Objective:To investigate the m echanism of D- amino acid oxidase/D- Alanine system in killing K5 6 2 e cells in vitro.Methods:The killing effects of D- Ala on K5 6 2 e cells stably expressing DAAO and GFP were observed.H2 O2 production by DAAO+ cells were m easured by the phenol red oxidation assay.L owry method was used to determ ine the protein quantities of cells and fluorescent intensities of GFP+ cells were assayed by flow cytom eter.Results:KDf Gd cells were killed completely after treated with 2 5 mm ol/L D- Ala for 2 4 h.The effect of D - Ala at 2 0 m mol/L on KDf Gd cells increased apparently within 4 8h,but the same effect was not observed if D - Ala was below 15 m mol/L .The cytotoxicity of D- Ala in KDf Gd cells was more sensitive than in parental K 5 6 2 e cells.The H2 O2 levels in the medium were consistent with the killing effects of D- Ala.Conclusion:The killing effects of DAAO/D- Ala system is m ediated by H2 O2 . [

OBJECTIVETo measure the plasma levels of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1), the protein expression of alpha-SMA in hepatic stellate cells and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and study on the relationships between the plasma levels of TGFbeta1, the protein expression and the serum hyaluronic acid (HA) in patients with different grades of hepatic fibrosis.

METHODSThirty seven cases with hepatic fibrosis of different grades were classified according to HE and VG staining categories from 0 to 4, in which there were 8 cases in grade 1, 9 cases in grade 2, 7 cases in grade 3, 13 cases in grade 4. The plasma levels of TGFbeta1 and the serum levels of HA were detected by ELISA. The protein expressions of a-SMA, uPA and PAI-1 in fibrotic liver tissue were observed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSWith the progression of hepatic fibrosis, the plasma levels of TGFbeta1 and the protein expression of a-SMA, uPA and PAI-1 in fibrotic liver tissue were increased. In grade 3 and 4, the plasma levels of TGFbeta and the protein expression of a-SMA and PAI-1 in fibrotic liver tissue were significantly increased, but the protein expression of uPA in cirrhosis liver tissue did not increased.

CONCLUSIONTGFbeta1, a-SMA, uPA and PAI-1 play an important role in the progression of hepatic fibrosis. Inhibiting the early activation of latent TGFbeta1 or increasing uPA and inhibiting PAI-1 over express may contribute to matrix degradation and retard the progression of hepatic fibrosis.

Actins ; blood ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; complications ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; blood ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; blood ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; blood

Objective To study the prevalence rates of knowledge,attitudes and use of the nutrition labeling and related influential factors in Hangzhou supermarket consumers.Methods Using a self-developed survey questionnaire,randomly selected customers were conducted a face-toface interview program in a large supermarket of Hangzhou city.Results 586 people were interviewed,including 202 males and 384 females,with the mean age as 41.6±17.23 years.The Facts Labels'were as follows:dietary fiber(71.84%),fat(70.99%),calcium(60.75%),salt (58.36%),energy(50.85%)and sugar(39.42%).The support rates of the three attitudes indicators were"support marking the Nutrition Facts Label"(90.44%)."support marking the nutrition claims"(87.03%)and"want to know more relative knowledge"(77.13%).There were 58.36% and 80.03%first-time buyers who would read the Nutrition Facts Food Labels and the Nutrition Claims.Through logistic model analysis,male,youth,low-educated people were found to be the risk factors related to the nutrition label reading behavior.Conclusion The capacity of the reading,understanding and correct application of nutrition labeling among consumers was not satisfactory.Improvement on the readability and the authority of nutrition labeling and the development of the national nutrition knowledge and health education programs were in urgent needs.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the relation between different therapy and survival rate of liver metastasis of colorectal cancer (LMCC).

