissues were used to examine the protein level of LOH12CR1 by immunohistochemistry staining. The correlation between LOH12CR1 expression and the patient prognosis was further investigated through retrospective study. The tumor suppression capacity was examined by knockdown or overexpression of LOH12CR1 in four colorectal cancer cell lines and one normal cell line.

RESULTS

Significant decrease of LOH12CR1 protein was observed in colorectal cancerous tissues (P<0.001). Knockdown of LOH12CR1 promoted colorectal cancer cell proliferation, colony formation, and accelerated G1/S cell cycle transition through downregulation of p16^INK4a and p21^WAF1/CIP1, while ectopic expression of LOH12CR1 displayed the opposite effects. The protein level of LOH12CR1 was well correlated with the expression of p16^INK4a and p21^WAF1/CIP1. Most importantly, the protein level of LOH12CR1 negatively correlated with clinical prognosis of colorectal carcinomas.

CONCLUSION

The present results suggest that LOH12CR1 might function as a tumor suppressor. Thus, loss of function of LOH12CR1 might be a potential driver in the development of colorectal carcinoma. Detection of LOH12CR1 could be used as a method for diagnosis and therapeutic assessment of patients with colorectal cancer.

Determination of Oleandrin in Blood and Liver Samples by LC-MS/MS

OBJECTIVES

To develop a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （LC-MS/MS） analytical method for the determination of oleandrin in blood and liver tissues, which could be applied to the cases of death caused by oleander poisoning.

METHODS

Blood or liver tissues underwent a liquid-liquid extraction （LLE） using ethyl acetate, and the extract was separated on an Agilent ZORBAX SB-C₁₈ column and eluted with a gradient of acetonitrile and 20 mmol/L ammonium acetate （containing 0.1% formic acid）. Oleandrin was detected using electrospray positive ionization （ESI+） with multiple-reaction monitoring （MRM） mode.

RESULTS

Oleandrin showed excellent linearity in both blood and liver samples in the corresponding linear range （r>0.995 0）, with detection limits 1 ng/mL and 2 ng/g, respectively, extraction recovery rates greater than 70.50%, both intra- and inter-day precisions less than 10.71%, accuracies 98.42%-111.63%, and matrix effects 91.52%-106.39%. The method was successfully applied to a case of suspected oleander poisoning. Oleandrin was detected in the blood, urine, liver tissues, bile, stomach wall tissues and stomach contents of the cadaver, with the content ranging from 65.5 to 29 600.0 ng/mL （ng/g）.

CONCLUSIONS

The method developed in this study is simple and convenient to operate with good selectivity, and is suitable for the analysis of oleandrin in biological samples such as blood and liver tissues, which can provide technical support for forensic identification and clinical diagnosis and treatment of oleander poisoning.

[Identification of New Designer Benzodiazepine Diclazepam in Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault]

OBJECTIVES

To identify the new designer drugs which are totally unknown and not in the routine testing list by the technologies such as high-resolution mass spectrometry in drug facilitated sexual assault, in order to solve the problem in actual cases.

METHODS

The milky fluid from an actual case was extracted and analyzed using LC-QE, ¹H-NMR and GC-MS, respectively. The accurate masses and cluster ions isotope patterns of unknown compound were obtained by LC-QE. The molecular formula was confirmed as C₁₆H₁₂C₂N₂O based on the protons number of ¹H-NMR. The isomers diclazepam and 4-chlorodiazepam were separated and detected with GC-MS.

RESULTS

The new designer benzodiazepine as diclazepam in the milky fluid was identified. The results provided direct evidence for the investigation and qualitative analysis of such cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined application of various methods, including LC-QE, ¹H-NMR and GC-MS, can be used to detect unknown new psychoactive substances.

