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Background Whether considering the cumulative effect of sustained C-reactive protein (CRP) and distinguishing different aspects of depressive symptoms may be the reasons for the inconsistent conclusions of previous studies on the association between CRP and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults. The relationship between cumulative effects of CRP elevations and different aspects of depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults in China is not well understood. Objective This study aims to examine the relationship between cumulative episodes of CRP elevations over two successive determinations and depressive symptoms, as well as somatic and non-somatic retardation, among Chinese middle-aged and older adults. Methods This study used public data from the 2011-2018 Chinese Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and included 3 868 subjects. They were categorized based on the frequency of CRP elevations over two consecutive measurements: "elevated on zero occasion" (n=2 918), "elevated on one occasion" (n=763), and "elevated on two occasions" (n=187). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10) in 2011, 2015, and 2018, capturing both somatic and non-somatic dimensions. Multiple linear was used to explore the associations between cumulative episodes of CRP elevations over two successive determinations with depressive symptom scores in 2018, as well as the scores of somatic and non-somatic components separately. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to investigate the effects of cumulative episodes of CRP elevations on the risk of depressive symptoms in 2018. Results The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that after adjusting for all covariates, elevated on two occasions compared with elevated on zero occasion, which was an influential factor for the total score of depressive symptoms (β=1.22, P

[Objective] Thylakoids are the important sites where photosynthesis takes place. The thylakoid membrane envelops form a central aqueous region known as the thylakoid lumen. There are various types of proteins residing in thylakoid lumen, including high chlorophyll fluorescence (HCF) proteins, immunophilins, oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) proteins, and PsbP-like proteins, etc. These proteins are considered to play important roles during various physiological processes, such as photosynthesis, nucleotide metabolism, and redox regulation. [Reviews] This review summarized the function of the thylakoid lumen proteins involved in photosynthesis regulation, such as photosystem assembly, growth regulation, and excess light stress response. [Prospect] The review provided the theoretical reference for future study on the physiological function of the thylakoid lumen proteins.

Based on isentropic assumption, mass conservation and separation prediction formula, an engineering estimation method of nozzle performance considering flow separation was developed for large expansion ratio nozzle, and the performance evaluation method was verified with numerical simulation in this paper. The variation trend of thrust performance with nozzle pressure ratio(NPR) estimated by present method is in good agreement with simulation results. The results indicate that the present method has a good predicting ability at highly over-expanded flow conditions and an accurate estimation on large NPR state. It can provide direct guidance for nozzle design.

