Ethnobotanical investigation of medicinal plants used in Lingchuan county, Shanxi, China.

Medicinal plants are the primary sources of healthcare among the people of developing countries in villages and local towns. Documenting and reporting the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants may contribute to pharmaceutical research development. For this reason, we present our findings on ethnomedicinal plants from Lingchuan County, Shanxi, China, an unexplored area rich in medicinal plant resources. Information of ethnomedicinal plants were collected through questionnaire/semi-structured interviews from 180 informants, including traditional healers. Field surveys were conducted in 53 villages of Lingchuan County from 2017 to 2018. Informed consent was obtained from each participant before conducting the interview process. Quantitative analysis was performed for each recorded species, such as Relative Frequency Citation (RFC), Use Value (UV), and Factor of Informant Consensus (FIC). Diseases were categorized into twelve groups. A total 138 species of medicinal plants were recorded, belonging to 123 genera of 58 families. Asteraceae was the dominant plant family with 19 species, followed by Rosaceae and Fabaceae. Herbs were dominant among plant life-forms with 96 species, followed by shrubs and trees (15 species each). Roots were the most commonly used plant parts with 58 species, followed by whole plants and fruits (28 species each). Most plant species were reported non-toxic (84, 60%), followed by unknown toxicity (35, 25%), poisonous, and less toxic (19, 14%). Quantitative analysis revealed that Forsythia suspensa was with higher (0.33) RFC value, and Scutellaria baicalensis was recorded with a higher (0.91) UV. Treated diseases were categorized in 12 groups and evaluated by their FIC value, in which gynecological diseases have higher (0.93) FIC value followed by urinary system diseases. Most medicinal plants are used to clear away heat and relieve the surface. The present study revealed that local people of Lingchuan County confidently use ethnomedicinal plants for their healthcare needs. The higher indices value of a plant species resulted from quantitative analysis warrants further investigation, which may possess valuable phytochemical compounds that may result in new drugs for treating various human disorders.

[Analysis of differences and influencing factors of liver injury associated with different strains of 2019-nCoV infection].

Objective: To analyze whether there are differences and related influencing factors in liver injury associated with different strains of 2019-nCoV/SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: Data of epidemiology, clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, and treatment outcomes of patients with COVID-19 infection confirmed with Alpha and Delta virus strain in Zhejiang Province were retrospectively collected. Statistical analysis was performed using independent samples t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test or Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 788 and 381 cases with Alpha and Delta virus strain were included. Vaccination ratio was 0% in Alpha and 85.30% in Delta group (P<0.001), The proportion of patients with fever (80.71% vs. 40.94%, P<0.001) was significantly higher in Alpha than Delta strain group. The proportion of critical ill patients was significantly higher in Delta group (9.90% vs. 1.57%, respectively, P<0.001). The virus negative conversion time was significantly longer in Delta than Alpha group (22 d vs. 11 d, P<0.001), but the incidence of liver injury was significantly higher in Alpha than Delta group (20.05% vs. 13.91%, P=0.011). Univariate analysis showed that Alpha virus strain infection, male sex, body mass index, chronic liver disease, fever, diarrhea, shortness of breath, severe/critical illness, elevated creatine kinase (CK), elevated international normalized ratio (INR) and an elevated neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was significantly associated with an increased risk of liver injury occurrence, and in patients with pharyngeal pain the risk of liver injury occurrence was significantly reduced. Multivariate analysis showed that shortness of breath [OR, 2.667 (CI: 1.389-5.122); P=0.003], increased CK [OR, 2.544 (CI: 1.414-4.576); P=0.002] and increased INR [OR, 1.721] (CI: 1.074-2.758); P=0.024] was significantly associated with an increased risk of liver injury occurrence, and in patients with pharyngeal pain the risk of liver injury occurrence was significantly reduced [OR, 0.424 (CI: 0.254-0.709); P=0.001]. Conclusion: Although the virulence of the Delta is stronger than Alpha strain, most patients infected with Delta strain vaccinated against COVID-19 in Zhejiang province had milder clinical symptoms and a lower incidence and degree of liver injury. Notably, the infection risk even remains after vaccination; however, symptoms and the incidence of severe and critical illness can be significantly reduced.

