Relationships of Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury Levels With Albuminuria in US Adults: Results From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Database, 2009-2012.

In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated associations between cadmium, lead, and mercury levels and the presence of albuminuria in US adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during the period 2009-2012. A total of 2,926 adults aged ≥20 years were included, representing a population-based sample of 18,264,307 persons. Data on blood and urinary levels of cadmium, lead, and mercury and urinary albumin concentration (albuminuria, measured as albumin:creatinine ratio (ACR) ≥30 mg/g) were obtained. Multivariate linear regression was used to analyze associations between log-transformed cadmium, lead, and mercury levels and the presence of albuminuria. Urinary ACR was significantly higher among participants with a blood cadmium level of 0.349-0.692 µg/L (quartile 3) than in those with a blood cadmium level less than or equal to 0.243 µg/L (quartile 1) (crude ß = 0.15, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.01, 0.28). Participants with a urinary cadmium level greater than or equal to 0.220 µg/L had a significantly higher ACR (0.220-0.403 µg/L (quartile 3): crude ß = 0.12 (95% CI: 0.03, 0.21); ≥0.404 µg/L (quartile 4): crude ß = 0.29 (95% CI: 0.18, 0.39)) than those with a urinary cadmium level less than or equal to 0.126 µg/L (quartile 1). In conclusion, only blood and urinary cadmium levels, not mercury or lead levels, were associated with albuminuria among adults in this population.

Subcellular quantitative proteomic analysis reveals host proteins involved in human cytomegalovirus infection.

Viral replication requires host cell macromolecules and energy, although host cells can alter their protein expression to restrict viral replication. To study the host cell response to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection, a stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC)-based subcellular quantitative proteomic study of HCMV-infected human embryo lung fibroblast (HEL) cells was performed, and a total of 247 host proteins were identified as differentially regulated by HCMV. Western blotting and immunofluorescence confocal microscopy were performed to validate the data sets. Gene Ontology analysis indicated that cellular processes involving the metabolism, localization and immune system were regulated as a result of HCMV infection. Functional analysis of selected regulated proteins revealed that knockdown of HNRPD, PHB2 and UB2V2 can increase HCMV replication, while knockdown of A4 and KSRP resulted in decreased HCMV replication. Our study may improve our understanding of the dynamic interactions between HCMV and its host and provide multiple potential targets for anti-HCMV agent research.

Analysis of EV71 infection progression using triple-SILAC-based proteomics approach.

Enterovirus 71 (EV71), a member of Picornaviridae, causes severe neurological and systemic illness in children. To better understand the virus-host cell interactions, we performed a triple-SILAC-based quantitative proteomics study monitoring host cell proteome changes after EV71 infection. Based on the quantitative data for more than 4100 proteins, ∼17% of the proteins were found as significantly changed (p<0.01) at either 8 or 20 hours post infection. Five biological processes and seven protein classes showed significant differences. Functional screening of nine regulated proteins discovered the regulatory role of CHCH2, a mitochondrial protein known as a transcriptional activator for cytochrome c oxidase, in EV71 replication. Further studies showed that CHCH2 served as a negative regulator of innate immune responses. All MS data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD002483 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD002483).

[Influence of thymidylate synthase gene polymorphisms on high-dose methotrexate-related toxicities in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of thymidylate synthase (TS) gene polymorphisms on high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX)-related toxicities in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). METHODS: A total of 73 children who were diagnosed with ALL between March 2011 and March 2013 were included into this study. Genomic DNAs were extracted from their peripheral blood. And then the genotypes of TS 5'-UTR were determined by direct DNA sequencing after PCR. The toxicity response of 73 patients receiving HD-MTX chemotherapy were observed and recorded, and plasma MTX concentrations at 42-48 hours after chemotherapy were measured. RESULTS: The main HD-MTX-related toxicities of 73 patients receiving HD-MTX chemotherapy were neutropenia, decreased hemoglobin level, thrombocytopenia, liver toxicity, mucosal damage, and gastrointestinal reactions. There were no significant differences in the incidence rate of HD-MTX-related toxicities between children with different TS 5'-UTR genotypes after chemotherapy (P>0.05). TS 5'-UTR genotype was not significantly correlated with plasma MTX concentrations at 42-48 hours after chemotherapy (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TS gene polymorphisms have no influence on the incidence of HD-MTX-related toxicities in childhood ALL.

Association between mandibular posterior alveolar morphology and growth pattern in a Chinese population with normal occlusion.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between growth patterns and mandibular posterior tooth-alveolar bone complex morphology in a Chinese population with normal occlusion. METHODS: Forty-five patients with normal occlusion (23 males, 22 females) were included in this study. Among these patients, 20 displayed the vertical growth pattern, and 20 had the horizontal growth pattern, while the remaining patients displayed the average growth pattern. All of the patients underwent dental cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), which included the region of the mandibular posterior teeth and the alveolar. A linear regression analysis and a correlation analysis between the facial height index (FHI) and the alveolar bone morphology were performed. RESULTS: The inclination of the molars, the thickness of the cortical bone, and the height of the mandibular bone differed significantly between patients with the horizontal growth pattern and those with the vertical growth pattern (P<0.05). Significant positive correlations were found between: the FHI and the inclination of the molars; the FHI and the thickness of the cortical bone; and the FHI and the height of the mandibular bone. CONCLUSIONS: The mandibular posterior tooth-alveolar bone complex morphology may be affected by growth patterns.

[Study on oral Candida albicans apoptosis in vitro].

PURPOSE: Candida albicans is one of the main opportunistic pathogen for human , the aim of this study is to investigate the phenomena of apoptosis in oral Candida albicans induced by acetic acid. METHODS: The Candida albicans of clinical strains were induced to apoptosis by using a weak acid acetic acid.The apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and TEM. The data were processed for Chi-square test using SPSS11.5 software package. RESULTS: Oral Candida albicans had classic apoptosis when induced by proper concentration of acetic acid, and different concentrations of acetic acid had variable ability of inducing apoptosis of Candida albicans. CONCLUSIONS: Apoptosis can be detected in clinical strains of Candida albicans, the mechanism of apoptosis needs further research for the purpose of developing new antifungal drugs. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.30400498) and 2007 National College Student Innovative Planning Project.