OBJECTIVETo study the genotype frequencies of peroxisome proliferators-activated -receptors-gamma C161-->T gene and its possible association with the metabolic syndrome and dietary intakes.

METHODSThe PCR-PFLP method was used to detect the polymorphism of PPARgammaC161-->T gene of 224 adults with metabolic syndrome and 224 normal adults in Shanghai. Their physical examinations, dietary investigation and the serum biochemistry were analyzed.

RESULTS(1) The genotype frequencies of PPARgamma C161-->T CC, CT and TT were 32.4%, 49.6% and 18.0% respectively, which were in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. There was no significant difference in the distribution of genotypes or allele between the metabolic syndrome group and the control group, and the result was the same between male and female subjects. (2) The levels of body mass index,waist width and hip width were significantly different among three genotypes groups. Subjects of the CT genotype had the highest levels. (3) There was significant difference in the negative correlation with the intake of protein and serum TG levels in the metabolic syndrome group.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggested PPARgamma gene C161-->T should be associated with body mass index, waist width and hip width. It might contribute to the heterogeneity in diet response to TG.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Alleles ; Causality ; China ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; genetics ; Diet ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; genetics ; PPAR gamma ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic

BACKGROUNDMyopia is a common disorder and the incidence has increased yearly, but its pathogenesis remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor c-Met in the development of lens-induced myopia in guinea pigs.

METHODSSixty one-week-old guinea pigs were chosen. The right eyes were treated with -10.0 diopters (D) lenses as the lens-induced myopia group; the left eyes remained untreated as the control group. Six weeks later, refractive status and axial length were determined by streak retinoscopy and A-scan ultrasonography, respectively. The guinea pigs were killed and both eyes collected. Morphological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The expression levels of HGF, c-Met, and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) mRNA and protein in the posterior sclera were analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively.

RESULTSThe lens-induced myopia group became myopic with a significant increase in axial length and a significant decrease in refraction. Compared with the control group, the posterior retina and sclera were thinner in the lens-induced myopia group. The expression levels of HGF and MMP-2 mRNA and protein and of phosphorylated c-Met protein were significantly higher in the posterior sclera of the lens-induced myopia group than in the control group (all P < 0.05). In the lens-induced myopia group, the expression level of MMP-2 in the posterior sclera positively correlated with the expression level of HGF (r = 0.902, P < 0.05) and phosphorylated c-Met (r = 0.885, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHGF/c-Met might play a role in the development of lens-induced myopia in guinea pigs by upregulating the expression of MMP-2.

Animals ; Guinea Pigs ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Myopia ; etiology ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met ; metabolism

Flavonol synthase (FLS) is one of the key enzymes in flavonoids metabolic pathways. In this study, middle sequence was obtained from Carthamus tinctorius transcriptome sequencing results. Full-length cDNAs of FLS was cloned from petals of C. tinctorius to FLS by using RT-PCR and RACE technology. Its full-length cDNA was 1,201 bp, with an open reading frame of 1,101 bp and 336 encoded amino acids. The phylogenetic analysis showed that, FLS gene encoded amino acids in C. tinctorius were highly homologous with amino acids in congeneric Compositae species, especially Rudbeckia laciniata. The pBASTA-FLS plant expression vector was successfully built by the molecular biology method, which lays a foundation for further studying biology functions of the gene and biosynthesis mechanism of flavonoids.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Carthamus tinctorius ; classification ; enzymology ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; metabolism ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Open Reading Frames ; Oxidoreductases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To explore the diagnostic value of 2-dimentional ultrasonography and color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) in primary bone tumor. METHODS: The hemodynamic parameters such as systolic maximum velocity (Vmax), diastolic minimum velocity (Vmin), resistance index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI) of intratumoral folw in 93 patients with primary bone tumors proved by histopathology were studied using 2-dimentional ultrasonography and CDFI techniques. RESULTS: The bone destruction periosteum response and soft tissue mass were essentially revealed with 2-dimentional ultrasonography techniques. The intratumoral flow features were clearly shown by CDFI. The Vmax and Vmin in malignant bone tumor were significantly higher than those in benign one (P < 0.01). RI and PI in malignant bone tumor were lower than those in benign one (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Observing the features of bone tumor and hemodynamic parameters by 2-dimentional ultrasonography and CDFI has a great clinical value in diagnosing primary bone tumor and distinguishing the malignant and benign bone tumors.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Bone Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Giant Cell Tumor of Bone ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteosarcoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; methods ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of myringotomy with insertion of tube and tympanocentesis on alleviating secretory otitis media (SOM) and hearing loss in cleft palate infants.

METHODSNineteen cleft lip and palate infants with SOM and hearing loss (38 ears) were treated with myringotomy with insertion of ventilation tube at the same time of repair of the cleft lip, who were performed averagely at 6.9 months of age. Fifteen cleft lip and palate infants with SOM (30 ears) were treated with tympanocentesis at the same time of repair of the cleft lip averagely at 6.6 months of age. All cases were followed up from 1 week to 12 months and estimated by auditory brainstem response (ABR) and acoustic immitance audiometry.

RESULTSThe average wave V reacting thresholds of ABR were separately 55.41 dBnHL and 28.48 dBnHL, and 79.17% tympanogram B changed to tympanogram A in cleft palate infants with insertion of tube before and after operation. The average wave V reacting thresholds of ABR were separately 40.63 dBnHL and 26.50 dBnHL, and 40.91% tympanogram B changed to tympanogram A in cleft palate infants with tympanocentesis preoperatively and in 1 week postoperatively, in whom the average hearing thresholds and tympanograms had no significant difference preoperatively and in 1 or 3 months postoperatively (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe early myringotomy with insertion of tube is effective to restore the function of the middle ear in cleft palate infants with SOM, so to suggest to be performed at the same time of the repair of cleft lip within the first 1-year of life. The tympanocentesis should not be used as a regular management in the cleft palate infants with SOM.

Cleft Lip ; Cleft Palate ; Ear Diseases ; Humans ; Infant ; Middle Ear Ventilation ; Otitis Media with Effusion ; Postoperative Period

BACKGROUNDMany studies have shown the superior efficacy of budesonide (BUD)/formoterol (FORM) maintenance and reliever therapy, but still lack evidence of its efficacy in Chinese asthma patients in a relative large patient-group. We finished this research to compare BUD/FORM maintenance and reliever therapy and high-dose salmeterol (SALM)/fluticasone (FP) maintenance plus an as-needed short-acting β(2)-agonist in Chinese patients with persistent uncontrolled asthma. This was a post hoc analysis based on a 6-month, multicenter, randomized, double-blind study (NCT00242775).

METHODSA total of 222 eligible asthma patients from nine centers in China were randomized to either BUD/FORM+as-needed BUD/FORM (160/4.5 µg/inhalation) (640/18 µg/d; n = 111), or SALM/FP+as-needed terbutaline (0.4 mg/inhalation) (100/1000 µg/d; n = 111). The primary endpoint was time to first severe exacerbation while secondary endpoints included various measures of pulmonary function, symptom control and quality-of-life.

RESULTSTime to first severe exacerbation over six months was lower with the BUD/FORM than with the SALM/FP treatment (risk ratio = 0.52, 95%CI 0.22 - 1.22), but the difference did not achieve statistical significance (P = 0.13). The cumulative number of severe exacerbations in the BUD/FORM group was lower than in the SALM/FP group (7.2% vs. 13.5%; risk ratio = 0.45, P = 0.028). BUD/FORM produced significantly better improvements in reliever use, cumulative mild exacerbations, symptom-free days (%), and morning/evening peak expiratory flow (PEF) than SALM/FP (P < 0.05 in all cases). The two groups achieved similar improvements in their time to first mild exacerbation, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), asthma control questionnaire and asthma symptom scores, and percentage of nights with awakening(s). Both treatments were well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONSIn Chinese patients with persistent asthma, BUD/FORM decreased severe and mild exacerbations, decreased reliever use, increased symptom-free days, and improved morning/evening PEF compared with SALM/FP. There were no significant differences in time to first severe exacerbation or other assessments regarding daily asthma control between BUD/FORM and SALM/FP. BUD/FORM was more effective in this Chinese sub-group than in the total cohort involved in the original study.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Asthma ; complications ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Budesonide ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Double-Blind Method ; Ethanolamines ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Formoterol Fumarate ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the early effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on cerebral free radical reactions after acute brain injury in rabbits.

METHODS30 healthy white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: Group A (n=10), Group B (n=12) and Group C (n=8). The rabbits in Group A and Group B were injured by direct hit. At 0.5-4 hours after injury, the rabbits in Group A were injected with TRH (8 mg/kg body weight) through a vein and the rabbits in Group B were injected with normal saline of equal volume. The rabbits in Group C served as the normal control. Then all the rabbits were killed and brain tissues were obtained. The content of lipoperoxide (LPO), the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the water content of the brain tissues were measured.

RESULTSThe contents of LPO and water in brain tissues in Group A were lower and the activity of SOD was higher than those of Group B (P<0.05). After injury, intracranial pressure (ICP) rose rapidly and continuously with time passing by. When TRH was given to the animals in Group A, the rising speed of ICP slowed down significantly.

CONCLUSIONSTRH can decrease the cerebral free radical reactions and cerebral edema after acute brain injury in rats.

Animals ; Brain Edema ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Brain Injuries ; complications ; metabolism ; Female ; Free Radicals ; metabolism ; Intracranial Pressure ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Rabbits ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone ; pharmacology

Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; genetics ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Humans ; Microbubbles ; Oligoribonucleotides, Antisense ; genetics ; Transfection ; methods ; Ultrasonics

OBJECTIVETo review the clinical data of enteral feeding of extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI), and analyze the influencing factors.

METHODFrom Jan. 2000 to Jan. 2010, data of 31 ELBWI from Peking Union Medical College Hospital were retrospectively collected. ELBWI were assigned to different groups according to the time achieving full enteral feeding, comparison was done between two groups for enteral feeding.

RESULTTwenty-four infants were analyzed, their mean gestational age was (29.0 ± 1.8) weeks (26.14 - 34.43 weeks), birth weight (882 ± 67) g (730 - 970 g), there were 11 infants in group A, whose time for achieving full enteral feeding was (27 ± 6)days, there were 13 infants in group B, whose time achieving full enteral feeding was (46 ± 10)days. The ratio of asphyxia (18.2% vs. 61.5%, P = 0.047), duration of umbilical vein catheterization longer than 10 days (18.2% vs. 61.5%, P = 0.047), and duration of mechanical ventilation longer than 14 days (27.3% vs. 76.9%, P = 0.038) in group A was higher than in group B. The milk volume on the 21st and 28th day in group A was much more than that in group B [(88.9 ± 35.4) ml vs. (37.4 ± 34.9) ml, P = 0.002; (121.1 ± 37.4) ml vs. (53.2 ± 33.1) ml, P = 0.000]. There were no significant differences between the two groups in gestational age, birth weight, patent ductus arterious, erythrocytosis, dysglycemia, sepsis, the time to begin enteral feeding, the beginning milk volume, the adding milk volume in the 1st, 2nd week, and the milk volume on the 3rd, 7th, 14th day.

CONCLUSIONAsphyxia, duration of umbilical vein catheterization, and duration of mechanical ventilation are likely to influence the enteral feeding of ELBWI, ELBWI with successful enteral feeding could show good tolerance in the 3rd week. But individual program should be made for enteral feeding of ELBWI, because enteral feeding could be influenced by multiple factors.

Enteral Nutrition ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight ; growth & development ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; growth & development ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic efficacy and the mechanism of Chinese medicine eye-patch with invigorating blood circulation and detoxification on asthenopia.

METHODSA total of 180 rabbits were subjected to three tests, namely the skin microcirculation, the microvascular regeneration in the skin and the skin temperature change, with 60 rabbits for each test. The rabbits in each test were randomly and equally divided into three groups: the normal control group was treated with physiological saline on naked back once per day, the low dose group was treated with the eye-patch on naked back for 15 min once per day, while the high dose group was treated for three times per day. Forty Hartley guinea pigs were randomly and equally divided into four groups for the muscle tone test: the normal control group was treated with physiological saline on naked back, the model group was treated without any medication, the low dose group was treated with the eye-patch on naked back for 10 min once per day, while the high dose group was treated for three times per day. All treatments were continued for 14 days until the termination of the test. The microcirculatory blood flow was observed by using a video-microscopy system. The histological sections were used to detect the microvascular regeneration by observing the expression of factor VIII. The temperature changes on the skin surface were measured by using infrared thermometer, and the muscle tone was tested by the electromyography.

RESULTSIn compare with the normal or the model group, the improvement in the skin microcirculation and the blood vascular regeneration, and the decreasing in the muscle tone in low dose and high dose groups were statistically significant with confident level at P<0.05.

CONCLUSIONSThe eye-patch with invigorating blood circulation and detoxification has great enhancement in blood vascular regeneration and skin microcirculation, and great improvement in the indexes for muscle tone. The study explains certain therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of the eye-patch and shows that it could reduce the symptoms for patients with asthenopia.

Animals ; Asthenopia ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Guinea Pigs ; Microcirculation ; drug effects ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rabbits ; Regeneration ; drug effects ; Regional Blood Flow ; drug effects ; Skin ; blood supply ; drug effects ; Skin Temperature ; drug effects