Objective To investigate the level of leptin in the serum of GDM mothers and their neonates and the variation of the leptin expression in placenta. Methods The concentrations of serum insulin and leptin in 24 GDM and 26 healthy mothers and neonates were examined by radioimmunoassay (RIA).The level of leptin mRNA in 50 placentas was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Results (1) The serum levels of leptin and insulin in GDM group [(18.62?7.86) ?g/L and (13.47?5.11) mIU/L] were significantly higher than those in control group [(14.21?7.59) ?g/L and (8.98?4.23) mIU/L,P 0.05) in both groups. But the leptin level in umbilical blood of the two group was positively related to the insulin level ( r=0.53,P

Objective To investigate the relationship between the leptin level and neonatal weight and the expression of leptin in placenta. Methods The concentrations of leptin in 100 maternal blood and umbilical blood of the term pregnant women were examined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). According to the neonatal weight to divide into the large for gestational age (LGA) group 19 cases, the appropriate for gestational age (AGA) group 65 cases, the small for gestational age (SGA) 16 cases. The level of leptin mRNA in 41 placental tissue was examined by Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR). Results (1) The expression level of leptin mRNA in placenta was 0 97?0 04, which was positively related to the neonatal weight significantly ( r =0 43, P 0 05).(3)The concentration of leptin in umbilical blood was (7 58? 5 15) ?g/L, which was positively related to the neonatal weight ( r =0 57, P

Objective To study the prenatal diagnosis and clinical significance of fetal hyperechogenic kidneys.Methods Thirty one cases with fetal hyperechogenic kidneys were prenatally diagnosed with ultrasound.Autopsy was conducted and histological examination of the kidney was performed when pregnancy was terminated.A close follow-up was given for cases continuing pregnancy.Umbilical cord blood was collected for fetal chromosome analysis after delivery.Results(1)6 fetuses were complicated with other organ abnormalities,3 fetuses had abnormal chromosome,and 2 cases had a family history.(2) 12 cases chose to terminate pregnancy,10 of whom were oligohydromnios.Causes for fetal hyperechogenic kidneys were infantile polycystic kidney disease(IPKD,10 cases),adult polycystic kidney disease (APKD,1 case),polycystic kidney dysplasia(PKD,1 case)after postmortem histological examination. (3)Nineteen cases continued pregnancy,2 neonates with oligohydramnios died during neonatal period,both of them were IPKD;3 cases that were IPKD,IPKD and KPD respectively died 3 months,8 months and 1 year after birth,respectively;one case presented with hypertension symptom 26 months after birth,which was diagnosed as IPKD.The other 13 cases had no clinical manifestation and a close following-up is being undertaken for them at present.Conclusions(1)Fetal hyperechogenic kidneys could be caused by IPKD, APKD,or PKD,and are sometimes a normal variant.(2)Aminotic fluid volume is a key factor for prognosis;a suggestion for termination would be given to cases with fetal hyperechogenic kidneys and oligohydromnios.(3)For cases with fetal hyperechogenic kidneys,a complete and careful ultrasonography should be given to both parents and fetus,and fetal chromosomal analysis is suggested prenatally.

To investigate the security of semen biologically, 15 bull semen samples were collected (of which 5 exhibited clinical signs of Foot-and-mouth disease) and identified by RT-PCR and virus isolation. The results indicated that the semen of the infected bulls were contaminated by Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), but FMDV was not detected in semen samples from those bulls not showing clinical signs of Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). This is the first report of the presence of FMDV in bull semen due to natural infection in China. The analysis of the partial sequence of the VP1 gene showed that the virus strain isolated from semen has 97.9% identity with the virus isolated from vesicular liquid of infected bulls showing typical signs of FMD and belonged to the same gene sub-group.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of chronic lead contaminant on protein expression of protein kinase (PKC) and calmodulin (CaM) in hippocampus of baby-rats.

METHODSThe Wistar pregnant rats were randomly divided into 3 groups fed with distilled water and lead-contained water (0.2% and 1.0% lead acetate) respectively. The lead exposure period ranged from the 0 day of pregnancy to the offspring weaned. Then the baby-rats were fed with lead water the same as their mothers. Pups were killed at postnatal day 8 and 50 respectively. Atomic absorption spectrometry was used to determine lead content of rats' brain. Western-blotting was used to observe protein expression of PKC and CaM in hippocampus of baby-rats.

RESULTSThe brain lead content of test groups was much higher than that of the control group in the same growth period (P < 0.01). The content of brain lead in rats of postnatal day 50 was significantly higher than that of rats of postnatal day 8 (P < 0.01). Compared with control group, PKC and CaM protein expressions of chronic lead exposure baby-rats in the hippocampus were down trend (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe decrease of PKC and CaM protein expression level in hippocampus might be one of the molecular mechanisms of lead induced impairment of learning and memory.

