OBJECTIVETo measure the male anterior hairline (AH) and provide data for hair transplantation.

METHODS205 males were randomly involved and divided into different age groups, as the young group( age 18-29), the middle-aged group (age 30-49) and the old group (age 50+). Their AH shape and height were measured. The data was then analyzed.

RESULTSAccording to the morphological classification of AH, the linear type was most common in the young and middle-aged groups (48.40% and 37.33%), the anterior protrusion type was most common in the old group (34.80%). The mean height of AH was 6.42 cm (5.00-8.50 cm)for the median line, and there was no statistical difference between groups (P > 0.05); the mean ratio of median line AH height to facial length was 0.30 (0.22-0.37), there were significant differences between the old group against the young, or the middle-aged group (P < 0.05), and no difference between the young group and the middle-aged group (P > 0.05); the mean height of AH was 5.83 cm (3.5-8.0 cm) for the paramedian line, and there was no statistical difference between groups (P > 0.05); the mean height of AH was 8.34 cm (5.5-10.5 cm) for the lateral line, there were significant differences between the young group against the middle-aged, or the old group (P < 0.05), and no difference between the middle-aged group and the old group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe shape and height of AH were age-associated. The linear type is most common in the young and middle-aged groups, the anterior protrusion type is most common in the old group. The change first occurs on the lateral lines since the age of 30, and the central portion is involved since the age of 50. The older the age gets, the higher the hairline is.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aging ; Face ; anatomy & histology ; Forehead ; anatomy & histology ; Hair ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To study interleukin-1 receptor(IL-1R) and connexin(Cx36) gene expression following Mg 2+-free-induced seizures in cultured developing neuron. Methods Rat embryo cortical neurons cultured for 6 and 17 days were exposed to Mg 2+-free media to induce seizure. At different time after Mg 2+-free treatment, real-time RT-PCR was used to detect IL-1R and Cx36 mRNA expression. Results 1. IL-1R mRNA expression transiently decreased after Mg 2+-free treatment in neurons cultured for 6 and 17 days in vitro. Then the levels of IL-1R mRNA expression recovered in neurons cultured for 6 days, but IL-1R mRNA expression were increased in neurons cultured for 17 days compared with control group and the peak was at 24 hours. 2. In neurons cultured for 6 days in vitro, Cx36 mRNA expression increased after Mg 2+-free treatment compared with control group, the peak was at 24 hours. But in neurons cultured for 17 days in vitro, Cx36 mRNA expression decreased at 6 hours after Mg 2+-free treatment compared with control group, the peak was at 24 hours. Conclusions IL-1R mRNA and Cx36 mRNA expression following Mg 2+-free-induced seizures are different between the neurons cultured for 6 and 17 days in vitro. This is possibly related to the different neuron injury between 6 and 17 days in vitro following seizures.

Abstract: Objective To analyze the effect of nutrition package on the nutritional status and prevalence of children in rural areas of Hainan Province, and provide scientific basis and suggestions for further improving the nutritional and health status of children in this region. Methods　Four cities and counties were randomly selected as the intervention group, and four cities and counties matched with the intervention group in terms of population, economy, social culture, maternal and child health work foundation of township health centers, physical nutrition and health status were selected as the control group.With the combination of monitoring and prospective cohort study, infants in the intervention group and the control group were studied from June 1, 2020, and they were intervened for 12 months with supplementary food nutrition package. Before and after intervention, the nutrition and health status of infants aged 6-24 months in the intervention group and the control group were investigated to evaluate the nutritional and health effects of supplementary food nutrition package for infants aged 6-24 months in rural Hainan Province. Results　A total of 999 infants were investigated, including 427 in the intervention group and 572 in the control group. After 12 months of nutritional intervention, there was no significant difference in weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ) and height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) and weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) between the intervention group and the control group (P>0.05). The rate of emaciation of the intervention group was 1.64%, which was significantly lower than 3.67% of the control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the rate of growth retardation (2.81% and 3.32%, respectively) and underweight (0.47% and 1.92%, respectively) between the intervention group and the control group (P>0.05). The rate of respiratory infection and diarrhea in the intervention group were 9.13% and 1.17%, which were significantly lower than corresponding 23.25% and 3.15% in the control group (P<0.05). The hemoglobin of the intervention group and the control group were 117.24 g/L and 114.51 g/L respectively, and the rates of anemia were 11.11% and 22.84% respectively, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions　The intervention of nutrition package in rural areas of Hainan Province has achieved the expected results, and supplementary food nutrition package has reduced the incidence of malnutrition and respiratory infection and diarrhea in recent two weeks in infants and anemia to a certain extent. We should attach great importance to the supplementary nutrition package for right-age children and promote the growth and health of children in rural areas through supplementary nutrition package, and continuously improve the nutrition and health level of children in Hainan Province.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic etiology for a child with ocular dysplasia. METHODS: Clinical examination was carried out. Medical history of the child was collected. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples. Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) was used to detect potential genomic copy number variations. RESULTS: Ultrasonography revealed cataracts in both eyes of the child. MRI showed increased extracranial space, supratentorial ventricular dilatation, reduced white matter volume, increased T2WI signal and a large occipital cisterna. CMA showed that the patient carried a 249 kb microdeletion at Xq25q26.1 region, namely [hg19]arrXq25q26.1 (128 652 372 - 128 901 629)×0. CONCLUSION The child was diagnosed with Lowe syndrome, for which the 249 kb microdeletion at Xq25q26.1 is probably accountable.
Child ; Chromosome Aberrations ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Humans ; Microarray Analysis ; Oculocerebrorenal Syndrome

