[Advances in basic research on choline and central nervous system development and related disorders].

Choline is an essential nutrient that plays an integral role in all stages of the life cycle, with increasing interest in the relationship between choline and neurodevelopment. Choline is a major component in the synthesis of phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine and sphingolipids, and is an essential nutrient for methyl metabolism, acetylcholine synthesis and cell signaling. Choline plays an important role in neurogenesis and neural migration during fetal development, potentially influencing the development and prognosis of neurological disorders, but its mechanism of action is not yet clear. This article reviews the source and metabolism of choline, the effects and mechanism of choline on neurodevelopment and central nervous system related disorders.

MiR-203 is involved in osteoporosis by regulating DKK1 and inhibiting osteogenic differentiation of MSCs.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether miR-203 is involved in the osteogenic differentiation of rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by regulating DDK1, thus participating in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: miR-203 expression in serum samples of 60 osteoporosis patients and 60 normal subjects was detected using Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay. MSCs were isolated from bone marrow of rats and then identified. Subsequently, the effects of miR-203 and DKK1 on osteogenic differentiation were estimated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, alizarin red staining, ALP staining, respectively. Expression levels of osteogenic-specific genes were detected by Western blot. Rescue experiments were conducted to confirm whether miR-203 could promote osteogenic differentiation of MSCs by inhibiting DKK1. RESULTS: Serum level of miR-203 in osteoporosis patients was significantly lower than that of the normal subjects. Overexpressed miR-203 in MSCs enhanced ALP activity, expression of osteogenic marker genes and the number of calcified cells. Additionally, miR-203 could bind to DKK1. The regulatory effect of miR-203 on osteogenic differentiation in MSCs was reversed by DKK1. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-203 promotes the differentiation of rat MSCs into osteoblast-like cells, which may be associated with the regulation of DKK1 expression.

A novel NF1 frame-shift mutation (c.702_703delGT) in a Chinese family with neurofibromatosis type 1.

This study aimed to characterize the clinical features of a Chinese pedigree with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and to identify mutations in the NF1 gene. In this three-generation family containing 8 members, 5 had been diagnosed with NF1 and the others were asymptomatic. All members of the family underwent complete medical examinations. Molecular genetic analyses were performed on all subjects included in the study. All exons of NF1 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction, sequenced, and compared with a reference database. Possible changes in function of the protein induced by amino acid variants were predicted by bioinformatic analysis. In this family, the 5 patients presented different clinical phenotypes, but all manifested typical café-au-lait macules. One novel frame-shift mutation, c.702_703delGT, in exon 7 of NF1 was identified in all affected family members, but not in the unaffected family members or in 102 normal controls. This mutation generates a premature stop codon at amino acid position 720. Additionally, a synonymous mutation c.702 G>A was found in 3 family members, including 2 affected and 1 normal individuals. In conclusion, our study suggests that a novel c.702_703delGT frame-shift mutation in NF1 is likely to be responsible for the pathogenesis of NF1 in this family. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time that a c.702_703delGT mutation has been identified in a family with neurofibromatosis type 1.

Effectiveness of a community-based multifaceted fall-prevention intervention in active and independent older Chinese adults.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of an 18-month multifaceted intervention designed to reduce the incidence of falls in community-living older adults in China. METHODS: A population-based community trial evaluated by before-and-after cross-sectional surveys. Four residential communities were randomised to either a multifaceted intervention or a control condition. Baseline information was collected from a sample of older adults in each community. A 1-year annual fall rate was calculated after an 18-month comprehensive intervention. RESULTS: After intervention, 7.19% of the intervention community sample reported falls, compared with 17.86% of the control community sample (p<0.000). The annual fall rate decreased by 10.52% in the intervention communities, whereas the difference in control communities was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Multifaceted interventions in community settings may be useful in preventing falls among older people, and can be applied in similar settings in China.

