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Objective To investigate the baseline and effect of obesity and obesity trajectories on cardiovascular diseases(CVDs) in adult male with incident non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD). Methods Adult men with newly diagnosed NAFLD and without CVDs in the Kailuan cohort study from 2006—2013 were enrolled. The subjects were divided into the nonobese group and obese group according to the definition of body mass index(BMI) or waist circumference (WC), then further divided by the obesity trajectories at the first follow-up (1-4 years). Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the incidence rate of CVDs for each subgroup. In addition, the Fine and Gray competing risk Cox regression model was used to compare CVDs risk in NAFLD with different baseline or trajectories in obesity measures after 1-4 years of NAFLD diagnosis. Results A total of 8 591 incident NAFLD patients were included. During a median follow-up of 9.41 years, 349 cases were found with CVDs. The 10-year cumulative incidence rates of CVDs were 3.3% and 4.3% in the nonobese and obese groups according to the definition of waist circumference, respectively (log-rank test, P＜0.05). However, the significance disappeared after adjusting the competing risk of death and other covariates. Similar results were observed based on the definition of BMI. Also, further analysis was conducted for the association trajectories in obesity measures and CVDs. The 8-year cumulative incidence rates of CVDs were 2.8%, 3.6%, 4.2%, and 3.3% in the constantly nonobese group, nonobese-obese, obese-nonobese, and constantly obese group, respectively (log-rank test, P＞0.05). Compared to the subjects with constantly nonobese defined by BMI, those who transition from nonobese to obese increased the CVDs risk by 57% (hazard ratio [HR]:1.57; 95% CI:1.03~2.38; P＜0.05). The conclusion remained even after adjusting baseline BMI (HR:1.56; 95% CI:1.02~2.37; P＜0.05). Conclusions Short-term weight gain in men with incident NAFLD led a higher CVDs risk, suggesting the importance of weight control in preventing CVDs once NAFLD occurrence.

Natural diamonds commonly contain polymeric nitrogen and have complex growing textures, whereas synthetic diamonds do not contain nitrogen or do contain single nitrogen and have typical growing textures related to the synthetic process. Using these characteristics, natural and synthetic diamonds can be distinguished. However, effective identification on melee-sized diamonds or mounted jewelry is not feasible by conventional instruments. A multi-spectral induced luminescence imaging system, GV5000 has been invented, and is described in this paper. Through improving the excitation light source, the light filter, the device configuration, and testing methods, the fluorescence and phosphorescence features of multiple melee-sized diamonds (≥0.002 ct) can be observed simultaneously. An efficient and precise method to identify colorless melee-sized natural and synthetic diamonds on the basis of the luminescent characteristics has also been established. 9015 samples were analyzed by GV5000 and screening results were checked by infrared spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy, 97% of the natural diamonds display blue fluorescence without phosphorescence. Moreover, the luminescence of synthetic diamonds is different from that of natural ones. This new method erases the influences of size and shape of samples and increases the accuracy and efficiency of the identification on melee-sized diamonds. The screening rates of natural and synthetic diamonds are as high as 97% and 100%, respectively.

The key parameter to determine whether jadeitite can be named gem grade jadeitite 'jadeite jade' or not is the content (the mass fraction) of jadeite in jadeitite. So far, most methods to determine the mass fraction of mineral in rock are destructive, which is not suitable in gem detection. Based on the changes of mineral composition and mass fraction of mineral in jadeitite, a non-destructive method by measuring the relative density of jadeitite was established in order to get the mass fraction of jadeite. By Static Water Density Method, 186 pieces of jadeitite samples with relative densities of 3.30-3.24 were divided into groups according to different densities. The main mineral composition and mass fraction of minerals in jadeitite were analyzed by X-ray Powder Diffraction, Manual Heavy-sand Analysis, Electron Probe Microanalysis, Infrared Spectrometry and Raman Spectrometry. The linear relationship between the mass fraction of jadeite and the relative density of jadeitite was statisticstically analyzed. Results show that the main minerals in jadeitite are jadeite, albite, and analcite. As the mass fraction (wA) of jadeite decreases, those of albite and analcime increase, and the measured specific gravities (SG) of jadeitite change accordingly. The relationship between them is wA=1.3454 SG-3.4531 (r=0.9814), showing a good linear dependence relation. Because the measured specific gravity of jadeitite is approximately equal to the theoretical one, mass fraction of jadeite is obtained by measuring the specific gravity of jadeitite. This non-destructive method applies to jadeitite with a specific gravity of 3.3-3.0, jadeite content of 95%-60%, and sum mass fractions of jadeite and albite of 90%-97%.

