[Glucocorticoids and liver diseases]

Glucocorticoids is a type of steroid hormone secreted from zona fasciculata of adrenal cortex.As an immune and inflammatory inhibitor, glucocorticoids has been used to treat many kinds of diseases.T cell response plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of liver diseases. However, the role of glucocorticoids in the mechanism and treatment of liver disease in current clinical practice is controversial. This paper summarizes the progress of glucocorticoid use for the treatment of liver diseases in recent years. References will be provided for how to grasp the indications,application timing and proper dosage of glucocorticoids in liver diseases.

Exposure Duration Is a Determinant of the Effect of Sinusoidal Electromagnetic Fields on Peak Bone Mass of Young Rats

We proposed a three-step strategy to obtain the optimal therapeutic parameters, which is composed of large-scale screening at cellular level, verification in animal experiments, and confirmation by a clinical trial. The objective of the current study was to test the feasibility of our strategy. Newborn rat calvarial osteoblasts were treated by 50 Hz 1.8 mT sinusoidal electromagnetic fields (SEMFs) with 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 h/days, respectively. The osteogenic differentiation and maturation of the osteoblast were assayed and compared to obtain the optimal duration. One-month-old growing rats were then treated by the same SEMFs with 0.5, 1.5, and 2.5 h/days, respectively, and the peak bone mass was analyzed after 2 months. It was found that the optimal exposure duration to promote the osteogenic differentiation and maturation of osteoblasts was 1.5 h/days, judging by the increasing degrees of ALP activity, calcified nodules formed, the gene and protein expression levels of Runx-2, BMP-2, and Col-I, as well as the expression levels of signaling proteins of the BMP-2/Smad1/5/8 pathway. The highest increase of peak bone mass after 2 months was also obtained by 1.5 h/days, judging by the results of X-ray dual-energy absorptiometry, mechanical property analysis, micro-CT scanning, and serum bone turnover marker examinations. The above results indicated that exposure duration is a determinant for the therapeutic effect of EMFs, and the optimal therapeutic effects only can be obtained by the optimal exposure duration.

[Hemoptysis in adults with bronchiectasis: correlation with disease severity and exacerbation risk]

Objective: To investigate the association between hemoptysis and disease severity and risks of acute exacerbations in patients with bronchiectasis. Methods: Between September 2012 and January 2014, we recruited 148 patients (56 males, 92 females, mean age: 44.6 years) with clinically stable bronchiectasis, who were classified into hemoptysis group (36 males, 70 females, mean age: 45.6 years) and non-hemoptysis group (20 males, 22 females, mean age: 41.8 years). We inquired the past history, and evaluated chest imaging characteristics, lung function, cough sensitivity assessed using capsaicin cough challenge tests, and airway inflammation. We also performed a 1-year follow-up to evaluate whether patients with hemoptysis would have greater risk of having acute exacerbations. Results: In the hemoptysis group, median 24-hour sputum volume was 20.0 ml, median Bronchiectasis Severity Index (BSI) was 7.0, median bronchiectatic lobes was 4.0, median chest CT score was 7.0, the geometric mean for eliciting 5 coughs following capsaicin cough sensitivity (C5) was 77 μmol/L, 67 cases (63%) had cystic bronchiectasis and 52 cases (49%) had pulmonary cavity shown on chest CT, and 35 cases (33%) had Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization. In the non-hemoptysis group, median 24-hour sputum volume was 5.0 ml, median BSI was 4.0, median bronchiectatic lobes was 3.0, median chest CT score was 5.0, 15 cases (36%) had cystic bronchiectasis and 10 cases (24%) had pulmonary cavity, the geometric mean for C5 was 212 μmol/L, and 4 cases (10%) had Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization. All the above parameters differed significantly between the hemoptysis and the non-hemoptysis group (P<0.05). In the hemoptysis group, 29 patients with pulmonary cavity (27%) had reported the use of intravenous antibiotics, and 44 cases (42%) had at least one hospitalization within the previous 2 years. In the non-hemoptysis group, 8 cases (19.0%) had reported the use of intravenous antibiotics, and 8 cases (19.0%) reported hospitalization within 2 years. A prior history of hemoptysis was associated with a greater risk of experiencing bronchiectasis exacerbations during follow-up, after adjusting for age, sex, smoking status and BSI (62 cases in the hemoptysis group, 18 cases in the non-hemoptysis group, χ(2)=16.06, P=0.03). In a multivariate model, cystic bronchiectasis was the sole risk factor for hemoptysis; 67 cases which accounted for 63% of patients in the hemoptysis group and 15 cases which accounted for 36% of patients in the non-hemoptysis group, odds ratio: 2.84, 95% confidence interval: 1.00-8.14, P=0.05 . Conclusions: In this study, 72% of bronchiectasis patients had experienced hemoptysis, which was associated with the severity of bronchiectasis. Patients with a prior history of hemoptysis had a greater risk of acute exacerbations during follow-up than those without.

