Sensitivity of Sniffer Dogs for a Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease: A Diagnostic Accuracy Study.

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic criteria for Parkinson's disease (PD) remain complex, which is especially problematic for nonmovement disorder experts. A test is required to establish a diagnosis of PD with improved accuracy and reproducibility. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate the sensitivity and specificity of tests using sniffer dogs to diagnose PD. METHODS: A prospective, diagnostic case-control study was conducted in four tertiary medical centers in China to evaluate the accuracy of sniffer dogs to distinguish between 109 clinically established medicated patients with PD, 654 subjects without PD, 37 drug-naïve patients with PD, and 185 non-PD controls. The primary outcomes were sensitivity and specificity of sniffer dog's identification. RESULTS: In the study with patients who were medicated, when two or all three sniffer dogs yielded positive detection results in a sample tested, the index test sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios were 91% (95% CI: 84%-96%), 95% (95% CI: 93%-97%), and 19.16 (95% CI: 13.52-27.16) and 0.10 (95% CI: 0.05-0.17), respectively. The corresponding sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios in patients who were drug-naïve were 89% (95% CI: 75%-96%), 86% (95% CI: 81%-91%), and 6.6 (95% CI: 4.51-9.66) and 0.13 (95% CI: 0.05-0.32), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Tests using sniffer dogs may be a useful, noninvasive, fast, and cost-effective method to identify patients with PD in community screening and health prevention checkups as well as in neurological practice. © 2022 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Lowering the Contact Barriers of 2D Organic F16 CuPc Field-Effect Transistors by Introducing Van der Waals Contacts.

2D organic crystals exhibit efficient charge transport and field-effect characteristics, making them promising candidates for high-performance nanoelectronics. However, the strong Fermi level pinning (FLP) effect and large Schottky barrier between organic semiconductors and metals largely limit device performance. Herein, by carrying out temperature-dependent transport and Kelvin probe force microscopy measurements, it is demonstrated that the introducing of 2D metallic 1T-TaSe2 with matched band-alignment as electrodes for F16 CuPc nanoflake filed-effect transistors leads to enhanced field-effect characteristics, especially lowered Schottky barrier height and contact resistance at the contact and highly efficient charge transport within the channel, which are attributed to the significantly suppressed FLP effect and appropriate band alignment at the nonbonding van der Waals (vdW) hetero-interface. Moreover, by taking advantage of the improved contact behavior with 1T-TaSe2 contact, the optoelectronic performance of F16 CuPc nanoflake-based phototransistor is drastically improved, with a maximum photoresponsivity of 387 A W-1 and detectivity of 3.7 × 1014 Jones at quite a low Vds of 1 V, which is more competitive than those of the reported organic photodetectors and phototransistors. The work provides an avenue to improve the electrical and optoelectronic properties of 2D organic devices by introducing 2D metals with appropriate work function for vdW contacts.

A brief introduction of Xiangya's anti-epidemic history in a century. / ç™¾å¹´æ¹˜é› æŠ—ç–«ç®€å².

Based on archival materials, the Xiangya's anti-epidemic history in a century from its establishment to 2020 is divided into 4 stages. The first stage (1906-1926), Edward Hicks Hume and YAN Fuqing, the founders of Xiangya, prevented and controlled smallpox and plague. The second stage (1929-1953), during the resumption of Xiangya, students prevented and controlled cholera, plague, dysentery, typhus, and other infectious diseases. In the third stage (1953-1999), in a peacetime, Xiangya actively fought against schistosomiasis, hydatidosis, malaria, leprosy, tuberculosis and other epidemics. The fourth stage (2000-2020), the era of Central South University. Medical staff in Xiangya fight SARS, influenza A (H1N1) flu, Ebola hemorrhagic fever, coronavirus disease 2019, etc. Over the past hundred years, Xiangya people joined together to spread benevolence and love, apply medical knowledge and skills, combat the epidemic and rescue people in difficulties, which made a great contribution to the motherland and the people.

Two-Dimensional van der Waals Materials with Aligned In-Plane Polarization and Large Piezoelectric Effect for Self-Powered Piezoelectric Sensors.

