Structural Analysis and Characterization of 4-F-α-PVP Analog 4-F-3-Methyl-α- PVP Hydrochloride / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To identify 1-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl) pentan-1-one (4-F-α-PVP) analog 1-(4-fluoro-3-methyl phenyl)-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl) pentan-1-one (4-F-3-Methyl-α-PVP) hydrochloride without reference substance.@*METHODS@#The direct-injection electron ionization-mass spectrometry (EI-MS), GC-MS, electrospray ionization-high resolution mass spectrometry (ESI-HRMS), ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS/MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ion chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were integrated utilized to achieve the structural analysis and characterization of the unknown compound in the sample, and the cleavage mechanism of the fragment ions was deduced by EI-MS and UPLC-HRMS/MS.@*RESULTS@#By analyzing the direct-injection EI-MS, GC-MS, ESI-HRMS and UPLC-HRMS/MS of the compound in the samples, it was concluded that the unknown compound was a structural analog of 4-F-α-PVP, possibly with one more methyl group in the benzene ring. According to the analysis results of 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR, it was further proved that the methyl group is located at the 3-position of the benzene ring. Since the actual number of hydrogen in 1H-NMR analysis was one more than 4-F-3-Methyl-α-PVP neutral molecule, it was inferred that the compound existed in the form of salt. Ion chromatography analysis results showed that the compound contained chlorine anion (content 11.14%-11.16%), with the structural analysis of main functional group information by FTIR, the unknown compound was finally determined to be 4-F-3-Methyl-α-PVP hydrochloride.@*CONCLUSIONS@#A comprehensive method using EI-MS, GC-MS, ESI-HRMS, UPLC-HRMS/MS, NMR, ion chromatography and FTIR to identify 4-F-3-Methyl-α-PVP hydrochloride in samples is established, which will be helpful for the forensic science laboratory to identify this compound or other analog compounds.

Antimicrobial Activity and Working Mechanism of Human Ribonuclease A Superfamily / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

Human RNase A (human RNase A) superfamily contains 13 members (RNase 1~RNase 13) with different biological activities. In addition to the conserved catalytic sequence, its protein structure also has a significant diversity of sequences, which determines that human ribonuclease A can exert biological functions other than ribonuclease activity. Human RNase A superfamily members are expressed in various immune cells such as eosinophils, neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages and can be secreted to exert various biological functions, including anti-microbial activity, promote host defense, participate in angiogenesis and sperm maturation, etc. Some members of the human ribonuclease A superfamily can exert antimicrobial and antiparasitic activities through direct actions such as hydrolysis of viral RNA, inhibition of viral replication, destruction of bacterial cell walls, promotion of microbial aggregation, damage to parasitic cell membranes and mitochondrial membranes, and indirect actions mediated by host innate immune cells, thereby participating in host defense. This article reviews the antimicrobial (including viruses, bacteria, and fungi) and antiparasitic activities of human ribonuclease A and their mechanisms of action. It also prospects the prospects of human ribonuclease A as an active antimicrobial substance and innate immune molecule for the treatment of severe and drug-resistant microbial infections.

A preliminary discussion on carnosine dipeptidase 1 as a potential novel biomarker for the diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To explore carnosine dipeptidase 1 (CNDP1) potential value as a diagnostic and prognostic evaluator of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: A gene chip and GO analysis were used to screen the candidate marker molecule CNDP1 for HCC diagnosis. 125 cases of HCC cancer tissues, 85 cases of paracancerous tissues, 125 cases of liver cirrhosis tissues, 32 cases of relatively normal liver tissue at the extreme end of hepatic hemangioma, 66 cases from serum samples of HCC, and 82 cases of non-HCC were collected. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, immunohistochemistry, western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect the differences in mRNA and protein expression levels of CNDP1 in HCC tissue and serum. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Kaplan-Meier survival were used to analyze and evaluate the value of CNDP1 in the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC patients. Results: The expression level of CNDP1 was significantly reduced in HCC cancer tissues. The levels of CNDP1 were significantly lower in the cancer tissues and serum of HCC patients than those in liver cirrhosis patients and normal controls. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of serum CNDP1 in the diagnosis of HCC patients was 0.753 2 (95% CI 0.676-0.830 5), and the sensitivity and specificity were 78.79% and 62.5%, respectively. The combined detection of serum CNDP1 and serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) significantly improved the diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.820 6, 95% CI 0.753 5-0.887 8). The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of serum CNDP1 for AFP-negative HCC patients were 73.68% and 68.75% (AUC = 0.793 1, 95% CI 0.708 8-0.877 4), respectively. In addition, the level of serum CNDP1 distinguished small liver cancer (tumor diameter < 3 cm) (AUC = 0.757 1, 95% CI 0.637 4-0.876 8). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that CNDP1 was associated with a poor prognosis in HCC patients. Conclusion: CNDP1 may be a potential biomarker for the diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of HCC, and it has certain complementarity with serum AFP.

