Comprehensive chemical profiling and quantitative analysis of ethnicYi medicine Miao-Fu-Zhi-Tong granules using UHPLC-MS/MS / 中国天然药物

Developing analytical methods for the chemical components of natural medicines remains a challenge due to its diversity and complexity. Miao-Fu-Zhi-Tong (MFZT) granules, an ethnic Yi herbal prescription, comprises 10 herbs and has been clinically applied for gouty arthritis (GA) therapy. Herein, a series of chemical profiling strategies including in-house library matching, molecular networking and MS/MS fragmentation behavior validation based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) were developed for qualitative analysis of MFZT granules. A total of 207 compounds were identified or characterized in which several rare guanidines were discovered and profiled into alkyl substituted or cyclic subtypes. Moreover, network pharmacology analysis indicated that MFZT's anti-gout mechanism was mostly associated with the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling, nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)-like signaling and rheumatoid arthritis pathways, along with the synergistic effect of 84 potential active compounds. In addition, a quantitative analytical method was developed to simultaneously determine the 29 potential effective components. Among them, berberine, pellodendrine, 3-feruloylquinic acid, neoastilbin, isoacteoside and chlorogenic acid derivatives at higher concentrations were considered as the chemical markers for quality control. These findings provide a holistic chemical basis for MFZT granules and will support the development of effective analytical methods for the herbal formulas of natural medicines.

Directional screening and identification of potential cytotoxic components from Achnatherum inebrians by a combination of surface palsmon resonance and chromatography / 中草药·英文版

OBJECTIVE@#To establish a method for directional screening of the cytotoxic components from the medicinal herb of Achnatherum inebrians by a combination of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor and chromatographic isolation technology.@*METHODS@#Under the guidance of bioactive assessment based on binding abilities between objects and the α-Mannosidase (α-Man) target, the active components from different solvents extracts, different polar extraction parts and fractions were screened orderly and directionally using SPR. Components with a high binding ability to α-Man can be precisely oriented in a narrower fractions range and are easy to isolate. Three human cancer cells were used to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of component with the highest affinity to α-Man.@*RESULTS@#Eight compounds were isolated and identificated from A. inebrians for the first time. Deoxyvasicinone possessed the highest affinity to α-Man among them. Moreover, deoxyvasicinone showed good effects on inhibited proliferation of human hepatoma cells HepG2 (IC50 = 5.7 μmol/L), human breast cancer cells MCF7 (IC50 = 7.21 μmol/L) and human lung cancer cells HCC827 (IC50 = 0.75 μmol/L), respectively. In particular, its inhibitory effect on HCC827 was stronger than the positive drug gefitinib (IC50 = 1.65 μmol/L).@*CONCLUSION@#A comprehensive strategy of directional screening potential cytotoxic components from herb based on biomolecular interaction and chromatography was established. Deoxyvasicinone as an effective anti-cancer component was initially isolated from A. inebrians. It is expected that this screening strategy could provide new perspectives for rapid screening and identification of active components from natural plants with the complex matrix.