Animals ; Calmodulin ; metabolism ; Female ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Lead ; toxicity ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects ; Protein Kinase C ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective:To summarize the clinical data and experience of pure single-port lumpectomy non-lipolysis breast-conserving surgery (PSLN-BCS) in patients with early-stage breast cancer.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 400 patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery for early-stage breast cancer in the Second Department of Breast Surgery at Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital from Jan. 2022 to Jan. 2023. Patients were divided into two groups: PSLN-BCS group ( n=200) and conventional breast-conserving surgery (C-BCS) group ( n=200). The surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage within three days, and short-term (3 months to 6 months after surgery) complications, including the incidence of residual fluid after drain removal and incision infection were observed. Long-term (6 months after surgery) complications, including the incidence of skin and pectoralis major muscle adhesions in the surgical area and cosmetic results after breast-conserving surgery, were also evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using R language, and quantitative data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation ( ± s) and analyzed using t-test, while count data were analyzed using χ2 test. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:PSLN-BCS had a longer average surgical time than C-BCS (198.341min vs 62.961min, P<0.001, 95% CI:132.028 vs 138.732). PSLN-BCS had less intraoperative bleeding (18.824 ml vs 22.627 ml, P=0.003, 95% CI: -6.294 vs -1.311) and lower postoperative drainage volume (346.157 ml vs 406.191 ml, P<0.001, 95% CI: -70.571-a-49.496). There were no significant differences in short-term postoperative complications such as subcutaneous fluid accumulation ( χ2=2.33, P=0.127) or incisional infection ( χ2=0.14, P=0.708) between the two groups. The incidence of skin and muscle adhesions in the surgical area was lower in patients who underwent PSLN-BCS at 6 months postoperatively ( χ2=11.58, P<0.001). Patients who received PSLN-BCS achieved better cosmetic outcomes, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=273.00, P<0.001) compared to those who received C-BCS. Conclusion:Pure single-port lumpectomy non-lipolysis breast-conserving surgery is a safe and effective treatment option for early-stage breast cancer and can be considered as a surgical option for patients with cosmetic requirements.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of L-arginine (L-Arg) on intestinal mucosal cell apoptosis in rats with severe abdominal infection.

METHODSEighteen Wistar rats were randomized into 3 groups, namely the CLP group (n=6) in which the rats were subjected to cecal ligation plus puncture (CLP) to induce severe abdominal infection, L-Arg group (n=6) where the rats received 300 mg/kg peritoneal L-Arg injection following CLP establishment, and the control group (n=6) where the rats underwent ventrotomy only. Intestinal epithelial apoptotic cells were quantified in each group using TUNEL assay 24 h after the operation.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the rats in CLP and L-Arg groups showed significantly increased number of apoptotic cells in the intestinal epithelium 24 h after the operation (P<0.001). The apoptotic index (AI) in the L-Arg group (18.1-/+2.2) was significantly lower than that in CLP group (20.8-/+2.3, P=0.038).

CONCLUSIONSevere abdominal infection results in increased apoptosis of the intestinal epithelial cells in rats, and L-Arg treatment may reduce the cell apoptosis.

Abdominal Cavity ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arginine ; pharmacology ; Cecum ; injuries ; Disease Models, Animal ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; Infection ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Intestinal Mucosa ; cytology ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of atorvastatin on expressions of scavenger receptor A and secretion of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in foam cells.

METHODSTHP-1 cells were induced to differentiate into macrophages by PMA and treated with 0.1% BSA (control), ox-LDL (100 mg/L) or ox-LDL plus atorvastatin (5, 10, 20 micromol/L) for 24 hours. MCP-1 concentration in cell substratum was measured by ELISA. Scavenger receptor A expression was observed under fluorescent microscope after incubated with DiI-Ac-LDL. The relationship between concentration of MCP-1 and the activity of scavenger receptor A was also analyzed.

RESULTSCompared to the control cells, MCP-1 concentration in ox-LDL treated cells was significantly increased after 6 hours, peaked at 12 hours and was still significantly increased after 24 hours (all P < 0.05 vs. baseline). The activity of scavenger receptor A was also significantly increased in ox-LDL treated cells (P < 0.01 vs. control). The activity of scavenger receptor A proteins correlated positively to the concentration of MCP-1 in ox-LDL treated cells (r = 0.683, P < 0.01). Atorvastatin significantly attenuated these changes in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONSScavenger receptor A and MCP-1 expressions were significantly increased in the course of monocyte lines THP-1 differentiating into macrophages and foam cells. The anti-atherosclerosis effect of atorvastatin might be partly achieved by inhibiting the secretion of MCP-1 and expression of scavenger receptor A in foam cells.

Atorvastatin Calcium ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Foam Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Heptanoic Acids ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Monocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Pyrroles ; pharmacology ; Scavenger Receptors, Class A ; metabolism

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Dengue ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Travel

OBJECTIVETo identify the genetic variants of angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene in a Chinese population and to determine whether the ACE2 gene polymorphisms are associated with essential hypertension (EH).

METHODSSeven hundred and forty-five patients with EH and 362 normal blood pressure controls were included in the study to assess the contribution of polymorphism of ACE2 gene. Direct DNA sequencing was performed to detect the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 20 subjects who were randomly selected from the EH patients.

RESULTSOne SNP named G8790A located in the 4th base of the third intron was found in the 20 patients. The genotyping data indicate that the A allele frequency in male EH patients complicated with cardiac incompetence(55%) is significantly different from that in the control group(43.3%)(P<0.01). The A allele frequency in female patients with cardiac incompetence (56.1%) is higher than that in the controls (50.5%), but the difference does not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONThe G8790A polymorphism may be related to the essential hypertension with cardiac incompetence in Chinese population. Additional investigation will be need to confirm the association.

Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; China ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; ethnology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Sequence Analysis, DNA