Effect and mechanism of Poria cocos polysaccharides on myocardial cell apoptosis in rats with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating Rho-ROCK signaling pathway / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of Poria cocos polysaccharides(PCP) on myocardial cell apoptosis in the rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MI/RI). Male SPF-grade SD rats were randomly divided into a sham group(saline), a model group(saline), low-and high-dose PCP groups(100 and 200 mg·kg~(-1)), and a fasudil group(10 mg·kg~(-1)), with 16 rats in each group. Except for the sham group, the other four groups underwent left anterior descending coronary artery ligation for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 2 h to establish the MI/RI model. The myocardial infarct area was assessed by TTC staining. Histological changes were observed through HE staining. Myocardial cell apoptosis was evaluated using TUNEL staining. Serum lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), creatine kinase MB(CK-MB), interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and IL-18 levels, myocardial superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity and malondialdehyde(MDA) levels were detected by ELISA. Protein expression of B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax), cleaved caspase-3, Ras homolog gene A(RhoA), myosin phosphatase target subunit 1(MYPT-1), phosphorylated MYPT-1(p-MYPT-1), and Rho-associated coiled-coil forming kinase 1(ROCK 1) were measured by Western blot. Pathological staining of myocardial tissue revealed that in the model group, there was focal necrosis of myocardial tissue, myocardial cell swelling, unclear boundaries, and neutrophil infiltration. These pathological changes were alleviated in the low-and high-dose PCP groups and the fasudil group. Compared with the model group, the low-and high-dose PCP groups and the fasudil group showed significantly reduced myocardial infarct area and myocardial cell apoptosis rate. Compared with the sham group, the model group exhibited elevated serum LDH, CK-MB, IL-1β and IL-18 levels, increased MDA levels, relative protein expression of Bax, cleaved caspase-3, RhoA, ROCK1 and p-MYPT-1, and decreased myocardial SOD levels and Bcl-2 protein expression. Compared with the model group, the PCP groups and the fasudil group showed lowered serum LDH, CK-MB, IL-1β and IL-18 levels, decreased MDA levels, relative protein expression of Bax, cleaved caspase-3, RhoA, ROCK1 and p-MYPT-1, and increased myocardial SOD levels and Bcl-2 protein expression. PCP exhibited a certain preventive effect on myocardial tissue pathological damage and myocardial cell apoptosis in MI/RI rats, possibly related to the inhibition of the Rho-ROCK signaling pathway activation, thereby reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.

A short half-life of cccDNA offer or ignite hope for hepatitis B cure under nucleos(t)ide analogues treatment / 中华肝脏病杂志

Covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the template for HBV replication. Currently, there is a lack of therapeutic drugs that directly target cccDNA. Therefore, blocking cccDNA supplements as fast as possible and reducing the existing cccDNA is the key to achieving a complete cure of chronic hepatitis B. Previous studies have suggested that cccDNA had a long half-life, but a recent study showed that it only took a few months to update cycle of cccDNA pool, and its number was much less than previously predicted. In the future, with the advent of new antiviral drugs that can completely inhibit HBV replication, it is expected that the cccDNA pool will be completely cleared due to its supplement complete blockade, so as to achieve virological cure of chronic hepatitis B.

