Efficacy of boswellic acid on lysosomal acid hydrolases,lipid peroxidation and anti-oxidant status in gouty arthritic mice

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of boswellic acid against monosodium urate crystal-induced inflammation in mice.Methods:The mice were divided into four experimental groups.GroupⅠserved as control;mice in groupⅡwere injected with monosodium urate crystal;groupⅢconsisted of monosodium urate crystal-induced mice who were treated with boswellic acid(30mg/kg/b.w.);groupⅣcomprised monosodium urate crystal-induced mice who were treated with indomethacin(3mg/kg/b.w.).Paw volume and levels/activities of lysosomal enzymes,lipid peroxidation,anti-oxidant status and inflammatory mediator TNF-αwere determined in control and monosodium urate crystal-induced mice.In addition,the levels ofβ-glucuronidase and lactate dehydrogenase were also measured in monosodium urate crystal-incubated polymorphonuclear leucocytes(PMNL)in vitro.Results:The activities of lysosomal enzymes,lipid peroxidation,and tumour necrosis factor-αlevels and paw volume were increased significantly in monosodium urate crystal-induced mice,whereas the activities of antioxidant status were in turn decreased.However,these changes were modulated to near normal levels upon boswellic acid administration.In vitro,boswellic acid reduced the level ofβ-glucuronidase and lactate dehydrogenase in monosodium urate crystal-incubated PMNL in concentration dependent manner when compared with control cells.Conclusions:The results obtained in this study further strengthen the anti-inflammatory/antiarthritic effect of boswellic acid,which was already well established by several investigators.

Trace Elements in Lake Baikal: Current Status, Forecast and Monitoring Problems

Assessment of the current status of Lake Baikal proved to be based on changes in natural (“preindustrial”) chemical content in basic abiotic and biological compartments of the Lake geosystem. This approach was used to evaluate background “base-line levels” of 6 major and about 50 minor and trace ele-ments in the Lake Baikal water body using a number of most reliable data re-ported within 1992-2012. In terms of environment geochemistry Baikal is one of the purest water reservoirs on the Earth. A simple mass balance model was proposed for assessing possible anthropogenic impact on Baikal water geo-chemistry. Estimations of change trends showed that only for Na+, SO42-, Cl- and Mo growth rate of their average concentrations in the Lake occurred to be 1%, 3%, 7% and 2% in every 10 years. Space-time monitoring schedules for all water body compartments of the Lake are proposed as well as similar moni-toring programs for tributaries, precipitations, bottom sediments, aquatic biota.

Iodized salt consumption and iodine deficiency status in China: a cross-sectional study

Objective:To monitor iodized salt consumption and evaluate iodine deficiency status in 2014 in China.Materials and Methods:In 2014,a nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted in 31 provinces (in this study,provinces,autonomous regions and municipalities in China's Mainland were named as provinces).Probability proportional to size sampling method was adopted to recruit children ages 8-10 and pregnant women.47,467 children's and 18,994 pregnant women's urine samples were collected and 47,706 children's thyroid volumes were examined.Iodine content in salt was determined with 46,900 edible salt samples from children's households;urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was tested from children and pregnant women's urine samples;thyroid volume of children was assessed by ultrasound.Results:The national coverage rate of iodized salt and consumption rate of qualified iodized salt were 96.3％ and 91.5％,respectively.Median iodine content in iodized salt was 25.2 mg/kg.In 22 of 31 provinces,the provincial coverage rates of iodized salt were over 95％.And consumption rates of qualified iodized salt were more than 90％ in 21 provinces.In this study,the national median urinary iodine concentration (MUIC) of children in China was 197.9 μg/L.At the provincial level,MUIC of children in 19 provinces was 100-199 μg/L,which in 12 provinces was 200-299 μg/L.The national MUIC of pregnant women in 2014 was 154.6 μg/L,slightly higher than the lower limit of the WHO criteria for adequate (150-249 μg/L).At the provincial level,MUIC of pregnant women in 18 provinces was 100-149 μg/L,which in 13 provinces was 150-249 μg/L.The national prevalence of goiter among children in 2014 was 2.6％,of which only Shandong province (5.6％) exceeded the national standard (5％).Conclusions:In China,iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) has been eliminated since 2005.And in 2014,the IDD-free status still remained.

