Association of Vitamin D in Different Trimester with Hemoglobin during Pregnancy

The association between vitamin D and hemoglobin has been suggested. Vitamin D can affect erythropoiesis by the induction of erythroid progenitor cell proliferation and enhance iron absorption by regulating the iron-hepcidin-ferroportin axis in monocytes. However, this relationship in pregnant women is scarce. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between plasma vitamin D levels with hemoglobin concentration in pregnant women considering each trimester and iron supplementation. The data were obtained from Zhoushan Pregnant Women Cohort, collected from 2011 to 2018. Plasma 25(OH)D was measured in each trimester using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Generalized estimating equations and multiple linear regressions were performed. Finally, 2962 pregnant women and 4419 observations in the first trimester were included in this study. Plasma 25(OH)D in first trimester (T1) (β = 0.06, p = 0.0177), second trimester (T2) (β = 0.15, p < 0.0001), and third trimester (T3) (β = 0.12, p = 0.0006) were positively associated with Hb. Association between plasma 25(OH)D levels in T1 and Hb concentration was positively associated with gestational age (β = 0.005, p = 0.0421). Pregnant women with VD deficiency in T1 (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.07–1.88) or T2 (OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.30–2.89) presented an increased risk of anemia, compared with women without VD deficiency. Moreover, the significant relationship between VD and Hb was only observed among women with iron supplementation during pregnancy. Plasma 25(OH)D levels in each trimester were positively associated with Hb concentration. Iron supplementation might be an important factor affecting the relationship between VD and Hb.     

Construction of a Dengue NanoLuc Reporter Virus for In Vivo Live Imaging in Mice

Since the first isolation in 1943, the dengue virus (DENV) has spread throughout the world, but effective antiviral drugs or vaccines are still not available. To provide a more stable reporter DENV for vaccine development and antiviral drug screening, we constructed a reporter DENV containing the NanoLuc reporter gene, which was inserted into the 5′ untranslated region and capsid junction region, enabling rapid virus rescue by in vitro ligation. In addition, we established a live imaging mouse model and found that the reporter virus maintained the neurovirulence of prototype DENV before engineering. DENV-4 exhibited dramatically increased neurovirulence following a glycosylation site-defective mutation in the envelope protein. Significant mice mortality with neurological onset symptoms was observed after intracranial infection of wild-type (WT) mice, thus providing a visualization tool for DENV virulence assessment. Using this model, DENV was detected in the intestinal tissues of WT mice after infection, suggesting that intestinal lymphoid tissues play an essential role in DENV pathogenesis.     

大鼠正常血糖脑缺血及高血糖脑缺血时p38MAPK的表达

目的探讨p38MAPK与脑缺血及高血糖脑缺血损害的关系。方法实验大鼠随机分为3组:(1)高血糖脑缺血组(简称高血糖组,20只),于脑缺血术前30min尾静脉注射25%葡萄糖(4g/kg);(2)正常血糖脑缺血组(简称正常血糖组,20只),于脑缺血术前30min尾静脉注射等量18%D-甘露醇;(3)手术非缺血性对照组(10只)。采用双侧颈动脉结扎和放血法在高血糖组和正常血糖组制造全脑缺血模型,通过免疫组织化学技术与Western blot免疫印迹技术对比检测缺血30min,再灌注1、3、6h各时间点脑组织p38MAPK表达。结果对照组海马CAI区、CAIII区,未见p38MAPK阳性神经元;免疫组化在CAI区和CAIII区,在缺血30min,再灌注13、、6 h不同时间点高血糖组阳性细胞数与正常血糖组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);Western blot检测可见正常血糖组和高血糖组脑缺血30min,再灌注1、36、h时激活的p38MAPK蛋白明显增加,高血糖组灰度比值(分别为7.25±1.91、8.64±2.41、9.58±2.98、12.00±3.01)与正常血糖组(分别为6.68±1.51、7.92±1.75、8.34±2.00、9.02±2.27)比较,p38MAPK差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论脑缺血再灌注时p38MAPK被激活,参与缺血性损伤的发生,但高血糖并不能明显增加p38MAPK的总量,故在高血糖加重脑缺血性损伤中p38MAPK可能不发挥主要作用。     

