Role of alanine aminotransferase in the effects of urinary caffeine concentration and its primary metabolite concentration on cognitive function in older adults: Bayesian Kernel Machine regression analysis and mediation analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the role of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the effects of urinary caffeine and its primary metabolites on cognitive function in elderly people. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this investigation, we meticulously curated a cohort from the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. Animal fluency emerged as the pivotal metric for assessing cognitive function within our study population. In order to navigate the intricacies of mixture analysis and circumvent potential complexities, we harnessed the power of Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models. This method allowed us to dissect the nuanced impacts of caffeine and its primary urinary metabolites on cognitive function. While accounting for caffeine and its metabolites, we analyzed the relationship between ALT and cognitive function through non-linear dynamics. Lastly, employing structural equation modeling, we probed the intriguing question of whether ALT mediates the influence of 3,7-dimethylxanthine on cognitive function. This comprehensive approach has unveiled a deeper understanding of the multifaceted interplay among these variables, offering invaluable insights into the determinants of cognitive function within our cohort. RESULTS: After meticulous adjustment for various covariates, our linear regression analysis unveiled a noteworthy finding: 3,7-dimethylxanthine demonstrated a significant positive correlation with cognitive function (p < 0.05). Importantly, within the BKMR model employed, 3,7-dimethylxanthine emerged as the most influential factor within the compound, with posterior inclusion probabilities of 0.995 and 0.939. Furthermore, our single-exposure effect model confirmed its presence at the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile concentrations of other components within the compound. Interestingly, bivariate concentration curves indicated no interaction within the compound, underscoring the prominent impact of 3,7-dimethylxanthine on cognitive function. Subsequently, through a test of Restricted Cubic Splines (RCS), we revealed a non-linear relationship between ALT and cognitive function at the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles (p < 0.05), indicating a heightened risk of diminished cognitive function in the low ALT group. Employing structural equation modeling, we meticulously examined the mediating role of ALT in relation to 3,7-dimethylxanthine and cognitive function. However, our study results did not yield significant evidence of a mediating effect. This comprehensive analysis elucidates the intricate interplay between these variables, unveiling the subtle mechanisms governing cognitive function. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, a noteworthy positive correlation was observed between 3,7-dimethylxanthine and cognitive function. Additionally, a non-linear relationship was identified between ALT and cognitive function, with lower levels of ALT associated with a decline in cognitive function. The RCS trend suggested that higher levels of ALT may similarly lead to diminished cognitive performance. However, in our pursuit to ascertain potential mediation, we regrettably found no significant evidence supporting mediation among these factors involving ALT. This underscores the need for more comprehensive investigations and expanded clinical explorations into the intricate associations among these three pivotal elements.

[Interventional effect and mechanism of fermentation liquid of Dendrobium officinale leaves on alcoholic hepatitis mice].

