Objective To investigate the correlation between serum osteocalcin and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in elderly patients.Methods A total of 55 T2DM patients (diabetic group) and 50 non-diabetic subjects (control group) aged ≥60 years were enrolled in this study.The levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG),glycated hemoglobin (HbAlc),insulin resistance index (HOMA IR),osteocalcin (OC),body mass index (BMI) and bone mineral density (BMD) in groups were compared.The correlations between serum osteocalcin and the above indicators were analyzed.Results The levels of OC and BMD were higher in control group than in diabetic group [(11.2±3.2)μg/Lvs.(4.1±3.0)μg/L,(-1.3±0.3) vs.(-2.6±0.5),respectively,both P＜0.05].The levels of FBG,HbAlc,FINS,HOMA-IR were lower in control group than in diabetic group [(4.7±2.0) mmol/L vs.(9.4±2.1) mmol/L],[(4.8±1.5) ％ vs.(7.6±1.6)％,(7.4±3.2) U/L vs.(23.7±3.0) U/L,(1.5±0.7) vs.(9.9±1.2),respectively,all P＜0.05].Serum osteocalcin concentration was negatively correlated with the levels of FBG,HbAlc,FINS and HOMA-IR in elderly patients with T2DM (r=-0.739,-0.713,-0.613,-0.092,all P＜0.01).Conclusions Serum osteocalcin concentration is correlated with the levels of blood sugar and insulin resistance index in elderly patients with T2DM.A further study on the correlation between osteocalcin and T2DM may provide a new target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background The integration of segregated pathways from the two eyes first appears in V1 neurons,where it not only plays a critical role in the generation of a three-dimensional visual representation.Abnormal visual experiences in critical period usually lead to amblyopia and binocular integration defects.Objective Present study was to investigate how neurons of kitten coordinate their activity patterns in response to synchronous dichoptic stimulus inputs in striate cortex.Methods Spike rate and local field potential(LFP) gamma band(20-90Hz) power of three kitten(1-1.2Kg,8-10 weeks old) to monocular and synchronous dichoptic presented gratings were assessed for 28 binocular neurons in V1 of kitten by in vivo extracellular record method under anaesthesia and paralysis.Ocular dominance index(ODI) and binocular integration index(BII) were assessed and the correlation between these two indexes were analyzed.Results In 28 cells with binocular characteristic,the absolute value of spike-ODI was significant larger than that of LFP-ODI(t=2.606,P=0.021).A positive linear correlation between the ocular preferences of spike and LFP was found(R2=0.513,F=27.423,P=0.003).In dichotic trails,binocular facilitation with BII for spike was 2.348±0.996,showing a significant reduce in comparison with BII for LFP(3.678±1.974)(t=2.671,P=0.019).Binocular integration index for two signals were greater when monocular responses of both eyes were similar(P=0.035 and P=0.124,respectively).Conclusion Both spike rate and gamma band power of LFP exhibited binocular facilitation to synchronous presented dichotic stimuli with significant facilitation induced by balanced monocular responses.Spiking activity and LFP reflect neural activities of different spatial scales and source components.

Objective To evaluate the protection of 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB),an inhibitor of Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP),on severe acute pancreatitis associated adenohypophysis injury in rats.Method Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:sham operation group (SO group,n=8),SAP group (n=12),3-AB pretreatment group (n =12),drug control group (n =8).The bilepancreatic duct was cannulated through the duodenum and SAP model was induced by a standardized pressure-controlled retrograde infusion of 5％ sodium taurocholate (0.1 ml/100 g) into the bile-pancreatic duct.In 3-AB group,3-AB (20 mg/kg) was administered via femoral vein 30 min prior to the operation;other procedures were identical to SAP group.In SO group,pancreas was flipped several times only.In drug control group,3-AB (20 mg/kg) was administered via femoral vein 30 min prior to the operation.Serum amylase,lipase were measured.Pancreas and pituitary tissue were taken for pathological examination under light microscope.PARP and NF-κB antibodies for adenohypophysis immunohistochemical stains.Adenohypophysis cell was observed under electronic microscope.Result Serum amylase,lipase and pancreas pathological scores were significantly higher in 3-AB group compared with SO group (P ＜ 0.05),but lower than that in SAP group (P ＜ 0.05).Adenohypophysis pathological injury was less severe in 3-AB group.Expressions of PARP and NF-κB in adenohypophysis cells were significantly higher in 3-AB group compared with SO group,but lower than that in SAP group (P ＜ 0.05).Ultrastructural change of thyrotroph cell was relieved in 3-AB group.No significant difference was observed between SO group and drug control group in PARP and NF-κB expression nor adenohypophysis pathological injury.Conclusions 3-AB exerts the protective effect against acute pancreatitis associated adenohypophysis injury by inhibition of PARP and NF-κB.