Immunometabolic Reprogramming in Response to HIV Infection Is Not Fully Normalized by Suppressive Antiretroviral Therapy

Background: HIV infection results in immunometabolic reprogramming. While we are beginning to understand how this metabolic reprogramming regulates the immune response to HIV infection, we do not currently understand the impact of ART on immunometabolism in people with HIV (PWH). Methods: Serum obtained from HIV-infected (n = 278) and geographically matched HIV seronegative control subjects (n = 300) from Rakai Uganda were used in this study. Serum was obtained before and ~2 years following the initiation of ART from HIV-infected individuals. We conducted metabolomics profiling of the serum and focused our analysis on metabolic substrates and pathways assocaited with immunometabolism. Results: HIV infection was associated with metabolic adaptations that implicated hyperactive glycolysis, enhanced formation of lactate, increased activity of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), decreased β-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids, increased utilization of medium-chain fatty acids, and enhanced amino acid catabolism. Following ART, serum levels of ketone bodies, carnitine, and amino acid metabolism were normalized, however glycolysis, PPP, lactate production, and β-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids remained abnormal. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that HIV infection is associated with an increased immunometabolic demand that is satisfied through the utilization of alternative energetic substrates, including fatty acids and amino acids. ART alone was insufficient to completely restore this metabolic reprogramming to HIV infection, suggesting that a sustained impairment of immunometabolism may contribute to chronic immune activation and comorbid conditions in virally suppressed PWH.     

Study on Wear Mechanism of Helical Gear by Three-Body Abrasive Based on Impact Load

This study aimed to explore the wear characteristics and evolution mechanisms of large-scale wind power gears under the impact load of particles of the three-body abrasive Al₂O₃ (0.2 mg/mL) from four aspects: oil analysis, vibration analysis, amount of gear wear, and tooth-surface-wear profile analysis. A magnetic powder brake was used to simulate the actual working conditions. Combined with the abrasive particle monitoring and the morphology analysis of the tooth-surface-wear scar, by setting quantitative hard particles in the lubricating oil, the gears are mainly operated in the abrasive wear state, and wear monitoring and wear degree analysis are carried out for the whole life cycle of the gears. Oil samples were observed and qualitatively analyzed using a particle counter, a single ferrograph, a metallographic microscope, and a scanning electron microscope. The experiments demonstrate that the initial hard particles have a greater impact in the early wear stage of the gears (<20 h), and abrasive particle concentration increases by 30%. This means that Al₂O₃ particles accelerate the gear wear during the running-in period. The loading method of the impact load on the oblique gear exacerbates the abrasion particle wear and expands the stress concentration, which reduces the surface of large milling particles on the surface, and reduces the width of the tooth (the part above the pitch line is severely worn), which causes the gear to break into failure. The research provides help for analyzing the mechanism of abrasive wear of gears and predicting wear life.     

Effects of Internet-Based Nutrition and Exercise Interventions on the Prevention and Treatment of Sarcopenia in the Elderly

Effective nutrition and exercise interventions may improve sarcopenia in the elderly. The purpose of our study was to investigate the effectiveness of Internet-based nutrition and exercise interventions in the elderly with sarcopenia. Participants were divided into 4 groups: control, nutrition, exercise, and comprehensive (nutrition plus exercise) groups; there was at least 50 participants in each group. Our trial lasted 12 weeks. We conducted dietary and exercise interventions through an app and collected feedback from the participants every three weeks. Information on the diet, skeletal muscle mass, and muscle function was collected before and after the interventions. The comprehensive group had higher high-quality protein intake than the control (p = 0.017) and exercise (p = 0.012) groups. After the interventions, we obtained differences in skeletal muscle mass, skeletal muscle mass/height², skeletal muscle mass/weight, muscle mass/BMI, and skeletal muscle mass/body fat percentage (p < 0.05). Changes in average daily energy and total daily protein intakes were not significantly different; however, there was an overall improvement in the intervention groups relative to baseline data. There were no changes in the average daily time of moderate physical activity. The Internet was an effective tool of nutrition intervention in the elderly with sarcopenia. The Internet-based nutrition intervention improved high-quality protein intake and skeletal muscle mass in the elderly with sarcopenia.     