Contribution of biomimetic collagen-ligand interaction to intrafibrillar mineralization.

Contemporary models of intrafibrillar mineralization mechanisms are established using collagen fibrils as templates without considering the contribution from collagen-bound apatite nucleation inhibitors. However, collagen matrices destined for mineralization in vertebrates contain bound matrix proteins for intrafibrillar mineralization. Negatively charged, high-molecular weight polycarboxylic acid is cross-linked to reconstituted collagen to create a model for examining the contribution of collagen-ligand interaction to intrafibrillar mineralization. Cryogenic electron microscopy and molecular dynamics simulation show that, after cross-linking to collagen, the bound polyelectrolyte caches prenucleation cluster singlets into chain-like aggregates along the fibrillar surface to increase the pool of mineralization precursors available for intrafibrillar mineralization. Higher-quality mineralized scaffolds with better biomechanical properties are achieved compared with mineralization of unmodified scaffolds in polyelectrolyte-stabilized mineralization solution. Collagen-ligand interaction provides insights on the genesis of heterogeneously mineralized tissues and the potential causes of ectopic calcification in nonmineralized body tissues.

Diagnostic value of transvaginal four-dimensional hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography combined with recanalization in patients with tubal infertility.

BACKGROUND: A retrospective study was designed to evaluate the diagnostic value of transvaginal four-dimensional hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (TVS 4D-HyCoSy) combined with recanalization versus laparoscopy for patients with tubal infertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 195 patients undergoing TVS 4D-HyCoSy were analyzed retrospectively. Of these, 72 patients underwent laparoscopy, which was the gold standard. The endpoints were coincidence rate (defined as a parameter consistent with results arising from TVS 4D-HyCoSy and laparoscopic examination using dye), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and Youden index for TVS 4D-HyCoSy. RESULTS: A total of 385 fallopian tubes were assessed by TVS 4D-HyCoSy, of which 147 (38.2%) were tubal patency, 178 (46.2%) as partial tubal obstruction, and 60 (15.6%) as complete tubal obstruction. Of 195 patients, 72 patients with 144 fallopian tubes underwent laparoscopy and a total coincidence rate of 90.97% compared with TVS 4D-HyCoSy. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and Youden index for 4D-HyCoSy versus laparoscopy were 97.7%, 86.7%, 98.4%, 81.3%, and 0.84, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: TVS 4D-HyCoSy represents a highly useful method for diagnosing tubal patency. However, further large-scale studies are warranted to investigate our findings in patients with tubal infertility.

[The association between the malnutrition and blood pressure in Chinese Han students aged 7-18 years in 2014].

Objective: This study aimed to explore the association between malnutrition and the level of blood pressure (BP) as well as elevated BP (EBP) in Han students aged 7 to 18 years in China. Methods: 170 037 subjects with normal nutritional status and malnutrition were enrolled in this study from 2014 Chinese National Surveys on Students' Constitution and Health with a multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling framework covering 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities after the exclusion of 44 317 overweight and obese students. According to the standard of "Screening Standard for Malnutrition of School-age Children and Adolescents" (WS/T456-2014), the nutritional status of children were classified into two categories, normal nutritional status and malnutrition containing stunting, mild wasting and moderate severe wasting. The level of BP and prevalence of EBP were compared between students with normal nutritional status and malnutrition. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between malnutrition and EBP. Results: The levels of systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) in Chinese Han students aged 7-18 years who were non-overweight and non-obesity status were (103.4±12.3) and (64.7±9.5) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), respectively. The prevalence of EBP, systolic EBP and diastolic EBP in Chinese Han malnourished students (N=21 012) were 3.1% (n=649), 1.5% (n=324) and 2.1% (n=445), respectively, which was significantly lower than those (N=148 320) with normal nutritional status (4.5% (n=6 707), 2.6% (n=3 872) and 2.7% (n=3 959)), and the corresponding differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The OR (95%CI) between malnutrition and EBP was 0.68 (0.62-0.73), which were 0.65 (0.58-0.72) and 0.68 (0.60-0.77) for boys and girls. The OR (95%CI) between EBP and stunting as well as mild wasting and moderate severe wasting were 0.69 (0.62-0.77), 0.63 (0.55-0.72) and 0.79 (0.60-1.05), respectively. Conclusion: The level of BP and prevalence of EBP in Chinese Han students with malnutrition were lower than those with normal nutritional status. The negative correlation existed between malnutrition and EBP in Chinese Han students aged 7 to 18 years.