Elevated plasma surfactant protein D (SP-D) levels and a direct correlation with anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-specific IgG antibody in SARS patients.

Pulmonary SP-D is a defence lectin promoting clearance of viral infections. SP-D is recognized to bind the S protein of SARS-CoV and enhance phagocytosis. Moreover, systemic SP-D is widely used as a biomarker of alveolar integrity. We investigated the relation between plasma SP-D, SARS-type pneumonia and the SARS-specific IgG response. Sixteen patients with SARS, 19 patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) (Streptococcus pneumonia) and 16 healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study. Plasma SP-D and anti-SARS-CoV N protein IgG were measured using ELISA. SP-D was significantly elevated in SARS-type pneumonia [median (95% CI), 453 (379-963) ng/ml versus controls 218 (160-362) ng/ml, P < 0.05] like in patients with CAP. SP-D significantly correlated with anti-SARS-CoV N protein IgG (r(2) = 0.5995, P = 0.02). The possible re-emergence of SARS or SARS-like infections suggests a need for minimal traumatic techniques for following the alveolar compartment, e.g. during testing of antivirals. We suggest that monitoring systemic SP-D may be useful in monitoring the alveolar integrity in SARS-type pneumonia. The significant correlation between plasma SP-D and anti-SARS-CoV-specific antibodies support the role for SP-D in interlinking innate and adaptive immune pathways.

Effective control of blood glucose status and toxicity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by orally administration of vanadate in an herbal decoction.

Vanadium compounds have been well recognized for hypoglycemic effects, but questions remain on gastrointestinal disturbance and possible tissue vanadium accumulation thus slowing the acceptance of vanadium compounds as diabetic therapeutic agents. Our intestinal permeability and toxicity studies of vanadium compounds have suggested that the co-administration of vanadate with Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge decoction could benefit the therapeutic use of hypoglycemic vanadium compounds. In the present paper, we tested the hypoglycemic effects of vanadate ingested in an aqueous extract of S. Bunge using a streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model. Oral administration of vanadate in S. Bunge herbal decoction produced a stable (free of hypoglycemic shock) and long-lasting ( approximately 70day) control of blood glucose status. Effective protection of animal organs from hyperglycemic damage was also observed. As expected, the herbal extract significantly alleviated vanadium toxicity, i.e. GI stress and metal accumulation. In addition, the result suggesting that vanadium-induced amelioration of the diabetic state appears to be secondary to the preservation of a functional portion of the pancreatic beta-cells which initially survived STZ-toxicity. These studies provide new insight into the therapeutic treatment of diabetics with vanadium compounds.

Plasma surfactant protein D levels and the relation to body mass index in a chinese population.

Surfactant protein D (SP-D) is a member of the collectin family and is an important component of the pulmonary innate host defence. The protein has a widespread distribution in the human body and is present in multiple epithelia, in endothelium and in blood. Various studies have looked at the relationship between serum SP-D levels and pulmonary inflammatory diseases. The SP-D distribution has been most thoroughly described in European populations and appears with a broad range of serum values highly influenced by genetic factors. In the present study, we investigated the plasma SP-D distribution in a Chinese population from the Tai An region comprising 268 individuals. We found that (i) plasma SP-D in the Chinese population was distributed with a median value of 380.2 ng/ml (324.9; 418.7) and a range from 79.4 to 3965.3 ng/ml, (ii) significantly higher plasma SP-D in men than in women, and no significant effect of age, and (iii) a significant inverse association between serum SP-D and body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.012). The data indicate that racial differences in SP-D expression exist as the median plasma SP-D in the Chinese population was approximately two times lower than the median serum SP-D previously measured in a Danish population using the same immuno-assay. The inverse association between serum SP-D and BMI found in the Chinese population indicates that serum SP-D is related to obesity in similar ways in Chinese and Danes.

