Study on long-acting analgesic lappaconitine hydrobromide lyotropic liquid crystal injection / 药学学报

Long-acting analgesia is a common clinical treatment method after surgery. The slow-release injection with long-acting analgesia has the advantages of less medication frequency and stable effect. In this study, the analgesic drug lappaconitine hydrobromide lyotropic liquid crystal injection was prepared, and its sustained release mechanism, drug release and pharmacodynamic characteristics were evaluated. The results of polarizing microscope and freeze-transmission electron microscope showed that the lyotropic liquid crystal injection of the liquid crystal precursor preparation of lappaconitine hydrobromide could be obtained by the combination of glycerol monooleate (GMO) and soybean lecithin (SPC) in different proportions. The results of dissolution study in vitro showed that the drug release rate of different forms of liquid crystal preparations was layered liquid crystal > cubic liquid crystal > hexagonal liquid crystal. The mathematical model fitting results of the release data showed that the external release of layered liquid crystal, cubic liquid crystal and hexagonal liquid crystal conforms to the Ritger-Peppas model, and the release mechanism was Fick diffusion. The results of pharmacodynamics study in vivo showed that the analgesic effect of lappaconitine hydrobromide lyotropic liquid crystal injection lasted for 3 days, and there was no abnormality in the incision and local tissue, showing good safety and tolerance. The study on drug release and elimination process of the in vivo gel repository showed that lappaconitine hydrobromide could be completely released from the lyotropic liquid crystal 3 days after administration, and the sustained-release materials could be gradually eliminated locally. All animal experiments were approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. 2021-08-GY-61) and the experiments were conducted in accordance with the relevant guiding principles and regulations. The lyotropic liquid crystal injection of lappaconitine hydrobromide prepared in this study presented a solution state at room temperature, and underwent phase transition in contact with the body fluid at the administration site, formed a drug depot and exerted a slow drug release effect. This preparation can reduce systemic toxicity, prolong the duration of analgesia, reduce the number of administrations, improve the compliance of postoperative patients, and provide a reference for the design of long-term sustained release analgesic preparations.

Causal links between long-term exposure to NO2 and the risk of cardiovascular hospitalization / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To determine the causal association between long-term Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure and the risk of cardiovascular hospitalization. Methods: Based on a sub-cohort of a community-based prospective cohort study, a total of 36 271 participants were recruited from 35 communities randomly selected in Guangzhou in 2015. The annual average exposure of NO2, demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and information on the causes of hospitalization was collected. We applied marginal structural Cox models to investigate the effect of NO2 on cardiovascular hospitalization. Demographic and behavioral factors also stratified results. Results: The mean age of participants in the present study was (50.9±17.8) years, and the cardiovascular admission rate was 8.7%, with 203 822 person-years of follow-up. The annual mean NO2 concentration was 48.7 μg/m3 during 2015-2020. For each 10 μg/m3 increase in NO2 concentrations, the HRs (95%CIs) of total cardiovascular hospitalization, cardiovascular hospitalization, and cerebrovascular hospitalization were 1.33 (1.16-1.52), 1.36 (1.16-1.60) and 1.25 (1.00-1.55), respectively. Participants who were never married/married, with secondary education, high exercise frequency, or non-smokers/current smokers may be more susceptible than their counterparts. Conclusion: Long-term exposure to NO2 significantly increased hospitalization risk for cardiovascular disease.