[Objective] To provide a reference for detection of barley seeds and effective prevention and control of barley stripe, this study established a detection system for barley stripe based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology. [Method] In this study, five sets of specific primers were de-signed based on the ITS-rDNA sequences of P. graminea, and one set was screened to optimize reaction temperature based on six gradients (60, 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65 °C). Then, the LAMP system for efficient detection of the pathogen was established. Its specificity was tested based on LAMP amplification of DNA of genes from P. graminea, Ustilago hordei, Ustilago nuda, Dactylobotrys graminicola, Alternaria alternata and Fusarium graminearum. The sensitivity was analyzed by testing genes at levels of 310, 31, 3. 1, 0.31, 0.031 and 0.003 1 pg/µL. At last, it was used for testing and verifying seeds of five barley varieties. [Result] The established LAMP methods for detecting P. graminea performed optimally at 63 °C for 70 min with specific primers of set 2. Under the optimal reaction conditions, this method had good specificity for P. graminea with minimum detection limit of 0.31 pg/µL. The P. graminea-carrying rates of Dulihuang, Chaiqing 1, 1141, Beiqing 9 and Kunlun 15 seeds were 68.18%, 72.73%, 100%, 77.27% and 68.18%, respectively. [Conclusion] The established LAMP method can be used to detect the P. graminea in barley seeds within 70 min at 63 µC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on 57 literatures, the quantitative relations among the apparent activation energy, E, apparent pre-exponential factor, k0 and volatile content on dry ash free basis, Vdaf, fuel ratio (FR) data from TGA experiments were obtained for 131 Chinese power coal samples. Regression was made for lg k0, E with Vdaf, FR, the regression results show that ① E, lg k0 decrease linearly with Vdaf, E = 109. 6-0. 365Vdaf lg k0 = 5. 406-0. 04 Vdaf, and lg k0 increases linearly with E, lg k0 = -0. 193+0. 043E. According to Vdaf of Chinese power coals, E and k0 can be calculated. In addition, according to Arrhenius Law, reaction speed constant number during power coal burning processes can be calculated. ② with the increase of FR, E and lg k0 increase with FR generally, E = 90. 891 +3. 097 37FR-0. 138FR², lg k0 = 3.413 2 - 0. 001FR+0. 022 8FR² The two mathematic relationships mentioned above correspond to the relationship of lg k0 increasing linearly with E. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective It has been reported that there was a close relationship between lung cancer risk and environmental tobacco smoke at workplace. The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between workplace environmental tobacco smoke exposure and lung cancer risk among non-smoking subjects. Methods By searching Medline, CENTRAL (the Cochrane central register of controlled trials), EMBASE, CBM, CNKI and VIP et al, we collected both domestic and overseas published documents on workplace environmental tobacco smoke exposure and lung cancer risk. Random or fixed effect models were applied to conduct systematic review on the study results, the combined odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated as well. Results 22 reports were included into the combined analysis, which indicated that 25% lung cancer risk was increased by exposing to workplace environment tobacco smoke (OR=1.25, 95%CI: 1.13-1.39, P<0.001). For female the increased risk was 22% (OR=1.22, 95%CI: 1.05-1.42, P=0.011). For male the increased risk was 54%, but it does not reach the statistical significance (OR=1.54, 95%CI: 0.74-3.18, P=0.247). Conclusion Workplace environmental tobacco smoke exposure is an important risk factor of lung cancer risk among non-smoking subjects. Especially for non-smoking women who expose to workplace environment tobacco smoke have a close relationship with lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of total maxilla setback by Le Fort I osteotomy for correction of maxillary prognathism with skeletal Class II malocclusion. METHODS: Sixteen patients of maxillary prognathism with skeletal Class II malocclusion underwent joint orthodontic treatment and orthognathic surgery were included. Fourteen of them exhibited mandibular deficiency while the other two had not. Total maxilla setback by Le Fort I osteotomy was performed in all cases, while bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) was applied simultaneously in 14 cases to advance their mandibles and the other 6 cases simultaneously underwent genioplasty for the purpose of advancement of their chins. RESULTS: The distance of maxilla setback was from 4 to 8mm in all cases with Le Fort I osteotomy. In the cases with genioplasty. All wounds healed well without any serve complication, even in one case greater palatine artery injury occurred. After 6 to 24 months of clinical follow-up following joint orthodontic treatment and orthognathic surgery, all patients regained satisfactory occlusal results and pleasing appearances. CONCLUSION: Total maxilla setback by Le Fort I osteotomy is an effective way to cure the patients of maxillary prognathism with skeletal Class II malocclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the role of macrophage polarization in the treatment of liver fibrosis by Fuzheng Huayu Tablets(FZHY) through single-cell, transcriptome sequencing and in vitro and in vivo experiments. Liver fibrosis-related datasets, transcriptomic datasets, and single-cell sequencing datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO) database to screen differential genes. Liver fibrosis-related genes were obtained from GeneCards, DisGeNET, NCBI, PharmgKB, TTD and OMIM databases. Macrophage polarization-related genes were obtained from the GeneCards database. The above three gene sets were intersected to construct a protein-protein interaction(PPI) network. Cytoscape software was used to screen core proteins, and the expression pattern of core proteins was visualized by single-cell sequencing. A mouse model of liver fibrosis was constructed using carbon tetrachloride(CCl&#95;4). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological morphology of liver tissues. The expressions of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) and transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) were detected by immunohistochemistry. The levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) were detected by colorimetry. The le-vels of inflammatory factors in serum were detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Furthermore, the expressions of α-SMA, TGF-β1, cluster of differentiation 86(CD86) and thrombospondin 1(THBS1) in liver tissues were detected by Western blot(WB). Lipopolysaccharide(LPS) was used to stimulate RAW264.7 cells to construct the M1 macrophage polarization model. The cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) method was used to detect cell viability. WB was used to detect the protein expressions of CD86 and THBS1 in cells, and the messenger ribonucleic acid(mRNA) expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin(IL)-1β by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR). The results showed that a total of 26 potential genes related to the polarization of liver fibrosis macrophages were obtained, and 10 core proteins related to the polarization of liver fibrosis macrophages such as THBS1, lumican(LUM) and fibulin-5(FBLN5) were screened. Single-cell data analysis indicated that THBS1, ranking highest, may be expressed by M1 macrophages. Animal experiments demonstrated that FZHY reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition in CCl&#95;4-induced mouse liver, relieved liver injury and inflammation levels, and inhibited the expressions of α-SMA, TGF-β1, CD86, and THBS1 proteins. Cell experiments revealed that FZHY significantly reduced intracellular expression of CD86 and THBS1 proteins and mRNA levels of TNF-α and IL-1β. In conclusion, FZHY may ameliorate liver fibrosis by inhibiting THBS1 protein expression, suppressing M1 macrophage polarization, and reducing inflammation.

Objective: To test the performance of CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score in predicting stroke recurrence in first-ever ischemic stroke survivors without atrial fibrillation (AF)., Methods: A total of 768 patients were included in this study, including 475 male (61.85%) and 293 female patients (38.15%) with a mean age of 61.52±12.59 years (17-90 years). The baseline information of the patients was collected by face-to-face questionnaire survey and electronic medical record review, and their follow-up information was collected by telephone follow-up once every 3 months. Chi-square test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used to compare the baseline characteristics between the patients regularly followed up and those withdrawn from the study. The area under the ROC curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio and other indicators of CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score were determined, and C-index based on Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the performance of CHA 2 DS 2 - VASc score in predicting the risk of stroke recurrence in patients at different time points during the follow-up., Results: The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year recurrence rate of stroke was 10.59%, 20.45%, and 29.46% in these patients, respectively. The AUC value, Optimal Operating Point (OOP) and the corresponding positive likelihood ratios (LR+) for predicting stroke recurrence were 0.558 (95% CI : 0.492-0.624), 4.5, and 1.256 at 1 year; 0.574 (95% CI : 0.517-0.630), 4.5, and 1.397 at 3 years; and 0.604 (95% CI : 0.548-0.661), 4.5, and 1.655 at 5 years, respectively. Sensitivity analysis of congestive heart failure showed that the predictive effect of CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score was basically unchanged., Conclusions: CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score can be used to predict the 3-year and 5-year risk of stroke recurrence in first-ever ischemic stroke survivors without AF. The score has a better prediction ability for long-term stroke recurrence, but the prediction value remains low, suggesting the need to further improve the score or establish a new score for predicting stroke recurrence.

