Vaccination in children with congenital heart disease: an observational study in a Beijing hospital.

Introduction: Underimmunization of CHD children is a public health concern in China. This study aimed to analyze the vaccination status of CHD children to provide additional evidence on optimal vaccination strategies and to make suggestions to promote appropriate vaccination services for these children.

Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 155 CHD children who received at least one vaccine at Peking University First Hospital.

The impact of training healthcare professionals' communication skills on the clinical care of diabetes and hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Diabetes and hypertension care require effective communication between healthcare professionals and patients. Training programs may improve the communication skills of healthcare professionals but no systematic review has examined their effectiveness at improving clinical outcomes and patient experience in the context of diabetes and hypertension care.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials to summarize the effectiveness of any type of communication skills training for healthcare professionals to improve diabetes and/or hypertension care compared to no training or usual care.

Enantioselective vinylogous aldol/lactonization cascade reaction between β,γ-unsaturated amides and trifluoromethyl ketones: facile access to chiral trifluoromethyl dihydropyranones.

An efficient asymmetric vinylogous aldol/lactonization cascade reaction between β,γ-unsaturated amides and trifluoromethyl ketones has been developed. Using a chiral cyclohexanediamine-based tertiary amine-thiourea catalyst, optically active trifluoromethyl dihydropyranones have been constructed in moderate-to-excellent yields (up to 99%) with excellent stereoselectivities (96-> 99.5% ee).

Chronic Estradiol Administration During the Early Stage of Alzheimer's Disease Pathology Rescues Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Ameliorates Cognitive Deficits in Aβ Mice.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia and has become an important public health concern. Accumulating evidence indicates that estradiol can both facilitate and impair memory-related processes and, as a result, the precise nature of the role that estradiol plays during AD pathology remains elusive. Therefore, the present study established a mouse model of AD using stereotactic brain injection of Aβ in which the mice were bilaterally ovariectomized to investigate the effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) treatment during different stages of the AD process (early and late stages).

Analysis of Thermal Field Distribution in Winter over Beijing from 1985 to 2015 Using Landsat Thermal Data.

Heat supply, automobile exhaust, industrial production and decrease of thermal inertia in winter caused by the decrease of vegetation coverage leads to an obvious difference in the distribution of the land thermal field in the winter compared with other seasons. The Urban thermal field distribution in the winter directly affects the spread of air pollutants, which has important implications for analyzing the contribution of the thermal field to particulate air pollution. Atmospheric transmissivity and atmospheric upwelling/downwelling radiance in simulations are first calculated using the moderate spectral resolution atmospheric transmittance algorithm and computer model (MODTRAN).

Estradiol prevents Aβ 25 35-inhibited long-term potentiation induction through enhancing survival of newborn neurons in the dentate gyrus.

Aim And Methods: Estradiol (E2) is reported to attenuate β-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study explored the beneficial effect of E2 in AD using histological examination and electrophysiological recording technique in AD model mice created by intracerebroventricular injection of β-amyloid 25-35 (Aβ 25-35).

Results: Infusion of Aβ 25-35 reduced the number of newborn neurons in the 2nd week after birth, a critical period for neurite growth, and impaired high-frequency stimulation-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) induction in perforant path-granular synapses of hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG).

Saponins from Aralia taibaiensis attenuate D-galactose-induced aging in rats by activating FOXO3a and Nrf2 pathways.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are closely related to the aging process. In our previous studies, we found that the saponins from Aralia taibaiensis have potent antioxidant activity, suggesting the potential protective activity on the aging. However, the protective effect of the saponins and the possible underlying molecular mechanism remain unknown.

Electroencephalogram global field synchronization analysis: a new method for assessing the progress of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. Global field synchronization (GFS) can measure functional synchronization in frequency-domain electroencephalogram (EEG) data. The aim of this study is to explore GFS values and its clinical significance for severity of cognitive decline in AD.

The Kunming mouse: as a model for age-related decline in female fertility in human.

To ascertain whether the Kunming (KM) mouse is an available model for age-related decline in female fertility in human or not, oocytes from young (6-8 weeks), middle-aged (9 months) and aged (12 months) female mice were compared with respect to number of oocytes, frequency of in-vitro maturation (IVM) and in-vitro fertilization (IVF), and meiotic chromosome segregation and alignment. The mean number of pups born per mouse decreased significantly from the young to the middle-aged and the aged mice. The mean number of ovarian follicles, ovarian germinal vesicle oocytes and ovulated MII oocytes decreased significantly with maternal age.