The role of Drp1 mediated mitochondrial dynamics balance in sepsis induced cardiomyopathy / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:To analyze the effect of inhibiting excessive mitochondrial fission mediated by dynamic related protein 1 (Drp1) on the function of injured cells and mitochondria in the septic myocardium, and to explore the protective effect of maintaining mitochondrial dynamic balance in the pathogenesis of sepsis induced cardiomyopathy(SIC).Methods:Rat H9C2 cardiomyocytes were cultured and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to establish a model of SIC. Mitochondrial division inhibitor 1 (Mdivi-1) was given 30 min before LPS stimulation. They were divided into the control group, LPS stimulated group (LPS), Mdivi-1 control group (Mdivi-1), and LPS+Mdivi-1 intervention group (LPS+Mdivi-1). CCK-8 was used to detect the cell viability, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was used to detect cellular damage. A MitoTracker probe was used to observe mitochondrial morphology by laser scanning confocal microscopy, JC-1 staining was used to detect mitochondrial membrane potential level, a DCFH-DA probe was used to detect total ROS level, and an AnnexinV-FITC/PI probe was used to detect the cell apoptosis ratio. The expression levels of mitochondrial fission protein Drp1 and fusion proteins Optic Atrophy 1(Opa1) and Mitofusin2 (Mfn2) were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the differences between groups, and the LSD- t test was used for pairwise comparisons between groups. Results:Compared with the control group, cell viability, the average length of mitochondria and the mitochondrial membrane potential were decreased, and ROS production, the cell apoptosis rate and LDH were increased in the LPS group (all P<0.05). After Mdivi-1 intervention, compared with the LPS-stimulated group, the cell viability was increased, myocardial cell damage was reduced, the average length of mitochondria was prolonged, mitochondrial dysfunction was alleviated, and the cell apoptosis rate was inhibited in the LPS+Mdivi-1 group (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Mdivi-1 might inhibit mitochondrial fission mediated by Drp1, maintain mitochondrial dynamic balance, alleviate mitochondrial dysfunction and protect myocardial cells from LPS-induced injury.

Prognostic analysis of plantar fasciitis treated by pneumatic ballistic extracorporeal shock wave versus ultrasound guided intervention / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the medium- and long-term effect of pneumatic ballistic extracorporeal shock wave versus ultrasound-guided hormone injection in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data were collected from patients with plantar fasciitis admitted to PLA General Hospital pain department from September, 2015 to February, 2017. The patients were randomly divided into ultrasound-guided drug injection group and shock wave group. The therapeutic parameters including the numerical rating scale (NRS) scores in the first step pain in the morning, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle Hindfoot Scale, and thickness of the plantar fascia were monitored before and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after the treatment. The recurrence rate, effectiveness, and patient satisfaction were compared between the two groups at 6 months after the treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Thirty-nine patients were enrolled in shock wave group and 38 patients in ultrasound group. The NRS scores in the first step pain in the morning were lowered after treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and the scores were significantly lower in ultrasound group than in shock wave group at 1 week and 1 month (P<0.01), but significantly higher in ultrasound group than in shock wave group at 3 and 6 months after treatment (P<0.05). The AOFAS functional scores were increased in both groups (P<0.05) at 6 months after treatment, was significantly lower in ultrasound group than in shock wave group than group B (90.44∓13.27 vs 75.76∓21.40; P<0.05). The effective rates in shock wave group and ultrasound group were 92.31% and 76.32%, respectively (P<0.05). Recurrence was found in 1 patient (2.56%) in shock wave group and in 8 (21.05%) in ultrasound group (P<0.05). The patient satisfaction scores were significantly higher in shock wave group than in ultrasound group (8.13∓2.67 vs 6.63∓3.75, P=0.048).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Pneumatic ballistic extracorporeal shock achieves better medium- and long-term outcomes than ultrasound-guided hormone injection in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.</p>

Effects of ZNF331 overexpression on human colon cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis / 军事医学

Objective To investigate the effects of ZNF331 overexpression on proliferation and apoptosis of human colon cancer cell HCT116, and the relevant apoptotic mechanism.Methods The lentivirus vector of overexpressed ZNF331,Flag-pLV-Neo-ZNF331,was constructed and packaged.HCT116/p53 +/+(wild type p53)and HCT116/p53 -/-(deficient p53)cells were infected.Clones with ZNF331 overexpression were identified by Western blotting.Cell proliferation assay,colony formation assay and flow cytometry analysis were used to examine the effects of ZNF 331 on cell proliferation and apoptosis.Immunoprecipitation,luciferase reporter gene assay and real-time PCR were performed to detect interactions between ZNF331 and p53, p53 transcriptional activity and the expression of p 53 apoptotic target genes, respectively.Results The lentivirus vector of overexpressed ZNF 331 was successfully generated.Stable clones of ZNF331 overexpression were established.ZNF331 showed no significant effect on cell proliferation of HCT 116/p53 +/+, but inhibited cell proliferation of HCT116/p53 -/-(P<0.01).ZNF331 could interact with p53,dose-dependently inhibit the transcriptional activity of p53 and downregulate the mRNA levels of pro-apoptotic p53 target genes, Puma and p53AIP1 (P<0.05).ZNF331 could suppress p53-induced apoptosis(P <0.01).Conclusion The influence of ZNF331 overexpression on colon cancer cell proliferation is dependent on p 53 status.ZNF331 overexpression can suppress colon cancer cell apoptosis by interacting with p 53 and inhibiting the transcriptional activity of p 53.

