[A prospective cohort study on refractive status of schoolchildren in Huangzhong District, Xining City, Qinghai Province].

Objective: To determine the characteristics and progress of the visual acuity and refractive state of schoolchildren in Huangzhong District, Xining City, Qinghai Province in China. Methods: Cohort study. Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Children's Hospital carried out a cohort study by collecting the visual acuity and refractive state of Grade 1-5 schoolchildren among 16 primary schools in Huangzhong District, Xining City, Qinghai Province in September 2020 and July 2021. Cycloplegic retinoscopy with eye drop which contained tropicamide (0.5%) and phenylephrine hydrochloride (0.5%) was performed in children with low vision(<1.0). Myopia was defined as the spherical equivalent (SE) ≤-0.5 D after cycloplegic retinoscopy. Measurement data was analyzed by t-test and enumeration data was analyzed by χ2 test. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the influencing factors. Results: The 2 489 individuals with repeated tests in two years were included in the follow-up study, among whom the prevalence of myopia was 26.24%(653/2 489) in 2020, while 32.94% (820/2 489)respectively in 2021. The incidence of myopia in one school year from grades 1 to 5 was 11.19%(47/420), 5.44%(21/386), 6.39%(25/391), 11.52%(44/382) and 11.67%(30/257). The average SE of children in all grades in 2021 increased negatively from the previous year (Grade 1 to Grade 5 increased respectively: 0.40 D, 0.69 D, 0.62 D, 0.52 D and 0.37 D). Conclusions: The prevalence of myopia among schoolchildren in Huangzhong District, Xining City, Qinghai Province was relatively high. There were two peaks of myopia incidence in the first, fourth and fifth grades. Female, age, and the baseline of SE were the related influencing factors for myopia progression.

[Correlation between metabolic syndrome and prognosis of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of MetS on the prognosis of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). METHODS: Clinical and pathological data and the laboratory test of ccRCC 342 patients with diverticular stones who underwent ccRCC who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy were retrospectively collected and analyzed.The patients were divided into MetS group and non-MetS group, and the subgroups were defined according to the tumor size. The overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and progression-free survival (PFS) of the two groups were analyzed by univariate Cox analysis, and the subgroup analyses were also performed. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and survival analysis for OS, CSS, and PFS of the two groups and the subgroups were conducted. RESULTS: Univariate Cox analysis showed that MetS was a protective factor of postoperative OS [hazard ratio (HR)=0.551, 95%CI: 0.321-0.949, P=0.031], CSS (HR=0.460, 95%CI: 0.234-0.905, P=0.025), and PFS (HR 0.585, 95%CI: 0.343-0.998, P=0.049) in the patients with ccRCC. In the subgroup with tumor size≤4 cm, MetS was not associated with postoperative OS (HR=0.857, 95%CI: 0.389-1.890, P=0.702), CSS (HR=1.129, 95%CI: 0.364-3.502, P=0.833), and PFS (HR=1.554, 95%CI: 0.625-3.864, P=0.343). In the subgroup with tumor size>4 cm, Mets was a protective factor of postoperative OS (HR=0.377, 95%CI: 0.175-0.812, P=0.013), CSS (HR=0.280, 95%CI: 0.113-0.690, P=0.006), and PFS (HR=0.332, 95%CI: 0.157-0.659, P=0.002); Obesity was a protective factor of postoperative CSS (HR=0.464, 95%CI: 0.219-0.981, P=0.044), and PFS (HR=0.445, 95%CI: 0.238-0.833, P=0.011). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the long-term survival of patients with MetS was better than those without MetS in OS (P=0.029), CSS (P=0.021), and PFS (P=0.046); for the subgroup with tumor size≤4 cm, there was no significant difference in postoperative OS (P=0.702), CSS (P=0.833), and PFS (P=0.339) between patients with and without MetS; For the subgroup with tumor size>4 cm, the OS (P=0.010), CSS (P=0.003), and PFS (P=0.001) of patients with MetS were better than those without MetS. CONCLUSION: MetS was a protective factor of postoperative OS, CSS, and PFS in the patients with ccRCC, which was more obvious in subgroup with tumor size>4 cm. And obesity, the component of MetS, was correlated with postoperative OS and CSS.