Clinical application of serum Golgi protein 73 in patients with chronic liver diseases / 中华肝脏病杂志

Golgi protein 73 (GP73) is a transmembrane protein on the Golgi apparatus and can be cut and released into the blood. In recent years, an increasing number of clinical studies have shown that the elevated serum GP73 level is closely related to liver diseases. And thus GP73 is expected to be used as a new serum marker for assessing progress of chronic liver diseases. Herein, the clinical application of serum GP73 in chronic hepatitis, liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma with different etiologies was reviewed based on available literatures; and a research outlook in this field is made.

Diagnostic value of physical examination tests for supraspinatus tendon tears / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the diagnostic value of 6 conventional physical examination tests for the diagnosis of supraspinatus tendon tears, and how well they could tell the difference between partial-and full-thickness tears.@*METHODS@#A total of 91 patients with different shoulder symptoms who received shoulder arthroscopic procedure were enrolled in the study from June 2017 to September 2020. The intraoperative findings were compared with the results of the preoperative physical examination of 6 clinical tests, including the Hug-up test, the Jobe test, the 0°abduction test, the drop arm test, the Neer test, and the Hawkins test, to determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, accuracy, positive and negative likelihood ratio of each test.@*RESULTS@#By arthroscopy, a total of 44 full-thickness tears, 34 partial-thickness tears, and 13 intact supraspinatus tendons were found in all 91 cases. The Hug-up and the Jobe tests significantly correlated with the intraoperative findings. The sensitivity of the Hug-up test, the Jobe test, the 0° abduction test, the drop arm test, the Neer test, and the Hawkins test was 0.90, 0.79, 0.64, 0.42, 0.49, 0.24 respectively;the specificity was 0.61, 0.69, 0.54, 0.38, 0.31, 0.77;the positive predictive value was 0.93, 0.94, 0.89, 0.80, 0.81, 0.86;the negative predictive value was 0.50, 0.36, 0.20, 0.10, 0.09, 0.14;the accuracy was 0.86, 0.78, 0.63, 0.42, 0.46, 0.32;the positive likelihood ratio was 2.30, 2.58, 1.39, 0.69, 0.71, 1.06;and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.16, 0.30, 0.67, 1.50, 1.65, 0.98.@*CONCLUSION@#The Jobe test and the Hug-up test are both effective at accurately diagnosing supraspinatus tendon tears, the Hug-up test detects supraspinatus tears with a high sensitivity, and similar specificity. The tests assessed in this study are not capable of distinguish between partial-and full thickness supraspinatus tendon tears.

Evaluation of the effect of health education interventions on nutrition-related guidelines in rural schools in Chengdu / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the intervention effect of multiple nutritional health guidelines for school-aged children on the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of primary school students in Chengdu.@*Methods@#A primary school in Chengdu, which had a school canteen, was selected as the intervention school, and another similar primary school was selected as the control school. Students from the intervention school received nutritional education for six months, while the control school did not provide such intervention measures. A total of 589 students from grades 3 to 5 were selected to participate in the questionnaire survey(eligible 558, missing 31).@*Results@#Before the intervention, no significant difference was found in the rate of awareness regarding nutritional knowledge, including dietary attitudes and dietary behavior. After the intervention, the rate of awareness of nutritional knowledge and the overall awareness rate reached more than 80% in the intervention group, which was significantly higher than that observed in the control group(P<0.05). The intervention group consumed less than one type of breakfast food(26.6%), which was less than the control group(49.4%). The frequency of weekly egg and milk consumption was higher in the experimental group than in the control group. The proportion of students who consumed three or more types of vegetables daily was higher in the intervention group than in the control group. The proportion of leftovers was lower in the intervention group (15.8%) than in the control group(57.9%).@*Conclusion@#The comprehensive nutritional education based on a variety of nutritional health guidelines for school-age children can enhance students awareness of nutritional knowledge and healthier dietary behaviors.

