[Curative effect of percutaneous microwave ablation therapy on hepatocellular carcinoma survival: a 15-year real-world study].

Objective: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: 2054 cases with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage 0~B at the Fifth Medical Center of the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital from January 2006 to September 2020 were retrospectively collected. All patients were followed up for at least 2 years. The primary endpoint of overall survival and secondary endpoints (tumor-related survival, disease-free survival, and postoperative complications) of patients treated with ultrasound-guided percutaneous MWA were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier method was used for stratified survival rate analysis. Fine-and-Gray competing risk model was used to analyze overall survival. Results: A total of 5 503 HCC nodules [mean tumor diameter (2.6±1.6) cm] underwent 3 908 MWAs between January 2006 and September 2020, with a median follow-up time of 45.6 (24.0 -79.2) months.The technical effectiveness rate of 5 375 tumor nodules was 97.5%. The overall survival rates at 5, 10, and 15-years were 61.6%, 38.8%, and 27.0%, respectively. The tumor-specific survival rates were 67.1%, 47.2%, and 37.7%, respectively. The free tumor survival rates were 25.8%, 15.7%, and 9.9%, respectively. The incidence rate of severe complications was 2.8% (108/3 908). Further analysis showed that the technical effectiveness and survival rate over the passing three time periods from January 2006-2010, 2011-2015, and 2016-September 2020 were significantly increased, with P < 0.001, especially for liver cancer 3.1~5.0 cm (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Microwave ablation therapy is a safe and effective method for BCLC stage 0-B, with significantly enhanced technical efficacy and survival rate over time.

[Comparison of HIV infection risk between 15 to 24 year-old student men who have sex with men and non-student men who have sex with men: a cross-sectional study].

Objective: To compare the difference of HIV infection risk among student Men who have sex with men (sMSM) attending secondary vocational colleges or high school, sMSM attending universities or above, and non-student men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between July and October, 2019. Inclusion criteria of participants include: 15-24 years old, male at birth, had homosexual oral or anal intercourse before survey, self-reported HIV negative or unclear. Demographic information, HIV testing history and social media usage were collected by a self-reporting questionnaire, the HIV risk assessment tool was used for HIV infection risk assessment. We used Logistic regression to analyze the difference of HIV infection risk among student sMSM attending secondary vocational colleges or high school, sMSM attending universities or above, and non-student MSM. Results: Of the 1 707 participants, 45% (771 projects) reported homosexual debut before the age of 19, the proportion of HIV self-testing was 49% (833 projects), and 34% (587 projects) received facility-based testing. Comparing with sMSM attending universities or above, non-student MSM and sMSM attending secondary vocational colleges or high school had higher probability of medium and high HIV infection risk [OR(95%CI): 1.53(1.10-2.12), 1.80(1.06-3.07), respectively], while the probability of medium and high HIV infection risk between sMSM attending secondary vocational colleges and non-student MSM was not statistically different. Conclusion: Non-student MSM and sMSM attending secondary vocational college or high school have higher risk of HIV infection, health staff should allocate more education resources to Non-student MSM and sMSM attending secondary vocational college or high school, in order to alleviate HIV threat to them.

[Predictive value of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio on myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients].

Objective: To explore the predictive value of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients. Methods: In this single-center retrospective cohort study, we collected and analyzed data form 133 severe COVID-19 patients admitted to Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University (Eastern District) from January 30 to February 18, 2020. Patients were divided into myocardial injury group (n=29) and non-myocardial injury group (n=104) according the presence or absence of myocardial injury. The general information of patients was collected by electronic medical record database system. All patients were followed up for 30 days, the organ injury and/or dysfunction were monitored, the in-hospital death was compared between the two groups, and the disease progression was reevaluated and classified at 14 days after initial hospitalization. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors of myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients. The ROC of NLR was calculated, and the AUC was determined to estimate the optimal cut-off value of NLR for predicting myocardial injury in severe cases of COVID-19. Results: There was statistical significance in age, respiratory frequency, systolic blood pressure, symptoms of dyspnea, previous chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease history, white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, C-reactive protein, platelet counting, aspartate transaminase, albumin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, urea, estimated glomerular filtration rate, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, D-dimer, CD3+, CD4+, partial pressure of oxygen, partial pressure of CO2, blood oxygen saturation, other organ injury, clinical outcome and prognosis between patients with myocardial injury and without myocardial injury (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that NLR was a risk factor for myocardial injury (OR=1.066，95%CI 1.021-1.111，P=0.033). ROC curve showed that NLR predicting AUC of myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients was 0.774 (95%CI 0.694-0.842), the optimal cut-off value of NLR was 5.768, with a sensitivity of 82.8%, and specificity of 69.5%. Conclusion: NLR may be used to predict myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients.

