Hydrogen inhalation therapy regulates lactic acid metabolism following subarachnoid hemorrhage through the HIF-1α pathway.

The neuroprotective effects of hydrogen have been demonstrated, but the mechanism is still poorly understood. In a clinical trial of inhaled hydrogen in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), we found that hydrogen reduced the accumulation of lactic acid in the nervous system. There are no studies demonstrating the regulatory effect of hydrogen on lactate and in this study we hope to further clarify the mechanism by which hydrogen regulates lactate metabolism. In cell experiments, PCR and Western Blot showed that HIF-1α was the target related to lactic acid metabolism that changed the most before and after hydrogen intervention. HIF-1α levels were suppressed by hydrogen intervention treatment. Activation of HIF-1α inhibited the lactic acid-lowering effect of hydrogen. We have also demonstrated the lactic acid-lowering effect of hydrogen in animal studies. Our work clarifies that hydrogen can regulate lactate metabolism via the HIF-1αpathway, providing new insights into the neuroprotective mechanisms of hydrogen.

Pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence studies of fluvoxamine maleate tablets in healthy Chinese subjects.

Fluvoxamine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor commonly used for various types of depression. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of fluvoxamine maleate tablets orally on an empty stomach and after a meal in healthy adult Chinese subjects and to preliminarily evaluate their safety. A single-center, randomized, open-label, two-drug, two-period, crossover, single-dose trial protocol was designed. Sixty healthy Chinese participants were enrolled and randomly classified into fasting (n = 30) and fed groups (n = 30). Each week, subjects took fluvoxamine maleate tablets 50 mg orally once as a test preparation or as a reference preparation on an empty stomach/after meals. To evaluate the bioequivalence of test and reference tables, the concentration of fluvoxamine maleate in the plasma of the subjects at different time points after administration was detected by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and pharmacokinetic parameters including the maximum plasma drug concentration (Cmax ), the time to reach maximum concentration (Tmax ), the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 to the last measurable concentration (AUC0-t ) and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 to infinity (AUC0-∞ ) were calculated. Our data revealed that the 90% confidence intervals of the geometric mean ratio of the test or reference drugs for the Cmax , AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ fell within the acceptance range for bioequivalence (92.30-102.77%). The absorption, measured by AUC, did not show a significant difference between the two groups. There were no suspected serious adverse reactions or serious adverse events over the entire trial. Our results demonstrated that the test and reference tablets were bioequivalent under fasting and fed conditions.

NFAT inhibitor 11R-VIVIT ameliorates mouse renal fibrosis after ischemia-reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) with maladaptive tubular repair leads to renal fibrosis and progresses to chronic kidney disease (CKD). At present, there is no curative drug to interrupt AKI-to-CKD progression. The nuclear factor of the activated T cell (NFAT) family was initially identified as a transcription factor expressed in most immune cells and involved in the transcription of cytokine genes and other genes critical for the immune response. NFAT2 is also expressed in renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) and podocytes and plays an important regulatory role in the kidney. In this study, we investigated the renoprotective effect of 11R-VIVIT, a peptide inhibitor of NFAT, on renal fibrosis in the AKI-to-CKD transition and the underlying mechanisms. We first examined human renal biopsy tissues and found that the expression of NFAT2 was significantly increased in RTECs in patients with severe renal fibrosis. We then established a mouse model of AKI-to-CKD transition using bilateral ischemia-reperfusion injury (Bi-IRI). The mice were treated with 11R-VIVIT (5 mg/kg, i.p.) on Days 1, 3, 10, 17 and 24 after Bi-IRI. We showed that the expression of NFAT2 was markedly increased in RTECs in the AKI-to-CKD transition. 11R-VIVIT administration significantly inhibited the nuclear translocation of NFAT2 in RTECs, decreased the levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, and attenuated renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis but had no toxic side effects on the heart and liver. In addition, we showed that 11R-VIVIT administration alleviated RTEC apoptosis after Bi-IRI. Consistently, preapplication of 11R-VIVIT (100 nM) and transfection with NFAT2-targeted siRNA markedly suppressed TGFß-induced HK-2 cell apoptosis in vitro. In conclusion, 11R-VIVIT administration inhibits IRI-induced NFAT2 activation and prevents AKI-to-CKD progression. Inhibiting NFAT2 may be a promising new therapeutic strategy for preventing renal fibrosis after IR-AKI.