Exploring the mechanism of liver enzyme abnormalities in patients with novel coronavirus-infected pneumonia / 中华肝脏病杂志

To explore and analyze the possible mechanism of liver injury in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (novel coronavirus pneumonia, NCP). The correlation between ALT, AST and other liver enzyme changes condition and NCP patients' disease status reported in the literature was comprehensively analyzed. ACE2 expression in liver tissue for novel coronavirus was analyzed based on single cell sequencing (GSE115469) data. RNA-Seq method was used to analyze Ace2 expression and transcription factors related to its expression in liver tissues at various time-points after hepatectomy in mouse model of acute liver injury with partial hepatectomy. -test or Spearman rank correlation analysis was used for statistical analysis. ALT and AST were abnormally elevated in some patients with novel coronavirus infection, and the rate and extent of ALT and AST elevation in severe NCP patients were higher than those in non-severe patients. Liver tissue results of single cell sequencing and immunohistochemistry showed that ACE2 was only expressed in bile duct epithelial cells of normal liver tissues, and very low in hepatocytes. In a mouse model of acute liver injury with partial hepatectomy, Ace2 expression was down-regulated on the first day, but it was elevated up to twice of the normal level on the third day, and returned to normal level on seventh day when the liver recovered and hepatocyte proliferation stopped. Whether this phenomenon suggests that the bile duct epithelial cells with positive expression of Ace2 participate in the process of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy deserves further study. In RNA-Seq data, 77 transcription factors were positively correlated with the expression of ACE2 (r > 0.2, FDR < 0.05), which were mainly enriched in the development, differentiation, morphogenesis and cell proliferation of glandular epithelial cells. We assumed that in addition to the over activated inflammatory response in patients with NCP, the up-regulation of ACE2 expression in liver tissue caused by compensatory proliferation of hepatocytes derived from bile duct epithelial cells may also be the possible mechanism of liver tissue injury caused by 2019 novel coronavirus infection.

Expression and clinical significance of chemokine CXCL10 and its receptor CXCR3 in hepatocellular carcinoma / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the expression and clinical significance of chemokine CXCL10 and CXCR3 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).@*METHODS@#The expression and prognostic of CXCL10 and CXCR3 in HCC tumor tissues and non-tumor tissues were analyzed in two different publicly available databases the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Liver Cancer Institute (LCI). In addition, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of CXCL10 and CXCR3 in 45 HCC clinical samples with HBV infection background. Pearson correlation and Spearman rank correlation were used to determine the correlation between the expression level of CXCL10 and CXCR3 in tumor and non-tumor tissues.@*RESULTS@#In TCGA database, the expression of CXCL10 in HCC tumor tissues was significantly higher than that in non-tumor tissues (nonpaired samples: 3.379±2.081 vs. 2.213±2.274, P<0.001; paired samples: 3.159±2.267 vs. 2.213±2.274, P=0.018). Similarly in LCI datebase (7.625±1.683 vs. 7.287±1.328, P=0.009). And higher CXCL10 expression was significantly associated with a better prognosis in the patients with HCC both in TCGA and LCI database (P=0.107, P=0.002). In TCGA database, the expression of CXCR3 in HCC tumor tissues was significantly higher than that in non-tumor tissues (nonpaired samples: -0.906±1.697 vs. -1.978±1.629, P<0.001; paired samples: -1.329±1.732 vs. -1.978±1.629, P=0.037), while lower in LCI database (3.989±0.339 vs. 4.074±0.309, P=0.003). In both databases, higher CXCR3 expression was significantly associated with a better prognosis in the HCC patients (P=0.004, P=0.014). Furthermore, in TCGA database, the expression level of CXCL10 and CXCR3 was positively correlated both in HCC tumor tissues and matched non-tumor tissues (r=0.584, P<0.001; r=0.776, P<0.001). The qPCR assay showed that the expression of CXCL10 in HBV-related HCC tumor tissues was significantly higher than those in normal liver tissues [0.479(0.223, 1.094) vs. 0.131(0.106, 0.159), P=0.010], and the expression in HBV-related non-tumor tissues was also significantly higher than those in normal liver tissues [0.484(0.241, 0.846) vs. 0.131(0.106, 0.159), P<0.001]. The same was true as CXCR3 [0.011(0.006, 0.019) vs. 0.002(0.001, 0.004), P=0.004; 0.016(0.011, 0.021) vs. 0.002(0.001, 0.004), P<0.001]. However there was no significant difference of CXCL10 and CXCR3 between tumor tissues and matched non-tumor tissues (P=1.000, P=0.374).@*CONCLUSION@#Expression of CXCL10 was up-regulated in HCC tissues, expression of CXCR3 was down-regulated in HBV-related HCC tissues, and the higher expression of both genes was correlated with better overall survival in HCC patients.