An enantiospecific HPLC method for the determination of (S)-enantiomer impurities in (R)-tolterodine tartarate.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the separation of the enantiomers of tolterodine tartarate. The proposed method was applied to the determination of (S)-isomer in (R)-tolterodine tartarate, and satisfactory results were obtained. The enantiomers of tolterodine tartarate were separated on a Chiralpak AD-H (250 mm x 4.6 mm) column containing amylose tris-(3,5-dimethylphenyl-carbamate) at room temperature. The mobile phase consisted of n-hexane and isopropyl alcohol in the ratio of 85:15 (v/v) with 0.075% triethylamine (TEA) and 0.05% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) as the additive. The flow rate was kept at 0.5 ml/min, and UV detection wavelength was set at 283 nm. The calibration curves of (S)-enantiomer in the concentration range from 0.05 microg/ml to 1 microg/ml range were linear. The relative standard deviations of within-day and between-day were less than 2% (n = 3). The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.75 ng (S/N = 3) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.05 microg/ml (RSD < 4.1%, n = 3). The determination recoveries of the (S)-enantiomer were in the range of 98.2-104.8%. The results demonstrated that the developed HPLC method was a reliable, simple technique and was applicable to the purity determination of (R)- tolterodine tartarate.

Genetic polymorphism of toxicant-metabolizing enzymes and prognosis of Chinese workers with chronic benzene poisoning.

Workers with chronic benzene poisoning (CBP) sometimes have a white blood cell count (WBC) below 4 x 10(9)/L even after cessation of workplace exposure to benzene for years. In order to explore this phenomenon, 120 workers with CBP were divided into two groups depending on the WBC, the mean diagnostic age of CBP, benzene exposure duration, and body mass index (BMI). The proportion of genotypes of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), glutathione-S-transferase mu-1 (GSTM1), glutathione-S-transferase theta-1 (GSTT1), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and NAD(P)H, quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) were compared between workers with WBC <4 x 10(9)/L and those with WBC > or =4 x 10(9)/L. With methods of logistic regression, a risk model was set up to predict the prognosis of CBP workers. The results indicated that the BMI of workers with WBC <4 x 10(9)/L was lower than that of workers with WBC of > or =4 x 10(9)/L (21.40 +/- 2.76 versus 23.09 +/- 3.36, P = 0.01), and the logistic regression model suggested there was a 4.5-fold increased risk among workers carrying GSTT1 null genotype (95% CI= 1.13- 17.54) compared with workers with GSTT1 non-null genotype. Our findings suggest that benzene exposure duration, BMI, and GSTT1 genotype may impact prognosis of the CBP workers.

Analysis of factors influencing the blood levels and activities of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA).

This study aimed to correlate plasmatic tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) levels and activity with parameters of artery blood flow and vessel walls, nail fold microcirculation, hemorheology, serum glucose, and lipids. Thirty healthy volunteers (female/male 12/18) aged 40-60 (average 46) were included in the study. In citrate venous blood, the following parameters were determined: carotid mean velocity, carotid intimal-medial-thickness (IMT), capillary circulation parameters, hemorheology index, serum glucose, and lipids. Analysis of data showed that t-PA concentration was positively and significantly correlated with total cholesterol, triglycerides, and serum glucose (P<0.05, P<0.05, and P<0.01), but t-PA activity showed no correlation with them; among the hemorheology factors investigated, t-PA concentration showed the strongest positive correlation with both whole blood viscosity and reduced blood viscosity at high and low shear rate separately (P<0.01), t-PA activity showed no correlation with any hemorheology factors; t-PA concentration showed no correlation with any investigated nail fold capillary parameters, whereas t-PA activity was significantly and negatively associated with capillary loop number (P<0.05); t-PA concentration and activity was not associated with values of carotid maximum intimal-medial-thickness (mIMT) and mean velocity or systolic, diastolic blood pressure (P>0.05). But subjects with mIMT 1.0 mm showed higher t-PA levels compared with those with mIMT < 1.0 mm (P<0.05) and decreased carotid mean velocity (P<0.01). These findings suggest that multiple vascular disease risk factors would influence the t-PA level; t-PA concentration does not parallelize with t-PA activity.

