Semen parameters in men recovered from COVID-19 / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is emerging as a global health threat and shows a higher risk for men than women. Thus far, the studies on andrological consequences of COVID-19 are limited. To ascertain the consequences of COVID-19 on sperm parameters after recovery, we recruited 41 reproductive-aged male patients who had recovered from COVID-19, and analyzed their semen parameters and serum sex hormones at a median time of 56 days after hospital discharge. For longitudinal analysis, a second sampling was obtained from 22 of the 41 patients after a median time interval of 29 days from first sampling. Compared with controls who had not suffered from COVID-19, the total sperm count, sperm concentration, and percentages of motile and progressively motile spermatozoa in the patients were significantly lower at first sampling, while sperm vitality and morphology were not affected. The total sperm count, sperm concentration, and number of motile spermatozoa per ejaculate were significantly increased and the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm was reduced at the second sampling compared with those at first in the 22 patients examined. Though there were higher prolactin and lower progesterone levels in patients at first sampling than those in controls, no significant alterations were detected for any sex hormones examined over time following COVID-19 recovery in the 22 patients. Although it should be interpreted carefully, these findings indicate an adverse but potentially reversible consequence of COVID-19 on sperm quality.

MAFLD vs. NAFLD: shared features and potential changes in epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and pharmacotherapy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide, placing an increasing burden on human health. NAFLD is a complex multifactorial disease involving genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors. It is closely associated with metabolic syndrome, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, of which insulin resistance is the main pathophysiological mechanism. Over the past few decades, investigation of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatments has revealed different aspects of NAFLD, challenging the accuracy of definition and therapeutic strategy for the clinical practice. Recently, experts reach a consensus that NAFLD does not reflect the current knowledge, and metabolic (dysfunction) associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is suggested as a more appropriate term. The new definition puts increased emphasis on the important role of metabolic dysfunction in it. Herein, the shared features and potential changes in epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and pharmacotherapy of the newly defined MAFLD, as compared with the formerly defined NAFLD, are reviewed for updating our understanding.

Effectiveness of different waist circumference cut-off values in predicting metabolic syndrome prevalence and risk factors in adults in China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effectiveness of waist circumference cut-off values in predicting the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and risk factors in adults in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A cross-sectional survey was condcuted in 14 provinces (autonomous region, municipality) in China. A total of 47,325 adults aged⋝20 years were selected by multistage stratified sampling, and questionnaire survey and physical and clinical examination were conducted among them. MetS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria and modified IDF criteria.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The age-standardized prevalence of MetS was 24.2% (22.1% in men and 25.8% in women) and 19.5% (22.1% in men and 18.0% in women) according to the IDF criteria and modified IDF criteria respectively. The age-standardized prevalence of pre-MetS was 8.1% (8.6% in men and 7.8% in women) according to the modified IDF criteria. The prevalence of MetS was higher in urban residents than rural residents and in northern China residents than in southern China residents. The prevalence of central obesity was about 30% in both men and women according to the ethnicity-specific cut-off values of waist circumference for central obesity (90 cm for men and 85 cm for women). Multivariate regression analysis revealed no significant difference in risk factors between the two MetS definitions.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Using both the modified IDF criteria and ethnicity-specific cut-off values of waist circumference can provide more useful information about the prevalence of MetS in China. Conclusion Using both the modified IDF criteria and ethnicity-specific cut-off values of waist circumference can provide more useful information about the prevalence of MetS in China.</p>

Lamin C protein deficiency in the primary fibroblasts from a new laminopathy case with ovarian cystadenoma / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Laminopathies are a group of rare genetic disorders characterized by multiple-tissue degeneration. We describe a new laminopathy with ovarian cystadenoma and explore its molecular etiology.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The case is a 15-year-old girl who presents the prominent progeroid disorders, multiple system degeneration and early-onset cystadenoma of the ovary. Candidate genes including LMNA, ZMPSTE24, PPAR G, INSR and WRN were sequenced to screen for DNA variants. The mRNA and protein expression levels of LMNA were examined in primary fibroblasts. The pathophysiological events such as morphologic alterations, cell senescence, cell proliferation, apoptosis and pRb as well as p53 protein expressions were also investigated in primary fibroblasts.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No mutation was identified in the candidate genes screened. Nuclear abnormalities including nuclear blebs, mislocalization of lamin A/C were evident in the patient fibroblasts. Ultrastructurally, nucleus exhibited nuclear herniation and almost complete loss of peripheral heterochromatin. In addition, lamin C protein expression was markedly reduced whereas lamin A protein level was normal and no prelamin A was detected in the primary fibroblasts. Although the senescence-associated beta-galactosidase staining of patient' cells was negative, cells in S phase increased in accompany with a decrease in pRb protein expression. Furthermore, increases in apoptotic cell death and p53 expression were observed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Our data suggest that selective deficiency of lamin C protein is associated with a case of laminopathy with ovarian cystadenoma. The abnormalities in nuclear structure and alterations in gene expression such as the decrease in pRb and increase in p53 may be responsible for the multiple tissue degeneration.</p>