Objective: To investigate the association between alcohol drinking and all-cause death in patients with ischemic stroke., Methods: Between January, 2010 and July, 2018, consecutive patients with first-episode ischemic stroke admitted in the West China Hospital, Sichuan University were enrolled, and all the patients were followed up every 3 months.Chi-square test was used to compare the differences in the baseline characteristics between the pre-stroke drinkers and the nondrinkers.The Cox regression model was used to analyze the effects of drinking status, drinking years, drinking frequency, average single alcohol intake before stroke and drinking status during the follow-up period on the mortality of patients after discharge., Results: A total of 855 patients with ischemic stroke were enrolled, and deaths occurred in 140 of these patients.Chi-square test showed significant differences in gender ( P &lt; 0.001), weekly physical exercise time ( P =0.035), smoking ( P &lt; 0.001), and heart disease ( P &lt; 0.001) between the pre-stroke drinkers and nondrinkers.Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that drinking during the follow-up period ( P =0.001), drinking for less than 28 years before stroke ( P =0.035) and a moderate drinking frequency (5 to 20 times per month for males and 4 to 9 times per month for females; P =0.030) were associated with a lowered risk of death after discharge.No significant effects of pre-stroke drinking status or average single alcohol intake were found on death after ischemic stroke., Conclusions: The drinking years and drinking frequency before stroke and drinking status during the follow-up period are related to the all-cause mortality in patients with ischemic stroke.Investigations of the more specific variables of drinking behaviors during the follow-up period are needed to further clarify the association between drinking and death after ischemic stroke.

Through market investigation, the adulteration of Zaocys dhumnades on markets was found out, and samples of authentic and adulterated Z. dhumnades on markets were collected. The origin and properties of the adulterated Z. dhumnades were studied in order to provide reference for the identification of Z. dhumnades. The counterfeit Z. dhumnades sold on markets were as follows: Ptyas korros, P. mucosus, Najanaja atra, Sinonatrix annularis, Dinodon septentrionalis, etc. It is found that there existed a obvious difference between the traits of the Z. dhumnades and counterfeits. Genuine Z. dhumnades with "sword ridge" "iron tail", strongly ribbed scales and other features, is the key point to identify the difference from adulterants.

Objective: To explore the direct effect of physical exercise impacting on life satisfaction and the mediating role of mental health status and resilience between the relationship of physical exercise and life satisfaction in rural adolescents., Methods: A total of 2282 of grade 7 and grade 10 of two rural middle school students( 15. 21± 0. 74 years, range 11-18 years) were surveyed in Zizhong County, Sichuan Province, chosen by typical sampling and cluster sampling using a self-report structured questionnaire, including demographic characteristics, physical exercise, Resilience Scale( CD-RISC) and mental health scale( MMHI-60), life satisfaction scale. A structural equation model was used for statistical analysis., Results: The fitting indices of multiple mediating role of structural equation model showed good fitting: χ~2/DF = 4. 528, GFI = 0. 935, AGFI = 0. 906, RMSEA = 0. 039. Physicalexercise was a direct protective determination for life satisfaction, the standardized coefficient was 0. 056( P < 0. 05). Physical exercise indirectly impacted on life satisfaction through the mediating variables of resilience and mental health status, and the 90 % CI of the mediating effect were( 0. 331-0. 557) and( 0. 051-0. 178), respectively. The mediating effect accounted for 67. 1 % of total effect., Conclusion: Physical exercise exerts a direct and indirect positive effect on life satisfaction. Resilience and mental health status have mediating effects on the relationship between physical exercise and life satisfaction.

Genome editing technologies (GETs) can precisely alter the genomic sequences and modify the genetic information at the target site of an organism. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the GETs, including zinc finger nucleases (ZFN), transcription-activating-like receptor factor (TALEN), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas endonucleases (CRISPR/Cas), have been successively developed. The GETs can easily engineer the targeted genomic site of animals to exhibit a desired phenotype(s), thereby providing valuable tools in biomedical research. The pigs are closely related to human, in terms of similarities in physiological properties and pathogenic characters. Thus, pigs have been used as important animal models in studies of human disease, xenotransplantation, and humanized organs regeneration. In this review, we summarize the development of the three GETs, research progress of genome-edited pigs as disease models and organ donors for xenotransplantation, and the prospects of their applications in future biomedical research.

A rapid UV-Vis spectrophotometric method was proposed to determine the concentration of DMP in aqueous solutions. The linear concentration range of DMP solution at the range of 250～400 nm is 0.5～70 mmol·L(-1). At 275 nm, the linear fitting equation is A=0.030 7c+0.133 0 with a correlation of 0.980 9. The detection limitation is 9.46×10-5 mmol·L-1, the RSD (n=6) of the method were at the range of 0.100%～0.612%. The recovery ratio for salt solutions sample is 95%～104%. Temperature, pH, and coexisting K(+), Na(+), Mg(2+), Cl(-), Br(-), I(-), SO(2-)(4) ions do not affect the detection. The coexisting CO(2-)(3) and HCO(-)(3) ions can be eliminated with acidification. The results showed that the proposed method is simple in pretreatment process and has high accuracy and precision. It is a quick measurement method of DMP concentration in water solution, and can be used to measure DMP concentration in reverse flotation tail liquid and reverse flotation material pulp.

