OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between serum testosterone levels and the plaque formation of the carotid artery in a population-based cohort of independently living healthy women above 60 years of age.

METHODSAnalysis of the healthy elders from a population-based cohort study in 9 communities of Beijing. Carotid intima-media thickness and atherosclerotic plaques were determined ultrasonographically. Serum testosterone levels were measured by immunoassay. The data were analyzed with ANOVA and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSThere was an inverse correlation between testosterone and plaque formation in old females (P < 0.01), while no association was found in males. Female with testosterone levels in the lowest quartile (< 0.49 nmol/L) had more risk of plaque formation (OR = 3.805, P < 0.01) after adjusted with age and other traditional factors of atherosclerosis.

CONCLUSIONTestosterone concentrations are negatively associated with carotid artery atherosclerosis in old women in Beijing, experimental and prospective studies are needed to determine the possible therapeutic role of testosterone in atherosclerosis.

Aged ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; Carotid Arteries ; pathology ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Carotid Stenosis ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Testosterone ; blood

Peptide cyclization, a pivotal approach to modifying linear precursors of proteins and pepticles, has been used to enhance their biological activities and serum stabilities. Recently, sortase A (SrtA) from Staphyloccus aureus becomes a promising new technology for efficiently incorporating site specific modifications into proteins, conjugating the cell surface and cyclizing the linear peptides. In this study, we constructed two recombinant expression systems, one with chitin binding domain and the other with six-histidine tag and chitin binding domain on the N-terminal of SrtA, separately. The results of enzymatic kinetics indicate that the two recombinant tags do not impair the transpeptidase activity of SrtA compared with the standard reaction reported under the same reaction condition. The two synthesized peptides with N-ternimal three glycines and C-terminal penta-amino acid motif, LPETG, were cyclized using immobilized and recycled SrtA. The SrtA-based cyclization promises to represent a simple method for easy and efficient enzymatic synthesis of large cyclic peptides.
Aminoacyltransferases ; metabolism ; Bacterial Proteins ; metabolism ; Cyclization ; Cysteine Endopeptidases ; metabolism ; Enzymes, Immobilized ; metabolism ; Kinetics ; Peptides ; metabolism ; Peptides, Cyclic ; biosynthesis ; Staphylococcus aureus ; enzymology

OBJECTIVETo explore effects of Shenqi preparation,Traditional Chinese Medicine, on anti-fatigue and anti-oxidant functions.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty mice were randomly divided into control group and 3 experimental groups. The high, medium and low-dose of Shenqi preparation were given to the 3 experimental groups respectively, while distilled water to the control group for 15 d. The loaded swimming time, the level of lactate, serum urea nitrogen (SUN), muscle and liver glycogen, liver super-oxide dismutase (SOD), the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) were assayed.

RESULTSThe loaded swimming test showed that the exhausted swimming time of 3 experimental groups [(296.0 +/- 25.3)s, (437.0 ĝ 38.9)s, (595.0 +/- 53.9)s respectively] was longer than that of control group [(231.0 +/- 22.5)s, P < 0.05, P < 0.01]. The liver glycogen content of the high and medium-dose experimental groups were higher than that of control group respectively (P < 0.01). The SUN content of each experimental group was less than that of the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Moreover,in the medium and high dose experimental groups, less accumulation of lactate was found (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and the content of liver SOD and GSH-Px was higher (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The content of liver MDA in high-dose experimental group was less than that of the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONShenqi preparation, especially the high and medium-dose experimental groups, is able to improve exercise tolerance and has anti-fatigue and anti-oxidant effects in mice.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fatigue ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Glycogen ; metabolism ; Lactic Acid ; blood ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the value of Habib 4X in hepatic resection. Methods The clinical outcome of 21 patients with liver disease who received liver resection at the Tianjin Third Central Hospital from November 2009 to April 2010 were retrospectively evaluated. All the operations were carried out by using Habib 4X. Results All patients received hepatectomy, including right hepatectomy in three patients, left hepatectomy in one patient, multiple segmentectomy in nine patients, single segmentectomy in seven patients and partial liver resection in one patient. All tumors were reseeted completely. The mean operation time was (50±25) minutes and the mean blood loss was(129±117)ml. No patient was transferred to ICU. Three patients were complicated with bile leakage, one with lymphatic leakage and four with pleural effusion, and they were cured by non-surgical treatment. There were no patients with postoperative hemorrhage, incision infection or hepatic failure. No mortality was observed. The mean postoperative hospital stay was(19±14)days. Conclusions Radiofrequency energy was applied along the margins of the tumor to create zones of necrosis before resection with a scalpel, offering hepatobiliary surgeons an additional method for performing liver resections with minimal blood loss, low morbidity and mortality rates. As for malignant tumors, minor or major liver resection assisted by Habib 4X is safe, and it can reduce the chance of positive incisal margin.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in the apoptosis of testicular germ cells in hyperlipidemic rats.

METHODSWe randomly assigned 42 four-week-old male Wistar rats into a normal control group (n = 12) and a high-fat group (n = 30) to be fed on a normal diet and a high-fat diet, respectively, for 10 weeks. Then we measured the concentrations of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) in the serum using an automatic biochemistry analyzer, detected the apoptosis of testicular germ cells by TUNEL staining, and determined the protein and mRNA expressions of GRP78 and. caspase-12 in the testis tissue by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively.