Exchange of a nuclear corepressor between NF-kappaB and CREB mediates inhibition of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase transcription by NF-kappaB / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>NF-kappaB p65 was shown to inhibit transcription of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), a rate-limiting enzyme in gluconeogenesis in the liver. To understand the mechanism of action of NF-kappaB p65, we investigated the nuclear receptor corepressor in the regulation of PEPCK transcription.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rat H4IIE cells, human hepatoma HepG2 cells and human embryo kidney (HEK) 293 cells were used in this study. The transcriptional activity of a rat PEPCK gene promoter (-490/+100) was analyzed in HepG2 cells, a HepG2 super suppressor IkBalpha (ssIkBalpha) stable cell line, and HEK 293 cells. The effects of p65 and ssIkBalpha on a rat PEPCK gene promoter were observed using the PEPCK luciferase reporter system. The interaction of the cAMP-response- element-binding (CREB) protein, histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) and silencing mediator for retinoic and thyroid hormone receptors (SMRT) with the PEPCK gene promoter were investigated using the chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. p65 cotransfection and RNAi-mediated gene knockdown were used to determine the corepressor involved in the inhibition of PEPCK by NF-kappaB p65 and the transcriptional regulation of CREB by NF-kappaB p65.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>NF-kappaB p65 inhibited PEPCK expression and the inhibition was blocked by ssIkBalpha. The inhibitory effect of p65 was completely blocked in a HepG2 stable cell line in which ssIkBalpha was expressed. HDAC3 or SMRT knockdown led to a significant up-regulation of PEPCK reporter activity in the presence of p65 cotransfection. In the ChIP assay the interaction of HDAC3 and SMRT with the PEPCK gene promoter was induced by p65 activation, but the CREB signal was reduced. Transcriptional activity of CREB was inhibited by NF-kappaB p65 cotransfection. The inhibitory effect of NF-kappaB p65 was blocked by HDAC3 RNAi or SMRT RNAi.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The study showed that the inhibition of PEPCK by NF-kappaB p65 was dependent on HDAC3 and SMRT, which form a nuclear corepressor complex for transcriptional inhibition. The transcription factors NF-kappaB p65 and CREB share the same corepressor HDAC3-SMRT, and the corepressor exchange leads to inhibition of PEPCK gene transcription by NF-kappaB p65.</p>

Effects of leptin on RAAS and nitric oxide production in isolated rat glomeruli / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes in angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT(1)R), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA and protein expressions and nitric oxide (NO) content in the rat glomeruli in response to leptin stimulation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The glomeruli isolated from male SD rats were stimulated with 3 nmol/L leptin for 2 h. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were performed to analyze the mRNA and protein expressions of AGT, AT(1)R and eNOS in the glomeruli, and nitrite concentration in the glomeruli was measured by nitrate reductase assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In comparison with the control group, exposure to leptin increased the mRNA levels of AGT, ATR(1) and eNOS in the isolated glomeruli by 2.69-/+0.17, 3.77-/+0.16 and 2.56-/+0.29 folds (P=0.024, 0.018 and 0.044), and their protein levels by 2.06-/+0.10, 2.67-/+0.08 and 1.61-/+0.13 folds (P=0.021, 0.015 and 0.032), respectively. The NO production in the glomeruli was also increased by 2.77-/+0.14 folds (P=0.000) following leptin exposure.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Leptin exposure of isolated rat glomeruli directly causes activation of the internal renal renin-angiotensin system and enhanced NO production, suggesting that leptin plays a role in the pathogenesis of maladaptation in renal hemodynamics in obesity.</p>

