As one subclass of forkhead proteins, the forkhead box O ( FoxO) transcription factors take part in a series of bio-logical processes including cellular apoptosis, damaged DNA re-pair and cleavage of reactive oxygen species(ROS). Increasing evidence highlights that oxidative stress elicited by FoxOs con-tributes to imbalance of redox status in cells related to bone me-tabolism, resulting in development of the pathogenesis of osteo-porosis. This article reviews the relationship of FoxOs and osteo-porosis, which may be beneficial for the research of pathological mechanism and therapeutic strategy of osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of berberine on differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to adipocytes and its mechanism. METHODS Rat MSCs were isolated and cultured, adipocytic differentiation was induced with adipogenesis-inducing medium (AIM). Cells were assigned into 6 groups:normal control, AIM group, AIM+berberine 0.1, 0.3, 1 and 3 μmol·L-1 groups, respectively. Morphology characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells were observed under an inverted microscope and adipocyte levels were analyzed by oil O staining. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was detected using p-nitrophenyl phosphate as a substrate. The cell survival was determined by MTT assay. Expressions of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ), fatty acid binding protein (aP2) and CCAAT enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα) mRNA were detected by semiquantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS Compared with normal control group, MSCs adipogenic differentiation, PPARγ, aP2 and C/EBPα mRNA expression significantly increased in AIM group (P<0.01), ALP activity in AIM group significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with AIM group, berberine inhibited MSCs adipogenic differentiation (P<0.01) and berberine 0.1, 0.3, 1 and 3 μmol·L-1 increased ALP activity by 26%, 54%, 81% and 122%, respectively. Berberine 3 μmol·L-1 significantly downregulated PPARγ expression (0.91±0.10 vs 1.34±0.06) (P<0.01), aP2 (1.05±0.10 vs 1.53±0.09) (P<0.01) and C/EBPα mRNA (1.24±0.06 vs 1.54±0.09) (P<0.01). Berberine had no effect on proliferation of MSCs. CONCLUSION Berberine inhibits differentiation of MSCs into adipocytes, which might be closely related to the downregulation of PPARγ, aP2 and C/EBPα mRNA.

The paper presents a flexible and simple direct analysis in real-time ( DART) device without grid electrode for mass spectrometer injection. It contained inert carrier gas, ionizer, heater and temperature-controller etc. Excluding the grid electrode and then reducing the structure units, the device could be easy to build up in low cost and flexible to connect with a variety of mass spectrometers. The experimental conditions like the kind of carrier gas, flow rate and temperature were investigated for the device. By using argon as carrier gas, flow rate as 7. 5 L/min, and temperature of heat tape as 300 ℃, the device was used to analyze benzene alcohol, linoleic acid, dichlorvos emulsion, mosquito coils, citrus peel, and sample ( propranolol hydrochloride) on thin-layer plate combined with mass spectrometer. The results were accurate and the device was stable and reliable.

The levels of low-density lipoprotein(LDL)glycation from control group,diabetic HbA1C < 7.0%,and HbA1C>7.0% groups were(17.7±2.31),(34.29±5.73),and(48.79±7.82)Glycogroups/LDL by fluorimetry.The LDL binding to its receptor in three groups were(37.65±5.20),(27.36±4.34),and(15.07± 2.23)ng/mg cell protein measured by enzyme-linked immunoreceptor assay.The glycated levels in two diabetic groups were higher than that in control group,and higher in HbA1C>7.0% group than in HbA1C<7.0% group(all P< 0.01).The results of LDL binding capacity to its receptor were just the opposite.

