Objective To investigate the effect of medium- and long-chain triacylglycerols on body fat accumulation in subjects with different levels of hypertriglyceridemia. Methods 112 subjects with hypertriglyceridemia were randomly divided into two groups: one group was demanded to adopt long-chain triacylglycerol (LCT) oil as their daily use and the other one to medium- and long-chain triacylglycerol (MLCT) oil for consecutive 8 weeks. Anthropometric measurements of body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference(HC), WHR (ratio of WC/HC), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), subscapular skinfold thickness (SSF), body fat weight, body fat percentage, total fat area, visceral and subcutaneous fat area in abdominal and concentration of blood triglycerides (TG) were measured at the initial and final time of the study. In both groups, the cutpoint of TG 2.3 mmol/L was used to distinguish the different levels of hypertriglyceridemia. Results Compared with LCT group, body weight, BMI, WC, body fat weight, total fat area, visceral and subcutaneous fat area in abdominal in those of TG≤2.3 mmol/L in MLCT group were significantly decreased (P 2.3 mmol/L between the two groups. Furthermore, the concentrations of TG in hypertriglyceridemia subjects of different levels in MLCT group were both significantly lower than those in LCT group after 8 weeks (P 2.3mmol/L.

Allergic rhinitis is a kind of nasal mucosal chronic noninfectious inflammatory disease, which is caused by an imbalance in the body cytokine network,a number of intracellular signaling pathways being actived. Many studies have shown that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) involved in the activation process of allergic rhinitis. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), as one kind of that, plays a key role in the process of inflammatory cells proliferation and differentiation, as well as production of inflammatory cytokines, and involved in airway inflammatory mechanisms of chronic airway disease. In vitro experiments have confirmed that p38 MAPK inhibitors have anti-inflammatory effect by blocking the downstream related response.
Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cytokines ; Humans ; Inflammation ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of infliximab and traditional disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods Sixty patients with definite AS were treated with infliximab 5 mg/kg infusion at 0, 2, 6, 12 weeks and were followed up for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was proportion of ASAS 20 responders at week 12. The secondary endpoints were the proportion of ASAS 50, the change from baseline in Bath AS functional index (BASFI).The improvement of signs and symptoms of AS and physical function were evaluated. The statistical treatments were used t-test andA2 test. Results The proportion of ASAS 20 responders at 2, 6, 12 week was 70%, 83% and 93% respectively. The proportion of ASAS50 responders at patients at 2, 6, 12 week was 13%, 37% and 57% respectively. Results for other secondary efficacy endpoints showed that infliximab could provide substantial benefits to patients with AS by reducing clinical signs and symptoms and improving range of motion, physical function and quality of life. Ten percent of the subjects reported treatment- related adverse events. The most frequently occurred were upper respiratory tract infection, followed by gastrointestinal adverse events and infusion reaction. Most treatment-related adverse events were mild to moderate in severity and disappeared after drug withdrawal. Conclusion Infliximab has been demonstrated to be effective and is well tolerated in the treatment of AS.

Objective To analyze the clinical features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) com-plicated by noncirrhotic portal hypertention (NCPH),and improve the recognition of NCPH.Methods Clinical data from SLE complicated by NCPH in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed and summarized,while the related literatures were reviewed.Results Four patients diagnosed as SLE complicated by NCPH were all women.NCPH presented with the clinical features of portal hypertension with normal or slightly elevated transaminase.Anticardiolipin (ACL) antibodies were positive in 2 patients.Two patients underwent liver needle biopsy,showing nodular regenerative hyperplasia,of which,one with liver portal fibrosis.The treatment strategy was managing the primary disorder and controling of portal hypertention in four patients.Twenty-two cases of SLE complicated by NCPH were reviewed and analyzed,including 18 cases from related literatures and our 4 cases.Among the 22 cases,the mean time between the diagnosis of SLE and NCPH was eight years,of which one patient with NCPH before SLE,one diagnosed at the same time and the rest with NCPH after SLE.19％ (4/21) of patients presented with Raynaud's phenomenon and 18％ (4/22) complicated by pulmonary hypertension.In serological tests,patients presented with positive ACL anti-bodies [33％(7/21)] and anti-dsDNA [48％(10/21)],as well as increased IgG and γ-Globulin [38％(8/21)].Liver needle biopsy showed nodular regenerative hyperplasia or liver portal fibrosis with the prevalence of 80％ (16/20) and 25％ (5/20),respectively.Conclusion SLE complicated by NCPH is very rare clinically and is easily being misdiagnosed without obvious symptoms and signs in the early stage.Positive ACL antibodies and Raynaud's phenomenon maybe be closely related to SLE complicated by NCPH.