[The epidemiological characteristics and related factors of dyslipidemia among children and adolescents aged 6-17 years from 7 provinces in China, 2012].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and related factors of dyslipidemia among children and adolescents aged 6-17 years in 7 provinces in China. Methods: Using the method of stratified cluster random sampling, 93 primary and secondary schools were selected from Guangdong, Hunan, Liaoning provinces, Shanghai, Chongqing, Tianjin municipalities and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in China, 2012. A total of 16 434 students aged 6-17 years old with completed physical and lipid profiles parameters were selected into this study from above 93 primary and secondary schools. Dyslipidemia was determined by the definition of Expert Advice on Prevention and Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Children and Adolescents in 2009. Logistic regression model was used to explore the factors related to dyslipidemia. Results: The prevalence of elevated total cholesterol, elevated triglyceride, elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and dyslipidemia was 5.4% (887 cases), 15.7% (2 578 cases), 3.0% (492 cases), 13.5% (2 221 cases) and 28.5% (4 679 cases) among children and adolescents aged 6-17 years, respectively. Sugary drinks intake ≥once per week (OR=1.14; 95%CI: 1.05-1.24), sedentary time >10 hours per day (OR=1.14, 95%CI: 1.01-1.28), overweight (OR=1.50, 95%CI: 1.33-1.70), and obesity (OR=2.62, 95%CI: 2.31-2.96) were significantly associated with the prevalence of dyslipidemia. Conclusion: The prevalence of dyslipidemia was high among children and adolescents aged 6-17 in 7 provinces in China, 2012. Sugary drinks intake ≥once per week, sedentary time >10 hours per day, overweight and obesity might be the risk factors of dyslipidemia among children and adolescents.

[Efficacy and safety of Entecavir monotherapy switched from Lamivudine combined Adefovir Dipivoxil for chronic hepatitis B virus-related compensated liver cirrhosis].

Objective: To observe the efficacy and safety of de novo combination of Lamivudine(LAM) and Adefovir Dipivoxil (ADV) therapy counter to Entecavir (ETV) monotherapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB)- related compensated liver cirrhosis. Methods: Patients with chronic hepatitis B-related compensated cirrhosis who were initially treated with LAM and ADV for more than 1 year were randomly assigned to two groups, one half replaced with ETV monotherapy, and the other half continued LAM and ADV co-therapy. Liver biochemistry, renal biochemistry, estimated glomerular filtration rate, alpha-fetoprotein, HBV serology markers and serum HBV DNA were measured every 3 months. Urine ß2-microglobulin was measured every 6 months And retinol binding protein, followed up for 3 years. The mean values of the two groups were compared with t-test, and the rate of comparison was analyzed by x2 test. Results: A total of 580 cases were collected, 290 cases were replaced with ETV monotherapy, the other 290 patients continued to LAM and ADV combination therapy. In the ETV group, the rates of HBV DNA negative conversion at 1 year, 2 years and 3 years were 77.6%, 84.5% and 94.5% respectively, while the HBV DNA negative conversion rates at 1, 2 and 3 years in the LAM and ADV combination groups were 69.3%, 73.4% and 80.3% respectively. Among them, the negative rates of HBV DNA in the second year and the third year were P < 0.05, the difference was statistically significant. The 3-year cumulative gene-resistant rate in the ETV group was 1.4%, while the combined treatment was as high as 8.6%, and the difference was statistically significant in the two groups. The estimated value of serum creatinine and glomerular filtration rate in ETV group was followed by 3 years, and the baseline level was maintained, in the same group, the serum creatinine was higher than baseline, and the estimated value of glomerular filtration rate decreased. The results showed that there were 6.2%, 12.1%, 22.1% and 0, 0.3%, 1%, respectively, in 1, 2 and 3 years for the group of consecutive treatment and the replacement of ETV Group. The estimated glomerular filtration rate decreased by more than 30% compared with the baseline. The difference was statistically significant; the proportion of serum creatinine in the 1 year, 2 years and 3 years of the combined treatment group was 1.7%, 4.5% and 6.6%, compared with the baseline rise of > 50 µmol/l, and the ETV group was replaced in the 1 year, The values of 2 and 3 years were 0,0,0.7%, of which the 2nd and 3rd years were statistically significant; the proportion of microalbuminuria and retinol-binding protein in patients with combined treatment group was also significantly higher than that of Β2-m ETV Group. Conclusion: The initial combination of LAM and ADV therapy is inferior in terms of ETV monotherapy. Single therapy with ETV increase the rate of viral response, reduce the incidence of drug resistance, and also reduce the incidence of renal impairment in patients with chronic hepatitis B -related compensated liver cirrhosis.

