Prenatal Tobacco Exposure Modulated the Association of Genetic variants with Diagnosed ADHD and its symptom domain in children: A Community Based Case-Control Study.

The purpose of our study was to test the hypothesis that prenatal tobacco smoking exposure (PSE) could modulate the association of genetic variants with ADHD. A community based case-control study was conducted among Chinese children and 168 ADHD patients and 233 controls were recruited by using combination diagnosis of DSM-IV, SNAP-IV and semi-structured clinical interview. Logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the effect of prenatal tobacco smoking exposure and genotype frequencies on ADHD susceptibility individually by adjustment for potential confounders. Multiplicative and additive interaction analysis were performed to evaluate the interactions between risk genes and PSE with regard to ADHD. Prenatal tobacco smoke exposure was a significant risk factor of ADHD even after adjusted for other potential confounders. ADRA2A rs553668, DRD2 rs1124491 and SLC6A4 rs6354 were identified to be associated with ADHD. A significant multiplicative and additive gene-environment interactions were observed between the PSE and the ADRA2A rs553668 in relation to ADHD and ADHD-ODD. The risk of the genetic variants in ADHD was increased significantly if the child had prenatal tobacco exposure. The genetic risk for ADHD could be influenced by the presence of environmental risks. The environmental and the genetic risks are not distinct to each other. More gene-environment interaction studies were needed to reveal the etiology of ADHD.

Protective Effect of Apigenin on Acrylonitrile-Induced Inflammation and Apoptosis in Testicular Cells via the NF-κB Pathway in Rats.

Apigenin (AP) as a plant flavonoid is found to attenuate acrylonitrile (ACN) toxicity by reducing ROS production and inhibiting apoptosis. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the role of AP on ACN-induced inflammation and apoptosis in germ cells and whether it is through the NF-κB signaling pathway. AP increased the concentrations of lactate dehydrogenase isozyme (LDH) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), while the concentrations of interleukin ß (IL-1ß), tumor-necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were significantly reduced. AP could downregulate the expression of the nuclear factor of kappa B (NF-κB) and inhibit phosphorylation of the inhibitory κBα (IκBα). Cleaved caspase-3 was also upregulated by AP, and the apoptotic were less than those in the ACN group. These results suggest that AP might improve maturation and energy metabolism of testes, inhibit NF-κB activation. Then AP could further downregulate NF-κB signal and inhibit the germ cell apoptosis and reduce inflammatory caused by ACN.

Transplantation of human matrix metalloproteinase-1 gene-modified bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell attenuates CCL4-induced liver fibrosis in rats.

It has been reported that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) alleviated liver fibrosis. We investigated whether BMSCs transfected with human matrix metalloproteinase 1 (BMSCs/MMP1) would improve their therapeutic effect in liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. BMSCs were transfected with an adenovirus carrying enhanced green fluorescence protein (GFP) and human MMP1 gene. BMSCs or BMSCs/MMP1 were directly injected into fibrotic rats via the tail vein. GFP-labeled cells appeared in the fibrotic liver after BMSC transplantation. The expression of BMSCs/MMP1 elevated levels of MMP1 in vitro. Although BMSC administration reduced liver fibrosis, transplantation of BMSCs/MMP1 enhanced the reduction of liver fibrosis to a higher level. Treatment with BMSCs/MMP1 not only decreased collagen content but also suppressed activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in fibrotic liver, which led to subsequent improvement of both liver injury and fibrosis. Treatment with BMSCs/MMP1 resulted in an improved therapeutic effect compared with BMSCs alone, which is probably because of the sustainably expressed MMP1 level in the liver. BMSCs/MMP1 transplantation not only improved biochemical parameters but also attenuated progression of liver fibrosis, suggesting that BMSCs may be a potential cell source in preventing liver fibrosis and MMP1 gene may enhance the anti-fibrotic effect of BMSCs.

Pancreatic T/histiocyte-rich large B-cell lymphoma: A case report and review of literature.

Primary pancreatic lymphoma (PPL) is an extremely rare form of extranodal malignant lymphoma. The most common histological subtype of PPL is diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). In rare cases, PPL can also present as follicular lymphoma, small lymphocytic lymphoma, and T cell lymphoma either of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or of Hodgkin's lymphoma. T-cell/histiocyte-rich large B-cell lymphoma (T/HRBCL) is an uncommon morphologic variant of DLBCL with aggressive clinical course, it is predominantly a nodal disease, but extranodal sites such as bone marrow, liver, and spleen can be involved. Pancreatic involvement of T/HRBCL was not presented before. Herein, we report a 48-year-old male who was hospitalized with complaints of jaundice, dark brown urine, pale stools, and nausea. The radiological evaluation revealed a pancreatic head mass and, following operative biopsy, the tumor was diagnosed as T/HRBCL. The patient achieved remission after six cycles of CHOP chemotherapy. Therefore, T/HRBCL can be treated similarly to the stage-matched DLBCL and both of them get equivalent outcomes after chemotherapy.

Analysis of glucose metabolism of (18)F-FDG in major depression patients using PET imaging: Correlation of salivary cortisol and α-amylase.

Current diagnosis of Major depressive disorder (MDD) depends on its clinical symptoms, not on the results of any laboratory examinations. Establishing biological markers for diagnosis of MDD is one of the most important problems to be solved in psychiatry practice. MDD patients (n=8) and a healthy control group (n=8) were recruited in this study. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) assessments were completed and saliva samples were collected for assessments of salivary cortisol and salivary α-amylase (sAA). PET examination was performed. Salivary cortisol and sAA in the MDD patients group were significantly higher than the healthy control group (P<0.001). MDD patients showed lower glucose metabolism of 18F-FDG in Cingulate Gyrus (BA24), Superior Frontal Gyrus (BA6), Rectal Gyrus (BA11) and Orbital Gyrus (BA11/47) compared with the healthy control group. The severity of depression, salivary cortisol and sAA correlated negatively with regional glucose metabolism in Cingulate Gyrus (BA 24), Superior Frontal Gyrus (BA 6), Rectal Gyrus (BA 11) and Orbital Gyrus (BA 11/47). The combination of salivary cortisol, sAA, superior frontal gyrus and rectal gyrus was the potential predictor of depression for MDD patients (ΔR(2)=0.981, p<0.001). The present study showed that, MDD patients group showed higher salivary cortisol, sAA levels and lower glucose metabolism of (18)F-FDG in several brain areas compared with the healthy control group. The combination of salivary cortisol, sAA, glucose metabolism of (18)F-FDG of superior frontal gyrus and rectal gyrus may serve as a simple clinical tool for the early diagnosis of MDD.

[Effects of family cohesion and adaptability on behavioral problems in preschool children].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of family cohesion and adaptability on behavioral problems in preschool children. METHODS: The stratified cluster multistage sampling method was used to perform a questionnaire survey in the parents of 1 284 children aged 3-6 years in the urban area of Lanzhou, China. The general status questionnaire, Conners Child Behavior Checklist (Parent Symptom Question), and Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale, Second edition, Chinese version (FACESII-CV) were used to investigate behavioral problems and family cohesion and adaptability. RESULTS: The overall detection rate of behavioral problems in preschool children was 17.13%. The children with different types of family cohesion had different detection rates of behavioral problems, and those with free-type family cohesion showed the highest detection rate of behavioral problems (40.2%). The children with different types of family adaptability also had different detection rates of behavioral problems, and those with stiffness type showed the highest detection rate of behavioral problems (25.1%). The behavioral problems in preschool children were negatively correlated with family cohesion and adaptability. CONCLUSIONS: During the growth of preschool children, family cohesion and adaptability have certain effects on the mental development of preschool children.

Language-general and -specific white matter microstructural bases for reading.

In the past decade, several studies have investigated language-general and -specific brain regions for reading. However, very limited research has examined the white matter that connects these cortical regions. By using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), the current study investigated the common and divergent relationship between white matter integrity indexed by fractional anisotropy (FA) and native language reading abilities in 89 Chinese and 93 English speakers. Conjunction analysis revealed that for both groups, reading ability was associated with the FA of seven white matter fiber bundles in two main anatomical locations in the left hemisphere: the dorsal corona radiate/corpus callosum/superior longitudinal fasciculus which might be for phonological access, and the ventral uncinate fasciculus/external capsule/inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus which might be for semantic processing. Contrast analysis showed that the FA of the left temporal part of superior longitudinal fasciculus contributed more to reading in English than in Chinese, which is consistent with the notion that this tract is involved in grapheme-to-phoneme conversion for alphabetic language reading. These results are the first evidence of language-general and -specific white matter microstructural bases for reading.

Resting-state functional connectivity and reading abilities in first and second languages.

An intriguing discovery in recent years is that resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) is associated with cognitive performance. The current study investigated whether RSFC within the reading network was correlated with Chinese adults' reading abilities in their native language (L1, Chinese) and second language (L2, English). Results showed that RSFC within the reading network was positively correlated to reading abilities in L1 and L2, and RSFC between reading areas and the default network was negatively correlated to reading abilities in L1 and L2. Further conjunction and contrast analyses revealed that L1 and L2 shared similar RSFC correlates including connectivities between the areas for visual analysis (e.g., bilateral posterior fusiform gyrus, lateral occipital cortices, and right superior parietal lobules) and those for phonological processing (e.g., bilateral precentral gyri and postcentral gyrus, Wernicke's area). These results indicate that RSFC is a potential neural marker for reading abilities in both L1 and L2, with important theoretical implications for reading in L1 and L2.

Supraorbital keyhole approach for anterior circulation aneurysms.

AIM: Supraorbital keyhole approach provides access to the major part of the anterior circulation aneurysms. Herein, our surgical experience of supraorbital keyhole approach and its some modification have been proposed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Out of a series of 76 patients harboring 80 aneurysms operated on via a supraorbital keyhole approach with a superciliar or front wrinkle skin incision, there are 70 patients with subarachnoidal bleeding, others are nonruptured aneurysms, Intraoperative rupture occurred in 8 cases, and 4 had multiple aneurysms. RESULTS: There was a good cosmetic results with less approach-related complications .Of 80 aneurysms, 75 aneurysms were clipped successfully by the supraorbital route. Good Glasgow Outcome Scale scores of 4 or 5 were achieved in 95% of the patients at the time of discharge. 2 patients of Grade IV died in the postoperative period due vasospasm. CONCLUSION: The supraorbital route is recommended for selected anterior circulation aneurysms based on the improved surgical instruments and microsurgical skills.

Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Yiqi Huaju Qingli Formula in metabolic syndrome patients with microalbuminuria: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Microalbuminuria (MAU) is a key component of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and is an early sign of diabetic nephropathy as well. Although routine Western medicine treatments are given to MetS patients to control high blood pressure, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, some patients still experience progressive renal lesions and it is necessary to modify and improve the treatment strategy for MetS patients. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of Yiqi Huaju Qingli Herb Formula, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, in MetS patients with MAU when it is combined with routine Western medicine treatment. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Sixty patients with MetS were randomized into the Chinese herbal formula group (CHF, Yiqi Huaju Qingli formula treatment in combination with Western medicine) and control group (placebo in combination with Western medicine). All treatments were administered for 12 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Urinary microalbumin (MA), urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), 24-hour total urine protein (24-hTP), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose (2-hPPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), blood lipid profile and blood pressure were observed. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, CHF treatment significantly decreased BMI (P<0.05), WC (P<0.01) and WHR (P<0.01). Both groups had significant decreases in FPG, 2-hPPG, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, MA, and UACR, with CHF treatment showing better effects on these parameters compared with the control treatment (P<0.05). Both treatments significantly reduced the levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triacylglycerol (TAG), and a greater reduction in TAG was observed with CHF treatment (P<0.05). The level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol did not change in the control group after treatment (P>0.05), whereas it significantly increased with CHF treatment (P<0.01). Compared with before the treatment, significant decreases in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial blood pressure were observed in both groups (P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Combined treatment of Yiqi Huaju Qingli Formula and Western medicine significantly alleviated MAU, which may correlate with the improvement of insulin sensitivity and glucose and lipid metabolism. TRIAL REGISTRATION IDENTIFIER: This trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with the identifier ChiCTR-TRC-11001633.

[Distribution of waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio for 7-18 children and adolescents in Gansu Province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the percentile normal of waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio for 7-18 children and adolescents in Gansu Province and to analyze their distribution and growth trend. METHODS: A stratified cluster representative sample of 6600 urban and rural children aged 7-18 years in Gansu Province was selected. To measure their waist circumference and height and establish the norm of waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio with percentile method. To compare them with the domestic correlation data. RESULTS: Sex-age specific percentiles of P5, P10, P25, P50, P75, P90, P95 of waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio for 7-18 children in Gansu Province were accessed. The P50 of waist circumference was increasing year by year and crossed two times, but that of waist-to-height ratio fluctuated slightly. A comparison of the P50 of the waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio among China, Peking and Gansu. Before 15 the data of Gansu were lower than those of China and Beiing;but were higher than that after 16. CONCLUSION: To have constructed percentile normal of waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio for 7-18 children and adolescents in Gansu Province. The study provided a basic data for further studies of child and adolescent central obesity in China.

[Effect of acrylonitrile on the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in spermatogenic cell of mice].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of acrylonitrile exposure on the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in mice spermatogenic cells. METHODS: Based on body weight, 250 SPF Kunming adult male mice were randomly divided into five groups: negative control group (normal saline 0.01ml/g), three AN exposure groups (intraperitoneal injection of 1.25, 2.50 or 5.00 mg/kg of AN daily for 5 days, respectively) and positive control group (intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide 40mg/kg). Mice were killed in the 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th and 35th day after the first exposure by cervical dislocation. Immunohistochemical method (SABC) was used to detect the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein in spermatogenic cells. RESULTS: The average optical density values of Bcl-2 at five time points of the AN 2.50 mg/kg group and the 21th day point of the AN 1.25mg/kg group were significantly lower than the negative control group (P < 0.05). Except the 21st day point of the AN 1.25 mg/kg group, the mean optical density values of Bax in all time points of AN exposure groups were significantly higher than the negative control group (P < 0.05). The decreased expression of Bcl-2 protein was most distinct in AN 2.50mg/kg group and the positive control group at all time points. The expression of Bax protein was significantly increased in all groups at the 14th day point. CONCLUSION: The expression of Bcl-2 protein could be weakened in spermatogenic cells induced by AN, especially in the AN 2.50 mg/kg group; while the expression of Bax was enhanced, and the amplitude of change in the 14th day point was more obvious.

[Effects of Marsdenia tenacissima extract on proliferation and apoptosis of hematologic neoplasm cell line cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of the extract from Marsdensia tenacissima on proliferation and apoptosis of human hematologic neoplasm cell line cells. METHODS: Raji, NB4 and K562 cells were treated in vitro with different concentrations of the extract from Marsdensia tenacissima, including different ethanol elution components and C21 steroidal saponin monomer compounds, for different periods. Tumor cell proliferation was measured by MTT colorimetric assay and its apoptosis was determined by the flow cytometry (FCM). RESULTS: Firstly, with higher concentrations, 100 microg/mL and 200 microg/mL, 70% ethanol eluate from Marsdensia tenacissima inhibited the proliferation of Raji, NB4 and K562 cells significantly, in a dose and time dependent manner, compared with 30% and 50% ethanol elution components from Marsdensia tenacissima (P < 0.05). Secondly, four C21 steroidal saponin monomer compounds, tenacissosides B,C,I and marsdenoside K, also inhibited the proliferation of Raji, NB4 and K562 cells in vitro significantly, in a dose and time dependent manner, compared with that of control group (P < 0.05). Among them, tenacissoside C showed the strongest inhibition effects on proliferation of these cells under all experimental conditions compared with the other three C21 steroidal saponin monomer compounds (P < 0.05). Furthermor, the IC50 of tenacissosides C on proliferation of Raji, NB4 and K562 cells were 64.1 micromol/L, 70.4 micromol/L and 105.8 micromol/L, respectively. Finally, after Raji, NB4 and K562 cells were treated with 98.4 micromol/L tenacissoside C for 24 h and 48 h, the early apoptosis rates and late apoptosis rates of these tumor cells increased markedly, compared with the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The extract from Marsdensia tenacissima, including different ethanol elution components and C21 steroidal saponin monomer compounds, may inhibit the proliferation of some human hematologic neoplasm cell line cells and induce these tumor cells apoptosis in vitro, especially tenacissoside C, one of the C21 steroidal saponin monomer compounds, showed the strongest effects on proliferation of these tumor cells when compared with other ones, with the strongest inhibition activities on human Burkitt's lymphoma cell line Raji cells.

[Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Yiqi Zengmin formula on expression of glucose transporter 4 in skeletal muscle in type 2 diabetic rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of traditional Chinese compound recipe Yiqi Zengmin (YQZM) formula on expression of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in skeletal muscle of rats with type 2 diabetes induced by high-fat diet combined with low-dose-streptozotocin injection. METHODS: Fifty male rats were randomly divided into two groups: model group fed with high-fat diet (n=40) and control group (n=10). After 4-week feed of high-fat diet, the rats of the model group were injected with streptozotocin at a dose of 35 mg/kg. Rats with plasma glucose over 16.67 mmol/L were randomly divided into 4 groups: diabetic model group, YQZM group, rosiglitazone group and losartan group and were treated with water, YQZM, rosiglitazone or losartan respectively by oral administration for 8 weeks. The expression of GLUT4 protein in the cytoplasm and the plasma membrane of isolated rats' skeletal muscles were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: The expression of GLUT4 in the plasma membrane was more than that in the cytoplasm in skeletal muscle tissues of the normal rats, while the expression of GLUT-4 in the plasma membrane was less than that in the cytoplasm in skeletal muscle tissues of the type 2 diabetic rats. YQZM formula enhanced GLUT4 translocation from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane in skeletal muscle tissues, similar to rosiglitazone. CONCLUSION: YQZM formula can enhance GLUT4 translocation from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane in skeletal muscle tissues, and displays the insulin sensitization characteristic of rosiglitazone.

[Surveys on the status and associated factors of overweight and obesity of rural children under 7 year-old in Gansu Province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the status and associated factors of overweight and obesity of rural children under 7 year-old in Gansu province. METHODS: A total of 9390 rural children under 7 year-old and their mothers in 4 counties in Gansu province were selected by stratified random cluster sampling method and screened for overweight or obesity by BMI. All data were input by using a double entry method with EPI data 3.0 software and analyzed statistically by Excel/SPSS 10.0 software. RESULTS: The detection rate of overweight in rural children under 7 in Gansu province was 8.2% (male 8.7%, female 7.9%), the detection rate of obesity was 6.1% (male 6.4%, female 5.8%). The independent risk factors for overweight and obesity were birth weight > or = 4000 g and living in scattered lifestyle. CONCLUSION: The risks of overweight and obesity in rural children are rather high, more attention should be paid to children aged from 9 month to 2 years. Reducing the rate of birth weight > or = 4000 g and scattered lifestyle in children can make some contribution to the prevention of obesity and overweight.

