Treatment of hypocalcemia caused by hypoparathyroidism or pseudohypoparathyroidism with domestic-made calcitriol: a prospective and self-controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Parathyroid hormone deficiency or resistance may cause hypocalcemia with related symptoms and signs. Lifelong treatment of calcium combined with vitamin D or its metabolites is always necessary for these patients. Here we reported a prospective and open-label trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of domestic-made calcitriol in treatment of hypocalcemia caused by hypoparathyroidism or pseudohypoparathyroidism.

METHODS

Twenty-four patients with confirmed hypoparathyroidism or pseudohypoparathyroidism aged (36.5 +/- 11.0) years old were studied. Among them, 16 patients had idiopathic hypoparathyroidism, 2 had pseudohypoparathyroidism and 6 had hypoparathyroidism secondary to cervical surgery. Serum calcium levels were lower than 1.88 mmol/L. Oral calcitriol was administered twice or three times with elemental calcium 1.2 g per day. All patients were followed every 4 weeks throughout the 12-week period. Dose adjustments of calcitriol were based on serum and urinary calcium levels and symptoms of hypocalcemia.

RESULTS

Twenty patients were included by the end of this study. Muscular weakness, cramps, extremity paresthesia, Chovestek's sign and Trousseau's sign were relieved in 76.9%, 100%, 94.4%, 93.3% and 78.9% of patients, respectively. Serum calcium, plasma ionized calcium and serum phosphorus levels were (1.54+/-0.25) mmol/L, (0.64+/-0.10) mmol/L and (2.00+/-0.46) mmol/L at baseline, and reached (2.20+/-0.20) mmol/L, (0.95+/-0.06) mmol/L and (1.68+/-0.25) mmol/L (P<0.01) at the 12th week of treatment, respectively. Eighty percent of patients were assessed as effective and 20% as partly effective. Three, four and eight patients had hypercalciuria at the 4th, 8th and 12th week of treatment, respectively, which were reduced by thiazide diuretics. The final dose of calcitriol was (1.09+/-0.50) microg/d.

CONCLUSIONS

Calcitriol combined with calcium can be used in treatment of hypocalcemia caused by hypoparathyroidism or pseudohypoparathyroidism effectively and safely. Serum and urinary calcium levels should be monitored during the course of the therapy.

Comparison of partial nitrification to nitrite for ammonium-rich organic wastewater in sequencing batch reactors and continuous stirred-tank reactor at laboratory-scale

The combined partial nitrification/Anammox process is especially suitable for the treatment of influents with low C/N ratio. However, many nitrogenous wastewater are also rich in organics. Two systems (continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR) and sequencing batch reactor (SBR)) are commonly used to achieve nitrite accumulation, but no complete comparison between these two systems for treating different wastewater has been reported. The objective of this paper was to compare the partial nitrification in CSTR and SBR for the treatment of ammonium-rich organic wastewater. The result showed that it took a shorter time to startup partial nitrification in CSTR, but SBR was a better option for treating ammonium-rich organic wastewater with C/N lower than 0.34. With increase HRT to 48 h, excellent nitrite accumulation could be achieved in both reactors for wastewater containing landfill leachate. For subsequent anammox, CSTR was more suitable when leachate percentage ranged from 35% to 40%.

Three novel mutations of the PHEX gene in three Chinese families with X-linked dominant hypophosphatemic rickets

X-linked dominant hypophosphatemia (XLH, OMIM307800), the most prevalent form of inherited rickets in humans, is a dominant disorder of phosphate homeostasis characterized by growth retardation, rachitic and osteomalacic bone disease, hypophosphatemia, and renal phosphate wasting. The gene responsible for XLH was identified by positional cloning and designated PHEX (formerly PEX) to depict a phosphate-regulating gene homologous with endopeptidases on the X chromosome. Recently, extensive mutation analysis of the PHEX gene has revealed a wide variety of gene defects in XLH. The ethnic distribution of the mutations is very widespread but only a few mutations in Chinese have been reported. To analyze the molecular basis in three unrelated Chinese families with XLH, we determined the nucleotide sequence of the PHEX gene and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) gene of affected members. The serum FGF23 concentrations of these patients with XLH were also measured. Three different novel mutations were observed in these three families: one deletion mutation c.264delG causing p.W88 X; one missense mutation c.1673C>G causing p.P558A; one nonsense mutation c.1809G>A causing p.W603 X. Serum concentration of FGF23 in XLH patients of these three families was significantly higher than normal. The results suggest that PHEX gene mutations were responsible for XLH in these patients and these mutations may contribute to a higher serum FGF23 level.

