Antimalarials ; therapeutic use ; Artemisinins ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Humans ; Malaria, Falciparum ; drug therapy

Objective To evaluate the roles of multi-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in the early diagnosis of vascular cognitive impairment no dementia (VCIND).Methods Seventy-eight out-patients and inpatients in Department of Neurology, the second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from December 2008 to September 2009 were recruited in this case-control study.Their cognitive functions were assessed with a wide range of neuropsychological battery of tests including Montreal cognitive assessment ( MoCA Beijing Version ), auditory verbal learning test ( AVLT), digital span test (DST), Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test (CFT) ,semantic and phonetic fluency tests, digit symbol coding subtest (DSCT), trail making test (TMT), clock drawing test (CDT) and the Stroop color-word test (SCWT).All patients were classified into vascular cognitive impairment no dementia (VCIND) group and cognitive normal control group based on the results of neuropsychological tests.Eighteen patients with VCIND and 18 gender-, age- and education-matched normal control were randomly selected for the following study.With multi-voxel 1H-MRS, the levels of N-acetylaspartartate (NAA), creatine (Cr) and choline (Cho) in gray matters of bilateral frontal lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe and thalamus were measured and the ratios of NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr were compared between the two groups.Meanwhile, the correlations between scores of MoCA and its sub-items and the ratios of NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr were analyzed in VCIND group.Informed consent was obtained from all participants and the study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the hospital.Results Compared with control group, the ratios of NAA/Cr were significantly decreased in bilateral gray matters of thalamus ( left, 1.56 ± 0.49 vs 1.89 ± 0.48, F = 11.222, P = 0.002; right,1.63± 0.45 vs 1.86 ± 0.33, F = 5.358, P = 0.027 ).No significant difference were found in NAA/Cr in gray matters of bilateral frontal lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe and Cho/Cr in all regions between two groups ( all P ＞ 0.05 ).In VCIND group, the decreased degree of NAA/Cr in bilateral gray matters of thalamus was significantly positively correlated with the MoCA total score ( r = 0.54, 0.44 ) as well as the sub-scores in tested items of memory ( r = 0.61, 0.49 ), attention ( r = 0.43, 0.36 ), language ( r = 0.39,0.31) and visuospatial or executive( r = 0.29 , 0.33, all P＜0.05 orP＜0.01).Conclusions Cognitive impairment in patients with VCIND maybe related to metabolic dysfunction of neurons in bilateral thalamic.Multi-voxel 1H-MRS plays an important role in early diagnosis and monitoring disease progression of VCIND.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of hypoxia on lipid metabolism in the normal human hepatic cell line L02 and to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms.

METHODSL02 cells were exposed to hypoxic conditions (experimental groups: at 1% O2, 5% CO2, 94% N2 for 3, 6, 12, 24, or 48 hours) or normoxic conditions (control group: at 21% O2). Lipid droplet accumulation and triglyceride content were measured in each group by oil red O staining and biochemical assay, respectively. The mRNA expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-2a and sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-1c were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Protein expression levels of HIF-2a, adipose differentiation-related protein (ADRP), and Fas were tested by Western blot analysis.

RESULTSLipid droplet accumulation and the triglyceride content were significantly higher in the hypoxia group than the normoxia group. In addition, the hypoxia groups had significantly down-regulated mRNA expression of SREBP-1c (12h: 0.236+/-0.043, 24 h: 0.287+/-0.044, 48 h: 0.342+/-0.049 vs. normoxia: 0.503+/-0.037; F = 28.37, P less than 0.01) and FAS protein (12 h: 0.562+/-0.054, 24 h: 0.674+/-0.062, 48 h: 0.682+/-0.057 vs normoxia: 0.857+/-0.069; F = 16.08, P less than 0.01). In normoxic cells, little or no expression of HIF-2a protein was detected by Western blot. In hypoxic cells, HIF-2a protein expression peaked at 6h (0.973+/-0.067). ADRP protein expression was significantly higher in hypoxia groups than in the normoxia group (12 h: 0.319+/-0.043, 24 h: 0.732+/-0.056 and 48 h: 0.873+/-0.066 vs. 0.211+/-0.019; all, P less than 0.05.

CONCLUSIONExposure to hypoxic conditions might induce lipidosis in normal human hepatic cells by stimulating HIF-2a and ADRP expression.

Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cell Line ; Down-Regulation ; Hepatocytes ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Perilipin-2 ; Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Hepatitis B Virus X Protein (HBx) on the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes and its role in pathogenesis of hepatocyte fatty degeneration.

METHODSHepatitis B Virus X gene eukaryon expression vector pIRES2-eGFP-HBx was transfected into HepG2 cells to establish HepG2/HBx cell model for HBx expression. HepG2 cells transfected with pIRES2-eGFP (HepG2/pIRES2 cell) and non-transfected were used as controls. At 24, 48 and 72 hours after transfection, the expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) was observed by fluorescence microscope and the triglyceride(TG) content was detected. RT-PCR and Western blot were applied to detect the levels of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1), liver x receptor alpha (LXRalpha) mRNA and the levels of HBx, LXRalpha and fatty acid synthase (FAS) protein. At 24, 48 and 72 hours after transfection, the expression of GFP was found in HepG2/HBx and HepG2/pIRES2 cells, and increased gradually. The expression of HBx was detected only in HepG2/HBx cells, and was increased with time after transfection (F = 32.21, P less than 0.01). These suggested successful obtaining of HepG2-HBx cell model for HBx expression.

RESULTSAt 24h, 48h and 72h after transfection, the expression levels of LXRalpha mRNA (0.386+/-0.055, 0.505+/-0.071, 0.649+/-0.058 ) and SREBP-1 mRNA (0.395+/-0.055, 0.548+/-0.047, 0.795+/-0.058), as well as the levels of LXRalpha protein(0.178+/-0.036, 0.263+/-0.047, 0.347+/-0.058) and FAS protein(0.436+/-0.055, 0.608+/-0.053, 0.827+/-0.046) in HepG2-HBx group were dramatically higher than those in the controls at the same time points (all P less than 0.05/0.01), and were gradually increased with time (all P less than 0.05/0.01). A positive correlationship was observed between HBX protein level and the LXRalpha, SREbP-1 mRNA and LXRalpha, FAS protein levels. The difference of TG content between HepG2/HBx group and control groups was not statistically significant (P more than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHBx-LXRalpha-SREBP-1/FAS pathway suggested regulating transcription and expression of lipid metabolism-related genes, which might be one of the important molecular mechanism causing hepatocyte fatty degeneration.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; Fatty Acid Synthase, Type I ; metabolism ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism ; genetics ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Liver X Receptors ; Orphan Nuclear Receptors ; metabolism ; Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 ; metabolism ; Trans-Activators ; genetics ; Transfection

Objective To investigate the full-term newborn′s weight in Zhengzhou city and nearby areas around Zhengzhou in Henan province.Methods Each group newborn′s weight was divided with sex and city.We studied the regularity of full-term newborn′s weight,and examined the cause of the newborn′s weight rising.Results The average newborn′s weight in Zhengzhou was (3449.06?453.97) g,which in nearby areas around Zhengzhou was (3352.07?429.91) g.The average newborn′s weight in Zhengzhou was 86.97 g higher than other cities (P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the expression of T lymphoma invasion and metastasis inducing factor 1 (Tiam1) and the progression, metastasis, TNM stage, and histological types of lung carcinoma.

METHODSImmunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of Tiam1 in 116 lung carcinoma specimens. The expression intensity (measured in positive unit, PU) of Tiam1 in these tissues was assessed quantitatively using Imagepro Plus image analysis software.

RESULTSThe PU of Tiam1 was significantly greater in primary lung carcinomas with lymph node metastases than in those without metastases (t=-2.089, P=0.039). Lung cancers of TNM stage II-IV had stronger expression than those of stage I (t=-2.272, P=0.025). The PU of Tiam1 differed significantly between different histological types of lung cancer, and squamouscell cell carcinoma had a lower PU than adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma and small cell carcinoma (P<0.05). The intensity of Tiam1 expression was not associated with the patients' gender, age, general types, smoking history, pneumoconiosis or differentiation of lung carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONThese results strongly suggest that Tiam1 is an invasion and metastasis inducing factor of lung carcinoma. The overexpression of Tiam1 is closely associated with lymph node metastases, TNM stage and histological types of lung carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; T-Lymphoma Invasion and Metastasis-inducing Protein 1

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cell Nucleus ; metabolism ; Cytoplasm ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; Y-Box-Binding Protein 1 ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical significance of serum Cyst-C and urinary microalbumin in early renal impairment in children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP).

METHODSForty-eight children with HSP and who had normal serum creatinine level and 31 healthy children were enrolled. Contents of serum Cyst-C and urinary microalbumin were measured using ELISA and immunoturbidimetry, respectively. Urinary routine examination was performed in children with HSP. The contents of serum Cyst-C and urinary microalbumin were re-examined one month after treatment (recovery phase).

RESULTSThe contents of serum Cyst-C (2.24+/- 0.81 mg/L) and urinary microalbumin (20.04+/- 10.32 mg/L) in the HSP group at the acute phase were significantly higher than those in the control (0.85+/- 0.20 and 2.30+/- 1.38 mg/L respectively; P< 0.01). Serum Cyst-C (1.70+/- 0.30 mg/L) and urinary microalbumin contents (13.20+/- 8.16 mg/L) were significantly reduced at the recovery phase compared with those at the acute phase in the HSP group (P< 0.01). The proportion of urinary routine abnormality (33.3%) was significantly lower than that of urinary microalbumin (68.8%) and serum Cyst-C abnormalities (72.9%) in the HSP group (P< 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSSerum Cyst-C and urinary microalbumin may serve as indexes in the assessment of early renal impairment in children with HSP.

Adolescent ; Albuminuria ; etiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Creatine ; blood ; Cystatin C ; blood ; Female ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Male ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch ; blood ; complications ; urine

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Adrenal Glands ; pathology ; surgery ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Granuloma, Plasma Cell ; pathology ; surgery ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous ; pathology ; Humans ; Neoplasms, Muscle Tissue ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the association between HAb18G expression, tumor parameters, metastatic potential and prognosis in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).

METHODSImmunohistochemical study for HAb18G protein using SP methods was carried out in 144 cases of NSCLC. Nineteen cases of benign lung lesions and 41 cases of normal lung tissue were used as controls. The intensity (positive unit/PU) of HAb18G expression was assessed quantitatively by image analysis software. The results were correlated with tumor parameters, metastatic potential and follow-up data.

RESULTSThe intensity of HAb18G protein expression was significantly higher in NSCLC than that in controls (P = 0.000). In squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas, the expression of HAb18G protein in well-differentiated tumors was lower than that in moderately to poorly differentiated tumors (P = 0.001). Tumors of TNM stage IV had stronger expression than tumors of lower stages (P = 0.000). HAb18G PU was greater in tumors with lymph node metastasis than those without nodal metastasis (P = 0.045). The PU value of tumors with maximal diameter greater than 5 cm was higher than that of the smaller tumors (P = 0.000). It was also higher in male than in female patients (P = 0.046). There was no association between HAb18G protein expression and age of patients, history of smoking, tumor types and gross morphology (P > 0.05). The five-year survival rate in cases with low HAb18G protein expression was higher than that in cases with high expression (P = 0.006). Univariate analysis indicated that patients with high HAb18G protein expression carried a poor prognosis (P = 0.007). Multivariate analysis showed that expression of HAb18G protein was an independent prognostic factor in patients with NSCLC (P = 0.032, relative risk 3.962).

CONCLUSIONSHAb18G protein expression is associated with tumor progression and prognosis. It may represent a useful biomarker for prognostic evaluation.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Basigin ; metabolism ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Sex Factors ; Survival Rate ; Tumor Burden