Piezoelectric two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdWs) materials are highly desirable for applications in miniaturized and flexible/wearable devices. However, the reverse-polarization between adjacent layers in current 2D layered materials results in decreasing their in-plane piezoelectric coefficients with layer number, which limits their practical applications. Here, we report a class of 2D layered materials with an identical orientation of in-plane polarization. Their piezoelectric coefficients (e22) increase with layer number, thereby allowing for the fabrication of flexible piezotronic devices with large piezoelectric responsivity and excellent mechanical durability. The piezoelectric outputs can reach up to 0.363 V for a 7-layer α-In2Se3 device, with a current responsivity of 598.1 pA for 1% strain, which is 1 order of magnitude higher than the values of the reported 2D piezoelectrics. The self-powered piezoelectric sensors made of these newly developed 2D layered materials have been successfully used for real-time health monitoring, proving their suitability for the fabrication of flexible piezotronic devices due to their large piezoelectric responses and excellent mechanical durability.

Direct Growth of CNTs@CoSx Se2(1-x) on Carbon Cloth for Overall Water Splitting.

Searching for low-cost, high-efficiency, bifunctional, non-noble-metal electrocatalysts for overall water splitting is crucial to renewable energy conversion. Herein, a series of component-controllable CC/CNTs@CoSx Se2(1-x) (CC: carbon cloth, CNT: carbon nanotube) with excellent bifunctional properties in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) were obtained by chemical vapor deposition. In this strategy, the Zif-67 precursor served as a structural inducer, which was directly grown on CC and pyrolyzed with the assistance of melamine to form multi-walled CNT-encapsulated CoSx Se2(1-x) hierarchical nanostructures. Subsequently, the electrocatalytic properties of the as-prepared materials were optimized by adjusting the S/Se molar ratio. Of note is that the lattice distortion caused by the different radii of Se and S generated a polarized electric field for easy adsorption of the intermediate products. The CoOOH generated in situ on the surface of CoSx Se2(1-x) , as well as n- and p-type domains in carbon, synergistically resulted in abundant active sites to boost the electrocatalytic activity. CC/CNTs@CoS0.74 Se0.52 exhibited overpotentials for the HER and OER of 225 and 285 mV, respectively and attained a current density of 10 mA cm-2 in alkaline solution. The as-prepared electrocatalysts could act as both cathode and anode in a water electrolyzer showing a cell voltage of 1.74 V and delivering 10 mA cm-2 , comparable to those of noble-metal-based water electrolyzers.

Moiré Phonons in Twisted Bilayer MoS2.

The material choice, layer thickness, and twist angle widely enrich the family of van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs), providing multiple degrees of freedom to engineer their optical and electronic properties. The moiré patterns in vdWHs create a periodic potential for electrons and excitons to yield many interesting phenomena, such as Hofstadter butterfly spectrum and moiré excitons. Here, in the as-grown/transferred twisted bilayer MoS2 (tBLMs), one of the simplest prototypes of vdWHs, we show that the periodic potentials of moiré patterns also modify the properties of phonons of its monolayer MoS2 constituent to generate Raman modes related to moiré phonons. These Raman modes correspond to zone-center phonons in tBLMs, which are folded from the off-center phonons in monolayer MoS2. However, the folded phonons related to crystallographic superlattices are not observed in the Raman spectra. By varying the twist angle, the moiré phonons of tBLM can be exploited to map the phonon dispersions of the monolayer constituent. The lattice dynamics of the moiré phonons are modulated by the patterned interlayer coupling resulting from periodic potential of moiré patterns, as confirmed by density functional theory calculations. The Raman intensity related to moiré phonons in all tBLMs are strongly enhanced when the excitation energy approaches the C exciton energy. This study can be extended to various vdWHs to deeply understand their Raman spectra, moiré phonons, lattice dynamics, excitonic effects, and interlayer coupling.

Neuropeptide Y promotes adipogenic differentiation in primary cultured human adipose-derived stem cells.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is an important neurotransmitter in the control of energy metabolism. Several studies have shown that obesity is associated with increased levels of NPY in the hypothalamus. We hypothesized that the release of NPY has coordinated and integrated effects on energy metabolism in different tissues, such as adipocyte tissue, resulting in increased energy storage and decreased energy expenditure. Whether NPY has role in the molecular mechanism of human adipocyte tissue remains unclear. We established the model of human adipose derived stem cells (hADSCs) from human adipose tissue and differentiated it into adipocytes in the presence of NPY at different concentrations (10-15-10-6 mmol/L). We then assessed hADSCs proliferation and differentiation by quantifying lipid accumulation and examining the expression levels of related adipocyte markers after differentiation. Furthermore, the specific markers of white adipocyte tissue (WAT) in hADSCs were also analyzed. The results showed that low doses of NPY stimulated hADSCs proliferation (p < 0.05), while high doses of NPY inhibited hADSCs proliferation (p < 0.05). NPY significantly promoted lipid accumulation and increased the size of lipid droplets during human adipogenic differentiation; the levels of adipocyte markers PPAR-γ and C/EBPα were also increased. At the same time, NPY also increased the levels of WAT markers Cidec and RIP140 after adipocyte differentiation. The results suggested high dose NPY inhibits the proliferation of hADSCs while promotes adipocyte differentiation and increases the expression of WAT markers. This may be the reason why increased levels of NPY can lead to a rise in body weight.