[Association between polymorphism of rs10185316 in insulin-induced gene 2 and blood pressure among children and adolescents].

Objective: To examine the association between polymorphism of rs10185316 in insulin-induced gene 2 (INSIG2) and blood pressure among children and adolescents. Methods: 9 junior middle schools in Dongcheng District of Beijing and 5 schools (3 primary junior middle schools, 2 primary schools) in Haidian District of Beijing were chosen in 2005 and 2007, respectively. According to the Chinese BMI percentile criteria for screening overweight and obesity in school children, we recruited 1 425 overweight or obese children and 605 normal weight children. A total of 2 018 students with complete data of blood pressure and genotype data were included in this study. According to the blood pressure criterion of children and adolescents, 702 participants were categorized into high blood pressure group and 1 316 into normal blood pressure group. Participants' information of gender, age, height, weight and blood pressure were collected by questionnaire and physical examination. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood sample for genotyping of INSIG2 rs10185316 polymorphism. Multiple linear regression was conducted to analyze the associations between rs10185316 polymorphism in INSIG2 and SBP, DBP, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pulse pressure. Results: The age, BMI, SBP and DBP of the high blood pressure group were separately (14.3±1.4) years old, (27.3±4.2) kg/m(2), (130.5±10.9) and (76.7±13.3) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), all higher than that of the normal blood pressure group, which were (12.2±2.9) years old, (22.0±4.0) kg/m(2), (104.4±10.9) and(54.6±15.2) mmHg, respectively (all P values<0.001). After age, sex, district and BMI adjusted, compared with the participants carrying INSIG2 rs10185316 CC genotype, CG/GG genotype carriers had lower DBP (ß(95%CI):-1.67(-2.84--0.50), P=0.005), higher PP(ß(95%CI): 1.91(0.61-3.20), P=0.004), and lower MAP(ß(95%CI):=-1.03(-2.01--0.05), P=0.039). Conclusion: INSIG2 rs10185316 polymorphism was associated with DBP, PP and MAP among children and adolescents in an independent way from BMI.

[Analysis of association between appendicular skeletal muscle mass index and main anthropometric parameters among overweight and obese adults in China].

