FTO gene variant and risk of hypertension: a meta-analysis of 57,464 hypertensive cases and 41,256 controls.

Objectives: Recent studies have suggested that fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) may predispose individuals to develop hypertension. However, the results have been inconsistent. We performed a meta-analysis to investigate the relationship of FTO gene variant with risk of hypertension and influence of body mass index (BMI) on this risk.

Comparative study of the influence of diabetes distress and depression on treatment adherence in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional survey in the People's Republic of China.

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore diabetes-related distress and depression and their influence on treatment adherence in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: We surveyed 200 type 2 diabetic patients from two public hospitals using the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS), Zung Self-rating Depression Scale, and Revised Treatment Adherence in Diabetes Questionnaire (RADQ). A multiple regression model was used to explore the relationship between diabetes distress, depression, and treatment adherence.

[Expressions of HDAC1 and HDAC2 in prostate cancer and their clinical implications].

Objective: To detect the expressions of HDAC1 and HDAC2 proteins in prostate cancer and to explore their clinical significance.

Methods: We detected the expressions of HDAC1 and HDAC2 proteins in the tissue samples of prostate cancer from 82 patients with complete clinical data by immunohistochemistry, and analyzed the correlation of the expressions of HDAC1 and HDAC2 with other clinicopathological parameters, such as Gleason scores, preoperative PSA levels, and postoperative survival time.

Results: HDAC1 and HDAC2 were expressed in 59.

Specific recruitment of γδ regulatory T cells in human breast cancer.

Understanding the role of different subtypes of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment is essential for improving cancer treatment. Enriched γδ1 T-cell populations in TILs suppress T-cell responses and dendritic cell maturation in breast cancer, where their presence is correlated negatively with clinical outcomes. However, mechanism(s) that explain the increase in this class of regulatory T cells (γδ Treg) in patients with breast cancer have yet to be elucidated.

[Analysis on application of PBL in teaching of Zhenjiuxue (science of acupuncture and moxibustion) and establishment of a new education model].

Advantages of problem-based leaning (PBL) in teaching of Zhenjiuxue (Science of acupuncture and moxibustion) is analyzed through the feature that the curriculum has more comprehensiveness and practicalness and characteristics of the teaching team. Defects of incomplete communication among thinking pattern, cognitive contents and organization structure are presented in this article as well. It is held that things can be taken as a common point or cognitive origin of the west and the east.

[Position change of hyoid bone induced by oral appliance of double-pull rods in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome and analysis of relevant factors].

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the position change of hyoid bone in obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) induced by oral appliance (OA) of double-pull rods and analyze relevant factors, subsequently investigate treatment mechanism of OA for OSAHS.

Methods: Nine OSAHS patients (male), confirmed by polysomnography and excessive daytime sleepiness, were treated with OA of double-pull rods. After a 3-months treatment period, CT scan and three-dimensional reconstruction were made to each patient in central relation with and without OA respectively.

[Preventive effect of exogenous hydrogen sulfide on hepatic fibrosis in rats].

Objective: To determine the effect of exogenous hydrogen sulfide on experimental hepatic fibrosis in rats and its mechanism.

Methods: Wistar male rats were randomly divided into three groups: a normal control group (n=8), a model group (n=8), and a hydrogen sulfide prevention group (n=8). The rat model of hepatic fibrosis was reduced by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4).

[Measurement of MIP-1alpha and TNF-alpha in seminal plasma and its clinical significance].

Objective: To observe changes in the concentrations of MIP-1alpha and TNF-alpha and their influence on sperm in the seminal plasma of infertile males.

Methods: We measured the concentrations of MIP-1alpha and TNF-alpha in the seminal plasma of 110 infertile patients and 30 normal fertile men by ELISA and radioimmunoassay, and compared them with sperm concentration, sperm viability, sperm motility, leukocytospermia and serum anti-sperm antibodies (AsAb).

Results: The infertility group, particularly the oligospermia cases, showed significantly higher concentrations of MIP-1alpha and TNF-alpha in the seminal plasma ([179.

Therapeutic effect of recombinant plasmid-encoded human interleukin-12 in tumor-bearing mice.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of gene therapy using a recombinant plasmid encoding human interleukin-12 (rIL-12, pcDNA6-p70) on transplanted tumors in mice. Tumor-bearing mice were transplanted with sarcoma‑180 (S-180) cells and randomly divided into three groups of 10 mice with each group receiving a separate treatment. Following this, pcDNA6-p70 (dissolved in purified water; 100 µg/mouse), cyclophosphamide (dissolved in 0.

Biodegradable tri-block copolymer poly(lactic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(l-lysine)(PLA-PEG-PLL) as a non-viral vector to enhance gene transfection.

Low cytotoxicity and high gene transfection efficiency are critical issues in designing current non-viral gene delivery vectors. The purpose of the present work was to synthesize the novel biodegradable poly (lactic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(l-lysine) (PLA-PEG-PLL) copolymer, and explore its applicability and feasibility as a non-viral vector for gene transport. PLA-PEG-PLL was obtained by the ring-opening polymerization of Lys(Z)-NCA onto amine-terminated NH(2)-PEG-PLA, then acidolysis to remove benzyloxycarbonyl.

[How to get free articles on biomedicine from web sites abroad].

Since "Budapest Open Access Initiative" signed in 2002, there have been more and more open-access journals coming out on Internet, thus brining the best condition to the researchers. It has made better the phenomenon of not having enough foreign language periodicals in our country. The present author has selected part of free biomedicine periodical websites: High Wire Press; PubMed Central; BioMed Central; BioLine International; Free Medical Journals Site; Scientific Electronic Library; Hindawi; Academic Journals Inc; Biomedical Journals from India.

[Studies on the chemical constituents from the fruit of Aristolochia debilis].

