Prediction of the risk of severe small bowel obstruction and effects of Houpu Paiqi mixture in patients undergoing surgery for small bowel obstruction

AIM

Small bowel obstruction is a common condition that requires emergency surgery. Slow recovery of bowel function after surgery or the occurrence of one or more complications can exacerbate the disease and result in severe small bowel obstruction (SSBO), significantly impacting recovery. It is characterized by a failure to regain enteral nutrition promptly, requiring long-term intensive care. Therefore, it is necessary to identify factors that predict SSBO, to allow early intervention for patients likely to develop this condition.

METHODS

Of the 260 patients who underwent emergency or elective surgery for small bowel obstruction between January 2018 and December 2022, 45 developed SSBO. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression model was applied to optimize factor selection and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to construct a predictive model. The performance and clinical utility of the nomogram were determined and internal validation was conducted. In addition, the effects of the Houpu Paiqi mixture on postoperative recovery were analyzed by comparing the clinical data of 28 patients who were treated with the mixture and 61patients who did not receive it.

RESULTS

The predictors included in the prediction nomogram were age, peritonitis, intestinal resection and anastomosis, complications, operation time, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, white blood cell count, and procalcitonin level. The model had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.948 (95% confidence interval: 0.814-0.956). Decision curve analysis demonstrated that the SSBO risk nomogram had a good net clinical benefit. In addition, treatment with the Houpu Paiqi mixture reduced postoperative exhaust time, postoperative defecation time, time to first postoperative liquid feed, and length of stay in hospital.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a nomogram that can assist clinicians in identifying patients at greater risk of SSBO, which may aid in early diagnosis and intervention. Additionally, we found that the Houpu Paiqi mixture promoted postoperative recovery.

[Relationship between sleep status and occasional hypertension in preschool children in three provinces in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River in China]

Objective: To understand the prevalence of occasional hypertension in preschool children in three provinces in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River in China, and analyze the relationship between their sleep status and occasional hypertension. Methods: From October to November 2017, a total of 24 842 preschool children from 109 kindergartens in 11 cities in Hubei, Anhui and Jiangsu provinces were selected by intentional sampling method. A self-made questionnaire was used to collect basic information about the subjects, and the sleep status data was collected by the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire. Physical examinations were performed on the subjects, and height, weight and blood pressure were measured on-site. The difference in occasional hypertension detection rate among preschool children with different characteristics was compared, and the correlation between sleep status and occasional hypertension detection rate was analyzed by the multivariate logistic regression model. Results: The age of the subjects was (4.4±1.0) years, including 12 729 boys (51.2%). The prevalence of occasional hypertension was 31.8% (7 907/24 842). The prevalence of occasional hypertension among preschool children in three provinces of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River was 31.8%. There were statistically significant differences in the detection rate of occasional hypertension among preschool children of different genders, age groups, family residence, family economic status and parents' education level (all P values<0.05). The detection rate of occasional hypertension in children with less than 10 hours of sleep was higher than those with sufficient sleep, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for factors such as gender, age, family residence, family economic status, parental education level, parental smoking history, and physical constitution, the ORs (95%CI) for less than 10 hours of sleep, turning on the lights while sleeping, and poor sleep quality were 1.09 (1.03-1.15), 1.17 (1.07-1.28) and 1.04 (0.91-1.18), respectively, compared with the corresponding reference group. Conclusion: The detection rate of occasional hypertension is high in preschool children in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and there is a positive correlation between insufficient sleep and turning on the light when sleeping and occasional hypertension in preschool children.

Risk factors and prediction model for inpatient surgical site infection after elective abdominal surgery

BACKGROUND

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the commonest healthcare-associated infection. In addition to increasing mortality, it also lengthens the hospital stay and raises healthcare expenses. SSIs are challenging to predict, with most models having poor predictability. Therefore, we developed a prediction model for SSI after elective abdominal surgery by identifying risk factors.