Clinical efficacy of statin combined with ezetimibe in the treatment of patients with acute coronary syn-drome after percutaneous coronary intervention / 实用医学杂志

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy and safety with statin and ezetimibe in the treat-ment of ACS after PCI. Methods 126 patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS)who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI )were divided into three groups according to the lipid-lowering strategy. group A:mod-erate-intensity statin group(n = 47),group B:Ezetimibe combined with moderate-intensity statin(n = 38), group C:Fortified statin(n = 41). The levels of serum lipids,liver enzymes,creatinine,creatine kinase(CK), and the compliance ratio of lipids were compared between the three groups at 1 month and 6 months after PCI re-spectively. All patients were followed up for 12 months,then reviewing coronary angiography and comparing MACE incidents within 12 months. Results The levels of cholesterol in group A,group B and group C decreased signifi-cantly(P < 0.05)at one month after PCI,the percentage of decrease of TC in three groups was 18.95%,35.61%and 19.84% and 24.89%,and LDL-C was 39.56%,23.99%,respectively. The percentage of TC and LDL-C in group B were significantly lower than those in other two groups(all P < 0.05). One months after PCI,the compli-ance rate of LDL-C in group B(65.8%)was higher than that in A group(34.0%)and C group(31.7%),P <0.05. Six months after PCI,the compliance rate of LDL-C in group B( 91.3% )was still significantly higher than that in group A(79.4%)and group C(84.2%),but P > 0.05. The incidence of MACE in group B was significant-ly lower than that in group A and C(P < 0.05)at 12 months after PCI,while the incidence of side effects in group C was significantly higher than that in group B and group A(P < 0.05). The incidence of neovascular steno-sis in group B was lower than that in group A and C(all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the intra-ventricular restenosis among the three groups(all P > 0.05). Conclusions Ezetimibe-statin combination therapy reduced TC and LDL-C levels more significantly than statin alone(including moderate-intensity statin therapy and strengthen statin therapy),and the compliance rate of LDL-C at 1 month after PCI was significantly higher than that of statin alone. The incidence of MACE was lower in combination group than in statin group at 12 months after operation,and the side effects were less. Above all,the combination of statin and ezetimibe may be the secondary prevention for CHD in patients with acute coronary syndrome after PCI.

Effect of schistosomiasis control in Yangxin County,Hubei Province,2004-2015 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of schistosomiasis control and prevention in Yangxin County from 2004 to 2015,so as to provide the evidence for improving the work of schistosomiasis transmission interrupted and elimination in the fu-ture. Methods According to the endemic types and endemic regularity of schistosomiasis in Yangxin County,the comprehen-sive control strategies were adopted,and the programs related to sanitation,water conservancy,forestry,and agriculture were implemented continuously. The schistosomiasis control effects in this county from 2004 to 2015 were analyzed and compared. Re-sults After the implementation of the schistosomiasis comprehensive control strategies in Yangxin County ,the calculated num-ber of patients reduced from 22240 in 2004 to 1471 in 2015,the infection rate of residents reduced from 8.57%in 2004 to 0.16%in 2015,the number of patients with acute schistosome infection reduced from 64 in 2004 to 0,and no cases of acute schistosomiasis found since 2009. The infection rate of cattle decreased from 8.87%in 2004 to 0. The area with Oncomelania hu-pensis snails and the area of susceptible zone reduced from 3446.21 hm2 and 1111.59 hm2 in 2004 to 2285.75 hm2 and 41.28 hm2 in 2015 respectively,and the schistosome-infection rate of snails reduced from 0.76%in 2004 to 0. Conclusions Since the comprehensive control strategy implemented from 2004,the endemic situation of schistosomiasis in Yangxin County has de-creased significantly. However,the harness force of the Fu River as well as the control of infection source of livestock still should be strengthened to consolidate the control achievement.