[Recommendation of a highly sensitive method for measuring hemoglobin in hemolytic test]

In this paper is recommended a highly sensitive and reagent-safe method to determine plasma heamoglobin (FHb) in viscacha hemolytic test. The 2,4-dichlorophenol method (2,4-DCP) of Trinder reaction has been improved. The performance of 2,4-DCP is verified. The sensitivity of 2,4-DCP is 2.39 times that of phenol method. It is well used with run precision and day-to-day precision. The reaction color is stable. The reference value FHb is 1-36.7 mg/L. Sodium citric is an excellent anticoagulant liquid to keep erythrocyte. The 2,4-DCP method is neither carcinogenic nor poisonous;it is suitable for viscacha hemolytic test in clinical and biomedical engineering.

Trichosanthin down-regulated p210Bcr-Abl and enhanced imatinib-induced growth arrest in chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line K562

PURPOSE

Trichosanthin (TCS), an active component extracted from the root tubers of traditional Chinese medical herb Tian-Hua-Fen of the Cucurbitaceae family, has long been used for medical purpose in China; there is increasing interest in developing TCS as cancer therapeutic agents. The present study was to investigate the growth arrest of K562 cells and its molecular mechanisms, which the drugs induced by TCS and the possible functional interaction of TCS with imatinib (STI571) to K562 cells.

METHODS

Trypan blue exclusive staining was used to access the cell growth inhibition; western blot was used to evaluate the p210(Bcr-Abl), phosphorylated tyrosine kinase (PTK), and some signaling molecules involving in cell proliferation and apoptosis in K562 cells.

RESULTS

TCS and imatinib inhibited K562 cells at a time- and dose-dependent manners, respectively; TCS down-regulated p210(Bcr-Abl) at a time- and dose-dependent manners; TCS synergistically enhanced imatinib-induced K562 cell growth arrest and down-regulation of p210(Bcr-Abl), PTK activities, procaspase-3, Hsp90,NF-kappaB and PKC.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that TCS not only by itself involves but also synergizes activities of imatinib to induce K562 cell growth arrest, down-regulation of p210(Bcr-Abl) and its downstream signals and to stimulate the effect of the tyrosine kinase inhibition.

[Association of calcium-sensing receptor gene polymorphism with serum calcium level in healthy young Han women in Beijing]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the distribution of calcium-sensing receptor (CASR) gene polymorphisms in healthy young women of Han nationality in Beijing area and to explore the association of CASR genotypes and serum calcium, parathormone (PTH) level in healthy women.

METHODS

202 healthy young women aged (27 +/- 5) years of Han nationality in Beijing area were recruited in this study. Whole blood genome DNA was extracted with QIAGEN DNA extraction kit. A986S and G990R genotypes were determined with mutagenically separated polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP), respectively. Serum calcium, albumin, phosphorus, PTH were determined.

RESULTS

(1) There were A986S and G990R polymorphisms in healthy young women of Han nationality in Beijing. The frequencies of genotypes were as follows: SS absent, AA 95.0% and AS 5.0% for A986S, RR21.3%, GR51.0% and GG27.7% for G990R. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was evident. (2) In subjects carrying AA and AS genotype, serum Ca was (2.46 +/- 0.09) mmol/L vs (2.45 +/- 0.08) mmol/L, calcium adjusted by albumin was (2.31 +/- 0.10) mmol/L vs (2.30 +/- 0.09) mmol/L, serum P was (1.23 +/- 0.14) mmol/L vs (1.24 +/- 0.11) mmol/L, serum PTH was (41.6 +/- 18.6) ng/L vs (50.0 +/- 25.1) ng/L. There were no significant differences among them. (3) In subjects carrying GG, GR and RR genotype, serum Ca was (2.44 +/- 0.10), (2.46 +/- 0.08) and (2.48 +/- 0.08) mmol/L; calcium adjusted by albumin was (2.30 +/- 0.10), (2.32 +/- 0.09) and (2.32 +/- 0.10) mmol/L; serum P was (1.22 +/- 0.13), (1.24 +/- 0.15) and (1.20 +/- 0.15) mmol/L, serum PTH was (37.6 +/- 16.0), (42.1 +/- 20.2) and (45.9 +/- 18.1) ng/L. There were significant difference in serum Ca, calcium adjusted by albumin and PTH (P = 0.042, 0.020 and 0.014, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

(1) There are A986S and G990R polymorphisms in CASR gene in Han nationality in Beijing area. The frequencies of genotypes are as follows: SS absent, AA 95.0% and AS 5.0% for A986S, RR21.3%, GR51.0% and GG27.7% for G990R. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is evident. A and G alleles are more common. It is indicated that the distribution of CASR gene polymorphisms in Chinese is different from that in Caucasians. (2) G990R polymorphism is associated with serum calcium and PTH levels in healthy women. Subjects with R allele have higher levels of serum calcium and PTH. There is no correlation between A986S polymorphism and serum calcium or PTH.