The high similarity of MO and EO made it difficult to measure concentration of MOD and EOD. In this paper, dual wavelength spectrophotometry was used to determinate the concentration of MOD and EOD, which was proved to be fast and accrate. 429.00 nm and 469.50 nm were selected as detemination wavelengthes at pH 12. And the influences of Na+ and Cl- on determination of MOD and EOD were surveyed. The standard equations were A429 = 0.003 47 + 0.061 cm + 0.056 46 C(E) and A469.50 = 0.002 8 + 0.074 37 cm + 0.083 94 c(E) . Recovery of standard additions of MOD and EOD were larger than 95%, and relative standard deviation of standard equations were less than 2%. The addition of NaCl has little effect on recovery of standard additions and relative standard deviation of this method.

Objective: To investigate the factors that affect the outcome of pregnancies complicated with critically heart disease admitt ed to obstetric Intensive Care Unit (ICU)., Methods: A retrospective study was conducted for 188 pregnant and postpartum patients complicated with heart disease who were admitted to the ICU in West China Second University Hospital from July 2009 to March 2013., Results: During the 4 years, there were 619 cases of pregnancy complicated with heart disease hospitalization. Among them, 188 (30.37%) patients complicated with severe heart disease were admitted to the ICU, accounting for 39.17% of the total ICU admission (480); the mean maternal age was (28.45 ± 6.08) years old and the mean gestational time was (36.03 ± 4.19) weeks. 23 (12.23%) patients received regular antenatal care in our hospital. 61 (32.45%) patients never received antenatal care before hospitalization. Among them, 5 patients were dead. The ratio for diagnosis of heart disease before pregnancy, during pregnancy and after admission were 39.89%, 25.54% and 34.57%, respectively; the most common heart diseases during pregnancy were congenital cardiac disease (80, 42.55%) and rheumatic heart disease (45, 23.94%) followed by arrhythmias (20, 10.64%). The most common complication were pulmonary arterial hypertension (51, 27.13%), arrhythmias (47, 25.00%) and severe heart failure (30, 15.96%); the cardiac function of 164 (87.23%) patients was at stage I-II and 5 (2.66% ) patients died when discharged from hospital. 151 (80.32%) patients received multidisciplinary consultation and 34 (18.09%) used central venous catheterization to control central venous pressure (CVP). 21 (11.17%) patients required mechanical ventilation. 11 (5.85%) patients required emergency life support (cardiopulmonary resuscitation 9 + electric defibrillation 3)., Conclusion: Pregnancy complicated with heart disease is the leading reason for admission to ICU. The congenital cardiac disease, rheumatic heart disease and arrhythmias are the main heart diseases during pregnancy. Multidisciplinary cooperation and intensive care are the key measures to improve the outcomes of patients with critically illness. It is very important for reduction of the maternal mortality rate through strengthening preconception care and antenatal care.

Objective: To analyze the efficacy and safety of combination of rh-endostatin (Endostar) with docetaxel treatment on patients of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who presented PD or intolerable toxicity in/after first-line chemotherapy., Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled and multi-center clinical trial was conducted. Patients with stage IIIB/IV of NSCLC experienced previous chemotherapy of one-regimen were screened for this trial. A total of 68 cases were included in this study. Single docetaxel and that combined with endostar were conducted in two arms. The response, time to progression (TTP) and adverse effects were observed in both arms., Results: The objective response rate (ORR) and clinical benefit rate (CBR) were 0 and 62.5% in the combined arm, along with 0 and 53.3% in the single docetaxel arm, with a non-significant difference between the two groups (all P > 0.05), respectively. The median TTPs in the combined and single docetaxel arms were 2.63 and 2.07 months, respectively (P = 0.079). The median TTPs of the participants with progressive disease (PD) after first-line chemotherapy were 1.33 and 1.67 months in the combined and single docetaxel arms, respectively (P = 0.946). The median TTPs of the participants with intolerant adverse effects in first-line chemotherapy were 4.70 months and 3.17 months in the combined and single docetaxel arms, respectively (P = 0.070). The median TTPs of the patients with SD after 2 therapeutic cycles in the combined and single docetaxel arms were 6.23 months and 3.27 months, respectively (P = 0.040). The differences between two arms were non-significant in adverse, serious adverse and cardiovascular adverse effects (all P > 0.05)., Conclusions: Endostar may prolong TTP in patients with advanced NSCLC benefited from docetaxel treatment without increased toxicities.

Objective: To study the indication, efficacy, and safety of double-balloon catheter for cervical ripening and labor induction in term pregnant women., Methods: A total of 586 pregnant women using double-balloon catheters from May 2011 to October 2012 were divided into three groups according to their initial Bishop scores: group 1 (Bishop score < or = 3, n = 155), group 2 (Bishop score 4-5, n = 223) and group 3 (Bishop score > or = 6, n = 208). The control group (Bishop score > or = 6, n = 112) were directly given low-dose of oxytocin through continuous intravenous infusion for labor induction., Results: (1) The effective rate of cervical ripening and the success rate of vaginal delivery in group 1, 2 and 3 were gradually increased, with significantly differences among the three groups. The rate and the duration of oxytocin infusion were gradually decreased in group 1, 2 and 3, also with significantly differences. (2) The success rate of vaginal delivery in group 3 was significantly higher than that in control group. The average total labor stage of group 3 was significantly shorter than that of control group. The complications of mothers and fetus showed no significant difference between the two groups., Conclusion: The efficacy of double-balloon catheter for cervical ripening and labor induction was closely associated with the Bishop score. It is suitable in pregnant women with higher Bishop score.