The internet of things (IOT) technology marks another great leap of the global information industry after computer and internet. IOT presents unprecedented opportunities for rapid development of agricultural modernization. This paper briefly introduced the concept and architecture of IOT in agriculture; analyzed the key techniques of IOT in agriculture from three levels as information awareness, network transmission and processing application; summarized the present research at home and abroad, and applying status and existing problems of IOT in agriculture; put forward the development strategy and key measures for its development in China; and pointed out that IOT in agriculture would become more thorough and comprehensive perception, with more safe and reliable connectivity, more optimization of system integration, and its development trends would be more in-depth intelligence services. Thus, IOT in agriculture; would surely play more; important role; in promoting the; fusion of informationization and agricultural modernization, and in accelerating the development of agricultural modernization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a copping system of "winter green manure-double rice", the 4×4 two-factor test was used to study the effects of different nitrogen (N) application levels and winter green manure application on soil active organic carbon (AOC) and the C pool management index. The aim was to explore the ecological effects of winter green manure on soil improvement and determine the appropriate application levels of N fertilizer and winter green manure for improved rice yield. Results were as follows: 1) Compared with the control, the SOC and AOC contents increased by 22. 2% and 26. 7% , respectively, under the green manure only treatment, but the SOC contents decreased by 0. 6% -3. 4% under the single N fertilizer treatment. Compared with the control, the soil C pool management index increased by 24. 55 and 15. 17 under the green manure only and green manure plus N fertilizer treatments, respectively, and reduced by 2. 59 under the single N fertilizer treatment. Compared with no fertilization, the average microbial biomass carbon (MBC) increased by 54. 0% , 95. 2% and 14. 3% under the green manure, green manure plus N fertilizer and single N fertilizer treatments, respectively. 2) The soil AOC content was significantly positively correlated with the C pool management index (P<0. 01), and had a significant correlation with dissolved organic C and MBC (P<0. 05). Rice yield was significantly positively correlated with AOC contents and the C pool management index, and the correlation coefficient was significantly greater than that with the total organic C. These results suggested that application of winter green manure at proper rates with inorganic fertilizer could increase SOC contents and the soil C pool management index, improve soil quality and fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[ Objective ] Relation of SNPs of pig IGF-I gene and growth performance was studied to provide theoretical references for porcine breeding. [ Method ] SNPs in rs322131043 of IGF -I were tested employing polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in Landrace, Huanjiang pig, Guangxi Bama mini- pig, and the F1, F2 hybrids of Landrace and Guangxi Bama mini-pig. The correlation between gene, genotype frequencies and growth performance were analyzed. [ Result ] The results showed that the genotype AA of IGF-I was the dominant type in Guangxi Bama mini-pig, while the genotype GG was the dominant type in Landrace. Gene frequency sequence of A was Landrace, Guangxi Bama mini-pig and Huanjiang pig. Average values of body weight, body length, chest circumference, and body height were basically lower in heterozygous ( AG) than those in homozygous (AA/GG) in every period. [ Conclusion]The pig IGF-I gene SNP loci is closely related to its growth performance, but the potential applicability of the SNP for pig breeding needs further verifying [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The area of fall-planted cover crop in China is quite low in paddy field, and multiple cropping index declines yearly, resulting in tremendous waste of soil resources. This reduction in fall-planted cover crop can lead to decrease in soil fertility. Most paddy field in southern China is suitable for growing winter green manure because of abundant light and heat resources. Winter green manure in general contains 15% - 20% of the organic matter. It can be used to improve soil nutrients cycling and facilitate the mineralization of soil organic matter. Comprehensive evaluation of green manures in different crop rotations in paddy fields of southern China region is needed in order to develop sustainable multiple cropping systems. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of green manure on different cropping systems (A: fallow-early rice-late rice→fallow-early rice-late rice (CK); B: milk vetch- rice- rice→rapeseed/peanut-rice; C: rapeseed/peanut- rice→ potato/maize+ soybean- rice; D: potato/maize+soybean- rice→vegetable/peanut+maize- rice; E: vegetable/peanut+maize- rice→milk vetch- ricerice) on soil nutrients, soil organic carbon, and carbon pool management indexes in southern China where two rice crops per year were common. The experiment was conducted during September 2011 - November 2013. Soil samples (at depths of 10-20 cm) were taken after rice was harvested in 2013 for analysis. The results showed that compared with CK, green manure rotation treatments had significantly (P<0.05) improved organic matter, alkaline hydrolytic nitrogen and available potassium by 8.73%-15.59%, 11.79%-19.64%, and 5.80%-37.19%, respectively. Soil organic of green manure rotation treatments of B and C were 15.59% and 11.19% higher (P<0.05) than CK. Soil active organic carbon of all green manure rotation treatments was 29.03%, 19.96%, 16.67% and 21.75% respectively higher (P<0.05) than CK. Compared with CK, the soil carbon pool index significantly (P<0.05) increased by 15.70% for the treatment B, and soil carbon management index significantly (P<0.05) increased by 32.07 for the treatment B, 21.98 for the treatment C, 18.64 for the treatment D and 24.47 for the treatment E, respectively. Among the treatments, milk vetch- rice- rice→rapeseed/peanut- rice had the highest values for the soil carbon pool index and soil carbon management index. The soil organic matter and total nitrogen, available phosphorus, total organic carbon, active organic carbon, and carbon pool management index were highly significantly (P<0.01) correlated. Soil total nitrogen, alkaline hydrolytic nitrogen, and available phosphorus had a significant (P<0.05) correlation with carbon pool management index. In addition, soil organic carbon was significantly (P<0.05) positively correlated with active organic carbon and carbon pool management indexes. Therefore, green manure rotation, especially milk vetch- rice- rice→rapeseed/peanut- rice could increase soil organic carbon contents and soil carbon pool management index, improve soil quality and soil fertility under the local soil fertility conditions, and was important for promoting sustainable development of agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the course of building the standardization dike in lower Yellow River, the capability of controlling flood was improved by reinforcing dike with silt. Because of the extra complexity of hydrogeological conditions of dike in Yellow River, it is difficult to obtain infiltration coefficients of soil layers by antitype observation data so that the design width of the silt area difficulties hard to be determined by routine methods of seepage analysis. The influencing factors of project safety are treated as stochastic variables in reliability theory, and disabled probability or reliability can be solved by establishing function so that the project security character can be estimated. Based on stochastic variability of soil parameters of dike considered in Yellow River, the program of seepage reliability is worked out. With the program, the probability of infiltration destroy of stratum soil is analyzed in different distances of slope feet in back -- river of dike in Yellow River under the floodwater level of design so that the reasonable design width of the silt area can be confirmed. Analysis of an example shows that the results of the method is consistent with other research results, thus the study can provide a theoretical basis for project design of reinforcing dike with silt in Yellow River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to consider the effect of mediate principal stress and shearing - dilation of materials, and verify the material parameters of cofferdam, parameters of the materials are analyzed in reverse based on artificial neural network with genic arithmetic (GA - ANN), construction simulation of cofferdam is carried out based on modified D - P model. Non - associated flow laws are used in D - P model so that the characteristic of materials to harden and/or soften isotropically and the effect of mediate principal stress can be simulated, and the creep characteristic of materials can be considered. The capability of GA - ANN is strong in non-linear mapping and optimizing in the whole field. After parameters of the materials are analyzed in reverse based on GA - ANN, filling process of the second stage cofferdam of Three Gorges Project is simulated based on modified D - P model. Analysis of an example shows that mechanics parameters of materials can be analyzed in reverse exactly and mechanics characteristic of materials can be simulated with modified D - P model. Moreover, the results of cofferdam construction of soil and rock simulated with two methods combined agree with those of the fact. In conclusion, without mediate principal stress and shearing - dilation of material in Duncan - Chang model, these factors can be considered in modified D - P model, and calculating parameters can be close to the practice with GA - ANN, thus analysis precision can be improved with the combination of the two methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to evaluate the jumping destruction character of deep excavation, taking the level distortion of pit as example, a safety evaluation model of deep excavation was established based on safety supervision theory and cusp catastrophe theory with the consideration of creep character of soil based on time-effect factor of pit. Analysis of an example shows that the established model can overcome the difficulty in setting the supervising value, and can reflect the outburst destroy character of pit. Moreover, the model can exactly evaluate the safety degree in quantity and the character of safety, with the advantages of adaptability and precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yolk sac tumor (endodermal sinus tumor) is a malignant germ cell tumor which usually arise in gonads. It is rare occurring in the oral cavity. Here, a yolk sac tumor of mouth floor was reported and relevant literatures were reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxins have carcinogenic, mutagenic, hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, immunotoxic, neurotoxic, and teratogenic properties. Thus, these substances have attracted significant attention because they pose a threat to human health. As research on mycotoxins deepens, new structural analogues of mycotoxins are constantly being discovered. In this study, a method based on high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/orbitrap mass spectrometry was established for the simultaneous determination of 22 mycotoxins in milk. A simple, effective, and rapid pretreatment method was optimized by focusing on the solvent type, extractant volume, and extracting salt based on the characteristics of the mycotoxins and sample matrix. The analytes were extracted using 0.5% formic acid acetonitrile solution and added with sodium chloride to separate fats from water. The samples were centrifuged at 8000 r/min (4 ℃) for 5 min using a centrifuge and then concentrated using nitrogen. The dry residue was dissolved with 50% methanol aqueous solution. Twenty-two mycotoxins were separated on a ZORBAX Eclipse Plus C 18 chromatographic column (100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.7 μm), and quantitative analysis was performed using the isotope internal standard method. The analytes were determined by liquid chromatography-quadrupole/orbitrap mass spectrometry in positive electrospray ionization mode. Qualitative analyses of the compounds were performed in full mass spectrometry/data-dependent tandem mass spectrometry (MS/dd-MS 2 ) mode. Good linearities in the range of 0.5-100.0 μg/L were observed for the 22 mycotoxins, and the correlation coefficients ( R 2 ) were greater than 0.999. The limits of detection ( S/N =3) and quantification ( S/N =10) ranged from 0.3 to 0.5 μg/kg and from 1.0 to 1.5 μg/kg, respectively. The average recoveries of the 22 mycotoxins at three spiked levels of 1.5, 5.0, and 15 μg/kg were between 84.7% and 100.8%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 1.2%-9.9%. These findings indicate that the method has high sensitivity and accuracy as well as good precision. Finally, the method was applied to the detection and analysis of mycotoxins in 25 actual commercial milk samples. The results revealed that the selected samples were not contaminated with any of the mycotoxins analyzed. Thus, the proposed method is useful as a quick preprocessing and confirmatory method for the simultaneous determination of mycotoxins in milk.

