Fibronectin containing extra domain A (EDA+ FN),a functional glycoprotein participating in several cellular processes,correlates with chronic liver disease.Herein,we aim to investigate the expression and secretion of EDA+ FN from hepatocytes in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the underlying mechanisms.Circulating levels of EDA+ FN were determined by ELISA in clinical samples.Western blotting and flow cytometry were performed on L02 and HepG2 cell lines to analyze whether the levels of EDA+ FN were associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related cell death.Circulating levels of EDA+ FN in NAFLD patients were significantly higher than those in control subjects,and positively related with severity of ultrasonographic steatosis score.In cultured hepatocytes,palmitate up-regulated the expression of EDA+ FN in a dose-dependent manner.Conversely,when the cells were pretreated with 4-phenylbutyrate,a specific inhibitor of ER stress,up-regulation of EDA+ FN could be abrogated.Moreover,silencing CHOP by shRNA enhanced the release of EDA+ FN from hepatocytes following palmitate treatment,which was involved in ER stress-related cell damage.These findings suggest that the up-regulated level of EDA+ FN is associated with liver damage in NAFLD,and ER stress-mediated cell damage contributes to the release of EDA+ FN from hepatocytes.

Objective To observe the expression changes of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ(PPARγ) following the secondary injuries in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods Seventy-two male SD rats were equally randomized into control group and SCI group. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR) was performed to detect the mRNA expression changes of PPARγ on the 1st, 3nd, 7th 14th, 28th and 56th d of SCI. Western blotting wasemployed to detect the protein expression changes of PPARγ Results Compared with those in the control group, the mRNA and protein expressions of PPARγ in the SCI group on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th and 28th d of SCI were significantly increased (P＜0.05), reaching its peak level 14 d after SCI; on the 56th d of SCI, their expression levels in the SCI group were still higher than those in the control group, but no significant differences were noted (P＞0.05). Conclusion The expressions of PPARγare significantly increased following secondary injuries in rats with spinal cord injury, reaching its peak level 14 d after SCI.

OBJECTIVETo observe blood uric acid levels and Goldstein grading, as well as their correlation in Wilson's disease (WD) patients with different Chinese medical syndrome types.

METHODSTotally 906 WD patients in line with inclusive criteria were assigned to 6 groups, i.e., the heart spirit confused by phlegm group (HSCP, 26 cases), the phlegm-fire disturbing heart group (PFDH, 90 cases), the retention of damp-heat group (RDH, 113 cases), deficiency of qi and blood group (DQB, 168 cases), the deficiency of Gan-yin and Shen-yin group (DGYSY, 327 cases), the deficiency of Gan and Shen group (DGS, 182 cases) due to different Chinese medical syndrome types. Recruited were another 160 healthy subjects having similar ages and diet structures, who came for medical examinations, as the healthy control group. Venous blood was collected from the medial cubital vein of each-patient on an empty stomach in early mornings to detect blood uric acid levels. Results Blood uric acid levels were lower in each syndrome type group than in the healthy control group (146.08 +/- 67.24 micromol/L in the HSCP group; 157.08 +/- 69.77 micromol/L in the PFDH group; 162.58 +/- 97.72 micromol/L in the RDH group; 156.20 +/- 62.63 micromol/L in the DQB group; 161.83 +/- 111.23 micromol/L in the DGYSY group; 194.41 +/- 90.01 micromol/L in the DGS group; 242.39 +/- 87.55 micromol/L in the healthy control group, P < 0.01). Blood uric acid levels were higher in the DGYSY group than in the other 5 syndrome groups (P < 0.01). Correlation analyses between Goldstein grading and blood uric acid showed that, along with increased Goldstein grade (that was aggravating disease conditions), WD patients' blood uric acid levels decreased (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSWD patient's blood uric acid levels decreased more. Blood uric acid levels and Goldstein grading were different in various Chinese medical syndrome types. Blood uric acid levels had certain value in assessing the severity of WD.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Heart ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration ; blood ; classification ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Syndrome ; Uric Acid ; blood

Objective To develop an effective real time PCR method for genotyping mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase-2(ALDH2)Glu504Lys polymorphism based on the hydrolysis probes.Methods The Mg~(2+)and probe concentration were optimized,the precision and sensitivity were also checked.The genotypings by this method were confirmed by the direct sequencing of amplified PCR products.Results The optimized Mg~(2+)and probe concentration were 2.5 mmol/L and 1.0 ?mol/L,respectively.The inter- group(n=20)and intra-group(n=20)CVs of Ct were 1.38% and 1.48 %,respectively.The method could detect human DNA in the range of 5.0?10~2-5.0 ?10~6 pg per 25 ?l reaction.The results from 150 individuals by this genotyping method are in full concordance with that by direct PCR products sequencing.Conclusion The combined merits of reliability,flexibility and simplicity should make this method suitable for routine clinical testing and cost-efficient large-scale genotyping.

Animals ; Gene Expression ; Genes, p53 ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Microcystins ; toxicity ; Mutation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variations associated with longevity in Bama elderly population from Guangxi.

METHODSMitochondrial genome of 20 individuals over 96 years of age was sequenced, and seven target single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) were observed by comparing with the standard rCRS sequence, and two were tested by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method in a larger population including 208 individuals of 90-113 years old, and 586 unrelated control individuals from Guangxi.

RESULTSThe 4824G frequency of the mtDNA4824A/G locus increased with age both in the long-lived elderly and in controls. And it was significantly higher in controls than that in long-lived population (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe mtDNA4824 A/G is not only an age-related locus, its mutation is also negatively correlated with longevity.

Aged ; China ; ethnology ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; analysis ; genetics ; Genome, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Longevity ; genetics ; Mutation ; Myanmar ; ethnology ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Population Groups

OBJECTIVETo provide appropriate needling angle and depth for the acupuncture and acupoint injection at Neiguan (PC 6), and to avoid damaging nerves and vessels so as to produce its maximum effect.

METHODSThirty adults' upper-limb samples were used to dissect and observe the referred hierarchical structure and adjoining crucially nerves and vessels in needling Neiguan (PC 6) according to the national standard Acupoint Location (GB 12346-90).

RESULTSIn this punctuation region, there are three parts rich in connective tissues containing the nerves and blood vessels. The surface part is between the skin and the musculus flexor digitorum superficialis and it is the tissue which contains medial and lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve and its nutrient artery. The middle part is between the musculus flexor digitorum superficialis and the flexor digitorum profundus muscle and contains the median nerve, its palmar branch of and artery. The deep part is between the pronator quadratus muscle and the interosseous membrane and contains the anterior interosseous nerve. When perpendicular needling, the depth of needling the body from skin to the superficial surface of the musculus flexor digitorum superficialis and to the superficial surface of the flexor digitorum profundus muscle is (6.68 +/- 0.64) mm and (12.37 +/- 0.87) mm respectively. The depth of needling the body from skin to the superficial surface of the pronator quadratus muscle and to the superficial surface of the anterior interosseous terminal branch of the nerves is (17.83 +/- 1.00) mm and (30.87 +/- 1.85) mm respectively, and the proportional cun is (2.20 +/- 0.14) cm. The ulnaris cord of median nerves are located at the radial of the needle. The deep layers could touch the anterior interosseous nerve ending.

CONCLUSIONPerpendicularly needling Neiguan (PC 6) for 3 fen (6.68 mm), 5 fen (12.37 mm) and 1.4 cun (30.87 mm) will stimulate the nervus vascularis of the rich part of surface, middle and deep connective tissues respectively and produce the acupuncture effect. During the acupoint injection, perforating the needle perpendicularly at the middle point of the two tendons or deviating slightly to the direction of tendon of palmaris longus can avoid the damage of the median nerve cord.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Blood Vessels ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; anatomy & histology ; blood supply ; innervation ; Nerve Tissue ; anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the 5-item version of the international index of erectile function (IIEF-5) as a method to differentiate the causes of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (ED).

METHODSIn all, 103 ED patients (mean age 46.8 +/- 18.7) were reviewed by IIEF-5. Penile blood flow was also assessed in each patient after an intracavernosal injection (ICI) and audio-visual sex stimulation by duplex Doppler ultrasonography. The 99mTc-(113m)In dual radioisotope test was performed to confirm specific vascular causes in the vasculogenic ED cases. Kruskal-Wallis TEST was employed to compare the scores of IIEF-5 with the results of ICI, duplex Doppler ultrasonography and the 99mTC-(113m)In dual radioisotope test.