Effects of temperature and four acids (HNO3, HNO3/H2O2, HNO3/HF and HNO3/HF+H3BO3) on the coal decomposition by microwave digestion and the multi-element analysis were studied. SARM20 was used as a coal standard reference material. The contents of 10 mineral elements (Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, K, Na, S, Si, Sr and Ti) in the coal SARM20 were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). And the contents of 20 heavy metals (Li, Be, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Zr, Sn, Cs, Ba, Ce, Eu and Pb) were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results showed that the coal was completely decomposed by microwave digestion with HNO3/HF+ H3BO3 at 210 degrees C. Good recoveries for all elements in the coal SARM20 were obtained by this two-step microwave digestion method. The recoveries of the 10 mineral elements were from 87.5% to 98.8%, and the recoveries of the 20 heavy metals were from 85% to 112.5%. All RSDs of tests were below 3%.

Background and Objective: It has been reported that there was a close relationship between lung cancer risk and environmental tobacco smoke at workplace. The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between workplace environmental tobacco smoke exposure and lung cancer risk among non-smoking subjects., Methods: By searching Medline, CENTRAL (the Cochrane central register of controlled trials), EMBASE, CBM, CNKI and VIP et al, we collected both domestic and overseas published documents on workplace environmental tobacco smoke exposure and lung cancer risk. Random or fixed effect models were applied to conduct systematic review on the study results, the combined odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated as well., Results: 22 reports were included into the combined analysis, which indicated that 25% lung cancer risk was increased by exposing to workplace environment tobacco smoke (OR=1.25, 95%CI: 1.13-1.39, P < 0.001). For female the increased risk was 22% (OR=1.22, 95%CI: 1.05-1.42, P=0.011). For male the increased risk was 54%, but it does not reach the statistical significance (OR=1.54, 95%CI: 0.74-3.18, P=0.247)., Conclusions: Workplace environmental tobacco smoke exposure is an important risk factor of lung cancer risk among non-smoking subjects. Especially for non-smoking women who expose to workplace environment tobacco smoke have a close relationship with lung cancer.

Three acids (HNO3, HNO3/HF and HNO3 /HF+ H3BO3) were used to decompose gypsum with microwave digestion system. The contents of 10 mineral elements (Al, Ca, Mg, Fe, K, Na, S, Ti, Si and Sr) in gypsum were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) while 6 heavy metals (V, Cr, Mn, Zn, Se and Ce) were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). GBW03109a, GBW03110 and FGD-2 were used as gypsum standard reference materials. The results showed that two-step microwave digestion with HNO3/HF at 210 degrees C and then adding H3BO3 for the removal of HF and fluorides completely decomposed the gypsums, while this method achieved good recoveries for all elements in the three gypsum standard reference materials. The recovery was from 88% to 112% and the RSD of tests was below 3%. The method was applied to the elemental analysis for flue gas desulfurization gypsums from three coal-fired power plants.

Background and Objective: Synthetic CpG oligodeoxynucleotides(CpG ODN) containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotide motifs, which mimic the effects of bacterial DNA, can stimulate the host's immune defense to reject cancer cells as "non-self" signal. This study was to evaluate the antitumor effect of CpG ODN against human neuroblastoma xenografts in nude mice depending on the innate immunity., Methods: The cytotoxicity of CpG ODN on neuroblastoma SK-N-MC cells was detected by WST-1 assay in vitro. Neuroblastoma xenografts were built subcutaneously in nude mice. When palpable tumor developed, the mice were randomized into normal saline (NS), non-CpG ODN, and CpG ODN groups (each group contained six mice), and were administered every other day for two weeks. When tumor grew to 5 cm3, the mice were killed to observe tumor morphology by histology and histochemistry., Results: CpG ODN had no cytotoxicity on SK-N-MC cells in vitro. Tumor volume was significantly smaller in CpG ODN group than in NS and non-CpG ODN groups at the end of the observation [(0.14+/-0.03) cm3 vs. (2.97+/-0.40) cm3 and (3.80+/-1.12) cm3, P<0.01]. On HE-stained sections, the tumor tissues of CpG ODN group showed intratumoral infiltration of inflammatory cells and large areas of necrosis, whereas those of controls showed less infiltration and no necrosis. By immunohistochemistry, the tumor tissues of CpG ODN group showed more natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages as compared with those of control groups., Conclusion: CpG ODN may have therapeutic effect on neuroblastoma in nude mice via mediating the activity of NK cells and macrophages.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between pulmonary pathological features and clinical physiology of congenital heart defects (CHD) with decreased pulmonary artery blood flow., Methods: Between July 2001 and May 2006, 18 patients with CHD with decreased pulmonary artery blood flow undergoing palliative or definitive repair and having lung biopsy intraoperatively were enrolled in this study. The patients' age was 0.4 - 8.0 years, and body weight was 6.0 - 20.0 kg. The method of semi-quantitative morphometric technique and an image analyzer were applied to measure the following indices of pulmonary microvessels: the percentage of media thickness (MT%), the percentage of media section area (MS%) and numbers of microvessels per square centimeter (VPSC). The diameters of left pulmonary artery (LPA) and right pulmonary artery (RPA) were measured with two-dimensional echocardiography. The percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO(2)), hemoglobin concentration (HB) and hematocrit value (HCT) were examined and recorded preoperatively., Results: There was a significant negative correlation between SpO(2) and HCT or Hb (R(2) = 0.4914, P = 0.001 and R(2) = 0.5505, P < 0.001), the variation trend of these three variables was linked. There was a negative correlation between SpO(2) and the body weight (R(2) = 0.2208, P = 0.049), which is in accordance with clinical features of aggravated process of cyanosis and hypoxia. The morphological observation of lung biopsy specimens indicated that most of peripheral pulmonary arteries were distended, irregular and their walls were uneven, and "lake" type of pulmonary AV malformations were observed. There was a positive correlation between VPSC and the body weight or BSA (R(2) = 0.5472, P < 0.001 and R(2) = 0.5233, P = 0.001). There was a significant correlation between VPSC and LPA or RPA (R(2) = 0.4312, P = 0.003 and R(2) = 0.2463, P = 0.036). It was shown that the diameter of central pulmonary arteries could be a reflection of peripheral pulmonary artery growth. The diameter of LPA also correlated with the diameter of RPA (R(2) = 0.286, P = 0.022)., Conclusions: For patients with congenital heart defects with decreased pulmonary blood flow, the pulmonary pathological changes are the bases of their clinical physiologic features. It is suggested that they should be treated in their earlier stage of life.

