OBJECTIVE: To study the value of body fat mass measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in predicting abnormal blood pressure and abnormal glucose metabolism in children. METHODS: Stratified cluster sampling was used to select the students aged 6-16 years, and a questionnaire survey and physical examination were performed. The BIA apparatus was used to measure body fat mass. Body mass index (BMI), body fat mass index (FMI), and fat mass percentage (FMP) were calculated. Fasting blood glucose level were measured. RESULTS: A total of 14 293 children were enrolled, among whom boys accounted for 49.89%. In boys and girls, the percentile values (P, P, P, P, P, P, P, P) of FMI and FMP fitted by the LMS method were taken as the cut-off values. Based on the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the P values with a better value in predicting abnormal blood pressure and blood glucose metabolism were selected as the cut-off values for excessive body fat. When FMI or FMP was controlled below P, the incidence of abnormal blood pressure or abnormal glucose metabolism may be decreased in 8.25%-43.24% of the children. CONCLUSIONS The evaluation of obesity based on FMI and FMP has a certain value in screening for hypertension and hyperglycemia in children, which can be further verified in the future prevention and treatment of obesity and related chronic diseases in children.
Adipose Tissue ; Adolescent ; Blood Pressure ; Body Composition ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Electric Impedance ; Female ; Glucose ; Humans ; Male

Objective To investigated the effect of procyanidin (PC) on the expression of cysteine proteinase -3 (Caspase -3) in type 2 diabetes mellitus SD rats with focal cerebral ischemia. Methods Following the random principle, 40 healthy Sprague - Dawley (SD) rats were numbered sequentially and randomly divided to normal rats with focal cerebral ischemia group,type 2 diabetes mellitus SD rats with focal cerebral ischemia group,PC low/ middle/ high -dose groups,with 8 rats in each group. The type 2 diabetes mellitus - MCAO model was set up. The doses of PC for low,middle and high - dose groups were 50 mg/ kg,100 mg/ kg,200 mg/ kg. Immunohistochemistry method was used to measure the activity of Caspase - 3. Results Compared with that in the normal rats with focal cerebral ischemia group[(11. 42 ±2. 52)],the expression of Caspase -3 increased in the type 2 diabetes with ischemia group[(15. 00 ± 2. 38)](t = 2. 17,P < 0. 01). Compared with that in the type 2 diabetes with ischemia group,the expression of Caspase - 3 decreased in the PC groups[(9. 38 ± 2. 00),(7. 71 ± 1. 55),(6. 96 ± 1. 57)](t = 2. 86,3. 13,3. 36,all P < 0. 01),whereby the middle and high - dose groups showed more significant decrease (t = 1. 92,2. 03,all P <0. 01) and with no statistically significant difference between the two groups(t = 1. 13,P > 0. 05). Conclusion PC can decrease the expression of Caspase - 3 protein in type 2 diabetes mellitus SD rats with focal cerebral ischemia, finally may inhibit the apoptosis.

Objective To study the clinical value of whole －body magnetic resonance diffusion weighted imaging(WB－DWI) in evaluating the chemotherapy response for lung cancer,thus to provide evidence for optimizing clinical imaging examination. Methods From October 2017 to May 2018,60 patients with lung cancer confirmed by histopathology in Linfen Central Hospital were selected. The patients underwent DWI examinations before chemotherapy and after two cycles of chemotherapy. The change of tumor size,distant metastasis and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value were compared before and after chemotherapy. The correlation between the change rate of ADC value and the shrinkage rate of tumor size in the effective group was analyzed. Results Of 60 cases,1 case had new cerebral metastases after chemotherapy. There were statistically significant differences in ADC value [(1. 12 ± 0.33) ×10 －3mm2/svs.(1.56±0.40) ×10 －3mm2/s]andtumorsize[(4.63±2.75)cmvs.(2.28±1.45)cm] between before and after chemotherapy in the effective group(t= －3. 954,4. 711,all P＜0. 01). There was correlation between the change of ADC value and tumor size(r=0. 34,P＜0. 05). Conclusion WB－DWI can not only detect the change of tumor size and distant metastasis quickly and effectively,but also can observe the microscopic changes of tumor cells by measuring ADC value. So it can predict the early therapeutic response of the tumor and make effective evaluation for the staging and chemotherapy response of lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate apoptotic effects of berberine, a significant alkaloids component existing in Rhizoma coptidis, and its possible acting mechanism in insulinoma cells. METHODS: Different concentrations of berberine were used to treat mouse insulinoma (MIN6) cells for various period of time. The viability and apoptosis of the cells were analyzed using methylthiazolyldiphenvl-tetrazolium bromide assay, flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay. Changes in the relating pro- and anti-apoptosis proteins were detected by western-blotting. RESULTS: The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC) of