Genetic variation of six specific SNPs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among Chinese population

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic bronchitis (or) emphysema with a high disability and fatality rate. This study aimed to explore the correlation between the six selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the risk of COPD in the Chinese population.

METHODS

The Agena MassARRAY platform was used to select six SNPs from 629 subjects for genotyping. The correlation between SNPs and COPD risk was evaluated using calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Multi-factor dimensionality reduction (MDR) was performed to analyze the impact of SNP interactions on COPD risk. Multiple comparisons were performed using Bonferroni- correction.

RESULTS

Our results indicated that rs4719841 and rs7934083 variants were associated with a reduced risk of COPD. The analysis results of age, gender and non-smokers showed that rs4719841 and rs7934083 were associated with reducing the risk of COPD. In addition, the results showed that the genetic models of rs4719841, rs7934083 and rs7780562 were related to the forced vital capacity, respiratory rate per second, and respiratory rate / forced vital capacity of COPD patients, respectively. The results of the MDR analysis showed that the three-locus model (rs4719841, rs7934083, and rs78750958) is the best for COPD risk assessment.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that rs4719841 and rs7934083 are associated with the risk of COPD in the Chinese population, which provides some insights for early screening, prevention, and diagnosis of COPD in high-risk populations.

The bricolage mode of emergency medical teams in China: deficient and in urgent need of transformation-A qualitative study

Introduction

Emergency medical rescue plays a vital role in alleviating the harm of all kinds of emergencies to people's physical and mental health and life safety. The current emergency medical teams (EMTs) formation model is not unified. We focused on the disadvantages of the bricolage mode of China EMTs and put forward empirical-based countermeasures to improve the emergency management ability of EMTs.

Methods

From March to September 2022, 23 leaders of EMTs in North China (Tianjin) were selected by objective sampling method to conduct one-to-half structured in-depth interviews. Nvivo12.0 software was used for three-level coding. The disadvantages of the bricolage model of EMT were analyzed.

Results

Based on the three-level coding, 150 initial concepts, 36 sub-coding, 17 main coding, six categories, and two core categories were sorted out. Management structure, internal stability, and support are recognized as the crucial elements armed with the EMTs.

Discussion

The bricolage EMTs have disadvantages such as a chaotic management structure, weak internal stability, and inadequate support. It is necessary to construct full-time EMTs that incorporate a standardized personnel admission mechanism, full-time training and exercise mechanism, diversified incentive mechanism, and multi-agent cooperation mechanism, etc.

Preferences for Physical Examination Service in Community Health Service Center in China: A Discrete Choice Experiment

Objective

Physical examination services play a crucial role in the early detection of diseases, improving the effectiveness of treatment. However, the current physical examination services provided by community health service centers are limited. The objective of this study was to investigate the aspects of physical examination services that are most valued by residents.

Methods

Identify and develop attributes and levels through literature research and expert group interviews. A discrete choice experiment was designed. The main effects design gives rise to 16 choice sets. The 16 choice sets were grouped into 2 blocks, and respondents were randomly assigned to one of the blocks. In each choice set, respondents were asked to choose from two alternatives with an opt-out option. In 2023, the discrete choice experiment was administered in several community health service centers within a China population sample. A mixed logit and a latent class analysis were conducted.

Results

Participants (n = 399) preferred to receive health advice service. The services provided by the basic team with clinical experts are preferred over those provided solely by the basic team. The results indicated a preference for a participant to be serviced by face-to-face or telephone compared with WeChat. Low cost is also preferred. As participants grow older, their preference for face-to-face or telephone-based services increased. As participants' service demand increase, participants more preferred to receive interpretation of physical examination report and follow-up of important abnormal results, participants more preferred to be serviced by basic team with clinical experts or basic team with health manager etc.

Conclusion

We should improve the construction of the service team, optimize the service mode, expand the scope of examination services, reduce the cost of examination services, and meet the needs of residents for physical examination services. More attention should be paid to the needs of elderly and rural residents.