Characteristics and diversity of microbial communities in lead-zinc tailings under heavy metal stress in north-west China.

High-throughput 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA sequencing were performed to study the changes of soil microbial diversity and community structure under different heavy metal pollution levels in Chengxian lead-zinc mining area, Gansu Province. In this study, we characterized the main physicochemical properties, multiple heavy metal pollution, and microbial community structure of the soil in the tailings. The results show that the soil near the tailings pond was alkaline, barren and the heavy metals were seriously polluted. The microbial diversity and richness of S1 and S2 sites were significantly lower than that of CK2 site (P < 0·05), indicating that the heavy metal pollution could change the physicochemical properties and microbial community structure in soil. Among 97 identified core operating taxa of fungal communities, Ascomycota, Teguta and Basidiomycota were dominant at the phylum level, while among 1523 identified core operating taxa of bacterial communities, Actinomycota was dominant at the phylum level. In addition, the redundancy analysis and Spearman correlation analysis showed that the physicochemical properties and the heavy metal concentration had significant effects on the composition and distribution of soil microbial community. The basic characteristics of soil physicochemical properties, multiple heavy metal pollution and microbial community structure in the tailings were revealed, hoping to provide a basis for ecological rehabilitation of tailings by revealing the variance rule of microbial community diversity in the future.

[Comparison of long-term outcomes in different managements of diverticular neck in percutaneous nephrolithotomy for diverticular calculi].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the short-term effects and long-term outcomes of incisional procedure and dilatation procedure to manage diverticular neck in percutaneous nephrolithotomy for diverticular stones. METHODS: Clinical data of 61 patients with diverticular stones who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy from June 2009 to January 2019 were retrospectively collected and analyzed, which was as follous: (1) basic information: age, gender, body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) classifications and preoperative symptoms.(2)stone characteristic and procedure-related data: location and size of stone, skinned renal access length and procedure time.(3)perioperative clinical data: hemoglobin drop, Clavien's classification and stone-free rate. Long-term follow-ups were performed for more than 5 years after the patients were discharged. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients were included based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and were divided into the dilation group (n=37) and the incision group (n=16) by the treatment methods of diverticular neck. There were 24 male patients (45.3%) and 29 female patients (54.7%), with a mean age of 39.96±12.88 years. Stones were mainly located in the upper pole (n=32, 60.38%) and posterior area (n=41, 77.4%), with a predominance of single stone (n=36, 67.9%). There was no statistically significant difference in demographic data and stone characteristics between the two groups except for age and stone burden. Forty-five patients (84.9%) reached stone-free status after surgeries, and 44 patients (83.0%) postoperative symptoms improved. Twelve patients were lost to the follow-ups, and 41 cases were followed up for an average of 77 months. One recurrence occurred 1 year after surgery. Fifteen patients underwent operations within the past 5 years and the overall 5-year recurrence rate for the remaining 26 patients was 34.6%. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of perioperative complications, postoperative stone-free rate and recurrence rate between the two groups, and the recurrence rate was significantly higher 5 years postoperatively than 1 year postoperatively. The proportion of the patients who remained lithotripsy-free and residual stone status decreased significantly. CONCLUSION: Both incisional and dilatation procedures in percutaneous nephrolithotomy to manage diverticular neck could bring the satisfactory postoperative stone free rate. The recurrence rate was about 30% to 40% 5 years after surgery.

Skin Ultrastructure and the Changes of HIF-2α, H-FABP Expression in the Myocardium of Electric Shock Death Rats.