Three Dimensional P-doped Graphene Synthesized by Eco-Friendly Chemical Vapor Deposition for Oxygen Reduction Reactions.

Heteroatom doping provides possibilities for changing the electronic properties of graphene. Three Dimensional P-doped graphene (3DPG) was fabricated via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using nickel foam as template and triphenylphosphine (TPP) as C and P sources simultaneously without using toxic organic solvent as carrier liquid. The invasion of P atoms into graphene networks make them non-electroneutral and consequently favor the adsorption of oxygen and O-O bond cleavage due to the charge polarization increase of the P-C bond. Thus, the as-prepared 3DPG served as an efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Additionally, the 3D porous structure is favorable for the mass transfer of electrolytes ions, hence 3DPG exhibit better electrocatalytic activity, long-term stability, and tolerance to crossover effect of methanol than pristine 3D graphene and Pt/C for ORR.

Multiscale deformations lead to high toughness and circularly polarized emission in helical nacre-like fibres.

Nacre-like composites have been investigated typically in the form of coatings or free-standing sheets. They demonstrated remarkable mechanical properties and are used as ultrastrong materials but macroscale fibres with nacre-like organization can improve mechanical properties even further. The fiber form or nacre can, simplify manufacturing and offer new functional properties unknown yet for other forms of biomimetic materials. Here we demonstrate that nacre-like fibres can be produced by shear-induced self-assembly of nanoplatelets. The synergy between two structural motifs--nanoscale brick-and-mortar stacking of platelets and microscale twisting of the fibres--gives rise to high stretchability (>400%) and gravimetric toughness (640 J g(-1)). These unique mechanical properties originate from the multiscale deformation regime involving solid-state self-organization processes that lead to efficient energy dissipation. Incorporating luminescent CdTe nanowires into these fibres imparts the new property of mechanically tunable circularly polarized luminescence. The nacre-like fibres open a novel technological space for optomechanics of biomimetic composites, while their continuous spinning methodology makes scalable production realistic.

In-situ microfluidic controlled, low temperature hydrothermal growth of nanoflakes for dye-sensitized solar cells.

In this paper, an in-situ microfluidic control unit (MCU) was designed and applied in a hydrothermal synthesis process, which provides an easy way to localize liquid-phase reaction and realize selective synthesis and direct growth of nanostructures as well as their morphology, all in a low-temperature and atmospheric environment. The morphology was controlled through controlling the amount of additivities using the MCU. This achieved a facile fabrication of Al doped ZnO (AZO) nanoflakes vertically grown on flexible polymer substrates with enhanced light scattering and dye loading capabilities. Flexible DSSCs with a significant enhancement (410% compare to ZnO NRs based devices) in power conversion efficiency were obtained using AZO nanoflake photoanodes of 6 µm thick, due to the enhancement in electron mobility and reduction in recombination. This hydrothermal synthesis using the in-situ MCU provides an efficient and scalable technique to synthesize controllable nanostructures with characteristics of easy set-up, low energy consumption and low cost.

Ternary SnS(2-x)Se(x) Alloys Nanosheets and Nanosheet Assemblies with Tunable Chemical Compositions and Band Gaps for Photodetector Applications.