[Relief effect of CT-guided (125)I seed implantation on patients with spinal and paraspinal osteolytic metastatic tumors]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of computed tomography (CT)-guided (125)I seed implantation in the treatment of patients with spinal and/or paraspinal osteolytic metastatic tumors. Methods: The radiation dose distribution was planned for 27 patients with 35 spinal and paraspinal osteolytic metastatic tumors by a treatment planning system (TPS). CT-guided (125)I seed implantation was carried out in the patients, and the quality of treatment was evaluated based on CT-imaging follow-up. Results: All the 27 patients underwent CT-guided (125)I seed implantation successfully. 12 to 50 (125)I seeds were injected into each spinal or paraspinal metastatic tumor, 39.15 on average, and the specific radioactive activity of the particles ranged from 0.60 to 0.80 mCi, 0.73 mCi on average. The minimal percentage of the dose received by 90% of the target volume (D(90)) of the spinal and paraspinal metastatic tumors ranged from 90 to 165 Gy, 115.03 Gy on average. Among the 27 patients, 21 (77.8%) had partial remission (PR) and 6(22.2%)had stable disease (SD). The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores before implantation and at postoperative 3 and 6 months were 7.81±0.74, 2.04±1.10 and 1.81±0.79, respectively, (P<0.05). The assessment of pain intensity before (125)I seed implantation and at 3 postoperative months showed obvious improvements in the patients evaluated according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale: 12 (44.4%) patients with ASIA grade C were changed to grade D, 3 (11.1%) from grade C to grade E, 8 (29.6%) from grade D to grade E, 3 (11.1%) with a stable grade D, and 1 (3.7%)with a stablegrade C. The Karnovsky performance scale (KPS) scores before treatment and at 3 months and 6 months postoperatively were 66.30±6.88, 85.93±9.31 and 87.91±8.56, respectively (P<0.05). Their local control rate (LCR) at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year postoperatively were 100%, 92.6% and 51.9%, respectively, and the overall survival rates(OSR) were 100%, 92.6% and 55.6%, respectively. Conclusions: CT-guided (125)I seed implantation can significantly relieve local pain, has advantages of less complications and higher local control rate. Therefore, it is a safe, effective and feasible treatment option for patients with spinal and paraspinal osteolytic metastatic tumors.

Ultrafast Dynamics Evidence of High Temperature Superconductivity in Single Unit Cell FeSe on SrTiO_{3}

We report the time-resolved excited state ultrafast dynamics of single unit cell (1 UC) thick FeSe films on SrTiO_{3} (STO), with FeTe capping layers. By measuring the photoexcited quasiparticles' density and lifetime, we unambiguously identify a superconducting (SC) phase transition, with a transition temperature T_{c} of 68 (-5/+2)  K and a SC gap of Δ(0)=20.2±1.5  meV. The obtained electron-phonon coupling strength λ is as large as 0.48, demonstrating the likely crucial role of electron-phonon coupling in the high temperature superconductivity of the 1 UC FeSe on STO systems. We further find a 0.05 THz coherent acoustic phonon branch in the capping layer, which provides an additional decay channel to the gluing bosons.

Synthesis, Fungicidal Activity, Structure–Activity Relationship and Density Functional Theory Studies of Novel Oxime Ether Derivatives Containing 1-Aryl-3-Oxypyrazoles

A series of 16 oxime ether derivatives containing 1-aryl-3-oxypyrazoles were synthesised, and the structure of one of them, (E)-methyl 2-(2-({(1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-oxy}methyl)phenyl)-2-(methoxyimino)acetate was determined by X-ray diffraction crystallography. Preliminary bioassays indicated that some of these compounds exhibited very good fungicidal activities against Rhizoctonia solani, especially the ester 2-(2-({(1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-oxy}methyl)phenyl)-2-(methoxyimino)acetate, which displayed greater activity than control compound pyraclostrobin at a dosage of 0.1 μg mL-1. The relationship between structure and fungicidal activity was discussed. Density functional theory studies of the 3-methyl heterocyclic ester and the 4-chorophenyl heterocyclic N-methylamide were carried out and the results discussed in terms of the wide difference in fungicidal activity shown by each compound.

Synthesis and fungicidal activity of novel chloro-containing 1-aryl-3-oxypyrazoles with an oximino ester or oximino amide moiety

Six novel chloro-containing 1-aryl-3-oxypyrazoles TMa–TMf with an oximino ester or an oximino amide moiety were prepared by the reaction of 1-aryl-1H-pyrazol-3-ols with benzyl bromide. Their structures were characterized by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, IR, MS, and elemental analysis. A preliminary in vitro bioassay indicated that compounds TMa, TMe and TMf displayed excellent fungicidal activity against Rhizoctonia solani and could be used as potential lead compounds for further development of novel fungicides.

