Association of Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor-1 Gene Polymorphisms and Personality Traits with Violent Aggression in Male Adolescents.

There is evidence that corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1) gene polymorphisms and indifferent impulsive personality traits play an important role in violent aggression in male adolescents. Genotyping for two tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) (rs242924, rs17689966) was conducted using TaqMan SNP for 138 violent young male criminals, 98 nonviolent young male criminals, and 153 noncriminal adults. The general situation and personality traits (SSP) questionnaire was given to the young violent and nonviolent male criminal groups. The results showed that the frequency of the G allele in rs242924 of the CRHR1 gene in the violent aggression group was higher than that in the normal adult controls (P < 0.025, OR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.13-4.62). The difference in genotype distribution was significant among the three groups (P < 0.05), and when the violent group was compared with the two control groups, no significant difference was found (P > 0.025). The impulsiveness, trait irritability, verbal trait aggression, and physical trait aggression scores in the violent group were significantly higher than those in the nonviolent group of adolescents. These findings suggest that the variance in CRHR1 gene polymorphisms and personality traits may play a role in violent aggression in male adolescents, and that the interaction of the CRHR1 gene and the impulsive personality trait may cause an increased susceptibility to violence towards others.

Differences in accelerated tooth movement promoted by recombinant human parathyroid hormone after mandibular ramus osteotomy.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the effects of different doses of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on orthodontic tooth movement after mandibular ramus osteotomy and the associated dose-response relationship. METHODS: One-hundred twenty rabbits were divided into 2 experimental groups (A and B) and 2 control groups (control group and negative control group). An experimental model of mandibular ramus osteotomy with installation of an orthodontic tooth movement device was established in groups A and B and the control group. After surgery, groups A and B received intermittent subcutaneous injections of PTH, 20 and 40 µg/kg, respectively, and the control group received injections of normal saline solution. The negative control group underwent installation of the orthodontic tooth movement device without mandibular ramus osteotomy and received normal saline solution after surgery. Changes in expression of RANKL and RUNX2 in the periodontal tissues of the first molars were evaluated by means of immunohistochemical analysis and quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Movement of the first molars was more rapid in group B than in group A in the 21 days after surgery. Significantly higher RANKL mRNA levels and lower RUNX2 mRNA levels were detected on the compression side of the periodontal tissues in groups A and B than in the control groups. There was a significant difference in RANKL and RUNX2 expression levels between group B and the control groups at all time points. CONCLUSIONS: Mandibular ramus osteotomy combined with high-dose PTH can increase catabolism on the compressed periodontal tissues, thereby accelerating remodeling of periodontal bone and promoting orthodontic tooth movement after surgery.

An Examination of Differences in the New Bone Formation Promoted by Different Doses of Recombinant Human Parathyroid Hormone during Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis.

BACKGROUND: The administration of different doses of parathyroid hormone to promote mandibular distraction osteogenesis remains unclear. The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of recombinant human parathyroid hormone on new bone formation during mandibular distraction osteogenesis and to investigate the dose-effect relationship associated with this phenomenon. METHODS: A total of 45 rabbits were used to establish the mandibular distraction osteogenesis model. The rabbits were divided into a control group (that received a subcutaneous injection of 1 ml of saline every other day) and experimental groups A, B, C, and D (that received subcutaneous injections of 10, 20, 30, and 40 µg/kg of recombinant human parathyroid hormone, respectively, every other day). On days 1, 7, and 14 of the consolidation period after the distraction had been completed, new bone in the distraction region was examined through histomorphometric investigation and bone mineral density testing. RESULTS: On days 1, 7, and 14 of the fixation period, the number of osteoblasts, trabecular bone area, and bone mineral density were greater in each experimental group than in the control group. On day 1 of the consolidation period, group C featured the highest average number of osteoblasts. On day 14 of the consolidation period, group C exhibited the highest bone mineral densities and largest trabecular bone areas. CONCLUSIONS: Intermittent subcutaneous injections of recombinant human parathyroid hormone can promote new bone formation during mandibular distraction osteogenesis. Different doses of recombinant human parathyroid hormone promoted mandibular distraction osteogenesis to differing extents.