Objective: To assess the association of rs55829688 and rs75315904 polymorphisms of the lncRNA-GAS5 gene with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Guangxi population., Methods: Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the SLE group and control group. Following extraction of genomic DNA, SNPscan and Sanger sequencing were carried out to determine the genotypes for the rs55829688 and rs75315904 loci of the lncRNA-GAS5 gene., Results: No difference was found between the two groups with regard to the genotypic frequencies for rs55829688 and rs75315904 (P > 0.05). However, the frequencies of C allele of rs55829688 between the two groups was significantly different (P < 0.05). In the SLE group, the frequencies of C allele and CT+CC genotype for rs55829688 among SLE patients with nephritis were significantly lower than those of SLE patients without nephritis (P < 0.05). In addition, haplotype analysis showed that the frequency of rs55829688 C/rs75315904 A allele in the SLE group was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: In Guangxi population, the carrier status of rs55829688 C allele of the lncRNA-GAS5 gene may reduce the risk of SLE and its complicated nephritis, and the rs55829688 C/rs75315904 A haplotype may reduce the risk for SLE.

The present study investigated the pharmacodynamic material basis of Laportea bulbifera in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Firstly, human rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocyte line MH7A was cultured in vitro and treated with tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α, 50 ng·mL~(-1)). The proliferation and the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as prostaglandin E2(PGE2), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), and interleukin-6(IL-6) of the MH7A cells exposed to the serum containing L. bulbifera were determined to evaluate the anti-rheumatoid arthritis effects of the serum. Furthermore, the ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry fingerprints of the L. bulbifera crude extract, the drug-containing serum, and the drug-free serum were compared to identify the compounds newly generated in the serum after oral administration of the extract. According to the peak areas of common peaks and the results of anti-rheumatoid arthritis effect test, the active components were identified. The serum containing L. bulbifera significantly inhibited the proliferation of the MH7A cells activated by TNF-α and the expression of PGE2, IL-6, and IL-1β. Thirty newly generated compounds were detected in the drug-containing serum. Among them, neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, rutin, isoquercitrin, luteoloside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, and quercitrin were also present in the crude extract. Twelve characteristic peaks(3, 7, 8, 14, 18, 19, 21, 23, 24, m6, m7, and m15) were significantly correlated with the pharmaceutical effect. According to the correlations, neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, and chlorogenic acid had great contributions to the anti-rheumatoid arthritis activity. This study preliminarily clarified the potential pharmacodynamic substances of L. bulbifera in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, which laid a theoretical and experimental foundation for further development and application of the medicinal plant.

Fentanyl as a synthetic opioid works by binding to the mu-opioid receptor (MOR) in brain areas to generate analgesia, sedation and reward related behaviors. As we know, cerebellum is not only involved in sensory perception, motor coordination, motor learning and precise control of autonomous movement, but also important for the mood regulation, cognition, learning and memory. Previous studies have shown that functional MORs are widely distributed in the cerebellum, and the role of MOR activation in cerebellum has not been reported. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of fentanyl on air-puff stimulus-evoked field potential response in the cerebellar molecular layer using in vivo electrophysiology in mice. The results showed that perfusion of 5 μmol/L fentanyl on the cerebellar surface significantly inhibited the amplitude, half width and area under the curve (AUC) of sensory stimulation-evoked inhibitory response P1 in the molecular layer. The half-inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) of the fentanyl-induced suppression of P1 amplitude was 4.21 μmol/L. The selective MOR antagonist CTOP abolished fentanyl-induced inhibitory responses in the molecular layer. However, application of CTOP alone increased the amplitude and AUC of P1. Notably, fentanyl significantly inhibited the tactile stimulation-evoked response of molecular layer interneurons (MLIs) and the spontaneous firing of MLIs. The results suggest that fentanyl attenuates air-puff stimulus-evoked field potential response in the cerebellar molecular layer via binding to MOR to restrain the spontaneous and evoked firing of MLIs.

This project is to study the metabolites of Laportea bulbifera extract in rat feces. After the SD rats were gavaged with the extract(136 g·kg~(-1), according to the crude drug dose), the metabolites in their feces were detected by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS~E technique, and the obtained mass spectrometry data was combined with UNIFI software for prediction. The prototype components and metabolites in rat feces were identified with reference materials and related literature. A total of 43 metabolites were identified(including 8 prototype components and 35 metabolites). The metabolic pathways mainly include monocaffeoylquinic acid(hydrogenation reduction, ring-opening cracking, sulfation, hydroxylation, glucuronidation), quercetin(O-C2 bond ring-opening cleavage, C2-C3 double bond reduction, rutin carbonylation) and so on. The metabolites and metabolic process of L. bulbifera extract in rat feces were clarified, which provided a basis for the study of the active substances and its mechanism of action.

