Analysis of serum microRNA expression in male workers with occupational noise-induced hearing loss.

Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) is a prevalent occupational disorder that impairs auditory function in workers exposed to prolonged noise. However, serum microRNA expression in ONIHL subjects has not yet been studied. We aimed to compare the serum microRNA expression profiles in male workers of ONIHL subjects and controls. MicroRNA microarray analysis revealed that four serum microRNAs were differentially expressed between controls (n=3) and ONIHL subjects (n=3). Among these microRNAs, three were upregulated (hsa-miR-3162-5p, hsa-miR-4484, hsa-miR-1229-5p) and one was downregulated (hsa-miR-4652-3p) in the ONIHL group (fold change >1.5 and Pbon value <0.05). Real time quantitative PCR was conducted for validation of the microRNA expression. Significantly increased serum levels of miR-1229-5p were found in ONIHL subjects compared to controls (n=10 for each group; P<0.05). A total of 659 (27.0%) genes were predicted as the target genes of miR-1229-5p. These genes were involved in various pathways, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Overexpression of miR-1229-5p dramatically inhibited the luciferase activity of 3' UTR segment of MAPK1 (P<0.01). Compared to the negative control, HEK293T cells expressing miR-1229-5p mimics showed a significant decline in mRNA levels of MAPK1 (P<0.05). This preliminary study indicated that serum miR-1229-5p was significantly elevated in ONIHL subjects. Increased miR-1229-5p may participate in the pathogenesis of ONIHL through repressing MAPK1 signaling.

Defective eyelid leading edge cell migration in C57BL/6-corneal opacity mice with an "eye open at birth" phenotype.

Development of the eyelid requires coordination of the cellular processes involved in proliferation, cell size alteration, migration, and cell death. C57BL/6J-corneal opacity (B6-Co) mice are mutant mice generated by the administration of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (100 mg/kg). They exhibit the eyelids open at birth phenotype, abnormal round cell shape from tightened F-actin bundles in leading edge keratinocytes at E16.5, and gradual corneal opacity with neovessels. The tip of the leading edge in B6-Co mice did not move forward, and demonstrated a sharp peak shape without obvious directionality. Analysis of the biological characteristics of B6-Co mice demonstrated that abnormal migration of keratinocytes could affect eyelid development, but proliferation and apoptosis in B6-Co mice had no effect. Mutant gene mapping and sequence analysis demonstrated that in B6-Co mice, adenosine was inserted into the untranslated regions, between 3030 and 3031, in the mRNA 3'-terminal of Fgf10. In addition, guanine 7112 was substituted by adenine in the Mtap1B mRNA, and an A2333T mutation was identified in Mtap1B. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that expression of the Hbegf gene was significantly down-regulated in the eyelids of B6- Co mice at E16.5, compared to B6 mice. However, the expression of Rock1, Map3k1, and Jnk1 genes did not show any significant changes. Abnormal keratinocyte migration and down-regulated expression of the Hbegf gene might be associated with impaired eyelid development in B6-Co mice.

Establishment and characterization of a rat model of hyperphosphatemia.

We established a rat model of hyperphosphatemia and investigated the systemic effects of high phosphorus (P). Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into high (HP), low (LP), and normal (NP) P groups (N = 12 each), which received injections of fructose diphosphate sodium, or were fed self-manufactured low phosphorus or normal diets, respectively. In each group, 4 rats were sacrificed at the first, third, and sixth week to detect the serum (Scr) and urinary creatinine and P, and calcium (Ca) levels. The HP group's serum P and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) were significantly higher than those in the other groups at the first, third, and sixth weeks, (P < 0.05); the LP group's serum P was lower than the NP group's at the third week (P < 0.05), while at the sixth week, the serum P and iPTH were lower (P < 0.05). No significant differences were detected for blood Ca+ (P > 0.05). The HP group's Scr increased (P < 0.01), whereas the fractional excretion decreased (P < 0.05) significantly. Thighbone and lumbar spine bone densities differed significantly between groups in the third week (P < 0.05); LP group densities were lower than NP group measures (P < 0.05). Crystallized stones were not observed microscopically following hematoxylin and eosin staining of the kidney. We successfully established a hyperphosphatemia rat model, and high blood P was found to significantly influence renal function and bone density. These results might provide a foundation to study the effects of hyperphosphatemia in rats.

Promotive effect of comprehensive management on achieving blood glucose control in senile type 2 diabetics.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the control of blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and its influencing factors, in elderly type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) patients undergoing comprehensive management. After years of comprehensive prevention of and control measures for diabetes, elderly T2DM patients who were receiving long-term health care were comprehensively evaluated through an annual physical examination. In addition to routine health examination, the patients were required to undergo HbA1c measurement. Among 688 patients, 652 were men and 36 were women, with a mean age of 78.2 ± 9.1 years. The average HbA1c was 6.6 ± 0.9%. A total of 50.6% of the patients had HbA1c <6.5%, whereas 76.3% had HbA1c <7.0%. Among all patients, 77.1, 46.4, 66.1, 67.8, 36.3, and 57.4% achieved the target total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG), blood pressure, and body mass index (BMI) levels, respectively. The duration of disease and type of treatment, as well as the LDL, HDL, TG, BMI, and blood pressure levels, were significantly associated with HbA1c control. No patient was admitted because of ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar nonketotic diabetic coma in 10 years. Approximately half of the T2DM patients achieved the target HbA1c level. The more effective blood glucose control observed in our study compared with previous studies can be attributed to the effective monitoring of medical conditions and comprehensive management of patients.

Malondialdehyde and SOD-induced changes of gastric tissues in acute gastric mucosal injury under positive acceleration.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of positive acceleration (+Gz) on the gastric mucosal tissues in cases of acute gastric mucosal injury and to explore the role of oxygen free radicals. Thirty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into the absolute ethanol control group (A group), absolute ethanol +5Gz group (B group), absolute ethanol +10Gz group (C group). Following centrifugation, the gastric tissues of each group were studied for the presence of gastric mucosal injuries and morphological changes. The concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) contents were simultaneously investigated. Degree of gastric mucosal injuries were as follows: C group (visually 49.080 ± 10.254, under light microscopy 9.400 ± 2.011) > B group (visually 23.654 ± 9.678, under light microscopy 5.000 ± 1.054) > A group (visually 11.410 ± 3.742, under light microscopy 3.800 ± 1.399). The gastric mucosal MDA content (0.376 ± 0.084 vs 0.235 ± 0.044) was significantly higher in the C group than in the A group, whereas the SOD content (8.852 ± 1.001 vs 10.694 ± 0.965) was lower than that in the A group. However, the MDA and SOD contents did not change much in the B group. Our results suggest that the +Gz exposure might aggravate the acute gastric mucosal injury, and changes in MDA and SOD contents in the gastric tissues indicated that the oxygen free radicals play an important role in this regard.

Application value of multislice spiral computed tomography angiography in the evaluation of renal artery variation in living donor kidney transplantation.

This study aims to investigate the accuracy and value of multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) angiography in the evaluation of renal artery variation in living donor kidney transplantation. Two hundred seventy-three kidney transplantation donors underwent preoperative MSCT scanning. Two doctors determined the running direction and variation of the renal artery through joint analysis of the preoperative original MSCT image and the recombination image using the blind reading method, compared the imaging results with the intraoperative results, and evaluated the accuracy and application value of MSCT angiography in the evaluation of renal artery variation in living donor kidney transplantation. CT angiography (CTA) can better show the renal artery and its variation. A total of 52 accessory renal arteries were found in the 273 kidney transplant operations, whereas 55 accessory renal arteries were found in preoperative MSCT. Four accessory renal arteries indicated in the MSCT were not found during the operation, and one accessory renal artery found during the operation was not indicated in the preoperative MSCT. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of MSCT in the diagnosis of accessory renal arteries were 98.1, 98.2, 92.7, 99.5, and 98.2%, respectively. MSCT angiography can sensitively and accurately show the renal artery and its variation in living donor kidney transplantation, and has important clinical value for the formulation of the operative scheme before the transplantation.

Correlation between serum YKL-40 levels and albuminuria in type 2 diabetes.

We explored the correlation between serum YKL-40 levels and albuminuria in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its clinical significance. This study used a cross-sectional survey method. According to the American Diabetes Association 2007 Clinical Practice Recommendations, 738 patients with T2DM were divided into three groups: a normoalbuminuria group [albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) <30 µg/mg, N = 360], a microalbuminuria group (ACR 30-300 µg/mg, N = 246), and a macroalbuminuria group (ACR ≥ 300 µg/mg, N = 332). The serum YKL-40 levels were determined by a quantitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in all the cases and in 210 control subjects. Serum YKL-40 levels were significantly higher in the T2DM group vs the control group (P < 0.05), the macroalbuminuria group vs the microalbuminuria group (P < 0.05), and the microalbuminuria group vs the normoalbuminuria group (P < 0.05). Serum YKL-40 levels correlated with ACR in all participants. Significant correlation of YKL-40 was found with ACR, 2-h plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index, systolic blood pressure, duration, diastolic blood pressure, age, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r-values: 0.713, 0.524, 0.515, 0.467, 0.438, 0.409, 0.407, 0.374, 0.112, 0.097, and -0.123, respectively). ACR correlated with serum YKL-40 levels (Beta = 0.555, P < 0.001). YKL-40 may be involved in the occurrence and development of diabetic nephropathy and would be useful as a new marker for the disease.

Association between rs1049673 polymorphism in CD36 and premature coronary heart disease.

Risk factors for premature coronary heart disease in China can be multiple; we investigated Chinese Han patients with premature coronary heart disease and a possible association with CD36 polymorphism at rs1049673, rs7755, and rs321159 sites. Outpatients were recruited according to chest X-ray coronary arteriography results; they were divided into two groups: early coronary artery lesions (premature coronary heart disease group, test group) and a control group. Coronary arteriography and laboratory blood examinations were conducted to analyze risk factors for coronary heart disease and CD36 polymorphisms. Seventy nine test and 56 control group patients were recruited. Compared with the control, the test groups had a significantly higher proportion of male patients, smoking, diabetes and metabolic syndromes, significantly higher levels of TG, LDL-C, ox-LDL, WBC, UA, FBG, and significantly lower levels of HDL-C. For rs1049673, rs7755, and rs321159 sites, patients with premature coronary heart disease have family genetic predisposition at high LDL-C level with GA, AA, and TT genotypes. Unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that gender, diabetes, high TG, LDL-C level and C carriers of rs1049673 significantly affected risk for premature coronary heart disease.