AIM

To analyse the data on inpatients undergoing elective abdominal surgery to identify risk factors and develop predictive models that will help clinicians assess patients preoperatively.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed the inpatient records of Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital from January 1, 2018 to January 1, 2021. We included the demographic data of the patients and their haematological test results in our analysis. The attending physicians provided the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) scores. The surgeons and anaesthesiologists manually calculated the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) scores. Inpatient SSI risk factors were evaluated using univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression. Nomograms were used in the predictive models. The receiver operating characteristic and area under the curve values were used to measure the specificity and accuracy of the model.

RESULTS

A total of 3018 patients met the inclusion criteria. The surgical sites included the uterus (42.2%), the liver (27.6%), the gastrointestinal tract (19.1%), the appendix (5.9%), the kidney (3.7%), and the groin area (1.4%). SSI occurred in 5% of the patients (n = 150). The risk factors associated with SSI were as follows: Age; gender; marital status; place of residence; history of diabetes; surgical season; surgical site; NRS 2002 score; preoperative white blood cell, procalcitonin (PCT), albumin, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) levels; preoperative antibiotic use; anaesthesia method; incision grade; NNIS score; intraoperative blood loss; intraoperative drainage tube placement; surgical operation items. Multivariate logistic regression revealed the following independent risk factors: A history of diabetes [odds ratio (OR) = 5.698, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.305-9.825, P = 0.001], antibiotic use (OR = 14.977, 95%CI: 2.865-78.299, P = 0.001), an NRS 2002 score of ≥ 3 (OR = 2.426, 95%CI: 1.199-4.909, P = 0.014), general anaesthesia (OR = 3.334, 95%CI: 1.134-9.806, P = 0.029), an NNIS score of ≥ 2 (OR = 2.362, 95%CI: 1.019-5.476, P = 0.045), PCT ≥ 0.05 μg/L (OR = 1.687, 95%CI: 1.056-2.695, P = 0.029), LDL < 3.37 mmol/L (OR = 1.719, 95%CI: 1.039-2.842, P = 0.035), intraoperative blood loss ≥ 200 mL (OR = 29.026, 95%CI: 13.751-61.266, P < 0.001), surgical season (P < 0.05), surgical site (P < 0.05), and incision grade I or III (P < 0.05). The overall area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the predictive model was 0.926, which is significantly higher than the NNIS score (0.662).

CONCLUSION

The patient’s condition and haematological test indicators form the bases of our prediction model. It is a novel, efficient, and highly accurate predictive model for preventing postoperative SSI, thereby improving the prognosis in patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

Sinomenine promotes differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells into immature dendritic cells with high induction of immune tolerance

BACKGROUND

Immature dendritic cells (imDCs) play an important role in the induction of donor-specific transplant immunotolerance. However, these cells have limitations, such as rapid maturation and a short lifespan in vivo. In previous studies, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) differentiated into imDCs, and sinomenine (SN) was used to inhibit the maturation of imDCs.

AIM

To study the capacity of SN to maintain iPSC-derived imDCs (SN-iPSCs-imDCs) in an immature state and the mechanism by which SN-iPSCs-imDCs induce immunotolerance.

METHODS

In this study, mouse iPSCs were induced to differentiate into imDCs in culture medium without or with SN (iPSCs-imDCs and SN-iPSCs-imDCs). The imDC-related surface markers, endocytotic capacity of fluorescein isothiocyanate-Dextran and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. The effects of iPSCs-imDCs and SN-iPSCs-imDCs on T-cell stimulatory function, and regulatory T (Treg) cell proliferative function in vitro were analyzed by mixed lymphocyte reaction. Cytokine expression was detected by ELISA. The apoptosis-related proteins of iPSCs-DCs and SN-iPSCs-DCs were analyzed by western blotting. The induced immunotolerance of SN-iPSCs-DCs was evaluated by treating recipient Balb/c skin graft mice. Statistical evaluation of graft survival was performed using Kaplan–Meier curves.