Ternary metal dichalcogenides alloys exhibit compositionally tunable optical properties and electronic structure, and therefore, band gap engineering by controllable doping would provide a powerful approach to promote their physical and chemical properties. Herein we obtained ternary SnS(2-x)Se(x) alloys with tunable chemical compositions and optical properties via a simple one-step solvothermal process. Raman scattering and UV-vis-NIR absorption spectra reveal the composition-related optical features, and the band gaps can be discretely modulated from 2.23 to 1.29 eV with the increase of Se content. The variation tendency of band gap was also confirmed by first-principles calculations. The change of composition results in the difference of crystal structure as well as morphology for SnS(2-x)Se(x) solid solution, namely, nanosheets assemblies or nanosheet. The photoelectrochemical measurements indicate that the performance of ternary SnS(2-x)Se(x) alloys depends on their band structures and morphology characteristics. Furthermore, SnS(2-x)Se(x) photodetectors present high photoresponsivity with a maximum of 35 mA W(-1) and good light stability in a wide range of spectral response from ultraviolet to visible light, which renders them promising candidates for a variety of optoelectronic applications.

Effect of group counseling on depression, compliance and blood sugar level in diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To establish an interference mode of group counseling for diabetic patients with depression and to evaluate the effectiveness of this mode on depression, treatment compliance and blood sugar level in the patients.
 METHODS: One hundred diabetic patients with depression were randomly divided into a counseling group and a control group (n=50 per group). Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) was applied to all the patients. The interference mode of group counseling was established through literature review, expert consultation or interview. The counseling group received counseling for 8 times within 2 months.
 RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the SDS scores at 0, 3, 6 or 12 months after the intervention between the 2 groups (P<0.001). For the counseling group, there was a significant difference in the SDS scores between pre-intervention and 3, 6 or 12 months after intervention (P<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the SDS scores between any two time points after the intervention (P>0.05). There was a significant difference in the compliance between any two time points after the intervention (P<0.05). Fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2 h postprandial blood glucose (2hPG) or glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was significantly different at any two time points after the intervention (P<0.05).
 CONCLUSION: Group counseling can improve depression, compliance and blood sugar control in the diabetic patients.

Increasing patients' ability to identify their physicians with a photo album: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Patients in teaching hospitals often encounter difficulty in correctly identifying their physicians. We hypothesized that a photo album of physicians might increase the ability of patients to correctly identify their physicians and hence conducted this study to test the hypothesis. DESIGN: A prospective study was conducted. SETTING: Department of Surgery, The Third XiangYa Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: THE PATIENTS WERE DIVIDED INTO TWO GROUPS ON ADMISSION: group A as intervention group (n = 75) and group B as control group (n = 94). All the patients were verbally informed of their medical team but only the patients in group A (the intervention group) were also shown the photos of their medical team. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: One day before being discharged, the patients in group A (the intervention group) were asked to return the photo albums, and all the patients from both groups were asked to give the names of their caring physicians prior to departure from the hospital. RESULTS: Only 53% of the patients (50 out of 94) in group B (the control group) could give at least one of their physicians' name, while 85% of the patients (64 out of 75) in group A (the intervention group) could tell at least one of their physicians' name; there is a significant difference (p < 0.005, 95% CI, 17.4-44.7%). CONCLUSION: Patients' ability to identify their physicians can be significantly increased with a photo album.

[The effect of serum concentration on the growth, proliferation and collagen secretion in mouse L929 fibroblasts].

AIM: To observe the effect of serum concentration on the growth, proliferation and secretion of collagen I, collagen III and hydroxyproline in mouse fibroblasts L929, to optimize serum concentration for cell growth, proliferation and collagen secretion. METHODS: L929 cells were divided into 6 groups cultured in the present of 0 mL/L, 200 mL/L, 400 mL/L, 600 mL/L, 800 mL/L and 1 000 mL/L serum respectively. Acridine Orange and HE staining were performed on 2 d, 4 d, 6 d and 8d and sulforhodamine B sulfonyl chloride was used to determine cell proliferation at the same time; Meanwhile, the supernatants of each group ware collected and enzyme immunoassay was performed to detect the protein levels of collagen I, III and hydroxyproline. RESULTS: (1) The cell proliferation was inhibited when serum concentration was very high (100%) or very low (0%). The proliferation rate in the presence of 20% serum was the highest. When serum concentration was higher than 20%( 40%-100%), the cell proliferation decreased. (2) Apoptotic cells were observed in the absence of serum. Vacuolization appeared in the presence of 80% serum, and was enhanced in the case of 100% serum. Cells were morphologically normal when serum concentrations were between 20%-60%. (3)The level of collagen I was low in the case of serum concentrations of 0%, 80% and 100%, with the highest expression in 40% serum. Collagen III in all groups was increased on day 2, followed by a transient decreased and an final increased on day 6-8. The level of hydroxyproline was not changed in all groups. CONCLUSION: The serum concentrations between 20%-40% is suitable for L929cells growth, proliferation and secret collagen. The extremes serum concentration of too high or too low leads to inhibition of cell proliferation, apoptosis, vacuolization, and impaired secretion of collagens. This study indicates the requirement of optimum serum concentration for self serum injection therapy.

