[Research advance in the effects of androgen and its receptor on the development of obesity, obesity-related diseases and disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism].

Recently, there has been a growing interest in the roles of androgen in the development of obesity and obesity-related diseases such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis (AS), hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, as well as in the disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism. Androgen exerts its biological role mainly through binding to the androgen receptor (AR), one of the nuclear receptors widely expressed in multiple tissues such as the skeletal muscle, liver, adipose tissue and brain. Low testosterone and AR deficiency result in obesity, obesity-related diseases and metabolic disorders. Androgen regulates almost all the intracellular transduction pathways related to glucose and lipid metabolism, including key metabolic enzymes/proteins, nuclear transcription factors (PPARγ, LXRα and FoxO1), inflammation, leptin sensitivity of hypothalamus, proliferation and differentiation of adipocyte, mitochondrial function and vascular endothelial function. In addition, females with high androgen are more likely to develop obesity as well as glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, while the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This review focuses on the role and underlying mechanisms of androgen and AR in the development of obesity and obesity-related diseases as well as glucose and lipid metabolism disturbance in men.

The effects and potential of microglial polarization and crosstalk with other cells of the central nervous system in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Microglia are resident immune cells in the central nervous system. During the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, stimulatory factors continuously act on the microglia causing abnormal activation and unbalanced phenotypic changes; these events have become a significant and promising area of research. In this review, we summarize the effects of microglial polarization and crosstalk with other cells in the central nervous system in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Our literature search found that phenotypic changes occur continuously in Alzheimer's disease and that microglia exhibit extensive crosstalk with astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, neurons, and penetrated peripheral innate immune cells via specific signaling pathways and cytokines. Collectively, unlike previous efforts to modulate microglial phenotypes at a single level, targeting the phenotypes of microglia and the crosstalk with other cells in the central nervous system may be more effective in reducing inflammation in the central nervous system in Alzheimer's disease. This would establish a theoretical basis for reducing neuronal death from central nervous system inflammation and provide an appropriate environment to promote neuronal regeneration in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Insufficient maintenance DNA methylation is associated with abnormal embryonic development.

BACKGROUND: Early pregnancy loss (EPL) is a frustrating clinical problem, whose mechanisms are not completely understood. DNA methylation, which includes maintenance methylation and de novo methylation directed by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), is important for embryo development. Abnormal function of these DNMTs may have serious consequences for embryonic development. METHODS: To evaluate the possible involvement of DNA methylation in human EPL, the expression of DNMT proteins and global methylation of DNA were assessed in villous or decidua from EPL patients. The association of maintenance methylation with embryo implantation and development was also examined. RESULTS: We found that DNMT1 and DNMT3A were both expressed in normal human villous and decidua. DNMT1 expression and DNA global methylation levels were significantly down-regulated in villous of EPL. DNMT3A expression was not significantly changed in the EPL group compared to controls in either villous or decidua. We also found that disturbance of maintenance methylation with a DNMT1 inhibitor may result in a decreased global DNA methylation level and impaired embryonic development in the mouse model, and inhibit in vitro embryo attachment to endometrial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that defects in DNA maintenance methylation in the embryo, not in the mother, are associated with abnormal embryonic implantation and development. The findings of the current study provide new insights into the etiology of EPL.

Selective nerve block for the treatment of neuralgia in Kummell's disease: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Neuralgia is frequently noted in patients with Kummell's disease, and its mechanism is complex, rendering it challenging to treat. Percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) has been widely used to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with satisfactory outcomes. However, it is not optimal for managing severely collapsed vertebrae, as cement injection may not be feasible. This report describes the use of a selective nerve block for the treatment of neuralgia caused by severely collapsed vertebrae in a patient with Kummell's disease. CASE SUMMARY: In our patient, three vertebrae were involved. The collapse of T11 was particularly severe. After managing T8 and T9 using PKP, these two segments were effectively strengthened; consequently, back pain was significantly relieved. However, the structure and strength of T11 could not be effectively restored using a minimally invasive surgical method because there was little room for cement injection. This caused obvious neuralgia according to the postoperative status of the PKP. Thus, we performed selective nerve blocks for the treatment of neuralgia, which resulted in satisfactory outcomes. CONCLUSION: Selective nerve block may be a possible therapeutic strategy for neuralgia due to severely collapsed vertebrae in Kummell's disease.

