Depressive symptoms and smoking among Hong Kong Chinese adolescents

AIMS: To examine associations among depressive symptoms, smoking, smoking trajectories and quitting smoking in Hong Kong. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal design, with wave 1 at baseline (T1) and wave 2 (T2) 12 months later. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Form 1 (equivalent to 7th grade in the United States) students, mean age = 12.7 years, n = 1894. MEASUREMENTS: Self-reported smoking status, attempts to quit and depressive symptoms. FINDINGS: At both waves, current as well as ex-smokers had higher depressive symptoms than never smokers. T1 smoking predicted T2 depressive symptoms among those with low baseline depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms at T1 predicted smoking at T2 among non-smokers at T1. Trajectories were defined by separating participants who were never smokers at both waves ('non-smokers'), those who smoked at both waves ('persistent smokers'), those who smoked at one time but were not smoking at either wave ('past smokers), and those who had never smoked at T1 but reported smoking a year later ('new smokers'). Persistent, past and new smokers had higher depressive symptoms at both waves than non-smokers. Smokers who reported not wanting or trying to quit and those who had been unsuccessful at quitting had higher depressive symptoms at T2 than those who successfully quit. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that depressive symptoms promote tobacco use in Asian adolescents by making it more likely that an adolescent will begin smoking and less likely that she or he will quit. These findings elucidate risk factors in Hong Kong for two important public health concerns for adolescents: smoking and depression.     

Mediator proteins orchestrate enzyme-ssDNA assembly during T4 recombination-dependent DNA replication and repair

Studies of recombination-dependent replication (RDR) in the T4 system have revealed the critical roles played by mediator proteins in the timely and productive loading of specific enzymes onto single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) during phage RDR processes. The T4 recombination mediator protein, uvsY, is necessary for the proper assembly of the T4 presynaptic filament (uvsX recombinase cooperatively bound to ssDNA), leading to the recombination-primed initiation of leading strand DNA synthesis. In the lagging strand synthesis component of RDR, replication mediator protein gp59 is required for the assembly of gp41, the DNA helicase component of the T4 primosome, onto lagging strand ssDNA. Together, uvsY and gp59 mediate the productive coupling of homologous recombination events to the initiation of T4 RDR. UvsY promotes presynaptic filament formation on 3' ssDNA-tailed chromosomes, the physiological primers for T4 RDR, and recent results suggest that uvsY also may serve as a coupling factor between presynapsis and the nucleolytic resection of double-stranded DNA ends. Other results indicate that uvsY stabilizes uvsX bound to the invading strand, effectively preventing primosome assembly there. Instead, gp59 directs primosome assembly to the displaced strand of the D loop/replication fork. This partitioning mechanism enforced by the T4 recombination/replication mediator proteins guards against antirecombination activity of the helicase component and ensures that recombination intermediates formed by uvsX/uvsY will efficiently be converted into semiconservative DNA replication forks. Although the major mode of T4 RDR is semiconservative, we present biochemical evidence that a conservative "bubble migration" mode of RDR could play a role in lesion bypass by the T4 replication machinery.     

Obstetric outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and isolated polycystic ovaries undergoing in vitro fertilization: a retrospective cohort analysis

Objective: This retrospective cohort study evaluated the obstetric outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and isolated polycystic ovaries (PCO) undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.

Methods: We studied 104 women with PCOS, 184 with PCO and 576 age-matched controls undergoing the first IVF treatment cycle between 2002 and 2009. Obstetric outcomes and complications including gestational diabetes (GDM), gestational hypertension (GHT), gestational proteinuric hypertension (PET), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), gestation at delivery, baby’s Apgar scores and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were reviewed.

Results: Among the 864 patients undergoing IVF treatment, there were 253 live births in total (25 live births in the PCOS group, 54 in the PCO group and 174 in the control group). The prevalence of obstetric complications (GDM, GHT, PET and IUGR) and the obstetric outcomes (gestation at delivery, birth weight, Apgar scores and NICU admissions) were comparable among the three groups. Adjustments for age and multiple pregnancies were made using multiple logistic regression and we found no statistically significant difference among the three groups.

Conclusion: Patients with PCO?±?PCOS do not have more adverse obstetric outcomes when compared with non-PCO patients undergoing IVF treatment.     

Knockdown of augmenter of liver regeneration in HK-2 cells inhibits inflammation response via the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway

Inflammation Research - Augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR) is a growth factor that is ubiquitously expressed in multiple forms among eukaryotes. The present study focused on the role of...     

