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Background: Ticagrelor, the first reversible P2Y12 receptor antagonist, exhibits faster onset and offset of antiplatelet effects and more consistent platelet inhibition than clopidogrel in both healthy subjects and patients with stable coronary artery disease.Objective: The objectives of this study were to establish a population pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) model of ticagrelor and to provide a theoretical basis for the optimization of ticagrelor treatment in clinic.Methods: A single oral dose of 180 mg ticagrelor was administered to 14 healthy male subjects in a randomized study. Common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in biotransformation enzymes CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 (CYP3A4*1G and CYP3A5*3) were genotyped by PCR-direct sequencing. Blood samples were collected to measure plasma concentrations of ticagrelor and its active metabolite AR-C124910XX and maximal platelet inhibition. Various models were evaluated to characterize the pharmacokinetics of ticagrelor and AR-C124910XX as well as their PK-PD relationship. Covariates that may potentially affect PK or PD of ticagrelor and AR-C124910XX were included and assessed. Simulation for dosage regimen was performed based on the final PK-PD model.Results: Ticagrelor and AR-C124910XX PK were best described by a two-compartment model with first-order transit absorption model. CYP3A4*1G increased clearance for AR-C124910XX, but had no significant effect on ticagrelor clearance. The relationship between concentration and platelet response of ticagrelor was best described by a turnover model. Simulation results indicated that a lower dosage regimen of 30 mg maintenance dose (MD) could produce an anticipated anti-platelet response in comparison to the routine clinical dosage regimen (180 mg loading dose (LD), 90 mg MD).Conclusion: Our study developed a population PK-PD model for ticagrelor and further simulation for dosage regimen was performed based on the final model. Compared to the current recommended dosage regimen (180 mg LD, 90 mg MD), our simulation result of a relatively lower dose (30 mg MD) could also obtain an acceptable anti-platelet response, which may provide a reference for further dosage regimen design in Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For quality control of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), an attempt on fingerprint-efficacy study of Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata ( Fuzi) was developed in this paper. The fingerprints of Fuzi from various sources were determined by UPLC and hierarchical clustering analysis. Some quantitative thermo-kinetic parameters such as the heat-flow maximum power ( P) and its time corresponding to t, which obtained from the thermogenic curves of mitochondria metabolic activity affected by Fuzi were analyzed using principal component analysis. The fingerprint-efficacy relationship of chemical fingerprint and promoting effect of Fuzi were established using canonical correlation analysis. Our results showed that the sources and places of production of Fuzi had some significant influence on the chemical fingerprints and promoting metabolic effects of this CHM. Fingerprint-efficacy study provided a powerful way and some references for the quality control of Fuzi and other CHMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese kukri snake Oligodon chinensis belongs to family Colubridae and is distributed in southern China and North Vietnam. In this study, the total mitochondrial genome of O. chinensis was determined using next-generation sequencing. It is a circular molecule of 17,146 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 2 control regions (CR1 and CR2), with a base composition of A 33.6%, G 12.2%, T 25.6%, and C 28.6%. Interestingly, a special 136 bp non-coding region, which was identified as the repeated sequence in CR1 and CR2. Oligodon chinensis lay a basal position within Colubrinae (Clade A). Ptyas mucosa was the nearest sister to Elaphe carinata and they were clustered in other species of Elaphe. The molecular data presented here would be useful for further study of O. chinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to evaluate the ability of laboratories to perform spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) genetic testing in newborns based on dried blood spot (DBS) samples, and to provide reference data and advance preparation for establishing the pilot external quality assessment (EQA) scheme for SMA genetic testing of newborns in China., Methods: The pilot EQA scheme contents and evaluation principles of this project were designed by National Center for Clinical Laboratories (NCCL), National Health Commission. Two surveys were carried out in 2022, and 5 batches of blood spots were submitted to the participating laboratory each time. All participating laboratories conducted testing upon receiving samples, and test results were submitted to NCCL within the specified date., Results: The return rates were 75.0% (21/28) and 95.2% (20/21) in the first and second surveys, respectively. The total return rate of the two examinations was 83.7% (41/49). Nineteen laboratories (19/21, 90.5%) had a full score passing on the first survey, while in the second survey twenty laboratories (20/20, 100%) scored full., Conclusions: This pilot EQA survey provides a preliminary understanding of the capability of SMA genetic testing for newborns across laboratories in China. A few laboratories had technical or operational problems in testing. It is, therefore, of importance to strengthen laboratory management and to improve testing capacity for the establishment of a national EQA scheme for newborn SMA genetic testing.

Objective: To explore the relationship between sports and the prevalence of myopia in young sports-related groups in Tianjin, China., Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a cluster sampling method was used to survey professional athletes in Tianjin, students at Tianjin University of Sport, and Tianjin Vocational College of Sports. All participants completed epidemiological questionnaires and ophthalmic examinations. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to explore the potential risk factors of myopia., Results: This study recruited 1401 participants. The prevalence of myopia was 50.18%. The prevalence of low, moderate, and high myopia were 52.63%, 37.41%, and 9.96%, respectively. There were no sex-related differences in the prevalence of myopia. The odds of having myopia was 1.788 times higher in the indoor sports group than the outdoor sports group (the adjusted odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.391-2.297). Training time of more than 4 h/d (4-6 h/d: OR, 0.539; 95% CI, 0.310-0.938; >6 h/d: OR, 0.466; 95% CI, 0.257-0.844) resulted in a lower risk of myopia. Participants who often used the electronic screen (OR, 1.406; 95% CI, 1.028-1.923) and/or had a family history of myopia (OR, 2.022; 95% CI, 1.480-2.763) were more likely to suffer from myopia., Conclusions: Outdoor sports do not necessarily guarantee to insulate against myopia. Youngsters engaged in outdoor sports had a lower prevalence of myopia than those participating in indoor sports. Electronic screen use, training time, and family history of myopia were also associated with the prevalence of myopia in young sports-related groups.

