Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; therapy ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Hepatic Artery ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; therapy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

To study the expression of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and angiotensin (Ang) 1-7 specific receptor Mas protain in renal blood vessels of metabolic syndrome ( MS) rats and its anti-oxidative effect. A total of 80 male SD rats were divided into four groups: the normal control group (NC, the same volume of normal saline), the MS group (high fat diet), the MS + Astragali Radix group (MS + HQ, 6 g x kg(-1) x d(-1) in gavage) and the MS + Valsartan group (MS + XST, 30 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) in gavage). After four weeks of intervention, their general indexes, biochemical indexes and blood pressure were measured; plasma and renal tissue Ang II, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide demutase (SOD) levels were measured with radioimmunoassay. The protein expressions of Mas receptor, AT1R, ACE and ACE2 were detected by western blot analysis. According to the result, compared with the NC group, the MS group and the MS + HQ group showed significant increases in systolic and diastolic pressures, body weight, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, triglycerides, free fatty acid and Ang II level of MS rats (P < 0.05). The MS + XST group showed notable decreases in systolic and diastolic pressures than that of the MS group. The MS group showed significant increases in the SOD activity and NO level and decrease in the MDA level after being intervened with Astragali Radix. ACE and AT1R protein expressions in renal tissues of the MS group were higher than that in the NC group, but with lower ACE2 and -Mas receptor expressions (all P < 0.05). Compared with the MS group, the MS + HQ group showed significant increase in Mas receptor expression in renal tissues, whereas the MS + XST group showed notable decrease in AT1R (all P < 0.05). In conclusion, Astragali Radix can increase the Mas receptor expressions in renal tissues, decrease ACE expression and change local Ang II, MDA, NO and SOD in kidneys, so as to protect early damages in renal tissues.
Angiotensin I ; metabolism ; Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; injuries ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Metabolic Syndrome ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Peptide Fragments ; metabolism ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo explore the impact of obesity level and the level change in childhood on hypertension incidence.

METHODSA perspective cohort study was conducted. As part of Beijing Child and Adolescent Metabolic Syndrome Study, 2189 aged 6 - 16 year non-hypertensive children was followed up in December, 2010. In this study, height, weight, waist circumference (WC) and blood pressure was measured at follow-up, and body mass index (BMI) and WC was respectively used to assess overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity. Non-conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between baseline obesity status, change of obesity status and hypertension incidence. OR and 95%CI were computed in the model using obese status as dummy variable and hypertension at follow up visit as dependent variable.

RESULTSThe total hypertension incidence of 1184 subjects during 6 years follow-up was 19.9% (236/1184). The hypertension incidence in male (23.2%, 149/643) was higher than that in female (16.1%, 87/541) (χ(2) = 9.257, P = 0.002). The hypertension incidence of non-overweight, overweight and obese children at baseline was 8.7% (45/519), 19.3% (35/181) and 32.4% (156/484) respectively (χ(2) = 9.332, P < 0.001), and the incidence of non-obese and abdominal obese children at baseline was respectively 10.3% (63/613) and 30.7% (173/567) (χ(2) = 77.753, P < 0.001). Hypertension incidence in the baseline obesity group was higher than the non-overweight (BMI: OR = 4.9, 95%CI: 3.4 - 7.0) and non-obese group (WC: OR = 3.9, 95%CI: 2.8 - 5.3). The hypertension incidence increased with the follow-up BMI/WC level, based on the same baseline level of BMI and WC. The hypertension risk increased to 0.21 and 0.07 times respectively with elevation of baseline BMI level by 1 kg/m(2) and WC level by 1 cm, and OR (95%CI) were 1.21 (1.16 - 1.26) and 1.07 (1.05 - 1.09), respectively. Similarly, the hypertension risk increased 0.16 and 0.05 times respectively with the elevation of BMI level change by 1 kg/m(2) and 1 cm, and OR (95%CI) were 1.16 (1.11 - 1.22) and 1.05 (1.03 - 1.07), respectively.

CONCLUSIONObesity and increased obesity level change in childhood can increase the risk of incident hypertension.

Adolescent ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Incidence ; Male ; Obesity ; complications ; epidemiology ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of adipokines including insulin, resistin, leptin, adiponectin, acylation stimulating protein (ASP) and complement C3 (C3) in various types of obesity (peripheral obesity, abdominal obesity and mixed obesity) in Chinese children and adolescents, and their relationships with body size and pubertal development.