The effects of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate on matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in human pulp cells and odontoblast-like cells in vitro.

AIM: To assess the effects of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) on proliferation and migration of human pulp cells, as well as on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2 and MMP-9) expression in human odontoblast-like cells, contributing to the goal of determining the relationship between resin materials and MMP activity in pulp-dentine complexes. METHODOLOGY: Dental pulp cell cultures were established from pulp tissue of human teeth extracted for orthodontic purposes. Pulp cell differentiation was characterized in the presence of dentine sialophosphoprotein, bone sialoprotein and alkaline phosphatase by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. MMP activity was assessed by gelatine zymography with media containing HEMA. Cell viability was evaluated using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay for 24-72 h. Cell migration was tested using Transwell migration assay. Western blotting was used to visualize MMP expression with the nontoxic HEMA concentrations (0-400 µg mL-1 ) for 48 h. RESULTS: Pulp cell proliferation decreased with HEMA exposure in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. HEMA concentrations ≤400 µg mL-1 did not induce changes in cell viability at 48 h (P < 0.05). Pulp cells were induced to differentiate into odontoblast-like cells in media containing 5 mg mL-1 ascorbic acid and 10 mmol L-1 ß-sodium glycerophosphate for 3-4 weeks. After incubation with HEMA, dose-dependent inhibition was observed; HEMA had a strong inhibitory effect on MMP activity. Compared with the control group, cell migration and MMP expression were inhibited significantly with increasing HEMA concentration at noncytotoxic doses (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Cell viability was not affected at HEMA concentrations ≤400 µg mL-1 . Within this range, HEMA inhibited MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression and activity, which may protect against type I collagen degradation effectively during dentine adhesive procedures.

[5-HT(2A) receptor/protein kinase C pathway in mediating long-term facilitation of carotid sinus nerve discharge in chronic intermittent hypoxia rats].

Objective: To explore the role of 5-HT(2A)R/PKC pathway in mediating long-term facilitation (LTF) of carotid sinus nerve (CSN) discharge in chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) rats. Methods: With number table, 24 adult SD rats were randomly divided into saline control group (group A, n=6), 5-HT(2A)R antagonist (ketanserin) group (group B, n=6), PKC inhibitor (PKC θ-pseudosubstrate) group (group C, n=6) and combined ketanserin with PKC θ-pseudosubstrate group (group D, n=6). All rats were placed into the animal chambers for CIH treatment, 8 h per day (from 9: 00 to 17: 00) for 4 consecutive weeks. 28 days later, 5 min × 3 times of stimulation with acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) were given, after that, stable CSN discharge activities were recorded and compared before and after intravenous injection of saline (group A), ketanserin (group B), PKC θ-pseudosubstrate (group C) or ketanserin + PKC θ-pseudosubstrate (group D), respectively. Results: There were no significant difference in the baseline (before AIH stimulation) average peak amplitude of CSN discharge among the four groups (P>0.05). In group A, the amplitude of CSN discharge at 30 min and 60 min after AIH were (5.01 ± 0.53) µV and (4.95 ± 0.34) µV respectively, which were significantly higher than that before AIH (P<0.01). The results implied that the CSN LTF could be induced by AIH in CIH pre-treatment rats. In group B, the amplitude of CSN discharge at 30 min and 60 min after AIH were (3.79 ± 0.42) µV and (3.73 ± 0.46) µV, respectively, which were still significantly higher than that before AIH (P<0.01), showing that carotid sinus nerve LTF couldn't be completely blocked by 5-HT(2A)R antagonist in rats. After injection of PKC θ-pseudosubstrate or ketanserin + PKC θ-pseudosubstrate in group C or D, there were no significant differences in CSN discharge amplitude before and after AIH (P>0.01), suggesting that inhibition of PKC alone or 5-HT(2A)R/PKC pathway could completely block the LTF of CSN. Conclusion: 5-HT(2A)R/PKC pathway was involved in mediating long-term facilitation of carotid sinus nerve discharge in CIH rats.

