Serum lipocalin-2 is a potential biomarker for the clinical diagnosis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Background/Aims@#Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) characterized by hepatic steatosis, inflammation, hepatocellular injury, and fibrosis. We aimed to investigate the usefulness of a key biomarker, lipocalin-2 (LCN2), for the detection of NASH progression. @*Methods@#A mouse NASH model was established using a high-fat diet and a high-sugar drinking water. Gene expression profile of the NASH model was analyzed using RNA sequencing. Moreover, 360 NAFLD patients (steatosis, 83; NASH, 277), 40 healthy individuals, and 87 patients with alcoholic fatty liver disease were recruited. @*Results@#Inflammatory infiltration, focal necrosis in the leaflets, steatosis, and fibrosis were documented in the mouse liver. In total, 504 genes were differentially expressed in the livers of NASH mice, and showed significant functional enrichment in the inflammation-related category. Upregulated liver LCN2 was found to be significantly interactive with various interleukins and toll-like receptors. Serum LCN2 levels were significantly increased in NAFLD patients. Serum LCN2 levels were correlated with steatosis, intralobular inflammation, semiquantitative fibrosis score, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score. The area under the curve of serum LCN2 was 0.987 with a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 93.5% for NASH diagnosis, and 0.977 with almost the same specificity and sensitivity for steatosis. @*Conclusions@#LCN2 might be involved in the transition from NAFL to NASH by mediating inflammation. Serum LCN2 levels might be a novel biomarker for the diagnosis of NASH.

Serum lipocalin-2 is a potential biomarker for the clinical diagnosis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Background/Aims@#Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) characterized by hepatic steatosis, inflammation, hepatocellular injury, and fibrosis. We aimed to investigate the usefulness of a key biomarker, lipocalin-2 (LCN2), for the detection of NASH progression. @*Methods@#A mouse NASH model was established using a high-fat diet and a high-sugar drinking water. Gene expression profile of the NASH model was analyzed using RNA sequencing. Moreover, 360 NAFLD patients (steatosis, 83; NASH, 277), 40 healthy individuals, and 87 patients with alcoholic fatty liver disease were recruited. @*Results@#Inflammatory infiltration, focal necrosis in the leaflets, steatosis, and fibrosis were documented in the mouse liver. In total, 504 genes were differentially expressed in the livers of NASH mice, and showed significant functional enrichment in the inflammation-related category. Upregulated liver LCN2 was found to be significantly interactive with various interleukins and toll-like receptors. Serum LCN2 levels were significantly increased in NAFLD patients. Serum LCN2 levels were correlated with steatosis, intralobular inflammation, semiquantitative fibrosis score, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score. The area under the curve of serum LCN2 was 0.987 with a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 93.5% for NASH diagnosis, and 0.977 with almost the same specificity and sensitivity for steatosis. @*Conclusions@#LCN2 might be involved in the transition from NAFL to NASH by mediating inflammation. Serum LCN2 levels might be a novel biomarker for the diagnosis of NASH.

Effect of Acupuncture and Biofeedback on Fecal Incontinence after Anus Preservation Operation for Rectal Cancer / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To investigate the effect of acupuncture and biofeedback on the recovery of fecal incontinence after anus preservation operation for rectal cancer. Methods:From January 1st, 2016 to June 30th, a total of 226 patients with rectal cancer after anus preservation operation were selected. Finally, 120 patients with fecal incontinence were randomly divided into control group (n = 40), acupuncture group (n = 40) and observation group (n = 40). All the groups accepted levator ani movement. In addition, the acupuncture group received acupuncture, and the observation group received acupuncture and biofeedback, for three months. Cleveland Clinic Florida Faecal Incontinence Scores (CCF-FIS), anorectal pressure, pelvic floor surface electromyography and quality of life were measured before treatment, and one month, two months and three months after treatment. Results:There was no significant difference in CCF-FIS, anorectal pressure, pelvic floor surface electromyography and quality of life among three groups before treatment (F < 2.943, P > 0.05). After treatment, all the above indexes improved (F > 5.235, P < 0.01), and were better in the acupuncture group and observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05), especially in the observation group (P < 0.05) at each time point. The curative effect of the observation group was related to the location of the tumor (χ2 > 4.405, P < 0.05) one month after treatment, and it was related to whether pelvic autonomic nerve preservation was performed during the operation (χ2 > 4.706, P < 0.05) and whether radiotherapy was added after the operation (χ2 > 5.013, P < 0.05) at each time point after treatment. At three months follow-up, the recurrence rate was lower in the observation group (8.6%) than in the acupuncture group (35.7%) and in the control group (35.0%) (χ2 > 5.976, P < 0.05). No complication occurred in all groups. Conclusion:Acupuncture and biofeedback can improve the symptoms of defecation incontinence and promote the recovery of anal function after anus preservation operation for rectal cancer.