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of the fruit of Aristolochia debilis.

Methods: The compounds were isolated by chromatographic techniqcue and crystal methods, the structures were elucidated by spectrum analysis.

Results: 8 compounds were isolated from the dry fruit of Aristolochia debilis which were aristolochic acid I (1), aristolochic acid II (2), aristolochic acid III (3), aristolochic acid III a(4), aristolochic acid VII a (5), aristolactam I (6), aristolactam II (7) and aristolactam III a (8).

Construction and characterization of calreticulin-HBsAg fusion gene recombinant adenovirus expression vector.

Aim: To generate recombinant adenoviral vector containing calreticulin (CRT)-hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) fusion gene for developing a safe, effective and HBsAg-specific therapeutic vaccine.

Methods: CRT and HBsAg gene were fused using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), endonuclease digestion and ligation methods. The fusion gene was cloned into pENTR/D-TOPO transfer vector after the base pairs of DNA (CACC) sequence was added to the 5' end.

Modified nanoprecipitation method to fabricate DNA-loaded PLGA nanoparticles.

Objective: The objective of this study was to formulate DNA-loaded poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycotide) (PLGA) nanoparticles by a modified nanoprecipitation method.

Methods: DNA-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by the modified nanoprecipitation method and the double emulsion/solvent evaporation method. The characterizations of DNA-loaded nanoparticles such as entrapment efficiency, morphology, particle size, zeta potential, structural integrity of the loaded DNA, and stability of the loaded DNA in PLGA nanoparticles against DNase I, in vitro release, cell viability and in vitro transfection capability were investigated.

[The effect of nitric oxide on the proliferation and ALP activity of human dental pulp cells in vitro].

Purpose: To study the effect of nitric oxide on the biological characteristic of human dental pulp cells.

Methods: The dental pulp cells were cultured with nitric oxide at different concentration of nitric oxide (10 micromol/L, 50 micromol/L, 100 micromol/L) by tissue explant. The effect of nitric oxide were studied with MTT assay and ALPase immunoassay.

[Effect on mRNA and secretion levels of proinflammatory cytokines in DC infected by SARS-CoV N gene recombinant adenovirus].

Objective: To investigate the exact mechanism of SARS-CoV pathogenesis at the protein level.

Method: Under the condition of the establishment of dendrtic cells (DC) culture method, we used recombinant adenovirus to infect mature DC to make clear the development changes in mRNA levels and secreted protein levels of proinflammatory cytokines of IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha by using RT-PCR and ELISA.

Result: We found that mRNA levels and secreted protein levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in DC had increased gradually after rAd-N infection during first 24 h compared with the control DC infected by rAd-LacZ (P < 0.

[AOTF-near infrared spectroscopy for determining tanshinone II A in returning extraction process of Salvia miltiorrhiza].

Objective: To explore a method on-line determining the contents of tanshinone II A in returning extraction process of Salvia miltiorrhiza by AOTF-Near infrared spectroscopy.

Methods: Firstly, the sample was collected in the extraction process of Salvia miltiorrhiza. Then HPLC was used as a reference method to determine the contents of tanshinone II A in the sample.

[Effect of bisphenol A on the structure of organs and the expression of some cytokines in rats].

Objective: To study effect of bisphenol A on the structure of organs and the expression of some cytokines of spleens in F344 rats.

Methods: Fisher 344 rats were divided into control, low-dose, middle-dose and high-dose groups, and were gavaged to 4 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg bisphenol A per day, respectively. To observe the change of histomorphology of spleens, thymus, kidneys and livers.

[In vitro cross-linking of Escherichia coli tartrate dehydratase beta subunit].

To test the hypothesis that in vitro protein cross-linking could be accomplished in three concerted steps: (1) a change in protein conformation; (2) formation of interchain disulfide bonds; and (3) formation of interchain isopeptide cross-links, we amplified wild and Cys/Ser mutant genes with PCR technique from E. coli BL21 cells and subcloned them into expression plasmid pTrcHisC. Recombinant proteins, which were associated with formation of inclusion bodies induced by IPTG, were purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) and refolded by dialysis.

[A new method for quick analysis of tanshinone II(A) and salvianolic acid in Fufang Danshen tablets by AOTF-near infrared spectroscopy].

Objective: To establish a new method using AOTF-Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for quick determination of tanshinone II(A) and salvianolic acid B in Fufang Danshen tablets.

Method: HPLC was used as a reference method to determine the contents of tanshinone II(A) and salvianolic acid B in Fu Fang Dan Shen tablets. Multivariate calibration models based on PLS1 algorithm were developed to correlate the spectra and the corresponding values determined by the reference methods.

[Analysis of the peer reviewed papers published in Shanghai Journal of Stomatology between 2001 and 2005].

Purpose: To analyze the characteristics of publications of Shanghai Journal of Stomatology (SJS) between 2001 and 2005.

Methods: By use of literature metrology, a comprehensive analysis of the publications of Shanghai Journal of Stomatology from 2001 to 2005 was made.

Results: The number of articles published from 2001 to 2005 in Shanghai Journal of Stomatology was 208, the authors were from 4 countries and 23 states or provinces.

[Effect of dihydrotestosterone on the transcriptions and expressions of Smad3 and Smad4 in LNCaP cell line].

Objective: To investigate the effect of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on the gene transcriptions and expressions of Smad3 and Smad4 in androgen dependent prostate cancer cell line LNCaP, and whether this effect can be suppressed by the androgen receptor inhibitor flutamide.

Methods: The androgen dependent prostate cancer cell line LNCaP was cultured in RPMI 1640 medium and treated with different concentrations of DHT(2, 10, 50 nmol/L) and flutamide (100 nmol/L). Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNAs of Smad3 and Smad4.