This work aimed to investigate the intestinal absorption characteristics of Laportea bulbifera extract in normal and rheumatoid arthritis model rats. The contents of neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, rutin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, galuteolin, quercetin and isoquercetin in intestinal absorption solution samples were detected by UPLC-MS/MS with 5.0 g·L~(-1) as the absorption concentration. The cumulative absorption(Q) and absorption rate constant(K&#95;a) were calculated, and the absorption characteristics of different components of L. bulbifera in intestinal absorption solution of normal rats and rheumatoid arthritis rats were compared. The results showed that all the eight index components in the extract of L. bulbifera could be absorbed into the intestinal capsule, the cumulative absorption-time curve of each component showed an upward trend without saturation, and the correlation regression coefficient(R~2) was greater than 0.92, which is consistent with the zero-order absorption rate process. It was speculated that the possible absorption mode of each component was passive diffusion. In normal condition, the absorption of ileum was the best(except chlorogenic acid), and in pathological condition, duodenum was the best. The total absorption of 8 components in each intestinal segment of RA rats was better than that of normal rats, which speculated that rheumatoid arthritis may change the specific site of drug absorption. The experimental results showed that rheumatoid arthritis could change the intestinal absorption of the extract of L. bulbifera, and its mechanism needs further study.

To determine the plasma protein binding rate of the nine compounds in Inula cappa extraction by the method of equilibrium dialysis. The proteins in plasma samples were precipitated by methanol, and the ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS) was developed for determination of the concentrations of the nine active compounds, namely chlorogenic acid, scopolin, neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, 1,3-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, galuteolin, 3,4-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, with the internal standard of puerarin. We found that all components have a good linearity(r≥0.999), and accuracy, precision, extraction recovery and stability conformed to the requirements of determination, without endogenous compounds disturbing within the range of optimum concentration. This suggested that the method was stable and reliable, and could be used for the determination of the plasma protein binding rates of the nine active compounds in rat and human plasma of I. cappa. The plasma protein binding rates of the nine active compounds in rat and human plasma respectively were(41.07±0.046)%-(94.95±0.008)%, and(37.66±0.043)%-(97.46±0.013)%. According to the results, there were differences in the plasma protein binding rates of the nine compounds in I. cappa extraction between rat and human.

With the acceleration of the process of global integration, China's international exchanges and cooperation with other countries have been further increased. The personnel exchange has led to the frequent occurrence of imported schistosomiasis from abroad, which seriously endangers people's health. This paper reviews the prevalence and transmission risks of oversea imported schistosomiasis, providing the reference for the entry and exit health quarantine and prevention and control of schistosomiasis in China.

Objective: To explore the inhibitory effect of PSB0739 on the formation of semen-derived amyloid fibrils., Methods: PAP248-286 (440 μmol/L) was incubated with PSB0739 at different concentrations, and at different time points of incubation, aliquots were taken from each sample for Congo red staining to detect the formation of amyloid fibers. The morphology of amyloid fibrils incubated in the presence or absence of PSB0739 was visualized using transmission electron microscope. The effect of PSB0739 on amyloid fibril formation was determined using virus infection assays at different time points, and the surface charges of amyloid fibril incubated with PSB0739 were calculated using a Zeta potentiometer. The cytotoxicity of PSB0739 in Hela cells was determined using MTT assay. The antiviral effect of PSB0738 against HIV- 1 was evaluated by infection assay., Results: PSB0739 inhibited SEVI fibril formation in a dose-dependent manner in vitro . At 48 h of incubation, 220 μmol/L of PSB0739 obviously inhibited the formation of amyloid fibrils in 440 μmol/L of SEVI. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that 220 μmol/L PSB0739 prevented PAP248- 286 (440 μmol/L) from forming amyloid fibrils. PSB0739 antagonized SEVI-mediated enhancement of HIV-1 infection, and 1760 μmol/L of PSB0739 completely reversed the positive charge of SEVI ( P &lt; 0.05). PSB0739 below the concentration of 62.5 μmol/L showed no obvious cytotoxicity in Hela cells in vitro ( P &gt;0.05). PSB0739 showed a direct anti-HIV activity with an IC 50 of 21.77±5.15 μmol/L., Conclusions: PSB0739 can inhibit the formation of semen-derived amyloid fibrils in vitro .

To investigate the composition and diversity of heat resistant microorganisms in contaminated Chinese herbal pieces. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) protein fingerprinting and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing of Illumina Miseq were used to analyze the heat resistant microbial community of 9 varieties of Chinese herbal pieces. Stem pieces (Spatholobi Caulis, Tetrapanacis Medulla, Stachyuri Medulla) showed highest detection rate and most species of contaminants; However fruit pieces (Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus) had the lowest detection rate and least species of contaminants; among root pieces, the detection rate and number of contaminants species were lower in Tuber Dioscoreae Persimilis and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata. The heat resistant microbial community was mainly of Bacillaceae and Paenibacillaceae, and Bacillus showed the highest detection rate among them, followed by Brevibacillus, Paenibacillus, and Solibacillus. The rest genus in high-throughput sequencing analysis included Enterobacter, Brevundimonas, Leuconostoc, Methylobacterium, Dechloromonas, Pantoea, Klebsiella, and Erwinia. There were potential risk factors in heat resistant microbial community of Chinese herbal pieces, so we shall improve the microbial limit standard, strictly control the pathogenic bacteria in the product, and strengthen the supervision and management in production and circulation of Chinese herbal pieces., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.)

To investigate the protective effects and mechanism of Polygonum orientale flower extract on H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), H₂O₂ was used to induce the oxidativestress damage on HUVEC cells and efforts were made to screen the low, medium and high drug concentrations of P.orientale flower extract. Cell viability was detected by the MTS assay. The content of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and the activities of superoxidedimutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were detected by biochemical kits. The mRNA and protein levels of Bax, Bcl-2 were detected respectively by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. The protein level of cleaved caspase-3 was detected by Western blot. According to the results, the viability of HUVEC cells was reduced to around 55% after being treated with 120 μmol·L⁻¹ H₂O₂ for 0.5 h. Treatment of H₂O₂ also could increase LDH leakage rate and MDA content and attenuate the activities of SOD and CAT, up-regulate the expression level of Bax and cleaved caspase-3, and down-regulate the expression level of Bcl-2. As compared with H₂O₂ model group, P.orientale flower extract of 50-200 mg·L⁻¹ could increase the viability of HUVEC cells, reduce LDH release and MDA content, enhance the activities of SOD and CAT, down-regulate pro-apoptotic protein cleaved caspase-3 and Bax, and up-regulate apoptosis inhibitory protein Bcl-2. In summary, P.orientale flower extract showed a protective effect on H₂O₂-induced HUVEC cells injury, which may result from enhancing the cell capability of clearing the oxygen free radial, decreasing the production of lipid peroxidation and inhibiting apoptosis., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.)