Migration and leaching risk of extraneous antimony in three representative soils of China: lysimeter and batch experiments

Antimony (Sb) distribution, solubility and mobility onto natural soils of China were studied in lysimeter and batch experiments as a function of physicochemical properties of the soil. An outdoor lysimeter experiment investigated the leaching and migration of Sb in the soils with Sb-polluted topsoil and unpolluted subsoil over a 5month period. Soil solutions were collected by suction cups installed at different depth of lysimeters, and leachates were regularly collected and analyzed for Sb concentrations. The majority of the added Sb was retained in the topsoil layers, but small portions were moved to the sub-layers. Sb concentrations in the soil solutions and leachates ranged from 0-755.5 (6.38±54 on average) μg l(-1) and 0-0.45 (smaller than the detection limit) μg l(-1) respectively, indicating the low solubility of Sb in the soils. Batch experiments were performed in order to determine the sorption capacity and the partition coefficient (Kd). Freundlich isotherm described properly the equilibrium experimental data and results show that the Kd values for Primosol, Isohumosol, Ferrosol equal to 22.5, 87.8, 704 L kg(-1), respectively. These results showed the strong capacity of the soils to retain Sb, and prevent it being leached down the profile. The mobilizable Sb was in the order: Primosol>Isohumosol>Ferrosol. Sb migration in the soils was mainly associated with the exchangeable, carbonate-bound, and metal-organic complex-bound fractions. Health risk assessment indicates that Sb leaching from Ferrosol will not harm to human health through groundwater under the test conditions, while it has certain health risks from the Isohumosol and Primosol.

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in soils surrounding the Tanggu Chemical Industrial District of Tianjin, China

The spatial distribution of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) was examined in soils surrounding the Tanggu Chemical Industrial District in Tianjin, China. The concentrations of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), hexachlorobenzenes (HCBs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in 70 surface soils using accelerated solvent extraction and gas chromatography with electron capture detection. The results showed that the ranges of ∑HCH, ∑DDT, ΣHCB, and ∑PCB concentrations in soils were 2.1-12,549 μg kg(-1) (average, 965 μg kg(-1)), n.d.-2,033 μg kg(-1) (average, 88.4 μg kg(-1)), n.d.-1,924 μg kg(-1) (average, 349 μg kg(-1)), and n.d.-373 μg kg(-1) (average, 46.2 μg kg(-1)), respectively. Of these, HCHs were the dominant POPs, accounting for 75 % of the total organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues. Overall, the spatial distribution of OCP concentrations showed a decreasing trend from the center of the Tanggu District to the surrounding areas. Two major pollution sources were Tianjin Dagu Chemical Co., Ltd. in the district center and the Tianjin Chemical Plant in Hangu District. In contrast, PCB concentrations were relatively high in the Haihe estuary to the east and low to the west of the study area. Component analysis of OCPs in these soils showed that they mainly came from industrial point sources. Compared with soils in other regions, soil DDT pollution was at a medium level in the Tanggu Chemical Industrial District, but associated HCH, HCB, and PCB pollution was relatively heavy. By multivariate statistical analyses, Tianjin Dagu Chemical Co., Ltd. was recognized as the main source of POPs, and soil properties were clarified to play an important role on the distribution and composition of POPs, especially the organic carbon content.

Synthesis, crystal structure, vibration spectral, and DFT studies of 4-aminoantipyrine and its derivatives

Three compounds derived from 4-aminoantipyrine (AA) were synthesized and their structures confirmed by melting point, elemental analysis, FT-IR, and 1H-NMR. The molecular structures of the four compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and calculated by using the density functional theory (DFT) method with 6-31G (d) basis set. The calculated molecular geometries and the vibration frequencies of the AA derivatives in the ground state have been compared with the experimental data. The results show that the optimized geometries can reproduce well the crystal structural parameters, and the theoretical vibration frequencies show good agreement with the experimental data, although the experimental data are different from the theoretical ones due to the intermolecular forces. Besides, the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) and the frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analysis of the compounds were investigated by theoretical calculations.

A magnetic force microscopy study of the magnetic reversal of a single Fe nanowire

The magnetization reversal properties of a single 60 nm diameter Fe nanowire were investigated with an in-field magnetic force microscope (MFM). MFM images were observed in a successively decreasing applied field, at various angles between the applied field and the nanowire axis. The results show that the magnetization undergoes a sharp reversal at various angles. When the applied field deviates from the nanowire axis, before complete magnetization reversal, a coherent rotation of magnetic moments inside the nanowire and a stable vortex state at the end of the nanowire are exhibited. The angle dependence of the switching field can be closely described by a curling model, despite the fact the magnetization reversal process is not identical to this model.

Magnetic behavior in an ordered Co nanorod array

The magnetization reversal process of an ordered Co nanorod array is shown using the images obtained from successive in-field magnetic force microscope (MFM) measurements. The magnetization reversal model is discussed according to local and whole magnetization reversal properties measured by the polar magneto-optical Kerr effect (PMOKE) and an alternating gradient magnetometer (AGM), respectively. Additionally, the dipolar field was probed using in-field MFM measurements. By removing the effect of the dipolar field, an intrinsic switching field distribution (SFD) is shown in a map with a hexagonal array. A detailed study of the dipolar field in ordered nanorod arrays with various diameters and pitches was carried out by numerical calculations.

Color and organic compounds removal from secondary effluent of landfill leachate with a novel inorganic polymer coagulant

Emerging contaminants in landfill leachate are causing environmental concerns due to their adverse impacts on the aquatic environment. The most popular biological process is mostly the first stage in combination with additional physical-chemical process. Current post-treatments are limited by high operating costs, low treatment efficiencies, or sensitive operating conditions. Poly-aluminium(III)-magnesium(II)-sulfate (PMAS in brief) is used to remove color and organic compounds in secondary effluent of landfill leachate. More than 40 kinds of organic matters in the secondary effluent are identified and 10 of them belong to the Black List of environmental preferred controlled pollutants considered by EPA of USA or China. Removals of COD, BOD(5), UV(254) and color by coagulation with PAMS can reach above 60%, 55%, 85% and 85% respectively under the optimum conditions. The species of alkyl, alkene, acyclic alcohol and acyclic acyl amine are efficiently removed (about 85%), with some of them removed completely, while the species of acid, ester and ketone are mostly removed (about 65%) and such matters with benzene ring as aromatic hydrocarbon, hydroxybenzene, aromatic alcohol, aromatic acyl amine are partially removed (about 50%). Organic pollutants in the secondary effluent are greatly removed with high efficiency here, which greatly weakens its pollution extent.

[Simultaneous determination of sulbactam sodium and cefoperazone sodium in sulperazon by high performance liquid chromatography]

A reversed-phase, isocratic high performance liquid chromatographic method with acid mobile phase can separate sulbactam and cafoperazone within 12 minutes. Column packed with Hypersil ODS2(250 mm x 4.6 mm i.d., 5 microns) was manufactured by Dalian Elite Company. Mobile phase is composed of water (adjusted to pH 4.0 with 1% phosphoric acid) and acetonitrile (80:20, V/V). The detection was performed at 210 nm and the injection volume was 2 microL. Cefoperazone and sulbactam have good linearity in the ranges of 100 mg/L to 800 mg/L and 100 mg/L to 1,000 mg/L with the correlation coefficients of 0.9991 and 0.9997 respectively. This method is easily to be operated and can be applied for manufacturing and medicinal study.

Isolation and complete nucleotide sequence of a Chinese Sindbis-like virus

Infection with alphaviruses is common in the Chinese population. Here we report the isolation of a Sindbis-like virus from a pool of Anopheles mosquitoes collected in Xinjiang, China during an arbovirus survey. This virus, designated XJ-160, rapidly produced cytopathic effects on mosquito and hamster cells. In addition, it was lethal to neonatal mice if inoculated intracerebrally. Serologically, XJ-160 reacted with and was neutralized by an anti-Sindbis antibody. Anti-XJ-160 antibodies were found in several cohorts of Chinese subjects. The complete 11626-base nucleotide sequence of XJ-160 was determined. XJ-160 has diverged significantly from the prototype Sindbis virus, with an 18% difference in nucleotide sequence and an 8.6% difference in amino acids; there are 11 deletions and 2 insertions, involving 99 nucleotides in total. XJ-160 is most closely linked to Kyzylagach virus isolated in Azerbaijan. Both belong to the African/European genetic lineage of Sindbis virus, albeit more distantly related to other members.