ABSTRACT: Objective To observe the skin ultrastructure change of electric shock death rats and to test the expression changes of hypoxia-inducible factor-2α （HIF-2α） and heart type-fatty acid-binding protein （H-FABP） of myocardial cells, in order to provide basis for forensic identification of electric shock death. Methods The electric shock model of rats was established. The 72 rats were randomly divided into control group, electric shock death group and postmortem electric shock group. Each group was divided into three subgroups, immediate （0 min）, 30 min and 60 min after death. The skin changes of rats were observed by HE staining, the changes of skin ultrastructure were observed by scanning electron microscopy, and the expression of HIF-2α and H-FABP in rats myocardium was tested by immunohistochemical staining. Results The skin in the electric shock death group and postmortem electric shock group had no significant difference through the naked eye or by HE staining. Under the scanning electron microscope, a large number of cellular debris, cells with unclear boundaries, withered cracks, circular or elliptical holes scattered on the cell surface and irregular edges were observed. A large number of spherical foreign body particles were observed. Compared with the control group, the expression of HIF-2α in all electric shock death subgroups increased, reaching the peak immediately after death. In the postmortem electric shock group, HIF-2α expression only increased immediately after death, but was lower than that of electric shock death group （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group, the expression of H-FABP in all subgroups of electric shock death group and postmortem electric shock group significantly decreased. The expression of H-FABP in all subgroups of electric shock death group was lower than that of the postmortem electric shock group （P<0.05）. Conclusion Electric shock can increase HIF-2α expression and decrease H-FABP expression in the myocardium, which may be of forensic significance for the determination of electric shock death and identification of antemortem and postmortem electric shock.

High urinary excretion rate of glucose attenuates serum uric acid level in type 2 diabetes with normal renal function.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: The relationship between urinary excretion rate of glucose (UEGL) and uric acid (UA) metabolism in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains unclear to date. This study aimed to investigate the relationships of UEGL with serum UA (SUA), urinary excretion rate of uric acid (UEUA), and renal clearance of uric acid (CLUA) in adults with T2D. We hypothesised that high UEGL increases UA excretion, which in turn leads to lower SUA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 635 inpatients with T2D recruited between 2018 and 2019. The relationships of UEGL with UEUA, CLUA, and hyperuricaemia were assessed using analysis of covariance and multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: Patients in the higher quartile of UEGL tended to have lower SUA levels than those in the lower quartile. In contrast, patients in the higher quartile of UEGL tended to have higher CLUA (p for trend < 0.0001), and a similar trend was observed for UEUA. In adjusted multivariable linear regression model, UEGL was negatively correlated with SUA (ß = - 0.023, 95% CI - 0.034 to - 0.013, p < 0.0001). However, positive correlations of UEGL with UEUA (ß = 0.046, 95% CI 0.018-0.074, p = 0.001) and CLUA (ß = 0.063, 95% CI 0.042-0.085, p < 0.0001) were found. Furthermore, consistent significant inverse associations were observed between quartiles of UEGL and hyperuricaemia in the adjusted multivariate logistic regression model. CONCLUSIONS: A high UEGL level was positively correlated with UEUA and CLUA. Moreover, it was inversely associated with SUA level, and a consistently increased UEGL level reduced the risk of hyperuricaemia in patients with T2D.

A comprehensive study of risk factors for post-operative pneumonia following resection of meningioma.

BACKGROUND: Post-operative pneumonia (Pop) following meningioma surgery is the dominant systemic complication which could cause serious threats to patients. It is unclear whether hematological biochemical markers are independently associated with the Pop. This study attempted to perform a more comprehensive study of taking both clinical factors and hematological biomarkers into account to promote the management of patients after meningioma surgery. METHODS: We collected clinical and hematological parameters of 1156 patients undergoing meningioma resection from January 2009 to January 2013. According to whether the symptoms of pneumonia had manifested,patients were divided into the Pop group and the Non-Pop group. We analyzed the distinctions of clinical factors between the two groups. We successively performed univariate and multivariate regression analysis to identify risk factors independently associated with the Pop. RESULTS: 4.4% patients infected with the Pop (51 of 1156). The median age at diagnosis of the Pop patients was significantly older than the Non-Pop group (p = 0.002). There were strike distinctions of post-operative hospital stays between two groups, with 21 days and 7 days each (p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, tumor relapse (p < 0.001), skull base lesions (p = 0.001), intra-operative blood transfusion (p = 0.018) and cardiovascular diseases (p = 0.001) were linked with increased risk of the Pop following meningioma resection. For hematological biochemical markers, it was the factor of Red blood cell distribution width-standard deviation (RDW-SD) (OR 5.267, 95%CI 1.316, 21.078; p = 0.019) and Neutrophils lymphocytes ratio (NLR) (OR 2.081, 95%CI 1.063, 4.067; p = 0.033) that could appreciably predict the Pop. CONCLUSIONS: Apart from tumor recurrence, localizations, intra-operative blood transfusion and cardiovascular diseases are independent risk factors for the Pop. We initially found hematological RDW-SD and NLR are also important predictors.