Objective To explore the role of compound nerve conduit, made of nerve growth factors (NGF) encapsuled by biodegradable core-shell nanofibers through coaxial electrospinning, in regeneration of injured sciatic nerves in rats. Methods The compound nerve conduits were developed from the core-shell structured biodegradable nanofibers with P(LLA-CL) as a shell and BSA/NGF or BSA as a core through coaxial electrospinning. Seventy-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 even groups. The middle segments (10 mm) of the sciatic nerve were excised and the defects were repaired with sciatic nerve autograft (group A), with P(LLA-CL) conduit (group B), with PLLA-CL conduit and one injection of NGF (group C), and with P(LLA-CL)/NGF controlled-release conduit (group D), respectively. Morphologic and functional evaluations of nerve regeneration were done by gross observation, sciatic function index, neural electrophysiological examination, resumption rates of triceps weight, histological and ultrastructural observa-tion respectively in 1, 2, 3 months after the operation. Results Three months after the operation, although partial biodegradation and small cracks could be observed, conduits remained intact in outline. Based on the functional and histological observations, nerve regeneration, nerve fibers arrangement, myelination and nerve function reconstruction in the P(LLA-CL)/NGF controlled-release conduit (group D) were similar to those in nerve autograft (group A) and significantly superior to those in groups B and C (P<0.05). Conclusion As the P(LLA-CL)/NGF-controlled release conduit has favorable mechanical properties and biocompatibility, it can effectively promote regeneration of the sciatic nerve in rats.

β-carotene has a wide range of application in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. For microbial production of β-carotene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the supply of geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) was firstly increased in S. cerevisiae BY4742 to obtain strain BY4742-T2 through over-expressing truncated 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (tHMGR), which is the major rate-limiting enzyme in the mevalonate (MVA) pathway, and GGPP synthase (GGPS), which is a key enzyme in the diterpenoid synthetic pathway. The β-carotene synthetic genes of Pantoea agglomerans and Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous were further integrated into strain BY4742-T2 for comparing β-carotene production. Over-expression of tHMGR and GGPS genes led to 26.0-fold increase of β-carotene production. In addition, genes from X. dendrorhous was more efficient than those from P. agglomerans for β-carotene production in S. cerevisiae. Strain BW02 was obtained which produced 1.56 mg/g (dry cell weight) β-carotene, which could be used further for constructing cell factories for β-carotene production.
Basidiomycota ; enzymology ; Farnesyltranstransferase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Metabolic Engineering ; Polyisoprenyl Phosphates ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; metabolism ; beta Carotene ; biosynthesis

Objective To investigate the effect of oil with medium-long-chain triacylglycerols on blood lip- id and lipoproteins in hyperlipemic patients. Methods Totally, 112 patients with hypertriglyceridemia were en- rolled and randomly divided into MLCT group (consumed oil with medium-long-chain fatty acids) and LCT group (consumed oil with long-chain fatty acids) (both 25-30 g/d for 8 weeks). Patients in both two groups were also instructed to take exercises. Height and weight were measured at baseline and 8 weeks later. Blood glucose, serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterols (TC), triglyc- erides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein Al (ApoAl), ApoB, ApoA II , ApoC2, ApoC3, and ApoE were measured and compared. Results At the end of study, 101 subjects were included. There were 50 subjects left in LCT group and 51 subjects left in MLCT group, respectively. There was no significant difference in weight, ALT, AST, TC, and TG at baseline between two groups (P>0.05). Eight weeks later, weight, serum TG, ApoC2, and ApoC3 were significantly lower and ApoAl level was significantly higher than those at baseline in MLCT group (P < 0.05). At the end of study, the decreases in body weight and blood biochemical variables including TG, ApoB, ApoA II , ApoC2, ApoC3 were significantly much greater in MLCT groups than those in LCT group (P < 0. 05). Conclusion When the diet is reasonably controlled, oil of medium-long-chain triacylglycerols may reduce the concentration of TG and improve the levels of apolipoproteins.

