Anemia Prevalence among Pregnant Women and Birth Weight in Five Areas in China

Objectives: To investigate the current prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in different areas of China and the association with birth weight and educational level. Methods: A total of 6,413 women aged 24-37 in the third trimester of pregnancy from five areas were randomly selected from all gravidas who gave birth in the hospitals from 1999 to 2003. Blood hemoglobin concentration (Hb) was measured by the cyanomethemoglobin method; Hb <110 g/l was considered as anemia. Results: The overall prevalence of anemia was 58.6%, ranging from 48.1 to 70.5% in the five areas. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of anemia between women who have mental jobs and those who have physical jobs (52.3 vs. 61.1%, p <0.01). The prevalence of anemia depended on the level of education: with 52.9, 62.4 and 66.5%, for college, secondary school and primary education, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.005). Results showed that higher birth weight was associated with Hb concentrations ranging from 90 to 140 g/l, whereas lower birth weight occurred below 80 g/l and above 140 g/l Hb. Conclusions: The prevalence of anemia in Chinese pregnant women was high both in rural areas and towns. Area of residence, education level and type of job influenced the prevalence of anemia. Low maternal Hb concentrations influenced birth weight

Measurement and control systems for an imaging electromagnetic flow meter

Electromagnetic flow metres based on the principles of Faraday's laws of induction have been used successfully in many industries. The conventional electromagnetic flow metre can measure the mean liquid velocity in axisymmetric single phase flows. However, in order to achieve velocity profile measurements in single phase flows with non-uniform velocity profiles, a novel imaging electromagnetic flow metre (IEF) has been developed which is described in this paper. The novel electromagnetic flow metre which is based on the ‘weight value’ theory to reconstruct velocity profiles is interfaced with a ‘Microrobotics VM1’ microcontroller as a stand-alone unit. The work undertaken in the paper demonstrates that an imaging electromagnetic flow metre for liquid velocity profile measurement is an instrument that is highly suited for control via a microcontroller

Combination of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor and doxorubicin increases the growth inhibition and apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 elicits therapeutic effects in solid tumors that are coupled with the inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis in tumor cells. Aim: This study was designed to investigate the role of COX-2 inhibitor nimesulide in cell growth and apoptosis of the cultured human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Methods: We performed the MTT assay, flow cytometric analysis and cell morphology study to evaluate growth inhibition and cell apoptosis upon the action of nimesulide alone or along with doxorubicin, a common agent for the treatment of human hepatocellular carcinoma. Results: Our results showed that the treatment of HepG2 cells with more than 50 µM of nimesulide suppressed COX-2 enzyme activity because of reduced PGE2 production, and then induced growth inhibition and cell apoptosis despite no alterations of COX-2 protein expression. Importantly, the combination of 50 µM or 100 µM of nimesulide and low concentrations (5 µM to 20 µM) of doxorubicin resulted in enhanced cell growth inhibition, apoptosis induction and reduced VEGF production. Conclusion: These data suggest synergistic and/or additive effects of COX-2 inhibitors and chemotherapeutic agents, and may provide the rational for clinical studies of COX-2 inhibitors on the treatment or chemoprevention of human hepatocellular carcinoma.Угнетение циклооксигеназы-2 (ЦОГ-2) оказывает терапевтический эффект при лечении больных с солидными опухолями и сопровождается снижением пролиферации опухолевых клеток и индукцией апоптоза. Цель: изучение роли ингибитора ЦОГ-2 — нимесулида в процессах роста и апоптоза культивированных клеток гепатокарциномы человека HepG2. Методы: для оценки апоптоза и угнетения роста клеток при применении нимесулида самостоятельно и в сочетании с доксорубицином применяли MTT-анализ, проточную цитометрию и стандартные морфологические методы. Результаты: установлено, что обработка клеток HepG2 cells нимесулидом в концентрации > 50 μM приводила к угнетению активности ЦОГ-2 за счет снижения продукции PGE2 , после чего отмечали подавление роста и апоптоз клеток при неизмененном уровне экспрессии ЦОГ-2. Комбинированное применение 50 μM или 100 μM нимесулида и доксорубицина в концентрации 5–20 μM обусловило усиленное угнетение роста клеток, индукции апоптоза и снижение продукции VEGF. Выводы: полученные данные свидетельствуют о синергическом и/или аддитивном эффекте при применении ингибиторов ЦОГ-2 и химиотерапевтических препаратов