Recent Progress in Understanding the Mechanism of Neuroprotective Effect of Pinocembrin / 中国药学杂志

Pinocembrin (5, 7-dihydroxyflavanone), a flavanone, is a natural flavonoid compound extracted from honey, propolis, ginger roots, wild marjoram, and other plants. In preclinical studies, it has shown to have neuroprotective effects as well as the ability to reduce reactive oxygen species, protect the blood-brain barrier, modulate mitochondrial function, and regulate apoptosis. Considering these a variety of pharmacological activities, pinocembrin has potential as a drug to treat ischemic stroke and neurodegenerative disease. Its pharmacologic characteristics are summarized and mechanistic details relating preclinical studies are discusses.

Current Progress on The Neuroprotective Effects of Isothiocyanates in The Treatment for Experimental Parkinson's Disease / 中国药学杂志

Parkinson's disease (PD) is recognized as the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and is characterized by a slow and progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Despite intensive research, the mechanisms involved in neuronal loss are not completely understood yet; however, misfolded proteins, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity and inflammation play a pivotal role in the progression of the pathology. To date, no efficient therapy that arrest or slow down PD is available. Isothiocyanates (ITCs) have already shown interesting properties in detoxification, inflammation, apoptosis and cell cycle regulation through the induction of phase and phase Ⅱ enzyme. Moreover, ITCs may be able to modulate several key points in oxidative and inflammatory evolution. In this review, we describe ITCs as pleiotropic compounds capable of preventing and modulating the evolution of PD. In particular, we summarized the neuroprotective effects of sulforaphane (SFN), erucin (ER), phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) and 6-(methylsulfinyl) hexyl isothiocyanate (6-MSITC) in the treatment for experimental PD.

Recent Advances in Neuroprotective Mechanisms of Astaxanthin in Acute Brain Injury and Neurodegenerative Disease / 中国药学杂志

Astaxanthin( 3, 3 '-dihydroxy-β, β'-carotene-4, 4 '-dione, ATX), a xanthophyll carotenoid produced naturally and synthetically, is a red-orange carotenoid with unique cell membrane actions and diverse biological activities. The beneficial effects of astaxanthin are linked to its oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic characteristics. More importantly, there is evidence demonstrating that astaxanthin confers neuroprotective effects in experimental models of neurological diseases. In this review, we will provides up-todate information on the neuroprotective properties of astaxanthin in mitigating neuropathy in acute brain injury and neurodegenerative disease, and discuss its mechanistic details relating preclinical studies.

Dynamic changes of reproductive hormone levels and related factors in old and middleaged men in health examination / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the dynamic changes of serum reproductive hormone levels in old and middleaged males in health examination and their correlation with age and lipid profile.@*METHODS@#This study included 4 333 men in health examination from January 2011 to December 2014. The men were aged from 40 to 85 years old and divided into seven fiveyearspan age groups. We determined the levels of serum testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH), folliclestimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), prolactin (PRL), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), and the testosterone secretion index (TSI = T/LH). We analyzed the obtained data using SPSS Pram, KruskalWallis H test, MannWhitney U test, exponential regression, and Spearman correlation analysis.@*RESULTS@#Statistically significant differences were found in LH, FSH, E2 and TSI among the seven age groups (P40 years old males. T and TSI were reduced in the 40－59 years old men from 2011 to 2014, and so was E2 in the 40－54 yr group. Lowlevel testosterone is closely related to dyslipidemia.

Recent research developments of endogenous neurotoxin salsolinol in the pathogenesis of parkinson's disease / 中国药学杂志

Endogenous neurotoxin 1-methyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4 -tetrahydroisoquinoline (salsolinol, Sals), an endogenous dopamine metabolite, were shown to be toxic to dopaminergic neurons in vitro as well as in vivo, and was known to be involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Sals is a more realistic model for selective toxicity to nigral dopaminergic neurons, and mimic the natural course of PD that develops slowly, allowing the brain to adapt to progressive damage. Sals lead to neurotoxicity in dopaminergic cells through induction of oxidative stress and apoptotic dopaminergic cell death, which made it as an important tool drugs to study the pathogenesis of PD.

Research progress of targeting Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway for the neuroprotective effect of sulforaphane / 中国药学杂志

Nrf2/ARE pathway has become an attractive target using phytochemicals for the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress-related diseases including neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD). Among phytochemicals, sulforaphane (SFN) has demonstrated neuroprotective effects in several in vitro and in vivo studies. In particular, evidence suggests that beneficial effects of SFN could be mainly ascribed to its peculiar ability to activate the Nrf2/ARE pathway. Therefore, SFN appears to be a promising compound with neuroprotective properties that may play an important role in preventing neurode-generation. This contribution focuses on Nrf2/ARE-mediated signaling pathways, particularly in relation to neuroprotective effects of sulforaphane.

