OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of total flavones of Ampelopsis(TFAG) on blood glucose and its antioxidant capacity. METHODS: The TFAG were extracted by ultrasonic assisted extraction and purified by D-101 macroporous resin. The effect of TFAG on the activities of α-glucosidase and α-amylase were determined in vitro. Diabetes mellitus(DM)mouse models were established by induction of streptozotocin(STZ). And the mice were daily treated by different dose of TFAG (100, 200, 400 mg·kg-1) for 15 d. In order to determine the blood glucose, blood was collected every 3 d. After administration of drug for 16 d, the blood was collected from the eyes and serum insulin and other biochemical indicator were measured. Hematoxylin and eosin stain will be used for histological analysis after collection of pancreatic tissues. Meanwhile, the amount of SOD, CAT and MDA in liver were measured. RESULTS: TFAG could significantly inhibit the activity of α-glucosidase and α-amylase, and that TFAG had a better inhibitory activity on α-glucosidase than α-amylase. The results of in vivo assay showed that TFAG could significantly reduce the levels of blood glucose, LDL, TC and TG, and increase the concentration of insulin and HDL in diabetic mice. HE staining showed that TFAG had some repair effects on pancreatic islet in diabetic mice. It was found that TFAG significantly decreased the levels of MDA, but instead it significantly increased the activities of SOD and CAT in liver of diabetic mice. CONCLUSION: The TFAG has significant effect on the hypoglycemic and antioxidant activity, and promote repair of pancreatic islets. Collectively, TFAG are valuable raw material with medicinal and edible properties and high development value.

Objective:To investigate the incidence and the influencing factors of school bullying among middle school students in Xi'an,thus to provide evidence for strengthening the prevention of school violence.Methods:Using Chinese version of School Bullying Experience Questionnaire (C-SBEQ),a survey was conducted among 995 middle school students selected from 2 middle schools in Xi'an.The data was analyzed using SPSS 22.0.Results:The incidence of school bullying in one year was 42.0％,approximately 36.8％ of the students suffered from verbal bullying,while 5.8％ of the students suffered from physical bullying.As for perpetrating,19.0％ and 5.4％ of the students were the perpetrators of verbal bullying and physical bullying,respectively.The influencing factors of school bullying included gender,mother's education level,study type,playing video games,smoking and drinking (P ＜0.05).Conclusion:School bullying among middle school students in Xi'an was at a high level.The occurrence of school bullying was related to personal behavior,family,school and other factors.Thus,targeted prevention measures should be taken to prevent school bullying.

BACKGROUND: High-volume hemofiltration (HVHF) is technically possible in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) patients complicated with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Continuous HVHF is expected to become a beneficial adjunct therapy for SAP complicated with MODS. In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of fluid resuscitation and HVHF on alveolar-arterial oxygen exchange, the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score in patients with refractory septic shock. METHODS: A total of 89 refractory septic shock patients, who were admitted to ICU, the Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University from August 2006 to December 2009, were enrolled in this retrospective study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: fluid resuscitation (group A, n=41), and fluid resuscitation plus high-volume hemofiltration (group B, n=48). The levels of O2 content of central venous blood (CcvO2), arterial oxygen content (CaO2), alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference P(A-a)DO2, ratio of arterial oxygen pressure/alveolar oxygen pressure (PaO2/PAO2), respiratory index (RI) and oxygenation index (OI) were determined. The oxygen exchange levels of the two groups were examined based on the arterial blood gas analysis at different times (0, 24, 72 hours and 7 days of treatment) in the two groups. The APACHE II score was calculated before and after 7-day treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: The levels of CcvO2, CaO2 on day 7 in group A were significantly lower than those in group B (CcvO2: 0.60±0.24 vs. 0.72±0.28, P<0.05; CaO2: 0.84±0.43 vs. 0.94±0.46, P<0.05). The level of oxygen extraction rate (O2ER) in group A on the 7th day was significantly higher than that in group B ( 28.7±2.4 vs. 21.7±3.4, P<0.01). The levels of P(A-a)DO2 and RI in group B on the 7th day were significantly lower than those in group A. The levels of PaO2/PAO2 and OI in group B on 7th day were significantly higher than those in group A (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The APACHE II score in the two groups reduced gradually after 7-day treatment, and the APACHE II score on the 7th day in group B was significantly lower than that in group A (8.2±3.8 vs. 17.2±6.8, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: HVHF combined with fluid resuscitation can improve alveolar- arterial-oxygen exchange, decrease the APACHE II score in patients with refractory septic shock, and thus it increases the survival rate of patients.

