Polysaccharide sulfate (PSS) is a new type of antiatherosclerotic medicine for its effects of anticoagulation, anti-thrombosis and modulation of dyslipidemia. However, it is still uncertain whether PSS could modulate the diabetic dyslipidemia or not. Here, the rat model of diabetic dyslipidemia was developed and the effects of PSS on glucose and lipid levels were investigated in this animal model. Wistar rats were iv injected with streptozotocin 20 mg x kg(-1) after feeding with high fat diet for one and a half month. Then, rats received orally PSS (30, 90, and 180 mg x kg(-1)) for 1 month. After oral treatment with PSS (90 and 180 mg x kg(-1)) for 1 month, the levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly reduced and the level of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) increased, compared with diabetic control rats. Moreover, PSS (30, 90, and 180 mg x kg(-1)) had a tendency to reduce glucose and insulin levels, and significantly increased insulin sensitivity index. Our results suggest that PSS could improve insulin sensitivity and relieve dyslipidemia in diabetic dyslipidemic rats.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; blood ; chemically induced ; complications ; Dyslipidemias ; blood ; etiology ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Insulin ; blood ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Polysaccharides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Streptozocin ; Sulfates ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Triglycerides ; blood

By using Zinc nitrate as precursor and hydraZine hydrate as reducing agent, polydiallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride modified reduced graphene oxide/Zinc oxide composite materials ( PDDA-rGO/ZnO) were prepared by simultaneous reduction of graphene oxide ( GO) and Zinc nitrate.The composite materials were characteriZed by Fourier transform infrared ( FTIR ) spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer ( XRD ) and transmission electron microscopy ( TEM) , and their electrochemical catalytic activity for uric acid was studied by cyclic voltammetry ( CV ) and linear sweep voltammetry ( LSV ) measurements.The result showed that PDDA-rGO/ZnO modified glassy carbon electrode prepared here was sensitive, reproducible and stable, and had significant electrocatalytic activity for UA.When using linear sweep voltammetry for detection of UA, the responses of modified electrode were linear with UA concentration in the ranges of 0.02-0.1 mmol/L and 0.1-1.0 mmol/L respectively, with detection limit of 15.9 nmol/L (S/N=3).

Numerous studies have indicated that organic fertilizers (OFer) might contain heavy metals (HMs) that present health risks to organic farmers (OFar). This study compared the concentrations of six HMs (Zn, Ni, Cd, Cu, Pb, Cr) in the blood of two distinct groups of farmers: 30 OFar from a designated organic area in eastern Taiwan, and 74 conventional farmers (CFar) from neighboring non-organic designated regions. The findings revealed that the OFar exhibited higher levels of Zn (1202.70 ± 188.74 μg/L), Cr (0.20 ± 0.09 μg/L), and Ni (2.14 ± 1.48 μg/L) in their blood compared to the CFar (988.40 ± 163.16 μg/L, 0.18 ± 0.15 μg/L, and 0.77 ± 1.23 μg/L), respectively. The disparities in Zn, Cr, and Ni levels were measured at 214.3 μg/L, 0.02 μg/L, and 1.37 μg/L, respectively. Furthermore, among the OFar, those who utilized green manures (GM) displayed significantly elevated blood levels of Zn (1279.93 ± 156.30 μg/L), Cr (0.24 ± 0.11 μg/L), and Ni (1.94 ± 1.38 μg/L) compared to individuals who exclusively employed chemical fertilizers (CFer) (975.42 ± 165.35 μg/L, 0.19 ± 0.16 μg/L, and 0.74 ± 1.20 μg/L), respectively. The differences in Zn, Cr, and Ni levels were measured at 304.51 μg/L, 0.05 μg/L, and 1.20 μg/L, respectively. As a result, OFar should be careful in choosing OFer and avoid those that may have heavy metal contamination.

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of palate cleft gap of complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) infants before and after presurgical orthodontic and cheiloplasty.

METHODSThe sample consisted of 18 complete UCLP infants who were treated using presurgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) appliance and cheiloplasty. The maxillary models were obtained at the initial visit, after PNAM treatment 1 month before cheiloplasty, and 2 months after cheiloplasty. The change of palate cleft gap were compared.

RESULTSAfter PNAM treatment and cheiloplasty, the lip profile was obviously improved, cleft gap was reduced, and the height of ala nasi fornix was recovered.

CONCLUSIONPNAM treatment can improve the lip shape and nasal deformity degree of UCLP patient. The cleft gap and upper lip tension are reduced.

