Inhibition of GLUD1 mediated by LASP1 and SYVN1 contributes to hepatitis B virus X protein-induced hepatocarcinogenesis

Glutamate dehydrogenase 1 (GLUD1) is implicated in oncogenesis. However, little is known about the relationship between GLUD1 and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the present study, we demonstrated that the expression levels of GLUD1 significantly decreased in tumors, which was relevant to the poor prognosis of HCC. Functionally, GLUD1 silencing enhanced the growth and migration of HCC cells. Mechanistically, the upregulation of interleukin-32 through AKT activation contributes to GLUD1 silencing-facilitated hepatocarcinogenesis. The interaction between GLUD1 and AKT, as well as α-ketoglutarate regulated by GLUD1, can suppress AKT activation. In addition, LIM and SH3 protein 1 (LASP1) interacts with GLUD1 and induces GLUD1 degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, which relies on the E3 ubiquitin ligase synoviolin (SYVN1), whose interaction with GLUD1 is enhanced by LASP1. In hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC, the HBV X protein (HBX) can suppress GLUD1 with the participation of LASP1 and SYVN1. Collectively, our data suggest that GLUD1 silencing is significantly associated with HCC development, and LASP1 and SYVN1 mediate the inhibition of GLUD1 in HCC, especially in HBV-related tumors.

Hepatitis B virus core protein stabilizes RANGAP1 to upregulate KDM2A and facilitate hepatocarcinogenesis

PURPOSE

As a vital component of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) nucleocapsid, HBV core protein (HBC) contributes to hepatocarcinogenesis. Here, we aimed to assess the effects of RANGAP1 and KDM2A on tumorigenesis induced by HBC.

METHODS

Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) combined with mass spectrometry were utilized to identify the proteins with the capacity to interact with HBC. The gene and protein levels of RANGAP1 and KDM2A in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and HBV-positive HCC tissues were evaluated using different cohorts. The roles of RANGAP1 and KDM2A in HCC cells mediated by HBC were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Co-IP and western blot were used to estimate the interaction of HBC with RANGAP1 and KDM2A and assess RANGAP1 stabilization regulated by HBC.

RESULTS

We discovered that HBC could interact with RANGAP1 and KDM2A, the levels of which were markedly elevated in HCC tissues. Relying on RANGAP1 and KDM2A, HBC facilitated HCC cell growth and migration. The increased stabilization of RANGAP1 mediated by HBC was relevant to the disruption of the interaction between RANGAP1 and an E3 ligase SYVN1. RANGAP1 interacted with KDM2A, and it further promoted KDM2A stabilization by disturbing the interaction between KDM2A and SYVN1. HBC enhanced the interaction of KDM2A with RANGAP1 and upregulated the expression of KDM2A via RANGAP1 in HCC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate a novel mechanism by which HBC facilitates hepatocarcinogenesis. RANGAP1 and KDM2A could act as potential molecular targets for treating HBV-associated malignancy.

Guanxin Danshen Dripping Pills Improve Quality of Life and Cardiovascular Prognoses of CHD Patients after PCI with Anxiety or Depression (GLAD Study): A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy and safety of Guanxin Danshen Dripping Pills (GXDS) in the treatment of depression or anxiety in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

From September 2017 to June 2019, 200 CHD patients after PCI with depression and anxiety were included and randomly divided into GXDS (100 cases) and placebo control groups (100 cases) by block randomization and a random number table. Patients in the GXDS and control groups were given GXDS and placebo, respectively, 0.4 g each time, 3 times daily for 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were scores of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Scale (GAD-7) and the Seattle Angina Pectoris Scale (SAQ). The secondary outcomes included 12 Health Survey Summary Form (SF-12) scores and the first onset time and incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Other indices including blood pressure, blood lipids, microcirculation and inflammatory-related indices, etc. were monitored at baseline, week 4, and week 12.

RESULTS

In the full analysis set (200 cases), after treatment, the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores in the GXDS group were considerably lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the baseline, the total PHQ-9 scores of the experimental and control groups decreased by 3.97 and 1.18, respectively. The corrected mean difference between the two groups was -2.78 (95% CI: -3.47, -2.10; P<0.001). The total GAD-7 score in the GXDS group decreased by 3.48% compared with the baseline level, while that of the placebo group decreased by 1.13%. The corrected mean difference between the two groups was -2.35 (95% CI: -2.95, -1.76; P<0.001). The degree of improvement in SAQ score, SF-12 score, endothelin and high-sensitive C-reactive protein levels in the GXDS group were substantially superior than those in the placebo group, and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). Similar results were obtained in the per protocol population analysis of 177 patients. Three cases of MACES were reported in this study (1 in the GXDS group and 2 in the placebo group), and no serious adverse events occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

GXDS can significantly alleviate depression and anxiety, relieve symptoms of angina, and improve quality of life in patients with CHD after PCI. (Registration No. ChiCTR1800014291).

