Increment of 30-min post-challenge plasma glucose is associated with urine albumin excretion in men with normal glucose regulation

AIMS

The overwhelming majority of subjects with normal glucose regulation have the highest plasma glucose concentration at 30 minutes during oral glucose tolerance. We aimed to examine the association between increment of 30-min post-challenge glucose and albuminuria in participants with normal glucose regulation.

METHODS

A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in six communities in Shanghai between 2007 and 2008. A total of 3508 subjects with normal glucose regulation had complete data and were enrolled into the analysis. Among the selected subjects, only 1525 individuals (581 men, 944 women) were examined for their serum insulin levels. We assessed post-challenge blood glucose and insulin at 0, 30 and 120 min, urinary albumin and creatinine. The 30-min post-challenge glucose increment (Δ) was calculated as 30-min post-challenge glucose minus fasting plasma glucose, and albumin/creatinine ratio was used to reflect urinary albumin excretion.

RESULTS

Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the Δ30-min post-challenge glucose was independently associated with increased albumin/creatinine ratio in men with normal glucose regulation (OR = 1.08, P = 0.025), but not in women. Furthermore, multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that early-phase glucose disposition index was the main factor responsible for Δ30-min post-challenge glucose and explained 14-20% of the variance of Δ30-min post-challenge glucose in the two subgroups (P < 0.05). Notably, men had higher Δ30-min post-challenge glucose and lower early-phase glucose disposition index than women (all P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The 30-min post-challenge plasma glucose increment is associated with urine albumin excretion in men with normal glucose regulation.

ηπ+ π- resonant structure around 1.8 GeV/c(2) and η(1405) in J/ψ → ωηπ+ π-

We present results of a study of the decay J/ψ → ωηπ+ π- using a sample of (225.2 ± 2.8) × 10(6) J/ψ events collected by the BESIII detector, and report the observation of a new process J/ψ → ωX(1870) with a statistical significance of 7.2σ, in which X(1870) decays to a(0)(±)(980)π±. Fitting to ηπ+ π- mass spectrum yields a mass M = 1877.3 ± 6.3(stat)(-7.4)(+3.4)(syst) MeV/c(2), a width Γ = 57 ± 12(stat)(-4)(+19)(syst) MeV/c(2), and a product branching fraction B(J/ψ → ωX) × B(X→a(0)(±)(980)π±) × B(a(0) (±)(980) → ηπ±) = [1.50 ± 0.26(stat)(-0.36)(+0.72) (syst)] × 10(-4). Signals for J/ψ → ωf(1)(1285) and J/ψ → ω η(1405) are also clearly observed and measured.

Association of IL-1β and IL-6 gene polymorphisms with recurrent spontaneous abortion in a Chinese Han population

As certain cytokines may play a role in unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) and also some cytokine gene polymorphisms may affect the level of cytokine production, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Chinese RSA and polymorphisms of the genes coding for interleukin (IL)-1β (-31C/T, -511C/T, +3954C/T) and IL-6 (-634C/G). Women (n = 162) with at least three consecutive spontaneous abortions and 156 ethnically matched healthy women with at least one successful pregnancy were included. Genotypes were determined using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of polymerase chain reaction products. No significant differences were found in the IL-1β-31T, -511T and +3954T distributions between the RSA group and the control group. On the other hand, the frequencies of the IL-6-634GG genotype and -634G allele were significantly decreased in the RSA group versus the control group (genotype: P = 0.0003; allele: P = 0.002), suggesting the IL-6-634C/G polymorphism might be a possible genetic protective factor for RSA.

Immunohistochemical evidence: testicular and scented glandular androgen synthesis in muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) during the breeding season

In order to elucidate the relationship between androgens and the function of the muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) scented glands during the breeding season, we investigated immunolocalization of steroidogenic enzymes P450scc, 3βHSD and P450c17 in the muskrat testes and scented glands. Nine adult muskrats were obtained in March (n=3), May (n=3) and July (n=3) 2010. Steroidogenic enzymes were immunolocalized using polyclonal antisera raised against bovine adrenal P450scc, human placental 3βHSD and porcine testicular P450c17. Histologically, all types of spermatogenic cells including mature-phase spermatozoa in seminiferous tubules were observed in all testes. Glandular cells, interstitial cells, epithelial cells and excretory tubules were identified in scented glands during the breeding season. P450scc, 3βHSD and P450c17 were only identified in Leydig cells during the breeding season; P450scc and P450c17 were observed in glandular cells of scented glands, however, 3βHSD was not found in scented glands during the breeding season. These novel findings provide the first evidence showing that scented glands of the muskrats are capable of locally synthesizing androgens and androgens acting via an endocrine, autocrine or paracrine manner may play an important role in scented gland function during the breeding season.

Differential effects of down-regulated steroidogenic factor-1 on basal and angiotensin II-induced aldosterone secretion

Aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) is responsible for the final step in aldosterone synthesis and is importantly regulated by angiotensin-II (Ang II) through diverse pathways. However, under pathological conditions, such as in hyperaldosteronism, the regulation becomes disordered. The transcription factor steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) is important in regulating the endocrine system and is overexpressed in aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA), a common cause of hyperaldosteronism. Overexpression of SF-1 has been extensively studied, but little in-depth information is available regarding the effects of inhibitory SF-1 on CYP11B2 and Ang II. In this paper, we have investigated the roles of down-regulated SF-1 in basal and Ang II-induced CYP11B2 expression using SF-1-specific short hairpin RNA. Inhibitory SF-1 was found to decrease the sensitivity of CYP11B2 and aldosterone to Ang II stimulation, whereas a down-regulation of SF-1 enhanced basal CYP11B2 expression and aldosterone production in H295R cells. Considering these differential effects of SF-1 on aldosterone production, these results might provide a new insight into the understanding of hyperaldosteronism.

Observation of χ(c1) decays into vector meson pairs φφ, ωω, and ωφ

Using (106±4)×10⁻⁶ ψ(3686) events accumulated with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII e⁺e⁻ collider, we present the first measurement of decays of χ(c1) to vector meson pairs φφ, ωω, and ωφ. The branching fractions are measured to be (4.4±0.3±0.5)×10⁻⁴, (6.0±0.3±0.7)×10⁻⁴, and (2.2±0.6±0.2)×10⁻⁵, for χ(c1)→φφ, ωω, and ωφ, respectively, which indicates that the hadron helicity selection rule is significantly violated in χ(cJ) decays. In addition, the measurement of χ(cJ)→ωφ provides the first indication of the rate of doubly OZI-suppressed χ(cJ) decay. Finally, we present improved measurements for the branching fractions of χ(c0) and χ(c2) to vector meson pairs.

Expression of smoothened in mouse embryonic maxillofacial development

Hedgehog (Hh) signaling plays many key roles in the development of Drosophila and vertebrate embryos including regulation of craniofacial development. The seven-transmembrane protein, smoothened (Smo) transduces the Hh signal across the plasma membrane as an essential receptor of PTCHED1/2. There are few studies that evaluate the detailed expression of Smo in mouse embryonic craniofacial development. We investigated the expression patterns of Smo during murine embryonic craniofacial development using in situ hybridization (ISH), studies of whole-mounts and sections, immunohistochemistry, quantitative real time PCR, and Western blot analysis. We found that Smo mRNA was expressed in the face of mouse embryos at 11 and 12.5 days post coitum (dpc). After 13.5 dpc, the expression decreased to a low level and was faintly detected after birth. Smo protein could be detected also in embryos at 11, 12.5, and 14.5 dpc. After 15.5 dpc, the expression was very faint and paralleled the gene expression studies. No expression was detected in whisker follicle during facial development and faint signal was detected in Meckel's cartilage. These findings concerning Smo expression should guide further investigation of sonic Hh signaling pathway gene function during maxillofacial development.