Remission of hyperglycemia following intensive insulin therapy in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients: a long-term follow-up study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Early intensive insulin therapies in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients may improve beta-cell function and yield prolonged glycemic remissions. This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between the glycemic remission and beta-cell function and assess the variables predictive of long-term near-normoglycemic remission.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-four newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients were treated with 2-week continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and followed up longitudinally. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests (IVGTTs) were performed, and blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and insulin were measured at baseline, after CSII and at 2-year visit. The patients who maintained glycemic control for two years were defined as the remission group and those who relapsed before the 2-year visit were the non-remission group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The duration to be diagnosed of the patients (from the time that patients began to have diabetic symptoms until diagnosis) in the remission group was shorter than that in the non-remission group (1.00 month vs 4.38 months, P = 0.040). The increase of the acute insulin response (AIR) was maintained after 2 years in the remission group compared with AIR measured immediately after intervention (413.05 pmol*L(-1)*min(-1) vs 408.99 pmol*L(-1)*min(-1), P = 0.820). While AIR in the non-remission group significantly declined (74.71 pmol*L(-1)*min(-1) vs 335.64 pmol*L(-1)*min(-1), P = 0.030). Cox model showed that a shorter duration to be diagnosed positively affected the duration of near-nomoglycemic remission with an odds ratio (OR) 1.019, P = 0.038, while fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and post-breakfast plasma glucose (PPG) after CSII were the risk factors (OR 1.397, P = 0.024 and OR 1.187, P = 0.035, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The near-normoglycemic remission is closely associated with long-term maintenance of beta-cell function and occurs more commonly in patients with shorter duration to be diagnosed and better glycemic control during CSII.</p>

Multicenter clinical study on the efficacy and safety of inhalable insulin aerosol in the treatment of type 2 diabetes / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>A new inhalable insulin aerosol (Inh-Ins) was developed in China. The aim of this multicenter clinical study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this new Inh-Ins as a treatment of type 2 diabetes. Regular porcine insulin (RI) was used as a control.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study is a prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel-group multicenter clinical trial in which 253 qualified patients with type 2 diabetes received the insulin Glargine daily at bedtime plus either a pre-meal Inh-Ins or a pre-meal subcutaneous RI for 12 weeks. HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), the 1-hour-postprandial blood glucose (1hPBG) and the 2-hour-postprandial blood glucose (2hPBG) were measured. Events were monitored for adverse effects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 12 weeks, the HbA1c decreased significantly from baseline in both treatment groups, with no significant difference between the two regimens. In the Inh-Ins group, FPG, both 1hPBG and 2hPBG significantly declined from baseline after the 8th- and 12th-weeks of treatment. The reduced values of FPG or 1hPBG between the two groups showed a more significant hypoglycemic effect with the Inh-Ins than the RI. After 12 weeks, the pulmonary carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLco) was significantly lower in Inh-Ins group than in the RI. The main side effects of Inh-Ins were coughing, excessive sputum, and hypoglycemia.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Inh-Ins was effective in decreasing HbA1c like the RI. It was better in lowering the FPG and the 1hPBG than the RI. Its main side effects were coughing, excessive sputum, and hypoglycemia. Also, Inh-Ins slightly impaired DLco.</p>