Relationship between the use of smart medical services and mental health status

In this editorial,I comment on the article by Zhang et al.To emphasize the importance of the topic,I discuss the relationship between the use of smart medical devices and mental health.Smart medical services have the potential to positively influence mental health by providing monitoring,insights,and inter-ventions.However,they also come with challenges that need to be addressed.Understanding the primary purpose for which individuals use these smart tech-nologies is essential to tailoring them to specific mental health needs and prefe-rences.

3种代谢综合征工作定义在男性健康体检者中的比较

目的:比较1999年WHO, 2001年美国第三次胆固醇教育计划(NECP ATPIII)及2003年中华医学会糖尿病学会(CDS)提出的3种代谢综合征(MS)工作定义在同一健康体检人群中检出的异同。方法:在739例男性健康体检人群中分别应用上述3种工作定义诊断MS,比较MS患病率,分析各定义诊断MS的一致性及临床特点结果:WHO( 1999 ),ATPIII( 2001 )及CDS( 2003 )MS工作定义诊断的MS标化患病率分别为36. 9%, 11. 8%21. 0%。3种定义对MS总的诊断符合率为68. 6%。WHO定义与ATPIII定义、CDS定义的诊断符合率分别为72. 5%, 81. 2%; ATPIII定义与CDS定义符合率为83. 5%。WHO定义的各组分中胰岛素抵抗患病率最高(标化率为49. 4% );ATPIII定义中高血压患病率最高(标化率为48. 5% ),腹型肥胖患病率最低(标化率为1. 87% );CD定义中肥胖患病率最高(标化率为63. 3% )。3种定义检出的MS组的空腹胰岛素水平及HOMA IR均高于其相应的非MS组。结论: 3种定义具有较高的诊断符合率,但对同一人群的应用仍存在差异,提示制定国内外统一的诊断定义势在必行。

Sodium valproate suppresses abnormal neurogenesis induced by convulsive status epilepticus

Status epilepticus has been shown to activate the proliferation of neural stem cells in the hippocampus of the brain, while also causing a large amount of neuronal death, especially in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus and the subventricular zone. Simultaneously, proliferating stem cells tend to migrate to areas with obvious damage. Our previous studies have clearly confirmed the effect of sodium valproate on cognitive function in rats with convulsive status epilepticus. However, whether neurogenesis can play a role in the antiepileptic effect of sodium valproate remains unknown. A model of convulsive status epilepticus was established in Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of 3 mEq/kg lithium chloride, and intraperitoneal injection of pilocarpine 40 mg/kg after 18–20 hours. Sodium valproate(100, 200, 300, 400, 500, or 600 mg/kg) was intragastrically administered six times every day(4-hour intervals) for 5 days. To determine the best dosage, sodium valproate concentration was measured from the plasma. The effective concentration of sodium valproate in the plasma of the rats that received the 300-mg/kg intervention was 82.26 ± 11.23 μg/mL. Thus, 300 mg/kg was subsequently used as the intervention concentration of sodium valproate. The following changes were seen: Recording excitatory postsynaptic potentials in the CA1 region revealed high-frequency stimulation-induced long-term potentiation. Immunohistochemical staining for BrdU-positive cells in the brain revealed that sodium valproate intervention markedly increased the success rate and the duration of induced long-term potentiation in rats with convulsive status epilepticus. The intervention also reduced the number of newborn neurons in the subgranular area of the hippocampus and subventricular zone and inhibited the migration of newborn neurons to the dentate gyrus. These results indicate that sodium valproate can effectively inhibit the abnormal proliferation and migration of neural stem cells and newborn neurons after convulsive status epilepticus, and improve learning and memory ability.