An experimental study addressing the promotion of mandibular defect repair through the intermittent subcutaneous injection of parathyroid hormone.

PURPOSE: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a major regulator of bone metabolism. Various animal studies and clinical trials have addressed the treatment of osteoporosis and fracture healing with the intermittent administration of PTH, whereas few studies have investigated the effects of PTH on mandibular defect repair. This study sought to examine the feasibility of using recombinant human PTH (rhPTH) to promote the repair of mandibular defects and to provide a preliminary investigation of the underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A mandibular defect model was established using Japanese white rabbits. The experimental animals were randomly divided into a control group that received postoperative subcutaneous injections of normal saline on alternate days and an experimental group that received postoperative subcutaneous injections of rhPTH 25 µg on alternate days. The experimental animals were sacrificed at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after the operation to perform x-ray imaging and bone histomorphometric examinations of the defect areas. Changes in serum levels of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (bALP) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) over time were examined. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the experimental group exhibited newly generated bone matrix in the mandibular defect area at earlier stages. In the experimental group, the bone trabeculae were arranged in an orderly manner, and uniform calcification was observed. Marked hyperplasia of osteoblasts was observed in the new bone tissue of the experimental group, but significantly less hyperplasia of osteoblasts was observed in the control group. In the 2 groups, the average serum bALP and OPG levels increased after the operation and then gradually decreased. In the experimental group, levels of bALP and OPG at 1 week and 2 weeks after the operation were significantly different from preoperative levels. In the control group, the OPG level at 2 weeks after the operation was significantly different from the preoperative OPG level. A comparison of serum bALP and OPG levels at each examined time point showed no significant difference between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: The intermittent subcutaneous injection of rhPTH 25 µg/day promotes the healing of mandibular defects in rabbits. The application of rhPTH may facilitate mandible regeneration by increasing quantities of osteoblasts, accelerating bone turnover metabolism, and upregulating OPG levels.

[Association of DNA methyltransferase 3B gene polymorphism with early-onset schizophrenia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B) gene polymorphism with the development of early-onset schizophrenia. METHODS: A single nucleotide polymorphism (rs6119954) of DNMT3B gene was genotyped in 279 early-onset schizophrenic patients and 395 healthy controls, using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays. To detect the interaction between the DNMT3B gene and environmental factors, the prenatal information of the patients was collected. RESULTS: Genotype distribution of the rs6119954 locus was significantly different between patients and controls (Chi-square = 12.27, P< 0.01). The frequency of the G allele of this locus was significantly higher in patients than in controls (Chi-square = 12.76, P< 0.01). The G allele was highly associated with an earlier age of onset (P= 0.026). No interaction between the DNMT3B gene and environmental factors was found. CONCLUSION: DNMT3B gene is associated with early-onset schizophrenia and rs6119954 may plays an important role in age of onset of schizophrenia.

[An association study of brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene polymorphism in bipolar disorders].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene polymorphism and bipolar disorder. METHODS: Single nucleotide polymorphisms rs6265 and rs11030101 in BDNF gene were detected and compared between 228 patients with bipolar disorder and 361 healthy controls. RESULTS: The genotypes, alleles and combinative genotype of BDNF gene single nucleotide polymorphism rs6265 and rs11030101 did not show significant differences between two groups. There were also no significant differences in genotypes and combinative genotypes between diagnostic subtypes, genders and on-set age of bipolar disorder and controls. CONCLUSION: This study did not found that BDNF gene single nucleotide polymorphism rs6265 and rs11030101 are associated with bipolar disorders.

[Bovine serum albumin in the presence of zinc (II) by fluorescence method].