To investigate the absorptive characteristics of Inula cappa extract based on the rat everted intestinal sac method in vitro . Nine representative ingredients in I. cappa extract were selected as the study objects. An UPLC-MS/MS method was established to determine and detect their cumulative absorption amount for expounding the absorptive characteristics of ingredients in different intestinal sections. According to the results， the transport mechanism of 8 compounds showed passive diffusion by the reverted gut sac method. And scopolin was actively transported in the intestine. The best absorption site of chlorogenic acid was duodenum. The best absorption site of cryptochlorogenic acid， 1，3- O -dicaffeoylquinic acid， luteolin-7-glucoside and 3，4- O -dicaffeoylquinic acid were jejunum. The best absorption site of neochlorogenic acid， scopolin， 4，5- O -dicaffeoylquinic acid and 3，5- O -dicaffeoylquinic acid was ileum. The absorption of all the compounds was affected by pH and bile. All of the nine ingredients in I. cappa extract could be absorbed in intestines， but with differences in the absorption rate， the best absorptive site and mechanism， indicating that the intestinal absorption of I. cappa extract was selective., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.)

This study explores the impact of facility farming on the origin and composition of groundwater and on the distribution characteristics of inorganic salts, heavy metals, and dissolved organic matter in groundwater in a typical greenhouse vegetable planting area in North China plains. The methods used include conventional analysis, UV-Visible, and fluorescence spectroscopy combined with parallel factor analysis, principle components analysis, and two-dimensional (2D) hetero-spectral correlation spectra techniques. The results showed that the hydrochemistry type of groundwater in the facility vegetable field was Cl-SO 4 , the nitrogen content was higher than the National Groundwater V Class Quality Standard (GB/T14848-93), and the heavy metal content was lower than the National Drinking Water Standard (GB5749-2006). The nitrification process was blocked due to a strongly reducing atmosphere and shallow depth in groundwater, which caused high concentrations of NH 4 + -N. Part of the toxic sulfur-containing metal content increased after the application of inorganic fertilizers. The sources of dissolved organic matter in groundwater were similar; the organic manure components which leach into groundwater were recently produced by microbial metabolism. The main components of dissolved organic matter were small-molecule-biodegradable protein-like substances and the fulvic-like content binding to them. The fulvic-like content that bound to protein-like content in vegetable planting groundwater was stable, while the protein-like content was greatly influenced by the cultivation process of the organic manure application. In the process of vegetable planting, organic manure should be applied scientifically and the supervision of the planting area is crucial.

To investigate the metabolism of major components in Inula cappa by rat intestinal bacteria in vitro. I. cappa extract was incubated for 24 h with rat intestinal bacteria under anaerobic environment. After the samples were precipitated by n-butanol, UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS was applied for the qualitative analysis of the metabolites, combined with data software such as Metabolite Tools, Data Analysis and so on. The potential metabolites in rat intestinal bacteria were analyzed by comparing the total ion current of the test samples and blank samples and analyzing the quasi-molecular ion and fragment ion of all chromatograms. The results injected that fourteen metabolites were detected in rat intestinal flora. Various types of metabolic reactions happen to caffeoylquinic acid in intestinal flora, including isomerization, hydrolyzation, there were also methylation, hydrogenation and acetylation of caffeic acid. At the same time, a methylate of dicaffeoylquinic acid was also detected. Presumably, caffeoylquinic acids were gradually transformed into more hydrophobic metabolites with smaller molecular mass, which were better absorbed by the intestinal tract., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.)

Objective: To study the distribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) gene rs66818855 and rs1078152 in Chinese Guangxi healthy population in comparison with that in different ethnic populations., Methdos: Polymerase chain reaction-single base extension (PCR-SBE) and DNA sequencing were used to detect the allele and genotype frequencies of AVP gene among 303 Chinese healthy individuals in Guangxi, China, and the results were compared with the reported frequencies in 4 other populations (HapMap-CEU, HapMap-YRI, HapMap-JPT, and HapMap-HCB) from Human Genome Project group (HapMap) data., Results: We found significant AVP gene polymorphisms in this Guangxi healthy population. The frequencies of allele and genotype of AVP gene rs66818855 and rs1078152 polymorphisms in this Guangxi population differed significantly from those in HapMap-CEU population (P<0.01), and allele frequencies of AVP gene rs66818855 polymorphism differed significantly from those in HapMap-YRI populations (P<0.05)., Conclusion: The distribution pattern of AVP gene polymorphisms in this Guangxi population is significantly different from that in other ethnic populations, which might account for the difference in the morbidity of AVP-related disease among different ethnic groups and may have important indications in the study of population genetics and anthropology.

Objective: To explore the race- and gender-specific distribution characteristics of rs1891385A/C and rs10975519C/T polymorphism of interleukin-33 (IL-33) gene in Zhuang and Han populations., Methods: The polymorphisms of rs1891385A/C and rs10975519C/T of IL-33 gene in 283 subjects from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region were analyzed with single base extension (PCR-SEB) and DNA sequencing to analyze the differences in their distribution frequencies between genders and between Zhuang and Han populations., Results: Three genotypes (AA, AC and CC) were found in rs1891385A/C with frequencies of 64.3%, 32.5% and 3.2%, respectively. The genotype and allele frequencies of rs1891385A/C in this Guangxi population showed no significant difference between Zhuang and Han subpopulations and between genders (P>0.05), but differed significantly from those in European and African black populations (P<0.01). Three genotypes (CC, CT and TT) were identified in rs10975519C/T with frequencies of 34.3%, 53.0%, and 12.7%, respectively, showing no significant ethnic or gender-specific differences in this population (P>0.05). The genotype frequency of rs10975519C/T in this population differed significantly from those in the European and Japanese populations (P<0.01), but the allele frequencies only showed significant differences from those in the European population (P<0.01)., Conclusion: rs1891385A/C and rs10975519C/T polymorphisms of IL-33 gene show a race-specific difference.

Objective: To retrospectively explore the multimodal intraoperative monitoring (IOM) technique during untethering cord procedures in 37 patients between 1 month and 16 years of age with tethered cord syndrome during 2014., Methods: All patients were diagnosed as tethered cord syndrome by clinical manifestations and verified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Free and trigger electromyogram (EMG) and transcranial motor-evoked potentials (tcMEP) of extremity muscles and anal sphincters were used to map the nerves and monitor the functional motor integrity continuously., Results: The monitorability rate was 100 % for nervous mapping, 86.5% (32/37) for extremity muscle tcMEP. In all patients, tcMEP remained stable during surgery, 43.8% (14/32) patients showed a significant postoperative increase of amplitude of tcMEP, none of them patients presented a significant and yet transient neurological worsening., Conclusion: The combined technique of monitoring and mapping may boost the procedural safety, minimize the long-term morbidity and improve the clinical outcomes.

Objective: To investigate the epidemiological features in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) in Yichang city, and put forward effective prevention and control measures., Method: Collecting the data of allergic rhinitis in city proper from 2010 to 2013, input the data into the database and used statistical analysis., Result: In recent years, the AR patients in this area increased year by year. The spring and the winter were the peak season of onset. The patients was constituted by young men. There was statistically significant difference between the age, the area,and the gender (P < 0.01). The history of allergy and the diseases related to the gender composition had statistical significance difference (P < 0.05). The allergens and the positive degree in gender, age structure had statistically significant difference (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: Need to conduct the healthy propaganda and education, optimizing the environment, change the bad habits, timely medical treatment, standard treatment.

