OBJECTIVETo study the relationship of protein intake and energy supply with the physical growth in very/extremely low birth weight infant at their early life.

METHODRetrospective survey was performed in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Peking University First Hospital. Inclusion criteria were preterm infant, birth weight < 1500 g, hospitalization for longer than 2 weeks, discharge with body weight greater than 1800 g. The infants were divided into two groups according to gestational age (GA). GA < 32 weeks and ≥ 32 weeks. Physical growth and its relation with the protein intake and energy supply were analyzed. The predictive value of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) on protein intake was studied.

RESULTNinety-three very/extremely low birth weight infants were involved, 69 in GA < 32 weeks group and 24 in GA ≥ 32 weeks group.Compared with GA ≥ 32 group, GA < 32 weeks preterm infants had more weight loss, (9.2 ± 4.4)% vs. (5.0 ± 3.1)%, P = 0.000; slower birth weight recovery (10.6 ± 3.8) d vs. (7.1 ± 2.6) d, P = 0.000; poorer weight gain at 1, 4, 5 weeks of life, (-4.5 ± 9.3) g/ (kg·d) vs. (3.4 ± 6.9) g/ (kg·d), P = 0.000 , (13.5 ± 7.3) g/ (kg·d) vs. (19.2 ± 4.9) g/ (kg·d), P = 0.001, (14.6 ± 5.6) g/ (kg·d) vs. (18.2 ± 4.5) g/ (kg·d), P = 0.031; less energy supply at 1 to 5 weeks (P value was 0.000,0.000,0.025,0.001,0.008 respectively) and less protein intake at 1, 4, 5 weeks of life (P value was 0.009,0.006,0.032). Extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) was still predominant in our subjects, 47.8% in GA < 32 weeks group, and 95.8% in GA ≥ 32 weeks group, P = 0.000. The incidence increased greater in GA < 32 weeks infants, 43.5% vs. 20.8%, P = 0.000.The duration of weight loss and mechanical ventilation correlated negatively with weight gain rate, respectively β = -0.591, P = 0.000 and β = -0.281, P = 0.005; the average energy supply and time taken to reach full enteral feeding were factors improving weight gain, respectively β = 0.202, P = 0.021 and β = 0.354, P = 0.000. After birth, serum BUN declined gradually. Positive relation showed between average protein intake at 3(rd) week and BUN level at the end of 3 weeks, r = 0.420, P = 0.000. Serum BUN 1.44, 1.49 mmol/L at the end of 3(rd) and 4(th) week were cut-off predictors for protein intake less than 3 g/(kg·d) at related period, sensitivity and specificity were 65.3%, 83.3% and 60%, 80% respectively.

CONCLUSIONNo enough protein intake and energy supply, poor weight gain are critical problems in the management of very/extremely low birth weight infants. Prevention from NEC, appropriate parenteral/enteral nutrition transforming will benefit their physical growth. Low serum BUN after 3 weeks of life is a valuable predictor of low protein intake.

Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Dietary Proteins ; administration & dosage ; Energy Intake ; Enteral Nutrition ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; growth & development ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Premature, Diseases ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; growth & development ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Nutritional Status ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Retrospective Studies ; Weight Gain

Objective To determine the urinary iodine level of people in Yunyang and Bishan County of Chongqing and explore into its influencing factors. Methods Using multistage cluster stratified simple random sample method, Yunyang and Bishan County were chosen as research spots, then thirty children aged 8-10 in each 3 primary school of the 2 counties were selected using stratified randomization sampling method to inspected their urine and household salt for iodine and the iodine content in drinking water. Results Five hundred and seventy-one urine samples were inspected and the urinary iodine median was 261.47 μg/L. 5.78% (33/571) and 37.48%(214/571) of samples had an urinary iodine median less than 100 μg/L and more than 300 μg/L. The urinary iodine median of Yunyang County was higher than that of Bishan (H = 7.42, P < 0.01). The iodine salt coverage rate, the qualified rate and edible qualified iodine salt rate respectively were 99.64%(554/556), 94.22% (522/554) and 93.88% (522/556) in 556 samples of family table salt. Eighty-seven samples of drinking water were inspected, resulting an averaged iodine content of 8.81 and 2.97 μg/L, respectively in the 2 counties. Conclusions The 2 counties are all the area of iodine deficiency. The urinary iodine level, although meeting the demand of eliminating iodine deficiency diseases, is a little bit higher given that iodized salt of present doage has been taken for a long time. The content of iodized salt should be adjusted accordingly.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on apoptosis induced by TNF-alpha and the expression of PPARbeta in HaCaT keratinocytes.

