Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial ; diagnosis ; Thymus Neoplasms ; diagnosis

Objective To investigate the association between levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and the risks of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and elderly Chinese. Methods After excluding subjects with known liver disease, excess alcohol consumption and serum ALT≥40 IU/L,1 664 subjects aged 40 years or older from Baoshan Community, Shanghai were recruited to undergo questionnaire interview, anthropometric measurements, and fasting blood sampling. Biochemical features were evaluated and the metabolic syndrome was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria with modification on waist circumference cutoff which is more appropriate for an Asian population. Results Increased ALT levels were associated with more unfavorable metabolic risk profiles. The prevalence rates of the metabolic syndrome in participants with increasing ALT quartiles were 29. 2% , 38. 0% , 44.9% , and 62. 9% , respectively (P for trend <0. 01 ). ALT concentrations were significantly elevated with increasing number of the metabolic syndrome components (P for trend<0.01). Serum ALT levels were significantly associated with the risks of metabolic syndrome and most of its components in a dose-response manner. As compared with participants in the first ALT quartile, the risks of metabolic syndrome were increased by 146% , central obesity by 204% , hypertension by 35% , high triglycerides by 133% , and hyperglycemia by 72% in participants of the fourth ALT quartile. Conclusions A high-normal serum ALT level was significantly associated with an increased risk of the metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and elderly Chinese.

Objective:To study the expression of coxsackievirus group B3 gene fragment encoding VP1 in procaryon and to explore its application.Methods:Stablie expression of VP1 gene of CVB3 in E.coli was obtained.The expressed protein was purified by NAT chromatography and its immunoactivity was identified by indirect ELISA.Results:The expressed product of VP1,similar to native protein antigen of CVB3,could strong bind with the mouse's antibody serum against CVB3(polyclonal antibody).Irrelevant monoclonal antibody as contrast presents negative activity. Using the expressed VP1 product,we have had a special IgM ELISA for the patient's serum of the clinical acute viral myocarditis.The result was same with the cellular protein antigens of the tissue-cultivated CVB3.Conclusion:The protein antigen CVB3-VP1 which is obtained by the method of gene engineering has character of high product, and its immunoactivity after being purified was basically unchanged. At present, this kind of antigen is difficult to be obtained from the viral cullture medium and a potent hazard for being infected by this virus may take place in such manipulateion. By the method of gene engineering we can obtain antigenic VP1 of CVB3 and use as immuneogen for the detection of serum antibody,by which to provide reliable test reference for the early-stage diagnosis and clinical therapy of the acute myocarditis.

Autophagy dysregulation, mitochondrial dynamic abnormality and cell cycle re-entry are implicated in the vulnerable neurons of patients with Alzheimer's disease. This study was designed to testify the association among autophagy, mitochondrial dynamics and cell cycle in dividing neuroblastoma (N2a) cells. The N2a cells were cultured in vitro and treated with different concentrations of 3-methyladenine (3-MA). The cell viability was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. They were randomly divided into control group (cells cultured in normal culture medium) and 3-MA group (cells treated with 10 mmol/L 3-MA). The cell cycle was analyzed in the two groups 3, 6, 12, and 24 h after treatment by flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to evaluate the expression levels of mitofission 1 (Fis1), mitofusin 2 (Mfn2), microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), cell cycle-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and cdc2. The flow cytometry revealed that the proportion of cells in G(2)/M was significantly increased, and that in G0/G1 was significantly reduced in the 3-MA group as compared with the control group. Western blotting showed that the expression levels of Fis1, LC3, and CDK4 were significantly up-regulated in the 3-MA group at the four indicated time points as compared with the control group. Mfn2 was initially decreased in the 3-MA group, and then significantly increased at 6 h or 12 h. Cdc2 was significantly increased in the 3-MA group at 3 h and 6 h, and then dropped significantly at 12 h and 24 h. Our data indicated that 3-MA-induced suppressed autophagy may interfere with the cell cycle progression and mitochondrial dynamics, and cause cell death. There are interactions among cell cycle, mitochondrial dynamics and autophagy in neurons.

AIMTo exploit the characteristic digital criterion for the potential information characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine chromatographic fingerprints, the 37 parameters such as F and I were firstly proposed to disclose the potential information characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine fingerprints.

METHODSThe HPLC fingerprints of the Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) , Ginkgo leaf extract and diphyridamole injection (GLEDI), Ixeris sonchifolia Hance (ISH) and Ixeris sonchifolia Hance injection (ISHI) were compared each other.

