Respiratory Symptoms in Children and Parental Smoking and Phlegm Production

A study of respiratory symptoms in 2,426 schoolchildren aged 6-14 years was carried out in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, in 1971. The prevalence of cough in the children was associated with the parents'' smoking habits; prevalence was lowest where both parents were non-smokers, highest where both parents smoked, and lay between these two levels where only one parent smoked. A close association was found between parents'' and children''s respiratory symptoms that was independent of parents'' smoking habits. There was no suggestion that exposure to the cigarette smoke generated when parents smoked had any more than a small effect upon the child''s respiratory symptoms. While the sharing of genetic susceptibility between parents and children is a factor, therefore, cross infection, particularly in the families where parents smoke, is an important element in the association.     

地表反照率不同计算方法对干旱区流域蒸散反演结果的影响——以新疆三工河流域为例

地表蒸散是维持地球表面水量平衡和热量平衡的重要环节,SEBAL模型作为一种快速且有效的反演地表蒸散的遥感物理模型方法,在地表蒸散研究中得到广泛应用。地表反照率作为影响地表能量平衡的重要因素,同时也是SEBAL模型的重要输入参数,因此不同的地表反照率计算方法对SEBAL模型的反演结果有重要影响。以新疆三工河流域为研究区,利用Landsat8 OLI/TIRS数据,以应用最为广泛的Smith地表反照率计算法和Liang地表反照率计算法两种方法计算地表反照率,并输入SEBAL模型中反演日蒸散量,比较分析两种地表反照率计算方法对蒸散反演结果的影响,得出以下结论:(1)两种地表反照率计算方法下经SEBAL模型得到的日蒸散量与实测值拟合程度均较高,不同年份下线性拟合决定系数大于0.75,但是使用Smith方法计算出的地表反照率结合SEBAL模型得到的日蒸散量与实测值拟合程度更高;(2)通过RMSE等精度指标比较两种地表反照率计算方法下基于SEBAL模型反演的日蒸散量,结果显示,Smith地表反照率计算方法下反演的日蒸散量精度略高;(3)Smith地表反照率计算方法下最终得到的区域日均蒸散量高于使用Liang地表反照率计算方法最终得到的区域日均蒸散量,夏季差异最大,差异为0.64 mm/d,其他季节差异较小,差异约为0.2 mm/d。(4)进一步比较研究日内两种地表反照率计算方法得到的地表反照率,结果显示,Smith地表反照率计算法得到的地表反照率均值均小于同时期Liang地表反照率计算法得到的地表反照率均值。     

Crohn's disease of the appendix

Granulomatous inflammation typifying Crohn''s disease was centred within or confined to appendices in six patients, two of whom developed lesions attributable to Crohn''s disease elsewhere in the gut. The remaining four patients have remained symptom-free for periods varying from two to six years. Histological evidence of Crohn''s disease was also present in five of 46 appendices available for re-examination in a survey of 63 cases of Crohn''s enterocolitis. It is adduced that appendiceal involvement in Crohn''s disease is not uncommon.     

蓝亚麻花瓣中类黄酮化合物及代谢途径分析

花色是观赏植物重要的观赏性状之一,而类黄酮是其主要的呈色物质。该研究以蓝亚麻花瓣为研究对象,将蓝亚麻开花过程分为5个阶段,并用高效液相色谱—光电二极管阵列检测技术(HPLC-PAD)和高效液相色谱—电喷雾离子化—质谱连用技术(HPLC-ESI-MS)分析不同开花阶段花瓣中类黄酮化合物的成分和含量。结果表明:蓝亚麻花瓣中积累飞燕草素苷、矢车菊素苷和锦葵素苷,未检测到天竺葵素苷,其中以酰基化的飞燕草素苷为主要呈色物质;而总花青素苷含量在第2阶段达到最高。根据花青素苷终产物和类黄酮中间代谢产物推定了蓝亚麻花瓣中类黄酮代谢途径,其中以F3'5'H所引导的分支途径占优势,其主要原因可能是F3'5'H酶活高于F3'H。     

Effects of nutritional cues on the duration of the winter anovulatory phase and on associated hormone levels in adult female Welsh pony horses (Equus caballus)

Background

Mares have an annual reproductive rhythm, with a phase of inactivity in midwinter. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of food restriction on physiological and metabolic hallmarks of this rhythm.

