Objective·To explore the association between neuropeptide Y (NPY) gene polymorphism and schizophrenia in Chinese Han population. Methods·Four single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci (rs16148, rs1859290, rs16147, and rs16478 in NPY gene) were selected and genotyped by TaqMan genotyping assay in a case-control study with 678 schizophrenia cases (case group) and 685 healthy controls (control group). The allele, genotype and haplotype frequencies distribution of the SNPs between the groups were compared with SHEsis online software. Results·The distribution of genotype frequency of locus rs16478 showed a nominal statistically difference between the adult-onset schizophrenia (AOS group) and control group (χ2=6.66, P=0.036, P correction=0.144). Under recessive inherited model, the distribution of CC genotype frequency of locus rs1859290 showed statistically difference between the male schizophrenia cases and control group (P=0.012, OR=0.97, 95％CI 0.94-0.99, P correction=0.048). The distribution of haplotype CCTA (consisted of rs16148, rs1859290, rs16147, and rs16478) frequency showed statistically difference between the male AOS group and control group (8.1％ vs 13.2％, OR=0.57, P=0.010, P correction=0.040). Conclusion·The polymorphisms in NPY gene may be associated with schizophrenia in Chinese Han population.

Objective · To investigate the effect of modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) on oxidative stress parameters in patients with bipolar disorder. Methods · Forty-three patients with bipolar disorder (case group) were enrolled that received MECT intervention for 6 weeks, and 49 healthy volunteers (control group) were recruited. Chinese versions of the 17 items Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and Clinical Global Impression-Severity Scale (CGI-S) were used to assess the efficacy and side effects at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment. The plasma levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment to assess the level of oxidative stress. Results · The serum MDA and GSH-Px levels of the case group were higher while the serum SOD levels of the case group was lower than that of the control group, and there was no significant difference in the serum CAT levels between two groups at baseline. MDA levels were higher in manic states than in depressed states, and they were positively correlated with the CGI-S scores. After MECT treatment, the CGI-S scores of patients decreased significantly, and the plasma MDA levels decreased significantly in manic and depressive states, but there was no change in other oxidative stress parameters. Conclusion · There was oxidative stress damage in patients with bipolar disorder, and the severity of the disease varied with the degree of damage. MECT improved the symptoms of the disease and decreased the level of plasma MDA, while there was no effect on the anti-oxidation index.

This study is to investigate effects of genistein on rat femoral bone metabolic in vitro. Rat femoral tissues was isolated and randomly divided into two groups including control group and genistein (1 x 10(-5) mol x(-1)) group. Determinations of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium content and osteoprotegerin (OPG), type I-collagen (Collagen-I), RANKL, Runx-2 and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2) mRNA expression were done by real-time PCR. The results showed that 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) genistein could increase the activity of ALP and contents of Ca, regulate bone metabolism activity of OPG, RANKL, BMP-2, Collagen-I and Runx-2 mRNA expression level. Genistein can significantly modulate bone metabolism related gene expression level of rat femoral tissue in vitro, and can increase calcium content and the activity of ALP.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Collagen Type I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit ; genetics ; metabolism ; Enzyme Activation ; drug effects ; Femur ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Genistein ; pharmacology ; Osteoprotegerin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phytoestrogens ; pharmacology ; RANK Ligand ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

This study is to compare the effects of kaempferide and anhydroicaritin on biomineralization of rat osteoblasts (ROB) in vitro. Calvarias were dissected aseptically from newborn SD rats, the osteoblasts were obtained by enzyme digestion and were cultured in MEM containing 10% FBS. The medium was changed every three days, and serial subculture was performed when cells covered with 90% of the dish. Kaempferide and anhydroicaritin were separately added with final concentrations of 1 x 10(-4), 1 x 10(-5), 1 x 10(-6) and 1 x 10(-7) mol x L(-1) under the conditions of osteogenic differentiation. The proliferation was measured by MTT, and the optimal concentration was detected by the ALP activity at the 9th day after osteogenic induction culture. The osteogenic indexes of kaempferide, anhydroicaritin and control group with the optimal concentration were compared. The result showed that the anhydroicaritin at concentration of 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) had significantly promoted the activity of ALP, calcium content and osteocalcin content, increased the number of CFU-F(ALP) and mineralized nodules, enhanced the mRNA level of BMP-2, OSX and Runx-2, which are key genes of osteogenic differentiation, and raised the protein content of collagen-I. However, the kaempferide group had not significantly represented the ability that promoted osteogenic differentiation of ROB. The difference of osteogenic differentiation on ROB between kaempferide and anhydroicaritin was caused by the prenyl group on C-8 of icariin.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Benzopyrans ; pharmacology ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit ; genetics ; metabolism ; Kaempferols ; pharmacology ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Osteocalcin ; metabolism ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDAlthough chemotherapy is one of the most important treatments of breast cancer, it is limited by significant inter-individual variations in response and toxicity. The metabolism of epirubicin (EPI) and cyclophosphamide (CTX) is mainly mediated by cytochrome P450s (CYPs) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). It has been well-known that the activities of these enzymes are polymorphic in population due to their genetic polymorphisms. The aim of this research was to examine the effects of genetic polymorphisms in CYP3A, GSTP1 and MDR1 genes on treatment response and side-effects of breast cancer patients receiving EPI/CTX chemotherapy.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty patients with stage II or III invasive breast cancer were recruited and treated with three to four cycles of EPI 80 mg/m(2) and CTX 600 mg/m(2) every two weeks. The AJCC TNM staging system (sixth edition) was used to evaluate the pathological response of primary tumor and axillary lymph nodes. The genotypes of gene polymorphisms were determined by using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism methods.