METHODSHaCaT keratinocytes were cultured and randomly divided into A (normal control), B (with treatment of 10 ng/ml TNF-alpha for 24 hours), C (with treatment of 20 ng/ml TNF-alpha for 24 hours), D (with treatment of 10 ng/ml TNF-alpha after 20 ng/ml EGF treatment for 4 hours), E (with treatment of 20 ng/ml TNF-alpha after 20 ng/ml EGF treatment for 4 hours) groups. The apoptosis of HaCaT keratinocytes was observed by flow cytometry. The proliferative activity of HaCaT keratinocytes was evaluated by MTT method. The activity of caspase-3 was analyzed with caspase colorimetric assay Kit. The changes in the mRNA and protein expression of PPARbeta in HaCaT keratinocytes were observed by RT-PCR and western-blotting after treatment with different concentrations (5, 10, 20, 40 ng/ml) of EGF for 4 or 24 hrs.

RESULTSCompared with A and B groups [(32 +/- 6)%, (57 +/- 6)%], the apoptosis of HaCaT keratinocytes in D and E groups were significantly increased [(20 +/- 3)%, (28 +/- 4)%, respectively, P < 0.01], while the survival rate of HaCaT keratinocytes in D and E groups increased, and the caspase-3 activity were decreased (P < 0.01). The expression of PPARbeta mRNA and protein in HaCaT keratinocytes reached the peak with the treatment of 20 ng/ml EGF.

CONCLUSIONEGF can inhibit the apoptosis of HaCaT keratinocytes induced by TNF-alpha, and it can also increase the expression of PPARbeta.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; PPAR-beta ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology

Objective To evaluate the effect of personnel activities and air purifiers on airborne microorganisms and particulate matter in bronchoscopy room.Methods According to whether there was personal activity and air purifier in the bronchoscopy room,the experiment was divided into four groups:dynamic non-purification group,dynamic purification group,static non-purification group,and static purification group,indoor air samples were collected and analyzed at five different time points (0,0.5,1,2,4 h),microorganisms in the air were collected by planktonic method,then cultured and counted,concentration of particulate matter was determined by DT-9881M laser dust particle counter,variance analysis of factorial design was used for statistical analysis.Results Colony count/concentration of airborne bacteria,fungi,total microorganisms (bacteria + fungi),PM2.5,and PM2.5-10.0 in dynamic non purification group were (113.53 ± 7.78) CFU/m3,(89.67 ± 7.17) CFU/m3,(203.20 ± 10.92) CFU/m3,(86 557.20 ±4 158.29) counts/m3,and (659.69 ± 38.91) counts/m3 respectively,in static non-purification group were (84.33 ± 3.65) CFU/m3,(65.00 ± 2.65)CFU/m3,(149.33 ± 4.98) CFU/m3,(45 812.64 ±1 279.61) counts/m3,and (189.15 ± 4.64) counts/m3 respectively,in dynamic purification group were (84.80 ±8.08) CFU/m3,(90.40 ± 5.50) CFU/m3,(175.20 ± 9.22) CFU/m3,(49 336.38 ± 2 039.16) counts/m3,and (218.36 ± 7.02) counts/m3 respectively,in static purification group were (67.80 ± 5.63) CFU/m3,(38.27 ± 3.70)CFU/m3,(106.07 ± 6.76) CFU/m3,(29 772.53 ± 2 212.93) counts/m3,and (124.80 ± 7.16) counts/m3 respectively.Colony count/concentration of airborne bacteria,total microorganisms,PM2.5,and PM2.s 10.0 in dynamic group were all higher than those in static group,non-purification group were higher than purification group(both P ＜0.05),colony count of fungi in dynamic non-purification group was higher than static non-purification group,in static purification group was lower than static non-purification group(both P＜0.05),there was no significant difference between dynamic purification group and dynamic non-purification group (P =0.936).Conclusion Personal activities can increase colony count/concentration of microorganisms and particulate matter in bronchoscopy room,air purifier can reduce the bacteria,total microbial count,and particulate matter in the air of bronchoscopy room.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of replication-competent adenovirus-mediated interleukin-12 gene to chemotherapeutic sensitivity on gastric cancer cell.