Methods

Over three successive years, 3 groups of 10 mares were kept under natural photoperiod. A 'well-fed' group was fed to maintain the mares in good body condition; a 'restricted' group received a diet calculated to keep the mares thin and a 'variable' group was fed during some periods like the 'restricted' group and during some other periods like the 'well-fed' group, with the aim of mimicking the natural seasonal variation of pasture availability, but a few months in advance of this natural rhythm.

Results

Winter ovarian inactivity always occurred and was long in the restricted group. In contrast, in the 'well-fed' group, 40% of mares showed this inactivity, which was shorter than in the other groups. Re-feeding the 'variable' group in autumn and winter did not advance the first ovulation in spring, compared with the 'restricted' group. Measurements of glucose and insulin concentrations in mares from the 'restricted' group during two 24 h periods of blood sampling, revealed no post-prandial peaks. For GH (Growth hormone), IGF-1 and leptin levels, large differences were found between the 'well-fed' group and the other groups. The glucose, insulin, GH and leptin levels but not melatonin level are highly correlated with the duration of ovulatory activity.

Conclusions

The annual rhythm driven by melatonin secretion is only responsible for the timing of the breeding season. The occurrence and length of winter ovarian inactivity is defined by metabolic hormones.     

A novel context for the 'MutT' module, a guardian of cell integrity, in a diphosphoinositol polyphosphate phosphohydrolase.

Diphosphoinositol pentakisphosphate (PP-InsP5 or ''InsP7'') and bisdiphosphoinositol tetrakisphosphate ([PP]2-InsP4 or ''InsP8'') are the most highly phosphorylated members of the inositol-based cell signaling family. We have purified a rat hepatic diphosphoinositol polyphosphate phosphohydrolase (DIPP) that cleaves a beta-phosphate from the diphosphate groups in PP-InsP5 (Km = 340 nM) and [PP]2-InsP4 (Km = 34 nM). Inositol hexakisphophate (InsP6) was not a substrate, but it inhibited metabolism of both [PP]2-InsP4 and PP-InsP5 (IC50 = 0.2 and 3 microM, respectively). Microsequencing of DIPP revealed a ''MutT'' domain, which in other contexts guards cellular integrity by dephosphorylating 8-oxo-dGTP, which causes AT to CG transversion mutations. The MutT domain also metabolizes some nucleoside phosphates that may play roles in signal transduction. The rat DIPP MutT domain is conserved in a novel recombinant human uterine DIPP. The nucleotide sequence of the human DIPP cDNA was aligned to chromosome 6; the candidate gene contains at least four exons. The dependence of DIPP''s catalytic activity upon its MutT domain was confirmed by mutagenesis of a conserved glutamate residue. DIPP''s low molecular size, Mg2+ dependency and catalytic preference for phosphoanhydride bonds are also features of other MutT-type proteins. Because overlapping substrate specificity is a feature of this class of proteins, our data provide new directions for future studies of higher inositol phosphates.     

Role of deoxyribonuclease in genetic transformation

It was found that an inhibition of the relatively low deoxyribonuclease activity in the highly transformable and stable Pneumococcus R6bd strain results in a decrease of transformation frequency. The opposite is true about the Pneumococcus PMSII57 strain where an inhibition of its high deoxyribonuclease activity results in an increase of transformation frequency. It was observed that ribonucleic acid and especially t-RNA inhibits deoxyribonuclease activity in pneumococcus strains. Hence the kinetics of the effect of t-RNA as a function of time was examined with respect to the frequency of transformants in recipient cells of R6bd strain. It was found that t-RNA inhibits transformation. Maximum inhibition occurs if t-RNA is added to the DNA-bacterial complex at the time of penetration of transforming DNA into recipient cells. The results indicate that in a highly transformable and stable Pneumococcus strain the penetration of DNA is associated with the regulation of optimal deoxyribonuclease activity.     