Objective To study the correlation of the serum insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) level and the radioactive iodine uptake rate in patients with nodular goiter,to explore a simple and saftymethods of identifying different kinds of thyroid nodule.Methods Sixty diagnosed cases was selected intohot nodule group(30 cases)and cool nodule group(30 cases),and 30 healthy people were selected into thehealthy control group.Measured the IGF-1,FT3,FT4,TSH level of each group by radioimmunoassay,and measured the radioactive iodine uptake rate by radionuclear technique.Results To compare with healthy control group,the levels of serum IGF-1,FT3,FT4 and the radioactive iodine uptake rate of hot nodule group were increased obviously,but the serum TSH was decreased significantly,and the level of IGF-1 had positive correhtion with the radioactive iodine uptake rate(r=0.835)in the same group.Meanwhile,the 1 evel of IGF-1 had negative correlation with the level of TSH(r=-0.326).In cool nodule group,the levels of serum IGF-1,FT3,FT4,TSH had no significant difference oompared with healthy control group(P>0.05).Conclusion The level of IGF-1 and radioactive iodine uptake rate in patients with nodular goiter has certain correlation.

Objective To investigate the effect of IL‐1βon the expression and release of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) from normal human bronchiolar epithelial cell (HBE) .Methods HBE135‐E6E7 was developed and methyltetrazolium (MTT) as‐say was used to assess the viability of HBE cell line under different concentration of IL‐1β.The mRNA expression of HMGB1 in HBE after stimulating with IL‐1βwere determined by Real‐time PCR;the level and location of HMGB1 in the cytoplasm ,nucleus and culture medium of HBE after stimulating with IL‐1β were detected by Western blot and ELISA assay .The expression and translocation of HMGB1 of HBE after stimulating with IL‐1β were detected by Immunofluorescence .Results 0 .1 ,1 .0 ,10 .0 ng/mL IL‐1βdid not influence the cell viability of HBE ;IL‐1β increased the mRNA expression of HMGB1 in HBE in does‐and time‐dependent manner and increased the protein expression of HMGB1 in HBE .In comparison with control group ,the levels of HMGB1 in the culture medium significantly increased after stimulation with IL‐1βat 1 .0 ,10 .0 ng/mL for 24 h(P<0 .05)in the dose dependent experiments;and in time dependent experiments ,10 .0 ng/mL IL‐1βsignificantly increased HMGB1 level in the cul‐ture medium after stimulation for both 12 h and 24 h (P< 0 .05) .After stimulation with IL‐1β (10 .0 ng/mL ) for 24 h ,the HMGB1 expression in cytoplasm significantly increased in plasmosin and decreased in nucleus .HMGB1 translocated from nuclei to cytoplasm after stimulation with IL‐1β(10 .0 ng/mL ) for 24 h .Conclusion IL‐1βcould induce HMGB1 expression and release in human bronchial epithelial cells ,which indicates that HMGB1 may involve in IL‐1β‐mediated chronic airway inflammation .

Objective To detect the pre- and post-treatment levels of serum interleukin (IL-20) in asthmatic patients during the acute exacerbation period and to investigate the role of IL-20 in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma and relative clinical significance. Methods Forty-five cases of mild to moderate asthma outpatients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from May 2013 to October 2013 were chosen as the asthma group and 32 healthy people who underwent routine physical examination as the control group. All the patients were treated with inhalation salmeterol and fluticasone 50/250 μg/μg (sucking twice a day) together with ventolin if necessary , and even with theophylline sustained-release tablets as the additional treatment in moderate asthma group for 1 week. The serum levels of IL-20 as well as immunoglobulin E (IgE) were detected by ELISA in the asthma group before and after treatment as well as in the control group. Other data including ECP , the number of eosinophil ceils (EOS) and the pulmonary function (FEV1%) were detected as well. The differences of IL-20 levels between the asthma group before and after treatment and the control group were analyzed and the correlation between IL-20 and Ig E, EOS, ECP and FEV1% were analyzed. Results Compared with the healthy control group [(13.58 ± 6.17)pg/L], the levels of IL-20 in the mild and moderate asthma pretreatment group were significantly increased [(23.43 ± 13.60)pg/L and (33.78 ± 22.69)pg/L]. Compared with the mild asthma group, the levels of IL-20 in the moderate asthma pretreatment group were significantly higher. After treatment , the levels of IL-20 [(15.73 ± 8.27)pg/L and (19.64 ± 11.69)pg/L] were decreased respectively in the asthmatic patients. The Pearson correlative analysis showed that there were positive correlations between the levels of 1L-20 and IgE , EOS and ECP respectively and there were negative correlations between IL-20 levels and FEV1%. Conclusion IL-20 may be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma.