Abstract Acute coronary syndrome (ACS), including acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and unstable angina (UA), is the most threatening and lethal form of coronary heart disease. ACS has an abrupt onset and rapid development, which may lead to fatal conditions at any time. Thus, it is never too early to detect and diagnose patients with ACS. The objective of this work was to explore the significance of the combined detection of plasma thrombus precursor protein (TpP) and serum P-selectin (Ps), in the detection and diagnosis of patients with early ACS. A total of 126 subjects were included in the study, 64 ACS patients, 30 individuals with stable angina (SA) and 32 healthy persons who were selected as the control groups. There were no differences in gender, age, ethnicity, or blood glucolipid levels among the groups. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) was used to quantitatively determine the plasma levels of TpP and Ps. The levels of the two biomarkers in the case group were significantly higher than those in the control groups. Among the ACS patients, the levels of TpP and Ps were higher in AMI patients than in the UA patients. In addition, there was no significant differences in the levels of Ps between SA patients and healthy persons. In conclusion, plasma TpP and serum Ps are remarkably increased in patients with ACS. Therefore, TpP and Ps may serve as ACS indicators, and their measurement may provide a support for an early clinical identification of ACS.

Resumen El síndrome coronario agudo (SCA), que incluye el infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM) y la angina inestable (AI), es la forma más amenazante y letal de enfermedad coronaria. El SCA tiene un inicio abrupto y un desarrollo rápido, lo que puede conducir a condiciones fatales en cualquier momento. Por lo tanto, nunca es demasiado pronto para detectar y diagnosticar pacientes con SCA. El objetivo de este trabajo fue explorar la importancia de la detección combinada de la proteína precursora de trombos plasmáticos (TpP) y la selectina P sérica (Ps), en la detección y diagnóstico de pacientes con SCA precoz. Se incluyeron en el estudio un total de 126 sujetos, 64 pacientes con SCA, 30 individuos con angina estable (AE) y 32 personas sanas que fueron seleccionadas como grupos de control. No hubo diferencias en el género, la edad, el origen étnico o los niveles de glucolípidos en sangre entre los grupos. Se usó el ensayo inmunoabsorbente ligado a enzimas (Elisa) para determinar cuantitativamente los niveles plasmáticos de TpP y Ps. Los niveles de los dos biomarcadores en el grupo de casos (SCA) fueron significativamente más altos que los de los grupos de control. Entre los pacientes con SCA, los niveles de TpP y Ps fueron más altos en los pacientes con IAM que en los pacientes con AI. Además, no hubo diferencias significativas en los niveles de Ps entre pacientes con SA y personas sanas. En conclusión, la TpP plasmática y la Ps sérica están notablemente aumentadas en pacientes con SCA. Por lo tanto, TpP y Ps pueden servir como indicadores de SCA y su medición puede proporcionar un apoyo para una identificación clínica temprana de SCA.

Abstract Phytosterols are bioactive components capable of reducing the level of cholesterol in serum. In this study, phytosterol acetic ester (PA), phytosterol oleate ester (PO) and phytosterol linoleic ester (PL) were synthesized from phytosterol (PS) and organic acid to improve the solubility of phytosterols in oil. The purities of PA, PO and PL were 98.4, 95.9 and 95.7%, respectively. Caco-2 cell monolayers and Wistar rats were used to research the bioavailability of synthesized esters (PE) in vitro and in vivo. Experiments using the Caco-2 cell monolayer model showed that the transport mechanism of phytosterol esters was passive transport. Experiments in vivo showed that the PS content in rat blood reached the highest level at 3 h, with a value of 21.82 μg/mL. PS content in the liver was the highest at 3 h, with a value of 43.65 μg/g. Bioavailability of PL is the highest, reaching a value as high as 19.57%. Acute study in the rats showed that the PS concentration in blood was at the safe level, and it had no side effects for health. In conclusion, the bioavailability of PL and PO is better than PS, PL and PO have more advantages in application.

Abstract To investigate effects of high-fat diet (HFD) on body length, weight and depression-like behavior of prenatal stress (PS) offspring rats. PS rat model was established by restraint stress. Sucrose preference and forced swimming tests were performed. Moreover, the effects of HFD on the growth and depression-like behavior in offspring rats were observed. Length of male and female HF group was significantly longer than that control, but length of male PS+HF group was significantly shorter than HF group. Body weight of male and female HF group was significantly higher than control, and body weight of male PS+HF group was significantly lower than HF group. No significant differences were observed in length between female PS +HF and HF groups. Compared with male PS+HF group, growth rate of male HF group was significantly higher. Moreover, HFD could reduce sucrose preference, and prolong immobility time of PS offspring rats. HFD can promote weight gain of male and female normal offspring rats. PS can partially inhibit effects of HFD on weight gain of PS male offspring rats, but exert no significant effects on PS female offspring rats. HFD can aggravate PS-induced depression-like behavior in offspring rats.