Investigation of carryover effect of prior fibre consumption on growth, serum and tissue metabolic markers in Ossabaw pigs fed a high-fat diet

Carryover effect of prior fibre consumption on metabolic markers was investigated. Treatments were arranged in 2 × 2 factorial with 2 fibre sources, 4% inulin or cellulose (Solka-Floc®) and fat levels (5 or 15%) for the low-fat diet (LFD) and high-fat diet (HFD) respectively. Pigs were fed the two fibre diets for the first 56d (nursery phase), and thereafter fed either the LFD or HFD containing no added fibre source from d56 to 140 (growing phase). Pigs on the HFD were heavier (p = .05) than those on LF (64.61 vs. 68.38 kg), regardless of prior fibre type consumed. Pigs that were fed cellulose during the nursery and later fed the HFD had the highest ADG (p < .05). Feeding the HFD resulted in higher back fat (BF) (13.41 and 18.18 ± 0.12 mm for LFD and HFD, respectively; p < .01). The HFD resulted in higher (p < .01) insulin (0.014 and 0.016 ± 0.001 mg/L for LF and HF respectively) and glucose (100.89 and 125.03 ± 4.39 mg/dl for LF and HF respectively) concentrations in the serum. Inulin increased (p ≤ .02) jejunal expression of SREBP-1c and CL-4, but reduced (p < .05) TNFɑ and IL-6 expression in the ileum. Alpha-diversity was significantly different (p < .05) between the inulin and cellulose fed pigs at the end of the nursery and finishing phases. Therefore, inulin feeding before a HFD may lead to reduction in ADG and inflammatory markers in the small intestine of pigs, and thus prevent future metabolic disorders.

Correlation between childhood eczema and specific IgG antibody level

Eczema, a common pediatric dermatosis with unclear pathogenesis, can seriously affect the life quality of children due to its recurrence and long course. Recent study has found that food specific IgG (sIgG) might be involved in the course of eczema. To analyze the correlation between childhood eczema and sIgG and evaluate the role of avoiding taking intolerance food in the treatment of childhood eczema, this study enrolled 216 children with eczema who were admitted to the Taian Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Shandong, China, between August 2014 and October 2015. They were divided into an eczema group (N = 140) and an allergy group (N = 76). Eighty healthy children who were admitted to the Department of Children Healthcare in the same period were selected as a control group. Enzymelinked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum sIgG level. The result showed that the sIgG positive rates of children in the eczema group and allergy group were 91.4% and 93.4%, respectively, and the difference had no statistical significance (P > 0.05). However, the sIgG positive rates of children in the eczema group and allergy group were significantly higher than that in the control group (P less than 0.05). Milk and eggs were the major allergy-causing food for children with sIgG positive rates higher than 70%. The sIgG test results revealed that eggs had the highest allergenicity, followed by milk, tomatoes and soybeans, and pork was not highly sensitive. Therefore, it can be concluded that sIgG positive rate of children with eczema is high, and examination of food sIgG antibody in serum is valuable in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood eczema.

[Relationship between air pollution exposure during pregnancy and birth weight of term singleton live-birth newborns]

Objective: This study explored the association between air pollution exposure and birth weight by using the multilevel linear model, after controlling related meteorological factors and individual differences of both mothers and babies. Methods: Women of childbearing age who were pregnant in Xi'an from 2010 to 2013, were selected as objects of this study. Multistage random sampling method was used to select 4 631 subjects followed by a self-designed questionnaire survey. Data related to quality of air and meteorology were gathered from routine monitoring system. Gestational age and date of birth, together with the average levels of air pollution were calculated for each trimester on each mother, and then the impact of air pollution on birth weight was assessed. A multilevel linear model was employed to investigate the association between the levels of exposure to air pollution by birth weight. Confounding factors were under control. We established three models in this study: Model 1 which involving the variable of air pollution exposure. Model 2 was adjusted for variables in Model 1 plus some other individual differences of both mother and baby. Model 3 was adjusted for variables in Model 2 plus meteorological factors. Results: There were significant differences seen in birth weight within the subgroups of gender, gestational age, mother's reproductive age, maternal education, residential areas and family incomes (P<0.01) of the infants. However, there was no difference found in Model 1 (P>0.05). Data from Model 3 indicated that a decrease of 13.3 g(10.9 g in Model 2) and 6.6 g (5.9 g in Model 2) in birth weight that were associated with an increase of 10 μg/m(3) in the average level of NO(2) and PM(10) during the second trimester; A decrease of 13.7 g (9.8 g in Model 2) in birth weight was associated with an increase of 10 μg/m(3) in the average level of NO(2) during the third trimester. Conclusion: After controlling for meteorological factors, the levels of exposure to NO(2) and PM(10) during the second trimester and NO(2) during the third trimester were negatively associated with birth weight.