To investigate the relationship between plasma level of homocysteine(Hcy) and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase ( MTHFR ) gene polyroorphism with non-alcoholic fatty liver in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods In a case-control study, plasma levels of Hcy, folic acid (FA), vitamin B12 (VitB12), glycosylated hemoglobin Alc (HbAlc), fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol and triglyceride were measured in 159 T2DM patients with and without non-alcoholic fatty liver ( NAFL), as well as 52 normal controls. Mutation of the C677T of MTHFR gene was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restricted fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) for all of them. Results Patients of T2DM both without NAFL (96 case) and with NAFL had higher prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy) (49% and 21%, respectively ) than normal controls did (4 cases, 8% ) (P<0.05), while patients of T2DM with NAFL had higher prevalence of Hhcy than those without it did (P <0. 05). Plasma level of Hey positively correlated to genotype frequency of the MTHFR gene, plasma 0levels of HbAlc and FBG in patients of T2DM, with coefficients of correlation of 0.248, 0.423 and 0.242, respectively (P < 0.05). Results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that course of the disease, body mass index, plasma levels of FBG and Hcy all were independent risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver in patients with T2DM. Conclusions Hhey was an independent risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver and plasma level of Hey was influenced by frequency of the TT genotype of the MTHFR gene, plasma levels of FA and VitB12, as well as metabolic disturbance in patients with T2DM.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of Roscovitine, an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK), in inhibiting HBV replication.Methods Recombiant expression plasmids of SAMHD1 (sterile alpha motif and histidine/aspartic acid domain-containing protein 1) mutants that were defective in dNTPase (deoxynucleoside triphosphate triphosphohydrolase) activity and phosphorylation at the threonine (T) 592 residue were constructed.Huh7.0 cells were respectively co-transfected with different SAMHD1 mutants in combiantion with HBV replication plasmid to analyze whether the retroviral restriction ability of SAMHD1 was regulated by phosphorylation.The cytotoxicity of Roscovitine to Huh7 cells was evaluated by MTT assay.HBV core-associated DNA levels and phosphorylation of SAMHD1 in transfected Huh7.0 cells which were treated with different concentrations of Roscovitine were measured by Southern blot and Western blot assays.Results The SAMHD1 mutant that was defective in the dNTPase active site of D207N lost its ability to restrict HBV replication.Dephosphorylation of SAMHD1 at T592 enhanced its restriction on HBV.The median toxic concentration (TC50) of Roscovitine was 11.20 μmol/L.Both the HBV core-associated DNA levels and the phosphorylation of SAMHD1 were down-regulated by Roscovitine.Conclusion The anti-HBV function of SAMHD1 in dividing cells is regulated by phosphorylation.Roscovitine can inhibit the replication of HBV through reducing the phosphorylation of SAMHD1.

Objective To study the value of 18F-fluoro-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in diagnosis of patients suspected with gastric malignant tumors. Methods Ten women and fourteen men, with a mean age of (56±15) years (ranged from 28 to 83 years) suspected of gastric malignant tumors were enrolled from May 2007 to July 2007. According to the results of the first time endoscopy and biopsy, patients were divided into gastric cancer group (n=9) and suspected group(n= 15). 18F-FDG PET/CT whole body scan was performed in gastric cancer group for assistant operation and suspected group for further diagnosis. The results of PET/CT for suspected group were all confirmed by the endoscopy later. The final diagnosis was based on pathology and follow-up. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in diagnosis of gastric malignant tumors were analyzed, as well as the tumor staging before operation. Results The malignant tumor was found in 16 out of 24 patients who received 18F-FDG PET/CT scan, including 9 in gastric cancer group and 7 in suspected group. Sixteen tumors originated from stomach,and 1 infiltrated the liver, pancreas and omentum. Liver (1 case) and lung (1 case) metastases were found. Three lesions limited in intestine and 13 had positive lymph nodes. Two patiens in suspected group were not diagnosed by PET/CT, one was negative and the other, who suspected as gastric cancer by PET/CT, was pathologicaly confirmed as benign gastrointestinal stromal tumor. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in diagnosis of gastric malignant tumors were 16/17, 6/7, 16/17 and 6/7, respectively. Six patients of stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ were all detected. Conclusions 18F-FDG PET/CT whole body scan is not only a feasible, safe, noninvasive and promising diagnostic tool in detecting and differentiating gastric cancer from benign tumor, but also can assist the management of disease.