[Surveillance on drinking-water-born endemic fluorosis in China, 2013]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of fluorosis and related control measures on drinking water type of endemic fluorosis in China.

METHODS

According to the national program- "Surveillance Scheme of Drinking-Water-Borne Endemic Fluorosis" , 136 counties were selected in 29 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. Three epidemic villages were randomly selected as fixed monitoring sites in each county. Dental fluorosis of all the children aged 8-12 living in the villages under the monitoring program, was identified under the ariteria from "Diagnosis of dental fluorosis" (WS/T 208-2011). Operating conditions and contents of fluoride in all the'water-improved projects' were investigated. Contents of fluoride in drinking water were tested in villages without the 'water-improved projects'. "Standard Test Method for Drinking Water" (GB/T 5750.5-2006) was used to detect the water fluoride.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of dental fluorosis among children aged 8-12 in all the villages under monitor program, was 28.58% (7 950/27 817), with the dental fluorosis index (DFI) as 0.58. Among them, the prevalence was 22.28% (3 917/17 583) and DFI was 0.44 in the'water-improved projects' villages that under normal operation and with qualified fluoride contents. The prevalence appeared as 38.74% (1 926/4 971) with DFI as 0.84 in those villages with 'water-improved projects' but mal-operated or with excessive fluoride. The prevalence was 40.03% (2 107/5 263), and DFI was 0.81 in those villages without 'water-improved projects'. The prevalence rates of dental fluorosis in children from the three types of endemic areas were significantly different. For 'water-improved projects', the normal opration rate was 93.77% (286/305) and the qualification rate of fluoride content was 76.77% (228/297).

CONCLUSIONS

Dental fluorosis in children living in the drinking-water-born endemic fluorosis areas was on the edge of epidemics in China. Effective improvement on the quality of drinking water can significantly reduce the severity of dental fluorosis in children. The rate of proper operation on 'water-improved projects' was near to 95% in the endemic area. However, rate that met the criteria on qualified fluoride contents of these projects was still below 80%.

Effect of electroacupuncture on the cervicospinal P2X7 receptor/fractalkine/CX3CR1 signaling pathway in a rat neck-incision pain model

Increasing evidence supports that acupuncture intervention is an effective approach for intraoperative and postoperative pain. Neuron-microglia crosstalk, mediated by the purinergic P2X7 receptor (R)/fractalkine/CX3CR1 cascade in the spinal cord dorsal horn, plays a pivotal role in pain processing. However, its involvement in the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) remains unclear. In this study, a rat neck-incision pain model was established by making a longitudinal incision along the midline of the neck and subsequent repeated mechanical stimulation. EA stimulation was applied to bilateral LI18, LI4-PC6, or ST36-GB34. The thermal pain threshold, cervicospinal ATP concentration, expression levels of purinergic P2XR and P2YR subunits mRNAs, and fractalkine, CX3CR1 and p38 MAPK proteins, were detected separately. The neck incision induced strong thermal hyperalgesia and upregulation of spinal ATP within 48 h. No significant change was found in thermal hyperalgesia after a single session of EA intervention. However, a single session of EA dramatically enhanced the neck incision-induced upregulation of ATP and upregulated the expression of P2X7R, which was reversed by two sessions of EA. Two sessions of EA at bilateral LI18 or LI4-PC6 attenuated hyperalgesia significantly, accompanied with downregulation of P2X7R/fractalkine/ CX3CR1 signaling after three sessions of EA. EA stimulation of LI18 or LI4-PC6 alleviates thermal hyperalgesia in neck-incision pain rats, which may be associated with its effects in regulating the neck incision-induced increase of ATP and P2X7R and subsequently suppressing fractalkine/CX3CR1 signaling in the cervical spinal cord.

Cloning and characterization of ChiMYB in Chrysanthemum indicum with an emphasis on salinity stress tolerance

v-myb avianmyeloblastosis viral oncogene homolog (MYB) transcription factors are key regulators of stress responsive gene expression in plants. In this study, the MYB gene, ChiMYB (GenBank accession No. KT948997), was isolated from Chrysanthemum indicum, and was functionally characterized with an emphasis on salinity stress tolerance. The full ChiMYB cDNA sequence (948 bp) encoded a typical R2R3 MYB transcription factor that contained 315 amino acid residues and two MYB domains. The temporal expression pattern of ChiMYB was noted in C. indicum, and the highest level was detected in the roots, followed by leaves and stems. ChiMYB expression was induced by NaCl treatments, and transient expression of the fusion of ChiMYB and green fluorescent protein (GFP) indicated that the protein was targeted to the nuclei of onion epidermal cells. Arabidopsis plants overexpressing ChiMYB displayed improved tolerance to drought and salt stress. When under salt stress conditions, transgenic Arabidopsis plants had higher survival rates than non-transgenic wild-type plants. Chlorophyll content, intercellular CO₂ concentration, photosynthetic rate, and stomatal conductance were higher in the transgenic Arabidopsis plants than in non-transgenic control plants. Further investigation revealed that ChiMYB was able to regulate the expression of RD29A, RAB18, COR15, ABI1, and ABA genes, which are involved in salt stress signaling pathways. Our findings demonstrated that ChiMYB is essential for plant responses to salt stress, and it may have great potential for the improvement of salt tolerance in crops.

Biological characterization of liver fatty acid binding gene from miniature pig liver cDNA library

Liver fatty acid binding proteins (L-FABP) are a family of small, highly conserved, cytoplasmic proteins that bind to long-chain fatty acids and other hydrophobic ligands. In this study, a full-length enriched cDNA library was successfully constructed from Wuzhishan miniature pig, and then the L-FABP gene was cloned from this cDNA library and an expression vector (pEGFP-N3-L-FABP) was constructed in vitro. This vector was transfected into hepatocytes to test its function. The results of western blotting analysis demonstrated that the L-FABP gene from our full-length enriched cDNA library regulated downstream genes, including the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor family in hepatocytes. This study provides a theoretical basis and experimental evidence for the application of L-FABP for the treatment of liver injury.

Responses of microbial respiration to nitrogen addition in two alpine soils in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

An incubation experiment was conducted to examine the effects of nitrogen (N) application on microbial respiration in alpine meadow and alpine shrub soils from eastern of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Four different levels of nitrogen fertilization were selected in this study: control (CK, 0 mg N g(-1)), low (LN, 0.04 mg N g(-1)), medium (MN, 0.16 mg N g(-1)), high (HN, 0.4 mg N g(-1)). The results showed that microbial respiration was higher in alpine shrub than in alpine meadow soil, regardless of the rate of N application. Total microbial respiration overthe course of incubation period decreased in both soils with HN and MN treatments relative to control, but no significant differences were observed in soils with LN treatments. There was significantly positive correlation between total microbial respiration and dissolved organic carbon concentration in both soils. The results indicated that DOC may be a useful indicator of microbial respiration rate in alpine soils and the increasing N inputs could drive a negative feedback to global warming effects of carbon dioxide emitted to the atmosphere in alpine soils.