Abstract Phytosterols (PS) and phytosterol esters have been widely used in the food and health product industries as cholesterol-lowering agents. In order to improve theirs dispersity and bioavailability in low lipid media, PS and phytosterol acetate ester (PAE) were embedded into liposomes in the study. The effects of different PAE or PS concentrations on liposome properties were determined and interactions between PAE or PS and phospholipids were also explored. PAE and PS can be well embedded in liposomes, and the encapsulation rate was more than 90%. Compared to SPC liposomes, no significant difference (P > 0.05) in particle size (60 nm) and zeta potential (-15 mV) were observed between liposomes with PAE or PS. Liposomes were spherical, with smooth surfaces and uniform size distributions. The results of X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD) revealed that PAE and PS were amorphously embedded in liposomes. The results from the Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) analysis indicated that PAE or PS changed the structure of the lipid membrane by interacting with phospholipids in the liposomes. Low doses of PAE had a stabilizing effect on the liposome membrane structure.

The detection of vitamin D in complex samples is challenging because of the instability of vitamin D in sample preparation. To resolve this problem, packed-fiber solid-phase extraction (PFSPE) has been successfully developed for the pre-treatment of samples containing vitamin D2 (D2) and vitamin D3 (D3) in dairy products. Based on PFSPE, vitamin D could avoid oxidation because of the shorter extraction time. The adsorbent materials, polystyrene/polypyrrole (PS/PPy) nanofibers, were prepared by electrospinning of PS and in situ polymerization of PPy on the surface of PS nanofibers. The linearity was within the range of 1-2000 ng mL−1 in dairy solution, and the recoveries were 91.9-109.1% with a relative standard deviation (RSD) < 13.6%. Therefore, the prepared method could be used for the detection of D2 and D3 in dairy products.

ABSTRACT Objective: This work aims to investigate the efficacy of debridement for paediatric thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis (TB) by using the anterior approach and allogeneic bone graft. Methods: The lesions of 16 children diagnosed with thoracolumbar spinal TB were exposed via the anterior approach. The pleura and peritoneum, granulation tissue, pus and dead bones with TB and the intervertebral disc with pathological changes and necrosis were completely removed. The anterior column of the spine was reconstructed using allogeneic bone graft from mothers ilium. The postoperative immobilization protection conferred by gypsum lasted from three to six months and the regular anti-TB treatment was given for more than a year. Results: The follow-up procedure was completed within nine months to three years. All bone grafts of the 16 cases fused with no rejection, recurrence of pathology, deformity or paraplegia nor pseudarthrosis formation. The children had normal growth and development and were capable of living a normal life. Conclusion: The lesions of spinal TB in children were removed via the anterior approach. The mothers’ iliac bone was obtained to reconstruct the children's anterior spinal column, thereby inducing new bone formation without affecting the growth and development of the children. The efficacy of debridement was adequate.

RESUMEN Objetivo: El presenta trabajo tiene por objeto investigar la eficacia del desbridamiento en la tuberculosis (TB) espinal toracolumbar pediátrica utilizando el abordaje anterior y el injerto óseo alogénico. Métodos: Las lesiones de 16 niños diagnosticados con TB espinal toracolumbar fueron expuestas por vía del abordaje anterior. La pleura y el peritoneo, el tejido de granulación, el pus y el tejido óseo muerto por la tuberculosis, y el disco intervertebral con cambios patológicos y necrosis, fueron completamente eliminados . La columna anterior de la espina dorsal fue reconstruida usando el injerto de hueso alogénico (el ilion de la madre del niño operado). La protección de la inmovilización postoperatoria lograda mediante yeso duró de tres a seis meses, y el tratamiento regular anti-TB fue realizado durante más de un año. Resultados: El procedimiento de seguimiento fue completado en un período de nueve meses a tres años. Todos los injertos óseos de los 16 casos se fusionaron sin rechazo, recurrencia de la patología, deformidad nor paraplejia, o formación de ps eudoartros is Los niños tuvieron un desarrollo y crecimiento normal, y pudieron vivir una vida normal. Conclusión: Las lesiones de tuberculosis espinal en niños se eliminaron mediante el abordaje anterior. El hueso ilíaco de las madres se utilizó para reconstruir el injerto de la columna vertebral anterior de los niños, induciendo así la formación de hueso nuevo sin afectar el crecimiento y el desarrollo de los niños. La eficacia del desbridamiento fue definitiva.

