[MicroRNA-1 regulates fibronectin expression in human trabecular meshwork cells under oxidative stress]

Objective: To investigate the expression of microRNA-1 (miR-1) and its regulatory function on fibronectin (FN) in human trabecular meshwork cells (HTMC) under oxidative stress. Methods: Experimental study. After HTMC were treated with 0, 60, 100, 200, 400 μmol/L hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) for 6 h, respectively, the cells were placed in culture medium for 24 h. The expression of miR-1 and FN mRNA in these cells were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. According to bioinformatics analysis, the target gene of miR-1 is predicted to be FN; pcDNA3/pri-miR-1 vectors, pcDNA3/enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-FN-3'UTR vectors and pcDNA3/EGFP-FN-3'UTRmut vectors were constructed. pcDNA3/pri-miR-1 were co-transfected with pcDNA3/EGFP-FN-3'UTR or pcDNA3/EGFP-FN-3'UTRmut respectively into HTMC. pDsRed2-N1 was taken as internal reference. After 48 h transfection, the absorbance of EGFP and red fluorescent protein (REP) was detected with fluorescence spectrophotometer to explore the effect of miR-1 on FN expression. HTMC was stimulated with 200 μmol/L H(2)O(2) for 24 h after overexpression plasmid of miR-1 was transfected into it, and then FN mRNA and protein levels were detected via real time PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Data were analyzed via one-way analysis of variance or t test. Results: With the increase of H(2)O(2) concentration, miR-1 decreased (F=390.80, P<0.01) while FN increased (F=13.16, P<0.01). The level of miR-1 in HTMC stimulated by 200 μmol/L and 400 μmol/L H(2)O(2) decreased to 0.608±0.014 (t=21.67, P<0.01) and 0.409±0.020 (t=29.91, P<0.01), respectively, compared with untreated control cells (1.000); whereas, the mRNA levels of FN increased to 1.630±0.233 (t=4.47, P=0.011) and 1.903±0.246 (t=6.15, P=0.003), respectively, compared with untreated control cells(1.000). Through bioinformatics analysis, miR-1 might have candidate binding site in FN mRNA 3'-UTR. Meanwhile, these cells co-transfected with pcDNA3/pri-miR-1 and pcDNA3/EGFP-FN-3'UTRmut (0.562±0.018) had higher EGFP expression than cells co-transfected with pcDNA3/pri-miR-1 and pcDNA3/EGFP-FN-3'UTR (0.329±0.015) (t=17.39, P<0.01). Compared with the control (1.000), after overexpressing miR-1 the mRNA expression and the protein level of FN decreased to 0.294±0.081 (t=11.01, P<0.01) and 0.584±0.022 (t=5.57, P<0.01), respectively. Conclusions: MiR-1 decreases while FN increased in HTMC under oxidative stress. MiR-1 inhibits FN expression through targeting FN 3'-UTR. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55: 355-360).

[Dietary sodium intake of adult residents in 15 provinces of China in 2015]

Objective: To analyze the status of dietary sodium intake of Chinese adult residents in fifteen provinces in 2015. Methods: Data were collected from 2015 China Nutrition Transition Cohort Study. This cohort study used a three consecutive 24-h retrospective method to record food intake and weighing method to record household condiment consumption. In this study, 14 847 residents aged 18 years and over with complete data from 15 provinces in 2015 were selected for the comparison of dietary sodium intake (median) with different characteristics. Results: Among the 14 847 residents, 47.1% were males, and the rural and northern residents accounted for 60.1% and 37.7%, respectively. Median sodium intake was 3 960.0 mg/d among residents in 2015. The sodium intake of males (4 272.1 mg/d) was higher than that of females (3 716.6 mg/d). Across age subgroups, sodium intake was highest among residents aged 45-59 years (4 257.0 mg/d; 18-44 years old, 3 867.1 mg/d; ≥60 years old, 3 799.0 mg/d). Sodium intake was higher in rural area (4 042.9 mg/d) than in urban area (3 866.8 mg/d), higher in north (4 229.2 mg/d) than in south (3 806.8 mg/d) (all P values <0.05). 11.8% of residents with dietary sodium intake were below 2 000 mg/d. The main sources of dietary sodium were condiments (79.4%), regular cooking foods (11.9%) and processed foods (8.7%). Among the condiments, the salt and soy sauce accounted for 63.6% and 10.4%, respectively. Conclusion: In 2015, Chinese adult residents had higher dietary sodium intake with gender and regional differences. Condiments were the main source of dietary sodium.