Estimation on Formation Time of Thrombus.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the changes of the formation time of venous thrombus in rats, and to provide new ideas and methods for the estimation on thrombus formation time of the forensic cases died from thrombosis. METHODS: Totally 80 rats were randomly divided into 10 groups （0 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 1 d, 3 d, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 4 weeks after operation）. A vein thrombosis model was established by the "narrow" method. The processes of thrombosis, organization, recanalization and the features of change on hemosiderin and calcium salt were observed by HE stain, Perls stain and Von Kossa stain. The expression changes of CD61, α-SMA and CD34 were observed by immunohistochemical staining technique. RESULTS: Platelets adhered to the exposed blood vessel intima 3 h after operation, and platelet trabeculae were formed by the repeated accumulation of platelets 1 d after operation. The thrombus organization formed through the fibroblasts from vessel wall that grew into the interior of the thrombus 3 d after operation. Endothelial cells covered the surface of thrombus and then the new blood vessels were reformed, and the vessels were reconstructed. The expression of CD61 upregulated at the stages of the thrombus formation （3 h） and thrombus reformation （4 weeks）, and reached the peak 1 d after thrombus formation. The release of hemosiderin and the initial expression of α-SMA were detected 3 d later. Calcium deposit and expression of CD34 were observed 1 week later. CONCLUSIONS: The hemosiderin, calcium salt, CD61, α-SMA and CD34 show time-dependent changing characteristics, which is expected to provide a reference for the estimation on thrombus formation time of the forensic cases died from thrombosis.

Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of platelet count in patients with ovarian cancer.

AIM: Increasing evidence indicates that platelet count is a useful biomarker of long-term outcomes in patients with ovarian cancer. However, the prognostic value of platelet count in patients with ovarian cancer remains controversial. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis aimed to investigate the prognostic role of the platelet count in patients with ovarian cancer. METHOD: A comprehensive search was performed from the databases of PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library until June 20, 2017. A total of 18 studies with 6754 patients were included. Hazard ratios (HRs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and odds ratios and 95% CIs from each study were pooled. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that elevated pretreatment platelet count was significantly related to poor survival from ovarian cancer; the pooled HRs for overall, progression-free and disease-free survival were 1.81 (95% CI 1.52-2.15), 1.48 (95% CI 1.24-1.75) and 1.39 (95% CI 1.19-1.61), respectively. Subgroup analyses were divided by ethnicity, sample size, FIGO stage, cut-off value of the platelet count, analysis method and Newcastle Ottawa Scale score, but the results did not show any significant change in the main results. Increased platelet count was also significantly associated with the FIGO stage, tumor differentiation, ascites, residual tumor mass, CA125 level, recurrence and metastasis. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis revealed that an elevated platelet count pretreatment denotes a predictive factor of poor prognosis and unfavorable clinicopathological parameters for ovarian cancer patients.

[Efficacy of Weitan Waifu patch on the postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome of gastrointestinal cancer: a multi-center trial].

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of the Weitan Waifu patch on the postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome (PGS) of gastrointestinal cancer. Methods: The multi-center, double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted with superiority design. Patients with PGS of gastrointestinal cancer diagnosed in 4 AAA hospitals and the abdominal symptom manifested as cold syndrome by Chinese local syndrome differentiation were recruited. These patients were randomly divided into two groups according to 1∶1 proportion. Placebo or Weitan Waifu patch was applied in control group or intervention group, respectively, based on the basic treatments, including nutrition support, gastrointestinal decompression, promoting gastric dynamics medicine.Two acupuncture points (Zhongwan and Shenque) were stuck with placebo in control group or patch in treatment group. The intervention course was 14 days or reached the effective standard. Results: From July 15, 2013 to Jun 3, 2015, 128 participants were recruited and 120 eligible cases were included in the full analysis set (FAS), and 60 cases in each group. 88 cases were included in the per-protocol set (PPS), including 45 cases in the treatment group and 43 cases in the control group. In the FAS, the clinical effective rate in the treatment group was 68.3%, significantly superior than 41.7% of the control group (P=0.003). The medium time of effective therapy in the treatment group was 8 days, significantly shorter than 10 days in the control group (P=0.017). In the FAS, 3 adverse events occurred in the treatment group, including mild to moderate decrustation, pruritus and nausea. The incidence rate of adverse events was 5.0% (3/60) and these symptoms were spontaneously remitted after drug withdrawal. No severe adverse events were observed in the control group. There was no significant difference between these two groups (P=0.244). Conclusion: Weitan Waifu patch is a safely and effectively therapeutic method for patients with PGS (cold syndrome) of gastroenterological cancer. Trial registration: International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number Register, ISRCTN18291857.