Xinfuli granule alleviates metabolic remodeling through inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial injury in heart failure

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

"Qi deficiency-blood stasis-water retention syndrome" was the most frequent syndrome among heart failure(HF) patients according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory. Xinfuli Granule (XG) was constructed on the basis of classical formula "Baoyuan decoction" to enhance the function of nourishing Qi, activating blood and removing water retention. XG treatment has obtained clinical effect on HF patients.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The regulation of XG on energy metabolism of HF was investigated with special focus on endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and mitochondrial function.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Components of XG was acquired by UPLC/Q-TOF-MS Analysis, left anterior descending ligation(LAD)-induced HF rats model and hypoxia-ischemia(H-I)-induced H₉c₂ cells model were constructed to evaluate the effect of XG treatment. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiographic parameters, energy metabolism was evaluated by metabolites and ATP/ADP/AMP levels in blood samples, cardiomyocyte morphology and myocardial fibrosis were assessed by HE staining and Masson staining, mitochondrial ultrastructure was observed under Transmission Electron Microscope, viability and apoptosis rate of H₉c₂ cells was detected by cell counting kit-8 reaction and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of H₉c₂ cells was observed by JC-1 kit under fluorescent microscope, expression of peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-coactivator (PGC1α), ERS-related genes and RHOA/ROCK pathway were analysed by Quantitative Real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western Blot.

RESULTS

Here, we showed that XG alleviated cardiac metabolic remodeling and stimulated ATP production through elevated expression of PGC1α in HF rats. XG also helped recover mitochondrial deformation and decrease apoptosis rate accompanied by an increase of the Bcl2/Bax ratio and the mitochondrial membrane potential in hypoxia-ischemia (H-I) H₉c₂ cells. In addition, we found that XG downregulated ERS-related proteins ATF4, CHOP, Phospho-eIF2α, and Phospho-PERK, and suppressed the RHOA/ROCK pathway, which served as a potential mediator of ERS.

CONCLUSIONS

we found that XG improved energy production by alleviating mitochondrial injury and inhibiting ERS in heart failures mediated by the RHOA/ROCK pathway.

A survey and cause analysis of community resilience in a Chinese city from the perspective of nursing

Background

Community resilience, which fully reflects the ability of communities to resist, absorb, recover or adapt to disasters, has attracted international attention. Nurses are an important force in disaster prevention, relief and postdisaster reconstruction. This study aims to test the current level of community resilience in Dujiangyan city, which was seriously damaged by the Wenchuan earthquake, and analyze the causes.

Methods

Community data from 952 residents, 574 families, 5 health care institutions and 12 communities in Dujiangyan city were collected by using stratified, cluster, map and systematic sampling methods. A new community resilience evaluation system from the perspective of nursing was used to test individual, family, health care and environmental resilience.

Results

In Dujiangyan city, average scores were obtained for community resilience (3.93 ± 0.12), individual resilience (4.07 ± 0.64), family resilience (4.07 ± 0.6), health care resilience (3.84 ± 0.33) and community environment resilience (3.69 ± 0.46).

Conclusions

The urban communities in Dujiangyan city had acceptable resilience, with good family and individual resilience and medium health care and community environment resilience, but environmental resilience had the lowest score. Because conditions and resilience levels varied among the communities, targeted measures should be taken to improve resilience based on population characteristics, management, professional organizations, hardware and software facilities.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-12331-1.