Efecto de reemplazar estearina por oleína de palma en galletas de papa horneadas

Potato cookies were formulated by replacing red palm stearin (RPS) by red palm olein (RPOL) at 0, 17 and 35%, and then baked at 160, 180 and 200 °C for 10, 12 and 15 min. The sensory analysis, using an orthogonal test, showed that a RPS-RPOL ratio of 65:35, baking temperature of 160 ºC, and baking time 12 min were the optimal conditions. Cookies made from 65% RPS + 35% RPOL composition exhibited 0.6 times less squalene, but 1.5 times more β-carotene, tocopherols and tocotrienols than the mixture of RPS and RPOL at 100:0. In addition, cookies with superior oxidative stability were obtained at a lower temperature (160 ºC) and short baking time (10 min). This study demonstrates that the application of RPOL and RPS blending can positively enhance the nutritional properties and oxidative stability of baked food, and that using potato in the baking processing may be beneficial.Las galletas de papa fueron formuladas reemplazando estearina de palma roja (RPS) por oleina de palma roja (RPOL) al 0, 17 y 35%, y posteriormente horneadas a 160, 180 y 200°C durante 10, 12 y 15 min. El análisis sensorial utilizando una prueba ortogonal mostró que la relación RPS-RPOL 65:35, la temperatura de horneado 160 ºC, y el tiempo de horneado 12 min fueron las condiciones óptimas. Las galletas hechas de 65% RPS + 35% RPOL presentan 0,6 veces menos de escualeno, pero 1,5 veces más β-caroteno, tocoferoles y tocotrienoles que la mezcla de RPS y RPOL en 100:0. Por otra parte, las galletas con mayor estabilidad oxidativa se obtuvieron a menor temperatura (160 ºC) y menor tiempo de horneado (10 min). Este estudio demuestra que la mezcla RPOL y RPS puede mejorar positivamente las propiedades nutricionales y la estabilidad oxidativa de los alimentos horneados, y que el uso de papa en el procesamiento de hornear puede ser beneficioso

Threshold image target segmentation technology based on intelligent algorithms

This paper briefly introduces the optimal threshold calculation model and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm for image segmentation and improves the PSO algorithm. Then the standard PSO algorithm and improved PSO algorithm were used in MATLAB software to make simulation analysis on image segmentation. The results show that the improved PSO algorithm converges faster and has higher fitness value; after the calculation of the two algorithms, it is found that the improved PSO algorithm is better in the subjective perspective, and the image obtained by the improved PSO segmentation has higher regional consistency and takes shorter time in the perspective of quantitative objective data. In conclusion, the improved PSO algorithm is effective in image segmentation

Elastic scattering and breakup reactions of the proton drip-line nucleus 8 B on 208 Pb at 238 MeV

Elastic scattering and breakup angular distributions of the weakly bound radioactive nucleus 8 B on a 208Pb target at an incident energy of 238 MeV, which corresponds to four times the Coulomb barrier, have been measured at the HIRFL-RIBLL facility (Institute of Modern Physics, Lanzhou). The data have been analyzed using the optical model and the continuum discretized coupled channels (CDCC) formalism. The measured and calculated elastic scattering angular distributions do not show any significant Coulomb rainbow suppression. The angular distribution for the breakup reaction was measured for the first time at this energy. The angular distribution of the 7 Be fragments could be reproduced considering elastic plus nonelastic breakup contributions, with the former evaluated with the CDCC calculations and the latter with the model of Ichimura, Austern, and Vincent [Phys. Rev. C 32, 431 (1985)]. The comparison of the breakup cross section of 8 B with that of 11Be suggests that the Coulomb and centrifugal barriers encountered by the valence proton may suppress the breakup cross section.Fundación Nacional Programa clave de I + D de China (Subvención No. 2018YFA0404403)Fundación Nacional de Ciencias Naturales de China (Subvenciones No. 11947203, No. 11775013, No. 11575256 y No. U1632138)Youth Innovation Promotion Association CAS de China (No. 2020411)Fundación de Investigación de São Paulo (FAPESP) (Becas No. 2016/17612-7 y No. 2018/04965-4)Ministerio español de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (incluyendo FEDER fondos) bajo el proyecto FIS2017-88410-PUnión Europea programa de investigación e innovación Horizonte 2020 de la Unión Acuerdo de Subvención No. 654002