[Preliminary applicability evaluation of Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2 diagnostic score in 3.0T multi-parameters magnetic resonance imaging combined with prostate specific antigen density for prostate cancer].

Objective: To investigate the preliminary applicability of Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADS v2) score in the condition of 3.0T multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (Mp-MRI) combined with clinical classic indicators for the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa). Methods: The clinical and MRI materials of 247 patients of suspicious prostate disease treated in Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from June 2015 to November 2016 were analyzed retrospectively, including 110 cases with PCa and 137 cases without cancer.All cases underwent the high-resolution axial T(2)-weighted imaging (T(2)WI), diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast enhancement-magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and were confirmed pathologically by puncture biopsies.The Mp-MRI materials of all cases were scored according to PI-RADS v2.The prostate volume and prostate specific antigen (PSA) density (PSAD) value were calculated according to the formulas.The univariate and multivariate analysis were performed for the observed indicators (age, prostate volume, PSA, PSAD and PI-RADS v2 score) to determine the independent predictors for PCa.Then, a Logistic regression model (combined prediction model) was established by the independent predictors for combined diagnosis of PCa.The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curve analysis was performed to get the sensitivity and specificity of each independent predictor and the model to diagnose PCa.The differences of AUC values of each independent predictor and the model were compared with each other to evaluate the diagnostic performance for PCa. Results: The differences in the age, prostate volume, PSA, PSAD and the PI-RADS v2 score between patients with PCa and non-cancer group were all statistically significant (t=2.870, Z=-4.230, -7.787, -9.477, -10.826, all P<0.05). The PSAD and PI-RADS v2 score were independent predictors for PCa (OR=3.331, 10.546, both P<0.05). The Logistic regression combined prediction model by PI-RADS v2 score and PSAD to forecast PCa was Logit(P)=-5.097+ 2.309×PSAD+ 1.214×PI-RADS v2 score.The area under the curve (AUC) of ROC in the combined model (0.911) was higher than that in the PI-RADS v2 score (0.886) and PSAD (0.851) and the differences were all statistically significant (Z=2.416, 2.716, both P<0.05); but the difference in the AUC value between PI-RADS v2 score and PSAD was not statistically significant (Z=1.191, P=0.234). The diagnostic sensitivity of PSAD, PI-RADS v2 score and the model were: 0.891, 0.782 and 0.855, respectively; the specificity were 0.449, 0.912 and 0.847, respectively on their positive thresholds (0.15 µg·L(-1)·ml(-1,) 4 and -0.82). Conclusion: PI-RADS v2 score combined with PSAD in diagnosing PCa is superior to the single application of them and it can lead to high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for PCa.

Novel therapeutic strategy targeting the Hedgehog signalling and mTOR pathways in biliary tract cancer.

BACKGROUND: Activation of the PI3K/mTOR and Hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathways occurs frequently in biliary tract cancer (BTC). Crosstalk between these pathways occurs in other gastrointestinal cancers. The respective signalling inhibitors rapamycin and vismodegib may inhibit BTC synergistically and suppress cancer stem cells (CSCs). METHODS: Gene expression profiling for p70S6k and Gli1 was performed with BTC cell lines. Tumour and pathway inhibitory effects of rapamycin and vismodegib were investigated in BTC preclinical models and CSCs. RESULTS: Rapamycin and vismodegib synergistically reduced BTC cell viability and proliferation. This drug combination arrested BTC Mz-ChA-1 cells in the G1 phase but had no significant effect on the cell cycle of BTC Sk-ChA-1 cells. Combined treatment inhibited the proliferation of CSCs and ALDH-positive cells. Nanog and Oct-4 expression in CSCs was decreased by the combination treatment. Western blotting results showed the p-p70S6K, p-Gli1, p-mTOR, and p-AKT protein expression were inhibited by the combination treatment in BTC cells. In an Mz-ChA-1 xenograft model, combination treatment resulted in 80% inhibition of tumour growth and prolonged tumour doubling time. In 4 of 10 human BTC specimens, tumour p-p70S6K and Gli1 protein expression levels were decreased with the combination treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted inhibition of the PI3K/mTOR and Hhpathways indicates a new avenue for BTC treatment with combination therapy.

