[Effects of ERK5 MAPK signaling transduction pathway on the inhibition of genistein to breast cancer cells].

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of ERK5 MAPK signaling transduction pathway in the inhibition of genistein to MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. METHODS: The inhibitive effects of genistein on MDA-MB-231 cells were observed with the MTT assay. The cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The ERK5 MAPK, Bax and Caspase3 protein expressions were detected by using western blot method. RESULTS: genistein inhibited the cell proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells and induced apoptosis. The protein expression of ERK5 decreased and those of Bax and Caspase3 increased with the dose of genistein. CONCLUSION: Genistein can affect the ERK5 MAPK signaling transduction pathway and induce the expressions of apoptosis related proteins to inhibit the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells.

[Study on the relationship between compositions of hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between compositions of hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome among residents aged > or =20 years. METHODS: A stratified cluster sampling was conducted with 7887 dwellers recruited and examinaed. Blood samples were then collected for serum detection. Available data was analyzed using SPSS 13.0. RESULTS: The incidence rates of obesity, hypertension and hyperglycemia for hyperuricemia were 53.4% with OR = 2.568 (95% CI: 2.103-3.137), 38.8% with OR= 2.157 (95% CI: 1.856-2.508) and 21.9% with OR = 1.850 (95% CI: 1.552-2.205) respectively. Along with the increase of uric acid, body mass index changed the most followed by triglyceridemia. The change of hyperglycemia for men and cholesterol for women were not prominent. Conclusion The relationship between compositions of hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome was close, suggesting that hyperuricemia might serve as one of the compositions of metabolic syndrome and could contribute to the prevention and control of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

[Study on blood biochemical variables of obese children screened by new BMI and weight-for-height criterion].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the abnormal state of liver function and plasma lipid levels of obese schoolchildren who were screened by weight-for-height criterion and new body mass index criterion respectively. METHODS: 280 obese children were screened by weight-for-height criterion and 125 obese children were screened by body mass index criterion in a routine school check-up program. All of the latter subjects was included in the former one. One obese child and 1 non-obese child were matched for gender and age. 14 items related to liver functions and plasma lipids were measured. RESULTS: Of the abnormal items,7 items in 125 obese children screened by new BMI criterion and 5 items in 155 "obese children" excluded by BMI criterion, were significantly higher than those children among controlled group. The abnormal rates were 10.4%-22.9% in the former and 3.2%-13.0% in the latter. CONCLUSIONS: The new BMI criterion seemed to be more stringent than weight-for-height. Less than a half of the obese children screened by weight-for-height were taken on obese children by new BMI criterion. The overweight children who were screened by BMI criterion also had abnormal liver functions and plasma lipids.

[A community-based case-control study on risk factors of hyperuricemia among residents in the community].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors of hyperuricemia among residents aged >/= 20 years. METHODS: A community based case-control study was conducted in 286 patients with 858 controls without hyperuricemia. Available data were analyzed by mono-factorial and multi-factorial logistic regression methods using SPSS 10.0 software. RESULTS: 17 factors related to exposure were identified for hyperuricemia the mono-factorial analysis when; five factors were selected through multiple factoral logistic regression model at P = 0.05 level. The risk factors on hyperuricemia were: hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 3.069), alcohol consumption (OR = 2.032), obesity (OR = 1.802), taste of spicy food (OR = 1.877) and hyperglycemia (OR = 1.622). CONCLUSION: Hyperuricemia is a disease associated with environment and style-life. Changing lifestyle, such as decreasing alcohol consumption and adopting proper structure of diet may prevent or decrease the chance of getting hyperuricemia and gout.

[Effect of beta-carotene on gene expression of breast cancer cells].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the altered gene expression of MCF-7 cell before and after the treatment with beta-carotene using cDNA microarray and to investigate the mechanism which beta-carotene induce breast cancer cell apoptosis. METHODS: Two fluorescence cDNA probes were made using reverse transcriptional reaction from mRNA of beta-carotene untreated or treated MCF-7 cells (human estrogen receptor positive breast cancer cells), marked with two different fluorescence dyes (cy3 and cy5) respectively, hybridized with expressed cDNA microarray scanned and analyzed by computer system and finally the expressed gene was produced. RESULTS: A total of 21 genes related to cell apoptosis, cell signal transduction, protein translation and immunity were expressed differently after the treatment of beta-carotene, which 3/21 were up-regulated (AF040958, AK001555,g41894),18/21 were down- regulated(hshsp90r,U83857,AB014509,AF126028,AF053641,AF117386,AF050127,NM_012177,humtopi,AJ250915,U37547,U78798,NM_004849,NM_005346,AF004711,NM_006595,NM_001418,AB015051). CONCLUSION: beta-carotene may inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells through inducing apoptosis,breaking signal transduction,and blocking protein translation.

Geographical variation in nutrient intake between urban and rural areas of Jiangsu province, China and development of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire for middle-aged inhabitants.

The intake of food and nutrients differs between urban and rural areas in China. To develop a practical semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire to cover both the urban and rural areas, we conducted diet surveys and compared food and nutrient intake between the two areas. We recruited 198 urban and 214 rural healthy inhabitants aged 35-55 years, and performed diet surveys, using a 3-day weighed dietary record approach. The intake of 29 nutrients was calculated according to actual consumption of foods, with Standard Food Composition Tables for China and Japan. Then, contribution analysis and multiple regression analysis were employed to select food items covering up to a 90% contribution and a 0.90 R2 of coefficient of determination, respectively. Consumption of energy and carbohydrates was greater in the rural area, but mean protein intake was higher in the urban case. Values for total fat were greater for rural than for urban males, with animal fat as the major contributor. We finally selected 117 and 76 food items for the urban and rural semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires, respectively, covering 18 and 27 nutrients constituting up to 90% of the nutrient intake. Further validity and reproducibility tests are now needed to assess their appropriateness for usage.

Development of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire to determine variation in nutrient intakes between urban and rural areas of Chongqing, China.

Nationwide surveys of food and nutrient intake in China have revealed geographical variation between urban and rural areas. This study developed a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQFFQ) for cancer risk assessment suitable for both urban and rural populations by conducting a survey of food intake in Chongqing, China. We recruited 100 urban and 104 rural healthy residents aged from 35 to 55 years in Chongqing, and collected dietary data with 3-day weighed records to assist in the development of the SQFFQ. The intake of 35 nutrients was calculated according to Standard Food Composition Tables for China and Japan. For each nutrient estimated by percentage contribution analysis (CA) and multiple regression analysis (MRA), foods with up to a 90% contribution or a 0.90 cumulative R(2) were selected as items for SQFFQs. The food items of the combined SQFFQ were selected from all items listed in either urban or rural SQFFQs. Mean intake of energy, protein and carbohydrate did not differ between the urban and rural residents. The latter consumed more fat than their urban counterparts. We selected 119 food items for the combined SQFFQ, comprising 22 specific items for the urban SQFFQ, 6 for the rural, and 78 common and 13 additional items. The combined SQFFQ covered 33 nutrients with up to a 90% contribution in each area. We were able to develop a data-based SQFFQ that can estimate nutrient intake of both urban and rural populations, with suitable coverage rates. Further reliability and reproducibility tests are now needed to assess its applicability.