Selenoprotein S expression in the rat brain following focal cerebral ischemia.

Recent studies on cerebral ischemic stroke have demonstrated the importance of the inflammatory response. Ongoing inflammatory insults have been implicated as a secondary mechanism underlying neuronal injury induced by ischemia, and anti-inflammatory strategies have gained considerable interest. Selenoprotein S (SelS), which is an endoplasmic reticulum resident protein, is known to promote cell survival by regulating inflammation.

Effect of age, GV transfer and modified nucleocytoplasmic ratio on PKCα in mouse oocytes and early embryos.

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of Ser/Thr protein kinases that can be activated by Ca2+, phospholipid and diacylglycerol. There is evidence that PKC plays key roles in the meiotic maturation and activation of mammalian oocytes. The present study aimed to monitor the effect of age, germinal vesicle (GV) transfer and modified nucleoplasmic ratio on the subcellular distribution profile of PKCα, an important isozyme of PKC, in mouse oocytes undergoing meiotic maturation and following egg activation.

Levels and dynamic changes of serum fibroblast growth factor 23 in hypophosphatemic rickets/osteomalacia.

Background: Hypophosphatemic rickets/osteomalacia is a group of diseases characterised by defective mineralization of bone due to hypophosphatemia and low 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D. To explore the role of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) in the regulation of phosphate homeostasis, we measured the circulating concentrations of this growth factor in healthy individuals and in patients with hypophosphatemic rickets/osteomalacia.

Methods: Nineteen patients with hypophosphatemic rickets/osteomalacia were included in hypophosphatemic group (HP, 12 female and 7 male, mean age was 30 years), and 19 healthy age-matched individuals served as the control group.

[Inhibitory effect of cucurbitacin E on the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells and its mechanism].

Background And Objective: There are various biological activities of cucurbitacin E (CuE), including antitumor effect, anti-chemical carcino-genesis, liver protection, and enhancement of the immunity, and so on. This study was to investigate the effect of CuE on proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction of ovarian cancer ES-2 cells, and to explore the mechanism.

Methods: ES-2 cells were treated with different concentrations of CuE for 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively.

Escin, a natural mixture of triterpene saponins, exhibits antitumor activity against hepatocellular carcinoma.

Escin, a mixture of triterpene saponins extracted from Aesculus wilsonii Rehd., was used to analyze the antitumor effect in hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo and in vitro. At a dose of 2.

Effect of fibroblast growth factor 9 on Runx2 gene promoter activity in MC3T3-E1 and C2C12 cells.

Background: Fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9), expressed in brain, kidney and developing skeletal tissues, can physiologically inhibit endochondral ossification; but little is known about how FGF9 affects osteoblasts and its detailed regulatory mechanism. Here we examined the effect of FGF9 on the activity of the murine Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) gene promoter in preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 and premyoblast C2C12 cells.

Methods: Plasmids containing the Runx2 promoter region were transfected into MC3T3-E1 and C2C12 cells and stably transfected cell lines were established.

[Association of calcium-sensing receptor gene polymorphism with serum calcium level in healthy young Han women in Beijing].

Objective: To investigate the distribution of calcium-sensing receptor (CASR) gene polymorphisms in healthy young women of Han nationality in Beijing area and to explore the association of CASR genotypes and serum calcium, parathormone (PTH) level in healthy women.

Methods: 202 healthy young women aged (27 +/- 5) years of Han nationality in Beijing area were recruited in this study. Whole blood genome DNA was extracted with QIAGEN DNA extraction kit.

[RET gene cys 634 trp mutation in a multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A kindred].

Objective: To identify the genotype of RET gene in one multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) kindred.

Methods: Genome DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leucocytes. The DNA sequence of gel-purified polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products was determined with the previously reported 6 pairs of primers of PCR amplification of 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, and 16 exons of RETgene.

[Skeletal biomechanical properties improvement in ovariectomized osteoporotic rats of teriparatide was retarded by alendronate].

Objective: To implore the effects of teriparatide (PTH) and alendronate (Alen) on skeletal biomechanical properties of ovariectomized (OVX) osteoporotic rats.