METHODSChildren and adolescents (n=3 508) aged 6 to 18 years, with 1 788 boys and 1 720 girls were assessed for body mass index, waist circumference, pubertal development, blood insulin, resistin, leptin, adiponectin, ASP and C3 levels. Three types of obesity [peripheral obesity (n=43), abdominal obesity (n=473), mixed obesity (n=1 187)] and non-obese control (n=1 805) were defined with combined use of Chinese body mass index and waist circumference criteria.

RESULTSSerum resistin, leptin and adiponectin levels were higher in girls than those in boys (all P<0.01). Insulin and leptin increased and adiponectin decreased across five Tanner stages in both girls and boys (all P<0.001), while ASP changed only in girls (P<0.001) and C3 only in boys (P<0.001). Insulin, leptin and ASP were higher, but adiponectin was lower in all three types of obesity vs. the non-obese control (all P<0.05). The greatest abnormalities of all six adipokines were found in the mixed obesity group. With inclusion of body mass index and waist circumference in simultaneous regression analyses, both body size indices were independently and significantly correlated with insulin, leptin and adiponectin after age and gender adjustment. Compared with waist circumference, the body mass index was stronger in interpreting insulin, leptin, adiponectin and ASP levels, whereas it was weaker in explaining variance of plasma C3.

CONCLUSIONObese children have a worse metabolic profile with high insulin, resistin, leptin, ASP and C3, and low adiponectin levels. The adipokine profile in mixed obesity is worse than that in peripheral or abdominal obesity. Identification of obese subjects with a malignant adipokine profile using a combination of body mass index and waist circumference is important for the prevention of obesity-related disease.

Adipokines ; blood ; Adolescent ; Child ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; blood

AIMTo study the chemical constituents of Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Wight et Arn.

METHODSTo separate compounds with various chromatography technology and to elucidate their structures by chemical and spectral analysis.

RESULTSTwo compounds were isolated from Marsdenia tenacissima and their stuctures were determined as tenacissosides J (I) and tenacissosides K (II).

CONCLUSIONCompounds I and II are new C21 steroidal glycosides.

Glycosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Marsdenia ; chemistry ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Steroids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the psychological situations of patients with soft tissue injuries in oral and maxillofacial region by different kinds of suturing.

METHODSA total of 200 patients were selected and randomly divided into two groups. Group A received intradermic suture while group B underwent para-position suture. All patients were evaluated by hospital anxiety and depression (HAD) scales pre-suture, after one week, one month and three months.

RESULTSThe HAD total scores of group B were significantly high compared with group A (P < 0.05) after one week and one month, while there was no difference between group A and group B pre-suture and three months later.

CONCLUSIONSIntradermic suture results in less psychological influence in patients with soft tissue injuries in oral and maxillofacial region.

Adult ; Anxiety ; Depression ; Face ; surgery ; Humans ; Maxillofacial Injuries ; psychology ; surgery ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; psychology ; surgery ; Suture Techniques