Background: To explore the association of cigarette smoking with retinal thickness and vascular structure in an elderly Chinese population., Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled employees and retirees aged over 50 years at Tianjin University of Sport from October 2020 to December 2020. Information on smoking status and lifestyle was obtained using a detailed questionnaire. All participants underwent full ophthalmic examination. OCTA image was acquired. Vascular and the thickness parameters in central fovea and peripapillary parameters were automatically calculated. Multiple linear regression analyses were utilized to assess the association of smoking with retinal thickness and vascular structure after controlling potential confounders., Results: Compared with non-smoking adults, current smokers (β=-36.78; P = 0.01) and ever smokers (β=-35.45; P = 0.00) tended to have thinner macular fovea. Cigarettes daily, pack-years of smoking and CSI were negatively related to macular thickness (cigarettes daily: β=-1.43; pack-years: β=-14.73; CSI: β=-14.70), while they were positively associated with the circumference (cigarettes daily: β=0.03; pack-years: β=0.30; CSI: β=0.31) and the area of FAZ (cigarettes daily: β=0.01; pack-years: β=0.07)., Conclusions: Cigarette smoking seems associated with decreased macular fovea thickness and elevated circumference and area of the FAZ compared to non-smokers. Our data add to evidence of smoking on retinal thickness and the microvascular system in the macular area., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

As the global ecosystem has been severely disturbed by an increasing number of human activities at different scales, remote sensing technology, as an effective quantitative measure of environmental quality, has been widely used. The remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) is one of the most popular and comprehensive ecological quality assessment indices based on the remote sensing data. However, the RSEI model exhibits that the ecological environment under natural conditions is not limited by the spatial scales. In addition, the model has major shortcomings in index selection and eigenvector, which greatly limit the application of RSEI. In this paper, the RSEI model is improved and a remote sensing ecological index optimized by the regional scale (RO-RSEI) is proposed. The result of the study, conducted in Shuangyang District, Changchun City, Jilin Province, shows that the RO-RSEI model has regional ecological significance after the introduction of the scale theory of landscape ecology; the index is preferred to solve problems like the RSEI model applied mechanization and baseless index selection. Meanwhile, due to the optimization of the eigenvector contribution of the optimal index, it solves the problems like non-unique model calculation result caused by principal component analysis or even antipodal calculation result. Compared with the RSEI model, the monitoring result of RO-RSEI model can better reflect the regional ecological changes. The improved model offers the possibility of monitoring ecological environment quality with remote sensing big data and provides a scientific basis for future scholars' batch computing., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Elevated serum creatine kinase (CK) concentration was reported in some Graves disease patients during the treatment with oral antithyroid drugs (ATD). The pathogenesis of this abnormal biochemical value was considered to be related to the therapeutic drug. However, the relevant epidemiological investigation was absent.Overall, 416 patients with Graves disease treated with oral ATDs were recruited from December 2017 to October 2019. Clinical characteristics such as the patient's medical history and therapeutic regimen were collected. Serum CK concentration and thyroid function were measured. Statistical analysis was adopted to clarify the relationship between serum CK level and these clinical parameters.Elevation of serum CK concentration was emerged in 13.5% patients who were treated with oral ATDs. The proportion was significantly higher among men than among women (19.5% vs 10.8%). There was no correlation between increased serum CK concentration and age. More than 60% of serum CK elevations occurred within 6 months after taking oral ATDs. Free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine are negatively correlated with serum CK concentration. The correlation coefficients are respectively -0.222 (P < .05) and -0.234 (P < .05). There is positive correlation between thyroid stimulating hormone and serum CK concentration. The correlation coefficient is 0.405 (P < .05). There was no statistical correlation between drug dosage and increased serum CK level.Increased serum CK level is a common adverse reaction of oral ATDs. It generally develops early after starting treatment. The cause of this adverse reaction is not clear. It is speculated that elevation of serum CK level is related to the fluctuation of thyroid function.

A new snake species of the genus Hebius is described on the basis of three specimens from Hunan Province, China. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a significant genetic divergence of 6.1%-12.9% of the mitochondrial cytb gene and a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) tail long, approximately 25% of the total length; (2) dorsal scale rows 19-19-17, vertebral scales enlarged, smooth, 2nd-10th rows distinctly keeled; (3) anterior temporals 2, preocular 1, postoculars 3; (4) ventrals 160-164; (5) internasals narrowed anteriorly; (6) a pair of occipital spots and a pale postparietal streak; (7) a pale brown or beige dorsolateral stripe on the 4th-6th scale rows; (8) ventral scales brick-red at their outer border, with a row of well-defined dark blotches; (9) maxillary teeth 21, gradually enlarged, followed by 2 moderately enlarged posterior teeth, without diastema; (10) nostrils lateral.