The impact of oral health status on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of 12-year-olds from children's and parents' perspectives

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effect of dental caries, periodontal status and dental fluorosis on the oral health-related quality life (OHRQoL) of 12-year-olds and to assess the agreement between parents and children on the children's OHRQoL relative to the children's oral health status.

METHODS

A two-stage sampling method was used to select a sample of 12-year-olds from Binzhou, China. Their oral health status was recorded using the DMFT, CPI and Dean's Index. The Child Perception Questionnaire 11-14 (CPQ(11-14)) and the Parental Perception Questionnaire (PPQ) were administered to the children and their parents, respectively, to assess the children's oral health-related quality of life.

RESULTS

The data used in the analysis were collected from 1,120 children. The prevalence of tooth decay was 31.6% and that of dental fluorosis was 29.7%; 4.1% of the children had healthy gums and 52.4% had dental calculus. There was a moderate to good correlation between the CPQ and PPQ (ICC = 0.51-0.68). Having dental fluorosis and brushing teeth less than twice a day negatively influenced the emotional well-being domain of the CPQ, but was not related to this domain of the PPQ. Having calculus, dental fluorosis, brushing teeth less than twice a day and having dental visits negatively influenced the social well-being domain of the CPQ, but only tooth brushing was related to this domain of the PPQ.

CONCLUSIONS

Children's self-reported CPQ(11-14) scores were more strongly associated with their oral health status and OHRQoL than their parents' PPQ scores were, especially in the social and emotional well-being domains. Having caries, dental fluorosis or dental calculus negatively affected children's oral health-related quality of life.

Three-dimensional digital visible heart model and myocardial pathological characteristics of fetal single ventricle connected with aortic coarctation

This study aimed to provide data for imaging diagnosis and clinical surgical plans by reconstructing a three-dimensional (3-D) digital visible heart model of single ventricle (SV) connection with aortic coarctation (CoA) and characterizing the myocardial and vascular wall pathological characteristics. Fifteen miscarried fetus cadavers with SV and CoA were selected. Fourteen cardiac specimens were systematically reviewed for segmental anatomy and conventional histological examinations. One fetus cadaver was used to obtain the structural dataset of the fetal body and to reconstruct a 3-D digital visible heart model. Specimen pathological dissection indicated hypertrophic myocardium SV, significant aortic wall thickening, and localized coarctation area elevation. Ten cases of SV with left ventricular morphology displayed a large muscle ridge and solitus normally aligned great arteries. Five cases of SV with right ventricular morphology had coarse, parallel trabeculations and received a common atrioventricular valve. The reconstructed 3-D heart and the main internal structures were realistic, which were beneficial for clinical and image teaching of fetal heart development. The change of characteristics of the myocardium and great vascular wall was obvious and may be the critical cause leading to progressive dysfunction in the postnatal heart.

Comparing bacterial membrane interactions and antimicrobial activity of porcine lactoferricin-derived peptides