Effect of PIVKA-Ⅱ and AFP levels on the prognosis of patients with HBV infection-related hepatocellular carcinoma / 中国实用内科杂志

OBJECTIVE: To evluated the prognostic potential of preoperative PIVKA-Ⅱ and AFP to the patients of HBV infection-related hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) after radical resection. METHODS: Chronic HBV infection-related HCC patients who undergone resection in the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 2009 to 2013 with competed data of clinical information,laboratory results and follow-up records were enrolled our study. Finaly, a total of 107 subjects entered our research. PIVKA-Ⅱ was quantitatively measured by Chemiluminescence methods. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the Cox proportional hazards model were used to analyze the factors which can affect patient's post surgery survival. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the 1-,2-,3-year survival rate of the patients with high PIVKA-Ⅱ level were 56%, 28% and 16%, respectively, much poor than that of patients with low PIVKA-Ⅱ level, the 1-,2-,3-year survival rate for the latter were 73%, 54% and 46%, respectively(P = 0.002). The 1-,2-,3-year survival rates for patients with high AFP levels were 58%, 35% and 25%, respectively, and the the 1-,2-,3-year survival rates for patients with low AFP levels were 83%, 63% and 51%, respectively(P = 0.006). Multivariate factor results showed that high PIVKA-Ⅱ levels, high AFP levels, the presence of portal vein tumor thrombus and incomplete capsular were independent risk factors for prognosis,HR(95% CI) were 1.99(1.15-3.45), 2.03(110-3.76), 2.72(1.53-4.83) and 2.07(1.07-4.00), respectively. In addition, the prognosis would got worse with the superposition of four independent risk factors. CONCLUSION: Preoperative PIVKA-Ⅱ and AFP levels are associated with HCC patients' s poor post surgery prognosis.

Instability of Mitochondrial DNA D-loop Region Genes in Patients with Leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the instability of mitochondrial DNA（mt DNA） D-loop region genes in patients with Leukemia.@*METHODS@#The HV-1 and HV-2 regions of D-loop region in 24 patients with leukemia were amplificated and sequenced, then their results were compared with revised Cambridge reference sequence (rCRS) and Databank mtDB. The mutation rate was detected by SPSS 22.0 statistics software.@*RESULTS@#The total mutation rate in patients was 95.83% (23/24), the detection showed 82 mutated genes, out of which 47 (57.32%) mutated genes located in HV-1 region, 35 (42.68%) mutated genes in HV-2 region. The comparison showed that the mutation rate in untreated (UT) group and treated (T) group of AML patients was (2.37±0.82)×10 and (4.76±2.45)×10 respectively(P＜0.01), the mutation rate in PR and CR groups of treated AML patients was (5.10±2.56)×10 and (4.51±2.51)×10 respectively (P＜0.05), the comparison among M3 group showed that the mutation rates in UT, PR and CR groups were (2.55±0.63)×10, (5.37±3.41)×10 and (3.71±1.65)×10 respectively (P＞0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The more high mutation rate and many kinds of mutation types exist in D-loop region, suggesting that the genes in D-loop region display the more strong instability, the chemotherapy may aggravate the instability of genes in D-loop region.

Variation of 24 plasma amino acid metabolite levels in patients with gastric cancer / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To study whether plasma amino acid metabolites in patients with gastric cancer can be used as biomarkers for the diagnosis of gastric cancer. Methods The levels of 24 kinds of plasma amino acids were detected by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS), and were compared between patients with gastric cancer and normal controls, between patients with different stages of gastric cancer, and between gastric cancer patients before and after operation. Results The levels of 18 kinds of plasma amino acids including alanine (Ala), glycine (Gly) and glutamic acid (Glu) in gastric cancer patients were significantly lower than those in the normal controls, while the levels of valine (Val), arginine (Arg) and serine (Ser) were significantly higher than those in the normal controls (all P0.05); there were no significant differences in symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), kynurenine (Kyn) or hippuric acid (HA) levels between the two groups (P0.05). The plasma level of Arg in patients with III-stage of gastric cancer was significantly higher than that in the-Ⅱstage, while the plasma glutamine (Gln), Glu, methionine (Met) and phenylalanine (Phe) levels were significantly lower than those in the-Ⅱstage (all P0.05). The levels of plasma leucine (Leu), Arg and citrulline (Cit) in patients after operation were significantly lower than those before operation, while the plasma Gln, lysine (Lys), Glu and Phe levels were significantly higher than those before operation (all P0.05). Conclusion Amino acids metabolites in plasma of patients with gastric cancer such as Gln and Arg play important roles in the early prediction of gastric cancer.

