Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Syphilis Serodiagnosis ; Syphilis, Congenital ; diagnosis

2', 3', 5'-Tri-O-acetyl-N6-(3-hydroxylaniline)adenosine (WS070117) is a derivative compound of natural product cordycepin. It has significant lipids regulating activity and low toxicity which has been proved by in vitro and in vivo experiments. In this study, 1H NMR-based metabolomics was used to investigate the dose-related effects of WS070117 on hyperlipidemia of high-fat-fed hamsters. The hyperlipidemic hamsters were administrated with six different doses of WS070117, including 3, 12, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1). 1H NMR spectra of hamster serum were visually and statistically analyzed using two multivariate analyses: principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). As a result, WS070117-treated groups showed dose-related regulation of metabolites associated with lipid metabolism, choline metabolism and glucose metabolism. The dose of 3 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) of WS070117 only exhibited a little lipids regulating activity. However, the doses of 12 and 50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) of WS070117 both regulated the contents of metabolites to reverse significantly toward normal levels. When the dose of WS070117 reached 100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), it was more effective than positive control drugs. The work suggested that NMR-based metabolomics might be a valuable approach to evaluate dose-related effects of lipids regulating compounds.
Adenosine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cricetinae ; Hyperlipidemias ; metabolism ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Lipid Metabolism ; drug effects ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Metabolomics ; Multivariate Analysis ; Principal Component Analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution of γ-glutamyl hydrolase gene (GGH) 452C/T genotype and allele frequency in children with acute leukemia (AL) and healthy children.

METHODSBone marrow samples from 92 children with AL and peripheral blood samples from 124 healthy children were obtained to prepare complementary DNAs (cDNAs). The cDNAs were analyzed for a GGH 452C/T polymorphism by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (RT-PCR-DGGE) and direct sequencing.

RESULTSThe frequencies of the AL patients with TT, CT and CC genotypes were 2.2%, 13.0% and 84.8%, and the frequencies of the control children were 1.6%, 16.9% and 81.5%, respectively. There was no significant difference in GGH genotype or T allele frequency between the two groups (P> 0.05). However, the T allele frequency in Han Chinese children was significantly different from those reported in Japanese, Mexican and African-American populations.

CONCLUSIONThe frequency of 452C/T polymorphism of GGH gene in Han Chinese children has been determined. The results suggested that an ethnic difference may exist.

Acute Disease ; Base Sequence ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Leukemia ; enzymology ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; gamma-Glutamyl Hydrolase ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo search for the best therapy for slow transmission constipation (STC) or mixed constipation (MC) by intensive acupoints thread embedding (IATE).

METHODSA total of 310 patients with constipation were assigned to 5 groups using a stratification control method. The 62 patients of STC in the observation group I were treated by IATE at Dachangshu (BL 25), Tianshu (ST 25), Zhongji (CV 3) and Zusanli (ST 36) acupoints; the 62 of MC in the observation group II by IATE at the same acupoints and local anal operation; both the 62 of STC in the control group I and the 62 of MC in the control group 1I were treated by oral administration of Simo Decoction, while the 62 of MC in the control group III were treated by local anal operation alone. Conditions of defecation were recorded every day in the 6-month follow-up period. Gastrointestinal transit test (GITT) was carried out before and after treatment. One follow-up was conducted at the 1st, 3rd and 6th month.

RESULTSIn the 124 patients of the two observation groups, 52 (41.9%) were cured after treatment, they could normally discharge stool, 5 (4.0%) showed markedly effective with their constipation alleviated, but having occasional bowel slackened sensation. In the control group I and II, none was cured or effectively treated, while in the control group III, the efficacy in 8 patients were judged as marked effective, but none was cured.

CONCLUSIONIATE is a convenient and effective composite therapy. It shows favorable clinical efficacy for STC, and also for MC in case of combined with local anal operation.