Objective: To compare the effect of different antegrade pulmonary blood flow on the further development of pulmonary artery after Glenn procedure in cyanotic congenital heart defects (CHD) patients., Methods: Between October 2000 and December 2006, 132 CHD patients with decreased pulmonary artery blood flow underwent bidirectional Glenn shunt, among them 18 patients received intraoperative lung biopsy. Patients were divided into two groups according to their different sources of antegrade pulmonary blood flow: antegrade arterial blood flow group (n = 33) and antegrade venous blood flow group (n = 99). The percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO2), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and hemotocrit (Hct) value were examined and recorded before and after operation. The diameters of left pulmonary artery (LPA) and right pulmonary artery (RPA) were measured with two-dimensional echocardiography and the results were used to calculate the pulmonary artery index (PAI). The method of half-quantitative morphometric technique and an image analyzer were used to measure the following indicators of pulmonary microvessels: the percentage of media thickness (MT%), the percentage of media section area (MS%), vascular numbers of per square centimeter (VPSC), and mean alveolar number (MAN)., Results: Before the operation, obvious cyanosis was found in both groups, while SpO2, Hct, and Hb were not significantly different (P > 0.05). LPA, RPA, and PAI were not significantly different between two groups (P > 0.05). The MT% and MS% in antegrade venous blood flow group were significantly less than those in antegrade arterial blood flow group (P < 0.05), but VPSC and MAN were not significantly different (P > 0.05). After Glenn procedure, hypoxia and cyanosis were remarkably improved in both two groups. There was a significantly negative correlation between SpO2 and Hct (r = -0.49, P < 0.01) or Hb (r = -0.196, P < 0.01 ). The PAI increased by 22% in antegrade arterial blood flow group and 44% in antegrade venous blood flow group (P < 0.05). The diameters of LPA and RPA in antegrade venous blood flow group were significantly larger than those in antegrade arterial blood flow group (P < 0.05) and the growth of RPA in antegrade arterial blood flow group was not significant., Conclusion: A better pulmonary artery growth occurs in the patients of pulmonary stenosis after Glenn shunt than in those of pulmonary atresia, and it contributes to an earlier completion of Fontan procedure.

Background & Objective: Axin2 gene which negatively regulates the Wnt signaling pathway was cloned recently. A truncated mutation of Axin2 (mtAxin2) is the most common mutation pattern in colorectal cancer (CRC) and could enhance the luciferase activity of T-cell factor (TCF). This study was to explore the mechanism of Wnt signaling pathway regulation by mtAxin2 in CRC., Methods: The expression of beta-catenin in a mtAxin2-positive and a mtAxin2-negative CRC specimens was detected by immunohistochemistry. Plasmids containing wild-type or mutated Axin2 (pCMV-Flag-wtAxin2 and pCMV-Flag-mtAxin2) were constructed and co-transfected into 293 cells. The interactions of wtAxin2 and mtAxin2 with core components in Wnt signaling pathway was tested by co-immunoprecipitation (IP) and Western blot. TNT T3/T7 in vitro transcription and translation system were used to produce mtAxin2 and wtAxin2 proteins to verify the homodimerization of mtAxin2. Firefly and Renilla activities of mtAxin2 were detected with dual-luciferase report assay. Retinoid X receptor (RXR) and ecodysone receptor (ECR) plasmids were prepared for the experiment of restoration of TCF activity of mtAxin2., Results: Immunohistochemistry showed that beta-catenin accumulated in the nuclei of mtAxin2-positive CRC cells and in cytoplasm of mtAxin2-negative CRC cells. Western blot showed that mtAxin2 bound to GSK-3beta, APC, beta-catenin, DVL-1 and PP2A as wtAxin2 did. After co-transfection of wtAxin2 and mtAxin2 in 293 cells, mtAxin2 competitively bound to beta-catenin. TNT T3/T7 experiment showed that wtAxin2 formed oligomers or dimers with Flag-wtAxin2, but not with Flag-mtAxin2. TCF activity in 293 cells was increased after transfection of pCMV-mtAxin2-RXR, but reduced after transfection of pCMV-mtAxin2-ECR or co-transfection of pCMV-mtAxin2-RXR and pCMV-mtAxin2-ECR, indicating the fusion of mtAxin2 and RXR formed dimers and restored its inhibitory effect on TCF activity., Conclusion: Because of loss of DIX domain, mtAxin2 can not form dimmers, disturbs the degradation of beta-catenin, and leads to the nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin and activation of Wnt signaling pathway.