[Effects of ginkgo biloba extract on somatosensory evoked potential and nitric oxide after subarachnoid hemorrhage].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of somatosensory evoked potential(SEP) and nitric oxide (NO) after subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH), and the influence of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb). METHOD: Rats in sham-operated group, SAH model group and EGb-treated group underwent measurement of dynamic changes of regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF), SEP and NO levels both in serum and in brain tissue within 24 h after operation. RESULT: In SAH group, rCBF decreased immediately after operation, with no tendency to recover within 24 h. The latency of SEP delayed progressively from 1 h to 24 h after SAH. NO levels in serum and in brain tissue decreased and increased respectively from 1 h to 24 h after SAH. EGb effectively antagonized the changes of above parameters. CONCLUSION: SEP is helpful in the judgement on brain ischemic damage after SAH. Decrease of NO in serum and increase of that in brain tissue may lead to cerebral vasospasm and ischemic brain damage respectively after SAH. EGb relieves SAH-induced brain ischemic damage by reversing the pathological alterations of NO.

[Changes of nitric oxide and endothelin-1 levels in rat brain tissue during cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage and protective effect of nimodipine].

AIM: To investigate the changes of nitric oxide and endothelin-1 levels in brain tissue in rat with cerebral vasospasm (CVS) following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and the protective effect of nimodipine. METHODS: Wistar rats were divided randomly into SAH group, nimodipine-treated group and sham-operated group. Diameters of basilar artery before and after operation were measured, and dynamic changes of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), brain nitric oxide and endothelin-1 levels were determined within 24 h. Pathological examination of hippocampus was also performed. RESULTS: SAH resulted in significant and persistent decrease of rCBF. Diameter of basilar artery was reduced markedly. Neurons in hippocampus CA1 subfield were damaged severely. Both nitric oxide and endothelin-1 levels in brain tissue were increased significantly from 1 h to 24 h after SAH. However, the pathological changes of above parameters were not so severe in nimodipine-treated rats. CONCLUSION: Increase of nitric oxide and endothelin-1 levels in brain tissue is probably involved in the development of ischemic brain damage caused by CVS after SAH. Nimodipine exerts its protective effect on brain neurons by antagonizing CVS and the pathological changes of nitric oxide and endothelin-1 in brain tissue.

Fatal occupational injuries in a new development area in the People's Republic of China.

Fatal occupational injuries in a new development region in Shanghai in east China are described. All occupational deaths in the East Pujiang New Area during the period 1991 through 1997 were abstracted from multiple, overlapping source documents. There were 426 deaths and a crude mortality rate of 9.1 per 100,000 workers. The death rate was highest in 1995 (14.6%), when expansion in the area was most rapid. The construction sector accounted for 55% of the deaths, followed by manufacturing (23%) and transport, storage, and telecommunications (11%). Falls, collisions, struck by/against incidents, and electrocutions accounted for 80% of all deaths. Falls led all other causes of deaths (33%) and were particularly prevalent in the construction industry (46% of all deaths in construction). The development of ongoing, comprehensive injury surveillance systems in the People's Republic of China will be essential to target and evaluate injury prevention activities in the future.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on somatosensory evoked potential, nitric oxide levels in serum and brain tissue in rats with cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on cerebral vasospasm and neural damage following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in rats. It was found that the regional cerebral blood flow decreased immediately and persistently after SAH in SAH rats. The latency of somatosensory evoked potential delayed progressively. The nitric oxide levels in serum and brain tissue decreased and increased, respectively, after SAH. Ginkgo biloba extract effectively antagonized the changes of above parameters. It was concluded that somatosensory evoked potential is useful for the judgement of cerebral ischemic damage during cerebral vasospasm after SAH. Decrease in serum nitric oxide and increase in brain tissue nitric oxide are important factors leading to cerebral vasospasm and neural damage, respectively, after SAH. Ginkgo biloba extract relieves cerebral vasospasm and cerebral ischemic damage by reversing the pathological alteration of nitric oxide.