Acupuncture Points ; Aged ; Anal Canal ; surgery ; Catgut ; Constipation ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prosthesis Implantation ; methods

Objective To evaluate the effect of a novel orthopedic biomaterial,graded composite zireonia(ZrO2)hydroxyapatite(HAP)on activity of rat osteoblast ceils(OB)cultured in vitro. Methods The pure zirconia material was used as control to measure surface roughness of the composite material that was examined by using scanning electron microscope(SEM)and X-ray diffraetometer (XRD).The rat osteoblast cells were cultured on the two materials.Alkali phosphatase(ALP)of the two groups was measured and ELISA was used to detect IL-6 and TGF-?eoncentration of the supematant of OB cells.Tumor growth factor-?(TGF-?)mRNA was detected by RT-PCR.SEM was used to observe OB cells on the two materials.The extract of the composite material was used for a eytotoxicity test to cal- culate the relative proliferation rate(RGR)and classify the toxicity.Results The surface roughness of the gradual composite materials was significantly higher than that of the control materials(P＜0.01). The ALP of the gradual material group was markedly higher than that of the control group at different in- tervals.There was significant difference of the IL-6 and TGF-?concentrations 2-4 days after culture be- tween two groups(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The mRNA level of TGF-?of the two OB groups also showed marked statistical difference(P＜0.01).The ossification of the OB cells on the composed material was marked after 14 days.The MTT color experiments showed no statistic significance between materials group and negative group,with the toxicity at levelⅠand 0(P＜0.05).Conclusion Graded composite ZrO2 HAP can significantly promote proliferation and differentiation of OB cells cultured in vitro and has good biocompatibility.

OBJECTIVETo assess whether polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene is associated with susceptibility to acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in Chinese Han children.

METHODSThe study has included 87 patients with ALL, 22 patients with AML and 120 healthy controls. All subjects were analyzed with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and sequencing.

RESULTSA 677CT genotype of the MTHFR gene was associated with decreased risk of ALL (OR=0.23, 95%CI: 0.07-0.79). However, MTHFR A1298C genotypes were not associated with the risk of either disease. 677TT/1298AA and 677CC/1298AC genotypes were associated with increased risk of ALL(OR=3.78, 95% CI: 1.38-10.40; OR=3.17, 95% CI: 1.18-8.53, respectively), whereas the genotype 677CT/1298AA was associated with susceptibility to AML (OR=0.23, 95% CI: 0.06-0.97).

CONCLUSIONOur data suggested that C677T polymorphism of MTHFR gene may increase the risk of childhood AML.

Acute Disease ; Base Sequence ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Leukemia ; diagnosis ; enzymology ; genetics ; Male ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo explore the methylation status of 5' CpG island of fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene in plasma and the expression of FHIT protein in cancer tissue of cervical cancer patients.

METHODSMethylation-specific PCR (MS-PCR) was employed to examine methylation of FHIT gene in 151 plasma samples before treatment. The immunohistochemistry was used to the expression of FHIT protein in cancer tissues.

RESULTSCpG island methylation of FHIT was detected in 31.13% of plasma samples. The expression of FHIT protein was decreased or discarded in 59.60% of cervical cancer tissues. Among them 47.78% was included in methylation positive samples.

CONCLUSIONCpG island methylation of FHIT gene in plasma plays an important role on cervical cancer, which results in decreased expression of FHIT protein. It can be used to diagnose and evaluate the effect of treatment to cervical cancers.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases ; blood ; genetics ; metabolism ; Adult ; Aged ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; blood ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; blood ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To study the changing pattern of infant mortality and under-5 mortality rate in China from 2000 to 2006, and to evaluate China's progress in achieving the United Nations' Millennium Development Goal 4. Methods A population-based survey was conducted through a nationwide multi-level surveillance network. The mortality rate and the proportion of death for children under 5 were analyzed. Results The infant mortality rate (IMR), under-5 mortality rate (U5MR) in China dropped to 17.2, 20.6 per 1000 live births in 2006, respectively, comparing to 32.2 and 39.7 per 1000 live births in 2000. In urban areas, IMR, U5MR dropped to 8.0, 9.6 per 1000 live births in 2006, respectively while they were 11.8 and 13.8 per 1000 live births respectively in 2000. In rural areas, IMR, USMR dropped to 19.7 and 23.6 per 1000 live births in 2006, respectively but they were 37.0 and 45.7 per 1000 live births respectively in 2000. During this period, the mortality rates due to pneumonia and diarrhea had dropped sharply. The proportion of deaths due to pneumonia, diarrhea also dropped from 19.5%, 4.9% in 2000 to 15.6%, 3.7% in 2006, respectively. In urban areas, the proportion of deaths due to pneumonia dropped from 9.9% in 2000 to 9.8% in 2006, In rural areas, the proportion of deaths due to pneumonia, diarrhea dropped from 20.1%, 5.2% in 2000 to 16.2%, 4.0% in 2006, respectively. Conclusion The U5MR in China remarkably dropped from 2000 to 2006. Based on data through the surveillance program, China should be able to accomplish the Millennium Development Goals 4 of the United Nations as planned.

Objective To assess the changes and the leading cause of deaths for children under 5 years old,in China,during 2000-2010,with the aim of evaluation on the progress in achieving the relative goal set by "National Program of Action for Child Development in China (2001-2010)",and understanding the related challenges.Methods Data used in this study were collected from the population-based National Maternal and Child' s Health Surveillance Network of China.Infant Mortality Rate (IMR),Under-5-mortality rate (U5MR) and the leading cause of deaths for under-5 children were analyzed.Results Nationwide IMR and U5MR in 2010 dropped by 59.3％and 58.7％ respectively,compared to that in 2000.Decreases by 50.8％ and 47.1％ in IMR and U5MR were observed in urban areas,and 56.5％ and 56.0％ in rural areas during this period.Compared with data from 2000,the leading causes-specific U5MR in 2010 had significantly declined.The top 5 leading causes of death in 2010 were premature birth/low birth weight,pneumonia,birth asphyxia,congenital heart disease and accidental suffocation,but were different in urban and rural areas.In 2010,both IMR and U5MR from the rural areas were 2.8-folds than that of the urban areas.In addition,IMRs in the Middle and Western parts of China were 1.5 and 2.3-folds respectively of that in the East,and U5MR in Middle and West was 1.5 and 2.2-folds respectively of that in East.Conclusion IMR,U5MR and the leading causes specific mortality rate in China declined remarkably from 2000 to 2010,and the goal set by "National Program of Achon for Child Development in China (2001-2010)" had been successfully achieved.However,the disparity on child' s health in regions and in urban or rural areas,still remained a challenge.

Purpose: To evaluate the use of signal intensity index (SII) of skull-base invasion in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), select a best cut-off SII value to predict the outcome of NPC. Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty-two NPC patients (92 men, 30 women) with skull-base invasion were included. All patients underwent MRI, signal intensities on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) were measured for each invaded site and its contralateral normal counterpart. The SIIs were calculated, receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed. The optimal cut-off values were extracted. The overall survival (OS) rates of 5-year follow-up were performed. Results: Sensitivities for differentiating skull-base invasion from normal contralateral anatomy were 98.9%, 88.5% and 70.0%, and specificities were 98.9%, 96.0% and 74.4%, respectively. There were three cut-off values for differentiating invasion from normal anatomy of skull-base, 49%, 98%, and 60%. Significant difference in OS rates (84.2% vs. 57.1%, p=0.007) was seen for SII threshold values > 60% and those ≤ 60%. Conclusions: The SII might be a useful means of differentiating invasion from normal tissue at the skull-base in NPC. The cut-off value of quantitative SII at the skull-base may aid in monitoring the response to treatment of NPC patients.