Simple and accurate visual detection of single nucleotide polymorphism based on colloidal gold nucleic acid strip biosensor and primer-specific PCR

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was associated with many human diseases, therefore, SNP detection was important for early diagnosis and clinical prognosis. Herein, a simple and accurate method for visual detection SNP sites (A/A, G/G, A/G) in CYP1A1 gene related to cancers based on colloidal gold nucleic acid strip biosensor and primer-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was established. This method could directly distinguish SNP sites on strip biosensor by introducing twice PCR amplifications. The second PCR (primer-specific PCR) was performed using specific product of the first PCR as template, thus this twice PCR could reduce non-specific amplification greatly and obtain target product. In addition, single-strand or double-strand DNA (ssDNA or dsDNA) was accurately produced by introducing mismatched base at the 3' end of forward primers in primer-specific PCR. The designed strip biosensor could only combine with the ssDNA, thus visual detection of SNP could be achieved within 10 min by color difference of a pair of strips. 61 human blood samples by this method were identical with those of pyrosequencing. This method had the advantages of rapid, visual and low-cost and was expected to be applied in medical diagnosis.

Visual detection of trace lead ion based on aptamer and silver staining nano-metal composite

In this paper, visual detection of trace lead ion was established by aptamer and silver staining. The basic strategy was that aminated PS2.M aptamer was immobilized onto slide and formed stable G-quadruplex structure. PbS was generated by adding S^2-, and it catalyzed subsequent silver staining reaction, through the silver staining amplification effect, the slide presented visible ash black. The gray value of slide after silver staining was analyzed and the semi-quantitative detection of Pb²⁺ in solution was realized. The results showed that optical darkness ratio (ODR) and logarithmic value of Pb²⁺ concentration had a good linear relationship (R² = 0.951) over the range of 0.5-10 μM. In addition, there was no obvious interference of other common metal ions for the detection, indicating that this method presented outstanding selectivity. And it was also used for qualitative and semi-quantitative determination of Pb²⁺ in soil sample successfully.

[Effects of allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on polarization of peritoneal macrophages in rats with sepsis]

Objective: To explore the effects of allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on polarization of peritoneal macrophages isolated from rats with sepsis induced by endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods: (1) BMSCs were isolated, cultured and purified from 5 SD rats with whole bone marrow adherent method. The third passage of cells were collected for morphologic observation, detection of expressions of stem cell surface markers CD29, CD44, CD45, and CD90 with flow cytometer, and identification of osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. (2) Another 45 SD rats were divided into sham injury group (SI, n=5), LPS control group (LC, n=20), and BMSCs-treated group (BT, n=20) according to the random number table. Rats in groups LC and BT were injected with LPS (5 mg/kg) via tail vein to induce sepsis; rats in group SI were injected with the same amount of normal saline to simulate the damage. At post injury hour (PIH) 1, rats in group BT were given 1 mL BMSCs (2×10(6)/mL) via tail vein injection; rats in another two groups were injected with equal volume of phosphate buffer saline. Five rats in group SI at PIH 24 and in groups LC and BT at PIH 6, 12, 24, and 48 were sacrificed to harvest lung tissue for pathological observation with HE staining. In addition, rats in group SI at PIH 24 and in groups LC and BT at PIH 24 and 48 were simultaneously performed with intraperitoneal injection of low-glucose DMEM. Then peritoneal fluid was harvested to culture peritoneal macrophages. Flow cytometer was used to assess the positive expression of cell makers of macrophages including CD68 (making gate), CD11c, and CD206 in group SI at PIH 24 and in groups LC and BT at PIH 24 and 48. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and LSD test. Results: (1) The third passage of cells showed uniform fiber-like shape similar to fibroblasts. These cells showed positive expressions of CD29, CD44, CD90 and weak positive expression of CD45. They were able to differentiate into osteoblasts and adipocytes. These cells were identified as BMSCs. (2) At PIH 24, the structure of pulmonary alveoli of rats in group SI was clear and complete with no congestion or inflammatory cell infiltration. At PIH 6, the structure of pulmonary alveoli of rats in groups LC and BT was clear with a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration, slight congestion and pulmonary interstitial thickening. At PIH 12, the inflammatory responses in lung tissue of rats in group LC were more severe than those in group BT with a large amount of inflammatory cell infiltration, serious congestion, and obvious pulmonary interstitial thickening. The pathological results of rats in group BT at PIH 12 was consistent with the results at PIH 6. At PIH 24, the pathological results of rats in groups LC and BT were similar to the results at PIH 12. At PIH 48, the structure of pulmonary alveoli tissue of rats in group LC was still severely disrupted, with a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration and congestion in lung tissue, but pulmonary interstitial thickening was slightly alleviated than before. The condition of rats in group BT nearly recovered to that in group SI. (3) At PIH 24, the positive expression rate of CD11c in peritoneal macrophages of rats in group LC [(83±10)%] was close to that in group BT [(87±7)%, P>0.05], and they were both significantly higher than the rate in group SI [(55±12)%, with P values below 0.01]. The positive expression rate of CD11c in peritoneal macrophages of rats in group LC [(59±11)%] at PIH 48 was close to that in group SI at PIH 24 (P>0.05), and they were both significantly higher than the rate in group BT [(20±11)%] at PIH 48 (with P values below 0.01). At PIH 24, the positive expression percentages of CD206 in peritoneal macrophages of rats were similar among the three groups (with P values above 0.05). The positive expression percentage of CD206 in peritoneal macrophages of rats in group SI at PIH 24 was close to that in group BT at PIH 48 (P>0.05), and they were both significantly lower than the percentage in group LC at PIH 48 (with P values below 0.01). Conclusions: BMSCs can reduce the pathological inflammatory responses in the lung of rats with sepsis and inhibit peritoneal macrophages from polarizing into M1 phenotype, whereas they can not promote macrophages to polarize into M2 phenotype.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm: A retrospective study in a single-center of China