RESULTSThe concentrations of TG and TC were significantly increased in the animals of the high-fat group ([3.00 ± 0.92] and [3.04 ± 0.39] mmol/L) as compared with the control rats ([1.43 ± 0.41] and [1.55 ± 0.23] mmol/L) (P < 0.01), and so was the apoptosis index of the testicular germ cells ([37.17 ± 2.74]% vs [5.16 ± 0.81]%, P < 0.01). The high-fat group, in comparison with the control, also showed remarkably upregulated protein and mRNA expressions of GRP78 (0.32 ± 0.03 and 0.86 ± 0.05 vs 0.19 ± 0.01 and 0.37 ± 0.03, P < 0.01) and caspase-12 (0.34 ± 0.02 and 0.87 ± 0.01 vs 0.12 ± 0.01 and 0.34 ± 0.03, P < 0.01) in the testis tissue.

CONCLUSIONThe apoptosis of testicular germ cells is increased in hyperlipidemic rats, which may be attributed to endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Caspase 12 ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Diet, High-Fat ; adverse effects ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; physiology ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spermatozoa ; pathology ; Staining and Labeling ; Testis ; metabolism ; Transcriptional Activation ; Triglycerides ; blood ; Up-Regulation

The average life expectancy in Macau is ranking the second in the world, the consumption of fresh medicinal plants is a profound culture in Macau. The paper focus on the distribution of the antioxidant herbs, a comprehensive investigation and analysis the amount of the plant resources was carried out. The antioxidant activity of alcohol extracts was determined by using the DPPH method, and six kinds fresh herbs with high antioxidant free radical activity were screened out. Reference to adult daily dose of vitamin C, it is calculated that the daily dose amount of fresh herbs is less than 200 g. For the expected shortage of resources and the ecological status of Macau, we give some suggestions of herbal introduction in population ecology reconstruction.
Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Ecosystem ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Macau ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology

Background With the development of phacoemulsification surgery,the minimization of the size of the incision in order to reduce the damaging of eye tissue and postoperative complications becomes a focus.Objective This study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of coaxial phacoemulsification type cataract surgery through a 1.8 mm microincision with foldable intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in eyes with age-related cataract.Methods Informed consent was obtained from each patient at the beginning of this study.A serial case observation study was designed.Thirty-two eyes of 32 patients with age-related cataract were enrolled in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region People' s Hospital from April 2012 to May 2012,including 8 eyes of grade Ⅱ hard nucleus cataract,16 eyes of grade Ⅲ hard nucleus cataract and 8 eyes of grade Ⅳ hard nucleus cataract.Ocular axial length was measured by an A-mode ultrasonic apparatus,and IOL diopter was calculated using the SRK-Ⅱ formula.Under ocular surface anesthesia,a 1.8 mm clear corneal tunnel incision was made at the 10-11 o' clock position,and then an auxiliary incision was made at the 2 o' clock position.The opaque lens was extracted by routine phacoemulsification.An Akreos MI60 IOL was implanted through the 1.8 mm incision.The time and level of ultrasonic power required for phacoemulsification,postoperative visual acuity and incidence of postoperative complication were assessed.Postoperative examinations were scheduled at 1 day,1 week and 1 month after the surgery.Results All the operations proceeded smoothly.The mean phaco-time was (7.0±3.6) seconds and the mean ultrasonic power level was (15.3 ±6.1)％ among the different grades of cataract groups.The number of eyes presenting an uncorrected distance visual acuity of ≥ 0.5 was 18 (56.25％),28 (87.50％) and 30 (93.75％) 1 day,1 week and 1 month after surgery,respectively.The number of eyes with a best corrected distance visual acuity of ≥ 0.5 and 0.8 were 31(96.88％) and 26 (81.25％),respectively,1 month after surgery.Negligible changes were detected in the anterior chamber depths,and no thermal damage was found at the incision during the operation.Conclusions Coaxial phacoemulsification and IOL implantation through a 1.8 mm microincision is safe and effective.Thorough planning and precise execution are necessary.

In drowning cases, it is difficult to judge whether the deceased died from drowning or throwing into the water after killed or identificate the cause of death of the decomposed corps in forensic practices. The diatom test is still considered as the important assistant evidence in drowning cases. This paper reviews research progress on technologies in recent years of forensic diatom test, and the application value of the new developing approach in the field of forensic medicine.
Autopsy/methods* ; Cause of Death ; Diatoms/isolation & purification* ; Drowning/diagnosis* ; Forensic Medicine ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo assess occlusal balance of normal occlusion in intercuspal position with maximal bite force.

METHODSMaximal bite force was recorded in intercuspal position by use of T-Scan II system from 123 subjects with normal intact dentitions. Occlusal balance of normal occlusion was quantitatively analyzed from center of force, percentage of bite force, and occlusal contacts.

RESULTSThe relative position of the center of bite force, the difference in bilateral force percentage, and unsymmetrical coefficient followed normal distributions. The 95% reference ranges for corresponding testing items were -6.60 to 6.68 mm, -15.50% to 12.10%, and 0.65 to 1.39. There was no statistic difference (P = 0.915) in occlusal contacts between left and right sides. The 98.4% of normal occlusion subjects had the center of bite force locating in posterior region of dentition when biting with maximal force in intercuspal position.

CONCLUSIONSOcclusal balance could be evaluated by T-Scan II system. Occlusion of normal subjects biting with maximal force was stable and bilaterally balanced in intercuspal position.

Adolescent ; Bite Force ; Dental Occlusion, Balanced ; Dental Stress Analysis ; instrumentation ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Jaw Relation Record ; Male ; Reference Values ; Young Adult