Association between genetic predisposition to childhood obesity and the risk of adult ischemic heart disease in China / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To examine the associations of childhood obesity, assessed by genetic variations of childhood body mass index (BMI), with the risk of adult ischemic heart disease (IHD) and major coronary event (MCE). Methods: More than 69 000 participants from the China Kadoorie Biobank were genotyped. After excluding those with coronary heart disease, stroke, or cancer at baseline, a total of 64 454 participants were included in this study. Based on genome-wide significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), childhood BMI genetic risk score were constructed for every participant and divided into quintiles, with the lowest quintile as the low genetic risk group and the highest quintile as the high genetic risk group. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the association between genetic predisposition to childhood obesity and the risk of ischemic heart disease. Results: During a median of 10.7 years of follow-up, 7 073 incident cases of IHD and 1 845 cases of MCE were documented. After adjusting for sex, age, region, and the first ten genetic principal components, the HRs (95%CIs) for IHD and MCE in the high genetic risk group were 1.10 (1.02-1.18) and 1.10 (0.95-1.27), compared with the low genetic risk group. IHD risk increased by 4% (2%-6%) for each one standard deviation increase in genetic risk score (trend P=0.001). After further adjustment for baseline BMI, the differences between genetic risk groups were not statistically significant, but there was still a linear trend between genetic risk score and IHD risk (trend P=0.019). Conclusions: IHD risk increased with genetic predisposition to childhood obesity, suggesting that childhood obesity is an important risk factor for the development of IHD in China. As an easily identifiable feature, changes of childhood BMI should be monitored regularly to realize early intervention of IHD in adults.

Effects of corneal plastic surgery on stereopsis and dynamic regulation of myopia and the mechanism of controlling myopia progression / 中国医师杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of corneal plastic surgery on stereopsis and dynamic regulation of myopia and the mechanism of myopia.Methods From March 2015-March 2016,83 cases (166 eyes) myopia children in our hospital were subjected to corneal plastic surgery.The naked eye distant visual acuity,naked eye near visual acuity,naked eye near stereoscopic sharpness,dynamic adjustment function [Near point of accommodation (NP),adjusted sensitivity (AF),negative relative adjustment (NRA),positive relative adjustment (PRA)] and intraocular pressure,anterior chamber depth,central corneal thickness and axial length of children before wearing glasses,wearing glasses 6 months later,wearing glasses 12 months later were compared.Results The distant and near visual acuity,AF and PRA of naked eyes after 12 months wearing glasses were higher than those after 6 months wearing glasses,and all the above indexes were higher than those before wearing glasses,with statistically significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).After 12 months wearing glasses,the acuity of naked near stereopsis,NP and NRA were lower than those after 6 months wearing glasses,and all the above indexes 6 months after wearing glasses were lower than those before wearing glasses (P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences in intraocular pressure,anterior chamber depth,central corneal thickness and axial length between children before wearing glasses,6 months after wearing glasses and 12 months after wearing glasses (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Corneal plastic surgery can significantly correct the visual acuity of children,improve their stereovision,control the progression of myopia,improve the ocular adjustment function of children,and its safety is high.

Effects of propofol combined with indomethacin on contraction of isolated human pulmonary arteries / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of propofol combined with indomethacin on the contractile function of isolated human pulmonary arteries.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human pulmonary artery preparations were obtained from patients undergoing surgery for lung carcinoma. The intrapulmonary arteries were dissected and cut into rings under microscope for treatment with propofol or propofol combined with indomethacin. In each group, the rings were divided into endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded groups and mounted in a Multi Myograph system. In propofol group, the rings were preconstricted by U46619 to induce a sustained contraction, and propofol (10-300 mmol/L) was then applied cumulatively. In the combined treatment group, the rings were pretreated with indomethacin (100 µmol/L) for 30 min before application of U46619 to induce sustained contraction, and propofol (10-300 µmol/L) was added cumulatively after the tension became stable.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Propofol (10-100 µmol/L) induced constrictions at low concentrations and caused relaxations at higher concentrations (100-300 µmol/L) in the pulmonary artery rings with prior U46619-induced contraction. Propofol caused stronger constrictions in endothelium-intact rings [EC=4.525∓0.37, Emax=(30.44∓2.92)%] than in endothelium-denuded rings [EC=4.699∓0.12, Emax=(31.19∓5.10)%, P<0.05]. Pretreatment of the rings with indomethacin abolished constrictions, and the relaxation was more obvious in endothelium-intact group [pD=3.713∓0.11, Emax=(98.72∓0.34)%] than in endothelium- denuded group [pD=3.54∓0.03, Emax=(94.56∓0.53)%, P<0.05].</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Propofol induces constriction at low concentrations and relaxation at high concentrations in human intrapulmonary arteries with U46619-induced contraction. Indomethacin abolishes the constriction induced by propofol in isolated intrapulmonary arteries, suggesting that propofol potentiates U46619-mediated pulmonary vasoconstriction by promoting the concomitant production of prostaglandin by cyclooxygenase in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, and the mechanism for its relaxation effect may partly depend on the endothelium.</p>