小城镇及农村残疾人抑郁水平及相关因素的调查

目的:了解小城镇及农村残疾人的抑郁水平及其相关因素,为其居家照顾者减轻残疾人抑郁提供理论依据。方法:采用抑郁自评量表(SDS)、Barthel氏ADL指数量表、Procidana与Heller家庭支持量表及自行设计的一般资料问卷,对居住在小城镇及农村的63例残疾人进行问卷调查。结果:残疾人有抑郁症状的比例高达69.8%,残疾人抑郁水平与日常生活活动能力(ADL)及残疾人对其家庭照顾者照顾满意度呈负相关,有非常显著的统计学意义(P=0.000)。结论小城镇及农村残疾人的抑郁症状普遍较严重,社会应给予更多的关注,应大力发展社区护理,为有需要的残疾人上门服务,并加强对残疾人家庭照顾者的培训指导,以提高残疾人生活质量与心理健康水平。     

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) in the rectum: A case report

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) is a rare subtype of liposarcoma with a poor prognosis. This current case report describes a rectal DDLPS in a 68-year-old Chinese male that presented with lower abdominal pain and weight loss. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were undertaken to evaluate the tumour. The patient underwent radical resection of the rectal tumour, sigmoid colostomy and partial ureterectomy. The tumour was positive for mouse double minute 2 by immunohistochemistry. The patient healed well but refused chemotherapy postoperatively for economic reasons. The tumour recurred and metastasized 4 weeks after the operation. After relevant treatment, the patient''s condition deteriorated and he died of shock, metabolic acidosis, hyperlactataemia and acute renal failure. The case report also reviews the literature in terms of the clinical diagnosis, treatment and pathological characteristics of rectal DDLPS with the aim of improving the level of diagnosis and treatment.     

乳杆菌与龋病关系的研究进展

乳杆菌是最早发现的龋病相关微生物,具有产酸性、耐酸性及结合胶原蛋白和合成细胞外多糖促进细菌黏附的能力。部分乳杆菌可产生抗菌物质或代谢物、与致龋菌竞争黏附位点或共聚、调节致龋毒力相关基因表达,从而抑制致龋菌生长,因此近年来有研究将乳杆菌作为益生菌应用于龋病防控。但乳杆菌致龋机制尚不明确,特定“益生”乳杆菌对口腔和肠道微生态的潜在影响未知,尚需更多的研究结合乳杆菌的致龋性和益生性,综合评价其对口腔和全身健康和疾病的作用。本文旨在对近年来乳杆菌致龋性和防龋作用的相关研究进行综述,重点讨论乳杆菌在龋病发生发展与临床防控中的作用,为龋病的防控提供新的思路和参考。     

Preparation and characterization of pure phase CdMnTe nanopowders by a hydrothermal route

In this paper, CdMnTe nanopowders with uniform shapes were prepared through a facile hydrothermal route using 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) as the stabilizer and modifier. The effects of different experimental conditions including Cd-to-MPA ratio, pH value and reaction temperature on the phase composition and formation mechanism of as-prepared nanopowders were studied. XRD results indicated as-prepared CdMnTe nanopowders were pure phase and had cubic sphalerite structure with high crystallinity. SEM and Rietveld refinement clearly showed that the powders were about 10–100 nm in size. In PL measurement, there was a strong luminescence peak in the infrared region 1.717–1.826 eV. Compared with the CdMnTe single crystal, a blue shift of about 0.109 eV indicated a wider band gap. In UV-vis spectra, the absorption peak of the sample blue shifted with the decrease of crystal size, which indicated an obvious quantum confinement effect (QCE) in nanopowders. The optimal conditions for the preparation of CdMnTe nanopowders are 180 °C for 24 h with the molar ratio 1 : 1 of Cd : MPA at pH 13. In particular, the growth kinetics and possible formation mechanism of the nanopowders were proposed.

CdMnTe high-quality and pure phase nanopowders, with diameters of 20 nm to 100 nm, were synthesized by a hydrothermal route using mercapto propionic acid as the stabilizer. A CdMnTe single crystal was produced by melting method and flash sintering using CdMnTe nanopowder.