Bone turnover markers, hip bone geometry parameters and metabolic syndrome in community overweight postmenopausal women / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective:To explore the changes of bone turnover markers and geometric parameters of hip bone in overweight postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome(MS), as well as the influence of MS components. To analyze the association of these factors with the risk of fracture.Methods:A total of 505 overweight postmenopausal female patients who underwent health check-up in Lianhu Community Service Center, Danyang City, Jiangsu Province from January to December 2017 were selected. According to the MS diagnostic criteria of the International Diabetes Federation(2009), the patients were divided into MS group( n=331)and non-MS group( n=174). Blood samples were collected to determine the level of procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide(P1NP)and carboxy-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type 1 collagen(CTX). Bone mineral density and hip bone geometry parameters were tested with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and hip structural analysis software. Results:The incidence of osteoporotic fracture and hip fracture in MS group was significantly higher than that in non-MS group(21.1% vs 13.8%, 4.8% vs 1. 1%, P<0.05). However, the bone mineral density of lumbar vertebra 1-4, femoral neck, and total hip in MS group was significantly higher than that in non-MS group, which remained after adjusting for age( P<0.05), but the difference disappeared after further adjustment for body mass index( P>0.05). The P1NP, CTX, femur strength index(FSI), section modulus(SM), and cross-sectional area(CSA)of MS group were significantly lower than those of non-MS group, the buckling ration(BR)was significantly higher than that in non-MS group, and the differences were still statistically significant after adjusting for age and body mass index( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in bone mineral density of lumbar vertebra 1-4, femoral neck, total hip, P1NP, and CTX between fracture group and non-fracture group in patients with MS. But FSI, SM, cross-sectional moment of inertia(CSMI), and CSA were significantly lower, BR was significantly higher( P<0.05) and femur strength decreased in patients with fracture. Regression analysis showed that high BR was an independent risk factor for fracture risk, while high FSI, SM, CSMI, and CSA were protective factors. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that wasit circumference, diastolic blood pressure, and fasting plasma glucose were the main MS components affecting bone mineral density, bone turnover indexes, and hip bone geometry parameters. Conclusions:Overweight postmenopausal MS patients had decreased bone turnover rate, femoral strength, and relatively poor bone quality. Hip bone geometry parameters can be used as one of the methods to assess fracture risk in MS patients. Waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose are the important MS components affecting bone mass and bone quality.

A study on the composite indices of femoral neck strength in non-low-weight postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus in community / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective:To explore the risk of hip fracture, changes of composite indices of femoral neck strength and its influential factors in non-low-weight postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods:A total of 626 non-low-weight postmenopausal women were selected and divided into type 2 diabetes group, pre-diabetic group, and non-diabetic group according to the diagnostic criteria of the American Diabetes Association in 2010. Each participant completed the questionnaire, physical examination, laboratory examination, and Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry(DXA) examination.Results:Hip fracture rate in T2DM group was significantly higher than that in non-diabetic group(3.4% vs 0.7%, P<0.05), while no significant difference was observed between pre-diabetic group and non-diabetic group(1.1% vs 0.7%, P>0.05). Bone mineral density(BMD) of lumbar spine 1-4, femoral neck, and total hip was comparable between T2DM group and non-diabetic group or pre-diabetic group and non-diabetic group, respectively( P>0.05). The composite indices of femoral neck strength in T2DM group was significantly lower than that in non-diabetic group( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between pre-diabetic group and non-diabetic group( P>0.05). Regression analysis showed that age and body mass index were the main influential factors of the femoral neck bone mineral density and the composite indices of femoral neck strength( P<0.05). Conclusion:The composite indices of femoral neck strength could be used as one of the markers to evaluate the risk of hip fracture in type 2 diabetic patients.

Three new triterpenoid saponins from Aralia echinocaulis / 中草药·英文版

Objective: To study the active ingredients in the root bark of Aralia echinocaulis. Methods: Three triterpenoid saponins were separated from the 70% ethanol extracts and purified by column chromatography and their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis. Compound 1 and 3 were evaluated for antioxidant activity by the in vitro DPPH free radical scavenging ability and the protective effect of OH

Effects of parathyroidectomy on heart rate circadian rhythm in patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease combined with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective:To observe heart rate circadian rhythm in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 5 and to analyze the effects of parathyroidectomy (PTX) on heart rate circadian rhythm in severe secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) patients.Methods:A cross-sectional observation was performed in 213 patients with CKD stage 5 and 96 controls, and the patients were divided into those with severe SHPT (PTX group, n=70) and without severe SHPT (non-PTX group, n=143). Forty-six PTX patients were followed up prospectively. The baseline data were compared among these groups. Holter electrocardiogram was performed for each participant. Non-dipping heart rate was defined as night/day heart rate ratio greater than 0.9. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the related factors of heart rate circadian rhythm in patients with CKD stage 5. Results:The 24-hour, daytime and nighttime mean heart rate in patients with CKD stage 5 were all higher than those in controls, especially in PTX group (all P<0.05). The night/day heart rate ratios of controls and CKD stage 5 patients were (0.81±0.08) and (0.91±0.08) respectively ( P<0.01). Correlation analysis showed 24-hour and daytime or nighttime mean heart rate in patients with CKD stage 5 were positively correlated with serum levels of phosphorus and ln(alkaline phosphatase), while nighttime mean heart rate and night/day heart rate ratio were positively related with serum intact parathyroid hormone level. After adjusting with postoperative follow-up period (median time: 10.9 months), 24-hour and nighttime mean heart rate, and night/day heart rate ratio in PTX patients all decreased significantly (all P<0.01). Conclusions:Heart rate is increased and circadian rhythm is abnormal in patients with CKD stage 5, which are related with mineral and bone disorder. PTX significantly decreases 24-hour and nighttime mean heart rate in severe SHPT patients, and improves the heart rate circadian rhythm.