Objective To investigate the intervention effect of CD147 on learning and memory ability in rat model of Alzheimer's disease. Methods A total of 60 healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group and CD147 group, 20 rats in each group. All of the rats were anesthetized with intraperitoneal injection of 10％chloral hydrate (0.3 g/kg). The rats in the model group and the CD147 group were injected with Aβ1-40 (10μg) in the bilateral hippocampal CA1 regions, while the rats in the sham operation group were injected with the same amount of saline at the same sites. After 48 h, the rats in CD147 group were injected with CD147 cDNA in the bilateral ventricles, while the rats in model group and sham operation group were injected the same amount of saline at the same sites. Morris water maze test was used to detect the ability of learning and memory of rats. The expressions ofβamyloid protein (Aβ) andγ-secretase were detected by Western blot assay. Results The escape latency was significantly longer in model group than that of sham operation group, while which was significantly lower in CD147 group than that of model group (P<0.05). The number of times across the platform and the time of staying on platform were significantly lower in model group than those of sham operation group, while which was significantly higher in the CD147 group than that of model group (P<0.05). The expressions of Aβandγ-secretase were increased significantly in model group compared to those of sham operation group, while which were significantly decreased in CD147 group compared with those of model group (P<0.05). Conclusion Exogenous CD147 can significantly improve the learning and memory ability of AD rats, and its specific mechanism may be related to regulating the activity ofγ-secretase and down regulating the expression of Aβ.

OBJECTIVETo identify the parental origin of methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene mutations in Chinese patients with Rett syndrome.

METHODSSingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in intron 3 of the MECP2 gene were analyzed by PCR and sequencing in 115 patients with Rett syndrome. Then sequencing of the SNP region was performed for the fathers of the patients who had at least one SNP, to determine which allele was from the father. Then allele-specific PCR was performed and the products were sequenced to see whether the allele from father or mother harbored the mutation.

RESULTSSeventy-six of the 115 patients had at least one SNP. Three hot SNPs were found in these patients. They were: IVS3+22C >G, IVS3+266C >T and IVS3+683C>T. Among the 76 cases, 73 had a paternal origin of MECP2 mutations, and the other 3 had a maternal origin. There were multiple types of MECP2 mutation of the paternal origin, including 4 frame shift, 2 deletion and 67 point (56C >T, 6C >G, 2A >G, 2G >T and 1A >T) mutations. The mutation types of the 3 patients with maternal origin included 2 frame shift and 1 point (C >T) mutation.

CONCLUSIONIn Chinese RTT patients, the MECP2 mutations are mostly of paternal origin.

Base Sequence ; Child, Preschool ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Fathers ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 ; genetics ; Mothers ; Mutation ; genetics ; Parents ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Rett Syndrome ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo understand the characteristics of embB gene mutation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isolates from tuberculosis patients in Chongqing, and the value of embB306 as a molecular marker used to diagnose ethambutol (EMB)-resistant MTB strains.

METHODSDirect sequencing was used to analyze the polymorphism of embB mutation in 51 EMB-resistant MTB strains and 50 EMB-sensitive MTB strains. And diagnostic testing was used to evaluate the value of embB306 as a molecular marker of EMB -resistant MTB strains as compared with the traditional sensitivity test.

RESULTSAll 34 of 51 EMB-resistant strains (66.7%) and 3 of 51 EMB-sensitive strains (6%) had had embB306 mutation. The embB306 mutation rate in EMB-resistant strains coming from previously treated case was 87.5%, showing significantly higher than that from new cases (48.1%, P < 0.01); embB306 mutation rate was increased with the number of the resistant drugs; embB306 mutation serving as a marker to diagnose EMB-resistant MTB strains comparing with the traditional sensitivity test, had the rate of sensitivity = 66.7%, specificity = 94.0%, accuracy = 80.2% and Youden index = 60.7%.

CONCLUSIONembB306 mutation should be the main mechanism of MTB resistance to EMB in Chongqing, showing an association with the history of the treated and numbers of the resistant drugs. embB306 mutation should be a good marker to diagnose EMB-resistant MTB strains.

China ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Genes, Bacterial ; Humans ; Mutation ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Pentosyltransferases ; genetics ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the level of mRNA expression of complement C3 and C4 in rat nasal mucosa and to reveal the relationship with the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis (AR) .

METHODSTwenty healthy SD rats were randomly divided into AR group and control group, 10 rats for each group. Ten rats was sensitized and intranasally challenged by ovalbumin and Al (OH)3 (as supplement) as allergic rhinitis models, and the control group was treated by saline. RT-PCR was performed to investigate the level of mRNA expression of complement C3 and C4 in nasal mucosa of both groups.

RESULTSC3 and C4 mRNA were detected in both groups. The relative intensity of gene expression was measured. The relative intensity of C3 mRNA expression was 6183+/-1376 in AR group, 4444+/-989 in control group, C4 mRNA was 4398 +/-948 in AR group, and 2771+/-407 in control group. Expression of C3 and C4 in AR group was higher than that of the controls ( P < 0. 05) .

CONCLUSIONThe high level of C3 and C4 mRNA expression in nasal mucosa of rats with allergic rhinitis suggests that C3 and C4 are involved in the immunopathology of allergic rhinitis. The result implies that complement system involved in the rat's allergic rhinitis is possibly activated through the classical pathway.

Animals ; Complement C3 ; metabolism ; Complement C4 ; metabolism ; Female ; Male ; Nasal Mucosa ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate over-expression of wild-type alpha-synuclein inducing the aberrant aggregation of alpha-synuclein in HEK293 cell in vitro.

METHODSThe cDNA encoding the human alpha-synuclein without the stop code was cloned into PGEM T-easy vector. Using enzyme map and DNA sequencing analyzed and determined the recombinant plasmid, and then sub-clone the alpha-synuclein cDNA fragment into pEGFP-N1 vector. The recombinant plasmids alpha-synuclein-pEGFP were transfected into HEK293 cells by lipofectamin 2000. The aberrant aggregation of alpha-synuclein was measured by EGFP fluorescence, anti-alpha-synuclein immunocytochemistry. The inclusions in the cultured cells were identified with HE staining.

RESULTSThe restriction enzyme map suggested that eukaryotic expression vector for human wild-type alpha-synuclein gene was constructed successfully. By EGFP fluorescence, anti-alpha-synuclein immunocytochemistry, it could be observed that the alpha-synuclein protein could aggregate in cytoplasm and the Lewy body-like inclusions found in cytoplasm of cultured cells.

CONCLUSIONThe over-expression of wild-type alpha-synuclein can induce protein aberrant aggregation and Lewy body-like inclusions formation in cytoplasm of HEK293 cell in vitro.

Cells, Cultured ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Inclusion Bodies ; metabolism ; Lewy Bodies ; metabolism ; Parkinson Disease ; genetics ; metabolism ; alpha-Synuclein ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEA new respiratory virus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV) was recently identified by scientists in the Netherlands first and then in a few other countries. To investigate if this newly discovered virus is associated with the acute respiratory infections in pediatric patients in Beijing, tests were developed to detect HPMV gene fragments from nasopharyngeal aspirates collected from infants and young children hospitalized for acute respiratory infections from November 2002 to March 2003.

METHODSThe HMPV was screened by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RNAs were extracted by Trizol from 247 specimens which had been determined as negative for conventional respiratory viruses including RSV, influenza A and B, parainfluenza I, II, III and adenovirus by indirect immunofluorescence test as well as virus isolation. The HMPV RNAs were detected by reverse transcription tests using random primer and M-MLV reverse transcriptase followed by PCR using the primers designed from the published sequence of the N protein-encoding gene from the first HMPV identified in the Netherlands. PCR products were visualized by 1.2% agarose gel electrophoresis. Selected positive PCR products were sequenced and the sequences of the nucleotides and deduced amino acids were compared with those in the GenBank.

RESULTSAmong those 247 specimens negative for common respiratory viruses, 74 (30.0%) showed the predicted 213 bp PCR products in agarose gel. Most of clinical diagnoses for these 58 patients were pneumonia (36, 48.6%), bronchiolitis (21, 28.4%), and bronchitis and asthma in some patients. Nearly 90 percent of positive specimens were from patients under 2 years of age. Ten out of 74 amplicons were randomly selected for sequence analysis. When compared with the sequences in the GenBank, the nucleotide sequences of these 10 amplicons shared high homology only with those of HMPVs. The nucleotide sequence identities of these 10 samples with those from the Netherlands and Canada were 87% - 99%. When compared with the nucleotide sequence from the first reported strain by Van den Hoogen (strain HMPV 00-1), the sequence identities of these 10 fragments ranged from 88.7% to 99.1%. Among the 10 amplicons from the specimens, the nucleotide identities were 87.3% - 100%. One of the 10 amplicons (No. 1816) shared lower identity with others (87.3% - 89.7%), whereas the other 9 shared higher identities (95.8% - 100%) with each other. The comparison of amino acids showed that these 10 amplicons showed high homology (95.8% - 100%). Again, amplicon No.1816 shared lower homology (95.8% - 97.2%) with others, whereas the other 9 shared higher homology (98.6% - 100%). The amino acid homology between No.1816 and HMPV 00-1 was 95.8%, whereas that of the other 9 with HMPV 00-1 was 98.6% - 100%.

CONCLUSIONThese data suggested that some of acute respiratory infections in pediatric patients in Beijing area are related to the newly identified human metapneumovirus. The HMPV circulating in Beijing may have different genotypes.

Acute Disease ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Metapneumovirus ; genetics ; Nucleocapsid Proteins ; genetics ; Paramyxoviridae Infections ; pathology ; virology ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; pathology ; virology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA