Development and Performance verification of colloidal gold labeled SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection method for routine popular screening of COVID-19 with clinical samples in Poland and China

In this research, we have constructed and optimized the colloidal gold labeled lateral flow strip (LFS) for rapid detection of antigen of SARS-CoV-2 and rapid screening of COVID-19. Based on the constructed and optimized colloidal gold lateral flow strip, the parameters of the LFS have been well evaluated with the clinical samples in the professional labs. The screening performance have also been evaluated from the aspects including the CT values, age distribution and onset of symptoms. Finally, based on the detection results of 420 clinical samples, the LFS can achieve the screening of COVID-19 with the positive percentage agreement (PPA, sensitivity), negative percent agreement (NPA, specificity), the positive predictive value (PPV) and the negative predictive value (NPV) of 96.8%, 100%, 100% and 96.6%, respectively, indicating the powerful potential for practical screening applications in pandemic control. Of great significance, this developed SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection method has also been successfully utilized for screening of delta-variant of SARS-CoV-2.

Characteristics and correlation analysis of thromboelastogram and coagulation related indexes in patients with preeclampsia / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To observe the characteristics and correlation analysis of thromboelastogram (TEG) and platelet related indexes in patients with preeclampsia in late pregnancy. 【Methods】 88 patients with preeclampsia in late pregnancy treated in the Obstetrics Department of Shanghai Ninth People′s Hospital (Northern Hospital) from June 2017 to June 2020 were selected as observation group, and 288 normal pregnant women in late pregnancy with normal prenatal examination were selected as the control. The median elbow vein blood of the two groups were sampled. The TEG and coagulation related indexes of the two groups were compared, and the relationship between TEG and coagulation related indexes in patients with preeclampsia were analyzed. 【Results】 The K, MA, TT, INR and PLT value in the observation group, relative to controls, were significantly higher (P<0.01), but Angle, PT, and APTT value were significantly lower (P<0.01). The variance K and MA were negatively correlated with PT and APTT (P<0.05), but positively correlated with TT, INR and Plt (P<0.05). Angle was positively correlated with PT and APTT (P<0.05), but negatively correlated with TT, INR and Plt(P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 Routine TEG detection can effectively evaluate the coagulation state of patients with preeclampsia, who are often accompanied by coagulation dysfunction, help to guide clinical early prevention and intervention, and reduce the risk of perinatal hemorrhage and embolism diseases, which is worthy of popularizing in clinical.

Predictive value of surrogate indexes of insulin resistance in evaluating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and advanced liver fibrosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective:To investigate the association of surrogate indexes of insulin resistance with the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and advanced liver fibrosis in newly diagnosed patients with type 2 mellitus.Methods:A total of 429 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients hospitalized in the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People′s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from June 2018 to June 2020 were included. The patients were divided into NAFLD group( n=263)and non-NAFLD group( n=166)according to the results of abdominal ultrasound, NAFLD patients were divided into advanced liver fibrosis group( n=33)and non-advanced liver fibrosis group( n=230)according to the NAFLD fibrosis score(NFS). The correlation of the triglyceride/high density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio(TG/HDL-C), triglyceride glucose index(TyG), visceral adiposity index(VAI), triglyceride glucose-body mass index(TyG-BMI), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR)with NAFLD and the occurrence of advanced liver fibrosis were analyzed. Results:The prevalence of NAFLD in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients was 61.3%, and the prevalence of advanced liver fibrosis was 12.5%. After adjusting the potential confounders, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that TG/HDL-C, TyG, VAI, TyG-BMI, and HOMA-IR were independently and positively correlated with NAFLD, and only TyG-BMI was independently and positively correlated with advanced liver fibrosis( OR=1.021, 95% CI 1.009-1.034, P<0.01). The receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the area under the curue of TyG-BMI was more than those of TG/HDL-C, TyG, VAI and HOMA-IR for predicting the occurrence of NAFLD in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients(0.83 vs 0.73, 0.74, 0.73, 0.67, P<0.01), but had no predictive value for advanced liver fibrosis. Conclusion:TyG-BMI is superior to TG/HDL-C, TyG, VAI and HOMA-IR for predicting the occurrence of NAFLD in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients, and it is also an independent risk factor for advanced liver fibrosis.

