[Study on the CFHR1 level and its genetic polymorphisms in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics in CFHR1 concentration and the frequency of CFHR1 gene polymorphisms of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) based on the high level of complement factor H (CFH) expression among such patients and the similarity between CFHR1 and CFH in terms of sequence and functions. METHODS: Fifty T2DM patients and 30 healthy controls were selected. The plasma samples were separated by pI with OFFGEL electrophoresis following solution digestion. Further separation and identification were carried out on a Nano HPLC-Chip-MS/MS system. Differentially expressed proteins were identified by comparison. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to validate the result. Genomic DNA of the two groups was extracted. Polymerase chain reaction and sequencing were used to determine the single nucleotide polymorphisms in the 6 exons of the CFHR1 gene. RESULTS: The CFHR1 level in plasma of T2DM patients were significantly higher than that of the healthy controls (P=2.78× 10-11). A significant difference in allelic frequencies of rs12406079 of the fifth exon of the CFHR1 gene was found between the two groups (χ 2=5.692, P=0.017). CONCLUSION: The concentration of CFHR1 and frequencies of CFHR1 gene polymorphisms among patients with T2DM differ significantly from healthy subjects. Polymorphisms of the CFHR1 gene are associated with T2DM.

[Body composition investigation of 2321 Shenzhen government and enterprise staffs].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the laws of human body composition change and the status of the overweight and obesity of government and enterprise staffs. METHODS: In July 2013 - January 2014, 2321 adults more than 20-year-old healthy check-up crowd with complete human body composition and height as well as weight data in a medical center in Shenzhen were collected by convenience sampling method. RESULTS: The overweight rates of male and female were 46.41% and 18.94% respectively (standardized overweight rates were 44.02% and 14.51%, respectively), and the difference between them was statisically significant (Χ2 = 201.01, P = 0. 000). The obesity rates of male and female were 12.13% and 3.57%, respectively (standardized overweight rates were 11.11% (see symbol) 2.63%, respectively), and the difference between them was statisically significant (X2 = 48.45, P = 0.000). The parameters of bone mineral quality, visceral fat area, body fat, body fat percentage, abdominal obesity, body moisture and free fat weight increased with body weight, and there were statistical significance among normal weight, overweight and obesity groups (P = 0.000). Bone mineral quality was highest at the age of 30 to 40 for men and women, and there was the statistical significance. There was statistical significance in visceral fat area between different ages in the same gender. Body fat percentage (34.24 + 5.39)% of all ages 50 to 59 years old and body moisture (28.53 + 3.77)% of age 40 - 49 group were highest in women. Male body fat percentage (27.08 + 5.01)% at the age of 60-age group was the highest. Male and female visceral fat area increasesd with age, but there was no statistical difference between men and women at the same age. The human body composition had not a statistically significant difference among normal weight and overweight groups, but a significant difference between normal weight and obesity groups (P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Overweight and obesity rates in Shenzhen government and enterprise staffs increase with age. Body composition increase with the weight.

[The distribution of 24 elements in urine from Shenzhen residents].

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe the distribution of 24 elements in urine of Shenzhen residents. METHODS: According to the principle of equal probability of selection method, in March 2011 to July, total 11 communities were chosen as the basic sampling unit in Shenzhen, with 1 to 2 communities in each of the municipal district. Then 75 families from each sampling unit were selected using systematic sampling method. In total, 2 200 subjects were chosen. 10-20 ml morning middle stream urine was collected, and then detected the concentration of Li, Be, Sr, Cd, Cs, Ta, Pb, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, Sn, Sb, Te, As, Se, Ru, Na, Mg, K, and analysed the discrepancies between gender and among age groups. RESULTS: In those 24 elements, the concentration of Na was highest, the medians( 5th percentile (P 5), 95th percentile (P 95)) were 2 845.78 (920.29, 5 974.53) mg/L; Be was lowest, the result was 0.10(0.01, 0.58) µg/L. Except macroelements of Na (2 921.97 (985.14, 6 201.51) mg/L), Mg (48.20(8.23, 132.41) mg/L), K (2 323.20(683.98, 5 657.47) mg/L), the content of Rb was highest, 3.31(9.82, 7.83) mg/L, followed by Zn, 454.54(113.90, 1 320.00) µg/L, the content of V, Cr, Mn, Se, Tl was pretty low, the median of those elements all less than 1.00 µg/L. Statistically significant differences were found between genders and among age groups in Pb, Fe, Se (gender: Z values were 4.51, 2.53, 4.00, all P values were <0.05; age groups: H values were 55.67, 129.42, 18.46, all P values were <0.05). The medians(P5, P95) were 2.04 (0.57, 5.31), 202.88 (48.66, 564.90), 49.68 (14.34, 150.91) µg/L. The values of male were 2.22 (0.71, 5.33), 212 (47.50, 567.29), 53.42 (16.20, 160.63) µg/L. And the results of female were 1.95 (0.51, 5.24), 193.69 (49.52, 562.31), 46.62 (12.65, 142.80) µg/L; the values of less than 17 years old subjects were 1.66 (0.38, 3.77), 106.13 (26.69, 459.81), 51.86 (15.86, 169.71) µg/L; the results were 1.96 (0.52, 5.08), 209.83(52.87, 577.81), 54.14 (15.14, 144.11) µg/L in the group of 18 to 40 years old; in the 41 to 65 years old group, the values were 2.29 (0.78, 5.85), 228.15 (67.74, 615.16), 46.62 (13.95, 143.57) µg/L, the results were 2.19 (0.65, 5.69), 195.92(55.17, 490.24), 43.16 (12.42, 155.36) µg/L in 66 years old and more group. CONCLUSION: Among these 24 elements in urine of Shenzhen residents, the Na concentration was highest, while Be was lowest. Elements (Pb, Fe, Se) differed with the condition of gender and age groups. So we should take all these factors into account to establish their reference values.