The association of rs2233679 in the PIN1 gene promoter with the risk of Coronary Artery Disease in Chinese female individuals.

BACKGROUNDS: Vascular atherosclerosis leads to various cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Nitric oxide (NO) promotes vasodilatation and prevents Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Pin1 suppresses NO production by down-regulating the activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Whether the genetic polymorphisms of the PIN1 gene (encoding Pin1) are implicated in CAD deserves investigations in human beings. METHODS: A total of 210 CAD patients and control individuals (all females) were enrolled, and their genotypes of rs2233679 (-667C/T, a key SNP in the promoter of PIN1 gene) were sequenced. T-test, chi-square test, odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated to evaluate Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, varied genetic distribution and relative CAD risk. RESULTS: The differences in age, BMI, triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density and high density cholesterol between the CAD and control groups were not significant (all P>0.05), and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed in the two groups (both P>0.05). The frequency of -667T allele in the CAD group was higher than that in the control group. The genotype -667TT elicited a higher hazardous risk of CAD compared to the genotype -667CC (OR=1.85, 95% CI: 0.75-4.53) as well as the genotypes CC+CT (OR=1.97, 95% CI: 0.86-4.49). CONCLUSIONS: We firstly show that the allele -667T in the PIN1 promoter may elicit a higher CAD-risk than -667C, and the -667TT genotype of PIN1 may be a new genetic biomarker for increased incidence of CAD. These novel observations put forward a new understanding of the PIN1-CAD genetic relationship in humans, potentially contributing to both cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders.

WITHDRAWN: Individualized and pancreatic duct diameter-based strategy for pancreaticoenteric anastomosis during pancreaticoduodenectomy.

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[L-carnitine improves sperm acrosin activity in male infertility patients].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of L-carnitine (LC) on low sperm acrosin activity in infertile man. METHODS: A total of 240 male infertility patients with low sperm acrosin activity were randomly assigned to an LC group (n = 180) and a control group (n = 60) to be treated with LC (1g, tid) and vitamin E (VE) capsules (100 mg, tid) respectively, both for 3 months. Based on the results of routine semen analysis, the patients in the experimental group were further divided into oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia and normozoospermia subgroups. Semen parameters and sperm acrosin activity were examined before and after treatment. RESULTS: Totally, 220 of the patients completed the treatment and follow-up, 163 in the LC medication and 57 in the VE control group. Compared with the baseline, the percentage of progressively motile sperm (PMS) was significantly increased in the LC group after 3 months of treatment (ï¼»32.58 ± 1.13ï¼½% vs ï¼»36.35 ± 1.26ï¼½%, P < 0.05), and so was sperm acrosin activity (ï¼»37.05±0.66ï¼½ vs ï¼»58.61±1.93ï¼½ µIU/106 sperm, P < 0.01). Sperm concentration, PMS and sperm acrosin activity were also improved in the VE control group after treatment, but with no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). In comparison with pretreatment, remarkable increases were observed after LC medication in sperm concentration in the oligozoospermia subgroup (ï¼»11.27 ± 0.73ï¼½ vs ï¼»21.82 ± 4.21ï¼½ ×106/ml, P < 0.01) and PMS in the asthenozoospermia patients (ï¼»20.61 ± 0.85ï¼½% vs ï¼»29.81 ± 1.88ï¼½%, P < 0.01). And sperm acrosin activity was even higher after treatment in the asthenozoospermia than in the oligozoospermia and normozoospermia subgroups (ï¼»60.85 ± 3.04ï¼½ vs ï¼»56.32 ± 2.86ï¼½ and ï¼»57.09 ± 6.31ï¼½ µIU/106 sperm, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: L-carnitine can effectively elevate sperm acrosin activity in male infertility patients, particularly in those with asthenozoospermia.