Antibiotic treatment for microbial infections is under scrutiny due to increasing resistance to conventional antibiotics, warranting discovery of new classes of antibiotic agents. Antimicrobial peptides are part of the innate defense system found in nearly all organisms and possess bactericidal mechanisms that make it more difficult for bacteria to develop resistance. Porcine lactoferricin (LFP-20) is an antimicrobial peptide located in the N terminus of lactoferrin (LF). To develop novel cell-selective antimicrobial peptides with improved antimicrobial specificity compared with LFP-20, analogs LF2A LF-2, LF-4, and LF-6 were substituted with Ala, Ser, or Trp residues at different positions in the molecule. Analogs displayed a 2- to 16-fold higher antimicrobial activity than LFP-20, but were hemolytic at 64 μg/mL. Additionally, LFP-20, LF2A, LF-2, and LF-4 exhibited lower cytotoxicity against human peripheral blood mononuclear cells than LF-6 at concentrations of 25 to 100 μg/mL. To better understand the antibacterial mechanisms of LFP-20 and its analogs we examined their effect on the cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli. The LFP-20 was not effective in depolarizing cytoplasmic membranes, whereas the other 3 analogs gradually dissipated the membrane potential of E. coli. Membrane potential increased with minimal inhibitory concentrations changes, demonstrating a correlation between bactericidal activity and membrane depolarization. Analogs were more efficient than LFP-20 in displacing lipopolysaccharide-bound dansyl-polymyxin B, which also rapidly increased 1-N-phenyl-naphthylamine uptake and release of cytoplasmic β-galactosidase by increasing the permeability of the outer and inner membranes of E. coli. The 3 analogs caused an increased potential for calcein leakage from negatively charged lipid vesicles at high concentrations. Collectively, these results suggest that the first targets of LF-2, LF-4, and LF-6 in E. coli are cytoplasmic membranes. The 3 analogs exhibited lethal effects based on their abilities to disrupt membranes and permit transit of large intracellular components, such as calcein.

Melting, expansion behavior and electric transport of In-filling in MgO nanotubes

By using a one-step approach, In-filled MgO nanotubes with diameters of 200-300 nm and lengths of several micrometers are synthesized. A Gatan heating experiment in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) shows that In-filling begins to melt far below the melting point 156.6 degrees C of In and abnormally shrinks upon increasing temperature above 270 degrees C. Massive In-filled MgO nanotubes were pressed into a disk and its resistance starts dramatically decrease upon increasing temperature above -150 degrees C, suggesting a temperature switch with a protective point -150 degrees C. The expansion and I-V characteristics were discussed.

Microstructure and photoluminescence studies of Sb-doped SnO2 zigzag nanobelts

SnO2 zigzag nanobelts were successfully Sb-doped by a simple vapor deposition method. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize these Sb-doped nanobelts. The Sb doping in SnO2 nanobelts was confirmed by Energy Dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It is found that there is no apparent lattice distance difference between the pure SnO2 and the 0.705 at% Sb doped SnO2 nanobelts. A slight blue-shift in the photoluminescence (PL) spectra was shown with the increase of Sb doping concentration and a reasonable explanation was given.

Synthesis and microstructural analysis of Si3N4 nanorods

Alpha-Si3N4 nanorods with 20-80 nm width were synthesized by carbothermal reduction of SiO with amorphous activated carbon (AAC) as a reductant. Microstructural characterization of the synthesized nanorods was carried out by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Many Si3N4 nanorods were found to be twisted. Each twisted nanorod contained several straight Si3N4 parts. The straight parts had the rod axes orientated along the (1010) direction, which is the closest packing direction of alpha-Si3N4. There were two kinds of joints between the two adjacent straight Si3N4 parts. Formation mechanism of the Si3N4 nanorods is discussed.

Upper limb salvage with microvascular bone transfer for major long-bone segmental tumor resections

A series of 14 young, active patients who underwent vascularized bone graft reconstructions of large (9-15 cm) segmental skeletal defects of the upper extremity resulting from resection of a variety of bony tumors is presented. Eight defects involved the proximal humerus and required shoulder joint reconstruction, two were mid humeral and four involved the distal radius. Surgical techniques for both distal radius reconstruction with vascularized iliac crest and vascularized fibular head and glenohumeral reconstruction using the vascularized fibula are described. Several cases are discussed in detail, including achievement of bony union, postoperative range of motion and pain, and each patient's ability to resume activities. The literature is reviewed, and other reconstructive options for large bony defects of the upper extremity after tumor resection are discussed: nonvascularized bone grafts, allograft transfer, and custom prosthetic devices. The authors think that vascularized bone grafting offers the most favorable method of upper extremity salvage with preservation of joint function, especially at the shoulder.