Left ventricular (LV) pseudoaneurysm is a fatal and rare condition with a high risk of rupture. The symptoms are nonspecific and diagnosis is often delayed. The purpose of this study is to analysis a series of cases in our institution.Between March 2009 and April 2016, 10 patients (5 males and 5 females) with LV pseudoaneurysm were retrospectively enrolled. Clinical information, diagnostic imaging modalities, treatment, and outcomes were evaluated.The mean age was 58.2 ± 11.0 years (28-71 years). The common symptoms were chest pain (3 cases), dyspnea (3 cases), and syncope (2 cases). All patients had nonspecific abnormalities on the electrocardiogram, and 7 patients had chest X-ray abnormalities. Three etiologies including myocardial infarction (6 cases), mitral valve replacement (3 cases), and suspected endocarditis (1 case) were identified. LV pseudoanerysm was diagnosed in 8 patients by transthoracic echocardiography, and the other 2 patients were diagnosed by computed tomography angiogram. Posterior (4 cases) and lateral (4 cases) of the left ventricle were the most common positions of the rupture orifice. Eight patients accepted surgery repair and 2 patients were treated conservatively. In 2 patients, residual apical aneurysm was found, 1 patient was detected with a residual LV pseudoaneurysm, and 1 patient had myocardial infarction at 61 months' follow-up.Myocardial infarction was the most common etiology of patients with LV pseudoaneurysm. The most frequently ruptured orifices were lateral and posterior walls of the left ventricle. Surgery is recommended as the first option, and conservative therapy can be considered for appropriate patients.

Pulmonary ground-glass opacity: computed tomography features, histopathology and molecular pathology

The incidence of pulmonary ground-glass opacity (GGO) lesions is increasing as a result of the widespread use of multislice spiral computed tomography (CT) and the low-dose CT screening for lung cancer detection. Besides benign lesions, GGOs can be a specific type of lung adenocarcinomas or their preinvasive lesions. Evaluation of pulmonary GGO and investigation of the correlation between CT imaging features and lung adenocarcinoma subtypes or driver genes can be helpful in confirming the diagnosis and in guiding the clinical management. Our review focuses on the pathologic characteristics of GGO detected at CT, involving histopathology and molecular pathology.

Chloroquine inhibits tumor growth and angiogenesis in malignant pleural effusion

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is associated with a poor prognosis in lung cancer. Currently, no effective cure exists for MPE. Chloroquine (CQ) has been demonstrated to induce vascular normalization and inhibit tumor growth. The aim of this study was to assess whether CQ affects MPE. The xenografts mice were divided into normal saline (NS), CQ, or bevacizumab (BE) group. Tumor growth and microvascular density (MVD) were monitored. We explored the effect of CQ on the proliferation, survival, and proangiogenic signaling of tumor cells in vitro. We further evaluated the effects of CQ on the viability, migration, and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). A chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model was used to elucidate the effects of CQ on angiogenesis. Finally, an MPE mouse model were treated by CQ, BE, or NS. The volume of pleural effusion, tumor foci, and MVD was evaluated. CQ therapy group exhibited decreased tumor volume, tumor weight, and MVD in the mouse xenografts. CQ inhibited the proliferation of the tumor cells. However, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor was not affected. Additionally, CQ inhibited the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of HUVECs and also restrained angiogenesis in the CAM. Western blot showed that CQ might suppress angiogenesis by downregulating p-Akt, Jagged1, and Ang2 in HUVECs. In MPE mice, the volume of the pleural effusion, the number of pleural tumor foci, and the MVD were significantly reduced in the CQ group. Our work demonstrated that CQ played the role of an efficient treatment for MPE.