Reform practice of PBL teaching model in organ system integrated course / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Problem-based learning (PBL), which originated in foreign countries, advocates the core idea of multidisciplinary integrated learning, which coincides with the trend of curriculum integration in current medical education. First, this article systematically introduces the process of PBL in the organ system integrated course which is conducted in Nanshan College of Guangzhou Medical University. Second, this article discusses the teaching results and reflection so as to provide reference for the continuous localization reformation of PBL and further medical curriculum integration in college and university.

Correlation of serum vitamin D level with metabolic syndrome in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level and the risk of metabolic syndrome ( MS) and its components in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods Clinical data of 796 type 2 diabetic inpatients in the Department of Endocrinology, the Ninth People' s Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, from January 2017 to December 2018 were enrolled. These patients were divided into MS group (n=541) and non-MS group (n=255). The association of serum vitamin D level and metabolic syndrome was investigated. Results The level of 25( OH) D in MS group was significantly lower than that in non-MS group (P<0.05). According to 25(OH)D 20 ng/ml as the borderline of vitamin D deficiency, the rate of 25(OH)D deficiency in MS group was significantly higher than that in non-MS group (P<0.01). Serum 25(OH)D levels in patients with type 2 diabetes were negatively correlated with smoking, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, triglyceride, and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels ( all P<0.05) . Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that 25( OH) D was an independent protective factor for MS in patients with type 2 diabetes. These patients were divided into 4 subgroups according to 25( OH) D levels [ Q1:0-10 ng/ml (n=24), Q2:10-20 ng/ml (n=417), Q3:20-30 ng/ml (n=117), Q4≥30 ng/ml(n=18)]. Logistic regression showed that the risk ratios (OR) of the metabolic syndrome in the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups were 0.471, 0.389, and 0.211 respectively, compared with Q1 group (P<0.05).Conclusion Serum 25(OH)D level in type 2 diabetic patients was negatively correlated with the risk of MS.

Factors related to gastrointestinal function and quality of life in postoperative patients with cholecystolithiasis / 现代临床护理

Objective To investigate the quality of life of post-operative patients with cholecystolithiasis and analyze the influencing factors. Methods About 206 patients with cholecystolithiasis were enrolled in the investigation by gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI). Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of their quality of life. Results The GIQLI score of 206 patients was (115.81 ±9.22) and the index value was 80.42%. Three independent variables such as breakfast habit, exercise, three hyperlipidemia, were the factors that affected the quality of life (P<0.05). Conclusions The quality of life of patients after cholelithiasis is lower than that of normal people. Patients should develop good eating habits and exercise habits, strengthen the interventions with high blood lipids, high blood pressure and hyperglycemia to improve the quality of life of post-operative patients with cholecystolithiasis.

CaMKKβ promotes mouse macrophage M2 polarization by activating AMPK/JAK2/STAT3 signaling / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective·To investigate the role and mechanism of CaMKKβ in RAW264.7 macrophage M2 polarization induced by interleukin-4 (IL-4).Methods·IL-4 induced RAW264.7 polarization was measured by RT-PCR and ELISA.Western blotting was used to analyze the total and phosphorylated protein levels of CaMKKβ,AMPK,JAK2 and STAT3 during polarization.A lentiviral vector carrying an shRNA targeting the CaMKKβ gene was successfully constructed.The expression of M1 and M2 markers and the expression of phosphorylated AMPK,JAK2,STAT3 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting respectively.The protein activity ofAMPK,JAK2 and STAT3 were selectively blocked,and then the effect of IL-4 on macrophage polarization was detected by RT-PCR.Results·IL-4 significantly polarized RAW264.7 cells towards M2 macrophages (P＜0.05),and the phosphorylated protein expression of CaMKKβ,AMPK,JAK2,STAT3 was significantly increased (all P＜0.05).The expression of M2 markers induced by IL-4 was decreased and the phosphorylation ofAMPK,JAK2 and STAT3 was also decreased after knockdown of CaMKKβ by shRNA (all P＜0.05).The polarization of macrophages to M2 was decreased after the activities of AMPK,JAK2 and STAT3 proteins were blocked respectively (all P＜0.05).Conclusion·CaMKKβ promotes IL-4 induced M2 macrophage polarization via activation of AMPK/JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