RESULTS

Both iPSCs-imDCs and SN-iPSCs-imDCs were successfully obtained, and their biological characteristics and ability to induce immunotolerance were compared. SN-iPSCs-imDCs exhibited higher CD11c levels and lower CD80 and CD86 levels compared with iPSCs-imDCs. Reduced major histocompatibility complex II expression, worse T-cell stimulatory function, higher Treg cell proliferative function and stronger endocytotic capacity were observed with SN-iPSCs-imDCs (P < 0.05). The levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, interferon-γ in SN-iPSCs-imDCs were lower than those in iPSCs-imDCs, whereas IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β levels were higher (P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate of these cells was significantly higher (P < 0.05), and the expression levels of cleaved caspase3, Bax and cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase were higher after treatment with lipopolysaccharides, but Bcl-2 was reduced. In Balb/c mice recipients immunized with iPSCs-imDCs or SN-iPSCs-imDCs 7 d before skin grafting, the SN-iPSCs-imDCs group showed lower ability to inhibit donor-specific CD4⁺ T-cell proliferation (P < 0.05) and a higher capacity to induce CD4⁺CD25⁺FoxP3⁺ Treg cell proliferation in the spleen (P < 0.05). The survival span of C57bl/6 skin grafts was significantly prolonged in immunized Balb/c recipients with a donor-specific pattern.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that SN-iPSCs-imDCs have potential applications in vitro and in vivo for induction of immunotolerance following organ transplantation.

A Novel Method for Preoperative Positioning of Total Ankle Replacement Using 3D Digital Model

OBJECTIVE

To establish a digital model of the ankle joint through 3D imaging technology and explore the preoperative placement of ankle replacement prostheses.

METHODS

Computed tomography images of intact ankle joints from 54 cases in the outpatient and inpatient departments of our hospital were collected; according to the INBONE® total ankle system surgery process, the surgery model and surgical osteotomy were finished using MIMICS based on computer simulation method. The shortest distance was measured between the center point and the anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral, respectively, to ensure the precise position of the ankle replacement prosthesis by digital simulation surgery. The relationship between the two variables was analyzed by bivariate correlation analysis.

RESULTS

The dataset of this study included 48 cases of the sub-data set (26 males and 22 females) and included 27 cases of left ankle and 21 cases of right ankle. The average medial malleolar angle was 18.67°± 2.87°, the average amount of bone resection was 12.13 ± 1.86 cm³ , the mid-anterior distance was 1.72 ± 0.19 cm, the mid-posterior distance was 2.00 ± 0.19 cm, the ratio of mid-anterior to mid-posterior was 0.87, the mid-medial distance was 1.26 ± 0.17 cm, the mid-lateral distance was 1.19 ± 0.16 cm, and the ratio of mid-medial to mid-lateral was 1.06. After osteotomy, the anteroposterior diameter was 3.73 ± 0.32 cm, the transverse diameter was 2.46 ± 0.27 cm, and the ratio of anteroposterior diameter to transverse diameter was 1.53. In the bottom view, the shape after osteotomy is rectangular. The mid-anterior distance was strongly negatively correlated with age, the mid-anterior distance and the amount of bone resection, the mid-medial distance and the amount of bone resection, the mid-lateral distance and the amount of bone resection, the mid-lateral distance and the anteroposterior diameter, the anteroposterior diameter and the transverse diameter were all strongly positively correlated.

CONCLUSION

The projection point of the lower tibia centerline on the tibial horizontal osteotomy surface is located at a position slightly anterior to the midpoint of the transverse diameter after ankle arthroplasty. The rational positioning of the total ankle replacement is located at both a position slightly anterior to the midpoint of the transverse diameter and midpoint of the anteroposterior diameter, which can be used as a reference method before total ankle arthroplasty surgery.