Radioiodine therapy of thyroid carcinoma following Pax-8 gene transfer

The thyroid transcription factor Pax-8 could bind with the promoter/enhancer of thyroid-specific genes such as thyroglobulin (Tg), thyroperoxidase (TPO) and sodium iodide symporter (NIS), and regulate the expression of these proteins in thyrocyte. Promoting iodide accumulation in tumor cells by re-expression of Pax-8 provides a possible strategy for radioiodine therapy of tumor. Therefore, we investigated the effect of Pax-8 gene transfer on radioiodine therapy of thyroid carcinoma. The human Pax-8 gene was transfected into the human thyroid carcinoma (K1 and F133) cells by the recombinant adenovirus vector. Although the NIS mRNA was not detected, the expression of mRNA and proteins of Tg and TPO in AdPax-8-infected F133 cells were activated by Pax-8. Iodide uptake in thyroid carcinoma cells was reactivated by Pax-8 (increasing 3.3-fold in K1 cells and 5.7-fold in F133 cells). Moreover, Pax-8 promoted iodide organification and the retention time of iodine in Pax-8-expressing cells apparently prolonged in vitro and in vivo (P<0.05). Pax-8-expressing thyroid carcinoma cells were selectively killed by radioiodine. The AdPax-8-infected tumors in vivo clearly visualized in scanning images at 12 h after administration of radioiodine. These results indicate that Pax-8 can promote iodide uptake, and specifically prolong the retention time of iodide in thyroid cancer in vitro and in vivo by promoting the expression of TPO and Tg proteins. Pax-8 gene transfection may lead to effective radioiodine therapy of tumor.

Abnormalities in connectivity of white-matter tracts in patients with familial and non-familial schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

Abnormalities in the connectivity of white-matter (WM) tracts in schizophrenia are supported by evidence from post-mortem investigations, functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The aims of this study were to explore the microstructural changes in first-episode schizophrenia in a Han Chinese population and to investigate whether a family history of psychiatric disorder is related to the severity of WM tract integrity abnormalities in these patients.

METHOD

T1-weighted MR and DT images were collected in 68 patients with first-episode schizophrenia [22 with a positive family history (PFH) and 46 with a negative family history (NFH)] and 100 healthy controls. Voxel-based analysis was performed and WM integrity was quantified by fractional anisotropy (FA). Cluster- and voxel-level analyses were performed by using two-sample t tests between patients and controls and/or using a full factorial model with one factor and three levels among the three sample groups (patients with PFH or NFH, and controls), as appropriate.

RESULTS

FA deficits were observed in the patient group, especially in the left temporal lobe and right corpus callosum. This effect was more severe in the non-familial schizophrenia than in the familial schizophrenia subgroup.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, these findings support the hypothesis that loss of WM integrity may be an important pathophysiological feature of schizophrenia, with particular implications for brain dysmaturation in non-familial and familial schizophrenia.

A genome-wide association study for quantitative traits in schizophrenia in China

Few genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of schizophrenia have included Chinese populations, and verification of positive genetic findings from other ethnic groups is rare in Chinese groups. We used fluid intelligence as the quantitative trait reflecting schizophrenia dysfunction in Chinese populations, and determined the impact of genetic variation on fluid intelligence phenotypic patterns to identify genetic influences in schizophrenia. The study sample comprised 98 patients with schizophrenia and 60 healthy controls. The general fluid intelligence of participants was assessed with Cattell's Culture-Free Intelligence Test (CCFIT). Subjects were genotyped using the Illumina HumanHap 660 beadchip. We identified the methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MSRA) gene on chromosome 8 as having an association with fluid intelligence. However, only CCFIT subtest 1 (series score) demonstrated a significant result for the interaction term using the criteria of the quantitative trait (QT) analysis of 10(-5) for at least three SNPs. There were 15 haplotype blocks of MSRA gene SNPs identified using Haploview 4.2 with solid spine D' > 0.80. The strongest QT interaction was noted in Block 3, with the most common haplotypes being AAACAGCAG and CGCAGAAGA. In conclusion, we report data from a GWAS with quantitative traits design from Chinese first-episode schizophrenia patients and matched controls. Although the gene identified requires confirmation in an independent sample, the MSRA gene located on chromosome 8 was found to be associated with the phenotype of schizophrenia.

Direct mass measurements of short-lived A=2Z-1 nuclides (63)Ge, (65)As, (67)Se, and (71)Kr and their impact on nucleosynthesis in the rp process

Mass excesses of short-lived A=2Z-1 nuclei (63)Ge, (65)As, (67)Se, and (71)Kr have been directly measured to be -46,921(37), -46,937(85), -46,580(67), and -46,320(141)  keV, respectively. The deduced proton separation energy of -90(85)  keV for (65)As shows that this nucleus is only slightly proton unbound. X-ray burst model calculations with the new mass excess of (65)As suggest that the majority of the reaction flow passes through (64)Ge via proton capture, indicating that (64)Ge is not a significant rp-process waiting point.