Objective: To observe the effect of Polygonum orientale flower extract with different preparation methods on acute myocardial ischemia in mongrel dogs., Methods: The acute myocardial ischemia model of dog was set up though ligation of anterior descending branch of coronary artery in dogs, then the epicardium electrocardiogram was used to measure the degree of myocardial ischemia and the quantitative histological assay was adopted to determine the area of myocardial ischemia. At the same time, the lactic dehydrogense (LDH) and creatine kinase(CK) levels in serum were analyzed. All of them were used to evaluate the protective effect of Polygonum orientale flower with different preparation methods on acute myocardial ischemia in mongrel dog., Results: Compared with the model group, the sample whose preparation methods was extracted by n-butanol after water extracting and alcohol precipitation showed obvious reduction in the area of myocardial ischemia,with decline in ∑ST and NST. Moreover,the LDH and CK levels in serum were decreased (P <0. 05 or P <0. 01)., Conclusion: The sample which is extracted by n-butanol after water extracting and alcohol precipitation has a protective effect on injury induced by acute myocardial ischemia in mongrel dog.

Anaerobic biological process was used to treat pectin wastewater with acclimated sludge. The effects of the influent pectin concentration and the degradation temperature were investigated, and the intermediate products in pectin degradation were measured. Compared with the unacclimated sludge, the results showed that using acclimated sludge, the pectin removal efficiency was increased by 59.2%. The degradation rate of pectin at influent concentrations of 100, 2500 and 4500 mg x L(-1) were 4.5, 49.8 and 74.0 mg x (L x h)(-1), respectively, indicating that the degradation rate increased with the increase of the influent pectin concentration. The COD removal efficiency was relatively low (41.6% -82.0%) when the influent pectin concentration was lower than 500 mg x L(-1), but it could maintain above 91% when the influent pectin concentration was beyond 1000 mg x L(-1). The higher the temperature was, the shorter the time was needed for pectin degradation. The COD removal efficiency of anaerobic sludge for pectin wastewater was increased from 38.6% to 91.5% when the temperature ranged from 5 degrees C to 35 degrees C, but it was gradually weakened when the temperature exceeded 35 degrees C. The main intermediate products in pectin degradation were supposed to be acetic acid, propionic acid, lower ester, and alkyl alcohols (C12-C40).

Objective: To study the clinical features of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), so as to provide evidence for early diagnosis and treatment., Methods: A retrospective analysis was made upon clinical data, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of 53 patients with IPA and COPD admitted between January 2005 and February 2011 collected in a respiratory unit of the Second Xiangya Hospital Affiliated Central South University., Results: There were 53 cases of diagnosed as IPA with COPD, with history of using broad-spectrum antibiotics. And there were 43 cases using steroids more than 2 weeks, 51 with obvious breathlessness, and 20 with fever. Early stage didn't present characteristical changes on CT scan. However, after disease progression, 32 cases had maculas shadows and nonspecific consolidations in bilateral lung, 14 with solitary or multiple nodules, 4 with solitary or multiple air crescent sign, and 2 with halo sign. Four patients of COPD with IPA underwent bronchoscopy examination. In fungi pathogeny, sputum positive rate and galactomannan positive rate were 56.6% and 52.8%, respectively. A total of 53 cases received antifungal treatment. Among 37 cases which underwent mechanical ventilation, 24 received noninvasive ventilation and 13 received invasive ventilation. There were 33 cases which were improved and cured, and 20 cases which had no relief after half-a-month treatment or withdrew treatment. Among them, 13 cases died because of multiple-organ failure (5/15) or acute renal failure (8/15)., Conclusions: Early suspected diagnosis, timely examination in allusion to IPA, actively searching for etiological and imaging evidences, early established diagnosis and antifungal treatment would improve prognosis of patients with COPD combined IPA who have history of high doses of corticosteroids, obvious breathlessness and non-response to antibiotics.

Malignant melanoma still remains to be a serious health threat. Overexpression of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in melanoma has suggested that FAK could be a promising target for therapeutic intervention. To further investigate the function of FAK in melanoma, FAK expression was down-regulated by stable transfection of plasmid harboring FAK small interfering RNA (siRNA) into melanoma cell line. Two stable cell lines, F10-siFAK and F10-control, have been constructed and screened. Compared with the F10-control, both the mRNA and protein levels of FAK decreased significantly, and the cell cycle of F10-siFAK was arrested at G1 phase. Furthermore, the tumor growth rate of F10-siFAK cells was notably slower than that of F10-control in in vivo tumor models. These results show that FAK is an important regulatory gene in melanoma. The stable FAK-knockdown melanoma cell line is an useful tool for further investigation of FAK's function in the progression of melanoma, and also an effective means of drug screening for anti-melanoma therapeutics.

Objectives: To evaluate the benefit of using autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB) for the detection and localization of early invasive lung cancer., Methods: AFB and white light bronchoscopy (WLB) were performed on 198 cases of suspected lung cancer, and the relative sensitivity of WLB plus AFB compared with WLB alone., Results: Included 198 biopsy specimens, and 160 were classified as positive by pathology, including 156 invasive cancer and 4 severe dysplasia. The relative sensitivity to detect intraepithelial neoplasia of WLB + FLB versus WLB was 97.5% and 80.0% respectively, significantly (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: AFB was more sensitive than WLB in detecting preneoplastic bronchial changes and early lung cancer in high-risk subjects.

Objective: To study the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma., Methods: The clinical and histologic features of 23 cases of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma were analyzed. Immunohistochemical study was also performed in 14 of the cases., Results: The age of patients ranged from 12 to 47 years. Fourteen of them occurred in males. Thirteen cases involved the bony skeleton and 5 cases affected the soft tissue. The patients presented with pain and/or swelling. Histologically, the tumor consisted of a mixture of undifferentiated small round cells and hyaline cartilage. Transition between the two components was demonstrated and growth plate-like cartilage was observed. Immunohistochemical study showed that the small round cells were positive for Sox9 (14/14), CD99 (12/14), vimentin (6/14), CD56 (4/14), CD57 (4/14), neuron-specific enolase (3/14) and desmin(1/14). They were negative for Coll-II, S-100 protein, epithelial membrane antigen, pan-cytokeratin, synaptophysin, chromogranin A, CD34 and c-erbB2., Conclusions: Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma is a rare malignant tumor. Thorough histologic examination, when coupled with immunohistochemical findings, is helpful in arriving at a correct diagnosis.