Non-target metabolomics pfofiling of neuromyelities optica spectrum disorder / 中国医师杂志

Objective To investigate the metabolomics characteristic of neuromyelities optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid.Methods Ultra high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) was used to identify plasma metabolites in 16 patients with NMOSD and 8 healthy controls.At the same time,the identification of metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid of 8 NMOSD patients and 5 healthy controls was completed.Differential metabolites screening and metabolomic pathway analysis were performed by diversified data analysis methods.Results Compared with healthy control group,the content of 8 substances such as Cis.8.11.14.Eicosatrienoic acid in the plasma of NMOSD patients was increased.The content of 8 substances such as L-glutamine acid were decreased.There was no significant difference in the metabolites between Aquaporin 4 (AQP-4) antibody positive and negative NMOSD plasma.The content of 6 substances such as 3-hydroxybutyric acid in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with NMOSD was reduced.Conclusions The distribution of metabolites in plasma between NMOSD patients and healthy controls was significantly different.There was no significant difference in metabolites between AQP-4 antibody positive and negative NMOSD plasma.There are some differences in metabolites between cerebrospinal fluid of NMOSD patients and healthy controls.A variety of amino acid abnormalities,sphingomyelin dysfunction,energy metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction were involved in the pathogenesis of NMOSD.

Anti-tumor immunity and mechanism of microwave ablation / 国际外科学杂志

Microwave ablation,as a minimally invasive therapy,causes focal hyperthermic injury to ablated tumors.It also induces anti-tumor immunity which could contribute to another mechanism of tumor destruction.Combination with immunotherapy could further enhance the tumor-specific immunity,lead to stronger inhibitory effects on both primary and metastatic lesions and decrease recurrence and metastasis.Thus,combination of microwave ablation and immunotherapy is a promising approach in the treatment of solid tumors,especially for advanced cancers.This article reviews recent advances in the mechanism and application of immune effect induced by microwave ablation.

A case of Sneddon syndrome started with neurological symptoms / 中南大学学报(医学版)

Sneddon syndrome(SS) is a rare clinical syndrome characterized by ischemic cerebrovascular disease and livedo reticularis, which involves the heart, kidney, fundus and other organs. We reported a case of a 45-year old male patient with recurrent ischemic cerebrovascular accidents as the first manifestation, accompanied by significant declines in cognitive function and livedo reticularis in trunk and limbs. The final diagnosis was SS. This article summarized the possible etiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment for SS. Clinicians should improve the understanding of the disease to make the correct diagnosis and treatment and to prevent the occurrence of severe neurologic impairment and vascular dementia.

Preparation and Evaluation of the Reference Materials for Plasma von Willebrand Factor Antigen Testing / 现代检验医学杂志

Objective To prepare and evaluate the reference materials for plasma von Willebrand Factor antigen testing with fresh frozen plasma.Methods The candidates were prepared by low temperature centrifugation in 5 different concentration levels.The homogeneity and stability of the preparation was evaluated according to the ISO Guide35 and CNAS-GL03.The comparability between STAGO and IL system was evaluated according to the WS/T 356-2011.Then the preparations were characterized by six laboratories with the Secondary Coagulation Standard established by NIBSC(SSCLOT4).Results Homogeneity evaluation of the preparation showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (P >0.05),the F values of factor analysis of variance were 0.317~0.844,the uncertainty range was 1.01% ~2.06%.A linear regression based on stability evaluation indicated that the linear trend (within 24 weeks)was insignificant (P >0.05). The uncertainty range of long-term (within 24 weeks)stability was 0.79% ~ 1.20%.The results of the preparations on STAGO and IL system were comparable.The certificated values of the candidates were range from 12.2% to 138.9% with uncertainties were 0.06%~0.09%,respectively.The range of combined standard uncertainty was 0.03% ~ 0.16% while the expanded uncertainty was 2.2%~6.7%.Conclusion The reference materials for von Willebrand Factor antigen testing were stable and homogenous with comparability between STAGO and IL.The method of characterization was accurate and reliable.

Resveratrol ameliorates diabetes-induced renal damage through regulating the expression of TGF-beta 1, collagen IV and Th17/Treg-related cytokines in rats / El resveratrol mejora el daño renal inducido por la diabetes a través de la regulación de la expresión de TGF-beta 1, colágeno IV y las citocinas relacionados con Th17/Treg en ratas

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at detecting the protective effects of resveratrol on diabetes-induced renal damage and on the expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), collagen IV and Th17/Tregrelated cytokines in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: Twenty diabetic rats were further randomly divided into diabetic model group (DM group) and resveratrol group with 10 animals in each group. Another 10 non-diabetic rats served as control. The dia-betic rats in the resveratrol group were administered resveratrol for eight consecutive weeks (via gavage, 50 mg/kg daily, dissolved in saline). Rats in the control group and DM group received the same volume of saline only (via gavage). Renal function was measured. Histopathology changes of the kidney tissue were observed using haematoxylin and eosin staining. Levels of TGF-β1 and collagen IV in kidney homogenate were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The level of Th17-related cytokines (IL-17A, IL-25) and Treg-related cytokines (IL-35, IL-10) in serum and in the supernatant of the kidney homogenate were determined using ELISA. RESULTS: Diabetic rats had damaged renal function, higher levels of TGF-β1, collagen IV, IL-17A and IL-25, as well as lower levels of IL-35 and IL-10, when compared to the control rats. Compared to the diabeticrats without resveratrol treatment, application of resveratrol to the diabetic rats ameliorated the renal function, inhibited the expression of TGF-β1, collagen IV, IL-17A and IL-25, and increased the expression IL-35 and IL-10. CONCLUSION: Resveratrol might ameliorate diabetes-induced renal damage through mediating the balance of Th17/Treg-related cytokines and inhibiting the expression of TGF-β1 and collagen IV.

OBJETIVOS: Este estudio estuvo encaminado a detectar los efectos protectores del resveratrol en el daño renal inducido por diabetes y en la expresión del factor de crecimiento transformante beta-1 (TGF-β1), el colágeno IV, y las citocinas relacionados con Th17/Treg en ratas con diabetes inducida por estreptozotocina. MÉTODOS: Veinte ratas diabéticas fueron divididas aleatoriamente en un grupo modelo diabético (Grupo MD) y un grupo de resveratrol, con 10 animales en cada grupo. A las ratas diabéticas en el grupo de resveratrol se les administró resveratrol durante ocho semanas consecutivas (mediante sonda nasogástrica, 50 mg/kg diarios, disuelto en suero salino). Las ratas en el grupo control y el grupo MD recibieron el mismo volumen de solución salina solamente (vía sonda nasogástrica). Se midió la función renal. Se observaron cambios en la histopatología del tejido del riñón usando tinción con hematoxilina y eo-sina. Se midieron los niveles de TGF-β1 y colágeno IV en un homogeneizado de riñón con ensayo por inmunoabsorción ligado a enzimas (ELISA). El nivel de las citocinas de Th17 (IL-17A, IL-25) y las citocinas de Treg (IL-35, IL-10) en suero y en el sobrenadante del homogeneizado de riñón, se determinaron mediante ELISA. RESULTADOS: Las ratas diabéticas tuvieron daño de la función renal, niveles más altos de TGF-β1, colágeno IV, IL-17A y IL-25, así como niveles más bajos de IL-35 e IL-10, en comparación con las ratas control. En comparación con las ratas diabéticas sin tratamiento con resveratrol, la aplicación de resveratrol en las ratas diabéticas mejoró la función renal, inhibió la expresión de TGF-β1, colágeno IV, IL-17A y IL-25 y aumentó la expresión de IL-35 y IL-10. CONCLUSIÓN: El resveratrol podría mitigar el daño renal inducido por la diabetes mediante la mediación con el equilibrio de las citocinas relacionados con Th17/Treg, e inhibiendo la expresión de TGF-β1 y colágeno IV.