Nephronophthisis (NPHP) is a group of autosomal recessive tubulointerstitial cystic kidney disorders. This article reports a case of NPHP type 12 caused by TTC21B mutations. The girl had an insidious onset, with moderate proteinuria, renal dysfunction, stage 2 hypertension, situs inversus, and short phalanges when she visited the hospital for the first time at the age of 3 years and 6 months. The renal lesions progressed to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) before she was 4 years old. Urine protein electrophoresis showed glomerular proteinuria. There were significant increases in urinary β2-microglobulin and α1-microglobulin. Gene detection revealed two compound heterozygous mutations, c.1552T>C (p.C518R) and c.752T>G (p.M251R), in the TTC21B gene, which came from her father and mother respectively. The c.752T>G mutation was a novel mutation. It is concluded that besides typical tubular changes of NPHP, marked glomerular damage is also observed in patients with TTC21B gene mutations.
Child, Preschool ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Diseases, Cystic ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Nephrosis ; genetics

Objective To investigate the effects of cyclic stretch on migration of MC3T3-E1 cells and its related mechanism. Methods The strain loading system was used to stretch MC3T3-E1 cells cultured in vitro with 15% amplitude, to simulate the mechanical condition in vivo. The wound healing assay was used to detect the migration of MC3T3-E1 cells. Western blotting was used to test Runx2 expression. RNA interfering was used to decrease Runx2 expression. Results Cyclic mechanical stretch with 15% amplitude, 1.25 Hz frequency and lasting for 24 hours could promote the migration of MC3T3-E1 cells and increase the expression level of Runx2. Runx2 interference inhibited the migration of MC3T3-E1 cells in static culture condition. Interference with Runx2 expression in MC3T3-E1 cells could partially reduce the positive effect of cyclic mechanical stretch on cell migration. Conclusions Cyclic stretch can promote the migration of MC3T3-E1 cells, and Runx2 may play an important role in this process. This study provides experimental basis for finding innovative clinical treatment method to promote fracture healing.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the food water sources of adults in the four cities of China in summer.

METHODSA total of 64 adults aged 18 - 60 yrs from four cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou)were selected using convenient sampling method. The food samples were collected by using duplicate portion method and the water content of food samples were determined by using the national standard. The information on amounts and types of daily drinking soup was recorded by subjects using a quantitative measurement.

RESULTSA total of 63 subjects had completed the investigation. The median of daily water from food of subjects was 1157 ml, while water from staple food was 480 ml, the median ratio of which accounting for 41.8% of water from food. Water from dishes was 427 ml, the median ratio of which accounting for 37.9% of water from food. Water from soups was 133 ml, the median ratio of which accounting for 13.8% of water from food. Water from snacks was 0 ml, the median ratio of which accounting for 6.4% of water from food. The medians of water from staple food (384, 388 and 435 ml, respectively) in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou was significant lower than that of Chengdu subjects' (900 ml, χ(2) = 21.27, P = 0.000). But the median proportion of water from staple food of subjects in Beijing (47.7%) was significantly higher than that in Chengdu (43.2%), Shanghai (42.9%) and Guangzhou (33.9%) (χ(2) = 8.69, P = 0.034). The median of amount and proportion of water from soups of subjects in Guangzhou (267 ml, 24.4%) and Chengdu(278 ml, 15.7%) was significantly higher than that in Shanghai (133 ml, 9.0%) and Beijing (100 ml, 5.8%) (amount: χ(2) = 22.52, P = 0.000;proportion: χ(2) = 16.27, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe staple food and dishes are the main sources of daily food water.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; Drinking ; Female ; Food Analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Seasons ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urban Population ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDEarly loading statin therapy before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with reduced mortality and periprocedural myocardial injury. The aim of this study was to study the effect of rosuvastatin loading therapy before PCI in female patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS).

METHODSConsecutive 117 female patients with NSTEACS were randomly assigned to either the group of rosuvastatin loading before PCI (20 mg 12 hours before angioplasty procedure, with a further 10 mg dose 2 hours before procedure, the loading dose group, n = 59) or the no rosuvastatin treatment group before PCI (control group, n = 58). Periprocedural myocardial injury, periprocedural changes of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a in serum and the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) 3 months and 6 months later were assessed.