Continuous plasma perfusion of dual cartridges in series: rationale and early clinical experience.

To improve the efficiency of plasma perfusion on eliminating plasma paraquat (PQ), we designed continuous plasma perfusion of dual cartridges in series (CPPDCS) on Diapact Braun CRRT machine. The goals of this study were to evaluate the effective of CPPDCS on paraquat removal in patients with acute paraquat intoxication. Our results show that the PQ clearance rate of dual cartridges was significantly higher than that of single cartridge at 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th plasma perfusion. Compared with single-cartridge plasma perfusion, CPPDCS significantly reduced the frequency of cartridge replacement, shorten the time of perfusion. These results indicate that CPPDCS is effective than plasma perfusion of single cartridge on PQ clearance rate and may provide an effective treatment for PQ poisoning.

[AMP-activated protein kinase activation regulates adhesion of monocytes to vascular endothelial cells and the underlying mechanism].

The present study was aimed to explore the effect of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) on monocyte adhesion to vascular endothelial cells and underlying molecular mechanism. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)-activated human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were treated with different concentrations of AMPK agonist 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-ß-D-ribonucleotide (AICAR) or AMPK inhibitor compound C. And other HAECs were overexpressed with constitutive active or dominant negative AMPK protein and then treated with TNFα. The rates of monocytes adhering to endothelial cells were detected by fluorescent staining. Intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) mRNA levels and protein secretions were detected by quantitative PCR and ELISA, respectively. Acetylation of NF-κB p65 at lysine 221 site was assessed by Western blot. NF-κB p65 DNA binding activity was analyzed by an ELISA-based method. By using small interfering RNA based strategy, p300 expression in HAECs was down-regulated and then cells were incubated with TNFα. NF-κB p65 DNA binding activity, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expressions and adhesion rates were detected, respectively. The activity of p300 was also detected by ELISA. The results showed that AICAR treatment significantly reduced monocyte-endothelial adhesion rate, as well as ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 mRNA levels and protein secretions, in TNFα-activated HAECs. Moreover, transfection of constitutive active AMPKα but not dominant negative AMPKα strongly diminished TNFα-induced upregulation of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 mRNA expressions and secretions, as well as monocyte-endothelial adhesion. Furthermore, AMPK activation decreased TNFα-mediated acetylation of NF-κB p65 at Lys221 site and reduced NF-κB p65 DNA binding activity. Silencing p300 by siRNA significantly abolished the effect of TNFα- induced adhesion molecules expression and monocyte-endothelial adhesion. Blocking AMPK activation by compound C almost completely reversed the effect of AICAR exerted on HAECs. These results suggest AMPK activation suppresses monocyte-endothelial adhesion, and the underlying mechanism is relevant to the inhibition of p300 activity and NF-κB p65 transcriptional activity.

Gastrointestinal contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for diagnosis and treatment of peptic ulcer in children.