[Bortezomib-based induction chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and maintenance in 200 patients with multiple myeloma: long-term follow-up results from single center]

Objective: To study the efficacy, safety and long-term outcomes of integrated strategy of bortezomib-based induction regimens followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell (ASCT) and maintenance therapy in Chinese multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Methods: 200 MM patients receiving integrated strategy of bortezomib--based induction regimens followed by ASCT and maintenance therapy were retrospectively and prospectively analyzed from December 1. 2006 to April 30. 2018. Results: The complete remission rates (CR) and better than very good partial remission rates (VGPR) after induction therapy, transplantation and maintenance therapy were respectively 31% and 75.5%, 51.8% and 87.7%,73.6% and 93.4%. There was no difference between 4 cycles and more than 5 cycles induction chemotherapy. The negative rate of MRD detection by flow cytometry was 17.6% and 38.2% respectively after induction and 3 months after transplantation. The negative rate of MRD gradually increased during the maintenance therapy. The success rate of high dose CTX combined with G-CSF mobilization was 95.5% and transplantation related mortality (TRM) was zero. The median time to progress (TTP) was 75.3 months and the median overall survival (OS) was 99.5 months. TTP of patients obtaining CR and negative MRD after induction were longer that those of no CR and positive MRD. TTP and OS of patients receiving triple-drug induction and ASCT in early stage were longer than those of double-drug induction and ASCT in late stage. LDH≥240 U/L, high risk cytogenetics, ISS II+III stage and HBsAg positive were prognostic factors at diagnosis. However, only MRD and high risk cytogenetics were independent prognostic factors after transplantation and maintenance therapy. The clinical characteristics of patients of TTP ≥6 years were listed below: light-chain type M protein, ISS I stage, normal level of hemoglobin and platelet, normal LDH, HBsAg negative, chromosome 17p-negative, good response and sustained good response. Conclusions: Integrated strategy of bortezomib-based induction regimens followed by ASCT and maintenance therapy can significantly improve the short-term and long-term efficacy. The prognostic factors of TTP in different disease stages were different. Response to treatment, especially MRD, played a more important role in prognostic factors.

Spatiotemporal predictions of obesity prevalence in Chinese children and adolescents: based on analyses of obesogenic environmental variability and Bayesian model

OBJECTIVE

To find variations in Chinese obesogenic environmental priorities from 2000 to 2011, predict spatiotemporal distribution of obesity prevalence aged 7-17 years in 31 provinces, and provide foundations for policy-makers to reduce obesity in children and adolescents.

METHODS

Based on data examination of provincial obesity prevalence aged 7-17 years from three rounds of China Health and Nutrition Surveys (in 9 [2000], 9 [2006], and 12 [2011] provinces) and corresponding years' environments in 31 provinces from China Statistical Yearbooks and other sources, 12 predictors were selected. We used 30 surveyed provinces in three rounds as training samples to fit three analytic models with partial least-square regressions and prioritized predictors by variable importance projection to find variations. And fitted a spatiotemporal prediction model with Bayesian analysis to infer in space-time.