METHODSReplication-competent adenovirus and replication-competent adenovirus- mediated interleukin- 12 gene was constructed and expanded separately. The mortality of gastric cancer cell caused by the CNHK200- mIL- 12, Onyx- 015 in combination with different dosages of chemotherapeutic agents were evaluated by MTT assay at the same viral titer with a series of different dosages of chemotherapeutic agent,or at a series of different viral titers with the same dosage of chemotherapeutic agent. The curative effect to the xenografts gastric tumor in nude mouse was also observed by two viruses solely or together with 5-Fu.

RESULTSThe lytic activity of replication-competent adenovirus to gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 was relatively poor at MOI value of 0.5, but it could be improved significantly when combined with chemotherapeutic agents of ADM, 5-Fu or CAP compared to the simple chemical therapy (P< 0.05). Chemotherapeutic agent 5- Fu could not effectively kill SGC-7901 when used at a relatively low dosage of 10microg/ml,whereas its activity could be improved when combined with a replication-competent adenovirus,and the killing rate was much higher than that with replication-competent adenovirus solely (P< 0.05). The gastric tumor xenografts was prevented and killed by replication adenovirus solely or combined with 5-Fu.

CONCLUSIONThe replication- competent adenovirus- mediated interleukin- 12 gene can increase the chemotherapeutic sensitivity on gastric cancer cell. There is synergetic effect between the replication adenovirus and the chemotherapeutic agents in killing gastric cancer cell.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Interleukin-12 ; genetics ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Viral Vaccines ; Virus Replication

Objective To study the effects of heat shock treatment of rat bone marrow mesenehymal stem cells(MSCs),the apoptosis ratio of treated-cells under low serum condition and the treated-cells transplantation on left ventricular function in rats with myocardiaIinfarction.Methods MSC8 were heat-treated under 42℃for 30 min,then the heat shock protein-70(HSP-70)was detected bv Western blot.The apoptosis ratio of heat-treated MSCs under low serum condition was tested by Annexin kit.The treated-MSCs labeled with Dil were transplanted into infarcted myocardium and 8 weeks later,the cardiac function of rats in each group was evaluated by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization.Results The immunophenotype of heat-treated MSCs did not vary,Western blot confirmed a higher level expression of HSP-70 in the treated-MSCs group as compared with that in the control group.The early apoptosis ratio was lower in treated-MSCs measured by flow cytometry with annexin staining than that of MSCs when cultured with low serum medium.After 8 weeks,LVEF,LVSP,+dp/dtmax,and-dp/dtmax were significantly higher,and the LVEDP was significantly lowar in heat-treated MSCs transplantation group than that in the control group.Conclusions Heat shock pretreatment of MSCs enhances the tolerance of MSCs to low serum medium,whereas does not lcad to the change of the cell immunophenotype.Transplantation of heattreated MSCs might improve the cardiac function in a rat myocardialinfarction model.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of cell-surface nucleolin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated expression and secretion of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in human THP-1 monocytes. METHODS: Immuno-fluorescence assay and Western blot were used to identify the expression of nucleolin on the surface of THP-1 monocytes. Inactivation of nucleolin was induced by anti-nucleolin monoclonal antibody blockage, and the expression and secretion of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were observed by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA)respectively in LPS-mediated human THP-1 monocyte inflammatory model. RESULTS: Immuno-fluorescence showed that nucleolin was localized on the cell surface of THP-1 monocytes as indicated by dotted red fluorescence. Western blot assay indicated that nucleolin existed in the cell membrane fractions. RT-PCR assay showed that the expressions of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta mRNA significantly increased at 2 h and 3 h after the treatment with 1000 microg/L LPS. After 1 h pretreatment with anti-nucleolin antibody, the levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta mRNA decreased compared with an anti-nucleolin antibody untreated group and an irrelevant IgG+LPS group (P<0.05). ELISA assay showed that the pretreatment with anti-nucleolin antibody inhibited significantly the secretion of LPS-induced levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta after 4, 12 and 24 h treatment with 1000 microg/L LPS. CONCLUSION Nucleolin expresses on the cell surface of THP-1 monocytes and involves in the LPS-mediated expression and secretion of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta.
Cell Line ; Cell Membrane ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; biosynthesis ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Monocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Phosphoproteins ; metabolism ; physiology ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; physiology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; biosynthesis ; metabolism