Efficiency of multi-beam Fourier phase gratings at 1.4 THz.

We compare the results of simulated and measured power efficiency and far-field beam pattern, for two reflective Fourier phase gratings, designed to generate 2 × 2 and 2 × 4 beams respectively from a single-beam, coherent source at 1.4 THz. The designed surface structures were manufactured on aluminum plates by a computer numerical control (CNC) micro-milling machine. Despite small differences between the designed and fabricated gratings, we measured power efficiencies of both gratings to be around 70%, which is in a good agreement with the simulated values. We also find a good agreement between the simulated and measured diffracted beam size and spatial distribution. We demonstrate the application of both gratings as multiple beam local oscillators to simultaneously pump (or operate) a 4-pixel array of superconducting heterodyne mixers.

[Analysis of blood lead level of children living around lead-zinc mines].

Objective: To investigate the blood lead level of children living around lead-zinc mining areas, in order to analyze its distribution features of the population. Methods: In August 2016, three natural villiages around lead-zinc mines were selected randomly as survey sites, which were grouped A, B and C according to each distances from the center field, totally 1 379 children from the three villages were selected by cluster random sampling method as the investigation subjects, and their elbow peripheral vein blood samples were collected to determine the blood lead level by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The distribution features of blood lead in different district, gender and age groups were compared and analyzed. Results: The median and quartile range of blood lead were 0.066 and 0.058 mg/L respectively. The blood lead levels of 341 children were esceeding 100 µg/L and that account for 24.73%. The median blood lead showed statistical significant differrnce among three groups (P<0.01) , and the medians from high to low were: 0.075 mg/L (A) , 0.065 mg/L (B) and 0.059 mg/L (C) respectively. The average blood lead of male was higher than that of female (P<0.01) . There was significant difference in blood lead levels among different aged groups (P<0.01) , and the high blood lead rate dicreased with the increase of age (P<0.01) . Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that there was a high risk of excessive lead in the blood lead of boys aged 1-6 years from the center of the area. Conclusion: The blood lead level of children living around lead-zinc mining areas is relatively high. There are difference in district distribution, gender and age.

[The relationship between accommodative accuracy at different near-work distances and early-onset myopia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the accommodative accuracy of children with early-onset myopia at different near-work distances, and discuss the relationship between accommodative accuracy and early-onset myopia. METHODS: This was a case-control study. Thirty-seven emmetropic children, 41 early-onset myopic children without correction, and 39 early-onset myopic children with spectacles, aged 7 to 13 years, were included. Measures of refractive errors and accommodative accuracy at four near-work distances, including 50 cm, 40 cm, 30 cm, and 20 cm, were made using the binocular fusion cross cylinder (FCC) of an automatic phoropter. RESULTS: Most candidates showed accommodative lags, including the children with emmetropia. The ratio of lags in all candidates at different near-work distances was 75.21% (50 cm), 87.18% (40 cm), 92.31% (30 cm), and 98.29% (20 cm), respectively. All accommodative accuracies became worse, and the accommodative lag ratio and values of FCC increased, along with the shortening of the distance. The difference in accommodative accuracy among groups was statistically significant at 30 cm (χ(2)=7.852, P= 0.020) and 20 cm (χ(2)=6.480, P=0.039). The values of FCC among groups were significantly different at 30 cm (F=3.626, P=0.030) and 20 cm (F=3.703, P=0.028), but not at 50 cm and 40 cm (P>0.05). In addition, the FCC values of 30 cm and 20 cm had a statistically significant difference between myopic children without correction [(1.25±0.44) D and (1.76±0.43) D] and emmetropic children [(0.95±0.52) D and (1.41±0.58) D] (P=0.012, 0.008). The correlation between diopters of myopia and accommodative accuracy at different nearwork distances was not statistically significant (P>0.05). However, the correlation between diopters of myopia and the accommodative lag value (FCC) at 20 cm was statistically significant (r=0.246, P=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: The closer the near-work distance is, the worse the accommodative accuracy is. This is more significant in early-onset myopia, especially myopia without correction, than emmetropia. Wearing spectacles may improve the threshold and sensitivity of accommodations, and the accommodative accuracy at near-work distances (<30 cm) to some extent. The poor accommodative accuracy at near-work distances may be not related to early-onset myopia, but the value of FCC (20 cm) is related to early-onset myopia. The higher the FCC value is, the higher the diopter is. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2016, 52: 520-524).