Effects of sources of carbon and nitrogen on production of α-glucosidase inhibitor by a newly isolated strain of Bacillus subtilis B2.

This study examined production of α-glucosidase inhibitors by Bacillus subtilis B2 in Luria-Bertani (LB) fermentation with okara, soy powder, starch or pectin as additional source of carbon and nitrogen. All the fermentation broths of B. subtilis B2 exhibited gradual increase in α-glucosidase inhibitory activity during the fermentation process with or without supplemented source of carbon or nitrogen. Addition of okara into the LB medium greatly enhanced the strength (nearly twice as much of that without okara supplement) of α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of fermentation broth. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of B. subtilis B2 fermentation broth was positively correlated (p<0.05) with the bacterial populations grown in LB medium containing okara. Glucose and sucrose were not detected in LB medium during the entire fermentation process and were both reduced drastically in media containing okara, soy powder, starch or pectin after 6days of fermentation. The fermented LB medium containing okara by B. subtilis B2 possessed very strong α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and contained little glucose and sucrose, suggesting that fermentation of B. subtilis B2 in LB added with okara might be considered as a strategy for preparing functional foods for diabetic patients.

[Effects of wide-range planting on the yield and nitrogen use efficiency of winter wheat cultivar Tainong 18.] / å®½å¹ æ’­ç§å¯¹å†¬å°éº¦'泰农18'äº§é‡å’Œæ°®ç´ åˆ©ç”¨çŽ‡çš„å½±å“.

The effects of wide-range planting (WR) versus drilling-planting (DP) on grain yield, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and nitrogen uptake efficiency (UPE) were investigated using winter wheat cultivar Tainong 18 at experimental fields in Tai'an and Yanzhou during the growing seasons of 2015 and 2016. The results showed that planting pattern, experimental field location, and their interaction significantly affected the grain yield, NUE, and related indices of cultivar Tainong 18. Compared to DP, the WR pattern significantly increased grain yield by 22.5% and 15.4% at Tai'an and Yanzhou, respectively, by raising the number of spikes per unit area at maturity (originating from the greater numbers of tillers per plant and per unit area) and the number of spikes per plant. Compared to DP, the WR pattern significantly increased UPE by 27.7% and 17.5% at Tai'an and Yanzhou, respectively. NUE with the WR pattern at Tai'an and Yanzhou was also increased, respectively, by 22.5% and 15.4% by enhancing nitrogen accumulation and increasing the UPE. A stonger positive effect on yield was observed at Tai'an than at Yanzhou. Thus, the popularization and application of a WR pattern would synergistically improve grain yields and NUE in winter wheat.

[Genetic imprinting and embryonic development].

Erasure, establishment and maintenance of genetic imprinting are indispensable for normal embryonic development. All these processes depend on accurate expression and intimate cooperation of kinds of DNA methyltransferases. Many genetic syndromes and embryo developmental anomalies are caused by abnormality of genetic imprinting. Genetic imprinting is important for the nucleus totipotential of primordial germ cell, maturation of gamete,growth and development of embryo, structure and function of placenta as well as postnatal growth and development of individuals.

Neural evidence for the use of digit-image mnemonic in a superior memorist: an fMRI study.

Some superior memorists demonstrated exceptional memory for reciting a large body of information. The underlying neural correlates, however, are seldom addressed. C.L., the current holder of Guinness World Record for reciting 67,890 digits in π, participated in this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study. Thirteen participants without any mnemonics training were included as controls. Our previous studies suggested that C.L. used a digit-image mnemonic in studying and recalling lists of digits, namely associating 2-digit groups of "00" to "99" with images and generating vivid stories out of them (Hu et al., 2009). Thus, 2-digit condition was included, with 1-digit numbers and letters as control conditions. We hypothesized that 2-digit condition in C.L. should elicit the strongest activity in the brain regions which are associated with his mnemonic. Functional MRI results revealed that bilateral frontal poles (FPs, BA10), left superior parietal lobule (SPL), left premotor cortex (PMC), and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), were more engaged in both the study and recall phase of 2-digit condition for C.L. relative to controls. Moreover, the left middle/inferior frontal gyri (M/IFG) and intraparietal sulci (IPS) were less engaged in the study phase of 2-digit condition for C.L. (vs. controls). These results suggested that C.L. relied more on brain regions that are associated with episodic memory other than verbal rehearsal while he used his mnemonic strategies. This study supported theoretical accounts of restructured cognitive mechanisms for the acquisition of superior memory performance.