OBJECTIVE: To study the value of the pepsin in the sputum for diagnosing and evaluating the effectiveness of treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux. METHOD: Thirty-six patients with the symptoms of dry pharynx, globus pharyngeus, excessive throat clearing, chronic cough and so on were divided into laryngopharyngeal reflux group and chronic laryngitis group by the results of therapeutic trial taking proton pump inhibitors for 3 months. The estimation of the reflux symptom index (RSI), the reflux finding score (RFS) and the detection of pepsin in the sputum were done before and after the treatment. The difference between two groups and the value of the pepsin were analyzed. RESULT: There were significant decreasing in RSI, RFS and pepsin level (P < 0.01) after the treatment in all patients. There were statistical differences between the laryngopharyngeal reflux group and the chronic laryngitis group in the changes of RSI and pepsin level (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Pepsin level in the sputum might be used as a objective, effective method for diagnosing and evaluating the effectiveness in laryngopharyngeal reflux.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Laryngopharyngeal Reflux ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pepsin A ; analysis ; Sputum ; chemistry ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective:To assess the predictive values of bioelectrical impedance analysis(BIA)-measured body fat indices to abnormal lipid profiles, and to preliminary propose optimal cut-off values of body fat in children and adolescents.Methods:Children and adolescents, aged 6-16 years, were selected from 30 schools (8 primary schools, 21 middle schools and one 12-year education school) in Dongcheng, Tongzhou, Fangshan and Miyun districts of Beijing by adopting a stratified cluster sampling method from November 2017 to January 2018.Questionnaire survey, body mass index(BMI), body fat mass index (FMI), fat mass percentage (FMP) and four lipid profiles were conducted.Results:A total of 14 309 participants, aged (11.0±3.3) years, were enrolled in the analysis, with 49.9% boys.In boys and girls, the percentile values ( P60- P95) fitted by FMI and FMP with K-median-coefficient of variation(LMS) method were taken as the cutting points, and P75 values were selected as the cut-off points of excessive body fat for their better sensitivity, specificity, predictive value and area under curve (AUC) for identification of abnormal lipid profiles.Boys with FMI above P75 accounted for 28% of the total population, and controlling boys with FMI below P75 could prevent dyslipidemia of 8%-57%.FMI in girl population occupied about 26% of the above, and controlling FMI in girl population below this cut-off point may prevent dyslipidemia from 8%-42%.FMP observed similar results to FMI.Assessed by FMI or FMP with P75 cut-off values, adiposity performed better than BMI for recognizing abnormal lipid profiles in boys (AUC: 52.4%-69.6% vs.50.2%-67.1%, P<0.05) rather than in girls ( P>0.05). In addition, when FMI or FMP beyond P90, the specificity of each abnormal lipid profiles was around 90%. Conclusions:The recommend cut-off points for body fat may be to assess children′s adiposity, and can be applied in preventive activities.

OBJECTIVE: To study the value of body fat mass measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in predicting abnormal blood pressure and abnormal glucose metabolism in children. METHODS: Stratified cluster sampling was used to select the students aged 6-16 years, and a questionnaire survey and physical examination were performed. The BIA apparatus was used to measure body fat mass. Body mass index (BMI), body fat mass index (FMI), and fat mass percentage (FMP) were calculated. Fasting blood glucose level were measured. RESULTS: A total of 14 293 children were enrolled, among whom boys accounted for 49.89%. In boys and girls, the percentile values (P, P, P, P, P, P, P, P) of FMI and FMP fitted by the LMS method were taken as the cut-off values. Based on the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the P values with a better value in predicting abnormal blood pressure and blood glucose metabolism were selected as the cut-off values for excessive body fat. When FMI or FMP was controlled below P, the incidence of abnormal blood pressure or abnormal glucose metabolism may be decreased in 8.25%-43.24% of the children. CONCLUSIONS The evaluation of obesity based on FMI and FMP has a certain value in screening for hypertension and hyperglycemia in children, which can be further verified in the future prevention and treatment of obesity and related chronic diseases in children.
Adipose Tissue ; Adolescent ; Blood Pressure ; Body Composition ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Electric Impedance ; Female ; Glucose ; Humans ; Male

The effects of black rice anthocyanidins (BRACs) on retinal damage induced by photochemical stress are not well known. In the present study, Sprague-Dawley rats were fed AIN-93M for 1 week, after which 80 rats were randomly divided into two groups and treated with (n = 40) or without BRACs (n = 40) for 15 days, respectively. After treatment, both groups were exposed to fluorescent light (3,000 +/- 200 lux; 25degrees C), and the protective effect of dietary BRACs were evaluated afterwards. Our results showed that dietary BRACs effectively prevented retinal photochemical damage and inhibited the retinal cells apoptosis induced by fluorescent light (p < 0.05). Moreover, dietary BRACs inhibited expression of AP-1 (c-fos/c-jun subunits), up-regulated NF-kappaB (p65) expression and phosphorylation of IkappaB-alpha, and decreased Caspase-1 expression (p < 0.05). These results suggest that BRACs improve retinal damage produced by photochemical stress in rats via AP-1/NF-kappaB/Caspase-1 apoptotic mechanisms.
Animal Feed/analysis ; Animals ; Anthocyanins/administration & dosage/*pharmacology ; Antioxidants/administration & dosage/*physiology ; Blotting, Western ; Caspase 1/*genetics/metabolism ; Diet ; Dietary Supplements/analysis ; I-kappa B Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; NF-kappa B/*genetics/metabolism ; Neoplasm Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Oryza sativa/chemistry ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/genetics/metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun/genetics/metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Retinal Diseases/etiology/*prevention & control ; Signal Transduction/*drug effects/radiation effects ; Transcription Factor AP-1/*genetics/metabolism