Prenatal ethanol exposure impairs the formation of radial glial fibers and promotes the transformation of GFAPδ‑positive radial glial cells into astrocytes

During embryonic cortical development, radial glial cells (RGCs) are the major source of neurons, and these also serve as a supportive scaffold to guide neuronal migration. Similar to Vimentin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is one of the major intermediate filament proteins present in glial cells. Previous studies confirmed that prenatal ethanol exposure (PEE) significantly affected the levels of GFAP and increased the disassembly of radial glial fibers. GFAPδ is a variant of GFAP that is specifically expressed in RGCs; however, to the best of our knowledge, there are no reports regarding how PEE influences its expression during cortical development. In the present study, the effects of PEE on the expression and distribution of GFAPδ during early cortical development were assessed. It was found that PEE significantly decreased the expression levels of GFAP and GFAPδ. Using double immunostaining, GFAPδ was identified to be specifically expressed in apical and basal RGCs, and was co‑localized with other intermediate filament proteins, such as GFAP, Nestin and Vimentin. Additionally, PEE significantly affected the morphology of radial glial fibers and altered the behavior of RGCs. The loss of GFAPδ accelerated the transformation of RGCs into astrocytes. Using co‑immunostaining with Ki67 or phospho‑histone H3, GFAPδ+ cells were observed to be proliferative or mitotic cells, and ethanol treatment significantly decreased the proliferative or mitotic activities of GFAPδ+ RGCs. Taken together, the results suggested that PEE altered the expression patterns of GFAPδ and impaired the development of radial glial fibers and RGC behavior. The results of the present study provided evidence that GFAPδ may be a promising target to rescue the damage induced by PEE.

[Clinical research of HLA-haploidentical peripheral hematopoietic stem cell transplantation following reduced intensity conditioning regimen with hematological malignancy patients over 50 years old]

目的

分析减低剂量预处理单倍型外周血造血干细胞移植（RIC-haplo-PBSCT）治疗50岁以上恶性血液肿瘤患者的疗效。

方法

18例50岁以上恶性血液肿瘤患者纳入研究，男8例，女10例，中位年龄52（50~66）岁；急性髓系白血病（AML）8例，慢性髓性白血病（CML）2例，骨髓增生异常综合征（MDS）5例，急性淋巴细胞白血病（ALL）2例，急性NK细胞白血病（ANKL）1例；采用FAB+ATG（氟达拉滨+阿糖胞苷+白消安+兔抗人胸腺细胞免疫球蛋白）减低剂量预处理方案，输注供者高剂量非去T细胞外周血造血干细胞（PBSC），应用强化移植物抗宿主病（GVHD）预防方案及感染防控措施。

结果

16例患者在移植后15 d获得完全供者嵌合，其中1例在移植后1个月发生移植排斥，其余2例在移植后15 d为混合嵌合并于移植后1个月发生移植排斥。急性GVHD发生率为61.1%（95%CI 49.6%~72.6%），Ⅱ~Ⅳ度急性GVHD发生率为35.4%（95%CI 21.1%~49.7%），Ⅲ/Ⅳ度急性GVHD发生率为13.8%（95%CI 4.7%~22.9%）。2年慢性GVHD累积发生率为38.2%（95%CI 25.5%~50.9%），未发生广泛型慢性GVHD。中位随访14.5（3~44）个月，2年总生存率、无病生存率分别为72.6%（95%CI 60.1%~85.1%）、63.7%（95%CI 49.2%~78.2%），2年累积复发率为31.2%（95%CI 16.5%~45.9%），2年非复发死亡率为12.5%（95%CI 4.2%~20.8%）。

结论

RIC-haplo-PBSCT治疗50岁以上恶性血液肿瘤患者可获得较好的疗效。

[Prevalence and influencing factors of respiratory symptoms among people aged 40 years and above in China]