Effect of adiponectin gene-modified human amniotic membrane mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on islet neogenesis in diabetic rats / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Adiponectin is the only lipid-derived cytokine that exerts a protective effect on the human body, and it also plays an important role in the development and progression of diabetes mellitus. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of adiponectin gene-modified human amniotic membrane mesenchymal stem cell (hAMSCs) transplantation on islet neogenesis and the relevant mechanism. METHODS: Fifteen Sprague-Dawley rats without any processing were randomly selected from 98 Sprague-Dawley rats as control group. The remaining rats were used to establish diabetic models by intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin, and the animal model was successfully prepared in 75 rats. Then, the model rats were randomized into diabetic, hAMSCs, adiponectin-modified hAMSCs groups, followed by 3-day caudal vein injection of normal saline (20 μL), 2×106/L hAMSCs suspension (20 μL), and adiponectin-modified hAMSCs suspension (20 μL), respectively. Blood glucose and serum insulin levels of all rats were detected at 7, 14, 21, 28 days after transplantation. RT-PCR and western blot were used to test mRNA and protein expression of adiponectin, Caspase3 and Bax, respectively at 21 days after transplantation. Pathological changes of the rat pancreatic tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Apoptosis of islet cells was observed using TUNEL method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Compared with the control group, the blood glucose level was obviously increased, while the serum insulin level was significantly decreased in the diabetic group (P < 0.05). Compared with the diabetic group, the blood glucose level was obviously decreased, while the serum insulin level was significantly increased in the hAMSCs group (P < 0.05). Compared with the hAMSCs group, the blood glucose level was further decreased, while the serum insulin level was further increased in the adiponectin-modified hAMSCs group (P < 0.05). (2) The expression of adiponectin at mRNA and protein levels was significantly higher in the adiponectin-modified hAMSCs group than the other groups (P < 0.05). (3) Compared with the diabetic group, the expression of Caspase-3 and Bax at mRNA and protein levels was significantly decreased in the adiponectin-modified hAMSCs group (P < 0.01) and in the hAMSCs group (P < 0.05). (4) In the adiponectin-modified hAMSCs group, the morphology of the islet was dramatically recovered and the number of islet cells was minimally reduced. To conclude, the adiponectin-modified hAMSCs transplantation can improve the blood glucose level and promote islet neogenesis in diabetic rats, probably by regulating the expression of Caspase-3 and Bax in the islet and reducing apoptosis in islet cells.