Genetic engineering of Periplaneta fuliginosa densovirus as an improved biopesticide

The smoky-brown cockroach (Periplaneta fuliginosa) densovirus (PfDNV) has previously shown potential in urban pest control. To improve its efficacy as a biopesticide, the genome of PfDNV was engineered by inserting the insect-specific toxin gene BmKIT1 in the open reading frame encoding the major structural proteins. A green fluorescent protein (GFP) marker was tagged to the BmKIT1 at its C-terminus for in vivo imaging using Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CFSM). Using a virion rescue strategy, the genomes of recombinant and wild-type (wt) PfDNV were then cotransfected in P. fuliginosa nymphs. Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) showed that the inserted BmkIT1 genes were expressed in the P. fuliginosa nymphs 48 h after cotransfection. CFSM and transmission electron microscopy also confirmed the generation of virus particles and expression of BmKIT1-GFP fusion protein in the cotransfected nymphs. The recombinant viruses remained infective to P. fuliginosa nymphs in feeding tests. Using the LT(50) bioassay method, the coninfection of the recombinant and wt PfDNV killed the P. fuliginosa nymphs approximate 32% faster than wt PfDNV only. This is the first report showing the improvement of engineered densovirus for the potential application of biopesticide.

Effects of antibacterials use in aquaculture on biogeochemical processes in marine sediment

The effects of chloramphenicol on microorganism in marine sediment were studied by spiked experiments in this paper. The results showed that high concentrations of chloramphenicol could inhibit the activities of microorganism in sediment, and that the growth of strains Pseudomons and Acinetobacter in sediment that can degrade organic matters were inhibited apparently. Furthermore, the resistance of heterotrophic bacteria in sediment had developed due to the use of antibacterials. Based on the above results potential environmental effects of antibacterials on microorganism in marine sediment were analyzed.

Investigation on bioremediation of oil-polluted wetland at Liaodong Bay in northeast China

An investigation on the effect of various microbes on degradation was carried out as part of the study on bioremediation of oil-polluted wetland at LiaoDong Bay in northeast China. The method used involved direct inoculation of selected bacteria, which were capable of degrading oil, to the soil samples. The combination of various bacteria showed better results in terms of oil degradation than any single ones due to their synergetic effects. The operation conditions [pH 8.0, 25 degrees C, C/N/P (40:5.6:1)] for these bacteria to degrade the oil content in the soil samples were also studied and optimized. Addition of appropriate surfactants was helpful for bacteria growth, thus favoring the oil degradation. For instance, after adding Tween 80 (300 mg/kg) for 8 days, the number of bacteria was amplified 6.22 times and the rate of oil degradation increased by 20%. Adequate amount of H2O2 was also beneficial for microbes to decompose oil. However, overdosage may cause the death of the bacteria. The addition of 400 mg/l H2O2 each time was suitable. Seven thousand milligrams of H2O2 was added entirely in 11 days, and the rate of oil degradation increased significantly from 27% (without H2O2) up to 67%. The study clearly demonstrated that the direct soil inoculation was an effective method for environmental bioremediation.

[Skeletal biomechanical properties improvement in ovariectomized osteoporotic rats of teriparatide was retarded by alendronate]

OBJECTIVE

To implore the effects of teriparatide (PTH) and alendronate (Alen) on skeletal biomechanical properties of ovariectomized (OVX) osteoporotic rats.

METHODS

70 female Wistar rats of 6 months were randomly divided into 7 groups: (1) Baseline: sacrificed at baseline; (2) OVXb: sacrificed in 6 weeks after OVX; (3) Sham operation; (4) OVXe: sacrificed 14 weeks after OVX; (5) PTH: 40 microg.kg(-1).d(-1); (6) Alen: 100 microg.kg(-1).d(-1); (7) A + P: PTH 40 microg.kg(-1).d(-1) and Alen 100 microg.kg(-1).d(-1). In group (5)-(7), different medicines were injected 5 times per week from 6th to 14th week after OVX. The cancellous biomechanical properties were measured with indentation test and the cortical properties were investigated with three-point bending test.

