Objective To explore the fragmentation regularity and identify the polyphenol components in Galla Quercina. Methods Waters Xevo TQD liquid chromatography/mass spectrometer ESI negative mode was used to analysis, mobile phase was 0.02% formic acid-water and acetonitrile for gradient eluent. Data were analyzed by Mass Lynx software. Results Three categories and 15 compounds in Galla Quercina were identified and divided into gallotannins, ellagitannins, and phenolic acids. Gallotannins was cleaved by loss of gallic acyl, C2H2O, CH2O, CO2, and OH, and the gallotannins had the regular loss of gallic acid units (152). Conclusion The results of fragmentation mechanism can be used to detect polyphenol compounds in Galla Quercina and provide a useful reference for the study on the chemical constituents of medicinal plants rich in polyphenols.

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of transcription regulation of the liver-selective genes responsible for cell communication.

METHODSTissue-selective Affymetrix probe sets (3919 probes in total) were clustered by functional categories. Liver-selective cell communication (LSCC) genes were selected for further analysis. The 500-bp upstream sequences of all the LSCC genes were extracted for predicting the transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) of known transcription factors (TFs) using 3 programs; literature mining was then performed for these LSCC genes and TFs, and the transcription regulatory network were constructed.

RESULTSThe binding sites of 50 and 72 transcription factors were predicted from the upstream sequences of 23 LSCC genes by two programs respectively. Among them, 18 transcription factors were found in common. The top 10 TFBS sequences were basically consistent to the predicted TFs. Literature mining indicated that LSCC genes and TFs were closely related to such terms as albumin, diabetes, glucose, lipid, metabolism, and JNK, in addition to those associated with hepatic tissue and TFs. These observations suggested that LSCC genes and TFs were involved in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, binding and transport, coagulation signal cascades, inflammatory response, etc. PPP2R1B, which was out of the network, showed a partial functional similarity to DUSP10 in the network.

CONCLUSIONSLSCC genes and the predicted TFs may be involved in the regulation of many important functions of the liver, which are integrated into a sophisticated transcription regulatory network. JUN may be the key target for regulation, and PPP2R1B is presumed to participate in the regulation of JUN.

Binding Sites ; genetics ; Cell Communication ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; genetics ; Humans ; Liver ; cytology ; metabolism ; Models, Biological ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Transcription, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo learn the normal values of exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) in children.

METHODSchool children in Beijing from 11 to 18 years of age were included in the study. All the students were assigned into two groups: normal group and abnormal group (with allergic disease) according to the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood questionnaires. eNO, peak expiratory flow rate and sensitization were measured.

RESULTTotally 395 students were screened out as normal subject (male: 177, female: 218). The eNO level was not significantly different between genders (P > 0.05), but was associated positively with age in both male and female group (P = 0.008 and P = 0.05 respectively) and associated with height in male students (P = 0.02). The geometric mean value of eNO was 11.22 ppb (parts per billion, ppb = 10(9)) in children aged from 11 to 14 years and 14.13 ppb in children aged from 14 to 18 years, with 95% confidence interval 4.17 - 30.20, 5.50 - 36.31 ppb. The eNO level was significantly increased in children who "ever had asthma or wheezing" (n = 68), and children who "ever had rhinitis" (n = 96) compared with normal subjects (P = 0.001 and P = 0.008). The geometric mean value of eNO was 16.98 ppb in children with positive skin prick test and was significantly increased as compared with children with negative skin prick test with eNO level at 11.75 ppb (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONeNO level varied between 10.72 ppb and 13.80 ppb in normal children 11 - 18 years of age, and was positively associated with age and height, but not with gender. eNO level increased significantly in children with wheezing and atopy.

Adolescent ; Asthma ; physiopathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; China ; Exhalation ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; analysis ; physiology

AIMTo report the clinical experience during collecting sperm samples in the Fragile X syndrome (FXS) male patients.

METHODSTwo different polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based methods were used for the molecular diagnosis of FXS. Sperm collection was done mostly according to the laboratory manual of the World Health Organization.

RESULTSWe failed to collect sperm samples from five Fragile X subjects aged 18-60 years as a result of an unexpected erectile dysfunction (ED). Multiple examinations of the same subject at different times, and of different subjects from different provinces examined by different physicians, showed the same result consistently in all the five subjects.