RESULTSPatients carrying GSTP1 (105)Ile/Val or (105)Ile/Ile genotype were more likely to have good response (OR, 0.40; 95%CI, 0.16 - 0.96; P = 0.024) and light toxicity (OR, 0.35; 95%CI, 0.13 - 0.78; P = 0.006) than those carrying (105)Val/Val genotypes. The response to the treatment was not correlated with estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and Her2/neu status of tumors. No correlation was found between toxicity effect and patient's age, tumor staging, menopause status, and dose intensity of the drugs.

CONCLUSIONGSTP1 polymorphism was associated with the chemotherapy response or adverse effects of EPI and CTX regimens.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Epirubicin ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Genotype ; Glutathione S-Transferase pi ; genetics ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics

BACKGROUNDChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has a variable natural history and not all individuals follow the same course. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and characteristics of asymptomatic COPD patients from a population-based survey in China.

METHODSA multistage cluster sampling strategy was used in a population from seven different provinces/cities. All residents (over 40 years old) were interviewed with a standardized questionnaire and spirometry. Post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1))/forced vital capacity (FVC) of less than 70% was defined as the diagnostic criterion of COPD. All COPD patients screened were divided into symptomatic group and asymptomatic group according to the presence or absence of chronic respiratory symptoms. Socio-demographic, personal and exposure variables were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSAmong the 1668 patients who were diagnosed with COPD from the 25 627 sampling subjects, 589 (35.3%) were asymptomatic. The age, sex, body mass index (BMI), rural and urban distributions, smoking habit and education levels were similar in the two groups. A total of 64.7% of the asymptomatic patients had no comorbidities. Cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer were more common among symptomatic COPD patients than asymptomatic group. Asymptomatic COPD group were less likely to present with poor ventilation in the kitchen, a family history of respiratory disease and recurrent childhood cough. Asymptomatic COPD patients had significantly higher FEV(1) (73.1% vs. 61.0%), FVC (91.9% vs. 82.0%), and a higher ratio of FEV(1)/FVC (62.9% vs. 58.7%) (all P < 0.001) than symptomatic group. More asymptomatic patients were underdiagnosed (91.9% vs. 54.3%, P < 0.001) than symptomatic patients.

CONCLUSIONSThis large population-based survey confirmed a high prevalence of asymptomatic COPD patients in China. More use of spirometry screening test may be important to the early detection of COPD.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Educational Status ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; Spirometry ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; adverse effects ; China ; epidemiology ; Educational Status ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects

Adult ; Benzene ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; Serum ; chemistry

Objective To evaluate the feasibility, accuracy and its clinical value of MRI-guided needle biopsy of lung lesions. Methods A total of 137 patients with pulmonary nodules or masses underwent lung biopsy in low-field open MRI equipped with iPath 200 optical tracking systems. Among them, 103 cases had solitary pulmonary lesion; the other 34 cases had multiple foci. The maximum diameter of the lesion was not smaller than 3.5 cm ( ≥ 3.5 cm) in 57 patients, between 1.5 cm and 3.4 cm( 1.5-3.4 cm) in 71 patients, not greater than 1.4 cm ( ≤ 1.4 cm) in 9 patients. Results The puncture success rate was 100.0% (57/57) for lesions ≥3.5 cm, 98.6% (70/71) for lesions 1.5-3.4 cm,77.8% (7/9) for lesions ≤1.4 cm and 97. 8% (134/137) for total cases, respectively. According to the pathological results, pulmonary lesions were malignant in 98 cases and benign in 39 cases. The sensitivity,specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of MRI-guided lung biopsy were 94.2%(98/104), 100.0% (33/33), 95.6% (131/137), 100.0% (98/98) and 84.6% (33/39),respectively. Conclusion MRI-guided needle biopsy of lung lesion can be performed precisely in a lowfield open MRI with a low risk of complications. As a supplement to US or CT-guided biopsy, it is worth further promotion and application.

Objective To explore the value of MR imaging-guided percutaneous lumbar discectomy and discolysis with oxygen-ozone mixture for treatment of posterolateral lumbar disc herniation via a new puncture approach of facet joint medial route. Methods All 114 lumbar intervertebral discs in 103 patients were diagnosed as posterolateral lumber disc herniation by CT or MRI, which were located at the levels of L3-4 in 5 cases, LA-5 in 87 cases and L5-S1 in 22 cases. The procedure was guided under 0. 23 T open magnetic resonance with iPath 200 optical tracking system. A 14 G MR-compatible needle was punctured into the disc center via a new puncture approach of facet joint medial route. The therapy steps were as follows: firstly, cut nucleus pulposus and inject 6 ml oxygen-ozone mixture of 60 μg/ml in the disc center;secondly, retreat the needle to the local prominence, cut prominent part and inject 6 ml oxygen-ozone mixture of 60 μg/ml. Thirdly, retreat the needle to the periradicular nerve root, inject 15 ml oxygen-ozone mixture of 40 μg/ml and 4 ml pain-block liquid. All patients were followed up at 3 days, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after operation, evaluated for the effect of treatment with the modified Macnab criteria, and the results were compared with the χ2 test. Results All procedures were successfully performed. Intraoperative dural injury occurred in 5 cases. Postoperative infection of intervertebral space occurred in 2 cases. The clinical effective rate was 96. 1% (99/103), 84.5% (87/103), 94.2% (97/103), 95.1% (98/103)respectively at 3 days, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after operation, and the differences were signifieant (χ2 = 12. 942, P = 0. 005 ) . Conclusion MR imaging-guided percutaneous lumbar discectomy and discolysis with oxygen-ozone mixture via facet joint medial route is a minimally invasive, safety and effective method for the treatment of posterolateral lumbar disc herniation.