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors on respiratory disease related symptoms (coughing, expectoration, persistent coughing and persistent expectoration) in Chinese people ≥40 years old. Methods: Data was collected from 162 surveillance points in the China Non-communicable and Chronic Disease Surveillance Project in 2010. A total number of 56 066 people, aged ≥40 years, were selected by multi-stage cluster random sampling method in this study. The prevalence rates of coughing, expectoration, persistent coughing and persistent expectoration were calculated according to gender by χ(2) test. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the related influencing factors. Results: The prevalence rates of coughing, persistent coughing, expectoration and persistent expectoration in men were significantly higher than that in women (P<0.01). The prevalence rate of respiratory symptoms was positively correlated with age and duration and amount of cigarette smoking (P<0.01), while negatively correlated with participants'education level (P<0.01). Results from multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gender, age, education level, smoking-related parameters, areas of residency (in urban or rural areas), etc. were appeared as influencing factors on the prevalence of respiratory symptoms. Conclusion: The symptoms of chronic respiratory diseases appeared prevalent in Chinese population aged ≥40 years. Factors as older age, living in the central/western regions and smoking-related parameters were identified as of higher risks.

[Epidemiology of febrile neutropenia in patients with hematological disease-a prospective multicentre survey in China]

目的

了解中国血液病患者中性粒细胞缺乏（粒缺）伴发热的发生率、临床和微生物学特征及危险因素。

方法

前瞻性研究2014年10月20日至2015年3月20日来自全国11家血液病中心发生粒缺伴发热的连续血液病患者发热情况及危险性因素。

结果

1 139例患者共发生784例次粒缺伴发热，粒缺持续21 d时发热的累积发生率为81.9%。多因素分析显示中心静脉置管（P<0.001，HR= 3.407，95% CI 2.276~4.496）、胃肠道黏膜炎（P<0.001，HR=10.548, 95% CI 3.245~28.576）、既往90 d内暴露于广谱抗生素（P<0.001，HR=3.582，95% CI 2.387~5.770）和粒缺持续时间>7 d（P<0.001，HR= 4.194，95% CI 2.572~5.618）是粒缺伴发热的危险因素。无任何危险因素、具备1项、2项、3~4项危险因素患者发热的累计发生率依次增加（35.4%、69.2%、86.1%及95.6%，P<0.001）。784例次粒缺伴发热中，不明原因发热253例次（32.3%），临床证实的感染429例次（54.7%），微生物学证实的感染102例次（13.0%）。最常见的感染部位依次为肺（388例次，49.5%）、上呼吸道（159例次，16.0%）、肛周组织（77例次，9.8%）、血流（60例次，7.7%）。最常见的病原菌为革兰阴性菌（44.54%），其次为革兰阳性菌（37.99%）和真菌（17.47%）。发热与未发热患者相比，两组之间总体病死率差异无统计学意义（9.2%对4.8%，P=0.099）。多因素分析显示年龄>40岁（P=0.047，HR=5.000，95% CI 0.853~28.013）、血流动力学不稳（P=0.001，HR=13.185, 95% CI 2.983~54.915）、既往耐药菌的定植或感染（P=0.005，HR=28.734，95% CI 2.921~313.744）、血流感染（P=0.038，HR=9.715, 95% CI 1.110~81.969）和肺部感染（P=0.031，HR=25.905, 95% CI 1.381~507.006）是与总体死亡相关的危险因素。

结论

发热是血液病患者粒缺期常见的合并症，不同部位的感染有不同的致病菌谱。粒缺持续时间>7 d、中心静脉置管、胃肠道黏膜炎和既往90 d内暴露于广谱抗生素是粒缺伴发热发生的危险因素。

[The prevalence and etiology of anemia in urban community dwelling elderly population in Beijing]

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of anemia in urban community dwelling elderly population.

METHODS

This study was a cross-sectional survey of prevalence of anemia in randomly selected community dwelling residents aged over 65 years in Beijing. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin concentration less than 130 g/L in men and 120 g/L in women.

RESULTS

The hemoglobin concentration was (135.65±14.48) g/L in total of 1 947 eligible participants and was much higher in men than in women [(142.56±15.56) g/L vs (130.95±11.53) g/L, P<0.001]. There were 288 (14.8%) patients with anemia, including 16.3%(129/789) in men and 13.7%(159/1 158) in women. The prevalence of anemia increased significantly with age, which was 7.6% in 65-69 years, 10.8% in 70-74 years, 18.8% in 75-79 years and 24.1% over 80 years (P<0.001). Two hundred and seventy-nine (96.9%) subjects were mild anemia, 8 (2.8%) moderate, only 1 subject (0.3%) severe. Unexplained anemia was predominant, which accounted for 63.2%. Only 16.7% people were diagnosed as nutritional anemia, renal anemia 5.2%, anemia of chronic disease (ACD) 12.2%. There were 2.4% people with overlapped renal anemia and ACD. Compared with non-anemic subjects, more subjects with unexplained anemia represented macrocytosis (7.1% vs 3.2%, P=0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

Anemia is a common health problem in urban community dwelling elderly population. Most subjects have anemia with unknown origin. Further investigation is needed to explore the mechanism and related factors of elderly anemia.

Concurrent Hypermethylation of SFRP2 and DKK2 Activates the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway and Is Associated with Poor Prognosis in Patients with Gastric Cancer

Aberrant hypermethylation of Wnt antagonists has been observed in gastric cancer. A number of studies have focused on the hypermethylation of a single Wnt antagonist and its role in regulating the activation of signaling. However, how the Wnt antagonists interacted to regulate the signaling pathway has not been reported. In the present study, we systematically investigated the methylation of some Wnt antagonist genes (SFRP2, SFRP4, SFRP5, DKK1, DKK2, and APC) and their regulatory role in carcinogenesis. We found that aberrant promoter methylation of SFRP2, SFRP4, DKK1, and DKK2 was significantly increased in gastric cancer. Moreover, concurrent hypermethylation of SFRP2 and DKK2 was observed in gastric cancer and this was significantly associated with increased expression of β-catenin, indicating that the joint inactivation of these two genes promoted the activation of the Wnt signaling pathway. Further analysis using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model showed that DKK2 methylation was an independent prognostic factor for poor overall survival, and the predictive value was markedly enhanced when the combined methylation status of SFRP2 and DKK2 was considered. In addition, the methylation level of SFRP4 and DKK2 was correlated with the patient's age and tumor differentiation, respectively. In conclusion, epigenetic silencing of Wnt antagonists was associated with gastric carcinogenesis, and concurrent hypermethylation of SFRP2 and DKK2 could be a potential marker for a prognosis of poor overall survival.

[Comparisons of occurrence and curative effect of interstitial pneumonia after the related HLA-haploidentical and HLA-matched sibling peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

OBJECTIVE

To compare occurrence and curative effect of interstitial pneumonia (IP) of patients with malignant hematologic disease after related HLA-haploidentical peripheral blood stem cell transplantation without T-cell depletion (RHNT-PBSCT) and non T cell-depleted HLA-matched sibling peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (MSNT-PBSCT).

METHODS

109 patients with malignant hematologic disease as the research cases received RHNT-PBSCT from January 2006 to December 2014, which were compared with 125 patients treated with MSNT-PBSCT during the same period to determine the occurrence of IP and curative effect produced by ganciclovir and joint adrenal glucocorticoids.

RESULTS

The incidences of IP in RHNT-PBSCT and MSNT-PBSCT groups were 15.60%(17/109) and 13.60%(17/125) (P=0.150), respectively; both the effective rates were 76.47%(13/17) (P=0.536), the difference was not statistically significant. Single factor analysis showed that acute graft versus host disease was a risk factor for the occurrence of IP after RHNT-PBSCT (P=0.001).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of IP in patients with malignant hematologic disease after RHNT-PBSCT didn' t increase when compared with patients after MSNT-PBSCT. The curative effects of the two groups were equivalent after priority to ganciclovir and joint adrenal glucocorticoids.