Photosynthetic and biochemical activities in flag leaves of a newly developed superhigh-yield hybrid rice (Oryza sativa) and its parents during the reproductive stage.

Responses of net photosynthetic rates to intercellular CO(2) concentration (P (n)/C (i) curves) and photochemical characteristics were investigated in flag leaves of newly developed superhigh-yield hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) LiangYouPeiJiu (LYPJ) and its maternal PeiAi64S (PA64S) and paternal WuMang9311 (WM9311) lines grown in the field during the reproductive stage. The results showed that photosynthetic functions, such as the electron transport activities of photosystems and photophosphorylation, assessed in vivo from P (n)/C (i) curves under field conditions declined more or earlier than those obtained in vitro. The degradation of polypeptides of thylakoid membranes was slower than those for P (Ca=360) (light-saturated net photosynthetic rate measured at 360 mumol mol(-1)) and CE (carboxylation efficiency, obtained from the initial slope of the P (n)/C (i) curve). The initial inhibition of the PSII electron transport and oxygen-evolving activity induced by senescence occurred before the degradation of the oxygen-evolving complex. In comparison, LYPJ had intermediate photosynthetic functions in the early stage of leaf development, but greater photochemical activities in the mid and late stages. WM9311 showed a similar pattern of changes but lower values, and PA64S had higher values in the early stage but showed a faster rate of senescence than LYPJ. These findings implied that the hybrid LYPJ demonstrated intermediate photosynthetic activities between its parents in the early stage of leaf development, whereas it had higher photosynthetic activities than its parents in the mid and late stages, which may be responsible for its high yield.

The C677T mutation in the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene increases serum uric acid in elderly men.

A common mutation, C677T, in the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) reduces the activity of MTHFR and increases total homocysteine levels in plasma. Increased homocysteine levels are reportedly associated with high serum uric acid levels. The relationship between the MTHFR mutation and uric acid metabolism remains unclear, however. To investigate whether the C677T MTHFR mutation is a risk factor for hyperuricemia, we performed MTHFR genotyping and clinical laboratory determinations, including serum uric acid, in 271 elderly Japanese men (age range, 40-79 years; mean, 52.6 years). The mean uric acid levels for the C/C, C/T, and T/T genotypes were 5.67, 6.00, and 6.39 mg/dl, respectively (P = 0.012). The T/T genotype was more frequent in subjects with high uric acid levels than in those with low uric acid levels (P = 0.038). These findings suggest that the C677T MTHFR mutation contributed to higher uric acid levels in subjects enrolled in this study. In conclusion, the mutation of the MTHFR gene may be a risk factor for hyperuricemia in elderly men.

Study on DNA polymorphism at D1S8 locus in Hebei Han population.

OBJECTIVE: To study the polymorphism at D1S8 locus and to provide basic information for the construction of DNA fingerprint database and the application in forensic medicine. METHODS: Minisatellite variant repeat-polymerase chain reaction (MVR-PCR) and polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis followed by silver staining were used to detect the variant repeat sequences at D1S8 locus of 240 unrelated individuals in Hebei Han population, and digital codes were obtained. RESULTS: Each individual obtained about 30 digital codes, in which none of two unrelated individuals had the same code. The probability of identity of 30 digital codes was 3.55x10(-11). The percentages of three repeat units, a-type, t-type and o-type were 54.77%, 42.54% and 2.69% respectively. The heterozygosity (H) was 0.9837. The excluding probability of paternity(EPP) and polymorphism information content(PIC) were 0.9669 and 0.9833 respectively. CONCLUSION: Because of its high polymorphic nature, D1S8 locus is a valuable marker for forensic identification and paternity testing.