[Herpes zoster treated with meridian-collateral electric information therapy combined with pricking and cupping].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the best acupoints for the treatment of herpes zoster. METHODS: Two hundred cases were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 100 cases in each one. In observation group, meridian-collateral electric information diagnosis and treatment instrument was used to detect meridian and collateral so as to find out the relevant "sick meridian open" for electric stimulation, bloodletting and cupping. In control group, Acyclovir was administered orally. RESULTS: In observation group, it had been dectcted that "sick meridian open" were mostly localized in Ashi point (Extra), Zhangmen (LR 13), Daimai (GB 26), Qimen (LR 14), Dabao (SP 15), etc. The totally effective rate in observation group was 100.0% (100/100) that was superior to 60.0% (60/100) in control group (P < 0.000 1). Additionally, the time for pain relief, blister relief and scarring in observation group was shorter obviously than that in control group (P < 0.000 1). There was no case of post-herpetic neuralgia in observation group, but the incidence of it in control group was 26.0% (26/100). CONCLUSION: Meridian-collateral diagnosis and treatment instrument detects "sick meridian open" for electric stimulation and bloodletting and cupping in the treatment of herpes zoster, which can effectively relieve pain and prevent from post-herpetic neuralgia promptly.

Sustained endoplasmic reticulum stress as a cofactor of oxidative stress in decidual cells from patients with early pregnancy loss.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is a common pathological background for different etiologies of early pregnancy loss (EPL). It has been suggested that elevated reactive oxygen species trigger endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by influencing ER function. However, it is unclear whether ER stress is associated with EPL. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine whether and how ER stress occurs during the development of EPL. APPROACHES: Proteomic analysis was performed on decidua from women with EPL, and then ER stress markers, redox status, apoptotic features, and cell viability were analyzed in EPL decidual cells (DCs). RESULTS: EPL decidua were characterized by decreased levels of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GPR78) and valosin-containing protein and burdened with ubiquitinated proteins. Evidence of ER stress-induced apoptosis in EPL DCs was demonstrated by extensive dilation of ER, morphological features of apoptosis, and activation of caspase-4 and caspase-12. Furthermore, H(2)O(2) reduced the viabilities in both EPL and control DCs, whereas EPL DCs were more vulnerable to additional OS challenge than the controls as a result of failed induction of GRP78 expression. The cell survival percentages of DCs were dose-dependently reduced by H(2)O(2) and could be reversed in the presence of vitamin E. This effect was partly mediated by reducing the amount of misfolded proteins rather than regulating GRP78 expression. CONCLUSIONS: The sum of these observations demonstrate for the first time that sustained ER stress occurs in EPL DCs and the potentially vicious relationship between ER stress and oxidative stress is likely to play an important role in the development of EPL.

Effects of fermentation temperature on the content and composition of isoflavones and beta-glucosidase activity in sufu.

Sufu is a popular fermented tofu product in China. The low quality of sufu produced in the hot summer is a big problem in sufu manufacture, so we prepared sufu at two different temperatures, 26 degrees C as normal and 32 degrees C as high temperature, and the effects of temperature on isoflavones and beta-glucosidase activity were investigated. Fermentation temperature did not cause significant differences in the recovery of isoflavones, but resulted in a different redistribution of isoflavone isomers in sufu. Sufu fermented at 26 degrees C was richer in isoflavone aglycones than at 32 degrees C; the enrichment of isoflavone aglycones might have the advantage of enhancing the physiological function. No 6''-O-malonyl-glucosides were detected in sufu fermented at 26 degrees C, whereas some 6''-O-malonyl-glucosides were found at 32 degrees C. A fermentation temperature of 26 degrees C benefited the beta-glucosidase production by fungi, which contributed to valid conversion from beta-glucosides to aglycones. It was also found that beta-glucosidase converted beta-glucosides more effectively than 6''-O-malonyl-glucosides and 6''-O-acetyl-glucosides into aglycones.