The levels of triglyceride(TG)and free fatty acid(FFA)in serum,liver,skeletal muscle,and pancreas of lipoprotein lipase gene knockout heterozygous(LPL+/-)mice and C57 mice were determined.Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test(IPGTT)was performed to evaluate insulin sensitivity and β-cell function.The results showed that the Iipid content in 16 weeks LPL+/- group did not increase significantly.The TG and FFA contents in 28 weeks LPL+/- group were significantly higher than those in control and 16 weeks LPL+/-group(all P<0.05).In 50 weeks LPL+/- group,FFA levels in serum and pancreas,and TG content in pancreas increased significantly compared with other three groups(all P<0.05).The IPGTT result showed that the blood glucose levels increased from 15 to 120 min,not at 0 and 5 min.The blood glucose levels during 30-120 min increased significantly in 50 weeks LPL+/- group compared with other three groups(P<0.05).Fasting insulin(FINS),homoestasis assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)and pancreatic β cell function also increased gradually with age.FINS and HOMA-IR in 28 weeks LPL+/- group were higher than those in control and 16 weeks LPL+/- group.These results suggest that LPL is a key enzyme in lipid metabolism and plays a crucial role in the development of insulin resistance and diabetes.

Objective The epidemiology of Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from bloodstream infections,their antibiotic resistance profiles and virulence-associated factors were studied.Methods A total of 90 isolates from 17 hospitals were collected from the patients with bloodstream infections during July 2013 and July 2014.Vitek-2 Compact system was used for identification of the strains and antibiotic susceptibility testing.The epidemiology was studied by pulsed-field gelectrophoresis(PFGE).Drug-resistant genes and associated virulence genes were amplified by PCR.Results According to antimicrobial susceptibility testing,75 isolates are multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.PFGE results showed that 75 multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates belonged to eight clone types(A to H),with the A (n=51)and B (n=14)clone being the dominant PFGE clone types.Different clone isolates spread in different hospitals.Most of the hospitals were given priority to with clone A.Clone A only maintaining high sensitive rate to cefoperazone/sulbactam、amikacin and tigecycline.Virulence gene abaI,cusE,ompA,bap,bfms detection rates are 93.3% (84/90),92.2% (83/90),100.0% (90/90),84.4% (76/90),92.2% (83/90),respectively.There were 7 mucoid isolates,which are all multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii,all belong to clone B and all associated virulence genes can be detected.Conclusions The dominant clone type of multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii from bloodstream infections is clone A.The abaI-,bap-and bfms-positive strains are associated with a higher incidence of antibiotic resistance in most types of antimicrobials.The acquisition of mucous type may indicate the emergence of virulent strains,which should be paid attention to during clinical treatment.

Objective To observe the in vitro damage to hairs by Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy ( SEM ), and to compare the differences in the duration needed for the two fungi to damage hairs in different age groups. Methods We collected healthy hairs from different age groups, and performed hair perforation test in vitro. The damage to the hairs was observed by SEM and light microscopy. Results Both T. mentagrophytes and M. canis could damage the hairs. The duration needed for T. mentagrophytes to damage the hairs was significantly shorter than that for M. canis in all age groups ( P

The changes of kernel nutritive components and seed vigor in F1 seeds of sh2 sweet corn during seed development stage were investigated and the relationships between them were analyzed by time series regression (TSR) analysis. The results show that total soluble sugar and reducing sugar contents gradually declined, while starch and soluble protein contents increased throughout the seed development stages. Germination percentage, energy of germination, germination index and vigor index gradually increased along with seed development and reached the highest levels at 38 d after pollination (DAP). The TSR showed that, during 14 to 42 DAP, total soluble sugar content was independent of the vigor parameters determined in present experiment, while the reducing sugar content had a significant effect on seed vigor. TSR equations between seed reducing sugar and seed vigor were also developed. There were negative correlations between the seed reducing sugar content and the germination percentage, energy of germination, germination index and vigor index, respectively. It is suggested that the seed germination, energy of germination, germination index and vigor index could be predicted by the content of reducing sugar in sweet corn seeds during seed development stages.
Carbohydrates ; analysis ; Germination ; Seeds ; growth & development ; Zea mays ; chemistry ; growth & development

AIM AND METHODSThe effect of intrahippocampal microinjection of noradrenaline (NA) and its receptors antagonists and agonists on cellular immune functions were investigated in normal and adrenalectomy rat by determine the proliferative activity of Con A-stimulated splenic lymphocytes in MTT method and natural killer (NK) cell activity.