Effects of blockade of cerebral lymphatic drainage on cerebral ischemia after middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats.

This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of blockade of cerebral lymphatic drainage on cerebral ischemic damage. Seventy six Wistar rats were divided randomly into middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) group and MCAO plus cerebral lymphatic blockade (MCAO+CLB) group for the experiment. The contents of water and electrolytes, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the ischemic brain tissue were detected at 24, 48 and 72 hours after the operation. The morphologic examination was also performed. In MCAO group, contents of water, sodium and calcium in the ischemic brain tissue increased significantly at any time after the operation. The SOD activity decreased while the MDA content increased markedly. The morphologic findings showed severe damage of ischemic brain tissue and neurons. In MCAO+CLB group, the above parameters were altered more obviously. The present observation suggests that blockade of cerebral lymphatic drainage may deteriorate ischemic brain damage after MCAO.

[Effects of glutamate on transient outward potassium current of dissociated hippocampal neurons in ca1 sector in rats].

The effects of glutamate on the transient outward potassium current of dissociated hippocampal CA(1) neurons of 7-10 d rats were studied by the whole-cell patch clamp technique. It was found that glutamate could block the transient potassium current in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The effect was partly voltage-dependent. These results suggest that glutamate may decrease the membrane conductance of K(+) channels in hippocampal neurons.

Analysis of 541 cases of occupational acute chemical injuries in a large petrochemical company in China.

The authors carried out a descriptive analysis of acute chemical intoxication in a large petrochemical corporation with 38,000 employees, located in a suburban district of Shanghai, China, to determine the chemicals involved and the primary causes of the incidents. Between 1977 and 1997, 350 cases of acute chemical-intoxication were recorded, resulting in a total of 541 workers with symptoms. Of these, 483 were male and 58, female, with over half the victims under 30 years old. Two hundred and seventy-five cases were serious enough to necessitate hospital admission. There were 266 cases of chemical irritation or inhalation responses (49.2%), 215 cases of mild chemical poisoning (39.7%), 31 cases of moderate poisoning (5.7%), and 29 cases resulting in critical injury (5.4%), including eight deaths (1.5%). The main causes of injury reported by patients were lack of training about safety (63%) and equipment failure (23%). The chemicals involved were asphyxiating gases (302 cases; 55.8%), irritating gases (111 cases; 20.5%), and other toxins. Intervention strategies for the prevention of acute chemical exposures were suggested to the corporation.

Ascertainment corrected prevalence rate (ACPR) of leukopenia in workers exposed to benzene in small-scale industries calculated with capture-recapture methods.

ACPRs of leukopenia in peripheral blood of workers exposed to benzene in small-scale industries are calculated using capture-recapture methods. The results from two figures with 6-month apart demonstrate that the ACPR in workers exposed to benzene is 36.81(29.14-44)%, significantly higher than that of control 12.71(7.20-18.22)% (P < 0.05), with a relative risk of 2.9. The prevalences of 4 cross-sectional investigations in exposure group calculated with routine method are 18.73%, 26.37%, 27.93%, and 36.76% respectively; in controls, 8.38%, 6.85%, 7.94%, and 15.00% respectively and all fall in the range of 95% CI of ACPR. It is suggested that the methods of calculating ACPR by capture-recapture methods is simple, feasible and efficient, with the results more precise than with traditional methods.

[A new athraquinone compound from the stem and leaves of Tripterygium wilf or dii Hook. f].

A new anthraquinone compound was isolated from the stem and leaves of Thipterygium wilfordii. The structure was elucidated to be 1,8-dihydroxy-4-hydroxymethylanthraquinone on the basis of UV-VIS,IR,HNMR and MS analysis.