Objective: To investigate the associations between the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index and main anthropometric parameters, and to provide clues for preventing the reduction of skeletal muscle mass among overweight and obese adults in China. Methods: 1 488 volunteered participants who resided in Beijing longer than one year, between 22 and 55 years old, with self-report BMI ≥24 kg/m(2) were recruited from April to May 2014. 171 participants whose BMI ≤24 kg/m(2) or with organic diseases at the first physical examination were excluded, finally 1 317 overweight/obese participants (male and female were 507, and 810, respectively) were enrolled into the present study. After measuring the anthropometric parameters and body composition by the DXA, Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the associations between the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index and main anthropometric parameters. Results: The average age of males and females was (35.6±8.4) and (38.2±9.4) years old, respectively. The females' mean levels of body fat percentage, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and bone mineral density were (41.59±4.14)%, (29.00±3.75) kg/m(2), (92.56±9.00) cm, (101.74±6.75) cm, and (1.20±0.10) g/cm(2), respectively; and the males' mean levels were (34.22±4.61)%, (30.07±4.12) kg/m(2), (99.63±9.49) cm, (102.93±7.28) cm, and (1.28±0.11) g/cm(2), respectively. The mean level of appendicular skeletal muscle mass and skeletal muscle mass index in males were (26.98±3.88), and (8.96±1.02) kg, respectively, which were significantly higher than it in females ((18.57±2.61), and (7.26±0.83) kg, respectively) (P<0.001). For male, the correlation coefficients of skeletal muscle mass index with BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, body fat percentage and bone mineral density were 0.814, 0.601, 0.637, 0.558, and 0.434, respectively; for female, the correlation coefficients of skeletal muscle mass index with BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, body fat rate and bone mineral density were 0.761, 0.534, 0.585, 0.610, and 0.304, respectively. The correlations were statistically significant (P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the skeletal muscle mass index of male decreased with the increase of age (ß=-0.01, 95%CI:-0.01-0.00) and body fat percentage (ß=-0.13, 95%CI:-0.15--0.12) (P<0.05), while increased with the increase of BMI (ß=0.31, 95%CI: 0.29-0.32) and bone mineral density (ß=0.54, 95%CI: 0.10-1.01) (P<0.05). The skeletal muscle mass index of female decreased with the increase of age (ß=-0.01, 95%CI:-0.01-0.00) and body fat percentage (ß=-0.12, 95%CI:-0.14--0.12) (P<0.05), while increased with the increase of BMI (ß=0.26, 95%CI: 0.25-0.28) and hip circumference (ß=0.01, 95%CI: 0.00-0.02) (P<0.05). Conclusion: The skeletal muscle mass index of male was higher than it of female. For male, the skeletal muscle mass index might be associated with age, BMI, body fat percentage and bone mineral density. While for female, the skeletal muscle mass index might be associated with age, BMI, body fat percentage and hip circumference.

[Comparison whole-body muscle mass assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance in overweight and obese adults].

Objective: To investigate consistency of whole-body muscle mass (WBMM) assessed using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MF-BIA) and dual energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) measurement, and to delvelop the correction regression formulas for the method of MF-BIA. Methods: 1 488 participants who resided in Beijing longer than one year, under 22 to 55 years of age, with self-report BMI ≥24 kg/m(2) were voluntarily recruited based on convenience sampling in Beijing, from April 1(st) 2014 to May 2(nd) 2014. After excluded 171 participants who BMI ≤24 kg/m(2) or with organic diseases when physical examination, Finally 1 317 overweight/obese participants were enrolled into the current study. All the subjects received the measurement of WBMM using both MF-BIA and DXA methods. The paired-samples T test was used to compare the difference of measurement values between MF-BIA and DXA methods. We evaluated the agreement of WBMM measured by MF-BIA and DXA using the interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and the Bland-Altman plots, and using linear regression method established correction regression formulas. Results: The differences of overweight male, obese male, overweight female, and obese female were (3.29 ± 1.94), (2.05 ± 2.65), (0.17 ± 1.85), and (-2.22 ± 2.89) kg between methods of MF-BIA and DXA, respectively; Except the overweight female, the others groups had the statistically significant difference (P<0.05). The ICC for overweight male, obese male, overweight female, and obese female were 0.958, 0.956, 0.911, and 0.851, respectively (P<0.001). Bland-Altman plots showed that the limit of agreement for four groups were -0.51-7.09, -3.14-7.24, -3.46-3.80, and -7.88-3.44 kg, respectively. Correction regression formulas: overweight male population: y(DXA)=-0.648+ 0.952 x(MF-BIA); obese male population: y(DXA)=-3.646 + 1.026x(MF-BIA); overweight female groups: y(DXA)=-4.800 + 1.117 x(MF-BIA); obese female group: y(DXA)=-9.884+ 1.287x(MF-BIA). Conclusion: The correlation and agreement of WBMM measured by the methods of BIA and DXA were relative weak in Chinese excess weight male and obese female adults. Therefore, measuring WBMM by MF-BIA method in these adults should be corrected to reduce bias compared with the DXA method.

[Association between cesarean birth and the risk of obesity in 6-17 year-olds].