[Application of supraclavicular fasciocutaneous island flap for reconstruction after removal of tumors in parotid and auricle area].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of supraclavicular fasciocutaneous island flap (SIF) for repairing the defect of parotid or auricle regions after tumor resection. Methods: From February 2019 to June 2021, 12 patients (11 males and 1 female, aged 54-77 years old), of whom 4 with parotid adenoid cystic carcinoma and 8 with auricular basal cell carcinoma underwent reconstruction surgery for postoperative defects in the parotid gland area and auricular area with SIF in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Size of the SIF, time for harvesting SIF, neck lymph node dissection and postoperative complications were recorded. Results: The flap areas were (6-9) cm × (8-13) cm, and the harvesting time for SIF ranged from 40 to 80 min, averaging 51.7 min. The donor sites were directly closed. All patients underwent ipsilateral levels Ⅰ-Ⅲ neck dissection, with 4 cases undergoing additional level Ⅳ neck dissection and 2 cases undergoing level Ⅳ-Ⅴ neck dissection. Of the 12 SIF, 10 were completely survival and 2 had flap arterial crisis with partial flap necrosis, in addition, 1 had donor site wound dehiscence. With follow-up of 10-42 months, there were no tumor recurrences in 10 patients, 1 patient was lost to follow-up at 10 months postoperatively, and 1 patient experienced local tumor recurrence at 11 months after surgery and died 15 months later. Conclusion: SIF is an easily harvested flap with good skin features matching the skin in parotid and auricle regions and less damage to donor site, and this flap has no need for microvascular anastomosis technique. SIF is feasible and effective for repairing defects in parotid and auricle area.

[Cone-beam CT evaluation of the Monson's spherical radius of young adults in Guangdong].

Objective: To measure and analyze the spherical radius of Monson of normal young people in Guangdong province using cone-beam CT (CBCT), and to establish a personalized measurement method of the spherical radius of Monson to provide a reference for clinical application of Monson spherical radius in occlusal reconstruction. Methods: Sixty healthy young adults from physical examination population at Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University [30 males and 30 females, aged (22.1±2.0) years 18-26 years) were recruited, and their CBCT were taken. Three-dimensional reconstruction of CBCT data was carried out, and the reconstructed models were fixed, traced and measured. The difference of Monson spherical radius between male and female was compared by using a single sample t-test. Results: The Monson spherical radius was (100.72±4.89) mm. The Monson spherical radius of male and female were (103.48±4.19) mm and (97.97±3.93) mm respectively. The difference between male and female was statistically significant (P<0.01). Conclusions: CBCT can be used to accurately measure the spherical radius of Monson and can be used as a reference for reconstruction of occlusal plane.

Clinical application of kelp micro gelation (KMG) in partial splenic embolization.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare and analyze the long-term efficacy and safety between kelp micro gelation (KMG) and gelfoam particles in partial splenic embolization (PSE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study retrospectively included 65 liver cirrhosis patients with comorbidity of hypersplenism who were admitted in Nanfang Hospital from July 2008 to May 2012. Among the included patients, 33 patients were in KMG-PSE group, and 32 cases were included in Gelfoam-PSE group. According to the Child-Pugh criteria, all cases were divided into grade A, B, and C, respectively. All eligible subjects received CT or MR examination and laboratory examination. RESULTS: Our results showed that both KMG and gelfoam particles could substantially improve the short-term efficacy of thrombocytopenia leukopenia. However, the efficacy of KMG is superior to that of gelfoam. Due to the characteristic of KMG as a permanent agent, KMG may result in an obvious pain in the spleen after PSE, especially in patients with megalosplenia. KMG was more expensive than gelfoam particles. The complication rate in patents with great embolization was much higher than that with less embolization. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of KMG is superior to that of gelfoam in both short-term and long-term. To effectively control the occurrence of severe complication, the embolization should be controlled less than 70% regardless of the embolization agents.