Nucleus taenia of the amygdala of birds: anatomical and functional studies in ring doves (Streptopelia risoria) and European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris).

Nucleus taenia (Tn) in birds is a discrete component of a loosely defined archistriatal structure, the posterior and medial archistriatum. By virtue of its hypothalamic projections, the posterior and medial archistriatum is thought to be an avian homolog of the amygdala in mammals. A recent fluorogold (FG) study of avian hippocampus revealed backfilled labels in nucleus Tn, suggesting that this nucleus may indeed be the homolog of mammalian amygdala. In the present study, we sought to characterize nucleus Tn in terms of its connections and function. We used the anterograde tracers Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHAL) and biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) to map the efferent projections of Tn. The retrograde tracers FG and BDA were used to corroborate the efferent projections and to explore the pattern of afferent inputs to Tn. Finally, we explored the role of Tn in social behavior by observing behavioral changes associated with electrolytic lesions to Tn. The subjects of our studies were ring doves and European starlings, representing two avian orders. When a deposit of anterograde tracer was centered in Tn, it revealed projections to the hypothalamus, following the course of the hypothalamic-occipitomesencephalic tract previously reported in pigeons. The projections were bilateral in ring doves and ipsilateral in starlings. The BDA injections in the archistratum intermedium, lateral to Tn, did not yield the same projectional pattern. Together with corroborative data from FG retrograde experiments, these findings suggest that Tn is probably the primary origin of the hypothalamic projection. A robust projection to the hyperstriatal region was present along the lateral wall of the lateral ventricle, continuing into the anteroventral pole of the ventricle. Highly arborized terminal fields were found all along this pathway, notably in the medial parolfactory lobe (corresponding to the basal ganglia) and along the dorsal roof of the rostral hyperstriatum ventrale just ventral to the laminal frontalis superior (in ring doves) and the lamina frontalis suprema (in starlings). Projections to the hippocampal complex were mostly restricted to the parahippocampus. The FG data suggest the presence of afferent projections from the ovoidais shell and nucleus subrotundus region, the hippocampal complex in both species, and high vocal nucleus in starlings. Behavioral effects of Tn lesions suggest that nucleus taenia is involved in the control of social behavior through its influence on the affective state. Nucleus taenia thus exhibits many of the structural and functional features of the amygdaloid complex in mammals - that is, subcortical sensory inputs, hippocampal complex connections, and a functional role in adaptive patterns of social behavior.

Auditory-vocal cholinergic pathway in zebra finch brain.

The two main song control nuclei in the zebra finch forebrain, the higher vocal center (HVC) and the robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA), receive cholinergic innervation from the ventral paleostriatum (VP) of the basal forebrain which may play a key role in song learning. By injecting two kinds of neuroanatomical tracers, we found that a topographically segregated pathway from nucleus ovoidalis (Ov) and nucleus dorsomedialis posterior thalami (DMP) to VP and further to RA and HVC. Ov is known as a major relay in the main ascending auditory pathway. The results suggest that cholinergic neurons in the VP which are responsible for song learning are regulated by auditory information from the Ov.

C677T mutation of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene among the Korean infants in Seoul city.

The missense mutation, C677T (Ala--->Val), in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, is related to hyperhomocysteinemia and is regarded as a risk factor for coronary artery disease and neural tube defects. The prevalence of this mutation was reported to differ among various ethnic groups, but there are few reports concerning Asian populations. We have investigated the frequencies of C677T mutation in 124 Korean infants (residents in Seoul city, Korea) and 115 Japanese adults (residents in Kobe city, Japan), and compared them with the reported data from other ethnic groups. The frequencies of the three genotypes in Koreans were as follows: C/C (wild homozygosity) 0.27, C/T (heterozygosity) 0.66, T/T (mutated homozygosity) 0.07, while those in Japanese were as follows: C/C 0.44, C/T 0.40, T/T 0.16. There was a marked difference in the genotype frequencies between the two populations (chi-square = 16.67, P = 0.0002), even though they are closely related in genetic background. The high C/T genotype frequency led to significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (chi-square = 17.35, P = 0.00003). Deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium has not been found in any other ethnic groups. The high frequency of C/T genotype may offer Koreans a selective advantage.