"High detective rate of""metabolic inflammatory syndrome""in patients with type 2 diabetes" / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective Metabolites produced by metabolic imbalance such as free fatty acids and lipopolysaccharides can result in a state of chronic low-grade inflammation, or metabolic inflammation, which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and obesity. The above metabolic disorders are closely related with the metabolic inflammation, which always coexist. Therefore, we proposed the concept ofmetabolic inflammatory syndrome ( MIS). According to our study, patients with two or more metabolic disorders above could be diagnosed as MIS. The current research is aimed to investigate the prevalence of MIS and its components, and to compare the clinical values of MIS and metabolic syndrome ( MS) . Methods 2 001 in patients with type 2 diabetes from 6 hospitals in Shanghai were recruited in the current multi-center cross-sectional study. The diagnostic rates of MIS and MS and their components of both syndromes were compared. Results In the patients with type 2 diabetes, the detective rate of MIS was 96. 2%, which was higher than that of MS (71. 3%). Among 4 components of MIS, atherosclerosis showed the highest detective rate (75.6%). MIS[OR=2.252(95%CI1.026-4.942),P=0.043],atherosclerosis[OR=2.726(95% CI1.953-3. 804),P<0. 001], and MS[OR=1. 915 (95%CI 1. 444-2. 540),P<0. 01] were the risk factors of coronary heart disease. Conclusion With atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and obesity as its 4 components, MIS has a high detective rate in patients with metabolic disorders, and seems to be more sensitive than MS to distinguish inflammation-related metabolic diseases. The concept of MIS will promote the screening and prevention of atherosclerosis in its early stage.

Relationship between diabetes mellitus and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis:A systematic review / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective To provide objective evidences for early screening of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis function in diabetic patients, the relationship between HPA axis function and diabetes mellitus was systematically reviewed. Methods PubMed, Ovid, Embase, Web of science Databases were retrieved from articles reporting the relationship between HPA axis function and diabetes mellitus. Meta-analysis were carried out by Stata 12. 0 software for heterogeneity test and data merged among articles for the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results Our meta-analysis showed the following results: Compared with control group, the basal plasma cortisol level in total diabetes group, T1DM group, T2DM group, diabetes patients(with or without chronic complications)combined with hypertension was significantly higher. Compared with control group, postdexamethasone cortisol level was markedly higher in diabetes group. There was no significant difference in 24 h urinary free cortisol(24h UFC)and ACTH levels between diabetes group and control group. Our qualitative evaluation shows the following results: the differences of awaking salivary cortisol and cortisol awakening response(CAR)between the two groups were inconsistent among all included studies. Most studies showed that CAR was lower in diabetic patients. Conclusion The present analysis has demonstrated that HPA axis dysfunction exists along with diabetes mellitus, and diabetic comorbidity may further worsen the HPA axis dysfunction.

Clinical and ultrasound characteristics of women in different menstruation status / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Objective To study the relationship between breast symptom, characteristic of ultrasound image and sex hormone level in women with different menstruation status.Methods 50 women with normal men-strual cycle, 129 women in menopause transition and 318 menopausal women were recruited.Breast ultrasound were performed.Breast section thickness, ductal width, breast structure and blood flow were measured.Serum estradiol( E2 ) and progesterone( P) level were measured by enzyme immunoassay on the day when ultrasound was performed.Onset and persistent days of breast pain were recorded.Results ①32(60.4%)women with normal menstrual cycle and 74(57.4%)women in menopause transition women experienced cyclic mastalgia.The aver-age serum E2 level and serum progesterone level were higher in women with cyclic breast pain than in women with-out breast pain.12.5%of menopausal women had breast pain.There was no significant difference of average ser-um E2 level between women with cyclic breast pain and women without breast pain②Breast section thickness was (14.4 ±4.3)mm,(13.0 ±3.7)mm and(10.6 ±3.2)mm, and ductal width was(0.62 ±0.18)mm,(0.88 ± 0.39)mm and(0.90 ±0.47)mm in normal menstrual group, menopause transition group and menopausal group, respectively.The difference had statistical significance.③26 women ( 49.1%) in normal menstrual group had breast structure changes, while 42 cases ( 32.6%) and 60 cases ( 18.9%) in menopause transition group and menopausal group had breast structure changes.Conclusions Most women in normal menstruation and meno-pause transition group experience mastalgia.About 1/3 breast structure change in women of normal menstruation are inversible.About 1/2 breast structure change in menopause transition and menopausal group are similar to those with normal menstruation.