To design and synthesize a series of novel scutellarein 4'-L-amino acid prodrugs with more potent anti-oxidative activity and improved physicochemical properties. Scutellarein was used as lead compound, according to successful experience of improving bioavailability of oral administration drugs by active transport mechanism, principle of hybridization was used to introducing L-amino acid structural fragments at 4'-position of scutellarein to design and synthesize target scutellarein 4'-L-amino acid prodrugs. The synthetic compounds were tested on their physicochemical properties and in vitro anti-oxidative activity against H202 induced oxidative damage in PC12 cells. Five compounds were found to have more potent anti-oxidative activity than positive control VE. Moreover the physicochemical properties of synthesized compounds were evaluated, and the results revealed that L-amino acid ether derivatives are more stable (t1/2 9-92 h) than their corresponding ester derivatives (t1/2 0.5 h). Water solubility of scutellarein 4'-L-amino acid ester and ether derivatives were 1 796-4 100 microg.mL-1 and 27.7-81.1 microg.mL-1 respectively, in comparison with scutellarin, the solubility of compounds 18, 19 and 22, 24-27 increased about 120-280 fold and 2-6 fold respectively. All these results suggested that L-amino acid prodrug strategy has significant potential in scutellarein prodrug design.

Domestic sewage was treated with subsurface wastewater infiltration system covered by two different turfgrass, namely, Festuca arundinacea Schres. and Zoysia japonica Steud.. The result shows that all the different systems have good removal rates to COD. The concentration of COD decreased to less than 48 mg x L(-1) from 97-357 mg x L(-1) which achieve the second class criteria specified in Integrated Wastewater Discharge Standard, and there are no prominent difference among different systems. The concentration of NH4(+) -N decreased to less than 0.5 mg x L(-1) from 76.3-125.8 mg x L(-1) which achieve the IV criteria (< or = 0.5 mg x L(-1)) specified in Groundwater Quality Standard, the effluent concentration of NH4(+) -N in naked system are prominently higher than that in system covered by Festuca arundinacea Schres., and there are no prominent difference compared with system covered by Zoysia japonica Steud.. The concentration of TP in different systems decreased to less than 0.05 mg x L(-1) from 3.70-18.42 mg x L(-1) which achieve the II criteria (< or = 0.1 mg x L(-1)) specified in Surfacewater Quality Standard, and there are no prominent difference among different systems. The removal rates of TN and nitrate were all not good enough, the probability which achieve the III criteria (< or = 20 mg x L(-1)) specified in Groundwater Quality Standard are less than one third, and the effluent concentration of TN and nitrate in naked system are prominently higher than that in systems covered by Festuca arundinacea Schres. and Zoysia japonica Steud..

Objective: To investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNP) of FOXP3 gene with susceptibility to systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Chinese Zhuang population., Methods: Author analyzed the -2383 C/T and -3281 C/A two SNPs of the FOXP3 gene promoter in 120 patients with SLE and 160 age and sex matched controls in a Chinese Zhuang population, using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) strategy and DNA sequencing., Results: The distribution of the FOXP3 gene -3281 C/A polymorphism was not different between the two groups. However, the FOXP3 gene -2383 C/T polymorphism was significantly different (P<0.05) between the two groups. The relative risk of suffering from SLE of -2383T allele carriers was 1.715 times of the -2383C allele carriers (OR=1.715, 95%CI: 1.165-2.525). Consistent with the results of the genotyping analyses, the FOXP3 -2383T/-3281A haplotype frequency in patients with SLE was significantly higher than that in controls (P<0.05). The -2383T/-3281A allele was associated with a significantly increased risk of SLE (OR=2.196, 95%CI: 1.165-4.142)., Conclusion: The FOXP3 gene -2383C/T polymorphism is associated with SLE, and the -2383T allele is risk factor for SLE in the population studied.

A series of adefovir mono-L-amino acid esters, mono non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs carboxylic ester prodrugs with more potent anti-HBV activity and lower nephrotoxicity were designed and synthesized. Adefovir bis (L-amino acid) ester was used as lead compound, according to pathological and pharmacological findings that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can effectively inhibit the organic anion transporter 1 (hOAT1)-mediated adefovir phosphonic acid pairs of anion transport across tubular basement membrane thereby reducing the nephrotoxicity of adefovir. Flatten design principle was used to introducing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs structural fragments to design and synthesize target adefovir mixture ester prodrugs. HepG2 2.2.15 cell line was used as in vitro anti-HBV activity evaluation model. Five compounds exhibited antiviral activity, and compound 18 showed the most potent anti-HBV activity and relatively high selective index (EC50 3.92 micromol L(-1), SI 9.97). HK-2 cell line was used as in vitro model to evaluate nephrotoxicity. Results suggested the target compounds have lower cytotoxicity than the positive control. Moreover, by analyzing the primary structure and activity relationship of these compounds, it could suggest that mono-L-amino acid ester, mono non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs carboxylic ester prodrugs strategy has significant potential in the acyclic nucleoside phosphonates prodrug design.

Objective: to investigate the antitumor effects of tumstatin185-191 as a single agent or combination with cisplatin (DDP) on non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines A549. In addition, the changes of the protein kinase B(Akt) and extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) in cultured NSCLC cells treated by tumstatin185-191 and cisplatin were evaluated., Methods: A549 cells were treated with tumstatin185-191 and cisplatin. Cell viability was assessed using the modified 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. The activation of Akt and Erk were evaluated by Western blotting., Results: Tumstatin185-191 inhibited the proliferation of A549 and the IC(50) values of tumstatin 185-191 was 73.7 micromol/L. After cotreatment with 20 micromol/L tumstatin185-191, IC(50) values of cisplatin in A549 cells reduced from 5.2 micromol/L to 3.5 micromol/L, while 40 micromol/L tumstatin185-191 reduced from 5.2 micromol/L to 1.4 micromol/L. The early apoptosis rate was (19.34 +/- 0.97)% in the cotreatment group, (12.5 +/- 2.1)% in cisplatin group and (9.6 +/- 1.6)% in tumstatin185-191 group (F = 5.74, P < 0.01). The levels of phospho-Akt (p-Akt) and phospho-ERK (p-ERK) in the A549 cells were remarkably lower after being treated with tumstatin 185-191, while tumstatin 185-191 treatment whether alone, or in combination with cisplatin, had the similar effects on the protein levels of p-Akt and p-ERK in A549 cells., Conclusion: our data suggest that tumstatin185-191 might enhance the sensitivity of A549 cells to cisplatin. The effects of promoting apoptosis and downregulation of proliferation induced by tumstatin185-191 may be mediated through inactivation of the Akt and ERK pathways.

