Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of oxcarbazepine (OXC) suspension for treating the 2 to 4 years old patients newly diagnosed as partial epilepsy.Methods A total of 62 patients between 2 to 4 years old diagnosed as partial epilepsy,selected from the outpatients of the pediatric neurology in the hospital from October 2009 to March 2011,were randomly divided into the experimental group of 32 patients and the control group of 30 patients.Experimental group:OXC suspension,the initial dose was 8-10 mg· kg-1 d-1,orally taking 2 times every day,increasing the dose by 10 mg · kg-1 d 1 once every 7 days to the complete control of the seizure,the target dose was 20-40 mg· kg-1 · d-1 Control group:oral administration of carbamazepine (CBZ) group,the initial dose was 5 mg· kg 1 · d-1,increasing the dose once every 5-7 days up to 10-15 mg · kg-1 · d-1,if necessary,the dose could be 20 mg · kg 1 d-1 to maintain.The observation period was 26 weeks.Results The rate of valid cases in OXC group after 13 weeks and 26 weeks were both 78.1％ (25/32),and the rate of non-attack cases were 53.l％ (17/32) and 50.0％ (16/32),respectively; the rate of valid cases in CBZ group after 13 weeks and 26 weeks were 76.7％ (23/30) and 70.0％ (21/30),respectively,and the rate of non-attack cases were 50.0％ (15/30) and 40.0％ (12/30) (x2 =0.022,0.004 ; P =0.883,0.947 respectively.).In the 26th week,the quit rate of OXC group was 6.2％,while the quit rate of CBZ group was 13.4％.The rates of adverse reactions of OXC and CBZ were 15.6％ and 26.7％,respectively,with no significant difference.Conclusion OXC suspension monotherapy for 2 to 4 years old patients with partial epilepsy was significant effective,and no significant difference when compared with carbamazepine group.The rate of the adverse reactions in the OXC group was relatively fewer,and the extent was slight.

Objective To explore the effects of lifestyle intervention on index of early artery diseases in nondiabetic patients with metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods Eighty-seven nondiabetic patients with MS were randomly assigned to the intervention group ( n =47) and the control group ( n =40).The patients in the intervention group received health education,diet control,regular physical exercises,and unhealthy habit correction; however,the control group did not receive any intervention.All the patients were followed up for 9 months.Body mass index (BMI),waist circumference (WC),systolic blood pressure (SBP),diastolic blood pressure (DBP),triglyceride (TG),total cholesterol (TC),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ),fasting blood glucose (FBG),HbAlc,fasting insulin (FINS),HOMA-IR,high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP),carotid intima-media thickness (IMT),brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and ankle-brachial index(ABI) were measured at baseline and at 9 months.ResultsAfter 6 or 9 months' intervention,BMI,WC,SBP,TG,HDL-C,FPG,HbAlc,FINS,HOMA-IR and hs-CRP of the intervention group were improved (all P ＜ 0.05). HDL-C,FPG,HbAlc,FINS,HOMA-IR and hs-CRP of the intervention group were further improved at 9 months when compared to 6 months ( all P ＜ 0.05 ). In comparison with the control group,BMI,WC,HDL-C,FPG,HbA1 c,FINS,HOMA-IR and hs-CRP were significantly improved in the intervention group at 9 months ( all P ＜ 0.05 ).After 6 or 9 months' intervention,baPWV and ABI were significantly changed ( both P ＜ 0.05 ) in the intervention group although IMT of the carotid did not changed (P ＞0.05). BaPWV and ABI were significantly changed in the intervention group when compared with those in the control group at 9 months ( both P ＜ 0.05).The abnormal rate of baPWV in the intervention group at 9 months was 44.68％. BaPWV and ABI were associated with hs-CRP and HOMA-IR.ConclusionsIn nondiabetic MS patients, health management could significantly improve insulin resistance,modify metabolic disorders,and prevent the development of atherosclerosis.

Objective To investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MS) and education level in Su-Xi-Chang area to provide evidence for healthcare policy making. Methods A clustered sampling of 6798 subjects from Su-Xi-Chang areas of Jiangsu Province was included. Questionnaires and physical examinations were completed to collect clinical data. Logistic regression was used to analyze weather education level could be an independent risk factor of MS. Results Significant differences were found in waist circumstance (WC) ,systolic blood pressure (SBP) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) among participants with different education level. Significant differences were also existed in triglyceride and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) between subjects with higher and lower education level ( P＜0. 05 ). In single-factor or multivariate analysis, education level was negatively correlated with the prevalence of MS (P＜0. 05 ). Conclusions Education level may be an independent risk factor of MS. People with low and moderate education level have higher risk of MS. Therefore,it is recommended that health-related information should become an integral part of the compulsory education system.

Objective To investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MS) and diet style in the elderly. Methods The 781 old people were consecutively selected. Related data were collected by means of questionnaires and physical examinations. And logistic regression was performed to analyze if moderate and high fat diet were risk factors of MS. Results The total prevalence rate of MS in old people was 40. 7%, with 36.7% in old males and 55.4% in old females,and the prevalence rate of MS was higher in old women than in old men (P=0. 000). The significant differences in waist circumferences among three groups of low, moderate and high-fat diet [(86.0±9.3) cm vs. (88.8±8.5) cm vs. (90. 0±7.9) cm, respectively (all P＜0.05)]were found. Fasting blood glucose showed a significant difference between two groups of low and high-fat diet, with the results of (5.78 ± 0.98) mmol/L and (6.27 ± 1.80) mmol/L, respectively ( P＜0. 05 ). The logistic regression analysis showed that odds ratio for people with moderate and high-fat diets were 1. 541 ( 1. 092-2. 174) and 2. 293 ( 1. 317-3. 994), respectively (P＜0.05), which indicated that moderate and high-fat diet was independent risk factors for MS in old people. Conclusions Both moderate and high-fat diets are risk factors of MS in old population, low fat diet with food balance is recommended to old population in order to decrease the prevalence of MS.

BACKGROUND:The effect of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on bone resorption is controversial. Our previous study has shown that bone resorption is significantly inhibited when AGEs present with pre-osteoclast cells RAW 264.7, while the effect of AGEs on osteoclastic acidification remains unknown. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of AGEs on osteoclastic acidification and the underlying mechanism. METHODS:RAW 264.7 cells were induced by RANKL (15μg/L;normal group) to generate osteoclasts, and AGEs (50-400 mg/L;experimental group) or bovine serum albumin (100 mg/L;control group) were added at the beginning of the induction. The effect of AGEs on bone resorption was evaIuated by anaIyzing the area of bone resorption on the Osteo Assay Surface plates, and the effect of AGEs on osteoclastic acidification was evaluated by acridine orange staining. Furthermore, the expression levels of V-ATPase a3 and CIC-7 were detected to investigate the underlying mechanism. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The bone resorption area in the AGEs group was significantly decreased compared with the normal group (P<0.05). Acridine orange staining reveaIed that the red fluorescence (620 nm) intensity in the AGEs group was significantly decreased compared with the normal group (P<0.05), and this inhibitory effect became obvious with the increase of AGEs concentration. Immunocytochemistry, western blot assay and PCR findings showed that the expression levels of V-ATPase a3 and CIC-7 in the AGEs group were decreased significantly compared with the normal group (P<0.05). To conclude, AGEs exert inhibitory effect on osteoclastic acidification, probably by inhibiting the expression of V-ATPase a3 and CIC-7.

AIM:To explore the influences of semaphorin 3A (Sema 3A) on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).METHODS:Sema 3A over-expression vectors were constructed and transfected into the HUVECs by Lipofectamine 2000, and the over-expression effect was verified by qPCR and Western blot.The HUVECs in different groups were treated with or without 200 μmol/L H2O2 for 4 h.The levels of inflammatory cytokines were measured by qPCR.The levels of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected by corresponding colorimetry.The cell viability was measured by MTT assay.The cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry.The levels of apoptosis-related proteins cleaved caspase-3 and Bcl-2 were determined by Western blot.RESULTS:H2O2 induced inflammatory cytokine secretion, increased the levels of LDH and MDA, decreased SOD activity and cell viability, and increased cell apoptosis in the HUVECs.Over-expression of Sema 3A enhanced the above processes.No injury effect of Sema 3A over-expression on HUVECs without H2O2 treatment was observed, indicating that the injury effects of Sema 3A on HUVECs depended on H2O2.CONCLUSION:Sema 3A markedly enhances H2O2-induced injury in the HUVECs, which depends on H2O2.Sema 3A may promote oxidative stress-caused endothelial cell injury.

ObjectiveRetrospectively investigate the characteristics of neoplasma of health checkup participants to find ways to improve cancer detection rate.Methods A total of 186 confirmed cancer patients were enrolled in this study.Personal information,including age,gender,andlocation were collected.The contribution of clinical symptoms,physical examination and laboratory test to cancer detection was investigated.ResultsBiopsy confirmed cancers accounted for 0.133％( 186/140 127 ).Lung (0.036％ ),liver ( 0.017％ ),kidney ( 0.014％ ),colorectal ( 0.013％ ) and gastric cancer ( 0.011％ )were the most commonly found neoplasma.Detection rate of liver cancer in male was significantly higher than that in female (x2 =6.181,P＜0.05 ).Asymptomatic cancer was found in 158 adults (84.9％ ).Ultrasound showed a significantly higher sensitivity to liver,kidney and thyroid cancer than tumor biomarkers.The detection of lung cancer was improved with the combination of X ray,tumor marker( TM ),clinical symptom and low-dose chest CT scan.In 2008,the detection rate for digest system carcinoma (0.083％ ) and lung cancer (x2 =8.538,P＜0.05) was significantly increased (x2 =11.792,P＜0.05).ConclusionsHealth check-up plays an important role in early detection of cancer.The combined use of physical examination,chest X ray,ultrasound test,TM and CT may improve the detection of cancer.

BACKGROUND:The effects of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on osteoclast-induced bone resorption is controversial and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Most of the studies indicate that AGEs can enhance bone resorption, while some othersshowthe opposite effects.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of AGEs on osteoclast-induced inorganicmatrixdissolution and organic componentdegradation and the underlying mechanisms.
METHODS:RAW 264.7 cels were induced to generate osteoclasts,and AGEs (50-400 μg/mL) or control-bovine serum albumin (100 μg/mL) was added since the beginning of the induction. The effect of AGEs on bone resorption was evaluated by analyzing the area of resorption pits on the Osteo Assay Surface plates and the expression of cathepsin K. Furthermore, the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated cels, nuclei per osteoclasts and the expression of integrinανβ3were detected.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The area of resorption pits and expression of cathepsin K in AGEs groups were significantly decreased compared withthecontrol group, and this inhibiting effect became more obvious with the increase of AGEs concentration. TRAP staining also showed that number of TRAP-positivemultinucleated celsand nuclei per osteoclast were significantly reduced in an AGE dose-dependent manner. Quantitative PCR revealed that the expression of integrin ανβ3decreased significantly with the extension of AGEs incubation time. These data indicate that AGEs can exert inhibitory effects on organic and inorganicmatrixdegradation induced by osteoclasts. The underlying mechanism may be involved in the inhibitory effects of AGEs on directed differentiation and cel fusion of osteoclast precursor cels, and migration and adhension of osteoclasts.

Biofuels and bio-based chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass are sustainable, making them alternatives to petroleum-derived fuels and chemicals to address the challenges of the shortage of crude oil supply and climate change resulted from the overconsumption of petroleum-based products, particularly in China. However, high cost in liberating sugars from lignocellulosic biomass is still the bottleneck of the commercialization of biofuels and bio-based chemicals. In this article, the major components of cellulases and their synergistic role in the hydrolysis of pre-treated biomass is reviewed, followed by how to evaluate the enzymatic hydrolysis. With the elucidation of the underlying mechanism of the conformations of the enzyme molecules and their effectiveness in attacking cellulose substrate, more efficient enzymes are expected to be developed. Using the high production strain Penicillium decumbens, the on-site production of cellulases for cellulose ethanol production is discussed.
Biofuels ; Biomass ; Biotechnology ; methods ; trends ; Biotransformation ; Cellulase ; biosynthesis ; Hydrolysis ; Industrial Microbiology ; methods ; trends ; Lignin ; chemistry ; metabolism

Penicillium decumbens T. is an important filamentous fungus for the production of cellulases to effectively degrade lignocellulose for second generation biofuel production. In order to enhance the capability of Penicillium decumbens to produce cellulases, we constructed a creB (a deubiquitinating enzyme encoding gene) deletion cassette, and generated a creB knockout strain with homologous double crossover recombination. This mutation resulted in a detectable decrease of carbon catabolite repression (CCR) effect. The filter paper activity, endoglucanase activity, xylanase activity and exoglucanase activity of the deltacreB strain increased by 1.8, 1.71, 2.06 and 2.04 fold, respectively, when comparing with the parent strain Ku-39. A 2.68 fold increase of extracellular protein concentration was also observed. These results suggest that the deletion of creB results in CCR derepression. These data also suggest that CREB influences cellulase production of Penicillium decumbens. In generation, this study provides information that can be helpful for constructing cellulase hyper-producing strain.
Cellulase ; biosynthesis ; Endopeptidases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Knockout Techniques ; Lignin ; metabolism ; Mutant Proteins ; metabolism ; Penicillium ; enzymology ; genetics ; Recombination, Genetic ; Ubiquitinated Proteins ; genetics ; Ubiquitination