The bifunctional effect of propofol on thromboxane agonist (U46619)-induced vasoconstriction in isolated human pulmonary artery

Propofol is known to cause vasorelaxation of several systemic vascular beds. However, its effect on the pulmonary vasculature remains controversial. In the present study, we investigated the effects of propofol on human pulmonary arteries obtained from patients who had undergone surgery. Arterial rings were mounted in a Multi-Myograph system for measurement of isometric forces. U46619 was used to induce sustained contraction of the intrapulmonary arteries, and propofol was then applied (in increments from 10–300 µM). Arteries denuded of endothelium, preincubated or not with indomethacin, were used to investigate the effects of propofol on isolated arteries. Propofol exhibited a bifunctional effect on isolated human pulmonary arteries contracted by U46619, evoking constriction at low concentrations (10–100 µM) followed by secondary relaxation (at 100–300 µM). The extent of constriction induced by propofol was higher in an endothelium-denuded group than in an endothelium-intact group. Preincubation with indomethacin abolished constriction and potentiated relaxation. The maximal relaxation was greater in the endothelium-intact than the endothelium-denuded group. Propofol also suppressed CaCl₂-induced constriction in the 60 mM K⁺-containing Ca²⁺-free solution in a dose-dependent manner. Fluorescent imaging of Ca²⁺ using fluo-4 showed that a 10 min incubation with propofol (10–300 µM) inhibited the Ca²⁺ influx into human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells induced by a 60 mM K⁺-containing Ca²⁺-free solution. In conclusion, propofol-induced arterial constriction appears to involve prostaglandin production by cyclooxygenase in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells and the relaxation depends in part on endothelial function, principally on the inhibition of calcium influx through L-type voltage-operated calcium channels.

Crystal structures of GI.8 Boxer virus P dimers in complex with HBGAs, a novel evolutionary path selected by the Lewis epitope

Human noroviruses (huNoVs) recognize histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) as attachment factors, in which genogroup (G) I and GII huNoVs use distinct binding interfaces. The genetic and evolutionary relationships of GII huNoVs under selection by the host HBGAs have been well elucidated via a number of structural studies; however, such relationships among GI NoVs remain less clear due to the fact that the structures of HBGA-binding interfaces of only three GI NoVs with similar binding profiles are known. In this study the crystal structures of the P dimers of a Lewis-binding strain, the GI.8 Boxer virus (BV) that does not bind the A and H antigens, in complex with the Lewis b (Le(b)) and Le(y) antigens, respectively, were determined and compared with those of the three previously known GI huNoVs, i.e. GI.1 Norwalk virus (NV), GI.2 FUV258 (FUV) and GI.7 TCH060 (TCH) that bind the A/H/Le antigens. The HBGA binding interface of BV is composed of a conserved central binding pocket (CBP) that interacts with the β-galactose of the precursor, and a well-developed Le epitope-binding site formed by five amino acids, including three consecutive residues from the long P-loop and one from the S-loop of the P1 subdomain, a feature that was not seen in the other GI NoVs. On the other hand, the H epitope/acetamido binding site observed in the other GI NoVs is greatly degenerated in BV. These data explain the evolutionary path of GI NoVs selected by the polymorphic human HBGAs. While the CBP is conserved, the regions surrounding the CBP are flexible, providing freedom for changes. The loss or degeneration of the H epitope/acetamido binding site and the reinforcement of the Le binding site of the GI.8 BV is a typical example of such change selected by the host Lewis epitope.

Effect of estradiol on proliferation of rat hippocampal neural stem cells / 解剖学报

Objective The aim is to observe the role and mechanism of estradiol ( E2 ) on the proliferation of rat hippocampal neural stem cells ( NSCs ) .Methods Twenty hippocampi from embryonic 17-day ( E17 ) SD rats were dissociated and plated into culture flasks with NSCs specific medium containing different concentrations of estradiol .The proliferation and the vitality of NSCs were detected by immunofluorescence against BrdU and MTT assay .The expression of estrogen receptors ( ERαand ERβ) was measured by immunofluorescence staining combined with Nestin double labeling . Results BrdU and MTT assay results showed that the cell number increased when the concentration of estradiol increased from 10 -10 to 10 -8 mol/L.The number of cell proliferation and the viability of cells were best at the concentration of 10 -8 mol/L compared to the other groups .However, when the estradiol concentration was increased from 10-8 to 10 -6 mol/L, the cell proliferative capacity declined gradually .Double immunofluorescence labeling showed that the two types of estrogen receptors ( ERαand ERβ) were expressed in the cultured hippocampal NSCs .Conclusion Estradiol promotes the proliferation of hippocampal NSCs in a certain concentration range , and ERαand ERβmay be involved in the estradiol-induced proliferation .