Aim To investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of the mfat-1 gene therapy on exper-imental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice.Meth-ods mfat-1 gene therapy was used to render the host endogenous capability of producing ω-3 PUFAs,con-comitantly reduce the levels of ω-6 PUFAs,and change the proportion of ω-3/ω-6 PUFAs.Then,the levels of PUFAs in blood were analyzed by gas chromatography.The neurological deficits in mice were evaluated by neurological dysfunction score.HE staining and LFB staining of mouse spinal cord slices were used to ob-serve central nervous system inflammation infiltration and demyelinating lesions.Flow cytometry microsphere microarray technology was used to detect the content of cytokines in serum.Results The mfat-1 gene therapy could significantly raise the proportion of ω-3/ω-6 PU-FAs(P＜0.05),markedly delay the incubation period and peak period and reduce neurological dysfunction scores(P＜0.05),and improve inflammation and de-myelination of spinal cords(P＜0.05).It could also greatly increase the levels of IL-2,IFN-γ,IL-4 and IL-17 in serum(P＜0.05).Conclusion The pro-portion of ω-3/ω-6 PUFAs in blood circulation en-hanced by mfat-1 gene therapy can effectively prevent and treat experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to regulate post-transcriptional gene expression. They are involved in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. The aim of this study was to explore the microRNA-mRNA regulatory network in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) using comprehensive computational approaches. In this study we have selected a total of 11 miRNAs from one previously reported study in ESCC. The mRNA targets of these miRNAs were predicted using various algorithms. The expression profiles of these mRNA targets were identified on DNA microarray experiment dataset across ESCC tissue samples. Based on the miRNA-mRNA regulatory relationships, the network was inferred. A total of 23 miRNA-mRNA regulatory interactions, with 11 miRNAs and 13 mRNA targets, were inferred in ESCC. The miRNA-mRNA regulatory network with increased confidence provides insights into the progression of ESCC and may serve as a biomarker for prognosis or the aggressiveness of ESCC. However, the results should be examined with further experimental validation.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; genetics ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

Objective To indentify the cognitive status of Chinese patients to acne and the influencing factors to theirs' cognitive status,so as to provide solid evidences for the prevention and treatment of acne.Methods A self-designed questionnaire was made to conduct this survey of 16,156 acne patients,who seeked to the treatment in the dermatological departments from 112 hospitals in China.The survey consisted of several parts,including the general status of patients,the patients' cognition of occurrence,development and risk factors of acne,whether the first choice was seeking treatment at the hospital when the patients had acne and the condition of selection of skin care products.The factors were analyzed,which could impact the cognition of the patients' behavior of treatment,how did the patients' cognition to influence their medical behavior and skin care as well as the consistency of assessment of the severity of acne by doctors and patients themselves.Results The acne patients studied had the best knowledge of "acne is a skin disease","it not only occurs in the period of adolescence" and "the disease can be prevented and cured",which accordingly accounted for 80.65％,69.16％ and 65.49％ of the total patients respectively.However,the awareness of acne patients to heredity,high sugar and dairy products as risk factors for acne was insufficient,which accounted for 48.72％,42.40％ and 18.25％ of the total patients,respectively.Gender,age,educational level,occupation and health knowledge were the main factors affecting the cognitive level of patients;the survey also found that men,patient with educational level of junior high or even lower educational condition,occupation of labor workers or farmers and patients were lack of health education with poor knowledge of the genetics and dietary were risk factors for acne;patients with age over 36 years or with mild illness had poor knowledge of dietary risk factors for acne;the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05).The analysis of the influence of cognitive status on medical treatment behavior and skin care showed that the better the cognition,the higher the probability of patients would choose medical treatment as the first choice as well as choosing functional skin care products;the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05).The consistency of assessment of the severity of acne by doctors and patients was poor (Kappa value ＜0.4),and the assessment of severity of acne by patients was more serious than doctors' assessment.Conclusions Patient's cognitive status will affect their medical behavior and skin care,and there is also a phenomenon that patients have a more serious assessment of their acne condition.It is suggested that health education for acne patients should be strengthened in clinical medicine so as to improve their knowledge of acne as well as preventing from acne effectively.