ABSTRACT Objective Pendred syndrome (PS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterised by sensorineural hearing loss and thyroid dyshormonogenesis. It is caused by biallelic mutations in the SLC26A4 gene encoding for pendrin. Hypothyroidism in PS can be present from birth and therefore diagnosed by neonatal screening. The aim of this study was to examine the SLC26A4 mutation spectrum and prevalence among congenital hypothyroidism (CH) patients in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China and to establish how frequently PS causes hearing impairment in our patients with CH. Subjects and methods Blood samples were collected from 192 CH patients in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, and genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. All exons of the SLC26A4 gene together with their exon-intron boundaries were screened by next-generation sequencing. Patients with SLC26A4 mutations underwent a complete audiological evaluation including otoscopic examination, audiometry and morphological evaluation of the inner ear. Results Next generation sequencing analysis of SLC26A4 in 192 CH patients revealed five different heterozygous variations in eight individuals (8/192, 4%). The prevalence of SLC26A4 mutations was 4% among studied Chinese CH. Three of the eight were diagnosed as enlargement of the vestibular aqueduct (EVA), no PS were found in our 192 CH patients. The mutations included one novel missense variant p.P469S, as well as four known missense variants, namely p.V233L, p.M147I, p.V609G and p.D661E. Of the eight patients identified with SLC26A4 variations in our study, seven patients showed normal size/location of thyroid gland, and one patients showed a decreased size one. Conclusions The prevalence of SLC26A4 pathogenic variants was 4% among studied Chinese patients with CH. Our study expanded the SLC26A4 mutation spectrum, provided the best estimation of SLC26A4 mutation rate for Chinese CH patients and indicated the rarity of PS as a cause of CH.

OBJECTIVE: This study describes the prevalence, adequacy and correlates of 12-month mental health service use among participants in the Mexican Adolescent Mental Health Survey. METHODS: The authors conducted face-to-face household surveys of a probability sample of 3005 adolescents aged 12-17 years residing in the Mexico City metropolitan area during 2005. The prevalence of mental health disorders and the use of services were assessed with the computer-assisted adolescent version of the World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Correlates of service use and adequate treatment were identified in logistic regression analyses that took into account the complex sample design and weighting process. FINDINGS: Less than one in seven respondents with psychiatric disorders used any mental health services during the previous year. Respondents with substance-use disorders reported the highest prevalence of service use and those with anxiety disorders the lowest. Approximately one in every two respondents receiving any services obtained treatment that could be considered minimally adequate. CONCLUSION: We found large unmet needs for mental health services among adolescents with psychiatric disorders in Mexico City. Improvements in the mental health care of Mexican youth are urgently needed.

OBJETIVO: Se describen aquí la prevalencia, la idoneidad y los factores correlacionados del uso de servicios de salud mental a lo largo de 12 meses entre los participantes en la Encuesta de Salud Mental de Adolescentes de México. MÉTODOS: Los autores llevaron a cabo encuestas de hogares personales con una muestra probabilística de 3005 adolescentes de 12 a 17 años residentes en el área metropolitana de México D.F. durante 2005. La prevalencia de trastornos de salud mental y el uso de los servicios correspondientes se evaluaron con la versión computadorizada para adolescentes de la Entrevista CIDI (Composite International Diagnostic Interview) sobre Salud Mental Mundial. Los factores correlacionados con la utilización de los servicios y el tratamiento adecuado se determinaron mediante análisis de regresión logística adaptados al complejo proceso de diseño y ponderación de muestras. RESULTADOS: Menos de uno de cada siete encuestados con trastornos psiquiátricos habían usado algún tipo de servicio de salud mental durante el año precedente. Los encuestados con trastornos de consumo de sustancias son los que declararon la máxima prevalencia de uso de servicios, y la prevalencia más baja correspondió a los afectados por trastornos de ansiedad. Entre quienes usaron algún tipo de servicio, alrededor de uno de cada dos encuestados recibieron un tratamiento mínimamente adecuado. CONCLUSIÓN: Se han detectado importantes necesidades no atendidas de servicios de salud mental entre los adolescentes con trastornos psiquiátricos de México D.F. Es preciso mejorar urgentemente la atención de salud mental de los jóvenes mexicanos.

OBJECTIF: La présente étude décrit la prévalence, l'adéquation aux besoins et les corrélats du recours aux services de santé mentale sur 12 mois chez les sujets de l'Enquête sur la santé mentale des adolescents de Mexico. MÉTHODES: Les auteurs ont mené une enquête en face-à-face dans les ménages sur un échantillon probabiliste de 3005 adolescents de 12 à 17 ans, résidant dans la zone métropolitaine de Mexico en 2005. Ils ont évalué la prévalence des troubles mentaux et le recours aux services de santé mentale à l'aide de la version Adolescents et assistée par ordinateur du World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Des corrélations entre le recours aux services de santé mentale et l'adéquation du traitement ont été identifiées à l'aide d'analyses par régression logistique prenant en compte le mode de constitution de l'échantillon complexe et les processus de pondération. RÉSULTATS: Parmi les adolescents interrogés souffrant de troubles psychiatriques, moins d'un sur sept avaient fait appel aux services de santé mentale au cours de l'année précédente. Ce sont les adolescents interrogés présentant des troubles toxicomaniaques qui ont mentionné la plus forte prévalence du recours à ces services et dont les troubles anxieux étaient les plus faibles. Parmi les adolescents interrogés ayant bénéficié de services de santé mentale, environ un sur deux avait reçu un traitement pouvant être considéré comme très peu adapté. CONCLUSION: Nous avons relevé d'importants besoins non satisfaits en matière de santé mentale chez les adolescents de Mexico souffrant de troubles psychiatriques. Il est urgent d'améliorer les soins de santé mentale dispensés aux jeunes de cette ville.