Serum proteins differentially expressed in gestational diabetes mellitus assessed using isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation proteomics.

BACKGROUND: As a well-known fact to the public, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) could bring serious risks for both pregnant women and infants. During this important investigation into the linkage between GDM patients and their altered expression in the serum, proteomics techniques were deployed to detect the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) of in the serum of GDM patients to further explore its pathogenesis, and find out possible biomarkers to forecast GDM occurrence. AIM: To investigation serum proteins differentially expressed in GDM were assessed using isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) proteomics and bioinformatics analyses. METHODS: Subjects were divided into GDM and normal control groups according to the IADPSG diagnostic criteria. Serum samples were randomly selected from four cases in each group at 24-28 wk of gestation, and the blood samples were identified by applying iTRAQ technology combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Key proteins and signaling pathways associated with GDM were identified by bioinformatics analysis, and the expression of key proteins in serum from 12 wk to 16 wk of gestation was further verified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Forty-seven proteins were significantly differentially expressed by analyzing the serum samples between the GDM gravidas as well as the healthy ones. Among them, 31 proteins were found to be upregulated notably and the rest 16 proteins were downregulated remarkably. Bioinformatic data report revealed abnormal expression of proteins associated with lipid metabolism, coagulation cascade activation, complement system and inflammatory response in the GDM group. ELISA results showed that the contents of RBP4, as well as ANGPTL8, increased in the serum of GDM gravidas compared with the healthy ones, and this change was found to initiate from 12 wk to 16 wk of gestation. CONCLUSION: GDM symptoms may involve abnormalities in lipid metabolism, coagulation cascade activation, complement system and inflammatory response. RBP4 and ANGPTL8 are expected to be early predictors of GDM.

Changing trends in school-meal catering services as part of the Nutrition Improvement Program for Rural Compulsory Education Students / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To analyze the usage of catering software and the creation of recipes by schools, as part of the Nutrition Improvement Program for Rural Compulsory Education Students (NIPRCES) 2013-2017.@*Methods@#In each county of the 699 trial counties across 22 provinces in central and western area of China under the NNIPRCES, no less than 10% of primary and junior middle schools were randomly selected according to their catering mode (i.e., school feeding, food packages, and family feeding). School questionnaires were used to collect information concerning the schools and the creation of recipes.@*Results@#From 2013 to 2017, the utilization rate of catering software was 11.7%, 8.0%, 17.8%, 16.9%, and 14.0%, respectively with significant differences(χ 2=345.09，P<0.01). The creators of school-meal recipes included schools, the Education Bureau, hospitals and colleges, the centers of disease prevention and control. Differences were observed in the proportion of recipe creators across school type, area, and catering mode, while annual trends also varied (P<0.01), as indicated by the following proportions: 74.9%, 20.0%, 3.7%, 1.3%, respectively. Food safety was identified as the main factor that needs to be considered when creating school recipes, the proportions of which were 58.0%, 78.4%, 70.6%, and 87.4% from 2014 to 2017.@*Conclusion@#From 2013 to 2017, the utilization rate and the frequency of catering software were both relatively low, and recipe creation was in need of professional guidance. It is necessary to strengthen the popularization of catering software and improve the nutritional knowledge and skills of canteen workers to ensure the quality of school meals.

Distal locked or unlocked nailing for stable intertrochanteric fractures? A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To date, there are just several studies comparing distal locked nails with distal unlocked nails in treating intertrochanteric fractures. We report the first meta-analysis about this issue. METHODS: Systematic search was conducted for studies in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library. Meta-analyses were performed regarding intra operative outcomes, complications and functional outcomes. RESULTS: Pooled results showed insignificant difference between distal locking group and distal unlocking group in hip pain (relative risk (RR) 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59-2.19), distal tip fracture (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.37-3.11), lag screw cut-out (RR 1.60, 95% CI 0.54-4.78), delayed or nonunion (RR 1.32, 95% CI 0.25-7.06), deep vein thrombosis (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.23-4.84), wound infection (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.28-1.22), Harris hip score (standard mean deviation (SMD) 0.03, 95% CI -0.15 to 0.21) and walking ability. However, significant difference was detected in operation time (SMD 0.77, 95% CI 0.36-1.17), fluoroscopy exposure time (SMD 1.02, 95% CI 0.52-1.52), blood loss (SMD 0.80, 95% CI 0.62-0.99) and total incision length (SMD 1.16, 95% CI 0.86-1.47). Result of trial sequential analysis indicated conclusive evidence. CONCLUSION: Current evidence indicates that the distal locked intramedullary nails should not be recommended as routine choice for stable intertrochanteric fractures.

Prevention effect of allopurinol on post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis: a meta-analysis of prospective randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatitis is the most common complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) which can be severe and cause death in approximately 10% of cases. Up to now, six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been found relevant to the effect of allopurinol on prevention of Post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). However, these results remained controversial. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a meta-analysis with RCTs published in full text to determine the effectiveness of prophylactic allopurinol of different dosages and administration time in the incidence and severity of PEP. METHODS: Literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library from databases inception to May 2014. RCTs comparing the effect of allopurinol with placebo on prevention of PEP were included. Statistical heterogeneity was quantitatively evaluated byχ2 test with the significance set P<0.10 or I2>50%. RESULTS: Six RCTs consisting of 1974 participants were eventually included. The incidences of PEP in allopurinol group and placebo group were 8.4%(83/986) and 9.9%(98/988) respectively. Meta-analysis showed no evident prevention effect of allopurinol on the incidence of PEP (RR 0.75, 95%CI 0.39-1.42) with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 70.4%, P = 0.005). When studies were stratified according to the dosages and administration time of allopurinol they applied, there was still no evident prevention effect of allopurinol on mild, moderate or severe PEP. However, statistically substantial heterogeneity was presented in the subgroup of moderate PEP when the effect of high dose of allopurinol was analyzed (Imoderate2 = 82.3%, Pmoderate = 0.018). Statistically significant heterogeneity was also observed in subgroup of mild PEP, when the effect of long adminstration time of allopurinol was investigated (Imild2 = 62.8%, Pmild = 0.068). CONCLUSION: The prophylactic use of allopurinol in different dosages and administration time had no effect in preventing incidence and severity of PEP.

Potential role of NADPH oxidase in pathogenesis of pancreatitis.

Studies have demonstrated that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are closely related to inflammatory disorders. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX), originally found in phagocytes, is the main source of ROS in nonphagocytic cells. Besides directly producing the detrimental highly reactive ROS to act on biomolecules (lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids), NOX can also activate multiple signal transduction pathways, which regulate cell growth, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis by producing ROS. Recently, research on pancreatic NOX is no longer limited to inflammatory cells, but extends to the aspect of pancreatic acinar cells and pancreatic stellate cells, which are considered to be potentially associated with pancreatitis. In this review, we summarize the literature on NOX protein structure, activation, function and its role in the pathogenesis of pancreatitis.