ATP-binding cassette transporter Al (ABCAl) is a kind of membrane intergrate protein and may have multiple and diverse functions. It mediates the cellular efflux of phospholipids and cholesterol to lipid-poor apolipoproteinA- Ⅰ (apoA- Ⅰ ) and plays a significant role in high density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism. Mutations in human ABCAl cause severe HDL deficiencies characterized by the virtual absence of apoA- Ⅰ and HDL and prevalent atherosclerosis. ABCAl expression is highly regulated and implies a variety of molecular actors. All of the nuclear receptors which involve in regulation of ABCAl expression act via the DR4 element in the ABCAl promoter. cAMP up-regulates ABCAl expression by acting both at the transcriptional and translational level. Cytokines have been shown to exert pleiotropic and antinomic effects on ABCAl transcription, In addition to these, some of enzymes and proteins such as protein kinase A, protein kinase CK2, cathepsin D are involved in the regulation of ABCAl expression. The recent progress in the structure, function and regulation of ABCAl transporter is reviewed.

Metformin is the most commonly prescibed drug for type 2 diabetes mellitus as it is inexpensive, safe, and efficient in ameliorating hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. Numerous epidemiological studies indicate that diabetic population is not only at increased risk of cardiovascular complications, but also at substantially higher risk of many forms of malignancies. Meanwhile, epidemiological and clinical observation studies have shown that metformin use reduces risk of cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and improves prognosis and survival rate of the cancer patients. Furthermore, metformin has been used for cancer therapy in clinical trials. Thus, metformin is emerging as a new cancer therapy or adjuvant anticancer drugs. This review summarizes recent progress in studies of metformin use and its molecular mechanism.
Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Metformin ; therapeutic use ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy

The method of PBL (problem based learning) teaching in China is widely recognized. However, the characteristics of Vocational Medical Education limit its wider application. The paper discusses the mode which is suitable for our country by analyzing the major issues,improving methods of teaching and doing experiments.

?Objective: To study the preparation method of nanometer powder of zirconia, which was used to toughen dental alumina ceramics. Methods: The inorganic precursors at the concentrations of 0.0155 , 0.03, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.28 mol/L were used to prepare zirconia powder via precipitation method. Ammonia water was added into the said solutions to control the pH value at 7.0, 8.5 and 9. The dried precipitation product was then calcined. The prepared zirconia powder were studied by using X ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results: The zirconia powder prepared under the condition of 0.03 0.05 mol/L concentration of inorganic precursors, pH = 8.5, and calcined at 700 ℃ for 2 h was even in size,well dispersed and well micronized. The diameter of the final powder was about 100 nm. Conclusion: With proper preparation condition, weakly agglomerated powder of zirconia in nanometer size can be obtained.

Objective To evaluate the role of 3 D spiral computerized tomographic angiography (SCTA) in microsurgery of separating craniopagus twins Methods A case of craniopagus twins underwent spiral CTA Image reconstruction was made by shaded surface display Result SCTA demonstrated osseous fusion in twins skull Parts of bone and dura mater were found to be absent in the fused area Two parts of brain tissues were linked together, and some area were fused Twins' one third of posterior superior sagittal sinuses were fused and converged into a common sinus One side of their transverse sinuses were fused Conclusion SCTA can clearlly reveal the abnormalities of skull, cerebrum, intracranial blood vessels, especially the stereostruction between intracranial blood vessels and skull SCTA is useful for intraoperative bone design and decision of surgical route and has important value in formulating surgical plans

Cochlear Implantation ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Meningitis ; etiology ; Postoperative Complications

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Janus Kinase 2 ; genetics ; Karyotyping ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; genetics ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; genetics ; Young Adult ; fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3 ; genetics

Objective To explore the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of neonatal necrotizing pneumonia. Methods The clinical data of two cases of neonatal necrotizing pneumonia were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of neonatal necrotizing pneumonia in literatures were summarized. Results Two cases were diagnosed of community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus necrotizing pneumonia and had the onset with fever. The chest X-ray showed exudative change with cystic shadow. The chest CT showed multiple cavity changes. The sputum and blood cultures were positive for Staphylococcus aureus. Both of them were effectively treated by vancomycin. The imaging was improved during the follow-up. Searching the database, 4 related literatures were being found, and there were totally 7 cases of neonatal necrotizing pneumonia including current 2 cases. The main features were as follows: The pathogenic bacteria in all cases include Staphylococcus aureus. One case was combined with pseudomonas aeruginosa. Six cases were community-acquired infections. All of them were non-immune deficiency newborn. Six cases were primary necrotizing pneumonia. Six cases were unilateral lung involvement. Five cases got fever, 5 cases had septicemia, 3 cases had pleural effusion, 2 cases had aerothorax, one case had bronchial chest and 2 cases had extrapulmonary infection. The C-reactive protein was increased in all cases. Three cases need mechanical ventilation. Six cases had a good prognosis. Conclusions The main pathogenic bacterium in neonatal necrotizing pneumonia was Staphylococcus aureus. The diagnosis was mainly depends on the typical imaging and pathogenic examination. The treatment is mainly the use of antibiotic for gram positive cocci.

Adult ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 ; blood ; Male ; Reference Values

Objective To explore the plasma ghrelin levels in children and adolescents with short stature and the role of ghrelin in growth hormone-releasing hormone-growth hormone(GHRH-GH) axis.Methods One hundred and fifty-seven children(115 male,42 female) with short stature were selected.Fasting plasma sample was extracted from 10 mL vemous blood of the children with short stature.Insulin tolerance test and arginine stimulation test was performed initially to differential diagnosis.And blood samples was divided into 3 ca-tegories:37 cases of complete growth hormone deficiency (CGHD),52 cases of partial growth hormone deficiency(PGHD) and 68 cases of idiopathic short stature(ISS) during these two growth hormone(GH)provocative tests.Controls consisted of age and gender-match 20 health children.Plasma ghrelin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay.Serum GH was detected by chemiluminescence method,and serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was measured by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.Fasting glucose,insulin,testosterone,estra-diol,luteinizing hormone,follicle-stimulating hormone were measured.Statistical analysis were conducted by using SPSS 11.5 software.Results The fasting ghrelin levels of CGHD group were significantly lower than that of ISS group and control group(Pa0.05).The ghrelin levels were positive correlated with the stimulated GH peak(r=0.176 P0.05).Conclusion Ghrelin has an important role on GH secretion and abnormal secretion of ghrelin might be a reason of growth hormone deficiency which due to hypothalamic abnormality.