The interaction between norfloxacin and bovine serum albumin, and the influence of Zinc (II) on the system of norfloxacin and bovine serum albumin was studied under physiological condition by fluorescence method. It was shown that norfloxacin has a powerful ability to quench the BSA fluorescence via a nonradiative energy transfer mechanism. The fluorescence quenching data were analyzed according to Stern-Volmer equation and double-reciprocal equation, and the binding constant (K) and the binding sites (n) were obtained. In the system of binary complex of NFLX and BSA, K = 6.80 x 10(5) and n = 1.21. There is a strong combination between NFLX and BSA, which offers the condition for the serum protein to be deposited and transported in vivo. Besides, the combination between NFLX and BSA becomes stronger in the presence of Zinc (II). According to Stern-Volmer equation and double-reciprocal equation, the concentration of Znic (II) is denser, and the binding constant (K) and the binding sites (n) are bigger. By studying the binding interaction between Zinc (II), norfloxacin and BSA, the mechanism of the interaction among norfloxacin, Zinc (II) and protein in organism, is furtherly discussed.

2'-Amino-3,6-dihydroxyxanthene-9-spiro-1'-isoindolin-3'-one monohydrate.

The title compound, C(20)H(14)N(2)O(4)·H(2)O, was synthesized by the reaction of fluorescein and hydrazine hydrate in ethanol. In the crystal structure, the organic mol-ecules are linked into extended two-dimensional networks by inter-molecular hydrogen bonding. Additional face-to-face π-π stacking inter-actions between the phenolic benzene rings in two adjacent mol-ecules [centroid-to-centroid separation = 3.773 (3) Å] link the mol-ecules into a three-dimensional framework.

[Study on the ternary complex of FLRX, zinc(II) and BSA by the method of fluorescence].

The influences of fleroxacin (FLRX) on the fluorescence of bovine serum albumin(BSA), zinc(II) on that of bovine serum albumin, and zinc(II) on the of fleroxacin and bovine serum albumin were studied under imitated the physiological condition. It was shown that both fleroxacin and zinc(II) have a powerful ability to quench the BSA fluorescence via a nonradiative energy transfer mechanism. But the fluorescence quenching action of fleroxacin on BSA was much stronger in the presence of zinc (II). The fluorescence quenching data were analyzed according to Stern-Volmer equation and double-reciprocal equation, and the binding constant(K) and the binding sites(n) were obtained. In the system of binary complex of FLRX and BSA, K = 5.44 x 10(4) and n = 1.05, while in the system of binary complex of zinc(II) and BSA, K = 2.19 x 10(9) and n = 2.

[Expression levels of APP and PS1 genes in patients with Alzheimer's disease].

The gene expression levels of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin 1 (PS1) in the peripheral blood samples of patients with Alzheimer's disease(AD) and their association with the disease were studied. The absolute expression levels of APP and PS1 genes were quantified in 45 AD patients, 25 patients with vascular dementia (VD) and 60 healthy controls by real-time quantitative PCR using SYBR Green I. The APP expression levels in healthy controls, AD cases and VD cases are 0.026+/-0.005, 0.044+/-0.006 and 0.072+/-0.013 amol/microg cDNA, respectively; and the PS1 expression levels are 0.026+/-0.004, 0.051+/-0.011 and 0.039+/-0.005 amol/microg cDNA, respectively. Both APP and PS1 expression levels were significantly elevated in AD or in VD cases (APP, AD vs Control, t=2.639, P<0.01, VD vs Control, t=3.028P<0.01; PS1, AD vs Control, t=2.173P<0.05, VD vs Control, t=2.012P<0.05). It seems that elevated APP and PS1 gene expression is associated with dementia but not especially with AD.

[Association study of NOTCH4 gene polymorphisms with schizophrenia and mood disorders in mixed pedigrees].