BACKGROUND: The detection rate of peptic ulcer in children is improving, with development of diagnostic procedures. Gastroscopy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of peptic ulcer, but it is an invasive procedure. Gastrointestinal contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) has the advantages of being painless, noninvasive, nonradioactive, easy to use, and safe. AIM: To investigate the clinical value of CEUS for diagnosis and treatment of peptic ulcer in children. METHODS: We investigated 43 children with digestive tract symptoms in our hospital from January 2021 to June 2022. All children were examined by routine ultrasound, gastrointestinal CEUS, and gastroscopy. The pathological results of gastroscopy were taken as the gold standard. Routine ultrasonography was performed before gastrointestinal CEUS. Conventional ultrasound showed the thickness of the gastroduodenal wall, gastric peristalsis, and the adjacent organs and tissues around the abdominal cavity. Gastrointestinal CEUS recorded the thickness of the gastroduodenal wall; the size, location and shape of the ulcer; gastric peristalsis; and adjacent organs and tissues around the abdominal cavity. The results of routine ultrasound and gastrointestinal ultrasound were compared with those of gastroscopy to evaluate the diagnostic results and coincidence rate of routine ultrasound and gastrointestinal CEUS. All children received informed consent from their guardians for CEUS. This study was reviewed and approved by the hospital medical ethics committee. RESULTS: Among the 43 children, 17 (15 male, 2 female) were diagnosed with peptic ulcer by gastroscopy. There were 26 children with nonpeptic ulcer. There were eight cases of peptic ulcer and 35 of nonpeptic ulcer diagnosed by conventional ultrasound. The diagnostic coincidence rate of peptic ulcer in children diagnosed by conventional ultrasound was 79.1% (34/43), which was significantly different from that of gastroscopy (P = 0.033). It indicates that the coincidence rate of gastrointestinal contrast-enhanced ultrasound and gastroscope is low. Fifteen cases of peptic ulcer and 28 of nonpeptic ulcer were diagnosed by CEUS. The diagnostic coincidence rate of peptic ulcer in children was 95.3% (41/43). There was no significant difference between CEUS and gastroscopy (P = 0.655). It indicates that the coincidence rate of gastrointestinal contrast-enhanced ultrasound and gastroscope is high. CONCLUSION: Gastrointestinal CEUS has a high coincidence rate in the diagnosis of peptic ulcer in children, and can be used as a preliminary examination method.

Seven new species and four new records of Psychomyiidae (Insecta, Trichoptera) from China.

Seven new species of the family Psychomyiidae Walker, 1852 are described and illustrated from China; they are Psychomyiashunisp. nov., Ps.mangshanensissp. nov., Ps.capricornissp. nov., Lypesagittalissp. nov., Paduniellafasciariasp. nov., Pa.sanyaensissp. nov., and Tinodesaviformissp. nov. The genus Lype is reported for the first time from mainland China. In addition, four psychomyiids are found to be new to the Chinese caddis fauna: Psychomyiaindra Malicky & Chantaramongkol, 1993; Paduniellaandamanensis Malicky, 1979; Pa.dendrobia Malicky & Chantaramongkol, 1993; and Tinodesgapbona Johanson & Oláh, 2008. Moreover, Psychomyiapolyacantha Li, Qiu & Morse, 2021 is reviewed and synonymized with Psychomyiaimamiah Malicky, 2020.

Diversity of evolution in MDR monophasic S. Typhimurium among food animals and food products in Southern China from 2011 to 2018.

The monophasic variant of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium with the antigenic formula 1,4,[5],12:i:- is one of the most common pathogenic bacteria causing global food-borne outbreaks. However, the research on molecular characteristics and evolution of monophasic S. typhimurium in China is still lacking. In the current study, 59 monophasic S. typhimurium strains were isolated from food animals and food products in South China between 2011 and 2018. A total of 87.5 % of monophasic S. typhimurium isolates were grouped into one independent clade with other monophasic S. typhimurium strains in China distinct from other countries by phylogenomic analysis. These isolates possess variable genotypes, including multiple ARGs on plasmid IncHI2, diverse evolutions at the fljAB locus, and virulence factors. Our results suggest that the monophasic S. typhimurium isolates currently circulating in China might be an independent epidemic subtype.

ATG7-enhanced impaired autophagy exacerbates acute pancreatitis by promoting regulated necrosis via the miR-30b-5p/CAMKII pathway.