Role of Rho-kinase in remote ischemicpostconditioning against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the role of Rho-kinase in remote ischemic postcondi-tioning and its possible mechanism.Methods Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups(n=6): sham group(Sham), ischemia/reperfusion group(I/R), remote ischemic postconditioning group(RIPostC), I/R with Rho-kinase inhibitor fasudil group(I/R+Fas) and RIPostC with Rho-kinase activator lysophosphatidic acid group(RIPostC+LPA).Throughout the whole process of experiment, mean arterial pressure(MAP), heart rate(HR) and Ⅱ lead electrocardiogram were continuously monitored.At the end of the reperfusion, plasma creatine kinase(CK) and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) were measured.Myocardial histopathologic changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining.Infarct size was measured using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining.The expressions of phospho-myosin light chain(p-MLC) were detected with Western blot analysis.Results Compared with Sham group, the MAP and HR of other groups decreased, while the amplitude of ST segment increased.Compared with I/R group, MAP and HR increased, the amplitude of ST segment decreased, plasma CK and LDH activity decreased, myocardial pathological morphology and infarct size were improved significantly, infiltration of inflammatory cells was reduced, and the expression of p-MLC decreased in RIPostC and I/R+Fas group.Compared with RIPostC group, RIPostC+LPA group attenuated the effects of RIPostC, and the recovery of the above indicators were inhibited.Conclusion Rho-kinase signaling pathway might mediate remote ischemia postconditioning against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Analysis of Factors Associated with Death in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients: A Multicenter Study in China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Patients on hemodialysis have a high-mortality risk. This study analyzed factors associated with death in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). While some studies used baseline data of MHD patients, this study used the most recent data obtained from patients just prior to either a primary endpoint or the end of the study period to find the characteristics of patients preceding death.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Participants were selected from 16 blood purification centers in China from January 2012 to December 2014. Patients' data were collected retrospectively. Based on survival status, the participants were divided into two groups: survival group and the death group. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with all-cause mortality.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In total, 4104 patients (57.58% male, median age 59 years) were included. Compared with the survival group, the death group had more men and more patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) and hypertensive nephropathy. The patients preceding death also had lower levels of diastolic blood pressure, hemoglobin, serum albumin, serum calcium, serum phosphate, Kt/V, and higher age. Multivariate analysis revealed that male sex (odd ratio [OR]: 1.437, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.094-1.886), age (OR: 1.046, 95% CI: 1.036-1.057), and presence of DN (OR: 1.837, 95% CI: 1.322-2.552) were the risk factors associated with mortality. High serum calcium (OR: 0.585, 95% CI: 0.346-0.989), hemoglobin (OR: 0.974, 95% CI: 0.967-0.981), albumin (OR: 0.939, 95% CI: 0.915-0.963) levels, and dialysis with noncuffed catheter (OR: 0.165, 95% CI: 0.070-0.386) were protective factors based on a multivariate analysis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Hemodialysis patients preceding death had lower hemoglobin, albumin, and serum calcium levels. Multivariate analysis showed that male sex, age, DN, low hemoglobin, low albumin, and low serum calcium were associated with death in hemodialysis patients.</p>

Genetic Indentification of An Individual with A102Bw33 Blood Group Gene Subtypes of ABO Variant / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate and indentify the molecular characteristics of a sample serologically identified as ABw subgroup.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The individual was confirmed by standard serological techniques. The genotyping and sequencing were performed using polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer (PCR-SSP), direct sequencing and gene cloning for exon 6 and exon 7 of ABO locus respectively.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Both A and B antigen were detected on red blood cells of the proband and anti-B antibody was detected in his serum. PCR-SSP showed that the sample gene was A1B phemotype. DNA sequencing showed 297A/G, 467C/T, 526C/G, 657C/T, 703A/G, 803G/C and 930G/A heterozygote in exon 6 to exon 7. After cloning and sequencing, 2 alleles A102 and Bw33 were obtained. The sequence of Bw33 allele had one nucleotide change (A to C) at position 796 compared with that of B101 allele. The nucleotide in this B allele at site 796 is a "C" characteristic of the A form of the allele.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A>C at nt796 of α-1, 3 galactosyltransferase gene can result in Bw33 phenotype with the anti-B antibody in serum.</p>

Investigation on iodine nutrition of pregnant women and thyroid function of newborn in Jiangbei District of Ningbo City / 上海预防医学