Changes in the concentrations of trace elements in human milk during lactation

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine 18 trace elements (Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cs, Cu, La, Li, Mn, Mo, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sn, Sr, Tl, and Zn) in 55 human milk samples from 46 healthy mothers collected during lactation periods extending to 293 days after birth. Se was quantified by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS). To test the accuracy and the precision of the analytical procedure, milk powder reference materials (BCR 063 and BCR 150) were analyzed. The results obtained by ICP-MS and HG-AAS showed good agreement with the certified values. Whenever available, trace element concentrations determined in the human milk samples were compared to reliable literature data. The concentrations of Be (< 0.05 to 0.9 microgram/kg), Bi (< 0.09 to 2.0 micrograms/kg), Cs (1.7 to 7.7 micrograms/kg), La (< 0.05 to 3.7 micrograms/kg), Rb (440 to 1,620 micrograms/kg), and Tl (< 0.08 to 0.5 microgram/kg) are the first to be reported for human milk. The concentrations of the essential trace elements Cu (p < 0.005), Mn (p < 0.05), Mo (p < 0.0005), Se (p < 0.001), and Zn (p < 0.0005) significantly decreased and the concentrations of cobalt significantly increased (p < 0.005) in human milk during the course of lactation. All concentrations for the essential trace element tin in the human milk samples were below the method detection limit of 0.3 microgram/kg. Among the not essential and toxic elements-with the exception of Ba, Pb, and Tl-the trend toward lower concentrations with continuing lactation is much less pronounced than for the essential trace elements. With the exception of Se, the daily intakes of essential trace elements of fully breast-fed infants are considerably lower than dietary recommendations.

[Effect of thoracentesis on arterial blood gas tension]

The effect of thoracentesis on arterial blood gas tension was studied in 30 patients with unilateral free pleural effusions of various causes. Arterial blood gases were measured before thoracentesis and at 20 minutes, two hours after the procedure. P(A-a)O2 was determined at the same time. The PaO2, PaCO2 and HCO3 showed significant decrease but the concurrent significant increase of the P(A-a)O2 before thoracentesis. The PaO2 showed increase and P(A-a)O2 decrease but the PaCO2 not changes after thoracentesis 20 minutes and two hours. The results suggested that pleural effusion might result in hypoxaemia and chronic compensated alkalosis.

[Study of oxidative damage on mitochondrial membrane of myocardium deficient in selenium]

Keshan disease (KD) is an endemic cardiomyopathy with membrane damage of the myocardial mitochondria. This paper reports the results of feeding guinea pigs with a forage obtained from KD endemic area. The selenium (Se) content and glutathione peroxidase activity in blood, tissues, mitochondria, microsome and supernatant of myocardium and liver cells of the experimental group were decreased. Additionally, the activity of glutathione-S-transferase was also decreased to some extent, instead of being increased in normal cases, and the content of lipid peroxide and hydroperoxide was increased. At the same time, cardiolipin in mitochondria, and the activity of cytochrome C oxidase (CCO, an enzyme binding with mitochondrial membrane) were also reduced accompanied with oxidative damage and disorder of function of the membrane. Anyhow, when exogenous cardiolipin was added in the purified endemic CCO solution, it was capable of restoring CCO activity significantly. The significance of Se deficiency and unbalanced diet in pathogenesis of Keshan disease is discussed.

Presenile (early ageing) changes in tissues of Kaschin-Beck disease and its pathogenetic significance

The selenium level and activity of glutathione peroxidase in blood of children living in Kaschin-Beck disease (KBD) endemic areas were lower than that in nonendemic areas. KBD children were deficient in selenium, their lipid components, structure and function of the red cell membrane and cartilage tissue were abnormal. That is, the phospholipid (PL) content in the tissues of the patient was less than that of the controls in endemic and non-endemic areas. Especially as the phosphatidylcholine (PC) content decreased significantly, but sphingomyelin (SM) increased, the molar ratio of SM/PC and cholesterol (Ch)/PL increased. Increase of acanthocyte content was seen under the electron microscope and the fragility of erythrocytes was also increased. It indicated that there were membrane defects and membrane damage in KBD. At the same time, the sulfation extent of mucopolysaccharides in cartilage of patients was lower, and the collagen content was higher than that of controls. The presenile changes in lipid composition, structure and function of biomembranes and cartilage metabolism of KBD are very significant in studies on the aetiological pathogenesis of KBD and other ageing diseases.

Etiologic and serologic investigations of the 1980 epidemic of dengue fever on Hainan Island, China

Virologic and seroepidemiologic studies were carried out during an epidemic of dengue fever on Hainan Island in 1980. Dengue 3 virus was isolated from 46 of 77 acute phase sera and from 1 of 10 pools of adult Aedes aegypti. Dengue 1 virus virus was isolated from a single acute phase serum. Seroepidemiologic investigations showed that 74% of healthy individuals in the epidemic area had antibody to dengue virus compared to 54% in an area where epidemic dengue had occurred in 1978, and less than or equal to 8% in nonepidemic areas. There were no significant differences in antibody prevalence for different sex and age groups.