berberine was 5.7 μmol/L on MIN6 cells viability for 16 h. Berberine caused a 20% reduction (P<0.05) in cell number after only 4-h incubation; which reached 50% after 24 h (P<0.01). Berberine treatment for 16 h significantly increased the level of DNA fragmentation. The flow cytometry showed the apoptotic rate increased 2.9- and 4.6-fold after treating with berberine (5 μmol/L) for 8 and 16 h, while 3- and 8.7-fold after 10 μmol/L treatment for 8 and 16 h (P<0.01). Berberine treatment dramatically elevated the expression ratio of Bax to Bcl-2. Meanwhile, berberine notably increased the apoptosis-inducing factors and cytochrome C transforming from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm. Apoptotic protease-activating factor 1 (Apaf-1) was subsequently activated after cytochrome C release. Furthermore, caspase-3 and poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase were also activated to trigger apoptosis cascade. CONCLUSION High concentration (5 and 10 μmol/L) of berberine could induce the apoptosis of MIN6 cells through cytochrome C/Apaf-1/caspase-3 and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To study the methylation level and dynamic change of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in the cerebral cortex of neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage. METHODS: A total of 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 7 days were randomly divided into control group, 24-hour model group and 48-hour model group (n=8 each). Common carotid artery ligation combined with hypoxic treatment was performed to establish an animal model of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage. The rats in the control group were not given ligation or hypoxic treatment. Oxidative bisulfite sequencing was used to measure the level of 5hmC in the cerebral cortex. Western blot was used to measure the expression of 5hmC-related enzymes TET1, TET2 and DNMT1. RESULTS: The 24- and 48-hour model groups had a significantly higher level of 5hmC than the control group (P<0.05). Western blot showed a significant increase in the expression of DNMT1 in the 24- and 48-hour model groups (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the 24- and 48-hour model groups had significant differences in the 5hmC level at multiple mitochondrial genetic loci (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The level of DNMT1, a key enzyme for 5hmC modification in mtDNA, in the cerebral cortex increases in neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage, suggesting that there is an abnormal methylation level of 5hmC after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage, which might be associated with the regulation of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage.
Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cerebral Cortex ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Zusanli" (ST 36) versus "Yanglingquan" (GB 34) in the pregnant rats on perinatal nicotineexposureinduced lung function and morphology of newborn rats and explore the rule of acupoint effect in EA for the prevention from lung dysplasia in newborn rats. METHODS: A total of 24 female SD rats were randomized into a normal saline group (S group), a nicotine group (N group), a nicotineST 36 group (N + ST 36 group) and a nicotineGB 34 group (N+GB 34 group), 6 rats in each one. Starting at the 6th day of pregnancy, 0.9% sodium chloride solution was injected subcutaneously in the S group, 1 mg/kg; and in the rest 3 groups, nicotine of the same dose was injected through to the 21st postnatal day to establish the perinatal nicotineexposure model. Simultaneously, during model preparation, EA was applied at "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Yanglingquan" (GB 34) in the N+ST 36 group and the N+GB 34 group respectively, once a day, through to the 21st postnatal day. The lung function analytic system for small animal was adopted to observe the changes in lung function indicators in newborn rats, such as peak inspiratory flow (PIF), peak expiratory flow (PEF), expiratory resistance (RE), inspiratory resistance (RI) and dynamic compliance (Cdyn). HE staining was used to observe the morphological changes of lung, such as alveolar fusion and rupture. RESULTS: Compared with the S group, PEF and Cdyn were lower and PIF, RI and RE higher in the N group (all <0.01), additionally, alveoli were fused and ruptured, alveolar wall thickened, the numbers of alveoli reduced, the interspace of alveoli enlarged and the diameter increased (<0.01). Compared with the N group, in the N+ST 36 group, PEF and Cdyn were increased, PIF, RI and RE reduced (<0.05, <0.01), the alveolar fusion and rupture relieved, the numbers of alveoli increased, alveolar wall thinner, the interpsace of alveoli became normal and the diameter was reduced significantly (<0.01). In the N+GB 34 group, the changes of lung function and morphological indicators were not significant (>0.05). CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36) in the pregnant rats significantly improves the perinatal nicotineexposureinduced lung function and morphology of newborn rats than electroacupuncture at "Yanglingquan" (GB 34).
Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Lung ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Nicotine ; toxicity ; Pregnancy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1), a member of the Rho GTPase family which plays important roles in dendritic spine morphology and plasticity, is a key regulator of cytoskeletal reorganization in dendrites and spines. Here, we investigated whether and how Rac1 modulates synaptic transmission in mouse retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) using selective conditional knockout of Rac1 (Rac1-cKO). Rac1-cKO significantly reduced the frequency of AMPA receptor-mediated miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents, while glycine/GABA receptor-mediated miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents were not affected. Although the total GluA1 protein level was increased in Rac1-cKO mice, its expression in the membrane component was unchanged. Rac1-cKO did not affect spine-like branch density in single dendrites, but significantly reduced the dendritic complexity, which resulted in a decrease in the total number of dendritic spine-like branches. These results suggest that Rac1 selectively affects excitatory synaptic transmission in RGCs by modulating dendritic complexity.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of ursolic acid (UA) on mitigating retinoic acid (RA)-induced osteoporosis in rats. METHODS: Fifty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the control group (n=10) and the osteoporosis group (n=40). The 40 osteoporosis rats were induced by 75 mg/(kg•d) RA once daily for 2 weeks, and then were randomly assigned to vehicle control (model), low-, middle-, and high-dose UA [(UA-L, UA-M, UA-H; 30, 60, 120 mg/(kg•d), respectively] groups (10 rats each). UA were administered once daily to the rats from the 3rd weeks for up to 4 weeks by gavage. Bone turnover markers [serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OCN), urine deoxypyridinoline (DPD)] and other parameters, including serum calcium (S-Ca), serum phosphorus (S-P), urine calcium (U-Ca), urine phosphorus (U-P), and bone mineral density (BMD) of the femur, 4th lumbar vertebra and tibia, bone biomechanical properties and trabecular microarchitecture, were measured. RESULTS: The osteoporosis in rats was successfully induced by RA. Compared with the model group, UA-M and UA-H significantly reversed the RA-induced changes in S-P, U-Ca, U-P, ALP, OCN and urine DPD ratio and markedly enhanced the BMD of right femur, 4th lumbar vertebra and tibia (Plt;0.05 or Plt;0.01). Further, biomechanical test and microcomputed tomography evaluation also showed that UA-H drastically improved biomechanical properties and trabecular microarchitecture (Plt;0.05 or Plt;0.01). CONCLUSION UA could promote bone formation, increase osteoblastic activity and reduce osteoclastic activity in rats, indicating that UA might be a potential therapeutic of RA-induced acute osteoporosis.
Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Bone Remodeling ; drug effects ; Female ; Osteoporosis ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tretinoin ; toxicity ; Triterpenes ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; X-Ray Microtomography

Objective This study applied the theory of planned behavior to investigate the leisure exercise situation among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its influencing factors. Methods The questionnaire was self-designed based on the theory of planned behavior, which had good reliability and validity. Structural equation modeling was used to estimate the determinants of leisure exercise and the potential intermediate effect. Results 774 patients with T2DM were enrolled in this study. 52.6% were over 60 years old. The median amount of leisure exercise was 0.0 thousand-step equivalent with quartile of (0.0, 2.0). Structural equation modeling showed that the effects of attitude (β=0.080) and intention (β=0.277) on leisure exercise were significant. Besides, perceived behavioral control (β=0.180) had an indirect effect on exercise through intention. Conclusions In general, most patients with type 2 diabetes have insufficient amount of exercise. Improving attitude, control and intention to exercise would be one crucial part of exercise health education among patients with T2DM.

Objective To evaluate the efficiency of Logistic regression algorithm and random forest algorithm in prediction of blood glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) after 3 months, and explore the influencing factors of blood glucose control. Methods The data was extracted from baseline survey and follow-up information of patients with T2DM in Shunyi and Tongzhou Districts. The patient’s 3-month glycosylated hemoglobin which was more than 6.5% was chosen as the outcome categorical variable. The random forest algorithm and Logistic algorithm were used to establish the prediction model. The predictive efficiency was evaluated with the area under receive operating characteristic curve (AUC) and accuracy rate. Results Factors affecting the patient’s glycemic control included baseline fasting plasma glucose(P<0.001), duration of disease(P<0.001), smoking(P=0.026), static activity time(P=0.006), body mass index(overweight P=0.002, obesity P=0.011), bracelet use(P=0.028), and diabetes diet(P=0.002).The Logistic regression prediction model had an AUC of 0.738, a sensitivity of 72.9%, a specificity of 68.1%, and an accuracy of 71.2%. The random forest model had an AUC of 0.756, a sensitivity of 74.5%, a specificity of 69.5%, and an accuracy of 72.8%. Conclusions The efficiency of random forest is better than Logistic regression model, which can be applied to the prediction of blood glucose control and assist the management of diabetic patients.