This study was to explore the relationships between NOTCH4 gene and schizophrenia (SP) and mood disorders (MD), and to search for a common susceptible gene for SP and MD in Chinese Han population. We collected 61 mixed pedigrees of SP and MD in Chinese Han population. NOTCH4 polymorphisms -1725T/G and-25T/C were genotyped by applying PCR-RLFP technique, then transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) and haplotype-based haplotype relative risk analysis(HHRR) were performed. The results showed that -1725T/G was not associated with SP or MD (P>0.05), -25T/C was not associated with SP (P>0.05), but associated significantly with MD for female or early-onset (age of onset0.05). Our results suggested NOTCH4 or neighboring gene might be a common susceptible gene for SP and MD in the pedigrees studied.

No association between attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and catechol-O-methyltransferase gene in Chinese.

Previous studies suggested that the catecholaminergic systems may be involved in the pathogenesis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD). Since catechel-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is an enzyme involved in the degradation of catecholaminergic neurotransmitters of the dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems,it is possible that COMT may play a role in ADHD. To test this hypothesis, we used two family-based analyses,the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) and the haplotype-based haplotype relative risk (HHRR), to examine the possible association between COMT gene and DSM-IV-diagnosed ADHD in a Chinese sample consisting of 79 ADHD probands and their parents. Both TDT (chi2 = 1.03, df=1, P > 0.05) and HHRR (chi2 = 1.08, df = 1, P > 0.05) analyses failed to detect preferential transmission of a COMT allele to the ADHD children. Our data suggested that there was no association between ADHD and the COMT gene in the Chinese population.

[A study on the relation between the apolipoprotein E promoter -427C/T polymorphism and Alzheimer's disease].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relation between the apolipoprotein E(apoE) promoter -427C/T polymorphism and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a Chinese Han population in Shanghai. METHODS: The apoE promoter -427C/T polymorphism in 104 AD cases and 110 healthy subjects was detected using polymerase chain reaction method and restriction fragment length polymorphism genotyping technique. The differences in polymorphic distribution between the two groups were tested, and odds ratio was computed. RESULTS: No differences in apoE -427C/T genotypic distribution were observed between AD cases and controls (P>0.05). Even after stratification according to apoE epsilon 4 stratum, there was not any polymorphic distribution difference when epsilon 4 carriers or non epsilon 4 carriers were compared with controls (P>0.05). The association between AD and apoE epsilon 4 appeared in the TT group(OR=3.94,95%, CI:22067038, chi-square=21.48, P<0.05), but not in CT or CC group. CONCLUSION: ApoE -427C/T polymorphism was not a susceptibility factor for AD in this Han population in Shanghai.

[Expression variation and mutation analysis of exon 9 and 10 in amyloid precursor protein gene in Alzheimer's disease].

To explore the expression differences of exon 9 and 10 in Amyloid Precursor Protein gene(APP9 approximately 10) in Alzheimer's disease,and detect the probable point mutation appeared in cDNA fragment of APP9 approximately 10 in the Shanghai Han people.semi-quantitative competitive RT-PCR technique was performed to detect the expression of APP9 approximately 10 in peripheral lymphocyte, and the Apolipoprotein E gene(ApoE) and Presenilin 1(PS1)gene were genotyped with PCR-RFLP method. We also analyzed the point mutation in APP9 approximately 10 cDNA through the denatured gel electrophoresis. The results are as follows:1. While compared with healthy controls,expression of APP9 approximately 10 mRNA was significantly enhanced in Alzheimer disease; 2.APOE*epsilon4 allele, the most common genetic risk factor for AD, did not affect the Expression of APP9 approximately 10 mRNA, whereas the APP9 approximately 10 mRNA expression might be increased by the allele 1 of PS1 gene, another probable susceptibility gene of AD.3. No point mutation in APP9 approximately 10 cDNA was detected. In our samples, the expression of APP9 approximately 10 mRNA in AD was significantly different from that of controls, suggesting that the change of peripheral APP9 approximately 10 mRNA expression might be another bio-marker used in clinical diagnosis for AD.