Shape and structure controlling of calcium oxalate crystals by a combination of additives in the process of biomineralization

The origin of complex hierarchical superstructures of biomaterials and their unique self-assembly mechanisms of formation are important in biological systems and have attracted considerable attention. In the present study, we investigated the morphological changes of calcium oxalate (CaO_x) crystals induced by additives including chiral aspartic acid, sodium citrate, Mg²⁺, casein and combinations of these molecules. The morphology and structure of CaO_x were identified with the use of various techniques. The morphogenesis of CaO_x crystals were significantly affected by chiral aspartic acid, sodium citrate or Mg²⁺. However, they only formed calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM). It was observed that the chiral aspartic acid, sodium citrate and casein adhered to the surface of the crystals. The adherence of Mg²⁺ to crystals was not evident. Casein significantly affected the formation of COM and calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD). The ratio of different CaO_x crystal forms is associated with the casein concentration. In combination with Mg²⁺ or citrate ions, casein showed improved formation of COD. The present study mimics biomineralization with a simple chemical approach and provides insight into the complicated system of CaO_x biomineralization as well as facilitates the understanding of urinary stone treatment.

Combination of casein and small molecules regulates morphogenesis of calcium oxalate crystals.     

Analysis of anomalous origin of coronary arteries by coronary angiography in Chinese patients with coronary artery disease

With the development of coronary angiography for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease, its clinical significance in detecting coronary artery anomalies and evaluating the seriousness is attracting more attention. In the study we aimed to assess the prevalence of anomalous origin of coronary arteries in a Chinese population who underwent coronary angiography for coronary artery disease, and explore any patterns in the common variants and typical anomalies, especially the potentially serious ones. Patients who underwent coronary angiography from January 2013 to December 2016 in Fuwai Hospital were included. Baseline characteristics and angiographic data were collected, the incidence of anomalous origin of coronary arteries was calculated, and the typical patterns were analyzed. Comparisons between the present results and those of existing reports were also conducted. A total of 110,158 patients were included in the study, among which 0.76% (835 cases) had anomalous origin of coronary arteries. Among the anomalies, the incidences of anomalous origin of the right coronary artery (RCA), the left coronary artery (LCA), both the RCA and LCA, single coronary artery (SCA) and dextrocardia were 76.76% (641 cases), 14.61% (122 cases), 1.80% (15 cases), 4.67% (39 cases) and 2.16% (18 cases), respectively. Moreover, 47.54% (397 cases) of the anomalies were shown to be potentially serious, and an RCA arising from the left sinus of Valsalva (LSV) was the most common subtype (39.28%, 328 cases). Although anomalous origin of coronary arteries is not quite common, more clinical attention should be paid to this condition due to the potential risk of serious sequelae.     

剩余稀释标本涂片复检在末梢血预稀释模式三分群血常规检查中的应用价值

目的探讨剩余稀释标本涂片细胞形态学复检在新生儿、婴幼儿末梢血预稀释模式三分群血常规检查中的可靠性。方法对新生儿、婴幼儿末梢血血常规检查标本以Sysmex-kx-21三分群血细胞分析仪预稀释模式进行检测,并对筛查的结果进行手工复检;对剩余稀释标本的手工复检以离心沉淀或静置沉淀的方式进行浓缩与涂片瑞氏染色,镜检至少观察200个白细胞,同时每例检查补充末梢血直接涂片1~2张瑞氏染色镜检作为细胞形态学复检比对的金标准。结果根据复检规则对仪器法检测结果进行统计学分析,得到真阳性率为4.6%,假阳性率为20.3%,真阴性率为74.0%,假阴性率为1.1%,复检率为24.9%,仪器法测定的敏感度为18.3%,特异度为98.6%,阳性预测值为81.3%,阴性预测值为78.5%,准确性为78.6%;两种涂片方式复检结果一致(P>0.05)。结论基层单位末梢血预稀释模式三分群血常规检查简易形态复检能为新生儿、婴幼儿门诊保健和临床医疗提供安全保障。     