Cytotoxic Responses and Apoptosis in Rat Kidney Epithelial Cells Exposed to Lead / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

The toxic effects of lead on normal rat kidney epithelial cells (NRK cells) may occur via various pathways. However, the role of intrinsic mitochondrial pathway in Lead-induced apoptosis in NRK cells has not been investigated. The purpose of our study was to investigate cytotoxic responses and cell apoptosis mediated by lead in NRK cells. NRK cells were treated with different concentrations of Lead acetate for 12 h to determine the cytotoxicity of lead. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential was also analyzed using a fluorescence spectrophotometer. Moreover, the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were detected in the presence of lead. Finally, the lead-induced cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry in the present of caspase inhibitors Z-VAD-FMK and Ac-LEHD-FMK, respectively. The results would contribute to clarify the role of Lead in proliferation and apoptosis of NRK cells, and help to understand the underlying mechanism responsible for lead-induced cell apoptosis.

The clinical significance of predicting the contrast-induced nephropathy after PCI by the ratio of contrast ;medium volume and glomerular filtration rate / 实用医学杂志

Objective To evaluate the significance of contrast medium (CM) volume and estimated glomerular filtration rate (CM/eGFR) in predicting contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) after PCI. Methods A total of 307 patients after PCI were enrolled from Nanfang Hospital from May 2014 to October 2015. The patients were divided into the CIN group(n = 29) and the non-CIN group(n = 278) according to whether CIN within 72 hours after PCI. The baseline renal function was assessed by the sCr and CyC, respectively. Results Twenty-nine patients (9.4%, 29/307) developed CIN. There were significant differences in Age, CM、NTpro-BNP、IABP、 Periprocedural Hypotension、Preprocedural sCr/CyC between two groups (P < 0.05, respectively). The result of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Age, Cardiac function ≥Ⅲ level, IABP, use CCB, CM/eGFRMDRD, CM/eGFRCyC were independent risk predictors for CIN, respectively. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of CM/eGFRMDRD(AUC = 0.838) was superior to CM/eGFRCyC (AUC = 0.805) without significant difference. The sensitivity and specificity were 79.3%and 76.3%(Cut-off Point = 2.094), respectively. Conclusion Both the CM/eGFRMDRD and CM/eGFRCyC may be good methods to determine maximum CM before PCI and to predict CIN after PCI currently, without significant differences between these two predictors.

Relationship between Electroencephalogram and Perceived Stress in Essential Hypertension Patients / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between electroencephalogram and perceived stress in Chinese essential hypertension (EH) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 60 EH patients were enrolled as the case group,and 60 gender-and age-matched healthy subjects as the control group. Graded mental arithmetic was used as a psychological stressor. The physiological values of electroencephalogram (Theta,Alpha,sensorimotor rhythm,and Beta) were recorded at baseline and in mission period and recovery period. Subjects were instructed to complete the Perceived Stress Scale.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The electroencephalogram Theta value was significantly different between the case group and the control group (t=4.01,P=0.048). In the case group,the fluctuating Theta value was correlated with the control dimension in the Perceived Stress Scale (r=-0.26,P=0.044). Also in the case group,with the score of "sense of control" as the dependent variable and the fluctuating value of Theta after stress as the independent variables,regression analysis was performed. The opt-in standard was≤0.05 and the culling standard was≥0.01. The Results shows that the fluctuating value of Theta after stress in the case group met the requirements to enter the equation and could explain 5.2% of "sense of control" dimension.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The Theta values associated with the sleeping and creativity decrease under stressful situations in EH patients following the increaed sense of pressure due to failure in controlling the pressure events.</p>

Enhancing mucosal immunity in mice by recombinant adenovirus expressing major epitopes of porcine circovirus-2 capsid protein delivered with cytosine-phosphate-guanosine oligodeoxynucleotides

A recombinant replication-defective adenovirus expressing the major epitopes of porcine circovirus-2 (PCV-2) capsid protein (rAd/Cap/518) was previously constructed and shown to induce mucosal immunity in mice following intranasal delivery. In the present study, immune responses induced by intranasal immunization with a combination of rAd/Cap/518 and cytosine-phosphate-guanosine oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN) were evaluated in mice. The levels of PCV-2-specific IgG in serum and IgA in saliva, lung, and intestinal fluids were significantly higher in the group immunized with rAd/Cap/518 and CpG ODN than animals immunized with rAd/Cap/518 alone. The frequencies of IL-2-secreting CD4+ T cells and IFN-gamma-producing CD8+ T cells were significantly higher in the combined immunization group than mice immunized with rAd/Cap/518 alone. The frequencies of CD3+, CD3+CD4+CD8-, and CD3+CD4-CD8+ T cells in the combined immunization group were similar to that treated with CpG ODN alone, but significantly higher than mice that did not receive CpG ODN. PCV-2 load after challenge in the combined immunization group was significantly lower than that in the phosphate-buffered saline placebo group and approximately 7-fold lower in the group treated with CpG ODN alone. These results indicate that rAd/Cap/518 combined with CpG ODN can enhance systemic and local mucosal immunity in mice, and represent a promising synergetic mucosal vaccine against PCV-2.