RESULTSAs far as the peak signal intensity, the uniform of peak signal, resolution and the fingerprint information were concerned. The GBE fingerprint was better than the GLEDI's, and the ISH fingerprint was also better than the ISHI's, then GBE fingerprint was close to the ISHI' s.

CONCLUSIONThe 37 parameters such as F and I can be used to objectively, authentically and thoroughly display the potential information characteristics of the traditional Chinese medicine chromatographic fingerprints.

Asteraceae ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship of protein intake and energy supply with the physical growth in very/extremely low birth weight infant at their early life.

METHODRetrospective survey was performed in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Peking University First Hospital. Inclusion criteria were preterm infant, birth weight < 1500 g, hospitalization for longer than 2 weeks, discharge with body weight greater than 1800 g. The infants were divided into two groups according to gestational age (GA). GA < 32 weeks and ≥ 32 weeks. Physical growth and its relation with the protein intake and energy supply were analyzed. The predictive value of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) on protein intake was studied.

RESULTNinety-three very/extremely low birth weight infants were involved, 69 in GA < 32 weeks group and 24 in GA ≥ 32 weeks group.Compared with GA ≥ 32 group, GA < 32 weeks preterm infants had more weight loss, (9.2 ± 4.4)% vs. (5.0 ± 3.1)%, P = 0.000; slower birth weight recovery (10.6 ± 3.8) d vs. (7.1 ± 2.6) d, P = 0.000; poorer weight gain at 1, 4, 5 weeks of life, (-4.5 ± 9.3) g/ (kg·d) vs. (3.4 ± 6.9) g/ (kg·d), P = 0.000 , (13.5 ± 7.3) g/ (kg·d) vs. (19.2 ± 4.9) g/ (kg·d), P = 0.001, (14.6 ± 5.6) g/ (kg·d) vs. (18.2 ± 4.5) g/ (kg·d), P = 0.031; less energy supply at 1 to 5 weeks (P value was 0.000,0.000,0.025,0.001,0.008 respectively) and less protein intake at 1, 4, 5 weeks of life (P value was 0.009,0.006,0.032). Extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) was still predominant in our subjects, 47.8% in GA < 32 weeks group, and 95.8% in GA ≥ 32 weeks group, P = 0.000. The incidence increased greater in GA < 32 weeks infants, 43.5% vs. 20.8%, P = 0.000.The duration of weight loss and mechanical ventilation correlated negatively with weight gain rate, respectively β = -0.591, P = 0.000 and β = -0.281, P = 0.005; the average energy supply and time taken to reach full enteral feeding were factors improving weight gain, respectively β = 0.202, P = 0.021 and β = 0.354, P = 0.000. After birth, serum BUN declined gradually. Positive relation showed between average protein intake at 3(rd) week and BUN level at the end of 3 weeks, r = 0.420, P = 0.000. Serum BUN 1.44, 1.49 mmol/L at the end of 3(rd) and 4(th) week were cut-off predictors for protein intake less than 3 g/(kg·d) at related period, sensitivity and specificity were 65.3%, 83.3% and 60%, 80% respectively.

CONCLUSIONNo enough protein intake and energy supply, poor weight gain are critical problems in the management of very/extremely low birth weight infants. Prevention from NEC, appropriate parenteral/enteral nutrition transforming will benefit their physical growth. Low serum BUN after 3 weeks of life is a valuable predictor of low protein intake.

Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Dietary Proteins ; administration & dosage ; Energy Intake ; Enteral Nutrition ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; growth & development ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Premature, Diseases ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; growth & development ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Nutritional Status ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Retrospective Studies ; Weight Gain

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect and mechanism of zoledronate on prevention of collapse in an animal model of osteonecrosis.

METHODSIschemic osteonecrosis was surgically induced in 16 SD rats (which were further divided into zoledronate group and placebo group); another 8 rats were used as sham surgery group (n=8). The animals were killed 5 weeks after surgery. Radiographic, Micro-CT, histological, and immunohistochemical assessments were performed.

RESULTSRadiographic assessment showed better preservation of the femoral head shape in the zoledronate group than in the placebo group but not significantly different from the sham surgery group. Micro-CT assessment showed higher total volume, bone volume, and total mineralized content in the zoledronate group(all P0.05). Compared with the placebo group, the zoledronate group had reduced osteoclast and osteoblast activity, as confirmed by histological examinations.