[Neuropeptide Y promotes the proliferation and differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes].

AIM: To observe the effect of neuropeptide Y on the proliferation and differentiation of 3T3L1 preadipocytes and detect the mechanics. METHODS: 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were induced to differentiation by the cocktail medium containing 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), dexamethasone and insulin. After 2 days, the cells were divided into 3 groups: the control group(without inducer), the routine group(insulin used as inducer) and the experiment group(10(-8), 10(-9), 10(-10) mol/L NPY used as inducer). At day 7 and 12, cell differentiation was observed by phase contrast microscope. At day 12, Oil red O staining was performed. Proliferation capacities of 3T3L1 cells were assessed by MTT. Western blot was used to know the protein level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) and The CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-α(C/EBP-α). RESULTS: NPY 10(-8) mol/L promotes the differentiation of 3T3L1 preadipocytes, 10(-9) mol/L, 10(-8) mol/L NPY increased 3T3-L1 cells proliferation. The protein levels of PPAR-γ and C/EBP-α were up regulated by 10(-8) mol/L NPY. CONCLUSION: Neuropeptide Y promotes the differentiation and Proliferation of 3T3-L1 cells, this effect may be related to up-regulation of PPAR-γ and C/EBP-α.

[Surveillance and forecast of schistosomiasis transmission in Chaohu Lake area in Anhui Province, 2008-2010].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the dynamic changes of the potential prevalent factors of schistosomiasis in Chaohu Lake area so as to provide forecast information on the outbreak of schistosomiasis in the area. METHODS: From 2008 to 2010, fixed and mobile surveillance sites in potential endemic areas of Juchao District in Chaohu City, which was located in the southeast side of Chaohu Lake, were selected, and the schistosomiasis infection situation of local people, mobile population and livestock were investigated by immunological assays and/or stool examinations. The distribution of Oncomelania snails was surveyed in risk areas and suspicious areas, the spreading patterns of Oncomelania snails were observed in rivers that directly connected with the Yangtze River, and the Oncomelania snails were raised in the cages on the beaches of Chaohu Lake and a control area, and their survival and reproduction capacity was observed. RESULTS: In 2008, a total of 301 local people were screened by IHA, and there were no positives. From 2008 to 2010, a total of 321, 362 and 306 mobile population were examined by IHA, respectively, and the positive rate of antibody were 3.74%, 4.97% and 2.94%, respectively. The antibody positives were tested by stool examinations, and the positive rates were 66.67%, 50% and 55.56%, respectively. A total of 91 local livestock and 92 livestock from endemic areas were examined respectively by the miracidium hatching method, and there were no positives. A total of 97.8 hm2 risk areas and 193.62 hm2 suspicious areas in the potential endemic area were surveyed respectively, but no Oncomelania snails were found. The investigation results on snail spreading patterns indicated that snails could spread into Chaohu Lake by adsorbing on floating debris. The field study revealed that Oncomelania snails could survive and reproduce in the Lake. CONCLUSIONS: The imported infectious sources of schistosomiasis have been found in Chaohu Lake area, and the higher possibility of imported Oncomelania snails spreading into the Lake and surviving and reproducing in the lake is predicted. Therefore, effective measures should be taken to decrease the risks of schistosomiasis transmission in the potential endemic area.