Objective To evaluate the effects of metformin on thyrotropin(TSH)levels. Methods From the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus or metabolic syndrome, 48 patients with primary hypothyroidism were enrolled and grouped. 17 patients were treated only with metformin(group A), 19 patients with metformin and stable L-T4substitution(group B), and the remaining 12 patients with antidiabetic drugs(other than metformin)and L-T4(group C). Meanwhile, 20 euthyroid patients with other thyroid abnormalities(group D)and 30 patients without thyroid diseases(group E)served as control. TSH, FT3, FT4, TT3, TT4, and blood glucose were determined regularly in all these subjects. Results After administration of metformin for 12 months, serum TSH were decreased in group A [(5.05±1.07 vs 2.61±0.91)mU/L, P＜0.01] and group B [(2.67±1.03 vs 1.35±0.74)mU/L, P＜0.01]. No difference was found in FT3and FT4in both groups. TSH levels were raised from(1.30±0.71)to(2.58±1.02)mU/L(P＜0.01)within 8～12 weeks in 13 out of 15 patients after metformin withdrawal. Serum TSH and thyroid hormones in the other 3 groups were not significantly changed. Conclusion Administration of metformin may lead to reduction of serum TSH level.

This study was aimed to verify the chemical component cantharidin from Chinese blister beetle by LC-MS/MS. Components were first processed by HPLC to choose the appropriate separation conditions before LC/MS/MS analysis. Through the positive and negative ions pre-scan, positive ions scanning way was selected in the scanning of each separate component. The scanned maps were obtained and the relative molecular mass was deduced. The results showed that 8 types of cantharidin compounds were identified, including three isomers. It was concluded that LC-MS/MS was able to determine the chemical component cantharidin from Chinese blister beetle rapidly and accurately, which was existed in the body by the form of combined amino acid.

Objective To investigate the prevalence and clinical features of fulminant type 1 diabetes.Methods Using data retrieved from Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University,all patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes from Jan.1,2001 to Dec.31,2007 were identified.The patients were divided into fulminant type 1 diabetes (F1D) group,typical type 1 diabetes (T1A) group,and idiopathic type 1 diabetes(T1B) group.Their clinical features were compared.Results Eight patients (9.1%) fulfilled the criteria for fulminant type 1 diabetes among 87 newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes,and the percentage of fulminant type 1 diabetes reached 14.0% among type 1 diabetic patients with age of onset of 18 years or older.Patients of F1D group had a markedly higher plasma glucose concentration compared with patients of T1A group and T1B group(P=0.004).Serum amylase was higher in F1D group than that in T1A group(P = 0.021).Four (50%) patients were GADA positive,among whom 1 patient was Coxsackie B virus (CVB) IgM positive and 1 patient was Herpes Simplex virus 1 (HSV1) IgM positive.Conclusions Fulminant type 1 diabetes accounts for about 10% of the type 1 diabetes in the Chinese individuals with ketosis-or ketoacidosis-onset.Patients with this subset of diabetes had severe metabolic derangement.Viral infection and autoimmunity may be involved in the pathogenesis of fulminant type 1 diabetes.

In order to investigate the feasibility of the modified chitosan-gelatin crosslinked membrane (MC-Gel) and chitosan-gelatin crosslinked membrane (CS-Gel) to be a potential biomaterial for corneal regeneration, we evaluated their physicochemical properties and intraocular biocompatibility in this study. White light transmission and permeability of these membranes were detected. Results showed that white light transmission of both membranes was above 90% at 500 nm, which was similar to that of human cornea. The glucose, tryptophan and NaCl permeability of MC-Gel membrane and CS-Gel membrane was better than or similar to those of human cornea. The methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to assess cell viability and proliferation. Also, interlamellar corneal transplantation was carried out to evaluate ophthalmic biocompatibility of MC-Gel membrane and CS-Gel membrane. Results indicated that MC-Gel membranes could support the proliferation of HCEC and displayed good intraocular biocompatibility when implanted into rabbits. No severe inflammatory reaction occurred after transplantation and the implanted MC-Gel membrane degraded completely 16 weeks post-operation. Due to its good physicochemical properties and biocompatibility, MC-Gel membrane could be a promising candidate material for corneal regeneration.
Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Cells, Cultured ; Chitosan ; chemistry ; Cornea ; cytology ; Corneal Injuries ; Cross-Linking Reagents ; Epithelium, Corneal ; cytology ; physiology ; surgery ; Gelatin ; chemistry ; Guided Tissue Regeneration ; methods ; Humans ; Membranes, Artificial ; Rabbits ; Regeneration ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds

Objective To investigate the effects of duration of surgery on flash-induced visual evoked potentials (VEP) in patients undergoing spinal surgery in prone position.Methods Eighty-two ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients of both sexes aged 20-76 yr weighing 43-96 kg undergoing spinal surgery in prone position were divided into 3 groups according to the duration of surgery:group S≤2 h ( n =34) ; group M 2-4 h ( n =38) and group L≥4 h ( n =10).VEP was monitored using protektor VEP monitoring device (Xltek Co.,Canada).The latency,amplitude and recovery time of wave P100 were recorded before and 10 min after induction of anesthesia and at the end of surgery.Results Compared with group S,the amplitude of wave P1000 was significantly decreased at the end of surgery in group M,the lantency of wave P100 was significantly prolonged,while the amplitude of wave P100 was decreased at the end of surgery in group L ( P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group M,the lantency of wave P100 was significantly prolonged,while the amplitude of wave P100 was decreased at the end of surgery in group L ( P ＜ 0.05).Compared with groups S and M,the recovery time of wave P100 was significantly prolonged in group L ( P ＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the recovery time of wave P100 between groups S and M ( P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Duration of surgery (≥4 h) can affect flash-induced VEP,the longer the duration,the stronger the effects.

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of hepatic flare and evaluate efficacy of antiviral treatment in pregnant women with chronic HBV infection. Methods: A single-center, open-label, prospective study was conducted, and pregnant women with chronic HBV infection were enrolled. Liver function, HBV serum markers and HBV DNA of pregnant women with chronic HBV infection were reviewed during every 4 to 12 weeks of gestation period. The proportion and clinical characteristics of hepatitis flare during pregnancy were observed. Logistic regression analysis was used to predict hepatic flare in pregnant women with chronic HBV infection. Antiviral therapy with telbivudine (LdT) or tenofovir dipivoxil (TDF) was used to treat hepatic flare during pregnancy. Sequential entecavir (ETV) or TDF was applied after the delivery. Treatment course and drug withdrawal in pregnant women with hepatic flare was the same as those of the general patients with chronic hepatitis B. Liver function, HBV serum markers and HBV DNA were measured in pregnant women with hepatic flare at different time points (4, 12, 24 and 52 weeks). A t-test was used to compare the hepatic flare in pregnant women with and without hepatitis group. HBsAg and HBeAg were used to quantify the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of pregnant women with hepatic flare during pregnancy. Area under the ROC curve was used to calculate the optimal cut-off value corresponding to the maximum sensitivity and specificity of the ROC curve. Results: Of the 220 pregnant women with chronic HBV infection, 55 (25%) had hepatitis flare during pregnancy and received antiviral treatment. Among the 55 women with hepatic flare during gestation, 47 (85.46%) had hepatic flare in the mid-second trimester (12-24 weeks); average peak value of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was 220.62 U/L, and the average peak value of ALT in 32 cases (58.18%) of pregnant women with hepatic flare was between 2–5 × ULN. HBsAg and HBeAg quantification were significantly lower in pregnant women with hepatic flare during pregnancy than with non-hepatitis (t = -3.745, P < 0.001; t = -2.186, P = 0.030). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that pregnant women with HBeAg < 3.065 log10 s/co were 7.576 times more likely to have hepatic flare during pregnancy (95% confidence interval: 3.779-15.190). ALT normalization, undetectable HBV DNA levels, HBeAg loss and HBeAg seroconversion in 55 pregnant women with hepatic flare at 52-week treatment was 100% (55/55), 74.55% (41/55), 47.27% (26/55) and 41.82% (23/55), respectively. HBsAg quantification at 52 weeks was significantly lower than baseline HBsAg quantification (3.32 + 0.37) log₁₀ IU/ml and (3.95 + 0.40) log₁₀ IU/ml; t = 8.465, P < 0.001). Conclusion Hepatic flare often occurs in the second trimester of pregnancy in pregnant women with chronic HBV infection and baseline HBeAg quantification is an independent predictor of hepatic flare. HBeAg seroconversion rate increased at 52 weeks after antiviral therapy.