RESULTS

(1) The can load and can stiff of distal femur of OVXb were significantly lower than those of baseline (P < 0.01). It is indicated that osteoporotic rat models with impaired bone strength were established. (2) The can load and can stiff of distal femur of PTH [(36.3 +/- 9.2) N, (160.7 +/- 48.0) N/mm(2)], Alen [(42.7 +/- 13.0) N, (122.9 +/- 35.6) N/mm(2)] and A + P [(44.3 +/- 18.2) N, (105.2 +/- 58.4) N/mm(2)] groups were all higher than those of OVXe [(19.5 +/- 8.5) N, (83.2 +/- 37.7) N/mm(2), P < 0.001 or P < 0.01]. In femoral shaft, maximal load and elastic load in PTH, Alen and A + P groups were higher than those of OVXe (P < 0.001, P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). (3) Can stiff in distal femur was higher in PTH than that in Alen and A + P groups (P < 0.05). Elastic load, maximal load and energy absorption in femoral shaft were higher in PTH and A + P groups than those in Alen group (P < 0.05), and maximal stress was higher in PTH than that in A + P and Alen group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

PTH and Alen were effective in improving the skeletal mechanical properties of OVX rats, but improvement in Alen and A + P was not so good as that in PTH group. It is indicated that anabolic effects of PTH was retarded by Alen's significant inhibition of bone turnover, therefore, PTH and Alen should not be utilized simultaneously.

[IgM to recombinant antigen E2 of HEV envelope protein is a sensitive and specific serological marker in diagnosis of acute hepatitis E]

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of IgM to recombinant antigen E2 of HEV envelope protein in the diagnosis of acute sporadic hepatitis E.

METHODS

anti-E2 IgM was detected in sera samples from 176 cases of acute sporadic hepatitis E and 191 cases of acute non A-E hepatitis by ELISA and was compared with HEV IgM detected by some domestic and Genelabs (GL) kits. HEV RNA was also detected in sera positive for anti-E2 IgM. Logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with the detection of anti-E2 IgM and HEV RNA.

RESULTS

Anti-E2 IgM was found in 68.75% of the serum samples from the 176 patients of acute hepatitis E and the positive rate of HEV IgM detection by domestic kits was 56.25% (chi2 IgM = 6.49, P < 0.05). There were 37 (19.37%) anti-E2 IgM positive cases in those 191 sera of the acute non A-E hepatitis, out of which 11 cases were also detected as positive by the GL kit. Of the 158 anti-E2 IgM positive sera, HEV RNA was found in 81 (51.27%), among which 57.02% was positive in acute hepatitis E and 32.43% in acute non A-E hepatitis. No HEV RNA was found in the anti-E2 IgM negative sera from the cases of acute hepatitis E. By logistic regression analysis, no variance relative to the detection of anti-E2 IgM was found with the time interval from onset to hospitalization, age, levels of bilirubin, ALT and AST of the serum. Only the level of serum ALT was found being significantly associated with the detection of HEV RNA (P = 0.024).

CONCLUSIONS

(1) anti-E2 IgM is a sensitive and specific serological maker for diagnosing an acute infection of HEV. (2) HEV is still the pathogen of some cases diagnosed clinically as non-A-E hepatitis. (3) Persistent HEV viremia is possibly an important factor influencing the severity of acute hepatitis E.

[Effects of teriparatide and alendronate on bone mineral density of osteoporotic rats]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of teriparatide (hPTH1-34, PTH) and alendronate (Alen) on bone turnover rate and bone mineral density (BMD) of ovariectomized (OVX) osteoporotic rats.

