Caprylic Acid Improves Lipid Metabolism, Suppresses the Inflammatory Response and Activates the ABCA1/p-JAK2/p-STAT3 Signaling Pathway in C57BL/6J Mice and RAW264.7 Cells / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#This study aimed to investigate the effects of caprylic acid (C8:0) on lipid metabolism and inflammation, and examine the mechanisms underlying these effects in mice and cells.@*METHODS@#Fifty-six 6-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly allocated to four groups fed a high-fat diet (HFD) without or with 2% C8:0, palmitic acid (C16:0) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). RAW246.7 cells were randomly divided into five groups: normal, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS+C8:0, LPS+EPA and LPS+cAMP. The serum lipid profiles, inflammatory biomolecules, and ABCA1 and JAK2/STAT3 mRNA and protein expression were measured.@*RESULTS@#C8:0 decreased TC and LDL-C, and increased the HDL-C/LDL-C ratio after injection of LPS. Without LPS, it decreased TC in mice ( P < 0.05). Moreover, C8:0 decreased the inflammatory response after LPS treatment in both mice and cells ( P < 0.05). Mechanistic investigations in C57BL/6J mouse aortas after injection of LPS indicated that C8:0 resulted in higher ABCA1 and JAK2/STAT3 expression than that with HFD, C16:0 and EPA, and resulted in lower TNF-α, NF-κB mRNA expression than that with HFD ( P < 0.05). In RAW 264.7 cells, C8:0 resulted in lower expression of pNF-κBP65 than that in the LPS group, and higher protein expression of ABCA1, p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 than that in the LPS and LPS+cAMP groups ( P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Our studies demonstrated that C8:0 may play an important role in lipid metabolism and the inflammatory response, and the mechanism may be associated with ABCA1 and the p-JAK2/p-STAT3 signaling pathway.

Congenital Fibrinogen Deficiency Caused by Novel FGG Gene Mutation / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To detect and analyze coagulation related indexes and genotypes of a patient with congenital fibrinogen deficiency and his family members, and to investigate the possible molecular pathogenesis.@*METHODS@#Four peripheral blood samples (proband and 3 family members) were collected and the prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen (Fg), D-Dimer and eight coagulation factor indicators were detected. All exons and flanking sequences of the FGA, FGB, and FGG genes encoding the three peptide chains of fibrinogen were sequenced and analyzed by bioinformatics.@*RESULTS@#Among the eight coagulation factors of the proband and the elder sister, F Ⅴ and F Ⅷ were slightly higher, TT was significantly prolonged, and Fg was significantly reduced. Sequencing results showed that c.901C>T heterozygous mutation existed in the FGG gene. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the mutation changed the original protein structure and reduced the number of hydrogen bonds.@*CONCLUSION@#The fibrinogen gamma chain c.901C>T heterozygous mutation is the main cause of congenital fibrinogen deficiency in this family. This mutation is reported for the first time at home and abroad.

Effect of Banxia Xiexin Decoction on intestinal flora of mice with ulcerative colitis induced by dextran sodium sulfate / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of Banxia Xiexin Decoction(BXD) on inflammatory factors and intestinal flora in a dextran sulfate sodium induced ulcerative colitis(DSS-UC) mouse model, and to explore the mechanism of BXD in treating ulcerative colitis from the perspective of flora disorder. Forty C57 BL/6 J mice were randomly divided into control group, model group and BXD group. A 2.5% DSS-induced ulcerative colitis model was established. On the 8 th day, normal saline, normal saline, and BXD were given daily for 14 days. After 14 days, HE staining was used to observe histopathological changes of the colon. Serum inflammatory factor content was detected by ELISA, and the change of intestinal flora in mice feces was detected by 16 S rRNA sequencing technology. Compared with control group, the colonic tissue of mice in model group was damaged seriously, and the contents of IL-6 and TNF-α in serum were significantly increased(P<0.05). Compared with model group, mice in BXD group had less colonic damage, and the contents of IL-6, TNF-α in serum were decreased significantly(P<0.05). After creation, the richness of Patescibacteria was increased significantly at the phylum level(P<0.05). At the same time, the richness of Faecalibaculum(P<0.01), norank_f_Muribaculaceae(P<0.01) were decreased significantly at the genus level, while the richness of Turicibacter(P<0.01), Romboutsia(P<0.01), Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1(P<0.01) were increased significantly. After the intervention with BXD, the content of Patescibacteria was significantly reduced at the phylum level(P<0.05), and the contents of Lactobacillus(P<0.01), Clostri-dium_sensu_stricto_1(P<0.01), Enterorhabdus(P<0.01), Candidatus_Saccharimonas(P<0.05), Eubacterium_fissicatena_group(P<0.05) were decreased significantly at the genus level, while the contents of Dubosiella, Bacteroides and Allobaculum were increased significantly. Therefore, BXD could significantly improve the symptoms of DSS-UC mice. It not only could reduce the contents of IL-6 and TNF-α, but also could reduce the richness of Patescibacteria at the phylum level, and those of Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, Eubacterium_fissicatena_group at the genus level. Inaddition, BXD could increase the richness of Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium. It suggested that BXD could play a role in the treatment of ulcerative colitis partially through reducing inflammatory factors and regulating the structure of the gut microbiota.