[Modification of the composite resin with the hyperbranched polyester and evaluation of the mechanical properties of the modified composite resin].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of hyperbranched polyester(HBP)on mechanical properties of the conventional resin matrix. METHODS: Two hyperbranched monomers(HBP2-X and HBP2-Y)were synthesized and incorporated at 40%(by mass)into a 2∶1(by mass)bisphenol-A diglycidyl methacrylate(Bis-GMA): triethylene glycol dimethacrylate(TEGDMA)resin. Bis-GMA/TEGDMA without the incorporation of hyperbranched polyester was used as control(n=8 per group). The mechanical properties of the modified neat resin, including polymerization volumetric shrinkage, Vickers hardness, water absorption and dissolution rate, as well as the flexural strength, compressive strength and diametral tensile strength of the composite resin with different content of filler(0%, 30%, 50%, 70%)were measured. Mechanical properties of the composite resin were measured by universal testing machine. The results were analyzed by the ANOVA and LSD-t-test. RESULTS: The resin with HBP greatly decreased the polymerization shrinkage of the composite resin, and the value of group X was(6.32±0.49)%, and that of group Y was(6.31±0.68)%, whereas that of the control group was(8.14 ± 0.53)%. The value of volumetric shrinkage of the modified groups were significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.05). By adding HBP, the hardness value of group X([198 ± 5]MPa)and group Y([177 ± 4]MPa)were significantly lower than that of the control group([214±6]MPa)(P<0.05). The HBP significantly influenced the water sorption and solubility of the neat resin(P<0.05). For the composite materials, with 70% inorganic filler, there were no significant difference in the value of flexural strength among the groups(P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the value of compressive strength, between group X([244 ± 13]MPa)and the standard group([234 ± 17]MPa)(P>0.05). However, they were significantly higher than that in group Y([204 ± 24]MPa)(P<0.05). For the value of diametral tensile strength, there was no significant difference between group Y([36.4 ± 2.1]MPa)and the control group([34.4 ± 2.9]MPa)(P>0.05), but both were significantly lower than that in group X([41.1 ± 3.0]MPa)(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although there were certain effect on the mechanical properties of the resin that was modified with the HBP, we should make further analysis and study based on the property of low volumetric shrinkage, to strive for the development of low volumetric shrinkage of HBP, without affecting its mechanical properties.

Bioinformatic identification of IGF1 as a hub gene in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and in-vitro analysis of the chemosensitizing effect of miR-379 via suppressing the IGF1/IGF1R signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the interactions among the dysregulated genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and identified the hub genes in the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Also, we also investigated the regulative effect of miR-379 on the IGF1/IGF1R signaling pathway and chemoresistance in HCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Raw data of a microarray that compared transcriptional gene profile between 3-paired HCC tissue samples and adjacent normal tissues were downloaded from Expression Atlas (E-GEOD-33006). The raw data was reanalyzed to identify the significantly dysregulated genes, which were further used for PPI network and KEGG pathway analysis. The regulative effect of miR-379 on IGF1R expression was studied by dual luciferase assay and Western blotting. The functional role of miR-379 in chemosensitivity of HCC cells was studied by drug sensitivity and flow cytometric assay. RESULTS: IGF1 is a hub gene that is mostly upregulated in HCC and it is an important player in the p53 signaling pathway. Knockdown of IGF1R significantly decreased IC50 of 5-FU, paclitaxel (PTX) and Doxorubicin (DOX) in Huh7 and HepG2 cells. MiR-379 could directly bind to the 3'UTR of IGF1R and suppress IGF1R expression. MiR-379 overexpression sensitized Huh7 and HepG2 cells to 5-FU, PTX and DOX and also enhanced DOX-induced cell apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: IGF1 is a hub gene in HCC and is also one of the most upregulated genes in HCC tissues compared to normal tissues. It is involved in the p53 signaling pathway regulation. MiR-379 can sensitize HCC cells to chemotherapeutic reagents via targeting IGF1R and suppressing its expression.

Sex determination from the pubis by discriminant function analysis.

A total of 122 adult human pubes (66 males and 56 females) are used in this study of a discriminant function analysis for determining sex from four pubic measurements: the angle formed by the middle line of the superior ramus and inferior ramus of pubis (in degrees, X1), subpubic angle (in degrees, X2), the minimum distance from the symphyseal surface to the obturator (in millimeters, X3), and the minimum thickness of the ischiopubic ramus (in millimeters, X4). The method introduced by Fisher is used. Using the formula Y = 0.270 mean1-0.985mean2-0.761mean3 + 1.806mean4,F = 200 F = 200 (F > F0.01(4,117), P < 0.01), section point -32.47, an accuracy of 100% could be achieved for 230 pubes (130 males, 100 females).

Orthodontic resin under water immersion.