Multimedia fate and source apportionment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a coking industry city in Northern China

A steady state Level III fate model was established and applied to quantify source-receptor relationship in a coking industry city in Northern China. The local emission inventory of PAHs, as the model input, was acquired based on energy consumption and emission factors. The model estimations were validated by measured data and indicated remarkable variations in the paired isomeric ratios. When a rectification factor, based on the receptor-to-source ratio, was calculated by the fate model, the quantitatively verified molecular diagnostic ratios provided reasonable results of local PAH emission sources. Due to the local ban and measures on small scale coking activities implemented from the beginning of 2004, the model calculations indicated that the local emission amount of PAHs in 2009 decreased considerably compared to that in 2003.

Fluorescence properties of Dy(3+) doped La(3)Ga(5.5)Nb(0.5)O(14) nanocrystals

The effects of Dy(3+) doping concentration and calcinations on the fluorescence properties of La(3)Ga(5.5)Nb(0.5)O(14) (Dy:LGN) nanocrystals were examined for the first time. High quality Dy:LGN nanocrystals were synthesized by the sol-gel method. The room temperature fluorescence spectra were measured; they showed a yellow emission, which can be attributed to the (4)F(9/2)-(6)H(13/2) transition. The relationship between the relative emission intensity and the doping concentration of the specimens, sintered at different temperatures, is consistent with a Gaussian distribution according a fitted and modified formula. The optimum value of the Dy(3+) doping concentration in LGN nanocrystals is in the range 2.0-2.5%. Moreover, in LGN bulk crystal for laser use, the optimum value, calculated through the obtained formula, is presumed in the range 1.5-2.0%. The fluorescent lifetime of a 2.0% Dy:LGN nanocrystal is quite short, only about 8.5 ns.

Clinical relationship between EDN-3 gene, EDNRB gene and Hirschsprung’s disease

AIM: To investigate the mutation of EDNRB gene and EDN-3 gene in sporadic Hirschsprung’s disease (HD) in Chinese population.

METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from bowel tissues of 34 unrelated HD patients which were removed by surgery. Exon 3, 4, 6 of EDNRB gene and Exon 1, 2 of EDN-3 gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analyzed by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP).

RESULTS: EDNRB mutations were detected in 2 of the 13 short-segment HD. One mutant was in the exon 3, the other was in the exon 6. EDN-3 mutation was detected in one of the 13 short-segment HD and in the exon 2. Both EDNRB and EDN-3 mutations were detected in one short-segment HD. No mutations were detected in the ordinary or long-segment HD.

CONCLUSION: The mutations of EDNRB gene and EDN-3 gene are found in the short-segment HD of sporadic Hirschsprung’s disease in Chinese population, which suggests that the EDNRB gene and EDN-3 gene play important roles in the pathogenesis of HD.

Activity of p44/42 MAP kinase in the caudal subnucleus of trigeminal spinal nucleus is increased following perioral noxious stimulation in the mouse

The extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase-1 and -2 (ERK1 and ERK2), also referred to as the p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p44/42 MAP kinase), plays an essential role in neuronal signal transduction, but its function involved in nociceptive response has not been deeply studied yet. Here we report immunohistochemical evidence that p44/42 MAPK might be critical in nociceptive response. We found that after formalin was injected into the perioral skin of the upper lip of mice, the number of activated p44/42 MAPK-like immunoreactive neurons was significantly increased in the laminae I and II of the caudal subnucleus of the trigeminal spinal nucleus (Sp5C). The positive neurons and fibers were mostly concentrated in the middle portion of Sp5C dorsoventrally, where the afferent fibers innervating the skin of the upper lip are terminated. The reactive products were localized in perikarya, dendrites, nuclei, and diffusely in the neuropil. The present result suggests that p44/42 MAPK may be important in the transmission and modulation of noxious information in Sp5C.