Objective: To explore the intervention effect and mechanism of Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation liquid on alcoholic hepatitis (AH) mice. Methods: Seventy inbred C57BL/6J male mice aged 6-8 weeks were selected and randomly divided into normal group (NG), model group (MG), liquid feed control group (CG), silybum group (SI), low-dose group (DL), medium-dose group (DM), and high-dose group (DH) of Dendrobium officinale fermentation liquid, with 10 mice in each group. NG group was given common feed, CG group was given control feed (LB alcoholic liquid control feed), SI group was given LB alcoholic liquid feed and silybum by gavage, DL, DM and DH groups were given LB alcoholic liquid feed and 25%, 50% and 100% concentration of Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation liquid by gavage. An AH model was established by feeding LB alcoholic liquid feed for 8 weeks.At week 8, alanine Transaminase (ALT), triglyceride (TG), transferrin (TRF), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and IL-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interferon-γ(IFN-γ) were detected in eye blood of mice. Liver tissues were stained with HE, Oil Red O, Prussian blue and immunofluorescence ROS. The contents of glutathione(GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver tissue homogenate were detected. To analyze the intervention effect and mechanism of Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation solution on AH mice, the mRNA and protein relative expression levels of adenylate activated protein kinase (AMPK), AMPKß1, phosphorylated AMPKß1 (p-AMPKß1), tumor suppressor gene p53 (p53), solsolic vector family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GXP4) were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot. Results: Compared with MG group, the serum ALT and TG levels in the DL, DM, and DH groups were all reduced [ALT: (45.94±19.85), (45.73±22.62), and (41.68±7.13) vs (75.51±17.76) U/L, respectively; TG: (0.90±0.23), (0.69±0.22) and (0.41±0.20) vs (1.28±0.19) mmol/L, respectively, all P<0.05]; IL-6, IL-1ß, TNF-α, IFN-γ were decreased (all P<0.05). The serum TRF and IL-10 levels in the DM and DH groups were increased (all P<0.05). Compared with MG group, the liver tissue MDA of mice in DL, DM and DH groups was decreased [(0.41±0.05), (0.40±0.03), and (0.43±0.14) vs (0.64±0.06)µmol/g, respectively], GSH was increased (all P<0.05). Compared with MG, mRNA expression levels of AMPK (1.36±0.11, 1.61±0.17, 1.68±0.11 vs 0.80±0.12, respectively), SLC7A11 (0.91±0.12, 0.97±0.12, 0.99±0.13 vs 0.60±0.14, respectively) and GPX4 (0.51±0.11, 0.63±0.17, 0.83±0.15 vs 0.42±0.14, respectively) in the liver tissue of DL, DM and DH groups were all increased (all P<0.05). Compared with MG group, DL, DM and DH groups showed the relative expression levels of AMPKß1, p-AMPKß1, SLC7A11 and GPX4 were increased in the liver tissue of mice, while the relative expression levels of p53 protein were decreased (all P<0.05). Compared with MG group, DL, DM and DH groups reduced the degree of hepatic steatosis and inflammation in the lobules, while the iron and ROS staining in the liver tissue became lighter. Conclusion: Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation liquid can alleviate the severity of AH in mice, and its mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of AMPK to inhibiting the p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 mediated Ferroptosis pathway.

[Genetic analysis of 45 patients with suspected Lynch syndrome using next-generation sequencing].

Objective: To evaluate the value of next generation sequencing (NGS) in the genetic testing of Lynch syndrome. Methods: Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expressions of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) proteins, including MutL homolog 1 (MLH1), PMS1 homolog 2 (PMS2), MutS homolog 2 (MSH2) and MutS homolog 6 (MSH6) in colorectal cancer, gastric cancer and endometrial cancer tissues collected from Shandong Provincial Hospital between 2016 and 2018. The genomic DNA of 45 patients who were suspected with Lynch syndrome was extracted from non-cancerous tissue paraffin samples, which were postoperatively confirmed by microscope. The mutations of 12 genes including MLH1 and MSH2 were detected using NGS. The germline mutant sites and significance were analyzed by bioinformatics technology and further confirmed by using Sanger sequencing. Results: The immunohistochemical results showed that the 45 cases of suspected Lynch syndrome included 22 cases of MLH1 and PMS2 deficient expression, 16 cases of MLH2 and MSH6 deficient expression, and 7 cases of MMR proteins normal expression. The NGS result showed that 28 cases of adjacent sample from colon cancer patients included 4 cases of MLH1 pathogenic mutation, 1 case of suspected MLH1 mutation, 2 cases of MLH2 pathogenic mutation, 2 cases of suspected MLH2 mutation. No MMR gene mutation was found in adjacent samples of 6 cases of rectal cancer, 6 cases of gastric cancer and 7 cases of colorectal cancer with MMR normal expression. One case of MLH1 or MHL2 pathogenic mutation and one case of MLH1 suspected mutation was detected in adjacent samples of 5 cases of endometrial cancer. Moreover, NGS also detected many other genes mutations and unreported gene mutation sites. Pathogenic and suspected MLH1 and MSH2 mutations were verified by Sanger sequencing. Conclusions: High-throughput NGS is a quick, accurate and reliable technique to identify gene variants in suspected Lynch syndrome patients. It has a wide application prospect for gene testing of tumors associated with Lynch syndrome.

Effects of different levels of soluble PD-L1 protein on the growth of Lewis lung cancer transplanted tumor.

