Low body weight and its association with bone health and pubertal maturation in Chinese girls

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of low body weight in Beijing pubertal girls and to establish the cut-off for body mass index (BMI) for underweight for Chinese pubertal girls.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Three socioeconomic areas (rural, suburban and urban) in Beijing, China.

SUBJECTS

Random sample of 1214 adolescent girls aged 12-14 y from 13 middle schools.

RESULTS

Using a modified Chinese reference, the rate of low body weight (BMI<18) was 32.2% (95% CI 29.6-34.8%). Compared with desirable weight girls (BMI=18-21), girls with low body weight had a lower bone age, delayed breast and pubic hair development, a lower rate of menarche, lower distal one-third radius and ulna bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density and bone width. Logistic regression showed that BMI was one of the predictors of one-third ulna BMC after adjustment for confounding variables. When comparing BMI<18 vs BMI=18-21, the risk of BMC being less than the median increased by 82% (odds ratio 1.82, 95% CI 1.06-3.13). Thinness and stunting rates assessed by WHO recommended cut-offs are also reported.

CONCLUSIONS

High prevalence of low body weight (BMI<18) was found to be a major health problem among Beijing pubertal girls. BMI<18 is confirmed as the cut-off for delayed general growth and development for Chinese girls and for screening girls at risk of lower bone mineral status.

Prediction of response to incision using the mutual information of electroencephalograms during anaesthesia

This paper presents a new approach to predict response during isoflurane anaesthesia by using mutual information (MI) time series of electroencephalograms (EEGs) and their complexity analysis. The MI between four lead electrodes was first computed using the EEG time series. The Lempel-Ziv complexity measures, C(n)s, were extracted from the MI time series. Prediction was made by means of artificial neural network (ANN). From 98 consenting patient experiments, 98 distinct EEG recordings were collected prior to incision during isoflurane anaesthesia of different levels. During and after skin incision, each patient was observed carefully for 2 min to detect subsequent responses (purposeful movement, changes in hemodynamic parameters and respiratory pattern) and then the EEG was labelled as 0.0 for responder or as 1.0 for non-responder. Training and testing the ANN used the 'drop-one-patient' method. The prediction was tested by monitoring the response to incision and the result given by the ANN. The system was able to correctly classify purposeful response in average accuracy of 91.84% of the cases. The results showed that the method has a better performance than other methods, such as spectral edge frequency, median frequency, and bispectral analysis. This method is computationally fast and acceptable real-time clinical performance was obtained.

Receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) is expressed in chondroblastoma: possible involvement in osteoclastic giant cell recruitment

AIMS

Chondroblastoma is a rare, locally aggressive bone tumour that causes osteolytic destruction at the epiphyseal end of the affected bone. It is possible that tumour cells may stimulate osteoclastogenesis and osteolytic destruction through the production of receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL), which is a key molecule essential for regulating osteoclast formation and activity. Therefore, the expression of RANKL at both the mRNA and the protein level was investigated in chondroblastoma tumour tissue obtained from patients.

METHODS

The expression of RANKL gene transcripts was analysed by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the cellular localisation of RANKL mRNA and protein was demonstrated by means of in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

RT-PCR analysis indicated that RANKL mRNA was present in all chondroblastoma specimens and normal cancellous bone samples, but not in normal articular cartilage and chondrosarcoma tissues. In contrast, gene transcripts of osteoprotegerin (OPG), the decoy receptor of RANKL, were detected in all types of tissues. The chondroid origin of neoplastic mononuclear cells in chondroblastoma was confirmed by positive S-100 immunohistochemical staining. Both RANKL mRNA and protein were exclusively expressed in these neoplastic mononuclear cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that RANKL may be involved in the tumour cell induced recruitment of osteoclast-like cells and consequent osteolytic bone destruction in chondroblastoma.

Multiple hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) expands the therapeutic window in acute spinal cord injury in rats

Hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) therapy has been reported to improve neurological recovery following spinal cord injury (SCI). In the present study, we examined whether multiple HBO expands the therapeutic window for acute SCI. Single HBO (2.8 ATA, 1 hour) treatment was used at 30 minutes, 3 hours, and 6 hours following SCI, and serial HBO treatment (once daily for 1 week) at 6 hours and 24 hours post-injury. Mild SCI was induced by adjusting the height for a weight drop insult (10 g) to 6.25 mm above the exposed spinal cord. The group of animals receiving a single HBO intervention beginning at 30 minutes and 3 hours, or serial HBO treatment starting at 6 hours following the injury had a significantly better neurological recovery than animals with SCI only. The results of this study demonstrate that multiple HBO expands the therapeutic window for acute SCI to 6 hours after injury, further that serial HBO administration is superior to single HBO therapy.