RESULTSOf the total number of ED cases, 37 (37/103, 35.9%) were nonvasculogenic, 18 (18/103, 17.5%) arteriogenic, 35 (35/103, 34.0%) venogenic and 13 (13/103, 12.6%) combined vasculogenic. There was no significant difference in the IIEF-5 scores either between the vasculogenic group and the non-vasculogenic one (P = 0.253) or among different groups of the vasculogenic ED patients.

CONCLUSIONIIEF-5 cannot be used as a tool for differential diagnosis of vasculogenic ED, or to compare its specific vascular causes, nor can the scores of IIEF-5 reflect penile vascular conditions.

Adult ; Humans ; Impotence, Vasculogenic ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penis ; diagnostic imaging ; Smoking ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Ultrasonography

Objective To determine the hematological and serum biochemical parameters of 50 healthy African green monkeys,and to analyze the difference of these values between different groups of sex and age(the juvenile group:1- 3 years old,the adult group: 4 - 6 years old). Methods Blood samples were obtained from the monkeys in the awake state,and the hematological and serum biochemical parameters of the samples were measured using an automatic blood cell analyzer and blood biochemical analyzer, respectively. Results Among all of the hematologic values, the number of red blood cells(RBC), the amount of hemoglobin(HGB), hematocrit(HCT), and percentages of the neutrophils(NEUT%),lymphocytes(LYMPH%), monocytes(MONO%)and basophils(BASO%)were significantly different between the juvenile group and the adult group(P < 0.05). In the juvenile group, parameters such as the number of the white blood cells(WBC),RBC,HGB,HCT,NEUT%,LYMPH%,MONO% were significantly different between the female and the male monkeys(P < 0.05). As for the adult group, the HCT value was of significant difference,while the other indexes were not significantly different between the female and male monkeys(P < 0.05). Among the serum biochemical values, the quantities of albumin(ALB), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alkaline phosphatase(ALP)and creatinine(CREA)were significantly different between the juvenile group and adult group(P <0.05). The amount of CREA of the juvenile females was significantly different from that of the juvenile males(P <0.05),and the values of total protein(TP)and cholesterol(CHOL)of the adult females were significantly different from those of the adult males(P < 0.05), while the other indexes were not significantly different. Conclusions As a reference,the routine biological data of African green monkeys we have established in this study lay a foundation for the evaluation of their biological properties and further application in related studies.

Objective To evaluate the effect of schistosomiasis control and prevention in Yangxin County from 2004 to 2015,so as to provide the evidence for improving the work of schistosomiasis transmission interrupted and elimination in the fu-ture. Methods According to the endemic types and endemic regularity of schistosomiasis in Yangxin County,the comprehen-sive control strategies were adopted,and the programs related to sanitation,water conservancy,forestry,and agriculture were implemented continuously. The schistosomiasis control effects in this county from 2004 to 2015 were analyzed and compared. Re-sults After the implementation of the schistosomiasis comprehensive control strategies in Yangxin County ,the calculated num-ber of patients reduced from 22240 in 2004 to 1471 in 2015,the infection rate of residents reduced from 8.57%in 2004 to 0.16%in 2015,the number of patients with acute schistosome infection reduced from 64 in 2004 to 0,and no cases of acute schistosomiasis found since 2009. The infection rate of cattle decreased from 8.87%in 2004 to 0. The area with Oncomelania hu-pensis snails and the area of susceptible zone reduced from 3446.21 hm2 and 1111.59 hm2 in 2004 to 2285.75 hm2 and 41.28 hm2 in 2015 respectively,and the schistosome-infection rate of snails reduced from 0.76%in 2004 to 0. Conclusions Since the comprehensive control strategy implemented from 2004,the endemic situation of schistosomiasis in Yangxin County has de-creased significantly. However,the harness force of the Fu River as well as the control of infection source of livestock still should be strengthened to consolidate the control achievement.