The present study was performed to explore whether and how impaired autophagy could modulate calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CAMKII)-regulated necrosis in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP). Wistar rats and AR42J cells were used for AP modeling. When indicated, genetic regulation of CAMKII or ATG7 was performed prior to AP induction. AP-related necrotic injury was positively regulated by the incubation level of CAMKII. ATG7 positively modulated the level of CAMKII and necrosis following AP induction, indicating that there might be a connection between impaired autophagy and CAMKII-regulated necrosis in the pathogenesis of AP. microRNA (miR)-30b-5p was predicted and then verified as the upstream regulator of CAMKII mRNA in our setting of AP. Given that the level of miR-30b-5p was negatively correlated with the incubation levels of ATG7 after AP induction, a rescue experiment was performed and indicated that the miR-30b-5p mimic compromised ATG7 overexpression-induced upregulation of CAMKII-regulated necrosis after AP induction. In conclusion, our results indicate that ATG7-enhanced impaired autophagy exacerbates AP by promoting regulated necrosis via the miR-30b-5p/CAMKII pathway.

Efficacy of Liquid Embolic Agent Treatment in Hemorrhagic Peripheral Intracranial Aneurysms: A Single-Center Experience.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of liquid embolization agents for treating various hemorrhagic peripheral intracranial aneurysms. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 38 patients who suffered from hemorrhagic peripheral intracranial aneurysms and were treated with liquid embolization agents. We used the modified Rankin scale for follow-up at 6 months postoperatively, and digital subtraction angiography follow-up was performed 6 months postoperatively. Results: Of the 38 patients (ten of simple peripheral intracranial aneurysms, six of Moyamoya disease (MMD), and 22 of arteriovenous malformation (AVM)), posterior circulation accounted for the most significant proportion (57.9%), followed by anterior circulation (21.1%) and intranidal aneurysms (21.1%). Intraoperative hemorrhage occurred in four cases, postoperative cerebral infarction occurred in four cases, two patients encountered microcatheter retention, and intraoperative thrombosis took place in the basilar artery of a patient with an arteriovenous malformation. A postoperative hemorrhage occurred in only one patient. At 6-month follow-up, 84.2% of patients had good prognosis outcomes, and 13.5% had poor outcomes. Conclusion: Liquid embolization agents are effective for hemorrhagic peripheral intracranial aneurysms; however, safety depends on the subtypes. For peripheral hemorrhagic aneurysms in MMD, the vessel architecture must be carefully evaluated before embolization.

Screening of deoxyribozyme with high reversal efficiency against multidrug resistance in breast carcinoma cells.

Specific inhibition of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) expression, which is encoded by multidrug resistance gene-1 (MDR1), is considered a well-respected strategy to overcome multidrug resistance (MDR). Deoxyribozymes (DRz) are catalytic nucleic acids that could cleave a target RNA in sequence-specific manner. However, it is difficult to select an effective target site for DRz in living cells. In this study, target sites of DRz were screened according to MDR1 mRNA secondary structure by RNA structure analysis software. Twelve target sites on the surface of MDR1 mRNA were selected. Accordingly, 12 DRzs were synthesized and their suppression effect on the MDR phenotype in breast cancer cells was confirmed. The results showed that 4 (DRz 2, 3, 4, 9) of the 12 DRzs could, in a dose-dependent response, significantly suppress MDR1 mRNA expression and restore chemosensitivity in breast cancer cells with MDR phenotype. This was especially true of DRz 3, which targets the 141 site purine-pyrimidine dinucleotide. Compared with antisense oligonucleotide or anti-miR-27a inhibitor, DRz 3 was more efficient in suppressing MDR1 mRNA and Pgp protein expression or inhibiting Pgp function. The chemosensitivity assay also proved DRz 3 to be the best one to reverse the MDR phenotype. The present study suggests that screening targets of DRzs according to MDR1 mRNA secondary structure could be a useful method to obtain workable ones. We provide evidence that DRzs (DRz 2, 3, 4, 9) are highly efficient at reversing the MDR phenotype in breast carcinoma cells and restoring chemosensitivity.