RESULTSThe incidence of periprocedural myocardial injury was higher in control group than loading dose group (CKMB: 10.17% vs. 25.86%, P = 0.027; Troponin I: 11.86% vs. 29.31%, P = 0.019). MACE occurred in 1.69% of patients in loading dose group and 12.07% of those in control group 3 months after procedure (P = 0.026), 3.39% vs. 17.24% at 6 months (P = 0.014). The levels of hs-CRP, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-a in serum were not significantly different between the two groups before PCI, but after PCI they were significantly higher in control group.

CONCLUSIONSHigh-dose rosuvastatin loading before PCI significantly reduced periprocedural myocardial injury and periprocedural inflammation cytokines release and improved 3-month and 6-month clinical outcomes in female patients with NSTEACS who underwent PCI.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; metabolism ; surgery ; Aged ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Fluorobenzenes ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Interleukin-1 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; prevention & control ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; methods ; Pyrimidines ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Rosuvastatin Calcium ; Sulfonamides ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlations of serum interleukin-18 (IL-18) level and IL-18 gene promoter polymorphisms to the development of sepsis in children.

METHODUsing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the authors tested the serum IL-18 level in 90 patients with sepsis and 123 normal controls, and their single nucleotide polymorphisms of the promoter region of IL-18 gene at position -607C/A and -137G/C were detected using polymerase chain reaction with sequence specific primers method and sequencing technique.

RESULT(1) The serum IL-18 level in sepsis groups was (196.56 +/- 157.32) pg/ml that was significantly higher than (66.16 +/- 41.63) pg/ml in normal controls (P < 0.01), the more severe the degree of sepsis was, the more significantly higher the serum IL-18 level was. The serum IL-18 level in non serious sepsis group was (152.87 +/- 114.96) pg/ml that was significantly higher than (66.16 +/- 41.63) pg/ml in normal controls, the serum IL-18 level in serious sepsis group was (191.98 +/- 169.72) pg/ml that was significantly higher than that in non serious sepsis group, and the serum IL-18 level in extremely serious sepsis patients was (323.89 +/- 159.35) pg/ml, the difference was highly significant (P = 0.000). The difference was significant among the groups with different severity of sepsis (P < 0.01). There was a negative correlation between PCIS (pediatric critical illness score) of sepsis and the serum IL-18 level (P < 0.01). (2) There were polymorphisms in IL-18 gene promoter of matched healthy children and sepsis in children. The GG genotype frequency (61.8%) of IL-18-137G/C in healthy children was the highest, followed by GC genotype (35.8%) and CC genotype (2.4%) in sequence. The G allele frequency (79.7%) was higher in IL-18-137G/C of healthy children than C allele (20.3%). The GG genotype frequency (71.1%) of IL-18-137G/C in septic children was the highest, the next were GC genotype (26.7%) and CC genotype (2.2%). The G allele frequency (84.4%) was higher in IL-18-137G/C of septic children than C allele (15.6%). The CA genotype frequency (61.0%) of IL-18-607C/A in healthy children was the highest, followed by CC genotype (26.8%) and AA genotype (12.2%). The C allele frequency (57.3%) was higher in IL-18-607C/A of healthy children than A allele (42.7%). The CA genotype frequency (76.7%) of IL-18-607C/A in septic children was the highest, followed by CC genotype (21.1%) and AA genotype (2.2%) in sequence. The C allele frequency (59.4%) was higher in IL-18-607C/A of septic children than A allele (40.6%). (3) The genotype frequency of IL-18-607 CA was 76.7% in sepsis groups that was significantly higher than 61.0% in normal controls, and the genotype frequency of -607 AA was 2.2% in sepsis groups that was significantly lower than 12.2% in normal controls, the difference was significant (P < 0.05). (4) In the order of -137CC, -137GC, -137GG, the serum IL-18 level in normal controls were as follows: (45.67 +/- 28.36) pg/ml, (53.27 +/- 37.91) pg/ml, (76.91 +/- 42.44) pg/ml, and with (140.50 +/- 60.10) pg/ml, (184.42 +/- 157.33) pg/ml, (237.02 +/- 161.76) pg/ml respectively in sepsis groups. In the order of -607AA, -607CA, -607CC, the serum IL-18 level in normal controls were: (48.80 +/- 32.11) pg/ml, (68.41 +/- 42.53) pg/ml, (70.17 +/- 43.87) pg/ml; and with (141.50 +/- 64.35) pg/ml, (151.21 +/- 121.19) pg/ml, (211.16 +/- 163.64) pg/ml respectively in sepsis groups. The difference was not significant among different groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe serum IL-18 level in sepsis groups was significantly higher than that in normal controls, which was related to the severity of sepsis. It was possible that the genotype of -607CA carriers was susceptible to sepsis, which mean that the genotype of -607CA might be susceptible genotype of sepsis. However, the genotype of -607AA might play an oppose role in the risk of sepsis.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Interleukin-18 ; blood ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Sepsis ; blood ; genetics