[Snacks consumption among residents in Shenzhen City].

OBJECTIVE: To describe the status of snacks consumption among residents in Shenzhen. METHODS: By a multiple stage probability proportionate to size sampling, 12 communities were randomly selected from 8 districts of Shenzhen based on population proportion. In the second stage, 30 households were randomly selected from each community. In each household, 2 years or older were invited to take dietary survey. RESULTS: There were 66.1% residents consuming snacks. More girls ate snacks than boys (chi2 = 11.552, P < 0.01) and more children and adolescents ate snacks than adults (chi2 = 27.207, P < 0.01). The average daily intake of energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, sodium,magnesium, iron and zinc from snacks were 107.8 kcal (451.5 kJ), 1.7 g, 0.8 g, 22.0 g, 1.1 g, 23.1 microg, 8.3 mg, 1.1 mg,17.0 mg, 9.3 mg, 21.0 mg, 0.8 mg and 0.4 mg. Food categories the most frequently consumed as snacks were fruit, pastry, milk and products, beverages and grains. CONCLUSION: It's important to strengthen the diet education among residents in Shenzhen, especially the knowledge how to select snacks correctly and rationally.

[Nutrition survey on the collective in Shenzhen public institution].

OBJECTIVE: Nutrition survey on the collective who performs light physical activity. METHODS: Based on weighing records and two-months energy intake, combined with the Chinese Dietary Guidelines and Chinese Dietary Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI), 45 healthy volunteers were chosen to evaluate their current nutrient status. RESULTS: The dietary structure of the collective was simple and unreasonable. Some nutrients, such as dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, selenium were lower than RNI/AI, while some others (niacin, vitamin C, vitamin E, manganese, phosphorus, etc.) were higher than the standards. The proportion of three nutritious elements in diet was not appropriate. Protein and fat intakes were less than the references obviously, while carbohydrates significantly higher than the reference. CONCLUSION: The nutrition and health status of the volunteers was not so optimistic with the lack and excess coexist for nutrients and energy.

[Basic metabolic rate of young adults in Shenzhen].

OBJECTIVE: To measure the basic metabolic rate (BMR) of young adults with normal BMI in Shenzhen. METHODS: 25 men and 25 women in hospital were selected according to questionnaire, medical examination, blood test, liver function, nephron function, thyroid gland level, and TSH. Their BMR and resting metabolic rate (RMR) were measured by using the K4b2 in normal circumstances. The BMR values were compared with the calculated results from the Schofield equation (adjusted). The body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. RESULTS: The BMR values measured by the K4b2 were 278.54 +/- 45.56 kJ/h (male) and 224.08 +/- 38.24 kJ/h (female). CONCLUSION: The BMR value of Shenzhen young adults measured by K4b2 is a little higher than that of youth in north China.

Telbivudine versus lamivudine in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B: Results at 1 year of a randomized, double-blind trial.

UNLABELLED: Chronic hepatitis B and its life-threatening sequelae are highly prevalent in China. There is a need for effective new therapies to suppress hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and ameliorate liver disease. In this study, we compared the efficacy of telbivudine, a nucleoside analogue, with lamivudine in Chinese patients. In this phase III, double-blind, multicenter trial conducted in China, 332 patients with compensated hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive or HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B were randomly assigned to treatment with 600 mg of telbivudine or 100 mg of lamivudine daily for 104 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was reduction in serum HBV DNA levels at week 52 of treatment. Secondary endpoints included clearance of HBV DNA to undetectable levels, HBeAg loss and seroconversion, therapeutic response, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization. Viral resistance and safety were assessed. At week 52, among 290 HBeAg-positive patients, mean reductions of serum HBV DNA were significantly greater in telbivudine recipients than lamivudine recipients (6.3 log(10) versus 5.5 log(10), P < 0.001), and HBV DNA was polymerase chain reaction-negative in significantly more telbivudine recipients than lamivudine recipients (67% versus 38%, P < 0.001). ALT normalization (87% versus 75%, P = 0.007), therapeutic response (85% versus 62%, P = 0.001), and HBeAg loss (31% versus 20%, P = 0.047) were also significantly more common in the telbivudine group. Treatment effects showed similar patterns in the smaller HBeAg-negative group (n = 42). Viral resistance in telbivudine recipients was approximately half that observed with lamivudine; however, this difference was not statistically significant. Clinical adverse events were similar in the two treatment groups. CONCLUSION: In Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B, telbivudine treatment for 52 weeks provided greater antiviral and clinical efficacy than lamivudine, with less resistance.