急诊医学专业学位“双轨合一”培养的现状及建议

临床医学专业学位研究生培养和住院医师规范化培训是我国医疗卫生事业人才培养高水平临床医师的重要组成部分,两者在诸多方面具有相似点,在培训内容上及课程上亦存在较多重叠部分。2012年,首都医科大学急诊医学系开始对急诊医学专业学位研究生试行"医学专业学位研究生教育与住院规范化培训双轨合一"的培养模式,本文通过对相关文件、文献的学习,对急诊医学"双轨合一"培养模型可行性、必要性进行阐述,并结合现有经验对其现状和难点进行分析,对该培养模式在急诊医学领域施行提出合理化的建议,为更好的培养高水平急诊医学临床医师提供新思路。     

Extraction in cholinium-based magnetic ionic liquid aqueous two-phase system for the determination of berberine hydrochloride in Rhizoma coptidis

A magnetic ionic liquids (MILs)-based aqueous two-phase system (MIL-ATPs) obtained by mixing with a series of inorganic salts, which involves five cholinium MILs with the piperidinyloxy radical anion is reported for the first time. Phase diagrams for the new ATPs were experimentally determined at different temperatures (298.15–318.15 K) and the liquid–liquid equilibrium data for two-phase systems were correlated according to the empirical nonlinear expression. The effects of the types of MILs, temperature and inorganic salts on the binodal curve are discussed in detail. The MIL-ATPs coupled with HPLC-UV analysis was developed in the quantitation of berberine hydrochloride in Rhizoma coptidis. Under optimal conditions, the partition coefficient of berberine hydrochloride was 127.68 with the precision values (RSD%) of 1.40% and 2.83% for intra-day (n = 6) and inter-day (n = 3), respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for berberine hydrochloride were 0.023 mg L⁻¹ and 0.077 mg L⁻¹, respectively. The recoveries were obtained in the acceptable range of 97.4–101.2%. Moreover, the content of berberine hydrochloride in the raw material of Rhizoma coptidis was measured as 123.95 mg g⁻¹ with this method. Finally, 99.8% MIL was recovered for cycle application after the removal of berberine hydrochloride by using D101 resin. This study provides a meaningful reference for the application of MIL-ATPs with great prospects.

Five cholinium type organic magnetic ionic liquids have been applied in ionic liquid-based aqueous two-phase systems by mixing with a series of inorganic salts, which is reported to extract berberine in quantitative analysis for the first time.     

Activation of M 3 cholinoceptors attenuates vascular injury after ischaemia/reperfusion by inhibiting the Ca 2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II pathway

Background and Purpose

The activation of M ₃ cholinoceptors (M ₃ receptors) by choline reduces cardiovascular risk, but it is unclear whether these receptors can regulate ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R)‐induced vascular injury. Thus, the primary goal of the present study was to explore the effects of choline on the function of mesenteric arteries following I/R, with a major focus on Ca²⁺/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) regulation.

Experimental Approach

Rats were given choline (10 mg·kg⁻¹, i.v.) and then the superior mesenteric artery was occluded for 60 min (ischaemia), followed by 90 min of reperfusion. The M ₃ receptor antagonist, 4‐diphenylacetoxy‐N‐methylpiperidine methiodide (4‐DAMP), was injected (0.12 μg·kg⁻¹, i.v.) 5 min prior to choline treatment. Vascular function was examined in rings of mesenteric arteries isolated after the reperfusion procedure. Vascular superoxide anion production, CaMKII and the levels of Ca²⁺‐cycling proteins were also assessed.

Key Results

Choline treatment attenuated I/R‐induced vascular dysfunction, blocked elevations in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased the up‐regulated expression of oxidised CaMKII and phosphorylated CaMKII. In addition, choline reversed the abnormal expression of Ca²⁺‐cycling proteins, including Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger, inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺‐ATPase and phospholamban. All of these cholinergic effects of choline were abolished by 4‐DAMP.

Conclusions and Implications

Our data suggest that inhibition of the ROS‐mediated CaMKII pathway and modulation of Ca²⁺‐cycling proteins may be novel mechanisms underlying choline‐induced vascular protection. These results represent a significant addition to the understanding of the pharmacological roles of M ₃ receptors in the vasculature, providing a new therapeutic strategy for I/R‐induced vascular injury.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Chinese Innovation in Cardiovascular Drug Discovery. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-23

Abbreviations

4‐DAMP

4‐diphenylacetoxy‐N‐methylpiperidine methiodide

CaMKII

Ca²⁺/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II

DHE

dihydroethidium

I/R

ischaemia/reperfusion

IP₃R

inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor

NAC

N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine

NCX

Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger

PLB

phospholamban

ROS

reactive oxygen species

SERCA

sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺‐ATPase

SNP

sodium nitroprusside

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