[Summary] Thedawn phenomenon is a term used to describe hyperglycemia or an increase in the amount of insulin needed to maintain normoglycemia, occurring in the absence of antecedent hypoglycemia, during the early morning hours, and mostly affecting children with type 1 diabetes. Currently, hyperglycemia before breakfast time is defined as dawn phenomenon, and postbreakfast abnormal hyperglycemia is referred as the extended dawn phenomenon. Dawn phenomenon is regarded as the result of the β cell dysfunction, which increased endogenous glucose production and the persistent insulin resistance. By using continuous glucose monitoring technology, dawn phenomenon can be effectively identified:The difference between the lowest glucose level during nocturnal time and the glucose value before breakfast over 1. 11 mmol/L. And the long-acting insulin analogs and insulin pump are effective treatments for dawn phenomenon.

Phosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEAMT) is a key enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of phosphocholine, which is an important precursor of phosphatidylcholine and glycine betaine. A 1249bp 5'-flanking region of phosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferase gene was isolated by anchored PCR, based on the cDNA sequence of PEAMT from halophyte Salicornia europaea. The transcription start site was identified as A and localized at 301bp upstream of the ATG according to the results of RLM-RACE. In SePEAMT promoter region, many potential cis-acting elements were predicted by PlantCARE and PLACE programs. Aside from the basal transcriptional elements TATA-box and CAAT-box, some stress-responsive motifs such as ABRE, HSE and LTR were found. In addition, some pollen-specific activation-related elements were also present in this region. Binary expression vector was constructed by fusing SePEAMT promoter with GUS gene and designated as pPro. The pPro was transferred into tobacco by Agrobacterium-medicated transformation and transient GUS expression analysis indicated that SePEAMT promoter could drive strong GUS expression.

This study is to establish an UPLC fingerprint of Resina Draconis from different manufacturers, which can provide a comprehensive evaluation for its quality control. The analysis was performed on a Phenomenex Kinetex 2.6 μ C18 100A column by agradientelution program with acetonitrile-water as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.7 mL x min(-1). The column temperature was 40 degrees C and the detection wavelengthwas 280 nm. The fingerprints of 18 batches of Draconis Resina were further evaluated by chemometrics methods including similarity analysis (SA), hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA). As a result, there were 15 common peaks, 13 of which had been identified by LC-Q-TOF MS, and the similarity degrees of 15 batches of the samples was more than 0.9, and the samples were divided into 4 clusters by their quality difference. The method is reproducible, simple and reliablethat it can be used for quality control and evaluation of Resina Draconis from different manufacturers.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Dracaena ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Principal Component Analysis ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo determine whether the roughness of titanium implant can influence its osseointegration by affecting the growth, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) production and expression of core binding factor alpha 1 subunit (Cbfα1) of osteoblasts.

METHODSTotally 48 titanium disc specimens, 15 mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness, were included in the study and divided equally into 4 groups with 12 specimens in each group. Specimens were coarsened by sandblasting with carborundum granula and acid etching with mixing liquid of hydrochloric acid and sulphuric acid under diverse conditions. In the four groups, three were treated with different surface roughness: micro-roughness [(1.00 ± 0.20) µm], midrange roughness [(1.67 ± 0.08) µm] and severe roughness [(2.40 ± 0.20) µm], while the group untreated with surface roughness [(0.12 ± 0.03) µm] was set as control. Scanning electron microscope, acridine orange fluorescence staining and coomassie brilliant blue staining were used to observe morphology and growth of osteoblasts incubating on these specimens. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and fluorescence quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to evaluate ALP production and gene expression of Cbfα1 of osteoblasts among different groups.

RESULTSGrowth, ALP production and Cbfα1 mRNA expression of osteoblasts in experimental groups were higher than those in control group (P < 0.05). Significant differences of these data were also found among three experimental groups (P < 0.05). Midrange roughness group showed the highest level of gene expression of Cbfα1 mRNA, which was 0.93 ± 0.03. While that in the micro-roughness group (0.50 ± 0.03) came second, and the severe roughness group had the lowest data, which was 0.37 ± 0.07.

CONCLUSIONSResults indicated that rough surface was more suitable for the adherence and propagation of the osteoblasts than smooth one did. Surface with roughness of 1-2 µm may be a better choice for osseointegration between osteoblasts and dental implants than others are.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; Cell Differentiation ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit ; metabolism ; Dental Implants ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Osseointegration ; Osteoblasts ; metabolism ; Prostheses and Implants ; Surface Properties ; Titanium

Carotid Artery, Internal ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Posterior Cerebral Artery ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo determine the dynamic expression of survivin gene in hepatocarcinogenesis of rats induced by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1).

METHODS78 Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. Hepatocellular carcinoma was induced in the rats by aflatoxin B1. Liver and HCC tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSThe earliest hepatocellular carcinoma occurred at 46th week after AFB1 treatment. The HCC incidence was 54.9% (28/51) at 46th week and 64.9% (24/37) at 58th week. The positive rates of survivin protein expression in 24 HCC, para-cancerous liver tissues of experimental group were 41.7% and 54.2%, respectively, with no significant difference between them (P > 0.05). No survivin expression was detected in the experimental group before 46th week, neither in the rats without HCC occurrence nor the normal controls. The level of survivin mRNA expression in HCC at 58th week was significantly higher than that in pre-HCC, no-HCC and normal liver tissues in the control group (P < 0.01). The level of survivin mRNA expression in para-carcinoma tissues was also significantly higher than that in no-HCC and normal liver tissues of the control (P < 0.01). The level of survivin mRNA in pre-HCC at 12th, 20th, 36th, 46th weeks were significantly higher than those in normal liver tissues taken from control group during the same periods (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe over-expression of survivin gene is related to the occurrence of HCC and may play an important role in the carcinogenesis of HCC.

Aflatoxin B1 ; Animals ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Male ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study pharmacokinetic effect of Aikeqing Granule (AG) by different medication ways on zidovudine (AZT) in highly active antiretroviral therapy ( HAART) of rats.

METHODSTotally 36 rats were administered with corresponding medications by gastrogavage, group I [HAART: AZT 31.5 mg/kg +3TC 31.5 mg/kg + Efavirenz (EFV) 63.0 mg/kg], group II (HAART+AG525 mg/kg), group III (HAART and AG 525 mg/kg after a 2-h interval). Drug concentrations of AZT were determined by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (HPLC-MS) before HAART, and at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 h after HAART, respectively. Pharmacokinetic parameters [such as t1/2, Tmax, Cmax, AUCo-t, plasma clearance rate (CL)] were calculated by DAS2.0 Software.

RESULTSThe-equation of linear regression of AZT was good, with the precision, coefficient of recovery, and stability definitely confirmed. AUC in group II and III was larger than that of group I. There was no statistical difference in t1/2, Tmax, Cmax, AUC0-12 h, or AUC0-∞ among groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAG combined HAART could enhance the Cmax of AZT.

Animals ; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active ; Benzoxazines ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Mass Spectrometry ; Rats ; Zidovudine ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recovery of Function ; Spondylolisthesis ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To understand distribution of the endemic fluorosis areas and running status of water-improving defuoridation projects in Gausu province. Methods In 2006, Gansu province endemic fluorosis areas, the content of fluoride in drinking water was measured in villages where water was not improved, running status of delluoridation projects was investigated and the content of fluoride in drinking water were determined in villages where water was improved. Dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis prevalence were examined in children in identified high-fluorlde villages. The fluorine content in drinking water was determined by F-ion selective electrode, dental fluorosis of children was diagnosed using Dean method, and adults skeletal fluorosis was diagnosed according to "National Standard for Clinical Diagnosis of Endemic Skeletal Fhiorosis" (GB 16396-1996). Results Water samples were examined in 1997 villages of 26 countries, among which water fluoride content was higher than 1.0 mg/L in 598 villages, accounting for 29.94%(598/1997). All 1215 water-improving and defluoridation projects had been investigated, among which 94.90%(1153/1215) of the projects were functioning well, and intermittent and abandoned projects accounted for 2.96%(36/1215) and 2.14%(26/1215). Mean fluoride of treated water of 1084 water-improving and defluoridation projects had water fluoride content ≤ 1.0 mg/L, accounted for 90.79%(1084/1194) ; mean fluoride of water from 1068 water-improving and defluoridation projects had water fuoride content ≤ 1.0 mg/L, accounting for 91.75%(1068/1164). Total 86 390 children of 8 to 12 year-old were examined, the detectable rate of dental fluorosis was 22.47%(19 414/86 390) and 142 211 adults above 16 year-old were examined, the detectable rate of skeletal fluorosis was 4.20%(5967/142 211). Conclusions Some villages yet have water fluoride content exceeding the standard. Some projects are abandoned and running badly, leading to fluoride content exceeding the standard. In a few areas, the prevalence of children dental fluorosis and adult skeletal fluorosis still exists in Gansu province, the task of prevention and control for endemic fluorosis is still arduous. We must raise the effect of prevention and treatment of this disease.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the utility of the cross-species screening strategy for investigating key molecule(s) involved in onset and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSHCC-related molecule data from our previous studies and in the literature were collected to establish a cross-species dataset. Tissue samples of HCC, non-HCC surrounding liver (para-HCC), and normal liver that were collected from humans, tree shrews and rats. The genes reported to have the most differential expression in HCC were verified by analyzing the mRNA and protein levels by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively.

RESULTSThe cross-species dataset of HCC-related molecules included four genes: epidermal fatty acid-binding protein (E-FABP), liver (L)-FABP, tyrosine a-ketoglutarate transaminase (TKT), and cytokeratin (CK8). In humans, E-FABP mRNA expression was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in HCC (0.87+/-0.14 vs. para-HCC: 0.64+/-0.12 and normal liver: 0.67+/-0.07; F=20.910). Similar results were obtained in tree shrew (HCC: 0.87 +/- 0.25 vs. para-HCC: 0.73 +/- 0.19 and normal liver: 0.68+/-0.19; F=3.807) and rat (HCC: 0.97+/-0.22 vs. para-HCC: 0.78+/-0.16 and normal liver: 0.80 +/- 0.13; F=4.482). The Western blotting analyses revealed a similar statistically significant trend.

CONCLUSIONThe cross-species screening strategy for tumor genes may represent a feasible and convenient process of identifying key molecule(s) for human HCC. E-FABP may be a particularly crucial molecule for hepatocarcinogenesis.

Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Epidermis ; chemistry ; Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rats ; Tupaiidae ; metabolism