Cleft Lip ; Cleft Palate ; Humans ; Infant ; Lip ; Nose ; Preoperative Care

Objective To investigate how the interactions between fat mass- and obesityassociated (FTO) gene rs9939609 variants and daily-life related behavioral factors would influence the risk of obesity among the Chinese school-aged children. Methods 3503 school-aged children were selected from the Beijing Child and Adolescent Metabolic Syndrome (BCAMS) Study, and divided into obese children (n=1229) and non-obese children (n=2274). Venipuncture blood test,genotyping and questionnaire were performed. Results Five common factors including protein foods, tobacco & alcohol, vegetables & fruits, sedentary behavior and physical exercise in spare time were extracted with factor analysis methodology. Data from logistic regression analysis showed that taking the interaction of rs9939609 variant with protein foods as an example, the risk of interaction accounted for 19.16% when both factors existing simultaneously. Similarly, the interactions of this SNP with vegetables & fruits, sedentary behavior and physical exercise in spare time appeared to be 5.97%, 19.62% and 12.43% respectively; however there might not be interaction between tobacco,alcohol and the SNP in the Chinese children. Conclusion Protein foods, vegetables & fruits,sedentary behavior and physical exercise might modify the effects of FTO rs9939609 variant on the risk of obesity in Chinese school-aged children. However, large-scale, prospective studies with detailed information on related behavioral factors would be ideal models for identifying the interactions between genes and environment.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), tight junction association proteins and mucin in the human airway epithelial cells. METHODS: Human airway epithelial cells NCI-H292 were randomly treated by ultraviolet light-inactivated RSV (control group) or thawed RSV (RSV infection group). After 48 hours of treatment, the protein levels of occludin, E-cadherin, phosphorylated EGFR and EGFR in NCI-H292 cells were measured by Western blot. The distribution and expression levels of occludin and E-cadherin in NCI-H292 cells were examined by immunofluorescence technique. The expression levels of MUC5AC mRNA in NCI-H292 cells were assessed by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The protein levels of occludin and E-cadherin were significantly reduced in the RSV infection group compared with the control group (P<0.05). The protein levels of phosphorylated EGFR and EGFR increased significantly in the RSV infection group compared with the control group (P<0.05). The MUC5AC mRNA levels also increased significantly in the RSV infection group compared with the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS RSV may down-regulate the tight junction association proteins and up-regulate the expression of MUC5AC in airway epithelial cells, which contributes to epithelial barrier dysfunction. EGFR phosphorylation may play an important role in regulation of airway barrier.
Cell Line ; Epithelial Cells ; ErbB Receptors ; Humans ; Mucin 5AC ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections ; Tight Junction Proteins ; Tight Junctions

OBJECTIVEAIM To study the chemical constituents of the fruit of Eucalyptus globulus.

METHODVarious column chromatographies with silica gel were employed for the isolation and purification. The structures of the compounds were elucidated with of spectral analyses and chemical methods.

RESULTFive compounds were isolated and elucidated as follows: betulonic acid (I), betulinic acid (II), ursolic acid (III), corosolic acid (IV), daucosterol (V).

CONCLUSIONCompound I, II, III and IV were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Eucalyptus ; chemistry ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo analyze coincidence rate of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) sub-typing between transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and clinical discharge diagnosis.

METHODSReviewing sub-typing results of TEM, light microscopy, flow cytometric analyzing, molecular biological detection and karyotype in 793 AML cases, comparing their coincidence rates with discharge diagnosis to reveal advantages of AML sub-typing by TEM.

RESULTSGeneral coincidence rates of TEM, light microscopy, flow cytometric analyzing, molecular biological detection and karyotype on AML sub-typing were 63%, 59%, 52%, 47%, 26% and 23% respectively, and clinical coincidence rates of TEM on M1, M2a, M4 and M5, M6, M7, t (8; 21) and t (15; 17) were 39%, 34%, 17%, 74%, 50%, 73%, 87% and 89% respectively.

CONCLUSIONTEM has a higher coincidence rate in general AML sub-typing, especially strong screenings on t (15; 17), t (8; 21), M7, M5 and M6, but lower coincidence rates on M1, M2a and M4 sub-typing than other methods.

Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; classification ; diagnosis ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) bearing 19p13 abnormalities.

METHODSThe morphologic, immunophenotypic, cytogenetic, and clinal features as well as prognosis of 16 ALL patients with 19p13 abnormalities were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical features and laboratory findings between t(1;19) and der(19) groups were compared.

RESULTSSixteen (4.02%) out of 398 ALL patients had 19p13 abnormalities, among them 15 cases were t( 1;19) (q23;p13) [balanced t(1;19) (q23; p13) in 8 and unbalanced der(19) t(1;19) (q23;p13) in 7] and 1 case t(17;19) (q22;p13). The WBC count and blast cell number were higher in the t(1;19) group. The prognosis was better in der(19) t(1;19) group than in balanced translocation t(1;19) group.

CONCLUSIONThe 19p13 abnormality is one of the non-random chromosomal aberration in patients with ALL. ALL patients with 19p13 abnormalities have unique clinical features and poor prognosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19 ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Male ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Translocation, Genetic ; Young Adult

The quality and grade of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs were assessed by their characteristics traditionally. According to traditional experience, the quality of the purple Flos Farfarae is better than that of yellow buds. NMR-based metabolomic approach combined with significant analysis of microarray (SAM) and Spearman rank correlation analysis were used to investigate the different metabolites of the Flos Farfarae with different color feature. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed clear distinction between the purple and yellow flower buds of Tussilago farfara. The S-plot of orthogonal PLS-DA (OPLS-DA) and t test revealed that the levels of threonine, proline, phosphatidylcholine, creatinine, 4, 5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, rutin, caffeic acid, kaempferol analogues, and tussilagone were higher in the purple flower buds than that in the yellow buds, in agreement with the results of SAM and Spearman rank correlation analysis. The results confirmed the traditional medication experience that "purple flower bud is better than the yellow ones", and provide a scientific basis for assessing the quality of Flos Farfarae by the color features.
Caffeic Acids ; analysis ; Color ; Creatinine ; analysis ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Kaempferols ; analysis ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Metabolomics ; Phosphatidylcholines ; analysis ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Principal Component Analysis ; Proline ; analysis ; Quinic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Rutin ; analysis ; Sesquiterpenes ; analysis ; Threonine ; analysis ; Tussilago ; chemistry