The absorption and desorption of water by a polymer matrix of composite orthodontic resin could cause debonding of the filler-matrix or hydrolytic degradation of fillers and loss of bond strength. In this study, the bond strength of brackets directly bonded with orthodontic composite to the enamel surface of premolars was measured with an Instron machine; the debonding interface distribution was analyzed by scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry following water immersion for 1, 2, and 3 days, and 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, and 32 weeks, respectively. The results show that, under water immersion, bond strength may gradually weaken over time. The greatest loss occurs initially, followed by a period of relative stabilization, and then a weaker reduction after 24 weeks. The greater the time in water immersion, the less the bond strength and the greater the destruction of the composite resin. The debonding interface occurs between bracket and resin.

A multiplex touchdown PCR for detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in sputum samples.

Rapid and accurate detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) in sputum by conventional methods remains problematic. Primers based on capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis gene (cpsA), the region II of the capsulation locus (cap), the insertion sequence IS6110 were designed for Sp, Hib, MTBC respectively. These primers were incorporated in a multiplex touchdown PCR assay for simultaneous detection of Sp, Hib and MTBC. The multiplex touchdown PCR assay was evaluated using standard strains and clinical sputum samples. The multiplex touchdown PCR assay showed 100% specificity in identifying Sp, Hib, MTBC from pure culture of standard strains. The sensitivities of the multiplex touchdown PCR assay were 94%, 98%, 98% for detection of Sp, Hib and MTBC respectively based on culture results while evaluated using 492 consecutive qualified clinical sputum samples; the specificities were all 100%. This highly sensitive and specific multiplex touchdown PCR assay offers a rapid and simple method for detection of Sp, Hib and MTBC in clinical sputum samples.

Effects of fructose and/or fat in the diet on developing the type 2 diabetic-like syndrome in CD-1 mice.

The aim of the present study was to examine the interactions of fructose and fat on glucose regulation and lipid metabolism in CD-1 mice. Mice were assigned in five groups. The control group was provided with tap water and a gavage of vehicle; four experimental groups were treated with 150 g/l fructose solution (FS1), fat emulsion (FE), 150 g/l fructose solution and fat emulsion (FS1+FE), or 70 g/l fructose solution and fat emulsion (FS2+FE) for 12 weeks. At the end of the 8th week, both oral glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test were conducted. Lipid profiles in serum, liver, and red gastrocnemius muscle, and serum insulin and glucose concentrations were assessed. The FS1+FE group showed combined glucose intolerance (CGI) and decrease of insulin sensitivity. The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations were elevated in all experimental groups (p<0.05). The combined diet groups showed statistically significant (p<0.01) increase in total cholesterol (TC) level in comparison with the control FE (p<0.05), or FS1 (p<0.05) group. Triglyceride levels in liver and red gastrocnemius muscle were significantly increased in FE and combined groups. In conclusion, combination of FE and 150 g/l fructose solution for 8 weeks led to CGI. Fructose enhanced the adverse effect of FE on glucose regulation with increasing percentage in the diet. Furthermore, there was a synergistic effect of fructose and fat on elevating the serum TC level.

A combination of grape seed-derived procyanidins and gypenosides alleviates insulin resistance in mice and HepG2 cells.

This study investigated the effects of grape seed-derived procyanidins (GSP), gypenosides (GPE), and combination procyanidins/gypenosides on insulin resistance in mice and HepG2 cells. ICR mice were randomly divided into 2 control and 4 treatment groups. The control mice were to receive either normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HFD), and the treatment groups were fed high-fat diet with either 80 mg/kg of GSP (GSP80), GPE (GPE80), GSP + GPE (1: 1, GSP40 + GPE40), or 500 mg/kg of metformin for a 6-wk period. All the groups of mice except the normal control were on high-fat diet along with fructose (15%) administered in drinking water throughout the period of treatment. An insulin-resistant HepG2 cell model was developed after 24 h of 5 x 10(-7) mol/L insulin incubation. The treatment of GPE80 could significantly reduce the index of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and increase hepatic glycogen concentration, compared with HFD group (P < 0.05). When GSP and GPE were administered simultaneously, synergic effects were observed in decreasing the HOMA-IR index and serum total cholesterol (TC) level and enhancing glucose tolerance. All treatment groups showed considerable raise of hepatic glucokinase activity (P < 0.05 compared with HFD group). GSP application increased the consumption of extracellular glucose in HepG2 cells. Our data suggest that the combination of GSP and GPE may have functional efficacy in consumers with insulin resistance.