[The degree of HBV suppression with 24 week telbivudine- or lamivudine-treatment in hepatitis B patients predicts the efficacy of the treatment at week 52].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the possibilities of an association between the degrees of HBV suppression with nucleoside treatments at week 24 and week 52 in hepatitis B patients and to find a useful predictor for treatment efficacy. METHODS: In this phase III, double-blind, multicenter trial, we compared the efficacy of telbivudine treatment with lamivudine treatment in 332 Chinese compensated chronic hepatitis B patients. The patients were randomly assigned to a daily 600 mg telbivudine treatment group or daily 100 mg lamivudine group for 24 weeks. They were then categorized into 4 groups according to their serum HBV DNA levels (copies/ml) at week 24: a PCR-undetectable group (< 300 copies/ml); a QL- < 10(3) copies/ml group; a 10(3)-<10(4) copies/ml group; and a > or = 10(4) copies/ml group. The treatments were continued as they previously had been for another 28 weeks and the patients serum HBV DNA levels were examined again. RESULTS: At week 52, mean reductions of serum HBV DNA were significantly greater in the telbivudine-treated patients than in the lamivudine-treated group (6.2 log10 vs 5.4 log10, t = 3.6, P < 0.01). Viral resistance was twice as common in lamivudine-treated patients compared to those receiving telbivudine. Telbivudine was well-tolerated with an adverse event profile similar to that of lamivudine. The lower the HBV DNA level achieved at week 24, the higher HBV DNA non-detectable by PCR. ALT normalization and HBeAg seroconversion achieved at week 52, and viral resistance at week 48 decreased parallel to the degree of HBV DNA inhibition. CONCLUSION: HBV DNA PCR-undetectable at week 24 in nucleoside-treated hepatitis B patients suggests a better efficacy at week 52 and lower viral resistance at week 48. The degree of suppression of HBV at week 24 may be used as a predictor of 1-year outcome.

Effects of lipopolysaccharides stimulated Kupffer cells on activation of rat hepatic stellate cells.

AIM: To study the effects of Kupffer cell-conditioned medium (KCCM) derived from lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment on proliferation of rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC). METHODS: HSC and Kupffer cells were isolated from the liver of Wistar rats by in situ perfusion with pronase and collagenase and density gradient centrifugation with Nycodenz and cultured. KCCM was prepared and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay was used to detect HSC proliferation. The content of type IV collagen and laminin secreted by HSC in the HSC-conditioned medium was determined by radioimmunoassay. TGF-beta(1) production in the KCCM was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: HSC and Kupffer cells isolated had high purity. One microgram per mililiter LPS-activated KCCM and unstimulated KCCM could significantly promote HSC proliferation [0.132+/-0.005 and 0.123+/-0.008 vs control group (0.100+/-0.003), P<0.01], and there was a difference between them (P<0.05). Ten microgram per mililiter LPS-activated KCCM (0.106+/-0.010) was unable to promote HSC proliferation (P>0.05). Adding anti-TGF-beta(1) antibodies could suppress the proliferation promoted by unstimulated KCCM and LPS (1 microg/ml)-activated KCCM (0.109+/-0.009 vs 0.123+/-0.008, 0.115+/-0.008 vs 0.132+/-0.005, P<0.01). LPS (1 microg/ml or 10 microg/ml) could not promote HSC proliferation immediately (0.096+/-0.003 and 0.101+/-0.004 vs 0.100+/-0.003, P>0.05). There was a parallel behavior between HSC proliferation and increased ECM level. One microgram per mililiter LPS-activated KCCM contained a larger amount of TGF-beta(1) than unstimulated KCCM. CONCLUSION: The technique for isolation of HSC and Kupffer cells described here is simple and reliable. KCCM stimulated by LPS may promote HSC proliferation and collagen accumulation, which are associated with hepatic fibrogenesis.

Environmental lead pollution threatens the children living in the Pearl River Delta region, China.

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to determine children's blood lead levels and identify sources of lead exposure. Childhood lead exposure constitutes a major pediatric health problem today in China. A blood lead screening survey program for children in the age group of 2-12 years residing in Pearl River Delta region, south of China, was carried out from Dec 2007 to Jan 2008. METHODS: Blood lead levels and lead isotope ratios of a total of 761 participants were assessed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. Measurements of urban environmental samples for source identification of children lead exposure were also performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The geometric mean value of the children's blood lead levels was 57.05 µg/L, and 9.6% of them were higher than 100 µg/L. The blood lead levels were still much higher than those in developed countries. Based on the data of environmental lead source inventories, lead isotopic tracing revealed that there is about 6.7% past used gasoline Pb embedded in Shenzhen residential dust and about 15.6% in Guangzhou dust, respectively.