Research progress of targeting HO-1/NOX2 pathway for the treatment of Parkinson's disease / 中国药学杂志

Accumulating evidence strongly supports the involvement of oxidative stress in the etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). ROS derived from the NOX2-containing NADPH oxidase play important role in the pathogenesis of PD. Our intent was to review the research history about the role of NOX2-containing NADPH oxidase in PD. Neuroprotective effect of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in protecting neurons against PD-related neurotoxin-induced oxidative stress dependant injury, and a major emphasis has been on the relationship between HO-1 and NOX2-containing NADPH oxidase. Specific activation of HO-1 gene expression by pharmacological modulation may represent a novel target for therapeutic treatment of PD through inhibiting NOX/ROS. A new target for PD therapy through inhibiting NOX/ROS, thereby modulating HO-1/NOX2 axis is highlighted.

A survey of urolithiasis in young children fed infant formula contaminated with melamine in two townships of Gansu, China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the prevalence of urolithiasis in young children fed infant formula (IF) contaminated with melamine, and the association between IF consumption and urolithiasis.</p><p><b>DESIGN</b>A total of 2 733 children < or = 3 years of age on September 1, 2008 in two townships of Gansu Province, China were studied. Cases of urolithiasis were diagnosed by ultrasonography. Milk product consumption was determined by their caregivers. Remaining IF samples were tested for melamine and cyanuric acid.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of 2 733 eligible children in the two townships, 2 186 (80%) were enrolled in our study. Overall, 16.6% (362) of 2 186 children had urolithiasis. The prevalence was 24.6% in children exclusively fed Sanlu brand IF, 9.7% in those fed other IF, and 8.5% in those fed exclusively on other milk products. For children exclusively breast-fed, no urolithiasis was found (P < 0.05). The prevalence of urolithiasis was 11.4% in children fed 400 g of Sanlu IF, rising to 37.5% in children fed over 25 600 g. Of 48 Sanlu IF samples, 91.7% contained melamine (median = 1 800 ppm; range = 45-4 700) and 66.7% contained cyanuric acid (median = 1.2 ppm; range = 0.4-6.3). Melamine was also detected in 22.2% of 36 other brand IF (median = 27.5 ppm, range = 4-50).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Urolithiasis was associated with melamine-contaminated IF. Although one product caused most morbidity, other milk products may have also contributed to the outbreak.</p>

On the scientific foundation that the tissue structure of acupoints can decide and affect specificity of acupoints-organs effects / 中国针灸

Specificity of acupoints is one of the basic theories of the acupuncture and moxibustion sciences and is a very important basis to guide the clinical treatment of acupuncture and moxibustion. However, the scientific foundation of specificity of acupoints is still unclear, which has greatly restricted to the clinical effect improvement of acupuncture and moxibustion and has influenced to academic status of acupuncture and moxibustion sciences both in China and abroad. In this paper, the recent related researches are reviewed and then the key effects and mechanism that the tissue structure of acupoints can decide and affect specificity of acupoints-organs effects are analyzed and explored. It is held that acupuncture at the different tissue structure of the different depth in the different or the same acupoints will cause changes of varying qualities or degrees of visceral function because of stimulation of the different receptors in the different tissues followed by excitation of varying afferent nerve fibers.

Study on mutation of presenilin-1 gene in familial Alzheimer's disease / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the role of the mutation of presenilin-1 exon 6 in pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease(AD) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Exon 6 of presenilin-1 was analyzed by use of polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and DNA analyzer technique in 2 patients with familial AD, 53 patients with sporadic DA, 60 patients with vascular dementia(VD) and 90 normal controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Mobility shift of SSCP in exon 6 of presenilin-1 was detected in 2 cases with FAD, 4 cases with SDA and 1 case with VD. Two missense mutations were found in the patients by DNA sequence analysis, one mutation was 1123 nt C-->G(Cys 23 Trp) and the other was 1300 nt A-->C(Asp 200 Ala).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Mutations in exon 6 of presenilin-1 existed in the patients with FAD and SDA, and the two missense mutations were probably pathological by nature.</p>

Quantitation of albumin in urine by HPLC and initial clinical application / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective To measure albumin in urine by HPLC and conduct primary clinical application Methods Solvent gradient and appropriate wave length was optimized and performance of the HPLC method was evaluated.Urine albumin of 46 patients with diabetes was measured.Results In standard and urine,retention time of Alb was 13.1 min.The linear measuring range extends to 1 820 mg/L.The lower limit of measurment for Alb was 4.2 mg/L.The intra-assay CV and the inter-assay CV were 3.36%,4.12% and 1.93%,1.97% at 24.5 mg/L and 546.9 mg/L of Alb respectively.Analytical recovery rate were 96.3%,98.2% and 97.5%.Microalbuminuria rate was 54.3% by HPLC,26.1% by immunoassay in 46 patients with diabetes.Conclusions Measurement of Alb in urine by HPLC is feasible as routine method until quantifying urinary total Alb conveniently.HPLC is the same to suit research for diabetic nephropathy and so on.