Objective: To explore the association between cesarean section and obesity in child and adolescent. Methods: In this study, a total number of 42 758 primary and middle school students aged between 6 and 17 were selected, using the stratified cluster sampling method in 93 primary and middle schools in Hunan, Ningxia, Tianjin, Chongqing, Liaoning, Shanghai and Guangdong provinces and autonomous regions. Log-Binomial regression model was used to analyze the association between cesarean section and obesity in childhood or adolescent. Results: Mean age of the subjects was (10.5±3.2) years. The overall rate of cesarean section among subjects attending primary or secondary schools was 42.3%, with 55.9% in boys and, 40.6% in girls respectively and with difference statistically significant (P<0.001). The rate on obesity among those that received cesarean section (17.6%) was significantly higher than those who experienced vaginal delivery (10.2%) (P<0.001). Results from the log-binomial regression model showed that cesarean section significantly increased the risk of obesity in child and adolescent (OR=1.72, 95%CI: 1.63-1.82; P<0.001). After adjusting for factors as sex, residential areas (urban or rural), feeding patterns, frequencies of milk-feeding, eating high-energy foods, eating fried foods and the levels of parental education, family income, parental obesity, physical activity levels, gestational age and birth weight etc., the differences were still statistically significant (OR=1.48, 95%CI: 1.39-1.57; P<0.001). Conclusion: The rate of cesarean section among pregnant women in China appeared high which may significantly increase the risk of obesity in child or adolescent.

Analysis of genetic diversity and population structure of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) from China and Malaysia based on species-specific simple sequence repeat markers.

Genetic diversity and patterns of population structure of the 94 oil palm lines were investigated using species-specific simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. We designed primers for 63 SSR loci based on their flanking sequences and conducted amplification in 94 oil palm DNA samples. The amplification result showed that a relatively high level of genetic diversity was observed between oil palm individuals according a set of 21 polymorphic microsatellite loci. The observed heterozygosity (Ho) was 0.3683 and 0.4035, with an average of 0.3859. The Ho value was a reliable determinant of the discriminatory power of the SSR primer combinations. The principal component analysis and unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averaging cluster analysis showed the 94 oil palm lines were grouped into one cluster. These results demonstrated that the oil palm in Hainan Province of China and the germplasm introduced from Malaysia may be from the same source. The SSR protocol was effective and reliable for assessing the genetic diversity of oil palm. Knowledge of the genetic diversity and population structure will be crucial for establishing appropriate management stocks for this species.

ß-Arrestin2 encourages inflammation-induced epithelial apoptosis through ER stress/PUMA in colitis.

ß-Arrestins (ß-arrs) are regulators and mediators of G protein-coupled receptor signaling, and accumulating evidence suggests that they are functionally involved in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. However, the effect of ß-arrs is unclear in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and the role of ß-arr2 is unknown in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). The aim of this study is to investigate whether ß-arr2 encourages inflammation-induced epithelial apoptosis through endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress/p53-upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) in colitis. In the present study, the results showed that ß-arr2 was increased in specimens from patients with UC or CD. Furthermore, a ß-arr2 deficiency significantly repressed intestinal inflammation, ameliorated colitis, and alleviated mucosal apoptosis in mice. In addition, the targeted deletion of ß-arr2 depressed ER stress, inhibited PUMA, and downregulated PUMA-mediated mitochondrial apoptotic signaling in colitis. ß-Arr2, an important modulator of G protein-coupled receptor function, binds eIF2α to activate ER stress signaling. Furthermore, the knockdown of PUMA dramatically prevented ß-arr2-induced apoptosis via alleviating ER stress in vitro. The results suggest that ß-arr2 encourages inflammation-induced epithelial apoptosis through ER stress/PUMA in colitis and that ß-arr2 is a potential therapeutic target for colitis.

Characteristic spectrum of very low-energy photoelectron from above-threshold ionization in the tunneling regime.

We report an experimental and theoretical study of very low-energy photoelectrons in tunneling ionization process from noble gas atoms interacting with ultrashort intense infrared laser pulses. A universal peak structure with electron energy well below 1 eV in the photoelectron spectrum, corresponding to the double-hump structure in the longitudinal momentum distribution, is identified experimentally for all atomic species. Our quantum and semiclassical analysis reveal the role of long-range Coulomb potential in the production of this very low-energy peak structure.

Effect of freeze-thaw cycles on serum measurements of AFP, CEA, CA125 and CA19-9.

AFP, CEA, CA125 and CA19-9 are commonly used serum tumour markers (TMs) in clinical practice, although their quantification by immunoassay may be influenced by pre-analytical sample handling. Though the effect of repetitive freeze-thaw cycles is generally recognized, it is not clear in detail. The present study measured (CLIA) these TMs in serum samples freshly separated and after each of five freeze-thaw cycles, in which the samples were frozen at -40 degrees C for 10 months at cycle 4 and 2 h at other cycles. Statistical analysis with the General Linear Model for Repeated Measures revealed significant decreases in the measurements of the four TMs, with the least decrease of 6.8 % for CA125 and the most decrease of 18.2 % for CA19-9 after the last cycle, and an overwhelming single cycle decrease of mean 7.7 % at cycle 4 for AFP, CEA and CA125, of 7.5 % and 9.3 % at cycles 4 and 5 for CA19-9. So it seems that measurements of AFP, CEA and CA125 are more readily affected by long-term frozen storage compared with frequent freezing-thawing, while CA19-9 is relatively unstable under both conditions.

Functional intracellular P-glycoprotein.

Efflux of chemotherapy drugs by P-glycoprotein (P-gp) at the plasma membrane is thought to be a major cause of cancer multidrug resistance. In this report, we show by flow cytometry that P-gp also concentrates large amounts of 2 different drugs, Hoechst 33342 and daunorubicin, within a cytoplasmic compartment of multidrug resistant CHRC5 cells. A quantitative assay of Hoechst 33342 revealed that cytoplasmic sequestration by P-gp in CHRC5 cells accounted for about half of the amount of Hoechst 33342 accumulated by the drug-sensitive parental Aux BI cells. Daunorubicin sequestered in the cytoplasm of CHRC5 cells could be released by inhibiting P-gp function with cyclosporin A, resulting in cell death. A likely site of drug sequestration is P-gp-containing cytoplasmic vesicles, in which the P-gp is oriented so that drugs are transported and concentrated in the interior of the vesicles. P-gp was detected in the membranes of cytoplasmic vesicles of CHRC5 cells by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy with anti-P-gp monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Vesicular localization of daunorubicin was observed by epifluorescence microscopy. The origin and nature of the P-gp-containing vesicles are unknown, but they do not correspond to endocytic vesicles. Our results directly demonstrate that chemosensitizer-induced release of drugs sequestered in cytoplasmic vesicles by P-gp can be used to overcome multidrug resistance.

Simultaneous determination of creatine, uric acid, creatinine and hippuric acid in urine by high performance liquid chromatography.

A simple method for the simultaneous determination of creatine, uric acid, creatinine and hippuric acid in urine using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography was described. Chromatography was performed on a Nova-Pak C18 (3.9 x 150 mm) column with a mobile phase of 0.02 mol/L KH2PO4, and UV detection at 220 nm. The recoveries of creatine, uric acid, creatinine and hippuric acid were 103.13, 99.86, 98.26 and 98.24%, respectively. The calibration curves were linear within the concentration range of 2-200 micrograms/mL for creatine, uric acid and hippuric acid, and 2-400 micrograms/mL for creatinine. The detection limits of the method were 0.69, 0.21, 0.10 and 0.095 microgram/mL for creatine, uric acid, creatinine and hippuric acid, respectively. This method has been applied to the analysis of urine samples from normal subjects and some patients.

[Influence of anterior occlusal contacts of complete dentures on mastication].

The photocclusion and mastication analysis of the complete dentures with or without the anterior occlusal contacts were made. The results indicated that there was no obvious differences among the maximum occlusal contact intensities of each tooth position in central occlusion. Under the functional condition the activity of the anterior temporal muscles was influenced and the mastication efficiency was decreased by the relatively stronger anterior occlusal contacts.