CONCLUSIONErectile reflex is an instinctive response in all healthy males. The absence of erection can be caused by hormonal, physical or neuronal malfunction. As hormonal profiles were reported to be generally normal in Fragile X men, we propose that an unknown physical factor or the neuronal circuit, or both, underlying the erection is compromised. The finding of this symptom in Fragile X patients may help better understand the clinical spectrum and pathogeneses of the disease.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Base Sequence ; DNA Primers ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Female ; Fragile X Syndrome ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedigree ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Spermatogenesis ; genetics

Objective To explore the correlations of biochemical factors as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) level with amino acid metabolism level in the blood, levels of intestinal immunoglobulin A (IgA)+complement factor 3 (C3), feeding intolerance and fatiguability in children with hypotonia cerebral palsy. Methods Ninety-six children with hypotonia cerebral palsy,admitted to our hospital from January 2009 to January 2012,were chosen in our study; questionnaire was used to understand the clinical symptoms of the children; the blood ammonia level,hepatic function and IgA+C3 level were obtained from routine blood chemistry testing, and amino acid metabolism was detected by blood tandem mass spectrometry; the correlations of GABA level with amino acid metabolism level in the blood, levels of IgA+C3, feeding intolerance and fatiguability were statistically analyzed. Results In all the 96 children with hypotonia cerebral palsy,63 (65.63％) had low arginine; 52 had both decreased arginine and elevated blood ammonia levels, enjoying negative correlation (r=-0.776,P=0.000); 42 had decreased arginine and reduced levels of IgA+C3 enjoying positive correlation (r=0.351,P=0.000); both decreased arginine level and feeding intolerance were noted in 47 with positive correlation (r=0.372,P=0.000).In these 96 children,30 (31.25％) had carnitine metabolism abnormality,including decreased propionyl carnitine/free carnitine or propionyl carnitine/acetylcarnitine levels in 21 (21.88％),increased hydroxyl palmitoyl carnitine/hydroxyl Palm enoyl carnitine level in 9 (9.37％),and decreased cysteine content in 3 (3.12％). Conclusion Metabolic abnormalities of arginine,carnitine and cysteine are noted in children with hypotonia cerebral palsy; a lot of exercise will consume arginine,carnitine and cysteine,which causes fatigue; children with low blood arginine content might also have increased blood ammonia level,reduced IgA+C3 level,trends of vomiting,susceptibility to infection and feeding difficulties,and therefore,children's mental state,immune function and exercise tolerance ability are affected.

Objective To analyze the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in Kazakh population, using the NCEP-ATP Ⅲ, CDS, IDF MS standards. Methods Questionnaire-based survey,physical examination and blood testing were conducted according to cluster random samplings in Kazakh residents in Xinjiang. 2745 samples were collected and diagnosed by NCEP-ATP Ⅲ, CDS,IDF standards to analyze the prevalence, with the distribution of its main components of MS, among the Kazakhs population. Results The prevalence rates of MS diagnosed by NCEP-ATP Ⅲ, CDS,IDF standards were 18.5%, 14.2% and 26.6%, while they became 14.2%, 10.9% and 20.1% after standardized by age. The prevalence of MS diagnosed by NCEP-ATP Ⅲ and IDF standard in males were higher than in females, while CDS was in the opposite situtation. The prevalence of MS by these three standards increased with age. Among all the main components of MS diagnosed after these three standardization process, the prevalence of obesity, blood pressure rising and the abnormity of HDL-C were rather high. The prevalence of MS main components ≥1, ≥2, ≥3, ≥4, 5 ranked the highest compared to the lowest as to the IDF, ATP Ⅲ ' and CDS diagnostic. standards Conclusion The prevalence rates and gender distribution of MS diagnosed by different standards among Kazakhs were different. The prevalence of IDF standard was the highest, with the IDF standard better than the others in early identifying the risk factors of cardiovascular disease.

The aim of this study was to analyze the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) allelic ratios (AR), number of ITD, ITD length and positions of ITD insertions in de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with FLT3-ITD positive, and the relationship between mutant level and therapeutic efficacy. Genomic DNA was amplified by PCR, capillary electrophoresis was used to detect the ITD characteristics in 31 de novo AML patients, and DNA sequences analysis of FLT3-ITD(+) were performed in 13 patients. The results showed that the ratios of mutant to wild type FLT3 allele ranged from 0.01 to 2.8; 28 patients (90.32%) had a single ITD, the remaining 3 patients had more than one ITD; the ITD length ranged from 3 to 144 bp in all FLT3-ITD(+) patients. 13 sequence-analyzed patients, 4 patients were of pure duplications, and 2 patients had foreign bases inserted, and the other 7 patients were partial duplications. The ITD occurred in the regions from p.E573 to p.P606 of the FLT3 protein, with the majority clustered in a stretch between p.F590 and p.R595. The complete remission (CR) rate in AR < 0.5 patients (43.75%) were more prevalent as compared with AR ≥ 0.5 patients (16.67%) (p > 0.05). It is concluded that the ITD length and AR are vary widely. Some of the insertions are foreign bases, and all of the 13 sequences-analyzed ITD were concentrated on the juxtamembrane domain. The CR rate in patients of AR < 0.5 had no statistical significance compared with patients of AR ≥ 0.5.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alleles ; Base Sequence ; DNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Tandem Repeat Sequences ; Young Adult ; fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3 ; genetics