Impact of high-fat diet on antioxidant status, vascular wall thickening and cardiac function in adult female LDLR^–/–mice

Background: Western diet, rich in saturated fatty acids and cholesterol, is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We thus investigated in female mice the influence of this diet on plasma antioxidant status, vascular wall thickening and cardiac function. Methods and Results: Adult female C57BL/6J wild type (WT) and LDLR–/– mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 17 weeks. HFD induced an increase in plasma lipids and vitamin C (Vit C) levels in both groups but at a much higher level in LDLR–/– and a decrease in plasma ascorbyl free radical levels to Vit C ratio (an endogenous oxidative stress index) in LDLR–/–. We only found a slight decrease in circulating antioxidant status evaluated by the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) assay in WT, but not in LDLR–/–. Echocardiography evidenced an increase in arterial wall thickness in aortic arch at atherosclerosis predilection sites in HFD LDLR–/– as compared to ND LDLR–/– and HFD WT. This result was confirmed by histology. Further-more, histological examination of aortic valves showed an increase in atherosclerotic lesions. Our study, using echocardiography, show that chronic HFD does not induce any major modifications of systolic function in the both mice groups. Conclusions: High-fat intake in mice causes serious disturbances in lipid plasma levels associated to variations of circulating antioxidant status due, at least in part, to an increase in Vit C. At this stage, atherosclerotic lesions, observed in aortic arch and valve, do not impair cardiac function in HFD-fed mice.

中药材工作者肺部螨感染调查和治疗

目的调查中药材工作者肺螨症的患病情况,观察甲硝唑治疗肺螨症的疗效。方法采用询问病史、痰检螨虫、血检嗜酸粒细胞、ELISA检测血中螨抗体水平和X线胸片检查,以确诊痰螨感染和肺螨症人数。统计不同工种、年龄、工龄及性别的感染和患病率。痰螨感染者用甲硝唑治疗(剂量为0.8g/d,2次分服,共2个疗程,每疗程7d,间隔7～10d)。统计痰螨阴转率和肺螨症治疗有效率。结果调查327人,痰螨阳性121例,感染率为37.0%。其中肺螨症患者(即有呼吸道症状,嗜酸粒细胞增高或抗体阳性,X胸片异常者)共41例,患病率为12.5%。不同工种人群的痰螨感染率和患病率不同,以中药材中转库人群最高,分别为51.8%和18.6%。其次是中药厂人群,分别为40.7%和15.7%。两组感染率和患病率均明显高于中药材库和中药店人群(P<0.01)。中年及工龄较长人群患病率较高(P<0.05)。不同性别间痰螨感染率和患病率差异均无显著性(P>0.05)。甲硝唑治疗痰螨阴转率为88.4%,治疗肺螨症患者有效率为92.3%。结论中药材工作人群是呼吸道螨感染和肺螨症高发人群之一,应加强防护。甲硝唑是治疗肺螨症的有效药物。

西安市城区2所重点中学初中一年级学生动态眼屈光状况的横断面流行病学调查

目的对在校中学生眼健康状况中的动态屈光基本情况进行横断面调查,为青少年眼保健提供基础资料。方法采用前瞻性调查设计,对初一学生动态眼屈光状态等指标进行采集,输入编辑的专项应用程序,用SPSS11.0软件行统计分析。结果初一学生(平均年龄13岁)在正常动态情况下,近视眼的患病率为83.6%,其中68.6%为低度近视,13.4%为中度近视,1.6%为高度近视。正视眼占11.8%,远视眼占4.5%的。平均屈光度(等效球镜)为(-1.57±1.66)D,其中低度近视平均(-1.4131±0.71)屈光度(D),中度近视平均(-4.21±0.88)D,高度近视平均(-6.92±0.73)D。性别中女生组平均屈光度(-1.77±1.68)D大于男生组(-1.53±1.64)D,眼别中右眼组平均屈光度(-1.87±1.68)D大于左眼组(-1.54±1.63)D。结论应针对初中一年级学生这一人群的用眼状态采取综合、简易的手段,对其近视度数进行医疗干预。