Methods: 70 female Wistar rats of 6 months were randomly divided into 7 groups: (1) Baseline: sacrificed at baseline; (2) OVXb: sacrificed in 6 weeks after OVX; (3) Sham operation; (4) OVXe: sacrificed 14 weeks after OVX; (5) PTH: 40 microg.kg(-1).

[Effects of teriparatide and alendronate on bone mineral density of osteoporotic rats].

Objective: To investigate the effects of teriparatide (hPTH1-34, PTH) and alendronate (Alen) on bone turnover rate and bone mineral density (BMD) of ovariectomized (OVX) osteoporotic rats.

Methods: 70 female 6-month-old Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 groups: (1) baseline group: killed immediately as baseline controls; (2) sham operation group: injected subcutaneously with normal saline (NS) as normal controls; (3) OVXb group: underwent ovarietomy (OVX) and killed 6 weeks after OVX as pre-therapeutic controls; (4) OVXe group: injected with NS subcutaneously and then sacrificed 14 weeks after OVX as controls by the end of treatment; (5) PTH group: PTH 40 microg.kg(-1).

[Bone mineral density and leptin receptor polymorphism Gln223Arg in Han women in Beijing].

Objective: To investigate the association between bone mineral density (BMD) and leptin receptor (LEPR) polymorphism (Gln223 Arg) in young women and postmenopausl osteoporotic women.

Methods: BMD values were determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The Gln223 Arg genotypes of LEPR were analyzed by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

[Effects of different human parathyroid hormone 1-34 administration on SaoS-2 cells].

Objective: To observe the effects of different human parathyroid hormone 1-34 (hPTH1-34) administration on SaoS-2 cells, and explore the mechanism of bone formation improvement.

Methods: Each cycle covered 48 h. SaoS-2 cells were continuously or intermittently stimulated by 50 ng/ml hPTH1-34 for 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h in each cycle.

[Prospective study of pamidronate disodium in treatment of Paget's disease of bone].

Objective: To determine the efficacy of pamidronate disodium (pamidronate) in treatment of Paget's disease of bone.

Methods: Intravenous drip of pamidronate was given at the dose of 30 - 60 mg per day for 2 - 3 weeks with a total dosage of 90 - 270 (168 +/- 84) mg to 5 patients with Paget's disease of bone, 2 males and 3 females, aged 27 - 74 (61 on average) with the course of disease of 4 - 48 years (24 years on average), all of them having multiple bone lesions, 2 being in grade 4 of pain assessment and bedridden and 3 being in grade 3 with impaired mobility. Pain assessment, biochemical markers of bone turnover, including serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), carboxy-terminal propeptide of type I collagen (PICP), carboxy-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) and urinary hydroxyproline (HOP), and side effects of pamidronate were observed before treatment, by the end of treatment, and 4, 12, 24, and 48 weeks after treatment.

Expression of core binding factor alpha1 up-regulated by IGF-I, GM-CSF, and EGF through MAPK pathway in MC3T3-E1 and C2C12 cells.

Aim: To study the regulating function and mechanism of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on murine core binding factor alpha1 (Cbfalpha1) gene expression.

Methods: Luciferase reporter gene method and RT-PCR technique were used to examine the effects of these growth factors on the promoter activity and mRNA expression of Cbfalpha1 gene in MC3T3-E1 and C2C12 cells.

Results: IGF-I (from 1 nmol/L to 1 micromol/L), GM-CSF (100 nmol/L), and EGF (1 micromol/L) increased the luciferase expression in MC3T3-E1 cells (P<0.

[Changes of urinary deoxypyridinoline crosslink/creatinine in rats after ovariectomy and anti-osteoporotic intervention].

Objective: To observe the changes of urinary deoxypyridinoline crosslink/creatinine (UDpd/Cr) in rats after OVX and intervention by estrogen and bisphosphonate and investigate the possible application of deoxypyridinoline in osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: 40 female 6-month-old virginal Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups, ovariectomized or sham ovariectomized. (1) Ovxb (n = 8): sacrificed at 6 weeks after OVX; (2) Sham (n = 8): sham ovariectomized; (3) Ovxe (n = 8): sacrificed at 14 weeks after OVX; (4) O + E (n = 9):OVX + 17 beta estradiol [20 micrograms/(kg.