RESULTS

Variations of obesogenic environmental priorities were found at different times. A Bayesian spatiotemporal prediction model with deviance information criterion of 155.60 and statistically significant (P < 0.05) parameter estimates of intercept (-717.0400, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: -1186.0300, -248.0480), year (0.3584, CI: 0.1245, 0.5924), square of food industry level (0.0003, CI: 0.0002, 0.0004), and log (healthcare) (5.3742, CI: 2.5138, 8.2347) was optimized. Totally inferred average obesity prevalence among children and adolescents were 2.23%, 5.11%, 10.77%, 12.20%, 13.99%, and 17.58% in 31 provinces in China in 2000, 2006, 2011, 2015, 2020, and 2030, respectively. Obesity in north and east of China clusters on predicted maps.

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity prevalence in children and adolescents in China is rapidly increasing, growing at 0.3584% annually from 2000 to 2011. From longitudinal observation, prevalence was significantly influenced by food industry ("Amplifier") and healthcare service ("Balancer"). Targeted interventions in north and east of China are pressing. Further researches on the mechanisms underlying the influence of food industry, healthcare service, and so on in children and adolescents are needed.

Littermate cats rescued from a shelter succumbed to acute, primary toxoplasmosis associated with TOXO DB genotype #4, generally circulating in wildlife

Cats are important in the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection because they are the only hosts that can excrete the environmentally resistant oocysts in the environment. Although exposure is common (approximately 30% of cats in the USA), clinical toxoplasmosis is relatively rare. Here, we report overwhelming disseminated toxoplasmosis in two litter mate 8-week-old kittens, thought to have acquired toxoplasmosis postnatally. Five domestic shorthair kittens, approximately 2-3 weeks of age, and the queen were found in upstate New York by a rescue group in spring of 2018. The kittens and queen were placed in a foster home for approximately 4-5 weeks and then transferred to a shelter. Two kittens died unexpectedly following a short illness. Postmortem examination of the two deceased kittens revealed overwhelming toxoplasmosis and the presence of entero-epithelial stages in small intestine, suggestive of recent ingestion of infected tissues. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in the deceased kittens and the queen but not in the three asymptomatic littermate kittens. No obvious cause of immunosuppression was demonstrated. Genetic typing of T. gondii from DNA extracted from liver and lungs of both kittens revealed Toxo DB #4 genotype, commonly found in wildlife. Owners and veterinarians should be aware of dangers of feeding raw meat to cats and contact with infected cat feces. Procedures to safely handle T. gondii infected feces in hospital setting are outlined.

[Interpretation of policies for group standards and the practice of group standardizations in Chinese Preventive Medicine Association]

Recent years, national laws and government policies were published as series to encourage the development of group standardizations. The updated Standardization Law of the People's Republic of China, implemented on January 1(st), 2018, stipulates that group standard is a part of the Chinese standard system. Under the current supportive circumstances, more institutes and organizations have joined in the writing and releasing procedures of group standards'. Despite the rapid development of group standardization to publish, we are still at the phase of exploring and regulating group standardizations. This review summarizes the development and practice on the development group standardization in the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association and analyzes current condition and deficiency of the work in China, in order to develop suggestions and strategies to improve and regulate group standardization.

Functional analysis of eight chitinase genes in rice stem borer and their potential application in pest control

Insect chitinases participate in numerous physiological processes such as nutrition, parasitism, morphogenesis and immunity. These properties make chitinases good targets for pest control. Rice striped stem borer (SSB), Chilo suppressalis Walker, is one of the most destructive pests of rice causing huge yield losses. In our previous work, we reported the identification of 12 SSB chitinase (CsCht) genes, and studied the functions of CsCht1 to 4. Here, we have extended our study to investigate the expression patterns and functions of CsCht5 to 12. All eight chitinase genes displayed distinct temporospatial expression profiles. We looked at the effect of knocking down each gene at the developmental stage where highest expression was observed. Knocking down CsCht5, CsCht6 and CsCht8 resulted in high mortality and delayed development. Although silencing CsCht7, CsCht9, CsCht10, CsCht11 and CsCht12 had no apparent effect on development, knocking down CsCht10 in SSB individuals that were simultaneously treated with Beauveria bassiana (Bb84) led to higher mortality rates and quicker death, suggesting CsCht10 has an essential role in protecting SSB from exogenous microorganisms. In summary, we elucidated the functions of eight SSB chitinase genes and found that CsCht10 could be a good candidate for pest control.