Objective: To study the clinical features and diagnosis of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP)., Methods: During the last 10 years 1241 cases of ICP stayed in our hospital. Their clinical data were retrospectively reviewed., Results: 5.2% of all the maternity patients had ICP. It occurred more in winter and 3.5% of ICP occurred in multiple pregnancies. The recurrence rate of ICP was 30.2%. On the average, it occurred at gestational week 32.6. Skin pruritus was the characteristic manifestation and the presenting symptom in 1201 patients (96.8%). The other presenting features included elevated serum ALT and AST (2.3%), jaundice (8 patients), diarrhea (3 patients), deep yellow urine (2 patients) and right upper abdominal pain (1 patient). The serum transaminases levels were elevated, of which 60% were between 50-200 IU/L. Serum total bile acid (TBA) levels were elevated in 82.4% of the patients and bilirubin levels in 33.4%. The elevated bilirubin levels were 30 to 90 micromol/L in 85% of those patients with this condition, and it was never higher than 170 micromol/L., Conclusion: The basic diagnostic points of ICP are pruritus and abnormal liver function characterized by increased transaminases and TBA. Therefore paying attention to typical pruritus and other atypical features such as elevated serum transaminases, jaundice, diarrhea, deep yellow urine and right upper abdominal pain during antenatal care is important for an early diagnosis of ICP.

Objective: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a disease happening during pregnancy and does a great harm to the fetus. The etiology and pathogenesis of ICP are not clear. It is very important to investigate the relationship between ICP cord blood lymphocytes (CBLs) apoptosis and its clinical significance., Methods: The CBLs were isolated from 20 patients with ICP and 20 normal pregnant women. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to detect the apoptosis cells in the CBLs. The apoptosis regulatory molecules (Fas/FasL, Bcl-2) of CBLs were detected by immunohistochemical technique., Results: The percentage of apoptotic CBLs in ICP patients were significantly lower than that in the normal pregnant women (P < 0.05). The FasL protein expression of CBLs in ICP patients was significantly higher than that in normal pregnant women (P < 0.05), but Fas and Bcl-2 protein expression were normal., Conclusion: The abnormal apoptosis of CBLs may influence the immune reaction of ICP patients, which does something in the pathogenesis of ICP.

Objective: To study the perinatal outcomes of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP)., Methods: The clinical data of 1210 cases of ICP in recent ten years were retrospectively analyzed., Results: The incidence rates of perinatal outcomes of ICP were as follows: 19.0% (230/1210) for threatened premature labor, 24.0% (290/1210) for premature delivery; 23.2% (281/1210) for meconium stained amniotic fluid, 7.1% (86/1210) for neonatal asphyxia, 22.5 per thousand (27/1210) for perinatal mortality, 85.9% (1039/1210) for cesarean section, 0.9% (11/1210) for fetal growth restriction (FGR), 1.4% (17/1210) for postpartum hemorrhage, and 8.1% (101/1210) for preeclampsia. Threatened premature labor occurred beyond the gestation gestation period of 32 weeks in 88.7% (204/230) of the patients, and the fetal death rate in threatened premature labor was 46.7% (7/15). Premature delivery occurred after 34 weeks of gestation in 96.2% of the patients (279/290) 89.7% (260/290) of which were caused by cesarean section because of abnormal fetal monitoring. 41.3% of the cases with meconium stained amniotic fluid (116/281) occurred before the onset of labor. Fetal death accounted for 56% (15/27) of perinatal death, 80% (12/15) of which happened after the gestation week of 35 (36.5 +/- 1.2) with normal fetal heart rate monitoring. 95% (19/20) of the fetal death and stillbirth occurred after threatened premature labor and occasional uterine contractions, or at the early stage of labor., Conclusion: The rates of FGR, postpartum hemorrhage, and preeclampsia in ICP are almost the same as those of the normal pregnancy. Routine fetal heart rate monitoring methods cannot predict fetal death. The important measures to decrease the perinatal mortality include paying attention to fetal monitoring when threatened premature labor, occasional uterine contractions and prenatal meconium occur, and at the early stage of labor, and management of threatened premature labor and timely intervention of pregnancy (at the gestation period of 34 - 37 weeks).

Objective: To assess the treatment method and outcome of mesially or horizontally impacted mandibular molars., Methods: Eleven patients with mandibular impacted molars, including 9 horizontally impacted molars and 5 mesially impacted molars were treated with fixed appliance in conjunction with molar band soldered with pushing spring. Crowns of impacted molars were moved occlusally and distally., Results: All mesially or horizontally mandibular impacted molars were uprighted and brought into occlusion. Mean treatment period was 7.4 months (6 to 12 months)., Conclusions: This orthodontic molar uprighting technique was effective in uprighting and distalizing the impacted molars.