To investigate the effects of different doses of soluble PD-L1 (soluble form of Programmed death ligand 1, sPD-L1) protein on Lewis lung cancer cells, flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of PD-L1 (Programmed death ligand 1) on the surface of Lewis lung cancer cell lines and the expression of PD-1 on the surface of T lymphocytes in peripheral blood and spleen cells of C57BL/6 mice. A Lewis lung cancer animal model of C57BL/6 mice was established by transplanting Lewis lung cancer cells subcutaneously. The sPD-L1 protein was injected into the abdominal cavity of the mouse (sPD-L1 Ig) (working dose: 2.5, 5, 10 µg per mouse), while the sPD-L1 control protein was injected as a control. The growth of Lewis lung cancer xenografts was observed. On the 18th day after tumor cell inoculation, T lymphocyte subsets in mouse spleen were determined by flow cytometry. The PD-1 molecules on the surface of Lewis lung cancer cell line, C57BL/6 mouse spleen T lymphocytes and peripheral blood T lymphocytes were positively expressed. Compared with the control group, the volume of the transplanted tumor of Lewis lung cancer in C57BL/6 mice was larger with 10 µg sPD-L1 I g injection (P less than 0.05), and no significant difference was observed in tumor volume with 2.5 µg and 5 µg injection (P > 0.05). A certain level of soluble PD-L1 (10 µg/ mouse) could promote the growth of transplanted tumors of Lewis lung cancer in C57BL/6 mice.

Natural reversal of tooth discoloration and pulpal response to testing following removal of a miniscrew implant for orthodontic anchorage: a case report.

AIM: To highlight the reversal of signs suggesting pulpal necrosis following removal of a mini-implant without endodontic intervention. SUMMARY: A 23-year-old woman presented with a class III malocclusion, with crowded and malformed teeth and excessive gingival display. During orthodontic treatment, a Tomas orthodontic miniscrew was placed between the root apices of the maxillary central incisors. This was carried out by an orthodontic specialist who had treated more than 700 patients (with more than 2000 mini-implants) over the past 9 years. After 2 weeks of treatment, the right maxillary central incisor discoloured and did not respond to electrical pulp tests (EPT) but was sensitive to endo-ice. The miniscrew was removed under local anaesthesia. Teeth 11 and 21 were fixed with ligation wire, and glass-ionomer cement (GIC) was added to the occlusal surfaces of the first and second maxillary molars to heighten the occlusion and disclude the maxillary anterior teeth. After 4 months, the colour and pulp reactions to EPT and endo-ice of tooth 11 returned to normal. Because the use of a miniscrew had appeared to damage the pulp, subsequent a conservative orthodontic treatment using, traditional 'J' hooks was used and achieved satisfactory results. After 23 months of orthodontic treatment, the treatment was complete and a 15-month follow-up showed a successful outcome.

The effects of Rhodiola rosea extract on 5-HT level, cell proliferation and quantity of neurons at cerebral hippocampus of depressive rats.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Rhodiola rosea extract and depression on the serotonin (5-HT) level, cell proliferation and quantity of neurons at cerebral hippocampus of depressive rats induced by Chronic Mild Stress (CMS). Seventy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into seven groups (10 per group): normal control group, untreated depressive rat model group, negative control group, positive control group, low dosage Rhodiola rosea extract (1.5g/kg) group, medium dosage Rhodiola rosea extract (3g/kg) group and high dosage Rhodiola rosea extract (6g/kg) group. After the depressive rats induced by CMS had received Rhodiola rosea extract for 3 weeks, the 5-HT levels at cerebral hippocampus were detected by high performance liquid chromatography. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was injected in vivo to label the proliferating cells at hippocampus, and morphometry was used to count the hippocampal neurons. The results showed that the 5-HT level of the three experimental groups had recovered to normal status. The immunohistochemistry of hippocampus BrdU positive cells had returned to the normal level in the group of depressive rats with low dosage Rhodiola rosea extract. In conclusion the results demonstrated that Rhodiola rosea extract could improve 5-HT level in hippocampus in depressive rats, and low dosage Rhodiola rosea could induce neural stem cell proliferation at hippocampus to return to normal level, repairing the injured neurons at hippocampus.

Association between myostatin gene polymorphisms and peak BMD variation in Chinese nuclear families.

UNLABELLED: We identified 17 polymorphisms in myostatin by sequencing, and three informative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected for further observation for their association with peak BMD of women in 401 Chinese nuclear families. Our results suggest that genetic polymorphisms in myostatin likely play a role in attainment of peak BMD in Chinese women. INTRODUCTION: Myostatin is a TGF-beta family member that is a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified SNPs in myostatin by direct sequencing. Furthermore, using a quantitative transmission disequilibrium test (QTDT). we tested and further test whether SNPs were associated with peak bone mineral density (BMD) variation at the spines and hips of 401 Chinese nuclear families. We identified 17 polymorphisms in myostatin by sequencing. Next, we selected three informative SNPs for further observation of an association with peak BMD of premenopausal women in 401 Chinese nuclear families. RESULTS: Using QTDT for the within-family association, we found significant association between rs2293284 and total hip, femoral neck, and trochanter BMD (all p < 0.05), while rs7570532 was associated with total hip and trochanter BMD (p = 0.034 and p = 0.035, respectively). The within-family association was significant between BMI and +2278G > A (p = 0.022). Subsequent permutations were in agreement with these significant within-family association results. Moreover, analyses of the haplotypes confer further evidence for association of rs2293284 and rs7570532 with hip peak BMD variation. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest, for the first time, the genetic polymorphisms in myostatin likely play a role in attainment of peak BMD in Chinese women.

Complex segregation analyses of bone mineral density in Chinese.

China has the largest population in the world; approximately 7% of the total population suffers from primary osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is mainly characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD). In the present study, familial correlation and segregation analyses for spine and hip BMDs have been undertaken for the first time in a Chinese sample composed of 401 nuclear families with a total of 1260 individuals. The results indicate a major gene of additive inheritance for hip BMD, whereas there is no evidence of a major gene influencing spine BMD. Significant familial residual effects are found for both traits, and heritability estimates (+/-SE) for spine and hip BMDs are 0.807(0.099) and 0.897(0.101), respectively. Sex and age differences in genotype-specific average BMD are also observed. This study provides the first evidence quantifying the high degree of genetic determination of BMD variation in the Chinese.

No evidence for linkage and/or association of human alpha2-HS glycoprotein gene with bone mineral density variation in Chinese nuclear families.

Osteoporosis is an important health problem in the world. Alpha2-HS glycoprotein (AHSG) is involved in bone formation and metabolism and has been considered as an important candidate gene for osteoporosis. In this study, we simultaneously tested linkage and/or association of the AHSG gene with the variation of bone mineral density (BMD), an important risk factor for osteoporosis. A sample of 1,260 subjects from 401 Chinese nuclear families (including both parents and their daughters) were studied. The daughters' ages ranged from 20 to 45 years. All the subjects were genotyped by PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism) at polymorphic Sac I site inside the exon 7 of the AHSG gene. This polymorphism involves a nucleotide substitution of C to G at the middle nucleotide of the codon at amino acid position 238, resulting in the replacement of threonine (ACC) with serine (AGC). BMD was measured at the lumbar spine and hip region by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Using the QTDT (quantitative trait transmission disequilibrium test), we found no significant results for association or linkage between the AHSG gene and BMD variation at the spine or hip. Our data provided no evidence to support the AHSG gene as a quantitative trait locus (QTL) for the BMD variation in a Chinese population.

Tests of linkage and association of the COL1A2 gene with bone phenotypes' variation in Chinese nuclear families.

In the present study, we simultaneously test linkage and/or association of the collagen type I alpha 2 (COL1A2) gene with bone mineral density (BMD) and bone area. A total of 1280 subjects from 407 Chinese nuclear families (including both parents and their daughters) were genotyped for an intragenic marker MspI in the COL1A2 gene. BMD and bone area at the lumbar spine and hip were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Applying the QTDT (quantitative transmission disequilibrium test) program, we performed tests for population stratification, within-family association (via transmission disequilibrium test), total association, linkage, and linkage while modeling association. Significant or marginal within-family associations were found with BMD at the lumbar spine (P = 0.013), trochanter (P = 0.004), and total hip (P = 0.053) and with bone area at the intertrochanteric region (P = 0.024) and total hip (P = 0.048). The positive associations were confirmed in permutations except for bone area at total hip (P > 0.10). A small proportion (<1%) of the population variance of bone phenotypes can be explained by the MspI polymorphism; however, it may be underestimated given the significant population stratification detected in our sample. Due to the limited number of sib pairs in this sample, we did not find evidence of linkage. In summary, the MspI polymorphism is likely to be in linkage disequilibrium with a nearby functional mutation affecting BMD and bone area.