METHODSClinical data of 669 LMCC patients,collected from Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital from January 2000 to July 2008, were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSOf the 669 cases, 379 cases were synchronous liver metastases(SLM) and 290 cases were metachronous liver metastases(MLM). There were no significant differences in age, gender and position of primary tumor between SLM and MLM groups(P>0.05), but as to liver metastasis characteristics(liver lobe involved, focus number and maximal focus diameter) and CEA, CA19-9 before therapy,there were significant differences(P<0.05). Two hundred and fifty-three cases underwent curative hepatic resection, including 123 cases in SLM and 130 cases in MLM. Until October 31, 2008, all the cases were followed up. The median survival time of SLM was(11+/-1) months and of MLM(23+/-2) months(P<0.01). Five-year survival rate of SLM was 6.4% and of MLM 11.4%(P<0.01). As to different treatments, median survival time and 5-year survival rate of curative hepatic resection group were 37 months and 35.6%, and of non-operation groups(i.e. intervention, chemotherapy, radiofrequency therapy and percutaneous ethanol injection) were 5 to 26 months and 0 to 3.6% respectively(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCurative hepatic resection is the first choice of liver metastasis of colorectal cancer, which can improve the survival rate. Resection rate and survival of MLM are better than those of SLM.

Adult ; Aged ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; secondary ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo investigate the features of methylation in the promoter region of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) gene and the association between gene promoter methylation and G6PD deficiency.

METHODSFluorescent quantitative PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of G6PD in 130 children with G6PD deficiency. Sixty-five children without G6PD deficiency served as the control group. The methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting curve analysis and bisulfite PCR sequencing were used to analyze gene promoter methylation in 22 children with G6PD deficiency and low G6PD mRNA expression. The G6PD gene promoter methylation was analyzed in 44 girls with normal G6PD mRNA expression (7 from G6PD deficiency group and 37 from control group).

RESULTSTwenty-two (16.9%) children with G6PD deficiency had relatively low mRNA expression of G6PD; among whom, 16 boys showed no methylation, and 6 girls showed partial methylation. Among the 44 girls with normal G6PD mRNA expression, 40 showed partial methylation, and 4 showed no methylation (1 case in the G6PD group and 3 cases in the control group).

CONCLUSIONSGene promoter methylation is not associated with G6PD deficiency in boys. Girls have partial methylation or no methylation in the G6PD gene, suggesting that the methylation may be related to G6PD deficiency in girls.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase ; genetics ; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Sex Characteristics

OBJECTIVETo explore the methodology on prevalence study of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in line with the world, to obtain accurate epidemic data of COPD in China.

METHODSA national multi-center cross-sectional survey on prevalence, risk factors and burden of COPD was conducted in China. In each area, a population-based cluster sample of approximately 1450 individuals aged 40 years or older was interviewed, using standardized questionnaires that were revised on the methodology of burden of lung diseases (BOLD) study and according under the context of China. All participants were submitted to pre-bronchodilator spirometry. Those with airflow limitation received post-bronchodilator spirometry, physical examination, X-rays of chest and EKG (electrocardiogram) tests. The post-bronchodialators FEV1/FVC < 70% was identified as having COPD.

RESULTSInvestigation has been completed with the same standardized procedures by all sites, up to the requirement of quality control. Over 85.0% of the spirometry tests and 95.0% of questionnaires had met the criteria of quality control in each area. Overall, 95.2% of the data was valid with acceptable spirometry and questionaire, and the valid response rate was 79.0%.

CONCLUSIONThe protocol was in line with the international standards, by which the prevalence of COPD in China was of adequate quality and valid.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Humans ; Prevalence ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness of universal salt iodization (USI) for the control of IDD in Hebei province since it was implemented in 1995, identify the problems currently encountered in the implementation of USI and provide practical proposals for addressing these problems.

METHODSProbability proportionate to size sampling (PPS) was employed in the surveillance of IDD, for which a total of 1200 school children aged 8-10 years were randomly selected from 30 counties around the whole province during each IDD survey. The iodine content of salt was determined quantitatively with the titration method. The iodine content of urinary samples was measured by the method of ammonium persulfate oxidation.

RESULTSThe coverage of iodized salt increased from 65.0% in 1995 to 98.0% in 1999, then decreased to 88.1% in 2005 which was below the national standard of 90%. The median urinary iodine of children aged 8-10 years varied between 160.1 microg/L and 307.4 microg/L, which was above the national standard. The proportion of urinary samples with iodine content above 300 microg/L was over 30% in 2005, implying exorbitant iodine nutrition among the children. The goiter rate (TGR) among children aged 8-10 years dropped from 11.8% in 1995 to 2.7% in 2005, indicating that the spread of endemic goiter was under control.

CONCLUSIONPreliminary elimination of IDD was achieved by USI in Hebei province. Nevertheless, some problems still existed in USI such as non-iodized salt competition, over iodization and un-standardized iodization. In order to address these problems, the management and supervision of salt market needs to be strengthened to prevent non-iodized salt from reaching households; updating equipment and modifying techniques are also necessary to ensure the quality of iodized salt; to clarify the causes of excessive urinary iodine content, the various sources of iodine from the diet need to be investigated in the future.

Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Goiter ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Iodine ; deficiency ; pharmacology ; urine ; Male ; Nutrition Policy ; Nutritional Status ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary ; pharmacology ; Time Factors

REVERSIBLE posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) is a rare neurological syndrome characterized by headache, altered mental status, seizures, and visual disturbance, associated with reversible white matter changes.1 It has been commonly reported in patients with severe hypertension and pre-eclampsia. Here we report a case with nephrotic syndrome complicated by RPLS.
Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; drug effects ; pathology ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; complications ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome ; complications ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of environmental risk factors in occupational noise exposure on hearing loss and find out the susceptible population of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL).

METHODSA case-control study was designed to study the effect of environmental risk factors on NIHL. 2400 workers exposed to 75 approximately 120 dB noises from an air conditioning factory in southern China served as the subjects. 202 workers were selected from 10% of population with the maximum hearing shift of the left ear to 3000 Hz noises as the NIHL susceptible group while 204 workers from 10% of population with the least hearing shift as the NIHL tolerant group. A questionnaire was designed to carry out an investigation, and an occupational health survey was used to identify the occupational risk factors which might affect the hearing system. The univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were used to observe the effect of environmental risk factors on NIHL.

RESULTSThe results of univariate analysis showed that smoking, alcohol drinking, organic solvent, heavy metal, heat, dust were significantly was associated with NIHL (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that only heat was associated with NIHL (P < 0.05), and OR value was 1.804 (95% CI: 1.101 approximately 2.958).

CONCLUSIONExposure to heat may be a high risk factor of NIHL.

Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Diseases ; etiology ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective To explore the expression of glutathione hormone (GSH) and γ-glutamyl cysteine synthetase (γ-GCS) in premature newborn rats exposed to hyperoxia,and to study antioxidant role of GSH and γ-GCS in hyperoxia-induced lung injury.Methods One-day old preterm SD rats were divided randomly into 2 groups:hyperoxia group and air group.Newborn rats in hyperoxia group were continuously exposed to oxygen(oxygen ＞ 850 mL/L),and newborn rats in air group were exposed in room air.After 1,7,14 days of exposure,the preterm SD rats of 2 groups were killed,and whole lung of these rats were isolated.GSH and γ-GCS of pulmonary tissue homogenate were detected by double antibody sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Bicinchoninic acid (BCA) was used to detect GSH protein in lung tissue homogenate.Total lung RNA was extracted and γ-GCS mRNA was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.Results 1.The results were detected by ELISA method and BCA method,compaired with air group,the expression of GSH protein in lung tissue induced by hyperoxia was significantly increased after 1,7 days of exposure(all P ＜ 0.05),but the expression of GSH became significantly weak after 14 days of exposure (P ＜0.05).2.The expression of γ-GCS mRNA and protein level were significantly increased in 1,7 days (all P ＜0.05),but the general tendency decreased after 14 days of exposure,the expression of γ-GCS mRNA became stronger than its expression after 14 days of air group,both were no significantly different(P ＞0.05).Conclusions The changes of GSH and γ-GCS in the lung of premature SD rats induced by oxidation outbreak participate in the development of hyperoxia-induced lung injury,the activity of γ-GCS may be increased by hyperoxia,and alleviate hyperoxia lung injury in premature rats through antioxidation of GSH.