Objective: To investigate the genetic polymorphisms of 24 autosomal short tandem repeats (STR) loci in Gelao and Miao populations dwelled in Guizhou province, and explore the population genetic relationships and evaluate their application value on forensic medicine. Methods: The DNA samples of 732 unrelated individuals (399 Guizhou Gelao population and 333 Guizhou Miao population) were amplified using SureID® PanGlobal kit, and the PCR products were analyzed by electrophoresis through 3500XL genetic analyzer. The fragment sizes of alleles were subsequently analyzed by GeneMapper ID-X v1.5. Allele frequencies and forensic genetic parameters of 24 STR loci were statistically analyzed and compared with the available data of other populations from different races and regions. Results: For Guizhou Gelao and Miao populations, the individual discrimination power (DP) ranged from 0.7833 to 0.9909 and 0.8010 to 0.9909, respectively; the polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from 0.5608 to 0.9385 and 0.5677 to 0.9414, respectively; the total discrimination power (TDP) were 1-7.6036 × 10-30 and 1-6.8630 × 10-30, respectively, and the cumulative probability of exclusion (CPE) were 1-1.9608 × 10-11 and 1-1.9738 × 10-14, respectively. Analysis with the matrix of Nei's DA genetic distance indicated that the genetic distance was the smallest (0.0205) between Guizhou Gelao and Hubei Han populations, while was the largest (0.0449) between Guizhou Gelao and Yunnan Miao populations; the genetic distance was minimum (0.0033) between Guizhou Miao and Hunan Han populations, while was maximal (0.0363) between Guizhou Miao and Yunnan Miao. Conclusions: The 24 STR loci are abundant in genetic polymorphism in Guizhou Gelao and Miao populations. It is of great significance to study the genetic diversity of different ethnic groups in order to understand their origin, migration and interrelationship.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the rapid PCR amplification program and system and to verify the technical indexes. METHODS: PCR multiplex and capillary electrophoresis detection of 24 autosomal STR loci and one Y-STR loci using the 6-color fluorescence marking technology, as well as A melogenin and Y-InDel. Meanwhile, sensitivity, specificity, identity, stability, mixing and a batch of sample tests were investigated, and the genotype of various routine samples and degraded, exfoliated cell samples were observed. RESULTS: The sensitivity of the system was 0.062 5 ng. In addition, the genotype could be detected accurately only around 65 min via rapid amplification. The species-specificity was high and the genotyping of all kinds of dry blood specimens of filter paper and mixed, degraded, exfoliated cell samples were accurate. CONCLUSION The rapid amplification system can significantly improve the detection rate, and obtain accurate and stable genotyping results, which may be important implications for the establishment of STR database and study on population genetics and forensic identification.
Electrophoresis, Capillary ; Fluorescence ; Genetics, Population ; Genotype ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Background: As a traditional Chinese medicine, Cordyceps sinensis (CS) possesses a variety of immunoregulatory properties. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of CS in a mice model of multiple sclerosis (MS)?experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Methods: Female C57BL/6 mice were immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein35–55 to induce EAE, followed by an instant intragastric feeding with a low dosage of CS (low?CS group, n = 5), high dosage of CS (high?CS group, n = 5), or the same volume of normal saline (control group, n = 5).All the mice were observed for clinical assessment. Over the 30 days of CS treatment, flow cytometry was used to detect the frequency of helper T?cell (Th) subsets, Th1 and Th17, and CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells in the spleen and lymph nodes. Meanwhile, pathological changes in brain were determined using both hematoxylin?eosin and luxol fast blue staining. Data were analyzed using the one?way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Over the 15 and 30 days of CS treatment, the clinical assessment for EAE demonstrated that both high?CS group (2.51 ± 0.31 and 2.26 ± 0.39 scores, respectively) and low?CS group (2.99 ± 0.40 and 2.69 ± 0.46, respectively) had lower disease severity scores than those of control group (3.57 ± 0.53 and 3.29 ± 0.53, all P < 0.01, respectively). Meanwhile, after 15 and 30 days, the high?CS group (19.18 ± 1.34 g and 20.41 ± 1.56 g, respectively) and low?CS group (18.07 ± 1.18 g and 19.48 ± 1.69 g, respectively) had a lower body weight, as compared with control group (16.85 ± 1.15 g and 18.22 ± 1.63 g, all P < 0.01, respectively).At 30 days post?CS treatment, there was a lower Th1 frequency in the lymph nodes (2.85 ± 1.54% and 2.77 ± 1.07% vs. 5.35 ± 1.34%, respectively; P < 0.05) and spleens (3.96 ± 1.09% and 3.09 ± 0.84% vs. 5.07 ± 1.50%, respectively; P < 0.05) and less inflammatory infiltration and demyelination in the brain of CS?treated mice than that of control group. Conclusions: Our preliminary study demonstrated that CS efficiently alleviated EAE severity and EAE?related pathology damage and decreased the number of Th1s in the periphery, indicating its effectiveness in the treatment of murine EAE. Thus, our findings strongly support the therapeutic potential of this agent as a new traditional Chinese medicine approach in MS treatment.

