Objective To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of MST1 inhibition on kidney tissue in diabetic rats,and to find a new therapeutic target for diabetic nephropathy.Methods Total of 54 male SD rats enrolled in this study were divided into 3 groups including normal control (group A,n=18),MST1 inhibition group (Group B,n=18) and diabetes group (group C,n=18).Diabetes was induced by a single streptozotocin (STZ,50 mg/kg) injection in group B and group C.rats in group B received lentiviral vector contain Mst1 interference RNA (shRNA) and the rats in group C received empty vector.The end of 4th,8th and 12th week after modeling were considered as time points in this study.At each time point,the level of 24 hours urine protein (24-HUP),blood glucose and serum creatinine were examined.Pathological changes were observed with HE stain; Injury of podocyte and glomerular basement membrane (GBM) were examined with transmission electron microscope (TEM).The intensity and location of MST1 in kidney tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry.The level of MST1,Phosphorylated-MST1,nephrin,Caspase-3 and FasL were detected by western bloting.Results (1) At the starting point,there were no significant differences among groups in terms of weight,activity,eating and drinking.Since the end of 72nd hour after modeling,the levels of glucose in both group B and group C,compared to those in group A,significantly increased (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference between group B and group C for glucose level at each time point (P ＞ 0.05); the level of 24-HUP increased significantly since the end of 4th week after modeling,and the level in group C was higher than its counterpart in group B at the same point (P ＜ 0.05); (2) There was no significant pathological lesion observed in group A.Without obvious K-W nodular changes,mesangial proliferation was observed in group B and group C.It was shown by TEM that podocyte fusion and thickening of the GBM could be found in group B and group C.The pathological change in group B was better than that in group C; (3) Compared to group A,it was shown by western blot that the levels of MST1,Phosphorylated-MST1,Caspase-3 and FasL in group B and group C were significantly higher (P ＜ 0.05),and the levels of nephrin in group B and group C were significantly lower (P ＜ 0.05) since the end of 4th week after modeling.Meanwhile,the levels of MST1,Phosphorylated-MST1,Caspase-3 and FasL in group B were significantly lower than that in group C at each time point (P ＜ 0.05),the level of nephrin in group B was significantly higher than the one in group C; (4) It was shown by immunohistochemistry that there was low MST1 expression in normal condition,especially in cytoplasm of tubular epithelial cells.The level of MST1 in group B and group C significantly increased after modeling,and the change could be the same as Western blot shown.Conclusions MST1 pathway could be involved in kidney injury induced by diabetes.MST1 inhibition could alleviate the kidney injury in STZ-induced diabetes animal model.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mutation of Y-STR loci in meiotic allelic transmission in a large pedigree. METHODS: The oral swabs of 163 male individuals were collected from a Lin pedigree. Twenty-two Y-STR genetic markers were typed with AGCU Y24 fluorescent detection kit (AGCU Y24 system), which also contained 16 Y-STR markers included in Yfiler multiple amplification kit (Yfiler system). The genotyping results of Y-STR loci were compared between each two males in the pedigree. RESULTS: There were 20 and 30 kinds of haplotypes obtained with Yfiler and AGCU Y24 systems in 163 male individuals from the Lin pedigree, respectively. The rates referred to haplotype differences (RRHD) of these two typing systems between male pairs were 0.910 5 and 0.922 7, respectively. The average number of marker differences were 6.582 1 and 9.824 8, respectively. The RRHD increased along with the incidents of meiosis. CONCLUSION Y-STR mutation leads to different Y-STR haplotypes among the male members in a paternal pedigree and the rate of difference increases along with the incidents of meiosis.
Alleles ; Chromosomes, Human, Y/genetics* ; DNA Fingerprinting ; Genetic Linkage ; Genetic Markers/physiology* ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation/genetics* ; Pedigree

OBJECTIVETo clone the full-length Rcet3 gene, a novel gene related to family 2 cystatins, from mouse testis or other tissues.

METHODSRcet3 gene was cloned using digital differential display (DDD) and RT-PCR was performed for cloning the full-length Rcet3 gene from adult mouse testis cDNA library with sequence analysis.

RESULTSRcet3 cDNA was 610 bp in length, consisting of 4 exons to encode a protein with 140 amino acid residues. The encoded protein contained a potential signal peptide and a cystatin domain, but lacked critical consensus site important for cysteine protease inhibition. These characteristics could be seen in the Cres subgroup related to the family 2 cystatins. Rcet3 was specifically expressed in adult mouse testis, epididymis and the cerebrum, but at higher levels in the testis than in the epididymis and cerebrum.

CONCLUSIONRcet3 may be a new member of Cres subgroup of family 2 cystatins.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Cystatins ; genetics ; DNA, Complementary ; chemistry ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Testis ; metabolism

Objective To observe the effects of enhanced exercise and combined vitamin D and calcium supplementation on muscular strength and fracture occurrence in postmenopausal women with a high risk of osteoporosis.Methods Totally 614 postmenopausal women at high risk factors of osteoporosis were enrolled in Dongcheng district of Beijing and randomized into four groups:group A(control group,n=173),group B(regular Tai Chi exercise,n=171),group C(calcium 600 mg/d+VitD800 U/d,n=139),and group D[calcium 600 mg/d+25 hydroxyl vitamin D(25OHD) 0.25 μg/d,n=131].Muscular strength was measured at baseline and one and two years after intervention.Bone turnover markers were measured at baseline and during the two-year follow-up.Falls and fractures were recorded.Results The incidence of 25OHD<50 nmol/L was approximately 92.6%.During the follow-up,the left grip strength decreased significantly two years after intervention(t=-3.252,P=0.001)in group A.Right grip strength decreased significantly in group B(t=2.460,P=0.015)while left grip strength improved significantly in group C(t=-2.051,P=0.043)one year after intervention.In group D,muscular strength in both 12-month and 24-month did not change compared with baseline(both P>0.05).Furthermore,serum procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide elevated significantly in group A(t=-2.962,P=0.004),group B(t=-2.888,P=0.005),and group C(t=-2.441,P=0.016),whereas β-C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen decreased significantly in group B(t=2.285,P=0.024)and group D(t=2.596,P=0.011)two years after intervention.Conclusion Enhanced exercise and combined calcium vitamin D supplementation may help sustain muscle strength in postmenopausal women,while calcium and vitamin D supplementation may improve muscular strength within a short period of time.

0.05).Conclusion The distribution of G990R CASR genotype in PHPT patients is different from healthy women,and R allele is higher in PHPT group.Among PHPT patients,A986S and G990R polymorphisms are associated with serum calcium and ICa levels.Patients with S or G allele have lower levels of serum calcium and ICa.A986S genotype is also associated with serum PTH level and patients with S allele have relatively lower level of PTH.

BACKGROUNDChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is usually complicated with mucus overproduction in airway. Recently the increased expression of the human calcium-activated chloride channel 1 (CaCC(1)) was found to play an important role in mucus overproduction in the asthmatic airways. To investigate the relationship of CaCC(1) and mucus overproduction in the airway of Chinese patients with COPD, the expressions of CaCC(1), MUC5AC and mucus in bronchial tissues were examined.

METHODSBronchial tissues were obtained from fiberoptic bronchoscopy and bronchial biopsy in West China Hospital from April to July in 2004. Twenty-five patients were diagnosed as the patients with COPD overproduction, and other 20 were the control subjects. The expressions of CaCC(1), MUC5AC and mucin in bronchial tissues were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), in situ hybridization with digoxigenin (DIG)-labeled RNA probe, immunohistochemical and alcian blue-periodic acid Schiff (AB-PAS) staining, respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the stronger expressions of CaCC(1) were further detected throughout the bronchial tissues from patients with COPD (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the stronger expressions of the CaCC(1) mRNA were related to the severity of airflow obstruction. Samples from COPD showed a stronger staining for MUC5AC than those in control subjects (P < 0.01) and AB-PAS staining revealed more mucins in COPD patients' submucosal gland comparing with that in control subjects (P < 0.01). Expression levels of the CaCC(1) mRNA were respectively negatively correlated with the patients' forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1))/forced vital capacity (FVC) data, FEV(1)% predicted data, V(50)% predicted data, V(25)% predicted data (r = -0.43, r = -0.43, r = -0.35, r = -0.36, P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.05). While the expression levels of the CaCC(1) mRNA were well correlated with the expression levels of the MUC5AC mRNA of airway epithelium and the PAS-AB stained area of submucosal glands (r = 0.39, r = 0.46, P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Expression levels of the MUC5AC mRNA were negatively correlated with the patients' FEV(1)/FVC data (P = 0.01), FEV(1)% pred data (P = 0.01), V(50)% predicted data, V(25)% predicted data (r = -0.53, r = -0.53, r = -0.48, r = -0.43, P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.01). While the expression levels of the MUC5AC mRNA were well correlated with the positively PAS-AB stained area of submucosal gland (P < 0.05), and the correlation coefficients were 0.43.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that the stronger gene expression of CaCC(1) exists, complicated with mucus overproduction in the airway of Chinese patients with COPD.