Verification and Analysis of the Reference Interval for D-Dimer Assay / 现代检验医学杂志

Objective To verify the reference interval for D-dimer assay and analyze the influence of age and gender on the ref-erence interval.Methods Inclusion criteria for reference individuals were established.60 healthy males and 63 females were enrolled and divided to three groups by age,including 20 to 39 years old group (20 males and 20 females),40 to 59 years old group (20 males and 23 females)and above 60 years old group (20 males and 20 females).Blood samples were drawn in cit-rate sodium anticoagulated tubes and D-dimer concentration was determined by three different coagulation analyzers using o-riginal reagents.According to CLSI guideline C-28-A3,the reference interval for each measurement system from reagent manufacturer was verified and the difference of D-dimer concentration between different age-group and sex-group was ana-lyzed using non-parameters tests.Results All reference intervals were verified for people under age 40,while one reference interval cannot be verified for people from 40 to 59 years old as same as one for people above 60 years old.D-dimer concen-tration increased with age and there was significantly different between 20~39 years old group and 40~59 years old group or above 60 years old group(P<0.05).There was only a significant difference between sex-group for people under age 60(P<0.05).Conclusion D-dimer concentration was associated with age and sex.For people under age 40,the reference inter-val from reagent manufacture can be verified and directly used in laboratory,while for people above age 60,the reference in-terval from reagent manufacture cannot be verified.The cause should be investigated and a new reference interval should be established separately when necessary.

Current status and problems of coagulation factor Ⅷ and Ⅸ assay / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective To investigate current status and problems of coagulation factor Ⅷ and Ⅸ assay in domestic laboratories so as to provide the reference for implementing the standardization and quality improvement.Methods A questionnaire survey was carried out in 76 laboratories,and quality control materials were distributed to 54 laboratories for activity assay.The questionnaire information was analyzed statistically.Test results of quality control materials were classified into three groups according to the reagents and the ranked grading analysis were used to evaluate the performance.Results This research was investigative study.The amount of sample was less than 30 per month in 72％ (52/72)of laboratories.The frequencies of calibration were different,and 33％ (24/72) of laboratories did not perform calibration in a different assay batch.39％ (28/72)of laboratories did not run internal quality control,and about 21％ (15/ 72) of laboratories just performed the normal level quality control.Individual laboratories showed a high cumulative CV (＞ 30％) of intemal quality control.For normal FⅧ and FⅨ control materials,the CV of results were 11.3％-18.2％ and 11.3％-17.9％ respectively as well as 15.3％-20.3％ and 19.5％-21％ for abnormal.Of the three groups,the proportions of laboratories which the FⅧ test results out with consensus were18％,24％ and 22％ as well as 20％,24％ and 28％ for FⅨ.Conclusions The key requirements for quality control of coagulation factors active assay remain to be addressed and implemented.The repeatability and comparability in some laboratories are not satisfactory to meet the clinical needs.With the purpose of promoting quality improvement,we need to develop guidelines,organize related training and establish a national external quality assessment scheme.

Analysis and comparison of reference intervals of complete blood cell count with the published standards / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective To analyze the status of reference intervals (RIs) of complete blood cell count (CBC) in China and compare them with the published standards.Methods The RIs information of CBC (containing the items of WBC,RBC,Hb,HCT,MCV,MCH,MCHC and PLT) were collected by the External Quality Assessment (EQA)software from laboratories participated in the Second Complete Blood Cell Count EQA Program in 2013,which including the sources of RIs,the lower and upper limits of RIs and the validation information of RIs.The sources and validation information of RIs were analyzed by Microsoft Excel 2007 using all data except those from maternal and child care service center,children's hospital and corporations.The outliers of limits of RIs were excluded according to the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry(IFCC)guidelines,then data were analyzed by SPSS 13.0.The mean of the upper and lower limits of the RIs were compared with the published standards by the t-test.Results Totally 299 (57.72％) of 518 laboratories reported were using RIs according to National Clinical Laboratory Operation Rules,while 112(26.62％)labs were using RIs from instrument/reagent manufacturer instructions,411 (80.00％)labs did not validate the RIs they used,of which 258 (50.00％) did not know how to validate RIs.The deviation of the maximum and the minimum ranged from 16％ to 70％.More than one third laboratories did not separate RIs of RBC,Hb and HCT according to the gender.The upper and lower limits of WBC and MCV of most laboratories were higher,while those of RBC(male/female),PLT and Hb(male) were lower than that from the published standard.The RIs of MCH was narrower than that from the published standard.Meanwhile,HCT,MCHC (male/female) and Hb (female) were near the upper and lower limits of published standards.Conclusions At present,the RIs of CBC used in laboratories is chaotic,which is significantly different from the published standard.On the basis of standardization,the RIs of published standard result from a multi-center study in Chinese people should be preferred.

Chemistry and biological activities of Viburnum odoratissimum / 药学学报

Viburnum odoratissimum is a folk medicinal plant, it can dredge the meridian passage and contains mainly diterpenes, triterpenes, flavonoids, sesquiterpenes, lignans, coumarin glycosides, etc. Vibsanin-type diterpenoids are the characteristic compounds of V. odoratissimum, and are divided into eleven-membered ring, seven-membered ring, and rearrangement-type. Vibsanin B, vibsanin C and neovibsanin A are the representative compounds of the three subtypes of vibsanin-type diterpenoids respectively. V. odoratissimum has cytotoxic activity, antibacterial activity, fish piscicidal activity and activity of inhibiting the growth of plants, Cytotoxic activity is the main biological activity.

Advances in the synergy between tumor thermal ablation and chemotherapy / 国际外科学杂志

Tumor thermal ablation therapy has been the common minimally invasive technique because of its excellent efficacy and safety,and has become a promising clinical minimally invasive treatment.But there are still limitations in its therapeutic range.Moreover,as an effective local treatment,the technology is bound to a cooperation with tumor system treatments.This review provides an overview of the concept of tumor thermotherapy and thermal ablation,and the possible mechanism of the synergistic effect of the thermal ablation with chemotherapy,including hyperthermia changing the blood supply to improve drug distribution,hyperthermia increasing drug intake,hyperthermia modifying the cytotoxicity of many chemotherapeutic agents,combination therapy improving the rate of complete ablation and promoting cell apoptosis.

Some issues for urinalysis normalization / 中华检验医学杂志

The Proposal for the Standardization of Urinary Sediments Examination and the expert consensus have provided effective and timely instruction on urinalysis normalization,but there are still some puzzles about the methods and requirements on quality improvement for urinalysis normalization.This paper is discussing about some issues referring to American and European urinalysis guidelines,which include establishment of examination procedure,specifications and methods of testing system evaluation,specimen stability,the influence of sample centrifugation,the usage of sample staining,confirmation tests,requirements on result reporting,internal quality control and external quality assessment.These discussions will contribute to the quality improvement of urinalysis in clinical laboratories.