Stored autologous blood transfusion does not increase recurrence of prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy: A preliminary study / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To analyze the association of stored autologous blood transfusion (SABT) with tumor recurrence in PCa patients after radical prostatectomy and explore the application of SABT in this surgical procedure.@*METHODS@#Forty-five PCa patients underwent radical prostatectomy in our hospital in recent five years, of whom, 20 received SABT (group A) and the other 25 allogeneic blood transfusion (group B) intraoperatively. After surgery, we followed up the patients regularly for 3－66 months by examination of the levels of total PSA (tPSA) and free PSA (fPSA), digital rectal examination (DRE), and MRI to observe the biochemical recurrence of the tumor. We compared the data obtained between the two groups of patients.@*RESULTS@#In group A, 8 cases were in stages T1a－T1b and 12 in stages T2a－T2c, and in group B, 14 cases were in stages T1a－T1b and 11 in stages T2a－T2c. The volume of transfused blood was 800 ml in group A and 400－1 200 ml in group B. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in the operation time, intraoperative blood loss or postoperative Gleason scores (P > 0.05), nor in the tPSA level or the results of DRE and MRI at 12, 24, 36, 48 and over 48 months (P > 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#SABT is safe for PCa patients undergoing radical prostatectomy and does not increase the tumor recurrence rate after surgery.

Handgrip Strength as a Predictor of Nutritional Status in Chinese Elderly Inpatients at Hospital Admission / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess nutritional status and define gender- and age-specific handgrip strength (HGS) cut-point values for malnutrition or nutritional risk in elderly inpatients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A cross-sectional study of 1,343 elderly inpatients was conducted in the Chinese PLA General Hospital. Nutrition Risk Screening (NRS 2002) and Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) were administered. Anthropometric measurements and blood biochemical indicators were obtained using standard techniques. The gender- and age-specific receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to evaluate the HGS for nutritional status by SGA and NRS 2002. Sensitivity, specificity, and areas under the curves (AUCs) were calculated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>According to NRS 2002 and SGA, 63.81% of elderly inpatients were at nutritional risk and 28.22% were malnourished. Patients with higher HGS had an independently decreased risk of malnutrition and nutritional risk. The AUCs varied between 0.670 and 0.761. According to NRS 2002, the optimal HGS cut-points were 27.5 kg (65-74 years) and 21.0 kg (75-90 years) for men and 17.0 kg (65-74 years) and 14.6 kg (75-90 years) for women. According to SGA, the optimal HGS cut-points were 24.9 kg (65-74 years) and 20.8 kg (75-90 years) for men and 15.2 kg (65-74 years) and 13.5 kg (75-90 years) for women.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Elderly inpatients had increased incidence of malnutrition or nutritional risk. HGS cut-points can be used for assessing nutritional status in elderly inpatients at hospital admission in China.</p>

The Association of Maternal Body Composition and Dietary Intake with the Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus during the Second Trimester in a Cohort of Chinese Pregnant Women / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association of maternal body composition and dietary intake with the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total 154 GDM subjects and 981 controls were enrolled in a prospective cohort study in 11 hospitals from May 20, 2012 to December 31, 2013. Bioelectrical impedance analysis and dietary surveys were used to determine body composition and to evaluate the intake of nutrients in subjects at 21-24 weeks' gestation (WG). Logistic regression analysis was applied to explore the relationships of maternal body composition and dietary intake with the risk of GDM morbidity.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Age, pre-pregnant body weight (BW), and body mass index (BMI) were associated with increased risk of GDM. Fat mass (FM), fat mass percentage (FMP), extracellular water (ECW), BMI, BW, energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrates at 21-24 WG were associated with an increased risk of GDM. In contrast, fat free mass (FFM), muscular mass (MM), and intracellular water (ICW) were associated with a decreased risk of GDM.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Maternal body composition and dietary intake during the second trimester of pregnancy were associated with the risk of GDM morbidity.</p>