1998年特大洪水对安徽省血吸虫病流行的影响

目的了解1998年特大洪水对安徽省血吸虫病流行的影响。方法对全省灾情以及灾区钉螺和感染螺分布、灭螺工程的水毁程度、人群接触疫水、急性感染的发生、灾后延迟效应以及溃堤地区溃破后居民血吸虫感染情况等进行全面调查。结果1998年特大洪水使60个灭螺设施遭受不同程度的毁损;与1997年相比,人群接触疫水人数增加了2.32倍;急性感染和疑似急性感染病例数上升61.73%和345.45%。灾后延迟效应非常明显,人群 IHA 阳性率上升了31.16%,感染螺环境处数上升了23.01%。圩堤溃破地区,溃破后居民 IHA 阳性率上升了93.04%,粪检阳性率上升了17.57%。结论1998年特大洪水对安徽省血吸虫病流行产生了很多直接和间接的影响,必须积极采取有效的防范措施,防止疫情的加重。

The Effects of Different Feeding Practices on the Nutritional Status of Infants below 12 Months Old in the Kumba 1 Sub-Division

Appropriate feeding practices are important during infancy for good health, growth and development of infants and children. WHO revised its earlier recommendation of Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) of infants from 4 to 6 months of age to EBF until about 6 months of age, with the addition of complementary foods thereafter. This recommendation confirms that breast milk alone is sufficient to meet infants’ nutritional requirements for the first 6 months of life. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of various feeding practices on the Nutritional status of infants 0 - 12-month-old in the Kumba 1 Sub-Division. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2019 to August 2020. A total of 341 nursing mothers and their infants 0 - 12 months of age were recruited. Socio-demographic factors and the different feeding habits of the children were assessed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measurements. The overall proportion of infants who exclusively breastfed for 6 months was 69.2% and those who were mix-fed were 30.8% in the study area. The overall prevalence of malnutrition in the population was 61.0%. Among the malnourished children, 53.1% were underweight, 19.6% were wasted and 10.0% were stunted. Though not significant, the prevalence of wasting (21.0%) and underweight (58.3%) was higher among Mix-Fed (MF) children when compared to their EBF counterparts. Feeding practices affected the nutritional status of the infants. Underweight and wasting were observed among infants on Complementary Feeding (CF), although some exclusively breast-fed infants were stunted. Hence, nursing mothers should try as much as possible to practice EBF as recommended by WHO and can practice CF when the child is above six months.

Trace Element Status in Women of Childbearing Age in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Introduction: Trace element deficiency is a major nutritional problem worldwide, affecting more than two billion people, or around a quarter of the world’s population. This situation is even more acute in developing countries than in developed countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, research and recent data on trace elements (micronutrients) are scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the serum status of calcium (Ca+), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) in women of childbearing age in Kisangani. Methods: We have conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Our sample consists of 596 women of childbearing age in apparent good health. The data collection has been prospective. Concentrations of trace elements in serum were analysed using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrophotometer (ICP-MS Agilent 7700X). Results: The mean and median concentrations were: Calcium: 2.35 mmol/l and 2.31 mmol/l, Copper: 13.55 and 13.49 µmol/l, Magnesium: 0.85 and 0.81 mmol/l, Selenium: 0.99 and 0.76 µmol/l, and Zinc: 13.85 and 13.79 µmol/l. Respondents aged 20 - 34 had mean serum concentrations of 2.4 mmol/l for calcium, 13.7 µmol/l for copper, 0.9 mmol/l for magnesium, 1.1 µmol/l for selenium and 14.0 µmol/l for zinc. Conclusion: The trace element status of women of childbearing age in Kisangani was lower than that observed by other researchers, which suggests the need for a general nutritional intervention in our environment.