Effects of gene transfer CTLA4-Ig and anti-CD154 monoclonal antibody on the rejection of rat islet xenografts / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of gene transfer cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen 4 immunoglobulin (CTLA4-Ig) and anti-cluster of differentiation 154 (CD154) mAb on the rejection of rat islet xenografts.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human islets were infected with the recombinant adenoviruses containing CTLA4-Ig gene. Transduced islets were transplanted under the left kidney capsule of diabetic rats. And then the animal model were treated with anti-CD154 monoclonal antibody. The changes of blood sugar were measured and the survival rates of grafts and transplantation rats were observed after transplantation. The morphological changes of grafts were observed. Expression of CTLA4-Ig and insulin were detected by immunohistochemical staining and cytokines were quantified by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The blood glucose of transplantation rats decreased to normal level on 2nd day post-transplantation. The average level blood glucose of control group A, anti-CD154mAb treatment group B, transfected group C and associated treatment group D increased on day 8, 18, 25, 36, post-transplantation respectively. (2) The grafts of group A, B, C and D survived for (10.0 +/- 2.1) d, (22.0 +/- 8.2) d, (28.0 +/- 6.5) d and (37.0 +/- 9.3) d respectively. The survival of grafts in group D was significant longer than that in group A, B and C, respectively; The survival of group B and C were significantly prolonged compared with group A and the survival of group B was significantly different with group C (P < 0.05). The survival of transplantation rats were (21.0 +/- 5.7) d, (35.0 +/- 6.5) d, (48.0 +/- 8.5) d and (65.0 +/- 12.5) d in group A, B, C and D, respectively. The survival of transplantation rats compared each other among four groups were same as the survival of grafts (P < 0.05). (3) In control animals (group A), serum IL-2 and TNF-alpha concentration were elevated to a high level within seven days post-transplantation and significantly increased compared with that before transplantation (P < 0.01). (4) Hematoxylin-eosin staining of grafts showed a lot of islets under the kidney capsule of transplantation rats, no inflammatory cell infiltrate and immunohistochemical staining of grafts demonstrated expression of insulin protein at islets in group B, C and D. These grafts positively stained for CTLA4-Ig in group C and D.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Gene transfer CTLA4-Ig and anti-CD154mAb treatment can inhibit the rejection of rat islet xenografts and treatment Ad-CTLA4-Ig and anti-CD154 mAb could induce immune tolerance of islet xenografts.</p>

Effect of CTLA4-Ig gene transfer on rejection of rat islet xenografts / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 immunoglobulin (CTLA4-Ig) gene transfer on rejection of rat islet xenografts.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human islets were infected with the recombinant adenoviruses containing CTLA4-Ig gene, and the transduced islets were transplanted under the left kidney capsule of diabetic rats to establish rat models bearing human-rat islet xenografts. The blood sugar of the rats receiving the transplantation was measured and the xenografts and host survival were observed after transplantation. The morphological changes of grafts were examined, in which the expression of CTLA4-Ig and insulin were also detected by immunohistochemical staining and the cytokines were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The blood glucose of the rats bearing the grafts decreased to the normal level on day 2 after transplantation. The average blood glucose level of the CTLA4-Ig gene transfected group and the control group increased on day 25 and 8 post-transplantation, respectively. The grafts of the transfected group survived for an average of 28-/+6 days, significantly longer than that in the control group (10-/+2 days, t=10.52, P<0.01), and the host survival were 48-/+8 and 21-/+6 days in the two groups, showing also significant difference between them (t=12.23, P<0.01). In the control rats, serum IL-2 and TNF-alpha concentration drastically increased within 7 days after transplantation to levels significantly higher than that before transplantation (P<0.01), but in the transfected group, the levels were decreased compared with the preoperative levels. In the transfected grafts, positive staining for CTLA4-Ig and insulin were detected.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CTLA4-Ig gene transfer may lower the rejection of rat islet xenografts and prolong the survival time of both the grafts and hosts.</p>

Inadequate glycaemic control and antidiabetic therapy among inpatients with type 2 diabetes in Guangdong Province of China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Diabetes mellitus has become epidemic in recent years in China. We investigated the prevalence of hyperglycaemia and inadequate glycaemic control among type 2 diabetic inpatients from ten university teaching hospitals in Guangdong Province, China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Inadequate glycaemic control in diabetic patients was defined as HbA1c = 6.5%. Therapeutic regimens included no-intervention, lifestyle only, oral antiglycemic agents (OA), insulin plus OA (insulin + OA), or insulin only. Antidiabetic managements included monotherapy, double therapy, triple or quadruple therapy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 493 diabetic inpatients with known history, 75% had HbA1c = 6.5%. Inadequate glucose control rates were more frequently seen in patients on insulin + OA regimen (97%) than on OA regimen (71%) (P < 0.001), and more frequent in patients on combination therapy (81% - 96%) than monotherapy (75%) (P < 0.05). Patients on insulin differed significantly from patients on OA by mean HbA1c, glycemic control rate, diabetes duration, microvascular complications, and BMI (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This study showed that glycaemic control of type 2 diabetic patients deteriorated for patients who received insulin and initiation time of insulin was usually delayed. It is up to clinicians to move from the traditional stepwise therapy to a more active and early combination antidiabetic therapy to provide better glucose control.</p>