RESULTS(1) In normal group, the proliferative activity of Con A-Stimulated splenic lymphocytes were inhibited and the activity of NK cell were reduced with microinjection NA and beta1-, beta2-adrenergic receptor agonists Dobutamine (Dob, 4 microl, 6.0 x 10(-3) moL/L), Metaproterenol (Met, 4 microl, 8.0 x 10(-3) mol/L), compared with their intensity of effect, NA > Met > Dob; the immunosuppression effect induced by NA was partly hindered by alpha- and beta-receptor antagonists, phentolamine (Phen, 2 microl, 1.6 x 10(-2) mol/L) and propranolol (Prop, 2 microl, 1.6 x 10(-3) mol/L), and the action of Prop was more evident. (2) In adrenalectomy group, immunosuppression effect induced by NA was unconspicuous.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggested that NA in hippocampus could inhibit distinctly cellular immune functions, which was predominantly mediated by beta2- adrenergic receptor with a minor contribution of beta1- and alpha- adrenergic receptors. Moreover, keeping intact construction and function of adrenal gland have an important role in the effect of NA on cellular immune function.

Adrenergic Agonists ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; Immunity, Cellular ; drug effects ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Microinjections ; Norepinephrine ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spleen ; cytology ; immunology

Objective To study the mechanism of marcosomia by investigating insulin-like growth factor 2(IGF_2)imprinting status,expression level and the promoter usage in the placenta of macrosomia. Methods We selected heterozygous cases for Apa Ⅰ polymorphism in exon 9 of IGF_2 gene and then analyzed its imprinting status in 168 placentas of macrosomia and normal pregnancies.IGF_2 transcription levels and promoter usages in macrosomic and normal placenta were evaluated by using semi-quantitative RT- PCR assay.Results Thirty specimens of macrosomic placenta and 30 of normal placenta were identified as heterozygous for IGF_2.All of the heterozygous specimens showed maintenance of imprinting.The expression of placental IGF_2 mRNA(2.2?1.2)was significantly higher in macrosomia than that of normal weight group (1.6?0.6,P 0.05).Conclusion It is possible that over expression of IGF_2 in placenta contributes to macrosomia while the promoter usage and imprinting status are not associated with macrosomia.

Objective To analyze the diseases responsible for ophthalmoplegia and determine the optimal technique identifying the lesions. Methods CT and MR imaging findings of 1376 patients with ophthalmoplegia were analyzed. The total positive rate and ratio of the diseases causing ophthalmoplegia were calculated. The efficiency of various methods and sequences was compared in the evaluation of cavernous sinus inflammation and other lesions. Multi-paired samples Friedman test was used to compare five kinds of images from different methods and sequences, and Wilcoxon test was used to compare between every two kinds of images. Results The total positive rate was 91.9% (1264/1376). In 50 patients who underwent both CT and MRI, the positive rate of MRI (92. 0% ,46/50) was higher than that of CT (48.0% ,24/50)(Z = -4. 8, P ＜ 0. 01). There were 552 cases (43.7%) of cavernous sinus lesions, 518 cases (41.0%)of extraocular muscle diseases, 108 cases (8. 5%) of cranio-orbital communicating lesions and 86 patients (6. 8%) of other lesions. The five kinds of images from various methods and sequences had significant difference in the detection of 283 cavernous sinus inflammation (χ2 = 1047. 1, P ＜ 0. 01) cases. Transverse T1WI with thin slice thickness[(2. 71 ± 0. 69)scores]was better than that with thick slice thickness [(1.67 ± 0. 64) scores], contrast transverse T1 WI with thin slice thickness[(3.92 ± 0. 27) scores]was better than transverse T2WI with thick slice thickness, transverse T1WI and coronal T1 WI with thin slice thickness[(3. 10 ± 0. 39) scores]. Coronal T1 WI with thin slice thickness was better than transverse T1 WI with thin slice thickness and transverse T2WI, and the contrast coronal T1WI with thin slice thickness [(3.95 ± 0. 22) scores]was better than transverse T, WI with thin slice thickness, transverse T2 WI and coronal T1WI (P ＜0. 01 separately). The positive rate of enhanced MRI (100% ,39/39) was higher than that of nonenhanced MRI (82. 1% ,32/39) (Z = - 2. 1, P ＜ 0. 05). Conclusion CT and MRI can show the lesions responsible for ophthalmoplegia. MRI is the best examination method in displaying these lesions.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the difference of serum high molecular weight alkaline phosphatase (HMAP) levels between biliary atresia (BA) and neonatal hepatitis (NH), and to develop a new differential method and early diagnostic indicators for cholestatic jaundice in neonates.