[Regulation mechanism of breast cancer resistance protein by toremifene to reverse BCRP-mediated multidrug resistance in breast cancer cells].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the regulation mechanism of the reversal of breast cancer resistance protein-mediated multidrug resistance by toremifene. METHODS: Two recombinant plasmids (pcDNA3-promoter-BCRP and pcDNA3-CMV-BCRP) were designed to express the wild-type full-length BCRP cDNA enforced driven by its endogenous promoter containing a functional ERE and a CMV promoter as control, respectively. Two recombinant plasmids were transfected into ERα-positive MCF-7 and ERα-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. Four kinds of BCRP expressing cell lines of MCF-7/Promoter-BCRP, MCF-7/CMV-BCRP, MDA-MB-231/Promoter-BCRP and MDA-MB-231/CMV-BCRP were established in which BCRP was promoted by the BCRP promoter and a CMV promoter as control, respectively. The drug resistant cells were treated with toremifene. Then RT-PCR, Western blot, mitoxantrone efflux assays and cytotoxicity assay were performed to detect the reversal function of BCRP by toremifene on the drug resistance cell lines. RESULTS: Toremifene significantly downregulated BCRP mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner in ERα-positive MCF-7/Promoter-BCRP cells than that of untreated control cells. In MCF-7/Promoter-BCRP cells, toremifene at the dose of 0.1, 1 and 10 µmol/L decreased BCRP mRNA expression by 29.5% (P < 0.05), 68.1% (P < 0.01) and 97.4% (P < 0.01), respectively. After being treated with toremifene and 17ß-estradiol, the BCRP mRNA level in MCF-7/Promoter-BCRP cells was 64.2% ± 1.3%, significantly higher than that of toremifene treatment control cells (3.8% ± 0.2%,P < 0.01). Furthermore, the effect of toremifene on BCRP protein is similar in BCRP mRNA. Toremifene obviously increased the mitoxantrone fluorescence intensity and decreased the efflux activity by 47.3% (P < 0.05) in MCF-7/promoter-BCRP cells when compared with the untreated control, whereas intracellular accumulation of mitoxantrone obviously decreased and the efflux activity increased by 61.5% were observed in combination with 17ß-estradiol when compared with toremifene treatment alone. The results therefore suggested that toremifene reversed mitoxantrone resistance in MCF-7/Promoter-BCRP cells. However, in MCF-7/CMV-BCRP, MDA-MB-231/Promoter-BCRP and MDA-MB-231/CMV-BCRP cells, toremifene or in combination with 17ß-estradiol did not affect intracellular mitoxantrone uptake. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our findings indicate that expression of BCRP is downregulated by toremifene, via a novel transcriptional mechanism which might be involved in the ERE of BCRP promoter through ER-mediated to inactivate the transcription of BCRP gene.

Association Between Diet Quality and Risk of Ovarian and Endometrial Cancers: A Systematic Review of Epidemiological Studies.

OBJECTIVES: The relationship between diet quality indices and risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers were unclear. We aimed at conducting a systematic review to evaluate the epidemiological evidence. METHODS: Embase, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases were searched for eligible studies up to December 2020. Epidemiological studies reported the association of the diet quality with risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers were evaluated. RESULTS: Eleven eligible studies were identified, of which six studies were case-control studies, four were cohort studies, and one was case-cohort study. All studies were considered as high-quality with low risk of bias. Seven studies evaluated the association of diet quality with risk of ovarian cancer. Four studies reported null association for diet quality indices such as Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2005, HEI-2010, Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) and Recommended Foods Score (RFS). Two studies reported significantly inverse association for Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI)-2010 and Healthy Diet Score (HDS) indices. One study reported significantly increased risk of ovarian cancer associated with higher level of Dietary Guidelines for Americans Index. Dose-response analysis showed pooled relative risks of 0.98 (95%Cl: 0.95, 1.01) and 0.94 (95%Cl: 0.77, 1.13) for each 10 points increase in the HEI-2005 and AHEI-2010 indices. Seven studies evaluated the association of diet quality with risk of endometrial cancer. Three studies reported significantly inverse association of diet quality as assessed by the MDS and Diet Score Quintiles with risk of endometrial cancer. Four studies reported null association for other diet quality indices including HEI-2005, HEI-2010, RFS and HDS. Dose-response analysis showed a pooled relative risk of 0.87 (95%CI: 0.81, 0.93) for one unit increment of the MDS. CONCLUSION: This study suggests little evidence on the association between diet quality and risk of ovarian cancer. Adherence to high quality diet, as assessed by MDS, might be associated with lower the risk of endometrial cancer.

