Objective To explore the effects of chronic fluorosis on neurons in the cerebral cortex of rats,and to provide some morphological evidence of damage in the central nervous system induced by chronic fluorosis.Methods Male Wistar rats 40 days after birth were fed with high fluoride contented water(100 mg/L)for inducing chronic fluorosis.Immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization were used to detect c-fos and Caspase 8 at cerebral cortical neurons respectively.Results c-fos positive cells rate and gray scale in the cerebral cortex of chronic fluorosis were 35.8%and 0.2756±0.0241,respectively,and that of control group were 32.1%and 0.2774±0.0331with statistical difference(χ2=0.305,t=0.826,P＞0.05).Caspase 8 positive cells rates of fluorosis group and control group were 18.7%and 14.1%,respectively,the difference being statistically significant(χ2=0.419,P＞0.05).The gray scale of fluorosis group and control group were 0.3874±0.0329 and 0.3884±0.0323,respectively,the difference being statistically significant(t=0.641,P＞0.05).Conclusion Chronic fluorosis had no significant influence on apoptosis of cerebral cortical neurons.

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of cellular metabolism of mandibular condylar chondrocytes in repairing state of osteoarthrosis and investigate its role in the pathogenesis of the disease.

METHODSTemporomandibular joint osteoarthrosis model of rabbits was created by the partial resection of joint disc and confirmed with histological diagnosis. The chondrocytes were harvested from osteoarthritic condylar cartilage in the repairing state and cultured in vitro under the monolayer culture condition. The cellular expression of cartilaginous matrix protein, collagenase and growth factors between the osteoarthritic chondrocytes and the normal controls were measured with RT-PCR technique to outline the basic feature of the osteoarthritic cells.

RESULTSThe cultured cells were confirmed as chondrocytes with their ability of expression of collagen type II and Aggrecan. In the reactive repairing state of osteoarthrosis, the chondrocytes showed the imbalance of expression of ECM proteins, and increased expression of collagenase and endogenous growth factors such as IGF-1 and TGF-beta1.

CONCLUSIONSThis study found the active anabolism of the chondrocytes within the osteoarthritic condylar cartilage and the imbalance synthesis of cartilage matrix. These repairing attempts by the osteoarthritic chondrocytes may be impossible to restore the primary homeostasis within the condylar cartilage.

Animals ; Cartilage, Articular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; metabolism ; Extracellular Matrix ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Mandibular Condyle ; metabolism ; pathology ; Osteoarthritis ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Temporomandibular Joint Disc ; pathology ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; metabolism ; pathology

This article reports the clinical features and C12orf65 gene mutations of a girl with autosomal recessive spastic paraplegia-55. The 8-year-old girl experienced disease onset at the age of 5 years and had optic atrophy as the main clinical manifestation, with slow movements in standing up and a slight duck-shaped gait. Peripheral blood DNA samples were collected from this child and her parents and brother to perform high-throughput whole-exome sequencing and high-throughput mitochondrial genome sequencing. Sanger sequencing was performed for verification. The results showed two compound heterozygous mutations, c.394C>T and c.447_449delGGAinsGT, in the C12orf65 gene. The former mutation came from her father and was a known pathogenic mutation, and the latter came from her mother and was a novel mutation which had not been reported in literature. This study expands the mutation spectrum of the C12orf65 gene and thus provides a molecular basis for the etiological diagnosis of the child and the genetic counseling of the family.
Child ; Female ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Humans ; Male ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Peptide Termination Factors ; genetics ; Spastic Paraplegia, Hereditary ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo measure lutein, zeaxanthin and β-carotene level in foods commonly consumed in Beijing, and compare the content difference between raw and cooked food.

METHODSForty-six commonly consumed foods of 8 classes were collected in Haidian district of Beijing from September to October in 2009. A high performance liquid chromatography method was used to determine the content of lutein, zeaxanthin and β-carotene in both raw and cooked samples.

RESULTSLutein was abundant in cucurbitaceous and solanaceous, allium and nuts, especially in Chinese chive (18 226.9 µg/100 g) and pumpkin (13 265.2 µg/100 g). Major sources of zeaxanthin included round pumpkin, green garlic shoot, corn and eggs, whose level of zeaxanthin were 444.6, 283.5, 279.7, 118.6 - 377.9 µg/100 g, respectively. Zeaxanthin level of those cooked foods changed to 483.9, 239.3, 279.1, 149.5 - 594.7 µg/100 g, respectively. The zeaxanthin level of cooked Chinese chive reached 1081.2 µg/100 g, while we did not detect any zeaxanthin in raw Chinese chive. β-carotene was present in a wide variety of vegetables and fruits. Carrot (17 234.3 µg/100 g) was a good source of β-carotene, while its level in cooked carrot was 17 013.5 µg/100 g.

CONCLUSIONConsuming the proper kinds of foods and changing the method of food processing were beneficial to increase the intake of lutein, zeaxanthin and β-carotene.

China ; Cooking ; Food ; Food Analysis ; Lutein ; analysis ; Xanthophylls ; analysis ; Zeaxanthins ; beta Carotene ; analysis

BACKGROUND: Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB4HB) is a kind of polymer material that can be completely degraded, has good film-forming property and physical properties, but has poor hydrophilicity. OBJECTIVE: To prepare P3HB4HB/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coaxial electrospun scaffolds, and to investigate the physical properties and biocompatibility of scaffolds in vitro. METHODS: We prepared P3HB4HB electrospun scaffold, PVA electrospun scaffold and P3HB4HB/PVA coaxial electrospun composite scaffold, and then detected the morphology and characterization, contact angle, and tensile mechanical properties of the scaffolds. Passage 4 bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) from Sprague-Dawley rats were seeded on the three kinds of scaffolds. Cell adhesion rate was detected at 1, 3, 6 hours after seeding; cell proliferation was detect at 1, 3, 5, 7 days after seeding; and cell viability was observed fluorescence staining at 7 days after seeding. Passage 4 BMSCs were seeded onto the three kinds of scaffolds followed by 14 days of osteogenic and chondrogenic induction. Then, alizarin red staining and toluidine blue staining were used to verify BMSCs differentiation potentials. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Scaffold morphology: Under the scanning electron microscope, the structure of the scaffold in each group was a three-dimensional interconnected network. The fiber diameters of P3HB4HB electrospun scaffold and P3HB4HB/PVA electrospun scaffold were homogeneous and ordered. The P3HB4HB/PVA scaffold showed an obvious core-shell structure under the transmission electron microscope. (2) Scaffold characterization: The tensile strength, tensile modulus and maximum stress of the P3HB4HB and P3HB4HB/PVA scaffolds were significantly higher than those of the PVA electrospun scaffold (P < 0.05). The contact angle of the P3HB4HB/PVA composite scaffold was less than 90°. (3) Cell adhesion rate was ranked as follows: PVA electrospun scaffold group >P3HB4HB/PVA composite scaffold group > P3HB4HB electrospun scaffold group (P < 0.05). (4) Proliferation and activity of cells: The cell proliferation of the P3HB4HB/PVA composite scaffold group was faster than that of the other two groups at 5 and 7 days (P < 0.05). There were more viable cells on the PVA electrospun scaffold and composite scaffold than on the P3HB4HB electrospun scaffold. (5) Cell differentiation: Osteogenesis and cartilage specific staining of the composite scaffold were stronger than those in the other two groups. Overall, the P3HB4HB/PVA coaxial electrospun scaffold has good biocompatibility and a certain mechanical strength.

OBJECTIVETo develop a suitable physical exercise behavior-psychological scale for the Chinese adolescents and to evaluate its validity and reliability.

METHODSA total of 3600 junior students were recruited and tested through multistage sampling method. Reliability was assessed, using Cronbach's α and split-half reliability; while exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to test its validity, with entries-dimension correlation coefficient (IIC), correlation coefficient between the scores and the dimension, the dimension of correlation coefficient test content validity.

RESULTSThe internal consistency reliabilities for total scale score (Cronbach's α = 0.888), Cronbach's α of four domains were 0.880, 0.706, 0.552 and 0.839, respectively. The four-domain split-efficacy reliabilities were ranged between 0.559 and 0.876. Data from the exploratory factor analysis revealed the following dimensions: the entries were all inclusive; the cumulative contribution rate was more than 40%.

RESULTSfrom the confirmatory factor analysis showed that the absolute fit measures of GFI = 0.972, AGFI = 0.958, RMSEA = 0.032 (90%CI: 0.030 - 0.034) could satisfy the condition while the model fit was better. The results of IIC showed: in the four dimensions, and the contained entries between Spearman correlation coefficient range were 0.396 - 0.700, 0.470 - 0.709, 0.696 - 0.771 and 0.665 - 0.813, while other dimensions from weak to moderate relationships, the r value range was from 0.386 to 0.935. With the change of the phase changing process, decision balance, self-efficacy scores were differently prompting the health-related intervention periodically and pertinently.

CONCLUSIONThe reliability and validity of the 'Adolescent physical exercise behavior-psychological scales (Chinese version) ' were good, and could be used to measure the adolescent's physical training behavior-psychological conditions.

Adolescent ; Exercise ; Humans ; Psychometrics ; methods ; Reproducibility of Results ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the characteristics of autophagy in fibrotic and postoperative remnant liver.

METHODSMale Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group; fibrosis group, which received the solution of CCl4 in oil twice a week for 5 weeks; and hepatectomy group, which underwent 70% hepatectomy. Liver tissues and plasma were harvested 18 hours after the surgery. The rats' general conditions and plasma liver function were observed. Histopathological characteristics and regeneration were observed with microscope and transmission electron microscope. Qualitative analysis of autophagosome was made base on the data from transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, plasma total protein and albumin level significantly decreased in the fibrosis group (P < 0.01). Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) index was 85%-95% in the fibrosis group. Plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels significantly increased in the hepatectomy group compared with the control group (P < 0.01), while the autophagical index significantly decreased in both the fibrosis group and hepatectomy group compared with the control group (-95%, P < 0.01; -19%, P < 0.05, respectively). PCNA index was 20%-30% in the hepatectomy group.

CONCLUSIONSAutophagy is weakened after fibrosis and hepatectomy, although it differs between these two processes. Proper regulation of autophagy may help facilitate the recovery of the residual liver function after hepatectomy.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Autophagy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Liver Cirrhosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To study the stereotaxic Gamma knife treatment for intractable epileptic psychogney (EPP) through positron emission tomography (PET) localization and evaluate its efficacy.Methods PET examination based on 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) was carried out on 45 patients with EPP to localize the epileptogenic foci with the help of amplitude-integrated electroencephalographic (aEEG) and MRI; the clinical characteristics,preoperative examinations and treatment effects of seizure and mental symptom of these patients were analyzed.Based on lesions and EPP types,the patients were divided into PEP group (n=25,patients with paroxysmal EPP [PEP] receiving gamma knife treatment of the epileptogenic foci) and NEP group (n=20,patients with nonprosysmal EPP [NEP]); patients in the NEP group were subdivided into NEPc group (n=16,patients with NEP receiving corpus callosotomy and frontal cingulectomy on the epileptogenic foci with gamma knife treatment) and NEPs group (n=4,patients with NEP performed stereotaxic nuclei lesion radiation by gamma knife on the deep brain only).Results Excellent rate for mental symptoms in the clinical global impression (CGI) scale reached 62.2％ in total; and that in PEP and NEPs groups was 72.0％ and 75％,respectively,which was markedly higher than that in NEPc group (43.8％).In all,62.2％ patients (28/45) reached Wieser grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ,and 20.0％ (9/45) Wieser grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ,with a total efficiency of 82.2％; and the efficiency rate in NEPs was 25％ (1/4),which was significantly lower than that in the PEP and NEPc groups (88.0％ and 87.5％,P＜0.05).Conclusion Intractable EPP could get good effect by gamma knife treatment; PEP patients can be treated by gamma knife on the epileptogenic foci and NEP patients by combined epileptogenic foci and stereotaxic nuclei lesion gamma knife radiation

Objective:To explore the relationship between the polymorphisms of AHNAK2 gene rs12882641,rs28583515 and rs2582497 loci and coronary heart disease(CHD)in the population of Xinjiang.Materials:This study used a case-control method,a total of 602 patients who were hospitalized and underwent coronary angiogra-phy(CAG)at ourheart center from Jan 2019 to Dec 2021 were selected.According toCAG results,the patients were divided into CHD group(n=301)and non-CHD group(n=301).The AHNAK2 gene rs12882641,rs28583515 and rs2582497 loci were genotyped using the improved multiple ligase detection reaction(iMLDR)technique,and the relationship between AHNAK2 gene polymorphisms and CHD was analyzed.Results:Compared with non-CHD group,there was significant rise in the distribution frequencies of AC+CC genotypes(52.8%vs.61.1%,P= 0.040)at rs2582497 locus of the AHNAK2 gene under the dominant model;there was significant reduction in distri-bution frequency of the CC genotype(65.8%vs.53.8%)at the rs28583515 locus of the AHNAK2 gene,and signif-icant rise in distribution frequencies of CT+TT(34.2%vs.46.2%)under the dominant model,TT under the re-cessive model(0.7%vs.3.0%)and CT under the additive model(33.6%vs.43.2%)in CHD group,P＜0.05 or＜0.01.After adjusting for confounding factors,logistic regression analysis indicated that the dominant model of the rs28583515 locus remained an independent risk factor for CHD(OR=1.509,P=0.036).Conclusion:The AH-NAK2 gene rs28583515 locus is closely related to the occurrence and development of CHD in the Xinjiang popula-tion.The dominant model of the AHNAK2 gene rs28583515 locus is an independent risk factor for CHD.

OBJECTIVETo explore the associations between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and obesity as well as obesity-related cardiometabolic disorders among children in China.

METHODSA total of 6974 (boys 3558, girls 3412) children aged 6-13 years participated in the study. Each participant's height, weight, waist circumference, fasting glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured. The type of beverage consumption was determined using a self-administered questionnaire.

RESULTSSSBs were consumed regularly by 46.1% of the children. The prevalence [adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence internal (CI)] of obesity was 7.6% [as the reference group (ref.)], 10.1% [1.36(1.07, 1.74)], and 11.6% [1.46(1.21, 1.75)], among children who regularly drank milk, other beverages and SSBs, respectively. Regularly drinking SSBs elevated the likelihood of abdominal obesity [adjusted odds ratio (95% CI): 1.36 (1.17, 1.59)]. The prevalence [adjusted odds ratio (95% CI)] of obesity among children who regularly drank sports/caloric beverages, carbonated beverages, sweet tea, and plant protein beverages was 16.8% [2.00(1.31, 3.07)], 12.7% [1.52(1.23, 1.88)], 11.5% [1.52(1.18, 1.95)], and 10.4% [1.41(1.03, 1.94)], respectively, which was higher than that of regular milk drinkers [7.6 % (ref.)]. The prevalence [adjusted odds ratio (95% CI)] of abdominal obesity among children who regularly drank sweet tea, fruit/vegetable juices, and carbonated beverages was 17.7% [1.55(1.26, 1.90)], 16.2% [1.36(1.09, 1.70)], and 15.3% [1.24(1.03, 1.50)], respectively, which was much higher than that of regular milk drinkers [12.8% (ref.)].

CONCLUSIONSRegular SSB consumption was positively related to obesity and abdominal obesity. This relationship should be investigated further using a longitudinal study design.

Adolescent ; Anthropometry ; Beverages ; Blood Pressure ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; Sweetening Agents