A clinical trial of xenotransplantation of neonatal pig islets for diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the safety and function of the transplantation of neonatal pig islets (NPIs) for diabetic patients. METHODS: NPIs were injected into the hepatic artery of 22 patients. After the transplantation, the patients were treated with a multiple drug immunosuppressive regimens. The first 14 patients were treated with cyclosporine (CsA), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and prednisolon, and porcine C-peptide was not monitored, the following 2 patients were given cyklosporin and MMF only, while the next 6 patients were given a quadruple drug regimen consisting of OKT3, takrolimus, sirolimus and prednisolon. The blood glucose levels,exogenous insulin requirement,HbA1c, porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) and liver function were assessed before and after NPI transplantation. The serum porcine C peptide were monitored in last 8 patients. RESULTS: The first 14 patients required less insulin and the HbA1c dropped after the transplantation. In the 2 subsequent patients, the metabolic parameters remained unchanged and monitor of porcine C-peptide was negative. Insulin requirements were reduced in all 6 patients, and HbA1c was normalized 3 months after the transplantation. Significant levels of porcine C-peptide were detected in the patient serum. Two of the patients were given a second injection of NPIs, and one of them became insulin independent for 7 d. No serious adverse events were noted after the transplantation. There was no evidence of PERV transmission. Six out of the 22 patients were followed up for 4-6 years after the NPIs injection, immunosuppressive treatment was stopped 1 year after the transplantation. The patients started to take insulin at the time of follow up. Four patients restricted the intake of sugar, while the other 2 did not. One patient had ketoacidosis twice and slight diabetic retinopathy, and another patient had ketoacidosis induced by acute gastroenteritis. The remaining 4 patients did not have any complications. Assays for PERV were again negative. CONCLUSION: Xenogenic islets can survive and function in the human body. No serious adverse events are noted.

[Construction and expression of fusion gene eukaryotic expression plasmid of pEGFP-C(3)-insig2 and its influence to downstream genes].

AIM: To construct the eukaryotic expression plasmid of insig2 gene and detect the expression of downstream gene adiponectin and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein 2 (AP2) after the transfection of 3T3-L1 cells. METHODS: Insig2 gene of the mouse was amplified by RT-PCR and then cloned into the eukaryon expression vector pEGFP-C(3), After confirmed by double restriction enzyme digestion analysis and DNA sequencing, pEGFP-C(3)-insig2 was transfected into 3T3-L1 cells by lipofectamine 2000. The expression of insig2 and downstream gene in the 3T3-L1 cells were detected by RT-PCR and fluorescence microscope. RESULTS: The eukaryotic expression plasmid of pEGFP-C(3)-insig2 was constructed. The expression of fusion protein in the endochylema was confirmed. The transcription of adiponectin mRNA and AP2 mRNA was down-regulated after transfection for 24 h and 72 h. CONCLUSION: The eukaryotic expression plasmid of pEGFP-C(3)-insig2 is successfully constructed. The transfected insig2 may have an effect on fat metabolism of 3T3-L1 cells.

[Effects of estradiol and progesterone on the expression of insulin receptor substrate in human osteoblasts].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) and progesterone (P) on the expression of IRS in human osteoblast cells (HOBs) and further study the mechanism of E(2) and P on postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP). METHODS: Osteoblasts from cancellous bones of normal adults were cultured and underwent intervention of E(2) and P respectively. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to measure the expression of mRNAs of IRS-1 and IRS-2. The expression of the proteins of IRS-1 and IRS-2 were detected by Western blotting. The expressions of phosphorylated IRS protein (P-IRS) was examined by immunocoprecipitation/Western blotting. RESULTS: The expression level of IRS-2 mRNA in the HOBs undergoing intervention of E(2) and P were 421% +/- 68% and 327% +/- 54% that of the control group respectively (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). The expression level of IRS-2 mRNA in the HOBs undergoing intervention of E(2) combined with P was 496% +/- 54% that of the control group (P < 0.01). However, the expression level of IRS-1 was not significantly influenced by E(2) and/or P (all P > 0.05). The expression level of IRS-2 protein and phophorylated IRS-2 protein in the HOBs undergoing intervention of E(2), P, and E(2) combined with P were 487% +/- 65%, 507% +/- 54%, 552% +/- 47% and 483% +/- 52%, 527% +/- 76%, and 717% +/- 86% that of the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.05). The P-IRS-1 protein level of the HOBs undergoing intervention of E(2), P, and E(2) combined with P were 54% +/- 7.6%, 37% +/- 4.2%, and 21.2% +/- 3.0% that of the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: E(2) and P up-regulate the expression of IRS-2 mRNA in HOBs. Combined intervention of E(2) and P positively creates a synergistic effect on the up-regulation of IRS-2 mRNA. E(2) and P have no effects on the expression of IRS-1 mRNA. E(2) and P increase the expression of IRS-2 protein and P-IRS-2. Combined intervention of E(2) and P presents a positive synergistic effect on the up-regulation of P-IRS-2. However, they show no effect on the expression of IRS-1 protein, and down regulate the phosphorylation of IRS-1 protein.