[Clinical observation of saccharomyces boulardii combined with cetirizine hydrochloride in children allergic rhinitis]

Objective:To study the treatment efficacy of Saccharomyces boulardii combined with Cetirizine Hydrochloride of children with allergic rhinitis (AR) and the influence of IFN-γ and interleukin-4 (IL-4) Level in serum.Method:Ninty cases of children were randomly divided into observation group and control group (both n=45).The control group with levocetirizine hydrochloride drops, 5 mL/time for 2-6 years old, 10 mL/time for >6 years old , qd oral. Group based on the combination of Saccharomyces boulardi, 0.25 g/time for <3 years old, qd, > 3 years old, 0.25 g, bid. Four weeks for a course of treatment, and set 30 cases for the health group.Result:The level of serum IFN-γ was significantly lower in the two groups than in the healthy group (P < 0.01), while the level of IL-4 was significantly higher than that of the healthy group (P < 0.01). After treatment, the levels of IFN-γ of both groups were up-regulated And the level of IL-4 were down-regulated , but the effect of the treatment group was more obvious (P < 0.01). The total effective rate was 91.11% in the observation group, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (68.89%,χ2=6.94, P < 0.01). After treatment, the symptom scores of the two groups were lower than those before treatment, but the observation group was significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the observation group was significantly better than the control group (P < 0.01).Conclusion:The combination of Saccharomyces boulardi and levocetirine hydrochloride in the treatment of children with AR has obvious clinical efficacy, and its mechanism may be related to the correction of interferon IFN-γ and IL-4.

Amide Proton Transfer Imaging Allows Detection of Glioma Grades and Tumor Proliferation: Comparison with Ki-67 Expression and Proton MR Spectroscopy Imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Prognosis in glioma depends strongly on tumor grade and proliferation. In this prospective study of patients with untreated primary cerebral gliomas, we investigated whether amide proton transfer-weighted imaging could reveal tumor proliferation and reliably distinguish low-grade from high-grade gliomas compared with Ki-67 expression and proton MR spectroscopy imaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 42 patients with low-grade (n = 28) or high-grade (n = 14) glioma, all of whom underwent conventional MR imaging, proton MR spectroscopy imaging, and amide proton transfer-weighted imaging on the same 3T scanner within 2 weeks before surgery. We assessed metabolites of choline and N-acetylaspartate from proton MR spectroscopy imaging and the asymmetric magnetization transfer ratio at 3.5 ppm from amide proton transfer-weighted imaging and compared them with histopathologic grade and immunohistochemical expression of the proliferation marker Ki-67 in the resected specimens.

RESULTS

The asymmetric magnetization transfer ratio at 3.5 ppm values measured by different readers showed good concordance and were significantly higher in high-grade gliomas than in low-grade gliomas (3.61% ± 0.155 versus 2.64% ± 0.185, P = .0016), with sensitivity and specificity values of 92.9% and 71.4%, respectively, at a cutoff value of 2.93%. The asymmetric magnetization transfer ratio at 3.5 ppm values correlated with tumor grade (r = 0.506, P = .0006) and Ki-67 labeling index (r = 0.502, P = .002). For all patients, the asymmetric magnetization transfer ratio at 3.5 ppm correlated positively with choline (r = 0.43, P = .009) and choline/N-acetylaspartate ratio (r = 0.42, P = .01) and negatively with N-acetylaspartate (r = -0.455, P = .005). These correlations held for patients with low-grade gliomas versus those with high-grade gliomas, but the correlation coefficients were higher in high-grade gliomas (choline: r = 0.547, P = .053; N-acetylaspartate: r = -0.644, P = .017; choline/N-acetylaspartate: r = 0.583, P = .036).

CONCLUSIONS

The asymmetric magnetization transfer ratio at 3.5 ppm may serve as a potential biomarker not only for assessing proliferation, but also for predicting histopathologic grades in gliomas.

[Analysis of Koch phenomenon of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected guinea pigs vaccinated with recombinant tuberculosis vaccine AEC/BC02]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the Koch phenomenon of Mycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB)-infected guinea pigs after vaccinated with killed H37Ra bacteria or tuberculosis vaccine candidate AEC/BC02.

METHODS

Eighteen guinea pigs were challenged subcutaneously with 5.0×10(3) CFU MTB and after 40 days were divided into 3 groups (6 per group): NS group, AEC/BC02 group and H37Ra group, which were injected intramuscularly 3 times at 1 day interval with normal saline, AEC/BC02 vaccine and killed H37Ra bacteria respectively. Three weeks after the first vaccination, all guinea pigs were sacrificed to evaluate gross pathological scores for liver, spleen and lung, bacterial loads in lung and spleen, and lung inflammation.

RESULTS

The gross pathological score in H37Ra group (48±26) was lower than that in NS group(62±15), but the difference was not significant (t=1.093, P=0.300). The AEC/BC02 group had a significantly lower gross pathological score (36±15) than NS group (t=2.980, P=0.014). No significant difference between H37Ra group and AEC/BC02 group was observed (t=1.009, P=0.337). The spleen bacterial load [(5.31±0.80) log10 CFU]in H37Ra group was slightly lower than that in NS group[(5.57±0.75) log10 CFU] but the difference was not significant (t=1.581, P=0.574). In AEC/BC02 group bacterial load in the spleen was (4.64±0.64) log10 CFU and significantly lower than NS group (t=2.306, P=0.044) and no significant difference between H37Ra group and AEC/BC02 group was observed (t=1.602, P=0.140). Meanwhile, the lung bacterial load in AEC/BC02 group was (3.71±1.01) log10 CFU and in H37Ra group was (3.82±1.25) log10 CFU. Compared to (4.15±0.69) log10 CFU in the NS group, no significant differences were found (t=0.881, P=0.399; t=0.566, P=0.584, respectively). For the lung inflammation, the inflamed areas in H37Ra group were significantly larger [(33.0±4.4%)] than those in both NS group [(14.8±8.4) %, t=4.719, P=0.001] and AEC/BC02 group [(14.8±8.4) %, t=3.616, P=0.005], and no significant differences were seen between AEC/BC02 group and NS group (t=1.041, P=0.322).

CONCLUSION

The lung inflammation indicated that killed H37Ra bacteria evoked an obvious Koch reaction in the MTB-infected guinea pigs, whereas AEC/BC02 vaccine showed a low risk of causing Koch phenomenon.

Leaching of metals from large pieces of printed circuit boards using citric acid and hydrogen peroxide

In the present study, the leaching of metals from large pieces of computer printed circuit boards (CPCBs) was studied. A combination of citric acid (0.5 M) and 1.76 M hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was used to leach the metals from CPCB piece. The influence of system variables such as H₂O₂ concentration, concentration of citric acid, shaking speed, and temperature on the metal leaching process was investigated. The complete metal leaching was achieved in 4 h from a 4 × 4 cm CPCB piece. The presence of citric acid and H₂O₂ together in the leaching solution is essential for complete metal leaching. The optimum addition amount of H₂O₂ was 5.83 %. The citric acid concentration and shaking speed had an insignificant effect on the leaching of metals. The increase in the temperature above 30 °C showed a drastic effect on metal leaching process.

Release and toxicity comparison between industrial- and sunscreen-derived nano-ZnO particles

Many consumer products containing ZnO have raised concern for safety in regard to environmental impact and the public health. Widely used sunscreens for protecting against UV and avoiding sunburns represent a great exposure to nano-ZnO, one of the ingredients commonly applied in sunscreens. Applying nanoproducts on beaches may release nanoparticles unintentionally into the ocean. Despite the accumulation of such nanoproducts in the ocean harming or being detrimental to critical marine organisms, few studies have investigated the release and potential toxicity of nanoparticles extracted from products and compared them with those from industrial-type nanoparticles. Results show that the cytotoxicity of both industrial- and sunscreen-derived nano-ZnO to the marine diatom algae, Thalassiosira pseudonana, increased as exposure increases over time, as measured by growth inhibition (%) of the algae at a constant concentration of nano-ZnO (10 mg/L). The extent of toxicity appeared to be higher from industrial-type nano-ZnO compared with sunscreen-extracted nano-ZnO, though the extent becomes similar when concentrations increase to 50 mg/L. On the other hand, at a fixed exposure time of 48 h, the cytotoxicity increases as concentrations increase with the higher toxicity shown from the industrial-type compared with sunscreen-induced nano-ZnO. Results indicate that while industrial-type nano-ZnO shows higher toxicity than sunscreen-derived nano-ZnO, the release and extent of toxicity from nano-ZnO extracted from sunscreen are not trivial and should be monitored for the development of safe manufacturing of nanomaterials-induced products.

Genome-wide analysis of chitinase genes and their varied functions in larval moult, pupation and eclosion in the rice striped stem borer, Chilo suppressalis

Some insect chitinases are required to degrade chitin and ensure successful metamorphosis. Although chitinase genes have been well characterized in several model insects, no reports exist for the rice striped stem borer, Chilo suppressalis, a highly destructive pest that causes huge yield losses in rice production. Here, we conducted a genome-level analysis of chitinase genes in C. suppressalis. After amplification of full-length transcripts with rapid amplification of cDNA ends, we identified 12 chitinase genes in C. suppressalis. All these genes had the conserved domains and motifs of glycoside hydrolase family 18 and grouped phylogenetically into five subgroups. C. suppressalis chitinase 1 (CsCht1) was highly expressed in late pupae, whereas CsCht3 was abundant in early pupae. Both CsCht2 and CsCht4 were highly expressed in larvae. CsCht2 was abundant specifically in the third-instar larvae and CsCht4 showed periodic high expression in 2- to 5-day-old larvae in each instar. Tissue specific expression analysis indicated that CsCht1 and CsCht3 were highly expressed in epidermis whereas CsCht2 and CsCht4 were specifically abundant in the midgut. Knockdown of CsCht1 resulted in adults with curled wings, indicating that CsCht1 might have an important role in wing expansion. Silencing of CsCht2 or CsCht4 arrested moulting, suggesting essential roles in larval development. When the expression of CsCht3 was interfered, defects in pupation occurred. Overall, we provide here the first catalogue of chitinase genes in the rice striped stem borer and have elucidated the functions of four chitinases in metamorphosis.

A weighted scoring system to differentiate malignant liposarcomas from benign lipomas

PURPOSE

To construct a scoring system to differentiate malignant liposarcomas from benign lipomas by comparing their clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features.

METHODS

Clinical and MRI features of 33 women and 33 men aged 17 to 83 (mean, 53) years who underwent resection of malignant liposarcomas (n=32) or benign lipomas (n=34) were reviewed.

RESULTS

The 5 strongest predictors of liposarcoma were male gender, larger tumour maximum dimension, deep to fascia, thick non-fatty septum or nodule, and internal cystic change. A weighted scoring system was constructed using the 5 strongest predictors as: Z score=10X1+X2+12X3+15X4+10X5, respectively. A cut-off score of 35 was used; all 32 malignant liposarcomas and 4 of 34 benign lipomas scored >35. The cut-off score of ≤35 could predict 30 of 66 lipomatous tumours as benign with a negative predictive value of 100% (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

The 5 strongest clinical and MRI features were identified to construct a scoring system to differentiate malignant from benign lipomatous tumours. Further validation in independent populations is required.

Heme oxygenase 1 induction protects myocardiac cells against hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis : The role of JNK/c-Jun/Caspase-3 inhibition and Akt signaling enhancement

BACKGROUND

Although recent studies have found that heme oxygenase (HO)-1 plays an important role in myocardiac cell survival, the precise mechanisms occurring during hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury remain unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the cytoprotective mechanisms of HO-1 against H/R-induced myocardiac cell apoptosis and to explore whether the Akt signaling pathway contributed to the protection provided by HO-1.

METHODS

Cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP, a pharmacologic inducer of HO-1) was employed to induce the over-expression of HO-1 before H/R in H9c2 cells. Hoechst staining and flow cytometry were used to examine the extent of apoptosis. Furthermore, the effect of HO-1 on Akt, JNK, and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins (c-JUN and Caspase-3) was determined by Western blotting.

RESULTS

The results showed that over-expressed HO-1 could significantly protect myocardiac cells against H/R-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells. Furthermore, the protein expression of p‑Akt increased and of p‑JNK decreased in the H/R injury H9c2 cells when treated with CoPP. The apoptosis-related proteins c‑Jun and caspase-3 were both inhibited by over-expression of HO-1. At the same time, retreatment with zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP, a specific inhibitor of HO-1 enzymatic activity) or LY294002 (an inhibitor of Akt1) reversed the HO-1-induced changes.

CONCLUSION

In summary, our results suggest that HO-1 can decrease H/R-induced myocardiac cell apoptosis; the mechanism may be related to the activation of the Akt signaling pathway and, furthermore, to the inhibition of the JNK/c-Jun/caspase-3 signaling pathway.

Ethnic disparities in risk of cardiovascular disease, end-stage renal disease and all-cause mortality: a prospective study among Asian people with Type 2 diabetes

AIM

To study prospectively the ethnic-specific risks of cardiovascular disease, end-stage renal disease and all-cause mortality in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus among native Asian subpopulations.

METHODS

A total of 2337 subjects with Type 2 diabetes (70% Chinese, 17% Malay and 13% Asian Indian) were followed for a median of 4.0 years. Time-to-event analysis was used to study the association of ethnicity with adverse outcomes.

RESULTS

Age- and gender-adjusted hazard ratios for cardiovascular disease in ethnic Malay and Asian Indian subjects were 2.01 (1.40-2.88; P<0.0001) and 1.60 (1.07-2.41; P=0.022) as compared with Chinese subjects. Adjustment for conventional cardiovascular disease risk factors, including HbA1c , blood pressure and lipid profile, slightly attenuated the hazards in Malay (1.82, 1.23-2.71; P=0.003) and Asian Indian subjects (1.47, 0.95-2.30; P=0.086); However, further adjustment for baseline renal function (estimated GFR) and albuminuria weakened the cardiovascular disease risks in Malay (1.48, 0.98-2.26; P=0.065) but strengthened that in Asian Indian subjects (1.81, 1.14-2.87; P=0.012). Competing-risk regression showed that the age- and gender-adjusted sub-distribution hazard ratio for end-stage renal disease was 1.87 (1.27-2.73; P=0.001) in Malay and 0.39 (0.18-0.83; P=0.015) in Asian Indian subjects. Notably, the difference in end-stage renal disease risk among the three ethnic groups was abolished after further adjustment for baseline estimated GFR and albuminuria. There was no significant difference in risk of all-cause mortality among the three ethnic groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Risks of cardiovascular and end-stage renal diseases in native Asian subjects with Type 2 diabetes vary substantially among different ethnic groups. Differences in prevalence of diabetic kidney disease may partially explain the ethnic disparities.

Leaching of metals from printed circuit board powder by an Aspergillus niger culture supernatant and hydrogen peroxide

Removal of chemical coating of PCB powder using 0.1 M sodium hydroxide solution.

Effects of silencing MTA1 gene by RNA interference on invasion and metastasis of endometrial carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed at the silence effect of MAT1 gene and proteins in Ishikawa cell of human endometrial carcinoma cell line through RNAi mediated by siRNA and also discussed the effect of MTA1 gene silence on the invasion and metastasis of endometrial carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

According to the principle of designing siRNA sequence, siRNA aiming at MTA1 gene (MTA1-siRNA) and siRNA used for negative control (Control-siRNA) were designed and synthesized and Ishikawa cell was transfected by transfection reagents. RT-PCR method as well as western blot was used, respectively, to detect the MTA1 mRNA and protein expression of stably transfected cells. Transwell method and scarification experiment were adopted to detect the invasion and metastasis of Ishikawa cells.

RESULTS

The expression results of MTA1 on the levels of mRNA and protein showed that the expression level in transfected MTA1-siRNA group was obviously lower than that in non-transfected group and transfected control-siRNA group (p <0.05), while there was no significant difference between non-transfected group and transfected control-siRNA group (p > 0.05). Effective interference on the expression of MTA1 gene remarkably lowered the invasion and metastasis of endometrial carcinoma Ishikawa cells.

CONCLUSION

RNAi aiming at MTA1 can effectively inhibit the expression of MTA1 in endometrial carcinoma Ishikawa cells and the effective silence of MTA1 can weaken the invasion and metastasis of Ishikawa cells, which provides a new strategy for gene therapy of endometrial carcinoma and an experimental basis for inhibiting the invasion and metastasis of endometrial carcinoma.

Byars two-stage procedure for hypospadias after urethral plate transection

OBJECTIVE

To report on the outcomes of primary hypospadias repaired with the Byars two-stage procedure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Primary hypospadias repairs with the Byars two-stage procedure, between 2009 and 2012, were retrospectively reviewed. Medical charts were reviewed and analyzed. Follow up was at two weeks, three months, six months and one year after surgery. Complications, which included fistula, glans dehiscence, meatal stenosis, urethral stricture, diverticulum, recurrent penile curvature and others, were documented and analyzed.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-eight cases were included in the present study. The median follow up was 30 months (range 13-44 months). All flaps took successfully after the first stage. Overall complication rates were 11.8%. Complications included: seven cases of fistula; five glans dehiscence; two urethral strictures, which developed after fistula repair; and one concealed penis. No recurrent penile curvature was recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

The Byars two-stage procedure is an option for primary hypospadias when the urethral plate is transected. It had an 11.8% complication rate in this present study.

Secular trends in meat and seafood consumption patterns among Chinese adults, 1991-2011

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Several studies have suggested differential health effects in relation to different meat composition in Western population. The purpose of the study was to examine secular trends in meat and seafood consumption patterns among Chinese adults between 1991 and 2011.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Our longitudinal data are from 21,144 adults aged 18-75 in the China Health and Nutrition Survey, prospective cohort study. We assessed the intakes of meat and subtypes with three 24-h dietary recalls. We conducted multilevel mixed-effect logistic and linear regression models to examine meat consumption dynamics.

RESULTS

The proportions of Chinese adults who consumed red meat, poultry and seafood increased from 65.7% in 1991 to 86.1% in 2011, from 7.5 to 20.9% and from 27.4 to 37.8%, respectively. With rapid decrease in meat intakes since 2009, the intakes of total meat, red meat, poultry and seafood among their consumers were 86.7 g/day, 86.4 g/day, 71.0 g/day and 70.3 g/day in 2011, respectively, which were just slightly higher compared with those in 1991. Fatty fresh pork has been predominantly component of total meat overtime, which consituted 54.0% of total meat intake, 80.0% of fresh red meat intake and 98.7% of fatty fresh red meat intake in 2011.

CONCLUSION

Over the past two decades, meat consumption patterns of Chinese adults have been characterized by having a predominant intake of fatty fresh pork, suboptimal intakes of seafood and increased proportion of adults having excessive intakes of red meat and poultry overtime.