Yi-Qi-Zeng-Min-Tang, a Chinese medicine, ameliorates insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic rats.

AIM: To investigate the effects of the Chinese herbal decoction, Yi-Qi-Zeng-Min-Tang (YQZMT), on insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic rats. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two dietary regiments by feeding either normal pellet diet (NPD) or high fat diet (HFD). Four weeks later, the HFD-fed rats were injected intraperitoneally with low-dose streptozotocin (STZ). Rats with non-fasting blood glucose level ≥ 16.67 mmol/L were considered type 2 diabetic and further divided into five subgroups: the type 2 diabetes model group, low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose YQZMT groups, and rosiglitazone group. Age-matched NPD-fed rats served as controls. YQZMT or rosiglitazone were administered for 8 wk. Intraperitoneal glucose and insulin tolerance tests were performed before and after the treatment to measure the glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Serum levels of biochemical parameters, adipocytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), as well as free fatty acids (FFAs), were also analyzed. RESULTS: There was significant elevation of insulin resistance and serum levels of fasting glucose (12.82 ± 1.08 mmol/L vs 3.60 ± 0.31 mmol/L, P < 0.01), insulin (7197.36 ± 253.89 pg/mL vs 4820.49 ± 326.89 pg/mL, P < 0.01), total cholesterol (TC) (8.40 ± 0.49 mmol/L vs 2.14 ± 0.06 mmol/L, P < 0.01), triglyceride (2.24 ± 0.12 mmol/L vs 0.78 ± 0.05 mmol/L, P < 0.01), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) (7.84 ± 0.51 mmol/L vs 0.72 ± 0.04 mmol/L, P < 0.01) and decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (0.57 ± 0.03 mmol/L vs 1.27 ± 0.03 mmol/L, P < 0.01) in the low-dose STZ and high-fat diet induced type 2 diabetic group when compared with the control group. Administration of YQZMT induced dose- and time-dependent changes in insulin resistance, glucose and lipid profile, and reduced levels of FFA, TNF-α and IL-6 in the type 2 diabetic rats. After the treatment, compared with the diabetic group, the insulin resistance was ameliorated in the high-dose YQZMT (2.82 g/100 g per day) group, with a significant reduction in serum glucose (12.16 ± 1.00 mmol/L vs 17.65 ± 2.22 mmol/L, P < 0.01), homeostasis model assessment of basal insulin resistance (22.68 ± 2.37 vs 38.79 ± 9.02, P < 0.05), triglyceride (0.87 ± 0.15 mmol/L vs 1.99 ± 0.26 mmol/L, P < 0.01), TC (3.31 ± 0.52 mmol/L vs 6.50 ± 1.04 mmol/L, P < 0.01) and LDL-c (2.47 ± 0.50 mmol/L vs 6.00 ± 1.07 mmol/L, P < 0.01), and a significant increase in HDL-c (0.84 ± 0.08 mmol/L vs 0.50 ± 0.03 mmol/L, P < 0.01). But the body weight was not changed significantly. CONCLUSION: YQZMT, which ameliorates insulin resistance and does not cause increase in body weight, may be a suitable therapeutic adjunct for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Regulation of adhesion molecules expression in TNF-α-stimulated brain microvascular endothelial cells by tanshinone IIA: involvement of NF-κB and ROS generation.

Pro-inflammatory cytokine-mediated expression of cell surface adhesion molecules plays a key role in endothelial cell injury, leading to vascular inflammation and the development of many cerebrovascular diseases. Thus, antiinflammatory agents targeting these adhesion molecules may represent potential drugs for the prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. The present study explored the effects of tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA), an active ingredient present in the Salvia miltiorrhiza root, on the expression of cellular adhesion molecules in TNF-α-stimulated brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVECs). Treatment with Tan IIA was found to suppress the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), resulting in inhibition of TNF-α-induced adhesion of neutrophils to BMVECs in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, Tan IIA significantly inhibited TNF-α-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which was accompanied by decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Treatment with Tan IIA also inhibited nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation. Together, these results suggest that Tan IIA regulates TNF-α-induced expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 through inhibition of NF-κB activation and ROS generation in BMVECs.

[Apigenin affects semen parameters in male mice].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of apigenin on semen parameters in male mice. METHODS: Totally 100 healthy male mice of Kunming strain were randomly divided into 5 groups according to the body weight: negative control, solvent control, low-dose apigenin, median-dose apigenin and high-dose apigenin, the latter three groups given intragastric apigenin at a fixed time every day for 7 and 14 days. At 35 days after the first medication, all the mice were killed and detected for the sperm motion parameters by computer aided sperm analysis (CASA). RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in sperm motion parameters, density and motility between the negative control and the three apigenin groups after 7-day medication. At 14 days, the high-dose apigenin group showed remarkable decreases in average path velocity (VAP), straight line velocity (VSL), straightness (STR), wobbliness (WOB), the percentage of grade b sperm and sperm motility, and a significant increase in beat cross frequency (BCF) as compared with the negative control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Apigenin affects sperm motility in male mice to a certain extent.

[Survey on the influencing factors of malnutrition in rural children under 7 years of age in Gansu Province].

OBJECTIVE: To study the status and influencing factors of malnutrition in rural children under 7 years of age in Gansu Province. METHODS: By stratified random cluster sampling, 9 390 rural children under 7 years of age from 4 counties of Gansu Province were enrolled. A cross-sectional investigation on children's nutritional status was performed. The major influencing factors of malnutrition were evaluated by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The detection rate of under-weight was 3.60% (338 cases). The growth retardation occurred in 992 cases (10.56%). Athrepsy was found in 196 cases (2.49%) out of 7 868 children under 5 years of age. Gender, age, birth weight, life style, parents' educational level and family income were influencing factors of malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS: More attention should be paid to the issue of malnutrition of rural children under 7 years of age in Gansu Province. The prevalence of malnutrition may be reduced through increasing family income and nutrition education, and improving parents' education level and children's life style.

[Gene cloning of mIFN-gamma and construction of recombinant adenovirus].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a rapid and efficient method for preparing recombinant adenovirus containing mouse IFN-gamma (mIFN-gamma) gene by homologous recombination in E. coli. in order to build a foundation for research into gene therapy of liver fibrosis. METHODS: The target gene mIFN-gamma was amplified by using PCR from the vector pORF5-mIFN-gamma. Once verified, it was cut out by double endonucleases, then connected to the shuttle vector pAdTrack-CMV. The newly constructed vector was linearized by Pme I following transformation to the E. coli. BJ5183, which contained the backbone vector pAdEasy-1. The correct recombinant pAd-mIFN-gamma was selected by endonucleases and by Kanamycin resistance. Again it was linearized with Pac I , then transfected to AD-293 cells by means of Calcium Phosphate method. Finally, the target gene IFN-gamma was identified by PCR and Western blot methods. RESULTS: The target gene mIFN-gamma amplified by PCR was identified by DNA sequencing, which proved that the mIFN-gamma gene consisted of 468 nucleotides and was completely the same with the sequence published on the GenBank. The adenoviral vector constructed by homologous recombination had the gene of interest and the viral could be examined 4-6 days after transfection, and the green fluorescence intensity became greater at about 8-11 days. The adenovirus obtained at the 12th day was digested by protease K and then was amplified by PCR and identified by Western blot. The two methods proved that the adenovirus encoded the target gene mIFN-gamma. CONCLUSION: Preparing recombinant adenovirus containing mIFN-gamma gene by homologous recombination in E. coli. Is a rapid and efficient method. The Ad-mIFN-gamma can be propagated in 293 cell line. It may be used as a novel agent for gene therapy in liver fibrosis.