METHODS

70 female 6-month-old Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 groups: (1) baseline group: killed immediately as baseline controls; (2) sham operation group: injected subcutaneously with normal saline (NS) as normal controls; (3) OVXb group: underwent ovarietomy (OVX) and killed 6 weeks after OVX as pre-therapeutic controls; (4) OVXe group: injected with NS subcutaneously and then sacrificed 14 weeks after OVX as controls by the end of treatment; (5) PTH group: PTH 40 microg.kg(-1).d(-1) was administered; (6) Alen group: Alen 100 microg.kg(-1).d(-1) was administered; (7) A + P group: PTH 40 microg.kg(-1).d(-1) and Alen 100microg.kg(-1).d(-1) were administered. In groups 4 approximately 7, different medicines were injected subcutaneously QD 5 times per week from the 6th week to the 14th week after OVX and then the rats were killed and their right femurs, lumbar vertebrae, and samples of blood and urine were collected. Absorptometry was used to measure the BMD of the right femur and lumbar vertebrae. The serum calcium, phosphate, creatinine, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were measured by automatic biochemical analysis. The bone resorption marker urine deoxypyridinoline/creatinine (UDpd/Cr) level was measured by enzyme-linked immuosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Six weeks after OVX the ALP and UDpd/Cr levels in the OVXb group were 101 U/L +/- 59 U/L and (118 +/- 32) x 10(-6) respectively, both significantly higher than those of the baseline group (58 U/L +/- 10 U/L and (48 +/- 34) x 10(-6) respectively, both P < 0.01) and the BMD results of the OVXb group were all significantly lower than those in the baseline group (all P < 0.01), which indicated that an OVX osteoporotic rat model was established successfully. The ALP and UDpd/Cr levels of the Alen group were 61 U/L +/- 28 U/L and (17 +/- 39) x 10(-6), significantly lower than those of the PTH group 120 U/L +/- 36 U/L and (111 +/- 26) x 10(-6) respectively, both P < 0.01) and the UDpd/Cr levels of the A + P group were between those of the Alen group and those of the PTH group. The BMD levels of the femur and lumbar vertebrae of the PTH, Alen, and A + P groups were all significantly higher than those of the control groups (all P < 0.01), and were similar to or higher than those of the sham operation group without significant differences between the PTH and Alen groups. The BMD level of the lumber vertebrae of the A + P group were significantly higher than those in the PTH group (all P < 0.05), and the femoral BMD results of the A + P group were significantly higher than those in the PTH and Alen groups (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

PTH and Alen are all effective on osteoporosis. In particular, the combination of PTH and Alen is more effective on increasing the BMD level.

Amelogenin p.M1T and p.W4S mutations underlying hypoplastic X-linked amelogenesis imperfecta

Mutations in the human amelogenin gene (AMELX, Xp22.3) cause a phenotypically diverse set of inherited enamel malformations. We hypothesize that the effects of specific mutations on amelogenin protein structure and expression will correlate with the enamel phenotype, clarify amelogenin structure/function relationships, and improve the clinical diagnosis of X-linked amelogenesis imperfecta (AI). We have identified two kindreds with X-linked AI and characterized the AMELX mutations underlying their AI phenotypes. The two missense mutations are both in exon 2 and affect the translation initiation codon and/or the secretion of amelogenin (p.M1T and p.W4S), resulting in hypoplastic enamel. Primary anterior teeth from affected females with the p.M1T mutation were characterized by light and scanning electron microscopy. The thin enamel had defective prism organization, and the surface was rough and pitted. Dentin was normal. The severity of the enamel phenotype correlated with the predicted effects of the mutations on amelogenin expression and secretion.

[Distribution of hepatitis B virus genotype in 5 cities of Fujian province and the clinical implications of HBV genotype]

OBJECTIVE

To study the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype in 5 cities of Fujian province and the clinical implications of distinct genotypes in HBV-related liver diseases.

METHODS

HBV genotype was determined by the restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis in patients with chronic HBV infection in 5 cities of Fujian province. The relationship between HBV genotype and its clinical implications was studied by multinomal logistic regression and correspondence analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 431 HBV DNA positive patients detected by PCR, 275 (63.8%) belonged to HBV genotype B, 100 (23.2%) to genotype C, 51 (11.8%) to genotype D and D-mixed genotype. Genotype A, E and F were not found. Multinomal logistic regression showed that genotype B was more prevalent in Quanzhou and Sanming cities than in Fuzhou (P = 0.002, P = 0.006), and genotype B appeared significantly more common in asymptomatic carriers (ASC), chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and severe hepatitis (SH). Genotype C was most prevalent in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) (47.0%) than in those with ASC (14.5%) and SH (14.7%) (P = 0.009, P < 0.001). The positive rate of hepatitis B e antigen was higher in patients with genotype C than in those with genotype B and genotype D (56.0% vs. 52.4%, P = 0.008, and 56.0% vs. 30.8%, P = 0.051, respectively). By correspondence analysis, genotype D and D-mixed genotype seemed to be correlated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

CONCLUSIONS

(1) The major popular genotypes of HBV were B, C and D in Fujian. (2) Data of our study suggested that the geographic distribution of genotype B and C might be different in some cities of Fujian. (3) Genotype B might have a tendency to lead to SH in younger patients with chronic hepatitis B and the development of LC might be associated with genotype C among the elder patients. (4) Genotype D appeared to associate with development of HCC, which called for further study to confirm.

[Evaluation of different methods in monitoring YMDD motif mutations associated with lamivudine resistance]

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the three different methods in monitoring the lamivudine-resistant HBV mutants in lamivudine-treated patients with chronic hepatitis B.