Salt Content Impacts Food Preferences and Intake among Children

Decreasing dietary sodium intake, which can be achieved by reducing salt content in food, is recommended. Salt contributes to the taste of foods and makes them more enjoyable. Whether a food is liked or disliked is an important determinant of food intake, especially among children. However, the role of salt in children''s food acceptance has received little attention. The impact of salt content on children''s hedonic rating and intake of two foods was investigated in children. Using a within-subject crossover design, we recruited 75 children (8–11 years) to participate in five lunches in their school cafeteria. The target foods were green beans and pasta. The added salt content was 0, 0.6 or 1.2 g/100 g. The children''s intake (g) of all lunch items was measured. The children provided their hedonic rating of the food, a preference ranking and a saltiness ranking in the laboratory. Children could rank the foods according to salt content, and they preferred the two saltier options. A food-specific effect of salt content on intake was observed. Compared to the intermediate level (0.6 g salt/100 g), not adding salt decreased green bean intake (−21%; p = 0.002), and increasing the salt content increased pasta intake (+24%; p<0.0001). Structural Equation Modeling was used to model the relative weights of the determinants of intake. It showed that the primary driver of food intake was the child''s hunger; the second most important factor was the child''s hedonic rating of the food, regardless of its salt content, and the last factor was the child''s preference for the particular salt content of the food. In conclusion, salt content has a positive and food-specific effect on intake; it impacted food preferences and intake differently in children. Taking into account children''s preferences for salt instead of their intake may lead to excessive added salt.     

Sequence Analysis and Characterization of Plasmid pLK39 Isolated from Endophytic Salmonella sp. Isolated from Solanum lycocarpum

The complete nucleotide sequence of a small cryptic plasmid pLK39 isolated from endophytic Salmonella sp. was determined. This plasmid is 4,029 bp long with an overall GC content of 55.4 %. Sequence analyses of pLK39 revealed extensive homology to several plasmids: pRK10, pK, pSW200, pBERT, pST728/06-2, pSW100, pEC3, and pUCD5000. Using the ORF Finder program, 35 putative ORFs was identified, 30 showed more than 35 residues. After performing a search for homologous sequences to the pLK39 at BLASTn software on NCBI, it was ascertained that the plasmid has a ColE1-like replication origin and also a region of mobilization proteins from relaxase family (mobCABD). Besides these mobilization proteins, the pLK39 codes a putative DUF903 protein family, which is characterized as assumed external cytoplasmic membrane lipoprotein. A recombinant form of pLK39 carrying a kanamycin resistance gene is stably maintained in Escherichia coli cells grown in the absence of selection pressure. pLK39 was compatible with pUC18, pBR322, and pACYC184.     

Are combined orthopaedic and rheumatology clinics worth while?

The practice of holding combined orthopaedic and rheumatology clinics is widespread, but no attempt has been made to assess their usefulness. In a one year prospective study patients were randomised either to a combined clinic with a rheumatologist and an orthopaedic surgeon or to a clinic with an orthopaedic surgeon alone. The details of the patients'' disease, the interview, the surgeons'' and rheumatologists'' responses, and the patients'' opinions were recorded on questionnaires. Interviews were appreciably longer in the combined clinic, and more referrals for surgery were made. The rheumatologist correctly predicted the need for surgery in 95% of cases, and his presence in the clinic was considered desirable by the surgeon, principally when the referral letter was inadequate. It is concluded that most patients with rheumatic diseases can be seen more efficiently in routine orthopaedic clinics provided a good quality letter of referral is sent.     

Traumatic vasospastic disease in chain-saw operators.

Raynaud''s phenomenon is commonly induced in chain-saw operators by vibration; the hand guiding the tool is the more severely affected. The condition tends to persist after use of the chain-saw is stopped but compensation is rarely sought. Among 17 cases of Raynaud''s phenomenon in lumberjacks the condition was found to be related to use of the chain-saw in 14, 10 of whom had to give up their work in colder weather because the disease was so disabling. Two criteria essential to establish the condition as vibration-induced Raynaud''s phenomenon are the presence of symptoms for at least 2 years and a history of at least 1 year''s constant use of the chain-saw. Careful physical examination and simple tests of vascular function will provide objective evidence of permanent damage by which the patients may be classified and compensated.     