Clinical significance of detecting serum vascular endothelial growth factor and endostatin levels for lung cancer early detection in elderly long-term smokers / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To explore the changes and clinical significances of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endostatin concentrations for early detection of lung cancer in elderly long-term smokers. Methods Serum VEGF and endostatin concentrations were determined in 52 elderly long-term smokers and 20 elderly non-smokers by enzyme linked immunoabsent assay (ELISA) or competitive enzyme immunoassay. The 52 elderly long-term smokers were divided into lung cancer group (n = 32) and non-lung cancer group (n = 20). Results The concentration of serum VEGF was markedly higher in lung cancer group [(15. 7±8. 0) ng/L] than in non-lung cancer group and normal control group (t= 13. 681, t= 9. 372, respectively, both P＜0. 01). And the level of serum VEGF was significantly higher in non-lung cancer group than in normal control group (t=5. 250, P＜0. 05). The level of serum endostatin was significantly higher in elderly long-term smokers with or without lung cancer than in normal control group (t=5. 332, t=3. 700, respectively, P＜0. 01 and P＜0.05). But there was no statistic difference between non-lung cancer group and lung cancer group (t = 0. 814, P＞ 0.05 ). Notably, the endostatin/VEGF ratio was lower in lung cancer group than in non-lung cancer group and normal control group (t= 6. 270, t= 7. 138, respectively, both P＜0.01), while there was no significant difference between non-lung cancer group and normal control group (t= 1. 022, P＞0.05). Conclusions These findings suggest that the periodic detection of serum VEGF and endostatin and endostatin/VEGF ratio, especially endostatin/VEGF ratio, is of clinical importance and can be used as an early diagnostic marker of lung cancer in elderly long-term smokers.

TLR3c.1377, TLR9-1486,and TLR9 2848 gene polymorphisms and multiple sclerosis / 中南大学学报(医学版)

Objective To investigate the relationship between the gene polymorphism of TLR3c.1377,TLR9-1486,and TLR9 2848 and susceptibility to multiple sclerosis(MS)in Han people of south China. Methods A total of 123 unrelated MS patients from South China with a clinical or laboratory definition MS according to 2005 Revisions to the McDonald Criteria were studied. Another 126 controls were randomly selected from hospital staff of non-autoimmune diseases and healthy individuals. Toll like receptor (TLR) 3 and TLR 9 genotypes were determined by PCR and digested by specific restriction enzymes.Results There was significant difference in genotype and allele distribution of TLR3c.1377 polymorphism between the MS patients and the controls (P<0.05), and the MS patients with T allele had a lower risk (OR=0.532, P=0.014). There was no significant difference in genotypes and allele distribution of TLR9-1486 polymorphism between the MS patients and the controls. There was higher TLR9 2848 A allele frequency in the MS patients than in the controls ((39.8%) vs. 30.6%;P=0.037), and higher risk in MS patients with A allele than those without ((OR=)(1.837), P=0.020). There was no significant interaction among the TLR3c.1377, TLR9-1486 and TLR9 2848 allele. Strong linkage disequilibrium was found between TLR9-1486 and TLR9 2848, but there was no significant interaction between the polymorphism of TLR9-1486 and TLR9 2848 in the MS patients.Conclusion TLR3c.1377 and TLR9 2848 polymorphisms may be related to MS in Han people in south China. TLR3c.1377 and TLR9 2848 may be linked with susceptibility genes.

Diffusion tensor imaging and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging on young patients with major depressive disorder / 中南大学学报(医学版)

Objective To explore the pathological mechanism of brain function and structure in young patients with major depressive disorder by diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI).Methods Sixteen participants diagnosed with major depression (MD) and 16 healthy age and gender-matched controls(HC) were recruited. Resting state fMRI and DTI brain scans were performed on all participants. A voxel-based method (VBM) was used to analyze the DTI datasets, and regional homogeneity (ReHo) approach was applied to preprocess the fMRI datasets. The value of fractional anisotropy (FA) and ReHo maps were obtained in the whole brain.Results FA values in the MD group were significantly lower than those of the healthy controls in the white matter of the left middle temporal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, left medial frontal gyrus, right precentral gyrus, left angular gyrus, left fusiform gyrus, left superior temporal gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus, right sub-gyral, left insula, and left pyramis (P＜0.01). ReHo in the MD group decreased in the left superior frontal gyrus, right superior frontal gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, left medial frontal gyrus, right medial frontal gyrus, left paracentral lobule, right paracentral lobule, right inferior parietal lobule, left postcentral gyrus, right postcentral gyrus, left middle occipital gyrus, left lingual gyrus, right putamen, right cingulate gyrus, right cuneus, left superior temporal gyrus, and right middle temporal gyrus (P＜0.01). Conclusion Abnormality of brain white microstructure and function exist widely in young patients with major depressive disorder. Abnormal connection of structures and function between the brain areas may be the key reason for the depression.