Objective: To assess bone mineral content (BMC) of 15 - 17 year-old dancers and high school females and analyze the relationship between physical activity status and BMC., Methods: Sixty dancers and 77 healthy controls aged 15 - 17 years old were enrolled in our study. BMC in the total body and forearm were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) while body weight and height were also measured. Physical activity information was collected by "one-year physical activity questionnaire"., Results: The physical activity level (PAL) and the average daily energy expenditure (EE) of dancers were all higher than controls (PAL: 2.17 +/- 0.34 vs 1.63 +/- 0.34, t = 7.283; EE: (6876.43 +/- 1036.72) kJ vs (5388.43 +/- 920.83) kJ, t = 7.214, both P values < 0.01). The dancers showed lower BMC/height at total body and arms compared with the controls (the total body BMC/height was (13.896 +/- 1.308) vs (14.494 +/- 1.272) g/cm, F = -2.563); and the BMC/height of left and right arm were (0.779 +/- 0.088) vs (0.829 +/- 0.101) g/cm (F = -2.892) and (0.766 +/- 0.093) vs (0.829 +/- 0.097) g/cm (F = -3.650) respectively, all these P values were < 0.01.Yet after adjusting age and BMI, the dancers showed higher BMC/height at total body and legs, the corresponding values were (14.550 +/- 0.146) vs (13.947 +/- 0.131) g/cm (F = 7.868), (2.681 +/- 0.033) vs (2.389 +/- 0.030) g/cm (F = 36.520), (2.821 +/- 0.031) vs (2.450 +/- 0.028) g/cm (F = 65.279), all these P values were < 0.01. While no differences were found with controls at non-weight bearing sites (arms). Daily period (h) of training was significantly related to BMC/height of legs, total body (r value were 0.618, 0.448 and 0.554 respectively, all the P values < 0.01), while the history of training was also correlated with BMC/height of two legs (r value were 0.38 and 0.304 respectively, both P values < 0.05)., Conclusion: The adolescent dancers showed higher BMC after adjusting age and BMI, which was attributed to the long-term high level weight-bearing physical activity.

Objective: To investigate the effects and related mechanisms of Tumstatin 185-191 as a single agent or in combination with cisplatin on proliferation and apoptosis in a cisplatin-resistant human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549-DDP cells., Methods: A549-DDP cells were treated with Tumstatin185-191 and cisplatin at varying concentrations. Cell viability was assessed by a modified 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. 50% inhibiting concentration (IC(50)) values of the chemotherapeutic drugs were analyzed by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. The activation of Akt and ERK was evaluated by Western blotting., Results: Tumstatin185-191 inhibited the proliferation of A549-DDP cells and its IC(50) value was 80.25 micromol/L. After cotreatment with 20 micromol/L Tum185-191, the IC(50) value of cisplatin in A549-DDP cells reduced from 77.16 micromol/L to 57.97 micromol/L, the reverse index was 1.33, while with 40 micromol/L Tumstatin185-191 the IC(50) was reduced from 77.16 to 26.40 micromol/L and the reverse index was 2.92. The early apoptosis rate was 19.5% +/- 1.1% in the cotreatment group, while 13.3% +/- 1.5% in cisplatin group and 10.2% +/- 2.0% in Tum185-191 group (F = 4.09, P < 0.05). The levels of phospho-Akt (p-Akt) and phospho-ERK (p-ERK) in the A549-DDP cells were remarkably lower after treatment with Tumstatin 185-191. The Tumstatin 185-191 treatment alone or in combination with cisplatin had a similar effect on the protein levels of p-Akt and p-ERK in A549-DDP cells., Conclusion: Our data suggest that Tumstatin185-191 may promote apoptosis, downregulate proliferation and partly reverse the drug resistance of A549-DDP cells to cisplatin. The effects induced by Tum185-191 may be mediated through inactivation of the Akt and ERK pathways.

Objective: To study the association of integrin alpha-2 (ITGA2) gene C807T, integrin beta-3 (ITGB3) gene T176C polymorphisms with ischemic stroke and the effect of the polymorphisms on plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels., Methods: Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and DNA sequencing were used to detect the integrin genotypes in 265 patients with ischemic stroke and 280 healthy controls. The plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels were measured by routine method., Results: Plasma total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) in the patients with ischemic stroke were significantly higher than those in the controls (P< 0.05). The distributions of the ITGB3 gene T176C polymorphism were not different between the ischemic stroke group and control group, but the ITGA2 gene C807T polymorphism was significantly different. The relative risk suffering from ischemic stroke of the T allele carrier was 1.455 times as that of the C allele carrier (OR=1.455, 95%CI: 1.134-1.866). The level of plasma lipid in the T allele carriers was significantly higher than that in the C allele carriers (P< 0.05)., Conclusion: The ITGA2 gene C807T polymorphism was associated with ischemic stroke, the 807 T allele may be a genetic risk factor for ischemic stroke. The ITGA2 gene C807T polymorphism may affect ischemic stroke through plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels.

Objective: To investigate the relationships of polymorphisms of interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene to the susceptibility of chronic hepatitis B, and to analyze the frequencies of IL-2 gene polymorphisms and the HBV-DNA copies in patients with chronic hepatitis B., Methods: Two single nucleotide polymorphisms of IL-2 gene promoter -385T/G and +114T/G at exon one were analyzed in 155 patients with chronic hepatitis B and in 170 age- and sex-matched controls from a Chinese population. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) strategy and DNA sequencing were used, and the serum HBV DNA in these patients was determined by real-time PCR., Results: There were no differences in the distributions of IL-2 gene +114T/G polymorphism in the patient group and the controls, but their IL-2 gene -385T/G polymorphisms were significantly different (P less than 0.05). The relative risk of being chronic hepatitis B victims with T allele was 1.490 times of those with G allele (OR=1.490, 95% CI: 1.085-2.046). The association between the genotype of IL-2 gene polymorphisms and HBV-DNA copies showed that the frequency of -385G allele carriers in high HBV-DNA copy group was closer than that in low HBV-DNA copy group (chi2=6.051, P=0.014)., Conclusions: IL-2 gene -385T/G polymorphism is associated with chronic hepatitis B and G allele is an important genetic susceptibility gene for chronic hepatitis B. In IL-2 gene -385G allele carriers the risk of increasing HBV-DNA copies may be related to the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B.

Objective: To investigate the association of the single nucleotide polymorphisms of interleukin-18 (IL-18) gene with the susceptibility to systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a Chinese Zhuang population., Methods: Two single nucleotide polymorphisms of the IL-18 gene promoter were analyzed, namely -137G/C and -607C/A, in 115 patients with SLE and 160 age and sex-matched controls in a Chinese Zhuang population, using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) strategy and DNA sequencing., Results: The IL-18 gene -607C/A polymorphism was significantly different between the SLE and control group (P < 0.05). The relative risk of SLE for -607C allele carrier was 1.619 times of the -607A allele carriers (OR=1.619, 95%CI: 1.150-2.281). Consistent with the results of the genotyping analyses, IL-18 -137G/-607C allele frequencies in patients with SLE was significant higher than that in controls (P < 0.05). The -137G/-607C allele was associated with a significantly increased risk of SLE (OR=1.484, 95%CI: 1.056-2.087). However, there was no difference of the distributions of the -137G/C polymorphism of the IL-18 gene between the SLE and control groups., Conclusion: IL-18 gene -607C/A polymorphism was associated with SLE, the -607C allele may be a risk factor for SLE.