Objective: To study the expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH) and its receptor type-1 in the placental cotyledon vessels at term., Methods: IHC-SP staining and ISH methods were used to investigate the expression patterns of CRH and its receptor CRH-R1 in the placental cotyledon vessels at term from women who had undergone uncomplicated pregnancies. Placental tissues were collected after cesarian section before threatened labor., Results: This study revealed for the first time that endothelial cells and even smooth muscle cells of the cotyledon vessel expressed CRH messenger ribonucleic acid and peptide as well as the CRH-R1., Conclusion: The novel findings disclosed that the CRH derived from endothelial cells and even smooth muscle cells of the cotyledon vessel may represent the main source of CRH levels in fetal plasma, thus indicating the capability of mobilizing the compensation mechanism for adapting to the acute stress.

Objective: To investigate the factors of long-turn survival of liver cancer after surgical treatment., Methods: Five hundred and twenty-two cases of liver cancer that received surgical treatment in 14 years were analyzed retrospectively., Results: Comparison between the small liver cancer (< 5 cm) and the greater one (> 10 cm) revealed that the small liver cancer had a higher survival rates than the greater one [3 year (61.25 +/- 4.41)% versus (45.90 +/- 6.98)%; 5 year (53.84 +/- 5.68)% versus (30.21 +/- 10.23)%]. There were same results between single-nodule and two or more than two nodule [3 year (61.86 +/- 3.69)% versus (38.31 +/- 4.97)%; 5 year (55.40 +/- 4.91)% versus (28.01 +/- 6.31)%], between child I and child II or more than II [3 year (60.68 +/- 3.68)% versus (49.88 +/- 4.13)%; 5 year (50.99 +/- 5.10)% versus (36.39 +/- 7.58)%], and between single segmentectomy of the liver and two or more than two segmentectomy [3 year (68.65 +/- 4.95)% versus (49.88 +/- 4.13)%; 5 year (65.38 +/- 5.69)% versus (37.98 +/- 5.70)%]., Conclusions: Small liver cancer, single-nodule, good hepatic function and minor resection were important factors to prolong survival further.

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP)., Methods: Totally 1241 cases of ICP during the 10 years from Jan 1991 to Dec 2000 in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed., Results: Forty-four (3.5%) patients were multiple gestation. One hundred and one (8.1%) patients had pregnancy induced hypertension. ICP recurred in 30.2% multipara (38/126). On average, it occurred at gestational week of 32.6. Pruritus was the first symptom in 1201 (96.8%) patients while 8 (0.6%) patients had jaundice and 28 (2.3%) patients had abnormal liver function at the onset. Serum total bile acid (TBA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were usually mild or moderately elevated, while some patients had normal TBA (17.7%), ALT (15.6%), or AST (17.1%) level. The albumin/globulin ratio was reversed in 35 (3.2%) patients., Conclusion: ICP tends to recur in subsequent pregnancy. It is more likely to develop in multiple gestation. Pruritus is the most common and prominent manifestation. Elevated TBA and ALT or AST level is helpful for diagnosis. It should be noted that the above manifestations might not be typical in some patients.

Background & Objective: Recently, high-dose docetaxel has been proved to be an effective antineoplastic drug in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.However,there was a few reports about moderate-dose docetaxel and Adriamycin in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. This study was designed to observe the response rate and toxic reaction of Taxotere and Taxotere plus Adriamycin in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer., Methods: From September 1996 to April 2000, 34 cases with metastatic breast cancer, which were treated in Department of Oncology, The Second Central Hospital in Tianjin, were included in the study. For group A (14 cases), Taxotere single agent was administered at a dose of 75 mg/m(2) iv 1 hour. For group B, Taxotere was administered at a dose of 60 mg/m(2) combined with Adriamycin 50 mg/m(2) i.v. 1 hour. The same schedule for both groups was repeated every 21 days, with three cycles for all patients., Results: The recent response rates of group A and group B were 57.14% (8/14) and 75.0% (15/20), respectively. The 2-and 4-year survival rates were 35.7%, 14.3% for group A, and 40.0%, 15.0% for group B. The median overall survival durations of group A and group B were 22 months and 23 months. The median overall response durations of these two groups were 10 and 11 months, respectively. The main adverse reactions of these two groups were neutropenia, nausea, vomiting, stomatitis, diarrhea, alopecia, fatigue, myalgia, fluid retention, and skin flushing. Grade 3 and grade 4 neutropenia occurred in group A and group B were 57.1% (8/14) and 70.0% (14/20), respectively., Conclusion: Taxotere is effective in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. The toxic reactions are tolerable.

Objective: To investigate the changes in plasma levels of adrenomedullin (ADM) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) in an attempt to understand the role of ADM in the occurrence and development of CHF., Methods: The plasma levels of cAMP and ADM were measured by radioimmunoassay in 45 patients with CHF (including 10 of NYHA classII, 15 of class III, and 20 of class IV) and 20 healthy controls respectively., Results: Plasma ADM and cAMP levels significantly increased in patients of NYHA class II, III, and IV as compared with the healthy controls (P<0.05), with those of class III patients being the highest. Positive correlation between ADM and cAMP was noted in CHF patients(r=0.735, P<0.01)., Conclusion: Plasma levels of ADM and cAMP were in close correlation with the degree of heart failure, varying dynamically with the development of heart failure. There was mutual accommodation between ADM and cAMP, and increased cAMP level partly results from elevated ADM level in CHF patients.