HIV prevalence in suspects attending Sir Sunder Lal Hospital

Objective:To assess the sero-positivity rate of HIV infection among clinically suspected subjects of reproductive age group(15-49 years),biological and behavioral characteristics of the subjects gender specific variation of sero-positivity rale,and the differentials of the sero-positivity rate for the history of blood transfusion or blood products or other organs,history of needle exposure and symptoms of morbidity.Methods:Study is based on the retrospective data of the calendar year 2005 obtained from Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centre(VCTC)(now renamed as ICTC),Department of Microbiology,I.M.S.,B.H.U..Varanasi.These cases were either referred by the consultants of different OPD'S of Sir Sunderlal Hospital or came voluntarily for knowing their HIV status.About 2-3 mL of blood samples were collected in a plain vial and tested for HIV status by strategy Ⅱ/Ⅲ as per WHO/NACO guidelines.Results:Overall sero-positivity of HIV was 15.3%(18.1%in males and 12.2%in females) which increased 6-7 folds in the age group 35-49 years as compared to 15-24 years in both the sexes.Sero-positivity rate in male migrants was 43.1%,while in female migrants it was 18.7%.The history of multiple sexual contacts was about 3 times higher in males as compared to females;predominantly it was very high in male migrants(67.7%) as compared to male non-migrants(15.8%).History of multiple sexual contacts was not uncommon in females and it was 25.0%in female migrants and 9.7%in non-migrant females.The sero-positivity rate with the history of multiple sexual contacts was 45.4%in males and 60.3%in females,while without history of multiple sexual contacts these were only 2.8%and 5.3%respectively.Sero-positive cases had on an average 3.6±1.7 various morbidity symptoms as compared to 0.7±1.1 in sero-negatives.It is to be noted that sero-positivity rate was more in those females who seemed apparently healthy compared to those presenting with some of the symptoms;vice versa,in males presenting with some symptoms HIV infection was 7 times higher than those without symptoms.Conclusions:The findings indicate a high sero-positivity among both the genders.Multiple heterosexual contacts,especially,in migrants are the main root of transmission of HIV.These are causing spread of HIV to their spouses.The multiple sexual contacts in the society,especially,among non migrant females of this region are indicating the distortion of traditions and cultures which are a serious concern and may lead to HTV infection on the rise.Awareness program to the susceptible group is the need to reduce further spread of HIV.

杭州市某城区居民贫血状况调查分析

目的 初步调查杭州市区居民贫血的流行情况, 为预防部门开展贫血的防治提供依据, 同时增强社区居民对贫血的认识。方法 利用调查表对杭州市某城区3个社区卫生点共1 060名居民(成年人) 进行问卷和个别咨询调查, 调查内容包括贫血症状、相关病因学因素及实验室检查情况。同时在调查过程中对社区居民进行有关贫血知识及合理膳食的宣教。结果 该城区居民(成年人) 贫血患病率为2 83%, 贫血分度以轻度为主; 不同年龄的居民贫血患病率间差别有显著性意义(P<0. 05); 男、女患病率分别为2 .48%、3. 13%, 差别无显著性意义(P>0. 05)。结论 杭州市区成年居民贫血易患人群以老年为主, 防治工作应以老年人群为主要对象, 应采取普及营养知识、改善膳食结构、尽早发现慢性病, 尽早治疗等综合防治策略。

烤烟连作对重庆土壤养分状况的影响

通过田间取样和室内分析相结合的方法,调查研究了重庆市石柱、奉节和南川3个县烤烟连作土壤的养分状况。结果表明:烟田连作后土壤pH值下降,相邻茬次之间平均下降0.05,土壤酸化;有机质含量逐年下降,相邻茬次之间平均衰减0.56%g/kg;全氮、全磷、全钾含量随连作年限延长表现出不同程度的升高趋势,表现为P(6%～31%)>K(6%～21%)>N(2%～12%);速效磷、速效钾含量随连作年限延长逐年降低,且降低程度P(6%～24%)>K(2%～10%),速效氮含量略有上升;速效养分N/P、N/K和K/P比值明显增加,土壤养分比例失调。

北京市低年级学生单纯肥胖症的流行学研究

目的揭示北京市低年级小学生肥胖症流行特点及影响因素,为制定早期的预防和干预措施提供依据.方法分层整群抽样,对10221名1～2年级小学生进行身高、体重测量及相关因素家长问卷调查.结果低龄学童肥胖率为15.4%,超重率为 12.5%;男高于女,以年龄递增,肥胖程度以轻中度为主,占80%以上.与儿童肥胖相关的主要因素有:儿童不良饮食行为、父母肥胖、高出生体重、早期喂养、运动、父母文化程度及其他不良家庭和环境因素.结论大城市低龄学童超重和肥胖发生率有明显升高趋势,此阶段实施早期干预措施对预防青春期及成年期肥胖和其他相关疾病有重要的意义.

Current status of ultrasound-guided surgery in the treatment of breast cancer

The primary goal of breast-conserving surgery(BCS) is to obtain tumour-free resection margins. Margins positive or focally positive for tumour cells are associated with a high risk of local recurrence, and in the case of tumour-positive margins, re-excision or even mastectomy are sometimes needed to achieve definite clear margins. Unfortunately, tumour-involved margins and re-excisions after lumpectomy are still reported in up to 40% of patients and additionally, unnecessary large excision volumes are described. A secondary goal of BCS is the cosmetic outcome and one of the main determinants of worse cosmetic outcome is a large excision volume. Up to 30% of unsatisfied cosm-etic outcome is reported. Therefore, the search for better surgical techniques to improve margin status, excision volume and consequently, cosmetic outcome has continued. Nowadays, the most commonly used localization methods for BCS of non-palpable breast cancers are wire-guided localization(WGL) and radioguided localization(RGL). WGL and RGL are invasive procedures that need to be performed pre-operatively with technical and scheduling difficulties. For palpable breast cancer, tumour excision is usually guided by tactile skills of the surgeon performing "blind" surgery. One of the surgical techniques pursuing the aims of radicality and small excision volumes includes intraoperative ultrasound(IOUS). The best evidence available demonstrates benefits of IOUS with a significantly high proportion of negative margins compared with other localization techniques in palpable and non-palpable breast cancer. Additionally, IOUS is non-invasive, easy to learn and can centralize the tumour in the excised specimen with low amount of healthy breast tissuebeing excised. This could lead to better cosmetic results of BCS. Despite the advantages of IOUS, only a small amount of surgeons are performing this technique. This review aims to highlight the position of ultrasoundguided surgery for malignant breast tumours in the search for better oncological and cosmetic outcomes.

济源烟区土壤营养状况评价研究

对济源市烤烟主产区植烟土壤的营养现状进行了分析,取样地点126个,覆盖了全市4个烟区(邵原、王屋、下冶和大峪)的植烟土壤。结果表明:济源烟区土壤总氮、碱解氮、有机质含量较适宜;个别地区速效磷、有效锌含量较低;水溶性氯含量均在合理范围;有效硼含量则明显不足;速效钾含量则比较丰富,在豫西乃至河南烟区都处于较高水平。

Identification, Synthesis, Isolation and Spectral Characterization of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) Related Substances

Several related substances were detected at trace level in (2R)-2,3-dihydro-2-methyl-6-nitro-2-[[4-[4-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenoxy]-1-piperidinyl] phenoxy] methyl]imidazo[2, 1-b]oxazole drug substance by a newly developed high-performance liquid chromatography method. All related substances were characterized rapidly but some impurities were found to be intermediates. Proposed structures were further confirmed by characterization using NMR, FT-IR, and HRMS techniques. Based on the spectroscopic data;unknown related sub-stances were characterized as 1-(Methylsulfonyl)-4-[4-(trifluoromethoxy) phenoxy]piperidine;4-{4-[4-(Tri-fluoromethoxy)-phenoxy]piperidin-1-yl}phenol and 4-{4-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenoxy]piperidin-1-yl}phenyl methane sulfonate;4-Bromophenyl methane sulfonate, Ethyl 3,6-dihydro-1(2H)-pyridine carboxylate, (2S)-3-(4-Bromophenoxy)-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl methane sulfonate, (2S)-3-(4-Bromophenoxy)-2-methylpropane-1,2-diyldimethane-sulfonate, (2S)-2-Methyl-3-(4-{4-[4-(trifluoromethoxy) phenoxy]-piperidin-1-yl} phenoxy)-propane-1,2-diyldimethane sulfonate, (S)-3-(4-Bromophenoxy)-2-methyl-propane-1,2-diol and corresponding Enantiomer, (2R)-2-[(4-Bromo-phenoxy)methyl]-2-methyloxirane and (2R)-2-[(4-bromophenoxy)methyl]-2-methyl-6-nitro-2,3-dihydroimidazo[2,1-b][1,3]oxazole. A possible mechanism for the formation of these related substances is also proposed.