CONCLUSIONZoledronate can decrease the femoral head deformity by reducing the osteoclast activity while suppressing new bone and vessels formation in a rat model of traumatic osteonecrosis, and therefore may delay the collapse of femoral head.

Animals ; Diphosphonates ; therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Femur Head ; drug effects ; pathology ; Femur Head Necrosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Imidazoles ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; pathology ; Osteoclasts ; drug effects ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo establish a gas chromatography method for simultaneous determination of organochlorine and pyrethroid pesticide residues in Viscum coloratum by cloud-point extraction (CPE).

METHODPesticides were extracted with the non-ionic surfactant Triton X-100. The apparatus was gas chromatography with electron capture detector and the separation was performed on an Hp-5 column. The pesticide residues were calculated by external standard method.

RESULTGood linear relation was obtained over the range of 5-500 microg L(-1) for organochlorine and 10-1,000 microg L(-1) for pyrethroid. The limits of detection was 1.5-7.5 microg kg(-1). The average recoveries of organochlorine and pyrethroid were 74.15% -111.6% with corresponding RSD of 4.0% -9.1%.

CONCLUSIONThe sample and rapid method was applied to pesticide residues determination.

Chromatography, Gas ; methods ; Limit of Detection ; Octoxynol ; chemistry ; Pesticide Residues ; analysis ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; Viscum ; chemistry

Autophagy dysregulation, mitochondrial dynamic abnormality and cell cycle re-entry are implicated in the vulnerable neurons of patients with Alzheimer's disease. This study was designed to testify the association among autophagy, mitochondrial dynamics and cell cycle in dividing neuroblastoma (N2a) cells. The N2a cells were cultured in vitro and treated with different concentrations of 3-methyladenine (3-MA). The cell viability was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. They were randomly divided into control group (cells cultured in normal culture medium) and 3-MA group (cells treated with 10 mmol/L 3-MA). The cell cycle was analyzed in the two groups 3, 6, 12, and 24 h after treatment by flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to evaluate the expression levels of mitofission 1 (Fis1), mitofusin 2 (Mfn2), microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), cell cycle-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and cdc2. The flow cytometry revealed that the proportion of cells in G(2)/M was significantly increased, and that in G0/G1 was significantly reduced in the 3-MA group as compared with the control group. Western blotting showed that the expression levels of Fis1, LC3, and CDK4 were significantly up-regulated in the 3-MA group at the four indicated time points as compared with the control group. Mfn2 was initially decreased in the 3-MA group, and then significantly increased at 6 h or 12 h. Cdc2 was significantly increased in the 3-MA group at 3 h and 6 h, and then dropped significantly at 12 h and 24 h. Our data indicated that 3-MA-induced suppressed autophagy may interfere with the cell cycle progression and mitochondrial dynamics, and cause cell death. There are interactions among cell cycle, mitochondrial dynamics and autophagy in neurons.
Adenine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Autophagy ; drug effects ; genetics ; CDC2 Protein Kinase ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; genetics ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cyclin B ; biosynthesis ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinases ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Mitochondrial Dynamics ; drug effects ; genetics ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Neuroblastoma ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of STI571, arsenic trioxide (As2O3) and Velcade, used alone or in combination, on the proliferation and apoptosis of bcr/abl+-CD34+ cells.

METHODSbcr/abl+-CD34+ cells isolated from the bone marrow of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) were treated for 96 h with STI571, As2O3 and Velcade either alone and in combination, and the cell proliferation and apoptosis were analyzed by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. The morphological changes of the apoptotic cells were observed by Hoechst33342 staining and fluorescent microscope. The inhibitory effects of the drugs on normal CD34+ cells were also observed.

RESULTSLow-concentration STI571, As2O3 or Velcade all dose-dependently inhibited bcr/abl+-CD34+ cell proliferation without obvious apoptosis-inducing effects. STI571 at 0.25-2 micromol/L combined with As2O3 at 2.5 micromol/L and with Velcade at 15 nmol/L both significantly increased the cell inhibition and apoptosis rates, showing obvious additive or synergistic effects of the drugs without further enhancement of normal CD34+ cell inhibition.

CONCLUSIONCombination with STI571 enhances the effects of As2O3 and Velcade on bcr/abl+-CD34+ cells, suggesting the potential clinical value of this regimen.

Adult ; Aged ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Benzamides ; Boronic Acids ; pharmacology ; Bortezomib ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drug Synergism ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Oxides ; pharmacology ; Piperazines ; pharmacology ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; Pyrimidines ; pharmacology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured