Based on the results of oral glucose tolerance test( OGTT )and the levels of 1-h plasma glucose ( 1 hPG),793 subjects were classified into three groups:583 with NGTN ( normal 1 hPG in OGTT),127 with NGT1 H( higher 1 hPG in OGTT) and 83 with IGT( impaired glucose tolerance).NGT1H group had large waist circumference,higher body mass index,fasting plasma glucose( FPG),triglyceride,and lower high density lipoprotein-cholesterol than those of NGTN group.NGT1 H group had higher homeostasis model assessment insulin index ( 1.2 ± 0.6),lower homeostasis model assessment β3 ( HOMA-β ) (4.5 ± 0.7 ) and insulinogenic index (2.1 ±0.7) than those of NGTN group(0.5 ±0.6,4.8 ±0.7,2.7 ±0.9,respectively,all P ＜0.05 ).HOMA-β of NGT1 H group was higher than that of IGT group(4.5 ±0.7 vs.4.4 ±0.6,P ＜0.05 ).The results indicate that 1 hPG in OGTT may identify a condition of glucose metabolic abnormalities characterized by insulin resistance and reduced β-cell function.

Non-proline cis peptide bond is rarely found in proteins. The recent surveys revealed that this unusual peptide configuration is by no means a curiosity, but overwhelmingly occurs at functionally important sites. However one still doubts whether it is related to crystal packing interactions, since all non-proline cis peptide bonds identified so far are from crystal structures. A toxin BmK M1 from the scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch have been crystallized as a dimer in space group P212121 with unit-cell dimensions a = 76.39 (A),b=52.77 (A), c=27.12 (A). This dimeric structure was solved by molecular replacement and refined to R=0.109 for all reflections at a resolution of 1.4 (A). The extensively refined structure definitely shows that the cis peptide bond Pro9-His10 equally occurs in both molecule A and molecule B in the dimer. The observation manifested that this striking non-proline cis peptide is not related to crystal packing, but caused by certain intrinsic factors. The detailed analyses and comparison with the structure of BmK M8, which is homologous to M1 but has trans peptide bond 9-10, showed that the five-residue reverse (8 ～12) with a consensus sequence (-KPXNC-) may be the intrinsic structural element for the cis form of this peptide bond. A pair of well organized main-chain hydrogen bond between residues 10 in cis unit and 64 at C-terminus forms main tertiary interactions to stabilize this energetically unfavorable peptide bond.

A cross-section study was designed to investigate clinical utility of lipid measures for prediction of insulin resistance(IR).A total of 793 healthy volunteers were divided to IR group or non-IR group based on the value of HOMA-IR.Area under receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)found that TG/HDL-C was more related with IR in comparison with other lipid ratios,and could be used as a measure in predicting IR.

By means of comparing biomasses of biodegradation fungi,Fusarium sp.HG-P-01 for ?-cypermethrin,a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used widely in China,in five different media,the Czapek-Dox medium was selected as the best medium for mycelia growth.Furthermore,an experiment of central composite rotatable design(CCRD) was used to optimize the content of nutrient components.The optimal composition of C,N and P in media for HG-P-01 were 20.94 g/L,1.82 g/L and 1.66 g/L,respec-tively,in which an expectant or real rate of ?-cypermethrin-degradation got to 96.34% or 93.78% by HPLC for a concentration of 50 mg/L after 24 h treatment.The predicted value in degradation rate model was con-sistent with that from HPLC method.

Tissue samples of Fabricius' bursa collected from Nanning, Yulin, Beihai and Wuzhou in the provinces of Guangxi in China during the years of 2000-2007, were detected by a established reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique for IBDV. Viral isolation was performed on the positive samples by chicken embryo inoculation via chorio-allantoic membrane (CAM). Results showed that 27 isolates of IBDV were obtained. A set of primers were designed to amplify the vVP2 of 27 isolates by RT-PCR and the PCR products were sequenced. The sequences of all the isolates and reference viruses were analyzed and compared, and their phylogenetic trees were constructed based on the nucleotide sequences. The results indicated that isolate BH11, TZ(3), 050222, YL051, NN0603, NN0611and QX0602 etc, altogether 17 isolates, which accounted for 62.96 percent of total isolates, were identified to be very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) and have the highest homology to vvIBDV reference strains. In the phylogenetic analysis, they are divided into 3 groups and have a long distance to commonly used vaccine stains. Isolate NN040124 and YL052 were identified as intermediate-plus virulent strains and showed a highest homology to classical strains of 52-70 and STC. 8 isolates of YLZF2, 040131 etc were identified as attenuated vaccine strains and showed a highest homology to classical strain of CU1. The results from the study demonstrated that the viruses prevailing in chickens in these 4 regions in Guangxi province in the recently 7 years were vvIBDV and their origins were complex. The antigenicity of some isolates may have been drifted.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Birnaviridae Infections ; epidemiology ; veterinary ; virology ; Chickens ; China ; epidemiology ; Infectious bursal disease virus ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Poultry Diseases ; epidemiology ; virology ; Sequence Alignment ; Viral Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics

The aim of study was to explore the potential of human erythroid membrane associated protein (ERMAP) gene in erythroid cell differentiation and development, mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from umbilical cord blood and induced to erythroid cell differentiation by SCF, IL-3 and EPO. The cell morphology was observed by using optical microscopy, the positive rate of cells was counted by biphenylamine staining and the ratios of CD36+/CD235a-, CD36+/CD235a+, CD36-/CD235a+ cells were detected by flow cytometry, the change of human ermap gene expression level was analyzed by using fluorescent quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR). The results showed that the ermap gene expression level increased while MNCs were induced to erythroid lineage after treatment with SCF, IL-3 and EPO. It is concluded that the human ermap gene plays an important role in differentiation and development of erythroid cells.
Blood Group Antigens ; genetics ; metabolism ; Butyrophilins ; Cell Differentiation ; genetics ; Cells, Cultured ; Erythroid Cells ; cytology ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the identification method of Pterocephalus hookeri.

METHODThe microscopical, Physicochemical and TLC methods were used.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe convenient and effective identification methods for P. hookeri were established, which provide basis for its quality standard and development.

Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Magnoliopsida ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Pharmacognosy ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of breast cancer with estrogen- and progesterone-receptor negative (ER-/PR-) and HER-2 overexpression (HER+++) in a Chinese population.

METHODSThe data of patients with ER-/PR- and HER+++ breast cancer treated in our hospital from March 1999 to December 2004 were retrospectively reviewed. The influence of clinicopathological characteristics and molecular markers on the survival was analyzed.

RESULTSA total of 111 breast cancer patients with ER and PR negative but HER+++ were identified, accounting for 4.9% of all the breast cancer patients treated during the same period. There were 25 cases (22.5%) in stage I, 44 (39.6%) in stage II and 36 (32.4%) in stage III, respectively, with a median age of 49 years. Axillary lymph node metastasis was found in 54 cases. The 5-year disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival rates (OS) were 70.7% and 73.1%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that lymph node status, primary tumor size and pathological stage were prognosis-related factors influencing the DFS and OS. However, by multivariate analysis, only primary tumor size and lymph node status were independent factors influencing survival.

CONCLUSIONThe breast cancer with estrogen- and progesterone-receptor negative but HER-2 overexpression is a particular subtype of breast cancers, with unfavorable clinicopathological characteristics and poor survival. Lymph node status and primary tumor size are two independent prognostic factors.

Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma in Situ ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Mastectomy ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Receptors, Progesterone ; metabolism ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Tumor Burden ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of using Jiangzhi Tongluo Soft Capsule (JTSC) combined with Atorvastatin Calcium Tablet (ACT) or ACT alone in treatment of combined hyperlipidemia.

METHODSA randomized, double blinded, parallel control, and multi-center clinical research design was adopted. Totally 138 combined hyperlipidemia patients were randomly assigned to the combined treatment group (A) and the atorvastatin treatment group (B) by random digit table, 69 in each group. All patients took ACT 20 mg per day. Patients in the A group took JTSC 100 mg each time, 3 times per day. Those in the B group took JTSC simulated agent, 100 mg each time, 3 times per day. The treatment period for all was 8 weeks. Serum levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were observed before treatment, at week 4 and 8 after treatment; and safety was assessed as well.

RESULTSAt week 4 and 8 after treatment serum TG decreased by 26.69% and 33.29% respectively in the A group (both P < 0.01), while it was decreased by 25.7% and 22.98% respectively in the B group (both P < 0.01). At week 8 decreased serum TG was obviously higher in the A group than in the B group (P < 0.05). Compared with before treatment, serum levels of LDL-C and TC levels decreased significantly in the two groups (all P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the drop-out value and the drop-out rate of serum LDL-C and TC levels (P > 0.05). At week 8 the serum HDL-C level showed an increasing tendency in the two groups. No obvious increase in peptase or creatase occurred in the two groups after treatment.

CONCLUSIONJTSC combined with ACT could lower the serum TG level of combined hyperlipidemia patients with safety.

Adult ; Atorvastatin Calcium ; Double-Blind Method ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Heptanoic Acids ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pyrroles ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the proliferation and adipogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells in vitro.

METHODSHuman adipose-derived stem cells were obtained by enzymatic digestion and PRP was prepared by dual centrifugal method. The ADSCS were interfused with 5%, 10%, and 20% PRP in conditioned culture media, using the untreated cells as the control group. The morphology of the cells were observed and their proliferative ability was detected using XTT colorimetric assay. The adipogenic differentiation ability of the cells was evaluated using oil Red O staining.

RESULTSThe ADSCS treated with PRP showed better morphology with higher density than the control cells. XTT colorimetric assay demonstrated obviously stronger proliferative activity of PRP-treated cells than the control group (P<0.01). Interfusion with PRP caused a significant increase in adipogenic differentiation of the cells as compared to the control cells (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONPRP treatment produces obvious effects on the proliferation and adipogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells in vitro.

Adipocytes ; cytology ; Adipose Tissue ; cytology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Humans ; Lipectomy ; Platelet-Rich Plasma ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; Tissue Engineering ; methods