Hydroxyurea induces a senescence-like change of K562 human erythroleukemia cell

Hydroxyurea, a differentiation-inducing agent of human erythroleukemia K562 cells, is commonly used to treat some types of leukemia. However, the mechanism for its therapeutic effect is not clearly understood yet. In this study, we have observed an interesting effect of hydroxyurea on tumor cells: an induction of senescence-like changes. Human erythroleukemia K562 cells, when treated with hydroxyurea for 7 days or more, underwent a change into phenotypically senescent cells together with a reduction of hemoglobin generation, a differentiation marker. The hydroxyurea-treated cells showed positive senescence associated-beta-galactosidase staining, a senescence index, and the accumulation of cdk (cyclin dependent kinase) inhibitors, such as p16INK4a, p21Waf1, and p27Kip1, implicated in cellular senescence. Nonetheless, these changes were not accompanied by DNA fragmentation. Taken together, we summarize that the long-term treatment of cancer cells with hydroxyurea can induce cellular senescence different from differentiation or programmed cell death.

Radiation retards muscle differentiation but does not affect osteoblastic differentiation induced by bone morphogenetic protein-2 in C2C12 myoblasts

PURPOSE

Effects of radiation on the differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts were studied using cell cultures in which the cells differentiated into either muscle cells or osteoblasts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A mouse skeletal myoblast cell line, C2C12, was cultured and irradiated at confluence. Muscle differentiation was estimated by counting the number of myosin heavy chain (MHC)-positive multinucleated myotubes. Osteoblast differentiation was analysed by measuring alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and osteocalcin production in C2C12 cells treated with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2).

RESULTS

Myotube formation in C2C12 cells was inhibited by 2 and 4 Gy irradiation, but recovered to non-irradiated control levels following further culture. In irradiated cultures, the number of MHC-positive mononucleated cells increased significantly. Irradiation did not, however, alter the induction of osteoblastic phenotypes induced by rhBMP-2 in C2C12. Irradiation also did not affect the expression of MyoD mRNA and myogenin mRNA in myogenic differentiation and induction of osteocalcin mRNA in osteoblastic differentiation.

CONCLUSIONS

During differentiation of C2C12 cells, myotube formation was delayed after irradiation, while induction of osteoblasts with BMP-2 was unaffected.

Suppressive effect of genistein on rat bone osteoclasts: involvement of protein kinase inhibition and protein tyrosine phosphatase activation

The suppressive effect of genistein on osteoclast-like multinucleated cells from rat femoral tissues was investigated. The bone cells isolated from rat femoral tissues were cultured for 48 h in an alpha-minimal essential medium (5% fetal bovine serum) containing either vehicle or genistein (10(-7)-10(-5) M). Osteoclasts were estimated by staining for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, a marker enzyme of osteoclasts. The presence of genistein caused a significant decrease in the number of osteoclasts. Such a decrease was also seen in the presence of calcium choride (10(-5) M). Magnesium chloride (10(-5)-10(-3) M), a blocker of Ca2+ channels, had no effect on the number of osteoclasts. The effect of genistein (10(-5) M) or calcium (10(-3) M) in decreasing osteoclasts was significantly prevented by the presence of magnesium (10-3 M). Vanadate (10(-6)-10(-4) M), an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatase activity, did not have an effect on the number of osteoclasts. The genistein's effect was not altered by vanadate. When isolated osteoclasts were cultured for 24 h in the presence of genistein (10(-7)-10(-5) M), protein kinase activity in the 5500 g supernatant of homogenate of the cells was significantly decreased, while protein tyrosine phosphatase activity was significantly elevated. Such an effect was also seen by the addition of genistein (10(-7)-10(-5) in the enzyme reaction mixture in vitro. The present study suggests that the suppressive effect of genistein on rat bone osteoclasts is partly involved in the inhibition of protein kinase and the activation of protein tyrosine phosphatase in osteoclasts.