Medium-Chain Triglyceride Activated Brown Adipose Tissue and Induced Reduction of Fat Mass in C57BL/6J Mice Fed High-fat Diet / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) stimulated by medium-chain triglyceride (MCT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>30 Male C57BL/6J obese mice induced by fed high fat diet (HFD) were divided into 2 groups, and fed another HFD with 2% MCT or long-chain triglyceride (LCT) respectively for 12 weeks. Body weight, blood biochemical variables, interscapular brown fat tissue (IBAT) mass, expressions of mRNA and protein of beta 3-adrenergic receptors (β3-AR), uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1), hormone sensitive lipase (HSL), protein kinase A (PKA), and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) in IBAT were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Significant decrease in body weight and body fat mass was observed in MCT group as compared with LCT group (P<0.05) after 12 weeks. Greater increases in IBAT mass was observed in MCT group than in LCT group (P<0.05). Blood TG, TC, LDL-C in MCT group were decreased significantly, meanwhile blood HDL-C, ratio of HDL-C/LDL-C and norepinephrine were increased markedly. Expressions of mRNA and protein of β3-AR, UCP1, PKA, HSL, ATGL in BAT were greater in MCT group than in LCT group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our results suggest that MCT stimulated the activation of BAT, possible via norepinephrine pathway, which might partially contribute to reduction of the body fat mass in obese mice fed high fat diet.</p>

Early diagnosis of prostate cancer by combined use of Trp-p8 expression and PSA density of the transition zone / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the expression of the Trp-p8 protein in the prostate tissue of the PSA "grey zone" with different PSA density of the transition zone (PSADTZ) and explore the value of determining Trp-p8 expression and PSADTZ in the early diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study involved 30 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and another 30 cases of PCa with different PSADTZ values. Using a data imaging and analysis system, we determined the expression levels of Trp-p8 in BPH and PCa tissues and analyzed their correlation with PSADTZ.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of Trp-p8 was weak or negative in the BPH but strong in the PCa tissue and even stronger in the PCa tissue with high PSADTZ (F = 34. 05, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The Trp-p8 protein is expressed differently in BPH and PCa tissues of the PSA " grey zone" and its expression is positively correlated with PSADTZ. Determination of the Trp-p8 expression and PSADTZ contributes to the early diagnosis of prostate cancer.</p>

Management of moderate to severe pediatric concealed penis in children by Devine's technique via incision between the penis and scrotum / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To search for a simple and effective surgical approach to the management of moderate to severe pediatric concealed penis in children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We used Devine's technique via incision between the penis and scrotum in the treatment of 68 cases of moderate to severe pediatric concealed penis. The patients were aged 3 -13 (mean 6.5) years, 30 with moderate and 38 with severe pediatric concealed penis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>This strategy achieved good near- and long-term effects and satisfactory appearance of the penis, which was similar to that of circumcision. At 3 months after surgery, the penile length was 3 - 5.2 cm, averaging (2.35 +/- 0.35) cm.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Devine's technique via incision between the penis and scrotum is a simple and effective surgical option for moderate to severe pediatric concealed penis in children.</p>

Detection of hemophilia A carrier by FⅧ:C/vWFAg ratio / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the cut-off value for coagulation factor Ⅷ activity (FⅧ:C) to von Willebrand factor antigen (vWFAg) ratio which can classify obligatory carriers of hemophilia A and normal females, and assess its feasibility to diagnose suspected carriers in affected families through comparison with the method of gene diagnosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>FⅧ:C assay was carried out by a one-stage method in both obligatory carriers and normal females. vWF antigen was measured with ELISA assay. The FⅧ:C/vWF ratio was calculated. Statistic analysis was carried out to determine the cut-off value which can classify the two groups. The ratio was then used to diagnose suspected carriers from families affected with hemophilia A. The results were compared with that by long distance polymerase chain reaction, genetic linkage analysis and/or direct sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The FⅧ:C/vWFAg value for 90.6% of obligatory carriers was under 0.82. Should 0.82 be selected as the cut-off value to diagnose the 42 suspected carriers, most of them can be readily diagnosed. The results were all in agreement with that of genetic analysis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cut-off value of FⅧ:C/vWFAg may be used for initial diagnose of the suspected carriers from families affected with hemophilia A. The method is quite convenient and reliable.</p>

An analysis of Clinic, CT and MRI in 150 child patients with cerebral palsy / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To search for the CT and MRI morphological changes in the child patients with cerebral palsy. Method The CT scranning and MRI were carried out in 150 child patients with cerebral palsy, andthe results were analysed. Results In 150 cases, 97 cases (54.6 per cent) have abnormal findings of CT scranning. Diffuse ence-phalatrophy (42 cases), encephalomalacia focus (24 cases) porencephaly (9 cases), and localized ence-phalatrophy (7 cases) ect are the common CT morphological changes in the patients with cerebral palsy.In the 53 patients with normal findings of CT scranning, MRI was carried out for 30 cases and 25 cases(83.3 per cent) were abnormal. The delayed myelinogeny of white matter of brain is the main MRI mor-phalogical abnormality. Conclusion CT scranning and MRI have important value on the etiological diagnosis for child patientswith cerebral palsy. The combination of them can improve the diagnostic accordance rate.