Isolation, identification and full-length genome sequence analysis of encephalomyocarditis virus from local aardvarks / 病毒学报

Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) is a natural epidemic zoonotic pathogen. However, no reports have been published regarding the isolation, identification and full-length genome of EMCV from a local aardvark population. In present study, an EMCV isolate HNXX13 was isolated from aardvarks named Huainan-pig in Henan Province. The systematic identification, full-length genome sequencing and molecular characteristic analysis of the isolate HNXX13 were conducted. The result showed that the isolate was spherical with a diameter of 24-30 nm, neither heat- nor acid-resistant, sensitive to trypsin, insensitive to chloroform, not protected by bivalent cationic, and the specific fluorescence was observed in the cytoplasm of BHK-21 cells infected with the isolate by using indirect fluorescence assay. The full-length genome of EMCV HNXX13 generated a 7 725bp sequence (GenBank: F771002), with 81.0%-99.9% nucleotide identity to reference strains from different animals, and 99.5% with a Chinese reference strain isolated earlier from a commercial pig herd. The phylogenetic tree based on the full-length genome and ORF sequences identified that all EMCV strains were divided into three groups G1, G2 and G3, and strain HNXX13 belonging to the G1 group with other Chinese reference strains. The result also identified that this EMCV infection could cause severe clinical signs in a local aardvark population, and enriches the molecular epidemiological data of EMCV in China. Regional differences exist in EMCV genome and transmission is limited within a certain area. However, the cross-infection and transmission of EMCV between aardvark and mice appears most likely. Mutations have occurred in some amino acids of EMCV strain HNXX13 during the transmission in local aardvark herd and these mutations might make the virus easier to infect the aardvark.

Effect of artificial musk aqueous extract on the expressions of inflammatory mediators released from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the anti-inflammatory effects of artificial musk aqueous extract(AME)on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cytokines secreted or released by RAW264.7 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cytokines including interleukin(IL)-6,IL-10,and tumor necrosis factor Α were determined using cytokine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with model group,the levels of major cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor Α,IL-6,and IL-10 significantly decreased in different AME groups in a dose-dependent manner.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages,AME can remarkably inhibit the release of inflammatory cytokines and thus exerts its anti-inflammatory effects.</p>

Gene cloning of squalene synthase in Alisma orientalis and its bioinformatic analysis / 中草药

Objective: To clone the full-length cDNA encoding squalene synthase (SS), a key enzyme of protostane type triterpenes biosynthesis, from Alisma orientalis and to perform bioinformatic analysis. Methods: With the total RNA as template, the full-length cDNA of SS in A. orientalis was cloned via homology-based cloning approach and rapid amplification of cDNA ends technique. The bioinformatics of the cloning SS gene was analyzed by DNAMAN and ExPASy online analysis. Results: The full-length cDNA (1 577 bp) of SS gene was obtained (GenBank accession number JX866770), with an open reading frame of 1 230 bp, encoding 409 amino acid polypeptides, which had higher homology with the known SS in other medicinal species. The calculated relative molecular mass was 4.68 × 104, the isoelectric point was 5.97, and there was no signal peptide in SS. The deduced protein sequence exhibited two conserved domains rich in Asp (DXXDD). Conclusion: The cDNA encoding SS from A. orientalis is cloned and reported for the first time. This work provides a foundation for exploring the biosynthetic pathway of protostane type triterpenes in A. orientalis and their applications in bioengineering.