The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency of flt3 length mutation (flt3-LM) in de novo acute myeloid leukemia patients and the relationship between flt3-LM and chromosome alterations, FAB subgroups, as well as efficiency of therapy. Genomic DNA was amplified by PCR; 2% agarose gel or 8% denaturing PAGE were used to detect the length mutation of flt3 gene in 99 de novo acute myeloid leukemia patients; karyotyping in 72 AML patients was performed by G banding technique. The results showed that the flt3-LM was detected in 20.2% (20/99) patients by agarose gel electrophoresis, and in 29.9% (29/99) by denaturing PAGE. The flt3-LM was not detected in M(0) (only one patient was available), but flt3-LM occurrence in AML subtypes was as follow: in M(2) (9/30), M(3) (6/27), M(4) (4/14), M(5) (7/19), M(6) (3/8) respectively. flt3-LM in patients with normal karyotypes (39.13%) was more prevalent as compared with patients of abnormal karyotype (24.49%), but there was no statistical difference (p > 0.05). The complete remission (CR) rate in flt3-LM positive patients (36.36%) was lower than that in flt3-LM negative patients (62.75%) in the 73 patients (p < 0.05) whose karyotypic detection was performed. The distributions of flt3-LM were observed in 8 out of 40 CR patients, 8 out of 21 PR patients, and 6 out of 12 NR patients. It is concluded that the denaturing PAGE is more sensitive and reliable to detect the flt3-LM. The flt3 mutation represents a common genetic abnormality in AML patients, and the flt3-LM is associated with lower CR rate.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Young Adult ; fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3 ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo analyze the prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MS) in Xinjiang Uygur adults.

METHODSWith cluster random sampling, investigations including questionnaire, physical examination and blood testing were performed among 3442 Uygur adults among in Kashgar of Xinjiang on November 2010. Prevalence of MS in groups with different characteristics were calculated and non-conditional logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the risk factors.

RESULTSThe prevalence of MS was 21.2% (728/3442), and the age-adjusted prevalence was 18.5%. The prevalence among males and females was 14.5% (245/1694) (age-adjusted prevalence 12.7%) and 27.6% (483/1748) (age-adjusted prevalence 24.4%) respectively (P < 0.05). The prevalence of MS among 18 to 24 years old and 65 years old and above were 4.3% (21/490) and 28.9% (109/377) respectively. The prevalence of MS increased with age (χ(2) = 204.13, P < 0.05). The prevalence of low blood HDL-C, central obesity, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia and hyperglycemia was 57.5% (1978/3442), 44.5% (1531/3442), 27.5% (948/3442), 20.2% (696/3442) and 8.6% (297/3442) respectively. Compared to age group 18 - 24, the risk of MS occurrence was higher in age group 25 - 34, 35 - 44, 45 - 54, 55 - 64 and 65 years-old above, the according OR (95%CI) values were 2.29 (1.38 - 3.81), 6.91 (4.31 - 11.09), 10.81 (6.72 - 17.40), 12.52 (7.74 - 20.26) and 10.20 (6.20 - 16.78), respectively. Smoking also increased the risk of MS (OR = 2.35, 95%CI: 1.64 - 3.37).

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of MS in Xinjiang Uygur was in high level; The prevalence of MS is higher in female than in male; The risk factors of MS included female, age and smoking.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; ethnology ; Middle Aged ; Minority Groups ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

AIM To investigate the clinical effects of Qingrun Yangmu Oral Liquid combined with artificial tears on dry eye visual fatigue patients due to Liver-Kidney Yin Deficiency Syndrome.METHODS Ninety patients (180 eyes) randomly and equally were divided into artificial tears group (0.1％ Sodium Hyaluronate Eye Drops),oral liquid group (Qingrun Yangmu Oral Liquid) and combination group (0.1％ Sodium Hyaluronate Eye Drops and Qingrun Yangmu Oral Liquid) underwent a ten-day course of treatment,and they had their subjective symptom score,tear secretory volume (Schirmer Ⅰ test,SIT),tear film break-up time (BUT),corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) score and visuognosis persistence observed prior to the treatment,and on the 1 lth,21st,30th days after the treatment.RESULTS All the aforementioned indices in the three groups were improved after the treatment,especially of the 11th day (P ＜0.01).Obvious changes of BUT,CFS score and visuognosis persistence at different time points,in the three groups were found as compared with those data prior to the treatment (P ＜0.05),so were the subjective symptom score and SIT in the oral liquid group and combination group (P ＜ 0.05).The combination group displayed significantly better results than the other two groups (P ＜ 0.05),which exhibited no obvious differences between the interventions of artificial tears and oral liquid (P ＞ 0.05).A markedly higher total efficacy rate of combination group than the other two groups was achieved as well (P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION For patients of dry eye visual fatigue due to Liver-Kidney Yin Deficiency Syndrome,Qingrun Yangmu Oral Liquid combined with artificial tears can relieve their symptoms in terms of tear secretory promotion and prolonged BUT.