Objective To evaluate the changes in early left ventricular myocardial diastolic function after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in the patients undergoing mitral valve replacement.Methods Twenty patients of both sexes,aged 40-70 yr,of ASA physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ (NYHA Ⅱ or Ⅲ),with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 45 ％,scheduled for elective mitral valve replacement with CPB,were enrolled in the study.Global and regional left ventricular diastolic function was measured by using TEE.After splitting of sternum and at 30 and 90 min after termination of CPB,HR,mean arterial pressure,central venous pressure,cardiac index,LVEF,early diastolic transmitral velocity (E),early diastolic tissue velocity (Ea),right ventricular early myocardial velocity (Em) and right ventricular late myocardial velocity (Am).E/Ea and Em/Am ratios were calculated.Results There was no significant difference in the parameters of hemodynamics and left ventricular diastolic function at each time point before and after CPB.LVEF was greater than 50％ and E/Ea ratio was greater than 20 at each time point in the patients.Conclusion There is no further damage to the early left ventricular myocardial diastolic function after CPB in the patients undergoing mitral valve replacement.

OBJECTIVETo explore the methylation status in promoter region of norepinephrine transporter gene (NET, SLC6A2) in heart failure ( HF) patients and its correlation with qi deficiency/blood stasis syndrome (QDS/BSS).

METHODSThirty-six patients with heart failure (NYHA classification III to IV) were recruited in the study (as the heart failure group) and their scores of QDS/BSS were evaluated. Besides, a healthy elderly group (30 cases) and a healthy youth group (30 cases) were also set up. They were recruited from Physical Examination Center of Fujian Provincial Hospital. Pyrosequencing was applied to detect the methylation in promoter region of SLC6A2 gene, and the total methylation index (MTI) of CpG island was calculated. The correlation between the methylation status in promoter region of SLC6A2 and scores of QDS/BSS was assessed using Pearson and Partial analyses. Risk factors were screened and adjusted using Logistic regression.

RESULTSBy one-factor analysis of variance, the total MTI in the HF group (219.72% ± 54.03%) was obviously higher than that in the healthy elderly group (194.47% ± 34.92%) and the healthy youth group (161.60% ± 41.11%) (all P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the total MTI was higher in the healthy elderly group than in the healthy youth group (P < 0.01). By covariance analysis , after controlling age and BMI, the total MTI was higher in the HF group than in the healthy elderly group (P = 0.041), while it was higher in the healthy elderly group than in the healthy youth group (P = 0.016). Age was found to play an essential role in affecting MTI of SLC6A2 gene promoter region among the 3 groups (F = 16.447, P = 0.01). The total MTI was quite lower in the healthy youth group. Results of Partial correlation analysis showed MTI was positively correlated with scores of qi deficiency and blood stasis respectively (r = 0.494 and 0.419 respectively, both P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed after adjusting confounding factors, the relative risk (OR value) of total MTI of SLC6A2 gene in promoter region was 1.038 (95% CI, 1.006 to 1.071, P = 0.020).

CONCLUSIONSAbnormally elevated methylation of the promoter region of SLC6A2 gene is one of risk factors for HF. In addition, the degree of methylation of the promoter region of SLC6A2 gene was positively correlated with the severity of QDS/BSS.

Adolescent ; Aged ; DNA Methylation ; Heart Failure ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Norepinephrine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Qi

BACKGROUND: Most studies suggest tooth whitening can create a coarse enamel surface which is likely to attract exogenous dyeing material and form the phenomenon of color relapse. After dental bleaching procedure, the use of resin surface treatment agent is expected to make the enamel surface smooth and alleviate tooth color relapse. OBJECTIVE: To unravel the efficacy of Adper Single Bond 2 Adhesive on color relapse phenomenon after dental bleaching treatment by cold light (xenon laser) whitening.METHODS: Twenty-four extracted teeth were collected and coated with 35% hydrogen peroxide followed by xenon laser whitening. The test group was made up of 12 samples coated with light-cured resin surface treatment agent and the left samples as control group were treated with no-coating agent after tooth whitening. Then the two groups were divided into two subgroups which were soaked in distilled water and tea for aging test respectively. The color differences (ΔE) which provided comparative values for statistical analysis was recorded at 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days after the aging test. The enamel surface microstructure of the samples was observed before and after bleaching, after resin agent coating, and 28 days after the aging test.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Results from color differences observation: there was no significant difference between samples soaked in distilled water before and after whitening treatment (P > 0.05). Similarly, there was no statistical difference between test group and control group soaked in distilled water (P > 0.05). However, after soaking in tea, the color differences in the test group at 1-42 days showed statistically significant differences from those in the control group (P < 0.05). (2) Results from scanning electron microscope observation: after the tooth whitening producers, the enamel surface was damaged in the presence of cavities. After coated with resin surface treatment agent, the enamel surface became smooth and had few cavities. After soaking in tea, gradient smooth surface, some crack, inconspicuous flake dyeing color layer decomposition could be seen in the test group while rough surface with big holes and mottled dyeing layer were clearly visible in the control group. All samples soaked in distilled water had only a small amount of block dyeing layer, holes, weaker roughness than those soaked in tea. To conclude, Adper Single Bond 2 Adhesive light-cured resin surface treatment agent could weaken color relapse phenomenon after tooth whitening, achieving a smooth enamel surface and reducing dyeing material adhesion.

With the diversion rate of ginkgolide A, B, K as comprehensive evaluation indexes, the amount of activated carbon, ad- sorption time, mix rate, and adsorption temperature were selected as factors, orthogonal design which based on the evaluation method of information entropy was used to optimize activated carbon adsorption technology of ginkgo diterpene lactones meglumine injection. Opti- mized adsorption conditions were as follows: adsorbed 30 min with 0.2% activated carbon in 25 °C, 40 r ·min⁻¹, validation test re- sult display. The optimum extraction condition was stable and feasible, it will provide a basis for ginkgo diterpene lactone meglumine injection' activated carbon adsorption process.
Adsorption ; Charcoal ; chemistry ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; instrumentation ; methods ; Diterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Lactones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo construct four different micro- and nano-phase titanium film models and investigate the characteristics of their surface micro-topography.

METHODSFour different titanium films were prepared on commercial titanium discs, by direct current magnetron sputtering, at ambient, 100, 250, 380 degrees C substrate temperature, respectively. Their surface topography and crystal sizes were investigated using atomic force microscope (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The size of granule and surface roughness in different group was calculated and compared.

RESULTSAll samples were covered by a thin film consisting of dense round or ovaloid granules. The granules and crystals was growing as the substrate temperature increasing. The Ti substrate had greater effect on the surface topography of film compared with Si substrate. This kind of complex topography caused the surface roughness of Ti substrate group decreased as the granules growing.

CONCLUSIONIn our study, four different micro- and nano-phase titanium film models were constructed for our coming investigation of their topographical influence on biological reaction of proteins and cells. Basic data on surface features was obtained for next in vitro and in vivo experiment.

Surface Properties ; Titanium ; X-Ray Diffraction

Objective We aimed to assess the association between urinary bisphenol A(BPA)concentrations and gestational age in pregnant women. Methods A total of 248 pregnant women were recruited from a maternal and child care hospital in Shanghai. A questionnaire survey was completed to collect socio-demographic information and spot urine samples were collected during pregnancy. Gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(GC-MS/MS)was used to measure BPA concentrations in urine samples. Linear relationship between urinary BPA level and gestational age was assessed by using generalized additive models. Multivariate regression model was used to evaluate associations of prenatal BPA exposure with gestational age. Results BPA was detected in all the urine samples. Median value and geometric mean of urinary BPA levels were 0.85 μg/L and 1.21 μg/L, respectively. Linear relationship between urinary BPA concentration and gestational weeks was confirmed(non-linear P > 0.05). Positive association between urinary BPA level and gestational age was indicated(regression coefficient, β = 0.19;95%CI:0.04-0.35;P = 0.016). However, it was only observed in girls, stratified by sex of newborns(β = 0.18;95%CI:0.03-0.34;P = 0.020). After stratification by trimester, no significant association was found in the second or the third trimesters. Conclusion Pregnant women are extensively exposed to BPA. Urinary BPA exposure during pregnancy may extend gestational age, especially in girls.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between gastrointestinal dysfunction and both severity and prognosis in patients with heatstroke (HS).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted. Clinical data from 39 patients with HS seeking for treatment in Department of Critical Care Medicine of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2013 to September 2014 were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups: gastrointestinal dysfunction group and non-gastrointestinal dysfunction group. The acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ) score within 24 hours of admission and 28-day mortality were compared between two groups. In gastrointestinal dysfunction group, the gastrointestinal dysfunction score, the duration days of gastrointestinal dysfunction, the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and the duration of mechanical ventilation were collected. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between gastrointestinal function and the severity of the ailment as well as the prognosis.Results Among 39 patients with HS, 32 of them showed gastrointestinal dysfunction with an incidence of 82.05%. In gastrointestinal dysfunction group, the gastrointestinal dysfunction score was 2.3±0.8, the duration of gastrointestinal dysfunction was (17.3±15.2) days, the length of ICU stay was (37.8±25.0) days, and the duration of mechanical ventilation was (27.8±14.0) days. APACHEⅡ score in gastrointestinal dysfunction group was significantly higher than that of the non-gastrointestinal dysfunction group (26.30±6.00 vs. 17.40±6.00, t = 3.555,P = 0.001). The 28-day mortality in gastrointestinal dysfunction group was slightly higher than that of the non-gastrointestinal dysfunction group without statistically significant difference [43.75% (14/32) vs. 14.29% (1/7),P = 0.216]. It was shown by Pearson analysis that gastrointestinal dysfunction score was positively correlated with APACHEⅡ score (r = 0.727,P = 0.000), and the duration of gastrointestinal dysfunction was positively correlated with the length of ICU stay (r = 0.797,P = 0.000) and the duration of mechanical ventilation (r = 0.634,P = 0.000). Conclusion The results suggest that gastrointestinal function in patients with HS reflects the severity and prognosis of the ailment.