METHODSTotally 31 patients with cholestatic jaundice seen between Aug. 2000 and Feb. 2002, including 15 cases with BA, 16 cases with NH, 30 healthy infants and 30 infants with non-cholestatic jaundice were enrolled in this study. Serum samples were obtained from each subject by using venipuncture. The samples were stored at -80 degrees C and analyzed within 6 months. A murine hybridoma producing monoclonal antibody to human high molecular weight alkaline phosphatase (MoAb HMAP-1) was prepared by using partially purified HMAP from human serum as the immunogen. The antibody did not cross-react with other alkaline phosphatase (ALP) isozymes. A monoclonal antibody immunocatalytic assay for HMAP in serum was developed by using MoAb HMAP-1 bound to nitrocellulose membrane discs. The serum total ALP (TALP) and gamma-GT were determined in the meantime, the hepatobiliary ultrasonography and scintigraphy were performed too. The data were analyzed with t test, chi-square test and percentage. Comparisons were made between BA and NH with their sensitivity and specificity in different methods.

RESULTSSerum HMAP was detected in 14 of 15 patients of BA, in 2 of 16 NH patients, while in none of the healthy control group. The positive ratios of serum HMAP in BA and NH were 93.3% and 12.5%, respectively (P < 0.005). The sensitivity and specificity of serum HMAP in BA and NH were 93.3% and 87.5%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of TALP, gamma-GT and hepatobiliary scintigraphy were 80.0%, 73.3%, 86.7% and 62.5%, 68.8%, 62.5%, respectively, which were clearly lower than those of serum HMAP.

CONCLUSIONSThe determination of serum HMAP was more sensitive and specific than the other methods tested. Therefore the method can be used as a useful indicator for cholestatic jaundice in neonates, although it needs further study.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; methods ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Jaundice, Obstructive ; diagnosis ; Male ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase ; blood

Differentiation, the stepwise specialization of cells, and transdifferentiation, the apparent switching of one cell type into another, capture much of the stem cell spotlight. But dedifferentiation, the developmental reversal of a cell before it reinvents itself, is an important process too. In multicellular organisms, cellular dedifferentiation is the major process underlying totipotency, regeneration and formation of new stem cell lineages. In humans, dedifferentiation is often associated with carcinogenesis. The study of cellular dedifferentiation in animals, particularly early events related to cell fate-switch and determination, is limited by the lack of a suitable, convenient experimental system. The classic example of dedifferentiation is limb and tail regeneration in urodele amphibians, such as salamanders. Recently, several investigators have shown that certain mammalian cell types can be induced to dedifferentiate to progenitor cells when stimulated with the appropriate signals or materials. These discoveries open the possibility that researchers might enhance the endogenous regenerative capacity of mammals by inducing cellular dedifferentiation in vivo.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; physiology ; Humans ; Regeneration ; Salamandridae ; physiology ; Serum ; physiology ; Thrombin ; pharmacology

The epieardial adipose tissue in 210 subjects with or without metabolic syndrome (MS) was measured by echocardiography.The thickness of epicardial adipose tissue in male with MS group was significantly greater than that in men without MS [(9.10?3.59) mm vs (6.82?3.00) mm,P