OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein B gene (APOB) 3'variable number of tandem repeat with natural longevity in the Xinjiang Uighur nationality people.

METHODSTotally 191 healthy individuals over 90 years and 53 individuals aged 65-70 years were recruited among Xinjiang Uighur population, the nationality, gender and living area were matched. Genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer(PCR-SSP) and PCR-sequencing.

RESULTSFourteen alleles were found in the Xinjiang Uighur nationality population. The frequency of HVE36 and HVE42 in the natural longevity group were significantly higher than that in the control group (both P<0.05) and HVE44, HVE46, HVE48 and HVE58 were only found in the natural longevity group. However, the frequency of HVE26, HVE30 and HVE34 were markedly lower in the natural longevity group compared to the control group. Logistic regression analyses revealed that allele L and the genotypes LL were positively associated with age, whereas the allele S and genotype SS were negatively associated with age (both P<0.05). Each allele consists of 15 bp tandem repeats with rich-AT by PCR-sequencing.

CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that the S allele, and SS genotype are frail factors in China Uighur natural longevity people, whereas allele L and genotypes LL are protective factors.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Apolipoproteins B ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; China ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Longevity ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minisatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics

To assay the influence of dendritic cells(DCs)on the function of anti-infective immunity to Penicillium marneffei.DCs were generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC)and pulsed with Penicillium marneffei yeasts.DCs morphology was observed by the inverted microscope and cell surface markers of DCs were analyzed by flow cytometry.The concentrations of IL-12p70 were detected by ELISA. Mixed lymphocyte reaction was performed to assay the proliferation of T cells.The mRNA of CCR7 and CXCR4 were detected by the Real-time PCR quantifications.The acquired DCs exhibited irregular appearance and numerous long dendrites under light microscope.DCs and Penicillium marneffei yeasts were co-cultured for 24 h,numerous yeasts were observed inside the cells;an enhanced expression of the cell sur-face markers CD86、CD83、HLA-DR and CD40 were demonstrated;the expression of CCR7 and CXCR4 mRNA were also increased;the improved proliferation of T cells were observed in the mixed lymphocyte reaction.Yeasts-pulsed DCs secreted more IL-12p70 than that of non-pulsed,but less than that of LPS-pulsed DCs.DCs can engulf the Penicillium marneffei yeasts.When pulsed with Penicillium marneffei yeasts,DCs improved their expression of the co-stimulatory molecules and chemokine receptor CCR7、CXCR4,enhanced their capacity to process antigen.DCs play an important role in host defense against Penicillium marneffei infection.But the low level of the IL-12p70 production may lead to deficiency in the cell-mediated immunity against Penicillium marneffei.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of blood activating wind dissipating acupuncture (BAWDA) on blood pressure (BP) of prehypertension (PHT) patients.

METHODSTotally 60 PHT patients were assigned to the control group and the acupuncture group according to random digit table, 30 in each group. All patients were intervened by life style. BAWDA was additionally performed in patients in the acupuncture group for 6 weeks (30 times). The improvement of BP after intervened by acupuncture was observed. BP success rates and the proportion of PHT progressing to hypertension (HT) were also observed after 6-week intervention of acupuncture and at 1-year follow-up.

RESULTSSystolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) decreased after 6-week intervention in the acupuncture. The BP control rate was 56.7% (17/30 cases) in the acupuncture group vs.10.0% (3/30 cases) in the control group with statistical difference (chi2 = 14.70, P < 0.01). At 1-year follow-up BP success rate was 36.7% (11/30 cases) in the acupuncture group, remarkably higher than that of the control group [13.3%, (4/30 cases)] (chi2 = 4.36, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBAWDA showed BP regulating roles in a gradually stable decreasing tendency. It also could elevate BP success rate of PHT, and reduce the risk of PHT progressing to HT.

Acupuncture ; methods ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Blood Pressure ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Prehypertension ; therapy ; Wind

Objective To investigate the optimal scanning parameters for diffusion tensor imaging of the cervical cord.Methods MRI and diffusion tensor imaging of the cervical cord was performed in 80 healthy adult volunteers.Different parameters including b values,the number of the diffusion sensitive gradient directions,the number of excitations,and slice thickness were applied and their effects on the quality of the images were compared.DTI was performed on the cervical spinal cord with different b-values (400,700,and 1000 s/mm~2)in group 1,with different numbers of diffusion gradient directions(6,13, and 25)in group 2,with different numbers of excitations(2,4,and 8)in group 3,and with different slice thicknesses(2,3,and 4 mm)in group 4.Two radiology experts gave a score to every image with double blind methods,then compared the image quality.Results In the comparison of the four different parameters,DTIs using a b value of 700 s/mm~2(2.25?0.58)showed better image quality than those with the b values of 400 s/mm~2(1.86?0.53)and 1000 s/mm~2(1.48?0.35)(P

BACKGROUNDMacro- and microvascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients, but their mechanisms remain unclear. Recent reports provide evidence that the levels of CD55 and CD59 are decreased in diabetic microvascular diseases. However, very little is known about the levels of CD55 and CD59, the relationship between them and carotid artery intima-media thickness, and the effects of statins on CD55 and CD59 in diabetic macrovascular diseases.

METHODSThe mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of CD55 and CD59 expression on peripheral blood leucocyte subsets (lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils) was studied using flow cytometry, and carotid artery intima-media thickness was measured using B-mode ultrasonography in 23 healthy subjects (controls), 19 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and 43 patients with type 2 diabetes and macrovascular diseases (T2DM-M). The patients with T2DM-M were assigned to two subgroups based on whether statins were used: group with statins (n = 23) and group without statins (n = 20).

RESULTSCompared with the controls and T2DM, the MFI of CD55 positive neutrophils was significantly lower in T2DM-M (P = 0.049 vs controls and P = 0.033 vs T2DM); similarly, the MFI of CD59 positive monocytes was also lower in T2DM-M (P = 0.038 vs controls and P = 0.043 vs T2DM). The MFI of CD59 positive neutrophils in T2DM-M was lower than in T2DM (P = 0.032). The levels of CD55 and CD59 were negatively associated with age and blood pressure (r = -0.245 - -0.352, P = 0.041 - 0.003), but not acute-phase reactants and carotid artery intima-media thickness. The levels of CD55 and CD59 increased after treatment with statins, but the results were not significantly different (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCD55 and CD59 expressions on peripheral blood leucocytes are decreased in T2DM patients with macrovascular diseases. The results suggest that the decreased levels of complement regulatory proteins might play an important role in diabetic macrovascular diseases.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; CD55 Antigens ; immunology ; CD59 Antigens ; immunology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; immunology ; Diabetic Angiopathies ; immunology ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the diagnostic potential of previously published enterovirus (EV) reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay in detection of EV in CSF samples from children with a diagnosis of aseptic meningitis and to investigate the clinical characteristics of the patients seen in Shandong.

METHODSEV RNA was detected in 187 CSF samples and serum and/or urine samples of a part of patients by RT-PCR and viral culture technique.

RESULTSRT-PCR was positive in all 62 CSF specimens which were positive by cell culture (100%). In addition, 93 of 125 (74.4%) CSF samples negative by cell culture were RT-PCR positive. In 4 of these 93 (4.3%) patients, viral culture of specimens from other sites (serum or urine) was also positive. The sensitivity of CSF RT-PCR based on clinical diagnosis in patients with meningitis of negative bacterial culture results was 82.9% (155/187), which was considerably higher than the sensitivity of CSF virus culture 33.2% (62/187). The results of RT-PCR can be reported within 4 hours, whereas the viral culture of CSF requires 4.6 days for a cytopathic effect to develop. EV meningitis occurred in a sporadic form and in some areas there were outbreaks. The clinical characteristics of 155 patients with EV meningitis were different in different age groups.

CONCLUSIONEV was one of the most common causes of aseptic meningitis in Shandong area. The RT-PCR assay was rapid, sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of EV meningitis and may be a potential tests to shorten hospital stay and reduce the use of antibiotics.

Central Nervous System Infections ; blood ; diagnosis ; urine ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Enterovirus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Enterovirus Infections ; cerebrospinal fluid ; diagnosis ; Female ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo study the mutagenicity and teratogenicity induced by ammonium dinitramide(ADN).

METHODSAccording to technical specifications for toxicity determination of chemicals, Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation assay (Ames assay), in vivo mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test, sperm malformation test and teratogenesis test were used to detect the mutagenicity and teratogenicity induced by AND.

RESULTSWhen the exposure doses of AND were 8-5000 pg/plate, the result of Ames assay was negative. As compared with control group, the micronucleus rate of mice exposed to 113.8 mg/kg AND significantly increased(P<0.05), the sperm malformation rates of mice exposed to 54.4-272.0 mg/kg AND did not increased significantly. The survival rate of fetuses decreased, the rate of assimilated fetuses increased, the rate of fetus sternum agenesis enhanced in mice exposed to 319 mg/kg AND, as compared with controls. The rates of in the 4th-6th fetus sternum agenesis in groups exposed to 21.3, 79.7 and 319 mg/kg AND were higher than that in control group. The malformation rate of fetus bowels in groups exposed to 319 mg/kg AND was higher than that in control group. The teratogenic index of ADN was 30.

CONCLUSIONAND may be a mutagen and induce the teratogenic effect.

Animals ; Embryo, Mammalian ; drug effects ; pathology ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Micronucleus Tests ; Mutagenicity Tests ; Nitrites ; toxicity ; Pregnancy ; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ; toxicity ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; pathology ; Sternum ; drug effects ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the acute, subacute and subchronic toxicity induced by ammonium dinitramide (ADN), and to ascertain the gradation and target organs of acute toxicity induced by AND.

METHODSAccording to technical specifications for toxicity determination of chemicals, the oral tests for acute, subacute and subchronic toxicity induced by AND were performed for 90 days.

RESULTSThe oral LDx for mouse and rat was 568.9 mg/kg and 616.6 mg/kg ADN respectively. The gradation of acute toxicity induced by AND was low level. The results of oral subacute and subchronic toxicity tests (for 28 and 90 days) showed that a gain in weight in group exposed to 123 mg/kg AND was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05), the TBIL and ALT in group exposed to 61.6 and 123 mg/kg AND significantly increased and the ratio of liver weight to body weight obviously decreased, as compared with control group, the number of animals with hepatic pathological changes in group exposed to 61.6 and 123 mg/kg AND was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe gradation of acute toxicity induced by ADN was low level. When the exposure dose of AND was 30.8 mg/kg, the adverse effect was not observed, and the target organ was liver.

Animals ; Body Weight ; Female ; Liver ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Nitrites ; toxicity ; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Toxicity Tests, Acute ; Toxicity Tests, Subchronic

OBJECTIVE Glioblastomas(GBM)are the most malignant brain tumors in humans and have a very poor prognosis. New therapeutics are urgently needed. Here, we reported 2-methoxy-6-acetyl-7-methyljuglone (MAM)-induced cell death in U87 and U251 glioma cancer cells. METHODS Cells were cultured and treated with MAM, the cell viability was determined by MTT assay and LDH assay. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was observed by DCF fluorescence. The protein expression was determined by Western blotting. RESULTS MAM induced glioma cancer cell death without caspase activation. The cell death induced by MAM was attenuated by the pharmacological or genetic blockage of necroptosis signaling,including RIP1 inhibitor necrostatin-1s (Nec-1s)and siRNA-mediated gene silencing of RIP1 and RIP3,but was unaffected by caspase inhibitor z-vad-fmk or necrosis inhibitor 2-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-3-pentylamino-maleimide (IM54). MAM treated U87 and U251 glioma cancer cells induced RIP1/RIP3 complex formation, ROS level increased, ATP concentration decreased and loss of plasma membrane integrity, further confirmed this process was necroptosis.The essential role of ROS was confirmed by the protective effect of ROS scavenger NAC. Interestingly, MAM induced necroptosis both triggered by RIP1/RIP3 complex and ROS generation. Moreover, MAM induced necroptosis through cytosolic calcium (Ca2 +) accumulation and sustained c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation. Both calcium chelator BAPTA-AM and JNK inhibitor SP600125 could attenuate cell death. Further, we found there exists a feedback loop between RIP1 and JNK activation.Finally,MAM induced necroptosis was inhibited by dicoumarol(a NQO1 inhibitor). Dicoumarol exposed glioma cancer cells were resistant to RIP1/RIP3 complex formation and ROS generation. MAM induced necroptosis was independent of MLKL. CONCLUSION MAM induced non-canonical necroptosis through the NQO1-dependent ROS and RIP1/RIP3 pathway.This study also provided new insights into the molecular regulation of necroptosis in human glioma cancer cells and a promising approach for GBM treatment.

OBJECTIVETo compare the fracture resistances of pulpless teeth restored with FRC (Fiber Reinforced Composite) posts and three kinds of resin core material.

METHODSA total of 42 recently extracted upper incisors were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group A was restored with prefabricated glass-fiber posts and Artglass polymer core; group B with prefabricated glass-fiber posts and Charisma composite resin core; and group C with prefabricated glass-fiber posts and AB composite resin core. In every group, the core material was processed by hot-press and non hot-press respectively. The posts size and shape were identical in the 3 groups. All teeth were fully covered with polycarbonate resin crowns. Fracture resistance was measured by applying point force at 130 degrees to the long axis of the teeth on an universal testing machine.

RESULTSMean fracture threshold was 505.4 N +/- 42.0 N and 564.1 N +/- 41.7 N in group A, 411.3 N +/- 23.3 N and 315.3 N +/- 19.1 N in group B and 358.4 N +/- 36.1 N and 423.4 N +/- 47.5 N in group C. In all groups, there was no posts fracture and polycarbonate resin crowns fragmentation.

CONCLUSIONThe composite restoration of FRC posts combined with resin core and resin crown can improve the fracture resistance of the pulpless roots. The strength of resin core material can be increased by hot-press methods.

Composite Resins ; Crowns ; Dental Restoration, Permanent ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Humans ; Post and Core Technique ; Tooth Fractures ; prevention & control ; Tooth, Nonvital ; therapy