[Effects of xinfuli granule on cardiomyocyte apoptosis in rats with dilated heart failure induced by adriamycin]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of Xinfuli Granule (XG) on cardiomyocyte apoptosis in rats with adriamycin-induced dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

METHODS

Seventy-two male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, i.e., the normal control group, the model group, the irbesartan group, the low dose XG group, the medium dose XG group, and the high dose XG group. The DCM heart failure rat model was established using peritoneal injection of ADR. Equal volume of normal saline was injected to those in the normal control group, once per week for 6 consecutive weeks. The medication was started from the 5th week by gastrogavage. XG was dispensed into 0.5 g/mL suspension with distilled water. The XG was administered at the daily dose of 0.675 g/kg, 1.350 g/kg, and 2.700 g/kg to those in the low dose XG group, the medium dose XG group, and the high dose XG group, respectively. Irbesartan was administered to rats in the irbesartan group at the daily dose of 50 mg/kg. Equal volume of normal saline was administered to those in the normal control group and the model group by gastrogavage, once in the morning for 4 consecutive weeks. Myocardial apoptosis was measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), and the expressions of the Bcl-2 and Bax protein of cardiomyocytes were measured by immunohistochemical assay.

RESULTS

Compared with the normal control group, the cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate and Bax expression level obviously increased, but the expression of Bcl-2 and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio decreased significantly in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the expression of Bax and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio increased significantly in the high dose XG group and the irbesartan group (P < 0.01). The Bax expression level obviously decreased in all groups except the normal control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

XG could obviously attenuate cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the adriamycin-induced DCM rats, and reverse the occurrence and development of heart reconstruction. The underlying mechanism might be related to regulating and controlling the expressions of Bax and Bcl-2.

Observation of electron-antineutrino disappearance at Daya Bay

The Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment has measured a nonzero value for the neutrino mixing angle θ(13) with a significance of 5.2 standard deviations. Antineutrinos from six 2.9 GWth reactors were detected in six antineutrino detectors deployed in two near (flux-weighted baseline 470 m and 576 m) and one far (1648 m) underground experimental halls. With a 43,000 ton-GWth-day live-time exposure in 55 days, 10,416 (80,376) electron-antineutrino candidates were detected at the far hall (near halls). The ratio of the observed to expected number of antineutrinos at the far hall is R=0.940±0.011(stat.)±0.004(syst.). A rate-only analysis finds sin(2)2θ(13)=0.092±0.016(stat.)±0.005(syst.) in a three-neutrino framework.

Double eyelid blepharoplasty incorporating epicanthoplasty using Y-V advancement procedure

Ethnic characteristics of the Asian upper eyelid include the lack of a superior palpebral fold, excessive fat, laxity of pretarsal skin, and medial epicanthal fold. Historically, these features have characterised a unique beauty in Asians. With the increase of cultural exchange, the sense of beauty has changed greatly among Asians and most Asians regard eyes with double eyelids as beautiful. Therefore, surgical creation of a superior palpebral fold (so-called double eyelidplasty) has become the most common cosmetic operation in Asia. However, the presence of an epicanthal fold weakens the aesthetic results of the operation. The size of the epicanthal fold in Asians, whilst varying widely among individuals, is usually relatively small, and thus aesthetically successful effacement rarely requires more complex procedures as performed in the West. The incision for epicanthoplasty should therefore be as simple as possible and be confined to the eyelid area. From October 2001 to May 2006, Y-V advancement procedure for epicanthoplasty was used in combination with double eyelid surgery in 92 cases. Most of the patients attained satisfactory results. There were few complications in our series. A hypertrophic scar was recorded in three early cases and faded within 2 to 3 months with satisfactory results. This procedure is simple and more suitable for people of oriental origin.

The way and therapeutic efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine treatments based on the differentiation of symptoms and signs on gastrointestinal function disorder after cardiovascular surgery

AIM: To study the way and summarize the therapeutic effect of syndrome differentiation-based Chinese medicine treatments on gastrointestinal function disorder after cardiovascular surgery.