Synergistic effect of genistein and zinc on bone components in the femoral-metaphyseal tissues of female rats

The effect of genistein and zinc on bone components in rats was investigated. Femoral-metaphyseal tissues obtained from female rats (4 weeks old) were cultured for 24 h in a medium containing either vehicle or genistein (10(-7)-10(-5) M) in the absence or presence of zinc sulfate (10(-6)-10(-4) M) in vitro. The presence of genistein (10(-6) and 10(-5) M) or zinc (10(-6) and 10(-5) M) caused a significant increase in alkaline phosphatase activity, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and calcium content in the metaphyseal tissues. These increases were significantly enhanced by the combination of each compound. The synergistic effect on bone components was seen in the combination with genistein (10(-6) and 10(-5) M) plus zinc (10(-5) M). Such an effect was completely blocked by the presence of cycloheximide (10(-6) M), an inhibitor of protein synthesis. Moreover, the oral administration of genistein (100 and 300 micrograms/kg body weight) or zinc sulfate (1 and 5 mg Zn/kg) to rats for 3 days caused a significant elevation of alkaline phosphatase activity, DNA, and calcium content in the femoral-metaphyseal tissues. These increases were significantly enhanced by the combination of each compound. The synergistic effect was seen in the case of genistein (100 and 300 micrograms/kg) plus zinc (5 mg/kg). These results demonstrate that the anabolic effect of genistein on bone components is synergistically enhanced by zinc in vitro and in vivo. This study further supports the view that the combination of nutritional factors has a potent anabolic effect on bone metabolism.

The microstructural analysis of SiC nanorods by high-resolution electron microscopy

Beta-SiC nanorods have been synthesized by the reaction of SiO and carbon nano-capsules. For the synthesis of SiC nanorods, it was examined that the reaction temperature and the ratio of SiO to carbon nanocapsules are important and the most appropriate temperature and ratio are around 1380 degreesC and 5:2, respectively. The synthesized SiC nanorods were characterized by high-resolution electron microscopy. Most of the SiC nanorods are straight and have the diameter of 30-150 nm while the SiC tips of the SiC nanorods have the size 100-400 nm. The SiC nanorods have many stacking faults normal to the [111] direction. Each SiC nanorod has one kind of preferential axis direction, which is either parallel or normal to the [111] direction. Based on the microstructural analysis of the SiC nanorods, a possible growth mechanism of the SiC nanorods is proposed.

Prolonged intake of fermented soybean (natto) diets containing vitamin K2 (menaquinone-7) prevents bone loss in ovariectomized rats

The effect of the prolonged intake of dietary vitamin K2 (menaquinone-7, MK-7) on bone loss in ovariectomized (OVX) rats was investigated. OVX rats were freely given experimental diets containing the fermented soybean (natto; including 9.4 micrograms MK-7/100 g diet) without or with supplemental MK-7 (containing 14.1 or 18.8 micrograms of MK-7 as total per 100 g diet) for 150 days. Feeding produced a significant elevation of MK-7 concentration in the serum of OVX rats. In this case, the femoral MK-4 content was significantly increased, but MK-7 was not detected in the femoral tissues, indicating degradation of MK-7. Serum gamma-carboxylated osteocalcin concentration was significantly decreased by OVX. This decrease was significantly prevented by the feeding of the natto diets with supplemental MK-7 (18.8 micrograms/100 g diets). OVX caused a significant decrease in femoral dry weight, femoral calcium content, and mineral density. These decreases were significantly prevented by feeding with diets containing natto with MK-7 (total, 18.8 micrograms/100 g diets). This study demonstrates that the prolonged intake of natto dietary including MK-7 has a preventive effect on bone loss induced by OVX. Dietary MK-7 may be useful in the prevention of osteoporosis.