Study on food preference and dietary behavior to overweight/obesity in school children and adolescents in Guangzhou: a case-control study / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective This study assessed the effect of food preference and dietary behaviors on the risk of overweight or obesity in school children and adolescents aged 6-19 years.Methods A11 overweight or obeoe students,with age-and school-matched controls were recruited for this case-control study from 28 elementary and secondary schools in Guangzhou urban districts from October 2006 to April 2007.Weight and height were measured,and body nlass index was calculated for the classification of obesity.overweight and underweight.Their food preference and behaviors were asesbed using a structured questionnaire completed by their parents.Behavior and food preference were classified into four levels.and the relevant bottom levels were defined as control groups.Logistic regression wfs used to assess independent determinants of overweight and obesity.Results Among 7136 participants,1947 cases and 2136 normal weight controls from 5755 students with valid questionnaire data were included in the study.Results from univariate analysis showed that odds ratios for overweight or obesity were 0.60-0.69 in those with moat preference(top group)on vegetables,fruits,candy,evening snacks,0.50 in the students of less food partiality,1.84,1.30 and 1.26 in those of most preference for pork,beef and deep-fried foods.and 5.14 in students with fastest speed during eating,respectively(all P<0.05).Vegetable intake,evening snacks preference,speed during eating and food partiality remained with significant agsociation with overweight and obesity in multivariate analysis after adjusted for age,sex,family socio-economical status and their parents' body build. The adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of the above items became 0.55 (0.42-0.73), 0.48 (0.35-0.65), 0.50(0.39-0.65),and 4.32(3.23-5.80) as compared to the relevant lowest categories, respecively. Conclusion Behaviors as eating more vegetable and slow-eating might be protective factos against overweight and obesity in school clildren.

Prevalence and risk factors of peripheral arterial disease in diabetic patients over 50 years old in China / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in China type 2 diabetic patients and to demonstrate the relationships between putative risk factors and PAD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In total 1,397 type 2 diabetic patients aged 50 years and older were enrolled and determined ankle-brachial index (ABI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in 15 Class III Grade A hospitals in 7 major cities of China.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Mean patient age was 63.7 +/- 8.2 years and mean duration of diabetes mellitus was 9.39 +/- 7.4 years. Two hundreds and seventy-two (19.47%) patients were diagnosed as PAD by ABI < 0.9, 122 (18.37%) in male and 150 (20.46%) in female. PAD patients had a significantly longer duration of diabetes mellitus, higher hemoglobin A1c, and a significantly lower mean body mass index than non-PAD ones. Aging, smoking, and systolic blood pressure were found to be positively related with the prevalence of PAD. In terms of lipid profiles, no variable was found to relate with PAD. Notably, baPWV showed as the same significant guiding index for PAD, almost matched with ABI.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>PAD is a common complication in China type 2 diabetic patients. Therefore, PAD screening and treatment should be emphasized for diabetic patients with high risk factors.</p>

Comparison of continuous and discontinuous density gradient centrifugation for purification of human pancreatic islets / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the effect of continuous and discontinuous density gradient centrifugation for purification of human pancreatic islets with COBE 2991 cell processor.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human pancreases were obtained from brain-dead donors and stored in cold UW solution. The connective tissues were removed from the pancreases, and the pancreatic ducts were perfused with a cold enzyme (Liberase). The islets were then separated by gentle mechanical dissociation and purified with discontinuous (10 pancreases) or continuous (8 pancreases) gradients of HCA-Ficoll in COBE 2991 cell processor. Samples were collected in duplicate for determination of the quantity of islets, islet equivalents (IEQ), and the purity.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The weights of the pancreases before and after connective tissue removal and pancreas duct perfusion, and the quantity of islets obtained (including islets quantity of different diameters and total IEQ) after dissociation were not significantly different. Continuous gradient of HCA-Ficoll, compared with discontinuous gradient, resulted in significantly greater final islet quantity (55,000 IEQ vs 206,000 IEQ, P=0.000) and islet purity (58.0%-/+8.0% vs 33.5%-/+10.3%, P=0.000) and also greater number of islets with a diameter lager than 200 microm (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Continuous density gradient centrifugation can be more effective than discontinuous gradient in islet purification.</p>

Isolation and purification of human islet cells with semi-automated digestion / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish an semi-automated effective method for large-scale purification of islet cells from human pancreas.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human pancreas tissue was digested with collagenase P using a semi-automated pancreas-digestion system followed by purification in a HCA-Ficoll continuous gradient using Cobe2991 cell separator. After isolation, the islet cell yield and purity was evaluated with light microscope with DTZ staining, and the islet function assessed by insulin release assay in vitro.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The number of the islets collected from each pancreas averaged 38 6201-/+78 219 islet equivalents (IEQ) before purification, and 231 420-/+28 054 IEQ after the purification with discontinuous gradient centrifugation. From each gram of the pancreatic tissue, 3148-/+317 IEQ were obtained with an average purity of (62.81-/+2.68) %. The purified islets responded well to high-concentration (16.7 mmol/L) glucose stimulation with a 2.53-fold increase of insulin secretion over the basal level (3.3 mmol/l, P<0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The established semi-automated method can be applicable for large-scale purification of fully functional islet cells from human pancreas.</p>

Additive effects of the variants in the beta(3)-adrenergic receptor and uncoupling protein-2 genes on obesity in Chinese / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the additive effects of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) gene Ala55Val variation and ADR beta(3) gene Trp64Arg variation on the obesity in Chinese Han population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The UCP2 gene Ala55Val variation and ADR beta(3) gene Trp64Arg variation were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) in 119 obese subject with mean BMI (27.9+/-2.98)kg/m(2) and in 177 control subjects with mean BMI(21.9+/-1.9)kg/m(2). The additive effects of the two gene mutations were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The frequency of ADR beta(3) gene Trp64Arg variation in obese subjects was not significantly different from that in control subjects. In control subjects, the Trp64Arg variation carriers had higher fasting glucose level and 2-hour-post-prandial glucose level than did non-carriers. (2) The frequency of homozygote of UCP2 gene Ala55Val variation in obese subjects was higher than that in the control subjects (OR=3.71, P=0.001). In control subjects the Ala55Val variation carriers had higher BMI. (3) When there was only UCP2 gene or ADR beta(3) gene mutation, the frequency of gene mutation in obese subjects was not significantly different from that in control subjects (P>0.05). But when there were simultaneously two gene mutations, the frequency of gene mutations was higher in obese subjects than in control subjects (OR=2.57, P=0.009). (4) The genotype carriers with Val/Val+ Trp/Arg were the greatest relation to obese obesity (OR=8.58, P=0.002).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The homozygote of UCP2 gene Ala55Val mutation increases the risk of obesity. Though the UCP2 gene mutation alone or the ADR beta(3) gene mutation alone is not associated with obesity, the possible additive effects of the two micro-genes increase the occurring of obesity.</p>

Association of thyroid-stimulating antibody with the clinical characteristics of Graves' ophthalmopathy / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Clinical features and thyroid-stimulating antibody(TSAb)in 32 newly diagnosed patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy(GO)were compared with those in 27 Graves' disease(GD)patients without GO(as control group).All of the patients with GO received intravenous glucocorticoids.The level of serum TSAb in patients with GO was significantly higher than that in patients without GO.TSAb was also associated with the prognosis.It suggests that TSAb seems to be the most active component among the TSH receptor antibodies related to ophthalmopathy and may act as a predictive parameter.

Bartter's syndrome:report of 12 cases / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Twelve cases of Bartter's syndrome were reported and reviewed retrospectively.Usually vomiting was the first sympton in children,while fatigue was common in adults.Bartter's syndrome was characteristic of hypokalemia,metabolic alkalosis,elevations of plasma renin activity,serum angiotersinⅡand aldosterone and juxtaglomerular apperatus hyperplasia.Supplementation of potassium choloride was the main manner of therapy.

The intra-subject variability of fasting serum insulin level in type 1 diabetic patients during Glargine therapy / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Eleven type 1 diabetic patients who received fixed regime of insulin Glargine were included in the study.The levels of fasting serum insulin were measured for each subject at 6:00 in three consecutive mornings.The variability of mean fasting serum insulin in each subject was 3.3%-41.5% (mean 15.4%).The variability did not correlate with the dose of Glargine statistically.