Molecular cloning of farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase from Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juzep. and its distribution pattern and bioinformatics analysis / 药学学报

Triterpenes, which have large application potential in the treatment of cancer, are the main active components of genuine medicinal material Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juzep. Farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS) is one of the important rate-limiting enzymes in the synthetic pathway of triterpenes. In this study the FPPS full length cDNA of the A. orientale, was cloned via homology-based cloning approach and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The full length of the FPPS cDNA was 1 531 bp (accession no. HQ724508), which contained a full 1 032 bp ORF that encoded 343 amino acids. The deduced protein sequence exhibited five conserved motifs, two of which is riched of Asp (DDXXD). The result of real-time quantitative PCR (QRT-PCR) showed that FPPS gene was expressed in different organs of A. orientale. The expression increased from October to the first ten-day period of December, and then decreased. The FPPS gene expression was higher in leaves but lower in leafstalk, tuber and root. HPLC analysis of active components 23-acetyl-alismol B of A. orientale. during different periods indicated that its change trend should be consistent with FPPS gene expression. It can be primarily deduced that FPPS gene should be an important control point in the synthetic pathway of Alisma terpenes. This study may facilitate the quality of medicinal plants through gene engineering in the future.

mRNA expression and methylation status of p15 promoter in mouse bone marrow cells exposed to 1,4-benzoquinone / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the expression and the CpG island methylation status of tumor suppressor gene p15 after exposure to 1,4-benzoquinone (1,4-BQ) in primary cultivated C57BL/6J mouse bone marrow cells in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The mouse bone marrow cells were isolated in vitro. The effect of 0, 0.1, 1, 5, 10, 20, and 40 µmol/L 1,4-BQ on cell viability (CKK-8) was detected. 0, 0.1, 1, 10 µmol/L 1,4-BQ were used to intoxicate the mouse bone marrow cells for 24 h; Real-time PCR was employed to analyze the mRNA expression level of p15; The bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) was used to look into the methylation status of CpG islands in p15 promoter region.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>1,4-BQ exhibited dose-dependent toxicity to mouse bone marrow cells, and the LC(50) was 8.3 µmol/L (95%CI: 4.6 - 10.6 µmol/L). The mRNA expression of p15 in 10 µmol/L group was only equivalent to 43% of control group. Compared with control group, the decrease of p15 mRNA expression in1 and 10 µmol/L concentration were obvious, and the differences had statistical significance (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). BSP sequencing results were same between the exposure groups and control group, the 56 CpG sites on CpG islands remained in the state of unmethylated.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>mRNA expression of p15 gene decreases after exposure to 1,4-BQ, but the CpG islands methylation status in promoter is not affected, suggesting that methylation does not participate in 1,4-BQ-mediated p15 gene expression decrease, other effect mechanisms still need to be investigated.</p>

The ability of pleth variability index to predict fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients under general anaesthesia / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the ability of pleth variability index (PVI) in predicting fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients under general anesthesia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From August to November 2009, 25 patients were enclosed in this study following anesthesia induction. PVI was continuously displayed by the Masimo Radical 7. All patients were also monitored with Vigileo/FloTrac system. Haemodynamic data such as cardiac index (CI), stroke volume variability (SVV), mean arterial pressure, heart rate, central venous pressure, PVI, perfusion index were recorded before and after volume expansion (hetastar 6%, 7 ml/kg). Fluid responsiveness was defined as an increase in CI ≥ 15% (ΔCI ≥ 15).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SVV and PVI were significantly higher in the responders (16.0% ± 2.6% and 20.5% ± 3.7%) than those in non-responders (11.6% ± 1.4% and 13.8% ± 2.6%) respectively (P < 0.05). The SVV threshold of 13.5% before volume expansion was able to discriminate the responders from the non-responders with a sensitivity of 88.2% and a specificity of 87.5%. The threshold for PVI was 15.5%, the same sensitivity of 88.2% and specificity of 87.5% were obtained. There was a significant relationship between PVI before volume expansion and change in CI after volume expansion (r = 0.683, P < 0.01), the same as the changes of SVV (r = 0.600, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PVI as a new dynamic indices can predict fluid responsiveness non-invasively in mechanically ventilated patients during general anesthesia.</p>