Objective To investigate and evaluate the iodine nutritional status of pregnant women and thyroid function of new born children in Jiangbei District, and provide the basis for rational iodine supplement. Methods From March 2014 to October 2014,three survey spots ( representing the city,the rural-urban continum,and the countryside) investigated a total of 161 pregnant women, whose urine were tested for urine iodine.Comparative analysis was done on iodine nutritional status in different geographical areas and different pregnancy.Blood of pregnant women and matching neonatal umbilical cord blood were tested for free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), with analysis on the relationship between the two. Results Median of the 161 pregnant women urine iodine level was 178.67μg/L.Among them,the iodine excess ( urine iodine,>500 mu g/L) accounted for 3.73%(6/161),iodine sufficiency (urinary iodine 250~499 μg/L) 33.54%(54/161),iodine moderacy (urinary iodine 150 ~249 μg/L) 22.36%(36/161),iodine deficiency (urinary iodine <150 μg/L) 40.37%(65/161).Urine iodine levels in pregnant women from three different geographical areas showed no statistical difference.Median urine iodine of pregnant women in third trimester was 148.23 μg/L.FT3 ,FT4 level of 36 neonatal was (2.60 ±0.35) and (13.81 ±1.63) pmol/L respectively,the average serum TSH level was 3.38 mIU/L.Pregnant women urine iodine level paired with FT3 , TSH level of neonatal serum showed no correlation (P>0.05),but were positively correlated in FT4 level (P<0.01). Conclusion Iodine nutritional status in most pregnant women in Jiangbei District is at appropriate levels,but there is still some iodine deficiency found in them.Urine iodine content of pregnant women in third trimester was low;FT4 levels were positively correlated in matched pregnant woman and newborn.In view of this situation,monitoring of the iodine nutritional status in pregnant women and neonatal thyroid function should be enhanced.

Effects of growing time on Panax ginseng rhizosphere soil microbial activity and biomass / 中国中药杂志

Using the field sampling and indoor soil cultivation methods, the dynamic of ginseng rhizosphere soil microbial activity and biomass with three cultivated ages was studied to provide a theory basis for illustrating mechanism of continuous cropping obstacles of ginseng. The results showed that ginseng rhizosphere soil microbial activity and biomass accumulation were inhibited observably by growing time. The soil respiration, soil cellulose decomposition and soil nitrification of ginseng rhizosphere soil microorganism were inhibited significantly (P <0.05), in contrast to the control soil uncultivated ginseng (R0). And the inhibition was gradual augmentation with the number of growing years. The soil microbial activity of 3a ginseng soil (R3) was the lowest, and its activity of soil respiration, soil cellulose decomposition, soil ammonification and soil nitrification was lower than that in R0 with 56.31%, 86.71% and 90. 53% , respectively. The soil ammonification of ginseng rhizosphere soil microbial was significantly promoted compared with R0. The promotion was improved during the early growing time, while the promotion was decreased with the number of growing years. The soil ammonification of R1, R2 and R3 were lower than that in R0 with 32.43%, 80.54% and 66.64% separately. The SMB-C and SMB-N in ginseng rhizosphere soil had a decreased tendency with the number of growing years. The SMB-C difference among 3 cultivated ages was significant, while the SMB-N was not. The SMB of R3 was the lowest. Compared with R0, the SMB-C and the SMB-N were significantly reduced 77.30% and 69.36%. It was considered by integrated analysis that the leading factor of continuous cropping obstacle in ginseng was the changes of the rhizosphere soil microbial species, number and activity as well as the micro-ecological imbalance of rhizosphere soil caused by the accumulation of ginseng rhizosphere secretions.

Analysis of the medication knowledge of non-adherent patients with epilepsy: The necessity of medication education / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the necessity of patient medication education by surveying the pharmaceutical knowledge of the adult epileptic patients who are non-adherent to pharmacotherapy in Huashan Hospital. METHODS: A questionnaire was designed for adult patients with epilepsy who once had missed, stopped or reduced taking antiepileptic drugs before the survey, referring to the guidelines on pharmacist-conducted patient education and counseling of American Society of Health-system Pharmacists and the questionnaire of medication education on epileptic patients in Taiwan. RESULTS: Among the 109 patients, 88.1% did not know the dosage they were taking, 75.2% had incorrect expectation for the benefits of antiepileptic drugs, 90.8% did not know the correct therapeutic duration, more than 80% did not know how to deal with potential adverse effects and missed doses. Over 40% of the patients wanted to know the side effects, therapeutic duration and impact of the drugs on reproduction and memory. Only 12.8% of the patients acquired the knowledge of medicines from pharmacists. After the survey, 95.4% of the patients expressed that they were willing to join in the project of medication education. CONCLUSION: Non-adherent adult epileptic patients have poor knowledge of antiepileptic drugs, and there is much misunderstanding of antiepileptic drugs. The need of patients on medication education is intense, but the information resource is limited. Pharmacists, as a member of medical team, should take the responsibility of patient medication education to improve patient medication adherence and finally promote safe, effective and economical medication in clinical setting.