Impact of androgen level on body adipose tissue content and distribution in middle life women / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between androgen level and body adipose tissue content and distribution via a cross sectional survey in healthy women aged 40 to 60 years. Methods A total of 222 women were divided into 4 groups according menstruation status, i.e. reproductive stage, early perimenopausal stage, late perimenopausal stage and postmenopausal stage. Serum level of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), total testosterone (TT) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured. Free androgen index (FAI) was calculated. Body adipose tissue content and distribution were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results In women aged 40 to 60 years, DHEA, TT and FAI level of reproductive stage women was (12.3±4.1) nmol/L, (0.56±0.22) nmol/L and 1.15 (quartile:0.71 to 1.85), respectively. DHEA, TT and FAI level of early perimenopausal stage women was (12.0±3.4) nmol/L, (0.56 ± 0.24) nmol/L and 1.37 (quartile: 0.89 to 1.61), respectively. DHEA, TT and FAI level of late perimenopausal stage women was (14.2 ± 4.7) nmol/L, (0.62 ± 0.18) nmol/L and 1.38 (quartile:1.12 to 1.63). DHEA, TT and FAI level of postmenopausal stage women was (11.6±3.5) nmol/L, (0.45±0.22) nmol/L and 0.94 (quartile:0.47 to 1.49). DHEA, TT and FAI level of perimenopausal stage women was comparable with those of reproductive stage women (P>0.05), however, TT and FAI level of postmenopausal women was significantly lower than those of reproductive stage women (P=0.001, 0.014). The total adipose percentage of reproductive stage women, early perimenopausal stage women, late perimenopausal stage women and postmenopausal stage women were (35 ± 6)%, (35 ± 5)%, (37 ± 4)%and (37 ± 5)%. The adipose percentage in“android”area of reproductive stage women, early perimenopausal stage women, late perimenopausal stage women and postmenopausal stage women were (43±5)%, (43±4)%, (47±5)%and (46±5)%. The total adipose percentage was similar in 4 groups (P=0.312). Compared with reproductive stage women, adipose percentage of“android”area increased in late perimenopausal and postmenopausal women (P=0.026). Women with higher FAI level presented higher adipose tissue content and higher percentage of centrally distributed adipose tissue (r=0.28, P=0.003). Conclusions Body adipose tissue tends to distribute centrally from perimenopausal stage. Androgen level is related to body adipose tissue content and distribution, but may not be the main reason of changes of fat distribution in middle life women.

An outbreak of foot pain syndrome among students from a senior high school in Foshan, Guangdong province, 2014 / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the cause of an outbreak of foot pain syndrome among students from a senior high school in Foshan.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We defined a suspect case as onset of foot pain/numbness with unknown reason among students and teachers in a school of Foshan city, from February 10 to March 16, 2014. A suspect case was noticed as having both food pain and numbness. All the cases were searched through reviewing medical records in the nearby hospitals and school's clinic, also the records of absenteeism in school. Clinical information was collected from all the students, using a standardized questionnaire. Daily temperature was collected from all the students, between January 1 and March 31, 2014. A 1 : 2 individual matched case-control study was conducted to identify related risk factors on this epidemic. We interviewed all the cases and controls on their diet, physical activities and measures used for warming.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 407 case-students were identified, with an attack rate (AR) as 26.5%. The AR was 37.3% in girls, compared to 12.9% in boys. The difference was statistically significant (χ² = 115.1, P < 0.01). Boarding students had a higher AR (31.8%) than the commuting students (16.2%). The difference was statistically significant (χ² = 43.2, P < 0.01). In girls, boarding students had higher AR (46.1%) than those commuting students (18.5%). The difference was statistically significant (χ² = 61.4, P < 0.01). No statistically significant difference was found between boarding or commuting students in boys. Outdoor temperature was coming down from 23 °C on February 6 to 6 °C on February 13, but gradually rose to 23 °C on February 28. There was a positive relationship (r = 0.65, P = 0.002) noticed between daily maximum temperature and the number of cases during February 13-28. Results from this case-control study showed that factors as lacking physical activities (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.5-5.6), feeling cold in bed (OR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.3-7.0) and having experienced similar symptoms (OR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.1-11.0) could increase the risk of this disease.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This outbreak was possibly caused by the abrupt fluctuation of temperature within a short period.</p>