A preliminary identification of PIN1 SNP linkage in patients with coronary heart disease from Handan, China.

Our aim was to perform an initial assessment of the polymorphic patterns of the PIN1 gene in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). The PIN1-encoded protein (Pin1) suppresses eNOS-NO signaling and may impair cardiovascular function. Blood collection, DNA extraction, PCR amplification and gene sequencing were performed for thirty CHD participants living in central China, focusing on nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Their genetic linkages were revealed and their allele frequencies were compared with SNP data from the NCBI. Three major linkage patterns were identified: [1.rs2287839-5.rs2233682], [3.rs2233679-4.rs1077220-8.rs2287838] and [6.rs889162-7.rs2010457], suggesting correlated involvement in CHD and possible simultaneous genetic origin in ancient times. The frequencies of six SNPs are consistent with the NCBI data, while the frequencies of three SNPs (2.rs2233678, 4.rs1077220 and 9.rs4804461) are not consistent with the NCBI. Especially, the 3.rs2233679-4.rs1077220 linkage is different from other populations worldwide and may be an interesting genetic characteristic of Chinese CHD patients. Predictably, 1.rs2287839, 2.rs2233678, 3.rs2233679 and 5.rs2233682 may be strongly associated with CHD risk, although this requires future verification. The PIN1 SNP linkages lay a new genetic foundation for discovering novel molecular mechanisms of CHD and for exploring PIN1-based targeted treatment of CHD with nitric oxide regulatory therapies in clinical practice.

Reference Values of Carotid Ultrafast Pulse-Wave Velocity: A Prospective, Multicenter, Population-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: Ultrafast ultrasound imaging has been demonstrated to be an effective method to evaluate carotid stiffness through carotid pulse-wave velocity (PWV) with high reproducibility, but a lack of reference values has precluded its widespread use in clinical practice. The aims of this study were to establish reference values of PWV for ultrafast ultrasound imaging in a prospective, multicenter, population-based cohort study and to investigate the main determinants of carotid PWV. METHODS: A total of 1,544 healthy Han Chinese volunteers (581 men [38%]; age range, 18-95 years) were enrolled from 32 collaborating laboratories in China. The participants were categorized by age, blood pressure (BP), and body mass index (BMI). Basic clinical parameters and carotid PWV at the beginning of systole (BS) and at end-systole (ES) were measured using ultrafast ultrasound imaging techniques. RESULTS: PWV at both BS and ES was significantly higher in the left carotid artery than in the right carotid artery. PWV at BS was significantly higher in men than in women; however, no significant difference was noted in PWV at ES between men and women. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that age, BP, and BMI were independently correlated with PWV at both BS and ES. PWV at BS and ES progressively increased with increases in age, BP, and BMI. Furthermore, age- and sex-specific reference values of carotid PWV for ultrafast ultrasound imaging were established. CONCLUSIONS: Reference values of carotid PWV for ultrafast ultrasound imaging, stratified by sex and age, were determined for the first time. Age, BP, and BMI were the dominant determinants of carotid PWV for ultrafast ultrasound imaging, which should be considered in clinical practice for assessing arterial stiffness.