Objective To investigate the changes of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) and NF kappa B (NF-κB) in adenohypophysis in rat model of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP),and their role in the mechanism of adenohypophysis injury in SAP.Methods Forty Wistar rats were randomly (random number) divided into 5 groups:the sham operation group (SO group,n =8),SAP 1 h,3 h,6 h and 12 h groups (n =8 in each group).SAP model was induced by retrograde injection of 5％ sodium taurocholate into the biliopancreatic duct.Serum levels of amylase,lipase and ascites were measured.After sacrifice of experiment rats,pancreas and adenohypophysis tissues were taken for pathological examination under light microscope.Adenohypophysis cells were observed under electronic microscopy as well.PARP and NF-κB expressions in adenohypophysis cell was studied by using immunohistochemisty assay.Results After modelling,serum levels of amylase,lipase and ascites in SAP group increased gradually,which were higher than those in SO group (P ＜ 0.05).Adenohypophysis cell swelling and partial necrosis were observed under light microscope.As the time prolonged,their nuclei became dark and pyknotic more and more,and the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial swelling in adenohypophysis cells were observed under electronic microscopy.The expressions of PARP and NF-κB in SAP group increased gradually,which were higher than those in SO group.Conclusions Significant pathological and ultrastructural injuries were observed in adenohypophysis cells in severe acute pancreatitis.These changes might correlate with PARP and NF-κB signaling pathway.

It′s reported that RNA-binding proteins ( RBP) play key roles in post-transcriptional regulation of eukaryotic genes.The aberrations of RBP are associated with a large number of human disorders , particularly autoimmune and neuro-logic diseases .The interaction between RNA and proteins has been widely explored since the development of the method known as RNA immunoprecipitation with differential display or microarray analysis (RIP-ChIP) around the year of 2000. Since then, diverse derivatives of the RIP-ChIP, such as ultraviolet crosslinking and immunoprecipitation ( CLIP), high-throughput sequencing of CLIP cDNA library (HITS-CLIP), photoactivatable -ribonucleoside-enhanced crosslinking and immunoprecipitation ( PAR-CLIP) , and individual nucleotide resolution CLIP ( iCLIP ) have been developed .All these methods have some advantages over the original RIP-ChIP and greatly facilitate the study of RBP-RNA interactions .Addi-tionally , aided by the next-generation sequencing , transcriptome-wide identification of RBP target sites has become possible and the RNA-binding site resolution of RBP has also improved to some degree .We introduced the basic principles and processes of the interactions between proteins and RNA , focusing on the advantages , disadvantages and prospect of the present genome-wide version of CLIP .

Objective To investigate the sensitivity and variability factors that were assessed on the forced swimming test (FST) using BALB/C and Kunming mice. Methods The immobility time of FST was compared using Kunming and BALB/C mice in different experimental conditions including circadian rhythm ( day and night) ,gender and water temperature ( 12,22 and 32℃ ) . Results (①) The immobility time of BALB/C during the daytime( ( 142.42 ± 33.58) s) was significantly increased than that at night ( ( 104.89 ± 34.33 ) s). (② The immobility time of Kunming mice( (91.95 ± 40.32) s) was significantly decreased than that of BALB/C mice ( ( 142.42 ± 33.58 ) s). (③)The immobility time under the water temperature of 22 C ( ( 92.24 ± 25.81 ) s) was significant longer than that under the water temperature of 32C ( (60.72 ± 11.11 ) s). Conclusion BALB/C stain,male mice,daytime and water temperature of 22℃ should be chosen in the FST.

Objective To observe the effect of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (Ox-LDL),15-Deoxy-△ 12,14-prostaglandin J2 ( 15d-PGJ2 ),leukotrienes B4 ( LTB4 ) on mRNA expressions of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ2 ( PPARγ2 ),receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL),alkaline phosphatase ( ALP),and osteoprotegerin(OPG) in osteoblastic cells of rats; and to investigate the influence of these PPARγ2 endogenous ligands on bone metabolism.Methods Rat osteoblastic cells were cultured in vitro for 24 h in medium with different PPARγ2 endogenous ligands at various concentrations ( the final concentrations of Ox-LDL were 0,12.5,25,50μg/ml; the final concentrations of 15 d-PGJ2 were 0,10,20,30 μmol/L; the final concentrations of LTB4 were 0,0.1,1.0,10 μ mol/L).RT-PCR was performed to determine the mRNA expressions of PPARγ2,RANKL,ALP,and OPG in osteoblastic cells.Results RT-PCR analysis showed that Ox-LDL,15d-PGJ2,and LTB4 all down-regulated the mRNA expressions of RANKL,ALP,and OPG,while up-regulated the mRNA expressions of PPARγ2 in osteoblastic cells in a dose-dependent manner.Significant differences were found in interclass comparisons( P＜0.05 or P＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions These findings suggest that Ox-LDL,15d-PGJ2,and LTB4 suppress the expressions of osteogenic genes through activating the transcription activity of PPARγ2,and this may be a plausible mechanism of senile osteoporosis.