Effects of berberine on cholesterol efflux in THP-1 macrophage derived foam cells / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective To investigate the effects of berberine on cholesterol efflux in THP-1 macrophage derived foam cells, and explore the possible mechanism. Methods HP-1 cells were induced into macrophages by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), and were treated with acetylated low-density lipoprotein (Ac-LDL) to establish the THP-1 macrophage derived foam cell models. Foam cells were divided into blank control group and berberine (5 to 20 μmol/L) treatment groups according to the way of treatment and berberine concentrations. After treatment for 24 h, flow cytometry was employed to detect AcLDL aggregation, enzymic method was adopted to detect contents of cholesterol and triglyceride, scintillation counting technique was used to detect cholesterol efflux, and effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) antagonist GW9662 pretreatment on cholesterol efflux (pioglitazone as positive control) were analysed. Besides, RT-PCR was applied to detect expression of liver X receptor α (LXRα) and ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) mRNA. ResultsCompared with blank control group, AcLDL aggregation and contents of cholesterol and triglyceride of foam cells in various berberine treatment groups decreased significantly (P＜0.01), while cholesterol efflux increased (P＜0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. After GW9662 pretreatment, there was no significant difference in cholesterol efflux between various berberine treatment groups and control group (P>0.05). Furthermore, expression of LXRα and ABCA1 mRNA of foam cells in various berberine treatment groups was higher than that in blank control group. Conclusion Berberine may increase cholesterol efflux in THP-1 macrophage derived foam cells, the mechanism of which may be associated with activation of PPARγ pathway and increase of expression of LXRα and ABCA1 mRNA.

The investigation of prevalence rates of metabolic syndrome and its related diseases in Bengbu community residents / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To investigate the prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its related diseases in Bengbu community residents. Methods 3246 residents aged from 25 to 74 years were chosen through cluster random sampling method, including 1459 males and 1787 females. MS and its related diseases were examined. Results (1) The prevalence rate and standardized rate of MS was 20. 5% and 16.0%, respectively, which reached higher level all over China. The prevalence rate of male and female was 22. 9% and 18. 6%, respectively. The highest prevalence rate occurred in presenium patients. (2)The prevalences of various metabolic diseases were increased with aging except for overweigh/obesity and MS (P<0.01). The prevalence of various metabolic diseases was 1 times higher in elderly patients than that in young patients, and the prevalence rate of MS in male and female increased to 2.8 times and 2.7 times, respectively. The prevalence rate of type 2 diabetes mellitus increased biggest, male to 7.9 times and female to 12.8 times compared with the original level. (3) The multiple components clustering rate of MS was high, only 33.8% of individuals had no metabolic disorder. Conclusions The prevalence rates of MS and its related diseases are high in Bengbu community residents. It is necessary to take comprehensive measures to prevent and control MS in community.

Adipophilin increases lipid accumulation in human vascular smooth muscle cells / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective To observe the effect of acetylated low-density lipoprotein (AcLDL) on the expression of adipophilin and the effect of adipophilin on AcLDL uptake and lipid accumulation in human vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMCs)in order to approach the role played by adipophilin in genesis of macroangiopathy. Methodse HVSMCs were treated with various amount of AcLDL. Adipophilin expression levels were detected by Northern blot and Western blot. The effects of adipophilin on AcLDL uptake and lipid accumulation in HVSMCs were observed by the methods of siRNA, flow cytometry, enzymatic method and oil red stain. Results AcLDL dose-dependently increased adipophilin expression in HVSMCs. Silence adipophilin by siRNA decreased AcLDL uptake (decreasing by 38.7%, P<0. 05) and lipids accumulation (tfiglyceride and total cholesterol decreasing by 30.6% and 29.8% respectively, both P<0. 01) in HVSMCs, Conclusion Adipophilin is able to increase AcLDL uptake and lipid accumulation in HVSMCs, suggesting that it might play a role in enhancing atherosclerosis.