A study on seroprevalence of anti-HAV IgG in adults of 4 cities in China / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the seroprevalence of anti-HAV IgG in adults of 4 cities in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Serum samples were collected from 2390 local residents aged between 20 to 88 years from Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan and Guangzhou. The anti-HAV IgG in sera was detected with a microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The anti-HAV IgG seroprevalence in female of 30 to 39 years in Beijing (64.58%, 62/96) was higher than that in male (45.57% 36/79)) (x(2) = 6.358, P = 0.012). It increased with age in adults of Beijing and Guangzhou. The rates were 54.22 % (90/166), 56.00% (98/175) and 67.18% (88/131) for the 20-, 30- and 40-49 age groups in Beijing (x(2) = 4.76, P = 0.03); and 52.83% (56/106), 52.50% (63/120), 82.46% (94/114), 89.80% (88/98) and 96.77% (60/62) for the 20-, 30-, 40-, 50- and 60-88 age groups in Guangzhou, respectively (x(2) = 72.58, P less than 0.01). This trend was not found in Shanghai and Wuhan (x2 = 0.96, 2.99; P = 0.33, 0.08 respectively). The seroprevalence rates of anti-HAV IgG in the 20 to 39 age group of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Wuhan were 55.13% (188/341), 63.93% (429/671), 52.65% (119/226) and 78.37% (308/393), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The seroprevalence rates of anti-HAV IgG in young adults aged 20 to 39 years of the four cities are relatively low, and HAV vaccination should be suggested for the susceptible population of this age group in China.</p>

Cloning, expression and characterization of a gene encoding signal transduction protein Wnt4 of Schistosoma japonicum / 生物工程学报

Wnt proteins together with their downstream effectors forms a set of important signal pathways. The Wnt signal pathway is important in a wide variety of development processes including cell growth, cell differentiation, cell polarity and apoptosis. Wnt4 is a key regulator of gonadal differentiation in humans and mice, playing a pivotal role in early embryogenesis. With RACE technique based on a EST identified in our lab, a novel gene including a complete open reading frame was cloned and named Sjwnt4 (GenBank accession No. DQ643829). Sequence analyses showed that SjWnt4 had a typical characteristics of Wnt family proteins, sharing 43% similarity to Dugesia japonica and 37% to human Wnt4. The ORF of Sjwnt4 contains 1311 nucleotides, encoding 436 amino acid with 49.6 kD molecular weight. Real-time PCR analysis from the worms of various stages of S. japonicum revealed that the mRNA level of Sjwnt4 is highest in the 19 days schistosomula, followed by 44 days female worms, 14 days schistosomula, 31 days adult worms and 44 days male worms, suggesting a stage-and-gender differential express. The Sjwnt4 cDNA fragment was subcloned into a modified expression vector pGEX-4T-2 and transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3) cells, and the production of recombinant Sjwnt4 protein fused to a GST tag was analysed. In the presence of IPTG, the 76kD fusion protein was expressed in included bodies. Western-blotting revealed that the fusion protein could be recognized by the rabbit serum specific to Schistosoma japonicum adult worm antigen preparation. The study provides important basis for investigating the regulation mechanism of the Wnt signaling pathway during the development especially gonadal differentiation processes of Schistosoma japonicum.

The relationship between serum leptin level and metabolic syndrome among a middle-aged Chinese population / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between serum level of leptin and the components of metabolic syndrome in a group of mid-aged Chinese population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>345 adults (184 men and 161 women) aged 46 - 53 were enrolled from Fetal Origin of Adult Disease (FOAD) cohort to participate the clinic examination including anthropometry, measurements of blood pressure, fasting and 2 hr plasma levels of glucose and insulin, serum levels of lipid and leptin. HOMA-IR index was calculated to estimate individual insulin resistance. Metabolic syndrome (MS) was diagnosed according to the definition criteria issued by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in 2005.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalences of central obesity, higher serum level of triglyceride (TG), lower serum level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), IFG, higher blood pressure and MS were 53.0%, 47.5%, 34.2%, 26.7%, 33.9%, 31.9% in this mid-aged population, respectively. Serum geometric mean level of leptin was higher in females than in males. Serum level of leptin increased with the prevalence of MS and components of abnormal metabolism. The serum level of leptin compared with central obesity, higher blood pressure, higher serum level of triglyceride (TG), lower serum level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), IFG and MS was significantly higher respectively (P < 0.05) without HDL-C in males. The serum level of leptin increased with the number of components of abnormal metabolism subjects had (P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The serum level of leptin in this population is significantly associated with MS and components of MS. Hyperleptinemia could be a new component of metabolic syndrome. It might be a target in selection of MS and relative diseases.</p>