Effects of aflatoxin and fumonisin on gene expression of growth factors and inflammation-related genes in a human hepatocyte cell line

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) are mycotoxins widely distributed in maize and maized-based products, often occurring together. The implications of co-exposure to aflatoxin and fumonsin for human health are numerous, but a particular concern is the potential of FB1 to modulate AFB1 hepatotoxicity. This study evaluated the toxicity of these mycotoxins, alone or combined, in a human non-tumorigenic liver cell line, HHL-16 cells, and assessed the effects of AFB1 and FB1 on expression of genes involved in immune and growth factor pathways. The results demonstrated that in HHL-16 cells, both AFB1 and FB1 had dose-dependent and time-dependent toxicity, and the combination of them showed a synergistic toxicity in the cells. Moreover, AFB1 caused upregulation of IL6, CCL20, and BMP2, and downregulation of NDP. In combination of AFB1 with FB1, gene expression levels of IL6 and BMP2 were significantly higher compared to individual FB1 treatment, and had a tendency to be higher than individual AFB1 treatment. This study shows that FB1 may increase the hepatoxicity of AFB1 through increasing the inflammatory response and disrupting cell growth pathways

Delivery of the Sox9 gene promotes chondrogenic differentiation of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells in an in vitro model

SRY-related high-mobility-group box 9 (Sox9) gene is a cartilage-specific transcription factor that plays essential roles in chondrocyte differentiation and cartilage formation. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of genetic delivery of Sox9 to enhance chondrogenic differentiation of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs). After they were isolated from human umbilical cord blood within 24 h after delivery of neonates, hUC-MSCs were untreated or transfected with a human Sox9-expressing plasmid or an empty vector. The cells were assessed for morphology and chondrogenic differentiation. The isolated cells with a fibroblast-like morphology in monolayer culture were positive for the MSC markers CD44, CD105, CD73, and CD90, but negative for the differentiation markers CD34, CD45, CD19, CD14, or major histocompatibility complex class II. Sox9 overexpression induced accumulation of sulfated proteoglycans, without altering the cellular morphology. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated that genetic delivery of Sox9 markedly enhanced the expression of aggrecan and type II collagen in hUC-MSCs compared with empty vector-transfected counterparts. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis further confirmed the elevation of aggrecan and type II collagen at the mRNA level in Sox9-transfected cells. Taken together, short-term Sox9 overexpression facilitates chondrogenesis of hUC-MSCs and may thus have potential implications in cartilage tissue engineering.publishedVersio

A rapid and cheap protocol for preparation of PCR templates in peanut

This paper describes a simple, low cost and reliable DNA template preparation protocol for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using immature leaves from peanut seeds or leaves from field-grown plants. The technique may find wide utility in studies involving PCR-based molecular markers, rapid screening for transformants and gene cloning

INFLUENCE OF LINEAR ALKYLBENZENE SULFONATE (LAS) AS ORGANIC COSOLVENT ON LEACHING BEHAVIOR OF PCDD/FS FROM FLY-ASH AND SOIL

The leaching of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) was measured in soil and standard fly ash column eluted with pure water and linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS)- water. The data obtained were used to evaluate the leachability of PCDD/Fs from waste dump like incineration residual slag and fly ash deposition. The leaching rate was shown to be increased significantly by using LAS water. The leachate contents of PCDD/Fs were above their known water solubility. Concentration of PCDD/Fs in the leachates as well as the relative leaching (calculated on the fly ash content) increased with increasing chlorinating degree and decreasing water solubility. LAS above the critical micelle concentration (CMC) probably enhances PCDD/Fs solubility