Expression of RANKL and OPG mRNA in periodontal disease: possible involvement in bone destruction

Periodontitis is a complex, multifactorial process affected by bacterial plaque-components and host defense mechanisms. Inflammation of the periodontitium may lead the destruction of the underlying ligament and alveolar bone. Receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL), a novel TNF receptor-related protein is an important factor for osteoclast differentiation and activation. Given osteolysis by osteoclast has been demonstrated in periodontitis, we hypothesized that RANKL expression may be associated with bone destruction in periodontitis. We used semi-quantitative RT-PCR to compare the gene expression of RANKL and osteoprogerin (OPG), a decoy receptor of RANKL, between moderate and advanced periodontitis, and healthy subjects. The level of RANKL mRNA was highest in advanced periodontitis. In contrast, the level of OPG mRNA in both advanced and moderate periodontitis was lower than that in the healthy group. It appears that the ratio of RANKL to OPG mRNA in periodontitis has increased. To determine the localization of RANKL gene transcripts in gingival tissue at the cellular level, in situ hybridization was performed using digoxigenin-labeled specific riboprobes. RANKL mRNA was expressed in inflammatory cells, mainly lymphocyte and macrophages. In addition, proliferating epithelium in the vicinity of inflammatory cells expressed high levels of RANKL mRNA. In short, our data suggest that up regulation of RANKL mRNA in both inflammatory cells and epithelium may be associated with the activation of osteoclastic bone destruction in periodontitis.

Prolonged gene expression in mouse lung endothelial cells following transfection with Epstein-Barr virus-based episomal plasmid

The development of a strategy to deliver a gene to pulmonary endothelium will be useful for gene function study and for pulmonary gene therapy. Cationic lipidic vectors are efficient in gene transfer to pulmonary endothelium via the vascular route; however, gene expression is transient and lasts for only a few days. In this study, we show that pulmonary gene transfer via cationic lipidic vectors can be significantly improved using an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-based expression plasmid. Systemic administration of cationic liposomes followed by the EBV-based plasmid led to gene expression in the lung that lasted for more than 3 weeks. Prolonged and high levels of gene expression can also be obtained in primary mouse lung endothelial cells (MLEC) following lipofection with an EBV-based plasmid. These results suggest the utility of this gene transfer protocol in studying the expression of cloned genes in lung endothelial cells and in pulmonary gene therapy.

[Synthesis and bioaction of 2-alkyl-4(1H)-quinolone]

Five quinolone alkaloids (IVa, Va, c, d, g) including two new compounds (IVa, Vc) from Evodia rutaecarpa and nine analogs are synthesized in good yield by using acid-catalyzed condensation of a series of 3-oxoalkkanoic acid esters with aniline and further methylized with methyl iodide. The other analogue Vh is prepared through the reaction of lithium enolate methyl ketone with N-methylisatoic anhydride. Eight compounds (IVa, d, f; Vb, c, d, f, h) were synthesized for the first time. Pharmacological studies showed that these compounds have vasoconstriction inhibiting and antiulcer effects. Compound IVb also has cytotoxic effect.

Gene therapy progress and prospects: nonviral vectors

The success of gene therapy is largely dependent on the development of the gene delivery vector. Recently, gene transfection into target cells using naked DNA, which is a simple and safe approach, has been improved by combining several physical techniques, for example, electroporation, gene gun, ultrasound and hydrodynamic pressure. Chemical approaches have been utilized to improve the efficiency and cell specificity of gene transfer. Novel gene carrier molecules, which facilitate DNA escape from the endosome into the cytosol, have been developed. Several functional polymers, which enable controlled release of DNA in response to an environmental change, have also been reported. Plasmids with reduced number of CpG motifs, the use of PCR fragments and the sequential injection method have been established for the reduction of immune response triggered by plasmid DNA. Construction of a long-lasting gene expression system is also an important theme for nonviral gene therapy. To date, tissue-specific expression, self-replicating and integrating plasmid systems have been reported. Improvement of delivery methods together with intelligent design of the DNA itself has brought about large degrees of enhancement in the efficiency, specificity and temporal control of nonviral vectors.

Preliminary findings of adult health screening under national health insurance in Taiwan

OBJECTIVES

To provide baseline values of health elated parameters for the Taiwanese population.

METHODS

A systematic sample of 9016 out of 692,311 persons undergoing health check-ups is analyzed and described, and compared to a similar survey undertaken ten years ago. Some physical indices and lab tests exhibited significant age and sex related differences.

RESULTS

The prevalence of groups of diseases, and the distribution of test results by age and sex are reported and compared to other studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to the survey conducted ten years ago, Taiwanese adults are taller and heavier, but not necessarily healthier.