Purpose: Gastric cancer (GC) is the second most lethal cancer globally and is associated with poor prognosis. Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) can regulate biological properties of carcinoma cells. FABP5 is overexpressed in many types of cancers; however, the role and mechanisms of action of FABP5 in GC remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical and biological functions of FABP5 in GC. Materials and Methods: We assessed FABP5 expression using immunohistochemical analysis in 79 patients with GC and evaluated its biological functions following in vitro and in vivo ectopic expression. FABP5 targets relevant to GC progression were determined using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Results: Elevated FABP5 expression was closely associated with poor outcomes, and ectopic expression of FABP5 promoted proliferation, invasion, migration, and carcinogenicity of GC cells, thus suggesting its potential tumor-promoting role in GC. Additionally, RNA-seq analysis indicated that FABP5 activates immune-related pathways, including cytokinecytokine receptor interaction pathways, interleukin-17 signaling, and tumor necrosis factor signaling, suggesting an important rationale for the possible development of therapies that combine FABP5-targeted drugs with immunotherapeutics. Conclusions These findings highlight the biological mechanisms and clinical implications of FABP5 in GC and suggest its potential as an adverse prognostic factor and/or therapeutic target.

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the protective effects of Sapindus saponins in spontaneously hypertensive rats, and the possible cellular and molecular mechanisms.

METHODSThirty-two 16-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats were randomly divided into four groups (8 in each group): model group (placebo), positive control group (27 mg/kg of Captopril Tablets), Sapindus saponins groups (27 mg/kg and 108 mg/kg, respectively). Another 8 healthy Wistar-Kyoto strain (WKY) rats were used as the normal group. The animals were treated for 8 weeks. Blood pressure of rats was determined by non-invasive blood pressure meter (BP-6). Furthermore, the contents of angiotensin II (Ang II) in plasma and myocardial tissue were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the gene expression of receptor angiotensin type 1 (AT1R) in aorta was determined by quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The protein expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and AT1R in heart was determined by immunohistochemical staining. The protein expression of p-phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38MAPK) was determined by Western blotting. The contents of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in serum were determined by radioimmunoassay. And the histopathological and morphological changes of aorta and heart tissue samples were assessed semi-quantitatively by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) or Masson staining.

RESULTSThirty minutes after single or continuous treatment, systolic blood pressure (SBP) was reduced significantly in Sapindus saponins groups. And the contents of AngII, IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α in serum, the expression of AT1R mRNA, p-p38MAPK and TGF-β1 were significantly suppressed dose-dependently (P<0.05 or P<0.01). With the Sapindus saponins treatment, compared with those of the model group, the cardiac and aortic pathological changes were ameliorated significantly.

CONCLUSIONSOur findings suggest that Sapindus saponins might have protective effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of which might be relevant to the regulation of inflammatory responses mediated by p-p38MAPK signal pathway based on activated Ang II and AT1R.

Angiotensin II ; metabolism ; Animals ; Aorta ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Female ; Hypertension ; blood ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; physiopathology ; Interleukin-1 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; metabolism ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; drug effects ; Sapindus ; chemistry ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

Objectives To explore the relationship between polymorphism in estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)gene Xba I and child dental fluorosis.Methods Qiulou township of Kaifeng and Sunying township of Tongxu counties of Henan province were chosen as the investigation spots in 2006.An area of water drinking endemic fluorosis(high fluoride area)and a non-endemic area(control area)were chosen in every spot,where dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 years old were examined and diagnosed by using the Dean method.The children in the high fluoride areas were divided into dental fluorosis group and control group of the endemic areas according to dental fluorosis status,and the children in the control areas as control gruop of non-endemic areas.The Xba I polymorphism in the ERα gene was genotyped using the PCR-RFLP procedure.The fluoride levels in the urine samples from the three groups were detected by fluoride ion selective electrode and over standard rate of the urine was counted.Results The prevalence rate of dental fluorosis in high fluoride areas was 51.7%(74/143)and the community fluorosis index was 1.310.No dental fluorosis case was checked out in the control and the community fluorosis index was 0.021.The over standard rate of urine fluoride in dental fluorosis group[84.6%(121/143)]was significantly higher than that of control in non-endemic area[9.6%(9/94);χ2=125.95,P<0.01].The frequency distribution of ERα Xba I genotype was XX 6.8%(5/74),xx 36.5%(27/74),xx 56.8%(42/74)in dental fluorosis group;XX 15.9%(11/69),Xx 37.7%(26/69),xx 46.4%(32/69)in the eontrol of the endemic areas;XX 14.9%(14/94),Xx 43.6%(41/94),xx 41.5%(39/94)in children from the control in non-endemic area,respectively.No significant difference was found among the three groups(χ2= 3.450, P > 0.05). Allele frequency of ERα Xba I genotypes was X 22.7%(30/132), x 77.3%(102/132) in dental fluorosis group and X 35.5%(39/110),x 64.5% (71/110) in the control in endemic area when urine fluorosis of children was exceeding standard and significant difference was found in this two groups(χ2 = 4.768, P < 0.05; OR = 0.535,95% CI:0.305 - 0.941). Conclusion Children who carried X allele frequency of ERα Xba I genotypes have a lower risk of dental fluorosis when children with high-loaded fluoride status.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of dense-packing auto hair grafting technique on the restoration of seborrheic alopecia. Methods With local anesthesia, a scalp strip was harvested from the back of the head. Under operating microscope (Various graft was created from the scalp strip, including micro-grafts with 1-2 hairs, mini-grafts with 3-4 hairs and sliver graft with 5-6 hairs. In the alopecia recipient area, micro slots were made with a small triangle-edged needle for the micro-grafts,mini slits were made with mini blade for the mini-grafts and foramen ovale were made with a slot punch. The grafts were then implanted into these holes. Results 32 cases of seborrheice alopecia were treated with the above mentioned technique from March 2007 to July 2009. Postoperative following up for 12-24 month showed that the grafted hairs were growing well with average 90 % survival of the hair. 81 % of the patients obtained satisfactory results with only one stage operation. Six patients needed the second operation to improve the appearance. All of the patients were satisfied with the appearance. Conclusions The dense-packing hair grafting technique with various grafts not only saves time of operation, but also obtains dense grafted hair and well appearance. The results are satisfactory to most patients with only one stage operation.

Studies have found that metformin is not only the preferred drug for lowering blood sugar, but also shows lipid-lowering and weight-loss effects. The purpose of this study was to use a hyperlipidemia hamster model to investigate the lipid-lowering effect of metformin and its effect on important metabolic pathways in lipid metabolism disorders. Fifty golden hamsters were divided into a control group, a model group, metformin high- and low-dose groups, and a simvastatin group. A high-fat diet was fed for 1 week to create the model, and then drug was administered for 11 weeks with the high-fat diet. Serum was taken for measurement of blood lipid and blood glucose at 2, 6, and 9 weeks after administration, and at weeks 3, 5, and 9 feces and urine were collected for ¹H NMR metabolomics tests. After 11 weeks of intravenous injection of [U-¹³C₆] glucose, serum was collected for a ¹³C NMR metabolic flux test. The results showed that the administration of metformin can significantly reduce blood lipids and glucose levels and can significantly affect metabolic pathways such as sugar metabolism, lipid metabolism, ketone metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and intestinal flora metabolism. The results of the metabolic flux analysis showed that the high-fat diet reduced the metabolism of tricarboxylic acids by 37.48%. After administration of low and high doses of metformin the metabolism of tricarboxylic acid increased by 98.14% and 143.10%, respectively. After administration of simvastatin tricarboxylic acid metabolism increased by 33.18%. The results indicate that metformin has a significant effect on promoting energy metabolism. This study used a combination of metabolomics and metabolic flow to explore the effect of metformin on lipid metabolism disorders and quantifies changes in the key pathway of energy metabolism-the tricarboxylic acid cycle. This study provides useful information for the study of the efficacy and mechanism of metformin, as well as a practical technical method for the screening of lipid-lowering drugs based on a hamster model.

s rational, but there are differences in teaching installation between pregnant hospital and general hospital. Both of them are lacking of professional health education officers and standardized criteria for evaluation of the effectiveness of teaching.

OBJECTIVETo observe the natural process of adenoid growth and degeneration as the age grows, to investigate the related clinical significance and pathologic characteristics of hypertrophied adenoid.

METHODSTotally 2650 (age 2 to 87) cases with nasal obstruction or/and other symptoms were included in the patients group, and 810 (age 3 to 85) subjects without symptoms were included as the control group. Morphological characteristics examined with nasal endoscope. Biopsy was performed for 39 cases. The adenoid was calcified as 4 degrees according to the size.

RESULTSIn the patient group, age 2 to 9, degree III and degree II adenoid were 81.1% (198/244) and 18.9% (46/244) respectively. And adenoid of children whose age 2 to 5 was 100.0% in degree III; In above 10 years old group, the adenoid was mostly degree II. In age 60 to 69 group, degree 0 was (66.5%), and in age 81 or above, degree 0 reaches 100%. And 19 years old was the youngest age at which adenoid of degree 0 started to be found and 21 was the oldest age at which there is no adenoid of degree III. In the control group, compared with the patient group, no statistical significant difference found in all other groups except in age 2 to 9 (degree III 57.9%, 22/38, degree II 42.1%, 16/38). Shapes of adenoids at degree II varied while degree I were almost like peeled orange. Pathologically, among children there are abundant of adenoidal lymph tissue, while in adults the lymph tissue getting less as age grows but with evident inflammation reaction. Among patients, the incidence of sinusitis and snoring was higher in degree III group compared with others, 47.4% and 18.7% respectively, and the differences is statistically significant (chi2 = 51.28, P < 0.01; chi2 = 40.26, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSAdenoid volume of children (age < 10) is the biggest, especially of children under 5 years old.

Adenoids ; pathology ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Obstruction ; pathology ; surgery ; Young Adult