Adult ; Aged ; Bronchi ; metabolism ; Chloride Channels ; genetics ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucin 5AC ; Mucins ; genetics ; Mucus ; physiology ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Vital Capacity

OBJECTIVE: To introduce the method of avuncular index (AI) calculation. METHODS: Identity by decent coefficient, coancestry coefficient and AI law were employed in identification of uncle-niece relationship, when autosomal STR loci were detected to determine controversial uncle-niece relationship. RESULTS: The results of AI calculation were coincidental using identity by descent coefficien, coancestry coefficient and AI law. CONCLUSION The results are coincidental using three methods in the different situations. AI index is higher with participation of children's mother.
Algorithms ; Alleles ; Chromosomes, Human/genetics* ; Family ; Female ; Forensic Genetics/methods* ; Genotype ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Male ; Models, Genetic ; Paternity ; Probability ; Tandem Repeat Sequences/genetics*

OBJECTIVETo discuss the diagnostic value of an ultrasonic assessing system for detecting the severity of hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODSUltrasonographic variables were analyzed in 110 CHB patients. An ultrasonic semi-quantitative scoring system using seven ultrasonic morphologic parameters, a Fisher discriminating function and three quantitative ultrasonic parameters was developed. The performance of these methods was also studied and compared.

RESULTSThe areas under the curve of the scoring system for different liver fibrosis stages were >or= S2: 0.946, >or= S3: 0.914, and S4: 0.915. The total score was well correlated with the histological stage of fibrosis (r=0.824, P < 0.001). There was a significant difference between the stages of fibrosis. The accuracy of the Fisher discriminating function for identifying three study endpoints was 76.5%, 78.2% and 67.3%. Combining the ultrasonic scoring system and the discriminating function, the specificity was 85%-90% and the accuracy was 77%-84%.

CONCLUSIONOur ultrasonic semi-quantitative scoring system is a noninvasive method for quantitating liver fibrosis. If it is used together with a discriminating function, the accuracy of diagnosing liver fibrosis can be significantly increased.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo develop a diagnostic model comprising clinical and serum markers for assessing HBV-related liver fibrosis.

METHODS270 chronic hepatitis B patients were randomly allocated to either an estimation group (195 cases) or a validation group (75 cases). Liver biopsies were done and staging of fibrosis was assessed. Twenty-six common clinical and serum markers were analyzed initially in the estimation group to derive a predictive model to discriminate the stages of fibrosis. The model created was then assessed with ROC analysis. It was also applied to the validation group to test its accuracy.

RESULTSAmong 13 variables associated with liver fibrosis selected by univariate analysis, age, gamma glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT), hyaluronic acid (HA), and platelet count (PLT) were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis as independent factors of fibrosis. A fibrosis index constructed from the above four markers was established. In ROC analysis, the AUC was 0.889 for the estimation group and 0.850 for the validation group for discriminating > or =S3 from < or=S2. Using the optimal cutoff score 3.0, the sensitivity of the index was 90.2%, the specificity 76.1%, and the accuracy was 82%. There was a positive linear relationship between the index scores and the fibrosis stages (r = 0.731, P<0.001). The AUC for identifying > or=S2 was 0.873 with sensitivity/specificity of 79%/82%, cutoff score 2.2; The AUC for identifying S4 was 0.872 with sensitivity/specificity of 83%/75%, cutoff score 5.4. There were no significant differences in diagnostic efficacy in the model between the estimation and the validation group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONA model for assessment of liver fibrosis was established with easily accessible markers. It appears to be sensitive, accurate and reproducible, suggesting it could be used to assist or replace liver biopsy to detect dynamic changes of HBV-related liver fibrosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Forecasting ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo analyze the direct and indirect outcomes of influencing factors on smoking behaviors among adolescents.

METHODSSelf-administered questionnaires were used to collect smoking-related information from 2021 respondents. Measurement models were built by confirmatory factor analysis and parameters were estimated by ERLS method. The final structural equation model was determined by comprehensive evaluation and necessary modification.

RESULTSThree latent variables were extracted from 10 manifest variables of environment, while only one latent variable was identified from 9 manifest variables of attitudes. The goodness of fit for the structural equation model was satisfactory that all indices had met corresponding requirements. The final model could explain 38.8% of the variance of smoking behaviors. Four factors (smoking environment, smoking restriction from parents and teachers, determination of cigarette refusal and attitudes toward smoking) were directly affecting the smoking behaviors, while another three factors (grade, health knowledge and school environment) had indirect impacts. According to the percentages of their contribution, the risk factors were ranked as follows: smoking environment (45.76%), attitudes toward smoking (19.88%) and grade at school (0.44%). Similarly, the top protective factor were: determination of cigarette refusal (16.61%), followed by smoking restriction from parents and teachers (10.51%), health knowledge (3.89%) and school environment (2.92%).

CONCLUSIONSHeath knowledge had minor effect on smoking in adolescents but could indirectly affect their smoking behaviors through changing their belief. Grade at school had a doubled influence on smoking, but mainly served as a risk factor. Tobacco control measures for adolescents should not only be limited to health education but environment factors as well.

Adolescent ; Adolescent Behavior ; China ; Humans ; Male ; Smoking ; psychology ; Students