Electric gene transfer to the liver following systemic administration of plasmid DNA

Recently, there has been an increasing level of interest in electroporation for gene delivery due to the site-specific nature of the delivery, as well as the high efficiency of the method. Electroporation involves the application of a pulsed electric field to cells to enhance cell permeability, resulting in the transit of exogenous polynucleotide across the cytoplasmic membrane. Electroporation is traditionally performed by locally injecting DNA to the site of interest followed by the application of electric field. Compared with the local injection of plasmid DNA to the liver, systemic injection has the advantage of delivering genes to more hepatocytes. We describe here a method for efficient gene transfer to the liver by electroporation following tail vein administration of the naked DNA. The cells expressing the reporter gene are more broadly distributed with this systemic injection, as compared with direct injection.

Engineered collagen-PEO nanofibers and fabrics

Type I collagen-PEO fibers and non-woven fiber networks were produced by the electrospinning of a weak acid solution of purified collagen at ambient temperature and pressure. As determined by high-resolution SEM and TEM. fiber morphology was influenced by solution viscosity, conductivity, and flow rate. Uniform fibers with a diameter range of 100-150 nm were produced from a 2-wt% solution of collagen-PEO at a flow rate of 100 microl min(-1). Ultimate tensile strength and elastic modulus of the resulting non-woven fabrics was dependent upon the chosen weight ratio of the collagen-PEO blend. 1H NMR dipolar magnetization transfer analysis suggested that the superior mechanical properties, observed for collagen-PEO blends of weight ratio 1:1, were due to the maximization of intermolecular interactions between the PEO and collagen components. The process outlined herein provides a convenient, non-toxic, non-denaturing approach for the generation collagen-containing nanofibers and non-woven fabrics that have potential application in wound healing, tissue engineering, and as hemostatic agents.

[Studies on synthesis and bioactivity of 2-alkenyl-4(1H)-quinolone]

Three 2-alkenyl-4(1H)-quinolone compounds(I-III) were synthesized by two methods. III is a new compound from Evodia rutaecarpa and was synthesized through the reaction of the aldehyde intermediate(5) with Wittig reagent. The other two compounds were synthesized for the first time. These compounds showed vasodilating and antibacteria effects in pharmacological tests.

Stable target-sensitive immunoliposomes

Interaction of immunoliposomes composed of dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) (80%), dioleoylphosphatidic acid (DOPA) (20%), and a small amount of specific antibody with Herpes Simplex virus (HSV) were studied by detecting the immune-dependent lysis of liposomes. DOPA was used as the principal stabilizer of the immunoliposomes. Antibodies conjugated with N-glutarylphosphatidylethanolamine or oxidized GM1 served as the target-specific ligands of immunoliposomes. These immunoliposomes (d = 160-180 nm) were stable for at least one month when stored at 4 degrees C. However, they undergo a rapid aggregation and lysis reaction in the presence of a membrane-bound target such as intact HSV virions. We have also employed epitope peptide-containing liposomes (target liposomes) to mimic the virus and showed that the immunoliposomes could be aggregated and lysed by the target liposomes in an antigen-dependent manner. Immunoliposome lysis could be accelerated by increasing the incubation temperature to 60-70 degrees C. No immunoliposome lysis was observed if the target liposomes were absent, indicating the prolonged stability of the immunoliposomes. Liposome lysis was always accompanied by liposome aggregation. However, the aggregation-induced liposome destabilization is unique to the HII phase-forming lipids such as DOPE. DOPC-containing immunoliposomes did not lyse despite the fact that massive liposome aggregation had taken place.

A demonstration of a 1:1 correspondence between chiasma frequency and recombination using a Lolium perenne/Festuca pratensis substitution

A single chromosome of the grass species Festuca pratensis has been introgressed into Lolium perenne to produce a diploid monosomic substitution line 2n = 2x = 14. The chromatin of F. pratensis and L. perenne can be distinguished by genomic in situ hybridization (GISH), and it is therefore possible to visualize the substituted F. pratensis chromosome in the L. perenne background and to study chiasma formation in a single marked bivalent. Recombination occurs freely in the F. pratensis/L. perenne bivalent, and chiasma frequency counts give a predicted map length for this bivalent of 76 cM. The substituted F. pratensis chromosome was also mapped with 104 EcoRI/Tru91 and HindIII/Tru91 amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs), generating a marker map of 81 cM. This map length is almost identical to the map length of 76 cM predicted from the chiasma frequency data. The work demonstrates a 1:1 correspondence between chiasma frequency and recombination and, in addition, the absence of chromatid interference across the Festuca and Lolium centromeres.