Antibody Preparation and Expression Analysis of a New Protein Mimecan in Pituitary Tumors / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

Mimecan belongs to a family of leucine-rich proteoglycans that are secreted into the extracellular matrix. In order to investigate the function of mimecan, the coding region of mimecan was amplifed from a human pituitary cDNA by PCR and the recombinant prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-M was constructed. The vactor was transformed into E.coli BL21(DE3)and the GST-M fusion protein of 38 Kd was ecpressed in the bacteria under induction of IPTG. After purification, the fusion protein was infucted into New Zealand rabbits to prepare polyclonal antibody. The antibody was tested by Western blotting for their specificity and sensitivity. Using the antibody it was found the mimecan was expressed highly in certain types of human pituitary tumor tissues. These results make it possible for studying the biological function of mimecan.

Percutaneous estrogen in prevention of early postmenopausal bone loss in Chinese women / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the optimal dosage of 17beta-estradiol gel + oral progestin for preventing bone loss in postmenopausal Chinese women.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A 3-year open label, randomized, prospective clinical trial was conducted. Sixty healthy women who had been postmenopausal for 1 to 5 years were recruited and divided into following 4 groups: group 1, percutaneous gel 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) 1.5 mg/d plus micronized progesterone (MP) 100 mg/d; group 2, percutaneous gel 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) 1.5 mg/d plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) 2 mg/d; group 3, percutaneous gel 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) 0.75 mg/d plus micronized progesterone (MP) 100 mg/d; and group 4, percutaneous gel 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) 0.75 mg/d plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) 2 mg/d. Estrogen and progestin were given continuously for 25 days per month. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using quantitative computed tomography (QCT) for trabecular bone of L2-5 and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) for L2-4 and hip 5 times during the trial at baseline and at the 6-, 12-, 18-, 24- and 36-month visits.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fifty-nine patients (98.3%, 59/60) stayed in the study for 1 year, 56 patients (93.3%, 56/60) for 2 years, and 51 (85%, 51/50) for 3 years. On average, menopausal symptoms were relieved by 80% after 6 months of treatment. By the 24th month, the mean increase in BMD ranged from 4.3% to 7.5% in trabecular bone; and by the 36th month, it ranged from 4.2% to 6.2% in L2-4 and 1.61% to 3.77% in the neck. There were significant difference after treatment (P < 0.05). Among the four groups, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was found in improvement of symptoms, levels of bone markers or BMD.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A daily dose of estradiol gel, either 0.75 mg or 1.5 mg, is effective in preventing early postmenopausal bone loss and relieving menopausal symptoms. After 3-year treatment, spinal BMD could increase steadily, so does hip BMD, especially in the first 2 years.</p>

Effect of astragalus polysaccharides on cholesterol efflux in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To study the effect of astragalus polysaccharides(Aps)on cholesterol efflux in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells.METHODS:After exposed to Aps at different doses,cholesterol efflux and ABCA1 protein levels in cultured THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells were determined by a ? counter and flow cytometry,respectively.RESULTS:Aps increased cholesterol efflux in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells with dose dependent pattern and resulted in an increase in the expression of ABCA1 protein in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells.CONCLUSION:The increase in cholesterol efflux by Aps might be related to the up-regulation of ABCA1.

Full-length cDNA clone and protein expression of a solute carrier family 24 (sodium/potassium/calcium exchanger) member 6,SLC24A6 / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To clone and express the gene of SLC24A6, which provide the basis to illuminate the relationship between the SLC24A6 and insulin release. METHODS: The gene expression of SLC24A6 was analyzed in the insulinoma and normal pancreatic tissues by RT-PCR. The full-length cDNA sequence was subcloned into pET32a vector, and induced expression and purified in ROSSET (DE3) strain. At the same time, the ORF of SLC24A6 was cloned into green fluorescence protein vector pEGFP-C3 to study the location of SLC24A6 in the mouse insulinoma ?-TC3 cells. RESULTS: The mRNA expression of SLC24A6 in the human insulinoma tissue was significantly higher than that in normal pancreatic tissue. The fusion protein of SLC24A6 was a 80 kD protein and was purified successfully by prokaryotic vector in ROSSET strain. The localization of SLC24A6 in the mouse insulinoma ?-TC3 cells was located in the membrane of the cells. CONCLUSION: SLC24A6 might be related with insulin release. The prokaryotic expression of SLC24A6 provides the basis for the study on biological function and protein structure, and the location of SLC24A6 in the insulinoma cell will throw light on the relationship with insulin release.