COLLES' FRACTURE—A Method of Maintaining Reduction

A major difficulty in the treatment of Colles'' fracture is maintenance of reduction. Wedging of the cast, a procedure used in dealing with other orthopedic conditions, was adapted to the treatment of Colles'' fracture and was employed in 23 cases. In most of them the method was effective in preventing displacement.     

Soluble Expression of Human Leukemia Inhibitory Factor with Protein Disulfide Isomerase in Escherichia coli and Its Simple Purification

Human leukemia inhibitory factor (hLIF) is a multifunctional cytokine that is essential for maintaining the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. hLIF may be also be useful in aiding fertility through its effects on increasing the implantation rate of fertilized eggs. Thus these applications in biomedical research and clinical medicine create a high demand for bioactive hLIF. However, production of active hLIF is problematic since eukaryotic cells demonstrate limited expression and prokaryotic cells produce insoluble protein. Here, we have adopted a hybrid protein disulfide isomerase design to increase the solubility of hLIF in Escherichia coli. Low temperature expression of hLIF fused to the b''a'' domain of protein disulfide isomerase (PDIb''a'') increased the soluble expression in comparison to controls. A simple purification protocol for bioactive hLIF was established that includes removal of the PDIb''a'' domain by cleavage by TEV protease. The resulting hLIF, which contains one extra glycine residue at the N-terminus, was highly pure and demonstrated endotoxin levels below 0.05 EU/μg. The presence of an intramolecular disulfide bond was identified using mass spectroscopy. This purified hLIF effectively maintained the pluripotency of a murine embryonic stem cell line. Thus we have developed an effective method to produce a pure bioactive version of hLIF in E. coli for use in biomedical research.     

HODGKIN'S DISEASE,a Clinical-Pathological Review of 150 Cases

One hundred and fifty cases of Hodgkin''s disease were analyzed in an effort to detect significant clinical-pathological correlations and to elucidate any possible factors of prognostic or etiological importance.A relatively long survival for patients with Hodgkin''s paragranuloma was not noted in this series. Instead the survival rate among them was closely parallel to that of patients with classical granuloma. Hodgkin''s sarcoma is a more malignant disease with a patient survival rate not more than half that of patients with the granuloma variety. It is not necessarily a disease of older age groups. Great caution must be exercised to avoid including non-Hodgkin''s disease tumors under the heading of Hodgkin''s sarcoma or paragranuloma.The series reported corresponds with many other reported series of Hodgkin''s disease as regards greater incidence in males and longer survival in females. In this series the cases in patients under the age of 15 were all in males. The predominance of initial enlargement of the cervical nodes was again noted in this series, as was the high proportion of negative reaction to tuberculin tests. The incidence of tuberculous lesions in patients who died of Hodgkin''s disease was only slightly greater than in those who died of other lymphoma. Site of origin of the disease apparently affects survival time. There was statistical evidence that gonadal activity might influence the equilibrium of the disease.Lymph node bacteriological cultures were not remarkable. Brucella organisms were absent. Fertile egg passages for detecting possible viral agents revealed increased egg mortality and cutaneous sensitivity reactions to the harvested amniotic fluid.     

Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cell (BMDSC) Transplantation Improves Fertility in a Murine Model of Asherman's Syndrome