METHODS: This study included a group of 80 patients with gastrointestinal function disorder after cardiovascular surgery, who were treated by traditional Chinese medicine based on the differentiation of symptoms and signs.

RESULTS: Of the 80 patients, 46 showed excellent efficacy and 31 exhibit general efficacy. No effectiveness was found in 3 patients. The total effective rate of the treatment by traditional Chinese medicine was 96.25%.

CONCLUSION: Treatment based on the differentiation of symptoms and signs can improve the gastrointestinal function of patients after cardiovascular surgery and reduce the in-hospital time.

Association between Polymorphisms of Vitamin D Receptor Gene ApaI, BsmI and TaqI and Muscular Strength in Young Chinese Women

The association between the polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor gene ApaI, BsmI and TaqI and isokinetic muscular strength was examined in 109 healthy, young Chinese women.

METHODS

Genomic DNA was extracted from mouthwash samples and vitamin D receptor genotypes were determined with the established methods. The peak torque of the dominant limb in concentric and eccentric knee extensors and flexors and elbow extensors and flexors was measured using Cybex-Norm-770 isokinetic dynamometer at slow and fast velocities. The distribution frequency of vitamin D receptor gene alleles was analyzed by chi-square test. The difference in muscular strength between VDR genotype groups was analyzed using one-way ANOVA. The ApaI, BsmI and TaqI alleles and genotype frequencies appeared to be in a Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Subjects with the vitamin D receptor ApaI null (A allele) mutation (AA) exhibited significantly lower knee and elbow concentric or eccentric peak torque than those with aa homozygous or Aa heterozygous. The BB & Bb group showed significantly higher peak torque in concentric knee flexors than bb group. No association was found between vitamin D receptor gene TaqI and muscular strength. The data indicated that vitamin D receptor gene ApaI and BsmI polymorphisms rather than TaqI polymorphism might be associated with muscular strength.

[Clinical study on compatibility and dismantlement of Xuefu Zhuyu decoction]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the regularity of traditional Chinese compound prescription by observing the clinical effect of the compatibility and dismantlement of Xuefu Zhuyu decoction on blood stasis and stagnation of qi syndrome of angina.

METHOD

123 outpatients were randomly divided into Xuefu Zhuyu group(XF), Jingzhi Xuefu Zhuyu group(JZ), Yaodui group(YD) and placebo group and treated.

RESULT

The array of angina effect and blood stasis and qi stagnation of syndrome effect was XF group, JZ group, YD group, placebo group( P < 0.01). The levels of blood viscosity, platelet adhesiveness, RED transfigure were significantly different before and after treatment in XF group (P < 0.05). The levels of blood viscosity, platelet adhesiveness were significant different before and after treatment in JZ group ( P < 0.05). The levels of blood plasma viscosity, platelet adhesiveness were significantly different before and after treatment in YD group ( P < 0.05). The levels of platelet adhesiveness, RED transfigure were significantly different before and after treatment in placebo group (P < 0.05). There are no difference among levels of blood lipoprotein and ET of four groups ( P > 0.05). Significant difference was found among four groups in increase of NO and t-PA and decrease of IL-6 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The clinical effect and indexes amelioration are correlated to the combination of prescription and the corresponding degree of prescription to syndrome. There are same material foundation in the series of Xuefu Zhuyu dismantle decoction, but the function degree and targets are different with the change of herbs. The method of conjugating disease and syndromes, and prescription to syndromes are a practical pattern to expound the relationship between disease and syndrome.

Culture-derived Babesia orientalis exoantigens used as a vaccine against buffalo babesiosis

Buffalo babesiosis represents a major problem for the livestock industry in China. The pathogen of this disease was isolated and identified as Babesia orientalis and subsequently propagated in vitro, using the microaerophilus stationary phase culture system. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of exoantigens derived from B. orientalis cultures to induce a protective immunity against challenge exposure to virulent organisms in laboratory and field. The results showed that exoantigens of B. orientalis could induce a high degree of protection against challenge with a virulent B. orientalis strain. The animals in the vaccinated group exhibited a slight decrease in haemoglobin levels and blood cell counts, whereas animals in the control group showed typical clinical symptoms and died between days 11 and 16 after challenge. In another approach, 82 buffaloes kept in B. orientalis-endemic areas were injected with exoantigens plus Freund's adjuvant in two doses at an interval of 2 weeks, one month before the endemic period. An additional 86 buffaloes served as unvaccinated controls. During the endemic period, the clinical signs of all buffaloes were monitored and the antibody response was investigated, using the latex agglutination test. During the endemic period, none of the vaccinated buffaloes showed clinical signs or died, whereas five control buffaloes showed clinical signs and two of them died. The mean antibody titre of vaccinated animals was higher than that of the control animals. These results showed that the culture-derived exoantigens of B. orientalis could be used as a vaccine to prevent buffalo babesiosis.