METHODS

The sensitivity and specialty of melting curve assay and polymerase chain reaction microplate nucleotide hybridization-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (PCRmnh-ELISA) were compared with those of mismatch polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (mPCR-RFLP) and sequence analysis, through detection of HBV YMDD mutants in 44 serums from chronic hepatitis B patients receiving lamivudine monotherapy at the time of viral breakthrough.

RESULTS

mPCR-RFLP assay was more sensitive (10(4) copies/ml) than both PCRmnh-ELISA (10(5) copies/ml) and melting curve assay (10(6) copies/ml). 26 YMDD mutants and 18 wild-types were determined by the means of mPCR-RFLP. Among the 26 mutants, only 16 and 18 mutants were found by melting curve assay and PCRmnh-ELISA, respectively. Whereas, out of the 18 wild-types, 2 and 13 mutants were detected by melting curve assay and PCRmnh-ELISA, respectively. To confirm the different results determined by the three methods in 16 samples, sequence analysis was conducted and showed that the rate of consistency with sequencing was 93.8% by mPCR-RFLP, 43.8% by melting curve, and 18.8% by PCRmnh-ELISA, respectively (chi2=18.7, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The mPCR-RFLP assay is reliable to monitor HBV YMDD mutations. Melting curve assay and PCRmnh-ELISA should be further improved to increase their sensitivity and specialty.

[Interaction effects between 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and transforming growth factor-beta1 on the proliferation and differentiation of human embryonic osteoblasts]

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the interaction effects between 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] and human transforming growth factor-beta1 (hTGF-beta1) on the proliferation and differentiation of human embryonic osteoblasts.

METHODS

Human embryonic osteoblasts were cultured. 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), of the concentration of 50 nmol/L, hTGF-beta1 of different concentrations (1 x 10(-8) g/L, 1 x 10(-7) g/L, 1 x 10(-6) g/L, and 1 x 10(-5) g/L), and both hTGF-beta1 of different concentrations and 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) of the concentration of 50 nmol/L were added into the cultures with a stimulation time of 96 hours. 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) - 2, 5 - diphenyl - tetrazolium bromide (MTT) was added into the cultures. ELISA technique was used to measure the optical density values so as to observe cell's number and proliferation. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was tested by King's method. Osteocalcin (OC) was tested by radioimmunoassay. The mRNA expression level of SMAD proteins, the key proteins of the TGF-beta signal transduction passageway, was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

MTT staining showed an absorbance of 0.086 +/- 0.022 in the 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) group, significantly lower than that of the control group (0.124 +/- 0.031, P < 0.05). The ALP activity in the culture of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) group, hTGF-beta1 groups, and combined 1,25 (OH)(2)D(3) and hTGF-beta1 groups were 1.3 - 2.0 times that of the control group (all P < 0.05). When the concentration of hTGF-beta1 is 1 x 10(-6) g/L, an interaction effect was found between 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) and hTGF-beta1 on the ALP activity of human embryonic osteoblasts. The OC value in cell medium was 5.3 micro g/L +/- 1.6 micro g/L and 5.4 micro g/L +/- 0.9 micro g/L respectively in the hTGF-beta1 1 x 10(-6) g/L and 1 x 10(-5) g/L combined with 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) (50 nmol/L) groups, significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05), but no interaction effect was found between 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) and hTGF-beta1 on the OC production. hTGF-beta1 of different concentrations and hTGF-beta1 of different concentrations combined with 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) all increased the SMAD3 mRNA expression level in human embryonic osteoblasts (all P < 0.05). When the human embryonic osteoblasts were treated with 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) combined with 1 x 10(-6) g/L hTGF-beta1, its SMAD3 mRNA level reached the peak, about 6-fold that of the control group. 1,25(OH)(2)VD(3) and/or hTGF-beta1 did not influenced the SMAD4 mRNA expression.

CONCLUSION

1,25(OH)(2)D(3) inhibits the proliferation of human embryonic osteoblasts and increases the expression of osteoblastic markers, such as ALP and OC, thus promoting its differentiation. An interaction effect exists between 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) and hTGF-beta1 on the differentiation of human embryonic osteoblasts, which may be partly induced by SMA D(3) protein in the TGF-beta signal transduction passageway.

[Changes of urinary deoxypyridinoline crosslink/creatinine in rats after ovariectomy and anti-osteoporotic intervention]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the changes of urinary deoxypyridinoline crosslink/creatinine (UDpd/Cr) in rats after OVX and intervention by estrogen and bisphosphonate and investigate the possible application of deoxypyridinoline in osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment.

METHODS

40 female 6-month-old virginal Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups, ovariectomized or sham ovariectomized. (1) Ovxb (n = 8): sacrificed at 6 weeks after OVX; (2) Sham (n = 8): sham ovariectomized; (3) Ovxe (n = 8): sacrificed at 14 weeks after OVX; (4) O + E (n = 9):OVX + 17 beta estradiol [20 micrograms/(kg.d) ih]; (5) O + C (n = 7):OVX + cimadronate [0.2 mg/(kg.d)]; Treatment started 6 weeks after OVX and lasted 8 weeks. Rats in group 2-5 were sacrificed at 14 weeks after OVX. Urinary and serum biochemical parameters were measured, pQCT scanning of femur, bone biomechanical test in femur were determined.

RESULTS

OVX resulted in increasing of UDpd/Cr 133.3% (P < 0.01). The ratio of UCa/Cr also increased in OVX groups but without any significant compared with Sham (P > 0.05). UDpd/Cr were reduced by 54.6% and 51.8% (P < 0.01) in O + E, O + C group respectively compared with Ovxe. The significant negative correlationships were found between UDpd/Cr and bone mass, BMD and biomechanic characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

UDpd/Cr ratio is a sensitive bone resorption marker, a marked changes were observed when the rats ovariectomized or treated with estradiol and cimadronate. There were best correlation between UDpd/Cr and bone mineral density and bone biomechanic characteristics. It is fair to apply UDpd/Cr ratio for osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment.

[Evaluation of bone architecture and biomechanic properties by peripheral quantitative computed tomography in rats]

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the value of peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) in measuring bone architecture and biomechanic properties.

METHODS

50 virgin female Wistar rats six months old were randomly divided into 4 groups: (1) 8 rats were killed as baseline group; (2) 8 rats underwent sham operation and then were killed 14 weeks after (sham operation group); (3) 16 rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) without further intervention. Six and 14 weeks after the operation each 8 rats were killed (OVX group); and (4) 18 rats underwent OVX too. After the OVX 9 of the 18 rats were treated with 17beta-estradiol 20 micro g/kg/d IH and 9 rats were treated with estradiol valerate 800 micro g/kg/d po for 8 weeks respectively. Then the 18 rats were killed (OVX plus estrogen group, O + E group). The right tibiae of the rats were taken for histomorphometric analysis, and the right femora were prepared for pQCT scanning and bone biomechanical measurement with indentation test and three-point bending test.

RESULTS

Histomorphometric analysis showed that the trabecular volume of proximal tibia (Cn-BV/TV) in the OVX group was 8.1 +/- 1.4%, significantly lower than that in the sham operation group (19.5 +/- 1.5%, P < 0.01). pQCT scanning showed that the femoral trabecular bone mineral content (Trab BMC) in the OVX group was 1.7 +/- 0.3 mg/mm, significantly lower than that in the sham operation group (3.2 +/- 0.5 mg/mm, P < 0.01) and the femoral trabecular bone mineral density (Trab BMD) in the OVX group was 158 +/- 32 mg/mm(3), significantly lower than that in the sham operation group (320 +/- 39 mg/mm(3), P < 0.01). The cancellous maximal load (Can load) of the distal shaft of femur in the OVX group was 12.5 +/- 2.5 N, significantly lower than that in the sham operation group (45.9 +/- 3.2 N, P < 0.01). The cancellous stiffness (Can Stiff) of the distal shaft of femur in the OVX group was 226 +/- 48 N/mm, significantly lower than that in the sham operation group (396 +/- 72 N/mm, P < 0.01). The Can load of O + E group was 21.8 +/- 3.7 N, significantly higher than that in the OVX group (P < 0.05). The Can Stiff of the O + E group was 382 +/- 54 N/mm, significantly higher than that in the OVX group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in cortical bone determined by pQCT as well as biomechanic properties in measured by three point test after OVX and estrogen treatment. A significant positive correlation was shown between Trab BMD and Cn-TV/BV and between Trab BMD and Tb N (r = 0.88 and 0.73, both P < 0.01). Similarly, both Trab BMC and Trab BMD of the femur were significantly correlated with the Can load and Can Stiff determined by indentation test (r = 0.47 - 0.68, all P < 0.01). There was also a significant correlation of parameters measured by pQCT in cortical bone with the maximal load and stiffness for the femur midshaft, and the best correlation was found between the maximal load of femur midshaft and Crt BMC and Crt A (both r = 0.76 and P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The geometric, densitometric and mechanical properties in cortical and trabecular bones of rat can be well described by pQCT.

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Haemophilus influenzae among children in Beijing, China, 1999-2000

A study on the nasopharyngeal carriage and antimicrobial susceptibility of Haemophilus influenza among children was conducted in Beijing Children's Hospital from April to May 2000. The study included 292 children between 1 and 60 mo of age with acute upper respiratory tract infection. Nasopharyngeal swabs from these patients were cultured, and 105 Haemophilus influenzae strains were isolated, 3 of which were type b. Antibiotic susceptibility of the strains was determined using disk diffusion and E-tests and the results compared with those of isolates from children with pneumonia in 1999. The carriage rate of Haemophilus influenzae was 36.0% (105/292). It was found that 4.8% and 1.0% of isolates were resistant to ampicillin and cefaclor, respectively, and 5.7%, 16.2% and 77.1% were resistant to chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim, respectively. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone, azithromycin, and clarithromycin were uniformly active to all strains. Compared with the data from 1999, there was a significant increase in resistance to tetracycline (from 12.7% in 1999 to 16.2%) and sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim (from 40.5% in 1999 to 77.1%).

CONCLUSION

H. influenzae isolates from outpatients in Beijing Children's Hospital had low ampicillin resistance and were sensitive to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. Sulphamethoxazole/ trimethoprim resistance rates increased rapidly compared with those in the 1999 data. Further surveillance investigations are important for the choice of empiric therapy of acute respiratory tract infection.

Chromosomal analysis of group B streptococcal clinical strains; bac gene-positive strains are genetically homogenous

A collection of 45 epidemiologically unrelated Streptococcus agalactiae strains (group B Streptococcus, GBS), belonging to different serotypes, isolated from pregnant women in China and Russia was studied. Strains were characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) employing hybridization with nine genes potentially involved in virulence. Molecular sizes of GBS genomes varied from 2030 to 2290 kb. Location of the genes under study bac, bca, glnA, scpB, cyl, hylB, lmb, scaA and cfb on the GBS genomes was found to be conserved irrelevant to the serotype. Potential virulence genes scpB, hylB, lmb were located on a 91-kb SmaI fragment that is equal to 4.5% of total genome. Ribotyping of the strains under study revealed three different HindIII, nine EcoRI and 12 PvuII ribotypes among 45 strains. A strong correlation between the PvuII ribotype and the presence of the bac gene was observed, with 21 of 22 bac-positive strains belonging to the same PvuII ribotype P1. PFGE patterns of bac-positive strains were also similar. The possibility of close genetic relatedness of all bac-positive strains is discussed.

[Study of normal range of speed of sound in tibia in Beijing area]

OBJECTIVE

To study the normal reference value of adult tibial speed of sound (tibia SOS) in Beijing region.

METHODS

951 normal volunteers (male/female = 461/490) were included in this study. Speed of sound were measured in the middle of tibia by ultrasound scan (Sound Scan 2000, Myrid, Isereal). According to their gender and age, all subjects were divided into different subgroup by 10 year-age period.

RESULTS

The peak value of SOS presented in 30-39 years period in both male and female. The peak value was higher in males than in females. After reach the peak value, the tibial SOS begin to decline. The decreasing rate was fast in SOS were found at 50-59 period in female and over 50-59 years old in male. The tibia values of SOS of postmenopausal was obviously lower than that of premenopausal women. The relationship of menopausal duration and the values if tibial SOS was found to be a non-linear curve, which included 3 stages: the quick decrease, stabilization and further decrease.

CONCLUSION

The tibia values of SOS provides a kind of meaningful diagnostic criteria of osteoporosis.

Species distribution of polymeric aluminium-ferrum--timed complexation colorimetric analysis method of Al-Fe-ferron

The effects of the colorimetric buffer solutions were investigated while the two colorimetric reactions of Al-ferron complex and Fe-ferron complex occurred individually, and the effects of the testing wavelength and the pH of the solutions were also investigated. A timed complexation colorimetric analysis method of Al-Fe-ferron in view of the total concentration of (Al + Fe) was then established to determine the species distribution of polymeric Al-Fe. The testing wavelength was recommended at 362 nm and the testing pH value was 5. With a comparison of the ratios of nAl/nFe, the standard adsorption curves of the polymeric Al-Fe solutions were derived from the experimental results. Furthermore, the solutions' composition were various in both the molar nAl/nFe ratios, i.e. 0/0, 5/5, 9/1 and 0/10, and the concentrations associated with the total [Al + Fe] which ranged from 10(-5) to 10(-4) mol/L.