Differentiation of Caucasians and Chinese at bone mass candidate genes: implication for ethnic difference of bone mass.

Bone mineral density (BMD) is an important risk factor for osteoporosis and has strong genetic determination. While average BMD differs among major ethnic groups, several important candidate genes have been shown to underlie BMD variation within populations of the same ethnicity. To investigate whether important candidate genes may contribute to ethnic differences in BMD, we studied the degree of genetic differentiation among several important candidate genes between two major ethnic groups: Caucasians and Chinese. The genetic variability of these two populations (1131 randomly selected individuals) was studied at six restriction sites exhibiting polymorphisms of five important candidate genes for BMD: the BsaHI polymorphism of the calcium-sensing receptor (CASR) gene, the SacI polymorphism of the alpha2HS-glycoprotein (AHSG) gene, the PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms of the estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) gene, the ApaI polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene, and the BstBI polymorphism of the parathyroid hormone (PTH) gene. The two ethnic groups showed significant allelic and genotypic differentiation of all the polymorphisms studied. The mean FST was 0.103, which significantly differed from zero (P < 0.01). The Chinese population had lower mean heterozygosity (0.331) than the Caucasian one (0.444); the CASR-BsaHI and PTH-BstBI polymorphisms contributed most significantly to this difference. Analysis of the intra- and inter-population variability suggests that various types of natural selection may affect the observed patterns of variation at some loci. If some of the candidate genes we studied indeed underlie variation in BMD, their population differentiation revealed here between ethnic groups may contribute to understanding ethnic difference in BMD.

CO2 capture by means of an enzyme-based reactor.

We report a means for efficient and selective extraction of carbon dioxide (CO(2)) at low to medium concentration from mixed gas streams. CO(2) capture was accomplished by use of a novel enzyme-based, facilitated transport contained liquid membrane (EBCLM) reactor. The parametric studies we report explore both structural and operational parameters of this design. The structural parameters include carbonic anhydrase (CA) concentration, buffer concentration and pH, and liquid membrane thickness. The operational parameters are temperature, humidity of the inlet gas stream, and CO(2) concentration in the feed stream. The data show that this system effectively captures CO(2) over the range 400 ppm to at least 100,000 ppm, at or around ambient temperature and pressure. In a single pass across this homogeneous catalyst design, given a feed of 0.1% CO(2), the selectivity of CO(2) versus N(2) is 1,090 : 1 and CO(2) versus O(2) is 790 :1. CO(2) permeance is 4.71 x 10(-8) molm(-2) Pa(-1) sec(-1). The CLM design results in a system that is very stable even in the presence of dry feed and sweep gases.

[Alpha-acetolactate decarboxylase from B. licheniformis AS10106: cloning and expression gene in E. coli and S. cerevisiae].

A genomic library of B. licheniformis AS10106 that contained the alpha-acetolactate decarboxylase gene(alpha-ALDC) was constructed with vector pUC19 and host E. coli JM109 strain. The inserted fragments of foreign DNA ranged from 4 to 10 kb in the 4800 clones thus obtained. Six positive clones were detected after screening the plated library by the method of clony coloration. Subcloning of the DNA fragment containing the alpha-acetolactate decarboxylase gene showed that the alpha-acetolactate decarboxylase gene was on an 1.6 kb BamH I-EcoR I fragment. Preliminary analysis of the enzyme expressed from one recombinant plasmid pGEA showed that the properties of the recombinant enzyme, such as the optimal temperature and pH of reaction, were identical to those of the native enzyme. Using yeast-E. coli shuttle vector pYES2, an expression recombinant plasmid pYEA containing B. licheniformis AS10106 alpha-acetolactate decarboxylase gene was constructed. S. cerevisiae H158 transformed with pYEA had expressed alpha-acetolactate decarboxylase activity and shown the ability to reduce the formation of diacetyl during beer fermentation.