Asherman''s Syndrome is characterized by intrauterine adhesions or fibrosis resulting as a consequence of damage to the basal layer of endometrium and is associated with infertility due to loss of normal endometrium. We have previously shown that bone marrow derived stem cells (BMDSCs) engraft the endometrium in mice and humans and Ischemia/reperfusion injury of uterus promoted BMDSCs migration to the endometrium; however, the role of BMDSCs in Asherman''s syndrome has not been characterized. Here a murine model of Asherman''s syndrome was created by traumatizing the uterus. We evaluate stem cell recruitment and pregnancy after BMDSCs transplantation in a model of Asherman''s syndrome. In the Asheman''s syndrome model, after BMDSC transplant, the Y chromosome bearing CD45-cells represented less than 0.1% of total endometrial cells. Twice the number of Y+CD45- cells was identified in the damaged uterus compared to the uninjured controls. There was no significant difference between the damaged and undamaged uterine horns in mice that received injury to a single horn. In the BMDSC transplant group, 9 of the 10 mice conceived, while only 3 of 10 in the non-transplanted group conceived (Chi-Square p = 0.0225); all mice in an uninjured control group conceived. The time to conception and mean litter size were not different between groups. Taken together, BMDSCs are recruited to endometrium in response to injury. Fertility improves after BMDSC transplant in Asherman''s Syndrome mice, demonstrating a functional role for these cells in uterine repair. BMDSC transplantation is a potential novel treatment for Asherman''s Syndrome and may also be useful to prevent Asherman''s syndrome after uterine injury.     

Isolation of Zn2+ as an Endogenous Agonist of GPR39 from Fetal Bovine Serum

We attempted to determine natural agonists of GPR39 in fetal bovine serum (FBS). FBS was conditioned to extract peptides and fractionated by two types of HPLC. The activity of each fraction was monitored by intracellular calcium mobilization. Then the purified active ingredient was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. In this fashion, Zn^{2 +} ion was identified as an agonist of GPR39, though no peptidergic molecules were found. The calcium-mobilizing activity of Zn^{2 +} was not abolished by pertussis toxin but was by a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, U73122, indicating that the activity of GPR39 is mediated through the G_qα -PLC pathway. In addition, Zn^{2 +} also activated mouse and rat GPR39, showing that the function of GPR39 as a Zn^{2 +} receptor is conserved across species. This study is the first exploration of GPR39 agonists in FBS and indicates that GPR39 functions as a Gq-coupled Zn^{2 +}-sensing receptor.     

旅游城市生态建设提升居民福祉的实现机理及路径

在人与自然和谐共生的战略背景下,旅游城市生态建设是推动居民福祉持续提升的重要引擎。厘清旅游城市生态建设提升居民福祉的实现机理,以张家界市为例,利用ARMA模型检验二者关系,并运用结构方程模型明确提升路径。研究发现：(1)张家界市生态建设水平呈现波动上升趋势,而居民福祉水平大致呈现先下降后上升的“勺型”发展态势。(2)旅游城市积极加快生态建设有利于显著提升居民福祉,作用路径包括体现一般城市共性的产业升级和城镇化建设,以及凸显旅游城市特性的旅游发展和就业增长。(3)旅游城市生态建设提升居民福祉的路径优化策略,一是统筹提高城镇化质量,健全利益共享机制;二是激励企业绿色创新,推动产业转型升级;三是促进文旅融合发展,保障旅游就业质量。研究有利于强化生态文明建设战略的实践指导,也为旅游城市发挥生态优势增进民生福祉提供科学依据。     

Nature of Sweet Potato Resistance to Meloidogyne incognita and the Effects of Temperature on Parasitism

Penetration, rate of development, and total population of Meloidogyne incognita in roots of susceptible ''Allgold'' and resistant ''Nemagold'' sweet potatoes increased with temperature 24-32 C. Rate of larval penetration in ''Allgold'' was significantly higher than in ''Nemagold'' after 48 hr of root exposure at 24, 28, and 32 C. At 24, 28, and 32 C (16 hr) day and 20 C (8 hr) night temperature the life cycle of M. incognita required 42, 32, and 28 days in ''Allgold'', and 44, 33, and 31 days in ''Nemagold''; mature females in the first generation were 40, 40, 40, and 10, 22, 20 respectively. The correlation between the length of time roots were allowed to grow in the soil prior to inoculation and number of larvae recovered from the roots after inoculation was positive for ''Allgold'' and negative for ''Nemagold''. Therefore, a root exudate repellent to M. incognita larvae is proposed as a hypothetical basis for resistance to M. incognita in sweet potatoes.