Objective To establish a radioresistant cell subline from a human A549 lung cancer cell line and investigate the mechanism of radioresistance. Methods Two proposals were applied for the non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells irradiated with X-rays:A group of A549 cell line was irradiated five times, the fractionated dose was 600 cGy, and the other group was exposed 15 times, the fractionated dose was 200 cGy. After the completion of irradiation, two monoclones were obtained from the survival of cells and named the subline A549-S1 and A549-S2. The radiosensitivity and cell cycle distribution of these two clones,together with its parental A549 cells were measured by clone formation assay and flow cytometry.The mRNA and protein levels of Notch1 in A549 cell line and the sublines were determined by RT-PCR and Western-blots. Results Compared with the parental A549 cells, A549-S1 cells showed significant resistance to radiation with D0, Dq and N values increased, and a broader initial shoulder as well as 1.38-fold increased value of SF2. The A549-S1 subline also showed higher percentage of cells in S phase and G2/M phase, but lower percentages in G0/G1 phase (P<0.05). The expression of Notch1 in A549-S1 was enhanced obviously than in A549 cells. But for A549-S2 the radioseasitivity was slightly increased compared with the parental cells with D0, Dq and N values decreased and a curve initial shoulder. The ratio of cells in S and G0/G1 phase ratio was lower than that in parental A549 cells, but that in G2/M phase ratio was higher significantly (P<0.05) .The expression of Notch1 had no marked change compared to A549 cell. Conclusions The radioresistance of the A549 cell subline is correlated with the irradiation program. The cell subline shows a different cell cycle distribution from their parental line. The cell cycle distribution has a close correlation with the expression of Notch1.

Objective To improve the diagnosis and treatment of ureteral cancer. Methods A retrospective analysis of 24 cases of primary ureteral cancer treated from January 1990 to March 2005 was performed.The diagnostic value of ultrasound,IVU,CT,MRU and the patients' outcomes were reviewed. There were 19 males and 5 females aged 38-72 years(mean,59 years).The tumors were on the left side in 16 cases and on the right in 8.Of the 24 cases,17(71%)had gross hematuria and 7(29%)had micro- scopic hematuria.Urine cytology was performed in 16 cases with a positive rate of 6.3%.B-ultrasonic exami- nation showed hydronephrosis in 19 cases(79%)and low-echo space-occupying disease of middle-inferior ureter in 3(12%).IVU demonstrated hydronephrosis in 20 cases(83%)and filling defect of the diseased ureter in 3(12%).Retrograde pyelography showed filling defect of the diseased ureter in 16(76%)of 21 cases(5 cases had failure of intubation).CT scan was performed in 20 cases,indicating thickening of the ureteral wall and infiltration of the cancer in 14(70%).In 3 cases who had undergone spiral CT thin layer scan and 1 of 3 cases who had undergone MRU,the definite diagnosis was made.Results All the 24 pa- tients underwent surgical treatment.Among them,nephroureterectomy and bladder cuff or partial resection were performed in 18 cases,and nephrectomy and partial ureterectomy in 6 cases.Postoperative pathology showed transitional cell carcinoma in 23 cases,and adenoma in 1.Of the 14 cases during 1990-1999 peri- od,1,5,3,2,2 and 1 cases had survival time of 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 years,respectively.Of the 10 cases during 2000-2005 period,3 were lost to follow-up;2 survived for 3 years and 2,for 1 year;the other 3 who have survived near 5 years have been followed till now.Conclusions IVU and retrograde urography are the most common diagnostic measures for primary ureteral cancer.They can be used in combination with other imaging study to reduce missed diagnosis rate.The 5-year survival rate was lower because of late pathologic stage of the tumors in the patients of this series.

Objective To study the characteristics of mismatch negativity(MMN) in patients with depression.Methods MMN was recorded from 31 patients with depression and 28 age-matched controls. Results Compared with the controls, the patients with depression had prolonged latency ([189?22] ms vs [206?26] ms, P