Effects of walking on body composition in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that examined the effect of walking on body weight, body mass index (BMI), and body fat percentage in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. METHODS: Two authors identified randomized controlled trials of interventions at least 4 weeks in duration that included at least one group with walking as the only treatment and a no-exercise control group. Participants were inactive at baseline. Weighted mean differences were calculated using the fixed-effects and random-effects models. Heterogeneity among trials was examined using the Q statistic and I methods. Potential publication bias was assessed through funnel plot inspection. RESULTS: Eight studies met the study inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis results showed statistically significant reductions in mean differences for BMI (-0.33 kg/m, 95% CI -0.62 to -0.04 kg/m), body weight (-1.14 kg, 95% CI -1.86 to -0.42 kg), and body fat percentage (-2.36%, 95% CI -3.21% to -1.52%). The results were consistent in showing effects of walking on BMI (I = 11%), body weight (I = 20%), and body fat percentage (I = 0%). Funnel plots showed asymmetry for body composition. CONCLUSIONS: Walking interventions improved body composition in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, which underscores the central role of walking as a physical activity for health promotion.

Intragenic microdeletion of RUNX2 is a novel mechanism for cleidocranial dysplasia.

Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD; MIM 119600) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by facial, dental, and skeletal malformations. To date, rearrangement and mutations involving RUNX2, which encodes a transcription factor required for osteoblast differentiation on 6p21, has been the only known molecular etiology for CCD. However, only 70% patients were found to have point mutations, 13% large/contiguous deletion but the rest of 17% remains unknown. We ascertained a family consisted of eight affected individuals with CCD phenotypes. Direct sequencing analysis revealed no mutations in the RUNX2. Real time quantitative PCR were performed which revealed an exon 2 to exon 6 intragenic deletion in RUNX2. Our patients not only demonstrated a unique gene change as a novel mechanism for CCD, but also highlight the importance of considering "deletion" and "duplication" in suspected familial cases before extensive effort of gene hunting be carried.

Ethyl 1-(6-chloro-3-pyridylmeth-yl)-5-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxyl-ate.

In the title compound, C(12)H(13)ClN(4)O(2), the triazole ring carries methyl and ethoxy-carbonyl groups, and is bound via a methyl-ene bridge to a chloro-pyridine unit. There is evidence for significant electron delocalization in the triazolyl system. Intra-molecular C-H⋯O and inter-molecular C-H⋯N hydrogen bonds stabilize the structure.

Ethyl 1-(6-chloro-3-pyridylmeth-yl)-5-ethoxy-methyl-eneamino-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxyl-ate.

In the title compound, C(14)H(16)ClN(5)O(3), there is evidence for significant electron delocalization in the triazolyl system. Intra-molecular C-H⋯O and inter-molecular C-H⋯O and C-H⋯N hydrogen bonds stabilize the structure.

Ethyl 1-[(2-chloro-1,3-thia-zol-5-yl)methyl]-5-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate.

In the title compound, C(10)H(11)ClN(4)O(2)S, the triazole ring carries methyl and ethoxy-carbonyl groups and is bound via a methyl-ene bridge to a chloro-thia-zole unit. There is also evidence for significant electron delocalization in the triazolyl system. Intra- and inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds together with strong π-π stacking inter-actions [centroid-centroid distance 3.620 (1) Å] stabilize the structure.

[Study on the presence of hepatitis B virus in first-trimester villi in pregnant women with hepatitis B surface antigen positive].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in first-trimester villi cells from pregnant women carrying HBsAg. METHODS: Immunohistochemical streptavidin-biotin peroxidase complex (SABC) staining with monoclonal HBsAg, hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) and PCR, in situ hybridization were used for detection of HBV infection markers in villi. Positive villi ultramicrostructures were observed with transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: HBV was detected in 8 of 25 villi of HBsAg positive pregnant women, the positive rate was 32%. HBsAg was located in the decidual cell, trophoblastic cell and villous mesenchymal cell. HBV analog was detected in rough endoplasmic reticulum of trophoblastic cell. CONCLUSIONS: HBV may infect villous cells in first-trimester pregnancy. It would be impossible for HBV to transmit the desmosomes.