Effect of overexpressing isocitrate lyase on succinate production in ldh(-1) Corynebacterium glutamicum / 生物工程学报

Corynebacterium glutamicum SA001 is a mutant with lactate dehydrogenase (ldhA) deletion. In order to increase metabolic flux from isocitrate to succinate, and to improve the production of succinate under anaerobic conditions,we transducted the gene aceA coding isocitrate lyase (ICL) from Escherichia coli K12 into Corynebacterium glutamicum SA001 (SA001/pXMJ19-aceA). After 12 h aerobic induction by adding 0.8 mmol/L of IPTG, the recombinant strain was transferred to anaerobic fermentation for 16 h. Succinate reached 14.84 g/L, with a productivity of 0.83 g/(L x h). Compared to C. glutamicum SA001, the activity of ICL of the recombinant strain was increased 5.8-fold, and the succinate productivity was increased 48%. Overexpression of isocitrate lyase will increase the metabolic flux of glyoxylate bypass flowing to succinate.

Study on HPLC fingerprint characteristics and chemotaxonomy of Pulsatilla medicinal plants / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish HPLC characteristic fingerprints of the saponins in Pulsatilla medicinal plants, and provide the basis for authentication and classification of Pulsatilla species.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The HPLC profiles were determined at 35 degrees C on a Symmetry C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm,5 microm) eluted with water (A) and acetonitrile (B) as mobile phases in a linear gradient elution with the flowrate of 0.5 mL x min(-1). The elution program was as follows: 0-8 min, 90% A to 77% A, 8-25 min, changed to 71% A, 25-40 min, to 60% A, 40-50 min, to 50% A, 50-75 min, to 10% A, 75-80 min, to 0% A. The detection wavelength was set at 210 nm.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The different species of Pulsatilla showed different HPLC fingerprints, but with 10 common peaks. A cluster analysis of 14 accessions indicated that they were divided into four groups: all accessions from P. koreana were classified into group I, P. ambigua in group II, P. dahurica and P. turczaninovii in group III, and P. chinensis in group IV, respectively. The significant differences between P. koreana and P. dahurica, and between P. turczaninovii and P. ambigua were observed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results obtained were in agreement with the traditional taxonomic study. The method was rapid and precise, not only can be used to classify and authenticate Pulsatilla species, but also provides important references for HPLC fingerprints and quality control of Pulsatilla medicinal plants.</p>

Effects of mechanical stress on the formation and expression of Cbfalpha1 in vitro / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effects of mechanical stress on the formation and expression of core binding factor alpha1 (Cbfalpha1) in MG-63 cells cultured on titanium in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MG-63 cells cultured on the titanium were subjected to a centrifugal force (2.205 N) 15 min per 4 hours and collected after 4, 8 and 12 hours. The formation and expression of Cbfalpha1 were examined by immunofluorescence staining and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both the cells with or without centrifugal force created the fluorescence in the nucleus and the immunofluorescence intensity of Cbfalpha1 in MG-63 cells with centrifugal force were higher than those without centrifugal force (P<0.05). Meanwhile, both the cells with or without centrifugal force expressed the mRNA of Cbfalpha1 and the relative mRNA level of Cbfalpha1 in MG-63 cells with centrifugal force were higher than those without centrifugal force, and the differences were great significant (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Mechanical stress are beneficial to the formation and expression of Cbfalpha1.</p>

A prospective cohort study on human immunodeficiency virus and syphilis seroconversion among injecting drug users / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the rate of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroconversion, HIV transmission and related risk factors among injecting drug users (IDUs) in an area of Sichuan province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In November 2002, a community-based baseline survey was conducted to recruit 333 HIV-seronegative IDUs for a prospective cohort study in Xichang county of Sichuan province, China. Follow-up visits were carried out every 6 months to study the situation of drug use, sexual behaviors of the IDUs and blood specimens were collected to test for antibodies against HIV and syphilis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During a 24-month follow-up period, cohort retention rate and HIV incidence were 75.7% and 2.53 per 100 person-years [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10-3.97)], respectively. Multivariate Poisson regression model showed that risk factors which were significantly associated with HIV seroconversion would include: ethnicity (RR = 12.42; 95% CI: 2.72-56.74, P = 0.0012) and needle or syringe sharing in the past 3 months (RR = 4.06; 95% CI: 1.29-12.81, P = 0.0168). Syphilis seroconversion in this cohort was 4.71 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 2.59-6.82). In multivariate Poisson regression being female (RR = 4.42; 95% CI: 1.78-10.99, P = 0.0014) appeared to be the only factor which was significantly associated with syphilis seroconversion.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our study results showed that there was a rapid transmission of HIV and syphilis among IDUs in Sichuan province, suggesting that effective intervention should be urgently taken.</p>