[Analysis on genetic polymorphism of mtDNA in endurance athletes and sedentary subjects]

AIM

To analysis the sequence variation of the origin region (D-loop) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in elite endurance athletes and sedentary subjects in order to find the genetic markers related with performance.

METHODS

Using a new established PCR method by virtue of tracing sample analysis, the restricted fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of D-loop in mtDNA was assessed in 76 elite Chinese endurance athletes (EEA), 33 endurance athletes with average-level(GEA) and 20 sedentary control(sc).

RESULTS

There is a significant difference in distribution of the polymorphism in mtDNA D-loop between the EEA and SC(chi 2 = 33.3, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The sequence variation of D-loop region of mtDNA in the elite endurance athletes may contribute to the individual difference in aerobic performance and trainability.

Protective effect of zinc on liver injury induced by D-galactosamine in rats

The protective effects of zinc on liver injury induced by D-galactosamine (GalN) were investigated in rats in vivo and in vitro. Zinc supplementation (50 mg/kg/d) for 5 d of rats treated with GalN (1.5 g/kg, ip) could reduce their mortality rate, restore liver pathomorphological changes, maintain zinc content, inhibit the lipid peroxidation, hasten the protein synthesis, and improve liver function. In vitro, zinc supplement could abate the death of GalN-intoxicated hepatocytes, decrease malonaldehyde (MDA) content, and maintain reduced glutathione (GSH). It is concluded that zinc has protective effects on GalN-induced liver damage. Its effects may be owing to inhibition of lipid peroxidation and hastening of protein syntheses.

Effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha on the proliferation of leukemic cells from children with B-cell precursor-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL): studies of primary leukemic cells and BCP-ALL cell lines

The effect of recombinant tumor necrosis factor-alpha (rTNF-alpha) on the primary leukemic blasts and leukemic cell lines derived from children with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) was studied. The proliferation of leukemic cells from the bone marrow of 11 of 13 patients (seven at diagnosis, four in relapse) and from the 697 (BCP-ALL) cell line was significantly inhibited by rTNF-alpha at the lowest dose tested (0.1 ng/mL), as measured by 3H-TdR uptake. The degree of inhibition was variable, ranging from 17% to 78%. Furthermore, a dose-dependent inhibitory effect was observed, with approximately 70% mean inhibition of DNA synthesis detected when cells from 12 of 13 patients were incubated with 100 ng/mL of rTNF-alpha for 3 days. In contrast, rTNF-alpha did not inhibit another BCP-ALL cell line (EU-1/ALL) established recently in our laboratory. Studies indicated that the TNF-alpha gene was expressed by the primary leukemic blasts of one TNF-resistant case in his third relapse and by EU-1 cells. Also, TNF-alpha protein was detected by Western blot analysis and enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay in the supernatant of EU-1 cells; this is the first report of TNF production by a BCP-ALL cell lines. The production of TNF-alpha mRNA and protein was not detected in the 697 cell line and in the primary leukemic blasts from six patients (four at diagnosis, two in relapse) whose leukemic cells were inhibited by TNF. The partially purified TNF-alpha obtained from the EU-1 cell line also suppressed the proliferation of TNF-sensitive primary leukemic cells, and this inhibitory activity was abolished by an anti-TNF-alpha specific antibody. Our results demonstrate that TNF-alpha is an inhibitor of in vitro proliferation of BCP-ALL cells from most patients. The TNF-resistant leukemic cells from a few patients and the EU-1 cell line express TNF mRNA, suggesting that the induction of TNF gene expression is associated with the development of TNF resistance.

Physical growth of Chinese children from birth to 6 years old in urban and rural areas in 1985

During 1985 a survey of the physical growth of 175,290 Chinese children less than 7 years in age was undertaken in the urban and rural areas of ten provinces. The results of weight, height, and head circumference are similar to those generally found as regards the differences between boys and girls. The children in rural areas were lighter and shorter. From the age of 3-6 months onwards the weights and heights of all groups were less than international standards. Nutrition is probably the major factor in these differences in growth.