BACKGROUNDIn-stent restenosis (ISR) has become one of the most challenging problems in patients with coronary heart disease. At present, using non-invasive methods to assess ISR is a hot topic. In this investigation we attempted to explore the potential of magnetocardiography (MCG) in diagnosis of in-stent restenosis.

METHODSMCG was analyzed in 52 patients with coronary artery disease for three times: before stenting, one month and 7 months after successful intracoronary stenting.

RESULTSThe average classification of total maps (ACTM) and the ratio of abnormal maps (RAM) were lower in 1 month after intracoronary stenting compared with that obtained before stent planting (2.91 vs 2.52, 65.74% vs 42.80%, P < 0.01), while complex ventricular excitation index (CVEI) increased from -42.63 to -20.05 (P < 0.01). In ISR subgroup (n = 16), RAM decreased in 1 month after intracoronary stenting compared to it before stenting (68.99% vs 45.26%, P < 0.05). ACTM increased in 7 months compared to that obtained in 1 month after stenting (3.15 vs 2.51, P < 0.05). According to the ROC curve, ACTM showed its unique diagnostic value in restenosis patients. The sensitivity and specificity of ACTM were 80.0%, 69.40%, respectively. Its positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 54.6% and 88.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSAfter successful intracoronary stenting, most parameters of MCG were improved. ACTM was of prognostic value in diagnosing ISR.

Adult ; Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Coronary Artery Disease ; diagnosis ; Coronary Restenosis ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetocardiography ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; adverse effects

BACKGROUNDThe aim of this study was to assess the performance of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurement obtained with diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) to distinguish renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) from small benign solid renal tumors (≤ 4 cm).

METHODSIn this cross-sectional study, 49 consecutive patients with histopathologically confirmed small solid renal tumors, and seven healthy volunteers were imaged using nonenhanced MRI and DW-MRI. The ADC map was calculated using the b values of 0, 50, 400, and 600 s/mm 2 and values compared via the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. The utility of ADC for differentiating RCCs and benign lesions was assessed using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Multiple nonenhanced MRI features were analyzed by Logistic regression.

RESULTSThe tumors consisted of 33 cases of clear-cell RCCs (ccRCCs) and 16 cases of benign tumors, including 14 cases of minimal fat angiomyolipomas and 2 cases of oncocytomas. The ADCs showed significant differences among benign tumors ([0.90 ± 0.52] × 10-3 mm 2 /s), ccRCCs ([1.53 ± 0.31] × 10-3 mm 2 /s) and the normal renal parenchyma ([2.22 ± 0.12] × 10-3 mm 2 /s) (P < 0.001). Moreover, there was statistically significant difference between high and low-grade ccRCCs (P = 0.004). Using a cut-off ADC of 1.36 × 10-3 mm 2 /s, DW-MRI resulted in an area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity equal to 0.839, 75.8%, and 87.5%, respectively. Nonenhanced MRI alone and the combination of imaging methods led to an AUC, sensitivity and specificity equal to 0.919, 93.9%, and 81.2%, 0.998, 97%, and 100%, respectively. The Logistic regression showed that the location of the center of the tumor (inside the contour of the kidney) and appearance of stiff blood vessel were significantly helpful for diagnosing ccRCCs.

CONCLUSIONSDW-MRI has potential in distinguishing ccRCCs from benign lesions in human small solid renal tumors (≤ 4 cm), and in increasing the accuracy for diagnosing ccRCCs when combined with nonenhanced MRI.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; diagnosis ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult